Interviews
The Don Diamont Interview – The Bold and the Beautiful
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
The lip-smack heard around the world on The Bold and the Beautiful, had a vulnerable Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) and Bill (Don Diamont) giving into their attraction to each other, albeit for a minute. Soon the reality and the gravity of what they had done would come back to bite them! You see, just as soon as Bill and Brooke headed home to Los Angeles there was previously MIA Katie (Heather Tom), who had vanished due to her post-partum depression, waiting for her husband! Now what was Bill going to do? Or … Brooke for that matter?
On-Air On-Soaps caught up with daytime heartthrob Don Diamont to get his thoughts on this latest wrinkle, which could eventually cause a seismic shift in the relations between the Logan and the Spencer families! Meanwhile, Dollar Bill had been up to his neck in manipulations in his attempt to keep ex-girl-on-the-side Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) happily married to his son, Liam (Scott Clifton), and away from Liam’s true love, Hope (Kim Matula)! Now that much of his machinations have been exposed and caused havoc for his family including Caroline (Linsey Godfrey), Diamont has been at the story forefront painting a rather complex side of Mr. Spencer!
But while there are big changes on-screen for soap veteran, Diamont, over this past summer, there were big changes in Don’s personal life. Don married his long time girlfriend, Cindy Ambuehl, in a romantic ceremony outside of Monte Carlo surrounded by his sons, castmates and friends, and as you will read, it was a magical time for his family. And, family means everything to Mr. Diamont! Here now is Dandy Don!
MICHAEL:
When you got the scripts that said, “Bill kisses Brooke,” or “Brooke goes to look for an MIA Katie with Bill,” how much of the story did you know? When Ronn Moss (Ex-Ridge) left the series, did you know that this is what was going to happen?
DON:
Courtesy/CBS
I had an idea that we were going to move in that direction.
MICHAEL:
The reason I ask, is that the last time we chatted you had said you think Katie and Bill are a great couple, and this new romantic entanglement could lead the viewers now questioning who to root for!
DON:
I do think Katie and Bill are a great couple and I love working with Heather Tom (Katie). I think it reflects in our work. Although, if Heather hated me, it would still be as good. (Laughs) But I don’t think that is the case, but having said that, we still went through the Steffy period, and that was challenging for Bill and Katie. As this story progresses with Brooke, I am sure it will present its share of challenges, as well. My feeling was that it has to be a real love story that has to develop with Bill and Brooke, as he has a real love story with Katie. But, it has to be a real love story, and they have to be driven together and not an overly contrived fashion. It is Bill’s sister-in-law, and Katie is Brooke’s sister. Given Brooke’s history, that whatever story gets told, it has to be very compelling that would push these two people together that would otherwise not go anywhere near that.
MICHAEL:
The groundwork was laid out very well for Brooke and Bill to share that kiss. Brooke was frantic to find Stephanie’s engagement ring that she gave to Brooke shortly before she died. Bill was then the one to find it and hand it to Brooke. There was symbolism in all of that for the future, for sure, and then … BAM … they kissed!
DON:
They both were in very vulnerable places. At that point, as far as Bill knew, post-partum depression or not, Katie wanted a divorce. She did not want to be a mother to their child, and she in her own right, wanted a divorce.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
Next, Bill and Brooke head back to the Spencer home after Stephanie’s passing, and lo and behold …. there was Katie! And your face in the scene was priceless!
DON:
Yes, there she was! (Laughs) You know, Heather and I had talked about playing this scene. Bill was and is conflicted. He would be conflicted even if nothing had happened with Brooke. Katie was back and like, “Oh, I am back, and everything’s wonderful and it’s all good.” No it’s not! You left and put us through a very difficult time. Bill obviously was not aware of the ordeal Katie was going through, and that made this more difficult as well. So, add to that, the feelings the Katie helped create – the feelings he now shares with Brooke – and obviously it wasn’t, “Katie’s home and everything is great. Oh, joy!”
MICHAEL:
So is Bill buying the post-partum depression from Katie as the reason for her checking out on him and baby Will? Is he Ok with that?
DON:
He is many things, and idiot is not one of them. So yeah, he gets it, but it still makes him feel like he is on unstable ground now. So here is who I thought she was, and yeah, the post-partum depression was a big part of this. But, is there more going on here than that that is going to potentially rear its ugly head? She is not the same person Bill thought he married. It’s unsettling for him and he is not sure what to do.
MICHAEL:
Photo Credit: Gilles Toucas
He wants to be a father to baby Will, right? This is his chance to be a dad after missing out on years raising his other son, Liam!
DON:
No question. He loves this baby.
MICHAEL:
One can assume this will cause conflict with Liam down the road, because he was Bill’s first born son?
DON:
I would imagine once Will is an infant and goes to boarding school and returns as 17 (laughs), I would think down the road that two male Spencer’s would be a great story to tell! Will would be the golden child, for sure. I would guess Will probably will be molded more in Bill’s image. I already suggested putting a sword around his neck! (Laughs)
MICHAEL:
Yes! They need to cast a little Don Diamont who looks like you! In real life, you are a father to a ton of boys! (Laughs) There isn’t one person we have ever met who knows you, who does not say you are the best father.
DON:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
I try. Being a dad is something I always wanted to be. When I was a kid, I had valued my relationship with my dad, and I lost that pretty young. I wanted that and I thought it was very important.
MICHAEL:
You finally got married to your long time sweetheart, Cindy Ambuehl, over the summer. How was the wedding?
DON:
We went to Rome, Venice, and Monte Carlo. The wedding took place June 12th in Eze, which is this magical storybook medieval city. It was perfect. As I said, because we had waited to get married, the boys were older, and we all had many years together. So, a lot of our collective life experiences were brought to bear. It was very much like we all got married. It was very emotional for everyone. Cindy walked out, and Luca, my eleven year old, just started crying. Let me tell you, I was having to hold everyone up at my own wedding! (Laughs) My son Alexander made a speech on behalf of all the boys, and he got emotional and everyone started crying.
MICHAEL:
I remember chatting with you and Cindy on the red carpet at B&B’s silver anniversary party! She was so funny and charming.
DON:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Cindy is hysterical; she has an amazing sense of humor. She is a very funny. When she was still acting comedy was her real passion. She had two sitcoms, and she had guest-starred on every sitcom from the 90’s: Seinfeld, Frasier, Wings, and on and on. She looks like she does, and is hysterical on top of it. She often brings me to tears and I beg her to stop because I am laughing so hard that I am doubling over in pain. And on top of that, she is gorgeous, brilliant, a hard worker, and an amazing mom … and she puts up with me! (Laughs).
MICHAEL:
This role as Dollar Bill Spencer seems to be the defining role in your daytime career. So many of your peers feel that you really “pop” with this character. Would you say that you have really immersed yourself in this role, like none other?
DON:
What happened on Y&R and the way it happened was difficult, and when Brad Bell (B&B’s executive producer and head writer) called it was a job, so that was great. So when he described the character to me it was over the phone, but then we later sat down and he told me he had created this character for me. I just immediately understood and knew Bill Spencer. I was able to create a life experience in my head for him, and had just a great give-and-take collaboration with Brad. He gave me the outline for this guy, and he gave me the “ball” and the freedom and trusted me. I felt that from him. Brad expressed to me that he had very high hopes for the character and that he created other leading male roles over the years for this show that were not so successful. I promised him that I would not let him down. In creating Bill, I was able to bring some elements to me that are right there and other elements that we all have that are smaller parts of who we are, and parts of your personality that you handle; like Bill is quick to temper. I, Don, am not so quick to temper, so you bring that, but it’s there and you bring it more to the forefront. I relished the opportunity to bring Bill to life. I thought this is an opportunity to bring a unique and dynamic character to the show. It is my job to make him complex, contradictory, and a Type-A person.
MICHAEL:
When I talked recently with Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) she was saying, “Oh God, I don’t want Brooke to be paired with another man so soon after Ridge.” And … here Brooke was kissing Bill! Did the two of you have any talks about that and address any concerns?
DON:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
No. We did not really talk about it. (Laughs) I think her concerns were the same as mine and Heather’s; that the integrity of all concerned not be comprised. We will see how this plays out as we move forward.
MICHAEL:
What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you think Katie and Bill can come back from anything and endure it as couple? Or, do you think Brooke is a real spoiler and threat to their relationship?
DON:
I think where Katie is at now is not good, especially if they can’t come to a meeting of the minds. Bill feels this is not the Katie that he married. This is a person living in fear, as opposed to this wallflower of a person that had all this stuff within her that he saw and yanked out of her. Bill made her more in his own image. Then, Katie became more of a powerhouse and a go-getter. That is not who she is right now. She is strong in other ways, but not that person. We will see how it unfolds. I think it’s great story.
MICHAEL:
There will probably be at least 327 episodes to come now of Brooke and Bill looking longingly at each other, with nothing advancing! (Laughs)
DON:
I don’t read facebook, or the blogs, or Twitter, just because I don’t want to know what people’s opinions are, or what the reactions out there are. I just like to do my work and do my thing, and not let it be colored by opinion … everyone else can do all that. I don’t really know what the reaction of Bill and Brooke is at this point.
MICHAEL:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
From the reactions we have seen, the fans are more disappointed in Brooke because she just apologized to Stephanie for her behavior with all the Forrester men and taking them from her. Then she kissed Bill, and to many it made her look bad.
DON:
She thinks Katie is gone at that point, and that Katie wants a divorce. Brooke is dealing with her own vulnerability of the Ridge situation and losing Stephanie, her best friend. I think moving forward it’s important that Brooke fights against whatever feelings clearly she has for Bill, and genuinely tries to make Bill and Katie work things out in their marriage.
MICHAEL:
B&B’s first on-screen same sex couple: Joanna Johnson (Karen) and Crystal Chappell (Dani) were back for a short-arc after Caroline’s “accident”. What did you think about the way Bill handled the reveal of his sister’s sexuality?
DON:
Who would have expected that Bill would respond that way, and be OK with his sister’s sexuality? I was glad that he responded in that way. It was very important. I said from the very beginning, “Bill is probably very Republican with his wallet, but he is very liberal in his social views.” He does not care who sleeps with whom. Bill is not about that … Jewish, Gentile, Muslim, Gay, Straight… he doesn’t care. If you mess with him, no matter what you are, you are in trouble! (Laughs)
MICHAEL:
Photo Credits: L Bohm & K. Hutchins
Would you like to see the show delve more into Karen and Bill’s brother-sister relationship and dynamic?
DON:
I like our scenes, and I like our dynamic. Crystal is great, too. I liked the scenes with Crystal where he is thinking, “Oh, yeah. She is into me. C’mon! You’re telling me, I don’t know when a woman is interested in me?” I thought it would be kind of funny, if Crystal’s character was finding herself into Bill! (Laughs) That would have created a riff between Bill and his sister, Karen.
MICHAEL:
What do you think of Bill’s sudden alcohol “problem”? And is it really a problem? Or, do you think he will get this under control?
DON:
He doesn’t have anything to get under control. It’s not a problem. Bill is not drinking any more or any less than he ever was. Bill really sees it more as Katie having a heightened sensitivity since having gone through her recent near death experience, almost losing the baby and her post partum depression.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
Everyone in town is furious with him: from Hope, Caroline, Liam etc. How was it to play all of those heavy confrontational scenes? Bill even got so upset that he “stabbed” himself with Liam’s little dagger charm on his necklace! Is he unraveling?
DON:
Confrontation plays right into Bill’s wheel house so that is a non-issue. There are certain things that Bill certainly doesn’t like being challenged about but he is always up to the task. I relish the opportunities to play those scenes. Those kinds of scenes get your juices flowing. Lastly, as the audience found out, Bill did not actually stab himself.
MICHAEL:
One day Bill will get shot by any number of suspects, and they can do a “Who Shot Bill?” whodunit! Of course, Bill lives though it! (Laughs)
DON:
You mean like Dallas’ “Who Shot J.R.?” This would then be “Who Shot B.S?” (Laughs)
MICHAEL:
Well … Bill did have a part in the machinations that ruined Hope and Liam’s chance at happiness that inevitably pushed Liam into the arms of Steffy!
DON:
Courtesy/CBS
Bill got Deacon out of prison to throw an emotional wrench in Hope’s world, and then that would hopefully stop the wedding from happening. Deacon showed up in Hope’s hotel room while she was getting ready for the wedding. However, Hope and Liam did get married, as Bill had made clear. Hope showed some emotional fortitude and Bill respected that. He did welcome her into the family, and he meant that. It’s not his fault that the wedding wasn’t legal, and that they neglected to take care of the paperwork. It was really on Rick. Rick was the one who created the problem, and that has been Bill’s position this whole time.
MICHAEL:
Were you on set for Susan Flannery’s (Ex-Stephanie) farewell party day?
DON:
As I said to Susan, my first episode was with her and that meant a lot to me. Bill being introduced in scenes with Stephanie brought gravitas to Bill right off the bat. It was an honor for me to work with her, and to start out what I hoped would be a nice long run here. I valued my scenes with Susan. The first eight weeks I was on the show that story arc revolved around Stephanie. I worked with her quite a bit. I have so much respect for her as an actress and as person, and it was really wonderful for me. I was glad I got the time with her that I did. The entire send-off was beyond well deserved. If anyone deserved that kind of send-off, both in story and in terms of the party we had here, it is Susan. My hats are off to Brad Bell for all of that. I give Susan a lot of credit too for giving Brad the opportunity to send her and the character off in the manner in which she he and Susan deserved.
MICHAEL:
Photo Credit: Gilles Toucas
In closing, do you want the audience to like Bill, hate Bill, or ultimately both?
DON:
Interesting question and nobody has ever asked that. I think that both are the answer. I think Bill is very entertaining and a likeable hard-ass. Even though he gets in his own way, genuinely he believes he is doing the right thing. The commitment to his family is clear. I think there are some people out there who love to hate him, and some who love him, and some who want to be Bill! It’s all of that. But overall, I think he is very entertaining, and coming up he will be smack dab in the middle of a huge firestorm with the women in his life.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Brandon Claybon Talks Inclusion, The Crossover, While the Fate of Martin Richardson Hangs in the Balance
On Friday’s June 12 episode of Beyond the Gates, after it appeared Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) survived being trapped under a tree after a tornado ripped through Fairmont Crest, viewers were left with a frightening cliffhanger when Martin got up and tries to walk, but only took two steps before he collapsed right in front of his husband, Smitty (Mike Manning)!
Previously, Martin had directed Shonda to use all the money donated from his campaign fundraiser for tornado relief efforts. Nicole (Daphnée Duplaix), Ted (Keith D. Robinson) and Smitty advised Martin that he needed to go to the hospital to get check out for any internal injuries or brain trauma. However, when Martin found out his sister Kat (Colby Nixon) was missing he began to panic. Martin says he just wants to go home and get some rest, even as his husband told him he should get checked out. Now, viewers will need to wait till the Monday, June 15 episode to see the upshot.
Official Beyond the Gates spoilers for June 15 share, “In the wake of the tornado, Shanice, Ashley and Jacob rush into action when someone collapses. Meanwhile, emergency surgery is required to save a life. Nicole’s update worries Samantha and Tyrell.” But is the surgery for Eva (Ambyr Michelle) who was rushed to the hospital or Martin?
Courtesy/CBS
MEETING THEE VICTOR NEWMAN
With such a pivotal week of story, Michael Fairman TV caught up with Brandon Claybon earlier this week during a roundtable press junket at A Toast for Black Excellence event in Los Angeles, promoting the major crossover event on Beyond the Gates which featured six cast members from The Young and the Restless, who also got caught up in the twister, but not the mighty Victor Newman (Eric Braeden). He somehow escaped and made it back to Genoa City in one piece.
Claybon shared his excitement of initially meeting Eric Braeden, because in the Black community, they have a long-history of watching the soap, and love Victor! “I think I just had to pinch myself because I was shaking hands with Victor Newman (on-screen), that means so much too many people spiritually,” expressed Brandon. “For people in my community, Victor Newman is everything and to have the Y&R cast in Atlanta and at our studios.”
While viewers wait to find out the fate of Martin Richardson, Claybon recalled the shooting of the Tornado storyline. “These episodes were a lot of hard work. We’re talking about 12 to 15 hour days, and you have to think about all of the actors supporting each other, it’s tremendous. Everything that we went through that viewers we’ll see sooner or later was so well worth it!”
Courtesy/CBS
PRIDE MONTH REPRESENTATION
In a very important illustration of inclusion, it was key in the story to note that Genoa City titans, Victor Newman and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), were backing Martin Richardson’s political campaign. Martin is married to Smitty in an interracial romance, and the two men are raising two black teenagers, which is a first on daytime television for a nucleus of a family. This story point is not lost on Claybon.
“Martin needs money (it was a fundraiser), so it was amazing that both Victor Newman and Jack Abbott were financially helping him with his campaign. This is is Pride month, you know, and for the first interracial gay couple on daytime TV, people are coming up to me to all the time, saying, “I see myself in your character and relationship,” and that’s what it means, representation, and that’s what we’re here for. It’s something that I’ve prepared for and I do know the responsibility it holds. Martin loves Smitty dearly, and Martin loves his family, and family is everything now.”
Previously, Michael Fairman TV spoke with Beyond the Gates series creator, head writer and executive producer, Michele Val Jean, where she named the racism storyline involving Martin killing a white bigot to protect himself and his grandfather, Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis), one of her favorite storylines in the young soap’s history.”It’s absolutely remarkable. She didn’t tell me this. I didn’t know, but it means a lot coming from her,” expressed Brandon. “Michele’s been doing this a long time, and especially for her to have her own show, she thought it would never happen. The words, “a legacy.” I think about it all the time, especially because the show has the power to change attitudes.”
Photo: CBS
WILL BEYOND THE GATES SCORE BIG AT UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS?
Coming up next month, the nominations are expected to be announced for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. This would mark the first year that Beyond the Gates is eligible for the competition for its season 1. Will they triumph?
Claybon had this perspective, “I am looking forward to having a moment to celebrate with the cast, and with each other. That’s the most important thing. Recognition is fun, but at the same time, it’s not why we do this. I’m an actor, but my passion in life is to encourage, uplift, entertain and inspire. I don’t want to think about that when acting. Let (awards) come if they may, but if they don’t, I’ll still be OK.”
You can check out a moment from Friday’s Beyond the Gates below, where Martin is seemingly “OK” and Abby Newman (Melissa Ordway) finds out Victor got out of Fairmont Crest just in time!
Now let us know, what do you think will be the fate of Martin Richardson? Will he have sustained a life-altering brain injury or be OK? What did you think of the final episode of the crossover? Do you enjoy the portrayal of the same-sex relationship between Martin and Smitty and sees its importance, as we are in the middle of Pride Month? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
Peter Bergman and Daphnée Duplaix Preview ‘Beyond the Gates’ and ‘The Young and the Restless’ Crossover and What Befalls Jack and Nicole Amidst a Tornado (Exclusive)
Get ready for an action-packed story arc when several of Genoa City’s most prominent residents descend on Fairmont Crest for a fundraiser for congressman Martin Richardson’s (Brandon Claybon) campaign which kickstarts the four episode CBS daytime crossover event between Beyond the Gates and The Young and the Restless.
Beginning Tuesday, June 9 and airing though Friday, June 12 on CBS and streaming on Paramount+, in true soap opera fashion, a tornado is heading straight towards the D.C./Maryland area and strikes during the soiree, putting everyone’s life in peril.
Participating in the crossover from The Young and the Restless are: Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), Diane Jenkins (Susan Walters), Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor), Devon Winters (Bryton James) and Abby Newman (Melissa Ordway).
Photo: CBS
Now, as is soap opera tradition, when a tornado strikes your soap town, expect the story to be anchored on who is stuck with who? Is it an ex-husband, a former flame, a hot stranger, feuding sisters, anything and everything is on the table for this one, folks!
As a prelude to what fans will see, Peter Bergman and Daphnée Duplaix (Nicole Dupree Richardson, Beyond the Gates) visited the Michael Fairman Channel to give us the ultimate tease. Below are just a few nuggets we learned from the conversation.
JACK AND DIANE CAN’T SEEM TO FIND COMMON GROUND
Already on the outs with his wife, Diane, how does coming to Fairmont Crest impact a reconciliation between the two? Peter Bergman shared, “One would think you could build on that and that it would bring them closer together. A fellah can dream! Jack was hopeful that this little exit to Maryland might rekindle some things, might help things heal. However, Jack goes back to Genoa City fighting for his marriage.”
Courtesy/CBS
WILL NICOLE CHOOSE A MAN WHILE IN THE RUBBLE?
As for Nicole, she has been playing the field dating two men: Dr. Carlton Fitzgerald (Robert Christopher Riley) and Dr. Kial Rollins (Greg Vaughan), and she still has her ex-husband Dr.Ted Richardson (Keith D. Robinson) wanting her back, might the epic tornado bring her some clarify?
Duplaix explained, “Nicole is still very much in, ‘I am having fun. I’m discovering myself. Do not give me any pressure. Don’t stress me out,’ mode. She does want to give her heart to somebody, but is still scared. So she’s like, ‘let’s just sit back and have some fun.’ As for Ted, I’m still friendly. I’m still kind (towards him).”
Both Daphnée and Peter reported they were most impressed by how Beyond the Gates was able to pull off a natural disaster ripping through Fairmont Crest, so the enormity of it could be played out on-screen in soapy fashion, but leveled up the Beyond the Gates way.
THE MAKING OF A SOAP OPERA TORNADO
“This was movie level quality on a daytime soap,” exclaimed Duplaix. “We used a completely different stage to be able to have the amount of people that we had in these scenes. It was pretty incredible and intense. I think everybody held their own from the front of the camera to the behind the camera, and I think the fans audience are going be not just surprised, but definitely satisfied.”
Twenty-five time Daytime Emmy nominee and a three time winner, Peter Bergman, certainly knows a thing or two about soap operas. Through the year, he has made no bones in previous interviews that he is a student of the genre and does watch other soaps and actors from those respective soaps. Peter was well aware that Beyond the Gates in its year and a half existence has delivered every time they have a major reveal planned.
Courtesy/CBS
ANOTHER SHOCKER IS ON THE WAY
Bergman agreed and added, “So, you are a brand new show. What do you know about what really works in daytime television? Let’s work the things that really work and those shows that have been on 50 years, are not looking for those moments. They’re just kind of keeping the whole thing going. These people are artistically and scientifically looking at what works. Beyond the Gates is a really clever show in that way. There are Cliffhangers left and right. Great idea.”
In the end, Duplaix and Bergman summed up what viewers are about to see best, with Peter giving us a major spoiler alert to be on the lookout for. “It’s all exciting. There’s twists, there’s turns. Things you’re definitely not going expect to happen,” stated Duplaix. “The thing that we are used to as far as natural disasters in the soap opera world are there, but the storylines around what you expect are going be really fun to watch.” Peter concluded with (and wait or it!), “Just when you think they just got through all this crazy wind, something happens that is just nuts!”
You can check out the full conversation with Peter Bergman and Daphnée Duplaix below from You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, followed by the official Beyond the Gates promo for the crossover event. We say, look closely at who’s with whom, and what is going down and compare notes from our interview with that, and let us know if you think you have some things figured out!
Now, are you looking forward to the crossover between Beyond the Gates and Y&R? what do you think will be the surprise twist at the end of the tornado episodes? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Interviews
Y&R’s Joshua Morrow Weighs-In on Who Will Save Nick from His Fentanyl Addiction: Nikki? Jack? Sienna or Someone Else? (Exclusive)
On The Young and the Restless, Nick Newman’s (Joshua Morrow) addiction to Fentanyl is hitting all-time lows. The Friday, May 15 episode saw Nick meet up with his drug dealer where he scored another baggie and took more pills, escalating his mood swings, outbursts and more.
While Nick wants Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) to hand over Matt Clark (Roger Howarth) to him now (she was keeping him stored in a guest room at the GCAC, but now he’s MIA). Victor (Eric Braeden) and Adam (Mark Grossman) and company, all are using the Matt/Nick rivalry as a part of the play to get Newman Enterprises back in the family. However, Phyllis looks to be setting up a double-cross and working another angle to keep the Newman portfolio for herself.
Meanwhile, Nick has truly gone down the darkest path of his life. During this week’s livestream interview on the Michael Fairman Channel, Joshua Morrow along with his on-screen brother, Mark Grossman participated in a chat and discussed all the complexities of playing this important storyline which has become a medical and social crisis across America.
Photo: JPI
FENTANYL REAL-LIFE VS. SOAP LIFE
“I did some research on Fentanyl, which as everybody knows is obviously a major problem,” explained Morrow when first finding out about his storyline. “We’re doing a different version of what a true Fentanyl problem looks like. We’re doing the more television version (if you will). Fentanyl is obviously a very scary problem. I’m trying very hard to stay true to the story while also properly conveying that this guy has an issue with it. When in all actuality, this drug is way, way, way more serious than we’re able to show.”
In intense and heartbreaking scenes, Nick told his father Victor, his mother, Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) and sister, Victoria (Amelia Heinle) that he had developed a drug problem, but was goig to get help. Joshua explains how he approached each admission to the Newman family members.
“Nick had to which I loved, go to three family members that didn’t know about his pill addiction,” began Joshua. “So, his explanations of what was going on with him were all very different. With Victor, he told him it was just shame: ‘I’m sorry I let the family down. I know you count on me, and I’m so sorry.’ With his mother, it was, ‘I’m okay, because I know that you have dealt with this. I’m going to be OK. I don’t want you to worry about me.” He says that because Nick knows what Nikki’s gone through. With his sister, Victoria, that’s his ride or die homie, his best friend. They are inseparable. He said to her, ‘You and I agreed, we’re never going do anything like this to the family because we’ve seen it. And, you know, we always have to step up and protect the family at any cost.’ Nick just knows that he is going to disappoint his best friend in that moment.”
Photo: JPI
WHO WILL ULTIMATELY GET NICK INTO RECOVERY?
So far, Nick says he will go to rehab, Adam says he is going to get his brother into rehab, and on and on. Problem is, Nick won’t go until he puts an end to Matt Clark’s reign of terror himself and wants to end the guy and his threat to all his loved ones. But the way things are going, he may not even make it that far to make his plan come to fruition. Leaving the question, who will make a big enough difference to get him the proper help he needs? Joshua Morrow weighed-in.
“Coming up, I think his mother is going to be pretty integral in helping Nick with this process,” revealed Joshua. “I think, I can comfortably say that without conveying too much of what’s ahead. Nick knows that there’s a completely different dynamic with his mother with this issue than it is with his father. Nikki knows what’s going to happen (in rehab). She knows what he can expect. Nikki can give Nick, hopefully, the blueprint on how to deal with it. So, we shall see.”
Photo: JPI
Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) might also be in the ticket to Nick’s sobriety having actually battled his addiction to pills himself. Could Victor’s nemesis also be the person to save his son, which will either make Victor more determined to destroy Jack, or could it end the long-running feud for now if he helps out Nick?
“Jack and Nick have a very good relationship,” reminds Joshua to viewers. “I think that is certainly something that is in the cards, but I also think that Jack’s got a lot going on right now with his crazy super sexy, stalker chick (Patty). Jack’s dance card might be a little full right now, then to help his old boy Nick with his pill problem.”
Photo: JPI
Then, there is Sienna Bacall (Tamara Braun), who is currently with Nick’s son, Noah (Lucas Adams). Previously, she dropped that her brother went though an addiction problem. Might she be the one to help Nick turn a corner? Can she even be trusted?
“Nick and Sharon (Sharon Case) both are not completely trusting of Sienna,” explains Morrow. “The credit for that goes to Tamara Braun’s (great) choices on Sienna. She plays her with always an element of ‘I don’t know what this girl’s doing or what her agenda is or what her past is?’ There’s a mystery always surrounding her. She and Noah seem to be pretty tight, but it doesn’t really give Nick a ton of good feelings yet. It’s probably mostly because of the Matt connection, but it doesn’t seem like a relationship without a ton of promise to Nick.”
Courtesy/CBS
GIVE ME THE BALL
This June, will mark Joshua’s 32nd anniversary with The Young and the Restless, and thus far this has been the best storyline for Morrow in his enduring career with the top-rated soap. Joshua knows the importance of being given something to play that is you own in the world of daytime drama.
“I’ve been saying that to Josh Griffith (head writer, Y&R), or to whoever was at charge at the time, give me the ball. Just trust me. I say it all the time. It’s a sports reference, obviously. It’s like everybody on the show feels, ‘If you just gimme the ball, I promise you I will deliver.’ We all want (as actors) to show everybody what we can do. This is tough work for me (in this storyline), but it’s very fulfilling work.”
ICYMI: you can watch the replay of our conversation with Joshua Morrow and Mark Grossman from their visit to the Michael Fairman Channel below.
Now, let us know your thoughts: Do you think it will be Nikki, Jack, Sienna or someone else that will be there for Nick at his darkest time and help him get into rehab and deal with his addiction? Share your picks in the comment section.
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Michael Puts Willow On Notice After Tracy Is Arrested
‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Brandon Claybon Talks Inclusion, The Crossover, While the Fate of Martin Richardson Hangs in the Balance
Kate Mansi Wraps On-Screen Run as ‘General Hospital’s’ Kristina Corinthos-Davis
Troy Lennon Appel Joins the Cast of ‘General Hospital’ in Contract Role of the Mysterious ‘Hudson’
BEYOND THE GATES: A Tornado Hits Fairmont Crest Part 1: Eva and Martin on Seriously Injured List
‘Santa Barbara’ Favorites A Martinez and Marcy Walker, ‘Cruz and Eden’ Reunion Chat, On Demand Replay Available for Half Price (Exclusive)
2026 SDSA TV Award Nominations: All Five Daytime Dramas Score in Best Achievement in Set Decoration
Marc Forget Exits ‘General Hospital’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Cullum Kidnaps Obrecht as Britt’s Replacement to Finish Faison’s Final Project
Kirsten Storms Addresses ‘General Hospital’ Status, Restraining Order Filed by Brandon Barash, and Clarification on Alleged Break-In
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Michael Puts Willow On Notice After Tracy Is Arrested
‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Brandon Claybon Talks Inclusion, The Crossover, While the Fate of Martin Richardson Hangs in the Balance
Kate Mansi Wraps On-Screen Run as ‘General Hospital’s’ Kristina Corinthos-Davis
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Brad Bell to Launch First Microseries Featuring Vertical Drama Stars Eric Guilmette and Molly Anderson for ‘aTwist’
‘General Hospital’ Alum Avery Pohl Joins Cast of Netflix’s ‘Scooby-Doo Origins’ Series
-
Breaking News5 days ago‘Santa Barbara’ Favorites A Martinez and Marcy Walker, ‘Cruz and Eden’ Reunion Chat, On Demand Replay Available for Half Price (Exclusive)
-
Beyond the Gates1 week ago2026 SDSA TV Award Nominations: All Five Daytime Dramas Score in Best Achievement in Set Decoration
-
General Hospital1 week agoMarc Forget Exits ‘General Hospital’
-
General Hospital1 week agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Cullum Kidnaps Obrecht as Britt’s Replacement to Finish Faison’s Final Project
-
General Hospital6 days agoKirsten Storms Addresses ‘General Hospital’ Status, Restraining Order Filed by Brandon Barash, and Clarification on Alleged Break-In
-
General Hospital6 days agoY&R Alum Kelly Kruger Joins the Cast of ‘General Hospital’ as Serena Baldwin
-
News1 week agoShemar Moore Makes Another Return to ‘The Young and the Restless’ as Malcolm Winters
-
Breaking News1 week ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Officially Confirms Ryan Quan Returning as Co-Head Writer Beginning in July
I would love for you and Steffy to fid your way back to each other, what do you think about that?
cause they truely deserve each other, thats why bill fights so hard to keep steffy near, he wants her but is with katie so next best thing give er to his son, just keep it in the fam right dolla bill
I love Don. When he was on YR, and love him on BB more! His character is basically good.. But he is all man! So good to look at too, so that sure doesn’t hurt. 🙂 I can see lots of chemistry with Brooke. In spite of her history. That’s life in the soaps! I agree with Bill about Hope too! I don’t like her with Liam! It actually surprises me how much I dislike her character. I am sure she is a lovely person. So credit for my dislike is given to the writers. 🙂
It’s so refreshing to see Don so vibrant on B&B after his Brad seemed to diminish over many years on Y&R. B&B is like daytime’s answer to Greek mythology, and Bill Spencer is a formidable god. Of course, we can love and hate him at the same time. His sexiness counterbalances the absolute jerk that he is. He’s both bold and beautiful! Without Don in the role, I don’t think we’d get that complexity. It’s compelling, to say the least. So glad to see this talented guy not going to waste.
we want Bill & steffy together!
I absolutely LOVE Bill and Steffy as a couple. Those two were so hot!!!!!!!!! What were the writers thinking breaking them up!
I soo love the Bill Spencer character, when he appears on screen i find im holding my breath just waiting to see what will happen next. Don – you are wonderful to watch, keep it up!
Love Brooke and Bill together
Bill’s heart belongs to Katie, Brooke or Steffy won’t change. Bill always “has” feelings for another woman when feels hurt, abandon or betrayed by Katie. Does Anyone See a Pattern Here?
I meant Steffy and Brooke won’t change this!
I have been watching b&b and y&r for 20yrs. I think bill and steffy looked good together! hope and liam should have 1 more chance without anyone messing with em. steffys plane should crash and she would lose the baby.
i totally agree
There are other less dramatic ways to lose a baby then a plane crash. Most pregnancies don’t make it through the first trimester because the baby isn’t meant to be in the first place.
I love to see you on B&B Don, you are so goodlooking!!!!! You also have a very beautiful wife & family, so proud of you!! Keep on doing your thing we love YOU!!!
I would love to see Bill, Karen & Dani in a storyline. The possibilities are endless. Dani could go nose to nose with Bill in business and be all protective of her family at the same time. $Bill & Dani Warfare will be an opportunity missed if it is not explored.
I love Don & Bill. However, the Steffy/Liam/Hope triangle is soooo tired. Stop. Please. I honestly don’t even care who Liam is with anymore. They can all go fly a kite for all I care. Is he the only hot, rich, available guy in LA? C’mon, B&B you’re killing me with this!
I loved Brad on Y & R. I despise Bill. The only woman on B & B that deserves him is Steffy. They are both just a like and deserve each other.
I love DD and loved Bill until he decided to change his thinking of Brooke. Not only is Brooke the sister of Katie, she just turned Bill into all the other men (cough) on the show. I’m not a huge fan of Katie’s nor do I want Bill with Steffy (prefer her with a new hot guy) but Bill was the man you loved to watch because he meant business. Sorry, but Brooke brings him down and I don’t think we’ll see the man that Bill was when he originally showed up.
Next thing, he’ll be giving Brooke his FC shares. Very disappointed where Bill is headed.
disagree, finally an exiting storyline with the Bill and Brooke forbidden romance instead of everydays of the old Hope/Liam/Steffy triangle, so so played out, they try to recreate Brooke/Ridge/Taylor triangle we get it but it is not the same..Steffy although a dynamic character is not tornado Brooke Logan and Ridge had far more sex-appeal, charisma than Liam back in the day..i would say Hope is less dull than Taylor but Taylor was particularly gorgeous back in the day, Hope is just pretty..so not the same..i am not sure it can endure years like old school Brooke, Ridge, Taylor were able to do..so giving a front burner story to exiting and charismatic characters like Brooke and Bill would be a good move ! Heather Tom is a great, charismatic actress although Katie can be boring..(she was so much better as Victoria, a far better character imho, it is like the reverse for Don with Brad and Bill characters, Bill is so much better than annoying, obnoxious, boring Brad !) so i say Brad Bell : Brooke/Bill/Katie triangle GAME ON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, but there is nothing exciting about seeing Brooke act like a hoe who can’t keep her hands off her relatives significant others once again. Not looking forward to another boring triangle.
Lily I agree Don Diamont’s statement about the character of Brooke keeping integrity. What a joke and just for the record KKL wants to be front and center all the time the show has and still is a snoozefest.
Love Don As $ Bill
BILL IS HOT,BROOK IS HOT,LET;S SEE SOME FIREWORKS WITH THEM….
yep finally an exiting story, makes me want to watch ! Yep scandalous, soapy, forbidden, sexy, they have chemistry so go go Brooke and Bill, write this story Bold and Beautiful, we want to be entertained !
Am I mistaken? Isn’t the actress who plays Carolines mother , the same actress who was Ridges wife/lover years ago ? I think she died of cancer? Im sure its the same woman! and her name was Caroline, too! Help me please, figure this out!!!
Yes, the actress is the same one. And yes, Caroline of years ago did die. The actress is playing Caroline’s twin sister Karen.
Ridge had married Caroline many yrs ago, she was his one and only. Then she got leukemia and she died. I don’t recall if we (audience) knew she had a twin sister at that time, but she did appear a few times through the years as Karen after Caroline died.
I want to see real drama! I want to see Bill and Steffy and Liam team up Hope! I want Hope to wigged out! I also want to see Bill tell Katie that he don’t want to be her no more because she not woman enought and Bill and Brooke go on vaction I want to see it all.
Bill and Brooke : exiting !!! We want to see that Brad Bell, don’t stop this story for pete’s sake, i began to watch again this soap with this direction, hep you want triangle alright..write a Katie/Bill/Brooke triangle and give us a break from Hope/Liam/Steffy triangle.
I wish the story line with Liam , Hope, and Steffy woul change up Liam can never make up his mind who he wants, Hope is so immature. I hope Steffy just leaves him standing.
Ugh. So many comments complaining about storyline … to Don Diamont mostly … especially after he said he does NOT read these comments.
Thank you, Michael, for another amazing interview. I have really grown to admire Don Diamont from his Y&R days. It is just a shame how poorly things went there after all those years, but he must have a little bronze statute of Brad Bell on his mantel because that man has really given him something! He is about as front burner as you can get for a half-hour show. I’m so happy for him.
I’m also happy that he and his longtime lady love finally got married. It must be weird to be together all those years and then actually be married. It was like that for me after I was with my boyfriend for 9 years and we got married. It is kind of surreal.
I could care less how the story plays out as long as the show keeps it as real as a soap opera can meaning that the characters keep their integrity and the direction is believable.
DD pimps which ever storyline than can keep him front burner
More and more, as Dollar Bill Spencer on B&&, Don Diamont TRULY ROCKS!!!!! Also, more and more, the Brooke/Bill/Katie love triangle has been so wonderfully well-written and all…so far. And, Dollar Bill himself is so wonderfully BAD-ASS…LOL!!!!! Looking back on it now, I now realize and understand as to why Bill tried to break up Liam and Hope (and more than once, too). Liam acts like such a whiny and lovesick MORON and Hope’s wholesome and Puritan-like behavior is BEYOND ANNOYING!!!!! And don’t even get me started on Taylor…who is WAY TOO MUCH of an annoying and meddling busybody!!!!! One final thing: BELATED CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Diamont and Cindy and their getting married last year. Don and Cindy…CHEERS!!!!!
I love Don always!! I dont care who he be with as long its not with NASTY BROOKE!! i LOVE THAT MAN EVERYTIME i SEE B&B
I love bill&brooke together this is the only reason I watch.katie treated bill like a child telling him what he can do and what to do.now she is using his son to control him and I don’t like that, too many woman today are doing that, do what or you can not see your child.i want to see bill and brooke grow old together.i would like to see more passion with bill and like I did with brooke and ridge I loved to see them make love it was so hot.