How is your year going so far?
For The Bold and the Beautiful’s executive producer and head writer Bradley Bell, this past year has simply been titanic.
Let’s review: early this year, Bell earned the Guinness World Record for Most Popular Daytime TV Soap; a Golden Nymph Award for Highest Ratings Worldwide for a Soap at the prestigious Monte Carlo TV Festival; and three 2010 Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series (his second consecutive win), Writing and Music Direction and Composition. Bell was also nominated for a Rockie Award at Canada’s illustrious TV event, The Banff World Television Festival, for Best Soap Opera for the same Betty White episodes that won him statues at the Daytime Emmy Awards.
Worldwide, ratings for the most watched daily serial are holding strong, and creatively, B&B is eliciting critical buzz from the press and viewers. Moreover, in an age of slashed budgets and shrinking casts, William Bell’s son appears to be the only showrunner hiring and winning national and international awards these days.
It’s been a while since TVGuide.ca sat down with Bell for a feature-length interview, so we decided to find out if he’s finally come down from his Emmy high, why he recast Emmy winner Drew Tyler Bell as Thomas Forrester, what we can expect form new producer, Ed Scott, if he’s sorry he lost Kim Zimmer to One Life to Live, dealing with a two-soap lineup this month when As The World Turns signs off the airwaves after 54 years, what The Talk means to CBS daytime, and what’s ahead on B&B this fall.
TVGuide.ca: How’s the most beloved soaper in daytime doing these days?
Bradley Bell: I’m not sure if I deserve that title.
TVG: In this dog-eat-dog business, everyone who knows or works with you always waxes poetic about what a sweet and nice guy you are. It’s a tough burden to bear …
BB: [Joking] You probably know nothing about that!
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TVG: [Laughs] Oh, no, you didn’t! So, have you come down from your Emmy high yet?
BB: I think I’ve come down from the high. It was a great night and time. But, more than anything, I’m trying to channel all of that [energy and excitement] to motivate myself, to dig deeper, and present something to our audience that is special. It’s not so much about the awards; it’s more about the makeup of the cast and writers we currently have. It’s hard to pinpoint why there are lulls, peaks, and valleys. But right now, it does feel like we have a great team and we can do some pretty amazing things if we put our minds to it.
TVG: What can we expect this fall on B&B?
BB: We’re trying to focus on what makes us unique. We’re trying to have some hard-hitting drama while trying to balance that with fun, easy-to-watch stories that are a little campy and comedic. You know, [material] you wouldn’t see on any other show anywhere. I have a lot of fun trying to maintain that [delicate] balance. |
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TVG: (sarcastically) B&B campy? I don’t believe you!
BB: [Laughs] Well, we try to be! We lost our queen of camp, [the late] Darlene Conley, but we’re finding something great with Lesley-Anne Down. I’m really starting to get her and she’s getting me. That entire character group is really coming together, especially now that Jackie has Owen, and a pregnant Bridget. The fact that they think they can all live as one happy family … It will be fun to see if they can pull it off. It’s hard to make a threesome work for too long, but maybe these three can do it.
TVG: Amateurs! I’ve been able to pull a threesome off once or twice!
BB: [Laughs] I bet! |
TVG: How would you describe B&B’s identity to someone who has never watched your show before?BB: I would say it’s a tight, 20-minute dramatic piece that centres around the Forrester family and has ever since its inception. It’s about fashion, fun, and social issues — which we’ll be getting into more of this fall as well.
TVG: I was speaking to your her sister Lauralee Bell the other day and we both agreed that you’ve not only inherited your father, William Bell’s penchant for being provocative and naughty in your storytelling, but you’ve also taken it to a new level, especially with the recent Oliver/Brooke accidental sex romp. One thing I respect about B&B is that it’s not a violent show, but it’s definitely a soap about sex. [Half-joking] Are any of these sex scandals autobiographical? Are you trying to tell us something, Brad?!
BB: One’s imagination can be unlimited. I keep my real life out of B&B, but you can see glimpses of it with these wonderful pairings. Each one of our characters, male or female, are kind of my partners and a part of me in real life. I try to find something that excites and arouses me with each of them, and then I pair them together to see what comes out of it. If you start taking these shows too seriously, then you forget to have fun. You forget that people need to have fun, have sex, make out, and make fun of each other. And sometimes these kind of pairings are the most fun to watch because you don’t see them every day. I really try to mix up [our couples] so the audience has fun watching. On our show, anything goes.
TVG: B&B still remains the most watched daily show in the world. Some critics think B&B is campy and sexy because of your European audience. Is that true?
BB: No. In fact, [our international audience] prefer the show with a limited amount of sexuality. I find that in some of these countries our viewers are watching the show with three generations around one television. Grandparents, parents and kids — especially in Italy, Europe and Australia. When I visit there, they seem to really want me to tone down [the sex] quite a bit.
TVG: That’s interesting to know. As The World Turns is leaving the airwaves in less than three weeks. Are you worried about being part of a two-soap lineup on CBS?
BB: I’m certainly sad that World Turns is going off the air. You know, we’re all in this together. In one respect, yes, everything is changing and evolving, but I don’t think it’s going to really affect us directly to any major extent.
TVG: Yeah, I agree. What do you think of CBS’s new all-female chat fest, The Talk, following B&B?
BB: I think it’s a good idea. It’s certainly a great group of hosts and I think it’s something worth experimenting with. Daytime has always been a mixture of soap, talk and game shows. This is just a continuation of what [daytime] has always been.
TVG: Do you know if CBS Daytime V-P Barbara Bloom plans on cross-promoting her soaps on The Talk, à la The View?
BB: We haven’t discussed that yet.
TVG: Well, that’s on your to-do list, mister!
BB: [Laughs] Right!
TVG: I’m surprised CBS didn’t extend B&B to one hour. I know we’ve talked about the possibility countless times before, but I think a two-hour soap block would make more sense than a one-and-a-half-hour block. I know in the past you’ve said you prefer the half-hour format. Were there any discussions about making B&B one hour after World Turns announced their cancellation?
BB: That hasn’t been brought up at all. If the network was really hungry for it, we would obviously adjust. But I do really prefer, and like, the half hour.
TVG: You have a large cast for a half-hour sudser, but I’m still surprised you haven’t absorbed any World Turns stars.
BB: Well, I’m thinking about my large cast! My cast is too large …
TVG: That’s why I thought CBS may be extending B&B to one hour because it looked like you were stocking up on players.
BB: If ever we were ready, it is now because I feel like I could write an hour. A lot of these great actors deserve the airtime that I’m not giving them. You never know how stories evolve or there is a twist and then all of a sudden someone who is on the back burner becomes essential. I’m grateful for everyone’s patience right now.
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TVG: I want to thank you for bringing Katherine Kelly Lang and Susan Flannery back to the front burner. Why did they disappear there for a while? I almost filed a missing super-couple’s alert.
BB: In many ways, they’re the super-couple of the series. They’re great actresses, they share great chemistry, and they’re such a pleasure to work with. This fall, we’re so excited to give them perhaps their greatest storyline yet.
TVG: Really? Wow — talk about high expectations!
BB: And we’re going to come through with those high expectations, too. We’re very excited and we’ve nailed down the story. It’s going to be a wonderful October and November with these actresses.
TVG: You pleasantly infuriated me last week when Nick and Brooke shared some screen time together, because, as you know, Nick and Brooke are one of my all-time favourite super-couples. Why did you drop them so suddenly? I truly believe Nick is the love of Brooke’s life.
BB: I’m never ruling them out. There comes a point where you just can’t run a triangle any further. And we rode Nick, Brooke and Ridge for quite a few years before we spun them out. But after seeing those scenes that you mentioned, I admit I was glued to them! They’re wonderful together!
TVG: I know — I thought you were torturing me on purpose!
BB: [Laughs] Well, I made a vow that we’re going to play out more Brooke and Nick scenes in the future because there have been ridiculously few. You know, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
TVG: I am surprised at how long Brooke and Ridge have been married. This has to be the longest stretch of happiness they’ve ever experienced. I thought you would’ve broken them up years ago. I also liked Ridge’s reaction to Brooke having accidental sex with Oliver. And you gave Ronn Moss the best work of his career.
BB: Ronn was great in those scenes. When I watched them, we wondered if Ridge forgave Brooke too quickly, but then I thought, “If my wife had mistakenly made love to a teenager, I may get a laugh out of that!” In soaps, sometimes we take things so excruciatingly seriously that I thought, “Well, Brooke has slept with other men in her life and Ridge has always remained open-minded about that.” I think Ridge’s reaction speaks to their unique relationship. Yes, it’s probably not how most people would react to something like that but it was interesting … |
TVG: Ridge’s reaction was adult. It was one of your boldest moves and it kind of made sense. Let’s not forget Ridge once sexually molested Brooke without her consent. I loved it when he said, “This could only happen to you, Brooke!”BB: What I love about them is that I sometimes think of Brooke and Ridge as Lucy and Desi. Brooke always gets herself in one pickle after another. Though, unlike Lucy, Brooke’s pickles always involve sex.
TVG: Congratulations on landing one of soaps’ best producers, Ed Scott. Can you elaborate on his hiring?
BB: I always appreciated Ed for his hands-on, roll-up-the-sleeves approach to producing. When I moved out here from Chicago, I spent a lot of time with [former Y&R co-executive producer] Wes Kenney and Ed in the booth — and they had a wonderful 100 per cent emerging kind of style of producing. I was glad to land him and I know he’s going to do wonders with the show — especially with our younger cast.
TVG: You appear to be the only showrunner who has money to hire extra actors and behind-the-scenes talent.
BB: I know you like to focus on just Canada and America but there is a world out there of soap viewers who thankfully have chosen to watch us.
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TVG: Why did you recast Emmy winner Drew Tyler Bell with 90210’s Adam Gregory? We all joke in the soap press that you’re related to Drew, so this came as a welcome surprise.
BB: Well, I’m always casting and reading. When I came across Adam, I immediately thought he’d be perfect to take the role of Thomas where I wanted the character to go next. Drew did a fabulous job. The Emmy proves it. Thomas has been played by many actors along the road he’s travelled and Drew was a great Thomas. Drew’s Thomas was messed up, blowing up cars, but he’ll still carry on that baggage — he’s just going to do that now through Adam Gregory.
TVG: I’ve thought for a while that Thomas needed to be re-imagined …
BB: This is a character that can really pop and take off. I think having a recast in the role gives us an opportunity to dive in. |
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TVG: Let’s not forget he’s a Marone and not a Forrester. Let’s talk about the best younger actor you’ve ever hired, Scott Clifton. He’s spectacular. Were you a Clifton fan before you hired him?
BB: I was a fan, [but I hadn’t seen all of his work]. Then he came in and read, and all of a sudden, these words on the page came to life with such meaning. It was so interesting. Immediately we said, “We have to get him!” Watching Scott on set taping, well, I’m just blown away. He’s an incredible, incredible actor.
TVG: He’s such a nuanced actor. And brazen — Scott actually had the audacity to steal scenes from the iconic Susan Flannery! You recast Hope with the wonderful Kim Matula — are we going to see a new RJ or Alexandria?
BB: No, not right now. Again, too many faces. Kim as Hope is fantastic.
TVG: She could be the next Jennifer Finnigan.
BB: Yes, she could very well be. You know, it’s hard when you don’t have a younger group on your show [with serious acting chops] because it’s essential. Through luck and good casting, we have it now. We had it years ago with Jacob Young, Adrienne Frantz and Jennifer. The stories are naturally lining up now instead of us struggling to make the younger set work. I have a great casting director, but I work hand-in-hand with [supervising producer] Rhonda Friedman and CBS in finding talent. We’re all in it together. |
TVG: I know you were in talks with Kim Zimmer about joining B&B. I’m sure you’ve heard she’s returned to One Life To Live. Thoughts?BB: We were in talks. We met a couple of times. I want to work with Kim Zimmer! But again, it’s the lack of airtime. I have no time to give the talented actors already on my canvas. To add another great talent to our show would be criminal.
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TVG: You’re infamous for hiring a soap vet in a peripheral role and then dropping them within less than a year. But you haven’t done that in a while. You still boast Sarah Brown, Rick Hearst, Zack Conroy, etc. Are you committed this time to rotating your heavy cast?
BB: Yes, I am. I like to have a story popping at all times. Instead of just having the Forresters and Logans, now I have the Jackie M group and the Jones family. I have a story lined up for Rick. He’s critical at Jackie M. I can’t fire an actor that good again! I learned that lesson the last time [when I fired Rick, who went on to have major success on General Hospital]. And I’m keeping Sarah Brown — I’ve looked up to her from the first day she started on GH.
TVG: Would you like to address the rumours that Emmy winner Lesli Kay will be reprising Felicia this fall? I’m hearing conflicting stories.
BB: Perhaps on a recurring basis. I love working with Lesli. She will always be a part of the show. |
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TVG: I don’t think you’ve received enough credit for being the first person to help resurrect Betty White’s red-hot career. Do you regret killing off Ann? I know that story won you two Emmys …
BB: I don’t regret killing off Betty. I’d rather bring her on for some really incredible stuff than just keep her threaded through the show with marginal material. And I’m so happy for her [success]! She’s so funny and such a gifted actress. I love older people. I’ve always related well to older people. I love hanging out with them. She’s a great human being and super-cool.
TVG: You are very industry savvy. Do you watch soaps or just read the soap magazines to find out which stars to steal?
BB: I’ve always flipped through the soaps to see who is out there and what’s working or not. I always keep my eye on them.
TVG: Where do you keep your Emmys?
BB: [Laughs] I’m laughing because I’m sitting at my desk at home and I’m staring at them right now.
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TVG: There’s a Bill Bell biography in the works which is being written by Soaps In Depth editor Michael Maloney. Are you happy it’s finally coming out?
BB: I am! It’s something my mother [Lee Phillip Bell] is really happy about, that it’s finally coming out. Michael has really embraced the project. I’ve been reading it and he’s doing a really great job. It’s coming out in early 2011. You’re going to love it because it goes into the history of soap operas and what it was like back then. It’s a great read.
TVG: Finally, have you aired your 2011 Emmy show yet? Or is that upcoming?
BB: No, we haven’t. We’re not even close. We’re looking at October and November. I think we’ve had a great and entertaining year so far and produced great material for our actors, but for best show and writing, it hasn’t aired yet. Keep watching and keep ruffling the feathers — don’t go soft on me, Nelson. |
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Nelson Branco is a Toronto freelance entertainment journalist, who regularly contributes to Hello! Canada, The National Post, The Los Angeles Times' theenvelope.com, TV Guide USA, tvguide.com, Inside Entertainment, OUT, and fab magazine, along with spearheading the soap coverage for TVGuide.ca's popular daytime TV hub. After graduating from Ryerson University in 1997, he moved from Toronto to New York in 1998 to take on the roles as senior news editor at Soap Opera Update. Branco first freelanced for Soap Opera Weekly as an intern in 1994, and after leaving Soap Update to help create and launch Bauer Publishing's In Touch Weekly in 2003, Branco continued to freelance occasionally for its sister publication, Soaps In Depth. Most recently, he helped create and launch Canada's first celebrity magazine, Weekly Scoop in 2005 as its news and entertainment director. Branco is also a contributor to a new TV show titled Planet Soap to air in Canada and America. |
