Soap Opera Uncensored: Issue 32

by Nelson Branco

Christine’s always liked older men, hasn’t she?

  Yes. God, she was even provocative around Victor at one point. She didn’t have a father figure in her life. She didn’t even have a mother who took care of her, either. She wants someone really bad but she wants to be in control of her own life. In a way, she’s her own worst enemy. I don’t think she understands she’s the problem.

  Christine now likes younger men. She kissed Nick a few years back and that was hot. With Phyllis going bat-shit crazy again, would you love for that scandalous moment exposed? Phyllis never found out, right?

  No! And that’s the thing… that would be good, too. This is what I love about Christine now that she’s this independent, older woman: She kissed Nick, slept with Danny… she’s not who she used to be.

  She’s liberated. And it’s not like she did anything wrong with Nick because he was single. I also like that Christine isn’t so self-righteous anymore. Moreover, I’d like to know more about her life in Washington. And it wouldn’t hurt to hear Christine mention her mother a bit more. Jessica’s AIDS story was classic Y&R. The show doesn’t write social issues anymore, which was a Bill Bell staple.

  That would be great. The fact that they are revisiting old stories means there’s always a possibility.

  By soap standards, it’s pretty hard to believe Christine has never had a baby but I guess her past explains that.

  She’s not maternal whatsoever! Even though she’s so sweet and nurturing, she’s much more about business.

 

  Speaking of business, the Y&R ratings are pretty dismal. The show has lost almost one million viewers this past year. Does that scare you?

  [Pauses] I get that that’s the situation the industry’s in these days. My whole thing about this week — and I’m not trying to say my storyline will attract viewers who stopped watching four years ago or re-engage our current audience — the old Y&R is back as much as it can be. Let’s just remove myself from this topic, I mean, the whole recent Jack and Nikki stuff and Cassie stories were so good, too. I think Maria is doing the best of her ability to please new and old viewers. I feel like if this doesn’t bring back viewers, I don’t know what we can do. They complain they want the old Y&R, so we’re getting back to that. Give us one more shot. And if this doesn’t work, because we’re in a different time, I don’t know what will work because you and I both know it’s almost impossible to regain those viewers back. Is it scary? I don’t know if I’m scared but it’s disappointing.

  Your return works on another level: With so many soap hoppers on your show — Genie Francis, Stephen Nichols, Debbi Morgan, Darnell Williams, etc. — it’s hard to recognize Genoa City these days, but seeing the whole Christine-Paul-Danny-Phyllis quad made it feel more like home.

  It’s wild about Genie Francis! I used to watch GH as a teen back then. It’s fun to see Genie on our show but I get what you mean. I was a fan girl around Tony Geary when I did the movie CAR POOL.

  Is Maria aware that fans are universally unhappy with the show?

  Um, we don’t talk about that so much. She’s on a constant goal to make the show the best she can. My dad would be the same way: he’d write and hope for the best.

  With all due respect, I wouldn’t compare Maria to your father. For starters, Y&R was his passion and creation. He also trained under the creator of soaps, Irna Phillips. And it’s just not the content of the stories: the show flowed naturally when your father wrote it. There was a long-term purpose to each storyline — and he didn’t hire D-list actors in peripheral roles, recast characters at warp speed, and he listened to the viewers. For example, when the lesbian storyline he wrote for Katherine tanked in the ratings, he killed it immediately.

  She’s bringing back people and making it as close to what they are asking for. I hope people TiVo Y&R or watch it live; just watch. Give us a couple of days this week or next.

  It’s nice that you’re cheerleading for the show. I’ve been hard on Maria. I still think she should stay on as co-executive producer but she needs to fire Scott Hamner and Hogan Sheffer. And hire me. I could write this show in my sleep!

  I think you’re going to be happy in the next two months.

  It better. This is do-or-die time. The show must come first before egos. We lost two soaps last year; four serials in the past three yeas. If I were Maria, I would not want this show to die on my watch, especially as a Bell relative. The show really needs a script editor and someone with a long-term vision for the show, its characters and identity. The stories and characters are so fragmented. For example, you’re on this whole week and then you’re gone for a while. Start; stop; start; stop. It’s frustrating. Your father never did that…

  The cuts are so fast, I agree. My dad was really great at blending a show. You’re right.

  What do you think of the controversial Sharon and Victor romance?

  [Groans] Ugh. The daughter-in-law thing? I don’t know. I get… I don’t know… it’s a tough one to say… Again, Sharon didn’t have a great upbringing so there’s this confusion regarding trust and being taken care of. Victor provides the security she craves… but…

  Conversely, your brother, Bradley Bell, is doing all the right things over at B&B. His soap is the only show to increase in overall ratings and demographics; he’s found a sexy, talented, and viable younger set; he’s bravely telling a groundbreaking lesbian storyline; he casts and recasts naturally; and boasts quite an embarrassment of riches in the cast and writing department. He’s on fire! What is he doing right? I mean, is this all a crap shoot?

  What Brad is doing right is what I love: even though it’s not a summer storyline he grabbed two young couples and made them the focus. It’s kind of like Danny, Cricket and Phyllis. We know the young people on B&B so well because they are the focus. When you have too many characters on a canvas, it’s like you said, when you’re getting to know a story it’s frustrating for it to disappear. With the lesbian storyline, it’s so great because it’s so current. It’s great to have Joanna Johnson back and Crystal Chappell is obviously amazing. I love that Bill Spencer walked in on Karen and Danielle the other day! It’s current and exciting. Again, B&B is not so all over the place that you don’t know what you’re watching.

  Brad’s also learning how to spread the story wealth around in a more balanced way of late, which was one of his weaknesses. Would your dad be proud of Brad’s gay storyline?

  My dad would be very intrigued by the whole thing. My dad was fascinated by women. He did a story like that on Y&R. He was always pushing the envelope. He’d embrace it and have lots of fun watching it!

  Brad and Bill both! Joanna came out of the closet. That was amazing.

  I talked to her the other day… and we talked about her kids. I feel like we’re so past living in a world where we have to have secrets or anything. [Sighs] But I’m so proud of her. I love that she has a family. Everyone should be happy. She looks great, too. She’s so real and natural.

  Are you going to the Emmys? I can’t believe Brad was snubbed! The business clearly didn’t want Brad to break any industry records by earning four straight Best Drama Series wins.

  I know. I couldn’t believe that. But I may not be attending the Emmys because the June 23rd weekend was the only time my husband and I could take some time off in between shooting Y&R. We may take two nights off and just go away to a hotel somewhere and relax. I haven’t decided yet. The upcoming storyline with Christine is so intense that I really want to focus on it and prepare. If I’m going to be a sane parent for the month of July, I’m going to need two days where I don’t hear the word “mom!”

  Are you sticking around for more than a month in your next, upcoming arc?

  The story will have served a huge purpose but after that, I don’t know. I’m in talks with other people — not the web show stuff — and I plan on auditioning in the fall. Whether I can do all of that and Y&R, I don’t know.

  Your father’s biography is finally out on June 1! We’ve been talki
ng about it for the past two years.

  I know. We all just got our copies. It’s going to be great for our kids to read and have as a keepsake. I think we’ll all learn things we didn’t know about him. I’m so glad and proud that my mom saw it through — and that’s she’s here to enjoy it. And she’s doing this book tour, too; which I think is fantastic! [Laughs]

  I can’t wait to read it. Would you ever consider writing your memoirs?

  I don’t know who would buy it! [Laughs] Let’s see what happens in the next 15 years. I’m a private person. I don’t know… I’m too young. I have to live a lot more life… and accomplish a lot more worthy things.

  Your first book should be called: How To Reverse The Aging Process By Lauralee Bell!

  COVER STORY

  FIVE SHADES OF GAY

  In the complete UNCENSORED’s interview with Crystal Chappell, the B&B star sounds off on her DAYS catharsis, her Emmy nomination as Carly, and reveals big news about THE GROVE!

  “The white light streams down to be broken up by those human prisms into all the colors of the rainbow. Take your own color in the pattern and be just that.”