Interview (Days): Deidre Hall Knows Beauty

We all know Deidre Hall as the brilliant and gorgeous Dr. Marlena Evans on “Days of Our Lives,” who she’s played for the better part of 35 years (with a few years off here and there to work on different projects). And in those 35 years, plus the time she spent as a model before that, you can bet she’s learned a trick or two about beauty. So she and longtime friend Lynne Parmiter Bowman have written all their beauty nuggets down for the masses in the book “How Does She Do It? A Beauty Book.” (Available at amazon.com. Or you can go to deidrehall.com for details on how you can order an autographed and/or personalized copy.)

Daytime Dial: What made you decide that now was the time to write a beauty book?

Deidre Hall: Lynne and I wrote “Kitchen Closeup,” and that was fun. But what I know is beauty. It seemed a little bit daunting at the time, writing up a beauty book, but then it just all really came together, and that was it. I figured, I’ve done 35 years in front of a camera, so, if I haven’t learned a thing or two about beauty, then I should just pack up my tent.

DD: You collaborated with Lynne to write this book — how did your partnership in writing come about?

DH: It doesn’t feel like working with her, and that’s the truth. We talked earlier about having spent so much time together [while working on “Kitchen Closeup”] sitting around the kitchen table and her stirring and me writing, or her writing and me stirring. We’ve shared these kinds of health issues and food issues for so long that it was natural to write that book.


And then it was natural to write the beauty book, because we also spent that amount of time in front of a mirror. “Oh, what’s that color? Where did you get that? I want one of those!” It’s what women do. Women share the wealth. And we’ve spent a lifetime doing that. And finally we thought, “You know what, we seem to know a lot about things that people don’t seem to really know about.” And so that’s what it was. It was fun, fun to put it down on paper, and it was a labor of love.

DD: One of the things I like about the book is that the advice and tips you give are good for twentysomethings, thirtysomethings, fortysomethings and beyond. Was that a goal of yours, to reach out to many age groups, or did you have a specific group in mind when you set out to write this book?

DH: Part of our conversation in writing the book was saying there’s nothing for women over 50 out there! They care! We all care! Why are there not beauty secrets for women who have sagging skin and lined skin and dry skin and that sort of thing? We wanted to make sure that that was also included in what we wrote.

DD: I know some people, myself not included, are critical of plastic surgery, saying that it’s “cheating” in some way. What are your thoughts on plastic surgery?

DH: I love it! I love that we have an option of changing the way we look if it makes us feel better. And it’s just as simple as that. There’s no judgment on it. There is no criticism of it. It’s a wonderful option for people who want to take it. The No. 1 surgery in this country is breast augmentation. Women spend more on that than any other surgery combined.

DD: While this is a beauty book, it’s also a good self-esteem booster for women, kind of empowering. Was that one of your intentions when you were writing it?

DH: We didn’t set out to change women. We just set out to sit down with them and say: “Honey, come here. I want to share something with you.” Wow, that’s a complicated question. We know that women at their very core like to share the neat stuff. So, that’s what we meant to do. Just share with women everywhere the things we’ve learned over many years.

Interview (Days): Doc and John Bring Back Family Values

Unless you’ve been living under a rock recently, you’ve heard about all the recent changes over at “Days of Our Lives.” In a valiant attempt to return to its glory days of family, romance and just plain good storytelling, “Days” is pulling out all the stops, including luring back fan favorites such as Deidre Hall. Deidre has played Dr. Marlena Evans off and on for almost three decades, and she returns to much fanfare today, Sept. 26. I spoke with the “Days” star recently, and she told me all about her return to the show.

Daytime Dial: What made you decide to return to “Days”; how were they able to coax you back?

Deidre Hall: It was a combination of things. But mostly, it was two words: Greg Meng. Greg and I went on a book tour with both of our books. He wrote “Days of Our Lives 45 Years: A Celebration in Photos.” It’s a fabulous tabletop book. So, we traveled together for several months, and we would sit at a table autographing hundreds of books at a time. And people would come up to me and say, “When are you coming back to ‘Days’?” I would say, “I have no plans to come back to ‘Days.’” And Greg would say, “Oh, but we would love to have her back.” And we would both smile, and that would be the showbiz rap that we would do.

At one point, a woman came up to me and asked, “What would it take to get you back?” And I looked at Greg and I said, “Well, I would have to be invited.” And Greg looked at me and said: “Well, none of us had ever thought of that. You’re invited!” He set about a plan that didn’t just include bringing me back, but to bring “Days of Our Lives” back to its heyday — to the family core values we all loved many years ago and the audience has resonated to. And he’s done it!

DD: What are you allowed to tell me about the circumstances of Marlena’s return?

DH: John has almost completely recovered from this illness that had befallen him (and why we went off to Switzerland). And we return back to Salem to dedicate the Horton Square. Also, there has been a terrible crisis in Salem that is revealed in those first five or six episodes. And it affects every single person in Salem. And we are back because of it and we are integral to it, and it kicks into motion an incredible series of dramatic turns.

DD: I started watching “Days” back in about ’90-91, and I always thought it was the best soap on because of all the reasons: romance, family, drama. How excited are you to be able to explore these cornerstones? Because Marlena really embodies all of those as a character, as well.

DH: Exactly everything you just said — that is what the show is. You hit it right on the head. It’s so empowering and enriching to be able to play it now. Marlena is stronger, is more devoted to John than ever before, and has a fierceness that we haven’t seen in her before. She’s taking no prisoners. And when this drama starts to unfold, you will see her tested and tested and tested, and she steps up every time. It is so thrilling to play this sort of woman who is utterly empowered. And there is no room for doubt. No room for hesitation. She is solid, and she is there.

DD: Since we saw Marlena last in January 2009, what has Deidre been up to? Have you been doing other projects? Traveling? Charity work?

DH: I have done, oddly enough, all those things. During the break, I took my son David to Brazil on an Operation Smile mission, which is dealing with children with serious disfigurements. And that was life-altering for both of us. I took him to Washington, D.C., where we campaigned for the Child Nutrition Act, which passed! I wrote a book called “Deidre Hall’s Kitchen Closeup.” It’s a lifestyle book that answers the dreaded three words, “What’s for supper?” As a mom, I know that’s a continual struggle. But it’s a lifestyle book, too, so it’s got great helpful hints, and even if you don’t cook, it’s really funny. It’s a funny book. It’s available on Amazon.com.

DD: What has it been like for you these past few weeks being back on “Days”?

DH: It is like coming back to your family, and stepping onto the stage or even stepping into the studio, and a sea of smiling faces coming toward us — arms flung open and “Oh my gosh!” I came back a few days early, and having the time to sit with your friends and catch up and: “How are the kids? Oh my gosh, they are in college now? And how is your mom?” Just friendships that have taken a little bit of a vacation, and they are right back in place.

DD: Of course we’re excited that you, Drake Hogestyn and Christie Clark are coming back. But I’m also excited to have Marlena interacting with Sami again, because she’s always been the problem child, but now she’s an adult, and she’s been through so much. Are you excited to explore that dynamic again?

DH: We haven’t seen that much play out yet, as that hasn’t been in the script. I know that a big crisis arises in Salem that puts her marriage with Rafe into play. I can’t say more than that, but Sami and EJ are deeply involved. Both for different reasons, and it affects their relationship.

DD: When you left back in 2009, “As the World Turns” and “Guiding Light” were still on the air, and now they are gone. Soon “One Life to Live” and “All My Children” are going to Internet platforms. That leaves what I call the Big Four. What are your thoughts on this turn that the daytime soaps have taken, and how do you think this return to the show’s roots will help?

DH: It will survive because it’s what we’re longing for right now, and the show will give the audience, old and new, what it’s always wanted now, when it means the most. Which is a return to core values, a place to find comfort and replenishment, and we are as good as our word. We are your family, and we are there for you. And they’ve figured out a way to produce the show on the budget required to do it without sacrificing what is on the screen. We’re in very healthy shape, so look for us to be around for a long time!

I am also hoping to extend that relationship with the fans through Facebook (search “Deidre Hall”) and Twitter (twitter.com/DeidreHall). I’m tweeting all about the show. I’m pretty good at it, and I’m finding a new relationship with the fans, which is closer and more intimate, and that’s nice for me.

Interview: Days' John and Marlena Return!

Drake Hogestyn and Deidre Hall

When we last saw John Black and Marlena Evans in Salem, they had just married and were immediately whisked away to Switzerland, which was the only place in the world where John could get the proper care he needed in order to recover from the toxic syringe that had left him paralyzed. That was in January 2009. And, as you know, in the soap world, a lot can happen in the meantime. Starting Sept. 26, John and Marlena are back — in a big way. They are helping to usher in what is being called “Days 2.0”: a return to family, romance and good old-fashioned storytelling. I spoke with Drake Hogestyn recently, and he is thrilled to be a part of this new “Days.”

Daytime Dial: Without getting yourself into trouble, you must tell me everything you can about John and Marlena’s return.

Drake Hogestyn: In the time they’ve been gone, John has been working on his recovery. There is an event in Salem, the opening of the Horton Town Square, in honor of Tom and Alice Horton, and John and Marlena make an appearance. John is just starting to get the full capacity of his extremities back. Another event unfolds, and that is that certain authorities have been waiting for John Black to land on American soil, because there are some issues that will create an umbrella story line that defines all the characters.

On Sept. 26, we’re turning a page of “Days of our Lives.” We’re bringing back a lot of fan favorites — when I walked on that show, it took me three hours to get from the parking spot to the dressing room, because I saw cameramen that I haven’t seen in forever; we’re laughing and scratching in the hallway. I walked down the hallway between Studio 2 and 4, and they are breaking for lunch, and out walks Matt Ashford and Christy Clark and Patrick Muldoon, and it’s just this warm, fuzzy feeling of throwback in the history of “Days.” We’re laughing and crying, and the energy that’s going through NBC right now, and “Days” in particular, is just amazing.

What we’re going to do is, we’re going to take the audience back to that period of time when our show was at the apex. When everybody was on board in the late ’80s and early ’90s, when we had engaging stories and compelling actors and very well-defined, character-driven stories. And that’s what we’re doing now.

DD: That’s exactly when I started watching, around 1989 or 1990, and it was, without a doubt, the best soap on television. So I am thrilled you are going back to those roots.

DH: This is exactly what I’m talking about, Cindy. That’s when everybody was on board with the show. We had all that romance; we had action, adventure, intrigue and mystery that “Days” was famous for, and that’s what we’re going back to. With Marlene McPherson and Darrell Ray Thomas, they know the history of the show. They’ve been there. They came aboard with Jim Riley, even though Jim had some crazy story lines that came out of left field.

As long as the actors played the thread, played the grain of truth in there, the audience would always be on board. The stories are contemporary, and by that I mean they are torn right out of the headlines of the front page of every paper in the nation of what is going on with the economic times, and John is right in the center of all of that right now. These are topics people are going to relate to because it is affecting their lives, and how are we going to play that out on “Days of our Lives”? That is the interesting, organic part of it.

DD: With John Black back in town, I know one person who could really use his guidance: his son, Brady.

DH: We had one scene and almost everyone was there, and Marlena says, “Everybody’s here,” and I said, “Not everybody.” And she knew that I was looking for Brady. After the highlight of the night is over, I do approach him. It goes as John expected. There have been conversations between the two of them while John was away, and John has been disapproving of choices Brady has made in his life. But it looks as though Brady is starting to try to change his life around on his own. We’ll see, but I do think there are some great dynamics there.

DD: Are you looking forward to working with the newer actors, many of whom came aboard while you were gone?

DH: Definitely. I’m looking forward to working with Eric (Martsolf, who plays Brady). Our ships were passing in the night back then. He came on board at the very end of 2008 — I was anchoring my ship somewhere else, and he was setting sail. That’s a very interesting transformation too, and the same thing with Galen Gering. These actors came over from another show (“Passions”), and they were finding their shoes of the characters on “Days of Our Lives,” and it was very established at that time. Now, it’s like I’m entering their show, and you can see how comfortable they are with their characters and the relationship their characters have formed with other characters on the show. Now John and Marlena are entering that orbit. Now we’re finding how to work with these other actors who are now established on the show. This is a really nice dance that is going on. I’m enjoying it a lot.

DD: Are there some quintessential John Black-type scenes you are looking forward to playing?

DH: That’s a really good question. As you get older, you have to change also. You’re not going to be the swashbuckler. Every once in a while, they might throw me a bone like that. But what I wanted to do, what I think is cut out for Deidre (Hall) and myself, is to take that audience back and put them emotionally in that warm and fuzzy, safe place, especially in these troubling economic times where marriages are dissolving left and right over financial ruin. If you stay strong as a couple, and you are holding hands, and you love each other, and you believe that the power of two can get through anything. That is going to be our goal: to keep the audience on board, the ones who got us there for all those years.

And I don’t take anything for granted. You’re only as good as your last show. When I played professional baseball with the Yankees, you were only as good as your last game. So, every day you roll up your sleeves, and you can’t wait to show America what’s on the next page. And right now, with the engaging story we have, everybody is just bringing it with both barrels right now. I think the audience is really going to respond to this in the most favorable way. And when they turn the show back on, and they see some of these old fan favorites engaging again, it’s going to put that audience in that great place.

Drake and Deidre Are Back on Days!

Day's supercouple is finally reuniting! Days of Our Lives made it official today by announcing that Drake Hogestyn will reprise his role as John Black on Sept. 26. He joins Deidre Hall, who will also return to the NBC sudser to resume her role as Marlena Evans. The two are expected to begin production this week.

“We are thrilled that Deidre and Drake are rejoining the show, said Executive Producer Ken Corday in a statement. “I know their return will excite loyal fans and intrigue new viewers. We are gearing up for some amazing cast surprises and guest stars visiting Salem in the fall, launching a grand event airing on September 26.”

Patrick Muldoon and Christie Clark (Austin and Carrie) are heading back in September as well. Yay!

Read the rest here.

Casting News Galore!

Lots of casting news to report, kids, so let's get right into it:

• Grant Aleksander (pictured) has confirmed that he will be returning to the role of Phillip Spaulding on Guiding Light beginning in January 2009.
• Jay Kenneth Johnson is leaving Days of Our Lives after stalled contract negotiations. Some report that it all came down to money -- while Days has been renewed through 2010, they had to massively trim down the budget, and it would appear that Jay was asking for too much. While others say it came down to story -- or lack thereof. The way his character has been being treated lately, I can't say that I blame him for picking up and leaving.
  
• Drake Hogestyn (John Black) and Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans) are OUT! Days' executive producer Ken Corday told Soap Opera Digest: "The couple will be happily reunited after a long period of angst and separation and will be off-screen after January for an unknown period of time. It was a very tough decision to make."
• Beginning Dec. 12, look for MacKenzie Westmore (ex-Sheridan, Passions) to play Annie's psychiatrist (boy, does she ever need one!), Dr. Sinclair, on All My Children.
• One Life to Live's Andrea Evans is out after her six-month stint as Tina Lord. However, they have kept the door open for her to return at any time.
• Rebecca Budig will be exiting All My Children in early spring 2009, when her one-year contract expires. Rebecca cited the bicoastal lifestyle (she is on the East Coast, her home and hubby, Bob Guiney, are on the West Coast) as the reason for her departure.