Q.Didn’t Marlena on Days of Our Lives have an evil twin sister at one time who was played by another actress? I say she did, and a friend of mine says she didn’t. There’s a dinner riding on this. Who wins? _ G.F., Durham, N.C.
A. Put on your bib. You win. Marlena’s (Deidre Hall) twin sister, Samantha Evans, played by Deidre’s real-life twin (Andrea Hall Lovell) wreaked havoc in Marlena’s life. Samantha, an aspiring actress, harbored quite a bit of jealousy against Marlena and managed to take out her anger and resentment in quite a big way. By stealing blank prescriptions and pills from Marlena’s office, Samantha was able to support her own drug habit for quite a while. When this ruse no longer worked, Samantha started impersonating her, going so far as getting Marlena locked up in a sanitarium so that she could live as her, even practicing psychiatry. Her plot was eventually uncovered.
Q.Please tell me everything you can about the actress who plays Carly on General Hospital. _ F.S., Fayetteville, N.C.
A.Sarah Brown, 22, who recently won a daytime Emmy for her GH work in the younger actress category, is known by many for her role in The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Brown says she is nothing like the perky crime fighter she played on that TV show. In fact, she feels she is a lot like Carly. “I spent much of my life moving from place to place. I always felt like a stranger. I understand how Carly feels.” Brown, however, says that unlike Carly, she is very outgoing. “I have always tried to fit in.” Brown, who also starred on Sweet Valley High, has a longtime boyfriend. “He will kill me if I mention his name,” she jokingly says.
Q.When an actor takes time off to do other projects, how does the soap that they are working on handle it? _ A.H., Sarasota
A.There are several ways to deal with an absentee actor. Since the show requires as much advance notice as possible when an actor takes another assignment, the writers try to work it into the story line. A character can be put in a coma, sent on an out-of-town business trip or be held captive by unseen assailants in an unseen location. When taking the character out of the show just won’t work, actors pre-tape. This, of course, takes cooperation from other actors who must share the scene. Most castmates are willing to cooperate, however, in the hopes that they will get the favor returned. Some actors have it written into their contract that, excluding their vacation time, they are allowed so many weeks off to do outside projects.
Soap notes
Talk about life imitating art: Erica Kane, portrayed by actress Susan Lucci on ABC’s All My Children, is having a book published in the real world.
Having It All, a $17.95 hardcover from ABC Daytime Press/Hyperion, will be in bookstores nationwide the week of July 7, to coincide with the book’s fictional release on AMC.
The book is the much-married Erica’s inspirational sharing of the secrets and philosophies that have brought her fame and fortune, and is a guide to greater success and serenity.
ABC says the author, perhaps the most popular soap-opera character in history, Erica Kane Martin Brent Cudahy Chandler Montgomery Montgomery Chandler Marick Marick, teaches how to balance ambition and morality, avoid pitfalls and cultivate patience.
Lynda Hirsch is a columnist for Creators Syndicate. This column was supplemented by staff and wire reports. Have a question or comment about soap operas? Write to Lynda Hirsch, The Soaps, Sun-Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-2293. Questions of general interest are answered, but because of the volume received, replies do not appear for all. Letters must include signature and valid mailing address. Sorry, no personal phone calls or letters of reply.
