The Suds Report - Dec18/09

SUDSIEST QUOTES OF THE WEEK:
“I believe that [Les Moonves] was specifically referring to the P&G shows when he said [only the special soaps will survive, and the client-based ones won’t]. B&B just recently signed a two-year deal with CBS in October, so we have legs with the network. Y&R signed a similar deal around the same time. I think we’re now down to the six soaps that will survive. For me, there was no surprise that ATWT was cancelled. Their business model wasn’t working. I had [prior to the cancellation] spoken to people at P&G and they were very free with the information that they were losing money and they wanted to either find a way to make ATWT profitable or get out of the game. So they had to pull the plug and CBS had to pull the plug. P&G is a big company and they’re more focused on selling their products and less concerned about their shows. They certainly care about their fans … but it was time.”
—B&B’s Brad Bell to TV Guide Magazine’s Michael Logan on comments made by CBS president Les Moonves regarding the cancellation of the P&G soaps and the future of daytime
Translation: But just in case I’m wrong, it wouldn’t hurt to light a candle for us each night.

“I grew up watching so much television. I was really into soap operas. I’d begin with DAYS, then Another World, and finish off with GH. And before dinner I’d watch Oprah. I would fake sick all the time to the point where I'd convince myself I was sick. In high school, I really didn't pay attention. I took the bare minimum to get by.”
—Canadian Rachel McAdams in Vogue reflecting on her soap viewing past
Translation: Monkey see, monkey do.

“Even though other soaps are being cancelled, we're still dedicated to ours. We’re very proud of them and have big plans for the future.”
—ABC Daytime president Brian Frons in TV Guide Magazine regarding his commitment to his three soaps
Translation: One Life To Live? Never heard of it. What network does that soap air on, again?

“I think they’re overproduced and underwritten. We literally could do this story in front of black drapes and the audience would watch. What they're not into watching is explosions and earthquakes. We’re into the narrative, not the special effects.”
—One Life’s Jerry ver Dorn in response to the new budget realities of daytime TV on MSN.com
Translation: Which is why One Life is better than AMC and GH.

“Several things have been missing on the canvas: Greenlee. Jackson. Catfights!”
—Susan Lucci on the new All My Children in Soap Opera Digest
Translation: And a talented head writer!

“I hope we don’t drive off in a truck. [Laughs] I want to drive off in a limo. Or a chariot!”
—Eileen Fulton in Soap Opera Weekly when asked how she’d like World Turns to end in September
Translation: If Ellen Wheeler directs the last episode, I’m going postal!

NETWORK EQUALITY
AMC and One Life available for online viewing
Well, colour Brian Frons a team player! Since Dec. 15, entire episodes of AMC and One Life have been available for viewing on ABC.com (sorry Canadian viewers, you’re out of luck). The five most recent shows of each program can be seen with that day’s episode available at 4 p.m. PT. It’s about time, huh?

AWARDS SHOW CENTRAL
OMFG:  Chuck Pratt nominated for an actual award! GH snubbed!
It’s officially awards-show season, kids! Below are the soap opera writing nominees for the 2010 Writers’ Guild Awards. Awards show pundits should be reminded that certain writers were not eligible because there are a variety of head writers (Maria Arena Bell and Hogan Sheffer, for example) who chose to cross the picket lines to pen their serials during the 2007-08 writers’ strike. The biggest shocker? The WGA favoured AMC (yes, Chuck Pratt is nominated) over this year’s Emmy-winning writing team, GH.

The 2010 Writers Guild Awards, which also honours excellence in radio, news, promotional writing, and graphic animation, will be held on Feb. 20 simultaneously at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles and the Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York City.

FYI — World Turns beat critical favourite, One Life, last year.  So don’t expect any justice this year, either.

AMC — Written by Jeff Beldner, Joanna Cohen, Kate Hall, Chip Hayes, Michelle Patrick, Charles Pratt, Jr., Rebecca Taylor, Tracey Thomson, Addie Walsh

World Turns — Written by Peter Brash, Lisa Connor, Susan Dansby, Cheryl L. Davis, Leah Laiman, David A. Levinson, Leslie Nipkow, Jean Passanante, Gordon Rayfield, Courtney Simon

One Life — Written by Shelly Altman, Ron Carlivati, Anna Theresa Cascio, Aida Croal, Carolyn Culliton, Frederick Johnson, Elizabeth Page, Melissa Salmons, Katherine Schock, Chris Van Etten

Y&R — Written by Amanda L. Beall, Tom Casiello, Lisa Connor, Janice Ferri Esser, Eric Freiwald, Jay Gibson, Scott Hamner, Marla Kanelos, Beth Milstein, Natalie Minardi Slater, Melissa Salmons, Linda Schreiber, James Stanley, Sandra Weintraub, Teresa Zimmerman

Who Should Win: One Life
Who Will Win: Y&R

SOAP HUNK AWARDS Brandon Beemer wins by a hunky landslide! Got hunk? Who cares about the WGAs — the Soap Hunk Awards have been handed out! For the first time, B&B’s hunky punk, Brandon Beemer, won by a pec-tacular landslide despite the fact that DAYS’s Shawn Christian earned the most nominations. Beemer impressively won all five five categories he was recognized in: Best Hunk, Pecs, Abs, Butt and Eyes. Though he should have been nominated — and won — in the Best Face category, too (oddly, DAYS newcomer Mark Hapka took home that honour). An elated Beemer tells Suds, “I’m very happy! It’s extremely flattering. Soap fans are so loyal. I was very impressed with the voter turnout because my competition was, um, stiff. As long as I make people happy, especially in these dark times, I’ll continue to take my shirt off while acting my heart out.”  For the rest of the winners, click here.

The Suds Report got our hands on last week’s preliminary ratings a little early from a variety of sources. Here are the deets:

Numbers are based on Live+Same Day ratings
(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)

Total Viewers
1. Y&R — 5,109,000 (+284,00/-61,000)
2. B&B — 3,359,000 (+185,000/-521,000)
3. DAYS — 3,121,000 (+331,000/+227,000)
4. AMC — 2,663,000 (+17,000/+96,000)
5. GH — 2,606,000 (+109,000/-188,000)
6. ATWT — 2,596,000 (+143,000/-197,000)
7. OLTL — 2,453,000 (+42,000/-38,000)

Households
1. Y&R — 3.7/12 (+.2/same)
2. B&B — 2.4/8 (+.1/-.4)
3. DAYS — 2.2/7 (+.2/+.1)
4. AMC — 2.0/6 (+.1/same)
5. ATWT —1.9/6 (+.1/-.1)
5. GH — 1.9/6 (same/-.3)
7. OLTL — 1.8/6 (same/-.2)

Women 18-49 Viewers
1. Y&R — 1,188,000 (+59,000/+83,000)
2. DAYS — 851,000 (+59,000/-113,000)
3. GH — 848,000 (+5,000/-125,000)
4. B&B —722,000 (-20,000/-168,000)
5. AMC — 660,000 (-27,000/-113,000)
6. ATWT — 645,000 (-29,000/-78,000)
7. OLTL — 627,000 (77,000/-174,000)

All My Children, ABC/A —Are Zendall headed to One Life?
• That other sudsy Nellie, Nelson Aspen, is officially embarking on The Where Are They Now? Tour via Welovesoaps.net! First up? Mr. Thom Racina! The former Search for Tomorrow, DAYS, GH, Generations, Santa Barbara, Another World and Y&R scribe recounts some juicy soap tales over cocktails in Aspen Land. Do yourself a favour and tune in for some uncensored nostalgia. Next week, Aspen assures Suds that he’ll contact James E. Reilly and Gloria Monty, James Edwards-style for his next instalment! Oh, I kid … 

Speaking of Racina — the man who famously penned Luke and Laura’s wedding on GH, along with creating DAYS’s Patch and Kayla, and John Black, along with marrying off Bo and Hope in England — wouldn’t the five-time Emmy-nominated writer make the ideal AMC head writer? The best-selling novelist — who also wrote Canadian soap, Family Passions and almost created an unmade a DAYS spinoff for Fox, Friends and Lovers — can effortlessly balance character-driven story with the sensational, headlining plots that also manage to capture the imagination of viewers. Surely, Brian Frons can appreciate that. As we all know, Frons lusts for all things DAYS and GH — and ice princesses. Most importantly, this out gay head writer can write diverse characters and social issues (that’ll surely come in handy with Lesbianca) — and discover new talent like Brad Pitt. Add Y&R/DAYS alum, Sally Sussman Morina, who studied and worked under soap legend, Bill Bell, and created Generations with Frons — to the equation, and you have, what we call in Hollywood, box-office gold. But I won’t hold my breath. Knowing ABC, we’ll be lucky to get Megan McTavish again …

• Brian Frons is one happy man! And Pratt’s greenlee with envy! Daytime Emmy-nominated actress Rebecca Budig is back on Dec. 23, as previously reported. Expect the Ryan and Erica love story (sorry, the term cougar doesn’t apply here) to heat up in the next few days before the Greenlee-is-alive reveal airs. “It’s always fun to go head-to-head with Susan Lucci,” Mrs. Guiney tells Digest. Confession time — I’m looking forward to this love triangle, so sue me.

• Are Thorsten Kaye and Alicia Minshew headed to One Life in 2010? That’s the buzz, but don’t quote me yet because it’s not a done deal. Did you notice how Kaye wasn’t invited to participate in Brian Frons’s, er, The View’s tribute (and masturbatory love letter) to AMC — despite the fact that Mr. Susan Haskell is BFFs with Whoopi Goldberg? The rebellious Oscar winner seemingly gave Kaye an unapproved shout-out on air to make a point during the broadcast. Oh, if only AMC was this good … Anyway, Kaye did co-host The View on Goldberg’s b-day, so maybe ABC thought having Kaye on again was overkill.

As The World Turns, Global/CBS — Nut Meg overdose? Is the Italian Stallion out in January?
• Say it ain’t so! That sexy bastard, Paolo Seganti, is telling his fans on Facebook that he’s leaving the recently cancelled soap in January just as his storyline is breaking out. Figures. If I were World Turns, I’d beg him to sign on just a little longer to help play out this buzz-worthy storyline. Ah, poor Nut Meg! If Damian leaves, that’ll mean Noelle Beck will have to fight Lesli Kay for Jon Hensley’s affections. Good luck with that, Noelle!

Meanwhile, an overwhelming majority of TV Guide Canada readers voted that they want two-time Emmy winner Martha Byrne back as Lily before the show spins off its axis in September.

• Soaps In Depth is reporting that one of my fave younger actresses, Alex Chando, has already left the building. “I’m moving back to L.A. in January,” the Emmy-nominated starlet tells the network-friendly mag.

• Looks like Emmy winner Lesli Kay will be staying on World Turns until at least March. Also, there may be a new love interest for Katie. And no, it’s probably not Paul Leyden, who is scheduled to leave the sudser soon. It better not be Henry is all I’m saying. Speaking of Henry/Ghost Brad, wouldn’t it have been hilarious if Babs seduced Brad in Henry’s body for a sexual romp? “Wowza — talk about the motion of the ocean,” Babs could squeal.

The Bold and the Beautiful, CBS/CTV — James Spaulding Lives! • Breakout Guiding Light star — and future Emmy winner — the oh-so-handsome and talented Zack Conroy has joined the cast of B&B as a DJ who will reportedly romance newly SORAS’d Hope. Bradley Bell, why, oh why, didn’t your Emmy-winning ass recast Conroy as Thomas Forrester? Stupidest move ever. I swear Drew Tyler Bell is really related to the Bells because that’s the only explanation as to why this hair model still has a job! Thomas is a legacy character, damn it! Ridge and Taylor’s son! Am I the only one who cares about the future of this once-brilliantly campy show? (Don’t answer that.) Having said that, I’m just happy Conroy is back on soaps. He could have easily moved on to prime time. I spoke with Conroy at the Emmys, and he articulated he was open to anything regarding his career prospects. As for B&B’s casting, Y&R could learn a thing or two. I have to say, despite a handful of hair models on the B&B cast (you know who you are), I’m impressed with the No. 1 soap in the world’s recent casting choices of late. Good work.

Days of our Lives, NBC/Global — A Mickey for Maggie? • Show runner Gary Tomlin is determined — and rightfully so — to secure Emmy winner Suzanne Rogers her second statuette! Word on the set is that Mickey Horton will die which will drive Maggie back to the bottle. Brilliant, much? Yep! I can’t wait to see this …  You just know Lucas (Bryan, you look amazing, by the way! Welcome back!) will be dying to utter the cliché, “Pot. Kettle. Black.” • According to SOD.com: If you have watched DAYS this week, you’ve surely noticed John Aniston sporting sunglasses and a bandage. In the script, they called it a "skating accident." But what really happened? “I honestly don’t know!” says Jen Aniston’s daddy. “A dog, some Milk-bones, a pair of flip-flops and some stairs ...”  Um, isn’t that what Tiger Woods said, too?

Daytimeconfidential.com — Sit, precious Buppies … sit!
• Do Gotham and Venice have competition? Well, according to DC.com’s Jamey Giddens, they do! Despite prime-time-television watchers still mourning the untimely black-to-black show deaths of Girlfriends, Everybody Hates Chris and The Game, “along with daytime soap opera fans, [who are] frustrated whenever they tune in to AMC or Y&R to find beloved, black characters like Jesse, Angie or Neil being pushed to the side (or off a cliff, in the case of Y&R's Drucilla),” there is hope on the horizon. Yes, we can, indeed! In fact, we already have thanks to the universally infectious web show hit, Buppies! Giddens adds, “The revolution is truly being webivised — thanks to BET.com’s wickedly soap-tastic web dramedy, Buppies, which stars [Y&R’s] Tatyana Ali and [is spearheaded by] creator — [and real-life Genoa City fan] — Julian Breece!” Hey, CBS — why not hire Breece as one of your Y&R writers? Oh, right — that would make sense.

General Hospital, CTV/A — Like father, like bitch!
• I can’t stop watching Steve Burton’s most recent 2010 Emmy reel when Jason told off Drew Garrett’s Michael by calling the brat, “a bitch!” Here’s the clip! Enjoy. (Pound that chest, Steve! Pound it …)

Rarely does Bob Guza surprise me, but the head writer managed to when it came to Michael’s recent reincarnation. Predictably, many assumed Carly’s son would morph into another Jason Morgan clone because of their similar medical histories. Instead, Michael has grown into the antithesis of Jason. Since many consider Jason to be Michael’s real daddy/saviour/mentor, this brilliant character twist provides organic conflict for everyone involved. Michael is a traumatized, reactive teen killer, while Jason operates as a calm, focused, cool, and emotionless hit man! It’s Shakespearean … and I love it.

One Life To Live, ABC — Moving on up … eventually! Williamson on Torpey!
• Fancast’s Sara Bibel delivered a great write-up on what’s wrong with One Life — and what can be done to save it. Read it here. Bibel argues, “One Life is a publicist’s dream — so why is nothing being done?” And there’s more here where that came from here.

• Don’t blame Brian Frons for One Life not immediately moving into AMC’s empty studio digs. Apparently, One Life has to wait until the AMC’s union contract expires before they can move. If they don’t, ABC will have to employ the Pine Valley crew indefinitely and dismiss its Llanview’s workers in the process. “It’s like dealing with an actor’s 13-week cycle,” relates a source. “We’ll move soon, but not until 2010.”

• Tessica, can you hear me? Bree Williamson recently chatted with Welovesoaps.net’s Damon Jacobs. When asked about taking over the role Erin Torpey created and made famous, the Canadian contrasted her style with that of her predecessor’s by relating, “I’m not sure how much sexiness was attached to [to her portrayal]. Obviously David Fumero is super-hot, I’m sure it was sexy. But it was right after the story where [Jessica] found out Mitch was her father. You couldn’t have timed it better for someone else to come in so the fans could be a little more open to it.” • ABC should really invest in photographing their breakout couple, Kyle and Fish with some lush galleries for the press. Just a thought. It’s only been forever since Kish embarked on their journey together.

• Prayers for Nick: Soap Opera Digest has a great online interview with the talented and passionate Nicholas Rodriguez about being an out gay actor. The theatre-trained actor confesses, “I think I might have had reservations about coming out if I was playing a different character; I may have had to think twice. But I didn't have to. This is the role that I've been given and how could I not be an out actor and play a gay activist? It would be phony. I’m so proud to get to play this role and be myself at work. I know so many people who don’t feel like they can be themselves in their various jobs and I just can’t imagine that stress. So hopefully, we will be getting to a point where it doesn’t matter. Thank God for this show being so progressive.” ABC rocks.

• Here’s a Llan-tastic interview with Emmy-winning head writer and soap god, Ron Carlivati, from daytimeconfidential.com’s Luke Kerr and Jamey Giddens. The popular website celebrated their 500th episode by inviting the most talented writer in the business for a brief chat on all things One Life.  As always, the Italian artist is his usual sweet, funny, and genuine self.

• Want to be hypnotized by the talented, ageless, and beautiful Catherine Hickland? Click here to find the soap vet’s new website. Yes, you are getting very sleepy, and no, you’re not watching AMC …

Venice, Venicetheseries.com — Miracle in Venice!
• Another reason why Crystal Chappell is the smartest and most successful person: after just one Venice episode, Chappell reports to Soap Opera Digest that she’s already raised enough money to fund a full second season of the popular web serial! Chappell explains that purchases fans made from Venice's online store funded the Sapphic sudser's première season. Moreover, more than enough money was made just from the initial airing of Venice to produce a second season. Did you hear that Barbara Bloom and Brian Frons?

According to the article, the official Venice website attracted more than 24 million hits since September, and saw 225,000 unique visitors in just the first week of December, which would explain all those crashes. Chappell hired a Colorado firm to add four new servers for all her rampant fans. Chappell adds that the indie soap is doing well enough to even pay its actors! Which is unheard of in this fledgling web business! The Emmy winner states proudly, “I’m going to be able to give my actors some money, a little bonus for Christmas and then next season, I’m hoping to have sponsorship. Fortunately, because of the fans’ response, we’ve had people contact us about meetings for sponsorships, so we’re heading into that next phase.” The second episode of Venice’s première season airs tonight — so don’t miss it!

Next up for Crystal Chappell? Splitting the atom.

The Young and the Restless, CBS/Global — Patching up Y&R!
• The earth mother is back! According to Soap Opera Digest, Beth Maitland will reprise her role on Dec. 23. Get your Emmy speech ready, Beth!

• I’m officially back on the Y&R payroll! In an inspired casting move, soap superstar Stephen Nichols has replaced William Russ as billionaire Tucker McCall, a.k.a. the Victor Newman clone, according to TV Guide Magazine. Maria Arena Bell explained, “William Russ is a talented actor and we enjoyed working with him. However, we decided to take the character in another direction.” Adds co-exec producer Paul Rauch: “[Russ] did a wonderful job while he was here.”

Nichols began taping his scenes on Dec. 17. The former DAYS and GH superstar is set to debut in Genoa City on Jan. 27. So why the quickie switch? Suds Report has learned from a source that, “There was no behind-the-scenes problem with William. Barbara Bloom wanted Stephen for the role from the start — and in the end, she got her way.”

Over the summer, Suds overheard that Y&R was courting Nichols, whom Paul Rauch worked with on Santa Barbara, for a small role, which we wrote in a blind item.

Recasting the high-profile role with Nichols makes sense for a variety of reasons. One, Y&R’s competition is Nichols alma mater, DAYS. With the lone NBC serial’s recent historic ratings ascent, it was wise to bring in one of its biggest stars to its canvas (so bravo, Babs). Second, Y&R has been blasted critically for its obsession and reliance on casting has-been prime-time actors in key roles. Perhaps this wise executive decision will assure loyal fans that our favourite ex-soap stars may have a future home on daytime’s No. 1 serial.

When we first heard of Tucker, he was allegedly Y&R’s Victor Newman “clone/recast,” created in case the soap’s top star, Eric Braeden, bolted during unexpected contract negotiations. And while no one could replace the Emmy winner, Nichols is the next best thing. It’s a shame Nichols wasn’t hired originally because the headline-making news of Braeden’s stunning and sudden departure would have been easier to digest from the start. And probably would’ve prompted an earlier return by Braeden.

While fans have initially accepted Russ’s portrayal — and are currently digging his chemistry with co-star Jess Walton — the younger, sexier, and popular Nichols is much more Y&R/soap-friendly. Word is that Tucker may be Katherine’s long-lost child, so this last-minute recasting makes a lot sense! Good work. I’m psyched.

• Watch out, NeNe! The latest question mark in the enduring Victoria Rowell saga is that the novelist may be joining the cast as the new diva on The Real Housewives of Atlanta! As a diehard fan of the reality series, I think this could be a brilliant marriage between the hit Bravo show (Slice here in Canada) and La Rowell.

However, the superstar, who does live in the ATL with hubby Radcliffe Bailey wouldn’t confirm nor deny the rumour to daytimeconfidential.com’s Jamey Giddens. “As you know, Jamey, in my career as an entertainer I get solicited to do quite a number of things,” Rowell began coyly with a giggle, “whether it be to write reviews for a fellow author’s book, or participate in reality programming. The question has been posed from time to time about me joining the Housewives franchise, whether it be in Atlanta or somewhere else. As you know, I now spend a lot time in Atlanta. I know the fans would love to see me on television again, whether it be on a soap opera or as a real housewife of Atlanta. So, you know, we’ll see. I always say, ‘never say never!’”

In the meantime, don’t forget to pre-order your copy of Rowell’s upcoming juicy novel, Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva at Amazon.com, which is already selling beyond expectations! Sarah Palin, who?

• Christel Khalil is pregnant, report sources! Congrats. It’s ironic since Lily is currently involved in a surrogacy storyline with her hubby, Cane, and pal, Mac. • If you look closely at the cover of this week’s Soap Opera Weekly, you’ll spot the leaves from those attention-grabbing Y&R palm trees on its right hand cover! • Is this the spit heard around the world? Daytimeconfidential.com recently posted the scene in which Victoria Rowell alleged Michelle Stafford purposely spit on her co-star without her approval. To me, it looks more like a tsunami than a spitball … but you decide! Oh, why can’t we all just get along …

Soap Opera Mystery Hour — This week’s hottest blind items
— Which major soap star was just fired? More on Monday!

—Which gay actor left a five-minute scathing phone message to a straight soap star for telling everyone about his foot fetish fantasy?

—Which soap hunk shocked the cast in morning rehearsal when he blurted out that he was late to work because he spent the morning “eating out” with his girlfriend?

—Which soap vet threw a fit when she came off set to find her dressing room toilet used and clogged? It wasn’t pretty. And was probably done on purpose!

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Nelson Branco is a Toronto freelance entertainment journalist, who regularly contributes to Hello! Canada, The National Post, The Los Angeles Times' theenvelope.com, TV Guide USA, tvguide.com, Inside Entertainment, OUT, and fab magazine, along with spearheading the soap coverage for TVGuide.ca's popular daytime TV hub. After graduating from Ryerson University in 1997, he moved from Toronto to New York in 1998 to take on the roles as senior news editor at Soap Opera Update. Branco first freelanced for Soap Opera Weekly as an intern in 1994, and after leaving Soap Update to help create and launch Bauer Publishing's In Touch Weekly in 2003, Branco continued to freelance occasionally for its sister publication, Soaps In Depth. Most recently, he helped create and launch Canada's first celebrity magazine, Weekly Scoop in 2005 as its news and entertainment director. Branco is also a contributor to a new TV show titled Planet Soap to air in Canada and America.