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Martha Byrne/Scott Holroyd Scott Holroyd (Paul): I would like to thank you for your support, because I’ve had some killer fans for the two years I’ve been on the show. I have a core group of fans who’ve been amazing the whole time. This is my first job and having the fan reactions that I’ve had has been amazing. It’s nice to have these kinds of fan things to be able to give back. Martha Byrne (Lily/Rose): You know, I have to say that after being on the show for so long, I think I’ve answered every question. It was nice to start a new character and have something new to talk about. I’m an open book. Whatever they want to know, I tell them. And, of course, I always want to say thank you as much as I can. Y On May 6, 2003, As the World Turns proudly aired their 12,000th episode! In honor of this historic occasion, SoapCity asked your favorite ATWT stars, "Since you've been on the show, what line does it feel like you've said 12,000 times? Scott Holroyd (Paul): "Leave me alone, Mom!" I think I've said that at least 11,000 times. Martha Byrne (Lily/Rose): "We're a part of each other." I've said that to Holden probably 12,000 times over the years. Y Just what do you give a show on its 46th birthday? Martha Byrne (Lily/Rose): Nudity. I think it's time. After 46 years on the air, I think you deserve a little nudity. I might show a cheek or two. For this show, I think I've done just about everything, except that. So, one cheek. If it would guarantee ratings, I would maybe show two. Michael Park (Jack): A prostate exam. When you turn a certain age, you got to make sure that everything is in line. That is, if ATWT is a man. Scott Holroyd (Paul): I can't top that. Y Blondies On Feb. 28, 2002, the daytime community came out in full-force to raise money for the NYPD via a celebrity bartending and fan-mingling event at New York City's Blondies. "I was here before for a firefighters' fundraiser," revealed the evening's co-organizer, Martha Byrne (Lily/Rose), "It was packed; it was very successful. So I said -- 'Let's do something for the police, because they lost a lot of guys on 9/11, too.' I think these fundraisers are something we should do a lot to keep their memories alive. It's an easy thing to do, and it's also fun. It's casual, and it's not a huge commitment for the actors. Of course, for something like this, I stick with the younger people because they love to do this stuff; they love to go bartend. I would never ask Elizabeth Hubbard (Lucinda) to come here and bartend. You know what, though? She probably would do it. But I save that begging session for my other charity event, St. Jude's." As she played hostess amidst the fans, a newly pregnant Martha admitted to feeling a bit tired, but nevertheless cheerfully explained why, for her, showing up was so important. "My husband (NYPD Sergeant Michael McMahon) lost four people from his precinct. Last year, he was in a police chase, and he crashed. The one guy who pulled him out of the wreck, died on 9/11, and the one who apprehended the suspect who they were chasing, also died that day. So, it's very close to home. I've had too many close calls with my husband, and that was one that God let me get by. I was on the phone with him when it happened, so I knew where he was. I was blessed for that reason, and we're here for a reason. It's so that a lot of the policemen's families can come, have a few drinks, meet some people. The last event, we raised $15,000 dollars. Last time, it was for a specific ladder company. It went to that house for whatever they wanted to use it for. Money from this event will go to the families. Now, we're not talking a lot of money -- they're going to get more money from the (government) funds. This is more about awareness than it is about the money. Next time, I would like to change the venue, get bigger as we go along. My husband said if I told the police department I was doing this, 5000 people would have shown up. And I said -- 'Well, let's do something where 5000 people could show up.' So we're looking at finding a place where 5000 people could come. Maybe this summer." Scott Holroyd: Martha told me to come, so I'm here. When Martha says be here, I'm here. In college, I always wanted to bartend, but I never did, so it's kind of fun for me to get back there and do what I always wanted to do. I can make a Budweiser. Otherwise, someone asks for a "Jack Daniels and coke," and I'm like, "What's in that?" Soap City: And what would your characters drink? SH: Paul drinks Scotch on the rocks. I hate Scotch; I cannot stand Scotch. On the show, when Paul is drinking scotch, I think I'm drinking tea. Cold tea. Scott Holroyd Y Justin Guarini on Scott Fans were horrified when Paul was presumed dead, but few had as strong a reaction to the news as AMERICAN IDOL runner-up Justin Guarini and he doesn't even watch the soap! Guarini, who attended Manhattan's School For Film and Television with Paul's former portrayer, Scott Holroyd, tells SID, "I'm sorry to hear that Scott got killed off. He's a great guy... the best." On further reflection, the R&B crooner, who debut album, Justin Guarini, recently hit stores, decided he wasn't going to take his old pal's dismissal lying down. "I'm fuming mad," he says, tongue in cheek. "I'm going to write letters of complaint!" In the meantime, the rising star has this advice for his former school chum, as he seeks his next big gig, "Just have fun, man." Y Independence Day is upon us! SoapCity quizzed your daytime favorites to find out how they would be spending the 4th of July and upcoming summer breaks. Well, now that I'm off the show, I plan on taking a couple of weeks to relax and chill out before I start seeing what's next. Like I said I have some things in the works and windows things to see if those things are confirmed. I'll let everybody know when they are confirmed. So my last week on the show was really, really, really draining and it was just great the emotional stuff and the storyline has been awesome. So the show is in a great place. So it's been great. Y Scott Holroyd Let Go In a storyline-dictated decision, ATWT fan favorite and Soap Opera Digest Award nominee, Scott Holroyd (Paul) has been let go. "I agree with the decision, but I'm going to miss everybody at the show," he says. "I had a fantastic experience with the ATWT 's family, and I'm excited to see what's in store in the future for me." The actor took over the historic role of the conflicted Stenbeck/Ryan spawn in July, 2001. After a few scuffles with his notorious father and a quick pairing with quirky Rose (Martha Byrne, who was on maternity leave for several months in late 2002), Paul spent a lot of time on the backburner -- at least until the recent arrival of old pal Dusty. While there was some speculation that a breakup with Rose might propel Paul into the arms of either Bonnie or Katie, the show seems to be moving in a different possibly darker direction, and may eventually recast, according to inside sources. Holroyd will finish taping this month. His last airdate will likely be in May, which, perhaps not coincidentally, is when Paul is planning to marry Rose. Y You're here raising money for St. Jude's. But what charity do you think your character would support? What would Paul support? Whatever the organization that helped Gary Coleman divorce his parents, that's what Paul Ryan wants to do. Y What Did You Get Jack & Carly as a Wedding Gift? Nothing. He didn't go to the wedding. No wedding, no gift. Y "How do YOU think Barbara should be punished for her crimes?" Scott Holroyd (Paul): Burned at the stake. Lamman Rucker (Marshall): I definitely wouldn't burn her at the stake. I might fry her with steak. She's a delicious lady. Michael Park (Jack): Don't burn her; stone her, that's a worse way to go. Y What's your character's biggest regret in life? Being born into such a family. Y Leisure Time Bowling Lanes On Saturday, Oct. 20, thirty stars from Guiding Light and As the World Turns put their best foot forward for a great cause -- World Trade Center relief. At the Leisure Time Bowling Lanes (deep in the heart of Manhattan's cavernous Port Authority Bus Terminal), fans lined up… stars laced up… and every pin that came crashing down the alleys helped raise money for the Twin Towers Fund, a massive relief effort established by Mayor Rudy Giuliani to assist families of NYC firefighters, police and EMS workers lost or injured on September 11. "It's a lot of fun, and everyone is very enthusiastic," confided Thom Christopher (Dax, GL). "What makes this event so wonderful is that we all know where the money is going -- to the Twin Towers Fund -- so that adds to the surge of energy we all feel." Two of ATWT's young hotshots -- Scott Holroyd (Paul) and Hunter Garner (Billy) -- actually had a private bet going: whoever got the higher bowling score had to pay for both their tickets to the next day's crucial Yankees/Mariners pennant game. Craig Lawlor (Adam, ATWT) revealed that, even though he didn't outscore castmate Carl T. Evans (Nick), he did bowl a very respectable 140. "I kicked butt, dude!" he crowed. "I was holding it down for my team!" Thom Christopher, on the other hand, achieved a different kind of personal best. "I only fell once!" he roared. This bowling event -- which included a post-game auction of GL memorabilia, emceed by Michael O'Leary (Rick) -- was organized by GL Fan Club president Tim Frendak and raised $18,000 for the Twin Towers Fund. At the GL Fan Club luncheon, held on Sunday, October 21, Frendak announced that $1,000 of the proceeds was being put aside for the family of T.J. Hargrave, the former GL actor who played a pre-teen T.J. Werner back in the mid-1970s. Hargrave, who worked for the eSpeed division of Cantor Fitzgerald, was among those lost at the World Trade Center on September 11. A donation benefiting ALS research was also made to ZazAngels in memory of Michael Zaslow (ex-Roger Thorpe), who succumbed to the disease in December 1998. Lesli Kay (Molly, ATWT) and Keith Coulouris (Keith, OLTL) brought their 20-month-old son Jackson to the event -- and the tot proved to be a real trouper, barely fussing at all. It was hard to tell, though, whether Jackson was more entranced by the sight of all those crashing pins or the colorful bunch of balloons that Mom and Dad had tied to his stroller. "He's having a great time," Dad told SC. "He always enjoys experiencing something new, and he's never been bowling before." As for Keith, well… "I've got to be honest with you," the actor smiled. "My score today is not pretty." Jordi Vilasuso (Tony, GL) admitted that bowling isn't exactly his forte. "Look at my score," he groaned with mock chagrin. "I'm like last on my team… that's me, 45… I don't remember the last time I bowled." On a more serious note, he lamented the departure of co-star Laura Bell Bundy as Marah. "It's really sad because we developed a tight bond," he confided. "But she's got a special place in my heart, and I know she'll do phenomenally wherever she goes." ATWT hotshots Craig Lawlor (Adam), Hunter Garner (Billy) and Scott Holroyd (Paul) entertained the fans by clowning around between frames. Scott was particularly pleased by the final outcome, because he wound up winning his private wager with pal Hunter. "I beat him by two pins," Scott crowed. "That means he's gonna have to pay for my ticket to the Yankees game tomorrow night!" At the post-game auction, emcee Michael O'Leary (Rick) auctioned off an historic edition of the Springfield Journal, trumpeting Fletcher Reade's marriage to Holly Lindsey. O'Leary kept the crowd in stitches all afternoon and spent more time schmoozing with the fans than concentrating on his game. "We're all here today just trying to bring some entertainment to people, which is really important right now," he explained. ATWT's Hunter Garner (Billy) and Kristina Sisco (Abigail) delighted the fans with their daredevil antics. These two "non-automatic pin-spotters" have actually become fast friends since Hunter joined World Turns, because they not only work on the same soap, they coincidentally happen to live in the same New York apartment building. All-around athlete Hunter Garner took his game very seriously (after all, the fate of those Yankee tickets was at stake!), but ATWT co-star Kim Onasch (Jennifer) opted for a more laid-back approach. "I was only hoping for a 75, but guess what?" she beamed. "I actually bowled a 95 in my last game -- and I got a strike in my very last frame! A strike!" Who needs a limo with a personal transportation system like this on call? Craig Lawlor, Hunter Garner and Scott Holroyd gallantly provided ATWT castmate Terri Conn (Katie) with a bouncy sendoff when the event was over. The bowlathon gave everyone a real lift and raised $18,000 to help the New York recovery effort. Grant Aleksander (Phillip, GL) conceded that he only bowls "once or twice a year." But like all the stars who stepped up to the line, he was more that willing to give it his best shot. During breaks, the amiable actor chatted with fans, signed autographs and patiently posed for pictures. GL newcomer Corey Parker Robinson (Remy) had a great time mixing and mingling at his first soap event, even though -- after three years of not bowling -- his score wasn't exactly sensational. With the holiday season not far off, Corey reiterated a wish that seemed to be on everyone's lips at the event: "I just hope we get through all this madness that's going on in the world," he said quietly, "and that it all gets resolved soon." Peter Parros (Ben, ATWT) was engaged in serious combat with TV brother Paul Taylor (Isaac) to see who could get more strikes. (When SC caught up with them, Paul was ahead.) We couldn't help joking with Peter about the fact his good-guy character, Ben, always strikes out romantically. "I know. Once again, I'm between women," Peter laughed. "I think I'm going for the record." Billy Kay (Shayne, GL) and Chad Tucker (Curtis, ATWT) practiced some cool moves for the camera. Billy currently has two movies on the boards: L.I.E. (which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year) and Halloween 8: The Homecoming, which is slated for a spring 2002 release. GL co-stars Robert Newman (Josh) and Crystal Chappell (Olivia) were both happy to lend their support to this weekend fundraiser, even though it meant precious time away from their families. Crystal told SC that her 17-month-old son Jacob is totally devoted to Elmo and Sesame Street now. In fact, she and hubby Michael Sabatino (ex-Jonathan, AMC) even have their own favorite Muppet: it's Grover! Thom Christopher (Dax, GL) was delighted with his performance. "I got three strikes today," he said, "and that's pretty good for me, being as unathletic as I am!" Co-star Jim Davidson (Alonzo) -- who once maintained a 211 average during his league days -- racked up one of the day's high scores. Like all the stars who participated in this fundraiser, both actors said their thoughts and prayers were focused on the families affected by the Sept.11 attack. "I just hope we find some peace in the world," declared Davidson. "There are hundreds of kids who are orphans now because of this tragedy. Christmas is going to be very difficult for those families. I just wish them peace and comfort." Amen. Y TV Guide's Q&A For anyone who argues that fairytales don't come true, just listen to Scott Holroyd's story. Holroyd was days away from graduation from The School for Film and Television in Manhattan and days away from unemployment when he got the call that he had landed the pivotal recast of Paul Ryan (Stenbeck) on As the World Turns. Within a month, the young actor was knee deep in a front-burner storyline working with ATWT's crème de la crème, including this year's outstanding lead actress Emmy winner, Martha Byrne (Lily/Rose). Holroyd is deeply appreciative of his blessings. A South Carolina native, he left the security of home and hearth to make his way to the Big Apple, where the daytime newcomer has repeatedly witnessed New York City's strength, resilience and kindness. Read on to learn what it's like to revive the Stenbeck heir and which soap has been Grandma Holroyd's favorite for years. - Delaina Dixon You came on ATWT right in the heyday of its eight Emmy wins. What was the atmosphere like on the set? It was amazing. I didn't go to the Emmys with them. I was invited, and I had to turn it down because I had a celebration party back home in South Carolina. My family, friends and I watched it at home as [ATWT] won everything. The show's energy was just amazing after that. Had you started taping yet? No. I found out I got the job on May 8 at 2:36 pm, and May 18th was the Emmys. I started taping on June 12. I was coming into this great character - this anticipated character's return - and I'm paired up with heavy Emmy nominees: Colleen Zenk Pinter (Barbara), Hunt Block (Craig), Maura West (Carly) and Martha Bryne. All my scenes were with them every day, and I'm thinking, "Wow, can it get any better for me?" What were you doing before you landed the role? I was working for Miramax as a temp. My last day there was going to be on a Friday. On Monday night I got the call from Jimmy Bohr (ATWT's casting director) that Chris Goutman (ATWT's executive producer) wanted to see me. I met with him that Tuesday, May 8. I was stressed, thinking, "School's done. Do I start waiting tables?" And then my life changed overnight. I didn't even have an agent yet. It was in a matter of moments; all of sudden I was full speed ahead. The opportunity was there. I had to gear up for it and take it. It's been a great ride so far. Your character, Paul, has an extensive history. How did you learn about your character's past? Chris Goutman gave me the history of the show, and it had some history of Paul in there. I also got a typed page on Paul, just Paul's history. Before I got the job, I knew nothing about the show. But I started doing a lot of research, and I told my immediate family about what was going on. I called my grandmother, and she went crazy. She said, "As the World Turns, that is my favorite show!" She's watched the show for years. So she gave me background on the show and the characters and who she likes and who she hates. She told me that I, Paul, tried to kill my father. I didn't tell her who I was auditioning for at first. She was barking off all kind of names and she said, "You know something, they're thinking of bringing back Paul Stenbeck." And I said, "Well, Nana, it might be me." She hit the roof. Now that she's seen you on the show, does she give you advice? She calls everybody by their characters' names. And if I want to give her a spoiler, she doesn't want to know. You can only learn so much in the classroom. What was the biggest adjustment for you once you got out into the "real world" of daytime? The schedule. ATWT threw me the deep end of the storyline, which is awesome. I've been working on average three or four days a week. When you work the am and pm shift, it can be pretty tough. You get up at 5:30 am and don't get home until 7 pm, and you're afraid to put your head down on the pillow because you might fall asleep, but you've got to read your lines for the next day. So those [early] calls were pretty tough. It took me a long time to get used to that. I constantly had a script in my hand, and I would fall asleep with the script next to my head in bed, with the light on, just trying to get used to it. Finally, I got to that point where I said, "Okay Scott, you know the lines. Just relax." It took time for me to do that, and it still does sometimes, but I'm getting better. And you realize you can remember things a whole lot faster the more you train yourself. What changes have you brought to Paul since you took over the role? Paul's a little more mature now. He left town to find himself. The reason he came back into town is because of the problems with his mother, Barbara. He and his mom have had problems in the past, but I think when you come that close to losing someone who is close to you, you re-evaluate the relationship, and put [problems] in the past to rebuild it. He's grown up. He's still got some edge to him because he is a Stenbeck. That's part of his struggle, too: the seesaw between good and evil. That's part of his inner struggle. He tries to fight it, but it's in his blood. What's Paul's attraction to Rose? I think opposites attract. She's a breath of fresh air. For myself, Paul was driving me crazy at the beginning because he was constantly after Craig. Then here comes Rose, and Paul finally opens up to Rose and shows a whole different side of himself: a softer side, a more fun side, and that was fun for me to play. She won't go away, she's constantly helping Paul. You have to love her. She's a cutie. And you get to work with Martha Byrne. She's awesome. She's a goofball. Martha has a farting machine, and she'll play it over the intercom every now and then. We had our first lovemaking scene, and she hit the button as we were kissing passionately. She's fantastic. You mentioned working with her and all of ATWT's great actors. What's the most important lesson you've learned from them? Have fun and use breath mints. (Chuckles) When was the first time a fan noticed you outside of the studio? It was back home. Her name was Mary, and I wish I had gotten her name and number. I was having lunch with my uncle and a couple of buddies of mine. We were in my hometown of Columbia, and it was the first time I had been back home since I had been on-air. I was in a restaurant eating lunch, and this lady comes over with a gold box in her hand and says, "I'm sorry to bother you, but are Paul Ryan?" My friends and uncle are looking at me trying to figure out what is going on. I said, "Yes, I'm Scott Holroyd, I play Paul Ryan on As the World Turns." She said that she knew it was me when she walked in. So I asked her name and we talked a little bit. She said that she didn't want to keep me, just to tell me that I was doing a great job. It was very cool. It was around 2 o'clock and there was a TV in the place. One of my best friends, Danny, got the waiter to put on CBS. And in the first scene, there I am, in the hospital with Barbara and Jen. Was it difficult to move to New York City from the South? I originally wanted to go to Los Angeles. I told my uncle - he owns a carpet business - I was going to work for him for two months to make some money to get out there. That two months turned into two years. Finally I made the leap. I got accepted to school with a scholarship, and it was so hard, such a difficult decision. Those two years were the most indecisive of my life. I couldn't make a decision from what I wanted to do with my life to what candy I wanted at the convenience store. I guess I was scared, but I did it, and I'm glad I did. It's been a good experience in NYC? Yes. I lost my wallet, and it was returned, in New York! (Chuckles) Who have you bonded with on the set? Michael Park (Jack, ATWT) and I hit it off [right off] the bat. I was homeless after the World Trade Center [attacks]. After what happened, he invited me up to his place to get out of the city, just to relax and play golf. We were "dark" all that week, and when we went back the next Monday, Martha came up to me and handed me a key and said, "Here you go, Scott, this is the key to my extra apartment in the city." I was taken away. I stayed with Chris Goutman for a week. I had a reservation at a hotel, and he told me to bag that reservation, he had an extra apartment, and he let me stay there as well. It sounds cheesy, but it's true. It's really a family here. In a time of tragedy, you really see people's true colors. Y A round-up of answers to the usual questions from one of As the World Turns' newest cast members. Scott Holroyd arrives in Oakdale as Paul Ryan on July 10. Pursuing Paul I auditioned in early May for (ATWT Casting Director) Jimmy Bohr. I read for him and he said, "Come in tomorrow and read for Chris (Goutman), the Executive Producer." I said, "Okay," and that was a Friday. I auditioned for Chris, and I left, and 15 minutes later I was on the train and Jimmy called me and said, "Chris likes you and wants you to do a screen test." So we tested on a Tuesday. I'm a hard critic on myself. I'm my worst critic. But I felt like I did okay. I felt like I did the best I could do. I did my job and everything fell in line. I felt like I had a shot at it. I felt like I was competitive. And then I found out exactly a week later that I got it, and it was just...what a ride. Family Matters My grandmother watches As the World Turns religiously. After the second time I auditioned, I called her and I said, "Oh, I auditioned for As the World Turns," and she started going crazy! She was going, "That's my favorite show, I've been watching it forever." And we started talking and she said, "You know, they're thinking about bringing back Barbara's son, Paul, and you'd be perfect for that," and I said, "Well, Nana, it might be me," and she went crazy: "You're auditioning for Paul Stenbeck Ryan?" And I was like, "Yeah," And she was just hysterical. She loved it. Brand Loyalty After I told her (I got the part), she was speechless. She's just thankful it's that show so she can stay loyal to her show. Some other friends of mine were like "We always knew you were going to be on a soap opera. I'm just glad it's a CBS soap so I don't have to switch channels or networks." It's just a fun ride for my whole family and friends. My mom couldn't speak. She was crying she was so happy. My aunt, she was the same way. Both of my aunts were crying. It's just very, very cool. Father of the Star My dad called me before I knew if I had the job. He said, "Scott, I don't watch soap operas," and I said, "I know, Dad." And he said, "But I was in the grocery store the other day and I saw a magazine. It was one of those soap opera things, and I bought the damn thing and I took it home and I read it and there was a little paragraph in there saying: searching for actors to play the role of Paul Ryan, Barbara Ryan's son. Mid 20's, handsome, savvy, Wall Street type." So, when I got the part, I called my dad, and I said, "Dad, what's going on?" and he said, "Don't what's going on me! What's going on with you?" He knew I had just gotten out of the meeting and he was anxious. And I just started messing with him. I said, " You still have that soap opera magazine? What did it say again?" And he said, "Wall Street type, mid 20's, looking for actors..." and I said, "Dad, you can go ahead and rip that page out of the book 'cause they're not looking anymore; they already found the guy," and he said, "What? What are you talking about?" and I said, "I got it!" Son of the South I grew up in South Carolina. I had a little day-player job on Matlock, and that was in the early 90s, and I had a scene with Beah Richards, which was really cool. And then I was on America's Most Wanted as a victim. The bad guy trapped me in a meat locker. They still haven't caught the real guy who did it, so the segment keeps running, and I still get residuals. His name is Dewey Daniels. Dewey, hide, man, hide! Dream Street When I graduated college, I worked for my Uncle Bubba. Yes, I have an Uncle Bubba. He has a car business and I said, "I just want to work with you for a few months till I make some money, and go off to LA." That few months turned into almost two years. I got complacent and I got comfortable there and it was my support staff, my dad, who said, "You don't want to be my age and look back at a movie or TV and say, God, I wish I had given it a shot." So I just came out to New York two Septembers ago. I've been here almost two years. New York is really a learning experience. You age three years in New York for every year everywhere else in the world. It's like dog years in NY. It takes its toll, but it does have its rewards. This is proof of it. I knew I needed to get out of South Carolina in order to pursue the dream I wanted. So I had to come up here and try to play with the big boys. And this is just the beginning. That's the great thing. Martha Byrne Will Paul's agressive new take-no-prisoners attitude be enough for him to take back Rose from Dusty? According to Martha Byrne (Rose) in SID, "It's really a push-pull in both directions for Rose. She loves Paul, but she's with Dusty and wants to be with Dusty." Further confusing matters is Paul's new outlook on life--and Machiavellian determination to get what he wants, resulting from mother Barbara's betrayals as well as Rose's infidelity. Byrne notes, "Rose wants to go back with Paul, but he's different now. His personality... He has changed. There's just such a push-pull on both sides." Y Paul Ryan returns a changed man - quite literallly - this week when Roger Howarth assumes the role. "From the get-go, you know something is different about Paul," asserts Martha Byrne, "from the writing, and the way the character comes back. I've never worked with Roger before, but I've watched and admired his work for a long time. He really shows up. Paul has always been controlled by his mother and his father, and that has played such a huge role in the development of the character. With this turn of the character, they're trying to make his independent - a little bit darker, more pained and scarred." Rose is the first one to see Paul, but she doesn't believe it's him. "She thinks she out of her mind," laughs Bryne. "Lily convinces her she didn't resolve things with Paul so of course she is seeing him. Even in death, Paul would be her guardian angel." Later, Rose pulls away from Dusty and blames it on "seeing" Paul - not on the vow she made Lily to stay away from him. "She's fallen for him pretty hard," allows Bryne, "and has stood by him through everything." The true test will come when Rose realizes Paul is really alive after all. Y "Rose has been trying to be with Dusty physically so she can move on," says Martha Byrne (Rose). But all of these roadblocks keep coming into play, namely Paul, who she believes has been hunting her, so to speak. This week she makes a big step, onto an elevator to Dusty's room and to consummation of her new romance. But when the door opens, Paul strides back into her life, and Rose promptly passes out. Says Byrne, "it's one of thoses moments of relief, shock, fear, sadness, joy...Guilt comes later." An enraged Paul finds Dusty's room key on her and then Dusty hinself shows up, having heard the good news. "They go through a range of emotions," says Byrne, who points out that Paul is not immune to his feelings for Rose, which should relieve fans who worried that the "new" Paul would be mostly sinister. "He definitely has an agenda but his plans keep getting sidelined by his emotions," adds the actress. "You don't know where it's gonna go: Will he kiss her, slap her, hug her? This did not work out the way he expected." Later Rose tells Dusty everything will change now. And it does: by week's end, she locks lips with her ex. Y Me vs. My Character(s) Lily has been kidnapped. Again. But, this time, there's a twist. Lily has been kidnapped along with her twin sister, Rose. Now, both women are stuck down a well with seemingly no escape, and a lot to talk about. Namely, Dusty Donovan. He was Lily's childhood love, and now he's Rose's adult obsession. While the sisters struggle with a host of physical and emotional challenges, SoapCity sat down with Martha Byrne, who plays both parts, to discuss the physical and emotional challenges of acting... with yourself. In a well. SoapCityAlina: In real (not Oakdale) days, how long did you spend down the well alone? Martha Byrne: Fourteen days? Maybe 15 days? But I wasn't alone. My incredible partner (and body double), Brooke Blanchard, got dumped on and got bumped on the head and tortured just as much as I did. We got dirt in very strange places. It was really messy. I mean, the first couple of days, the clothes were clean and everything was fine. By the end, though, we were putting on really dirty, disgusting clothes. We had to match the dirt, so the only way we could really do it was by us wearing each other's clothes. There were clean options available in case we had to go back and re-shoot something for any reason, but we never had to do that. We're keeping the dirty clothes and we're going to auction them off at St. Jude's this year. I don't know who's going to buy them -- but they're staying dirty until October! SCA: What was a typical, double-duty day like for you? Did you first work on one character, then the other? MB: Usually we'll block whoever has the most action or lines first, which was Rose most of the time. It was better for me to play Rose first, so I could kind of establish what she's doing physically, because Lily was passed out a lot of the time, fading in and out. It looks better when I'm playing Rose first because I'm establishing all of her body movements. She's doing most of the action, so Brooke has to mimic what I did, as best as we can remember. We'd write it down a lot, and our stage managers would write notes for us. Things like: you put your left leg up on the rock on this line, or you picked up the board on this line. That way the editing department has more to use, they have more to cut away from. If her movements don't match mine, they can't use that material, they have to go back to Lily or they have to find a shot that looks exactly the same as the first time we did it. We want it to look the best it can be, and there really weren't a lot of cutaway options, because you are so confined. It's not like you're on one side of a room and you're far away enough from each that you can cut to the other person, or you can cut to Holden or Lucinda for a reaction shot to cover a forgotten move. There aren't that many options in a well. So it's better when we mimic each other, exactly. Brooke would play Lily during blocking, and we would run lines back and forth for both characters. While I'm getting ready to play Rose, we'll run the lines for Rose and vice versa. We have it down to such a science. We almost didn't have to come in for blocking, we know each other so well and we're both prepared enough. A couple of days we actually did that, we went right into the well and we just blocked the scenes there, because there was really no blocking, it's just us sitting there, talking. SCA: So, that's the physical side. What about the emotional side? Did you learn your scripts straight through, or did you learn first one character, then another? MB: I usually learn one part first, and then kind of give Brooke an idea of how I'm going to play the other side, so she can give me the right intention for the scene. We discuss it just as if she were a regular player in the scene. We talk about motivation and direction, how we want the scene to end, and where we are emotionally. It's probably the most unrewarding job that Brooke has, because she does all the work, but she's never on camera. What's good about this story is that I think Lily has a very strong point of view about Dusty, and how she feels about him and Rose being together. Lily thinks it's because of him that they are stuck in this situation. And Rose feels the opposite. Rose has a very valid emotional attachment to him. Whether or not Lily understands that, that's another story. It's very clear that Rose does care very much for this man, and her thinking is: Let's just get through this, and you'll see what I see in him. But Lily doesn't want anything to do with Dusty. What's nice about it is that Lily isn't just preaching. She actually has a reason to fear this man and feel that he is a danger to her family and her life and Rose's life. It's nice to have that just beneath all the scenes that we've had to play together, as opposed to Lily just saying, "Oh, he's no good." Lily has a legitimate reason to think he's no good. SCA: Do you think some of Lily's bitterness stems from the fact that Dusty has returned to town no longer the sweet boy she loved in high school? So, along with everything he's done, there is also a sense of betrayal, like he let her down? MB: I know we're going to get into that more into the future. It's like finding out that your first love is a mobster. You have this romantic idea of what your first love was, and you've created this romantic fantasy about them. Everyone does it; I don't care who they are. In Lily's mind, she always loved Dusty, and he was always sweet and he was there for her and would do anything for her. That's why when Grayson (McCouch; Dusty) and I have scenes as Lily and Dusty, there's always that heaviness that we both find very interesting and really emotional. I love it, because there's always that extra level. There's a love there that will never go away. You know Lily loves to get involved in everyone else's lives, and she loves being the caretaker and making everything better. She can't help being involved in Rose and Dusty's relationship because, in her mind, she knows better. She thinks she knows Dusty better. She thinks she knows who he really is at the core of his being, and Rose doesn't -- as far as Lily is concerned. So, there's a really fun element to play there. SCA: Does Lily ever find herself thinking: You've slept with Holden, and now it's Dusty. Can't you get a man of your own, for a change? MB: We're taping scenes now where that is completely addressed in the subtext. I love the fact that Lily has this conflict. It makes sense, on the outside, why she would be so against Dusty, but there's more to it. The deeper we go with it, the more interesting it will be to watch. It's interesting any time people do things subconsciously and the audience gets to watch it and go, "No, Lily, don't feel that way," or "Lily, don't get involved. Why can't you just be happy?" I love that. The audience wants to go through that journey with you. And they'll have their opinions about it, which is great. Any time an audience has an opinion that means they're watching something that's interesting to them. The conflict between Rose and Lily, which is always interesting to me, is that Rose wants to live Lily's life and always has since she's come to town. She doesn't realize she is trying to ingratiate herself into Lily's life. But going out with her first love and taking that away from Lily -- there is some sort of power in that for Rose. I love that Holden was the one that convinced Rose to tell the police what's going on, and that Holden is the one that convinces Rose to work things out with Lily. Because Rose does anything Holden says. Rose doesn't even realize that's happening -- oh, Holden said it? Then it must be true! She puts him on a pedestal. SCA: Speaking of having opinions, do you, Martha, have one about which sister is right? MB: It totally depends on whom I'm playing. I commit 100 percent to both points of view. And I understand both points of view. I understand Rose because every woman has done this. You can justify certain behaviors of men when you have an attraction to them. That I understand. And for Lily, as a wife and a mother and being protective of her children, I can totally understand the point of view that you protect your family, doing everything you can, even irrational things, to protect them. It's that mother hen thing. I get both sides of the characters, which is really nice. Over 15 years, there have been times where you have to say to the writers, "I don't get it. I don't get why this character would do something like this." But I don't have that problem right now. It's really great. Y Scene of the Week for May 23, 2003 The week of May 19, in Oakdale, Barbara's accusations finally got Rose, Emily, Craig, Henry and Jack arrested (Monday, May 19). Molly rescued Dusty from Spangler's thugs (Wednesday, May 21). Mike kissed Katie (Thursday, May 22). Craig attempted to make peace with Aaron (Friday, May 23), and John told Bob to step down as head of the hospital (Monday, May 19). But the Scene of the Week came when Rose (Martha Byrne) and Dusty (Grayson McCouch) got the heart-rending news that Paul has died. "It was probably one of the most painful scenes that I've ever had to do," explained Martha Byrne (Rose) to SoapCity. "I've played death scenes before. I think what made this more difficult than any of the ones I've done is that Rose, basically, sent Paul away. So there's so much going on with Rose at the moment: the guilt, the responsibility for it, the whole Dusty factor, the way she hurt Paul. They were very, very difficult scenes to play." Despite Dusty's presence when she got the news, Martha says that Rose's sense of responsibility causes the Jersey girl to shut out those around her. "She feels totally isolated. It wouldn't matter if there were 20 people in the room. She doesn't really want anybody to feel bad for her or console her, really. She just wants to be alone." Given Rose's dalliance with Dusty and her break-up with Paul, Martha says she has little to advise the character of Rose. In fact, Martha admires her alter ego and is pleased with how Rose is facing the crisis. "Rose is pretty savvy and I kind of agree with Rose's take on how she's dealing with it, which is taking responsibility for her actions. I kind of champion her in her strength, and I think I would encourage that and encourage taking responsibility and facing the town of Oakdale and Barbara and Lucinda and Lily and all those people. I think Rose is handling it pretty well, under the circumstances." Y March of Dimes Celebrity Spokesperson Kelley Menighan Hensley (Emily) led her ATWT cast-mates on a Walk-A-Thon Sunday, April 27, for her favorite charity, The March of Dimes. As Martha Byrne (Lily/Rose) remembers it, "Kelley Hensley said, "You're getting up on Sunday morning and you're going to go for a walk with me." And I said, "Absolutely." I would never say no to Kelley. It was really great. A nice, beautiful day. I walked with Joe Namath for a couple of miles. We talked football. My dad is a football coach so I know what to talk about." "Kelley talked to a lot of people and she asked if I was interested and of course I was interested," bubbled Jessica Dunphy (Alison). "I came from Pennsylvania. I left my house at 4:30 in the morning and came to New York. I went up (to Lincoln Center), and I realized, "How am I going to find Kelley with all these people around?" But I did! It was a lot of fun. We walked as a group. And then I walked home! My calves were hurting the next day. Back in Pennsylvania, I do the Race for the Cure, so this is similar. It's important to be supportive and support your co-stars. Martha Byrne also used the opportunity to get to know her co-stars a little better. "I got to talk to Jessica Dunphy for a long time, which is nice. I've never gotten to have a conversation with her. And I met the police commissioner, Ray Kelly. It was good all around. It's so great to be walking and have people literally cheering for you on the sidelines." Not only did the ATWT actors do their part and walk the required 6.6 miles, they also got up on stage outside of Lincoln Center to warm up the crowd of 15,000 fellow walkers. "The statistics are amazing when you hear how, when something is mentioned in the press, the attention it gets," said Martha Byrne. "So, our appearances definitely help." Y Paul Leaves Oakdale Paul leaves town this week on after learning Rose, Dusty and Barbara all betrayed him but not before he exposes Dusty and Barbara's plan to break up Dusty and Rose. "Dusty made a fool of Rose but what I admire about Rose is that she takes responsibility for her own part in all of the problems and doesn't blame anyone but herself" asserts Martha Byrne. "Dusty started it but the reality is Rose went along with it and wasn't quite aware enough to see what was going on." Don't expect a Rose/Paul reunion just because Dusty's secret is out of the bag. "There obviously was problems already there for her to be taken in by Dusty" says Byrne. "Dusty's the one who reminds her of that. Does it make it any easier? No but at least there's some clarity there." Byrne says her last scenes with Scott Holroyd were sad but powerful. "Scott was just amazing" she raves. "Those scenes were the hardest stuff we've ever had to do, it was emotional, painful stuff." Rose isn't the only one facing Paul's wrath. Barbara tries to explain herself to Paul, but he tells her that he's leaving town anyway. Later on, Hal tells Rose that Paul's plane never landed. "Rose thinks Paul wants to disappear and get far away from her" explains Byrne. "She hurt him so deeply that he just doesn't want to be around anybody anymore, and that's devastating. He's gone and left her there in her mess." An arresting development in regards to that "mess" soon will make things even worse for Rose. Y Martha's reaction to Scott leaving Martha Byrne says she was shocked when ATWT let Scott Holroyd go. "I was very surprised because I know Paul and Rose are a popular couple. Scott is amazing. I love him and I'm going to miss him. He's been taking it great, better than I have." Holroyd isn't the first leading man Byrne's said goodbye to . "I've been through this so many times. I don't get it, but it's not my job to get it. It's my job to be a supportive player and co-worker and say, 'You are going to have a great career and this is just a step in another direction.' Most of them go on to bigger and better things and are very successful. He's got to go through it, and that's scary but it's exciting." Byrne can see the storyline dictated writing on the wall. "There is a reason for it - to accelerate story and do something that the fans are going to hopefully love. I understand they want to pursue what's happening with Dusty and Rose, because otherwise why wouldn't Paul and Rose be happy? What do you do when they're happy and married? The writers want to complicate things more for them." Byrne will keep in contact with Holroyd. "I keep in touch with all of my boys - Paolo, Brian , Tom Gibson (ex-Derek Mason)," she smiles. "When you work so intimately with someone like that, they have a special place in your heart." Y What's one tip you can offer your fellow working moms to make everything balance and work out? You have to use other people's help. If people volunteer to help, do it. Don't think you can do it all, because while you can, you'll suffer for it at the end. You need to let go a little bit and allow other people to help. Get a massage, get your nails done, and keep yourself together. Y St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Each October for the past seven years, stars and fans alike have come out for daytime television's salute to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Organized by Martha Byrne (Lily/Rose), the work begins months earlier, when Martha begins to approach organizations for donations to the silent auction as well as recruit actors from all three networks' soap operas to help raise money, entertain and mingle with fans. The result: an up-close-and-personal experience with daytime actors for fans and memories to last a lifetime, all for a worthy cause. Take a peek at the party, which took place on Friday, October 26 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. "The reason why I got involved with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was when I started in show business, in "Annie", when I was ten years old, my mother always donated a portion of my earnings to the hospital. Being a child actor and seeing what wonderful work the hospital did, my mother always thought it would be a great charity for me to be involved in. And when I came back to As the World Turns in 1993, I made a vow to myself that I would do everything I could to raise as much money as I possibly could for the hospital. This year was our seventh annual Daytime Television Salutes the Children of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - say that ten times fast - and it was a huge success. We had about 700 guests and over 65 daytime actors. So here, you can take a little peek at how the evening went and I hope your enjoy it. Come next year." "I was very pleased," said Martha when asked for her review of the evening. "We had about 700 people attend. Fans come in from around the world; people from Holland booked their flights, tickets and rooms in January! It's definitely become an annual event for a lot of people, a lot of fans, to come in for, which is very nice. It makes it all worth the effort." The evening's take: $160,000. Y TV Guide's Q&A It was a great personal triumph when As the World Turns veteran Martha Byrne took home the Emmy last year for Outstanding Lead Actress. Byrne, who has been a cast member since 1985, stated that the show had gotten back on track, reminiscent of the days of former head scribe, the late Douglas Marland. And it's a track that ATWT is still treading. This year, the show has garnered 17 nominations, including another nod for Byrne in the Lead Actress category. Even with two Emmys lining her shelves - Byrne won the Outstanding Younger Actress award in 1987 - she remains humble. She is fiercely protective of her character Lily which she has shaped and molded over the past 17 years, and she is having a blast showcasing her comical finesse via her newest role of Rose, Lily's twin. Devoted to philanthropic projects outside of daytime, Byrne has raised hundred of thousands of dollars for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through an annual daytime-studded benefit, and helped her colleagues tend bar at Blondies in New York City to raise money for victims of the fallen firefighters of Sept. 11. Byrne just finished hosting the annual ATWT fan luncheon. All off this comes on top of preparing for a new family member; Byrne will give birth to her second child this September. Read on for a very candid interview with this gracious and dedicated award-winning actress. - Delaina Dixon Where were you when you learned you had been nominated the second time in a row? I was actually on the set, and I was very nervous for the whole show. It was 8:30 in the morning, and we had to be on set. Chris Goutman [ATWT's executive producer] said he would bring a monitor on set. He never did, so I just waited on the set, and they announced it through our stage manager, which was very nice. Were you surprised? You are always surprised because you never know. We had so many nominations. We were nominated again for best show, and everybody wins that way, so it was nice to be at work and celebrate with everyone else. Is the feeling of being nominated again as exciting as it was last year? Last year was extra special. We hadn't had as many, or even as close to that many nominations in so long. So it was such a great pat on the back for the work we had accomplished over that year. We really needed that boost and support. To have it last year was almost a relief; we had worked so hard, and we wanted to be able to respond to it. That was quite an accomplishment. This year, it's that we can do it again, and it's not just a fluke, and we have that kind of power, which is just amazing. How did your family react upon learning of your consecutive nomination? I called my husband. He had missed it because he was at work. I had about 50 messages on my answering machine at home after the announcement was made, but you really have to go back to work as normal. I got calls from all my family members, but they've been through this before. My mother, father and husband probably appreciate it the most because they see the sacrifices I make and the hard work that goes into what I do - how much I care about what I do, how much I give and how much I love it. They feel like such a part of it because they experience it with me. You've been nominated several times: in the Outstanding Younger Actress category and now for the Outstanding Lead Actress. Is it still exciting for you to be a contender? Of course! I always want to be a part of it. You do work hard, and this is the gravy on top. When I walk out into the studio, and I feel like I've had a really good day and brought something to the table, to me, that's the reward. That's just as good as anything else, because that's my job. So when you get an award, that's one day out of a whole year of up and downs, and it's nice to get that pat on the back for the days you felt were special and important. Was it difficult to pick reels that show a range from last year's entries? For me, it wasn't hard. There are certain days when you play twins that just stand out. I've been given an incredible opportunity that most actors don't get to do: to work with yourself, and try to establish individuality between the two characters and to show that well. It only happens a couple times of year when you're playing twins. So, I had it narrowed down in my head what I wanted to show people about these two characters I play. I chose a scene where Holden, Lily's husband, and her son, Luke, are presumed dead. Rose shows up, and she and Lily are waiting for the news. It shows the different reactions between these two women, who both have love for this man, but different kinds of love. For me, that was very challenging, but an incredible opportunity. I'm very happy people are going to see it again. It was done very well and I'm proud of it. You've been with ATWT since 1985. How do you keep your fresh perspective? I have such love for the characters. The current writers created Rose, so whatever they bring to the table, it's something they've invented. With Lily, she has been there for so long - they don't have as much invested in her history, and I assume it's harder for them to write for Lily than Rose. So, I fight harder to maintain who Lily is. How do you accomplish that? Lily can get lost sometimes because the character has been through so much - and how much can you do to one person? Keeping her fresh is much more challenging than Rose. I try to make Lily's relationship with Holden as real as possible, even in the everyday life they have now. Sometimes, that can come across as slow, and I don't want it to be that, because life is not slow or boring. Even in everyday life, your reactions are different all the time. I know Lily better than anyone, and I know how's she going to react, whether it's with Aaron or Holden or Abigail. I protect her. I think that all of her experience with life will now come into play with her children and stepchildren. You're working a dual role and you are going to have a baby in a few months. How do you balance it all? Very carefully. It's a very fine line between holding on and losing it. You function. Thank God my husband, Michael, is amazing and supportive and giving and helpful and all the things marriage and fatherhood should be. When I come home, and I'm tired from driving 120 miles [to and from work] everyday, I don't feel I have to be on for him. I can rest, and he takes our son and they'll do something together. He makes my life much easier that way. When you're pregnant, you never know when your body is going to want to stop moving, and then you're expected to come home, cook dinner, clean the house and take your son to the park. Thank God I have a great man in my life that enjoys doing all those other things and working and taking care of our family and me. He's very special. I'm really lucky that way, and I'm grateful for him. Everyone on your show is having babies! One of our costume designers was saying that ever since she started working on the show, which has been about five or six years now, there's always been someone who's pregnant on the show. And I told her, "It's you! You're so good at covering it, people think, 'Oh, I'll just have my baby now.'" When I started on the show, it was all people in their twenties, hooking up and getting married. I was 15 and everybody was dating everybody else. Now, everyone is married and having babies. How long does it take you to get prepared for the old Rose? It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to do. I enjoy doing it. I think it's a bizarre story and a real stretch for our show. The one thing I knew when they were doing it is that Hogan [Sheffer, ATWT's head writer] was writing it, so I knew it was in good hands. It's the whole idea of beauty and how it exists in real life, and some people just don't get it, as far as the story and what it represents. I like the idea of how it affects Rose and losing her beauty, the idea of true love and seeing beyond the way a person looks and accepting who you are. I think it's a wonderful lesson. It makes me uncomfortable sometimes when I read lines where Rose says that it does matter the way you look and people do judge you, and you do get ahead in this world if you can shake your great butt. And unfortunately, it's true. For Rose, who had nothing else and no other identity than being a dancer and getting paid for her looks - when she didn't have that, who is she? I think Lily would have handled it a lot better than Rose has because she's dealt with trauma in her life. People always say that you are a big kidder on the set. What's the last prank you've pulled? I do spend 90 percent of my time at work laughing. Jon Hensley [Holden] and I have known each other so long that we just goof off. I don't know if we set the best examples. (Chuckles) We do really crude things to each other, but you can only do crude things to people who get our sense of humor, like Michael Park (Jack). We have so much fun. My executive producer laughs at my jokes; that is where Rose came from. Chris would direct our show and just laugh all day long, and he said that he had to get my sense of humor on the show somehow. He's probably the fifth producer who said that to me and no one ever did anything about it - he came up with Rose. We just have such a good time. We make collages of people and change their heads and add bizarre headlines and put them on their door. It's just silly, college prank stuff. We are silly. We all really like each other, and most people have a good sense of humor about it. You are very involved with raising funds for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It must have been disappointing to cancel your annual fund-raiser last year. What plans are you making to make it bigger and better in 2002? This year, our eighth annual fund-raiser will take place on Oct. 18. We're having it in the Grand Ballroom of the Mariott Marquis in New York City, which is beautiful. It's really important, and I love doing it, and it all works out when you do something for a good cause. It comes together somehow. I'm flying in five or six actors from Los Angeles this year. And we might get a car to auction off. It's going to be huge event this year, especially since we didn't have it last year; it's going to make it more special - people have waited two years to do it. One of my favorite childhood movies is Anna to the Infinite Power, where you played Anna. It's a great movie, and they should remake it. Now, with all the cloning research that's going on, I think, what a topical movie it would make. They're redoing Tuck Everlasting, and they should redo this. It would be a hot little ticket item. Y Transcript of Yahoo! Chat with As the World Turns' Martha Byrne (Lily/Rose) May 4, 2001 Martha: Hello everybody and good evening. JuliaGRO: Characters usually gravitate towards the same group of people. Who in Oakdale do you think it would be interesting to see Lily or Rose mix it up with? Martha: Definitely Hal. I think that it would be really interesting for Rose to befriend him. They would get along really well. pwrscarlet: Hi, this is SoapCity member PWRKayla. Martha, I laughed so hard the day that Lily soaked Katie with the garden hose. Were you and Terri able to do those scenes in one take or did it take longer? Martha: We did them in one take and barely held it together without laughing. dave2_13452: Hi I'm member 4dave and I want you to know that I'm pulling for your win at the Emmys. Who are you rooting for as best actor? Martha: Thank you very much. I really would love to see Jon win because we've both worked together for 15 years. Of course, he would be the most shocked person in the room. bfan64: Good Evening Martha. Are you happy about Paolo returning to Oakdale. How will it affect you & Holden? Martha: I cannot tell you how thrilled I am Paolo showed up in Oakdale again! We got to play comedy with Rose and Damian, heavy drama with Holden/Lily and Damian. It's my favorite story I've ever done on the show, the next three months. lobo: Martha, have we seen the last of Rose's dad Joe? I hope not because their scenes are always great to watch. Martha: Thank you. He is back and we are taping scenes next week where Rose and Joe are going to be spending a lot of time together due to a situation that brings her closer to her father. I love Tony so much, too. I am honored to even work with him so I cherish every moment I get to spend on screen with him. amysteffan: Martha, what types of songs are going to be on the new CD? Martha: It's all original material that I've written for the films that I've been in or done soundtrack work for. There are new songs that I've written. I've been so busy that as soon as I have a break, I will finish it. As soon as I have a little break in the chaos I will finish it. It's a very personal project and I want it to be just right. I won't put something out there just for the sake of finishing it, I want to get it right. nik_elaine: Martha, playing dual roles must be exhausting! What do you do to relax? Martha: What's that? I don't know! I don't have time to relax. I would call it more family time than relaxation time, is my diversion from my work. I play with my son and spend time with my husband. We keep busy because he's almost three. It's not down time, it's more like great time. We go to the park and run. I generally try to spend as much time with my family as I can. christine_04240: Ok girl what's the secret? I met you at the luncheon and you have the most beautiful skin! Spill it! LOL! Martha: That's cute. I really don't have. My skin is in a mess from all the makeup from the show. I get DermaPeel once and awhile and facials. I don't have a secret by any means. Drink a lot of water. I go to the dermatologist so I don't look like I'm aging faster than I am. alwaysange: Martha, we know that "Paul Ryan" will be coming back, will he be involved in your storyline? Martha: Oh yes...very much so. As soon as he gets into town he will be involved in some way with both characters. He will definitely be a part of both girls' futures. darlin_darb: It's so wonderful to chat with you......Do you see yourself ever singing on the show again as either Lily or Rose? Martha: Absolutely. It's part of Chris's plan to have me sing on the show as Rose. When the storyline dictates it. It's just every time we get together to talk about it some other storyline comes along and diverts our attention, which is great, story after story, but when it's time it definitely will happen. dave2_13452: Martha, do you read any of the message boards and if so which ones don't you like? Martha: I don't go to the message boards because I am very sensitive and sometimes peek in. I am very happy when I see nice things, but nobody wants to hear anything negative about themselves no matter what they say. I take things really personally. I know it sounds so childish. I read all my fan letters, negative and positive, everything - some make me chuckle, if they are attacking the characters that's fine but if they attack me personally it hurts my feelings. I've seen a lot of actors get really wrapped up in it and get hurt by it so I just try to distance myself. lightinfl: You started acting as a very young girl. What has been your favorite role? Martha: That's a good question. I'd have to say when I was on In the Heat of the Night and played a drinking beauty contestant, but she had a great sense of humor and I got to work with Carroll O'Connor. It was a great part and everybody wanted it. It was my first job after I left the show in 1989. It was a great experience. When I think about the best roles I think about the people I'm working with, and that was definitely a fun part to play. She was a lot like Rose. amyy0923: Which character is more likely to be someone you would be friends with... Rose or Lily? Martha: Absolutely Rose! She's based on people I know, myself, the girls I grew up with. The reason my character is the way she is was the producer would watch me goof around on the set (making jokes, or comments about characters) and wanted to bring that to the screen for America to see. Lesli Kay told me that I really am both Lily and Rose. I really am both of those characters inside of me. The fans were the most supportive of the Rose character. I never got one negative letter. Every time I do a scene I ask myself 'How would I react?' And with Rose, it is 'How would Rose react or that part of my personality react?' lynnjville: How do you think Lily has changed over the years? And what history do you think has made Lily the character she is today? Martha: Depending on who is writing the show, I think she's changed sometimes for the worse and sometimes for the better. At this point I think she is very strong considering what she's gone through. She's trying to be a good person (which I respect about the character), it's not in her nature to behave and I think that now she tries to learn from her mistakes. She doesn't always succeed. I think the biggest influence, and I talked with Hogan about this, is that Lily's father committed suicide when she was four and she saw it happen. I got to play the scenes when she had those flashbacks when I was 17 on the show, and it got into why Lily is the way she is. Why she is so messed up and tries so hard to get a man and have a father figure. Her pain goes so far back. She needs big-time therapy. People who get angry at Lily, my first instinct is to say it's a story. I don't think she's really learned, I think she's trying to do the right thing. I don't mind that because she's very human. People are very quick to criticize the character for doing what she's doing but that's who she is, she's not perfect by any means. pwrscarlet: Hello from SoapCity member PWRKayla. Martha, I am a HUGE Simon and Lily fan. Will we ever get to see them consummate their feelings for each other? Martha: Well, there is a story coming up in the next few weeks and it does involve him on a much deeper level than what we've played before. It is really powerful stuff, I think it's the strongest story we've had in a long, long time. Paul Leyden is involved in that. There is a history there that we're not going to forget about. Hint, the scenes we're going to have are like nothing we've had in the past! There's going to be something much deeper involved with the story and I'm very excited for the audience to see. chevy1glo: I just wanted to say like many fans, I started watching when you were with Dusty. I have watched you ever since and now my daughters also watch. We wish you the very best and send you many blessings. Martha: Thank you very much. lightinfl: Lily and Craig used to be really close. Would you like to see that remembered in the script? Martha: Actually I think it's airing today or tomorrow where Lily invites Craig to the party for Holden and Lily to mend fences with mother. Lily has no idea how vile Craig has become. He was like a father to her even though he went through the women of my family like water. Still, it was a special relationship. I hope we get to do some more work together. I will be working with him as Rose as well. We're all having such a great time. sworn_fate: Are you excited about the Emmy Awards? Martha: It's really great. Every year we've been nominated, one here or one there, then it can be the longest broadcast in history and painful, just waiting for this or that category to come up. But this year we finally have a great year. This broadcast is going to fly by, because every five minutes someone else from our show will be up for an award! It's going to be awesome. If we don't win anything, we'll be there to support each other. If somebody wins, it will be outrageous. It's an ensemble cast and we all really like each other, which is uncommon. There's always some ego, etc., not in our case - there's no in-fighting by any means. Everyone is really happy for each other. The number of nominations just shows you what difference a year makes. Things can turn around in a year and we're all there together and that is how you succeed, with morale, support and camaraderie. You always overhear people cheering each other on. kayla_loves_atwt: I can't wait to meet you at this year's St. Jude Hospital Benefit.....what kind of stuff is in store for us this year? Martha: It's so early yet. I can't believe I'm thinking about it. I am bringing in more actors from L.A. this year. That's my goal. It's so early but things get crazy, after the Emmys I can start to think more about this. maureentrodden: You do a wonderful job with the St. Jude Foundation! How long have you been involved? Martha: Being a child actor I started when I was nine and when I worked my mom donated a portion of my earnings to the St. Jude's charity. When I got older I learned more about the charity. When I came back to ATWT in 1993, I made a vow to myself I would raise as much money as I could. We've raised over a million dollars so far. It's just gotten bigger and better every single year. qwiji081380: When I watch Rose, I am totally amused. What Rose episode is your favorite? Martha: So far, one is in the garage when she found Katie and Simon in the backseat of the car. I could barely get through it. It was so funny. The scenes with Damian and Rose coming up are so good. It's a sitcom, it's not like a soap opera. It's a laugh and a half! Paolo is so funny too, we had a blast! qwiji081380: Martha, are you a leader at the set? Martha: Definitely. I'm somebody that takes care and is there for anybody, anytime. I feel like when you have responsibility on the show, I try to set an example for the younger generation to be cordial and professional at all times and help anybody who needs help. That's the way I work. I really do take care of the people who want to be taken care of and it brings me joy. It's my education and I get to share it with other people I know. My parents taught me to be on time, know your lines, don't give anybody crap and learn. I get in my car and drive three hours everyday, sometimes more, and sacrifice a lot to do what I do because I LOVE it. So when I walk in, I have a smile on my face, I do my job and I love the crew, the director and producer and I want to set a tone that is positive. When you have that amount of work it is your responsibility to maintain some sort of vibe and energy. I laugh all day at work, unless I'm miserable in some scene, which is often. I really have a good time. It should be fun. nik_elaine: Martha, who is the biggest prankster on the set? Martha: Benjamin Hendrickson and Scott Holmes, probably are a tie. Those two are pretty bad. I don't work with them a lot but they just rip each other apart. Michael Park is a close second. He tends to be a victim most of the time. I always say they should tape the dress rehearsals of these guys because they're hysterical, and they're good friends too. rubylily1: Can Jon Hensley sing? Martha: No! He can play the bass guitar though. qwiji081380: Kristina Sisco spoke nice things about you...what do you say about her? Martha: Kristina always reminds me a lot of myself at her age, when I started the show, and I've told her that many times. She's an extremely talented actress and has the sweetest heart of anybody her age. She's genuinely like Abigail in a lot of ways and I encourage her to hang on to that as much as she can for as long as she can because this business is not very friendly to naive and young people. She's so strong and independent and maintains her sweet heart through everything. I'm so glad that she's working with Craig now, I see Adam as her Dusty. She's going to have an amazing career if she wants one. She's so smart and she's got a wonderful future ahead of her. I respect her a tremendous amount because she is so together for someone her age which you don't see very often. keeky29: Speaking of far back...I met you when I was about 12, when I was at my nan's cottage, my name is Tammy...you were at a cottage too. I still have the picture my grandmother took, and people think it's a hoot to see you so young! LOL! Martha: Oh my gosh! ducky_me140: In many careers there are times when people wish they picked a different one. If this ever happens to you, what do you think of? Martha: I can't picture myself doing anything else as far as a career. I could see myself being a stay at home mom. The older I get the more comfortable I am with that idea. It's the most wonderful job and it's the most important job in the world and I would love to have more children. If I wasn't acting I would have three or four more kids by now. I still love what I do and enjoy it as much as I did when I was ten, so it's not time for me to give that up yet. gator7680us: Hi Martha. What's your typical day like at the studio? How long does it take to shoot a scene -- including rehearsal time? Martha: I leave my house at 5 a.m. I get there about 6:30 a.m. I go through my blocking with my double. I go through my scenes at 7 a.m. and go to makeup and it's 20 minutes then wardrobe and at 8:30 a.m. they call us to the set. We block our scenes for the cameras. The director goes into a control room where he can see us. We dress rehearse our scenes, tape them and we're done. I go upstairs and change everything to do the other side of my twin scenes after lunch, usually. What happens, if there is a scene where I'm actually standing next to myself, that's called a locked camera and they shoot one side, split the screen in half and wipe it clean (I know it sounds strange) but the locked cameras can not be moved an eighth of an inch or it will not match. It's fascinating to film the twin scenes and overlap lines and everything. I did twin scenes just this last Wednesday and it took them six hours to edit them together. Cause you have to overlap lines with my own voice, it's very interesting. People are always fascinated when they see it. So, I could get out of there at three o'clock in the afternoon or at 7 p.m., it all depends. lightinfl: If you could go anywhere as a real life person, where would your dream destination be and who would you take along? Martha: I do it every year and go to the Jersey shore. That's where I grew up every summer. I bring my entire family. We just have a big party for two weeks and I do it every year. cheerleadingchick2020: What advice do you give to young children who want to pursue a career in acting? And do you consider yourself a role model? Martha: I don't recommend children getting in this business period. I did it because I had to do it, because I begged and pleaded my parents to do it. I'm an exception because I loved it. If children have a passion to perform, take classes, do plays and pursue this career as a hobby because realistically you're not going to make a living at it. I don't think any parent should push a child into this business for their own financial rewards or whatever other rewards they're looking for. Of all the people I've worked with in 21 years there is only one girl that is still an actress that I worked with when I was 10. All of them left, very upset, didn't enjoy it, or changed their minds. It's a very difficult business for children and it's very competitive. There's a lot of rejection. I took it harder than anybody when I didn't get a job. My parents would ask if I didn't want to do it anymore, and I'd say absolutely not, I loved it and wanted to keep trying. I always recommend kids do community theatre, or singing lessons, dancing lessons - just to get that creative outlet for themselves. A role model? I don't necessarily consider myself one but I do feel the things I have learned from my life (as an actress, human being, mother, wife) have given me a wonderful life experience to pass on to others and teach and share. Hopefully, that example will help another person make a better decision. If that's a role model, than sure. misstique70354: Who has been your favorite guy to play opposite of? Martha: I have to say Jon Hensley. We are married and we've been together since I was 15 years old! It's like a lasting relationship and how many of those can you say exist, friendship, marriage, anything - and we still really like each other. So many men have passed through Lily's life and they have been great. But Jon and I really are like an old married couple and we really do enjoy each other's company and we know each other so well as far as our working relationship goes, it's like we could do it with our eyes closed and I love that about our relationship. alwaysange: Martha, how does it feel doing love scenes with Jon with his wife on the show? Martha: Kelley is never there when we have those love scenes. It doesn't make me uncomfortable because Lily/Holden existed before Jon and Kelley ever met. It's a very secure situation. We're all great friends. I don't feel an ounce of being uncomfortable because Kelley sets the tone that it's not something that I need to think about. I've heard of situations where that's not been the case but I have no idea what that's like. tvba6: Congratulations to you and the entire ATWT cast for the Emmy nods -- it's been a great year. What is the cast reaction like on the set? Martha: There's an energy throughout the whole building that's amazing! Everybody's so excited, it's really getting close now. The judging is done, the votes are in, it's over and we all just really want to find out. We're all anxious and thrilled. We want it to be over so the time will be here. We're so excited! qwiji081380: Lesli Kay said that she just wanted you and Tom Eplin to win Emmys. What do you say about Tom and Lesli? Martha: There's nobody more dedicated to her work than Lesli. I have to say she's one of those people who will call me at home if she see's something I've done that she likes. I think it would touch Lesli so deeply and make her so happy. It would mean something so special to her. I think she would be so pleased (not that anybody else wouldn't) but I think she would be so thrilled. I think every actor who works hard and is dedicated to their work deserves an Emmy! She had some really difficult stories to play with the ghost and did it with flying colors! To do a story like that and find the reality in that is really tough and she did it. kayla_loves_atwt: Are you a fan of the reality TV shows, like Survivor? Martha: I didn't get into Survivor too much this year, didn't have time. I would have to say that's my favorite of all of them. I did get totally hooked last year on the first one. As far as regular TV goes, Seinfeld is the one I am addicted to. I do have a problem. If I did have the time that's the show I would watch, over and over and over. acemcquest: You keep in touch with former castmembers. Who has been your closest soap friend? Martha: Definitely Paolo. I still talk to him once a week and he is definitely my closest ex-husband, boyfriend, monk, whatever! We keep in touch the most consistently of anybody. And Lisa Brown, but she comes back once in awhile too. acemcquest: Didn't you audition for the role of Lily more than once? What was it like when you actually got cast in the role? Martha: I did audition for five months before and did not get it. I was 15, auditioned for Lily, and didn't get it. I flew to CA to audition for a movie called The Boy Who Could Fly, and came back to NY. The phone rings less than 24 hours later and the new producer calls and offers me the job over the phone. He called me on a Friday and I started on a Monday. The girl who was going to do the soap got the movie I screen tested for and was leaving the soap! It was like we switched roles. amyy0923: Do you have any desire to work behind the camera? Martha: Not really, I could probably produce on some level. I know enough about it now. I don't envy an executive producer's job, it's not fun, a lot of work and things you don't expect. I do love the creative things as far as producing goes. I haven't applied myself to that mentally, I may have to at some point. qwiji081380: How do you stay so fit? Martha: It's a struggle for me. I'm not naturally thin by any means and I have a normal body. I try to run and eat right when I can. I have very low will power but have to be in shape for my job. If I wasn't working on the show I probably wouldn't be as concerned about it. It is a necessary evil on television, wearing bikinis and being stuck on an island for four months. I don't overdo. Exercise is really boring. I do light weights and run when I can. I try to play with my son. Martha: I just want to say thanks to all the fans for their support and their belief in me! Watch the 18th! If you miss ATWT for the next three months, you are a fool because it's going to be the best stuff on television! So, please watch and tell your friends. Good night everyone and thanks for being here! |
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