35 ALIVE!

B&B’s Don Diamont Reflects On 35 Years As A Member Of The CBS Daytime Family

- Tom Stacy

Soap Opera Digest: Thirty-five years on TV puts you in a pretty exclusive club. How would you describe your decades at CBS?

Diamont: Great, and yes, it was steady. It was a bit unsteady there for a bit, and then steady again [laughs]. Yeah, I guess it is pretty extraordinary, really, particularly in this business. In the daytime business, it may be a little more common than in other genres but nonetheless, it is quite extraordinary. As I take stock of it, I’m still standing. I’m a survivor. I’ve seen them come and I’ve seen them go, and I’m still here. I’m enormously grateful for that. I’m specifically grateful to Bill Bell, Sr. and Lee Bell [Y&R and B&B’s co-creators], of course, and Brad [Bell, B&B executive producer/head writer]. My gratitude to them is eternal. To work for such extraordinary professionals that are also good people? What more could you ask for?

Digest: Let’s rewind. You were just coming off DAYS —

Diamont: When you say, “coming off DAYS,” you mean having been fired [laughs]. Yes, I was voted Best Newcomer and fired in the same week.

Digest: But, you weren’t out of work long because you then screen tested for Y&R’s Brad. How was Brad described to you?

Diamont: I don’t remember the description of the character. I’m sure it was something like, “This mysterious opportunist who comes to town.” I’m sure it was something like that, but I don’t really remember the breakdown.

Digest: What was the audition process like?