Interviews
The Brad Bell Interview – The Bold and the Beautiful – Soapmaker Of The Year 2015
Photo Credit: Gilles Toucas
Inspiring bold choices, adding in long overdue diversity, garnering critical acclaim and mainstream coverage for being on the forefront of the national conversation of the plight of the transgender community, while continuing in the daytime tradition of classic soap opera storytelling, and sprinkling in a few shock and awe moments and major surprises, these were all major factors in deciding On-Air On-Soaps highest honor of Soapmaker of the Year 2015. Without question this year that achievement and accolade goes to the executive producer and head writer of The Bold and the Beautiful, Brad Bell.
It’s been quite some time that a daytime drama has broken ground in such a comprehensive and compelling way with the story of Maya Avant (Karla Mosley), who viewers learned earlier in the year was born as “Myron”. Maya’s story became one of the most compassionate tales told in soap opera history with new wrinkles and twists, while expanding the Avant family by bringing in Maya’s parents and sister to the canvas. The soap was right on target with its story choices, as this was the year that also saw everyone in America and across the world watching the real-life story of Caitlyn Jenner unfold. But Brad Bell and his fearless team continued to push the envelope in 2015, with the sudden death of Aly Forrester (Ashlyn Pearce) in virtually the same place her mother met her maker years before. Then there was the inspirational story of actress Linsey Godfrey (Caroline) who returned to the show after a harrowing real-life accident, and Bell was able to utilize her and give her story through the classic, “Who’s the daddy?” tale with a twist. Caroline’s pregnancy is fraught with drama for potentially years to come.
On-Air On-Soaps spoke with Brad about his honor, and took him through the year of storylines on the screen to get his comments, during a 2015 that was also somewhat transitional for him. No longer did he spend all of his time in Los Angeles at the B&B offices at CBS. Brad found himself writing in Hungary, while accompanying his wife, the ambassador to that nation, Colleen Bell. And, why not? B&B continues to be the number one show worldwide, while firmly remaining in the #2 position of the daytime dramas in the U.S. It was a good year to be bold and beautiful in so many ways for our culture, and that goes for this soap, too. Here’s our Soapmaker of the Year, Brad Bell!
MICHAEL:
2015 in the world of soaps will be remembered as a very impressive year for The Bold and the Beautiful. As you have seen, I am not alone in my thought-process, as other critics/pundits have been extolling year-end accolades for your show.
BRAD:
Courtesy/CBS
It’s a year I will look back on and be very proud of, and one that was very unique in the history of B&B.
MICHAEL:
Let’s touch on the year on B&B, and discuss what you have done with the show that has you as our choice for Soapmaker of the Year. Obviously, first and foremost, the transgender storyline involving the character of Maya has been front and center, and told so beautifully. You touched upon several of the issues facing the transgender community. What can you say about what you’ve told within that story as you reflect on 2015?
BRAD:
I think we really tried to analyze progressive thinking vs. traditional thinking. Creating the character of Maya as this transgender character has opened our minds up as writers. It hopefully had the same effect around the country and around the world, as we see what a beautiful person she is, and how she is being treated by the Forrester family. But also, there were many obstacles and many ahead. It’s not just a fairy tale for her, but something that hopefully mirrors reality in the good, the bad, and the ugly.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
The writing of the wedding of Maya and Rick (Jacob Young) was such a poignant episode, and the showdown scenes between Maya and her father Julius (Obba Babatundé) were riveting. It was also a great decision to bring Maya’s parents on to the canvas: Julius and Vivienne (Anna Maria Horsford). Take me through how you and your writing team made the decision to craft the scenes, and the confrontation during the nuptials?
BRAD:
I thought that things were going so well for Maya that we needed to bring someone in who didn’t agree with her choices, and who had issues with who she has become. The father was that character. We created a character that was traditional, stubborn, stuck in his ways, close-minded, and charming all at the same time. As soon as I saw Obba Babatundé’s tape, I knew he was the man for this role. He is just an incredible actor. What he has found together with Karla Mosley has just been gold for us. Patrick Mulcahey wrote the dialog for that episode, and he just killed it as he always does. Those scenes really came together, beautifully.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
Through this journey of telling Maya’s story, was there anything as the executive producer and head writer of the show that you were surprised to learn about the transgender community, or what they are facing?
BRAD:
Yes. I definitely have a greater understanding of what they are facing. Getting to know more transgender people and to be able to be part of the community now, you find out we are all much more similar than we are different. We have the same basic needs, wants and desires. Everyone should have the right to express themselves, and to reach their goals, and to be who they want to be. The people in the trans community are brave, and they are original. It is great to live in a country where this is possible. I think there are many challenges, but yet there are many successes to be where we are far, and ahead of most countries in the world.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/Pop
You took the transgender story one step further with the surrogate arc, where Rick and Maya want to have a child, but enlist Maya’s sister Nicole (Reign Edwards) to assist them in the most major way. Was the decision to tell that story, basically about a “where do we go from here” with their relationship, because now Rick and Maya were a happy couple, or was it about exploring what would happen to a couple in this situation?
BRAD:
I just thought getting to know these characters, and what Karla and Jacob put into them also, and the natural outgrowth of who they are would be the desire to have a family. So, how do we get that done? It did line up beautifully for Nicole to come to talk to them, and for them to make this request. You can see how on one side it makes complete sense – it’s a younger daughter’s gift to her sister – but you also see how other people might find it to be outrageous. It’s a great arena for drama. This story is not going to be a bed of roses for any of them; it’s going to be difficult. Everybody’s going to weigh-in. Now to have Rome Flynn with us playing Zende, and Felisha Cooper playing Sasha in the story mix, plus there is much more we will hear from the Avant parents that will make the next chapter, I think, as exciting as the first.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
You continued to integrate the transgender community into your stories. You had transgender models in a fashion show, and you had Scott Turner Schofield (Nick), the first trans male actor in a role on a soap making daytime history. It was commendable that you did not take a sensationalistic approach to Maya’s story, but carried this initiative and weaved it within the show. What has been the response from the trans community? Have people reached out to you with emails, letters, or in person?
BRAD:
Yes, it’s been great. The letters of gratitude has been very special. People are actually using some of our episodes in classrooms. To hear stories like that where they are looking at scenes and discussing them is so exciting for me.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/ESPN
Soap operas always used to tackle, and were ahead of the curve and on top of it, on telling social issues. I don’t feel the genre has been on top of it for a while now. I feel you and your team brought that back with the transgender storyline. As it turned out, it was kind of the perfect storm with Caitlyn Jenner’s real-life story happening at the same time.
BRAD:
That is what I am most proud about for 2015 in story. This is something we need to be doing. It is something that historically when soaps are good, that is why they are good, because they are mirroring and analyzing the sociology of our time, and what we are confronting within communities. It’s great to be on the forefront of this, and to be writing this story and to be well into it. And then, to have Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce Jenner) making her announcement of transitioning, the timing could not have been better on this one.
MICHAEL:
You recently received a WGA nomination from the Writers Guild, and are up against General Hospital for the Daytime Drama series writing award that will be announced and handed out in February. What episodes did you submit for contention? Additionally, can you share with the fans of the show the collaborative process of your writing team?
Courtesy/CBS
BRAD:
We submitted episodes involving Maya’s story. As the head writer I come up with the plots, and work very closely with Michael Minnis. Then Patrick Mulcahey joins us on story conversations frequently. Then I have a great team of dialog writers including; Michele Val Jean and Tracey Kelly, but we are all in it together. This team has been together a long time now. We have had very little changes. One year you are on to something, and the next year you take a turn. People drop out of the show, which allows you to highlight other people. Looking at Jacob Young and Karla Mosley, who were a bit back-burnered, to have them come up and embrace these roles the way they have has been outstanding. Karla has been such a great spokesperson for the story. I have the same writing team, but the transgender story has totally reinvigorated us. We are looking for the next socially relevant story. We are not done with this story by a long shot. We are going to follow these people in the next stage of their lives, which will be very exciting.
MICHAEL:
There were other major storylines on B&B, and performances as well. Chief among them is Linsey Godfrey (Caroline), who after being in a terrible accident early in 2015, returned to the series and delivered dramatic performances in the Caroline/Thomas/Ridge story. What can you say about the decision to create this story, where a kind of ‘out of it Caroline’ would have sex with Thomas (Pierson Fode) and we would find out Ridge (Thorsten Kaye) can’t father a child? And oh-oh, voila’ she is pregnant?
Courtesy/CBS
BRAD:
First, Linsey is a very raw, and authentic actress. This story falls into the category of classic storytelling, not just for soap opera, but from the beginning of time. It involves a powerful man in Ridge Forrester, and the secret he is keeping from his wife, and from his son! The architecture of this one is strong, and the actors are committed to the material, and this will roll out beautifully in 2016. I am so happy to be working with Thorsten Kaye (Ridge), Pierson (Thomas), and Linsey. This will be a tight one, but the drama that will unfold should be pretty potent.
MICHAEL:
So, were you sitting there one day and you went, “Ah! I’m going to have her pregnant by her husband’s young son!” How does Brad Bell’s mind work to come with these classic soap stories?
BRAD:
Courtesy/CBS
The thing is before the “Ah-ha” moment, there are usually months of grinding your teeth and pulling your hair out with me going, “What do I do?” (Laughs) I always say it’s like being in a dark room feeling around and trying to find a way out. It’s been a very different for me this year. I have been in Budapest for most of it. So that has been a new dynamic. I have had a lot of alone time, and a lot of quiet time. I go to my apartment there in the fifth district. Colleen says to me, “Don’t complain. I have heard you for 25 years complaining that you wanted this solitude.” So, now I have it and it’s a bit painful! (Laughs) However on the flipside, it’s also really great for a writer to be alone with their characters for hours at a time.
MICHAEL:
Did any of your stories exceed your expectations in 2015? Were you shocked to see a certain story come out so well?
BRAD:
Yes. There is always disappointment, and great, great surprises. This story with Caroline, Thomas and Ridge, far exceeded my expectations. The performances, the writing, and the production all fell together so well here.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
Now you have “accidental serial killer” Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) running around on the loose causing “accidental” havoc. (Laughs) She knocked Aly (Ashlyn Pearce) to her death, and then pushed Ivy into electrical wires on her way to being electrocuted! Aly’s death was a surprise twist that was kept under wraps so well, that nobody saw coming. It made for one of the most surprising moments in soaps in 2015.
BRAD:
It’s interesting when the pieces fit. It’s wonderful, and when they don’t fit you have to kind of shock yourself, and shock your characters into making them fit. Ashleigh Brewer (Ivy) has taken all of these tumbles, and been “electrocuted”, and been through so much from day one since she joined the show. From the beginning she was falling into the Seine River in France (Laughs). But, it is evolving into a new chapter of the story which is very exciting for Scott Clifton (Liam) and Steffy, and for the Spencer brothers, and also Quinn. Rena Sofer (Quinn) has been awesome on the show, and she has been patient. Now the spotlight will turn to Rena in 2016.
MICHAEL:
What can you say about having Jacqueline MacInnes Wood back in 2015 as a major component of B&B? Steffy is such a polarizing, and popular character around the world.
BRAD:
Courtesy/CBS
Jacqui is a beautiful spirit on camera and off, really high energy, but a super sharp actress. I am so glad to be working with her.
MICHAEL:
It must have been hard for you as well to have Ashlyn Pearce leave the show, who was finally getting a chance to shine in the material you were giving her, and then to have to sacrifice her in terms of story. We understand that these are decisions that head writers and executive producers have to make along the way. What can you share about killing Aly?
BRAD:
Ashlyn is a great actress, and she has a great career ahead of her. I think the actors understand this going in that this is something we have to do as writers. We have to surprise people. We have to kill people, and do the unexpected. They are players on the show until they can’t be. Ashlyn just killed the material, especially at the end of her run. She is phenomenal!
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
At the beginning of 2015, lest we forget, “Drunk Brooke”! Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) got to deliver some memorable performances, especially when she was getting sloshed at Bill (Don Diamont) and Katie’s (Heather Tom) wedding!
BRAD:
I think Katherine did such a great job, and it’s great to see her character unhinged. I mean, Brooke without a man, she would have to turn to something! (Laughs) Brooke is one of two remaining run-of-show characters, and at an interesting point in her life. She is empty nesting, which comes with a whole array of issues and challenges. We are starting a whole new chapter with Brooke, and Bill and Katie in 2016.
MICHAEL:
Earlier in the year, you had a soundstage at CBS dedicated to you in honor of B&B’s milestone of producing an incredible 7,000 episodes. Your plaque is right across the hall from the soundstage dedicated to your father, the legendary Bill Bell Sr. (Co-Creator, Y&R and B&B). This has truly been special for you. What do you think now when you sit back and take in what that dedication ceremony meant?
BRAD:
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
It is an incredible honor, and we have had such a great working relationship with CBS. They are great network to be on. They are very helpful, and they really care. They care about their fans, and their viewers, and their employees. I am thankful to CBS for the honor. It’s an honor for everyone who works on that stage every day, and around the world dubbing us into different languages, and everyone in the office. It was a great moment.
MICHAEL:
When you are at CBS, do you ever walk by the plague with your name on it, and smile?
BRAD:
Yes! (Laughs) My son Oliver was here visiting with a friend from Budapest, and he showed him the plaque, and then his friend said, “Where’s the commissary?” (Laughs) But yes, it’s very special that it is up there. I am grateful to everyone who spoke at the dedication, especially my wife. Now that I am the spouse of the Ambassador to Hungary, I am realizing, and fully appreciating, perhaps for the first time, what that role is about, and how challenging it could be. Colleen has been so wonderful as my partner all of these years.
MICHAEL:
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
The production, marketing, and publicity team at B&B, under your guidance also needs to be commended for their accomplishments this year: you had the first Pop-Up fan event in New York in the series history, and launched a B&B You Tube channel in the UK. No other daytime drama has done this type of creative outreach in so many different aspects, as well as consistently planning taking the show on remotes worldwide, and integrating story within it. Tell me about the BOLD team.
BRAD:
These producers including: Rhonda Friedman, who has been with us from the beginning but left us just before Christmas; and the consistency and the enthusiasm of Casey Kasprzyk and Mark Pinciotti who are the creative younger producers; and veterans such as Cynthia Popp and Ed Scott, we have the perfect blend of creativity, and continuity. We love being with each other. So, if we say let’s go to Australia, or let’s go to Israel to do a location shoot, we are thinking first and foremost: “That’s going to be fun time and a party!” (Laughs) And then we think that we have to get the work done, which we know we will do. (Laughs) But honestly, we all just like to hang out together. I think our enthusiasm comes through, and it shows in our events with the fans in the U.S and around the world.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
Now that we walked down memory lane, let’s look to the future! In a broad stroke, what can you tease fans of B&B to look forward to in 2016?
BRAD:
I think we are going to have a great balance of issues, of villains, and some new villains appearing, and some romance. I mean balanced in the most unbalanced way possible. (Laughs) It will be an incredibly dramatic year. The characters are all in a great spot. It’s not a year of building or transitioning, but it’s a year of payoffs. The New Year is going to explode. I fully expect 2016 to be the best, if not the best ever, certainly over recent years, and the one to watch.
25
Great interview, Michael!
I’ve been glued to my screen watching Ridge and Caroline’s romance this year. I’m really hoping it continues for a long, long time and the baby turns out to be his.
B&B was so good a few months ago but it’s now awful. The storyline of Liam/Steffy/Wyatt/Ivy is vapid and the ping ponging of emotions makes no sense. B&B needs to ship Thomas back to Europe. No matter how they gloss it over he violated Caroline. He’s creepy as hell. He doesn’t respect women at all. He’s pushy with Ivy, making a bet to bed her, screwing underlings,etc…
Ridge/Caroline have disappeared. An 18 yr old being pushed to be a surrogate.
Time for the Return of Phoebe Forrester!!
The Maya story, and family are the utmost in poor storytelling, poor acting, and read the boards, UNLOPULAR. Maya is a bully, a liar and a greedy deceitful skank. The tranny story was offensive I every way possible. The show basically wrote it , that it’s all ok that Maya is a creep…a bigot…cause it’s a tranny. So it’s ok. And Nick?? That blow hard ass. He actually came across as another intolerant, judgemental bigot. Showed how hypocritical and pathetic the ten my community is. Who can forget that ass thinking that Brooke should be more concerned for the lying… Read more »
I couldn’t agree more.
Yep…….
Could not agree more. The worst story yet on B&B. Nobody was thrilled or liked it. The boards are overrun with disgruntled fans. Maya and Rick have never paid for the horrible things they did to others. Can’t stand Nicole and the parents. They are not good actors, boring and add zilch to the show. And now the Steffy show. Sorry, she does zilch for me as well. The mop of overkill extendions is pathetic. I certainly do not see this show as an award show. What planet is Fairman on that he thinks Bradley Bell is such a terrific… Read more »
I’d recommend you take out a mirror and look at it. Starting back at you will be the definition of a ‘bigot’.
The transgender story is outstanding! Very well written, acted, and produced. Kudos to Brad and his entire ensemble.
Bring Taylor back ,do not break up Liam and Steffy I read Ivy and Steffy will be at the top of the stairs and some one will fall just as Liam open the door and walked in the house it better be Steffy falling down those stairs and not Ivy so Liam can realize how much he Love Steffy and don’t ever want to lose her you better not let Ivy fall that is a bit too much we don’t want to see any thing happen to Ivy any more for Liam to feel sorry for her we are sick… Read more »
This crap of making Steffy the bad guy really stinks!! And now Ivy crawling back to Liam and begging him to come back is also stinkareo!!!!!! Brad Bell! COME UP WITH SOMETHING BETTER!! KEEP LIAM AND STEFFY TOGATHER!!!!!!
Keep Katie and Bill together. I really love them
Thanks for the interview. Giving credit where it’s due, the transgender story was not only groundbreaking, but the best kept secret in Daytime, second only to Aly’s death, which was the second best kept secret in Daytime. The ability to stun the audience, mostly in a good way, is as rare today as the telling of a groundbreaking storyline like Maya’s. For those reasons, kudos to Brad Bell for a job well done in 2015. However, so many of the other stories on B&B this year were repetitive, dull and often infuriating, and I’d include the Thomas/Caroline/Ridge storyline in those… Read more »
With the Ridge/Thomas storyline, we need Taylor!! If HT cannot come back, I am open to recasting. Taylor doesn’t have to be on permanently but I definitely think she is needed for this particular storyline.
The best of B&B? I Think not. Maya and Rick bullying everyone and getting a slap on the wrist for it because Maya is a transgender don´t fly with fans. So transgendrs can´t do anything wrong due to fact that they switched their gender? I agree on the crap pulled on Ridge, Steffy and Thomas. Why all the hate on the real Forresters of the show? Yes, real Forresters. Eric is Ridges father in the Eyes of the law. He should be with a woman his own age, not running around with a Little girl . Steffy Forrester is the… Read more »
What? The transgender story was popular and well-received? If you read the soap boards and polls, it was one of the worse story. And now it’s supposedly being shown at schools? That’s pathetic. So you’re telling students you can be a bully, feel entitled to everything, lie about having a child and signing those rights away when the child isn’t even your’s and once you become transgender, all is forgiven and no one can say anything because they’ll be called prejudice. Brad has never written a good social issue. They were all a joke, and I certainly would question the… Read more »
I wrote and asked Brad Bell to hire Jaime Lyn Bauer and have her play opposite of John McCook, wouldn’t that be wonderful to have John and Jaime together again. Do you all remember them as Lance and Laurie on Y&R? I never did get a reply back…Brad, please offer Jaime Lyn Bauer a job and bring her to the B&B.
Here is hoping that Liam and Ivy will be left in 2015 !!! They couldn’t find a more BORING pair. Send them both back to Australia !!!! This whole accident routine with Steffy is beyond ridiculous !!!!!!! Bring a man with some back bone onto the canvas for Steffy — no more boys — please !!!!
I’m loving the new storylines…love the way finally Steffy is feeling the hurt and pain from all her plots, scheme’s, and undermined, bully ways, its time for Steffy be hold responsible for her out of control bully ways…Y&R, GH,DOOL, has defective and police stations, hospital, rescues squares, along with love compassion storyline’s, which has brought them as #1, I think B&B Bradley Bell and writers need to reviews the storyline’s that draw attention and boost the rates up…..reviewing a lot soap websites and polls is requesting the re-cast of Hope Logan or bring back Kim Katual for Liam …his characters… Read more »
I agree on recasting Hope, we the fans has been asking for over a year for them to bring Hope back, I think it will bring a nice twist bringing her back, I’d like to see Hope and Liam back together, married and have a family with no interference from anyone else, Bil or Steffy. I don’t like Maya, I don’ t like what Maya and Rick did to Caroline and others and then everyone looks the other way. Now Maya is the wonderful model? Really. And all the crap Rick pulled is all forgiven. I think bring Mr. Avant’s… Read more »
Bradley Bells could you put in the show is because they need my help and also bring Hope Logan back so she can go back to liam and give something that know body can and also can you fine a man for Brooke and Sasha because theyonly go after other people man like Katie own and also Nicole make sure sash and Brooke fine they own man and leave them married men alone please Bradley Bells .
Love Katie and bill. Please brad have them stay together . Brooke should be with ridge
Brooke made me laugh today saying Bill the love for her life!!!! WTH!! Yes her and Bill sizzle but Brooke sole mate and destiny as she said 5 million times is Ridge. Obviously not Tk version of Ridge but Come on those words rang hollow! Get Carter a SL stat and please don’t let Nicole keep this up I find it bizarre! Maya and Caroline personlalties been rewritten some many times I can’t keep up!!! Wyatt and Stepahie are fabulous. lIam turned into a border my dufus!! he way better as computer geek! Wake up Liam can’t possibly be so… Read more »
Really why Katie and Bill again… can’t we have ONE Stable couple on the show??? Quinn is a big waste of time … Steffy belongs with Liam and Wyatt belongs with ???? The new Avant daughter has Biotch written all over her face ugh!
Watch the show today been watching for 20 +years 2016 has got to be more not so predictable Wiatt & steffy come on Wiatt has to quit getting sloppy seconds or 3rds hope the writer has better story lines this year for Katie , Bill, & Logan -brook were is Caroline& ridge?
I think it would be extremely interesting to see Hope return to Liam while Steffy is with Wyatt and see all four of them all in love with each other and start acting like interchangeable couples. I also think the Quinn and Liam “Adam and Eve” thing is hilarious. However, Quinn having sex with Liam is shocking; almost seems like incest and I can’t see this ending any other way than Quinn getting fired by Steffy and disowned by Wyatt.
Days Of Our Lives
Kassie DePaiva, Nathan Purdee & Taylor Purdee Talk ‘Killian & The Comeback Kids’, One Life to Live & Eve’s Reign of Terror on DAYS
It’s ‘all in the family’ + a dear friend that makes the film Killian and the Comeback Kids something that soap fans will want to see. In it, daytime veterans, Kassie DePaiva (Ex-GL, OLTL, GH and Days) and Nathan Purdee (Ex-Y&R and OLTL) are featured in the new movie directed, written and starring Nathan’s talented son, Taylor.
One Life to Live fans will get a kick out of that Kassie and Nathan play a married couple in the film. In story, a millennial (Taylor A. Purdee) comes home to live with his parents in a depressed rural town after getting a college degree in the big city. The film illustrates the issues facing many of America’s youth today, which could not be more apropos for the times we are living with many children moving back in with their parents. However, the movie shares an uplifting message filled with original music from Taylor’s folk-rock band, The Cumberland Kids.
Michael Fairman TV chatted with Kassie, Nathan and Taylor to get the inside scoop on: collaborating together on this project, revisiting Llanview with some memories and thoughts on the cancellation of the beloved soap, plus Kassie’s last turn on Days of our Lives as an unhinged Eve Donovan – a performance that just may garner attention come Daytime Emmy time next year.
This conversation was filled with candor, humor, and a parent’s love for their child. Killian and the Comeback Kid is playing in selected theatres and dates including tonight Friday, September 25th in Atlanta, and October 2nd in Chicago. For more movie info go to the film’s website here And now here’s what Kassie, Nathan and Taylor shared.
Photo: KarmicReleaseLTD
I was really intrigued by the film. Taylor, how did you lure your dad to be in the movie?
TAYLOR: Oh my gosh, it was the craziest negation ever.
I bet! (Laughs)
TAYLOR: When I was a kid, Roberta, my mom, made me promise to always write him roles. So, it was kind of obligatory.
KASSIE: That is so funny!
TAYLOR: It’s true.
Had you met Kassie before, or was this the first time?
TAYLOR: I knew Kassie from when my dad and her were doing One Life to Live together. Five years before I was filming this movie, Nathan texted me, “Hey! Kassie and Jim (DePaiva) are right by your dorm room. You should go see them!” So, catching up as an adult was so nice. I had a non-parentally controlled grown-up hang-out with her.
Photo: KarmicReleaseLTD
What was the journey this film, Killian and the Comeback Kids, went on as far as from the writing of it, to production, to its completion?
TAYLOR: Well, the front half was surprisingly quick. I think writing it through to having it finished was about 18 months, and there were about 6 months of, “how’s it going to come out,” and then, we thought we knew what was going to happen, and we were all getting ready for it to hit in movie theatres in the spring when the world ended, and that’s how we got here three years later.
Nathan, tell me about the role you play; because Kassie and you are husband and wife in the film.
NATHAN: Well, yeah, you kind of covered it! (Laughs) I play her husband, and she plays my wife, and I appreciated the casting situation. It’s interesting how Taylor chose Kassie because he did say that he wanted someone who was close to his mom’s personality. I couldn’t think of anybody else other than Kassie because the only difference is Kassie is taller, but they both are such loving, caring people. They always want to mother you and make sure you’re fed, and you’re safe, and you’re happy, and neither one of them knows the word, “no,” when it comes to the people who they’re taking care of. I love Kassie anyway, so good for me.
KASSIE: Yeah, they cut our love scene, and I don’t know what that’s about. (Laughs)
Kassie, what do you remember from when you first met Nathan? You were at One Life, right?
KASSIE: No, when I first met Nathan, we were in San Antonio, and we were doing an appearance. I met Bobbie Eakes (Ex-Krystal, AMC and Macy, B&B) for the first time then too, but I was on The Guiding Light, and I was singing, and Nathan was there. Nathan and I sat beside each other. I honestly felt like I had known Nathan my entire life. We were drinking margaritas and talking, talking, talking, talking, talking, talking.
NATHAN: Yep!
Photo: JPI
KASSIE: Nathan and my husband, Jim are very good friends. I have to say, Nathan was so lovely when I was going through my cancer journey. He came to see me every week, sometimes twice a week when I was in the hospital, and he would come up, and he would hang out with Jim. I will never, ever forget how lovely he was (it makes me tear up right now) to be there with support for my husband and myself as we went through that. So, when Nathan asked me to be his wife in the film, I thought, “Well, hey, you practically live with me now, so that sounds good.”
So, Taylor, how did they do on-screen as husband and wife?
TAYLOR: They’re fantastic. We’ve only had one test screening, but one of the most consistent things audiences tell me is that they’re not just great together, but they each have such a quiet, brooding depth to them that you can’t help but imagine the back-story that they’re not talking about
KASSIE: That’ll be the sequel!
TAYLOR: Killian and the Comeback Kids 2: They Comeback Kids Comeback.
KASSIE: They’ll come back again!
NATHAN: Thanks for planting that seed in his head, Kassie.
Photo: KarmicReleaseLTD
TAYLOR: It was important for me to try to synthesize a mixed-race couple. So, it was really great to be able to have them, not just be so great together, but there was also the issue of we had to have a little girl who looked like she could not just be my sister, but also both of their daughter. Creating a family from scratch was great because Nathan and Kassie already had the rapport.
Did you watch them on One Life to Live together?
TAYLOR: Yeah! I was in school most of the time, but I would go to set, and over the last 10 years, friends would send me YouTube clips from the show because for some reason none of the soaps are streaming. There’s not like a soap Netflix! It kind of needs to happen! Soaps, they’re epic; there are decades worth of episodes and shows.
Photo: KarmicReleaseLTD
In this film, music is the backdrop. It’s your music and your band that is featured?
TAYLOR: Yeah, my best friend growing up and I were staring to write folk music around the time when I was deciding what script I wanted to make into a film. We wrote the soundtrack, all the music that people sing, and the underscore, which was surprisingly the most fun part of it all.
Kassie what did you think of Taylor’s music?
ASSIE: I think it’s wonderful. I love music. It’s totally in the heart of me, and I just think that this movie is so timely. Kids these days are having to deal with not knowing what their future is going to be. In the film, my son comes home, and he is trying to find himself, and he throws himself into his art and his music. I just think there are a lot of people right now who are going through that. I think it is extremely relatable, even more so than when you wrote it, Taylor. I think people are looking for some type of connection, and I think this little movie is a good start. It’s about people pulling together, and it’s got a strong rooting factor, and you want people to succeed, and it is great. It takes you on a really nice journey.
You have some dates coming up where the film will play in a movie theatre- one is on September 25th in Atlanta and then another one on October 2nd in Chicago. Taylor, how do you feel about making appearances for the film during the pandemic? You’re going with masks on?
TAYLOR: Oh yeah. We will be in a bubble; we are just getting into a car and sticking together. I and John Donchak, who plays opposite me through the whole film, are going to all of those dates, and my co-songwriter, who also appears in the film, will be in Atlanta, if not at both premieres.
NATHAN: And let me add, please, they’re going against my wishes as a parent, but he is 28- years-old, so all I can say is that we are hoping for the best because we want him to be safe. He is very determined and passionate about it, so he’s got our support.
Photo: KarmicReleseLTD
Taylor, in your story, why does Killian come home and live with his parents?
TAYLOR: His plan at the time is that he has just graduated from a pricey university, and he is supposed to go off with his bandmate on a modest music tour. He comes home to get his stuff and see his parents after graduating, but his bandmate drops out, and so the plan falls apart, and that’s how he gets stuck in this town and everything is just kind of falling apart. The plan that he had for his life after college gets pulled out right out from under him.
Photo: Getty
Nathan, when Kassie and you were on One Life for years, you weren’t there when it ended, as you had already left the show. How did you feel upon learning it had been canceled by ABC?
NATHAN: I was so disconnected by that time. I just knew it was ending, and it wasn’t the first soap to go. I saw it happening when the other shows started being canceled due to, I could be wrong about this, but I put the blame on reality TV. By that point I had moved on in my personal and private life. I was doing a lot of theatre then, traveling back and forth from North Carolina, really trying to keep busy, and fighting off the depression of not working full-time. I missed Jim and Kassie the most, but I was thrilled that I could bump into them at any time and visit with them. I kept in touch with Hillary B. Smith (Ex-Nora) and Bob Woods (Ex-Bo) and also, Timothy Stickney (Ex-RJ); in fact, Timothy Stickney’s wife did Taylor’s hair for the film.
Photo: JPI
Kassie, how do you feel years later about the cancellation of One Life to Live?
KASSIE: I still miss it. I loved it. The hard part about this show in particular being canceled is –one – that there wasn’t closure on it. It kind of happened randomly, and there was still a lot more story to tell. They kept it going on General Hospital, where they’ll bring some characters there. So, it’s still in peoples’ minds. The second part is the friendships and the family connections that you’ve made over the many years that you’re there. Nothing lasts forever, that’s for sure, but as you were saying, there’s no streaming of these shows, but if you catch an episode on YouTube, One Life to Live, truly stands alone. It just has great stories, great characters, and there is connection there that is very real.
Kassie, your last go-around at DAYS was just epic. Did you guys see it?
TAYLOR: I did see pieces of some of it. I caught some of the “super villain”!
Photo: JPI
Eve went in guns blazing, evil as all get out, but so heartbreaking at the same time while she was torturing Ben (Rob Scott Wilson). What did you think about all of that, Kassie?
KASSIE: I was really hesitant to watch it because I remembered how “super villain” I was. I remember getting on the plane, and Jimmy said, “How was it?” and I said, “I’ll probably never work again a day in my life. I’m like this (evil laughs) muah-ha-ha, muah-ha-ha kind of character.” I mean, you hated what Eve was doing, and you were supposed to, but I think that they did a great job with production values, and it was reasonable what she was doing because she was going off the edge. It’s great to be able to sink your teeth into something that is so out-there and completely different from your own life. I mean, it was exhausting. Every day, I would come home and just be like, “Oh my God, give me a cocktail.” Eve had justification for her revenge, even as wrong as it was, and she needed to be heard, and she needed closure, and she made a bunch of wrong moves, and did a bunch of bad, bad, bad things, and now, she is probably in a mental institution somewhere, so…
You and I were on set of DAYS and I was going to interview you. If I recall, at that point, you did not even know what the story arc was.
KASSIE: No, I didn’t. When I arrived and looked at the script, I’m like, “Well, who blew up that wedding?” Then, all of the sudden, “Oh, no! I blew up the wedding. This is bad! I probably am not going to be coming back on this show again.” I look at story and go, “Uh-oh. There’s a shut door.” I like open doors and open windows.
Photo: JPI
Taylor, what is your project? Are you continuing to write? What do you see in the future for yourself?
TAYLOR: This is my life for me. The next thing that I think we are releasing is actually something that I made before this because everything is backwards, which is a documentary (very different) about Central American politics, which I’m hoping is out next year. In terms of new scripts, everybody is a bit torn. I kind of want to do a biopic of Lee Grant, or I want to do a blues/punk version of something inspired by The Shining.
Well, those are very polar opposite!
TAYLOR: Yeah, aren’t they?
NATHAN: Now you see what I’m living with. (Laughs)
Photo: IMDB
Nathan, you must be proud of Taylor, and it must be very cool to see your son have these multi-faceted talents.
NATHAN: Of course, I’m proud of him and it’s great, but it’s strange because watching Taylor develop into the person he has developed into and continues to, made me realize that I hadn’t had the type of courage he has. I had my dreams and certain things that I was very courageous about in my life. I certainly don’t see him doing some things the way I did them, because he has more common sense than I do when it comes to life choices. His courage just blows my mind. Most of my closest friends are professional musicians, and many of them, if I were to namedrop, you would know who they are, and they’ve had successful careers, and I’ve always looked up to them and admired them, but I was never that guy. I just wanted to be a musician because I knew them and we were friends, but I didn’t have the discipline to do what they did, and I certainly didn’t have the God-given talent. I play a little bit of keyboard and a little bit of saxophone myself, but I have to play one song 757 times before I even start to feel comfortable with it, and Taylor can sit down and start strumming on his guitar, and the next thing you know, he’s written a whole song. It just blows my mind how creative and talented he is. He has been surrounded by creative and talented people all of his life. He has absorbed a lot from the different people and the different opportunities he’s had, and I look at him sometimes, and I even say it to my wife, “Who is this kid?” I like to share this story. We went to see Taylor do Hamlet. I’m guessing he was 15 or 16-years-old at the time. I’m watching him doing Hamlet, and I’m sitting in the chair, and I’m crying because I’m thinking to myself, “Oh, my God, he is so good!” I told Taylor, “I would not tackle Hamlet on a football field, yet alone on stage.” It made me realize that we had a force to be reckoned with. He’s pretty amazing. The bad news for him is that I always tell him the truth, and I lied to him once, and he called me out on it, and I promised that I would never lie to him again. So, be careful what you ask me because I will tell you the truth from this point on.
Photo: KarmicReleaseLTD
KASSIE: Taylor was also the director of this film, which I mean, “What the hell!” This guy is doing everything. He was deciding on the shots, he was deciding on the lighting, he was deciding this and that, he was editing the script, I’m like, “Holy cannoli!” He’s like, “No, I want her to wear that shirt; I want her to do this.” You would do the scene, and he’d come over and talk to you a little bit. I mean, he was just awesome; Taylor brought so much insight to my character because I’m like, “What’s my relationship, and who are all of these kids? Are we a loving family?” We did it very quickly, too. Taylor, look at what you’ve accomplished, and it is such a beautiful piece of art!
TAYLOR: From a more functional standpoint as a director, one of the really great things about having the two of them was that Kassie came in half-way through filming, and we’d been working with the young actor/musicians a lot. Some of them, it was their first big job, but pretty much all of them had worked before. On Kassie’s first day, they didn’t know what they were in for. She just rolled onto set, and all of the sudden, the stakes and bar of how to be an actor just changed. From that point on, when Kassie and Nathan started to work with the band, we knew those were going to be fun days because there was going to be acting involved. Everyone else just had to come up to their level, which was great for me because it gave me so much more to edit with.
Taylor, who are your musical influences?
TAYLOR: That’s a really good question. My musical obsession for the last few years has been this guy, named Josh Ritter, who is kind of a singer/songwriter/folk guy. My real-life band, The Cumberland Kids, is named after one of his songs. Also, Weird Al Yankovic, has been a massive inspiration for me and my songwriting partners.
So, your vibe is this folk-rock.
TAYLOR: Yeah, that’s what I’m writing mostly. My listening is kind of all over the place, but definitely that is what I’m writing.
Kassie, who do you like listening to?
KASSIE: It all depends on what cocktail I have in my hand.
Photo: JPI
NATHAN: Let me chime in on that too! I like jazz, blues, and country music, but imagine what my house was like because I have a lot of instruments here, always with the hope that Taylor would at least become interested in music. I have congas, bass guitar, keyboards, you name it, and for a while, he wasn’t interested at all, and one day, I woke up and he was playing an acoustic guitar. Then, the next thing I know, he is writing and singing folk music. I’m thinking, “Wait a minute!” It was an important lesson for me that just because you want something for your children, doesn’t mean that is what they want for themselves. We never pushed acting on Taylor. He chose it on his own. It’s exciting for me mostly because it was his choice.
KASSIE: He’s a natural.
And speaking of that, Taylor, in the trailer nothing came across forced or pushed. Obviously, we are all talking you up here, not that you need it.
NATHAN: I’ll tell you this, Michael. During the shoot, Taylor insisted on calling me “Nathan”, and I had a problem with it, but he basically told me to get over it because it’s his set, his movie, and while we are shooting, I’m “Nathan”, and he’ll call me dad later. I’m still struggling with that but he was the boss.
TAYLOR: It’s hard to walk that line and not make it weird for your crew, you know?
NATHAN: I get it.
Photo: KarmicReleaseLTD
KASSIE: It’s weird for me because when he would go, “Robbie is going to do this, and Nathan is going to do that,” I’d go, “Who are Robbie and Nathan? Aren’t they your mom and dad?”
TAYLOR: While I was writing the script I called him over, and I said, “Dad, I wrote you a really good role, and I think we are actually going to do this. I’m giving you a once in a lifetime chance to name your own character. Do you want to name him after a Greek hero, or one of your siblings?” He didn’t take his chance. So, you know what? It’s “Nathan” now. It’s easier for everybody. We don’t have to break the method acting fourth wall. (Laughs)
Do you think you would work with Nathan and Kassie again? (Laughs)
TAYLOR: Oh, my God, are you kidding?
NATHAN: That’s my contract: Kassie has got to be in it. So, let me say this about Kassie, you had mentioned something about how much she has been working, and I look at Kassie as the James Brown of daytimes soaps. She is the hardest working woman in daytime television.
Photo: JPI
She is pretty spectacular. Kassie started on Guiding Light, had a long career on One Life, and then went to General Hospital, then to Days of our Lives. It’s been amazing that we have been able to see her have a comeback in more ways that one.
KASSIE: Nathan has jumped from soap to soap as well, and when you’ve done it, you just think it’s over. It’s not like your regular acting profession jobs when you go out and you know you’re going to audition for twenty-five things and get one role for a short amount of time. When you go in day in and day out and are creating all of this stuff on a soap opera, and then it ends, you go, “Well, now what am I supposed to do?” I haven’t been on a set in 6 months, and I feel like I won’t ever work again. Soaps are just a totally different head trip and so it can be really hard.
Courtesy/ABC
Nathan, do you have a favorite Hank Gannon moment from One Life to Live?
NATHAN: Oh wow. Man, there were so many of them. I can tell you the funniest, to me, maybe not so funny to Hillary B. Smith though. I think it was during a live show. This was during the time when I had a lot of dialogue. But this particular day, I had one line, and the line was to Hillary and it was, “How are you feeling?” and her response was, “Well, I’m feeling the way I always feel, and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah”. So, during the entire day, I’d see Hillary, and I’d say, “Hey, how you feeling?” Maybe nineteen times before we started shooting, “Hey, how you feeling?” and she’d had about enough of it. So, fast forward to “5, 4,3,2,1 action”, and now, I say, “How you doing?” If you could see the look in her eyes, it is like, “I will kill you.” So, she says, “You know how I’m doing. I’m doing what I’m always doing,” so she could get her line out. So, once again, she saved Nathan’s ass with that. One stupid line … and I blew it. I just remember that one because I just know Hilary wanted to strangle me. She probably still wants to.
And on that note (laughs) I wanted to thank you all so much for this. I hope you find success with this little gem of a film, Taylor.
So what did you think of the comments made by Kassie, Nathan and Taylor on their film? What did you think of Kassie’s recent performance on DAYS? What’s your favorite Blair or Hank moment from the history of One Life to Live? Share your thoughts and comments below, But first, check out the trailer to Killian and the Comeback Kids.
General Hospital
GH’s Chloe Lanier Talks On Nelle’s Twisted Plots, Her Co-Stars & That Cliffhanger “Ending”
Recently on ABC’s General Hospital, Chloe Lanier’s Nelle Benson created even more havoc for Carly (Laura Wright), Michael (Chad Duell), Julian (William deVry), Brook Lynn (Briana Lane), and of course, her son, Wiley.
However, is Nelle really gone after her ‘fall,’ which has left her MIA and Carly believing she is responsible for her sister’s ‘death’? But as we know with Nelle, she keeps secretly planning her next move and loves to slowly torture those who she believes have wronged her. There is also the ongoing mystery of just who is Nina’s (Cynthia Watros) daughter, especially since Nelle has the other half of the necklace so near and dear to Nina; leaving viewers pondering if it could mean they are mother and child, or is this all a red-herring?
One thing is for sure, Daytime Emmy winner, Chloe Lanier brings it each and every time she returns to GH. She gives always give the storylines a much needed injection of drama, drama and more drama. No one is quite like Lanier in the soaps either; she can play tough, vulnerable, manipulative, and street smart, like nobody’s business.
Michael Fairman TV caught up with Chloe to get her answers to some of our burning questions for her and her portrayal of naughty Nelle, and how one of her co-stars helped her through a very difficult time in her life. Here’s what she had to say about it all.
Courtesy/ABC
What did you think of the courtroom antics of Nelle during the custody hearing for Wiley?
CHLOE: I mean, showing up in a wedding dress was her first mistake. Then antagonizing everyone in the room was probably her second. But she’s so wounded—so broken from her childhood. She doesn’t have the proper emotional tools to combat her self-destructive behavior.
Which showdown or confrontation between Nelle and Michael stands out to you?
CHLOE: I particularly loved the scenes where Nelle, nine months pregnant, leaves Michael in the rigged car, hoping it would explode. It’s rare that you’re given comedic material on a soap, so that was particularly exciting for me. Also, Chad’s reactions always make me laugh. He’s great.
Photo: ABC
What is it like working with Chad Duell as feuding exes and parents of Wiley?
CHLOE: Chad is so easy to work with. He’s been doing the show for so long and is very technically gifted. The writers graced us with some meaty material that we were able to sink our teeth into.
Photo: JPI
What does Nelle think of Willow (Katelyn MacMullen)? She really hates her, huh?
CHLOE: I don’t believe she hates her. She’s envious. Willow is the exact opposite and oftentimes we’re afraid of what we don’t understand. Particularly someone like Nelle, who was raised by a con artist and taught to exploit and manipulate anyone she comes across. So when she sees someone so pure, so innocent, she immediately distrusts her because that behavior is so far outside the lines of how she operates.
What was it like taping the fight scenes between Carly and Nelle, where Nelle “Plummets” to her death?
CHLOE: Shout out to Amanda Hall and Heather Bonomo, our amazing stunt doubles for those scenes. They were fantastic.
Courtesy/ABC
When you and Laura Wright get the scripts; where Carly and Nelle are having a huge showdown, are you thrilled about getting the chance to play the emotional beats of those moments? What if it’s a fight scene?
CHLOE: Those scenes were such a joy, because we got to explore some of the deep roots of Nelle’s trauma, and Carly explicitly said, “I believe you love your son.” That, for me, was important. Because despite all of her failings, she truly did love her son—in her own warped, off kilter, way.
Photo: Paul Smith
Nelle has really been blackmailing Julian, until he turned the tables on her on the pier? What has it been like acting opposite Will deVry in those scenes?
CHLOE: I love Will. He and I actually have the same acting coach, so our prep and how we’re working is from a similar place. What I love about Will is the confidence he has in his stillness. He’s lovely on camera, so connected.
Photo: ABC
Nelle has the other half of the necklace belonging to Nina. What do you think if it turns out that Nelle is Nina’s daughter? It is quite possible, tho, that she is not, and it’s all a red herring. How has it been working with Cynthia Watros?
CHLOE: Cynthia is one of the kindest human beings I’ve ever met, truly. We haven’t known each other for long, but earlier this year, and not many people know this other than my close friends, I was having glaring mental health issues stemming from unresolved trauma. I was going going going for so long that I couldn’t run away from it anymore. I had never dealt with any of it. She saw it and could tell I was silently struggling and reached out. You don’t forget kindness like that. So I’m very grateful for Cynthia—and of course, therapy. I would be flattered if they decided to make Nelle Nina’s daughter.
Photo:ABC
What do you think about how the writers have kept finding ways to have plot points that get all the other characters in trouble and make it look like they did something to Nelle, but she ultimately has her own diabolical plans for them with her actions? She is pretty smart!
CHLOE: Nelle is the perfect victim, and her love language is sabotage. She’s also a narcissist, so she’s always going to think she’s the smartest person in the room. She’s basically a walking version of Taylor Swift’s song, Look What You Made Me Do. I love that the writers gifted me the opportunity work with almost everyone on the show. Josh (Swickard) and I always had a great time together. And Maurice (Benard)—god he’s hilarious. I would have loved to work with Briana Nicole Henry (Jordan) more though. I love watching her work. She’s going to have an amazing career.
Photo: ABC
Do you think Nelle can ever be redeemed at this point?
CHLOE: Redemption is a weird one for me, because I don’t believe that people are inherently good or bad. We’re all human. We all have flaws, make mistakes, have regrets, experience shame. We have the ability to grow and we learn from our past. Nelle has done and felt all of those things, to a degree, but continued to do the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result. A character either has to change or they die. So, I’ll say this—if Nelle is alive out there somewhere, I hope she’s going to therapy.
Photo: JPI
What has been the hardest scene for you to play emotionally in the time you have been playing Nelle?
CHLOE: Probably the scene with the newborn, where Nelle runs into Brad on the side of the road. I had never held a newborn baby before, so I was TERRIFIED. I realized I was the only thing in that moment keeping that baby alive…a very bizarre and life altering feeling, I’ll say.
So, have you enjoyed Chloe’s performances? Do you think Nelle is plotting from afar? What would you like to see happen in the storylines with baby Wiley, Nina’s child, and more? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
Chandler Massey & Freddie Smith Discuss Their Departure From DAYS, New Beginnings & WilSon’s Journey
Nancy Lee Grahn Kicks-Off Her 25th Year as General Hospital’s Alexis; Thanks Fans & Shares: “What a Ride”
Y&R Alum Max Ehrich Says He Was Blindsided By Breakup with Demi Lovato & Found Out Via Tabloid
B&B’s Jacqueline MacInnes Wood Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Who is DAYS Gwen Really? What is Her Vendetta Against Abigail All About?
Kassie DePaiva, Nathan Purdee & Taylor Purdee Talk ‘Killian & The Comeback Kids’, One Life to Live & Eve’s Reign of Terror on DAYS
Rick Hearst, Maureen Garrett & Amelia Marshall in Upcoming Guiding Light Virtual Chat
GH Alum Hayley Erin and Adam Fergus Tie The Knot
Y&R Alum Max Ehrich and Pop Star Demi Lovato Call It Quits
‘This Is Us’ Moves Up Season Five Premiere Date
Judith Chapman Returning to The Young and the Restless
Alicia Leigh Willis On Her Heavenly Return To GH: “What a Wonderful Experience Reminiscing With My Favorite Cast & Crew.”
Holly’s Alive as Emma Samms Makes a Return to General Hospital
The Cast of General Hospital: The Alzheimer’s Storyline – Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Michael Easton and Rebecca Budig’s Short Film “About a Girl” Receives ‘Outstanding Achievement’ Honor
GH Alum Hayley Erin and Adam Fergus Tie The Knot
Judith Chapman Returning to The Young and the Restless
Greg Vaughan Shares Farewell To DAYS & Scene Partner Arianne Zucker: “Never a Dull Moment, Laughing or Crying, She was the Party, Always with a smile!”
B&B’s Jacqueline MacInnes Wood Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Y&R Alum Max Ehrich and Pop Star Demi Lovato Call It Quits
‘This Is Us’ Moves Up Season Five Premiere Date
‘Tiger King’s’ Carole Baskin Gets Emotional In ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Preview Leading Into Tonight’s Competition
WATCH: Ellen DeGeneres Address Toxic Workplace Issues & How She is a ‘Work in Progress’ in Talk Show Season Opener
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Anne Heche. Jesse Metcalfe & Chrishell Stause Make Their Ballroom Debuts; While Tyra Banks Bows As New Host
Chandler Massey & Freddie Smith Discuss Their Departure From DAYS, New Beginnings & WilSon’s Journey
WATCH: Matt Bomer & Tuc Watkins in Official Trailer for Netflix’s Film Adaptation of ‘Boys in the Band’
The Bold and the Beautiful Shows How They Shoot Scenes With Blow-Up Dolls & Mannequins On Access Hollywood
Scott Clifton Saluted By His Co-Stars For His Ten Years On B&B
THIS WEEK: BOLD is Back! What Are You Looking Forward to Most in All-New Episodes?
Victoria Rowell Debuts Her New UMC Home Makeover Series ‘Trash vs. Treasure’
OLTL’s Erika Slezak Featured In Film ‘Guest Artist’ with Jeff Daniels Available On-Demand Starting July 21
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General HospitalSeptember 18, 2020Alicia Leigh Willis On Her Heavenly Return To GH: “What a Wonderful Experience Reminiscing With My Favorite Cast & Crew.”
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General HospitalSeptember 19, 2020Holly’s Alive as Emma Samms Makes a Return to General Hospital
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General HospitalSeptember 20, 2020The Cast of General Hospital: The Alzheimer’s Storyline – Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
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General HospitalSeptember 19, 2020Michael Easton and Rebecca Budig’s Short Film “About a Girl” Receives ‘Outstanding Achievement’ Honor
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Breaking NewsSeptember 25, 2020GH Alum Hayley Erin and Adam Fergus Tie The Knot
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NewsSeptember 23, 2020Judith Chapman Returning to The Young and the Restless
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Days Of Our LivesSeptember 23, 2020Greg Vaughan Shares Farewell To DAYS & Scene Partner Arianne Zucker: “Never a Dull Moment, Laughing or Crying, She was the Party, Always with a smile!”
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RecapsSeptember 26, 2020B&B’s Jacqueline MacInnes Wood Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’