Interview: Brenda Dickson (ex-Jill, 'Y&R')

Welcome to my interview with Brenda Dickson.

As Jill Foster Abbott on The Young and the Restless, Dickson became one of daytime TV’s most popular super-vixens and divas.

Having portrayed the fan favourite from 1973 to 1980, and then again from 1983 to 1987, La Dickson, 60, has miraculously lived on in the hearts and minds of her loyal and passionate fan base 22 years later.

Since the Long Beach, Calif., native was fired from Y&R, there have been many questions as to what she’s been up to and whether or not she’ll ever return to daytime TV.

Dickson’s No. 1 fan, Michael Morrison, who resurrected her successful viral video, Welcome To My Home, explains the appeal of the star.

He says, “Brenda Dickson has been a fascination of mine since I was a child. I was seduced by the character of Jill Foster due to Brenda's portrayal of an impulsive, impetuous and misunderstood idealist during her first run. She brought so many layers to the role; she was vulnerable and mischievous at the same time. She could be both a victim you sympathized with or a thoughtless, self-centred child you wanted to scold. She always seemed to be searching for a home or her place in the world and never was able to find it.”

“When she returned for her second run, Brenda Dickson's portrayal of the selfish and superficial vixen was pure scene-stealing entertainment for me.  The raw, palpable chemistry between her and Jeanne Cooper did not even appear to be an act — it was real and it was fueled and capitalized on accordingly. The idealism of the younger Jill was gone. She had morphed into a character that embraced a narcissistic, single-minded journey. But there was something iconic about her theatrical performances. There was no other actress like her on the show. She was a classic performer. I was fascinated that she seemed to be able to steal any scene she was in, whether she was playing the vixen, or the vulnerable. I began to worry about her during her last year or so on the show. I could feel she was ostracizing herself from her other cast members and that something was going on behind the scenes. When the axe fell, I was devastated, of course, but almost somewhat relieved for her. As time passed, however, it was sad and disappointing to me that such an entertaining, complex and talented woman was nowhere to be found in the entertainment business.”

Morrison adds, “I have never been one to buy soap mags, but after she left Y&R, I was quick to peruse through them with regularity for any updates on her career. That's when I came across an ad for her Welcome to My Home video. I knew it would be a campy, self-indulgent piece of bizarre entertainment — and it certainly lived up to my expectations and then some! It was mesmerizing to me on so many levels as it was produced without any intended irony but was a mastery of satire at the same time.  Everyone in my life had to see it. It was my own private gem ... until I decided to post it on YouTube, that is! I finally found a way to give it wings and was not at all surprised by the overwhelming internet reception — as a diehard fan of Brenda’s, it was my gift to her to bring her name back into popular culture and putting Welcome to My Home on the web was the perfect vehicle for that. I knew people would be fascinated by it and by Brenda herself.”

“At the end of the day, it was the entertainment value that did it for me.  She was camp, she was over the top, she was out of control! It never seemed like acting with Brenda portraying Jill — it seemed like do or die.  There was a raw connection between Brenda Dickson and the character of Jill Abbott that laid her bare before your eyes, and that is a rare quality.”

TVGuide.ca recently caught up with queen of the one-liners to discuss her divorce from hell, working with iconic head writer William Bell and star Jeanne Cooper, why she was fired from Y&R, and her July 1 DVD release of her online sensation, Welcome To My Home.

TVGuide.ca: You’ve been on people’s mind lately because Jess Walton quit as Jill Abbott for two seconds, and Thom Bierdz has returned as Jill’s on-screen son, Phillip Chancellor. Did you hear that Jess abandoned her role, and Y&R began recasting? Brenda Dickson: Yes, I did — I heard she walked off the set and quit the show. It sounds like a very familiar situation to me! [Laughs] But they clearly mended fences. That’s all I know. I do run into a few Y&R people in town like Kate Linder [Esther] and Thom Bierdz [Phillip] who remain my friends. Thom is an amazing artist. He often sends me his work — and I’m always knocked out by his paintings. I’m thrilled he’s working again. I’ve known Kate and Thom for over two decades and they’ll remain my friends forever. TVG: Would you ever consider returning to Y&R especially had Walton bolted for good? BD: When I returned to Y&R the second time [in 1983], the ratings shot up from No. 6 to No. 1. [Ed. note: In 1982, Y&R's ratings were at No. 4.] When I finally left the show [in 1987], the ratings dropped back to No. 6 [Ed. note: In 1988, Y&R's ratings shot up to No. 1 from No. 2 in '87], so that’s millions of viewers that left with me for good. There’s no question about it: I made an indelible mark on my fans, which is why they keep up with me online. The Internet is an incredible vehicle to relive my moments on Y&R. My film, Welcome To My Home, is an unbelievable success because of the online community, and of course, thanks to my passionate and loyal fan base. My No. 1 fan, Toronto’s Michael Morrison, whom you know, put Welcome To My Home online, and immediately half a million people tuned in practically overnight! Afterwards, Sony removed it because they thought they owned the project. At first, I didn’t care because I didn’t want it online. Also, I wasn’t online-literate, nor did I know Michael very well. Later, a fan stole the film and re-dubbed it with their own voice and music. What’s great is that Welcome To My Home has nothing to do with Y&R; it’s all about me! Because I’m so loyal to my fans, I took control of Welcome To My Home and I’m turning it into a DVD with a few updates to make it a tad more current. I added eight minutes to the video and it’s already done and will be available on July 1 on my website.

TVG: Why do you think Welcome To My Home still resonates today?
BD: The 1980s were a magical, very glamorous and over-the-top time. Today, a lot of the fashions are still classic and in style. Since I was one of masters of the ‘80s lifestyle, I believe it’s my duty to share with my fans and teach them how to realize that glam life today. Even the hairdos and the makeup I wore back then are still “in” today. I was totally ahead of my time in these respects — especially in the diet area. I was studying with a scientist, Nathan Pritikin, who was on the cusp of discovering plaque, so I subscribed to his diet plan, which really works. In my opinion, it’s the only diet to keep yourself healthy. And today, I’m still on that diet which is how I maintain my great figure. His diet helped me stay in shape for all those glam ‘80s posters I shot. By the way, I’ll be selling those posters on my website. And then I have a book coming out on the heels of this DVD which teaches my fans about diet, skin, spiritual happiness, beauty tips, and I also teleport my audience into a dinner party I held. It’s been 22 years since I last made Welcome To My Home and since then, I have learned so much more. Actresses like their privacy, so I learned how to maintain a glam life at my home. I teach my fans all these tricks to a glam ‘80s lifestyle without spending $10,000 at the local spa, a high-class restaurant or expensive gym.

TVG: So you are turning into the glam Martha Stewart!
BD: [Laughs] Yes, with the emphasis on glamorous! I don’t cook, though. My recipes are five-minute, low-fat recipes.

TVG: Would you ever consider releasing you own fashion line? BD: Yes, definitely! I have worked as a designer. I’ve even designed huge estates when I was still working as an actress. Listen, I was recently just approached to produce my own lifestyle show, à la Welcome To My Home! That would be fun for me to do. We’ll see how it works out. I know I would be very good at it. I am very knowledgeable about design. In the old days, I was working with two of the most talented designers in the world, Jerry and Randy from Jerand Designs. I wore that infamous red gown of mine to Paris — and it was a huge hit over there, because they get glam fashions. Parisians have a really good eye for design. For example, that neckline of my red-sequined dress is just stunning. Everything was hand-beaded! They designed for everyone including the likes of Angela Lansbury and Jane Fonda. Jerand inspired my sense of fun in design. I was very lucky to have met them as a young person. It’s every woman’s dream. Many of my looks and pictures were works on art — and are available for purchase on my website.

TVG: Since fans are obsessed with all things Brenda Dickson, would you ever consider developing a reality series? I’m sure it would be a big hit!
BS: Yes, I would! And it would be so easy and fun to do! I made Welcome To My Home for my fans 22 years ago. A lot of people don’t know that I wrote it, prepared all the shots, and materials needed for the film the day before! Producing and starring in my own reality-TV show would be very easy and natural for me to do. It’s not like you have to memorize 30 pages of dialogue. We’ll see. Someone has contacted me from a large reality-TV company, so don’t worry, I’ll give you the scoop should anything materialize!

TVG: Thank you! I can’t wait.
BD: You know, if I weighed 300 pounds and dressed like a mess, I don’t think people would trust my taste and health regime. So I think there is a lot of credence to Welcome To My Home. I’m living proof that everything that I learned in my 30s still holds up today. In a lot of ways, the 25-minute film, Welcome To My Home, has evolved into a phenomenon, thanks to Michael Morrison, who is now one of my friends. He really is my No. 1 fan!

TVG: Speaking of No. 1s, do you still watch Y&R? BD: No, I don’t. [Giggles]. I don’t watch daytime TV period. I did catch some of Thom’s stuff recently though. I don’t have time to watch TV during the day because I’m very busy. I watch TV very late at night. My favourite is Chelsea Lately. TVG: That’s one my favourite shows. Would you ever consider taking on the role of Jill again — or return to acting at one point? Your fans are desperate for you to return one day to reclaim what is rightfully yours! BD: Yes, I would. I was approached for a part on Desperate Housewives. But listen, since I left Y&R, I have gone through a rough patch in my life — and I plan on talking about it on national TV soon. I’m waiting on Hawaii’s Attorney General’s decision on whether or not I can talk to the media regarding my divorce case. But back to Desperate, I got an email from creator Marc Cherry who told me he received so much fan mail on me that he wanted to create the part of Edie’s sister. Of course, I was in the process of moving so all my computer stuff was in storage and alas, I never got his message until a year later. I just got my life back on track so now I’m ready to work.

TVG: It sounds like you were living out your own soap opera!
BD: Yes, exactly. What was done to me in Hawaii was akin to Nazi, Germany — and I’m not exaggerating! They laundered a $15-million estate through the courts, leaving me with nothing and no spousal support. What those courts did to me could land them all in prison, so like I said, right now, it’s all in the hands of the Attorney General. I think the outcome will be very positive. My mother died recently at 85 years old. She had to live through this. At one point, she had a bad heart and high blood pressure. But thanks to her, she took me in — letting me sleep on the floor because I was left with nothing. My mother had a heart attack. If my mother hadn’t left me her condo, I wouldn’t know where’d I be living right now.

TVG: How long were you married to your husband, lawyer Jan Weinberg?
BD: I was with him for 11 years, married to him for nine. Quite frankly, he was broke when I met him. We built a huge estate together, and I helped him with all his publicity. I re-did his persona and refurbished a few of his properties, so I’ve earned my due. We were multi-millionaires! A lot of women have suffered because of the judges in Hawaii, so I think I’ll be the catalyst that will bring down these cowboys, as they are known over there. They think because Hawaii is a tiny speck of an island in the middle of the ocean that they can get away with anything. Silly me — when I moved there, I thought was living in the United States of America. They have no right to do this to an American citizen.

TVG: So it’s safe to say you won’t be moving back to Hawaii anytime soon?
BD: No! I may keep my properties once everything is settled. I loved living in Hawaii, but one of the guys on the courts is German, so I gave him the Hitler sign when I saw him! They’re a group of bad eggs. I’ll let you know the outcome; I’ll email you.

So, yes, I do want to return to acting. I’ve even taken acting classes to hone and sharpen my skills. I was the star of my class, too! It was so much fun. Welcome To My Home is keeping me busy because I think it should be immortalized in celluloid, if you know what I mean. I’m taking charge in what belongs to me.

TVG: Oh, I know what you mean! It sounds like you were a desperate housewife at one point! Now is a good time for Marc to call you up now.
BD: Yes, I was! [Laughs] I have totally been that desperate. Maybe Marc will call me. When I'm blond, I look very similar to Nicollette Sheridan, but now she’s no longer on the show, so I doubt that will happen now. I could also be Marcia Cross’ sister because now I’m a redhead. I doubt I’ll be blond anytime soon. My fans are wild about the red hair, so I’ll stick to that.

TVG: Redheads are an endangered species now.
BD: Actually, I was born with red hair. I like to switch it up a bit. In my book I’ll have a section on which hair colour that is best for you, so watch out for that.

TVG: What was it like working with the late, great Terry Lester [ex-Jack]? BD: Omigod! I loved Terry Lester! Working with him was a highlight in my career. Terry always saved his performance for the cameras, and would just mumble his way through rehearsal. When the tape was rolling, he would always surprise you. You never knew what he would do which is fun because reacting is acting. He was so much fun! He remains one of my favourite people I have had the honour to work with. TVG: You must have been devastated when he died? BD: I was. Terry was so smart, talented and gifted. Both Terry and I worked almost every day and on the weekends because our story was very hot and heavy. We had a lot of talent on the show at the time.

TVG: Since you were a part of the glory era of soaps, what do you think of the current state of daytime?
BD: It makes me very sad. I’m not sure why it’s dying. Maybe it’s because of all the channels available. You do know that I did all my own wardrobe on the Y&R, right? I paid for everything myself. But you know — the salaries are better today than when I was on soaps.

TVG: Um, I doubt that.
BD: When I was on Y&R, the ratings, however, were really high. I think 11 million people watched Y&R alone. When people ask me when I’ll return to daytime, I have to ask them how long soaps will stay on the air. What do you think?

TVG: I think Y&R and The Bold and the Beautiful will continue to air for another five or 10 years, but I doubt the rest of soaps will survive.
BD: When I left Y&R, I vowed not to return to soaps, but now you don’t live on the sets anymore, so I might return someday. Today they work for like, four hours a day. I used to work from seven in the morning to nine at night, and then have to memorize 80 pages of dialogue before bed. It was a 27/7 job.  Listen, a soap would have to pay me big to come back because I would bring a very large audience to whatever show I sign with. I don’t mind working long hours — as long as I’m paid. [Laughs] I’m an artist, so I would like to come back to TV.

TVG: Mama needs to get paid! How did you get into acting?
BD: I did some plays, which earned me good reviews in Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. At that time, I was working with James Burrows, who went on to create Cheers and Friends. Y&R called my agent, who was very savvy and represented Cary Grant and Marlene Dietrich. I went into the Y&R audition and did just one take but the other actresses were doing four or five takes, so I began to worry. After my tryout, I went into the makeup room and began crying because I knew I could do better. They suggested I go back in the room and talk to the director. He just laughed, and said to me, “Honey, I only gave you one take because you were absolutely perfect!” At first, Y&R wasn’t sure if they wanted me as Jill or Sally so I had to keep coming back to test for [executive producer] John Conboy. But in the end, I was cast as Jill and the rest is history. Once Jeanne [Cooper, Katherine] and I started working together, the ratings shot up to No. 1!

TVG: What was it like working on the Y&R set back then? BD: I loved working with all my co-stars. Luckily, I was involved in a lot of different storylines. Jill went from a little girl who worked as a hairstylist living with her mother to owning 22 per cent of Jabot. Jeanne and I shared something very special, and our story was really well-written. I played various levels of my personality and showed my range as an actress because I was involved in so many stories. I’d say my hottest storyline was during the John/Jill/Jack era. Remember when Jill gave herself an abortion when she fell off the ladder? [Laughs] I knew that the audience was laughing along with me because my character was so much fun! TVG: What did you think when Y&R re-wrote history to make Jill and Katherine daughter and mother? BD: Well, that wouldn’t have happened if I was playing the role! That’s all I have to say. Y&R had a gold mine in our feud — so why screw up a good thing? Jill had everything except this woman out of her life. Once you take the hatred for Katherine out of the equation, well, then Jill has nothing to fight for and fight with. Truthfully, I wouldn’t have allowed it. TVG: They’ve rectified that mistake recently. What was it like working with La Cooper? BD: Because I am a gifted actress, to put me with someone like Jeanne, who comes from the glory days of Hollywood, really helped me grow as an actor in my younger days. I love Jeanne; she’s a great actress and mother. We used to hang out a lot. I’ve known Jeanne since 1975. I’m glad she won the Emmy Award because she deserved it a long time ago.

TVG: What was it like working with Bill Bell? BD: [struggles] There were some problems. Bill wanted me to be that little girl whom he hired. He didn’t want me to play Jill as a grown vixen. When I came back the second time, [Wes Kenney], the new producer, was not thrilled when any old stars from the previous regimes returned — even though I brought the show back to No. 1. Bill, of course, was happy I returned. At the time, Y&R carved out a really fascinating storyline where I played the villainess and foil for Jack Abbott, but Bill didn’t want any of that. He wanted me to play the heroine, not the villainess. Of course, I disagreed with Bill. At some point, I stopped arguing with him and just played the villainess. A lot of people don’t know that I gave him one-year’s notice which notified Y&R I was leaving the soap because I was sick; however, I still came in to tape my shows. Then, I found out I was fired two weeks before my contract expired. The theory at the time was that because they knew I was leaving regardless, they would make it look like I was difficult so another soap wouldn’t hire me and use my star power to increase their ratings. Consequently, they breached my contract because they were obligated to give me four weeks notice so we sued Y&R. In the process, I think Y&R ruined my reputation as an actress. But I wish the soap well and nothing but success. I really have left all that drama in the past, and have moved forward. I’m happy to say I’m over it now.

TVG: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
BD: Never sue the big guy! [Laughs] Be in touch with your inner voice, and not listen to anyone else.

TVG: Finally, what is it like being a gay icon?
BD: Oh my God — it’s a blessing. I’m very flattered. Many gay people are my friends and they have inspired my fashion, life, talent, and creativity. Of course, a large portion of my fan base is made up of gay men. And I love them in return.

TVG: We have great taste. Now hurry back to TV — your fans await you.

 

 

 

 

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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.