Snippets:

 

Archive 1       Archive 2

 
By Deanna Barnert @ SuperSoapFans – MSN Blog – May 2010

www.michaelfairmansoaps.com  –  April 2010

 

SOD Thumbs Up Article (9/19/06 issue)

Resurrection Sweet

Once Days fans picked their jaws up off the floor after the news that Steve and Kayla were returning, the question was how the show would bring Steve back from the “dead”. It wouldn’t have been dramatic enough for him to simply saunter back into town and catch up with everyone right away, so Days went with amnesia, which in addition to providing an explanation for his absence, also gave Kayla and the viewers a chance to fall in love with Steve all over again. Stephen Nichols did an extraordinary job with the clichéd device that brought back his character.

Steve’s astonishment as everyone explained the lunacy that is Salem’s history was priceless: “Man, this is one whacked-out burg you live in here,” he told Jack.

But the real gold was Steve starting to fit in again. It was so cool to see him interacting with Bo as they played darts like old times, and then, when he spontaneously called Kayla “Sweetness” from out of nowhere, there wasn’t a Days fan in the world whose heart didn’t skip a beat.

Welcome back, guys. Salem wasn’t the same without you.

Shayna Rose in Soap Opera Weekly 10/2

There is a brief article/interview with Shayna Rose (Stephanie Kay) in the new issue dated Oct. 2

She talks about how helpful Stephen & Mary Beth have been, filling her in on the history, and says they have sort of formed their own little family unit on set.

Hogan Sheffer Interview at Soapnet.Com (Must see!)

If you’re doing this over certain Billie & Nick spoilers, I recommend watching the Hogan Sheffer interview at SoapNet!

There are 6 or 7 clips –here are some highlight quotes:

Kat (interviewer): “Now what’s the story that you really want to tell, a story that you’re looking forward to telling?”

Hogan : “The story that is just really juicy for what’s coming is Steve and Kayla. They’re going to be central to everything that happens in the coming months and I think it’s gonna be great. (he lights up) I just can’t tell you what the story is …there are rules…and Ken Corday has a gun. (laughs) I have to be very careful what I say. But Steve and Kayla are just…it has to do with Steve’s memory and something that happens to the two of them that puts them inextricably close, and it’s not an island and it’s not a cave…it’s something unexpected and their lives are in danger. And Steve is going to have to sort of reach into his soul and find (pauses…trying to be careful what he says)…find…I want to say the strength to deceive Kayla in order to save her life…so. That’s about as much as I can say.”

About Steve’s memory (Kat asked him if there is hope of Steve getting his memory back at some point) –paraphrasing—not a direct quote… but almost…

“Before it comes back to him for real, he is going to have to…”(long pause and smile on Hogan face) “Before Steve’s memory comes back for real, he’ll need to deceive Kayla into thinking he has it back. I won’t talk about the circumstances but it’s for all the right reasons. But yes, Steve will eventually get his memory back and it will be very exciting and take the story in a completely different direction.”

Regarding Stephanie: He says that he promises we will end up liking Stephanie–there’s been a bad audience reaction because the audience didn’t get to know her before she was thrown in a teen romance, with a relative nonetheless. LOL. He said that for the next several months he is going to focus on having the teens involved more with their families, so they are established as characters before they are thrown into a romance. He says characters have to earn that romance, too.

Magazines this week (issues dated 9/19)

Stephen won best actor, Mary Beth won best actress and Steve and Kayla won best couple from Days this week in the Hot off the Net poll

There’s a Billie & Nick spoiler article “Nuff said about that. Stephen gives some good insight in it

THUMBS UP for Steve & Kayla’s return and a specific mention of the scene where they played darts with Bo at the pub & Steve called Kayla “Sweetness” 🙂

Highlight quote:

But the real gold was Steve starting to fit in again. It was so cool to see him interacting with Bo as they played darts like old times, and then, when he spontaneously called Kayla “Sweetness” from out of nowhere, there wasn’t a Days fan in the world whose heart didn’t skip a beat. Welcome back, guys. Salem wasn’t the same without you.

Sweetness and Light

A four page spread recounting the Steve & Kayla story from 86-current, complete with pictures. Also included is a new, full page candid shot of them at an NBC party. 🙂

Soap Opera Weekly

On the public opinion page, they sum up what most of their mail was about from each show. This is their summary of what Days fans were writing about last week:

“Just give us the Patch and Kayla show.”

Hogan Sheffer (Days Headwriter) Interview in New TV Guide

In Michael Logan’s column, Sheffer says he plans to “bring back the heart and soul of Days.”

Info from the article:

Steve, Kayla, Marlena and John will be in a big storyline with “lots of other people involved.”

Sheffer says, “The male characters have become weak and stupid. I want them to get back their penises!”

Shayna Rose Article, Mentions Stephen & Mary Beth

From Daytime Dial: Read the whole interview here:
http://daytime.king-online.com/Daytime_20060825/index.php

Quotes about Stephen & Mary Beth:

“Days” actors have made Shayna’s transition to daytimesoaps easy on her — especially Stephen Nichols and MaryBeth Evans, who play her dad and mom on the show. “Stephen has taken over the role of dad for me. He’s beenmy handyman dad.”

As for working with such a famous pair of daytime stars, Shayna says:”They are fabulous. They are both amazing — they have aton of experience and are so easy to work with. They are  bright and funny and also work hard. They take the time to really understand. They are great role models to just watch them on the set.”

TV GUIDE Letter/Column-Michael Aussiello

Thanks to Phyllis for sharing this portion of Michael Aussiello’s (primetime tv)
column f/ TV Guide

Question: You said in your June 14 column that Tru Calling was coming back, but there’s nothing on Fox’s website about it. Are you sure this is correct information? — Kayla

Ausiello: Let me get this straight: You just found out that Patch is alive and you’re busy trolling Fox’s website for nonexistent program information? Talk about messed-up priorities. Go tend to your one-eyed hubby, for chrissakes.

CBS & ABC SID (Stephen and Mary Beth Articles)

Days: Happy Days for Evans! CBS SID 6/27

Gone from Salem for 14 years Mary Beth Evans makes her triumphant return to Days on Monday June 12

The In depth story:

Evans, who’s since played GH’s Katherine and As The World Turns’Sierra, is thrilled to be returning to her old stomping grounds.
After my first week back I left thinking, “This is so great; it’s 15 minutes from my house, I’m working with old friends and playing a character I love!” She enthuses.

A bonus for the actress was the news that she would not be returningalone since her pal, Stephen Nichols, was reprising his role as well.
“Stephen and I have such a great connection and we’re really committed to making the best of everything they give us” says Evans.

After watching old tapes to prepare, the actress remembered why Patch and Kayla were so popular. “Both characters have a strength, an incredible vulnerability and a real connection,” she notes. “That’s what we tried to bring to it then and what we’ll be trying to bring to it now.”

Where Has Patch Been? ABC SID 7/4

Following a 16 year absence, Stephen Nichols brought Steve “Patch” Johnson back to Salem last week on Days. But where has his alter
ego been all this time?

Although Patch was believed to have been killed in 1990, the viewers who noticed that his casket had been switched with an empty one have remained hopeful for his future return. “[The explanation for] that part of the story will come later, but yes, the switching was a deliberate way
to keep the door open, and I appreciate that they did that,” Nichols tells SID.

Although Nichols had considered returning previously, his other commitments–namely his long-running role of GH’s Stefan Cassadine–precluded it. More recently, he’d been pursuing other aspects of the industry when the opportunity presented itself
again.

“I have always been open to the idea, and I had to consider what it will mean to my filmmaking aspirations,” he admits. What, exactly, Patch has been up to prior to his reappearance last week remains a mystery that Nichols wants to keep under wraps. But he couldn’t be more pleased to be back in the thick of things in Salem. “My first day, everyone was so happy to see me, and the work was fun,” he says. “One of the actors said to me, ‘After a day like that, it can only be downhill from here.’ I refuse to believe it.”

daysofourlives.com : “The Rose” flashbacks video

Days of our Lives.com has posted a video clip of
Kayla’s flashbacks on Tuesdays (June 13) show:

http://www.daysofourlives.com/specials/specials_detail_1933.html

“He’s Back” Video Clip+Story at daysofourlives.com

Daysof our Lives.com recap of Steve’s story is here:

http://www.daysofourlives.com/specials/specials_detail_1930.html

And there is a Patch is back video clip and summary here:

http://www.daysofourlives.com/specials/specials_detail_1957.html

6/1/06:TV Guide’s Hot List!

“On page 5 in the next week’s tv guide it said that on Friday, June 9th you’ve gotta see…..Days of our lives. There’s a beautiful new picture of them. It says “They’re back! 80s faves Patch and Kayla are heading home to Salem after nearly a decade…and they may not be the only ones.”

(TV Guide’s hot list is the edtors’ choices/highlights for what’s great on tv list during that week. It’s very rare to see a soap highlighted…)

Michael Bruno on SoapTalk 5/18

Michael Bruno (Stephen and Mary Beth’s agent)
mentioned Stephen and Mary Beth
on SoapTalk 5/18

He told his version of how Stephen & Mary Beth were asked back to Days. Bruno said that ATWT was interested in having Mary Beth
back on contract; he told Mary Beth who was wary of the cross-country traveling again. Bruno called Days of our Lives’ Ken Corday to let him know that ATWT was making an offer, and this could be the last chance for 3 years to get Mary Beth back on Days. He suggested that it was a good time to bring Stephen and Mary Beth back. Corday called him back an hour later and said “let’s do it”.

This week in the magazines (issues dated 5/23)

Soap Opera Weekly

There’s medium sized pic of Stephen and Mary Beth at the Soapnet party

The caption reads: “Fans aren’t the only ones looking forward to Patch and Kayla returning to Days. Fellow cast members kept coming up to Stephen Nichols and Mary Beth Evans all night long expressing their joy. “They are as excited to see us as we are to see them” smiled Evans.

The Mail call section has a small picture of Stephen and Mary Beth and says that “Readers are still abuzz” about Steve and Kayla’s return

Theres also the news of a casting call for Stephanie Kay

Soap Opera Digest.
A small picture of Stephen and Mary Beth at the SoapNet party

Caption: Mary Beth Evans arrived with Stephen Nichols
“Now that I have been on so many shows, I have so many people to catch up with. I’m excited” Days’ Darin Brooks wanted to meet Nichols. “I understand he had a lot to do with my character” said the Salem newcomer.

SoapTalk Segment Mentions Stephen and Mary Beth

From soapnet.com’s SoapTalk web site (summary for the episode that aired Monday April 3)

We’ve all heard the term 6 degrees of separation, but have you heard of sex degrees of SOAP-aration? Well, if you haven’t, then listen up, because soap historian Jason Bonderoff tells us all about the uncanny connections on soaps….

Mary Beth Evans and Stephen Nichols

Stephen Nichols and Mary Beth Evans made soap history as one of daytime’s all time favorite couples when they played Patch and Kayla on Days of our Lives. Charles Shaughnessy portrayed Shane Donavon on Days at the same time. Charles Shaughnessy’s brother is David Shaughnessy – the former Executive Producer of The Young and the Restless.

David Shaughnessy was Eva Longoria’s boss while she portrayed Isabella Williamson Y&R. Eva Longoria’s real-life husband was Tyler Christopher who plays Nikolas Cassidine on General Hospital and this is where it all comes full circle.

Nikolas Cassidine is the Nephew of Stefan Cassidine who was played by Stephen Nichols – PATCH! AND Nikolas Cassidine had affair with Katherine Bell who was played by Mary Beth Evans…KAYLA!

Stephen Nichols and Mary Beth Evans are intertwined again until Mary Beth heads to As the World Turns

Highlights/ABC Soaps In Depth February 14, 2006 issue

There is an interview with Mary Beth in ABC Soaps In Depth that is nearly identical to the one in CBS Soaps In Depth

The only difference in the ABC SID issue are the passages highlighted below….

Remembering Katherine

While a return to GH as Katherine doesn’t seem likely (the lady did fall off Wyndemere’s lethal parapet twice!), Evans has nothing but fond memories of her six years with the show. “It was a huge time in my life” she recalls of portraying her character’s Perils of Pauline-esque lifestyle. “What was really cool about it for me was when they would put me in those Nurses Balls every year with Lynn Herring (ex Lucy) who
could run me over in a heartbeat. I’m the worst singer, and I can’t dance, but they would have me do it. It was fun, and afterwards I thought, ‘God that really felt great!’ ”

About Kin Shriner:

“I love Kin and I have worked with him so many times. I worked with him on Rituals when I played a surrogate mother to his baby. I was a virgin with a brain tumor- isn’t that a riot? And then again on GH, and most recently on ATWT”

Also In this issue of ABC SID:

Myth or Reality?

General Hospital’s Lynn Herring had a real life wardrobe malfunction while shooting one of the Nurse’s Ball Sketches

Remember that Nurse’s Ball in which Lucy, attempting one of her many failed costume changes, ended up on stage in her underwear? Well taping that scene didn’t go exactly as planned. “I loved working with Lynn”, says Herring’s scene partner, Mary Beth Evans. We always had a great time. We’d crack up. The funniest thing was when she was thrown out on stage in her underwear. She was supposed to come back and unzip her clothes, and we’d give her her clothes. So she came back but she couldn’t get unzipped, so I went to try to help her, but the whole zipper
was stuck on her underpants so she couldn’t pull them down. When we actually shot it, I was laughing so hysterically that I was crying” Evans adds, “It was like a classic I Love Lucy episode”

Stephen in ABC SID 12/6/05

ABC SID Dated 12/6/05 has a picture of Stephen with Kin and Billy at St.Judes, with the following caption: Stephen Nichols, posing with former GH castmates Warlock and Shriner, said his Days fans were slightly more enthusiastic than the GH ones. “I left 15 years ago, and they still approach me as much or more than for GH.”

Magazines, Internet & TV 11/05

The newest CBS SID has a lot of coverage of St. Jude’s but only one small one of Stephen in a group shot, and he’s not identified.

It also has a blurb with picture about Mary Beth and her ATWT status.

“Is Lily losing a sister?” Since assuming the role of Sierra Montgomery in 2000, Mary Beth Evans has been commuting to ATWT’s Brooklyn studio from her home in CA. Returning periodically when her character was needed and her schedule worked out, Evans was put on contract in
December of 2004. However, the actress has been seen very infrequently, most recently appearing in a handful of episodes to deal with mom Lucinda’s cancer. But the show refutes rumors that she has been dropped from the soap entirely, insisting Evans will appear “as storyline
dictates”.

**thanks Phyllis 🙂

On “Supernanny” last week, the kids were named “Marlena” and “Kayla” (think one of the parents might have been an old Days fan?

*Thanks Kristin

On Court TV this week, one of the (fictional) series had a character whose daughter was named “Kayla” and she said that her daughter was named after a Days of our Lives character (the person who shared this info believes the show is Forensic Files but is not sure).

Several Mentions from the Magazines 11/20/05

Soap Opera Digest September 20

Section “FlashBack To”, a Steve and Kayla pic with the caption

“Days Steve (Stephen Nichols) and Kayla (MaryBeth Evans) couldn’t contain their passion for each other during one hot night on her apartment roof in 1987”

In the Sound Off (fan mail) section:

(Congrats to TCTer Kristin for getting her letter published!)

I watched AS THE WORLD TURNS for the first time recently and I was so impressed with Mary Beth Evans (Sierra). The scenes between Sierra and Lucinda were so moving. My heart broke when Sierra walked into the room and saw how upset her mother was. When she rocked her back and forth, I got teary-eyed. I felt Sierra’s anguish as she silently comforted her mother; no words were needed. Sierra’s scenes were brief, but Evans pulled me in and made me care. I hope to see more.

K.Z., via the Internet

then right below the letter here’s the quote from Kristin’s letter they printed in red “(ATWT) Sierra’s scenes were brief, but (her portrayer) Mary Beth Evans pulled me in and made me care.”

CBS Soaps In Depth October 4, 2005

(A picture of Mary Beth sitting in the Soaps In Depth summer chair): “I am used to spending summers on the beach in California but this summer, I spent a lot of time in New York. it’s my first experience dealing with humidity. I decided to embrace it–I took power walks throughCentral Park and didn’t let it get the best of me”

SOPHISTICATE’s Hairstyle Guide November 2005
(a picture of Mary Beth with the caption:)

“As the World Turns Star Mary Beth Evans shows off a truly inspiring short snip complete with layers and tiny flips. A definite must-have! ”

“Mentions” Online & In The Magazines 07/05

ATWT –CBS SITE–Letter Rip
(letters from viewers/last week)

What a masterful series of shows lately! I have really enjoyed the action of last week and the family interaction that has been more and more prevalent lately. It is wonderful to see mothers and fathers actually talk to their children. And the performances have been top-notch! Today we were able to see Lucinda with both her daughters enjoying a day at the spa. Lucinda and Lily were having an intense disagreement, but Sierra was there to prevent the start of World War 3. I just love Liz Hubbard, Martha Byrne AND Mary Beth Evans together… Let’s see more of all three of them, please!

by TCTer Kris 🙂

Soap Opera Digest–Special Issue (This issue is about “How to be like a soap star”–the weddings, the beauty, how to audition, etc.)

On the romance page, it listed 3 of the most romantic soap moments. First one mentioned was Kayla speaking her vows, after the deaf storyline.
and there’s a pic of Grayson (Dusty, ATWT) and Mary Beth from Grayson’s film premiere last fall.

Soap Opera Weekly (new issue dated July 12)

In an interview with Marie Wilson, there was this question: SPW: Have you seen Kin yet? Meg:” Yes, and he said to me, you’re doing the “Mary Beth thing” (meaning commuting from LA to NY), you’re both crazy!

***Thanks to Phyllis for the magazine report

Stephen & Mary Beth/Steve & Kayla mentions 6/22/05

(1) On the 6/22/05 Episode of SoapTalk:

Matthew Ashford and Missy Reeves (Jack and Jennifer, Days) were interviewed. Missy discussed the transition to being part of a teen romance story to working with Matthew. She said when she first worked with him, she was nervous because he had been “Working with the A team, Stephen and Mary Beth…”

(my note: she said that very sincerely and Matt was cute, doing kind of a blowing on his fingers, as if he were saying “Well I don’t like to brag….” )
Matt added that when Jack first started working with Jennifer, the show had pretty much told him Jack was untouchable as far as a romantic story, because the character had raped Kayla.

(2) SoapCity.Com interviewed the new “Max Brady” from Days of our Lives:

Days_Allison: What did they tell you about Max before you started?
Darin Brooks: So far, I know that he was around when he was a little kid, about eight or nine years old. There was a whole time when he didn?t speak to anyone. Then there was a situation where I needed to talk and I needed to get the one-eyed man’s attention so Max finally spoke. I heard he was like the glue of the family because he was such a nice kid. Now he’s back and I hear he’s getting vengeful! We’ll see what happens. He’s a little less mute than before!

Letters In The Press 4/19/05

There was this letter in Soap Opera Digest’s 4/19/05 issue, mentioning Sierra/Mary Beth:

I was overjoyed to hear that Mary Beth Evans would be a regular on ATWT. She has done a fantastic job with the role of Sierra and has made her one of my all time favorite characters. But why would Sierra consider sleeping with her daughter’s ex-boyfriend? Please writers, know your characters; know what lines they would cross and would never cross. A great story, and one that has its roots in history, would be for Craig and Sierra to really deal with their feelings for one another. Rosanna could be woven in as well. It could be a powerful, deep and wonderful story.

K.H., Texas

On the As The World Turns web site over at CBS, they published these fan letters for the week, which mentioned Mary Beth/Sierra

Letter #1I was truly moved by the scenes of Sierra and Craig at Bryant’s gravesite this week. Mary Beth Evans and Hunt Block played those scenes with unspoken binding ties, mixed regret and the undertones of abiding love. Even through all the recent anger and betrayal between them, that connection shined through. The incredible moment where Sierra and Craig sat next to each other, no words spoken but speaking volumes with their eyes, made me realize that ATWT is missing the boat by ignoring the rich history and unresolved emotions between these characters. I hope ATWT rectifies this soon. Give me more Sierra and Craig!

Letter #2 Today’s show (4/13) was so good! I’m on the verge of tears here. Aaron’s farewell scenes with Alison and his family were wonderful. Great scenes between Aaron and Luke and Aaron and Alison. I’m really going to miss Aaron. And then, on top of all those heartfelt scenes we had Craig and Sierra at their son’s grave. Their children, Bryant and Lucy, mean everything to them and it really showed in those scenes. Craig can be a real rascal sometimes, but scenes like that really do show his heart and capacity for love. Maybe there is hope for him and for a Craig/Sierra reunion.

Magazines this week 4/26/05

SPW also published my letter about Mary Beth/Sierra

Sierra Missed

As The World Turns’ Mary Beth Evans rocked the house as Sierra the week of March 21. Finally, they gave her the material she deserves.
Ever since ATWT put her on contract, they seem to be taking her for granted. But give Mary Beth an inch and she will deliver magic. Sierra demanding respect, professionalism and honesty from Craig was fun and satisfying. I want more scenes like that. They need to start showing some love between Craig and Sierra. That is an adult relationship with a rich history that needs to be explored.

(note, I have since decided that I want Sierra to kick Craig where it counts and find someone else, LOL)

Soap Opera Digest has two pictures of Mary Beth from the As The World Turns 49th anniversary show, as well
as a picture of her at the same event, online.

Soap Opera Digest 3/29

Alison Sweeney: SOD 3-29-05 (article about the baby shower that Missy Reeeves/Jen on Days threw for her)

“When I first told Missy I was pregnant, the first thing she said was, ‘I want to throw a shower for you; it’ll be so much fun and we’ll have all the girls from the show,’ recalls Sweeney. “She told me how Mary Beth Evans had thrown a work shower for her when she was pregnant, and how fun that was and how she wanted to do the same thing for me. It was such a sweet and wonderful gesture.”

Mary Beth in Soap Opera Weekly 11/23/04

ATWT Sierra Returns! -Soap Opera Weekly 11/23

Watch out Craig. Your ex-wife is back in Oakdale this week on As The World Turns and she’s not happy. “Sierra has come home to take care of some business,” explains Mary Beth Evans. “She had fallen in love with this guy (Alan) and she lost him. She wants our of Montega. There is nothing for her there and she started to value wanting to be with her daughter more. Of course, she should have done that a long time ago, but whatever” she laughs.

Sierra is concerned about Craig’s influence on his family. “She’s had it with Craig,” sighs Evans. “She thinks he had something to do with Alan’s death. She will always love Craig but she’s had it with his antics. He never did anything to her children or to her and how he has.”

Evans is glad to be back on the east coast (she’ll still commute back and forth to the west coast where she lives). “I decided from the beginning that I would have a good attitude about it,” she shares. “This show has been incredible, clumping things together and having me be there half-weeks. Chris Goutman always stops me in the hallway and asks, ‘Are yu happy? Is everything working out okay?’ That’s so nice”.

LOTS of great stuff in the magazines! 11/23/04

**thanks to Phyllis for sharing this with me.

There are LOTS of great articles in the magazines this week!

I will post highlights for now:

CBS Soaps In Depth discusses Mary Beth joining ATWT, with a contract, and Hogan Sheffer (the headwriter) has lots of high praise, in an awesome article.  Any Mary Beth fan will love it:)

For example, here is a quote from Sheffer:
“I don’t know what it is about her…her eyes, her superb acting, but she is to me, everything Sierra should be” he shares. “I never saw Finn in the role except on some old tapes, but when Mary Beth came on, I was like…this woman is a REVELATION”

Soap Opera Weekly’s 9/28 issue, Mary Beth shares what really happened in her talks with OLTL and ATWT, and discusses what
her thoughts are on the commute between both coasts.

A couple of highlights:
“…So I called Chris Goutman, because that’s where my first commitment is. I am a loyal person by nature. I would have stayed on Days my whole life had it worked out (laughs)”
-Mary Beth

“I love Bob Woods, and Frank Valentini is one of the grooviest guys I have ever met. ”
– Mary Beth

Soap Opera Digest’s 9/28 issue there is another short interview with Mary Beth about the ATWT and OLTL talks, and the commute.

A couple of highlights from the article:

“I felt horrible having to call One Life back. They said we understand, it’s a contract, we’re bummed, but maybe this could happen later. They couldn’t have been more gracious. Really everybody is just trying to do their shows.”
– Mary Beth

“I’m absolutely blindly going into it, thinking they’ve been so great to me to try to work with me with scheduling. So I’m going to see how it goes. I just want to work, and I think it will be nice to have a regular story instead of putting out fires…it’s a year, so who knows, years go by fast!”
-Mary Beth

There is also a great letter about Mary Beth in this magazine:

“Congratulations to ATWT for keeping MBE in Oakdale I am ecstatic that this talented actress decided to remain on ATWT, where she shines in all of her scenes with the other cast members. Evans won me over when she came to town to mourn her son’s death. Since then I have looked forward to her visits, hoping she would pop up more often than she does. Now that Evans is staying put, I think Sierra should move back to Oakdale, to keep an eye on Lucy…and Craig.”

RA via the internet

Last Week’s Magazines (dated 11/16/04)

(Thanks to Phyllis for this report )

In SOD on the CBS gossip page: “I will now have the record on the show for the furthest commute. I thought Hunt did, but I’m gonna take the cake on that,” laughs Mary Beth Evans, who will be travelling 3,000 miles from LA for work. “I was just reading about Schwarzenegger, about how he’s in Sacramento so many days and back to Brentwood a lot. I thought, ‘Well, there you go. The family has to step up.'” Evans points out that Kimberlin Brown who won the OLTL role Paige (which Evans almost took before opting to stay with ATWT), faces a similar dilemma. “She lives in Henderson, NV. I’d love to have a group for the wayward West Coast ladies!”

In SPW, on the style page: “When I went to facialists and started using their products, that’s when my face was the worst. So I use Cetaphil and a little tiny bit of cream. I keep it simple. I have better luck.”

Cetaphil is available at drugstores nationwide.

Soap Opera Digest 10/15/04

CBS Page/SOD
Tears of the Year

Sierra’s wedding to Alan and sudden widowhood all happened fairly quickly but Mary Beth Evans had to act like she’d lost the love of her life. “I told Robert [Leeshock, ex-Alan], ‘Listen we have five sentences [to show that] we’re in love, because after that, I have to be crying my head off over you!” laughs Evans. “I’ve never cried so much. I cried solid for nine days. It got to the point where one eye was practically closed. I got home and my 17 year old son goes, ‘Oh my God, what happened to you?”

10/4/04 Soap Opera Previews Magazine

STAYING–ATWT Fights for Sierra!

Mary Beth Evans must be feeling very, very popular just about now! After being courted by OLTL–and with rumors circulating that DAYS wanted her to bring Kayla back to Salem–As The World Turns swooped in, putting the actress on contract and keeping Sierra on its canvas for the foreseeable future. Now that Sierra’s latest husband, Alan, has been dispatched to the great beyond, with whom will the beauty be paired? Fans have suggested that the concerned mom just might throw herself at Dusty in order to “save” daughter Lucy from his clutches. Or will Sierra’s former husband, Craig, somehow worm his way back into her heart?

NEW MAGAZINES! 11/23/04

Soap Opera Digest has a great 4 page interview with Mary Beth!

She talks about the commute from coast to coast and how a positive attitude and internet chat rooms are helping her keep things normal with family. She mentions that she just was at an “Adopt-a-land mine” fundraiser that Stephen and Lisa hosted.

Soap Opera Weekly has quotes from Mary Beth about her story and thinking Craig is to blame for Alan’s death.

In CBS SID, Peyton List (ATWT’s Lucy) has wonderful things to say about Mary Beth. A highlight:
“Its so awesome!” List gushes “Mary Beth is such a sweetheart and so great to work with. I’m happy to have her back and all to myself.”

Other news from the magazines: Peyton has decided to leave ATWT since her contract is up, and her film career is taking off. Kin Shriner is joining ATWT as a relation to Sarah Brown’s character (This will be the third time he’s been on a soap with Mary Beth )

(thanks to Phyllis for her help with this report)

9/14/04 Soap Opera Digest

From the Editor’s Choice Article (all about ATWT):

“For someone who occasionally visits and was only recently assigned a brand new husband, Mary Beth’s breakdown as Sierra was nothing short of spectacular. We barely knew this Alan guy, but she sold the true waste that was his death (and posthumous maligning of his name) as though he were a core character.”

From Ask us

Q: On as The World Turns, I know that Lucy’s mom is Sierra but how are they related to Lily and Lucinda? Does Lucy have any siblings?

Sierra is Lucinda’s biological daughter, and Lily is Lucinda’s adopted daughter, so Sierra and Lily consider themselves sisters. Lucy’s only sibling was Bryant, who was killed in a car accident (caused because he was so upset after learning that his girlfriend Jennifer had sex with his cousin, Billy) in 2001.

Mary Beth is Performer of the Week/SPW 9/14/04

APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE–Performer of the Week, September 14 issue of Soap Opera Weekly

Hooray to ATWT for signing Mary Beth Evans to a contract, because that means her character will be around more. Every time Sierra returns to Oakdale, Evans steals the show – which was exactly what happened this week.

Sierra was at first exasperated when she opened her door to Lily(spewing her belief that Sierra’s dead husband Alan was behind Lucy’s kidnapping) so she spun around and continued packing to avoid eye contact. There was no emotion on Evan’s face as Sierra coldly informed Lily that she didn’t need her help with funeral arrangements – or anything else, thank you very much.

“You are not losing a sister, but I just don’t know how to be around you,” struggled Sierra, who blew up the moment Lily uttered Alan’a name. The shouting led to tears, and few on daytime can cry like Evans. The tears were real, not forced, and she bit her lip as if trying to hold herself together. “I’m not going to stop until I find out everything. And maybe after I uncover all of that, we can be close again,” she muttered.

Evans’ body was stiff and unresponsive when Lily pulled Sierra into a hug. Evans showed a brief glimpse of Sierra’s pain as she pressed her damp eyes closed. Then Lily pulled away, and Evans was the distant Sierra again: Her arms were crossed, her lips were pursed and she could only shake her head and let tears fall when Lily reiterated her love. Only when Lily was gone did Evans let out a wail and wipe the tears from her drenched cheeks.

ATWT has promoted a big story for Sierra and if it’s anything like this, we can’t wait.

**Thanks to Stefanie for typing this up 🙂 🙂

Also in Soap Opera Weekly:
From the U said It Column (they post some representative comments from
fans in the online Soap Opera Digest/Soap Opera Weekly chats):

ATWT fans love Mary Beth Evans as Sierra

“MBE is a classic. She has talent in spades”

“I wish MBE would stay forever”

8/30/04 –Soap Opera Weekly & CBS Online articles

From Soap Opera Weekly,
Issue dated September 7, 2004
Headline “ATWT to OLTL: We’re Keeping Her!”

STAYING!

Mary Beth Evans isn’t trading Oakdale for Llanview after all. As The World Turns got wind of Evans’ plans to join rival soap One Life to Live and snatched her right back to remain in the role of Sierra Montgomery.

According to inside sources, the ATWT brass went ballistic when they heard of the OLTL deal and lured Evans back by promising a major storyline for Sierra. But wait, there’s more: ATWT also finally signed Evans to a contract (she had been recurring since 2000), putting the kibosh on the OLTL contract. As reported last issue, Evans was slated to play the role of Asa’s doctor.

“We’re thrilled that she’s remaining at As The World Turns and we have great story for her,” says an ATWT spokesperson.

(***edited to just the Mary Beth part)

***A letter posted on the CBS As The World Turns Web Site,
Letter Rips Section (Week of August 28 )

I am so excited that Mary Beth Evans is staying on at ATWT. I would love to see a Tom and Sierra romance! That would bug both Margo and Craig. I wouldn’t mind if Tom and Margo eventually get back together, if Margo has a complete personality overhaul. I am sick of Margo taking Tom for granted and blaming him for all HER mistakes. I think Tom and Sierra would be a great couple – possibly SUPER couple!

TV GUIDE August 29-Sept 4 2004 issue

**Please Note this is now “old” news– reports are now saying that she is staying at ATWT.

What’s Up Doc?  Why Mary Beth Evans is taking a job at Llanview Hospital

She plays As The world Turns Sierra Esteban president of an exotic South American Nation called Montega. But that’s just not enough for Mary Beth Evans. On October 12, the actress will join OLTL in the recurring role of Paige Miller, a doctor who will treat Asa Buchanan when he’s hospitalized for insanity. Word is she’ll also have a little romance with Asa’s son, Bo.

“I don’t want to burn bridges, but I always want to work more, ” says Evans, who has had major, but sporadic storylines since joining ATWT in 2000. “I’m the girl who was working at Taco Bell at age 14.”

Would she ever return to Days of our Lives, where she and Stephen Nichols played Kayla and Patch? (They were second only to Luke and Laura as THE hot soap couple of the 80s). “Stephen and I have always been open to going back, and the fans seem to want it too…” Evans says, “But the powers that be never do anything about it”

We find that odd. The only time Days trumped The Young and the Restless as the #1 soap was back in 1988.  The event? The Patch and Kayla wedding.

Letters In The Press 8/04

From the CBS.COM AS THE WORLD TURNS SITE/Letter Rips section:Week of August 21

I just wanted to write in and say a big BRAVO to Mary Beth Evans! Her portrayal of Sierra lately has been top notch, probably the best performances I’ve seen in a long time! She has me completely hooked that she is a total loss without her husband, and the devastation that she feels when thinking of confronting Craig. Also, on another note – I’m not really enjoying the new weepy Molly. All she ever does is cry and whine. Please do something about it!

From the CBS.COM AS THE WORLD TURNS SITE/Letter Rips section:Week of August 14

“I just had to write to say what AWESOME performances Mary Beth Evans has been doing lately. The depth of emotions that she has shown through Sierra have been spellbinding to watch. From the fear and panic when Lucy was kidnapped and buried alive to the outrage that her family would accuse her dead husband of being involved to the despair thinking that he really was. She has been a joy to watch and ATWT needs to find some way to get her back more often!! ”
Tami

From Soap Opera Weekly–August 31 “Sign on Sierra”

“I watch As The World Turns, a show written and produced mostly by men, and I marvel at the strength, complexity, sophistication and soul of the women. I am especially impressed with the writing for Sierra when she is on. She is a take charge mother, who does not back down or apologize for knowing what is best for her daughter. But Sierra does not need to take on the role of manipulator, villainness or whiner, to get what she wants. I wish ATWT could find a way to keep Mary Beth Evans on the show in a long term contract.”
LK– CA

CBS Soaps In Depth 8/24–Peyton & Mary Beth

Family Matters

Mary Beth Evans may only portray Sierra on a recurring basis, but she has no trouble slipping back into the role whenever another appearance is called for.

“Everyone at ATWT is so nice,” she says. “Everytime I come back, it’s like I never left.”

And one of the reasons that she feels so at home is the bond she shares with co-star Peyton List, who plays her on-screen daughter, Lucy. “For me, having a daughter [in real life] and the relationship I have with my daughter,” explains Evans, “that was all sort of in there [with Lucy]. I really wanted to build that relationship. That really happened.”

So as a protective mother herself, the actress had no trouble playing Sierra the same way. “For me, as a parent,” Evans concludes, “I wanted to include that”.

Evans drew on her own experience as a mom to play one on tv.

Soap Opera Magazines Dated 8/3/04

On the Soap Opera Digest Remember This? page, There’s a recap of the SOD cover with Stephen and Mary Beth during the “Daniel” time
(the one where she’s wearing the patch, with theirs hands over his eye). The text: Cover story: Mary Beth Evans and Stephen Nichols discussed their real life relationship. “He’s very serious about his work,” noted Evans. “I’m always cracking up about everything.” Nichols observed,
“When I’m being a jerk, Mary Beth will tell me. We’re real friends. When she’s not at the studio, I’m miserable.”

In Soap Opera Weekly: A picture of Stephen with the guys at Tyler Christopher’s event from the GH fan club weekend

CBS SID has this on it NBC news page: The Truth Behind Two Big Returns: Will red-hot Days add to its buzzworthiness by bringing back one of it’s biggest supercouples ever? SID has the latest word. If Days has any big plans to “resurrect” the Patch and Kayla pairing–the one-eyed half
of the duo is dead, after all–it’s news to Mary Beth Evans, who currently is on recurring status–and in the middle of a hot arc–as ATWT’s Sierra. “I haven’t heard a thing,” the soap opera vet says with a shrug when In Depth presents her with the latest rumor. “But who knows what
the future holds?” Evans goes on to say. “I love going to NY [to tape appearances for ATWT]; that’s what’s really fun. B ut if something happens here [in LA, where Days is taped], that’s great, too.”

**The current ABC Soaps In Depth contains an exactreprint of the CBS SID article about Sierra (posted below in this forum)

***Thanks to Phyllis for all the reporting!!! 🙂

MUST SEE TV/CBS Soaps In Depth 7/27/04

7/27/04 CBS SID

Sierra’s Latest Visit Features Betrayal, Death and More! How does Mary Beth Evans sum up her next stint as ATWT’s Sierra?

“Kidnapping, a betrayal, a death…There’s so much fun!” So plot twist-packed is Sierra’s latest visit that ATWT wanted Evans back to tape the entire month of June. Scheduling conflicts resulted in the daytime vet working just the second half of the month–albiet double time–in order to cover everything that ATWT had in store for her. “It was so much fun, but it was insanity!” Evans tells In Depth with a laugh. In other
words, there is a magnificent amount of mayhem ahead for Sierra and the Montgomery clan. “There is so much going on,” says Evans. “[The next twist involving] Lucy’s kidnapping…a betrayal…a death. Everyone definitely should tune on for this.”

During this latest, extended stint, Evans got to work with one familiar leading man, and one new. “Hunt is awesome,” she notes. “And I worked with Grayson, who was great.” Evans goes on to point out that this upcoming chain of events is fulfillment of a promise that ATWT boss Christopher Goutman made to her during the spring, when they discussed what the show had planned for Sierra in the months ahead. “he told me this material would be meaty and good, that I would be really challenged–and he totally came through with that. Personally, I think it’s some of the best work I’ve ever done on daytime.”

7/13/04 Soap Opera Digest

On the Events Page–
Stephen’s Love Letters is listed, with a small photo of him. Right below his pic is a nice new one of Mary Beth, in conjunction with the info about her play. It lists an end date as July 25.

On the NBC gossip page, there’s a mini interview with Matt Ashford (Jack, Days) and his return to Salem. As part of this, it says ‘Before returning to Salem, Ashford had a mini reunion at the funeral of good friend Richard Biggs. “I met up with Stephen, Mary Beth and Michael Weiss. Michael not only worked at Days at the same time Richard was there, but they went to USC together. They knew each other quite a long time. Lisa Howard was there, and Wally Kurth. We were looking at each other, saying, ‘You look good…Let’s get together.’ I’m suire that would make Richard happy, to know that he was causing people to reconnect.”

**Thanks to Phyllis for reporting

TV Guide Online/MBE mention 2004

From a TVGUIDE ONLINE Q&A with James Reynolds (Abe, Days)

Q: You’re now pulling double duty because you’re directing a pair of plays, The Tangled Snarl and Murder Me Once.

They’re both spoofs of the old film noir. We spoof it right down to black-and-white sets and our costumes are all in black and white. They’re very funny shows, and it’s a great cast. I cast Arianne Zuker (Nicole, Days) as the femme fatale in Murder Me Once and Mary Beth Evans (ex-Kayla, Days) in The Tangled Snarl.

Q: No favoritism on the casting.
[Chuckles] Well, you always want to work with people you know and like. I knew these actresses would be perfect for the roles

MBE’s ATWT return/LOTS More magazine snippets 6/29/04

**CBS SID says Mary Beth’s return is slated forthe week of July 19.

Soap Opera Weekly has a letter about Mary Beth. It says

“When Mary Beth Evans returns as Sierra I make sure my television is tuned to ATWT. There’s more energy, more life, more excitement in a scene when she’s around. How I wish Sierra was a permanent fixture in Oakdale.”
K.G., San Antonio, via email.
With it is a pic of Sierra with Lucy.

On their “Seeing Stars” page, it says Mary Beth was seen at a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City,
CA.

SOD has a very nice letter about Richard Biggs and his Days days. It’s accompanied by a pic of Marcus, Steve, Kayla and Bo from the last wedding.

SPW made mention of Mary Beth’s play, and says it is running through July.

SOD: On its “remember this?” page, there’s the SOD cover with Mary Beth, Wally and Rena from 10 years ago. Quote from Mary Beth about the fact that Ned is married to two of them, “It’s going to be horrible, especially if it’s public.”

Also, on the “Hot Off the Net” page, it says that there’s a memorial to Richard Biggs on soapoperadigest.com. They
quote Stephen “He was just very real and very honest,” says Nichols. “The only way to describe him is sweet and noble.”

6/29/04 Soap Opera Weekly

Soap Opera Weekly (date 6/29)

“On the mail page, there’s a comment under ATWT that says:  Fans are glad to have Mary Beth Evans back as Sierra.

On the “Buzz” page, there’s a picture of Steve and Kayla with their wedding party, and quotes from Stephen:

“Richard Biggs unexpected death at age 44 shocked his Days pal Stephen Nichols. ‘We had good story back then’ recalls Nichols of Steve and Marcus’ friendship. ‘We played best friends, and that was really easy for us because we got along so well.’ Nichols attended Biggs’ memorial service with former cast members including Mary Beth Evans, Matthew Ashford, Wally Kurth and Lisa Howard. ‘It was difficult, but it was really nice. There was a lot of love. It’s just way too damn young. I still can’t get over it.’

Stephen comment on Richard

Stephen in an article on SOD online:

Nichols also has fond memories of Biggs. “My very first memory of Richard was the day he auditioned [for DAYS],” he recalls. “It was the first time I had met him, and when the audition was over – I think he was the last of the day – he came to me and whispered in my ear, ‘Listen, man, I really need this job, so whatever you can do to help me out, I’d really appreciate.’ [Laughs] I thought that was great because he was really being himself; he didn’t have that actor’s ego, like he didn’t need the work. He was just very real and very honest. The only way to describe him is sweet and noble. He was a very upstanding person. He had a lot of integrity, strength and wisdom about him that I really respected. Everybody felt that when they met him.” Nichols admits that he regrets losing touch with his close friend over the years. “When you lose someone like this, you think, ‘I wish that we had stayed in touch and remained close outside of work.’ That didn’t happen; we went our separate ways.” The actor, however, was able to reconnect with Biggs through his family at the memorial service. “It was really lovely,” Nichols says. “I didn’t really know what his family was like, except that they were all very close-knit. He has four sisters — he was the only boy — and before he had his own kids, he took care of all of his sisters’ children. He was a beloved uncle, and he became a beloved father. It’s very sad; he was so young and just starting his own family. But it was really nice to see how close they all were. There was a lot of love in the place; he affected a lot of people’s lives.”

Steve returning to Days? What Stephen says-6/17/04 SPW

Stephen is one of the people on the cover of the new Soap Opera Weekly.

THE SHOCKING CAPTIVE ISLAND THEORY

Online speculation is that Steve Patch Johnson could be on the island with the other not so dead character on Days.

Remember Steve’s coffin was whisked away after his death in 1990

Does that mean Stephen Nichols is on his way back?

“I don’t mind, I’ll go to the island, Just give me directions and I’ll find it”., cracks Nichols, who says he’s open to returning to the show. “Sure, why not? It’s been such a long time and I’ve told Ken Corday for years that it was one of the best times of my life. Creatively, it was wonderful. I’m sure things are not the same now, but the character is that character and I’d love to bring that guy back to life. ”

“About a year ago they did contact both MBE and me and we negotiated for a few weeks, and then suddenly the bottom fell out of it. ”

“We were talking about doing it for real, which was the first time we’d done that in years.”

If not Days, Nichols might pop up on another soap. “I’m not against it, ..I ‘m really trying to move into directing at this point. That’s the reason I made the independent movie GET THE DIME. But never say never. If somebody has a nice juicy role for me, the shows are all basically the same, I’d be happy to do it.”

*Thanks to Brenda for reporting 🙂

6/14/04  issues of SOD/SPW

First Posting:
This week the magazines all report on Richard’s passing. In Soap Opera Digest, Matthew Ashford (Billy/Jack, Days) had this to say,

“He recently came over to the house with his two boys, and we were barbecuing and talking about seeing Jim’s [Reynolds] play with Mary Beth in it, and calling up Stephen and surprising Mary Beth.  A lot of that was going on.”

In Soap Opera Weekly Matt said this barbecue was just a few days before Rick died.

In Soap Opera Weekly, Kyle Brandt (Phillip, Days) repeats the story about how he was a big fan of Steve and Kayla as a kid.  A picture of Steve and Kayla accompanies this quote}

UPDATE:

In Soap Opera Weekly “dueling” column, Carolyn Hinsey debates Brian Frons, head of ABC daytime about the state of his soaps. One of the things she brings up is getting rid of the newbie models, and bringing back the vets that should be on daytime. Stephen is one of the 11 she mentions. Frons replies, among other things, that all 11 are talented, but only half are available or interested in daytime.

Sierra’s Back!- CBS Soaps In Depth Dated 6/1/04

There’s a small pic of Sierra and Craig, with the caption “The good news, Craig? No more alimony!”

“Sierra’s back! And she’s got a big surprise for Craig!”

Mary Beth Evans offers SID readers a sneak preview of how Sierra’s upcoming appearance–as is typical–will throw her ex for a loop.

As a recurring character on ATWT, Sierra can appear at anytime–meaning whenever Evans availability coincides with the show’s latest storyline needs. This time around, when Craig’s ex-wife visits Oakdale on Thurs, May 27, she brings along quite an unexpected traveling companion. “I come back with a husband!” Evans reveals to SID with a smile. “I read the script and said to myself, ‘Oh, I got married while I was away.'” While her cross country visits to ATWT’s Brooklyn studios are inevitably far too brief, the West Coast based actress–who in the past has been a part of the DOOL and GH casts–always finds herself welcome there. “Everyone at the show is always so kind to me,” she shares. “That’s the kind of place where I want to work.” And work again she will, as Sierra is currently scheduled for another visit later in the summer. “I’m going back [to tape additional episodes] in June,” Evans confides, “and I hope [again] soon after that.”

CBS Soaps In Depth–Sierra’s Return 5/4/04

Picture caption: “Sierra has someone to introduce to her kin.”

CBS Soaps In Depth– May 4, 2004 (Eric Braeden/Y&R on cover)

May Sweeps Ends with a Shock For Sierra’s Family!

IN: As they always seem to do, Sierra’s latest Oakdale appearance will pack some serious punch!

The In Depth Story: Although the next appearance by daytime vet Mary Beth Evans won’t hit the screens until Thursday May 27, As the World Turns already is teasing viewers with an interesting tidbit concerning the circumstances of Sierra’s visit.

Craig’s ex-wife/Lucy’s mom will hit town with a new man in tow the sudser reveals.

Has Sierra found a new love..or does she have a new tot to unveil? A show rep. had no comment.

Side note: Soap Opera Digest reported that the man Sierra brings with her is her husband…so I am not sure if the above tidbit is true or speculative…. Also, when we last saw her, Sierra revealed to Rosanna that she can’t have any more children.

4/9/04 – TV Guide Online

James Reynolds (ex-Abe, Days) mentions Mary Beth and the plays he is directing/producing in a Q&A with TV Guide Online.

And what about projects on the homefront?
“I had some other show possibilities in New York, and I’m about to do a film. I’m also directing two one-act plays. One is called Murder Me Once and the other is The Tangled Snarl. I’m very happy that Arianne Zuker (Nicole, Days) is the lead actress in Murder Me Once, and Mary Beth Evans (Sierra, ATWT) is the lead in Tangled Snarl. That will open on May 1. …..”

Soap Opera Digest 4/13/04–Picture/Blurb

Soap Opera Digest
4/13/04
Comings and Goings:

“Mary Beth Evans (Sierra Esteban Montgomery): Lucy’s mom, Craig’s ex, and Lucinda’s daughter is back for a few weeks in June. Evans, who is
on reccuring status with the show has not appeared since January, 2003.”

3/2/04 NEW Soap Opera Digest–“Night Vision”

Night Vision: Despite the success of some primetime soaps, Viewers weren’t ready for an evening RITUAL

Article written by Naomi Rabinowitz

In 1984 during the height of Dallas and Dynasty’s popularity, TV offered a new type of soap opera- a prime-time serial that aired every night. And with a cast of daytime vets (Kin Shriner, Scott, General Hospital, as Mike Gallagher, and Philece Sampler, ex-Renee, Days of our Lives, as Lacey Jarrett), a television icon (Tina Louise, ex-Ginger, Gilligan’s Island, as Taylor Chapin) and several up and coming actors (Mary Beth Evans as Dakota Lane; Jon Lindstrom as Brady Chapin; Kevin Spirtas as Tom Gallagher), RITUALS seemed to have promise. Competing with the evening giants however, proved to be difficult for the syndicated program, and the show only stayed on the air for a year. Still RITUALS helped kick off many soap careers, and for a short time, viewers got to enjoy daytime at night.

Mary Beth Evans (ex Dakota “Koty” Lane, 1984-1985)

“Rituals was my first show; I can’t believe how long ago that was,” marvels Mary Beth Evans, who went on to play Days of our Lives’ Kayla, General Hospital’s Katherine, and As The World Turns’ Sierra. “God I must’ve been in my early 20s then. I just remember it being exciting.”

Particularly since it meant she had steady employment. “I’d be bumming around, getting movies of the week and guest spots, but nothing that was long term,” she recalls. “So I was excited about not having to get another waitressing job.”

As Koty, Evans was introduced to many soap staples. “I always joke that the character was a virgin, surrogate mother with a brain
tumor,” she chuckles. “She seemed to have every problem you could have on a soap. I did love Koty’s romance with Brady, though. Jon Lindstrom [ex-kevin, GH/Port Charles] took over the part and then I went to work with him over at GH. I also met Kin Shriner on the show. He became a life long friend, and we still keep in touch. When he was on Rituals, he was already a big star because of GH, so he helped me out. He invited me to appear with him on The Merv Griffin Show, which was a lot of fun. Because I got married right after RITUALS, there are some cast members in my wedding photos. But it was so long ago that I don’t even remember half their names.”

These days, other than making occasional appearances on ATWT, Evans is content being a stay-at-home mom. “I have 3 kids (ages 10, 13, and 16), so it’s a huge job. I don’t know when I’m going to be going back to ATW; usually when I feel it’s been a long time, that’s when they call me.”

As for her first soap experience, “I learned a lot on RITUALS,” she praises. “It was brief, but fun. And it began a very nice career for me.”

Soap Opera Digest (Issue Dated December 2)

ABC Gossip Page/SOD 12/2/03

Rick Hearst isn’t embarassed to admit that he gets starstruck when working with his costars, which happened when the actor first came face to face with Anthony Geary and Stephen Nichols. “I was quivering inside!” Hearst reveals. “Are you kidding me? It was Tony and Stephen! My insides were shaking.” The actor insists that experiencing butterflies makes him a better actor. “Whenever I work with somebody who’s that good, I feel like I want to be on my best game. You get those nerves, and you’re alive! If you’re just like, ‘Ah, what the hell,’ then you’re not really giving it your all.”

FLASHBACK ARTICLE: Steve & Kayla’s Wedding

Days’ Kayla Gets Voice Back to Say ‘I Do’

By Sue Facter (Star Magazine)

Lovebirds Kayla Brady Deveraux (played by Mary Beth Evans) and Patch (Stephen Nichols) of Days of our Lives will wed this week in daytime television’s most touching wedding ceremony ever.

Kayla, who was left deaf and dumb after a tragic fire, and Patch will hold their wedding in sign language. But in a dramatic twist, Kayla will regain her speech and hearing during the ceremony and be able to say ‘I do’. (*note, Kayla actually got her hearing back the night before the ceremony; its her speech that came back during the wedding).

A 103 ft yacht in beautiful Marina Del Rey, California, was the setting for the romantic event. Executive producer Ken Corday syas, “We
held the wedding outside because it was Kayla’s fantasy to marry on the water. Patch finds her diary, discovers her dream, and decides to surprise her.”

While the ceremony was a delight, the actors sweltered in 110 degree temperatures under studio lights. Billy Warlock (Frankie Brady) and Billy Hufsey (Emilio) were even more uncomfortable than the rest of the cast. Warlock had to wear a head bandage and Hufsey arm bandages because of two accidents in the plot.

Costumer Lee Smith was proud of his creations.”I did the bride’s gown in blush satin and chiffon with irridescent beads,” he says. “The gown has big sleeves and a sweetheart neckline with a tight bodice. It has a chiffon skirt over satin. I wanted the gown to be very romantic.”

Genie Francis (Diana Colville), a recent real life bride, will catch the bouquet. Her onscreen lover, Drake Hogestyn (Roman Brady) gets the garter.

FLASHBACK SNIPPETS-Daytime TV-80

From Daytime TV-80s

Mary Beth Evans- All Fired Up

Right Before landing the role of Kayla Brady, Mary Beth Evans actually considered giving up acting and focusing
on a different career. Just what was she going to do? “Become a firewoman,” she smiles. “The Los Angeles fire department was looking for women recruits, so I sent away for brochures. But to be honest, I’m glad things turned out the way they did!”

Mary Beth Evans- A Real Knit Wit!
There’s Nothing more relaxing to Mary Beth (Kayla) than sitting at home knitting and sewing. “I’ve always loved to sew,” admits Mary Beth. “I’ve sewn a lot over the years and I think I’ve made every curtain in every house I’ve lived in! I also quilt and I have knitted a lot of sweaters. My sister’s an incredible knitter, so if I mess something up really bad, I just give it to her to fix. It’s a great hobby!”

FLASHBACK SNIPPET-Stephen and Mary Beth Chemistry/90

*Unknown source/date (either Soap Opera Digest or Soaps in Depth)

It’s a rare occasion when two actors can create a supercouple together on not one, but two soaps, but that is exactly what Stephen Nichols and Mary Beth Evans have done. Evans made her soap debut in 1985 as Dakota Lane on the syndicated soap Rituals. The next year she turned up on Days of our Lives, where her character Kayla Brady turned Nichols’ character, Steve ‘Patch’ Johnson, into a hero. Nichols had been hired the year before as a day player, but was quickly signed to a contract. When Steve and Kayla teamed up, they became an instant hit. Nichols left Days in 1990, then turned up on Santa Barbara as Skylar for the last few months of that show’s existence in 1992. Evans left Days in 1992 to have her third child, but was lured back to daytime the next year by General Hospital to create the role of Katherine Bell. In 1996, Nichols joined GH as Stefan Cassadine, and everyone wondered if lightning would strike twice. It did when Stefan shot Katherine and then fell in love with her.

FLASHBACK SNIPPET (From 1998: Jose Eber Salon Selections)

Soap Opera Digest/Salon Selections

(* Note 1998-Mary Beth got a short layered cut as Katherine returned “from the dead”.)

Hollywood Hairstylist Jose Eber shares soap stars’ secrets to great looking hair. Here’s his take on Mary Beth Evans’ new do’

by Tammy Cain

Digest: Mary Beth looks like a different person. What do you think of the change?

Eber: I think she looks incredible-very bold

Digest: How do you get this kind of unkempt look?

Eber: Her haircut is short but the top is quite long which is how you achieve that look. She has a very strong, beautiful jawline, so she needed to keep a softness to her short hair, and she definitely accomplished that.

Digest: If Mary Beth wanted to wear her hair neat and structured, could this be styled that way too?

Eber: Oh, absolutely. It’s just a matter of styling differently with some pomade. People always think that with short hair you can’t change the look, but that is just not true.

Digest: Is this cut a nightmare to grow out if Mary Beth ever decides she wants long hair again?

Eber: Definitely not. You’ll get different stages of different haircuts along the way, but it’s beautiful. It used to be hard to grow out a cut-not anymore. Right now, hairstyling is so much more advanced that it is easy to grow out. You should see a stylist every six to seven weeks for shaping to help hair grow in again, but it’s really simple. You’ll go through different looks during the process.

Digest: You can really see the amount of layering in this cut. Do you need a special kind of scissor to achieve that look?

Eber: I don’t know how her hairdresser actually cut it, but if I were doing it, I would use razors and texturizing shears. I like hair to have a wispy look, I don’t like it solid. I like the way there is wispiness everywhere. It doesn’t work for everyone-hair needs to be cut according to the hair texture you have, which is what they did for Mary Beth.

Digest: What do you think of her color?
Eber: Beautiful

Soap Opera Digest 11/11/03 Issue

From the 11/11/03 issue of Soap Opera Digest:

Carolyn Hinsey’s “It’s Only My Opinion” column contained the following commentary:

“Elsewhere the good news is that Luke is back on General Hospital.
‘You’ve got a real sense of adventure,’ he said to Skye.
‘I like that in a hostage.’

The bad news is that he came back to a mess of a show. Luke’s mock trial with Stefan (televised live?) made
about as much sense as Stefan skulking around Port Charles as the Phantom of the Opera. So long, Patch.”

Also, in the same column, there was a letter by a viewer named Amanda, about the reasons Jack was not a good organ donor. The letter included this comment… “To save Jack’s life. Jack’s brother, Steve “Patch” Johnson donated one of his own kidneys”).

ABC Soaps In Depth: Standout Scenes 11/3/03

Standout Scenes -ABC Soaps in Depth
November 11, 2003
Stefan’s Put On Trial

“Forced by his nemesis to defend the many sins of his past, Stefan was the portrait of indignation and fury, holding his head as high as possible. But the emotional dam broke when Nikolas was pushed to admit how his own love for his uncle had been tainted. As Stefan cried out in pain, his
heartache was unmistakable. ‘You were the only light in my otherwise miserable life,’ said the defendant. ‘You still are. When you love someone so deeply, whether it be a child, a husband, a wife, don’t you go to any lengths for that person? Don’t you do whatever it takes to protect them? Lie, cheat, steal, even kill for them? Don’t you?!’ It was a mesmerizing performance by Stephen Nichols, made even more stunning by virtue of the fact that it was delivered while he was tied to a chair!”

(There’s a small picture of Stefan in the chair with it.)

Soap Opera Weekly 11/4/03- Miss: Stefan’s Return To GH

Soap Opera Weekly Miss: Stefan Returns to GH

It’s great to see a new face, but not so much when all it does is highlight the fact that time has passed – new faces are on the frontburner and the blast from the past looks out of place. This was the fate of Stephen Nichols’ malicious, manipulative aristocrat, Stefan. It was no fault of Nichols, who gave his all.

But he was relegated to a C story about the Cassadines going broke, forcing Nikolas to marry for money (a tired concept itself). Stefan brought an annoying character, Lydia, who was recast within a month with no significant improvement. Worse, Stefan spent all his time obsessing over his nephew.

Weren’t there any women over 30 he could have gotten involved with?

He may not be a mobster with a tortured soul — GH’s definition of a romantic hero – but they could have thrown the brooding, sophisticated hottie a little action.

(Liz Note: *squeal*, I so love that…brooding sophisticated hottie indeed )

But he was reduced to skulking the tunnels and wearing a mask like Phantom of the Opera with an eyehole (now that’s romantic).

The actor was clearly brought back just to propel story for Nikolas, but he deserved a lot better.

Soap Opera Digest 10/28/03 (two items)

Soap Opera Digest 10/28/03

1. Fan Campaign of the Week:

General Hospital Fans are up in arms over Stefan’s death.
“We had such high hopes when we found out Stephen Nichols [Stefan] was coming back to GH,” penned one. “Sadly, it went downhill from there, when the writers took a complex man like Stefan and tried to make him into a reactionary moron.”

2. Spotlight On….Charlie Newman (Tommy Thompson, Days)

Patch Work: “Missy [Reeves, Jennifer] keeps saying I look like a young Patch [Stephen Nichols]. She even showed me some pictures. I guess I look maybe a little like him.”

(*Note from Liz: From the picture, Newman looks more like Matchbox 20’s Rob Thomas, actually…I don’t see much of a resemblance to Stephen other than…*maybe* eye shape?)

Soap Opera Digest 10/7/03-“Picky Picky”

“On Days of our Lives, Shawn and Belle were looking at the initials that former loft residents had carved in a wall on the roof. One was “K” and “P”, which Shawn said was his Aunt Kayla and Patch. A nice nod to history, but it’s hard to believe that Steve (his real name, which both he and Kayla used) would choose to use the initial of a nickname that was a painful reminder that he only had one eye.”

GH’s Stefan Out –9/9/03 Soap Opera Digest

GH’s Stefan Out

It was always a temporary gig. When Stephen Nichols returned to GH as Stefan in June, he didn’t sign on for the long haul. Now, sources say that the creepy Cassadine (Liz Note: 👿 how dare they call him that) will make a dramatic exit during November sweeps.

“The short term aspect was very appealing to me,” Nichols told Digest in June. “Just to come back for this short stint…it’s perfect timing.”

The actor’s re-entrance into Port Charles after a year and a half away came on the heels of Tyler Christopher replacing Coltin Scott (soon-to-be GL’s Tony; now going by Stephen Martines) as Nikolas. “Tyler and I just have this magical connection,” Nichols noted. The two have worked closely together, with Stefan forcing Nikolas to marry Lydia to save the Cassadine dynasty. But Stefan has been involved in other stories too.

Last week, he was arrested for Summer’s murder; this week Stefan pressures Alexis into defending him, and Jason discovers a financial connection between Stefan and Alcazar. When Luke returns to town, expect all hell to break loose in this tale. As Head Writer Robert Guza Jr. previewed for fall, “Stefan is going to get away with something so heinous, evenLuke can’t let it last any longer.”

That’s never a good sign for someone with so many enemies. A show spokesperson says, “We don’t comment on rumors”.

Also in Soap Opera Digest In an article titled “Comeback Queen” featuring the multi-soap career of Judi Evans, there is a picture of her with Stephen as Patch, and the caption reads: “Her brother was played by Stephen Nichols.. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a better actor in my life,’ she raved in 1987”

ABC SID article: Can Stefan Be Redeemed?

“Can Stefan be Redeemed?”

Addressing Cassadine fan outcry, GH coheadwriter Charles Pratt, Jr, acknowledges that Stefan is more ruthless than ever this go round, but says it’s not necessarily a bad thing, given his true motivation. ‘Stefan has been so obsessed with getting his hands on Lydia’s money because he owes a mysterious, dubious creditor a [large sum],’ the scribe points out. ‘They told him that if they don’t collect that money, they will kill Nikolas. So Stefan’s motivation for trying to kill Emily is that the clock is ticking. He is desperate.’

Unfortunately, the sequence of events leading to and resulting from Summer’s accidental offing has snowballed, and will get further out of hand in weeks to come. ‘Everything is in motion and Stefan has got a lot of people, especially Lucky, trying to pin that murder on him. He’s feeling the heat from that, and it will push him to even more desperate measures.’ As it’s revealed what is driving Stefan, the story will take a new spin. ‘Once they know that Nikolas’ life is on the line, everyone will take a different [approach] in this story,’ says Pratt. At the end of the day, can Stefan truly be forgiven for his harsh tactics? ‘If Ric is redeemable, anybody is!’ laughs Pratt.”

SNIPPET: ARCHIVE 1

SNIPPETS: ARCHIVE 2

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