Thousands of fans attended ABC’s Super Soap Weekend highlighting Port Charles and General Hospital, June 7^th and 8^th, at Disney’s California Adventure. Yours truly was in attendance, having a ball along with the rest of PORT CHARLES enthusiasts. Instead of yet another whine about what’s wrong with the show these days, its repetitive nature or where’d the romance go, I thought I’d take a little break and give you my perspective on the weekend. It was an opportunity for the actors to reach out to their fans and for the fans to reach out to the actors, and I mean really get up close and in their faces!  

Having never gone to one of these things before I was completely taken aback and quite pleasantly surprised at how open and accessible the actors are, not just at their scheduled events but when dashing back and forth between them as well. They all appeared genuinely happy to see the fans turn out, and while I imagine they have to consider this a working weekend, part of the job, kind of like a trade show where the product being sold just happens to be soap stars, there is no doubt that the casts of both shows, and even Brian Frons himself, whom I caught laughing along with everyone else at many of the events, enjoyed themselves too. One great big ABC marketing tool, absolutely. But no matter, putting aside the obvious hype and promotion and actor here and there who looked like they’d rather be anywhere else than where they were, the reality is there are no fans out there more loyal than soap fans. They feel especially close to their favorite characters and relish the chance to meet the actors who play them.  And from what I saw, all were obliged with a smile, a wink, a few words or a hug.

Perhaps more manageable than Florida, California Adventure was the perfect venue, not too big, not too small, not too crowded, with plenty of hotels attached to the park. Those who were lucky enough to be staying at the Grand Californian, a hotel designed in the classic California Craftsman style, caught an eyeful of their favorites from Port Charles and General Hospital every day.  It was the spot to see and be seen as they say here in LA LA land. I hadn’t been in the hotel more than an hour when

I bumped into Brian Gaskill arriving, who graciously stopped to chat, Robin Christopher and her husband Matt Crane, Walt Willey who chatted also and Brian Frons, President of ABC Daytime, who for some reason I continuously crossed paths with throughout the weekend.  Even had a chat, but I’ll get to that later. 

Though every actor had a “handler”, a personal guide whose sole duty it was to get the actors from place to place, navigate them through the crowds (and to the front of the roller coaster line I might add, just another perk of being a soap star!) and protect them from over zealous fans, not one actor I ran into refused to stop for a picture, a chat or an autograph.  I thought my poor little digital camera would explode!  For a look at some great Super Soap photo albums log on to www.briangaskill.net or visit the home page of SoaptownUSA.

Highlights, Snippets, and Snappies

Star Autographs: Talk about getting up close and personal – Brian Gaskill and Thorsten Kaye stepped out from behind their desks to allow better access for their fans.  Hugs were easier to come by that way.

Throughout the weekend stars wandered about the park and the hotel going from event to event and/or dinner to dinner always stopping to sign an autograph, chat or take a picture. I caught Thorsten Kaye and Kiko Ellsworth on their way in to lunch, the Presley’s after lunch and Linda Dano just before one of the talk shows. Eddie Matos gained new status with fans after his casting call, stopping to wave, or thank a fan for their support. Bumped into Brian Frons after one of the Millionaire games, we asked for a picture, and while he seemed totally shocked someone would want a picture with him, he obliged!  His reply to our pleas not to lose Port Charles – “I’m trying, I’m trying, I don’t want to lose it either. I love it as much as you do.” 

Kelly Monaco got a fun flash to the past when one fan presented her with her high school year book!  Her stroll down memory lane produced lots of laughter and a “can you believe this” from Kelly. 

Casting Call: The most entertaining venue of the lot has to be the casting call sessions hosted by Walt Willey.  Believe me, I can tell you from, ah, personal experience, being one of the contestants at Brian Gaskill’s Sat. morning call, talk about up close and personal, they’re hilarious. Since Port Charles borrowed the telenova format from Spanish soaps, Eddie Matos decided to run with the theme and did his entire scene in Spanish, replete with exaggerated gestures and inflections which completely delighted the packed crowd. Amiably stepping in on Sunday for Brian Gaskill, who came down with a nasty flu bug and was unable to participate, Eddie brought the house down when he planted a huge smooch on the willing contestant to end the fun. 

Coffee Talk: Linda Dano hosts this informal, open air talk show with the cast members that always elicits lots of laughs and audience participation. It’s a sneak peak into how much fun the small, tight cast has with each other, and an opportunity to delve a little deeper into what makes them tick. However, basically teasing was the order of the day; Eddie sang to an audience member. Lynn and Thorsten joked back and forth about a misplaced hand in one of their scenes, showing everyone why their onscreen relationship is such a success. Brian Presley, looking rather scruffy and incognito with his new beard, talked about his independent film he was in the middle of shooting (hence the beard), taking some heat from Thorsten Kaye for his resemblance to Grizzly Adams little sister. Erin Hershey and Kelly Monaco joked about how they get the giggles on set, Erin once again discussed her klutziness, hubby did some sort of a centipede dance that had the crowd in hysterics, while Erin did her catwalk. Kiko Ellsworth regaled the crowd with his exploits and talked about his new movie coming out in July, though what statement he was trying to make with his ahem, unusual hairdo, no one knows. Brian Gaskill turned the chit chat a bit more serious as he talked about a wonderful experience he had in May teaching high school kids at his old alma matter in New Jersey. The intimate setting of these talk shows is a rare treat, fans don’t often get a chance to interact with the entire cast on this kind of level. Linda Dano, the consummate pro that she is, as always looks like she’s having more fun than anyone. She clearly loves the dynamic, young cast and knows just how to showcase them to everyone’s best advantage. 

Who Wants To Be a Millionaire paired Kelly Monaco and Kiko Ellsworth. Seemed to be a surprise to Kiko that they weren’t playing for money; he got up and walked out when he was told!! Very funny, very entertaining and a real crowd pleaser.

Stars in Cars:  And what would one of these events be without the proverbial Parade of Stars.  Paired in Chrysler convertibles, the casts of both Port Charles and General Hospital joined by various Disney characters of course, took a spin around the park, waving to screaming fans who lined the route. 

4^th of July for soap fans a month early. 

 

...until we muse again Port Charles Fans









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