Interviews
The Sharon Case Interview – The Young and the Restless
Courtesy/QVC
In a major plot twist on today’s episode of The Young and the Restless, Sharon Newman reveals in a discussion with the vision of her deceased daughter Cassie, that she switched the paternity results of Summer Newman, and that Nick is her true biological father, not Jack Abbott! This comes on the heels of recent developments where Nick finally came forward with what he believed to be the “truth” … that he was not Summer’s bio-dad! Or, so he thought! Flashback: Years before, Nick has an affair with Phyllis while she is seeing Jack, and she becomes pregnant. A paternity test is ordered. Only when the test comes back, only Nick sees the results and proclaims that he is indeed Summer’s father. Flash forward: Years later in 2013, Nick starts feeling guilty when Summer takes a liking to Jack’s son, Kyle. He opens the paternity test from years ago to see that it reveals that the results are inconclusive. So, he orders another one secretly, and this time the test comes back from the DNA sample, showing that Jack is Summer’s father. Oh, what a tangled web the powers-that-be at Y&R are weaving now on the number one soap!
As for Sharon Newman, changing the paternity test results is just another shocker from the character who has previously: burnt down the Newman ranch, developed kleptomania and stole things left and right, and fell in love with Adam Newman (the man who stole her baby and made her believe hers had died, while he passed the baby off as Ashley’s in a despicable plot!) But for Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Sharon Case (Sharon Newman) this new plot development opens up a whole new set of circumstances and secrets that will generate so much story for her and others on the canvas in the months, and possibly years to come!
In this exclusive interview, On-Air On-Soaps sat down with Sharon Case in her dressing room at CBS to get her thoughts on: how she justifies Sharon’s action in the switching of Summer’s paternity, what she thinks this means for the future of Shick and Shadam, what will the upcoming departure of Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) mean for the story moving forward, and how Cassie’s Death still resonates years later to Y&R fans everywhere, and how Sharon and Nick losing their daughter many years ago, has been the impetus for so much heartache, change, miscommunication, and missteps, in their lives.
Whether you are on board with the decision that Y&R has made to have Sharon be the woman who pulled the ultimate switch, one thing can be said, Sharon Case has played everything that has been handed to her to the hilt, and after you read our chat, you will come away with the motivations behind it all. Here’s what Ms. Case had to say!
MICHAEL
How long have you known that it would be revealed that Sharon ultimately was the one who switched the paternity results? And, what did you think when you heard that Sharon was responsible for the switcheroo?
SHARON:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
I have known for a while. I was told in advance of shooting it, roughly what the storyline was going to be, not the whole thing, but I was given enough information so that I knew how to play the scenes. What did I think? I think it was a great idea. I said to Josh Griffith our head writer, secrets in soap opera are key. We have had a secret in place, or sort of secret, for seven years, and that is what is the paternity of Summer? Nick never exposed what it is. So these little secrets that the writers put in, and leave there for years, are what are driving the show in some respect. So, you can’t not have them, and then eventually you have to pick them up. But, the great thing about when you pick them up is that maybe you resolve the secret, but at the same time you create some other secret. So it just keeps going, and that is what keeps the show going. I love how Josh decided to address this secret about the paternity test, yet he put a twist on it, so it still remained unknown, or set wrong, or somebody does not know the truth. But, it’s really only great if you are going to leave it like that for years, just like it was like that for years before. So, that the same game is always in play. How hilarious and wild would it be for it to go on for years that the audience knows that Sharon switched the test, and the audience knows who Summer’s father is, but no one, not Nick, or anyone else in Genoa City, knows except for Sharon? I think that’s a great long-term secret, and one day it can be addressed and come out, and we could re-test the paternity, and then maybe the truth is then… it is Jack’s! There is no reason to resolve or end it, because I think it’s fun to see what happens. All of these things are what creates conflict and high drama, because that is what we are after. This is brilliant, because it is very relevant to every single character on the show. What could be more relevant … Cassie’s death, and then the paternity of Summer. Phyllis getting pregnant in the first place, and Sharon feeling that was wrong. That changed fate in a way it never should have.
MICHAEL:
We had spoken about this before, about how all the different writing regimes had put Sharon through the ringer, and you had to make sense of all of it, and had the task of making it all work on-screen. Were you at all concerned about how your fan base would react now to the revelation of Sharon being the one who switched Summer’s paternity test?
SHARON:
Courtesy/CBS
Well, no. First of all, you are right. The burden was always on me as the actress to make sense of this character, and to try to use a point of view, an opinion, an emotional tone, something that I add to her in playing these storylines that somehow makes this make sense to the audience. And, that was up to me. My writers were not necessarily always giving me that. They always gave me good storylines. And boy, were they dramatic, quirky, fun and entertaining! But it wasn’t all adding up in the end. Finally, Josh Griffith did that when he decided that Sharon was bipolar. That resolved everything from her entire past, and for her entire future. It was the greatest relief to me, because I don’t have to justify Sharon’s behavior anymore, as the actress. I don’t have to rely on my writer to justify her behavior anymore. We now know why Sharon behaves this way, and that probably should have been written or decided upon a long time ago. So, it was a stroke of genius for Josh to come up with that. There are always times when people go off their meds, and people do go off their meds constantly. First of all, no one really remembers to take their meds everyday. You may remember for a whole week, but then you forget a day, that is just how life goes. Or, you go out of town and you just forgot them, or you purposely go off them, because you think you are doing very well. This is a chronic issue with people who take meds on a regular basis, and so you are never always leveled out. So every time you do that, you really rock your boat by missing one day of meds.
MICHAEL:
On today’s episode Sharon sees Cassie, and that precipitates the reveal that Sharon switched Summer’s paternity results. Why do you think she came to her at this time?
SHARON:
Photo Credit: Getty Images
My take on Sharon talking to Cassie, from Sharon’s point of view, is this: Sharon has always been very spiritual. She was a spiritually religious young lady. Remember, when she was with Adam at the feet of angels at the graveyard, and she had gone to seek out the psychic? Sharon believes in all things in the spiritual world. She spends a lot of time at the graveyard since Cassie passed away. Sharon really does believe that she is connected to the spiritual world, and that she does have some kind of communication with it. In some way, that makes sense to her. I think she feels, in really trying times in her life, extra communication with her daughter, and that spiritual mother/daughter connection will never end. When she sees Cassie, she always feels that is her guardian angel. Nick and Sharon have always said that she is. They have always told the other kids that, “Cassie is their guardian angel and watching out for them, and if you really listen, you can hear what she is saying.” Sharon is really listening right now to hear what Cassie is saying.
MICHAEL:
Doesn’t Cassie seem to appear when Sharon feels guilty about things she did?
SHARON:
I think guilt is a time when you are in need of counseling, as well as some other emotions. So Sharon does tell Cassie she switched the results of Summer’s paternity.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
So, does Sharon feel justified in switching the test results?
SHARON:
Sharon really does feel justified in what she is doing. In fact, she feels she is doing what needs to be done. She feels that hers and Nick’s destinies, and Cassie’s destiny, and everyone’s life was compromised by Phyllis having this baby, because Nick and Phyllis had an affair, and Nick wanted to get back with Sharon. Sharon said “no” and it ended up not happening because of this baby …that is the thing …. it was because of Summer. Sharon sees it, as that was something that was never meant to be. Sharon is a religious person, and that was the devil’s work. And so, she is going to take matters into her own hands, and set things right for her destiny, and everyone’s destiny to fix things the way they should be in the name of Cassie, who lost her life, and in the name of everything. So she is absolutely convinced that this is the right thing to do. Sometimes there is a point of view that, “OK, maybe some level of destruction is necessary to do right by all.” That is why I think she thinks everybody is going to be better off because of this change that was made. And that is why she goes into it very righteously doing so, knowing this is the right move. I think she’ll take her signs from the universe as to if she did the right thing, or not. And, some more signs come from the universe immediately after this that tell her whether this is her path, the right path, their fate. It’s interesting how it moves along.
MICHAEL:
So many people wanted Adam and Sharon, or better known by many as “Shadam”. Now are you saying that all along Sharon had in her mind that she ultimately wanted to get back together with Nick?
SHARON:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
I think she thinks again that is the way things were supposed to have happened. But in the meantime, and in those years, because it hadn’t happened that way, and it didn’t seem like Nick was going to leave Phyllis, Sharon met Adam and fell in love with Adam. That was the only other man that has ever come into her life, where she felt the same way as she does about Nick. I would not say that one is better, or bigger than the other. I think they were both equals, and that is what made that storyline so interesting. You have two different kinds of men, and yet they are brothers … and yet Sharon fell in love with both of them, and each of them for opposite reasons, which made it very compelling. I think the events at the time that led to Shadam make perfect sense. She had to realize she wasn’t going to get Nick back, or for the foreseeable future. So she created a great relationship and a future for herself with Adam. You know what? That did not work out. It fell apart. Now she just newly discovered that now this is what is supposed to be … that Summer is really supposed to be Jack’s daughter, and then none of this would have occurred. Sharon is just trying to figure out her life as she goes along, too, like everyone else is.
MICHAEL:
So, Sharon is OK with Nick taking the fall for the latest paternity result fiasco, when she really tampered with the results?
SHARON:
Courtesy/Y&Rfansitefacebook
It’s not that she is really OK with it, but I think she understands, because she went through the loss of Cassie as well. Sharon can understand how really deep that pain is, and how it might drive you to make a bad decision. Nick made a decision that helped him at the time. He did what he needed to do. Sharon can certainly understand needing to feel like you have another daughter to replace the one you just lost. I don’t see how anyone could actually blame Nick for that, even though it’s wrong, it makes a lot of sense. I think Sharon understands it, and so since Nick seemed willing to tamper with the paternity test and allow people to believe something about that test that wasn’t necessarily true, she thinks, “Then, why don’t I let people believe something about that test that isn’t necessarily true, too!” She thinks that they are both on the same page with each other! (Laughs)
MICHAEL:
OY! Nick and Sharon deserve each other! (Laughs)
SHARON:
Yes, they do! (Laughs) I think Sharon figured if he was willing to go that route, then maybe that’s the way we should go.
MICHAEL:
When Joshua Morrow (Nick Newman) found out the twist on the twist, what did he say to you? Everyone was worried about how this paternity test switch would wreck Nick’s credibility as a good guy, and he would look like a jackass for a moment! But now Sharon ultimately sealed everyone’s fate!
SHARON:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
I have had conversations many times with Joshua and Michael Muhney (Adam Newman) about how we feel about our characters looking like jackasses. No one wants their character to look like that. We all get concerned when that happens, but I think as long as there is some redeemable reason why you did something, and there usually is, then I don’t worry about it Nobody is all good, so why should these characters be? Everyone makes a mistake in life, and can be stubborn about the mistake, or admit to their mistake. That is how people are, and so that is what makes these characters real.
MICHAEL:
What does Sharon think of Phyllis at this point in time?
SHARON:
She thinks this is a dark element that literally moved in and rained over this happy family. She thinks it’s time for her, or someone, but likely her, to literally buck-up and cast it out once and for all!
MICHAEL:
How do you feel about Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) leaving the show? You two have had a lot of amazing scenes over the years!
SHARON:
We have had a lot of amazing scenes! I remember I was in Paris not that long ago and they were showing me what episode was airing there. It was Phyllis and Sharon arguing in one of their typical fights in the Restless Style office, back when Sharon was working there, and Sharon was married to Jack. I thought, “That really brings me back. We really had a lot of stuff!” There was so much that I forgot a lot of it! I think the triangle of Sharon/Nick/Phyllis went on for a very long time. It was a fantastic triangle. But eventually these triangles end, and they eventually move on to some new triangle. What I think was we sort of merged out of that to the Nick/Sharon/Adam triangle. We just barely merged in to that, but I see that is the triangle that is coming for the future. Before Sharon/Nick/Phyllis, it was Sharon/Nick/Grace, and people loved that one! Those things last for a period of time and then you move on to the next one, and then the next one is even bigger and better. I think, as far as the Phyllis character, I think that maybe that character has played this part of its storyline out. If the character were to come back for any reason, I don’t know if it would be the same storyline, as now this is moving in a direction and progression that the show has to take. The show has to keep moving. But once you get a really good triangle, it’s good to stick with them. We usually do stick with them for four or five years, or more. I am excited about where the storyline is going now.
Photo Credit: Duffimages.com
MICHAEL:
Do you think Michelle Stafford exiting Y&R will be a huge loss and hit for the show?
SHARON:
We have had two key actresses leave the show this year for one reason or another. We have had key actors leave before, but I think the show is strong, because it’s about the show. It’s the ensemble of the show, and the characters on the show, and the show will be fine and survive things like this. While at the same time, I think it’s important to keep key characters and key actors visible on the show, more so than newbies leading the airwaves. Otherwise, you start losing the audience, and as long as we don’t start slipping into too much of that, then the show should be fine and stay stable. We are all horribly sorry about the loss of Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor). We miss her dearly. It was a real hit to our show. She had a lot of great storylines, even in recent years. Michelle decided she wanted to go and try other things. Everybody’s feeling about that here is: we wish her luck and have our fingers-crossed.
MICHAEL:
We have discussed this in other interviews, how you have such devoted and passionate fans and followers on Twitter. Have you checked out what they have been saying? What do you think they will say when this all comes to light?
SHARON:
I have read a lot on Twitter that the fans are concerned. They don’t like it when the writers write Sharon doing bad things. I agree with them. Bad things that are not explained don’t need to happen for Sharon. I saw some complaints right off the bat. But I am telling you, once you see the whole thing, and the great twists in it, I think they are going to like it. So right now, I am just not replying too much. I want them to get to see a little more of the storyline, and then we will see.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
The death of Cassie was the most important event in the history of Nick and Sharon’s life together, because it really changed everything. How much longer can this go on that Nick and Sharon don’t get back together? Do you feel it’s time?
SHARON:
You would think that they would. You have this core couple on the show that have not been together that much in the last seven or eight years … other than one quick bit together when they had Faith, and that did not last too long. But, you know that is what happened when Nikki and Victor split, too. When Nikki and Victor split they were split for like ten or more years, and when they got re-married it was the “Wedding of the Century”. I was relatively new on the show then, and Sharon and Nick were married, and we were having Nikki and Victor’s wedding, and it was a big deal. And so I thought, “That is why Nick and Sharon have been apart for a long time.” It’s kind of like the same story told again with the new generation. Who knows, if they will get together now? Or, if it will be like Nikki and Victor and ten years will go by? We will see, but I think it’s all good.
MICHAEL:
The Y&R audience adored the Cassie character. It’s interesting to see how she is still weaved into the show.
SHARON:
People love the Cassie character. She is one of the most beloved characters on the show of all-time, and to bring her back as a regular character, not just one time in somebody’s flashback, is a phenomenal idea. Talk about losing actresses on our show that the core audience wants to see? Well, we lost her a long time ago, and it created the best story for years and years. But the show found a way to bring the character back in a way, it’s the best of both worlds … where we did lose her … but the actress is back and the character is still in some shape or form on the show. I am sure it was nice for the audience to see Cassie on-screen again. I am sure it would be comforting to know that the relationship would always be there. This is a big core family on our show.
MICHAEL:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Now that this reveal is out, do you think we will see more of Sharon and Adam?
SHARON:
I think in the future that is ultimately where it may go, but that is not what is happening right now. It is my guess that the future of it is the triangle of Nick/Sharon/Adam. I just don’t see it being someone else in the triangle. These are the men in her orbit. I am not saying she is going to get back with Nick, and then get together with Adam, and go back and forth. That is not what I am saying. My writers did not tell me this, that is just my projection, and it’s my impression of what is happening, because after all, these are the men that have been in Sharon’s life for a while now. It just makes sense.
MICHAEL:
Do you remember shooting the Cassie “death” scenes? Whenever there is a Y&R retrospective clip package that is in it, and it evokes such emotion from the audience, and it still holds up!
SHARON:
They were so hard for everyone. That is the most interesting thing about those scenes. That no matter who is watching it, and I have never seen this before, but whether it’s you, me, or Joshua, or any member of our audience, or any one of the crew … it does not matter who you are when you watch that scene you start crying, and its hard not to. It’s hard to talk about those scenes with someone without starting to cry. Something in those scenes struck a chord. I am sure there have been scenes in a drama where someone’s child died, but this was special. There was something about the scene.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
It was the writing, and the production, and the performances that made those scenes some of the most gut-wrenching, powerful moments in the history of the show, or soap opera.
SHARON:
It was everything. It was Jack Smith’s writing. It was the way the story was told. It was who these character were, and how beloved they were, and how long the audience has known all of them, and the way that Cassie died, the relevancy of the drunk driving part of the story, and the utter tragedy. So many people were touched by the drunk driving. It was not that Cassie was drunk, but Daniel, who was supposed to be driving wasn’t responsible and drank. And so, an alternative plan came up and that was a bad plan, and to it was Phyllis’ son. These are things that happen when kids are out drinking. These tragedies touch all of us in so many ways. Even when we watch other families go through this, we are devastated. I think this story was so true to form, and touched everyone as though it really happened in real life. It wasn’t a story that just happened on a soap opera, where things can just be overly dramatic, or whatever. This wasn’t that, it was real. It was too real for Joshua and me to even go through it. We did it in one take. The scene is still devastating in my mind and Joshua’s. It’s almost not watchable. If it comes on, I can’t get through it. It’s so interesting how something that is on a television show can be so real to you.
MICHAEL:
Are you worried about how Sharon keeping this secret will destroy Jack again down the line? Does Sharon even care about Jack in all this deceit?
SHARON:
Courtesy/CBS
I think that Sharon sees the bright side of that. Jack wanted a child. Once upon a time he and Phyllis wanted a child, and they were not able to have one. Wouldn’t this be a blessing for that couple? And, wouldn’t this put solidarity and family in their lives? Maybe there is a happy ending in this, and also it’s not going to change Nick and Summer’s relationship. That is already established. It’s not like anyone is being ripped apart from anyone, in reality. Instead, if Jack and Phyllis are going to get together, which it seems like they are, this would be a really good catalyst to fall in love and solidify a family.
MICHAEL:
Do you think Sharon can ever be a mother to Summer if Nick and Sharon were to get back together?
SHARON:
Sharon is a good mother figure in the way that she says things to people when they need to hear them. Sharon has that with anyone. But beyond having that basic ability with all people, I don’t think she is ever going to see herself as Summer’s mother, or step-mother, or ever be able to take Summer under her wings to much of an extent. Phyllis was a poison in hers and Nick’s life, and Summer came in between Nick and Sharon, ultimately. Sharon does not blame either of the kids… not Daniel either, and he is more directly related to Cassie’s dearth. She does not feel that familial feeling with Daniel or Summer … they are Phyllis’ kids. In that respect, that is an element that Sharon feels should never cross paths with her and Nick.
MICHAEL:
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Who knew that Cassie’s death would supply so much continual ongoing story for years and years to come! We knew when Cassie said on her deathbed, that Nick and Sharon would have another little girl, that would come to pass, but so much has happened! And look at where we are now?
SHARON:
I have not watched Y&R for the entire 40 years, but I did watch some of it before I was on, too, and I was on GH and ATWT before that. So being on soaps you want to check out the other soaps. I was aware of the characters on Y&R for some time, but I was not that closely related to it. But, I remember there were these great couples on the show like Nikki and Victor, and Ryan and Victoria were just great, and Paul and Christine. I remember when I was a kid I would see then on the show with Peter Barton (Ex-Dr. Scott Grainger), and I remember to this day and these were great love stories all around. But I don’t know that the show has ever had an astounding significant story that affected the characters in Genoa City, and the show, the ways Cassie’s death had. If that ever happened, prior to Cassie’s death, I don’t know what storyline that would be? That fact that happened, at least in these recent decades, that is The Young and the Restless.
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tis crazy but its goood soap. love Sharon
We are back again to the hate bashing on social media RE: Sharon Newman character! She is my huge reason I watch. I am so disappointed the writers again are making Sharon look crazy. When will it be Sharons turn to be happy.?But thanks for finally doing a article for Ms. Case Love Her <3 🙂
I agree. I have been waiting for years for them to reconcile Sharon and Nick. I, too, feel like they were cheated out of their life together by the affair with Phyllis. Just when Sharon needed her husband the most, Phyllis moved in on Nick when he was vulnerable.
Unfortunately, it seems like every DAMN time it looks like they might have a shot at getting together, the writers move it in a different direction. I love Adam, but I could NEVER wrap my head around someone marrying the person who freaking kidnapped her baby and let her believe her baby was dead.
Jack and Phyllis, back in that same time period, were perfect for each other and he wanted a baby so bad. Now, when the storyline looks like fate is moving to right the wrong of Jack and Phyllis’ fate from long ago, and that Avery might be so disappointed in Nick and perhaps go back with her soul-mate, Dillon, so that finally Sharon and Nick can come together, they have to have Sharon do this paternity switch thing, which is, to me, also an unforgivable act, it looks like Nick and Sharon will never really have happiness with each other.
Geez…every single couple that should be together is kept apart. Adam loved Chelsea, Dillon loved Avery, Jack loved Phyllis, and of course, Nick and Sharon. This really pisses me off.
I hope this latest twist doesn’t make Sharon’s character so unredeemable that she has no connection to anyone in the town because by then, they will have to kill her off because she will be untouchable.
I am ready to see Nick And Sharon back togeather ! Tired of Phylis and Nick story . He should always be with Sharon ! They are great togeather
Sharon is the best character! I am so not happy with how her character still has not married her true love Adam. Seems like they changed Adam. He always loved Sharon and not Chelsea ever. Chelsea was a rebound. Sharon is now being written that she changed the paternity. No way! Sharon would not do something so cruel to hurt Summer or even her own kids that this will effect. I really would hope it is time to STOP making Sharon the worst person on the show when you have characters like Phyllis and Chelsea doing the worst things to people.
Sharon & Adam Are each other’s true loves. Not Chelsea. Not Nick. Sharon needs to be truly happy for once. Adam & Sharon need to be married & start a family of their own.
Team Sharon! Love her! I really thought we would of had a summer fairy tale Wedding for Shadam . Adam and Sharon should be the happy ever after. I do not like the hate speech I have to see on the web because the writers keep writing Sharon now worst than when they made her with Victor. PLEASE LET SHARON BE HAPPY she is the only character with a loving pure heart <3
Ditto from me. Love tour post.
Sharon I love you first off! But however not happy they still have Sharon not happy. So pissed I have to see her be so sad. Really! This must stop. I do not like the Avery character at all. I really hate the Chelsea character! When I say this this is not because I love to hate them. They truly ZZZZ Bore me that I do not watch them when they are on. I really wanted Drucilla back but still can’t have my fav. back it seems. The Rose story has dragged on and on.. I will not miss Phyllis being so mean at times but would like Daisy to come back and Danielle.To fight and make Phyllis crazy. Right now Adam and Sharon need to get back and have a baby of there own. I do not want to see this Chelsea person have anyones child. She gave away her last. Dylan needs to get away from her asap.
Sharon and Adam must get back together very simple. This thing with that paternity stop it. This Chelsea person needs to go. Period. I really wonder why they are doing this again to Sharon making her the town crazy person. As a fan of the show for 30 yrs so not happy the way they are changing the characters.
Shadam 🙂 Want my Sharon and Adam to get married again and have a baby boy together 🙂
Sharon would never ever ever change a paternity test only the evil like Phyllis and Chelsea do that sort of deal. Sharon would and should not forgive Nick. Nick lied all those years and made Sharon not let Adam see Faith when Nick did worse. Let Sharon adn Adam be happy and have a baby. I never liked Chelsea on this show. Liked her better as a crazy Annie because that is better for her.
Sharon did change the test and that is that. Phyllis is a wonderful and important part of the show and I don’t see her as evil as you do. I know Sharon is glad and some of her fans love that she has left but there are many of us wish that she hadn’t. Phyllis and the actress Ms. Stafford are great! Evil….Sharon could be called a sugar sweet evil person…evil hiding behind the false front.
Sharon better be nominated next year for best actress. I was shocked she did not win a Emmy for her bipolar story. The writers give her a script and she turns even sour lemons into lemonade. Bravo Sharon. I would love to see Sharon and Adam re marry and have a son.
WOW Sharon Case will be doing a live interview with the actress who plays Cassie. I have been waiting and waiting because Sharon is my favorite character since she first came on the show. Problem! The amount of bashing hate comments is so over whelming. sad that the writers changed our sweet loving Sharon. The writers are making her seem like she is the town pariah and she is so not! Even Victor who is one of the badist characters with his crimes and Phyllis and Chelsea and even Nikki just ask Kyles mom, Diane . Really writers please get Sharon and Adam back together. Nick was never worth Sharon’s time.
SHOCKED and horrified The writers choose once again to make Sharon who is my FAVORITE character the town crazy! Been a fan longer than I can remember! The Sharon we all know and love would never of done this to a child (Summer) or even that it effects her own children! Even if some may say Sharon may of not always made the best judgement about the men she chooses , Sharon ALWAYS loves her kids and all kids. Also Jack! What about Jack??? Sharon would not do this to Jack! Sorry I am so outraged when the writers promised to restore Sharon after the Victor fiasco! If fixing Sharon is making every single person in GC hate her when they find out because they will be running her out of town for sure. really wish that Dylan was her brother or drucilla was back as her best friend! Sharon has zero friends!
I’m all on Sharon’s side. Wish Cassie wasn’t no ghost though. They should of had her come back as a twin somehow lost in the hospital! Victor just nasty forgiving Nick but Not letting Sharon and Adam be together!When someone crosses old saint Nick he punches walls. When he is a sinner he wants forgiveness.let us see if nick gonna forgive Sharon. Sharon should kick Nick in the nuts! Her daughter died all them years ago and he goes and hooks up with Phyllis. Damn.
Love Sharon! She is the most talented actress. Thanks so much Michael for giving her fans this wonderful interview !
OMG!! she can’t even talk correctly, what I have read doesn’t even make any sense, this sharon character is so full of herself,.. Phyllis is and will always be the best actress besides Mrs C,… R.I.P.god bless her soul) , how can any one play such a inmoral character and then talk of sharon being spiritual…OMG! are you kidding me? I have watched this show since 1980, and nick and sharon WILL NEVER be another nikki and victor!! and how cruel of (case) to say phyllis’s cahracter has played out, once (michelle) is gone im done with this show CBS has made a mistake by letting her go,.. (case) should leave,.. how could you say sharon is right in what she has done… switching the paternity for her own reasons,.. yea nick may have held out all these years wondering about summer but he knew he said that summer was his, and turns out she is,..nick is not wrong here,.. sharon is! what a slore! feeling sorry for sharon,.. no way in hell !! she is wrong for what she has done,. no morals and by the sounds of this interview, she has no morals in her own life.!! what a slob!!! TEAM STAFFORD ALL THE WAY….!! GO PHYLLIS GO , YOU ARE DESTINED FOR FAR AND BETTER THINGS THAN THIS CRAPPY STORYLINE OF OMG! POOR USELESS SHARON….. Annette Dallas for TEAM STAFFORD!!
I thought and I hope that I was reading more into what Ms. Case said in reference to the Phyllis character. I think the awesome Ms. Stafford and Ms. Case are friends but when I was reading Ms. Case’s interview I was like wow she didn’t sound nice reference Phyllis or Ms. Stafford, she didn’t say anything negative towards Ms. Stafford, it was just what she said in the end of question reference Phyllis and Ms. Stafford. In all fairness, I may have read more into than what Ms. Case meant. Team Phyllis and Team Ms. Stafford always!
She wished her well and said MS wanted to do other things their is absolutely no hostility between these two women they do not take their work home with them. That is fans pitting the characters/actors against each other they are role playing nothing else. I just wished she had not been thrown under the bus again but so it goes.
I think it’s stupid, IMO.. They built up the storyline, then Phyllis acts like an idiot and kisses Kyle to keep him away from Summer, now this? I wanted Jack to be the father..
I agree Jewell. I was routing for smiling Jack. I know this is TV but this is cruel for Jack as well as NIck.
this is ridiculous all t his heartache for what I have no words for the disgust I feel for this regime this could’ve benn a great s/l but they’ve ruined it
I want Jack to be the real father. Maybe it was Faiths hair Nick sent in by mistake.
Ooooo, and Ah ha!!!! I love this plot. Maybe so. Never thought about this twist!!
You are so beautiful Sharon! You are the Best!!
Agreed! 🙂
You are the Best Sharon!! a big Fan French!
Love Sharon also. Sharon and Adam need to get back the way there characters always loved each other. What happened to Dylan and Sharon being siblings? I thought that was a fantastic idea.
This storyline has turned into a JOKE
I couldn’t agree more its a joke
Agreed, how many times can they throw Sharon under the bus, until there is nothing left to retrieve?
Why does Sharon keep calling Josh Griffith and his staff “my writers”. Very egotistical. And she seems to brush off Michelle Stafford’s departure.
She sounds as delusional as her character.
I agree…
that’s pretty rude, she wished her well what is she supposed to do cry and said the show will no go on it will. she spoke about facts noting wrong with that.
Yes I noticed this too! She doesn’t sound all that upset over losing Jeanne or Michelle!
Yes, she did totally brush that off lol I see you Sharon! But delusional? Ummm, no, not sure how that was inferred (unless you mean in regards to her speaking positively of the story line, then ok). There are some delusional actors on this show when it comes to their characters, and Sharon isn’t one of them, but apparently, some people cannot separate reel life from real life. Just because you dislike/like the character doesn’t mean YOU have to be delusional. I see this a lot on those raggedy boards. Good interview, and she answered the questions and threw as many neutral bones as best as she could-except for the part about how she felt about MS leaving lmao.
If she said “I hate the story and Michelle Stafford leaving was a big mistake” she’d find herself fired and not able to work in soaps (I can think of one outspoken soap actress who’s done that and now she’s not working). Privately I’m sure she’s devastated both Jeanne and Michelle aren’t on the show. Privately I’m sure she HATES the story, but do you trash your boss in an interview then go to work the next day like everything’s fine? NO! Would you?
And considering she’s been there since 1994-1995 Im ok with her saying “MY WRITERS” as most of them are newer to the show. And I bet if she said “THE WRITERS” people would say “She’s so detached and unaffected.”
Stop being a cyberbully. You don’t like Sharon or it’s stories stop watching. But we have had a HUGE rash of teens committing suicide over cyberbullies (aka anyone who comes online to bash people they have a perceived notion of for no other reason than boredom); it needs to stop in adults as well. IT’S A SOAP OPERA! IT’S NOT REAL LIFE! Cut it out. Sharon is a consummate professional answering her questions the best way she can with as much tact. ANYTHING she says will be scrutinized. I support her…even if I no longer support the storytelling.
Well said David, common sense goes a long way. If you are speaking of VR, then she is definitely working. She has always had a lot on her plate.
Because there are always a set of specific writers for each character and story line. This is not news.
THANK YOU FlixX. This I didn’t know. So there IS a headwriter whom says “I want A, B, and C to happen” then there is a set of writers to say “I will take character X in story A?” WOW That’s pretty interesting. It makes sense though. I’ve been watching the show since 1992 on and off and NEVER knew lol
It’s not VR. In fact she didn’t say anything till after she left. There is another multiple Emmy Award winning actress whom bashed her producers/storyline while on the show. I personally love her and miss her on screen, but I think she’s been blacklisted.
Even if she wasn’t think about this would you in an interview bash your current boss even if you had cause? In this job market you’d be a fool to do so is what I’m telling you lol I’ve had friends bash their jobs on FB and then get fired cuz coworkers told on them. Whatever you feel personally you keep to yourself and express positivity to the world. That’s how you keep your job and get another should you lose your current. Sharon Case is amazing! I watched her on both ATWT and GH!
And let’s keep it real when Sharon Collins first was in Sharon Case’s hands (always thought it was weird Sharon is playing Sharon) she was a basic saint. Worked hard to help her wheelchair bound mother. Had a child out of wedlock in high school. Found with Nikki constantly. She lost her way BIG TIME after Cassie died. Became extremely promiscuous, klepto, and married all the wrong men FOR HER! I get the whole Cassie ghost thing. But switching the test results…it’s funny as I am watching today’s episode I was saying to myself “They will win the Daytime Emmy for writing…oh guess not.” When she explained to Cassie why she did what she did it was awful.
The writers clearly watched old tapes of Y&R saw the audience never saw the actual results Nick was holding and built a story around it. I loved it because it was to me Nick Newman becoming exactly what he vowed he’d never be: Victor Newman. Then they throw Sharon in the mix? Didn’t they just get me to like her again? Bipolar people do messed up stuff but this is just a disservice. A gimmick to let her get away with stuff and be redeemable…OR is she going to be the next town Villaness?
Either way I’m on the fence if I want to continue watching. I love the actors and support them but JFP and JG…(breathes deep). I don’t know if I can support those two individuals as JFP has been a challenge on every soap I’ve loved (remember she killed Maureen Bauer on GL then tried to fire Anna Lee on GH?). I’m gonna play it by ear this week, but I may do what Michelle Stafford did…and walk away.
YW 🙂 Yes, it is true, but I believe they switch off, kind of like a musical chairs kind of thing. I have heard (or read actually lol) actors say this in interviews. I believe it all has do be approved though, or at least they piggyback off of a them or idea, or something to that effect. Trust me, you will get varying answers to this question, just like some say that the actors have input and some say they don’t, which they do…to an extent, and it also depends on who it is I guess lol I really don’t believe she was trying to be egotistical, but like I said before, these people have a hard time separating reel life from real life. It’s funny that you mention it being weird that Sharon is playing Sharon. Sometimes, I get the feeling that the nasty comments are directed towards Sharon Case, under the guise of “Sharon the Character”. I saw a pic of her and JM presenting at the Emmys a few years back, and someone commented something to the effect of, “ugh, you can tell he doesn’t even want to be up there with her, he looks so bored, she is such a whore, PHICK is better” -_-…REALLY?! lmao I agree with everything you said. If she had said her honest feelings, then she would get slammed for being tactless. Sharon and Sharon can’t win!….HOLY COW! It was JFP that killed Maureen?! My mom is STILL mad about that! I never got to see Maureen unfortunately, but have always heard about her (I always heard that Ed and Lillian’s affair was stupid, random, and unnecessary…It was Lillian, right?). Sometimes I wonder if this is deliberate. I have never understood why they play musical chairs with these Writers and EPs. We need some new blood; some new blood who actually care about soaps, their legacies, the characters, and most importantly, the AUDIENCE. I haven’t watched in a while, I just kind of keep up with it by reading about it. I watched the episode where Nick told Phyllis the truth, but haven’t watched since (and hadn’t watched since the fall of last year). I was going to try to get into this LONG AWAITED story line, but, I just can’t. I can’t watch this happen to Sharon anymore, I am so tired of it.
*theme
Love Sharon! She is the best
The Ed/Lillian/Maureen story was actually very well written. It was adult, mature, and utilized beloved veterans in a very meaningful way. The fact that it resulted in Maureen‘s death was sad and a legendary industry mistake, but if you go back and watch the aftermath on Youtube….wow! Awesome acting and writing. It was really soap opera at its finest, despite the fact that it was a very unpopular decision. I don‘t know why JFP feels it is her duty to kill of core characters at all of her shows. GL-Maureen, AW-Frankie, Bridget. OLTL-Drew. GH-half the cast. She has not killed anyone of importance on Y and R…could it be that after decimating and gutting other casts, she has learned her lesson? CBS and Sony seem to have her on a very tight rein. She is a very good producer in that she takes what is written and translates it very well to the screen. I would LOVE to see her paired up with a head writer of quality and substance like Claire Labine, or Lorraine Broderick. It seems all of the major head writers she has worked with are all recycled hacks into telling violent and misogynistic stories…Bob Guza, Megan McTavish, Margaret DePriest, Charles Pratt, etc. And Josh Griffith‘s “writing“ does her no favours either. This man seems virtually incapable of telling actual stories.
Personally, I have been a long time fan of Y&R and I don’t like the way this storyline is going regarding Summer. This is the cruelest thing to do to anyone. I could take the old switcheroo but to do this to Nick and Jack is unforgiveable. That is messing with peoples lives. Now Jack and Summer will bond and only years later or when either of them get sick when they find out the they are not kin.
agree!
Nick is the one that did not get it retested, just because the results are now switched doesn’t change what he did either. I think its a great storyline and have waited years for this to come out. Soaps are about entertainment and drama and that is exactly what this is! We got some amazing scenes already some of the best acting I have seen in years. Just that alone makes it worth it and I am sure we have more to come.
I cant believe someone at y&r thinks this is the way 2 go im sick as a longtime viewer im done this wqs the chery on the sundae for me along with all the other idiotic s/l’s right now on y&r
OH I SO AGREE Kerry,.. this s/l is so cruel, yet an actress can say its what needs to be done!! this is bad writting … i think my boots are walking away!!
Well this is NOT a TWIST- this was a GIMMICK– never mind Nick losing credibility— for me the show has LOST it with this gimmick. As a viewer I do not wish to be manipulated and that’s what this story line was– now whenever there is a big reveal or emotional scene it will be meaningless to me, because with a stroke of a pen some writer can undo it all.
I think it was pointless to redeem Sharon only to have her go back to altering tests just because she thinks it is right- what is she off her meds? Frankly I love Ms. Case but I will never respect Sharon the character again. They ruined her with this last stunt. To
For me this gimmick ruin what was a solid week of heart wrenching performances- I am big fan of the show, but this stunt has lower my respect for it, because this stunt does not respect the characters, the show’s history or the audience- this is NOT good soap writing- it is writing to grab ratings– it tick me off so much- I am furious.
Ms Case can spin it all she wants, but this was just the wrong move for the show to make. I have defended a lot of lame story lines over the years, but this one- crossed a line- and I’m not sure the show will ever be same again for me.
I totally agree!!! I am NOT happy. We have waited patiently for YEARS for it to come out that Jack is Summer’s father and we didn’t even get a week to enjoy it.
It should not take years for this plot to get undone. Undo it now!!!
Who is “we”? There are many of us who love Nick being her father and never wanted it changed. Shick and Jacks fans may have wanted it to happen but many more of us did not want a switch.
“WE” are the fans who have waited years for them to come back to this story that they eluded too when Summer was born. Now they finally do, and the other shoe goes and drops before the first one even hit the floor!! It makes the whole story pointless now. They could have milked this story for a long time with wonderful implications and repercussions. Now that we already know Nick IS the father all of the suspense is gone. And I hate that they are turning Sharon into a total nut case. Hoping they do a better job with Katherine’s death and the story that follows or they may lose me all together. This was handled horribly. Y & R is not what it used to be.
I don’t understand how she can think anyone would be happy about this story line. So many people love her character and are tired of the blatant assassination. I am thinking that she is hoping that people will appreciate that the character isn’t a goody two shoes and that it is something different for her to play. Believe it or not, some people want bad Sharon. I can understand why, as an actress, it would be interesting to her though.
speaking the truth mary.. i so agree…. no moral writting at all…. its a sad day for Y&R…
I agree with every word you said, this paternity storyline is a HUGE disappointment and a LOT of fans are not happy with it. I’m not watching the show anymore because of it. What was the point of this storyline when the results are the same? I would be interested to hear from the writers and why they thought this was necessary to throw Sharon further under the bus!
I have waited so long for Summer to be Jack’s. I am not all that happy with the new twist. I hope they keep it a secret a long, long time. Poor Jack never gets any long term happiness!!! And I don’t like that they have turned Sharon into some psycho person like Phyliss used to be….switching paternity tests and all. Sharon , for so many years, was the good girl and Phyliss the coniving b..atch I liked it that way!!
Sharon was never a good girl, but she was never a psycho either! This is out of character and soooo left field…when was the last time she was even checking for Nick?
omg..i love sharon case…but im soooo glad i tuned this show out when they fired genie francis,,,i giv it 3 years tops…
this is an out right lie, we have know for seven years that JACK was the FATHER & to change it now… We the FANS are not buying this story line. this is the same story line with Victor & Ashley baby. NEW WRITERS WANTED!!!!!!
Again…who is “we”? Stop speaking for all of us. Summer always has been and always will be a Newman.
WHO Summer’s father ends up being is not the issue. The issue is, after several years of horrible writing, it looked like WE, THE FANS, were finally going to get a good. meaty story and they killed it before it even got off the ground. No one is speaking for you.
Agreed, the “revisionist” history is a bit disturbing. This was stuff “other” soaps did, not Y/R, if one does not include that whole Cole/Victoria mess from the mid 90’s. I predict the same for Kyle/Summer/Noah, with poor Summer headed for the nearest Sanitorium. 🙁
SC is as delusional as Sharon Collins Newman Abbott Newman Newman Newman almost Tucker
sorry, but Nick is Summer’s father, Saint Cassie of Genoa City is dead and rotting in a grave, too bad she can not go the way of other dead soap characters – FORGOTTEN!
Hope SC has put away a nest egg, JFP hates female soap characters over the age of 40!!! I have a feeling SC will be the next gone.
She really is. I think she must be off her meds. HOLY COW
…But…isn’t that why she changed the test though? BECAUSE Nick was the father?…I don’t understand your comment.
GMAFB, Sharon is a lot more evil then Phyllis ever thought of being. Sharon has committed more crimes and committed adultery over and over again and has no problem having sex with relatives.
Ms. Case seems to think that her character is some teenage virgin who does no wrong
and the whole Cassie crap, being used by both her mother and adopted father like this is sickening.
Ms. Case may think she is lead character material, but now that role is with Jessica Collins and Melissa Claire Egan, JFP does not write for over 40 females, she gets rid of them
LOL LIES. BTW, Reel life does not equal real life, not to mention, your hostility is misplaced and out of context. I could see if I actually said Sharon was a saint and Phyllis sucks, but I said neither. Heck, I didn’t even bring up Phyllis’s NAME LMAO. Crazy. And where did she say or imply that her character was a teenage virgin?! TF…
Crystal…very well said!!!!! Also, ever since Jess Walton came back to Y and R, why do you think Jess is currently on recurring status (or whatever)??? Yep…because of that Soap-Zillla W-I-T-C-H Jill Farren Phelps. And, you know how Steve Burton is JFP’s current golden boy??? Well, back in the day, A Martinez was also one of JFP’s golden boys. This goes way back when A was on Santa Barbara…another soap that JFP gradually RUINED with her godawful, controlling and bullying antics. Bottom Line here: JFP’s tenure at Y and R is rapidly (and even more inanely) becoming an unnecessary KISS OF DEATH. VERY, VERY DUMB AS HELL!!!!!
Sharon is a lot ore evil than Phyllis!? GTF out of here with that. You obviously do not know these two characters or their history. Your comment is a joke.
Almost McCall you mean. Tucker was his first name.
And Crystal…um…Sharon is more evil than Phyllis ever thought of being?????? Well. Possibly if you have only watched the show since last summer, I could see how you might think that. But Phyllis has committed murder, attempted murder, and she was a certifiable psychopath back in the day. She did stuff that would have made Patty Williams blush like a schoolgirl. So…you can hate the character of Sharon, but you cannot realistically say that she is more evil than Phyllis because it‘s just not true. For the longest time, Sharon‘s biggest problem was the fact that her legs could not stay together. Being loose with your goodies is not a crime.
Crystal…SAY W-H-A-T????? Jill Farren Phelps actually HATES female soap characters over the age of 40????? W-O-W…I did not know that. Crystal, check this out: Back in the day, that manipulative and controlling vulture JFP herself pretty much openly feuded with Robin Strasser (aka Dorian from OLTL) and especially Beverley McKinsey (aka Alexandra from GL). Also, get this: I once read somewhere that JFP HATES working with ANY soap actor or soap actress older than her. When JFP was the so-called executive producer of GH, why do you think she VERY UNFAIRLY fired/got rid of Stuart Damon and Anna Lee????? And, trust me…JFP caught MAJOR HELL from BOTH most of the GH cast and from countless soap viewers because of what she did to Stuart Damon and Anna Lee. I mean…Anna Lee was in her 90’s when JFP very cruelly let Miss Lee go. One last thing: God only knows which current Y and R female cast member that that insufferable witch JFP will get rid of next????? Remember when she got rid of BOTH Genie Francis and Debbi Morgan??? Oh, God. Anyway, take care, Crystal. Peace.
I love Sharon, but I HATE this story line. :'(
I so agree with Sharon saying that the Cassie Death scene and storyline is the most dramatic, on-going emotional plot with overtones today of Y&R. Even just readng through Sharon’s answers about the scene of filming Cassie’s death, I have tears in my eyes.
Several years ago, at one of Kate Linder’s Vancouver Afternoon Teas, Christian LeBlanc asked everyone there about what they thought was the most emotional story of Y&R. Almost unanimously everyone shouted out Cassie’s death.
It was a great scene with all three, seeing as Cassie was acting lying very still too and Joshua and Sharon absolutely devastated. I actually bid on one of Christian’s prints at one of the Afternoon Tea’s and have the one with Cassie’s face in the print.
Great interview with Sharon. Keep up the great acting, no matter what the writers write, you can pull it off!
From a Canadian fan in Vancouver.
Those were great scenes, now imagine those scenes happening, going through all that grief and pain and then the next day, Cassie heart starts beating out of the blue- and she is not dead after all. Those scenes stood the test of time, because they were rooted in reality- there didn’t undo the death. They didn’t have her die to get ratings, then have her live to get ratings- it was about the story and that is what made it great.
This is why so many are upset at this new story line, they had this whole week of powerful performances– only to “undo” it a week later- to clue us in that Nick is the father. Maybe he is, maybe he isn’t. Maybe they will undo this twist too. But at this point as a viewer I no longer care- it is all meaningless to me.
To me this isn’t good soap writing- good soap writing is s/l like Cassie’s accident- things that really happen- tragic things, dramatic things- things that can’t be undone- just lived through. It is a shame soaps have been reduced to stunts and so many actually think that is what a soap is about.
Yes Ms Case is wonderful at her craft, but there comes a point the story is so horrible even the most brilliant actor cannot redeem it. I am another Canadian fan who hates what they are doing to Ms. Case’s character.
Very good message Mary. More love from Canada here. 🙂
You know, I think if one person could relate to Sharon in all of this, it would be Sheila. If Kimberlin was on the show right now, I think they would have a strong friendship since Sheila always did the wrong things for the right reasons and we see Sharon has been heading down this same path for some time now.
Sheila was a loon lol come on now
hahaaaa , awesome! i so agree ,
No if anyone could relate to Sheila it was Phyllis.
Before Cassie’s death, it was the death of another Cassie- Cassandra Rawlins – way back in 1991 that launched a really intriguing umbrella storyline where Paul and Brad were both potential heirs to her huge estate. Victor, who was also in love with Cassandra had to justify his sentiment for her to Ashley and Paul was worried about telling Lauren who had just gone into labour. In fact, the episode where Cassandra was killed trying to get to Paul marked a major MAJOR zenith in Bill Bell’s creativity on the show for it was that very SAME episode where Nina shot David Kimball five times and Sheila’s black market baby was delivered just as Lauren was going into labor! Amazing times. The best for Y&R!
Im sorry to hear that Phyllis is leaving Y&R! She will be missed ! Always loved Sharon& Nick together -Hope to see you in Vancouver for Kate’s Tea- Ive been watching the show for years-
Ms. Case is always promoting the triangle that keeps her relevant on the show.
I hope that triangle is never revisited. I hope the Adam/Sharon thing is permanently destroyted. You would think that flip flopping again between brothers is a sicko sitiation and she would be tired of it Ms case wantst stay employed and her ticket is JM and MM. I find her a complete waste of airtime. No matter what story she is in it is boring, boring. Not even MM can make her interesting. SC is as dilusional as SN.
Ms. Case is always promoting the triangle that keeps her relevant on the show.
…someone’s mad
no we are just stating our opinion!
What does that have to do with them being mad though? NOTHING. Here we go with these out of context replies again…
agree again,…. SC is as dilusional as SN
Sharon has always been one of my favorite characters, and so is Jack. I hate what this “twist” has done. Finally, Sharon’s neurotic years had been explained, and now this! I know that those with mental illness have ups and downs, but this is ridiculous. I have waited since Nick was announced as Summer’s father for it to come out that Jack was really her dad, and that too has been destroyed. Sharon would never destroy a child’s life, even Phyllis’ child. Remember when Summer had the allergic reaction and since Nick and Phyllis were being investigated, Sharon sat at Summer’s side. Maybe the writers think that the memories of the fans are short-lived…they are NOT. Give us some credit. We remember old storylines and the nature of the characters. Kudos to the actors for putting up with craziness in writing, but my gosh, we barely have any Soap Operas left. Do we have to destroy this one too?!
Bring back Jack Smith! Fire JFF now!
Who is JFF??
Sorry i meant JFP (Jill Farren Phelps). And really they need to rehire both Kay Alden and Jack Smith.
Sharon Case is so wrong. Her fans HATE what is going on with her story line & the Y&R fans are crucifying her character.
I have been a devoted fan of Y&R & have been waiting for a SHICK reunion for the past 7 years. When I watched Monday’s episode I was disgusted. I cannot believe what Josh griffith has done to SC’s character.
When JFP took over last year we were all lead to believe that one of the top priorities was to “fix” Sharon. They diagnosed her with bipolar & had her getting back on track, then this. There is so much hatred directed towards Sharon that I seriously doubt that her character can ever be redeemed now & I think that SC will grow to regret having not fought where this story line was going.
I have watched this show since I was a child & have been supportive of the changes that have been made, but this is the final straw. I really don’t know if I can keep tuning in after this.
What she said in this interview is correct.
The scene with Summer & Jack at the Abbot from door when they saw each other for the first time, thinking they were father & daughter, was beautiful and amazing. Hunter and Peter’s performances were simply outstanding. The whole storyline was, I felt beautifully done, by all actors. However, just when I was so moved by those moments and seeing Cassie again ( which was a dream come true) I was thrown the curve of Sharon going in and changing the test results!! While I understand Sharon Case’s view that this gives a basis for continued intrigue & drama, in the moment I felt cheated and manipulated. So much emotion had been invested over the last few weeks. Things had been resolved. In amazing scenes, Nick had told Summer, Phyllis had told Jack – beautiful symmetry there. I was just about to comment kudos to all and then this twist. I don’t think Sharon would have stooped to those measures. The Vancouver Tea is coming up on Saturday and it will be interesting to hear the comments from cast & fans alike on what I’m sure will be a hot button topic!!
Awesome interview Michael with Sharon. I watched Y&R in the very beginning in high school. Then adult life pulled me away and have really watched again for about 2 yrs. Sharon has not been a fav of mine but now I see/think she is not taking her meds. This is causing her to do the things she is to get her “almost perfect life back”. She wants those happy times. So yes Sharon is a fav of mine her warts and all. I do feel bad for Summer and Nick because of the pain it will cause. But I will see how they proceed. Great job by Sharon and Y&R. Thanks again for the interview!
Ms. Case, I love ya – you are so talented and beautiful – but have you been drinking the JFP koolaid, or perhaps you are trying to keep your job? I know you are a smart woman, so I am disappointed on how you try to justify this crap, but I suppose you have to play it this way. Sharon has been vilified so badly by the writers – she has no friends, no family other than her kids, she has BP, she does totally un-Sharon-like crazy things, everyone in town hates her, etc. I thought Sharon was going to be FIXED. How about delving in to Sharon’s problems with that wonderful therapist she has? (Her scenes with Sharon are fantastic.) How about a dad or a brother or sister who actually care about her? Soo many opportunities for Sharon besides the crazy bit.
So, after watching on and off since day one, I finally give up. I don’t care if Sharon just “imagined” she did it, or if Summer is still really Jack’s, this show just has jumped the shark. JFP needs to be fired for all of the crap that has been airing. You have no idea how much I miss Y&R of old. It will be hard to let go, but this show is barely a shell of what it used to be.
I’m holding out that this is all a dream ala Dallas. A result of her not taking her meds. This is soOOoo out of character for Sharon, it’s not even funny. She having conversations with her dead child, so I’m inclined to believe, the poor dear got her dosage messed up.
Well at least if that were the case Sharon the character would have a chance- obviously at some point they would need to address her illness head on. But as a twist on the paternity test story line- it was unnecessary to have this side to it. I get writers wanting to prolong the suspense of ” who will be Summer’s father?” but sometimes in story telling the direct approach is best– even if they undo it by saying Sharon dreamed it all- the fact they threw it in there at all tainted the story line for me– it is a shame really- the only good thing if there is a twist on the twist like Sharon only imagines she did it- is it will save the character Sharon, otherwise, if true- she crossed the line from victim to villain and I would hate that to happen to that character.
With respect, Miss Case does not yet realize the character of Sharon has been murdered. She can not be redeemed. It is too much. The destruction this will cause is not entertainment. JFP, JG, & AM are killing this show way faster than MAB & the 2 writers of the apocalyspe ever did.
If they can redeem Michael Baldwin for attempted rape, anyone can be redeemed!
Michael also strangled his accomplice Rebecca to death in 1993 and tampered with the brakes on Hilary’s car so she would crash. Y&R views seem to have forgotten.
I took y&R off my dvr today I refuse to watch this nonsense I love s haron case but after reading this interview all I come away with is she’s drinking the kool aid to im very disappointed that anone would think that this is a good s/l ive watched well over 25yrs and this has to be one of the worse s/l I see it as yet anoterh way to make Sharon the villioan and the guy who kept the lie for years becomes a victim due th her actions I feel this show as a whole is at a crisit point and things needs to change soon.
I think this story is stupid. What they are putting Jack, Summer, Nick and Phyllis through and for what?…never mind what they are doing to Sharon’s character. Y&R is so bad right now. The acting is great…the show sucks.
Let me start out by saying I love Sharon Case the actress. She and Michael Muhney are my two favorites on Y&R. I have been watching Y&R off and on for over 30 years and it has always been my favorite soap. For the first time I am very disappointed in the story lines. Not disappointed in the actors on the show. Paul, Summer, and Nick had me crying. Very well written and the emotions were running so high I cried and cried. I could not wait for Jack to find out about Summer being his daughter. We all new from the start he was the father, not Nick. Everything was fine until the writers made Sharon tamper with the results. The air went out of the balloon. It was spoiled for me. Sharon Case is so talented and she has been given crap stories for some time now but she always delivers. It is time to fix Sharon. She is way to talented to be wasted. And while I am on the subject of being wasted, where is Adam Newman? Do we need to put his picture on a milk carton? He is missing on my t.v. screen and I cannot stand it. Why do we have so many new people and everyone has scenes but Michael Muhney, the best thing to hit Y&R in years. These writers and new people in charge better wake up and listen to the fans. I feel like Y&R is in serious trouble. Need to turn it around. We need better writers. We need excitement, romance, good story telling using our characters we have always loved. Sharon, Adam, Billy, Vicki, Victor, Nicki. They are all talented and just need good scripts. The talent is there just waiting on a good story. Who says the triangle between Sharon, NIck and Adam is old news. It was some of the best stories ever. Very exciting and entertaining. Very sexy also. Let Chelsea have Adams baby and they co-parent like so many couples today and let him be the one to save Sharon once again. They both truly love each other. Sharon is just off her meds and having a complete breakdown. The writers have Adam so screwed up right now saying he only wanted meaningless sex with Sharon. That is a bunch of crap. Shadam was the best love story on daytime. They understood each other and were good together. Give us back our Adam and Sharon. Leave Nick with Avery, put Billy and Vicki back together, and send Dillon back to General Hospital. Send Chelsea on that slow boat Victor talked about not too long ago. Adam and Sharon can take care of baby Newman. Anyway, thanks for the interview with Sharon Case. I always love interviews with Sharon and Michael. Sharon is always up front and honest with her fans. She speaks from the heart.
Very well said– I don’t understand why tptb can’t put two and two together and realize what attracts viewers are good old fashioned story telling based in reality, with characters we love, acted by talented men and women. What we want is simple- but what do we get- gimmicks and cheap stunts that try to cover up the fact the writing is poor. I love this show, been loyal to it, will even forgive them for this latest goof, but they lost credibility for me, and I will never get emotionally invested in any story because I can’t trust in what I am seeing is really a story or just a stunt that will be undone next week. And that is sad.
I expect this kind thing from Days because Days became a stunt soap during the nineties, but Y&R has been a character driven soap- if they change that- I predict it will lose it’s number one spot fairly soon. Fans will put up with a lot, but if they cross a line and change the format of the show — they will lose more viewers than they will gain.
Wow Michae!, what a great interview with Sharon Case, But the shocker of the revelation that Sharon switched the test results again to win back Nick doesn’t surprise me at all. I am not a big Sharon fan . Sharon has now lied to Faith that NIck and she will be a family again. Such machinations! The show is getting redundant in their story plots. It will be interesting to see the next switch. Soaps are eternally recycling story plots. Well, onward and upward!!…
I am very distressed at the turn of Sharon’s character, I am tired of her being the town slut, nut job, and yes the gold digger, when we know her great down fall after Cassie’s death was the Newman’ s, however this is what I believe that while she is in wacky land she is hallucinating that she changed the test results …..or some computer glitch because um how did she get into a lab when the door is usually some type of lock or key pad and would not the computer lock? I believe that she is going to have a rescuer, if the writer do not FIX this wack story line I am done I have been watching this story since I was seven years old and I am 47….AND I WILL WALK AWAY……the writers suck and this story line makes noooooo sense e and I am tired of Sweet and Low Avery…..seriously….Give Sharon love or put her back with Nick because actually the only other person she had good chemistry with is Adam……sorry for the Rant
I love Sharon Case however, if she think Sharon fans like me are satisfied with the direction of this character, she may be as delusional as Sharon Collins talking to ghost Cassie. She is a team player but she nor Josh Griffith realize how many people will stop watching. I am on strike unless it turns out that she hallucinated the whole thing or if Jack is really the father. Otherwise, I must say Josh Griffith and Jill Phelps will be the end and cancellation of Y&R by the end of 2014!
I think Sharon Case is only defending this storyline because she wants to keep her job. She’s a smart girl. The downside to working on a soap opera is that job security tends to override artistic integrity – if Sharon were to strongly protest, she would risk her character getting recast. You know what these soap producers are like- they LOVE playing God.
Wow. Just wow. I have loved and supported the character Sharon since SC started playing the role in 1994, and I understand that professionally you don’t bite the hand that feeds you, but I think SC is missing the mark regarding how her fans feel. This storylin twist is far from “brilliant” and the writers need to undo it NOW, not years from now! The storyline twist destroys the character of Sharon, perhaps beyond repair, and no matter how it’s written, not even Meryl Streep can make any part of this storyline make sense to the audience. The character Sharon has been off the rails for years now (ever since the Lynn Latham regime) and in the hands of Josh Griffiths her Bi-Polar diagnosis isn’t helping. I have been at a loss as to why Sharon has been behaving the way she has over the past 5 or so years and even Sharon Case, with all the spin and optimism she gives in every single interview, can’t truly believe that the character wasn’t being destroyed. Can she?! Her job as an actress is to make sense out of what her character is doing; but when the writing is so blatantly destructive to the character the audience can see that; and there is no “sense” to be made, no matter how talented the actress is (which I believe SC is). It’s heartbreaking to see now that this recent diagnosis of Bi-Polar Disorder will only be used now to justify every non-sensical thing Sharon has done and, apparently, will continue to do. Josh Griffiths is using a mental illness to excuse more sick writing for Sharon, which I find offensive to those people and their families that live with this mental illness. Entertainment is one thing, mocking a serious mentall illness and using it to make a joke out of a beloved character is something else all together. It’s WRONG. I couldn’t even finish reading SC’s entire interview because, like so many of her interviews in the past several years, she is trying to be positive about what her character has had to endure under EPs Lynn Latham, then Maria Arena Bell, and now under Jill Farren Phelps, but it’s just not ringing true for me as a long-time viewer of the show and supporter of the character Sharon. The Sharon Collins Newman that was such a strong fan favourite for many, many years is regime-by-regime being destroyed, yet I feel SC can’t (won’t) speak on that. The only time in my recollection that she was being completely forthright about her feelings about one of her (many) destructive storylines was when she was in that repulsive pairing with Eric Braeden’s Victor. Then, even the usually overly politically correct Ms. Case could not contain her intense “dislike” on twitter and let it be known that even she felt “this madness has got to stop!”. So I know Ms. Case recognizes when a storyline makes NO sense for her character and just demeans her… Read more »
I couldn’t agree with you more. Well said.
Thanks for saying or writing this because this is exactly how I feel after being a daily viewer of Y&R ever since mid 1980’s. The Sharon character is so unrecognizable and destroyed and this latest paternity twist takes the cake for me. I don’t understand why other actors fight for their characters and yet Sharon Case does not. Josh Morrow indicated in an interview that he spoke with the people in charge of writing that he was worried about how he will be depicted in Summer’s paternity storyline and lo and behold: Nick character is being protected at all costs while the Sharon character is being thrown under the bus or trashed again. Obviously, the Newman male characters are now being uphelded and being protected and women, not so much, and the bipolar mental illness is a convenient tool for the writers from her on out and it will be used as an excuse to keep writing Sharon as unhinged forever and will never be the normal Sharon again (Y&R Bill Bell’s Sharon, I am afraid is long gone). Obviously, this new regime has other new characters to promote as their kings and princesses: namely Dylan, Chelsea, Avery, Summer.
There is so much organic drama involved in the fallout of the Summer story that there is NO NEED to do these silly plot devises. These writers are incapable of writing a real drama and have to resort to over the top story telling. Instead of focusing on the feelings of the characters (PB, HK, MS can really convey their pain and anger) they throw this curve at us.
I read somewhere that Sharon is hallucinating that she switched the results. Even if that is so, the damage has been done. Such lazy writing depending on shock value to entertain. Well, it only ruins the show.
I agree George- even if the twist isn’t real and Sharon dreamed it, or there is some way to undo it all– the damage has been done– as a viewer I will never ever really trust any “big reveal” or “moment” on the show- because it could just be a stunt, a gimmick a way to create buzz. Good story telling depends on empathy, for viewers to be able to put themselves into the character’s lives, which I did with the story line- up until the “twist”- after that every scene before that seems like a lie- all the scenes after it seem like a lie. It is okay for characters to “lie” to each other, but not the writers to lie to viewers like that.
If this switch was reveal ten years from now- I could accept it because new writers change things. But they went into this last storyline knowing full well for a time they would be deceiving not just the characters, but me as well– and that is what can’t be undone. Fool me once shame on me- Fool me twice- I don’t think so.
Another great interview Mr. Fairman!!!
I so love Sharon Case and her acting skills.
But I’m so not loving this story line at all. I think Y&R should have waited a while longer before telling the viewers that Sharon had changed the results to help her get back with Nick.
I can’t believe that Jack is going to have his heart ripped out, again, when this is all said and over with. But I am so ready for the performances that will be coming from PB, MS & HK!!!! I know that they’ll be bringing their “A” games!!!!
Sharon C. seems to have reasoned this plot out well for herself , if not for me as a fan– and as I posted on the board, the actors see SLs primarily as it relates to their air time and careers. I don’t think they really get the attachment the fans have to their characters. Interesting that she talks about them discussing when their characters look like jackasses; but I don’t think she gets that we don’t like her character being the loser all the time. Seems like they’ve gone from the persecution of Adam to the persecution of Sharon.
I’m still aggravated that they blew the opportunity to have Sharon be very successful as the CEO of NE when Victor was missing. Could have been great for the character and the fans.
I think this is a joke,this is just going too far.
I am just about ready to stop watching Y&R. I don’t understand why they don’t just bring Sharon and Nick back together and let the viewers have at least one rock solid couple. I thought that Michael and Lauren would be that couple but look what they have done. I am so sick of the changes they make with Sharon. The whole marriage to Adam and Victor was ridiculous. I was also hoping that Summer really would be Jack’s daughter. I hate Phyllis and Summer and Jack and Kyle.
Look up bi-polar on the internet enough said! They are pulling a fast one on you she imagined the whole thing!
Just one more reason why Sharon should be dumped from the show, c’mon, do you really think she will get Nick back after seeing the pain he’s in? God, I hate this character so bad, Sharon go away, go far away.
You keep forgeting the pain Nick caused Sharon for 18 years and then being the last person he tells. And he is not suffering from BPD. If anyone needs to leave it is Nick. I love Sharon and i get where the actress is coming from. I want her to stay for a long time. As SC mentioned, Sharon is not malicious, she honestly feels she is supporting Nick.
well said shelley……Sharon go away, go far away.
lol
No…it’s the writers that should go away, far away. The fans could write better material.
Ruth, your comment is TRULY HILARIOUS…LOL!!!!! And, very true…I totally agree!!!!!
I am new to the show and loving it! I knew one of them was going down those stairs! it was so good and so soapy!
I love Sharon Case but I hate this story line. I want to see her get back with Adam and have true love. She deserves to have it after so long. I feel the writers are missing out on an epic couple. They have so much chemistry, so much tenderness and love in their interactions. I miss seeing them together. They just explode on the screen.
She is as crazy as her character.
I’m giving up on this show until jfp and jg are fired. They have ruined the Sharon character,changed the background music, and the show is the most boring show. I have watched for fifteen years. I’m switching to gh maura west is great on that show:))
The writers appear to have no creativity at all. The Y&R has gone down. It is not interesting anymore. Too many main and excellent characters have left. When Phyllis die, I will not tune in to the Y&R anymore.
Is it really that easy for someone go and switch a paternity test? They couldn’t come up with something else. Why this? All this back and forth; you are his daughter, no you are his daughter. It’s a stupid plot. Then there’s Sharon at the cemetery talking and Phyllis just happened to walk through the cemetery, when she was on her way to the Newman’s. stupid! They could not find another way for Phyllis to die?
Why are they holding these lengthy conversations with these dead people? Jack is talking to his father, Sharon is talking to her daughter, whose next? That’s too much of nothing. Neil and Leslie plot is a joke and very boring. Why haven’t Avery gotten over Dylan? It’s boring now. Victor and Nikki — no action there, they are dry. Adam sounds like a robot when he talks. Alex and Kevin role is boring. Bring back the original Kyle. Why can’t Billy stop drinking and gambling. Why do their bad habits always have to resurface? Why can’t they move on to more interesting and original parts? Because you need writers that are creative.
I tape the show now because there are so many boring plots. When I look at it, I fast forward through practically everything. I will watch an hour show in 15 mins. I never could figure it out why mostly at least 95% of the time, why everybody do their work (job) at a restaurant or bar doing personal transactions and people just walk up on you. Never could figure out Jill and Will’s part. Why are they there? OMG and Kevin’s mother.
Chelsea and Dylan are interesting and so is Adam and Sharon – together; hopefully the writers will retain Sharon some sense. Its boring to see her play stupid and dumb all the time. Jack is an interesting actor. Chloe is pretty good.
Well there’s no need for me to gripe anymore, because after Phyllis’ death, I will have no more comments.
Amen!
I started watching the Y&R with my grandma yrs ago,I haven’t been watching it as much bc haven’t cared much for the story line. I’ve been very disappointed bc Nick & Sharon never reunited,I don’t like how they have made Sharon out to be. Please Please! Let Nick & Sharon get back together & stay together. Let there be one decent couple that has been on the show for yrs have a life together again. RIP Katherine,you will be deeply missed……..
I started watching Y&R yrs ago with my grandmother. I have always loved Sharon & Nick but I don’t care for Sharon’s storyline. I still haven’t understood why Sharon & Nick haven’t reunited. Please Please! let them get back together. Let two people that have been on the show for yrs have the relationship they once had & stay that way. RIP Katherine you will be deeply missed,the show will never be the same without you…….
“Sharon is a good mother figure in the way that she says things to people when they need to hear them.” IN WHAT UNIVERSE??? WHAT WORLD? Sharon Case is as Delusional and Narcissistic as Sharon Newman! Sharon is a TERRIBLE MOTHER!!!!!!!!!! TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!!! She Loves and beds a man who both STOLE HER BABY and Subsequently TOLD HER the baby was dead! She JUST finished manipulating her impressionable daughter Faith into coniving with her to remove Avery from Nick’s life … who does that? Come on ….. “Mother of the Year??????” NO FREAKING WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Bi-polar explains it all? Check the medical books again! This explanation has been a HUGE gaff on Y&Rs part and a DISSERVICE to those dealing with Bi-polar behavior! They should have given he the Brain Tumor and let her die. At this point, I really Wish Sharon took her “MiniMe manipulator Faith” & went back to the farm with the Vet and NEVER CAME BACK TO GC! Continues to be WORST PART OF THE STORY — Fast Forward when I see her tuck her hair under her ears (every episode!)
Deborah…girlfriend…in more ways than one, you are so RIGHT ON!!!!! Sharon Case is acting so STUPIDLY CLUELESS that it is BEYOND PATHETIC!!!!! As far as I’m concerned, BOTH Miss Case and her soap character each live on the, um, planet of…TOTAL DENIAL!!!!! Deborah, remember when Sharon slept with (and married!!!!!) Victor? ICKY ICKY ICKY ICKY!!!!! I lost all respect for the character of Sharon from that point on. Yep. And Sharon using Faith (her own daughter!!!!!) to break up Nick and Avery is BEYOND DUMB AS HELL!!!!! More and more, Y and R is becoming UNWATCHABLE TV!!!!! Not good at all!!!!! And, Sharon Case’s self-absorbed and totally airhead-like behavior (BOTH on-screen and off-screen) is NOT helping Y and R much. The Bottom Line: Sharon Case is fooling NO ONE!!!!!
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Stacy Haiduk and Eric Martsolf Talk Kristen & Brady’s Twisted Relationship : The Mask, The Deception, The Sex
Last week on Days of our Lives, Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) was able to get the man she craves in between the sheets. So, just how did that happen when Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) had no idea she was alive? Well … he still doesn’t, really. You see, Kristen returned to Salem disguised as another ex flame of Brady’s, Nicole Walker (who everyone believed died in the warehouse explosion). And Kristen has been parading around town donning an incredible likeness of Nicole’s face – via a prosthetic mask – and some other tricks to sound and look just like her!
Kristen’s goal is to infiltrate Salem, remind Brady of the love and passion they shared, take over DiMera Enterprises, and who knows what else! And everyone who stands in her way, better watch out as we have seen! We are speaking to you (the late) Ted, and (once kidnapped) Kate, et al.
Fans of the NBC daytime drama series have followed the tortured relationship between Kristen and Brady for years and through many plots; Kristen was first played and brought to life by Eileen Davidson, and for well over a year now by Stacy Haiduk. Not only has Haiduk reprised the role of a frustrated, vengeful Kristen, she is also playing at times multiple roles: the wacky and often misunderstood, Susan Banks, Kristen playing Susan, or Kristen pretending to be Sister Mary Moira.
As for Daytime Emmy winner, Eric Martsolf, this latest story arc puts him front and center as viewers watch to see if what Brady senses, and the clues, and the feelings he is having, bring him to the conclusion that he has been duped by Kristen, and that her horrendous scheme – pretending to be Nicole (Arianne Zucker), and dumping Nicole’s longtime love Eric (Greg Vaughan) to be with him have a result that is unexpected or catastrophic!
Michael Fairman TV sat down with Stacy and Eric for this conversation about: all the plot twists, and playing the drama and the humor of the situations they find themselves in as actors in a wild story that only head writer Ron Carlivati could pen and keep the audience on the edge of their seats in the process. Check out this oh-so-fun, direct, and enlightening chat with two of DAYS most shining stars.
Photo: JPI
Eric, what has it been like working in this part of your storyline; where there’s the character of Kristen in its many forms: Arianne Zucker playing “Nicole” (but it’s really Kristen), Kristen as Susan, and the real Kristen, etc?
ERIC: It’s been a nightmare Michael. (Laughs) I don’t know who I’m sleeping with anymore. I’m at the point where I go home at night, and I just tug on my wife’s cheek just to make sure that she is not my ex-girlfriend from high school.
When you first heard of this storyline, and that it was going to facilitate how Arianne was going to come back to the show… and that it was supposed to be Kristen in a Nicole Walker prosthetic mask with a voice alternator, what went through your mind?
ERIC: I think in the back of Ron’s Carlivati’s (head writer, DAYS) mind, he was thinking to himself, “This dude started his soap career on Passions, he’s okay with this kind of thing,” and honestly, nothing surprises me anymore. When you’re thrown into that supernatural, crazy reality, doesn’t-live-here sort of atmosphere for you first soap gig, you don’t sweat a mask and a voice modulator. That’s just par for the course. My biggest problem was the body thing … that Brady is not able to distinguish one body from the other, because I would as Eric. My God, I know every inch of my wife’s body. So, it’s difficult to get my head around that, but at the same time, I’m going with the whole “love is blind” thing here. (Laughs)
Courtesy/NBC
(Laughs) I was going just going to say that Brady would absolutely know Kristen’s body from how passionate their relationship has been in the past, as well, he would Nicole’s body from his relationship with her.
ERIC: Since Kristen did finally just succeed – let’s use the word in “seducing” him, and using her wonderful feminine wiles as only Kristen has to get Brady in to bed, there was also another twist. What plays after that is that he notices the tattoo that’s been removed, and she plays it off as scarring from the fire. What’s going through his mind as he is making love to Nicole is a “Kristen train”. He can’t get Kristen out of his mind, and the guilt that he feels about that is horrendous.
Right! Brady is thinking: “Why am I feeling this when I am supposed to be with Nicole!?”
ERIC: Right! Brady has been waiting for a relationship for God knows how many years now – at least a successful one. He is so eager to have this work, even though he has been concerned about how Eric (Greg Vaughan) would feel about this. In Brady’s mind, Eric is done with Nicole. He’s good. He loves Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). This is fair game. Brady and Nicole have always been close … they’ve been close before … so, for him, it’s, why not give it a fair try? However, he finds himself now thinking about another woman the whole time. That’s rough.
Courtesy/NBC
Do you think in the back of his mind, that this whole time, he possibly knew that “Nicole” was Kristen?
ERIC: Well, you just have to wait. There will be a reveal eventually, obviously, but until then, let the games play on.
So, once Brady and “Nicole” have sex, he keeps thinking about Kristen?
ERIC: Constantly! She just plagues his mind. I think he’s realizing that his affection for Kristen is anything but dead and is very alive, and I think this is Kristen’s master plan from the very beginning. She knows that she pervades his soul, and once she does reveal herself, I would guess he would probably be surprised, maybe a little angry, but in the end … you can’t deny what your heart and your body wants, right?
One of my favorite recent scenes had Brady half-naked and Kristen as Susan getting into his room, because she was looking for the MIA Nicole mask she so desperately needed. She finds herself gawking and lusting after Brady under her disguise, and he tries to remove himself from the situation and says, “Susan, I’m going to get in the shower…”
ERIC: Yeah! And, “It’s not going to happen, baby.”
What was that like doing that scene?
STACY: I loved it! I thought Eric was brilliant in it. I watched it, and I thought, “Oh, my God!” (Laughs) It is one of my all-time favorite scenes.
Photo: JPI
ERIC: Kristen is a tiger.
STACY: She is a tiger. She’s got a goal, and she is going to go after that. She has obstacles that are going to come in-between her goal, but she will go after whatever she wants.
When Stacy comes in to Brady’s room as Susan, were you not laughing?
ERIC: No! I thought she was hot. (Laughs)
STACY: He did … he loved it. You liked me, didn’t you baby? (Laughs)
ERIC: I don’t think anybody can deny that Stacy Haiduk’s portrayal of Susan Banks is ridiculously good. Everything from her delivery … to her facial expressions. I think it is amazing. I mean, it is corny, and it is fun, and soaps need characters like that once in a while to lighten the load of the heavy dialogue and the drama. It’s a welcomed addition. So, I love playing scenes with Susan.
Photo: JPI
Eric, you always have been able play the straight-man so well in comedic scenes with impeccable timing,
STACY: You’re brilliant, Eric.
ERIC: You guys are being very nice to me.
STACY: You are. I remember on the day how much fun we had, but then, seeing it back and the crap that I was giving you, and just the stuff you were giving back was so beautiful, and innocent, and so alive. It was so funny.
Does Kristen think that now that she finally got Brady into bed that she won … that she got what she wanted … even if she had to don a “Nicole” mask to do it?
STACY: Well, no, because she still can’t be really Kristen. I think she is grateful that she gets to be with him. That’s one of her biggest goals: to be with Brady and she wants to have him fall back in love with her again. But for her, now it’s all about, “How do I reveal myself so that he doesn’t get scared away?” That’s the toughest part for her. Kristen’s love is so deep that it goes beyond this mask. So, how is it going to be when he sees her? Is he going to freak out? What’s going to happen?
ERIC: Did you think Kristen would be a little pissed off and think, “Oh my God. He did go for Nicole?”
STACY: Yes! I do, because she’s like, “Finally, I got him! But wait a minute … did I get him because I was Nicole … or because I was Kristen?” As Kristen, she always believes there is something deeper between them and a deep connection. That remains a driving force to her.
Photo: JPI
ERIC: That’s why I love these characters so much, because of you and the history of Kristen with Brady. She’s always wanted him as much as he has wanted her. She’s always wanted to be loved.
STACY: Yes … and very much so.
ERIC: Kristen had always wanted to be a part of the DiMera Empire, just as Brady has always wanted to be a part of the Kiriakis Empire, and they’ve always wanted love. They’ve never had it. They believe in the back of their minds that anything is attainable. So, I can see why Kristen would just forgo the Nicole disguise and just go, “He wants me.”
STACY: Kristen wants to believe that Brady knows it. She says to herself, “He knows it’s me inside and behind the mask. When he finds out, he will fall back in love with me.”
Now that she actually had sex with Brady, wouldn’t that make Kristen even more insatiable to be with him? Like, “I’ve got to have him!?”
STACY: The fear is still .. what happens she takes this mask off? She always says, “I’ll reveal myself, but I have to do it slowly when it is the right time.” I think there is that built up frustration now for her, absolutely!
Photo: JPI Studios
Arianne Zucker really has Stacy’s mannerisms down as Kristen. It really comes into in scenes where “Nicole” goes off on someone or loses her temper. Eric, you have worked with Arianne for years on this show. What do you think about her performances in this storyline?
ERIC: I have worked with Ari over the years, and I have enjoyed it a lot. Ari did do her homework. She did study Stacy’s tape, and she watched her mannerisms, and she took it very seriously. I know that because she is a hard worker, as much as a goofball as she is, she does work hard, and she wanted it to be good. I think my favorite parts were the Kristen meltdowns. You have to understand though; Stacy and Ari get along very well! They’re kind of two peas in a pod. So, it wasn’t a big stretch for her to take on how Stacy would play those types of scenes. They’re both animated, they’re both wild people by nature, and so, it was a good fit. It was a smart idea from the writers.
STACY: It was a good fit!
ERIC: I’ve been out with the two of them, and it’s hard to tell the two of them apart. (Laughs)
STACY: We are just like two cuddly bunnies.
ERIC: They’re like flirting with each other, and hugging each other. You find yourself thinking, “Are they going to start ordering the same food at the same time? This is getting weird. (Laughs)
Courtesy/NBC
In the recent scene that aired; where Kristen as “Nicole” turns off the light while having sex with Brady, is she worried her plan will now go awry?
STACY: Yes. I think she is worried about her body because it is burned. You know, how they take a tattoo off, and it’s as painful as can be. Not that I’ve had that done personally. I like my tats, but I hear it is painful. So, in the storyline, the burn is that pain that she has and the tattoo. There’s a part of her that thinks, she has to cover it up, and turn the lights down low.
ERIC: “Nicole” is sleeping, and Brady is rubbing his hands over her shoulder and touching her body, and as he goes over the burn marks. He sees a flash of the tattoo! That is a pivotal moment when he starts to put some pieces together. He thinks, “Woah! That’s exactly where that tattoo was.” It’s a slow little rollercoaster ride.
Courtesy/NBC
In the past, Kristen then played by Eileen Davidson, drugged and raped Father Eric. Stacy, did you ever see that story arc? Literally the sex scene is playing on the screen at Kristen’s wedding to Brady and then all hell breaks loose. This to say Kristen is notorious for the ways and the lengths she goes to get her men into bed.
STACY: Yes! I saw her Eileen do those scenes.
ERIC: You also saw how close Kristen and Brady were to their dream, to their happiness, their goal, which was they were going to marry each other. Brady is looking upon his loved ones in this town and thinking, “I know what you all think of her, but I’m going to show you our love on this screen, and once you see the connection that we have here as a couple, you all are going to be convinced that we belong together as well. This is the happiest day of my life,” and the screen comes up and it’s his brother banging Kristen instead.
Marlena (Deidre Hall) played the wrong DVD!
STACY: It was so good. See, I try to find as much info as I can on the character’s past, because all of the time I’m trying to find where these characters have been in their dark and twisted past.
Photo: JPI
ERIC: You’re putting your own stamp on Kristen. You got a direct call from DAYS casting department, didn’t you … when they were recasting the role?
STACY: Yes. You have to understand, I had two really separate characters to play when I was on Y&R. One was a doctor, and one was this crazy passionate, wild, little minx.
ERIC: I will say to find the wild and the beauty in one package is not easy in any town, yet alone Los Angeles. I’m glad they called you, because you have that. You have that villainous nature, but you also are able to show a vulnerable side to Kristen that is going to be a lot of fun and interesting to see.
Stacy is one of those people that will leap off of the screen at you and you will remember her. She is one actress that will have fans talking about their work, like when you played crazy Patty Williams on Y&R. The audience was on the edge of their seats going, “Oh, my God! What is Patty going to do next?”
STACY: I never knew what she was going to do!
Photo: JPI
Eric, has Stacy come to you at any point where she been overwhelmed by the task at hand; playing Susan while playing Kristen, etc, and the two of you have a moment where you work through some of the challenges of complex scenes … and ones where she is playing multiple characters?
ERIC: We’ve had many moments to speak of.
STACY: I always come into Eric’s room, and am like, “I’m scared!”
ERIC: It’s funny you mention it. We have had some very emotional scenes, and Stacy – who cares so damn much about this job and portraying this character correctly – that she gets a little overwhelmed, and the material that they give her is overwhelming for any anybody on any level. I have looked at her in the eyes, and said, “You’ve got this gig. You are this character. You are knocking it out of the park. Just do it. Just be you.” I can’t wait for people to see some of the stuff we have shot recently and have been doing.
Photo: JPI
Stacy, do you think Kristen can be redeemed? Many characters on daytime … and on DAYS … have done horrible things and later turned over a new leaf.
STACY: The thing is that villains are bad and all that other crap, but they’ve got a lot of stuff going on inside and insecurities, and they’ve got a heart. I’m sorry, the villain with a heart of gold, can be very true. I never see villains (and I play them a lot) as bad. You have to find where it comes from … how far does this go … where did that little seed change … and what made them go into the dark, but also, where is the good? You want to bring the good to it, too.
ERIC: Let’s face it! Star Wars is all about Darth Vader and how he became that because it’s intriguing.
Because of the pace in which DAYS tapes its episodes; do the two of you find time to run lines together before you go hit the set?
ERIC: We are running out of time to run lines. It’s pretty wild. Funnily enough, I was recently filming a movie and I was so underwhelmed at the pace of everything. I’ve gotten so accustomed to moving at this militant style, that as hard as it is, it is preferable to me now. I almost like it because you don’t have time to overthink what you are going to do, and you end up getting more visceral and natural reactions to the material. You can overthink a scene, and you can come to a wrong performance that way. When you burn your fingers on a hot stove, that’s the most natural reaction you are going to get. You can’t have ten minutes to think about how you are going to scream about that pain.
Photo: JPI
But, would you like the pace of shooting the show to be a bit slower?
STACY: I would like to, but I do think sometimes just jumping in, and going and seeing what happens is great. I love that. I do appreciate that.
ERIC: It’s scary.
STACY: It is scary. I would love if we would get to do a rehearsal and then two takes just to see, and then they can mix together what happens. Sometimes I am hard on myself as an actress. I’ve always been. It’s that jumping in when you only get to do one take. You have to just give it everything you’ve got.
ERIC: You can have a second take. Want me to give you a little secret? All you have to do is screw up your last line.
STACY: I can’t do that. I don’t even need it to be perfect because nothing is perfect. It doesn’t matter what I’ve done if I sometimes don’t feel it. I need to feel it when I’m on that set. I need to feel something because when I shut down, I close myself off. It’s like an athlete who has just got to train as hard as they can to reach their goal.
ERIC: You’re an Olympic swimmer!
STACY: You’ve got to do it as hard as you can. You practice, and you practice, and you practice, and you practice, so that when you come to that day, you do the best you can, but sometimes you are disappointed because you didn’t get that one last thing you had hoped for.
Courtesy/NBC
How do you view what happened to Eric with Kristen, who disguised as Nicole, tricked Brady into bed with her? Some fans commented that that they thought it was akin to a rape.
ERIC: No, I would disagree with that theory. I believe there is a high degree of deception in this, but there is a willingness on behalf of Brady. He’s not drugged. He’s not being forced to do anything. Deception, yes. Rape, no.
Stacy, what do you think?
STACY: Total deception. There is no rape. There is absolutely no rape. These are willing participants; he just doesn’t know exactly who he is dealing with.
ERIC: I appreciate the context of how somebody could construe that, and the seriousness of the matter. I don’t think it really has a place in this particular storyline.
Do you guys think that Brady and Kristen are each other’s star-crossed lovers in a weird, twisted, bizarre way?
ERIC: I don’t know. I think they’re magnetism can’t be denied. I think the hurdles that they’ve jumped through are astronomical. Will they end up together in the end? Who knows! Will there ever be an end? Who knows! It’s definitely been one of, if not the most, in-depth relationships Brady has ever had.
Photo: JPI
And intense!
ERIC: Yeah. They’ve just gone through so much to be together, and when you do that, anybody who is married knows that, that’s where the good stuff is; the wars that you win together and the battles that you go through. When you come out of the war, and you’re still together, that’s the bond. That’s what lasts.
What would Kristen do if she couldn’t have Brady in the end? Would she find a new obsession? What if she could not nab her man?
STACY: Wow! Hmmm. (Laughs) She’s going to get her man. She wants her man. She wouldn’t settle. She’d keep fighting. I would say to her, “Kristen, keep fighting the good fight.”
So, do you think Kristen will reveal herself to Brady sooner than later? Will Brady figure out what Kristen has been doing to get to him? Will Brady turn Kristen away if he knew she was alive and back in action … or would he fall back into her arms? Share your theories via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GH’s Rebecca Herbst Chats On ‘Friz’, Her On-Screen Sons & How Liz Has Grown-Up
Last week, Rebecca Herbst celebrated her 22nd year playing fan favorite Elizabeth Webber (now Baldwin) on General Hospital. She made her on-screen debut on August 1, 1997. And in those two decades plus in Port Charles, Liz has gone through many a rocky relationship, plenty of drama, and carried out some misdeeds of her own. But one thing is for sure, Becky is loved by the fans of the long-running ABC daytime drama series who always want the best for her, and for Nurse Elizabeth.
Recently, ‘Friz’ fans got a moment they had long been waiting for when Franco (Roger Howarth) and Liz, and their friends and family (and some enemies) shared in their wedding reception. But can their happiness last? According to two psychics, Sibley Gamble (Veronica Cartwright) and Chelsea Lambas (Jen Ray) that Franco has run into in recent weeks, he better be careful. That has made Franco concerned, while Liz is trying to get her family all on the same page, and it looks like her boys are coming around to loving and accepting Franco, too, despite what Liz’s ex Jason (Steve Burton) may have to say about it.
Michael Fairman TV caught up with Rebecca at the GH Fan Club Weekend, where she made a welcome appearance, to talk about: how she sees Elizabeth’s relationship with Franco, her talented on-screen sons, and how Liz has grown-up since she started on the series, and more. Here’s what Becky shared with us below.
What did you think of the long-awaited wedding reception of Franco and Liz? The show finally gave them this joyous moment; after their jailhouse nuptials. Did you feel like the way the wedding actually went down it felt like it cheated the relationship, or did you like it?
REBECCA: I felt the jailhouse wedding was a bit of a cheat, because they had tried two different times to have a really glorious wedding, so to do it in a jail cell was not the most desirable place. (Laughs) However, the fact that the characters did actually get married and nothing came in between was a plus, and so, hey, they’ll take that. Later, when I read in the scripts that there was going to be the reception, I was shocked, because I really didn’t think it was ever going to happen.
Photo: ABC
Do you think the fans were getting to the point where they thought this was never going to happen, also?
REBECCA: For sure. We all thought they Franco and Liz were never going to have their moment, or their honeymoon or any of that. I was really pleasantly surprised to see that not only did they write it, but it was beautiful! It was also visually beautiful. They put a lot of effort and thought into the show itself, and nobody died, and nobody fell through the roof. Well, it was kind of funny that Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) got pushed off the ‘Haunted Star’, but according to Elizabeth, that’s just fine that Obrecht got pushed off the boat. (Laughs) She didn’t die, so everything is good, but all in all, it was a really wonderful party.
What did you think when they had all of Elizabeth’s sons performing a song for the happy couple. It was so cute, and touching.
REBECCA: Oh, my goodness. Those were real tears I shed. That was so sweet. So very, very sweet of them.
Photo: ABC
The show is growing the boys, so now you, as Elizabeth, have some young actors to play off of in your scenes. How do you feel about that?
REBECCA: Oh, I love it! For so long, Elizabeth would only talk about her kids, “My boys, my boys, my boys, my boys in the attic.” (Laughs) Now, she has relationships, and very different relationships with each one of them.
I think that echoes real-life too. A mother has distinct relationships with each of her children. That’s what I like about Liz with her sons. And as a mom in real-life as well, I am sure you can relate to this.
REBECCA: Yes, my relationship with all of my kids is completely different, and I really love that it’s true for Elizabeth’s kids. I attribute a lot of that to the writers, because they definitely write our relationships differently. Aiden (Jason David) is still this baby who Elizabeth coddles and protects. Cameron (William Lipton) is expected to be the man of the house and take care of things, and sometimes Elizabeth feels like she puts too much responsibility on him, but he is going to protect his mom no matter what. Hudson (Jake) is so wonderful, too. The fact that I have been blessed with three beautifully smart little actors is just a win for me.
Courtesy/ABC
Let’s talk about Aiden, who had been bullied at school by the other kids. Do you think that story will be fleshed out? It seems it may have been put on pause, because it would be an important story to tell for parents with LGBTQ children, if that is how GH ultimately chose to tell the story.
REBECCA: It is an important story. I would love to tell the story. There is a great message. I don’t think we touched on it enough. I think, for now, the best way to put a button on it is to send the message that we should accept our children with all of their wonderful attributes and personalities and whatever their interests, and let’s not label children, and listen to them and support them. We should just all be kind. I was sad when I would read some of the tweets about the story. It saddened me to read people’s harsh opinions towards Elizabeth’s acceptance of her child. Some people said that we should not be doing a story like this, and then there was the other half who said, “Just because he is a baker, doesn’t make him gay,” which is 100% true.
True! TV viewers have certainly seen a lot of straight chefs on foodie or cooking shows, for example.
REBECCA: Absolutely! All three of my children in real-life love to cook. There is nothing wrong with that. I think we need to just continue to love Aiden no matter what, and he is not different than any of the other kids.
Photo: ABC
William Lipton has been amazing as Cameron, right?
REBECCA: Amazing. I know! He is not only a great little actor, singer, and performer, but he has this beautiful little face, and he is such a grounded young man. He’s a really sweet person. You can tell he’s been raised in a really great house, and he has an amazing mom.
Because you are such a “mom’s-mom” in real life, do you think that helps you in how Elizabeth reacts to her children?
REBECCA: I think so. I always ask permission from my on-camera kids before a scene: “Is it okay if I kiss your little head? Is it okay if I put you on my lap here? Is it okay if I put my hands on your face?” I’m not their mother, but when I think about what I would do with my real-life kids, they’re always getting kissed and hugged and held by me, so I want to make it look as real as possible. I have to think, “What would I do if this were Emerson?” He’d be on my lap, and I’d be kissing his little neck. So, then I have to ask Jason, who plays Aiden, “Is it okay that I kiss your neck, and if I kind of just like snuggle you?” All three of my on-screen kids are so great, because they’re like, “Yeah, sure. We don’t care!” and not all stage kids are like that. They all are receptive of my love, and they just let me do it. I think that is what is so sweet.
Photo: ABC
What do you think of this whole pairing of Elizabeth and Franco, and that you were paired with Roger Howarth? Elizabeth has had many relationships on the show, so where does her relationship with Franco fit into her list of romances/relationships? Do you think Franco is one of her great loves? Over her life, Liz has had a lot of ups and downs, and at times, has not made the best choices for herself, or the choices she made just haven’t worked out in her favor. I think we all can relate to somebody whose choices don’t work out the way they envision them to be.
REBECCA: For sure. I think each of Elizabeth’s relationships have been so different. Just to talk about a timeline: she was a little girl when she was with Lucky (Jonathan Jackson), and as she’s matured, so have her relationships. However, I think the relationship she has with Franco is her first real adult relationship; in that she not only does respect him, but she respects herself. She is not afraid to stand up to anybody for the sake of herself, or her children. I think that is the difference. In the past, she has been a little so head-over-heels in love that she would do anything, and now, she knows who number one is, and that’s her children, and she puts herself first now, too. Before, Elizabeth did not matter to herself.
Photo: ABC
I thought Elizabeth treated herself badly. Is there a self-loathing? Did you ever that figure out as an actress where that comes from? Do you think it was from when she was raped years ago?
REBECCA: I think it went deeper than that. I think it was because her parents left her at such a young age, and although they were doing great work for whatever they were doing, she was left as a child.
So, she felt something was wrong with her if they left her behind?
REBECCA: Yes. I think that’s where her lack of self-esteem came from. She just didn’t have that support at home when she needed it the most, especially when she was a teenager. You need your parents around you to tell you that things are awkward and weird, and you’re changing, but you’re going to be okay. She didn’t have that, and so, she kind of had to figure it out on her own. She did it through her relationships with men, and she didn’t have men in her life who were telling her, “You’re going to be okay,” except for Lucky, but that was a younger relationship in her life. Now, as more of an adult with Franco, he tells her she is going to be okay. Franco believes in her as much as she does now.
Photo: ABC
What’s the best part about working with Roger … and what’s the most challenging part? Is it some curve balls that might come from when you are going live-to-tape?
REBECCA: For me, I know I can totally work around whatever comes out of his mouth. (Laughs) I’m good with that. (Laughs) The most challenging thing about working with him is that he is constantly losing his glasses, so he can’t see his scripts. It’s always at the end of the scene. It’s like, “Where are the glasses?” (Laughs) So, if losing his glasses might be the most challenging thing, then I’m a pretty lucky girl!
Where does Jason (Steve Burton) fit into Liz’s life at this point?
REBECCA: We’ve not really established that.
Courtesy/ABC
Since Jason has been back on the canvas, not much has been played between them.
REBECCA: They had a relationship, they have a relationship, and they have a friendship. It should be played.
What would you love to see happen to Elizabeth story-wise, that perhaps you have not gotten the opportunity to play?
REBECCA: I would love to see Elizabeth be happy with Franco and just explore whatever that means for her in a long-term, adult sense (because she doesn’t really know how that is yet), an adult happiness, while trying to navigate the kids’ lives, but also having a friendship with Jason. I think that would be interesting, because she has always held a torch for Jason.
Photo: ABC
Viewers are currently alarmed that Franco has been receiving warnings from two psychics. On last Friday’s episode, Franco is clearly afraid to take a drive and in Cameron’s new car (the one Oscar gave him) due to the psychic, (Chelsea) telling him: “Don’t take that drive!” Does Elizabeth have something to be worried about?
REBECCA: Yes, but she’s going to hang on to Franco, and make sure nothing happens to him … until he doesn’t come home (laughs) … and then she’ll be calling Jason! (Laughs)
So, what did you think of the sentiments shared by Rebecca? What did you think of the Friz wedding reception, and Liz and Franco’s relationship? What do you think of Liz’s relationship with her children? What are your hopes for Liz moving forward? Comment below.
Interviews
Y&R’s Mark Grossman Dishes On Tackling One Of Soaps Most Coveted Roles … Adam Newman
When The Young and the Restless finally decided to resurrect the character of Adam Newman, it was one of the most highly-anticipated returns in the soap genre. After all, when viewers last saw Adam, then played by This Is Us star, Justin Hartley, he was presumed blown to smithereens in a cabin, thanks to first, being tranquilized by a dart gun by an unstable Chloe (Elizabeth Hendrickson), who holds Adam responsible for the hit and run that killed her daughter, Delia.
Fast-forward to summer of 2019 and Y&R fans got a very much alive Adam, vengeful as all get-out, picking right back up where he left off; only this time the role is being played by soap newcomer, Mark Grossman. In what has to be one of the most sought after roles on television for any young actor to play, Grossman nabbed it and has come on to the scene hitting the ground running and is quickly becoming one helluva soapy badass on the Genoa City canvas.
Michael Fairman TV sat down with Mark at CBS Television City where Y&R is taped to talk about: how his journey has been thus far in a role that has put him under the microscope from viewers to critics. Many will agree that in short order, Grossman is making the role of Adam his own, as he has been so in the mix with the iconic staples of the series, to those performers who just made exciting returns.
This week on Y&R, Adam is going to take down his brother, Nick (Joshua Morrow) by any means possible to gain custody of his biological son, Christian. As they face-off in a custody hearing, Adam is up to his chicanery, and viewers will see the fall-out.
Here’s what Mark had to say about his castmates, the opportunity and the pressure of being Adam on the top-rated soap, and why he loves getting to be bad.
Photo: CBS
Adam is so integral and key to the canvas. How are you settling into the pace of Y&R? Did you have any idea that it was going to be this amount of work when you signed on?
MARK: I had an idea, and this is actually my first soap. I had always heard that the amount of volume is a lot, but yeah, it was kind of a steep learning curve, but it got much easier as time has gone on, and the memorization got a lot easier. You adjust to it, and you just get used to it.
A few years back, I attended the premiere of the indie film you were in with Melissa Archer (Ex-OLTL and DAYS) called South32. In that, you played one bad dude. I remember thinking, “That guy plays evil and creepy so well.” Your character was horrible in the film!
MARK: Oh, yeah. My character’s name was Donny. That was a bad guy. That was a really bad guy. I just remember I had a lot of fun because Melissa Archer was great, and Sean Kanan (Ex-GH, Y&R and B&B) was in that too, and they both are in the soap world.
Courtesy/IMDB
So when I saw that Y&R cast you as Adam I was like, “Oh yeah! Great choice! He can play a real jerk!” (Laughs) So, why do you think you play bad so well?
MARK: I don’t know. I just have that face… the jerk face? (Laughs)
(Laughs) Do you practice those looks in the mirror?
MARK: (Laughs) No. I like to think I’m a really nice guy, actually. I think I’ve always liked characters that are more broken and are trying to do the best they can with the cards they are dealt or trying to overcome something. I mean, in South32, that’s a different story. I’ve just always gravitated to those kinds of roles more than a stereotypical love-interest or something like that, or kind of a more vanilla character.
Let’s talk about the audition process for this sought-after soap role. Did you know when you first were in the running for the character that it was to play “Adam Newman”?
MARK: I had no idea because it’s all under codenames.
What was the codename?
MARK: The codename was “Jeremy”, and I had no idea I was auditioning for Adam, because they change all of the names, and I wasn’t up-to-date with everything that had been going on with Y&R. When you’re out there as an actor you are auditioning for all kinds of stuff (and I don’t really watch much TV as it is). I think it was at the network test when a couple of the other actors, who were there, kind of let it slip what part this really was for.
Photo: JPI Studios
You had your screen-test with Sharon Case (Sharon). What was your first impression of her?
MARK: I adore Sharon. She’s wonderful, and she was so, so helpful. She’s coming up on twenty-five years on this show, and that is amazing. I really love working with her.
Once you knew the role was that of Adam Newman, did you begin to do your research? Call people? Phone a friend (laughs)? Take to You Tube?
MARK: Oh yeah! I went way down the rabbit hole. When I did my research I watched tons of scenes on YouTube, and then everything on the internet, Wikipedia, and every site that had information on the role. Before I started, I also had lunch with a couple members of the cast, and they were probably so annoyed at me for asking so many questions about just about everything that came to mind. (Laughs)
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
You follow in the footsteps of other great actors who have played this role; Chris Engen, Michael Muhney and Justin Hartley. Did you have trepidation taking the role knowing the bar was set so high?
MARK: Yes, of course.
In the world of daytime drama, recasts happen all the time; that is just the nature of the beast. You hope the fans will give the actor stepping into a role a chance to establish themselves in the part, because they can get initially very reactionary. In your case, there were some immediate tweets that went out right when you were announced as the new Adam with some fans commenting: “He’s too young!” That happened even before your first episode aired, so no one had seen you embody the part yet. What’s your take on all of that?
MARK: I get it, trust me. You watch somebody for years, and you really enjoy watching this person, and then all of the sudden they’re gone, and somebody new comes on. That’s hard to get used to. So, that was a little daunting, but it just is what it is. You just have to go in and put your stamp on it, and the audience will say what they do. That’s all you can do. Just, “this is what I think it is,” and do your best job with that, and yes, people will say what they’re going to say.
Courtesy/CBS
So, you meet Y&R icon Eric Braeden (Victor). You’re playing his on-screen son, the black sheep of the Newman clan. What was it like meeting Eric, and then actually getting on set and getting to work your first scene with him?
MARK: It was great. He was really supportive. I remember I would get together with him and ask if we could rehearse, and we’d just end up in his dressing room talking for like twenty minutes about the show and life. I just feel so lucky that I get to play you know, the problem child. (Laughs)
It’s fun for actors in soaps to be a storyline catalyst. However, sometimes the catalysts can be short-term roles, and this one isn’t. Catalysts shake things up, and Adam is so entrenched with so many characters and has such a checkered past, and there is much to him. In finding out his back-story; what was the one thing that you were shocked to find out about him? That he ran down Delia?
MARK: That’s a huge thing. There’re people who think that Adam actually really didn’t do it. I mean … then there was … pretending that he was blind … wearing dresses. There’s so much!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
It’s a great part. Adam would literally do anything to get what he wants. (Let’s not forget he apparently had sex with Rafe).
MARK: It’s a great part. I’m looking forward to what he does next. I hope they throw me in a dress and let me mess around and pretend to be other people. (Laughs)
So, how are you playing Adam’s motivations now? He comes back to Genoa City with amnesia after being in Vegas, and gets shot. He seems a nice guy, but then his memory comes back, and now he is literally back to old tricks and wanting to screw everybody over who he feels wronged him.
MARK: I think he wants his kids back. Adam is going to do whatever he wants to do to get his kids, and I think he is justified. Obviously, the way he goes about it is very shady and sometimes illegal, but I think he comes from a place of really wanting to be a father to his kids because of the stuff that happened with Victor, and being abandoned, and his blind mother, Hope. The issue of where Victor was while he was growing up and how Adam’s life could have been so different always weighs on him. Adam feels, “If there is one thing I need most, it’s to make sure my kids don’t go through what I went through.” I think that’s where he is justified in that regard, but the way he goes about it is obviously very questionable.
Photo : JPI Studios
So, what happened when Joshua Morrow and you met for the first time?
MARK: I met him at my screen-test too. At the screen-test, we had to do scenes together and Joshua is such an awesome guy. He’s a total professional, but he is so funny. He is hilarious. We’ll always have these scenes where we are at each other’s throats, and then we’ll just crack up laughing.
Do you think there could ever be brotherly love between Adam and Nick?
MARK: I’ve actually been thinking about that lately. You know, I have a half-brother in real life. I think there are definitely possibilities for that with Adam and Nick. I think somewhere deep, deep down, on some very small level, Adam could possibly want to have a relationship with Nick. I think it could be possible, but I don’t know, and they’re so different from each other.
Then, there is the return to Y&R of Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea). And another task you were handed was to see if you can create the same on-screen magic for the duo known as “Chadam”.
MARK: I sure hope we can create that. Melissa is another person in the cast who is just so awesome. You probably think I’m lying, but everybody who works on this show is so nice, and they want the show to work. They have the best interests of the show at heart. You feel like you’re on a team here. I had watched Missy on YouTube with the other Adams. So, when I first met her I was all, “Oh, you remember this scene … and this scene … and when you were doing this?”
Photo: JPI Studios
And Missy was like, “No, I don’t remember.” (Laughs)
MARK: She’d go, “No I don’t…” And then she would go, “Oh! That scene!” I had watched as much of her stuff that I could get my hands on. When I first met her, we had a big scene to do. We just kind of had to dive in. She was great.
So, where do you think Adam’s heart lies?
MARK: I think he has a deep love for Chelsea and Sharon.
Why does he love Sharon?
MARK: Oh, Sharon has been there for him when nobody else has, and they have so much past together, but I know there’s always the Chadam/Shadam thing!
Photo: JPI Studios
Welcome! You’re right in the middle of these fan wars between camp Chadam and camp Shadam. That’s not a bad place to be. You’ve also been working with Greg Rikaart (Kevin) and Michelle Stafford (Phyllis). Adam has been horrible to Kevin, and poor Kevin is being blackballed by him.
MARK: (Laughs) We have so much fun. Those are great scenes. I really love working with Greg. It’s fun when you get to manipulate and blackmail someone, and Greg, as an individual is great, and obviously he’s been part of this show a long time, and he was really helpful too. So, I asked him questions. You know, “Fill me in on Adam and you before. What was it like, and what was your dynamic like?” Things like that.
There has been a total refocusing of Y&R. They brought in you as Adam, and they brought back Melissa, and Michelle Stafford, and you’re kind of in there with all of them. There have been some great scenes between you and Michelle Stafford, too. There was the scene where Phyllis is sitting alone at Adam’s eating a whole cake by herself with her champagne glass, and it was so funny. I’m like, “Did Michelle make that choice to sit there with the whole cake, or was it written like that?” She is a firecracker!
MARK: She’s great. I love Michelle. She keeps you on your toes. It’s funny, I actually had done a little, independent movie. I popped in for a day. She was in it, so I knew who she was, but I had never met her. She wasn’t there the day I was there. You never know which way she’s going to go in a scene. I enjoy that. You just have to be present because a lot of times we are doing these scenes in one take on Y&R, so you’ve got to be in it. Michelle is really fun to watch.
Photo: JPI Studios
Are your family and friends checking you out as Adam on Y&R?
MARK: I have an aunt who is a big Y&R fan in Pennsylvania. She was so excited when she found out I was playing Adam. My dad is like, “I watch twice a day,” and my mom works during the week, so I think she watches on the computer at night. They live in Arizona.
Can you watch your work back? A lot of actors I have interviewed over the years in this medium have told me they do not like to watch their work, as it would then make them to aware of any quirks they may have and detract from their ability to deliver their performance, etc.
MARK: I watch, sometimes. It’s weird, isn’t it? I’ll go back and forth. I’ll watch myself sometimes with the sound off, and then I’ll slowly start creeping the sound up, and I’ll see … and then I’ll rewind it, and I’ll slowly start watching it. I’ve got to ease myself into it. Sometimes; I’ll ask other people if they’ve seen the scenes I was in, and I’ll be like, “Well, how was it?”
Photo: JPI Studios
There is major bad blood between the characters of Billy and Adam. How has it been working with Jason Thompson (Billy), and what do you think of the Adam/Billy dynamic? Billy is considering taking a bullet to Adam and pulling the trigger. Billy holds Adam responsible for the death of his child, Delia and perpetrating much hurt on those he loves.
MARK: That’s a tough situation, and as for Jason Thompson, man. Jason Thompson is just such a great actor, I think. I just love watching him. He’s just so real, you know? You really feel what he is going through and what he is saying. I know there is a lot history between Billy and Adam, and yeah, Billy is becoming a little unglued.
Adam has that effect on people.
MARK: Adam does! It’s such a tragic thing that happened with Delia. How does one get over that? How many times can Adam apologize? So, I don’t know if they can even make amends and be friends.
I don’t think we want them to be friends. Do we? No.
MARK: No. There’s a lot of good drama there.
Photo: CBS
Then, we have Elizabeth Hendrickson as Chloe. So, what does Adam think about Chloe? Does he understand why she is constantly unhinged?
MARK: Yes. I think he understands that you lose a child, and that really affects you. I guess you don’t really know what you’re going to do until something like that happens. I think Adam tried to clear the air … and be honest about what actually happened that night, and say, “Look, if we keep this up, one of us is going to end up dead.” So, we’ll see if she can move on. I don’t know… Adam has got to keep watching his back.
And … watch out for dart guns. (Laughs)
MARK: Look out your window!
Victor thinks Adam is the smartest of his kids. Do you think so?
MARK: I think so. Adam went to Harvard. I think he is the smartest of the three. Obviously, he is the outcast, but I think he is the smartest intellectually of the three.
Photo: JPI Studios
They’re talking a lot on the show, about the missing years when Adam supposedly went to Vegas. So there is a lot to yet be discovered about what happened to him and what he was really up to.
MARK: Maybe he was faking this whole amnesia story because he really wanted Sharon? I don’t know. I would imagine we would be delving into where he was. At least, I hope so.
Would you like to play some scenes where viewers get to see the more tender side of Adam?
MARK: Yes. I would love to explore the real sadness with Adam and Victor and why his father wasn’t there for him. I would love to see more of that, and scenes with the kids… get Connor back, and stuff like that.
Now speaking of doing anything to get back his kids, Adam, who professes to love Chelsea, kind of screwed her over after her new husband Calvin (John Burke) suddenly died, and he is kind of using that to his advantage with her.
MARK: Well, hey! You don’t mess with a man’s kids. It’s his son.
Adam is such a polarizing character and is driving story. Do you open the script and go, “Oh, man! I’m doing this today?”
MARK: Oh, sure. I’m always excited, because I’ll get a new episode, and I’ll open it immediately, and I’m like, “Oh, yes … oh, wow… oh, wow!” I feel like that’s what it’s been like though since I’ve been a part of this show, Adam is always stirring the pot and bringing a lot of that drama to it.
Photo: JPI Studios
This week on Y&R, it’s the custody battle for Christian between Adam and Nick.
MARK: Yes, we are going to be in court, and we are going to go head to head over this custody battle for Christian. I hear Chloe might be back.
Do you get to make a statement as to why you’d be a good father while everybody is like, “Oh, God?” Do you get to say how your kids were taken from you?
MARK: Yeah, I do! Adam pleads his case.
Photo: JPI Studios
It’s going to be interesting to see how this progresses with you as Adam, and how the fans take to him. Will the audience be at all compassionate towards him in certain circumstances, even though he’s screwed everybody over?
MARK: I hope so!
So, are you enjoying Mark’s portrayal of Adam? Who do you hope Adam winds up with romantically? Do you want Adam to get custody of both of his sons? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
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RecapsAugust 10, 2019THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Hope To Steffy, “I’m Taking My Daughter & Don’t You Dare Try To Stop Me”
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