SECOND PART: AN UNUSUAL AND EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH COURTNEY SIMON (SB SCRIPT WRITER FROM 1985 TO 1991)

After having presented the first part of the interview with Courtney Simon, here is the conclusion. Happy reading!

Eden & Cruz: the Super Cuple! Their chemistry is unmatched. You've written for them? SB was accused of being almost totally focused on this pair (mostly during Jill Farren Phelps tenure). Was this a conscious choice or not? DoYou think it was a right choice?

Eden and Cruz were one of the most compelling couples I’ve ever written for.  There were times when I agreed that they dominated the canvas too much, at the expense of other stories, but their work was always so committed and professional that no screen time was ever wasted on them.  I think the extreme focus on those two characters, for better and for worse, was very much a conscious choice by Jill Phelps.

And now… Eden’s rape! Rape is an act of violence, and that's exactly how Santa Barbara depicted Eden's devastating experience. Never on daytime has the brutality of the attack been so graphically portrayed. Eden found herself defenseless, terrorized and overpowered. The usual constraints and tentativeness that mark daytime-television fight scenes were absent. Originally, the script had more violence in it, but they made some cuts. On Oct. 5, 1979, General Hospital did a rape story line that has since gone down as a controversial classic among soap plots. It involved the characters of Luke and Laura, and it was termed a "seduction" rape, an oxymoron if there ever was one, since seduction and rape have nothing to do with each other. But, because the characters fell in love and eventually married, GH had to call it something. Santa Barbara, a soap known for taking risks, presented viewers with a realistic rape story line when the character of Eden (played by Marcy Walker) was brutally attacked. In the aftermath, she appeared on a talk show to describe the horror of what she had been through. On the show with her were two soap stars, "Link" and "Laurie," who had acted out a rape scene on General Clinic. An appalled Eden told these actors that they didn't have any idea what it was really like to be raped. The irony of this statement was not lost on me, nor was the thinly veiled reference to GH's rape story. Can you tell us how this idea was born and then developed?

I’ve commented on the rape story above.  You’d have to ask a headwriter about the birth of the “Link and Laurie” reference.  Scriptwriters come in towards the end of the writing process, not the beginning.

Why you left?

I left because there was a new producer and the show was veering in a direction that seemed entirely opposed to the  Dobsons’ original vision.   The show that had been such a joy to write, just didn’t feel like fun anymore.

And now few quick questions: Which is your favorite soap of all time?

I can’t really pick a favorite soap.  They all have their glory days.  Though I thought I’d never top my experience at Santa Barbara, I followed up by writing for Guiding Light in the early 90’s, which turned out to be a wonderful, fertile period for the show.  During that time I got to write for one of the best casts ever assembled, one of whom was my husband, Peter Simon.  That was a special collaboration I’ll never forget.


And the best soap ever?

 I haven’t watched every soap, so I can’t possibly pick the best soap ever. 

The worst?

But—and I may get in terrible trouble for saying this --  I think “Passions” might be the worst.  I’m sure a lot of people enjoyed its strangeness but I prefer a little more realism in my daytime drama.

The most overrated soap?

I have tremendous respect for The Young and the Restless but I have never quite understood its consistent number-one status in the ratings.

The most underrated?

There was a show called “How to Survive a Marriage” in the 70’s that I felt was canceled much too soon.  I think if it had been given more of a chance to find its identity, it would have found a bigger audience.

Which are your professional plans for the future?

I am actually on the verge of retiring.  It’s been a wonderful career but I’m ready to give up the weekly deadline that’s ruled my life since 1980!

This interview is designed primarily for the Italian public. In our country, “Santa Barbara” was very much loved and followed. You've never been in Italy? What do you know about our country? You want to say something to the Italian public who loved SB?

I’m curious to know when Santa Barbara aired in Italy.  I knew it was popular in France, but hadn’t realized the show was picked up in Italy as well.  I love your country with all my heart.  I lived in Rome for three years when I was in high school because my father was working in the American Embassy there.  At that time, there were only a couple of TV channels and one of the programming highlights was “Carosello”, which I used to watch with my younger brothers!  Soap operas were unheard of.  But of course, in later years, that changed.   Recently Guiding Light played in Italy, retitled “Sentieri”, and when my husband was on the show and we were traveling on the Amalfi coast, people would call out, “Ciao, Dottore!”  (Hello, Doctor) as if he were an old friend.  (The character he played was Dr. Ed Bauer).  The last time we were in Rome was 2009 and it was as beautiful as ever.  But we’re longing to return, and I’m sure we will soon.  Have you ever been to the U.S.?

Thanks, Pierpaolo, for the opportunity to revisit one of the happiest phases of my writing career.  I’ve really enjoyed answering your questions.

Ciao!

 Thank you, Miss Simon, for your willingness and generosity. I would like to greet you with a small gift. I have for you a little video-tribute to your childhood:

SECONDA PARTE: INTERVISTA ESCLUSIVA ED INUSUALE CON COURTNEY SIMON (SCENEGGIATRICE DI SB DAL 1985 AL 1991)

Dopo avervi presentato la prima parte dell’intervista con Courtney Simon, ecco a voi la conclusione. Buona lettura!

Eden & Cruz: la super coppia! La loro alchimia è incomparabile. SB fu accusata di essere quasi totalmente focalizzata su questa coppia (soprattutto quando Jill Farren Phelps era Produttore Esecutivo). Fu questa una scelta consapevole oppure no? Credi che sia stata una giusta scelta?

Eden & Cruz sono stati una delle coppie più convincenti per cui io abbia mai scritto. Ci furono dei momenti in cui anche io pensavo che loro fossero troppo presenti sulla scena, a discapito di altre storie, ma la loro prestazione era sempre così impegnata e professionale che lo spazio dato a loro non era mai sprecato. Penso che l’eccessiva attenzione su questi due personaggi, nel bene e nel male, fosse una scelta più che consapevole da parte di Jill Farren Phelps.

E ora “lo stupro di Eden”. Lo stupro è un atto di violenza e questo è esattamente quello che SB mostra in questa circostanza. Mai nel daytime è stata rappresentata così bene la brutalità di questo atto. Eden si ritrova senza difese, terrorizzata e dominata. Gli stereotipi presenti in altre soap sono totalmente assenti in questo caso. In origine il copione prevedeva maggiore violenza, ma poi vennero fatti dei tagli. Nel 1979 “General Hospital” fece una storyline molto controversa sullo stupro. Protagonisti erano Luke e Laura e si trattava di uno “stupro seduttivo” visto che poi i personaggi si innamorano e si sposano, un ossimoro dal momento che lo stupro e la seduzione non hanno niente a che fare l’uno con l’altro. Dopo lo stupro invece, Eden partecipa ad un (finto) talk show per descrivere l’orrore di quello che ha passato. Nel talk show c’erano due star delle soap, Link e Laurie, che hanno recitato in una scena di stupro nella soap “General Clinic”. Eden dice a questi due attori che loro non hanno la minima idea di che cosa sia uno stupro. Il riferimento a General Hospital non è nemmeno troppo velato. Mi puoi dire chi ebbe l’idea e chi la sviluppò?

Ho parlato dello stupro di Eden poco fa. Per quanto riguarda la nascita dell’idea di Link and Laurie, dovresti chiedere al suo headwriter. Noi sceneggiatori arriviamo alla fine del processo di scrittura, non all’inizio.

Perché lasciasti SB?

Lasciai la soap perché era arrivato un nuovo produttore e lo show stava virando verso una direzione del tutto opposta alla visione originale dei Dobson. Lo show che era stato un tale piacere da scrivere, semplicemente non era più così divertente.

Ed ora qualche rapida domanda: Qual è la tua soap preferita di sempre?

In realtà non posso scegliere una soap preferita. Tutte loro hanno avuto i loro giorni di gloria. Nonostante pensassi che non avrei fatto meglio di quanto feci in SB, finì per scrivere per “Sentieri” nei primi anni 90, che poi si rivelò essere un meraviglioso e fertile periodo per lo show. Nel corso di questo periodo, scrissi per uno dei migliori cast di attori mai visti, uno dei quali era mio marito, Peter Simon. Quella fu una collaborazione speciale che non dimenticherò mai.

E la miglior soap di sempre?

Non ho mai visto nessuna soap, quindi non posso scegliere la migliore.

La peggiore?

Ma io (e potrei finire in grossi guai per aver detto quello che sto per dire) penso che la peggior soap sia stata “Passions”. Sono certa che in molti abbiano adorato la sua stravaganza, ma io preferisco un po’ più di realismo nel mio daytime drama.

La soap più sopravvalutata?

Io ho un enorme rispetto per “Febbre d’Amore” ma davvero non ho mai capito i suoi altissimi ascolti…

La più sottovalutata?

Uno show chiamato “Come sopravvivere ad un matrimonio” negli anni ’70 che secondo me fu cancellato troppo presto. Io penso che se gli fosse stata data la possibilità di trovare la propria identità, avrebbe poi trovato un maggiore gradimento di pubblico.

Quali sono i tuoi progetti per il futuro?

Sono praticamente sul punto di ritirarmi a vita privata. La mia è stata una carriera meravigliosa, ma adesso sono pronta a mettere nel cassetto carta e penna dopo 30 anni di attività.

Questa intervista è rivolta soprattutto al pubblico italiano. Nel nostro paese SB è stata molto seguita ed amata. Sei mai stata in Italia? Che cosa conosci del nostro Paese?

Sono curiosa di sapere in che periodo SB è andata in onda nel vostro Paese. Sapevo che era molto popolare in Francia, ma non avevo idea che la soap andasse così bene anche in Italia. Io amo il vostro Paese con tutto il mio cuore. Ho vissuto a Roma per tre anni quando andavo alle superiori perché mio padre all’epoca lavorava presso l’Ambasciata Americana a Roma. All’epoca c’erano solo un paio di canali televisivi e uno dei programmi più di successo era “Carosello”, che in genere io seguivo insieme al mio fratellino. Le soap opera da voi non erano ancora arrivate. Ma nel corso degli anni, le cose cambiarono. Attualmente “Guiding Light” viene trasmesso in Italia con il titolo “Sentieri” e quando mio marito era nella soap ed eravamo in viaggio sulla costa amalfitana, la gente lo chiamava dicendo “Ciao, Dottore!” come fossero vecchi amici. (Il personaggio da lui interpretato era il Dr. Ed Bauer). L’ultima volta siamo stati a Roma nel 2009 ed è stato bello come sempre. Ma vogliamo già ritornarci e sono certa che ci torneremo presto.

Grazie, Pierpaolo, per avermi dato l’opportunità di ripercorrere uno dei momenti più felici della mia carriera di sceneggiatrice. Mi sono divertita davvero molto a rispondere alle tue domande. Ciao!

Grazie a te, Miss Simon, per la tua disponibilità e generosità. Vorrei salutarti con un piccolo regalo. Ho per te un piccolo video-tributo alla tua infanzia.

AN UNUSUAL AND EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH COURTNEY SIMON (SCRIPT WRITER ON SB FROM 1985 TO 1991) - PART ONE

Courtney Simon is an American writer and actress. Miss Simon is best known for having created the role of Kathy Phillips on the long-running soap opera Search for Tomorrow. She has also played roles on Guiding Light, All My Children, and Another World. As a featured actress, she is best known for playing Dr. Lynn Michaels on As the World Turns. Miss Simon began to contribute to shows as a writer while she was still a cast member at Search for Tomorrow. As a script writer, she worked for Search for tomorrow, Santa Barbara, Loving, Guiding Light, General Hospital, Another World, All my children, As the world turns and currently for One life to live. With recurring, part-time acting roles, she has occasionally worked at a show as a writer and as an actor; she has also worked on one show as a writer while appearing on another program as an actor. She has won numerous awards including 7 Daytime Emmys (one of them for SB) and 3 Writers Guild of America Award (two of them for SB). And now the interview that Miss Simon has granted exclusively to "Santa Barbara Blog".

You were part of SB from 1985: who hired you?

I was hired by Jerry Dobson.  I was working at another show at the time and Jerry called to say that if I ever became dissatisfied there, to please let him know because there’d be a script job waiting for me at Santa Barbara.  His timing could not have been better.   I was itching to make a change and I took him up on the offer immediately! 

You worked on SB from 1985 to 1991 as a scriptwriter. In my opinion, you along with Patrick Mulcahey, Frank Salisbury, Lynda Myles and the Dobsons were the soul of SB. Really. You have seen five Executive Producers (the Dobsons, Jeffrey Hayden, Mary Ellis-Bunim, Jill Farren Phelps and John Conboy) coming and then leaving SB, four Head Writers (The Dobsons, Charles Pratt jr, Anne Bailey Howard, Sheri Anderson) coming and then leaving. Which of them gave you the most freedom to create, and who did not?

The Dobsons and Jill Farren Phelps were enormously supportive producers who always made me feel valued.  And as headwriters, the Dobsons were beyond compare. 

You worked closely with the Dobsons. Can you tell us how were the relations between them and the network? Was there a lot of tension? Did these tensions have an effect on your work? If so, how?

It was heartbreaking when they were essentially forced out of their own show, a show they had created and nurtured from the beginning.  But they never let the tensions with the network affect their relationship with the writing team. 

I liked the Dobsons  especially because they were not afraid to take risks. But I do not know them.  Can you give us a professional and human portrait of Dobsons? Do you have any anecdotes?

Most people would agree that Bridget and Jerry Dobson were creative geniuses willing to “think outside the box” and push the limits of the serial format.  But those of us lucky enough to work for them also found warm, accessible, hilarious friends who went out of their way to bestow affection and offer encouragement.  I remember picking up the phone at 8:30 one morning and it was Jerry, calling to tell me he’d enjoyed a script of mine.  I pointed out that it was only 5:30 in the morning California time!  Yet he thought nothing of it.  He was fully energized and had already run several miles before editing my script!  He and Bridget were both so generous.  If they knew any of the writers were coming to Los Angeles, they would have us over or take us out to dinner.  And they never failed to come to New York without assembling the entire team (and possibly a few cast members) at a restaurant.  I can’t remember ever having more fun as part of a writing team.  It was a lively, dedicated group and the Dobsons kept our energy at a peak.

The storyline of Eden’s multiple personalities (1991) was very controversial. Many people criticized it. Marcy Walker was not too excited about it. Who had the idea and who developed it? What do you remember and what do you think?

I wish I could remember specific storylines, but after writing about ten different serials over a period of 35 years, I must confess that too many details escape me now.  So forgive me, but I can’t remember the origin of the multiple personality story for Eden. 

Which storylines are you most proud of? And which ones did  you not love and would not have wanted to write? Was there a character you loved more than others?

I do, however, remember being very proud of the story where Eden was raped. As you point out in question 12, the handling of this story was uncompromising and extremely courageous for its time.   What stays in my mind to this day is the medical exam Eden was forced to endure afterwards, both the creative camerawork, and Marcy’s painful, exquisite portrayal. As for other things I enjoyed writing, Keith and Gina were a delight and so were Mason and Mary. Maybe now would be a good time to jump ahead to part of question 7, regarding Mary’s death by “The Big C”.  That incident may have offended some, but along with the serving of the Lockridge pet pigeon for dinner, it was pure Dobson in its complete unexpectedness.   On no other show would you find characters like Augusta and Lionel Lockridge.  I’m laughing to myself now, remembering their “circle of truth”.  Some people suggested Augusta and Lionel were alter-egos for Bridget and Jerry and there may have been a little truth in it!  They had an outrageous side that only added to their other gifts.

Take a look at a criticism that was made by Soap Opera Digest. I would like to know your opinion about it and your memory about storylines like the Carnation Killer and Mary’s death: “Mental cruelty governs this show, which deliberately chooses far-out and unusual kinds of brutality to separate its lovers. Happiness is constantly interrupted by rape, torture, explosions, bomb blasts, fires, imprisonment, mind and personality-altering drugs, systematic revenge by thwarted lovers, and death - real and imagined. When SB writes itself into a corner, their way out is to kill the offending character in a bizarre manner. Out of such a need the Carnation Killer was born, the SB earthquake occurred, and beloved Mary McCormack was brained by the letter C from the collapsing sign above the Capwell Hotel. Daily violence is the rule. Whether its Mason being kidnapped, you can be sure someone is going to be in danger whenever you tune in. In SB's favor, not everyone is in trouble at the same time, usually”.

Looking back, I really don’t feel that Santa Barbara featured more violence or cruelty than other shows.  And if so, the violence was offset by an abundance of humor and just plain wackiness.   (I can’t wait to see how the word “wackiness” translates into Italian)

In your work as a scriptwriter, did you care about any request of the actors in SB? Did you interact with them, or you were not interested in their demands? Which actors have you been more in touch?

Usually scriptwriters are not informed of requests from actors.  Those are things headwriters deal with at the studio.  I greatly admired the cast and would have loved to have gotten to know them, but we only got to meet the actors on special occasions such as the Daytime Emmys or a holiday party. 

How was it working with Robin Wright? Can you give us a personal and professional portrait of Robin?

I don’t believe I ever actually met Robin Wright and if I did, it was only in passing.  I have great respect for all the work she’s done in films but I never got the feeling she was very happy at SB.

Then Robin temporarily left Santa Barbara to film "The Princess Bride." So Kelly was sent to Switzerland to hide from the police. Thus Gina began the long blackmail with the videotape that exonerated Kelly from a murder charge. This is one of my favorite storylines. Evil Gina rocks. She blackmailed CC & Sophia, forcing CC to marry her again! DoYou know if it was planned or whether it was written only to justify the absence of Robin? (watch the videos below)

I have no idea whether Gina’s blackmail story was dictated by Kelly’s absence, but if that’s the case, it’s a perfect example of how something that seems like bad news at the time (Robin’s departure to do a film) can give birth to a story that takes off in an unexpected way. 

to be continued...

INTERVISTA INUSUALE ED ESCLUSIVA CON COURTNEY SIMON (SCENEGGIATRICE DI SB DAL 1985 AL 1991) - PART ONE

Courtney Simon è una sceneggiatrice ed attrice americana. La Simon è meglio conosciuta per aver creato il ruolo di Kathy Phillips nella soap opera Aspettando il domani. Ha anche recitato in Sentieri, La valle dei pini e Destini. Come attrice non protagonista, è conosciuta per aver interpretato il Dr. Lynn Michaels in Così gira il mondo. La Simon iniziò a lavorare come sceneggiatrice quando era ancora un membro del cast di Aspettando il domani. Come sceneggiatrice ha lavorato per  Santa Barbara, Quando si ama, Sentieri, General Hospital, Destini, La valle dei Pini, Così gira il mondo e attualmente per Una vita da vivere. Ha lavorato occasionalmente nella stessa soap come sceneggiatrice e come attrice, ma ha anche lavorato come scrittrice in una soap comparendo come attrice in un’altra soap. Ha vinto numerosi premi, tra cui 7 Daytime Emmy (uno di loro per SB) e 3 Writers Guild of America Award (due di loro per SB). Ed ora l'intervista che Courtney Simon  ha concesso in esclusiva a "Santa Barbara Blog".

Tu facesti parte di SB fin dall’inizio: chi ti assunse?

Fui assunta da Jerry Dobson. Stavo lavorando in un altro show all’epoca e Jerry chiamò per dirmi che, se mai mi fossi sentita insoddisfatta lì, gentilmente di farglielo sapere perché ad aspettarmi c’era un lavoro in “Santa Barbara”. Il suo tempismo non avrebbe potuto essere migliore. Morivo dalla voglia di cambiare e accettai la sua offerta immediatamente!

Hai lavorato in SB dal 1985 al 1991. A mio parere, insieme a Patrick Mulcahey, Frank Salisbury, Lynda Myles  ed i  Dobson, voi foste la vera anima di SB. Davvero. Avete visto 5 Produttori esecutivi (i Dobson, Jeffrey Hayden, Mary Ellis-Bunim, Jill Farren Phelps e John Conboy) arrivare  e poi lasciare SB, 4 Head Writer (i  Dobson, Charles Pratt jr, Anne Howard Bailey, Sheri Anderson) arrivare e poi andarsene. Chi di loro ti ha dato più libertà di creare, e chi no?

I Dobson e Jill Farren Phelps sono stati produttori estremamente supportivi: mi hanno sempre fatto sentire apprezzata. E come headwriters, i Dobson erano insuperabili.

Tu hai lavorato a stretto contatto con i Dobson. Puoi dirci come erano i rapporti tra loro e la NBC? C'era un molta tensione? Queste tensioni hanno avuto un effetto sul vostro lavoro? In che modo?

Fu straziante quando furono praticamente costretti ad abbandonare il loro show, uno spettacolo che avevano creato e nutrito fin dall'inizio. Ma non hanno mai lasciato che le tensioni fra di loro e la NBC influenzassero il rapporto con il team di sceneggiatori.

Soprattutto mi piacevano i Dobson perché non avevano paura di rischiare. Ma io ovviamente non li conosco. Potresti fare per noi un ritratto professionale e umano dei Dobson? Hai qualche aneddoto?

La maggior parte delle persone sarebbe d'accordo nel dire che Bridget e Jerry Dobson erano geni creativi disposti a "pensare fuori dagli schemi" e ad oltrepassare i limiti del formato seriale. Ma quelli fra di noi abbastanza fortunati da lavorare per loro li hanno anche trovati calorosi, disponibili, divertenti amici pronti a donare affetto e ad offrire incoraggiamento. Mi ricordo che una mattina alle 8:30 risposi al telefono ed era Jerry; chiamava per dirmi che gli era molto piaciuta una mia sceneggiatura. Gli feci notare che in California erano solo le 5:30 del mattino! Ma non gli importava! Era pieno di energia e aveva già fatto footing per diverse miglia prima di adattare il mio script! Lui e Bridget sono stati entrambi così generosi. Se per caso venivano a sapere che alcuni degli sceneggiatori passavano per Los Angeles, ci volevano loro ospiti e comunque ci portavano fuori a cena. E non mancavano mai di venire a New York e di portare l’intero team (ed eventualmente un paio dei membri del cast) al ristorante con loro. Io non ricordo di essermi mai più divertita così tanto in un team di sceneggiatori. E 'stato un vivace e dedito gruppo e i Dobson riuscivano a tenere la nostra energia creativa sempre al massimo livello.

La storyline delle personalità multiple di Eden (1991) fu molto controversa. In molti la criticarono. Marcy Walker non ne fu troppo entusiasta. Chi ebbe l'idea? Cosa ricordi e cosa ne pensi?

Vorrei poter ricordare le storie nello specifico, ma dopo aver scritto per una decina di serie tv differenti in un periodo di 35 anni, devo confessare che alcuni dettagli ora mi sfuggono. Quindi perdonami, ma non riesco a ricordare l'origine di questa storia.

Quali erano le tue storyline preferite? Ce ne sono alcune che non avresti voluto scrivere?

Ricordo di essere stata molto orgogliosa della storia relativa allo stupro di Eden. Come fai notare in una delle successive domande, la gestione di questa storia fu inflessibile ed estremamente coraggiosa per l'epoca. Quello che rimane nella mia mente ad oggi è l'esame medico che Eden fu costretta a sopportare subito dopo la violenza, sia la regia creativa che il dolore di Marcy Walker ne fecero un ritratto squisito. Inoltre mi è piaciuto scrivere per Keith e Gina: erano una delizia e così pure Mason e Mary. Riguardo alla morte di Mary, schiacciata dalla "Grande C", questo incidente può avere offeso qualcuno, ma insieme al piccione domestico servito per cena da Augusta, tutto questo era “puro Dobson” nella sua totale imprevedibilità. Guardando indietro, io davvero non credo che “Santa Barbara” fosse più violenta o crudele di altre soap. E se invece lo fu, la violenza veniva compensata da un'abbondanza di umorismo e stravaganza. In nessun altro show si trovano personaggi come Augusta e Lionel Lockridge. Rido tra me e me ora, ricordando il loro "cerchio della verità". Qualcuno ha suggerito che Augusta e Lionel erano una sorta di alter-ego di Bridget e Jerry e forse c’è un po'di verità in tutto questo! Avevano un lato “scandaloso”, ma altro non era che un valore aggiunto.

Nel tuo lavoro di sceneggiatore, ti sei mai preoccupata di eventuali richieste da parte degli attori di SB?

Di solito gli sceneggiatori non sono informati sulle richieste degli attori. Quelle sono cose che gli headwriters affrontano negli studios. Ho molto ammirato il cast e mi sarebbe piaciuto conoscerlo meglio, ma ebbi modo di incontrare gli attori solo in occasioni speciali come durante le premiazioni degli Emmy o durante i party.

Come fu lavorare con Robin Wright? L’hai mai incontrata?

Non credo di aver mai effettivamente incontrato Robin Wright e se l’ho fatto, è stato solo di passaggio. Ho grande rispetto per tutto il lavoro che ha fatto nel cinema ma non ho mai avuto la sensazione che fosse molto felice di essere in SB.

Poi Robin Wright lasciò temporaneamente SB per girare “La storia fantastica”. Così Kelly fu spedita in Svizzera per sfuggire alla polizia che la stava cercando per l’omicidio di Dylan. In questo modo Gina inizia il lungo ricatto con la videocassetta che scagionava Kelly dall’accusa di omicidio. (vedi i video alla fine)Questa è una delle mie storyline preferite. Sai dirmi se questa storia era in programma oppure se fu creata ad hoc per giustificare l’assenza di Robin Wright?

Sinceramente non so dirti se la storia del ricatto con il videotape fu dovuta all’assenza di Kelly, ma se così fosse, questo è un perfetto esempio di come quella che all’epoca sembrava una cattiva notizia (Robin che se ne va per girare un film) può invece dare vita ad una storia che si evolve in maniera inaspettata.

continua...

THE COSTER CHRONICLES

Il post di oggi è dedicato ad uno dei pilastri di Santa Barbara, ovvero Nicolas Coster (Lionel Lockridge). Ma questo è solo uno dei tanti ruoli che questo grande attore ha interpretato nel corso degli anni. Vediamo insieme la sua carriera…

Today the post is dedicated to one of the pillars of Santa Barbara, Nicolas Coster (Lionel Lockridge). But this is just one of many roles that this great actor has starred in over the years. Let's see his career ...

10.000 VISITORS

Dear Friends,

 I am happy to inform you that "Santa Barbara Blog" in the last few days has reached 10,000 contacts in just four months. I believe that this is a good result if we consider that Santa Barbara was canceled about 20 years ago! SB still lives. So you have to celebrate: here is an article on the reception that SB had in Italy.

Cari Amici,

sono felice di comunicarvi che "Santa Barbara Blog" in questi giorni ha raggiunto i 10.000 contatti in soli quattro mesi. Io credo che questo sia un ottimo risultato se noi consideriamo che Santa Barbara  è stata cancellata circa 20 anni fa! SB vive ancora. Quindi bisogna festeggiare: ecco a voi un articolo relativo all’accoglienza  che SB ricevette in Italia.

AN EXCLUSIVE AND UNUSUAL INTERVIEW WITH JOHN WESLEY SHIPP (MARTIN ELLIS ON "SANTA BARBARA" - 1986)

John Wesley Shipp is best known as Mitch Leery, the title character's father on the television drama “Dawson's Creek” from 1998 to 2001 and for roles in several daytime soap operas. Among his daytime roles, Shipp is probably best known as Kelly Nelson on “Guiding Light” from 1980 to 1984 and as Douglas Cummings on “As the World Turns” from 1985 to 1986, which earned him his first Daytime Emmy. He also played Martin Ellis on “Santa Barbara” in 1987 (for which he won his second Daytime Emmy), Blanchard Lovelace on “One Life to Live” in 1989, and Carter Jones on “All My Children” in 1992. He played the title role of Barry Allen/The Flash in CBS's “The Flash” in the 1990-1991 season. And now the interview that Mister Shipp has granted exclusively to "Santa Barbara Blog".

1.      You came to Santa Barbara in 1986 in the role of Martin Ellis. You were contacted by the producers of the show or you had to do an audition?

I was contacted by the producers of the show.

2.     Martin was a tennis player and former boyfriend of Victoria Lane (Kristen Meadows). When he tracks her to Santa Barbara, he turns out to be quite abusive and problematic. Victoria had broken with him for these reasons. Do you liked to play the role of Martin? What do you remember about him?

What I liked about Martin was that he continued my string of breaking free from the "nice guy" image that got cemented on "Guiding Light". I enjoyed that even though he was a dick, I got to show a sensitive, little boy side when he was told he would never play tennis again.

3.     On SB You've acted mostly with Kristen Meadows (Tori), A Martinez (Cruz) and Marcy Walker (Eden). Do you want to share with us your memories about the relationship with these actors?

All were professional, although I did not become tight with any of them; I was on for too short a time.

4.     For you it was a good experience or not working in SB? Can you tell us the reasons?

Good experience, they trusted me to play the role full out, and I won my 2nd Emmy.

5.     The creators of SB were Bridget and Jerome Dobson. You've known them? What do you remember about them? Do you have any anecdotes?

Yes I knew the Dobson's. When I think of them I think of Class.

6.     For the role of Martin in 1987 you've won a Daytime Emmy as Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series. You have been the first SB's actor to win an Emmy. In fact, your interpretation was memorable and I wanted to continue seeing you in SB. The producers do not asked you to stay on the show? What are your memories about the ceremony?

I did not want to stay on the show; I had my sites on prime time. What I remember about the ceremony was that I flew up from Williamsburg, Va where I was having a dress-rehearsal of JULIUS CAESAR that night. I did not think I had ANY chance of beating Celeste Holme and Eileen Heckart--both beloved actresses and heavy hitters. I told my family not to bother to go. I was sitting there, very sad remembering the year before when my family was there and I won. When they called my name, the "Oh My God!" you read on my lips was real...In fact I had no speech prepared--unlike the year before--and I now know that is never a good idea, because I botched it. I would love to take some of those cocky words back.

7.     In the USA “Santa Barbara”  always remained in the bottom of the rankings ratings. In the rest of the world and especially in Europe it has had excellent ratings. Furthermore, despite having low ratings, it has been the most award-winning soap and still there are dozens and dozens of sites dedicated to this soap, unlike the others soaps cancelled. You have also worked in other soap operas (Guiding Light, As the World Turns, All my Children and One life to live). What were the differences between this soaps? In your opinion, what made SB unique and special?

Santa Barbara presented the upper class west coast USA lifestyle when none of the other soaps were; there was a glamor built into it. I must say, however, the most special daytime shows I've worked on were "Guiding Light" and "As The World Turns" because these parts were penned by the incomparable Douglas Marland; and my recent stint on "One Life To Live" because of the FREEDOM Frank Valentini gave me to go as far out on the outrageous limb as I wanted, and then saw it off! LOL I loved my colleagues there and probably had the most FUN of any soap on which I've worked. I am usually very serious in my work, and on OLTL I allowed myself to just let it rip enjoy the process, let it be fun FOR ME.

8.     Which are your future plans?

I have a movie, "HELL AND MR FUDGE" which I am very excited about in post production. I am enjoying my trial period living in Atlanta and look forward to more fun and outrageous roles--from Superheroes to Psychopaths--that always seem to come my way.

9.     This interview is designed primarily for the Italian public. In our country, “Santa Barbara” was very much loved and followed. What do you know about our country?

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT, Italy is one European country that I have not visited...even I can't believe it. I planned an extensive vacation there once, but the was offered a play and stayed in NYC.I can't wait to go.

10. Do You want to say something to the Italian public who loved/hated Martin Ellis?

To the viewing public I would say: love, hate, whichever: and do it passionately! Thank you for caring. :)