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August 2008
Check Out Interviews with Michael E. Knight (AMC’s Tad) and Natalia Livingston (GH’s Emily)
Who doesn’t love Michael E. Knight as Tad Martin on All My Children and Natalia Livingston as Emily (before her demise) on General Hospital?
Arguably, Tad and Emily are two of the most beloved characters in the soap world.
At least in my opinion.
And I guess my opinion counts right now because I’m the one writing this blog.
If you haven’t listened to Jo Ann’s soap star interviews on Stardish Radio , Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day) at 10 p.m. EST would be a good time to start.
That’s when Jo Ann will interview Knight.
And I can promise you, because I’ve met him and seen him in action at Super Soap Weekend, he is a lot of fun. So I expect it will be a good interview to catch.
Tad and Kathy on AMC
Go to the website at www.stardishradio.com and it will give you directions on how to listen in and even ask some questions. It’s called BlogTalk radio, which is an interesting concept.
You also can go into the archives and listen to her past interviews and she has a pretty impressive list of interviews to date, which include
Jo Ann has gotten a lot of soap stars, including David Fumero (Christian, OLTL), Kamar de los Reyes (Antonio, OLTL), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli, GH), Antonio Sabato, Jr. (Jagger, GH and GH Nightshift, season 2) and the list goes on and on.
So boot up your computers Monday night and listen to Jo Ann talk to Michael E. Knight.
Regarding Natalia, I know that many Emily fans (including me) have been missing her big time since she was killed off of GH back in November, although, luckily, we did see her as Nikolas’ hallucination for six months after her death.
And many Natalia fans have been wondering what she has been doing since her 5-years with GH ended.
Wonder no more.
There is a really good interview up on the Natalia Livingston website. Go there and click on updates. The latest update is an interview conducted by Jennifer, who runs Natalia’s site at www.natalia-livingston.com.
The entire interview is interesting.
But there was one portion that was particularly fascinating to me about the possibility of her return to GH.
I’m not going to spoil it for you.
Go to the Natalia board and listen for yourself.
And then let me know what you think.
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Rex and Gigi: Finally Together, I Hope
“Do I still love you? Morasco, it was always you!”
Awwwwww….
Wasn’t that just THE most romantic thing, when Rex said that to Gigi on “One Life To Live.”?
I just loved that one little moment in time.
Not to mention, I’m glad that Gigi finally told Rex that Shane is his son and I’m also glad that they both made it back to 2008.
Don’t get me wrong.
I loved the 1968 storyline for many reasons.
But I do think it’s time for Gigi (Farah Fath) and Rex (John-Paul Lavoisier) to get back to 2008 and sort out their….um….”complicated” situation.
Complicated - as in Rex is still technically married to Adriana and Shane believes Brody is his father. Not to mention the faux paternity test, which complicates things even further.
But I’m rooting for Gigi and Rex to work things out.
I must say I am conflicted by watching all the scenes between Shane (Austin Williams ) and Brody (Mark Lawson). The two characters have really bonded as father and son - believably so.
And I do feel for Brody.
He was willing to marry Gigi when she was pregnant with another man’s child and he’s still sticking by them.
He wants the three of them to be family so badly that it hurts.
I can feel it.
Lawson makes me feel it.
There will be someone else in Llanview for Brody. I’m sure of it.
Now that Rex knows the truth, he needs to divorce Adriana and Gigi needs to tell Shane the truth.
Gigi, Rex and Adriana
But Adriana (Melissa Fumero), who left Llanview for Paris in May, is slated to return for a few upcoming episodes. (In real life, the former Melissa Gallo married OLTL co-star David Fumero in December.)
Last we saw Adriana, she was kind of….well….kind of like you would expect Dorian’s daughter to be (rhymes with witchy.)
I wonder how SHE will shake things up.
Should be interesting.
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Genie Francis’ GH return doesn’t disappoint
Genie Francis really is quite good.
Her return to General Hospital as the iconic Laura has been much ballyhooed. So much so that I wondered if she could live up to the hype.
Silly me.
This is a daytime legend we’re talking about, after all.
From the moment Laura placed her hand on a weeping Lulu’s head and said, “Mom’s here,” I was hooked.
And bawling like a baby myself.
Genie’s portrayal even made me feel for Lulu for the first time in eons, and considering how self-absorbed and whiny and disrespectful I think Miss Spencer has become, that’s saying something.
But watching Lulu’s eyes light up with hope as she talked with her mom … and then seeing Lulu acting positively giddy afterward during Carly’s visit (Julie Marie Berman has such a wonderful smile) … I was reminded of the fact that Lulu has lived most of her (rapidly SORASed) life without her mother.
That’s gotta be extra hard on a young girl.
Both Genie and Julie have been playing their interludes beautifully. A masterful mix of joy and sorrow that seems so real in its poignancy.
I’m starting to think I look forward to their visits together as much as they do.
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Why Can’t Antonio Have A Little Happiness?
Ummmmm….Did anyone really like the Mendorra storyline on One Life To Live?
Because I didn’t.
I liked the fact that it brought back Andrea Evans as Tina Roberts.
But other than that, I wasn’t really crazy about it.
I HATED the fact that Talia (BethAnn Bonner) was forced to marry the sinister Jonas Chamberlain (Kevin Spirtas).
Although, I must say, Talia looked absolutely BEE-UTIFUL!
Too bad, it was wasted on that creep, Jonas.
But the thing I hated most was that Antonio Vega (Kamar de los Reyes) was nearly stabbed to death by Jonas and then forced to leave Talia there.
Kamar de los Reyes
Of course, now he’s going back to rescue her, which can’t come too soon for me!
I know this is a soap and there’s supposed to be a certain amount of …..well….drama.
But, come on!
Antonio has already HAD enought drama and heartache to last him five lifetimes.
Really.
I think the poor guy has endured way too much already.
The Jess/Tess mess (which he stuck by her through all of that) and that was followed by Jess’s cheating on him with Nash….That, alone, was enough pain for one lifetime.
Talk about unlucky in love.
Antonio is the poster child for that saying.
Now, when he finally found real love with Talia - boom, she’s taken away.
Not only that, but now Antonio finds out that Talia is the daughter of his mortal enemy, the oh-so-evil Carlo Hesser (Thom Christopher).
I am glad that the Mendorra storyline brought Christopher back to the Llanview canvas.
He is such a wonderful actor and I just love to watch him play evil - a refined kind of evil.
But, really, let’s get Antonio in there, rescue Talia and give the guy a little happiness….
Please?
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Mark Lawson as Brody on OLTL: Enjoyable to Watch
You know who’s really evolved as a character in a relatively short time?
Brody….
Brody Lovett (Mark Lawson) on One Life To Live.
Let’s flashback to April, when Brody first appeared on our screen as the bearded, boozing, fighting, womanizing neanderthal.
Well, here……take a look for yourself at this first visual of Brody.
It was a stark contrast to Gigi Morasco’s portrait of Brody as the brave, honorable, Navy Seal and the “father” of her son, Shane.
But within a month, he showed up at the action-packed wedding of Rex and Adriana. Brody was clean-shaven in his dress whites looking like he stepped out of “An Officer and A Gentleman.”
Quite a difference, eh?
And he’s committed to Gigi (Farah Fath), wants to build a life with her and keep up the pretense that he is Shane’s father.
Although he looked a lot different on the outside, he definitely still had some “issues” on the inside.
His drinking for one.
But, because he wanted to make things work between him and Gigi, Brody went to an AA meeting.
So he is trying.
What has really warmed my heart, though, is Brody’s growing relationship with Shane (Austin Williams). I love the recent bonding scenes with Shane, while Gigi is off trying to get Rex back from 1968.
Meanwhile, back in 2008, there is a real solid relationship building between Brody and Shane.
It’s really great how Lawson has developed Brody and has shown his gentle, loving side.
My spies at the OLTL Fan Club events last weekend tell me that Lawson is super nice and that he really appreciates his fans. The word “awesome” was used in reference to him.
It seems he went above and beyond and really spent a lot of time with his fans.
And you gotta love that!
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GH’s Patrick already acting like a real dad
It’s so cute how Patrick is worried about being the father of a little girl on General Hospital.
As most Scrubbies are aware by now, Robin (Kimberly McCullough) and Patrick (Jason Thompson) are having a Scrubette. And let’s just say the once fiercely and unapologetically womanizing Dr. Drake is having a few issues with the news. (Check out the scenes below, which, by the way, are such a beautiful mixture of sweetness and humor. Kimberly and Jason work so well together.)
Not that Patrick’s response has been negative. In fact, GH has wisely not let the idea of a little girl send Patrick spiraling back toward his Lothario ways.
Actually, it’s been an almost-opposite reaction.
Patrick is now keenly aware of the fact that his daughter may someday be the target of a player like him, and he’s not happy about it at all.
Talk about just desserts.
It’s been humorous watching Patrick run through the emotions, ultimately vowing to hurt any guy who dares to make the moves on his daughter.
The hound dog has turned into the watchdog.
And to think he (and Robin) thought he wasn’t father material.
Tsk, tsk.
I think he’s already off to a great, overprotective start.
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OLTL’s John and Blair Bringing Out The Best In Each Other
I’ve been noticing for months that there’s been this good chemistry going on between One Life To Live’s John McBain and Blair Cramer.
And now that they’re finally together, I’m liking what I’m seeing.
Now I don’t really know where this will go or how long it will last.
Let’s face it.
The two are…..well…..complicated at best.
They don’t have the best track records at relationships.
How many times has Blair (Kassie DePaiva) married Todd?
I think even the best OLTL statistician has lost count.
And John?
There was Natalie, which didn’t work out - twice.
Then Evangeline.
Then Marty.
Although, she doesn’t really count as a failed relationship because she died….although, not really, because we now know she is alive, but HE doesn’t know that……..yet.
The major theme in John’s doomed relationships is his failure to communicate his feelings….
And his demons.
Demons like the death of his fiancee, Caitlin, and the death of his father.
But I think he may have rid himself of those demons.
Which may have cleared the way for Blair.
Blair and John
I like them together.
And this is why.
Blair brings out the lighter side of John McBain, wearer of all things black.
How about that yellow Hawaiian shirt with Tucans on it?
Too Funny!
Only Blair could get him to put on that shirt.
And John?
Well, he’s been my favorite since he came to Llanview.
I just love the brooding, do-the-right-thing, Detective McBain.
And what I like about him is much more than those big blue bedroom eyes and his gorgeous good looks.
It’s his honesty, integrity and loyalty…..qualities that are rare and wonderful in this day and age.
I love the fact that amidst the chaos of Llanview, John McBain (Michael Easton) is the one constant you can count on when the chips are down.
And I’m wondering.
What’s going to happen when he finally finds out that Todd has deceived everyone and that Marty is alive?
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AMC’s Taylor can’t be Jake-centric
I can tell that the chemistry between Ricky Paull Goldin and Beth Ehlers is no fluke, even with the few scenes they’ve had as All My Children’s Jake and Taylor.
They were a huge hit as Gus and Harley on Guiding Light, and I think they can re-create the magic on AMC.
If it’s handled right.
Of course, I believe that Ricky Paull has a natural ease with everyone he works with. Plus he has the benefit of playing a character who already has huge ties — familial, friendly and romantically — to Pine Valley. I mean, he’s a member of one of the core families for goodness sake.
So it wasn’t really him that had to pass the test for me.
Beth is the one with the hard sell. She’s helping to create a brand-new character, and soap fans aren’t always the most patient or welcoming, even with star-caliber actresses.
Luckily for Beth — and the character of Taylor — AMC is not just bringing her on “for Jake.” Yeah, it’s obvious they want to pair them, but the show is weaving a broader identity for Taylor, complete with a military-forged friendship between her and Frankie.
And lookie here. Frankie happens to be Jake’s friend, as well.
See the umbrella unfolding?
If AMC can keep creating Taylor as an individual first, then they will have a much easier time creating a pairing between her and Jake.
Not that Beth necessarily needs the help, but a little depth to Taylor’s story surely can’t hurt.
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Kudos To The 1968 Storyline On One Life To Live
Who is loving the 1968 40th anniversary storyline on One Life To Live?
(Raises hand) I DO! I DO!
My friend, Sharona, however, does not. She wrote me an e-mail saying she wants the characters back in 2008.
But for me….each day that goes on, it just keeps getting better.
I enjoy all the references to 1968, because….well, I lived it.
I remember the songs, the clothes, the hippies, the peace movement, the president and the Vietnam War.
And all those things have come up during OLTL’s 1968 segments.
I think the whole storyline has been creative, i.e. using present day characters in dual roles as different characters from the past.
Not only that, but we are getting to see how the past and present are merged.
Case in point: Cord Roberts (John Loprieno) returns in the present; while we see how he came to be conceived in 1968 through a love affair between Clint (John Brotherton) and Maria (Melissa Archer), a Buchanan maid.
We also see how Asa sent Maria away, so that Clint would never know (until years later) that he had a son.
I love the fact that Loprieno returned as Cord and met up with daughter Sarah (Justis Bolding) and ex-wife Tina (Andrea Evans).
I loved when Tina asked Cord for another chance….and hoped that maybe…..
But no.
He said goodbye.
It’s so good to see Loprieno and Evans together again - however brief - and I really enjoy Bolding’s portrayal of Sarah. So glad that she survived the Falls!
And how can you not love Bo (Robert S. Woods) as Asa and Rex (John-Paul Lavoisier) as Bo in the past.
Woods and Lavoisier together are incredible. I could watch those two for hours. They are so entertaining, feeding off each others gestures and expressions.
This storyline has really brought their onscreen chemistry to another level.
Throw into the mix Lea Delaria as Madame Delfina/Professor Del Fina - HIL-ARIOUS!
As the male professor….well, you can’t tell it’s a woman playing a man.
That’s how good she is.
Do you know Loyita Chapel, the actress playing dual roles of Dallas (2008) and Renee (1968) is Woods’ real-life wife? I hope she sticks around for awhile. I like her.
Other things I like about 1968:
January LaVoy in the dual roles of Noelle (2008) and Rosa (1968). She plays two totally different characters and commands attention for both. Her spanish accent for Rosa is impeccable as is her southern accent for Noelle.
LaVoy as Rosa and Archer as Maria
And hooray that Mo (John Rue) proposed to Noelle in 2008! Rue is playing the dual role of Jeremiah Stubbs from 1968 - and a colorful character at that! Love that tie-dyed shirt he wears as Jeremiah.
How about Peter Bartlett, who has played the staid and proper butler, Nigel, for years is playing Chuck Sr. in 1968 - a cowpoke with a southern twang. Talk about a completely opposite character!
I love that Gigi (Farah Fath) is going after her man, Rex, and am eagerly anticipating “the reunion” and, hopefully, the revelation that Shane is Rex’s son (finally!). 
Fath is playing the dual role of Emma Bradley in 1968 - mother of psychopath Spencer Truman.
So even though I’m loving this storyline, I think the end is near.
Sharona, I think your wish is soon to be granted.
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Dusty coming back to As the World Turns
Yay!
Grayson McCouch is returning to As the World Turns as Dusty Donovan. (His scenes should start airing Sept. 24.)
Wow. Soaps really are capable of righting their horrible, horrible wrongs.
It’s not that I’m totally against shows killing off a core character once in awhile. I’m all for good drama here and there.
But sometimes it seems like soaps get too willy-nilly about it, knocking off a beloved character just ‘cause they can.
That’s how I felt about Dusty.
He had so many ties to the Oakdale canvas … and he was portrayed ever so winningly by the wonderfully charismatic and smoldering Grayson. That man has chemistry with everyone, and he brings such depth to Dusty, the complicated good-hearted guy with a bad-guy persona.
How could ATWT let that go?
Now I don’t have to waste my time wondering anymore.
Dusty’s back in Oakdale … where he, and Grayson, belong.
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Night Shift Two: Just Not Loving It
I tried to watch the whole thing.
I really did.
But once again, just like with season one, I just couldn’t watch the entire episode of General Hospital: Night Shift, season 2. In a word.
Boring!
Except, of course, the scenes with super spy Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers) - a victim of a plane crash who thinks he’s back in time.
Tristan Rogers
His scenes across the board were wonderful, especially with Robin (Kimberly McCullough) and Patrick (Jason Thompson).
The scenes with Jagger (Antonio Sabato, Jr.) and Robin were touching.
The scene in the closet when Robert Scorpio was delusional and was trying to escape from the hospital was vintage Scorpio.
And how about when Robin realizes that her father doesn’t know her and he collapses on the floor.
There was real feeling there.
There was history there.
I could have watched them the entire show and have been happy.
I also enjoy Epiphany (Sonya Eddy) immensly. I mean, who doesn’t. She’s great.
But, honestly, the rest of the show I could care less about.
What’s up with the whole new cast of young doctors?
I’m not invested in these characters - nor will I be.
How can one become invested in a whole new slew of characters - all basically young, pretty faces.
I’m just not into this whole new soap mentality that you have to cast a bunch of young newbies.
Are producers even looking at the latest demographic studies, which show the average age of soap opera watchers are over the age of 50?
And, probably, most of those viewers have been watching their favorite soaps for more than 35 years, which means they want characters they have come to know and love.
Like Robert Scorpio.
Here’s a thought.
Move him back to the real General Hospital.
Get rid of the mob.
Bring back Luke and Laura.
And let’s have some “Love in the Afternoon.”
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Hauntings are a theme for AMC, GH
Lately I’ve been imagining that Logan from General Hospital and Richie from All My Children have been sitting around, playing poker in purgatory, just biding their time until their next scheduled haunting.
And they’re obviously using the same stylist.
This week both popped up in their killer’s mind’s eye, looming ever so pale and gaunt and ghastly as Lulu and Annie peered respectively over the shoulder of the man they love.
Check out their recent hauntings here:
Granted, I’m sure that guilt could cause some whopper hallucinations, but is it really that common for someone to “see” their victim? And, in Annie’s case, to have the person talk, as well?
It actually was kind of funny for me when, while visiting Laura, Lulu asked (and I paraphrase): “Did you see Rick Webber after you thought you’d killed him?”
All I could think was, “Honey, this is a soap opera. Of course, she did.” (Not that I remember Laura actually seeing Rick, but then again, that whole story line turned me off on various levels, so I could have completely missed it in my attempt to disregard the ruination of the once-noble and fatherly character of Rick Webber and the disrespectful send-off for Genie Francis as Laura.)
Anyhoo …
The spookily parallel ghost sightings on AMC and GH spotlights how uninspired soaps can be.
But I’ll forgive ‘em this time around, namely because I am enjoying the extra torture for Lulu. And any additional screen time for Josh Duhon and Billy Miller is welcome in my book.
Speaking of Billy, he’ll be joining The Young and the Restless as Billy Abbott. Good for him. And good for Y&R.
Now if only someone would snap Josh up.
Then maybe, just maybe, I will no longer be haunted by GH’s stupid decision to kill off Logan.
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Tristan Rogers as Robert Scorpio Comes To GH Night Shift
Has anyone watched General Hospital: Night Shift, season two yet?
I haven’t mainly because I absolutely HATED season one…..absolutely hated it for various reasons. Click here to read my blog that I wrote last year about season one.
But, I must say, that the recaps for the first two episodes sounded interesting….and entertaining.
Let’s not forget, Antonio Sabato Jr. reprises his GH role from long ago as Jagger Cates.
(Yes, you can stop reading long enough to wipe the drool off your chin.)
As episode three is about to air tonight 11 p.m. EST on SOAPnet, I will absolutely have to tune in.
Why, you ask?
Because the legendary Tristan Rogers, aka Robert Scorpio, makes his debut tonight on Night Shift….and I must confess I’m excited.
Excited because, let’s face it, who doesn’t love Robert Scorpio, the Super Sexy, Super Charming, Super Spy from the Luke and Laura days on General Hospital.
And, yeah, Tristan Rogers is still super sexy at 62.
How do I know this, you ask?
Because I’ve been face-to-face with him twice in the past two years.
And he’s totally charming…much like the character he plays.
I met him November 2006 at Super Soap Weekend, when I was thrilled to pull his fast pass and meet him up close and personal.
The following April, he came to the Palm Beach International Film Festival for a debut of his short film “Opportunity Knocks.”
I interviewed him and wrote a story - as part of my real job - as a reporter for the “Palm Beach Daily News.”
You know how some men look better as they age?
He’s one of those.
In a blog he posted on his MySpace page, Tristan asks his fans to give NS2 a chance and says it’s much different than season one.
He says his character is as “kick ass” as ever. But he doesn’t say anything about what’s going to happen during Scorpio’s reemergence in Port Charles.
According to TV Guide, Robert Scorpio comes to General Hospital with “a major health issue that’ll have him grappling with his mortality.”
I’m looking forward to the interaction between Robert and his daughter, Dr. Robin Scorpio (Kimberly McCullough), which should be interesting in light of the fact that Robin is now pregnant.
At any rate, I’m tuning in tonight and I think you should too.
After all, it’s a two-fer.
Antonio Sabato, Jr. and Tristan Rogers.
Throw in Jason Thompson as Dr. Patrick Drake and you’ve got a hat trick.
How can you go wrong with those three on your screen?
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Carlo/Talia portrayers click on OLTL
Thom Christopher and BethAnn Bonner are truly electric together as the estranged father/daughter duo of Talia Sahid and Carlo Hesser on One Life to Live.
I’ve written before about my appreciation for BethAnn’s talents … and my utter adoration of Thom.
Who knew that putting them together would make each performer that much better?
I love that Talia is getting such a complicated and exciting back story. Her scenes with Carlo, the biological father she can’t stand, simply drip with animosity. But underneath it all is that undercurrent of family, the feeling that blood binds her to Carlo, makes her somewhat protective of him in the face of Antonio’s fury, even though she wishes it weren’t so. (Check out some of their scenes below.)
Ironically, Carlo finds her contempt positively Hesser-worthy. He practically beams with pride whenever Talia spits out how much she hates him. He admires her passion and resolve, even as she points her dagger eyes his way.
Seeing BethAnn in scenes with Thom has added so many layers to Talia. And it’s given Carlo yet another golden child to obsess over and manipulate.
Although the two characters are at odds, it’s obvious that BethAnn and Thom are on the same page. They have forged a quick connection as performers, making their scenes together click.
As a soap viewer, I know that kind of chemistry between actors is never a given. I just hope the OLTL higher-ups recognize how fortunate they are.
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