Soap Opera Digest - August 14, 2001

Fringe Benefits

The Star: Melody Thomas (Nikki Newman, Y&R)
The Working Stiff: Edward Scott (then-supervising producer)
The Setup: In 1979, Thomas took over the role of the petulant Nikki. Scott was supervising producer.
The Waiting Game: It wasn't until years later that a romance developed. Even then, the relationship was kept under wraps until the couple announced their engagement in 1985.
Obstacle course: Because the actress and the head honcho each had a daughter (her: a toddler, Alexandra, from a previous relationship; him: a teenager, Jennifer, from a former marriage), the scenario seemed ripe for a conflict straight out of a soap. However, all parties got along famously. Potential gossip regarding the relationship didn't faze Thomas, either. "I had proven myself before this happened," she said. "It was hardly a, 'Oh, here's the new blonde on the show dating the producer to save her job' situation." And all that time together on and off the set was never a problem. According to her other half, "She respects my title and I respect her talent."
Bonding Experience: They married in October, 1985.
State Of The Union: Daughter Elizabeth was born in 1988. Still happily married, Mr. Scott remains Y&R's executive producer. Mrs. Scott was in contract negotiations at press time.