Jacklyn Zeman is best known to TV audiences as Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital, a show she joined in 1977. But she’ll soon be doing double duty on daytime – albeit without so much drama – on new TLC home design and lifestyle program, Make This Place Your Home, launching Saturday, September 29 at 9a. Zeman explains why the show is a “precious gift” to her and co-host, celebrity chef and lifestyle guru Jamie Laurita, from the late Robin Leach.
Cynopsis: Who came up with the concept for Make This Place Your Home, and how did you become involved?
Zeman: My dear friend Robin Leach texted me to send my bio and decorating/design experience to him. He said he was working on a new show called Make This Place Your Home and he would forward my info to Dan Dailey, the Executive Producer at WGST. Dan called me the next day and after we talked for a few minutes, he offered me the amazing opportunity to co-host alongside Robin. I was thrilled! As we began to develop the show, Robin had a stroke and the decision was made to postpone production and wait for Robin to recover. When it became apparent that Robin’s recovery would be a lengthy and more complicated process than we had anticipated, Jaime Laurita agreed to join our MTPYH family and co-host with me. When I would go to visit Robin in Las Vegas I would show him photos of us shooting. I know we had his blessing to move forward because It made him happy to see it all coming together.
Robin passed in August and this has been a sad time for many of us who were close to him. I feel as though this show and the opportunity that he gave to me is a beautiful, generous and precious gift. All of us are dedicated to providing our best efforts to deliver the best series possible. Jaime is a joy to know and work with. We share the New Jersey connection as we both grew up there and have family that still lives there. I’m told that we have complementary energy and I guess that’s true because we sure do have a lot of fun! Jaime says we are the new Will and Grace.
Cynopsis: How long have you been involved with design?
Jacklyn Zeman: My grandfather was an architect, so my passion for design is in my genes. I have decorated many homes over the years. Some for my family and myself and some for friends. A favorite pastime is searching for treasures at art fairs and eclectic retail stores. I have discovered many talented artists and designers who welcome the opportunity to create custom pieces. I can spend hours searching for the perfect doorknobs and hinges. The attention to detail is exciting to me. And color! I love the vibrations and the positive emotional response that color ignites. I have always believed that home is where the heart is. And the energy and TLC that we put into our homes are resources well spent.
Cynopsis: What will viewers learn from the show?
Zeman: Our viewers will learn all kinds of valuable information. We will focus on new and innovative products for every area of the home, indoors and outdoors. From the latest in Smart Home Technology to handcrafted designs, fitness equipment, new green and sustainable products and more. “Make This Place your Home” delivers the most fascinating ways to turn every house into a perfect home. We will air on TLC Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM beginning September 29th. I’m hoping that my loyal friends and family viewers from General Hospital will tune in and join us for the fun!
Cynopsis: Are the products shown also advertisers?
Zeman: Yes, we have incorporated great organic exposure for brands. Many of the products that we will feature are also advertisers. It’s really the best and most creative way of presenting contemporary Reality programing. People want to learn about the myriad of options that are available, and with so many choices these days there is a lot of info to assimilate. We will take some of the stress out and put some of the joy into the decision making process for our viewers.
The Cynsiders column is a platform for industry leaders to reach out to colleagues, followers, and the public at large. In their own words and in targeted Q&As, columnists address breaking news, issues of the day, and the larger changes going on in the ever-evolving world of television, video and digital. Cynsiders columns live on Cynopsis’ main page and are promoted across all daily newsletters. We welcome readers’ comments, queries, and column ideas at Lynn@Cynopsis.com.
