General Hospital - NEWS ROOM

When I heard that my friend Jackie Zeman (Bobbie Spencer, General Hospital) just finished shooting a juicy role in an Indy Film, I couldn't wait to get in touch with her to hear more. And, as usual, she was happy to fill me in so that everyone at Soaps.com could be "in the know"!

The film is a comedy called "Deep in the Valley" by writer/director Christian Forte. (You'll never guess who is dad is. Okay, I'll tell you…Fabian!) Jackie said that his script was fabulous and he was great with the actors. The fact that it was a "happy, fun, fabulous set" is probably due to the fact that he grew up around show business, she guessed. Jackie told me that she may have only had one scene, but she was thrilled to get the role because of all the DRAMA that she's used to playing on GH.

I asked Jackie to thumbnail the plot for us and, based on her energy when explaining it; I'm guessing that this movie is going to be a hoot! Her character's name is even funny…Sonia Monia. Now, bear with me as I try to do Jackie's explanation justice: Two guys step into a movie booth and some kind of frequency mix up transports them back to the 1970's. Sonia Monia is a starlet who is past her prime, but she's using her star appeal to try to get her daughter a coveted spot on the cheerleading squad.

Jackie admitted that she was a bit overwhelmed by the sexy and beautiful women who were waiting in the audition room for the film, "They all looked like Pamela Anderson!" But she flashed back to some advice that she got when auditioning 30 years ago and just went for it. Back then, she found herself in a room full of beauties who were all trying out for the same role - a Jergens soap commercial! At that time, the casting director told her that the other women were all models, but there was 30 seconds of copy to read and Jackie's best chance was to memorize the lines and deliver them well! So, she went to the bathroom and didn't come out until she knew her lines. Can you guess the rest? Not only did she get the job to demonstrate the benefits of Jergens soap, that same casting director later ended up casting for ABC daytime! So, when she found herself in a similar situation recently, Jackie asked her "angels" to give her a good read and that is exactly what happened. She said that her audition ended up being really funny and they all had a good laugh.

As for the experience of playing someone other than Bobbie Spencer, Jackie said that (after ending her long-term marriage to Glenn Gorden) she is in a transitional chapter of her life now and everything is new. Shooting the film was the perfect example of that. Since Bobbie hasn't been on the Port Charles canvas much this summer, the day-shoot in nearby Downy (California) wasn't a problem for her schedule at all. I told her that I was thrilled to see her recent scene with Noah Drake (Rick Springfield) and she shared "…I'm hoping that there's an opportunity there" for a storyline between the Bobbie and Noah in the future. She says that Rick is a great guy and they've always had a good vibe when they've worked together.

A big congratulations is in order for our own Jackie Z as she starts a new chapter in her personal and professional life. She's learning how to play golf, she's traveling with her daughters and "Deep in the Valley" is due to be released in the spring of '08. I promise to keep Soaps.com in the loop with regards to all things Jackie! That's one promise that is a true joy to keep because her enthusiasm and genuine warmth come through loud and clear every time we talk.

Julie Clark Robinson
GH Editor