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SUDSIEST QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“It was kind of difficult because a lot of people were like, ‘Oh my God,’ what’s going on?’ One of the things I wish was different about daytime is when they have nowhere to go with somebody’s storyline, when they’ve written somebody into a hole, it always says, ‘Fired!’ on the magazine covers. It’s such a slap in the face because you’re working for this show, you’re doing your best, you’re doing everything they tell you to do and you’re doing it the way they want you to. I mean, you’re doing your job right. Fired is when you aren’t doing your job, right?”
—One Life’s Crystal Hunt wonders why everyone thinks she was fired in Soap Opera Digest
Translation: I was fired because I phoned in most to all of my performances — which is so unfair!

SO LONG SPRINGFIELD
New events announced
Where’s Ellen Wheeler? Liz Keifer, Bradley Cole, Justin Deas, Grant Aleksander, Beth Chamberlin, Kim Zimmer, Marcy Rylan, Daniel Cosgrove, Robert Newman, Jerry ver Dorn, Jessica Leccia and Michael O’Leary will be appearing on March 7 at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. For tickets and more information surf over to www.celebrityeventsgroup.com or call 1-866-364-0330 to purchase tickets securely.

And if you still haven’t gotten your GL fix, Mike Gold announced that he’s also organized a cruise, So Long Springfield at Sea (sadly, there’s no stopover in San Cristobel). Fans will cruise aboard the Carnival Glory, departing July 31, 2010 through Aug. 4, 2010 from New York. With stops in St. John’s and Halifax, this is a fantastic end-of-summer treat. Mohegan Sun will be giving away one cabin for two to one lucky fan.

CABLE CORNER
Is SOAPnet going off the air?
Take this with a grain of salt, but a source tells a stunned Suds that ABC plans on pulling the plug on SOAPnet — or at the very least, have major plans to re-brand the cable network (which Brian Frons has been doing “creatively” for the past few years). More next week.

All My Children, ABC/A — Zendall return!
• What a difference a head writer makes! Looks like AMC is finally turning around creatively. So, if you’ve stopped watching, tune back in! Even Fancast.com’s Sara Bibel agrees. Read her critique of the new-and-improved Pine Valley here!

• In story 411, Greenlee ends up marrying David. It’s been nice to see Greenlee acting her impulsive, sassy, and bitchy ways again.

• Everyone’s favourite unabortion, Colin Egglesfield, has been cast as young William Walker in a two-hour flashback episode of Brothers & Sisters on April 11.

• Five-time Emmy winner David Canary announced his official retirement to SOAPnet.com. “My career on AMC has given me more than words could ever convey, both professionally and personally. I have cherished each and every moment. I would like to thank all the fans who have tuned in throughout the years. Their love and support has meant the world to me. I truly feel that I will leave the show in great hands. The viewers will be happy with how Adam departs the canvas and I know that leaving JR as head of the Chandler household will continue to provide the show with many great stories to come. This is not the last you’ve seen of Adam Chandler. I will be back to check up on the Chandler Clan.”

Canary is set to air through April 2010.

• They’re baaaa-ack! As expected, Alicia Minshew and Thorsten Kaye are both Pine Valley-bound will return in April to help wrap up the super-couple’s storyline for “a limited time.” Minshew’s first airdate is April 9, while Kaye’s is April 16.

As The World Turns, Global/CBS — Holden out for a killer?
• In story 411, Holden is arrested for killing Damian, while Janet and Jack plot to conceive a baby in order to save Liberty’s life. Too bad, Brad isn’t around to help. And who else is loving Holden’s darker, edgier side? I am. Loving Jon Hensley’s chemistry opposite Lesli Kay. I pray World Turns doesn’t reunite Lily and Holden on the show’s final episode.

• Look for former GL actor Kurt McKinney to debut in Oakhell this week!

The Bold and the Beautiful, CBS/CTV — Musical fashion houses!
• Thanks to that slutty twit, Steffy, the Forresters buy back their company from the evil Dollar Bill! The new owners? Stephanie, Eric, Taylor and Ridge! After celebrating, Eric admits to Stephanie that he still loves her! What does that mean for Donna? And does anyone care?

Days of our Lives, NBC/Global — Megan Gordon lives!
• If I wasn’t in love with DAYS before, I sure am now! Soap Opera Digest made my day earlier this week when one of the all-time favourite actresses, Jessica Tuck, has been cast as Chad’s mother! She will first air April 7 and hopefully share myriad scenes together with Crystal Chappell! Great move, Gary Tomlin and Marnie Saiita!

• Soap Opera Digest teases its readers this week that a recently presumed dead character is headed back to Salem! Hmmm …

• In story 411, Carly admits to the daughter that she shot, Mel, that she’s her mother. Meanwhile, Carly reveals to Daniel that he’s her baby daddy. Perfect timing since Daniel learns Chloe is suffering from a hysterical pregnancy.
General Hospital, CTV/A — Christopher returns! Is Hennesy leaving?
• Hurray! Popular Daytime Emmy-nominated actress Robin Christopher will briefly reprise her role as Skye Quartermaine sometime soon.

• Lisa Waltz has been cast as Kiefer’s mom, Melissa/Melinda Bauer. She’ll begin airing in March.

• Two hit shows haven’t slowed down Carolyn Hennesy, who tweeted the other day that she’s been busy auditioning up a storm!  In other news, Mr. Hennesy, Donald Agnelli, has been cast as a biker at Jake’s.

One Life To Live, ABC — Duplaix fired!
• Was it something I said? Daytimeconfidential.com is reporting that Daphnee Duplaix has been let go. But fans can expect Terrell Tilford to stick around. Duplaix will be moving back to L.A. As for Duplaix’s exit, it’s too bad because I was just beginning to accept her take as Nora’s oh-so-boring daughter.

• In story 411, Jessica thinks she’s 17 again (funny, so do I) but becomes suspicious when she looks in the mirror and sees wrinkles and clogged pores. Oh, and a 30-ish-year-old body! This should be hilarious …

• So was executive producer Frank Valentini right about this month’s February Sweeps being the best ever? He sure was! In Monday’s Soapgeist, I’ll be reviewing one of the most exciting, expertly produced and written sweeps ever! I have no idea how they filmed all of that action and adventure in one studio but miracles clearly do happen on 66th Street.

• No hell hasn’t frozen over, but here’s a well-deserved “Bravo!” to Crystal Hunt for actually stepping up to the plate these past few weeks — and finally acting. Nothing kicks an actor into gear like a pink slip, huh? Hunt was especially impressive opposite Roscoe Born. But who isn’t, right?

The Young and the Restless, CBS/Global — Busted!
• Thanks to Phyllis and Ashley, it looks like the jig is up for daytime’s most hated character, Adam Newman, this week! Also, someone named Jana disappears, Jack has a surprise for his new wife, Patty, Kay thinks she can bring down Tucker, a dangerous stranger enters Cane’s life, Victoria takes an acting class, and Delia celebrates a birthday. Yep, that’s all I got for you soapers this week.

 

 

 

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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.