Courtesy/CBS

What is the mark of a great executive producer and head writer?  The ability to roll with the punches when the unexpected happens!   And that is exactly what The Bold and the Beautiful’s Brad Bell has been doing after the stunning announcements that series stars, Ronn Moss (Ridge) and Susan Flannery (Stephanie) made decisions to leave the CBS soap after 25 years.

While Moss’ last episode has aired, Flannery will be around till December and as Brad teases below, the series plans an appropriate send-off for Susan and her alter-ego Stephanie.  But what does this mean for the beloved Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke)?  On-Air On-Soaps sat down with the head honcho of all things bold and beautiful in his office, to get this thoughts on future plans for Brooke, how Ronn Moss’ final scenes played out behind-the-scenes during Brooke and Ridge’s latest wedding, how he is dealing with all the upheaval, and a preview into the fall for the other characters on his canvas, and who will be stepping into the forefront!

And if the two big departures of Moss and Flannery weren’t bad enough, Bell prior to that found out he had to put the brakes on the show’s highly anticipated first same-sex storyline featuring fan favorites, Joanna Johnson (Karen) and Crystal Chappell (Dani).  In our conversation, he informs us what the future holds for this important story that he has clearly wanted to tell.

There are some things that can be said of Brad Bell: He is forthright, smart, and incredibly successful in this genre.  Many feel he has the right formula and prescription to keep making the soap genre vital and viable in the changing television landscape, and you will read what he thinks about that, too. Here’s our chat with Brad!

MICHAEL:

There have been a lot of significant changes that you have to deal with … the fallout from the departure of Ronn Moss, and soon, Susan Flannery.  How has this caused you to shuffle the deck story-wise?  Will the departures ultimately alter the course of what you had planned for the fall for viewers of B&B?

BRAD:

Courtesy/CBS

At first, it’s like being in a car and running 50 miles an hour into a brick wall.  Then, you have that moment of crashing, and then you realize you have to pick up the pieces and turn left or turn right, and continue on.  There is that initial impact of: this is all you have known for 25 years, and then it’s gone, and that causes you to look in new directions.  It’s exciting what I am seeing.  I am grateful to Ronn and Susan for so much talent and their dedication, but I am also excited about these new paths and avenues the show will take.

MICHAEL:

As the show’s head writer and executive producer, when all the shocking changes came about what went down?   Did you have an emergency meeting with your writing team?

BRAD:

It was interesting.  I met with Katherine Kelly Lang, and the writers and producers, and we all just threw out ideas. The path seemed pretty clear very quickly, and it’s always about playing to your strengths and recognizing what your strengths are in terms of cast, and story, and how we are going to use some of these key characters.  It also opened up new avenues for characters that had been back-burnered, or on the sidelines, who I have had great respect for, but we have just not had the chance to give them the amount of airtime that they need and deserve.  So in that respect, it’s very exciting.

MICHAEL:

You are speaking for instance of Jacob Young (Rick)?  You have said in previously published interviews that he would come front and center as he vies to take over Ridge’s seat at Forrester Creations, and as well as his manipulations for the love of Caroline.

BRAD:

Yes.  Jacob, Linsey Godfrey (Caroline), Hunter Tylo (Taylor), and basically the rest of the core cast.  We know that Ronn, Katherine, Susan, and John McCook (Eric) have been front and center for 25 years.  We have great actors and actresses here, such as Alley Mills (Pam)!  We have so many people who will be able to step up, plus the younger group, so I am excited to put words in their mouths!

MICHAEL:

Was there a moment when you were concerned that Katherine Kelly Lang would not re-sign with the series?

Photo Credit: Gilles Toucas

BRAD:

You never know!  Life throws you curveballs.  So before we went on hiatus, I had not heard from a few of the cast members.  I wrote a wedding, and it was written the way it was because I knew anything could happen.  It rarely does, but sometimes it does.  So I was so happy that Katherine and I are continuing on.  She is fantastic!  She is unbelievable, and that we care about her 25 years into the character, and everything she has been through!  How Katherine makes us still love Brooke, and care about her, and makes us want to throw things at her at the same time … is amazing.   I don’t know how Katherine does it.

MICHAEL:

How was the taping of the wedding of Brooke and Ridge?   Ronn and Katherine both told me separately, it was the hardest day they have ever had to get through during the 25 years they have spent together at B&B.   How was it for you?

BRAD:

It was surreal.  It was so unexpected.  But then, we knew it was the last scenes Katherine and Ronn would be doing together … maybe forever, or maybe for quite some time.  But it had a very real feel to it.  When Ridge and Brooke were stating that they love each other, Katherine and Ronn really do love each other.   So, it was incredibly intense, and when the viewers saw it on air, they saw not as much acting, but more reality.

MICHAEL:

Then, they went off on their honeymoon, and Brooke returns sans Ridge.

BRAD:

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Yes, and then Brooke comes back and resumes her life.

MICHAEL:

And goes on to another man?  You have teased in recent interviews that there will be a new man in Brooke’s life.  Do you know who that man is?

BRAD:

Yes, there will be a new man in Brooke’s life, and I do know who that man is.

MICHAEL:

Many of us are hoping … it’s Dr Meade!  We think Jon Hensley (Dr. Meade, Ex-Holden, ATWT) and Katherine would be quite sexy together on-screen!

BRAD:

Dr, Meade is cool!  But you know Brooke.  There won’t just be one man! (Laughs)  As far as Jon Hensley, we are excited to have him back.  He will be in more often and he has a storyline that is developing.  I went to Jon and said, “I don’t have much here, but it’s a role of a doctor.  And, we all know doctors and their history on soap operas.”

MICHAEL:

Yes. They sleep with all their patients! (Laughs)

BRAD:

Photo Credit: Art Streiber

That’s right! (Laughs)   But Jon was very trusting in me and now it’s starting to grow.  I can say that with what little Jon has had; he has done so much with it.

MICHAEL:

Do you watch how actors click on-screen to dictate story?  Or, if there is a flick of chemistry … or, if it’s just watching paint dry between them?  I would think it’s key in your position.

BRAD:

That is the really smart way to write a soap.  You can beat your head against a wall writing wonderful scenes, or scenes that could potentially be wonderful.  But, if the chemistry is not there, you are fighting a losing battle.  If there is chemistry there, and you have actors and actresses who know how to define their character, and know how to be provocative, and make something out of nothing, then they are going to make you look good.

MICHAEL:

You’re not too far ahead of yourself in taping vs. storytelling, which is good!  Days of our Lives is three months ahead, and when things aren’t working there, it’s very hard for them to go back.  There is re-editing that would have to be done and scraping of story.  Here at B&B, you have the ability to change something faster, if it’s not resonating with your audience.

BRAD:

Courtesy/CBS

Fortunately, CBS has trusted me, and in order to write a long term story and stick to the long term, it would seem to make sense, but it doesn’t.  The writing denies the writer the writing process.  The writing process isn’t coming up with something and sticking with it. The writing process is about coming up with something and refining and refining it, sometimes up until the scene tapes, or even after it.  That is what screen writers and sitcoms writers do, but in soaps, we don’t have that luxury.  However, it’s essential that the process is allowed to take place, because it usually gets better results.

MICHAEL:

Having steered the ship at B&B for 25 years, how often now do you listen to your viewers and what they want, as opposed to staying on course with what you want to write, or projected story-wise with your team?

BRAD:

I have always enjoyed the viewer’s comments.  They are interesting and great.  My dad, Bill Bell was into Daytime TV Magazine, when they had a poll in it.  He would look at that and have the magazine open on his desk and he would refer to it.  And, why not?  We are foolish not to pay attention to these people who are specialists and analysts.  So I enjoy reading the feedback all the time.  I don’t tell story according to it, but if I say it doesn’t have an impact, that is not true either.  It does.

MICHAEL:

Photo Credit: Gilles Toucas

Fans have been quite critical that the Steffy/Liam/Hope triangle is way overplayed.  Is it overplayed to you?

BRAD:

The fans are saying that this triangle is overplayed right now, and they are absolutely right.  I feel that too when I watch the show right now.  We are just about to take a break from that, as they have been front and center for a long time.  And they have proven themselves and defined themselves as Brooke/Ridge/Taylor were overplayed in the 80’s and the 90’s.  We are going to take a break and see more families in the fall.  I was ready to take a break from them, but then I heard Ronn’s decision to leave and there were so many things up in the air.  So there were a lot of behind-the-scenes shake-ups.  Part of the reason of this extended version of Steffy/Liam/Hope was that I was not sure who I had on the canvas.  I knew I could count on Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy), Scott Clifton (Liam) and Kim Matula (Hope).  They were delivering.  So now we are gearing up for a new chapter, but all three of them were so fantastic.  We are up in the ratings from last year due to them. They have all grown so much as actors.  I could not be more pleased.  They have all been a hit for us.

MICHAEL:

When Susan Flannery announced her departure to you, how were you with that?  Was it emotional for you?  You two have been so paramount to the success of this show.  

BRAD:

Susan had talked about leaving for quite some time.  She basically came into my office and said, “I’m leaving.”  She did not beat around the bush.  And I said, “I can tell you mean it.”  And we hugged, and she said she would be here with me to bring a conclusion to the story and the character.  We have a great mutual respect for one another.  We have enjoyed locking horns once in awhile.  I can be difficult, and she can be difficult, but that is all part of this, and what we really love and how we learn from each other.  I will miss her.  Susan had made her impact on this show, obviously.  She is our matriarch forever.

MICHAEL:

You also have teased that you have a big story for Susan to set up her exit from the series.  Will that be front and center this fall?

BRAD:

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

We have not written Susan’s exit yet, but I can say it will be a great send-off and a tribute to a woman and a character that has been so much a part of our lives.  I would really like to do justice to her, and show the highlights of her career on this show.  I think the audience is going to love it.

MICHAEL:

Many executive producers and head writers in daytime use a major star and character’s exit to propel future story.  Do you see that with Stephanie’s exit, or will you try to have closure for the character and satisfy the audience in a dramatic fashion?

BRAD:

Well, both!  We won’t be using Susan’s send-off as a vehicle.  I think she deserves better than that.  So it’s going to be all about Stephanie, and all about Susan.  Hopefully, it will be one of the great tributes on daytime, ever!

MICHAEL:

In regards to Ridge, would you recast the role?

BRAD:

The role of Ridge Forrester is so integral to The Bold and the Beautiful that I don’t like to think of anyone else playing the role other than Ronn Moss.  But, I have gone on record as saying, I will recast if the time comes, and I feel we need the character.  Then, I will bring back the character.  Ronn will always be my first choice.  I hope he does return to the show.  But if he is not up for that, then I will recast it.

Courtesy/CBS

MICHAEL:

When Ronn made his decision to leave, did you have any idea it would happen so suddenly?

BRAD:

No.  I think everyone was shocked.  So off he went.   Ronn has been such a great gentlemen and such a great leader, and adored around the world.  Ronn is a great man and a great actor.  He just made the character of Ridge Forrester so singular, that he became iconic around the world.

MICHAEL:

Bill and Katie will be big in the fall, I see!  Does he do some more evil stuff?  And, will that mean more Emmy worthy material for Heather Tom (Katie)?

BRAD:

I hope so!  With Heather, she can basically read the phone book and make it good.  But, we have a great women’s issue storyline coming Heather’s way this fall … like a freight train!  We are so excited about this.  It will give Heather a storyline that she has never had before.  Something that affects so many women around the world, and Heather is going to ace it for sure.  It’s exciting to have powerful material heading in the direction of an incredibly powerful actress.  This is a must-see storyline!

MICHAEL:

In another curve ball, here you just started the first same-sex storyline in the history of B&B, and Joanna Johnson notifies you she has to leave right as you were getting into it.  The question on many people’s minds is: what are you going to do with the super popular Crystal Chappell … anything?

BRAD:

Photo Credits: L Bohm & K. Hutchins

This was another curve-ball! (Laughs)  Of the two, Joanna Johnson has a great history with this show, and so I would like to play them as a couple.  I reached out to Joanna the last few weeks, and she is still unavailable.  Joanna is very busy and a multi-talented woman, and I want her to be on the show.  I want to play Crystal.  I am going to go play Crystal, without Joanna, if Joanna cannot shake loose from her commitment.  But Joanna said she will return.  It’s just that our timing has been off.  I am very committed to telling the story of Caroline and her parents.  I think it may be in a lull right now, and I hope Crystal Chappell will hang in there through this.  We can have some very interesting story, because we just barely scratched the surface of it.  So I am blaming Joanna for this one! (Laughs)  No, but she did warn me, and I have to say this.  She said, “I have this thing coming.”   But you know me, I was like, “Oh, it’s show business.”  And now Joanna has another hit with Emily Owens M.D., in which she is the producer.  She is just that good.

MICHAEL:

Many fans also ask: if now that Ridge is gone, will Thorne get involved in the power struggle at Forrester Creations, which would mean more airtime for Winsor Harmon (Thorne)? 

BRAD:

Thorne will be involved in all this, and Taylor, too.  They have a story that is coming up but is slow in the making.  It’s a little bit difficult, because I love Winsor and he makes a great Thorne, but that generation has fractured a bit.  So we are focusing down a generation to the Thomas and Rick side of the canvas.  Thorne is an island currently, but he will be seen, and Hunter has a great story coming up.

Courtesy/CBS

MICHAEL:

Is that a story specifically Taylor?

BRAD:

It is a story for Hunter and Taylor.  We will see her very much as a professional and a doctor, and as someone who is really in the middle of a great dilemma.  I am excited that Hunter will be front and center again, because she is so gifted.

MICHAEL:

Y&R’s 10,000th episode will air next week.  Recently, we were all at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills event honoring the milestone.  Your sister-in-law, Maria Arena Bell, was on the panel saying her goodbyes and well-wishes for her time at Y&R, meaning you are the only Bell left as a current EP and/or head writer.  There truly feels like a shift and changing face of daytime.  How do you feel about it?

BRAD:

My sister, Lauralee Bell (Christine), is still acting and doing amazingly well on Y&R.  She always amazes me when I watch her.  So we are around and a driving force in this industry.  B&B is the number one soap opera in the world, and we are totally focused on being around for some time to come.  Y&R has such an incredible group of actors and writers.   Maria came in during the strike, and had an incredibly successful run.  Y&R and B&B are strong. We are the only back-to-back soaps on a daytime lineup now. I think it’s going to be a challenging time for talk shows now.  There are just so many of them.

MICHAEL:

Speaking of talk shows, do you think Katie will eventually have long term success, after all the fanfare heralding to daytime?

BRAD:

I would expect Katie would have had good ratings, but I think the production on that show needs to be fine-tuned a bit.  It’s a bit slow to me, but they are just getting started.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

MICHAEL:

It has been a shock to the system of soap fans and the industry to see Peter Reckell (Bo, DAYS), Steve Burton (Jason, GH) and Ronn Moss (Ridge, B&B) all announce their departures, and all within a relatively short time of one another.  It’s like all the veterans are walking out the front door of the genre.  Being in your position, do you think that now the genre will get more on a steady course after this stream of big name exits?

BRAD:

I feel that we will and are.  People exit, and those are three big names you mention, but there are other people who are eager and hungry, and the writing teams are very committed.  We love this art form.  And, as the bigger names come into talk series, so are the bigger salaries that they demand.  Now we are starting to see comparatively that our costs structure is in the ballpark of some of these talk shows.  So we are trying to streamline, and if we can do that successfully, we are in for a very bright future.