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The Katherine Kelly Lang Interview – The Bold and the Beautiful

Courtesy/CBS

As fans of The Bold and the Beautiful witnessed in September, Brooke and Ridge got married … again!  But this time there was a twist, and it didn’t happen in front of the camera, it happened behind-the-scenes.  Ronn Moss’ unexpected and seemingly sudden decision to leave his role as Ridge Forrester after 25 years, made these on-air nuptials all the more meaningful and shocking.  And, for series star Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) it meant an end of a huge chapter for her – both on-screen and in the workplace – having to say goodbye to her long-time scene partner and friend.  But with that news, came more! Katherine also learned another one of the original “core four” cast members of the CBS soap will depart the series too, when Susan Flannery (Stephanie) announced her plans to exit come the end of this year.

However, through all the changes, Katherine signed on the dotted line with B&B to continue giving fans worldwide an opportunity to see more of Brooke’s perils and experiences, and the new possibilities for her character.  On-Air On-Soaps sat down with Katherine to get her thoughts on all the upheaval, to give us some insight into what’s next for Brooke, how she handled her final tape day with Ronn Moss, and what she wants her fans, who have stayed with the love story of Bridge for 25 years, to know.

While B&B’s executive producer and head writer, Brad Bell, has teased a new love interest for Brooke, we wanted to know how Lang felt about it so soon after the Bridge “I do’s,” and you will find out her answer!  We also delve into Katherine’s remarkable success with the series, and why Brooke has become so beloved internationally, even though she has done some pretty questionable things in her past, or shall we say unknowing mistakes?  Whatever the case, one thing can be said: Let’s get this talented and beautiful star her long overdue Daytime Emmy nomination soon!   And with that, here is the effervescent Katherine Kelly Lang!

MICHAEL:

Last month, we saw your final episode with Ronn Moss, when Brooke and Ridge got married once again in front of family and friends.  Those tears streaming down your face when you looked at Ronn were so touching and heartbreaking, all at the same time.  I heard from Ronn and Brad Bell, how emotional that day was.  How was it for you?  And, how did you get through it?

KATHERINE:

Courtesy/CBS

I did not want to go to work that day, and I was dreading it.  It was hard to believe, and it’s still hard to believe, that Ronn is not here.  And that was the last day tape, and we were supposed to be getting married on-screen and being happy about it.  But meanwhile, Ronn and I tried that whole day to avoid each other while saying to each other, “Let’s just do our job and get through this!”  I remember when I walked down the aisle and I really had to look at him and engage, and then it was over.  I just stood in front of him, and we just couldn’t look at each other before that, because we knew what would happen and we would both fall apart.  But we just waited.  Then even in rehearsal, I had to take a moment because I started crying, and then we went back and we taped it.  And of course, I was crying when we taped.  But, you can cry at your own wedding! (Laughs)  But I tried to make it happy tears, even when everybody who watches the show knows he is leaving!  It was a very emotional day, and sad, and it was hard.

MICHAEL:

When we all learned of Ronn’s decision’s to exit the series, I was concerned for you and how you would take the news of his departure.

KATHERINE:

It was weird.   It felt lonely, and like a family breaking up after all this time.  I feel like Ronn was definitely a part of my family, and then he’s gone.  Working so closely together for 25 years, he was Brooke’ soul mate!  Ronn and I have a great friendship and that will continue, but it’s just sad not to see him here.

MICHAEL:

Photo Credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS

As I told Ronn, I think it would be a lot worse to have made the announcement he did and then sticking around at B&B for months longer.  So in that way, perhaps a quick exit was better.  It may have made it unbearable, otherwise.

KATHERINE:

It would be worse for him, and maybe a little bit easier for all of us to get used to the idea, but harder for him to stay.  Once you make up your mind and make a decision, you just want to do it.  It worked out the way it was suppose to.  Change happens … it’s a part of life.  We will just make the best of it, and the shows goes on.

MICHAEL:

Katherine, you are now the backbone of the show as Brooke.  Do you feel more of the weight on your shoulders with the exits of Ronn, and then coming up, Susan Flannery (Stephanie)?

KATHERINE:

No.  I don’t feel the weight on my shoulders, but I do feel it will definitely be different. John McCook (Eric) and I will be the original people here, and Hunter Tylo (Taylor) has been here a long time too … but it will still be different.  The whole feeling about the show in general has already changed, and that is great because the young group we have on the show are fabulous.

MICHAEL:

What did you think when you heard that Susan Flannery was also leaving?

KATHERINE:

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Oh, my Gosh!  Double whammy!  Susan has been saying for years she is going to go.  And I would say, “Susan come on!”  Now she was like, “No. I am leaving!”  So it’s taken some years for that to happen, but it’s sad.  I just have to make a point to see her and Ronn outside the studio.

MICHAEL:

Susan and Ronn were your scene-partners, your touchstones, in which so many stories were generated through Brooke’s relationships with Stephanie and Ridge.  So, it will be quite an adjustment for both Katherine and Brooke.

KATHERINE:

Actually, this past year I have more scenes with Kim Matula (Hope) as my daughter, and what she was going through, and Brooke looking out for her.  So there has already been a transition of my scene partners.  It’s just the history that was there, and all the memories that will be really missed.

MICHAEL:

Do you have a Brooke and Ridge moment that is closest, or special to you, in your heart? Clearly, it couldn’t be the way the relationship just ended so abruptly …  over a text message debacle! (Laughs)

KATHERINE:

(Laughs) I don’t know if the fans love a particular moment, but we could be anywhere, in our bedroom, in the office, or on the beach, and what they like is that chemistry and that spark that is so sincere, and so honest.  It’s just real, fun, and sweet.  They appreciate that.  They have always been diehard fans, because they think it’s so romantic, and so real at the same time, and that is how easy Ronn is to work with.  Ronn is very accessible.  I could look into his eyes and there is a connection there.  He made it so easy and comfortable.  Brooke and Ridge had a great relationship.  So that is all very special to me.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/FabulousPenguinAus

I saw your tweet in your initial shocked reaction to Ronn’s departure.  Did you know at all what was going on with him, and that he may leave?

KATHERINE:

We kind of knew what was going on … but I was still shocked!  I was shocked that it was all happening the way it was happening.  It’s not something you picture happening, and it happened, and so it was shocking!  You know, we probably all thought we would be here together and be one big happy family forever.  Then when it starts changing, it was like, “This can’t be happening, but it is, and it’s OK.”

MICHAEL:

Brad Bell has teased a new love interest for Brooke.  In new episodes, she is going to be helping Bill locate an MIA Katie, leading many fans to speculate that perhaps Brooke and Bill might be a romantic pair down the road.   How do you feel about having another love interest, no matter who it might be?

KATHERINE:

My question to that is why?  Why does it always have to be about a man?  I would like Brooke to have her own story about something.  There is no way, after being with the man she loves for 25 years, she is just going to fall in love and have sex.  I think it’s just weird.  I am just hoping whatever it is, it doesn’t happen that fast!  I hope it takes time to develop.  I was on the set and I was flirting with Adam Gregory (Thomas) today!  And Adam and I do that and pretend, because of the Berry storyline, and so we were doing that today! (Laughs)  Maybe things could happen there, I don’t know.  But again, I ask, why another man?

MICHAEL:

Jon Hensley is working on the show in a recurring capacity right now as Dr. Meade.  What would you think of a Hensley/Lang pairing on-screen?  I think it would be kind of “hot”!

KATHERINE:

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Jon Hensley is fabulous.  He is handsome, sexy, and talented and that manly character that would fit in well with this show.  I can see Brooke with him!  Jon is a sweetheart and I like him a lot.  To work with him would be fabulous.

MICHAEL:

Katherine, amidst all the contract talks with three of the core four members of B&B, you decided to re-up and sign a new contract that has been reported to be for two years.  Was deciding to stay, after all the turmoil behind-the-scenes, a difficult decision for you?

KATHERINE:

I love this show and I love being here, but it was at the moment a little difficult.  I am like, “Wait! Don’t leave!”   The show allows you time to do other things and have a life, and so my thing is I want to do both.  Our new schedule gives us freedom and time where we can sort of plan to do things, sort of.

MICHAEL:

The Hope/Liam/Steffy triangle had gotten so much airtime this past year, while many legacy characters were back-burnered.  What do you think about that?

KATHERINE:

I have done so much for so many years that it was kind of nice.  I liked what my character was doing.  She was being a mom and really caring for someone else other than herself for a change.  So that was fine, and also other people then had a chance on this show, and a chance to develop their storylines for those characters that are sticking around, and to build the next generation.  So it makes sense, until I read one too many comments that people wanted to see a story that involved other people as well.  Then I thought maybe the fans have a point.  And now I can say it’s coming back around to that, which is good.  It’s just involving different kinds of stories that incorporates everybody.

MICHAEL

On to an outside project:  You just completed working on the production of Crystal Chappell’s (Dani, B&B, Gina, Venice) upcoming new web series, The Grove!

KATHERINE:

Courtesy/OpenBook Productions

I loved working on The Grove and being a part of it.  I was there behind-the-scenes as an associate producer on the show.  I worked with Crystal Chappell on some location scouting, and trying to hook her up with the right people.  It was doing whatever needed to be done, and then being on set, and on script, and watching the monitors to see if the shots were blurry and framed right, and checking on the booms.  We had three monitors set up, because we were shooting three different cameras.  It was fun to be a part of that process, and Susan Flannery was directing.  It kind of felt like being at B&B!  I did not want to act in it.  I wanted to get into the producing side of it.  It is something that I could learn.  My step-dad is also a producer, so I have seen him through the years do what he does.  It was kind of nice doing that, and being more on that side of the business, and not having to memorize lines and be in front of the camera!

MICHAEL:

How did the shoot for The Grove ultimately go?

KATHERINE:

Actually, the shoot for The Grove went amazing!  Crystal is amazing and a great businesswomen and such a creative person … and too is Hillary B. Smith (Ex-Nora, OLTL, Stacy, B&B, Venice, Fumbling Thru The Pieces).  These are very talented people that were involved in it.  I was very happy to be a part of it.  I would love to do more of that.

MICHAEL:

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

What you do know of your upcoming “story” on B&B?  What can you tell us?

KATHERINE:

I know my story to an extent.  I have an idea of what is happening and the basic story.  And yes, it will be with people that I am very excited to work with.  I think there will be some major drama ahead.

MICHAEL:

Sounds very encouraging!  Then can we pick your Emmy reel with this new material?  I am determined to get you an Emmy nomination!

KATHERINE:

Yeah! (Laughs)  Someone jokingly in the B&B office said, “Oh, Katherine will win sometime. There are only four shows left!” (Laughs)   But that cracked me up!  It’s kind of good motto to go by!  Even if I don’t win then it’s O.K.  Look to me, it’s about working and people enjoying your character, and me being happy with the job that I do and what I put into it.  There are so many actors, both men and women, who have not won a Daytime Emmy through the years that deserve them.  It’s just that I have been on a lot and so long, and have not gotten nominated. (Laughs)  But honestly, there is no animosity there.

MICHAEL:

You have to admit, there has been more behind-the-scenes drama on the soaps over the past year, that it has become much more interesting to fans than what is airing on the shows themselves!

KATHERINE:

I have always said, real life in general is a lot crazier then what goes on in the soap operas.  Some people don’t believe that! (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

In my recent interview with Ronn Moss, he thought the future of the soaps would not be on network television, but on the Internet.   How do you see the future of the daytime drama?

KATHERINE:

I am concerned about the future of network television. There is too much money involved in network TV. And as far as what Ronn was saying in regards to web series, and having just working on recently, you see the quality you can do now for a lot less money, and everybody’s heart is still in it.  There are going to be people flocking to do web shows … and they already are!

MICHAEL:

Katherine, all over the world you are on magazine cover after magazine cover.  You have become so iconic and synonymous with B&B globally, and a fan-favorite here domestically, as well.  You have to pinch yourself on all this!  What is like to be you?  Is this the dream you had?  Did you want to be that actress who was on all the covers?

KATHERINE:

I wanted to be a movie actress, not a TV actress.  I kind of looked down on all TV, not just soap operas.  I really wanted to just do movies, and stick with that career path and see what happens.  But, you have to make a living also.  Now seeing the career that I have had?  It’s pretty amazing.  I have to say, “Wow.”   I will give myself a pat on the back for that one.  It’s pretty good that you took the job and you stayed there, and you did what you did with the character, and it became what it has.  And … B&B is one of the biggest shows in the world!

MICHAEL:

And might I add, Brooke is beloved!  She can do all those ridiculous things or missteps, and still is adored by the fans!  The audience of this show cares about Brooke.  So whatever it is you have done storyline-wise, fans worldwide have come to love and care about her, I would say, more than any other character on B&B.

KATHERINE:

Photo Credit: Gilles Toucas

I am kind of that way as a person.  I try to be really positive and not put out any negativity, and put that out in my own life. You then in return, get so much more back and more happiness.  People gravitate to that and so appreciate that.  They so look to you for that kind of energy, whether it be through your character, or as a person.  I see that a lot now because of Twitter.  It still is amazing to me that kind of social network outlet is there.  I get so many comments or tweets from fans.  I love how you can have so many conversations with people around the world, all the time, and anytime of day.

MICHAEL:

What do your fans and followers tweet to you the most?

KATHERINE:

They all say they love the show, Brooke, or Bridge.  But, they appreciate me for who I am and the work that I do, and that makes me feel really good.  It’s not just about the work.  It’s about what you do for others, and that you mean it.

MICHAEL:

Do you see yourself at some point exiting B&B, as your co-stars just recently did?

KATHERINE:

I can at some point, but it could be who knows how long?  It could be many, many years down the line.  It is hard for me to look too far in the future to assess things.  As of now, I see myself at B&B for a long time, as well as incorporating other things in my life.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/CBS

You appeared on the season three premiere of the CBS daytime talk The Talk.  And, with the panel of co-hosts, along with Y&R’s Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) and Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki) you were on the air with no make-up!  Knowing you as I do, I don’t think that was a big deal for you.   How was it?

KATHERINE:

It was great and a lot of fun.  I have never been in a room with that many women wearing no make-up.  And the audience had no make-up on and all wore the same robes we were wearing on the panel.  You never go to a function, or even a spa, and see that!  Even in a spa, women still have their make-up on! (Laughs)  At The Talk, all the women on the panel and everyone in the audience looked beautiful!  And, you can really look at them and talk to them for who they are.  Sometimes it’s weird.  Make-up does give you a bit of a mask and a bit of a cover up.  You may not really see who that person is then for who they are inside.  Actually, I feel more comfortable without make-up.

MICHAEL:

You have always been this natural and outdoorsy beauty.  You never wear a lot of make-up.   So how do you feel when you have to get made-up?

KATHERINE:

I have been really made-up on the red carpet for the Emmys, but it goes with the whole look.  You have too!  I mean, can you imagine?  No make-up and you are wearing this gown?  (Laughs)  It just doesn’t really go together, and your face will just get lost.  So you have to kind of go with the whole look.  There have been times where I have gone to events, not a red carpet, where I just don’t feel like wearing make-up.  Then I go and kind of regret it.  I feel so out of place, because everyone there is so “done”.  So, it can be sort of awkward sometimes.  But in my real life, I just don’t wear make- up.  I like to be more down to earth and natural.

MICHAEL:

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Before we end our conversation, what would you want to say to the fans of Bridge, who rooted and stood by this couple for years and are having a tough time with the departure of Ronn Moss?  And, what that in turn means for you on-air?

KATHERINE:

I don’t know what to say to make them feel better, because I know most of them are very upset.  But, I can say that I think the Brooke and Ridge wedding was great, even though how sad it was that day to tape, but in the end, as I said, I think it was a really nice wedding.  I think the fans will be in tears over it whenever they see it.  Somewhere in the back of my mind, just like Brooke thinks, I think Ridge/Ronn will be back!  I just don’t want to believe it!  So somewhere deep down inside, I am hoping he will be back.

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Great interview! KKL is B&B. I love Brooke, she is my fave character on the show. But I did not like Bridge. I wanted Nick and Brooke to be together!

I agree. Bricky always was the only real couple for me- one of the best in daytime, IMO.

Bricky was HOT. JW and KKL have SO much chemistry, the best couple on B&B ever for me. And on Daytime, other than DAYS’s E.J. and Sami.

I miss them so much and spend tons of time on Youtube, watching old Bricky clips.

Now I currently root for Bill and Katie. Team Logan all the way.

I also agree, Brooke and Ridge WERE the show..up and down, in and out..and just had that SPARK! She is an amazing actress, at a point cried too much..but she is just so emotional. I can relate!
Go Logans! I love them..more REAL people.

Mr. Fairman,

I really do enjoy the interviews you do with different cast members from the Bold and The Beautiful. You do a great job in asking the right questions us fans of the show want to know. I have a problem with this particular interview you did with Mrs. Lang (Brooke Logan). Brooke does have fans around the world, but everyone who watches the show is not a fan of Brooke Logan. In this interview, I was under the impression (from your questions) that the entire audience loves Brooke. As a long time viewer of B&B Brooke Logan was the character I hated. Brooke has done so much to her family, especially her daughters, she has cheated, manipulated, scheme, and has done so much only to please herself. I personally don’t see how anyone with a conscience and a soul could favor this character. Mr. Fairman, I ask that if you could please in refering to the audience indicate the Brooke’s fans.. or some of the fans that watch the show.. would be great. Because everyone is not a fan of Brooke Logan.

I agree! This show has become a Logan Fest and not everyone is a fan of Brooke. We’ve been begging for more Forrester and less Logan! Give Eric, Thorne, Taylor, Thomas and Steffy something to bite into besides being the props for the Logans. I love this interview. I am also a very long time B&B fan. We need more fashion and not based on a virgin teenage who cannot get married in 1 year.

“I personally don’t see how anyone with a conscience and a soul could favor this character.”

-WOW! First of all, it’s a soap and everyone is entitled to like whoever. It’s subjective. Brooke is a FICTIONAL character. Questioning REAL people’s “morals” or “conscience” or “soul” for their personal preferences is very extreme, to say the least. It says a lot more about you as a person than those that you’re accusing.

Second, how about being a bit more forgiving, being more compassionate and less judgmental? Doesn’t your religion teach you that (assuming that you’re a christian)? If only people actually practiced what they preached the world would be a much better and more beautiful place. I’ll never understand the desire to blindly hate and the need to always feel morally superior towards others.

Anyway if you want to continue despising Brooke for her past mistakes, whatever, that’s your business. But attacking other fans for liking Brooke (and forgiving her, which the characters wronged by Brooke have also done and moved on) is a big no in my book.

I concur with the above comment. Brooke Logan is not beloved by everyone. In fact she has a big following who hate the character. I also would like to address where you said that KKL was the series star. I dont think she is and there are many who agree with me. She is one of a number of outstanding stars on B&B but not “THE” series star. A lot of us were happy to see Ronn go & Bridge die as we hated Bridge but we would have preferred KKL left to Ronn.. Tridge was the true couple. And as for Jon Hensley, KKL already squashed this as there was no chemistry. KKL has been running this show for quite some time now with her fits in & out of Bradley Bell’s office so of course Brooke will have a new man in no time. And I am quite sure that KKL did a happy dance when Ronn was leaving and then Susan. What an early Christmas present so she could be front and center. If I were you, I would do some real digging to get the real facts and not only what KKL wants you to know. And just for legal sake I will say allegedly.

Oh PLEASE! As if KKL needs SF and RM to leave to be front and center :-)! Brooke has been a HUGE part of B&B since day 1 and continues to be.

As for Tridge being the true couple? That is HILARIOUS!

Go KKL! Go Brooke!

What a load of tosh, tridge…really…oh come on.. ridge and brooke they went better together, I never really saw what they saw in him, but i liked taylor even less, she is so false, I loved brooke.

OMG what show is this moron watching? KKL and her fits? I think you are mistaken as it is Hunter tylo who is known for her hissy fits and law suits…blah!

what a nasty thing to say, kkk is not the character brooke is y would she b happy that two of her closet friends r leaving. She has sept 25yrs with these 2 people and togather they have produce some priceless storylines. Wow! it’s so sad that we speak so badly about people who have entertain us for years, who took a character and protrays her so well that we can geninuely hate not the character but the actress. KKK has being on the front burner from day one, she has made the show interesting, if Brooke did not exist then what would we have to write and talk about

Oh please! A bunch of delusional whore lovers. I never watched the show to see what the whore would do next. I enjoyed the Forresters and the fashion. Not the whoring around of one Brooke Lowgan & art seems to imitate KKL’s real life. Are you people all inside of a box and don’t read what is and has been happening? KKL has taken over this show & its been going downhill ever since. READ PEOPLE READ!!! As I have said many times before, a person that enjoys a good whore or even a bad one is most likely one themselves. All people can’t be good & moral like Hunter Tylo or Taylor for that matter. Now go make that money!

Michael

Another brilliant interview!!! You really are good at this!!!!

And Kelly was so great with her answers. I’m soooooo ready to see what B&B is going to do with Brooke.

Thanks for sharing!!!!

Michael:
You are brilliant at what you do. You ask the questions we all want to know. I’ve always been a huge Brooke fan! She is the show! Love reading your interviews. Thanks 🙂
xo
R

how much and beautiful Brooke you can tell me something more of his/her private life and if with ridge it will always be all Ridge

For me Brook and Ridge were the show, will definately miss Ridge and Stephanie also, have been watching since day 1 and will continue to do so…Love B&B…

I like Brooke , KKL is a great actress. But thank your for interview .

Does Jack Wagner need a job so bad he would go back when he was not even given an exit story as for the character of Brooke , sorry Ms. Lange your only storyline for 25 years has been laying on your back. Why would anything change. And for those of you who get all hysteric over the comments I am talking of the character I could care less about the actors temper tantrums off the set.

That is Lang not Lange sorry for the misspelling of the name.

I think that a slow start up of a cougar storyline of Thomas and Brooke is worth looking into. Why? Berry-boink island. The storyline was never explored as it should’ve been because his dad was still alive and Brooke was loyal to Ridge. Also, Thomas wouldn’t have done anything while his dad was alive. Yet, there are feelings on Thomas’s side and who BETTER THAN BROOKE to guide Thomas on his way? The “Brooke’ character has guided the lives of the men of Forrester since day 1 for better or worse but they all learn something and are enriched by their involvement with her.

Just my 2 cents. If the Brooke character were to remain true to form – she would go with Thomas. He’s the closest to Ridge she has. He’s the new CEO of the company. Its a total match for a storyline.

Thank you for this interview. It was the longest and most intense look at the “Brooke” character.

LOVE KKL…so down to earth and sweet!

a 50 something actress flirting w/ a 20 something actor who’s abt to be a father. shaking my head.

Kelly and Susan have always been the heart of this show. Great interview. Kelly’s honest and down to earth. I was a Bridge fan until they brought in JW, and I became a Bricky fan. I just hope that with Ronn gone Bell doesn’t trash Brooke.

First of all let me tell you I love the show and of course all of themembers but liek the way you and Steohanie have become friends its super. I always knew tha tyoua nd Ridge belonged together but he needs to come back at the farwell party of him mothe5 and at th end of the episode they both should hold hands and embrace just give me another day to cry as I will miss them bothe. Please the rest of you’ll stay.
Gods Blessings to all of you.
Happy retirement Stephanie
Ridge one more appearance please.

Rita

Hope Kelly tries to get her friend Ron back for one episode of the party. It will really look bad if Ron Moss is not there. I think he will also regret and B&B, Mr. Bell will regret not getting him back to send Susan off the right way for the fans sake! It will not make any sense to bring someone else in or no have ridge there at all. That would be just wrong! Please Kelly if you are reading this, try to make it happen. You all are the core 4 that have been there from the beginning and Ridge is the closes to his mother (stephanie). Help the fans please!

I love KKL. Brooke & Ridge were the show for me and I’ve watched since day 1. As for Brooke & Thomas….just no!

I absolutely love KKL! She is just beautiful. I love her and Ridge together, but I actually preferred Brooke with Nick (Jack Wagner). Those two had hot, beautiful chemistry! It will be interesting to see what Bell has in store for Brooke now. KKK, PLEASE STAY!

Thank you so much for this interview, Michael. Yes, there is still a bitter divide between the Bridge and Tridge fans, but Brooke is my girl and KKL is absolutely wonderfully down-to-earth that it’s disarming. Wonderful interview; it is obvious that you enjoy the show as much as any other fan and that is great to have in an interviewer.

I already know that she and Ronn Moss (ex-Ridge) have a strong relationship offscreen. They have been working together for over 25 years. Plus, they have a connection to the other 3 actors John McCook (Eric), Hunter Tylo (Taylor), and Susan Flannery (ex-Stephanie).

Interviews

The Young and the Restless’ Michael Damian On Christine/Danny/Phyllis: “It’s a Fun Triangle Story That They’re Having Us Do, Because It’s Very Retro”

This week on The Young and the Restless, while Danny (Michael Damian) and Christine (Lauralee Bell) hit the sheets, and Phyllis (Michele Stafford) sets off an alarm as payback (literally!), the top-rated CBS soap opera continues to weave the tale of these three characters decades later, finding themselves in very familiar territory with each other.

We know that Christine and Phyllis are basically, mortal enemies, while Danny, who has been the man in the middle, has had a past with both women. However, it is Christine who has been, for all intent and purposes the love of his life.  But, will Phyllis’ machinations make it near to impossible for Danny and Christine to be together? Stay tuned.

Last week, Michael and his real-life wife, Janeen Damian visited the Michael Fairman Channel promoting their #1 streaming film on Netflix, Irish Wish starring Lindsay Lohan. The film was produced by the Damians, while Janeen directed it and co-wrote the romantic story. Michael is featured on the Irish Wish soundtrack performing his track, Wild Irish Heart.

Photo: Netflix

During the conversation, Michael shared what it has been like revisiting the Christine/Danny/Phyllis triangle years later. Damian addressed the fans on the livestream, who inquired. “It’s a fun triangle story that they’re having us do, because it’s very retro. And I think it’s fun to bring that nostalgia, retro thing back.”

Photo: JPI

Recalling a tender moment between Danny on the piano alone with Christine (during the standalone episode which honored Lauralee Bell’s 40th anniversary with Y&R), Michael expressed, “I think what they’re doing is so smart, and they’re reconnecting a lot of the fans to a lot of the story. I mean, we’re talking years and years of story.”

Photo: JPI

The longtime Y&R fan favorite, added, “I’m really glad they did the thing on the piano because people have been asking, ‘Why are you not doing any music? Why are you not singing? Where’s your band?’ You know what I mean? Janeen is asking the same thing, ‘Why aren’t you singing something on the show?’ The last time I sang on the show was when we thought Phyllis was dead. So, you know, that didn’t count. (Laughs)

One of the funniest moment in the revisiting of the triangle occurred when Phyllis and Christine were arguing over Danny, and he was right there in the room with them. The two women got so engrossed in their fight, they forgot he was there, and thus he walked out of the room.

Photo: JPI

Michael revealed, he liked that scene too! “They’re fighting. They’re arguing and Danny’s like, ‘Listen, I’m over here. Please stop it.” And then they don’t stop,” Damian recalled. “And so Danny just grabs his coat, picks up his sheet music, because he was working on a song. He goes to the door. In the scene, I even look back to see if they are even noticing me leave, and then I just left. That one was pretty funny. I’ll be honest. I was laughing out in the hallway when I left. I was thinking, ‘Should I slam the door? But then if I slam the door, they still have dialogue.’ They’re still talking and they would’ve turned, and then it would’ve ruined it. So, I just gently closed the door and left.

Photo: JPI

During the livestream, Damian teased he has some upcoming scenes with longtime Y&R co-star Beth Maitland (Traci), “I just worked with Beth Maitland actually the other day, and that was really fun. I can’t wait for people to see that show.”

Check out the the Michael Fairman Channel chat with Michael and Janeen Damian below.

Now, let us know, are you rooting for Danny and Christine? Do you think Phyllis will continue to be a disruptor in this relationship and somehow worm her way back into Dannys good graces? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first check out this sneak peek for this week’s Y&R featuring the trio.

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Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives Star Blake Berris Chats On the Everett Lynch/Bobby Stein Mystery, Working with His New Co-Stars, and the Last Christmas Episode with Bill Hayes

On Days of our Lives, the return of Blake Berris is making for some very intriguing drama, with the audience guessing just which way the story will go.

When Berris arrived back on Days of our Lives, after previously playing Nick Fallon, he was taking on the new role of Everett Lynch, who has a past with Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) and Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu). Only, as it has been revealed, the past he had with Jada was under the name “Bobby Stein,” who from what we can tell was far from a nice guy.

Blake visited the Michael Fairman Channel for a livestream interview this week, where fans in the live chat were weighing-on what could be the truth about the guy – is he a split personality suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder? Did the accident that cost him a year of his life in a coma, never happen? Recently, someone set fire to the beloved Horton house. Fans are suspecting it would have been “Bobby” who is working for Clyde Weston (James Read). Others believe that Everett/Bobby could actually be Clyde’s son. With upcoming therapy sessions with Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) about to start, things are about to get more juicy in Salem.

Photo: JPI

Here are just a few excerpts from our conversation with Blake on a myriad of Everett/Bobby subjects. Make sure to check out the full interview for more.

Did you know that they were going to make Everett Lynch a Jewish character? This is only the second time in the history of the show that they have even had a Jewish character on the canvas. Didn’t they reveal this at the Horton family Christmas episode?

BLAKE: No, they never asked me. I am half-Jewish on my dad’s side. There was never like, ‘You’re Jewish, right? We can call you Jewish on the show?’ At the Horton Christmas, “They made a real point of it, yeah.”

And now the new ‘character’ is “Bobby Stein” …

BLAKE: “Right, and that suggests more Jewish, and then Lynch must be coming from somewhere else, maybe the mother. I was so curious because I think the show has been historically, I’m gonna say, Catholic more than like Wasps. With the Bradys there’s this sort of Irish influence, and then the DiMeras, that’s Italian. So, we’ve got Catholics sort of on both sides that are dominant. Now I, “represent”.

Photo: JPI

What has it been like working with Abigail Klein?

BLAKE: I think she is extraordinary. We start off sort of frosty, or she’s frosty with me, like she doesn’t want to let me in. And then, for a while things are going really well. I just could not adore Abigail more. She’s such a good actor. I could always rely on her to bring me back into a scene and be there in this emotionally, supportive way.

Photo: JPI

Everett and Chad seemed to be becoming friend-ish, when all went awry when at the PCPD interrogation room, Everett let him know about Elia and Bobby Stein, and Chad let him have it for worming his way back in to Stephanie’s life.

BLAKE: Billy would call us the ‘disgusting brothers’ and that’s a reference from Succession, because all of a sudden they’re just so chummy with each other. It’s like all of a sudden we just had this like ‘Bernstein and Woodward’, sort of dynamic duo. I think that Everett really started to think of Chad as a friend and feels sort of disappointed, and he feels, “Oh, it’s that easy? I just needed to have some other identity and now you’re a fair-weather friend?”‘

Photo: JPI

In recent scenes, Jada sees Bobby Stein for the first time, and we see you and Elia Cantu share scenes with each other for the first time. What is it like working with Elia?

BLAKE: She’s fire, man. She comes in hot and she tells you the way it’s going to be. I think early on, we were trying to suss each other out and the more we worked together, the more comfortable you get with somebody. I think actors do this sometimes with each other; if there’s spice on screen, you like to keep some of what you have on-screen in your (real-life) interactions because it helps … it helps the work.  Eventually, we just sort of wore each other down and we’re like, ‘I actually totally get you, and you’re great.'”

Did you know that they were going to make Everett Lynch a Jewish character? This is only the second time in the history of the show that they have even had a Jewish character and didn’t they reveal this at the Horton family Christmas episode?

BLAKE: No, they never asked me. I am half-Jewish on my dad’s side. There was never like, ‘You’re Jewish, right? We can call you Jewish on the show?’ At the Horton Christmas, “They made a real point of it, yeah.”

And now the new ‘character’ is “Bobby Stein” …

BLAKE: “Right, and that suggests more Jewish, and then Lynch must be coming from somewhere else, maybe the mother. I was so curious because I think the show has been historically, I’m gonna say, Catholic more than like Wasps. With the Bradys there’s this sort of Irish influence, and then the DiMeras, that’s Italian. So we’ve got Catholics sort of on both sides that are dominant. Now I, “represent”.

Photo: JPI

You were on set and in the annual Horton Christmas episode which sadly marked the last for Days of our Lives legendary Bill Hayes, who passed away in January of this year.  What do you recall of that tape day?

BLAKE: It was the Christmas episode when we were watching Susan (Julie) and Bill, say ‘Merry Christmas.’  And there was something about it that just felt like it could be the last time. I mean, it wrecked us all on set. Bill gets so choked up and there was something really profound about the moment. They kiss each other as they have so many times before on the show. It was just beautiful. It felt beautiful to be there for that last Christmas. He’s just such an icon. Every time I’d see him, he was so with it … he knew my name, he knew his lines. What an incredible, incredible man.

Photo: JPI

Fans will get to see Everett in therapy sessions with Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)? Would you say she is helping the guy?

BLAKE: Deidre’s always making jokes about Marlena, ‘She’s the worst therapist in the world’ (Laughs) I remember in the first therapy session, we almost couldn’t get through the scenes because it’s just so clear that Everett has a litany of very profound psychological issues that he is going to have to work through. He’ll keep coming back. This guy’s gonna pay the bills!

Photo: JPI

Viewers are waiting to see how they mystery of Everett Lynch/Bobby Stein plays out. What can you say as a tease for what’s to come?

BLAKE: As far as a tease, I would say, you have all these characters sort of, trying to wake up the ‘sleeping giant’ in a way. I think it’s safe to say that like if you poke a bear, the bear might wake up.

Watch the livestream chat with Blake in full below.

Now let us know, what do you think is going with Everett/Bobby? What has happened to him in his past? Share your theories in the comment section below, and make sure to catch Days of our Lives next week on Peacock for more to his story.

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Interviews

Y&R’s Melody Thomas Scott Talks on 45 Years as Nikki Newman, the Keys to Playing Drunk, And Those Genoa City Relationships

February is ‘Nikki Newman Month’ in soapland as the The Young and the Restless iconic Melody Thomas Scott celebrates her 45th anniversary in her leading role.

My how time flies! Nikki has had numerous marriages, and some to the same man, battled her addiction to alcohol too many times to count (and we loved it all), and faced so much heartache in the process.

Currently, on all-new episodes of the top-rated CBS daytime drama series, Nikki can’t quite get a grip as Jordan (Colleen Zenk) is out there and in the middle of her next master plot to make Nikki suffer, all the while Nikki is drinking again. Thanks to the heinous plot concocted by Jordan and Claire (Hayley Erin) that revealed itself last November.

Photo: JPI

In a special conversation for You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, Melody shared her thoughts on a myriad of subjects including: her current story, those long tape days at Victor and Nikki’s weddings, why she plays drunk better than anyone on television, plus we take a mini-deep dive into Nikki’s past.

Y&R fans were stunned when the powers-that-be had Nikki kidnapped and then hooked her up to an IV of booze. Just how much did Melody know of the story going in? She elaborated, “I knew Nikki would be terrorized. That’s all that I knew. I thought that sounded like great fun. I didn’t know for a little bit that she was going to fall off the wagon in the process of it. And then when I heard how it would happen, I was thrilled to bits. I did kind of want to have a little leader (or crawl) down at the bottom of the screen saying, ‘Hey, people don’t put an IV with vodka in your arm because that will kill you.’ But, poetic license, I suppose.”

Photo: JPI

Melody also weighed-in on if she thinks Nikki will stop drinking anytime soon, expressing, “She just can’t get out of this. Then of course, Jordan’s not letting her out very easily. Just when Nikki thinks she is mentally strong enough to never take another drink, well, of course she does, because something else happens. I think it’s also a learning point for people who are watching the show who may have an addiction problem. Now, I could be wrong, but I think it’d be highly unusual for somebody to be just mentally strong to be able to stop.”

If you wondered if Melody enjoys playing a drunk Nikki, look no more, “I do. That’s simply for selfish reasons,” she shared. “That’s for my enjoyment. I take great pleasure in it. It’s fun for me, and just the process of pretending to be drunk. I love the end result. I try not to do too much because there’s nothing worse when an actor is overplaying drunk. So you have to kind of keep it a little bit underneath (the surface). However, sometimes because of Jordan, Nikki does get much sloppier than I normally would play it.”

Photo: JPI

In recent episodes, it seems that Jack (Peter Bergman) and Nikki are gravitating more to each other, as both are drawn together through their shared experiences with addiction. Victor (Eric Braeden) is not happy that his arch-nemesis is helping Nikki try to stay sober. Could Melody see Jack and Nikki becoming romantic again? “I love Peter. I mean, Peter was my second favorite husband on Y&R. It would be wonderful, but I don’t know if the fans would go for that,” she explained. “They’re so invested in Niktor that I think they would really be upset about that unless Victor did something really crummy, then I could buy that.”

Photo: JPI

One of the more ‘out there’ stories during Melody’s 45-year run, was when Nikki was paired with Crazy Edward, and he took her home to meet his mother … who was in an urn! You would think maybe Melody didn’t like the story .. but think again! “Bill Bell (co-creator, Y&R) was writing the show in those days, and Bill kept that information pretty tight. I don’t remember us knowing even a week in advance. Maybe, we would get our scripts, three or four days in advance and that was it. You knew nothing about future story, but I loved the story,” she raved. “It was almost Hitchcockian, shall we say. The actor who played Crazy Edward, Paul Tulley was so magnificent and such a sweetheart. We loved working with each other so much, but man, when that red light came on the camera, he scared the you-know-what out of me. He was absolutely terrifying. But then, the minute the scene was over, we’re fooling around and laughing and everything. He was so good. So good!”

Photo: JPI

According to Melody, the pairing of Victor and Nikki was not something she, nor Eric Braeden, initially thought would made sense: “I was a little terrified when I heard that he and I would be doing scenes. I thought, ‘What, what?’ He also wondered, ‘What am I going to be doing working with that young kid, that snotty kid?’ We had no idea what Bill Bell saw. He had a vision with us and somehow knew that we would have chemistry. It didn’t take Bill long to show us in the scripts why he put us together. Then, we started to see it. Although, it was hard to imagine at first, certainly we knew it worked by the time Nikki had baby number one during the ‘Who’s the father?’ storyline. Nikki and Victor weren’t even married yet. So, we did figure it out pretty early on.”

Photo: JPI

From her early years as Nikki Reed, Melody reflected back on some major story points in her character’s history, relating, “I actually did like her in the very beginning when she was just a little brat living with her sister and her father, who of course ended up trying to rape her…  and she had hit him over the head with a lamp … and he died. I did not care for the stripping storyline at all. Only because I knew that I didn’t have the natural dancing ability. I wasn’t fluid enough to really look good up there stripping. I know they hired wonderful choreographers and everything for me, but I just didn’t feel worthy of being up there … I guess is what it was. Of course, now I look back on it and I think, ‘Oh, I guess it wasn’t too bad.’ Later, there was a strip she did in the Colonnade Room. At the time, she was married to Jack. Victor’s sitting there with some other woman and she’s drunk. I saw that scene recently, and I thought it was great. I didn’t at the time, but looking back, I thought, ‘Wow, that was good.'”

Photo: CBS

Watch the full 45th anniversary conversation with Melody below.

Now let us know, are you enjoying Nikki being back on the bottle? Would you want to see Jack and Nikki try their relationship one more time? What has been your favorite storyline of Melody’s over the last 45 years on Y&R.  Let us know in the comment section.

 

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Video Du Jour

Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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