Eileen Davidson Talks About Her Shocking Departure From Days of Our Lives!
Eileen Davidson has chosen to leave her role as villainess Kristen DiMera on DAYS and will last be seen during November sweeps. TV Guide landed the first exit interview with the actress, who reveals why she's taking a hike from a gig that's winning her wide acclaim.TV Guide: Everyone's in a tizzy with the news of your departure. So give us the deets.
Davidson: It was nothing financial. I've known about this since last March when they came to renegotiate my deal. We discussed it for, like, a minute, but then I told them I really felt the need to leave. They've asked me to stay quiet about it since I'll still be on the air for another three or four months. But then I saw that [executive producer] Ken Corday spilled the beans, so the word is out.
TV Guide: Steve Burton has 20 days a month off at Y&R. Why couldn't Sony work a similar deal?
Davidson: It's just not feasible. At Days they work around other people like that and I have no bad feelings about it, but that's just not me. I don't want to keep the show from doing what it needs to do in order to stay on the air. And you can't put Kristen on the back burner because then there's no point to her. She's always got that foot on the pedal, and that's exhausting.
Even when we were dark one week a month, I'd go home with 10 scripts. I was driving my son to school or taking him on outings, and always had scripts with me in the car. My stepsons are both going to be in college, as of this year, and I've been watching their lives fly by because I am at work. I needed to get off the train for a minute.
TV Guide: Just for a minute? So then you might come back?
Davidson: I'm not leaving Days to go to another show, nor am I retiring. When I told Eric Martsolf [Brady] I was leaving, the first thing out of his mouth was, "Oh, you're going back to Y&R." No, I'm not. But there's another big reason I feel it's time to leave Days. The characters I play there have a very short shelf life. How can you have Kristen keep doing her shenanigans year after year without it getting old? I'm actually kind of excited about being in such a not-knowing place!
TV Guide: Are you sorry you didn't get a chance to really take a crack at Susan again?
Davidson: Well, I did Kristen's very loose impression of a Susan-type person. I was super open to playing Susan again, or even Sister Mary Moira, especially now that they have that great rectory set. But then, without having [the late Days head writer] Jimmy Reilly around, I don't know if we should really go there. We did a little nod to him and I think that it was just right.
TV Guide: How would you describe the remaining months of your run?
Davidson: I've had directors and others at the show say they've read my last month of shows and they call it great, epic soap opera, as only Days and a character like Kristen can do. I was really blown away by it myself. It's pretty amazing. I'm not sure how they're going to tie it all up because they've cast someone who kind of looks like me — and I don't know what that means or how she'll be used. But, obviously, Kristen is not being considered over and done. I'm definitely not saying no to coming back but, right now, I'm in a place of great gratitude that, at my age, I can make these kinds of life decisions. I can say "This is what I want" and "This is what I don't want." [Laughs] And I am loving that!
Eric Braeden (Victor) revealed on Twitter that Michael Damian (Danny) would be back on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS very soon. "He'll be on the show in a few weeks," Braeden posted. For his part, Damian tweeted: "I am a man of mystery and I am not allowed to confirm."
Most likely Danny is returning for Katherine's memorial service, so expect some more familiar faces to be popping back up in Genoa City in the near future!
Prospect Park's The OnLine Network (TOLN) today announced the first season finales of ONE LIFE TO LIVE on Monday, August 19th and ALL MY CHILDREN on Monday, September 2nd.
Both of these iconic series, which premiered to great fanfare this past April, have consistently ranked in the Top 10 on iTunes, Hulu and Hulu Plus, and have had "tens of millions of views since their historic online debut" according to Prospect Park.
TOLN also announced that future seasons of the shows will benefit from the launch of a new, user-friendly web portal and app that will make it even easier for fans to connect with their favorite characters and will take their level of interaction to a whole new level.
"We could not be more proud to have delivered a stunning season of ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE, and really thank the creative teams and cast for being true partners in this journey. Together we have tackled more business, creative, and logistical challenges than most shows experience in a lifetime of production, yet we continue to prevail with these top rated, critically acclaimed shows,” said Prospect Park's Jeff Kwatinetz. “We are prepping now for next season and have more surprises and twists and turns to deliver audiences—I am just hoping they stay on the soaps and not in our way.”
Season Finale Previews:
The first season of ALL MY CHILDREN wraps up by answering many of the seasons burning questions. Will Angie and Jesse finally bring home Cassandra after her horrific journey? Will the ordeal bring them closer or is Jesse keeping another secret that could put his family in jeopardy? Will Pete finally end up with Celia or do Colby and Opal have other plans? And what of Dimitri’s feelings for Brooke? Miranda’s for AJ? Zach’s for Kendall? And is there a big surprise in store for Cara, JR and David about Oliver? Lots of action to come.
This season of ONE LIFE TO LIVE wraps as the entire town of Llanview attends the annual Man of the Year Gala. Viki and Dorian, co-chairs of the planning committee, hope that the event will go off without a hitch. However, with the conflicts between many of the characters brewing to the surface, that looks nearly impossible. Fireworks explode and it all comes to a head with the shocking return of a fan favorite in a big way. Everything comes to a head on the season finale of ONE LIFE TO LIVE!
She's still lying in a coma on The Young and the Restless but, in real life, two-time Emmy winner Michelle Stafford is kicking ass and taking names — as always. Her new comedy webseries The Stafford Project (MichelleStafford.com), which debuts Aug. 5, skewers reality TV, Hollywood agents and even Stafford's own adorably sad love life. TV Guide scored an exclusive sneak peek at the first two episodes and a one-on-one with the lady herself, who tells us why she has chosen to exit her crazy-popular role as Y&R's Phyllis (her last airdate is Friday, Aug. 2) and why her millions of disappointed fans shouldn't be hating the powers that be.
TV Guide: Congrats on The Stafford Project! It's terrific and audacious and so, well...you! As we know, there's never a dull moment in the life of Michelle Stafford. Is that why you're turning it into a web series?
Stafford: A primary reason I have left Y&R is that I want to do comedy. I decided I needed to create something for myself, and you write what you know, right? I teamed up with my two friends, Paige Long and Paige Dorian, and we came up with The Stafford Project as a way of finding the humor in all the degrading things that happen to me. I just lead that kind of life. Things go wrong. Things blow up in my face. But even the most difficult things in my life are riddled with comedy, like how hard I tried to have a child. I went through years of literal hell — seven surgeries and nine different adoption cycles all of which failed. I was constantly being told I was an old bitch, that my eggs were as old as the hills. Then there was the in-vitro doctor who, after giving me two surgeries and looking up my vag every other day, suddenly revealed that he had feelings for me. Plus there's all the reaction and the criticism I get because I'm not married. "How come you're single?""What kind of a loser must you be?""There must be something wrong! Are you a closet lesbian?" And most of this comes from other single women, or women who are in a miserable marriage! It's insane! At the time, none of it seems funny. In fact, it's pretty horrific. But now that I have some distance and a beautiful daughter [Natalia Scout Lee, 3, who was born via surrogate using Stafford's fertilized embryo], I am able to look back at everything and find the humor in it all. And I do know how to tell a good story! So I thought, why not turn all this into a web show? Self-deprecation is my friend.
TV Guide: Does this series feel like therapy to you?
Stafford: It's very therapeutic! Maybe it will help other women, too. There's such torment attached to being single and trying to find a man these days. Torment! In the second episode I go on this date from hell that actually happened to me. We've all had them, but you keep on trying. This series is about Michelle Stafford but exaggerated elements of me. It's got heart. You root for her to succeed because she has so much hope. If you don't have hope you just look like a stupid woman who keeps dating tools. I also throw in the fact that I'm in my 40s and how I don't want to admit that. Society has decided that it's all over for me when, in fact, I'm still feeling like a hot bitch. I'm still getting my groove on!
TV Guide: You also don't hesitate to savage your agents. The opening episode has them convincing you that soaps are over and that you must do a reality show to save your career. Any of that true?
Stafford: That's not a conversation I've ever had with my own agent but it's definitely a reflection of the way people perceive soaps. It's the same ole bandwagon bulls--t you keep hearing in this business — that soaps are dead. Meanwhile, everyone's still looking for their 10 percent commission. My agent on The Stafford Project is named Steve and so is my real agent, who watched the first episode and was just filled with criticism. He did not find it lovely. I'm going to have to give him some time.
TV Guide: In the series, you reluctantly go ahead with a reality show. Are you one of those actors who hates reality TV and all it stands for?
Stafford: Not at all! Hey, I watch The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and get off on the fact that they're all rich and miserable. What's that one broad's name? Linda Vandertrump? I love looking into her closet! I fantasize about having a closet just like that. So, even though a lot of actors hate this reality s--t, I totally get the appeal.
TV Guide: You've cast your daughter in the series. Does she have any clue...
Stafford: That I'm exploiting her? [Laughs] I just know I'm going to be killed for putting her in this project! But you know what? I don't care. I've been made fun of so much because of the way I created my child. I went out and got some sperm on my own, like on a damn soap opera! I already know I'm going to be ridiculed. There are some groups who think the way I conceived my daughter is a sin. That's fine. They can think what they want. My daughter is absolutely f--king amazing and she's having a good time on this show. She's actually the best actor in the group. She knows her lines. She improvs well. She's having a blast! [Laughs] And when she's older she can look back at all this and complain about how her horrible mother shoved her into show biz!
TV Guide: Let's talk about your departure from Y&R. Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night wondering, "What the hell have I done?"
Stafford: Not at all, but I do wake up going, "Wow. It's really, really over. I'm not on the show anymore! I'm not Phyllis!" It's been 15 years of my life, so it's wild. I don't have regrets because it was a very thought-out decision, not based on any kind of emotion, and a decision that took me a couple of years to reach. It wasn't a "F--k you guys!" sort of thing. Not at all! I don't feel comfortable divulging all of my many personal reasons for leaving the show, but I've been very honest with the people at Y&R and with the fans that there is no malice, no anger involved.
TV Guide: Yet many of your followers don't want to believe that. They want to blame your exit on [exec producer] Jill Phelps or [head writer] Josh Griffith. And some think you're being punished for leaving, which is why Phyllis was put into a rather anticlimactic coma.
Stafford: My going had nothing to do with Jill and Josh. You don't leave a show you love after 15 years because of one person, or two people. At least I don't. That just doesn't make sense. But, if people are pissed, I can see why they might find Jill and Josh an easy target. Nobody should be mad at them. And I am not being punished with the way they wrote out Phyllis! When I spoke to them about my decision to leave, I did say that I thought it would be a mistake to kill Phyllis. And they were very funny about it. "If we say we're going to kill her, will that make you stay?" [Laughs] A little blackmail! I like that they have kept this role open and I totally support the idea of a recast. Phyllis is way too important of a character to let her go away just because I'm leaving the show. So, no, I'm not being punished. Executives and writers just don't think that way. They've been very kind, and for the fans to think otherwise is just not right. Why is it so hard to accept that I just want to go? I'm an actor. We want to do lots of things. [Laughs] And if I fall on my ass with The Stafford Project, I want to really fall on my ass! You know, it's kind of unnatural to be an actor on a soap and pretend to be another person for so many years. You're making out with men. You're rolling around naked in bed. Who else has a job like that? [Laughs] Only a whore! Soaps are a great job but you find so many soap actors turning into their characters. It's a lot of intensity. That's why jumping into this comedy web world is so exciting for me now. People don't think someone who's been on a soap for 15 years can do comedy. The very least that can happen with this is that somebody somewhere out there thinks I'm funny and that's good enough for me.
TV Guide: Well, we're going to miss you madly on Y&R but can't wait to see more of The Stafford Project and whatever else the future holds for you.
Stafford: Thanks! Yeah, who knows what's next? [Laughs] Hopefully, it's not me working at The Cheesecake Factory!
Mother knows best — but it's making Days of Our Lives' Adrienne Kiriakis a pariah in her own family. The hell-bent matriarch, played by Emmy winner Judi Evans, is determined to get her gay son, Sonny, away from his lover, Will, and that has the two young men — and their many fans — in a tizzy. Won't anyone come to Adrienne's defense? Evans will! TV Guide spoke with the luminous star about her sudden "villainy" and the unusual, real-world job that keeps her in life in check. Get this: She's in the funeral biz!
TV Guide: How did your character go from totally cool supermom to Salem's public enemy No. 1?
Evans: It came out of left field but stories like this don't happen often so I'm eating it up with a spoon! I love having Adrienne at the center of controversy. Bring it on! But let's make it clear that she's not trying to bust up Will and Sonny because she has a problem with Sonny being gay. She's totally okay with that. She just doesn't want her son anywhere near Will's family. And she sure doesn't want him going to jail for something Will's mom Sami did. Oh, hell no!
TV Guide: To the point where Adrienne sent Sami to the slammer. Isn't that going a bit far? And now, because of that, she's got E.J. on her ass. Not good.
Evans: No! She's not going too far! [Laughs] Okay, maybe Adrienne is a little off her rocker with this, but she's blowing up a lot of people's lives for all the right reasons. There are always bullets flying left and right when Sami and E.J. are around and she doesn't want Sonny in the crossfire. Sonny's so young. In Adrienne's mind, he needs to take his time with love. There are a lot of other guys for him out there. But, if he sticks with Will, he may as well be married to the mob!
TV Guide: Do you think Adrienne would try to pull this stuff if Sonny and Will were older, rather than being borderline teens?
Evans: She couldn't get away with this if those kids were 25 or 30. That'd be totally different. She probably wouldn't dare! But she still thinks of herself as the mother bird. [Laughs] Well, more like the mother bear.
TV Guide: This could bring down Adrienne's marriage to Justin. Is she ready for that?
Evans: She's not thinking that far ahead but I think she'd make that sacrifice. I know I would. In my real life, I love my husband and I love my son but, if it came down to a choice, I'd take my son over my husband any day — and my husband knows that! I can totally relate to Adrienne!
TV Guide: Have you been worried about fan backlash?
Evans: I saw it coming a mile away! I just hoped that some viewers would think that Adrienne has a valid point. [Laughs] Somebody? Anybody? I'm kind of drowning here! I've purposely stayed away from the message boards. I knew it was going to get rough and I didn't want to take it personally.
TV Guide: Let's talk about your life in the funeral business. How does it feel to juggle a front-burner gig on Days and a full-time job in the real world?
Evans: It's fantastic! I'm about to start my fifth year at Rose Hills Memorial Park [in Whittier, California] and was just promoted to sales manager, so I'm now working with people on arranging their funeral services and cemetery properties in advance. Up to this point I've been involved with at-need families, people who've just had a passing. I really miss that a lot, but this new position is a great learning opportunity for me.
TV Guide: Do you ever draw on your acting skills?
Evans: My approach to my work in the funeral business is much like my approach to acting — keep it real and in the moment. I am so grateful for my job at Rose Hills because it so grounds me! Days is serious work but, let's face it, it's mostly fun and there's a hell of a lot of pampering and special favors. When I'm at the funeral home I'm dealing with reality, and that brings a beautiful balance to my life. There's a lot of integrity, dignity and respect involved in this line of work. In some ways, I feel like I should have been doing this all along. I love it that much.
TV Guide: A lot of well-known actors would be embarrassed to take a regular job and risk being recognized.
Evans: I'm sure they'd see it as a sign of failure but it's not! I feel bad for anyone who can't get past that. I don't mind it at all when people recognize me from Days. They get a kick out of it, a little joy. What's wrong with that? I got into funeral work because, ever since I turned 30, I've been told, "There's not a lot in the entertainment industry for women your age." And I did hit a time when I was getting no jobs, no auditions, no nothing. When they wrote Adrienne off of Days in 2008, I couldn't sit home waiting for the phone to ring so I applied at Rose Hills. I wish everyone could spend half a day in the lobby of our funeral arrangements department and just watch what goes on as the people come and go. When you see people in the worst kind of pain most of your "issues" don't seem so bad anymore. You're mad at your man because he won't take out the trash? Big deal! We could all use a little more perspective in this world.
TV Guide: Well, it's certainly doing you a world of good. You're always so spirited and, on top of that, you look like a billion bucks these days!
Evans: Oh, thank you so much! I'm trying, I'm trying. [Laughs] But let's wait and see how good I look after Sami gets hold of me! There's just gotta be a catfight, right?
ONE LIFE TO LIVE stars Erika Slezak, Robin Strasser, Melissa Archer, Tuc Watkins, and Corbin Bleu appeared on LARRY KING NOW on Monday. Watch the full episode below:
Appearing on Bravo's WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE on July 18, Susan Lucci was asked how she felt about Bianca's (Eden Riegel) coming out storyline on ALL MY CHILDREN.
“The storyline was presented to me by our executive producer at that time. She called me into her office and we both just sat there with tears because it sounded like it was going to be such a great storyline, and it was,” Lucci said. “She told me that a lot of gay kids, and even gays in their 20s, they would rather commit suicide than come out to their parents. And I thought to myself, 'Oh my God, if I can be part of a storyline here that would help one person feel good about themselves, and be who they really are, and know that their parents can love them anyway – they just have to be themselves. I was thrilled to be part of it.”
“That storyline really had a lot of impact, I'm very proud and happy to say,” she added.
What is the future for THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL?
"They're doing well. They're profitable," CBS president and CEO Les Moonves said at a Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour session on Monday. "They were able, a few years back, to do the shows a bit more economically. Our daytime has gone way up this year, and their profitability has gone way up. So we believe those two soaps will be on for a long, long time. We don't think the form is dead. Obviously, there are a lot less than there used to be, but we're very pleased with what they're doing."
CBS has five shows in the daytime and profitability has gone up on all five of the shows. "We don't think the form is dead. Obviously there's a lot less than there used to me."
It seemed once you got started in the business, jobs seemed to fall into your lap. Was it really that easy?
No, I think we went through rejections just like anyone in the business. I was lucky to get on The Young and the Restless when I was very young and I’ve been on daytime TV for 23 years now. I definitely feel very lucky for that.
Judging by the your five Emmy wins and the comments I’ve read on YouTube, your work on The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful is legendary in the world of daytime television. How different is it working on soaps compared to theater, film and TV guest shots?
I would think the biggest difference is just the sheer volume of the work that we do. We do two shows a day. I think that’s the biggest thing. We move very fast. We don’t really get a lot of time to do two takes. We do one take and go. I think also [when] playing a character that’s been around for 10 or 20 years, that character kind of takes on a life of its own. I tend to be very excited about daytime. I like playing a character for a long period of time.
Are you impressed by how loyal and sometimes fanatical soap fans are?
We love our fans. We need our fans in order to be on the air. I love it when fans get excited about a story. I love to hear comments. I like it when they love a story, I like it when they hate a story. As long as they’re watching and they ask about the character, that’s all I care about.
Emma Samms is returning to GENERAL HOSPITAL in early August as Holly Sutton Scorpio. Samms appeared at the GH Fan Club Weekend main event on Saturday.
Executive producer Frank Valentini tweeted a photo of himself with Samms on Sunday morning with the caption, "Guess the secret's out!!" Samms last appeared on GH in March 2012.
GH is hunting for an African-American actress, 25-37, to fill a contract role slated to begin shooting in September.
"She changes a room just by entering it," the character description says.
A feature story about former THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS executive producer and head writer Maria Area Bell will appear in Sunday's New York Times print edition. The article talks about her career in and out of soaps, but the most interesting tidbits come out when she's talking about daytime drama and her future plans.
She formed a production company named Vitameatavegamin, after the I LOVE LUCY health tonic. She's also wrote a screenplay, a time-travel comedy with a Disneyland element, and a marquee comedian is “circling” it. She is talking to the cable network OWN about a show. And Bell has all kinds of ideas about online and mobile programming, like a Web soap about a woman trying to keep an old-line soap afloat (see TAINTED DREAMS, STEAMBOAT and others).
“I’m out on the pitch brigade,” she told the Times. “I truly feel that there has never been a better time for a creative person to dive in and try and figure out these new platforms. How do you make a great show that’s a great cable-online hybrid? How do you successfully make a serial for a mobile platform? As everyone knows — especially the viewers, who are moving on — network shows have become more cautious and watered down. I miss the show enormously, but almost a year after leaving I am really so incredibly happy. Out of the box and pushing the envelope is where I’m most comfortable.”
The story also reveals that Bell has her share of enemies stating, "she’s not going to sell a show to Sony anytime soon, for a start."
“I was very sad to see her go,” said Eric Braeden, who plays Victor Newman on Y&R. “Maria understood what makes the show tick.”
Looks like General Hospital is the place to be if you have gotten bitten by the love bug! First, we had Chad Duell (Michael) and Kristen Alderson (Kiki) coming forward before the Daytime Emmys that they are a real-life couple, and then ex-GH star Brandon Barash (Johnny) and Kirsten Storms (Maxie) recently too!
Now comes the news (which we thought when we saw them together at the General Hospital Fan Club Weekend 2013) that GH newbie Bryan Craig (Morgan Corinthos) has a very special lady, and that is none other than fellow cast mate, Kelly Thiebaud, Britt!
It seems publicly on Instagram yesterday, Bryan posted a beautiful image of he and Kelly that related, “Amazing night with my lady @keeelyt #legendsofsummer #mygirlsthebest”
“The Young and the Restless” fandom is divided. Some viewers think that the recent revelation that Sharon (Sharon Case) altered Summer’s paternity test is a great twist, while others find her behavior totally out of character. Earlier this week, at the CBS party at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Los Angeles, I spoke with Josh Morrow (Nick), Steve Burton (Dylan) and Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea) about Sharon’s storyline, Phyllis’s departure, the show’s other paternity saga, and why, for Y&R viewers, patience is definitely a virtue.
Josh Morrow (Nick)
What is the impact of Phyllis’s departure from Genoa City on Nick? For better or worse, she was a huge part of his life for years.
Nick and Phyllis have this kind of ridiculous love for each other. Phyllis saved his life at one point. It’s tough for him for a couple of reasons. Obviously, he knows at the bottom of his heart that he’s doing something probably wrong being with Avery. You don’t cross that line with siblings. But he can’t help himself. He loves Avery. He’s really committed to her and, at the same time, he knows he’s hurting Phyllis. On the other hand, Phyllis has done some tough things to Nick. They’ve tried to be mature, and bridge this gap, but now that she’s in a coma, [he can’t.]
Sooner or later Nick’s going to find out that Sharon altered the paternity test.
Sooner or later is right. Sharon knows how much children mean to Nick. For her to do this, even though her intentions are to get Nick back and make their family whole again, it’s going to be really tough for him to accept.
Is there going to be an explanation for Sharon’s behavior and her visions of Cassie? Is she off her medication or did Victor actually go ahead with his plan to switch her medication?
I believe that will all come out, there is a reason for all of these things. Sharon’s not well. I think she and the other people who care about her need to get her healthy.
When he finds out what Sharon did, will he have compassion for her, or be angry that she put him through the wringer?
Time will tell. I truly don’t know. I don’t know what their plans are. I think Nick is a pretty understanding guy. He’s been through most of this stuff himself. This is a pretty awful thing to do to him because he loves his daughters so much, and for Sharon to take Summer away from him, that’s tough.
Nick lying about Summer’s original paternity test is the most immoral thing he has ever done other than his occasional infidelities, which were always impulsive. How does this change his character?
It was very uncharacteristic of Nick. At his core he’s a very good guy, he’s got a big heart. He does have an issue with monogamy because he just really likes women. So I was surprised, but I’m glad. It gave me something else to play. I relish the opportunity to do something out of character. This writing team and [executive producer] Jill [Farren Phelps], they gave me a chance to do it and it’s been so fun. We’ll see what happens. Nick’s pretty resilient. He’s got big shoulders. I think he can handle a lot. So he’ll accept the fallout and move on and try and make something of the situation.
Nick turned out to be right about being Summer’s biological father, but he played God with a lot of people’s lives. Will he and Jack ever be able to repair their relationship?
It’s completely unfair for Nick to do this to everyone, Summer included. You rationalize that after Cassie’s death he needed it for his own well being, but no matter how you slice it, it was the wrong thing to do.
The fans, as a whole, found Nick’s actions forgivable. But a lot of them are having issues with Sharon. What would you say to people who think Sharon wouldn’t do that?
I’d say just hang in there. Both characters are good people. They made some mistakes, but I think they’ll come out okay. Our audience is very forgiving for the most start. It’s a tough story to take because there’s a lot of dark variables. But if they hang in there and give [the writers] a chance to flesh some stuff out, I think everyone will like it.
Steve Burton (Dylan)
Poor Dylan is being duped by the woman he loves.
He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed right now.
Is his PTSD going to play a larger role in their storyline?
Yes. Good guess. Once you figure out who the dad is, and that’s revealed, I think the ball will drop and I think you’ll see a lot more of a darker side to Dylan than what you see now.
Can you give me any hint about the timeline?
It should be in the next four to six weeks.
How is he going to react when he finds out that he’s built his whole life around a lie?
You can only imagine, can’t you? This kid is everything to him, so once we figure out whose it is, if it’s not his, it’s not going to be a good situation for anybody.
Is there a chance that after he finds out the truth, he could forgive Chelsea?
That’s a tough one. I don’t know what kind of mental state this is going to put Dylan in, to even think about that.
How will Avery be involved in the fallout?
Avery (Jessica Collins) will probably be around for Dylan. Nick won’t like it but she’ll be around probably.
Dylan and Nick have a low-key rivalry.
If Avery pays any more attention to Dylan, I think we’ll have some problems.
Is there a chance that Avery’s doubts about Nick, now that she knows he hid the truth about Summer’s paternity test for years, will send her back to Dylan?
I think there’s a big chance.
When he first came to Genoa City, Dylan and Sharon were good friends. Now that her life’s a mess, will they reconnect?
I haven’t had a lot of scenes with Sharon, but I love working with her, so it would be fun.
Have you been following “General Hospital”? For a couple of days, Roger Howarth was playing Franco hallucinating that he was Jason. Did you see his performance?
No. I see on Twitter. People will post pictures of Franco and he’s acting like Jason. The thing some people don’t know is that I don’t watch the show anyway. I don’t like watching myself. I haven’t seen any of Y&R, I haven’t seen any of GH. So I wouldn’t really know how he’s doing. I like Roger as an actor, I’ve always been a fan of his. So I’m sure he’s doing great. I know he can play the heck out of Franco.
Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea)
Chelsea’s sleeping on a bed of lies right now, pretending that Dylan, not Adam, is the father of her baby.
It’s kind of like a ticking time bomb, this whole baby daddy drama. I can’t give too much away but I do have to say all the stuff airing in August to the middle of September, it’s so fun. It’s so juicy. I went home so exhausted from shooting last week because of all the drama. That stuff’s airing early September.
Do Dylan and Adam find out the truth?
Let’s just say, how long can this secret be kept? I don’t know. Things are discovered. I can’t say what, but it’s shocking and it’s not necessarily what you expect. But you will be surprised, and in a really interesting way. It’s an interesting twist. When I told people they were like, ‘Oh my God.’
It seems like she really has fallen in love with Dylan.
Yeah, she has. It’s so great, she’s finally found everything she wanted. She fell in love with Adam, too, but she found a man who she has a happy life with and treats her well, who she’s really fallen in love with, so you just hope that can stay and maintain. But with a lie this big, every day’s a risk. She does eventually have the baby, so every day the secret gets more and more clear.
Sharon and Chelsea, though, they don’t realize it … seems like they’re on a collision course. They both are manipulating people with paternity lies. They both loved Adam.
It is interesting how similar they are. Sharon’s a little more off her rocker, but she can’t really criticize Chelsea because she’s lying, too, and she’s hurting people in different ways.
How is the show going to change without Phyllis?
That’s such a good question and I don’t really know. We just have to focus on moving forward and making the show great. The end of the summer will be super exciting.
Fan reaction is mixed right now. Some people love the twist of Sharon switching the paternity test, some people think she would never do that.
I’ve never been a message-boards person. I never look because people can be so nasty. But Twitter’s a great way to find out what people like or don’t like, and when people say they don’t like a story, that’s totally fair. They’ve got their opinions. I think it’s so fun. When people saw the real reveal, about what Sharon did, they were freaking out on Twitter. It was so exciting. I think it’s an actor’s dream, and it’s making the show like, ‘Oh, you really don’t know what these people are capable of.’ That’s exciting and you want to watch more.
Who do you think is the right man for Chelsea?
That’s so hard. I can’t answer that. They’re both really great men and their relationships with Chelsea are really different. Her relationship with Dylan’s a beautiful thing. He really takes care of her. With Adam, there’s passion and excitement. I love working with Steve. We have so much fun together and laugh a lot. But I love working with Michael, too, and we really have some intense, fiery things that the fans get fired up about.
Anthony had insisted that the police charge Marcus, and they did, much to Daisy's chagrin. During a hearing before a judge, Marcus admitted that he had been text messaging in the car. Marcus had to stay in jail. Thomas and Caroline discovered that the damage to Marcus' car was not consistent with hitting a person. Marcus had a flat tire and a bent rim, and Thomas had the exact same damage after hitting a pothole outside of Dayzee's. Caroline and Thomas checked the security camera video from Dayzee's and raced to the hearing to share what they had discovered about Anthony's accident. Hope confronted Liam and Steffy after she discovered the video. Liam begged Hope for forgiveness, but Hope said she needed time. Hope confronted Steffy, and Hope said she hated Steffy, who told Hope to get over it. Steffy told Hope to return to Liam, but Hope said that Liam and Steffy had a connection, and she couldn't forgive them. Steffy visited Liam and told him that Hope was behaving like a child because she wouldn't forgive them. Steffy told Liam that it was time for him to leave Hope, and start a life with Steffy. Liam seemed conflicted. Brooke warned Hope that Steffy would pursue Liam if Hope left him, but Hope didn't care. Hope said she needed time away from Liam.
Due to coverage of the XXX Olympiad, Days of our Lives did not air this week.
Patrick was admitted to the hospital for treatment for his substance abuse. Ewen and Elizabeth went on a lunch date. Jason admitted that he had kissed Elizabeth, so Sonny advised Jason to make a decision about his marriage. Jason explained that he couldn't file for divorce, but he wouldn't fight Sam if she decided that she wanted out of the marriage. Elizabeth admitted to Jason that she had some reservations about Ewen. Ewen's boss was revealed to be Jerry Jacks. Sam opened up to Alexis about Jason and John. Sam feared that she would never be able to forgive Jason, but she loved him too much to keep punishing him. Alexis suggested that sometimes it was an act of love to let a person go. Sonny paid Joe a visit in jail to get answers about Kate's baby. Joe claimed that the baby had died. Joe later spoke with Trey and insisted that the only way to take down Sonny and reclaim the Scully birthright was for Trey to marry Kristina. Trey was reluctant to go along with the plan, but Joe masterfully manipulated his son. Trey decided to scrap Mob Princess, so that he could pursue a relationship with Kristina. Kristina confided to Trey that her previous boyfriend had abused her. Lulu and Dante cleared the air after a heart-to-heart talk. Todd was stunned when Johnny revealed that he knew about the baby switch because two of his men had followed Heather on the night of the storm. Todd and Johnny reached an understanding. Shawn accused Alexis of being uptight, so Alexis challenged Shawn to a game of strip pool to prove him wrong. Sparks ignited between Alexis and Shawn. Mac urged Alexis to give Shawn a chance. Natalie took Liam to London after she received the picture of John and Sam kissing on the docks. John vowed that Todd would pay.
During a police interrogation, Tim admitted that Phyllis had paid him to leave town, but he would not reveal what she'd said in confidence in their therapy sessions. Tim later blackmailed Phyllis with a tape in which she confessed to the hit-and-run. Phyllis refused to have sex with Tim, but he wanted money and something from her. Michael planned to take Tim to court to force him to reveal what he knew about Phyllis' past. Nick remained oblivious to Phyllis being squeezed by Tim. Christine was stunned when Paul said he wanted to plead guilty to Ricky's murder. Billy and Traci learned that Jack was seizing power of Jabot and Beauty of Nature, forcing Ashley into a lesser role. Victor told Kyle about Jack's moved-up wedding date before Jack talked with his son, prompting Kyle to skip the wedding. Victor and Jack were trapped in an elevator together, but acted like gentleman, much to everyone's shock. The day of Nikki's wedding, Victor whisked Sharon to Las Vegas. On the jet, Sharon agreed to sign a generous pre-nup before a judge married her and Victor. Chelsea thought she might be pregnant, but it was a false alarm. Adam loved the idea of starting a family, and they began baby-making. Before marrying Jack, Nikki returned to the ranch to reminisce about her and Victor. Later, Victor stopped Nikki before walking down the aisle, and Sharon arrived to tell Nikki that she'd married Victor. Nikki wished them well, then proceeded to marry Jack. Adam learned of Sharon's marriage and was unaffected. At the ceremony, Jack was able to stand on his own two feet. Abby gave Kay a check to cover the losses from the arts gala. Ashley approved of Abby's gesture. John's spirit appeared to Jack and criticized him for his greedy ways. Jack rejected his father's advice. Because of Jack, Ashley decided to move to New York and take a leave of absence from Jabot. Tucker tearfully said goodbye to Ashley and their marriage. Victoria was furious with Billy for posting the Sharon/Victor wedding video on the Restless Style page. After going for a post-wedding horseback ride, Sharon was alarmed when Victor's horse returned to the stables, but he'd disappeared. Sofia turned down the New York job offer but resented Neil's tactics.
Monday ("Kristen Finds Herself Trapped")
Eric and Daniel persist in their quest to find answers to the destroyed evidence.
Tuesday ("Nicole's Secret Affair With Brady")
Kristen tells Eric about Nicole and Brady's affair; JJ looks on as Theresa throws herself at Nick under false pretenses.
Wednesday ("Eric Believes an Unflattering Lie")
Nicole deceives Eric, who remains unaware of her feelings for him; JJ provides Will with words of support.
Thursday ("Nicole and Kristen Clash")
Nicole learns Kristen and Eric will be working together at the church.
Friday ("Marlena and Kristen Have a Heated Argument")
An argument gets physical for Marlena and Kristen; Will campaigns with EJ and devises a plan to save Sami.
Monday (Luke continues to search for a Cure)
Luke's search for a cure brings him to Australia, where a Mr. Jacks may hold the key to Danny's survival
Tuesday (Alexis crosses Path with Derek)
Alexis experiences a sense of déjà vu during an encounter with Derek; Connie proceeds with her breaking news story
Wednesday (Port Charles Wakes Up With Front Page News)
The latest headline in Port Charles leads to a confrontation between Connie and Sonny; A.J.'s world is shattered when he learns of Connie's story
Thursday (AJ Goes after Connie)
Connie finds herself at A.J.'s mercy until Sonny intervenes; Sam is disappointed in Derek for going back on his word.
Friday (Alexis and Sam are Pleasantly Surprised)
In an attempt to make things right with Sam, Derek offers to be tested as a donor for Danny; Derek becomes suspicious of Ava when she blows up on him
Monday (Wyatt Poses a Threat)
Wyatt threatens Liam and Hope's relationship; Katie secretly watches Bill and Brooke.
Tuesday (Donna in a Difficult Position)
Donna is in a difficult position when her sisters, Katie and Brooke, clash; Bill runs interference between Liam and Wyatt.
Wednesday (The Ultimate Test)
Katie tests Bill and Brooke; Hope takes control of an uncomfortable situation.
Thursday (Working Arrangement)
Maya is concerned about Rick and Caroline's new working arrangement; Thomas and Thorne try to take control of their destinies.
Friday (Reconciliation)
Katie and Bill's reconciliation hits a snag; Brooke promotes 'Brooke's Bedroom.'
8/5, Billy and Adam face off; Sharon's actions concern Noah.
8/6, Lauren and Michael come together to help Fen; Victor and Nikki try to comfort Summer.
8/7, Nikki tells Nick that he shouldn't trust Sharon; Lily has questions about Abby and Tyler's relationship.
8/8, Adam decides to reach out to Chelsea; Jill tells Hilary to keep away from Cane.
8/9, Victor receives an important offer from Billy; Chelsea and Dylan's wedding takes an unexpected turn.