BA: A soap favorite has been watching lots of classic romance films with her soap friends. Their unique screenings are as warm and intimate as...well, as a tea party. DF: You might remember Fiona Hutchison from her days as Gabrielle Holden on OLTL, or Jenna Cooper on GL. (They show a scene from OLTL of Fiona with James DePaiva's Max, in which he tells her, "Think about what you've done these last few months." Then they cut to footage of Fiona working on her show.) DF: She's been very busy these past few months. Fiona is working with Romance Classics on a new project where she chats with celebrity guests over tea. (Fiona shown talking with Robin Leech) The program, which recently debuted, is called "Tea With Fi," and will introduce the afternoon movie on American Movie Classics. Fiona: Pour that special cup of tea, and join me for today's film.

Gabrielle looks pained, maybe she needs a cup of tea

DF: The idea and the project name came from the star of the show.

(They are now interviewing Fiona, while she is filming at the Russian Tea Room.)

Fiona: One of the things that I so enjoy but don't get to do as often anymore is to have tea with my girlfriends.

Fiona: And I came up with the idea, you know, of "Tea With Fi" - a silly thought, "Tea With Fi" - joking, thinking, "They'll never go for that," and (laughs) they went for it.

DF: Fiona won't be sipping tea alone.
 

(Footage of the Russian Tea Room, then a scene from the show with Fiona chatting with Finola Hughes from AMC.) Fiona: I am in the world-renowned Russian Tea Room, with a very dear friend and a very famous actress, Finola Hughes. Finola:  It's funny, everybody makes fun of me at AMC because I'm always walking around with this mug of tea. I guess the ritual of drinking tea in the afternoon started way back, as a child.

DF: And it's not just English actresses like Fiona and Finola who enjoy a good cup of tea. A couple of GL stars also stopped by to spend some time with their former co-worker and good friend. (They show footage of Fiona at the Russian Tea Room with Maeve Kinkaed and Tina Sloan, pictured, who are having makeup put on, then Soap Center interviews MK.) Maeve:  I'm here today because Fiona asked me to be here. We're a very loyal bunch. (Maeve hugging Fiona) Tina:  She's got this wonderful, wonderful thing, you know, and we all just want to support her and be here. Fiona:  I've got some famous buddies, and I feel very fortunate that they don't mind giving up a little bit of their time to come and do this)

(Then they interview the director of the show, Andrew Ames.) Andrew Ames:   The project appealed to me because it's playful, it's fun, Fiona's a ball to work with. (Ames going over a scene at the Russian Tea Room with Fiona.)

DF:  But is America ready for afternoon Tea with Fi? Fiona: America's definitely ready for tea. America's been ready for tea.  (She pours some tea, addresses the audience, toungue in cheek.) So have that cup of tea. Be kind to yourself. It's good for you.  DF:  What a great way to catch up with old friends.   Well SoapCenter caught up with a classic soap actress...