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Remembering GH’s Stuart Damon 1937-2021

GH’s Steve Burton Weighs In On His New Story, “JaSam” And More!

JULY 26, 2021

DAYS Ben Stops Ciara From Marrying Theo

Y&R Adam To Sharon: I Miss You

A360 MEDIA

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

contents

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ws 4 Late-Breaking Ne 11 Early Editions! ings 12 Comings And Go w 14 Hot Plots Previe s 16 1st Look Photo 20 Extra! Extra!

22 Record This 58 Synopses

Behind The Scenes Stars’ snaps of life on set.

This Week In Soap History Memorable moments from daytime’s past.

Gowning Glory 30

Hail To The Chief Remembering GH legend Stuart Damon (ex-Alan), 1937-2021.

The top 10 soap wedding dresses of all time — as voted by you!

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July 26, 2021. Vol. 46, No. 30. Next issue: August 2, 2021 will be on sale July 26, 2021.

contents

reader favorites Thumbs/ Performers Of The Week 28 It’s Only My Opinion 36 Roundup 24

What was your best summer job?

Scene & Heard 47 Classic Lines 50 Digest’s Hottest Shots 40

interview 42

some reason, Jason just has a soft spot for her that no other human being would have.”

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50

GH’s Jason Steve Burton weighs in on Jason’s love life, fan backlash and more.

columns 26 Editor’s Note 38 Crossword

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39 56 57 66 68 72

Puzzle Sudoku Calendar Scorecard Ask Us Sound Off Take Five

COVER CREDITS: Robert Scott Wilson (Ben, DAYS). Photo: Chris Haston/NBC. Victoria Konefal (Ciara, DAYS). Photo: Howard Wise/JPI. Mark Grossman (Adam, Y&R). Photo: Sonja Flemming/ CBS. Sharon Case (Sharon, Y&R). Photo: D. Guignebourg/JPI. Genie Francis (Laura, GH). Photo: Bob D’Amico/ABC. Marcy Walker (ex-Eden, SANTA BARBARA). Photo: New World Television.

Kristian Alfonso (ex-Hope, DAYS). Photo: NBC.

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late- breaking news MEET DAYS’S RAVEN BOWENS 7 GH: The Walls Close In On Nikolas 9 B&B: Carter And Quinn Reconnect 12 DAYS Alum Dies At 67 14 DAYS: Ben Stops Ciara From Marrying Theo

HOWARD WISE/JPI

14 Y&R’s Adam To Sharon: I Miss You

“I

PHOTOS: XJ JOHNSON/JPI

6 DAYS: Nicole Is Busted

t’s been such a roller coaster,” reflects Raven Bowens of landing the job of DAYS’s Chanel. “I auditioned for it months back. It was a self-tape and I didn’t hear anything for weeks and so I had kind of given up on it. About a month or so later, I got a call for a chemistry read but I didn’t get the part. I was told it went down to the wire and it went another way and as actors, we hear that often [laughs]. I was like, ‘Whatever, they were just probably being nice’. So I was pretty sad about it and then all my team was hyping me and I thought, ‘You know what? I read Carol Burnett’s book awhile back, and in her book she talked about how she couldn’t get arrested, she couldn’t get a job, and she kind of settled with herself and was like, “You know what?

It wasn’t my turn. It was that other person’s turn.” ’ So I sent my agents that email and they said, ‘We love this, so moving on.’ A couple of weeks later, I booked THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL, so I was in New York and I was doing that show and then DAYS called and they offered me the role. It was pretty crazy.”

Because it was a quick recast — Precious Way (ex-

Chanel) last aired on July 5 and Bowens picked up on July 6 — the newcomer hit the ground running. “They called on my birthday, which was crazy,” she recalls. “We closed the deal the day after. They sent me five scripts that day. I had to finish shooting MAISEL — I think I had two more days — and then I flew back to L.A. I had to change my hair, get everything together because it was a recast so they needed certain matchups and things like that. I literally hopped on a plane, was learning lines on the plane, had one day of being in L.A. before I started filming on DAYS. My first day, I think I did something like 29 scenes.

It was wild. Wild. I had to go in doing everything that I’ll probably ever have to do. My first scenes, I come in bawling, so I was like, ‘Okay, well, that will get me really comfortable with

“The writing is phenomenal and it gives me a lot to work with.”

explains.

with it. I was didn’t underthe big deal was. To me, it’s acting and it’s real people’s stories and that’s what I’m in the business to do. I’ve never played a character that was sexually fluid but I love that they’re doing it on daytime. It can be a little bit taboo to certain people in that regard, but I love it. At the end of the day, Chanel has many things about her that are unique and that’s a part of what drives her but it’s not the whole her.”

Now that she has a few months under her belt, “I’ve been digging in and doing all this work with my acting coach on Chanel,” she says. “In the beginning, it was, ‘Let’s go in there, let’s make sure we’re making bold choices, that I’m having that life-of-the-party kind of attitude that Chanel has, that I am willing to show the vulnerability that Chanel also has.’ I think the longer I’ve been on, the more colors I’ve been able to show. The writing is phenomenal and it gives me a lot to work with and does allow me to show all the different sides of her.

The longer I’m doing it, the deeper I’m able to make her.”

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SOAP OPERA DIGEST

everybody real quick.’ ” But meeting people on day one didn’t exactly pan out. “I didn’t really get to meet anybody,” Bowens Here For You: Lindsay Arnold (Allie) shares. “I didn’t and Lucas Adams (Tripp) helped make really want to Bowens’s transition to Salem easier. on my first day because I had so many lines love it.’ She’s very sweet.” in my head and just learning As for Lucas Adams (Tripp) about the building and doing and Lindsay Arnold (Allie), your own hair and makeup she adds, “They were the because of Covid, there was first people that I got to work a lot. I was like, ‘Okay, today with and they pretty much I’m not going to even try to took me under their wing and learn names. I’m going to do showed me the ropes and my work, put my head down.’ prepared me. We got to run I have my little binder that I lines over FaceTime, and take with me, which I only they were letting me in on halfway have time to use. I what’s going on, what my tear the pages out as I shoot storylines were with them. them and that’s the best way They were so gracious for me to keep track of what’s going on, especially when it’s a lot. It was very, very intense and I’m glad that I have training because I felt prepared.”

Bowens notes that after the first day, she bonded with her co-stars quickly. “Working and helpful in helping me with Jackée [Harry, Paulina] through the process and I feel is a dream,” she raves. “I like we just melded together grew up watching SISTER, really well.”

In between Bowens’s SISTER over and over, so I was really excited to meet her audition and hire, the origiand work with her. Everything nal description for Chanel went so, so fast but she was so had been tweaked, and the supportive. The first day we character was now sexually had no time to talk and then fluid. “When they originally the next day, I was like, ‘I’m sent the offer over, they let us sorry. We didn’t get any time know that that was something to talk,’ and she’s like, ‘No, that had changed from when no, no. You’re focused and I I originally tested,” Bowens

DAYS: NICOLE AND ERIC SPLIT

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This Is The End: Nicole (Zucker) and Eric (Vaughan) realize they’re through.

XJ JOHNSON/JPI

■ Xander crashes Eric and Nicole’s anniversary party, putting Nicole immediately on edge. “I couldn’t even imagine that feeling of someone walking in and you knowing they’re going to sabotage the rest of your life,” begins Arianne Zucker (Nicole).

Xander, who has been paid $1 million by Sami, drops the bomb in front of the whole Brady clan that he and Nicole had sex. Eric, at first, doesn’t believe it. “He thinks, ‘Oh, Xander’s up to his normal antics, trying to stir the pot, make something out of nothing, just to start a fire,’ ” says Greg Vaughan (Eric).

“Xander and Eric have never seen eye to eye, so Eric never believes anything he says.”

At first, Nicole keeps mum.

“If Eric doesn’t believe it right away, then it says a lot about him, of course, so she’s going to try to just go with it as long as she can and hope to God that it doesn’t come out,” explains Zucker.

But Nicole’s hope of keeping things secret is quickly dashed when Eric questions her and she is forced to come clean. “She knew she was going to get caught,” sighs Zucker. “It was inevitable that it was going to happen.”

Eric runs out, and Nicole

NBC • NBC • NBC

late- breaking news

is about to follow, but not before issuing a warning to Sami. “She basically tells Sami that she just put one foot in the grave,” notes the actress. “Nicole doesn’t have proof yet but she knows something is going on with Sami and she’s just as guilty as Nicole is. So she’s trying to embarrass Sami in front of EJ without saying too much because she has to go deal with her own situation.”

Nicole heads home, where she finds Eric packing and ready to head back to Africa. “There’s a lot happening emotionally between the two of them,” points out Zucker. “The fact that he kept staying away in Africa and doing the work that he loves so much is a strain on the relationship. So even though she didn’t do the best thing ever, neither did he, as newlyweds. There’s just a lot

of conflict in her heart.”

The two have a talk about their future. “I don’t think that’s what Nicole signed up for, being estranged from her husband and him being so far away and having to try to handle the lack of love and support from him not physically being there,” says Zucker. “She already knows he’s leaving and walking out.

It’s not so much about making him stay as much as it’s trying to communicate with him and then see where it goes after, which is ultimately him leaving.”

Though heartbroken, Nicole quickly gets the opportunity to get back at Sami when Philip presents her with the telltale letter of Sami and Lucas’s tryst. “In that moment, Nicole is so excited for an eye for an eye with Sami,” teases Zucker.

“She takes it right to EJ.”

THE WALLS CLOSE IN ON GH’S NIKOLAS

Fighting Words: Big news about Shawn puts Nikolas (Coloma) on the defensive.

saying, ‘I disagree with this wholly, but I can’t just force you to be with me.’ ” Despite this, Nikolas remains confident that he can eliminate the stalker before the divorce is final.

Explains Coloma, “Even though he’s agreeing to the divorce, in his mind, he doesn’t think they are going to get divorced. He’s just trying to bide his time because he is a smart guy and he’s like, ‘Once I figure this out, once I find the stalker and prove that they’re not a threat anymore, we’re going to be married. I know that we belong together and I’m not done fighting for it and I’m not going to give up.’ ” While still at the restaurant, however, Nik is hit

by another obstacle to the happily-ever-after he desires: He encounters Molly and TJ, who relay news about Shawn that gives Nik reason to believe that the secret he’s been harboring — he was the one behind the hit on Hayden, which Shawn went to prison for — may not stay under wraps for much longer.

The actor shares, “Doing that scene felt like I was in a snow globe and someone had shaken the snow globe. He’s sitting at a table with Shawn’s son, who he really likes — TJ is a sweet kid, it’s Alexis’s daughter’s partner — so there is such extreme guilt, but then on top of that, there is this terror because there was a reckless abandon when he felt like he had nothing to lose, and now, he actually has things he wants to fight for. There is such a mix of guilt and terror. It’s all bittersweet and I don’t think he likes the idea of what is going on with Shawn at all.”

Which will only make Nikolas more determined to see to it that Shawn never uncovers the truth. Sums up Coloma, “He wants what he has too much to basically just give it all up.”

VALERIE DURANT/ABC

■ As his past crimes come back to haunt him, Nikolas stands to lose a lot more than his marriage to Ava, leaving him at a precarious crossroads.

When Nikolas runs into estranged wife Ava at the Metro Court, he pulls her aside to tell her that Martin has begun processing their divorce.

Though he agreed to dissolve their union in light of Ava’s stalker-related angst, Marcus Coloma (Nikolas) notes, “Nikolas is definitely very against the divorce. In his mind, the stalker has yet to hurt anybody and he is very convinced that it is not an actual, harmful threat — and he definitely isn’t one to back down or be intimidated by a stalker. That said, he is aware of Ava’s concern for her daughter, and even though he doesn’t think that Avery is really in danger, Ava is very traumatized by this and in her mind, them being together equals, ‘Her daughter could be killed,’ because her [other] daughter [Kiki] was killed. So, this is very much stirring that up and he is aware of that, so out of respect for Ava, he is agreeing to the divorce and

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ABC • ABC • ABC

late- breaking news

8

Justice League: Amanda (Morgan) and Victor (Eric Braeden) conspire to rescue Naya by bringing down Sutton.

so he could raise them himself, even if Naya didn’t want to. He loved them before even seeing them.”

To prove that Naya is taking the fall for Sutton,

“He’s been kind of her confidant.”

Amanda turns to Victor, who once employed Richard, for help. “Amanda and Victor are forming this relationship because of the history they have in common,” notes the actress.

“They’re both orphans who didn’t really know

their families, so he’s been kind of her confidant. At one time, Victor said to call him if Amanda ever needs closure so she can move on with her life. That’s what she does and he agrees to help her.”

Lawyer and mogul devise a trap that will force Sutton to admit the truth, but before their plan can be implemented, a huge problem arises. “Imani tells Amanda that Naya has disappeared, which means she’s skipped bail,” Morgan sighs.

“Now Amanda doesn’t even know if she can go go through with the plan because she can’t do anything without a defendant.”

CBS • CBS • CBS

■ Amanda is suspicious of Naya’s claim that she arranged the murder of Richard Nealon decades earlier, not Sutton. “It just felt like Naya was doing if for her dad and, based on her past patterns, a lot of her actions seem to be to appease Sutton and live up to his expectations, which included her giving up Amanda and Hilary,” explains Mishael Morgan (Amanda).

The fact that Naya won’t allow her daughter to visit her in jail is a red flag to Amanda. “At first, Naya doesn’t want to see Amanda, but Imani talks to Naya, and Amanda is able to get their mother out on bail,” shares Morgan.

“Now Amanda is trying to figure this case out, which isn’t going to be easy since Naya is being uncooperative.”

Still convinced that Sutton is the guilty party, Amanda realizes that she needs to coerce her grandfather into confessing that he’s the real murderer. “Amanda’s father, Richard, was perceived as a threat to Sutton’s political career,” Morgan points out.

“Richard was dead set on finding his baby daughters

PHOTOS: HOWARD WISE/JPI

late- breaking news

CBS • CBS • CBS

late- breaking news

■ Carter struggles to pick up the pieces in the wake of the reveal about him and Quinn.

“The heartbreak here is unbearable,” sighs Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter). “But, there’s also a weird sense of relief, like, ‘It’s finally over.’

The excruciating guilt of trying to hide something and not being able to keep eye contact when you’re in the same room, it was terrible and at least that part is over.”

As it turns out, however, it is far from over, as Eric has tasked the legal eagle with securing his divorce from Quinn, and added a caveat — Carter is not to see Quinn again. That turns out to be easier said than done.

“Carter finds himself haunted by her,” explains the actor.

“When Eric gave Carter the portrait, it was almost like a test of loyalty. I don’t know how Carter is processing this.

After Carter takes the portrait, it’s not like he’s going to hang it in the loft [laughs].

But, he certainly can’t bring himself to destroy it or get rid of it, so he just has it there, leaning against the mantel, not putting it up to look at,

HOWARD WISE/JPI

B&B: CARTER AND QUINN RECONNECT Drawn Together: Carter (Saint-Victor) and Quinn (Rena Sofer) can’t keep their hands off each another.

but he couldn’t get rid of this.

How could he? Is he supposed to throw it away like she’s a piece of garbage? No! But that’s Carter’s problem.

His heart is bigger than his brain.”

Despite Eric’s mandate, Carter can’t keep his distance

“This is not a fling. It’s not a one-night stand. There is definitely more here.” from Quinn. “It’s crazy because I think the pull is even greater now,” observes the actor. “It’s like an act of nature. It’s beyond logic. It’s like, everything was peaceful and this tornado comes in and tears everything apart.

That’s the pull they have.

They can’t control it. The pull doesn’t change and, if anything, it gets stronger — and now they are even more cornered and isolated. They don’t even have friends right now, except for each other, so what are they going to do?

This is not a fling. It’s not a one-night stand. There is definitely more here.”

With Carter representing Eric in the divorce, “Yeah, that is a conflict of interest,” Saint-Victor quips. “But, when it comes to Quinn, it is not just sex. It’s a deep yearning and desire and connection, and the way they look at each other.

When she sees that he can’t destroy her portrait, that means something. As much as they know they shouldn’t be together, they can’t stop being together.”

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■ Original ALL MY CHILDREN cast member Ray MacDonnell (ex-Joe), who passed away on June 10 at the age of 93, is being fondly remembered by his Pine Valley peers.

Michael E. Knight (Martin, GH), who spent decades playing Joe’s adopted son, Tad, says, “Ray had the most amazing face; he looked like he was chiseled out of granite.

He was incredibly knowledgeable, knew all about theater and Shakespeare, and we shared a common love of the East Coast and Massachusetts. As an actor on a soap opera, what you come to rely on are the relationships you have with the other actors and the comfort you have with them. To do that father/son thing with Ray for so long — you just don’t realize how lucky you are until the world changes.

I started working with Ray back in the early ’80s and I never called him Dad; I always called him Pop. I knew that whatever I was doing had gotten under my skin when I realized that I was calling my father Pop, and I still do to this day.

When I got the call about 10

ABC • ABC • ABC

AMC STARS PAY TRIBUTE TO RAY MACDONNELL

Ray, I almost couldn’t fathom it. That guy changed my life, and I didn’t tell him enough how important he was, how much I appreciated him and how much he made MacDonnell (l.) in 1990 me laugh. He just with (clockwise from made my life better.” top) Knight, Brainard Shares Cady and Fickett.

McClain (Jennifer, DAYS), who played Joe’s as was Mary [Fickett, exdaughter-in-law, Dixie, Ruth, the Martin matriarch].

“Ray was witty in a way that I truly felt a part of a family could take you completely unit with them and Michael by surprise. He had one of E. Though it has been 30 the most dry humors I’ve years since those days, I feel ever known! Yet he was no the loss today as I would slouch in the drama depart- a beloved family member.”

On Instagram, fellow ment. He commanded a room when it was time and original cast member Susan yielded the stage with grace. Lucci (ex-Erica) wrote, I deeply respected him and “He was truly our AMC am grateful I was able to patriarch—and filled our work with him as his TV studio with warmth and daughter-in-law. It was a professionalism—and his great pleasure and privilege delicious sense of humor— to be a part of ‘The Martin there were times during Family’ that he helmed scenes that I couldn’t dare as patriarch for so many make eye contact with him—just a look from his years.”

MacDonnell’s on-screen eyes with that ever-present son Michael Brainard (ex- gleam—would dissolve Joey) tells Digest, “I am us into peals of laughter. deeply saddened. I am Thank you so much, Ray, indebted to the example for gracing our show onof my TV patriarch. Ray screen and off—with your was a friend and mentor, great presence!”

ABC

late- breaking news

B&B’s Eric (John McCook)

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL

■ Quinn shocks Eric with her stance on their divorce.

■ Steffy and Finn make a momentous decision.

■ Finn’s father, Jack, makes a surprise appearance.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES

4 Programming note: The show will not air next week for coverage of the Summer Olympic Games.

RATINGS RACE:

Y&R’s Summer (Hunter King, l.) and Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott).

YOUNG AND RESTLESS

WEEK OF JUNE 21 Y&R’s Devon (Bryton James)

■ Victor and Nikki reconnect with Summer.

■ Amanda and Devon take a big leap together.

■ Phyllis sets a trap for Sally.

■ Adam gives Chelsea an ultimatum.

NIELSEN MEDIA RESEARCH

PHOTOS: HOWARD WISE/JPI

of next EARLY A preview week’s EDITIONS! stories.

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

late- breaking news

SEAN SMITH/JPI

The numbers listed after each show are ratings points. Each ratings point represents 1,210,000 homes. These numbers now reflect DVR playback within the same day.

•YOUNG AND RESTLESS 2.26 •BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL 1.96 •GENERAL HOSPITAL 1.55 •DAYS OF OUR LIVES 1.06

who’s coming BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Ellen von Unwerth (Herself): The real-life, world-renowned fashion photographer appears on July 19.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Nicholas Alexander Chavez (Spencer

Cassadine): As viewers now know,

tapped to succeed Nicolas Bechtel (who played the role on and off from 2013-2020) as Nikolas’s (Marcus Coloma) son.

Bechtel tweeted, “Spencer suffered third degree burns at his own birthday party, spent time with the spirit of his Mother, ran away, was kidnapped,

REAL-LIFE STATUS Q In Memoriam: Philece Sampler (ex-Donna, ANOTHER WORLD; exRenee, DAYS et al) has died at the age of 67 from a heart attack. The news was posted on the Instagram page of her friend and former co-worker, Nelson Aspen TOMORROW). He posted, “Heartbroken to receive the call today that my dear friend, Philece Sampler, has passed away from a heart attack, just shy of her 68th birthday ... Farewell for now, my funny and fabulous friend and ‘sister from another mister.’ Rest in Peace.” Thaao Penghlis (Tony, DAYS), added, “Sorry to see Philece Sampler had passed away from a heart attack. She was a wonderful actress.”

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tampered with an election and broke his legs skiing in the Swiss Alps. It’s been a great run…thank you for all your love and support.”

Coloma tells Digest, “It’s such an important role, and Nicholas is great. It’s bittersweet, because Nicolas Bechtel is also a very sweet guy, but I like Nicholas a lot and there will be a lot of interesting stuff to play between Nikolas and Spencer that I’m looking forward to exploring.”

JILL JOHNSON/JPI

Kendra and Krista — Tigirlily — come to Y&R.

the latest cast changes

Cameron Mathison (Character Name TBA): Mathison (ex-Ryan, ALL MY CHILDREN) reported for GH duty on July 2. “Here we goooooooo!!! See you soon Port Charles,” he posted on Instagram.

Finola Hughes (Anna), who appeared opposite him on AMC as Anna and Alex, commented,

YOUNG AND RESTLESS Tigirlily (Themselves): The country music duo — sisters Kendra and Krista Slaubaugh — will appear as themselves on July 22 when they meet some superfans in Genoa City.

who’s going DAYS OF OUR LIVES Greg Vaughan (Eric Brady): Vaughan’s visit comes to a close when his alter ego heads back to Africa.

See page 6 for more.

Q With her due date in late August approaching, Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea) has exited Y&R to begin her maternity leave, which includes finishing a to-do list before her baby boy arrives.

“We just finished the wallpaper in the nursery and painted a dresser,” the actress enthuses of her and hubby Matt Katrosar rug and a bunch of furniture so we still have a way to go.”

Egan reports that the months-long saga of Chelsea being felled by a stroke, followed by a stint in the sanitarium, was planned before she conceived. “Luckily, I’ve been in sweats all year and sitting in a wheelchair, and wearing scrubs and tennis shoes in the mental hospital, so it was a really comfortable time to be pregnant,” she chuckles. “They didn’t write that Chelsea was pregnant, too, which I thought was a good idea because it wouldn’t jell with my storyline. It just worked out to my benefit that I didn’t have to wear any ball gowns or high heels or get super-glam.”

How Chelsea would be absent from Genoa City kept Egan guessing for months. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to be put into a coma, fall down into a well, or get kidnapped again by Adam, but I like that she just simply leaves town to take care of Anita,” she shares. “It’s easy and makes sense.”

While still planning to take off 6 to 8 weeks after her child’s birth, Egan will be tuning in “to check on my buds and see what’s happening at work”, then be ready to return. “[Co-Executive Producer/Head Writer] Josh Griffith says he has a great story for me when I come back in the fall,” she smiles. “So Chelsea comes back with a bang and I’m very excited about that.”

MEET B&B’S NAOMI MATSUDA

Q Naomi Matsuda (ex-Tori, DAYS) is thrilled to be working on B&B as Li. “I was very excited, and just grateful,” she smiles. “I think anybody who has had a first day on a show that’s a tight family, we all have nerves, so yes, of course, I was a little nervous but more excited than nervous. I was working with Ted [King, Jack], the veteran that he is, thank goodness.

The first day he just made me feel like, ‘Naomi, it’s okay. Everything is good.’ He was so inviting and that’s why I wasn’t so nervous because I was welcomed so beautifully, and the energy was so easy flowing. It’s been very nice.”

Of her new alter ego, Matsuda says, “Li is a surgeon. She grew up on Matsuda first airs the East Coast. She’s very busy, so she never really thought about having on August 2. children. She didn’t realize until later that she wanted to be a mother; she’s very much dedicated to her work but also to raising her son. It’s nice to see that his passion for helping people, maybe, in some way, came from her.”

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SOAP OPERA DIGEST

“We’ve had some beautiful additions to our ensemble cast in the last several years, but you my friend are one I hold very dear.”

Y&R’S EGAN BEGINS MATERNITY LEAVE

Plots Pr While Valentin is in New York with Anna trying to track down the pilot Peter hired, Brook Lynn arranges for Maxie to spend time with her daughter before Maxie heads out of town. But between Nina knowing the truth and Brook Lynn’s discovery that Austin, the doctor who delivered Maxie’s baby, is her cousin, Brook Lynn has reason to fear that her secret won’t stay under wraps for long.

“Isn’t it tragic?” begins James Patrick Stuart, whose character, Valentin, has been totally duped by Brook Lynn’s baby ploy.

“That’s the cruelty of the situation, that everybody watching knows but Valentin.

That’s going to be some good drama, when that comes out.” In the meantime, Stuart says that Valentin’s appreciation for Brook Lynn is only growing as they co-parent “their” daughter. “He has a genuine fondness for her,” he notes. “He is in the dark and he does believe that this woman has borne him a child and to him there is nothing better than being a father. At the moment, anyway, he is genuinely grateful.”

ABC

Bailey Affirmation: Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) has Valentin (Stuart) right where she wants him — for now.

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Heart’s Desire: Adam (Grossman) tries to find out what Sharon (Sharon Case) really wants.

YOUNG AND RESTLESS Adam To Sharon: I Miss You Adam feels compelled to have a heartto-heart with Sharon and shows up at the coffeehouse just as it’s closing. “He slides in and tells her they need to talk and clear the air,” says Mark Grossman (Adam).

“They have a conversation about Adam’s life and then he brings up that Chelsea may have faked her breakdown. Then Adam tells Sharon he misses her. ” Sharon responds by talking about her husband. “She says that she’s more committed to Rey than ever,” Grossman previews. “She claims that she and Rey have this new beginning in their relationship.”

Adam hints that he may still want a future with Sharon, which conflicts with the positive changes he’s trying to make.

“Adam is trying to walk a straight line,” Grossman notes. “He and Nick are working to bury the hatchet, and Adam knows that if he makes a play for Sharon that it could cause a rift with Nick and the rest of the family. Still, he can’t deny there’s always that pull to Sharon....”

PHOTOS: HOWARD WISE/JPI

GENERAL HOSPITAL Brook Lynn Scrambles

eview!

Now that their son is born, Finn tells Steffy that he wants to get married right away. “Finn is enamored with this baby and having this new family and all he wants to do is to make it official,” explains Tanner Novlan (Finn). “They have an intimate connection, and he just wants that security. He’s all ready to go but Steffy, well, she has other plans.”

Which is to say no to his proposal, and Finn worries it has to do with Liam.

“That’s what he goes to first,” notes Novlan. “Finn is always aware of the connection that they share, and will always share, and that’s what he thinks at first.”

But Steffy explains that she wants to meet Finn’s parents first. “That’s a little intimidating for Finn, because the Forresters are the family,” observes Novlan. “Finn is not used to all of this and as much as he’s trying to adapt, he’s still feeling his way through it all. Now, with a baby in the mix, he has to bring in his own family and so he’s a little wary of what is going to happen next.”

Meet The Parents: Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) refuses to marry Finn (Novlan).

XJ JOHNSON/JPI

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Steffy Declines Finn’s Proposal

Exit Strategy: With an assist from Claire (Isabel Durant, c.) and Allie (Lindsay Arnold), Ben (Wilson) puts a plan into motion.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Ben Stops Ciara Ciara annuls her marriage to Ben and plans to become Mrs. Theo Carver. “Ben is shocked and it feels like it’s the end for him,” says his portrayer, Robert Scott Wilson.

“He’s tried so hard to stop the divorce papers and win her back. This seems like the last straw. She went out of her way to do this.

And she’s marrying someone else.”

Desperate to stop Ciara from getting hitched — on the anniversary of her wedding to Ben one year earlier — Ben devises a plan. “She goes to get married on the same day she married Ben so it’s pretty savage,” notes Wilson. “She wants that day to now belong to someone else, so Ben has to pull out all the stops. He gets Claire and Allie to support him in this move of pretty much kidnapping her from the wedding.”

Which is what Bo did to Hope at her 1984 wedding to Larry. “Bo and Hope were their own thing and their own lane and they’re the biggest ever, so we’re not trying to fill their shoes,” declares Wilson. “I just like how they pay homage to the history of the show.

That they did a nod to it is pretty cool.”

15

PHOTOS: HOWARD WISE/JPI

1

st LOOK sneak peek

Y&R’s Tara (Elizabeth Leiner, l.) has a sit-down with Phyllis (Michelle Stafford).

XJ JOHNSON/JPI

TROY HARVEY/ABC

photos Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) and Ridge (Thorsten Kaye) surf the web together on B&B.

GH’s Cameron (William Lipton) makes sure Josslyn (Eden McCoy) has all the sun protection she needs.

DAYS’s Paulina (Jackée Harry, l.) is not welcome to sit with (from l.) Theo (Cameron Johnson), Lani (Sal Stowers) and Abe (James Reynolds).

16

SOAP OPERA DIGEST Y&R’s Lily (Christel Khalil) is in the pink.

DAYS’s Belle (Martha Madison) and Shawn (Brandon Beemer) are ready for a wedding.

Chanel (Raven Bowens) shows her appreciation for Eli (Lamon Archey) on DAYS.

Billy (Jason Thompson) checks in with Victoria (Amelia Heinle) on Y&R.

B&B’s Paris (Diamond White) displays her baby-holding skills.

Social snaps of stars on set.

TWITTER/SHRINER

BEHIND the SCENES!

Kin Shriner (Scott, GH) shared a dressing room selfie.

UNK ARCHIVE PHOTOS: LAURA GRIER/B&B /TR

NSTAGRAM/ARCHEY

“This one is for the history books,” reported DAYS’s Lamon Archey (Eli, c.), with (from far l.) Jackée Harry (Paulina), Sal Stowers (Lani), Cameron Johnson (Theo), James Reynolds

Celebrity photographer Ellen Von Unwerth was snapped on set at B&B, where she will appear as herself, taking photos of Brooke and Ridge.

18

SOAP OPERA DIGEST INSTAGRAM/LINDSTROM

INSTAGRAM/LEBLANC

Y&R’s Christian J. LeBlanc (Michael) posted a pic with longtime co-star Tracey E. Bregman (Lauren).

Josh Swickard (Chase, GH) and wife Lauren are hard at work on the sequel to their Netflix film, A CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS. “I can’t even begin to tell you all how grateful we are to be making the 2nd Cali Xmas movie,” Lauren enthused. “Your support means THE WORLD to us.”

INSTAGRAM/ARCHER

INSTAGRAM/SWICKARD

“Some Euro joie de vivre today,” is how GH’s Jon Lindstrom (Kevin/Ryan) described this look.

Melissa Archer (ex-Natalie, ONE LIFE TO LIVE et al) was feeling silly on the set of her movie, WEB OF DECEIT. 19

!

A R T EX

nap sPOLL

Readers of soapoperadigest.com weigh in.

Once and for all: Who’s the right man for DAYS’s Sami?

Someone else

9% Still The One: A majority of DAYS fans think the magic is still there between Sami (Alison Sweeney) and Lucas (Bryan R. Dattilo).

60% Lucas

24%

trend temperature

HOT WARM COLD

Living Doll

Returning Brady (DAYS)

Hospital Hire (GH)

Kristian Alfonso (ex-Hope, DAYS) enjoyed quality time with (from l.) brother-in-law Harry, husband Danny and son Jack.

NSTAGRAM/DUELL

“Sometimes.. the most producti ve thing you can do is relax,” muse d Chad Duell (Michael, GH).

This year’s Outstanding Younger Performer Daytime Emmy-winner, Victoria Konefal (Ciara, DAYS, l.), celebrated with pal Olivia Rose Keegan (ex-Claire, DAYS).

21

guide to must-see episodes

Bold And Beautiful Q&A HOWARD WISE/JPI

On Tuesday, July 20, Brooke makes Ridge a business proposition about her role at Forrester.... On Wednesday, July 21, Paris receives a generous invitation from an unexpected source.... On Thursday, July 22, Wyatt (l.) demands answers from Quinn about her erratic behavior.

Days Of Our Lives PHOTOS: XJ JOHNSON/JPI

Helping Out On Tuesday, July 20, Philip has a suggestion for Lucas, and Ciara asks Allie (both r.) to be her maid of honor.... Paulina visits Julie to apologize to her in person, and Chanel confides in Eli that Allie rejected her for Tripp on Wednesday, July 21.... On Thursday, July 22, Belle and Chad both get pulled into a DiMera emergency.

General Hospital The Chase Is On Anna and Valentin chase a lead in their quest to find Maxie’s baby; “Mike” reluctantly updates Nina; and Brook Lynn arranges for Maxie to see her baby on Monday, July 19....

On Tuesday, July 20, Finn and Elizabeth spend the day at Violet’s T-ball game; Cam and Joss hang out by the Metro Court pool; and Trina feels deceived.... Chase takes his frustrations out on Willow (both above) on Wednesday, July 21, while Britt has a surprise reunion at the Metro Court pool, and Nikolas looks to Jordan for answers.... Jordan loses hope; Chase pushes himself in physical therapy; and Anna updates Dante on her recent findings on Thursday, July 22.

22

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

Cheers And Fears On Monday, July 19, Jack clears the air with Sally (both r.).... Amanda receives shocking news about Naya on Tuesday, July 20.... On Wednesday July 21, Tara makes a play for Kyle.... Moses proves to Faith how in tune they are on Thursday, July 22.... On Friday, July 23, an unexpected attack has Victoria fearing the worst.

HOWARD WISE/JPI

Young And Restless

TV

On Monday, July 19, on the season finale of ALL AMERICAN, things in Spencer’s life seem to be going right but everything changes when Billy learns what he has been keeping from him; Jordan and Asher (both l.) get some unexpected news that neither of them was expecting; Coop is excited to go out on tour but is disappointed when no one from her team can accompany her; and Layla grows worried about her friend and is determined to help.... On Tuesday, July 20, THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS wraps after eight sudsy seasons....

On Thursday, July 22, it’s the season finale of LMN’s three-part miniseries, KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES, starring Vivica A. Fox (ex-Stephanie, Y&R et al), who also produced it. On WALKER, Micki and Walker (both below) investigate a bomb threat at the school that targeted Liam and Stan; Abeline and Bonham plan a vow renewal; and Trey’s mother comes for a visit.... On Friday, July 23, on DYNASTY, Fallon prepares for her impending IPO and reluctantly turns to Blake for help; Anders confronts Alexis about her machinations; Sam and Culhane hit roadblocks in their new partnership; Dominique receives a potential break in her aspiring fashion career; and Adam grows increasingly frustrated with Cristal.

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.

23

BILL INOSHITA/THE CW; THE CW

TIME

thumbs up! down!

Best Of Show Or Digest Decides. thumbs up!

GENERAL HOSPITAL

Though it’s not the most explosive storyline rippling through Port Charles, we’re pleased that the show’s scribes are paying attention to the shift in leadership at the hospital now that Cyrus has been outed as a criminal and ousted as chairperson of the board. The various dynamics among the staffers at G.H. have long been a charming aspect of the show, and we saw that employed to great effect as Liz and Terry gossiped about who Cyrus’s succes-

Applause, Applause

not While we certainly hope it’s ng the last we see of Hunter Ki t did as Summer, the Y&R starle a beautiful job with her good left bye scenes when Summer for Milan.... Kudos to Galen lariGering (Rafe), who did a hi ar ous job voicing Duke the be on DAYS.... Great moment on otty GH when Laura ribbed ex Sc about him bringing his new ’s paramour, Liesl, to Cameron hted graduation party and delig in watching him squirm.

24

HOWARD WISE/JPI

Professional Development

GH’s Monica (Leslie Charleson)

sor might be while Britt tried not to grimace too visibly as she inwardly calculated the odds that the new chairperson would name someone else as chief of staff. It was a rewarding moment when the new board leader was announced — it’s Monica!

— and Dr. Quartermaine walked into the room to applause (and a sweet thumbs-up from Laura).

Picky Picky

When Britt asked pointblank if Monica intended to replace her, and Mon said she wasn’t sure yet, Terry surprised us (and herself, we think!) by asking to be considered for the position, as well. Kudos to the show for recognizing the emotional investment fans have in G.H.’s power structure, resulting in a strong, character-enriching subplot.

thumbs up!

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Paris Waits For You

With her big sis Zoe gone after Kiara Barnes’s real-life exit, B&B’s Paris is coming into her own — and we see big potential for the character, especially now that she’s been cleaved from the murky, underdeveloped sibling relationship that preoccupied her introduction to

Given that Y&R’s Nina has been her best friend for decades, it felt oddly abrupt that Christine dropped in on the Chancellor mansion to deliver an update about Chance to Nina and Abby, then left without so much as a quick catch-up with Nina! ... GH delivered the “Huh?!” of the week when Diane noted that Jason and Carly are the guardians for each other’s children.

On what planet would the mothers of Jason’s children, Elizabeth and Sam, ever have agreed to such a thing? ...

Why would B&B’s Finn and Steffy name their son after Taylor’s abusive ex-husband?

When Y&R made the decision to bring back Michelle Stafford as Phyllis in 2019, it appeared the show had big plans to restore the redhead to her fiery, one-of-a-kind self and give her a big story.

Two years later, we’re still waiting for it. While the two-time Emmy winner is present on screen — doubting Sally, keeping Jack in line, enjoying here and there romance with Nick — what she’s doing has little substance and barely taps the surface of her abilities. Given that Phyllis is a security expert/tech wiz/ experienced CEO of companies, with plenty of family drama to mine, surely the newly minted Emmywinning writing team can

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

Mishael Morgan and

(AMANDA AND NAYA, Y&R)

Q In trying to uncover the mystery of Sutton’s death, Amanda found out that Naya,

/C

N

Missing In Action

Performers Of The Week

TO

YOUNG AND RESTLESS

her Phyl.

N NT Y B RI

thumbs down!

find more to do with her than serve as a talk-to at the Grand Phoenix. (And we’re assuming she still has a lower half to her body — the majority of her scenes take place

MO

the show. While Zoe was a mishmash, and never terribly likable (she was hard to root for, given her track record of doing the wrong thing), Paris has been welldefined from the start — a clean slate without a hidden agenda who wants to do good for society with the Forrester Foundation.

The effervescence of Paris’s presence is also, of course, a testament to portrayer Diamond White, who is a force of nature, an emotionally connected performer and an allaround refreshing addition to the canvas.

BS

to her, and the confrontation between the two women was stirring and heartbreaking. meeting and when she showed up, Mishael Morgan, with arms tightly crossed and somber expression, conveyed that Amanda was loaded for bear. “Did you speak to my father before he died?” she asked. Ptosha Storey slightly tilted her chin down and leveled a cold-sober gaze that didn’t belie what Naya was thinking or feeling. Not waiting for a response, Amanda curtly informed her mom of the recently discovered phone record of that long ago call with Richard, just prior to the suspicious car accident that claimed his life. Storey struck a dignified pose, regal posture and hands neatly folded, that has served as her character’s armor. “That was a long time ago,” Naya shrugged.

Unappeased, Amanda persisted and with a heavy sigh, Naya came clean. She matter of factly recounted that Richard did contact her after she had given up the babies, shared his determination to find them — and then confirmed that she told her dad about the call. Amanda put two and two together quickly and recoiled in horror and fury. “Sutton had Richard killed,” she raged.

When Naya jumped to Sutton’s defense, Morgan’s eyes widened with shock and disgust as Amanda turned away, wounded and disillusioned. As Naya desperately insisted that her father is innocent, Morgan cocked her head with incredulity, then leaned forward. “I don’t believe a damn word coming out of your mouth,” Amanda spat, rendering Naya mute.

Morgan and Storey have only worked together for little over half a year, but in this emotional tug-of-war between their characters, the actresses beautifully brought to the fore the pain and regret formed by decades of lost history and now a precariously fragile present.

25

soap digest

editor’s

OPERA

Dear Readers,

We recently ran a poll on soapoperadigest.com asking you to pick the 10 best wedding dresses of all time (for the results, see page 52). My favorite was Sloane’s dress when she married Trey on CAPITOL. Did r you miss the chance to vote? Let us know you faves at SODsound@soapoperadigest.com. Here, the editors weigh in on their top choices. ss Stella Bednarz: “I adored Anna’s wedding dre when she married Duke on GH. It was such an exquisite lace gown, set off by the brooch. And, of course, the groom looked quite dapper in his kilt.” ve Mara Levinsky: “Kayla’s dress when she and Ste tied the knot on DAYS in 1988 was just the peak I of romantic glamour for me as a fan — though understand why Mary Beth Evans remembers it best for ‘the giant puffy sleeves’!” ss Devin Owens: “On Y&R, Victoria’s wedding dre for the first time she tied the knot with Billy in 2010.

It was a replica of the gown Audrey Hepburn wore in the movie Funny Face and I thought Victoria’s version was both sweet and sophisticated.” ent Tom Stacy: “How coincidental, with the rec passing of our beloved Stuart Damon [ex-Alan, GH], but seeing Lucy Coe, the embodiment of a soap ‘Jezebel’, stroll in with a red wedding gown in 1990 made for soap nups I’ll never forget — and Lynn Herring carried it off beautifully.”

VP, Editorial Director STEPHANIE SLOANE Deputy Editor STELLA BEDNARZ Senior Editor MARA LEVINSKY Senior Copy Editor MICHAEL KAROL Senior Writers DEVIN OWENS TOM STACY Photo Editor BRYAN BECKLEY Contributing Editors CAROLYN HINSEY DONNA HOKE Art Director GEORGIA BENARDOS Associate Art Directors STEPHANIE ABRECHT GARY WALSH Production Manager MARKO BARLOVIC FOR SUBSCRIPTION CUSTOMER SERVICE CALL 1-800-829-9095

Stephanie Sloane, Editorial Director a360 Media, 4 New York Plaza, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10004 President CHRIS SCARDINO Executive Vice President, Digital Media Operations DAVID S. THOMPSON Senior Vice President, Production ROBERT O’NEILL Vice President/Consumer Marketing EPHRAIM R. BRENNAN

Any submissions or contributions from readers shall be subject to and governed by Soap Opera Digest’s Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use, which are posted at https://www. americanmediainc.com/terms-and-conditions and https://www.americanmediainc.com/ privacy-policy, respectively.

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Daytime’s most outspoken columnist!

My Opinion

It’s Only By Carolyn Hinsey

Follow Carolyn on Twitter @carolynhinsey

■ Some soap stories are a little farfetched (!) so it helps when characters talk like real people.

■ There was Thomas, locked in a cage on B&B, running his mouth like he had leverage.

Thomas: “I will not be silenced!”

You gonna gnaw your way out of there with your teeth, son? A real person would be less defiant when their captor jail and holds every card.

Justin:

pass up a golden opportunity like this?”

That I buy. Hatred of Bill spreads through several current stories, which makes sense since he has long been a lightning rod. Ridge reminded Steffy and Brooke of that during a recent debate.

Ridge: “I’d like to thank you both for allowing me to have an opinion on the guy who tried to kill me.”

L.A.-ers share a similar opinion about Quinn, but it took the eavesdropping soap 28

trope to bust her during her vow renewal with Eric. Real people don’t endlessly repeat their secrets in public places where anyone could overhear.

They also don’t crawl out of bed with the boss’s wife and then address their sudden fiancée like a character in a Jackie Collins novel.

Carter (to Zoe): “I want to focus on this moment and every moment afterward.

in a graveyard.

Nina (to Nelle’s headstone): “I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.”

Michael (approaching): “Nina?”

It diminishes Nina (and every other character) to recap — use flashbacks instead. Or have two characters discuss the past, like actual people.

Anna: “When you first came to Port Charles you hated me.”

There is no lazier device than characters talking to themselves. life.”

Ten bucks to the first B&B writer who inserts “We were on a break!” during one of the debates about whether Carter cheated.

■ Speaking of eavesdropping, there is no lazier device than characters talking to themselves. First GH’s Nina confided to baby Wiley that Sonny was alive within earshot of about 72 Quartermaines, and then she spilled her guts about falling for Sonny/Mike

you now, darling.”

Going down WSB Memory Lane reminded us that Alex (as Anna) broke Valentin’s heart, he used to be disfigured, and he was abandoned by the Cassadines — and we watched Anna soften.

GH viewers have to accept that the mob runs the town and the mayor is okay with that, and it’s been that way since Luke and Laura went on the run from Frank Smith in 1980.

Smith was a true villain vs. the current mobsters (Carly, Jason, Brick) with hearts of gold. Still, it helps when a non-crook reacts like a regular person.

Liz (re: Peter’s body): “Jason is an expert at making sure inconvenient people are never found.”

Finn: “I barely know him. I don’t want him involved in this.”

See, that’s normal.

My jury’s out on Carly and Jason’s marriage of convenience to keep “the Novaks” at bay but the explosion when Sonny returns to find his bestie and his wife hitched will be bigger than anything happening on the docks.

Carly: “Everyone’s going to think I planned this because I ran off every woman you’ve ever loved.”

You got that right!

■ DAYS splits the difference between characters talking to themselves, which is not plausible, and raucous group scenes, which are.

Nicole (talking to the baby carriage in broad daylight): “If I prove that Sami and Grampa Lucas got into mischief then I’ll have Sami right where I want her.”

Groan. But check out this

rollicking exchange between Sami’s exes and her current husband.

Lucas: “EJ treated Sami like a piece of luggage. Guess where he’s going to rebuild his marriage? His house — with his family and my blind mother and your sister and that creepy picture of Stefano staring down at everybody.”

Rafe (sarcastic): “It’s such a good place for healing. I hate that jerk!”

EJ (approaching): “What jerk would that be?”

The three traded barbs and then discussed a truce.

Lucas: “We should go bowling after this.”

That’s as good as any sitcom. The same goes for Kate faking blindness until Jake got voted out of DiMera.

Kate: “You might want to give your old garage a call. I hear they’re hiring.”

Brutal!

■ Y&R’s Nikki can be brutal when someone crosses her family. She has a loooong memory and does not suffer fools (or stepsons) gladly.

Adam (entering): “Am I interrupting?”

Nikki: “I was just leaving.”

But she’s still vain enough to want a large picture of herself in Victor’s office, which is

totally in character.

Victor (staring at photo): “What an extraordinary adventure our marriage has been.”

From stripper to socialite? I’d say. Nikki and Victor share believable interactions that I wish the rest of the show enjoyed. Stitch’s return just reminded us of Abby’s long list of suitors that tanked (Daniel, Tyler, Austin, Arturo, Nate) and Abby’s discussion with Stitch about his off-screen son’s difficulty with motor skills (?) reminded us why.

And don’t get me started on Harrison finding out Kyle was his “other daddy” two weeks ago and then immediately yelling “Daddy!” to Kyle every time he walks in a room. Or newbie Tara blackmailing core character Summer out of town so she could grow closer to Kyle, with whom she shares zero affection or chemistry.

Tara (to Kyle): “I’m here. I can help.”

Tara is the human equivalent of watching paint dry and the worst reason for a breakup since that one-way phone call took Chance out of town on his honeymoon last winter.

Kudos to Jack for inserting a moment of realness into Kyle and Summer’s unreal storyline.

Jack: “Love does not always conquer all.”

Especially when the hasty exit defines farfetched.

■ Hey. It’s only my opinion. 앮 29

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

HOWARD WISE/JPI

Insta-Bond: On Y&R, Harrison (Kellen Enriquez, l.) took to Kyle (Michael Mealor) in a flash.

Remembering GH Legend Stuart Damon, 1937-2021

Hail To The Chief

By Mara Levinsky

COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION

ran from 1997-2003. Damon cherished his time at GH. “It was his place of joy,” says son Christopher. “It was his favorite place to go — other than the golf course! My dad was a really simple guy — he didn’t need much, he didn’t want much. He was just always so grateful to be there. He just wanted to do a good job; he was always early, he always had his lines memorized.

He loved being on that show. It was his passion.”

A fan favorite and critical darling alike, Damon earned seven Soap Opera Digest Award nominations, winning twice (for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 1996 and Favorite Veteran in 1999) and received seven Daytime Emmy nominations over the course of his GH run, winning for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 1999 for the tale of Alan’s drug addiction. “I was so grateful to have such a wonderful storyline,” he told Digest in 2013. “It was like throwing a rabid dog a big piece of meat. I went after that with both hands.”

When GH released Damon from his contract in late 2006, fans were outraged — as were his GH colleagues, many of whom spoke out with unusual candor to decry the decision. Alan was killed off in February 2007, when he succumbed to a heart attack, and the-powers-that-be attempted to quell viewer Fit For A Prince: Damon became a heartthrob courtesy of his turn as the Prince in the 1965 television production of CINDERELLA, opposite Lesley Ann Warren. Grins son Christopher, “The first time he showed it to me I was, like, 14, with my friends, and all I could say was, ‘Dad, you’re wearing tights!’ But watching it again, as an adult, I really appreciate it. I have two little girls. With my eldest, we said, ‘Let’s let the first movie she watches be CINDERELLA.’ We had her little cousin, who’s the same age as her, and my dad come over on a Sunday afternoon and all of us as a family watched it. It was really wonderful.”

31

ABC • ABC • ABC

S

tuart Damon, the Daytime Emmywinning actor best known for his decades-long run as GH’s Alan Quartermaine, passed away on June 26 at the age of 84.

Born to Russian Jewish immigrant parents on February 5, 1937 in Brooklyn, NY, Damon launched his acting career on the stage in New York, making his Broadway debut in 1959 in the singing ensemble of the musical First Impressions (James Mitchell, one of his co-stars in that show, would himself go on to daytime fame as ALL MY CHILDREN’s Palmer Cortlandt). In 1965 (four years after he married Deirdre Ottewill, with whom he welcomed son Christopher in 1975), Damon’s star rose with a prominent role on Broadway in the Rodgers & Sondheim musical Do I Hear a Waltz? and by playing the Prince opposite Lesley Ann Warren’s Cinderella in CBS’s broadcast of the musical version of CINDERELLA. “I grew up being captivated by his Prince Charming,” shares Nancy Lee Grahn, GH’s Alexis.

“Everyone in my day saw that.”

After starring in the British series THE CHAMPIONS from 1968-69 and working frequently on the London stage, Damon returned to the U.S. and made his way to Hollywood, where in 1977 he was tapped to play Quartermaine scion Alan, future G.H. chief of staff, son of Edward and Lila, brother to Tracy, devoted (if sometimes murderous) husband to Monica, ex-husband to Lucy, biological father of A.J. and Jason, and adoptive father of Emily and Skye.

Damon also made appearances on the GH spin-off PORT CHARLES, which

ITV/SHUTTERSTOCK

Rising Star:

Young Doctors In Love

on DAYS for five epi-

MEDIAPUNCH/SHUTTERSTOCK

exiting Port Charles, Love At First Sight: “He asked my mom to marry him after one week,” reports son Christopher of Damon, pictured with wife Deirdre in 1988.

“He just went. I think that gusto and confidence and that ability to be uninhibited was part of his success.”

ghost in 2012 and 2013.

Despite the bittersweet end to his career at GH, Damon told Digest in 2013, “I never took it for granted. I was grateful for every day that I had there.” Recalls his son, Christopher, “I think [his GH exit] was super-hard for him, no doubt; it was a hard pill for him to swallow but he was also very gracious and understanding of it.

Everything happens for a reason. Right as they let him go, my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and taking care of her became his focus.” In time, Christopher reports, “I found my dad to be in the happiest place I’d ever really known him. It’s not like it happened overnight; for anybody 32

with a loss, there’s a journey.”

Damon also loved interacting with his adoring GH fans.

Says Christopher,

they’d just come up and want to talk to him about his storyline or they’d go, ‘Did you know Monica is cheating on you? I just wanted to tell you!’ or, ‘Oh, I love you so much!’ It made him feel great.”

The actor’s health had been failing in recent years. “My dad was diagnosed with kidney failure about five or six years ago and he had to start on dialysis and that’s a hard journey,” notes Christopher.

“He was a fighter, and he showed up and did his part. It wasn’t easy, but he never complained.”

“He made a huge impact on my life,” says Steve Burton (Jason), who was cast as Damon’s on-screen son in 1991. “Stuart

JIM WARREN

Pop Culture: Christopher, pictured with his father, says, “My father was my best friend. We talked every day. As a kid, wherever he went, I wanted to be, even when I was a teenager.

When people would ask, ‘Who is your hero? Who do you want to be like?’, my answer was, ‘My dad.’

All I ever wanted was to make him proud.”

people. I think about everything that he was, and it was everything I wanted to be as a man. He was just incredible.

When I first got on the show, he always said, ‘Hey, learn your lines, know your stuff, get here on time, treat people with respect, and repeat.’ He took me under his wing and was so gracious with everybody. He had a warmth, a gentleness about him. He was such a great actor; he was an icon. During the heyday of GENERAL HOSPITAL, he was the man! But outside of work, he was such a great guy and husband and father. And that’s really the measure of a man.” 앮 LONG PHOTOGRAPHY/ABC

COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER DAMON

Father Figure: “I worked with Stuart in the very first scene I did on GENERAL HOSPITAL in ’92, and he was so kind and so encouraging,” recalls Sean Kanan (ex-A.J., below r.). “I didn’t have nerves, but I needed someone to tell me, ‘You’re on the right track.’ As I got to know him better, Steve Burton and I used to call him Slappy D or Stuey Damone.

Stuart was just so damn funny! I think he got a real kick out of the interaction with his TV sons. Those were really great times. He was a very special guy.” Concurs Burton (below l.), “I never saw the guy in a bad mood. He just loved his job so much. He was so grateful to be here and to work.

The way he led his life was the greatest example that anybody could have.” In fact, Burton finds himself following in his fictional father’s footsteps.

“Stuart would always get here early, work out, and by the time I would show up — because I wasn’t really focused on getting up early and working out in those days — I’d always see him in his robe walking down the hall, and I’d be like, ‘Either that’s a big bear in a robe or that’s Elvis, I’m not sure which one!’ But it’s so funny, because now, that’s me — I’m the first one here, working out, and I’m the only guy who walks around in his robe now. I was thinking about that and I’m like, ‘Man, I’m doing everything Stuart told me to do.’ ”

ABC • ABC • ABC

Winner’s Circle: “It was just a magical night,” says Christopher of his father’s 1999 Daytime Emmy victory.

“It felt like an acknowledgement not just of that [drug addiction] storyline, but of all his years on GH.”

Reflections Of Life

Stuart Damon’s colleagues paid tribute to him, online and off.

before I worked with him. Then I knew him as someone I was ALWAYS happy to see because he made my day a bit brighter. I think he made everyone’s day brighter. He was so incredibly full of life. Full of good life. We lost a beautiful human being today. I was so lucky to know him. My heart is sad.

Rest peacefully kind soul. You will be greatly missed by so many.”

LISA ROSE/ABC

Tamara Braun (ex-Carly; Ava, DAYS): “My heart is heavy. Stuart was such a kind man. He was genuine and warm. He was funny. He always had a smile and open arms.

He gave the best hugs, called me Tubby and I was always happy when Genie Francis (Laura): “I am so grateful to have had this wonderful man in my life. I am very sad today. #StuartDamon” Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis): “I loved Stuey, as those in the know called him. He was a pro when ‘a pro’ actually meant something. Then as a GH fan, he set the bar. I knew when I showed up and worked with him that this was someone to revere. He had the credentials, Broadway and all, and again, at that time, that f---ing meant something.

It should never have stopped meaning something. If in charge (a fate worse than death to many) I would have never let him go. And now we all must.”

Scott Clifton (ex-Dillon; Liam, B&B): “In my early days at General Hospital, I had a scene with Stuart in which his character would learn that a beloved family member had died. He understood the gravity of the scene, how historic it would become, and yet during the countdown to ‘action,’ he still turned to me with a wry smile and whispered, ‘Watch and learn, kid.’ Then he winked. Within seconds, he was no longer Wally Kurth (Ned): “What a joy it was Stuart, and he began to sob. The man was, to work alongside the great Stuart Damon. and is, royalty. Rest In Peace, Uncle Alan.”

A very talented actor and singer and a kind, generous soul. Our characters often butted heads but between takes, it was a lot of laughter. RIP Prince Charming.”

Finola Hughes (Anna): “#StuartDamon master of funny....

Stuart lived to make you laugh, but he was also a very caring individual who was happy to have long conversations about life, family and his

ABC • ABC • ABC

Amber Tamblyn (ex-Emily): “Broken hearted to hear of the passing of Stuart Damon. He played my adopted dad on General Hospital for 7 years and he was the most kind, wonderful, loving, supportive person. He always made me laugh and made me feel safe on set. I love you, Stewy. Rest well now, my friend.”

to say ‘stethoscope’ several times before a scene with as many sibilant ‘S’s’ as humanly possible. Needless to say, that scene would have entailed a couple of takes if I was involved! #ripstuartdamon Sending much love & condolences to his family. Stu-ey, a true gentleman.”

Executive Producer Frank Valentini: “On behalf of everyone at #GH, I want to extend my deepest condolences to Stuart Damon’s family and all who loved him. Stuart was an absolute legend of our industry and he’ll be sorely missed.”

Kimberly McCullough (ex-Robin): “Stuart Damon... I called him my ‘building’ mainly because he was so tall and I was so short. But also because he stood so strong and I could rely on him as the steadiest of scene partners. He handled the AIDS story with such grace, when Alan told Robin she was HIV positive was one of my favorite scenes I experienced as an actor. His true essence as a compassionate, stand up gentleman really came through in that story. And I wouldn’t be describing the whole person if I didn’t mention how damn funny he was as well. My heart goes out to his family. Thank you Stu-y for blessing us with your performances. RIP”

GEORGE DE SOTA/JPI

Robin Mattson (ex-Heather): “Stuart was such a sweet, lovely man. In every scene we ever performed together, he was always so generous to me. He was a wonderful actor, and I am deeply sorry about his passing. I will remember him always.”

Billy Warlock (ex-A.J.): “What an amazing man. I was so fortunate to work with big Stuey, but more importantly he was my friend. I spent more time off the set with Stu than on. I just loved being around him. He was the kindest, sweetest and most giving man. I love you big guy.”

35

Lauren Koslow (Kate, DAYS) “My best summer job was right out of college: I did summer stock. I costumedesigned The Tempest because I had majored in costume design, but I also acted in a couple of plays and that changed the trajectory of my career because I ended up pursuing acting.”

CHRIS HASTON/NBC; MONTY BRINTON/CBS

Wally Kurth (Justin, DAYS; Ned, GH) “One of my best summer jobs was the summer after high school. My family had a cattle ranch in Montana and I was cutting hay all summer long and my brother was baling the hay and we lived in the same little house. It was out in the middle of nowhere and it was living that small-town life. It was a really fun summer and had an impact on me.

Hard work.”

PHOTOS: CRAIG SJODIN/ABC; HOWARD WISE/JPI

s

Rena Sofer (Quinn, B&B) “I started acting when I was young [landing ANOTHER WORLD’s Joyce at age 19], so for a time I was a waitress in Fort Lee, NJ, and that was pretty much it.”

Jason Thompson (Billy, Y&R) “Pizza Hut! I used to open, which was great because my nights were wide open, but that made for very early mornings with not a lot of sleep, if you know what I mean.”

MONTY BRINTON/CBS; CHRIS HASTON/NBC

Leigh-Ann Rose (Imani, Y&R) “When I was 13, I worked as an assistant to an amazing beautician, Nina, at a hair salon. I learned so much from her professionally and as a mentor.”

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

Dan Feuerriegel (EJ, DAYS) “Back in Australia, I worked at this company called JB Hi-Fi, so you would have stereo systems, cameras, CDs all that kind of stuff and it was awesome. Everybody there was just fantastic, just enjoying themselves, and any time we finished work, we’d go next door to the pub and have a couple of drinks. While I was doing that, I was also working at a Blockbuster Video and that was just so much fun. I love movies so that was awesome.”

Johnny Wactor (Brando, GH) “Swim coach and probably bartending in Los Angeles.”

JIM WARREN

Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, GH) “I worked at a pool one summer. Who doesn’t want to spend the summer at a pool?”

37

BY DONNA HOKE

BIG NAME IN SOAPS ACROSS

1. SPIN-OFF OF 45

ACROSS STARRING HEATHER

LOCKLEAR (two words) 10. GH’s John J. (Mac) 11. Dixon son and

others (AS THE WORLD TURNS)

13. Nelson who once played Y&R’s

Phyllis 15. WITH 32 ACROSS, 25 ACROSS’S ONLY DAYTIME ENTRY

16. Keyboard corner keys

17. DAUGHTER OF 25 ACROSS WHO STARRED ON 45 ACROSS 18. “Be quiet!”

19. “Uh”, phonetically 21. Much ___ About Nothing 23. DAYS’s Chloe 24. Y&R’s Alyvia ___ Lynd (ex-Faith) 25. TELEVISION GIANT, AND MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO SOAPS (two words) 29. An unexpected complication 30. Flight data, briefly 31. Component of wpm 32. SEE 15 ACROSS 34. “Be prepared” org.

36. Big scallion 37. Goes to the Colonnade Room, say (Y&R) 38. Backpacker’s byways 41. THE ___ (22 DOWN

38

SPIN-OFF) 43. SET IN SAN FRANCISCO, IT FOLLOWED 22 DOWN 44. Tennis great Arthur 45. CITY THAT NEEDS A NUMBER TO COMPLETE THE TITLE (two words)

DOWN 1. Recently returned Winters (Y&R) 2. TWIN PEAKS creator David 3. Engine or eye parts 4. Catch-22 pilot 5. 1960s Jamaican pop 6. GH role for Genie Francis 7. Italian for “years” 8. D.J.’s stack 9. “Good ___!” (praise for a

batter) 12. Brawny 14. New love interest for Victoria (Y&R) 15. Boar’s mate 17. Ratings-wise, a big story moment (two words) 19. Diego, for one 20. Brain and spinal chord; abbr.

21. DAYS’s Sweeney (Sami), to friends 22. 25 ACROSS’S FIRST PRIME-TIME ENTRY 23. “Put another ___ on the fire” 24. Capone and Capp 25. Just like (two words) 26. Dorm overseers; abbr.

27. “Yadda, yadda, yadda” 28. “Well, ___-di-dah!”

Answers can be found in the next issue.

Q Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

You can’t change the digits already provided in the grid; you have to work around them.

32. Shawn’s wife (DAYS) 33. Bonds in portfolios 34. Biblical tower locale 35. Beasts of burden 36. RAY DONOVAN’s Schreiber 37. K-12, in education, briefly 39. DAYS’s Scott Wilson (Ben), to friends 40. “I can’t believe I ___ the whole thing!”

41. Islet 42. ___ Kosh B’Gosh (kids’ clothing line)

ANSWERS FROM LAST ISSUE 0 2 0 6

( / $ +

7 + ( & , 7 <

( ( (

( ( .

/ 5 2 6 ( ( % 8 1 , 9 < ; $ , ) 7 ' , ; $ 6 2 5 $ ; / 0 ( 1 7 ( $ : 2 5 / ' ( ( 0 6 ( $ $ 1 2 7 6 /

3 / $ 8 3 5 2 $ 5 / 7 ( ( 1 7 $ 6 $ $ 1

$ & $ 5 , 2 1 7 0 ( $ . / , * 2 % ' ,

( 5 & $ + $ 5 $ / 9 ( ( 6 + $ : 1

7 5 , * 39

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

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

Michael E. Knight (Martin, GH) was delighted that the show scripted an on-air cross between his character and Jackie, played by Kim Delaney; the pair got their daytime start together playing ALL MY CHILDREN siblings Tad and Jenny in the early 1980s. “It was awesome! Awesome, awesome, awesome,” he declares. “What’s odd about it is how great she looks, and I’m not kidding. I aired in ’83, but we met in December of ’82, so you’re talking about 40 years, and Kimmy is still sharp as a tack, she’s wonderful, and I had a ball with her, I really did. We did a day together where we

HOWARD WISE/JPI; TODD WAWRYCHUK/ABC

WE MEET AGAIN

GH’s Michael relished his on-screen reunion with Kim.

were on a stakeout [as their characters tried to track down Martin’s mother, Florence] and my 82-year-old dad, who has always had a crush on her, he calls me up and he goes, ‘Oh, I saw the thing in the car. It was great! You guys had real chemistry! Are they going to throw you together?’ And my reaction was, ‘No, that’s my sister, ew!’

Which absolutely makes no sense [laughs].

I mean, I should be so lucky, but it’s weird about what sticks in your mind after all these years!”

CREDIT RATING CHLOE ATNIP; HOWARD WISE/JPI

You can count Richard Burgi (Ashland, Y&R) as a fan of Amelia Heinle (Victoria).

“I’ve worked with a lot of incredible actresses and I put her up there with the best,” he declares. “I’ve never had so much fun.

She’s delightful. She has a great sense of humor and makes me laugh. We spend time together and we both just love laughing because life is crazy. She’s such a wonderful Y&R’s Richard gives props to Amelia. human being and an amazing actress. And this is a girl who’s never studied acting, so she’s not some vanguard institution. She’s a great artist in so many ways, how she lives her life and how she’s faced the difficulties and challenges along the way. I love her on screen and I love her off screen.” Burgi believes fate brought him and his character’s latest romantic partner together. “I had a couple of prime-time projects lined up that fell through because of Covid but I have to say, I love daytime and the challenge of it,” he explains. “I was only supposed to do nine episodes on Y&R, so the last thing I expected to happen was to find such a sweet person to work with when I came on. I have such admiration for God, Mother Nature and the writers for conspiring to put me with Amelia.”

40

Diamond White (Paris) has become pals with many of her B&B co-stars — but she and Jennifer Gareis (Donna) have become fast friends. “I love her,” Gareis enthuses. “She is so young and so fresh and so talented. I love the way she carries B&B’s Diamond (l.) and Jennifer have a herself and her sense of style. mutual admiration society going.

She’s just so amazing. I wish I could come back in another life as her. She is just so cool. She is everything would so great to do IRL [in real life]. By the way, I’m trying to be hip saying IRL, which I I wish I could be. She’s adorable.” Gareis picked up from my 10-year-old. I have a far adds that with Covid restrictions lifting, they way to go [laughs]. Maybe by hanging out are enjoying getting together outside the with Diamond and the girls more, my kids studio, but would like to see them hang will think I’m cool, or at least getting there!” out on screen, as well. “Oh, my gosh, that

COMING HOME

tell me?’ And she said, ‘Well, DAYS OF OUR LIVES wants to bring Orpheus back George DelHoyo admits he never and they want to know if you’re interexpected to get the call to return to DAYS ested.’ And I said, ‘Orpheus? I died on an as Orpheus in 2016. “My original days on island.’ And she said, ‘Well it’s the magic DAYS [from 1986-87] were a big, ongoand imagination of daytime. They can do ing storyline and I got that job soon after anything. They can bring him back.’ And my first child, Alexandra, was born,” I said, ‘Wow, well that sounds fantastic.’ he recalls. “I was very grateful because I So I was thrilled to go thought, ‘This is great, I back and revisit it and still just had a baby and I have am happy to do it. And it this nice chunk of work for was great to see people a while.’ And then, at the I hadn’t seen in so long end of that run, Orpheus like Drake [Hogestyn, was shot on the island and John] and Deidre [Hall, I thought, ‘Well, that’s it.

Marlena] and Stephen That’s the end of it.’ So [Nichols, Steve] and then all these years pass Wally [Kurth, Justin] and I did a lot of different and Mary Beth [Evans, things and I spent a large Kayla] and all these part of time working in people that I had grown voice-over. And then I quite fond of years ago. get a phone call from my They welcomed me as if manager and she says, I’d been gone for a long ‘Are you seated?’ and I George is always happy to weekend. They were just said, ‘No. Can you just return to DAYS. great.” tell me what you want to XJ JOHNSON/JPI

41

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

GILLES TOUCAS/COURTESY OF BELL-PHILLIP TELEVISION INC.;

DIAMOND IS A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND

42

what Carly’s gonna do — the fans know the characters so well that everyone knows what everyone is going to do all the time, so there’s really no surprises, unless you mix it up and put other people with other people and you see what comes out of that.

That’s what we’re kind of seeing now. And now Jason and Carly have to get married, and that’s interesting to me. I think it’s great! I’ve been having a blast. It’s all new stuff.

Digest: Lying does not come naturally to Jason. How is he going to explain this engagement to his sons?

Burton: He’s going to have to lie! I mean, it is challenging. I’ve had some scenes already where I say, “I hate lying about this!” Like, “This is not what I do and I don’t like it. At all.” And you can tell, too, by how I do the scenes! I’m not gonna go [adopts enthused tone], “Hey, Carly and I, we’re so excited to get married! This is gonna be awesome, guys!” That’s not me.

I’m like [very matter-of-fact], “Yeah, we’re getting married.” And they’re like, “Oh.” And I go, “Yeah.” That’s it! That’s all I can say. And I say, “It’s the best thing for the family, it’s the best thing for everybody that we get married.” It’s just a general, blanket statement.

Digest: I think fans will wonder, why couldn’t Jason marry Carly, but see Britt on the side? Why couldn’t he have a mistress?

Burton: Well, I think — I mean, look, it’s a soap opera, so I hate even answering questions, like, for real, but if you’re really into Mafia stuff and they are expecting you to kill Carly, or literally get rid of her, like have her move 3,000 miles away with her

JEREMY ROSS

Soap Opera Digest: What do you think about this whole “Jason-and-Carly marriage of convenience” thing?

Steve Burton: Listen, I love Laura [Wright, Carly]. I guess the thing is that Jason and Britt are, you know, whatever you want to call them now — they’re kind of together now, sort of. They’re dating. Is that what the kids say [laughs]? Jason and Britt are interested in each other, so that’s the wrench in the works, right? They’re interested in each other but then the business side of things [comes into play]. I think it works perfectly; it’s like a perfect storm of [a marriage] having to happen. Look, what Laura and I care about is that we’ve had some amazing scenes. That’s what it comes down to for us. Overall story, if it works, awesome, but we’re finding something new for us, which we’ve never had, being on the show this long. That’s what’s intriguing to actors. And that’s what I think a lot of fans don’t really get, is that this is new for us, and this is cool for us because as actors we get to explore and do new things with new people and have new scenes and it’s pretty exciting.

Digest: The show has taken a lot of risks lately with breaking people up and switching things up across the canvas.

Burton: I agree. Do I think Sonny should come home? Yes. But overall, story-wise, I think they’re doing a great job by mixing stuff up.... Most people don’t like change, but sometimes you find some surprising things in that change where you’re like, “Oh, that’s new!” And that’s what I think the show needs. I think any show that has been on that long needs it because we know what Sonny’s gonna do, we know what Jason’s gonna do, we know

ABC • ABC • ABC

(Jason Morgan)

GH’s Steve Burton Weighs In On Jason’s Love Life, Fan Backlash And More.

By Mara Levinsky

43

VALERIE DURANT/ABC; SCOTT GARFIELD/ABC

family so she’s out of the picture and there’s a clear handover of the power, that this is Jason’s territory now — these things have to happen, she needs to disappear one way or another, whether it’s, “Good-bye, Carly” or it’s, “Move away, Carly.” A lot of Mafia guys had their affairs on the side, so anything’s possible, but right now, Jason’s doing it by the book, right?

It just doesn’t behoove him, in a power transition like this, in a power struggle where there’s The Way We Were: Sonny’s (Maurice violence and all these things hapBenard) presumed death has led to a pening, to sneak around. There is major shift in Jason’s relationship with Carly (Laura Wright). one thing here to accomplish, and that’s the goal of showing a united front with Jason and Carly; this is the best way to do it. Gotta cut the thing off with Britt and move forward for the family. That’s the mentality. And we are on a soap opera, so please forgive me!

Digest: Have you had the chance to get a reaction out of Maurice Benard (Sonny)? Does he know this is happening?

Burton: No, I haven’t talked to him about it. But I am sure he would not be surprised! And he would go, “Oh, you guys had to wait until I was dead to go get How Convenient: In 2002, Jason was married.” That’s what he would forced to marry Brenda (Vanessa say. He’s very jealous of us. But Marcil) so that they wouldn’t have to it’s okay, he’ll get over it. He’s testify against one another. hee-hawing with freakin’ Nina, so whatever. “You’re doing some square-dancing with Nina. You don’t get to I’m sure there’s a bartender there with an talk ever again!” accent, but why Jax? It kind of sucks. I’m Digest: How did Jason feel when he reallike, “Aw, man.” What do you do? I mean, ized that Britt slept with Jax? is this the old Jason or the new Jason? The Burton: Not great! I mean, what do you old Jason, he would be having none of it. expect, dude? I mean, that’s not great! Digest: This is the second time Jason will It’s not good. I mean, if she wanted an be entering a marriage of convenience.

Australian guy, she could have just gone Burton: Brenda was the first one? to the Outback Steak House and just found Digest: Yes. So, who do you think Jason some, like, server there! I don’t know could more tolerate marriage to, theoretiwhat she’s going to Jax for, but whatever. cally, Brenda or Carly?

44

Over And Done With: Jason was forced to cut things off with Britt (Kelly Thiebaud).

Burton: Oh, Carly.

Hands-down. Aw, gosh, that’s not even a question!

Listen, Carly is Carly, and for some reason, Jason just has a soft spot for her that no other human being would have, he has a love for her that no other human being has. And for whatever reason, it’s not difficult for him. With Brenda, that was difficulty. Constantly!

Digest: Britt was super-hurt when Jason broke the news of his impending marriage to her.

Burton: Yeah, you think? She is very pissed.

I mean, she’s pissed, first, because she slept with Jax and it wasn’t that great! But obviously, I’ve hurt her, she tries to cover it, she has feelings for Jason and she’s very upset.

Digest: Well, I don’t know that you’re aware of this, but when Elizabeth and Sam found out, they went and got drunk together.

Burton: Oh, they did?

Digest: Yes, and they started a fire on the pier because Liz encouraged Sam to sym-

45

ABC • ABC • ABC

bolically burn reminders of Jason.

Burton: I think that’s a little psycho! Hold on, hold on. She cut it off with me! So how is she burning stuff — she said no to me!

Now you’re gonna burn my stuff? I didn’t burn anything of hers when she said, “Get out of here!” I didn’t freakin’ burn the phoenix and the dragon! Come on, man!

That’s bullcrap! That’s messed up, dude.

Digest: Well, my point is that it’s a ripple on the canvas that affects all these other people and that’s what you want on a soap.

Burton: Yeah, look. It’s not bad to shake things up. I mean, we’re on a soap opera.

You never know what could happen in the next freakin’ year — and then she’s going to be mad that she burned my stuff!

Digest: Well, that’s true.

In July of 2020, you could never have imagined Jason breaking things off with Britt to marry Carly!

Burton: No, there’s no way. If you would ever have said, “Oh, Jason and Britt are going to be together,” you’d be like, “What?

No!” Or Sam and Dante. You would never even think that. And I guess that’s what is good about what [Co-Head Writers] Chris [Van Etten] and Dan [O’Connor] are doing right now. They’re just mixing it up! And it’s okay to mix it up.

Digest: But at the same time, do you understand why it is challenging for fans who are so invested in Jason and Sam to imagine getting behind Jason and Britt, or even Jason and Carly, if they go there?

Burton: Yes. Of course. Listen, I totally understand. I get it. I’ve watched shows before where I’ve been upset, okay? So I understand that people get upset over things, for sure. The thing that I don’t conABC

TODD WAWRYCHUK/ABC

Everlasting Love:

done or like is that people were attacking both Kellys [Monaco, Sam, and Thiebaud, Britt]. Listen.

Everybody knows that I have the utmost respect for Kelly Monaco.

We worked together for so long.

We worked together every day for, like, eight years, and we created something awesome, for sure. There is no doubt about it. I am having a great time working with Kelly Thiebaud. They are both great to work with. But when people are attacking the actresses, that’s just when it’s not cool. I’m not on social that much anymore, but I saw some bad things being said about Kelly Monaco, and some bad things about Kelly Thiebaud, and that’s when I check out. That’s when I’m like, “Okay, I’m not even going to engage or read this stuff.” It is two real human beings that can be affected by those comments, you know? People are going to hate me or do whatever they want to me, they’re always going to do that and it’s fine, but to do that to the ladies is kind of upsetting to me. I understand that people get upset about story. That’s what the writers’ job is, you know? You see things and you have stuff to root for again.

Digest: That’s a great point — it is the writers’ job to give you an obstacle so that viewers can then root for you to get over that obstacle.

Burton: For sure. But I get why people are invested and I get why they get upset. I totally do. My wife and I watched some46

ABC

Verbal Disagreement: Burton is pleased by the uptick in Jason’s interaction with Rebecca Herbst’s Liz (“It was really fun to work with her again — it’s been a long time”), but wishes Jason wasn’t quite so chatty in the scenes. “Yesterday, we had a bunch of scenes, and she goes, ‘I think this is the most you’ve ever talked in your entire life!’ I said, ‘Yeah, pretty much. I don’t know what’s going on, because we need to stop this madness. Jason is talking way too much!’ ”

thing on Netflix and something happened and I went, “This is the stupidest show I’ve ever seen! I’m not watching this! I can’t even believe that they would do something that dumb!” I was so invested that at that point, I go, “I get why people get upset!” Like, “I’m invested in this thing!”

This character did something so crazy and stupid I was like, “That’s stupid, that’s it, I’m done, I’m not watching this anymore, it’s over.” But then, of course, we finished it! You kind of settle down and go, “It’s a TV show. Get back to the freakin’ TV and watch the rest of it.” But I understand. I totally understand. But it’s the same thing with Jason/Elizabeth, Jason/Sam. People were attacking Becky [Herbst, Elizabeth], people were attacking Kelly. And we’re just doing our job, doing the best we can to tell the story that’s written. That’s what we’re doing. No one is coming down to us, trust me! Chris and Dan aren’t calling us going, “Hey, what do you think about this?” They’re not calling any actor, going, “Hey, what do you think about this story?

Hey Sonny, what do you think about being a cowboy?” Do you think he would have been like, “Hey, I can’t wait!” Uh, no, he would not [laughs]! 앮

XJ JOHNSON/JPI

Liars’ Club: DAYS’s Sami (Alison Sweeney) asked Lucas (Bryan R. Dattilo) for help with Nicole.

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL (Katie visits Bill in jail and comments on his prison uniform.)

Bill: “I make these things look good. I might do a photo shoot and put myself on the cover of Eye On Fashion. I’m going to start a trend.”

Katie: “You think this is funny? There’s nothing funny about this.”

Bill: “It’s a little funny.”

DAYS OF OUR LIVES (Sami tries to get a reluctant Lucas to help her get Nicole to confess to adultery.)

Sami: “All you have to do is go to Nicole, wear the wire and convince her that you and I had this huge fight.”

Lucas: “Well, that part is believable.”

(Paulina covers when Chanel sees her secret building plans for Horton Square.)

Paulina: “This isn’t for the Square. This is for a project in Miami. My assis-

tant must have put it in the wrong folder. You know Mary. She’s always messing things up.”

Chanel: “Didn’t she once send your luggage to Paris, Texas, instead of Paris, France?”

Paulina: “Best excuse for a shopping spree ever!”

(Roman greets a beaming Abe.) Roman: “Hey! It is not happy hour yet, partner.”

Abe: “I’m aware of that.”

Roman: “You might want to tell your face.”

(Drug-dealing Dr. Snyder tells Xander, who’s pretending to be a patient, to back off.)

Snyder: “You don’t intimidate, Mr. Cook. It must be the paper gown.”

GENERAL HOSPITAL (While imprisoned, Alexis has a talk-to with fellow inmate Shawn.)

Alexis: “I’m working on a project to keep me out of trouble.”

Shawn: “Is that it? You’re

not trying to stir anything up?”

Alexis: “Shawn, it’s me we’re talking about. Of course, I’m trying to stir things up.”

(They switch topics to their respective kids’ impending arrival.)

Alexis: “Molly’s on her way for a visit, so maybe she can help.”

Shawn: “She must be carpooling with TJ because he scheduled a visit with me tonight, too.”

Alexis: “Aw, isn’t that sweet? Our kids are having a date night visiting their parents in prison.”

(Brook Lynn visits an ailing Chase at GH.) Chase: “Brook Lynn, your timing, as always, is perfect.”

Brook Lynn: “I have never heard that before.”

(Brook Lynn ponders who to contact as she launches her scheme to pass off Maxie’s baby as her own.)

Brook Lynn: “Who do I trust enough to lie to?” 앮 47

THIS WEEK

IN SOAP OPERA

HISTORY Digest looks back on standout moments from the past.

On July 21, 1982, Stephen Schnetzer (pictured with Linda Dano as Felicia) debuted as ANOTHER WORLD’s Cass.

Jensen Buchanan (pictured with Paul Michae Valley as Ryan assumed the role of AW’s Vicky on July 25, 1991

DAYS introduced Patsy Pease as Kimberly on July 24, 1984.

GH’s Lucy (Lynn Herring) and Kevin (Jon Lindstrom) shared their first kiss on July 20, 1994.

48

PAUL SKIPPER/JPI

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

■ Deidre Hall celebrated 45 FLOWER GIRL years of playing Dr. Marlena Evans.

Marlena to do a job I love with people I adore. The cake was delicious and a complete surprise, as was the mosaic and flowers from the fans.”

EXECUTIVE SWEET

Executive Producer Ken Corday was all smiles with the guest of honor.

ALL TOGETHER NOW The cast and crew gathered to congratulate Hall.

JUST FAN-TASTIC! Teresa Hoover (top c.) was the winning bidder to have her photo appear in Digest with DAYS’s (clockwise from top l.) Eric Martsolf (Brady), Paul Telfer (Xander), Jordi Vilasuso (ex-Dario; Rey, Y&R), Kyle Lowder (ex-Rex/Brady), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen) and Mike Manning (ex-Charlie) at a benefit for Southeastern Guide Dogs.

PHOTOS: XJ JOHNSO N/JPI

Shots

DAYS Edition!

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

■ The actors got glammed up to mark the 48th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards excitement

THREE’S COMPANY Stephen Nichols (Steve) was flanked

by Mary Beth Evans (Kayla, l.) and Supporting Actress nominee Tamara Braun (Ava).

GOOD AS GOLD Galen Gering (Rafe) and Camila Banus (Gabi) were on hand to celebrate.

MAN IN BLACK Drake Hogestyn (John) looked spiffy in his tux.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT “Celebrating the Daytime Emmys!” enthused former Lead Actor winner James Reynolds (Abe), with Jackée Harry (Paulina), on Instagram.

51

g n i n w Go

You voted at

Glory #1

soapoperadigest.com!

The top 10 wedding dresses of all time!

FUN FAC T! Then-Costume Designer Lee Smith flew to Paris

to procure the silk tulle he used to construct Hope’s $20,000 gown.

“I love them all!” Alfonso enthused in 2018 of her many ceremonies. “Bo and Hope’s mock wedding in New Orleans, because it all wedding. But then the wedding to Larry.

Everyone wants their hero to show up and Bo showed up! And I loved all my gowns.”

Anna, GH

16%

#2

Date: October 16, 1987

FUN FAC T!

The brooch at the neckline of Anna’s satin and lace belonging to Ian Buchanan (exDuke).

“Whether I always had opinions on stuff like that. But we had a really great wardrobe guy [Bob Miller] and I remember Ian wearing his kilt and I think I had a brooch.”

Laura, GH

15%

Laura’s hand-beaded gown was earmarked for donation to the Smithsonian Institute — but was stolen from the studio. * 30 million people tuned in

#4

* Elizabeth Taylor

guest-starred as Helena Cassadine.

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

#3

Cassie, GUIDING LIGHT Date: July 17, 2000 FUN FAC T! It took three months to complete the beading on this gown, which was done by hand by an artisan who also did beadwork for Bob Mackie and Michael Jackson.

“I was about two months pregnant with [son] Little John and I was growing so fast. We did a bunch of photo shoots after taping the wedding and by the end, that dress wasn’t

MILAZZO/PGP

BOB D’AMICO/ABC

14%

photos. That wedding was amazing. We couldn’t afford to do

#5

13%

NEW WORLD TELEVISION

* The gown then-Costume Designer Richard Bloore cre-

ated for Eden was made from 35 yards of silk peau de soie and was supported by steel hoops; it weighed 40 pounds. * The show traveled to the Stonepine Estate in Carmel Valley, CA, for the nups, with the location standing in for the fictional Pebble Creek hotel where the bride’s parents had honeymooned. * The couple found their luxe, period attire in a trunk of turn-of-the-century wedding costumes and exchanged their vows against a stunning Pacific Ocean backdrop.

#6

5% Estimated to have cost $6,500, Maria’s dress was inspired by the 1950s designs of Dior and Balenciaga.

Erica, AMC Date: June 22, 1993

5%

#7

FUN FAC T! Erica’s mermaidstyle gown, constructed of white lace with a champagne satin lining, was recreated

by Mattel for a Champagne Lace Wedding Erica Kane Doll.

KIMBERLY BUTLER/ABC

#8

Erica (Susan Lucci) and Dimitri (Michael Nader)

3% FUN FAC T! A cluster of beads con-

cealed the zipper on the back of Nina’s gown.

“ABC had just done the 1980 Olympics and they had this trailer with all of the state-of-the-art equipment in it,” recalled Peter Bergman (ex-Cliff; Jack, Y&R) to Digest earlier this year.

“We took that and went up to the beautiful Waveny Mansion in New Canaan, Connecticut, which was used as the exterior of Palmer Cortlandt’s home. Nina came out looking like a million dollars in a carriage drawn by four white stallions.

It was unbelievable. Almost the entire cast was there and we worked through the night. It was exhausting but exciting.”

#9

2%

Julia, AMC Date: June 7,

KATE CONNELL

Julia’s gown was custom-made in-house as a duplicate of what Cinderella wore to the ball in the movie.

“I loved getting to waltz,” Penny shared with Digest in 2005. “It was quite a challenge, actually, because he’s quite a bit taller than me and I had that massively huge skirt on, which kept me a good three feet away from him.”

Vicky (Jensen Buchanan)

Vicky, ANOTHER WORLD Date: November 25, 1997

1%

FUN FAC T!

Inspired by Grace Kelly’s wedding gown, the show used imported cascading down the back cost $75 apiece. amazing wedding experiences,” then-Costume Designer Shawn Reeves told Digest in 2014. “That gown was stunning. The beaded lace was hand-stitched. I absolutely adore Jensen Buchanan.... I knew immediately exactly what I wanted to do for her. I had thought about what Vicky would wear to marry Jake; I knew the silhouette and idea of where I wanted to go with the dress. So, day one, I was out buying fabric.”

#10

Who: DAYS’s Matthew Ashford (Jack),

Bryan R. Dattilo (Lucas), Judi Evans (Bonnie), Billy Flynn (Chad), Victoria Konefal (Ciara) and Eric Martsolf (Brady) What: Celebration 2021 When: Sat.-Sun., Aug 28-29 Where: Radisson Hotel Providence Airport, 208 Post Road, Warwick, RI How: Various events all weekend ranging from $175-$600. Visit starstruckfanevents. com for more info.

Who: DAYS’s Stacy Haiduk (Kristen/

HOWARD WISE/JPI

Susan), Brock Kelly (ex-Evan), Mike Manning (ex-Charlie), Martsolf (Brady), Christopher Sean (ex-Paul), Paul Telfer (Xander) and Jordi Vilasuso (ex-Dario; Rey, Y&R) What: Samantha’s Friends Presents Animal Kindgom When: Sat.-Sun., Sept. 25-26 Where: Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, 7650 Legacy Boulevard, Lakewood Ranch, FL How: Various events; for ticket info and prices, visit samanthas-friends.org.

Aniston

Falconeri Fall: Spend the day with GH’s Lisa LoCicero (Olivia) and Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) in AZ.

Who: GH’s Chad Duell (Michael) and Josh

Swickard (Chase) What: Meet and Greet When: Sun., Oct. 17 Where: Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club, 518 Arnold Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ How: Hang with the duo for 90 minutes of fan fun plus photos and autographs after the show. For pricing and more info, go to coastalentertainment.com/events.

Who: GH’s Kathleen Gati (Obrecht), Lisa

LoCicero (Olivia), James Patrick Stuart (Valentin), Cynthia Watros (Nina) and Dominic Zamprogna (Dante, GH), plus two more to be announced What: GH Fantasy When: Sun., Nov. 7 Where: Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel Tempe, 1600 South 52nd Street, Tempe, AZ How: Come for a star-studded afternoon, featuring Camila Banus autographs, photo (Gabi, DAYS) 7/22 ops and a 90-minute John Aniston show. Platinum and (Victor, DAYS) 7/24 VIP tickets available.

Katherine For more info, go to Kelly Lang coastalentertainment.

(Brooke, B&B) com/events.

STEVEN BERGMAN

calendar

AGREED TO DIVORCE GENERAL HOSPITAL Nikolas Cassadine

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

SCORECARD

Digest Keeps You Up-To-Date

Explanation Necessary: B&B’s Justin (Aaron D. Spears) found himself in the hot seat.

ANNOUNCED MERGER HOWARD WISE/JPI

YOUNG AND RESTLESS Ashland Locke and Victoria Newman

ARRESTED DAYS OF OUR LIVES

CONFESSED

OUT OF TOWN

GENERAL HOSPITAL

YOUNG AND RESTLESS

Maxie Jones

Mariah Copeland

ENGAGED

RECONCILED

DAYS OF OUR LIVES

GENERAL HOSPITAL

Eric Brady

Justin Kiriakis and Bonnie Lockhart

Josslyn Jacks and Cameron Webber

BOUGHT OFF

HIRED

DAYS OF OUR LIVES

GENERAL HOSPITAL

RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL

Xander Kiriakis

Austin Gatlin-Holt

YOUNG AND RESTLESS

Xander Kiriakis

BACK IN TOWN GENERAL HOSPITAL Spencer Cassadine

DAYS OF OUR LIVES

BUSTED BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Justin Barber

GENERAL HOSPITAL Judge Carson

CHARGES DROPPED BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Bill Spencer Liam Spencer

Chelsea Lawson

KISSED GENERAL HOSPITAL

TRANSFERRED TO PCPD

Dante Falconeri and Samantha McCall

GENERAL HOSPITAL Shawn Butler and Alexis Davis

FLASHBACK TRIVIA

Why did Y&R’s Victoria move to Italy in 2003?

Turn to page 64 to find out.

57

bold While visiting chez Forrester, Brooke questions why Eric hasn’t taken down Quinn’s portrait.

Despite everything that has happened, Ridge remains confident that Carter is a good man. Brooke blames Quinn for everything, but Eric is unsure what to think of Carter at this point.

FACE THE MUSIC Carter and Quinn see each other for the first time since the disastrous vow renewal, as Quinn packs up her belongings from the office.

Carter shares that he is writing his resignation letter. Quinn urges Carter to be honest with Eric,

FREE AT LAST Hope and Thomas try to prove Liam’s innocence, but Baker tells them that it’s too late: Liam is being transferred to a different facility and charged with a felony. Baker asks to see the video that will exonerate Liam, but Thomas says he no longer has it. Suddenly, an officer drops off a lost phone that was turned in, and Thomas realizes it’s his. He plays the video for Baker.

Thomas and Hope implore Baker to stop Liam’s transfer. Hope sees Liam being led to the transport van and chases after him. Hope announces the charges against him have been dropped and he is a free man. Liam is overjoyed to be reunited with Hope. Baker brings in Bill and Liam, and explains the details of Vinny’s video.

The Spencer men are released from custody. Once Liam is home with and reunited with his children, Hope recounts how Thomas saved the day after Justin held him prisoner. Liam thanks Thomas for all he did to set him free.

and that perhaps he will understand. Carter arrives at Eric’s, where Eric

flashback to 1992 The Ex Files: Taylor’s abusive first husband, Blake Hayes (Peter Brown, r.), used Bill, Sr.’s (Jim Storm) long-lost daughter Karen (Joanna Johnson) to try to lure Taylor away from Ridge.

GERALDINE OVERTON/CBS

AFTERMATH

beautiful

expresses his disappointment in him. Carter is taken aback when Eric reveals he is not accepting his resignation, but instead tasks Carter with representing him in his divorce. Eric then hands Quinn’s portrait to Carter and tells him to throw it in the trash. Eric adds that Carter must stay away from Quinn as part of the terms of his employment, and he can never see her again.

CHATTY CATTY Brooke and Quinn argue about Quinn’s role in the Forrester family. Brooke gloats that

CBS • CBS • CBS

WHAT WI HAPPE

With Zoe gone, will Paris and Zende (Delon de Metz) officially become a couple? Diamond White (Paris) hints: “We will have to see. There is definitely an attraction and where it goes from there, who knows?”

HOWARD WISE/JPI

Quinn’s manipulations ultimately led to the downfall of Quinn’s marriage.

Brooke takes pleasure in telling Quinn that Eric will never forgive her.

COMING CLEAN Thomas explains to Bill, Katie and Wyatt how Justin attempted to make a move and take over Spencer Publications. Justin walks in and confirms that Thomas is telling the truth. He then offers a heartfelt apology.

Bill extends his hand to Thomas in gratitude, then unleashes his fury at Justin for his betrayal. Justin explains why he did what he did and apologizes, but Bill refuses to offer forgiveness.

bility that Zoe may never return to L.A. ... Steffy and Finn name their son Hayes Forrester-Finnegan.

DRAWN TOGETHER Quinn goes to see Carter, even though they know they shouldn’t be together.

The duo realizes that it’s going to be difficult to keep their distance. Carter apologizes to Quinn, then reveals that he will be representing Eric in their divorce. Carter reports that Eric didn’t fire him but that he was told not to see her anymore. A deflated Quinn gets even more upset when she sees her portrait in the corner of Carter’s loft. She is touched when Carter says he was unable to dispose of it.

IN BRIEF Paris asks Zende how he feels about the possi-

A NEW ALLIANCE Justin arrives at

• Quinn and Carter explore their relationship options.

• Paris pays a visit to Steffy, Finn and Hayes.

• Quinn and Carter share an epic and defining moment.

Ridge’s office just as he and Thomas are discussing Vinny’s death and Justin’s recent actions.

Justin asks to speak with them before they go to the police, saying he’d like to make a deal. Justin gets Ridge’s attention when he mentions retribution against Bill. Justin then offers Ridge access to inside information about Bill’s dealings, as long as Ridge doesn’t press charges against Justin. As Ridge considers the offer, Justin presents Ridge with 앮 a gift.

Executive Producer/ Head Writer: Bradley Bell

59

days HIRE POWER Ciara goes to hire Belle to force Ben to give her the divorce she wants in court, but Belle says no.

She shares news of her engagement to Theo with Shawn, but he surprises her by not giving his blessing. Shawn thinks Ciara belongs with Ben. Claire shows up and agrees. Later, Ben goes to hire Justin to take his side in the divorce ... and runs into Ciara, who had the same idea. Justin refuses to represent either one of them.

Chad is thrilled when Theo visits. As they play chess and catch up, Theo explains that he and Ciara are engaged, but is concerned Ciara might get her

lives ON THE CASE Jack suspects that Gwen might be hiding something about her relationship with Dr. Snyder. Jack vows to do whatever he can to help her and Xander if they are in trouble.... Xander and Gwen argue, then wind up in a sudden kiss. Julie interrupts and blasts them.... Jack asks Steve if he can look into whatever Xander and Gwen are hiding about Snyder.... Julie reports to Eli that she believes Gwen and Xander killed Dr. Snyder....

Sami offers Xander a million dollars in exchange for admitting on tape that he and Nicole slept together.

Xander agrees.... Eli questions Gwen again about Dr. Snyder’s death, and Gwen throws Xander under the bus. Eli speaks to Xander.... Sami arrives with the money and Gwen tells her Xander’s been arrested.

memory back.

Later, Sami sneaks downstairs to burn the evidence, but after Sami is gone, Lucas removes the missive from the flames.

FEEL THE BURN EJ almost catches Sami with the incriminating letter from Kristen, but Sami turns up the heat and leads him upstairs to make love.

WEDDING PLANNER

flashback to 2016

HOWARD WISE/JPI

Be Mine:

60

Bonnie reveals to Kayla that she is going to propose to Justin and asks Kayla to be her matron of honor. Kayla wishes her luck. Later, Bonnie asks Justin if he’ll marry her, and he says no. Before he can explain, she rushes out. Justin catches up to her, gets down on one knee and proposes. He clarifies that he only turned her down because he wanted to be the one to pop the question. They make love, and Bonnie tells Justin that she asked Kayla to be her matron of honor.

XJ JOHNSON/JPI

“Bonnie is someone who just turns Justin’s world upside down, and I think in the spirit of that, atypically, he throws caution to the wind and proposes.”

THREE’S A CROWD Allie and Chanel talk about their kiss from the night before. Chanel admits she might have feelings for Allie, and Allie surprises her by admitting she feels the same way. However, she also has feelings for Tripp.

Tripp arrives. After Chanel leaves, Allie confesses that she and Chanel kissed. Nevertheless, she tells Tripp that she wants to make love and he spends the night.

Chanel runs into Theo and impulsively kisses him. He reveals that he’s engaged to Ciara.

SQUARED OFF Marlena and John try to cheer up Abe, who explains how he’s trying to stop the demolition of the square, but there’s nothing he can do.

Lani blasts Paulina again for her betrayal.

After, Paulina leaves and runs into Chanel. She offers to put the bakery

inside Price Town, but Chanel wants nothing to do with her and flees.

FIGHT BACK Jake grouses to Gabi that he wishes he had used Kristen’s letter against EJ when he had the chance. Gabi suggests that he work with her at Gabi Chic instead, which they can use to take down Basic Black, take over Titan and eventually, DiMera.

FACT FINDERS Nicole asks Theo to help her contact Kristen.

Lucas overhears and wonders what’s up. Nicole confesses she wanted to ask Kristen if it was true that Sami and Lucas slept together, and vows to find the truth.

Lucas calls Sami and asks what happened with the letter. She tells him she destroyed it.

Nicole laments that it’s her first anniversary and she’s alone. She heads

NBC • NBC • NBC

WHAT WI HAPPE

Why does Justin ask Bonnie (Judi Evans) to marry him? Wally Kurth says:

• EJ questions Sami.

• Paulina drops a bombshell.

• Nicole and Sami face off. for her. They share a joyous reunion, then decide to have an impromptu anniversary party at the pub.

ONCE MORE, WITH FEELING Lucas is about to give EJ the letter Kristen wrote but decides to keep mum. After, EJ tells Kate he suspects Lucas has feelings for Sami.

Lucas tells Philip about his affair with Sami, and the letter. Philip suggests that if Lucas wants Sami back, he should make sure EJ sees the letter, as long as it can never be traced back to him.

Philip takes Chloe to work and outstays his welcome, annoying Brady.

Later, Brady gets a text from Eric about the anniversary party and asks Chloe if she wants to go 앮 with him.

Executive Producer: Ken Corday Head Writer: Ron Carlivati

61

general hospital On the pier, Dante ends up falling into the water with Sam. After, he takes Sam to Charlie’s to sober up and as they watch the fireworks together, he impulsively kisses her.

They are both thrown, and she hurries off. Back on the docks, Finn starts to tell Liz how important she has become to him, then realizes she’s snoozing.

COLD COMFORT At the Metro Court, Jax blasts Carly for solidifying her status in the mob by marrying Jason. Britt is brusque when Carly tries to give her a better understanding of why she and Jason are marrying. Jax and

HOSPITAL ROUNDS Monica takes the news of Jason and Carly’s engagement surprisingly well. Portia pledges her support for Terry’s bid to become Chief of Staff. After Britt hires Austin on at the hospital, he tries to charm Carly and brings up the Michael Corinthos wing; she is suspicious. Liz and Finn ponder moving Peter’s body and hit a roadblock when they learn that all of G.H.’s security cameras are back on. Maxie forgives Anna for lying to her about Peter, and is alarmed to learn that Austin is sticking around in Port Charles.

Britt agree that sleeping together was a one-time thing. Unaware of this, Jason warns Jax not to hurt Britt. Obrecht tries to comfort her daughter.

SIGNING BONUS Curtis asks Jordan why she hasn’t signed the divorce papers and blindsides her by copping

flashback to 2012

Display Case: Sam (Kelly Monaco) and John McBain (Michael Easton) shared their first kiss while watching the fireworks on the 4th of July.

62

to his feelings for Portia.

She is more stung when she realizes he thinks she tried to warn Portia off.

Curtis realizes Stella was to blame and confronts her, then urges Portia to give their relationship a shot. Martin, who’s in cahoots with TJ and Molly, secretly records Judge Carson making incriminating comments. Jordan reports the evidence to the judicial review board and arranges for Alexis and Shawn to be transferred to the PCPD. Shawn and Jordan discuss clearing his name in Hayden’s shooting. Curtis enters to apologize to Jordan and has a friendly reunion with Shawn.

She says she’ll sign the papers right away; he counters that there’s no rush.

HOWARD WISE/JPI

SUPER SOAKERS

How does Jordan feel when she finds out about Curtis’s (Donnell Turner) interest in Portia? Briana Nicole Henry says: “I think she’s mad! I think she’s shocked, I think she’s disappointed, especially because he kind of comes at her like, ‘Did you dissuade Portia from being with me?’ It’s like, ‘Oh, so you’re not even here to tell me that you’re dating a woman that I’ve started to befriend. You’re mad at me because said woman isn’t talking to you right now?’ As Briana and as Jordan, I was like, ‘That’s insulting!’ ”

THE PRODIGAL SON RETURNS Nikolas reluctantly agrees to divorce Ava, who moves in with Nina temporarily. Portia picks up on Trina’s crush on “Victor”. Trina tips off “Victor” about the police finding the stalker’s bootprint, so he surreptitiously ditches the boots.

At Wyndemere, Nikolas is telling Laura how much he regrets the distance between him and Spencer when “Victor” — who is really Spencer! — saunters in.

KISS AND TELL Josslyn plants a passionate kiss on Cameron and they agree to explore

a romantic relationship....

Anna shares an awkward post-kiss cross with Valentin.... Dante escorts Alexis to G.H. to get her wrist checked out. Sam shows up; they are both dismayed to learn that Austin is on staff. Dante tries to talk to Sam about their lip lock, but senses her discomfort and drops it.

CALL, WAITING “Mike” shares a warm phone call with Nina, then braces himself for an update on Lenny’s health....

Lacking confidence in her ability to stay away from her baby, Maxie informs Brook Lynn that she’s leaving town. Maxie then

ABC • ABC • ABC

XJ JOHNSON/JPI

WHAT WI HAPPE • Sam questions Jason’s motives.

• Phyllis gives a protective warning about Nina.

• Brando gets to the bottom of Sasha’s hesitation. blurts out the truth about “Bailey” to a shocked Nina.

FAMILY BUSINESS The Quartermaines meet to vote Valentin out as CEO of ELQ. Ned hedges about taking the reins, reluctant to grow further apart from Olivia. Liv surprises him by saying she’s on board with him serving as CEO. As the group (including Valentin) prepares to vote, Scott bursts in and declares that a family member is missing.

Austin walks in and the family is stunned when he introduces himself.... 앮 Executive Producer: Frank Valentini Co-Head Writers: Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor

63

young

restless

SHADY LADY

MARIAH CARRIED AWAY

Harrison is introduced to Ashley and Traci....

Tara asks Billy to exercise restraint in terms of mentioning Harrison in any future ChancComm articles. Ashley, Traci and Billy question Tara about her family and plans for the future.... Billy advises Kyle to be cautious with Tara.

Lily asks Nina to write a series of feature stories for ChancComm focusing on the old guard vs. the new guard in the business world.... Abby tells Tessa and Sharon that Jack said Mariah took a few days off for some exploratory meetings she set up out of town.... Stitch informs Sharon that he may be returning to Genoa City for a job.... In the Chancellor living room, Devon diffuses tension between Abby and Tessa as they try to figure out why Mariah abruptly left town without letting them know.... After hearing about Mariah, Stitch tells Abby that he’s here for whatever she needs.

ANITA HELP While spending time with Chelsea and Connor in the park, Adam shares that her mom is in the hospital with a broken hip and is asking for Chelsea to help with her recovery. Chelsea asks Adam if Connor can come with her but he turns her down.

Anita. She visits Sharon at the coffeehouse to make amends. Later, Sharon suggests to Adam that he allow Connor to go with his mom.

Chelsea is thrilled when Adam grants permission for Connor to accompany her, but when Victor hears about it, he demands that his grandson stay in town.

requests that Nick go easy on Kyle before they share a heartfelt good-bye.

Phyllis surprises Nick with her unexpected arrival and they make love.

After, Phyllis surmises that there’s more to the story of why Summer left Kyle and Genoa City.

BOY AND HOW ITALIAN HOLIDAY In Milan, Summer

SAD NOTE

Chelsea is released from the hospital to care for

Nikki assures Victoria that she’ll keep the merger plans a secret. Nikki expresses her concern to Victoria about her emotional tie to Ashland since he’s dying.

Alone, Victoria imagines Ashland agreeing to treatment so he can live longer.

flashback to 2003

64

CAUGHT ON TAPE JESSE GRANT/JPI

Arrivederci!

Victoria (thenHeather Tom) was so disillusioned by Victor’s (Eric Braeden) illegal business activities that she moved to Italy, where she lived for two years.

Tara asks Sally to take a video of her playing with Harrison in the park. Ashland arrives to see Harrison and suddenly has trouble breathing. He asks Tara and

Why does Chelsea bother with apologizing to Sharon (Sharon Case, l.)? Melissa Claire Egan responds: “Chelsea wants to own that she really messed up and at least try making amends by asking for forgiveness.”

Kyle to keep Harrison away from him. Later, Sally tells Tara that she accidentally recorded the whole incident with Ashland. Tara sends the video from Sally’s phone to herself before deleting it.

COP OUT At the coffeehouse, Rey tells Chelsea, Sharon, Adam and Victor that he’s been appointed as Chelsea’s police escort out of town. Adam overrules Victor’s objection to Connor going with Chelsea.

FRIEND ZONE Moses asks Faith about what they are to each other; she hopes they can take things slowly.

At Society, Elena observes Imani flirting with Nate again. Nate tells Elena that he has some good news, but can’t share it yet. Moses is discouraged about what happened with Faith, so Elena advises him not to give up.

HOWARD WISE/JPI

LAWYER UP Sutton questions Amanda about her plan for Naya’s court case but Amanda won’t offer any details. Amanda next asks Lily for help in researching Sutton’s past. Lily suggests Amanda request Victor’s assistance.

Billy and Lily receive the video of Ashland and debate publishing it.

Later, Ashland tips an announcement in the morning of a personal and business nature.

Meanwhile, Jack asks Sally if she saw anyone filming Ashland at the park. Sally later confronts Tara about leaking the video, unaware they’re being watched by Billy.

KEY TO LOCKE Billy mentions to Phyllis that he saw Tara and Sally interacting in the park.... Billy tells Lily that Phyllis has a plan regarding Tara and Sally.... Phyllis suggests to Tara that things may have worked out the way they were supposed to for Summer and Kyle. Still, Phyllis is 앮 suspicious of Tara.

Executive Producer: Anthony Morina Head Writer: Josh Griffith

FROM A DISTANCE

9 4 8 1 7 2 5 3 6

CBS • CBS • CBS

Via livestream from Newman, Victoria and Ashland announce the merger of their companies.

Ashland also reveals that he’s fighting a serious illness. After, Victoria invites Ashland to live with her and admits she may be falling for him.

SUDOKU ANSWERS

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6 7 5 2 4 1 8 9 3

k s as u

When were Brady and Chloe married on DAYS? Thanks.

Gennifer T., via email

A The duo tied the knot in September

2005 and split in 2008.

Q

On B&B, didn’t Justin once kiss another woman while he was married to Donna? I’m almost certain he did.

Mary B., via email A Yes, in 2011, with a doctor named Malaika

who Justin had known in South Africa. When Donna almost caught them smooching, Justin became distant and realized that he and Donna only wed in order to give their son, Marcus, the family he never had growing up. Later that year, Donna and Justin amicably split.

Q

I’ve been rewatching the first season of HAPPY DAYS and I remember Tom Bosley once appeared

I just saw a recent picture of Steve Bond [ex-Jimmy Lee, GH] and I swear he looks so much like Gregory Harrison [Gregory, GH]. Could you please run photos of them?

Thanks!

Madolyn S., via email

PAUL SKIPPER/JPI

Loving You: DAYS’s Brady (then-Kyle Lowder) and Chloe (Nadia Bjorlin) tied the knot in 2005.

on PORT CHARLES. Who did he play? It was so long ago I forget. And while I’m asking, who else in the original cast did a soap?

R.M., via email A Bosley (Mr. C.) guested on PC in Febru-

ary 1999 as an angel named Bert in a fantasy episode when he escorted Eve to heaven after she appeared to have perished in an avalanche. As for the other original cast members, Erin Moran (Joanie) appeared on B&B in November 2009 as Kelly DeMartin, an old friend of the Logans who reunited with her former neighbors when Katie returned to her childhood home to wed Bill. Years later, Don Most (Ralph Malph) did several episodes of B&B in August 2017 as a handyman called in to fix the faulty wiring in the old Spectra building. And here’s a fun fact: Years before Henry Winkler rose to superstardom as Fonzie, his first TV gig was playing an intern on ANOTHER WORLD in 1972.

Bond

Harrison

played at Society on May 28 in honor of Neil, the song is titled “A Life Well Lived” by one of Y&R’s composers, Brad Hatfield. A recording of the song can be found at distrokid.com/hyperfollow/ bradhatfield/a-life-well-lived.

Q

Is Kathleen Gati’s German accent authentic, or is she just playing the role of GH’s Liesl Obrecht with an accent? If not, she does the role so well. I also read somewhere that she does the voices in some audio books.

Can you tell me more about her?

Renee G., Washington Twp., MI A The accent Gati employs as Obrecht is

not her natural accent, and she described it to Digest in 2014 as a blend of Swiss, British and German. Gati herself was born in Canada to Hungarian parents, and was raised in Victoria, BC. She is fluent in five languages, and can speak “some” German, as well.

She has lent her vocal talents to dozens of audiobooks, including such recent titles as The Gambler Wife, Teaflet and Roog Make a Mess, Benjamin’s Crossing and The Blackbird Girls.

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

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SOAP OPERA DIGEST

Q

Please give the name of the piano solo Nikki played on Y&R. I would appreciate it.

B.M., via email A If you’re referring to the piece Nikki

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HOT STUFF

XJ JOHNSON/JPI

First off, I want to give a shout-out to both Camila Banus [Gabi] and Brandon Barash [Jake; ex-Stefan] from DAYS. They have carried the “Stabi” and “Jabriela” pairings on their backs with their sizzling chemistry. It is the reason their pairing still gets buzz, even through storylines where some days are good, some are bad and other days are ugly. It is because of their commitment and dedication that we, the fans, do not give up on their pairing. Also, we want to see them in their own storyline battling internal angst and

not just third-party or business angst. They have so much potential. Gabi and Jake deserve a fair chance.

They have been through so much and deserve a bit of happiness. We don’t mind angst but there has to be a good balance of happy and angsty moments for them.

Chemistry can’t be the only thing to carry them through. We recently saw Jake finally choose Gabi, as he should have a long time ago because we knew it’s always been Gabi for him. Those scenes were so good and really delved into the deeper, emotional tone of the pairing. Those are the moments we truly

“I want to give a shout-out to both Camila Banus [Gabi] and Brandon Barash [Jake; ex-Stefan] from DAYS. They have carried the ‘Stabi’ and ‘Jabriela’ pairings on their backs with their sizzling chemistry.”

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love and want to see more of for “Jabriela”.

Ray in NJ

THEY GO TOGETHER I am a huge fan of the Michael and Willow pairing on GH. They have so much in common, but it’s not too much to the point where they are each other’s twin. Willow is the only person that truly got what Michael was going through, and vice versa.

Michael has a rough love life and deserves to be happy. He wants to be with Willow, so he should. Willow and Michael have been through so much together and their chemistry is undeniable. If someone can’t see their chemistry, they are a biased “Chillow” or Chase fan. Now for Wiley. Yes, divorce happens. But at his age, wouldn’t he have been very confused about why his mom lives right by his dad but they’re not together?

Not to mention, the kid has already had so much change in his life, it would be nice for something to stay the same.

The writers have made it clear that they are having Michael and Willow be the couple, as Brando and Sasha are grow-

they are moving into a storyline with Brook Lynn and Chase as a couple.

Mel R., via email

MOURNING STORY Just a quick note to thank you for pointing out how GH’s Elizabeth was missing from her own storyline following Franco’s death.

You’re the only one who mentioned it, besides the fans. For some reason, the writers decided it would be better to have Elizabeth help Finn save Chase instead of giving her a story to grieve and accept her husband’s death. GH didn’t give viewers enough time and scenes to mourn Franco alongside the characters who mourned him. Now, four months later, we’re being told to move on even if the show skipped over the grief part.

I’m not ready for Elizabeth, or Austin, to have new romantic pairings, either. I’ll just patiently wait for Becky Herbst [Liz] and Roger

ABC

[Howarth, Austin; exFranco] to be paired again.

I hope SOD will remember how GH didn’t let Elizabeth and “Friz” fans grieve when you do your year-end Best & Worst edition.

Valerie, via email

A TIME FOR SAM Fans of GH’s Sam would really love to know where her storyline is. The love of her life came back and she broke things off with his brother, then she has to “find herself” for a whole year before finally getting back together with Jason. Just when they get back together, the Shiloh storyline takes over! Jason saves her from Shiloh three times after Sam saved her sister from the creep! Then Sam saved Jason from Shiloh and gets thrown in prison because Peter set her up, only to be released and still taken away from Jason by the

she broke things off with Jason; then her dad died and her mom lost it from her drinking and was thrown in jail! So why isn’t Sam suffering from PTSD and in counseling from all this?! It would make a great storyline, not just her in counseling, but Maxie and Liz too from what Peter did to them! It would make a good storyline for Kevin and for the women! We need better for these women who aren’t getting a good storyline!

A concerned fan of the GH underdogs

NETWORK ADDRESSES ■ BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL/ YOUNG AND RESTLESS c/o CBS-TV 7800 Beverly Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90036 ■ DAYS OF OUR LIVES c/o NBC-TV 3000 West Alameda Ave., Burbank, CA 91505 ■ GENERAL HOSPITAL c/o ABC-TV 4151 Prospect Ave. Hollywood, CA 90027 69

SOAP OPERA DIGEST

“Just a quick note to thank you for pointing out how GH’s Elizabeth [Rebecca Herbst] was missing from her own storyline following Franco’s [Roger Howarth] death.”

S.H. in Boston, MA writes, “As much as I am enjoying Y&R’s Adam’s newfound relationship with his brother, Nick, I would love to see Adam hook up with Phyllis. Yes, it would probably be the unhealthiest relationship in the history of soaps, but Mark Grossman [Adam] and Michelle Stafford [Phyllis] have had mad chemistry right from the start — and wouldn’t it be fun to see Victor and Victoria and the rest of the Newman family all go crazy? Not to mention Sharon, Billy and Chelsea?” Ash in CA emails, “After hearing about how the contract negotiations between Y&R’s Hunter King [Summer] and Michael Mealor [Kyle] have taken a turn for the worse, I am honestly upset and hope the show realizes that they have two young, amazing actors that bring so much to the show, and they cannot afford to lose these two.” Alin B. adds, “With so much going on in

the world right now, Hunter King and Michael Mealor in their roles as Summer and Kyle on Y&R bring so much light to the dullness. To say I was infuriated and upset to read that they may both be leaving the show is an understatement. As an avid fan and dedicated ‘Skyle’ follower, I am writing to you all the way from Melbourne, Australia to express just how big of a mistake it will be to let them go. Y&R is not just a show, it is a second family to so many young viewers

such as myself. I look up to these characters. They are a huge part of the reason I love this show so much and are my motivation for sticking with Y&R for over a decade.

They deserve to stay on this show. We as fans deserve to watch them grow together.”

YOU SAID IT! “I religiously watch DAYS every day. Never miss an episode. But did I miss something with Sarah disappearing? Her family and Kayla at work haven’t heard from her, but no one wonders where she is or why she left her job so suddenly for no other job?”

— Mercy in AZ

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