Table of contents for June 17, 2019 in ABC Soaps In Depth

The In Depth Story: On the heels of winning his second Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor, Benard announced that the memoir he’s been working on has found a publisher. “I just signed a book deal with Harper Collins, and it will be out next April,” he revealed on THE TALK in May. “It’s about my life. I’m bipolar, and I’m an advocate for mental illness, so there’s going to be a lot of that stuff in there.” Industry insiders confirm that Benard’s autobiography will go well beyond his experiences as a soap star on GH and ALL MY CHILDREN (where he played Nico). Rather than a juicy tell-all, readers can expect an indepth, honest account of his personal, lifelong struggle with mental illness — which hasn’t always been pretty.…

Our condolences go out to the family of ONE LIFE TO LIVE alum Stephen Markle (Mel), who passed away late last year. In announcing a memorial service for the actor, his widow, Deborah Deitrich, wrote on Legacy.com that Markle had died on November 6 at his home in North Hollywood after complications related to Parkinson’s. Robin Strasser, whose Dorian was Markle’s leading lady during his two-year OLTL run, remembered her co-star fondly. “That smile!” she tweeted. “Stephen had a light inside him. He really smiled like this when he came to rehearsal, knowing his lines, eager to do the work. He made us all who worked with him happy. I’m sad for his family’s loss but also for the audience’s. He’d have been a badass to the end.”…

IN Here Comes Hayden! GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Finn has finally gotten his engagement ring on Anna’s finger… so the timing is soap-world perfect for Rebecca Budig to bring the doctor’s ex, Hayden, back to the canvas this summer! The In Depth Story: When we last saw Hayden in September 2017, the schemer had ditched Finn on their wedding day. Shortly thereafter, she sent the heartbroken doc a letter claiming she’d lost their baby… but she was in fact very pregnant. This past December, Hayden reached out to her ex again about their “unfinished business” — but Finn ignored her invite to meet up in Europe and instead joined Anna on a mission to track down Ob-recht in Cuba. Needless to say, Finn had no idea that Hayden’s “unfinished business” involved his…

Xander and Zoe’s relationship is put to the test when on Monday, June 3, she finally comes clean with him about the terrible secret she’s been keeping. Carter offers Hope some sage advice about ending her marriage on Wednesday, June 5, but Thomas pushes back against the lawyer’s commentary. Instinctively aware that something just isn’t adding up, Brooke pleads with Hope to reconsider her decision on Thursday, June 6. With Liam and Hope on the precipice of divorce, Xander bursts into the room on Friday, June 7, telling them not to sign anything until he speaks with them alone!…

THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s Hope has made it pretty clear to Thomas that she doesn’t reciprocate the sort of romantic feelings he has for her, but that hasn’t stopped the schemer from doing everything in his power to steal her from Liam… and it seems to be working! “It’s very platonic for Hope,” says her portrayer, Annika Noelle. “Even when Thomas tried proposing to her the first time around, it was to try to pull her away from Liam. “But,” she adds, “it’s always been Liam for her.” On the other hand, Thomas has been persuasive as he drives home his point relating to the children involved in this storyline — Kelly, Phoebe and Douglas. “Hope’s very concerned about their well-being and how the family dynamics will all work…

GH’s Briana Nicole Henry immediately got Jordan’s commitment to her job… because her character happens to be a lot like her father, Maurice! “Jordan is a manifestation of my dad,” Henry shares. “He became a cop because he truly wants to impact the world positively and help protect people. I think it’s the same for Jordan. “And he’s pretty serious,” she adds. “If you throw a 4-year-old in front of him, he’s a total goofball, but he’s kind of introverted and quiet. He’s always checking the room.” In short, Maurice is the kind of guy you want around in an emergency. “He’s just so practical and logical and such a problem solver — and I don’t know how you could be all of those things and then be the kindest…

Through the month of May, Y&R’s Jason Thompson (Billy) says that his family celebrates the birthdays of wife Paloma and son Bowie, 3, as well as Mother’s Day, “so by the time we get to Father’s Day, we’re kind of spent!” he laughs. “May is the big month for us!” The actor and his family — including daughter Rome, 21 months — may not make a big deal about Father’s Day, but that doesn’t mean Thompson doesn’t make a big deal about being a father. In fact, he says he’s learned a lot from it. “Before I had kids, I had a lot more free time, but I was not so resourceful with my time. Now I’m more resourceful, but I also think it’s important to be present with my…

GH Hot Topic: Will Hayden Steal Finn Away From Anna? OUR TAKE They say that timing is everything, and that’s certainly true when it comes to the upcoming return of GENERAL HOSPITAL’s reformed troublemaker, Hayden. When last we saw the beauty (played by Rebecca Budig), she’d left Port Charles after penning a Dear Finn letter which left him heartbroken… and in the dark about the fact that she hadn’t actually lost their child! In true soap opera fashion, Finn grieved the relationship before eventually finding love again with Anna. Which brings us back to that saying about timing being everything. Because no matter what circumstances bring Hayden back to town — with or without the baby — it’s going to have a major impact on Finn and his new lady…

FYI Birthday: September 9. Raised: San Diego, CA. Family Matters: In real life, Lott has a twin brother and wanted to bring that dynamic to the screen with her on-screen sibling, who is an only child. “I asked [Bryton James] if we could rehearse, and we went into his dressing room,” she says. “From there, we had so much fun, laughing all the time. We have a similar sense of humor!” THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS’ Loren Lott (Ana) is not a superstitious person, but she does believe in karma. Which is why she thinks “it’s important to be nice to everyone. The entertainment world is small, and the black entertainment world is even smaller, so you never know who you will meet again or the connections that exist between…

In All My Life: A Memoir, Susan Lucci takes readers from her childhood in Garden City, NY, to her long run as AMC’s iconic Erica Kane. Though the Emmy winner shares a few personal lows, the book is more of a light jaunt into her public and private life. Debbi Morgan’s tome, The Monkey On My Back, doesn’t cover her run as AMC’s Angie but instead delves into the cycle of abuse in her own family and her inspiring journey to overcome it. GH’s Rick Springfield (ex-Noah) pulls back the curtain with Late, Late At Night. In addition to tracing his career highs, the actor and Grammy winner opens up about his longtime battle with depression and suicidal thoughts. In Full Of Heart: My Story Of Survival, Strength And Spirit,…

The In Depth Story: According to a report by Entertainment Weekly, LaRue will debut on the CBS soap on Wednesday, June 26, as the mother of Rey, Lola and Arturo, with whom she shares a “complex” relationship. “[I’m] so excited!” she tweeted. LaRue played Pine Valley neurologist Maria Santos Grey on and off from 1993-2005, returning for AMC’s final weeks on the air in 2011. During her run, the actress was twice nominated for an Outstanding Supporting Actress Emmy, and reached soap supercouple status as Maria and Edmund’s relationship took off. (At the time, LaRue was wed in real life to her leading man, John Callahan.) Her move to Genoa City will reunite LaRue with her fellow former Pine Valley residents, Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea; AMC’s Annie), Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe;…

Vinessa Antoine (ex-Jordan, GH) has landed a role in a true-crime drama series set to launch on CBS’ digital All Access platform. “It’s a new show called INTERROGATION starring Peter Sarsgaard, David Strathairn and Kyle Gallner,” tweeted the GH vet, who’s set to play a seasoned diner waitress who becomes crucial to solving a decades-old murder investigation. Based on a true story that spanned over three decades, each episode will focus on a single interrogation in the investigation of a guy who was charged and convicted of brutally murdering his mother. In a unique twist, the full series can be streamed in any order, allowing viewers to develop their own interpretations of the facts of the case and draw their own conclusions. There was no word at press time as…

While Maggie forms an unexpected bond on Monday, June 3, Julie gives Jack and Eve a tongue-lashing! Stefan, too, spends that day tearing into someone, but in his case, it’s Gabi, whom he blames for his relationship with Chloe tanking. Jack tries to strike a deal with JJ on Tuesday, June 4. John admits to Sonny that he finds Eve’s behavior suspicious on Wednesday, June 5, while someone else gets their heart broken! Finally, the show will be preempted on Thursday, June 6, and Friday, June 7.…

Tensions will be rising on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS now that Adam wants to reclaim what is his — including son Christian! Of course, Nick isn’t going to let go that easily of the boy that he’s been raising as his own since birth! “There was a part of Nick that was glad Adam’s alive,” insists Joshua Morrow (Nick). “But this is his worst nightmare! There is nothing that Nick is going to let get in his way of preventing that boy being taken from him. He will fight tooth and nail to keep him!” Even if that means sinking to… well, Adam’s level! “Nick’s name is on the birth certificate, so I think he’s clinging to that as a deciding factor. But he will bring up Adam’s very…

Just in time for Father’s Day, Soaps In Depth has partnered with Skinn Cosmetics and Success Factor X — the inspiring book compiled by soap vet Sean Kanan (ex-A.J., GH) and Jill Liberman — to put together five very special gifts for the very special guy in your life! Five winners will receive a $100 gift code to Skinn Cosmetics, a copy of Kanan and Liberman’s best-selling book featuring wisdom and advice from 50 of America’s most accomplished people, and a copy of In Depth’s Soaps’ Greatest Love Stories special! For full rules and free entry, log on to winit.abc.soapsindepth.com. No purchase necessary. Open to current legal residents of the United States and the District Of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older. Void elsewhere and where prohibited…

Eden McCoy’s father, Jim, isn’t exactly a GH stage dad, but he certainly approves of her chasing her dreams and playing Josslyn — especially after seeing her play Oscar’s recent passing. “He was so supportive and really impressed,” McCoy grins. “I think that I made him proud. “My mom is a little bit more involved in my acting than he is, but they are both equally supportive and loving of what I do,” the teen adds. “He sacrifices a lot for me. He works really hard, and I love him a lot.” Since Dad doesn’t spend much time hanging out in Port Charles, “I tend to spend normal time with him,” McCoy shares. “When I’m not at GH, I’m just going to school and being a normal person. I have…

With four daughters, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s Aaron D. Spears (Justin) admits he’s learned a lot about the opposite sex. “Women make the world go round, and being totally outnumbered, I’ve gotten a pretty good understanding of what it means to be a woman. I think having daughters has made me more compassionate, patient and willing to let things roll.” When his youngest came along, Spears finally got a son, Raiz, but he suspects he wouldn’t have been ready for a boy any sooner than that. “I think I might have been too hard,” says Spears, who believes the universe timed things out just right. “All the girls softened me, and I became a better husband and father as each kid came along. You learn to chill out with…

Checking Out ▪ GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Katelyn MacMullen (Willow) was born in Los Angeles, but then her family moved around. So when the actress returned to Hollywood to follow her passion a few years back, she suffered a bit of a culture shock. Luckily, she had just the show to get her through it. “I’m obsessed with HART OF DIXIE,” she confides. “I’m from a small town, so being in a big city, just getting to sit in my room and watch that show made me feel like I was back home again. It was really nice.” Now, she can only hope she’s providing that kind of comfort to GH viewers. “The magic of a TV show is that it can be such soul food for people,” she explains. “I love…

Lott was on the 14th season of AMERICAN IDOL, which she says taught her a great lesson in courage. “I was so scared!” she laughs. “I had never wanted to do a show like AMERICAN IDOL because I knew I would be petrified. I really thought I’d be far too nervous and totally clench up. But you really have to find the strength inside yourself to stand in front of America and be judged! Whenever you are on a show, you are open to scrutiny… but to actually invite it?” Still, Lott says that the experience helped her in her acting career. “It made me brave, that’s for sure!” smiles the actress. “After that, I felt I could do anything! I learned how to sink or swim, and actually fight…

FYI Birthday: December 2. Hometown: Arcadia, CA. Back In The Day: Sofer’s first daytime role was Rocky McKenzie on LOVING. Kicking Things Off Right: The actress and her family spent last New Year’s Eve in Vienna, where her daughter, Rosabel, is currently studying art on a Fulbright Scholarship. Sometimes, happiness is hidden right in plain sight. That’s what THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s Rena Sofer (Quinn) has been realizing over the past year. Following her 2017 divorce from television director Sanford Bookstaver, she has found love again… with her ex-husband, of all people! They’re officially back together and newly engaged to be re married, a fact that the actress acknowledges sounds like a storyline ripped straight out of a soap. “We just needed to figure it out,” she laughingly explains.…

Q: What is something that is popular now that really annoys you? Kin Shriner (Scott, GH) “Bro hugs annoy me. I can’t bear it. My young nephew has been doing it to me and those kids at GH are always going in for a bro hug. Listen, I’m going to shake your hand! And the fist bumps? I can’t stand them. I don’t get that whole thing.” Linsey Godfrey (Sarah, DAYS) “Social media influencers. They annoy the hell out of me because they offer nothing to society. They promote diet culture and unrealistic lifestyles and everything is photoshopped. I’m over them. I want them to all go away.” Heather Tom (Katie, B&B) “I think it’s annoying when people are on their phones constantly.” Darin Brooks (Wyatt, B&B) “It’s my own…

To Find Out What’s Up, Download… It’s a free-wheeling and fun-filled gabfest in which In Depth editors Richard Simms and Charlie Mason discuss all things sudsy. And since they’ve been watching and writing about daytime for longer than GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Sonny Corinthos has been in the Mob, they know of whence they speak! Eavesdrop at: Apple Podcast Spotify Google Play Music RadioPublic SoapsInDepth.libsyn.com Stitcher TuneIn In Listen Today!…

The In Depth Story: Nina keeps catching Willow in compromising positions with Michael, and while they’ve been misunderstandings, she’s become convinced that Ms. Tait is after the ELQ chief. Whatever Nina has to say about the situation, however, it’s clear Willow is feeling pretty sweet on her actual beau — Chase. “He has just been the biggest source of support and protection” for her, raves the teacher’s portrayer, Katelyn MacMullen. “Willow and Chase have great chemistry, and he’s a very attractive man! But he’s also become the protector that she’s never had. She sees qualities in him that she really values, such as honesty and a good moral backbone.” And that’s all new territory for Willow, whose own mother pushed her to be with Shiloh when she was coming of…

GH Elizabeth Does Her Best! Anyone who thinks Curtis is the kind of guy to sit back and let the fates dictate his life might want to think again. Because on Monday, June 3, he proves willing to risk everything! When Stella pleads her case on Tuesday, June 4, will her words fall on deaf ears or ones willing to hear her out? Jordan has a few questions regarding Ryan on Thursday, June 6, but we can’t help thinking this might be a situation where it’s better to just go with the flow. And with so much going on at both the hospital and home, Liz does what she can to lift everyone’s spirits on Friday, June 7! GH Forecast Calls For Spoilers! Alexis makes her position very clear by…

IN THEIR HONOR The Daytime Emmy Nominee Reception gave the best of the best a chance to mix and mingle AWARD WINNERS The Creative Arts Daytime Emmys gave these actors an excuse to add a little extra glam to their weekend TWICE AS NICE This year, the actors had not one but two official Emmy gift lounges to enjoy! WIN IT! Want some of the goodies from the 46th Annual Daytime Emmys Golden Gifting Suite? Soaps In Depth has a swag bag full of Emmy takeaways to give to one very lucky reader! For full rules and free entry, log on to winit.abc.soapsindepth.com. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to current and legal residents of the United States and the District Of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older. Void…

Harper Barash, the adorable 5-year-old shared by Brandon Barash (Stefan, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) and his former wife, Kirsten Storms (Maxie, GH), has long known what it means to be famous: She regularly sees her parents on screen. “You always wonder what goes on in the mind of a kid who grows up in a TV family,” says Barash, “because that’s normal for them to think that Mom and Dad go to work every day and play make-believe.” Still, the proud father, formerly GH’s Johnny, observes that they must be doing something right because little Harper is “wired as a sensitive being.” Not only is she aware of moments when her father is grieving the loss, just a year and a half ago, of her grandfather but also, “there are…

Brytni Sarpy (Elena, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS) doesn’t have to think too long about the life lessons that she’s learned from her dad, Mel. “He’s taught me pretty much everything,” smiles the actress, formerly GH’s Valerie. “Basically, the person I am — my work ethic, my attention to detail, my grades in school — everything came from my foundation of being raised by my dad.” Sarpy says that she’s also learned an inner strength from watching her dad deal with early-onset Parkinson’s after he was diagnosed 13 years ago. “He’s had quite a battle, but I have never seen someone handle something with so much grace and dignity. He is still able to smile every day. I am complaining about traffic, while he has to deal with a body…

pasadena, CA, was the setting for an exciting night for GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Maurice Benard, as he won his second Daytime Emmy Award for his ways-riveting portrayal of Sonny al-Corinthos. Viewers watching online heard Benard exclaim his surprise at winning over his competitors in his category. Before and after the ceremony he was singing the same song: He wasn’t going to win, which then turned into he hadn’t thought he was going to win. Soaps In Depth takes you along for the journey, from before the show to his leaving the GH after-party.…

1. GH’s beloved Dr. Steve Hardy was Aiden’s: a. great grandfather. b. great uncle. c. grandfather. 2. Epiphany’s son was taken out in a Mob hit ordered by: a. Sonny Corinthos. b. Julian Jerome. c. Jerry Jacks. 3. When Ned was married to Lois Cerullo, he was also married to: a. Katherine Bell. b. Dawn Winthrop. c. Jenny Eckert. 4. Connie Falconeri’s other personality went by: a. Tracy Quartermaine. b. Kate Howard. c. Claudia Corinthos. 5. Heather Webber once jumped off the roof of GH with her arms wrapped around: a. Jake Spencer. b. Danny Morgan. c. Spencer Cassadine. gh trivia answers ANSWERS: 1. a. great grandfather, 2. c. Jerry Jacks, 3. Katherine Bell, 4. b. Kate Howard, 5. b. Danny…

On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, a young Cristian Vega was beloved for being both an artist and a romantic. Subsequently, his portrayer, David Fumero, showed another side of himself as a duplicitous attorney who tried — but eventually failed — to keep his head above water on Starz’s POWER. Now, the actor has re-invented himself as Lt. Jason Calloway, the by-the-book head of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Narcotics Division, in the Spectrum Original series L.A.’S FINEST. “I was a big fan of the Bad Boys movies, and in this spin-off, Gabrielle Union’s [former DEA agent] Sydney Burnett joins the LAPD,” the soap graduate explains. “She and her partner, Nancy McKenna, played by Jessica Alba, are badass and have complicated histories in Los Angeles and within the whole smuggling world,…

FYI Still On His Playlist: Martsolf continues to listen to Ylvis’ “What Does The Fox Say?” Mad-Libber: “Whenever I get the chance to inject a little bit of funny [into a scene], I can’t resist,” the actor admits. Summer Plans: “We have many staycations planned,” Martsolf confides. “We’re forced to stay in town because my boys are so active with water polo.” Coming Soon: Catch the hunk the weekend of August 9 at the Star Struck Fan Event in Tarrytown, NY. Mention DAYS OF OUR LIVES’ Eric Martsolf (Brady) to anyone, and they’re guaranteed to break out in a grin. The guy’s incredibly entertaining! Not only does he act and sing, but he’s also quick with a quip. Beginning on Monday, June 3, fans can enjoy Martsolf’s gift for gab…

THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL Liam and Hope decided to end their marriage, prompting Brooke and Ridge to argue about whether or not this was for the best. While Liam and Thomas had heated words about Hope, the blonde shared a sweet moment with Douglas. Hope later reiterated to Thomas that he shouldn’t have any expectations of her, romantically speaking. After making love, Wyatt questioned Flo about Phoebe’s birth father, putting her in an awkward position. Increasingly frustrated by Zoe’s distant demeanor, Xander was shocked when he overheard her and Flo discussing Beth. He insisted that they come clean. Liam and Hope shared one last night together before calling it quits. Having recently returned to L.A., Steffy called Thomas to account for interfering in Hope’s marriage. Sneak Preview Another person…