Interview Outtakes, Part 5

Charles Shaughnessy (ex-Shane, Days of Our Lives): The streets of Hollywood are littered with people shattered by broken dreams. If you hadn’t been so set on some point in the future and had just been there in the present and seen what opportunities are in front of you — if you could see what was there right then and there, I think you’d have a lot less disappointment and frustration.

Peter Bergman (Jack, The Young and the Restless): For the first time, Jack is realizing that he is now head of the family. It’s going to be the longer story-line arc over the next couple of years — Jack taking his seat as head of the family.

Rena Sofer (ex-Lois, General Hospital): I intend to understand that you really can’t change your children’s mind on who they are going to choose (as a love interest). If you try to get involved in those choices, you might get kicked out of their life. Unless that choice is truly a dangerous choice, even then, you want to be there in case your child falls down. You don’t want to be so disconnected that he or she can’t come to you because there is too much water under the bridge. As a parent, it’s my job to guide and not my job to control. But it’s hard because I like to be in control.”

Robert Newman (ex-Josh, Guiding Light): Ellen Wheeler really understood this need for me to go away and do theater. It’s very easy to write a character out for a month: Josh went away on a business trip. And then you come back very refreshed having been challenged in a different way. It would give me more energy to move forward with Joshua. Other producers didn’t like the idea of me going away, but Ellen was very good with that, I think because she had been an actress for so long.

I rehearsed Sessions almost exclusively on my own, because the cast wasn’t really available, and the times they were available, I was doing Guiding Light. Once the show opened, I had this commute from hell. I live about 50 miles north of Manhattan; Peapack, New Jersey, where we shot all the location stuff for GL, is about 100 miles west of where I live. So I would do that drive at 5 a.m., shoot GL all day, and then drive another 45 miles or so into the city from there, and either shoot more stuff in the studio for GL or do Sessions, and then come back home around midnight, and then repeat the next day and the next day.

Sherri Shepherd (The View): My cast (of Sherri) is a dream come true. They cast Malcolm Jamal Warner as my husband, and he’s gorgeous. Initially, when they first said Malcolm Jamal Warner, all I could think was, this is Theo from The Cosby Show. Then he walked in the room and his voice is deep and he’s been lifting weights, and I realized, this isn’t Theo from The Cosby Show anymore. He is absolutely gorgeous. Michael Boatman from Spin City plays my son’s pediatrician, and we kind of have been dating a little bit. They keep bringing me these gorgeous guys on the set, and they have my character playing the field.

Interview (OLTL): Tika Sumpter Hopes Layla Finds True Love, Peace

Tika Sumpter, the beautiful young actress who originated the role of Layla Williamson on “One Life to Live” back in 2005, was used to playing a supporting role. Now that Layla has some front-burner storyline action going on, Tika couldn’t be happier to show off her acting chops.

Daytime Dial: Have you enjoyed watching your character change and develop through the years?
Tika Sumpter: I really like it. I’m glad now they gave me this storyline, and people can see different sides of Layla, other than just the supporter. It was good to see raw emotion and just a different side of her. Colleagues were coming up to me and saying, ‘Wow, this is great.’ I got the chance to show people I can do this, I can handle this.

DD: Layla was instrumental in getting Fish to come out of the closet — take me through how Layla felt when she first found out, because she was falling for him before she knew he was gay.
TS: Layla is a hopeless romantic and she was always getting into these dead-end relationships, and she finally got with someone she thought she could have a genuine relationship with. When she found out Fish lied to her, she didn’t want to believe it. It rocked her. It made her not want to open up. It made her feel very vulnerable. There is always that scary place where you feel like it’s gonna get messed up somehow, no matter how good it is. It literally, physically hurts her every time she thinks about it. She is still going to give love a chance, but in the back of her mind, she might not want to give everything at this moment.

DD: At first, it was hard for Layla to get together with Cristian because of Evangeline. What changed for her to allow her to accept her feelings for Cristian?
TS: She’s always seen the good qualities in Cristian. He was there for her in her time of sorrow and pain. With all those mixed emotions and feelings, she gave in to him. She always had a secret longing for that kind of man: manly and authoritative, but he has a sweetness about him and a vulnerability.

DD: What do you like best about Layla and about playing her?
TS: I love her ability to not only be tough, but to also be vulnerable at the same time. Nobody likes to be taken advantage of, but she tries not to allow herself to be a victim. She’s not afraid, even though she has been hurt over and over again. She keeps getting up; she’s a strong girl.

DD: What do you hope for Layla and her future?
TS: I want her to be successful in any career that she chooses, but hopefully she’ll go back to acting and singing. I hope she gets some kind of peace from her mother. Her mother always places Evangeline on a pedestal and kind of looks down on Layla. I hope she finds some peace with that, as well as find peace with her dad passing.

DD: Snoop Dogg is coming back in February. That must be a lot of fun when he’s on.
TS: He’s my homey. He’s pretty amazing. He is so chill and relaxed and easy to work with. He’s just a good guy and supersweet.

DD: You just filmed “Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming.” Can you tell me about your character?
TS: I play a girl named Nikki. She’s a law student and comes from a really good family. She’s a strong girl and really, really smart, but she has her insecurities. Basically she is the girlfriend of the main character, and there’s a little love triangle thing going on.

DD: Do you get to dance in the movie?
TS: I had to learn how to step for the film, and it was really hard at first. But I learned it, I did it and filmed it, and I was superexcited. I can’t believe I did it, because it is VERY hard. It’s a really good workout too!

Days: Such a Tease!

NEXT WEEK:

* Sami (Alison Sweeney, pictured) opens up emotionally to Anna about Sydney.

* Daniel realizes there’s more to Melanie than Carly lets on.

* Carly witnesses sexual tension between Nathan and Melanie.

* Kate has it out with Vivian for hijacking the wedding.

* Brady and Arianna celebrate her freedom together.

Thursday – Hope threatens to take Ciara away from Bo.

Friday – Kate confronts Carly about her connection to Vivian and Melanie.

B&B: Such a Tease!

· The reason behind a long-lost relative’s return to town is revealed.

· The true intent behind an admiration raises suspicions.

· Frustrations are misinterpreted.

· Vengeance gets in the way of productivity.

· Aggravation in the workplace causes tension between many parties.

Y&R: Such a Tease!

* Adam makes a decision about his future at Newman Enterprises.

* After learning of Tucker’s true intentions, Jill pleads for Kay’s forgiveness but will it be too late?

* Daisy manipulates Lauren (Tracey Bregman, pictured) to further her agenda.

* Victor offers Billy a once in a lifetime opportunity.

* Jana sees a whole new side of Ryder that could change everything.

James Mitchell, 89, of AMC Passes Away

(from the Associated Press)

James Mitchell, who for nearly three decades played gruff patriarch Palmer Cortland on the ABC soap opera "All My Children," has died, his longtime partner said Sunday night.

Mitchell died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, partner Albert Wolsky said. Mitchell had suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for years, complicated by a recent bout of pneumonia.

Mitchell appeared in more than 300 episodes of the popular soap from 1979 until a 40th anniversary episode this month. He was a regular on the show until 2008.

Mitchell enjoyed playing the icy, wealthy Palmer, who wielded power over his children and the show's fictional town of Pine Valley.

"He loved playing mean," Wolsky said. "A soap gives an actor a chance to develop something because it goes on for so long."

Born in Sacramento in 1920 and trained as a dancer, Mitchell had leading roles in the Broadway musicals "Brigadoon" and "Paint Your Wagon," and danced on stage with the American Ballet Theater.

His film credits include 1953's "The Band Wagon" with Fred Astaire, 1954's "Deep in My Heart" and 1955's "Oklahoma."

Mitchell also taught movement for actors at Yale University and Drake University, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate.

Funeral plans were pending.

Days Mystery Theatre

Go behind-the-scenes with some of the Days of Our Lives cast to find out: "Where's the baby?"

Interview (Being Erica): Erin Karpluk Continues Righting Past Wrongs

The time-travel dramedy “Being Erica” is back on SOAPnet for its second season beginning tonight, and no one could be happier than the series’ star, Erin Karpluk. “I am over the moon” that SOAPnet picked it up for Season Two, Erin tells me. While “Being Erica” already is a popular show in its native Canada — the show was nominated for seven Geminis (equivalent to our Emmy Awards), with Erin winning the Best Actress Gemini — the show is steadily picking up steam here in America.

For those unfamiliar with the show, “Being Erica” is a quirky and inventive drama (with many comedic moments) where the show’s protagonist, Erica Strange, is going through a unique kind of psychiatric therapy: Each show brings a new situation where Erica gets to travel back in time to one of her past regrets, and she gets to do things differently to try to make things right.

Last season, Erica did a lot of learning and self-evaluating. “This season,” Erin tells me, “Erica uses what she has been learning and applies it in her own life, and also uses it to try to help others. The show is sexier and edgier, and it is more forward-thinking. We are also pushing the boundaries of time travel.”

Part of this boundary-pushing is the introduction of a new character, Kai Booker, whom Erica soon learns is undergoing the same type of time-travel therapy that she is. Hence the idea of Erica using what she is learning to try to help others.

Kai is played by Sebastian Pigott, a top-10 finalist from Season Six’s “Canadian Idol.” Erin was very impressed by her new co-star. “He is so talented, such a great singer and performer. He even sings one of his own songs on the show, ‘Alien.’ You’ll be very impressed.”

Season Two started with a bang: After Dr. Tom dropped Erica for violating his trust at the end of the previous season, this first episode focused on what made Dr. Tom who he is today and why he reacted to Erica in such a severe way. Erin tells me: “Michael (Riley) is a fantastic actor. It was great to see more of Dr. Tom — to see him being vulnerable and adding more layers onto his character. We also answered the questions posed in the cliffhanger, while blasting open even more questions for the rest of the season.”

While Erica is exploring life and love, much will take place at her workplace, River Rock Publishing. This season will see a change in allegiances, as Brent (played by Morgan Kelly) angles for more responsibility and a possible promotion. As this happens, his friendship with Erica becomes threatened.

“As actors, Morgan and I were devastated, because we love working together and sharing the office camaraderie, but we know that there has to be conflict. The writers have to throw in some hooks and mix it up.”

On the flip side, we’ll see the blossoming of Erica’s relationship with her snarky boss, Julianne, played by the wonderful Reagan Pasternak. “Reagan is a riot; she is so great,” Erin reveals. “Erica’s relationship with Julianne continues to grow. We’ll get to see more shades of Julianne’s character without her losing her edge.”

Erin was also excited to explore Erica’s relationship with Ethan, her longtime best friend who became her boyfriend at the end of last season. “Erica learns a lot about herself by being in a relationship with Ethan. She is learning and growing. She is not just the girl filled with regrets.”

Would Erin like to have a “do-over” in her own life, if one were offered to her? Her answer sounds very Dr. Tom-esque: “Sure, there are some things I’d like to do over. But I also feel it is important to make mistakes in life, and learn from them. They make you who you are.”

You can catch “Being Erica” every Wednesday on SOAPnet at 10 p.m. (ET/PT).

Days: Such a Tease!

NEXT WEEK:

*Hope accepts the end of her marriage.

*Rafe discovers EJ comforting Sami.

*Arianna fears she will be sent back to jail.

*Vivian (Louise Sorel, pictured) discovers who Carly’s daughter really is!

*Stefano is not thrilled that Sami and EJ are bonding.

Thursday – Melanie makes it very clear that she loves Philip – not Nathan.

Friday – Rafe moves out of Sami’s place.

Interview: Catching Up With Charles Shaughnessy, Part 2

Charles Shaughnessy hasn’t been resting on his laurels since leaving his popular roles on “Days of Our Lives” (as Shane Donovan) and “The Nanny” (as Maxwell Sheffield). He is just as busy as ever, and he took the time to talk with me about his life in show business so far, along with all the surprising journeys and side roads he has taken along the way.

Many of Charles’ fans were thrilled when he popped up in the Season Two finale of AMC’s hit drama “Mad Men” as Saint John Powell (he stuck around for much of Season Three as well). Charles was thrilled to have the opportunity to work on the award-winning show. He tells me: “When I got cast in the second season of ‘Mad Men’ as Saint John Powell, an English businessman who ends up buying the ad agency, it was not a lot of air time for me, but it was a really interesting character.

“The first scene I had was in a restaurant with one of the guys from the agency. Behind the lines, you got a whole sense of who this guy is, this kind of steely predator behind this charming, bon vivant exterior. It was really fun going in and doing very short scenes while painting an interesting character. It was fantastic to act on the very cream of TV drama, working with the most incredible people in the most creative environment.”

And to think, Charles didn’t even start out with the goal of becoming an actor. “My goal when I was a kid in college was to be a lawyer — I was studying law — and I think I probably would have been miserable. So I’m glad I didn’t pursue that goal as hard as I could. Then the goal of acting popped up, and it’s been really good to me. Sure, one can say that one wants to be a big, successful movie star, but if that were the case, I wonder if I’d have the family that I have.”

How does Charles pick his projects? Well, he’s a smart cookie, this one. He explains: “I like to do any sort of work that keeps me engaged. Someone said to me recently, ‘You seem to have had a diverse career and have done a lot of different things.’ And I haven’t really. I’ve done just one thing my entire career, which is to entertain. Doing ‘The Nanny’ was a great job. I really get a kick out of it that to this day people from all over the world loved it. I met a man in New York from New Delhi, India, who told me he and his wife loved the show, and it made them laugh every week. That feels good.”

With all of his different show-biz exploits, Charles doesn’t see himself settling into any single genre — he plans to mix it up a bit. “I’ve had fantastic experiences from the most unlikely of places. Out of the blue, having never been trained in musical-theater comedy, I was doing a triple Tony Award winning Broadway musical called ‘Urinetown: The Musical.’ I had a fantastic experience living in New York for those six months. My family, who were dreading my move to NYC, had the best time. They came out to visit for Thanksgiving and for the holidays, and they still say that was the favorite time of their life so far.

“If you keep yourself open to it, amazing stuff happens. I just got done doing this bizarre show in Northern California for a friend, and it was completely crazy, but I met some great people and got to spend four weeks in Carmel in a beautiful house by the beach. You try to say yes to as much as you can and suck as much experience out of it as you can. I don’t understand anyone saying, ‘I don’t do TV’ or ‘I don’t do theater’ or ‘I don’t do animation.’ I think you have to do as much as you possibly can.”