Nelson Branco's SOAP OPERA UNCENSORED: Issue 55

by Nelson Branco

This happened about three months ago. She wanted a second opinion on how to proceed if Jeff leaves.”

  But sources said Couric didn’t end up hiring Grubman and sought advice from other lawyers. Despite rumors of friction with Zucker over the possibility of him leaving so soon after the debut of her show, the source argued, “There is no bad blood. Katie understands he wants a big job and will eventually leave. This isn’t about suing him, this is about her getting the best overall deal for herself, and if in the event he does leave, she has proper counsel ready.” Couric’s rep said, “Syndication is complicated, so I’m sure Katie has consulted lawyers. Katie and Jeff are excited about the show’s success and are having a great time working together.”

  Meanwhile, in more hilarious news, Walt Disney Chairman/CEO Bog Iger exercised options on 1 million shares of company stock and sold them for about $47.4 million, netting about $17.9 million, BLOOMBERG reports. According to the story, Iger paid $29.51 to exercise each option and sold them for an average $47.37 each, according to an SEC filing, to result in a profit before fees of about $17.86 per share sold. Iger still holds 1.14 million shares. “He’s just diversifying his investments and still has a very large portfolio of Disney stock,” said Disney spokesperson Zenia Mucha.

  Oy vey!

  Award Show Central

  40 YEARS YOUNG

  “The 40th annual DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS will be happening,” promises a NATAS rep to UNCENSORED when I asked whether or not the hardware will be handed out in a televised ceremony in 2013. “We haven’t received a date yet here but all will be forthcoming and should have all available and ready to announce very soon.” Stay tuned!

  Cover Story

  EEK! IT’S BOBBIE EAKES!

  The former ALL MY CHILDREN Star Looks Back At One Rocky Year — And Reveals If She Would Ever Return To B&B!

  Miss Krystal Carey? Macy Alexander? Well, on Dec. 8 you can reacquaint yourself with one of soap’s sassiest and talented performers, Bobbie Eakes, at the First Annual Martin Family Holiday Party on December 8th from 11am-3pm at Planet Dailies at the Original Farmers Market in Los Angeles. 

  Joining Eakes is Michael E. Knight, Lee Meriwether, Vincent Irizarry, Terri Ivens, Cady McClain, Jill Larson and Amanda Baker among others. To purchase your seats, visit this website: https://soapsocialite.com/2012/11/19/martin-family-holiday-party-tickets-on-sale/)

  “It’s going to be fun,” promises Eakes. Our fans are just not going to give up on us! I don’t think they ever will. They’re still pretty pissed off over AMC and ONE LIFE’s cancellations so we go out there, meet them and smile to help ease our pain.”

  UNCENSORED caught up with Eakes recently to discuss AMC’s cancellation, William Bell and Agnes Nixon, Susan Flannery’s B&B exit and life as a freelance singer and actress.

  How are you? Have you processed the news of AMC’s cancellation a year and a half later?

  Yes. I processed it when they gave us the news about two months before we finished taping. After being in TV and film for two decades, you know it’s one job on to the next. I’m used to breaking ties and staying in touch with people I can stay in touch with. I try to move on to the next day. How I keep remembering AMC is because the fans bring it up to me. Of course, there are a lot of fan events I attend which keeps AMC in my mind. I’m trying to focus on the future. As far as I know there won’t be an Internet version of our soap so it’s time to move on.

  You became a daytime staple on BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL as Macy. But then you reinvented yourself years later as Krystal on AMC. On soaps, lightening rarely strikes twice.

  Very rarely. At first, ABC saw me as Macy — and she was fantastic — but I really had to muscle my way into the audition process because networks rarely think outside of the box [when it comes to casting]. I taped myself in a studio and sent ABC my audition tape and that got me in. I had done Macy for 12 years over a period of 14 years so people saw me as this one character forever. And you’re right — some stars hop from soap to soap playing essentially the same character.

  I have to admit: Macy didn’t really set my TV on fire — you were great and the character was fine — but it wasn’t until you migrated over to AMC as Krystal that you really began to blow my mind. And you received 2 Outstanding Lead Actress Emmy Award nominations for your irreverent yet infectious portrayal.

  Krystal was a showier character. But, then again, I had a lot of people come up to me and say, “I don’t like Krystal.” And they still say that! It’s funny. As an actor, and for critics like you, those showier, more duplicitous characters are more exciting to watch. For those fans who want to believe you are your character, they tend to want you to be the nicer character, which is Macy! [Laughs]

  Sophie’s Choice: Macy or Krystal?

  [Pauses] Well, I liked Macy for a lot of different reasons and vice versa. I know that sounds like a cop-out. I got to do a lot on B&B that I didn’t get to do on AMC. B&B also brought me an international fanbase, which allowed me to tour the world with albums and concerts, etc. I know that has nothing to do with playing Macy, even though I got to sing as Macy on the show. I didn’t get enough to do on B&B so, if you’re going to twist my arm, I’d have to answer Krystal because I did get more story. Well, at least for a while! [Laughs]

  I loved your work opposite the late, great Darlene Conley. I also thought you did some wonderful stuff in Todd McKee’s sexual child abuse storyline.

  Wow! That goes way back, Nelson! That’s great you remember that.

  I’m not as young as I look, Bobbie! Speaking of B&B, Stephanie is dying… are you watching B&B for this historic storyline?

  I haven’t seen it but I’ve heard the story and performances are fantastic. And, of course, I love Susan Flannery. I consider her to be a very good friend. I’m not surprised the story is a hit. I know some fans are upset she’s dying but to give her that kind of send-off is amazing. I will set my TiVo for her final scenes.

  Do you think Macy should meet Stephers in Heaven?

  [Laughs] It would have to be another Stephanie because I don’t think Susan Flannery is coming back! I think Flannery has moved on in her mind.

  Is Macy even dead? You got to hand it to Bradley Bell: He’ll kill off characters portrayed by actors who are still alive like Stephanie; and keep characters alive like Sally Spectra who were played by deceased stars like Darlene Conley!

  I know! The other day, I was talking to a friend, who is also a soap fan, and we said the exact same thing. I know Brad wants Darlene/Sally to live on and on in eternity, so I get that. It’s sweet and a beautiful tribute.

  What was it like working with Darlene? She was one of the true originals.

  She was one-of-a-kind. She was nominated for some awards. B&B had a lot of good actors on their show. She really inspired me to go for the gusto when I was playing Krystal. I actually had Darlene in mind when it came to my take on Krystal during the audition. She had passed away at that point but she was in the back of my mind. I channeled her chutzpah… her not being afraid to make a fool out of herself and just going for it. People who know Darlene always say, “I can’t believe she’s gone.” Somebody like that makes such an impression on your life so it’s hard to think of them [in past tense]. You met her, right?

  Yes, I did. You’d think Darlene would never die because of her chutzpah and eternal spirit and drive…

  Like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley and Darlene Conley.

  B&B has brought you back from the dead before, would you return to the show either as a ghost, Macy’s twin sister or Macy herself?

  If I were available, I would love to. I have talked to Bradley Bell about it and said, “Macy’s not necessarily dead.” And they can write anything. It’s a new era. It may not be in the cards but I’d be open to it. I just want to work.

  Do you often imagine what Krystal is up to these days?

  You know what? I’m going to be honest, I don’t. Kassie DePaiva and I are in a different situation because she’s still playing Blair on GH. S
he was saying, “It’s really hard to keep playing Blair because I’d rather make a clean break. It’s kind of like an old boyfriend who keeps calling you who doesn’t want a long-term relationship… you know?” For me, it’s been easier to make a clean break. And I don’t think it’s useful or healthy for me to daydream about what Krystal is up to. I have so much on my plate. I’m back to my music roots and I’m doing some theatre and that’s all keeping me busy.

  And you’ve done some web work, too.

  Yeah, FUMBLING THROUGH THE PIECES and [THE GROVE]. I’m also doing an independent movie with [Italian and Canadian actor] Nick Macuso right now. I also did a stage reading of a [SORDID LIVES’ writer] Del Shores play in Los Angeles.

  Do you keep in touch with anyone in particular from AMC/ABC? I know you’re close with your Divas in Daytime singing mates Kassie and Kathy Brier obviously…

  I just did a concert at B.B. Kings with Vincent Irizarry, Jacob Young and Walt Willey. I see Jill Larson when she comes out to the west coast. She’ll spend the night at my place. I keep up with Michael E. Knight via e-mail.

  Why do you think you worked so well opposite strong leading men on AMC: David Canary, Vincent Irizarry, Michael E. Knight and Jacob Young?

  Because they didn’t hire anything but strong leading men on AMC! I wouldn’t want a weak leading man to work with. Judy Wilson knew how to cast male actors on that show. Every time you turned around, there was an amazing actor. I was so lucky to work on AMC. It was a dream to learn I was working with Michael and David. Talk about fantastic. You try to rise to their level. Their talent is so off the charts… you have to do your best to keep up with them. You can only hope that after a few months they taught you something. I hope that happened.

  As an actress, is there a favourite, standout moment for you on AMC?

  One of the shows I did with Michael… and I think I was nominated for those subtle scenes… they weren’t soapy, dramatic stuff that I usually submitted for the Emmys… it was when Krystal told Tad she sold one of her twins. Michael has a way of keeping you so real. His delivery is… well, you don’t see him acting and he brought that quality out of me.

  Did you ever see yourself as a soap actress?

  Oh, yes! Absolutely. In the 60s, my grandmother used to watch ANOTHER WORLD with the whole Alice/Steve/Rachel — with Robin Strasser in the role! Now I’m telling everyone my age now! When I moved back to America in 1972 after living in England for a while… I believe Y&R started in 1973… and my four sisters and me would never miss an episode of the show during the summer. I’ve watched all them over the years. I have a funny story… Josh Taylor was a friend of mine before I started out as an actress. As a young girl, I think I insulted him when I said to him, “I think I can do what you do.” And he looked at me, paused and said, “It’s not that easy!” And I’ll never forget that. [Laughs] To me, it’s still bizarre when Robin Strasser shows up at one of my performances to watch me because I remember being a fan of ANOTHER WORLD all those years ago. God, I used to watch David Canary on BONANZA!

  If you do re-join B&B…

  Hey, they made Josh Taylor Roman Brady after being Chris Kositchek!

  Yeah, however I would cast you in an entirely new role… what would it be like to act opposite Jacob Young again? You guys share a lot in common.

  I know! I feel like he’s like my little brother. He came on to B&B as a little kid and then he grew into a man on AMC. I’m thrilled he’s on B&B again. It would be great to work with him again. It would be weird just because B&B has changed so much: Susan, Darlene, and Ronn [Moss] aren’t there. It definitely wouldn’t feel like coming home, that’s for sure.

  What do you think Bill Bell would think of daytime today?

  God… Hmmm… I knew Bill for those years I was on the show. I met him and his entire family in the audition room, actually. He was such a gentleman and innovator. Everyone had respect for Bill. No one could say a bad thing about him. Anyone that knew him, anyway. He was a class act. I think he would feel the same way Agnes Nixon feels — and she’s hurting. She really is. She’s of the same ilk. They were both protégés of Irna Phillips. I think he wouldn’t be happy about how the [cancellations] all went down. But, at least Bill still has his legacies — B&B and Y&R — and they’re all doing great. I think he’d be proud of that but, because he loved the genre so much, he’d be hurt. Listen, we were kind of dissed in a very strange way. Deep down, I think the network(s) know they made a mistake but they would never, ever admit it. If they were really smart, they would realize that money and profits aren’t just the bottom line. It’s also important to have a strong brand and lead-in. And that’s what soaps brought to the table. I think Katie Couric was smart to lobby for GH’s survival so she could have the show as her lead-in. So, yes, Bill would be very hurt.

  I have to give the ABC soap stars their props because you guys have been amazing through the entire grieving process.

  Thank you. The soap opera community is really a family.

  And no one can take that away from us.

  News & Views

  SOAPILEAKS

  This Week’s Hottest News, Gossip, and Reviews!

  THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, CTV/CBS — New Role! The Mourning After! KKL in Toronto?

  • In case you’ve been in a coma, it’s full steam ahead for a Brooke/Bill/Katie love triangle — and I’m all in. Say what you want about Bill but at least he’s not as big of a douche as Ridge. And Don Diamont can act. In this week’s DIGEST, Diamont enthuses, “I love working with Katherine Kelly Lang and Heather Tom. I think that’s a terrific triangle and it has legs. It’s really smart the way the story was crafted in terms of Katie almost forcing Bill and Brooke together. [She] manipulated the situation and had a part in creating the relationship you’re seeing evolve because they’ve always been at odds and never really had a conversation over the last few years.” Heather Tom weighs in, too, adding to DIGEST, “We’re still winding our way through the story.”

  And after catching what Bill’s packing — hello, Stallion — Brooke’s probably already in love.

  FYI: Michele Val Jean wrote the aforementioned episode, but I hear the “stallion” part was Brad Bell’s idea. Of course it was!

  • The wind beneath our wings: According to Katherine Kelly Lang, the beloved actress will more than likely be submitting herself under Supporting Actress for the 40th Annual DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS as per UNCENSORED’s suggestion.

  It’s expected that Susan Flannery and Heather Tom will secure the Lead Actress spots for B&B this season thanks to their leading tour-de-force performances this past month. And let’s face it: KKL has been working in a supporting capacity all year. There’s no shame in submitting yourself in the supporting category. Like they say, there are no small parts — just small actors. Hey, George Clooney won his first Oscar Award when he moved down to Supporting Actor for SYRIA. At this point, the criminally underrated actress just needs to break into the system. And this is the perfect time — especially with her scene-stealing supporting work opposite Flannery this past month. Her only competition would be Emmy winner Jane Elliot, but I’m hoping the GH star moves herself up to Lead Actress because Tracy has been dominating and driving a lot of story this past year.

  Cross your fingers.

  • The Mourning After: Speaking of the unforgettable and heartbreaking scenes leading up to Stephanie’s historic death, did KKL and Flannery rehearse those epic onscreen moments? Lang tells me, “We rehearsed a little and worked it out with director what we wanted to do. But, basically, we just went with it in the moment. We didn't really do it until we did it, if that makes sense.”

  FYI: Brooke was reading Stephanie from the first chapter of George Eliot's FELIX HOLT, a novel about a not very nice woman, who placed all her hopes in her son only to be very disappointed.  Sound familiar? Nice touch, B&B.

  The great and powerful Patrick Mulcahey wrote the penultimate episode of Stephanie’s Goodbye, which is sure to be one of B&B�
��s Emmy reel submissions for Outstanding Writing. I’m assuming Bradley Bell will hand in the four consecutive shows leading up to Stephanie’s exit and the climatic conclusion of Katie’s postpartum depression storyline.

  While Stephanie’s exit story was perfection, many would agree that the reason why Ridge was absent was super lame.

  An insider tells me that the contrived Ridge excuse (Stephanie not wanting Ridge to see her dying) was Flannery's.  I’ve been reassured the Emmy winner didn’t request anything for her swan song other than the fact that Stephanie die from lung cancer and that Stephanie refused to see Ridge in her final moments in order to protect the integrity of Ronn Moss’s character should he come back at some point.

  Sorry, but the damage has already been done. Ridge is arguably the love of Stephanie’s life and, even if his mother made that ludicrous request, who in their right mind would agree to it? Ridge would’ve jumped on a plane faster than he could’ve put on a Speedo.

  But will we see Ridge again? Bet on it — but perhaps with another actor in the role.

  (It would’ve been quite the shocker had Ridge appeared to escort Stephanie to Heaven, huh?)

  Ha. I’m evil.

  Finally, here’s a great piece of dialogue from the episode when Stephanie took her last breath:

  Brooke to Stephanie: “I’m not sure I knew what love was until I realized I loved you.” And, in that soapgasmic moment, I was reduced to tears. It also made me chuckle at the same time when Stephanie gave Brooke her mother’s ring as if she were proposing to Brooke! Ha. It’s been long rumoured that Brad Bell wanted to write a lesbian storyline for La Flannery but CBS shot it down several times so this was a nice wink to insiders and astute fans paying attention to the subtext of one of the best rivalries in history.

  In honour of Stephanie’s passing, I’ve been watching HOW IT ALL BEGAN, B&B’s new DVD collection featuring the first 16 episodes of the campy hit soap. By immersing myself in all things Stephanie and Brooke from the start, the soap syllabus has helped soften my reel grieving — and I suggest you all do the same. Did you know Flannery didn’t even appear in the first episode? She actually popped up in episode two. And I always thought KKL began as a hair model but her first scenes — Brooke escaping a sexual attack — were very good for an acting neophyte.

  Hey, B&B: What ever happened to Brooke’s earnest cop