Soap Opera Uncensored: Issue 12

by Nelson Branco

time. I even wrote a one-woman show called WALKING LOU REED’S DOG. I was around 40-ish so that was as difficult of a time you can have as an actor. LOVING had asked me to sign a contract but I refused because my heart was really into booking a comedy pilot. Jackie Babbin was great and vowed to keep me, give me a raise, and stay on recurring, but then Dennis Swanson, who was the head of the network at the time, and made cuts from below the line — not above the line. So I kind of shot my foot off with that decision. I really liked that job on LOVING and my character, Norma. It was a lot of fun.

  You are one of the nicest and sweetest and most honest people in the business. When I first became a fan, I thought you might have been a crazy diva!

  You have to pay me to be crazy! And you have to pay me to be nasty. I grew up really well, and I really like people and fans in general. When I’m out on the street, I am an ambassador for actors. I feel like I’ve had an interesting life, but the people I meet on the streets like talking to me because they feel like they don’t have an interesting life, which is why I like to talk to them and let them know that they have an interesting life, too. I’m more interested in other people’s story than my own. I like to think of myself as the Studs Terkel of the acting community. He found fascination in regular people’s stories: waitresses, and doorman. He wrote a great book about his encounters with regular people and their lives called WORKING. I’m also interested in how other people think and feel, which I why I think I’m a very good actor because I pay attention to life outside myself. Because of that, I can play a huge variety of parts because I watch people — and listen to them.

  I always say the best actors are psychologists. What do you think of former ABC President Brian Frons these days?

  When I sent our producer, Frank Valentini, a congratulation note, I added: “and you don’t have to work with Frons anymore,” so that kind of says it right there. As far as I know, Brian micromanaged everything, which was bad because he clearly didn’t understand the genre. I can’t say if Frons has talent or doesn’t have talent because I don’t know.

  Have you ever met him?

  I have to say, the one thing that hurt me very badly was when I was nominated for my first Emmy award he came over and didn’t even look me in the eye and said, “Well, better luck next time,” as he hit his hand on my shoulder. I grabbed his arm and said, “What? You do know I’m on your network, right?” Cady McClain won that year. And the other year I lost, Natalia Livingston won.

  What are you submitting for next year’s Emmy race?

  We could only submit two minutes so I went with my Norma Rae moment when Roxy begged Clint to buy FRAT ROW and he gave the Oprah speech. The camera was on me a lot so I thought that was my choice.

  The two-minute reel is a good improvement, because this way, voters will actually watch every contender’s reel instead of just voting for friends, etc.

  Yeah, I hope. [Laughs] And there’s less competition now with GUIDING LIGHT and AS THE WORLD TURNS not in the race! My odds are getting better! [Laughs hysterically] I’ll probably win an Emmy when there’s only one show left in the race!

  [Laughs] If you finally won next year, what would the Emmy mean to you?

  I don’t know if it will happen, but it would mean a lot! I’ve given my heart… [Begins to cry] Oh, crap, I’m crying now. I’ve given my heart and soul to acting — not just Roxy. Whether times were good or bad, I love the art of acting and ensemble work. I love taking something off a piece of paper and making it real to people. I’ve flown under the radar a lot of my career. I’m not a household name, and I don’t need to be, but I really feel there’s such a value in entertainment because art is healing, so if there’s any way to be acknowledged for that, I would love that. And I’ve sacrificed a lot to pursue this dream. I would love to be recognized. Quite honestly, I think I’ve done the most creative work on a soap out of anyone I know. Whether it was a major or minor story, I think I have imbued my work with passion and thoughtfulness, which is why I’m always nervous before I shoot. Frank would always say to me, “Why are you always nervous all the time?” I always tell him, “Because I don’t want to be ordinary and I want the scene to be good... and you don’t give us enough time to prepare, especially all these comedic beats I have to hit.” I always want to do something different every day. Every day was a challenge. Let me tell you: working on ONE LIFE was a bigger workout than any physical workout. When you have 20 scenes ahead of you… Wow. But I miss that. I don’t know if I’ll ever have to work as hard again but it kept my mind and memory strong. And I’ll miss the costumes. [Laughs] And the malapropisms. I miss Frank and Ron. Frank was scary sometimes because he was a leader… and leaders can be scary. He worked us very hard and he could be very judgmental but I miss him coming down to the set saying, “Hey, how’s it going trouble.” I hope I can work with him again. He really did some amazing things with that show from the music and directing. Frank did things no one else did in daytime. He’s a very modern person.

  You will win an Emmy one day — that I’m sure of.

  The year I was nominated for Supporting, I asked Erika Slezak if I could take one of hers home since she has six! I thought, maybe if I took it home and focused on the award, I could win one. After my request, Erika put the Emmy under the table so I couldn’t take it!

  [Laughs] I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to win an Emmy. Heck, even I want to win one! Are you moving to L.A.?

  No, I think I’m staying in New York. I will go to L.A. if someone offers me a job. New York has always been a good luck charm for me. I have no interest in trolling for work out there in L.A. I may be doing some cabaret shows out there.

  What was your favourite ONE LIFE storyline?

  The whole thing with Max Holden. Also, with Alison Perkins was really great. And, of course, all the FRAT ROW stuff because I really felt like I was on a crusade with Roxy. I wish the story had gone a little deeper and played out a little longer but time was a factor obviously. All I will tell you is that the ending of the FRAT ROW story is bittersweet.

  You guys all deserve Emmys for keeping a straight face during the FRAT ROW fantasy episode!

  I think so, too! The thing that cracked me up the most is when our director Larry Carpenter told us he wanted to do 11 pages in one take!

  It was such a treat to finally see Roxy the centre of attention — and you as the star of the show, albeit just for one week. You deserved it — and you knocked it out of the park, as we all knew you would.

  Well, thank you. I had fun.

  Favourite co-star?

  Oh, God: That’s hard to answer. I loved working with Barbara Garrick and Erika Slezak.

  Worst moment on the show?

  I would say the cancellation, but luckily, I wasn’t at the studio that day. I don’t feel like I had a bad moment on the show. Perhaps there was one day I worried, “I hope I don’t become Madge the manicurist!”

  A dream love interest?

  It’s a character that didn’t exist on the show! I thought it would have been interesting for Roxy to fall for Kyle’s father because Roxy and Kyle were so close. Kyle’s father would resent me for approving of Kyle’s homosexuality. That would have been a great love story. Brian Kerwin and I could have been interesting, too, had they kept him and kept Charlie as a bad boy.

  Who would you cast in that role?

  Someone like Joe Lando. I used to watch ONE LIFE when Joe Lando was on because he was hot!

  What are your plans the day of the final show?

  I think I’m going to Chicago for the ONE LIFE fan event/viewing party. Carolyn Hinsey was supposed to throw a party at Blondie’s but that’s not happening anymore. ABC didn’t ask me to appear on THE VIEW. But I’m taping LAW & ORDER that day.

  Mama’s getting paid! That trumps appearing on THE VIEW any day. You’re the first ONE LIFE to book something, along with my hubby Josh Kelly.

  He’s very talented.

  Had he been on the show a couple more yea
rs he’d have been a big star. He’s the love child of Tuc Watkins and Jimmy DePaiva!

  I agree! I’m going to miss the whole cast. Everybody. I miss them. It’s a sickening feeling, really.

  Well, as Roxy would say, it’s not over until the cat lady sings! ONE LIFE may have more than one life to live.

  From your lips…

  MIA SOAPERS

  I LOVE MY ERIC SHEFFER STEVENS!

  The popular WORLD TURNS star is enjoying life post-Nuke, but still misses the soap world

  Where in the world has Eric Sheffer Stevens been since he wrapped up his critically acclaimed stint as accidental sex symbol, Dr. Reid Oliver on AS THE WORLD TURNS? Well, UNCENSORED found him starring on FOX’s new sitcom, I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER and caught up with the ginger-haired hunk.

  Where are you living these days? I know you’re a diehard New Yorker.

  I’m living out in L.A. temporarily for the show. I miss New York because there are no seasons in L.A. I’ve been homesick since October.

  There’s not a lot of work left in New York. But if you can fly back and forth, it’s the best of both worlds.

  Yeah, but I have kids, so I don’t want to miss out on anything. I’m heading to New York soon for ten days. Then I’m back to LA to see what