Interview Revisited: Larkin Malloy on the Nelson Aspen 'Where Are They Now Tour' (2010)

Serial Scoop Now is back! Look for brand new content in the coming months as well as interviews from my personal archive. Some have been offline for years while others will include never before seen material. Kicking things off is a video interview from March 2010 with Emmy-nominated Edge of Night actor Larkin Malloy, who passed away in 2016. The interview was conducted by Nelson Aspen as part of his "Where Are They Now Tour" series for We Love Soaps.

Malloy, who came in at #45 on the We Love Soaps 50 Greatest Soap Actors of All Time list, played Sky Whitney on Edge of Night, Kyle Sampson on Guiding Light, Travis Montgomery on All My Children and Clay Alden on Loving. He also had a memorable guest run as Dr. Weston on As the World Turns.

The complete interview has been offline for a decade. Watch it below.

Mentoring Yourself

In 1983, sometime around my 20th birthday, I met “The Queen of Daytime Television,” soap opera star Mary Stuart. I was a young aspiring actor living in NYC and she was the grande dame of TV’s longest running serial drama, Search for Tomorrow. I landed some extra work on the show that eventually evolved into a small part and I was so besotted with the medium itself that I took on side work in the production office…not only to earn a living, but to be around the excitement of the daily inner workings of the show. I floated between the writing, casting and executive offices learning all aspects of what goes on “behind the scenes.” Mary took notice of my skills on both sides of the camera and offered me yet another side gig: she would give me personal acting coaching in exchange for helping her answer her fan mail and type up the edits of a new play she was writing. How could I refuse!?

Mary was not only an esteemed and groundbreaking TV star, she was a fine actress, having graduated from a Hollywood career in B-movies to being a co-creator and main character of television's very first successful soap opera. Search for Tomorrow, debuted in 1951 and Mary was there from Day One, creating a whole new form of storytelling that continues to this day. She was very famous (my grandmother indoctrinated me to the world of soaps and Mary was, of course, her favorite star; I’d grown up watching the trials and tribulations of her long suffering character, Joanne) and also an accomplished author, singer and songwriter.

Carolyn Hennesy Shares Holiday Plans & Memories, Will Perform with Nelson Aspen in January Show in L.A.

Hi, Serial Scoop! You guys gave me such kind coverage after the October premiere of my new cabaret offering, "A Showbiz Scrapbook" at NYC's beautiful GreenRoom 42, I wanted to alert you to its upcoming engagement at Hollywood's crazy-popular theatrical venue, Rockwell Table & Stage. As an entertainment reporter, I spend a lot of time in LA during Awards season, so I was keen to schedule this performance for Thursday, January 30...right in between my coverage of the Grammys and the Oscars.

As many of you may already know, given my own long history in daytime TV, I often welcome stars of the genre to join me onstage for special interactive performances. These have included talented folks like Anita Gillette, Shelly Burch, Ilene Kristen and Monica Horan. For January, I'm excited to tell you it will be one of my very favorite soap opera scene stealers: the lovely Emmy and Indie Series Award winning Carolyn Hennesy....known to millions of General Hospital fans as lawyer Diane Miller. I first noticed Carolyn guest starring on an episode of Reba and was smitten. She's one of the main reasons GH is on my DVR! I've gotten to learn so much about her life away from Port Charles: she's a New York Times best-selling author, passionate advocate for animals, and a trapeze artist. Now THAT is a multi-hyphenate!

From my own years in Soap Land (working at Search for Tomorrow, Another World and One Life to Live), Christmas was always a favorite time of year. It started weeks in advance for us, since we were shooting ahead...and the studio holiday parties of the 1980s were the stuff of legend! My mentor, Mary Stuart (Search for Tomorrow's Jo and Guiding Light's Meta), celebrated the season like no one I'd ever met before or since, and her influence remains forever inside me at this festive time of the year.

So in honor of the Yuletide, here's a little Q&A I had with Carolyn for you to enjoy.

What have you got planned for this holiday season?
Heading to Zurich before Christmas to see Sabrina Kern (co-star, St. Agatha) in the Swiss national musical. Then home to hibernate over the holiday with family and friends.

Nelson Aspen Thrills Packed House with His "Showbiz Scrapbook"

On October 4, I arrived at The Green Room 42 for international entertainment reporter and entertainer Nelson Aspen's sold out debut performance of "A Showbiz Scrapbook." Having seen Nelson multiple times in recent years, I knew he always packed the house so there was no excuse for not buying a ticket before they were all gone but I somehow still managed to end up on the wait list. After being rejected by the ticket booth a few times I made one last attempt to beg my way into the show and secured a bar stool by the door. Lucky for me there are no bad seats in this terrific venue, which I had never visited before. As for the premiere of Nelson's latest show, it was everything I had hoped for and more.

One big new addition for "Showbiz Scrapbook" was the use of audio-visual clips and images to highlight Nelson's prolific television work. During the course of the evening, Nelson recounted everything from how being Princess Diana's fitness trainer launched his broadcasting career to the thousands of celebrity interviews, breaking news stories and red carpet events that led to him becoming known as "Hollywood's Happiest Personality."

The clips featured celebrities such as Betty White, Hugh Jackman, Julie Andrews, Camilla Cabello, Roger Moore (Nelson's favorite James Bond), Carol Lynley and many, many more. The crowd—which featured former daytimers Denise Pence (Guiding Light), Emmy winner Louise Shaffer (Ryan's Hope), Shelly Burch (One Life to Live), producer Richard Schilling, publicist Lee Fryd, Emmy-winning writer Janet Iacobuzio, Marie Brossard and Randy Lein—loved every moment.

The evening also featured the first-ever live performance of Emmy and Murrow award winning journalist Phil Lipof, who killed with his performance of Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road."

But since my favorite television show of all-time was the daytime soap opera Another World, I was over the moon when Nelson sang the show's beloved theme song. Check out the iconic chorus below.

New Janet Iacobuzio & Nelson Aspen Series Adds Linda Dano To All-Star Cast

Nelson Aspen and Janet Iacobuzio celebrate Linda Dano joining their new series with co-star Anna Holbrook.

Here's news that will surely delight TV fans: much loved Emmy winning actor/author/designer/presenter Linda Dano is joining the all-star cast of Janet Iacobuzio and Nelson Aspen's new series. While mystery continues to shroud the specifics of the project, its creators assure us it will be worth the wait.

"We have the best talent in the business on board," Nelson says. "So we're making sure everything is perfect before we launch. Our cast and their fans deserve nothing less!"

Dano is best known for her long-running portrayal as Felicia Gallant on NBC daytime drama Another World. Her other soap roles include Rae Cummings on One Life to Live, General Hospital, All MY Children and Port Charles; Cynthia Haines on As the World Turns; Lena Kendall on Guiding Light; and Francine Williams on Desperate Housewives.

For a sneak peek of the new series, check out the teaser below:

Happy Independence Day! And Happy Mary Stuart Day, Too!

Mary Stuart

International entertainment reporter Nelson Aspen remembers his mentor, legendary actress Mary Stuart--born in July 4, 1926-- in a new story at We Love Soaps.

"Summertime meant trips to her Connecticut country home and ice cold cocktails in her Upper East Side Manhattan penthouse," Aspen wrote. "Like her memorable Christmases, Independence Day was a magical time. I remember the July 4 episode of Search for Tomorrow in 1986 with Mary's character, Jo, singing a duet with our pal Anita Gillette (Wilma) at the Liberty House's rooftop party. They hilariously belted out 'Friendship' from Anything Goes. I wish she'd gotten to sing at one of the Bauer Barbeques when she was on Guiding Light as Meta."

Read the entire story here, which includes a poem written by Mary Stuart.

You can also catch a glimpse of Stuart in the teaser for the upcoming Janet Iacobuzio and Nelson Aspen series:

Sneak Peek: First Footage from Upcoming Janet Iacobuzio & Nelson Aspen Series Released

From left to right: Anne Howard, Nelson Aspen, Stephen Schnetzer, Colleen Zenk, Ryan Brown and Anna Holbrook.

The very first footage from the upcoming Janet Iacobuzio and Nelson Aspen series has been released. While the sneak peek doesn't give much away, it does give us a glance at some of the beloved soap opera stars in the cast, including Colleen Zenk, Anna Holbrook, Ryan Brown, David Forsyth, Marcia McCabe, Stephen Schnetzer, Anne Howard and Denise Pence, along with the two newest additions to be announced: Anna Stuart and Alice Barrett Mitchell.

"I never got to work with these talented ladies during my stint at Another World, so we're making up for lost time," Nelson says of Anna and Alice. "I actually first fell for Anna when she was a temporary recast as Vanessa Chamberlain on Guiding Light, so that's how long I've been a fan!"

Janet agrees, "It's a dream come true to work with Anna and Alice again [after Another World]. What pros!" Alice just filmed an episode of Donny Deutsch's upcoming comedy series, Donny. Anna is practically a newlywed after marrying award winning actor James Cromwell in 2014.

Adds Janet, "It's a dream come true to work with Anna and Alice again [after Another World]. What pros!" Alice just filmed an episode of Donny Deutsch's upcoming comedy series, Donny. Anna is practically a newlywed after marrying award winning actor James Cromwell in 2014.

The sneak peek video also offers a glimpse of Marc McClure (Superman I, Superman II, Supergirl, Apollo 13, Back to the Future), Amy Freeze (ABC Eyewitness News) and Yvonne Goutman, the daughter of Marcia McCabe and Christopher Goutman.

Check it out below:

Soap Worlds Collide at New Web Series Cast Gathering in New York

Anne Howard, Stephen Schnetzer, Colleen Zenk, Anna Holbrook, Ryan Brown and Nelson Aspen.

It was Six Degrees of Soap Stars this week when actors from Another World, As the World Turns and Guiding Light came together for a gathering of cast members from the upcoming Nelson Aspen-Janet Iacobuzio web series, shooting a series of promos and title shots.

Stay tuned to Serial Scoop for updates and announcements on this exciting new project as they become available. In the meantime, let's look at the many soap lives of this talented group.

Anne Howard is best known to fans of daytime drama for her portrayal of Nicole Love on Another World, and Kimberly Brady on Days of our Lives. Her many post-soap opera credits include primetime serials Desperate Housewives, Nip/Tuck and Private Practice, and she has become a host/spokesperson extraordinaire for a number of companies.

Anne Howard, Stephen Schnetzer, Colleen Zenk, Anna Holbrook
and Ryan Brown will appear in Nelson Aspen's upcoming
web series.

Stephen Schnetzer played Days of our Lives' Steven Olson and One Life to Live's Marcello Salta before taking on his signature role as Cass Winthrop on Another World from 1982 to 1999. He later crossed the character over to both As the World Turns and Guiding Light. Schnetzer was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 1990 for his work on Another World. He played "Dr. Cass Winthrop" (same name, different character) on two episodes of Homeland in 2013, and recently reunited with former Another World co-star Alice Barrett in an episode of The Following.

Colleen Zenk spent 32 years playing sweet-heroine-turned-mother-from-hell Barbara Ryan on As the World Turns, earning three Emmy nominations, critical acclaim and a huge fan following along the way. She has been working non-stop on stage, TV, film and web series since ATWT went off the air in 2010, including the Indie Series Award-nominated role of Agnes Snead in Western drama Thurston.

Anna Holbrook has appeared on One Life to Live and All My Children but is best known for her Emmy-winning work as Sharlene Frame Hudson (and her alter Sharly) on Another World. In 2008, she played the wife of former Another World co-star Kale Browne in an episode of a radio soap opera I wrote and produced, Scripts & Scruples.

Ryan Brown starred as legacy characters Bill Lewis on Guiding Light and Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless. Since his soap days, Brown has become a successful author and photographer.

Denise Pence and Nelson Aspen

Nelson Aspen played Albert Prange on Search for Tomorrow, and then moved to the production side of daytime drama, working on the staffs of every East Coast based serial drama, doing everything from casting to writing. He is currently an international entertainment reporter, who appears on the popular Australian morning show Sunrise.

Denise Pence is still remembered fondly for her run as Nurse Katie Parker on Guiding Light from 1977 to 1985. She has been active in the theater community since her soap days, including her heralded work with The Rehearsal Club.

Michaeljon Slinger, Marc McClure & Ryan Brown Are Latest Cast Additions to Janet Iacobuzio & Nelson Aspen's Upcoming Series

Michaeljon Slinger, Marc McClure, Ryan Brown

Pre-production on Janet Iacobuzio and Nelson Aspen's exciting new web series is rolling along and three new names have been announced in the cast. Joining Marcia McCabe, Anne Howard and Colleen Zenk are a familiar face from Daytime TV, a Broadway star, and an iconic character actor from many of Hollywood's historic blockbusters.

Author and photographer Ryan Brown is proud to be stepping back in front of the cameras for this project. He is well remembered for his portrayals of two of soaps' most important legacy characters: Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless and Bill Lewis III on Guiding Light.

Australian Dancer of the Year Michaeljon Slinger has also signed up for an appearance. With Broadway credits that include "West Side Story, "Evita" with Ricky Martin, "How to Succeed in Business" with Daniel Radcliffe and "Billy Elliot," he is also regularly featured in BROADWAY BARES and danced in this year's Oscar ceremonies.

Colleen Zenk & Anne Howard Added to Cast of Upcoming Janet Iacobuzio & Nelson Aspen Series

Anne Howard, Colleen Zenk

Two new names can now be revealed from the cast of the upcoming web series from serial scribes Janet Iacobuzio and Nelson Aspen.

In addition to Marcia McCabe and Yvonne Goutman, daytime veterans Colleen Zenk (As the World Turns) and Anne Howard (Another World, Days of our Lives) are excited to join the cast of the show, which will debut this summer and promises lots of interactive opportunities and exclusive behind-the-scenes special features. Be sure to watch this space for all the breaking news of casting developments with more big names and much-missed favorites on board for the project.

"Janet and I worked with Anne on Another World back in those Halcyon days of the '80s, so it's a special treat to be reunited with her, professionally," Aspen says. "As for Colleen, anyone who watched her as Barbara Ryan on As the World Turns for all those wonderful years can't help but be a fan of her work, style and beauty. Having been pals the last couple years off screen, it's an extraordinary gift to now get to work with her on screen."

In a recent Serial Scoop poll, we asked fans which soap opera character played by Marcia McCabe did they remember most fondly. 93% chose Sunny Adamson from Search for Tomorrow.

New Nelson Aspen Highlight Reel Includes 'Another World' Reunion (and Theme Song)

Serial Scoop pal Nelson Aspen is getting his tux pressed for next weekend's Academy Awards in Los Angeles and just shared with us his latest showbiz highlights reel from the last few weeks of reporting. He thought we'd especially enjoy his Red Carpet reunion with Gabrielle Carteris (ex-Tracy, Another World) at the recent SAG-AFTRA Awards and he cleverly put in a special tribute to Bay City in the montage set to the 1996 theme music from the late, great soap.



Of course, Aspen is hard at work with former AW colleague Janet Iacobuzio on a new web series that will premiere this summer and feature many notable names from the world of daytime television.

Meantime, tickets go on sale today for his latest musical endeavor: his one man cabaret show which will premiere Sunday, May 17 at the world famous Sydney Opera House! He'll be crooning tunes and dishing dirt as only he can! If you're planning a trip Down Under or have friends there who'd like to check out the show, all the info can be found here (http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/nelson_aspen.aspx).

Aussies love their soaps! And the soaps love their Aussies...look how many have become daytime stars. Home and Away's Lachlan Buchanan is next in line, and will debut February 25 as the new Kyle Abbott on The Young and the Restless.

Marcia McCabe and Yvonne Goutman Join Upcoming Web Series From Janet Iacobuzio and Nelson Aspen

Nelson Aspen and Marcia McCabe

Serial Scoop is excited to exclusively reveal the first casting for the new web series coming this summer from Janet Iacobuzio and Nelson Aspen. Beloved daytime veteran Marcia McCabe (Search for Tomorrow, One Life to Live, Another World, As the World Turns) has come on board and even shot her first scene. And a new face but seasoned soapie, Yvonne Goutman, has signed on in a pivotal new role. If she looks familiar, it's because Marcia is her mom...and if you recognize the surname, it's because her dad is multi-Emmy Award winning actor-turned-director-turned-executive producer Chris Goutman (As the World Turns, Another World, All My Children).

Yvonne Goutman and Marcia McCabe

A talented, trained singer and actress in her own right, Yvonne will be making her on-camera debut alongside many of the biggest names from the worlds of daytime television, entertainment and pop culture.

"She's been around soaps her entire life and with a pedigree like hers, Yvonne is a natural choice for this important role," Aspen tells Serial Scoop. "She's got her mom's beauty and humor, and her dad's work ethic. I've known her ever since the stork brought her and I'm a proud 'uncle' who is thrilled to include her in the cast...which is growing every day!"

Stay tuned to Serial Scoop for the first word on those casting updates and how you will be able to go behind the scenes of this groundbreaking new series.

RELATED:
* Colleen Zenk & Anne Howard Added to Cast of Upcoming Janet Iacobuzio & Nelson Aspen Series
* Michaeljon Slinger, Marc McClure & Ryan Brown Are Latest Cast Additions to Janet Iacobuzio & Nelson Aspen's Upcoming Series

'Serial Scoop Now' #2: U.S. Launch for Nelson Aspen's 'My Prime Time'

Nelson Aspen speaks to an room overflowing with supporters at the U.S. launch for his latest
book, "My Prime Time."

On Tuesday, December 2, Serial Scoop Now attended the United States launch event for Nelson Aspen's new book, "My Prime Time," at JackRabbit Sports in New York City. After an introduction by store manager Troy Squire, Nelson spoke to the crowded room about what inspired him to write the book.

After reaching a significant landmark birthday (50), Nelson decided to share all that is best about the "middle years"...Prime Time! It's a fun-filled, light-hearted account of embracing aging, looking after your physical and emotional well-being, celebrating friendships, investing in relationships, maintaining family ties, keeping financially savvy and above all: celebrating all this good about each and every day.

After signing book after book for a long line of friends, fans and supporters, Nelson spoke with Serial Scoop Now about "My Prime Time," and teased the new series he's working on with Emmy-winning soap writer Janet Iacobuzio.



Follow Nelson Aspen on Twitter: @NelsonAspen.

RELATED:
* Janet Iacobuzio & Nelson Aspen Team Up For New Series Reuniting Big Names from Daytime TV History
* EXCLUSIVE: Nelson Aspen Dishes on His New Book "My Prime Time"

Janet Iacobuzio & Nelson Aspen Team Up For New Series Reuniting Big Names from Daytime TV History

Great News!

Some of the biggest names in the history of Daytime Television will reunite for a new series from the creative minds of Emmy-winning soap scribe Janet Iacobuzio and entertainment media-hyphenate Nelson Aspen. A major social media campaign will be launching in 2015 which includes many of the most talented and best loved professionals in the genre. This exciting, ground breaking project will not only honor the history of soaps, but celebrate the interactive opportunities of today.

Serial Scoop will be first for news of all the developments of next summer's premiere as well as ways YOU can participate in all the creativity and celebration. Stay tuned for news, sneak peeks and exclusive behind-the-scenes exclusives in the months ahead as Janet & Nelson begin to unveil the Stars & Stories you've been longing to see!

Meantime, if you're in the NYC area, mark your calendar for Nelson's personal appearance to promote his scoop-tastic new book, "My Prime Time": Tues. December 2, 7 p.m. - Jack Rabbit Sports; 140 West 72 Street NYC or order the book right now at Amazon.com. You're sure to recognize many of the "Prime Time" Players!

EXCLUSIVE: Nelson Aspen Dishes on His New Book "My Prime Time"

International entertainment reporter Nelson Aspen.

Nelson Aspen is one of entertainment's most charming personalities in TV, radio, print and online. He juggles regular correspondent duties for New Zealand's Good Morning and in his tenth year for Australia's #1 rated Sunrise as their Show Business Editor, bringing the latest in entertainment and pop culture to millions of viewers around the world each morning. He has also recently released a new memoir, "My Prime Time," a fun-filled, lighthearted account of embracing aging, looking after your physical and emotional well being, celebrating friendships, investing in relationships, maintaining family ties, keeping financially savvy and above all: celebrating all this good about each and every day.

Serial Scoop got the dish on "My Prime Time" from Aspen himself. Read our exclusive interview below:

SERIAL SCOOP: What inspired you to write "My Prime Time"?
NELSON ASPEN: My publisher asked me if I had any ideas for my next book and I was approaching my 50th birthday at the time and planning a blow-out celebration. It occurred to me that so many people have hang ups about so-called "Middle Age" and there I was planning parties and running marathons. I felt like I had some inspiration to give!