By Giddy…

So….much to my shock I was informed yesterday morning that this was my week for “Blog Wednesday.” What?!?!? I have nothing interesting to say. Plus my readers are hounding me for updates on my fan fiction and now I am supposed to drop everything and come up with a blog idea? Well okay…because actually I do have something that has been weighing on my mind.  Will my readers forgive me for taking time out to share some random thoughts for the blog this week? I feel sure they will, especially since I know many share the same opinion.  Besides, it helps that I have an update in the works.

You know, the really great thing about a blog is that it offers an excellent opportunity to express oneself. These are my thoughts and I am speaking only for myself. If you don’t agree with me that is fine. I certainly respect your right to have your own opinions. The comment box is open and I welcome any and all feedback as long as it is constructive and considerate in its intent.

I’m sure it won’t surprise anyone to hear that I am a very vocal supporter of Mary Beth joining ‘The Young and the Restless.’ I have made no secret of that fact seeing how I have posted on message boards, bantered about it, sported a banner proclaiming such, and just generally been an advocate for it whenever and wherever I see the opportunity. That being said, I also realize that not everyone agrees with me. Again, that is fine. It’s your prerogative to want to see Mary Beth in primetime, on stage, or nowhere at all.

My argument is this: I am a huge Mary Beth Evans fan and I miss her. I want to see her now and I want to see her regularly. I also want to see her on a show that is worthy of showcasing her talents. Anyone who has followed her career knows that she can seamlessly pull off a wide range of emotions (anger, fear, sadness, strength, vulnerability, sarcasm, and outright humor) with little effort at all. With that said, why wouldn’t I want to see her on Y&R, the #1 rated daytime show? Stephen Nichols has said that, as an actor, it is a privilege to work on such a wonderfully talented and managed show. Why wouldn’t I want the same for Mary Beth?

I realize some fans feel that Stephen and Mary Beth don’t always have to be on the same show, and they are right.  They don’t. I respect their opinion even if I don’t agree with the logic behind such feelings. Stephen and Mary Beth have both done countless projects without the other, but the fact is many of their fans want to see them together.  With such unparalleled chemistry and proven success as an onscreen duo, how could we not wish for them to enjoy that success yet again? They were on Days and GH together and obviously garnered a strong and intense fan following with both shows.  But, beyond that, I don’t see the reasoning behind saying that fans want them joined at the hip. The overwhelming majority of their acting projects have been one without the other, and their individual and collective fan bases have been supportive of those projects as well. The bottom line is that Stephen and Mary Beth have repeatedly stated that they enjoy working together, and as a fan, I enjoy seeing them together. For those of us who have been around since 1986, it is a pity that some of us feel the need to constantly defend ourselves in wanting to see them working together again. The fact is that they work well together, and I for one enjoy watching the magic they create. Whether or not they would be paired on Y&R is not even the issue. Even if they never entered each other’s orbit, I would be happy, because I think they both deserve to be on a show that is worthy of their talents.  Top rated actors deserve a top rated venue.

I would also like to point out that Mary Beth mentioned going to Y&R long before Stephen got the gig as Tucker McCall. In the April 29, 2009 issue of Soap Opera Digest, Mary Beth said the following:  “I’m a hustler by nature. I hit the ground running. I’ve been on some great auditions- I went out for a Gossip Girls spin-off and I got a new agent, things I haven’t done in forever. I would love to go to Y&R, where Hogan (Sheffer) is writing.” 

Of course I would love to see Mary Beth on primetime, but I am also realistic when it comes to such things. I agree that, in principle, she would get much more exposure on primetime and that she certainly has the talent to be successful on any show that is smart enough to snatch her up.  But primetime is a mess, as much as daytime is, if not more. I am also realistic in considering the most likely venue for getting to see her on a regular basis is on daytime. The grim reality is that there are simply not an abundance of primetime roles for anyone, regardless of age or gender. The even grimmer reality is that there are virtually no primetime roles available for 40-something actresses whose primary exposure has been on daytime TV. Other than the occasional guest appearance, I don’t think we are likely to see Mary Beth starring on a primetime show.  If by some miracle we did, there is no guarantee that the show or role would last.  Y&R has been around for over 37 years, and promises to be around for years to come.  No show in primetime can come close to making that claim. Primetime execs simply don’t know how great she is and that’s a shame, but again it is the reality.

Mary Beth has said repeatedly in many different interviews how much she loves daytime, and I am inclined to believe that she is being sincere. We all know she wouldn’t say it if she didn’t mean it. Of course she wants to do things that challenge her as well, but I don’t see that as her closing the door on daytime by any stretch.  Y&R would definitely be a challenge. From what I have read, it seems to me as if she would like to do both, which is all the better for us because we would get to see her more!

As for Y&R specifically, Mary Beth is quoted as saying, “Look, I’m game for whatever, and Y&R is such a good show.” (http://www.theatermania.com/los-angeles/news/02-2010/mary-beth-evans-wedding-belle_25096.html). Again, according to the interviewer that is a direct quote from Mary Beth. To me that sounds as if she is not only saying she would go to Y&R if given the chance, but that in fact, she would welcome the opportunity. I am also inclined to believe from her quote just prior to that where she speaks of a fan campaign that she is not opposed to such. Who knows whether or not it would work? I know that Maria Arena Bell has said in an interview that they do care what fans have to say, so who knows what impact if any a campaign would have? But I certainly don’t see where it would hurt.  Even still, when it is all said and done, if Mary Beth did get an offer to join the cast of Y&R, the decision would be hers and not that of her fans.  I for one would love to see her given the opportunity to make such a decision.

I think the bottom line is that we all love Mary Beth and we just need to support her constructively and positively, regardless of whether we want to see her on daytime or on primetime.  She deserves no less.

Happy Birthday Mary Beth Evans!  Everybody wish Mary Beth a very happy birthday today!

By: Jen

I had the pleasure of attending the Saturday 2/27/10 show and the Sunday matinee 2/28/10 shows of Barbra’s Wedding in Los Angeles staring Mary Beth Evans and Wilson Green.

The Saturday night show (2/27/10) was a sold out show.  Mary Beth had lots of family and friends in the audience that night to support her and the energy was high.  Barbra’s Wedding is about an out of work actor, Jerry (Wilson Green) and his wife, Molly (Mary Beth).  They live next door to Barbra Streisand, who is in the midst of getting married.  Jerry is distraught as to why he was not invited when, of all people, Ed Begley Jr. was.   Molly is more concerned as to why Jerry cares more about being invited to a wedding for people he doesn’t even know over her.  The tension mounts as Molly gets more and more frustrated at Jerry over his obsession with going to the wedding.  Molly finally has enough and tries to leave, only to be stopped by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ”tank” that is blocking their driveway.  In the end, they talk though their issues and come to an understanding.  I know a lot of what is mentioned about the play are the comedic parts of it, but it really has a serious undertone to it.  Molly (Mary Beth) is on the brink of leaving her husband over his obsession with being famous and wanting to be in the “in” crowd.  If it wasn’t for Schwarzenegger’s tank blocking the drive way, she would have left.  It’s a look into what can happen to you and your relationships when you let something consume you to the point where you can’t even relate to those around you.  In the end, Molly makes Jerry see that he is not defined by who knows him or by whose wedding he is invited to.  I found the play to be fun and entertaining and enjoyed some great lines in the show.

Mary Beth hits her comedic cues flawlessly.  Most of us who have seen Mary Beth through the years know the “sweet” Mary Beth, and while Molly is the “straight” one in the play, she does get to let her hair down and get dirty.    In one hysterical part of the play, Mary Beth let’s Maury Povich have it with many expletives and finger gestures.  It was fun to see Mary Beth let loose like that.  Even though those types of words are not in her personal vocabulary, she pulls them off very naturally.  Such seamless acting shows you how talented she really is.  Mary Beth and Wilson have really great chemistry and work well off each other.  They are very natural with one another and are believable as a husband and wife who are going through a rough patch in their marriage.  Both of them are quick on their feet and improvise as needed with falling props, weird bird statues, and just the overall pitfalls of live theater.  In Sunday’s show, “Molly” comes back on stage through the front door and she is ranting about how she is “sick of this house, sick of you…” Mary Beth trips over the bird statue by the door and without missing a beat she says, “and I am sick of this bird…”.  Even though it was in the heat of the moment, it made everyone laugh.  Mary Beth is a natural at live theater and especially the comedic parts of the play.  She weaves funny, serious, and frustrated very effortlessly.  Even after the play on Saturday night, when she and Wilson were taking their bows, they are to exit though the front door on the set and they could not get it open to exit the stage. Mary Beth, being quick on her feet, decides to leave through the unseen refrigerator door.  I felt lucky that I had the opportunity to see Mary Beth perform live.

Want to see a live clip?  Thanks to HybridMom you can watch HERE

Mary Beth has always been one that is very appreciative towards her fans.  She took time out after both shows and talked with those who wanted to say hi.  She also took time out to take some pictures and ask where everyone was from.  Her husband and daughter were there Saturday night and she introduced them to us. They were so appreciative that everyone came out to see the show.  We had the opportunity to give her some birthday gifts Saturday night, and the next day she told us how much she enjoyed it all and she was very gracious in expressing her thanks.  Mary Beth is a class act all the way, it’s hard not to love her.

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES

Credit for photos is given to JPI Studios

Like yesterday’s fads and tomorrow’s trends, actors come and go as quickly as fashions change.  Who you admired in your youth is not necessarily who you admire as an adult.  But, on rare occasions, there are those actors who make an indelible impression.  They light up our screens and fulfill our fantasizes, all while burning their way into our hearts.  Rarely does an actor achieve such status, much less invoke a following that spans the life of their career.  Those who do are rare, and Stephen Nichols is indeed rare.  We want him on our screens.  We want him to give us yet another character that will equal the iconic status of the anti-hero Steven Earl Johnson and of the dark Prince known as Stefan Cassadine.  What we want is… Tucker McCall.

Acting is business.  Soap operas are businesses.  For a business to be successful, there must a demand for a product.  For a soap opera character to be successful there must be a demand for that character.  It doesn’t matter if you love or hate the character.  The Powers that Be don’t care.  All they want is for you to feel ‘intensely’ about the character and their show.  If you want that character on your screen, for whatever reason, then you must make your demands known.  Those in charge won’t know if you don’t tell them.  If you are not sure how to get that point across, then allow us to share with you… The Art of Being a McCall Girl.

~Sport a Banner:  Easy enough.  If you post on any of the soap boards, display a Tucker McCall and/or Stephen Nichols banner in your signature.  It does speak volumes.

~Post on the Boards:  Not as easy as it sounds, considering most are only comfortable with the one, two, or three soap boards they are familiar with.  Make a point to venture out.  The more places you post, the better the chances are that TPTB will see your interest in Stephen and in Tucker.

~Leave a Comment:  When you read an article about the actor or the character, leave a comment.  When the writers of these articles or blogs see an increase in comments, chances are they are more apt to continue reporting on that actor or character.  Comments show interest, so be sure to show everyone who reads just how interested you are in Stephen and Tucker.  TPTB notice it, too.  Good places to start are in the Y&R recap sections at www.soaps.com and www.soapnet.com 

~YouTube:  Believe it or not, TPTB do pay attention to the ratings and comments left on YouTube.  You’ve heard on the news of how many hits a certain clip has received.  Popularity is measured by the amount of views and ratings.  You can start with the McCallGirls channel here:  McCALLGIRLS YOUTUBE CHANNEL

~IMDB Page:  Visit, and visit often.  There is a popularity rating on every actor’s IMDB page.  When that rating is up, it shows interest in that actor.  TPTB have been known to check for those ratings.  Bookmark and visit daily.  IMDB

~Write the Show:  Send in a letter, a postcard, or both.  Even if you print out something on your computer, or use a letterhead that promotes your favorite character, just make sure you write a personal note to go along with it.  It’s the personal remarks that carry the most weight.  You can find contact information here:  CONTACTS

~Write and Email the Mags:  Be sure to write and/or email the soap magazines and tell them how much you admire Stephen Nichols/Tucker McCall.  Make sure you tell them why.  Keep it short and sweet while cutting straight to the chase.  Who knows?  Your note might just end up in print!  Postal and email addresses can be found here:  CONTACTS

~Vote in the Polls:  Sure, some are easily spammed, but the ones running them know that.  They can read the repetitive ISP’s, so they know when votes count and when they don’t.  Your vote will count, so be sure to take the time and vote.  Two weeklies to keep in mind are:  SOD – Hot Off The Net Poll  and CBS SOAPS IN DEPTH – Readers Poll.

~Talk about the Character/Show:  When you post on boards or send in your postcards and letters, it’s your involvement in their ‘product’ that TPTB look for.  Mention what you like about the character, or what you don’t like.  The same holds true with the show in general.  Make your investment in their product clear, just as you make your investment in your favorite actor clear.  Feedback is important, so make it count.

~Have Fun:  It’s great to have Stephen Nichols back on our screens.  Have fun and enjoy the talents of daytime’s finest actor!

Remember, there is more than one way to show your support.  Positive PR is worth its weight in gold.  If you talk, someone will listen.  So, let’s get mentioned, and let’s get heard.  McCall Girls know what they want, and what we want is more Stephen Nichols as Tucker McCall.

The daytime drama superstar tries her hand at comedy in a Los Angeles production of Barbra’s Wedding.

By: Brian Scott Lipton · Feb 20, 2010  · Los Angeles

Wilson Green and Mary Beth Evans
in Barbra’s Wedding
(© Jennifer Blevins)

For 25 years, Mary Beth Evans’ name has been synonymous with the words “daytime drama” thanks to her roles as Kayla Brady Johnson on NBC’s Days of Our Lives, Katherine Bell on ABC’s General Hospital and Port Charles, and Sierra Montgomery on ABC’s As The World Turns. Now, she’s trying her hand at comedy in a Los Angeles production of Daniel Stern’s play Barbra’s Wedding at the Blank Theatre.

“This is so much fun after all my years on daytime. In my heart, and in real life, I think I am a funny person,” says Evans. “I left Days again last February, and then I did some episodic television. But I really wanted to do a play. Television is so fast-moving, and I wanted to really work on a piece and be able to try different things. In daytime, you memorize your lines, show up, and then work on instinct. The one funny thing is that I used to memorize pages of scripts every day, and for some reason, it took me 22 days to memorize this script.”

Always an inspiration, Mary Beth talks about her current play, her family, her fans, her love of daytime TV, Y&R, and her pie business!  Click HERE to read the complete article:

Today 2/19/2010 is Stephen’s Birthday!  

In honor of Stephen, share with us some of your favorite Stephen moments!

….we said goodbye to our beloved Steve and Kayla with no fan fare and little explanation as to where they went or why they left. It was a sad, sad day in the fandom known as Steve and Kayla. Not only was there no goodbye for them or from them, but we were led to believe that they would just pick up their preemie infant son and head across the world to some underprivileged country in Africa. Don’t they realize that Steve can’t wear his leather jacket in Africa?  As much as I believe that Steve and Kayla would indeed ride off to save the world together (or at least one village in Africa), I find it hard to believe or imagine Steve and Kayla being in some small unnamed village in a third world country. I guess our favorite couple had enough of being in the hospital, trying to support a distant daughter, dealing with a psychic brother, and living in the all around kooky town of Salem. It was just too much for them. They simply had to pack it up and head out of town. Who cares that they had a kidnapped daughter who desperately needed them, a brother and friend going through a tough time, or that Kayla was the Chief of Staff?  No matter. They simply weren’t needed.

In all seriousness, I continue to miss Steve and Kayla almost every day since that fateful day last year when they just disappeared into thin air. More importantly, I miss Mary Beth and Stephen. We recently got Stephen back on our screens, and strangely enough, we actually do get to see Mary Beth tonight on Nip/Tuck.  I still hold out hope that one day we will get to see the magic that is Mary Beth and Stephen together doing what they do best… entertaining us as the magical team they are.

Even though they got the shaft at Days, I would not give up one single moment of them returning to our screens as the iconic couple known as Steve and Kayla. They were reunited, they had a son, and they were happy. That is the prize in all of this. They are, and always will be, my all time favorite soap opera couple.

In the spirit of the anniversary of their last day.. let’s discuss where Steve and Kayla are right now.   What are they doing?  In short, just exactly where are Steve and Kayla in your mind?  Leave a comment. We would love to know your thoughts!

Their legend WILL live on….