GH: Wally/Rena AOL transcript
Lori H. Levy
Lori H. Levy
OnlineHost: Wally Kurth joined General Hospital in 1992 when he took over
the role of Ned Ashton, a young man truly cut from Quartermaine cloth.
Rena Sofer originated the role of Lois Cerullo in 1993 and has quickly
become one of the show's most popular characters, with her Brooklyn accent
and mile-long painted fingernails. Daytime viewers know Wally from his
four-year run on Days of Our Lives, where he played Justin Kiriakis. In
addition to being an actor, Wally is also a successful musician. He
performs with his band, Kurth & Taylor, and has a new album out which is
aptly titled "Kurth & Taylor" and features the hit single, "The Only One I
Love." At age 15, Rena Sofer was discovered by a talent agent who
directed her towards acting classes. Numerous roles in feature films and
television soon followed. Rena made her feature film debut in "The Only
One." She has appeared on television in "Saved By the Bell: Hawaiian
Style," "Another World," and as Rocky McKenzie on the ABC daytime drama
"Loving." We will begin momentarily. Don't forget to watch Wally and
Rena on GENERAL HOSPITAL, Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 4:00PM, ET.
Thank you for joining us today!
ABCStar: Hi all. This is ABCJoanne and I'm here with GH's Wally Kurth
and Rena Sofer. Please give them a warm welcome. We're just about to
start. Question: Did you both know each other before Rena joined GH
ABCStar: Rena: No. We met at the screen test.
Question: Any plans for Lois to cut her nails??
ABCStar: Rena: Lord, I hope not! She wouldn't be the character she is
without them. Wally: And, who would scratch Ned's back?!
Question: Rena, would you wear any of the outfits that "lois" does? I
like a few of them but you have to admit some are way out there
ABCStar: Rena: I'm not a huge fan of Lois's wardrobe. So, no,
I wouldn't wear much--but there are a few pieces that are cute.
Question: Which character do you find more fun to play: Eddie
Maine or Ned Ashton?
ABCStar: Wally: That's hard to say. There are days when I feel like just
wearing a t-shirt and messing up my hair and singing some rock and roll.
Which is more like me. But, I enjoy dressing up in a suit and tie and
playing Ned because he is very much un-like me.
Question: Wally & Rena: How would you compare your relationship to Ned
and Lois's relationship? Thanks for the autographed photos. Sincerely,
Lynne in Charlotte
ABCStar: Rena: I think that both Wally and Rena and Ned and Lois find a
lot of fun in their relationships.
Question: When Lois 1st came into the picture she slept with Ned on the
spot. I cant see her doing that now. Did they decide to change her
morals? She seems more ethical now. Do you agree, Rena?
ABCStar: Rena: I don't think it's question of ethics. I think Lois is a
free spirit and she does what she pleases and at that time, she wanted to
sleep with Ned. And, now, she wants to be in a faithful relationship.
Question: Do you two ever go out with any of the cast of GH?
ABCStar: Rena: We don't get to hang out with people from the cast very
often but the people we have seen outside of the show are Maurice Benard
(Sonny) and Vanessa Marcil (Brenda) and sometimes we hang out with Sean
Kanan (AJ) and Steve Burton (Jason).
ABCStar: Wally: I used to play golf with Stuart Damon (Alan) but now
I've given up the practice range for practicing the guitar.
Question: Wally, you and Rena are wonderful on the show. And I love your
album. Will you be singing more on the show? Any plans for another
album?
ABCStar: Wally: I hope that they continue to have Eddie sing. As you
know, we haven't had a concert in a long time. I hope that changes.
We're working on a new album that will be done by Valentine's Day (Kurth
and Taylor).
Question: Rena, you are so great on the show! How did you get the part of
Lois?
ABCStar: Rena: I auditioned like every other actress.
Question: Rena, what is your shoulder tattoo of, and why does GH hide
it? It seems in character for Lois.
ABCStar: Rena: It is a goddess figure surrounded by the moon. I don't
know why they didn't introduce it in the first place on the show, but now
that so much time has passed, they can't find a reason to write it in.
Question: Now that Rena and Kurth are so popular , what's next for them?
ABCStar: Wally: We don't know...Do you have any suggestions. It seems
like after we got married, we've been put on the proverbial back-burner.
ABCStar: Rena: You can send your suggestions to the executive producer
of GH, Wendy Riche.
Question: How long were you working together before you started dating?
ABCStar: Wally and Rena: Four days.
Question: I would like to know if outside of the set if you are both
still involved in a relationship?
ABCStar: Rena: Yes--and still with each other.
Question: Hi, Rena & Wally, from Bridgeport, CT. I saw you w/Reege.
Great song, Wally. So, Rena... is "Rocky" McKenzie the LOVING
murderer??? :)
ABCStar: Rena: Bob!!!! You finally guessed it----NOT!!
Question: How much of Wally is in Ned? And how much of Rena
is in Lois? From Marcia(A very devoted fan) in KY
ABCStar: Wally: Wally doesn't even own more than one suit. He prefers
jeans and t-shirts and he loves to sing. So, my similiarity is with
Eddie rather than Ned.
ABCStar: Rena: Lois is strong, independent, self-sufficient, successful
and in love with a guy with really big dimples. And, so is Rena.
Question: Hello? Wally, Rena, This is Felicia Spirio? Did you guys get
the photos from the Buffalo Rose Cafe in Golden, CO I sent to Christian?
I haven't heard anything. Also some news: Dane and I are expecting our
first baby March 8th!
ABCStar: Wally: Thanks for the photos and congrats on the baby.
Question: Wally and Rena: Any possibilities of Jane Elliot
(Tracy) returning? It would be great dialogue for your characters?
ABCStar: Wally and Rena: Don't we wish. But LOVING has stolen her heart.
Lucky them.
Question: Wally, I love your acting and singing on GH, saw you this
morning on Regis and Kathy Lee. How long is your current contract for on
GH.
ABCStar: Wally: I just signed a new two year contract on August 23rd.
Which happens to be my lucky day! Question: Hi Wally and Rena! Wally I
saw you at an appearance in Santa Clara, CA and again this summer over
memorial Day Weekend at a soap boutique. Is your band going to be
performing in Northern CA anytime soon? And Rena you are very pretty.
Christine
ABCStar: Wally: Yes. We'll be performing at the Santa Cruz County Fair
on September 16th. Spread the word.
Question: Hi Rena, I think you and Wally are great together on screen and
off. I am curious about your trademark--your nails. How many different
sets do you have and do you do them yourself?
ABCStar: Rena: I don't do them myself. We have a manicurist who comes in
to the show to measure my nails, and makes up sets designed by me and the
make-up artists. And, by now, I have about 25 different sets. Sometimes
they break and they're always hard to keep on my real nails, since
they're press ons. My collection grows all the time from fans who are
manicurists with their own creations.
Question: Was it fun to punch Ned in that one scene where you thought he
was cheating?
ABCStar: Rena: Sure as hell was!
ABCStar: Wally: She's been waiting to do that for a year and a half now.
Question: What is it like working with someone your involved with?
ABCStar: Rena: We keep our personal relationship very separate from our
professional one.
Question: Does the GH cast ever read the AOL Bulliten boards?
ABCStar: Wally: Rena and I are going to get a computer in the next couple
of months and then we'll sign up with AOL. We're too busy at the studio
to log on there.
Question: Were y'all prepared for the Brouhaha stirred up by your innocent
awards acceptance speech?
ABCStar: Rena: No I was not! I can't understand how such an innocent
and private statement was turned into such a fiasco. I am not pregnant.
Question: Do you really have the Brooklyn accent?
ABCStar: Rena: No, but I can fall into a Jersey accent when I
get tired.
Question: How can we buy your latest CD?
ABCStar: ABCJoanne: Check in the ABC SoapStore for information about how
you can get Wally's latest album. Also, Wally and Rena will be
performing "Love Letters" at the Bijou Theater in Knoxville, TN on
October 14 and 15. And, for you West Coast people, Kurth and Taylor, the
band, will be performing at the Troubadour in West Hollywood this
Thursday, August 31, at 10 pm.
Question: Rena, I read that you are friends with Tiffani Amber Thiesen are
you all still great pals?
ABCStar: Rena: Yes--Tiffani and I are still very close but we don't get
to see each other as often since we're both so busy. But, I think that
she's doing a great job and she took 90210 into the 21st century!
Question: Wally...how're you doing...we went to school together at
UCLA....thought I'd stop in and say hello ...on the net this morning and
saw your name... Trish Buttrill...friend of Jenny Rountree (Penny) and
Meg Wilbur.......glad you're life is going so well
ABCStar: Wally: Hi, Trish. Great to hear from you. Hope you're doing
well.
Question: Wally do you keep in touch with anyone from Days? and Rena do
you keep in touch with anyone from Loving? I love you guys and you're
such a sweet couple!!!
ABCStar: Rena: I'm still very close to Richard Steinmetz (Jeff), Randy
Mantooth (Alex), Lisa Peluso (Ava), and I also hear from Stan Albers
(ex-Curtis) and Rick Telles (Rio).
Question: Are there any L&B Records T-shirts or Eddie Maine and the Idle
Rich T-shirts available for purchase? They would be a great money maker
as a fundraiser for a favorite charity that you may have. I would love to
get my hands on one.
ABCStar: Rena and Wally: Sorry, nothing's available to the public
but our prop department sometimes donates stuff for us at our personal
benefits. So, make sure that you come to a Rena and Wally charity
fundraiser and you can get your hands on one!
Question: what has been your favorite part of the Ned/Lois storyline to
date?
ABCStar: Rena: When Ned was Eddie and Lois didn't know that he was Ned.
ABCStar: Wally: And, when Ned started wearing his tight black leather
pants.
Question: Was it love at first sight?
ABCStar: Rena: Yes!
Question: hi. what do you two think about the AIDS storyline with Stone
and maybe Robin?
ABCStar: Rena: I think it's incredibly important. In fact, I was so
impacted by meeting Jeanne White (Ryan White's mom) at the GH Aids Nurses
Ball, that, along with my two partners, we started a company called,
"Tele-Tainment Partners" and we sell pre-paid telephone cards with the
faces of many of your favorite stars on them. Part of our proceeds will
go directly to The Ryan White Foundation. ABCJoanne will have more
information about this in her SoapLine Daily column this week.
Question: You are both doing excellent work at GH. For each of you, what
is your dream role and would it be stage or screen?
ABCStar: Wally: I hope that I can continue to do many more stage roles
and begin a film career in the future.
ABCStar: Rena: I don't have a dream role. I just hope to continue
working and having fun, like I do with Lois.
ABCStar: Someone asked if Wally will leave GH for a career in the music
business?
ABCStar: Wally: The best part of being on GH is that it has enabled me to
highlight my music and I dream of one day enlarging my music career.
Question: Rena, I have been an AW fan as well as a GH one for years, what
part did you play on AW? I think you are a great actress.
ABCStar: Rena: I played Sam's ex-girlfriend from Seattle, for only eight
episodes.
Question: Wally, did you like working as Justin on DOOL?
ABCStar: Wally: Yes, I did. One of the reasons the character of Ned
appealed to me was because of the similarities between Justin and Ned.
But, this time, I was not going to let the writers compromise the
character.
Question: Did you like your hair long or short?
ABCStar: Rena: I assume you mean me. I like my hair either way. I
prefer it long and so does Wally.
Question: Rena, you don't wear contacts do you?
ABCStar: Rena: Nope--these are my real eyes.
Question: Do you both get along with everyone on the set?
ABCStar: Wally and Rena: From the crew to the cast, everyone is terrific.
There isn't a rotten apple in the bunch.
Question: Rena, I'm from No. Bergen is it true you are too?
ABCStar: Rena: Yes--I lived there for ten years.
Question: I loved the wedding dress Lois wore. Is it really an
antique?
ABCStar: Rena: No--it was designed by GH's costume designer, Bob
Miller. It was designed to be Lila's wedding dress.
Question: As the character Ned is it hard to portray such a worm at
times?
ABCStar: Wally: I only hope that I can make him a charming worm.
Question: Rena, didn't you also play in a movie with Melanie Griffith (I
think)?
ABCStar: Rena: Yes, the movie was called "A Stranger Among Us." I
played Shayna Singer, and it was fun to play a girl from France.
Question: Are you as "flashy" as Lois in real life?
ABCStar: Rena: No.
Question: When do you start your work day and how long does it last?
ABCStar: Rena: It starts at different times. But, the earliest we start
is 7 am and, we usually don't work past 7:30 pm--unless someone is
jumping out of a cake!
Question: How was the fan club meeting yesterday, I am a member but
couldn't make it.
ABCStar: Wally: I'm so sorry that you couldn't make it. Marsha Seader
and Barbara Wurtzel did a fantastic job organizing the event. We raised
over $20,000 for Reach Out for Youth, an organization helping children
with ilietis and colitis.
ABCStar: Rena: There are still videos of the event available for sale.
Write to Wally's fan club. You can get the address in the GH section in
ABC Daytime. Look in the Library's fan club folder.
Question: I saw Wally sing on Regis today -- it was wonderful! Do
you write any of your songs for or to Rena?
ABCStar: Wally: I'm the kind of songwriter that needs to be inspired. I
find myself stopping in the middle of an intimate moment with Rena to
write down a catchy phrase or an inspired lyric, much to Rena's dismay!
ABCStar: Rena: "Just Because" is the first song that Wally wrote
specifically for me. And, it is my favorite. I love his voice and I
especially love when he sings to me.
ABCStar: ABCJoanne: Well, maybe Rena will let me borrow Wally so that I
can get him to sing to me, too!
ABCStar: Thanks so much to all of you for joining us. We had a terrific
time and I hope that Wally and Rena will come back and join us again.
Check out the ABCDaytime area for information about Wally's band, Kurth
and Taylor, and for info on Rena's new telephone card (pre-paid ones)
company.
ABCStar: See you all soon!
Dean Fortino
Please e-mail at dfor...@qntm.com.
Thanks,
Dean
Razzleberry Peel, CEO, FGC Kevin Unlimited
>Can anyone tell how to locate a copy of the Kurth & Taylor album?
>Please e-mail at dfor...@qntm.com.
Hey, Tangy!! Looks like it might be time to pose the Kurth-Taylor
faq! ;-)
*Razz, helping the cause whenever she can... :-)