A Soap Shrink Interview: James DePaiva’s Ultra Candid Look Back at One Life to Live — and His Own Life

PART TWO OF TWO PARTS In Part Two, James DePaiva talks about being Max, then not being Max; about the joys of family life; about being angry for a long time, and about dealing with those destructive "shoulds."  By Damon L. Jacobs D:  Now, you mentioned being terribly shy.  But I remember when Max came back One Life in 1992, the promotional ads … [Read more...]

A Soap Shrink Interview: James DePaiva’s Ultra Candid Look Back at One Life to Live — and His Own Life

 PART ONE OF TWO PARTS By Damon L. Jacobs If there is such a thing as a modern day cowboy in New York City, James DePaiva would be it. He is brutally honest, impossibly handsome, jarringly tough, yet surprisingly sensitive.  And although you are more likely to find him driving his motorcycle around town instead of a riding a horse, you … [Read more...]

Soap Shrink at Sea: On Deck with One Life to Live’s Kassie DePaiva

Thinking Fans on KDP: Matthew J. Cormier observes, "Kassie has clearly thought a lot about what makes Blair tick and has put her own life into perspective" ... OLTL no more scolds, "When you have an actress dedicated to giving wonderful performances and staying true to her character, she shouldn't be used as a prop in favor of 'romantic rapes' and … [Read more...]

Soap Shrink at Sea: On Deck with All My Children’s Melissa Claire Egan

By Damon L. Jacobs When I interviewed Melissa Claire Egan (Annie Novak Lavery on All My Children) on SoapNet's "Rock the Soap Cruise," all I kept thinking was, "courage."  This young woman has the courage to reach inside herself and expose the deepest parts of her soul every day in front of her audience and in front of her peers.  She was … [Read more...]

Soap Shrink at Sea: On Deck with The Young and the Restless’ Elizabeth Hendrickson

By Damon L. Jacobs  Combine the beauty of Jennifer Garner and the comic timing of Debra Messing and what do you get?  The hysterically entertaining and insightful Elizabeth Hendrickson!  During SoapNet's "Rock the Soap Cruise," we talked about her experiences and life lessons learned from mistakes on All My Children and her current run on The … [Read more...]

Soap Shrink at Sea: On Deck with All My Children’s Bobbie Eakes

Thinking Bobans (Bobbie fans) on Ms. Eakes: Says renee, "I've become a Boban because of her insightfulness" ... and DSO816, "She's an unheralded and spirited actress" ... and Dana Webb, "She is so down to earth and balanced" ... and more. See Comments below.   ______________________________________  By Damon L. Jacobs Before meeting Bobbie … [Read more...]

Soap Shrink at Sea: On Deck With As the World Turns’ Van Hansis

Thinking Van Fans on Mr. Hansis' sea-going chat: Morgan D. enthuses, "Van is amazing, but we all knew that. But look how much brighter he shines when he is asked INTELLIGENT questions" ... Mary says, "It's always nice to hear an actor be able to really understand his character" ... while Tom confirms, "As someone who has met, and talked to, Van at … [Read more...]

Grief Counseling from the Soap Shrink: How To Cope When the Light Goes Out

Thinking Fans mourn:  Matthew J. Cormier says, "I can't even begin to know how Guiding Light fans are dealing with the loss right now. I was such a wreck when Loving, The City and Port Charles were cancelled and they didn't run nearly as long as Guiding Light" ... while Blake reflects, "It's really going to hit me some time, but right now I just … [Read more...]

Soap Shrink at Sea: On Deck with One Life to Live’s Kathy Brier

Thinking Fans salute Ms. Brier: John says, "It's sort of depressing thinking how daytime has actually gone downhill in the time since Kathy Brier came on to OLTL, when at the time she was a breath of fresh air in a medium that was already pretty moribund" ... while Jake says, "Brier's acting chops stand out on a show that is showcasing some really … [Read more...]

Soap Shrink at Sea: On Deck with The Young and the Restless’ Greg Rikaart

By Damon L. Jacobs The Young and the Restless' Greg Rikaart took the time on the SoapNet "Rock the Soap Cruise" to speak to The Soap Shrink not just once, but twice!  I found him gracious, intelligent, and very polite in correcting my mispronunciation of his last name (FYI, it's RICK-art!).  We talked about his Y&R character Kevin Fisher, … [Read more...]