Thursday, September 24, 2020

Forever and a Day is a New Scripted Soap Podcast filled with Intrigue, Romance & More: Founders Candice Mack and Casey Hutchinson Talk about Why they Started it and How They Got Beth Ehlers as Their Anchor

by Suzanne Ordas Curry

If you like drama or soaps and want to absorb them in the trendy way - a podcast,  then you'll want to tune in to the new soap  Forever and a Day, the brainchild of Candice Mack and Casey Hutchinson. Ironically, soaps first started on the radio, so almost a hundred years later they are back to their roots.... filled with all the intrigue, suspense, love and glamour that has made them surive for almost a century.

Candice and Casey are no strangers to the soap world, being well-known on social media platforms for their views and knowledge. Many soap actors have been on Candice's show, Soap Party 411. I interview both of them to find out what made then start this already successful scripted soap series.
I met you years back as I've had some of the people I work with on your on Soap Party. Tell me what that's been like, and what you have been doing since then.

Candice Mack: Hard to believe we just celebrated our 7th anniversary in June. Soap Party 411 is my other baby (besides FAAD) it is always interesting to hear from a different POV about the ongoings on the daytime soaps and digital series from various actors, creators and especially the fans. I also think Soap Party prepped  me for FAAD to get more insight of what not only myself but what fans want for soaps. 

What made you think of doing a podcast?

Casey Hutchinson: Truth be told, I’ve always wanted to produce my own soap opera. And, I’ve always wanted to celebrate this amazing genre in some, impactful way. And, what is more impactful than the genre’s 90th Anniversary, which will be celebrated this October? Additionally, soap operas were created for radio, during The Great Depression. Overall, I think we’re in a depression of our own, because of the pandemic. All of the pieces truly lined up for the “radio” soap opera to come roaring back!

Candace, how did your partnership with Casey come about? 

Candice Mack: Well I have known Casey for awhile now due to our appreciation for the genre but it was James Lott Jr of JLJMEDIA who told him to ask me to be apart of this journey because of my love for the genre. When Casey asked me I was already saying yes in mind because I was like when does someone come to me about being apart of a soap opera? So I said yes within seven seconds lol.

Where are you getting your inspiration for the stories from? 

Candice Mack: Inspiration comes from living. We have the best team (Thom Racina,John F. Smith, Sally Sussman and Karolina Sivas) but you know as a soap writer you are inspired to create a story that is natural, entertaining and most important can connect with the audience. Plus it helps that I have been watching soaps since I was born and know what I would like to see.

Casey Hutchinson: We are so fortunate to have Thom Racina, John F. Smith, Karolina Sivas and Sally Sussman as part of our crew in some way. With their wealth of knowledge, it’s very easy to get inspiration for stories. However, myself, Candice, and James Lott, Jr. (Forever And A Day’s network distributor/President of JLJ Media Network) possibly have 90 years of soap watching between us. So, we definitely know the stories that have been told, and the stories that have yet to be told (which we love to shine a light on).


How did you assemble your team of producers, writing and acting? 

Candice Mack: Well the wonderful world of technology was a key factor in assembling this team starting with Casey going to James,Casey asking me...the writing team which both of us went to and with casting that was a wonderful thing (shout-out to casting directors) because we used social media,our connections and asked our friends to be apart of this show.

Casey Hutchinson: We are so fortunate to have Thom Racina, John F. Smith, Karolina Sivas, and Sally Sussman apart of our crew in some way. With their wealth of knowledge, it’s very easy to get inspiration for stories. However, myself, Candice, and James Lott, Jr. (Forever And A Day’s network distributor/President of JLJ Media Network) possibly have 90 years of soap watching between us. So, we definitely know the stories that have been told, and the stories that have yet to be told (which we love to shine a light on).


You got Beth Ehlers out or retirement! How did that happen? 

Casey Hutchinson: Getting Beth Ehlers was the most fun challenge I have ever had. Candice and I knew that we wanted that daytime type of anchor. And we were so fortunate that she viewed this as an amazing outlet in such a hard time for our world. We have 20 cast members in our season one cast who bring their A-Game each and every day! They are such a pleasure to work with, and make being their boss, very easy (laughs).

Soaps are always about families- families that do lots of crazy things and have lots of secrets! What families are the basis of your story?

Casey Hutchinson: Our show does mainly revolve around three families. We have the political ambitious Harpers. The wealthy and independent Bennetts. And the media driven Marshalls. Everyone is so beautifully intertwined with one another. Each of them drives the story forward in such a beautiful way!

Can you give me quick rundown of what the families are like, or some of the storylines that are happening now. 

Candice: The three major families (Harpers,Bennetts and Marshall) currently are trying to make each day count as Lesile is trying to make her dad Isaac realize she's more of a powerhouse especially when his attention is towards Stephanie who is with Issac but also has "relations" with Jonah who is running for governor of Augustus. Colin is moving on with his life after Lesile left him at the alter to be with Alex (her baby daddy) and just like a prayer Emma (his fling while he left town)shows up ...pregnant! 

Then you have Katelyn and Laken who are our Juliet and Juliet...Laken wants to have Katelyn be out and proud but due to Katelyn's father Gunner (who is also running for governor) and the fear of being a social media blogger ... Katelyn fears if her sexuality is revealed she could lose everything plus you have the return of Melanie who's return could cause trouble for the Harpers.

What about a tease for the future?

Casey Hutchinson: The future of Forever And A Day is bright! There is possibly more to come. And, I can say that there are going to be many twists and turns. Some secrets will come out that may destroy the core relationships of the show. And, there will be some villains, some catfights, some romance, and even some new faces popping up soon!
Here's a teaser for you...."Stay tuned to Forever and a Day...you don't want to miss a moment!"

The Cast
Beth EhlersMelanie Walters2020-
Dorell AnthonyAntwan Jeffries2020-
Brandon LarkinsIsaac Marshall2020-
Jeanne YoungEmma Jensen2020-
Tony MooreJesse "JJ" Fraser2020-
Matthew PrestonJonah Bennett2020-
Karolina SivasLaken Bennett2020-
Candice MackDanielle Fraser2020-
Kristina SullivanStephanie Markham2020-
Lacreita LyonKatelynn Harper2020-
Elizabeth von IsserElaine Harper2020-
Brett LawrenceGunnar Harper2020-
Quinn VanAntwerpColin Harper2020-
Renee SuranMiranda Bennett2020-
Tyler DavidAlex Bennett2020-
Brandon LarkinsIsaac Marshall2020-
Khalia DavisLeslie Marshall2020-
Benjamin BryantGregory Marshall2020-
Michael CarrDonovan Aldridge2020-
Teri LimmerLenore Parkhurst2020-
Veronica DangAvery Randolph2020-

Now a few personal questions:

Candice's Top 10 Favorite Dramas

This was hard but...
Guiding Light, Central Park West,The City,Sunset Beach,As The World Turns,Venice, Anacostia,The Bay,Young and Restless and Emerald Cove (it was on Disney Channel featuring actors from the 90s version of Mickey Mouse Club)

Casey's Top Dramas:

Knots Landing, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, The Young and the Restless, As The World Turns, Days of Our Lives, How To Get Away With Murder, ER, Guiding Light, and All My Children.

Candice's Best places to eat in NYC
Planet Hollywood, Junior's, Lilia and this place has good drinks - Spring Lounge

And what Candice likes best about NYC
What I love about NY is that when you get there you can feel the creativity flowing through as you visit the museums,seeing the street performers, and catching a Broadway play. You can feel like you are in a movie as you visit the famous spots like central park and you can feel and see the history just about everywhere you turn....plus there's Macy's (laughs)

Where to Listen

You can visit our website FAADseries.com to also listen to our episodes starting from number one.. in addition to subscribing to JLJMEDIA and all streaming services (iHeartRadio,Apple, Google,etc) for Forever and a Day Podcast


faadseries.com (2nd Platform - Our Website)

Also available wherever a podcast is (Apple, Spotify, Libsyn, etc.)

Facebook: Forever and a Day: podcast
Twitter/IG  @faadpodcast

To connect with Candice:
Twitter.com/candypooh
Instagram:@candymack82

For Soapparty:
Twitter.com/ Soapparty 411