Connect with us

Interviews

The Brad Bell Interview – The Bold and the Beautiful

Photo Credit: Gilles Toucas

Courtesy/CBS

What is the mark of a great executive producer and head writer?  The ability to roll with the punches when the unexpected happens!   And that is exactly what The Bold and the Beautiful’s Brad Bell has been doing after the stunning announcements that series stars, Ronn Moss (Ridge) and Susan Flannery (Stephanie) made decisions to leave the CBS soap after 25 years.

While Moss’ last episode has aired, Flannery will be around till December and as Brad teases below, the series plans an appropriate send-off for Susan and her alter-ego Stephanie.  But what does this mean for the beloved Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke)?  On-Air On-Soaps sat down with the head honcho of all things bold and beautiful in his office, to get this thoughts on future plans for Brooke, how Ronn Moss’ final scenes played out behind-the-scenes during Brooke and Ridge’s latest wedding, how he is dealing with all the upheaval, and a preview into the fall for the other characters on his canvas, and who will be stepping into the forefront!

And if the two big departures of Moss and Flannery weren’t bad enough, Bell prior to that found out he had to put the brakes on the show’s highly anticipated first same-sex storyline featuring fan favorites, Joanna Johnson (Karen) and Crystal Chappell (Dani).  In our conversation, he informs us what the future holds for this important story that he has clearly wanted to tell.

There are some things that can be said of Brad Bell: He is forthright, smart, and incredibly successful in this genre.  Many feel he has the right formula and prescription to keep making the soap genre vital and viable in the changing television landscape, and you will read what he thinks about that, too. Here’s our chat with Brad!

MICHAEL:

There have been a lot of significant changes that you have to deal with … the fallout from the departure of Ronn Moss, and soon, Susan Flannery.  How has this caused you to shuffle the deck story-wise?  Will the departures ultimately alter the course of what you had planned for the fall for viewers of B&B?

BRAD:

Courtesy/CBS

At first, it’s like being in a car and running 50 miles an hour into a brick wall.  Then, you have that moment of crashing, and then you realize you have to pick up the pieces and turn left or turn right, and continue on.  There is that initial impact of: this is all you have known for 25 years, and then it’s gone, and that causes you to look in new directions.  It’s exciting what I am seeing.  I am grateful to Ronn and Susan for so much talent and their dedication, but I am also excited about these new paths and avenues the show will take.

MICHAEL:

As the show’s head writer and executive producer, when all the shocking changes came about what went down?   Did you have an emergency meeting with your writing team?

BRAD:

It was interesting.  I met with Katherine Kelly Lang, and the writers and producers, and we all just threw out ideas. The path seemed pretty clear very quickly, and it’s always about playing to your strengths and recognizing what your strengths are in terms of cast, and story, and how we are going to use some of these key characters.  It also opened up new avenues for characters that had been back-burnered, or on the sidelines, who I have had great respect for, but we have just not had the chance to give them the amount of airtime that they need and deserve.  So in that respect, it’s very exciting.

MICHAEL:

You are speaking for instance of Jacob Young (Rick)?  You have said in previously published interviews that he would come front and center as he vies to take over Ridge’s seat at Forrester Creations, and as well as his manipulations for the love of Caroline.

BRAD:

Yes.  Jacob, Linsey Godfrey (Caroline), Hunter Tylo (Taylor), and basically the rest of the core cast.  We know that Ronn, Katherine, Susan, and John McCook (Eric) have been front and center for 25 years.  We have great actors and actresses here, such as Alley Mills (Pam)!  We have so many people who will be able to step up, plus the younger group, so I am excited to put words in their mouths!

MICHAEL:

Was there a moment when you were concerned that Katherine Kelly Lang would not re-sign with the series?

Photo Credit: Gilles Toucas

BRAD:

You never know!  Life throws you curveballs.  So before we went on hiatus, I had not heard from a few of the cast members.  I wrote a wedding, and it was written the way it was because I knew anything could happen.  It rarely does, but sometimes it does.  So I was so happy that Katherine and I are continuing on.  She is fantastic!  She is unbelievable, and that we care about her 25 years into the character, and everything she has been through!  How Katherine makes us still love Brooke, and care about her, and makes us want to throw things at her at the same time … is amazing.   I don’t know how Katherine does it.

MICHAEL:

How was the taping of the wedding of Brooke and Ridge?   Ronn and Katherine both told me separately, it was the hardest day they have ever had to get through during the 25 years they have spent together at B&B.   How was it for you?

BRAD:

It was surreal.  It was so unexpected.  But then, we knew it was the last scenes Katherine and Ronn would be doing together … maybe forever, or maybe for quite some time.  But it had a very real feel to it.  When Ridge and Brooke were stating that they love each other, Katherine and Ronn really do love each other.   So, it was incredibly intense, and when the viewers saw it on air, they saw not as much acting, but more reality.

MICHAEL:

Then, they went off on their honeymoon, and Brooke returns sans Ridge.

BRAD:

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Yes, and then Brooke comes back and resumes her life.

MICHAEL:

And goes on to another man?  You have teased in recent interviews that there will be a new man in Brooke’s life.  Do you know who that man is?

BRAD:

Yes, there will be a new man in Brooke’s life, and I do know who that man is.

MICHAEL:

Many of us are hoping … it’s Dr Meade!  We think Jon Hensley (Dr. Meade, Ex-Holden, ATWT) and Katherine would be quite sexy together on-screen!

BRAD:

Dr, Meade is cool!  But you know Brooke.  There won’t just be one man! (Laughs)  As far as Jon Hensley, we are excited to have him back.  He will be in more often and he has a storyline that is developing.  I went to Jon and said, “I don’t have much here, but it’s a role of a doctor.  And, we all know doctors and their history on soap operas.”

MICHAEL:

Yes. They sleep with all their patients! (Laughs)

BRAD:

Photo Credit: Art Streiber

That’s right! (Laughs)   But Jon was very trusting in me and now it’s starting to grow.  I can say that with what little Jon has had; he has done so much with it.

MICHAEL:

Do you watch how actors click on-screen to dictate story?  Or, if there is a flick of chemistry … or, if it’s just watching paint dry between them?  I would think it’s key in your position.

BRAD:

That is the really smart way to write a soap.  You can beat your head against a wall writing wonderful scenes, or scenes that could potentially be wonderful.  But, if the chemistry is not there, you are fighting a losing battle.  If there is chemistry there, and you have actors and actresses who know how to define their character, and know how to be provocative, and make something out of nothing, then they are going to make you look good.

MICHAEL:

You’re not too far ahead of yourself in taping vs. storytelling, which is good!  Days of our Lives is three months ahead, and when things aren’t working there, it’s very hard for them to go back.  There is re-editing that would have to be done and scraping of story.  Here at B&B, you have the ability to change something faster, if it’s not resonating with your audience.

BRAD:

Courtesy/CBS

Fortunately, CBS has trusted me, and in order to write a long term story and stick to the long term, it would seem to make sense, but it doesn’t.  The writing denies the writer the writing process.  The writing process isn’t coming up with something and sticking with it. The writing process is about coming up with something and refining and refining it, sometimes up until the scene tapes, or even after it.  That is what screen writers and sitcoms writers do, but in soaps, we don’t have that luxury.  However, it’s essential that the process is allowed to take place, because it usually gets better results.

MICHAEL:

Having steered the ship at B&B for 25 years, how often now do you listen to your viewers and what they want, as opposed to staying on course with what you want to write, or projected story-wise with your team?

BRAD:

I have always enjoyed the viewer’s comments.  They are interesting and great.  My dad, Bill Bell was into Daytime TV Magazine, when they had a poll in it.  He would look at that and have the magazine open on his desk and he would refer to it.  And, why not?  We are foolish not to pay attention to these people who are specialists and analysts.  So I enjoy reading the feedback all the time.  I don’t tell story according to it, but if I say it doesn’t have an impact, that is not true either.  It does.

MICHAEL:

Photo Credit: Gilles Toucas

Fans have been quite critical that the Steffy/Liam/Hope triangle is way overplayed.  Is it overplayed to you?

BRAD:

The fans are saying that this triangle is overplayed right now, and they are absolutely right.  I feel that too when I watch the show right now.  We are just about to take a break from that, as they have been front and center for a long time.  And they have proven themselves and defined themselves as Brooke/Ridge/Taylor were overplayed in the 80’s and the 90’s.  We are going to take a break and see more families in the fall.  I was ready to take a break from them, but then I heard Ronn’s decision to leave and there were so many things up in the air.  So there were a lot of behind-the-scenes shake-ups.  Part of the reason of this extended version of Steffy/Liam/Hope was that I was not sure who I had on the canvas.  I knew I could count on Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy), Scott Clifton (Liam) and Kim Matula (Hope).  They were delivering.  So now we are gearing up for a new chapter, but all three of them were so fantastic.  We are up in the ratings from last year due to them. They have all grown so much as actors.  I could not be more pleased.  They have all been a hit for us.

MICHAEL:

When Susan Flannery announced her departure to you, how were you with that?  Was it emotional for you?  You two have been so paramount to the success of this show.  

BRAD:

Susan had talked about leaving for quite some time.  She basically came into my office and said, “I’m leaving.”  She did not beat around the bush.  And I said, “I can tell you mean it.”  And we hugged, and she said she would be here with me to bring a conclusion to the story and the character.  We have a great mutual respect for one another.  We have enjoyed locking horns once in awhile.  I can be difficult, and she can be difficult, but that is all part of this, and what we really love and how we learn from each other.  I will miss her.  Susan had made her impact on this show, obviously.  She is our matriarch forever.

MICHAEL:

You also have teased that you have a big story for Susan to set up her exit from the series.  Will that be front and center this fall?

BRAD:

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

We have not written Susan’s exit yet, but I can say it will be a great send-off and a tribute to a woman and a character that has been so much a part of our lives.  I would really like to do justice to her, and show the highlights of her career on this show.  I think the audience is going to love it.

MICHAEL:

Many executive producers and head writers in daytime use a major star and character’s exit to propel future story.  Do you see that with Stephanie’s exit, or will you try to have closure for the character and satisfy the audience in a dramatic fashion?

BRAD:

Well, both!  We won’t be using Susan’s send-off as a vehicle.  I think she deserves better than that.  So it’s going to be all about Stephanie, and all about Susan.  Hopefully, it will be one of the great tributes on daytime, ever!

MICHAEL:

In regards to Ridge, would you recast the role?

BRAD:

The role of Ridge Forrester is so integral to The Bold and the Beautiful that I don’t like to think of anyone else playing the role other than Ronn Moss.  But, I have gone on record as saying, I will recast if the time comes, and I feel we need the character.  Then, I will bring back the character.  Ronn will always be my first choice.  I hope he does return to the show.  But if he is not up for that, then I will recast it.

Courtesy/CBS

MICHAEL:

When Ronn made his decision to leave, did you have any idea it would happen so suddenly?

BRAD:

No.  I think everyone was shocked.  So off he went.   Ronn has been such a great gentlemen and such a great leader, and adored around the world.  Ronn is a great man and a great actor.  He just made the character of Ridge Forrester so singular, that he became iconic around the world.

MICHAEL:

Bill and Katie will be big in the fall, I see!  Does he do some more evil stuff?  And, will that mean more Emmy worthy material for Heather Tom (Katie)?

BRAD:

I hope so!  With Heather, she can basically read the phone book and make it good.  But, we have a great women’s issue storyline coming Heather’s way this fall … like a freight train!  We are so excited about this.  It will give Heather a storyline that she has never had before.  Something that affects so many women around the world, and Heather is going to ace it for sure.  It’s exciting to have powerful material heading in the direction of an incredibly powerful actress.  This is a must-see storyline!

MICHAEL:

In another curve ball, here you just started the first same-sex storyline in the history of B&B, and Joanna Johnson notifies you she has to leave right as you were getting into it.  The question on many people’s minds is: what are you going to do with the super popular Crystal Chappell … anything?

BRAD:

Photo Credits: L Bohm & K. Hutchins

This was another curve-ball! (Laughs)  Of the two, Joanna Johnson has a great history with this show, and so I would like to play them as a couple.  I reached out to Joanna the last few weeks, and she is still unavailable.  Joanna is very busy and a multi-talented woman, and I want her to be on the show.  I want to play Crystal.  I am going to go play Crystal, without Joanna, if Joanna cannot shake loose from her commitment.  But Joanna said she will return.  It’s just that our timing has been off.  I am very committed to telling the story of Caroline and her parents.  I think it may be in a lull right now, and I hope Crystal Chappell will hang in there through this.  We can have some very interesting story, because we just barely scratched the surface of it.  So I am blaming Joanna for this one! (Laughs)  No, but she did warn me, and I have to say this.  She said, “I have this thing coming.”   But you know me, I was like, “Oh, it’s show business.”  And now Joanna has another hit with Emily Owens M.D., in which she is the producer.  She is just that good.

MICHAEL:

Many fans also ask: if now that Ridge is gone, will Thorne get involved in the power struggle at Forrester Creations, which would mean more airtime for Winsor Harmon (Thorne)? 

BRAD:

Thorne will be involved in all this, and Taylor, too.  They have a story that is coming up but is slow in the making.  It’s a little bit difficult, because I love Winsor and he makes a great Thorne, but that generation has fractured a bit.  So we are focusing down a generation to the Thomas and Rick side of the canvas.  Thorne is an island currently, but he will be seen, and Hunter has a great story coming up.

Courtesy/CBS

MICHAEL:

Is that a story specifically Taylor?

BRAD:

It is a story for Hunter and Taylor.  We will see her very much as a professional and a doctor, and as someone who is really in the middle of a great dilemma.  I am excited that Hunter will be front and center again, because she is so gifted.

MICHAEL:

Y&R’s 10,000th episode will air next week.  Recently, we were all at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills event honoring the milestone.  Your sister-in-law, Maria Arena Bell, was on the panel saying her goodbyes and well-wishes for her time at Y&R, meaning you are the only Bell left as a current EP and/or head writer.  There truly feels like a shift and changing face of daytime.  How do you feel about it?

BRAD:

My sister, Lauralee Bell (Christine), is still acting and doing amazingly well on Y&R.  She always amazes me when I watch her.  So we are around and a driving force in this industry.  B&B is the number one soap opera in the world, and we are totally focused on being around for some time to come.  Y&R has such an incredible group of actors and writers.   Maria came in during the strike, and had an incredibly successful run.  Y&R and B&B are strong. We are the only back-to-back soaps on a daytime lineup now. I think it’s going to be a challenging time for talk shows now.  There are just so many of them.

MICHAEL:

Speaking of talk shows, do you think Katie will eventually have long term success, after all the fanfare heralding to daytime?

BRAD:

I would expect Katie would have had good ratings, but I think the production on that show needs to be fine-tuned a bit.  It’s a bit slow to me, but they are just getting started.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

MICHAEL:

It has been a shock to the system of soap fans and the industry to see Peter Reckell (Bo, DAYS), Steve Burton (Jason, GH) and Ronn Moss (Ridge, B&B) all announce their departures, and all within a relatively short time of one another.  It’s like all the veterans are walking out the front door of the genre.  Being in your position, do you think that now the genre will get more on a steady course after this stream of big name exits?

BRAD:

I feel that we will and are.  People exit, and those are three big names you mention, but there are other people who are eager and hungry, and the writing teams are very committed.  We love this art form.  And, as the bigger names come into talk series, so are the bigger salaries that they demand.  Now we are starting to see comparatively that our costs structure is in the ballpark of some of these talk shows.  So we are trying to streamline, and if we can do that successfully, we are in for a very bright future.

Click to comment

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

There is nothing that I can say, except without Ronn and Susan, there is no show Brad Bell.

I think the show will be better. Ronn, with all due respect to his stardom and international popularity, is a terrible actor. Scenes where he is required to emote dramatically always cause me to snicker…which is opppsite to the intention of the scenes. A recast Ridge…with an actor who can ACT…like say Grant Aleksander…that would be awesome!! Grant could bring fire and passion and life and depth to the character that Ronn never did or could. As for momma Steph…she should die of cancer…and then pop in as a ghost every now and again to torment Brooke or.comfort her children. Presumed deaths have zero emotional impact because they have literally been…pun intended…done to death on soaps. These shows.only have a few years left in them….so be bold…take chances risks…shake things up.

And you think that KKL can act? Whenever Ronn is with any of the Logan’s he looks good. If Brad Bell want to be Bold, he would stop picking up od scripts from the past and stop using them over and over again.

Don’t get ahead of yourself. LOL. I never said KKL was any great thespian. Her vocal inflections sound the same whether she is saying “Hi”, or “Stephanie, get that telephone cord off my neck!”. I was just mentioning RM and SF because they are leaving. Come to think of it, Grant Aleksander and Beth Chamberlin would be an AWESOMELY recast Ridge and Brooke! Never happen, just wishful thinking.

Please Crystal’s character could be used as Momma bear for Rick/Caroline story. Blah Blah Blah, put up or shut Brad as CC. I’ve already stopped watching the Lame show.

Great interview! Sad to see Susan Flannery leave the show. Stephanie will always be one of daytime’s greatest divas.

The difference between Brooke/Ridge/Taylor in the 90s is that it was stable and it was balanced by other storylines. Ridge and Taylor had a happy and supportive marriage for a number of YEARS. Years, not weeks. And instead we got to watch Thorne destory his realtionship with Macy for the upteenth time for Brooke (I LOVED Thorne and Macy). I actually cared about Ridge and Taylor making it in the 90s. I don’t care about Liam anymore and any girl he ends up with is unlucky enough to have him.

I hope B&B will start showing Danielle more even if Karen is out of town as they said.Have Danielle be there for Caroline she needs to talk to her mother about Thomas issues.

I’m happy to read viewers will get a break from the triangle, but I want more Steffy minus the triangle. Great interview!

Crystal Chappell brought me to B&B. I am thrilled that Mr. Bell plans to continue “Caroline’s Two Mommies” story. BUT, Chappell fans would REALLY LOVE to see Dani on their screen in the meantime. It’s like Dani has crawled under a rock since Karen is “out of town on business”. Caroline really needs her OTHER MOM to be active in her life.

Thanks Michael for a great interview as always !

Interesting interview, Michael. It seems like his favorite line is “We have a great storyline for _____ coming up!” But we never actually see these come to fruition in the caliber to which he exclaims. I’ve seen this in previous interviews as well.

And in that last question, pretty much what he was saying is that these big name stars, when they want bigger salaries, and seeing how that could put the show’s budget in jeopardy and when the network looks at it compared to a talk show, they would slash the soap over it all because the show was over-budget because of this big name star wanting a certain salary. So in his opinion it’s better to let that person walk and keep the infrastructure of the show alive on the air.

Why don’t they expand B&B to an hour so that more characters can have some attention?

PLEASE MAKE IT A HOUR BILL BELL I THINK YOU DOING A GOOD JOB ON THE SHOW IF PEOPLE DONT LIKE THE SHOW TELL THEM TO TURN THE CHANNEL I BEEN WATCHING SHOW EVERY SINCE I WAS A LITTLE GIRL SO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

End this triangle now and don’t let steffy win that girl needs to be raked over the coals as does Bill why have you let them get away with so much for so long why can’t you give them both what they deserve and that’s to lose everything and be humiliated in the eyes of all. I speak for 99% of your viewers who say enough is enough why haven’t you ever let a couple be happy and last. wow not everything has to be so hard and what you’ve done to Liam and Hope is the cruelest of all I could go on but haven’t got a year to tell you all the rotten things you’ve put those two through why haven’t you made Steffy suffer as much she’s the one that deserves a miserable life not Hope

Nadia… I could not agree with you more… I am sure the writers/ Bell are fully aware of it… I believe Liam and Hope deserve to know all the ill Steffy , Bill and Rick has done to complicate their relationship…. so they can be happy together .

Sorry but you do not speak for 99% of the viewers. I think there are WAY more Steffy fans out here than you realize.

I wasn’t referring to how many Steffy fans there are I was stating that this triangle has gone on long enough and that all the shenanigans that Bill and Steffy have pulled should be exposed and some punishment dealt

Thanks Citygirl

Why put everything on Steffy, If you are going to be mad at someone, Then be mad at LIAM, He Started this by KISSING Steffy first, Hope got mad, and left. So that’s on her. It wouldn’t been a Triangle, If Hope would of made up her mind, one day she love him, The next day she don’t. So it’s not Steffy, IT’S HOPELESS…And Bill & Brooke made Love and a baby, Now get mad at Brooke. Bill & Brooke have pulled should be exposed and some punishment dealt. Not Steffy, But since Brooke help write the story line, Taylor & Steffy better watch out, Because it’s the LOGANS SHOW, Not B&B…..

B & B is my addiction Brad Bell : )

I can’t wait to see more of Taylor.I hope there will be a new man for Steffy,Sick and tired of seeing her wasted on boring Lope,.She deserves better.

I think she belongs with somebody just has sneaky and slutty has she is, and i think thomas belongs with hope, not horn dog liam, he is just as bad as the women.

Steffy is not slutty or sneaky.She’s very upfront and hinebst about wahts he wants.Both Lima and Hope know exactly what they’re dealing with when it comes to Steffy.Steffy went after Oliver,Bill and Liam for a purpose:Revenge on the Logans.In the process she developed real feeling for Bill and Liam,Hope is a hypocrite who pretends to be someone she’s not, who makes a show of her sex life.Steffy is smart,sexy,strong…she will be herself again once they stop using her to prop boring Lope.She should be with an equaly smart,strong and sexy MAN.She”s too much of a woman for Liam.Liam is a boy,not a man.He should stick with Hope who’s a spiled little brat.They’re perfect together.

Steffy is a snake. Anyone who sets out to only hurt others because your daddy left your mommy when you were a grown up has some serious mental issues. She needs therapy for her “abandonment” issues. Hope is beautiful and much more “reel” than slutbag Steffy will ever be. Just because Steffy says she is going after unavailable men while she is doing it does not make her behavior acceptable. And she is definitely sneaky. If she is so honest and forthright, why did she lie to her whole family about going to Italy in the first place? If there was nothing wrong with what she was doing, and if she really didn’t think Bill was up to something, why not just tell the truth on that jet? Simple – she KNEW what she was doing was wrong, and she KNEW that Bill was up to something. She covered by LYING. That is perfectly clear. That is sneaky.

Thomas is Steffy Brother,

I wish there was a little more seperation on the age groups. Let Liam/Hope/Steffy/Thomas/Caroline etc, hang out in the kiddie pool, with their own story lines. And let the adults Bill/Katie/Brooke/Taylor etc. have their own story lines.

Liam/Steffy and Hope are backburner and I LOVE IT

Brooke’s major SL is coming up.Can’t wait

The only reason B&B is gaining viewership this past year is because all the other soaps died and it has Y&R in front of it! It is NOT due to the Liam/Hope/Steffy triangle! I agree with comment above…in the 80s and 90s, the Brooke/Ridge/Taylor triange was a Hell of a lot more interesting, and broken up by other cast memebrs storylines. This BS we have now is just that. No woman watching today would have ANYTHING to do with Liam. And i saw somewhere else BB thinks Liam is the new “Front and center man in daytime…” HA! How stupid he is! Taylor deserves to be front and center for years and Brooke cn move to a back burner for awhile. Now we don’t like her and hate her, we are tired of her! Hope they do right by Susan and give her a great BELEIVABLE exit. Making up with Brooke was ridiculous and insincere….and an insult to the fans!

I agree with you 100% Deb

Deb have not watched in 6 months my sister just called she still watches she tells me they have taken Taylor’s home away Bill & katie bought it that just confirms what I know about BB Hunter Tylo will still be used as a prop makes me sick Don Diamont looks like a pimp no professional business man dresses like that. No wonder Susan Flannery wanted to retire.

AMEN!!!!

It will be sad to SF go –but as for RM – glad he is gone and hopes he never comes back. Bell previously said he felt “obligated” to keep Bridge together and happy and that really came through on the show. You always knew that Bridge would survive no matter what — there was no reason to watch the story – you already knew how it would end.
I think having to have Bridge happy together was bad for the show (unless you were a bridge fan) – for everyone else — it sucked. It seemed like the whole show catered to this “obligation” of keeping Bridge together and every other character on the show suffered because of it. Now that RM and the obligation is gone, maybe we can go back to the kinds of stories that got us hooked on B&B to begin with.

Hopefully with RM gone, Bridge will be too and now we can move onto to NEW stories with all the characters and not know ending before the story starts to unfold.

Bridge won all the time — that became very boring very quickly.

I hope RM stays gone — I wish him luck with his other endeavors — just don’t want hm back on B&B.

I, for one, loved Bridge. Ridge and Brooke really meshed well together and as time went on, it was nice to see this couple grow into a mature married couple who still wanted each other both inside and outside the bedroom.

I truly hope that RM changes his mind and decides to re-join the cast and bring Ridge back. I will miss him.

100% agree! Bridge winning all over was the show killer number one! Nr two was the LOganwoman win ever again and again…

B&B is the number one soap in the world!! Obviously, they are doing something right. Brooke and Ridge were a very popular couple, much more so than Tridge could ever be. They were meant to be from the very beginning of the show. Bridge wasn’t a show killer. Bell was catering to what worked world-wide, as he should.

He has been promising Hunter Tylo a story forever and Winsor Harmon Thorne is the true heir. They should be front and center another man for the mattress Brooke I am so thrilled.

I agree Kay…but I think thorne’s character needs to be pepped up or something…he just don’t do anything for me especially with Taylor…they’ve always been a mismatch to me…she should be with somebody like Bill…Thorne would be a better fit for Katie or Donna…she’s a core character and needs to be with somebody more powerful…they should’ve kept her with Nick or even Whip.

I know the fact she ran over Darla did not help! Also the baby Jack had to turn out to be Brooke’s another stupid plot and by the way where is RJ not even at the 27th wedding of Brooke & Ridge. Personally I was hoping KKL would leave when Ronn Moss did. Brad Bell tell’s lousy stories when Dad was alive he kept him in check people just disappear with no explanation drives me crazy.

I want not a SL for Taylor.She is boring.More Brooke please and kill Taylor off

GA

Tina…. I agree with you comment… except for kill Taylor off…. on Friday’s B&B Taylor conveniently went over to Liam’s office to do what really psyco bable Liam into going back to her daughter (Steffy)…. well is that the new improve professional therapist Bell is talking about ….. Liam could have gone to see a talk show host and get better advise…. Taylor! what you should have told Liam is take some time out to heal …. jump into another relationship… well if it is your daughter then that’s fine ….. but forbit if it is anyone else …. let say Hope… then Liam would be giving another advise… like… lets say take some time out …. and figure out if Hope is really the one you need.. after all the divided feeling…. Oh please what a Joke…. Taylor the therapy is a joke and I mean that nicely!

No way, kill off the whore Brooke..Brooke is a total waste and can’t act her way out of a paper bag, she and Ronn should have left at the same time. What a waste of time with those two bores…. At lest Taylor could act and she was beautiful to look at,. Brooke was nothing to look at. Barf.

ITA TINA.Can’t stand Taylor..I’M sick of her.Brooke is back with a major SL.I love it..No more Steffy and Taylor please.

I,m with you I can’t stand the sight of Taylor she’s just a wasted part of the show.What is she good at besides moping over Ridge.

Oh I LOVE Brooke. I cannot believe anyone would want her “killed off” Forget about it. She is gorgeous & I think very sweet & I just have always loved her. Not to mention she is the mother of so many important characters! Could she get back w/Eric when Stephanie leaves? Would we want her to? I don’t know but I hope something great comes her way. Nothing against Taylor but they each need a good storyline that does NOT involve the same DAMN MAN!

Taylor is the Logan and Forrester mattress lol

Trust me I did not like the storyline of Taylor involved with Rick hated it. But at least the actor was kyle Lowder in the part sorry I know this is the original Rick back in the part but he is just creepy. and the love fest at the 27th wedding for Brooke and Ridge I tuned in it made me throw up. A tribute to Brooke who took Stephanie’s husband had a baby by her daughters husband carried on at a party with her other daughter’s boyfriend a bit much. But during all this she was thinking of her destiny Ridge. Whew! Keep repeating it is only a soap opera.

Oh I forgot they had Taylor sleep with Stephen Logan when she had became a drunk after drinking too much wine for 2 days.

Not just Stephen Logan there are many more to add to the list. This entire stoyline is ridiculous it’s time to move onto more interesting sl’s like Bill getting his just deserts and more Deacon.Enough with the kindergarden stuff we need more drama and fashion on the show.

Hunter & Windsor needs a storyline BADDDDDDDD!!!!!

Yep they do

I’m so glad we will be seeing more of Taylor…it’s about time for her to be front and center again where she belongs…not interested in brooke at all…she is tired and played out…I wish they would kill her off for a change…I’m sad to see Stephanie go though…I will definitely miss her…it should be Eric or Brooke going instead never cared for there characters.

I’m so happy to hear Taylor/Hunter will be front and center again. But Bell has promised fans that Taylor will have a sl several times before and it never happened so I will be in a wait and see mode. Will not tune back in until I hear or read that Hunter Tylo is front and center. If that happens thank you, thank you Bradley Bell!!

Promises, promises! Promises of storylines for Taylor, Thorne, Stephanie…never seem to pan out. Will this time be any different? Time will tell and do so quickly. Recently Hunter Tylo did scenes with Scott Clifton that were some of the best material I have seen on this show all year ! I think TPTB need to find an effective way to use the younger set WITH the veterans in order to support the writing, foster better acting, help them to grow in their craft AND entertain all fan bases. This show can’t afford to disregard any group of fans, whether it be due to age, or character preference. The show needs ALL HANDS ON DECK, IMO.

the reason that the hope liam and steffy triangle is overplayed is because liam is going back and forth every day or other day , in the beginning when hope was with liam it was a great love story then steffy got added and a lot of people think the only reason steffy wants liam is to win over a logan , steffy was hotter when she was with bill when she got with liam it just made her look sad and weak , and now we seem to see the same thing day after day and we all still think the same thing that steffy belongs with bill , and liam by himself as well as hope because if liam cant get himself figured out and listen to his own heart he should not be with anyone , there is a thing between good dram and a overkill of drama and the triangle was a over kill

well good thing bell realize that hoe liam and ssteffy love triangle are overplayed yes but we want the end with hope and liam thats all because we inspired their love story to us. hope character are awesome as a women and dignity but liam character last 2 months was messed up because they want to try pleased steffy character which is not good enough to watch. were hoping hope and liam have happy ending till the end.

NOT O N E word about STILL….. WHY this interviewmakers can not ask the RIGHT questions???? ask about the fans waiting for STEFFY & BILL together again! STILL win POLLs, They are HOT & could rock the show with interesting storylines about power, not only sex….

Steffy and bill are just alike, might be good one another or cut each other throats.

It is like the mags have a B&B manual Bell gives out before interviews so they know what to ask and what to keep out…One more time robbed with STILL after all the other times with , Tridge Thamber 2004/ Thip/ Naggie all these couples never had a chance.. This show is just beyond ridiculous about the layout!! Like we cannot fell in love with different characters and couples cuz Bell will not approve as only the Logans can get the go ahead.. “eyeroll”

I liked the Liam, Steffy, Hope storyline up to a point. (It reminded me of the days of Brooke/Taylor/Ridge storyline.) But it did get to be too much. I like the return of Deacon. I had heard that RM was leaving but didn’t know till now that SF was leaving too. Very sorry to see her go. What is going to happen to Eric’s S/L? I am so glad though that B&B is on along with Y&R…The talk shows are overkill. Although I like the Talk and Ellen and Dr. Phil. They are the only ones I watch these days (when I am in the mood).

I hope you mean what you say Mr.Bell and that Taylor/Hunter really does have a storyline coming up. Her fans have missed her terribly. Seeing her only here and there, is not enough for us.
The problem with Hope/Liam/Steffy is that Liam is too indecisive and cannot be taken seriously. Steffy and Hope both need to move on from this loser. And sorry, but Taylor/Ridge/Brooke was millions times better than Steffy/Liam/Hope.

I agree with you Sherry I would say that Nadia don’t speak for 99% of the viewers because I in no way want Liam with Hope, The chemistry between Steffy & Liam is so much more exciting to watch. Liam & Hope bore me to death watching them.

So you want me to believe that 99% of the viewers are happy about this infernal triangle every comment on all the boards are saying that they want it to end with the exception of Sherry and yourself. As far as the chemistry you say between Steffy and Liam well it comes across as a mother and child Steffy is way to old for Liam and No I don’t want him with Hope either he needs to grow up before he is with anyone.Can you honestly say that you’d be happy for it to continue for the next 25years with the dumbboo going from one to the other didn’t we get subjected enough with BRTall these years

Steffy belongs with nobody, liam needs to grow up, and hope needs to mature more as well and hook up with thomas.

I met Jeanne Cooper(Mrs. Chancellor) in Arizona. I called her by her screen name. Who do you think will end up with Liam?

The show is boring and ridiculous. They should call it The Bold and the Incestual. The old days were much better. Maybe JFP can fix this one too.

You are so right lj. Young players like liam, hope, and steffy are not only characters in the show.

“What is the mark of a great executive producer and head writer?” How about the ability to juggle multiple storylines with balance and write characters and stories that viewers want to watch? Whether you liked Brooke or Taylor, both Bridge and Tridge had rooting value among their respective fan bases. Steffy, Liam, and Hope could become sister wives and WE WOULDN’T CARE! That’s the reason why B&B won’t get another contract renewal.

You talk with a lot sense and you right on the spot, when it comes to any soap opera.

Brad bell is good story teller but is not so good when it comes to telling stories for more than 4 characters at a time.

Well i had 30 minutes to kill watched it today and will not do that again ever I felt like i had taken a razor blade to my wrist and I was bleeding out. And know that is not funny it is sad.

I feel your pain and im watch days most of time.

Please Bell kill off the town Slut Brooke, I c an’t stand the sight of that ugly witch. What is she good for..Falling on her back with her legs up in the air waiting for her next bang. She will sleep with anyone who is married. BrookeHO is nothing more then the Forrester Mattress.

Your comments are unnecessarily ugly. Keep it classy, it is just a tv show.

A ugly comment for a ugly Whore Brooke.

Brooke is not ugly and lets not forget it a character your talkin about, you no what how long have you watch bold and beautiful anyway, have watch it for past 8 years and longer that on and off, taylor is been with all men brooke been with.

I agree with gloria, if how see brooke than who must hate steffy, because she is constanly doing that.

I don’t see Steffy ever do that. Sex with only two men one she married and the other she was engaged too. Haven’t seen Steffy pop out any illegets to her daughter’s husband the way BrookeHO has. Steffy needs a thousand years to catch up to BrookeHO.

News flash min mucy she slepted with a married man bill spencer jr. , ring a bell and going after liam while he was married.

News Flash cr ..Steffy never slept with Bill Spenser, ring a bell And Steffy never slept with Liam TILL YESTERDAY after Hope the Dope left him…second news flash, ring a bell./.. DUH!!! Taylor slept with the men she married unlike the whore Brooke who sleeps with them while the men are married to someone else. Taylor never has a illeget to her daughter’s husband either. Too bad you don’t know the difference.

Newss flash for you Min – Taylor did all sorts of sleeping with Rick, and never married him!! Also, she has been with Thorne, but never married him. Oh, and Stephen Logan, and never married him. Shall I go on?

Just hurry and put the talented Crystal Chappell back on my screen…..

I am so disappointed in what Brad Bell did with such a wonderful love story of Liam and Hope. You were giving young woman a chance to know that they didn’t have to have pre-maritial sex to keep the man you love and then you changed everything. Steffy with Liam what a joke. You have put in the mind of young girls if you act like Hope you will lose your love if you act like Steffy he will fall in love with you, this is truly sad and for this reason I have stopped watching your show. Steffy and Liam never not the way you portrayed his love for Hope. I have never been so disappointed in a soap opera, the reason I watched your soap was because of your great story line for young woman. Its too bad you don’t see your mistake because alot of your message boards are rooting for Liam and Hope they have more chemistry and are equally balanced. True love and now Liam and Steffy they may have chemistry but its just sexual is that what you want to portray to the young women who are watching your show. Really? Because if so that is really sad. Please re think your message.

RON MOSS TWEETED THAT ONE REASON HE HAS NOT RETURNED TO END STEPHANIES STORY IS THAT HE WAS NOT ASKED! This is so disappointing to the fans that have watched for 25 years. If all is needed is for someone to ask him then, I WILL ASK HIM! GET RON MOSS BACK ON THE SHOW AT LEAST FOR STEPHANIE’S LAST DAY PLEASE. You can surprise us if you want, JUST GET RON BACK FOR THE CONCLUSION TO MAKE EVERYTHING RIGHT WITH ALL CHARACTERS AND THE SHOW. Afterwards if Ron wants to continue on with other opportunities then fine, he will be missed but just ask him to bring a conclusion to the storyline. BRAD BELL IF YOU ARE READING THIS , LEAVE YOUR EGOS AT THE DOOR AND BE BIGGER THAN THAT —-GET RON MOSS BACK BY NOVEMBER 26. I am looking for him every single day now and now I NEED CLOSURE. lol seriously please ask him to return for one more time for all of our sakes your too.

I want Steffy with Liam only because it is what she wants….. But if another, bit more mature man came along and Steffy had a change of heart… Will not hurt my feelings! I feel Hope just not adult enough for serious relationships. She is silly, giggly, like a teeny bopper. They should re-develop her and Oliver! She can grow and mature with him. And he loved her so much, she just tossed him away! They could work around that Brooke/Oliver joke that happened. Leave Steffy with Liam, send Hope off to college to grow up! Give Taylor the new doctor, Jon Hensley. I don’t like Rick or Caroline… They have no heat! Just leave me cold. Rick and Amber worked and now she’s gone. Oh well… Maybe I will write my own story one day. LOL

Does he realize that a lot of fans are so disappointed in the Pro Logan Writing as of late, especially this week, after Steffy loosing her child! And is he prepared for the viewership to start to decline? I am just fed up with the fact that in the same week we lost Steffy and Liam’s child we are about to temporarily loose Jacqueline and Hunter, and my reason’s to watch BB are now gone. I hope he realizes just how much those two actresses have given of themselves. Especially Hunter Tylo who in the wake of her own real life tragedy had to play the death of her on screen daughter. that was when I knew that BB was written for Team Logan. Brooke has never had to face any loss of children like Taylor has. And with this Brooke at near 50ish and Steffy being in her 20s to have that young one looser her child just cut my heart into a billion little pieces. And to all the Steffy Haters, remember Steffy has given Liam so many outs and Hope threw him away. SO please stop calling this karma for what she has done, I think she already paid for that when Hope asked her to Italy. But in the end we all know Liam does love Steffy in ways he could never love Hope! xo sm

Bell is completely delusional “the writers are completely committed” to who??? Since when… Committed to drag this show in the ground and make all B&B fans mad as hell.. Nobody with a minimum sense of objectivity and decency will agree to how this man is running things.

Are you gonna give Liam and Steffy another chance to have a baby but this time be born and grow..you should let hope be with another man dont let the triangle come back we dont need that..Eric should stay with Taylor..but if Taylor goes to Thorn that would be good also..i think the Logan i mean (Brooke,Katie and Donna)should all suffer…Thomas needs a Latina Girl who is not gonna break his Heart..

This is old crap. Brad Bell still can not write worth a damn and KKL and KM can’t act.. you’re going to get rid of JMW and HT for the show to become Brookie Nookie broke back play pen open only to brothee in-laws and ex-husband/father-in-law and daughters husbands and boyfriends.

Interviews

The Young and the Restless’ Michael Damian On Christine/Danny/Phyllis: “It’s a Fun Triangle Story That They’re Having Us Do, Because It’s Very Retro”

This week on The Young and the Restless, while Danny (Michael Damian) and Christine (Lauralee Bell) hit the sheets, and Phyllis (Michele Stafford) sets off an alarm as payback (literally!), the top-rated CBS soap opera continues to weave the tale of these three characters decades later, finding themselves in very familiar territory with each other.

We know that Christine and Phyllis are basically, mortal enemies, while Danny, who has been the man in the middle, has had a past with both women. However, it is Christine who has been, for all intent and purposes the love of his life.  But, will Phyllis’ machinations make it near to impossible for Danny and Christine to be together? Stay tuned.

Last week, Michael and his real-life wife, Janeen Damian visited the Michael Fairman Channel promoting their #1 streaming film on Netflix, Irish Wish starring Lindsay Lohan. The film was produced by the Damians, while Janeen directed it and co-wrote the romantic story. Michael is featured on the Irish Wish soundtrack performing his track, Wild Irish Heart.

Photo: Netflix

During the conversation, Michael shared what it has been like revisiting the Christine/Danny/Phyllis triangle years later. Damian addressed the fans on the livestream, who inquired. “It’s a fun triangle story that they’re having us do, because it’s very retro. And I think it’s fun to bring that nostalgia, retro thing back.”

Photo: JPI

Recalling a tender moment between Danny on the piano alone with Christine (during the standalone episode which honored Lauralee Bell’s 40th anniversary with Y&R), Michael expressed, “I think what they’re doing is so smart, and they’re reconnecting a lot of the fans to a lot of the story. I mean, we’re talking years and years of story.”

Photo: JPI

The longtime Y&R fan favorite, added, “I’m really glad they did the thing on the piano because people have been asking, ‘Why are you not doing any music? Why are you not singing? Where’s your band?’ You know what I mean? Janeen is asking the same thing, ‘Why aren’t you singing something on the show?’ The last time I sang on the show was when we thought Phyllis was dead. So, you know, that didn’t count. (Laughs)

One of the funniest moment in the revisiting of the triangle occurred when Phyllis and Christine were arguing over Danny, and he was right there in the room with them. The two women got so engrossed in their fight, they forgot he was there, and thus he walked out of the room.

Photo: JPI

Michael revealed, he liked that scene too! “They’re fighting. They’re arguing and Danny’s like, ‘Listen, I’m over here. Please stop it.” And then they don’t stop,” Damian recalled. “And so Danny just grabs his coat, picks up his sheet music, because he was working on a song. He goes to the door. In the scene, I even look back to see if they are even noticing me leave, and then I just left. That one was pretty funny. I’ll be honest. I was laughing out in the hallway when I left. I was thinking, ‘Should I slam the door? But then if I slam the door, they still have dialogue.’ They’re still talking and they would’ve turned, and then it would’ve ruined it. So, I just gently closed the door and left.

Photo: JPI

During the livestream, Damian teased he has some upcoming scenes with longtime Y&R co-star Beth Maitland (Traci), “I just worked with Beth Maitland actually the other day, and that was really fun. I can’t wait for people to see that show.”

Check out the the Michael Fairman Channel chat with Michael and Janeen Damian below.

Now, let us know, are you rooting for Danny and Christine? Do you think Phyllis will continue to be a disruptor in this relationship and somehow worm her way back into Dannys good graces? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first check out this sneak peek for this week’s Y&R featuring the trio.

Continue Reading

Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives Star Blake Berris Chats On the Everett Lynch/Bobby Stein Mystery, Working with His New Co-Stars, and the Last Christmas Episode with Bill Hayes

On Days of our Lives, the return of Blake Berris is making for some very intriguing drama, with the audience guessing just which way the story will go.

When Berris arrived back on Days of our Lives, after previously playing Nick Fallon, he was taking on the new role of Everett Lynch, who has a past with Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) and Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu). Only, as it has been revealed, the past he had with Jada was under the name “Bobby Stein,” who from what we can tell was far from a nice guy.

Blake visited the Michael Fairman Channel for a livestream interview this week, where fans in the live chat were weighing-on what could be the truth about the guy – is he a split personality suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder? Did the accident that cost him a year of his life in a coma, never happen? Recently, someone set fire to the beloved Horton house. Fans are suspecting it would have been “Bobby” who is working for Clyde Weston (James Read). Others believe that Everett/Bobby could actually be Clyde’s son. With upcoming therapy sessions with Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) about to start, things are about to get more juicy in Salem.

Photo: JPI

Here are just a few excerpts from our conversation with Blake on a myriad of Everett/Bobby subjects. Make sure to check out the full interview for more.

Did you know that they were going to make Everett Lynch a Jewish character? This is only the second time in the history of the show that they have even had a Jewish character on the canvas. Didn’t they reveal this at the Horton family Christmas episode?

BLAKE: No, they never asked me. I am half-Jewish on my dad’s side. There was never like, ‘You’re Jewish, right? We can call you Jewish on the show?’ At the Horton Christmas, “They made a real point of it, yeah.”

And now the new ‘character’ is “Bobby Stein” …

BLAKE: “Right, and that suggests more Jewish, and then Lynch must be coming from somewhere else, maybe the mother. I was so curious because I think the show has been historically, I’m gonna say, Catholic more than like Wasps. With the Bradys there’s this sort of Irish influence, and then the DiMeras, that’s Italian. So, we’ve got Catholics sort of on both sides that are dominant. Now I, “represent”.

Photo: JPI

What has it been like working with Abigail Klein?

BLAKE: I think she is extraordinary. We start off sort of frosty, or she’s frosty with me, like she doesn’t want to let me in. And then, for a while things are going really well. I just could not adore Abigail more. She’s such a good actor. I could always rely on her to bring me back into a scene and be there in this emotionally, supportive way.

Photo: JPI

Everett and Chad seemed to be becoming friend-ish, when all went awry when at the PCPD interrogation room, Everett let him know about Elia and Bobby Stein, and Chad let him have it for worming his way back in to Stephanie’s life.

BLAKE: Billy would call us the ‘disgusting brothers’ and that’s a reference from Succession, because all of a sudden they’re just so chummy with each other. It’s like all of a sudden we just had this like ‘Bernstein and Woodward’, sort of dynamic duo. I think that Everett really started to think of Chad as a friend and feels sort of disappointed, and he feels, “Oh, it’s that easy? I just needed to have some other identity and now you’re a fair-weather friend?”‘

Photo: JPI

In recent scenes, Jada sees Bobby Stein for the first time, and we see you and Elia Cantu share scenes with each other for the first time. What is it like working with Elia?

BLAKE: She’s fire, man. She comes in hot and she tells you the way it’s going to be. I think early on, we were trying to suss each other out and the more we worked together, the more comfortable you get with somebody. I think actors do this sometimes with each other; if there’s spice on screen, you like to keep some of what you have on-screen in your (real-life) interactions because it helps … it helps the work.  Eventually, we just sort of wore each other down and we’re like, ‘I actually totally get you, and you’re great.'”

Did you know that they were going to make Everett Lynch a Jewish character? This is only the second time in the history of the show that they have even had a Jewish character and didn’t they reveal this at the Horton family Christmas episode?

BLAKE: No, they never asked me. I am half-Jewish on my dad’s side. There was never like, ‘You’re Jewish, right? We can call you Jewish on the show?’ At the Horton Christmas, “They made a real point of it, yeah.”

And now the new ‘character’ is “Bobby Stein” …

BLAKE: “Right, and that suggests more Jewish, and then Lynch must be coming from somewhere else, maybe the mother. I was so curious because I think the show has been historically, I’m gonna say, Catholic more than like Wasps. With the Bradys there’s this sort of Irish influence, and then the DiMeras, that’s Italian. So we’ve got Catholics sort of on both sides that are dominant. Now I, “represent”.

Photo: JPI

You were on set and in the annual Horton Christmas episode which sadly marked the last for Days of our Lives legendary Bill Hayes, who passed away in January of this year.  What do you recall of that tape day?

BLAKE: It was the Christmas episode when we were watching Susan (Julie) and Bill, say ‘Merry Christmas.’  And there was something about it that just felt like it could be the last time. I mean, it wrecked us all on set. Bill gets so choked up and there was something really profound about the moment. They kiss each other as they have so many times before on the show. It was just beautiful. It felt beautiful to be there for that last Christmas. He’s just such an icon. Every time I’d see him, he was so with it … he knew my name, he knew his lines. What an incredible, incredible man.

Photo: JPI

Fans will get to see Everett in therapy sessions with Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)? Would you say she is helping the guy?

BLAKE: Deidre’s always making jokes about Marlena, ‘She’s the worst therapist in the world’ (Laughs) I remember in the first therapy session, we almost couldn’t get through the scenes because it’s just so clear that Everett has a litany of very profound psychological issues that he is going to have to work through. He’ll keep coming back. This guy’s gonna pay the bills!

Photo: JPI

Viewers are waiting to see how they mystery of Everett Lynch/Bobby Stein plays out. What can you say as a tease for what’s to come?

BLAKE: As far as a tease, I would say, you have all these characters sort of, trying to wake up the ‘sleeping giant’ in a way. I think it’s safe to say that like if you poke a bear, the bear might wake up.

Watch the livestream chat with Blake in full below.

Now let us know, what do you think is going with Everett/Bobby? What has happened to him in his past? Share your theories in the comment section below, and make sure to catch Days of our Lives next week on Peacock for more to his story.

Continue Reading

Interviews

Y&R’s Melody Thomas Scott Talks on 45 Years as Nikki Newman, the Keys to Playing Drunk, And Those Genoa City Relationships

February is ‘Nikki Newman Month’ in soapland as the The Young and the Restless iconic Melody Thomas Scott celebrates her 45th anniversary in her leading role.

My how time flies! Nikki has had numerous marriages, and some to the same man, battled her addiction to alcohol too many times to count (and we loved it all), and faced so much heartache in the process.

Currently, on all-new episodes of the top-rated CBS daytime drama series, Nikki can’t quite get a grip as Jordan (Colleen Zenk) is out there and in the middle of her next master plot to make Nikki suffer, all the while Nikki is drinking again. Thanks to the heinous plot concocted by Jordan and Claire (Hayley Erin) that revealed itself last November.

Photo: JPI

In a special conversation for You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, Melody shared her thoughts on a myriad of subjects including: her current story, those long tape days at Victor and Nikki’s weddings, why she plays drunk better than anyone on television, plus we take a mini-deep dive into Nikki’s past.

Y&R fans were stunned when the powers-that-be had Nikki kidnapped and then hooked her up to an IV of booze. Just how much did Melody know of the story going in? She elaborated, “I knew Nikki would be terrorized. That’s all that I knew. I thought that sounded like great fun. I didn’t know for a little bit that she was going to fall off the wagon in the process of it. And then when I heard how it would happen, I was thrilled to bits. I did kind of want to have a little leader (or crawl) down at the bottom of the screen saying, ‘Hey, people don’t put an IV with vodka in your arm because that will kill you.’ But, poetic license, I suppose.”

Photo: JPI

Melody also weighed-in on if she thinks Nikki will stop drinking anytime soon, expressing, “She just can’t get out of this. Then of course, Jordan’s not letting her out very easily. Just when Nikki thinks she is mentally strong enough to never take another drink, well, of course she does, because something else happens. I think it’s also a learning point for people who are watching the show who may have an addiction problem. Now, I could be wrong, but I think it’d be highly unusual for somebody to be just mentally strong to be able to stop.”

If you wondered if Melody enjoys playing a drunk Nikki, look no more, “I do. That’s simply for selfish reasons,” she shared. “That’s for my enjoyment. I take great pleasure in it. It’s fun for me, and just the process of pretending to be drunk. I love the end result. I try not to do too much because there’s nothing worse when an actor is overplaying drunk. So you have to kind of keep it a little bit underneath (the surface). However, sometimes because of Jordan, Nikki does get much sloppier than I normally would play it.”

Photo: JPI

In recent episodes, it seems that Jack (Peter Bergman) and Nikki are gravitating more to each other, as both are drawn together through their shared experiences with addiction. Victor (Eric Braeden) is not happy that his arch-nemesis is helping Nikki try to stay sober. Could Melody see Jack and Nikki becoming romantic again? “I love Peter. I mean, Peter was my second favorite husband on Y&R. It would be wonderful, but I don’t know if the fans would go for that,” she explained. “They’re so invested in Niktor that I think they would really be upset about that unless Victor did something really crummy, then I could buy that.”

Photo: JPI

One of the more ‘out there’ stories during Melody’s 45-year run, was when Nikki was paired with Crazy Edward, and he took her home to meet his mother … who was in an urn! You would think maybe Melody didn’t like the story .. but think again! “Bill Bell (co-creator, Y&R) was writing the show in those days, and Bill kept that information pretty tight. I don’t remember us knowing even a week in advance. Maybe, we would get our scripts, three or four days in advance and that was it. You knew nothing about future story, but I loved the story,” she raved. “It was almost Hitchcockian, shall we say. The actor who played Crazy Edward, Paul Tulley was so magnificent and such a sweetheart. We loved working with each other so much, but man, when that red light came on the camera, he scared the you-know-what out of me. He was absolutely terrifying. But then, the minute the scene was over, we’re fooling around and laughing and everything. He was so good. So good!”

Photo: JPI

According to Melody, the pairing of Victor and Nikki was not something she, nor Eric Braeden, initially thought would made sense: “I was a little terrified when I heard that he and I would be doing scenes. I thought, ‘What, what?’ He also wondered, ‘What am I going to be doing working with that young kid, that snotty kid?’ We had no idea what Bill Bell saw. He had a vision with us and somehow knew that we would have chemistry. It didn’t take Bill long to show us in the scripts why he put us together. Then, we started to see it. Although, it was hard to imagine at first, certainly we knew it worked by the time Nikki had baby number one during the ‘Who’s the father?’ storyline. Nikki and Victor weren’t even married yet. So, we did figure it out pretty early on.”

Photo: JPI

From her early years as Nikki Reed, Melody reflected back on some major story points in her character’s history, relating, “I actually did like her in the very beginning when she was just a little brat living with her sister and her father, who of course ended up trying to rape her…  and she had hit him over the head with a lamp … and he died. I did not care for the stripping storyline at all. Only because I knew that I didn’t have the natural dancing ability. I wasn’t fluid enough to really look good up there stripping. I know they hired wonderful choreographers and everything for me, but I just didn’t feel worthy of being up there … I guess is what it was. Of course, now I look back on it and I think, ‘Oh, I guess it wasn’t too bad.’ Later, there was a strip she did in the Colonnade Room. At the time, she was married to Jack. Victor’s sitting there with some other woman and she’s drunk. I saw that scene recently, and I thought it was great. I didn’t at the time, but looking back, I thought, ‘Wow, that was good.'”

Photo: CBS

Watch the full 45th anniversary conversation with Melody below.

Now let us know, are you enjoying Nikki being back on the bottle? Would you want to see Jack and Nikki try their relationship one more time? What has been your favorite storyline of Melody’s over the last 45 years on Y&R.  Let us know in the comment section.

 

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Kim Coles as Whitley

Days of our Lives

Airdate: 7-24- 2023

Popular