Reporter’s Notebook
Miscellaneous Notes:
- The Arboretum of Los Angeles subbed for Lila’s rose garden. Many films and TV shows have been shot on these beautiful grounds. It won’t be seen in any shots, but just out of the camera’s view is the bell tower, a.k.a. Queen Anne’s cottage, from FANTASY ISLAND. (No Tattoo jokes, please.) For more info, check out: www.arboretum.org.
- The Arboretum is located in Arcadia, CA, at 301 N. Baldwin Ave. And according to the Web site, the guy who introduced the peacocks and peahens into the area was named Lucky Baldwin. Has Lucky ever had a paternity test done? Hmmm.
- There were a number of repeat attendees. Seven actors from the 1981 nups were on hand: Anthony Geary (Luke), Genie Francis (Laura), Tristan Rogers (Robert), Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie), Stuart Damon (Alan), Leslie Charleson (Monica) and Denise Alexander (Lesley). There were also seven original crew members in attendance. ABC photographer Bob D’Amico took both sets of wedding portraits. The florist, Tom Uyeno, of Toyo Griffith Park Florists in Hollywood, CA, provided the beautiful flowers for both events, too.
Cast Notes:
Denise Alexander (Lesley) was ecstatic that she was reliving the past. “It’s very surreal in the nicest, coziest and warmest possible way,” she shared. “I’m sailing on that feeling today. We seven, and the seven crew guys and gals, must have such a different perspective on this than what everyone else has. It’s astonishing to think you’ve been a part of something that long. I’m so grateful. I think this is a fitting tribute and it’s as rich and loving as one would hope it could be.”
Maurice Benard (Sonny) was thrilled to be at a GH wedding as the guest and not the groom: “Yeah, I’ve been married 85 times on this show, so it’s nice not to be the one standing up there.”
Leslie Charleson (Monica) and Stuart Damon (Alan), who have their own anniversary coming up next year, had a grand time reminiscing about the first Spencer wedding, proving they’re just as entertaining a couple off-screen, as well:
Soap Opera Digest: Did you ever think you’d be here to witness this?
Damon: Leslie, speak up. Stop with the mute act.
Charleson: Usually, you do it first! No, I never anticipated the run that we’ve had with the show. What actor thinks they’ll be doing one thing for 30 years?
Damon: It’s amazing. Leslie said the other day how lucky the two of us are that we’ve never stopped laughing together for 30 years. It’s a miracle that we can still walk in and be civil and have fun together.
Digest: What were your characters doing in 1981?
Damon: At the time Luke and Laura’s wedding was going on, Alan was very busy trying to kill Monica.
Charleson: Yes, he was trying to kill [her] and [she] was very busy trying not to be killed.
Damon: Alan was devising all these various projects that I thought were pretty good. Unfortunately, they never quite worked out. Charleson: He was the best stalker.
Damon: Yes, a very good stalker.
Charleson: Very threatening. He scared the living daylights out of me. And still does.
Damon: You say the sweetest things.
Robin Christopher (Skye) and her husband, Matt Crane (ex-Ross, GH; ex-Matt, ANOTHER WORLD) brought their son, August, and baby girl Gianna to the set. “Did you know my baby is playing my baby?” she asked. We did, actually. “She’s done six or seven shows already and she’s been very good.”
Conversation
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