INSIDE THE SOAP ACTORS' STUDIO

In James Lipton's book:



He talks a great deal about the actors who've sat across from him and answered questions billowing out of the seemingly infinite stack of note-cards in front of him.

But, he also devotes a chapter to not only his days as an actor on Guiding Light (Lena Horne was such a fan she threw a party for him with a guest list that included Mabel Mercer and Fran Allison of Kukla, Fran and Ollie), an Another World, Guiding Light, Love Is a Many Splendored Thing and Capitol Headwriter (under the personal tutelage of Irna Phillips alongside her two other protogees, Bill Bell and Agnes Nixon), but also to all those actors who got their starts on soaps - and were prompted to speak about them during their Inside the Actors' Studio appearances.

Tommy Lee Jones recalls One Life to Live keeping him literally alive, while Laurence Fishburne chimes in about watching him prepare to go before the cameras.

Julianna Moore reveals that ATWT's Frannie was originally supposed to be a very different character then what she ultimately became, as Meg Ryan wonders how, when Craig was both impotent and sterile, Betsy was supposed to believe he was her baby's father.

Kevin Kline and Susan Sarandon share anecdotes from Search for Tomorrow, plus there is a hilarious story about Irna Phillips and the cryptically named "Battle of the Blanket," that ultimately pulled in Jesus Christ himself.

Overall an excellent read. Check it out by clicking the link above!