Fun Sound Bytes

1993 The Scent of a Cocoa Puff: When John Callahan was hired to play Edmund, he had no idea he'd have to strip to the waist and climb into a mixture of oatmeal and Cocoa Puffs. But that's exactly what he did during the recent taping of a scene in which Edmund rescued Brooke (Julia Barr) from what was supposed to be quicksand. After playing scene after scene in the sticky mixture, John stepped outside for a breath of fresh air and became a tasty appetizer for every dog in the neighborhood. "As soon as they got a whiff of the 'quicksand', I was getting licked and nibbled at," laughs John.
1997 Bridal Sweet: On a beautiful day in May, John and Eva LaRue Callahan traveled to Lyndhurst, a historic stone mansion on New York's Hudson River in Tarrytown. That's where they hosted the TV special, Weddings of A Lifetime Album, a look back at seven couples who have gotten married on a Lifetime Tv series since June, 1995. The Callahans participated in one of the ceremonies last November in the Bahamas, just a week before their own wedding in Hawaii. "We had such a great time, we actually thought about getting married in the Bahamas," LaRue Callahan reveals. "We thought, 'We're here- why don't we just do it?' But we found out that you have to be in the country three days to get a license." A highlight of the Lyndhurst taping was a call placed by the Callahans to let a California couple know that they'd been chosen for the next lavish TV wedding. "That was so exciting," LaRue Callahan says. (SOD 6/10/97)
1998 Good Things Do Come: Think actors are blase about winning awards? Think again. John Callahan (Edmund) was beaming after winning the Digest award for lead actor. "It feels so good," he smiled. "It's a great honor and a long time coming between me, Kin [Shriner, Scott, PC] and Tom [Eplin, Jake, AW]. We probably have about 40 years worth of acting experience between us and it's nice that [Digest] nominated some guys who've been around the block. It's an honor to do 'Best Acting.' I'm a little past 'Hottest Hunk,' so it's nice to move into this category." If Callahan has one teeny regret, it's thanks to that race against the clock while accepting his award. "I tried to thank everybody, but I think they said, 'Wrap it up' about four seconds into the speech. I just wish I had more time to thank people. [Head Writer] Megan McTavish created me and [ex-Head Writer] Lorraine Broderick expanded, and now Megan is back. It's been a nice circle. When it's on the page, it can be on the stage. I also forgot to mention Pat Fili[Krushel], the head of ABC Daytime. So," he adds wryly, "the next time you see me on NBC, you'll know why."
1999 Duke-ing It Out: Discussing with Cameron Mathison the far-out notion of him doing double-duty as Ryan and a recast for the departing Steve Burton (Jason, GH), talk eventually turns to his AMC co-star, Finola Hughes who went from playing a Devane named Anna (on GH) to one named Alex. In fact, Mathison, ideally, would like to see his and Hughes' characters share a connection of their own. "I always thought it would be a cool idea, having Ryan Lavery connected to [Anna's late husband] Duke Lavery," he voices. "Since we don't know who Alex is, it could be a neat tie-in to explore her identity through a descendant of Duke." Indeed, it was Hughes herself who fueled and fed Mathison's theory. "Finola said, 'It's a great idea, let's go with it,' the actor reveals, "but [the powers that be] have other plans for now." Nonetheless, he refuses to give up hope. "After all, the things you don't plan always work out better!" (SID 12/28/99)
greenfinola3.jpg (9115 bytes)2000 Everyone Together Now: Walking among the AMc dressing rooms, one might hear a dead-on recitation of the 'Everybody uses everybody' speech delivered by Brit tease Laura to Tony Manero in Staying Alive. Don't be surprised, though, if the sassy monologue isn't emanating from Finola Hughes (Alex), John Travolta's co-star in the Saturday Night Fever sequel, but rather her fairer friend and castmate. "Kelly Ripa (Hayley) does the whole speech!" the continental beauty notes with a laugh. "I don't even remember it, but Kelly remembers it all!" It is, in fact, just one of the many connections shared by the actresses. "We've become pretty close," Hughes reveals. "I love Kelly... She keeps me laughing. And my husband adores [Ripa's spouse] Mark [Consuelos, Mateo]. They get along very well." Eventually, Hughes hopes to unite Ripa with Ian Buchanan, her former GH leading man (he played Duke)- and an entertaining yarn-spinner in his own right. "I want to get them together and set them loose," she smiles. "They could have a storytelling fest!" (SID 6/13/2000)

Don't Toy with Us, AMC: A horse named Scorpio, reaction to Waltzing Matilda, fluent in Russian (what spy wouldn't be?), martial arts expert, same last name, same face... if Alex isn't Anna, "Aggie, you've got some 'splainin' to do." (SOW 4/11/2000)

Darth Nader on AMC: Why isn't All My Children on its knees begging former leading man Michael Nader to come back as Dimitri? His return to daytime would rekindle the accidental breakout couple of the year: Alex and Dimitri. Firing Michael Nader has to be the worst soap decision this past year and probably the first time a soap has willingly destroyed a supercouple in the making. The sparks between Nader and Finola Hughes are what soaps are all about. (SOW 1/18/2000)