The Suds Report - Aug 28/09

NOTE: TVGuide.ca values viewers of all shapes, colours, sexualities, and ages, which is why we print the total viewing audience tallies. Screw you, Madison Avenue! We’re not buying your bull anymore. And memo to soaps: perhaps you should start selling ad space that cater to older, gay, and black audiences. You know, the people who actually watch this garbage! These are desperate times — you can’t afford to turn away any revenue streams available.

ALL MY CHILDREN, A/ABC — Eden Riegel speaks her mind!

• Congratulations are in order for Aiden Turner (Aidan, AMC) and his wife, Megan, who welcomed daughter Ciella Larryn Turner on Aug. 21 at 12:20 a.m. The new addition weighed in at 9 lbs, 13 oz.

• The impossibly beautiful and talented Eden Riegel (ex-Binks) and I caught up recently — and here’s what the outspoken Emmy winner had to say:

On Being a Gay Icon: “Listen, I’m so proud to be the first major gay character on contract. I knew it would have happened eventually. You can’t exclude an entire segment of the population. Since coming-out stories are so dramatic, they tend to be the perfect fit for the daytime community. Of course, there were naysayers in the beginning but the majority of the fans fell in love with Bianca and her romances. Personally, I was shocked at Lena and Binks’s universal appeal. I don’t think soap fans are given enough credit. Bianca, for a lot of people, was the first gay person people knew. Her sexual orientation was only one part of Bianca, and the audience loved all her parts.” Auditioning for Binks: “During the audition, Bianca’s sexuality was top-secret. [Then executive-producer] Jean Dedario Burke spilled the beans that Binks was gay. She wanted to make sure I was okay with that, willing to fully explore the character and tell the story in a bold and brave way. I just said no plaid! [Laughs] My initial reaction to the new was, ‘I can’t make out with the hot guys on the show? No glamorous clothes?’ But luckily for me, they’ve kept Bianca rather fem.”

Why Gay Stories Work On Soaps: “One thing you cannot ignore is that these shows are trying to tell these stories the right way — especially when it comes to casting. Look, you have World Turns’ Van Hansis [Noah], Jake Silbermann [Noah], GL’s Crystal Chappell [Olivia], Jessica Leccia [Natalia], One Life’s Scott Evans [Fish] and Brett Claywell [Kyle] as fan favourites. Fans will always respond to good actors and good characters. I also think there’s a gay fan base for soaps because they have been underrepresented and there’s this glee and hunger for gay love stories.”

Actors Coming Out: ‘I hope more actors come out of the closet.  I know fans watch these people every day, and you start to see the actor and character as interchangeable. There’s a blurring of reality and fantasy, which is why I think actors are scared to come out — actors need fans to believe they are playing the character. But once again, soap fans are smart. Listen, they just want to know juicy tidbits of our lives — they don’t care which way we swing.”

Why She — and hubby, Andrew Miller — Are So Gay Friendly: “Because we’re human beings. It has less to do with my lesbian sister, to be honest. Also, Andrew and I both grew up in the theatre. Tragically, I lost a lot of friends because of the AIDS epidemic back then. I remember as a kid saying to my mom, ‘Why can’t gay people get married?’ It made no sense to me. The fact that I love my sister so much and know she doesn’t have the same rights as I do because of who she loves is painful to accept. She is partnered and wants to get married like Andrew and I.”

Imaginary Bitches’ Emmy nomination: “I’m very proud of Andrew and the project. We’re over the moon that we’re nominated for a freakin’ Emmy Award! It’s a very legitimate organization — and for them to honour something Andrew came up with in his imagination is amazing.”

Will she return to AMC? “Absolutely. I’m still young, and want to play lots of extra characters, but I would always play Bianca. I consider AMC home and hope they feel the same.”

On Tamara Braun: “I still keep in touch with Tamara. We’re friends for life. She’s stuck with me!”

Why She Didn’t Submit Herself for Emmy Consideration: “Tam and I decided not to put our names in for Emmy consideration because we personally couldn’t imagine putting our names instead of Melissa Claire Egan [Annie] and Alicia Minshew [Annie]. They worked their asses off all year and since we were on for only four months … Whereas Tamara asked me if she should put herself up for Days. I told her to do it because her work was standout. And the Academy agreed.”

On Her Emmy Win: “Every year in the soap mags, the readers and critics picked me to win, and every year, I lost. But life has a way of rewarding you when you keep being beat down. By the time I won, it was truly a lovely surprise because I felt like Susan Lucci [Erica]. I had given up hope on winning one. But you know what? Ultimately, I won for the work I was most proud of. I gave my Emmy to my grandmother right after the ceremony, but she passed away recently and I got it back. I keep it in Andrew’s study now. My grandmother was very proud of me and showed it off to all her friends!”

• L.A. Story: Cast and crew are still livid with ABC’s decision to move its production out west. A source tells Suds, “Initially, ABC invited the crew to make the trek with them, but now they have rescinded that offer. We’re really mad because of a few us wanted to move to L.A., but now the bosses are saying no!” Also, Alicia Minshew (Kendall) is having the hardest time figuring out what to do. “She can’t leave New York, but doesn’t want to lose out on playing Kendall,” a friend close to the star says.

AS THE WORLD TURNS, Global/CBS — Flipping with Howarth

• Emmy winner Roger Howarth (Paul) is back in the real estate market: the actor dropped the price of the three-bedroom condo at 505 Greenwich Street that he shares with his wife, Cari Stahler. The sixth-floor pad, which the couple bought for $2.075 million in 2005 and listed for $3.195 million in March of this year, is now listed for $2.999 million. Clearly, Howarth earned that place working at One Life, and not World Turns.
 
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, CTV/CBS — Is Kimberlin Brown back?

• Is Kimberlin Brown returning to B&B as Sheila Carter? According to the actress, B&B recently contacted her. I wonder if Sheila is still sporting Michelle Stafford’s face …

• As Suds exclusively reported weeks ago, CBS confirms that Aaron D. Spears has joined the cast in the contract role of Marcus’ father, Justin Barber. The newcomer first appears on Sept. 14. I caught up with him at an ATATS party last night — and he seems excited about joining the wacky world of soaps. “Everyone’s been nice,” he said, before joking, “well, except for Brandon Beemer [Owen!]” • At the same party, two-time 2009 Emmy nominee Bradley Bell and I caught up. He was in great spirits and ready to party. Does he have a speech ready? “No,” he answered. “I don’t want to jinx myself. If I do win, I’ll probably stumble through something and make a fool out of myself!”

• Everyone seems to love Brandon Beemer as Owen’s twin, Casper. Beemer tells Suds he’s thrilled with the opportunity but the storyline is only scheduled for four episodes. Beemer and I tag-teamed Bell to convince him we want more Casper. “We’ll see,” Bell teased. Bell loved my idea of giving Owen an ugly twin. “Is that even possible?” he asked.
 
DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Global/NBC — Ed Scott not attending the Emmys!

• At the ATAS party for the Emmy nominees last night, casting director Marnie Saitta and I finally met face-to-face. “Thanks for writing such nice things about me. I’m having a ball casting the show lately.” When I suggested she cast Jessica Leccia (Natalia, GL) on her show to appease the heartbroken Otalia fans, she said, “We’ll see. You never know.” Saitta did reveal that DAYS may be giving the Passions hiring spree a rest. Good move.

• Executive producer Ed Scott brought his wife Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki) to the ATAS party. Everyone — from DAYS to Y&R peeps — who had previously worked with one of the most respected and talented producers in the business lined up to speak to him. FYI: That snoop Sara Bibel told me that Scott will not be attending the Emmy ceremony, so if DAYS wins best drama series, expect Ken Corday to take to the podium.

• Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe) escorted me to the ATAS party and was in high spirits despite last weekend’s fender bender in Boston. “It was nothing,” she shurgged. “I’m fine.” Whew. • I asked daytime’s funniest cad, Bryan Dattilo (Lucas) if he’d sneak up on stage again if AMC and B&B won Best Drama like he did last year when GH took home the gold. “No,” he smiled. “We’re nominated, so I am hoping I can go up on stage justifiably this time!” • Patrika Darbo (ex-Nancy) introduced herself to say she loves The Suds Report. “You call a spade a spade. Keep up the good work,” she ordered. Done like dinner, Patrika.

• Shawn Christian (Daniel) and I reminisced about the days when World Turns was good. And how delicious his hairy chest is.

• Circle the date: Oct. 2 is the day the best actress in soaps, Crystal Chappell, returns to DAYS as Carly Spencer-Rivera!

Daytimeconfidential.com, iTunes — Who will win Best Hair?
Before the Daytime Emmys air on Sunday, make sure you listen to DC’s Emmy predictions podcast with Luke Kerr, Jamey Giddens, theenvelope.com’s Tom O’Neil and myself.

GENERAL HOSPITAL, CTV/ABC — Something wicked this way comes!
• For the first time since in forever, I’m psyched to watch GH this week. No, I haven’t been drinking the Kool-Aid. Watch this Carnival promo to see what I mean. “Something wicked this way comes,” looks really good, and I bet they don’t mean Brian Frons!

• Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) and I chatted about his Emmy chances at the ATAS Nominee party last night. The affable actor doesn’t think he’ll take home the gold because “comedy rarely wins, but it really is an honour to be nominated.” As for his speech, he tells Suds, “It won’t be in Spinelli-speak. I’m not that funny in real life.”

• Kirsten Storms (Maxie) and Julie Marie Berman (Lulu) were partying their cute tushs off at the ATAS Emmy nominee party, too. “We’re rooting for ourselves — and each other,” laughs Storms of her Emmy and GH rival. “It should be a tie,” chimed in Berman. Next year, I suggested they both submit the same Emmy reel just to f*ck with the judges. “That is the best idea ever,” Storms laughed. “We may just do that,” Berman added.

Kirsten Storms and Julie Marie Berman

• At the party, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Lisa LoCicero (Olivia) and I drank a few cocktails while we chatted how much sexual chemistry the on-screen son and mother have. “It’s crazy, huh?” said LoCicero, who is thrilled she finally signed a contract with the show.

GUIDING LIGHT, Global/CBS — The Mourning Begins…

• In story 411, Phillip comes clean with his family that he’s dying.

• So far, no one is lamenting GL’s impending death at the Emmy parties but then again, the cast of Springfield hasn’t arrived in L.A. yet.
 
ONE LIFE TO LIVE, A/ABC — Hot New Find Alert: David Gregory

• Who the hell is David Gregory (Ford) and how do we get One Life to sign this talented and sexy newcomer to a contract STAT?

• Hurray! Dan Gauthier [ex-Kevin] is bringing his sexy and talented ass back to Llanview for a short run this fall.

• Want to dress like a soap diva? Here’s your chance to bid on infamous award-show fashions by Emmy winner Robin Strasser (Dorian). The best part? All proceeds benefit charity.

• Big Screen Alert: Trevor St. John (Todd) tells The Suds Report his Wes Craven movie “is scheduled to be released sometime this spring.” Can’t wait.

New! Every Week:

VENICE, venicetheseries.com — Everyone loves Crystal Chappell!
• Soapgeist’s Mimi Torchin broke major Venice news Monday, and everyone and their lesbian parents jumped on it, even the New York Times. Hey Crystal, you may have a future in PR! Perhaps Crystal could have saved GL instead of TeleNext.
 
Welovesoaps.net —  And The Best Hairy Chest Award goes to …
• Those soap bitches at Welovesoaps.net posted another lively, informative podcast featuring their Emmy predictions.

Newcomb also created a chart listing all our choices as Emmy pundits:

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, CBS/GLOBAL — Mary Jane’s got a new kitty!

• Victoria Rowell delivered another kick-ass interview — this time on buzzworthyradio.net. When asked about Devon and Tyra having sex she sounded off: “I introduced that foster care storyline to Y&R. At that time it was Jack Smith. I wrote a synopsis and presented it and the show put it on the tube that summer. That character of Devon caught fire, it was extraordinary. And, of course, Bryton McClure won the Emmy later on. That story about foster care, which addresses over 513,000 foster children in our nation today, received congressional recognition. And the predominate population in foster care are black and brown children. And you mean to tell me that they had that young man slep with his stepmother? That's sneaky. That's kind of unredeemable. What's that about? Shame on Y&R for taking a congressionally recognized and NAACP Image Award-winning storyline and sabotaging it like that. We can do better. Prove that you can, Maria Bell. Prove that you can."
 
• Hurray! Y&R is finally shooting outdoors. “There’s a great remote at the end of the summer,” Maria Arena Bell tells Soaps In Depth. The storyline, which was shot at L.A.’s Franklin Canyon Park, will involve Adam, Victor and Mary Jane. Michael Muhney informs The Suds Report that the fans will not be disappointed. “It was fun,” the talented newcomer says.

• Twitter is cutting out the middleman: Leven Rambin (ex-Lily/Ava, AMC) and Kamar de los Reyes (ex-Antonio, One Life) tweeted that they are not joining the top sudser.

• At the ATAS Emmy party last night, I finally met my two favourite cats, Stacy Haiduk (MJ/Patty) and Michael Muhney (Adam). It was a practical love fest. Muhney, along with Brandon Beemer, sports one hell of a dirty sense of humour (my favourite kind), and Haiduk is just plain delicious. Unlike Adam, Muhney is also a nice guy. With a heat wave hitting L.A., the newcomer brought out bottles of water to the photogs on the red carpet. And watch out for Haiduk on the Emmy red carpet. She’s taking a very famous character on Y&R as her Emmy date. “It’s all because of you Nellie,” she purred. In story 411, Haiduk revealed that Mary Jane finds a new cat, Kitty Kitty. Let’s see how long it takes before head writer Maria Arena Bell kills that animal off.

• Recently injured Christian Le Blanc (Michael) was sporting a Dolce & Gabbana-esque around his fist. It was very hot. FYI: The Emmy winner hurt his wrist in a bike riding accident. Sure, Christian, sure.

• Why is Nick Newman so sought after? Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) tells me, “Sharon Case and I think it’s because he’s hung like a horse!”

• Jeanne Cooper (Kay) was in fine form last night. The Emmy winner misses Marge; “I hope she comes back as a ghost to haunt Kay!” she said.

• Is Colleen being killed off? That’s certainly the buzz.

• In story 411, Nick learns he’s the father of Sharon’s baby. Kill. Me. Now.

SOAP OPERA MYSTERY HOUR: This week’s hottest blind items

• Which gay star tried unsuccessfully to convince this hot, drunk, straight actor from another show to have a threesome with him and his boyfriend?