NEWS: CORRIE Returns to Wednesdays, Ratings, Janney/Colfer

CORONATION STREET Switches Back To Mid-Week Slot
The move back to Wednesday nights coincides with ITV's new contract with UEFA which will see the Champions League football coverage move to Tuesday nights.

Daytime Soap Opera Ratings Report for the Week of June 20-24, 2011
All daytime soaps but DAYS increased viewership from the previous week.

Janney gets 'Struck by Lightning'
Allison Janney will star with Chris Colfer of GLEE in the indie coming-of-age comedy Struck by Lightning, directed by Brian Dannelly.

Patrick Dempsey explains his GREY'S ANATOMY exit remarks to Letterman
"Everyone now is convinced I'm off the show," he says of his interview with Italy's Vanity Fair.

Lindsay Lohan `celebrates freedom with a night out`
Lohan's troubled house arrest ended yesterday, and she celebrated by partying for five hours at an L.A. nightclub.

ABC Family's STATE OF GEORGIA Debuts at No. 1 in its Time Period
GEORGIA debuted as the network's No. 2 comedy launch of all time in Adults 18-49 (737,000).

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.89 ALL MY CHILDREN at the Daytime Emmys

On Episode 2.89, WE LOVE SOAPS TV travels to the Daytime Emmy Awards in Las Vegas to speak with the cast of ALL MY CHILDREN including Bobbie Eakes, Rebecca Budig, Brittany Allen, Stephanie Gatschet and Sarah Glendening.

WATCH: Michael O'Leary Crosses Over From STEAMBOAT to THE BAY

In the first indie soap crossover, STEAMBOAT's Michael O'Leary appears on THE BAY in the latest installment of "Far From The Bay" released today.

In the episode, Pete (Kristos Andrews) is awakened on a park bench by Michael Donovan (O'Leary), who is flabbergasted that Pete doesn't recognize him as a longtime soap star.

"I thought you were somebody."

"I am somebody."

Watch it unfold below.

ALL MY CHILDREN Final Episode To Air September 23

ABC will broadcast its final episode of the Daytime Emmy Award-winning drama series, ALL MY CHILDREN, on Friday, September 23. The iconic series will end in a manner that respects the show's legacy and honors its history.

Out of love and respect for the show, many beloved actors will be returning to Pine Valley, including Josh Duhamel (Leo Du Pres), Eva La Rue (Maria Santos), Thorsten Kaye (Zach Slater), Carol Burnett (Verla Grubbs), Kate Collins (Janet Green), Jennifer Bassey (Marion Chandler), Melissa Claire Egan (Annie Chandler) and Leven Rambin (Lily Montgomery), among others yet to be announced. Final episodes will celebrate the stories of the families that fans have grown to know and love over the years.

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1952: Popular radio soap opera THE GUIDING LIGHT moved to television. The show also continued to air on the radio until 1956.

2005: Four-time Emmy winning GENERAL HOSPITAL producer Carol Scott died of cancer at the age of 56.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Clifford David (ex-Rod, RYAN'S HOPE) - 79
Nicolas Surovy (ex-Mike, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Orson, RYAN'S HOPE) - 67
Brian Bloom (ex-Dusty, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 41
Monica Potter (Kristina, PARENTHOOD; ex-Sharon, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 40
Josh Ruben (ex-Ultra Violet Bartender, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 28

Jonathan Jackson & Enation Coming to Tri-State Area!

Emmy-winner Jonathan Jackson from GENERAL HOSPITAL and his band, Enation, will be visiting the tri-state area in August for three concerts. Check out the schedule below for a chance to see them live.

Friday, August 5, 2011
Treehouse Comedy Production @ Marisa’s
6540 Main Street
Trumbull, CT
(203) 268-5857
Showtime: 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $75.00 includes concert, meet/greet & autographs

Saturday, August 6, 2011
Governor’s Comedy Club
90 Division Avenue
Levittown, NY
(516) 731-3358
Showtime: 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $84 includes concert, meet/greet & autographs

Sunday, August 7, 2011
Uncle Vinnies
520 Arnold Avenue
Point Pleasant, NJ
(732) 899-3900
Showtime: 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $75 + tax includes concert, meet/greet & autographs

CLASSIC CLIPS: Anthony Herrera

Anthony Herrera came in at #33 on the 50 Greatest Soap Actors of All Time list. Here are some classic clips of Herrera's work on AS THE WORLD TURNS and LOVING.

1981: James throws a Christmas party.
1982: James confronts Barbara about Gunnar.

1983: James shares a tender moment with Paul.
1984: Dane Hammond "Love in the Afternoon" promos for LOVING.

1986: "Hello, Barbara".
1987: James threatens Tonio, Lucinda and Meg.

1989: James meets Paul at the heliport.
1997: James reveals to Barbara he is alive (again).

1998: James discovers David is alive.
2001: James makes a creepy phone call to Carly.

2002: James and Barbara are questioned by Margo on camera.
2003: James testifies against Paul.

Anthony Herrera Has Passed Away At Age 67

Reports of the death of Emmy Nominated Anthony Herrera (James Stenbeck, ATWT) circulated on the internet tonight, with many on Facebook and Twitter discussing his death on June 21st in Buenos Aires.  Approximately one hour ago, Emmy-winning actress Martha Byrne wrote on her Twitter page, "RIP Anthony Herrera...so many great memories.... :( "

We at WE LOVE SOAPS TV are saddened by these reports. We take pause to remember and acknowledge the depth and gravity of Mr. Herrera's contributions to AS THE WORLD TURNS on and off between 1980-2010, as well as his roles on LOVING, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, THE SECRET STORM and many other projects. He was also the author of "The Cancer War" and fought tirelessly to raise money for cancer research. He was one of the pioneer patients who successfully underwent a non-ablative stem cell transplant for mantle cell lymphoma.

Please stay come back to this post WE LOVE SOAPS for news as it becomes available.

Q&A with Ian Harding of PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: Messing Around, Plot Reveals & a Mean Rib Roast

On PRETTY LITTLE LIARS (ABC Family, Tuesdays 8/7c), Ian Harding portrays Ezra Fitz, the English teacher who has more than a scholarly interest in Aria, one of his students. Ezra knows better than to get involved with one of his students but the heart wants what it wants. Question is does Ezra have the strength to keep his desires in check?

Harding was born in Heidelberg, Germany, the youngest child of a military family. The family moved back to northern Virginia a few years later, where he excelled in soccer and basketball. In high school, he joined the drama club and discovered a new passion, something he continued to pursue at Carnegie Mellon University.

Harding's feature credits include Greg Mottola's Adventureland and the upcoming Ed Zwick film Love and Other Drugs. He also recently appeared in an episode of NCIS: LOS ANGELES.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV recently talked with Harding about PRETTY LITTLE LIARS (PLL), forbidden love, his career, on-set intimacy, and BULLY BEAT DOWN.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: I was hoping you could tell us about a time in your own life when, like Ezra, you were attracted to somebody that you couldn’t have or you shouldn’t have.
Ian Harding: I feel like everybody goes through that in their life, and definitely there was a moment when I got out here to Los Angeles and I was newly single and I thought this one person was just amazing, and she was also an actress. I know that she was kind of in a relationship at the time and I was like oh no this is so wrong, this is so wrong, and then once I finally got to know the person I realized that oh it was not who I thought they were. But yes, I think that’s probably the most or the worst kind of love obsession that I’ve had recently.

Q&A with Joey Lawrence of ABC Family's MELISSA & JOEY

MELISSA & JOEY returns on ABC Family with all-new episodes on an all-new comedy night premiering tonight, Wednesday, June 29 (8:00 p.m. ET/PT). In the episode, "Enemies With Benefits," Joe is excited for his upcoming date, but when he reveals to Mel it's with his ex-wife Tiffany (Megan Hilty), who dumped him after he lost his fortune and broke his heart, Mel and the kids see trouble on the horizon.

ABCFamily.com will premiere Joey Lawrence's new single, "Rolled," which will be available as a free download exclusively on the site for one week, starting Wednesday, June 29. Rolled" is an upbeat pop/dance song produced by famed hit producer/songwriter Matthew Gerrard, who co-wrote the song with Lawrence.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV recently spoke to Lawrence about his music, his acting, his his fans, his cooking, and even his guilty pleasures.

Lieke Van Lexmond Says Goodbye To GTST

Actress Lieke van Lexmond is leaving GOEDE TIJDEN SLECHTE TIJDEN. She's been playing the role of Charlie Fischer since 2002 (Aukje van Ginneken originated the role in 1999). Van Lexmond hopes her character is not going to be killed off.

"I really fell in love with Charlie. I think it would be great to come back in the future for visits. That way I can enjoy my roots."

Fans don't have to say goodbye right away. Charlie will be on the show until at least the beginning of 2012. The news about Van Lexmond's departure from the show leaked out early.

Van Lexmond started her career on the soap opera GOUDKUST (which was canceled in 2001).

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.88 ONE LIFE TO LIVE at the Daytime Emmys

On Episode 2.88, WE LOVE SOAPS TV travels to the Daytime Emmy Awards in Las Vegas to speak with the cast of ONE LIFE TO LIVE including Kassie DePaiva, James DePaiva, Brian Kerwin, Terri Conn, Austin Peck and Melissa Archer.

NEWS: Teen Choice Awards, DAYS Goes To The Movies, Telemundo

GLEE and THE VAMPIRE DIARIES lead Teen Choice Awards nominations
GLEE scored nine nominations while DIARIES had seven.

TV Guide: DAYS OF OUR LIVES Goes to the Movies for July 4
"Bad rain will hit Salem on the July 4 episode of NBC's Days of Our Lives, forcing the young ones — Gabi, Chad, Abigail, Kinsey and Melanie — to stay indoors and watch this year's Oscar DVDs at the Brady Pub. While trying to decide which flicks to choose, Melanie imagines herself and Bo in True Grit, while Chad fantasizes himself in The Social Network and Gabi goes for The King's Speech. Kinsey votes for The Fighter with Brady as Mark Wahlberg's character and the gals — from Nicole and Melanie to sassy Nurse Maxine — as the mouthy, trashtastic Eklund sisters. And look for Emmy winner Judi Evans (Adrienne) in the badass mom role that won an Oscar for Melissa Leo. The Days take-off we most can't wait to see? That'd be Black Swan, with the great Kristian Alfonso (Hope) in all her psychotic Natalie Portman glory."

REVIEW: Awesome Aidan 5 Apes Bladerunner, Avatar, Archer

Web Series: AIDAN 5

For fans of...: Bladerunner; ARCHER

What it is: Human clones may be more trouble than they're worth in the stylishly dangerous city-of-tomorrow.

What's good: Groundbreaking technical achievements for a short-format indie series.

NEWS: Joseph Mascolo, Deidre Hall, Terry Pheto, Rob Bogue

Joseph Mascolo: Still loving the bad guy
"I guess DAYS gave me the opportunity to create a role that went on, hell, a life of its own, and one the audience seemed to be interested in. I come back because of that same audience,” Mascolo explains.

Deidre Hall to appear on DROP DEAD DIVA
"Big News! I'm going to Atlanta to do a cameo in DROP DEAD DIVA! Guess what my character's name is?? Deidre Hall! Yes, I'm playing myself. I'll let you know when it airs."

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1915: Future soap opera legend Ruth Warrick (ex-Phoebe, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Hannah, PEYTON PLACE; ex-Janet, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Edie, AS THE WORLD TURNS) was born.

1943: Radio soap opera LONELY WOMEN, created by Irna Phillips, debuted on NBC Radio.

1956: THE GUIDING LIGHT aired its final radio episode on CBS Radio.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Debbie Lytton (ex-Melissa, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 44
Clementine Ford (Mackenzie, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Molly, THE L WORD) - 31

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.87 THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL at the Daytime Emmys

On Episode 2.87, WE LOVE SOAPS TV travels to the Daytime Emmy Awards in Las Vegas to speak with the cast of THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL including Bradley P. Bell, Ed Scott, Heather Tom, Scott Clifton, Rodney Saulsberry, Adrienne Frantz, Winsor Harmon and Kim Matula.

Season Finale GTST: Wedding Turns Into Nightmare

On July 8 Season 21 of the Dutch soap opera GOEDE TIJDEN SLECHTE TIJDEN will end with a traditional 'summer cliffhanger'. Every year the show sends its viewers into the summer with a big cliffhanger. The last week of this season revolves around romance, desire and jealousy.

The day has finally arrived: Noud (Ruud Feltkamp) and Nina (Marly van der Velden) are getting married. Nina is clearly stressed out because of the wedding. She fears that small details will ruin her big day. She doesn't realize that Wiet (Pip Pellens) is the real danger to her happiness. Wiet has convinced her sister Sjors (Inge Schrama) that she has accepted that the love of her life Noud is now marrying someone else. But that's not true at all. Secretly she's coming up with a plan to get rid of her rival Nina for good. Without thinking about the consequences, Wiet sets her plan in motion. This will have big consequences for everyone in Meerdijk, the fictional town where the show takes place.

Laura (Jette van der Meij) and Lorena (Gigi Ravelli) are getting more and more worried about Jef (Bartho Braat). They haven't heard from him since he left the country on a trip with Tanya (Mary-Lou van Stenis). They've asked Jack's (Mark van Eeuwen) help to trace the mysterious woman. Tanya, who has returned to Meerdijk and is calling herself Tineke now, becomes very nervous now that they're getting closer to the truth. Lorena gets hold of Tanya's file. It turns out she's guilty of a lot more. Is Tanya able to tell them where Jef is?

Maxime (Marjolein Keuning) is in shock when her great enemy Nick (Christophe Haddad) is back in Meerdijk. Nick says he has changed and that he doesn't feel hate for her anymore. But Maxime doesn't believe he can be trusted. The return of the father of her child is for Charlie (Lieke van Lexmond) confusing as well. It happens right when she and Rik (Ferri Somogyi) are repairing the trust between them. What does Nick want from Maxime and Charlie? Did he really change or does he have a plan?

The season finale airs on July 8 on RTL4. The show returns with it's 22nd season on August 29.

NEWS: Jessica Collins Joins Y&R, America Ferrera Married

Jessica Collins Joins THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Collins will arrive July 27 in the contract role of Avery Clark, a high-powered attorney who will represent the accused murderess Sharon Newman.

Terri Conn and Austin Peck are engaged
The co-stars revealed the news in a Daytime Emmy interview.

TRUE BLOOD returns to strong ratings
The fourth season premiere Sunday matched its series high performance of 5.4 million viewers. It also improved upon its season 3 debut by 6%.

America Ferrera Is Married
The Emmy-winning actress, 27, and Ryan Piers Williams were married Monday night in "an intimate setting amongst close friends and family," her rep tells PEOPLE.

Wrongly Pronounced Dead Woman Dies at Her Funeral
A medically pronounced dead woman recently died as a result of awakening in the coffin at her own funeral.

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1996: Stephen Nichols debuted as Stefan Cassadine on GENERAL HOSPITAL.

1996: CBS-TV's short-lived primetime soap CENTRAL PARK WEST aired its final episode.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Nancy Reardon (ex-Kathleen, RYAN'S HOPE) - 69
Tichina Arnold (ex-Zena, RYAN'S HOPE; ex-Sharla, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 42
Steve Burton (Jason, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 41

RESULTS: Indie Series of the Week Poll (June 19-25, 2011)

Here are the results from the WE LOVE SOAPS TV "Indie Series of the Week" poll for the week of June 19-25, 2011. THE BAY returned with "Far From The Bay" and captured the top spot for the week.



If you're a fan of any of these shows, we encourage you to check out some of the other series you may not have watched yet.

Indie soaps that aired one or more episodes last week were eligible.

Watch last week's indie soaps below:
- ANYONE BUT ME Season 3 Episode 5 "2,500 Miles To You" (Season Finale)
- AS THE CORN GROWS Episode 68
- AWKWARD EMBRACES Season 2 Finale Part 1 "The Facebook"
- THE BAY Chapter 5 Part 1 "Far From The Bay"
- BEIRUT, I LOVE YOU Episode22 "Lovely Rita"
- CALIFORNIA HEAVEN Episodes 9, 10 & 11
- DOWNSIZED Season 2 Episode 4 "The American Dream"
- FUMBLING THRU THE PIECES Episode 11 "It's all in the Cards"
- LOS AMERICANS Episode 5 "Lead Us Not..."
- MAKING IT Episode 3 "And the band played on"
- ORANGE JUICE IN BISHOP'S GARDEN Episode 4.9 ""The Recruit"
- SWATS Episode 13 - "Love and other Catastrophes: part 2"
- THEN WE GOT HELP! Episode 2.13 "A Kiss is Just a Kiss" Part 2
- TIGHTS AND FIGHTS Episodes 107, 108 & 109
- THE YOUNG & REBELLIOUS Episode 9 "Cougar Bait"

If you are an indie producer and would like to have your web series added to our Indie Series Network (ISN) Guide, please contact editor@welovesoaps.com.

NEWS: Trevor St. John, Kelli Giddish, Dark Shadows, Margaret Tyzack

Trevor St. John blogs about leaving ONE LIFE TO LIVE early
"I want to let you know that my current contract on ONE LIFE TO LIVE is coming to an end and my last shooting day on the show will likely come the week of July 18th. Although I expressed an interest in continuing to perform on the show beyond the aforementioned date the producers have decided they'd rather press on without me. To be clear, I was not fired. But the producers feel it's in the show's best interest not to write any more story for my character."

NEWS: Erin Torpey, Bren Foster, Kenyan Soap, Alan Ball

Erin Torpey returning for one last appearance on ONE LIFE TO LIVE
Torpey, who played Jessica Buchanan from 1990 to 2003, will return to the axed soap for one last appearance. Torpey won't be seen as Jessica but will play a different character.

Bren Foster staying on DAYS OF OUR LIVES after all
Soap Opera Digest has learned that Bren Foster (Quinn), who was let go during the DAYS bloodbath a couple of weeks ago, will actually be staying in Salem. The actor has been rehired and will remain a part of the cast.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV at the 38th Annual Daytime Creative Emmy Awards

WE LOVE SOAPS TV recently traveled to Los Angeles and covered the red carpet and press room of the Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Watch all our interviews below.

Q&A: Raven-Symoné to Georgias Everywhere: It Doesn't Get Any Easier, Sweetheart

Best known for her role in the Emmy nominated comedy series THAT'S SO RAVEN for the Disney Channel, Raven-Symoné garnered three NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series/Special, two Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards for Favorite Television Actress and a Young Artist Award for Outstanding Young Performer. THAT'S SO RAVEN received the 2008 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Children's Series/Special and was nominated for two primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Children's Program in 2005 and 2007. Raven was named producer for the series' fourth season, which aired in 2007.

ABC Announces Fall Series Premiere Dates

ABC announced the following Fall premiere dates for the 2011-2012 season today. All times listed are ET.

Friday, September 16
10:00 p.m. 20/20

Monday, September 19
8:00-10:00 p.m. Dancing with the Stars
10:00-11:00 p.m. Castle

Tuesday, September 20
9:00-10:00 p.m. Dancing with the Stars the Results Show
10:00-11:00 p.m. Body of Proof

Wednesday, September 21
8:00-9:00 p.m. The Middle (special one-hour premiere)
9:00-10:00 p.m. Modern Family (special one-hour premiere)
10:00-11:00 p.m. Revenge

Thursday, September 22
8:00-9:00 p.m. Charlie's Angels
9:00-11:00 p.m. Grey's Anatomy (special two-hour premiere)

Sunday, September 25
7:00-9:00 p.m. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (special two-hour premiere)
9:00-10:00 p.m. Desperate Housewives
10:00-11:00 p.m. Pan Am

Wednesday, September 28
8:30-9:00 p.m. Suburgatory
9:30-10:00 p.m. Happy Endings

Thursday, September 29
10:00-11:00 p.m. Private Practice

Sunday, October 2
7:00-8:00 p.m. America's Funniest Home Videos

Tuesday, October 11
8:00- 9:00 p.m. Last Man Standing (special one-hour premiere)

Tuesday, October 18
8:30-9:00 p.m. Man Up!


Friday, October 21
8:00-10:00 p.m. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (time period premiere)

Sunday, October 23
8:00-9:00 p.m. Once Upon a Time

RESULTS: Daytime Soap of the Week Poll (June 27-July 1, 2011)

Here are the results from the WE LOVE SOAPS TV "Daytime Soap of the Week" poll for the week of June 27-July 1, 2011. ONE LIFE TO LIVE remained the most popular soap at WLS for the 12th week in a row.

CONTEST: Win a Jabot Cosmetics Red Carpet Kit!

Win a Jabot Cosmetics Red Carpet Kit  - The Official Cosmetics of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS!

On the #1 rated series for more than 23 years, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, the cosmetics company of choice for the citizens of Genoa Ciy has long been Jabot Cosmetics. Now you can wear Jabot, too! 

About Jabot Cosmetics Glamorous style. Epic beauty. Color outside the lines with Jabot. Formulated to offer long-lasting performance, hydration and professional results, Jabot is a full line of gorgeous color, clinically-advanced skincare and alluring fragrances inspired by the award-winning daytime drama The Young and the Restless. Used backstage by actresses in Hollywood, Jabot products give you both immediate and long-term benefits and results, at affordable prices, that will make you the star of your own story! Visit Jabot at www.shopjabot.com, and follow Jabot on Twitter: @shopjabot!     Contest Rules

If you would like to enter, email your name and address to editor@welovesoaps.com by midnight on Sunday, July 3.  One winner from the entries will be drawn on Monday, July 4th and announced on our website.

Giveaway:

Prize Includes:

One Jabot Cosmetics Red Carpet Kit including the following:

·         Crushed Diamond Facial Re-Surfacer (1.7oz/50g) $30

·         Photo Ready Face Lift (0.9oz/27mL) $40

·         Picture Perfect Eye Lift (0.5oz/15mL) $32

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.86 A Minute with Olivia Newton-John

On Episode 2.86, WE LOVE SOAPS TV spoke with the legendary Olivia Newton-John before she took the stage at a Bondi Beach gay pride event on Governor's Island in New York City. Watch it below.

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1952: Radio soap opera LONE JOURNEY ended its run after 12 years.

1966: DARK SHADOWS debuted on ABC and would go on to become a cult classic.



1969: NBC soap HIDDEN FACES aired it's final episode.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Julia Duffy (ex-Karen, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Penny, THE DOCTORS; ex-Gerry, LOVE OF LIFE) - 61
Robert Newman (ex-Josh, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Kirk, SANTA BARBARA; ex-Prescott, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 53
J.J. Abrams (Executive Producer, LOST; FRINGE) - 45
John Driscoll (Chance, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Coop, GUIDING LIGHT) - 30
Ed Westwick (Chuck, GOSSIP GIRL) - 24

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1936: BACKSTAGE WIFE aired its final episode in the 4:15 p.m. timeslot on NBC Blue radio. It would move to mornings for two years before returning to afternoon in 1938,

1983: LOVING premiered on ABC as a two-hour movie.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Pamela Bellwood (Claudia, DYNASTY) - 65
Chris O'Donnell (ex-Finn, GREY'S ANATOMY) - 41
Nick Offerman (ex-Beau, GILMORE GIRLS) - 41
Rebecca Budig (Greenlee, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Michelle, GUIDING LIGHT) - 38

VOTE: Indie Series of the Week Poll (June 19-25, 2011)

Which web series was your favorite last week? Support your favorite continuing drama or comedy and vote in the weekly WE LOVE SOAPS TV poll below. Check back on Tuesday morning for the results (voting ends Tuesday at 9 a.m. ET). Only the shows that aired one or more new episodes from June 19-25, 2011 are listed. Based on release schedules, the shows in the poll will change weekly.

If an indie soap aired this week and is not on the list, feel free to cast your vote as "Other" and add a note in the Comments section of this post.



Watch this week's indie soaps below:
- ANYONE BUT ME Season 3 Episode 5 "2,500 Miles To You" (Season Finale)
- AS THE CORN GROWS Episode 68
- AWKWARD EMBRACES Season 2 Finale Part 1 "The Facebook"
- THE BAY Chapter 5 Part 1 "Far From The Bay"
- BEIRUT, I LOVE YOU Episode22 "Lovely Rita"
- CALIFORNIA HEAVEN Episodes 9, 10 & 11
- DOWNSIZED Season 2 Episode 4 "The American Dream"
- FUMBLING THRU THE PIECES Episode 11 "It's all in the Cards"
- LOS AMERICANS Episode 5 "Lead Us Not..."
- MAKING IT Episode 3 "And the band played on"
- ORANGE JUICE IN BISHOP'S GARDEN Episode 4.9 ""The Recruit"
- SWATS Episode 13 - "Love and other Catastrophes: part 2"
- THEN WE GOT HELP! Episode 2.13 "A Kiss is Just a Kiss" Part 2
- TIGHTS AND FIGHTS Episodes 107, 108 & 109
- THE YOUNG & REBELLIOUS Episode 9 "Cougar Bait"

If you are an indie producer and would like to have your web series added to our Indie Series Network (ISN) Guide, please contact editor@welovesoaps.com.

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1971: ABC's A WORLD APART, starring Susan Sarandon, aired its last episode after a 15-month run.

Soap Community Reacts To Marriage Equality In New York

The soap community took to Twitter last night and this morning in reaction to New York state passing an historic Marriage Equality law. The New York Senate has voted 33-29 to legalize same-sex marriage following easy passage in the House. New York is now the sixth state allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry. Governor Andrew Cuomo will sign the bill and it will go into effect in 30 days. Here's a sample of the reactions below:

@BethAnntastic (BethAnn Bonner): Flying back from LA 2nite on the redeye...I'm so proud 2 live n Brooklyn on THIS wonderful day! #equality (now we can get hitched, my love!)

@crystalchappell (Crystal Chappell): Gay rights are human rights.....thanks u New York!

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.85 Martha Byrne & Colleen Zenk

On Episode 2.85, WE LOVE SOAPS TV travels to the Daytime Emmy Awards in Las Vegas to speak with two former AS THE WORLD TURNS actresses who were nominated this year - Martha Byrne as the GOTHAM producer in the Special Class Short Form category and Colleen Zenk who was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.84 THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS at the Daytime Emmys

On Episode 2.84, WE LOVE SOAPS TV travels to the Daytime Emmy Awards in Las Vegas to speak with the cast of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS including Jeff Branson, Tricia Cast, Sean Kanan, Julia Pace Mitchell, Daniel Goddard, Kate Linder, Elizabeth Hendrickson, Maria Arena Bell, Shemar Moore and Melody Thomas Scott (who revealed she is writing a book).

VOTE: Daytime Soap of the Week Poll (June 20-24, 2011)

Which daytime soap opera was your favorite the week of June 20-24, 2011? Vote in the weekly WE LOVE SOAPS TV poll below and check back on Monday morning for the results.

Voting ends at 9 a.m. ET on Monday.

Thom Christopher's "Hawk" Is Soaring - Part One

Emmy Winning Actor Thom Christopher is beloved by daytime fans for his memorable roles on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, LOVING, and GUIDING LIGHT.  However, sci-fi fans know Christopher better as the legendary "Hawk" from NBC's BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY from 1980-1981. Join us as we explore Christopher's unique career track, his insight into his "outsider" roles, as well as memories of getting hired on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.  If you are near Tulsa, Oklahoma, do not miss the opportunity to meet Christopher and his Buck Rogers costars at the Trek Expo this weekend. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Did you see the Daytime Emmys this year?
Thom Christopher: No, but I read the L.A. Times review.  It was scathing.  Knowing that daytime is in its twilight, I would have thought there would have been  courtesy toward it. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: That didn’t seem to be the intention on behalf of the host and the producers. But let’s talk about some of the exciting events coming up for you this weekend.
Thom Christopher: I’m on my way to the Trek Expo in Tulsa.  Gil Gerard, Erin Gray, and Felix Silla, who played Twiki The Robot, will be together for the first time in five years.  It is fundamentally a STAR TREK convention, this is the biggest one in the Southwest. I have yet to not have a good time at a convention because the enthusiasm is so great.  By ‘enthusiasm’ I mean they really want to talk about the show.  Literally, the technical aspects, the production, what you did as an actor, how you approach something.  I always get super charged by that because it means people are paying attention to the product. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Have you been to STAR TREK conventions before?
Thom Christopher: I have not been to this convention.  I have been to a number of them through the years.  I find it’s a whole rediscovery of something.  On Facebook, the people who watched it are now talking about their children watching the DVDs of it.  It is invariably stunning in the true sense of stunning.  You stand there and think, “my goodness, it is 31 years later.”  But the character of Hawk worked, it still holds.  I like that.  It is a compliment.

I did a recent interview with a blog from the Netherlands.  I said that you subliminally hope that what you are doing as the artist is branded into the subconscious of the audience.  That is also the beauty of live theater.  You know it’s happening at that moment, you know when you are reaching the audience.  That is a wonderful telepathic thing that no one can control.  When an audience is so totally with you in a play you know it.  You hope that is embedded in their minds.  When they do this with Hawk I am very flattered.  I cherish it. 

Carol Burnett to return to ALL MY CHILDREN

Legendary Carol Burnett will reprise her role as Verla Grubbs on ALL MY CHILDREN for a few episodes to air in September, ABC has announced.

Burnett's Grubbs first appeared in Pine Valley in 1983 as the long-lost daughter of Langley Wallingford, played by the late Louis Edmonds. The comedian/actress has been playing Grubbs on and off for years. In 1984, she teamed up with Elizabeth Taylor in an AMC scene, and most recently Burnett played Grubbs again for the show's 35th Anniversary episode in 2005.

ABC says in a release that Burnett "will now play Verla Grubbs one last time" opposite Susan Lucci (Erica Kane), and Jill Larson (Opal Cortlandt).

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.83 DAYS OF OUR LIVES at the Daytime Emmys

On Episode 2.83, WE LOVE SOAPS TV travels to the Daytime Emmy Awards in Las Vegas to speak with the cast of DAYS OF OUR LIVES including Judi Evans, Kate Mansi, Melissa Reeves, Peggy McCay, Eric Martsolf, John Aniston, Suzanne Rogers, Francisco San Martin, Lauren Koslow, Brandon Beemer, Nadia Bjorlin, Shawn Christian, Molly Burnett, and Wally Kurth.

NEWS: Erika Slezak, Blip.tv, Larry Hagman, Heather Trott

Liz Smith: Soap Queen Erika Slezak Ends One “Life” To Live Another
Erika says she doesn’t yet know how all the storylines will be wrapped up. “I hope it ends cleanly, I hope it’s all neatly wrapped.”

Will she continue acting? The very lively Erika laughed and said, “The first thing I did when I knew the show was ending was call my agent. I said, ‘Okay, get going!’ I’d love to go back to the theater. TV movies. Feature films. My kids are grown, and my husband is very supportive. He said, ‘We can go to Hollywood for a while if you think you need that.’ Anyway, I’d go mad staying home.”

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1946: Procter & Gamble radio soap opera LIFE CAN BE BEAUTIFUL moved to its 3pm timeslot on the NBC radio network. The show had always run in the mornings previously. It would remain in this new timeslot until it went off the air in 1954.

1966: On THE GUIDING LIGHT, Johnny Fletcher (played by now 30 ROCK director Don Scardino) wanted to move.

1966: ABC daytime soap NEVER TOO YOUNG aired its final episode.

1983: Quint and Nola were married on GUIDING LIGHT.

2003: Carly was all tied up on GENERAL HOSPITAL.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Michele Lee (ex-Karen, KNOTS LANDING) - 69
Nancy Allen (ex-Paula, ANOTHER LIFE) - 61
Joe Penny (ex-Martino, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 55
Sherry Stringfield (ex-Blake, GUIDING LIGHT) - 44
Olivia White (ex-Claire, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 6
Ava White (ex-Claire, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 6

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.82 GENERAL HOSPITAL at the Daytime Emmys

On Episode 2.82, WE LOVE SOAPS TV travels to the Daytime Emmy Awards in Las Vegas to speak with the cast of GENERAL HOSPITAL including Jonathan Jackson, Laura Wright, Lexi Ainsworth, Haley Pullos and Chad Duell.

NEWS: TRUE BLOOD Covers, Jessica Tuck, Cory Monteith, Ratings

TRUE BLOOD goes goth-ic on the cover of Entertainment Weekly
The premiere of TRUE BLOOD season four earned three EW covers that wink at the show's gothic vibe by replicating Grant Wood's iconic American Gothic painting.

Cory Monteith's Turning Point
“I’m not Finn Hudson,” actor Cory Monteith says of his beloved GLEE character in an exclusive interview in this Sunday’s PARADE with Shawna Malcom. Opening up about his troubled past as he never has before, Monteith explains, “I’m lucky on so many counts—I’m lucky to be alive.”

THE GOOD WIFE Retains Lisa Edelstein
The actress will play a lawyer and born poker player whose sexiness is enhanced by her obvious intelligence.

TERRA NOVA to get aggressive launch from Fox
Traditionally, dinosaurs haven't fared well with meteors. But News Corp.'s Fox is betting that TERRA NOVA, its highly anticipated new program about a family that travels from the year 2149 to prehistoric times as part of group trying to save the planet, can survive the craziness that is the fall television season.

REVIEW: LOS AMERICANS Showcases Dream Ensemble: Lupe Ontiveros, Esai Morales, Raymond Cruz & Yvonne Delarosa

Web Series: LOS AMERICANS

For fans of...: Telenovelas; PARENTHOOD; Lupe Ontiveros, Esai Morales, Raymond Cruz or Yvonne Delarosa

What it is: An affluent Mexican American family overcomes obstacles.

What's good: Looks TV ready. Cast so strong (and famous) it had us doing doubletakes—more acting experience then most new television dramas. Fresh take on the American family.

Win a Pretty Little Liars: Complete First Season DVD!

Win a PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: Complete First Season DVD!

Don’t forget to tune-in to all-new episodes of PRETTY LITTLE LIARS on Tuesdays at 8/7c on ABC Family!

About PRETTY LITTLE LIARS

Rosewood is a perfect little town. So quiet and pristine, you'd never guess it holds so many secrets. Some of the ugliest ones belong to the prettiest girls in town -- Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily, four estranged friends whose darkest secrets are about to unravel.

One year ago, Alison, the Queen Bee of their group, disappeared and the girls swore they'd never tell what really happened that night. They thought their secrets would bond them together, but just the opposite is true. Then again, who's to say what the truth is in Rosewood. It seems everyone in town is lying about something.

Now, as the mystery surrounding Alison's disappearance resurfaces, the girls begin getting messages from "A," saying – and threatening – things only Alison would know. But it couldn't be Alison. Could it? Whoever it is, they seem to know all the girls' secrets, and seem to be watching their every move. The girls are friends again, but will they be there for each other if their dark secrets come to light?

Contest Rules

Answer the following three questions from Season 1 of PRETTY LITTLE LIARS.  Email your answers to editor@welovesoaps.com.

1. In the episode "Someone to Watch Over Me," Hanna corners Jenna in the bathroom. On which daytime soaps did the actresses that play Hanna and Jenna previously appear?

2. Aria (Lucy Hale) kept a huge secret about her dad from her mother for about a year. What was that secret?

3. Toby has a suspicious tattoo. What is it?

Contest ends at midnight on June 29, 2011. One winner will be drawn from all the correct responses.

Giveaway Prize
One Pretty Little Liars: Complete First Season DVD

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.81 Lindsay/Justin Hartley & Jordi Vilasuso

On Episode 2.81, WE LOVE SOAPS TV travels to the Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards to speak with ALL MY CHILDREN's Lindsay Hartley and her husband Justin Hartley (they met and married on NBC's PASSIONS) as well as AMC actor Jordi Vilasuso.

Interview with Katie LeClerc of SWITCHED AT BIRTH

When ABC Family's SWITCHED AT BIRTH premiered on June 6th, both the show and actress Katie LeClerc were a hit with fans. Katie stars as "Daphne Vasquez," a deaf teen who discovers she was switched at birth. Daphne went home to a single, working-class mother (Constance Marie) and loses her hearing due to meningitis at an early age. "Bay Kennish" (Vanessa Marano) ended up living the life of a girl from a wealthy family (Lea Thompson, D.W. Moffett and Lucas Grabeel).

As the two families come together to confront the discovery, there is nothing but thrilling drama. Katie is fluent in American Sign Language, and while she is not deaf, she is “hard of hearing” from Ménière's disease (a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance to a varying degree, characterized by episodes of vertigo and progressive hearing loss, usually in one ear). She’s a true inspiration with a genuinely interesting story. Read our exclusive new interview below:

THE BAY Returns: "Far From The Bay" (Chapter 5)

Popular indie soap THE BAY returned on Thursday picking up the story of Pete Garrett who is "Far From The Bay". In this new chapter of the series, Pete (Kristos Andrews) will travel to New York in search of the woman who raised him in the early years of his life (Claire). Instead, he encounters other "familiar" faces who aren't so familiar because he is suffering from amnesia. He will also meet some new people which will include web series crossovers with EMPIRE's Lucy Lively (Afton Boggiano) and STEAMBOAT's Michael (Michael O'Leary).

Watch the first installment of "Far From The Bay" below which features former GUIDING LIGHT actress Miriam Colon:

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.80 Frank Valentini & Crystal Hunt

On Episode 2.80, WE LOVE SOAPS TV travels to the Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards and spoke with ONE LIFE TO LIVE executive producer Frank Valentini (who won as a Director for the WHAT IF... web series) and former ONE LIFE TO LIVE and GUIDING LIGHT actress Crystal Hunt, who is currently working on a film and producing a reality series about heiresses.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.79 THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL at the Creative Emmys

On Episode 2.79, WE LOVE SOAPS TV travels to the Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards to speak with the cast and crew of THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL including Brad Sanders, Birgit Muller, Jack Allocco, David Kurtz, Bradley P. Bell, Christine Lai-Johnson, Melissa Sandora, Allyson Carey, Jackie Brubaker, and Susan Flannery.

NEWS: Sydney Penny, Farah Fath, Billy Miller, Jason Cook

Sydney Penny Joins DAYS OF OUR LIVES; Cody Longo to play Nicholas
Penny has signed on for a seven-episode stint as Dr. Norman at the rehab center treating drug addict Carly Manning (Crystal Chappell).

Longo will play Nicholas Alamain, who will return to the show as part of Carly's rehab story.

Farah Fath's farewell to ONE LIFE TO LIVE (as Gigi at least)
"I'm just really trying to look forward and not dwell on losing a job," Fath tells Soaps In Depth. "I've learned so much on OLTL, and I'm taking all of the things that I've learned with me."

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1970: Doug and Julie shared their first kiss on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.



2010: AS THE WORLD TURNS taped its final episode after 54 years.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Michael Gross (ex-River, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 64
Leigh McCloskey (ex-Damian, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Kurt, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Mitch, DALLAS; ex-Drake, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Zach, SANTA BARBARA) - 56
Doug Savant (Tom, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES; ex-Matt, MELROSE PLACE) - 47
Carrie Preston (Arlene, TRUE BLOOD) - 44
Maggie Siff (ex-Rachel, MAD MEN) - 37
Tom Chroust (Writer, ALL THAT MATTERS aka Alles was zählt) - 34
Chris Pratt (Ché, THE O.C.) - 32

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.78 THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS at the Creative Emmys

On Episode 2.78, WE LOVE SOAPS TV travels to the Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards to speak with the cast and crew of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS including Michelle Stafford, Michael Muhney, Kate Linder, Melody Thomas Scott, Denise Palm Stones, Luis Godinez Sr., Tommy Perssonm, Dino Johnson, Steve Burkhart, and Beth Maitland.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.77 Judi Evans & Steve Wilkos

On Episode 2.77, WE LOVE SOAPS TV traveled to the Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards and spoke DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Judi Evans and Steve Wilkos (THE STEVE WILKOS SHOW).

Evans talked about her role on DAYS and her second career, while Wilkos explained why he thought fans relate to him and his show. Wilkos hosted the Creative Emmys which included kicking off and closing the show and announcing the first batch of awards.

NEWS: Eileen Fulton, GLEE Preview, MAD MEN Clothes

Daytime Soap's Eileen Fulton Joins 'My Fair Lady' Cast At UConn
Fulton will play Mrs. Higgins in the Connecticut Repertory Theatre production of "My Fair Lady," starring Terrence Mann and choreographed by Charlotte d'Amboise. Richard Ruiz (Nicely Nicely in Long Wharf theatre's "Guys and Dolls") plays Alfred P. Doolittle.

Ryan Murphy on the (non-) GLEE news: 'Nobody wants to see a high school senior with a bald spot'
“A year ago, I said I think the best thing you can do on a show like this is not have eight-year seniors,” Murphy told ShowTracker. “Nobody wants to see a high school senior with a bald spot. We want to stay true to what ‘Glee’ is about, which is finding your voice and your place in the world; to stretch that out for eight seasons — though that might be lucrative for us — I don’t think would be fair to the fans. They expect growth in those characters.”

Telemundo plans to tape 1,100 hours of telenovelas in Miami

About 85% of the 1,300 hours of telenovelas that Hialeah-based Telemundo plans to produce in 2011 will be made in Miami-Dade.

The shows represent a $35 million investment that will employ about 550 people, according to Alfredo Richard, the company's senior vice president for communications and talent development.

Most of those positions are in-house and full-time, though Telemundo ramps up when a project is in production.

"A novela will on average employ about 200 people per project," Mr. Richard said.

Emmy Fashion: Julie Pinson

In a recent episode of WE LOVE SOAPS TV from late May, Daytime Emmy nominee Julie Pinson (and RIVER RIDGE star) talked about going dress shopping for the June 19 ceremony in Las Vegas. She received her third consecutive nomination this year (she won last year).

On Sunday, Pinson arrived at the 2011 Daytime Emmy awards in a Gilles Montezin printed silk satin gown.

Gilles Montezin received his professional training at l’Ecole de la Haute Couture in Paris. After completing his studies, he went to work at l’Opera Bastille where he perfected techniques for elaborate period costuming that contribute to his craft. At the same time, he worked for both Loris Azzaro and Christian Lacroix Haute Couture and remained at Maison Lacroix for eight years. During this period, Mr. Montezin completed designs for Madonna and actresses Catherine Zeta-Jones and Monica Bellucci.

In 2004, he moved to New York City to start his own company. The designer has since had pieces filmed in ALL MY CHILDREN, GUIDING LIGHT, UGLY BETTY, PBS LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER, and “Barbara Walters Special” television productions and also in the feature films Sex and the City, and Confessions of a Shopaholic. Celebrities he has dressed are actresses Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Mary Tyler Moore, Debra Messing, Lisa Marie, news correspondents Andrea Mitchell and Courtney Hazlett, international top model Carmen Dell’Orefice, and opera singers Susan Graham and Erica Sunnegardh.

His clothes have been featured in Social Life, Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, Ebony, Brilliant magazine, OK!, The New York Times, WWD, The Huffington Post, The Palm Beach Daily News, British Karen magazine,and Papercity magazine.

Amanda Setton Returns to ONE LIFE TO LIVE

Amanda Setton returns to ABC Daytime’s “One Life to Live” to reprise the role of Kimberly Andrews in August. Setton created the role of the OLTL troublemaker August 2009 and was last seen in April 2010 when she was run out of town by David Vickers Buchanan (Tuc Watkins). Will the latest ex-Mrs. Clint Buchanan return for revenge or to rekindle her relationship now that Clint (Jerry verDorn) is getting a second chance at life?

“I am thrilled to be returning to ‘One Life to Live’,” said Setton. “I had such a great time working with everyone at OLTL and I am looking forward to the trouble that Kim will get into once she is back in town.”

The New York native New Yorker is also known to television audiences as Penelope on “Gossip Girl.” Among her additional film and television credits are “Sex and the City,” ‘What Happens in Vegas,” “Blue Bloods” and “Mercy.”

Emmy Award-winning “One Life to Live,” created by Agnes Nixon, was launched July 15, 1968. Frank Valentini executive-produces. Ron Carlivati is the headwriter. The popular drama consistently ranks among the top five in the key demographic of Women 18-49. “One Life to Live” airs MONDAY-FRIDAY (2:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.76 GENERAL HOSPITAL at the Creative Emmys

On Episode 2.76, WE LOVE SOAPS TV travels to the Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards to speak with the cast and crew of GENERAL HOSPITAL including Jason Thompson, Lisa Locicero, Mary Iannelli, Chip Dox, Averill Perry, Jim Ralston, Vincent Steib, Mark Teschner, and Jill Farren Phelps.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.75 Martha Byrne & Lisa Brown

On Episode 2.75, WE LOVE SOAPS TV travels to the Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards to speak with GOTHAM producers Martha Byrne and Lisa Brown, who were nominated in the new Special Class Short Form category.

NEWS: Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo, Penn Badgley, Annie Parisse

Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo is pregnant
The actress announced her pregnancy on Twitter.

Penn Badgley to Play Jeff Buckley in New Film
Badgley has been cast to portray deceased singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley in the upcoming Greetings from Tim Buckley. The film chronicles a period of days preceding his debut at a tribute concert for his musician father. Daniel Algrant will direct.

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1966: On THE GUIDING LIGHT, Bert confronted Maggie about her affair with Bill.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Ralph Waite (Father Matt, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 82
Cyndi Lauper (Herself, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 58
Amy Brenneman (Violet, PRIVATE PRACTICE) - 47
Tracy Melchior (ex-Kristen, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL; ex-Kelly, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Tess, SUNSET BEACH) - 38
Stephanie Jacobsen (Lauren, MELROSE PLACE) - 31
Amanda Brooks (ex-Mischa, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 30
Douglas Smith (Ben, BIG LOVE) - 26

RECAP: WE LOVE SOAPS TV's Jabot Cosmetics Daytime Emmy Viewing Party

WE LOVE SOAPS TV asked Indie Soap Award-winning producers Greg Turner and Brian Hewson to host a Jabot Cosmetics Daytime Emmy viewing party on Sunday night. Here's a recap from Turner about the party which was attended by Libby Fox, Andrew Jernigan, Rebecca Wolf, Ali Bill (pictured above), and Indie Soap Award nominee Afton Boggiano:

When I was asked to host a Jabot Cosmetics party on the evening of the Daytime Emmys for WE LOVE SOAPS TV, I jumped at the opportunity! Together with my partner in crime, Brian Hewson, we assembled a crew of friends who love daytime and would appreciate some giveaways from Jabot! The gifts arrived wrapped, and though we wanted to peek, Brian and I restrained ourselves to let our guests enjoy them fully! I don't know much about make-up, but the ladies at the party were beyond thrilled at the products Jabot had given them.

RESULTS: Indie Series of the Week Poll (June 12-18, 2011)

Here are the results from the WE LOVE SOAPS TV "Indie Series of the Week" poll for the week of June 12-18, 2011. CALIFORNIA HEAVEN finished in the top spot for the first time since its June 1st premiere.



If you're a fan of any of these shows, we encourage you to check out some of the other series you may not have watched yet.

Indie soaps that aired one or more episodes last week were eligible.

Watch last week's indie soaps below:
- BEIRUT, I LOVE YOU Episodes 20 & 21
- CALIFORNIA HEAVEN Episodes 6, 7 & 8
- FIREBRANCH Episode 2
- IN THE MOMENT Episode 16 "Come Together"
- LIFE OF THE OTHER HALF Episode 9
- LOS AMERICANS Episode 4 "Family Heirloom"
- MAKING IT Episode 1 "Its gonna take hard work, heartache and wine"
- NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN Episode 5 "Not Suitable For A Girls Night"
- ORANGE JUICE IN BISHOP'S GARDEN Episode 4.8 "Break Up or Stay Together?"
- THEN WE GOT HELP! Episode 2.12 "A Kiss is Just a Kiss" Part 1
- TIGHTS AND FIGHTS Episodes 105
- TRAILER MADE Season 1 Webisode 13
- THE YOUNG & REBELLIOUS Episode 8 "Beauty & the Zeke"

If you are an indie producer and would like to have your web series added to our Indie Series Network (ISN) Guide, please contact editor@welovesoaps.com.

RESULTS: Daytime Soap of the Week Poll (June 13-17, 2011)

Here are the results from the WE LOVE SOAPS TV "Daytime Soap of the Week" poll for the week of June 13-17, 2011. ONE LIFE TO LIVE remained the most popular soap at WLS for the 11th week in a row.

OPINION: The Good and Mostly Bad of the Daytime Emmy Telecast

WE LOVE SOAPS TV traveled to Las Vegas for the 38th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards which aired Sunday night on CBS produced by Associated Television International. Our team of Damon L. Jacobs, Roger Newcomb and Kevin Mulcahy Jr. weigh in on this year's telecast below. Look for our interviews in the coming days from both the Creative Emmys on Friday and Sunday's televised event.

Kevin Mulcahy Jr.
My first trip to the Daytime Emmys was a sizzling celebration of rich, soulful, comfort-food TV. It was a gala affair with soap opera temptresses, perky game showmen, and glad-handing talk show hosts. Everyone was dressed to the nines and brimming with enthusiasm for one of the only American institutions we all truly share. It was, in fact, an uplifting event that made me feel good about the future of daytime TV.

Believe it or not, my first trip to the Emmys was just the other day. It was fabulous. So if you saw the televised version, you're probably wondering if we're talking about the same thing. Trust me, what really happened in Vegas, for once, should have been shared with everyone! It was nothing like the sad variety-show themed infomercial CBS cobbled together.

Keep coming back to WE LOVE SOAPS TV for many, many video interviews that offer a far better sense of what the Emmys were about this year, and what the event was really like. We'll post them as fast as we can edit and upload! For now, please let me to vent my top three complaints about the confused, misguided telecast?

1. Oprah Winfrey is not dead (but she wasn't at the Emmys, either).

About a fifth of the show was about an award that wasn't an Emmy, for a show that didn't win anything real this year. No Emmys for the Oprah Winfrey Show this year. So why did they use the Big O to c—k block the actual winners? It was as if someone had changed the channel and we were watching one of those narcissistic final episodes of Oprah. We should have been watching more of the talented (and deserving) professionals who were actually being honored for their achievements that night. Many of them had the added appeal of actually being there.

2. Celine Dion has nothing to do with Daytime Television.

And, to her credit, I think she may have recognized that, since she also declined to appear in person--even though she was only about a mile away, down the Vegas Strip, performing. My goodness, she at least could have sung an original song that had something to do with the Emmys!

3. Wayne Brady did show up. But, in his case, that was the problem.

Where to start with Mr. Brady? His clumsy delivery of affable, scripted jibes, and his tacky, unscripted interjections throughout the telecast, embodied the opposite of the intended (and actual) spirit of a black tie awards ceremony. He did not rehearse enough. He did not understand all of the material written for him. And he did not respect (let alone celebrate) the work of the individuals the rest of us were there to honor.

So, we didn't interview him.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV promises that Wayne Brady will not be present for any of the video coverage we'll be sharing with you all, “live” from the 38th Annual Daytime Emmys. Instead, we have the people who deserve to be seen and heard on Emmy Night. CBS, let us show you how it's done...

Damon L. Jacobs
Note to aspiring hosts out there: when you insult Susan Lucci and get booed by your audience within the first five minutes, things are not going to go well. Wayne Brady's retort (and my favorite new catchphrase), "I didn't write this crap," was a sad omen for events to come. What deserved to be a respectful celebratory event was quickly turned into an train wreck of awkward musical numbers, overextended tributes, embarrassing infomercials, and a strange focus on children's illnesses.

What does any of this have to do with daytime television? Not a whole heck of a lot, and that was the main problem with this catastrophe of an awards ceremony. Soaps, as well as game show and talk shows, were treated as pesky distractions that interfered with promoting tourism, and sick kids. Not since Sid and Marty Kroft's THE BRADY BUNCH HOUR have I seen such a bizarre hijacking of a once loved and revered brand.

It's not like I expected soap operas to get the airtime and appreciation they deserved. I am well aware of the business necessity to make the Daytime Emmys appeal to viewers outside the soap community. What did surprise was the flagrant disrespect displayed toward the daytime industry as a whole. From beginning the show with tasteless jokes about ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE's "forced retirement," to Wayne Brady's mocking of celebratory winners while they were still on stage, to foregoing the display of clips from any of the nominated shows, it is clear there is outright contempt and disinterest on behalf of those involved with the planning and executing of this event. To add insult to injury, an attempt to honor Susan Lucci was marred by an awkward and unflattering interaction with Shemar Moore, as well as a mockery made of Erica Kane's weddings by superimposing Regis Philbin, Dr. Phil, and Ellen Degeneres on old clips. The latter three couldn't bother to show up to the ceremony in person, and in retrospect one can hardly fault their choice.

The few positive moments that stood out involved spontaneous and genuine displays of emotions from the talent themselves. CASH CAB'S Ben Bailey's tardy arrival to accept his win, due to the fact he was urinating as the award was announced, was the most human and joyful moment of the evening. Had the presenters and other winners had time to express themselves and thank others, then we would have witnessed a more enjoyable and meaningful event, instead of the "crap" Brady illuminated early on.

Roger Newcomb
Watching the Daytime Emmy telecast backstage, the press could only see certain parts of the show. To be honest, it seemed like a rushed mess and not much of a tribute to Daytime from those look-ins. Having now watched a recording of the entire telecast, it actually played even worse than originally thought. It was not a tribute to daytime television which includes judge shows, talk shows, game shows, children's shows and, dear to our hearts, soap operas.

Judge Judy is the highest rated program on daytime television and courtroom programs were relegated to the Creative Emmys on Friday night. So were children's and lifestyle programming. The shows and stars that were selected to be honored on Sunday night's telecast hardly received any tribute at all. With no clips of their work, and rushed acceptance speeches, it seemed like the actual awards were an afterthought to Las Vegas, charity work, vacation giveaways and bad hosting by Wayne Brady. Brady kicked off the show with a bad "joke" about ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE being forced into retirement. He was deservedly booed and instantly came back with the response, "I didn't write this crap." What a disrespectful slap in the fact the Daytime TV. Who did write it?

With CBS having aired the brilliant Tony Awards only one week before, it was hard not to compare both the show and host. The Tony ceremony was a tribute to Broadway's best. They managed to work in talent that isn't thought of as traditional Broadway stars. Neil Patrick Harris, better known for his television work, hosted. But it all played well because it had heart and Harris truly cared. It paid tribute to Broadway and seemed proud to be doing so. It made you want to see a Broadway show.

What Daytime needed was an awards ceremony that had that same type of heart, that made you want to watch, and that doesn't come from multiple charity segments that were hard to distinguish from some of the telecast's commercials. Oprah Winfrey has been a huge daytime star since the '80s, but she has been honored over and over for the past year. She already has a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Emmys. The tribute she received on Sunday was complete overkill. And after all that time spent she wasn't even in attendance.

Speaking of attendees, many of daytime's biggest stars did not bother to show up. Perhaps this is why producers chose to go completely off the daytime map. Ellen, Regis, Barbara, etc were not there. In their place were Gladys Knight, Marie Osmond, Jabbawockeez, Viva Elvis, and Penn & Teller. Celine Dion performed--from a different location.

The Alex Trebek/Pat Sajak tribute was a bit more interesting and the popular hosts actually showed up.

Producing any show involves dealing with a number of factors--sponsors, the network, available talent, budget, and much more. Presenters Carol Burnett and Genie Francis bailed at the last minute. But at the core, you have to make your vision work with whatever budget and limitations you have. The vision for this telecast clearly missed the mark. The lack of a tribute in recent years to legendary soap operas leaving the air is shocking and disappointing. The opening AMC/OLTL joke drove this point home even more. The mini-"tribute" to Susan Lucci with Shemar Moore was awkward and uncomfortable. The best moment of the night happened only because CASH CAB winner Ben Bailey had to go to the bathroom minutes before his category was announced.

I left the Indie Soap Awards in February feeling so positive about the future of web series and the serialized programming on the web. The Daytime Emmys did their best to convince us that daytime is dead. The Creative Emmys on Friday had no pomp and circumstance but at least it felt like a community was being honored.

What else can be said? Daytime can be hard to represent because it involves so many different types of shows and personalities. But at least this year's telecast could have tried.

Even if you do not like what I have said here, I own it. I did write this crap.

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WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.74 Crystal Chappell & Kim Turrisi

On Episode 2.74 of WE LOVE SOAPS TV, Damon L. Jacobs and Roger Newcomb travel to the Daytime Entertainment Creative Arts Emmys and welcome Emmy winners Crystal Chappell and Kim Turrisi. The VENICE producers spoke to us right after winning in the Special Class Short Format category, the first indie soap to win and Emmy.