EMMY PODCAST ALERT!
Jamey Giddens’ live report from the red carpet
WHO NEEDS NETWORK TELEVISION?
Michael Fairman’s uncut GL Emmy tribute
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THE SPEECH NOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD:
What Brad Bell would’ve said had he been given R-E-S-P-E-C-T
“I thanked the cast and crew and everyone involved in the show, CBS, Barbara Bloom, Margot Wain, the writers and directors. The two leading ladies in my life: my mother and co-creator of the show Lee Phillip Bell, and my wife, Colleen. When I was thanking the writing team, I said, ‘And the writer who is with us in every scene that we write and who is with us tonight in spirit, my father Bill Bell.’”
[Later in the press room] “AMC had a big tornado and DAYS had a big event [a plane crash], so I thought they would wow people with their production, but I thought our writing was so solid we would win that. And when we didn't win that, I thought the odds of us winning best show were very slim, since we had never won best show, and it didn’t seem as if things were going our way; I was in complete shock. We are still buzzing. It is so much fun winning.”
To experience press room love for Mr. Brad Bell, click here courtesy of welovesoaps.net. |
THE IDIOT RATINGS SPECIAL
Were the Daytime Emmys a success or failure?
By Tom O’Neil
The Daytime Emmys attracted 2.68 million viewers on the CW network on Sunday night, according to TVByTheNumbers.com. That is half the number of people who tuned in to last year’s Daytime Emmys telecast on ABC. This year’s red-carpet pre-show drew 1.2 million viewers. The Daytime Emmys ceremony was up against muscular competition: a NFL pre-season match-up between the Bears and the Broncos on NBC (9.9 million viewers).
Ratings for this kudocast have dropped significantly in recent years with the exception of an uptick in 2007 — the last time the Daytime Emmys were on CBS. (See the rundown below.) While this year’s 2.68 million viewership may seem catastrophic by comparison, keep in mind its network context. Last Sunday night, the CW network drew only 1.2 million viewers when it aired Oscar’s best picture winner of 1991, The Silence of the Lambs. This week’s Daytime Emmys program more than doubled that draw.
FLASHBACK: DAYTIME EMMY TV VIEWERSHIP
8/30/2009 – CW – 2,680,000
6/20/2008 – ABC -- 5,383,000
6/15/2007 – CBS -- 8,327,000
4/28/2006 – ABC -- 6,085,000
5/20/2005 – CBS -- 7,618,000
5/21/2004 – NBC -- 8,385,000
5/16/2003 – ABC -- 8,633,000
5/17/2002 – CBS -- 10,082,000
5/18/2001 – NBC -- 10,277,000
5/19/2000 – ABC -- 12,771,000
5/21/1999 – CBS -- 14,230,000
5/15/1998 – NBC -- 13,095,000
5/21/1997 – ABC -- 15,839,540
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
If The View bitches showed up to the ceremony, would we have even seen the best actor and best actress accept their statuettes? Because you know those fools would have talked their asses off! Whew.
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BEJEWELLING THE STARS
Lucy Kilislian’s diamonds light up the red carpet
Who said soap stars weren’t glamorous? For the third year in a row, Canada’s foremost jeweller, Lucy Kilislian, adorned daytime’s top stars with major bling at this year’s Daytime Emmy Awards.
The Toronto designer, who has styled the bold likes of Hillary Clinton and Vivica A. Fox, outfitted DAYS’ Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe), B&B’s Lesli Kay (Felicia) and Brandon Beemer (Owen), GH’s Martha Byrne (Andrea), Y&R’s Michael Muhney (Adam) and Victoria Rowell (ex-Dru). Bjorlin relays, “Lucy was very sweet and accommodating. On the night before the Emmys, she showed up at my hotel room at 1 a.m. to bring Brandon and I our baubles because I had a last-minute dress switch.” Ah, the life of the rich and famous — it’s a lonely life, really! Kilislian’s most famous client? B&B’s Felicia Forrester! Click here to see Kilislian help the sassy character help pick out her Emmy dress and accessories. |
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“SOCIALISM” RULES!
Canada won an Emmy, too, damn it!If
Imaginary Bitches’s Andrew Miller was going to be robbed of a Daytime Emmy Award, then I guess this is the next best thing (but I’m still pissed): On Saturday, CTV’s Bravo!FACT-funded short film
I Met The Walrus won the Daytime Emmy Award for new approaches — daytime entertainment.
“Look, look at this thing — it’s pretty wild, eh?” producer Jerry Levitan said of his Daytime Emmy Award. Levitan spoke with etalk at an exclusive backstage gift lounge on Sunday. “I didn’t really believe that I was going to get it. When they called my name I was just stunned.”
This is not the first time that
I Met the Walrus has received international attention; in 2008 it was an Oscar contender for best animated short film, and the Canadian accolades have also been rolling in for this short film.
I Met The Walrus premièred at TIFF in 2007 where it was one of the Top 10 Canadian Short Films; it also won two Banff World Television Awards (animation programs and Grand Prize for best kids and animation) in June 2009.
“This Emmy win proves that anyone with an idea and passion can have their voice heard; you don’t need a multi-million dollar production,” said I Met the Walrus director Josh Raskin.
I Met The Walrus can be viewed online at
www.bravofact.com.
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THE REAL TITANS — AND WRITERS — OF THE GENRE
One-year anniversary: Ma Bell and TVGuide.ca return to the scene of the crime
TVGuide.ca: Ma Bell! Hopefully next year, the idiots on the Emmy “death” panels will get it right and nominate you and you’ll receive what is rightfully yours!
Maria Arena Bell: Thank you, Nelson. But as you know — we’re not in this to win awards!
TVG: [Joking] Well, I am! [Seriously] Only talented people say that! Good answer. You look beautiful as always — your garmento pappa would be proud. That sound you hear — everyone on the message boards complaining that I’m sucking up to you! [Say what you want — but use your real name, like we do!] Even though lately, I’m not! [Laughs]
MAB: [Laughs] Yes, you haven’t been!
TVG: Is this Brad Bell’s year? I’m praying it is!
MAB: After all this time, it would be so great to see this for Brad and for B&B. He’s been there since the beginning. If Brad wins tonight, it will prove that continuity and commitment are really important and shouldn’t be underestimated.
TVG: Amen!
MAB: Brad wrote an emotional storyline that was founded and built from character — and that’s what viewers want to see. |
TVG: Jeanne Cooper [Kay] has proven life begins at 80! I hope you have insurance on her — you have done everything and anything to her! And I love you for it! She’s one billion years old and she has proven that those Mad Men at Madison Avenue have no idea what they are doing …MAB: We have great story for her [in the near future]. It’s not over. What’s great on
Y&R, well, at least for the two years that I have been there, and of course, when Bill wrote the show, is that one story bleeds into one other. Yes, we enjoyed a blockbuster storyline with Jeanne and Katherine, but it’s not over yet! We have lots of new story for her.
TVG: I’m scared, in a good way! I’m glad you’ve given the Energizer Senior a break because …
MAB: Well, she was on the front burner every day for a year!
TVG: Heck, I was tired watching her!
MAB: But that’s the thing — she was never tired! [Laughs]
TVG: She must be drinking Monavie! But Jeanne who? Kitty has stolen the show. The male feline may just be the biggest star Y&R has ever produced. I heard at the Y&R fan club luncheon that he stole the show … [Joking] Kitty is the closest thing to Luke and Laura!
MAB: It’s hilarious! Whenever I read or hear how popular Kitty is I think back to that day during the layout call when I said, “[MJ/Patty] needs a talk-to and a taxidermy cat!” Who knew? [Laughs] God, sometimes [you have to be careful — or not so careful —] of the weird things that comes out of your mouth!
TVG: You’re clearly an animal lover: cats, chipmunks, dogs, and Gloria!
MAB: I am an animal lover despite the fate of [our dear, beloved] Zapato!
TVG: [Joking] Honey, the love of my life is my Rhodesian Ridgeback, Kayla, and I am so happy I left her back at home! You will never pet my dog!
MAB: [Laughs] I know you know this — people who harm animals are dangerous and that was my intent in this storyline.
TVG: Yes, I know. [Inner conversation] And anything created by a certain animal that ran Y&R will cease to exist on Ma Bell’s show! Thank God, I wasn’t an under-five during LML! [Out loud] You know I love your show, but it’s been uneven in the past few months … do you agree?
MAB: You know, we respect your opinion, Nelson, but I don’t think it’s been uneven. We had a lot of intense storylines this past summer … and what you’re going to see is a convergence — and you saw it last week with Gloria and Jeffrey intersecting with everything. It’s all by design, really. Trust me — in the next few weeks, you’re [not going to be complaining …]
TVG: Listen, no great artist can maintain that kind of momentum five days a week. And my current complaints are nothing to lose sleep over considering the current state of daytime.
MAB: Look, we write some amazing episodes. We have stayed entertaining and true to our history. Yes, no story is perfect. And sometimes when you start a story you have to gauge what the fans feel about it and then you switch gears. But that’s not to say that you allow the audience to always dictate story …
TVG: Yes, I agree — that was Bill Bell’s philosophy …
MAB: Sometimes you see things that the audience [illuminates] for you, and you’re like, “Oh, I get it …”
TVG: Let’s talk Michael Muhney [Adam]. Mark my words — Muhney will not only win an Emmy Award but he will also be the star of your show. Yes, I know Y&R is and will always be an ensemble show … but man, that bitch can act!
MAB: What. An. Actor! He is giving us an incredible performance. Michael has the best attitude — I couldn’t sing his praises more even if I tried …
TVG: That’s my job, Maria!
MAB: And we thank you for that. The colour he brings to the role makes Adam Newman the role we all imagined — far more interesting, fascinating, and three-dimensional than we ever hoped. [Most importantly], Michael has bought the role of Adam Newman a longevity that it may not have had …
TVG: He’s Victor Newman’s — and Eric Braeden’s — son.
MAB: Absolutely! Think about it — he is Victor without the conscience. But does he have a conscience? Is he human? That’s the question — and that’s that beauty of it all. We all have to …
TVG: … tune in tomorrow. Michael is such a team player. For someone to come out of a hit prime-time show and say, “I want to contribute all that I have to make this show — and my own career — a success,” is almost unheard of these days. Some actors will kill their own livelihoods and show for their own personal egos and agendas.
MAB: I totally agree. Just the other day he said he found the Y&R scripts far more compelling and challenging than what he did on prime time.
TVG: And on daytime! This cynical bitch is impressed because you had five seconds to recast this pivotal role.
MAB: Nelson, literally five seconds. But when he walked in it was magic. Even before his audition, I knew he was Adam. I couldn’t believe how lucky we were. He was simply amazing — there was no contest. No contest. And literally, I asked him: “How do you feel about starting tomorrow?!
TVG: Let’s talk about yesterday: Do you want to talk about [your co-head writer] Scott Hamner telling Soap Opera Weekly that Y&R never planned to tell a gay storyline …
MAB: Scott was misquoted! In his defence, he was solely talking about Adam and Rafe — and you know that wasn’t a gay story.
TVG: I did. Unfortunately, Weekly prefaced Scott’s quote by referencing Radam — and Phillip — in the same context.
MAB: I know. It was a total misunderstanding. Phillip’s story is a gay story.
TVG: [Laughs] Well, duh!
MAB: Seriously — it’s a gay storyline, so Scott would never, ever say we weren’t telling a gay story! And it’s an inspirational gay storyline. The Adam storyline isn’t a gay storyline. Adam is a sociopath … anyone who thinks that’s a gay storyline …
TVG: I think that’s clear, Maria.
MAB: Listen, I want to say this on the record: I love Thom. There’s such an authenticity with having Thom back on the show. I am so proud of him, Y&R, and us for doing this. What history!
TVG: Yes, I agree — but the story is a dud, I’m afraid, but I have no doubt you’ll make it a hit.
MAB: Listen, 20 years ago we could never tell this story. And today we are. That’s huge progress. We’re doing the best we can. And at the end of the day, [it’s pretty realistic because it references Thom’s personal history.]
TVG: I agree. I’m proud of you. I think fans — and myself — thought for a few seconds that you were backtracking and about to dump the Phillip storyline [especially because of his six-month contract] because of Scott’s comments.
MAB: No! Never! I understand why you went off on us. But that’s not the case — and thank you for asking me that directly.
TVG: Let’s change subjects: Kitty told me exclusively that she’s NOT taking a pay cut. How are you dealing with that?
MAB: [Joking] Well, we may have to cave in. [Sternly] No, we just may have to cut back on her Tender Vittles!
TVG: [Laughing] Now that’s funny! Let’s make a deal — when you’re on vacation you can write Suds Report and I’ll recast a few roles on your show!
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SO RON CARLIVATI WANTS TO BE REX BALSOM’S FATHER?
TVGuide.ca: So I hear you want to be Shane Morasco’s grandfather?
Ron Carlivati: Yes! I am Shane Morasco’s father! No one knows yet … [Reintroduces his partner, David, to me] You remember David …
TVG: Yes — of course! [Joking] I don’t know what bet he lost … but clearly David has bad karma! [Laughs] I’m loving One Life again. It’s nice to see you not [screwing] up my favourite show …
RC: [sarcastically] I’m sure you’ll tell me when I start screwing up again, Nelson!
TVG: Damn right, sister! Comparatively, you haven’t been a head writer for very long time … do you finally feel like you have a handle on dealing with the realities of the business? [Cough] Network interference!
RC: You know, there are ebbs and flows in story. Sometimes you hit a homerun and you’re firing on all cylinders, and other times, you have high hopes for a certain story and people reject it. Sometimes it just comes down to pure foolish luck. Listen, sometimes I think my stories are great, but fans don’t respond accordingly. And other times, I’ll often say, “Wow, I didn’t realize we’re in a good period and people are responding to it.” |
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TVG: Lately, the ratings are on your side. Not since the days of Paul Rauch, have I seen One Life beat AMC and GH. Congrats, dude!RC: It’s great! I can’t complain. Ratings are everything.
TVG: Is there more pressure these days with soaps being cancelled and shows moving to another coast?
RC: There’s always pressure — whether someone imposes it or not. You think, “Wow, is our business shrinking?”
TVG: Um, duh — it is! And One Life is practically the only soap that comes under budget! How does that superstar stud [executive producer] Frank Valentini do it?
RC: That’s his magic. Honestly, I so have nothing to do with the budget. I write what I write, and he tells me whether or not it’s realistic to film it or not.
TVG: Wow — what a concept: a producer who doesn’t interfere with story and does his job!
RC: At the end of the day, I have to say I am very lucky — Frank somehow finds a way to make everything work.
TVG: Kish. Let’s talk. What was the genesis of this story? I’ve been dying to have you tell a gay story because you’re an out gay writer who can do us — and the genre — proud.
RC: It just came up. The characters existed. One day I was just sitting around and playing around, and I thought, “what if this one and that one hooked up?” It was a great way to tie the fact that they went to college together and use Kyle as a red herring in the KAD murder mystery. It just hit me, but I wanted to develop it organically.
TVG: I fell for the red herring, I admit. And I’m not easily fooled. You’re right — it did happen organically which is why I think the breakout storyline is a hit. Why are gay soap stories the rage right now?
RC: Honestly, I don’t know. It’s funny when we started telling the story, someone said, “You know, Y&R is telling a gay storyline,” but we lucked out because the actors really clicked, and as you know, that can make or break a story, and the audience cares about the characters. It’s fun that both Kyle and Fish are three-dimensional in the fact that they are both a little [shady] in their actions.
TVG: The Kish kiss. Huge hit. Very proud of you, Ron — and of course, Frank and the boys. Did you get any negative feedback from the network, and/or fans?
RC: No. I haven’t seen any hate mail. ABC never mentioned anything, so we have moved forward.
TVG: That’s because you’re not working for P&G/Telenext!
RC: My attitude is I will continue to write it as truthfully and as entertaining as I can until they say I can no longer do this.
TVG: And then I’ll bitch and complain …
RC: Exactly! So far, ABC has been amazing.
TVG: Who’s the top or bottom — Kyle or Fish?
RC: I’m not answering that question! That’s totally inappropriate!
TVG: Well, I don’t think there’s anything inappropriate about making love. [Needling Ron on purpose] What’s inappropriate is a rapemance! [Seriously] In a straight romance, it’s obvious who the top and bottom are [physically, not necessarily gymnastically].
RC: [Smirks] Listen, I agree — but we haven’t gotten to their sex life yet. You can ask me that next time.
TVG: Oh, I will, Peter Griffin, I will! Why should people start watching One Life — or start re-watching — it now?
RC: Hello — you have to watch! We’re the best show on TV! It’s incredible and exciting! There are lots of secrets — and we have lots of people coming back to the show. Hello — David Vickers!
TVG: By the way, miracles do happen in Llanview — you’ve mastered camp, finally. The David Vickers reality train may just be the funniest [stuff] I have ever seen on daytime since Santa Barbara. And by the way, there is no higher compliment …
RC: Thank you! I keep trying. Tell me when I have it right …
TVG: You have it right, Mr. Man. Well, except for a certain hair model … Now go win your second Emmy, bitch! [Ed. Note: Ron lost to that hack, GH’s Bob Guza, later that night].
EMMY MYSTERY HOUR — This week’s hottest blind items?
—Which star wanted to have sex with his same-sex co-star but unfortunately things turned out differently?
—Which cheating east-coast couple showed up at the Emmys despite the fact that her mafia husband is thisclose to putting a hit on the dumb stud? Seriously!
—Which publicist told the press that the GL cast — and World Turns’ Nuke — would come back to the press room to talk but later relented because they were scared of the questions?
—Which network insider offered me a job just so, “you’ll stop all that Y&R love, and we can finally kill your honest column?” What did I say? “Hell, to the no! I’m not that easily bought. Not to say I can’t be …
–Which shady west-coast photographer tells insiders that, “I can make Steve Burton [Jason, GH] and Maurice Benard [Sonny, GH] do anything I please?
—Which blogger scared stars with his obsessive fan behaviour? And I had to pay the price for allowing him near them?
—Which east-coast Emmy nominee said in an interview he didn’t know he was nominated; but he was really joking? Or was he?
—Which hot west-coast newcomer is in danger of losing his job?
TUNE INTO SUDS REPORT AND SOAPGEIST FOR MORE EMMY COVERAGE. FOR EXAMPLE? GINA TOGNONI UNPLUGGED; MARCY RYLAN’S FUTURE; AUSTIN PECK HAS A BODYGUARD — SOAPS IN DEPTH’S MICHAEL MALONEY; SHARON CASE VERSUS JOSHUA MORROW; MICHAEL MUHNEY RIDES ASS; KIM ZIMMER GETS A TV-MOVIE; A HUNTER TYLO SCANDAL; ANOTHER CRYSTAL CHAPPELL EXCLUSIVE; VICTORIA ROWELL HOSTS A DEBBI MORGAN EMMY PARTY WHICH WE EXCLUSIVELY ATTENDED; AND NEXT WEDNESDAY, EXPECT A SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW WITH ARGUABLY THE GREATEST EXECUTIVE PRODUCER EVER, PAUL RAUCH.
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Nelson Branco is a Toronto freelance entertainment journalist, who regularly contributes to Hello! Canada, The National Post, The Los Angeles Times' theenvelope.com, TV Guide USA, tvguide.com, Inside Entertainment, OUT, and fab magazine, along with spearheading the soap coverage for TVGuide.ca's popular daytime TV hub. After graduating from Ryerson University in 1997, he moved from Toronto to New York in 1998 to take on the roles as senior news editor at Soap Opera Update. Branco first freelanced for Soap Opera Weekly as an intern in 1994, and after leaving Soap Update to help create and launch Bauer Publishing's In Touch Weekly in 2003, Branco continued to freelance occasionally for its sister publication, Soaps In Depth. Most recently, he helped create and launch Canada's first celebrity magazine, Weekly Scoop in 2005 as its news and entertainment director. Branco is also a contributor to a new TV show titled Planet Soap to air in Canada and America.
