Wishful Casting: Where In The (Soap) World Could Kim Zimmer Go? pt. I
By Jamey Giddens on April 22, 2008
Okay, let me first say that there is no, I repeat NO concrete talk of the fabulous Kim Zimmer leaving her legendary role as Reva Shayne on Guiding Light, but you'd have to have been living under a rock this week in Soapland not to know that Ms. Kim is a bit, shall we say cross, about the way things are going with her character at GL. So of course, you know me, my mind couldn't help but wonder where else the multiple-Emmy winner might end up should she decide to leave broadcasting's longest-running program.
Kim to Young and the Restless as Dr. Casey Reed
I was chatting with one of Daytime Confidential's faithful visitors in the comments section of the post regarding Zimmer's current state of unhappiness about how great it would be to see Zimmer go head on with Eric Braeden's Victor Newman on Young and the Restless (Feel free to remind me who you are as that post is now enormous and I couldn't sift through the comments quick enough! LOL). So following in that vein, should Zimmer opt not to re-sign with GL, I propose she join the Bell sudser as a recast of Nikki's doctor sis Casey.
Casey hasn't been seen in Genoa City in years, so there wouldn't have to be that much of an adjustment as with the usual recast. Wouldn't it be great to see the fiery Zimmer's Casey take Victor to task for his shoddy treatment of her sister and nephew? If there is anyone who can out yell Braeden it's Zimmer.
It would also be wonderful for Casey to call Nikki's smarmy boy toy David (Vincent Irizarry) on his gambling addiction and clash with her sister over the issue. Then there are all the guys for Zimmer's Casey to mix it up with, including the aforementioned Braeden and Irizarry. Isn't it about time Jack Abbott was with a woman who was more his equal? I adore Sharon Case, but she comes off as arm candy with Peter Bergman's Jack. I'd much rather see her back in a hot triangle with Nick and Phyllis and let Jack play with a big girl like Zimmer! If TPTB don't like Zimmer for the role of Casey, then how about Amber's scheming trailer park Mama Tawny from Bold and the Beautiful fame? I was saving that one for Judi Evans, but what the heck!
Kim to Bold and the Beautiful as the long lost sister of Sally Spectra
Ever since Darlene Conley passed away, B&B has been lacking in the area of brassy, unforgiving dames who don't have sex to feel good about themselves, but simply have sex to feel good! Zimmer would be perfect as Sally's long lost sister Lola, who blows into town carying trumped up secret trust documents that give her 20 percent of Spectra Fashions. Imagine the look of horror on Jackie's face when she realizes she has no choice but to go into business with this fire ball who has the fashion sense of a Las Vegas showgirl on speed! Bring back the woefully-underused-at-Days Joe Mascolo as Massimo and you'd have a ready made Baby Boomer triangle that doesn't involve the Logans or the Forresters!
And what if Lola instantly recognizes Moss from a one night stand she had some 25 years ago? Around that time, Lola's 24-year-old daughter Shannon (ex-Days star Martha Madison) could show up in town catching the eye of Brandon Beemer's (remember this is JUST my Wishful Casting) Thomas Forrester. Is Thomas about to fall for his aunt? Hey this is Bold and the Beautiful! Don't worry, Lola also finds Patrick Duffy's Stephen quite familiar. What can I say? My fantasy characters get around!
Kim to All My Children as Liza Colby
Since Marcy Walker has retired from acting, why not have Zimmer follow all of her exiting Springfielders and rumored-to-be exiting Springfielders over to Pine Valley as Liza Colby? Tbat show already has the ultimate grand dame in Susan Lucci, but I bet there could be room at the table for Zimmer, especially if she is brought on as Adam and Tad's ex-lady love and Colby's mother.
There is so much rich history being explored on AMC right now (allbeit with hit and miss success) with the returns of Liza's enemies Jesse and Angie and the object of her girlhood affections Greg Nelson soon-to-be added to the mix. Zimmer would fit in perfectly. I can totally visualize the scenes where Liza attempts to make ammends to Darnell Wiillams Jesse for her accusations of rape all those years ago. And with their children currently becoming involved on the soap, this storyline has the potential to be soaps at their history-laden best. Not to mention seeing Zimmer in a scene with Adam Canary or Michael E. Knight would likely require a cigarette afterwards and that's if they were just doing comedy!
Kim to One Life to Live as talk show host Veronica London
Okay, you're going "Say who, Say What???" This character, like Lola Spectra above, is from my own imagine, so be kind. A wildly successful talk show host/lifestyle guru named Veronica London pops up in Llanview- think Oprah meets Martha. The glamorous Ms. London takes a keen in
terest in Marcie McBain. She wants to produce a TV-movie based on Marcie's life-The Killing Club murders, losing Sam to Todd and Blair-she also makes it a point that she can't stand Todd Manning.
What gives? Who is this mystery woman Shaggy? The plot thickens when Marcie's dad comes to town and she tells him all about the wonderful lady who wants to make her a star. When Mr. Walsh sees Veronica it's as if he's seen a ghost, literally.
Once Marcie's out of earshot he asks her a tense, "What the hell are you doing here?" She replies, "I needed to be with my daughter." Cue the organ music. Veronica London is Marcie's long believed dead mother! It turns out Mama Walsh had these awful itchings and stirrings to run off to Hollywierd and make it as a star. So when she packed up and left her kids on the back of a drifter's motorcycle. Mr. McBain thought it would be easier to tell the kids she'd died than to tell them the truth.,that she had abandonded them.
Now Ronnie is back and she plans to make ammends to her children if it's the last thing she does. Look out Todd. Oh and did I mention the motorcycle riding drifter she abandoned her kids for was none other than Charlie?
Okay, now I looked on Soap Central AND Wikipedia to find out the real backstory on Marcie's mom and turned up with zilch, so if she died in front of her forgive me and blame the Margaritas! Next time I'll tell you who I think Zimmer should play on Days, GH and As The World Turns. Stay tuned for more Wishful Castings!
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Comments
12 February 2008
5 hours 23 min
I think that Kim could be a wonderful Laura Horton, new & improved, on Days. GH doesn't utilize their vets that much, so i really wouldn't want her there, but if she were, she could play the part of Jacqueline Hayes, Logan's mama. Kim could heat up the screen with Kin Shriner or Anthony Geary for that matter. ATWT could profit if Reva were to just cross over to Oakdale. If not, she could always play Sierra Esteban or a totally new character.
***///Living In The World Of Soaps Since 1985\\\***
19 January 2008
4 hours 56 min
Wow! That OLTL scenario is awesome! It ties so many characters together that wouldn't have been before. The only thing I would change would be making the character strictly a producer that remains behind the scenes, so Marice and the rest of the Walsh kids wouldn't have recognized their mother from tv. I think Marcie has two (if not three) brothers, so one of them would have to be old enough to remember Mama Walsh before she left, even if Papa Walsh erased her from the family scrapbooks. I'd also like to see Ron in town. Didn't they tease something with him a Natalie for like a day a while back?
5 November 2007
3 hours 13 min
Jay, I'm the one who suggested Kim and Eric. You are right. Kim could out yell Eric anyday! Anybody else for that matter. LOL
I like your ideas about Kim on Y&R. Casey Reed would be a perfect part for her. I would LOVE for her to get mixed up with Jack. Or Victor. I don't see her getting mixed up with Irizarry. With him playing on GL before just makes it icky for me.
Couldn't we bring back Snapper? It could be a recast, but Jill's brother coming back would make for good story too. Kim and Snapper could give it a go too.
I like your ideas about B&B too, but would rather see her on Y&R.
2 January 2008
3 hours 46 min
Jay i love most of your views on daytime but for me personally i dont see kim zimmer as liza colby thats just a little to odd.
22 January 2008
1 hour 14 min
When they call me to be head writer I'm bringing you aboard, your ideas rock!
22 January 2008
1 hour 14 min
Oh no problem! Disagreeing makes it fun! LOL Look at Luke and I, he likes Gloria, I want Heather Tom and Eileen Davidson back!
14 November 2007
1 day 21 hours
Jay, what happened to your idea about Kim playing Beth on B&B? I loved that! Though they do need someone in the cast that isn't a Forrester or a Logan...
I'll take her in any role on any show, but what a shame to think that Reva may permanently be gone from our screens (from Kim quitting or GL being cancelled)
THEBEST, LOVE your idea of her being cast as Logan's mom! Kim would be great with Kin... and if Genie Francis came back we could have a nice pentagon (?) Jackie/Scotty/Laura/Luke/Tracy
12 February 2008
5 hours 23 min
Jay-pooh, who's ideas rock, mine? Thanks!
***///Living In The World Of Soaps Since 1985\\\***
21 January 2008
1 year 26 weeks
I'd hate to see Kim leave GL-same with BE. But I am intrigued with putting her with Jack. That's a great idea. And you're right, Sharon just seems like Jack's accessory.
I've seen a few references to bringing Martha Madison on as Reva's daughter Maura, and I'm not surprised to see this come up in the B&B fantasy. We soap fans just know there would be something good between Kim and Martha. They need Reva and Josh's kids to be on the show, and not the antiseptic versions of Shane and Maura we had last time.
Can you come up with a scenario for Martha Byrne, speaking of Marthas? I suppose GL can't poach her from their sister soap because P&G has some inane war against Martha since they didn't want to pay her... But GL needs something, why not snap up a beloved figure. She needs to show up as some relative of Holly's, i can see that for some reason. Then we get Blake back too.
12 February 2008
5 hours 23 min
Martha Byrne could be a great recast for Cassie. It would certainly make the fans like her again.
***///Living In The World Of Soaps Since 1985\\\***
24 March 2008
3 weeks 3 days
I thought the idea of Kim as Liza Colby was odd at first, until I found out Zimmer is pretty much the same age as Laurence Lau, Darnell Williams and Debbi Morgan. Somehow though, I don't think I could see Lucci and Zimmer on the same show!
1 January 2008
44 weeks 1 hour
Jamey - ALL of your suggestions for Kim Zimmer are bra-zilliant! I especially like the idea of Kim playing Casey on Y&R. She was never a central character but she could be in Ms. Zimmer's hands and pairing her with Jack would be a dream. OR have her and Victor fall in love right in front of Nikki's eyes and get rid of the dreaded Sabrina, a beautiful but boring, spineless character who is no match for "The Mustache."
Kim does not deserve the shoddy treatment she has been getting at GL. GL is not and I am doubtful it ever will be the great show it once was. The new production stinks to be blunt and not having Reva and Josh reunite is a huge mistake on the writer's part. Maybe whatever Hawk does when he comes back to town will give Reva a purpose but Ms. Zimmer's talent is much too amazing to waste. Any other show could value her presence BUT could they afford her in these low budget soap times? A show like Y&R would have to cut characters simply because they probably have the longest running cast members of any show in order to bring an actress of Kim's caliber on and the veterans on this show command enormous salaries. They may have to cut Lily/Cane/Amber and Daniel or Jana/Kevin/Colleen and Adrian (is he even still on?) to afford her. Not that I would mind. I would much rather have Kim Zimmer then any of those characters skanking up Genoa City.
I also love the idea of Sally's sister on B&B. But would Bradley Bell really sacrifice screen time from his precious Brooke/Stephanie/Ridge/Nick/Taylor thing to give Kim the time she deserves? He hardly uses Jackie as it is. Somehow, I think she would get shortchanged on that show.
But like I said, I would watch Kim Zimmer anywhere. How about she show up on GH as a Cassadine that we don't know yet. Or Edward's long lost younger sister. Kim versus Jane Elliot could be magical.
If anything, your post shows that with a great imagination, an actress with the incredible abilities that Kim Zimmer possesses, can run wild in the brain. Thank you for pointing out the potential that is out there for her.
21 January 2008
1 year 26 weeks
Good idea... Martha as Cassie. Martha already showed her chops with her portrayal as Rose. Nobody likes the new Cassie and nobody ever will. Laura Wright at least seemed like she was related to the slut of springfield herself...It's got to drive Kim nuts to see Cassie with all the big storylines.
19 November 2007
6 weeks 1 day
First and foremost, shame on TPTB at GL for treating La Zimmer in this horrible manner. The suckage they are engaging in knows no bounds . . .
That being said, I HEART the idea of putting her on another soap as some vampy, bitchy character . . .
I don't remember if we have seen this character or not . . . but how about bringing her on DAYS as an original character (recast? not sure) version of Nicole Walker's mother. La Zimmer and La Zucker would be awesome together!!!! Also, could give some further insight into the character of Nicole. AND can you imagine the DIVA fighting Kate or (gasp) Vivian for Victor K.????!!!
LOVE IT!
12 February 2008
5 hours 23 min
Or Kim could be Morgan's rich, bitchy mama on Days! The perfect love interest for Roman.
***///Living In The World Of Soaps Since 1985\\\***