Interviews
Y&R's Kristoff St. John Video Interview: Neil's Heartbreaking Scenes & Working With Nichelle Nichols!
Photo Credit: MF Soaps, Inc.
Soap fans can look no further than the recent 11,000th episode broadcast of The Young and the Restless for a future Daytime Emmy-nominated performance.
That’s because Y&R’s long-running cast member Kristoff St. John (Neil) broke viewers hearts when Neil came face-to-face with his dying mother for the first time in decades. Neil’s mother, Lucinda, was played by Star Trek legend, Nichelle Nichols. In their two-person scenes, Neil learns why his mother abandoned him as a young boy all those years ago. For Lucinda had her own demons and battle with the bottle, just like Neil did years later.
On-Air On-Soaps Michael Fairman caught up with St. John during last week’s Y&R 11K episode on set celebration at CBS Television City where he found out how it felt for St. John to tape those heavy emotional scenes, and what it meant for him personally.
When discussing the actual filming of the episode, where Neil comes to visit his dying mother, Kristoff revealed: “I was a hot mess that day. I didn’t think up that part of the story, but the story was mine. I was estranged from my own mother from the time I was 4- years-old. I had met her again at 24 and talked to her once or twice then, and didn’t talk to her again until 20 years later, and she lived for six months after I found her. So, I never got the closure that I wanted with my own mother by actually going to see her right before she passed. So the scenes with Nichelle were very much that. I had the closure with Nichelle that I should have, and could have had, with my own biological mother.”
Courtesy/CBS
St. John went on to say that after the cameras stopped rolling, following the dramatic on-screen mother and son reunion, that the waterworks did not stop there: “That was one of those rare occasions as an actor where I could not stop crying after taping, and Nichelle just held me for a long time. I just know when I finally came up for air, she was staring into my eyes and she said, “Are you OK?” She also said to me several times, “That was beautiful … your beautiful” I put it right back on her and I said, “It’s because of you. You’re beautiful.”
Watch Kristoff talk Neil’s heartbreaking scenes and being part of the ensemble cast of The Young and the Restless as they celebrate yet another milestone in the iconic show’s history after the jump. Then share your thoughts on Kristoff’s scenes with Nichelle Nichols, and the personal impact it had on the actor himself in the comment section below!
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This will definitely be on Kristoff’s reel and most likely will take the statue although I didn’t like that Neil’s reunion with his mother was so short-lived. I would have loved seeing Lucinda interact with other characters in Neil’s story but what Nichelle and Kristoff gave us in what they had to work with was emotionally powerful and really packed a double punch. Glad to see Kristoff being given material to sink his teeth into.
The scenes between Neil and Lucinda really were moving – I sobbed and wished for so much more from and for these two people.
Same here, Lisa. And, I am not a Neil fan. So, his performance really did a number on me.
i cried with him! Wonderful performance by both actors!
I struggle to to not FF when Neil is on my screen, but I lose the battle lol and FF him..
He gives me the creeps / shiver ..
The whole short story arc was nothing but hollow and contrived. We, the viewers, knew NOTHING about Neil’s mother, yet for two short days we were supposed to feel for her and Neil’s broken relationship?
Meh…
Bart…yeah, dude…I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!!!!! And, those ‘two short days’ is FURTHER PROOF that Y&R continues to SHOOT ITSELF IN THE FOOT!!!!! Beyond dumb as hell.
Have a good one, Bart.
Day one of Kristoff’s death bed scenes with Nichols was incredible, his best work ever. Day two, the writing – Neil sobbing the word Mommy (twice) was almost laughable. One out of two ain’t bad…
I loved the whole me storyline wih Neil and his mother. Kristoff St. John is a such a phenomenal actor, who I feel is under used on the show. Every scene he did with Neil and Lucinda, I had to watch with tissues, because the tears didn’t know when to stop. It’s a shame her time was so brief. It would have been nice to have a matriarch in the Winters family. Wonderful acting by both!! Powers that be use more of the amazing actor that is Kristoff St John. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
Interviews
B&B’s Kimberlin Brown and Tanner Novlan Talk on Sheila’s Motherly Love for Finn and the Next Move Against Steffy & the Forresters
The Bold and the Beautiful’s mother/son duo of Kimberlin Brown (Sheila Carter) and Tanner Novlan (Finn) chatted with Michael Fairman during a virtual interview for the Michael Fairman Channel; about the return of soap super-villain Sheila to the CBS daytime drama series, and its impact on newlyweds Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Finn, and their newborn son, Hayes.
When daytime fans learned that Brown was returning to B&B, they were very excited to see back on-screen as one of the greats, who’s character has caused so much trouble for the residents in both Genoa City 0n The Young and the Restless and in Los Angeles on The Bold and the Beautiful with her various crimes, deceptions, and plots over the years.
Photo: JPI
However, this time, viewers learned that Sheila is the biological mother of good doctor, Finn and her entrance into the story (at the wedding reception for Finn and Steffy) threw disruption into the lives of the Forresters and for her the son she never-got-to-know that she gave up at birth.
During this entertaining and candid conversation, Kimberlin and Tanner reveal many behind-the-scenes tidbits including: what went down during the taping of the scenes where Finn learns Sheila is his mother as she steps out of the shadows, the confrontation at the wedding when the Forresters learned this shocking bit of intel, how Sheila plans to continue to manipulate and weave her way into her grandson and son’s life, and how she sees her vendetta with Steffy as an off-shoot of her vendetta with her grandmother, the late Stephanie Forrester (Susan Flannery).
Photo: JPI
In addition, Tanner weighs-in on Finn’s apparent ignorance of Paris’ (Diamond White) growing attraction to him, how that might trigger a Sheila/Paris partnership, or the possibility that Sheila does the unthinkable and somehow gets Steffy hooked back on opioids, or makes it looks like she has. There were many theories bantered about, and the actors share their speculative thoughts.
Photo: JPI
Now below, check out the interview with Kimberlin and Tanner. For more celebrity interviews make sure to subscribe and check out the Michael Fairman Channel here.
Then let us know, what possible plot do you think Sheila might concoct to get revenge on Steffy and the Forresters? Let us know your favorite part of our conversation with Kimberlin and Tanner via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Ron Carlivati Talks on the Creation, Scenes & Cast of ‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’
Last week viewers saw all five episodes of the limited-series Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem drop on Peacock. It was the first foray for the long-running NBC daytime drama series onto a streaming platform with an original self-contained story, in a move that is forward-thinking, and another avenue for soaps to be seen on and to keep the genre remaining relevant in the pop culture of today.
The head writer of Days of our Lives’ Ron Carlivati was also in charge of the overall story and direction and development of the creative of the limited-series, and following the initial streaming of all five episodes talked with Michael Fairman for in-depth look at the scenes, the moments and the casting of “Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem”, exclusively on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
Photo: JPI
During the conversation, Carlivati explained the impetus for bringing back Lisa Rinna to her signature role as Billie Reed, how the writing team created the parody of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills infamous “Amsterdam'” scene which featured Rinna and Eileen Davidson (Kristen/Sister Mary Moira) who also returned for the DAYS limited-series, and why they felt it was important to bring Davidson back to the roles she originated for the streamer.
Photo: JPI
In addition, Ron shares details of what went into the decision to recast the role of Sonny Kiriakis for the series with Zach Tinker, after Freddie Smith did not return for it, the casting of Peter Porte in his dual role as ISA agent Kyle Graham and bad guy Dimitri Von Leuschner, how the hilarious drag show scenes came to fruition, and how the decision was made to have Deidre Hall do the voiceover in the opening title sequence, plus his thoughts on the performances of the stellar cast.
Photo” JPI
Watch the chat with Ron below, and in case you missed it, our chat with cast members: Eileen Davidson, Peter Porte, Charles Shaughnessy, Zach Tinker and Rob Scott Wilson … and if you haven’t check out “Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem” its continuing to stream on Peacock.
So, what was your favorite part of Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem? Let us know in the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’ Stars Talk the ‘Making of’ the Limited-Series & the Moments They Loved
Vincent Irizarry Makes a Return to Days of our Lives
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS 2021: ‘This Is Us’ Leads TV Nominations, ‘The View’ Lands Daytime Talk Show Nod
Krista Allen is The Bold and the Beautiful’s New Taylor Hayes
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Abe Goes to the Light While John Faces Off with MarDevil
DAYS Emily O’Brien Previews Her Directorial Debut and Short Film ‘Too Close’
OLTL Favorite Tuc Watkins Joins Netflix Comedy Series ‘Uncoupled’
Jensen Ackles Shares Heartfelt Message on Death of ‘Rust’ DP Halyna Hutchins: “This Has Been a Tragedy of Epic Proportions”
GH’s Chad Duell and Y&R’s Courtney Hope Tie the Knot in Steampunk Style Wedding in Front of Castmates and Loved Ones
DAYS Billy Flynn and Wife Gina Comparetto Expecting Their First Child
‘Days of our Lives’ to Honor James Reynolds’ 40th Anniversary as Abe Carver with Special Episode
GH’s Chad Duell and Y&R’s Courtney Hope Tie the Knot in Steampunk Style Wedding in Front of Castmates and Loved Ones
Pluto TV Launches Soap Channel with B&B and Y&R Dedicated Episodes
Stars React to Alec Baldwin Fatally Shooting Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins & Injuring Director, Joel Souza, In Prop Gun Mishap On Set of ‘Rust’
Courtney Hope Gets Marriage Advice From Her Y&R Co-Stars Ahead of Her Wedding to GH’s Chad Duell
Krista Allen is The Bold and the Beautiful’s New Taylor Hayes
DAYS Billy Flynn and Wife Gina Comparetto Expecting Their First Child
‘Days of our Lives’ to Honor James Reynolds’ 40th Anniversary as Abe Carver with Special Episode
Melissa Claire Egan Teases Her Return to Y&R: “Chelsea’s Missed You All!! Excited to be Back in Genoa City Soon”
Corbin Bernsen to Reprise His Role of Arnie Becker in ‘LA Law’ Revival Pilot
TODAY: B&B’s Kimberlin Brown and Sean Kanan Guest on ‘The Talk’
Courtney Hope Gets Marriage Advice From Her Y&R Co-Stars Ahead of Her Wedding to GH’s Chad Duell
Y&R Leading Ladies Reflect on Being the Bride In Past Soap Weddings
Soap Veteran Michael Tylo Passes Away at 73
B&B’s Kimberlin Brown and Tanner Novlan Talk on Sheila’s Motherly Love for Finn and the Next Move Against Steffy & the Forresters
Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
Days of our Lives Revisits ‘The Possession Storyline’ This Fall
‘The Talk’ Unveils Its Season 12 Premiere Promo with its New Host Line-Up
WATCH: Kimberly McCullough Reunite and Visit with Maurice Benard on ‘State of Mind’
B&B’s EP and Head Writer, Brad Bell, On Bringing Back Sheila Carter
‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’ Drops Trailer; Announces Charles Shaughnessy and Jackie Cox Cast Additions
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General HospitalOctober 24, 2021GH’s Chad Duell and Y&R’s Courtney Hope Tie the Knot in Steampunk Style Wedding in Front of Castmates and Loved Ones
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NewsOctober 19, 2021Pluto TV Launches Soap Channel with B&B and Y&R Dedicated Episodes
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Breaking NewsOctober 22, 2021Stars React to Alec Baldwin Fatally Shooting Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins & Injuring Director, Joel Souza, In Prop Gun Mishap On Set of ‘Rust’
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General HospitalOctober 21, 2021Courtney Hope Gets Marriage Advice From Her Y&R Co-Stars Ahead of Her Wedding to GH’s Chad Duell
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Breaking NewsOctober 26, 2021Krista Allen is The Bold and the Beautiful’s New Taylor Hayes
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Days Of Our LivesOctober 23, 2021DAYS Billy Flynn and Wife Gina Comparetto Expecting Their First Child
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Days Of Our LivesOctober 22, 2021‘Days of our Lives’ to Honor James Reynolds’ 40th Anniversary as Abe Carver with Special Episode
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NewsOctober 18, 2021Melissa Claire Egan Teases Her Return to Y&R: “Chelsea’s Missed You All!! Excited to be Back in Genoa City Soon”