Diary of a Fan: My Magical Fan Club Weekend
The blonde bombshell with a slight swiping problem. The redheaded home-wrecker, turned fiercely loyal wife and mom. The royal family of fashion. Dollar Bill. They were all there…and so was I!
My two-years-in-the-making dream came true, as I packed up and headed out from San Antonio to Los Angeles for YOUNG AND RESTLESS and BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL’s Fan Club Weekend. I’m a stay-at-home-mom and Army wife, and this was my first time attending this action-packed weekend. And what a weekend it was: a delicious smorgasbord of priceless moments, laughter and excitement.
The fun started with the Y&R Fan Club Dinner, set in the elegant ballroom at the Sheraton Universal Hotel. I was lucky to be seated close to the front. The stars entered to roaring applause and a standing ovation. Pure adrenaline washed over me as each of my favorites strode in with confidence and ease. I was thrilled to find that so many of the actors had shown up. Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki) looked radiant in a yellow striped dress/sweater ensemble. Joshua Morrow (Nick) and Daniel Goodard (Cane) were suitably yummy. Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) was impossibly skinny and tall; Elizabeth Hendrickson, a petite fashion plate; and Billy Miller made this Texas girl’s heart skip a beat in his tight jeans and cowboy boots.
The actors were funny, too! Adrienne Frantz (Amber) exclaimed, “I’m iTuneable,” when an audience member asked where her songs were available. At a fan’s request, Michael Graziadei (Daniel) demonstrated his gorilla impression, which was greeted with hoots and cheers. (He explained that he had perfected it in college.) One fan asked Doug Davidson (Paul) how he liked working with Scott. His response? “It’s like an old shoe.” This was followed by silence…no explanation…and laughter. He finally elaborated, noting it was a very comfortable working relationship.
The most exciting portion of the Q&A session was hearing two of my own questions asked; we had all submitted questions beforehand, so I was giddy hearing Christian LeBlanc (Michael) read mine! I got to hear how John Driscoll (Chance) found his new Y&R character different from Coop, the character he had played on GUIDING LIGHT. (Chance is analytical, he said; Coop was impulsive.) And we discovered that Eileen Davidson (Ashley) thought that playing the dead baby/hysterical pregnancy storyline was “complicated.”
Jeanne Cooper (Katherine) really injected some humor — after Kate Linder (Esther) explained that her newly anointed star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was located between Erik Estrada and Eric Braeden (Victor), Cooper hollered, “That’s quite a good sandwich!” She was on a comedic roll, when LeBlanc attempted to read her a question from a fan. “I can’t hear a damn word you’re saying, dear!” she shouted at him. Then she turned to us, and demanded that we put our forks down. “Just quit pigging out for one minute!” We all laughed…and obeyed.
Another hilarious moment: Moments after Doug Davidson (Hello, Sexy Spectacles!) and Sharon Case (Sharon) had introduced a clip reel and were beginning to walk off the stage, Davidson turned around and grabbed his rear. “Hey!” he shouted. “My wallet is missing!” The blonde pickpocket had struck again.
Watching the clip reels and montages was such a delight. We were treated to classic scenes, such as Nikki stripping, Katherine driving Phillip off the cliff, Ashley going insane (the first time!) and more. There were peals of laughter at certain times, and free-flowing tears at others (Cassie’s death). The reels were flawlessly produced. Eileen Davidson was quick to point out that she plucks her eyebrows now, adding, “Wow! I had some big eyebrows then.”
I looked over at the actors’ tables and observed a few dewy eyes during the montage. It was great to see them as “real” people, not in character! One actor who did not stay at his table, however, was Michael Muhney (Adam). While the other actors ate, he went table-to-table. He spoke to all of us, asked us how we were enjoying his portrayal of Adam, and who our other favorites are.
As exciting as the stage show was, everyone had autographs on their minds. After giving the actors some time to get set up at their tables, we formed lines in front of our faves. A highlight for me was hearing Clementine Ford (Mac) proclaim that she couldn’t eat Pinkberry, for fear of being murdered by producer Paul Rauch. Another memorable autograph moment came during my discussion with Case, in which she admitted feeling as though the “Phick” fans were beginning to take over the world. Emily O’Brien (Jana) recognized my perfume, Eileen Davidson signed her newest novel for me, and Peter Bergman (Jack) flashed his pearly whites at me.
My memories of that special night will last forever. But my weekend was far from over.
The next day, I prepared to meet more of my favorites at the B&B Fan Luncheon. We had awesome seats again, which were perfect for hearing John McCook (Eric) as he enthusiastically read the actor introductions. Again, each actor bounded to the stage amid thunderous applause and wild screams. Jack Wagner (Nick) proclaimed that it was “the longest walk in history!” as he made his way up the aisle. Drew Tyler Bell (Thomas) raced up to the stage, running with the energy of a newlywed — which he is, of course.
Perhaps the best introduction was Katherine Kelly Lang‘s. McCook moved aside at the podium so a minister could announce her arrival. Know where I’m going with this? Yep! “I now pronounce you man and…horse?!” he boomed over a soundtrack of a horse galloping. Brooke’s portrayer appeared at the door shouting, “Hold it right there, Padre!” The audience was thrilled as a sleek and stunning Lang made her way to the stage in showstopping style.
For the second time in two days, I watched a dazzling daytime cast assembled onstage. My eyes paused, though, on the Forrester son with a “body that could stop traffic,” as he was introduced. The sight of Kyle Lowder (Rick) clad in a tight white T-shirt is definitely ingrained in my memory.
The program began with Alley Mills (Pam) and Jennifer Gareis (Donna) introducing clip reels. “Lucky for you — and her (pointing at Gareis) — I am on my medication today!” Mills joked. We were treated to several montages, one of which was a hilarious blooper reel. We were also privy to the Emmy reel that the show had submitted…which garnered B&B its “Best Show” Emmy nomination (and win). We relived the anguish of the Logans during the Katie shooting/Storm suicide. That episode was incredible. The reel concluded with a sneak preview of what is to come. I can’t disclose anything here, though…we were sworn to secrecy. The final reel was a slapstick comedy montage of Pam and her lemon bars. When it concluded, the servers came out with dessert for us: lemon bars. naturally, complete with little Pammy toothpick flags on top.
After the meal, there was a mad rush to the autograph tables. Hunter Tylo (Taylor) looked exotic in her metallic minidress and dark shades. McCook gave me the biggest bear hug of my life! Lesley-Anne Down (Jackie) looked amazing in a pink cowgirl hat and matching heels, and was particularly gracious. I even observed her hanging around in the hotel lobby, mingling with fans, long after the event had ended. Lesli Kay (Felicia) was dazzling in a metallic half-top and long black skirt, and Ashley Jones (Bridget) was slender and girlish in a tank top and jeans. The Logan sisters were more beautiful in person than onscreen.
I was a kid in a candy store the entire weekend. I got to meet hunks (hello, hottie Don Diamont, a.k.a. Dollar Bill), take in behind-the-scenes tidbits, and was photographed with the bertalented and incredibly special actors I watch every day. I’ll go home and watch my shows with a renewed vigor. Now back to Texas, y’all…where I can dream that every cowboy looks like Billy Miller….
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