EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:D

Thank GOD! I'm sooo incredibly happy for her!

Martha is an exceptionally talented actress. She grew up with Douglas Marland breathing down her back and has always been an actress totally devoted to her work. She's quite possibly the only actress that I've ever seen or heard in interviews talking about the depth, range, emotions, rationale, and overall believability when it comes to character. She knew when the idiots at ATWT were wringing Lily dry and subsequenly bowed out gracefully (amidst an onslaught of media attention). Never once did she strike down the show or the man. However, she has always been outspoken when it comes to characters and story material. That alone makes me think that she has the mindset and the talent to conquer this writing gig. Not to mention that THE Douglas Marland mentored her in her formative years as Lily on ATWT. What better proof do you need that she's going to be an exceptionally talented writer? She cares for character, she appreciates the magic and nostalgia of the daytime genre, and the ultimate daytime writer was a friend and mentor to her, always offering helpful insight. I, for one, am ecstatic about this.

Edited January 29, 200916 yr by Actor87

It's B&B we are talking about It's not like she could actually be any worse than the current batch

And let us all remember this cautionary tale about actor moonlighting. I've nothing on Byrne's writing ability yet, but I can only remember the scads of hacks that have worked their way from acting on the P&G shows...

McTavish

Weston

Lipton

WHEELER

::Shudder::

From your lips tlo Brad Bell's ears. So true.

Let's not forget about John Loprieno's writing stint on OLTL.

Don Hastings wrote for GL sometime in the 70s, or early 80s, I think.

Susan Seaforth Hayes's mother went from acting to writing, even headwriting DAYS in the late 70s.

Edited January 29, 200916 yr by CarlD2

Goutman was an actor prior to getting in production. He played Sharky, a slimy dayplayer on The Edge of Night. I also recall he was recast after a handful of episodes with a brawny, less creepy actor.

Don Hastings wrote for GL sometime in the 70s, or early 80s, I think.

Susan Seaforth Hayes's mother went from acting to writing, even headwriting DAYS in the late 70s.

Not to mention Michael Zaslow and his wife wrote for AW for a (very) short time.

Thank God that ended because in a few short months, he graced again our screens on GL.

Goutman was an actor prior to getting in production. He played Sharky, a slimy dayplayer on The Edge of Night. I also recall he was recast after a handful of episodes with a brawny, less creepy actor.

And he had a somewhat longer stint on SEARCH FOR TOMORROW as Marc D'antoni in some crazy voodoo story, and that was where he met his wife Marcia McCabe.

Meg Bennett and Jim Houghton both went from acting gigs on Y&R to writing gigs with Y&R and B&B, and Bennett went on to write for other shows, too.

And he had a somewhat longer stint on SEARCH FOR TOMORROW as Marc D'antoni in some crazy voodoo story, and that was where he met his wife Marcia McCabe.

Meg Bennett and Jim Houghton both went from acting gigs on Y&R to writing gigs with Y&R and B&B, and Bennett went on to write for other shows, too.

I didn't know Goutman was an actor before. I wish Martha Luck, I thought she coming on in a role or something but this should be good as well..........I Hope. Looking it the trend of P&G actors turned Big Shots (writers, prouducers, whatever) I just pray it turn out well.

Nelson's interview with MB from the new Suds Report

TVG: Welcome back! We’ve missed you. You’re an out-and-proud B&B fan, so this is a perfect marriage. Brad Bell is my new hero.

Martha Byrne: B&B sent me a whole [bible], but yes, I’ve watched forever, so I know the show and characters’ voices.

TVG: Are you script- or breakdown-writing, or both?

MB: I’m writing the dialogue! I’m so excited. I sent Brad Bell a spec script focusing on Stephanie and the Forresters, along with penning a poignant scene for Brooke and Ridge. He loved it. It’s extremely important to know the history of these characters because there is a legacy here between these people. Also, I’ve been watching B&B a lot, so I know the new characters. For example, regarding Heather Tom [Katie], I know she’s a great actress and realize her capabilities as an Emmy winner, so I will write for her strengths and talents. The same goes for my former World Turns co-star, my buddy Lesli Kay [Felicia], and Jack Wagner [Nick]. I feel like I have a really good handle on the show. The tone and style of my spec script spoke to Brad, so I’m grateful for that feedback. I think I’m on the right path. I can’t wait to see my breakdown from Brad. He’s one of those great head writers who generously gives his writers a lot of information and feedback to work with.

TVG: I can’t wait to see your writing credit on B&B. In fact, thanks to Brad Bell’s brilliant decision to hire you on, I’m not talking trash about this show ever again! To Brad’s credit, B&B has improved leaps and bounds these past few weeks.

MB: I just hope Brad and the fans love what I do. You know how much I love this genre.

TVG: Oh, I do! I wish P&G did. You’ve written three pilots, so you know what you’re doing.

MB: Yeah. However, this is a different animal, especially since this is a well-oiled machine. Also, I’ve worked in daytime with the best writers, and I’ve always considered myself a student of the genre. I know what works — and what audiences want to see. Because I am a fan, too. That’s important. Like Brad, I love soaps.

TVG: Speaking of the best, you were Douglas Marland’s muse. What do you think the late, great ATWT head writer would say regarding your new writing status?

MB: [emotionally] I feel like he worked really hard to get me here to this place. Doug was a guide in my life. And, not only professionally. Doug invited me back to World Turns in 1993 just before he died; and that’s how I met my husband. I have a New York Times article, featuring Doug and all of us actors, about how much he loved daytime TV and how much he respects his audience, on my desk, at all times, for inspiration. I think of him every day. This is kismet: after Brad hired me on, my mother found the last ATWT script I acted when I left in 1989, which was signed by Doug. I felt him in that moment, in a way I haven’t in a long time. Doug wanted everyone he worked with and loved to be happy. So, I think he’s smiling from the heavens.

TVG: Did you hear from your former World Turns co-stars?

MB: Oh, yeah! Everyone from Elizabeth Hubbard [Lucinda], Colleen Zenk Pinter [barbara], to Paolo Seganti [Damian] have called to wish me well and congratulate me. Everyone has been so supportive, as well as you guys at TVGuide.ca. The incredible outpouring of love has left me speechless.

TVG: While all your fans are happy you’re back on soaps, we all want to know if you’re open to acting ever again?

MB:Yes! I’ll accept a great role any day. This beautiful writing gig doesn’t spell the end of my acting career. Not at all! I’m an actor, and a writer. They’re one in the same... most of the time. In the beginning, Doug was an actor, too, yet he traversed into writing. By doing so, in the process, Douglas became a star, a legend, and an icon. Maybe, perhaps, I am his legacy in every sense of the word, no pun intended. However, I would kill to give birth to another great part like Doug created for me in Lily, but I also know that’s a rare gift, which comes around once in a lifetime. But, it’s possible... and I’m up for the challenge!

TVG: We have good taste. Talk about timing: the Bells wisely hired Casiello and you almost in the same week with the same trial deal [which is a standard offer in the biz]. Y&R and B&B know what they’re doing, huh?

MB: I’m so happy for Tom. He gets it, and when someone who loves this genre understands it, and displays a passion for it, well, it’s a good day, you know? It’s ironic that we have the same deal. I wish him well. I know he’s going to do extremely well. Fact: the Bells are the future of the genre. They are dedicated to the genre. They love it. Pure and simple.

TVG: Amen!

Byrne is gearing up for two big charity events. Click here and here for more information on her altruistic projects.

If you’re a Byrne fan, start watching B&B now, soap bitches, especially if you don’t already watch. Let’s support the Bell-Byrne team!

Wow, after reading that interview, I am really excited about Martha joining B&B's writing team. It's great to know that she's a B&B fan from way back. And that she's psyched to write for Lesli Kay. AND that her spec script focused on Stephanie and the Forresters!

I'm excited as well. It's great that she knows what's going on. And hopefully we can get some good material from HT and LK since she knows their strengths.

I agree with your assessment, Actor87. Unfortunately, MB is moving to a show that has a lot of the same writer problems (wringing characters dry). I'm not looking for her to save the BnB - it's beyond that, now. I'm hoping she can help make some sense of the dialogue, even though the current crew will keep mucking up the plots. I'm THRILLED to see her onbard with the show.

Edited January 31, 200916 yr by NorrthCafe

I agree with your assessment, Actor87. Unfortunately, MB is moving to a show that has a lot of the same writer problems (wringing characters dry). I'm not looking for her to save the BnB - it's beyond that, now. I'm hoping she can help make some sense of the dialogue, even though the current crew will keep mucking up the plots. I'm THRILLED to see her onbard with the show.

I agree.

They already HAVE good writers...Mulcahey, Jack Smith... Despite this, story beats, scene structure, and dialogue are all universally pretty awful. Friday was a perfect demo. I wanted to RETCH at the Steffy/Rick scenes...and then I got excited because Stephanie found out and was on the warpath!!

When the success of the whole show hinges on a SINGLE character, you know you're f*cked. She's not gonna live forever! Or work with this dreck forever.

This is such a wounded, damaged show. The beautiful thing is...as the quick "Jackie M" turnaround BRIEFLY showed...they can fix this on a dime. But they KEEP making awful choices.

Martha Byrne can't fix that. All she can do is make individual scripts SOUND good. We have to keep focusing on the top, and hoping hoping hoping that there is some kind of change there. For me, my much-hoped-for change (Kay Alden!) has achieved exactly nothing to fix this ailing program.

DaytimeFan has me hoping that the creative team UNDERSTANDS the problems, and that more improvement is in sight.

I agree.

They already HAVE good writers...Mulcahey, Jack Smith... Despite this, story beats, scene structure, and dialogue are all universally pretty awful.

I think Jack Smith's talents maybe better utilized in places other than scriptwriting. Aside from Shannon Bradley, Jack Smith writes some of the most uninspired dialogue B&B has to offer.