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Digest: You’re really making Rick and Caitlin into quite the couple.
Bell: It’s great to have Justin [Torkildsen, Rick] back and active. Rick is such a critical character and Kayla [Ewell, Caitlin] proved herself with the scenes where she found out that Samantha was her mother. I was really in awe how she was so into those scenes. She was so honest and it was the type of acting and none of it was put on. She put herself into Caitlin’s shoes and lifted her. It was brilliant. Those scenes gave me the confidence to run with her. I feel very comfortable writing a story for them.Digest: Why did you split up Rick and Amber?
Bell: I like to see that Rick is emerging and he’s no longer the kid who was taken advantage of by Amber and lied to. Even though they developed a beautiful relationship, Amber did things to Rick that were really unforgivable and I like to see that he’s not able to forgive her and that he’s now moved on to another chapter of his life. I think what’s happening — he’s falling for a younger girl because the years as a teenager were taken away from him when he became a husband and a father. He gave a lot up overnight and with Caitlin, he’s finding the youth he had lost.Digest: Is Ridge going to get along with any of his brothers?
Bell: Ridge doesn’t really like Nick, and he thinks Thorne is a big baby who married a dingbat. He’s not giving these people much credibility, so he calls it as it is. So, Ridge is returning to his roots as someone who’s not to be messed with. He’s a little bit headstrong and arrogant.Digest: With the focus on Forrester Creations and Sally having her company back, how do the business aspects of Marone Industries fit into this?
Bell: Marone won’t disappear, but we’re getting back to our fashion roots and I think our new opening reflects that, too.Digest: Are you still pleased with the simultaneous Spanish-language broadcast option?
Bell: Yes and it’s still going to continue. It’s something CBS is committed to. We’re working on tapping the Spanish-speaking audience, but it’s hard to do that.Digest: Are you going to bring back Linda Gray (ex-Priscilla)?
Bell: I would like to. She’s absolutely wonderful. Priscilla is a superficial, bitch-slapping mama. I love her.Digest: Are there any other big names that you would like to pursue?
Bell: Not really, no. What I love most about the show right now — the names that are getting air time are Schae Harrison [Darla] and Winsor Harmon [Thorne]. People who have been the bread-and-butter players. There’s so much talent here that is finally getting utilized.Digest: You were instrumental in getting some changes made in the Emmy nomination process. Is there anything else you would like to see done differently?
Bell: It will never be perfect and always in a state of flux. I think the nomination process with the actors isn’t quite right. To only nominate two actors [from a half-hour show] in each category really limits you. Someone who had a great year and not be nominated is really a rip-off. It’s just not fair. Katherine Kelly Lange [Brooke] is a brilliant actress and very important to the show. She has a sensitivity and understanding of this material. She is so natural that people don’t know the time and effort and the amount of study that goes into that natural feeling. She just becomes Brooke. She’s a stunning actress. It’s been a pleasure to work with her and all these people who have been here for so long. That’s what has been so important to our success, these people who give so much of their lives to these characters. It’s so demanding, but these people have the stamina to make it through all of this.Digest: Do you miss Jennifer Finnigan [Bridget]?
Bell: Yes. She was someone who definitely stood out when we were casting the role of Bridget, and personally and professionally, she’s a lovely person. She’s a very talented and gifted actress, someone that I’ll think of as a friend forever.Digest: Why haven’t we seen much of Bridget?
Bell:We’ve been changing our focus and finding our new direction and there are so many places to go now that we’re not calling on Bridget as much as we used to. Rick has stepped forward and is filling a lot of what Bridget might be doing.Digest: This summer’s remote in Venice, Italy was canceled. Any plans to still do it?
Bell: We may do a shoot in Venice or maybe somewhere else in Italy. It’s been delayed, but it certainly hasn’t been canceled.Digest: Didn’t you originally plan to have major secrets come out during that time?
Bell: Right, We were going to reveal the paternity of Brooke’s baby in Venice along with the celebration and honeymoon. All the good stuff happening with them now was slated for Venice.Digest: Do you ever write your show for a particular audience?
For instance, do you ever think, “Boy, the Italians are gonna love this!”
Bell (laughs): Not really What people seem to love are stories about families, so I feel if I stray too far from that, no one’s going to watch. I keep it honest and tap into the human emotion — that’s what’s going to sell worldwide.
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