On the Industry
Leaders In The Arts, The Producers
By Tommy Garrett
Dec 13, 2009 - 8:23:20 PM

BEVERLY HILLS —This week I chose two producers in the Television industry who have achieved their goals and have made a difference in our lives and in entertainment. Both are the offspring of legends. The Late William J. Bell and his beautiful and talented wife, Lee Phillip Bell, created a television dynasty. The couple created and produced the most iconic series in TV history when they brought “The Young and the Restless” to the small-screen. The series which is over three decades strong, has remained the top rated daytime television show for almost two decades and has made stars like Shemar Moore of “Criminal Minds” and David Hasselhoff of “Baywatch” household names.

Actors Eric Braeden and Jeanne Cooper who portray Victor Newman and Katherine Chancellor have become the world-known stars they are today because of this series. Before Eva Longoria Parker was on ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” she was Isabella Williams, the psychotic wife of Paul Williams played by the handsome Doug Davidson on “Y&R.” Many stars, writers and producers owe our careers to the legendary couple.

Bradley P. Bell Courtesy: Gilles Toucas, Bell Phillip TV Prod

However, their greatest joy and assets to the industry are Lauralee Bell, Bradley Bell and William J. Bell, Jr. The three children have taken their parent’s legacy to new heights. We focus this week on Lauralee and Brad. Lauralee who many compare to the late Ida Lupino and the dynamic Lee Grant, has created an Internet sensation in the Web-series “Family Dinner,” which she stars in as well as produces with her handsome and talented husband Scott Martin. Bell has been smart enough to get Emmy-winning actor Aaron Lustig, who also starred on “Y&R” to join her cast, along with funny-lady Phyllis Diller and Oscar-winner Cloris Leachman in her cast as well. All of her co-stars and behind the scenes geniuses rave about Lauralee’s skills as a writer, director and producer. Being an actress who won over millions of fans as Christine Blair Williams on “Y&R” for decades, Lauralee is best called an actor’s producer/director.

Family Dinner Courtesy: Kathy Hutchins/HutchinsPhoto.com

“Family Dinner" is the most hilarious sitcom in television history. It’s "All in the Family" meets "Roseanne." Bell has hidden her wicked side from those of us who grew up with her and saved it for her viewers and fans in this incredibly hilarious series. A series many entertainment insiders speculate belongs on TV and not just the Internet. Leave it to Lauralee Bell to create a ground-breaking series just like her parents did.

While brother Bradley P. Bell who took home the long-awaited and well deserved Emmy for Best Daytime Drama Series last summer at the Daytime Emmy Awards. His speech may have been cut by the network due to time constraints, but the irony is, he cannot be stopped or kept down. Brad took over the “Y&R” sister soap “The Bold and the Beautiful,” which his parents Lee and Bell also co-created, but Bradley has made the series even more successful than his parents could have ever dreamed. Coming into his own very early, he kept his father’s stable and dependable talented cast, led by talented Susan Flannery, Ronn Moss, John McCook and Katherine Kelly Lang while adding mavericks like Ashley Jones, Kyle Lowder and Jack Wagner to the series and accomplished a feat no other daytime producer can tout. Bradley’s number two rated daytime drama is the most watched show on the planet. “B&B” is such a huge phenomenon internationally with audiences in Italy, Greece and Australia being some of the series most devoted and rabid fans. Brad did it as Frank Sinatra would have admired, “his way.”

B&B Cast Courtesy: Gilles Toucas, Bell Phillip TV Prod.

Lauralee Bell and Bradley Bell unlike many Hollywood royalty did not simply accept a hand-out from their parents. They accepted and graciously continued the family’s business, but the two along with brother Bill Bell, Jr. and sister-in-law Maria Arena Bell have individually and collectively received the torch handed to them by their exceptionally talented parents and made their legacy and family dynasty greater than anyone could ever have envisioned.

“The Bold and the Beautiful” airs weekdays on CBS. Episodes of “Family Dinner” can be seen at familydinneronline.com or funnyordie.com.

Lauralee Bell Courtesy: Martin Bell Productions