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Katherine Kelly Lang, John McCook and current cast members read the
very first B&B script at a Paley Center event on November 3. |
As part of the CBS Daytime "#1 for 30 Years" celebration, The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles is currently running an interactive exhibit of one-of-a kind memorabilia and original set pieces from the network's daytime series. The exhibit honors the five current shows, as well as beloved classic soap operas
As the World Turns and
Guiding Light. Special programming has also been added to help pay homage to the CBS lineup. On November 3, the cast of
The Bold and the Beautiful gathered for a reading of the show's very first script, which was broadcast on March 23, 1987. Like sister soap
The Young and the Restless,
B&B was co-created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell.
B&B's two remaining original cast members, John McCook (Eric Forrester) and Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke Logan), repeated their lines from the premiere episode, while some of the current cast read the other roles. Karla Mosley (Maya Avant Forrester) narrated the script. Scott Clifton (Liam Spencer) and Darin Brooks (Wyatt Spencer) played Ridge and Thorne Forrester, originally played by Ronn Moss and Clayton Norcross. Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy Forrester Spencer) read for the original Caroline Spencer (then Joanna Johnson), Alley Mills (Pam) filled in as Margo Lynley (Lauren Koslow) plus a few other bit parts, Don Diamont (Bill Spencer) was Bill Spencer Sr. (Jim Storm), Jacob Young (Rick Forrester) played Officer Dave Reed (Stephen Shortridge). Heather Tom, who plays Katie Logan Spencer today, read the role of Katie (Nancy Sloan in the pilot).
The reading was quite interesting to watch, and hearing the narration spoken out loud made me appreciate this script a lot more than I did 29 years ago. Bill Bell's words were so descriptive and full of depth, and his vision for
B&B so clear, it's no wonder CBS was so excited about the show back then (canceling
Capitol to make room). I believe the late Mr. Bell would be proud of where the show is today, and of the producing and writing job his son, Brad, is doing to stay true to the original vision.
You can watch the reading for yourself in the video below.