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THE HEATHER TOM INTERVIEW – THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

By Michael Fairman

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HeatherTom.jpgBy Michael Fairman

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TV SOAP:
Were you surprised at your nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress?

HEATHER:
I was very surprised.  I really wasn’t expecting to be nominated this year.  I had some good material towards the end of the year.  I am excited, and I think it will be a really fun night, and I was grateful for the nomination.

TV SOAP:
What scenes did you submit for Emmy judging?

HEATHER:
I had scenes in the jail cell with Patrick Duffy (Ex-Stephen), where I say to him, “I am sorry for accusing you of shooting Stephanie.”  And the other scene was from the show before that, when Katie was very emotional with her dad.

TV SOAP:
You have been nominated many times!

HEATHER:
A lot!  This is my 12th nomination, which is fun.  But, I have only won twice.  So, I have lost a whole lot. (She laughs)

TV SOAP:
How did you decide, or settle on what tapes or performances to submit?

HEATHER:
I think it was not terribly difficult for me this year, because I knew the one show with Patrick would be the tape I would submit.  It was just the two of us in a room.   I thought it was well written and I loved working with him.  I thought it was some of the best work I had done.  The other show was more difficult, because the story was not about my character.  So, I was part of it, but more supporting.  But, as we all know, being in the supporting category does not mean anything. (She laughs)  I had three scenes at the top of the show, and in the rest of it I was in the background.  I thought it was kind of deadly.

TV SOAP:
So much has been written and rumored about this year, that many judges did not bother to watch all the DVD of the performances of the pre-nominated actors and actresses, and that it was a popularity vote.

HEATHER:
My feeling about it is: if people get the DVD’s in their homes and they are watching them, I don’t know how much I buy into the whole popularity thing.  Also, I don’t know how anybody is going to sit through some of this.  I was on the Emmy committee in New York, and was a big advocate with doing away with the two-show reel.  I think you should be able to pick scenes from any show and show a range of the work one does over the past year. You are supposed to be judged on what you did over the whole year.   I have four scenes on my tape where I don’t do anything.  So, I thought I did not have a chance in hell! (She laughs)

TV SOAP:
Were you judging an acting category this year?

HEATHER:
I volunteered to judge and wanted to judge, but I was told I was not needed.  Well, what does that mean?  I thought OK, they picked someone else to judge a category that may or may not have the same sensibility.  I don’t know if there is a perfect system, and trying to find out what’s fair.  I sat on the committee before.  I have a big mouth, and I like to put my two-cents in, and they patted me on the head.   But hey, I don’t have the biggest track record with winning an Emmy, so you may not want to listen to me.  (She laughs)

TV SOAP:
Where were you when you found out you were nominated?

HEATHER:
I actually was on a hike with my dogs, and did not have my phone on.  I did not find out until I walked into the make-up room at “B&B,” and everybody was saying “Congratulations”.

TV SOAP:
What do you think of the other gals nominated in your category?

HEATHER:
I have to be honest.  I thought from “B&B”, Jennifer Gareis’s (Donna) work this year and last year has been great.  It’s the best work I have ever seen her do.  I look at Gina Tognoni (Dinah, “GL”) and I think she is a fantastic actress.   I think every time she works she is great.  I look at Tracey Bregman (Lauren, “Y&R), and she has a great body of work.   Every year there is someone who gets robbed of a nomination, too.

TV SOAP:
Now the rules have changed this year.  There is no second round of voting and no second round of having to submit other episodes of your work.  The winner is already known, correct?

HEATHER:
That’s right!   Now, you submit your shows and the winner is already figured out.   So, the person with the highest votes was already established as the winner and will be announced on June 20th.

TV SOAP:
Now, let’s talk about the tragic heart transplant story of your character, Katie, and the suicide of her brother, Storm.  Did you have any idea this was coming up?

HEATHER:
I had no idea.  William deVry (Ex-Storm) told me it was going to happen.   Honestly, I was very afraid of this story.  At the same time, I said I was going to trust Brad, and it is going to be written in a certain way.  They are going to have two very strong viewpoints on the suicide situation.  I think they did a really good job with that.

TV SOAP:
So, your biggest concern is the topic of suicide and justifying it to help someone you love?

HEATHER:
The suicide part was my biggest concern, because it was not like he just died.  He committed suicide.  I think it’s a tough topic to deal with, and to deal with it in a responsible way.  I actually think the thing I’m most proud about is that they have given these characters very strong viewpoints on the subject.  The Donna character thinks it’s a gift and a sacrifice.  That’s within her character, and still a valid point of view.  And the fact that the Katie character would say, “I don’t know how anyone can call anyone a hero for doing this to themselves!”  That’s very much in her character.   I think they have made it so there are defensible viewpoints, because you don’t know how you would react to something as horrific as this.  There is nothing pretty or happy about something like this.

TV SOAP:
Another part of the issue is, that sometimes people feel suicide is their only answer.

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HEATHER:
One of my girlfriends’ brother committed suicide, and you are never really the same after that.   I think at “B&B” it’s a little different, because Katie and Storm had more of a father/daughter relationship than a sibling relationship.  Perhaps it could be justified that a father might consider doing this for his child.  The biggest thing I wanted was to make sure this was not something that we glorified.   I think making it a martyr-type situation is a dangerous place to go.  I am glad they gave Katie a strong angle; “Not only are you alive, but you caused the situation and your brother killed himself because of you.”   I ‘m glad she is going to have a very tough time with it.   Normally, I can go home and shake a story off and live my life, but I would come home from these days of taping and just go to bed. Back to Katie, I think it is changing her.  I think they have allowed that to be played, and it allowed it to be ugly and unresolved.  The story does not get tied up with a neat little bow.  I think that’s kind of nice and interesting. Hopefully, people want to watch it.

TV SOAP:
What did you think about the sudden departure or firing (as rumored) of William deVry?

HEATHER:
I don’t think it had anything to do with William, whatsoever.  It was storyline-dictated, and I hate losing someone like him, because he was very talented.  He brought a lot to the show.  I can’t second-guess why they do what they do.  I think people were upset and people talked to Brad Bell (exec. prod. and head writer, “B&B”) about it.  I think Brad had an idea of what he wanted to do, and how he wanted to play this story.  He wanted it to be somewhat controversial.  This was the most difficult storyline I have had to play, and for me, that’s saying something! (She laughs) It was very difficult, but we all knew as the actors, we had to step up to the plate, and we have.   I think Katherine Kelly Lang’s (Brooke) work has been gorgeous!   I think everyone did an amazing job, from the way it was directed and lighted, and with the special effects.

TV SOAP:
What do you think is next for Katie?  Heating up a love triangle?

HEATHER:
Honestly, there is a lot going on.  They are playing out the Nick/Bridget/Katie triangle.

TV SOAP:
Do you think the relationship will work out in her favor?

HEATHER:
I love working with both of those actors… Jack Wagner (Nick) and Ashley Jones (Bridget).   I have an interesting chemistry with Ashley as two females on the show, and I think it’s an interesting dynamic with the three of us.  So, I like the way they are going with it.  I am waiting to see how they are going to develop it.  I think with Katie’s new heart, I would like to see more spontaneity from her.  She always holds herself back.   She is always guarded and very careful, and very pragmatic.  Maybe this is the opportunity for her to jump in and be more impulsive.  Getting the new heart somehow gives her a new lease on life, but it’s a process.   It’s not going to happen over night.  She thinks, “I have this one life and what am I going to do with it?”

TV SOAP:
You have been busy working to support US Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

HEATHER:
I have been on the road for Hilary Clinton and have been campaigning for her in Texas, California, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.  I am very optimistic.  I believe the best democratic nominee is Hilary Clinton.  I am a Democrat and I will vote for that candidate, but experience matters to me.  With the mess that we have here in the US, we need someone who can get things done and who understands how the system works.   I don’t want someone who is on a learning curve.  I think Barack is a great speaker and very smart.  One day he will make a great President, but I think not now.

TV SOAP:
You always have one of the most beautiful dresses on the red carpet at the Emmys.
What is the process you go through to decide on the chosen “one”?

HEATHER:
I am actually flying right now to New York to meet with someone to select my Emmy dress.  I have a woman in New York who helped me out last year.  She goes to all the fashion shows and picks out all the couture dresses, and has them on loan.  I will see a variety of designer dresses before making my final choice.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Weighs In on Who She Thinks is Trina’s Stalker (Exclusive)

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Tabyana Ali

On General Hospital, as Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) has launched a music career alongside Gio Palmieri (Giovanni Mazza), it was recently revealed that she actually has what seems like an “obsessed” stalker! How do we know? Well, there is a collage of the young woman that said person is continuing to add more photos to as the weeks and months roll on.

There have been several obvious suspects in the way GH has presented the characters. Chief among them music executive, Simon Craft (Grady Eldridge) who continually has made statements and has been shooting daggers at anyone getting in the way of his prized recording artist.

At the same time the stalking started, Kai’s friend and former college football teammate, Quinn (Jequan Jackson) showed back up who previously had a falling out with Trina. Might he be playing nice, but wants revenge on Trina?

Simon, Trina and Gio

Photo: ABC

KEPT IN THE DARK

Fast-forward and now General Hospital fans learned that two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Alley Mills is on her way back to the show as Heather Webber, who previously was known as”The Hook” killer at one point, and is the biological mother of Trina’s sworn enemy, Esme Prince (last played by Avery Pohl).

Esme perished went she went overboard with Trina’s boyfriend, Spencer Cassadine (last played by Nicholas Alexander Chavez) a few years ago into the steely waters below. Could Esme be the one obsessing over Trina, or could it be someone else completely?

In a brand new video interview out on Tuesday, September 29, Tabyana Ali visited You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel and weighed-in on who she thinks could be the culprit! However, Tabyana shared she actually has no idea who it actually will turn out to be.

“The crazy thing is that everybody knows who it is except for me! They’re keeping that secret from me,” revealed Ali. “They want me to be as oblivious as Trina.”

Courtesy/ABC

THOSE WHO WENT OVERBOARD AND PRESUMED DEAD

After looking over the potential suspects and with all the theories that have floated about, Tabyana had her top picks! “I would love for it to be Spencer. I would love for it to be Esme. Mostly because I also just want my friends back on set, too. I would love to just see them and hang out with them. I think it definitely could be one of those two,” speculated Ali.

“I think everybody thought it could have been Quinn, or could have been Simon. I think we were all pointing in that direction for a minute, but I thinks that’s too easy”, declares Tabyana. “I think they’re just trying to throw me off, and trying to make it seem like it’s one of them. Now, nobody told me one way or the other about them.”

As soaps go, it’s usually not the first string of suspects who turn out to be the actual person behind the stalking. Tabyana agreed, “If you just know writing in general, if you just know TV in general, if you know soaps in general, you know that’s a game. You know, they set up, set up, set up, and then they really show the reveal. So. I was like, ‘This is just the setup to the reveal, right?'”

As for it being Spencer, it may not because his motives are bad. Ali shared, “It could be Spencer trying to fight his way back to Trina, or Heather trying to get revenge for her dead daughter Esme, or Esme herself. Those are all good ones, I was also playing around with what if it’s Cyrus Renault (Jeff Kober)? That would be kind of fun. Don’t know what his motive would be. I know he passed away. He’s dead because of Joss (Eden McCoy), but it’s like everybody comes back alive on soaps, so…”

Trina and Kai

Photo: ABC

FROM KAI WITH LOVE

Some fans theorized it could be Trina’s boyfriend, Kai Taylor (Jens Austin Astrup) or one another option being that the real stalker takes him out. “I think that’s kind of happened to all of Trina’s boyfriends,” lamented Tabyana. “They’ve all kind of gone that way. So, hopefully it doesn’t happen that way. Would it be easier if Kai was the stalker? Okay, yeah, maybe. He’d go to jail for a couple months or whatever. Come on out and then what? He would had to have had a brain-eating amoeba that made him do it. Who knows?” (Laughs)

In the end, are Trina and Kai truly in love? Ali shared her viewpoint and gave a tease, “I think they have love for one another, but to love someone it does take gradual time. I think it’s getting to that point. I think with this music situation as well, it is really proving to Trina that Kai is willing to be there with her every step of the way.”

She continued, “He is supporting her 10 toes down, making sure that she has everything that she needs, to going to every live show. I think this portion of their lives will definitely guide them somewhere else. I think, an ‘I love you,’ might come just around the corner.”

You can check out the full conversation with Tabyana now on the Michael Fairman Channel below.

Then weigh-in, after hearing Tabyana’s thoughts on the matter, who do you think will be proven to be Trina’s stalker? Let us know via the comment section below.

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Interviews

‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Heather Tom Talks Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and What’s Behind Katie’s Deep-Seated Issues with Dylan (Exclusive)

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Heather Tom

The Bold and the Beautiful’s Heather Tom (Katie Logan) is heading into the 53rd annual Daytime Emmys next month with a chance to win not one, but two gold statuettes to add to her collection of six!

Heather is once again a nominee for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series, and for the first time a nominee as part of B&B’s writing team in the Outstanding Writing for a Daytime Drama Series category.

Currently, Heather is tied with One Life to Live icon, Erika Slezak (Ex-Viki) as the actresses with the most wins in Daytime Emmy history. An acting victory by Tom would break the tie, although Slezak’s wins have all been for Lead Actress, while Tom literally grew up before our eyes over 35 years in daytime, and has won in all three actress categories: Younger, Supporting and Lead.

Photo: JPI

Whether Tom wins the gold this year, next year is looking even like stronger lock with Heather delivering some of the best work of her career, over the last several months. Who can forget Katie’s showdown with her sister Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) over the creation of her own fashion house named Logan, that slap from Brooke, and eventually being disowned from the Logan family by Brooke and their sister, Donna (Jennifer Gareis). 

This fall, Katie is in full momma bear-mode and being overprotective of her son Will Spencer’s (Crew Morrow) heart and pocketbook. In story, Katie has a massive distrust of Melissa Dylan, who has made her move on her son, while Will is still trying to deal with the break-up with the love of his life Electra Forrester.

During a live chat this week on the Michael Fairman Channel, Heather opened up on a myriad of subjects, including why Dylan gets under Katie’s skin in such a major way, and what scenes earned her a shot at Lead Actress gold at the October 30th Daytime Emmy ceremony.

Photo: JPI

HEATHER TOM’S DAYTIME EMMY SUBMISSION

In daytime, Heather Tom does it all, she acts, directs and writes for The Bold and the Beautiful. When deciding what material to submit for Emmy competition with its eligibility rules of episodes from 2025, it relayed heavily on scenes with her longtime B&B scene partner, Don Diamont (Bill Spencer).

“I submitted material having to do with the Luna (Lisa Yamada) storyline and having to do with Katie and Bill. I love that Katie and Bill have been really trying to find their way back to each other for, honestly, five years. He’s been trying to woo her back. Katie’s been like, ‘No.’ However, they come together, especially over their son, Will (Crew Morrow) and they have a very real relationship-type of discussion. It wasn’t an argument. It was more about, ‘I know you. Don’t do this.’ That’s always kind of been Katie’s relationship with Bill. The scenes with Don Diamont were about Katie and Bill’s history, the pain, and the drama, and especially about their son, seemed very familiar to me.”

Heather added, “There’s also a couple scenes with Will and Luna, when Katie finds out that Luna is pregnant. Katie was like, ‘Nope! Our son is having a baby with somebody, and we’re going to figure this out. We’ve got means and the ability to do this. I don’t care if we have to take this baby away from Luna because she’s crazy, we’ll figure it out.’ They were some really good scenes that I felt very proud of. I thought to myself, “OK, this is Katie really taking a stand for her son, and having these conversations with Bill where I just felt they were real and honest.”

In conclusion to standing by her choices of scenes, Heather explained, “It was nice to see Bill and Katie operating as a parental unit and have her be like, “Yep, we’re not doing this. You know, you can’t force Luna to do anything, so let’s just figure out how we’re dealing with this.” Katie was kind of the adult in the room. Then, the scenes where Bill says to Katie, “You have to come back to me and I need you,” while Katie shed a few tears, she still didn’t take him back, not yet.”

Photo: JPI

DYLAN BROKE THE ‘GIRLFRIEND CODE’

There are specific reasons why Katie has it out for Melissa Dylan. In fact, Dylan went so far as to get her mother Darcy Dylan to town to shut down Katie’s suspicions of her, but it still isn’t swaying Katie away from her stance on the matter. Heather revealed how she is playing the scenes.

“So, here’s the deal. It’s multifaceted,” began Tom. “This girl pushes Katie’s buttons. She reminds her of her sister, Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang), and what Katie’s going through with her sister right now is very unpleasant. I think she looks at this girl and says, “This girl is going to crawl over anyone to get what she wants. And right now, she wants my son, and she’s willing to throw her best friend (Electra) under the bus.”

Heather also said, “Honestly, there’s something known as the ‘girlfriend code.’ Would you like to know what the girlfriend code is? ‘The girlfriend code’ is if your girlfriend, who is also your best friend, dates a guy and is especially in love with him, it doesn’t matter if you break up, that guy is off limits. You need to find yourself another guy.”

KATIE’S TROUBLES WITH BROOKE AND DYLAN MAKE HER TAKE A STAND

Katie clearly draws a similarity to her sister Brooke and Melissa Dylan which is also driving her attitude, which Heather confirmed. “So to Katie, it’s like Dylan broke that code. She is someone who follows her heart just like Brooke and leaves carnage in her wake,” said Tom.

She continued, “I think Katie looks at her and goes ‘Okay, one, you were living in your car. You didn’t call your mother who clearly loves you and ask her for help, but you were more than willing to take help from this, lovely rich guy.’ I think Katie feels like the fact that Dylan has been so expressive of how in love she is with Will, I think she finds that a little weird.  She’s telling him that she’s e in love with him, and he doesn’t say it back to you. So, clearly he’s in not in love with you.”

In story, Katie can’t trust a young woman, who knows her son doesn’t feel the same way about her and yet is still hanging around. Heather shared Katie’s viewpoint to Dylan: “He’s clearly in love with your best friend. So, isn’t it a little unsettling that she kind of keeps saying she’s in love with him? So that’s my multifaceted reason why Katie doesn’t like her. It really has nothing to do with the fact that she came from humble beginnings because Katie did too. That being said, the Spencers are billionaires, so she would have to also look out for that. However, I don’t think that’s the main reason why she doesn’t like this girl or doesn’t trust her. I really don’t.”

You can check out the full conversation from our livestream conversation on the Michael Fairman Channel below.

Now let us know, are you rooting for Heather Tom to win the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? What did you think of the scenes she submitted? Will Katie be proven right about Melissa Dylan, or will her distrust blow up in her face and she will wind up respecting Dylan when all is said and done? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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Interviews

‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Kelly Sullivan Talks Becoming Darcy Dylan, Who’s Melissa’s Dad, and Future Love Interest (Exclusive)

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Kelly Sullivan

Kelly Sullivan made her triumphant return to daytime on recent episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful in her new role as Darcy Dylan, the mother of Melissa Dylan (Sydney Bullock).

In story, Melissa, better known as just “Dylan,” phoned home to her mother to come to Los Angeles, in an effort to calm the waters with Will Spencer’s (Crew Morrow) nosy mother, Katie Logan (Heather Tom), who doesn’t trust Dylan one iota.

Soap fans remember Sullivan from her previous Daytime Emmy-nominated role sas Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri on General Hospital and as Sage Warner on The Young and the Restless. During a livestream conversation exclusively on the Michael Fairman Channel, Kelly spoke about her time on GH and Y&R, and the wonderful co-stars she shared the screen with, and her excitement on her brand new role on B&B.

Photo: JPI

As to her thoughts on if Darcy will ultimately prove to be a gold-digger, opportunist, but still has a heart of gold (as we saw in recent scenes with her daughter, seemingly), Sullivan explained, “Characters like Darcy can be dangerous. I think Darcy is a survivor and she can charm. She’s a flirt. She knows what she wants. Darcy is self-made, according to her, and she made it.”

THE DYNAMIC BETWEEN DARCY AND HER DAUGHTER, MELISSA DYLAN

However, Melissa plays a big role in what’s next for Darcy! Kelly explained, “She’s got this beautiful daughter and that was her entire life who is now making her way. Let me tell you, I don’t know what Darcy’s retirement plan is, but one would assume she doesn’t have much savings. This is a great opportunity for her to connect with her daughter and get the lay of the land.”

Finding out that Melissa has been dating Will Spencer from the rich and powerful Spencer family in Los Angeles, while initially a shock, could prove interesting if the mother/daughter were to work together for a common cause, their survival.

Sullivan explained, “Darcy’s all about the tabloids and all about this life of illusion and the haves and have-nots, essentially. She would never shy away from an opportunity to see what’s around the corner. I think the interesting thing for me, that I’m excited about is to explore the dynamic between Darcy and Melissa and what is that going to become?”

From all accounts, Darcy is here to stay in Los Angeles, and fans will see much more of Sullivan on their-screens. “Darcy’s not going anywhere”, confirmed Kelly. “I always said to Sydney Bullock, Darcy didn’t buy a round trip ticket. If you think about it, Melissa could be her ticket. She might be Darcy’s only hope. There are serious stakes here if Darcy has been waiting for this moment.”

Photo: JPI

SHARING SCENES WITH HEATHER TOM

Last week, Sullivan had her first on-screen confrontation with Heather Tom. In the scenes, Katie was disapproving of Dylan and let Darcy know it. Eventually, Darcy takes Dylan with her to leave Will’s beach house apartment, but Will stops Dylan.

Recalling the taping of the scenes, Kelly said, “Heather Tom is a real special artist. In the story between Katie and Darcy, you’ve got momma bear and you’ve got momma bear. You can’t fault either of these women for how they feel, and how protective they are of their children.”

There are many things viewers and perhaps the writers have not totally fleshed out about the Dylans. Are their Dylan sisters coming, or to be revealed to rival the Logan sisters? Who is Melissa’s biological father? Plus, some more nuggets as Kelly revealed.

“I think there is a juicy, juicy story there of the Dylans,” previewed Sullivan. “It would also be interesting if they decide who Melissa’s dad is. Who is that? I mean, that’s interesting. You know, when I auditioned for this role, it said on the page that the character was charming, from the Midwest, and dance skills a plus. and I was a Broadway dancer. So, I hope this means there might be an opportunity to dance on the show at some point.”

Photo: JPI

DARCY DYLAN AND WYATT SPENCER PAIRING?

As for the men on the canvas, Kelly was asked what she thought of a potential Darcy and Wyatt Spencer (Darin Brooks) pairing? To which she responded, “That would be so much fun. I’m such a fan of Darin’s work. Oh, I would have a ball working with him. One of the things that really excited me about Darcy when I was coming into audition for her was that they said that they wanted her to have a  comedic sensibility, comedic chops as they said it.”

Sullivan concluded, “To work with Darin, I would be so lucky. He’s such a great actor and he’s got great comedic timing and he’s just really present and phenomenally talented. He’s a great actor, so I would love that. I mean, anyone on the show would be really fun.  You throw it at the wall (in daytime) and say, ‘Is there a thing? Is there something here?’ Chemistry is chemistry.”

Now below, and in case you missed it, you can check out our full video livestream chat with Kelly Sullivan below.

So, what have you thought of Kelly’s performances thus far as Darcy? Do you think Darcy will turn out to be an opportunistic woman, but who deeply cares and loves her daughter, or will it turn out to be a ruse? Would you like to see Kelly paired with Darin Brooks on-screen as a love interest, and who do you think truly is Melissa Dylan’s biological father? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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