How Did the Jackie Zeman React to Working Again With Brad Maule
Soap veteran Jackie Zeman (Bobbie, GH) sits down with TVSource Magazine for an exclusive interview.
A New Jersey native, Jackie Zeman has spent the past 32 years as Barbara Jean "Bobbie" Spencer on General Hospital, but in 2007, on her 30th anniversary with the show, she was bumped to recurring condition.
Jackie, began taking dance lessons when she was v, she was accepted into the New Jersey Trip the light fantastic Company when she was 15. She accepted a scholarship from New York University and majored in trip the light fantastic toe. Jackie began her acting career in 1976 in New York, but soon made the decision to motion west to Los Angeles,California.
She landed the role of Bobbie Spencer on ABC'south long running soap General Hospital in 1977. In 1978, the show brought onto the canvas, a brother for Bobbie, portrayed by Anthony Geary. Over the years, Bobbie'due south history had unfolded and in 1996, the show introduced Bobbie's daughter, Carly Benson (then played past Sarah Brown, now played by Laura Wright). Bobbie Spencer has been a cadre character on the show, with major storylines and romantic pairings, until recently. 1 of the virtually poignant storylines Jackie was involved with was in the early 80's, when the show tackled a domestic violence story. In the 90's, Jackie was once again involved with another important storyline when her graphic symbol was devastated when her daughter, BJ, was in an accident and gave her center to another child who needed it to survive. The story also involved Brad Maule, and, Jack and Kristina Wagner, along with Brighton Hertford who played BJ. The controversial story has been one of the most popular storylines in Full general Hospital history.
TVSource Magazine was honored with the opportunity to sit with this extraordinary veteran actress and talk about her grapheme and her experience on General Hospital.
TVSource Magazine: Prior to joining "General Infirmary," yous played Lana McClain on "One Life to Alive." What was it similar playing that character? I believe she was one of the few characters who really committed suicide on-screen.
Jackie Zeman: Lana was my get-go contract office on Daytime Television receiver. It was an exciting opportunity for me to play the role and I learned so much at One Life. The people there were similar family to me…friendly, helpful, and generous with their fourth dimension and attention. I have many addicted memories of those days. And the fans have been awesome! People still tell me that they remember the storylines nosotros did and how much they enjoyed the show. At that place is an eternal connexion that happens between people every bit a issue of daytime programming. That connection has had neat positive impact on my thoughts and on my life.
TVS: After OLTL yous joined GH as Bobbie Spencer. What was it like working with the late bang-up Douglas Marland and Gloria Monty?
JZ: Douglas Marland and Gloria Monty are two of the greatest legends of daytime. It was an honor to piece of work with both of them. They had enormous dearest and passion and delivery. They were highly motivated to contribute the best of their abilities…which was considerable. They inspired and touched the hearts and minds of then many people.
TVS: You and Tony Geary seem to have quite a rapport on screen, how has it been having Tony as an on screen brother?
JZ: Tony Geary….I love him….and I have great respect and admiration for his talent and professionalism. I don't have a biological brother, merely I feel as if God gave me a souvenir by bringing Tony into my life.
TVS: BJ'due south heart story has held a special place in the hearts of many GH fans. What is your personal connection to the story? Does it stand out equally 1 of your favorites?
JZ: Yep the BJ storyline still resonates within me. When Brighton Hertford was on the prove it was earlier I had children of my own in real life. I withal feel connected to her and the mutual memories we share from the scenes we did. Brighton was married recently. She is very happy and nonetheless beautiful inside and out.
TVS: Exercise you experience the show could have more interaction between Bobbie and Carly and the Spencer clan?
JZ: I call back whatsoever opportunity to tell grapheme driven story elevates daytime to its most valuable potential.
TVS: Do you miss the interaction with Leslie Charleson? Monica and Bobbie accept had a long continuing history, and the show doesn't seem to want to write for either character separately or as friends. Many fans miss seeing the two of you together.
JZ: Thank you lot. Leslie is a joy to know and to work with. There would be heartfelt power in a story for Monica and Bobbie. I remember many of the female person viewers would respond positively to a story that explores the dearest, friendship, competition, and opposing points of view of these two women. They come up from such different backgrounds and yet they have much in common. This would exist a challenge for our writers. And then much of what we are seeing on screen these days is plot driven.
TVS: Do you feel it was a missed opportunity to have Bobbie and Noah Drake non come together again equally a couple when he came back to the show?
JZ: About certainly. Noah and Bobbie were a universal example of young dear and allure and how complicated it tin can be for young people from unlike backgrounds. Rick invited me to join him on his Rick and Friends cruise this past Nov. There were a few thousand people on the ship. And so many of them said they were disappointed in this missed opportunity. Who knows…maybe erstwhile in the time to come?
TVS: In that location are many opportunities for the writers to incorporate Bobbie as more than of a matriarch for the Spencer family, just she isn't. Bobbie has been absent-minded for many very important moments in the lives of her relatives. She was absent from Lulu'south ballgame story, Luke's near death stories, and Liz and Lucky's ongoing relationship storyline. Why do you think the writers aren't giving Bobbie more interaction with the family?
JZ: That'due south a question for Bob Guza. I would be interested to hear his response.
TVS: Lucas has been gone a long while now, practise you retrieve the show will recast the office to bring more story for Bobbie and the family unit? Has a Lucas recast been discussed?
JZ: So many people have asked me well-nigh Lucas. I'm not sure where he is supposed to be. Equally soon as he came out…he was gone. Maybe anytime he volition return to Port Charles. I hope Bobbie is there to welcome him when that happens.
TVS: For nearly 30 years you were a permanent fixture on the show. In 2007 the prove decided to bump yous to recurring. If given the opportunity would y'all exist open up to more piece of work on Full general Hospital? It was and then nice to encounter Bobbie on screen during the "What if BJ had lived" episode the other day.
JZ: Thank you for your kind words. I'm always interested in artistic opportunities.
TVS: As a veteran of the industry, how do you lot feel about the current state of the soap genre as information technology struggles to stay afloat? Is there anything you feel the soaps could exercise to lure back viewers that may have tuned out?
JZ: I've always loved my soaps. Grew upwards watching them with my Mom. I experience lamentable that the daytime industry is struggling to stay afloat. Decisions today are all about money. The ratings are depression, and yes it'southward true that many people have tuned out. Many people have told me that they fast frontward through the shows when they are not interested in the characters or the story. A few years ago I asked the "powers that be" if nosotros could do a romantic story line for Bobbie and was told that our audience doesn't desire to see "old people" kissing. I disagree with this conclusion. So many of our GH fans have told me that they would dear to see some story for Bobbie with Noah Drake, Jerry Jacks, and Scotty Baldwin. In that location are a lot of women over 40…even over 50…60..all ages…who are still interested in romance and great sex. And daytime is the perfect place to explore these possibilities. I know our audience would connect with this considering they have told me they would.
TVS: Are in that location any avenues piece of work wise that you lot take not been able to explore and would like to if the opportunity presented itself? What have you been doing career wise now that "Bobbie" is not on screen as frequently? You lot have besides created your ain jewelry line. How did that come about for you? Where can those interested purchase your pieces?
JZ: It'due south been an exciting twelvemonth for me….personally and professionally. I like to keep decorated, and this new chapter of my life is and exciting and different. HSN [Home Shoppping Network] has given me the opportunity to launch a new jewelry line. My Spice Collection was on air a couple of weeks ago…if anyone wants to take a expect they can locate information technology online. I am working on a new drove of designs for May. This creative process is an interesting challenge for me. I'grand learning, and growing and I'm happy.
TVS: How did you get involved with the Gabriel Project?
JZ: The Gabriel Projection has been love to my eye for many years. It was founded past Mark Melamed, a 6th grade middle school teacher from Vineland, New Bailiwick of jersey. Gabriel Project brings kids from Africa to the United states of america for life saving eye surgery. Mark started the Projection every bit a way of didactics his students to make a difference past contributing to the well being of others. Kids helping kids. For 19 years Marking and his students have been working and going strong. Their dedication is inspirational.
TVS: What would you like to say to all of your loving and supporting fans?
JZ: Recently, I came upon a quote [From Henry David Thoreu] which I would like to share. "You must alive in the present, launch yourself on every moving ridge, notice your eternity in each moment."
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Jackie'south beautiful jewelry drove tin be found on the Home Shopping Network.
Nosotros capeesh Jackie's candor and the opportunity to interview her. Nosotros wish her simply the best in all her endeavors. Thank you to Jackie for giving us 32 years of wonderful performances on General Hospital.
This interview is non to be reproduced without written consent from the author and TVSourceMagazine.com © 2009 TVSource Mag. All rights reserved
Source: https://tvsourcemagazine.com/2009/03/1929-one-on-one-with-jackie-zeman/
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