Brandon's Buzz

The "World" turns no more, but Marlena remembers: we sent "As the World Turns" off to soap heaven last week, and the peerless CONNIE PASSALACQUA HAYMAN --- Marlena De Lacroix herself --- is making her sixth appearance on Brandon's Buzz to help me put the iconic series' 54-year run in proper perspective, to discuss her memories of and experiences with folks like Douglas Marland, Liz Hubbard, and Eileen Fulton, and to offer her exclusive thoughts regarding the noteworthy developments on the six remaining daytime soaps!

No second acts in American lives? Don't tell that to this guy: he rose to fame playing alcoholic rich kid A.J. Quartermaine on ABC's "General Hospital," and lost that job under --- to say the least --- tough personal circumstances. But he picked himself up, dusted himself off, and landed the star-making role of bona-fide bad boy Deacon Sharpe on "The Bold and the Beautiful," and never looked back. He crossed Deacon over to "The Young and the Restless" last year, and in his spare time, he produces and stars in independent films, performs stand-up comedy, and tries to instruct young men across the world how to become 21st century gentlemen, and now the amazing SEAN KANAN is stopping by Brandon's Buzz to discuss all of this and so much more!

She first broke through in the early '80s as a superstar in the burgeoning contemporary Christian music movement, then crossed over to the pop world in the '90s with a massive radio hit called "Everything Changes." She still moves back and forth between the genres with relative ease, and she has just released her latest album --- a collection of classic pop covers entitled "Heartsongs," on which she tackles legendary tunes from the likes of The Beatles, Elton John, Jim Croce, and others --- and now, the captivating KATHY TROCCOLI is coming by the Buzz to discuss the highs and lows of her triumphant career, and to reveal what she REALLY thinks of the state of pop music today!

Brandon's Buzz steamrolls over the summer doldrums with a thrilling doubleheader featuring two of music's most exciting new talents! First up, the incredible ALEX BAND --- former lead singer and chief creative force behind the band The Calling, whose classic smash "Wherever You Will Go" remains one of pop radio's most-played tracks --- stops by to discuss his latest album, "We've All Been There," to reminisce about his past work, and to explain in simple English why digital piracy MUST be stopped. Then Texas-based artist JONATHAN CLAY pops in to introduce his latest record, "Everything She Wants," and to explain why there has never been a better time to be a DIY musician!

Brandon's Buzz returns from a month-long hiatus with an exciting doubleheader, as the legendary rock icon MEAT LOAF --- whose classic 1977 album "Bat Out of Hell" has sold some 40 million copies worldwide since its release --- stops by to chat about his brand new record "Hang Cool Teddy Bear," and HENRI MAZZA and GREG MacLENNAN --- the creators of the Alamo Drafthouse's insanely popular Action Pack series --- explain how their nutty idea became the hottest ticket in Austin, Texas, and to reveal what's on tap at the Alamo this summer!

He rocketed to fame six years ago when one of his songs ended up on the mega-selling "Garden State" soundtrack, but record label pressures soured him on the music scene for a time. He's back, though, and doing it on his own terms this time around: he has just released his second full-length CD, "Under Control," and now, the incredible CARY BROTHERS is stopping by Brandon's Buzz to talk music, movies, and how making it big is so much sweeter the second time around!

She has spent the last six decades as a working actress --- and the last two-and-a-half of those playing what is most likely her best-known role, that of brave matriarch Caroline Brady on "Days of Our Lives" --- and has yet to show any signs of slowing down, and now, the incredible Emmy-winning legend PEGGY McCAY is stopping by Brandon's Buzz to discuss an amazing life lived, literally, before the camera!

She took a brief hiatus at the beginning of the year, but the irrepressible Marlena De Lacroix has come roaring back with her signature sassy soap criticism, and her alter ego, the amazing CONNIE PASSALACQUA HAYMAN, is heading back to Brandon's Buzz to offer her unique take on "All My Children's" glorious renaissance, the staggering "One Life to Live" cast bloodbath, and all of daytime's other hot-button issues!

Whether he is seducing vulnerable young co-eds or producing the latest reality show hit, he has made quite a splash portraying bad boy lothario Robert Ford on ABC's "One Life to Live," and now, the show's new resident hunk DAVID GREGORY is stopping by Brandon's Buzz to discuss his amazing transition from struggling actor to soap stud!

He has had pivotal roles in such primetime hits as “The Facts of Life” and “Murphy Brown” and “Popular,” and has appeared in various films and theatrical ventures, but he’s no doubt most fondly remembered for his iconic, Emmy-nominated work as dastardly charming rogue Craig Montgomery on “As the World Turns.” He has recently shifted his attention behind the scenes, working as a director and producer on a new online project, a comedic takeoff on the daytime world entitled "Steamboat," and now the incredible SCOTT BRYCE is stopping by the Buzz to give us the inside scoop!

He might just be the best-kept secret in American popular music, even a full twelve albums into his incredible career. His emotionally-charged music has been heard on such television series as "One Tree Hill" and "House"; he has worked and toured with the likes of Nanci Griffith, Steve Earle, and the legendary Lucinda Williams, and his own work undoubtedly stands strong alongside the best of all of theirs. His latest album, Dear Lover, has just hit stores across the country, and now, the blisteringly talented musician MATTHEW RYAN is stopping by Brandon's Buzz to give us the inside scoop!

She is nothing less than a showbiz legend, and considering that she is the first born progeny of entertainment icons Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, who would expect anything less? She has conquered the worlds of television, music, theater, film, you name it, and she has a Golden Globe nomination, an Emmy, and countless theater awards to show for her amazing work. She has just released a new album, Latin Roots, on which she pays loving homage to the legacy of her celebrated father, and now the wickedly funny and brilliantly talented LUCIE ARNAZ is stopping by Brandon's Buzz to offer us an exclusive sneak peek and to discuss her parents' enduring rich legacy!

It matters not that a handful of actresses have played the part over the years; for an entire generation of "One Life to Live" fans, there is only ONE Cassie Callison Carpenter Buchanan, and on the eve of her long-awaited return to Llanview, the smashing LAURA BONARRIGO is heading back to Brandon's Buzz to divulge how it feels to be back at work in such a familiar setting and to offer us an exclusive sneak peek at what's ahead for those crazy Cramer women!

On a special episode of Brandon's Buzz, California singer/songwriter KELLEY RYAN discusses how she decided to break away from astroPUPPIES and strike out on her own with her solo debut album "Twist." Plus: the star and creator of the new Fox series "Past Life," actress KELLI GIDDISH and writer/producer DAVID HUDGINS, discuss how their previous experiences in television have prepared them for their new series!

Long an advocate for learning to discard the extraneous and embrace your true warts-and-all self, the marvelous actress/singer/human dynamo NIA PEEPLES is launching a brand new online teleseminar series entitled "The Elements of Life," in which she dares to tackle the myth of beauty and the necessity of individuality and passion in this world, and she is returning to the Buzz to offer us an exclusive sneak preview!

I'm a couple of weeks tardy (dreadful sorry!), but better late than never: Brandon's Buzz premiered on January 14, 2009, and fifty episodes later, the show enters its second year by pausing to look back on its first. Tonight, a two-hour extravaganza featuring the most interesting moments and memories from twelve months of compelling conversations with some of the most fascinating actors and artists of our time. What drove the great Emmy-winning soap writer Pamela K. Long to take over the reins of "Guiding Light" in the early '80s? How does "One Life to Live" star Brett Claywell enjoy working with his incredible co-stars? What did "Dynasty" star Gordon Thomson REALLY think of Charlton Heston? How many of Felicia Gallant's turbans did Linda Dano sneak off with following the cancellation of "Another World"? Find out all of this (and so much more!) as you listen to Brandon's Buzz's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1.

Everyone's favorite soap-actress-turned-mega-selling-designer returns to QVC this week with her latest collection of home and fashion accessories, and to mark the occasion, the amazing LINDA DANO is returning to Brandon's Buzz to offer up an exclusive sneak preview of what's in store, as well as to dish about the cancellation of "As the World Turns," the new golden age of television, and even the evolving Jay/Conan debacle!

You may not know his name on first glance, but if you've listened to a radio even once in the past two decades, you're bound to know his peerless voice: as the lead singer of '90s band Mr. Big, he landed radio smashes with songs like "Just Take My Heart" and the number one classic "To Be With You." He still regularly tours and records, and he has just released his latest solo record, "Timeless," a collection of bold pop covers, and now the amazing ERIC MARTIN is stopping by the Buzz to discuss his current projects and his chart-topping career!

His weekly column “Gays of Our Lives” appears at AfterElton.com and has become required reading for tens of thousands of soap fans across the planet who crave the latest dirt and dish about all the homosexual happenings on the world’s most-watched serials. Now, to reflect on the big gay year that has swept through soapland, the incredible columnist Anthony D. Langford is stopping by the Buzz with his uncensored take on Kish, Nuke, and why American serialized television shows may finally be catching up with their European brethren when it comes to Dorothy and her friends!

A critically acclaimed pop artist in the '90s --- with radio hits like "I Wonder Why" and "Keep Me From the Cold" to his credit --- he has turned his sensibilities toward jazz for his last few albums, and with the release of his latest effort, "Lost in Dreams," the incredible artist CURTIS STIGERS is stopping by the Buzz to discuss his new songs and his old favorites!