From: riddle@brahms.udel.edu (Tammy Riddle)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.soaps
Subject: DOOL:  SOW Info
Date: 14 Sep 92 18:29:20 GMT
Organization: University of Delaware


ABC ISN'T THE SOAP SHOPPING NETWORK

One of daytime TV's hottest rumors this month, besides ongoing
speculation about Santa Barbara's fate, had ABC in the market to
buy up some of NBC's current and in-development soap properties. 
The story came down with a few different scenarios.  One was that
DOOL would be moving to ABC as part of a package deal with Corday
Productions that would include its Days' in-development spin-off,
MANHATTAN LIVES.  Another version had ABC also picking up COMING
OF AGE, the new soap from Bill Bell, Jr., and a third take on the
situation made no mention of DOOL, only that ABC was dickering
for the two new half-hour shows.

None of it is true, however.  In an exclusive interview with SOW<
Dennis Swanson, president, ABC daytime and children's
programming, says, "No, we have not been involved in that."  He
also says ABC has no new soaps of its own in development, and
while he wouldn't give a blanket guarantee about LOVING, he says
there are no plans to cancel it at this time.  [The rest of the
article did not pertain to DOOL so I'm not going to include it.]

*****

THE NEWS - Troubled Teens Take Over Salem

Lisa Rinna - Lady Sings The Blues

A "brunette bombshell" with a passion for song and weakness for
drugs arrives in DOOL' Salem this Friday.  She is Austin's
sister, Billie, and she will be headlining at the Brady Pub on
opening night.  Lisa Rinna, who once played Jason Bateman's
girlfriend on THE HOGAN FAMILY, makes her daytime debut in the
role.

Rinna is no stranger to soaps, however, especially THE YOUNG AND
THE RESTLESS.  Her best friend is Barbara Crampton (ex-Leanna
Love) -- with whom she just finished filming the movie ROBOT WARS
--and her former beau is Peter Barton (Scott, Y&R).

"I've been on the Y&R set many times over the past three years. 
I know a lot about what goes on (when taping a soap).  That's
helped me a lot.  It's given me more confidence," says Rinna. 
"And Barbara filled me in on a lot of stuff.  She gave me this
big spiel.  She told me, 'Go in there, do the best job you can,
and you'll be great.'"

Apparently the actress' confidence paid off.  "When I first read
for Doris Sabbagh (DOOL casting director), she told me she didn't
know if I was right for the role," explains Rinna.  However, when
the audition scene and role were altered, Sabbagh called Rinna
back.  "It was on a Monday afternoon," she says.  "That night I
screen tested with Robert Kelker-Kelly (Bo).  It was a great
scene.  His character accuses mine of doing something that she
ends up having done, and they have a fight,"  Rinna explains
cryptically.  "Let's just say it was a very intense scene.  The
chemistry was definitely there.  On Tuesday, I learned I got the
job, and on Wednesday, I started taping."

Rinna admits that at press time she knows only the basics about
her character.  "Billie's a drug addict.  She's been in and out
of rehabilitation clinics," she says.  "She grew up with her
father, who was a jazz musician.  He gave Billie her first hit on
a marijuana cigarette.  So Billie doesn't know any better.  This
is life to her.  Billie uses herself to get what she needs,"
Rinna continues.  "She uses her attributes to get what she wants. 
Deep down inside she's a vulnerable, sweet person, yet she's
taken this path that has gotten her off course.  And she loves
her brother dearly.  He's the one person she cares about most in
the world."

Rinna is well prepared for Billie's musical background.  "I
studied singing all through school," she says.  "And about five
months ago I started taking a vocal performance course with Bob
Corff.  We've been going to clubs around town and singing in
front of audiences.  So that got me ready for this role.  It
really prepared me.  The funny thing is I'd wanted to take
classes like this for years," she adds, "but I didn't until
recently.  And it's paid off."

Rinna describes her daytime experience as "so far, so good," at
the time of this interview -- three days into her job.  "I think
I'm really going to love this," she says.  "Everyone's so nice. 
I feel like I'm going to school again...seeing the same friends
every day, going to class...Everyone is so supportive and works
very hard here.  I'm glad to be a part of it."

******

Tim Is No Angel  (Isn't that the truth!!!  Sorry, Timinator, but
I couldn't resist. :-))

Tim (Brian Heidik), manager of Johnny Angel's and a partner in
Austin's gambling ring, is a far cry from DOOL stereotypical bad
guy.  In fact, he'll probably prove even more dangerous because
of his boy-next-door demeanor.

"Obviously he's a little bad since he is involved with a gambling
ring," says Heidik, "but underneath, he's a good guy."  Time has
kept a low profile since he arrived in Salem, but last week he
made a move on Carrie -- Austin's wannabe-girlfriend.  Is Tim's
interest in Carrie on the up and up?  "He is not just trying to
rile up Austin," Heidik admits.  "He is attracted to Carrie.  I
am not sure if she likes him, but he is definitely interested in
her."

This week, Tim continues pursuing her, which, according to
Heidik, creates a lot of tension.  "There is this controversy
between Austin and Time regarding Carrie.  Because her dad is a
police officer and I am running this gambling operation, Austin
thinks it wouldn't be smart to start dating her.  I am not sure
where the story is headed, but so far it has given Tim the
opportunity to show a little more range and emotion."

Could DOOL have another bad guy gone good in the making?  OR will
this bad guy get worse as time goes by?

*****

BIRTH, DEATH AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN WILL FILL SALEM'S DAYS

"These mystery-and-running-and-gun stories have been exorcised
from our show," says Ken Corday, executive producer of DOOL. 
[Ed. note:  Oh, so THAT's what happened to the show!!!]  And not
a moment too soon.  After months of behind-the-scenes changes,
Corday feels the results are finally showing up on-air, and he is
excited and optimistic about the show's present and future.

"It's tightening," he says.  "When I looked at the state of
affairs there at the beginning of the year and early spring, we
had nine stories going on, and I must admit some of them were
ludicrous and were being written against my best wishes.  The
fact that Jack was walking around thinking he was dying, without
ever seeking a second medical opinion, was ludicrous; the fact
that John Black was running all around Switzerland with his ex-
lover while his wife was two weeks away from delivering their
child was ludicrous.  We have been able to cut down the number of
major stories, and the real 'core' of the show will air every
day, as opposed to the way it was --  Tuesdays and Thursdays for
Jack and Jennifer, and Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for Bo and
Carly," he adds.

With former DOOL head writer Gene Palumbo assigned to write the
DOOL spin-off, MANHATTAN LIVES,  which is in development, Corday
brought back Sheri Anderson as head writer, and appointed
Francesca James as supervising producer.  Following the
retirement of longtime supervising executive produce Al Rabin in
June, he also promoted Tom Langan from supervising producer to
co-executive producer.  Maura Penders is working with Anderson,
and Jim Reilly (formerly one of GL's head writers) will join the
show in November.  "We're fortunate to get him because he's
helped make GL a very good show for the last few years," Corday
says.  "He's no stranger to DOOL -- I worked with him when he was
on the show before.  He also has a long-standing relationship
with Sheri and Maura, because they worked together at GH and he
and Tom Langan worked together at Y&R."

Corday outlined the stories that will keep Salem hopping for the
next several months:  "The revelation that Nikki is the son of
Lawrence and Carly, and how it affects many people; Carly and Bo
approaching the altar is a very big story for October and
November; the death of Isabella and the fallout from that affects
John and his friends, including Marlena; Marlena will be placed
in jeopardy in a highly mysterious suspense storyline; and the
greatest story is probably the Kimberly story where she will be
the victim of her alter ago.  Also, the birth of Jack and
Jennifer's child is wonderful, and will balance off the loss of
Isabella," he says.  "A lot of fans have been disgruntled because
Jack and Jennifer have not had much airtime lately, completely
forgetting Melissa had a baby and was off the show on maternity
leave."

[Ed. note:  Now I'm sure that last line will bring plenty of
comments, won't it?!?]

*****

THE GOSSIP

Congratulations to DOOL Macdonald Carey, who became a grandfather
for the sixth time when his son, Paul, and daughter-in-law,
Sharon, welcomed a baby girl Aug. 28.  The Careys named their
daughter Elizabeth Grace Carey, after her paternal grandmother
and great-grandmother.

Mac, who obviously hasn't lost his grandfatherly enthusiasm,
immediately went on a shopping spree.  When good friend Anne
Jeffreys (Amanda, GH) invited him to a party at the Playboy
Mansion to benefit Child Help, an organization for abused
children, the veteran star bid on about $500 worth of baby items,
including blankets, clothes, etc.  Mac had the stuff packed and
sent it all off to Elizabeth.

*****

Possible spoilers follow:



This Week:

Bo heeds a dying friend's warnings. Bo and Carly put their lives
on hold. Vivian realizes she wants love, not money.  Lawrence
blames himself when someone he cares about is put in a precarious
situation.  Carly plans to tell the truth.  Shane believes a
loved one has returned to a former lifestyle.  Molly is Hollywood
bound.  Stella turns Marlena into a party animal.  Austin isn't
interested in Carrie, but he doesn't want her to show interest in
anyone else.

Next Week:

Lawrence deals with the truth.  Lacey welcomes Phillip to town.
Roman thinks a new worker is Taylor-made.

*****

That's all for now.  More later,

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