Scene And Heard

HAPPY GAZE: B&B’s Courtney Hope (Sally) was thrilled when she found out she’d be sharing scenes with Don Most (Pete, the Spectra handyman), who she grew up watching in his iconic role of Ralph Malph on the classic sitcom HAPPY DAYS. “He is awesome,” Hope gushes. “I first saw him walking down the hallway [at CBS] and I didn’t realize who he was at first because I wasn’t expecting to see him here. I was like, ‘I know that guy...’ and then I found out he was doing our show. I was like, ‘Wow, that’s really cool!’ It was the same when Richard Karn was on the show playing Sally’s judge, because I grew up watching [him as Al on] HOME IMPROVEMENT, as well. It was the same scenario. I didn’t get starstruck but I definitely got awestruck thinking, ‘I can’t believe I’m here doing this.’ It’s funny because Don was nervous coming on a new set, and I was nervous because I’m like, ‘Do you know who you are [laughs]?’ He was so sweet. I hope he gets to come back. I’m sure something will need fixing.”

NEW DAY: After three years away from DAYS, Chandler Massey (Will) immediately noticed changes upon his return. “The lot has really changed,” he notes. “It’s gorgeous now. Before, it looked like some sort of military bunker in preparation for an apocalypse or something.” Another difference? Close pals Casey Jon Deidrick and Kate Mansi are no longer playing Chad and Abigail. “That’s just the nature of soaps,” he offers. “I could relate to Billy Flynn [Chad] and Marci Miller [Abigail] as replacements because I was one when I started on the show, and now I suppose I’m a replacement in reverse. I think Billy and Marci are phenomenal.” At this point, Massey hasn’t had many scenes with Flynn, but when he does, he can’t resist giving him a hard time. “Casey is 6-feet-6,” Massey points out. “So when I have a rehearsal with Billy, I usually look about a foot and a half above his head.”

LET’S GET IT ON: GH’s Matt Cohen (Griffin) lost his soap love scene virginity to Maura West (Ava) and says he couldn’t have asked for a better partner. “Maura and I have sprung up a connection and a friendship and she’s a fantastic person,” he praises. “I feel so lucky to be working with an actress of her caliber, and as far as the hot scenes go, it’s choreographed like a dance, but with kissing, so there’s no reason to get nervous. It’s more about, ‘How can we make this look as good as we can in the short time we have to film it?’ I didn’t have any nerves but I wanted Maura to feel respected, I didn’t want anything to happen that she felt uncomfortable with, and that’s how it went down. I told her, ‘I’m game for anything, any ideas that you want to pitch or that the director wants to pitch,’ but that the final decision was Maura’s decision. We’re both married with children and it never feels good or normal to do those kinds of scenes with someone not your wife or husband but with her, we made it easy and as simple as possible, and laughed about it both during and after.”

GIVE AND TAKE: Now that her character has gone off in another storyline direction, Laur Allen (Juliet, Y&R) laments not getting to work as much with co-stars Amelia Heinle (Victoria) and Jason Thompson (Billy) anymore. “They are so much fun,” sighs the actress. “Amelia is one of the nicest people I have ever met, and I love watching her work. Oftentimes, I would just be listening to her because I forgot that we were acting. I feel Jason was like a mentor to me. He’s so generous with advice and acting tips. We’d pass each other in the hall and end up in a 30-minute conversation where I’m asking how he does his work. He’s taught me how to adapt in such a fast-paced environment and helped me understand what being on a soap really means.” On the flip side, Allen is grateful for more scenes with Mishael Morgan (Hilary). “Mishael and I have become good friends,” Allen smiles. “She’s a smart, funny and compassionate person, and we get along really well. We’ve even hung out along with some of the crew members, going out for beers. What a great gang.”