The Locher Room

Actor and author Robert Lipton joined me to look back at his six years playing Dr. Jeff Ward on As the World Turns and to share the extraordinary Hollywood story behind his book, Surviving The Survivors: The Making of a Television Disaster, co-written with Michael Gregg Michaud.Robert reflected on his years in Oakdale from 1978 to 1984, including Jeff’s relationship with Dr. Annie Stewart, their unforgettable quadruplets storyline, and his memories of working alongside some of daytime television’s most beloved performers, including Don Hastings, Patricia Bruder, Henderson Forsythe, Helen Wagner, Eileen Fulton, and Larry Bryggman.We also traveled back to 1969, when Robert was under contract to Universal Studios and landed a role in the ABC primetime soap The Survivors, starring Hollywood legend Lana Turner alongside George Hamilton, Ralph Bellamy, Kevin McCarthy, and Jan-Michael Vincent.What was supposed to be a major television success became a production filled with behind-the-scenes turmoil. Robert discussed working with Lana Turner, the challenges surrounding the series, and the infamous confrontation between Turner and producer William Frye.Robert also shared how the diaries he kept during that turbulent production eventually became the foundation for his book, offering a firsthand look at one of Hollywood’s most fascinating television disasters.From the unforgettable drama of Oakdale to the real-life drama of Hollywood, Robert shared memories from a career spanning film, primetime, and daytime television.Surviving The Survivors: The Making of a Television Disaster is available now.

What does it take to begin living life on your own terms at 59?Micky Angelo Petrillo joins me for a very personal conversation about his remarkable journey, the courage it took to begin his transition, and the happiness he has found embracing the man he is today.This episode is especially meaningful to me because Micky and I go all the way back to our high school days in Ridgefield, New Jersey. After more than four decades of friendship, it was wonderful to reconnect and hear his story.Micky opens up about growing up, struggling to understand his identity, and the experiences that eventually helped him recognize who he truly was. We discuss the friends who stood by him throughout his journey, the heartbreaking rejection he experienced from his mother, and the importance of having people in your life who love and support you.We also talk about his memoir, Walking the Earth: First as a Woman, Then as a Man, which chronicles his life from childhood through his transition at 59, including the painful experiences, unexpected discoveries, and moments of joy along the way.Micky shares the incredible story behind Call Me Micky, the award-winning documentary directed by Andrew Rasmussen and executive produced by Pose star Dominique Jackson. What began as an unexpected encounter at a Broadway show turned into a friendship and a film celebrating Micky’s life, humor, resilience, and determination to live authentically.One of the most powerful messages from the documentary is that transgender people shouldn’t have to ask for acceptance. They deserve respect.At 62, Micky is proof that it’s never too late to embrace who you are, start a new chapter, and find happiness.Our conversation is emotional, honest, inspiring, and filled with laughter. I’m grateful to Micky for sharing his story so openly and proud to call him my friend.#TheLocherRoom #MickyAngeloPetrillo #CallMeMicky #WalkingTheEarth #TransgenderVisibility #LGBTQStories #TransJoy

What do General Hospital, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Aretha Franklin and Quincy Jones have in common? The incredibly talented Edie Lehmann Boddicker!What an honor it was to spend an hour getting to know Edie and hearing the stories behind her remarkable career. From discovering she had perfect pitch at just three years old to studying classical piano and becoming one of the most sought-after voices in the music industry, Edie’s journey is extraordinary.Edie shares what it was like working with some of music’s biggest legends, including creating vocal counterlines for Madonna’s True Blue album and singing with Aretha Franklin, who once handed her 27 albums to study in preparation for their performances together.And General Hospital fans are in for a treat!Edie takes us back to her unexpected audition for the role of concert pianist Katherine Delafield. She arrived thinking the show might simply need her hands playing the piano for another actress. Instead, the casting director handed her a script, and Edie found herself beginning an entirely new chapter as an actress.We revisit her time in Port Charles, her on-screen romance with Robert Scorpio, and her memories of working with the wonderful John Reilly and her dear friend, the late Tristan Rogers, who was one of her biggest champions.Edie also opens up about the important role faith plays in her life and the experiences that have shaped her personally and professionally.From daytime television to some of the biggest recordings and films in entertainment history, Edie has lived an incredible life in music. I could have talked to her for hours!Don’t miss this wonderful conversation, and be sure to follow and subscribe to The Locher Room for more unforgettable stories from the people who have entertained us for decades.

What was it really like working on daytime television’s first and only 90-minute soap opera?Author Tom Lisanti joined me alongside Another World favorites Richard Bekins (Jamie Frame), Janice Lynde (Tracy DeWitt), Paul Katz (Dooley), and director Barnet Kellman for a fascinating conversation about one of daytime television’s most ambitious experiments.Barnet shared unforgettable memories of working with Beverlee McKinsey, Victoria Wyndham, Maeve Kinkead, Kathleen Widdoes, and a young Ray Liotta. Janice revealed how she helped bring Paul Katz to Another World, while Richard reflected on the invaluable lessons he learned working alongside some of daytime’s greatest actors.Tom took us behind the scenes of the show’s historic 90-minute era, sharing discoveries about executive producer Paul Rauch, the challenges of producing an additional 30 minutes of television each day, and why the experiment ultimately ended.We also heard some wonderful stories about the friendships, creative freedom, and extraordinary talent that made Another World so special.Tom’s new book, Another World: The Drama Behind Daytime TV’s Only 90-Minute Soap, is available now.

Allison Smith joined me for a fun and revealing look back at a remarkable career that began on Broadway at just nine years old.Allison shared memories of growing up in New Jersey, performing in Evita with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin, landing the title role in Annie at 10, and discovering at a young age that she could make an audience laugh and truly affect how they felt.We looked back at her six seasons as Jennie Lowell on Kate & Allie, how she first met our mutual friend Martha Byrne, and the funny story Martha still tells about Allison. Jennie’s on-screen boyfriend, Ricky Paull Goldin, also dropped in for a surprise visit.Allison revealed why she chose Jason Goes to Hell over The Who’s Tommy on Broadway and shared memories of playing Mallory O’Brien on The West Wing and working with Aaron Sorkin, Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford.From Broadway child star to a career spanning television, film and theater, Allison shared some wonderful stories from the journey.

Charlie’s Angels historian and author Mike Pingel, Geret Coates of @townsendagency and celebrity skincare and makeup artist David Ross of @angelboy76 joined me in The Locher Room to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Charlie’s Angels.The four of us shared how we first fell in love with the series, the impact it had on our lives, our favorite Angels and episodes, and some wonderful stories about meeting the women we grew up watching.Geret talked about bringing Charlie’s Angels into his high school classroom and the priceless moment his son spotted Jaclyn Smith on a family vacation. David shared how the glamour, hair, makeup and fashion of the Angels influenced the career he chose. Mike looked back on his decades as a Charlie’s Angels historian, shared some incredible memorabilia from his collection and talked about his new 50th anniversary book, Hello Angels!We also discussed some of the stories and memories Jaclyn shared in her new memoir and looked back at an incredible anniversary year that put Charlie’s Angels back in the spotlight.Kelly, Sabrina, Jill, Kris, Tiffany and Julie have been part of our lives for five decades. This was a fun, nostalgic celebration of the series, the women and why we’re all still talking about Charlie’s Angels 50 years later.

Paul Gosselin, Stephanie Gatschet and Teja Anderson joined me in The Locher Room to celebrate the fourth and final season of Misguided, the digital series born from Paul’s lifelong love of Guiding Light.Paul looked back at the journey from soap fan to creator and what it meant to finally bring Misguided to its conclusion. He also opened up about losing the late Jackie Zeman, who played his mother in the series, and having the opportunity to honor Jackie and her legacy in the final season.Stephanie talked about watching Paul follow his dream and being part of Misguided from the very beginning. Teja shared memories of Guiding Light, acting opposite her husband Frank Dicopoulos and her own love of All My Children. Frank even chimed in while we were live.We also talked about the lasting power of Guiding Light and its fans, the emotion of watching Tom Pelphrey win his first Primetime Emmy, and much more.Jean Carol was scheduled to join us but unfortunately experienced technical difficulties. She watched along and sent messages throughout the show.Misguided concluded its four-season run on September 18, 2026, exactly 17 years after Guiding Light aired its final episode. All four seasons are available to watch on YouTube.

General Hospital’s Asher Antonyzyn and Finn Carr joined me to talk about growing up, going to school and working in Port Charles as Danny Morgan and Rocco Falconeri.Asher and Finn shared how acting first came into their lives, their General Hospital auditions, what they remember about finding out they had landed their roles and their first days on the GH set.We talked about balancing school, travel and work, what it’s like when the younger generation of Port Charles is together at the studio and some of their favorite scenes and storylines.They also shared what they’ve learned from working alongside an extraordinary cast, including daytime legends Genie Francis, Nancy Lee Grahn and Jane Elliott, and how much they absorb simply by watching these experienced actors work.Asher discussed joining General Hospital in 2023 as Danny Morgan in his first professional acting role, while Finn looked back at beginning his acting career at just four years old and eventually joining GH as Rocco Falconeri in 2022.It was such a pleasure spending time with Asher and Finn. They are two talented young actors with great heads on their shoulders, and I’m looking forward to watching what comes next for both of them and for Danny and Rocco.

Jade Harlow joined me for a personal and candid conversation about her more than 25 years in daytime television.Jade looked back at getting her start as Jessica Bennett on Passions, the wonderfully wild stories she experienced there and her love of horror films. She also shared memories from her time as Sheryl Connors on Days of our Lives and some of the incredible actors she has worked with throughout her career.Our conversation became especially personal when Jade opened up about her years playing Lianna Ramos on The Bay. She discussed going through a difficult period in her own life while playing Lianna, how the character sometimes mirrored what she was experiencing and why The Bay ultimately became such an important and healing chapter for her.Jade also shared touching memories of her friendship with the late Tristan Rogers and the kindness he showed her and The Bay creator Gregori J. Martin.We also talked about her move to Genoa City and taking on the role of Marie Kirkland on The Young and the Restless, her connection with Nick Newman and working opposite Joshua Morrow on their powerful addiction storyline.From Passions and Days of our Lives to The Bay and The Young and the Restless, Jade opened up about the experiences and people who have shaped her journey both on and off screen.

Scott Clifton and Lawrence Saint-Victor joined me for a terrific conversation about The Bold and the Beautiful, their 2026 Daytime Emmy nominations and the incredible camaraderie behind the scenes at B&B.Lawrence opened up about earning his first acting Emmy nomination after 13 years as Carter Walton, as well as being recognized for his work on the show’s writing team. He shared how Annika Noelle helped him select scenes for his Emmy reel and recalled the FaceTime he shared with his former Guiding Light co-star Karla Mosley after learning they were both first-time acting nominees.Scott talked about earning his 11th Daytime Emmy nomination for his work as Liam Spencer and why this one means so much to him. He shared how Heather Tom and a B&B editor helped put together his Emmy reel, and how Heather gave him a unique perspective on approaching Liam’s cancer storyline.Scott and Lawrence also shared their admiration for Brad Bell, recalled how Brad personally called each of them with the news of their nominations, took us back to their first meeting and talked about the special relationships they’ve built with their B&B co-stars.And we discovered something else these two have in common: a mutual love of Superman!It was a fun, candid conversation with two longtime colleagues who clearly have tremendous respect for each other and the people they work with.