AN EXCLUSIVE AND UNUSUAL INTERVIEW WITH TIMOTHY GIBBS (DASHELL NICHOLS ON SB)





Today I’m presenting to you the interview that Timothy Gibbs has granted exclusively to "Santa Barbara Blog". Gibbs starred in films, such as The Kings of Brooklyn as Maximilian Sentor and television programs, such as Sex and the City as Detective Stevens. Gibbs is perhaps best known for starring in soap operas such as Another World as Gary Sinclair from 1995 to 1998 and Santa Barbara as Dashell Nichols from 1990 to 1992. In 2000, Gibbs was nominated for an Emmy award for his portrayal of the fictional character Kevin Buchanan (from 1998 to 2001) on the daytime series One Life to Live. Gibbs began his career as a child actor and one of his first prominent roles was that of 'Will Adams' in the NBC drama series Father Murphy which ran from 1981 to 1983. In 2003, Gibbs was used as a model for the designing of the video game character Max Payne in the sequel Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne. Gibbs currently owns The Gardenia Company, a marketing firm in Barcelona, Spain.

You came to SB in August 1990 and you left in January 1992. How did you come to SB? What they told you about the character of Dashell Nichols?

I came to SB having been summoned by the audition gods. When the audition gods summon an actor the skies above NBC in Burbank fill with cumulonimbus clouds and a halo of sunshine breaks through with the echos of angels ringing across the San Fernando basin. It's then that you know you just have to go on that audition. Or... Your agent calls you and tells you to show up. They didn't tell me much about Dash. I think, as in many cases on soaps, the writers develop the character as the actor begins to show his colors.

At the time John Conboy was the executive producer of the show. Personally I believe that he had not understood the soul of "Santa Barbara" and that in the period of his rule he has in some way distorted it . SB was different from other shows for many reasons, first of all irony. John Conboy tried to make SB like all the other soaps: he wanted a storyline about the game of polo, he destroyed the unique and characteristic set  of the Capwell house, etc. ... What do you remember about John Conboy?

I don't think your opinion of John Conboy's contributions and efforts are accurate. John is an innovator. He is a man who has the courage to follow the path of his own vision. And remember something; Santa Barbara, while a critical success (Look at all of the Emmy's) was never a ratings success. This means that the network is constantly pressuring the EP's to deliver higher ratings. If you look at how short-lived Mr. Conboy's rein was at Santa Barbara you can see that the network failed to give him the time needed to institute effective changes and enduring ratings gains. If anyone is to blame for the demise of SB its the network. Oh... And John Conboy is the guy who brought me onto that show... I happen to like his choices.

Dash was one of the most enigmatic of SB. He was the president of the Blue Sky Brigade, an ecologist movement. He hired Julia Wainwright as a lawyer in his fight against the Oasis project. They both spent a night together, but when the following day, Julia told him she regrets, Dash does not believe her and forced her to make love again. Dash is then accused of rape by Julia. At that moment, Dash-the-hero becomes a villain, a rapist. I loved this change because the rapist is one of us, a normal person, loving and caring for someone. But he is also capable of violent acts. A minefield to walk on. How did you do?

I enjoyed it right up to the point where the then Executive Producer, Paul Rauch, decided it would be a good idea to try to redeem a rapist. At that point they lost me.

Then Julia’s sister, Augusta, begins to have an interest in Dash. Is it true that the Dobsons planned a love story between the two and that Louise Sorel refused it? What do you think about?

Yes. Louise rightfully refused because she was against the idea of falling in love with the man who raped her sister. She was 100% right.

After the rape it was difficult to imagine that Dash would have been in SB for a long time. Instead, the producers decided not to drop your character and slowly thanks to meeting with Katrina, Dash seems to find a place again, but soon after he leaves the soap. Why?

I left to take the show "Secrets". Another John Conboy production.

You acted mainly with Nancy Grahn (Julia), Terry Lester (Mason 2), Gordon Thomson (Mason 3), Jed Allan (C.C.), Louise Sorel (Augusta), Maria Ellingsen (Katrina). Can you give us  your memory of them?

Santa Barbara was a true pleasure. All of the actors you mentioned were excellent. I learned so much from them.

SB was created by the Dobsons. IN 1988 they were fired by NBC because they wanted to fire the Head Writer of this time. But In 1991 they came back. What do you remember about them?

I was getting ready to split the scene, so I'm not the one to ask...

In 1991, SB’s  ratings were already falling relentlessly and the cancellation was around the corner. How did you live this? And how was the atmosphere around you ?

I really don't act to stay in the same role for too long. I enjoy portraying different characters. It's one of the great aspects of my job. I didn't pay any attention to that crap.

Which are your future plans?

I am making movies now. Acting, producing and writing. Not necessarily in that order. My latest film is "11 11 11" check it out here:

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? Do you want to say something to the Italian public who loved Dashell Nichols?

I lived in Milan in 1992 to 93 while shooting "Secrets". I loved Italy and was able to discover it from border to border-coast to coast. The food is the best in the world, the warmth and style of the people. It's the birthplace of stylish modern living. I would say: "Grazie!!!! Ti ho apprezzato tutti e amo la pasta, quindi grazie per questo, anche! Thank You, Sir!"

Pic #7 is from Capridge.com