The Suds Report - Jan8/10

SUDSIEST QUOTES OF THE WEEK:
“Some (soaps) have been on many years, so people feel the need to make sage-like statements about the future of the genre. Nobody makes those statements when a sitcom or long-running drama dies. It’s the end of that program, and that’s the way we should look at it as well.”
—ABC chief Brian Frons in a USA Today story on the future of daytime programming
Translation: That’s because prime-time sitcoms and dramas are run by intelligent and creative show runners, silly, and not show-killers!

“CBS announced they’re cancelling World Turns. Don’t worry though, if you’re addicted to the twisted plots, the intrigue, the illicit sex, you can still watch golf.”
—Craig Ferguson jokes on his titular late-night talk show
Translation: And unlike soaps, this real-life drama includes a black protagonist!

“You don’t even have to watch the show. You can just read Soaps In Depth.”
—GH’s Bradford Anderson in Soaps In Depth
Translation: Don’t let your bosses hear you say that, Bradford! They already think soap magazines are to blame for decreased viewership.

“Yeah, I wish [Scott would] get laid. Scott’s in dire need of getting laid.”
—AMC’s Adam Mayfield to Soap Opera Weekly
Translation: If Scott only had my sex life ...

“I remember Jacob Young took me under his wing. He told me, ‘Look, I’ve worked on four soaps. This has been the nicest, most amicable group of people I’ve ever worked with. You got lucky.’”
—Mayfield in the same interview
Translation: He left out the fact that AMC is the worst written soap he’s worked on!

“There [are] no small parts, only small actors.”
—World Turns’s Terri Colombino to Soap Opera Weekly’s self-proclaimed vertically challenged editor, Mala Bhattacharjee-Spencer about standing next to the very vertically blessed super-model Paulina Porizkova
Translation: … and small writers.

THE IDIOT RATINGS — Dec. 21-25, 2009
Winners — AMC is ABC’s top soap! Axed World Turns beats One Life and GH again!
Losers — One Life continues its free fall! All soaps down from year-to-year!
(Courtesy of SON.com - Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)

Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,923,000 (+227,000/-331,000)
2. B&B 3,246,000 (+9,000/-322,000)
3. DAYS 2,810,000 (-93,000/-197,000)
4. AMC 2,658,000 (+47,000/-74,000)
5. ATWT 2,475,000 (-70,000/-211,000)
6. GH 2,370,000 (-130,000/-585,000)
7. *OLTL 2,254,000 (-132,000/-515,000)
*new low (previous low: 2,279,000 for Aug. 24-28, 2009)

Households
1. Y&R 3.5/11 (same/-.2)
2. B&B 2.3/7 (same/-.3)
3. DAYS 2.0/6 (-.1/-.1)
3. AMC 2.0/6 (same/same)
5. ATWT 1.8/5 (same/-.1)
5. GH 1.8/5 (-.1/-.4)
7. **OLTL 1.7/5 (-.1/-.3)
**ties low rating (last time: Aug. 31–Sept. 4, 2009)

Women 18-49 Viewers
1. Y&R 1,089,000 (-13,000/-3,000)
2. GH 811,000 (+5,000/-179,000)
3. DAYS 782,000 (-113,000/-79,000)
4. B&B 713,000 (-66,000/+21,000)
5. AMC 640,000 (+15,000/-123,000)
6. ATWT 609,000 (-52,000/-10,000)
6. OLTL 609,000 (-22,000/-221,000)

AWARDS SHOW CENTRAL
Day Emmys update; NAACP and Indie Soap Award nominations!
—Now that the 2009 calendar year is over, the 37th annual Daytime Emmy Awards process has begun. NATAS’ Brent Stanton tells Suds Report exclusively that the Academy has rejected a guest-star category once again. “Maybe next year,” Stanton says, adding, “Don’t worry, soap fans — I’m pushing for it.”

As for this year's submission rules, Stanton confirms that reels will be limited to one episode for a one-hour drama and a half-hour soap. The controversial pre-nomination system will continue, however, there are a few welcome changes this year despite previously published online reports. Stanton states, “Pre-nominations will be opened up from an ‘in-studio’ process to anyone who wants to enter themselves. It’s open-ended again! And the pre-nom voting is open to all daytime actors across all shows, not just within the show anymore. In the end, voters will pick two individuals per category per show to advance to the final screening round.  It will still be one episode per nominee, as it was last year, including for a half-hour show. Keep in mind that this was a consensus decision from all the show reps and most importantly, the actors who are the peer judges.” Good job, NATAS.
 
—Proving once again that the NAACP awards show wing doesn’t watch soaps, this year’s “precious” nominations for the 41st NAACP Image Awards are in. Last year’s winners were AMC’s Debbi Morgan and Y&R’s Bryton James. Below are this year’s head-scratching daytime hopefuls:

Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
• Bryton James, Y&R
• Cassius Willis, Y&R
• Cornelius Smith, Jr., AMC
• Terrell Tilford, One Life
• Texas Battle, B&B
Who Should Win: Smith is the best actor out of the bunch!
Who Will Win: If voters can stomach his scenes opposite Madison, expect Smith to take home the hardware. But never underestimate James.
Glaring Omission: Just like last year, the NAACP obviously has something against Darnell Williams! Oh, and where is the recognition for this year’s biggest soap stud, Tiger Woods?

Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
• Daphne Duplaix, One Life
• Debbi Morgan, AMC
• Eva Marcille, Y&R
• Tatyana Ali, Y&R
• Tonya Lee Williams, Y&R
Who Should Win: Morgan is the new Victoria Rowell!
Who Will Win: Ali kicked butt when her character learned of Devon and Tyra’s contrived, incestuous affair.
Shameful Omission: Where is the love for Tika Sumpter and Shenell Edmonds, people?

—Independent ladies and gentlemen will be honoured on Feb. 1 when Welovesoaps.net’s first annual Indie Soap Awards are handed out. Leading the charge is breakout web soap hit Buppies, which received 13 nominations. Coming in second is Compulsions, which earned 11 nominations, while Anyone But Me and Diary of a Single Mom each scored 10 nod-erellas. Congrats to all the noms.

Unfortunately, soap-star-produced web serials Gotham and Venice didn’t get much love. However, Venice’s Hillary B. Smith and Gotham’s Anne Sayre were deservedly noticed in acting categories, while Venice was honoured for best use in music category.

But don’t feel left out of the process. Viewers get their say, too. Vote for your favourite web soap at indiesoapawards.com for the Fan's Choice Award, where Gotham and Venice are options.

WEB WARNING
SOAPnet.com annoys the crap out of me!
Not that I visit soapnet.com often, but when I do, I have to leave the corporate agenda-pushing website immediately because every page you log on to prompts an annoying, excruciating loud video promo of some sort. When a feature has more than one page, each time you click “next,” the video blasts out loud again. It’s also called cheating because they’re getting credit for each video that plays despite the fact that it’s not your choice to view it. That’s ABC for you!

All My Children, ABC/A — Raising the Barr! ABC thisclose to announcing a new head writer! • Watch out, Erica! Soapoperadigest.com made my day when they announced earlier this week that two-time Emmy winner Julia Barr will be returning to AMC “full time in a recurring capacity” beginning Feb. 23 for what PR Michael Cohen claims is “a great story arc.” With Lorraine Broderick helming the maligned sudser, I actually believe Michael this time (he had previously denied that AMC was moving to L.A.). • Speaking of AMC’s writing team, The Suds Report has learned that ABC is thisclose to signing a deal with a head writer. Earlier this week, there were terrifying rumours circulating around the campfire that loathed former Y&R head writer Lynn Marie Latham was said candidate. Thankfully, Suds can happily report the “Emmy winner” is not a contender.  Whew — we dodged a bullet there, kids.

• If at first you don’t succeed, try getting engaged again! Congrats to one of my fave soap beauties, CSI: Miami’s Eva La Rue, who is once again engaged to ex-boyfriend, Joe Cappuccio. The Emmy-nominated actress told Suds a while back that Joe makes her “very happy.” He better …

• Casting Couch: AMC is SORAS-ing Adam Jr. for a big storyline. Also, they’re recasting all their child characters, including Emma, whose casting description had some weird restrictions:  “Very strong recurring. Caucasian young girl. Age six. She is a very bright child and very pretty. We prefer blond or light brown hair. This child CAN NOT BE brunette.” Yikes. Moreover, expect another adult male lead named “Ash.” The description for the role reads:  Caucasian male, 26 to 28 years old. He’s good-looking, charming, smooth but has an edge. He is someone who uses people — a manipulator.” What an original role, huh?

• Soap Opera Digest columnist Carolyn Hinsey offers a solution to keep Thorsten Kaye and Alicia Minshew in Pine Valley without them having to move to the west coast in this week’s It’s Only My Opinion. She writes, “Offer Kaye and Minshew a fantastic package to tape once a week in One Life’s N.Y. studio to keep them on the canvas (and their fans tuning in). Throw Erica and Jack into the mix and do a lot of phone calls to other people on the show — it could work!”

As The World Turns, Global/CBS — Freeze, soapers! Dropping the soap, P&G-style!
• This is funny. Doesn’t the FBI have better things to do — like communicating with the CIA and American embassies around the world? Earlier this week, welovesoaps.net reported that disappointed P&G/TeleNext fans (I guess that’s redundant) created an S.O.S. Campaign as a way to join forces in an effort to save World Turns and GL (good luck with that, kids). One recent activity from the group was to send in bars of soap to CBS. Apparently, the FBI was alerted because CBS thought they might be receiving anthrax! What the FBI should have been investigating is all the soap-killing happening on CBS! Naturally, the S.O.S. campaign was asked to stop sending the soap.

• The sudser sent out a casting call for a male lead which sounds a lot like Mick. Hmmm … Here’s the role description: “25-year-old male; Caucasian or of mixed ethnicity. Although he is charming and intelligent, Nico is rough around the edges, having lived a hard-scrabbled life. He comes to Oakdale with dark intent, but could the love of a good woman change his course? It’s a major recurring role.”

• As Suds previously reported ages ago, Liberty will learn that she is sick. But will Janet’s daughter die when Meredith Hanger bolts? Or will the sudser simply recast the role?

• So who are the actors soap producers and writers are coveting when the sudser ends production in June? Michael Park, Roger Howarth, Maura West and Terri Colombino.

Days of our Lives, NBC/Global —  Corday’s Official Book Club!
• Semantics rears its ugly head again. Like the chicken and the egg debate, what comes first — the firing or the resignation? Bryan Dattilo is claiming he quit to Soap Opera Digest and wasn’t fired (DAYS took him off contract but offered him recurring status which he declined). In this week’s issue, he conveys, “I have no bad feelings at all toward anybody. I don’t feel like I’ve been wronged. I just kind of feel like it happened because it needed to happen. The show is a great show and always will be. I hope it lasts long and I hope that the ratings are soaring and I wish nothing but good for everyone there. I love everyone there.”

As for why he declined to tape his last episode, he explains, “I had one more episode to do after the vacation when Gary [Tomlin, co-executive producer] told me they weren’t renewing my contract. And in the scenes, I literally had two lines and came in at the end of the scene and said something to Rafe like, ‘Leave Sami alone,’ then walked away. It was very uneventful and Gary even said, ‘You don't need to come in for that last episode if you don't want to.’ At the time, I was like, ‘No, I’ll come in; that’s cool.’ And then when I got home and read the episode, where I really didn’t say much and nothing happened, I thought, ‘If that’s going to be my last episode, I don’t want to go out like that.’”

• Check out Crystal Chappell’s soap debut on AMC opposite fellow Emmy winner, Maurice Benard. For her first acting gig, she’s pretty darn good! Actually, Chappell matches Benard pretty well for a novice.

• And so the love triangle begins … in story 411, Bo has “hope-less” sex with Carly next week! Oooh, this is going to be good, kids. Especially when Hope’s “sexdar,” as Crystal Chappell describes to Soap Opera Digest, subconsciously alerts her to her husband and enemy’s horizontal and vertical tryst. Furious and hurt, Hope calls Carly “a whore!” Shaken, Carly decides to leave town …

• Publishers Weekly is reporting that DAYS has inked a deal with Sourcebooks to publish fiction and non-fiction books based on the NBC sudser! Days of our Lives Publications will launch with the May 2010 title by Corday, The Days of Our Lives: The Untold Story of One Family's Dream and the True History of The Days of Our Lives. Sourcebooks calls the title “an insider memoir” about the family behind the soap, adding that it will show fans “the true stories that drive the fictional ones they love on TV.” Sourcebooks, which publishes Michael Malone’s novels, is also planning a coffee table-style illustrated book to celebrate the show’s 45th anniversary for release in the fall, as well as a number of novels based on DAYS characters.

• You may have not seen the last of Lisa Trusel, who recently returned for Mickey’s funeral.

General Hospital, CTV/A — Valentin’s Day! Franco returns! • I guess Bob Guza’s threat that he’d replace James Franco with Johnny Depp worked! The Spider-Man and Milk film star squealed to New York Magazine that he will indeed be reprising his role on GH this spring (poor, Nancy Lee Grahn!). Franco revealed that he will be co-directing a special episode, which takes place in a legitimate New York gallery. “If all goes according to plan, it will definitely be weird. But is it art?” he asks. It is … if you’re acting on One Life. • Incoming future GH superstar Matt Borlenghi and his wife welcomed his twin sons, Pearson Woods and Daltan Roberto, on Jan. 5. Congrats, dude! As for sleep, the former AMC stud tells Suds, “Not right now. I think I’ll finally be able to sleep right around the time I start taping GH.” Speaking of which, Borlenghi is dying to finally adorn Valentin Cassadine’s skin (his entry into Port Charles society was delayed because of James Franco and Jonathan Jackson’s appointments). “Playing a spiritually bankrupt man like Valentin, I'll have to draw from the complete opposite end of the emotional spectrum I’m experiencing right now with these boys, and their amazing sister, Garland, at home, who’s four now. I used to be a bad boy like Valentin in my past, but I forgave myself and evolved as a human being.” Hey, GH — Valentin better debut before Valentine’s Day. I have a feeling Borlenghi is going to kill it, Stephen Nichols-style!

• Even though he still looks 16, didn’t Jonathan Jackson grow up into quite the handsome man? Love the stubble. Check out this week’s Soaps In Depth for a very sexy cover featuring Lucky/Liz/Nikolas.

Gotham, gothamtheseries.com — RichCat in the City!
• Ava lives! Lisa Peluso will debut on Feb. 22!

• Gotham will be shooting at the Nicole Miller fashion show on Feb. 12 for Fashion Week, reports creator and star Martha Byrne. FYI — Miller is adorning the cast of Gotham as well. La Byrne tells Suds, “She designed a few of my Emmy dresses and my St. Jude gowns. We’ve known each other for a long time. She’s open to the web world and very excited about the possibilities in the webosphere. We’re going to expand our professional relationship with Gotham. Nicole is very generous. I’m so happy she’s a part of our show.”

• Martha Byrne and Suds Report have agreed that the official squish name for super-couple is “RichCat.” I suggested a dirtier name, but Byrne made me sign a confidentiality agreement not to release it. Anyway, doesn’t RichCat remind you of a more sedate version of Mr. Big and Carrie?

• Although Paolo Seganti will soon leave World Turns, the Italian stallion isn’t exiting the world of soaps all together. Expect to see Seganti on Gotham very soon (fans heard his voice on an earlier episode). “He’s very hot and amazing in Gotham. You will see his beautiful face soon enough,” Byrne promises. Um, we better!

One Life To Live, ABC — Téa for Two! One Life actor dead! • Faithful Suds reader Dean Blake raves about Florencia Lozano, echoing my sentiments to a Téa, er, tee. “Florencia brings this grace and class to the role, something quite bewitching. There are moments when she may go a bit over-the-top, but honestly, there is nothing like her on daytime right now. I don’t know if it’s her acting choices or the whole package, but the show is a step beyond whenever she’s onscreen, and that’s no small feat with all the great talent on that show.” I concur. Flo is dangerously close to overtaking my beloved Crystal Chappell’s mantle as soaps’ best actress. And Dean, Flo is over-the-top at times because Téa is over-the-top. Speaking of One Life’s superior acting ensemble, I applaud everyone’s dedication in effortlessly and magically achieving excellence in daytime, especially in a time when there is absolutely no more rehearsal. How does One Life do it?

• Sad news — former One Life actor, Irish theatre and film actor Donal Donnelly has died. Famed for his role in John Huston’s film, The Dead, the 78-year-old passed away yesterday at his home in Chicago after a long illness. Of course, diehard One Lifers will remember that the character actor played Lord Henry Leighton, Lady Joanna’s (Roma Downey) father. Donnelly was a part of one of my favourite Llanview storylines, the faux Bo plot, which also included iconic actress, the late, great Lois Kibbee.

• The casting department is putting out feelers for actors to test for the role of a Llanview school principal. The role is recurring.

• One Life can never catch a break! Last week, Kish’s groundbreaking love scene was pulled off of YouTube because the headline included “sex” in the title, prompting the website to flag the episode.

• Congratulations to the real Jessica, Erin Torpey, who is welcoming her first child with husband Hamilton von Watts this June.

• Question: Why are several One Life actors claiming ABC is indeed committed to the show’s future because “the network is spending millions of dollars to move us to a new studio?” How does moving two blocks west cost millions of dollars? Yes, moving AMC to L.A. is costing the net a lot of cashola, but since One Life also stores their sets, I doubt their drivers are going to charge the soap more money to deliver the sets a few feet to a new building! AMC’s old studios are already outfitted with dressing rooms, sound stages, editing booths, etc., so I doubt there will be any new construction involved. Moreover, ABC won’t have to reimburse their One Life actors for moving like they had to with their AMC cast since the thespians and crew will just simply walk to their new digs. Also, ABC is absorbing One Life’s studio by turning it into a posh office for its executives. With AMC out of The View’s studios, ABC has to fill that space with a show or it’s going to lose money, so it actually makes sense to move One Life into that space until they can lease it out to another TV production down the road.

Venice, venicetheseries.com — Happy Birthday, Jessica!
• Turning 34 today is the beautiful and talented Jessica Leccia! All the best on your special day, Jess.

The Young and the Restless, CBS/Global — Is Andrea Evans Genoa City-bound?
• Based on the advance Canadian episode, it was revealed that Tawny is currently raising little Deacon! A Suds reader wrote me to ask: Does this mean Andrea Evans will rejoin Y&R, but as Tawny Moore this time? Let’s hope there is a Paul Rauch and Evans reunion in the works!

• In story 411, Sharon and Adam move into Ashley’s ranch after a fire breaks out at Brad’s house. Are you guys buying this contrived romance between Adam and Sharon? Fans are certainly polarized over the pairing. I think Y&R made a huge mistake by not penning and investing in a much more organic Ashley and Adam affair, especially during Victor’s absence. Not only do Eileen Davidson and Michael Muhney boast more chemistry than the recast does with Sharon Case, but also, Adam’s modus operandi is seeking revenge on his father, Victor, not his dumb brother, Nick (I doubt Adam would want to involve himself in that unimaginative love triangle or accept Nick’s leftovers — he’s too proud to do that). Can you imagine how Victor would react to learn his son and ex-wife were sexually and romantically involved — and shacking up in his beloved ranch? Nikki would have a field day with that shocker, too!

• How do you think controversial recast, Darius McCrary is faring as nuMalcolm? While the actor is not physically suited to play this popular role, I think he’s actually a good actor. In my mind, there was only one actor who could have effortlessly made Malcolm his own — and that’s former daytime superstar Keith Hamilton Cobb, who previously played Damon. But hey, that never stopped a soap before …

• He’s baaack! Y&R Canadian fans will be extremely happy to see Emmy winner and soap superstar Eric Braeden return to Genoa City on Thursday, Jan. 14! Welcome home! It’s been far too long …

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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.