We Love Soaps TV Compilation: Jo Weil Interviews 2010-2015

We Love Soaps TV (and affiliate Serial Scoop Now) interviewed German soap opera star Jo Weil (Verbotene Liebe) four times between 2010 and 2015 when he visited New York City. Check out all our interviews in the compilation video below.

A We Love Soaps Reunion on 'Tub Talks with Damon'

I recently taped an appearance on Tub Talks with Damon, the fascinating new talk series from longtime We Love Soaps writer, and my partner in crime, Damon L. Jacobs. In addition to offering our takes on current soap opera stories, we also dished on our favorite interviews and the Indie Series Awards. And yes, it all happened in a bathtub. Watch my episode out below, and be sure to check out the entire series.

The Year of Brely Evans: Our Exclusive Interview with the Rising Star of 'Ambitions'

You may have watched actress, singer and entertainer Brely Evans in films like Sparkle, Just Wright or The Man in 3B. You might have enjoyed her work on TV shows like Last Call, Family Business or Being Mary Jane. Perhaps you her loved her music with R&B trio Emage. Or all of the above. But no matter where you might have seen her before, chances are she made a huge impression. Brely Evans is a star. And she's currently starring in Ambitions on OWN as the scene-stealing Rondell Lancaster, the sister of Atlanta Mayor Evan Lancaster and manager of the Thelma’s Place restaurant. She is fighting to keep her neighborhood from being taken over by corporate developers and discovering new strengths along the way.

We Love Soaps recently spoke with the talented multihyphenate about her career ambitions and her work on Ambitions. Check out our exclusive interview with Brely Evans below.

We Love Soaps: I'm calling 2019 "The Year of Brely Evans" because you're everywhere.
Brely Evans: Oh my God. I love that.

We Love Soaps: Can you give our readers a quick summary of your journey from the "pookie-pie" Twix commercial to starring this year in three primetime shows at the same time?
Brely Evans: Wow, you have done your homework. So that's where I started. I didn't know that I was an actor. I came to LA because music is my life, I love to sing. I was like, "Beyoncé who? It's all about Breloncé, okay?" So a friend of the neighbor said, "Oh, my God, I thought you were an actor. I would tell people that I live next door to this famous actress." And I said, "Well, you lied to a lot of people, because, no, I've never acted in my life." And he said, "Hey, I'm on my way to my agent's office, why don't you ride with me?"

And it was a commercial agent, and she signed me on the spot saying, "You should be on television," after one conversation. In that conversation she would say, "Hey, by the way, count the no's. That's a little game we play in the office, see how many no's you get before you get a yes." Oh, okay. So I went on, 10 auditions, no training, no head shot, no nothing, just walking in these doors. On my 10th audition I got my first yes. That was the Twix commercial. "Pookie-pie, do I look fat in these?" [laughs]

We Love Soaps: I think that pays a lot, so that's a good yes.
Brely Evans: It was an amazing moment for me. And when I got my first check for one 12-hour day of work I said, "Oh my God. I'm an actor. Where do I sign up for classes?" So that's when I began ...

Interview Archive: Elizabeth Hubbard

Happy 85th birthday to the legendary Emmy-winning actress Elizabeth Hubbard!

We Love Soaps TV traveled to the As the World Turns studio in Brooklyn on the second to last day of shooting in June 2010 to speak with Hubbard about her storied career. Watch the interview below.

We Love Soaps Interview Archive: Eileen Fulton (October 2011)

Legendary As the World Turns actress Eileen Fulton turns 85 today. Back in October 2011, We Love Soaps spoke with Ms. Fulton in a three-part interview about her career in conjunction with the release of the first Soap Classics DVD collections. Read the interview below:

Part 1 - Ms. Fulton shared a spooky Douglas Marland story, and her thoughts on some of the episodes on the As the World Turns Classics DVD including Bob and Kim's 1985 wedding. "These weddings were shot mostly in the studio, and it took forever to film them!"

Part 2 - Ms. Fulton shared some of the ups and downs from her run including the writing regime of Stephen Black and Henry Stern. "I called them Black and Decker," Fulton joked. "Or Frick and Frack."

Part 3 - Ms. Fulton shared her thoughts on the ending for Lisa on As the World Turns. "Leaving Lisa standing alone in the hotel was disgusting," she said. "That was their 'Up yours!' to Lisa."

We Love Soaps Interview Archive: Doug Davidson (2009)

Doug Davidson has starred on The Young and the Restless as Paul Williams since 1978. We Love Soaps spoke to Davidson in 2009 about his long tenure on Y&R, his stint as host on the primetime Price is Right, the future of daytime, and much more.

In case you missed it, here's our three-part interview:

Part One - Davidson talked about his background and early years on The Young and the Restless.

Part Two - Davidson discussed the controversial "was it rape?" storyline with Christine and the recent twist in Paul's storyline with Nikki.

Part Three - Davidson shared his thought on the future of daytime, web soaps, almost hosting the daytime version of The Price is Right, and revealed some wonderful advice he received from his TV mother.

Interview Archive: Maurice Benard (2010, 2011, 2013)

We Love Soaps has always enjoyed speaking with Emmy Award-winning actor Maurice Benard, who has played Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital since August 13, 1993. Below are links to three separate interviews conducted with Benard: December 2010, June 2011, and April 2013.

December 2010
Part 1 - Benard discussed performing live, how he got into acting, playing comedy, working on All My Children and landing the role of Sonny.

Part 2 - Benard shared memories from his General Hospital career, working on his latest indie film, being an animal love, and learning to "live in the moment."

June 2011
Part 1 - Benard discussed Sonny's evolution on GH, and his ongoing struggles maintaining symptoms of Bipolar.

Part 2 - Benard shared more about his experience of portraying Sonny, keeping the role fresh, dealing with Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo (Brenda) leaving the show, as well as his own future aspirations.

March 2013
GH50 - Benard said it was "an honor to be on the show as long as I have been on" at General Hospital's 50th Anniversary event at the Paley Center. He also previewed his upcoming movie The Ghost and The Whale.

"How Did We Get Here?" Lyric Video Released

tion on We Be Nurses is expected to be completed in August. At that point, my fellow EPs, Adedeji and Michael E. Steele, and I will begin the process of finding a network for the series. In November, Adedeji, Eli Zoller and I produced two original songs for the pilot, "The Deal" (theme song) and "How Did We Get Here?"

While preparing to finish the pilot, and hopefully sell it, 74Aderemi Productions has decided to release "How Did We Get Here?" as a single. The track is performed beautifully by Broadway star Arbender Robinson ("The Lion King," "Shuffle Along," "Les Miserables," and many more). I have produced films, web series, radio dramas, an awards show and more over the years, but this is my very first professionally produced song. I'm excited to share it with the world starting today. Check out the lyric video for "How Did We Get Here?" below.

INTERVIEW: Cady McClain & Kate Super at 'Seeing is Believing: Women Direct' East Coast Premiere

Cady McClain and Roger Newcomb at the East Coast Premiere of
Seeing is Believing: Women Direct. Photo: Sue Coflin/Max Photos

In the latest episode of Serial Scoop Now (2.20), we traveled to Soho International Film Festival for the East Coast Premiere of Cady McClain's Seeing is Believing: Women Direct. Emmy winning actress turned executive producer/director/writer/editor, Cady McClain (All My Children, As the World Turns) talks about her new documentary, the women profiled, how she met producing partner, Kate Super, and much more!

Seeing is Believing: Women Direct is a documentary series directed, executive produced, written and edited by Cady McClain about women directors who are on the front lines of the field: from major award winners and those in the vanguard of television and feature films, to graduate students and frustrated auteurs. The first episode recently made its World Premiere at Newport Beach Film Festival, where it won an Honorable Mention for Best Documentary Short. McClain debuted a feature-length version at Soho International Film Festival.

McClain has spent the past year traveling the globe, speaking to female directors of film and television and documenting their stories. The outcome is a feature film and a serialized documentary, providing insider access to the skills and tools needed to succeed as a woman in the directing field.

The crowd--which included familiar daytime names such as Julia Barr, Jill Larson and Carole Shure--roared with applause as the film's credits rolled. McClain brilliantly edited together the stories of dozens of interviewees, with the most screen time given to fascinating insights from Sarah Gavron (Director, Suffragette, Brick Lane), Lesli Linka Glatter (EP/Director, Homeland), Li Lu (Director, There Is a New World Somewhere) and Naima Ramos-Chapman (Director/Writer, And Nothing Happened).

McClain is still exploring potential release and distributions for the project. No matter what form it takes when it becomes available publicly, it is sure to entertain and educate. Kudos to everyone involved!

Check out what McClain and Super had to say about Seeing is Believing: Women Direct in our new interview below.

INTERVIEW: James Kiberd Previews 'The Crusade of Connor Stephens'

Actor and artist James Kiberd is best known to soap opera fans for his 11-year stint as Trevor Dillon on ABC's All My Children. That followed a memorable run as Mike Donovan on Loving, and a few months as Dustin Trent on NBC's Another World. Following All My Children, he stepped in for a time as Hal Munson on CBS' As the World Turns. In addition to his work on daytime dramas, Kiberd is a talented artist and stage performer. He was named Best Actor earlier this year at the 2017 Midtown International Theater Festival for his portrayal of Big Jim in "The Crusade of Connor Stephens," a new play written and directed by Dewey Moss

In "The Crusade of Connor Stephens," extreme loss shakes a Texas family as it comes to terms with a tragic act of violence. In the midst of widespread media attention, their story becomes an allegory for the national debate over religion, tolerance and the seedlings of hate. With humor and resilience, they will confront the ghosts of the past and discover the brutal universal truths that define the American family in the 21st century.

I had the pleasure of speaking with the multi-talented Kiberd about his time on soaps and his latest stage role. Watch our recent interview below for Serial Scoop Now.



"The Crusade of Connor Stephens" will begin an open-ended run at Off-Broadway’s Jerry Orbach Theater at The Theater Center on June 17. Opening night is scheduled for June 26.

In addition to Kiberd, the cast of "The Crusade of Connor Stephens" features Ben Curtis, Kathryn Leask, Julie Campbell, Kathleen Huber, Jacques Mitchell, Clifton Samuels and Alec Shaw.

For more information on "The Crusade of Connor Stephens" or to purchase tickets, visit thecrusadeofconnorstephens.com.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Wayne Wilderson Previews 'Club 5150' Series and Reflects On His Fascinating Career

Wayne Wilderson - Photo by Bonni Allen Photography

The chances are good that Wayne Wilderson has appeared in one of your favorite TV shows, or you've seen him in a commercial, or caught him on stage. The multi-talented actor's credits include A To Z, Mom, Two And A Half Men, The Office, CSI, Jessie, Bones, Wilfred, ER and Pushing Daises, among many others. He recently played a prosecutor in two episodes of How to Get Away with Murder. He also spent 11 years as the Purple Grapes in the Fruit Of The Loom ads.

He next stars in Steve Silverman's comedy web series Club 5150, which premieres on Monday, November 9. He recently spoke with We Love Soaps about his career, and gave us a preview of his Club 5150 character, Ted. Check out our exclusive interview below:

WE LOVE SOAPS: You have an amazing list of credits over the past twenty years. What has been your favorite role that you've played?
WAYNE WILDERSON: I had a great time in a couple of episodes I did on The Office as Martin Nash. It was pretty special, and I worked with very nice people. I got to do a lot of improv. It was people I've known for a long time, and people I'd just met, and it was just a very easy going, really creative fun couple of weeks working on that show.

Wayne Wilderson as Purple Grapes.

WE LOVE SOAPS: You've also appeared in tons of commercials over the year. Do you have a favorite?
WAYNE WILDERSON: I was the Purple Grapes for Fruit of the Loom for 11 years. Again, that was kind of along the lines of The Office. I got to work with some amazing people like J. P. Manoux [Green Grapes], who's somebody I knew before. We got that job and the early years were a lot of improv. It was a great gig and a lot of fun, and we got to travel. It was a big part of my career; it bought me a house, "The House that Underwear Bought." [Laughs]

'The Bold and the Beautiful' Pop Up Fan Event Interviews with Pierson Fodé, Ashleigh Brewer, Thorsten Kaye & Linsey Godfrey

Pierson Fodé and Ashleigh Brewer

The Bold and the Beautiful held a Pop Up Fan Event in New York City on Monday, September 14. I spoke with actors Pierson Fodé (who plays Thomas Forrester) and Ashleigh Brewer (Ivy Forrester) for Serial Scoop Now about their characters, what it's like to watch an episode with fans, their favorite thing about working at B&B and more. Later, Thorsten Kaye (who plays Ridge Forrester) and Linsey Godfrey (Caroline Spencer Forrester) spoke about attending their characters' wedding reception with fans, Godfrey's favorite thing about working at B&B, Kaye's cross-country commute and getting feedback from fans.

"It's nice to see it through their eyes, and not just my judgmental eyes of myself," Brewer said about watching Monday's B&B episode with the large group of fans in attendance.

"I love egging the crowd on," Fode added. "I become a little bit of a ham when people are involved."

Meanwhile, Godfrey is grateful to be working at B&B.

"I get to come to work with my favorite people, and be with my best friends everyday," she said.

Watch my interviews with Fodé, Brewer, Kaye and Godfrey below:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: 'Days of our Lives' Actress Aloma Wright Previews 'Second Chance Christmas'

Days of our Lives actress Aloma Wright in Second Chance Christmas.
Photo courtesy of TV One.

A graduate of New York's prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Aloma Wright toured with "Ain't Misbehavin'," and "The Gospel Truth with Jennifer Holiday, Tramaine Hawkins and Johnny Brown. She won two Drama Logue Awards, one in 1996 for her role in "The Visit" under the direction of Ted Lange and the other in 1997 for her work in "From the Mississippi Delta." She was also nominated by the NAACP Image Awards for Best Actress in 1994 for "First Breeze of Summer" and again in 1997 for "Four Queens no Trump."

From 2001 to 2009 she starred in the hit primetime comedy Scrubs as Nurse Laverne Roberts and, later, as Nurse Shirley. Since 2008, she has played Nurse Maxine on NBC's daytime drama Days of our Lives.

On Saturday, December 6, she stars in the TV One holiday movie Second Chance Christmas with McKinley Freeman (Hit The Floor), Michael Rainey Jr. (Power), Robinne Lee (Being Mary Jane), Kandi Burruss (R&B Singer and The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member), Durrell “Tank” Babbs (R&B singer) Ella Joyce (Roc), Golden Brooks (Hollywood Divas) and Rolonda Watts (Days of our Lives).

In Second Chance Christmas, Maisie (Lee) and her 13-year-old son Lawrence (Rainey Jr.) form a small, yet tight-knit family unit. Lawrence knows his mother doesn't have the easiest life as a single mother, but it makes him happy simply to know that she is there for him. His prayers for his mother to find happiness are answered when Malcolm (Freeman) marries Maisie. Yet ironically, Lawrence is indifferent to Malcolm and is certainly not afraid to wear his feelings on his sleeve. However, when a tragic car accident takes Maisie’s life, Lawrence and Malcolm must learn to lean on one other and get by with an important piece of their lives missing.

We Love Soaps recently spoke with Aloma Wright about her career and role in Second Chance Christmas. Read our exclusive interview below:

WE LOVE SOAPS: Second Chance Christmas tells the story of a young boy's struggle to accept his stepfather after the untimely and tragic death of his mother. How does your character fit into the story?
ALOMA WRIGHT: My character is the social worker who actually takes the boy from the stepfather. The stepfather makes a decision that the child is acting out and he can't handle him. He figures the best thing for him to do is let him go with his biological grandparents because of the loss of his mother. I'm the case worker that initiates the process.

'Movement and Location' World Premiere Red Carpet Interviews with Bodine Boling, Alexis Boling, Catherine Missal, Kelley Missal, Daniel Covin & Haile Owusu

On the latest episode of We Love Soaps TV, Roger Newcomb traveled to the Brooklyn Film Festival for the World Premiere of Alexis and Bodine Boling's film Movement and Location.

Kim Getty (Bodine Boling) is an immigrant from 400 years in the future, sent back in time to live out an easier life. It's a one-way trip of difficult isolation, but in the three years since she landed, Kim has built a life that feels almost satisfying. She has a full time job, shares an apartment in Brooklyn with a roommate, and is falling in love. But when she stumbles on a teenage girl (Catherine Missal) in Prospect Park who is also from the future, Kim's remade sense of self is tested. After the girl leads Kim to her long-lost husband (Guiding Light's David Andrew Macdonald), now 20 years older than her and maladjusted to this time, Kim's carefully designed identity begins to unravel, and she must choose between two entirely different lives. Once her secrets are exposed, the real decision is what she's willing to do to survive.

Cast, crew and supporters attended the World Premiere screening. Earlier on the red carpet, We Love Soaps TV spoke with Movement and Location screenwriter/producer/star Bodine Boling, director/producer Alexis Boling, cast members Catherine Missal, Haile Owusu and Kelley Missal (Daytime Emmy nominee this year for her work on One Life to Live), as well as former All My Children actor Daniel Covin.

Watch the We Love Soaps TV episode "Movement and Location" (5.32) below:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Parry Shen Talks GENERAL HOSPITAL and UNIDENTIFIED, His New Movie Available Now on Digital Download and DVD

Parry Shen. Photo Credit: Jim Warren

Parry Shen has shown off his acting range in daytime and primetime television, in films, and even video games. He's starred in movies such as the Hatchet horror franchise, The New Guys, and MTV Films' Better Luck Tomorrow, his breakout performance. He joined the cast of ABC's GENERAL HOSPITAL in 2012 as smarmy Brad Cooper.

He's also a producer for his latest project, sci-fi thriller UNIDENTIFIED, which is available on Digital Download and DVD starting today.

We Love Soaps caught up with Mr. Shen to find out more about the film, his career and his thoughts on GH's Brad. Read our exclusive interview below:

WE LOVE SOAPS: How did Unidentified come about for you? You are a producer on the film and a writer as well?
PARRY SHEN: I've been friends with the other actor and producer in the movie, Eddie Mui, for about 12 years. We've always done stage productions and small things together, but have been looking to work together on something new. He came to me with about four ideas and the I  guessed the ending of the first three before he finished the pitch. Then he pitched the fourth idea. 

When you drive to Vegas there's that dark part before you get to the Strip. These guys are on a road trip and they actually see something supernatural. What would you really do if those circumstances happened upon you? In this day and age with mobile phones and YouTube, what would realistically transpire? I thought that was pretty interesting. He's such a UFO buff, I told him I was interested in that because he knew so much about it.

Alicia Minshew Previews BEACON HILL on WE LOVE SOAPS TV

Alicia Minshew previews BEACON HILL.

On the latest episode of WE LOVE SOAPS TV (5.11), Roger Newcomb traveled to the set of an east cost photo shoot for upcoming web series BEACON HILL, a Open Book Productions and Bella Books political drama premiering on March 5.

Watch our new episode below as we speak with actress Alicia Minshew about her role as "Sara Preston" on BEACON HILL. Minshew talks about starring opposite Sarah Brown on the show, shooting on location, and the advantages of working with producers like Crystal Chappell and Hillary B. Smith, who have played the same types of scenes as actresses.



For more information on BEACON HILL, visit beaconhilltheseries.com.

RELATED:
- Crystal Chappell & Tina Sloan Preview BEACON HILL on WE LOVE SOAPS TV

Crystal Chappell & Tina Sloan Preview BEACON HILL on WE LOVE SOAPS TV

Crystal Chappell previews BEACON HILL.

On the latest episode of WE LOVE SOAPS TV (5.10), Roger Newcomb traveled to the set of an east cost photo shoot for upcoming web series BEACON HILL, a Open Book Productions and Bella Books political drama premiering on March 5.

Watch our new episode below featuring interviews with executive producer Crystal Chappell (who also plays Claire Preston in in the series), and Tina Sloan, whose Louise Casell character runs the local coffeehouse. Chappell calls BEACON HILL a cross between DALLAS and THE WEST WING, and gives us a behind the scenes look at the show. Sloan shares her excitement about taking on another interesting character for the web, as well as the recent news she is going to be a first time grandmother.



For more information on BEACON HILL, visit beaconhilltheseries.com.

Sebastian La Cause, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gerald McCullough and Marc Sinoway at the HUSTLING Season 3 Screening on WE LOVE SOAPS TV

On the latest episode of WE LOVE SOAPS TV (5.9), Roger Newcomb traveled to Tribeca Cinemas on December 16th to speak with the stars of the three-time ISA winning web series HUSTLING at the show's Season 3 premiere screening.

Watch out our latest episode below featuring HUSTLING creator and star , as well as cast members Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gerald McCullough and Marc Sinoway.

Nicole Gale Anderson, Britne Oldford, Merritt Patterson and Brett Dier Preview RAVENSWOOD and Talk Holiday Traditions on WE LOVE SOAPS TV

Britne Oldford, Merritt Patterson, Brett Dier and Nicole Gale Anderson.

On the latest episode of WE LOVE SOAPS TV, Roger Newcomb traveled to Cucina & Co. in Rockefeller Center on December 8th to speak with the stars of ABC Family on the red carpet of the network's "25 Days of Christmas" Winter Wonderland event. Following the red carpet, the actors headed outside to The Rink at Rockefeller for ice skating.

Watch out our latest episode below featuring RAVENSWOOD stars Nicole Gale Anderson, Britne Oldford, Merritt Patterson and Brett Dier as they tease what's ahead when the show returns in January, and share their favorite holiday traditions.



RAVENSWOOD Winter Premiere Airs January 7, 2014

Photo Credit: ABC Family

RAVENSWOOD returns on Tuesday, January 7 (9-10 p.m. ET/PT) with the new episode "Revival." Fresh off his trip to Rosewood, Caleb struggles to deal with the aftermath of his brief time with Miranda (Nicole Gale Anderson) on the other side. Remy (Britne Oldford) realizes her dreams may be the best clue they have into understanding the pact, but she unwittingly attracts something that is determined to make sure Remy doesn't wake up. And Miranda decides to haunt Mrs. Grunwald for answers but discovers Grunwald may have a ghostly friend of her own.

Meanwhile, Luke (Brett Dier) and Olivia (Merritt Patterson) are unnerved by Collins' increasing attention towards their mother, and Olivia makes a major decision about Dillon, without realizing his true motivations.

INTERVIEW: Lauralee Bell Web Series 'mI promise' Looks at Living Life Versus Texting It

Lauralee Bell - Photo Credit: CharlesBush.com

Longtime THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS star Lauralee Bell has been making a name for herself the past few years in the indie web series scene with FAMILY DINNER and JUST OFF RODEO, not only as an actress but as a writer, producer and director. Her latest project, mI promise, premiered this week and, based on the first two episodes, it's her best work yet.

mI promise follows Riley (Cassidy Ann Shaffer, who recurs as Kimmy on Disney Channel's AUSTIN AND ALLY) on her 16th birthday, full of life and wonder, on the cusp of first love and her first car. The first episode begins with sweetness and light but things dramatically change after Riley chooses to send a text message while driving. The show then dives into that subject matter offering kids two paths to follow while never feeling like a PSA. Bell plays Riley's mom in the show in addition to her duties behind the camera.

We Love Soaps spoke with Bell about mI promise to find out more. Read our exclusive interview below:

WE LOVE SOAPS: I'm really excited about this web series. I think this is the best thing you've done.
LAURALEE BELL: I had my fun so I said now I have to do something that matters. I'm trying to approach this subject by saying you can do things this way or this way but you can still choose. How do we expect kids not to hold their devices when they're driving when sometimes the adults do it? These days they are just born with it in their hand. I often tell my kids I'm on my phone because I'm at home and I can get a lot of business done and not have to go to an actual office. I feel like it's helpful in some ways but the reality is what they're seeing is that I'm looking down at something. You are disconnected from people when you're half listening and half writing.