From: riddle@brahms.udel.edu (Tammy Riddle)
Subject: SB:  More Info from the soap magazines
Organization: University of Delaware
Distribution: world 
 
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 16:47:55 GMT

Soap Opera Magazine
===================

SB's A Martinez:  Cruzing out of Santa Barbara

A Martinez feels bittersweet about his upcoming move to L.A. Law.  Even
though his role was tailor-made for him, it means he has to leave the show
that's given him fame, fortune and a second family.

Adding to A's sadness is the fact that he's been feeling a level of
enthusiasm and excitement around the SB set that hasn't been present for
awhile.  "I think once you've lost that positive feeling we previously
enjoyed, it's all the more precious when it comes back around," he says.
"When you lose something like that, you realize just how delicate it is to
obtain.  To get it back again almost seems to be too good to be true."

Despite the good feelings behind the scenes, SB is still facing low ratings
and possible cancellation.  "It's difficult to find an audience, especially
when you do go through periods of inconsistency, which has been the case
with us.  We've had a sort of never-ending turmoil going on upstairs.  But
right now, we have an amazing user-friendly product to offer," says A,
remembering the early days when the show was hailed as refreshingly
innovative.  "I think it's found that kind of pocket again.  Logic says
that if something is deserving, it will flourish."

Even though A is now leaving to make his mark on prime time, he is still
very supportive of SB -- and daytime TV.  "Anybody who cares at all for
this kind of drama, would be well-served to check us out,"  he says from
the heart.  "I'd certainly urge folks who previously heard about the show,
but lost contact with it for one reason or another, to please check it out
again.  It would be a big loss to the daytime industry in general to have
SB bite the dust.  People who care about the wonderful intimacy you enjoy
with daytime characters should help us if they want to support that
concept.  I hope they will."

Perhaps A feels this way because he's been such a vital part of SB -- and
SB has been an equally vital part of him.  "The show has changed me," he
admits.  "I was challenged to become a more useful person.  It has made me
a better husband and a better father and a better man in general having to
constantly reexamine the motives of this character for all these years.  It
really does force you to ask questions of yourself that you might not get
around to asking.  More than anything, I'm thankful for the personal
acceleration it has given my life.  It has been on of the great blessings
of my life.  Since I've been suspiciously rich in blessings, that means it
was a big one.  There's just no way of measuring the value of it.  I just
don't think I'd be enjoying anywhere near the quality of emotional life I
have now if it were not for SB.  The idea of leaving it is not easy to
face."

A will especially miss the relationships he has built up over the past
eight years.  After Marcy Walker (ex-Eden) left the show last year, he was
forced to start working through the feelings he had about her leaving.  IN
time, A was able to begin pulling himself and his character back on their
feet.  Now A is the one leaving and it doesn't make it any easier.  But his
history on SB is drenched with ahppy memories.  Memories of his favorite
storyline -- when Eden was lost in Utah and Cruz thought she was dead.
Memories of special moments -- when Cruz and Eden lived on the houseboat.
A can even clearly remember the first time he had a sincere laugh, not one
generated by the script.  It was the first time he realized he was
developing something very special on SB.

A also admits he had very high hopes for what could have been in the
Cruz/Kelly/Jodie/Reese story.  "Kim Zimmer and Forry Smith came in and hit
the floor running," says A, who reveals that Cruz will be on the air
through September with an exit based on a series of suprises, which has
already included the news that BJ is his daughter.  Although A wasn't able
to divulge specific story details, SB fans will be happy to learn the
character is not going to be killed off.

****
Remember When?

ONE YEAR AGO...Eden regressed back to her childhood and recalled the affair
her mother had with Lionel.  Assuming the identity of her dead brother
Channing, she fired a gun at Sophia, sending her into a coma.  As
Eden/Channing savored the sweet revenge, she was knocked unconcious by an
unknown assailant, stuffed into the trunk of a car and driven off.

****
Q&A
  
ON SB, Mason once referred to Julia as Warren's favorite aunt.  I have
never heard mention of another Wainwright sister besides Warren's mother,
so isn't Julia his ONLY aunt -- or did Julia have a sister we're not aware
of?

SOM went directly to Nancy Grahn for the answer.  Nancy says Julia has
never mentioned having a sister other than Augusta, so as far as she can
tell there isn't one.

**********
Soap Opera Update/Insider

The Mood Is Tense at SANTA BARBARA

"I think that the fans may not realize how serious the situation is,"
comments SB's star Forry Smith about NBC's decision about the future of the
soap.  While the network was due to make that decision around September 1,
we hear that NBC is behind the show, and the real deciding factor would be
determined by the affiliates.  SB has been losing affiliates steadily, and
false rumors have been spreading that the network would remove SB and offer
no other programming. 

****
Okay, Okay...this is me, Tammy, interrupting myself to ask a question.
According to SOU's Insider section Charles Grant, who plays Connor McCabe,
is listed as being an FBI agent and......ready.....Reese's brother!!!  Now,
I know I'm a little bit behind because I haven't watched since Friday, and
I've missed a few episodes in between, but I don't remember this being
mentioned on the show, or has it?  Okay, back to me just typing....

****  

SOU asks Sydney Penny/BJ, "What makes Santa Barbara's BJ and Warren a
special couple?"

"What I like about their relationship is that it is grounded in respect,
admiration and friendship, and it's not just the surface superficial,
physical attraction kind of thing.  Jack (Wagner) has been playing the
whole relationship with such sweetness and genuine caring that it has made
the situation so real, because we see that Warren truly does care about BJ.
They are both stubborn and strong and willfully minded, and at times they
are like Titans clashing, and other times they are very soft, vulnerable
and warm and funny.  I like all of their characteristics separately, and
when they come together it's like a real nice painting.  This is an
exciting time for BJ and Warren.  We are at a point now where it's like
we've come to the precipice and we're looking out to see what is going to
happen next, and we are just about to jump and run downhill."
   
****

SOU printed notes from fellow SB cast members to A. Martinez:

Dear A,

I'll miss my pal.  But I'll be happing know that you're kicking butt on
L.A. Law.  Love, Ei (Eileen Davidson)

A,
No one has ever impacted my life in such a short time.  I love you like the
brother I never had.  Forry Smith

A,
You're a wondeful role model.  Thanks for the advice and may God continue
to bless you in all that you do.  Eric Close

Dear A,
Of course we'll all miss you -- how could we not?  But I know your spirit
will continue to live on in all of us here at SANTA BARBARA.  May you
continue to carry on your work in peace and light.  Give'em hell counselor!
God's speed my friend.  Love, Nina Aversen

Dear A,
"Let the music keep our spirits high.  Let the building keep our children
dry.  Let creation reveal its secrets by and by."  Jackson Browne.  I love
you, Nancy Lee Grahn

Dear A,
There's no one in my entire career I've enjoyed working with more than you.
As an actor you are terrific.  As a human being you are in a class by
yourself.  I will not say goodbye, but will miss you.  Jed Allan

***********

That's all.  Have fun, Leila, putting in ALL the stuff from SOD.  See you
crazy people later....I got work to do!!!


--Tammy
:-) 




-- 
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"Age is merely a case of mind over matter: *  Tammy Riddle - U of Delaware    
 If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."    *  riddle@brahms.udel.edu 
                  --Dr. Hugh Me Noway :-)  *  (302) 831-3734   
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