Interviews
The Melody Thomas Scott Interview – The Young and the Restless
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Viewers of The Young and the Restless have begun to experience the grief, also felt by several of the residents of Genoa City, over the news of the passing of Katherine Chancellor, played by the late Jeanne Cooper. Since Cooper’s death in May, the number-one soap had begun crafting a storyline that would have far reaching implications and impact on several key characters, which will also keep the legacy of Katherine, and honor the iconic Jeanne Cooper on the canvas for quite some time to come.
In story, Katherine has left letters for those close to her … some with instructions … and some with some heartfelt words with specific meaning to them, and more. One of those most deeply affected is Nikki Newman, who upon trying to cope with the contents of Kay’s letter to her, wept out loud, “Katherine, why are you doing this to me?” But what is she doing? There has been much speculation from fans of the show all-abuzz on the Internet, just what is in the letter. However, Y&R is keeping it close to the vest. And, so too is Nikki’s portrayer, fan favorite and long time series star Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki)!
However, On-Air On-Soaps sat down with Melody in her dressing room at CBS, to not only get a preview and a tease of her upcoming story, but to get insight on what it was like filming with the cast, Katherine’s memorial episodes that will air on September 3rd and 4th in back-to-back episodes, and the devastating loss it is for Nikki to be without her best friend who was also like a “mother” to her. Will Nikki need a drink to cope and fall off the wagon? Melody fills us in.
While Josh Griffith is no longer the head writer of the number-one soap, from this interview, it is clear that Melody is extremely enthusiastic as to the story that was given to her from his regime, and the respect paid to Katherine (and Jeanne Cooper) with the upcoming five-hankie memorial. Here’s what Mel had to say about it all!
MICHAEL:
The letter Nikki has received has greatly affected her! How will she handle getting through the upcoming memorial service for Katherine?
MELODY:
Courtesy/CBS
I think that having received the letter probably alters Nikki thoughts while she is at the memorial service, because for her now, she is not just there to remember her dear friend as a person would at a memorial, but in the back of her mind is this letter that is all tangled up for Nikki. She can’t think of Katherine without thinking about the letter and what that entails. She has mixed feelings more than just sadness and grief. She has got a whole other element going on … this letter.
MICHAEL:
How was the shooting of Katherine’s memorial on set with the cast? Was it difficult and emotional for everyone, given their love for their long time co-star Jeanne Cooper?
MELODY:
I think, and we all said at the time, “We were still in shock and we didn’t believe it.” We needed to get through the taping of the show, but we’re still not used to Jeanne not being there.
MICHAEL:
Given that Nikki and Katherine were the dearest of friends, would Nikki start drinking again, especially given the drama surrounding the contents of the letter, and the death of her confidante?
MELODY:
Courtesy/CBS
Absolutely! And, that was one of my first thoughts when this whole thing started. I said, “Whoa! This is an obvious point where she might pick up a drink.” But she doesn’t, not yet. She did admit to Victoria that she almost took a sip, but she didn’t. She is still sober.
MICHAEL:
How did you play Nikki’s reaction to the content of the letter? How does she feel about it?
MELODY:
Uncertainty, shock, ambiguity, unwillingness, yet knows deep down that she should do what Katherine is suggesting. It’s a topic that Nikki probably felt would never be discussed, or dealt with in her lifetime.
MICHAEL:
Many fans had hoped that Katherine would end up being the biological mother of Nikki! Was that something you wanted to have happen, as well?
MELODY:
I think it should have happened. I was not happy when all of a sudden it was Jill who was Katherine’s daughter. It should have been me, dammit! (Laughs) Their relationship was very much mother/daughter, and I wish that had been true. I did call Jeanne “mother” off set, and that is all I did call her. And sometimes we would have visitors on set, and they would over hear me call Jeanne, “mother” and they would say, “Wait a minute? Is Nikki Katherine’s daughter?” And I went, “No, no, no. I just call her that. Pay no attention to me.” At least I called Jeanne “mother” in real life, even if I couldn’t on the show.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
Nikki is devastated by the death of Katherine … and obviously the letter. Initially, she turned to Jack for comfort, not Victor. Will she truly let Victor comfort her in her grief?
MELODY:
Of course! Victor is struck by the death of Katherine, but in a different way than Nikki. He had a different relationship with her. His was more business, and a lifetime friendship. Nikki’s was more, as a girlfriend and as a mother. I think if given the opportunity to satisfy Nikki’s hopes, Victor would comfort her. But, she does not bring this up to Victor, and has not yet. So he does not know the contents of the letter. He does not know what Nikki is struggling with secretly.
MICHAEL:
When you found out what your upcoming story was going to be, what was your reaction? Were you pleased?
MELODY:
I love this story! Now, I don’t know how it’s all going to turn out, but the premise, the people I get to work with, and the writing, has been spectacular. That’s all you need; good actors performing a good script, and our fabulous new directing team, and I love them all. I have not been this happy at work in a while.
MICHAEL:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Nikki went to Paul at the end of the episode today for help! Would you say to your fans that you will be working with Doug Davidson (Paul) more often from this point on?
MELODY:
I have been working with Doug the last couple of weeks and enjoyed it, like I always do. So, I hope that the story keeps us together for a while.
MICHAEL:
On the air shows, Nikki is always concerned about Sharon (Sharon Case), and what she is up to. She does not trust her, especially around the Newman clan, and many times for good reason! Do you enjoy this rivalry?
MELODY:
I love working with Sharon Case, and we love Sharon and Nikki fights! And even if Sharon is innocent and up to nothing, Nikki always suspects that she is. Oh yes, even if it weren’t true, Nikki walks into a room and sees her son and Sharon, and the antenna will go up and she is going to try to get rid of her! (Laughs)
MICHAEL:
The classic bitch-fight between Nikki and Sharon was the one in the barn where you were dunked in that bucket of water! Did you love that? Or, hate it?
MELODY:
Courtesy/CBS
We loved it. Our director was very gracious, and was very loose and not rigid about blocking, and let us do our own choreography. So, if you look at it again, there are many elements of an “I Love Lucy” episode. Guess where that came from? But I couldn’t resist it. I had to do it! All the water and hair pulling and dunking in the bucket, that was all me, because that was “Lucy”!
MICHAEL:
Coming up with the heartbreak of Katherine’s passing, and the letters roaming around Genoa City, do you think Victor and Nikki are in for another bumpy road in their relationship?
MELODY:
Of course! I mean, what else could happen? This cycle has been going on for 34 years.
MICHAEL:
Are you still amazed that Nikki and Victor are still, to this day, the true star-crossed lovers and central characters of the number one soap in America, and known worldwide?
MELODY:
Yes, and Eric Braeden (Victor) and I often, whether it be at photo shoots or different events, we are posed while the photographers are going crazy. That always ceases to amaze me! We were in Monte Carlo and they were screaming, “Oh, my God. Victor and Nikki.” We would look at each other sometime and go, “We can’t believe after all these years, we are still here, baby!” We are amazed, and we just thank God, and smile!
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
Do you have a favorite on-screen moment or scene with Jeanne Cooper, between the two of you as Nikki and Katherine?
MELODY:
The sincerity, and all of the rich history that was a part of Nikki and Katherine’s enduring friendship, is something that I know is very important to our audience. That relationship has been deeply significant for Nikki for so many years. I don’t think I could ever pick out just one favorite moment between us, but I’ve truly enjoyed every scene where Katherine supported Nikki through the worst parts of the battle with booze.
MICHAEL:
Will Nikki soldier on, even though she may be devastated by the contents of the letter Katherine wrote to her?
MELODY:
I think Nikki will always try to heed Katherine’s advice in life in general. Certainly without Katherine this current storyline would not be happening. It’s also a way of incorporating Katherine’s presence, even though you are not seeing her on-screen. Katherine is behind the whole thing in the letter. So it is keeping Katherine alive, in a way.
MICHAEL:
Jess Walton (Jill) has delivered some amazing performances, upon Jill learning of Katherine’s passing. Would you like to work more with Jess now?
MELODY:
Courtesy/CBS
I love working with Jess, and I adore her. I got on my knees and begged her to get her ass out of Oregon and move back down to Los Angeles, and delay this damn retirement, because I want to work with her! Now that Katherine is not physically on the canvas, the story just begs for Nikki and Jill to come together in some way in story. Katherine’s death in a strange way has brought Nikki and Jill together, because all they have done is snipe for years. But, there are some very poignant moments coming up where Jill and Nikki can almost laugh, like, “We have always hated each other, but I kind of like you right now, because we are all suffering together.” It was sweet, because Nikki and Jill have never been sweet to each other!
MICHAEL:
Melody, do you feel the way Katherine’s death was handled on-screen was appropriate?
MELODY:
Absolutely, and some of it was just a fluke. Who knew in real life how she would pass? The way it turned out, as we all know, we had that footage of Jeanne as Katherine going up the stairs, which was pretty freaky. And do I think that Jeanne might have felt that it was her last scene? Yes. I think that is why she adlibbed, what she adlibbed. And as far as the writers go, they had a difficult job, as they would never have chosen to kill Katherine, but because Jeanne’s health had been poor the last few years, it was always a possibility. I felt for the writers. They had a tough job to do, but Jeanne helped them with that staircase scene. It worked out very well; in that the last time Nikki saw Katherine they were wheeling her into surgery.
MICHAEL:
Do you think we will need hankies for Katherine’s memorial service? I hear Corbin Bernsen is presiding over it as Father Todd!
MELODY:
Courtesy/CBS
I have to say it was odd to have the character of Father Todd being played by the real-life son of Jeanne Cooper, Corbin Bernsen. It was weird, and he felt weird. It was just a very unique situation. I don’t think that has ever happened on a television show, nor would it again. It was eerie. I told him Corbin something the day we taped the memorial service, about the month before when Eric and I were in Monte Carlo. We had to present an award at their film festival. And, who on earth would have orchestrated something like this? I know that Jeanne did it! There we are in Monte Carlo backstage getting ready to be presenters, and they announce us, and we walk out … and on stage was Corbin Bernsen! Little did we know he was on stage, because he was on the panel that voted at the festival! So, at one point there was just the three of us on-stage in Monte Carlo. It was just like, “Ok, I know what you are doing, Jeanne!” That was the moment, and something she would do. The most unexpected place, people, and that gathering of the three of us, was definitely orchestrated by her!
MICHAEL:
Melody, you have been the leading lady of Y&R for decades, and many times you have been back-burnered, which your fans have never understood. Should they feel confident that you will have plenty of screen time in the months ahead?
MELODY:
It’s a curious situation that I don’t know if we will ever know the answer. There has been a lot of ebbing. (Laughs) I have been working a lot, and you will see come September … “It’s Nikki month!” So, I guess I will have to get t-shirt saying that! (Laughs)
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
MICHAEL:
What do you think the fallout will be from the content of Nikki’s letter, when people on the canvas begin to find out what this is all about?
MELODY:
I would imagine Nikki’s story will affect a lot of people, including her family, because eventually they are going to have to find out what is going on. There is always a trickle down effect in soaps, where the whole town is affected by a situation.
MICHAEL:
Y&R suffered the loss of two of its most powerhouse actresses in the last few months. Jeanne Cooper passed away in May, and Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) decided to leave the show this summer. Do you think it’s a huge hit for the show, that will be a noticeable for some time to come?
MELODY:
Its’ always difficult to say goodbye to our dear co-stars, but history has proven to us that this show will go on in true show business fashion. Most of the time, when people leave it’s not our choice, or personal choice, and we are always upset to see that happen, as it does create a challenge for the writers. But sometimes out of that situation, the writers come up with interesting story that never would have happened if this actor had not left.
Courtesy/CBS
MICHAEL:
Now the big and final question: If Nikki finds out that Sharon switched the paternity test of Summer, and realizes Nick (Joshua Morrow) is actually the bio-dad; can we look forward to Nikki laying the smackdown on Sharon? (Laughs)
MELODY:
Oh, yeah! Look out for a catfight extraordinaire for that one! Forget shoving her in the pool! It better be something better than that! (Laughs)
Never been happy the way Nikki has no right trashing Sharon when Nikki has been a stripper and an escort and a drunk and has shared 4 men with her own daughter and the character has been married a hundred times. Really got out of hand with the amount of hate she has for Sharon. She also murdered Diane and got a slap on the wrist. I wish they can make Nikki a better women like Mrs C. Victor also needs to chill and be kind in his golden years 🙂 Let us all hope for better writing and happy times and memories not the negativity
I would really just like to see Nikki and others like Chelsea and Phyllis before she left pay for her crimes seems like the one and only person who is blamed for every and anything is Sharon. Everyone steals her man and she is the one blamed for wanting them back . really last thing we need is Nikki with another off spring. Plus he has good in him. He can’t be Nikkis kid! I wanted him to be Sharons had brother! what happened to that story?
Who ‘stole’ her men ? First a person can’t be stolen..Nick chose to have this affair with Phylis and then HE chose to leave Sharon for Phylis (by the way at this time Sharon had no problem sexing up with Brad..you know a married man to her sister-in-law at this time , Victoria ! As for Adam, Sharon chose to dump him no the other way around..the guy after trying to get her back again and once again decided to MOVE ON ! She could have been happy with Adam if only she had wanted it, instead she dumped him and chose to be involved with her former father-in-law Victor Newman of all people. Sharon had it hard in some ways but she is not a saint either and lot’s of things happened from HER OWN doing.
OMG I fast forward all things Nikki and Victor because they are so evil and I can’t stand it after 30 years of the same abuse they spill ! I fast forward all things Chelsea I hate her and hate Avery and so unhappy with the new Kyle. I loved the old days with Neil and Dru and Sharon with Nick and even Sharon with Adam. I loved Malcolm I really miss Kay and Jill together. This is what we want. Please bring back Ashley I loved Brad and loved Amber with Daniel. loved Janna with Kevin. Chloe sucks. Can you tell I LOVED EVERYTHING PRIOR TO 2007! Lol 🙂
Michael we love your interviews. Please have one with if you can with Josh Griffith and find out why he and Jill promised the fans the first order was they would repair Sharon to make her happy again. We are so upset they nearly destroyed her and there will be no turning back. Is that why Josh is not there anymore? He did not fix Sharon? I sure hope Drucilla will come home. Amber also she was so awesome. I miss the old days.
Disagree.. Nikki has made mistakes and has her flaws but the major difference is she never did anything to Sharon.. Sharon on the other hand is destroying Nikki’s family with her schemes. So yep Nikki is not a saint and Sharon is not all ‘evil’ although right now she is really cray cray, almost in Patty’s area..But it doesn’t change the fact that Nikki has some REAL REASONS to be furious against Sharon. And when she will know about all Sharon’s schemes she better give her some big payback !
NO NO NO! PLEASE Niiki needs to leave Sharon alone! Sick of that abuse she gives her. Please no smack down NOOOOO! Nikki has no right with all she did in her own past.
I agree. Nikki seems to always forget that she has a very checkered past and her recent actions with alcoholism and Diane’s murder proves she is no saint. And yes, needs to back off on Sharon because she needs help, not hatred. I can’t wait to see the skeletons tap dancing out of Nikki’s closet soon. That will be worth watching.
euh..ok so with your logic poor little Sheila, Patty and Adam when he was vilified..deserved help not hatred..hello it is soap, when the characters do some really bad things they got punished then they are redeemed or not and life goes on ! By the way some other characters like Nick Newman or Victor Newman himself should pay a little..that is the real problem with some characters and writing : the whitewashing and insta forgive and forget. Characters can be forgiven and have a nice redemption arc but BEFORE there need to be some fallout and commeuppance..otherwise why bother ?!
Sharon has to face the music before being accepted again simple as that, Sharon lovers !
Nikki’s past HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH Sharon ! Sharon is not the innocent victim anymore, she deserve the commeuppance any scheming soap character get when they are caught !
Really really tired of watching Nikki get away with her crimes and sex with all these men now we have Chelsea coming a close second to Nikki. Why must Sharon always be everyones punching bag. I nearly gave up I stopped the show for a month after being loyal for 36 years. Leave Sharon alone or Im done like I did with B&B after 24 years now OVER But thanks michael for the heads up Nikki will never leave my Sharon alone BOOOOOOOO
Please Sharon got lot’s of pass actually over the years although some other characters got even more, far more pass i have to admit (Nick Newman, Victor Newman yep i am looking at you and many others..)..Now let’s hope after all her crazy awful last deeds, she get some real wake up call. And don’t use bipolar disease as an excuse..it is more than offensive, bipolar disease NEVER EVER make people do the things Sharon is doing right now..even soaps can’t mock a real and serious mental illness like that. Stop.
I really had hopes Nikki would leave Sharon to be happy. Why must everyone be happy but Sharon. So tired of having to defend all that has happened to the Sharon character. i think fans had enough of the attacks on Sharon. please don’t there be one single show with Nasty Nikki and sweet Sharon I can’t take much more I will stop watching this train wreck. Any way we can get a message to the writers Michael before we have to endure one more attack on Sharon? can’t we PLEASE PLEASE PLEEEEEASE have her best friend Drucilla back! 🙂
Right now Sharon is not sweet, she is pathetic and delusional. Ah and crazy and kind of nasty, Nikki has nothing to do with that. End of story.
The movie Mr. Mom with Michael Keaton shows scenes of Y&R when Nikki was pregnant with Victoria and it was Victors child but they all thought it was Kevin the guy she was married to they have been showing that movie on cable and it is a hoot to see the hair and listen to Michael Keaton’s character talk about Victor’s vasectomy not taking. And just listening to the theme music. I am pretty sure it is going to be a long lost son that Nikki had back in the day and gave up and I know why JFP is doing it she does need to try to bring SB into the fold and it will be worth it just to see Victor’s face. I mean let’s face it how many people has Nikki murdered now on this show she needs another kid! SB is here to stay I have finally accepted it I just hope MTS gets more story with this then she has the MS story!
Terrific interview! Love MTS aand am so happy to hear she has a big story coming up that she seems to love so much. She’s long overdue for that. I agree totally with her that we need Jill back in GC full time now and wish it would happen. I also love the Nikki and Sharon feud and am happy the actresses enjoy it so much too.
Sharon is an absolute horror and has done one vile thing after another for years. Nikki hopefully will wipe up the floor with Sharon when the truth comes out about Summer. Then Sharon can be carted off to a mental hospital never to be heard from again.
Love that Nikki will be front and center again. It is about time.
adore Nikki. very happy Mel is working a lot. Y&R sounds like its getting good coming up.
Nikki having a long lost kid is a load of crap (really hope that rumor isn’t true!) but I love her feud with Sharon. The great thing about it is that they’re more alike than either of them want to admit. Hahaha. I root for both of them at different times! Always love Nikki and Victor together too. Just wish would stay together now.
I want it to come out that Sharon did the awful, and Nick marries Avery. I hope Nikki stays w/Victor!
I hope Sharon ends up happy and with Adam inspite of selfish Nikki and Victor
WTF ? Sharon can ends up happy with Adam and Nikki with Victor like she is actually..lol the problem right now is Sharon and Sharon alone ! She is cray cray and pathetic. That is all.
Is she Dylan (SB) mother on the show?
That,s a twist!!
Dylan will turn out to be Nikki and Paul’s son. This is JFP’s way of making Dylan the central character on Y&R. Eric Braeden will be blowing smoke out of his ears no doubt.
Great that MTS will have a full fronter story at least for few months ! I don’t really like Y&R right now, i find most of the stories boring or awful..but Nikki on-screen is always a good thing, just give her an interestint story and i will watch.
Niki has another child, one no one knew about…. hardly creative is it?
Let me see…
1. Sharon is getting more and more STUPIDER by the minute.
2. Victor and Nikki are back together for the umpteenth time (blah blah blah blah).
3. Y and R (and especially that Jill Farren Phelps) totally ruined the end of Katherine’s beautiful memorial service by horribly tacking on Paul and Christine’s stupid nitwit nuptials at the last minute (more blah blah blah blah).
4. Summer’s, um, crying about Jack and Victor’s feuding and fighting over her is BEYOND ANNOYING!!!!!
5. The WONDERFUL AND FABULOUS Jess Walton is on recurring status…WHAT THE HELL????? No.
6. Arrogant Adam is on a DUMB AS HELL rampage because of Chelsea’s baby. Who cares if Adam is Chelsea’s baby daddy??? Adam is NOT fatherhood material!!!!! No.
7. That Hilary chick is so fake and one-dimensional. No thank you.
8. Neil and Leslie (as a soap couple) are starting to bore me. Not good.
9. Lastly, Y and R needs to bring back the character of Sarge so Sarge himself can knock some much-needed sense into his idiot nephew Mason (aka Hilary’s chump-filled puppet).
The moral of all this: As a so-called executive producer, Jill Farren Phelps did nothing but antagonize and alienate A LOT of other actors and actresses on previous soaps from long ago. Trust me…her tenure (or whatever) at Y and R will be no different. The absolute pits!!!!!
I think that Sharon needs to be put in nut house, she needs to get a life and a job. All the men she has slept with how can she call the kettle black.
I think Sharon should be put in a nut house
Nick will hate Her when.He found out what She did..I’ll be glad when He do.He don’t love Her she needed to get a life.
I am so upset you are taking Delia out like that. I don’t like when kids die like that in a show for the purpose of someone else life. very mush sure that you could have found someone else.
why is the reason I sure don’t no.
once I use to wash An Other World some child die because they made it look like the gangster kill her. This child was only 4 years old I was so up set also. Front that days I never watch that episode. just like I do not like Days of Our Live to phonies of a daytime show. now I have been watching the Do not like it when children end up like that.
I hope Victoria & Bill always stay together I really like the both of them they both seem to fit together and it nice watching 2 people been happy for once on the Y&R. I used to like Lauren & Michael put I have turned of her now I didn’t think she would ever do that to Michael
I do like Adam hope him & Chelsea work things out Don’t like Sharon & Avery
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings on Hayley’s Pregnancy, ‘Friendship’ with Leslie, and Working with Timon Kyle Durrett (Exclusive)
When Beyond the Gates concluded last week’s Friday cliffhanger, Hayley (Marquita Goings) received some life-altering news! Up in her suite at the Bowman, she had decided to take a home pregnancy test. As she watched the timer, nervously, when it was time to check the results, it confirmed she was indeed carrying a child. This causes Hayley great angst as she threw it to the wall and screamed, “No!”
This development sideswipes and turns her next move upside down! Previously, Hayley had met with her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry) who finally presented her with the requested new ID to start a new life, and for her to go after another rich man and scam him, like she tried to do with Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett).
Hayley’s new identify was to be that of Carey Jenner, …a nanny! Hayley didn’t want anything to do with kids. Randy had told her it was the perfect identify to infiltrate a wealthy man’s home and heart. Now, that Hayley’s pregnant presumably with Bill’s child, what will be her next move?
Photo: CBS
THE LATEST IN THE LIFE OF HAYLEY LAWSON HAMILTON
During a livestream chat with Marquita Goings on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, the actress talked about what Hayley pregnancy would mean, what other men in the Fairmont Crest universe might she set her sights on, and her odd, yet “friendly” relationship with Leslie (Trisha Mann-Grant), plus working with her leading man, Timon Kyle Durrett, who this week’s goes for gold in the Outstanding Supporting Actor category at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
Opening up about Hayley realizing she may be pregnant which prompted the home pregnancy test, Goings shared, “That was good timing with Leslie. With her saying, ‘Oh, you’re gaining weight,’ and Hayley just has to go throw up.”
Now that it has been confirmed that Hayley is pregnant, it will be interesting to see how she plays this off, because as Goings stated, “She said she was pregnant already twice, I think. She was back and forth with Bill, like, ‘Oh, I’m pregnant, and then all this happened, and then losing the baby at Uptown.’ I guess now we’ll have to see (how this plays out).”
Courtesy/CBS
RANDY AND LESLIE UNLIKELY ALLIES?
As for her cousin, Randy, with whom Hayley keeps asking for new passports and fake ID’s, does she have any true familial feelings for him? “A little bit. I hate to say it,” shared Goings. “I feel like Hayley definitely loves her cousin. She appreciates her cousin, but they’ve always had this dynamic to where she’s bossed him around. She’s always helped him in a sense, although he’s helping her too, but when she scams, she’s the one going through everything, making the money. She’s playing him, but deep down, she cares about Randy.”
Beyond the Gates fans love the soapy goodness of two bad girls seemingly becoming frenemies when Leslie paid Hayley’s bail! Now the two chat over food and sundaes, as Hayley’s keeps getting sick at the sight of anything she would have to put down her stomach due to her pregnancy.
“Hayley doesn’t fully trust Leslie. She feels like she’s a scammer and they’re kinda two peas in a pod to some degree,” declared Marquita. “She probably doesn’t trust her because of Hayley knowing her own ways. She’s like, ‘Okay, why does she want to be close?’ But then it’s like, ‘Oh, wait! She bailed me out of jail of all people!”
Photo: CBS
TIMON KYLE DURRETT GOES FOR GOLD
While becoming pregnant may have given Hayley a second chance at a marriage of convenience to Bill, who else might Hayley target next? Goings weighed-in, “It definitely needs to be someone with some wealth because of her being money hungry. Like Isaiah (Lami), he doesn’t have anything. So he wouldn’t do her any good. And of course, he could be like eye candy, but he’s already in a relationship and he doesn’t have the tools. So, I don’t know. I don’t know if it would have to be someone new?”
Marquita also had high-praise for her co-star, Timon Kyle Durrett and was thrilled for his Daytime Emmy nomination. “It’s deserving. I cannot wait for the Emmys. I will be there. I have most of my scenes with Timon and I have a lot of fun with him. I also love my scenes with Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree) too. Just working with Karla alone is a joy. She’s amazing. I will say this, being my first time being on a soap, just watching her handle the pacing and just learning all the things, is a great example of how to do this medium.”
So, what do you think of Hayley being pregnant? Will she get Bill to take her back if she is carrying his child? Do you think it could be another man’s baby? What do you think of Hayley being frenemies with Leslie? Are you rooting for Timon Kyle Durrett and Karla Mosley at this week’s Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in below.
Interviews
Joe Hendry Talks WWE Microdrama Collab ‘Agent of Shadows,’ New Music, and What’s Next! (Exclusive)
The motto, “I believe in Joe Hendry” is catching on even outside the WWE Universe! The Scottish-born pro wrestler is having a banner October (well not so much on this week’s Monday Night Raw), but with the release of his new album Beyond Belief and appearing in WWE’s first-ever microdrama Agent of Shadows in its partnership with vertical leader ReelShort.
On Friday, October 23, ReelShort launched Agent of Shadows on its mobile-first storytelling platform that is available in more than 100 countries, reaching more than 70 million monthly active users.
Hendry joins fellow WWE stars Drew McIntrye, Jacob Fatu, plus Booker T, Michael Hayes and Nikkita Lyon and more in the cast as they mix it up with microdrama leading men, Chase Mattson and Marc Herrman, in the action-packed series.
Photo: ReelShort
A NEW FRONTIER FOR WWE SUPERSTARS
As the story begins, the world’s greatest secret agent must protect and care for his 6-year-old daughter while posing as her nanny. Now, without revealing his true identity, he must win his daughter’s (and her mother’s) trust, while secretly thwarting corrupt suitors, mafioso strongmen and even a megalomaniacal billionaire who’s using his family to get to him. What could go wrong?
Michael Fairman TV chatted with Hendry on his ascension and rise in the ranks of the WWE, bringing his brand of satire, music and singing to sports entertainment, plus his thoughts on branching out into the acting world of motion pictures, microdramas and more. The full conversation can be seen with Joe on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
Photo: ReelShort
JOE HENDRY ON PLAYING … JOE HENDRY
Unlike the other WWE superstars in Agent of Shadows, Hendry is taking on the role of … himself! Seems like it may not be then been too much of a stretch to play or is it? Joe explained, “I don’t know how much of this I’m allowed to reveal, so I’m sure there’ll be a lot of fun in discovering what that is. But what I will reveal is what I think is the best thing about my involvement … everyone else plays a character and I play Joe Hendry. So, I’m very pleased about that.”
Speaking on his background, Joe explained, “For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been a wrestler for 14 years, but I kind of had a mainstream crossover in 2024 when my music video became a meme. It did really well in the charts. I’ve now been able to carry that forward and I’m in one of those positions where I can just appear as myself.”
“This is the first film-type project I’ve been a part of,” elaborated Hendry. “I think that’s why WWE stars crossover so well into movies, because we’re so used to having to do everything in one take, whereas in Hollywood you may get as many takes as you need. In microdramas, you can look at these chapters as well. So, let’s say you manage to get through the first give chapters on your way to work or whatever, you can always come back to that. I think’s its a smart combination for storytelling.”
Photo: WWE
NEW LP TRACK LIST INCLUDES ‘FIRE LOGAN PAUL’
Back on October 5, Hendry released his LP Beyond Belief filled with hilarious and clever send-ups. The track list includes: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, Fire Logan Paul (the social media phenom and pro wrestler), Give Joe Hendry Every Single Belt and more. Hendry added one more favorite, that is his latest single and music video!
“The other main one is If You Don’t Love Joe Hendry, and the lyrics are, ‘If you don’t love Joe Hendry, then, you’re a useless piece of … ‘ So, I think we should fire Logan Paul, and I think we should give Joe Hendry every single belt. I just think these are sensible messages we have to get out to the world.”
The album was completed in what some would consider lighting speed! “We had a lot of fun recording these, but it was done so fast. It was actually a lot of pressure to get it done. I wrote the album except Fire Logan Paul in a span of four days. It was pretty intense. We recorded all the vocals in five hours, which is insane,” recalled Joe. “But it’s kind of what I was talking about before. In WWE, everything is done live. We do not have retakes. So, I think being a WWE superstar has prepared me well for producing other forms of media quickly.”
Photo: WWE
TEENAGE DREAMS BECOME A REALITY WRESTLING RANDY ORTON
Back in the squared circle, Hendry has been in a feud with the Judgment Day, and in particular of late with JD McDonaugh on Raw. But taking a look at his rise from NXT to TNA to WWE, Joe reflected on his heart-stopping moment at WrestleMania 41 against one of his legends, Randy Orton.
“I remember being 15 and kind of imagining being a pro wrestler. I also remember specifically thinking, ‘What if I had a feud with Randy Orton?’ And then, I became a wrestler when I was just about to turn 25 and all these years later, it happened!
“It such an unlikely story,” said Joe of getting the call he would be facing the 14-time WWE champion. He added, “I’m so grateful that I’ve had that moment early on in my WWE career and it kind of takes the pressure off, because it doesn’t get any bigger than that. So now, I can focus on my goal which is just to get better all the time; improve as a wrestler all the time. I can see the progression in myself. I’m gaining skills and confidence all the time.”
Photo: WWE
SHOULD JOE STAY GOOD OR TURN BAD?
The proverbial question had to be asked, “Does Joe prefer being a babyface or would he like to see a heel turn? Hendry replied, “Interesting question. Never say never. You just never know. Anything can happen in the WWE. It’s funny, originally, my character was designed by me to be hated, and people just happened to like it! You can’t force it. The audience is going to tell you. They are a huge part in dictating our paths as wrestlers.”
Check out Joe in Agent of Shadows by visiting ReelShort.com to download the ReelShort app on Apple and Android devices. You can also check out @ReelShort on YouTube.
You can also watch our full conversation with Joe Hendry now on the Michael Fairman Channel below.
Now let us know, will you check out WWE’s first microdrama, Agent of Shadows? Do you get a kick out of Joe Hendry’s songs and how it relates to his feuds in the WWE and his rise in the ranks of pro wrestling? Hoping Joe stays a babyface or would you like to see him turn heel? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Mike Manning Talks Smitty’s Emotional Visit with His Mother (Exclusive)
This week on all-new episodes of Beyond the Gates, as Smitty (Mike Manning) continues to be framed and in hot water for the murder of Dr. Lia Whitmore, he gets some familial back-up when his never-before-seen mother, Jenny Smith arrives in Fairmont Crest to see her son.
Jenny is played by Jennifer Van Horn who made her Beyond the Gates debut on the Wednesday, October 21, which was the same day that Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series Emmy nominee, Mike Manning participated in a livestream chat on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
In story, as Smitty was at home, he received a surprise visit from his mother, who resides in Ohio. Jenny came to support her son through this difficult time. Smitty made note of his disappointment that his father didn’t come with her on the trip, sharing that he knows his dad has never been comfortable around wealth or the Duprees. Smitty also acknowledged how his father didn’t approve of becoming a journalist or moving to the DMV. Later, when Smitty’s husband, Martin returned (Brandon Claybon) he walked in on Smitty getting a pep talk from Jenny.
Courtesy/CBS
SMITTY’S MOM ARRIVES
Manning addressed how he had to keep the appearance of Smitty’s mom on the down low. “I do have a mom now. Yes.! I couldn’t talk about it to anybody. Jennifer Van Horn who plays my mom was so lovely and so nice, and she was great. I love Smitty having some backstory and having a parent.”
And there could be even more Smitty drama to come! Mike shared, “They mentioned Smitty’s father too, so they kind of plant the seeds for maybe more to come, which is nice. I think it really shows that there’s just one more level to the community that is surrounding Smitty. One of my favorite scenes from this entire storyline is when Smitty gets hauled into jail and the entire Dupree family shows up and they all start taking shots at Jacob (Jibre Hordges) and everyone at the police station.”
BEING EMBRACED BY THE DUPREES
Manning, in particular, recalled a moment from fellow Daytime Emmy nominee, Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree). “I loved when Anita goes, and this is not verbatim, but it was something along the lines of, ‘If Smitty’s not home for dinner, you’re gonna be hearing from Anita Dupree.’ Then, Vernon (Clifton Davis) says something, and Kat (Colby Nixon) comes in and she’s giving him so much sass. I remember watching the episode just being so touched that the entire Dupree family is wrapping around Smitty like this shield, this cocoon. So, it makes this storyline of him being framed a little bit easier to swallow.”
Courtesy/CBS
MORE OF SMITTY’S BACKSTORY TO BE REVEALED?
Speaking of the scenes between Smitty and his mom, Manning felt, “It was very touching. He spoke about how he loved his mom for what she sacrificed, It was one of those mother-son things, but it was poignantly done. I would like them to explore that more, and Smitty’s family, because, I think that it’ll also help inform some of the dynamic between Martin and Smitty. We know that Martin comes from a long line of successful people, whether it’s in entertainment or politicians. His grandfather’s a senator. So, we understand that he grew up in the country club, basically. We don’t really understand where Smitty grew up yet.”
The two-time Daytime Emmy winner also explained that he has his own origin story for Bradley “Smitty” Smith: “Obviously, I have an idea in my head with the backstory that I’ve sort of decided for Smitty, whether or not that’s exactly what the writers are going to throw at me, eventually, who knows? But, I certainly have an idea of why Smitty is the way he is, why he’s so driven, why he takes risks, why he’s so hungry to prove himself and be successful in journalism and everything else.”
You can check out a scene between Smitty and his never-before-seen-mom, Jenny below. Followed by our live chat with Mike Manning after the episode aired.
Now let us know, do you hope Beyond the Gates explores more of Smitty’s backstory? Did you enjoy the debut of Jennifer Van Horn as Smitty’s mom? Share your thoughts via the conversation below. And make sure to catch Mike on the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards streaming next Friday, October 30 to see if he takes home his third gold statuette!
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