HOLLYWOOD—Jack Wagner’s contribution to CBS’s “The Bold and the Beautiful” is legendary. He’s always been one of the best actors on television. As Nick Marone on “B&B” he’s won over millions of viewers. However, Jack’s work with Susan Flannery over the past several weeks lands him on the list of actors who deserves an Emmy award for such terrific acting accomplishments in a storyline about lung cancer, a disease which the show’s executive producer and head writer Bradley P. Bell has bravely endured. It would be exciting to see the genius at work in his writing room at Holmby Hills mansion, just down the street from where Canyon News was founded a decade ago in the basement writing room of the extraordinarily talented filmmaker Orson Welles. However, it was Bradley Bell, Jack Wagner, and Susan Flannery who shined on Monday, February 7, during the 6000th episode of “B&B.”
As real life cancer survivor “Desperate Housewives” award winning actress Kathryn Joosten appeared on the CBS soap on Monday, all eyes were on Flannery and Wagner, whose sheer genius carried the scenes of the spectacular episode with seeming ease.
Along with Joosten’s heart-wrenching recount of her diagnosis, fellow cancer advocates Dr. Michael Weitz, Meryl Bralower, and opera singer, Zheng Cao, shared their feats of overcoming the dreaded disease. Cao even ended her scene with a beautiful singing performance before looking at Nick and suggesting, “give up smoking!”
Just last week Nick’s mother used the taped message from the late actor Yul Brynner speaking about his impending death due to cancer as a way to kick-start her conversation with her son Nick about his smoking addiction. Susan Flannery as Stephanie started the conversation weeks earlier when Stephanie learned that Nick had been diagnosed with a non-cancerous spot on his lung. A precursor to cancer in many ways, the spot on Nick’s lung pushed Stephanie, a cancer survivor herself, to spearhead a campaign to help Nick kick one of the toughest addictions to give up.
The storyline has really touched my life. I had an aunt die from cancer on Saturday, February 5, so Monday’s episode was especially poignant. Like the character of Stephanie and many diagnosed with lung cancer, my aunt never smoked. So the mysteries surrounding lung cancer remains for further research. Perhaps some may say that it’s far too early to begin talking about the 2012 Emmy awards and my hope that Jack Wagner will be given a golden statue for the groundbreaking and dramatic work he’s been doing the past month. However, his inspiring performance is something most of us will never forget. From Nick’s denial that his smoking was a problem, to the shock and awe looks on his face during various scenes listening to real life cancer survivors, Wagner’s magnificent performance has been inspiring, educational and uplifting. “B&B” viewers will be fighting along with Nick to make sure he gives up smoking cigars, thanks to Bradley P. Bell’s honoring the lost loved ones and cancer survivors in all of our lives.
With the 6,000th episode of the hit drama now behind us, Canyon News reached out to the show’s executive producer and head writer, Bradley P. Bell himself.
“Six thousand episodes on television is an incredible collaborative achievement,” said Bradley P. Bell. “I’m grateful to the many talented artists and professionals who labor tirelessly to bring ’The Bold and the Beautiful”˜ to life. I give heartfelt thanks to our loyal viewers, and to CBS, for their steadfast support.” Susan Flannery as Stephanie told viewers on Monday if they have questions about this serious topic to contact the Lung Cancer Foundation at LCF.Org.
Created by soap opera legends William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, “The Bold and the Beautiful” is now helmed by their son Bradley P. Bell. The two-time Emmy winning Best Daytime Drama will celebrate its 24th anniversary on Wednesday, March 23.
Photographs are Courtesy: Jon McKee Photography
