MATT M:
BACKSTAGE @ THE EMMYS
Well, the 1997 Daytime Emmys disappointed for two reasons.
First, GH got snubbed in all the major acting categories, even when people like Maurice Benard and Genie Francis are acting circles around anyone on the TV planet.
Secondly, NATAS got wise this year at Radio City Music Hall, and severely restricted the press room, allowing me a fraction of the access to stars that I so thoroughly enjoyed last year.
Anyways...I did the best I could, snapped some pictures which I will scan/upload later and post here, and talked to a few GHers, as seen below. I also got pics autographed by Brad Maule, Stuart Damon, Sarah Brown and Jonathan Jackson.
BEFORE THE SHOW
The night got off to a promising start as I arrived at the Sheraton Hotel to meet up with my friend Larry--the first celeb sighting of the night was Vanessa & Tyler signing autographs by the elevator bank I was heading to. Thinking I'd have another chance to see them later, I let them be, though I at least made eye contact with the lovely Ms. Marcil.
Shortly thereafter, now in my tux, I rode up with Jackie Zeman, who looked great. Then we headed over to Radio City, set up shop, and I went to work weaving through the crowded press room...
P I C T U R E S
LYNN HERRING ON THE NURSES BALL
MM: Lynn, one of the premiere events on GH each year is the Nurses' Ball and a lot of the fans are wondering, with you moving to "Port Charles", is the Nurses Ball going to be on "Port Charles" or GH?
LH: It's actually going to be on both. It's a wonderful way the writers have concocted it--the backstage stuff is going to be on "Port Charles", and the big numbers with all the GH cast are gonna be on "GH". All the machinations and getting ready you'll see on "Port Charles", then in the aftrernoon you're gonna see the big numbers with all the cast.
MM: How much input do you get into your wild costumes for the Nurses Ball?
LH: I just go, I stand there, and they drape me. (Laugh) I'm amazed, I can't believe [costume designer] Bob and his imagination. And this year it's a fashion show for *all* the actresses.
(Lynn to Jon Lindstrom) Aren't you guys dancing or something?
JL: I...I'm..I don't know. You've heard of the broadway show "Noises Off"? We're the OFF. (Laugh)
A FEW WORDS WITH WINNER SARAH BROWN
MM: What has the fan feedback been on the Carly/Tony story?
SB: It's been really mixed. It's been really negative and really positive. Fans have a definite opinion either way.
MM: So you are getting a good volume of fan mail on it?
SB: Oh, a LOT. I mean, on-line I've got about 60 people, and growing every day, that are in the on-line Save Carly/Tony Family...so they chatter back and forth all day long.
MM: Do you ever go on the Net yourself?
SB: Once in a while--I don't have computer yet. I had one, it got burned down.
MM: That's right, how are you doing since the fire, that was about a year ago, wasn't it?
SB: (Proudly holding her Emmy) *This* is how I'm doing. The fire in my house was on the 11th of this month last year. So I've come full circle, I'm feeling really good. I'd rather have this statue than all that stuff.
MM: Next question is a little more fun. Your "VR Troopers" character...
SB: Caitlyn...
MM: ...and Sean Kanan's "Karate Kid III" character...
SB: (Laugh) Oh my god...
MM: So, who would win the fight?
SB: (Laugh) I don't know, I mean, you know Caitlyn is pretty tough, she'd definitely hold her own. She's no Karate Kid-esse, but she does a couple backflips, so...
MM: I think it'd be a close one.
SB: Yeah, definitely!
MM: Any future projects for you?
SB: I actually have a feature film I'm shooting this December, so I'll be off the show for a month. It's a romantic comedy about the Internet.
MM: (Pointing to a suspicious shiny ring on her finger) Hey, what's *that* all about?
SB: Oh this...(looking suspicious)...ummmmm, it's from..."my brother". Yeah, a good luck charm. So don't go thinking anything weird is going on! (wink)
MM: I dunno, just so many engagement rings floating around the GH set these days...
SB: (giggle)
Sarah then posed for a picture with her Emmy, looking very sultry.
MM: Hey, that's the same look you had right before your romp with AJ!
SB: Yeah, it was, wasnt it?
MM: All that's missing is the black leather boots...
SB: (Laugh)
TONY GEARY ON THE DIRECTION OF GH & THE SPENCERS:
"I think Wendy Riche has done a fabulous job with the show, a very classy show. And we have gone through frequent transitions, so I think we're on the right track. Bob Guza's "Luke" is back, they saved me from the barren wasteland of moral servitude and put me back in my home turf, on the raggy cliffs of moral ambiguity...Yeah, it's a living thing, a show like GH. I'm pleased with it, very proud to be a part of it."
ON THE LACK OF FANTASY ON THE 1990s GH:
Brad Maule: Hey, I got laid by a 22-year old, I think that's pretty fantastic!
Jacklyn Zeman: Yeah, as soon as he started working with Sarah, he started going to the gym, working out, taking his shirt off in all his scenes, pumping up. I was with him for 7 years, he never did that for ME!!
MISCELLANEOUS GH SIGHTINGS...
An elevator ride with Jacklyn Zeman and her date, marveling at what great shape she is in...
Ingo & Tyler playfully posing together for the photographers, and Ingo complaining about the "bloody hot lights!"...
The overjoyed and bubbly Sarah Brown so proud of her trophy...
Steve Burton teasingly calling the dolled-up Kimberly McCullough "Cyndi Lauper" all evening...
Stuart Damon visibly and audibly upset with the snubs of GH in the major acting categories, talking about how phenomenal Maurice and Brad's submitted reels were, and how absurd it is that the Best Show can seemingly have NO Best Actors...
Mary Beth Evans happily posing for photos while Stephen Nichols rudely eludes the cameras...
Nancy Lee Grahn looking lovely, kidding about how she felt awkward taking any credit for GH's Best Show win since she has been on the show "about a month!"...
Lynn Herring listening attentively to ex-GHer Ian Buchannan's press room session, waving to him...
Catching a fleeting glimpse of Vanessa Marcil's lower back tattoo as she led Tyler around like a puppy...
Jonathan Jackson assuring me that Lucky will have plenty of story while Tony Geary and Genie Francis take vacations...
Maurice Benard and wife slipping through the press area quickly and discreetly as usual...
A beautiful Senait Ashenafi running out of the Sheraton Hotel lobby after the show, I congratulated her on GH's win...
Riding up the hotel elevator after the show with Vanita Harbour (Dara), who looked fantastic/stunning in a dress she could barely walk in...
Sean Kanan happily signing autographs for groupies in the hotel lobby on his way to post-show party.
SOUND BITES
DOOL's Eileen Davidson looking utterly fabulous in her midriff-baring gown......DOOL's Drake Hogestyn comparing soap acting to baseball in a detailed, interesting allegory......Presenter Montel Williams feeling snubbed a question about whether Oprah or Rosie will win (he was nominated too)......Tony Geary, when asked about the "Daytime to Remember" episodes, immediately grabbing the microphone and screaming "I CAN�T STOP THE WEATHER MACHINE!!!"......Stephen Nichols later doing his own impersonation of that same classic Luke Spencer line......Rosie O'Donnell talking about her favorite "Ryan's Hope" scenes, and how she had been talking earlier with Ron Hale (aka Mike Corbin, formerly of RH) about the show......me trying to avoid having my eye poked out by Hunter Tylo's hair......Mister Rogers talking about how he almost wore a sweater to the awards......
My Own Emmy Night Awards:
SWEETEST STAR: Sarah Brown
MOST CAMERA SHY: Maurice Benard, Stephen Nichols
WINNER OF THE PHANTOM STARLET AWARD: Vanessa Marcil
GH TEAM CAPTAIN: Tony Geary
GH HEAD CHEERLEADER: Stuart Damon
FUNNIEST: Ingo Rademacher, Brad Maule & Stuart Damon
MOST DIFFERENT LOOKING THAN CHARACTER: Vanita Harbour (Dara)
MOST GLAMOROUS: Mary Beth Evans
SEXIEST FEMALE: Jacklyn Zeman
MOST STRIKING MALE: Ingo Rademacher
BIGGEST FANS OF JELLY BEANS AT OUR TABLE: Mary Beth Evans & Stephen Nichols
MOST DEVILISH LOOKING: Steve Burton
MOST INTERESTING JEWELRY: Jonathan Jackson
Thanks For Visiting!