Interviews
The Robert S. Woods Interview – One Life to Live
Courtesy/ABC
If there is a sentimental favorite at this year’s 39th Daytime Emmy Awards, look no further than Robert S. Woods! “Woodsy” as those close to him call him, received a nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actor category in the final year of One Life to Live. And who in soapland doesn’t know that the heart and soul of the show, and that salt of the earth character that you could trust above anyone else, was the beloved Bo Buchanan.
An understated performer who can break our hearts, or make us smile, Bob Woods has been giving performance after performance for over three decades on OLTL. And it wouldn’t be such irony, that on Emmy night, it would be Bob’s turn to take home the gold for only the second time in his accomplished career. When you think about his body of work, and in particular last year, he had enough to rival any one of his competitors.
On-Air On-Soaps spoke with the popular Woods to get his thoughts on finding out he landed a nomination, and to find out how life is after One Life to Live. And, we took this opportunity to discuss Bo’s last scenes in the series finale, and the shocking alternate ending that no one knew about! We have to share with you that throughout our conversation, Bob had us beaming with pride, holding back the tears, and laughing and smiling. It was emotional, heartfelt, and direct, exactly what you would expect from this daytime legend. And as you will learn, Bob is just as devastated as all of you are that Llanview is no longer on the TV map. So here we go with our special Emmy interview, and more with Robert S. Woods!
MICHAEL:
What fantastic news, Bob, that you were nominated (and deservingly so) for your work as Bo Buchanan in the Lead Actor category. How did you find out the news that you received the nod?
ROBERT:
Courtesy/ABC
I was out working in the backyard, and I heard my wife, Loyita, screaming, “You’re kidding?” I think Billy Warlock and Julie Pinson called her and told her! (Laughs) I did not know the nominations were coming out that day. I was talking with Leah Webber, one of our producers at One Life. She was handling all of our submissions. She was working on material with an echo in the room, because everyone was gone. Leah is the one that pulled out some scenes for me, bless her heart!
MICHAEL:
All of your fans and colleagues are so thrilled for you that you got recognized for your work in the final full year of OLTL. Did you speak with your OLTL co-nominees, Eddie Alderson (Matthew) and Erika Slezak (Viki)?
ROBERT:
I called Eddie right away. I have watched that guys since he was very young. Hillary B. Smith (Nora, OLTL, now Stacy B&B) says, we have watched him grow since he was three. When Kristen Alderson (Starr, OLTL now GH) started on the show she was five or six, and so Eddie had grown up in the studio. He was being a prop man. He used to help the prop department and strike the sets! I heard from Erika Slezak and she congratulated me, and so did Hillary. Frank Valentini called, too, which was nice. He has been working his butt off at GH!
MICHAEL:
You must have been thrilled! This is coming at such a bittersweet moment with the beloved One Life to Live canceled, and now you receive this recognition!
ROBERT:
Courtesy/ABC
If you had asked me, “How would you feel if you found out you were nominated?” I would think, “Geez, I don’t know what I would feel.” But I was grinning from ear to ear. I think a lot of it is that it is so sentimental. One Life to Live is gone. I still can’t believe it. I thought I would be gone some day, but I never thought One Life would be, nor that ABC would not have those three mainstay daytime dramas all together in their daytime lineup.
MICHAEL:
There is such a hole in people’s hearts who followed One Life to Live for decades, or even if they were new fans. Many are having a hard time dealing with the fact that they can’t see Bo, Viki, Nora, and everyone in Llanview anymore on a daily basis. I have to say, it does feel really odd. A huge piece is missing and it feels like this big chunk was cut out of the ABC daytime lineup!
ROBERT:
I have days where I keep thinking, “I better look at my scripts.” Then I go, “Wait. Oh no. I don’t have to go back.” I went through that for a long time after we taped the final episodes. We are looking back at November 18th of last year when we taped our last episode, and then the last airdate was January 13th of this year. I just remember it was Friday, the 13th! I miss talking to the camera guys, and Michael Easton (John, OLTL now GH). We have been playing phone tag forever. It’s just weird that you can’t go in and walk through the door and see people that you knew and have a kind of reunion. That is what I always thought when I left the show years ago. I thought I would be able to pop back in now and then. And that it would always be there to go home to.
MICHAEL:
And fans are hoping that somehow the show will get another lease on life and be resurrected, but so many hopes have been dashed!
ROBERT:
People are always asking me, “Do you think OLTL will come back now that ABC realized they goofed?” They ask that especially in light of The Revolution tanking, but people in the cast and the production have moved on in just six months. It’s just a shame. We were doing very well. But if the network felt they had to do something they should have cut the show back to a half hour, as well as All My Children, and have two half hour shows and then GH! Then some day when everything gets reinvented again, they go to an hour.
MICHAEL:
Photo Credit: Robert Milazzo
I always said, “thank God” when ABC decided to cancel The Revolution. However, instead of airing the GMA Summer Series in its timeslot for the summer, they should have taken that nine weeks and brought back One Life to Live to wrap it up properly and give a semi-bone to the fans. But now, since that’s a matter of getting the actors, the sets, and the costumes all again, that would prove difficult. We will have to work on OLTL: The Movie!
ROBERT:
We have Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati over at General Hospital now, and so what are you going to do? It’s a sad thing. I never thought it would happen where we would not be on the air.
MICHAEL:
I will never forget the day you, Hillary B. Smith, and me taped that final video interview together at the last OLTL press junket back in November. I so recall the three of us looking at each other with such disbelief and sad faces, that we were actually taping a farewell interview together after decades in the genre!
ROBERT:
That was a strange day. It was sure not what I had in mind. I said, when I came back to the show after I was gone for a couple of years, “Either they will carry me out the door or throw me out the door, but I was going to stay.” Then the minute I got older, I could see retirement a couple years down the line. I will say the schedule was really tough towards the end. We were maybe doing three or four shows a day. It was harder and harder to remember all the lines.
MICHAEL:
On a happier note, I think you had a great year last year. In my mind, you had a lot of strong material to choose from. What did you end up submitting for the Emmys? I heard you changed it up from the pre-noms to the final round. Is that true?
ROBERT:
Courtesy/ABC
Yes. I changed it up. In the pre-nomination, I went with the barn showdown scene with Clint. Bo was going to shoot him and Asa’s hat was in it, and all of that. Then in the second go round, and for the final round of judging, it was about when we had to make a decision about Matthew, when he was pretty much soap opera brain dead. (Laughs) It was about whether we were going to pull the plug on him, because his heart was a match for Clint. Clint was going to die if he did not get a heart transplant. So I submitted a scene with Erika Slezak, where Bo says, “How do you give up on a child? But if something is not done, do I end up killing my brother by refusing to help him?” It was one of those back and forth moments, and Nora comes in at the end of it. I think the scenes start with Bo coming out of Matthew’s hospital room, and then he turns the corner and there is Viki. It was kind of cool, because way back in 1979 I came in the door and sat down in a chair and said, “I am in love with you, Viki!” You know my screen test for Bo was with Erika!
MICHAEL:
I know you can’t have a better scene partner than Erika Slezak!
ROBERT:
Oh, God! And when you watch the scenes, Erika really went to bat for me! She was good with everybody, but there was something a little different about it when you look at all the scenes from that day. There was a lot of material also with Eddie Alderson as Matthew that I considered was strong, too.
MICHAEL:
Why did you make the decision to switch reels?
ROBERT:
Courtesy/ABC
I did not think in a million years I would get nominated for anything, and with the show being gone. I just thought, “It’s over, and no one is going to give us a second thought from One Life.” So my favorite scene was with Erika. But then I found Leah Webber initially submitted the barn scene. She sent me stuff that I could watch via You Tube, and so I watched them at home. I have to say the barn scenes with Jerry verDorn (Clint) were fun!
MICHAEL:
I really wish the Daytime Emmys were judged and gave recognition for a body of work through the eligibility year, instead of just scenes from one episode. Then when comparing it against other actors, it can often times feel strange and then it makes the whole process more of a game, even though in the end, the Emmys are a game!
ROBERT:
The whole thing over the years, and how it evolved, became about campaigning with different shows. There was the issue of block voting, too. That happened on CBS with Guiding Light and As the World Turns. I don’t think we ever did that on One Life to Live. Jill Farren Phelps, when she came to our show as executive producer, she was like. “Well, I know how to do this. This is what we have to do to win.” I will tell you how you get nominated? You submit good work, and if they like it, you win. But I guess Jill’s approach was about how to get nominated. We never did that at One Life. If you had something to show that was good, and something you are proud of, we would go for it.
MICHAEL:
Now if I recall, the year you won your Daytime Emmy was the year the Emmys weren’t televised! Now I think there is something to this! (Laughs) They might not make it to television again this year!
Courtesy/ABC
ROBERT:
Yeah! And it’s so funny. Somebody told me, “I will be watching!” And I went, “Well, I don’t know what you’ll be watching.” (Laughs) And usually the next year after you win, you get to present the honor in the Lead Actress category. I was all excited because that year was Erika Slezak’s first Emmy nomination. And Paul Rauch, our then executive producer, had us on location the night of the Emmys! We were downtown in Greenwich Village and the character of Delilah was running away from some sailors who were chasing her. I was there for when I won my Emmy and it’s just that it wasn’t televised. I just remember, I thought it was cool being there and my first time being nominated, and I was just kicking back, because again, I had to work at the show late. I did eventually get to the Emmys, but missed the dinner part with my date, and a buddy of mine, who went with me. Paul was not a big fan of the Daytime Emmys. I will never forget the expression on Robin Strasser’s (Dorian, OLTL) face. She was presenting my category. All of a sudden her eyes widened, and she took a deep breath with a big smile and I thought, “Oh, you have got to be kidding me?” (Laughs)
MICHAEL:
What do you think of your competition in the Outstanding Lead Actor category?
ROBERT:
It’s a good group. It’s a veteran group with guys who have all been around for a long time. I have met John McCook (Eric, B&B) before, but briefly. The other three guys I have known forever. I met Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) when he was on All My Children. Tony Geary (Luke, GH) and I go back a long time.
MICHAEL:
There was such disappointment that OLTL was not nominated for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series. This show can never catch a break, even after it’s canceled!
ROBERT:
I know there were some good shows in their submissions. Judging from our last fan club gathering, nobody could understand what happened and why we were canceled? You know traditionally, we were that middle child. The network was always worried about the lead-in and keeping it going. Then, you have the strong finish with GH. Everyone always talked about GH and AMC, and we were like, “Hello! Over here!”
Courtesy/ABC
MICHAEL:
In January, the final episode aired. There was no one more moving in the final episode than you. Those scenes between Bo and Matthew, when Matthew names his baby boy Drew after Bo’s late son, was so touching! But then, when Bo tells Nora he loves her, as he is about to walk out the front door, we all sobbed! Did you watch the finale?
ROBERT:
I did watch the day it aired. I had a lump in my throat, too. Eddie and I were talking before we did it, and even when the script came out. Eddie said, “I think we are going to have our moment. We are going to have a moment!” This is the last show and we were going to have our moment, and the same with Hillary. It did feel like our goodbyes were very real, and especially walking out and being able to turn around, and just when you think it’s over and then Bo to say, “I love you, Red,” and that’s it. The last words out of your mouth, and there was a lot of history there. It was nice way to end. We shot an alternate ending in case the show was going to the internet, and if I was not going to stay with the show.
MICHAEL:
Oh, my God! What was the alternate ending for Bo?
ROBERT:
I went out the door and a guy was there with a gloved hand and dressed in black. There is a hand over my face, and Bo is about to fight and then he realizes, “Oh, it’s you guys.” And then he gets taken away and out for some clandestine thing from the old days. It would have kept it going, but the way it worked out it just ended with a moment of Bo and Nora looking at each other with nothing planned. So much of what we did was like that. It just came right out of the moment, listening to each other, and trusting, and our timing. Hillary and I had that big ten-year gap. I forgot how easy it was to work with her and how well we worked together.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/ABC
The final press junket also included a timeout when the cast gathered on the set to take the final cast photo of One Life to Live. And I know they put Asa’s hat in the shot as a special memory of Phil Carey (Asa). That must have been very emotional for you.
ROBERT:
Yes, they put Asa’s hat there, and it was so tough looking over at it during the photo shoot and remembering Phil Carey. There are so many things I remember. I have posters and memorabilia that I had framed. One day, Phil showed up with something and went, “Here Woodsy! You like this kind of shit.” I looked at it and it was the front page of the Banner and it said, “Asa Buchanan is dead.” I framed it and hung it on my wall, and right behind that the prop guys are saying, “Anybody seen that newspaper?” (Laughs) But Phil would walk off the set with things like that and have things framed! (Laughs) I said to somebody, “You know, we all have been lucky to have worked with a guy like that. “ He is the last of a breed.
MICHAEL:
If Frank Valentini would find a way to work Bo into GH, would you even be interested in going?
ROBERT:
Oh, I don’t know if they ever could. Michael Easton came up with an idea that if McBain ever got in a jam, he looks up and goes, “Thank God. Where you been?” And I turn around and fans see its Bo! Usually, it would be me in trouble, and John would come rescue me. Michael Easton said, “Is it something you would do?” And I said, “It sounds cool and if I was working with you, I would do it.” But that was just us talking. But honest to God, GH is GH. They have enough people from One Life on there now. It’s their show. It’s got to be tough when you have invested in the show, and you have been an actor who has been there years and years and years, and then you have all these new faces. You can understand them pondering, “Well, why don’t you think about us?”
MICHAEL:
So right now are you done with acting?
ROBERT:
At this particular point right now, I really don’t want to act. I like to watch people act and go see some plays and watch TV. I love Mad Men, Castle and Smash. Right now, I am happy with what I am doing. Loyita and I are not at each other’s throat, where I need to go find something to do. We are still a great team. I was on One Life to Live 30 years over a 32-year period. And I have had to memorize so many lines for so many years. I said to a friend, “I have probably said more during my time at One Life than a lot of big movie stars have had to memorize in their whole life!” It’s a lot of work and it’s so fast.
Courtesy/ABC
MICHAEL:
In closing, I have to say, I don’t think there will be a dry eye in the house if you were to pick up the Daytime Emmy in June for Lead Actor. You want to win, don’t you? It would be such a terrific cap on your daytime career!
ROBERT:
You know what? I would be grinning for the rest of my life if I was to win. I can’t say, who cares? There have been years in the past where I did not care if I was nominated because I have one already. And then I watch friends of mine like Tony Geary and Peter Bergman (Jack, Y&R) who are multiple winners, and especially Tony. And then I thought, “Maybe it would be good to have another one.” Tony must have them all over the place. (Laughs) I would be very happy and proud if I won. I would be so grateful. I had the good sense to come back to the show after I left, and made the choice I did to stay as long as they would keep me. One Life was very good to me, and it gave me one helluva life!
43
What a wonderful man he is. I miss him.
And now we have him back! I am so grateful to Mr. Kwatinetz!
Awesome interview Michael! I adore Bob Woods. I have to say that with all of these interviews, you can tell that the actors adore and trust you. It is easy for them to open up and share with the rest of us….and you always ask the questions that are on the fans’ minds. Thank you!!
I love you, Bob. I miss you so much. I wish you all the best. No matter what, you are and always be a winner in my heart.
Love Bob Wooods. Thanks for the interview.
Omg, what a SAD, SAD interview!!! I want Woodsy to win so much more now!!!!!! I miss OLTL so much!
I hope Robert wins. I loved the character of Bo, and how he interacted with all the other actors. Bo & John McBain, Bo & Nora, Bo & Viki, Bo & Matthew, Bo & Rex… he just seems to be the perfect guy to get paired up with in front of a camera. It was always such a joy to watch his scenes. Hopefully, his wonderful work will be recognized with an Emmy!
Omg I LOVE & MISS you Woodsy SO much & HBS. There’s a HUGE hole in my heart everyday since the shows been off. I still cannot FATHOM, how & WHY this show was canceled!!!! Some *%#%!+ obviously had it in for you guys as well as AMC & it’s disgraceful. No disrespect to GH, but oltl’s storylines were so much better & so real!!! The actors brought there all to the table everyday. Not seeing Victoria Lord on my screen anymore is a hard pill to swallow & even more heartbreaking our beloved Bo & Nora (red) Now all… Read more »
I knew something would have happened with Bo at the end, but honestly thought it would be a heart attack and he would die. But I’m glad that OLTL ended the way it did for Bo’s family. Bob Woods is a master at his craft, subtle yet powerful. His relationship with the cast, in particular Hillary Smith and Eddie Alderson, translated seemlessly on screen. You really felt they were a true family. I hope he wins that Emmy!
I miss Bo so much, I love Robert S. Woods SO MUCH.
God this interview made me cry!
Great interview. We all miss you Bo! We miss Llanview. We want you all back. I watched from day one and thought you all were 100% better that GH! I stopped watching them a long time ago but never missed a day of OLTL. Their transition to GH takes getting used to, but Ron and Frank have made the show so much better along with the OLTL actors!
Miss OLTL everyday. Another great interview.
what a sweet sad interview. I hope he gets his grinning ear to ear 2nd win… Tony needs to share! 😀 As much as it hurts us OLTL fans to have lost our show, characters and actors, I feel so bad for the cast and crew to have lost their family and friends having had worked daily with each other for decades on ‘our show’. ABC-duh has hurt so very many people with their crappy decisions. Bob and OLTL need this win, and hopefully Erika will win as well. Thank you Bob for 30 years of being in my family… Read more »
Well, MIchael. You did it! You now have topped yourself with this interview with my favorite soap actor af all time, Bob Woods. I have always felt he was effortless and as realistic as any actor could be, and so natural and believable. I would love to see him pop up on GH, and then they could get rid of of their overload of actors. He would be a real stable influence amidst all the craziness. I can only hope to see him acting again.Love this interview, and love Bob Woods.
i ahve always loves bob since he was on the waltons years ago,,,,,,,,,,i really miss seeing him on a daily basis……….♥
Ethel, The waltons? When? I don’t remember seeing him and I never missed a episode unless I forgot seeing him, I have watched one life to live since the day it started so many years ago. God am I getting old. I miss seeing him every day to and I hope he takes home the emmy.
he was a doctor & maryellen was a nurse at the same hospital – as a matter of fact they had a thing going but she married kurt…………..lol
Thank you, Robert Woods, “Woodsy” for all the years of Bo. Your acting was true to life. I miss the show more than I can say. Nothing can replace it. I don’t watch any daytime TV except for GH and sometimes Dr. Oz. But neither fills that spot in my life. I wish you all the happiness, good health, and luck in the world. Maybe sometime you can be lured out of retirement for a movie or guest shots on some great nighttime show. Castle??? (but not as a bad guy- never!)
Great interview! Thanks Michael and Woodsy! I hope Nathan gets the powers to be at Castle to get Robert for Castle’s father! That would be so great! If he could win the Emmy with Erika and then do Castle for a few episodes and get nominated for a Castle episode… would be even better!!! Enjoy your time off Robert!
I have loved Bob woods since I started watching oltl back in 97 and after 15 I love him even more . He’s such a class act I hope he takes home the Emmy it’s been my pleasure to watch him on my tv screen for all this time. I miss him,Hillary ,eddie and erika so much . Wish him all the best ill be rooting for him for sure.
What a wonderful interview Michael. Robert S. Woods is a class act and I pray he wins. this interview gave me goose bumps reading it and hearing his answers to your questions Very interesting questions. Michael, I also liked your Idea about rapping up One life to live now that the revolution has been properly canceled we need a good ending. I would rather have it back, Myself I can’t give up on my favorite soap there is always hope. When Robert said he still feels like he still has scrips to read I feel the same way when the… Read more »
Great interview Michael !!
Love Bob Woods and the character Bo – for years.
Really hope he gets that Emmy win.
Miss OLTL every day…still so sad. 🙁
Go, Bob Woods, Go–Yay! 😀
Thanks for the great interview. I really cannot believe that OLTL did not receive a nomination for best soap. As far as I am concerned, it deserves every emmy nomination. Miss OLTL so much. Love Bo thanks.
WOW, I didn’t think I could feel any sadder about losing OLTL but reading this wonderful article broke my heart-again. Brings it all back-all the great story we’ll never see & all the dear, dear cast members we love & miss so much. Bob had some great ideas on saving the shows. Too bad nobody cared enough to listen then we would not all be in this awful boat. Bob was a mainstay character of the show and I love him so much. I wish him every happiness & most of all I wish for him & Erika to please,… Read more »
I dont think we will ever not feel sad and get our hearts broken over and over again every time we hear about One life to live. The loss of that soap has sure hurt a lot of people.And to have lost it for that nauseating show the revolution that has been canceled makes me want to cry. I will never understand the logic of abc/disneys thinking in destroying their afternoon lineup of good programming for garbage talk and food waste of time programs that are just awful to watch.
On OLTL alway’s liked Bo & Nora..Liked when Bo & Nora danced together on OLTL………..And the burgers and fries they liked eating………………..I wish Robert Woods the best at the daytime emmy’s………………I would like to see him WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That was so sweet, They use to do it all the time dancing and eating my favorite kind of junk food, then they broke them up, I was so sad and it was such a long time before they finally got back together again, Some couples should just be left alone and they are that couple. Just because they get married doesn’t mean they cant be on a roller coaster of adventures in their lives and stay happy, which they were. How I miss One life to live, will my heart ever stop aching for my favorite soap and characters… Read more »
I miss OLTL a lot too…I miss landview , Landfair !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IAnd there aren’t to many shows that I feel this way…This soap definetly made an impression on me……Only one other show made me feel this wa and thet was Beauty and The Beast from 1987-1990……..I was heart-broken when the series was cancelled in 1990…………….At this time this was one of my favorites, including OLTL………………………………….I bought all 22 episodes of Beauty and The beast..Like watching them from time to time…I wish they would do the same for OLTL…It would be a lot of DVD’s to say the least………Yes I would… Read more »
I also loved beauty and the beast another show that was cancelled that should have gone on but linda hamilton left, that messed up everything, Ron perlman couldn’t get the ratings up being alone everyone liked it being the beauty and the beast together. Yes another wonderful, well written. descent show.
Unfortunately Linda Hamilton did want to leave my sister use to have a huge poster of Ron Perlman as the Beast and please don’t hit me but he was so sexy as The Beast!!!
Such a lovely interview! Thanks Michael, even though it made me cry. Robert Woods sounds like a great guy and he played the role of Bo so beautifully! Words cannot express how much I miss OLTL and AMC. Bo and Nora are my favorite soap couple of all time. My emotions are split between mourning for our soaps and extreme anger at ABC/D for their stupid and greedy decision to cancel them. I wish Bob Woods nothing but good things in his future life. Thanks for the years of entertainment!
My heart hopes Bob Woods wins because he really is a nice guy but sometimes I just think they check the box if they recognize the name and who does’t know Tony Geary but let’s share the wealth and give it to Woodsy.
This interview made me cry I so miss OLTL ands especially Robert Woods who was and always will be a class act! I am so glad the Revolution tanked if only to show ABC how wrong they were to cancel such an awesome, iconic ,irreplacable, heartfelt show.
Robert Woods has to win! He’s a great actor! I really miss OLTL! Nothing will ever take it’s place. All the actors seem to really miss it too. I never hear AMC actors talk the same way. A great interview! Thanks!
He is a class act!! I miss OLTL & Mr. Woods.
I love Bob Woods, as I think everyone from One Life to Live, Cast, Crew and Fans, do. This is a FAN-tastic interview you conducted with Bob/Bo, and as a big fan of his, I thank you so much – it is sooooo great!!! I would dearly love to see “Woodsy” take home the Emmy – it would in a way be an honor to all the cast and crew of OLTL – a final tribute to everyone associated with the Soap!!! Bring it Home – Bob/Bo!!!
They don’t make actors or men like Bob Woods anymnore. GOD BLESS HIM and his family.
GH would be lucky to have an actor like Bob Woods join the show. It is so sad we cannot have OLTL back,
GH needs to go too!!! So lame.
Please havea OLTL special to tie up all loose ends…love Bob Woods, favorite of all time. All the best to a great actor. Thanks for years of enjoymen!
LOVE Bob Woods and the entire cast of One Life. Unbelievable still that the show was Cancelled. The Powers-that-be Made A huge Mistake.
I met Robert Woods years ago at a make a wish dinner dance and he thought I was linda Ronstadt! I will always remember that and sometimes wonder if he does as well. I wish him all the happiness life can give! I wish I had a chance to talk to him more that night. It will always be a special night in my life to have met him and all the other stars there!
General Hospital
General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn Chats On Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Performance and Its Significance
When the nominations were revealed for the 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, General Hospital mainstay, Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis), was recognized for her stunning work in the Alexis-centric standalone episode which honored her 25th anniversary with the ABC daytime drama series.
Grahn, is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner. She won back in 1989 in a tie for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her work as Julia Wainwright on Santa Barbara along with All My Children’s Debbi Morgan, and again received the honors in that category in 2012 for her work on General Hospital.
Now. she is vying for the gold in 2022 in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category against other formidable actresses including: B&B’s Kimberlin Brown, DAYS Stacy Haiduk, Y&R’s Melissa Ordway, and her GH castmate, Kelly Thiebaud.
Michael Fairman TV caught up with Nancy to talk about her decision to enter the Emmy race this year, her powerful and moving scenes, why this nomination is significant and important to her, and her take on some very important social issues of our time.
Always candid, insightful, combined with great humor and wit, here’s what Nancy had to share below, and make sure to check out GH this week when sparks fly between Alexis and Gregory (Gregory Harrison). Will he turn out to be the new beau in Alexis’ life? Stay tuned.
Courtesy/ABC
Congratulations on the Emmy nomination. How do you feel about being in the running again, especially with the material from your 25th anniversary episode?
NANCY: You know, I don’t submit myself if I don’t think I have something, and I didn’t last year. This year, I had the one show, and the first reason I submitted myself was I had the episode that was worthy of the competition. These judges have to sit, and watch this stuff, and very often, it’s hard to watch soap opera scenes. It really is, unless you’re in it. It’s a different kind of material that most primetime people aren’t used to watching. So, it’s tricky business. I don’t want to put them through anything too awful. I don’t want to torture them and I’ve judged before. It can be a bit tedious. So, for me to submit myself, I thought, it has to be something that isn’t going to torture another human being. The second thing is, older women get marginalized the older they get, and they get diminished very often, and every time we get nominated, it means something different to me. This time, to me, I want it to somehow be symbolic, or a shoutout to women who are still producing, who have been doing their job for a long time and are still doing it good enough, and that it’s still worthy of respect and recognition.
When we were at the GH Convention back in March, I played the scene on-stage for the fans in attendance of when Alexis goes over to the corner of Kevin’s office and heals her younger self. You saw the reaction just from the fans. It’s such a beautiful moment within the story. What did you think about how the standalone episode was crafted?
NANCY: It was a different experience for me because GH co-head writers Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor, and script writer, Scott Sickles gave it the attention, but even more to that, they allowed me to participate in the creation of it. They allowed the director, Phideaux Xavier, to participate. We all sat in a room. They said, “You know what? Make it how you’re comfortable with it.” There were so many people who gave it time and effort, and Phideaux gets a lot of credit because he came up with a lot of ideas. So, the little girl in the therapy room wasn’t initially a part of it. That was Phideaux’s idea, and they let us alter things, and they allowed me to write some words that meant something to me with the character. Our producers, Michelle Henry and M.K Weir, who I both adore, were also a part of this.
Courtesy/ABC
That is great to hear that you were involved in the collaborative process of the creation of the episode.
NANCY: We read through the whole script, and we worked it like you would on primetime. We went through it like, “Does this moment work? Does that moment work? Does this make sense? Does that make sense?” We never do that in soaps. We don’t get to that. So, it was a gift to me. It really was. Chris and Dan, and Scott and Phideaux, and the two producers, generosity in gifting me that experience and making sure that it was to everybody’s liking, was really very special to me, and it meant a lot.
Did you come up with the key lines which summarized Alexis as a person and her journey: “I’m Alexis Davis, and I’m a fighter, and an idealist and an advocate?”
NANCY: No. They designed it, but we were allowed to enhance and contribute creatively to it, and, we don’t normally have the time to do that. They don’t have the time to – and you can’t allow people to do that with every episode, to be creatively participating, because it would turn into madness with everybody.
Then, when it came down to choosing the scenes from your anniversary episode to include for your Emmy submission, was that a challenging process of which moments to go with?
NANCY: I just told a little story with it with the time that I had, and so, I edited it with a friend of mine. I did a sort of pre-edit on it, I’m good at that, and handed the timeline to our editor, who nicely put it together. It took very little effort.
In my humble opinion, I think that episode featured one of your all-time best performances.
NANCY: Thank you. There was a nice effort from everybody, from the lighting to everybody else, and all the effort Phideaux put into it. He worked so hard on that! It was fun for us. It was like the old days where you really got to work something out.
Photo: ABC
It truly harkened back to everything we knew up to that point about Alexis and her past as well, and included a montage of scenes over the years.
NANCY: I think it was M.K. who put that together, but when you’re working at the pace we’re working now, to have to sit and put together a montage of twenty-five years, that’s not an easy feat. Nobody has time for that anymore, but they did it, and like I said, it was really, really appreciated. My only thought with it is that I wanted it to be relatable to other people. I didn’t want it to just be some, you know, self-indulgent Alexis episode. I knew that by bringing in the little girl and talking about people being hurt in their childhood and how that makes somebody feel that it was probably relatable to many people, and so it became meaningful to other people and not just me.
Do you think you’ll attend the Daytime Emmys? I know the last time you won you were not present.
NANCY: Yeah, I’m planning on it. I mean, barring anything happening! (Laughs)
Does it feel nice to be recognized by your peers?
NANCY: Of course, it does. It always does, and way too often, women who are still producing well in their jobs, don’t get the respect and the acknowledgment for it. So, that’s why I’m saying, this is no small thing, and that I want other women to know that I know that, and that I wish for them the same thing.
What was the reaction of your daughter, Kate and your fiancé, Richard, when you told them you were Emmy-nominated?
NANCY: Richie goes, “What is this? Your 18th nomination?” (Laughs). You know what I mean? It was just kind of like, “Yeah, sure, why wouldn’t you be?” It wasn’t like, “Oh, my God!” It was like they kind of expected that. That was nice! I’m glad they feel that way. I’m glad they weren’t surprised. They were like, “Sure! Of course, you would be. Why wouldn’t you be?” I said, “You know, it doesn’t always work like that!”
Photo: JPI
Now comes the part of having to find a dress and all that goes with it for the red carpet. Do you enjoy that part?
NANCY: No, I hate that part. That is my… oh ‘boohoo’, you know? I mean, I have to find something to wear. Also, the older you get, that becomes so much less important, and the more makeup, and the more hair, and the more foofy, the more ridiculous I look. I start looking like Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. You’ve just got to keep it simple.
You were talking about women and ageism. Do you not feel that also exists for men?
NANCY: It exists for men, but it’s not at all on the same par as women. I mean, men still get paid more than women, and men still are valued more than women. I mean, there are exceptions, but if you look in any place of employment, even the soaps, you will typically find the men making more money than the women, and the older the women get, the less they get. Life’s not fair right now. It’s fairer than it was, but still the equality game is not won yet.
Photo: JPI
I know how much all of this means to you in terms of equality for women, and people being run out of their jobs because of their age.
NANCY: It’s just a reality. It’s not something that I’m hopeless about, but I have a story to tell. I’ll tell it when the time is right. It’s life! It happens in every field everywhere. When my mom was 70, she was still producing the exact same way she was producing when she was 30, and she got run out, and was replaced by a man who was 40 or something, and there was no particular reason for it. It was just, “You’re done. We decided you’re done,” but like I said, it happens everywhere, in every line of work, and that’s why I just wanted to give a shout-out, when you still, after 36 years, can be recognized or shown respect or acknowledgment for what your do. It’s a very big deal that I am appreciative of and grateful for.
So, rooting for Nancy to win the Outstanding Supporting Actress prize? Happy she was nominated for her work in the the milestone episode devoted to Alexis? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, and to tune-in to the 49th annual Daytime Emmy Awards on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ on Friday night, June 24th.
General Hospital
GH Alum Sydney Mikayla Talks On Her Daytime Emmy Nomination, Decision To Exit & Her Former Co-Stars
It’s been quite the banner year for Sydney Mikayla (Ex-Trina Robinson, GH) thus far, and she topped it off with her second Daytime Emmy nomination, when a few weeks ago she landed in the Younger Performer in a Drama Series category. That means, Mikayla will be vying for the gold statuette, but also against some of her dear friends and former co-stars from General Hospital.
Back in March, Mikayla revealed she was leaving the ABC daytime drama series to focus on college full-time where she is a freshman at UCLA. With Sydney’s departure came recasting the role of Trina and the part went in to the capable hands of Tabyana Ali, who is currently appearing on the soap and carrying on the Trina Robinson torch.
As the 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are just around the corner (they air live next month on June 24th on CBS), Michael Fairman TV caught up with the very busy Mikayla, to get her take on all things Emmy including: the scenes she chose for her nominated reel, working alongside with Nicholas Alexander Chavez and creating what would become the popular “Sprina”, the factors that led to her departure and more. Here’s what Sydney shared below.
Your former co-stars and fellow ‘Younger Actor’ nominees, William Lipton (Cameron) and Nicholas Alexander Chavez (Spencer) appeared on my Daytime Emmy Nominations livestream special, and both share how thrilled they were that that you got nominated. I know you’re friends with them, but they just could not have spoken more highly of you.
SYDNEY: That’s so sweet! I’ve loved working with them for so long. It just feels so great to know that they said that.
Photo: ABC
What was on your Emmy reel submission that landed you the nomination?
SYDNEY: I was a little bit nervous this year, more than last year, because last year was the first time that I ever had a storyline. So, for this year, I was definitely like, “I’m not really sure how this is going to go,” because there’s just so many new elements that were happening with everything that was going on, for example: Trina getting a more acclimated relationship with her mom, and then we had Cyrus (Jeff Kober) come in for a little bit. I chose the best moments that really showcased my acting, even though it wasn’t a cohesive storyline from start to finish on my reel. I’m really glad it worked! I was a little more on pins and needles for this one, and ultimately, it turned out great.
Photo: IG
Was Nicholas Alexander Chavez in any of the scenes you submitted?
SYDNEY: He was! I got to show that soft side of Trina, which I really didn’t think we got to see, especially in my first Emmy reel, and her being vulnerable. We never see Trina really make a mistake, so that was really fun. Not that her relationship was a mistake, but more that we never get to see her slip up or say the wrong thing, or just put herself out there, and put her heart on the line. I enjoyed being able to play that and then being able to put it in my reel. Nicholas just made it so easy … what an amazing co-star. He just made me feel so comfortable. It was just really fun to do and to include. I also had scenes with the teen scene …there’s five of us! Of course, I had to include Trina’s standoff with Esme (Avery Pohl). I think, it was actually the last clip I put in on my reel.
Which was a great scene!
SYDNEY: Yes, and Avery is so sweet, but she plays evil so well. So, that was also so incredible to do, just that standoff of: ‘Who’s going to win!? Trina? Esme? What’s going to happen? What’s going to go down?’ No one knew, so that was really fun, too.
Photo: JPI
Did you include scenes between you and Eden McCoy (Joss) as bff’s Trina and Joss on your Emmy reel?
SYDNEY: Oh, of course, of course! It was some of those heartfelt bestie moments of her just kind of consoling me, and making sure everything was okay between Trina and Esme. I like those heartfelt moments that Trina had with one of her closest friends on the show, and a great friend in real life, as well.
When you found out you were nominated, who was the first person you called … or was your phone blowing up and you were receiving lots of congrats?
SYDNEY: This year, with being on a college campus and being in person for the first time, it’s really easy to get sick. So, I was not feeling too great. I was sleeping in my dorm when the nominations came out. I still keep in contact with my makeup artist from the show, Ali, and she’s so sweet. We were texting, and she was like, “By the way, congrats”, and kind of kept texting me, and I’m like, “Congrats for what?” I looked, and I was like, “Oh my gosh! I got nominated!” So that was pretty funny, and I screamed through my whole dorm! I posted a video on Instagram because I wanted to keep everyone in the loop, and I really do feel so grateful. I feel all of the support from my friends, and family, and the fans of the show. I always try to make a video every year to try to just be grateful, or say ‘thank you’ because I really want to key everyone into this journey. It was a little bit of a shock, but definitely in the midst of not feeling too well, it was the highlight of my day, for sure! Now, I am feeling that heat of finals at school, but I am so excited. The Emmy definitely breaks up the stress a little bit, so I’m very grateful.
Photo: ABC
Was there somebody you called to let them know you were nominated, though?
SYDNEY: I actually called Nicholas and William, first, to say congratulations. William had called me before I had woken up, and then I called him back, and then of course, I called my mom and dad. It was also a surprise to them. I think it was just because I had been so laser-focused on school that looking at the Emmy nominations really wasn’t the priority this year.
Could you believe how popular ‘Sprina’ became so quickly? They weren’t even a bonafide duo yet!
SYDNEY: I could not! I was really shocked, but I was excited to see how much the fans loved it, and how much the fans kind of lived through it. That in turn, gave us more of that ammo to really build that story and build that tension, and to always kind of play those moments in between. Nicholas did a really great job of that, and of challenging me to always have that subtext, under the lines. I was really shocked to see how quickly the popularity of Sprina blew up, but I’m grateful that the fans loved it for as long as they. I hope that they continue to love it with Tabyana Ali playing the part. She is such an incredible actress and powerhouse.
Photo: ABC
You were so popular in the role of Trina, and now Tabyana is bringing her take on the role. Do you check in on GH?
SYDNEY: Don’t cancel me, but no! (Laughs) I don’t have time to watch TV! I’m very serious. I’ve just had so much going on here. I’m also part of clubs, and leadership is also something that’s very important to me. I love planning things, and when you’re planning things, that also takes up your time. So, doing that along with school and just trying to keep my GPA up, I just don’t have the time to check in on it. I think that was kind of part of it for me too. On a spiritual level, I always believe that you can’t receive other things in your life, great things, acting or otherwise, until you are able to let things go, and so for me, I knew when I was leaving, I really would have to leave mentally and physically. As much as I love General Hospital (and I really cannot wait to see everyone in person, I really can’t wait to have that big reunion!), I really don’t feel like any part of me is still clinging on to General Hospital. I’m so grateful that the audience has also received Tabyana so well, because that’s exactly what I’ve always wanted. So, I’m really happy for her, and I’m really happy for both of us. I think we are both in a great place.
Was making the decision to leave GH a difficult one for you?
SYDNEY: Honestly, no. I always kind of knew in the back of my mind that it would have to come at some point because as much as I love General Hospital, I’d really been working for college for all of my life. I wish someone had told me that colleges really don’t look at anything past high school because I was working really hard in elementary and middle school too! But that’s my point, I’ve always had this dream of, “I’m going to go to college. I’m going to get that second education. I’m going to do really well. I need to get my degree, and possibly even get my doctorate.” We’ll see if I even want to go that far, but I know for sure that going to college and getting that bachelor’s was really important for me. So, I knew that took precedence over anything else in my life.
Photo: ABC
What are you studying?
SYDNEY: Right now, I’m studying sociology. That might change. Honestly, as a freshman it’s just been really general classes, still kind of general science, general math. We’ll see as time goes on if I still want to stick with sociology. So, that’s also been really fun, and just meeting people, and experiencing the college life.
You’re in a gender-neutral acting category at the Daytime Emmys … Outstanding Younger Performer. How do you feel about that because you’re actually competing against your former castmates, Nicholas and William, in the same category?
SYDNEY: Coming to college, you meet a lot of people who are non-binary. I’ve always wondered how that would work when we are going to have more actors who identify as non-binary as our generation starts to get older and as we start getting cast in these movies. I actually think we are kind of moving towards the future and in the future, it will all be smooshed together for all of the categories. We are going to eventually do away with the Best Actor and Actress because a lot of people don’t identify as either. I think either way, whoever wins is going to win. I’m just really glad to be nominated, and it works for me!
Courtesy/ABC
If a role came up in a movie or project that interested you, would you do it, or are you just only concentrating on your studies?
SYDNEY: We’ll see kind of where life takes me. It would definitely depend on so many things, of course, but if an opportunity were to present itself, it would definitely just be by a case-by-case basis. Of course, I’m definitely open to doing things in summer too. During the school year, like I mentioned, it’s really important for me to get this degree.
Photo: SMikaylaIG/ABC
Is there any favorite moment you had from your time on General Hospital as Trina that you wish you could have included in your Emmy reel, but didn’t?
SYDNEY: There were so many good moments! If I could include any moment, I would include one of the blood scenes. I had never worked with fake blood, and it was sticky, but ultimately a good experience. I was acting, but there wasn’t much of me talking. It was more everyone being concerned for me, like, “Why is she covered in blood? What’s going on?” So, I don’t think I included that as much, but if they just wanted me to include amazing makeup, then I could have put it in there! So, it’ll always be in my heart. It’ll always be in my personal reel, and I hope that counts for something!
Photo: TimSchaeffer
I’m assuming you like picking out a dress, and then walking the red carpet?
SYDNEY: I do! It’s actually funny because I don’t usually enjoy hair and makeup on a day-to-day basis, but I do think I enjoy the creativity of doing my own look for the Emmys. I get to be somewhat a little different, like a super awesome version of myself. I wonder, for celebrities who have to go to red carpets every week if they really like it, but for me to do it a few times a year, I really love it. I love choosing the aesthetic that I’m going for. This year, I’m definitely trying to do something classy and stylish. I’m super excited for you guys to see because I’m beaming even as I talk about it now!
The Daytime Emmys are back to being in-person, after two years of being virtual. Didn’t you have to tape an acceptance speech last year when you were nominated, in case your name was called?
SYDNEY: Yes! It was so funny, one of our producers, Nneka Garland, called me, and she was like, “Oh, it’s going to be in person,” and it just like, snapped for me: “Oh, this is going to be live!” I’m looking forward to that this year. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone, giving everyone real, in-person hugs! I can’t wait!
So, are you rooting for Sydney to take home the gold in the Outstanding Younger Performer category at this year’s Daytime Emmys? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
So grateful!! #GH #TeamTrina #Emmynom 🙏🏽😁 pic.twitter.com/wKXIg715c1
— sydney mikayla (@SydneyMikayla) May 5, 2022
Interviews
The Young and the Restless Daytime Emmy Nominees Talk Reactions, Reels, and Their Co-Stars
Guiding Light’s Lee Lawson Dead At 81
Tanner Novlan Talks Surprise Return to The Bold and the Beautiful
NATAS Reveals Categories to be Presented at 49th Annual Daytime Emmys and Creative Arts & Lifestyle Ceremonies
General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn Chats On Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Performance and Its Significance
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to Guest Star on UK Soap EastEnders
GENERAL HOSPITAL: What’s Up With Elizabeth?
Y&R’s Eileen Davidson and Beth Maitland Honored with 40-Year Milestone Celebration (PHOTOS)
GH Alum Sydney Mikayla Talks On Her Daytime Emmy Nomination, Decision To Exit & Her Former Co-Stars
As the World Turns Alum Marnie Schulenburg Passes Away at 37
THIS IS US: Goodbyes and Connections; Rebecca Passes Away in Penultimate Episode
GH Alum Sydney Mikayla Talks On Her Daytime Emmy Nomination, Decision To Exit & Her Former Co-Stars
DAYS OF OUR LIVES PREVIEW: Peter Reckell Returns as Bo Helps Ciara and Steve in Their Time of Need
GH’s Michael E. Knight Chats On: Taking on the Role of Martin Grey, Friendship with James Patrick Stuart, and All My Children’s Tad
General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn Chats On Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Performance and Its Significance
As the World Turns Alum Marnie Schulenburg Passes Away at 37
The Bold and the Beautiful Scores Biggest Audience in Over Two Years
The Young and the Restless Daytime Emmy Nominees Talk Reactions, Reels, and Their Co-Stars
Fox Announces Primetime Soap ‘Monarch’ On Fall Schedule
GENERAL HOSPITAL: What’s Up With Elizabeth?
Y&R’s Eileen Davidson and Beth Maitland Honored with 40-Year Milestone Celebration (PHOTOS)
Guiding Light’s Lee Lawson Dead At 81
Tanner Novlan Talks Surprise Return to The Bold and the Beautiful
The Young and the Restless Daytime Emmy Nominees Talk Reactions, Reels, and Their Co-Stars
GH’s Michael E. Knight Chats On: Taking on the Role of Martin Grey, Friendship with James Patrick Stuart, and All My Children’s Tad
DAYS OF OUR LIVES PREVIEW: Peter Reckell Returns as Bo Helps Ciara and Steve in Their Time of Need
FRIDAY: Y&R Alum Michael Graziadei Featured in Netflix’s New Series ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’
General Hospital Tapes 15,000th Episode; Featuring Genie Francis with Almost Every Single Cast Member Appearing in It
TONIGHT: General Hospital’s Michael E. Knight Live! – 8 PM ET/5 PM PST
DAYS Daytime Emmy Nominees: Arianne Zucker, James Reynolds, Stacy Haiduk & Lindsay Arnold Chat On Their Reels, Reactions, and Co-Stars
THURSDAY: General Hospital and All My Children Favorite, Michael E. Knight Livestream Interview
-
General HospitalMay 19, 2022GH Alum Sydney Mikayla Talks On Her Daytime Emmy Nomination, Decision To Exit & Her Former Co-Stars
-
Days Of Our LivesMay 14, 2022DAYS OF OUR LIVES PREVIEW: Peter Reckell Returns as Bo Helps Ciara and Steve in Their Time of Need
-
General HospitalMay 15, 2022GH’s Michael E. Knight Chats On: Taking on the Role of Martin Grey, Friendship with James Patrick Stuart, and All My Children’s Tad
-
General HospitalMay 22, 2022General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn Chats On Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Performance and Its Significance
-
As The World TurnsMay 18, 2022As the World Turns Alum Marnie Schulenburg Passes Away at 37
-
NewsMay 17, 2022The Bold and the Beautiful Scores Biggest Audience in Over Two Years
-
InterviewsMay 15, 2022The Young and the Restless Daytime Emmy Nominees Talk Reactions, Reels, and Their Co-Stars
-
Breaking NewsMay 16, 2022Fox Announces Primetime Soap ‘Monarch’ On Fall Schedule