Sarah Brown Joins B&B

Sarah Brown is moving from GENERAL HOSPITAL to THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL reports the Associated Press.

Sarah Brown will be checking out of ABC's GENERAL HOSPITAL and into CBS' THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, and she won't get a moment's rest in between.

The actress's last appearance on the ABC daytime soap as Claudia Zacchara, the sexy daughter of a mobster, is set for Nov. 5. The next day, she's to be introduced as goodhearted newcomer Sandy Sommers on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL.

Brown, a triple Daytime Emmy winner when she played a previous character on GENERAL HOSPITAL, said her contract with the serial ran through Jan. 14 and could have barred her from joining the CBS show, even though her ABC role was set to conclude.

But in a rare goodwill gesture involving a competitor, ABC agreed to release her early, said BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL executive producer Bradley P. Bell. The show was named best drama series at this year's Daytime Emmys.

"I was stunned. It was something really very human and very big of them," Bell said. "They were putting the needs of the actress, who is a mother, ahead of the network's."

This year's Outstanding Drama Series adds Brown to their stable of powerhouse actresses which includes Susan Flannery and Leslie Kay.

Tuesday Night Ratings: 90210 Up, MELROSE Stagnant

The CW's 90210 (1.2/3 in 18-49, 2.5 million viewers overall) was up this week compared to last. But MELROSE PLACE had basically the same rating as last week (0.8/2 in 18-49, 1.5 million viewers overall). The CW averaged 2.0 million viewers for the night. Meanwhile, NCIS on CBS had a record 21.4 million viewers.

Soap Stars to Present at 2009 World Magic Awards

Producer Jim Romanovich has confirmed that Eric Braeden, Sharon Case, Kristoff St. John, Corbin Bernsen and Carolyn Hennesey will be among the presenters at the 2009 World Magic Awards.

This year's shows will air take place on October 10 and be hosted by Robert Wagner and Jill St. John. The show will air on November 19 on MyNetworkTV.

Update on THE DOCTORS Return to Television

For those wondering when you might be seeing classic soap THE DOCTORS on The Hallmark Channel as previously announced, We Love Soaps has obtained an update from SFM on the current status.

We are in discussions to bring this series back both with The Hallmark Channel and two other parties. The economy has affected everything so the funding for this is still an issue. Hopefully, within the next few months, we will work our way through the problems. It is only a question of dollars, but that is a serious problem.

We Love Soaps will keep you posted as developments happen.

List of Actors Moving to L.A. with AMC Released By ABC

ALL MY CHILDREN CAST MEMBERS CONFIRMED TO TAPE IN LOS ANGELES

SUSAN LUCCI, CAMERON MATHISON AND MICHAEL E. KNIGHT ARE AMONG THOSE CONFIRMED TO BEGIN TAPING "ALL MY CHILDREN" IN LOS ANGELES IN JANUARY 2010

In August 2009, it was announced by Brian Frons president, Daytime, Disney-ABC Television, that the Emmy Award-winning daytime drama ALL MY CHILDREN will move production from New York City to Los Angeles, California. The final date of production in New York is December 11th.

With production set to resume in Los Angeles on January 4th, 2010, the following contracted cast members are confirmed to begin taping at the Andrita Studios in Los Angeles: Brittany Allen, David Canary, Bobbie Eakes, Melissa Claire Egan, Stephanie Gatschet, Ricky Paull Goldin, Vincent Irizarry, Michael E. Knight, Susan Lucci, Jamie Luner, Adam Mayfield, JR Martinez, Cameron Mathison, Debbi Morgan, Cornelius Smith, Jr., Denise Vasi, Darnell Williams and Jacob Young.

Ray MacDonnell has announced that he will be retiring. We wish him well and our heartfelt congratulations. Thorsten Kaye will not be relocating to Los Angeles, and Alicia Minshew will be on maternity leave beginning November 2009. She will continue to appear on air through the month of December. Appearances by actors on recurring status will be determined by storyline needs and availability.

ALL MY CHILDREN's new, larger facility at Andrita Studios will give the show the largest production footprint of any of the ABC soaps. The site is twice the size of ALL MY CHILDREN's current New York home and contains two stages, which will enable production to keep more standing sets, thereby reducing transportation, set-up, knock-down and storage costs. The new facility will also allow for series production to immediately transition from Standard Definition to High Definition.

ALL MY CHILDREN will celebrate its 40th Anniversary on January 5, 2010. The program has successfully maintained its popularity and continues to be one of daytime's most compelling dramas. ALL MY CHILDREN took home the 1998 Emmy Award for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, the third time the show received this top honor, having also garnered the award in 1994 and 1992. In 2004 the show also received its third consecutive Emmy Award for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series Writing, its third Writers Guild Award and its fourth GLAAD Media Award in March 2007

Created by Agnes Nixon, ALL MY CHILDREN premiered on the ABC Television Network on January 5, 1970, as a half-hour show; seven years later it expanded to an hour. Julie Hanan Carruthers is executive producer and Charles Pratt, Jr. is head writer. ALL MY CHILDREN is currently produced in New York and airs MONDAY-FRIDAY (1:00-2:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Jessica Leccia Talks Ivy, The End of GL and VENICE

We Love Soaps caught up with VENICE star Jessica Leccia (Ani) at the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction on Sunday, September 27. Leccia spoke about her baby daughter, Ivy, the end of Otalia on GUIDING LIGHT and previewed her upcoming gig, VENICE.

We Love Soaps: How is Ivy doing?
Jessica Leccia: [With a huge smile on her face] She's so pretty, and she's so happy, and she's chunky, and she's got rolls, and she smiles a lot. She's great.

We Love Soaps: How are you doing?
Jesscia Leccia: I'm good. I'm chunky, and I have rolls, and I smile a lot. [Laughs]

We Love Soaps: [Laughs] You look beautiful! What are you saying? Do you feel like you're under pressure to lose weight?
Jessica Leccia: Myself, sure. No one has come out and been like, "You're heavier than you were before." But I'd really like to just because it's a little bit more comfortable for me. I'm little.

We Love Soaps: Now the question you've been asked a million times and I'm giong to be cliche and just ask it - how did you feel about how Natalia and Olivia's relationship ended at the end of GUIDING LIGHT?
Jessica Leccia: I felt pretty good about it. I understand maybe there might have been a little qualm about their physical relationship, but in my mind Natalia and Olivia were together in every way, they were together physically. Maybe you didn't see it, but they were together. And I felt like seeing them a year later really brought it home that they were really a family, they stayed together and they stuck it out. They were a real couple.

We Love Soaps: Were you satisfied with how it was tied up at the end?
Jessica Leccia: I don't know how else they could have done it. I think they did a really good job of trying to get everyone's story so that people could have a clear view of where everything was supposed to be. I thought they did a good job of doing that.

Dear Daytime: No More Baby Switches

Three of the last four covers of Soap Opera Digest have been about baby switches which made me think about how truly sick of this overused plot twist I really am. Baby switches have happened in real life, usually due to some purely accidental set of circumstances, but not with the frequency with which they do on daytime soaps. The latest baby switch on DAYS OF OUR LIVES with Sami/Nicole has been going on for what seems like an eternity. I actually like stories that are played out over a longer period of time, but some of the plots twists here have not been engaging and I don't really care what happens at this point. And now THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS seems to be doing a switcheroo of their own with Adam arranging for Ashley to have Sharon's baby.

I know some fans did not like the GUIDING LIGHT realistic look and stories of the past year, but it sure made me long for the days when soaps were about character's relationships more than shootouts, explosions, tornadoes and baby switches. One of the annoying parts of the recent baby switch storylines on soaps is that they are telegraphed a mile away. Did anyone not think Ashley would eventually end up with Sharon's baby on Y&R? I'm sure we'll get some wonderful acting from everyone involved, but if the writers want us to invest in a five-day-a-week soap, it needs to be less predictable.

My suggestion to Soap Opera Digest is to stop featuring repetitive baby switch storylines on their cover, and especially three times in a month. Digest has the most prime real estate in super market checkout lines and lapsed fans that see this probably just roll their eyes and think to themselves, "I'm glad I gave up the soaps." Even ONE LIFE TO LIVE, which is lucky to even get an inset picture on the Digest cover twice a year got a partial cover when Starr got her baby back. How about promoting the indie soap movement with a Tristan Rogers, Martha Byrne and Crystal Chappel cover? Give people who love soaps, and there are many, something to look forward to and hope for the future.

Under Fire with James DePaiva, Part Three

In Part One of our interview with former ONE LIFE TO LIVE star James DePaiva, the actor shared his thoughts on the new musical he's starring in, "Under Fire." As we continued in Part Two, DePaiva shared insights about his ego, reflections on Max Holden, and suggestions for surviving the loss of GUIDING LIGHT. In the final part of our interview, DePaiva discussed more behind the scenes history at ABC, finding peace in his life, and where exactly he stashed the life-size cardboard cutouts of Max and Luna.

We Love Soaps: Here at WeLoveSoaps.net, we are hoping that the internet will serve as that medium that will allow writers to tell good stories again. Would you ever consider appearing on an internet soap?
James DePaiva: Yeah, why not? No reason not to. I think the worst thing that ever happened to soaps was they became so big. They became so popular and hit mainstream, and were on the cover of every magazine. Up until that point, if you watched most soaps, the production values were horrible! They were cheap, they had three sets, they were dimly set so you couldn't see how bad they were, and the people talked and had relationships. Then the ABC soaps, with Luke and Laura spearheading the charge, became about bigger production values, more action.

Production costs went up exponentially. They became big and expensive, and they were making a ton of money, so the networks were throwing money at them, and they stopped worrying about telling that story of a family. They stopped telling the stories of a teenager’s unrequited love. I’ve heard Beth Maitland is back on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, and didn’t she have that story where she was the chubby girl? That’s the real personal stuff. There were no aliens or anything. It was a real life story. And that’s why THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS held on to it's fans for such a long long time, they didn’t say to their audience, “You’re idiots.” They stay close to the formula of: these are the families, these are the relationships, and this is how life passes. They don’t do anything so whacked out that you can’t bring back characters to where they used to be.

So keep you eyes and ears open, and something else will come back. There’s no way you can replace a show with which you’ve had a thirty year relationship. You can’t. I saw on CBS today a woman who said, “I don’t have another 72 years to invest in another soap.” They were talking about GUIDING LIGHT going away, and that’s true. You lost an old friend. You lost characters you love. And I think you’re going to see a lot more characters you loved lost in the next couple of years. I don’t think this is the end of the bleeding.

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We Love Soaps: For me the bleeding started with losing ANOTHER WORLD has been slowly going on ever since.
James DePaiva: When I started, there were seven shows being shot in New York. I don’t know where AS THE WORLD TURNS sits, but it’s the same company as GUIDING LIGHT, and I don’t know what their numbers are, but I imagine they’re not that different. And I can’t imagine AS THE WORLD TURNS lasting for a much longer period, and then we’ll have just one soap left in New York. Just one. And Disney will turn around and ship that one out just as soon as they can. Or, just kill it. [Pause] What a wonderful high note to end on!

We Love Soaps: On our website we are trying to help our readers and listeners cope with some of the grief issues they’re experiencing from the loss of their beloved shows and characters. We want to help.
James DePaiva: Ellen Wheeler, who I met, cares about soaps. Chris Goutman cares about soaps. Paul Rauch, and I can speak personally about Paul and Gary [Tomlin], love soaps. They love the format, love the genre. But when I came on board at ABC, all the people above them loved soaps. Now they’re just part of the corporate food chain. Now it’s, “How am I going to leverage this job to go on to a different part of the corporation?” It’s an executive gig. We had Jackie Smith and a group of women running ABC Daytime. A group of women. And every one of them watched every ABC soap. They knew what was going on on all of them. And they were intimately involved with the characters. That’s why I was fortunate to come in when I did, that's what made Max a big star. I had these people promoting me and pushing me and they said, “This is what we like as women, this is what we want to see.”

ABC had a promotion department that went all out. I have life-sized cut outs of myself and Susan Batten in my barn! They were in Barnes & Nobles all around the country. ABC had a brand, and it was protecting that brand. Cap City deluded it a bit [EDITOR'S NOTE: Capital Cities acquired ABC in 1986]. And when Disney came around [in 1996] it was numbers on a page. The president of ABC Daytime was the end job, there was no other place to go unless you became president of the network...which wasn’t likely. If you were president of ABC Sports then you were king, or queen.

We Love Soaps: Now, I see you have a guitar with you.
James DePaiva: Yeah, and I’m not doing a song now.

We Love Soaps: Okay. But are you playing in your musical, “Under Fire?”
James DePaiva: Yes, I’m going to play a little bit. It’s a very bittersweet, tender moment. I’m not going to tell you why, but, I think I might cry during it [laughs]. The whole feel of the show is very Latin. If you like The Gypsy Kings or Buena Vista Social Club or anything like that, there’s a lot of that. I think we have three guitars in the [orchestra] pit, a bass drum and piano, and that’s it. It’s a lot of guitars, including them strolling around and strumming them. It makes you want to get up and dance.

We Love Soaps: You look peaceful and happy as you talk about this show. Do you want to do more theater after this?
James DePaiva: God, yes!

We Love Soaps: Is this your first step back in that door?
James DePaiva: Well, that was the intent. The reason for doing a soap opera and coming to New York was to do theater. And then it just fell by the wayside because that damn Max did too well. My life got in the way of my plans. But I’m also at a point now where J.Q., my son, is old enough to handle himself. I’ve been Mr. Mom for the last five years and I would not solicit work or accept work because I was watching my son. Kassie’s working her butt off and I don’t want to make her life tougher. So I took care of J.Q. Now he’s at the age where he wants less and less supervision. He goes to school on his own, comes home on his own, cooks his own dinner and everything. He’s twelve, he wants a little freedom. That allows me to go and do this.

We Love Soaps: So for people that are coming to New York over the next few weeks, how are they going to get tickets?
James DePaiva: Well, it opens September 30th, it closes October 12. There are only six performances unless they add them on.

For tickets or more information on "Under Fire," visit nymf.org.

Damon L. Jacobs is a Marriage Family Therapist practicing in New York City, and the author of "Absolutely Should-less: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve." He blogs regularly at www.shouldless.com.

Magazine Audiences Increase 8%, Weekly/Digest Fall

Despite the perception that newsstand sales are on the decline, over the last decade the total audience for leading consumer magazines has increased by about 8%, according to a MediaPost analysis of 81 top titles.

The news isn't so good for Soap Opera Digest and Soap Opera Weekly though in the study from the Spring of 2000 to the Spring of 2009. Thirty-eight titles were analyzed in the women's interest category including Weekly and Digest. Only eight of the 38 titles saw their female audience decrease over this period with Soap Opera Digest (-27%) and Soap Opera Weekly (-21%) falling the most.

News Round-up: Dano, Goldin, GL Breast Cancer

INTERVIEW: Former soap star Linda Dano
Dano appeared on "Brandon's Buzz" Tuesday night before her return visit to QVC at 1 a.m. ET this morning. She'll be on QVC again at 10 a.m. ET.

LIQUID SOAP Goes Live
The much-anticipated first episode of Bath Spa University's new online soap opera will be webcast on www.liquidsoap.tv at 12 noon on Monday 12 October.

Set entirely in the toilets of the cafe at First Central University, LIQUID SOAP will reveal the hilarious world of gripping micro-dramas that are played out daily in this intimate location. Episode One, Fumbling In The Ruck, kicks the series off in typical no holds barred style - one of the First Central University rugby team seems to be having a crisis of sexuality but the question is, which one?

INTERVIEW: AMC's Ricky Paull Goldin (Jake)
"All of us in this business have a bit of the gypsy in us.
I mean honestly, what show can you get nowadays, in this life, and stay on one show anyway? And by the way, if I were to quit the show I would have had to get on a plane to LA to get another job. So really, c’mon! I feel as long as you are shooting in New York you are getting away with something. You are pulling
a fast one, because you get to be in Manhattan, one of the best and most expensive cities in the world, and doing a show. There are a lot of new shows coming to town. UGLY BETTY moved there last year, and I believe there happens to be ten shows that shoot in New York now. It just happens that ALL MY CHILDREN is not going to be one of them now."

GL stars, Panera team up for breast cancer awareness
Six GUIDING LIGHT stars will kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month tomorrow with appearances on KDKA's "Pittsburgh Live" and at local Panera stores.

Actors Daniel Cosgrove (Billy), Karla Mosley (Christina) and Lawrence Saint Victor (Remy) will be at Panera stores in Oakland from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., Penn Center from noon to 1:30 p.m. and Monroeville from 1:45 to 3 p.m.

Actors Frank Dicopoulos (Frank), Zak Conroy (James) and Kurt McKinney (Matt) will be at Panera stores on McKnight Road, Ross, from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., in Pine from noon to 1:30 p.m. and in Cranberry from 1:45 to 3 p.m.

All six stars will appear together from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Falconi car dealership in Moon.

Internet influences film audiences
If marketing mavens want to reach younger moviegoers when promoting their films, they need to embrace social networks or risk being ignored.

That was the overall message of Moviegoers 2010, the first report on moviegoing habits produced by Stradella Road, the entertainment marketing firm founded by former New Line Web guru Gordon Paddison that hopes to assist film marketers in determining how to reach consumers over the next decade.

The study found that teens and twentysomethings are especially focused on being able to customize entertainment and are quick to share their opinions with others digitally -- especially as usage of the Internet, mobile devices and DVRs has become more widespread. An estimated 94% of all moviegoers are now online.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The daytime television soaps need to consider the same concepts and the influence of the internet on potential viewers.

Death of the daytime soaps
Tracy Williams writes: "Get the defibrillator! Call the Priest! Warm up the fat lady! The days of our lives as we know it are heading down the path of conclusion... housewives have left the building and the shrinking audience of daytime television is draining the life of what my grandmother referred to as her 'stories.'"

Soap Nation Tour Teams With City Year

ABC Daytime and SOAPnet's Soap Nation Tour is teaming with City Year, the national youth service organization, for volunteer events in Los Angeles and New York. As part of the Entertainment Industry Foundation's "iParticipate" initiative, daytime stars from GENERAL HOSPITAL, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and ALL MY CHILDREN will participate in a day of service on Saturday, October 24th to help beautify a local school in each city.

Fans interested in volunteering for a day of service with the daytime stars and City Year teams in Los Angeles or New York can log onto Soapnet.com to reserve their spot and to fill out the necessary paperwork. The GENERAL HOSPITAL stars confirmed to participate in Los Angeles are Brandon Barash, Jane Elliot, Carolyn Hennesy, Kent King, Lisa Lo Cicero, Minae Noji, Haley Pullos, Aaron Refvem, Megan Ward and Dominic Zamprogna. In New York, stars confirmed to participate from ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE include John Brotherton, Brandon Buddy, Bobbie Eakes, Melissa Claire Egan, Farah Fath, Ricky Paull Goldin, JR Martinez, Cornelius Smith, Chrishell Stause, Robin Strasser, Jason Tam, Denise Vasi and Bree Williamson. Talent participation is subject to change.

During the week of October 19, EIF is using its recently launched “iParticipate” initiative to mobilize the entire entertainment community around a ground-breaking, multi-year initiative designed to inspire a new era of service, promoting a new way of thinking about service, and to motivate millions more Americans to volunteer regularly.

City Year is a nonprofit organization built on the belief that young people can change the world. As tutors, mentors and role models, City Year's diverse young leaders make a difference in the lives of children and transform schools and neighborhoods across the United States, at 19 locations, and in South Africa. Every 26 seconds a student drops out of high school in America, and this dropout crisis requires innovative solutions. Corps members dedicate themselves to helping students and schools succeed with a focus on improving attendance, behavior and coursework. City Year also engages community members, corporate employees and students in high-impact community service events to improve educational, recreational and residential facilities supporting youth and families. For more information about City Year and the areas it serves, log onto www.cityyear.org.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Barry Williams (ex-Hannibal, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Greg, THE BRADYS) - 55
William Christian (ex-Derek, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Marshall, ANOTHER WORLD) - 54

INDIE SOAP BEAT Extra: Tina Sloan Joins VENICE

Tina Sloan is not only currently enjoying a successful run of her play, "Changing Shoes," in Atlanta (go see it), but the VENICE team has announced she will be joining the cast of the upcoming indie web soap as well.

Sloan will be playing Katherine and joins the previously announced cast: Crystal Chappell as Gina, Jessica Leccia as Ani, Hillary B. Smith as Guya, Jordan Clarke as The Colonel (Gina's father), Michael Sabatino as Alan, Elizabeth Keener as Lara, Gina Tognoni as Sami, Jeff Branson as Owen, and Michelle Carter as Michele.

The Latest in Soap Videos: Colleen, TnT, Erica, Spixie

Here are some of the latest soap opera videos to hit the web.

YOUR DAUGHTER'S HEART: Traci signed papers on Tuesday's THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS to allow Colleen's organs to be donated. Nikki showed up and asked the Abbotts to consider designating Colleen's heart for Victor if they are a match.

TODD AND TÊA: Blair blew a fog horn as Todd and Téa were pronounced husband and wife on Tuesday's ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

A MAGICAL NIGHT: Erica and Ryan shared a romantic dance on Tuesday's ALL MY CHILDREN.

HEARTACHE AND PAIN: Spinelli sang to Maxie again as they danced on Tuesday's GENERAL HOSPITAL.

Kate Linder To Be Honored by St. Louis ALS Chapter

KATE LINDER TO BE HONORED BY ST. LOUIS CHAPTER OF THE ALS ASSN.
SAT., NOV. 7, COME BID ON A TOUR OF THE SET

To mark the 25th anniversary of the St. Louis Chapter of the ALS Association, they are honoring the national organization’s celebrity spokesperson, Kate Linder of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.

WHAT: 25th Anniversary Gala Celebration to benefit the ALS Association – St. Louis Regional Chapter. Come for a night of cocktails, dinner, dancing, and a live Auction where you can bid on a tour for you and a guest to come to the set of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and Kate Linder will be your tour guide.

WHO: Kate Linder, Esther Valentine on the #1 rated soap, CBS’ THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

WHEN: Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 6:00 PM

WHERE: The St. Louis Club

COST: $250.00/person. Tickets are available by calling: Gale Ingram, 314/432-7257 or 888/873-8539

CLASSIC CLIP: Don Knotts on SEARCH

From 1953 to 1955, Don Knotts, best known as Deputy Barney Fife from THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, played Wilbur Peterson on SEARCH FOR TOMORROW. In the clip Wilbur is struggling to wake up from a coma.

Soaps on the Street: Talking with Steve at Venice Beach

If you watched the We Love Soaps Daytime Emmy Wrap-Up, you saw our "Who Watched the Daytime Emmys?" segment from Venice Beach, California, home of Crystal Chappell's new web soap, VENICE. By popular demand, here is the unedited clip of our chat with Steve.

Good Ratings News For SOAPnet; New Record for OLTL

SOAPnet has released third quarter ratings highlights and once again it is good news. ONE LIFE TO LIVE again proved it is alive and well with another record quarter.

Ratings Highlights for 3Q 2009 (Final National Ratings)
* Growing its Audience for the 7th Consecutive Quarter in Prime and Total Day, 3Q09 Ranks as SOAPnet's Most-Watched Quarter Ever in Total Viewers

* Building its Audience for the 5th Consecutive Quarter, 3Q09 Becomes SOAPnet's Most-Watched Quarter in Total Day in Women 18-49

* 3Q09 Wraps as SOAPnet's Second-Most-Watched Quarter Ever in Prime in Women 18-49, Falling Just Shy of 2Q09's Record-Setting Levels

* ONE LIFE TO LIVE Nets its Largest Quarterly Audience in 3Q09 in Total Viewers and Women 18-49, While "General Hospital" and "All My Children" Register Double-Digit Percent Increases Year to Year in the Key Demos

SOAPnet (3Q 2009)
Posting its 7th consecutive quarter of increases, 3Q09 became SOAPnet's most-watched quarter on record in Total Viewers in Prime (381,000) and Total Day (198,000). Impressively, this is the second straight quarter the network has delivered at record levels.

In Women 18-49, SOAPnet grew its Total Day audience for the 5th straight quarter, hitting all-time highs in 3Q09 (79,000). In Prime 3Q09 became the net's second-most-watched quarter ever, behind only 2Q08 (142,000 vs. 143,000).

Compared to 3Q08, in Prime SOAPnet climbed by an impressive 21% in Total Viewers (381,000 vs. 315,000) and by 35% in Women 18-49 (142,000 vs. 105,000). In Total Day SOAPnet improved delivery by an equally impressive 22% in Total Viewers (198,000 vs. 162,000) and by 30% in Women 18-49 (79,000 vs. 61,000).

Program Highlights
Garnering double-digit percent gains over year-ago levels, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (M-F, 9:00 10:00 p.m.) registered the series' largest quarterly audience on record on SOAPnet in Total Viewers (480,000) and Women 18-49 (186,000), increasing by a respective 39% (vs. 349,000) and 50% (vs. 124,000).

ALL MY CHILDREN (M-F, 8:00 9:00 p.m.) posted robust year-to-year increases, up by 31% in Total Viewers (477,000 vs. 365,000) and by 57% in Women 18-49 (184,000 vs. 117,000) over 3Q08 deliveries.

GENERAL HOSPITAL (M-F, 10:00 11:00 p.m.) garnered hefty gains over year-ago levels, increasing by 10% in Total Viewers (454,000 vs. 413,000) and by 23% in Women 18-49 (174,000 vs. 142,000).

Source: Nielsen Media Research (National Ratings, 3Q09: 6/29/09-9/27/09, Most Current; Year-Ago, 3Q08: 06/30/08-9/28/08, L + 7.

PREVIEW: Tonight's MELROSE PLACE

MELROSE PLACE "Vine" Episode 4 - Jane Mancini (guest star Josie Bissett), Sydney’s (Laura Leighton) sister, comes to Melrose Place and announces that she inherited the building from Sydney. Jane threatens to show incriminating emails Ella (Katie Cassidy) sent to Syndey to the police unless Ella allows her to dress one of her up-and-coming clients for a movie premiere in a Jane Mancini original design. Desperate, Ella turns to David (Shaun Sipos) for help. Detective Rodriguez (guest star Nicholas Gonzalez) shows up at Violet’s (Ashlee Simpson-Wentz) apartment asking questions about her connection to Sydney, but she flees though the window. Lauren (Stephanie Jacobsen) meets a John (guest star Sam Page) at the hotel bar after being stood up by Toby (guest star Adam Kaufman) and decides to take her new side job to the next level. However, upon leaving the hotel, Lauren is stopped by Wendi (guest star Kelly Carlson), a madam who has a deal with the hotel, who threatens Lauren if she ever sees her in there again.

Fred Toye directed the episode written by Daniel Thomsen Dries.

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PREVIEW: Tonight's 90210

90210 "The Porn King" Season 2 Episode 4 - Dixon (Tristan Wilds) and Sasha (guest star Mekia Cox) continue their whirlwind romance by driving to Napa for the weekend, but on the return trip a flat tire leads to a trunk of porn and a bunch of lies. Annie’s (Shenae Grimes) confident attitude quickly disappears when she realizes that Jasper (guest star Zach Sherman), the nephew of the man she hit on prom night, is a student at West Beverly. Navid (Michael Steger) continues to run the Blaze News and assigns Silver (Jessica Stroup) and Gia (guest star Rumer Willis) to interview Jasper for a news piece about his uncle. Things get steamy when Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) confides in Teddy (guest star Trevor Donovan), resulting in Adrianna and Navid finally spending the night together. Liam (Matt Lanter) finally finds a way to get revenge on Jen (guest star Sara Foster) and reveal the truth to Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord) about their night together at prom.

Rob Estes, Lori Loughlin and Ryan Eggold also star. James L. Conway directed the episode written by Maria Maggenti and Jordan.

Continue reading...

Crystal Chappell Previews VENICE

In a new interview with TV Guide Magazine, Crystal Chappell offers a preview of her new web series, VENICE.

At the top of the first episode, Gina and Ani have just spent the night together. They’ve reconnected after not seeing each other for a year, so you will see a kiss, but you soon realize that Gina has incredible intimacy issues, and you’re left to wonder what’s going to happen to them during the series. Will they get back together? Can they get back together? Will other people come into their lives? Like I said, it’s a good ol’ soap!

Chappell also talks about old DAYS OF OUR LIVES footage, the Otalia fans and the common soap mistake of focusing on younger characters.

JIM ROMANOVICH: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

Jim Romanovich, ATI's President of Worldwide Media and Entertainment and this year's Daytime Emmy producer, shared with We Love Soaps his thoughts on the latest happenings from around the soap world.

By far, The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly is one of my favorite films. Unfortunately, we’re not talking about Clint Eastwood and the Man with No Name. We have plenty of names here. Good, bad, and ugly. This week certainly seems like the World Series of news in daytime television. There’s reassuring as well as disconcerting news. The bottom line is that this only validates how fragile our industry is.

The Good
The recasting of Jonathan Jackson as Lucas Lorenzo Spencer, Jr. is great news for GENERAL HOSPITAL fans, advertisers, and network executives. It re-establishes a dynamic that has been missing for ten years and that is the Luke and Lucky connection. It also validates ABC’s faith in GH. If you recall a few months ago, I did an analysis of the creation of Ethan as Luke Spencer’s illegitimate son with Holly Sutton. I think we all agreed that the story would have played out better if he was Robert Scorpio’s son. But if Tristan Rogers is not on the canvas, then what’s the point? But Tony Geary is, and he is an actor in search of a story. What Luke was not getting with Lucky he was able to recreate with Ethan.

Continue reading...

With the return of Jackson, it will be interesting to see what happens with Nathan Parsons. If the JJ and TG reunion is a mega hit, you could very well see Ethan be exposed as the con artist he is who was never Luke’s son and then be run out of town. But none of that is pre-determined until they see if the magic is still there. I think it is. If anything, Jackson’s talents have only matured since he was a kid and I’m betting that you’re going to see sheer dynamite on screen with him regardless of story because he is that captivating as an actor. There are some who are successful working actors that deliver the goods every time and then there are others who walk in the room and everything stops. Jackson has this “it” factor. If you like Tom Pelphrey, I think you’re going to like the adult Jonathan Jackson. I’m also guessing that there are going to be major changes in Lucky’s direction in life. I cannot imagine him as a cop. If I was writing the show, I would have a come-to-Jesus situation that forces Lucky and Luke to be together in which all truths, all demons, and all understandings come out. I’m talking a week of powerhouse dialogue between two titans in their own play that is as moving and essential as anything you’d see in an Arthur Miller production. Do you remember that last scene in Death of a Salesman between Willy Loman and his son Biff? The resolution is that Lucky has a better understanding and acceptance of his father as well as what he needs to do with his life. With Jackson on for six months, perhaps this is an end game for Lucky. If economic hardships continue, then perhaps Jackson can ride it out as long as the GH train runs. But that’s how I see Jackson’s version of Lucky evolving out of Greg Vaughan’s version.

And speaking of Mr. Vaughan. The only negative about Jackson’s return is Vaughan’s departure. In baseball, he is what we call a utility player. He shows up when you need him. He’s always on time and generally will be the last to go until the job is done… and done correctly. He’s the guy that will do whatever is asked of him in support of his team and what’s best for his team even if it’s not always in his best interest. He is the protector. And that’s what he did with Lucky. He protected that character for six years and did the role justice. As I mentioned in a previous piece, Greg inherited Jacob Young’s version of Lucky which was night and day from Jackson’s version. Young was more brooding and dark. He wasn’t “cowboy”. He played Lucky as a tortured soul which I’m sure came out of the brainwashing storyline engineered by Helena Cassadine. When Young left, Vaughan was a good choice to bring back a more human side of Lucky. You have to remember at the time that Laura was gone or nearly gone and Luke was spiraling out of control.

To Vaughan’s credit, he found a dynamic that made sense in integrating the “adult” Lucky into the world of the “child-like” Luke-and it made perfect sense. Notwithstanding the drug addiction storyline, Vaughan’s Lucky became Luke’s parent. To Vaughan’s detriment, it also set a path for the character in which there was no return. The Luke/Lucky dynamic had changed because the writers had now written Lucky as the show’s moral compass. He was the barometer of right and wrong. But as such, he was no longer the force of conflict. He measures conflict and that’s not a very fulfilling place for this character or for the actor. This is exactly the reason for Ethan and more directly the reason for Jonathan Jackson’s return.

One final word about Greg Vaughan. Don’t worry about him. He is a fine actor who still has his greatest work ahead of him. He’s one of the good guys in this business. I didn’t get a chance to meet him when I visited the set this past June. But it is evident that he commands a lot of respect from his cast mates. And he also commands a lot of respect from producers as well. He has a great future and I am sure you will see him in something very, very soon. I have great respect for Greg Vaughan because he alone kept the character of Lucky Spencer alive and relevant. Not an easy task.

The Bad
Greg Vaughan’s departure certainly is bad although it would be cool to see him come back to GH as someone new. The other bad news of the week is the imminent departure of Eric Braedon from the iconic role of Victor Newman he’s made famous for thirty years. Now, this may iron itself out and I hope it does as Braedon’s departure would be devastating for Y&R. Fortunately for Y&R, they have so many strong characters on the show. But the principal obstacle is that Y&R’s chief success now becomes their biggest liability. The show is second to none in the relevancy of history and legacy characters being more than wallpaper or plot devices. They have built their dynamic largely on the Newman/Abbott feud for twenty or more years that I can count. With Braedon out, Y&R has a tremendous hole to fill that in this fragile state of daytime may be too difficult to do. Victor and Nikki are the two that most Y&R fans want to see. I’m not saying it’s impossible to recover. But trends are showing that daytime soaps are declining. There is no ebb and flow. It’s a pinhole in the bean bag. But a hole nonetheless. Would Braedon’s departure turn that pinhole into a major slash? If I was Sony or the Bells, I would make the hard cuts elsewhere until it was time to renew Braedon’s contract in 2010. It’s just too great to risk and the fan backlash could be devastating. On the hand, it may give other families, such as the Winters, a chance to build their dynasties as well as the Newmans to find new dynamics within their own household. Perhaps an Adam/Nick conflict that could escalate. I don’t know. All I do know is that your number one show doesn’t need to stir its waters as such. I’m all for re-inventing a show for a new audience. But rebuilding from an atomic explosion could prove futile. I certainly hope I’m wrong if Braedon leaves and, more importantly, I hope this whole discussion is moot when Braedon and management come to terms.
Which leads me to…

The Ugly
The common theme here is the fragility of the daytime broadcast television soap opera. I worded that very carefully as you can see. “Broadcast television” as the operative words. The ugliness began with the 36th Annual Daytime Emmys being dismissed from both ABC and CBS. It may not have been the beginning of what was to come, but it certainly was the identifying factor in that which was about to follow…and follow quickly. GUIDING LIGHT's cancellation in April, DAYS OF OUR LIVES' elimination of veteran cast members, ALL MY CHILDREN moving to LA, Eric Braedon’s possible departure from THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, and now the possible elimination of yet another soap-ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

OLTL is one of the best soaps on television. I emailed Frank Valentini recently about how much I enjoyed the show and some ideas I had about taking the David Vickers character and making a real mock reality series for SoapNet. It would be funny and showcase OLTL characters in a new way that may bring forth new fans just as GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS on A&E brought in new Gene fans to KISS. Now KISS has a new CD and huge nationwide tour. Unfortunately, the deals made would not allow OLTL to do this. But OLTL is one show that has me vested in every story. When one ends, another picks up steam and no cast member is all that much greater than the other in importance. They use veterans in prominent stories yet don’t solely rely on them to carry the ball. Valentini has a well oiled machine that rarely fails its fans. So to hear of their possible cancellation next year was horrific to say the least. It’s also pre-mature. I feel if ABC wants the show, they will do what they can to save it. I believe that part of the AMC move to LA was meant to save both shows as I knew one wouldn’t survive. It seemed ABC showed great faith in all three of their soaps by doing what they did. I still believe that.

But I also know the business of television and it’s all going to come down to “money saved is money earned”. If the profit OLTL generates (assuming it does) does not balance out the effort that goes into it, then, yes, OLTL may end just as ANY show would. ABC is looking at their future and that also means taking the path of least resistance. I spoke about profit margins in previous interviews. The good news is that ABC owns its soaps. Its profit margins are probably higher than other network’s soaps. The bad news is that it may be too much effort. If OLTL makes a 20% profit on its cost, let’s say, and ABC can make that same 20% profit on a talk show in which they also have a vested interest, then which way do you think they might lean? The talk show. One talent, one set, and fewer days of production as many talk formats can whip out five days worth of shows in two or three days. I think JUDGE JUDY comes in for a week and does a month of shows. This is really what it all comes down to regardless of magnificent storytelling or stunt casting. In television, art does not create business. Business creates art. If Tide detergent wants to spend $20 million to create a new daytime soap, then a new daytime soap will be created. But all the Agnes Nixons, Glory Montys and Doug Marlands in the world can’t create the art in hopes of finding the business in today’s world.

You heard of the Golden Rule? The one that controls the gold rules.

If you think daytime is the only target, think again. Where can you find all your great dramas these days? Cable. Sure, you have CSI, HOUSE, 24 and a few others. But on cable, you mostly have the best shows. SOPRANOS, MAD MEN, THE TUDORS, TRUE BLOOD, RESCUE ME, DAMAGES, and so on.

Network television is in survival mode. Daytime television is on the top of that list. So my hope is that OLTL remains a vital part of their line-up. If it doesn’t, and keep in mind the Sword of Damocles hanging over ATWT too, and we lose both shows in 2010, then that sound you hear is the fat lady rehearsing.

News Round-up: Inside Soap Awards, Grimes, Jackson

ABC comments on ONE LIFE TO LIVE cancellation rumors
"The only upcoming move ONE LIFE TO LIVE is making is to the ALL MY CHILDREN stage after that series relocates to Los Angeles," says ABC Daytime spokesperson Jori Peterson. "This will give ONE LIFE TO LIVE more room and increase their production value."

ABC's Sunday night soaps see some ratings erosion
ABC saw some erosion for Sunday night dramas DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and BROTHERS & SISTERS. At 9 p.m. HOUSEWIVES averaged 13.2 million viewers and a 4.5 demo rating, a decline of 44% compared to last season's premiere. BROTHERS & SISTERS pulled in 9.3 million total viewers and a 3 demo rating, down 35%. But both shows opened even with where they concluded last spring and notched second-place finishes in their respective hours behind football on NBC.

INTERVIEW: GH's Jonathan Jackson (soon-to-be-returned Lucky)
"I’m sort of in a whirlwind. This is pretty much out of the blue. It’s been 10 years since I left the show but in some ways it doesn’t feel like that at all. When I [got the offer] from GH I talked about it with my family and it felt like the right time to return. I also talked it over with Tony Geary [Lucky’s dad Luke], who was really positive about this. Our relationship goes back a long way. That’s one of the biggest motivators in my coming back—getting to work with Tony again. It feels like a very exciting adventure."

EASTENDERS nabs seven Inside Soap Awards
EASTENDERS took home top honours at the Inside Soap Awards, as well as a fourth consecutive Best Actress win for Lacey Turner. The Walford soap beat CORONATION STREET by collecting seven of the 14 gongs, including Best Soap, to rival CORRIE's haul of five awards. Channel 4 soap HOLLYOAKS won one award, with the Best Family title going to The McQueens, while EMMERDALE went away empty-handed.

90210's Shenae Grimes: 'People Got Annoyed with Seeing Annie Smiling All the Time!'
“Annie smiles too much!” “She’s too much of a goody-goody!” “She always has the least interesting storylines!” When 90210 premiered last year to enormous expectations, actress Shenae Grimes saw her lead character come in for a whole lot of criticism, but there was one thing her detractors didn’t know: Secretly, Grimes agreed with them.

In a candid, exclusive interview with Movieline, the 19-year-old Toronto native detailed her frustration with last season’s storylines and praised new showrunner Rebecca Sinclair for taking Annie down a dark path at the same time as the show itself gets a necessary infusion of California sunshine.

Craig Wright, Mark Burnett set CBS drama
DIRTY SEXY MONEY creator Craig Wright has teamed with top reality producer Mark Burnett for a drama project set at CBS. The untitled project, produced by Sony Pictures TV, centers on a lawyer who, after a near-fatal car crash, is offered a second chance at life by the ghost of his ex-wife. Wright is writing the show, which he is executive producing with Burnett and Burnett's wife, Roma Downey.

Apple Says App Downloads Now Exceed 2 Billion
According to the iTunes Store, here are the top grossing TV-related apps. This is from the Store's list of the top-100 grossing in all categories. (The store does not say what period this list is measuring--some of these apps were released last year, some as recently as last week):

#5: ESPN Radio ($2.99 per download)
#24: ESPN Fantasy Football 2009 ($4.99)
#33: SlingPlayer Mobile ($29.99)
#53: South Park Mega Millionaire ($1.99)
#55: Dexter the Game ($1.99)

Brianne Moncrief out at ALL MY CHILDREN
Moncrief (Colby) is the latest AMC actor to leave the show following the news that Aiden Turner was exiting the role of Aidan.

BethAnn Bonner to recur at ALL MY CHILDREN
On November 6, BethAnn Bonner will make her AMC debut in the recurring role of Kat, who will figure into Kendall and Aidan's storyline.

Khalil on Rowell: It's Not Just the Actors

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS' Christel Khalil (Lily) was a guest on "BuzzWorthy Radio" on Monday night. A fan called in and asked if she had a strained relationship with former co-star Victoria Rowell.

I tried to stay quiet about it before because I didn't want to get into drama, but it's no secret. It wasn't just with me though. Many people have a strained relationship, people she doesn't talk about. Not just cast, but crew - wardrobe and hair and make-up. She's really a great actress and does a good job playing Dru. I totally would [be okay with her returning to the show]. I don't care what drama I have with anyone. The last time she left caused a lot of drama and people were having hard time. It's not the actors, it's really the main executives.

This is just a small excerpt of the complete discussion. Listen to the entire interview here.

INDIE SOAP BEAT: September 29, 2009

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" feature, we take a look at the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera production.

REALITY BYTES
Tristan Rogers' REALITY BYTES web series has released some new information this week on their Twitter page. The show is planning a storyline for a "romantic, balanced lesbian couple" who will be played by two "great actresses." The show has also cast a "very sexy young man" to play the character of Ben Anderson. Stay tuned!

GOTHAM
Martha Byrne has announced that designer Nicole Miller will be providing wardrobe for GOTHAM. The production team met on Monday and the show is scheduled to begin taping on October 17 with a launch in November. The show has previously announced Byrne, Michael Park and Anne Sayre in the cast, and that Lisa Brown would be directing the first three episodes.

VENICE
We Love Soaps spoke with Jessica Leccia (Ani) at the Broadway Flea Market on September 27 and she revealed more details about VENICE: "VENICE is going strong. Crystal is working really hard on it. I'll be working on it and people will be seeing it soon - I believe November. Crystal's character, Gina, has a large circle of friends, she's a social butterfly. My character happens to be part of that social group. There's a relationship between them that will be interesting to see. She's got all these other interesting relationships on there. It's really real, the kind of things audiences want these days."

Menwhile, Emmy winner Jeff Branson has assumed the role of Owen, which had previously been announced would be played by Daniel Cosgrove (who is unavailable when the show is taping in November).

FAMILY DINNER
Lauralee Bell's web series, FAMILY DINNER, is back with an all new episode. Bell told We Love Soaps: "This is a good gig because we had three cameras this time instead of two, and in today's market, this is exactly what can be done in a quick and inexpensive form. Our numbers for the third episode have surpassed our viewership from the second one already." If you haven't read the new We Love Soaps interview with Bell, check it out here.

Cloris Leachman guest stars on Episode #3. Be sure to vote for the show at FunnyorDie.com.

IMAGINARY BITCHES
The talented team behind IMAGINARY BITCHES released a special Emmy episode that was hysterical and was filled with current daytime soap references. We Love Soaps made a guest appearance and witness one hell of a catfight between Eden Riegel and Jessalyn Gilsig (who was just brilliant on last week's GLEE). If you haven't watched the Emmy special, check it out here.

EYE OF THE STORM
EYE OF THE STORM is a radio soap written and produced by J.R. Benight. The show is currently playing Episode #26, "Taking the Reins," and is expected to release the next episode, "Mind Over Matter," soon. If you're a fan of the classic radio soaps but want a fresh take on it, check this one out.

FANTASY OVER REALITY
FANTASY OVER REALITY is a web-friendly sitcom that revolves around a group of guys and their fantasy football league. Y&R's Vail Bloom is feartured in the show. Cam Tilton, Bruce Gants, Rudolph Valentini and Winston Sturvitz are among the other stars. Episode #2 is now online.

EMPIRE
Season one of Greg Turner and Brian Hewson's EMPIRE has wrapped after ten episodes but another season is on the way in early 2010. Be sure to watch the entire first season on the show's website or on YouTube. The project has a lot of potential so support these indie soap makers! Stay tuned for more information soon.

RELATIONSHIPS
RELATIONSHIPS delves into the lives of the residents of fictional Parkside USA, where everything seems so idyllic but intrigue, rivalry, jealousy and much, much more lies just below the surface. The show is multi-platform and will be available on conventional TV with exclusive clips inline and an interactive website with a community feel. Watch the trailer here. Look for more details as the show prepares to launch in early 2010.

We Love Soaps Fantasy Football League Standings

The third week of pro football is in the books and there were some fun matchups in the We Love Soaps Fantasy Football League.

Week 3 Scores:
Bukes def. Jellybeans, 121-79
Opus def. Kishes, 86-64
Parrots def. Twaddlini, 86-60
Warriors def. G-town gansters, 81-55
Genius def. Naturals, 88-80

Here are the standings after the third game.

We Love Soaps Radio: Episode #13

On Episode #13 of “We Love Soaps Radio,” Damon L. Jacobs is joined by special guest host Will Clark. We also preview parts of our interviews with Doug Davidson, Jessica Leccia, Cady McClain and Ellen Dolan.

Episode #13 includes:
- Will Clark discusses his Porno Bingo charity, the soap storylines that helped him as a youngster, and how the soaps lost his trust

- THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS star Doug Davidson revisits the Paul-Christine controversial "was it rape?" storyline from earlier this decade and discusses his wonderful performances in recent months

- Jessica Leccia offers a preview of VENICE

- Cady McClain talks about how ALL MY CHILDREN ruined her enjoyment of pancakes

- Ellen Dolan tells that she tries to remain positive despite hearing rumors of AS THE WORLD TURNS' demise from many areas of her life

- We read and play fan answers to the question "What have you learned from soaps?"



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Today's Soap World Birthdays

Drake Hogestyn (ex-John, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 56
Andrea Pearson (ex-Gia, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 32

INTERVIEW: FAMILY DINNER's Lauralee Bell

When We Love Soaps first spoke with Lauralee Bell a few months ago, her new web series, FAMILY DINNER, was launching. In this follow up interview, Bell shared her thoughts on the newest episodes (including a guest starring role for Cloris Leachman) as well as her brother Brad's Daytime Emmy win and much more.

We Love Soaps: When we spoke before, your brother Brad had been nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award as the executive producer of THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL. At the Daytime Emmys, in a very hot downtown Los Angeles in late August, B&B won as Outstanding Drama Series!
Lauralee Bell: That was the weekend we were shooting [the latest episodes of FAMILY DINNER]. That's why I wasn't there. The timing - I just wanted to die. But we were trying to get all these favors and groups together and Cloris said she was only free on the 29th and 30th. We were suffering in Toluca Lake with no air conditioning and then I came home and saw some of the footage and saw how hot it was downtown as well. I had Josh O'Connell from our office and Martha Byrne and a few people texting me because I had to know. Brad and I are very close. Apparently after he didn't win for Writing, he said to his son, "Well, then that's it," and put down his program. That was so reminiscent of my dad, too. For him to have won best show, that was so great. I had heard a little bit of people saying, "I think it's Brad's year, he's going to win one of them." But I think in his heart, he could only fathom it could be writing because he would never think of winning best show. It all turned out fantastic.

We Love Soaps: What do you think about his speech not airing?
Lauralee Bell: It was a little hard as a sister, and a home viewer, not seeing any speech, but what Brad said is so true, "You know what, I'm holding the Emmy. I don't care." We know Al Schwartz who was part of the production team pretty well, and I'm sure it killed him because he's been close to my mother and my family for a long time. I heard it was such a hard out that they had to break. I understand that because it's a business. But my thing is the people from THE VIEW weren't there and Christian's [LeBlanc] speech was very short. What if they were there? Would there have even been time to see the best show award? Even though I thought Vanessa Williams did a great job, it's probably that second song that cost Brad from speaking. It was a beautiful stage and a great show though. It just needed to focus more on soaps.

We Love Soaps: I was watching Thom Bierdz's speech from a couple of weeks ago where he received the HRC's Visibility Award. He mentioned you and how you have made positive comments in the press about the Phillip is gay storyline on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.
Lauralee Bell: That is so sweet. And you know, I have not seen him since he's been back [on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS]. I really miss him. We had such a great relationship then, and I saw him at one of his art shows a few years ago. He's one of the greatest guys, and when you factor all he's been through, he's just amazing and I can't wait to see him. I think he kind of always knew. I was young, but I'm about as open-minded as anyone can get so I don't think he was ever really afraid of me. But I understand [his struggle]. It was such a different time.

GH's Greg Vaughan Out

GENERAL HOSPITAL actor Greg Vaughan announced on his Twitter account that the soap is going in a different direction with the character of Lucky which doesn't include him.

As of today, with sad regrets, I will no longer be apart of what has been a big part of me and my families life. GH and TPTB have choosen to take a new direction. I THANK ALL of YOU, for the many memories we've shared and new ones to come!!! ALL MY LOVE, & BIG HUGS to YOU the FANS!!! I LOVE YOU ALL MORE!!!! GV

Some of Vaughan's co-stars tweeted their reactions to the news.

@lisalocicerogh (Lisa Locicero) Greg, you'll do great wherever you go.. But I will miss your smiling face terribly.

@NancyLeeGrahn (Nancy Lee Grahn) Heartbroken about Greg. However, this is a guy who worked constantly before GH and will continue you to do the same after GH. He is an amazing gentleman, a dedicated father, a committed and talented actor who is loved and adored by his cast. He will be fine!

@sarahjoybrown (Sarah Brown) @greg_vaughan I'm so sad & sorry to hear this. I know you're going to do great wherever you go. My love to you and your family always.

@BrandonBarash (Brandon Barash) I'm deeply saddened by this news, @greg_vaughan. Not gonna be the same without you next door. Your star will shine wherever it lands.

@Tyler2929 (Tyler Christopher) Everyone give GV your blessings please. He gave Lucky justice while he was there.

@DerkCheetwood (Derk Cheetwood) Our thoughts are with Greg V and family he will be missed by all.

DC's Jamey Giddens is reporting that Jonathan Jackson is returning to role that won him three Emmys in the 1990s along with three other nominations.

Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction Raises $403,929

Despite the rain, this year's Broadway Flea Market & Grand Action was successful once again.

The 23rd Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction held yesterday Sunday, September 27 raised a grand total of $403,929 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA).

Since its debut in 1987, which then raised $12,000, the 23 editions of The Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction have raised a grand total of $8,161,752 for BC/EFA.

This year, there were 64 tables which raised a collective $192,429. The booth that raised the most money this year was the booth hosted by "Broadway Beat" which raised $12,640. The show booth that raised the most money was Wicked which raised $9,663.

Look for excerpts of our interviews with participants Jessica Leccia, Ellen Dolan and Cady McClain on the next "We Love Soaps Radio" podcast on Tuesday.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Carly Returns

Will Bo be ready for the return of Carly? Crystal Chappell returns to DAYS on Friday!

News Round-up: Hennesy, Blazer, Zimmer, Blackwood

Broadcast Execs Can Breathe Again
Every broadcast network executive had the same nightmare heading into premiere week: The viewers finally aren't coming back. But everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief last week; while the early across-the-board numbers didn't necessarily lead to the popping of champagne corks, neither did they precipitate acute agita.

INTERVIEW: GH's Carolyn Hennesy (Diane)
"There isn’t a hallucinogen strong enough to make me dream of Diane and Sonny. Or Jason … God love him. With either of them, it would be brutal and funny and rip-roaring. Pure animal lust … and then she’d probably get shot or something. So NO … a thousand times no. Now Johnny … on the other hand. Or Lucky. Hmmmmm … well, a girl can dream."

Annie Potts, Kim Zimmer to star in Freshman Father
Potts plays an apartment manager who is a surrogate mother to Seeley's character, a Harvard undergrad who is in a shotgun marriage and ends up juggling school and parental duties. Zimmer plays his dean and unlikely mentor. Project is based on a true story. The original film will air on the Hallmark Channel in 2010.

INTERVIEW: Former DAYS actor Steve Blackwood (ex-Bart)
"My temp role as Bart started in 1999 and eventually became permanent, and I had a lot of fun making him a Peter Sellers-inspired comedy foil. Bart got killed with a sword right through the chest. I remember my producer Ken Corday coming up to me and saying, 'Steve, I've got some really exciting news. We're going to kill you off.' That wasn't exciting news for me. Acting is my livelihood."

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: ATWT's Judith Blazer (ex-Ariel)
Blazer will star on Saturday in "Broadway Spectacular!," the first concert of the Danville Symphony Orchestra season.

Under Fire With James DePaiva, Part Two

In Part One of our interview with former ONE LIFE TO LIVE star James DePaiva, the actor shared his thoughts on the new musical he's starring in, "Under Fire." As we continued, DePaiva shared insights about his ego, reflections on Max Holden, and suggestions for surviving the loss of GUIDING LIGHT.

We Love Soaps: Where has your ego been in the process of this show ("Under Fire")?
James DePaiva: Somewhere in the safe deposit box I have at Chase Bank. My ego is very destructive. I really try to do anything that will allow it to come out. I really don’t think it has come out in the last few years, and I’ve been a happier man for it. But it was necessary for survival. In my years as Max, it was necessary for survival. I’m pretty anonymous now, I don’t have to put anything on when people see me. I just play the doting husband when fans come up to Kassie [Depaiva, who plays Blair on ONE LIFE TO LIVE].

We Love Soaps: Did you go into the play with the conscious intention not to let your ego interfere with the process?
James DePaiva: No. And I would honestly say that the only reason I could have any ego doing this show would be out of gross insecurity. I am working with four people that have starred in Broadway shows, musicals. I don’t think I can come to them with an ego. I’m like, "Am I holding on my own? I’ll work harder, I’ll work harder. I swear I’ll be better tomorrow." These are all people who make their living on the Broadway stage. For me to come in with an ego would just be pathetic. It would be so sad.

Continue reading...

We Love Soaps: People are always wanting to know if there are any plans for Max to return to Llanview?
James DePaiva: If there is I don’t know about it. Maybe they contacted somebody else. [laughs] It’s possible. But there have been no rumblings, nor would I expect there to be. There’s really no need for Max at this point, other than to come back and make Roxy’s life wonderful. I would love to do that just for Ilene [Kristen], just to work with her would be phenomenal. I don’t have any reason to go back, do I? Like Blair is ever going to leave Todd for me? Geez, you couldn’t pay me enough to play that again. God, that was painful.

We Love Soaps: Well, there is Roxy. And unfortunately, with Phil Carey’s passing, many feel that leaves a hole as the rough tough cowboy that Max can play so well.
James DePaiva: Max would have to change a lot because they certainly took him away from that Max. Someone said, what’s the character you played? And I said, “Let’s see. His wife died so he was raising twins on his own. That’s what he did. And then when he went out and had a date everyone at home got pissed off. ‘Why isn’t he home taking care of his kids, why is trying to sleep with that girl?’” Okay, you make him a risk taker, then you make him a gambing-aholic. Can’t take any more risks, sorry, it might feed my addiction!

James DePaiva: The character was painted into a corner. I always saw him being a Brad Vernon kind of character, and eventually being an Asa type character. But then I saw Blair as becoming the next Dorian, and Nora being the next Viki. I always saw soaps as you had your generations and every ten years it would kind of move up a notch. Like I’m ten years younger than Bob Woods (Bo) and so I was kind of in the Bob Woods spot for awhile. And then when I got ten years older than Roger Howarth (ex-Todd) moved into that spot. Everyone was moving up that chain and then the chain just blew all to hell and made no sense. But there’s been so much turnover in soaps between head writers and executive producers. I’m so excited that Gary Tomlin and Paul Rauch, my two favorite producers, are producing shows in L.A. because they both love soap operas. And they both have very very different perspectives on them. My greatest years as Max were in the Paul years [1984-1991]. Paul got the character. Paul always said, “Let’s not make the sinner a saint.” After Paul went, they tried to turn me into Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing and I became the saint. Once I became the saint, who cares?

We Love Soaps: Max was portrayed with a heart of gold in the '90s.
James DePaiva: I remember when I started the character. I’d say what he did, and people would say, “That’s so evil, that’s so bad.” I’d say, “Well, no.” I always saw myself as the good guy but the writers had to give me bad stuff to play. But I had to believe I was the hero in it, which is what made it work. Then they started writing me as the good guy and all boredom broke loose. [laughs] All ennui hit the fan. There were wonderful stories though. The gambling story was great. And there was wonderful stuff with Susan Batten [Luna] who is joyous. I couldn’t have had a better actress to work with. Then the stuff with Ilene was working so great and they killed it. I had the good fortune to work with a lot of phenomenal actresses and have a lot of fun stuff to play as an actor and as Jim. But for Max, it was so wrong. So wrong. So I said, “Okay, do I celebrate that I have this wonderful stuff to play with this wonderful performer, or do I piss and moan that it’s destroying this wonderful character that I have so much invested in?

James DePaiva: When I worked with Paul in the early days, I would come to him and say, “Paul, I have this wonderful idea.” He’d say, “Great, show it to me.” He’d either go, “That’s terrible,” or “Great, let’s do it.” We had a remote and I said, “This script doesn’t work. It doesn’t build right. The peak happens in the wrong place for this relationship with Gabrielle.” And he’d go, “You're right.” And then I’d hear, “Paul came up with these great rewrites for the scene.” I’d say, “Thank you, Paul. Congratulations.” It was his show, God love him. He gave Max a career. I am always appreciative of that.

We Love Soaps: Speaking of Paul’s work, as people are reading this it will be within the first week of losing GUIDING LIGHT off the air. We’ve been talking with our readers a lot about GUIDING LIGHT and grief/loss issues on WeLoveSoaps.net. Do you have any words of advice or comfort for those fans?
James DePaiva: Same thing the church would say - pray. Lots of prayer. Lots of meditation. Pick up a good book. I would say to look for your next long-term investment. Soaps will last in some form or another. They may not be on network TV. They might be on book, or tape, or something. We don’t know. But soaps go back to major novels. All the major great novels were soap operas. That’s why they’re 1000 pages long — so it takes you forever to get through it and you follow the nuances and you’ve got all the different families and everything. All the great epic novels were that way and soaps are just an extension of that. It’s a chance to tell a long term story as opposed to, “I have one hour, this is the story.”

James DePaiva: Unfortunately, a lot of soaps got in the habit of saying, “I have two weeks for a story.” When I came on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, our headwriter was Peggy O’ Shea, and she said, “I don’t want a new character unless I have him for at least two years.” She had a long-term arc. And that’s why a lot of the characters get bashed around. All the characters. Any character you are invested in. You will see them completely humiliated and destroyed because someone did not have a long term view of what the character was and no one was there protecting the integrity of the character. They had someone sitting there who said, “Wouldn’t it be cute if we make this person look like an idiot? Then we can all laugh at the mean guy who has a heart of gold.” But I don’t know on network TV that it’s going to last much longer. It’s also become a very expensive medium and it doesn’t make the money it used to. So a cheaper way to do it will come along.

Damon L. Jacobs is a Marriage Family Therapist practicing in New York City, and the author of "Absolutely Should-less: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve." He blogs regularly at www.shouldless.com.

THE SOAPGEIST: Braden, New GL, Otalia, OLTL

"The Soapgeist", a weekly column from TV Guide Canada's Nelson Branco, is out with a special news edition today.

The headlines include:
- Here we go again — Eric Braeden written out of Y&R! His “emotional” last day on the set!

- Is a GL reunion already in the works? Also, Otalia finale kiss cut!

- Will ONE LIFE be cancelled in 2010?

Beth Ehlers Out at ALL MY CHILDREN

Daytime Confidential is reporting that Beth Ehlers will be leaving the role of Taylor on ALL MY CHILDREN. Ehlers joins Aiden Turner on the list of actors who will not be making the move to Los Angeles as part of the AMC cast.

It's a shame Ehlers didn't stay on GUIDING LIGHT and finish a brilliant run as Harley versus moving to AMC to play a character that never really caught on.

INTERVIEW: David Andrew MacDonald

We Love Soaps attended the 23rd Annual Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction on Sunday, September 27, and Damon L. Jacobs was able to spend a few minutes with GUIDING LIGHT star David Andrew MacDonald.

We Love Soaps: How are you doing with the ending of GUIDING LIGHT?
David Andrew MacDonald: Well, it's very sad that the show's ended. I've been very, very busy though. I've started up "Mamma Mia" at the beginning of this week so I'll be there for a year. I hope.

We Love Soaps: Which character are you in "Mamma Mia"?
David Andrew MacDonald: Harry. The Colin Firth role if you remember the movie. It's great fun. It's a great, great group of people. So that's softened the blow of the end of the show a little bit.

We Love Soaps: Unlike most of the characters in Springfield, Edmund was kind of left out there floating. Everyone kind of got closure except for Edmund. What do you think Edmund's doing now?
David Andrew MacDonald: People have been asking me. I personally think I'm on the Amalfi Coast probably with a drink in my hand and with the millions and millions of dollars he never actually had during the run of the show. I figure he's started a few charitable foundations and he's just taking percentages off the top.

We Love Soaps: Of course he is. And Jeffrey is still hunting him down?
David Andrew MacDonald: Probabably. I think Jeffrey is in South America looking for him.

RESULTS: Daytime Soap of the Week Poll

Here are the results from the We Love Soaps "Soap of the Week" poll for the week of September 21-25, 2009. With GUIDING LIGHT off the air, we are down to seven daytime soaps. ONE LIFE TO LIVE moved to the top spot this week.. After watching this week's soaps, check back on Friday night when we do it all again.


Here is break down of the U.S. votes state-by-state.

PREVIEW: Tonight's GOSSIP GIRL

GOSSIP GIRL "The Lost Boy" Season 3 Episode 3 - It’s an Upper East Side face-off when Blair (Leighton Meester) and Chuck (Ed Westwick) both set their sights on a particular item up for bid at Sotheby’s and the personal stakes are high. Serena (Blake Lively) suspects that Carter (guest star Sebastian Stan) may be up to his old habits, Georgina (Michelle Trachtenberg) takes an interest in Dan (Penn Badgley), and Vanessa (Jessica Szohr) begins to suspect that something isn’t quite right with Scott (guest star Chris Riggi). Chace Crawford, Taylor Momsen and Matthew Settle also star. Jean DeSegonzac directed the episode written by Robert Hull.

PREVIEW: Tonight's GREEK

Shocked to learn that ZBZ has slipped in the ranks down to fourth, Casey is determined to bring ZBZ back to the number one spot by motivating their pledge class to take action! Casey believes that, if they create a cool photo shoot for the Lamda Sig calendar, it could improve their house’s ranking. However, freshman pledge Abby (Olesya Rulin) leads a revolution with the other ZBZ pledges to boycott the photo shoot! Is the ZBZ house doomed for years of bad pledges and slipping rankings? Tune in for an all new episode of the ABC Family hit series GREEK, tonight (9:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT). The episode, entitled “Down on your Luck,” was written by Matt Whitney and directed by Michael Lange.

Dissatisfied with her college experience, Jordan wonders how to make her time at CRU more fulfilling. In an effort to prove his love and commitment for Jordan – as well as to cheer her up – Rusty decides to lavaliere her. When Rusty divulges his plans to his KT brothers, they warn him of the Kappa Tau curse that occurs when a brother lavalieres his girlfriend.

Meanwhile, Cappie helps Evan find a part time job to help his financial situation, but when he meets one of Evan’s new – and very attractive -- co-workers, Lana (Olivia Munn), he decides to get a job too!

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Susan Walters (ex-Diane, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Lorna, LOVING) - 46
Todd Rotondi (ex-Bryant, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 35

PHOTOS: Broadway Flea Market 2009

We Love Soaps attended the 23rd Annual Broadway Flea Market on Sunday and here are some photographs from the autograph area where stars from daytime and the theater met with fans. Pictured above of ALL MY CHILDREN's Chrishell Stause.

Broadway Flea Market: Colleen Zenk Pinter & Van Hansis

We Love Soaps spoke with AS THE WORLD TURNS stars Van Hansis (Luke) and Colleen Zenk Pinter (Barbara) at the 23rd Annual Broadway Flea Mark on Sunday. Below are videos from the event. Sorry for the darkness of the videos. Due to the rain, the event was moved to a different location and the press room space was limited.

We'll have more interviews coming soon as well as on this week's "We Love Soaps Radio" podcast.

Broadway Flea Market 2009 Coverage

We Love Soaps spent Sunday at the 23rd Annual Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction. Most of the stars in attendance came through the press room some of which are featured in this video. WLS will be featuring interviews with several of the stars in the coming days including Jessica Leccia, Van Hansis, Cady McClain, Julie Pinson, Vanessa Ray, Colleen Zenk Pinter, Bobbie Eakes, David Andrew MacDonald and more.

PREVIEW: Tonight's BROTHERS & SISTERS

"The Road Ahead" - Kitty harbors a devastating secret that will rock the Walker family. Meanwhile, Nora and Holly begrudgingly team up to throw an elaborate engagement party for Justin and Rebecca, Tommy continues his personal spiritual journey in Mexico, and Sarah searches for new business prospects in France, on the fourth-season premiere of BROTHERS & SISTERS, tonight (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

BROTHERS & SISTERS stars Dave Annable as Justin Walker, Maxwell Perry Cotton as Cooper Whedon, Kerris Lilla Dorsey as Paige, Sally Field as Nora Holden, Calista Flockhart as Kitty Walker, Balthazar Getty as Thomas Walker, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Walker, Luke Macfarlane as Scotty Wandell, Rob Lowe as Senator Robert McCallister, Matthew Rhys as Kevin Walker, Ron Rifkin as Saul Holden, Emily VanCamp as Rebecca Harper and Patricia Wettig as Holly Harper.

Guest starring are Ken Olin as David Caplan, Marion Ross as Ida Holden, Matt Gallant as the reporter, Phil Abrams as Harold Wallace, Jeff Lorch as Jeffrey, Cheryl Francis Harrington as Dr. Ruth Gibson, Matthew Kimbrough as Professor James Gray, Amy Aquino as Dr. Avadon, Alex Ball as Steve and Henry Dittman as date #3.

"The Road Ahead" was written by Molly Newman and Marjorie David and directed by Ken Olin.

PREVIEW: Tonight's DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES

Nice is Different Than Good" - On the season premiere of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, Mike Delfino's bride will finally be revealed: Will it be Katherine... or will recent events be enough to bring him and Susan back together? Lynette faces the reality of another pregnancy; Bree struggles to break free from Orson and her inhibitions; Gaby is put to the test by Carlos' teenaged niece, now in their care; and a new family with a dark past moves to Wisteria Lane, on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, tonight (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Hodge, Eva Longoria Parker as Gabrielle Solis, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Kyle MacLachlan as Orson Hodge, Dana Delany as Katherine Mayfair, Kathryn Joosten as Mrs. McCluskey, Drea de Matteo as Angie Bolen, Maiara Walsh as Ana, Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Jeffrey Nordling as Nick Bolen, Andrea Bowen as Julie Mayer, Beau Mirchoff as Danny Bolen, Charlie Carver as Porter Scavo, Joshua Moore as Parker Scavo, Kendall Applegate as Penny Scavo, Madison de la Garza as Juanita, and Mason Vale Cotton as MJ Delfino.

"Nice is Different Than Good" was directed by Larry Shaw and written by Marc Cherry.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Peter Simon (ex-Ed, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Scott, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW; ex-Ian, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 66
A Martinez (Ray, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Roy, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Cruz, SANTA BARBARA) - 61
Patrick Muldoon (ex-Austin, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 41
Tom Casiello (Writer, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS)
Derrell Whitt (Lucas, SCRIPTS & SCRUPLES) - 21

INDIE SOAP BEAT EXTRA: Lisa Brown to Direct GOTHAM

Per the show's Twitter page, the first three episodes of Martha Byrne's GOTHAM will be directed by Lisa Brown. Brown, who appeared in GUIDING LIGHT's final weeks as her historic character, Nola, also played Iva on AS THE WORLD TURNS for many years, the biological mother of Byrne's Lily (and Rose).

Byrne has also announced that designer Nicole Miller will be providing wardrobe for the show.

Per previous updates, the show will begin filming episodes in mid-October.

Go See Tina Sloan's "Changing Shoes" in Atlanta

GUIDING LIGHT's Beth Chamberlin post a Twitpic earlier today of the marquee where Tina Sloan's "Changing Shoes" opened in Atlanta last night. If you are in the Altanta area, please go see this show. Not only will you be supporting the fabulous Tina Sloan, but the play includes classic clips of Tina in both GUIDING LIGHT and SOMERSET.

Erica, a fan from the Atlanta area, went to see the play last night and wrote this glowing review:

FIVE STARS FOR TINA!

I have been watching GUIDING LIGHT as long as I can remember, so when I heard Tina Sloan was doing a play in Atlanta I had to go! Well I got more than I bargained for! It was a night set up to make you feel special and apart of her family. The content of the play was remarkably funny and entertaining. It kept every member of the audience laughing and engaged the entire time. Tina's acting was incredible and interactive in a way that you felt like she was talking to you on the sofa with coffee. She gives heartbreaking and entertaining life lessons to people of all ages.

I went alone, but met so many kindred spirits because of the familial atmosphere that Tina created! After the show Tina had a cocktail reception for her audience, complete with or derv's, champagne, and wine! I mixed and mingled with Tina Sloan, her production team, and even Beth Chamberlin (who flew in for opening night)! I woke up this morning feeling like it was all a dream! It is more than a play...it's an EXPERIENCE, that no one should miss. It's good enough for Broadway!

For tickets, call (404) 733-5000 or visit 14thstplayhouse.org.