Interview: Catching Up With Nicollette Sheridan

You can’t mention Nicollette Sheridan without thinking of her most recent alter ego, Edie Britt of “Desperate Housewives.” However, when you watch Nicollette in her new Hallmark Channel movie, “Honeymoon for One” — which premieres Saturday, Aug. 13 at 9/8c — Edie will be the furthest thing from your mind. In “Honeymoon,” Nicollette plays Eve Parker, a woman scorned who decides to travel to Ireland on what would have been her honeymoon. Along the way, she discovers love in the form of the breathtaking countryside, a sweet preteen named Kathleen, and a handsome (and irksome) outdoorsman named Sean.

Daytime Dial: What brought you to the Hallmark Channel, and to this movie in particular, “Honeymoon for One”?

Nicollette Sheridan: First of all, I really liked the character and I liked the movie. Hallmark is making beautiful movies that everyone can watch. And at times, they are dealing with slightly edgy material, so Hallmark has come a long way. And I do love that their movies are something the whole family can watch.

DD: Tell me about your character, Eve.

NS: Eve is hiding from herself and her intimate relationship by immersing herself in her work. I think a lot of people are guilty of that, and when something traumatic happens, she is forced to look at her life and make huge changes. And as we know, your career doesn’t wrap itself around you at night, and keep you safe and sound. Being present and being aware, and having a life filled with love, friendship and trust does. When you reach outside yourself and you do for others, it enriches many more lives, including your own. And that’s what I really liked about her journey.

DD: What were some of the aspects of her character that you could relate to or that you were really proud of?

NS: Well, she’s a very kind person, and she means well. Then again, she really needs to pull her head out of the sand and see what’s going on around her. And she’s a strong character. I like that she’s not a victim. It’s very difficult to go through a relationship breakup. Especially when somebody cheats on you, and though these things are very painful in her life, the outcome is a much better path.

DD: It’s very exciting and brave of her to go off on her own to a foreign country to clear her head and decide what she wants to do with her life.

NS: And it’s very out of character for her to do something like that, but her friends urge her to go. When she does, it’s very awkward at first, but she transcends all of that.

DD: What was Greg Wise, who played Sean, like to work with?

NS: Greg is a fantastic actor, and he’s very playful. We had a lot of fun shooting this film.

DD: And the location was just gorgeous! Where did you film, and what was the actual filming like?

NS: It was just stunning. We were in the most beautiful places. And I’d never been to Ireland, and coming from England myself, you have that expansive countryside, but it’s a much wilder feel in Ireland. I loved it over there. And of course I’ve been riding since I was a tiny little thing, and so for me to be out there and belting across the countryside on that white horse was heaven for me. It was just breathtaking over there. People are so nice and warm and friendly, and I’m looking forward to going back when I don’t have to work so I can really explore the country.

DD: A movie of yours that I absolutely loved you in was “Noises Off!” Do you hope to do some slapstick comedy like that again? Everyone in that movie was absolutely brilliant and I know you’re good at comedy. You’re good at the romance and the drama, but I just loved you in the slapstick, physical comedy.

NS: Thank you. That was a very special movie. It had an incredible cast, and we would all convene at a roundtable in the morning, and everybody would tell stories and just share in a way that I’d never experienced on a set before. Basically we rehearsed it as a play. And then when we were ready to start shooting, we would shoot eight pages at a time, all in one shot. It was pretty demanding, physically, because as you remember, we were up and down the stairs and all the backstage business. The outtakes from that film were hilarious. I do love physical comedy as well as drama, so hopefully there will be a bit of everything to come.

DD: What are your thoughts on all these remakes that seem to be happening? I know TNT is doing a remake of “Dallas.”

NS: I know! I just saw an ad for it. It looked exciting. There was a nostalgia that came with seeing the ad for the show, and I think the music and those faces that are so familiar to so many people … I think there is something comforting about it. And it looks exciting! You’ve got all those colorful characters, and I’m sure they are all going to do an incredible job with it.

Larry Hagman looked great and Patrick Duffy, and I noticed that Brenda Strong, who was Mary Alice on “Housewives,” is in it. I’m thrilled for her, because she’s a beautiful actress and one of the loveliest human beings that I know.

DD: If they decided to do a “Knots Landing” remake, would you be on board, or would you say, “Good luck, but my time on ‘Knots Landing’ has passed”?

NS: I haven’t heard about anyone speaking of doing that. I think that “Dallas” was a lot flashier than “Knots Landing.” “Knots Landing” was really the down-home, simpler, more-pained version. Just very real people going through real situations, but I haven’t heard if they are interested in remaking that.

DD: I know you’re involved with a lot of charities, especially animal charities. Can you tell me a bit about them?

NS: It’s always wonderful to place animals in homes, because there are so many unwanted furry friends that need a beautiful family to go to. So, that’s something that I like to help with. Also, I got involved with Guide Dogs for the Blind. It is such a wonderful gift to be able to pair up somebody in need with a set of eyes and a companion. That was a very fulfilling thing to be a part of.

Recently, there is this charity called Ride On that is with horses. It’s for the disabled — both physically and mentally, adults and children — and just through the love that you get through working with and riding horses. It’s an incredibly healing experience and gives them a sense of accomplishment to be able to ride and to be able to bond in that fashion. I’m going to have a little bit more free time coming up, so I’m actually going to get to be more hands-on with the people and the horses. Animals are such a gift.

Interview: Catching Up With Brandon Quinn

Brandon Quinn has played everything from gigolo Spencer Bullitt on “The O.C.” to an eye-candy boyfriend on “Entourage” and even a teen wolf on “Big Wolf on Campus” (way before it was all the rage to be a shapeshifter). Now Brandon is playing a role he’s always wanted to play, that of a cop, on the Lifetime Television new original series “Against the Wall,” which premieres Sunday night, July 31, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Brandon told me all about his new show, and how excited he is to be a part of something of this caliber.

Daytime Dial: Were you as surprised as I was to see that this new show, a police procedural, was for Lifetime Television, as opposed to TNT or FX or another cable network along those lines?

Brandon Quinn: Oh my gosh, big time. The folks at Lifetime are in a position now where they are really trying to re-identify themselves, and this show is definitely unlike anything else they have right now. I really feel like it’s going to put them on the map. I’m really proud of this show. I would stack our show up against any other show in its category on network television right now. Lifetime could potentially have a really big hit on their hands if all goes well. It’s hard to say what people are going to respond to, but I just can’t imagine viewers not responding to the show.

DD: Tell me about the show, and your role of Richie Kowalski.

BQ: It’s a family drama first. It is a police procedural, but it’s a family drama about a family of three generations of Chicago police officers. Dad is a patrol cop, along with my older brother, middle brother, myself and then the youngest sibling, Abby —the only girl in the family — who was a patrol cop and decides to join Internal Affairs. Which if you know anything about cops, it’s cops on one side, Internal Affairs on the other side. They investigate the cops that are considered the traitors. So, it creates a huge upheaval in the family.

I play Richie Kowalski, the youngest of the three brothers. Richie’s a really good guy. He’s got a good sense of humor. He’s an excellent cop. He has a lot of integrity. He takes his job really seriously. Richie and Abby have an extremely close relationship. We have the closest relationship of all the siblings, she and I. I’m her shoulder to cry on, her confidant. I don’t judge her for the decision she made to join Internal Affairs.

DD: How excited were you to play Richie when you first got the script for the pilot?

BQ: I’ve always wanted to play a cop. What kid at some point in his life isn’t obsessed with cops and robbers, if just for a day? For the longest time I actually really wanted to be a cop when I was younger. So, right away I was like, “Awesome. I’ve always wanted to play a cop.” Then once I read the script, I loved the character of Richie. He’s this blue-collar, down-to-earth guy’s guy. He’s a family man. He’s really close with his wife. He’s a really good friend, and he loves football — and these are all traits that I possess. I come from a blue-collar middle-class family that shaped who I am as a person. It’s easy to be Richie, because it isn’t a stretch. I just opened myself up, and the rest was on the paper.

DD: This show has such a great cast — what are they all like to work with?

BQ: It’s such a dream job — you couldn’t ask for a better group of people. From Rachael Carpani all the way down to the guest actors, they’ve all been tremendous, and it’s literally one of those jobs where I keep pinching myself. Content of the show aside, it’s all about the people you go to work with every day who help inspire you. It starts with Kathy Baker and Treat Williams, who are two veterans who have been doing this for years. They really set the tone, and they are both so down-to-earth and great. Kathy is so motherly and a very approachable, sweet woman.

And Treat, he really wants to give us our time in the spotlight. He’s like: “I’ve had my time. This is your guys’ time.” And Rachael is absolutely phenomenal. The show wouldn’t be nearly as great if we didn’t have the cast we did, and we all get along so well. Honestly, there’s not a diva in the bunch.

Bill & Susan Hayes Appearance

(Click on Flyer to Enlarge)

Although they spelled Susan's name wrong in the flyer. Oops!

Interview: Catching Up With Poppy Montgomery

Poppy Montgomery is a familiar face to many TV viewers. She is a veteran of many TV series, most notably CBS’ “Without a Trace,” as well as “Party of Five,” “NYPD Blue,” “Glory Days” and much more. On July 18 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, you can catch Poppy in Lifetime Television’s original movie “Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story.” I spoke with the gorgeous Aussie recently, and she told me about portraying such a private and interesting woman who created the magical world of Harry Potter.

Daytime Dial: J.K. Rowling is known for being very guarded about her private life and is very reserved. Did you have any reservations about taking this role, especially since Ms. Rowling was not involved in the production?

Poppy Montgomery: I had enormous reservations. I’ve been a Harry Potter fan long before I did this film, and I’ve read all the books and I’ve read them since I was in my 20s. I read the first one right when it came to the States. I didn’t want to do anything in any shape or form that was exploitive or tabloid-y. So, when they sent me the script, I definitely had reservations, because I knew that it was unauthorized. I knew that she wasn’t collaborating on it. It was based on a book that just told the facts, basically, from her childhood through to the present. And when I read the script, I found that it was a love letter to J.K. Rowling, and it really was a story that was inspirational for other people. I didn’t think that there was anything about it that was not good, and so then I changed my mind.

DD: Just watching the movie was so inspiring; I couldn’t wait to be creative once I was finished.

PM: Right? You just feel so inspired by her, which is exactly what I loved about it and why I wanted to do it. And that inspires you to be better, because she was so driven. The fact that the first Harry Potter book was written basically in one of the darkest times of her life and she pushed through, and as a single mother with very little money, this extraordinary book was born. I just think it’s incredibly inspiring.

DD: What were some things about J.K. that you hadn’t known prior to filming this, and that had perhaps surprised you?

PM: I didn’t know that her mother had been ill for so much of her life, and that must have deeply affected her, because I’m really close to my mother. I didn’t realize really how bleak and difficult things were for her. I’m a mother of a 3-year-old, so to be alone at the age that she was in her 20s with a baby and having left the marriage that wasn’t working, and being so poor, and still being able to have this enormous creativity and write this book under those circumstances. The power of her spirit is something that I wasn’t as aware of until we did this movie, and I just thought it was extraordinary.

DD: I was very happy to see that it was, like you said earlier, a love letter of sorts to the elusive author …

PM: Me too. Like I said, when I was sent the script and I knew that she wasn’t involved directly, I had strong reservations. But the script told such a beautiful story. Her books have affected millions and millions of children and adults all over the world. It’s magic — she’s been responsible for getting kids to read books again. And I just think it’s a story that everybody can relate to and hopefully be inspired by, and that was what drew me to it.

DD: What were some things about J.K. that you could relate to and you found enjoyable to portray?

PM: Her tenaciousness, her drive, her never-quit attitude were all things that I really dug into and loved. In fact, it made me a better person, made me work harder and want to be better. I love the way her mind works, her funny, irreverent, unusual, magical mind. I found that to be fascinating. To try to even get inside that for a minute was really intriguing to me.

DD: Tell me a bit about your role on this fall's new CBS series, “Unforgettable,” and the role of Carrie Wells.

PM: I play a woman who has hyperthymesia, or total recall. It’s a person who can remember every moment, in vivid detail, of her life as though it happened five minutes ago. You could ask: “What happened on June 20, 1984?” and she could tell you every single thing — what she was wearing, what she had for lunch, if she had a fight with her boyfriend. It’s extraordinary. It’s a blessing and a curse, because you can forget nothing, and sometimes there are things that we need to forget.

My character is an ex-cop who couldn’t be a cop anymore, because the condition obviously didn’t allow her to forget any of the hideous things she saw. It’s also what made her an extraordinary cop, and basically she’s pulled back into the cop world through a number of circumstances, as well as her ex-lover, played by Dylan Walsh.

It’s a love story, it’s a mystery, and it’s a cop show. There are so many elements going on that it’s almost impossible to describe. It’s very compelling — and it’s directed by Niels Arden Oplev, who directed “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.” He’s just a genius. The writers are amazing. Ed Redlich wrote it, and I did “Without a Trace” with him the first couple of years. It’s a fantastic group, and it’s on CBS, and they do amazing shows.

DD: How were they able to lure you back to network series television?

PM: The script was amazing. I’m obsessed with Niels and had been long before I ever met him, because I’ve seen “Dragon Tattoo” maybe 30 times. I’ve worked with CBS since I was a baby, so it’s like coming home again. CBS is like my family. It’s such a great place for me to work, and I feel like they support their shows so wholly and completely that it is just a joy. Everything about it lined up for me.

To see a strong female character leading a show is very exciting. Now that my son, Jackson, is 3, and I spent two years after “Trace” really just being with him and being a mommy, I felt really ready to go back to work. I’m very proud of the show. I think it’s quite extraordinary and really good.

DD: I know fans will be glad to see Dylan Walsh regularly again. What is he like to work with?

PM: My darling Dylan — I love that man. He’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met in my life. We’re on set and he just makes me laugh. I’m like, “You have to stop making me laugh so I can shoot the scene.” It was like that with all my co-stars on “Trace” too. Anthony LaPaglia is Jackson’s godfather; Roselyn Sanchez is my best friend. We’re all still very, very close. And I never thought that could happen again, and it did with Dylan and the cast on this show. We all instantly just bonded and became friends, and everyone is amazing. So — knock on wood — that’s a huge blessing as well.

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.

Interview: Keeping Up With Thad Luckinbill

Fans of “The Young and the Restless” know Thad Luckinbill from the 11 years he portrayed J.T. Hellstrom. It was there that he met his wife, Amelia Heinle, who plays J.T.’s now ex-wife, Victoria Newman. But Thad has been keeping busy with other projects before, during and after his tenure on “YR”; his most recent being the Hallmark Channel original movie “Keeping Up With the Randalls,” which premieres July 16 at 9/8c. I spoke with Thad recently about the movie, as well as some other projects.

Daytime Dial: One of the things I liked about “Keeping Up With the Randalls” is that although it’s a family film, it also has some sassiness to it. What were some things for you that initially drew you to the movie and to the character of Will?

Thad Luckinbill: First off, I’ve known Kayla (Ewell, who plays Alicia) for a while, and I’ve always wanted to work with her, so that was a draw for me. Also, I like a lot of who Will is — in a big stretch of imagination it is kind of how I grew up and a little bit of my background in a way. I grew up in a small town with a lot of the focus on family, and playing sports was something I grew up with. I’m an outdoorsy guy, so all of that was just really fun, to be honest with you. When we were doing that stuff, I didn’t feel like we were working at all. There was a big, fun element to doing that, and also getting to work with Roma Downey and Marion Ross and everyone else was just a treat.

DD: Were the rest of the actors excited to play all those sports and get to mess around outside a lot, or were some a little hesitant, like Kayla’s character, Alicia?

TL: Everybody had a good time with the sports and the games. I had a blast the day we got to kayak on the lake. That kind of stuff is fun. Everybody just seemed like they were having a lot of fun doing it. It was a great cast. That whole cast got along so well. Hallmark does such a great job of getting people together and making it easy. It was just an easy shoot, and everybody got along really well and had a lot of fun together.

DD: What are some qualities that Will possesses that you both have in common?

TL: Obviously, the physical aspect. I grew up in a really loving family; my parents are still together. It’s kind of a small-knit community, so I brought a lot of that personal experience into that role because it just matched up so well. Will’s determination was something I decided to try to bring out, because I really do think he loves Alicia, and he really wants to make it work. That determination is definitely something that he and I share.

DD: I was thrilled to see you featured last season on “Nikita” on the CW. Will we see your character, Nathan, next season? It was left kind of open for his return.

TL: I think that’s yet to be determined. They were honest about it and told me that they weren’t sure exactly what to do with it, so that is why they left it open. It’s like anything, I think if the story’s right and it matches up to bring him back, then that would be great. I would love it. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. I think it would be a good twist if they decided to bring him back. It was really a fun group to work with and a really cool show. I love how stylized that show is. I think that was what I was most impressed with. Not just the way they shoot, but the way it looks. It’s just a really pretty show.

DD: I remember you had a pretty long run on the sitcom “8 Simple Rules.” What was it like working with a comic genius like the late John Ritter?

TL: I know you shouldn’t say this, but that was my favorite job I ever had. Just because of John. I love sitcom work anyway, but to be able to work with that guy was pretty magical. He just had a way about him of making everybody feel good. He would come in the morning and just make everybody laugh. We’d be sitting down at the table waiting to read or start rehearsing, but he’d be talking to all the crew guys and the camera guys and the craft service guys, and making them laugh. He used his gift to make people feel good about themselves, and he was such a likable guy and so good at what he did. I’m sure when I look back at my career as I get toward the end of it, I’ll still have that at the top, because it was such a neat experience to work with him.

AMC and OLTL Live on Via Prospect Park

(PRESS RELEASE)

ABC LICENSES ITS ICONIC SOAPS “ALL MY CHILDREN” AND “ONE LIFE TO LIVE

TO PROSPECT PARK

EXCLUSIVE MULTIYEAR, MULTIPLATFORM DEAL ALLOW THE SOAPS’ STORIES TO CONTINUE BEYOND THEIR FINAL AIRDATES ON ABC

BURBANK, CA – July 7, 2011 – ABC has licensed its iconic soaps, “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” to Prospect Park, it was announced today by Brian Frons, President, Daytime, Disney/ABC Television Group & Janice Marinelli, President, Disney/ABC Domestic Television and Rich Frank & Jeff Kwatinetz of Prospect Park.  The exclusive multi-year, multi-platform deal enables the soaps’ stories to continue beyond their finale dates on ABC.  ABC will broadcast its final episode of “All My Children” on Friday, September 23^rd and will air the final episode of “One Life to Live” in January, 2012.

The licensing agreement, brokered by Disney/ABC Domestic Television Group, enables Prospect Park to continue production of “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” beyond their life on ABC. Prospect Park will produce and deliver the two long-running programs to consumers via online formats and additional emerging platforms including internet enabled television sets. Under the terms of the arrangement, the programs will continue to be delivered with the same quality and in the same format and length.  Additional details of the new productions and tune-in will be forthcoming from Prospect Park. 

“We are privileged to continue the legacy of two of the greatest programs to air on daytime television, and are committed to delivering the storylines, characters and quality that audiences have come to love for over 40 years. ‘All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ are television icons, and we are looking forward to providing anytime, anywhere viewing to their loyal community of millions,” said Frank and Kwatinetz. “Technology changes the way the public can and will view television shows.  Now that there are so many devices available in addition to television sets, viewers are taking advantage of watching shows wherever they are and on any number of devices.  The driving force in making the switch and attracting new audiences is to have outstanding programs that people want to watch. We believe that by continuing to produce the shows in their current hour format and with the same quality, viewers will follow the show to our new, online network.”

“‘All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ are iconic pieces of television history that captivated millions of fans since their beginning over 40 years ago,” said Frons. “Each of the shows have made an indelible mark on our culture’s history and informed our consciousness in their own way.  We are so glad Prospect Park has assumed the mantel for these shows and that they will continue for the fans.” 

Marinelli continued, “From the time the shift in the daytime strategy was announced, our hope was to find a new home for these treasured shows.   We are thrilled to license them to Prospect Park so the stories of life in Pine Valley and Llanview can continue to be told for the passionate and loyal fans that enjoy watching each day.”

“I’m just so happy that ABC found a home where the legacies of ‘All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ can continue.  I’m excited for their future with Prospect Park,” added Agnes Nixon, creator of both “All My Children” and “One Life to Live.”  “It takes a lot of living to make a soap opera a serial, and the wonderful teams on both shows have done just that. Together, we are a big family that keeps going, and I’m looking forward to working alongside these wonderful people as we ensure that the shows will continue with all the love and excitement we’ve always had.  I also am so happy for our loyal fans, whom we love so much, and who have been so supportive over the last 40 plus years.”

Interview: Catching Up With Joseph Lyle Taylor

Character actor Joseph Lyle Taylor has honed his acting skills in starring and guest-starring roles on many popular TV series and movies, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Contender,” “100 Centre Street,” “Law and Order,” “Dexter” and, most recently, the FX hit show “Justified.” I caught up with Joseph to discuss playing Timothy Olyphant’s nemesis, Doyle Bennett, this past season, as well as his new movie due to hit theaters in August.

Daytime Dial: Before getting the role of Doyle Bennett on “Justified,” were you already a fan of the show?

Joseph Lyle Taylor: I was a huge fan of “Justified.” I thought it was just fantastic the first season. I couldn’t believe they were doing it. I thought it was just great. I’m a real fan of Tim’s (Olyphant) from “Deadwood.”

DD: What’s great about being on a series on a cable network like FX is you explore more areas that you might not be able to on network television.

JLT: Oh yeah; it’s really fantastic. The network shows have gotten so, how do you say this? Systematically, they’re so formulaic. It’s really hard to get on a network show. Everybody looks like gods, they’re all so beautiful. So, thank God for cable. Otherwise, what would we do?


You get into cable shows like those on TNT, AMC and FX, and you say: “Oh, I see. These guys are like me.” And there are definitely some really great cable shows on. “Breaking Bad” is just really a phenomenal show, and Bryan Cranston is really excellent. I really like “Breaking Bad,” “Justified” and “Mad Men.”

DD: How did this opportunity on “Justified” come about for you?

JLT: The audition process was pretty interesting. Cami Patton, the casting director, and my agents were really trying to get me in. They were casting both the characters, Dickie and Doyle. You never really get much opportunity to play these kinds of characters, these Southern bad guys. I’m originally from Texas, and throughout my career I’ve spent a lot of time and money getting rid of my accent. When you get to jump back into that, not only the accent, but there’s a certain feeling and attitude that these Southern tough guys have that’s just a lot of fun.


When I was reading the breakdown for it, I was very excited to go in. I actually read for Dickie, which Jeremy Davies plays. I got a really good response, and they called and were like: “Listen, we love him, but Jeremy Davies is going to play that role. We wonder if Joseph would come back for Doyle.” And I’m like, “Yeah I’ll come back for Doyle.”

DD: What do you like about playing Doyle?

JLT: By the time I got to episode three, I had sort of figured out Doyle was really cool. He wasn’t a loud screaming bad guy. He was just very quiet. He would observe and then do whatever business he had to do. He’s sort of quiet, funny and efficient — just get the job done.


If you watch the first episode of season two, where I go in with Jeremy and we put Chris Mulkey’s leg in that bear trap, you can see I’m sort of playing him as a tough guy, but by the time I got to the third episode, I realized he’s not quite like that. He’s much more of a quiet guy, behind the scenes. He’s sort of the Dick Cheney of the Bennett family.

DD: Tell me about “Seven Days in Utopia,” and your role of Martin Chisholm.

JLT: It’s really a heartfelt movie about this kid who’s trying to find himself, played by Lucas Black. The character’s Texan, and I play his father. The movie goes back and forth, and so my character ages like 15 years throughout the movie, which is really interesting to do. I had never really done anything that aged me as much. The movie is such a pretty script.


The movie itself is really pretty too. They got a lot of rain in west Texas. We shot just west of Austin up in the hill country, which is a really beautiful part of Texas, and we had a rainy winter, so everything was really, really green and lush. Of course, we spent a lot of time on the golf course. The story line is that I really ride my kid hard in golf and make him practice and this and that. And then he gets his first real shot at a pro tour, and I end up giving him some bad advice, and he ends up not winning the tournament.


He takes off, and that is where he meets Robert Duvall’s character, Johnny Crawford, out in Utopia. He learns lessons on life, and it’s really quite touching.

DD: Do we get to see you on the golf course?

JLT: No, I don’t get to really golf. I get to hit the ball with Lucas. Getting cast in this movie came down to my swing. If my swing was good enough to pass the PGA tour guys who are like, “Well, if your swing’s not good enough then it’s going to look weird.” So, I had to go out to Griffin Park, set up my video camera, video my golf swing and send it in. I guess it passed muster.

DD: It must be nice for you as an actor to be able to work in all kinds of acting genres: TV, film, stage.

JLT: I do like to mix it up. I really enjoy all three of them.

DD: Plus, you got to work with the late, great Sidney Lumet on “100 Centre Street.” As a director, what was he like to work with and to learn from?

JLT: It was amazing to work with him. I trailed him on a lot of episodes that I wasn’t in, because I’m interested in directing too, and I had a great opportunity to watch him work, and see how you break down scripts and how he set up his shots. The one thing he said to me that really hit home was, “Joe, darling, shoot what you like.” And it’s like, of course. Shoot what I like, because we all have the experience of life. You’ve experienced things, I’ve experienced things, and all those things speak to our art, to what we do.


Sidney was amazing, and he was a real sweetheart and genius. I was just so fortunate to be able to spend two years working with him. It’s something that I thought that really mattered. I would have loved to have hung out with him all the time. He was a real mentor and a real inspiration. Look at his movies — his movies are so amazing: “Network,” “The Verdict,” “Dog Day Afternoon,” “The Hill.” He’s got like 40 movies, and they are amazing. “12 Angry Men” was his first feature. Can you believe that? That’s all shot in one room. There are no locations. There’s no crane shot. There’s no CGI. It’s just fascinating to watch.


I wish we would have gone five years like they were planning (with “100 Centre Street”), but I’m so grateful that he cast me in that show. It was an amazing experience.

The Divas of Daytime

The Divas, Bobbie Eakes (Krystal, AMC), Kassie DePaiva (Blair, OLTL), and Kathy Brier (ex-Marcie, OLTL) will be performing a special concert on Sunday, August 14 at 7:00 pm at the famous Triad located at 158 W. 72nd Street , New York. Join three of your favorite daytime actresses for a very special concert during One Life To Live's Fan Club Weekend. Meet and greet with photo opportunity immediately to follow concert.

Tickets are $55.00, with a 2 drink minimum in Orchestra and $45.00, with a 2 drink minimum in the Mezzanine, if purchased in advance. (Tickets will be $65.00, with a 2 drink minimum in Orchestra and $55.00, with a 2 drink minimum in the Mezzanine, if purchased the night of the concert). Don’t let this special concert pass you by.

Order your tickets now!

http://www.kassiedepaiva.com/divanyc11.html

Interview (GH): Brianna Brown, Happy to Bring the Crazy

When Brianna Brown’s character on “General Hospital,” Lisa Niles, first came to Port Charles back in January of last year, she seemed like a normal girl. An ex-girlfriend of Patrick Drake, she got a job at the hospital with Patrick and Robin, but soon, she let her crazy flag fly. I spoke with Brianna about playing Lisa, and she gave me a peek into what dastardly deeds Lisa has planned for the folks of Port Charles.

Daytime Dial: When you first got the role of Lisa, did you know she was going to turn out to be pretty wacko, or did she kind of evolve that way?

Brianna Brown: I was waiting for the craziness to happen, because when the role was first pitched to me, they told me that it was going to be a “Fatal Attraction”-type story line. So, I was waiting for the craziness to begin.

DD: When it comes to playing Lisa, it would be real easy to bring out the crazy, all the time. How do you bring out the humanity in Lisa as well?

BB: I try really hard to make logical sense of why she does what she does. I try to rationalize her behavior. Even though I find it ridiculous and completely uncalled for, I try to figure out, as an actor, what could make me really upset. If I didn’t have any morals, how I would take it to the next four levels? So, I try to find something to really motivate why she’s doing what she’s doing, so it’s not just the idea that this person is just crazy.

DD: What do you like best about playing her?

BB: I like that every week I have no idea what I’m going to be doing next. I love how she jumps in front of cars and then accuses other people of hitting her. She’s blamed everyone else for everything. And that she can go from completely frightening and in a state of rage to “I’m completely fine and it’s you,” which is fun and challenging as an actress to be able to play.

DD: What have been some of your favorite scenes that you’ve filmed?

BB: Well, jumping in front of the car was really fun, because it was just so absurd. And I would have to say when I had Robin trapped in the cabin and she was drugged — before she fell into the well. It’s so much fun getting to play with Kimberly McCullough and Jason Thompson anyway, and all the scenes are really fun. The scenes happening right now are among my favorites as well.

DD: Speaking of what’s coming up for the viewers, the hospital is on lockdown, and you are holding people hostage. What can you tell me about that?

BB: It’s gonna be good! Those have been some of my favorite scenes that I’ve shot so far. I haven’t seen the final edits yet, but I really think viewers are going to be on the edge of their seats.

DD: When you are filming heavy scenes like that, do you all crack jokes to break the tension between takes?

BB: With these scenes coming up, we were all a little bit more focused, because there’s a lot going on. After the fact, definitely. One of the days after shooting, Kimberley, Kristen and I all went out and got a drink. We’re like: “Oh, that was heavy. We should go have a drink together.”


What I can tell you is that this hospital lockdown/hostage story line is going to be really good. I mean, it’s always been really good, but I’m especially excited about these scenes. It will be fun to see what happens after, too.

DD: Were you nervous about the fans lashing out at you because of your character’s attempts at breaking up one of the show’s favorite supercouples?

BB: I was warned right away that it was a major relationship that my character would be breaking up. And I was forewarned: “People are going to hate you. Don’t read the message boards, and grow really thick skin.” So I make it a point of never reading the message boards. I just don’t do that to myself. And I’ve had to fend off some Twitter people who were very upset and defensive of their couple, which I understand — and, I was forewarned.


I think 99 percent of the fans will differentiate between me and my character, but there are those that do take it to the next level, or they just want to be nasty for nasty’s sake. But I’m glad that they’re affected and not indifferent. That would be worse — that they were indifferent to my character. It means the writing and what I’m doing are believable enough for certain people. So, I’ll take it as a compliment.

DD: After everything that Lisa puts the other characters through, especially Robin and Patrick, do you try to take them out for drinks to make up for her?

BB: (Laughs) No, but I have bought coffee. I have bribed them with, “I’m sane — with coffee!” But they know I’m sane, and all three of us have hung out outside of work. Anytime I’ve had to be especially nasty to Kimberly, we always make sure to give each other a hug afterward. It’s funny, because when people come on set tours, and they see that she and I are talking, their eyes kind of bug out. They’re like, “Oh my gosh, they don’t hate each other.”

DD: Lisa briefly dated Dr. Steve Webber and had a chance to turn her life around and to be good. Were you sad for Lisa that she is so far gone that she couldn’t make the right choice?

BB: Yeah, I think it’s — I would hope — an exaggeration of a lot of people who are stuck in unhealthy relationships and stuck in the past and obsessing over someone who doesn’t want to be with them. We go a level or four beyond that. It is sad to see that, but I try to see the truth that there are people who would go back to the guy who is abusive. Or they’ll sabotage a good relationship. So that was my justification of why she’s continually doing it. I loved working with Scott Reeves, so I was like: “Oh no! We’re not going to be playing together all the time.” And Brandon Barash, that’s been really fun getting to know him, with his character blackmailing me and all the scenes we’ve been able to play together.

DD: Those scenes with Lisa and Johnny are so much fun to watch. How is Brandon to work with?

BB: The two of us are just such musical-theater dorks anyway, because it’s in our background. We goof around a lot and talk in weird voices, and all of a sudden we’re looking at each other, and he’s a mobster and I’m psycho. It’s just really funny, to go from being really dorky theater kids to being “our characters.”

DD: Aside from “General Hospital,” you’ve got quite a few feature-film credits on your resume. Any plans to return to that genre?

BB: I love “General Hospital,” and I love doing TV. I’ve done a lot of prime-time TV and films prior to working on “General Hospital.” I’m sure at some point I will go back to doing more film and prime-time television. I love a good film. Just like I love a good story line. And whenever I get to act and do great work, whatever the genre, it’s just such a rush and a blessing as an actor.