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Knowing how upset I was feeling as the minutes wiled away for the final episode of "One Life To Live" to air. Punk Globe writer Rebecca G Wilson informed me she was in contact with her pal Teresa Parkerson Rogers - wife of actor Tristan Rogers. Rebecca asked if I knew who he was and if I would be interested in doing an interview... Of course I knew exactly who he was... I knew that Tristan was returning to General Hospital as Robert Scorpio... Rebecca then asked Teresa to ask Tristan if he would be interested in doing an for Punk Globe. Teresa spoke to Tristan and he graciously agreed to the interview... ... I found this bit of trivia about Mr. Rogers. Tristan Rogers was the first Australian actor to gain popularity using his native Australian accent. Tristan's rapid rise in popularity is credited with being the genesis of the American fascination with all things Australia.
I am also using a bit of Tristan's biography to give you a bit more incite on his career. Tristan's journey through the entertainment industry began in the 1960s in his native Australia. Australian TV was in its infancy when Tristan came onto the scene, working as a walk-on stuntman and doubling as a boom carrier. Ambitious, and eager to learn, Tristan also did sound effects in the parking lot at night and volunteered for any other work which would keep him on the lot and in peoples eyesight. It wasn't long before he landed a series regular role in "The Link Men".When the struggling production folded after about 10 episodes, Tristan headed for England. The year was 1969 and Tristan thought he'd try being a drummer in a rock band on for size.. After three years of "intense experiences" in London, and witnessing live some of the greatest music ever to hit planet Earth, Tristan decided to give up the musician's life. What he had learned after years of successful modeling to help make the band's ends meet, was that he REALLY DID want to act. Back in Australia in 1972, Tristan found himself working in all manner of local productions. For the next seven years it was non-stop work in everything form television to radio. By then, the idea of coming to America had taken hold, so in 1979 it was time to move again. Tristan arrived in California in the summer of 1979 and felt right at home. In December of 1980, Tristan landed a job in a show called "General Hospital" and his life changed forever. An outpouring from fascinated fans of all ages turned then-producer Gloria Monty's head and changed the initial 3 week gig into a 3 year contract role. "General Hospital" opened many doors for him with appearances on most of the then prominent '80's and '90's television series. It was during this period that Tristan became involved in the American Cinema Awards Foundation, an organization created to honor achievement in the cinema. As the vice-president and director of shows, Tristan helped to raise over $4,000,000 for the Motion Picture Retirement Home and Hospital. The organization also afforded him the rare opportunity to work with, and get to know such legendary stars as: Joseph Cotton, Robert Preston, Bette Davis, Sophie Loren, Robert Mitchum, Glenn Ford, Elizabeth Taylor, Bob Hope and many, many more. In 1992, Tristan made the momentous decision to leave "General Hospital" and seek other challenges. He had always felt that it is after all show business and that he had only participated in one portion of it. In order to do the other he had to commit to it. His first experience on the production side came about in 1996. Tristan had spent several years researching a show about what is arguably his first love, motor racing. In 1997, Tristan found himself in Canada where he was instrumental in launching a show for the Showtime Network called "Fast Track", set in the world of American stock-car racing. The show lasted for 22 episodes and the learning experience was priceless. Tristan finally brought the character that made him a household name back to life in 2006 when he returned to "General Hospital". His tour de force performance in SoapNet's critically acclaimed second season of "Night Shift" cemented what his fans and his peers already knew: handsome, charming and personable without a doubt, Tristan was also an incredibly gifted actor. In addition to producing, Tristan continues to appear in major films and television shows, as well as being the spokes voice for several major TV ad campaigns. Always a little ahead of his time, Tristan has also been a key figure in the development of Internet-based soaps. An avid and vocal proponent of the development of web-based entertainment, Tristan is also involved in web-based productions. |
TRISTAN ROGERS: By now you will be aware that there are a whole bunch of new faces headed back to the hospital. Some faces from other shows as well. The show has new producer and head writer who come with solid credentials. Can all of this save the show? We’ll see. I know very little right now. I would not even speculate at this point what might happen.
Punk Globe: How long has it been since you were last on the show?
TRISTAN ROGERS: I was last on GH back in 08’. Not much has happened since then except that the show is now on “life support”.
Punk Globe: Up until just recently you had been starring on the CBS Soap The Young and the Restless. Was your reason for leaving The Young and The Restless because of the offer from General Hospital?
TRISTAN ROGERS: My reason for leaving was the contract ran out and they changed their mind about the storyline. Had nothing to do with GH which didn’t happen till after the contract had expired.
TRISTAN ROGERS: Not only do I not have an air date I don’t yet know when I start. But with the trouble they are going to expect all of this to feature on the upcoming sweeps.
Punk Globe: I understand that you will be coming back before Kimberly McCullough leaves the show?
TRISTAN ROGERS: Yes. Exactly what’s happening there is up for speculation.
Punk Globe: Are you excited to see your old pals Anthony Geary, Leslie Charleson, Jane Elliot, John Ingle and John J. York?
TRISTAN ROGERS: I don’t even know if I’m working with them. There will be many storylines. This isn’t like the old days where you had one story sliced into many sections. I don’t know how these new guys work so I don’t know who’s story I’ll be in. But it’s always good to reconnect.
Punk Globe: Sadly Genie Francis is not available to come back as Laura Spencer... When you were at The Young and Restless did see Genie who is now on The Young and Restless?
TRISTAN ROGERS: Genie and I had a storyline together and it was great to work with her again.
TRISTAN ROGERS: Yes. Both Finola and Emma will be back reprising their roles.
Punk Globe: Any other old faces returning to Port Charles? Sean, Tiffany, Jackie Templeton or O'Reily (Billie Hayes)
TRISTAN ROGERS: Just what’s been mentioned so far. I do expect there maybe a couple more as things proceed.
Punk Globe: Will James Franco be coming back anytime soon?
TRISTAN ROGERS: No.
TRISTAN ROGERS: Carolyn appeared on the show way after I had left.
Punk Globe: Well hopefully you will work with her this time around... When you were last on General Hospital, was Jill Farren Phelps there?
TRISTAN ROGERS: Yes.
Punk Globe: I understand that General Hospital now has Frank Valenti at the helm and that he is bringing Kassie De Pavia (Blair), Roger Howarth (Todd), Kristen Alderson (Starr) and Michael Easton (John) as their One Life To Live characters.. Have you heard that?
TRISTAN ROGERS: What you’ve heard is true.
TRISTAN ROGERS: The notion to get rid of the soaps was always “when” not “if”. This has been going to happen for sometime. It comes down to money. The Networks can make talk shows for a quarter the price of a soap with no real change in the ratings.
Punk Globe: Are the folks at General Hospital worried about the show being cancelled any time soon?
TRISTAN ROGERS: I am sure they are but the shows been around for almost 50 years. At some point this had to happen. And it hasn’t gone yet and has escaped cancellation once before so lets see.
TRISTAN ROGERS: This decision has nothing to do with me. It’s all about the story and how it pans out. Sorry I can’t be more specific.
Punk Globe: What is your favorite storyline that Robert Scorpio was involved with on General Hospital?
TRISTAN ROGERS: I think “The Ice Princess”. It was off the wall and crazy that being a part of it was great. It was my introduction to the show and was a unique experience.
Punk Globe: Any website addresses that you would like to give to your fans so they can stay up to date with your activities?
TRISTAN ROGERS: I have a web site at http://www. tristanrogers.com. But you will get a more up to date report from twitter which I tend to do daily. I will be using the web site to bring back something I did on Night Shift in 08”. More on that after I start.
Punk Globe: What does 2012 hold for Tristan Rogers? Any other project besides General Hospital?
TRISTAN ROGERS: I have been experimenting with web projects for some time and plan a new one called ”Through The Wire”. I have already shot some footage on this using Drake Hogestyn. The story is a raw one and will be a series for the web only. It will be a serial drama and will make use of all the freedoms the web allows. I am very excited. You will get to see some soap people in ways you will never see them in Daytime.
TRISTAN ROGERS: I am a rocker at heart. I grew up with the Beatles and got to see them live. That’s a rarity in this age. I like “Led Zeppelin”, “AC/DC”, “The Stones”, “Deep Purple”, “The Jimi Hendrix Experience” “The Who”. I could fill a page with names. I got to see almost all my favorites live except Zeppelin. I always regret that.
Punk Globe: Thanks so much for the interview Tristan.. We hear wanna wish you the best for 2012? Any parting words for your fans?
TRISTAN ROGERS: I know right now there is enormous frustration and discontent out there amongst the fans. And you have good reason to feel that way. The last 10 years have seen the show completely trashed and the history all but deleted. Some favorite characters have been changed and killed off. What we have right now is an attempt to undo some of the damage. I expect to see some things that have gone down in past stories changed and reversed in some cases. To this end I ask that the audience be patient. There is a sincere effort here to bring the show back. Let’s give the guys sometime to get the job done.
Punk Globe would like to thank Tristan Rogers and his wife Teresa Parkerson Rogers for the informative interview... Be sure to watch General Hospital on ABC... Show your support for the show and keep it on the air!!
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