Interview: Genie Francis Takes a Chance on Love

In December 2007, the Hallmark Channel debuted an original movie called The Note, which starred Genie Francis and Ted McGinley, and ended up being the channel’s highest-rated movie of the year. Well, Genie and Ted are back in The Note II: Taking a Chance on Love.

Having been reunited with Christine, the daughter she gave up for adoption 18 years earlier, Peyton MacGruder (Genie) is still learning the ropes of parenting. She’s also busy writing her Heart Healer column, as well as managing a relationship with co-worker and boyfriend King Danville (Ted). But when King asks Peyton to marry him, she’s too afraid to take a chance at a life she deserves.

When Genie was first approached about making the sequel, she reveals: “I was happy, because that meant we had a success on our hands, but I was worried if it would be able to live up to the first movie. The first one was really good. My initial feeling was, ‘Oh, that’s really great,’ and then it turned into, ‘But gee, can we do that again?’”

When Genie read the script and stepped back into Peyton’s shoes, any doubt and nervousness vanished. “It was easy to step back into the role,” she explains. “There was a comfort level that kicked in, because we were working with all the same people. When you start a new situation, there’s all that getting-to-know-you nervousness that we didn’t have to go through the second time around. It was easier.”

She was also eager to work with Ted again. “Ted is a good guy and a wonderful actor, and that’s always a pleasure.”

There’s another reason it was easy to jump back into the role, as Genie explains: “It’s only nine months later from the first movie to the second one, and their relationship (Peyton and King’s) has evolved. She is in love. And she has created a nice friendship with her daughter (Christine); they’ve gotten pretty close. She’s in a good place in the beginning of the movie, a happy place.”

However, motherhood has not come easy for Peyton. “She really has nothing in her own life to emulate in trying to figure out how to be a mom to Christine. Her own mother died when she was very young, and her child’s adoptive mother also died when she was young.

“Motherhood is not instant potatoes, and she is quite a bit behind in knowing how to be a mother. The relationship really ends up being much more like friends. When she tries to be motherly, she ends up screwing it up — she overdoes it.”

For Genie, the message of the movie is not so much about when to take a chance on love, but rather, the walls we put up to protect ourselves from being hurt by love. “We all have certain defense mechanisms in us; they were there because they kept us safe. There was a time when we really needed them.

“The problem is, we hang onto them too long and then they start to do us in. So it’s really about, what are your walls like, when did you erect them, and do they still serve you?”

If Genie is approached in another year to do The Note III, she says that she would definitely do it — in part because of the excellent storytelling and in part because of the involvement of the Hallmark Channel.

“The Hallmark brand is very reliable. Their movies are always entertaining, and you can sit down with the whole family to watch. Where else can you get that anymore?”

The Note II premieres on Jan. 31 (9 ET/8 CT) on the Hallmark Channel and re-airs on Feb. 6 and 15. Check your local listings for details.

B&B Actors to Be Honored With NAACP Awards

PRESS RELEASE

Actors Dan Martin and Texas Battle (pictured) have been nominated in the category of Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series for the 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards for their work on The Bold and the Beautiful, it was announced today.

Dan Martin joined the cast of B&B as “Lieutenant Baker” in 1997. For the past 12 years “Lt. Baker” has been a vital part of the series, entangled in the lives of the Forrester, Logan and Marone families during their times of crisis. Martin’s nomination was based upon his work during 2008 in the storyline involving the poisoning of Eric Forrester (played by John McCook).

Texas Battle first appeared on B&B as “Marcus Walton” in May, 2008. Battle’s character arrived at a time when the Forresters and the Logans were involved in deep emotional issues. It was soon revealed that Marcus was connected to the Logans, a secret that Donna (played by Jennifer Gareis) has been keeping since she was a teenager. Battle’s nomination was based upon the 2008 episode where Marcus and his mother Donna are reunited and Marcus desperately tries to understand how she could have abandoned him all those years ago.

This marks the first NAACP Image Award nomination for both Dan Martin and Texas Battle. Martin and Battle’s nominations make a total of seven NAACP Image Award nominations received by B&B. In 1993 Bradley P. Bell was nominated in the category of Outstanding Daytime Drama; in 1999 Usher was nominated in the category of Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series for his role as “Raymond”; as was Antonio Sabato, Jr. in 2005 and 2006 for his role as “Dante Damiano”, and Mykel Shannon Jenkins in 2008 for his role as “Charlie Baker.”

The NAACP Image Awards honors projects and individuals that promote diversity in the arts in television, recording, literature and motion pictures. The 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards will broadcast live from Los Angeles’ historic Shrine Auditorium on Thursday, February 12 (8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX and will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the NAACP.

No More Coffee

Claire Coffee, Nadine from General Hospital, posted this message on her official message board:

Hi Everyone!
It's been a while since I've stopped by ... I sort of figured this was coming, but wanted to be absolutely certain until I relayed the news. I have been taken off contract, effective February 8. It's a mutual decision; I completely understand the stresses of the producers and writers and the Nadine storyline seemed to coming to a close. I won't be exploding in a ball of hospital flames, but you probably won't see me much around the hospital, either. Tough times in the economy, Port Charles included! Jill Phelps has been incredibly supportive and I have nothing but respect and reverence for my time at GH. Thank YOU ALL for your support.
Signing off, Claire

Rocco Returns to B&B

Bryan Genesse (pictured, top right) is returning to The Bold and the Beautiful to reprise the role of Rocco Carner. For all you youngins, Rocco is an original character from when the show debuted in 1987 — an acne-plagued Katie liked him, but he was in love with Donna.

"Truly, this is a homecoming for me," Bryan said in a statement. "I know the writers will make it an exhilarating roller coaster ride that I hope lasts a long, long time."

Bryan's first air date is March 12.

BTW — How much do I love this B&B cast picture from 1987-88?!? All the hairspray that was sacrificed for these ladies (and gentlemen)!

GL: Casting News

Coming: Fiona Hutchison returns as Jenna Bradshaw on Monday, Feb. 9th.

Going: John Driscoll (pictured) is leaving his role of Coop Bradshaw. Hmmm ... I am thinking that his departure has something to do with (dead) mother Jenna's brief return.

This is not the first time that Jenna has made an "otherwordly" visit to Coop. On Mothers' Day 2006, she appeared to Coop to offer him advice on Lizzie. Coop's exit is tied into Grant Aleksander's return as Phillip Spaulding, so I am interested to see how they will be handling this one.

Days: Such a Tease!

NEXT WEEK:

•Kayla is shot and is rushed into surgery.

•Bo takes aim and fires at the killer.

•Philip and Stephanie make love.

•EJ and Nicole bring home their baby.

•Rafe (Galen Gering, pictured) tells Sami that she can go home.

Thursday – Maggie approaches Lucas intent on telling him about Chloe’s affair.

Friday – Nicole screams- there’s something wrong with the baby.

B&B: Such a Tease!

•A confession changes a relationship forever.

•Nick is faced with a difficult decision.

•Bridget makes a bold move to change the direction of her future.

•Stephanie and Ridge are confused by Eric’s sudden change of attitude.

•Rick (Kyle Lowder, pictured) soon realizes that he isn’t in the clear.

Y&R: Such a Tease!

•After an impassioned argument, the distance between Nick and Phyllis continues to grow.
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•Victor makes Gloria an offer she can't refuse.
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•Kevin and Amber try to help Kay bring back her identity, but will they get in over their heads?

•Victor gives Brad (Don Diamont, pictured) an ultimatum.

•When Brad opens up about his love to Sharon will she return the feeling?

ATWT: Such a Tease!

•On their wedding day, Carly tells Craig the truth.

•Meg and Dusty make it official.

•Katie finds a way to get Brad (Austin Peck, pictured) his job back.

•Emily puts Jade to work.

GL: Such a Tease!

•Alan catches Beth and Coop in the act.

•Bill's memory comes rushing back to him.

•Shayne fears Edmund's wrath.

•Olivia (Crystal Chappell, pictured) and Natalia deal with the fallout of Emma's presentation.