This week's guest is an especially juicy one, GH casting director Mark Teschner. I didn't realize he'd been the show's casting director since 1989 (or that he was brought over to LA from Loving after that show's EP, Joe Hardy, got the EP position at GH).
Over the course of the episode, they share a lot of interesting behind-the-scenes info. Apparently Jacinda the escort was only meant to be a three-episode role, but apparently TPTB thought that she had amazing chemistry with Rory Gibson, so they brought her back. And then Rebecca Budig mentioned that her stint as Greenlee was only meant to be short-term, for about two months, but then she clicked with Josh Duhamel so much it became a long-term role. Mark also tells a story of when he was working with Gloria Monty--who he doesn't name, but only refers to as "a producer who was only there for a year"--and casting for a new Jason Quartermaine. He was wowed by Steve Burton's audition, but Gloria only wanted actors who were at least 6 feet tall. Steve was only 5'10", so Mark took him to the bathroom and stuffed newspaper into Steve's boots until he appeared to be 6 feet tall.
I will say, though, some of his casting stories reminded me that he doesn't always have the golden touch. He discusses casting Alicia Leigh Willis as Courtney, where Jill Farren Phelps thought she wasn't right for the role, but he fought for her. And Jill maybe should have trusted her gut on that one!
By
prefab1 ·
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.