Nelson Branco's Soap Opera Uncensored: Issue 37

SOAP OPERA UNCENSORED

  Volume 02, Issue 27 (No. 37)

  BY NELSON BRANCO

  Copyright 2012 Nelson Branco

  INSIDE — SPECIAL ISSUE: EMMY RED CARPET DIARIES — Exclusive Interview With GH’s Jen Lilley On Her Accidental Soap Career! Exclusive Interview With Rebecca Herbst On Her Wacky Soap Year… And How Long She’s Sticking Around Port Chuck! GH’s Kristen Alderson On Why ONE LIFE’s Trevor St. John Isn’t Coming Back to Daytime! DAYS: CHILL VS. EJILL — Exclusive Interview With DAYS’s Casey Deidrick! Plus: Are Casey and Chandler Working Together More or Less? Find Out! DAYS Writer: Why We Won’t Tell EJill’s Love Story! Is Katherine Kelly Lang Joining THE GROVE? Which Actress Had To Be Escorted Out Of The Emmys? DAYS’s Kate Mansi On Being The New Molly Burnett! Galen Gering on PASSIONS, Rafe’s New Story! Inside Scoop: Judith Chapman Reveals Her New Leading Man And Whether Or Not The Shackinator Is Leaving Y&R for DALLAS! New Investigative Book on ABC’s Soap-Killing Machine! Last Week's Reviews, Unbelievable Blind Items, and Next Week's Cheat Sheet!

  UNCENSORED MASTHEAD:

  FOUNDER/EDITOR: Nelson Branco

  EDITOR AT LARGE: Denette Wilford

  Follow Soap Opera Uncensored at: @nelliebranco or @SoapUncensored

  NOTE FROM EDITOR/FOUNDER:

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  COMING SOON: VENICE — UNCENSORED

  To pre-order your upcoming book VENICE THE SERIES: UNCENSORED for a special price email: [email protected]. The Sapphic tome, which will be out this summer, chronicles the web soap’s meteoric rise, punctuates and analyzes its relevance in serial storytelling and its groundbreaking achievements in the online and soap opera medium. With every single Crystal Chappell interview I’ve ever conducted in one e-book — and those of her VENICE co-stars/directors — this is one must-buy keepsake in addition to episode synopses and reviews, top ten lists, fearless predictions, translated quotes, humour, and exclusive season four previews. Plus: Tributes to GUIDING LIGHT’s Otalia and new interviews! Order your copy now!

  SUDS LIBRARY

  New Book On ABC/Disney’s Soap-Killing Machine

  COVER STORY

  THE TEMPORARY ARTIST

  GH’s Jen Lilley on replacing Kirsten Storms — and winning an Emmy next year!

  There’s no gilding this Lilley. While she’s not your sister’s Maxie, Jen Lilley has reinvented one of the most popular roles in daytime with aplomb and grace despite the fact that she replaced super-popular soap vet Kirsten Storms, who had to exit the role due to medical issues. UNCENSORED caught up with the Roanoke, Va., native at this year’s DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS to discuss her accidental soap journey, dealing with haters, and if she’s submitting herself for an Emmy next year!

  Nice to meet you! Is this your first Emmys?

  It’s my first. I started GH 10 months ago. I’m very excited to be here because it’s a very exciting night for GH. I feel very lucky to be part of the cast.

  You’re the lucky charm, I bet, since your last film was Oscar winner THE ARTIST! You took to the soap art form rather easily even though you had the Herculean task of replacing fan fave Kirsten Storms. Were you surprised you adapted so well because soaps, like theatre, isn’t the easiest medium to connect with? Not all actors can pull it off…

  Well, thank you very much! I was super-surprised. I mean, I’m known for my comedy! It’s so funny because for a long time, when my manager submitted my name for dramas, producers would say, “Jen Lilley is a funny girl.” So to go to from that to multi-camera daytime drama, yes, I was very surprised! Having said that, I am very fortunate to be a part of this wonderful industry. I feel, if you can do soaps, you can do anything.

  Is it still hard to deal with the extremely loyal and sometimes rabid Kirsten Storms fans? You can’t take it personally… even your critics think you’re a good actress.

  Well, that’s good. [Sighs] It was hard at first. Most people know that Kirsten and I are not at odds with each other. I really think she’s wonderful. I don’t know what she thinks about me… but we’re involved in a situation that doesn’t involve each other personally so there’s no room for hard feelings, I don’t think. There’s no point in responding or losing sleep over the fans who have been rude at this point because you’re not going to ever win them over. All you can do is embrace that reality and have gratitude for what you do have.

  My sources stat that Kirsten is in talks to return. It’s a shady situation. Comments/thoughts?

  I can’t talk about that. Sorry, no comment.

  Fair enough! OK — Are you submitting yourself for an Emmy award next year? You turned it out during Robin’s funeral. In my opinion, that’s your Emmy reel, so far.

  Well, thank you. I sure hope so.

  I mean, you have a lot more time….

  Yes, but that episode, so far, is a definite standout.

  I also liked when Spinelli told Maxie off recently… I know it was Bradford Anderson’s moment but acting is reacting and you did a fine job.

  Oh, I agree: the best acting is reacting. Thank you. I liked that, too, a lot. If you can’t react, you shouldn’t be acting!

  Were you a soap fan before joining GH? Or was this sojourn a happy accident?

  Oh, it was a happy accident! I was not not a fan of soaps but I wasn’t super-familiar with them, either. One of my babysitters used to always watch her stories so I knew about them… but I have always respected soap actors.

  COVER STORY

  SWEET REVENGE

  After a turbulent, uncertain year, GH’s Rebecca Herbst came out on top once again!

  Don’t mess with Rebecca Herbst — or else! ABC found that out last year the hard way when it fired the popular actress. Within moments of the announcement, fans rallied to keep Herbst on the Port Charles canvas and, not long after, reinstated their beloved heroine.

  Ironically, a year later, Herbst was nominated for her “exit” storyline which found Liz grieving the loss of her son, Jake, at the hands of her former father-in-law, lifetime boozer Luke. The intoxicating Herbst turned lemons into a lemonade martini by turning in a gut-wrenching, sobering performance as a grieving mother. UNCENSORED ran into the Encino, Calif., native at THE DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS for an enlightening chat.

  Is there added pressure this year as an Outstanding Supporting Actress nominee, considering you are the favourite to win?

  Yes, I think every nomination comes with its own kind of pressure, especially since my friends and family are rooting for me. I mean, it feels really good, for sure.

   

  It would be nice if super-couple Lucky and Liz both won Emmys tonight since your co-star Jonathan Jackson is expected to take home his fifth statue today.

  I hope so bad Jonathan wins tonight. It would be nice! And Tony Geary!

   

  All the Spencers are nominated for Jake’s death storyline, which must be kind of cool. And, in a weird stroke of luck, even Laura Spencer is in the running, though Genie Francis is competing against you for her Y&R role. Is it weird that Francis and Nancy Lee Grahn are in your category? I mean, they’re Emmy winners already — it’s time for Liz to triumph!

  [Laughs] I wouldn’t say weird. We genuinely want the best for each other. It all comes down to who has the better tape.

  This nomination must be special because you were unfairly axed last year and the storyline you submitted was intended to write Liz off. And here you are nominated for another E
mmy award! Thanks, Brian Frons! Does the recognition from your peers help put the year in perspective for you — and punctuate your survival in this dog-eat-dog world of ABC Daytime?

  Yeah, it’s been quite the year. My nomination is sweeter than it normally would be in light of the fact that I was fired.

   

  Are you still surprised how popular you are? Luckily, I respect you as an