Nelson Branco's SOAP OPERA UNCENSORED: Issue 50, Page 2
Nelson Branco
Internet and work. Even our set is different looking. It’s not like a stage — it’s more like my living room. Some of the best advice I ever got was sitting around at home with my girlfriends so I wanted that kind of environment.
Is it weird being on the other side of the couch?
[Laughs] No, not really! I kind of like it! It’s an advantage as an interviewer to have been interviewed so many times like I have. Carnie Wilson said to me, “You get it, Marie. You understand that Carnie the musician is just one part of who I am. You know what it’s like to be on this side of the chair.” I can relate to a lot of my celebrity guests because I lived that life. I can talk about being on a tour bus, having superstars like Paul McCartney visiting with his kids, being on Broadway stage; and I can also relate to cooking in the kitchen, trying to keep the romance alive in a marriage, and raising kids. It’s been fun!
Any dream guests? Oprah?
I love Oprah. But you know what? I really want to have guests who are trailblazers in psychology. I want to explore how to overcome negative thinking and low self esteem. Those are the kind of dream guests I want: experts to help us recover from the damage of our past. Not just talk about it; I want real solutions. But hey, I wouldn’t mind if Hugh Jackman just showed up! You know what I’m saying?! [Laughs] He wouldn’t be “les miserable” for me! [Laughs]
Can we expect your copycat brother to helm his own talk show, too?
[Laughs] Oh, Donny! Well, that’s the only way he’d get top billing! [Laughs]
I like that you’ve invited soap stars to the party.
We have lots of different type of guests from Betty White, Carnie Wilson to hot young up-and-coming actors from TWILIGHT and ROOKIE BLUE. You’re right — a lot of the so-called TV shows won’t talk to the soap stars because they don’t think they’re popular. And that’s wrong. Fans love soap stars! Especially when you have someone who has been on a soap for 30 years. To me, how do you transition from that? To me, having soap stars is less about the soaps but about who they are people. With soaps being canceled or veterans losing their jobs on soaps, I find it’s a lot like going through a divorce. I find how the soap stars are coping with all this change to be fascinating. How do they find their centre? Because a lot of people watching my show may not be on a soap, but everyone can relate to how your life can change in one single day.
What’s the latest regarding your announced B&B gig?
Right now the problem is time! In the daytime, I tape Marie in Los Angeles and after that, I fly to Las Vegas to perform my show that evening before flying back to LA at 11 or 11:30! And the next morning, I wake up at 6A to do it all over again. So, right now, it’s finding the time.
Yikes! That’s a busy schedule. Well, with the oversaturated talk show market it wouldn’t hurt to get a boost from the most watched daily serial in the world! And when it comes to the Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Best Talk Show, it also wouldn’t be a bad idea to secure some soap votes in your favour!
[Laughs] You’re a smart cookie!
Speaking of soap stars reinventing themselves, you keep redefining your career. What’s the secret to transitioning? Curiosity?
I’m a seeker of knowledge and something new and interesting. Here, in Las Vegas, it has been so much fun to perform again with Donny. We were just voted Best Show in Vegas! And Donny and I released our second single from our album and it went to number one! We were like, “Shut up! This is crazy!” We’re having the time of our lives. I guess reinventing myself is a passion. You know how some musicians play a lot of different instruments? I play a lot of different vocal styles. I do country, rock, Broadway tunes, opera… and I’m recording a new album, which is leaning towards more of a legit soprano operatic style. I like to try new things. I think the passion, love and curiosity of life keeps you young and reinvented. I feel so blessed! I am a woman who has worked five decades consistently in this business. I am an exception — not the rule. And that’s not lost on me. I’m grateful. You have to keep all doors open. I mean, this is my 21st year designing dolls. I mean, who knew?! [Laughs] I think the fact that I love people is it. My children keep me alive, too. They keep me fun, current and motivated — that’s for sure. They’re wonderful. They’re like, “Mom, go for it!”
Uncensored Series
TOP TEN WAYS TO REBOOT… Y&R
How Josh Griffith and Jill Farren Phelps can lead daytime’s no. 1 soap into the future —literally!
In my opinion, the only effective and organic way to reboot this dying industry is to take a page out of the prime-time TV’s book and time shift through narratives. Instantly, the what-will-happen? curiosity factor is magnified and you can play with different casts and plot momentum. Below, are my top ten ways to reboot Genoa City:
10. Marry Victor and Nikki in a semi-lavish wedding and promote it in a SOAP OPERA DIGEST cover story.
9. As the couple walk down the aisle, flash-forward five years into the future.
8. In his dark office, someone shoots Victor Newman in the chest twelve times killing the patriarch. Promote the shocking story on the cover of SOAP OPERA DIGEST without alerting fans that the show will be time shifting 5 years into the future.
7. Y&R rewinds back into the past and flashes forward into the future DAMAGES-style for the next couple of years to explain how Victor was murdered (Eric Braeden remains on the cast). Viewers will be fascinated as they learn how their favourite characters ended up in these non-sensical, shocking new chapters of their lives. No one misses a day.
6. Viewers learn that Nikki married Adam in a marriage of convenience.
5. Sharon is an independent woman in the future.
4. Esther is in love with a woman…. Margot, played by Ilene Kristen.
3. Paul and Lauren are remarried; Michael and Phyllis tied the knot to get even.
2. Trevor St. John is cast as Victor — a man claiming to be Hope and Victor’s real son. Adam sets out to prove he is the real heir especially when Victor Sr. believes the imposter.
1. As played by Vivica A. Fox, Drucilla arrives in town — and announces she’s an Abbott!
News & Views
SOAPILEAKS
This Week’s Hottest News, Gossip, and Reviews!
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, CTV/CBS — Terms of Endearment!
• Brad Bell means business. In an interview with TV GUIDE, B&B’s showrunner revealed that Stephanie will indeed die when her cancer returns sometime in December. The show is blowing up its budget to send off its greatest actress. Viewers can expect Stephanie to tell a character she is dying each episode, which will culminate in a big party featuring musical guests. Bell also hints that Ridge will more than likely be making an appearance — but will Ronn Moss play the eternal playboy? No one knows for sure.
• Really? Seriously? So Brooke returned to town without Ridge because he caught her texting Deacon? Didn’t we just witness Ridge declaring his love at his umpteenth wedding to Brooke a few weeks ago? Turns out Ridge and Brooke didn’t apply for a wedding license and are still not married. Ugh.
DAYS OF OUR LIVES, GLOBAL/NBC — The Soap Opera Apprentice!
• Alison Sweeney, who? Congratulations are in order for exiting DAYS star Lisa Rinna who has joined the all-star cast of this season’s THE APPRENTICE. With DAYS’s advanced taping schedule, Rinna should be able to help promote NBC’s lone soap while doing battle with Donald Trump’s hair.
• As previously reported, DAYS hired newcomer Nathan Owens. It’s now been revealed that he’s a Cameron Davis recast, which means Schuyler Yancy is out.
GENERAL HOSPITAL, CITYTV /ABC — Is Alan Quartermanine Alive?
• What is Duke up to? I’m hearing that Stuart Damon is back taping on the set of GH, which explains Leslie Charleson’s huge workload recently. Is Alan alive — or just a ghost? Stay tuned!
• Congrats to Kelly Monaco who earned a 37.5 rating from the DANCING WITH THE STARS judges — all with a broken toe! No word if the Liason fan base was responsible!
• My pal, Pam, former co-host of The Tribute Series podcast show decided to share her experience at ONE LIFE’s reunion meet-and-greet this past weekend in Chicago with UNCENSORED readers.
She writes, “The ONE LIFE event was like watching an episode of the late, great series — and that made it bittersweet. Everyone was so funny and kind. Hillary B. Smith talked about playing a trick on Bob Woods because he was the prankster on set. She put a wig up her dress in between her legs but was laughing so hard she was crying, so by the time Bob Woods went up her dress to get the garter belt off, he knew something was up! They all shared their favorite stories from their time with ONE LIFE. Someone asked Kassie De Paiva question about a certain scene and she said, “Yes I remember that but I was Asian!” Sadly, the cast revealed that this was the last ONE LIFE event as due to poor attendance. However, the cast urged everyone to tweet and Facebook demanding their AMC and ONE LIFE back on the air. Done.
GUIDING LIGHT — Holly Really Wanted to Motorboat Olivia!
• First Joanna Johnson, now Maureen Garrett! The GL superstar recently came out in the pages of OUT Magazine on National Coming Out Day. The press-shy actress opened up about her 20-year relationship with her partner, Janet Morgan, which whom she
