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There's something about the name Carly, I guess. The four actresses that have caught my attention are now or have played a "Carly" on daytime TV. They are all terrific actresses. They've all brought something dynamic and exciting to their characters, even when they are no longer named Carly. The four ladies in question are Laura Wright, the current Carly Corinthos Jacks on General Hospital, Maura West, Carly Tenney Snyder on As the World Turns, Tamara Braun, Carly #2 on GH and currently Ava Vitali on Days of Our Lives, and Sarah Brown, Carly #1 on GH and presently Claudia Zacchara on GH. Each woman has made a lasting impression on daytime, and they continue to rattle the rafters still.

Tamara Braun joined GH in 2001 to take over the role of Carly. She was stepping into iconic shoes. Sarah Brown had been treated like a goddess by the TV world. Who could possibly do as well as she did in the role? Somehow, Braun found her own rhythms and made Carly her own invention. She thrived on the show. Now, on Days of Our Lives, she's tearing up the screen as a wild -- possibly deranged -- woman scorned by the name of Ava. She's blown into the Salem landscape like a tornado, giving the venerable NBC soap a good kick in the butt.

It seems that a Carly by any other name is still an actress -- and character -- worth watching.

May 1st 2008 by Allison Waldman TV Squad

Posted by on May 1, 2008 10:45 AM | | COMMENTS (0)

Pretty soon, another new face will grace the Days of Our Lives landscape and perhaps become more of a fixture in Salem than Ricky Dean Logan's character. Veteran actor Joe Penny has just landed the part of Martino Vitali, patriarch of the Vitali family.

According to Soap Opera Digest, the role of Martino, Ava's (Tamara Braun) father, was originally up for stunt-casting. It turns out the daytime drama eventually decided on the 52-year old star of such `80s fare as Riptide and Jake and the Fatman. Penny's stint as Ava's dad begins May 2.

April 16, 2008
Rosario Santiago
BuddyTV Staff Columnist

Posted by on April 20, 2008 7:56 PM | | COMMENTS (0)

By Nelson Branco
2008-04-15

'Days of Our Lives' killer vixen Tamara Braun opens up about her soap return, her new love, and her varying dimensions

More times than not, actors are the polar opposites of the characters they play. Tamara Braun is no exception. Having played complex anti-heroine Carly Corinthos on General Hospital for four years (2001-2005), Braun is now seducing millions of viewers as the gun-toting whack job Ava Vitali on Days of Our Lives. Thankfully, Braun doesn't mind being typecast as the deranged bitch with a killer wardrobe. Odd considering she could teach her alter egos a thing or two about embracing one's inner chi. The Evanston, Ill., native was a psychology major at the University of Wisconsin at Madison before studying all things Shakespeare at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in England.

And don't knock Braun or her acting. Last week, I heralded Braun's deliciously campy performance on Days in The Nelson Ratings, but was soon reamed a new one by the star for citing her Daytime Emmy-nominated role as Carly as “one dimensional.”

Below is our lively chat, including Braun's payback.

TVGuide.ca: How is life in Salem?
Tamara Braun: I'm enjoying it! Everyone's so nice over there. It's great to go into work and enjoy the people I act with.

TVG: You left General Hospital in 2005; what made you come back to daytime TV? At first Days seemed like an odd choice, and it coincided with Sarah Brown's (Claudia; ex-Carly) comeback.
TB: I have a bone to pick with you to start. Are you ready?

TVG: Take your best shot! I know where this is going…
TB: You called my Carly one-dimensional!

TVG: Yep, I did.
TB: Baby, you can call me a lot of things but I've never been one-dimensional in my life! Or, as a character. Though I'm glad you got your reception on your television working now!

TVG: Enough of this treacle — let's get back to business! [laughs] Your chocolate eyes have seduced me into submission.
TB: Thank you. I put those contacts in and put a Hershey kiss on top.

TVG: In between your GH and Days gigs you landed a couple of indie films — why come back to soaps?
TB: Funnily enough, one of my films, Little Chenier, opened on my first day here. I also did another film called Limbo Lounge, along with a few guest spots on Freddie and some other prime-time shows. What made me come back? I was very intrigued by Ava. And the opportunity to work with [Days' co-executive producer] Ed Scott. The role sounded like something I could sink my teeth into.

TVG: You also worked with your co-stars Stephen Nichols (Steve; ex-Stefan, GH) and Mary Beth Evans (Kayla; ex-Katherine, GH) on GH. Did you check in with GH to let them know you were coming back to soaps?
TB: No, I didn't.

TVG: Do you keep in touch with anyone from GH?
TB: I do. Alicia Leigh Willis [ex-Courtney], Rick Hearst [Ric], Ted King [Alcazar] and Cindy Preston [ex-Faith], who is from Toronto, I believe. Do you know her?

TVG: No, I've never met her.
TB: Yeah, I was able to make a lot of dear friends that I'll have in my life.

TVG: Your gal pal, Alicia is literally kicking butt on The L Word!
TB: Isn't she phenomenal?

TVG: I didn't know she could wrestle!
TB: And in oil!

TVG: Did you watch Days before?
TB: No, I wasn't familiar with the show, so I'm taking my Days 101 course now.

TVG: Days just cast Ava's father, Martino Vitali with prime-time vet, Joe Penny. Do you know anything more than we do about Ava? Have you created a back story for her?
TB: I always create a back story for every character I play. Generally, I like to keep that to myself – especially on a soap – because they'll write what they want to write and sometimes it doesn't always mesh with what's in my head. And to share that would be a disservice to the audience. In a film or in a play with a beginning, middle and end, it's safer as an actor to share your views on the character because it's already on the page.

TVG: A common thread I find when I speak to great actors is that they have a passion for psychology — and you have a degree in that subject.
TB: If you're curious about the human condition and the psychology of people as three-dimensional beings… [laughs]

TVG: [laughs] I'm not going to live this down, am I?
TB: You won't. [laughs]

TVG: This week, Ava shoots Hope — are you worried Days will have trouble redeeming the character? Or are those pills she takes a clue to unlocking Ava's reasons for being psycho? I wish I had a prescription myself!
TB: I know, right! You know, the soap world has a way of redeeming all kinds of characters. That's the beauty of soaps.

TVG: You signed a short-term contract with Days — can we expect you to re-sign?
TB: I'm taking it one day at a time. That's neither here nor there for me at this point.

TVG: Your arrival also coincided with a new era at Days. How is the mood on the set. From my couch, it looks like everyone's having a great time!
TB: That's great to know. I have nothing to compare to it, because as I said I didn't watch Days before. Ed Scott's been fantastic — and he really cares about the show, cast and crew. That always makes for a healthy working environment.

TVG: Are you worried about the future of daytime?
TB: People have been worried about the future of soaps since they started. Everyone says it's a dying breed, but this genre has stood the test of time. I also don't think anyone should panic at this point. Just tune in and support your shows. Soaps moving to the Internet isn't the end of the world because that's the future of TV; not just daytime.

TVG: How's it working with Stephen Nichols? Ava hasn't really interacted with anyone else on the Salem canvas.
TB: I laugh so much with him! He's a really, really nice guy. I think Ava will meet new people in Salem — if she can get out of that damn room! [laughs] If she can find that key, she may interact with others. Ava's going stir crazy.

TVG: All the Carlys are back on TV. Is there a kinship amongst you gals having played this iconic role on GH?
TB: We definitely have something in common — we have all played a wonderful character.

TVG: Were you shocked that Sarah Brown returned to GH, not as Carly but as a new character?
TB: It was a bold move, that's for sure. Really bold.

TVG: If you leave Days, it'd be great if we could have all three Carlys in Port Chuck!
TB: [laughs] What do you think that would be like? Wouldn't it be interesting if we all turned out to be the same person? Somehow Carly fragmented into three beings!

TVG: As long as GH doesn't make you all share a dressing room!
TB: You'd love a catfight, wouldn't you! [laughs]

TVG: Only if it's one-dimensional! But no, generally I'm not a fan of intelligent women in catfights. But I was referring to budget issues —paying all of you would most certainly break GH's bank. So, is there anyone special in your life?
TB: I will say I'm happily in love with my new puppy, Barley. He's the love of my life. She's a miniature dachshund and all black. And I'm allergic to dogs, but so far it's working out. Though I still get hives, I haven't gotten wheezy in a while, so that's good. So far, I've acclimated to her.

TVG: And I've acclimated to your three-dimensional brilliance! Thank you for speaking to little ol' moi! And continued success!

TV Guide Canada

Posted by on April 20, 2008 7:50 PM | | COMMENTS (0)

Arianne Zuker returns; Tamara Braun’s special kind of crazy!

By Nelson Branco

Just when I thought comeback-soap-of–the-decade, Days Of Our Lives couldn’t get any better, Arianne Zuker (Nicole) sashays back into Salem full of piss and vinegar! In fact, Days is enjoying more than a comeback, it’s a resurrection. Revitalizing the Kiriakis family was a brilliant move on head writer Dena Higley’s part; especially for those of us who miss the Quartermaines feuding everyday on General Hospital. Zuker’s catfights with Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe) are so entertaining, U.S. gay network, LOGO should develop a sitcom for these two divas! Scarily, Nicole and Chloe remind me of two fierce drag queens I know. Of course, I’m only referring to their bitchy dialogue and brilliant comebacks — not their looks.

It’s no secret I never bought Tamara Braun’s one-dimensional take on GH’s Carly Corinthos when she played the role, but she’s entertained me into submission as nut job Ava, who is clearly one stiletto short of a pump! Salem needed a loony vixen full of bravado, and boy, did we ever get one. Moreover, isn’t Braun more beautiful than ever these days? I could stare into Braun’s dreamy chocolate eyes forever. It’s very easy to understand why Patch was so seduced by this haughty babe. Also, smart move on Days’ part for involving Hope in this storyline. Thanks to a case of mistaken identity, Ava kidnapped Hope, who was forced to pretend she was Patch’s “Sweetness.” This plot twist made me recall the days when Kristian Alfonso (Hope) was written as a smart heroine.

TV Guide Canada

Posted by on April 11, 2008 9:46 PM | | COMMENTS (0)

Premium Pearl is offering a new line of chocolate colored pearls with their spring collection, including earrings, pendants, and necklaces. Chocolate pearl jewelry is the fashion jewelry trend this year.

According to an industry poll, more than 1000 women were asked what kind of jewelry gift they hope to receive for holiday, 30 percent chose diamond right-hand ring. However, 28 percent would prefer a chocolate pearl ring as a perfect holiday gift.

"I've been in the pearl business for years, and I've never seen anything like the excitement that surrounds these chocolate pearls," says Yan Berry, creative director and founder of Premium Pearl. "It's not every day that customers have the opportunity to be part of a jewelry revolution. They are the new hot item in jewelry this spring."

These delectable chocolate brown pearls are color enhanced freshwater, Tahitian, or South Sea pearls. Berry says: "Chocolate brown is such an important color in fashion, so as chocolate pearls. From Premium Pearl New Chocolate Pearl Collection, the glowing luster of the pearls, mixing with gold and sparking diamonds, add contrast to the look, and create a very fashionable and fresh sensation. The color effect matches so well with the fashion color trend of this spring - gray, champing, black and white combination, cream, pink, and brown."

With this new collection, Berry expects 30 percent increase in sales this spring.

About Premium Pearl:

Premium Pearl is a fine pearl jewelry retailer. Located in San Francisco, the company designs and manufactures pearl jewelry with its high standards of quality and style. It is also a leader in trendsetting pearls. Everyone from musical sensation Fergie to actress Tamara Braun has been spotted wearing the company's unique designs.

Press Release

Published April 4, 2008

Posted by on April 11, 2008 9:36 PM | | COMMENTS (0)