Marisa (Gia, General Hospital) Meets Mary Beth
ABC SOAPS IN DEPTH August 7, 2001
Talk about a small world
“We actually flew next to Mary Beth Evans on the way to New York. She’s so nice! I looked at her and said, ‘You look really familiar.” She told me that she was on GH, and I was like, ‘Oh, yeah! There’s a picture of you in Coltin Scott’s room. You’re his ex. Well, I’m his new girlfriend!'”
CRAIG SLEEPS WITH SIERRA ON ATWT!!!
Soap Opera Weekly 7/31/01
CRAIG’S LONGTIME RELATIONSHIP with Sierra reignites this week on ATWT when she returns to Oakdale to support her ex, who’s been accused of torching Barbara.
“Sierra believes Craig may be a lot of things, but he is not a murderer,” previews Mary Beth Evans (Sierra). “She doesn’t want him to go to jail and not be there for her kids.”
Sierra encourages Craig to fight. “She adamantly tries to talk him out of taking any kind of deal,” reveals Evans. “First she says, ‘Let me take you out of the country,’ and if he’s not going to do that, then at least stand trial and be a man. His innocence will show through.”
Craig and Sierra’s heated discussion then takes a passionate him. “They have such a history that passion in any form will lead to certain things,” notes Evans. “I think there is a part of him and a part of her that wonders: Could they get back together? Could they start over? I don’t think she has ever stopped loving him.”
After they make love, they discuss their feelings. “I don’t’ think it took them by surprise,” muses Evans. “They talk pretty frankly about it, and if they have any regrets. They both say, ‘No.’ I don’t think it’s going to lead anywhere. It was a moment in time where everything stood still.”
Speaking of standing still, Craig eventually nixes Sierra’s offer to help him skip town. Luckily, at the end of the week, someone comes forward as his alibi for the second attempt on Barbara’s life. Will it be Carly… or Sierra?
Soap Opera Update July 17, 2001
They were paired as Days Patch and Kayla, and then again as GH’s Katherine and Stefan. And their legions of fans like them best together. But while there has been no official word from Days as to their wished for return, Mary Beth Evans is returning to her recurring role on ATWT as Sierra and Stephen Nichols is still on GH as the brooding Stefan. Will he survive his brother Stavros’ return?
CBS Soaps In Depth July 17, 2001
Sierra Has A Surprise!
It seems that whenever Sierra pays a visit to ATWT’s Oakdale, something exciting and/or unexpected happens. So what might be up Craig’s ex-wife’s sleeve this time around?
The In Depth Story: Ever since soap vet Mary Beth Evans first stepped into her ATWT role (last December), Sierra has kept her loved ones on their toes. During her most recent visit, she apprised Craig of the fact that their divorce never was finalized. Sure enough, upon her next appearance in the coming weeks, things will not have changed.
”It’s fairly pivotal when she comes back,” previews headwriter Hogan Sheffer. ”With her next return, something happens that will surprise everybody.” To be sure, if ATWT’s top scribe had his say, the Los Angeles-based Evans’ Oakdale stints would be more frequent. ”God, I wish she was an East Coast girl,” Sheffer says. ”[The last scenes between Sierra and Craig] blew me away. They just blew me away. I love Mary Beth, so I want to bring her back as often as we can.”
MAIL IN THE MAGAZINES: ABOUT STEPHEN
From the Soap Opera Weekly 7/10/01 issue:
Why does General Hospital waste the talents of Stephen Nichols? I can’t understand their failure to utilize an actor of his caliber. Stefan is rich with possibilities but TPTB can’t or won’t write for him. The only reason I tape the show is for glimpses of Nichols. Any hope I had for a decent story for him and the Cassadines is gone. Nobody can tell me that this sci-fi travesty with Stavros is a decent story. Even Casey the Alien was better than this.
There is no character development, sensible interaction or integration. It seems that the days of everyone being given a chance has given way to a few actors all day, all week. I remember when I would be guaranteed to see the actors I enjoy at least 2-3 times a week. I may be nostalgic but I long for consistency, strong character writing, and interaction of all the characters. I don’t even recognize this as the GH that I have watched for more than 16 years. What has happened to the GH I used to love?
-Sue Gockel via email
From the Soap Opera Digest 7/10/01 issue:
As General Hospital’s Cassadine/Spencer storyline kicks into high gear with the frozen Stavrosicicle awakening, the main ingredient- Stephen Nichols’ Stefan- is left standing on the outside looking in at a story that should have been his. Practically everyone in Port Charles is involved in this story- or will be dragged into it- except for Stefan, who has been almost nonexistent on the GH landscape. It’s past time to give Nichols more than cameo appearances and for Stefan to be more than a person to whom everyone vents their frustrations. When GH has one of the best actors on daytime, why is it letting his talents go to waste?
L.S.
Somerville, AL
Stephen and Mary Beth Do Broadway
From: Soaps In Depth June 26, 2001(Daytime Emmys Coverage)
GH’s Stephen Nichols (Stefan) shared the company of a familiar face: former leading lady Mary Beth Evans (ex-Katherine), with whom he saw One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.
“I like Gary Sinise’s stage work a lot,” said the actor.
Clip on Regis and Kelly
On Monday, May 21, Stephen and Mary Beth appeared (for a split second) on the Regis and Kelly show. The entertainment reporter, Claudia Cohen, had asked daytime actors some question behind the scenes at the daytime Emmys.
Stephen and Mary Beth were asked, “What is the most convoluted storyline that your character has been involved in?”
Mary Beth answered, “We were lovers, and then found out we were brother and sister.” (discussing GH…where of course they turned out not to be brother and sister 🙂
A Fan Report From The Emmys! 5/18/01
I went to the Emmys…After a while, I noticed Stephen and then noticed that Mary Beth was with him. What a pleasant surprise, as I had never seen her in person. She looked beautiful; they both looked even more beautiful together.
The stars who did not attend the parties, walked towards 5th avenue to catch a cab. Luckily, Stephen and Mary Beth came out quickly… My sister saw them and ran across the street. I ran the long way to 5th Avenue, LOL. Anyway, by the time I got there, she had already mentioned to Stephen that I was there. He knew my name and asked where I was? When he saw me, some fans started to gather around them. I asked Stephen if he could say a special message to The Crystal Trees? Here is his response, verbatim:
Stephen: “Sure, c’mon Mary Beth”.
He asked if I was ready and I said, “no, wait a minute, it’s not recording”, LOL. (This fan had a video camera and got it all on tape!)
Stephen: (While hugging Mary Beth) “Crystal Trees, Crystal Trees, We’re still here.”
Mary Beth: “We’re still here”
Stephen: “Write letters, write letters everywhere.
TCTFan: “We miss you”.
Mary Beth: “Thank you”.
Stephen: “We’re still alive and ah, we need to be fertilized in water, deep water, but we’re still here.”
Mary Beth: “Thank you everybody” Then she waved.
I stopped recording and said thank you. We asked if they were going to the parties and he said they were tired and just wanted to get a cab. I then got a little bit more of video of Stephen trying to hail a cab in the middle of the street, LOL.
An Illustration of Love
Soaps In Depth (Mother’s Day Issue, May 15, 2001)
From a purely “Wow that’s a great gift!” perspective, last year’s Mother’s Day was one that stood out in Mary Beth Evans’ mind. “My husband and kids got me a computer, set it up, and got me on-line,” says the actress, thrilled that she finally felt connected to the 21st century. “I hired my old baby-sitter for the kids, who’s a computer expert. She was home that summer, and she taught me everything I needed to know. When I first got it, I’d hunt and peck. Now I’m a whiz!” she laughs. “My kids were so excited because I was so modern!” But when it comes to a gift from the heart, the mother of Danny 13, Katie, 11, and Matthew 8, has a special drawing from her husband, Michael, that takes the prize.
“We always draw pictures of each other when we sign our cards. He did this one where he drew a picture of me with the baby inside me. And he said something like, ‘I love you with all your veins and your this and your that. ‘ It was all very sweet. “
Soap Opera Weekly/Public Opinion
May 8, 2001
Mary Best Evans
This past December. I tuned in to As the World Turns to watch Mary Beth Evans as Sierra.I have followed her work over the years because she always delivers such fine performances. She has a wonderful energy that just lights up any scene she appears in. ATWT appreciates that kind of talent.
I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying a soap again. I wish ATWT was taped in Los Angeles so that Mary Beth could be a contract player on this quality program. I enjoyed her scenes with everyone she interacted with! I cannot wait for more exploration of Craig and Sierra’s past now that she has returned.
ATWT deserves all the Emmy nominations it got, and I hope to see it win its fair share. Head writer Hogan Sheffer knows how to write character-driven stories that make sense and touch the heart. The team at ATWT seem to know how to feature great talent. This is how Daytime should be.
Liz K., via e-mail
Mail Call 4/24/01 Soap Opera Weekly
Over at CBS’ ATWT, fans are happy that Mary Beth Evans has returned as Sierra.
“After the wonderful performances Evans gave in December and January, it’s no wonder that the show has decided to bring her back,” writes Tom Dillon of Ohio. “I can’t wait to see who Sierra will mix it up with this time around. Maybe she can have a hot romance with someone new. Or maybe she can reform her bad boy ex husband, Craig.”
Mary Beth Returns to As The World Turns/Soap Opera Digest 4/17/01
ATWT: CRAIG’S STILL MARRIED!
Sierra returns to ATWT on April 10, and just in time, too — Craig is in deep with the cops, the Hong Kong syndicate and Barbara. “There’s always some trouble in town, right?” grins Mary Beth Evans (Sierra), whose character has a surprise for her ex, as well. “She didn’t sign the divorce papers. I think it’s that she put them in the back of her mind so as not to think about it, not to end it.”
First, Sierra confronts Craig about the news, then tells Barbara, while Hal builds a new case against Craig with more details about Winston Lowe’s death. Meanwhile, “Bryant continues to plot from every direction,” laughs Evans. But Sierra sympathizes. “She’s found out that Bryant is in on exposing his father which she finds just horrible.”
On Friday, Lucinda steps in and suggests that Sierra sabotage Craig by not granting the divorce, so he won’t be able to marry Barbara and settle his debts. “Sierra thinks, ‘Should I sign or should I not? Maybe I can protect him more by not signing’,” “explains Evans, adding that she was glad to reprise the role of Sierra for this approximately three-week return engagement and would consider coming back again. “The people are fabulous, and the characters are all so gritty and real and multilevel. I’ve actually fallen in love with the show.”
Sierra’s waffling about whether to grant her estranged husband a divorce may be the least of Barbara’s problems. With his soul mate back in town, Craig might have second thoughts about his romantic future, especially with Sierra looking more desirable than ever. “Sierra is in a different place,” allows Evans. Plus, “she doesn’t see his bad-boy behavior.” That’s good — because at the moment, Craig desperately needs someone in his corner.
Flashback: Prime Time Mention- “Working ” 11/3/98
Evelyn was in bed talking to her boyfriend and they list one-eyed celebrities.
The Guy: Moshe Dayan
Evelyn: I didn’t know there were that many people with one eye
The Guy: Who else?
Evelyn: Patch from Days Of Our Lives
Source: www.bethsdayspage.com
Prime Time Mention – “Yes, Dear” 2/5/01 CBS
(Special thanks to DrBBMan831@aol.com and LKSDASSOC@aol.com /The Lakeside Association for the info below.)
Beginning of the show: Jimmy said he wore a patch back in high school “like that guy on the soap opera – what was his name?” And Christine deadpans, “Patch.”
At the end of the show, they were in bed and she said, “You’ll have to put it on.” So, of course, you think the obvious. Then the guy rolls over as if he is going to get out of bed, but actually just reaches to the drawer in the night stand with his face away from the camera. He turns around to the camera with a patch on his left eye and Christine yells “Patch!!!”
SOAP OPERA WEEKLY MAILBAG 2/12/01 Issue
ATWT fans were quite pleased that we gave Mary Beth Evans our Applause, Applause for her short run as Sierra. “Thank you for naming my favorite actress of all time as your Applause, Applause,” writes Sarah Carro of CA. “It was such a treat to open up the magazine and see that article. There have been too many times when she has done brilliant work that was not recognized. It was great to see her work on ATWT be so warmly received.” “She has been my favorite actress for many years,” says AlisonWilliams of Canada. “Thank you for recognizing her talent and how her absence from daytime has been felt.”
HIT: GH’s STEFAN “CRIES ME A RIVER”/ Soap Opera Weekly Hits and Misses/February 12, 2001
GH soap fans had to put on their galoshes this week when big strong man Stefan (played by Stephen Nichols) bared his soul to Nikolas.
GH’s Stefan, played quietly and powerfully by SN was most moving this week as he confronted his beloved nephew, Nikolas, about the problems inherent in being the son of a heartless, ruthless bitch. In one brief scene, Stephen told of a lifetime of agony he endured as the victim of his mother’s venemous tongue and her evil vendetta against him. Staring at his hands,grappling with his tears as though he could still hear her calling him a pathetic, weak baby, Nichol’s face revealed what torture Stefan’s life has been. Nichol’s furrowed brow and tear stained face as he sat behind his desk, looking more diminutive than we’d ever seen him, painted a tragic portrait of a son, who craved but could never attain his mother’s love.
STEFAN’S DECEPTION BACKFIRES/ NY DAILY NEWS
By Carolyn Hinsey 1/12/01
Next week on “General Hospital,” that mean old Helena will spill the beans to Nikolas that his dad is a big liar. “Helena tells him the truth, although why he should believe Helena I don’t know,” sniffs Stephen Nichols, who plays the lying Stefan.
Armed with that information, Nikolas will confront Stefan.
“Initially, [Stefan] tries to get out of it,” says Nichols. “He tells him it’s not true, but that doesn’t
go on for very long. He can see very clearly that the jig is up.”
Stefan then comes clean about faking his own death–and letting poor Nikolas actually mourn him–to get the goods on Helena, who was trying to murder Stefan.
(For those of you keeping score, Helena is Stefan’s mother, which mens that she tried to kill her
own son, who then let his own son believe he was dead.)
“[Stefan] contends that he did what he did to protect him,” says Nichols. “It may have been the wrong thing, but he did it for the right reason.”
Nikolas will have none of that. He tells his father that he is dead to him–dead!
“Stefan will never give up in terms of Nikolas,” says Nichols. “He’ll do it or die trying. In fact, after
all this happens, he goes around town telling people, ‘I have nothing left to lose.'”
After that, what happens to Stefan is anybody’s guess. GH has a new executive producer
(Jill Farren Phelps replaced Wendy Riche) and a new head writing team, so stories are in flux.
“I think they have February sweeps figured out, but after that I have no idea,” admits Nichols.
“There are plenty of good actors on the canvas I could play with–and if they want my opinion,
I’ll give it to them.”
Nichols and Evans Team Up Again!
Soaps In Depth/ABC Edition (NBC/Days page) 1/23/01
Former Days of our Lives supercouple Stephen Nichols and Mary Beth Evans are among a dozen
soap stars acting on behalf of a good cause!
The In Depth Story: What do you get when you bring the pair behind one of Days’ all time greatest
couples together with a bevvy of other daytime stars? Why it’s the premiere edition of the Los Angeles
Media and Education Center (LAMEC) Arts Festival!
To be held Sunday, January 14, at the New Ivar Theatre in Hollywood, CA, LAMEC 2001 will feature
Nichols and Evans with fellow GHers Nancy Lee Grahn, Wally Kurth, Sarah Brown, Jacob Young,
and others in live, on stage readings from American theatre.
“This is a very exciting project that will contribute a great service to our community,” says Nichols,
who first worked with LAMEC founder and director Robert Guenette in 1982.
Soap Opera Weekly Letters/Public Opinion and Mail Call 1/16/01
Glad to See Sierra
Mary Beth Evans is returning to daytime for a month in the role of As The World Turns’ Sierra,
and I cannot even begin to express how thrilled I am. ATWT is a classy show, and they are sure
to give Mary Beth some wonderful material. I will especially look forward to seeing her in scenes
with Martha Byrne, Maura West, and Elizabeth Hubbard (Lily/Rose, Carly, and Lucinda).
Soap Opera Weekly, you forgot to include Evans in your 10 Most Wanted issue. I hope you will
run an in-depth interview with beautiful pictures of her to make this up to her fans! We have waited
over a year to see her again, and though it is only for a brief stay, it’s definitely better than not
seeing her at all. If she can’t continue as Sierra, I hope the role leads her to a central character on
another daytime or night time show.
-Ess Kay, Pacific Palisades, California
Mail Call:
When Evans left GH (where she played Katherine Bell), I knew it’d only be a matter of time before
she popped up on daytime again. Imagine my surprise when the California-based actress was hired
by a New York based show, ATWT, one that I’ve watched for 25 years, to boot. I can see Evans
making a wonderful Sierra, and can’t wait for Dec.26 (Evans’ first airdate), when she’ll undoubtedly
give Hunt Block and everyone else in Oakdale a run for their money.”
-Larry Mcloughlin of New York
I’ve heard that Evans will only be on ATWT for five shows. Before she even airs, I’m begging the powers that be to give her the moon and the stars to stay longer. I know Evans lives in California with her family, but there has to be something that can be worked out to allow her to appear more consistently. Daytime can’t lose this talented actress again.
-Donovan Burke, Louisiana
New York Daily News January 7, 2001
Soap Suds New York VUE
by Carolyn Hinsey
Mary Beth has returned to Daytime, but not to either of the roles that made her famous. The former star of “Days of our Lives” (ex-Kayla) and “General Hospital” (ex-Katherine) is now playing Lucinda’s daughter Sierra on “As the World Turns”.
“My character came back for Lucinda’s birthday,” explains Evans, “and to see her family.”
Just in time. While Sierra is home with her daughter Lucy, her son Bryant gets thrown in jail because of the missing money at Java Underground. “Sierra is trying to get him out,” reports Evans.
That necessitates several scenes between Sierra and her estranged hubby, Craig. “We have some really big scenes about our life together and what happened, ” says Evans. “It’s very interesting. I personally believe that any time you’ve been married a long time and had children there are so many emotions lying beneath: love, hate, resentment. So I tried to interject those. I also have scenes with [Sierra’s sister] Lily, playing the history of the characters, what went wrong with our relationships and where we are now. The characters are much different than they were before. ”
Evans has to take the show’s word on that because she wasn’t there.
While Evans was playing Kayla on “Days”, Finn Carter was portraying the “ATWT” heroine in the 80’s. (Carter recently had a baby and was unable to reprise the role this time around).
” ‘ATWT’ sent me a history which was very confusing because I had never seen the show and I didn’t know the characters,” admits Evans. “But once I got there and started meeting people, it got easier. Elizabeth Hubbard [who plays Lucinda] who I just adore, gave me different points of view for the character. [Headwriter] Hogan Sheffer writes the kind of soap stuff that I like to do: heartfelt, interpersonal, relationship based stories. I’d much rather play that than a car blowing up. I had such a great time.”
Great enough time to consider sticking around longer than the handful of episodes airing this month?
“No,” responds the California native. “My husband has a job in California, my kids are all in school. I’d do a week here, a week there, like I did this time, but that’s it.”
Hmmm. By the end of January it will certainly look like a return to Oakdale is in the offing for Sierra. “My character goes home to Montega,” previews Evans, “but her son Bryant has a court date pending. He’s in big trouble. So we’ll see what happens.”
ABC Soaps in Depth: Evans Speaks Out
Thanks to Phyllis for typing this up!
Mary Beth Evans talks about her recent return to daytime, the good and bad aspects of playing GH’s Katherine, and whether she’s in the market for a full time return.
On December 26, Evans returned to daytime television as a recast of ATWT’s Sierra, after the executive producer of the Brooklyn-based show happened to phone the actress, who happened to be visiting NYC. The timing proved perfect for LA native Evans, who taped a month’s worth of episodes over the course of two weeks. “It was sort of a guest appearance if there is such a thing on a soap,’ she suggests with a laugh, “It was a very nice little getaway.
The writing was exactly the kind of stuff I like to do.” Yet taking a full time gig on an East Coast soap would be a stretch, the mother of two [my note–they need to check the facts better, she has 3 LOL] admits. “After a while, my kids were like, ‘Mom who?'” she says. “I could never move there, but maybe I could pop back.”
Recalling her most recent, long term soap stint–on GH, where she was reunited with Stephen Nichols, her fromer Days leading man–Evans notes both highs and lows. “I had a good time, but I struggled with that character,” she admits. “I don’t think they ever knew exactly what to write for me. It was bad one minute and good the next, back and forth,” she adds. “I think that I have more to give than ‘being nasty’, you know what I mean?” As for the likelihood of a return as Days Kayla, Evans says, “It would depend on if they wanted to be true to the character. I love Days, I feel like I grew up there. But who knows?”
“Evans’ Oakdale Stay Ends Early”/CBS Soaps In Depth Magazine
Now that Mary Beth Evans has wrapped up her whirlwind stint playing Sierra, might the fan favorite consider a permanent return to daytime?
Although Sierra–who returned on December 26–will stick around for nearly a month, her portrayeer only spent two weeks in the ATWT studio. In fact, by the time her first episode aired, Evans already had returned home to her family.
It was good timing which led the California native to Brooklyn-based ATWT, as she was in the midst of a NYC visit when executive producer Christopher Goutman extended the invitation.
“He said he knew my work and would love for me to do this part,” Evans shares. Already booked for a Big Apple Thanksgiving, she agreed to shoot a few shows,. “I had such a good experience. I would do it again,” she reveals. “I could never move to NYC, but maybe I could pop back.”
If moving East is out of the question, would Evans–who has six year runs on both Days and GH under her belt–consider a West Coast soap? Especially in light of the fact that other Days blasts from the past, like Melissa Reeves and Matthew Ashford have inked returns to NBC’s top soap? “It would depend on if they wanted to be true to the character,” Evans answers. “I love Days. But who knows?”
(There’s a small picture of MB and Elizabeth Hubbard in character, and another picture of Mary Beth accompanying the article, with the caption:)
“I had great fun with Liz Hubbard,” Evans reports. “She’s a crack-up.”
(In a little box called Inside Info, it says: )
Familiar faces greeted Evans on the ATWT set. Years ago, she was introduced to Jon Hensley by Days pal Reeves, and met Tom Eplin at an awards show. Evans keeps in touch with two-time leading man Stephen Nichols.
(Special Thanks To: pmgallagher@yahoo.com for typing this up!)
Soap Opera Digest Mailbag 1/09/01
“Speaking of busy, that is just the right term for Mary Beth Evans loyalists, who have been pounding out emails and writing letters in praise of Evans’s decision to return to daytime.”
Thanks to Phyllis for typing this up!
From Kayla to Katherine to Sierra /Soap Opera Weekly 1/02/01
By Tonya Lensch
Mary Beth Evans returns to daytime this week, but not as Dool’s Kayla Brady or as GH’s Katherine Bell–two roles that made her a fan favorite. This time around, she’ll assume the role of ATWT’s Sierra Montgomery. “Chris Goutman (ATWT’s executive producer) said he had been a fan of mine, and would love for me to come do this,and when anybody says that…” Evans laughs. “I was going to be out (in NY) for Thanksgiving anyway, so I thought: “Great–my kids and husband will go home and I’ll do the show.”
But the mother of 3 soon found out how much she was needed back home in CA. “After 3 weeks, my kids were like,’Who? what? You want to talk to me? I’m busy.’ I thought I’d better get home,” she says.
Taking over a pivotal role on a soap she had never watched was a challenge for Evans, who airs through January. “Some parts were difficult to memorize when you don’t know who or what you’re talking about,” she admits. “I called Tom something else, and I didn’t even realize that I had called him the wrong name!”
Evans had lots of meaty material to play, thanks to Sierra’s scenes with ex-husband Craig, son Bryant, sister Lily and mother Lucinda. “Oh my god, I love [head writer Hogan Sheffer’s] writing!” she enthuses. “He writes exactly the kind of soap opera stuff that I like to do: heartfelt story about feelings. The shoot-em-up, chase people, be mean stuff–that’s not really my bag.” Consider it a mutual admiration society. “I didn’t know her because I’m new to soaps,” Sheffer admits. “when we found her, everyone went, ‘This is great.’ I was like, ‘Who is she?’ I watched in close circuit when she was taping, and everyone was blown away. She’s so stunningly beautiful.
There’s a scene in the jailhouse that breaks your heart. I love her on the map because she humanizes Craig. When she’s with Hunt (Block), all I kept thinking was ‘Craig, what’s WRONG with you?’ I would love to use her again. That’s one of the things we’re kicking around.” Would Evans ink a long-term deal? “The only problem is it’s a 3,000 mile commute. It would depend on if I could cram it all into one week once a month. With soap operas, that’s not the way they operate. It’s such a hassle for everybody. It would have to be win-win for both people.”
Sierra Returns/Soap Opera Weekly 1/02/01
Craig and Sierra’s great love affair may be over, but the former marrieds do reunite… sort of… this week on ATWT when their son Bryant gets into trouble with the law. Sierra’s arrival is the real shocker at Lucinda’s surprise birthday party, where Sierra worries about Craig’s questionable influence on on Bryant, and later compares notes with sister Lily on their failed marriages. After Bryant is arrested for stealing money from Java Underground, his mamacita springs into action and races to the police station. There, Sierra and the equally prodigal Lyla plead with Margo to help
them see Bryant. Sierra then comes face to face with Craig, who comforts her and says they’ll face the ordeal together–as a family. Lucinda, of course, will have none of that. When La Walsh hurls accusations at her errant ex-son-in-law, Sierra steps in and smooths things over. “I think they still have a lot of feelings for each other,” suggests Mary Beth Evans (Sierra). Later, she has a tearful reunion with Bryant, taking the blame for her son’s suddenly grim future. Evans says that being a mother in real life “absolutely” helped her connect with Todd Rotundi(Bryant). “It’s funny,” she quips. “When I was on GH, Tyler (Christopher, ex-Nikolas, with whom Katherine had an affair) and Todd are probably the same age. I kept thinking: Could I have sons that are this old?”
EVANS’ ATWT ADVENTURE/Soap Opera Digest 1/02/01
“Daytime vet Mary Beth Evans, best known as Days of our Lives’s Kayla and General Hospital’s Katherine, recently wrapped up five days work as As The World Turns’ Sierra. “[Executive Producer] Chris Goutman said he really liked my work over the years and would love for me to come play this character,” says Evans. Her scenes begin airing December 26 when Sierra joins Lucinda and Lily for Christmas, then learns son Bryant is in jail. “He was so nice, I couldn’t resist.”
The actress was a bit worried after a friend (who’s an ATWT fan) informed her about Sierra’s storied past. “I was thinking, ‘Hmm if she was such a popular character, I hope I don’t disappoint anyone with a different approach, ‘ ” muses Evans. “I never saw [role originator] Finn Carter, I just did my thing, and hoped for the best. And [headwriter] Hogan Sheffer really writes the kind of daytime stuff I like to do- heartfelt and about relationships, rather than spies and espionage. Of course, I did get a little nervous because I had all these lines and it’s been a year since I’ve done that kind of grind.”
She spent that year since leaving GH going back to the basics- in acting school. “It sounds so hokey but I just worked on my skills and tried to get back to my roots. It’s been 20 years since I took an acting class, so I feel like I need to get back to where I started,” she says.”And it’s been a busy year for me personally with my kids. I’ll always work, but it’s been nice to refocus for a year and concentrate on different aspects of my career and my life.”
New York was fun, but Evans admits she was ready to leave. “I had been gone for three weeks, so I was pretty excited to get home,” says the actress, who wouldn’t rule out a return visit. “I had a good time, and I think they enjoyed my work. I couldn’t do a contract because I live in California. But I could come back for a birthday or a trial date or something,” she grins.
Soap Opera Digest 1/02/01 – Star Style Section, Article Titled “CD City”
Stephen is asked: “What CD do you recommend?”
“I’ve been listening to Macy Gray, who I think is great. My kids love her, but some of these songs are not appropriate for kids.”
MARY BETH EVANS CHOOSES ATWT/TV Guide Online
Mary Beth Evans is making her way back to the daytime screen. But she won’t be returning as her devious alter ego, Katherine Bell, from General Hospital or as angelic Kayla Brady from Days of Our Lives. Evans has chosen to turn a new leaf, stepping into the role of Sierra Montgomery on As the World Turns. Evans’s month-long stint begins Dec. 26.
“We are very pleased that someone of Mary Beth’s talent was available to play the role of Sierra Montgomery,” says ATWT’s executive producer, Christopher Goutman. “I have been a fan of hers for a long time. She is a consummate professional, and we are really lucky to have her.”
Sierra is currently divorced from Craig. Will these two cross paths during her return? “They get involved,” reveals an ATWT spokesperson.
“But it’snothing major. She’s coming back for the holidays.”
TV GUIDE 12/9/00 “Taking A World Turn”/ By Michael Logan
Suds icon MaryBeth Evans will do a monthlong stint as dovorcee Sierra Montgomery on ATWT starting Decembner 26. First played by Finn Carter, the sweet, fiesty Sierra was let go in 1988-the same year Evans was the hottest female star in soaps, thanks to her role as Kayla on DOOL. Fans of the show still clamor for her return. Any chance it will happen? I meet up with (Days boss) Ken Corday at the same Halloween party every year, and we talk about it,” says Evans. “Ken says ‘Gee, it’d be great if you came back.’ And I say, ‘Yeah, we should talk about it.’ Then we never discuss it again until next Halloween. It’s pretty funny.”
*Thanks to lkohl58@aol.com for typing this up.
Soap Opera Weekly Mail Call/Mail Bag 11/28/00
Wanted: Mary Beth Evans
One question regarding the 10 most wanted actors/actresses who should return to daytime. Why wasn’t Mary Beth Evans listed? I can’t think of any other daytime actress who is
more missed. I completely stopped watching GH after she left. SOW needs to amend this glaring omission by doing an in-depth interview with Evans. All of her loyal fans would be greatly appreciative. Signed Julie Werling, via email.
Mail Call:
Guilty as charged? Readers filed numerous complaints over the “10 Most Wanted” cover story accusing Soap Opera Weekly of not including their personal faves. The No.1 glaring omission by far, according to this week’s mail bag, was Mary Beth Evans.
“While I have great respect for the actors you did mention, I found your omission of Evans both surprising and disappointing,” K.G of Texas writes. “Having watched Evans first on Days of our Lives and later on General Hospital, I am a huge fan of her work. Whether she was playing the loving and kind Kayla Brady, or the scheming, manipulative Katherine Bell, Evans always shone. Please know that Evans’ fans continue to watch for her. She is not forgotten nor will she be. She is much-missed.”
Becky B echoes via e-mail “Evans was half of the most popular soap love story of the mid and alte 80’s, and she reunited with her former on screen love in the 90’s as Katherine, a savvy businesswoman with a complex love life. I miss her.”
L.K of California adds, “It has been more than a year since we have seen her on daytime. It’s as if a light has gone out. I want her back on daytime yesterday.”
Stephen/Soap Opera Weekly November 14, 2000
Stephen Nichols (Stefan) says that in his spare time, he’s enjoying the art of painting. The actor says, “I started oil painting last April. I took a life-drawing class. As a matter of fact, I had an art scholarship to go to Ohio State University, but I didn’t take it.” Of course, the models in his life-drawing class were nude. It intrigued his daughter, Dylan, who is nine years old. “The minute I’d come home from class, Dylan would want to see all of my drawings. [Her friends would] come over to our house, see all these drawings of naked women all over the place and ask, ‘Why are these women naked?’ Dylan wold tell them, ‘My daddy draws them in class.’ They’d come back with, ‘Why would anybody take their clothes off and let people draw them?’ And Dylan would say, ‘It’s their job.’
She was very cool about it. She’s a very sophisticated kid.” Ultimately, Nichols decided to paint a portrait (not nude!) of Dylan, but says, “It’s very difficult to paint somebody you know well. You know when it’s not right. If you can’t get it just perfect, it’s very frustrating.” But he did try to make it perfect: “I finished my portrait of Dylan twice. It was good. It looked like her. I captured the essence of her. Then I took it back out to my studio and kept working on it. ….. The portrait was really done when I [had] decided to do more work on it. They call it ‘noodling.’ When you start noodling, you’re in danger of destroying a piece. I actually destroyed it twice. I never felt so devastated in my life. It was one of the biggest struggles of my life to do that and not just take a razor and cut it up. Fortunately, I calmed myself down, spent five or six hours and got through it. I finally got the portrait back to where I had it before. It’s hanging in the house now, in the living room. Dylan loves it. She loves that I painted her.”
With that under his belt, Stephen began tackling his next project; painting a picture of himself and his older sister, Penny, from a photograph taken when they were 5 and 7 years old, respectively. “The two of us are standing in front of a bus station in Dayton, Ohio. There’s an old car sitting there, and old phone booth, an old candy vending machine. There are so many landmarks that speak of the era,” Stephen says. “It’s the coolest photograph of us. We were bosom buddies. It’s an adorable shot. I’m blowing a bubble, just being really hammy, and Penny is standing there like a little waif. As soon as I finish it, I’m going to give it to her.”
(source: Callen’s GH scoops and Spoilers Site and Sue)
Mary Beth Evans September 26, 2000
Even before Katherine Bell hit the pavement for a second time last year on General Hospital, fans were hoping she’d land back on Days of our Lives, playing heroine Kayla Brady Johnson, the role that made her a household name among soap fans in the mid-to-late 80’s. Viewers were further hopeful that Evans would relocate to Salem after the actress told Update that she’d rather return to Days than join another soap.
While the actress’ classic beauty would make her a likely candidate to appear on either The Young and the Restless or the Bold and the Beautiful, Days is the show fans would like to see her on the most. However, Kayla ran out of story following the death of her husband Patch in the early 90’s. The character was paired with Shane Donovan, but fans never truly warmed to this pairing.
Should Evans go back to Days solo, there are still plenty of characters with whom she can interact. Plus, the show could certainly bring on a new partner…that is, until the show could woo back Stephen Nichols should he become available.
There’s also a chance that GH could resurrect the character of Katherine. It would certainly explain why her murder has gone unsolved. Given Helena’s interests in the pharmaceutical world, perhaps Katherine was given a drug that would make it look like she died. But that might be too big of a stretch.
The only thing that’s certain is that it’s a shame not to see Evans on screen every day!
Also in this issue/Picture captions say:
Kayla was a very popular name for baby girls back in the mid 80’s.
Days fans still remember that Patch’s coffin was switched years ago.
Nichols and former leading lady Mary Beth Evans have worked together on stage, too. They performed “Love Letters” in L.A.
Evans’ and Nichols’ fans want these two reunited- on GH or Days!
Nichols Big Plea–popular actor’s heart-to-heart with Fans
Soap Opera Update (August 22 2000)
At a recent fan gathering, Stephen Nichols addressed some burning questions about his GH character Stefan Cassadine, posed by his loyal followers. While many still want a Stefan/Laura pairing, Nichols said that’s apparently not in the cards. “Stefan and Laura is not going to happen,” the actor stated. Instead, he advised his supporters to root for Stefan’s next love interest: Chloe! “They’re going to test my chemistry with Tava Smiley,” Nichols revealed. The coupling doesn’t come as a total surprise given that Smiley’s leading man Ingo Rademacher is leaving the show to join Titans. Nichols is hoping the Chloe/Stefan match generates some interest in his character, who’s grown more sinister over the last few months. “I promise you I’m going to work hard at Stefan and Chloe,” Nichols told his fans. “If you find that there’s no real chemistry between us, then I’ll understand.” Last year, a published report indicated that Nichols had signed a deal that would keep him at GH for some time.
However, the actor did address the possibility of leaving: “If things continue as they have been (storywise), I’m definitely gone. Stefan used to have stories that were connected to the human aspect. They came out of character motivation. Now you end up losing sight of who the character is.” Still, Nichols has favorite moments with the show, including Stefan’s grief over a believed-dead Laura and his parentage to Nikolas.
(There’s a picture of Stephen along with small pics of Stephen/Mary Beth and Stephen/Genie with the caption):
“Stefan is over with Laura and Katherine! So who will the new women in his life be? Nichols hopes fans support the new gal.”
Thanks To pmgallagher@yahoo.com for typing this out!!
“Strange Bedfellows”
Soap Opera Weekly 8/16/00
Stephen Nichols couldn’t resist the urge to jump into a recent scene between GH co-stars Tava Smiley and Ingo Rademacher. “They were in the middle of the bed scene when Jax hears something, gets up and walks outside to the terrace,’ Nichols recounts. “While he was out there and the camera was on him, I snuck onto the set and got into bed with Chloe. Nobody knew I was there”–not even Smiley. She delivered her line right on cue. That’s when Nichols sprang into action. “I came out from underneath the covers and said, ‘No. It’s not Jax, baby. It’s me.’ Then Ingo came back into bed and got on top of me because he wanted me more than Chloe. It went a lot further than I had anticipated.” The whole thing was caught on tape. “They turned the cameras on–although I’ve never seen an outtake reel [at GH]. At Days every Christmas we’d have a big party and they’d show the most fabulous reel of outtakes. In fact, we would even create stuff for the reel.” As for Smiley’s reaction to this particular outtake, Nichols says: “She was into it, baby. She can’t wait to be with me. She can’t wait to get rid of the big Australian galoot and be with Stefan.”
Thanks To pmgallagher@yahoo.com for typing this out!!
Chloe Loves….Stefan?
Soaps In Depth 8/22/00
GH’s Chloe has been given a life threatening disease and is on the verge of losing her love interest. But that doesn’t mean that fans should assume the the character–or her portrayer, Tava Smiley–is down for the count. Not by a long shot!
The In Depth Story: As the countdown to the exit of Ingo Rademacher continues (he is scheduled to tape his final episode Aug. 7), the question on everyone’s lips is: What does this mean for Chloe?
It appears that the beleaguered heroine is about face yet another trauma at the hand of the dastardly Cassadine clan. This time, however, matriarch Helena isn’t the one tormenting the designing woman, but rather her devious son, Stefan! “I’m kidnapping Chloe,” confessed Stefan’s alter ego, Stephen Nichols, during his recent fan club gathering.
“They’re going to see how things go.” Though still presumed dead, Stefan has kept a close eye on things back in Port Charles, with much of his attention focused on the mysteriuos connection between Helena, the mother who tried to have him killed, and Chloe. Could there be a love connection between kidnapper and his captive? “It’s going to be a Beauty and the Beast story: I have her captive and she falls in love with her captor,” he explained adding with a smile, “I might have a steady girl!”
Although fan reaction to a Stefan/Chloe pairing initially was mixed, attendees changed their tune when Nichols prompted,”Isn’t anything better than no story?” And what of Stefan’s fomer love Laura? “You’ve got to forget Laura,” Nichols urged his fans when asked about a possible reunion. “It’s not going to happen.”
And in true, winner-takes-all fashion, Nichols wrapped things up in character by saying, “It’s me and Chloe, all the way!”
Thanks To pmgallagher@yahoo.com for typing this out!!
Days: Kayla rumor
Soap Opera Digest Cover/Headline 5/23/00:
“Is Kayla returning to Days?”
The internet is abuzz with rumors that Mary Beth Evans could be reprising the role of Kayla Brady, the wildly popular character she played on DOOL from 1986-92.
Evans, who most recently played GH’s Katherine, left Port Charles in September 1999 and expressed interest in returning to Salem at some point. ‘Would I go back to Days…absolutely,’ Evans told Digest. ‘I would absolutely be open to that, but not right now. I don’t think they have a place for me there now, anyway.’ Evans indeed echoes how Days feels. ‘I don’t anticipate that happening right now,’ responds a Days spokesperson.”
**Special thanks to pmgallagher@yahoo.com for typing this out!
Pre- Soap Opera Digest Awards Chat/Yahoo
March 10, 2000
Stephen’s Comments
(FROM SOD ONLINE)
Stephen will you ever go back to DOOL and who was your favorite actor on the show to work with?
Stephen Nichols: Oh boy. Well, I definitely can say that Mary Beth was my favorite to work with, and they say never say never, so I would have to leave it at that!
Stephen, I am in england and only know you from Days. Which character do you prefer playing, Patch of Stefan?
Stephen Nichols: I have to say that there were times that I preferred Patch, and there are times that I prefer Stefan. They are equally compelling people, and I enjoy them both. It depends on the writing at the time and who I’m working with. There are a lot of variables.
Steve!! I adore you…tell your wife thanks for sharing! Will Stefan and Alexis be having much story, and will Helena’s antipathy to them EVER be explored?
Stephen Nichols: The answer to the first part is, Alexis and I, I believe, will be in more scenes together. They want the audience to know what I’m thinking and feeling and they think Alexis is the perfect confidante for me. Of course, they never really dealt with the rift between us, but now we’re
apparently in a good place with each other, so it’s my turn to use her as a sounding board. 🙂 But Helena’s antipathy for us… I would like to see that happen, at this point I kind of doubt it unless they can’t come up with another story. 🙂
Hi Stephen!! Loved meeting you at SSW last year. Will you be returning this year?
Stephen Nichols: Yes, I probably will. I have a good time. I think it’s a good way to get out and thank the fans for supporting us. 🙂
Whats it like being the guy that broke up luke and laura?
Stephen Nichols: If only temporarily, it was quite thrilling to be the guy that broke up Luke & Laura! I think it was good for everyone involved and I’m sorry that certain parts of that story did not get played out, and were not told. I think the audience was left hanging in a sense, and I am sorry for
that.
Stephen will you take a nap today before the awards tonight ?
Stephen Nichols: LOL — Who wants to know? I don’t have time to take a nap today, running around doing errands… I guess when you see me you think I need a nap!
How is it working with Tony and Genie?
Stephen Nichols: It’s a joy working with Tony and Genie, because they are totally professional. Tony in particular has a totally wild sense of humor. I always enjoy his wit. We have a lot of fun. There’s an intensity about working with them that I don’t get with a lot of other people. We joke around but once we get focused, we really do it.
Do you keep in touch with Mary Beth Evans?
Stephen Nichols: Absolutely! I was at her New Years’ Eve party, we did a photo shoot at her new house, I call her all the time…
The writers have been all over the place with your character in the last year. Will there be changes for Stefan?
Stephen Nichols: I am praying and hoping that there will be changes! I definitely agree with you, and I have been trying to talk to the powers that be, and give them ideas, I am trying to keep my character on track as much as I can with what I have been given, and I understand the frustration better than anyone because I am the one playing it. But hang on and I will do my best! 🙂
Soap Opera Digest, March 21, 2000
Stephen on Friendships With Co-Stars
*Special Thanks to pmgallagher@yahoo.com for typing this out!
According Stephen Nichols, enduring off-screen friendships with one’s on-screen love interest–as Nichols developed with former soap flame Mary Beth Evans–can help ease concerns about reel-life romances becoming too real. ‘I think it makes it easier if [your on screen love] knows your family and you know theirs,’ muses Nichols. ‘You have a relationship with everybody. It’s probably worse, for example, if you weren’t friends and the husbands and wives were sitting at home wondering, ‘What’s going on with these two?’ People, especially people who arent’s in the business, secretly wonder that. Those are always the questions we get–‘How do you kiss [your co-star] and not get attracted?’ It’s hard for the spouses. So it makes it easier if you’ve met the whole family.’ As for off-screen friendships enhancing on-screen romance? ‘I don’t think it’s necessary,’ he continues, ‘but it makes things easier. It’s better to be friends than be like some of the people I came up with who were enemies most of the time and played lovers for years. I just think that developing that friendship makes things a lot more comfortable.'”
March 7-21 2000, Soaps In Depth
ABC Edition
*Special Thanks to pmgallagher@yahoo.com for typing this out!
Stephen on what He Would Like To See For His Character on GH
“Not that his character’s life isn’t complicated enough, but Stephen Nichols has a storyline twist in mind that would really wreak havoc on the Cassadine clan. ‘It would be really interesting if Stefan was truly the first Cassadine son,’ he says. Nichols explains the irony that would have his character’s evil mother, Helena, trying to hide the truth of his older brother Stavros’ true parentage. ‘It would make perfect sense as to why Helena hates Stefan so much,’ he says. The idea: What if Stavros was Helena’s love child–the result of an affair she’d had while married to Mikkos? ‘So one day, the old nanny–or the young beautiful nanny,’ Nichols jokes, ‘who claims to have taken care of Nikolas when he was a boy, comes to town and says she’s got something to tell him. This whole secret starts to get revealed that Stefan is, in fact, Mikkos’ first son.’ No word on whether this will actually come to pass on GH.”
