The Suds Report - Sept18/09

SUDSIEST QUOTES OF THE WEEK:
“I don’t watch soaps but I can see why people do. My wife, Margaret, watches them. People like them because they’re comforting; they like having these characters come into their homes. Me, I don’t want any of that. But I can certainly understand the appeal. If the soaps all go off the air, some smart person is going to figure out the right way to do it and bring ’em back. But they’ll have to rethink the form and make it bolder. I mean, we in America still haven’t gotten over our sex hang-ups! The lesbians on our show can’t kiss? What’s wrong with us? There’s a greater chance that GL would have brought in a donkey for Buzz to have sex with. Come to think of it, maybe it would have saved my career."
—Emmy winner Justin Deas in a rare interview with TV Guide Magazine’s Michael Logan
Translation: Ellen Wheeler or Barbara Bloom would be perfectly cast as the donkey.
 
“I think [executive producer] Ellen Wheeler is out of her f***ing mind to give Buzz another wedding.”
—Deas in the same interview regarding GL’s endgame
Translation: These days there is no buzz surrounding Buzz. Where is that lovable con man we all fell in love with? He’d never marry Lillian! Olivia, maybe …

“If you have a show that hasn’t won its time period or its key target demographic in 20 years from a cold business point of view, you think: ‘Why didn't it get cancelled earlier?’”
—ABC Daytime President Brian Frons on GL’s cancellation in philly.com
Translation: Are you listening One Life and AMC?

“How do you take a model that was developed for a five-channel universe and a stay-at-home audience and keep it relevant?”
—CBS President Barbara Bloom in the same article
Translation: That’s your job to figure out, isn’t it? Ask HBO.

SOAP SYLLABUS
Irna Phillips’s long-lost, unpublished autobiography found!
OMFG: Lately, various industry friends and I have been lamenting the lack of soap opera memorabilia left behind from Irna Phillips’s daytime run. Some of the icons suggested Irna’s daughter, Kathy, who recently passed away, had held on to her mother’s mementos and possibly a memoir. Well, they were right! And praise Jesus! Perhaps now we can realize the dream of opening a soap opera museum in the near future.

In a recent article published in The Wisconsin State Journal (thanks, Roger Newcomb!), Irna’s son, Tom, discussed the end of GL, his mother’s autobiography and her much lamented personal life.

Apparently, there are an abundance of her papers stored at the Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison, Wisc. There are scripts from GL and other shows she wrote, as well as correspondence with colleagues, listeners, viewers and advertisers.

The most fascinating discovery of course is Irna’s unpublished autobiography, which Phillips’s son, Tom, unearthed earlier this year in a box after his sister died in Los Angeles. According to the newspaper, Irna’s heir has already read it, and after the rest of his immediate family read it, he plans to send it the Wisconsin Historical Society where Phillips attended graduate school at UW-Madison in the 1920s.

According to Tom, the autobiography reveals his mother’s thought process when creating her first soap, Painted Dreams, and later her crown jewel, GL, more than seven decades ago.

In what will surely be a bestseller, Phillips wrote, “I cannot pinpoint when the transition occurred, but somehow along the way I had made up my mind that any writing I did in the future would be based on reality and not fantasy.”

Tom recalls his mother once saying, “Why the hell should I get married? If I want to get in a fight, I will call those buffoons in Cincinnati [where P&G headquarters is located].”

Maybe she was a friend of Otalia’s?

Source: Madison.com

THE IDIOT RATINGS —Sept. 7-11, 2009
Winner— GH roars back: Ratings this way come! Y&R erects!
Loser — GL and World Turns pre-emption blues!
Courtesy of Soap Opera Network

Total Viewers (Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)
1. Y&R 4,998,000 (+198,000/-97,000)
2. B&B 3,230,000 (-30,000/-281,000)
3. GH 2,787,000 (+330,000/-150,000)
4. DAYS 2,720,000 (+8,000/+115,000)
5. OLTL 2,479,000 (+173,000/-76,000)
6. AMC 2,461,000 (+181,000/-4,000)
7. ATWT 2,348,000 (-50,000/-131,000)
8. GL 2,090,000 (-8,000/+66,000)

Household Rating (Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)
1. Y&R 3.6/13 (+.1/-.1)
2. B&B 2.4/8 (same/-.2)
3. GH 2.1/7 (+.2/-.2)
4. DAYS 2.0/7 (same/same)
5. AMC 1.9/6 (+.2/same)
5. OLTL 1.9/6 (+.2/-.1)
7. ATWT 1.8/6 (same/-.1)
8. GL 1.5/5 (-.1/same)

NOTE: The CBS soaps only aired three days last week. ABC and NBC only counted Tuesday through Friday

MEET & GREET
Mike Gold’s Unveils Soap Stars Live & Unscripted in Detroit
Soap Opera fans get ready for an experience of a lifetime! Enjoy two days of super-soap star immersion on Oct. 10 and 11 as 14 top actors from AMC, One Life, GH, Y&R and DAYS gather at Detroit’s Historic Masonic Temple. Most soap fans only view their heartthrobs on the small screen, fantasizing about their favourite characters and the real person behind the persona. Soap Stars Live & Unscripted offers fans a once in a lifetime opportunity to get to know the stars in ways they’d never dreamed possible … For ticket information and the itinerary visit ticketmaster.com.
Who: Cameron Mathison, Melissa Claire Egan, Walt Willey, Darnell Williams, Chrishell Stause, John Brotherton, Mark Lawson, Bree Williamson, Natalia Livingston, Brandon Barash, Greg Vaughan, Christian LeBlanc, Nadia Bjorlin, James Scott, and American Idol’s Matt Giraud.

All My Children, A/ABC — Is Marj Dusay returning? • Alexandra Spaulding who? Insiders are buzzing that the show is in talks with Marj Dusay to return as Vanessa. Also, according to sources close to Rebecca Budig, the actress has not been asked to return to the show once the sudser makes the move out west. Finally, Suds is hearing Jill Larson will not be continuing her Emmy-nominated role as Opal. “No one on recurring is invited unless it’s a small cameo role,” says a mole. As for Larson, she has been heard saying she would agree to visit Pine Valley whenever they need her in any capacity. • Emmy winner Vincent Irizarry announced he will not be moving to L.A. but he will be commuting just like he did on Y&R and continue on as David in the series. “He doesn’t want to move his family,” says a friend.

• More strange news! Stephanie Gatschet is telling friends that AMC wants to hold on to her so much that ABC offered her money to move out to L.A. WTF? FYI — the former GL ingénue has been broken up with Emmy winner Tom Pelphrey for a long time now.

• DVR Alert — One of my favourite AMC leading men ever (and Erica Kane’s best love interest), Michael Nader, guest-stars on the season première of Cold Case on Sept. 27. 

• At this past weekend’s fan club luncheon, an actor tells Suds that the event was a “nightmare and a disaster” mainly because the security team hired was verbally abusive to both fans and actors. “The security caused more chaos than any crazy fan ever could,” adds the actor. One actress claims she will never attend the event if things don’t change next year. Hey, if AMC is still on the air, that is. In happier news, Alicia Minshew received an overwhelming welcome from her fans. The Emmy-nominated actress, who insiders say isn’t gaining as much weight as she should, won’t need a baby shower because Minshew was drowning in gifts.

As The World Turns, Global/CBS — Byrne a hit at TIFF! Peck is a born-again virgin!
• Who needs Oakdale? Emmy winner Martha Byrne’s short film debuted at this past week’s Toronto International Film Festival and the project is receiving rave reviews. The burgeoning filmmaker tells Suds, “I'm extremely proud of this short. I always knew Paul Leyden was a talented writer and when he asked me to produce Bye Bye Sally, he didn't have to ask twice. He has incredible vision and will be a force in the film industry.  Paul was looking for someone to play Mr. Vinny, the therapist visited by Malin Ackerman's (Watchmen) character Sally. I knew Paolo Seganti would be perfect and his chemistry with Malin made the film. We have a distribution deal for the short, so look for it soon in theatres and DVD.”

On Monday, Byrne has a big announcement to share with her fans. Make sure to add her on Twitter and Facebook to find out what the big news is!

• Who needs Oakdale Part 2? TV Guide Magazine’s Michael Logan is touting Austin Peck’s performance in the upcoming film, The Blue Tooth Virgin. Logan, whose opinion I trust, shares this positive review: “Peck hits movie theatres Sept. 25 in The Blue Tooth Virgin, a smart, zesty satire on Hollywood writers that should get him lots of attention. The film, which also stars ’70s screen great Karen Black, Nip/Tuck’s Roma Maffia and Buffy the Vampire Slayer vet Amber Benson, has been winning raves and awards on the indie-festival circuit. Peck is terrific as Sam, a successful sitcom scribe whose life goes to crap when he tries his hand at dramatic screenwriting and makes the mistake of asking a pal for feedback.” Good work, Austin.

• Speaking of Peck-alicious: Peck’s contract apparently expires in December, but will finish taping this week or at the beginning of next week. The show doesn’t plan on using him again. Brad will continue to air into November. Hmmm … wonder if World Turns is holding him so another soap can’t snap him up until he’s not contractually obligated to the show.

• Expect a big location shoot soon. Like “out-of-state huge,” says an insider. Out-of-state? Be very afraid. Isn’t Peapack, N.J. out-of-state?!

• Billy Magnussen’s gig on The Beautiful Life has been extended. The actor will commute to film both his day and nighttime jobs. Congrats!

• Maybe he’s not that stupid:  Suds Report has learned that P&G/TeleNext demanded World Turns film their show under GL’s production model, but executive producer Chris Goutman “refused,” claims an insider.

The Bold and the Beautiful, CTV/CBS — White honoured!
• Emmy winner Betty White will receive the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award at this year's SAG Awards, according to TV Guide. Congrats. I would kill for another visit from Ann — especially now that her daughter, Stephanie, has suffered a stroke.

Days of our Lives, Global/NBC — Chappell of our Lives
• Take solace, GL fans: NBC is already trumpeting Emmy winner Crystal Chappell’s much-anticipated return as Carly Manning on Oct. 2. Too bad the promo is lame. So much more could have been done. DAYS needs to call Y&R to learn how to produce a killer promo.

General Hospital, CTV/A — Brown out! Something Emmy this way comes! • The Carnival sequences were fantastic! Loved every second of it. Kudos are in order for Pete Fillmore and Jill Farren Phelps, who edited together, and Owen Renfroe and Scott McKinsey, who directed. I smell an Emmy. On the acting side of things, Steve Burton deserves a lot of praise, too. Ah, those looks between Jason and Liz were spellbinding. Too bad Liz has replaced Sam’s place as the town slut. • This comes as no surprise. Unhappy with the writing at GH for a long time, Emmy winner Sarah Brown announced the she will be leaving the series in November. “Her departure from Port Charles will be buzz-worthy for November sweeps,” confirms a show rep. Hey, Y&R: I think I’ve found your Victoria Newman! • Spixie fans, rejoice! This week, Spinelli and Maxie are set to walk down the aisle! Will the nerd finally get the bitch? Tune in! This should be good ...

• Everyone’s f***ing Ellen Wheeler! Jimmy Kimmel even weighed in on GL’s cancellation. Check out the hilarious video clip on the end of GL.

• Missing GL already? Make sure to make some time this weekend to listen to one of the best podcast interviews I have ever heard. This past week, Brandon’sBuzz interviewed Emmy winner Pamela K. Long — and it’s to die for. Long talks about how she became an accidental soap writer, her infamous fights with Kim Zimmer (“I wanted to put in her in a coma, just so she’d shut up and stop complaining!”), and why she thinks she could have saved Santa Barbara had she had more time. Awesome job, Brandon!

• Yours truly will be all over Canadian TV and radio today discussing GL’s cancellation. Check out CTVNewsNet, CTV National News and CBC radio for my reaction on the day the light went out for good.

Imaginary Bitches, imaginarybitches.com/YouTube — New episode alert! • The wait is over! Yesterday, Emmy-nominated producer and writer Andrew Miller aired a new instalment of his web hit sensation, Imaginary Bitches, which co-stars welovesoaps.net’s Roger Newcomb and Damon L. Jacobs. The funny Canadian tells Suds that, “Working with Roger and Damon was a nightmare. I guess when reporters cross that imaginary line and get a chance to step in front of the camera, they immediately take on all the diva characteristics they’ve had to put up with from the other side. Even Catherine and Heather were offended by their bitchiness. There was talk of a lawsuit, but I was able to calm everyone down. Alcohol is a great mediator.” Check out the Emmy-themed episode here. The best part? There’s a lot of soap trivia in the script. Great research, Andrew!

• They’re not Madonna, but they’ll do: The All-American Rejects taped a two-episode appearance on OLTL that will air on Dec. 4 and 7. Appearing at Ultraviolet, the band will play their new singles “I Wanna” and “Mona Lisa” from their latest album, When The World Comes Down. 

• According to Bree Williamson, she’ll appear on an upcoming episode of Gossip Girl! Congrats.

• Who does she think she is, Kanye West? Patricia Mauceri is on the cover of this week’s Soap Opera Weekly. The headline? “Ugly One Life accusation!” Hey, Patty Cakes — the Pope’s boyfriend called Suds and asked to pass on this message: “Who died and made you the Catholic spokesperson for all Latina women?”

Venice, venicetheseries.com — Media darling Crystal Chappell does CNN!
• Crystal Chappell told Michael Fairman’s On Air, On Soaps that creating Venice was a no-brainer. The Emmy winner and gay icon/hero considers herself a honourary member of the queer community, too, saying, “We are all family. It’s a diverse world and what I learned from the Otalia storyline, and from the emails I got from all over the world was how forthcoming people were with their stories. Their gratitude would literally make me weep. It just seemed too big to ignore. When GL got cancelled it was like we just could not let this go. We did not want to repeat Otalia because that was just too special. You can’t do that. That was brilliant. The idea of creating a show and the lead character just happens to be out and comfortable with who she is. She has this family who is messed up, and friends who had their own stuff going on … that is what I want to watch.  There is affection that happens!” Read the rest of the interview here.

Welovesoaps, Welovesoaps.net — The Mourning After
• Damon L. Jacobs offers GL mourning tips: Losing your favourite “story” can be just as hard as mourning a loved one, says Jacobs.

The Young and the Restless, CBS/Global — Victor and Malcolm to be recast?
• Panic and hysteria broke out earlier this week when Soapoperadigest.com printed a casting call for an established actor to play a billionaire character named Tucker, who sounded exactly like Victor Newman. Online speculation was that Y&R was playing hardball with the Emmy winner during a pay cut dispute during the end of his latest cycle. However, a rep for Y&R claims, “Tucker is a new character, not a Victor Newman recast. Tucker has not been cast yet.”

As previously reported, Braeden’s rep, Charles Sherman, reminds fans that his client’s contract does not expire until December 2010. “There is absolutely no truth to the rumour that Eric will be leaving Y&R. It’s all BS,” the rep maintains.

• Will Phick fans see less of Shick? Perhaps, now that Y&R’s Sharon Case is starring in a new Hallmark Channel Original Movie with David James Elliott. Expect the movie to air sometime in 2010.

• If Tricia Cast had a daughter her name would be Melissa Hayden. Just saying …

• Another casting call elicited shock and awe this past week: Soap Opera Digest reported that Y&R has put out a casting call for Malcolm Winters, the role previously played by Criminal Minds’ Shemar Moore. The role is set to start airing in November. Could Drucilla be far behind? And why recast the Emmy winner when the actor has stated several times he’s happy to reprise Malcolm during his hiatuses? Yes, Moore is no Marlon Brando, but I think recasting this role will prove to be a risky move.

• Whose decision is it to bring back Victoria Rowell as Dru? According to Rowell’s tweets this week, “three actors” are threatening to quit the series if the NAACP winner returns to help the show boost its dismal ratings. However, in my new Paul Rauch interview, the executive producer says the power lies in Maria Arena Bell’s hands, not the cast’s. Check out what Rauch has to say about the death of GL, the future of soaps, and working with Irna Phillips here.

• According to people in the know, a condition in not suing Chris Engen for walking out in the middle of his contract is that the maligned newcomer cannot work for another soap until the time on his Y&R contract expires. Not that anyone would hire the coward anyway.

• Yikes! CBS is giving Y&R GL’s old timeslot in the Atlanta market, starting on Sept. 21. Nielsen Media Research recently published a report stating that Atlanta is still the eighth largest television market in the United States. So now Y&R will go head-to-head with GH. Let’s pray Genoa City isn’t visited by any mobsters …

SOAP OPERA MYSTERY HOUR — This week’s blind items
—Which glamorous east-coast actress refused to dress down when the script required it to for a major plot point — and she refused to do it? And the show relented. And no, it’s not Susan Lucci.

—Which east-coast actress was reportedly high at a recent fan event?

—Which east-coast Emmy winner had to cancel his fan event because he only sold a handful of tickets? The reason? Another actor having a fan gathering at the same time outsold tickets in droves. But then again the sell-out actor promised two superstars who didn’t end up showing!

—Which hot soap stud proudly showed off his “attributes” to fans in the know by wearing revealing pants to prove a recent Suds blind item was true? And clearly, Suds was not exaggerating. Mark Collier who?

—Which gay soap star was foaming at the mouth over his co-star’s attributes — more than his lusty fans were?

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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.