SUDSIEST QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“It certainly feels lovely to be emulated.”
—ABC Daytime President Brian Frons in Advertising Age on CBS’s The Talk
Translation: If Barbara Bloom could grow a penis, she would.
“Since I am Canadian, and there are a lot of Marvel movies coming out, I want to play Captain Canuck. That’s it! I want the Maple Leaf on my chest, and I want to fight crime in the Great White North! We all dream! [Laughs]”
—The Bay’s Dylan Bruce on his superhero aspirations to On Air, On Soaps' Michael Fairman
Translation: Just remember it’s really cold up here so there’s no looking at my tights!
“I’ve been relegated to the back of the opening credits. Any further back and I’ll be on One Life to Live!”
—GH’s Nancy Lee Grahn on Twitter
Translation: I’m big; it’s the soaps that got small.
|
RUMOUR OF THE WEEK
Is Kim Zimmer zooming back to Sudsy Land?
According to Soap Opera Weekly’s buzz patrol, four-time Emmy winner Kim Zimmer may be headed back to soaps! When queried, the coy Zimster would only say, “I’m not at liberty to say at this point.” In the past, Zimmer has stated that she’s been in contact with B&B’s Bradley Bell about a possible short-term role. Zimmer also told Suds Report earlier this year that she was offered a cameo role on Y&R but declined. Either way, someone please bring back the Slut of fill-in-the-blank-of-the-town here.
SUDS BOOK CLUB
Michael Maloney “ghost” writing soap bio!
Soaps In Depth editor and entertainment blogger Michael Maloney has revealed in this week’s CBS issue that he’s collaborating with Lee Bell on a biography on her late husband and Y&R/B&B co-creator William Bell. Can’t wait. |
 |
 |
STATE OF THE BIZ
Boob tube viewers older than ever before
From the desk of The Hollywood Reporter: According to the latest Nielsen data, the average audience of the four major broadcasters is older than ever. In a study released by analyst Steve Sternberg, ABC’s median viewership aged one year last season — to 51. CBS also grew a year, to 55. NBC gained two years, to 49. And Fox stayed the same, a relatively nubile 44. Compare this to a decade ago. ABC was 43, CBS was 52, NBC was 45 and Fox was only 35.
All My Children, ABC — Another Zendall extension!
• The Stork Report: Congratulations are in order for Alexa Havins and Justin Bruening who welcomed their first child, daughter Lexington Grace, on Aug. 10.
• Soap Opera Digest is reporting that AMC is testing a possible new love interest for Kendall, a doctor named Griffin. Paging Eric Sheffer Stevens … Meanwhile, in other Zendall news, AMC confirms to Digest that Thorsten Kaye will return for a longer stay this fall (October into November) as Zach. “It will be very romantic,” promises co-scribe Donna Swajeski. |
As the World Turns, CBS/Global — Finale spoiler alert!
• One month after World Turns stops spinning, CBS will debut its View clone, The Talk, on Oct. 18.
• Wow. Executive producer Christopher Goutman keeps proving he’ll do anything to prevent people from watching his cancelled sudser right up until the bitter end. He spoiled various finale storylines to TV Guide Magazine’s Michael Logan a month before his sudser leaves the airwaves. Among them: Barbara and Henry tie the knot, as do Carly and Jack; look for Lucinda and John to get horizontal again; as expected, don’t expect Holden and Lily to walk down the aisle again; and Tom and Margo end up as empty nesters.
But the most interesting tidbit is this bit of Intel: “Prepare for a tragic yet heroic twist to the Luke-Reid romance — one that’ll set the stage for a potential rapprochement for Luke and Noah,” writes Logan. Does that mean Nuke will ride off into the sunset … re-virginized and all?
As for the surprising popularity of Luke and Reid, Goutman is disappointed the show couldn’t explore the relationship deeper given the timing of the show’s cancellation. In fact, Goutman thinks LuRe could have been a super-couple for the ages if the show had more time. The Gout reflects, “Their connection was immediate and they are dynamic together. Soon after Reid’s arrival, we had a lot of diehard Luke and Noah fans suddenly rooting for Luke and Reid. It was the best of what soap opera can be.”
Not sure why timing is an issue; straight couples on this show fall in love, marry and divorce within mere months of meeting each other. At least Luke and Reid have been in each other’s hemispheres for nine months. In gay years, that’s a decade!
|
The Bold and The Beautiful, CBS/CTV — Eat Pray Diet!
• In a brave feature, Soap Opera Digest interviews Scott Clifton (along with DAYS’s John Callahan) about his weight woes. Clifton, who has never looked more handsome or in shape, says he has lost 50 pounds since leaving GH. Before joining One Life, the perennial Emmy nominee shed 30 pounds before assuming Schuyler’s skin.
In story 411, Liam admits that he’s in town to find out who his father is. Turns out, Liam’s mother was a former fashion model. Who’s the daddy? Thorne? Bill? Nick? Ridge? Stephanie? As for Liam’s love interest, looks like Hope may have caught the computer geek’s modem. |
 |
Coronation Street, CBC — Teen bloodbath!
• Looks like there’s a major teen bloodbath in Corrie’s future. Ryan Connor is the latest to fall victim to producer Phil Collinson’s axe. Apparently, Collinson thinks the show is overpolluted with whipper-snappers! Someone tell that to a few American soaps. This news comes on the heels of Vicky Entwistle’s departure, along with Ben Thompson’s decision to quit in October.
 |
Days of our Lives, NBC/Global — Locker room Lolita!
• In story 411, Rafe seduces Nicole in order to get EJ’s confession in a very ingenious way by using her porn past. Naturally, Sami witnesses Rafe and Nicole swapping DNA. But Rafe better hurry — Sami and EJ are running to the altar!
• Soaps In Depth reported earlier this week that Emmy winner Billy Warlock, currently playing Ross on One Life and Blackthorn on World Turns, had re-signed with DAYS to reprise his role as Frankie Brady. However, Soap Opera Digest refutes In Depth’s reporting after interviewing co-executive producer Gary Tomlin, who stresses, “We have no plan. I like Billy, but there’s nothing in the works on that front for now.”
However, a source close to Warlock suggests to Suds, “there was some interest [from DAYS], but right now, Billy’s still doing One Life.” |
• Poor Stacy Haiduk! The Soap Opera Spirit Award winner revealed via Facebook that due to her booking a guest-starring role on Fox’s midseason series, Ride-Along, Sony once again prematurely cut her from one of its casts. However, Haiduk will appear in three DAYS episodes before Santa Barbara vet Gina Gallego assumes the role of the prison warden. My three cents? It’s probably for the best since this prison warden role sounds like a throwaway part and Haiduk’s much better than that.
Although Haiduk tells Suds she’s a little disappointed, she’s still cool and the gang. “I would have liked to work with Crystal Chappell,” she sighs, “but the universe has other plans at this time.” Big plans, we’re sure.
• DAYS is casting a blonde teen named Jordan. Is this Jenn’s MIA daughter, Abby?
Degrassi, MuchMusic/Teen Nick — Boy between the brains!
• Xtra.ca recently interviewed Jordan Todosey, who plays transgender character Adam on Degrassi. Check it out.
General Hospital, ABC/CTV — Boning LoCicero
• Baby-making machine Rebecca Herbst is giving Maura West a run for her money. The Daytime Emmy-nominated actress welcomed baby boy Emerson Truett on Aug. 9, weighing in at eight pounds, four ounces. The couple married in 2001 and are already parents to Ethan, 8, and Ella, 5.
• The sinful Lisa LoCicero reported on Twitter that she nabbed a guest role on Bones. Schwing!
• Stop the presses! In story 411, Brenda and Sonny call each other! Oooh, the anticipation …!
• Why was Emmy winner Nancy Lee Grahn a no-show at the annual GH fan weekend? “Simply put, I believe that the GH fan luncheon should be a charitable endeavour rather than a money-making event for a private club,” she sounds off to Digest. If you paid to attend the GH fan event on July 24, Grahn wants you to head over to her popular Twitter account to leave your name and she’ll donate money to a charity in your name. And that charity will not be called Monavie.
One Life To Live, ABC — Imaginary statutory rape?
• In story 411, Ford finally admits that he did have sex with the “17 year-old Jessica!” D’oh!
|
The Young and the Restless, CBS/Global — Davidson sounds off on Rowell!
• Thom Bierdz tweeted that he’s back on Aug. 26, writing, “and there will be many emotions going on from many characters!” Does that mean Coop dies? Let’s hope.
• Here’s a name that rolls off the tongue: Gossip Girl’s Luke Kleintank has been cast as Nick and Sharon’s son. Kevin Schmidt last played the role. Noah first appears on Sept. 21.
• Soap Opera Digest made me spit out my glowworm when the mag printed a picture of Joshua Morrow and Lauralee Bell kissing as Nick and Cricket. Seriously. WTF? I guess we’ll have to tune in to find out what this mess is all about. |
 |
• Sara A. Bibel recently chatted with Eileen Davidson about her new career as a soap opera novelist. Here’s a dishy excerpt:
Do you feel any rivalry with the former Y&R actress who also has written a novel about daytime?
Are you talking about Victoria Rowell?
Yeah.
I don’t have any desire to be mean-spirited [in my books.] I just don’t. I love everyone I work with.
• Are you a 21st Gentleman? Sean Kanan, who is currently steaming it up with Michelle Stafford on Y&R, has unveiled his new website to promote his book, The 21st Gentleman: Sean Kanan’s Guide to Being a Modern Gentleman. Click here and groom up! In other news, I’m creating my own website, The 21st Gentlegay.
• Speaking of The Kanan, Sean and his co-star Daniel Goddard will be in Hollywood North for the Toronto International Film Festival this Sept. 17 and 18. More details to come, which may include another hot Y&R leading man being added to the marquis. Suds will be there, so come out and say hi.
Want to dish the soaps with Nelson Branco? Join The Suds Report discussion group today on Facebook.com.
 |
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. |
