(Jason Thompson, SSW, November 2008)Jason Thompson (Patrick Drake, “GH”): It was a lot of work, but it was great. I’m really happy with how the show came out, and I am really proud of it. It was a good time.
DD: What is it like being a part of such a groundbreaking story (being married to Robin, who is HIV-positive, and having a child together)?
JT: I think it’s a great opportunity to be a part of this story line. I think it is very groundbreaking, and it’s a story that should be told. I’m proud of our writers and everybody who plays a part in it. I think it’s important to show that someone who is HIV-positive can have a real relationship with someone who is negative. They can have a baby and grow old together, and I think that’s real and that’s possible. I don’t think that that is out there as much as it should be, and it is important to make people aware of the possibilities.
DD: On a lighter note, do you ever make Rick Springfield sing to you?
JT: He’s very shy and very sweet. On stage, he’s a rock star. Off of it, he’s just a great guy, a great dad. He’s a really, really sweet guy. He’s not the Rick Springfield he is on stage.
***
(Thorsten Kaye, SSW, November 2008)Thorsten Kaye (Zach Slater, “AMC”): It’s a children’s book, and it’s called “A Solid Wheel of Colored Ribbons.” It was released on the Rock the Soap cruise earlier this year.
DD: Do you still get a chance to get out and ride your Harley?
TK: Yes — when my kids let me.
DD: How much of Thorsten do you bring to the character of Zach?
TK: I think we are very similar. I’m not that good an actor; I’ve gotta bring what I have. I think they deal with friendship the same way and betrayal the same way. You get one shot, and that’s it.
***
(Bree Williamson, SSW, November 2008)DD: Were you nervous when you first took on the role of Jessica, because you were stepping into the shoes of a popular actress (Erin Torpey)?
Bree Williamson (Jessica Buchanan, “OLTL”): I didn’t realize how big my character was because I didn’t actually watch the show. I didn’t know what I was getting into. But then when I got like 40 pages of dialogue on my first day, I realized, “Oh my gosh, this is going to be really hard!” I wondered if I was good enough. But the rest of the cast was really awesome and supportive, so that really helped.
DD: What kind of research did you do to play a character with dissociative identity disorder?
BW: I watched Erika Slezak’s wonderful performances, and I rented “Sybil.” Also, I have a BS in psychology, so that has helped a bit. But it’s not completely accurate, because for fictional purposes, the writers bend the rules a bit, so it is more interesting for the audience.
DD: Was it tough to film the death scene with Nash?
BW: Yes, it was really sad. Forbes is great, and I enjoyed working with him every day. He is really fun, and it was sad to see him go.
Bree Williamson (Jessica Buchanan, “OLTL”): I didn’t realize how big my character was because I didn’t actually watch the show. I didn’t know what I was getting into. But then when I got like 40 pages of dialogue on my first day, I realized, “Oh my gosh, this is going to be really hard!” I wondered if I was good enough. But the rest of the cast was really awesome and supportive, so that really helped.
DD: What kind of research did you do to play a character with dissociative identity disorder?
BW: I watched Erika Slezak’s wonderful performances, and I rented “Sybil.” Also, I have a BS in psychology, so that has helped a bit. But it’s not completely accurate, because for fictional purposes, the writers bend the rules a bit, so it is more interesting for the audience.
DD: Was it tough to film the death scene with Nash?
BW: Yes, it was really sad. Forbes is great, and I enjoyed working with him every day. He is really fun, and it was sad to see him go.
