The Suds Report: Sept. 3, 2010
SUDSIEST QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“I thought everyone loved Luke and Noah! But people love Reid. Eric [Sheffer Stevens] deserves it — he’s fantastic.”
—World Turns’s Van Hansis in his final Digest feature interview
Translation: They should have killed off Noah instead.
“I would not turn down another soap.”
—Hansis in the same interview
Translation: As long as Jean Passanante isn’t working there! And if other soap showrunners are open-minded enough to see me play a straight character.
“Prozac and alcohol.”
—Y&R’s Billy Miller in a Digest cover story on how the cast stayed awake during Vicki and Billy’s long wedding day shoot.
Translation: Thank God for Sean Young!
All My Children, ABC — Irizarry fired!
• Vincent Irizarry leaves AMC when David is found murdered! Ryan is the prime suspect. But don’t cry for the Emmy winner: Irizarry booked an episode of NCIS: Los Angeles! Maybe One Life will absorb the popular actor as a Cord Roberts recast who falls for Kelly. So far, every character Irizarry has played has been killed off with the exception of GL’s Nick McHenry, Lujack’s twin, and his Santa Barbara character, Dr. Scott Clark.
So why did head writers David Kreizman and Donna Swajeski decide to kill off their most viable villain? Murderer Kreizman tells Soap Opera Digest it was time. “We really felt that this had been building for some time, that even before we started, David had made a lot of choices and done a lot of things to a lot of people, and that it all sort of builds to this moment,” he previews. “He needed to pay for his crimes one way or another.”
Too bad David wasn’t killed off in a big murder mystery, when you know, his character was at his worse. Lately, David has been uncharacteristically kind of nice! It’s sad since I was still hoping for a David and Erica reunion down the road. And remember ex-head scribe Chuck Pratt began his tenure by controversially killing off Stuart, which resulted in viewer and critical backlash.
• Jill Larson and Julia Barr are joining artistic forces to create their own web soap, Written Off, a serial about fired soap actors.
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As the World Turns, CBS/Global — Brokeback Oakdale!
• It’s official: one of the best new characters of 2010 will die when Dr. Reid Oliver is hit by a train (no, Noah isn’t the conductor)! As expected, before he dies, Reid tells Luke he loves him and offers his heart to his dying friend, Chris.
At first, Van Hansis tells Soap Opera Digest that he wasn’t happy when he learned Eric Sheffer Stevens would be killed off, but since the show is on its last legs, it made sense story-wise — even if LuRe never got a chance to make love! Yes, it’s sad, but at least World Turns is signing off with at least one classic soap storyline, especially considering we’ve had to endure nonsensical mobsters, kidnappings that would never end, talking clowns, and one-dimensional villains of late. |
Evan Vanfossen Hansis, the actor’s real name, tells Soap Opera Weekly, “The show’s not killing him because they want to kill him, or because they don’t like this character. I think if this show hadn’t gone off the air, Reid would not have been killed. They’re really making Reid a hero. With him donating his heart to Chris, they’re giving him a hero’s end.”
That’s what gay characters are for, I guess, to save the life of a straight character we hardly care about. Also, would it have killed World Turns to have given fans a beautiful love scene before they shatter Luke’s new world?
For Hansis fans, expect Van to deliver one hell of an Emmy reel when Luke says goodbye to Reid and listens to his heart beating inside Chris. “The scenes are very, very sad,” confirms Hansis.
As for Noah, he rushes to his ex-boyfriend’s side but Hansis reveals there will not be a Nuke reunion. The Daytime Emmy-nominated thespian sighs, “A lot of fans will be upset that Luke, Noah and Reid are three characters that don’t have a happy ending.”
Regardless, I’m looking forward to seeing the storyline play out next week. GH’s Jonathan Jackson has just been put on Emmy notice!
In other Luke news, Weekly shares this finale tidbit: “Luke’s last scene might make you cry. Hint: It puts its own spin on one of another soap’s classic moments.” Let’s pray it doesn’t involve a pink pickup truck. Also, like Guiding light, World Turns will flash-forward during its final show.
• Want to walk down the aisle with bad luck? CBS.com is offering fans a chance to win one of Carly’s wedding dresses! To be eligible, answer the question of week and be randomly entered into the drawing.
• In story 411, Lucinda and John reunite next week!
The Bay, thebaytheseries.com — Help The Bay, Help You!
• LANYFilms Productions has announced that indie soap The Bay was approved for broadcast television in 19 countries in Europe, including but not limited to the U.K., Spain, Italy, France and Sweden. Creator Gregori J. Martin is also in talks for an additional television distribution deal that can put The Bay in over 25 million homes throughout the United States. The Bay premieres on line in two weeks. An iPhone app will also be available shortly of the series of Confessions of the Garretts promos.
To help contribute funds to The Bay, head over to thebaytheseries.com.
The Bold and the Beautiful, CBS/CTV — Tylo sued!
• Order in the court! TMZ is reporting Hunter Tylo is being sued in a joint lawsuit by her lawyer, manager and security firm. According to the site, Tylo allegedly owes money to all three for work done for Tylo.
• Adam Gregory spoke with Soap Opera Digest about taking over the role of Thomas Forrester. The former 90210 hunk says, “They’ve given me a few scripts already and it seems like my character is going to be a lot of fun, and you’re going to be seeing a lot of Thomas. I’m really looking forward to my time here.” As for the hectic taping schedule, Gregory laughs, “The day moves faster and we shoot more episodes [on daytime] — two a day, which is ridiculous for my standards!”
• In story 411, Bridget gives birth to Owen’s baby at the Big Bear cabin. History buffs will recall that Bridget was born in that same cabin, as was Hope, who was delivered by Bridget. As for the baby, it’s definitely Owen’s — they both have a penchant for entering a scene naked! Look for Bridget to develop romantic feelings for Owen, but will she tell him?
Meanwhile, Ashley Jones, fresh from her fantastic guest stint on True Blood last season, tells Weekly that she’d like shape-shifting Daphne to return to the vamp soap. “[Sam] needs a little Daphnie action, right?” postulates Jones. Ruff!
• Father’s Day comes early for Bill Spencer. Turns out Liam is a Spencer. Smart move, B&B!
Coronation Street, CBC — The Roache family tree
• William Roache is keeping Corrie Street all in the family. In this week’s Hello! Canada, the vet actor tells the mag that he’s looking forward to his son, Law & Order’s Linus Roache, and his other son from a previous marriage, James Roache, join him on the Brit sudser. However, Roache is sad his late wife, Sara, won’t be able to see the onscreen reunion of two generations. “My understanding is that she is very alive and she’s around. She was very vibrant. I know that she would have loved this and would have thought it was a very nice touch.” Linus will play Ken’s long-lost son from a previous marriage, and James will play Linus’s son.
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Days of our Lives, NBC/Global — Mad Patriarch!
• In story 411, though Kate and Stefano suspect Sami shot EJ after his suicide attempt, Rafe gives Sami an alibi (which he thinks is true).
• Yep, that was John Aniston on last week’s Mad Men. Aniston played Wallace Harriman, an advertising titan who hosted the Clio Awards. This isn’t the first time a DAYS star has appeared on Madison Avenue. Charles Shaughnessy was seen in a recurring capacity in Season 2 as Saint John Powell.
• Don’t miss Stacy Haiduk’s brief debut on NBC in the much-coveted role of Salem’s prison warden, Jane, before she’s recast with Gina Gallego. Also, Robin Mattson will also pop up beginning on Oct. 5 as one of Hope’s prison buddies. |
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• Nadia Bjorlin is everywhere these days. The DAYS/Venice/ACME sex siren recently booked a guest stint on NCIS: LA! She tells Suds, “It’s a small guest star role — and not that big a deal. I had three scenes but they cut it to down to two. But it was still fun to work with Michael Weatherly.” Expect the episode to air sometime in October.
• Hey, Marnie Saitta: Looks like Thad Luckinbill is leaving Y&R. How about hiring the talented actor as Eric Brady?
• Deidre Hall is suing her former fan club president Cathleen J. Paradis. In the suit, Hall says Paradis “refuses and continues to refuse to surrender the domain name deidrehall.com and other domain names on behalf of Hall, unless Hall pays her thousands of dollars.”
• DAYS has recast Soap Opera Weekly/Digest cover stars Lauren and Hailey Sinnema with new twins Elizabeth and Miriam Tovey as the most dysfunctional future adult on daytime. Look for the new tykes on Oct. 18. Somewhere Eric Braeden is twirling his moustache!
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General Hospital, ABC/CTV —Lucky squared!
• What’s better than one Lucky? Two Luckys! Emmy winner Jonathan Jackson already has the inside track to score the 2011 Supporting Actor award, but this news should secure his fourth trophy, which would be his first win in this category. Next week, Jackson will begin filming a dual role! Turns out Lucky has a doppelganger, Ronan O’Reilly, an assassin for the mysterious Balkan mobster who is out to kill Brenda. Interpol (what happened to the WSB?) intercepts Lucky during his search for Luke and asks for his help! Look for Lucky to fall in love, head writer Bob Guza teases Soap Opera Digest.
• In story 411, Lisa boils one of Emma’s toys! Who knew the Lisa/Patrick/Robin Fatal Attraction-inspired sex triangle would become the breakout GH storyline of the summer. I’m addicted. And a stadium of applause is owed to Emmy winner Kimberly McCullough for her stupendous performance of a woman betrayed. Let’s hope Robin won’t go to jail for Lisa’s murder. |
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Also, look for Sonny to save Brenda from her kidnappers next week. Let’s pray this yawn-fest of a Brenda storyline picks up steam soon! I’m tired of oversleeping during the 3 p.m. hour.
• Is the eternally fertile Nancy Lee Grahn preggers? The Emmy winner, who is taking an unusually long summer vacation, refuted the rumours on her Facebook page. She wrote, “I’d like to address the rumor that I’ve been off for the summer due to pregnancy. I guess the secret’s out!” But Grahn is not with child. Proving she has a great sense of humour, Grahn posted her “first ultrasound” — with a picture of Maurice Benard’s head in “her” stomach! “I just wanted to see if you guys were paying attention!” Grahn joked to Soap Opera Digest.
• Emmy winner Finola Hughes will make an appearance on the ABC Family hit Melissa & Joey on Sept. 28! Come back to soaps, Fin!
• Another one bites the dust. As previously reported, Lesli Charleson has been put on recurring status, but the Daytime Emmy-nominated actress isn’t thrilled the news was leaked early. She wrote on Facebook, “I was under the impression that the announcement of my contract status was not going to be released by Soaps in Depth magazine until the September issue and that would give me the time to tell you myself what was going on. I did not want you to find out on the Internet. Unfortunately, that did not happen and yes, it is true. I am officially off contract. I have had the best relationships with you, the fans and I would’ve never had that without “Monica.” There is nothing that I cherish more than the experiences and memories I have had and the special friends that I have made over the years, both on the show and off. I can’t say enough about how much you all mean to me.”
• Want more Adrienne Barbeau? Coming to DVD this Halloween is filmmaker Michael Stever’s Saturday Nightmares: The Ultimate Horror Expo of All Time!, a spine-tingling documentary short for horror fans. The film takes an unprecedented look behind the scenes of the Saturday Nightmares Expo, which brought together the entire George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead) family.
Barbeau, star of such classics as Romero’s Creepshow, Wes Craven’s Swamp Thing and her former husband John Carpenter’s The Fog, revealed that despite her wonderful experiences making these films, she doesn’t like to be scared. Good luck with working on GH, Adge!
Saturday Nightmares: The Ultimate Horror Expo of All Time! will be on sale for the special price of $14.95 for a limited time right before Halloween 2010, and later at its regular price of $19.95. For more information, click here.
One Life To Live, ABC — Underneath Lozano!
• Missing Téa? Well, if you need an injection of Florencia Lozano, the Soap Opera Spirit-nominated actress has produced her own play, underneathmybed, in New York City! Click here for an interview with Lozano.
Performances of underneathmybed begin on Sept. 1 at the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater in New York. For more information, go to www.rattlestick.org.
• Soap Opera Digest is confirming that SOS winner Brandon Buddy is indeed leaving the soap as Cole.
The Young and the Restless, CBS/Global — Victorious Victoria?
• AMC’s Richie and Mia tie the knot! In story 411, next week Billy and Victoria marry outside their Father Knows Best home. But will Victor stop the wedding in time before Billy says, “You got me, forever, Vicki?” Y&R went on location to film the nuptials in late July. Look for Father Knows Best star Elinor Donahue to officiate the controversial yet romantic nuptials. FYI — B&B first filmed at this outdoor location for Bill and Katie’s wedding. Ironic since Heather Tom once played Y&R’s Victoria. As for Victoria’s Audrey Hepburn-inspired wedding gown, I’m not sure if my thumb is pointing up yet. Let’s see how it looks onscreen. Meanwhile, Amelia Heinle and Billy Miller’s wedding portrait graces the current gorgeous cover of Soap Opera Digest. It’s Bictoria’s second cover in a row. You got that, Eric Braeden!
• Have you noticed that the Y&R sets are more diverse and modern these days? Good work, Paul Rauch!
• Loved the special episode of “The Women” that aired earlier this week. Congrats to all the actresses involved. It was very well-written, produced, and acted. But where were Christine and Nina?
• Whomever threw Melody Thomas Scott back on the front burner, I owe you some naughty snuggle time! Scott is nailing her latest tour-de-force storyline as Meggie throws Nikki off the wagon. Brava!
• As TVGuide.ca reported Wednesday, setside buzz is that Y&R's Clementine Ford and Thad Luckinbill have been let go. Will Mac and JT ride off into the sunset together and solve world hunger? Luckinbill is married to Amelia Heinle, so there could be some awkward moments around the dinner table if sources are correct. But Luckinbill is one talented actor so expect Hollywood to embrace the actor. Unless, of course, DAYS hires him to play Eric Brady! Stay tuned for more on this developing story ...
• Y&R is casting a new recurring role named Hogan, a mid-to-late 40s, male Caucasian. According to the casting breakdown, Hogan’s an attractive bookie, he is charming and generous as he reels in potential clients, but beneath lies a threatening presence, not someone to be stiffed or crossed. Role should start taping around Sept. 13. If all goes well, Hogan could turn into a bigger role.
• That comedic whore Christian LeBlanc hosted ACME last Saturday night — and here’s the video link in case you weren’t in L.A.
LeBlanc’s co-star Sean Kanan will be the next ACME host on Sept. 11.
Want to dish the soaps with Nelson Branco? Join The Suds Report discussion group today on Facebook.com.
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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. |
