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« Patch's Days Blog
Plog # 5
DID YOU FALL IN?
“Where you been, Dude?” People who’ve been asking about airtime, you’ll be happy to know I’ve been working my buns off... that’s where. Yeah, almost every day. Sweeps of Our Lives.
Happy to report, I met up with Mark Wayne “Hoagy Carmichael” Sheffer (new head writer) and his lovely and charming right-hand woman, Meg Kelly (see photo at stephennichols.net). Hogan is a very personable fellow. When I walked in the room and went to shake his hand, we had that uncomfortable Midwestern-bred moment where you don’t know whether to shake hands or embrace. Then came the “Oh shucks, come here” moment when Hoagy just pulled me into a bear hug. I said, “Well, that’s all I needed. See you later,” and headed for the door. Meg laughed and said, “Oh, you actors.” So true – we’re a bunch of babies. First thing Hogan said to me was, “You gave me some DVDs. Well, the fans have sent me even more. And I have to tell you, the stuff you and Mary Beth did was the best ever in daytime.” Wow, that was a nice compliment. I had dropped off some DVDs of Patch and Kayla stuff from the early years. All beautifully packaged, in separate chronological volumes, including companion guides courtesy of the inimitable Sherry McCutcheon.
Sherry is our fearless (Stephen and Mary Beth’s) fan club leader, organizer extraordinaire, tireless supporter and good friend. I met Sherry when I was on that other show on another network. You know, the one where I played the dude who wore the expensive suits. She had brilliant ideas about fan events, promotions, how to make things special for our fans – and she has. She also catered for the entire cast and crew during the shoot of my short film Get the Dime. The truth is Sherry rarely ever sleeps and every waking hour is spent doing something for others. Sherry, if you’re reading this… well, you know how I feel.
Some of you have been asking, “Where’s Steve’s ink?” You’ll be getting a peek of the be-daggered pectoral soon. Keep your eyes peeled; just a peek (see tantalizing photo at stephennichols.net). And what the heck is that shirt I’m wearing? Hmm. Now onto questions and comments. I’ve got a lot of lines to learn.
Yeah, babzee and others who’ve commented on the size of the patch: There was a little peekaboo incident where viewers claim they saw the corner of my eye (where there should be none). I went to one of my wonderful wardrobe masters, Jesse, and asked that he close up that little gap with a piece of felt, which he did, expertly. He is currently working on some new, improved patches with the little silver thingies on the ends.
Leigh1972 pointed out that Patch was a gourmand. Thanks, I had forgotten that. As a side note, I really love all these historical comments. It’s great for me because I have forgotten so much and it helps me do a better job.
Queenliser, I love your alliteration: “true testament to your tremendous talent.” The only thing I love better than alliteration is a good limerick or pun.
Cstock, thanks for not using the “A” word. The research into “not remembering” has been very enlightening.
Mlynnd and others who started their Patch and Kayla journey at age eleven or so, it’s so great to hear all of your stories – your connection to Days of our Lives and to Patch and Kayla.
Juju says she thinks it would be interesting for Steve to have memories come to him out of context, like Patch and Kayla at the hot springs or the time Patch held Hope captive. Yeah, this is an intriguing subject because – when you consider that what has happened to Patch is the result of some kind of diabolical intervention – there are so many possibilities.
Patchmeifyoucan, I love your handle!
Babs hopes the writers give Steve and Kayla something soon… a look. Something. Oh baby, watch out! It’s a comin’ – in spades.
CinderAngelik “liked the Jack and Jen goodbye, liked Steve lurking on the fringes, like he needed to be there – yet it was so foreign to him.” I always love these opportunities to speak without words, and much credit goes to director Albert Alarr for setting up those shots.
SteveandKaylaforever and many others commented on the line Steve spoke to Kayla in response to her asking, “Is that what you want?” when he said, “What I want? Who am I? I’m no one.” This is the essence of the Nick/Steve conflict.
I dig how observant you guys are. You’re really watching.
Rhodora589 tells a funny story about being in the kitchen doing chores when her husband yells from the living room, “Patch is back!” Sounds like she dropped the mop and came to see what the heck he was talking about. I hope she wasn’t running in looking for Robin Williams (Patch Adams).
Marypickford believes Steve’s interactions with Billie and Kayla at the hospital show how he subconsciously trusts Kayla more than Billie. He was able to break down with Kayla and show the depth of his feelings to her but wiped his eye and seemed to be uncomfortable showing emotion to Billie. Very astute, Ms. Pickford.
Hey, everybody, thanks again for all the time you invest in the show and reading the Plog. Your feedback always means a lot to me.
It’s Sunday here in Los Angeles. I only have a few hours left before tomorrow when I have to show up with thirty pages of words packed into my cranium.
There once was a man named Stevie,
Who had a huge pet-peevie.
With each passing day,
The brain don’t wanna’ play
When he tried to remember the dialogue-geegies.
Oh, that was bad – ran out of rhymes. Sorry.
Gotta roll.
Love,
The Patchman
For more information, please log on to www.NBC.com/Days, www.daysofourlives.com or www.stephennichols.net
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Oct 18, 2006 3:44 PM
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Steve - if you aren't nominated for an emmy, soley for the work you did when you remembered Stephanie, no one should get a nomination! I can't tell you how many kleenex boxes I go through when you and Mary Beth are on the screen. You two rock my soap world. Stephanie (Shayna) is wonderful too. She really is Patch's daughter. I am counting on seeing much more of all of you. I know we have something big coming on an episode soon with you and Kayla being trapped. I just am living for Steve getting his memory back on screen. I'm going to have two boxes of tissues ready for that. I'll keep watching for the ink too!
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Oct 18, 2006 3:53 PM
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You have no idea how happy I, and a lot of people I know, are to hear you are working your cute little "buns" off. Just a glimpse of the dagger, well I guess that is a start. Looking forward to the increase in airtime.
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Oct 18, 2006 4:07 PM
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oops...
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Oct 18, 2006 4:08 PM
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oops...again
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Oct 18, 2006 4:10 PM
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Hi Patchman,
I am so thrilled that we will be seeing you and Mary Beth more. Can't wait to see this story play out. Glad the dagger is coming back. I can't wait til Steve gives Kayla yellow roses again.
Sherry is a great person and does alot for the websites. She truly is a dedicated fan. We love Sherry and Sandra!!
Take Care,
Sara
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Oct 18, 2006 4:20 PM
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Dear Stephen,
Yay, the Patchman hath went forth and bloggethed or ploggethed in your case.
I can see a difference in the writing already since Hogan has come aboard. LOVED,LOVED, LOVED the pictures.
Especially the one of you, Hogan and Meg. The Inking one you took a picture that reflected a picture in a mirror was so awesome too!! Tell the make up lady she is very pretty.
Now let me tell you something about Sherry. My computer tore up and some of my buddies at Steve & Kayla - A Timeless Love Story were concerned about me and I borrowed my friend's computer and she IMed me and checked on me. Wasn't that sweet with all she had to do? I certainly was touched by it.
OMGoodness she and Sandra both rule! I think I am almost as much of a Sherry and Sandra fan as I am a Stephen and Mary Beth fan.
I gave them a nickname the SMACs. Since their first name starts with a S and theit last names start with Mc. SMACs is also the sound of a peck kiss on the cheek. A nice platonic friendly kiss, I am not freaky.
To Quote: SteveandKaylaforever
"What I want? Who am I? I’m no one."This is the essence of the Nick/Steve conflict.
unquote
I absolutely agree.I totally think Nick has some self loathing much like early Steve. I would love to see a good Steve 'Man In Mirror' scene.I wrote Hogan Sheffer and told him that too.
I think Nick is afraid of Steve because he thinks in order for Steve to live that Nick must die. I also think Nick may resent Steve because he thinks he is this perfect person that he can never be. I think he needs to know Steve was flawed and also that Kayla would love Nick if the need be. I think Kayla and Nick need to be friends first.
To Quote His awesomeness:
“Where you been, Dude?” People who’ve been asking about airtime, you’ll be happy to know I’ve been working my buns off... that’s where. Yeah, almost every day. Sweeps of Our Lives. " Unquote
If it wasn't blasphemy and I wasn't afraid of eternal damnation. I would totally worship the person responsible for that.
Love Always Your Fan,
Tracy Holmes
P.S. I like that you said you dug something.
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Oct 18, 2006 4:34 PM
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It's nice to hear that we will be seeing more of you and Mary Beth on our television screens. I am looking forward to your upcoming storyline. The scenes between you and Mary Beth when Steve remembered Stephanie were OUTSTANDING. As you said there is a conflict between Nick/Steve. You can see it during the scenes with both Billie and Kayla. The scenes with you and Shayna are also great. You two seem like you are having a lot of fun. I like what Steve said to Stephanie in the hospital, "Even though I can't be with Kayla right now.." Very interesting choice of words.
All the best,
Anita
Fan from MO
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Oct 18, 2006 4:42 PM
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Ahh, Stephen. . . if you only knew how long your girls at SteveandKayla.com have been waiting for this Plog. Not only in the amount of time, but for your words: to hear that we'll see be seeing much more of our Steve and Kayla again; to know that we'll soon see the dagger; to know that Hogan Sheffer recognizes that you and Mary Beth were (and are!) the best ever in daytime!! AAUUUGH!! It's almost too much for one Plog. It's overwhelming. :D
Thank you so much for bringing us NickNotSteveSoonToBeSteveAgain. We love you for that and we love him. And we so look to the day when he finds again the love of his life; his Sweetness. :*)
Oh, and by the way, we love Sherry and Sandra, too! They're the best!
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Oct 18, 2006 4:53 PM
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There once was a show named Days,
Whose ratings were in quite a haze,
They brought back the Patch,
And his gal -- what a catch! --
And relit a glorious craze.
(That's the best I got, I think. Thanks for another great plog, am eagerly looking forward to seeing the story unfold!)
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Oct 18, 2006 5:40 PM
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Stephen,
So glad to hear you are working a lot. We figured that is why you haven't plogged in a while.
I can't tell you how excited I was to hear that he had been watching the DVDs you gave him and that the fans sent. He seems to GET what S&K are all about. He's also earned his own cult following over at http://www.patchandkayla.com/forum/
I agree with you about Sherry, she's one terrific lady. I want to be her when I grow up!!
I dig how observant you guys are.
Baby, you have NO IDEA! We tend to use the word "obsessed". Not to worry, we're harmless
And we get to see the dagger soon! Just a peek? What is THAT suposed to mean? We want a complete viewing! Any more tats hiding under those shirts???
As always,it's wonderful to hear your take on things backstage.
Take care of yourself and be happy.
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Oct 18, 2006 6:16 PM
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Stephen,
Thanks for making my day... After checking in between classes, I returned to my laptop following a BAD midterm to find a new plog!!!
As one of the lovely ladies from patchandkayla.com, I am honored to "know" Sherry and Sandra. They are absolutely wonderful!!! I hope they both know how much they are appreciated.
I love the two new pics... The tattoo is back!!! We're all smiles... As for the one with Hogan and Meg- I could not stop laughing at the look on your faces! I usually make one similar to yours in pictures like that, haha.
Anyway, thank you again for making my day with the new plog and giving me encouragement that I will see Patch and Kayla together again soon.
Love, Emily
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Oct 18, 2006 6:20 PM
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Been waiting for this Plog. I sneak a peek at work, hoping not to get caught, to see when you post. Looking forward to the peek at dagger. A peek just isn't enough, but as long as it is with Kayla, that'll do. The new writers are doing a great job, I can see the difference in Steve/Nick and Kayla. Your right about Sherry she is always right there to answer any questions we might have, within a very short time, I might add.
I know it will still be a while before you can really be yourself, but even if you are still Nick to you, Nick is Steve in everyway, he just doesn't remember. I agree, Nick/Steve and Kayla have to become friends before they can really start to get back together. As she told Billie, Billie is friends with the man she thinks you are, Kayla is in love with the man she knows you are.
Good to have you back
"YR"
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Oct 18, 2006 6:37 PM
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Hi Stephen,
Thanks for the new Plog. You can't imagine how much your fans look forward to them, and thanks for the mention - I'm glad you like my handle! I just wanted to say that the timing of your (and MBE's) return is perfect. I see a big difference in the writing already. The show just rocks now, and as usual, you and MBE are fantastic. I am back as a steady viewer again after many years. I kinda jumped ship when the show jumped the shark (Marlena's possession)but so happy to be back. With you and MBE back, and Mr. Sheffer's writing skills, I'm looking forward to a return to the glory days of Days (a.k.a. the 80's). Thanks again for the wonderful work you do.
elaine
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Oct 18, 2006 6:56 PM
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Don't take this the wrong way, Stephen, but I am thrilled that you have so many pages of dialogue that you can barely memorize it all. This one day a week stuff has been maddening!
I am also ecstatic to hear that Hogan watched all the early Steve and Kayla footage. Now he knows what all of us fans have known for a long time...that you're the "best ever in daytime." I was hoping against hope that he'd "get it!" I kinda thought he did, but now I know for sure. I am practically crying here, I'm so happy. What I feared more than anything was a storyline that didn't capture the essence of Steve and Kayla and do the characters justice. With the scarce airtime and the heavy infusion of Billie into your storyline lately, I was beginning to have a few doubts. But that photo of you, "Hoagy" and Meg said it all. (You know, Hogan looks like a huggy-bear kinda guy! Is hugging a midwestern thing? I'm from Iowa...yeah, I guess it is, now that I think about it.)
So the patch has been fixed! You're right, we were getting a little peek at your "non-existant" eye. As I posted on steveandkayla.com, during the bedside scenes with Stephanie, it was wandering all over your face like Billie at a Married Men Convention. It needed a little reconstructive surgery. And trust me, more than a couple of fans will be driven to grand mal seizures over the addition of silver hangy down thingies at the ends of the straps. What can I say...we have issues!
Dude, do not get me going on limericks. I posted a long one on the afore-mentioned website, but being lenghty and also quite disparaging of Billie, I'll refrain from posting it here. How about this one instead:
S&K fans are over the moon
To hear good scenes are coming soon.
We've been waiting forever
For the plot to get better
Since your return to Salem last June.
We welcome the new writer Hogan
"I'll 'patch' up Days!" is his slogan.
No more inane fluff---
He's got the "write" stuff
Now Steve and Kayla will be golden!
I will say this about the interim writers: they did a great job of deconstructing Steve and Kayla to the point where they have to start again from the ground up. "Nick" is so afraid of his continued failure to become Steve; and Kayla is so afraid to trust Nick or accept that he might never be Steve again; that they have to start all over to get to know one another again. I cannot wait to see how the journey goes or where the road takes us this time. And I finally trust Hogan as the driver, so I've got my seatbelt on and I'm ready for the bumpy ride! I hope you are having fun---that way I know we will too.
Thanks for the plog! Now go memorize those lines. 
Much love,
~Leann
P.S. Shout out to Sherry and Sandra...we love ya!
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Oct 18, 2006 8:09 PM
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