Soap Opera Christmas Round-Up 2011

BEST CHRISTMAS REUNION: John and Marlena on "Days of Our Lives". Rex and Gigi on "One Life to Live" get a good mention as well. Maybe the long absence of J/M from DAYS just makes their reunion a bit more meaningful for me.

BEST SOAP WEDDING: Billy and Victoria on "Young and the Restless". Although the lead-in with the Chloe/Kevin debacle along with the American Idol chick was stupid, that still did not detract from the reunion of one of the best soap couples around right now.

BEST OBLIGATORY "CHRISTMAS CAROL" EPISODE: Yes, the whole annual Y&R It's a Wonderful Life Xmas Carol jazz is getting old...but Melody Thomas rocked it with her episodes.

FUNNIEST CHRISTMAS: "Christmas threw up in our living room!" exclaimed Nick after he saw Pam's handiwork on "The Bold and the Beautiful". Fun watching the Logan girls slaughter that bird...and then Dollar Bill saves the day.

MOST BITTERSWEET CHRISTMAS: What at this point is the last Christmas in Llanview on "One Life to Live". What more needs to be said?

MOST DOWNER CHRISTMAS: Hard to watch Patrick and Robin on "General Hospital" knowing what is in store for the couple. Even the Quartermaines were too dour and not enough funny.

WACKIEST CHRISTMAS: THE HOLI-BAY -- Eight sitcom-style episodes of comic improv with different "Bay" members and Santa Claus. www.thebaytheseries.com

VENICE: No Christmas episode on the beach in Season 3, Episode 5...but a great scene with Peter Reckell and Crystal Chappell as "Gina" comes out to "Richard". www.venicetheseries.com

Soap Opera Round-Up 12/12 to 12/16: Better Late Than...

SOAP OPERA OF THE WEEK: Again, ONE LIFE TO LIVE is so much fun with the "Fraternity Row" storyline. I'm loving their nod to GENERAL HOSPITAL and James Franco...oh, excuse me...SOUTH WEST GENERAL and Franco James. How can you make a timely storyline like this better? Add Tuc Watkins to the mix. Which leads me to...

BEST ACTOR OF THE WEEK: Tuc Watkins (David, ONE LIFE TO LIVE). As the famous quote goes, "Dying is easy, comedy is hard". Every time Tuc is on the show, I know I will be chuckling at some point before the episode is over. That sort of talent should not be overlooked. When OLTL goes, Tuc will be one of the actors I'll miss the most.

BEST ACTRESS OF THE WEEK: Kimberly McCullough (Robin, GENERAL HOSPITAL). Yes, this AIDS storyline is one of the worst soap stories ever...but Kimberly is trying her best to give this plot respect and seriousness, despite the headwriters.

I apologize for not including commentary on every soap this week. Between a broken computer cord and Xmas shopping insanity, the time got away from me. Next time!

Soap Opera Round-up 12/5 to 12/9

BEST SOAP OF THE WEEK: ONE LIFE TO LIVE. The "Fraternity Row" cancellation -- along with Roxy's outrage and determination to save her favorite story -- is a wonderful reflection on what has happened in real life to OLTL. I give props to this soap for not going down without a fight. Having Clint Buchanan practically spout out Oprah Winfrey's YouTube speech about the soaps was brilliant!

BEST ACTOR OF THE WEEK: Chandler Massey (Will, DAYS OF OUR LIVES). Chandler is fi-yah as Will going into meltdown mode. The scene where Will called Sami out on her hypocrisy to Marlena was a showstopper!

BEST ACTRESS OF THE WEEK: Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS). It's not easy to be dead drunk, find out your husband is taking the rap for a murder you committed...and then Deacon Sharpe forces you to marry him. She's had a bad week; and Melody is making up for her lost time on the soap.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES - Kudos for the Horton family tradition being continued. The whole reboot is a bust if we don't have that, damn it! I'm liking Austin and Abby. Both characters have been too goody goody. Yeah, Austin is older and all that...but the dramatic fallout of Carrie, Sami, Jack and Jennifer resulting from a May/December romance would be incredible. Maybe Abby will wise up that Chad just isn't that into her and will fall even harder for Mr. Pretty Boy Boxer.

BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - Enough of the Hope/Liam/Steffy fluff. Let's get down to brass tacks with stolen dress designs and a good old-fashioned Jackie M/Stephanie catfight! Now that's soap opera! And I'm loving it. Also loving Pam and Nick...but I feel sorry for Pam...having gone from the real thing with Stephen Logan (Patrick Duffy) to having only hot kisses with Nick Marone (Jack Wagner)...wait, what am I saying?! I'm jealous as hell!

GENERAL HOSPITAL - The soap was mildly improved this week. Good strong drama between Lucky, Liz and Luke. Say that fast three times. Dante and Lulu had a nice angst breakup. Sonny got an idea of what the people back at his old homestead really think about him. But the week fell apart when the focus went back to the WhoCaresWhoDunnit murder mystery of Lisa Niles.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - Okay, I've had it with the bad singer at Glowworm; and I don't care who she is in real life. This is boring filler storyline! The episode that went backwards in time was...um, different. Half the time, I thought I had accidentally set the DVR wrong.
BITCHIEST SOAP LINE OF THE WEEK - Gloria about Jill when they accidentally meet up at a bar - "Sometimes company is the misery."

ONE LIFE TO LIVE - Loved Fraternity Row. Over Paris, Texas. Blair and Todd = HAWT!!!

THE BAY - http://blip.tv/thebaytheseries/the-bay-chapter-7-part-2-5803376
If THE BAY would ever work out the technology to buy wardrobe through clicking on the episode, I would soooo buy myself Sara Garrett's black and white dress for Xmas! Lianne makes a spectacle of herself. The Mayor seems to be getting senile. Stephen's up to no good!

VENICE - www.venicetheseries.com. Hillary B. Smith and Harrison White steal the show for Episode 2!

Soap Opera Round-up 11/28 to 12/2: The Who Cares Whodunnits

BEST SOAP OF THE WEEK: THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
- I wasn't really blown away by any of the soaps all that much this week. But it is interesting to see this eternal Hope/Liam/Steffy triangle veer in another direction. (I swear if I have to hear "To Make You Feel My Love" one more time...!) Now Dollar Bill realizes that maybe he's not quite as over "Lolita" Steffy as he thought he was. Did anyone really think that was completely over? And this gives Heather Tom something to work with. (See BEST ACTRESS.)
- I'm also enjoying Pam's antics with stealing the Forrester designs to get some manly attention from Nick. I'd love for Nick and Pam to actually blossom in a real romance rather than just being comic relief. It could be a touching love story. Yeah, I know. It won't go there.

BEST ACTRESS OF THE WEEK: Heather Tom (Katie, B&B). Heather Tom tore it up this week when Katie found out about Bill's involvement with Liam and Steffy's marriage. When she found out that Steffy was also put on the Board of Directors, it looked like another heart attack would be oncoming.



BEST ACTOR OF THE WEEK: Matthew Ashford (Jack, DAYS). It is no secret to anyone who knows me that I am a longterm Matt Ashford fan. I hope I am being objective when I say he knocked it out of the park in the scene with Deidre Hall. After so many past storylines of Jack uncharacteristically being a clown and a loser, now with the post-traumatic stress disorder story, he has a serious problem that Matt Ashford can sink his teeth into. Under the best of circumstances, Jack is closed off and does not easily in confide in people. It took him forever to tell Jennifer that he loved her, for example. So when Jack confessed to Marlena about the experience in Afghanistan regarding the torture and murder of his cellmate, Ashford played every level. Emmy worthy stuff...which leads me to...

SCENE OF THE WEEK: Marlena treating Jack for his post-traumatic stress disorder, DAYS. How great was it to see Marlena treating someone with a problem based in reality? For a while, her specialty seemed to be hypnotizing victims of Stefano Dimera with brain chips, multiple personalities, amnesia, et cetera. Both Deidre Hall and Matt Ashford have done their best work since their return in this scene. Now Corday just needs to shell out some money to give Marlena an office to work in again!

GENERAL HOSPITAL - Who Cares Whodunnit, Part 1. Lisa Niles was so much more interesting alive. Other than Robin getting a nice monologue to tell Stone about her feelings regarding that travesty of a storyline, this has been such a crashing bore.
- If this soap is so close to the cancellation block, how come GH always gets to do cool montages when the other soaps generally don't?
- I am starting to understand the whole Shrew-lu reputation that Lulu has. Kudos for Dante telling her to put on her big girl pants. If she doesn't like being with a cop, she should dump him and hang out with Spinelli.
- With the firing of Brian Frons and Jill Farren Phelps all within the same week, the debate about the future of this soap is much more interesting than what is actually happening on the air.

ONE LIFE TO LIVE - Who Cares Whodunnit, Part 2. We all know Todd killed Victor or thinks he killed Victor or whatever. So can we move on from the whole Tomas thing, please? Not too much time left to waste on this soap anymore.
- Nice scene with pregnant Tea and Shaun.
- Wow! Stacy is really Gigi. Who didn't see that one coming?

YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - Who Cares Whodunnit, Part 3. Victor confessing to Diane's murder to cover up for drunk Nikki is another plot twist on a murder that we are all so tired of!
- Debbie Morgan is great as Harmony. Ready for more!
- So how long before Billy rehires Phyllis at Restless Style?
- Patty would have been enough; did Emily have to come back too?

DAYS OF OUR LIVES - Will Quinn be Kate's latest boy toy? I can live with that!
- Madison finally wised up and realized that she has hired a deadbeat (Sami).
- I'm liking Jennifer becoming Abe's hardcore PR spokesperson; if she can't be a reporter, at least this new profession suits her better than her earlier job at the hospital.
- Will's breakdown going into freefall. Great acting by Chander Massey!
- EJ comes onto Nicole with all green lights, gets a flashback about Sami...and the mood is killed. Yeah, Sami will do that to a guy.

PRETTY THE SERIES - Episode 3, Season 3.
- Michael's dirty little secret comes out that he was part of one of those one-hit wonder rock bands.
www.prettytheseries.com

THE BAY - Chapter 7, Part 1.
- Romantic longing between Sara and Lee.
- A great scene with Capt. Sanders and The Mayor (soap opera fan heaven with Charles Shaughnessy and Nicolas Coster!)
- A high Lianne rips off Pete's shirt.
- Crazy Igor is back. Woot!
http://blip.tv/thebaytheseries/the-bay-chapter-7-part-1-5783984

VENICE - Episode 2, Season 3.
- We get to see more of Peter Reckell as "Richard" goes to say Hi to "The Colonel" (Jordan Clarke).
- Excellent performances from Jessica Lecchia, Nadia Bjorlin and Crystal Chappell once Gia found out about Ani's abuse.
www.venicetheseries.com

MOST UNROMANTIC LINE OF THE WEEK: (Christine "Aubrey" Wentworth to Rex, ONE LIFE TO LIVE)
I am so sorry, Rex. I did not mean to kiss you. It was just an impulse like Turrets.

BEST VERBAL SMACKDOWN OF THE WEEK: (Dialogue between Todd and John, ONE LIFE TO LIVE)
Todd: John, are you suggesting I set my own newspaper on fire?
John: I read it. Did you?



BEST SOAPY LINE OF THE WEEK: (Nikki regarding her alcoholism, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS)
What I said was one day at a time. One hour at a time. And at this hour...I need a drink!

Thanksgiving Soap Opera Round-Up, 11/21 through 11/23

Bitchiest Thanksgiving, BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL:
I don't know who was dreading the Forrester Thanksgving feast more: Steffie, Liam, Hope or me (who would have to endure watching the whole darned thing!) Over all, the bloodshed was kept at a minimum. Sweet innocent Hope had the bitchiest line of the week.
Hope (to Thomas): I would like to rip your sister a new one.
Thomas: Hope, it's Thanksgiving!
Hope: Well, maybe that would be something to be thankful for.

Happiest Thanksgiving, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS:
Delia and Billy are my favorite father/daughter relationship in soaps right now. Billy secretly saving his daughter's life, Delia always asking for her daddy, moustache-twirling Victor Newman melting in sympathy and letting Billy free. Schmaltz...but good schmaltz!
Other great moments of the week:
-- Adam and Patty's cat-and-mouse games. Get two actors like Muhney and Haiduk together...and WATCH OUT!
-- Phyllis and Avery's conversation where we all find out just how messed up Phyllis' childhood really was. Kudos to Michelle Stafford and Jessica Collins.
-- Return of Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott). Something the Y&R fans are grateful for this holiday!

Angstiest Thanksgiving, GENERAL HOSPITAL:
If the Quartermaine Thanksgivings make you flinch, you can be thankful your holidays aren't as bad. If you can totally identify with all of the relative animosity, you can be thankful for the funny zingers of Edward, Tracy and Monica. Tracy tried her best to make the recently victimized Sam uncomfortable. Luke was a no-show. Ultimately, Jason freaked out and knocked over a holiday table. Score!
-- Kristen Storms, please come back!
-- When the Quartermaines are offscreen, Anthony Zacchara and Diane at least make this show watchable.
-- Most of this week was pretty boring!

Tearjerking-est Thanksgiving, ONE LIFE TO LIVE:
On screen, fans were crying at the death of Matthew Buchanan. Off screen, fans are crying because of the failure for Prospect Park to follow through with bringing this soap online. Add to that all of the comments from the signed-up OLTL actors who found out right before Thanksgiving that their future job prospects have fallen through. Who did not tear up at Viki's speech at the Thanksgiving table, now knowing this is the last Llanville Thanksgiving?
-- Good zinger by the mayor: "Nora The DA who couldn't secure a guilty verdict against Osama bin Laden."
-- Blair/Tea: Best Frenemies Forever.

Most Sentimental Thanksgiving, DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Maggie cooking a big Thanksgiving dinner, Jack and Jennifer back in Salem, John once again imprisoned with a tearful Marlena (memories of Aremid, anyone?), Sami self-destructing and taking down her loved ones with her...it's beginning to look a lot like DAYS OF OUR LIVES.
-- I will be thankful if Sami is not knocked up from her recent slam-bam with EJ. Chandler Massey (Will) is showing his acting chops. I even kind of feel sorry for poor Rafe, the schmuck.
-- I don't know whether I like this Jack/Jennifer storyline or hate it. The upside is Matthew Ashford has a strong story to work with regarding the post-traumatic stress disorder. So much emotion when he just says the word "Afganistan" and all the horror that means. That being said, I hate hate hate that Jennifer wants Jack to settle down and teach journalism and be just as boring as she is. Intrepid reporting was what brought this couple together in the first place...and is a major force in what made Jack/Jennifer a supercouple. You don't see Bo and Hope pulling this crap! Watch some J/J YouTube clips, people in charge!

Craziest Thanksgiving, THE HOLIBAY: The Curious Case of the Missing Turkey - THE BAY takes a break from the drama and performs a comedic improv show. Plot line: Sara Garrett (Mary Beth Evans) is missing her turkey. Wackiness, laughs and catfights as a result!
http://blip.tv/thebaytheseries/the-holibay-the-curious-case-of-the-missing-turkey-5762403

Thanksgiving Season Premiere, VENICE:
-- Otalia fans have something to be thankful for with Gina's dream sequence at the beginning.
-- Galen Gering's "Rafe" on DAYS may not be getting any, but his "Owen" seems to be.
-- Thank God I can still get my Hillary B. Smith fix here!
-- Liking what I see with the pairing of Michael Sabatino and Tina Sloane.
http://www.venicetheseries.com/

Dirty Soap -- Review of Season One

DIRTY SOAP has seemed to be a paradox from the word go. While many of us have panned reality television shows, blaming the form for the loss of scripted television series...this is a reality show that has actually brought more attention to daytime actors. The jury's still up in the air, however, when one episode featured Kelly Monaco looking for something to fall back on in the event that GENERAL HOSPITAL is canceled.

Like most reality shows, I question the "reality" of it. Do you really mean to tell me that Jenna Gering is bothered by Galen's love scenes when he's been in the soap biz for how long now? Jean Paul Lavoisier and Farrah Fath are really going to make a serious life decision like marriage in front of the cameras? Perhaps the most realistic event of the whole season was Kirsten Storms' illness that apparently was so serious that it took her out of the game completely. However, there's no denying that the real life actors are a heck of a lot more interesting than their soap opera role counterparts. I'll take witchy Farah Fath anytime over "Gigi Morasco"; same goes for the eccentric Jean Paul Lavoisier over "Rex".

Definitely fun guilty pleasure TV. Will I be heartbroken if there's not another season? No. Will I watch if there is a Season Two? Definitely.

Highlights of the season: Farah Fath going toe to toe with Kirsten Storms; Nadia Bjorlin's mom setting her daughter up with a date in an effort to break up her relationship with Brandon Beemer

Soap Opera Round-up 11/14 to 11/18

BEST SHOW: DAYS OF OUR LIVES

BEST ACTOR: James Scott (EJ, DAYS)

BEST ACTRESS: Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS)

Don't get me wrong. I don't think that yet another unoriginal "child in peril" storyline is worthy of any awards. We've been through the Sydney/Grace switch/kidnapping, Ciara's kidnapping, Johnny's retinoblastoma and now Johnny's disappearance. However, for some reason, the DAYS acting and the writing kicks into high gear during these stories when they falter at other times. If only as much passion and energy could go on without a kid being tortured!

The reboot (whether a success or a failure, ratings-wise) has really given Alison Sweeney a lot to work with. Now Sami can have her angst against John and Marlena, her rivalry with Carrie and her juggling of Austin, Rafe and EJ all at the same time! We are really seeing this come into play this week with Johnny's disappearance. Alison Sweeney often blows hot and cold with me. If Sami is in good girl/victim mode, I admit I get bored out of my skull. But when Sami goes postal, Ali Sweeney brings it like nobody's business!

And who does Sami go postal with better than EJ (James Scott)? Why can't these two quit each other? Because they are both intense passionate imperfect personalities that are FIRE on screen! Yes, Hogan Sheffer really messed up with the rape back in 2007...and that's always going to be the elephant in the room. But really? Who wants SAFE? Soap opera is not supposed to be safe. It is supposed to be high drama and angst and sex and romance.

BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Interesting storylines threaten to happen...but it keeps going back to the Steffie/Liam/Hope triangle over and over again. I am enjoying the Pam and Nick storyline, even if it is just going to be comic filler. Soap line of the week: (Jackie when she pimps Nick out to Pam to save the company) "Don't be so judgemental. Pam hasn't tried to kill anyone in ages!"

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Am I the only one who can't tell the Kate recast and the Maxie recast apart? Sam always resents when Carly talks to Jason...but it is okay with Spinelli to live with them? Nice to see Monica get some scenes again. Still with GH these days, it seems just like all talk and talk and talk with nothing really happening. Even the Franco rape of Sam was anticlimatic. Nobody can even remember it!

YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: I am getting soap opera schizophrenia, watching Ashley/Kristen/Kelly (Eileen Davidson) marry Tucker/Steve/Stefan/Skyler (Stephen Nichols); add to that an interesting exchange between the groom and Genevieve/Diane/Laura (Genie Francis). Whew! Billy and Victoria unite. Tucker/Genevieve -- Stefan/Laura -- Steve/Diane; I give the Neil/Sofia marriage about as long a lifespan as your average Kardashian marriage. Okay, I'll say it. I like Amelia Heinlie as Victoria; and I think she has great chemistry with Billy Miller. Loved seeing them reunite this week. So sue me!

ONE LIFE TO LIVE: I am also sad and depressed about the last OLTL taping of the week...and how the actors have been told to move out of their dressing rooms. That being said, I thought the soap was pretty lackluster. I could care less about John and Natalie, about Brody kidnapping Lian, about Stacy/Gigi Morasco. But it was fun seeing Tonja Walker again.

CRYSTAL CHAPPELL Interview Rescheduled

Due to Crystal being under the weather with the flu, our interview is being rescheduled to air on Friday, 11/18/11, 1 PM ET.

RIVER RIDGE Premiere in NYC

Beautiful scenery, country/rock soundtracks, high production values and powerhouse performances abound in the much-anticipated webseries, River Ridge. The new show will focus on realistic issues such as poverty, interracial relationships and family conflict. Familiar to soap fans are veteran soap opera actresses Signy Coleman (ex-Hope, The Young and the Restless), Julie Pinson (ex-Janet, As The World Turns) and Beth Ehlers (ex-Harley, Guiding Light) who deliver strong performances in the first episode -- very different from their soap opera counterparts. Add to that some sexiness from primetime actors Mark Doherty and Shannon Sturges for good measure! This show will be something to look forward to.



Tyler Ford -- the creator, executive producer, writer and director -- makes it clear that his goal is both "to educate and to entertain", hoping that this gritty series based in truth will touch people everywhere.



Signy Coleman (producer who plays "Sharon Reeves") hopes that viewers will empathize with the very real struggles and issues of the various storylines -- "that we are not alone...and that there are solutions..."



At the NYC premiere on November 11th (hosted by Roger Newcomb of We Love Soaps), several cast members appeared to attend the event, including Beth Ehlers, Jon Prescott, Danielle DiLorenzo, Mark Doherty, Seth Ford, Christina Jackson, Matthew Daniell, Carrie Watt and Isabella Nolan.

To keep up with the latest about River Ridge, check out the website at http://riverridgeseries.com/

SCHEDULE CHANGE: OUTTAKES INTERVIEW with CRYSTAL CHAPPELL

Daytime Emmy Award-winning actress CRYSTAL CHAPPELL -- producer and star of the webseries, Venice -- joins OutTakes to talk about the upcoming third season premiering on November 23rd. A daytime veteran for over 20 years, Crystal's portrayals include Olivia Spencer from Guiding Light, Carly Manning from Days of Our Lives, Maggie Carpenter from One Life To Live and Gina from Venice. For more information about purchasing a subscription for the new Venice season, go to www.venicetheseries.com

SCHEDULE CHANGE: Crystal's interview will air on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH, 1:00 PM ET and can be found at the following link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/11/17/crystal-chappell The show is also available for on-demand playback, download and iTunes. Pre-recorded.

If you like these OutTakes Interviews, friend me at "OutTakes Interviews" on Facebook and follow me at "LauriesOutTakes" on Twitter.

OUTTAKES INTERVIEW with REGINALD VELJOHNSON

REGINALD VELJOHNSON (best known for the character of "Carl Winslow" on the hit sitcom Family Matters) joins OutTakes to talk about his guest star appearance on Hollywood Saturday Night at ACME Comedy Hollywood as well as his prolific career in film and television. VelJohnson is currently on The CW's Hart of Dixie with Rachel Bilson. Among his other credits are Die Hard, Monk, Chuck, Meet the Browns, Will & Grace, Glory Daze and Mike & Molly. Reginald will be appearing at Hollywood Saturday Night on November 5th at 8 PM PT (ACME Comedy Hollywood, 135 N. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles). For studio audience tickets and live broadcast details, visit www.HollywoodSaturdayNight.com.

Reginald's interview will air on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND at 11 AM ET and can be found at the following link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/11/02/reginald-veljohnson-1. The show is also available for on-demand playback, download and iTunes. Pre-recorded.

If you like these OutTakes Interviews, friend me at "OutTakes Interviews" on Facebook and follow me at "LauriesOutTakes" on Twitter.

OUTTAKES INTERVIEW with GREGG BINKLEY

GREGG BINKLEY plays "Barney" on the Fox sitcom Raising Hope, having just moved from recurring character to contract role for the second season. He's also known for his roles as Kenny James on NBC's My Name is Earl and as Dan, the Del Taco spokesperson. He has also had guest spots on Gilmore Girls, Malcolm in the Middle, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Yes, Dear, The Drew Carey Show, Full House, and Wizards of Waverly Place. In this interview, Gregg talks about Raising Hope, working with the wild and crazy and brilliant Cloris Leachman, what it is like to act in a fat suit...and he does a fantastic "Barney Fife" impression!

Gregg's interview will air on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25TH, 11 AM EST and is located at the following link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/10/25/gregg-binkley. The show is also available for on-demand playback, download and iTunes. Pre-recorded.

If you like these OutTakes Interviews, friend me at "OutTakes Interviews" on Facebook and follow me at "LauriesOutTakes" on Twitter.

THE BAY Interview Archive -- Season 2 coming up!

Be sure to tune in for the premiere of Season Two of THE BAY on Thursday, Oct. 27th when the story, and the questions, continue! Will Sara Garrett (MARY BETH EVANS), Lee Nelson (PAUL SATTERFIELD), and Lex Martin (TRISTAN ROGERS) cross paths once again? What lies ahead for star-crossed lovers Brian Nelson (DYLAN BRUCE) and Zoey Johnson (TAYLOR STANLEY)? Does Peter Garrett (KRISTOS ANDREWS) finally find his way home? Will Capt. Elliot Sanders (CHARLES SHAUGHNESSY), Det. Mackenzie Johnson (LANE DAVIES) find the answers they are looking for? What exactly does the nefarious Steve Jensen (MATTHEW ASHFORD) have in store for the citizens of Bay City? For a glimpse of what thrills and chills lay ahead for the Garrett family and other Bay City residents, catch the new opening sequence at: http://blip.tv/thebaytheseries/the-bay-the-series-season-2-opening-titles-5656082

Also, check out these archived OutTakes Interviews with cast members from THE BAY:



NICOLAS COSTER (Mayor Jack Madison) -- August 16th, 2010

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2010/08/16/nicolas-coster



MATTHEW ASHFORD (Steve Jensen) -- September 26th, 2010

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2010/09/27/matthew-ashford



LANE DAVIES (Det. Mackenzie Johnson) -- December 29th, 2010

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2010/12/30/lane-davies



CHARLES SHAUGHNESSY (Capt. Elliot Sanders) -- January 11th, 2011

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/01/12/charles-shaughnessy



ILENE KRISTEN (Dr. Liza Garrett, "Far From the Bay") -- March 17th, 2011

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/03/17/ilene-kristen



CAMDEN TOY (Igor Chambers) -- March 18th, 2011

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/03/18/camden-toy



SANDRA DEE ROBINSON (Christine Nelson) -- July 11th, 2011

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/07/11/sandra-dee-robinson



MATTHEW ASHFORD AND CHRISTINA SAFFRON ASHFORD (Steve Jensen) -- August 14th, 2011

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/08/15/matthew-ashford-and-christina-saffran-ashford



MARY BETH EVANS (Sara Garrett) -- September 19th, 2011

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/09/19/mary-beth-evans



KRISTOS ANDREWS (Pete Garrett) - October 20th, 2011

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/10/20/kristos-andrews-private

OUTTAKES INTERVIEW with KRISTOS ANDREWS

KRISTOS ANDREWS ("Pete Garrett" from The Bay) joins OutTakes to talk about his guest star appearance on Hollywood Dream Role at ACME Comedy Hollywood as well as his status as a gold medalist street skater. Kristos will be appearing at ACME on October 21st at 9 PM PT (ACME Comedy Hollywood, 135 N. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles). For studio audience tickets and live broadcast details, visit www.HollywoodDreamRole.com

Kristos' interview will air on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20TH, 6 PM EST and is located at the following link. The show is also available for on-demand playback, download and iTunes. Pre-recorded.

If you like these OutTakes Interviews, friend me at "OutTakes Interviews" on Facebook and follow me at "LauriesOutTakes" on Twitter.

Photo by Matthias Schubert

OUTTAKES INTERVIEW with FREDDIE SMITH

FREDDIE SMITH ("Sonny Kiriakis" from Days of Our Lives) joins OutTakes to talk about his guest star appearance on Hollywood Dream Role at ACME Comedy Hollywood as well as his television career, including his role as "Marco" on The CW's 90210. Freddie will be appearing at ACME on October 7th at 9 PM PT (ACME Comedy Hollywood, 135 N. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles). For studio audience tickets and live broadcast details, visit www.HollywoodDreamRole.com

Freddie's interview will air on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6TH, 3:30 PM EST and is located at the following link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/10/06/freddie-smith . The show is also available for on-demand playback, download and iTunes. Pre-recorded.

If you like these OutTakes Interviews, friend me at "OutTakes Interviews" on Facebook and follow me at "LauriesOutTakes" on Twitter.

Photo above by Deidhra Fahey

OUTTAKES INTERVIEW with ALINA ADAMS

ALINA ADAMS joins OutTakes to discuss her new book -- Soap Opera 451: A Time Capsule of Daytime Drama’s Greatest Moments, the first Enhanced Electronic Book about daytime television. Written by the New York Times bestselling author and soap opera insider, this e-book features star interviews, insider information, and fan favorites on 45 of the most memorable scenes in daytime television history. Find the Amazon link for Alina's book here. She also has a blog at http://pgpclassicsoaps.blogspot.com/

Alina's interview will air on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH at 9 AM ET and can be found at the following link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes . The show is also available for on-demand playback, download and iTunes. Pre-recorded.

If you like these OutTakes interviews, friend me at "OutTakes Interviews" on Facebook and follow me at "LauriesOutTakes" on Twitter.

OUTTAKES INTERVIEW with DOUG JONES

Possibly the most famous person you've never seen, multi-award winning actor DOUG JONES joins OutTakes to talk about his guest star appearance on Hollywood Saturday Night at ACME Comedy Hollywood as well as his prolific film career. Some of the highlights of his 25 year career under heavy makeup include: "Abe Sapien" of the Hellboy series; "Silver Surfer" of Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer; and "Pan" and the "Pale Man" from Pan's Labyrinth. Doug will be appearing at Hollywood Saturday Night on September 24th at 8 PM PT (ACME Comedy Hollywood, 135 N. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles). For studio audience tickets and live broadcast details, visit www.HollywoodSaturdayNight.com.

Doug's interview will air on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD at 3 PM ET and can be found at the following link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/09/23/doug-jones. The show is also available for on-demand playback, download and iTunes. Pre-recorded.

If you like these OutTakes Interviews, friend me at "OutTakes Interviews" on Facebook and follow me at "LauriesOutTakes" on Twitter.

OUTTAKES CALL-IN SHOW with JORDI VILASUSO

JORDI VILASUSO (Dr. Griffin Castillo, All My Children) joins OutTakes to discuss his career in television and film. Daytime audiences will also remember him from Guiding Light as "Tony Santos".

Join OUTTAKES on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND at 12:00 PM EST. The call-in number for the show is (347) 989-0605. Be sure to press "1" when prompted by the recording to be brought onto the switchboard with a question. Calls will be taken approximately 15 to 20 minutes into the show. If you register with a Blogtalkradio account, you can also participate in the chat room. The radio show can be found at the following link. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/09/22/jordi-vilasuso

To keep up with all the news with upcoming OUTTAKES interviews, you can follow this blog, become friends with "OutTakes Interviews" on Facebook or follow "LauriesOutTakes" on Twitter!

OUTTAKES INTERVIEW with MIKE C. MANNING

MIKE C. MANNING (celebrity from MTV's The Real World: DC) joins OutTakes to talk about his guest star appearance on Hollywood Dream Role at ACME Comedy Hollywood as well as talking about his activism and film projects. Mike will be appearing at ACME on September 23rd at 9 PM (ACME Comedy Hollywood, 135 N. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles). For studio audience tickets and live broadcast details, visit www.HollywoodDreamRole.com

Mike's interview will air on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH at 1 PM EST and can be found at the following link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/09/18/mike-c-manning . The show is also available for on-demand playback, download and iTunes. Pre-recorded.

If you like these OutTakes Interviews, friend me at "OutTakes Interviews" on Facebook and follow me at "LauriesOutTakes" on Twitter.

OUTTAKES INTERVIEW with MOLLY BURNETT

MOLLY BURNETT joins OutTakes to talk about her guest star appearance on Hollywood Saturday Night at ACME Comedy Hollywood as well as her role of "Melanie" on Days of Our Lives. Molly will be hosting the comedy show on September 17th at 8 PM (ACME Comedy Hollywood, 135 N. La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles (Beverly Blvd. & La Brea). For studio audience tickets and live broadcast details, visit www.HollywoodSaturdayNight.com

Molly's interview will air on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH at 1 PM EST and can be found at the following link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/09/15/molly-burnett . The show is also available for on-demand playback, download and iTunes. Pre-recorded.

If you like these OutTakes Interviews, friend me at "OutTakes Interviews" on Facebook and follow me at "LauriesOutTakes" on Twitter.

Mary Beth Evans in "Murder at the Howard Johnson's"

Mary Beth Evans returns to shooting “Days of Our Lives” on September 22nd and can also be seen in an episode of CBS’s “Body Of Proof” later this month. The madcap screwball comedy “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s” is Mary Beth’s latest foray into live theater. She plays Arlene - the sex starved, femme-fatale wannabe - in this crazy play about a love triangle and three murder plots gone awry at a Howard Johnson's Motor Inn. The show is directed by John Coppola, who most recently worked with Mary Beth on “Barbara’s Wedding” in 2009.

The running schedule for "Murder at the Howard Johnson’s" is as follows:
Thursdays, September 22nd and 29th, October 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th, 2011, at 8 p.m.

Fridays, September 30th, October 14th and 28th, 2011 at 8 p.m.

Saturdays, September 24th, October 8th and 22nd, 2011 at 8 p.m.

One matinee on Sunday, September 25th, 2011 at 3 p.m.

Approximate running time is two hours.

The ticket price is $22.50 for general admission, with an Opening Night price of $30 (which includes a Depression-era cocktail), and reservations can be made by visiting murderathojos.eventbrite.com.

The engagement ends on Friday, October 28th.

Studio C Artists is located at 6448 Santa Monica Boulevard, on Theatre Row, in Hollywood. Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

OUTTAKES CALL-IN SHOW with MARY BETH EVANS

A daytime veteran in the finest sense of the word, MARY BETH EVANS has been beloved in a variety of roles: Kayla Brady on Days of Our Lives, Sara Garrett in the web series The Bay, Sierra Drake on As The World Turns and Katherine Bell on General Hospital. And if guest starring on the primetime series Body of Proof, blogging for HybridMom.com and founding Mary Beth's Apple Pie Company weren't enough, Mary Beth is also starring in the upcoming play Murder at the Howard Johnson's. Ticket information for the play can be found at http://murderathojos.eventbrite.com/

Join OUTTAKES on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH at 1:00 PM EST. The call-in number for the show is (347) 989-0605. Be sure to press "1" when prompted by the recording to be brought onto the switchboard with a question. Calls will be taken approximately 20 minutes into the show. If you register with a Blogtalkradio account, you can also participate in the chat room. The radio show can be found at the following link. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/09/19/mary-beth-evans

To keep up with all the news with upcoming OUTTAKES interviews, you can follow this blog, become friends with "OutTakes Interviews" on Facebook or follow "LauriesOutTakes" on Twitter!

OUTTAKES INTERVIEW with DEENA DILL

Actress, model and producer DEENA DILL joins OutTakes to talk about her career and upcoming projects...including producing an upcoming game show, guest starring on ACME Comedy's "Hollywood Dream Role" and more. As a model, Deena has been the face of Cornsilk Makeup, the legs of Hanes pantyhose, and the body of Gottex Swimwear. She also portrays Gibby's mom on the popular Nickelodeon television show, iCarly.

The interview with Deena will premiere on THURSDAY, AUGUST 25TH at 1:00 PM EST and can be found at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/08/24/deena-dill. The show is also available for on-demand playback, download and iTunes. Pre-recorded.

If you like these OutTakes Interviews, friend me at "OutTakes Interviews" on Facebook and follow me at "LauriesOutTakes" on Twitter.

OUTTAKES INTERVIEW with MATTHEW ASHFORD and CHRISTINA SAFFRAN ASHFORD

MATTHEW ASHFORD is well known for his role as "Jack Deveraux" on Days of Our Lives; and he will be seeing him back on the soap next month. Matthew is also very involved in theater; most recently he appeared in the national tour of Mamma Mia. CHRISTINA SAFFRON ASHFORD has many musical theatre credits, both on Broadway and regionally, including shows such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Singin' in the Rain, Grease and White Christmas. For the first time, this married couple will be professionally performing together in the musical I Do! I Do! at Sacramento's Music Circus Theatre, running from August 16th through August 21st.

Music Circus productions are presented at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, 1419 H Street in Sacramento. Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., and Thursday and Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $42 and youth tickets for ages 4-17 start at $30. Tickets are available by phone at (916) 557-1999, online at www.tickets.com, or in person at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office. For discounts for groups of 12 or more, please call (916) 557-1198. For ticket information, visit www.SacramentoMusicCircus.com.

The OutTakes Blogtalkradio interview with Matthew and Christina will premiere on SUNDAY, AUGUST 14TH at 8:00 PM EST and can be found at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/08/15/matthew-ashford-and-christina-saffran-ashford. The show is also available for on-demand playback, download and iTunes. Pre-recorded.

OUTTAKES INTERVIEW with MATT MULLINS

Five time Martial Arts World Champion MATT MULLINS joins OutTakes to talk about his role as "Johnny Cage" in the web series Mortal Kombat: Legacy as well as his career in martial arts, acting and choreography. Check out this episode of Mortal Kombat: Legacy to see Johnny Cage in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqlaU5OMsks

The interview with Matt will premiere on THURSDAY, JULY 28TH at 1:00 PM EST and can be found at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/07/28/matt-mullins. The show is also available for on-demand playback, download and iTunes. Pre-recorded.

If you like these OutTakes Interviews, friend me at "OutTakes Interviews" on Facebook and follow me at "LauriesOutTakes" on Twitter.

OUTTAKES INTERVIEW with RIB HILLIS and TERRI IVENS

Photograph above by Winston Kerr.

RIB HILLIS (Host of $100 Makeover) and TERRI IVENS(known by daytime fans for her previous role as "Simone Torres" on All My Children) join OutTakes to talk about their upcoming film, Piranhaconda. The latest SyFy monster mash-up film produced by "King of the B Films" Roger Corman, is scheduled to to premiere on October 11, 2011. Check your local listings for exact time. For a look at how Rib and Terri get dressed and undressed to kick some Piranhaconda tail, check out this photo shoot music video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poz9NoNY1bc&feature=youtu.be

The interview with Rib and Terri will air on FRIDAY, JULY 22ND at 5 PM EST and can be found at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/07/22/rib-hillis-and-terri-ivens-1. The show is also available for on-demand playback, download and iTunes. Pre-recorded.

If you like these OutTakes Interviews, friend me at "OutTakes Interviews" on Facebook and follow me at "LauriesOutTakes" on Twitter.

LIVE CALL-IN SHOW with SANDRA DEE ROBINSON

A familiar face in daytime, SANDRA DEE ROBINSON currently plays the slightly obsessive psychotherapist, Christine, on the web series, The Bay. Starting with her first television role as Amanda Cory on Another World, she also had major roles on Sunset Beach, Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital and Days of Our Lives. She has multiple credits in primetime, including Two and a Half Men, Secret Life of a Teenager and Out of Practice. Sandra sidelines acting with TV hosting and being a product spokesperson. Also, she is the founder of the media training and consulting firm, Charisma on Camera Media Training Studio (http://www.charismaoncamera.com/). Also, check out Sandra's website at http://www.sandradeerobinson.com/

Join OUTTAKES on MONDAY, JULY 11TH at 1:00 PM EST. The call-in number for the show is (347) 989-0605. Be sure to press "1" when prompted by the recording to be brought onto the switchboard with a question. Calls will be taken approximately 15 minutes into the show. If you register with a Blogtalkradio account, you can also participate in the chat room. The radio show can be found at the following link. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/07/11/sandra-dee-robinson

To keep up with all the news with upcoming OUTTAKES interviews, you can follow this blog, become friends with "OutTakes Interviews" on Facebook or follow "LauriesOutTakes" on Twitter!

Memories of Anthony Herrera

After last week's news about the passing of Anthony Herrera (James Steinbeck, As The World Turns), his peers share memories. This is an ongoing compilation, so if anyone would like to contribute or share, feel free to leave a comment or message.

Martha Byrne (Lily, As The World Turns)
Twitter

RIP Anthony Herrera...so many great memories.... :( He loved that dog pictured with him on FBOOK....He died in a place he loved...God Bless....He wrote the book The Cancer War...please read it if you can. It would make him so happy....he fought that was and won many times.

Sarah Brown (Julia, As The World Turns)
Twitter

Had the pleasure of sharing a car with Mr. Anthony Herrera during our days in Brooklyn @#ATWT. He told great stories. He was fascinating RIP

Scott Bryce (Craig, As The World Turns)

He was a courageous and wonderful man.

Grayson McCouch (Dusty, As The World Turns)
http://mccouch.webs.com/latestnews.htm

Anthony was a kind soul, he was a man in the classic sense and his work reflected it. His favorite actor was Anthony Quinn - specifically in the movie La Strada - his other favorite movie was Casablanca. He shared this with me on a car ride home together. We hit it off. He told me about the beautiful life he was enjoying in Argentina. About simplicity and the beauty of everyday moments.

He called me James Dean and wanted to get together soon and talk more about great art, artists and life. He got to meet my dog and told me I was on the right track.

Anthony Herrera was like the actors he enjoyed - Quinn, Bogart.... he was a classic, and he will be missed.

I won't forget you my friend.

GRAYSON

Julie Pinson (Janet, As The World Turns)
Twitter

Also- just heard bout Anthony. Such a class act. So nice to me on set. God bless.

Tonja Walker (Alex, One Life To Live; Olivia, General Hospital)

I have always followed As the World Turns. My mom watched all the soaps on CBS and so did I. James Stenbeck and Margo (Margaret Colin) as well as the triangle with Barbara (Colleen Zenk) and then the story with Justin Deas was always compelling and impossible to miss. We will all miss Anthony...his sweet personality and his talent playing diabolical yet sexy convincing, and oh so memorable characters.what a sad and terrible loss.

Colleen Zenk (Barbara, As The World Turns)
http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/colleen-zenk-issues-heartfelt-statement-on-the-passing-of-atwts-anthony-herrera/2011/06/30/

I knew and worked with and fought with and admired and adored Anthony Herrera more than half of my life. From Jan 1980, before I turned 27, to this last fall at a Cancer Awareness event and then a screening of his film at the Player’s Club, Anthony was a pivotal and important part of my professional and personal life. From our on-location work in the Dominican Republic, (where we were invited to the home of the Army General), to the bullring in Spain (we were having a bump in the road in our relationship then, and I think he wanted the bull to gore me.), Anthony and I always found time to dance…a metaphor for our relationship. I remember brunches at the Plaza Hotel and waltzing to the orchestra, dinners in caves and dancing the meringue… and so much more. And that was real-life. And then there are all the Barbara and James dances and battles, too.

Anthony always called me his “fictional wife”. And I was that, but more too. I wasn’t a girlfriend, or a date, or just an acting partner. He and I traveled through life’s journeys’ together, including our cancers. We were joined at-the-hip in some ways. And like all couples, at times, we drove each other absolutely crazy over the years. But, the years flew by, and I grew to tolerate and love his quirks. He always bellowed “WIFE” to me and I loved it. No matter where we were. I think there were people who might have thought we were a couple. We weren’t. But, we were just like an old married couple. Last summer, when I was performing in a show in NYC after ATWT shut down and my real-life marriage was over, the stage manager knocked on my dressing room door to say that my “husband” was there to see me. And then I heard “WIFE”! It was Anthony. Cheering me on as he had done since he first saw me on stage in 1981 in Bring Back Birdie on Broadway. My biggest cheerleader… And supporter. And he made me feel like a woman…

Two years ago, after my last round of cancer, he left the most beautiful message of hope and love on my cell phone. I have saved it this whole time just to hear his voice when I need a lift. I needed that today when I realized the rumors of his death were true. I am so glad I saved that voicemail. A little piece of the wonderful, Anthony Herrera, that is all mine… God, I will miss you… And I have been so blessed to have been your fictional “WIFE”. I have 30 years of stories. We were quite a couple. And he doted on me…and gave me hell…and I gave it back. And I listened to the same stories hundreds of times. Just like a “WIFE” should.

Anthony Herrera 1944 - 2011

Sad news about the passing of Anthony Herrera (James Stenbeck, As The World Turns) has been announced today via his Facebook page.

I was honored to have met Anthony at a poetry reading last summer at The Players Club in New York City. As intimidated as any soap fan with meeting the man who so chillingly portrayed the evil "James Stenbeck", I found that in reality Mr. Herrera was a man who loved poetry, could speak in great depth about classic films such as Casablanca and The Searchers and deeply wanted to help people face the battle with cancer (a fight he was all too familiar with). He spoke at great length about his belief in "Triumph of the Human Spirit", a lecture series he took part in where he discussed how love of art can give strength in the face of such traumas as battling disease.

Anthony graciously consented to do a radio interview with me in September where we discussed his battle with cancer, his book regarding his struggles entitled The Cancer War, his project Poetry Theatre and his work as an actor. The OutTakes interview with Anthony Herrera can be found at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2010/09/08/anthony-herrera.

Thank you, Mr. Herrera, and rest in peace. You will be missed.

---------------------------

The confirmation on his Facebook page is as follows:

Anthony Herrera, a stage, film, and television actor, may be best known for his thirty years as James Stenbeck on “As the World Turns”, CBS Television. He died in Buenos Aries, Argentina on June 21, 2011.

In January 1997, Herrera was diagnosed with a rare and usually fatal lymphoma. He underwent an autologous stem cell transplant at Sloan-Kettering and a donor transplant at MD Anderson Cancer Center, which made medical history. In remission for 10 years, he wrote “The Cancer War”, www.thecancerwar.com.

In October of 2005 Anthony testified for Senator Arlen Specter on stem cell research. He gave a lecture on “The Human Spirit” at MD Anderson, Sloan Kettering, and St. Jude’s in Memphis, TN. It can be viewed on www.anthonyherrera.org.

Herrera was born in Wiggins, Mississippi. He graduated from Ole Miss with a B.A. in English literature. He is a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

In New York, he studied his craft with the acclaimed Stella Adler. He starred in the NBC Movie of the Week “Mandrake the Magician”, and had featured roles in “Helter Skelter”, “The Blue Knight “The Rockford Files”, and “Manciuso, FBI”, with contract roles on “The Young and Restless” and “Loving”.

He produced and directed the award winning “Mississippi Delta Blues” and directed a film of Eudora Welty’s “The Wide Net”. He co-authored and toured the play “Smoke & Mirrors” published by Samuel French.

Anthony was President of Poetry Theatre, Inc (www.poetrytheatre.org) where actors such as Hume Cronyn, Charles Durning, Tyne Daly, and Willie Nelson recite poems.

Poetry Theatre was Anthony’s Herrera’s great love, and it will continue in tribute to Anthony’s memory and legacy. There will also be a commemorative page to Anthony, on the Poetry Theatre website. All donations will be listed and any comments about how Anthony affected their lives will also be posted.

For those who wish to donate to Poetry Theatre kindly make checks payable to Poetry Theatre, Inc. and send them to:

Poetry Theatre
210 West 70th Street #808
New York, NY 10023

Thank you all so much for your kind thoughts and memories at this difficult time.

Happy Anniversary, OutTakes Interviews!

Exactly one year ago today, the first OutTakes interview took place with James Reynolds (Abe, Days of Our Lives) discussing his upcoming productions at Cape May Stage, New Jersey. The first show had its share of technical craziness. The chat room would not open. I had trouble connecting James to the line and had to ask him to call me back. Near the end of my interview, my wireless telephone started beeping at me with a low battery. Truly a game of dodging many obstacles. Nonetheless, the interview was a fun one...and paved the road for a year of talking to fascinating guests and exciting experiences. I would not trade these times for the world. Thank you, Mr. Reynolds, for giving me a chance. Listen to this interview with James Reynolds recorded exactly a year from today here.

Join the Sudz.TV Coupon Campaign

For all soap fans upset about the cancellation of their favorite soap or worried about the future of their favorite soap, here is a way to make your voice be heard. The sudz.tv soap coupon campaign is a grass roots effort to make the media and entertainment industry aware of the demand for the soap opera genre: a demand that is not accurately reflected through the antiquated Nielsen ratings. Coupons are being printed in the July 4, 2011 edition of The Globe this week. Soaps In Depth also tweeted that the Cable/Satellite coupon will be in the ABC issue on sale July 11 and the CBS issue on sale July 18. Return the love to these magazines by buying an issue to send in soap coupons. Alternatively, you can go to the sudz.tv website for more information about the campaign and the soaps coupons.

NOTE: If you are concerned about revealing your street address, there has been an announcement on one of the campaign radio shows that the actual street address may be left out as long as the city, state, zip and cable provider is included. Only one coupon to be submitted per person per household.

-----------------------------

Here is a statement from Blogtalkradio's Silas Kain about what the soaps coupon campaign is all about:

Any soap website, Facebook group or soap related group on any venue is welcome to download the coupons for distribution to your users. This is a COORDINATED effort bringing soap VIEWERS together in a common purpose. In many ways, this is a test for us. The networks and the soap press are counting on the typical "fan wars" and "agendas" to cause yet another "fan based" campaign to implode. There has been a lot of misinformation being spread around soap groups. So let's get a couple of things straight before this campaign takes off.

This Cable Coupon Campaign was developed by the Leadership Council at SudzTV. There is no one specific leader over the other. In addition to myself there is @TxKimmie @Crispy829 @SpinsVixenella and @Phantom0065. We all have different backgrounds and opinions. Our common bond is a passion for this genre, period. We've forged an alliance which brings out the best in soap enthusiasts and have found ways to develop alliances which bring soap viewers from soaps on all 3 networks together. If we five strong minded people were able to come together and leave our egos at the door -- ANYONE CAN! We've invited leaders and followers of other groups to join our effort in a variety of ways and that door remains wide open. Remember, we as a viewer base have a stereotype to overcome. If we can't at least do that then we are all wasting our time in trying to prop up the soap genre.

To do something to turn the tide in the decline of soaps we have to begin by proving there remains a demand for quality scripted serial programming. It's a tall order and we believe we can do it! When that demand is created advertisers, production companies and networks take notice - it is that simple. And if you think having 10,000 - 50,000 followers on Facebook makes you a "leader" in the movement, then you don't know the facts. The truth is 5% of your total "likes" take an active role in your group. The next 25% are known as "lukewarms" and the remaining 70% of your followers are regarded as "stale". These aren't my figures. These are figures provided to us by bona fide social media marketers who have the data to back up their claims. So, look inside your own group. Just how many of YOUR followers take active participation? How many of them are "lukewarm" and how many are there in name only? Connect your own dots and you will see it for yourself -- don't count on me or your group leaders to convince you otherwise. To depend on social media as the exclusive method of bringing the soap viewer base together is foolish and impractical. We don't have time to waste trying to make social media an effective marketing tool because the bottom line is 30% of soap viewers are probably checking out soap sites -- no more.

We can't point fingers at the soap press because as mad as I get at them, I'm a realist. They are stuck behind the 8 ball. They feel helpless. They have to deal with declining circulation numbers and a ridiculous constraint on what they can say in print because of network pressures. They won't admit it, but I think common sense dictates that I'm on the money. If we demonstrate that demand I talk about, inevitably the soap press will feel they have the backup to step up to the plate and put something in print. One hand washes the other. Once the soap press realizes we WILL have their backs, they will finally have ours. And when they reach out to us, it is up to us as consumers to return the favor.

We have a battle plan in place which will unfold over the next three months. We're not going to roll everything out because when you have a strategy you do not broadcast it all over the Internet. That's just stupid. And for all the soap groups who are joining in the cause, your leaders will be in the loop for making this effort work on the right timetable. That means no one - NO ONE - jumps the shark and starts making announcements all over the boards without clearing it first because this is a coordinated effort, PERIOD. Any deviation from this strategy will only demonstrate that folks were not in this for the right reason. For too long most soap viewers have left it to organizers and sat back while group leaders spun their wheels. Your leaders need your support. This is your final opportunity to make a difference in turning things around for the soap genre. We have an opportunity as a community to do right by the soap actors and those who have worked back stage all these years. And by proving just how solid we are we will give these actors the boost they need to come out of this downward spiral which is lending itself to insecurity and low self esteem within the daytime acting community. You see, it doesn't matter they are the actors and we are the audience. These most professional in their profession have been guests in our homes for years. We've welcomed them in with open arms and have been entertained 5 days a week. Sure, there are days we wanted to throw our mugs at the screen. There are other days when we just throw up our hands in disgust over a story line that just made no sense. All of that doesn't matter at this point because unless we get it together now we will have nothing to bitch about a year from now.

I'm sorry I'm so wordy and redundant -- but I was taught a long time ago in business marketing that consumers usually don't get the "message" until you get them to see or hear it at least 7 times. So be patient. Give a little bit of yourselves. And let's end this year accomplishing that which the networks, soap press and soap industry believes is too late to achieve. Like the movie says, "if you build it they will come". Well we're building a strategic foundation from which to launch. Are you ready to come to the party?