Tribute to Pine Valley Dish!

Ahh well, dish might be a little strong.  There really wasn't much of that but it was fun anyway!  I went to the event at Town Hall in NYC on Tuesday, October 25 with PVB friend, Kelli.  And what a great time we had!!  It started out with each of the guys being introduced one by one and coming out to the stage.... Walt Willey (Jack), Vincent Irizarry (David), Jacob Young (JR), Cameron Mathison (Ryan), Darnell Williams (Jesse) and Michael E. Knight (Tad).  Walt and Cameron were given microphones to go out into the audience so fans can ask questions.  There were some about the finale, general questions about this and that... nothing too memorable or that we haven't heard already.  But one thing I do remember very clearly was that Jacob said that his contract with Bold & Beautiful is short term!  So if/when the Prospect Park version of AMC gets off the ground, Jacob is not completely out of the picture to return as JR.  One of the funniest things, to me anyway, was that whenever a question was directed to Jacob, Vincent (who was sitting right next to him) would say, "Oh you mean Rick Forrester?" referencing Jacob's B&B character.  I think Jacob might have been getting a little irritated by it by the end of the Q&A!  

Check it out, I'm sitting next to Rick Forrester!

Someone did thank Darnell for signing and he seemed still so unsure of how it will work or if it will ever get off the ground.  Cameron chimed in as a Prospect Park cheerleader, assuring fans that it will happen.  After fans asked questions, the guys then asked us questions, about the show for prizes (the "Who Did JR Shoot?" t-shirt autographed by all the guys).  And then fans got to stump the actors for the same prize.  


The best part of the night, for me anyway, was when the guys got to tell behind the scenes stories.   Both Walt and Michael had hilarious stories about Ruth Warrick (Phoebe), with Walt's being my favorite story of the night.  Of course I'm paraphrasing here and going by memory, but the gist of it was that during Cliff and Nina's wedding, on location.  Walt was just an extra at the time.  The venue was very strict and had a ton of rules about what they could and could not do and the director of the venue gave a big speech about no smoking, no eating, no drinking etc...  Ruth Warrick looked at the venue representative and said, "If the sofa's have slipcovers can we f**k on them?"  Oh to have been there to hear that!   

Michael's story about Ruth was much different.  Apparently she was a notorious, um, well I can't really say this delicately so I'll just say it, farter.  Everyone knew it, everyone ignored it.  It was just Ruth being Ruth.  But when there were visitors to the set, they didn't know how to handle it!  Case in point, Ian Buchanan (ex-Dr. Madden) was visiting Finola Hughes (ex-Anna) on the set one day and Ruth went by tooting her way along.  Michael recalls the hilarious look of absolute confusion that Ian experienced seeing the legendary Ruth Warrick farting her way across the stage!  Years later when Ian returned, this time as Dr. Madden, Michael asked him if he remembered that visit to the set, and he did... oh boy did he ever!   


Vincent recalled a not so pleasant first meeting with James Mitchell (Palmer) while Vincent was still on Guiding Light.  They were sharing a car to take them to an event and Vincent was very late, making James wait in the car for however long it was.  Years later when Vincent joined AMC he asked James if he remembered him, and James very distinctly said to him, "Oh yes, I remember you."  But they did become great friends after that.  

Michael and Walt recalled the trouble James Mitchell and Ruth Warrick had once teleprompters were taken out.  Michael said that Ruth still always looked in the spot where they were, even years after they were taken out, even though she knew her lines.   James on the other hand would write his lines on index cards and hide them all over the set that he would be filming in.   To mess with him, Michael and others, would take the cards and mix them up and change their locations.  Then James would be wondering around and muttering... "no, that's not right" until he found the correct card!


Michael also told a funny story about Eileen Herlie (Myrtle).  During a Crystal Ball scene, which took many many hours to film and often went well into the night, Michael was in the background with Eileen for part of the shoot.  She kept pointing to his teeth very casually and subtly.  Michael assumed that he had something in his teeth and kept trying to get it out and then showing her.  She just kept pointing back at his teeth.   At the end of the scene he asked her what was wrong and she replied, "Oh nothing, I was just bored so I thought I'd f**k with you."  

All of the actors had the utmost respect for the elder statesmen of the show.  Especially Jacob for David Canary.  He spoke of how much he absolutely loved working with him.   They all loved hearing the stories they had to tell of old Hollywood.


Once the first part of night was over, there was a short intermission and then we were ushered back in for the meet and greet.  Unfortunately this part didn't go as well.  It was chaotic and disorganized.  Having been to my share of events, I took it in stride.  They promised everyone would get their chance to meet each of the stars, so you have to trust that it will happen.  It did.   It may not have been the dream meeting some had in mind, but it did happen nonetheless.  The night went well over the time it was scheduled to end.  It was the first of the events, and as always there are problems that need to be ironed out.   


If you'd like to see all of my photos, check them out on Facebook.  I have made the album public so everyone should be able to check them out!

Tribute to Pine Valley is This Week!!

This week is A Tribute to Pine Valley week!   The big event is being held on Tuesday, October 25 at Town Hall in NYC.  On Wednesday, October 26 at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, NJ.  And on October 27 at The Theatre in Westbury in Long Island, NY.  Attending from AMC are Walt Willey (Jack), Cameron Mathison (Ryan), Jacob Young (JR), Vincent Irizarry (David), Michael E. Knight (Tad) and Darnell Williams (Jesse).  For more information, check out the Tribute to Pine Valley website.

I will be attending the one at Town Hall in NYC, so if you want to meet up, drop me a line!  

Prospect Park Sends Out Actor Proposals!

Looks like things are moving along.  Walt Willey (Jack) via Soap Opera Weekly has said he received his first proposal from Prospect Park.  Walt seems optimistic that things will work out, with both AMC And OLTL starting up on the internet in January 2012.  I hope he's right.  So far Debbie Morgan (Angie) and Jacob Young (JR) have found new gigs, and several others have eluded to being ready to move on.  It will definitely be interesting to see who lands where in the coming months! 

Happy Birthday Walt Willey!!!

Happy Birthday wishes to Walt Willey!   As AMC's Jackson Montgomery, he's got his hands full with the ever fickle Erica Kane.  But Walt's got it going on!   Walt was once again tapped as this years host at the final ABC  Daytime Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS benefit on March 13 with co-host Bobbie Eakes (Krystal).  For tickets and details click here.  Walt celebrates his 60th birthday today!!!!

CASTING NEWS: They're baaaaackk!!!!!

October 6 marks the return of Jack and Erica after their extended pre-wedding honeymoon.   Susan Lucci and Walt Willey will be back in action and oh the things they've missed in Pine Valley. What will they think of David's "death" (yeah I'm still in denial about it)?  Come to think of it, that's about all they've missed.  Wow, summer in Pine Valley sure isn't what it used to be.

Walt Willey Stands Up in Chicago!!!

Walt Willey (Jack) will be performing his stand up act at Zanies in Chicago, IL on Thursday, August 12, at Zanies in Vernon Hills, IL on Friday, August 13, and at Zanies in St. Charles, IL on Saturday, August 14.   For more information or visit the Zanies website.   You may also want to check out this great interview with Walt from the Mundelein Review.  Hmm... could he be talking about, oh I don't know... Pratt maybe???

Walt and Julia Hit the Stage!!

Tonight is the night Ottawa, IL!  It's the first performance in a weekend long event starring Walt Willey (Jack) and Julia Barr (Brooke).   The two are joined by Howard Johnson in a WilleyWorld Production of the classic, Arsenic and Old Lace.  This evenings performance begins at 7:30 pm with a show tomorrow, July 24 at 7:30 pm and a Sunday July 25 matinee performance at 2:30 pm.  Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.  Please call (815) 434-2737.

Stephanie Gatschet and Walt Willey's Tux?

If you're on Facebook or Twitter, maybe you too have been laughing your butt off today at the hilarious antics of Stephanie Gatschet (Madison)! Seems Walt Willey (Jack) asked her if she could bring his tuxedo to Las Vegas for the Daytime Emmys since he has been traveling and wouldn't be back in time to get it. She obliged and chronicled her drive from LA to Vegas, Walt's tux in tow! Check it out, you won't be sorry!

CASTING NEWS: Susan and Walt Off for Summer!!

Beginning sometime in early to mid-July, Susan Lucci (Erica) and Walt Willey (Jack) will be off AMC. But not to worry, it's just summer vacation for the two and they will return in the early part of Fall. Presumably, Jack and Erica will take some much needed R&R together, but no details are yet available on exactly when and how they exit.

REMINDER: Walt Willey on Dr. Oz April 16!!

As previously reported, Walt Willey (Jack) along with a bunch of other soap stars, will be appearing on the Dr. Oz Show and pose their own health questions to the Doctor. The show airs tomorrow, April 16. Check local listings for time and channel for the syndicated show.

Happy Birthday Walt Willey!!!!

Very happy birthday wishes to Walt Willey! He celebrates his 59th birthday today.

Commentary: The Starting of a Brand New Day

It's a brand new day at AMC. The birds are singing. The sun is shining. Mr. Pratt and his almost complete annihilation of AMC is gone. Like the Six Million Dollar Man, we can rebuild it. Most of the steps taken to do that are steps in the right direction.

Brooke is back. An absolute no brainer. Brooke faded into the Martin attic back in 2006 when AMC decided not to renew Julia Barr's contract. At the time, the actress didn't want to stay on in a recurring capacity. Fans were in an uproar that such a classic as Brooke (and Julia) could be discarded the way she was. Quite honestly, the uproar never ceased. It got quieter now and then, but Brooke has always been missed, has always been one of the first mentioned when talk of characters returning happens. Many fans rejoiced when it was announced she would be on the anniversary show. And then popped the corks on the champagne when, shortly thereafter, it was announced she would be returning to AMC in February. Right now, the term of her return is short. But it's a step in the right direction. I hope she has sharpened her claws because I want to see some classic Erica/Brooke catfights! Meow!

Jack is back. Fans cried foul when Jackson Montgomery was basically forgotten about. His marriage to Erica fizzled. He had a brief affair with Erica's prison BFF. And then, nothing. He was gone. Liza was brought back as a lawyer so he wasn't even needed for lawyery stuff. Walt Willey has classically said on many occasions that he will leave Pine Valley when he leaves in a pine box. Well he didn't leave that way, but still he was gone. And while I'm one of the few who is really digging the Erica/Ryan May/December romance, I think she truly belongs with Jack at this point. The diversion of Ryan has been fun. And seriously, when I'm 63 I hope I can attract a smokin hot younger dude too! But it's time for Jack to return, remind Erica about their love and show her that Ryan was exactly what I said... a diversion until the real man of her dreams was back. Their history, their long long history pretty much makes their story simple. Two hearts that lost their way and need to find a way back to each other. Personally speaking, I think that Erica and Jack should never have gotten divorced. I can't even remember why it happened now (although I'm sure someone will remind me lol). It's time for Erica to settle down. It's time to make Jack and Erica the anchors.

Greenlee is back. Nice lead in huh? Jack is back and he needs to be back with Erica. That leaves Ryan alone. Or does it? Rebecca Budig has returned to the role of Greenlee. She clearly never lost her love of Ryan. How could she? She woke up a year later believing it was still her wedding day. She's just as much in love as the day she "died." And I definitely believe that Ryan never fell out of love with Greenlee either. Sure he grief sexed Kendall over and over and over again. And now he's trying to move on for good with Erica. Not going to happen. Greenlee will be back. And I'm sorry Ms. Kane, you don't stand a chance!

And alas, Dixie is back. I can't even pretend to be happy about this development, my Dixie hate is rather notorious. But I am happy for the fans who have wanted this. Death by poison pancakes has been the thorn in the side of many, Cady McClain included. And then, out of nowhere, it was revealed that the Satin Slayer did not poison the peanut butter that was put in the pancakes that were to be fed to Babe but that Dixie ate instead. So who wanted Babe dead? No one knows. The story was dropped. Should we assume that Alexander Cambias was lying? Is Dixie's return going to center around finding out what the real deal behind her death was? Is she a ghost? Has David been hiding her too? What's the deal!? We'll find out in March!

So how do you get back the fans you lost when you hired a hack who ruined your show? Well you bring back the characters people love. The tried, the true. You get back to honest storytelling from a character driven point of view. You stop changing characters personalities to accommodate idiotic plots. You get rid of characters no one cares about... like Bailey and Damon. Yeah OK, Bailey's going and Damon isn't. It's a head scratcher for sure. But he's a young guy and maybe something will develop between him and Colby.

The new writing team is said to be announced within the next few weeks. With my optimism in full swing, I have high hopes that this too will be a step in the right direction.

For the first time in several years, the future of AMC looks bright. I feel good. I have hope. I want to see what's going to happen. Yeah, a new day is dawning at AMC. It's no longer the winter of our discontent. It's springtime in the middle of January! Break out your shades and pass me a Margarita!

More Airtime for Walt Willey!!!

Not only will we be getting some Walt Willey (Jack) for the anniversary shows, but it looks like he'll be making more appearances on the show in January and February. SOD reports that Walt has been asked back for four more shows filming in January with a possibility of even more. Viva Le Jack! He makes his first appearance on February 8.

CASTING NEWS - Beginning of the End for Jack??

Coming soon, Jackson Montgomery will be leaving Pine Valley and head to Europe for an undisclosed amount of time, making it impossible for Jack to represent Annie (which he offers to do this week). Is this the beginning of the end of Walt Willey's 20 year stint on AMC? The folks at AMC won't say, so stay tuned!

So Why Aren't Jack and Erica Together??

Their parting was muddled at best and their reasons for continuing to be apart seem weak and unclear. Four years ago, May 24, 2005, Jack and Erica finally walked down the aisle and seemingly to their happily ever after. But the marriage was short lived. Now Jack is rarely seen which is a darn shame because I think he would like the new more mature Erica that she has become.



So....

Should Jack and Erica reunite?

• YES! They belong together
• NO! Been there/done that
• On the fence, maybe

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