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On The Young and the Restless, Lauren Fenmore Baldwin’s (Tracey E. Bregman) family recently got a little larger with the re-emergence on to the Genoa City canvas by her son, Scott Grainger.  Only this time, Scott is being played by actor, Daniel Hall.  With an intriguing back-story that has yet to all come to a light, and Lauren’s torturous past with the woman who took her son as a baby, Sheila Carter, Scott’s life has been anything but a piece of cake.

After Lauren finds out that Scott has been kidnapped while doing investigative journalist work in the Middle East, she makes a deal with the devil sort of speak, Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), who helps bring her son home.  But it comes with a cost!  Now Scott is having to take orders from Victor at Newman Enterprises which have included: helping him write his memoir, keeping tabs on his daughter, Abby (Melissa Ordway) where Scott feels like a glorified babysitter, and more.

Meanwhile, Mr. Grainger has become the most eligible bachelor in town, and is most intrigued by Sharon (Sharon Case), and the two have even shared some hot kisses.

Photo: CBS

But, Could it be that Abby just might end up being a viable love interest giving Sharon a run-for-money in the love department or winding up a troublemaker meddling in Scott’s life?

As for Tracey E. Bregman, the powers-that-be have given her story bringing the beloved character of Lauren back to the forefront, whether it is via her company’s financial woes or caring about the well-being of her eldest son.

On-Air On-Soaps sat down with Tracey and Daniel at the Y&R CBS soundstages to find out:  their first impressions of each other, how Daniel landed the role, what he thinks of his co-stars, and a tease of what is to come!  Here’s what they shared.

What was your reaction, Tracey, when you found out they were going to bring your on-screen son, Scott back to the show?

TRACEY:  I was so excited.  And of course, I wanted to be up in everyone’s grill as to who they are casting!  Then, we found out it was Daniel.  And poor Daniel on the day that we first meet, which is on a Sunday, we decide to meet for coffee, but on my way to meet him, my car dies and the suspension goes out!  I called him and said, “I know you don’t know me, but I am in Thousand Oaks in a range rover ….!”  We then end up together for five hours!  The poor guy helps me buy a new car and we go on test drives … the works!  He then knows the whole 411 on Tracey through this process!  Then, quite frankly, he didn’t want to leave me and he had a poker game to get to.   At that point, I wasn’t sure if I could get the car at that point, or get back home.  Daniel almost had to drive me back home to Malibu! I am like, “I am so embarrassed!” And then I said to him, “By hook or by crook, I will get you to your poker game!”  

So after spending five hours with him, what were your impressions of Daniel at that point?

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

TRACEY:  We had instant rapport, and went straight into shtick. (Laughs)

DANIEL:   So after we meet at the dealer, we go have lunch, she says it’s her treat.  So we go to the Four Seasons, and we chat about the show and about the 411, as you say, on everything, and how everything works on set.

TRACEY:   He had a lot of questions, and so it was a good thing we had five hours together! (Laughs)  At the end of this all I was like, “Look who’s got the ‘hot’ son!” 

DANIEL:  Thanks “mom” back at cha!  Tracey was probably one of the first people to share with me all of the plotlines in Scott’s history.  Someone who works inside of Y&R sent me a little paragraph on my back-story saying, “Here’s what happened …let me break it down for you …because there is a lot of stuff that has happened to you over ten years.”   In story, Scott went toCanada and then theMiddle East.  After the lunch with Tracey, we went back to the dealer and listened to her son’s music in the car on the way back.   I thought she was testing me the whole time! (Laughs)

Daniel, what was your audition process like to nab the role of Scott?

DANIEL: Waking into the audition, I did not know much.  They give you “dummy” sides and no real background.  They even told me that I was a teacher, or a professor, of sorts.  I did not know too much about Y&R before this.  I had seen episodes, because it has been on for such a long time, but I was not an avid watcher.  Therefore, I did not know the storyline and how Scott was kidnapped as a kid by Sheila.

What did you think when you heard about Scott’s start in this world as a baby, being kidnapped by then nasty nurse Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown)?

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

DANIEL:  It’s crazy.   It’s insane.  It was a perfect story for years – the whole black market baby scheme – and then that baby dies, etc.   So, yes it was amazing.  I only found about that stuff after I did my screen test and got the job.

TRACEY: Peter Barton (Ex-Scott Grainger Sr.) was texting me at the same time Daniel was cast, and it was so freaky!  The Sheila/Lauren story they brought back many times, and it was so crazy, and everybody got a chance to play Sheila! (Laughs)

Daniel, what was the moment like when you learned you got the part on Y&R?

DANIEL:  When you do the screen test for the part, the show has to tell you within five days whether you got it.  It came upon the fourth day, and the day I left the screen test they wanted to see something else from my reel.  I said, “Sure”, but in my head I am thinking, “Well, they don’t even like what I did so they want to see something else.”  So they see the reel and then three days later I am on my way to the grocery store and my agent calls and he says “You got the gig! You can take those acting classes you wanted to take.  You can buy that new jacket you wanted.  You have a contract on The Young and the Restless.”  I didn’t even know how to react!  This kind of info changes your life a lot … like in a massive way.  You suddenly have a responsibility that you never had in your life.   I remember the first thing I said to my agent upon getting the job: “What do I do with this information? (Laughs)

Tracey, did you give Daniel any advice while he was prepping for the role?

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

TRACEY: As I was reading scripts before he began here, I would take pictures of the dialog, or the scenes if Scott came up in them, and his back-story, and would send them to Daniel, to sort of help him.

DANIEL: Tracey has been awesome that way.  She has also said, “Dude, if you ever need to run lines. Let me know!”

TRACEY:  It’s possible I did not say “Dude” first.  (Laughs)

DANIEL:  I think she may have said, “Hey, Dude man.’ (Laughs)

It has been great that Lauren has been front and center in storylines again throughout 2017, starting with her business troubles with Fenmore’s.

TRACEY:  I love that I got to do a business story and showing two strong women who have a strong friendship can work in business together.  Even though we were strong in negotiations, we weren’t bitchy about it.  I love that these women could be supportive of each other, and that Phyllis (Gina Tognoni) is best friends with Lauren’s husband, as well.

Y&R head writer, Sally Sussman has put legacy characters such as Lauren and Jill (Jess Walton) in stories where they had some major chutzpah again.    Lauren used to stir the pot and I would love to her do that again…  Tracey, would you like to see her make a more villainess turn?  

TRACEY:  What Sally told me when she came back to the show is Lauren is going to be “spunky Lauren” again.  That is good for me.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

What is Lauren’s modus operandi when it comes to her son?

TRACEY:  She wants to set him up with her friends, because she doesn’t want him to leave Genoa City again.

Daniel, what was it like working with Eric Braeden (Victor) for the first time?

DANIEL:  He gave me a fist-pump.  Eric said: “I just want you to know we get this page done, and then we through it on the floor!” (Laughs)  He literally had me do that with him when we finished a scene, because there is so much dialog. Eric has been here a long time, and so I think it helps him and you sort of wipe the slate clean like, “That’s finished.”   That was the first thing he showed me.  

TRACEY:  I love working with Eric.  Years ago we did these supermarket food shows together, and once a month we would go out on the road.  We spent a very concentrated set of time together once a month for an entire year, so we got to know each other well. Eric can just look at me and I can start to laugh, because we had so much fun … and stories.  Eric has a very special place in my heart.

Does Scott have some sort of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) going on from his time being kidnapped and his travels?

Courtesy/CBS

DANIEL:  It’s tricky.  I am playing that a touch, but it’s more about a massive amount of loss, and of what he left.  You will find out down the road there are more things that go with that, and just coming back to a town where he doesn’t feel he fits in.  He doesn’t belong here in a sense, because he is cut from a different cloth like his father was; in that they were more about philanthropy work than just most of the people in Genoa City who are just trying to gain for themselves and make more money, and more money.  I think that makes Scott uncomfortable.  In coming back to Genoa City, it has been stressful for him, because he has been removed from helping people, because that’s what he wants to do.  Now he feels he is helpless. He is now indebted to Victor Newman which is a whole other stress.

Scott was writing Victor’s autobiography and now seemingly forced into helping Victor plan a reception to announce the Nikki Newman Research wing.  He has also been hired as sort of an “executive” to keep his eye on Victor’s daughter, Abby!  Is Scott interested in learning some dark secrets that Victor may have never shared?

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

DANIEL: Scott would love to know the skeletons he has.  Part of a job as a journalist is finding out how people tick, and why they do what they do.  I think he truly wants to figure out Victor, and he is a bit inspired by Victor too, even if Scott does not believe in how he goes about his business.  Victor is driven.  He does what he wants to do, and I think that is something that Scott looks up to.

How does Lauren feel that Scott is under Victor’s thumb?

TRACEY:  As I said earlier, Lauren is thrilled with anything that will keep Scott in town so she is OK with him working for Victor.  And if you remember, years go after Neil Fenmore died; Victor Newman came on the board to help her.  He is the reason she became CEO of Fenmore’s, because they wanted to oust Lauren, because she didn’t know what she was doing.  At that time, she was just some rock star … 

Courtesy/CBS

With big hair …

TRACEY:  Extremely big hair …and shoulders! They used to yell “HIKE!” when I walked on set! (Laughs)  So for her, she will always have a soft spot for Victor.  Things got tainted with what happened with Michael (Christian LeBlanc) last year, but there’s a fatherly thing I think the viewers saw in the scenes where she was like exploding in anger, and he would look at her, and she would start to cry and go, “I’m so sorry.”  He then came to hug her. So for Lauren, there is a father figure there that she looks up to.

Victor is going to throw being in debt to him into Scott’s face continually! Don’t ya think?

DANIEL:  Oh, I think he will, but what choice does Scott have?

It was a 10 million dollar ransom to save his life, right?

DANIEL:  That is a massive debt.  That is a “you-can’t-pay-that-back” kind of debt.  Scott buys one lotto ticket every Tuesday in an attempt though! (Laughs)

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

TRACEY:  I hope Tracey does have to do a lot to pay that back! 

Right!  Victor might be manipulating her a lot!

TRACEY:  Yes … which could be great story for me.   I would like to know Lauren’s financial picture.  Doesn’t she own a chain of department stores?  I would like to understand that, but I think with the changing times, and that brick and mortar is not in fashion anymore, and everything is online now, that they instantly revamped.

They have a Fenmore app now!

TRACEY:   Yes! They have a virtual dressing room.

Daniel, do we know who Scott was held captive by when Lauren was negotiating to get him free?

DANIEL:  Scott was held captive in the Middle East while investigating a story, through politics and social injustices, and trying to get to the bottom of why there are wars in poverty-stricken areas. 

Y&R teased a possible romance with Phyllis.  What has it been like working with three-time Daytime Emmy winner, Gina Tognoni (Phyllis)?

DANIEL:  In story, Lauren in attempt to make sure Scott was OK one night, sort of set the two of them up.  Phyllis is a very beautiful woman, but it isn’t quite the right fit, based on the relationship she has in business with Lauren.  It’s too close for comfort.  However, working with Gina Tognoni is great. She is a straight shooter.  She says what she is feeling which is awesome to work with.  Since Gina is from the east coast, and I am too – I was born in Connecticut and lived in New York City – that is one of the things we shared.  What I love about east-coasters, and I am not knocking the west coast at all, but New Yorkers seem to say what is on their mind.  They will tell you if they don’t like you.  They will say it to you face.  Gina and I hit it off very well in our first scenes together.  She is an actress who really likes to get down to the beats of the scene and work on it.   

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Daniel, you land on the top-rated daytime soap.  Did you ever see yourself on one when you were visualizing your acting career path?

DANIEL:  Was I dreaming of it?  No.  Was I against it?  It was never off the table, because it’s always steady work for an actor.  It’s a nine to five job where you can actually have some security until your contract expires, or they get rid of you.  At the moment, I am very happy to be in this place.  It’s a blessing and a great team here to work with.

Scott digs Sharon (Sharon Case), clearly!

DANIEL:  Yes, because she has been through it!   Scott does not know everything yet about her past, but Sharon makes these inside jokes, like the first scene they shared where she says to him, “Well, I know a bit about psychology.”   He is like, “What?”  (Laughs) 

Everyone in town is warning him: “Stay away from Sharon!” (Laughs)

DANIEL:  Right, but Scott is like, “No, no. That is the one I want.”  On social media they have even named Scott and Sharon, “Shott”   The nice thing is the big fans of Sharon are saying they love the pairing and are like “get them together!”  But then a lot of people are like, “Get him the hell of there!  Get him away from Sharon!”  Some feel that Scott is a nice guy, and that if he is with Sharon he could get hurt!

Is Scott a nice guy?

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DANIEL:  I think Scott means well in everything he does.  He has gotten himself in hot water in some cases, and depending on how he reacts it can change his whole pattern of being.  I want to give you a solid answer, but at the moment I truly see him as an honest, good guy.  I think at this point he is this beacon of hope trying to help the people of Genoa City.  But the problem is people get tainted, and right now he is absorbing a lot of toxic relationships and energy that is around town. 

Do you know Scott’s storyline trajectory?

DANIEL:  I do know and I do like it.  I think the audience is going to be really excited by it. There are some pretty powerful and intense plotlines that are coming up that are going to be shocking and exciting.

Daniel, what has it been like for you working with Sharon Case? What have been your impressions of her?

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DANIEL:  She is one of the most, quick on your toes actresses.  Sharon will rehearse if you want to.  She is very giving, but she is so good at this job that she doesn’t need to do many runs at a scene. Sharon walks on set and is ready to rock and roll.  You better be ready when you take the stage with her, because she ready.  Sharon does not mess up her lines so you need to be on your game, as well.   She is the type of gal who they can give script changes to right there on set, and still deliver it so well.  I, on the other hand, am going, “Wait.  You want me to say this?  And I have to move over here as well?” (Laughs).  Sharon Case is very professional and very generous.  She was actually who I screen-tested with, and she was awesome in that.  I think I even flubbed a word and she looked at me and I thought, “Oops!  Do I have to start over?”  But she kind of covered for me, and she had my back!  Sharon has had my back from day one.  She has been doing that on set with me and has been extremely supportive.  We have great scenes coming up, and I enjoy working with her.

How would Lauren feel if Scott was in a relationship with Sharon or Abby Newman (Melissa Ordway)?

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TRACEY:  Number one: almost anything that would keep him in Genoa City whether it’s Sharon or Abby, although that is an interesting romantic choice for him, is in one way a plus.  But as a mother, it will be interesting to see how she feels. 

Tracey, what did your on-screen husband Christian LeBlanc (Michael) have to say about the newest addition to your Genoa City clan?

TRACEY:   We all love Daniel, of course.  He has been very well-received.  Rave reviews! (Laughs)  I am not going to tell the real truth! (Laughs)

How does Lauren view herself as a mother?

TRACEY:  She did what she had to do to protect Scott from Sheila.  But in doing that, Lauren wasn’t there a lot to be able to protect him.  She feels a lot of guilt for that, and is questioning if Scott is the way he is because of that.

What does she think of his career choice in investigative journalism?

TRACEY:  She does not like it all.  However, she is so impressed with what a great writer he is, and how brave he is, and how he is willing to be in the eye of the storm.  But as a mother it all scares her to death.  In real-life, Tracey was scared that her son went to school in Tucson, Arizona!

What has been the response you have seen to your mother/son pairing on social media?

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DANIEL:  What has been great about this storyline is the fans get their wonderful Lauren back on-screen with new story, and they get to meet someone new with my character.  The feedback on the scenes between me and Tracey has been very positive on social media, as well. They want to see more of the mother/son relationship. 

Now the big final question … do you think Sheila will come back and kidnap the adult Scott in a bit of history repeating?

TRACEY… And scene! (Laughs)

DANIEL:  If she ever does, Scott can handle her on his own now, thank you! (Laughs)

So, what do you think of the mother/son relationship between Lauren and Scott?  Are you rooting for Scott and Sharon to be a popular romantic duo?  Will Abby be the wild-card?  Do you think Sheila Carter may some day return? Share your thoughts on their interview in the comment section below!