The new Santa Barbara
By Isabelle Caron, Télé 7 Jours, 1990	Home   Cette page en Français

A vast office invaded of "top secret" manuscripts containing the scenarios of the next episodes of the famous soap. John Conboy, even he has a timetable calculated at the exact minute, is delighted by speaking to us first about "the Santa Barbara revolution." He was chosen, indeed, as executive producer to make the show more attractive.

Will Marcy Walker leave Santa Barbara or not ?

We have just proposed to her an excellent contract very very difficult to refuse ! We will have her answer at the end of the month. To lose at the same time the actors who play Eden and Cruz would be terrible, but to lose only one is worse. Since Marcy had played in the pilot of Bar Girls, a show of the network CBS of which she would be the star, we do not dare to imagine that it could be a success, although we wish she goes towards her happiness. Cruz and Eden incarnate the ideal couple. The one we all dream about, by acknowledging it or not. Their happiness "at home" with the children, family makes dream, even the more blasé ones. They must absolutely not be separated, because of a "third man" as that was the case with Robert Barr, the first love of Eden who suddenly re-appears.

You thus arrived in Santa Barbara at a crucial moment that the French televiewers are not close to see, because of the interval.

I found myself in full love drama ! Marcy was vacillating between her always tender feelings for Cruz, her husband, and for Robert Barr (played by Roscoe Born), the first she had loved. I hastened me to join them together again. It is impossible that Cruz and Eden betray the one and the other. We are responsible for their fidelity in front of the televiewers.

Eden, a revolver in the hand, is it also unacceptable ?

If I want to reach a record of audience, I put a revolver in the hands of Marcy and I make her kill somebody that she believes being a burglar, but who turns to be Cruz. That day all the American population will be in front of its television. The following day nobody will watch it any more. I will have lost everything...

We are not arrived there yet. The upheavals that John Conboy exclusively announces would, on the contrary, deserve him new and assiduous fans of Santa Barbara.

Who are the characters who will arrive in the show ?

Especially young and pretty women. We miss some. I have just hired Julie Saint-Claire for the role of Tawny Richards, the daughter of an enemy of C.C. Capwell and SheIl Danielson, who will play the new Laken Lockridge.

The Lockridges had however disappeared from the American credits.

I make return three Lockridge in one time. Augusta, played by Louise Sorel, Laken and Lionel, husband of Augusta, played by Nicolas Coster. Louise is an excellent actress and one would say that she is really Augusta. I was filled when she decided to renew her contract. As for Nicolas Coster, who I know for a long time, I find that his character is capital in Santa Barbara.

Yes, but whereas Augusta Lockridge periodically returns during the episodes, Lionel Lockridge had disappeared for a long time. How will you explain his return ?

We will attend to his burial but... in fact he will not be dead.

You go extremely far ! What fate do you intend to him ?

A writer, and who moreover is a producer, can allow himself everything ! Lionel will hide himself and prepare a terrible revenge against Gina (Robin Mattson), Augusta and Robert Barr. But his plan fails and he will know many problems.

You seem to live with all the heroes as if you had created them in the beginning.

Nothing abnormal. I had been hired for only one reason. Santa Barbara triumphs in the whole world but has only success in the United States. The televiewers are numerous from Monday to Friday from 2 to 3 p.m. to watch the network NBC, but not enough. I am charged to make the audience going up.

Did you already understand why the audience is not strong ?

Santa Barbara tells too many stories and which thus finish too quickly at the end of some episodes. I chose to strech them out and as I told you, to add characters. But be careful, Santa Barbara, which exists since 1984, is an envied soap which won several Emmy Awards.

John Conboy looks at the files in front of him. He currently spends his nights to think about the heroes of Santa Barbara, and takes many notes.

I see that you wrote Ted Capwell. This hero is so-called travelling because the actor, Todd McKee, had left Santa Barbara.

I will make return Ted Capwell one day, but I do not know when. I do not really need him.

Your stories will last until six months. You do not risk to weary...

You just have to choose them well ! They especially do not be too dark, too sad.

What is necessary to avoid for Santa Barbara or The Young and the Restless ?

AIDS, in my opinion, a subject which is appropriate for a TV movie, for an episode of show, but which should not extend over six months.

How do you work with the writers ?

I discuss with them once per week in giving them my general idea. They then write five episodes that we read again together by suggesting each one changes. They are very endowed. They write 86 pages per day of shooting, whereas for a TV movie, that is enough for 22 days !

Do you also discuss with the actors ?

With Marcy Walker and A Martinez, yes. I want to know what they think of the scenario, the dialogues. If the actor appreciates what had been written for him, he will play still better.

Before meeting John Conboy, I had gone for a walk in the studios and on the stage. I fell in stop in front of new sceneries, all sumptuous.

Another revolution ?

The town of Santa Barbara is one of the richest and the most beautiful of the world. I wish that the show resemble to it. Still is it necessary that the faithful ones of Santa Barbara understand why the Capwells mansion became splendid... You had seen the fire of the Lockridges' house. This is going to be the turn, soon, of the Capwells. The occasion to present the new C.C. Capwell's mansion.

How much does this scenery cost ?

As much expensive than a villa in Montecito. The smallest cost five million dollars.

You thus spent a fortune ?

I wanted a romantic place with a majestic staircase, some beautiful pieces of furniture, some beautiful carpets.

Will that allow you to marry C.C. and Sophia Capwell again, divorced since a good time ?

I plan the remariage for this couple which always love... Perhaps in Paris, the town of the great loves. We could shoot on the spot.

Do you return in France ?

Undoubtedly. Also Luxembourg. The prince of this country made us the honor to come on our stage. We have projects in his country and in yours.

This prince will be sensitive to the dresses I could admired on your stage. You also invest in clothing !

I hired a costumier who had worked in Capitol with me, Susan Claire. She is extraordinary. We also buy clothing in the big dressmakers like Oscar de la Renta. The Capwell family can offer them...

The heroes of Santa Barbara told by John Conboy seem to really exist ! That is perhaps why they have so many faithful ones.