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Y&R: Daniel Goddard (Cane) Interview; From: TVGC
Topic Started: Jun 4 2008, 12:22 PM (522 Views)
Miss Rhi
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From: TVGuide CA


Conversations with Goddard
By Nelson Branco

Finding fault with ‘Y&R’s Daniel Goddard is a seemingly impossible directive, but according to soaps’ most beautiful person alive (shame on you, People Magazine!) he insists he’s far from perfect. And if you believe that, I have some swamp land to sell you


TVG: Mr. Goddard… hello, like before! It’s been a year since we last exchanged intel… what’s new? Most important, how’s the gorgeous familia?

Daniel Goddard
: Thanks for asking, everything’s great with the family! I’m a very happy and blessed man. My son, [Ford] has learned the art of diplomacy, so now that we have that down, it should be smooth sailing from here on. [laughs]

TVG: Is Ford giving lessons in diplomacy? Because when it comes to Lily and Cane’s showmance, I could use a lesson or two! Since we last talked — and by the way, you’re now a part of an elite group [laughs] consisting of four daytime stars I’ve interviewed more than once in the past two years of doing this little-soap-hub-that-could — The Young and the Restless has launched Cane in a whole new direction by making Lily his love interest. How do you feel about the love story?

DG: It’s interesting because when I meet fans I ask them what they like and don’t like. As an actor I like to gauge people’s opinions and feelings and I like to take that feedback back to my performance. What fans like is that the story is sweet, tender and romantic, and has brought romance back to the afternoon. We’re in the top five couples in Soaps In Depth, too.

TVG: You guys definitely have a very strong, and loyal fan base. Whenever Cane and Lily are a poll option, we get thousands of hits. But one of the biggest Y&R mysteries to me is why this soap is intent on wasting your talents with the “teen set.” It’s time Cane played in the big leagues and not with little girls.

DG: I think after all the death and turmoil during the past year on screen, Lily and Cane have been a breath of fresh air. From an acting point-of-view, I’m happy to be playing something opposite from the Amber storyline. I’m interested to see where Cane and Lily are headed, but it’s a soap opera so, of course, things will change. Having said that, I love seeing the different side Lily brings out in Cane.

TVG: Do you think Cane is more in love with the idea of falling in love more than actually being in love?

DG: I think so. A universal trait in most people is they want to be wanted and loved. Cane’s a nurturing person, and given his childhood, that makes sense. Does he fall out of love easily? Yes — if Cane is betrayed. Because Cane grew up without a mother and father, he’s also very careful in areas of love. He doesn’t invite just anyone into his heart.

TVG: At the end of the day, I have to give you props because when I force myself to watch Cane and Lily — d**n you, by the way — I’m shocked when even I end up reluctantly swooning over the way Cane looks at Lily, which can be quite overwhelming to witness at times. Listen, no one can ever accuse you of not acting what’s on the page, that’s for sure!

DG: Thank you!

TVG: Even if I liked this pairing, I would still think Cane hasn’t found his soulmate yet.

DG: Love is an experience of emotions, a layering of different feelings and chemical/electronic signals. I don’t think anybody can say that this is the only love he’ll ever experience, but love can also be experienced on many different levels. There’s the possibility of something else out there, for sure, but as far as Cane’s concerned his heart belongs to Lily now, but yes, I agree.

TVG: Lily is the polar opposite of Amber, so I like to think of this romance as a rebound relationship. When Y&R finally gets their act together and rehires Victoria Rowell, what do you think Dru’s reaction will be like when she learns of her daughter’s new boyfriend?

DG: I would love, love, love to see that reaction. Of course, that decision is beyond my control, but the mere idea of Cane being on the couch in a state of undress as the door opens with Dru standing there… well, it would be a pleasure to play is all I can say. Cane never interacted with Dru before, so it would be so cool to work with Victoria.

TVG: I think Drucilla would high-five her daughter after commending Lily on her exceptional taste in men — and then throw herself at Cane in the next breath! [laughs]

DG: [laughs] That would be quite the moment!

TVG: There’s one particular moment I want to ask you about, yet again. When Cane first arrived in Genoa City, my “favourite” former head writer and executive producer Lynn Marie Latham hinted Cane could be a fraud when he made a mysterious call to someone, but they dropped that story point all together. What do you really know about Cane’s back story?

DG: You know what, after reading that script I admit I thought, “what are they doing?” I remember we talked about this at the Emmys last year, and I assume [with our new regime that thread has been dropped], but when it happened though, I wasn’t familiar with the ins-and-outs of soaps, and the mechanism daytime works in to create conflict. Because I’m a logical person I had to ask Lynn if Cane was really Jill’s son. I said to her, “Listen, I am only going to ask you one question. I can play anything you want me to play, but as an actor I need to have a very core understanding of who Cane is.” Unequivocally, Lynn stated: “Yes, he is Jill’s son.” From Lynn’s point of view, Cane, who was taken away as a baby, believes he is owed some kind of recompense [for his suffering]. Whether he seeks his due emotionally, physically, or financially is another story.

TVG: With Amber lurking around Genoa City you can never trust a DNA test.

DG: I know! Which is why I’m happy Amber didn’t end up pregnant after our break-up. Cane dodged a bullet there.

TVG: Did we ever! In the last six months you’ve really honed your craft by realizing all your talents as an actor. That was no more evident when Cane, in an effort to shut up Jill and Katherine during one of their endless Phillip-loved-me-more rants, screamed out, “What about me? What about me!” I’ve been dining out on that one all week… [laughs] It was the big scene I’ve been dying Y&R to write for you, and it finally happened.

DG: They wrote “What about me,” only once, but I decided to add the second, “What about me,” because Cane [needed to punctuate the fact] that he is hurt his mother and grandmother are discounting [his existence]. Most important, Cane was letting it be known he has feelings which should be respected. Do you remember in Ransom, Mel Gibson screamed out on the phone, “Give me back my son?!” That was my inspiration. I try to play subtext whenever I can, and in this instance, I like to think it was very effective. Young and the Restless, CBS

TVG: Cane has to be the most loyal man on daytime TV. It’s a beautiful quality you don’t see very often in today’s soap world.

DG: I know, huh? I saw [head writer] Maria [Arena Bell] and I thanked her for taking good care of Cane. If you look at the throughline of the character, Cane is very loyal — and I’m a really loyal person, too. But like Cane, I’ll turn on someone who has hurt someone intentionally or just done the wrong, wrong thing. We’ll do anything for the person we love, but don’t ever cross us…

TVG: Duly noted! One of the gripes I have is that Y&R seems intent on pairing Cane with these “little girls.” Cane needs to be drafted into the big leagues with the likes of a Phyllis or a Sharon.

DG: It’s funny because at last year’s Emmy Awards someone told me that they were going to pair Phyllis and Cane together, but that obviously didn’t happen for obvious reasons. I would love to have scenes with everyone on the show. Obviously I can’t betray Cane’s love for Lily, but if he was still with Amber it would be a whole new ball game! I always joke with Tracey Bergman [Lauren] by calling her Mrs. Robinson… which I think Cane needs in his life at some point!

TVG: Given his mommy-dearest issues, hell yeah! It’s so surreal looking at your Beastmaster photos, because you look so different now. Even though you were insufferably handsome back then, during the past year, your face is much softer, your look more refined, and your body much sleeker. The kicker has been to witness all of that in conjunction with you growing into your talent and potential as an actor. I’m a big believer in the adage that you look the way you feel, which is why it’s been so beautiful to watch you work on Y&R.

DG: I really appreciate you saying and noticing that; I really do. No joke — when I was on Beastmaster, I had to eat the same thing everyday for three years. I reached a point when I realized I had become a mechanism to do what I was told to do. After I stopped living such a militant existence, I found myself in a level of joy, peace, satisfaction, relief and happiness that I had never felt before. I’m also much more confident in my abilities as an actor. Now, I have a much greater range of one colour. Before I was blue, and now I’m light blue, dark blue, a little periwinkle. You know what I mean?

TVG: Periwinkle and I go way back… [laughs] You have a bit of turquoise thrown in there, too… [laughs]

DG: [laughs before getting serious] And now as a whole, today I’m a father, husband, and a man who has responsibilities to a family and I think it all adds to my performance now.

TVG: I have to ask the most important question of the year: do you and Angelina Jolie get together and sit down in front of adjoining mirrors, champagne in hand, and toast, “Wow.” [laughs] I mean, come on — you must!

DG: [roars with laughter] You know what? My dad is a used-car [appraiser], so his job requires him to find fault in order to determine its value. Without fault, you can’t determine the price. So, I grew up in a very interesting environment where I was taught to look at what needed to be fixed — not focus on what was right. So the answer is no, I don’t sit in front of the mirror and say, “Wow,” but I do sit there and go, “I need to fix a, b, c, and d.”

TVG: [laughs] OK, now you’re just being silly! Is that a violin I hear… [laughs] I must say that is the best answer I’ve been given to a question I’ve asked.

DG: [seriously] I view my body as an instrument… [erupts into laughter]

TVG: Hello — a lot of people do! [laughs]

DG: Yes, it sounds corny, but it’s true. I would love to transform myself physically like Robert De Niro did in Raging Bull. When I saw Christian Bale in The Machinist, I was slack-jawed. To actually lose all that weight [when it threatens your health] and carry the psychological burden of the character has to be transforming as an actor.

TVG: I have to play talent manager here for a second: don’t be too shy or too proud not to submit yourself for Emmy consideration next year. Y&R needs some new blood in the supporting actor race and you’re as worthy as anyone on your show.

DG: You know what’s funny? Last year, Michael Graziadei had a scene in which Daniel was forced to face his addiction [to porn] thanks to Michael and Lauren, and after I saw his work, I was convinced he had the Emmy in the bag. From a complete acting standpoint, it was a perfect performance. In fact, I think Graz challenged the perceptions of how a soap scene should be acted in that moment. And what happened? He didn’t get a pre-nomination. So, for me, if it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, that’s OK, too.

TVG: I agree — Graz is a fierce little actor. His performances raise the bar, that’s for sure. He really is Michelle Stafford’s (Phyllis) son.

DG: I love watching Graz’s work; he’s phenomenal.

TVG: Thankfully, we’re no longer distracted by his dodgy hair choices now that he’s sporting the best cut in the business. So these days…. what’s the mood on the Y&R set with executive producer Josh Griffith, Maria and now, Mr. Hogan Sheffer [as co-head writer] at the helm?

DG: Everyone’s excited! You know when I first joined Y&R, I realized very quickly there is a very solid morale that runs through the actors here. Everyone gets along really well here. My first day I met Peter Bergman [Jack] and Doug Davidson [Paul] and you would have thought it was their first day because they were so kind, gracious and caring. Peter and Jeanne [Cooper, Katherine] are my mentors and I’ll ask them for advice on playing a scene in this organism that is daytime TV. The show is strong because it was founded on [creator] William Bell’s [spirit].

TVG: I have to admit I like what Maria is doing, even though she needs some help with certain storylines. But now that Hogan is joining her as co-head writer, I think they’re going to make a really balanced team.

DG: I’ve been researching Hogan to learn more about him because all I knew before was that his brother, Craig Sheffer is a very good actor. And I have learned Hogan is not only a great writer, but he also has a lot of style. We’re all excited to see what they have planned for us.

TVG: Get in line! [laughs] On that note, I think that’s all I need. It’s always a pleasure to speak to you. This was one of my favourite interviews!

DG: I was really happy you called to chat because I’m a big fan of your work. I read The Suds Report every week, and I appreciate how honest you are.

TVG: [falls off chair] Wow; thanks — the cheque’s in the mail. [laughs] So, let me get this straight: you’re gorgeous, talented, romantic, loyal, smart, and you have great taste! [laughs] So to sum up our latest talk all I’ve learned in this interview about you is that I really can’t value you at all because I see one fault. However, I know you’re human so tell your wife to call me so we can dish the God-dard himself.

DG: [laughs] Thank you for all the kind things you’ve said about me… and when I decide, I’ll probably settle up with you at the Emmys.

TVG: [sarcastically] This is my cue to officially tell the world I hate you. [laughs]
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