SUDSIEST QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“They were doing the best they could with what they had. We were shooting outside a lot, with handheld digital cameras. I don’t slight anybody’s effort. It was incredible and trying to change the format was necessary for the future of daytime, but it was a big change — really fast and harsh. It had a lot of kinks to be worked out. I enjoyed it, but you’d see some of the air shows and catch some of the hard lighting and think, ‘Oof, that’s a hell of a shot.’ Then sometimes, you’d get incredible stuff out of working that way, because it’s intimate and personal. You get a different vibe than you do in the studio. Each has its pros and cons.”
—Y&R newcomer Jeff Branson to MSN.com’s Deanna Barnert on GL’s controversial production model
Translation: The pro? I won an Emmy award in that concentration camp!
“We will answer that question. I promise you.”
—GH’s head writer Bob Guza on whether or not Michael was raped in prison
Translation: After we finally address what our beef against Genie Francis is.
“A guy like David who fancies himself a world traveller is not always there because he needs to come back after having stolen diamonds from someone in Spain.”
—One Life’s Tuc Watkins in Soap Opera Digest on his intermittent comebacks
Translation: Then, when David returns to Llanview, he steals the show.
AWARDS SHOW CENTRAL
Marcil, Seacrest spice up the Daytime Emmy Awards!
What are you doing Sunday? Hopefully, if you’re a diehard soap fan, you’ll be watching the 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on CBS.
If you’re still not convinced to tune in to the kudofest, how’s this for incentive? GH superstar Vanessa Marcil, Let’s Make a Deal’s Wayne Brady, comedian Jeff Foxworthy and Canadian Alex Trebek, along with a performance from the Las Vegas company of Disney’s musical The Lion King, have been added to the list of presenters and performers scheduled to appear on ceremony.
In addition, Ryan Seacrest will introduce the American Bandstand and Dick Clark tribute, with Donny Osmond, Chubby Checker, Tony Orlando and The Jersey Boys added to the lineup of stars who will salute the iconic show and legendary television personality.
SPECIAL REPORT — THE TELEVISION ACADEMY DAYTIME RECEPTION ROUND-UP!
Haiduk sounds off on her Y&R firing and DAYS hiring! Sean Kanan back on Y&R! Is Michael Park joining One Life?
• Score another one for DAYS! Soap Opera Spirit Award winner Stacy Haiduk tells Suds she’s “thrilled” about her new gig on DAYS as a prison warden. “I got the news that my Y&R contract wasn’t going to be renewed [this past Friday]. Sad. Boo-hoo. Cried. Anger. Disappointment. Frustration. Now what? So the outlook on my last tape days were, ‘I’m going to go to work, feel powerful [on Monday] and have a great day. Which happened.”
But don’t cry for Haiduk — that very Monday night, her agent called to inform her that DAYS offered the talented actress the recurring role sans audition. However, Haiduk sighs, “I’m going to miss Y&R big time. I love those people. But everyone on DAYS has been amazing so far. I can’t wait to do something different with this character.” Insiders at Y&R aren’t happy that DAYS “stole” Haiduk, but maintain to Suds that they want the fledgling superstar back. However, at least, “Stace is still in the Sony family,” says one insider. Let’s pray.
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• Which two sexy and very straight female characters are going to share a sexy on-screen kiss soon? It’ll be very hot!
• Soaps In Depth is hinting that Emmy nominee Michael Park will be joining One Life as Dan Wolek. Conversely, Soap Opera Digest sources refute the rumour but Suds hears that a deal is definitely in the works. In fact, it could already be signed, sealed and delivered. My take? Two words — Daniel Cosgrove.
• Meanwhile, Park’s co-star, Emmy winner Maura West, is moving out west, just like her co-stars Jon and Kelley Hensley, because she will more than likely join a sister CBS soap.
• Fired GH Emmy nominee Drew Garrett was in high spirits despite his controversial exit. When I asked why he didn’t submit his best work, he simply said, “I didn’t keep track of my work all year, so I went with my gut instinct.” That was a very popular defence by many nominees last night. And who knew? Garrett has a girlfriend! |
• Sorry, B&B fans but Y&R’s Sean Kanan is back, ‘yo — in Genoa City! The popular hunk tells Suds exclusively, “I’m back taping and it’s awesome. I’m so happy!” Last year, Kanan assured Suds that Deacon would return to Genoa City sooner rather than later — and he was right. Emmy winner Michelle Stafford, who adorned a sexual, game-changing outfit at the ATAS party, enthused to Suds, “Sean and I have already made out! It’s dirty — in a good way!” Heck, it’s about time — Suds has been campaigning for a Deacon-Phyllis hookup since forever.
• Great news — Y&R executive producer Paul Rauch tells Suds that he has re-signed with daytime’s No. 1 soap opera!
• As one of MOCA’s Board of Directors, Y&R’s Emmy-nominated mistress, Maria Arena Bell, left the ATAS party to head over to James Franco’s GH taping at the Museum Of Contemporary Art — which lasted until 6 o’clock this morning. Bell invited Suds along but alas I lost track of time catching up with old friends. Franco is back on GH next week, so don’t forget to tune in.
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Later, I met up with three-time Emmy winner Christian LeBlanc and company for a late dinner. “I went to MOCA,” he relayed as he was eating a juicy burger. “It was cool. I got my picture taken with James, but I left early.”
FYI — LeBlanc is unofficially hosting the Creative Arts Emmys today. Which means that the arduous four-hour ceremony will now be a hellish 10 hours too long!
At the same dinner, outstanding supporting actor nominee, AMC's Ricky Paull Goldin showed up with his girlfriend. We both ribbed LeBlanc for stealing Goldin and Michael Park’s outstanding lead actor Emmy award a few years back. It was all in good fun. But we were serious — LOL! Hey, I told him, it all balances out — LeBlanc lost his outstanding supporting actor Emmy award to former hairless model Shemar Moore years back.
Finally, the former World Turns actor, who awkwardly appeared on one of the last episodes of Guiding Light, confessed that he also offered to return to his alma mater on his own dime one last time, too, but, “alas, it didn’t work out.” |
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• Is there an in-law rivalry between Emmy competitors, Y&R’s Maria Arena Bell, and B&B’s Brad Bell? “No,” laughs Brad, last year’s Emmy winner for best drama series. “I’m just happy we’re both nominated!” Maria told Suds. “I’m not nervous at all [about the festivities]. I’m just going to have fun!”
Hopefully, if Brad wins again, he’ll get a chance to give a speech this time around (sponsored by American Airlines!). “How weird was that?” he laughed. Um, very weird.
So where does Bradley keeps his treasured and much-deserved Emmy award? “In my home office — most of the time.”
As for B&B’s recent creative resurgence, Bell is happy critics and fans are invested in the show again. “We’ve got good stuff coming up. We’re having fun,” the Emmy winner said.
When Suds Report insisted that Brooke Logan is now officially a sex addict, Bell didn’t blink! So stay tuned …
• Who knew a few savvy theenvelope.com daytime posters were NATAS/ATAS members? And love my columns!
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• Which Emmy winner raised a very good point when we were handicapping the Emmy process? He postulated, “Have you noticed that, on average, outstanding lead actresses are normally paired up with weak leading men, and sometimes, vice versa — with the exception of World Turns’s Michael Park and Maura West, of course?” Huh, never thought of that before — but he’s right.
• The much-anticipated new web soap, The Bay’s creator Gregori J. Martin and I were introduced by one of his stars, Matt Borlenghi, who is also starring on MyTV’s Proper Manors. Martin tells Suds that he’s a diehard Another World fan and after much insisting from Tristan Rogers, he wrote The Bay in “two months.” The kicker? The producer then introduced me to Santa Barbara patriarch Nicholas Coster! “I love Canada,” Coster proclaimed. “I got my theatre legs in Nova Scotia.” Look for the energetic and enthusiastic Coster to play the mayor in The Bay. Also, Mackenzie Westmore, who was looking more ravishing than ever, has joined The Bay, too. Heck, even I have been cast on the show! |
• Guests were buzzing over GH’s latest boldface addition — Adrienne Barbeau, who is joining the show as Suzanne Stanwyck opposite Vanessa Marcil on Aug. 12. I joked to Emmy-winning GH casting director, Mark Teschner that he’ll probably land Meryl Streep soon!
• Half the west-coast soap industry is driving out to Las Vegas for the Daytime Emmy Awards. Which soap insider joked to Suds, “Can you imagine if this was a B&B or Y&R episode? The entire industry would collide in a car crash and all die!” Be careful what you wish for, buddy!
| • It was nice to catch up with GH’s Emmy nominee Bradford Anderson and his wife again. Especially without the crutches. Earlier this year, Suds was there when the popular star tore his Achilles tendon on the Soap Cruise when Anderson tried to play basketball. As for my prediction that he or Y&R’s Billy Miller will probably win the Emmy for outstanding supporting actor, Anderson was his naturally humble self and thanked me for the kudos on what I called “ a spectacular reel.” And then I reminded him not to forget to thank his wife, nor to proclaim to the world that she has his back! Stay tuned for more on Bradford’s take on Spinelli’s depression storyline! |
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• GH is casting a recurring 35-year-old African-American character, who is a top surgeon. He’s also very sexy, dynamic and confident. The role may become contract. Sounds like One Life’s Terrell Tiford to me!
• Whew — sexy bastard David Fumero and One Life have finally come to terms after a surreal contract stalemate. Expect Cristian to be all up in Layla’s business for a while longer. Also, despite Brandon Buddy’s announcement that he was set to depart One Life last week, the Soap Opera Spirit Award winner is now claiming that his Twitter account was hacked last week. Even the extremely diplomatic Soaps In Depth said on Twitter they were skeptical. In related news, I have Peapack, N.J. swamp water to sell!
• Three-time Emmy winner Sarah Brown and I lamented over the fact that she’s related to her B&B hunky co-stars Rick Hearst and Zack Conroy. Woe is her, right? As for winning, Brown says it would be an honour to be the first daytime performer to win an Emmy in each acting category. |
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• DAYS’s Judi Evans and I bonded like old girlfriends. The Emmy winner has never looked sexier.
• Hands down, Y&R’s Sharon Case won the best-dressed honours of the night. She and co-star Michelle Stafford posed up a storm with photographers. It was clear there’s no real-life feud! As for Case, tune in to QVC on Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. ET for the debut of Sharon Case’s new jewelry line, Pomp. For a sneak peek of her fashion jewelry, look for Sharon on the red carpet and at the Emmy telecast on Sunday!
• A certain vet thought it was ironic that film and TV star Eric Roberts has joined Y&R — especially since Julia’s brother was fired by then-Another World honcho (and current Y&R chief) Paul Rauch back in the day! |
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• Finally, as I was waiting for my ride to my dinner date, the magnificent Stacy Haiduk, offered me a seat in her — get this — refurbished, vintage 1946 Cadillac! It’s the most beautiful car I’ve ever seen. Bitch has taste. Look out for the fashion-forward Haiduk at the Emmys this Sunday. Which I give her enormous credit and props for because she could have easily ditched the event for myriad of justifiable reasons. But she’s a pro. However, I advised the leather-clad thespian “to leave Mr. Kitty at home. That soul-murdering pussy is done.” Without blinking, Haiduk agreed.
SOAP OPERA MYSTERY HOUR — This week’s hottest blind items
—Which current east-coast soap vet recently turned down a role on a west coast show?
—Which east-coast younger actor may or may not have to quit his role because of a serious, life-threatening illness? And no, it's not alcohol- or drug-related.
—Which east-coast leading actress isn’t on screen as much because she refused to take a pay cut? The show took away her guarantee, but the Emmy winner still remains on contract and is still relatively working steadily! You go, girl!
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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. |
