From: riddle@brahms.udel.edu (Tammy Riddle)
Subject: SB:  Soap Opera Update/Insider Info
Organization: University of Delaware
Distribution: world 
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 18:02:55 GMT

 
THE REAL STORY BEHIND STEPHEN NICHOLS JOINING SANTA BARBARA

Stephen Nichols joins a growing line of soap veterans in an
attempt to save NBC's lowest-rated but highly praised SANTA
BARBARA.  Taking a glance at the show's newest cast members
proves that it is a practice that the show is employing:  Nina
Arvesen joined after a successful run on Y&R, Charles Grant of AW
fame was recently added to the cast, Kim Zimmer signed up after
her Emmy-winning stint on GL, and Jack Wagner jumped ship from
GH.  Nichols' run on the show in the role of BJ's therapist,
although non-contract, should definitely help lure the important
NBC viewers that the show needs to stay on the air.  But his non-
contract status (something that Nichols is happy about, since he
did not want to commit to a contract at a time when so many
primetime doors were opening to him), may eventually turn into
something more.  When the powers-that-be at SB realized that they
could pull off the coup and cast Nichols in the role, they met
with the star to discuss the long-term direction that this once-
temporary character could head in.  So don't be surprised if
Nichols is around for a while at SB...and if his character were
to become involved with a female character that is already well-
known to the viewers!

*****

STORYLINE PREVIEWS

Santa Barbara's BJ will shock you!
It will seem as though SB's BJ is not making any progress at all
with Warren when her relationship with him turns violent in an
emotional episode that forever changes their romance.  These two
will only be brought closer together by the tragedy, and a trip
to San Francisco reaffirms the love that they share.  But the
trouble isn't over yet -- not by a long shot!

Santa Barbara's Kelly is attracted to Connor!
What causes Connor to take a keen interest in Kelly's well-being?

Kelly is affected when Connor leaves a little piece of himself
behind.  A dire consequence results after Connor questions Kelly,
and Kelly wonders if she has made a mistake.  And a trip to the
beach begins a whirlwind ride of trouble for all parties
involved.

*****

THE LATEST NEWS

Santa Barbara has Patch!
But we're not talking about Stephen Nichols (ex-Patch, DOOL), who
recently joined SB as Skyler.  Irony of all soap ironies, Sawyer
loses his eye in Boston at the same time that Nichols, who made a
trademark of a one-eyed character on DAYS, becomes part of the
cast.  Inside sources at SB reveal that the reason why the show
decided to let the character lose his eye is so viewers will feel
even more sympathy for the character, who despite being jailed
for a murder that he did not commit, tends to han an all-American
appeal.

*****

SPOTLIGHT

TY-ing things up in Santa Barbara!

Two of the roles that SB newcomer Peter Parros played prior to
joining the soap in his current role as Ty, could come in handy
about now -- a cop on THE NEW ADAM 12 and a mechanic/crime
fighter on KNIGHT RIDER. Peter began his role on SB without
benefit of the whispers regarding the show's possible
cancellation.  "I was already at the studio when I heard about
the rumors," he says.  "But I'm thrilled to be part of the
producer's effort to make sure that doesn't happen."

Peter was very friendly with KNIGHT RIDER star David Hasselhoff,
whom Peter spoke to about his soap experience on THE YOUNG & THE
RESTLESS, where he played Snapper for years.  "He was always a
lot of fun," Peter says of Hasselhoff. In fact, the former soap
star was about to pave the way for Peter to play a role during
the first season of BAYWATCH, but he had just landed a starring
role as officer Gus Grant on the syndicated THE NEW ADAM 12,
along with former THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL actor Ethan Wayne
(ex-Storm).

Peter has also appeared with Fred Dryer in the feature file
"Death Before Dishonor," and guest starred on primetime's FAMILY
MAN (for even episodes), SEINFELD, and the new ABC-TV series
ARRESTING BEHAVIOR.

SB is not Peter's first soap experience.  "I played Leo the
bartender at Gina's club on Y&R several years ago," he reveals. 
But it's another Gina -- sensational Robin Mattson -- that Peter
finds his SB character Ty spending time with now.  He says that
he can't help but be relaxed with Robin and her TV daughter Paula
Irvine (Lilly) at his side.  "I have a lot of fun watching them
relate to each other," he laughs.  "The best thing so far has
been working with Robin and Paula.  I wasn't used to such a quick
pace, but I've found that I am more relaxed working with people
that I trust."

The Brooklyn-born actor first discovered acting when he was in
college, studying to follow in his father's footsteps as a dental
technician. "I switched to acting real quick and dropped school,"
he says.  Peter is the middle child of five born to mom Thelma
and father Leo.  He has two younger sisters, Phoebe and Sara, and
two older brothers, Michael and Rick.

Peter is hoping that his mother, who is retired, has started a
trend:  Not a soap viewer prior to his arrival on SB, Peter
reports that things have changed.  "She watches SB now."  Is she
pleased with her son's performance?  What do you think?

*****

HOT GOSSIP

It's all in a name.

By now you've all been introduced to SB's Connor McCabe, played
by Charles Grant.  But did you know that the actor was originally
slated to play Ace Walker, the brother of Reese Walker?  (This is
Tammy talking, sorry to interrupt myself, but at least this
explains the rumor that Connor is suppose to be Reese's brother,
right?)  Plans were to introduce another member of the Walker
clan, then A Martinez decided to leave the show.  In an effort to
have Reese carry on the Cruz Castillo tradition of chivalry and
integrity, the show opted to turn Ace Walker into Connor McCabe,
an NBI agent who will give nice guy Reese a run for his money. 
And speaking of name changes, since the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) does not allow its name to be used elsewhere,
SB came up with the next best thing:  the National Bureau of
Investigation (NBI).  (Gee, I guess that answered both of my
questions!!! :-))

*****

SWINGIN'DOORS

There's been a recent surge of daytime stars rejoining the soaps,
and it doesn't look like it's going to end.  KURT ROBIN MCKINNEY,
who quit his job as Ned on GENERAL HOSPITAL last year, is taking
another look at love in the afternoon as he's met with casting
people at SANTA BARBARA in past months.  MICHAEL EASTON hadn't
even said goodbye to Salem and Tanner (and his DOOL fans) before
he was spotted in the producer's office of SB.

*****

MAIL BAG...Who's getting the most letters?

#2)  SANTA BARBARA fans have plenty to talk about:  Many are
writing to express their joy over the Lionel and Gina marriage. 
It appears that they are enjoying the wackiness and humor that
their story injects into the show.  But that's not to say that
they are tuning out when the more serious topics are dealt with. 
Fans are giving high marks to the BJ abuse storyline, and the way
that Warren standing by BJ has been handled by the show.  But
still there are those who are very angry.  The reason?  Fans feel
that Nancy Lee Grahn's Julia is being pushed into the background,
and they're none-too-pleased!

****

LOVE, LUST & LIES

SB's Micah:  Can He Resist Jodie?

SB's headwriter Pam Long knows why Micah De Angelis has been
single:  "Because he's always been in love with his dead wife. 
However, this is not a man who has lived his life alone -- he has
just kept his emotional feelings behind a fence, but that doesn't
mean that he kept women out of his bed, which we are discovering
as the Italian countess that he left behind, Isabella, is in town
and none-too-pleased!"  (Wait a minute, please don't tell me they
are taking the "Italian countess...Isabella" from DOOL!  YUCK!) 
Although Micah originally spent a great deal of time with Jodie
because of their common interest in their children -- Sawyer and
Aurora -- that emphasis will change.  According to Pam, "Jodie
strats to manifest physical problems that could be from strees. 
It just may be migraines," Pam teases, "or it could be worse, and
Micah is a brain doctor," she adds.  "Ultimately it will be
Jodie's condition that draws Micah and Jodie together."

SB's Connor:  Heartbreaker?

"Connor is not so clear," SB's headwriter Pam Long explains.  "We
get a sense that when he tries to take care of Kelly's broken
heart, that he has experience with it himself.  But we don't know
if someone broke his heart of if he did the breaking.  We will
find out about his past.  He is drawn to Kelly, and he's the kind
of guy where feelings run real deep.  These feelings that he has
for Kelly -- he's not going to be able to ignore."  SB viewers
should also expect a hot triangle between Connor, Kelly and
Skyler.

*****

Well, that's all for this magazine.  Two down, and one to go!

Later,

Tammy
-- 
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I always have THOUGHTS about anything;      * Tammy Riddle - U of Delaware 
 However, SOLUTIONS might be another story! * riddle@brahms.udel.edu 
**************************************************************************