Brandon’s Buzz Radio —— the archives
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February 20, 2013 —
design, Downton, and driveways full o’ snow
with the dazzling LINDA DANO
It's always a blast whenever the glorious Linda Dano pays a visit to the Buzz, and in honor of her long-awaited return to QVC --- with whom she was preparing to celebrate her 20th anniversary of dazzling us with her innovative designs --- we managed to wrangle her back here as well for her sixth appearance, whereupon she regaled us with tales of wintry weather, sudsy soaps, and the arduous process of bringing us the greatest line of home decor accessories that television home shopping has ever seen.
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July 24, 2012 —
the brilliant CONNIE PASSALACQUA HAYMAN
The daytime soaps have tragically been dwindling in number, but the ever-opinionated Marlena De Lacroix soldiers on, and her fabulous alter ego --- the crazy-cool Connie Passalacqua Hayman --- popped into Brandon's Buzz for her ninth appearance to discuss the thrilling relaunch of her website --- http://www.marlenadelacroix.com --- as well as her thoughts on the "new" General Hospital, the One Life to Live gang's seamless entry into Port Charles, the turmoil across the daytime landscape, and the riveting return of that old dinosaur, the primetime soap!
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May 29, 2012 —
a chat about the young and restless life of William J. Bell
with veteran soap journalist MICHAEL MALONEY
Three years ago, the esteemed Lee Phillip Bell --- widow of the legendary daytime titan William Bell, creator of the long-running CBS soaps
The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful --- hand-picked veteran soap journalist Michael J. Maloney to write her husband's long-overdue authorized biography, and with the book finally set to arrive in bookstores the first week of June, Michael stopped by the Buzz with an exclusive sneak peek at the daunting process of distilling the real story behind the life of one of the world’s masterful tellers of televised tales.
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March 19, 2012 —
true beauty — and pretty Liars — with
the ever-glorious NIA PEEPLES
The gloriously gorgeous Nia Peeples popped into Brandon's Buzz for her fourth visit to discuss the latest iteration and evolution of her online self-help series The Elements of Life, as well as to drop a little dish on the
hotly-anticipated second season finale of ABC Family's smash teen soap Pretty Little Liars!
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December 13, 2011 —
award-winning former soap scribes
SUSAN BEDSOW HORGAN & THOM RACINA
A DVD box set consisting of twenty classic episodes of the legendary soap
As the World Turns was released for the 2011 Christmas season, and since my new pal Susan Bedsow Horgan --- who was the head writer for World Turns for a time in the mid-'80s, and whose May 2011 appearance on Brandon's Buzz was far and away my most popular installment of theyear --- had some work included in this set (and since I'd been dying to have another chat with her anyway), I was thrilled to invite her --- and, as luck would have it, her great friend Thom Racina, whose early-'80s work on General Hospital and Days of Our Lives is the stuff of soap legend, and who just happened to be visiting Susan the day I interviewed her --- back to the Buzz for another chat about a life spent spinning suds!
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November 15, 2011 —
a Christmas-themed chat with
Emmy-winning style icon LINDA DANO
Regular Buzz listeners know it's always a fun time when the amazing
Linda Dano stops by for a chat! An Emmy-winning veteran of more soaps than I have fingers to count, she is now a staple on QVC, for whom she designs a mega-selling line of affordable accessories for the home. She returned to the network in November with a second iteration of the popular Christmas decor line which she premiered during the holiday season last year, and she returned to the Buzz to offer us an exclusive sneak peek!
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September 22, 2011 —
a fond au revoir to All My Children
with CONNIE PASSALACQUA HAYMAN
A tragic victim of inevitable cost-cutting and magnificently poor network (mis)management, ABC's classic soap All My Children signed off for good on September 23 after forty-two years and some 10,700 episodes. And returning to the Buzz to help me mark the wrenching occasion was soap journalism icon Connie Passalacqua Hayman, who has written crisp, compelling commentary for over two decades now using the nom de plume of Marlena De Lacroix, and who just happens to measure AMC as the finest soap opera in television history. Talking turkey about daytime --- and bidding adieu to a television landmark --- with a true master, exclusively on Brandon's Buzz!
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September 6, 2011 —
singer-songwriter JON McLAUGHLIN
and celebrity chef CURTIS STONE
He burst onto the pop music scene in 2007 with his arresting major-label debut record Indiana, and followed that up with a high-profile performance on the 2008 Academy Awards telecast, and a pop masterpiece called OK Now, released later that year. He returned to the block in the fall of 2011 after an extended hiatus with a terrific third album, Forever If Ever, and singer/songwriter Jon McLaughlin checked in with the Buzz to discuss both the making of the album and how liberating it is to be on his own again in the music business. PLUS: celebrity chef Curtis Stone stopped in for a quick chat about food, fun, and the art of life.
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July 12, 2011 —
Soap Opera Digest columnist CAROLYN HINSEY,
author of Afternoon Delight: Why Soaps Still Matter
She has covered the crazy, kooky world of soaps for some two decades and more now, and her sarcastic and blisteringly brilliant Soap Opera Digest column "It's Only My Opinion" has one of the most devoted readerships in daytime. She is now taking on the world of publishing, with a brand new book called Afternoon Delight: Why Soaps Still Matter, in which she reminds us why this uniquely American genre of television earned its significance within the culture, and analyzes the ways the soaps can propel themselves into the future. And to celebrate the book's debut in stores, the captivating Carolyn Hinsey stopped by the Buzz to give us an exclusive sneak peek!
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May 24, 2011 —
the fabulous CONNIE PASSALACQUA HAYMAN
Brandon's Buzz was thrilled to welcome back the fabulously irreverent Marlena De Lacroix herself --- the crazy-cool Connie Passalacqua Hayman --- for a special live event! With all the recent head-spinning developments in soapland, and the news that her old favorites All My Children and One Life to Live would soon be going off the air, Miss Marlena had LOTS of opinions about the state of daytime these days, and she made her seventh visit to the Buzz to gab with the fans and to tell ALL!
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May 17, 2011 —
former One Life to Live showrunner
SUSAN BEDSOW HORGAN
As a member of Michael Malone's Emmy-winning head-writing team on One Life to Live in the early '90s, she actually created (and named!) the soon-to-be-iconic character of Todd Manning, and as the series' executive producer from 1994-96, she was instrumental in shepherding and executing some of the most important, most memorable, and most compelling storylines --- Joey and Dorian's illicit affair, Asa and Alex's whirlwind courtship (and crazy Egyptian-themed wedding!), Viki Lord Carpenter's irrevocably shattered psyche, the staggering revelation that Todd was in actual fact Victor Lord's long-lost son, and the arrival in Llanview of dashing Irishman Patrick Thornhart --- in the classic soap's rich, riveting history. Now, with the recent announcement that One Life will be wrapping up its four-decade run next January, the spectacular Susan Bedsow Horgan stopped by the Buzz to reminisce, and to remember the incredible years she spent hanging out with (and guiding the destinies of) the folks in Llanview, PA.
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May 3, 2011 —
A Stirring from Salem author SHERI ANDERSON
She wrote for some of the most beloved couples --- John & Marlena, Patch & Kayla, Shane & Kim --- in Days of Our Lives' rich history, and now she is constructing a trilogy of novels around those classic characters, and the remarkable Sheri Anderson returned to Brandon's Buzz to offer a sneak peek at the second novel in the series, A Stirring from Salem, and to discuss her thoughts on the future of the soap opera!
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April 28, 2011 —
singer/songwriter JOHN WAITE and
America’s Next Great Restaurant judge LORENA GARCIA
His magnificent music has been a big part of the soundtrack of our lives for some three decades now; best remembered for his classic 1984 smash "Missing You," singer/songwriter John Waite stopped by Brandon's Buzz to discuss his tenth studio album, Rough and Tumble, and to reflect on one of pop music's most enduring careers. Plus: chef Lorena Garcia --- one of the four judges on NBC's hot reality competition series America's Next Great Restaurant --- popped in to preview the exciting finale!
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April 24, 2011 —
beloved soap icon LINDA DANO
She toiled away in the daytime grind for nearly three decades --- with one Emmy statuette and a slew of nominations to show for it, thank you very much! --- so you just know the magnificent Linda Dano has lots of opinions on the state of soaps these days, and as we prepared to face life without
All My Children and One Life to Live, both of which ABC had just cancelled, she returned to the Buzz to really let it rip. (Oh yeah, and she also dropped by to give us a special sneak peek at the latest additions to her massively successful collection of home decor accessories for QVC, and to reveal how she felt about a certain imminent royal wedding.) Compellingly candid views from a beloved daytime icon, in a riveting Brandon's Buzz exclusive.
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January 25, 2011 —
former soap hunk MARK DOBIES
He became a suds sensation nearly ten years ago, first by playing opposite the legendary Kim Zimmer as noble Dr. Noah Chase on Guiding Light, and later as the slimy serial killer Daniel Colson on One Life to Live. He has moved behind the scenes of late, having formed a new independent film production company entitled Shake the Tree Productions, and dashing actor-turned-auteur Mark Dobies stopped by the Buzz to fill us in on all he has been up to since leaving the world of daytime behind!
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January 11, 2011 —
The Water Wars author CAMERON STRACHER
plus: Oscar-nominated actor ERIC ROBERTS
He willingly walked away from a high-profile career in the world of New York City law to spend more time with his family and to return to his first love: writing. And author Cameron Stracher stopped by the Buzz with an exclusive sneak preview of his fascinating first piece of full-length young adult fiction, The Water Wars. PLUS: Academy Award-nominated actor Eric Roberts checked in to discuss his participation in the latest cycle of VH1's smash reality series Celebrity Rehab, and to preview what lay ahead for his character on The Young and the Restless in the new year!
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December 14, 2010 —
a Brandon’s Buzz “rising stars of Hollywood” special event:
actors JEROME ELSTON SCOTT (Anderson’s Cross),
TYNE STECKLEIN (Burlesque), &
TANNA FREDERICK (Queen of the Lot)
They are three determined stars each making names for themselves in the cutthroat world of young Hollywood, and they all three came by Brandon's Buzz to tell their amazing stories: Jerome Elston Scott discussed the making of his directorial debut, Anderson's Cross; Tyne Stecklein discussed working with the great Michael Jackson just prior to his tragic passing, as well as her role in the new smash musical Burlesque; and Tanna Frederick broke down her collaborations with famed film director Henry Jaglom, and described their latest project, Queen of the Lot. Scott, Stecklein, and Frederick, in a Brandon's Buzz "Rising Stars of Hollywood" special presentation!
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November 23, 2010 —
actresses MAYIM BIALIK & CHRISTINE LAHTI
She was my fourth guest back in February 2009, and it was such a thrill to welcome her back for episode number seventy-four: as sensitive Blossom Russo, she was once America's favorite teenager, and after hitting the jackpot again as natty neurobiologist Amy Farrah Fowler on CBS' hit comedy The Big Bang Theory, the magnificent Mayim Bialik returned to Brandon's Buzz to discuss Sheldon, science, and success the second time around. Plus: Emmy- and Academy Award-winning actress Christine Lahti stopped by to break down her recurring role on Law and Order: SVU and the rest of her glorious career!
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November 9, 2010 —
celebrating Days of Our Lives‘ 45th anniversary
with series stars JAMES REYNOLDS, JUDI EVANS,
ARIANNE ZUCKER, and SUZANNE ROGERS
NBC's classic soap Days of Our Lives hit the airwaves in November 1965, and forty-five years later, the show is still cooking with gas, and to help mark the soap's landmark anniversary, a quartet of the series' most respected stars --- James Reynolds (Salem's top cop Abe Carver), Arianne Zucker (scheming bad girl Nicole Walker), Judi Evans (family gal Adrienne Johnson Kiriakis), and Suzanne Rogers (heart-of-gold grandmother Maggie Horton) --- stopped by the Buzz to reminisce about the show's glorious past, and to offer a sneak peek at the next forty-five years in the life of Salem, U.S.A.!
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November 2, 2010 —
A Secret in Salem author SHERI ANDERSON
As an Emmy-winning daytime writer, she helped create and write for some of the most iconic characters and couplings --- Luke and Laura, Shane and Kim, Patch and Kayla, Jake and Vicky --- in soap history, and after a hiatus, the spectacular Sheri Anderson decided to head back to the suds scene with a trilogy of novels based on former characters from the rich forty-five-year history of Days of Our Lives. Book one --- A Secret in Salem --- was due in bookstores on November 9, and in the runup to its release, the amazing Anderson stopped by the Buzz to give us an exclusive sneak peek at the action, and to reminisce about the days of her life behind the soap scenes!
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October 30, 2010 —
previewing Give Up Your Shoulds Day
with We Love Soaps’ DAMON L. JACOBS
November 1, 2010 was the third annual "Give Up Your Shoulds" Day, and We Love Soaps' divine Damon L. Jacobs, in continuing his crusade to convince us all to live a "should-less" life, returned to Brandon's Buzz for a very special LIVE event to give us an exclusive sneak peek at his plan of action, as well as to dish about all the hot topics in soapland (including "One Life to Live's" quasi-renewal and Stephanie Forrester's brave battle with stage four cancer!)
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October 23, 2010 —
a unique celebration of Christmas
with Emmy-winning icon LINDA DANO
Still fondly remembered for her legendary, Emmy-garnering seventeen-year run as wacky, wonderful Felicia Gallant on NBC's classic soap Another World, she left daytime behind to return to her first loves --- decorating and design --- and on the eve of her return to QVC with her first-ever collection of Christmas collectibles, the extraordinary Linda Dano returned to the Buzz to give us an exclusive sneak peek, as well as to reminisce about how it felt to win that elusive Emmy, and to explain why she almost turned down the role that made her a globally-beloved superstar!
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October 19, 2010 —
a Brandon’s Buzz special presentation:
conversations with One Life to Live hunk MATT WALTON,
former General Hospital hero MICHAEL SUTTON,
former Another World star SANDRA ROBINSON,
and legendary Emmy-winning superstar KIM ZIMMER
Regular listeners of Brandon's Buzz know that I got my start working on Stardish Radio, a BlogTalkRadio show hosted by my good pal JoAnn Kubasek. I still work with JoAnn often, and occasionally, I even pop in and guest-host Stardish. And with JoAnn's very generous blessing, I am presenting a compilation of conversations I have conducted over the past couple of years on Stardish with four of our favorite soap stars past and present, including: One Life to Live hunk Matt Walton (who discusses how he nabbed the role of Llanview legal eagle Eli Clarke); former General Hospital star Michael Sutton (who talks about his recent return to the show as tragic hero Stone Cates); former Another World heroine Sandra Robinson (who recalls working opposite daytime legends like Doug Watson and Victoria Wyndham, who portrayed her character Amanda Cory Fowler's parents); and legendary One Life to Live returnee Kim Zimmer (who discusses the turbulent final days of Guiding Light as well as how thrilled she is to return to Llanview after nearly three decades). The best of the best, in a
Brandon's Buzz special presentation!
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October 12, 2010 —
Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter ROBBIE DUPREE
His fabulously infectious 1980 smash "Steal Away" earned him a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist and has become one of the most enduring, most popular hit singles of the past three decades. Having just released his latest album, Time and Tide, acclaimed singer/songwriter Robbie Dupree stopped by the Buzz to discuss his career, to tell the story behind his most famous hit, and to explain precisely why, in his eyes, Katy Perry beats Lady GaGa every shot out of the box!
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October 5, 2010 —
Falcon Crest and The Social Network star DAVID SELBY
He shot to fame in the late '60s as romantic werewolf Quentin Collins on the beloved daytime soap Dark Shadows and later became a global television icon as charming rogue Richard Channing on CBS' classic prime time drama Falcon Crest. And front and center among the ensemble of fall's most-talked-about film, The Social Network, the incredible David Selby stopped by the Buzz to discuss his staggering career and his role in the year's hottest movie.
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September 28, 2010 —
a final farewell to As the World Turns with
CONNIE PASSALACQUA HAYMAN
The World turns no more, but Marlena remembers: we sent CBS' classic serial As the World Turns off to soap heaven in late September, and the peerless Connie Passalacqua Hayman --- Marlena De Lacroix herself --- made her sixth appearance on Brandon's Buzz to help me put the iconic series' 54-year run in proper perspective, to discuss her memories of and experiences with folks like Douglas Marland, Liz Hubbard, and Eileen Fulton, and to offer her exclusive thoughts regarding the noteworthy developments on the six remaining daytime soaps!
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August 31, 2010 —
Young and Restless bad boy SEAN KANAN
No second acts in American lives? Don't tell that to this guy: he rose to fame playing alcoholic rich kid A.J. Quartermaine on ABC's General Hospital, and lost that job under --- to say the least --- tough personal circumstances. But he picked himself up, dusted himself off, and landed the star-making role of bona-fide bad boy Deacon Sharpe on The Bold and the Beautiful, and never looked back. He crossed Deacon over to The Young and the Restless in 2009, and in his spare time, he produces and stars in independent films, performs stand-up comedy, and tries to instruct young men across the world how to become 21st century gentlemen, and the amazing Sean Kanan stopped by Brandon's Buzz to discuss all of this and so much more!
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August 17, 2010 —
Grammy-nominated performer KATHY TROCCOLI
She first broke through in the early '80s as a superstar in the burgeoning contemporary Christian music movement, then crossed over to the pop world in the '90s with a massive radio hit called "Everything Changes." She still moves back and forth between the genres with relative ease, and on the heels of the release of her latest album --- a collection of classic pop covers entitled Heartsongs, on which she tackles legendary tunes from the likes of The Beatles, Elton John, Jim Croce, and others --- and now, the captivating Kathy Troccoli came by the Buzz to discuss the highs and lows of her triumphant career, and to reveal what she REALLY thinks of the state of pop music today!
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July 27, 2010 —
singer / songwriters ALEX BAND & JONATHAN CLAY
Brandon's Buzz steamrolled over the summer doldrums with a thrilling doubleheader featuring two of music's most exciting new talents! First up, the incredible Alex Band --- former lead singer and chief creative force behind the band The Calling, whose classic smash "Wherever You Will Go" remains one of pop radio's most-played tracks --- stopped by to discuss his latest album, We've All Been There, to reminisce about his past work, and to explain in simple English why digital piracy MUST be stopped. Then
Texas-based artist Jonathan Clay popped in to introduce his latest record, Everything She Wants, and to explain why there has never been a better time to be a DIY musician!
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June 8, 2010 —
legendary rock icon MEAT LOAF,
plus HENRI MAZZA & GREG MacLENNAN
from the Alamo Drafthouse’s Action Pack
Brandon's Buzz returned from a month-long hiatus with an exciting doubleheader, as the legendary rock icon Meat Loaf --- whose classic 1977 album Bat Out of Hell has sold some 40 million copies worldwide since its release --- stopped by to chat about his new record Hang Cool Teddy Bear, and Henri Mazza and Greg MacLennan --- the creators of the Alamo Drafthouse's insanely popular Action Pack series --- explained how their nutty idea became the hottest ticket in Austin, Texas, and revealed what's on tap at the Alamo for summer 2010!
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May 11, 2010 —
singer/songwriter CARY BROTHERS
He rocketed to fame six years ago when one of his songs ended up on the mega-selling Garden State soundtrack, but record label pressures soured him on the music scene for a time. He made a comeback, though, and did it on his own terms this time around: he had just released his second full-length CD, Under Control, and the incredible singer/songwriter Cary Brothers stopped by Brandon's Buzz to talk music, movies, and how making it big is so much sweeter the second time around!
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April 13, 2010 —
Emmy-winning legend PEGGY McCAY
She has spent the last six decades as a working actress --- and the last two-and-a-half of those playing what is most likely her best-known role, that of brave, lion-hearted matriarch Caroline Brady on Days of Our Lives --- and has yet to show any signs of slowing down, and the incredible Emmy-winning legend Peggy McCay stopped by Brandon's Buzz to discuss an amazing life lived, literally, before the camera!
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April 7, 2010 —
checking in with CONNIE PASSALACQUA HAYMAN
She took a brief hiatus at the beginning of the year, but the irrepressible Marlena De Lacroix came roaring back with her signature sassy soap criticism in early spring, and her alter ego, the amazing and hilarious
Connie Passalacqua Hayman, headed back to Brandon's Buzz to offer her unique take on All My Children's glorious renaissance, the staggering cast bloodbath on One Life to Live, and all of daytime's other hot-button issues!
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March 16, 2010 —
One Life to Live hunk DAVID GREGORY
Whether he is seducing vulnerable young co-eds or producing the latest reality show hit, he has made quite a splash portraying bad boy lothario Robert Ford on ABC's One Life to Live, and the show's new resident hunk David Gregory stopped by Brandon's Buzz to discuss his amazing transition from struggling actor to soap stud!
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March 2, 2010 —
legendary soap hero SCOTT BRYCE
He has had pivotal roles in such primetime hits as The Facts of Life,
Murphy Brown, and Popular, and has appeared in various films and theatrical ventures, but he’s no doubt most fondly remembered for his iconic, Emmy-nominated work as dastardly charming rogue Craig Montgomery on
As the World Turns. He has recently shifted his attention behind the scenes, working as a director and producer on a new online project, a comedic takeoff on the daytime world entitled Steamboat, and the incredible Scott Bryce stopped by the Buzz to give us the inside scoop!
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February 23, 2010 —
singer/songwriter MATTHEW RYAN
He might just be the best-kept secret in American popular music, even a full twelve albums into his incredible career. His emotionally-charged music has been heard on such television series as One Tree Hill and House; he has worked and toured with the likes of Nanci Griffith, Steve Earle, and the legendary Lucinda Williams, and his own work undoubtedly stands strong alongside the best of all of theirs. And in the wake of the release of his latest album, Dear Lover, musician Matthew Ryan stopped by Brandon's Buzz to give us the inside scoop!
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February 16, 2010 —
showbiz legend LUCIE ARNAZ
She is nothing less than a showbiz legend, and considering that she is the first born progeny of entertainment icons Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, who would expect anything less? She has conquered the worlds of television, music, theater, film, you name it, and she has a Golden Globe nomination, an Emmy, and countless theater awards to show for her amazing work. Having just released a new album, Latin Roots, on which she pays loving homage to the legacy of her celebrated father, the wickedly funny and brilliantly talented Lucie Arnaz stopped by Brandon's Buzz to offer us an exclusive sneak peek and to discuss her parents' enduring rich legacy!
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February 12, 2010 —
One Life to Live star LAURA BONARRIGO
It matters not that a handful of actresses have played the part over the years; for an entire generation of One Life to Live fans, there is only ONE Cassie Callison Carpenter Buchanan, and on the eve of her long-awaited return to Llanview, the smashing Laura Bonarrigo came back to Brandon's Buzz to divulge how it feels to be back at work in such a familiar setting and to offer us an exclusive sneak peek at what lay ahead for those crazy Cramer women!
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February 4, 2010 —
singer/songwriter KELLEY RYAN; plus: Past Life
star KELLI GIDDISH and creator DAVID HUDGINS
On a special episode of Brandon's Buzz, singer/songwriter Kelley Ryan discussed how she decided to break away from astroPUPPEES and strike out on her own with her solo debut album Twist. Plus: the star and creator of the new Fox series Past Life --- actress Kelli Giddish and writer/producer
David Hudgins --- discussed how their previous experiences in television have prepared them for their new series!
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February 1, 2010 —
an Elements of Life sneak peek with NIA PEEPLES
Long an advocate for learning to discard the extraneous and embrace your true warts-and-all self, the marvelous actress/singer/human dynamo
Nia Peeples is launching a brand new online teleseminar series entitled
The Elements of Life, in which she dares to tackle the myth of beauty and the necessity of individuality and passion in this world, and she returned to the Buzz to offer us an exclusive sneak preview!
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January 26, 2010 —
Brandon’s Buzz‘s Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
[celebrating the show's first anniversary]
I'm a couple of weeks tardy (dreadful sorry!), but better late than never: Brandon's Buzz premiered on January 14, 2009, and fifty episodes later, the show enters its second year by pausing to look back on its first. Tonight, a two-hour extravaganza featuring the most interesting moments and memories from twelve months of compelling conversations with some of the most fascinating actors and artists of our time. What drove the great Emmy-winning soap writer Pamela K. Long to take over the reins of Guiding Light in the early '80s? How does One Life to Live star Brett Claywell enjoy working with his incredible co-stars? What did Dynasty star Gordon Thomson REALLY think of Charlton Heston? How many of Felicia Gallant's turbans did Linda Dano sneak off with following the cancellation of Another World? What did former soap star Nicholas Walker mean when he chastised former co-stars for "reading for dollars"? Find out all of this (and so much more!) as you listen to Brandon's Buzz's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1.
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January 20, 2010 —
a return visit from the incredible LINDA DANO
Everyone's favorite soap-actress-turned-mega-selling-designer returns to QVC this week with her latest collection of home and fashion accessories, and to mark the occasion, the amazing Linda Dano returned to Brandon's Buzz to offer up an exclusive sneak preview of what's in store, as well as to dish about the cancellation of As the World Turns, the new golden age of television, and even the evolving Jay/Conan debacle!
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January 7, 2010 —
former Mr. Big frontman ERIC MARTIN
You may not know his name on first glance, but if you've listened to a radio even once in the past two decades, you're bound to know his peerless voice: as the lead singer of '90s band Mr. Big, he landed radio smashes with songs like "Just Take My Heart" and the number one classic "To Be With You." He still regularly tours and records, and the amazing Eric Martin stopped by the Buzz to discuss Timeless, his fascinating collection of bold pop covers, as well as his current projects and the rest of his chart-topping career!
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December 22, 2009 —
AfterElton.com’s soaps guru ANTHONY D. LANGFORD
His weekly column “Gays of Our Lives” appears at AfterElton.com and has become required reading for tens of thousands of soap fans across the planet who crave the latest dirt and dish about all the homosexual happenings on the world’s most-watched serials. And to reflect on the big gay year that has swept through soapland, the incredible columnist Anthony D. Langford came by the Buzz with his uncensored take on Kish, Nuke, and why American serialized television shows may finally be catching up with their European brethren when it comes to Dorothy and her friends!
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December 15, 2009 —
chart-topping musician CURTIS STIGERS
A critically acclaimed pop artist in the '90s --- with radio hits like "I Wonder Why" and "Keep Me From the Cold" to his credit --- he has turned his sensibilities toward jazz for his last few albums, and with the release of his latest effort, Lost in Dreams, the incredible artist Curtis Stigers stopped by the Buzz to discuss his new songs and his old favorites!
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December 8, 2009 —
One Life to Live hunk DAVID FUMERO
He has spent most of the past eleven years portraying true blue good guy Cristian Vega on ABC's classic soap One Life to Live, and his character's latest romance --- this one with Llanview's resident fashion maven Layla Williamson --- is finally heating to a boil after a year-long slow burn. To mark the occasion, the amazing David Fumero stopped by the Buzz to dish about his life, his career, and his incredible run on one of America's favorite daytime dramas!
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November 26, 2009 —
a special Thanksgiving encore with former soap stars
JESSICA TUCK, LINDA DANO, & KALE BROWNE
One of the blessings I was most grateful for this year is the amazing opportunity I have been granted to speak with such interesting and compelling artists whose riveting work I admire and whose immense talents I respect. So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I presented anew a trio of soap-related excerpts from three of my favorite recent conversations with former One Life to Live star Jessica Tuck and former Another World stars Linda Dano and Kale Browne.
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November 18, 2009 —
celebrating Marlena De Lacroix’s 20th anniversary with
CONNIE PASSALACQUA HAYMAN
Using her sophisticated and outrageous nom de plume Marlena De Lacroix, she was instrumental in introducing and perfecting the art of modern soap opera criticism with her peerless column Critical Condition, which made its debut inside the pages of Soap Opera Weekly twenty years ago this week. That magazine has strayed far away from what its founders intended it to be, but Marlena gloriously endures with typical panache on a hilarious website which bears her name, and on the occasion of her 20th anniversary, the magnificent Connie Passalacqua Hayman made a long-awaited return to Brandon's Buzz to reminisce and to offer up beaucoup bon mots about her two decades trying to keep the soaps honest!
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November 10, 2009 —
former soap hero KALE BROWNE
He made a huge splash in the '80s as true blue good guy Michael Hudson on NBC's Another World, and then again in the '90s as lovelorn sharkish lawyer Sam Rappaport on ABC's One Life to Live, and the amazing Kale Browne stopped by Brandon's Buzz with an insider's view of two classic soaps!
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November 5, 2009 —
a One Life to Live-related encore with BRETT CLAYWELL
His character on ABC's One Life to Live --- struggling med student Kyle Lewis --- had just reunited with his onscreen true love --- bumbling police officer Oliver Fish --- and to mark the momentous occasion, Brandon's Buzz packaged into one exchange a pair of conversations --- one from last June, and one from October --- in which the incredible Brett Claywell went in depth and on the record about what makes his character tick!
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October 29, 2009 —
a big gay soap chat with MICHAEL FAIRMAN
Let's see how far we've come: believe it or not, a gay wedding boom is about to explode in the town of Llanview, PA on ABC's One Life to Live, and to mark the occasion --- and to discuss the latest head-spinning casting moves from across the daytime dial, as well as to offer us an exclusive sneak preview of Venice, Crystal Chappell's hotly-anticipated new web series --- legendary online journalist Michael Fairman paid a return visit to Brandon's Buzz!
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October 27, 2009 —
singer and Broadway star LINDA EDER
She is widely regarded as this generation's Streisand, and her gloriously angelic five-octave range seems to know no bounds. Best known for her triumphant run in Broadway's smash musical Jekyll and Hyde, she has just released her latest album --- Soundtrack, a terrific collection of her favorite movie tunes --- and the amazing Linda Eder stopped by Brandon's Buzz to discuss her newest project and her spectacular career.
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October 20, 2009 —
actress and environmentalist JESSICA TUCK
Once upon a magical time, she was Megan Gordon Harrison on ABC's classic soap One Life to Live and though she only toiled on the show for three years, her character's tragic death from lupus stands as one of the most heart-wrenching (and most fondly remembered) sequences in daytime history. She has since gone on to enjoy incredible success in prime time television and in film, and she has just co-founded Inspire the Change, an environment-related website and cause that is close to her heart, and the incredible Jessica Tuck came by the Buzz to discuss her stellar career and her brand new online endeavor!
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October 13, 2009 —
daytime legend ILENE KRISTEN
She has been toiling in soaps (and brilliantly!) for some three decades now, and she's survived to tell the tale! And the magnificent Ilene Kristen came by Brandon's Buzz to do just that: from her legendary stint as Delia Reid Coleridge on the classic series Ryan's Hope to her current triumph as Roxanne "Roxy" Balsom on One Life to Live, she has seen it all and done it all, and on the Buzz, she TOLD all!
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October 6, 2009 —
red-hot One Life to Live star BRETT CLAYWELL
He stopped by the Buzz back in June --- just a few days prior to the announcement that One Life to Live would be proceeding with their groundbreaking Kish storyline --- and he warned us at that time that things were about to get a LOT more interesting for his character, Kyle Lewis. The amazing Brett Claywell returned to Brandon's Buzz to discuss his scorching hot storyline, the fascinating evolution of his ever-intriguing character, and his role as the wanted man in daytime television's first gay love triangle!
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September 29, 2009 —
Emmy-winning superstar LINDA DANO
She remains best-known for her Emmy-winning role as the outrageous
Felicia Gallant on NBC's classic soap Another World, and she returned to QVC to celebrate the second anniversary of her enormously successful collection of home furnishings and accessories, and the fabulous Linda Dano stopped by the Buzz with an exclusive sneak peek of what was in store on her latest visit to the shopping channel!
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September 16, 2009 —
Emmy-winning soap scribe PAMELA K. LONG
Many call her the most interesting, most imaginative, most important storyteller in the illustrious seven-decade history of Guiding Light, and she owns two Outstanding Writing Daytime Emmys to back up that assertion. And on the eve of that classic soap's heartbreaking final episode, the incredible Pamela K. Long came by Brandon's Buzz to discuss her memories of the show and to talk about the characters (Reva! Josh! Fletcher! Alexandra! Harley!) whom she continues to hold dear to her heart.
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September 16, 2009 —
a final farewell to Guiding Light with
CONNIE PASSALACQUA HAYMAN
In her legendary Soap Opera Weekly column Critical Condition (which ran from 1989-2001), she penned some of the most probing, interesting, spot-on prose --- positive AND negative! --- ever written about Guiding Light, and as we all prepared to sit shivah over the loss of this uniquely American treasure, Marlena De Lacroix herself, Connie Passalacqua Hayman, came by the Buzz for a frank discussion of what went gloriously right --- and so ghoulishly wrong --- with television's longest-running series.
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September 9, 2009 —
One Life to Live hunk NICHOLAS RODRIGUEZ
His theater roles have included Jesus, Moses, and Tarzan, but his starmaking part might just be that of Nick Chavez, the stunningly sexy potential spoiler to the burgeoning romance between Oliver Fish and Kyle Lewis on ABC's classic soap One Life to Live. Actor Nicholas Rodriguez dropped by the Buzz to discuss his amazing Broadway career and the challenges of playing out a truly groundbreaking daytime television storyline!
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September 8, 2009 —
a return visit from the spectacular NIA PEEPLES
Her February appearance remains the most listened-to episode in the history of Brandon's Buzz, and she came back for a riveting encore! The extraordinary Nia Peeples stopped by the Buzz to discuss her role in the new Hallmark telefilm Citizen Jane, as well as her somewhat stormy departure from The Young and the Restless her thoughts on the upcoming film revival of Fame, and the incredible longevity of her nearly thirty-year career!
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August 27, 2009 —
a Daytime Emmy preview with MICHAEL FAIRMAN
After several excruciating delays, the 2009 Daytime Emmys finally arrived, and to mark the occasion, soap expert Michael Fairman returned to Brandon’s Buzz to reveal who he thought should have won the awards,
as well as to reveal exclusive details about the tribute to Guiding Light that he spearheaded for the Emmy telecast, and to discuss his thoughts on
All My Children's controversial move west and the other hot soap topics!
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August 7, 2009 —
soap goddess LYNN HERRING
She achieved legendary fame as General Hospital's legendary bombshell Lucy Coe, a part she played off and on for nearly two decades, and after an extended hiatus from the business, she made a gloriously riotous return to daytime, playing Henry Coleman's scheming mother Audrey on As the World Turns. Stunning soap star Lynn Herring dropped by Brandon's Buzz to give up the scoop on her current role, and to dish on her most famous one!
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July 31, 2009 —
soap journalist CONNIE PASSALACQUA HAYMAN
Her first visit was such a smashing success that she came back for more! Marlena De Lacroix herself, the peerless Connie Passalacqua Hayman, returned to Brandon's Buzz to discuss the continuing disintegration of
All My Children to debunk a series of daytime myths, and to question seriously whether The Young and the Restless lives up to
the deafening hype which surrounds it!
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July 2, 2009 —
chart-topping pop diva TAYLOR DAYNE
With nine straight top twenty smash singles between 1987 and 1993,
she was the diva of record for an entire generation of music fans. Still kicking butt some two decades after her blistering debut, with an incredible new album, Satisfied, and a legion of fans who still adore her, the magnificent Taylor Dayne stopped by Brandon's Buzz to chat about her enduring status as a pop icon!
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June 25, 2009 —
North and South vixen TERRI GARBER
She started a sensation in the mid-'80s with her sizzling role on the classic miniseries North and South and has continued to entertain and enchant audiences with her roles on Dynasty, Santa Barbara and As the World Turns, and famed actress Terri Garber came by the Buzz to discuss her incredible career, past, present, and future!
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June 23, 2009 —
Auditions LA founders BETH MAITLAND & JOEL BROOKS
She is the Emmy-winning star of The Young and the Restless; he is the
famed character actor best known for his regular roles on My Sister Sam
and Six Feet Under. Together, they have just created the terrific new website Auditions LA --- find it at www.auditionsla.com --- which aims to help give actors of any experience level a leg up when it comes to nabbing the part they're trying for, and actors Beth Maitland and Joel Brooks stopped by the Buzz to talk about their new venture and their incredible careers!
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June 18, 2009 —
Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter BRENDA RUSSELL
Legendary smashes like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark" cemented her status as one of the greatest singers and songwriters of the '80s, and acclaimed artist Brenda Russell dropped by the Buzz to discuss her
amazing career and her current projects!
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June 17, 2009 —
pioneering online soap journalist MICHAEL FAIRMAN
Michael Fairman was a pioneer of online soap-related journalism in the initial internet boom of the late-'90s, and now his website, Michael Fairman On Air On Soaps, is an industry-wide must-read, and he dropped by the Buzz to discuss his thoughts on all things soap, from his take on the Daytime Emmy nominations to the tragic murder of poor Stuart Chandler on All My Children.
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June 2, 2009 —
One Life to Live actor BRETT CLAYWELL
Brandon’s Buzz teamed up with the brilliant folks at onetreehillweb.net for a unique radio event featuring actor Brett Claywell! Best known for his five-year recurring role on the CW’s smash teen drama One Tree Hill, Claywell is now wreaking all kinds of havoc as crooked lab tech Kyle Lewis on ABC’s soap One Life to Live, and he came by the Buzz to discuss his burgeoning career and his time on a pair of television classics!
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May 29, 2009 —
veteran journalist CONNIE PASSALACQUA HAYMAN
Her legendary column "Critical Condition" --- written under the romantic nom de plume of Marlena De Lacroix --- was a staple of Soap Opera Weekly's award-winning coverage for twelve glorious years. After stepping
away from the scene in 2001 to get married and return to school, the terrific Connie Passalacqua Hayman moved her signature sassy sagacity into the blogosphere with a fun new website (www.marlenadelacroix.com), and she came by the Buzz for a discussion of the latest goings-on inside the crazy soap world!
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May 15, 2009 —
legendary R&B artist OLETA ADAMS
Her smash 1991 cover of "Get Here" became an anthem for families and loved ones of the soldiers fighting the original Gulf War and made her an instant star. Just after the arrival of her latest album, the gorgeous and sumptuous Let's Stay Here, the legendary Oleta Adams dropped by Brandon's Buzz to discuss her latest project and her extraordinary career.
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May 15, 2009 —
daytime manager extraordinaire MICHAEL BRUNO
His forthright candor is as legendary as his love for the genre whose actors he's best known for representing, and soap power broker Michael Bruno dropped by the Buzz to help analyze the just-released nominations for the 2009 Daytime Emmy Awards, as well as to discuss his thoughts on the cancellation of Guiding Light and whatever crossed our minds regarding the crazy soap world.
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April 14, 2009 —
actress / author LOUISE SHAFFER
She won a well-deserved Emmy playing Rae Woodard on the classic ABC serial Ryan's Hope and is now an acclaimed novelist, with a brand new book, entitled Serendipity now in stores and a full career behind her both in front of the camera and away from it, and the incredible Louise Shaffer dropped by the Buzz to discuss her life and her amazing work!
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April 13, 2009 —
therapist and author DAMON L. JACOBS
His new book Absolutely Should-Less is burning up the bestseller charts across the country, and his "Soap Shrink" columns at Marlena De Lacroix's fabulous website are an industry-wide must-read, and Damon Jacobs
came by the Buzz to discuss his book, his life, the tragic cancellation of Guiding Light, and whatever else managed to tickle our fancy.
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April 6, 2009 —
actor turned landscape designer NICHOLAS WALKER
He stole our attention first as dashing Sen. Trey Clegg on Capitol, and later as an infinitely more urbane and sophisticated recast of Max Holden on
One Life to Live. He stepped away from Hollywood several years ago to follow his other passion --- landscape design --- and has just teamed up with the legendary Kathy Ireland as her design ambassador, and the legendary Nicholas Walker came by the Buzz to discuss all of his amazing careers.
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March 11, 2009 —
onetreehillweb.net webmasters CORTNI and NELLY
They co-founded and maintain the internet's most comprehensive website dedicated to the CW's smash young adult drama One Tree Hill, and smart sisters Cortni and Nelly Justice came by Brandon's Buzz to discuss their site and what's in store for the show they so dearly love!
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March 5, 2009 —
Tami Show’s lead singer CLAIRE MASSEY
A sensational band called Tami Show scored an unforgettable smash in the early '90s called "The Truth" before going their separate ways, but the group's magnificent vocalist Claire Massey continues to make music today, and she dropped by the Buzz to discuss her current projects and her past triumphs.
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March 3, 2009 —
former General Hospital star REAL ANDREWS
He was best known as Lt. Marcus Taggert, the constant justice-seeking thorn in mobster Sonny Corinthos' side on General Hospital, and Réal Andrews dropped by Brandon's Buzz to discuss his time on the show, his decision to walk away, and his new mission to help all Americans find true wellness in their lives!
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March 2, 2009 —
acclaimed singer/songwriter ANA EGGE
She started out in heady days of the Austin explosion of the late '90s, which also gave birth to Fastball, Patty Griffin, Abra Moore, Shawn Colvin, Sister 7, and so many others, and eleven years after her stunning debut River Under the Road, she is still going strong. Upon the release of her lauded sixth album, Road to My Love, acclaimed singer/songwriter Ana Egge dropped by the Buzz to discuss the record and her extraordinary career!
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February 27, 2009 —
stunning actress NIA PEEPLES
She first came to our collective attention as spunky dancer Nicole on the classic '80s television series Fame, and we've loved her in all her various incarnations --- TV host, pop singer, butt-kicking action star, and respected actress --- ever since. Now having a blast on The Young and the Restless
(for which she had just received an Image Award nomination), the sensational Nia Peeples dropped by the Buzz to discuss her latest projects, her extraordinary career, and why drag queens make the best dance partners.
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February 25, 2009 —
legendary country star LACY J. DALTON
Her fascinating and instantly recognizable voice --- equal parts Tammy Wynette and Janis Joplin --- brought Lacy J. Dalton a stunning string of twenty top 40 country hits in the ‘80s, including “Takin’ It Easy,”
“16th Avenue,” and “Black Coffee.” Dalton still performs and tours regularly, and she has gotten seriously involved with the plight of Nevada’s endangered wild horses by helping to write legislation to protect them, and she came by the Buzz to talk about her terrific career and her latest passion!
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February 24, 2009 —
Emmy-winning actress BETH MAITLAND
Back in 1985, her role as tortured novelist-to-be Traci Abbott Carlton won her The Young and the Restless' very first acting Emmy trophy. She still makes periodic appearances on Y&R, and the terrific Beth Maitland dropped by the Buzz to discuss her time on the show and her latest projects!
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February 19, 2009 —
legendary soul singer PEGGY SCOTT-ADAMS
In 1997, a risque smash single called "Bill" catapulted her back into the spotlight, and legendary rhythm and blues performer Peggy Scott-Adams came by the Buzz to talk about her extraordinary career and to discuss the new musical direction her path has begun to take!
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February 18, 2009 —
actress and singer GLORIA LORING
She co-wrote the theme songs for such classic television series as
Diff'rent Strokes and The Facts of Life, and she's a renowned actress
(Days of Our Lives) and singer (the #1 smash "Friends and Lovers"),
and the incredible Gloria Loring dropped by the Buzz to discuss her life,
her amazing career, her Grammy-winning son --- Robin Thicke! --- and
her new musical revue show!
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February 12, 2009 —
legendary Knots Landing star JOAN VAN ARK
Already a superstar onstage before she ever earned what would become her signature role --- that of Valene Ewing on Knots Landing --- she blew into the then-foreign world of prime-time serialized television and blew the roof off the joint. Some fourteen years after Knots began, she rode off into the sunset as one of the longest-running characters in prime-time television history. It has been a decade and a half since Knots left the air, and its legendary star
Joan Van Ark dropped by Brandon’s Buzz to discuss her latest projects and to dish about her iconic past.
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February 11, 2009 —
Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter ABRA MOORE
Her 1997 global smash "Four Leaf Clover" won her a Grammy nomination (for Best Female Rock Vocal) and made her an instant star. She has continued making terrific music in the years that followed, and the alluring, ethereal
Abra Moore visited the Buzz to discuss her early years, her time with Arista Records, and her incredible body of work.
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February 9, 2009 —
former Santa Barbara hunk MICHAEL BRAINARD
He became a star in the ‘90s, initially as the first adult Jake Martin on All My Children (though he was called Joey then!) and later as dashing, debonair Ted Capwell on the late great Santa Barbara. He has since moved on to a wonderfully full career as both a stage and screen actor and as a playwright, and Michael Brainard dropped by Brandon’s Buzz to reminisce on his time in soaps and away from them!
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February 5, 2009 —
former teen icon and Blossom star MAYIM BIALIK
She was a sensation in the late '80s and early '90s, first as a young Bette Midler in the classic tearjerker Beaches, and later in her signature role as an unusually perceptive teenage girl navigating life in a houseful of addled men on the legendary NBC sitcom Blossom. She largely stepped away from the glare of Hollywood several years ago, but to celebrate the long-awaited debut of Blossom on DVD, the terrific, astoundingly astute Mayim Bialik dropped by the Buzz to discuss her experiences on and recollections of a fondly-remembered classic!
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February 4, 2009 —
former One Life to Live star LAURA BONARRIGO
Once upon a time, she was sweet, tortured Cassie Callison Buchanan Carpenter Buchanan on One Life to Live, and more recently, she has caused trouble on All My Children as the sudden third wheel in Pine Valley's legendary Jesse/Angie romance, and the gorgeous Laura Bonarrigo dropped by the Buzz to talk all about her life and her extraordinary daytime career.
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January 15, 2009 —
Dynasty and Santa Barbara star GORDON THOMSON
He was a sensation as slimy, sinister Adam Carrington on ABC's legendary smash Dynasty, and he was the third (and, for many, best) Mason Capwell
on NBC's late, great Santa Barbara, and Golden Globe-nominated actor Gordon Thomson dropped by Brandon's Buzz with a no-holds-barred insider's view of two television classics.
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January 14, 2009 —
former One Life to Live star ROBERT KRIMMER
Once upon a time, he was known professionally as Wortham Krimmer,
and his character --- the dignified Reverend Andrew Carpenter --- was the most fascinating character on One Life to Live, where his portrayal was so indelible that he is still much-beloved by soap fans worldwide. Now an attorney based in Oxnard, California, the searing Robert Krimmer graciously inaugurated Brandon's Buzz Radio to discuss his time in soaps, as well as his decision to step away from them.
