Nelson Branco's SOAP OPERA UNCENSORED: Issue 53
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baggage involved. Listen, I’m happy I was a voice for change over the past couple of years, which I knew meant I may have shot myself in the foot with certain voters, and that’s fine. My intention is to back off after the changes are made so that my generation and the generation after me can compete in a fair system that isn’t about block voting and bullying from few strong-willed actors who group together to keep their safe little system in tact. I spoke out and bullied the bully and got the bully to back down and he ran off crying. Like the bullied kid in school who fights back, I felt like that was my victory. To be honest, I think I may move on and not compete next year. What I do every day on Y&R is worth more to me than anything than an overweight trophy that will take up place in my home and potentially poke my kid in the eye!
Bite your tongue! You’re submitting! And I’m not taking no for an answer because I’ll submit your name and pay the fee. Talking about MVPs, you must be oh-so proud of your co-star and friend Sharon Case for taking a universally hated and controversial storyline, the Shictor romance, and turning shit into gold.
I’m proud of Sharon Case every single day I go into work. She has a very quiet reputation of being an über professional and a very respectful human being. She handles herself with grace and works hard every day. So many more people in the entire Hollywood industry — not just soaps — need to look at her as a model for how to conduct yourself in this business. She’s a great example of how to be a quiet leader.
[Joking] No one cares what you think Michael since you’ve only been on the show for three years!
[Laughs]
Let’s quickly talk storyline: Why is Adam lying to Chelsea about helping Sharon? Does he still love Sharon? For viewers who are confused, explain Adam’s thinking…
Adam is only lying to Chelsea for a couple of episodes. He gets caught but he explains that he didn’t want her to stress out because she had just lost a baby. Adam’s very clear: he’s not romantically involved with Sharon. Adam isn’t even looking at Sharon romantically. They haven’t even touched. There’s nothing there. Adam’s trying to do the right thing karma-wise. He loves Chelsea and only her but he’s going to keep helping Sharon because he fucking owes it to her. Sharon doesn’t have anyone else. He’s going to watch Sharon’s back. Adam married Chelsea and he’s committed to her. It’s really that simple.
Sharon is urging Adam to stop helping her because it’s hurting his marriage but he’s resolved to help both women, which creates the conflict. Adam carries a lot of guilt over what he did to Sharon but he’s also very loyal. He knows how much he fucked Sharon’s life but he’s with Chelsea.
The other day, Adam told Sharon, “I fucked you up. Yes, some other people may have beaten you down, but I’m talking about me: I destroyed you. And I’m going to fix this and help you climb out of this dark hole because I’m accountable. I don’t even care if you don’t want me to help you because I will still help you whether you like it or not!” For Adam, there’s no alternative but to help both these women. Consequently, people have no idea if Adam is coming apart at the seams or if he just evolving. Viewers have no idea — and that’s what is fun!
You’re enjoying the writing these days, huh?
Yes. The writing is off the chain right now. Our show is no longer predictable. We’re playing with people’s emotions and they’re going to be constantly surprised and on the edge of their seats because they are watching character-driven storyline. Our show is not plot driven. Human beings are driving each scene. Human beings are fallible, spontaneous, and unpredictable. Conversely, plots are predictable, i.e. “This building will explode; This airplane will crash.”
You exploded when you debuted on Y&R albeit controversially. It’s been a long journey for you to be accepted by certain fan bases —and even by a few critics — because of Adam’s controversial actions. You were a polarizing figure for many; however, you’ve won the majority of fans and the press over. Was there a certain moment when you realized you had won the masses over?
Not really. Because of who I am when I speak out and how I am as a professional actor, I knew I would be an acquired taste. I don’t think there are too many children who are going to enjoy a nice Guinness beer; but over time, as adults, your taste buds mature. I may be bitter at first but people mainly begin to acquire me as a taste. Not all people… because not everyone likes alcohol. Hey, I’m also probably as equally as bad for you as alcohol, too! [Laughs]
Gulp.
News & Views
SOAPILEAKS
This Week’s Hottest News, Gossip, and Reviews!
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, CTV/CBS — She’s Not Heavy, She’s My Hair Model Daughter!
• The Prodigal Daughters Are Back: Whew — Emmy winner Lesli Kay is back on B&B to help usher out Stephanie when the Forrester matriarch succumbs to cancer sometime in December. Also returning is Tracy Lindsey Melchoir as Kristen. Ugh. Melchoir is one of the worst recasts in B&B history but I understand why the show didn’t recast the role of Stephanie’s missing-in-action daughter during this nostalgic storyline. Both actresses will appear on the show beginning Nov. 9.
• Yes, it’s true: Stephanie Forrester used to wear dresses. In honour of its 25th anniversary celebration, the campy series is releasing its first 16 episodes beginning November 5 via amazon.com! The show also produced an epic photo tome titled BECOMING BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL available this month, too, on amazon.com.
As for the DVD series, according to DIGEST, the latest keepsake is “a 4-disc DVD box set called HOW IT ALL BEGAN chronicles several memorable moments from the early days of B&B, including the introduction of the Forrester family, Ridge proposing to Caroline, and the inception of the Forrester Creations dynasty.” The most watched daily series in the world recently released its premiere collector series, MOST SHOCKING MOMENTS.
May I suggest that B&B release BROOKE’S TRAMPIEST MOMENTS next!
I can’t wait to check out deliciously handsome Clayton Norcross as Thorne again. Remember him? Poor guy couldn’t act his way out of a parking ticket but he sure was fine to look at.
• More on Stephanie’s Goodbye — John McCook gave this teaser in his TV GUIDE interview:
“It's a wild, crazy Irish celebration of her life,” he punctuates. “Eric goes out and hires the group Celtic Woman to entertain and we have these sweet Irish dancers who get us all up on our feet doing the Riverdance thing. It's fantastic! I don't think soaps, as a rule, do the death of characters well enough, or even when a big character is taken off the canvas, like with Ridge. There's a tendency to sweep it under the rug and talk about it later. But, in Stephanie's case, we are doing it right! The audience mourns for the loss of their characters and, unless the show mourns too, it's a lost opportunity. This show has always had a matriarch and patriarch and now our matriarch will be gone. I hope we'll handle that realistically and be mourning the loss for year.”
Please tell me Eric is not going to adorn a kilt.
• Maybe 90210 will take advantage of Adam Gregory’s sex appeal when the actor returns to the prime-time series to reprise his role of Ty Collins because you know B&B, who has still yet to write in a sex scene with Thomas (maybe it’s the actor’s Mormon faith that’s responsible?), won’t. In the episode, Gregory will help showcase what would have happened if ex-girlfriend Annie (Canadian Shenae Grimes) didn't come to Beverly Hills. Look for the stud muffin to air in the posh zip code this year or early 2013.
• In a recent podcast with Raven Beauty, Andrea Evans hinted that she will be returning to B&B and would be open to bringing Tina Lord to help out Todd on GH. Regardless, someone bring back La Evans to my tube!
DAYS OF OUR LIVES, GLOBAL/NBC — Misogynistic DAYS!
• Is Maria Arena Bell casting DAYS? William Christopher, who played M*A*S*H’s beloved Father Mulcahy, has been cast in the recurring role of Father Tobias beginning Nov. 6. Bend over, Will.
•In story 411, Nicole loses her shit once again when her plot to frame Jennifer for her dead baby is
exposed and tries to kill herself. Seriously, DAYS? Really, DAYS? I’m so sick of these sexist storylines being written for our leading female characters. I’ve been re-watching DALLAS: The Original Series and even back in 1978, heroines like Pamela Barnes Ewing were more evolved than today’s current leading ladies. The aforementioned character pursued her career, life journey and passions without playing the victim or sacrificing her choices because of a man or a baby. Today, everything on soaps is about “the baby, the baby, the baby” in order to snag some stupid man. No wonder no one is watching daytime. Grow up, DAYS. No one wants to see this shit anymore.
GENERAL HOSPITAL, CITYTV /ABC — When Fanbases Go Bat Shit Crazy!
• Confirmed: As UNCENSORED exclusively broke, Stuart Damon (who aired this week), Lynn Herring and Kimberly McCullough are all set to return to the series for November sweeps. Also headed back are: Constance Towers and, according to DAYTIME CONFIDENTIAL, Anders Hove, who played the evil Faison. The website reveals ABC is trying to get Hove’s working VISA in order for him to come back to Port Charles.
Expect Herring back on Dec. 14 to participate in the