No stranger to television, Derwin is best known for creating the role of Ben Davidson on the ABC Daytime drama "One Life to Live." Other Daytime television credits include playing Adrian Hunter on "The Young and the Restless," from 1989-90, and "Guiding Light's" A.C. Mallett, from 1990-93. For his role on "Guiding Light" Derwin won the 1993 Soap Opera Digest Award for Leading Man and received a Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination in 1992.

Following his stint on "Guiding Light," Derwin relocated to California where he starred on "The Bonnie Hunt Show" and made guest appearances on such primetime television series as "For Your Love," "Veronica's Closet," "Cybill," "Party of Five" and "Touched by an Angel."

His feature films include "The Minus Man," "Evil Obsession" and "Ballad of the Nightingale," with Virginia Madsen.

He will continue his "One Life to Live" role while appearing on "Life with Bonnie."

Derwin resides in New York City with Jim the Dog.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN: New York, NY
BIRTHDATE: October 28, 1960

I thought it might be fun to keep a running tally of all the comments made about Mark Derwin, his character Mark Molloy and his TV family while he's in LA shooting "Life With Bonnie". Below are quotes from various television reviewers, magazines, and even Mark's fans that have appeared in print.

Because there are new ones added each week I've now dedicated a special linked page for this feature.

Marianne Muellerleile (Gloria on Life With Bonnie) along with Mark Derwin (Mark Molloy on Life With Bonnie ) will be appearing at a fundrasier on Thursday, July 31st for CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT featuring The Smothers Brothers. Children of the Night is a private, non-profit, tax-exempt organization founded in 1979. They are dedicated to assisting children between the ages of 11 and 17 who are forced to prostitute on the streets for food and a place to sleep. Since 1979 they have rescued girls and boys from prostitution and the domination of vicious pimps and their success rate is impressive: according to the annual follow-up studies, in which they track the children they served the previous year, about 80 percent of these children remain off the streets. And they have done all this with private donations.

They need your help so please, come join them at "The Smothers Brothers Live at the Comedy Store." This event takes place at the Comedy Store in West Hollywood on Wednesday, July 30th and Thursday July 31st. For more information on this worthy cause and this event go to: ChildrenOfTheNight.org.

PRIME-TIME REPORT
"Life With Bonnie"

Mark Derwin arriving at
ABC's Anniversary Celebration

"I met Fonzie!" exclaims
LIFE WITH BONNIE'S Mark.

Stay Cool: No longer an East Coaster, Mark Derwin (Mark; ex-Ben, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-A.C., GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Adrian, YOUNG AND RESTLESS) is finding friends -- and fans -- in L.A. "I met Henry Winkler at the big ABC anniversary bash [that aired in may]," enthuses the actor. "I met Fonzie! We were getting this picture done for the [special's finale], and he turned around at me and smiled. Then Bonnie [Hunt] whispered, 'He loves the show.' He was actually moving his hand through other people to shake my hand! He said, 'I never miss the show.' " The words warmed the heart of Derwin, who explains: " I remember having a paper route, and my brother was supposed to do it for me the night HAPPY DAYS started airing, and he didn't, so there I was crying, running down the street and throwing papers at people's houses and missing HAPPY DAYS. I was devastated!"

Coming Full Circle

By Randee Dawn

Excerpt from 3 page article:
Digest: Speaking of recasting -- what should be done with poor, comatose Ben?

Slezak: I don't think they can recast. That's my own personal...well, of course you can. You can recast anything. But there's something about what Mark [Dewin, ex-Ben] did, who he was, his personality, how we worked together. We had so much fun. I think it would be hard to re-create that. They can't leave him lying there in a coma, that would be absurd...although that happens. I might be wrong, they might be able to recast him. But it'll be hard for the audience.

LIFE GOES ON
Erika Slezak shares ONE LIFE of great memories

Excerpt only:

2000 Viki and Ben's Wedding:

"I miss Mark (Derwin, ex-Ben Davidson) terribly. He's a very charming, funny young man. Young man? He's a man. We worked well together. Because of our comfort level with each other we were able to play without offending or fear of stepping on each other's toes. [Now] I'm so pissed off at him -- he left me for Bonnie Hunt (his co-star in Life With Bonnie),," she jokes.

ERIKA SLEZAK: RECAST BEN -- OR KILL HIM

OLTL's Erika Slezak is speaking out about Viki's love life and what she has to say may not make Ben and Blondie fans happy.

"They have to resolve [the Ben and Viki story] one way or another" she declares. "I doubt Mark (Derwin who left OLTL to join Life With Bonnie ) would ever come back but you can certainly recast him. Or if there is no hope then have the character quietly die."

In other words, Viki needs a man. "It's one thing to worry and meddle in your kids' lives, but that's all I'm doing right now", she sighs in character. "Yeah, I''m going to be president of the university so I'll meddle in other people's lives. Viki needs a personal life. She's not over the hill completely. She's still a very vital woman. There's a lot to be told about what can happen to a woman in her 50s...To dispense with her by making her somebody who just gives good advice, that's a waste."

What about a Clint and Viki reunion? "That's going back to a well that's been back to a bunch of times" she shrugs. "And that's copping out. "Oh we don't have a man for Viki. Let's bring back Clint'. That's boring. That's worse than having her meddle in her kids lives. Not that I wouldn't want Clint back. He certainly should come back because he is an important character on this show...but just to stick us back together again is stupid."

What does Slezak want? "Maybe a Sloan look alike", she offers, referring to one of Viki's late husbands. Even longtime friend and former brother-in-law Dr. Larry could be a suitor. "I've wanted to do that for years, but Michael lives in California. It would be a very long distance romance", she laughs.--KW

Derwin's Life is with Bonnie-

Sorry OLTL fans, the success of Life with Bonnie, which was recently picked up by ABC for a second season, means that Ben's not coming out of that coma anytime soon.

Frank Valentini, OLTL's EP, says only, “No decision has been made at this time about what's going to happen with the character.” That includes recasts and potential visits.

That's okay with Mark Derwin, (Ex-Ben). “I just finished taping Bonnie, and I want to do a little traveling.” Explains the actor. “I think Ben's just going to be comatose-though I did hear he was shipped back to the States. He travels more in a coma than he did when he was healthy!”

Derwin was asked to film scenes for the special fan fantasy episode. He declined due to scheduling conflicts, but has nothing but good words for Valentini. “He's a great guy and pretty much said that if I could come back, he'd fit me in.”

Recent rumors had pointed to a Ben return to kill off the character, but Derwin notes wryly, “What would they need me for? Just to lie there and flat line?” Still, he doesn't dismiss a few final appearances. “it all depends on what they would want. I would never rule anything out.” Just nothing right away-his beloved dog, Jim, just had knee surgery. “I'm not ready to bring him back to New York from LA even for a short spell. For now, I'm here.”

DERWIN'S "LIFE" WON'T BE ONE LIFE

Now that LIFE WITH BONNIE has been picked up for the fall season by ABC, it looks like fans of ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Ben are going to have to learn to live with disappointment: Mark Derwin, who departed the role last August, won't be back to reprise his part.

So, what's to become of Ben? He had been in Switzerland, in a coma after being shot by Antonio. Recently, he was relocated, off-camera, to be cared for in New York. Fans have been buzzing, and word has it that the show is working to get Derwin back to wrap up the storyline (that is, so Ben can die) in May. A recast had been considered for some time, but that option was ultimately discarded.

No decisions had been made at press time, however, and a OLTL spokesperson had no comment. But as Derwin told Digest last July, "I'd love to be able to come back. I love playing Ben. I love playing Blondie's man..But [BONNIE] is an opportunity that I have to take."

Stolen Sunshine

Blondie lost her Ben to BONNIE.

Although his absence has left ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Viki without a love interest, Erika Slezak refuses to let that tiny fact taint her enjoyment of former leading man Mark Derwin's primetime sitcom, LIFE WITH BONNIE.  “I think it's charming,” says the actress of the series.  “Mark is absolutely adorable and wonderful on the show and I'm delighted for him.”  But even so, Slezak won't lie that the OLTL set is at a loss without Derwin around.  “Everyone misses him terribly,” she says, “because Mark was a great ray of sunshine in the studio.  But now he is spreading his sunshine elsewhere.”

FESTIVAL LOCATION:
DGA Theatre Complex
Directors Guild of America
7920 Sunset Boulevard

At the William S. Paley Television Festival, sponsored by The Museum of Television & Radio, "Life With Bonnie" is one of the new comedy shows in the spotlight at this annual LA Event.

Wednesday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m.
LIFE WITH BONNIE

In Person: Chris Barnes, Samantha Browne-Walters, Mark Derwin, David Alan Grier, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, Marianne Muellerleile, Anthony Russell, Charlie Stewart, Holly Wortell

With its improvised moments of subtle amusement, antic farce, and quiet poignancy, Life with Bonnie emphasizes spontaneity and closely observed behavior over the rapid-fire zingers and pratfalls of more traditional sitcom fare.

WHAT FANS WANT: MARK DERWIN broke the hearts of Ben and Blondie fans when he joined the Los Angeles-based prime-time sitcom Life With Bonnie, forcing New York-based One Life To Live to put Ben into another coma and ship him off to Switzerland. "Viki needs her husband and she deserves some happiness," pleads one fan. "They're Llanview's only truly loving couple and the show is not entertaining without them."

WHAT THE SHOW SAYS: Derwin is under contract to both OLTL and Life With Bonnie . OLTL won't know about Derwin's availability until Life With Bonnie's future is decided this spring. OLTL executive producer Frank Valentini says about Ben, as well as fan faves Dorian and Tea: "Each of these characters is important to the OLTL canvas and we would not rule out our options by saying 'never' to their returns. If the timing is right and, more importantly the story, then we will take it from there."

What's Derwin's take? It's up to ABC," he stated a few months ago. "I'd be more than happy to do both. I'm just doing what I'm told at this point. Right now my focus is on getting this show (Bonnie's) going. Technically, I have a year and a half left (on my OLTL contract). I don't know how it would work exactly: if I owe them this or if I would just come back I really don't know."

THE BOTTOM LINE: If Bonnie is renewed, viewers still could see Derwin appearing as Ben this summer (during the prime-time show's hiatus). If Bonnie goes bye-bye (the Jan. 7 episode was fourth in its time slot), it's "Hello, Blondie!"
*----KW

OLTL's MARK DERWIN
'MAYBE THEY'LL RECAST'

Mark Derwin could be back taping scenes as One Life to Live's Ben as early as March. Derwin, who still doesn't know if his sitcom, Life with Bonnie, will be picked up for next season, tells WEEKLY he finishes taping this season's episodes the third week of February, which means he could be available to return to OLTL if they want him. "My agents and I haven't discussed it," says Derwin. "I'm just enjoying the last five shows and then we'll see what happens. I'm sure ABC has their thoughts on it...They may not have any thought on it." Derwin says he called Frank Valentini when Valentini was promoted to executive producer, but they didn't talk shop. "Frank and I always got along really well," relates Derwin. "I respect him as a producer and as a guy. He's a nice, nice guy. But like I said, I'm focusing on this. It really hasn't been a thought for me other than answering questions about it."

Derwin is philosophical about Ben's future. "Either it will work out, or the show will move on and Viki will...I don't know what. Maybe they'll recast. My veterinarian's wife told me they were going to recast my role. The way you find things out is so funny." At press time, an ABC rep said there were no plans to recast Ben.
*----KW

Watch ABC to see the many causes our stars support. Here's a sampling of who you can expect to see and what topics they address:

[Below is a partial list that includes only the "Life With Bonnie" castmembers.
To see a full list check out Bonnie's Newspage #6.]

ENVIRONMENT
Nothing is more precious than nature's gifts. Be it our oceans, mountains, forests or the many creatures that share those spaces with us — we all have a responsibility to do our part to protect the environment. Do your part to take care of the world around us.

Mark Derwin, Life with Bonnie

ARTS EDUCATION
Every child deserves a chance to experience the arts first-hand. Learning about the arts is an important part of growing up. Help nurture your child's imagination and creativity through the arts and by supporting arts education in your community.

Mark Derwin, Life with Bonnie
David Alan Grier, Life with Bonnie

COMPASSION
ABC and The Walt Disney Company believe in the power of dreams and the importance of wishes. In partnership with organizations that share our vision for others, we work everyday to make magic in the lives of children in communities around the world.

David Alan Grier, Life with Bonnie
Bonnie Hunt, Life with Bonnie

VOLUNTEERISM
The best way to make the place you live A Better Community is to pitch in and help out. To find a volunteer opportunity near you, call 1-800-VOLUNTEER. We can all make a difference — one person, one project, one community at a time.

Mark Derwin, Life with Bonnie

Public Opinion:

New Beginnings

I have high hopes that the new regime at OLTL can end the horror that Llanview has become and bring some fun, humor and romance back into the lives of the characters who live there. Drama and angst are fine, but there needs to be a balance. I would love to see the rest of Viki’s children come back to town to support her. Also, it’s time for Ben to start waking up from his coma. Real love and romance have been sorely missed in Llanview, and it’s time for them to come back.

– Marcia F.,
San Jose CA via email’

THE GRADUATES

SOAP STARS MAKE HAY WHILE THE MOON SHINES

A new Life: Derwin with Hunt

A very sheepish publicist called the other day to cancel an interview. Seems the actor he'd pitched me—an ex-sitcom star making a brief return to the daytime serial that launched his career—didn't want it publicized that he'd taken soap work for fear it would taint his chances at a primetime pilot. Puh-leaze. Sarah Michelle Gellar drove a stake through that silly old stigma ages ago. Now daytimes are wildly welcome at night. Nearly two dozen made the leap this year alone.

Leading the pack is Brittany Snow, a revelation as the heart-tugging heroine of American Dreams and a far cry from Susan, the poison-packin' pip –squeak she played on Guiding Light. Nathan Fillion (One Life To Live's Joey) is marvelous as the tortured space-cowboy on Firefly. Ditto Chris Bruno (All My Children's Michael) as the doormat sheriff on The Dead Zone. Despite the bad scripts, Ashley Williams (As The World Turn's Dani) is a sexy, daffy triumph as the hairstylist on Good Morning Miami.

My favorite new sitcom, the fresh, effervescent Life With Bonnie, packs a double suds punch: Mark Derwin with his James Garneresque charm, is a superb hubby foil for Bonnie Hunt (yes, he's still in that coma as Ben on OLTL). And the hilarious Marianne Muellerleile is all pith and vinegar as their do-nothing maid. (But man, do we miss her as that butch nutcase Norma on Passions!) For the People boasts three soap vets—Debbie Morgan (AMC's Angie), A. Martinez (General Hospital's Roy) and Frank Grillo (GL's Hart)—all of them electric.

On the downside, Shemar Moore, who had alpha-male sizzle to spare as Malcolm on The Young and The Restless is astonishingly limp as the cop on Birds of Prey. And Roger Howarth is just as irritating as Joey's English-lit professor on Dawson's Creek as he is pushing for laughs as that narcissistic Jackass Todd on OLTL.

But, hey, the dude did me a favor. By following Howarth to prime time, I discovered Dawson's, which I'd always ignored (I'm now officially obsessed), and rediscovered Jensen Ackles. So memorable as the pouty, virginal Eric on Days of Our Lives, Ackles is staggeringly good as Dawson's secretive, screwed-up peer counselor. Just one question: Why is this kid not the biggest movie star on the planet?

For One Life to Live:

Most Miss-used Couple
Ben and Viki

Between Viki being taken over by Niki and Ben being in two (count'em,two!) comas, this year was a complete bust for one of the show's strongest couples. The moments they shared before he slipped into his second coma were wonderful, but painful, because they were so brief. Truth be told, we lost Ben before Mark Derwin left the show, and Ben and Blondie fans have just one thing to say about that: No dice.

Editors Note: Kudos to Soap Opera Weekly for telling it like it was! The whole show tanked in 2002 and Ben and Blondie's disappearance as a couple were a big part of that.

No wonder OLTL was picked as the Most Disappointing Show of the year...it's an honor it richly deserved! Soap Opera Weekly stated it had the life sucked out of it in 2002. This former fan agrees. Unfortunately the actors gave it their very best but the writers and producer let them down over and over again.

Ins and Outs

OLTL: Will Recasts Give Viki A New Family -- Including Two Husbands?

Excerpt from column: " But Viki also needs romance, which she hasn't been getting from hubby Ben (previously played by Mark Derwin, now a co-star of primetime's LIFE WITH BONNIE). "Ben is in a very deep coma, and every Tuesday night his coma gets a little deeper," quips Slezak, who doubts Derwin will ever return. 'Somebody put it out there that he could do both shows, but that's absurd. There's no way.'

'I guess [fans] have to face reality that there is no more Ben and Blondie -- or if there is, he's not going to look like Mark Derwin,' she suggests. "

It's Only Your Opinion

How hilarious was it on LIFE WITH BONNIE when Bonnie won a part on a soap opera as a doctor and Mark Derwin's [ex-Ben, OLTL] character said that he wanted to be the coma patient! He said, “What an easy job to get paid for sleeping.” I hope all you Mark Derwin fans are watching this hilarious show because if you are, you know as well as I do that the chances of Ben coming out of that coma are impossible.

V.B. from Gardena, CA

Tub For Two

Now that James DePaiva (Max) and wife Kassie (Blair) have been settled in their new digs for over a year, the actor is enjoying putting the finishing touches on the new abode. "I don't do electrical work, but I do almost everything else," he relates. One of the highlights of their loft-style home is the master bathroom. "It's as big as the bedroom in our old place. There is a two-person tub - and you can fit about eight people in the shower. We're fortunate because you don't find much of that in New York City." Pal and co-star Mark Derwin (Ben), who currently is living in L.A. while shooting the sitcom LIFE WITH BONNIE, was especially impressed with the palatial powder room. "Mark jokes and says, 'I'm going to be out of town for awhile,' " DePaiva relates, " 'can I leave my apartment in your bathroom?' "

Bonnie and Mark Visit Judith Regan's Tonite On Fox

Synopsis of interview below:
Their segment of the show opened with the clip of them dressing for Tony's birthday party and discussing their therapy. Judith Regan said five series and you never gave up. Bonnie shared her good friend George Clooney had fifteen, so she has ten chances left. Judith asked why is this one working? Bonnie said that the comedy comes from truth.

They spoke of the show within the show working. Judith asked Mark how he fit into all of it, the perfect hubby? Bonnie Hunt said that she wrote the part for him, she needed a creative soul mate, someone she could really bounce things off of. She didn't want to write a part where one gets jipped. She wanted someone smart, intelligent, three dimensional and funny, and Mark can play all of that. He stressed 'play'. She repeated play saying that stuff definitely has to be written for him. Judith said no improvising on your part? Mark said that Bonnie writes his adlibs.

Judith asked how she got the idea for the show? Bonnie told how she had been in talks to do a talk show but that she loves to do it all (produce, direct and storytelling). Judith jokingly asked if Bonnie would like to edit books at her company? It takes a creative person.

Judith added that that's a long Irish tradition. Bonnie agree and said that it was genetic, and it's free. Judith asks Mark, and you're Irish? Mark confirmed, saying that both of his parents were born in Ireland. Judith said wow, that is close. Bonnie said that's why we get along so well. Judith asked if her parents were born in Ireland as well, she said "No, Chicago, same thing. "

They mentioned The Bonnie Hunt show, and Bonnie said that she fell in love with Mark creatively. Judith stressed fell in love with him dot dot dot creatively. Bonnie said that they were close friends in real life. Judith noted that they look good together as a couple. Bonnie said that if the show runs five years then she has someone like Mark to spend the long days with.

Judith then spoke of Bonnie's loyalty to her friends. Mark commented that everyone on the show has worked with Bonnie before in some way. Judith said like a family? Bonnie said that they are very talented and they share (with her) an ethical, moral language. Judith added as Irish Catholics. Bonnie said that it makes the day shorter. Judith asked do you know the act of contrition? Bonnie said sure, they just said it the other day. Bonnie said that they pray on the show which is unusual. It's great to see the kids sitting around the kitchen table praying. We have a lot of fun with it because we have religion with a sense of humor on the show- Catholic Lite.

Regan was intrigued by the improvisation. What happens when you have guest stars, do they say, no, no, no write me some lines? Bonnie said that some of them do, some want everything scripted. Bonnie said that the show is very well scripted, Don and I take great pride in writing the show. The characters are three dimensional. The scripts are strong. BUT when you have that safety net, then it's fun to improvise.

They talk about how she gets ideas. She said that almost everyone calls us to come on the show, she mentioned David Duchovny. She said that it's a nice format, good scripting, and they can have fun. Regan said that the casting is brilliant, she admired Bonnie's character. Bonnie credited her Mom- writing, directing, producing is nothing compared to raising 7 children. Regan loves the kids in the cast and said it was great casting.

Bonnie spoke of an episode coming up where Mark's yelling at her for not recording checks, and the daughter says Mom should get an allowance, I get $5 just for cleaning my room, Mom sings us to sleep, does the dishes, stays home with us when we're sick, she should get $100 a week. They ran out of time and Regan closed it out by thanking them and wishing them good luck.

Bonnie Hunt and Mark Derwin
Visit ABC's "The View"

On Tuesday, October 29th fans of "Life With Bonnie" and also fans of "One Life To Live" were given a special treat as both Mark Derwin and Bonnie Hunt appeared on the view. The ladies of the view had a delightful interview with Bonnie Hunt and elicited some fun and funny stories of her growing-up years with her family in Chicago which have contributed to many of the scenes in the Molloy household on "Life With Bonnie".

Bonnie shared that the fans of the show seem to really like the family scenes, the love between the husband and wife along with the good natured bantering back and forth. She also mentioned the fact that the parents are actually smarter than the kids.

At this point Starr Jones pointed out that speaking of the couple, the husband was in the audience, and at that point they began a short interview segment with Mark Derwin who was seated in the front row. They introduced him as being known for his role of Ben Davidson on One Life To Live prior to his primetime role and showed a clip of Ben and Viki Davidson from that show. Bonnie related that she had written the role of Mark Molloy specifically for Mark Derwin.

Clip from one of Ben and Viki's last scenes on One Life To Live in August as Mark looks on. Mark mentioned that his hair looked pretty good.

Good natured kidding about his comas followed as Ben shared that he too was confused by them. He shared that he wasn't in a coma on Life With Bonnie. Bonnie interjected at this point with...not yet anyway, but he may be after another bedroom scene with me. It was a very enjoyable interview.

FAN CAMPAIGN OF THE WEEK

Ben/Viki fans agree:
"Mark Derwin and Erika Slezak [are]
poetic magic as Ben and Blondie
on One Life To Live."

This week, fans are talking about ONE LIFE TO LIVE's "Ben and Blondie" (Ben and Viki). Supporters of this couple want Mark Derwin to return to Llanview as Ben, especially now that the show has new scribes. One letter sent to ABC reads, "Now that ONE LIFE TO LIVE will have new writers spinning tales in Llanview, I hope they finally weave Ben Davidson with Mark Derwin back in to the mix." Although Derwin's sitcom, ABC's LIFE WITH BONNIE, has been picked up for a full season, viewers are hoping he will be able to perform double duty.

Ins&Outs

Life Without Ben: Is That Viki's Future?

Status: Has the success of Mark Derwin's primetime gig scratched any chance ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Viki has of reuniting with Ben?

The In Depth Story: Now that ABC has given the order for a full season of the freshman sitcom LIFE WITH BONNIE -- on which Derwin plays the title character's husband -- it appears the coma in which Ben has been lingering for several months will continue a bit longer.

"At this time, Mark Derwin's schedule with LIFE WITH BONNIE is very involved as the show continues to build its audience, " explains an OLTL rep in a statement. Not helping matters is the fact that Derwin's day and night jobs shoot in NYC and Los Angeles, respectively. "OLTL and LIFE WITH BONNIE are produced on two different coasts, but we expect that the opportunities to coordinate production schedules will become easier as LIFE WITH BONNIE becomes more successful."

Excerpt from Dueling Divas Column:
In the Dueling Diva column in Soap Opera Weekly between Carolyn Hinsey and Linda Sussman they talk about the switch of actors and characters between The Bold and Beautiful and Days if Our Lives that the producers have worked out.

Carolyn Hinsey ends the column with:
"Now that Life With Bonnie has been picked up, can we hope that One Life To Live will be the first to cross Mark Derwin over from Prime Time to Daytime?!"

Editors Response: That would be one "first" I'd love to see happen. What a great opportunity for cross promotion for both shows. It sure would make the OLTL Ben and Viki fans happy. Come on ABC...lets make it happen!

REVOLVING DOOR

UPDATE:

Now that Life With Bonnie has been picked up for the full season, what does this mean for Mark Derwin, who co-stars on the ABC prime-time sitcom and is still under contract to One Life To Live? SOAP OPERA WEEKLY previously reported that in her newsletter, Erika Slezak (Viki) said that if Bonnie is picked up Derwin will be off the soap through May, then OLTL has the option to ask him back. An OLTL spokesperson says, "At this time, Mark Derwin's schedule with Life With Bonnie is very involved as the show continues to build its audience. We expect that the opportunities to coordinate production schedules will become easier as Life With Bonnie becomes more and more successful."

New Life For OLTL's Derwin

Looks like ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Ben will stay in that coma a bit longer -- his portrayer, Mark Derwin (above with Bonnie Hunt) is sitting pretty with hit ABC sitcom LIFE WITH BONNIE, which was recently picked up for a full 22 episodes, meaning he'll likely be tied up until March. Says an ABC spokesperson, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and LIFE WITH BONNIE are produced on different coasts, but we expect that the opportunities to coordinate production will become easier as LIFE WITH BONNIE becomes more and more successful."

Excerpt from:
IT'S ONLY MY OPINION
By Carolyn Hinsey

I hate to break it to all the fans of OLTL's Ben and Viki, but Mark Derwin's new sitcom, LIFE WITH BONNIE, is hilarious. Ben ain't coming out of that coma anytime soon.

'Life' Without Ben'

By Carolyn Hinsey

When we left our hero, Ben Davidson, on Friday's episode of "One Life To Live," shots had rung out and he had fallen to the floor clutching his wife, Viki.

"Antonio shoots Ben accidentally," reveals Mark Derwin, who plays Ben. "[The writers] figured 'Let's shoot Ben, since he has the hardest head in town. He can take a bullet to the back of the head and still do scenes.' "

As Ben starts slipping away, his brother, Bo, calls Viki over -- unaware that her alternate personality, Niki, has been calling the shots for months.

"Ben is asking about Viki and Niki has a weak moment, [so] Viki breaks through," Derwin says. "The next day he's in a hospital bed and he knows he's going into this irreversible coma because he has talked to Dr. Wolek and he's a doctor himself. He knows enough to know that things are going to shut down.

"It's so sad -- he is saying goodbye to his mom, Renee, his brothers, Bo and Sam, and Viki. As he's telling Viki he loves her, he slips into this coma. The next day people are crying over his body and the next day he flies off to Switzerland."

To a clinic run by Bonnie Hunt, as "OLTL" gallows humor has it -- Derwin will be playing Bonnie Hunt's husband in her new ABC sitcom, "Life With Bonnie," in L.A., necessitating a long hiatus from the New York-based soap.

"Ben is in this coma indefinitely, and I think [his future health] has a lot to do with the success of 'Life With Bonnie,' " muses Derwin. "Right now they're letting it go, because Erika Slezak [who plays Viki] is on vacation for a month. So I don't expect to be back for a while."

Before Ben leaves, though, "OLTL" will give the "Ben and Blondie" fans a big payoff for hanging in there all these months while the psycho Niki made Ben's life hell.

"The last day was the hardest," admits Derwin. "Viki goes back to Crossroads [where she met Ben] and they set it up like my first day on the show. I pop up from behind the bar and I'm in my original wardrobe from that day. I'm just a memory of hers. We have all these really nice scenes, reminiscing about our life together. We dance, and then I fade away. It's the saddest thing I've ever done."

When Slezak returns in September, Viki will have big story to play even without Derwin. "She still has to figure out what the big secret is that gave Niki the power to come out," Derwin reminds us.

"Maybe the big secret is that I was already married to Bonnie Hunt."

Here are a few screen captures of Mark Derwin and Bonnie Hunt
on the TV Guide Preview Channel just prior to the shows debut!

It's great seeing Mark smile again!

BONNIE HUNT'S NEW ABC SITCOM, LIFE WITH BONNIE, brings two actors from competing soaps together in the same cast: One Life To Live's Mark Derwin (ex-Ben Davidson), who portrays Bonnie's husband, Mark (changed from John) and Passions' Marianne Muellerleile, who trades Noram's ax for an apron to play Bonnie's housekeeper, Gloria.

In the new series, Hunt is Bonnie Molloy, a woman who juggles the roles of wife, mother and host of a local talk show, "Morning Chicago. " The show-within-a-show serves as a vehicle for Hunt and her cast mates to veer off script into improvisation.

"The freedom we have is frightening," Derwin says. "Bonnie will start saying something in the middle of a scene and you just go with it, and all of a sudden it's in the show. I'm really impressed with everyone's improv skills."

Derwin credits his soap experience for honing his skills(he also played AC Mallet on Guiding Light )." I was given a decent amount of freedom. With Erika Slezak(OLTL's  Viki/Niki), it's easy to improv, because you can't throw her. She's prepared for everything."

Muellerleile, who worked her improv chops in theater, adds that "nothing is locked or set, which is the usual goal with sitcoms: 'Get all the beats in, get the punchlines in order, and hold here for the laugh.' But not us. We don't play it that way."

Muellerieile's Gloria is no Alice from The Brady Bunch . More houseguest than housekeeper, Muellerleile reveals "Bonnie's character has very strong ideas about parenting, and she's always trying to get Gloria to implement how to do various things. But Gloria's attitude is more, 'Oh, Honey, take a breath! Things will get done.' "

In contrast, Derwin's Mark is more ambitious: a family-practice doctor who does his best to keep up with Bonnie and their three children.

"I've never played a father or husband who's been in a relationship for 15 years, so that's a fun challenge," Derwin says. "Because married people know each other so well, they can answer a question before it's even posed-that's what we're going for."

Both Derwin and Muellerleile believe the show's appeal lies in its grounded, reality-based humor. "I think so many people's lives are the way this show is, but when you're living it it's just not funny," say Muellerleile. "When we improv through our scenes, we just ache with laughter."

Life With Bonnie premieres Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 8:30 p.m. It's regular time slot will be Tuesdays at 9 p.m.

*---RS
Additional reporting by KW

Ben [Mark Derwin] and Viki are apart now --
but what was it that made them work as a loving couple?
Erika Slezak replies:
"In the beginning, they were very different people.
But it turned out to be the best marriage
because they were so different."

The Fans Reaction

A groovy kind of love

Published In Soap Opera Weekly, October 1st, 2002:

AFTER SEEING BEN AND BLONDIE THIS WEEK, on One Life to Live, I ask, why did we not have this wonderful love story between two very interesting adult people on our screens all along? I had such hopes for these two that were dashed over and over again until this week, when the characters who are plotters and schemers were not running the show.

Ben and Blondie were such a rarity in daytime because they were the real thing. They were magical on their own, without ridiculous plot contrivances, third parties or lies.

When a tearful Viki placed a comatose Ben's wedding ring on his finger, Erika Slezak and Mark Derwin oozed chemistry. I hope that the-powers-that-be will find a way to have Derwin do both Life With Bonnie and OLTL.

S. McCoy, Germantown, Tennessee

***************************

SOW Mail Call 10/1/02: OLTL: Fans won't take not for an answer: They want Mark Derwin to pull off the two-hat trick -- play Ben in Llanview and his new sitcom role on Life with Bonnie.

***************************

Published in Soap Opera Weekly, September 24th, 2002:

Bye-bye, Blondie

Today's (Aug. 27) OLTL WAS NOT ONLY incredibly sad, it showed again what an amazing pairing ABC has with Erika Slezak and Mark Derwin as Viki and Ben. This couple is what soap magic is made of: fun, love, romance, adventure, excitement, plus the necessary friction and angst along the way. I know that Mr. Derwin will be appearing on the ABC prime-time show Life With Bonnie but has stated publically that he is willing to work on both shows simultaneously. I hope ABC does everything in its power to have Derwin do both shows.

C. Kenny, Washington, DC

***************************

SOW Mail Call 9/24/02: Ben/Blondie fans were heartbroken over the most recent Ben/Viki scenes, because they know it means the end -- at least for now -- of Mark Derwin's run as Ben. Viewers beg ABC to do anything it has to so Derwin can remain on OLTL while he shoots his new prime-time series, Life With Bonnie.

From Soap City
August 26th, 2002

OLTL: Rip Van Derwin

Ben Davidson's lapse into a "permanent" coma on OLTL this week is a three-hanky tearjerker. Just how long will Ben (played by soap veteran Mark Derwin) be asleep? It depends on the success of Life with Bonnie, the prime time sitcom starring Bonnie Hunt that Derwin is filming in Los Angeles -- 3000 miles away from the OLTL studios in New York City. "That's up to ABC," Derwin says. "I want to thank them for allowing me to come and do [Life with Bonnie] because I'm in the middle of a contract with One Life to Live and for them to let me [do this], I couldn't be more grateful. Right now, Ben's coma is so deep who knows when he'll wake up." Hunt has her own theory as to when Ben and "Blondie" (Viki) will be reunited. "When he starts waking up, we know we're dying (in the ratings)," quipped the actress.

Soap Opera Weekly, September 24th, 2002

HIT OR MISS?

Hit...Ben goes out
with a bang on OLTL:

Ben's descent into that irreversible coma on One Life To Live was a good plot twist for several reasons: I brought closure to Ben and Viki, gave the actors long-overdue material to showcase their talents, and gave the writers a chance to script powerful goodbye scenes that left the door open for Ben to return.

The performances were outstanding. Mark Derwin (Ben) had the hardest job, having to act with only one tool: his face. His eyes (through heartbreaking looks and tears) and his mouth (that peaceful smile as he slipped into the coma) were enough, however, to convey Ben's feelings.

It was wonderful to see the warmth return to Erika Slezak's performance when Viki returned. As Viki, Slezak not only had to absorb the fact that Ben was shot but that she (through Niki) was responsible. Her reunions with Jessica and Natalie were touching and heartfelt.

Kamar de los Reyes was exceptional as Antonio wrestled with the guilt of shooting an innocent man. His tears were heartwrenching when Antonio had to hand over his gun and badge to Bo.

From the performances to the music (the jukebox at Crossroads plying I've Got A Crush On You) to the lighting to the costuming (all of that white in Ben's hospital room was reminiscent of Viki's long ago foray into heaven), every aspect of the production was on target. How will OLTL top itself of Ben actually dies?

-KW

Soap Opera Weekly, September 24, 2002

SOW - Revolving Door - Update - Is Mark Derwin (Ben) returning to OLTL?

In her newsletter, Erika Slezak (Viki) says she heard Derwin could be back as early as February if Life With Bonnie is picked up for only 13 episodes.. If the ABC sitcom is picked up for a full season, he could be back in May. Slezak reveals that OLTL has the option to ask him back in May.

Soap Opera Weekly, September 3rd, 2002

OLTL's Ben - and Mark Derwin say Goodbye

Mark Derwin checks out of One Life to Live this week when Ben slips into another coma and is whisked off to a rehabilitation center in Switzerland.

"I couldn't read [my lines] without welling up," says Derwin of Ben's goodbye scenes.  "It was emotional, it was hard.  When Renee (Patricia Elliott) walked in, I almost started heaving.  I've never had a TV Mom before.  I couldn't look at her until we taped."

OLTL wrote Derwin out to accommodate his gig on ABC's new sitcom Life with Bonnie.  "Mark had an opportunity that we didn't feel we could stand in the way of," explains Executive Producer Gary Tomlin.  "We had to figure out a way to deal with it quickly, in the most traumatic way.  The [goodbye] scenes are devastating."

"I spent the day in tears from the morning on," confides Erika Slezak.  "Mostly because of the scenes, but also because Mark is leaving and he's been such fun.  It was very easy to be upset.  That wasn't acting."

Is this the end of Ben and Blondie?  "Ben is in a very deep coma, which is irreversible unless Bonnie Hunt's show tanks," quips Slezak.  Seriously, she adds, "I wish Mark all the luck in the world, and I wish great success to the show.  But at the same time, hello, can I be a little selfish?  I want him back!"

"I don't know [if I'll return] - that's up to ABC," says Derwin.  I'd be more than happy to do both.  A lot depends on how [Life with Bonnie] does.  I think they [ABC] would like to make it work if they could, because they would like to make the viewers happy.  It's up to them."

Excerpt from New York Daily News - Vue
Sunday, August 25, 2002
By Carolyn Hinsey

Life Without Ben

Ben is asking about Viki and Niki has a weak moment so Viki breaks through. The next day he is in a hospital bed and he knows he is going into this irreversible coma because he has talked to Larry and he's a doctor himself. He knows enough to know that things are going to shut down. It's so sad--he is saying goodbye to his mom, his brothers Sam and Bo and Viki. As he's telling Viki he loves her he slips into a coma.

The last day was the hardest. Viki goes back to Crossroads and they set it up like my first day on the show. I pop up from behind the bar and I'm in my original wardrobe from that day. I'm just a memory of hers. We have all these really nice scenes reminiscing about our life together. We dance and then I fade away. It's the saddest thing I've ever done.

When Slezak returns in September Viki will have a big story to play even without Derwin. She has to figure out what the big secret is that gave Niki the power to come out.

Soap Opera Weekly, September 3, 2002

COMA ON!

Playing someone in a coma isn't exactly lying down on the job. Just ask Mark Derwin, whose One Life To Live character, Ben, lapses into another one this week. "When I first got chucked out the window and went into a coma, I didn't do a good job at all," he confesses. "I was telling people it was a 'conjunctivitis coma,' that's why my eyes were moving."

The kep is relaxation. "I went up [to the soundstage] to settle in and they went right to tape; I never got a chance to relax. Plus, if I hear people I care about whispering in my ear about how much they love me, it's hard to block it out. {Bob} Woods (Bo) gave me an idea to wear earplubs. He said he did that when Bo was in a coma because he knew that Philly and Clint {Phil Carey and Clint Ritchie, Asa and ex-Clint} were going to mess with him."

Derwin also has gone the herbal route. "I take this valerian root that one of our makeup people told me about. It's supposed to settle you down."

As long as he doesn't get to comfy. "I fell asleep a lot of times when I was in the first coma," Derwin admits. "You wake up in the middle of a scene and you hear someone talking. It's weird. I even fell asleep the other days when I was shot and lying on the floor."

And covered in "blood" -- that'll wake a guy up in a hurry.

SoapCity.aol.com
August 29th, 2002

OLTL: Rip Van Derwin

Ben Davidson's lapsed into a "permanent" coma on OLTL this week is a three-hanky tearjerker. Just how long will Ben (played by soap veteran Mark Derwin) be asleep? It depends on the success of Life with Bonnie, the prime time sitcom starring Bonnie Hunt that Derwin is filming in Los Angeles -- 3000 miles away from the OLTL studios in New York City. "That's up to ABC," Derwin says. "I want to thank them for allowing me to come and do [Life with Bonnie] because I'm in the middle of a contract with One Life to Live and for them to let me [do this], I couldn't be more grateful. Right now, Ben's coma is so deep who knows when he'll wake up." Hunt has her own theory as to when Ben and "Blondie" (Viki) will be reunited. "When he starts waking up, we know we're dying (in the ratings)," quipped the actress.

NY Daily News, Friday August 16th, 2002

Soap Dish

Daytime stars ready
to light up the night

By CAROLYN HINSEY

Lots of prime-time shows are shoring up their casts with famous soap stars, so here's who to look for this fall:

Roger Howarth, who will exit the role of Todd Manning on "One Life To Live" next month, joins "Dawson's Creek" on the two-hour season premiere Oct. 2 as Prof. Greg Hetson. Though Howarth is granting interviews only on the condition that reporters not ask him about "OLTL," (check out TV Guide Online for a funny take on that), ABC scuttlebutt has him already negotiating a return to the daytime sudser this winter.

Also joining "Dawson's Creek" is Jensen Ackles (ex-Eric, "Days of Our Lives") as C.J., a peer counselor who may become involved with Joey (Katie Holmes).

Rena Sofer (ex-Eve, "Melrose Place," ex-Lois, "General Hospital," ex-Rocky, "Loving") joins the cast of "Just Shoot Me" as a surprising new boss hired at Blush by Jack Gallo (George Segal). She will be hated on sight by the rest of the staff. "I can't wait to work with these people," Sofer said. "They are all so talented."

Mark Derwin, soon to exit "OLTL" as Ben Davidson, joins "Life With Bonnie" as Bonnie Hunt's husband, Dr. John Molloy. "We've done some photo shoots and fittings, and we start rehearsals" this week, Derwin said last week from L.A., where he will live for the time being.

As for the new shows, Brittany Snow (ex-Susan, "Guiding Light") stars as Meg Pryor on NBC's "American Dreams" ... Kim Delaney (ex-Jenny, "All My Children") plays Megan Donner on "CSI: Miami" ... Valarie Pettiford (ex-Sheila, "OLTL") plays Big Dee Dee on UPN's "Half and Half" ... Dondre T. Whitfield (ex-Terrence, "AMC") is Zack on NBC's "Hidden Hills"....Also, William Fichtner (ex-Josh, "As the World Turns") is Kellerman on ABC's new show "MDs" ... Shemar Moore (ex-Malcolm, "Young and Restless") is Jake Reese on the WB's "Birds of Prey" ... Erik von Detten (ex-Nicky, "Days of Our Lives") is Karl Scott on ABC's "Dinotopia" ... and Nathan Fillion (ex-Joey, "OLTL") is Malcolm Reynolds on Fox's "Firefly."

ABC Soaps In Depth, Vol. 6, Issue 36, September 3, 2002

SID - Ins & Outs

OLTL - Viki Loses Ben! - Out - As Mark Derwin leaves to shoot the new sitcom LIFE WITH BONNIE, where does that leave OLTL's Ben and Viki?

The InDepth Story - An OLTL rep tells SID that Derwin will take a leave of absence from the soap to fly to Los Angeles, where he will tape the first episode of his new primetime gig, in which he plays Bonnie Hunt's doctor husband. Look for Derwin's departure - he last airs Friday, August 30 - to be punctuated with a memory-filled montage of Viki and Ben's best moments.

Update - Mark Derwin's last appearance as OLTL's Ben is Aug. 30. The door has been left open for his return.

ABC Soaps In Depth, Vol. 6, Issue 34

In a last-minute cast change, Derwin was tapped to replace Brian Kerwin (ex-Greg, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS) as Bonnie Hunt's TV husband in the new fall sitcom LIFE WITH BONNIE.

WHEN: Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EST on ABC.

WHAT THEY SAY: BONNIE falls into the "show-within-a-show" genre, comically portraying the upside-down real-life existence of a local TV-show host (played by Hunt).

WHAT WE SAY: Although juggling this gig with OLTL could prove exhausting -- and rack up frequent-flyer miles -- Derwin should feel at home since he a) is playing a doctor, and b) co-starred on Hunt's previous foray, THE BONNIE HUNT SHOW. Plus, after so much grief as Niki-tormented Ben, it'll be good to see him smile.

Page Created 9/23/02 by VtBnBFan
Updated 7/26/03