6/28/98
Liza Reconsiders the artificial insemination
From Soaps In Depth
Liza calls the clinic to tell them she's ovulating . But before she is able to leave her office Tad barges in to complain about Dimitri & Ryan screwing up Brooke's trial. Liza finally tells Tad where she's going. He's overjoyed and agrees to go with her. Then Jake shows up and agrees to go with Liza when Tad finds out he has to stay behind for Gillian's weathergirl audition. Gillian screws up the audition and blabs to Tad about Ryan (aka Donor 517) and the Fertility Clinic. Tad rushes to the clinic and stops the insemination. Tad reads Ryan the riot act and Jake comforts Liza. Jake announces that he'll be the donor. Tad takes him aside and ask "are you crazy? what about Allie?" Jake assures Tad that Allie will understand. Adam shows up looking for Marian because Stuart is missing. (I'm not sure where all of this is taking place, but why the heck would Adam be looking for Marian at a Fertility Clinic). Adam is concerned as to why Liza is there. Jake returns to tell Liza he's all hers. Adam demands to know what Jake meant, but Liza keeps mum.
"When Adam finds out, his reaction is a big part of the story," teases McTavish. ... But don't take that to mean Liza necessarily will allow him to step up to the plate ... "He (Adam) realizes that he blew it in the marriage," points out McT, "But, he just keeps making bigger and more complex mistakes. No one can cause trouble like Adam Chandler. And how he reacts to Liza's situation will have a big effect on another couple on the canvas.
Will Jake do the deed ... or will Tad step in? What about Ryan - could he dive back into the donor pool? ... perhaps Adam could oblige his ex-wife. ... Dr. Hayward showed a bit of interest in Liza.
"I would look for two more twists in the storyline," promises McTavish, "Who ultimately becomes the father of Liza's baby is the crux of it."
"That's where the emotional complications will occur later on," she adds. "There are a few more bumps in the road here."
5/31/98
Liza tells Marian how proud she is of her. Stuart brings Marian some gifts and Liza is touched by their bonding. Liza is briefly detained on her way to Adam's dinner party when she does arrive she finds a room full of men who all share one thing in common: Marian. Liza teams up with Tad to confront Adam. Marian begs Stuart to rescue her from the room when Stuart begins to question her about all her male friends. Marian tells Stuart the truth about her past and Stuart finds it all a bit too much to handle. Feeling rejected Marian flees. Liza and Tad are hot on her trail and reach her before she can commit a desperate act. But later Marian returns to the bottle for comfort. Stuart makes a startling admission to Adam. Liza makes an interesting suggestion to Adam. Stuart discusses his relationship with Marian to Scott and sees it in a different light and tells Adam so. Tad tries to console a drunken Marian who tries to kiss Tad but he talks some sense into her and takes her home. Liza is disgusted with Adam and throws a drink in his face and congratulates him on his latest stunt. Adam is stunned and begs Liza for her forgiveness. Later Liza goes to Tad for a bizarre request of her own.
Liza makes a life changing decision that will affect several people- could it be that she is going to be artificially inseminated?
Liza congratulates Adam on his abominable behavior. Tad is shocked by Liza's request.
Red Letter Days:
Wednesday, June 3: Adam hosts an outrageous dinner party for Stuart, Marian, and her exes. Friday, June 6: Adam asks Liza for a second chance. Monday, June 8: Liza makes an unbelievable request of Tad.
AMC: Yes, it's true, darlings! An AMC spokesperson confirms that Jennifer Bassey (Marian) has finally signed a contract with the show; the actress had been a recurring player.
SOM - Tad and Liza will have a scene together
Liza is a little p.o.'ed at Tad for not keeping her upto date on the Joy situation Tad is p.o.ed at Camille for not staying put during his absence. Camille is getting a gun (for Adam).
All My Children's Michael E. Knight: As "Tad the Cad," he was the soap sexsation of the '80s -- but you'd never know it by the way ABC neutered and nullified him in the '90s. Knight's new supporting status is a crime. So is the network's steadfast refusal to reteam him with his great screen partner Marcy Walker (Liza). Instead, he's being paired with the way-too-young, way-too-blah Schuyler Grant (Camille). Dial your lawyer, dude. You're a first-class actor being forced to go coach.
Posted 3/11/98
LIKE FINE WINE
To those fans who have been clamoring for a Tad/Liza pairing, Michael E. Knight (Tad) says this: Be patient! He feels that soap relationships, like wine improve with the passage of time.
"What you realize is that history only makes relationships stronger and more interesting," Knight says. "The reason Tad and Liza are so good together now is becaue they've know each other for so many years and have so muchdysfunction in their past. But if you hold out a little bit longer, it won't detract from anything - to the contrary, it will make it all worth the wait."
Q&A With Michael E. Knight (Tad Martin)
Part One
For each of the two Austin Shows, MEK came out and answered questions for about 30 minutes, then signed autographs. He looked great in a dark blue suit, with a purplish shirt, wild printed tie (which he did not wear for the second show), and black suede shoes (Jane and I noticed this during the second show when we had an up-close seat). He has a radiant smile, beautiful light blue eyes, and was very much at ease answering questions, even some of the idiotic ones thrown out by the crowd (see below). He seems to have a ratsafaristic (new word) cynicism about the show (i.e. talking about Dimitri: "only in Pine Valley could a tree fall on you"), which I found refreshing. Here are some of MEK's comments:
- He came out the first time and quizzed the audience on how many were long-time viewers, how many taped the show, and then he asked how many mother/daughters were in the audience. Several groups of hands were raised, and he pointed to them and asked them to meet him backstage after the show (hehehehehe!). When he realized some of the same people were back for the second show (he couldn't help but notice Big Dratsa taking up two front rows of seats), he tried not to repeat the same stuff, which was very considerate of him. He also mentioned on more than one occasion that soap fans were the best in the business, very forgiving!
TAD-Related Stuff:
- MEK wants Tad to be rich again! He thinks Palmer should take Tad under his wing and groom him into becoming a business mogul. He thinks he is too old to be "Tad the Cad" but admitted that his favorite Tad storyline *ever* was his first one with Marian/Liza.
- He admitted out of all his wives, that the actress who played Dixie was his favorite actress to work with. However, he did admit that "True Love is the kiss of death on daytime", so it didn't sound like he minded being single. He also mentioned that he enjoyed working with Marcy and loved working with Lee Meriweather as his new mom. It sounds like he had a big crush on her when she was on Barnaby Jones.
- He told us that Gloria was Tad's "transitional woman". TPTB thought it was realistic to have Tad fall for his spouse's best friend, whichhas happened in real life. Now, Tad "has a clean slate" and is free to go on to a brand-new love (Joy). He didn't tell us much about Joy, except that "Joy" is not her name and that she has a mysterious back-story.
Other AMC Stuff (people/plots):
- Asked if the actors had *any* control over their storylines. He said *no*!! because if that was the case, Erica *never* would have stolen the baby.
- Originally, he said TPTB were planning to write off both Gloria *and* Dimitri, but now they plan to keep Dimitri around, moving him into more of the Palmer role (a power-player to spar with Adam). He mentioned that McT created Dimitri and the Santo family, so she was partial to these characters.
- He liked doing his duel role, but said no one can do this like David Canary, who makes it look so easy. He told us stories about how amazing it is to watch David Canary in action. David has gotten so good playing a duel role that he can even interrupt himself!
- Someone asked when Marian was going to get a picture in the opening credits. MEK explained that pictures were of contracted people and shewas not under contract. He is not even sure if McT will keep her around!! Did someone say letter-writing campaign? MEK told us that TPTB believe every letter is worth 3000 opinions!
Behind the Scenes:
-Asked if they play tricks on each other, he said "yes". He said they used to play tricks on Palmer, who would have copies of his script all over the set. Sometimes they would put other pages there instead or remove the pages altogether, so he couldn't find his lines. He also said that John Callaham cracks him up - apparently JC does a great Bullwinkle impression!
- They tape the show differently than they used to, so he doesn't get to see as much of other plots as he used to. He only works with the people he has scenes with, so he doesn't see some of the other people on the show very often. People asked him about Trevor and Janet and he said that was one plot he did not understand! "How can you fall in love with a girl who tried to murder your wife?", he asked us.
- He said he had no problem with the head writer chance. He said <tongue in cheek> that there were only about six head writers in all of daytime and they just kept changing shows every few years. He also mentioned how the plots are very similar too. As I said, he seems to have a sense of humor about daytime dramas in general.
- He had no scoop on the sudden disappearance of Roscoe Born, but believed it was similar to something that happened a few years ago with the man who played Lars Bogart. When this guy found out that Lars was a Nazi, he bailed and TPTB had to scramble to replace him. MEK thinks this is what happened with RB...that the guy couldn't handle playing a child pornographer. He admitted he knew the guy was a talented musician.
- People asked him if Maria was going to come back and he admits that TPTB have left it open for her to return. He said, unlike other daytime dramas (DOOLs springs to my mind), AMC had never brought back someone if a dead *body* was found. He said maybe she was saved by frogmen (and I resisted the urge to yell out it was her two *floatation* devices that saved her!) People also asked about bringing back Noah, and he said that Noah was the most popular male character on AMC for the last six years! But, he admits, both of these actors are currently working on other projects, so nothing was planned in the short-term.
Soap Talk scoops for Monday - Wednesday:
Monday --
Meanwhile, Liza and Tad team up to find the Mystery Woman. Liza learns that someone fitting her description is registered at the Pine Cone Motel. Later, the Mystery Woman sneaks into the Chandler Mansion where her life is soon placed in danger.
Tad dreams of his Mystery Woman when he falls asleep in her room at the Pine Cone, but he's going to wish he was awake when she returns and finds Tad asleep in her bed.
Wednesday -- Jake has a plan to entrap Dr. Hayward and he asks Liza for her help. But she can't believe her ears when she hears what Jake is planning. He wants her to help him "kill" Adam Chandler. Liza is stunned. Jake tells Liza all about Dr. Hayward and how he tried frame Jake. Jake wants Liza to make believe she's still in love with him.
Michael E. Knight (Tad) -- A can't miss performer who transcends the occasional sour story to make every episode eminently watchable. Knight has been saddled with some real one-note acting partners in recent years, but you'd never know it from watching him work. His delivery, facial expressions, and energy liven up every scene he is in, and make silly stories like "Tad's a cross-dresser!" and "Tad's a magician!" actually believable. Here's hoping Camille turns out to have some spark to her -- Tad and his talented portrayer are long overdue.
Schuyler Grant has been cast in the role of Camille, the daughter of someone in Adam's past. She comes to Pine Valley to check up on him and will eventually be involved with Tad.
Liza and Tad join forces to find out who the Mystery Woman is. Liza finds out that someone fitting the Mystery Woman's description is staying at the Pine Cone Motel.
Tad goes to the Mystery Woman's room at the Pine Cone and falls asleep on her bed, dreaming of her. The Mystery Woman returns to her room to find Tad there, sleeping.
Jake and Allie enlist Liza's help to bring down David. Liza is shocked when she hears Jake's plan, but agrees to it to make up for how she treated Jake in the past. Jake's plan is for himself and Liza to plot to "kill" Adam. Liza must pretend she is still in love with Jake.
Liza asks David for help. David falls right in thinking that if Liza and Jake get together than that leaves the door open for him and Allie. David walks in on Liza and Jake kissing. Jake and Allie keep their distance from each other while the plan is set in motion.
When Adam walks in on Liza and Jake they do some fast talking to get out of the situation.
From last Logan chat:
Question: I think AMC blew it with the hallucinations.
Logan: Yikes, I hate this spirit or angel (or whatever the hell it is) stuff on AMC. One thing's certain — Megan's BACK!!! Apparently, this blonde broad is going to turn out to be Tad's girlfriend. I certainly hope Michael Knight is calling his lawyers. When is this guy going to get a storyline worthy of his talent?
Teresa Blake (Gloria) has been let go by AMC. (so no Tad Gloria reunion!)
Sorry - the post of this article got cut off before it finished.
There is an interview in todays NY Daily News with Michael E. Knight about what he thinks and wants to happen on the show. All My Children's former head writer Megan McTavish is back at the helm which should be good news for one of the show's most popular actors--Michael E. Knight (Tad). "I have no idea at this point," demurs Knight. "I know that since Megan came in they are taking a good long look at the bible (AMC's long-term stories.) Everything is up for grabs. I do know that we are headed towards a pretty nice little shindig in December which involves everybody; Dimitri, Erica, everybody." How about a hint? "I cant say," responds Knight. "If the first thing I do is leak a major storyline when the new head writer comes on, I'll be killed." Okay. "A good analogy would be that she is going to get a lot of characters running on the same rail," he offers. "One thing Megan is good at is weaving stories in and out of each other. Everyone peels into the center as opposed to running on three to six seperate tracks." Storywise there are a lot of ways AMC could go with Tad. Like a re-pairing with Liza (played by Marcy Walker.) "That's something they could do now or a year from now," Knight agrees. "I could read the phone book with her. She is one of the best actresses I ever worked with. But I think AMC has discovered a gold mine with her and David Canary (Adam/Stuart). Together they are really magic." Well how about reteaming with Gloria? "I sense that
It got cut off after this
11/26/97 Columnist Lynda Hirsch writes:
Impeccably dressed, wearing shoes that have that high shine, hair not too perfectly in place and women screaming his name in staccato choruses, Michael E. Knight (Tad), appearing in Orlando's Disneyland for the second annual Super Soap Weekend, verbalizes his fear. "I'm riding in the car with Minnie Mouse, waving at the crowd, and everyone is looking at everyone else, asking, 'Who is that guy waving in the car with Minnie?'" It is, of course, an absurd fear. "I think it comes from this shyness. It is a shyness that began when I was very young. My dad was an instructor in a prep school, so my brothers and I grew up in a prep-school environment. We had no kids our own age with whom we could interact. I spent a lot of time relating to TV sitcom characters. So, I don't think we were socially adept." Knight says the education was wonderful. "I would recommend prep school. I just don't know if going to one where your dad is the Latin professor is a great idea. There was a lot of 'Do I call him Dad or Professor in class discussions?'" It was 16 years ago that Knight first joined the cast of AMC as the misguided Tad Martin. "Yes, I remember my first scene. Who could forget -- it was so horrible. I was in a jail cell, being menaced by a cell mate named Butch and yelling for help. Thinking of how bad it was still makes me shiver." A few years into "All My Children," Knight won a Best Juvenile in Daytime Emmy. On that night, he did what he still does at large events -- looked for a friendly face. "It is so good to see you," he says, not with charm to make the spotted person feel more important than they are, but in genuine relief. "I always like to see someone I know, someone who knows me -- it makes everything easier." Knight has just returned to AMC after a stint in Hollywood, where he starred in a few movies and guest starred in several prime-time shows. "Career-wise L.A. was OK, but personally it was the best thing that could ever have happened to me. I met Catherine in L.A.," he says referring to his wife, actress Catherine Hickland. They met at a birthday party. "We were friends for the longest time. One day, we both knew that we wanted to be more than friends." Hickland, who starred as Tess Wilder on "Loving" and took the character to "The City," has recently starred on Broadway in "Les Miz." She is one of life's gorgeous women, who you can't hate because she is so nice. Knight says Hickland is his polar opposite. "She is this beautiful blonde. I tend to crawl in a shell. Catherine fights to push me out of the shell I often put myself in. No matter what the project, she loves to undertake it. She has opened up my life." Knight admits that he would like the writers to open up his life on the show. "Tad really was supposed to be a cad. Then something happened that was not supposed to. Tad became part of a super couple with Hillary. After Hillary, he was paired with Dixie. So, now what to do with Tad? Marry him off? You know what that means on a soap," he says, referring to a recently married couple on the show, "you're Charlie and Cecily shipped off to China, asking the folks to send you pork chops." "I think Tad needs to go back to his old ways. I am not saying he has to sleep with every woman in town. Tad needs an edge, but he should always be the guy you can count on when you are in trouble. He just gets to have fun and be a not-so-good boy in between."
11/11 When Adam's ownership of TGA is revealed, he is pitted against his own daughter, Hayley, and his wife, Liza gives him the boot! Having gotten the goods on Adam, Mateo and Hayley confront him. The media mogul begs them not to tell the awful tale to Liza. A disgusted Hayley refuses to cover up for Adam, but opts not to run to Liza with the shocking news. Meanwhile Mateo grants an interview to Tad on The Cutting Edge. When the Chandler maid mentions to Adam that his better half is at WRCW he frantically rings up Liza, but he's too late: Liza watches Mateo publicly air Adam's dirty laundry. Adam confesses to Liza, and she promptly hangs up. Later she tells Adam that their marriage is kaput. He's down in a Big way, but don't count him out just yet. He's hopping mad that Mateo took it upon himself to publicly throttle him, and he vows to bring his clan back together - wife and all!
11/11 Marcy Walker (Liza) looks back fondly at her ingenue days, when her character was AMC's resident teen vixen. But more than a decade later, she feels that being grown-up has made her a better actress. "I believe that as you get older, your vision expands a bit," she says, explaining that she is now able to think beyond the scene she's doing and bring all of her experience to her role. "When I was younger, I could only see in a very narrow tunnel. Now that I am older, I have a broader vision," she says. "I felt extremely asleep wehn I was younger. Now I am awake." Walker thinks that being less tuned-in to a role "is a factor of being young. You haven't learned a lot of things yet." Sounds as if acting talent is another thing that only gets better with age.
11/7 Liza makes a decision about her future with Adam while Hayley struggles to deal with yet another disappointment with her father.
Click here for an article about Marian
What will Happen This Week
Monday 11/10 Adam's secret is out and he comes face to face with Liza. He makes a desparate appeal to her to hear him out. All he wants is five minutes of her time, just five minutes to explain. Will she allow him this? Yes, Liza gives in and tells him he has five minutes. He tries to tell her about his cost-cutting plan which lead to the crash of the plane. Adam tells Liza that if they love each other they can still be together. What will Liza decide? Well, you'll hear her answer quickly as she decides the fate of her marriage on Monday. Finally on Monday, Tad and Edmund have learned that Dimitri and Gloria have fled to Hungary. Edmund tells Tad that Dimitri can run but he cannot hide. He vows to do whatever it takes to bring his daughter Maddie home. And the first thing they're going to do is head straight to Hungary.
11/12 - Dimitri has fled the country with Gloria and Maddie, but Edmund and Tad are hot on their trail. As soon as Dimitri and Gloria arrive at Vodsal, Dimitri makes a very cryptic phne call. Who could he be calling? You'll find out when Edmund and Tad arrive in Hungary and are detained for questioning. Soon, two burly officials arrive on the scene and escort Edmund off - it seems that Edmund Grey is under arrest.
11/97 ABC has been looking into creating a Soap Opera Channel for cable television. The research is still underway but the word is that the bigwigs over at ABC think it would benefit many viewers who can no longer watch their soaps during the day and give them a chance to view them in the evening hours. Plans are also underway for a line of merchandise around the ABC soaps. We aren't just talking T-shirts here. How do OLTL's Serenity Springs Spa products grab you? Or the Erica Kane line of clothing?
11/4/97 November Preview Romance, intrigue, and lots of surprises are in store for all your favorite soaps this fall. Here's a look at some of the hottest stories you'll see during November sweeps. AMC A guilty Skye debates telling Edmund the truth about Maddie's paternity. Liza learns that Adam was behind Corview's cost-cutting, which led to the tragic TransGlobal crash. Brooke and Jim grow closer, while Laura struggles to cover up her porno past with Jim. Jack and Erica yearn for each other. Jake stumbles onto a secret about Allie's past that puts immediate distance between them. Palmer and Adam's old rivalry heats up.
11/97 ALL MY CHILDREN's Michael E, Knight (Tad) and Michael Lowry (Jake) will be making two appearance. First they will be appearing at the Comedy Loft in Nanuet NY on November 21. Showtime is 9:30 pm and tickets are $20 (30 $40 VIP tickets are available). For more information call (914) 623-6500. Next they will appear together at the Brokerage Entertainment Club in Bellmore NY on December 5. Showtime is 8 pm and tickets are $18.50. For more information call (516) 785-8655.
11/97 Mateo exposes Adam's deceptions on Thursday, November 6 which leads to a confrontation between Liza and Adam on Monday, November 10.
11/97 Adam's world comes crashing down around him. (could that be good news for Tad and Liza?)
10/6/97 Soaps in Depth Readers Poll Reader's Poll: Should Liza stick with Adam or play for her ex-lover Tad? results- 67% Tad 33% Adam
They also had the top 5 favorite couples.
Liza Colby and Tad Martin were number 5
VCR Alert: Mateo exposes Adam's deceptions on Thursday, November 6, which leads to a confrontation between Adam and Liza on Monday, November 10.
10/31/97 THE HEAD-WRITER SHUFFLE
Daytime's head writers seem to be playing a game of musical chairs. Richard Culliton, until recently the top scribe at General Hospital, has just taken over writing duties at Another World. Culliton replaces Michael Malone, who left the show due to "creative differences," according to a statement from Procter & Gamble Productions. Meanwhile, Jessica Klein has stepped down from her head-writing gig at As the World Turns after just five months on the job. And over at All My Children, Megan McTavish -- who served as head writer on the ABC soap from April 1992 to May 1995 -- soon will return to her old position. McTavish had most recently served as head writer for Guiding Light.
10/31/97 ABC Previews:
All My Children: Trevor and Janet discuss how best to tell Amanda about Janet's past. Jack arranges for Erica to be surprised. Tim spoils Janet's Halloween. Dimitri worries when he can't find Maddie. Tad takes an interest in Allie. Mateo asks Tad for some TV time to go public with what he knows about the plane crash. Jack confides in Myrtle about his feelings for Erica. Stuart advises Skye to do the right thing.
Personally, I think this next one is good news for us. At least there is hope. Tad/Liza reunion? "It's not time" As the clamoring for a Tad/Liza reunion intensifies, AMC brass hint that such a reunion is a definite possibility. "Tad and Liza will always have a connection" says associate head writer Peggy Sloane. "And as she and Adam have problems, Tad will be there. Adam will always be jealous of her relationship with Tad, sometimes rightly, sometimes wrongly." But, Sloane reports, there are no plans to reunite the estranged lovers in the immediate future. "At this moment, we have a lot more story to tell between Liza and Adam," she says. Marcy Walker, Liza's portrayer, relates what it is that draws her character to Adam. "Maybe there could be some qualities in him as a mature adult that attracts her to him. He can be vulnerable and sweet, and then he can turn on a dime and rip the rug right out from underneath her. It is the ultimate combative relationship." Sloane explains that throwing Liza and Tad together now would only frustrate loyal AMC viewers, many of whom are enjoying that Adam/Liza interplay. " I don't think that it is the moment to just flip her back to Tad," Sloane says. "If Liza keeps bopping back and forth between Tad and Adam, the audience is going to lose patience."
10/10/97 All My Children: Tim fumes when Amanda argues about Janet's presence. Belinda discovers who her blind date really is. Kevin gets some help from a new therapist. Brooke is taken aback when she receives some information about Laura. Hiding his guilt, Adam comforts a grieving Liza. Gloria continues to find herself in the middle when Edmund and Dimitri continue to bicker. Jack tries to help Bianca.
Who's Staying Marcy Walker (Liza Chandler): Rumors are swirling that Walker is leaving, perhaps because she recently sold her house in Connecticut (to buy another one). Walker is not leaving anytime soon. "Look for years of fabulous stories for Liza," confirms an ABC spokesperson.
10/21/97 Read "Ask Logan" All About Soaps at http://www.tvguide.com/soapdish/al/index.htm
10/28/97 What Will Happen: Liza and Adam prepare for their romantic getaway.
Monday, Oct. 6 - Liza panics as she feels another contraction, it's too early! Dr. Clader tries to stop Liza's contractions, but he can't. Before long the news is devastating for Adam & Liza.
Tuesday, Oct. 7 -
At PV Hospital, Adam is so devastated that he could confess everything.
UPDATE RATES: COMIC RELIEF:
All My Children: Marian: "Tad, I need five minutes of your precious time." Tad: "What did you do, shorten your act?" AMC used to be full of blatant, comic-relief characters -- Opal, Billy Clyde, Langley Wallingford, even Tad. But now AMC has definitely come of age. Instead of giving us over-the-top jokes, its funny writers rely on the comedic talents of Michael E. Knight (Tad), Marcy Walker (Liza), David Canary (Adam) and, most of all, Jennifer Bassey (Marian) to keep us amused. And it works. We love, for example, hearing the creative ways Adam and Liza find to bring Marian's promiscuity to our attention. Our only complaint: Opal has become a mere shadow of her former self.........and this is truly a shame!
VCR Alert
Tad comes to Allie's aid at the hospital on Friday, October 10