Samantha, Christian Stacey & Kitty (D Barnert/Soaps.com)
Masters of the microphone Christian LeBlanc and Peter Bergman introduced the cast and kept folks entertained as their costars made their way through the crowd, exchanging hugs with those lucky enough to be in their paths. The ever gracious Miss Kitty even stopped to take a few photos.
While fans munched on salad, the cast settled into answering questions that were submitted before the event. First up was Tracey Bregman, who was asked about the infamous hospital catfight with Sheila. "I was always in bugle beads and high heels, so I was always sliding everyone, and that girl was always in tennis shoes and solid!" she told fans. "[Kimberlin Brown] held me up in so many of those fight scenes, and we were counting like a dance number. They were a lot of fun"
Before Christian could feed Joshua Morrow his question, Joshua jumped in to ask us if we knew how Christian broke his arm. Christian insisted it was a rugby match, but his story always changed and Joshua happily let out the real secret. "Christian fell off a bike!"
Eileen Davidson talked recent story, admitting it's been emotional. "It's not easy to have a not-baby. It's been interesting and very complicated storyline. It's been terrific."
Raya Meddine impressed fans by revealing she speaks English, French, Arabic, Italian and Spanish. Daniel Graziadei took a different route to impress. To be fair, it took some prodding, but fans got him to show off the gorilla impression he brags about on his website. I'm embarrassed to report I didn't get video, but it was a hoot – and spot on.
We got a report on Christel Khalil's recent nuptials. She said the day was, "Amazing. Magnificent!" aside from the fact that she forgot her wedding march music!
Young Vanessa Marano raved about working with Christopher Reeve in "The Brooke Ellison Story" and then, on Christian's behest, she added that she brought a little something back to Genoa City from her stint on Showtime’s "Dexter."
"I got my beloved half-brother Christian an autograph from John Lithgow, because he begged me for it. I was afraid if I could get it for him and come back to the show, I wouldn't be alive anymore."
A few folks were asked about their pasts and futures on the show. Thom Bierdz recalled how tough it was keeping his return a secret, since many of his old castmates didn't even know he was there. Judith Chapman laughed about filling in as Jill Abbott for a couple days back in 1992.
Clementine Ford admitted she must have been nervous her first day as Mac, "because I can't remember a thing! I got home and thought, 'Well, I have all this makeup on me, so I must have gone to work." The one thing she did remember from the day? Kissing Billy Miller, of course.
John Driscoll summed up the differences between Y&R's Chance and GL's Coop: "One actually thinks about the consequences before his actions, and the other one just thought about jumping in."
As for the future, Greg Rikaart thought it would be nice to see Kevin and Jana raising kids in the next five year, while Bryton McClure would like to see Devon's real father revealed. Jeanne Cooper, on the other hand, is glad to be rid of her non-daughter, Jill.
"She was never my daughter. I never wanted her! Who knows? Maybe Adrienne Frantz (Amber) can be my daughter," she teased, and Cooper also had raves for her castmates.
"You're looking at one of the finest groups of talent that you will ever see. They're chosen for their looks, their chemistry and most of all, their talents - And if they had none to begin with, they certainly have developed it!"
Patty Weaver was probably the happiest cast member in attendance, simply because she was able to come. A botched bone spur operation turned into two years of pain, but she's finally back on her feet. "For the last year, I've been in a cast, in traction, sitting on my bum," she shared. "I'm just learning how to walk. I'm here. I'm so blessed. Thanks you so much, all of you, for being fans."
Josh, Deanna and Daniel (Soaps.com)
She also later asked me to watch out for a new CBS video about her quest to get a loaner dress for the Emmys. "Apparently, nobody knows who I am, so nobody would lend me a dress. I'm not really surprised, but I'm presenting this year! Don't worry, I figured out a clever way to get a dress."
For all the fun that was had during the Q&A, fans were sad to see some folks were MIA, like Melody Thomas Scott, Sharon Case, Jess Walton, Eric Braeden and Sean Kanan. As a nice surprise, however, two of the ladies, Melody and Sharon, turned up fashionably late. "I have two of my daughter's with me tonight – it's hard to get three women out of the house at the same time," Melody joked in apology. To make up for her tardiness, she later took the mike again to introduce a set of clip reels. (The first had some fun action and some sadder moments, while the second was a look way back to clips of yesteryear.)
Doug Davidson, who was up to introduce behind the scenes players like co-exec producer/head writer Maria Arena Bell and co exec producer Paul Rauch, returned within moments of Melody's arrival, to introduce Sharon. "I'm sorry I missed the Q&A, but I'm going to be here to sign autographs and you can ask me anything you want!" she promised.
That's about when I finally got to my seat for a quick nibble on the mediocre chicken and veggie plate. We watched the clips, watch the actors have a bite to eat in the VIP section, and had surprise run-ins with our faves in the hallways.
Michael Munhey was the one actor who stayed out on the wrong side of the rope for the entire dinner. He stopped to meet the fans at every table – or should I say charm them! I suspect he wanted them to see he's not half as bad as nasty Adam, but it may have worked too well: A few folks might have a harder time hating Adam now.
A handful of other actors gave some early face time in the hallways, as mentioned above. Stacy Haiduk, for example, stopped to chat with a few fans and soon found herself with a crush of expectant faces. She didn't hesitate to pose away for about half an hour.
The one thing she wouldn't do? Talk story… It did, however, sound like there may be some way for Patty (aka Mary Jane) to stick around Genoa City. Hmmm…
Back inside, there was the standard fan event booty to peruse. In addition to memorabilia, there was a silent props and wardrobe auction offering everything Y&R, including an invite to Michael and Lauren wedding, signed scripts, jewels, racks of clothing, Free Jana T-shirts and even Joshua Morrow's Calvin Klein underwear!
Kate Linder set off a bidding war in the not-to-silent auction of a Y&R set visit, which included a night's stay at the Sheraton. When the two determined fans got to $2000, it was decided they each deserved a trip for four to hit Genoa City.
Another lucky fan won tickets to the Emmys on Sunday, and two won a drawing and will have characters named after them in Eileen Davidson's next novel.
After the festive dinner, the actors filed out and fans formed a line down the hall and around the corner for autograph and photos fun. By this point, the A/C had lost the battle to the heat outside and the bodies inside. Luckily, castmembers like Michelle Stafford, Daniel Goddard and Daniel Graziadei strolled by to entertain, en route to the restrooms.
Once the doors opened, it was an autograph and photo mayhem, but don't get me wrong. Even as the heat continued to increase – which had seemed impossible before – everyone was having a blast. When I left at 9:30, the room was still packed with fans working the lines and the party was most certainly still going.
Please visit this link to view more photos of the 2009 fan event. Videos to follow!
- Deanna Barnert
