We Love Soaps

Roberta Maxwell Recalls Another World’s Historic 1975 Expansion

2026-04-28T12:01:57.558-04:00

In 1975, Another World made daytime television history as the first soap opera to expand from 30 minutes to a full hour, marking a major turning point for the genre. The show’s move into the hour format helped redefine what daytime drama could be—and who it could showcase.

Recently, Michael Poirier spoke with actress Roberta Maxwell about her time on the series during this pivotal era. At the time, Maxwell was balancing her work on the soap with a demanding Broadway schedule, including her role in Equus alongside Anthony Hopkins and Frances Sternhagen.

One of her earliest moments on the show still stands out. As attorney Barbara Weaver, Maxwell delivered a first line that feels unmistakably of its time:

“Now, Mr. Matthews, women lawyers try to forget about such things.”

The line was a response to patriarch Jim Matthews commenting on her appearance—a brief exchange that reflects the era’s gender dynamics while also hinting at the evolving tone of daytime storytelling in 1975.

Maxwell also reflected on the intense production culture under executive producer Paul Rauch, who closely oversaw nearly every aspect of the show, from casting to final script execution.

For Maxwell, the experience was both demanding and formative, offering a front-row seat to one of daytime television’s most ambitious expansions.

Read the full interview with Roberta Maxwell on the We Love Soaps "Insider" Substack: welovesoaps.substack.com

Frank Salisbury: Remembering a Quiet Giant of Daytime Television

2026-04-19T14:06:00.000-04:00

The daytime television community lost one of its most prolific—and perhaps most underappreciated—voices with the passing of Emmy Award–winning writer Frank Salisbury on March 20, 2026, shortly after his 96th birthday.

If you watched soaps during their golden decades, you saw his name scroll by. Salisbury’s credits read like a roadmap of the genre’s history: The Edge of Night, Somerset, Search for Tomorrow, General Hospital, As the World Turns, Guiding Light, Capitol, Santa Barbara, Dynasty, and Days of Our Lives. Not a dabbler—a working writer in the old-school sense, turning out scripts week after week across multiple shows.

In a recent interview with Michael Poirier, Salisbury reflected on that career with characteristic wit and understatement. At one point, he recalled juggling an almost unthinkable workload early on:

“I started writing one script a week for Henry, then two, then three… At the same time… I was doing three scripts for The Edge of Night and two for Somerset each week.”

That kind of output wasn’t unusual in the era—it was the job. And Salisbury did it across decades, adapting to different head writers, production shifts, and the ever-changing demands of daytime storytelling.

He also offered candid takes on the people and productions he encountered along the way, from his admiration for Doug Marland’s straightforward storytelling style to his blunt assessment of what went wrong at Capitol.

But perhaps most telling was how Salisbury viewed his own legacy. Despite a résumé that spans some of the most important shows in daytime history, he kept it all in perspective:

“The simple truth is, soaps are something I rarely think about and never analyze… I always had a parallel life in the theater, and that’s where my heart remained.”

It’s a striking reminder that many of the people who built daytime television treated it as both craft and profession—showing up, doing the work, and moving on to the next script.

For a deeper look at Frank Salisbury’s remarkable career and reflections on the industry, read the full interview on Substack: welovesoaps.substack.com

Anatomy of an Anti-Hero: Jon Lindstrom on "Hollywood Payback" and the Complexity of Joey Armstrong

2026-04-01T14:24:00.017-04:00

What makes a “bad guy" worth rooting for? Jon Lindstrom has spent decades exploring that question—on screen, on the page, and now in the shadowy world of crime fiction. Whether he’s playing the charismatic and calculating Joey Armstrong on Beyond the Gates or crafting the tortured inner life of a fallen actor in his new novel Hollywood Payback, Lindstrom gravitates toward characters who live in the gray. His latest anti‑hero, Jake Ferguson, is no exception. Once a rising Hollywood star, Jake’s life imploded in a haze of addiction, betrayal, and one devastating mistake that left an innocent woman dead. After serving time in Folsom Prison and testifying against his partners‑in‑crime, he returns to an L.A. he barely recognizes. A chance connection with a waitress named Carla offers a glimmer of redemption—until a murder unfolds right in front of him, and Jake realizes he’s been set up. With authorities closing in, the only way out is through the past he’s tried to bury. "Hollywood Payback" arrives April 14 and is available for preorder wherever books are sold, including the We Love Soaps store on Amazon .

To understand how Lindstrom brings such layered characters to life, we caught up with the four‑time Emmy nominee to talk noir, morality, early‑morning writing rituals, and why soap fans might be the most prepared audience for a man with a complicated moral center.

“Write What You Know": The Dark Allure of Hollywood

Lindstrom laughs when asked how he made the leap from screenplays to crime novels. “Like everybody in Hollywood, I had a screenplay—or several. Even Noodle, my dog, probably has one," he jokes. But books were always the dream.

“I got to a point where I couldn’t walk into a bookstore and keep wishing my book was on the shelf. So one day, I just sat down and started writing."

Choosing Hollywood as the backdrop was instinctive. “I’m a big fan of L.A. noir. I’ve lived most of my adult life in Los Angeles. I know the city, I know showbiz, and I know what people mean when they talk about the ‘dark underbelly’ of Hollywood."

The Interiority of Prose

Screenwriting taught Lindstrom discipline, but novels offered something he couldn’t get anywhere else.

“Screenplays are all action—‘show it, don’t say it.’ Novels let you go inside a character’s head. You have to find their inner thoughts, their turmoil, the things that make them relatable."

That interiority is what makes Jake Ferguson more than a criminal on the run. He’s a man wrestling with guilt, identity, and the possibility of redemption—territory Lindstrom navigates with surprising tenderness.

A 5:00 AM Ritual

Lindstrom writes early. Very early. “I’m an early‑morning writer—up at 5:00 or 5:30. I don’t check email or texts. It’s peaceful. People ask if it’s lonely, but no—you’ve got all these voices in your head." He prefers that solitude to the chaos of development meetings. “Sitting in a conference room with people who haven’t read the material but still have opinions? That I can do without."

Why Soap Fans Will Love Jake Ferguson

Soap audiences, Lindstrom says, have a unique relationship with anti‑heroes. “Soap fans love characters who’ve done bad things but have a strong moral center. Jake is flawed, but he’s trying to make things right. That resonates with daytime viewers." It’s the same quality that makes Joey Armstrong such a standout on Beyond the Gates—a character Lindstrom plays with a mix of danger, humor, and emotional depth.

From the Archive: Don Hastings Interview (2010)

2026-04-01T08:14:00.000-04:00

Today is Don Hastings 92nd birthday, a perfect time to revisit our January 2010 interview with the daytime legend. Although most know him as the respected pillar "Dr. Bob Hughes" on As the World Turns, many are not aware of how Mr. Hastings was a pioneer embarking in a brand new entertainment called television back when other actors had their fears and trepidations about an unfamiliar new medium (sound familiar?). Please enjoy this interview from January 2010 as we explore his past as a child star in theater and radio, his reflections on Bob Hughes, and insights into facing unemployment for the first time in 61 years. You don't want to miss this one!

Part One - The acclaimed and beloved actor shared his past as a child actor in theater, radio, and a new entertainment medium called television.
Part Two - Hastings discusses starting on AS THE WORLD TURNS, as well as acting and writing under Irna Phillips.
Part Three Hastings shares insights into being a soap writer, and what it takes to make a daytime soap successful.
Part Four Hastings offers his thoughts about submitting his work for Emmy consideration, and where his reactions to the cancellation of the show he has been on for 49 years.
Part Five - Hastings shares insights into keeping Dr. Bob interesting for nearly 50 years, as well as what the future holds for Mr. Hastings himself. Could this pioneer of radio and television take his craft to the internet next?

Emma Samms Reacts to ‘The Colbys’ Infamous UFO Cliffhanger — Read It on Substack

2026-03-25T18:44:00.001-04:00

We Love Soaps is now on Substack, where you'll find in-depth analysis and opinion of today's soaps as well as the classics. We are excited to welcome Michael Poirier as our first guest writer. In his new story about Fallon Carrington and the famous UFO cliffhanger on The Colbys' season 2 finale, Emma Samms reflects on the iconic ending.

Like everyone else involved, Samms knew the season finale would feature a major cliffhanger. But when she finally read the script, she was taken aback.

“My first thought was, ‘This is completely mad!’ It felt like we were jumping the shark,” she said. “I actually assumed it was a fake script, something they’d given us so the real story wouldn’t leak to the press.”

It wasn’t.

“I made a

few quiet inquiries, and they told me, ‘No, this is it. We wanted to do something really different.’ And I thought, ‘Well… it’s certainly that.’”

Emma Samms and the UFO That Shocked Soap Fans by We Love Soaps Insider

Read on Substack

From the Archive: Van Hansis Interviews (2009, 2010)

2025-11-25T15:29:00.003-05:00

Van Hansis earned three Daytime Emmy Award nominations for his performance as Luke Snyder on As the World Turns. He's currently starring as Lucas Jones in General Hospital. He did theater, film and was an acting teacher in between.

We Love Soaps TV interviewed Hansis several times during the final years As the World Turns was on the air. Find out more about the actor and his work in our interviews below.

August 2009

We Love Soaps TV spoke with Hansis at the Daytime Gives Back charity event about the value of helping people in need.

September 2009

We Love Soaps TV caught up with Hansis at the 2009 Daytime Emmy Awards. He talked about his nomination and how Luke Snyder has mellowed over time.

September 2009

We Love Soaps TV chatted with Hansis at the 23rd Annual Broadway Flea Market about As the World Turns and the importance of AIDS awareness. Read the transcript here.

April 2010

Damon L. Jacobs spoke with Hansis at the annual Nuke-a-Palooza fan event. He had just booked a movie and was thinking about the future. Read it here.

June 2010

We Love Soaps TV visited the As the World Turns studio in Brooklyn and spoke with Hansis on his second to last day of taping the legendary soap. He discussed his time on ATWT, his feelings about the end and thoughts on the future.

November 2010

Hansis shares his thoughts on his career to date, offers a preview of his film, Occupant, and talks about the future in this special interview conducted at the famous Bradbury Building in Los Angeles.

Van talks about being an open book in this extra bit from the interview.

Photo Credit: Mark Bennington

We Love Soaps TV (6.5) Daytime Emmys Red Carpet Coverage

2025-11-13T21:12:00.005-05:00

We continue the sixth season of We Love Soaps TV with red carpet coverage at the 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. Interviewed are Adam Sharp (National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences President & CEO), actor Crew Morrow (Will Spencer on The Bold and the Beautiful) and Hot Bench judges Michael Corriero and Yodit Tewolde.

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Crystal Chappell on 'Montecito', the Enduring Power of Story, and Why “Otalia” Still Matters

2025-11-10T09:07:00.005-05:00

For more than three decades, Emmy-winning actress Crystal Chappell has been one of soap opera’s most admired storytellers — on screen and behind the scenes. From Days of our Lives to Guiding Light to her pioneering digital drama Venice the Series, Chappell has continually embraced new ways to connect with audiences. Now, she’s exploring yet another frontier: audio fiction.

“I’ve never done that,” Chappell admits with a laugh about her latest project, Montecito. “It was a little intimidating. But Grant [Rutter, Creator and Executive Producer] and his team put together such a great group of people, and he set it up in a way that really felt like being on a set.”

Bringing Soaps to Sound

Unlike a traditional television production, Montecito was recorded entirely over Zoom. “Production sent each of us the equipment we needed,” she explains. “We hopped on, ran the scenes, got some direction — it was very much like being on a soap set. People are already used to listening to stories with audiobooks and podcasts, so I think this is a natural evolution.”

In Montecito, Chappell plays the matriarch of a powerful and complicated family. “She’s very wealthy and not great in the love department,” she says. “But she loves her son more than anything. Her loyalty to him drives everything she does — maybe too much so. Protecting the family business and reputation is everything to her.”

Performing without visual cues required a different kind of focus. “I found it easier not to look at the others on Zoom,” she says. “I’d just close my eyes and listen. It forced me to be really present in the scene.”

“Because It’s Soapy!”

For longtime soap fans, Chappell promises that Montecito will feel right at home. “Because it’s soapy,” she says, grinning. “It’s glamorous and dramatic — it reminds me of Santa Barbara. I’ve been watching old clips lately and it has that same energy. It’s about the trials and tribulations of the very wealthy. And for listeners, it’s something you can enjoy anywhere — in your car, on the bus, just like listening to music. It’s storytelling in a new way.”

A Habit of Innovation

Chappell’s willingness to explore new formats isn’t new. As creator, producer, and star of Venice the Series, she helped redefine how soaps could thrive online long before streaming became the norm. “It’s kind of like what you did,” she tells me. “You were curious about this format, and I was curious about it too. I love old school — I’ve been watching all those classic clips — but it’s also awesome to see the new, innovative things people are doing. It’s all about the story. The story is always the star.”

And fans of Venice have one more treat ahead. “We wrapped season seven, and I have a special planned for 2026,” she reveals. “It’ll wrap things up but still leave the door open. It should be substantial — about 60 to 90 minutes.”

Looking Back, Moving Forward

When asked what she’s most proud of in her career, Chappell doesn’t hesitate. “Daytime,” she says. “That was the job I wanted. I got to work with all these dynamic, talented people and play these incredible roles — Carly, Maggie, Olivia. I got paid to play. I’m proud of that.”

Even now, fans continue to revisit her Guiding Light storyline as part of the legendary “Otalia” pairing — a love story between Olivia and Natalia that broke barriers and captured hearts. “It represents a community that’s underrepresented,” Chappell says. “But it was also just beautifully told. It was romantic. I miss romance. I love the messy secrets too, but that story was old school and sweet — two people whose lives get upended by love. I always credit [head writer] Jill Hurst and [executive producer] Ellen Wheeler. They were the warrior princesses who fought to tell it.”

Still Watching the Story Unfold

Chappell remains a passionate supporter of daytime’s next generation. “I’ve seen Beyond the Gates, and it’s awesome,” she says of the new CBS soap. “It’s got incredible energy and incredible actors.”

After a career filled with bold choices and heartfelt performances, Crystal Chappell continues to follow one guiding principle: curiosity. “It’s fun to try new things,” she says. “Every time I do, I learn something new. And it always comes back to the same thing — the story.”

Where to Listen:
The first 10 binge-worthy episodes of Montecito are streaming now. Subscribe on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts — and escape into the drama today.

RELATED:
- 'Montecito' Drops a Juicy New Trailer — Soap Stars Head to the World of Audio Drama

Roger Newcomb is a New York–based producer, writer, and media entrepreneur who has built his career championing independent voices in entertainment. He is the founder and executive producer of the Indie Series Awards, a globally recognized event celebrating excellence and innovation in digital and independently produced storytelling. His creative work spans feature and short films, original series, and interviews, including the film Manhattanites, the short May Mercy Lie, and the fan-favorite shows We Love Soaps TV and Serial Scoop Now. Beyond producing, Roger is a passionate advocate for serialized storytelling’s cultural impact, a perspective that has led to his appearances in the documentary Soap Life and James Franco’s feature Francophrenia.

We Love Soaps TV (6.4) 'Beyond the Gates' at the Daytime Emmys

2025-10-27T06:56:00.007-04:00

After a decade away, our web series We Love Soaps TV is back. We continue our sixth season with Beyond the Gates on the red carpet at the 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. Find out how executive producer Michele Val Jean and lead actress Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree) are feeling about their hit new soap eight months into its run.

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We Love Soaps TV (6.3) 'Days of our Lives' at the Daytime Emmys

2025-10-22T12:00:00.014-04:00

After a decade away, our web series We Love Soaps TV is back. First launched in 2009, WLS TV was the go-to destination for soap fans, with exclusive interviews, in-depth features, and a fan-first approach that preserved the rich history of daytime drama. Now, we return with a fresh look, new episodes, and a renewed mission: celebrating soaps past, present, and future.

We continue our sixth season with the stars of Days of our Lives on the red carpet at the 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. Host Roger Newcomb interviews Eric Martsolf (Brady), Martha Madison (Belle), Conner Floyd (Chad) and Kennedy Garcia (Felicity) in the episode. Watch it below.

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We Love Soaps TV (6.2) 'Young and the Restless' at the Daytime Emmys

2025-10-22T03:00:00.010-04:00

After a decade away, our web series We Love Soaps TV is back. First launched in 2009, WLS TV was the go-to destination for soap fans, with exclusive interviews, in-depth features, and a fan-first approach that preserved the rich history of daytime drama. Now, we return with a fresh look, new episodes, and a renewed mission: celebrating soaps past, present, and future.

We continue our sixth season with the stars of The Young and the Restless on the red carpet at the 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. Host Roger Newcomb interviews Michael Mealor (Kyle), Sean Dominic (Nate), Michael Graziadei (Daniel), Cait Fairbanks (Tessa) and Silver Circle Honoree Kate Linder (Esther) in the episode. Watch it below.

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We Love Soaps TV (6.1) 'General Hospital' at the Daytime Emmys

2025-10-21T13:48:00.009-04:00

After a decade away, our web series We Love Soaps TV is back. First launched in 2009, WLS TV was the go-to destination for soap fans, with exclusive interviews, in-depth features, and a fan-first approach that preserved the rich history of daytime drama. Now, we return with a fresh look, new episodes, and a renewed mission: celebrating soaps past, present, and future.

We kick off our sixth season with the stars of General Hospital at the 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on the red carpet and during the winner's walk. Watch our interviews with Rory Gibson (Michael), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Avery Kristen Pohl (Esme), Gregory Harrison (Gregory), Jacqueline Grace Lopez (Blaze), Alley Mills (Heather) and Jonathan Jackson (Lucky) in the episode below.

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Sharon Gabet Interview: A Journey From 'The Edge of Night' to Understanding 'Spiritual Magic'

2025-10-06T18:10:00.004-04:00

We're digging into the archives for an interview with Edge of Night star Sharon Gabet. It was originally posted in November 2014 at Serial Scoop. Check it out below.

Sharon Rose Gabet played one of the most memorable characters in the history of daytime television when she starred as Raven Alexander in ABC's The Edge of Night. Taking on the role in 1977, Ms. Gabet brought Raven to life for more than seven years, until the show's final episode aired on December 28, 1984. Viewers watched Raven's journey through a series of broken relationships, becoming a mother, and a supercouple pairing with Larkin Malloy's Sky Whitney. In addition to her mesmerizing two-time Emmy nominated portrayal of Raven on Edge, Ms. Gabet starred in NBC's Another World and ABC's One Life to Live. She's also followed a fascinating career path which includes writing two books, "From the Raven to the Dove" and "Spiritual Magic."

As we approach the 30th anniversary of the end of The Edge of Night, Serial Scoop will be featuring some of the beloved actors, characters and stories from the 28-year history of the series. We start with the life and career of Sharon Rose Gabet. Read our exclusive interview below:

ROGER NEWCOMB: From 1977 to 1984, you played one of the most iconic characters of The Edge of Night's 28 year run, Raven Alexander Jamison Swift Whitney Whitney. Did I forget any of her last names?
SHARON GABET: I usually include Devereaux between the Whitneys to add to the fun. I know it was a fake marriage, but I still had a wedding, a dress and the full deal.

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From the Archive: Colleen Zenk Interviews (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)

2025-09-27T04:00:00.009-04:00

Colleen Zenk is best known for playing the character of Barbara Ryan on As the World Turns during its final 32 years, earning three-time Daytime Emmy Awards nominations. She began her professional career as a musical theater actress, co-starring in "Bring Back Birdie." Her theatrical work was put on hold as her role on the daytime drama became more demanding, until she returned to the stage in the mid 2000s in "Hello, Dolly!" and "Follies."

An oral cancer survivor and a mother of six, Zenk has not shied away from the demands of live performance, starring in a number of theatrical productions in recent years, including her one-woman shows, "Colleen Zenk: Live" and "Still Sassy". Her film credits include Annie, Woman on the Ledge, Libby and Scout. She has been seen on such shows as Blue Bloods, web series Thurston (receiving an Indie Series Award nomination) and Tainted Dreams. Most recently, she played Aunt Jordan on The Young and the Restless.

Check out all the We Love Soaps TV interviews with Zenk below.

June 2009

We Love Soaps TV caught up with Zenk at the 2009 Daytime Emmy Awards. She talked about As the World Turns, oral cancer and her talkative rose-breasted cockatoo.

From the Archive: Melissa Reeves Interviews (2010, 2011)

2025-09-26T11:04:00.033-04:00

Melissa Reeves joined the cast of Days of our Lives in 1985 as Jennifer Horton, her second soap opera role following a year as Jade Perkins in Santa Barbara. How did this aspiring dancer from New Jersey end up moving to Los Angeles, then Nashville? And what does she think about the stories that she has played out on screen and off camera during her Days run. Find out in the four We Love Soaps TV interviews with Reeves below.,

November 2010

Reeves on We Love Soaps TV with co-star Ty Treadways at the annual "Day of Days' fan event.

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From the Archive: Claire Labine Interview (2009)

2025-09-15T07:44:00.006-04:00

In November 2009, We Love Soaps TV released an in-depth interview Emmy winning Ryan's Hope creator Claire Labine. Read this special Damon L. Jacobs interview below (in 7 parts)

Part One - Labine discusses her writing process, reflects on her early career, and how mothering contributed to her understanding of soaps.

Part Two - Labine discusses her battles with ABC, struggles with recasts, and the psychological underpinnings of the Ryan family.

Part Three - Labine discusses controversial storyline choices on Ryan's Hope and General Hospital, and her reaction to the criticism that her work is “too depressing.”

Part Four - Labine dishes about life at General Hospital, the pressures of continuing the Luke and Laura legacy, inventing Sonny and Brenda, and why Jason Quartermaine was given amnesia.

Part Five - Labine shares insights into what happened when she went to work on One Life to Live and Guiding Light.

Part Six - Labine shares more about her struggles with Guiding Light and Paul Rauch, plus, the absurdities of focus groups.

Part Seven - We conclude by discussing Labine's life after Guiding Light, her health, and future hopes.

***

Soon after our interview Ms. Labine took extra time to answer questions from our readers. Read her answers below (in 6 parts):

Part One - The Emmy Winning writer answers YOUR questions pertaining to her influences, the writers she admires, and her history of writing on daytime.

Part Two - She responds to more comments and questions about the current state of soaps. Plus, what role did Claire play in the creation of The Bold and the Beautiful?

Part Three - She answers your questions about Ryan's Hope. Including network battles, cast turnaround, and what Maeve Ryan would say about Sarah Palin!

Part Four - The Divine Ms. Labine answers your questions about General Hospital, including reflections on writing for Jonathan Jackson, Maurice Benard, and her plans for the beloved Ward family.

Part Five - She answers your questions about One Life to Live, including how she helped Ron Carlivati, her fascination with Todd and Tea, plus her secret about Wendi Mercury.

Part Six - She answers YOUR questions about Guiding Light and Love of Life, including what the real plan was for "Holivia" [Crystal Chappell + Maureen Garrett].

From the Archive: Mary Beth Evans Interviews (2010, 2011, 2012)

2025-08-31T17:04:00.007-04:00

Mary Beth Evans came in at #48 on the We Love Soaps TV 50 Greatest Soap Actresses countdown back in 2010. We've spoke with her several times over the years about her roles on daytime dramas and indie soaps, highlighted by the interviews we are featuring below from the archive.

August 2010
A four-part in-depth interview with Evans.

On the small world of daytime television: "I was just back at As the World Turns where Jon Linstrom (her co-star Rituals and in Port Charles) is now playing Craig. You’re standing there thinking, “This is so crazy.” I realized this last year, going back to As the World Turns, and going back to Days for the Frances Reid memorial, how big my circle is in daytime. What a gift it is to have all these friends."

Part 1 - Evans' journey of joining THE BAY as a producer and actress, her year on RITUALS, and getting hired on Days of our Lives.
Part 2 - The Days of our Lives phenomenon of Steve & Kayla, the downfall of Shane & Kayla, and her time as ill-defined Katherine on General Hospital.
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From the Interview Archive: Scott Evans Interviews (2009, 2010)

2025-08-31T07:44:00.005-04:00

We Love Soaps TV spoke to actor Scott Evans in 2009 and 2010 to discuss his evolution as an actor and activist. And, of course, he shared thoughts on his One Life to Live character, Oliver Fish, and the popularity of "Kish" (Kyle and Fish). Watch and read the interviews below.

December 2009
Evans was the featured guest on Episode 8 of We Love Soaps TV in December 2009.

[On being outed by his brother, Chris Evans] It was in The Advocate where he said it and told my story. When that article came out, he took a lot of flack from a lot of his friends who said, “I can’t believe you did that.” Immediately I got a phone call from him. He left me this message freaking out, “Are you okay with this? I didn’t mean to this, I didn’t mean to hurt you.” I was like, “Dude, I don’t care. It’s as if you said Scott Evans has blonde hair and blue eyes.” It’s who I am, I don’t really care. He was relieved to hear that, but he still comes up and says, “Dude, I’m sorry about that.” I’m like, “I don’t care.” I’m glad that he’s comfortable enough to talk about it and he’s not ashamed.

Watch the episode below.

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From the Archive: Tom Casiello Interview (2011)

2025-08-23T11:50:00.006-04:00

In April/May 2011, We Love Soaps TV ared a fascinating five-part interview with Emmy-winning soap opera writer Tom Casiello. Casiello started as an interview on Another World and then joined the writing teams at As the World Turns, One Life to Live, Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless.

From our archives and back online for the first time in over a decade, get to know Casiello in our exclusive interview below with two hours of insider stories, bold opinions, and deep soap talk.

Part 1: Casiello reveals how he went from being a fan of soaps to actually working in the industry, starting as an intern at Another World.

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EXCLUSIVE: Actress Rebecca Staab Reflects on her 'Guiding Light', 'Loving' and 'Port Charles' Days

2025-08-22T11:54:00.002-04:00

In August 2013 We Love Soaps TV spoke with actress and former soap star Rebecca Staab about her career and time in daytime TV. The interview was never published, and was tucked away in our archives until now.

Staab was born in Hays, Kansas and grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. Excelling in academics, she had a 4.0 GPA in both high school and college, and placed in the top five finalists in the Miss USA pageant as Miss Nebraska.

Staab is known to soap opera fans for her portrayal of Jesse Matthews on Guiding Light, Cecelia Thompson on Loving and Elizabeth Barrington on Port Charles. She also guest-starred in numerous primetime TV shows including Cheers, Beverly Hills 90210, The Wonder Years, Home Improvement and Dark Shadows. She can presently be seen in Netflix's #1 series, The Night Agent.

Find out more about Staab in our exclusive (12 years later!) interview below.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: You have such a fascinating story going from Kansas to Miss Nebraska, becoming an international model, then cast as Cecilia on Loving. How did that transition happen? Did you always want to be an actress or did it just kind of randomly happen?
REBECCA STAAB: I wanted to as a kid, but in the '60s and '70s in Nebraska, there wasn't much of a market for actors, plus my parents just weren't those kind of people. I really wanted to be a dancer. I was always out in the garage dancing, making up my own little ballet and tap routines. I was a huge Laura Ingalls Wilder fan. You know, all the "Little House on the Prairie" books. My best friend and I in second grade would write plays because we knew the characters so well. And I remember when I heard that they were going to make a TV show for that I was like, I had to be Mary, you know, in my head. It's so funny, I think at the time I was only like six or seven or but I had to be Mary. You know, Mom, I have to. But that doesn't happen when you live in Omaha. So that was kind of my first acting disappointment.

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From the Archive: Brad Maule Interview (2013)

2025-08-22T07:18:00.002-04:00

With GENERAL HOSPITAL celebrating its 50th anniversary 2013, We Love Soaps caught up with some of our favorite actors from over the years for a series of interviews. Fan favorite Brad Maule played Dr. Tony Jones on the show from 1984 to 2006, and earned Daytime Emmy nominations in 1995 and 1997 for his work. Check out our interview at the links below.

Part 1 - The Texas native talked about some of his early acting experiences and landing the role of Tony on GH.

Part 2 - Maule talked about his favorite writers over the years, working with Jack Wagner, and leaving GENERAL HOSPITAL for good in 2006.

Part 3 - Maule talked about the many projects that keep him busy in Texas these days including a brand new album, "Miles and Miles of Texas."

From the Archive: Maurice Benard Interviews (2010, 2011, 2013)

2025-08-21T16:02:00.007-04:00

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 four interviews conducted with Benard from 2010 to 2013.

March 2010 (ny Stephen Seidel)
Benhard on the set of General Hospital.

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From the Archive: Taylor Miller Interview (December 2009)

2025-08-18T04:00:00.004-04:00

Longtime soap fans will never forget Taylor Miller's run on All My Children as Nina Cortlandt Warner. Her pairing with Peter Bergman's Cliff is one of the most memorable in daytime history. Miller created the role of Nina in 1979 and played the role off and on until 1989. She returned in the mid-1990s a couple of times, and in 2010 for the soap's 40th anniversary and then for a tribute to the late James Mitchell (Palmer). Miller also played Sally Frame on Another World for a year during a break from AMC.

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From the Archive: Wesley Eure Interview (November 2009)

2025-08-17T16:25:00.003-04:00

Wesley Eure is best known to soap fans for his long run as Mike Horton on Days of our Lives which ended in 1981. He made a huge pop culture splash as Will Marshall in the popular Sid and Marty Krofft adventure series Land of the Lost. He also has an extensive background as an author, television writer, producer, lecturer and charity fundraiser. In an exclusive three-part interview with We Love Soaps TV from November 2009, Eure covered all those aspects of his life and more including the price he's paid for being an out gay man in the industry.

In Part One, Eure talked about his background, how he came into show business and shared some fun stories from DAYS set.

In Part Two, Eure recalled Mike Horton's "gay storyline" and revealed how and why he was fired from the soap.

In Part Three, Eure spoke about the dear friend and former cast member he lost because he was gay, and how he has channeled the energy from the devastating AIDS crisis in the '80s into a positive.

Eileen Fulton Interview Archive (October 2011)

2025-07-20T02:56:00.011-04:00

UPDATE: Beloved As the World Turns actress Eileen Fulton died Monday in Asheville, North Carolina, after a period of declining health, her family announced. She was 91. Fulton played the role of Lisa on ATWT from 1960-2010.

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Originally posted on September 13, 2018

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."