TVGuide.ca: Let’s talk business first. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Days cast this happy before. Co-executive producer Ed Scott is working his magic, huh? I always believe you can tell if a cast is happy by watching the show.
Peter Reckell: You noticed! Yes, we are. A very wise man, who is no longer with us, said with daytime actors, the eyes [always give us away!] If actors are in a bad mood, the viewers know right away, especially if they aren’t connected with the material. Ed Scott really cares about this show, his actors, and wants the show to be the best it can be. It helps.
TVG: Well, Ed certainly knew what he was doing at a little show called The Young and the Restless.
PR: [Smiles.] Yes, and that show got pretty good numbers for a couple of years!
TVG: Was it upsetting when NBC implied it wouldn’t renew Days last year?
PR: Yeah, we were all upset. Why they did that I’ll never know because it took the air out of everyone’s tires. From the actors to the crew and more importantly, the fans. From my standpoint, it wasn’t a smart move. Days is an entity unto itself, and we’ll always be around. Whether or not it’s on NBC is another matter, but you’re not going to get rid of Salem that easily!
TVG: Having been an integral part of the golden age of soaps, does the future of daytime depress you?
PR: When I came back to the show 13 years ago, I was surprised Days was still here because the industry hadn’t moved with the times in terms of writing and production. I thought for many years we should accommodate our audiences because they have other choices. Back then, we had four networks and no computers. It’s much harder to grab our audiences. We need to be edgier and get them talking to bring ‘em back.
TVG: As part of the survival strategy, did you agree to take a pay cut?
PR: Oh, yes! We’ve done everything and then some to survive, if you haven’t noticed. I’m a team player and want this series to live on. This is my show as much as anyone else’s. It makes sense because the revenue stream isn’t as strong as it used to be.
TVG: You played Johnny Rourke on my favourite prime-time series, Knots Landing. Do you still talk to Nicollette Sheridan [ex-Paige]?
PR: Thank you. No, we’re out of touch.
TVG: Kevin Dobson [ex-Mac; ex-Judge Owens, B&B; ex-Governor Harrison, OLTL] is now playing Mickey Horton…
PR: I know; it’s great. When we saw each other, he gave me a big hug and talked about the good ol’ days. It’s strange how this industry works. Man, it’s a small world.
TVG: Kevin’s been doing daytime for a while, but hasn’t had any luck with a character yet, so I think this legacy role will be a nice notch in his acting buckle.
PR: He’s psyched, as we all are. It’s great to have him aboard!
TVG: It’s a shame Days fired Bo’s mini-me, Brandon Beemer [ex-Shawn] because he’s kicking butt on The Bold and the Beautiful. Do you miss working with Jason Cook [ex-Shawn; Matt, GH] and Brandon?
PR: The character of Shawn is important in Bo’s life. As for the actors who played the part, I’m very proud of them both. Jason and Brandon learned the business working on Days and because they worked opposite me most of the time, it’s nice to have been a part of their evolution. I’m happy they’re still working, but miss them for sure.
TVG: Bo was the quintessential Days rebel; was it sad to hand over the motorcycle helmet to the new generation of Bradys?
PR: Yeah, it was. In my mind, I still think of myself as the rebel and hero of the show, but then I’ll remind myself I’m not the young guy anymore!
TVG: Are you happy with Days returning to its more realistic, character-driven roots? Are you happy with head writer Dena Higley’s work?
PR: Yes, I am very happy! I hope we never return to that fantasy style of writing. Chips in the brain? Returning from the dead? [laughs] Been there, done that. I’m lucky Bo hasn’t really been involved with any of that, other than him being hypnotized once. People are watching reality TV, and we need to return to real life. Daytime was the original reality TV. As for Bo, he’s become the white knight of the show. However, I try to play against that as much as possible. I’d like him to be a bit more complex like he was written when we first introduced him.
TVG: You and Drake Hogestyn [John] bookmark a special moment in my life. Days was the first soap I ever watched, and my crushes on the characters made me realize I was gay at just 12 years old. At the time, it was a scary realization, but you were important in my coming-of-age.
PR: Wow. Some of my best fans are gay. And I don’t think the industry really realized how many gay men watched soaps until the Internet came along. Actually, I have a gay fan from Canada — he’s a dancer, I believe — and he’s always online defending Bo and me. It’s sweet how loyal our fans are because the Internet can be harsh. Sometimes I have to pry myself away from it.
TVG: How’s the family?
PR: Everyone’s healthy and happy. Here’s a picture of my daughter, Loden. She was born last October, and she’s my pride and joy! Loden came to my wife, Kelly, in a dream and suggested the name Loden Sloan. So when Kelly woke up, she looked up Loden, which is a shade of green, and Sloan is Celtic for warrior. Since we’re both passionate environmentalists, it made sense.
TVG: She’s gorgeous! Loden obviously inherited her parents’ DNA. Any more children in your future?
PR: No, that’s it. We might adopt down the road. My wife is adopted. Also, people don’t really talk about population control, and we should be discussing that topic.
TVG: Finally, can we expect you to stick around Salem indefinitely?
PR: Well, you never know. Working in prime time and film has never left my consciousness, but I think I am here as long as they want me. I’m good at this…
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Nelson Branco is a Toronto freelance entertainment journalist, who regularly contributes to Hello! Canada, The National Post, The Los Angeles Times' theenvelope.com, TV Guide USA, tvguide.com, Inside Entertainment, OUT, and fab magazine, along with spearheading the soap coverage for TVGuide.ca's popular daytime TV hub. After graduating from Ryerson University in 1997, he moved from Toronto to New York in 1998 to take on the roles as senior news editor at Soap Opera Update. Branco first freelanced for Soap Opera Weekly as an intern in 1994, and after leaving Soap Update to help create and launch Bauer Publishing's In Touch Weekly in 2003, Branco continued to freelance occasionally for its sister publication, Soaps In Depth. Most recently, he helped create and launch Canada's first celebrity magazine, Weekly Scoop in 2005 as its news and entertainment director. Branco is also a contributor to a new TV show titled Planet Soap to air in Canada and America.
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