sopwe dew

Doug Davidson Opens Up

“I don’t know what the future holds.”

JANUARY 13, 2020

LIFE& DEATH TWISTS! B&B: HOPE — BUT THERE’S A CATCH! DAYS: DAYS:

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU!

Shape-Up Tips From The Stars

SOAP OPERA DIGEST 8

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features Late-Breaking News Early Editions!

Comings And Goings

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Hot Plots Preview 1st Look Photos Extra! Extra!

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Record This Synopses

Bill Collector

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Don Diamont’s (Bill, B&B) co-stars give their take on what makes him so great.

New Year, New You! Digest spoke to eight stars about their approach to diet and exercise to help you achieve your own 2020 fitness goals.

January 13, 2020. Vol. 45, No. 2. Next issue: January 20, 2020 will be on sale January 13, 2020.

contents

reader favorites 24 26 28 30 36

Star Style Digest’s Hottest Shots Thumbs/Performer Of The Week It’s Only My Opinion Roundup Who on your show should have their own reality show?

Scene & Heard 54 Classic Lines

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interviews 42

GH’s Sasha Sofia Mattsson left life in her native Sweden behind to pursue her Hollywood dreams.

columns

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24 COVER CREDITS:

22 38 39 55 56 66 68 72

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Editor’s Note Crossword Puzzle Sudoku Calendar Scorecard Ask Us Sound Off Take Five

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late- breaking news 7 Y&R: Chelsea And Adam Reunite 8 B&B: Liam Proposes To Hope 12 Y&R Fave Returns

JILL JOHNSON/JPI

12 Doug Davidson Opens Up About Y&R Future

14 GH: Valentin Is Busted

L

isa de Cazotte’s untimely passing on December 7 at the age of 58 has prompted an outpouring of support from the actors who worked with her.

“My relationship goes way beyond a working relationship with Lisa — who was Lisa Hesser when I met her,” begins Robin Mattson (ex-Heather, GH et al). “She was one of my dearest friends for three decades.

Over the years, we both went from show to show and whenever we ended up on the same show, it was a joy. She was wonderful, professional and one of the best friends I ever had.”

The women first met on SANTA BARBARA in 1991.

“I loved to host dinner parties, so I invited Lisa to one,” says Mattson. “I wanted to welcome her to the show. Lisa and I had a lot of common interests, whether it was food and wine, or story and character, and things of that nature.”

It was on the set of SB that Mattson got insight into de Cazotte’s character. “This is a story I’ve never shared because it’s very personal, which now would be a part of #metoo; it speaks volumes about Lisa’s integrity,” Mattson reveals. “I was

PAUL SKIPPER/JPI

6 DAYS: Victor Has A Stroke

STARS REMEMBER LISA DE CAZOTTE

playing Gina and I had a scene in a low-cut dress and there was a guy on the set, I’m not going to say his name, but you did not want to be alone in an elevator with him. I was preparing for the scene and he was talking about [my body] and so I went to my boss, Lisa. He was gone the next day. She did not flinch. She was an advocate for women in a time when it was not fashionable.”

In the mid-’90s, the pals worked together on ALL MY CHILDREN, where Mattson played Janet. The exec proved to be an advocate for the actress once again. “AMC let me go and I got another job doing THE MAIN INGREDIENT [cooking show],” Mattson recalls. “I was working on a cookbook

female directors like Sonia Blangiardo [-Goins]. Lisa paved many paths. We had a long-standing annual dinner every new year and it was never enough. She was my executive producer for the few years at DAYS, but she quickly became a lifelong friend. There’s a lot to admire, and being Lisa’s friend shaped who I am as a professional and a woman.

I’m grateful to have had the relationship we did.”

“I was devastated to hear of Lisa’s passing,” shares Eileen Davidson (Ashley, Y&R). “I adored working with her. She was intelligent, talented, so

“She was an actor’s friend.” compassionate and loved the soap opera medium. I was lucky enough to work with Lisa on SANTA BARBARA [as Kelly], DAYS [as Kristen et al] and Y&R. When I heard she was coming to Y&R, I told everyone how much I adored her and how much she would bring to the show.

They have all told me how right I was. She will be sorely and sadly missed. A true talent and a lovely, beautiful human being.”

Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea, Y&R; ex-Annie, AMC) notes, “I was lucky enough to get to work with Lisa on two different shows.

She was one of the most talented, hardworking and brilliant people I’ve ever met.

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

and at the same time, the show got a fan backlash and wanted Janet back. Lisa pointed out to the powers-that-be that I was released, I got other work, so when the show wanted me to return, she was a part of that process. She stood up for me, and that’s the truth.”

While they never worked together again, it never impeded their friendship. “We both traveled cross-country for each other’s weddings,” Mattson relays. “And we’d get together in L.A. whenever we could. Lisa has done eight soap operas, and that’s a testament to how good she was at her job. She was so skillful. She was an actor’s friend, but our friendship went way beyond that. I admired her, I loved her, and she was one of the closest friends I ever had.”

“Lisa left a great impact on her loved ones, colleagues and legion of friends,” echoes Kate Mansi (Abigail, DAYS).

“I am just one of so many who feel the hole in their heart with her passing — which says so much about Lisa’s character and her relationships. Lisa was a leader with professional integrity and innovation. Lisa showed up every single morning for the entire dry blocking session — at 7:45 a.m. — so that her actors, directors and team felt supported. Most notably, though, these last few days, I keep reflecting on how it never occurred to me that there were no female directors working on our show until Lisa made a pointed effort to change course and brought us

for this huge loss; she will be so missed by us all.”

Two former B&B stars had the pleasure of working with the producer during their mutual tenure on SUNSET BEACH. Recalls Tracy Melchior (ex-Kristen, B&B; ex-Tess, BEACH et al). “I was so nervous and she, like all the cast and crew, were so hospitable and amazing. It really was a close group and I came in late, like a new kid at school, but she made me feel very welcome.” Adds Sean Kanan (ex-Deacon, B&B; ex-Jude, BEACH et al), “I remember her as being very kind and sweet and supportive. As the new kid on the block in the last six months of the show, she made me feel right at home; she was always so helpful and committed to making the scenes the best they could be.”

“We lost a soldier of the daytime community,” sums up Eric Martsolf (Brady, DAYS; ex-Ethan, PASSIONS). “Lisa wasn’t just a producer of television programming, she was a producer of careers. I never felt I was working under her, but always alongside her. I will miss her greatly.”

5

late- breaking news

DAYS: VICTOR HAS A STROKE ■ Determined to free Ben, Ciara confronts Victor about Jordan’s death. “She thinks that Victor and Xander killed Jordan and framed Ben in order to send him to prison because they don’t want Ben to be with Ciara,” explains her portrayer, Victoria Konefal. “It’s really sad that she feels this way about her grandfather.

It’s family and she’s really torn about it.”

During their heated discussion, Victor has a stroke.

“All of a sudden, she forgets everything because he falls apart,” says Konefal.

“He’s her grandfather and his life is at stake, so she’s freaking out and pushes her anger and resentment against Victor and Xander aside and focuses all of her attention on potentially saving Victor. As far as she’s concerned, he’s dying in front of her very eyes. It’s an incredibly traumatic moment. She feels responsible for it, obviously, because she confronts Victor, his heart breaks in front of her and then his heart literally fails. She’s blaming herself for this completely.”

At the hospital, Xander gives Ciara a piece of his mind. “He’s blaming her and she already feels guilty 6

Cause And Effect:

for it, but she’s not going to let Xander know how she feels about it,” details the actress. “It’s a bit of a power play. Ciara has never had a problem with standing up to Xander.

She puffs her chest out and she denies everything he says and completely stands up for herself. But internally, she’s a little wary

“It’s an incredibly traumatic moment.” because she thinks that what Xander is saying is true, but she’s never going to show him that.”

Victor’s family gathers as he is wheeled into surgery. Meanwhile, Justin gives Ciara more bad news: Ben lost his final appeal.

“That is the moment when her world kind of crumbles

and she allows herself to feel the idea that he might not make it,” sighs Konefal.

“But, of course, she doesn’t let that fly. That is not the answer for her. She figures that there must be another way to figure it out. She calls everyone that she possibly can and she tries to figure out another solution and another situation where Ben isn’t guilty.”

Ciara then breaks the news to Ben. “Filming those scenes with Rob [Scott Wilson, Ben] was incredible because he let his world crumble in a very silent way,” Konefal previews. “A lot of his focus is just on Ciara. His reaction to the news is very selfless. It is more, ‘Oh, God. I’m not gonna be there for Ciara,’ versus, ‘Oh, my goodness. I’m on death row and my appeal was denied.’ It is very much a moment between them.”

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

late- breaking news

■ Chelsea starts 2020 officially unattached after Nick gives her the heave-ho.

“Nick dumped Chelsea!” laments her portrayer, Melissa Claire Egan. “But he didn’t break up with her in a cruel way. It was more like him saying, ‘Adam is the love of your life’ kind of thing. Nick said, ‘Maybe he’s the one you’re meant to be with because you never got your second chance to be together.’ Nick explained that breaking up is the right thing to do because she has unfinished business with Adam, so he set her free.”

Chelsea shows up at Adam’s penthouse with a suitcase containing the rest of her things from Nick’s house. “Chelsea tells Adam, ‘Just because I’m not with Nick doesn’t necessarily mean I’m going to jump in your arms and be with you,’ ” notes Egan. “She still loves Nick but she does realize that he’s right, that she and Adam never got their second — or third or fourth or fifth — chance.”

Try, Try Again: Chelsea (Egan) and Adam (Mark Grossman) begin a new chapter.

HOWARD WISE/JPI

Y&R: ADAM AND CHELSEA REUNITE AND MAKE LOVE

Since Connor has been doing so well with his parents living under the same roof, Adam proposes that he and Chelsea meet with Connor’s school principal to figure out the next steps for their son. Chelsea

“She wants to make sure that this time with him works.” and expresses gratitude for his dedication to Connor.

“There’s no doubt that Connor is progressing,” observes the actress. “He’s being more independent and more like a balanced kid again. It shows that Chelsea living at Adam’s has been helping Connor.

He’s become a happier kid.”

Adam and Chelsea then discuss the possibility of getting back together. “They begin to talk things through and they end up having this beautiful conversation,” shares Egan. “She’s very fearful because she has lost Adam so many times before so she has her defenses up.

She tells him, ‘If we do this, you have to promise me that I’ll never lose you again.’ ” Adam agrees, and the two take tentative steps toward a reconciliation. “Adam is so close to getting what he wants, and that’s his whole family back, but Chelsea still has trepidation about this,” says Egan. “Deep down, she has her own PTSD when it comes to Adam. She wants to make sure that this time with him works. It’s a buildup to something special and they finally make love.”

7

late- breaking news ■ Liam finally proposes to Hope — after Thomas, of all people, takes him to task. “Thomas calls Liam out and says, ‘What are you doing? I don’t see a ring on it,’ ” explains Scott Clifton (Liam). “That lights a fire under Liam to pull the trigger. When they have these face-to-face confrontations, Liam can see why Hope finds him so sincere and believable, and I think that freaks Liam out even more because he sees that Thomas is quite persuasive.”

According to Clifton, Liam does have a reason why he hasn’t yet popped the question. “For once, Liam is not trying to get married at the earliest possible opportunity,” smiles the actor. “He knows he has his priorities straight. He’s been trying to deal with one thing at a time, and the first thing is Thomas. The reason he hasn’t tried to marry Hope is that he wants to ensure that Thomas is not going to be a continuing influence in their relationship, and so far, there has been no light at the end of that tunnel.”

So Liam decides that he has to set some ground rules for the future, but wants to show Hope how much he loves her. “It’s still 8

But There’s A Catch: Liam (Clifton) asks Hope (Annika Noelle) to be his bride again, but with strings attached.

Liam so it certainly starts out romantic,” previews Clifton. “You’ve got your requisite candles and dinner and flowers, but then it turns into a serious conversation. Liam realizes he does need to propose to Hope,

“Liam knows that he has to put stipulations on the table.” but he has to do it in a way that’s different this time.

He has to come with certain conditions, and that is not something that Liam is used to doing, but he gives Hope a full-on ultimatum, which he perceives to be doing for her safety and benefit.”

The topic is Hope’s con-

nection to Douglas — and Thomas. “Liam knows that he has to put stipulations on the table, and he’s expecting it to get a little tense because he’s telling her to give up the one thing that she has not been willing to give up thus far, which is Douglas,” sighs the actor. “It’s a really hard conversation, but Liam’s reasoning is you can’t set limits with Thomas. Liam is not trying to be heartless.

Douglas will always be in her life. They are still going to care for him and protect him but with the legal coparenting thing, if she’s not willing to give that up, then Thomas will always have power over them. So, that’s Liam’s pitch, and we’ll see how it goes. It’s a tough spot for both of them.”

HOWARD WISE/JPI

B&B: LIAM PROPOSES TO HOPE

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late- breaking news of next EARLY A preview week’s EDITIONS! stories.

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL

■ Devastated by what she saw between Liam and Steffy, Hope breaks down to Brooke.

■ Shauna encourages Flo to go after the man she loves, Wyatt.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES ■ Ciara learns a shocking secret.

■ Will comforts Ben. ■ “Hope” shares a new plan with “Stefano”.

■ Eli proposes to Gabi.

■ Rafe makes a call about Hope.

B&B’s Wyatt (Darin Brooks) and Flo (Katrina Bowden) PHOTOS: HOWARD WISE/JPI

Y&R’s Sharon (Sharon Case) and Nick (Joshua Morrow)

YOUNG AND RESTLESS DAYS’s Gabi (Camila Banus) and Eli (Lamon Archey) XJ JOHNSON/JPI

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■ Nikki plans a surprise for Victor.

■ Phyllis alarms Abby.

■ Nick supports Sharon.

■ Victoria gives Billy an ultimatum.

(Dustin) been?

“He’s so fun. He’s super-professional and it’s always a good time with him.

I think the first time we worked together, it was kind of an uncom-

with Eden McCoy (Josslyn, GH) ■ Did you have fun with the Christmas Carol episode? “It was a lot of fun. The production was amazing, the costuming was C R A IG S

IN JOD

/A

BC

sets. And it was cool to see the twists him, so much — but he always makes it they did with the sets we use a lot, like so comfortable and that has all calmed Rice Plaza. I loved the super-cute cabin down a little bit. For now! We’ll see if that they made for William [Lipton, Cameron] ends up going anywhere. But he’s adorand his family. And I hadn’t worked with able and I love Dustin and Lulu together. I Michael Easton [Finn] in a while, not think they’re super-cute. He’s been great since I was like 14. It’s been a few years. to work with.”

It was fun to see everyone dressed up.

Joss also has a new sister! Have you gotEverybody put in such an effort.” ten to spend much time with the babies I loved that the ghosts were women. who play Donna? “I’ve only had a few “It was really exciting. It was an honor scenes with Donna. I’d love to work with — but I had never seen the movie, so them more. They’re adorable. Working I watched it in my dressing room. I felt with babies is always tough because we so uneducated. I kind of just stuck with don’t have a lot of time with them; there Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman my are very strict laws about that. But it’s entire childhood; I never branched out. always funny to see Chad Maura [West, Ava] [Duell, Michael] try to looked insane and hold an infant! He just Kathleen [Gati, Obrecht] RATINGS RACE: doesn’t want to, at all. It’s looked amazing as the WEEK OF DECEMBER 9 a lot of pressure because ghosts. It was fun to it’s a child, it’s a human be ghosts with them being, but it’s so small, and we all looked so difand you don’t want to ferent. Shawn [Reeves, hold it wrong and nobody wardrobe director] and wants to look like an idiot everyone involved, all because they’re holding the seamstresses, the baby wrong and then they did such an amazeverybody’s talking about ing job.”

• 2.5 how you can’t hold the So, Josslyn’s life has • 2.2 baby. So that’s why Chad changed a bunch is never holding a baby in since her school year • 1.6 a scene! He, like, refuses started — she’s got a • 1.4 to do it [laughs].” new teacher, Dustin, 11

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

and a new hobby, journal-

Monica makes her B&B debut.

the latest cast changes

who’s coming BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Monica Ruiz (Dr. Escobar): The actress, who made headlines for appearing in the controversial commercial for Peloton exercise bikes, will pop up on B&B in late January. Ruiz will appear in scenes with Katrina Bowden (Flo), and according to a show spokesperson, “It’s pos-

nects with her Genoa City family on January 14.

who’s going GENERAL HOSPITAL sible that she’ll return.”

YOUNG AND RESTLESS Christel Khalil (Lily Winters): Lily recon-

Anthony Montgomery (Andre Maddox): After having successfully restored Franco’s (Roger Howarth) memories, Andre left Port Charles again.

NEW DIGITAL SOAP SERIES AIRING NOW Q STUDIO CITY, a new digital series created by daytime vet Sean Kanan (ex-Deacon, B&B et al, r.), is now available for viewing on Amazon Prime. The series features other daytime notables, including Carolyn Hennesy (Diane, GH), Sarah Brown (ex-Carly, GH et al), Patrika Darbo (ex-Nancy, DAYS et al), Tristan Rogers (Robert, GH) and Scott Turner Schofield (ex-Nick, B&B). “STUDIO CITY is a love letter to soaps,” said Kanan in a statement. The actor stars as Sam Stevens, a soap opera actor trying to navigate his own tumultuous personal life. “Each episode gives fans a double dose of storyline by weaving in clips from the fictional soap-within-the-show ... Soap operas have been an integral part of my life and I wanted to create a project that reflected my deep affection for the enormous talent behind their continued success and longevity,” Kanan added. Michele Kanan, the actor’s wife, serves as a producer on the project.

NICK SINED/JPI

12

D GUIGNEBOURG/JPI

City as Paul amid much fanfare last March after the character had been absent on screen for months, addressed his current status with the show as a guest on Digest’s podcast, Dishing With Digest.

“In the beginning, no one was supposed to know that I was taken off contract,” he said of going on recurring in 2018. “One thing led to another and pretty much, you’re driven down to nothing [in terms of screen time] and people begin to notice. I think the flashpoint was when they put Rey in my chair in my office, and I don’t think I had been on since — this would have been September and I think my last episode was taped somewhere in mid-to-late July, so it had been a while. Because [being on the show] was such a constant, it was more of a personal suffering for me because I had known nothing other than THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS professionally for pretty much my entire adult life. So from like 21 on, I had forgotten what I liked to do; between that and running a family and being with family, there’s no time for much else. So it was really hard for me personally to not have anything on the docket or not know what’s coming.”

Eric Braeden (Victor) on Twitter (“For him to be public about it just warmed the cockles of my heart”), and also, behind the scenes, by Melody Thomas

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

Q

DOUG DAVIDSON OPENS UP ABOUT Y&R STATUS

meetings with the brass and all that, I was later told. And the viewers were so incredibly supportive, Kateand joins and then Eric takes a stand, Nancy on so at that point, it really didn’t matter whatGH. happened, because I felt pretty confident I made a contribution to the show that would stand, and everything else was out of my hands.”

Davidson said that nowadays, “I’m kind of okay with ‘whatever happens, happens’ at this point, because everyone has done everything they can and it is a new age. I don’t know what the future holds, but, you know, I joked that there’s not much difference between ‘fired’ and ‘retired’ [laughs]. The two work hand in hand!”

He concluded, “I think that you don’t always know why things are happening or what’s around the next corner and I think it’s important to remain optimistic in terms of wherever life is or has taken you because you never know what’s around the bend and what comes next.”

For the full podcast, go to iTunes, Google Play or soapoperadigest.com.

CASTING ABOUT Q B&B’s Denise Richards (Shauna) will star opposite Adam Copeland (a.k.a WWE’s Edge), Kelsey Grammer and Thomas Jane in the heist thriller, Money Plane, about a professional thief out to rob an underworld casino on an airplane…. Look for B&B alum Wayne Brady (ex-Reese) to appear as BLACK LIGHTNING adversary Tyson “Gravedigger” Sykes after the series returns to The CW’s schedule later this month. LET’S MAKE A DEAL host Brady has been busy in his time away from the soap, having taken the crown on THE MASKED SINGER season 2 finale last month, and he has a new EP set to drop in the coming weeks titled Been Here…. Bailey Chase (ex-Chris, AS THE WORLD TURNS) has joined the cast of S.W.A.T. as a former Army Ranger turned security expert.

13

Plots Pr YOUNG AND RESTLESS Billy And Amanda Get Closer

Gentle Nudge:

Good For The Soul: Billy (Jason Thompson) and Amanda (Morgan) establish an even deeper connection.

14

PHOTOS: HOWARD WISE/JPI

Billy and Amanda meet up again and bond over their issues. “They are friends but it’s more like they’re kindred spirits,” notes Mishael Morgan (Amanda). “Even though they live completely different lives, they have this clear understanding of each other. Their relationship has become easy and natural.”

Billy feels guilty for monopolizing the conversation and urges Amanda to open up to him. She seizes the opportunity by admitting that she had to file a restraining order against her very abusive ex-fiancé.

“It’s such a huge step for Amanda to finally feel safe enough to tell someone else about this,” Morgan explains. “It’s a testament to the relationship that she and Billy are developing that she can share this traumatic stuff that happened to her.”

Billy thanks Amanda for trusting him.

“Now he’s being the cheerleader, like what she’s been doing for him,” says Morgan.

“This definitely brings them closer together — how much closer is the question.”

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Thomas Manipulates Steffy Thomas freaks when he learns Liam will marry Hope if she removes Thomas from her life permanently. “I don’t think that Thomas is convinced that Liam is going to be able to separate Hope from Douglas, but it does up the stakes,” says Matthew Atkinson (Thomas). “It is a reality that could happen, so I think he is stressing in his head, and I think he’ll take any measures that are necessary to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Knowing that Hope is on her way to Steffy’s house, Thomas arranges for Hope to catch Liam and Steffy in a kiss. “As much as Thomas thinks it is about getting Liam away from Hope so that Hope can be with him and a mother to Douglas, it’s equally important to Thomas to have Steffy get what she wants,” Atkinson points out. “He loves his sister and, as much as he may not be able to stand Liam at times, he knows that Steffy loves him and she wants him there and that he’s good for that family. So, he calls his sister and gives her a tiny push in what he believes is the right direction, not only for her but for him and for Liam and for everyone.”

GENERAL HOSPITAL Valentin Is Busted!

Nina and Valentin’s wedding is derailed by two surprise guests — and in the ensuing chaos, Valentin realizes that Nina knows he hired Sasha to pretend to be her daughter.

Offers Cynthia Watros (Nina), “She’s reached her breaking point. With Valentin, it’s been so serious and kind of dark for a while.” During the ceremony, Valentin doesn’t bite when Nina gives him one last chance to come clean — but before she can even react, the wedding crashers burst in and reveal news that is life-changing (and not in a good way) to Valentin. “That kind of takes center stage,” Watros reports.

“Then Valentin says to Nina, ‘So, I see that you’re not very surprised,’ and Nina says, ‘I’m not.’ That’s when it comes out that Nina knows he was behind everything that happened with Sasha.”

All in all, it is far from a happy start to the new year for either party. “She loves this man, but sometimes, love isn’t enough,” Watros notes. “And right now, love isn’t enough for Nina and Valentin.”

PHOTOS: XJ JOHNSON/JPI

Secret Weapon: Nina (Watros) holds Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) accountable for his lies.

Mind Games:

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Steve To Kayla: I Love Another During their confrontation over this return to Salem, “Steve” tells Kayla there’s another woman in his life. “It’s just like, ‘Come on.

Put salt in that wound where you just stabbed me, why don’t you?’ ” describes portrayer Mary Beth Evans of Kayla’s reaction. “It’s just the worst. This is the love of her life. It’s really devastating and horrible for her [to hear]. She loves Justin, but she’s been off and on with Steve for 30-plus years. She thought she knew him so well, and now all this has gone down. For him to say he didn’t come back for her and he has a girlfriend somewhere else? This is why women run over their husbands with cars in parking lots.”

Kayla demands to know who it is, but Steve won’t tell her, so she hurries out. “It’s just horrible,” says Evans. “It all comes crashing down on her, even though she’s in love with Justin, too. Can you be in love with two people? I think so. The thing with Steve, though, is that it’s an enduring love of a lifetime. This is all too much. It’s so hard to comprehend how he just tossed away all that.”

15

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

eview!

What Will Happen

XJ JOHNSON/JPI

photos

DAYS’s Abigail (Kate Mansi) and Chad (Billy Flynn) find time for romance.

PHOTOS: HOWARD WISE/JPI

1

st LOOK

Liam (Scott Clifton) passes out while on baby duty on B&B.

Tessa (Cait Fairbanks) catches up with Tanner (Chase Coleman) on Y&R.

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

DAYS’s Maggie (Suzanne Rogers) says a prayer.

XJ JOHNSON/JPI

Y&R’s Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott, l.) and Victoria (Amelia Heinle) have coffee talk.

DAYS’s Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) has a wardrobe malfunction.

XJ JOHNSON/JPI

17

snap Which DAYS couple would you like to see reunited?

1% 2% 3% 15% 23%

Kristen and Brady Nicole and Eric Lani and Eli

Hope and Rafe

Steve and Kayla Will and Sonny

56%

Parted By Death: DAYS fans hope that Will’s (Chandler Massey, r.) role in Adrienne’s demise won’t keep him from Sonny (Freddie Smith) much longer.

trend temperature Pushed From The Parapet (GH)

HOT WARM COLD

B&B Proposal

Suffered Stroke

for the “I love when old friends stop by (exo Dan a Lind med holidays....,” bea ONE ae, ex-R ; RLD WO R THE ANO Felicia, er form her LIFE TO LIVE et al, l.), with ).

OLTL co-star Erika Slezak (ex-Viki

Anthony Montgomery (ex-Andre, GH, l.) enthused, “The next adventure begins!

Excited to join my @TriDestined family for season 2 of @familybusinessbet. I’ll be recurring as Elijah, 2nd in command of the Muslim Brotherhood. Here with one of the nicest guys in Hollywood, @seanringgold [ex-Shaun, OLTL]! Get ready, ya’ll! We’re coming!!”

“The perfect weekend spot!” pro ine, rist claimed Lauralee Bell (Ch B Y&R), with her mother, Y&R/B& l.

Bel llip Phi Lee Co-Creator

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

STAR SHOTS OF THE WEEK

guide to must-see episodes

Bold And Beautiful HOWARD WISE/JPI

On Wednesday, January 8, Ridge makes it known to Steffy that he believes she belongs with Liam.... On Thursday, January 9, Brooke (l.) tells Ridge that she’s ready for him to come home.... On Friday, January 10, Thomas sidelines Ridge and Brooke’s plans.

Days Of Our Lives Monday, January 6 Wednesday, January 8 Thursday, January 9

Friday, January 10

General Hospital Process Severs Laura and Lulu try to process; Curtis and Jordan scramble; and Josslyn is upset on Monday, January 6.... On Tuesday, January 7, Ava drops a bombshell; Anna makes an emotional appeal; and Jax (l.) tries to be of comfort.... Carly is livid on Wednesday, January 8, while Alexis gets a shock, and Lulu prepares to take action.... On Thursday, January 9, Brad returns to work; Finn is shaken; and Robert makes a deal.

Face To Face On Monday, January 6, Theo needles Summer, while Mariah wants answers from Tessa.... Victor gives Adam a warning; Abby counsels Devon; and Jack’s plan to support Theo (both r.) backfires on Tuesday, January 7.... On Wednesday, January 8, Rey senses trouble with Sharon, and Phyllis opens up to Nick.... As Nick and Sharon reminisce about their past on Thursday, January 9, Nate is recruited for a new venture, and Phyllis pushes Abby’s buttons.... On Friday, January 10, Victoria confronts Billy about his behavior, while Devon makes a confession about Amanda.

TV

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

Young And Restless

Monday, January 6

TIME Tuesday, January 7

Wednesday, January 8

Thursday,

Friday, January 10

Saturday, January 11

Please Note: These are the scheduled air dates, released to us by the networks and TV production companies at press time. Due to last-minute pre-emptions, actual air dates may vary.

21

JEFF NEUMANN/CBS; CROWN MEDIA UNITED STATES LLC

January 9

soap digest

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Limited-edition presentation restricted to 295 casting days. Sales subject to product availability and order acceptance.

what they’re wearing...wh

ghost story Q GH Wardrobe Director Shawn Reeves designed the looks for all of the ghosts in the show’s special Christmas Carol-themed episode, which were then constructed in-house.

Here, he takes us behind the seams of the other-worldly costumes.

Josslyn (Eden McCoy)

“There’s this kind of light, wintery, ethereal quality to her.

We kind of went with this winter fairy-spirit kind of idea for her.

I did the sort of frost-covered branches on her head after I found these branches with white glitter. I was really cool. I was very excited about it. Eden didn’t want to take it off! She was like, ‘This is my most favorite costume ever.’ �

Due to the volume of mail received, we regret that we cannot answer your letters personally.

24

Dr. Obrecht (Kathleen Gati)

“She’s just a joy to work with. She played the Ghost of Christmas Present, which is traditionally very jovial and very robust. It’s also described in the Dickens book that he’s in a green robe with white fur trim. It’s just very bold. Usually, it’s a big jolly man with a beard. In this case, I had a woman playing the part, so we created this costume for her, which was just really bold with green thread. It’s made from various fabrics, and mostly it’s brocades because brocade and those types of fabric are very Victorian.

I made her headpiece myself, as well, and I used real holly branches and leaves. Our florist tracked down these branches of holly with berries on it for me. All of the silk and fake holly leaves that I kept finding just were the wrong colors and I wanted the richness and deepness of real holly leaves. So, the night before we shot this, I made her headpiece from fresh branches. It was fun.�

Ava (Maura West)

“When I was researching this ghost, I found this sort of glamorous demon character in some pictures. She had this heavy sort of glamour goth makeup with this hood. Usually you don’t see the face of that ghost, ever; usually all you see is the hood with darkness inside. But because it was Ava, we wanted to see her in some points, so we went with that sort of glamour drag queen gothic makeup. And then her whole piece was made out of different brocades and strips of chiffon so it moved. We made it several feet longer and we had her up on boxes so that she looked really tall and overpowering. The hood on her cloak had boning in it so that it would stand up and have more shape instead of just flopping over onto her head. It was kind of like an umbrella sort of idea so she could push it back and we could see her face.�

Tracy (Jane Elliot)

“Marley’s dead and usually is played by a man. The idea is that Marley has clawed his way out of his coffin. Usually, when you see in the book it says that his jaw is strapped to his head with a handkerchief. We didn’t go that way, obviously, with Jane! After we made this costume, I was planning to distress it and tear it and dirty it up and paint it to make it look very ghost-y, as though she had dug her way out of

‘We don’t really need to do that.’ We ended up not distressing the fabric. It had a bit of a sheen and shimmer to it. It looked great. I loved it.�

25

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

ere they’re going...what they’re doing

Digest’s

Hottest Shots

COME SEE ME “If the B&B fans stop in, they may catch me at the counter,” Lang quips. “It’s a great space!”

■

AND ... CUT

MOM AND ME was on

Lang’s mother, Judy, grew hand for the festivities. “I her up watching my mother rund a clothing stores and I learne , ars lot from her during the ye s,” thi of rt pa big a so that plays credits Lang.

PAST AND PRESENT

26

Lang cut the ribbon with beau Dominique Zoida (near r.), business partner Ben Mbarek and Italian Consulate General Silvia Chiave. “It’s very exciting,” states Lang. “When you start thinking about something and then talking about it and then picturing it, when it finally comes to reality, it’s kind of weird, too.”

GROUP HUG

Y&R, l.) got a hug from Co-Host Christian J. LeBlanc (Michael, tive Education program.

Harvey Grant, participant in the Conduc h Grant, Christel Khalil , Leig Also pictured (from l.) Harvey’s mom ron Case.

Sha and an ssm Gro rk (Lily), Linder, Ma

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

■

KEEPING WARM

The actors showed off their gifts from Canada’s Furious Fur at the sold-out Toronto OpportuniTEA cast dinner.

MODEL BEHAVIOR

STAR TRACKS

Christopher Sean (ex-Paul, DAYS) and his girlfriend, Laneya Arvizu, attended the Los Angeles premiere of Star Wars: The Rise of Luke Skywalker. “We actually get to see the movie today!! We are so honored and excited,” Sean posted.

Michae B. Jordan (ex-Reggie ALL MY CHILDREN attended a pane with the cast of his new film Just Mercy in New York City

KRISTINA BUMPHREY/SHUTTERSTOCK

MERCY STREET

thumbs up! down!

Best Of Show Or Digest Decides.

thumbs up! thumbs down!

Slow Business

thumbs up!

“Bridge” Out

Applause, Applause

the Clever touch on GH during : auction for Helena’s portrait the t go Unlucky bidder Valentin o 13 paddle, while Laura, wh er mb nu prevailed, got lucky 7.... Cute casting on B&B, which tapped Henry Joseph Samiri’s big brother, William, to play an older version of r Douglas.... Talented youngste at gre Judah Mackey is doing a job playing Connor’s PTSD ’s on Y&R.... Lani and Kristen is unlikely friendship on DAYS a hoot.

Picky Picky

Wally Kurth

thumbs up!

Prince Disarming

IN

D

Q When Justin unexpectedly came face-to-face with Will at Pentonville, Wally Kurth’s performance was raw, authentic and captivating.

At the sight of Will, Justin stiffened. He

BC

(JUSTIN, DAYS)

C R AIG

SJ

O

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

Performer Of The Week

but fidgeted and avoided eye contact as Will apologized, again, for costing Adrienne her life. Justin offered reassurance, sincere but reserved, but as Will noted how much everyone had loved Adrienne, his eyes clouded with pain. The subject too sore for him to remain stoic, Justin pressed his eyes closed and drew in a deep breath. When Kurth opened his eyes again, they were softer. “I know,” he said, quietly but firmly, “you didn’t mean to hurt her.” As he gently counseled Will to reconsider divorcing Sonny, Kurth played Justin as a man full of suffering but free of malice, able to see that this situation had many victims, but no villains. Shedding the final traces of the distance between them, he addressed Will as his son, with all the tenderness and conviction conferred by that sacred bond. In a stirring speech, Justin noted that a father can never stop loving his son. With no artifice, no machismo, Kurth struggled not to break down. “I still love you,” he said, his voice gravelly with emotion. “No matter what.” A weight lifted, the sparkle returned to his eyes as Justin shared that he had fallen in love with Kayla. “Don’t give up on life,” he advised Will, then hugged him tightly, the way a father would his son.

Kurth wore Justin’s heart on his sleeve as he traversed the varied emotional path that led him to finding this new peace with Will, and with himself. Tasked with perhaps the most demanding material of his Salem career, Kurth is delivering his deepest, richest, and ultimately, most uplifting, work.

앮

Daytime’s most outspoken columnist!

My Opinion

It’s Only

Follow Carolyn on Twitter @carolynhinsey

■ Soaps did a good job playing the vets over the holidays, but I wish they had done more than meddle in their kids’ lives.

■ Don’t get me wrong — it’s always great to see Y&R’s Nikki and Victor.

Victor: “Now that Chelsea has ruined your political ambitions, what are you going to do with your life?”

Nick: “I quit the campaign so I could spend more time with my family.”

By “family” he meant his criminal girlfriend Chelsea and her whiny son Connor as opposed to any of his own kids (Noah, Summer, Faith or Christian), so The Mustache rightly called him on it.

Victor: “It’s ironic that the two people for whom you sacrificed your political ambitions are now living with Adam.”

It’s nice to see Victor lost none of his snark fighting all those unnamed diseases, but I’d rather see him vanquishing Adam than scolding Nicholas.

Nikki: “Your father means well.”

Unlike Chelsea, who 30

risked everyone’s lives by lying about Simon, paid no price for it, and then moved in with Adam “for Connor’s sake.”

Nick: “Letting your 8-yearold son determine how you live your life is a mistake.”

Ya think? It’s ironic that the Newmans are butting into Nick’s life when Victoria’s is in much worse shape.

announced, “I want to find my passion.” This from a man who lost the Jabot yacht in a card game and still kept his job. Go get him, Victor!

Victor: “For years, someone [points at Nikki] told me not to interfere in my children’s lives, to let them live as they see fit.”

Nikki: “Touché.”

New rule: Victor must have

Soaps did a good job playing the vets over the holidays. his issues head-on and I applaud him for that.”

Hardly. Victoria surprised Billy with a trip on the Newman jet to Telluride for Christmas and he responded by storming out to a bar where he “doesn’t have to be perfect.”

Billy: “Why doesn’t this feel better?”

Because you abandoned your love on date night and are acting like a petulant jerk? Vicky even kept a straight face when Billy

Connor and at least as many lines as Billy does in those embarrassing monologues.

Better yet: His own story.

■ B&B’s Eric needs one too, but I did enjoy those sweet scenes of him counseling Brooke after her breakup with Ridge.

Eric: “We should get a cabin in the mountains like Big Bear, only without all the ugly history. We can retire there with our books and our knitting.”

Brooke: “Have you seen me knit?”

Side Eye: DAYS’s Kate wouldn’t let Sonny (Freddie Smith, l.) and Evan (Brock Kelly) have their coffee in peace.

Eric: “I’ll take it up. We’ll tell

stories of how things should have happened instead of how they really did.”

That’s a great line....

While Eric was comforting Brooke, his psycho grandson was off manipulating Ridge, which is not a good look for any of the Forrester men.

Thomas (to Shauna): “Ridge Forrester is a free man.

Brooke no longer has her claws in him. So take what you want. Be with my dad.”

Charming. And did you catch Thomas’s vision of 2030 where he was married to Hope and they had just buried Brooke?

Future Thomas: “All the Logans are gone now, except for you.”

Future Hope: “I’ll miss my mom, but I married the most amazing man. You’re all mine!”

You know Thomas is a nut job when he hallucinates the luminous Hope looking like Mary Todd Lincoln in widow’s weeds and a hair bun.

■ Speaking of dead people, we still don’t know

how DAYS’s Will killed Adrienne, but his imprisonment has given Grandma Kate carte blanche to intrude on his marriage.

Kate (to Sonny’s date): “I don’t know your name.

Let’s keep it that way.”

Sonny: “My friend and I would like another cup of coffee.”

Oh right, she’s a waitress now. Kate risked her tip by lecturing Sonny in front of Evan.

Sonny: “My husband is in prison for killing my mother. This is more than a romantic tiff.”

Kate: “Will came back from the dead to be with you! I’ll get your coffee.”

The only thing funnier than that line was Sonny’s diatribe.

Sonny: “Kate’s been to prison almost as many times as she’s been married and now she’s waitressing because she screwed up her professional life. Her kids split their time between prison and rehab, and yet she’s still convinced she has all the answers.”

lying granddaughter Ciara.

■ on GH, where Sonny’s trying to control his ailing father while Michael’s doing the same to Sonny.

Sonny: “My dad’s not dead yet.”

Michael: “He’s not Grampa anymore. Next time you’re with him, ask yourself if the person you’re hanging onto is the man that Mike wanted to be.”

Another great line....

They’re also using Mike’s Alzheimer’s to make us like Dev by scripting the kid allowing Mike to call him “Sonny” and beat him at checkers.

Ned’s been cranked up too, via Tracy’s return (more on that in a future column) and becoming Michael’s “backup” at ELQ. Michael: “I can’t do right by my family or ELQ if I keep overextending myself.

I really appreciate this, Ned.” It warms my cold, opinionated heart to hear those two discussing “Grandfather’s wishes”. When it comes to meddling, nothing beats controlling your heirs from the grave. Way to stay frontburner, Edward!

■ Hey. It’s only my 앮 opinion.

31

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

XJ JOHNSON/JPI

— where is she in that story?

BILL COLLECTOR B&B stars reflect on what makes Don Diamont (Bill) so great

GILLES TOUCAS/COURTESY OF BELL-PHILLIP TELEVISION INC.

Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) “I’m not even sure if I met Don [when he was on Y&R as Brad].

We all kind of wave and just go about our business. It’s funny, but I was excited to see him come over. He was a great addition here because he’d been on that show for so long. He was a big, strong character over there. I thought, ‘Okay, this is definitely a BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL guy.’ I thought he fit

Funny Guy: Diamont never fails to make Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) laugh.

the part and fit in well, and he has. Bill is such a great character. I like that Don really came in with lots of ideas for the character and how he wanted to play it, how he wanted to dress, even down to the sword necklace and the beard.

He’s bigger than life, and we need those characters. When chemistry is there and you’re in the middle of it, you don’t really feel it that much. It’s more like everything comes easily, so I think that’s what happened with me and Don. We work really well together. He’s the nicest guy and he’s funny — so funny — and he has so much energy.

Sometimes I have to tell him to zip it [laughs]!”

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

Heather Tom (Katie)

Go-To Guy:

John McCook (Eric) “I believe that the most interesting mastery and the most interesting male character on the show has got to be Bill Spencer. I really like the way Don plays him, and looking back at his work, I’m proud of the part. I don’t want to play that part. It’s unfortunate that we don’t do very much together. You can only grab each other’s shirt fronts so much but I appreciate, very much, Don’s accomplishment here. He carved out a real position for himself on BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL and he gets a great deal of credit for creating that character and making it as popular as it is. I salute him.”

Here’s To You: John McCook (Eric) would like to work more with Diamont.

Thorsten Kaye (Ridge)

33

Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter) “I love Don. We don’t get a lot of screen time but we’re still in the makeup room together. One thing I get from Don is he is truly a father. He always talks about his boys and shows me pictures and we’ll talk about his son [Luca] playing football. There is so much pride and love that he has as a father.

A couple of his sons have come on set and it’s fun to watch their relationship. That’s what I get the most when I see Don. He’s a great dad, man. I hope to be one, too.”

Switch It Up: Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy) is in awe of Diamont’s ability to find new moments in a scene.

Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy)

Shrink Rap: Hunter Tylo (Taylor) enjoys delving into scenes with Diamont.

34

“As loyal as the ‘Steam’ fans are, the ‘Still’ fans match them in their enthusiasm and intensity, and that is just amazing. When Bill and Steffy finally got together [in 2017], I can’t believe all the tweets and comments on Instagram that I got all the time, because they did have such a powerful history and they were a powerful couple, even if it was for a quick second. I commend Don for doing such a fabulous job, and it was really a beautiful thing to see Bill’s rough, tough exterior give way to all that emotion that just poured out.

With Don, you rehearse it one way and then the scene just catches him. When Bill was estranged from Liam, you just look at him — he has seven boys — and doing all these emotional scenes about losing his son, you really felt the authentic emotion of him really feeling the weight and pushing those feelings down. He did such a phenomenal job with that story. I’m still in awe.”

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

Darin Brooks (Wyatt, B&B)

My Boys: Diamont treats TV sons Scott Clifton (Liam, r.) and Darin Brooks (Wyatt) like they’re his own.

Scott Clifton (Liam)

Courtney Hope (Sally) “The one thing I’ll definitely say about Don is that he truly commits to being Bill, and he is Bill. I don’t mean like Don Diamont is Bill. I just mean what he has created, he knows so well and so intricately. I know he loves to say that Bill is a part of him, and I think that really shows when he plays him. When I’m acting with him, he’s really good at pushing buttons and really, truly irritating you through Bill. It’s so funny because then when the cameras are off, he’s completely the opposite of that, and that’s something I really appreciate about him. When you’re rehearsing,

he’s there. He is Bill and he’s constantly playing with the different nuances of Bill. When he’s in the dressing room, he’s got such a light, playful, child-like quality to him, which does come through in Bill when he does those little things and makes those choices. He’s awesome.

We’ve gotten to be friends off-screen, and it’s definitely an adventure working with him because when he is Bill, you never know what you’re going to get thrown at you — and you literally might get something thrown at you! I know somebody has had a phone thrown at them. He’s just so much fun to watch.”

35

roundup

Q Who on your show should

Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie, GH) “Our Executive Producer Frank Valentini [r.] and our Casting Director Mark Teschner should be the stars. Oh, to be a fly on the wall and privy to what goes on in their offices every day. There is so much opportunity for all kinds of stories.

Power is compelling. And the exploration of it based on their daily challenges and experiences would be exciting, entertaining and fun!”

JILL JOHNSON/JPI; XJ JOHNSON/JPI; KATHY HUTCHINS/HUTCHINS PHOTO

PHOTOS: HOWARD WISE/JPI

Eric Martsolf (Brady, DAYS) “Camila [Banus, Gabi] would be a good one because production is already established for her, ’cause she already has a camera crew that walks around her 24/7.

However, I think one of the most interesting reality shows would probably be the backstory of Mr. John Aniston [Victor, near l.] because he’s so secretive. He keeps everything close to his vest. And let’s face it, we all have questions about him, his relationships. What does he do when he’s not at DAYS? How does he spend his afternoons? I don’t picture him sitting in a leather chair reading a book.

I think he’s up to something. I just want to know how the man lives his life on a daily basis.”

Melissa Ordway (Abby, Y&R) “Hunter King [Summer, r.].

She’s really funny and has an awesome family. I feel like she would be fun to watch.”

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

? w o h s y lit a re n w o ir e th e v ha

Galen Gering (Rafe, DAYS) “I would say probably Camila [Banus] because she’s just always fiery.”

Joshua Morrow (Nick, Y&R) “Aly Lind [Faith]. She’s a superstar in the making with two older sisters who are equally busy and talented. Something documenting those three girls and their incredible journeys would certainly be worth watching.”

JILL JOHNSON/JPI; STEVEN BERGMAN; XJ JOHNSON/JPI

Darin Brooks (Wyatt, B&B) “All of the BOLD women.

Everybody has such a unique and great personality that putting them all together in one outlet would make for some really good television for everyone out there. I would love to see that show.”

James Patrick Stuart (Valentin, GH) “I would watch Emme Rylan [Lulu, near r.] and Kirsten Storms [Maxie] together in a reality show all day long. It would be a lot of knitting, but don’t knock the things I’m interested in [laughs]! They’re hilarious together.”

37

BY DONNA HOKE

WHO’S THAT GIRL?

ACROSS

DOWN

38

Answers can be found in the next issue.

Q

ANSWERS FROM LAST ISSUE (

&

&

(

(

, '

2 .

3

5

$

2

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39

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

1 7 5 9 3 4 6 3 8 5 1 9 5 6 5 3 9 4 7 9 6 8 4 3 2 9 8 1 6 3 5 4

XJ JOHNSON/JPI

THREE’S COMPANY DAYS’s Mary Beth Evans (Kayla) is enjoying her alter ego mixing it up with both Wally Kurth (Justin) and Stephen Nichols (“Stefano”). “This whole journey has been so interesting,” she notes. “When they did the time jump and Wally and I were all of a sudden in a relationship ... He and I have known each other 100 years. So that was funny and fun. I almost felt guilty playing that relationship with him, because of Stephen.

It was weird, but Wally and I have had the best time with it. We just committed to the story. There’s some great stuff that’s been written, and Stephen has done an amazing job with something that was very difficult to take on — the part [of Stefano]. Stephen’s a

great actor and he just gives it his all. He really worked hard on it. I love him as a friend, and I was so sad when he wasn’t there. And I’m so happy to have him back.” When Nichols returned, however, Evans didn’t see a lot of him. “It was weird when he first came back, because our paths didn’t cross that much,” she recalls. “We wouldn’t even see each other, even though we were both there. When you’re in the same storyline, you’re in each other’s dressing rooms and hanging out and running lines. Now we’re in the same building together and we’re not even hanging together, which is kind of weird.”

GAME ON

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

WELCOME TO THE CLUB

GH’s Marcus is impressed by his talented castmates.

MY GIRLS Freddie Smith (Sonny, DAYS) admits he was sad see Harper and Sydnee Udell (ex-Ariana) exit the canvas. “It was really hard to say good-bye to the twins because we grew up with them since they were six months old,” he explains. “We watched

them blossom into little young women and it was incredible. Their family is so nice. But they aged up the character so you can’t magically make the twins 10 years old. They had to recast, but they recast a wonderful actress. The transition went very well. I’m happy for everyone and I wish the Udell family the best. Hopefully, they’ll be back one day. But we stay in touch so I’m really excited just to see these girls grow up and accomplish whatever they want to accomplish in life because they deserve it.”

As for the new actress, Sydney Brower, Smith has worked to forge a bond with her.

“When we run lines we introduce ourselves and we try to spend as much time as we can, but there isn’t really much time to spend.

Within a 10-minute meet and greet, you kind of have to develop a relationship that you had a 10-year-old daughter for all these years. I think we did a really good job of it.

We got together. We’re really comfortable.

We’re cracking jokes. Everyone seems to have fallen right into place. It’s gonna play really well.”

INSTAGRAM/UDELL

41

FOLLOWING HER PASSION FROM SWEDEN TO L.A. LANDED

SOFIA MATTSSON IN PORT CHARLES.

CHRISTOPHER ARDELL

Birthday: Hometown:

Sister Act:

Home Away From Home:

Stream On:

Childhood Celebrity Crush:

World Tour:

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

A

s a young girl in Stockholm, Sweden, Sofia Mattsson was introduced to the arts via her two older sisters, both of whom preceded her onto the stage. While her oldest sister, Mia, still lives in Sweden, where she’s a successful businesswoman, the middle Mattsson girl, Helena, moved to Los Angeles to launch her own acting career “at a pretty young age,” Mattsson explains. “I would come visit her from Sweden and I just got amazed by the profession.

When she was shooting DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES,” where she had an arc as Irina in 2010, “I got to follow her to set and see what it was like, from her trailer to filming. It was just the most fun thing in the world. That inspired me.”

Back in her home country, acting wasn’t the only hobby Matttson pursued. “I was very into modeling and singing and I played a little bit of piano,” she recalls. When was 16, “I was in a band and recorded an album. It was me and two guys. We had some shows at local pubs. We went to Poland and shot a music video, which was really cool. It was an amazing experience and I loved it, but I realized that my biggest talent and passion and future was in acting.”

So, when she was 19, Mattsson followed in her sister’s footsteps, quite literally, and relocated to Los Angeles. “I left a lot behind there,” she says of her homeland. “I had a lot of things going on in Sweden, but I was like, ‘No, I need to pursue acting!’ And I’m so happy I did.”

But the transition was not without its challenges. “It was very tough and very, very different,” she says of finding her footing in California. “I had to learn how to drive, and finding friends was really hard. It’s still hard. It’s hard to find genuine friends when you didn’t grow up with them, and it’s hard to make friends when you’re older, I think. And then I had to get a manager and an agent and that was hard in itself.

It’s very competitive, very hard.”

Over the eight or so years she lived as a Cali girl before booking GH, Mattsson worked steadily as a model for brands like Benefit, Mary Kay, Target, Ed Hardy, Volkswagen and WEN Haircare and developed her acting resumé with roles in independent and TV films (Becoming Bond, MY HUSBAND’S SECRET WIFE) and guest gigs on shows like NCIS and TWO AND A HALF MEN. Along the way, the actress (for whom English is a second language) worked hard to eliminate her Swedish accent. “When I decided to move here to pursue acting, I took very intense accent lessons specifically to be able to play American,” she notes. “In the beginning, I had to play a lot of Swedish roles and Russian roles and European roles.”

On occasion, she tried out for soaps. “I definitely had an audition for BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL at some point,” she says. “And I had auditioned for GENERAL HOSPITAL

VALERIE DURANT/ABC

JILL JOHNSON/JPI

My Funny Valentine: When they’re not shooting super-serious scenes like Sasha getting busted as a fraud, Chad Duell (Michael) keeps Mattsson laughing. “I keep telling him he needs to do stand-up comedy!”

Fast Friends: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow) and Josh Swickard (Chase) have become Mattsson’s at-work buddies.

earlier, too, but I never made it to the next step. This was years ago, and I was not really ready; I totally understand why it didn’t go further then.” Then, last year, when the show was casting the part of Nina’s faux daughter, Sasha, “I went in and I did feel ready and I felt like I could handle it,” she says. “It was obvi-

“

”

that she’d still be a Port Charles resident over a year later. “At first, I was recurring. I really thought I was going to be there for, like, three episodes. I think my character, Sasha, only thought she was going to be in town for a moment, too!” When GH kept calling her back, “It was a shock! I kind of kept going and getting more and more relationships in town. Every time I got an episode I was so happy and grateful to be back.”

In time, the show offered her a long-term contract, and Mattsson eagerly signed on the dotted line. “I definitely wanted to stay,” she nods. “And I was lucky at that point to really know what I was signing up for. Normally, if you test for a contract [role], you don’t really know what you’re getting yourself into, 44

but I obviously knew, so it was a no-brainer.

Everybody is amazing over there. I really love it. I didn’t have to think hard.”

Mattsson has learned to roll with the punches of life at GH, from its hectic shooting pace (“Even though I was very prepared and knew my stuff, it was a shock, how fast it moved”) to the mid-story recast of Nina. Going from working opposite one Daytime Emmy winner (Michelle Stafford, now Y&R’s Phyllis) to another (Cynthia Watros, the current Nina), “I feel very lucky,” she enthuses. “They’re both really amazing. Michelle was so great in welcoming me into the show. She’s so talented and so natural, so goofy and kindhearted. Cynthia is very similar. She’s also super-talented, very outgoing, talks to everyone, makes jokes between the scenes to keep it fun. It was very easy, the change.”

Mattsson’s good co-star fortune extends to her leading man, Chad Duell (Michael). “He’s the best,” she raves. “He’s really like the best scene partner. I feel so lucky to get to work so much with him. He’s similar to his character in the way that he’s so kind and thoughtful, warm and nice to everyone. But he’s also extremely funny and keeps me laughing nonstop between takes. He’s so talented, too, so it just feels very natural to be in a scene with him. You kind of forget you’re acting!” She gives a thumbs-up to

his real-life love interest, B&B’s Courtney Hope (Sally), too. “She is so, so nice.

They’re really a power couple.”

The actress has become friendly with several of her co-stars. “I hang out with Briana [Nicole Henry, Jordan] a lot and Katelyn [MacMullen, Willow] a lot,” she reports. “We all started around the same time and it’s nice to be able to talk to each other about all that stuff and what we’re going through. Katelyn and I trained with the same acting school, so we have that in common, too. We’re very similar in many ways. She feels like a sister. It’s hard to find time to hang outside of work, but we want to involve Josh [Swickard, Chase] and Chad more, too, and Courtney and Josh’s wife, Lorynn.”

All in all, she would sum up her GH experience as “amazing. It’s definitely been so much more of a stable environment to be in, knowing I have a steady gig and steady income coming in and knowing that I’m going to be in L.A. With other jobs, it’s like, ‘Today you’re auditioning for something and if you book it, you have to move to Vancouver!’ So having that stability has been great, and on top of that, working with everyone has been a wonder앮 ful experience. I feel very lucky.”

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

INSTAGRAM/CARRINGTONAVA

INSTAGRAM/MATTSSON

Seize The Day: Mattsson, pictured on a visit to her homeland last summer, says that growing up in Sweden “really gave me my go-getter attitude.”

Purse First: Mattsson and sister Helena show off their handbags.

WOMAN OF STYLE When not busy with GH, Sofia Mattsson is kept very busy with her other passion: Ava Carrington, the luxury vegan handbag line she launched with her sister Helena. “I only work and do my company,” she declares. “I don’t have time for anything else right now!”

Mattsson and her sister founded the business “to fill the void between high-quality designer fashion and animal-friendly, ecoconscious material. I kind of went into it not knowing anything. There are a lot of obstacles and a lot of times when you’re like, ‘Should we just give up? This is so hard. This is impossible!’ It’s taken a lot of time, a lot of money, but I’ve learned so much, I feel like I’ve gone to business school. We’ve done it all by ourselves, every part of the way, from designing to finding our suppliers to the production to building the website. It feels really great to finally have it live because we’ve been working on it for two years, and now, it’s a real business!”

Ava Carrington will eventually branch out into other offerings. “The ultimate goal is to revolutionize the whole leather industry, product by product,” she says. “We’re just starting with handbags. We’ll definitely expand on handbags, but also shoes and jackets. All the things that are currently made with leather, we’d like to offer a vegan option for.”

To check out Ava Carrington’s current line of handbags, visit www.avacarrington.com.

45

I

What advice do you have for beginners or those getting back into an exercise routine?

Do you ever change it up?

How did that alter your workout routine?

Tell us about your diet.

What do you do when you’re strapped for time?

Kiara’s Top Three Tips

*

* *

46

What do you do to switch up your fitness routine?

How would you describe your fitness routine?

What are your thoughts when What do you like to do?

When you’re not training for a fight, what?

Joe’s Top Three Tips

*

* *

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

*

•

How often do you work out?

What does a typical workout session entail for you?

How do you stay motivated to work out?

What dietary changes would you recommend to someone trying to slim down?

What advice would you give someone who’s new to working out and doesn’t know where to begin?

What do you typically eat in a day?

Stacy’s Top Three Tips

*

* * 48

• How often do you work out?

What do your typical workout sessions entail?

(Evan) What dietary changes would you recommend to someone looking to slim down?

What would your advice be to someone who is new to working out and doesn’t know where to start?

What are your fitness goals for 2020?

Brock’s Top Three Tips

*

*

*

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

What do you typically eat in a day?

• How often do you work out?

What does a typical workout session look like for you?

Is it ever hard to find time to exercise, given your GH duties and dad duties, etc.?

You often post videos of your workouts in your garage gym on Instagram. What is it outfitted with, and what do you like about having an at-home gym?

Mark’s Top Three Tips

* *

*

50

Any tips to offer a working parent who also finds that challenging?

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

•

What is your approach to nutrition and diet?

(TJ)

How do you stay fit when you travel?

How often do you work out?

Tajh’s Top Three Tips

* *

*

What would your advice be to someone new to working out at a gym?

• What is your fitness routine?

(Theo)

How do you eat?

What else is part of your workout?

Tylers’s Top Three Tips

* *

*

52

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

•

What is your workout routine?

Why’s that?

(Adam)

And how do you handle that?

What do you usually have for meals?

Mark’s Top Three Tips

* *

*

When you’re working, do you bring your lunch?

Fallon: “Adam is finally

in love so break his heart, if you can find it.”

GENERAL HOSPITAL

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Thomas: “Things have been a little difficult lately.”

Zoe: “For you.”

Thomas: “I had a medical problem, a fall.”

Zoe: “And did Hope push you off another cliff?”

Thomas: “That was her mother.”

DYNASTY (Fallon rejects Blake’s proposal to give him some good press for his trial.)

Fallon: “I didn’t start a magazine to be your PR mouthpiece. But don’t worry. I will publicly support you. I’ll even put on

a special ‘Dad is on trial but probably innocent’ outfit.”

(Sam laments about Fletcher to Kirby, who’s dating a self-help guru.)

Sam: “I never heard back. Our kiss must have meant nothing.”

Kirby: “Never engage with negativity, Sam. Think positive and it will happen.”

Sam: “Okay, rainbows and butterflies are not your best look.”

(Fallon pays off Adam’s nurse, whom she hired to manipulate him.)

(Lulu shows up at Maxie’s with a housewarming gift for Peter.)

Maxie: “He’s not here right now but I promise I won’t open it until he gets back. [Off Lulu’s look] I promise I’ll rewrap it after I open it.”

(Lulu then fills Maxie in on her row with Brook Lynn.)

Lulu: “You cannot imagine how bitchy she was.”

Maxie: “So don’t make me.”

(Later, Lulu likes Maxie’s advice on how to deal with Brook Lynn.)

Lulu: “You’re brilliant. Do you know that?”

Maxie: “Oh, absolutely.”

(Monica is skeptical of Brook Lynn’s behavior.)

Brook Lynn: “You really don’t trust me, do you?”

Monica: “You are a Quartermaine through and through — of course I don’t trust you.”

(Finn is surprised at how good Robert is with Violet.)

Anna: “For all his faults — Robert has so many — he’s really wonderful with children. I think it’s because he is one.”

Trial Run: DYNASTY’s Fallon (Elizabeth Gillies) offered to dress the part for Blake (Grant Show).

YOUNG AND RESTLESS

MARK HILL/THE CW

54

(After calling Phyllis to come to Grand Phoenix immediately, Abby turns to Chance.)

Abby: “All right. Satan’s bride will be here shortly.” 앮

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

calendar Who: Kathleen Gati (Obrecht, GH) and

Vincent Irizarry (Jordan, B&B) What: Be My Valentine: Cocktail Reception, VIP Dinner and Breakfast When: Sat.-Sun., Feb. 1-2 Where: Clearwater, FL How: Join the actors for a weekend of dinner, drinks and a VIP breakfast. For more info, go to soapthis.ticketleap.com.

Who: DAYS’s Billy Flynn (Chad), Stacy

Haiduk (Kristen), Jen Lilley (ex-Theresa), Kate Mansi (Abigail), Eric Martsolf (Brady), Scott Shilstone (ex-Wyatt) and Paul Telfer (Xander) What: Dishin’ Days Quintennial When: Sat., Mar. 21 Where: Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport, 2500 North Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA How: Celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Dishin’ Days Podcast with the stars.

For pricing and more info, go to spectrum celebrityevents.com.

STEVEN BERGMAN

and Donnell Turner (Curtis) What: GH Fantasy Weekend When: Sat., Mar. 21 Where: Westin Arlington Gateway, 801 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA How: Platinum and VIP tickets will include photo op and autographs. For pricing and more info, go to coastalentertainment.com.

Who: GH’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis) What: Private Penthouse Breakfast When: Sun., Mar. 29 Where: Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa

& Casino, 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway, Henderson, NV How: Tickets are $125 and include food, drinks, a group Q&A and the chance to hang out with the actress. For more info, go to nancyleegrahn.com.

Who: GH’s Leslie Charleson (Monica),

JILL JOHNSON/JPI

Roger Howarth (Franco), William Lipton (Cameron), Eden McCoy (Josslyn), Wes Ramsey (Peter), Emme Rylan (Lulu)

Who: Various GH Cast Members What: 4th Annual General Hospital

Convention When: Fri.,-Sun., May 29-31 Where: Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport, 2500 Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA How: Meet some of your favorite GH stars. For Camryn Grimes pricing and more info, (Mariah, Y&R) 1/7 go to creationent.com/cal/ Donnell Turner gh_burbank.html.

Turner

55

SCORECARD

Digest Keeps You Up-To-Date

BACK IN TOWN DAYS OF OUR LIVES Kristen DiMera and Lani Price

BROKE UP YOUNG AND RESTLESS

CONFESSED GENERAL HOSPITAL Carly Corinthos

CRASHED PARTY

PHOTOS: XJ JOHNSON/JPI

Chelsea Lawson and Nick Newman

Honesty Is The Best Policy: There was tension between GH’s Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Carly (Laura Wright) after she divulged that Nikolas is alive.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES

KISSED

OUT ON PAROLE

“Hope Brady” and “Steve Johnson”

DAYS OF OUR LIVES

GENERAL HOSPITAL

Brady Black and Nicole Walker

Samantha McCall

MADE LOVE

PUSHED OFF PARAPET

HIRED DAYS OF OUR LIVES Hattie Adams

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Zoe Buckingham and Thomas Forrester

GENERAL HOSPITAL Ava Jerome

OPENING SECURITY FIRM

THREATENED

YOUNG AND RESTLESS

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL

Chance Chancellor

Liam Spencer

FLASHBACK TRIVIA Check Please: DAYS’s Roman hired Hattie (Deidre Hall).

56

In 2011, why did B&B’s Thomas block Liam from seeing Hope?

Turn to page 58 to find out.

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beautiful HOLIDAY WISHES Brooke is touched when Ridge asks her to join the Forresters for Christmas, and he admits to her that he has yet to file their divorce papers.

The detente doesn’t last long, however, as the duo begins to quibble about Thomas.

LOVE MATCH After a blissful night of lovemaking, Thomas invites Zoe to Christmas dinner with his family.

Thomas relays to Hope that he and Zoe had a great night together.

Meanwhile, Zoe shares her take on Thomas with Steffy and Liam, and she believes that he has

indeed moved on from Hope. Thomas is suspicious when he walks in on a private conversation between Zoe and his sister.

IN BRIEF Steffy queries Liam about his feelings regarding Hope and Thomas working together.... Hope is unnerved by Thomas’s latest surprise — he wants Zoe to model for the Hope for the Future line.... Bill visits Beth and Hope, and expresses his concern to Hope about her working with Thomas.... A new man asks Steffy out on a date.

WHAT WI HAPPE • Thomas’s new scheme sets Hope up for heartbreak.

• Steffy confronts Thomas about threatening Liam.

• Hope makes a critical decision which may cost her dearly. clandestine meeting with Shauna, where he reveals his end goal of making Hope his own. He then urges Shauna to step up her pursuit of Ridge, and warns her to keep their conversations private.

MEET AND GREET Thomas has another

FIGHT CLUB

flashback to 2011

Thomas provokes Liam by asking why Liam hasn’t proposed to Hope again. Thomas then informs his rival that he’d better get used to having Thomas and Douglas in his life. Things get heated, and Liam later reports to Steffy and Hope that Thomas threatened him. 앮 PAUL SKIPPER/JPI

Stay Away: Thomas (then-Adam Gregory, r.) prevented Liam (Scott Clifton) from seeing Hope after Liam chose Steffy over her.

58

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days HEART OF GLASS Lani and Kristen return to Salem and both agree to let everyone think they took their vows. Chad and Abigail meet with Kristen. Chad asks for her shares, but she’s cagey and won’t hand them over. Chad slips that he’s been in contact with Stefano.

Alarmed, Kristen considers this new bit of info.

Lani sneaks into the DiMera mansion looking for any sort of intel on the technology Gabi used in Julie’s pacemaker. Eli and Gabi come in, so Lani hides. She’s upset when Eli pledges his love to Gabi and they get intimate. A furious Lani slips out and heads to the town square. She sees the Gabi Chic storefront and hurls a potted plant through the window.

lives MISTAKEN IDENTITY

Nicole and Brady get together at the Brady pub.

Nicole has a few drinks and gets buzzed. She asks Brady to take her home.

Kristen spots them, and spies Nicole impulsively pull Brady in for a kiss.

VANISHING ACT Rafe informs “Hope” that two sets of prints came back on the tiara they

Back In Action: Vivian (Louise Sorel) surprised Salem when she crashed the New Year’s Eve bash at Doug’s Place.

PHOTOS: XJ JOHNSON/JPI

flashback to 2017

found at Rolf’s hideout.

One belonged to Rolf, and the other to Hope. She quickly covers. Rafe then tells “Hope” he’s running the DNA from the cigarillo butts through the database.

Marlena interrupts, and shows them the brooch and note Stefano sent her.

While Rafe goes to test those as well, Marlena confronts “Hope” about her feelings for John. “Hope” tries to defend herself, but Marlena sternly warns her to back off. Rafe returns and reports there were no clear prints on the gift.

After Marlena leaves, Rafe gets a hit from the DNA results. He’s about to see the match, but “Hope” says she’ll pull up the results.

Once he’s gone, she sees the system has identified Steve. When Rafe comes back, “Hope” claims it was Stefano’s DNA, and she deletes the results.

“He’s been suspicious since day one and things aren’t really adding up. But it’s another thing to think that she could be Princess Gina.”

TRUE CONFESSIONS Gabi and Eli learn the alarm went off at the Gabi Chic store and discover the potted plant through the window. They report the vandalism to Rafe, who shares that Stefano may be back in the picture.

Kristen tells Lani that she is going to kill Nicole. Lani stops her, talks her down, and then confides she saw Eli and Gabi kissing and threw the potted plant.

As the clock strikes midnight, “Steve” and “Hope” crash the party, to everyone’s shock. Steve makes it clear he hasn’t come back for Kayla. Justin informs Steve that he and Kayla are now a couple, then rips into him for not returning for Adrienne’s funeral. Steve claims that Hope enlisted his help in finding Stefano so that he won’t be a threat to Marlena anymore. Later, Marlena and John welcome Steve into their home.

MIDNIGHT SURPRISE Julie and Doug are hosting the New Year’s Eve party at Julie’s Place.

“Hope” smuggles “Stefano” back to the lair.

“Stefano” feels cooped up, so “Hope” suggests he don an eye patch and move about freely as Steve. They decide to go to the New Year’s Eve party.

Kayla tells Justin that she thinks Steve might be back.

IN DENIAL Gabi accuses Chad and Abigail of breaking her storefront window, but Eli tells them the security tape revealed it was a nun. They speculate it could be Kristen, and Gabi freaks out to learn Kristen’s in town and has met with Chad. Eli and Gabi knock on Kristen’s door, but it’s Lani who answers. Lani maintains her cover as a nun,

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

What does Rafe think is going on with Hope (Kristian Alfonso)? Galen Gering explains:

WHAT WI HAPPE • Kristen uses Gabi to get what she wants.

• Gabi tries to cover her tracks with Eli. • Kate warns Will about Evan. but it’s clear Eli’s unsettled to see her again. Lani denies breaking Gabi’s store window, claiming Kristen may have done it because she’s protective of Lani. Gabi gives Lani a private warning not to think about trying to break up her and Eli because she still can blow up Julie’s heart.

Brady and Nicole go to the party at Julie’s. They kiss again outside, which Kristen witnesses. She blasts Nicole for trying to seduce Brady, then removes her habit to reveal a red dress beneath it.

Kristen makes it clear she wants Brady back, but Nicole warns Brady about giving Kristen another chance. Kristen lunges at Nicole; Brady separates them. Kristen privately vows to get Brady back. 앮 Executive Producer: Head Writer:

61

ge e a

osp a

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

LOST ONE Jordan is troubled by news that an old friend of hers has passed away. Curtis wants to know more, but Jordan decides to table the matter until after the holidays.

INVITE ONLY Sam runs into Julian when she goes to see Lucas. She feels for him, given his obvious devastation over Lucas, but becomes suspicious of the way he treats Brad.

In front of Julian, Willow apologizes to Brad for nearly letting Nelle hold Wiley. This is news to Julian, who orders Brad to meet him on the pier.

Sam and Willow both get

invitations to a memorial for Shiloh; along with Jason, they wonder who is behind the overture.

Harmony, who has just gotten a job at Turning Woods, says it wasn’t her.

Michael tells Sam and Jason that he was invited, as well.

flashback to 1999

SCOTT GARFIELD/ABC

Til Death Do Us Part: Helena (Constance Towers, l.) pushed Katherine (Mary Beth Evans) off the parapet to her death on the day of Katherine’s would-be wedding to Nikolas.

62

MANDATORY ATTENDANCE Ava won’t admit to Laura that she deliberately destroyed Helena’s portrait, but assures her that Valentin is going to get what’s coming to him and hints that Laura shouldn’t miss Nina and Valentin’s nuptials.

When Charlotte tells Nina and Valentin that she showed a photo of her ninja bodyguard to Laura, Valentin seeks out Laura, and winds up overhearing Ava talking to Julian about wills and codicils. He wonders if she knew that the codicil was hidden in the portrait. Curtis, Jax and Laura meet, and the men let Laura in on their efforts to find Clau-

XJ JONSON/JPI

“Oh, she’s so annoyed. Nelle is so convinced that she is the one who deserves to get out — and now she’s just even more determined to get paroled herself.”

dette. She is shocked to hear that Claudette may be alive, and shares that Ava is going to crash Nina’s wedding.

TRUST FUND Sonny tasks someone on his payroll with keeping tabs on Carly.

The man heads to the docks and listens in on a conversation between Carly and Jax on the docks, then overhears Brad and Julian discussing Nelle, Michael and Wiley. He then relays to Sonny that Julian expressed concern about Michael. When she returns home, Carly comes clean with her husband, who is floored to learn that Nikolas is alive. They bicker, with Sonny accusing Carly of trusting Jax more than him.

FAIR WARNING Jax goes to Wyndemere to warn Nina about Ava’s plans and to try to convince her not to take revenge on Valentin at the wedding. Obrecht tells Jax that Nina has’t shown up yet. Curtis, Jordan and Laura arrive. Laura speaks with Charlotte and insists to her granddaughter that the man in the photo (Nikolas) can’t possibly be her bodyguard.

Nina is at G.H. with the test results that prove Valentin was behind Sasha posing as her daughter. She runs into Sasha, who spies the file and makes an appeal on Valentin’s behalf, stressing that he did what he did out of love for her.

Nina is affected, goes home to prepare for her wedding, and comes face to face with Jax.

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

How upset is Nelle when Sam (Kelly Monaco, r.) gets sprung? Chloe Lanier says:

W HA T WI HAPPE • Liz has big questions.

• Lucy needles Nina.

• Jordan is frustrated.

PUSH COMES TO SHOVE At Wyndemere, Valentin frets to Martin that the codicil may still be in play.

He learns that Ava has shown up unannounced and has Martin lure her to the turret. There, he makes her an offer regarding the codicil, but she won’t bite. Things turn ugly and Valentin ends up pushing her off the parapet.

EASY COME, EASY GO Sam meets with Delores, her parole officer.

Delores sees a photo of Jason and recognizes him as mob-affiliated. Later, Jason returns home and Sam tearfully tells him that she’s going back to 앮 prison.

Executive Producer: Co-Head Writers:

63

young Chance informs Devon and Jill that he’s opening his own private investigation/ security firm in Genoa City.

Jill grills her grandson about his relationship with Abby but Chance remains tightlipped. Later, Jill comforts Devon as he reminisces about past holidays with Neil. Jill then vows to get Devon’s inheritance back from Colin.

SERVE AND PROTECT Abby invites Chance to her New Year’s Eve party at the Grand Phoenix. Since both the Abbotts and Newmans are attending, Chance assumes Abby is asking him to work as security.

She clarifies that she wants him to be her date. Chance gladly accepts.

BABY, I’M YOURS

LIP SERVICE Chelsea is disgusted with Adam after he confesses that he tried to use Phyllis to hasten Chelsea and Nick’s inevitable breakup. Chelsea blasts Adam for his manipulation; he pulls her into a passionate kiss. At first, she responds, then breaks away, stammering that she loves Nick.

At Crimson Lights, Nick tips off Phyllis that he told

Up, Up And Away: Record producer Shiloh (Julie Pinson) heard J.T. (Thad Luckinbill) perform at Crimson Lights and offered to turn him into a singing star.

flashback to 2004 64

AARON MONTGOMERY/JPI

I, DETECTIVE

restless

Chelsea about Adam’s devious plan. Phyllis can sense Nick is worried about Chelsea caving in to Adam’s scheming. Summer arrives and calls Phyllis out for the energy she’s projecting at Nick. Phyllis affirms she has no intention of further complicating her ex’s life.

FRAME WORK On the morning of New Year’s Eve, Chelsea wishes Nick a happy birthday and presents him with a framed picture of the two of them with Connor and Christian.

She also gifts him with an empty frame for their 2020 memories. When Nick voices his concern over Chelsea living with his brother, she assures him that Adam could never come between them.

AD-LIB FIB Billy lies to Victoria that she’ll have to ring in

the New Year without him because he can’t get out of work. After Victoria heads over to Abby’s party, Billy meets Amanda at the dive bar. He admits that he can be himself with her, and she reveals that she feels the same way about him.

NO THEY DIDN’T Adam tells Phyllis that he’s glad she tattled to Nick about his plan. Phyllis taunts Adam by pointing out that his only connection to Chelsea is a traumatized Connor.

Adam viciously counters that Nick will never love Phyllis like she loves him.

Phyllis vows everything will change for her in 2020.

PARTY CITY At Abby’s New Year’s Eve bash, Nick is surprised to see that Adam is one of the guests.... Adam thanks Victor and Nikki for all they have done for Connor. He’s especially appreciative when Nikki reveals she phoned the academy to keep Connor

HOWARD WISE/JPI

“Yes, but Adam wants his family together and he knows that that’s not going to come without some drama.”

enrolled.... Phyllis slams Chelsea for stringing Nick along.... Theo tells Kyle that he got a mention in the Abbott memoirs.

Nick observes the way Adam and Chelsea are interacting at the party and decides they have an emotional connection that he can no longer ignore. Chelsea is stunned when Nick breaks up with her, explaining that she should be with Adam.

She begs him to change his mind but he won’t budge. A glum afar and misinterprets Nick and Chelsea’s embrace.

He leaves before midnight, just as Billy arrives. Back at the penthouse, Adam is surprised when Chelsea shows up.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKING During the New Year’s Eve

6 7 4 9 5 1 8 2 3

party at Crimson Lights, Tessa receives a text from platinum-selling recording artist Tanner Watts, asking to meet with him the next day. Mariah is ecstatic for her girlfriend; Tessa’s reaction is mixed.

Tessa meets with Tanner and it’s clear that they already know each other. Tessa is shocked when Tanner invites her to join him on tour. She then shares the offer with Mariah, who is surprised by her girlfriend’s lack of excitement. Mariah assures Tessa that being on the road won’t come between them, but Tessa says that there’s a reason 앮 that it just might.

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

Does Adam consider the lives he’s upending in trying to reclaim his relationship with Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan)? Mark Grossman answers:

Executive Producer: Head Writer:

SUDOKU ANSWERS

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7 1 8 5 2 9 3 4 6

2 4 9 6 8 3 5 1 7

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Q

don’t remember that. Can you refresh my memory? Thanks!

C. C., via email A Chad and Jordan started dating in the fall

of 2014 and stayed together until the following February. Jordan found out that Chad got Rafe fired from the police department and broke up with him. She left town a few weeks later.

Q

S.J., via email

A Neil bequeathed the following: his Bible and Katherine’s atlas to Nikki; his nameplate from when he worked at Newman Enterprises, plus a humidor with cigars to Victor; his forgiveness for hurting Lily to Cane; his half of the Abbott-Winters Foundation to Jack; $500,000 for Ashley to donate to the Alzheimer’s charity of her choice, along with an album by his favorite jazz musician; $100,000 to Doctors Without Borders in Olivia’s name as well as a sculpture she admired; Drucilla’s jewelry to Sharon; childhood photo albums to Malcolm; his record collection to Ana; his penthouse and a seat on the board of Hamilton-Winters to Nate; trust and college funds to son Moses; money to the boy’s mother, Sofia; his share of Hamilton-Winters to Devon, trust funds to grandkids Charlie and Mattie; and the remainder of his estate to Lily.

66

In Brief: DAYS’s Chad (Billy Flynn) and Jordan (Chrishell Hartley) had a short-lived romance.

Q helped him get through his grief over losing B.J. I don’t remember Lucas being part of the Jones family then. Is my memory faulty? When was Lucas adopted? Also, Ryan Carnes stated in the 12/19/19 issue that he had never met Brad Maule [ex-Tony] until he taped those scenes. I remember Lucas being present during Tony’s death scenes. Who played Lucas then?

Scott S. in VA. A Lucas originally joined the Jones family

in 1989 when Bobbie bought the baby on the black market (unbeknownst to Tony). She and Tony were forced to relinquish the boy when the truth came out. But after Lucas’s biological mother, Cheryl, died in 1992, Tony and Bobbie prevailed in a custody battle with Tiffany Hill (Lucas’s biological aunt, Cheryl’s sister), and the Joneses legally adopted Lucas. B.J. died two years later, in 1994. Ryan Carnes originally played Lucas from 2004-05, but never shared scenes with Maule. Ben Hogestyn, son of DAYS’s Drake Hogestyn (John), portrayed Lucas from 2005-06 and was Lucas at the time of Tony’s demise in February 2006.

Q

Jesse in Ohio

A Yes, that was Sean Carrigan (ex-Stitch) as Walt Hansgen. Incidentally, another Genoa City alum — Lachlan Buchanan (ex-Kyle) —

HOWARD WISE/JPI

k s as u

Q Thanks!

D.C., via email A Elaine Hendrix, who replaced Nicollette

Sheridan (ex-Paige, KNOTS LANDING et al) as Blake’s devious first wife on the DYNASTY reboot, briefly appeared as DAYS’s Brandee in 1994. She’s also known for her roles in The Parent Trap and Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. She was also on the nighttime soaps 90210 (ex-Renee) and MISTRESSES (ex-Samantha).

Q ic’s house and then goes around the table saying something nice about the person sitting next to them. When did that tradition first start on the show? Thanks.

Marie S., via email A Hope began the Forrester Thanksgiving tra-

dition in 2013, when she took over the hosting duties for Stephanie, who had passed away the previous year. With several folks at odds, Hope arranged the seating and insisted that everyone say something positive about the person to their right. “Even if you only have one word, that’s fine,” she chuckled.

Got a question or “Twin Peeks” suggestion for the staff of Soap Opera Digest?

SODask@soapoperadigest.com Soap Opera Digest 4 New York Plaza, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10004 -

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

portrayed Celebrity MC - Cloverfield.

SOUND OFF IN DEFENSE OF For the 2019 [Best & Worst], I’m taken aback that the SOD editors decided to criticize Kyle and Lola’s storyline on Y&R in not only one category, but two — Worst Secret and Most Boring Couple. A bit much, no? Traditionally, at least from 2015 to 2018, your editors have picked a Worst Couple alongside a Best Couple, so I feel like your staff piled on “Kola” and oddly put them under a microscope. In absence of a Worst Couple, Summer and Kyle fans and other detractors may claim that “Kola”

is being labeled as “worst” when I hope that this isn’t what your magazine is implying. Particularly, I’m confused as to why the section pointed out “pursegate” as such a huge factor when that happened during the end of 2018 and not in 2019. It also makes me curious if your editors were as outraged that “Skyle” fought over a diamond necklace.

Let’s not forget that Summer refused a custom diamond necklace from Kyle on April 29, 2015 and she walked out on him. She felt like Kyle was extravagantly throwing around money, in the same

XJ JOHNSON/JPI

“I find myself rooting for ‘Kola’, and I credit the chemistry between Michael Mealor [Kyle] and Sasha Calle [Lola] for catching my attention and for reinvigorating my interest in Y&R again.”

vein as Lola. I find myself rooting for “Kola”, and I credit the chemistry between Michael Mealor [Kyle] and Sasha Calle [Lola] for catching my attention and for reinvigorating my interest in Y&R again when I had stopped watching this soap for years before.

Abigail M., Arlington, TX

BLAME GAME I grew up watching DAYS; I’m a huge fan. There is no way that Eric could be the father of Sarah’s baby when she slept with other men. Did you happen to forget she was married to Rex? But oh, no, Sarah wants Eric to be the father so bad that she’s going to do everything in her power to get Eric in her claws. Xander loves her and little Mickey and was there for her and the baby this whole time. Poor Nicole lost Eric because Sarah begged her to keep quiet.

But Eric, of course, is blaming Nicole for everything.

Please keep Eric and Nicole together because they are powerful together and meant for each other, not like Sarah.

Mad Mama Fan, via email

68

SOAP OPERA DIGEST HOWARD WISE/JPI

“GH’s Franco woke up! The scene when this happened just made me smile. I don’t think I have ever felt this way about any other couple, and it’s because of Roger Howarth [Franco].”

GREAT PERFORMANCES DAYS’s Will and Sonny have never been a couple I rooted for or against. The scenes during which Will asked Sonny for a divorce have changed my mind.

Those actors did an incredible job of portraying love in spite of pain. I hope they’ll be contenders for your “Performer of the Week”!

Emily L., via email

WELCOME BACK GH’s Franco woke up!

The scene when this happened just made me smile.

I don’t think I have ever felt this way about any other couple, and it’s because of Roger Howarth [Franco].

His facial expressions say it all. And Cameron’s look of relief was so sweet. I just hope we are going to see a lot of Franco and Elizabeth and the whole family, and they don’t disappear into the background. Anytime Roger is in a scene is a good day!

Note: Violet is adorable and what a good actress.

Mary T., Biggsville, IL

RATINGS RACE Shows seem to tout an increase or no change in the coveted 18-to-49 age demographic for women, but with viewership continuously dropping to all-time lows, shouldn’t they just concentrate on alltime viewership? With the cost to produce these shows vs. talk or game shows, it seems they would be more worried about overall numbers. I understand they believe the coveted demo brings in more dollars, but in the end will it increase enough to offset the overall viewership/cost to produce?

NETWORK ADDRESSES ■

■

Angela Y., via email

NEW YEAR’S WISHES As a lifetime soap fan who started watching the “stories” with my grandmother and mom 40 years

■

69

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