Nelson Aspen: A Day Off with the Soaps

Nelson Aspen is one of Entertainment's most charming on-air personalities in TV, radio, print and on-line. For three seasons, he was the Hollywood Producer/Reporter for TV Guide Television and frequent guest star on everything from celebrity news and talk shows to sitcoms and travel programs. He's contributed to a vast array of outlets, from news magazines EXTRA, ACCESS HOLLYWOOD and INSIDE EDITION to his own how-to series "NEW with NELSON!" Currently, he's juggling regular correspondent duties for the #1 morning shows of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, as well as a fifth consecutive season on Ireland's AFTERNOON SHOW...bringing the latest in entertainment and pop culture to millions of viewers around the world, every morning!

A Day Off with the Soaps
By Nelson Aspen
Guest Editorial

I'm proud to say that after a quarter-century of working in and around Daytime Television, I keep a pretty up-to-date account of the goings on with all the shows. Unfortunately, as they dwindle in number, that gets easier and easier. With SoapNet and YouTube, as well as sites like this one, I can keep abreast of comings and goings, what's hot and what's not, etc. But if you're old enough to remember life before the internet or even VCRs, the only way a person could keep up on everything was to have the occasional sick day and channel surf with a remote control in hand and a stack of thick, glossy Daytime magazines beside you.

Today (Friday, April 30), I had a day like that. Only I wasn't sick, I just happened to have off from work and got sucked in to one show after the other. I must say, I was encouraged! Lately I haven't held out much hope for the state of daytime television, creatively or commercially. Maybe it's only because of Sweeps, but I was thoroughly compelled by wayyy more than I expected. I was so pleasantly surprised I wanted to jot down some thoughts in case the savvy readers of welovesoaps would like to weigh in, since I acknowledge that I am comparatively a casual observer.

VOTE: Daytime Soap of the Week Poll

Which daytime soap was your favorite the week of April 26-30, 2010? Vote in the weekly We Love Soaps poll and check back on Monday morning for the results.

Free Web poll for your Web site - freepolls.com

RELEASE: Jonathan Frid Returns to DARK SHADOWS

Big Finish Productions is proud to announce that Jonathan Frid will be returning to the role of vampire Barnabas Collins for the very first time in THE NIGHT WHISPERS, an all-new Dark Shadows audio drama.

DARK SHADOWS, the classic horror soap opera, originally aired from 1966‐1971 on ABC. A feature film remake, starring Johnny Depp, from director Tim Burton, is due to begin shooting before the end of 2010.

As reluctant vampire Barnabas Collins, Jonathan Frid helped establish Dark Shadows as a pop culture phenomenon. Joining him for this special release is Emmy Award winner John Karlen as Willie Loomis, with legendary horror star Barbara Steele, who played Dr. Julia Hoffman in the 1991 DARK SHADOWS remake on NBC.

Jean LeClerc - The We Love Soaps Interview, Part Three

In Parts One and Two of our interview with Jean LeClerc, the bold and multi-talented actor of stage and television discussed his current role as a nefarious in The Madonna Painter, his memories of working with James Mitchell and David Canary, as well as his incarnations of Jeremy Hunter on ALL MY CHILDREN and LOVING.  In this final part below, he shares more insights into the power of daytime television to connect and uplift, as well as aspects of being featured on a certain magazine cover in 1989.  Do you remember what it is? Read below to find out!

We Love Soaps: As a viewer it has been hard to watch ALL MY CHILDREN in recent years, and witness much of the passion and integrity that made it so special get erased.
Jean LeClerc: Well, look at Julia Barr, Debbi Morgan, Kate Collins.  They are beautiful actors.  [The show] was so blessed to have people like that.  So pamper them, write beautifully for people like them, because they will deliver it with gusto. 

We Love Soaps: Unfortunately they have done the opposite.  Julia Barr has not been treated well by this show.
Jean LeClerc: I have heard that.  I had always wanted Jeremy and Brooke to pair up.  I always wanted to work more with Julia Barr.  She is always a plus.  Like the work I did with Kate Collins in our story, I was the one that did her screen test as they were looking for Natalie.  I remember seeing this girl with hardly any make-up, long hair, jeans and a sweater, and all the other girls came very made-up.  She was a very simple actor, and very focused.  When the audition was done I said, “That is Natalie, that is her.”  We became very close friends, and still are. 

We Love Soaps: At the height of your own popularity, in November 1989, you did a magazine cover for a very popular magazine.  Do you know what I’m talking about?

PHOTOS: DAYS OF OUR LIVES Book Launch Party

The cast of DAYS OF OUR LIVES was out in full force on Thursday night at the Paley Center in Beverly Hills for the launch of Ken Corday's new book, "The Days Of Our Lives: The Untold Story of One Family's Dream and the True History of Days Of Our Lives."

FLASHBACK: Dr. Bernard Barrow 1978

The Saloon Keeper's A Professor

RYAN'S HOPE Pub Owner Is Professor of Theater at New York's Brooklyn College

Pittsburgh Press
April 1, 1978

There aren't many college professors who feel at home behind the bar of a traditional Irish tavern, and there are even fewer saloon keepers who envision themselves at a lectern, instructing students in a college classroom. But Johnny Ryan, patriarch of a lively clan on ABC's RYAN'S HOPE and lord and master of all her surveys from behind the long mahogany bar of his neighborhood pub, is not played by just any actor, but by none other than Dr. Bernard Barrow, professor of theater at Brooklyn College.

Bernie's experience in both fields of endeavor is extensive. He began his professional acting career when he was a child, and later accumulated a long list of television credits including roles on THE EDGE OF NIGHT, SECRET STORM and WHERE THE HEART IS. He has taught at Columbia, Yale, University of California at Berkeley and Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.

Soap Opera TV Ratings For April 19-25, 2010

Compiled from a list of several sources, here are the Nielsen ratings for the week of April 19-25, 2010 for all the daytime and primetime television soap operas.

GLEE (13.5 million, 7.9/12)
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (11.1 million, 7.0/11)
LOST (9.35 million, 5.8/9)
BROTHERS & SISTERS (8.41 million, 5.7/10)
THE GOOD WIFE (7.7 million, 5.2/9) - repeat
PRIVATE PRACTICE (7.4 million, 5.1/8) - Thursday 9 p.m.
PARENTHOOD (7.2 million, 4.7/8)
V (6.0 million, 3.9/7)
FLASHFORWARD (5.6 million, 3.7/6)
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (5.0 million, 3.6/13) - daytime airing only
GREY'S ANATOMY (4.4 million, 3.1/5) - Thursday 10 p.m. repeat
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (3.31 million, 2.3/8)
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES (3.3 million, 2.0/3)
SUPERNATURAL (2.7 million, 1.6/3)
GLEE (2.6 million, 1.8/3) - Friday 9 p.m. repeat
GENERAL HOSPITAL (2.61 million, 1.9/6) - daytime airing only
DAYS OF OUR LIVES (2.51 million, 1.9/7) - daytime airing only
ALL MY CHILDREN (2.47 million, 1.8/7) - daytime airing only
AS THE WORLD TURNS (2.26 million, 1.7/6)
ONE LIFE TO LIVE (2.26 million, 1.7/6) - daytime airing only
ONE TREE HILL (1.2 million, 0.8/1) - repeat
90210 (0.92 million, 0.7/1) repeat
LIFE UNEXPECTED (0.91 million, 0.6/1) repeat
GOSSIP GIRL (0.83 million, 0.6/1) - repeat

RATINGS NOTES:
- GLEE's Madonna episode was the top-rated soap of last week.

- DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES bounced back at bit after being very down of late.

50 Greatest Soap Actors: #13 Bernard Barrow

NAME: Bernard Barrow
RANK: 13
SOAP ROLES: Louie Slavinsky, LOVING (1990-1993); Johnny Ryan, RYAN'S HOPE (1975-1989); Ira Paulson, THE EDGE OF NIGHT (1974-1975) Dan Kincaid, THE SECRET STORM (1970-1974); Earl Dana, WHERE THE HEART IS (1969-1970)

AWARDS:
1992 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
1991 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
1989 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role: Daytime
1988 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
1979 Daytime Emmy nomination for OOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series

Defunct Soap Opera Spawns Indie Film Company

Members of the cast and production staff from cancelled soap opera GUIDING LIGHT have formed 9after7 Productions. The independent production company announces the roll-out of its first project, a straight to DVD film entitled La Lumiere.

New York, NY - April 30, 2010 — GUIDING LIGHT viewers need no longer mourn the loss of their favorite stars. Earlier this year a group of talented cast and production members from the show, led by Fiona Hutchison and Tina Sloan, came together to form 9after7 Productions.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Justin Deas (Scott, STEAMBOAT; ex-Buzz, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Keith, SANTA BARBARA; ex-Tom, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Bucky, RYAN'S HOPE) - 63
Ian Ziering (ex-Erich, THE DOCTORS; ex-Cam, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Steve, BEVERLY HILLS, 90210) - 47
Mark Consuelos (ex-Mateo, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 40

CLASSIC CLIPS: Robert Newman

Robert Newman came in at #14 on the 50 Greatest Soap Actors of All Time list. Here are some classic clips of Newman's work on GUIDING LIGHT.

1982: Kelly wants Josh to stay away from Morgan.
1983: Josh tells Trish about daydreams he had as a child that HB wasn't his father.

1984: Bert tells Josh that life itself is a miracle!
1986: Josh returns!

1989: On the bridge with Sonni.
1989: Josh and Reva visit their old high school.

1990: Josh is frustrated with Reva.
1993: Harley is surprised to see a returned Josh.

1994: Josh gets slapped by Vanessa.
1997: Josh and Reva are interrupted by Alan and Annie.

1998: Josh saves Reva from the clone.
2001: Even time traveling Josh loved Reva.

2005: Josh breaks up the Reva/Jonathan bar fight.
2006: Josh is scare of losing Reva.

2007: Newman as Reverend Rutledge.

2007: Josh and Reva have a conjugal visit in jail.
2009: Josh "meets" Olivia in a bar.

PRESS RELEASE: DAYS OF OUR LIVES eBook Debut

Los Angeles, April 29, 2010 -- Old and new come together as one of daytime drama’s most enduring mainstays today became available as an eBook on Sony’s Reader™ Store. Days of our Lives Publications, working together with Sourcebooks, released The "Days of our Lives: The Untold Story of One Family’s Dream and the True History of the Days of our Lives" written by Ken Corday, son of the show’s founders Ted and Betty Corday. The eBook will be available exclusively on the Reader Store for six months to be followed by a series of novels based on the show’s characters.

Jeff Branson Joining THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Jeff Branson is the latest actor to join the cast of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.

Emmy winner Jeff Branson (ex-Shayne, GL; ex-Jonathan, AMC) has been cast in a contract role on the No. 1 soap. He will start filming in three weeks.

CBS Soaps in Depth provides some additional details.

Another GUIDING LIGHT star will be calling Genoa City home: THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS has cast Jeff Branson (ex-Shayne) to play newcomer Ronan Malloy. The move to Y&R reunites Branson with former GL co-stars Marcy Rylan (Abby; GL's Lizzie) and John Driscoll (Chance; GL's Coop). Look for Branson to make his Y&R debut on Tuesday, June 22, when Ronan is hired as Chance's new partner.

NEWS: Turkish Soaps, Coldplay, 10 THINGS, Gaelic Soap

Turkish soaps find fans in Arab world
A wave of Turkish soap operas is creating a quiet revolution from Syria to Egypt, capturing hearts in Arab countries with stories about the contemporary Muslim world.

Mediocre ratings for premiere of HAPPY TOWN
The debut of ABC’s HAPPY TOWN — a serialized drama about a small Minnesota town that’s haunted by a series of unsolved kidnappings — wasn’t worth smiling about: It posted ABC’s lowest-rated series premiere of the season, down 43 percent from EASTWICK’s debut in the time period last fall. The drama only attracted 5.2 million viewers and a 1.7 rating/5 share among adults 18-49.

"May" Sweeps Begins Today

May sweeps is that time of year that primetime (and some daytime) television shows pull out their best episodes, featuring well-known guest stars and create cliffhangers that leave you wanting more. Advertising rates get set so shows want to have their best ratings during this time. It's not technically May, but "May" sweeps officially starts today. This sweeps period ends on May 26.

Thanks to Everyone Who Came Out for WLS Porno Bingo

We Love Soaps was happy to present last night's Porno Bingo night at Pieces Bar in New York City. Will Clark does an amazing job with this event every week which raises money for gay/lesbian/transgendered charities. The recipient of funds raised this week is The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a 501(c)(3) organization, who has been at the forefront of a wide range of suicide prevention initiatives in 2009 -- each designed to reduce loss of life from suicide.

FLASHBACK: Reva and Josh 1989

WEDDING BELLS AHEAD ON 'GUIDING LIGHT'

By Jay Bobbin
Orlando Sentinel
July 10, 1989

Get ready for the wedding march and the throwing of rice: Reva and Josh are getting married, at long last.

Fans of the long-running CBS daytime soap GUIDING LIGHT which airs at 3 p.m. weekdays on WCPX-Channel 6 are in for a big payoff this week, as the characters of Reva Shayne (played by two-time Emmy- winner Kim Zimmer) and Joshua Lewis (Robert Newman) finally tie the knot in a ceremony that begins on Friday's episode and concludes the following Monday. As steady viewers of the show can testify, the couple certainly have weathered their share of trials and tribulations ever since they were high-school sweethearts. Reva not only married Josh's older brother, but also their father, and she later parented a child who recently was revealed to be Josh's as well. Meanwhile, Josh was paralyzed in a car accident and, later rehabilitated, he moved to Venezuela . . . only to return after an ill-fated marriage of his own to find Reva ready to marry yet another man, a plan that she subsequently abandoned.

If GUIDING LIGHT's followers are ready for this wedding, so is actress Zimmer, who joined the program in the fall of 1983 after other soap stints on ONE LIFE TO LIVE and the now-defunct THE DOCTORS. "It's been about a year since we first knew that the story was going to work toward this end," says Zimmer, "but of course, there have been a lot of forks in the road. I had no doubt that it was going to happen eventually, because it had to. I never say that I have anything to do with anything, but the fact that both Robert Newman and I wanted it to happen could have helped." Indeed, since the two actors comprise one of the most popular couples in current daytime drama, their own desire for the wedding probably didn't hurt.

NEWS: TIME 100, Adams, MAD MEN, Ganatra

TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People In The World 2010
GLEE's Lea Michele is on the list that features Lady GaGa, Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof, Conan O'Brien and Oprah Winfrey. Sandra Bullock's entry was written by Betty White.

Stuntman Michael Gene Adams has passed away
Adams, a former president of the Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures, died at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in Newhall, California on April 18. One of his many stunt jobs was on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

Why Mad Men Is More Than A Drama: The Correct Use Of Soap
Terry Staunton argues that MAD MEN is as much a soap as a drama series: "For the last three years, critics have been falling over each other to heap praise on MAD MEN. Words like 'smart', 'cool', 'genius', 'brilliant', 'enthralling', 'innovative' and 'amazing' adorn box sets of the series, lifted from reams of positive press - but rarely, if at all, will you find any of these superlative-packed tributes employing the word 'soap'."

Lucy and Sierra Back to AS THE WORLD TURNS

Look for both Lucy and Sierra to appear for a handful of AS THE WORLD TURNS episodes before the show ends its run in September.

UPDATE:
Mary Beth Evans has updated her blog for HybridMom.com and mentioned her return as Sierra.

A few days after wrapping DAYS I got a call to go to NY for a handful of episodes of AS THE WORLD TURNS. Now this is getting fun. Just when you think, “what will I do next”…something surprises you. Allowing yourself to be open and ready for an opportunity I think is partly the key to success.

50 Greatest Soap Actors: #14 Robert Newman

NAME: Robert Newman
RANK: 14
SOAP ROLES: Joshua Lewis, GUIDING LIGHT (1981-1984, 1986-1991, 1993-2009); Kirk Cranston, SANTA BARBARA (1986); Prescott Harrell, GENERAL HOSPITAL (1985)

AWARDS:
2006 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
2002 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
2000 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor
1998 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor
1990 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Super Couple: Daytime
1989 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role: Daytime

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Kate Mulgrew (ex-Mary, RYAN'S HOPE) - 55
Susan Pratt (ex-Claire, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Barbara, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Charlotte, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Elizabeth, LOVING; ex-Annie, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 54

CLASSIC CLIPS: Maurice Benard

Maurice Benard came in at #15 on the 50 Greatest Soap Actors of All Time list. Here are some classic clips of Benard's work on ALL MY CHILDREN and GENERAL HOSPITAL.

1987: Julie and Nico hide from Creed.
1989: Nico competes in the Mr. Pine Valley contest.

1993: Sonny introduces himself to Brenda.
1994: Sean shows up to arrest Sonny while he's having sex with Brenda.

1995: Stone wants to know how Sonny is paying for his medical bills.
1996: Sonny meets Jason and helps him out.

1997: Sonny and Brenda don disguises while on the run.
1999: Sonny returns to Port Charles and catches up with Robin.

2001: Carly and Sonny's wedding.
2002: Brenda returns and Sonny is shot.

2003: Sonny spends quality time with Morgan.
2005: Sonny visits Manny in jail.

2006: Sonny and Robin remember Stone.
2006: Jason tells Sonny that Sam is Alexis' daughter.

2008: Sonny and Jason fight about Emily.
2009: Sonny blasts Claudia in front of the whole town.

Ilene Kristen Event TONIGHT!

Have you ever wanted to meet the Divine Ilene Kristen, have fun, and help others all at the same time? Well you can tonight! We Love Soaps is so very honored and excited to celebrate Ilene Kristen's appearance at Will Clark's Porno Bingo in New York City, on Wednesday, April 28th, from 8pm-10pm.  The event will take place at Pieces Bar, at 8 Christopher Street, in the West Village (accessible by the A,C,E,B,D,F, or V train at the West 4th Street Station).

Ilene can be seen in her Emmy-nominated role as Roxy on ONE LIFE TO LIVE. She also performs her original music regularly in the New York City cabaret scene.  Many We Love Soaps readers also known Ilene as Delia Reid Ryan Ryan Coleridge Crane Coleridge on RYAN'S HOPE, a role which she originated in the show's first episode in 1975 and played on and off until the show's end in 1989. She also appeared on LOVING and ANOTHER WORLD.

Joining the fabulous Ms. Kristen will be the original Village People Cowboy Randy Jones.   Randy is an actor, author (the recently released MACHO MAN), American Music Award winner and multi-platinum recording artist. In his career spanning four decades before, with and since Village People, he has sold 100 million units.

For five years now, our good friend Will Clark has been running this popular New York event which has raised nearly $120,000 for gay/lesbian/transgendered charities.  The recipient of funds raised this week will go to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a 501(c)(3) organization, who has been at the forefront of a wide range of suicide prevention initiatives in 2009 -- each designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. 

So please join Roger and Damon in this wonderful evening of fabulous fun, great times, and important charity fundraising.  If you have any questions, please contact Damon at Jacobs@welovesoaps.net

Jean LeClerc - The We Love Soaps Interview, Part Two

In Part One of our interview with Jean LeClerc, the multifaceted actor discussed his current role in the fascinating play "The Madonna Painter" playing in Montreal, his history of performing on Broadway, his early history on soaps, and how the beloved role of Jeremy Hunter on ALL MY CHILDREN came to him.  In Part Two below, he shares the highs and lows of Jeremy's travels to Corinth on LOVING, the current state of ALL MY CHILDREN, and remembers working with the late James Mitchell.

We Love Soaps: About five years into your run as Jeremy, Genie Francis was brought on as Ceara.  How was that for you?
Jean LeClerc: She was a darling.  By then I understood she was famous for Laura on GENERAL HOSPITAL.  I adored her.  Her dressing room door was always open.  She was a hard worker.  She was new in New York, and she had a huge following.  I became fast friends with her and her husband Jonathan [Frakes].  And they paired us, and I married her. 

NEWS: GLEE Album #1, Harvey, Finola, McCrary, Thaao

GLEE is Golden: Have Broadcast Executives Learned Anything from the Smash Success of Fox's Hottest Show?
One might argue that GLEE is so easy to promote because of its music, and that there would be a lot less to work with if it were simply a comedy about high school misfits. That may be true, but the Internet, digital media and social networking have made viral marketing a breeze - if viral marketers know what they are doing and if they have something special to work with.

GLEE's Madonna album hits #1
GLEE's "The Power of Madonna" soundtrack nabbed the No. 1 spot from Justin Bieber this week on the Billboard 200 album chart this week, selling 98,000 copies.

FLASHBACK: Maurice Benard 1994

DESI' EXPERIENCE HUMBLED 'GH' TOP DOG MAURICE BENARD

By Lynda Hirsch
Orlando Sentinel
May 16, 1994

It was to be the role that would make Maurice Benard (Sonny on GENERAL HOSPITAL, 3 p.m., WFTV-Channel 9) a star. Instead, it almost killed his career.

"Frances (Fisher, EDGE OF NIGHT and Unforgiven) and I worked so hard on the movie. But from the beginning, it was a mess. Lucy and Desi's daughter Lucie hated the concept. So did the public. They wanted to see the Lucy and Desi they knew from television, not the real couple.

"We were savaged by the critics," he relates, "but the New York and L.A. papers liked it." If he has any long-lasting regrets about Lucy and Desi: The Real Story, one is about his own career, and the other is about the portrayal of Desi Arnaz. "I was typecast. Every casting agent thought I had this Cuban accent, which I definitely do not."

50 Greatest Soap Actors: #15 Maurice Benard

NAME: Maurice Benard
RANK: 15
SOAP ROLES: Sonny Corinthos, GENERAL HOSPITAL (1993-1997, 1998-present); Sonny Corinthos, GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT (2007); Sonny Corinthos, PORT CHARLES (2000); Nico Kelly, ALL MY CHILDREN (1987-1990)

AWARDS:
2008 ALMA Award nomination for Outstanding Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
2007 PRISM Award win for Performance in a Daytime Drama
2006 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
2005 Soap Opera Digest Award win for Outstanding Lead Actor
2004 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
2003 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
2003 Soap Opera Digest Award win for Outstanding Lead Actor
2002 ALMA Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama
2001 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Favorite Couple
2001 ALMA Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama
2000 Soap Opera Digest Award win for Favorite Actor
2000 ALMA Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Soap Opera
1997 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
1996 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
1996 Soap Opera Digest Award win for Outstanding Lead Actor
1996 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Hottest Soap Couple
1989 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Male Newcomer: Daytime

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Mary McDonnell (ex-Claudia, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 58
Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Julia, SANTA BARBARA; ex-Beverly, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 55
Eric Morgan Stuart (ex-Chris, ANOTHER WORLD)

RESULTS: Indie Soap of the Week Poll

Here are the results from the We Love Soaps "Indie Soap of the Week" poll for the week of April 18-24, 2010. SIFTING REALITIES finished in the top spot for the very first time. Indie soaps that aired one or more episodes last week were eligible. Check back on Saturday when this week's polling begins.


Watch/listen to last week's indie soaps:
- AS THE CORN GROWS
- COLLEGE
- JACLIFE
- SIFTING REALITIES
- THE LIKE US SHOW
- WINDSOR HILL

CLASSIC CLIPS: Larry Haines

Larry Haines came in at #16 on the 50 Greatest Soap Actors of All Time list. Here are some classic clips of Haines's work on SEARCH FOR TOMORROW and ANOTHER WORLD.

1980: Ellie tells Sunny that Stu is considering selling the inn and retiring.
1980: Jo reassures Stu that she won't sell her shares of the inn.

1983: Family and friends celebrate Christmas.
1985: Stu has tragic news for Liza.

1986: "What are you searching for?"

1989: Sidney crashes Brava's 25th anniversary party to see Ada.
1994: Haines reunites with Mary Stuart for the 50 YEARS OF SOAPS special.

NEWS: P&G Props for Sale, Fulton, Hansis, FiOS

Procter & Gamble won't let canceled soap opera use name for prop auction
On Saturday, soap-opera fans will have a chance to own their pieces of broadcasting history when the props of a long-lived and recently canceled television serial are sold at an auction in Brooklyn. The catch is that Procter & Gamble won’t give permission for the name of the soap opera to be used in the promotion of the auction. But here’s some guidance: the show in question was the longest-running scripted program in broadcasting history before CBS ran its final episode in September.

Dubuc Named President, GM of Lifetime Networks
Nancy Dubuc has been named president and general manager of Lifetime Networks. The announcement, widely expected since the women's brand became part of A&E Television Networks, was made April 27, by AETN President and CEO Abbe Raven.

HBO Launches TRUE BLOOD Webisodes
Shortform clips will premiere on Yahoo! TV before becoming available to other sites.

"Date Night": New Episode of ANYONE BUT ME

It's "Date Night" on an all new episode of ANYONE BUT ME, out today. Watch it below.

FLASHBACK: Larry Haines 1956

Shift to Westport Court Possible in Adoption Case

Sunday Herald
January 15, 1956

Fighting to keep the baby that was given to them for adoption shortly after her birth last September, Larry and Gertrude Haines of Wilton Rd., Westport, will know this week whether or not they must do battle in White Plains Supreme Court or in Probate Court in Westport.

A decision is expected shortly from a White Plains judge who must rule on the question of jurisdiction in the heartbreaking case.

It was launched by the child Deborah Dorothy's natural parents, Dorothea and Joseph Hahn of Mt. Vernon, N.Y. The mother gave the baby for adoption before it was born and changed her mind last December.

Haines is a well-known radio and TV actor. He has been seen and/or heard in SEARCH FOR TOMORROW, GANGBUSTERS, COUNTER SPY and TREASURY AGENT and his voice is familiar to soap-opera fans as a result of his longtime role in THE SECOND MRS. BURTON.

Season Two of EMPIRE is Here!

Seven new cast members, new HD cameras and Orlagh Cassidy! Don't miss the Season Two premiere of EMPIRE below.

Ilene Kristen And Randy Jones at We Love Soaps Event

We Love Soaps is so very honored and excited to celebrate Ilene Kristen's appearance at Will Clark's Porno Bingo in New York City, on Wednesday, April 28th, from 8pm-10pm.  The event will take place at Pieces Bar, at 8 Christopher Street, in the West Village (accessible by the A,C,E,B,D,F, or V train at the West 4th Street Station).

Ilene can be seen in her Emmy-nominated role as Roxy on ONE LIFE TO LIVE. She also performs her original music regularly in the New York City cabaret scene.  Many We Love Soaps readers also known Ilene as Delia Reid Ryan Ryan Coleridge Crane Coleridge on RYAN'S HOPE, a role which she originated in the show's first episode in 1975 and played on and off until the show's end in 1989. She also appeared on LOVING and ANOTHER WORLD.

Joining the fabulous Ms. Kristen will be the original Village People Cowboy Randy Jones.   Randy is an actor, author (the recently released MACHO MAN), American Music Award winner and multi-platinum recording artist. In his career spanning four decades before, with and since Village People, he has sold 100 million units.

For five years now, our good friend Will Clark has been running this popular New York event which has raised nearly $120,000 for gay/lesbian/transgendered charities.  The recipient of funds raised this week will go to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a 501(c)(3) organization, who has been at the forefront of a wide range of suicide prevention initiatives in 2009 -- each designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. 

So please join Roger and Damon in this wonderful evening of fabulous fun, great times, and important charity fundraising.  If you have any questions, please contact Damon at Jacobs@welovesoaps.net

Tina Sloan: "Changing Shoes" with the Ladies of EMPIRE

In case you missed the recent WE LOVE SOAPS TV episode dedicated to EMPIRE, there was a segment with the ladies of the show that we shot at Tina Sloan's apartment in Manhattan. We ran a portion of those interviews on the show and will be playing the complete versions throughout this week.

Below is our interview with the fabulous hostess herself, Tina Sloan, who will be playing Theodora Grant Haven on EMPIRE in Season Two. EMPIRE premieres on Tuesday, April 27 at empiretheseries.com.

Jean LeClerc - The We Love Soaps Interview, Part One

Picture, if you will, an era in which daytime television made an abundance of money, actors were hired more for talent than looks, and time and energy were channeled into fostering complex character developments and intelligent writing.  Jean LeClerc was one of the profiteers and then one of the casualties of this special era of the 1980's in which daytime thrived on quality and integrity.  Please join me for this special interview as he discusses his current role in Montreal in "The Madonna Painter," and then recalls his highs and lows on ABC daytime between 1985-1995.  

We Love Soaps: Tell me about your current role in "The Madonna Painter" in Montreal.
Jean LeClerc: It is a new play from the prolific writer Michel Marc Bouchard whose plays have been done in so many languages around the world.  We are giving the English language debut here in Montreal.  It was written in French, and translated into Italian for Florence and Rome.  Then in sixteen different languages.  Now it’s finally being done in English.  The story is about the religious Catholics in 1918 in rural Quebec.  In it I am playing a very peculiar doctor, who is more like a butcher.  He is taking care of everyone on one side, but on the other side has a personal quest, like a Holy Grail, which is to see a soul.  How far he will go to get there is what this play is about. 

We Love Soaps: He wants to see a soul?
Jean LeClerc: He is slightly misguided, I would call it.  He uses his skill as a doctor.  He agrees to give the money to a painter to paint the madonna, but he has to decide which face he wants in the madonna painting.  That is the plot and the intrigue of the entire play.  People at the end are mesmerized by his choice and to what lengths he goes to get that.  People come out of the play and say, “Oh My God!”

We Love Soaps: What are some of the themes that make the play embraced cross-culturally?

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Schae Harrison (ex-Darla, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 48
Cali Timmons (ex-Paulina, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Maggie, RYAN'S HOPE) - 47
Christopher Corwin (ex-Michael, ANOTHER WORLD) - 42
Maura West (Carly, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 38
Taylor Anne Mountz (ex-Kay, PASSIONS) - 28

50 Greatest Soap Actors: #16 Larry Haines

NAME: Larry Haines
RANK: 16
SOAP ROLES: Neil Warren, LOVING (1994-1995); Sidney Sugarman, ANOTHER WORLD (1989); Stu Bergman, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW (1951-1986); TO HAVE AND TO HOLD (1975-1976); THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS (1950); Lew Archer, THE SECOND MRS. BURTON (1952-1960); Joe Roberts, THE GUIDING LIGHT (1950-1951); JOYCE JORDAN MD (1945-1946); ROSEMARY; DAVID HARUM; PEPPER YOUNG'S FAMILY; THE RIGHT TO HAPPINESS; THIS IS NORA DRAKE; YOUNG DOCTOR MALONE

AWARDS:
1988 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Comic Performance by an Actor: Daytime
1988 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Contribution by an Actor/Actress to the Form of Continuing Drama who is currently on a Daytime Serial
1985 Daytime Emmy Special Recognition Award for his longevity and contribution to SEARCH FOR TOMORROW
1981 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role in a Daytime Drama Series
1980 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for a Daytime Drama Series
1977 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
1976 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
1969 Tony Award nomination for Featured Actor (Musical) “Promises, Promises”
1966 Tony Award nomination for Featured Actor (Play) “Generation”

50 Greatest Soap Actors FAQ

We are more than halfway through our countdown of the 50 Greatest Soap Actors of All Time. Many of you have expressed much love and some hate about the honorees on this list.  Because we have received a number of questions about the list we are re-posting the answers here in this F.A.Q.  Read on to find out why we're doing this list, how it was complied, as well as the names of the 15 experts who contributed. 

RESULTS: Daytime Soap of the Week Poll

Here are the results from the We Love Soaps "Daytime Soap of the Week" poll for the week of April 19-23, 2010. DAYS OF OUR LIVES remained on top for the 13th straight week with AS THE WORLD TURNS finishing a close second. Check back on Friday when this week's polling begins.

CLASSIC CLIPS: Darnell Williams

Darnell Williams came in at #17 on the 50 Greatest Soap Actors of All Time list. Here are some classic clips of Williams' work on ALL MY CHILDREN, LOVING, THE CITY and GUIDING LIGHT.

1983: Jesse and Angie's night together is interrupted by a call from Jenny.
1983: Angie and Jesse get married.

1987: Angie wants to know why Jesse killed her father.
1988: Jesse dies with Angie by his bedside.

1995: Angie and Jacob steam it up in the shower and the bedroom.
1995: Angie and Jacob leave Corinth.

1997: Jacob is worried about Angie spending too much time at the hospital.
2007: Griggs tells Alexandra that Cyrus is dead.

2008: Angie and Jesse reunite at the train tracks.
2008: Angie and Jesse get married again.

GOTHAM: Episode #12 Is Now Online - Nicole Miller!

GOTHAM is back with an all new episode tonight. What happens when the show goes on location to the Nicole Miller Fashion Week show? Find out below!

NEWS: Carlivati, Young, Chappell, Beck, Stagecoach

INTERVIEW: Y&R's Peter Bergman
"It has never been my favorite plot device but to the ever-loving credit of Stacy Haidukk [Patty/Emily] she has made it absolutely winning. She has gone to every limit, and has been incredibly brave. I think she has been strongly undermined by having a second character in Genoa City with the same kind of plastic surgery, and this is no reflection on Tracey Bregman [who plays doppelgangers Lauren and Sarah]. I perhaps flatter myself but I think the audience did roll with the Patty/Emily story. Then we had to sully it by trying it a second time."

Sean Young to appear on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Young begins taping her story arc in May when she will play Meggie, a sultry barmaid who gets tied up in a mystery with business tycoon Victor Newman (Eric Braeden). It’s a reunion for Young and Braeden as the pair filmed the Civil War drama The Man Who Came Back in 2007. Young replaced Melody Thomas Scott in the web soap, THE REPUBLIC, which has been delayed multiple times now.

ONE LIFE TO LIVE going in "a new and different direction"
ABC Daytime PR chief Jori Petersen is addressing those long-running rumors that OLTL head writer Ron Carlivati will get the ax when his current contract ends—rumors that amped up recently when ABC hired AS THE WORLD TURNS' current head writer Jean Passanante to join the OLTL team. “Jean was brought in to help Ron at Ron’s request,” clarifies the rep. “There are plans to take the show in a new and different direction, and we have absolute confidence that Ron will make that happen. The network in firmly behind him.”

WLS Interview Archive: Broadway Cares

We Love Soaps had the profound privilege of attending the 6th Annual ABC Daytime & Soapnet Salute Broadway Cares benefit event in New York back on March 21, 2010, and speaking to many ABC stars about their reasons for participating in this show. Please enjoy this special series of interviews, and visit any of the links below to make a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 

- WLS TV # 17 - Broadway Cares Event 
- Broadway Cares 2010 - Kristen Alderson Interview
- Broadway Cares 2010 - Bradford Anderson Interview
- Broadway Cares 2010 - Melissa Archer Interview
- Broadway Cares 2010 - Brandon Barash Interview
- Broadway Cares 2010 - BethAnn Bonner & Bree Williamson Interview
- Broadway Cares 2010 - Ron Carlivati Interview 
- Broadway Cares 2010 - Anthony Geary Interview
- Broadway Cares 2010 - Ilene Kristen Interview
- Broadway Cares 2010 - Mark Lawson Interview
- Broadway Cares 2010 - Adam Mayfield Interview
- Broadway Cares 2010 - Cornelius Smith, Jr. Interview
- Broadway Cares 2010 - Jason Tam Interview

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to learn more ways to take action against the spread of HIV/AIDS, and want to learn more about the current HIV Vaccine Clinical Trials, please visit Hope Takes Action, or contact Damon at Jacobs@welovesoaps.net.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Carol Burnett (ex-Verla, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 77
Michael Damian (ex-Danny, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 48
Olivia Birkelund (ex-Arlene, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 47
McKenzie Westmore (ex-Riley, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Sheridan, PASSIONS) - 33
Charissa Chamorro (ex-Tory, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Sophia, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 33
Jordana Brewster (ex-Nikki, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 30

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Lynn Hamilton (ex-Alice, PORT CHARLES; ex-Selita, SUNSET BEACH; ex-Vivian, GENERATIONS; ex-Mae, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 80
William Roache (Ken, CORONATION STREET) - 78
Katherine Bruce (ex-Sandy, DARK SHADOWS) - 69
Gina Torres (ex-Magdalena, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 41
Casey Deidrick (Chad, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 23


Also celebrating a birthday today is We Love Soaps' Damon L. Jacobs. Happy Birthday, Damon!

VOTE: Indie Soap of the Week Poll

Which indie soap was your favorite this week? Vote in the weekly We Love Soaps poll and check back on Tueday morning for the results. Only the shows that aired one or more new episodes from April 18-24, 2010 are listed. Based on release schedules, the shows in the poll will change weekly.

Free Web poll for your Web site - freepolls.com

Watch/listen to this week's indie soaps:
- AS THE CORN GROWS
- COLLEGE
- JACLIFE
- SIFTING REALITIES
- THE LIKE US SHOW
- WINDSOR HILL

Ilene Kristen And Randy Jones at We Love Soaps Event

We Love Soaps is so very honored and excited to celebrate Ilene Kristen's appearance at Will Clark's Porno Bingo in New York City, on Wednesday, April 28th, from 8pm-10pm.  The event will take place at Pieces Bar, at 8 Christopher Street, in the West Village (accessible by the A,C,E,B,D,F, or V train at the West 4th Street Station).

Ilene can be seen in her Emmy-nominated role as Roxy on ONE LIFE TO LIVE. She also performs her original music regularly in the New York City cabaret scene.  Many We Love Soaps readers also known Ilene as Delia Reid Ryan Ryan Coleridge Crane Coleridge on RYAN'S HOPE, a role which she originated in the show's first episode in 1975 and played on and off until the show's end in 1989. She also appeared on LOVING and ANOTHER WORLD.

Joining the fabulous Ms. Kristen will be the original Village People Cowboy Randy Jones.   Randy is an actor, author (the recently released MACHO MAN), American Music Award winner and multi-platinum recording artist. In his career spanning four decades before, with and since Village People, he has sold 100 million units.

For five years now, our good friend Will Clark has been running this popular New York event which has raised nearly $120,000 for gay/lesbian/transgendered charities.  The recipient of funds raised this week will go to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a 501(c)(3) organization, who has been at the forefront of a wide range of suicide prevention initiatives in 2009 -- each designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. 

So please join Roger and Damon in this wonderful evening of fabulous fun, great times, and important charity fundraising.  If you have any questions, please contact Damon at Jacobs@welovesoaps.net

12 Days of EMPIRE: Fabio Taliercio Interview

Fabio Taliercio will be playing Alex Russo on the upcoming season of indie soap EMPIRE. As part of the We Love Soaps "12 Days of EMPIRE" countdown leading up to the April 27 Season Two premiere, today's feature is an interview with the actor conducted at the first read-through of the script earlier this year.

On EMPIRE, Alex has been Cane Haven's boyfriend for the past few years. In the time they've been together, Alex and Cane have both launched their own businesses, Cane's detective agency and Alex's bar. Recently, Alex's bar hasn't been doing so well, which has caused friction between Alex and Cane. Alex has also been drinking more than usual and Cane has been nagging more than usual. Despite this, the two genuinely love one another and are determined to make their relationship a happy and lasting one.

We Love Soaps: Tell me about Alex.  He was only alluded to in Season One.
Fabio Taliercio: Alex and Cane (Ryan Clardy) have been in a relationship for about two years now.  In the second season we learn a lot more about their relationship.  It’s a very loving relationship, although there are problems.  Alex is a bit of an alcoholic.  There is definitely a struggle around Alex being self-sufficient and being able to take care of himself.  They are both very goal oriented.  Alex is very enthusiastic about this bar that he has opened, and he refuses to accept Cane's help.  But the love is still there, they are a great couple.  I think it’s great that they chose these two guys two have this kind of relationship.  They do come full circle. 

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Thad Luckinbill (J.T., THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 35
Courtnee Draper (ex-Mary, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 25
Sean Rademaker (ex-Jonathan, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Kirkland, ANOTHER WORLD) - 20

Soap Opera TV Ratings For April 12-18, 2010

Compiled from a list of several sources, here are the Nielsen ratings for the week of April 12-18, 2010 for all the daytime and primetime television soap operas.

GLEE (12.8 million, 7.7/13)
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (10.4 million, 6.7/10)
LOST (9.45 million, 5.6/9)
THE GOOD WIFE (7.9 million, 5.3/9) - repeat
BROTHERS & SISTERS (7.9 million, 5.4/9)
PARENTHOOD (6.4 million, 4.2/7)
V (5.9 million, 3.8/6)
UGLY BETTY (5.4 million, 3.7/7) - series finale
FLASHFORWARD (5.0 million, 3.4/6)
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (4.9 million, 3.5/13) - daytime airing only
GREY'S ANATOMY (4.7 million, 3.4/6) - repeat
PRIVATE PRACTICE (3.7 million, 2.7/5) - repeat
ARMY WIVES (3.15 million)
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES (3.0 million, 1.8/3)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (3.2 million, 2.3/8)
GENERAL HOSPITAL (2.58 million, 1.9/6) - daytime airing only
DAYS OF OUR LIVES (2.56 million, 1.9/7) - daytime airing only
ALL MY CHILDREN (2.43 million, 1.8/6) - daytime airing only
SUPERNATURAL (2.4 million, 1.5/2)
AS THE WORLD TURNS (2.26 million, 1.7/6)
ONE LIFE TO LIVE (2.25 million, 1.8/6) - daytime airing only
LIFE UNEXPECTED (1.8 million, 1.3/2) - season finale
GOSSIP GIRL (1.8 million, 1.2/2)
90210 (1.5 million, 1.0/2)
MELROSE PLACE (1.1 million, 0.7/1) - season finale

RATINGS NOTES:
- All seven daytime soaps dropped last week including ONE LIFE TO LIVE, which reached a four month low.

- GLEE returned to strong numbers following AMERICAN IDOL.

- The P&G/NBC "family friendly" movie, Secrets of the Mountain, averaged 7.5 million viewers last Friday at 8 p.m. and 8.2 million at 9 p.m. so look for this new franchise to continue.

VOTE: Daytime Soap of the Week Poll

Which daytime soap was your favorite the week of April 19-23, 2010? Vote in the weekly We Love Soaps poll and check back on Monday morning for the results.

Free Web poll for your Web site - freepolls.com

Ilene Kristen And Randy Jones at We Love Soaps Event

We Love Soaps is so very honored and excited to celebrate Ilene Kristen's appearance at Will Clark's Porno Bingo in New York City, on Wednesday, April 28th, from 8pm-10pm.  The event will take place at Pieces Bar, at 8 Christopher Street, in the West Village (accessible by the A,C,E,B,D,F, or V train at the West 4th Street Station).

Ilene can be seen in her Emmy-nominated role as Roxy on ONE LIFE TO LIVE. She also performs her original music regularly in the New York City cabaret scene.  Many We Love Soaps readers also known Ilene as Delia Reid Ryan Ryan Coleridge Crane Coleridge on RYAN'S HOPE, a role which she originated in the show's first episode in 1975 and played on and off until the show's end in 1989. She also appeared on LOVING and ANOTHER WORLD.

Joining the fabulous Ms. Kristen will be the original Village People Cowboy Randy Jones.   Randy is an actor, author (the recently released MACHO MAN), American Music Award winner and multi-platinum recording artist. In his career spanning four decades before, with and since Village People, he has sold 100 million units.

For five years now, our good friend Will Clark has been running this popular New York event which has raised over $100,000 for gay/lesbian/transgendered charities.  The recipient of funds raised this week will go to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a 501(c)(3) organization, who has been at the forefront of a wide range of suicide prevention initiatives in 2009 -- each designed to reduce loss of life from suicide. 

So please join Roger and Damon in this wonderful evening of fabulous fun, great times, and important charity fundraising.  If you have any questions, please contact Damon at Jacobs@welovesoaps.net

FLASHBACK: Darnell Williams 1982

A SOAP STAR OUT TO BREAK THE MOLD

By Steve Morse
Boston Globe
July 31, 1982

Ever since the dawning of soap operas, black people have been cast in narrow, antiseptic roles, if cast at all.

Never, until a character named Jesse Hubbard was added last year to ALL MY CHILDREN (Channel 5, 1 p.m.), has there been an angry, streetwise black who does not strive for a safe, middle-class existence.

"I was never into soaps, so I didn't know that Jesse was the first, but that's what everyone tells me," says Darnell Williams, the 28-year-old actor who has become a daytime sensation by portraying the brooding, hotheaded Jesse.

Daytime Emmys To Air on CBS on June 27

The 37th Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards will be broadcast Sunday, June 27 (9:00-11:00 Live, PM, ET/delayed PT) from the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas on the CBS Television Network. This is the first time the awards ceremony will take place in Las Vegas.

"The Daytime Emmy Awards are one of the cornerstones of our business and we are thrilled to be back on CBS," said Herb Granath, Chairman, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). "Last year's show was one of the most entertaining events in our history, and this year's Las Vegas-based broadcast promises to be even more exciting."

Associated Television International (ATI) will produce the show with ATI President and Emmy Award winner David McKenzie serving as executive producer. "After last year's Daytime Emmy Awards, we are delighted to be working with NATAS again," said McKenzie. "Being on the top-rated network gives us the opportunity to reach a wide audience and moving the show to Las Vegas allows us a dazzling range of production choices."

50 Greatest Soap Actors: #17 Darnell Williams

NAME: Darnell Williams
RANK: 17
SOAP ROLES: Jesse Hubbard, ALL MY CHILDREN (1981-1988, 1994, 2001, 2008-present); Griggs, GUIDING LIGHT (2007); Jacob Foster, THE CITY (1995-97); Jacob Foster, LOVING (1995); Jack Durbin, AS THE WORLD TURNS (1994)

AWARDS:
2003 NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
1996 NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
1996 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor
1994 Golden Globe Special Award win for Best Ensemble Cast
1993 Venice Film Festival Volpi Cup Award win for Best Ensemble Cast
1985 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
1983 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role in a Daytime Drama Series
1982 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role in a Daytime Drama Series

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Craig Sheffer (ex-Ian, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 50
Melina Kanakaredes (ex-Eleni, GUIDING LIGHT) - 43
Jesse Lee Soffer (Will, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Max, GUIDING LIGHT) - 26

CLASSIC CLIPS: Christian LeBlanc

Christian LeBlanc came in at #18 on the 50 Greatest Soap Actors of All Time list. Here are some classic clips of LeBlanc's work on AS THE WORLD TURNS and THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.

1984: Brian tries to calm Kirk down.
1993: Michael continues to chip away at the brick wall of Cricket's apartment.

1998: Phyllis tries to seduce Michael.
2002: Michael cross-examines Phyllis.

2003: Michael's alter-ego plants doubts in his mind about his wedding.
2005: Michael and Lauren start to plan their wedding.

2008: It's a wonderful life!

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 1.25 EMPIRE Preview

On Episode 1.25 of WE LOVE SOAPS TV, Roger Newcomb and Damon L. Jacobs welcome Greg Turner and Brian Hewson, co-creators of the indie soap, EMPIRE. EMPIRE returns with the Season Two premiere on April 27. In addition to Turner and Hewson, Ryan Clardy (Cane) and Nick Lewis (Evan) compete in a Season One trivia challenge. We also prevew our visit to Tina Sloan's (Theodora) apartment and the "Changing Shoes" interviews with the dynamic ladies of the show including Orlagh Cassidy (Colleen), Kate Forsatz (Marin) and Kathryn Neville Browne (Sandra). Finally, we preview our upcoming interview with new cast member Christian Barber (Rodney).



If you want to watch WE LOVE SOAPS TV on iTunes, you can find it here.

If you are in the New York City area and would like to be in the audience during a taping of a future episode of WE LOVE SOAPS TV, email us at audience@welovesoaps.net and we will keep you posted on our upcoming schedule.

Check out these links related to this episode:
- EMPIRE - Official Website
- Tina Sloan - Changing Shoes
- RyanClardy.com
- KateForsatz.com

Become a We Love Soaps Supporter!

OWN Inks Ad Deal With Procter & Gamble

OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network has inked a multi-year advertising deal with Procter & Gamble, the network says. The three year deal is estimated to be worth more than $100 million, according to the Wall Street Journal.

"This is a terrific partnership, bringing together two powerful brands with a common goal to serve the viewer with meaningful experiences," said Kathleen Kayse, executive VP, advertising sales, OWN.

Procter & Gamble, whose last daytime soap will leave the airwaves in September, is an advertising powerhouse, with the company spending nearly $3 billion in 2009 alone in the U.S. OWN would have been a great network to continue one of P&G's canceled soaps.

Van Hansis Books A Movie, Talks About The Future

I ran into Van Hansis a few weeks ago and he revealed that he had just landed a movie role, but couldn't share any details at the time. When I saw him again at last weekend's Nuke-a-Palooza event, he was able to reveal more about the project. He also shared his feelings about the end of AS THE WORLD TURNS and what he might do in the future.

We Love Soaps: What is like to be here for the last weekend while the show is still on the air?
Van Hansis: It’s great.  Not that it's ending, but that I have been so lucky to have been here and to see it through to the end.  I am going to miss these characters and the fans and I definitely feel it will be the end of a big important chapter in my life.

We Love Soaps: How do you deal with loss and change?
Van Hansis: I’m excited about the future.  Especially since they gave us six months notice. They gave us time to make peace with the ending.  I’m very much looking forward to what is next in my life.

FLASHBACK: Christian LeBlanc 1998

Y&R's LeBlanc has Acadian roots

By Lilana Novakovich
Toronto Star
November 13, 1998

In 1984, Christian J. LeBlanc was on the cover of Soap Opera Digest with Marisa Tomei, who was then his love interest Marcy, on AS THE WORLD TURNS. It was early in the career of LeBlanc, who now plays Michael Baldwin on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.

"I had just gotton off the turnip truck," he laughs, "so, to be able to work from time to time with such talented people as Margaret Colin (ex Margo) and Meg Ryan (ex-Betsy), was a gift. And I got to work closely with Marisa, who was great. In our infancy, we were all so green in a way, but Marisa was very talented, and so natural -- even then. I had no training, really, so it was like this wonderful lesson to be able to work with her."

12 Days of EMPIRE: Kate Forsatz Interview

Kate Forsatz plays Marin Lively on the indie soap EMPIRE. As part of the We Love Soaps "12 Days of EMPIRE" countdown leading up to the April 27 Season Two premiere, today's feature is an interview with the actress conducted at the first read-through of the script earlier this year.

On EMPIRE, Marin's mother, Colleen, raised her alone and grew somewhat resentful that motherhood robbed her of her career as an actress. Colleen is living out her dreams now through Marin's little sister Lucy, who is a film star. Marin grew up alongside the Havens. Her best friend has always been Evan Haven, but it is Thomas Haven who she was about to marry ... until he tried to pass his teen lover off as an illegitimate son.

We Love Soaps: You’re back for Season Two! Marin suffered a pretty grave betrayal in Season One.
Kate Forsatz: Marin has been a pretty tough chick lately.  She’s had to put up with a lot, and she’s gone through a lot of changes.

50 Greatest Soap Actors: #18 Christian LeBlanc

NAME: Christian LeBlanc
RANK: 18
SOAP ROLES: Michael Baldwin, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (1991-1993, 1997-present); Weddding Guest, GUIDING LIGHT (2009); Michael Baldwin, AS THE WORLD TURNS (2005); Kirk McColl, AS THE WORLD TURNS (1983-1985)

AWARDS:
2009 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
2008 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
2007 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
2005 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
2005 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor
2004 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
2003 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
2000 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
1999 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
1999 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Favorite Return

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Robin Bartlett (ex-Judy, RYAN'S HOPE) - 59
Steve Bond (ex-Jimmy Lee, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Mack, SANTA BARBARA) - 57
Joseph Bottoms (ex-Kirk, SANTA BARBARA; ex-Cal, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 56
Jeffrey Dean Morgan (ex-Denny, GREY'S ANATOMY) - 44
Ingo Rademacher (Jax, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 39
Eric Mabius (ex-Daniel, UGLY BETTY) - 39
Victor McCay (ex-Doc, PASSIONS) - 39
Michelle Ryan (ex-Zoe, EASTENDERS) - 26

Also celebrating a birthday today is "Portia" from PRATT FALLS.

CLASSIC CLIPS: Chris Bernau

Chris Bernau came in at #19 on the 50 Greatest Soap Actors of All Time list. Here are some classic clips of Bernau's work on GUIDING LIGHT.

1979: Alan and Hope are stranded on a deserted island (four clips that play out over time).

1980: Henry warns Alan against Diane.
1981: Ed confront Alan about his affair with Rita

1983: Alan is concerned about Phillip.
1984: Alan is left in San Rios and gets shot at.

1986: Alan is unmasked at the ball.
1988: Phillip reveals his takeover plan to Alan.

NEWS: Locklear, Warlock, Like a Prayer, Mabius, Chandler

GLEE cut off thanks to AMERICAN IDOL overrun
The overrun also resulted in GLEE running into the 10 o'clock hour as it went into its climax, the big "Like a Prayer" number.

Heather Locklear Arrested for Hit-and-Run
Heather Locklear was arrested for hit-and-run last Saturday. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ at around 4 AM, someone heard a crash near North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village, CA. The offense is a misdemeanor, so Locklear was not taken into custody -- just cited and released.

Peter Haskell Has Died at Age 75

Peter Haskell, 75, a prolific stage, screen and TV actor who starred in the RYAN'S HOPE (Hollis Kirkland), SEARCH FOR TOMORROW (Lloyd Kendall) and RITUALS (C.J. Field), died April 12 at his Northridge home, said his daughter, Audra.

He played writer-producer Kevin Grant on BRACKEN'S WORLD, a melodramatic backstage look at the film industry that ran on NBC in 1969 and '70.

Born Oct. 15, 1934, in Boston, Haskell began acting while studying for a degree in literature at Harvard University. He appeared on stage in Boston, New York and Canada in the 1960s and won his first TV role in DEATH VALLEY DAYS in 1964.

Dozens of TV appearances followed on series including BEN CASEY, COMBAT!, LASSIE and many others, including the 2009 series finale of ER.

He also appeared in two Child's Play horror films in the '90s and was active in theater in Los Angeles.

His first marriage ended in divorce. In 1974 he married Dianne "Crickett" Tolmich. They had two children, Audra and Jason.

Less Than Five Months Left of ATWT: Byrne Still Not Back

As I mentioned in a previous post, some actors may not want to return to AS THE WORLD TURNS in its final months. Even though it was brief, it was wonderful to see Julianne Moore again. Gwen and Will are returning soon. I don't know how Larry Bryggman would feel about returning but I'm trying to find out.

One of the more curious situations though is the character of Lily. Whatever the ending is for Lily and Holden, it just won't have any weight to it for me with Noelle Beck in the role. I am a longtime Beck fan from her days at LOVING and no one could have done a better job taking over the role from Martha Byrne than her. But having watched this show since elementary school, I want to get a final, beautiful closing for Lily and Holden, as well as Lily and Lucinda, and that can only happen with Byrne. Noelle Beck's contract with ATWT has already expired. It was actully a perfect time to ask Byrne to return as Lily, without going back on the commitment to Beck, yet no one did. It seemed like a golden opportunity and a no-brainer.

What do you think? Do you want to see Byrne back for the final months of ATWT? Are you okay with Beck's Lily closing out the show with Holden? Tell us what you think in the comments section.

CBS Also Developing Daytime Talk Show

The New York Post reported today that CBS is looking to develop a new daytime panel show to take on THE VIEW.

CBS President Les Moonves' wife, Julie Chen, could soon be the face of a new daytime panel chat show for mothers. Chen -- who has a son, Charlie, with Moonves -- and ROSEANNE star and lesbian mom Sara Gilbert are preparing to shoot a pilot for the network for a show to rival ABC's THE VIEW. Other possible panelists linked to the project are Lisa Rinna and pregnant REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW YORK star Bethenny Frankel. A CBS source said, "It's a daytime panel show to take on THE VIEW, targeted at women with children and hosted by celebrities, journalists and regular moms. A pilot will be shot in early May."

CBS is also currently working on two game show pilots as possible replacements for AS THE WORLD TURNS, which goes off the air in September.

12 Days of EMPIRE: Lise Fisher Interview

Lise Fisher will be playing Rachel Stone on Season Two of the indie soap EMPIRE. As part of the We Love Soaps "12 Days of EMPIRE" countdown leading up to the April 27 Season Two premiere, today's feature is an interview with the actress conducted at the first read-through of the script earlier this year.

On EMPIRE, Rachel is a little burnt out as the office manager at Empire. Frankly, she's sick of all things Haven. Rachel can be a little off-putting when you first meet her, due to her sharp wit and sarcastic tongue, but underneath all that sarcasm and sass lies a big heart.

We Love Soaps: Tell us about Rachel.
Lise Fisher: She is under the impression that she is holding Empire together.  She feels underappreciated. She has a big chip on her shoulder.  She’s pissed off that no one seems to recognize her.  She feels everyone sees her as a human answering machine or a robot. 

HOT STORIES: Palmer's Memorial on ALL MY CHILDREN

Family and friends said goodbye to Palmer "Pete Cooney" Cortlandt on Tuesday's ALL CHILDREN. The best part? Seeing the magnificent Gillian Spencer and Taylor Miller as Daisy and Nina again. And loved the mentions of the late Phoebe, Mona and Myrtle. Erica said, "Heaven's in for quite a time." She's right. Watch this hot story below.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Dominic Zamprogna (Dante, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 31
Dylan Bruce (ex-Chris, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 30

FLASHBACK: Chris Bernau 1981

Where's the Beef?

As the World Turns, So Do the Ladykilling Louses Who Are Beefing Up the Soaps

By Mandy Uhry, Rebecca Bricker
People
March 9, 1981

Chris Bernau: kissing well is the best revenge

Cast as megamillionaire Alan Spaulding in GUIDING LIGHT, Christopher Bernau is indisputably the Cadillac of daytime cads. "Spaulding is aggressive, manipulative, clever and amoral—all vices of the middle class and all virtues of industrial America," Chris laughs. "He's also very successful, on all fronts."

50 Greatest Soap Actors: #19 Chris Bernau

NAME: Chris Bernau
RANK: 19
SOAP ROLES: Alan Spaulding, GUIDING LIGHT (1977-1984, 1986-1988); Philip Todd, DARK SHADOWS (1969-1970)

COMMENTS FROM THE PANEL:
Connie Passalacqua Hayman (Marlena De Lacroix): As the original Alan Spaulding on GUIDING LIGHT, this actor was mesmerizing: powerful, mostly malevolent and sexy in an authoritarian way. Remember his seduction of Ed's wife Rita under the falls in Jamaica? Just amazing in conflict scenes with a young Grant Aleksander and (the now mostly forgotten) Don Stewart who played Mike Bauer.

Nelson Aspen: Chris created the most complex, dynamic villain of his day, with a complete style of his own that was never replicated by either of his recasts. It was never hard to understand why the women fell for Alan Spaulding. Rather than play the archetype, he offered up charm and seduction with every scene. Frankly, I dont feel that any patriarchal bad guy has ever come close. Terry Lester could have if he'd had the opportunity.

RESULTS: Indie Soap of the Week Poll

Here are the results from the We Love Soaps "Indie Soap of the Week" poll for the week of April 11-17, 2010. AS THE CORN GROWS finished in the top spot for the very first time. Indie soaps that aired one or more episodes last week were eligible. Check back on Saturday when this week's polling begins.


Watch/listen to last week's indie soaps:
- AS THE CORN GROWS
- COLLEGE
- COMBAT DIARIES
- GOTHAM
- JACLIFE
- SIFTING REALITIES
- THE LIKE US SHOW

NEWS: Daddy Yankee, Tuc Watkins, Wally Kurth, Budig

Daddy Yankee will perform on THE BOLD AND THE BEUATIFUL
Daddy Yankee will perform on the show during a five-episode story arc airing June 1-7. The reggaeton star (real name: Raymond Ayala) will perform songs from his forthcoming album, "Mundial," including his single "Grito Mundial." He will also debut on television another song, "Que Es La Que Hay."

"The story takes place during a raucous party full of young people who are ready to take a break from the scholarly pursuits of high school. We conceived it as a modern urban take on a masquerade ball," the show's executive producer and head writer Bradley P. Bell said in a statement announcing Yankee's participation.

"Daddy Yankee's hypnotic thump is the perfect intoxicating elixir to entice some of the characters into doing things they might not ordinarily do."