Most of us would certainly agree that 2007 came in like a lamb in terms of Nora’s character. All of this changed when Carlivati entered the picture, as he brought renewed hope and a crisp vision to OLTL. So while Nora’s character isn’t yet repositioned on the front-burner, she is most certainly mainstream, and our new Head Writer is building towards what I believe will be a meaty story filled with complexities and that which will utilize Hillary’s diverse talents. So as we enter a New Year filled with hope and promise, I wanted to reflect upon what emerged as highlights of 2007, and look towards what I believe holds promise story-wise for 2008.
2007 HIGHLIGHTS
A Beauty Awakens
While Nora's awakening wasn't laden with a romantic kiss or a storybook ending, she, just like her fairy-tale counterpart, lay at the mercy of Disney. Backstage happenings superseded all onscreen drama when Hillary’s fans watched in horror as her alter ego was shoved on the back-burner in 2005...which just so happened to coincide with the expiration of her current contract. Viewers then breathed a sigh of relief when Hillary granted ABC a one-year extension, which required the network "put up or shut up" in terms of her character. While she was hardly seen or heard during that one year extension, fans jumped for joy when the announcement broke that a four-year deal was reached between Hillary and ABC, after much negotiation. Yet fans' enthusiasm quickly turned to disappointment, as Nora lie comatose for the first few months of her new contract term. Things continued to look bleak even after Nora awakened, though viewers were treated to Hillary's technical expertise on occasion as she utilized her real life experience with facial paralysis and wove that into Nora's physical recovery. Critics and fans alike voiced exasperation as she was squandered and months lapsed, yet renewed hope finally emerged as a change in Head Writers ensued. While Nora remains far from front-burner, somehow, and in some way, viewers never stopped believing that she would endure. Just like Hillary, Nora is a fighter...and fans of both actor and character never stopped battling on her behalf. Llanview regained its legal eagle, Nora has begun a journey of reintegration and self-discovery, and viewers learned that their actions continue to make a difference.
Birth of a Head Writer
I recall very few instances throughout the years when the announcement of a new Head Writer brought a sense of excitement and renewed hope to me on a personal level. Perhaps my thirty-plus years as an ABC viewer has made me wary each time we endure a changing of the guard, because sometimes, the devil you know is truly better than the one you don't. The last time I recall holding any significant appreciation or respect for OLTL's writing team was during the Griffith and Malone era, which spawned Nora’s character and continues to represent one of the most significant time periods in show history. Yet from the moment ABC announced Ron Carlivati as Dena Higley's successor, I held nothing but anticipation, joy and enthusiasm...even before the cast publicly praised his skills and talents and prior to the media buzz that accompanied his appointment as Head Writer. What impresses me as much as Carlivati’s dedication to the show from a professional standpoint is his dedication to OLTL from a personal standpoint, as he has been a diehard viewer for some thirty years. I maintain that it takes a soap fan to understand the inner workings of a fan's mind, and his writing reflects as much. His material is character-driven, his dialogue is rich, and his understanding of the characters and respect for show history is impressive. He has placed the "life" back into "One Life to Live" and shown respect for his cast, crew and viewers in numerous ways, most prominently by acknowledging his veteran actors and penning rich material that honors their extensive talents. We only saw fleeting glimpses of Hillary prior to Carlivati’s appointment, so the proof is in the pudding. I believe Carlivati's tenure will prove to be one of the most memorable in OLTL's history and will completely redefine Nora’s character. While he certainly has his work cut out for him, there is no one I'd rather see at the helm.
Asa’s Farewell and a Special Bequest
There is simply no easy way to bid farewell to a patriarch. Nothing ever takes the sting out of losing a beloved cast member, and a "one size fits all" conclusion to decades of story and memories does not exist. Yet as deeply as my heart ached while Llanview residents and diehard viewers bid adieu to Phil Carey, I believe Asa’s send-off was characterized by honesty, integrity and wit. Tying his farewell into OLTL's 10,000th episode was a brilliant concept, because just as in life, death and birth are part of the same cycle...and Llanview is no exception to that rule. As Llanview mourned the passing of its patriarch and celebrated his life, this event marked a historic milestone as OLTL celebrated 10,000 episodes. Asa's passing brought a return of familiar faces, created powerful interactions, and redefined characters and their relationships with one another. The 10,000th episode was a stunning work of art and featured top-rate writing, direction, acting and editing. Yet what the episode signified and how it tied in the cycle of life for every character on the canvas emerged as the icing on the cake. As Asa's final wishes slowly manifested themselves in weeks to come, it only reinforced that just as in life, he would continue to have the last laugh. One of Asa’s most surprising final bequests was tendering the Buchanan mansion to his favorite daughter-in-law, ensuring that Nora and Matthew would never want for company while they continued to fill his home with joy and laughter. So while nothing could ease the pain of his loss, viewers took solace in the fact that Asa's presence would never fade and instead served as a catalyst to the show's revival.
STORIES TO WATCH FOR 2008
Nora/Viki vs. Lindsay/Dorian
While viewers have enjoyed fair share of the Nora/Lindsay rivalry throughout the years, 2008 promises to redefine this legendary feud. The network has hinted through release of official ’08 previews that we may see Nora and Viki ally against Lindsay and Dorian for the battle of the century, in addition to reviving the much anticipated Nora/Lindsay feud. It simply isn’t enough that all four characters share rich and complicated histories with Clint; add their individual character rivalries, kick the intensity up a notch, and this promises to create loads of conflict and laughter on the canvas. Viewers were quietly reminded of the once strong bond between Nora and Viki only recently, when Nora was advising her best friend regarding her unresolved feelings for Clint. We’ve yet to see them reconnect since that point, and Viki is completely unaware of Nora’s newfound appreciation for her ex-husband. Dorian and Lindsay share as complex a history as do Nora and Viki, and if Carlivati pairs these women off and carves out teams of “good” vs. “evil”, Hillary will FINALLY receive that breakout story for which we’ve all been clamoring. This doesn’t even begin to touch Nora’s reaction to learning Lindsay’s legal fate for killing Spencer Truman…and I have faith that everyone’s favorite redhead will not take the outcome lying down.
Battle of the Buchanan Men
Whoever wins Nora’s heart must earn her affections in my book. Some viewers are repulsed that anything romantic could transpire between Nora and Clint, others continue fighting for a Bo and Nora reunion, and others simply want Nora paired with someone new. I happen to be a huge proponent of Clint and Nora, because anything that garners Hillary a story and enables Nora to rediscover love brings me contentment. I’ve opened my mind and heart to the fact that time moves forward in Llanview as in life, and characters must progress and grow in order to keep pace. What also excites me about connecting Nora and Clint are the offshoots of story it shall create, as well as how both brothers will be impacted by events that follow. If Bo wants Nora back, that’s wonderful – now let him work for her. I enjoy life in Llanview when it’s messy, soapy and complex…and whatever transpires in the way of Nora’s love life is always bound to create that effect!
All Things Matthew
I have a hunch that viewers will enjoy significant character development in terms of Matthew as part of Nora’s ’08 story. Matt has rarely been seen or heard and was strictly tied to Nora’s character for most of Eddie Alderson’s tenure on the canvas. Yet if what Carlivati has penned for OLTL’s younger characters is any indication, I believe considerable changes lay in store for Matt’s character in the New Year. I believe we will see Matt evolve and cultivate a life outside of his parents. It’s high time we see Matt interact with peers, experience the highs and lows of that “first love”, and watch him flourish into an independent character. I am curious to see how Matt responds to the newfound closeness between Clint and Nora, and it will be very interesting to watch how Matt handles the ups and downs of his teenage years and how the relationship with his parents is impacted as a result. As a viewer, I’d like to participate in Matthew’s development and wouldn’t mind seeing him give his parents a bit of trouble…just enough to keep them on their toes and connected to one another, and that which fosters offshoots of story for Nora’s character. Nora and Matt’s relationship is one of the very few mother-son bonds that have endured throughout the years on OLTL, and we don’t see nearly enough of them as far as I’m concerned.
How wonderful that we are entering the New Year with a Head Writer who respects his veterans and is committed to restoring OLTL’s integrity. Quite honestly, I wasn’t certain whether we’d ever see Nora again as 2007 rolled around, and I held serious doubt that the network would fulfill its commitment to Hillary after she re-signed on the dotted line. Yet I believe Carlivati has set a precedent with the Paris, TX storyline and will use this pattern as a template for other veteran actors and their characters. When Hillary finally gets the story she deserves, I have no doubt that she will remain its nucleus and that her character will emerge with integrity and humor intact. So for the first time in a very long while, we have reason to be thankful as we enter a New Year, for it is promising to be one filled with hope and rebirth for OLTL, its cast and longtime viewers.
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~ AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER ~
Soap Opera Digest
October 30, 2007
Statesville-Bound Train Wreck, 2000
Guest of Honor: Hillary B. Smith (Nora)
How long did the taping go that day? “I think we hold the record. We went until quarter of 5 in the morning, on a normal day starting at 7:30am. Leading up to that it was all Will going off to Statesville Prison and Bo taking Nora, and we’re all on this train.”
What made it so difficult? “The hard thing was that the set was built askew, like they actually took the train and then put it through an accident and it was set askew, and everyone was getting nauseous because our balance was off.”
What did people do to avoid losing their collective lunch? “A lot of the cameramen either took Dramamine or put a patch behind their ear. It finally got the point where I was trapped inside and getting in and out of the train was making me so nauseous that they created a little hole that I could climb in under the train [laughs]. Woodsy [Robert S. Woods, Bo] was having a tough time because he had to come down the length of the [of the train].”
Was the train moving at all? “No, it was just this weird visual thing. The set was at an angle, but the problem was that your eyes were telling you that you should be leaning to the right and walking so that it was all level, but the gravity pull was different, so you’re walking through it going sideways. It was really bizarre.”
What did you do to stay sane in that difficult situation? “There’s nothing you could do! First of all, that’s implying that we were sane when we started. That is a big, big assumption [laughs].”
Because you were already working long days that week? “Yes. We did the pre-train-wreck scenes the day before because they literally took the same train and wrecked it, so there were other scenes that took place that they did on the exterior and then they did the interior of it. And then they had to do these big explosions. There was a pool. Everyone was betting on when we’d get out. We also went through three shifts of guards [laughs].”
What did you do when it was all over? “Actually, Nora disappeared for two weeks, so I went home because they had the audience believe that Nora was dead. I think I got in the car and drove home, got home around 6:30 in the morning and then I had two weeks where I didn’t work, and it was blissful.”
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~ SUPPORT HILLARY ~
The responsibilities of motherhood may end when your kids grow up, but as ONE LIFE TO LIVE’s Hillary B. Smith (Nora) relates, the emotional connection never does. Nearly two decades ago, she started a family with her husband, Phillip “Nip” Smith. Now their children, Courtney, 19, and Phips, 16, require a whole different kind of parenting.
“I think the hardest part of motherhood is adjusting to their independence and not only their need for [it] but your need for them to be independent,” Smith offers, grinning. “That’s a really hard one because it’s giving up control. Sometimes you have to let them go and make mistakes.”
R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
This is a relatively new revelation for a mother who previously
kept her kids on a tight leash. “We were pretty strict,” she
confesses. “I believe in giving your children a wide path, but
with very firm boundaries so there’s room for them to make their
own decisions and formulate their own ideas while having the
security of knowing [how far to go].”
Perhaps even more important to Smith is instilling in her children a sense of veneration for adults. That way, when it comes to relinquish the reins, she’ll be able to trust them to handle it. Smith describes her philosophy like this: “I’m still your parent, and you have to respect that, and you have to respect me and trust the facts that I know what I’m doing, and I’m doing my job of protecting you,” she explains, adding, “It’s cultivating respect out of healthy fear.”
Letting Go
Last year, Mom endured the ultimate test: She sent daughter
Courtney to Spain – alone! Mind you, the young woman didn’t go
without some words of wisdom. “When they come to you for advice,
you try not to lecture but [rather] walk them through things,”
Smith offers. “I got to watch her be an incredibly responsible,
intelligent person…be able to maneuver in a foreign country while
speaking a different language, and take care of herself!”
Of course, both Smith kids have been practicing independent living for some time while tending to their studies. “They’re away at school, and we go watch them play [sports] games,” Mom relates, “We just love being with them, we love being their friends, and we love their great friends.”
Enjoying The Journey
Having traveled with their family often in earlier years, the
Smiths still like to get away whenever possible. Only now, it’s
not as important to try new destinations as it is to enjoy quality
time together. “The one thing that my husband and I have always
been about is the journey itself. It’s like, ‘We’d like to go
here, but let’s do it this way because the process is fun and
we’ll enjoy it.’ If everyone has a good time, then it makes it
worth it,” the actress offers.
When sending her daughter back to college after a recent break, Smith was happy that they used their time together to forge new memories. And while their bond now reflects that of a mother and an adult daughter, the relationship formed years ago still shines through.
“When the kids were little, they would always run our and pick the first daffodils that bloomed and bring them to me. I put them in a jar and saved them through Easter,” Smith recalls, smiling.
In an ironic twist, when Courtney went to leave, she remembered the gesture and stopped mid-driveway. “She got out of the car, picked the first daffodil that had come up, then ran back and gave it to me. And well, of course, we both burst into tears!”
FYI
Birthday:
May 25.
Born: Boston, MA.
Previously Known As: Long before she became one of
Llanview’s most beloved heroines, Smith played one half of ‘80’s
supercouple Margo and Tom Hughes on AS THE WORLD TURNS.
Keeping Strong: Currently, Smith can be seen in a commercial for Caltrate calcium supplements. “I truly believe in Caltrate. When you’re over 40, you’ve got to start thinking about bringing health into your diet. So I learned a lot.”
On Nora’s Ruined Marriage: “All I know is that she should swear off men,” Smith chuckles. “She hasn’t had a great track record with them!”
On The Almost-Empty Nest: With her children nearly grown, Smith and her husband enjoy having them home. “I love seeing the people that they’ve turned into and the joy that I have with them. What’s almost even more rewarding for my husband and I is how much they love coming home to us. And they bring their friends – everyone comes to our house.”
On Enjoying The Moment: “For my family, it’s always been about getting in as much as we can, because I traveled a lot when [my kids] were little. So it was always about what we’re doing right now and not thinking, ‘Okay, Mom’s gonna leave,’ and how long she’ll be gone,” says Smith. “It made things fluid.”
On Her TV Son: “I’m very affectionate with Eddie [Alderson, Matthew]. I’m always grabbing him and putting him in my lap. He lets me love on him,” enthuses Smith. “He’s a special kid, and he has a terrific real mother, whom I adore.”
