The Suds Report - July 30/10

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SUDSIEST QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“I made the decision. I don’t think [CBS CEO] Les [Moonves] is unhappy with it ... but the show screened great and tested the best of all the pilots. The elephant in the room is that Julie is on the show, but she happens to be terrific on the show. She shouldn't be penalized for being married to the CEO."
—CBS Entertainment Chief Nina Tassler on dubbing CBS’s The View clone, The Talk, at a TCA press conference
Translation: Barbara Bloom hires all her friends and family so why should The Talk be any different?

“[B&B scripts] are different from any other scripts that I’ve ever worked with, or that I’ve seen for a soap opera, because they really do have — sometimes an entire page of — what you’re thinking, what you’re going through emotionally, and what the characters are remembering and thinking about. It’s really cool. It’s excellent, excellent writing.”
—New B&B resident Scott Clifton to Soap Opera Weekly
Translation: Did anyone save the script where Brooke had sex with her daughter’s boyfriend? Because I’d really like to know what they were thinking then!

“I’m living proof that there are no small parts.”
—GH’s Carolyn Hennesy celebrates her four-year anniversary as Diane Miller in Soap Opera Digest
Translation: Only big talent.

TALK VS. SOAP
Will The Talk affect One Life’s ratings?
This fall, The Talk, CBS’s The View clone, will replace 54-year-old sudser World Turns. But the question many are asking is will the fledgling talk show, which stars Julie Chen, Leah Remini, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Holly Robinson Peete and Marissa Jaret Winokur, destroy its competition, One Life, in the ratings?

TVGuide.ca reported yesterday that the set-up will feature the first five women sitting at a table and discussing motherly issues, while Winokur serves more as a field correspondent, joining the panel when necessary.

So should One Life be worried? Soap Opera Digest editor Stephanie Sloane doesn’t think so. The editor says, “I don’t see what one has to do with the other. You either want to watch a soap opera or a talk show and viewers will choose accordingly.”

Rounding out the consensus is Soap Opera Digest columnist Carolyn Hinsey, who adds, “No, just the opposite. Bereft World Turns fans will tune in to One Life, rather than watch the copycat of The View that replaced their beloved soap.”

ATI's James Romanovich thinks if The Talk competed against One Life 20 years ago, then maybe there’d be reason to worry. “The trouble that all daytime soaps face are their increasing costs matched against their reduced revenues and not the competition of shows opposite them,” he points out. “It’s a DVR world in which we can record two or more shows at once which is what many soap fans do.”

Finally, talent manager Michael Bruno says The Talk and One Life are apple and oranges. He states, “People who watch talk shows will watch talk shows, people who watch soaps will watch soaps. There is no new audience out there.”

THE IDIOT RATINGS: July 19-23
Loser: DAYS last-rated soap!

Ratings for the week of July 19 - 23, 2010 (Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)

Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,935,000 (-21,000/-1,000)
2. B&B 3,249,000 (+54,000/-13,000)
3. GH 2,639,000 (+183,000/-67,000)
4. AMC 2,560,000 (+75,000/+77,000)
5. OLTL 2,450,000 (+186,000/-110,000)
6. ATWT 2,416,000 (+68,000/+39,000)
7. DAYS 2,392,000 (-3,000/-207,000) 

Households
1. Y&R 3.4/11 (same/-.2) 
2. B&B 2.3/7 (+.1/ -.1)
3. AMC 1.9/6 (+.1/same)
3. GH 1.9/6 (+.1/-.1)
5. OLTL 1.8/6 (+.1/same)
5. DAYS 1.8/5 (same/same) 
7. ATWT 1.6/5 (same/-.1) 

Women 18-49 Viewers
1. Y&R 1,117,000 (-22,000/+21,000)
2. GH 842,000 (+74,000/-47,000)
3. B&B 719,000 (-5,000/-43,000)
4. OLTL 672,000 (+46,000/-91,000)
5. DAYS 652,000 (+52,000/-45,000)
6. AMC 609,000 (+9,000/-85,000)
7. ATWT 573,000 (+4,000/-23,000)

DVR ALERT
Soap Stars’ On the Edge premiere date set!
Emmy-winning special On The Edge will debut during American Thanksgiving on ABC owned and operated stations in top markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Cleveland. The one-hour presentation, from Associated Television International (ATI), chronicles the journey of top daytime stars including Susan Lucci, Montel Williams, Anthony Geary and Kelly Monaco as they travel to Kenya to raise awareness of the desperate situation faced by Africa’s poor. The special will not air in Canada.

All My Children, ABC — Secrets of a Soap Opera Queen • Susan Lucci is following in her alter ego’s high heels. The eternally beautiful Emmy winner is finally writing her sudsy memoirs (It Books/HarperCollins Publishing), which will hit 2011 bookshelves. According to a press release, “Lucci will reveal information on her devastating car accident, her miscarriage, and the joy that came with finally winning an Emmy in 1999 after 18 previous nominations. She recounts her experiences on Broadway, performing to sold-out audiences across the country as a cabaret, nightclub performer, and as a celebrity dancer on Dancing With The Stars. Named one of Barbara Walters’s 10 Most Fascinating People, Lucci will give readers an intimate look into her life as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, philanthropist, entrepreneur and iconic actress.” Liza Huber’s mother adds, “I am so excited to share my life experiences with my fans. It Books gave me the extraordinary opportunity to tell my story.” Can’t wait for the Sarah Michelle Gellar chapter!

As for Angie’s front-burner storyline, Morgan raves about the plot to Soap Opera Digest this week. But has anyone told the Emmy winner that ex-GL scribe David Kreizman wrote pretty much the same storyline for Kim Zimmer’s Reva? What — is ABC not paying you enough cash to create new, original storytelling, David? The fact that the Emmy winner already had to rip off an idea — in what? — three months into his new gig on a new show with new characters is major cause for concern. Can’t wait to read his fall preview. Next on AMC: Liza realizes she’s gay when she falls in love with a newly recast Anita Santos; Jake changes his name to Gus Martin; it’s revealed that Erica actually gave birth to twin boys when she thought she had an abortion after Tom Pelphrey joins the show as Eric Kane II, who is also somehow Madison’s second cousin; Bianca becomes a comic book super-lesbian; and Tad becomes a minister. 

As the World Turns, CBS/Global — Another ’11 Emmy front runner?
• In story 411, as their wedding approaches, Molly dumps Holden next week after he is stuck in “travel limbo” with his ex-wife, Lily! The buzz is that Emmy winner Lesli Kay delivered yet another Emmy-worthy performance as Molly tells Holden that he will always love Lily and breaks off their engagement permanently. Can’t wait. Go Lesli!

• Nerds love soapy drama, too, damn it! Alina Adams’ World Turns-inspired novel, The Man From Oakdale, featuring Henry Coleman as the book’s protagonist, took home the Scribe Award for Best Novel (General Fiction), given out by the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers, at this weekend’s San Diego Comic-Con. Congrats.

• World Turns fans have a chance to say goodbye in a respectful manner to the cast and crew of the 54-year-old sudser on Aug. 18 when New York City’s Paley Centre pays tribute to Oakdale’s legacy. Expected to attend are executive producer Christopher Goutman, head writer Jean Passanante, and stars Van Hansis, Terri Colombino, Trent Dawson, Kathryn Hays, Don Hastings and Colleen Zenk, amongst others.

• On Air, On Soaps has a fantastic interview with Eric Sheffer Stevens, who should be pre-nominated as Outstanding Supporting Actor at next year’s Daytime Emmy Awards. The talented newcomer reveals we’re not the only one frustrated with World Turns’s hesitation with the natural evolution of a gay relationship. He says, “There is still the element of not fully fleshing out their relationship because it’s a gay relationship, and it’s on daytime television. That is frustrating. It’s like, ‘OK. If we are going to do this, then let’s do this! Let’s show two men dating, and falling in love, and wherever it goes.’ The writers and producers still have to negotiate differently than they do with straight couples, and that gets a little frustrating when you are playing it. Then, it feels awkward.”

Ditto, Eric. Since the show is cancelled, what does World Turns really have to lose?

• Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Emmy winner Cady McClain will reprise the role beginning Sept. 14 during the final air week of Oakdale.

The Bold and The Beautiful, CBS/CTV — $#*! My Mother-in-Law Says!
• What’s more shocking? Brooke having accidental sex with her daughter’s boyfriend, Oliver, or Ridge’s unexpected understanding reaction to the news? Four-time Emmy winner (how cool is that to say, huh?) Bradley Bell was wise not to have Ridge go totally ballistic on Brooke. Ronn Moss is actually doing some of his best work during this storyline. And as an extra treat, Stephanie and Brooke engage in the mother-in-law of all catfights, which results in Stephers landing in a hospital bed. Can’t wait. Team Brooke all the way! 

• Am I losing my mind because I’m really falling in love with Steffy! I love how Jackie MacInnes Wood and Bradley Bell have united to save this ill-conceived character. Next week, Steffy, who is actually innocent for once, seeks out Liam’s help to prove she wasn’t the mastermind behind Brooke’s downfall.

• How awesome is Scott Clifton? So happy he’s on B&B. They need a really talented actor of his calibre on the show. So far, my thumb is way up.

Coronation Street, CBC —  Corrie! Breaks a leg!
• Still on fire after 50 years, one of the world’s most beloved soaps, Corrie Street, will be performing an encore on stage. Yeppers, our mates across the pond will be condensing five decades of murder, love, and betrayal into a comedic two-hour run at The Lowry Arts Centre in Salford, England. According to a press release, some 61 characters from Britain’s longest running television drama will be shoehorned on to the stage for Corrie!, giving them an average of less than two minutes each. 

Tony Warren, the scriptwriter who created Coronation Street, described the play as “an insider’s affectionate romp through 50 dramatic years.” It marks the 50th anniversary of the soap, which was first broadcast on Dec. 9, 1960. Charlie Lawson, who played Northern Irish character Jim McDonald from 1989 to 2000, will narrate. The play, written by long-term Coronation Street scriptwriter Jonathan Harvey, runs from Aug. 12 to 25.

Days of our Lives, NBC/Global — Frenching Stewart! • This just in: TVGuide.com is reporting that fan fave Melissa Reeves has signed a contract to re-join DAYS permanently. Does that mean a Matthew Ashford comeback isn't that far behind? • Mark Teschner, who? The latest primetime actor turning tricks on soaps is 3rd Rock From the Sun’s French Stewart, who is appearing on DAYS in a short-term, undisclosed role. In addition, DAYS casting genius Marnie Saitta is busy auditioning actors for the contract role of Seamus, a 30-year-old gorgeous male. According to an audition breakdown, DAYS is looking for an actor with light hair and light eyes (preferred, not set in stone). The character description reads: Seamus is the guy women dream about; he is truly as beautiful on the inside as he is on the outside; he also has an artistic side, which makes him a dreamer and wants to see the good in people. Burbank is looking for well-established actors with strong credits. Could this be Eric Brady? Or another Horton?

• In story 411, Brady and Nicole have angry sex while Bo turns Hope in for trying to kill him not once but twice.

• Those Hernandez sisters are coming and going faster than the American Idol judges! Soap Opera Digest also learned that Gabriela Rodriguez has been let go and replaced with former One Life ingenue Camila Banus.

Degrassi, MuchMusic/Teen Nick — Recess Pieces time!
• Despite going all telenovela on us, there’s already a Degrassi: The Boiling Point midseason finale in the works on Aug. 26, according to Soap Opera Weekly. Charlotte Arnold, who plays Holly J, describes it as “cataclysmic. All these different threads come up to a point, and I think it is worth it to tune in. Why wouldn’t you watch?” laughs the ingénue. Look for Degrassi to return this fall after a short break.

General Hospital, ABC/CTV — Brenda-Con
• Brenda’s back, bitches! Here’s your first look at the promo created by the Emmy-winning team headed up by Scott Tucker before the newly wed superstar hits Port Chuck on Aug. 11.

• Here is the L.A. Times’ take on the Franco Fiasco at MOMA.

One Life To Live, ABC — Eat Pray Die • As Téa prepares to die, a bittersweet Todd remarries his ex-wife one last time on what is sure to be a romantic and humorous wedding fit for One Life’s reigning couple. Look for Téa to ask her new BFF Blair to become Dani’s legal guardian. But the big question remains — is One Life planning to really kill off Téa? • Turns out Billy Warlock, who is nuRoss, is BFFs with Michael Lowry. The two actors have known each other for 14 years, the Emmy winner tells Digest. So why did One Life have to recast? Lowry is currently in law school and couldn’t reschedule a visit to Llanview. Mr. Julie Pinson also knows that he isn’t “right for the role physically,” but assures fans that “I can play the crap out of this role because it’s fun and mischievous.”

The Young and the Restless, CBS/Global — Inception Deception
• Billy and Victoria will tie the knot formally in a 1950s retro wedding on Sept. 8, reports TV Guide. Michael Logan writes, “The star-crossed lovers, both of whom suffer from major daddy issues, ironically cemented their relationship last July while watching a Father Knows Best marathon on TV. To commemorate that, the soap has hired one of the stars from the beloved sitcom — Elinor Donahue, who played teenager Betty Anderson — to officiate the ceremony. Appropriately, Donahue will play a character named Judge Anderson.” Donahue also appeared as Nurse HoneyCut on DAYS.

The nuptials were shot on location.

• Was it something Adam Newman said? Turns out Eric Roberts is definitely taking a brief hiatus from his day job to star in the new season of Celebrity Rehab for his Mary Jane addiction. Y&R exec producer Maria Bell says, “We support Eric Roberts in his decision and it does not affect his continuing on Y&R. We are thrilled to have him in this role.”

• Turns out we may get a glimpse into Adam’s dark psyche when Signy Coleman guests as Hope’s ghost. The Daytime Emmy-nominated actress tells TV Guide, “You're going to have a much better understanding of what happened to him. And who knows? The more evil and despicable a character is, the greater the redemption.”

Wouldn’t it be cool if Y&R pulled an Inception and we got to visit Adam’s dream world? That episode would definitely be rated R.

• Speaking of daytime’s smartest villain, in story 411, Sharon shoots Adam next week. If you ask me, she should plug Nick instead. And not in the way he likes.

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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.