SOAP OPERA VILLAINS SEMINAR
January 28, 1998
Seminar with:
Stephen Nichols (Stefan, GH), Kimberlin Brown (Sheila, B&B at the time),
Michael Corbett (ex- Y&R), and Joe Mascolo (Days).
~Recapped by nicholsevansfan~
The Seminar…
First things first. Guess where I get to sit? Oh, second row back center (no one sat in the first row- the stars did at beginning of show and then they were left open).
They show some clips advertising what the museum does. The actors are led to the front row seats as this is on. Then they play clips of the actors on their respective shows; Kimberlin’s scene was awesome- it was her with a security guard (I don’t watch Bold and Beautiful), and she is trying to switch the results of the blood test and he spins the vials. Stephen really seemed to get a kick out of it and he and Kimberlin whispered to each other as the scene played. Joe’s clip was of Stefano trying to keep John from breaking up Kristen’s wedding to Tony. Michael Corbett of The Young and The Restless turned in several scenes- shooting Christine and Nina at a costume party, and some realllly hideous clip with a hideous makeup job of a scar saying “KILLER” on his forehead. He winced out loud “Oh Gawwwwdddd” when he saw it. So the actor agreed- bad clip. (I am not saying bad actor I am saying bad clip).
They saved the best clip for last: Stephen’s. It was with Laura, but they really had to show him as a villain and I think all the clips were pretty old clips- not current. Very powerful scene, and ahem, not to be biased or anything, but if this were the Emmys he would have won. Ok, so after the clips are over, they introduce the stars. I don’t remember the intro. I could just kick myself, but then I’d be in pain and wouldn’t be able to write the rest of this thing. You wouldn’t want that, right? Uhhhmm. Right? C’mon somebody here (gulp).
So I have a clear view of all the actors onstage. (Joyce was sitting to my right). Stephen is to the left of me but VERY close, and Kimberlin Brown straight ahead of me on Stephen’s left. To Stephen’s immediate right sat Joe Mascolo, Stefano DiMera of Days of Our Lives, and to Joe’s right was Michael Corbett of The Young and The Restless. If I remember correctly, the moderator/host for the evening was the Vice President of the museum.
The moderator was very good. He asked some very pertinent questions. He did his homework. And he seemed genuinely interested in the whole topic and conversation- what the actors had to say. I liked the guy 😉
The topics of conversation regarding villainy and soaps ranged from women villains vs. bitches (Kimberlin Brown was very well spoken; she impressed me), to the “chemistry” or romance of the villain and the hero -the rivalry- on daytime, to the motivation and psychology of the individual villains (It was REALLY interesting to see how well these actors knew their characters and what they had to do to bring them full force on screen. These were actors who took their work seriously and really thought about and cared about the role they were playing).
Also asked often was, “Does anything your character does ever crossover into unacceptable for you as the people playing the roles?” Kimberlin said she had a beef with her character Sheila having a baby’s birthmark surgically removed, and Joe said he didn’t like the use of guns and thought it was unnecessary in showing power, so he never agrees to use guns in his scenes. (Stephen said later at coffee that he didn’t like when Stefan threatened Lucky indirectly to Luke).
Again, the question about how much input the shows allow the actors is raised. Michael Corbett and Kimberlin are both from Bell sows and they both say that their job is to act and the writers’ job to write, and they try not to interfere with each other. They are kept very separate. Joe Mascolo said similarly that they have brilliant people at the helm of the show and they, the actors, don’t really need to interfere. Stephen said that Tony (Luke, GH) and Genie (Laura, GH) change scripts for their characters all the time (UM, so much for the last weeks panel discussion that said Tony never did that… LOL), and that most of the time it was for the better and they really knew what kept their characters’ integrity. Stephen really respected Tony’s and Genie’s work. The other actors seemed appalled and said “Oh, we would never,” but Stephen went on to say that he really likes that collaborative environment, where people are willing listen to your thoughts. He said that’s what a show is supposed to be- collaboration or different talents, and that’s the only working environment he really could thrive in.
Kimberlin said that her character was a real villainess, not a simple “bitch” like what exists all over daytime and primetime. I suddenly just spoke without raising my hand and said Sheila is the exception though, because most women “villains” commit one hateful deed and then they have to be reformed, whereas, men can be villains for decades on soaps. I think she agreed. Then she explained Sheila’s reasoning- that Sheila did everything for love. “For example,” she said, “I want HIM,” pointing to Stephen (who she was flirting with all night – in a friendly way of course. But hey, he is so adorable you can’t help it). Then she looks up at the audience at these two girls behind me and says “And so do you apparently,” Kimberlin continued. “So, as Sheila, I would simply have to kill you and get you out of my way. See, its all for love.” (Not a direct quote, but close enough). We were all ROTFL. It was hysterical. Stephen enjoyed it of course!
Michael Corbett said the difference between playing a good guy and a bad guy was that, as a good guy, you flip through each script praying you won’t be killed off, and as a villain, you read through each script hoping you don’t kill too many people off. I thought that was really well said and laughed, as did everyone.
Someone…I think Jennifer/Kayla, asked Stephen about working on GH again with Mary Beth in the roles of Stefan and Katherine. Stephen said VERY passionately that he was sick and tired of the comparisons to Patch and Kayla, that this was a totally different show, completely new characters, a very different sort of love story. Stephen said that he thought that their story really suffered because of the different writers and all the behind the scenes changes. He said that he had been in a story meeting, (I think he and Mary Beth, but I don’t remember for sure), with the writers, and that they agree with his suggestion that this couple really hasn’t been solidified and that there needed to be more of a real connection/solid love there before this whole Helena thing was set into place).
Joe and Stephen commented on the similar names and jewelry of their characters. Stephen said when they told him the character’s name on GH, he said “there already is a Stefano.”
Stephen elaborated on why its so important to him to be included in the creative process of what this character is all about. He talked about his work ethic that his grandpa taught him and how he feels you have to try to make anything, including daytime television, the best it can be, and that you really have to strive for that in your acting- to take the extra step to make a scene work for you. Whether that means talking to the writers or the producers or whomever. He said he can’t stand when people settle for mediocrity in daytime and it becomes too easy to just show up for the paycheck. He was VERY, VERY passionate about this. It was like he needed to say that and get it out of his system… perhaps because of the earlier point in conversation when someone said that actors should act and writers should write. He also said he is very hard on himself and prone to take things a little too seriously, but that this was part of his creative process- to be able to collaborate with others, as you do in theatre and film. He said he doesn’t go to the writers very often though, but the fact that he has the opportunity to do so is important.
After the Seminar…
As the stars left their chairs, once the seminar was over, audience members approached their favorite stars. Stephen could not have been sweeter; he stopped to talk to us and took pictures with several people. As soon as he saw Joyce, he smiled, lit up and kissed her right on the cheek “Hi Joyce!”
It was a very casual conversation, just about 15 to 20 people gathered around him and he was in the center talking away. The first thing he said actually was “I don’t think I belong here!” meaning he didn’t see Stefan as the villain. This is when I just went “Well hey, me either!” and totally calmed down and saw him as just a regular guy I could talk to. I opened my mouth and words came out that slightly resembled complete sentences. Miracles do happen!!!
Someone told Stephen how wonderful his last answer about striving to be better in daytime had been. He looked relieved, and said in passing that he’s glad they appreciated that, and that he knows he probably sounded too serious, but he really meant it. Everyone there let him know we agreed whole heartedly with what he said, and he really seemed to appreciate it.
One of the security guards asked us to please stop taking pictures because it messed with the security cameras, so Stephen said “Oh, is that why? Because it messes with the cameras!? Ok then, take pictures everyone!!” jokingly as he laughed. But they were closing the seminar room and so he said, “Ok everyone, I guess I have to go then…” Joyce let him know we could meet with him in the lobby and he was like “Oh, ok. I will meet you in the lobby!”
The Lobby…
(This is not all exactly in the order it happened, just some highlights I remember.)
The man comes out of the lobby smiling as about 15 cameras snap his picture. He was the only star to come out specifically to greet the fans, although Kimberlin came out to the lobby on her way out and posed for pictures with Stephen when asked by his fans. He was so sweet with her and talked with her for a bit, and she had him hug her belly (she is pregnant). There was a really sweet moment when he had his hand on her belly (is that the PC term?) and she said the baby moved.
Kimberlin left, and Stephen stayed talking to us about all sorts of things…from an old issue of Soap Opera Digest someone had brought for him to sign (Sexiest men cover), to Guza (not enough airtime, but Guza is really working hard on cleaning up other stories right now and that he would get back to writing for them). Stephen said that it was hard with Tony gone for 10 weeks and Genie away- that this took away a chunk of story for him, but that he hoped things were going to get back on track soon.
He posed for picture after picture so graciously. Joyce asked him to pose for one for Kathy J (who couldn’t make it), and his face lit up and said, “Sure, anything for Kathy,” and he stuck his tongue out and pulled his ears back making a funny face for the picture. Too cute!!!
Ok, more picture posing (this lasted for about 20 minutes) and then Stephen said, “Well, I really am hungry and should be heading home, bye everyone.” I heard Joyce go up to him and say goodbye to him and tell him we would be eating at Koo Koo Roo’s across the street. He said, “Koo Koo Roos? Funny, that’s where I was going!” (We knew that couldn’t be true – the man was saying he would come to dinner with us!) Gasp. Thud.
Suddenly, panic struck. All of us had to go get our cars from the museum parking lot (they were closing). And Stephen was parked elsewhere! What if he walked across the street to Koo Koo Roos, did not see us there, and left! Joyce had come in the car with me, so we told her to run after Stephen and let him know what was going on while we moved our cars. Joyce, the lucky Tree, got her time alone with Stephen!! (Are you all green with envy?)
Nightmare on Rodeo Drive…
We get the cars parked and attempt to remain calm as we walk over to the Koo Koo Roos. But Joyce and Stephen are crossing the street back towards us. Gerri lets us know, “Koo Koo Roos is closed, and so is Starbucks.” Our hearts sink.
The Coffee Bean…
Joyce offers Stephen some coffee at The Coffee Bean and we all sit outside in the chairs and tables there. There were eight of us.
As we are getting chairs situated right, Stephen gets on Gerri’s cellular phone and calls his wife, Lisa. He was SO sweet on the phone.
So we make ourselves comfortable at the Coffee Bean, Joyce getting Stephen coffee. I sat across from Stephen. To ask me exactly what was said for the hour and 20 minutes we spent with him is an impossibly hard thing, so I will just write highlights I remember. Remember, this is not in order of events; it’s in order of memory.
We told him Kimberlin was great, and he really said he could tell she was good from that clip, and that he really liked that she had made up a back story for her character. He said he wouldn’t mind working with her (kind of in passing).
Someone asked him about scenes with Nikolas, and he said he really loved those, too, and that Nikolas would be getting his voice back soon because the show knows viewers aren’t too happy about him not being able to speak.
Someone brought up Guza’s first day back and the shooting, a few of us were talking about that. I said I thought it was strange that Luke had this long scene (with Nik in the ambulance) and Stefan had a rather short one with Nikolas that day (I just kinda said it in passing), and he nodded and added that they really needed to show Luke’s humanity though. I said yes, I agreed because he had been a little too arrogant for a bit. Stephen said yes, but that’s a part of Luke’s character.
The lack of airtime for him: Yes, he said he was upset about it, too, and that this was the first time since he joined the show that this happened where he would only work a couple of days a week sometimes.
We talked more about how we didn’t see Stefan as the villain at all.
Stephen said that an ABC executive, high up, called him out of the blue without him having talked to anyone about his concerns, and she said that ABC was well aware of his lack of airtime, and not to worry, that they see the problem.
WE ASKED HIM HOW HE FELT ABOUT WORKING WITH MARY BETH AGAIN. HE SAID THAT THEIR STORY HAS REALLY SUFFERED WITH ALL THE WRITING CHANGES. HE SAID HE CAN’T STAND THE NEGATIVE COMPARISONS TO STEVE AND KAYLA, THAT THIS IS A DIFFERENT EVERYTHING- SHOW, COUPLE, STORY. HE SAID THAT EVERYONE KNOWS THAT A BETTER STORY MUST BE WRITTEN- THE SHOW HAS HEARD FROM THE VIEWERS AND THEY LOVE STEFAN AND KATHERINE, AND THEY KNOW THAT THE STORY IS SUFFERRING RIGHT NOW.
Someone asked him if he had seen Titanic and he said Leo DiCaprio reminded him of himself at that age. He didn’t like the movie though. We talked a bit about the Golden Globes, and the tribute that actor made to Jack Lemmon.
Stephen and Joyce had a film discussion. She told him she liked this actor named Bruce Greenwood and that he reminded her of Stephen. Stephen answered he liked the actor already… LOL.
When asked, he said he loved working with all of his old Days co-stars and someone reminded Stephen that he used to call Wally Kurth (Ned, GH) dimples. Stephen laughed 😉
So, we all started feeding his ego… LOL …telling him how much we love that play or that movie or that play. He was very humble about all of it and appreciated the compliments. We told him Phoenix was airing on sci-fi channel and that the love scene was cut because it was so steamy. He seemed a little surprised and then told us a little story about filming that.
I told Stephen my favorite thing he did was The Lizard King and he seemed surprised that I had been there, and I said something REALLY stupid about it really being like this other dimension going into that play. He said he had it taped and that he just watched it the other day for the first time in years, and that he really liked the play.
A girl that looked like she was about 12 years old saw him on her way out of the Coffee Bean and said, “Oh my gosh!! You were Steve! I used to watch you when I was 3!!!” She was really funny and down to earth. Stephen loved the unexpected attention. He said “Well, what you’re 13 now?” and she was like, “No, I am a senior in High School!” So he talked to her for a bit and could not have been nicer. He really got a kick out of it, you could tell
We got on the Steve vs. Patch comparisons thing again, and I mentioned how I didn’t think any of his characters resembled the other at all. Someone brought up the Biker being like Steve and I was like, “Uh, the biker on Matlock was like a surfer guy on a bike.” and he laughed and agreed. Eros, I think, mentioned how wonderful he was on GH, and then Stephen kind of joked, “Well, if I am so wonderful, how come I haven’t won the Emmy?” So we fans started in on how those Emmys are bogus anyway; the same people getting nominated every year, and that it’s like the people in daytime don’t watch daytime.
Someone asked Stephen if he still knew sign language. He made a face like saying he felt guilty, but no. He said they were teaching Dylan, his youngest daughter, some sign language, and that she was making up her own “signs”/gestures. It was so cute. He imitated her “sign” for purple.
We asked him about his stay in Utah at the Sundance Film Festival. He said he was joking around with someone at the local station and said, “Hey, I want to do the weather, and they said, ‘Ok‘.” So Stephen did the weather report there and had a blast!! The TV station even told him, if he ever needs a job… We asked him if he sang at the festival and he said yes, he sung “Wild Thing”. Sigh. (I SO wanted to see that, but wasn’t going to push my luck and ask him to sing for us, too… LOL).
In Conclusion…
Once we were done, we posed for more pictures with Stephen. I can’t believe that Stephen was so wonderful to us, he really didn’t have to even come out of the seminar room- none of the other actors did. In fact, in line before the seminar, we were talking to people who had been at the other seminars and commented on how un-cool it was at these small little events that many of the stars didn’t stay and greet fans even for just a little bit. Stephen went above and beyond, he really did. And he was natural with us- didn’t have a stage face on, wasn’t cautious about what he said, and he was so patient with us. I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful it is to know that an actor you really respect so much is also such a devoted artist and truly wonderful person.
The seminar was very interesting, very lively, very thought provoking, and made you gain a whole new respect for these actors. And meeting Stephen afterwards is simply beyond words. I couldn’t possibly tell you how happy I was.
~Actors were asked how much input they were allowed in creating/writing/playing these roles. They were asked what they do, for example, if they are totally against something their character does. Basically, all the actors said they go in, do their job and make it make sense. They have to make everything believable. Joe says Stefano’s motivations were his love and total devotion to his children, and Kimberlin has made up a story to herself about the character’s history. (Stephen really perked up when she said that. I think he liked that she did that.) Stephen said everything Stefan does, and everything he ever has done “wrong”, is for his SON.
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