you’re closer to Farah Fath, too.
Yes. We’re much better friends now. We spend a lot of time together. Farah and I grew up together on DAYS. No one knows the experience we had growing up on DAYS, finding love and doing DIRTY SOAP. She’s pretty hilarious. It’s been fun seeing her grow up.
You’re an actor who has a beautiful operatic voice… you’d be a perfect addition to a Broadway musical.
I would love that. I’ve heavily contemplated that but I’d have to move to New York and that’s hard when you have a life, home, and a partner in L.A. I could do something for a couple of months and see what happens. Broadway’s always been a dream of mine and now is as good a time as ever.
How’s Brandon doing? I see that he’s kidnapping rabbits in your backyard and working on the house.
He’s doing great. He works more on the house than I do. He’s like the animal whisperer. He’s like the male version of Snow White. Animals are always coming around our house. He has a newfound love for golf, which is great for him but not so much for me! We’ve been travelling a lot together lately, which has been nice. I’m going to a VENICE music event on June 24 that Crystal Chappell is setting up so I’ll be there I think.
Are you and Brandy going to the Emmys?
No. We’ll miss everyone, and getting pretty with everyone.
Well, that red carpet just got uglier!
Awww… you’re so sweet. It doesn’t feel appropriate considering we’re not on our shows on anymore.
Any news on VENICE: Season Four?
Not much. I know it’s being written right now and I’m on board. Crystal has asked me to be a part of THE GROVE. I’m really excited about that.
I think it’s so cool that she’s using the same posse of actors in all her projects. She’s like the soap version of Christopher Guest.
Garry Marshall does that, too. THE GROVE part is going to be fun because the part will definitely be different than Lara.
THE GROVE has a great cast from Kim Zimmer to Justin Deas.
It starts shooting in August.
Poor Brandon Beemer can’t get arrested on a Crystal Chappell web soap. And it’s a shame because…
… He’d make the perfect lesbian! [Laughs]
Back to DAYS, do you have a fave Broe storyline? You know those Broe fans will kill me if I don’t mention Brady and Chloe in this interview!
[Joking] Who’s Broe?! [Laughs] No, seriously, well, my least favourite storyline was the Phantom of the Opera storyline when Chloe was hiding from Brady because her face was all fucked up! [Laughs] The leukemia storyline is probably my favourite. It was well-written and it was handled so responsibly. My father died of leukemia so it touched me personally. It was nice to be a part of a socially responsible storyline on DAYS, for once! And that’s when Broe really came together. It was young, sweet and special.
Just like you.
SOAPILEAKS:
This Week’s Hottest News, Gossip, and Reviews!
ALL MY CHILDREN — The Mathison Roundup!
• The works keeps rolling in for AMC alums — especially those named Cameron Mathison. The Canadian hunk added a new hosting gig this past week. He’ll be appearing on TNT to host a weekly post-DALLAS talk show called THE DALLAS ROUNDUP on the web! The show will air for the full nine weeks of the season. Pay attention, daytime!
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, CBS/CTV — Bill Spencer: The Wedding Interupter!
• Hey, Bill: Why don’t you pick on someone your own size for once. Hope is not a worthy adversary.
• In story 411, Bill gets Deacon out of jail while Hope and Liam’s wedding party arrive in Italy. Brooke and Ridge notice that Steffy is having an emotionally difficult time in Italy (well, obviously). Bill tries to convince Steffy to stay in Italy. Ridge and Brooke share a romantic afternoon exploring an olive grove. Eric and Stephanie discuss their regret for not travelling to Italy. Thomas and Caroline get to know each other. Deacon hounds Bill for details about his part in the plan. Hope changes her mind about the location of the wedding. Brooke tries to reach out to Steffy. Deacon’s guilt gets the best of him. A happy couple becomes engaged.
DAYS OF OUR LIVES, NBC/GLOBAL — Holding Out For a Hero? Is Reckell Really Bolting?
• Will Hope find love in a Bopeless place? Well, she may have to. The whispers are getting increasingly louder that Peter Reckell is indeed leaving DAYS. “It’s kinda about money and it’s kind of not,” says a source. “He’s made a lot of money and wants to leave California to enjoy his life. The pay cut is just the catalyst.” If Reckell bolts, the big question will be: Will DAYS have the balls to recast the role again? As much as I love Reckell, I think they should. And Robert Kelker Kelly, the sexiest man ever to appear in soaps, would be ideal.
• Don’t cry for Patrick Muldoon. The aging hunk, who was just let go from DAYS, was recently cast in a new series opposite LAW & ORDER's Elisabeth Rohm, who used to toil on ONE LIFE. Congrats, Hairy Man!
• Run out and buy this week’s SOAP OPERA DIGEST to read another great column by Carolyn Hinsey. In her latest editorial offering, Hinsey analyzes daytime’s two gay storylines (B&B’s Karen/Dani; DAYS’s Will) by referencing past tales. Hinsey printed this brilliantly witty and funny quote from EJ to Sami about Will’s homosexuality:
Sami: It’s my fault he’s gay.
EJ: Don’t be absurd. People are born gay. You can’t control whether or not they are attracted to a man or a woman.
Sami: Maybe I did something. Maybe he feels women can’t be trusted.
EJ: Darling, if poor mothering made children gay, then all of Kate’s children would be running around waving rainbow flags at Pride festivals.
He’s here all week, folks. That was pretty authentic dialogue right there. And yes, once again, it happened on DAYS. Next year’s GLAAD Awards race for Best Daytime Serial will be a drag (queen) race for sure! Poor Sami — she thinks everything’s about her.
Meanwhile, Hinsey had to refrain herself from cracking this joke: Half the soaps now tell gay stories (with only four serials that’s no big whoop). She also wonders if B&B’s Thomas is a friend of Dorothy’s, too.
• In story 411, Will is arrested for Stefano’s murder while Roman asks Sami to call Carrie to represent him. Jack tells Jennifer that his book about his experiences in Afghanistan is going to be published. Will is stunned when he learns who has paid his bail. Rafe discusses Will’s arrest with Sami and Lucas. Stefano’s family gathers at the mansion for a memorial service. Kate burns divorce papers. Andrew stalks Melanie, intending to kidnap her. Bo and Hope continue their couple’s therapy with Marlena. Kayla comforts Abe and she later reveals that Steve has taken a job with the ISA and isn’t sure their relationship will survive. Victor swears to Maggie that he’ll never lie to her again.
GENERAL HOSPITAL, ABC/CITY — Easton Out!
• For fans who hate the ONE LIFE infusion, there will be a slight reprieve: Michael Easton will be leaving the show temporarily when his character John McBain heads back east after he finally learns “the truth” about his sister from Sonny. Whether Sonny’s explanation is believable is another story but Easton raves about Maurice Benard’s performance. Easton previews, “You’re left wondering if this is Sonny telling a story he’s told all his life — it’s never him, it’s somebody else —or is he telling the truth?” Hey, Michael: If Sonny’s mouth is open, he’s lying. And, if it’s open real wide, that means Jason’s unzipping nearby.
• Does Johnny Zacchara have an alibi? Or Nancy Lee Grahn? According to TMZ, a small house fire broke out at the home of Maurice Benard. Apparently, the fire began in a bathroom and was successfully extinguished by firefighters. Luckily, no one in the Benard family was injured. Benard's wife, Paula, took to Twitter shortly after saying, "This is Paula. The fire was small and Thank God, everyone’s fine." That sound you hear? DAYS rubbing sticks together over at Deidre Hall’s mansion. Hey, soaps need all the PR they can get!
• Soap newcomer Erik Valdezhas been
cast as the producer of Kristina's reality show on GH. He'll first appear on June 11. You may remember him from stints on 90210 and THE NEW GIRL.
• Last week, I printed my Emmy predictions and I’m the only pundit to think Laura Wright will take home her second consecutive statue as Carly. SOAP OPERA DIGEST readers agree, too. In this week’s poll, 41% predict Wright won’t be wrong on Emmy night. Crystal Chappell came in second with 25% of the vote.
• In story 411, Johnny and Lulu work together when the mobster wants to buy The Haunted Star. The former lovers decide to partner up when Johnny assures Lulu that he plans on making the venue a legitimate business. Watch out, Carly and Dante!
Also, Heather switched the paternity tests: Jason is the father of her switched baby! Shocker. Kristina tries to shut down production of her reality show. Sam refuses to forgive Jason. Lulu strikes a deal with Johnny. Jason has another encounter with Liz. Dante has questions for Johnny. John McBain gets his answers from Sonny. Todd fills Carly in on his new living arrangements. Luke and Anna share a kiss. Heather is determined to find a job. Kate flashes back to Connie as a teenager. Ewen later checks in on Kate. Dante isn’t too happy about Lulu and Johnny’s new venture at the Haunted Star. Matt confesses that he killed Lisa. Tracy tells