STATE OF THE BIZ
ABC to cut 20 episodes per soap a year?
It’s ABC’s turn to piss off the industry this year. Daytimeconfidential.com’s Jamey Giddens shocked the industry earlier this week when he reported that ABC is toying with the idea of cutting up to 20 episodes per show each year to save on annual costs. In its place, ABC will re-air classic episodes from each sudser.
The next day, ABC suspiciously announced that it would pre-empt its entire soap lineup on Aug. 10 to re-air classic Brenda Barrett episodes to promote Vanessa Marcil’s superstar comeback on Aug. 11.
Later in the week, Daytimeconfidential.com revealed that ABC Daytime has asked the Writers Guild of America for a waiver for the number of scripts that its staff writers turn out for its three remaining soap operas. Its current WGA deal expires May 1, 2011, but the Alphabet network gave the union an August deadline to decide.
If the WGA doesn’t comply, ABC may fire writers from each show.
ABC and the WGA had no comment.
Personally, I like the idea of cutting 20 episodes per year (perhaps the writing will be tighter and audiences won’t have to invest five hours a week to get their soap fix), but I don’t want anyone to lose their jobs either.
You know somewhere World Turns’ executive producer Christopher Goutman, who may return to directing soaps full time, thinks that his maligned three-episode-a-week idea was stolen by ABC!
THE IDIOT RATINGS — July 5-9, 2010
Winners: GH and One Life shoot up!
Numbers are based on Live+Same Day ratings
(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)
Total Viewers
1. Y&R 5,082,000 (-7,000/+166,000)
2. B&B 3,147,000 (+76,000/-35,000)
3. DAYS 2,604,000 (+44,000/-79,000)
4. GH 2,596,000 (+214,000/+271,000)
5. OLTL 2,463,000 (+276,000/+13,000)
6. AMC 2,448,000 (-34,000/+78,000)
7. ATWT 2,320,000 (-38,000/+2,000)
Households
1. Y&R 3.5/11 (same/same)
2. B&B 2.2/7 (same/-.2)
3. GH 1.9/5 (+.1/+.2)
4. AMC 1.8/6 (same/+.1)
4. OLTL 1.8/6 (+.2/same)
4. DAYS 1.8/5 (-.1/-.1)
7. ATWT 1.7/5 (same/same)
Women 18-49 Viewers
1. Y&R 1,079,000 (-10,000/-47,000)
2. GH 852,000 (+108,000/+87,000)
3. OLTL 719,000 (+97,000/-19,000)
4. DAYS 664,000 (same/-149,000)
5. B&B 659,000 (+24,000/-70,000)
6. AMC 624,000 (+48,000/-44,000)
7. ATWT 491,000 (-12,000/-94,000)
All My Children, ABC — Sexy in Cleveland! Curb Canary’s Enthusiasm!
• Soap diva Susan Lucci will appear on TV Land and CTV’s hit sitcom, Hot In Cleveland, which co-stars ex-B&B guest actress Betty White. Considering Wendie Malick’s soap diva character complained on-screen that the one year she was a shoo-in to win the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress, La Lucci won, this should be very funny. In other La Luxe news, Erica Kane is now tweeting at @iamericakane. Which should be more interesting than listening to her cliche dialogue on AMC.
• Emmy winner David Canary is back on primetime TV where he belongs. The silver fox has been cast on an upcoming episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Nice.
• Soap Opera Digest has an enlightening interview with Michael Nouri written by Mara Levinsky in their current issue. Nouri sheds light on his twilight return to soaps — it was not out of desperation. He states, “There is nothing that precedes the word ‘actor’ for me. Work is work.” Also, did you know that Nouri was nominated for a 1976 Daytime Emmy as Outstanding Lead Actor opposite Macdonald Carey, Bill Hayes, Shepperd Strudwick, and John Beradino for his role on Search For Tomorrow (where he played Steve Kaslo). His Search co-star Larry Haines won.
As the World Turns, CBS/Global — The Bay gets nuttier
• Miss Nut Meg already? No worries — Marie Wilson has joined the web soap, The Bay, reports We Love Soaps. She will portray Isabella Ahmed, the daughter of Capt. Issa Ahmed, portrayed by Charles Shaughnessy. At this point, even Chris Engen will get a role!
• DVR alert: Mary Beth Evans hits Oakdale on July 21. That same week a bunch of characters no one cares about also return.
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The Bold and The Beautiful, CBS/CTV — Hope-less future!
• Adrienne Frantz jokes to Suds Report that she’s tired from making that big, arduous move across the hall from Y&R back to her alma mater, B&B! As Frantz settles in faux-L.A., her co-star is making the reverse move. Although many expected Sean Kanan to pop back in to B&B, he’s returned to Y&R. Will Amber learn her ex is back in Genoa City flirting with her former mother-in-law, Phyllis? “I don’t know,” Frantz shrugs. “But I’m sure Daniel and Deacon will have some choice words about Amber! Or maybe Deacon will go off looking for Amber.”
Despite shooting in the same studio, was there any transition in returning to B&B? “No,” she says. “The second I was there, everyone hugged me and said, ‘Welcome home.’ [B&B chief] Bradley Bell sent me flowers on my first day. Honestly, it was like I never left. I fit right back in.”
Does a newly single Amber need a Scott Bailey (Frantz’s real-life fiancé) to fall in love with? “I’d say,” laughs the Emmy winner. “Everyone needs a Scott Bailey to fall in love with. But Amber is digging her teeth into someone right now on B&B!” |
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Back to Y&R, did Frantz think the controversial Amber and Daniel breakup was rushed? “Yeah, I think so,” she answers. “There’s a door open there though for the future. But it was time for a change. I think Amber was getting boring over there. I was capable of a lot more. Y&R wasn’t writing enough for me. Brad knows exactly what to do with Amber. He created Amber and he knows what I’m capable of. Brad will push me to the edge. Not enough people know how to push me to the edge [as an actress]. But I grew up with the entire Bell family, including Maria [Arena Bell], so it’s not like I’m a traitor and left for another soap. I’m still a part of the Bell family, playing the same character. Literally, walking down the CBS hallway, I see myself growing up on all the yearly cast photos. Even though I was conceived on NBC [Sunset Beach]!”
Is Frantz Bell’s muse? After all, Frantz is blonde! “He does love his blondes,” smiles Frantz. “We’ve always had a great relationship. We actually talk a lot about story ideas — and he’ll hear me out. Some of the greatest [Amber moments], we’ve worked on together. Working with Brad is an amazing honour.”
But what’s it like working with a new Rick Forrester, Kyle Lowder? “I think we have really good chemistry,” she reports. “Amber and Rick have a few scenes. I think B&B may go in that direction … Who knows?”
As content as Frantz is, she does have one wish. “If anyone from Y&R should do a B&B crossover, it’s Jeanne Cooper. Katherine needs to have Amber’s back and tell Stephanie that Amber’s changed and she’s awesome now.”
Cooper and Flannery? Sign me up!
Finally, will Bailey consider a soap return? “Sure,” the ex-GL star says jumping into the interview. Frantz suggests, “Scott would make a good Bill Spencer Jr.”
• In story 411, next week Hope finally learns her mother slept with her boyfriend. Hate when that happens.
Days of our Lives, NBC/Global — Tuck off!
• As the biggest Jessica Tuck fan out there, I’m thrilled DAYS killed off the Daytime Emmy-nominated Lead Actress’s character, Madeline. Don’t take this the wrong way, because I’m thoroughly enjoying DAYS, but this role was simply beneath Tuck and her immeasurable talents. Which is why I’m slightly worried about Stacy Haiduk’s arrival as a prison warden.
• Let’s hope they don’t kill off Patch again! Soap Opera Digest is reporting that “Mary Beth Evans, who recently reprised the role of DAYS's Kayla for the scenes surrounding Alice Horton’s death, will be making another return trip to Salem in September. The length of her stay has yet to be determined.”
• In story 411, Hope tries to kill Bo! Ugh. It’s official: This is the worst storyline on daytime! Of course, it’s the only storyline head writer Dena Higley claims she came up with all on her own. Figures.
• The Chronicles of Nadia: La Bjorlin wrote a special Emmy fashion review for her beauty blog on nbc.com and Michael Fairman’s On Air, On Soaps awards section.
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General Hospital, ABC/CTV — The Vanessa Broadcasting Company!
• Just how confident is ABC that superstar Vanessa Marcil will increase GH’s ratings? Well, they’re certainly not taking any chances! In an unprecedented move, ABC Daytime is devoting its entire Aug. 10 soap programming bloc, from 1 to 3 p.m., to classic GH episodes highlighting Brenda's love interests, Sonny, Jax and Jason:
• 1 p.m. (from Nov. 5, 1996): Brenda prepares to marry Jax at the Quartermaine mansion — until Sonny arrives with Miranda, who is still married to Jax.
• 2 p.m. (from Sept. 24, 1997): After being jilted by Sonny, Brenda flashes back to key moments in their relationship.
• 3 p.m. (from Oct. 29, 2002): Brenda and Jason’s Las Vegas wedding. |
In conjunction, SOAPnet will air additional special TV and digital programming the week of Aug. 9, featuring retrospectives, a marathon of classic Brenda episodes, and more. Beginning Saturday, July 17, fans will see a countdown of 25 key Brenda moments on SOAPnet. On Aug. 15, Maurice Benard (Sonny) will join Marcil on SOAPnet for “The Best of Brenda and Sonny,” a four-hour marathon kicking off at 3 p.m. ET.
But is this too much Brenda despite Vanessa’s insane popularity? Is that even possible? Perhaps. Soap Opera Digest columnist Carolyn Hinsey opines that the Brendathon may infuriate non-GH watchers. She points out, “While it's great that Vanessa is back, I think preempting AMC and One Life for classic GH Brenda episodes is shortsighted because not everyone watches the entire ABC lineup. And it’s no way to treat the loyal Alicia Minshew during her own first week back on AMC. ABC should save the marathons for SOAPnet while they still have it.”
Conversely, Soap Opera Digest and Weekly’s editorial director Lynn Leahey doesn’t see the harm in a Brendathon for one day. “Personally, I love flashbacks, so it works for me,” Leahey says. “And newer fans will get the context [of Brenda’s past], and will see what all the fuss is about.”
However, this marketing stunt comes on the heels that ABC may eliminate 20 original episodes a year per soap to save on annual overhead. In its place, ABC will re-air "classic" episodes. So is ABC testing the waters with the Brendathon? Perhaps this has less to do with Vanessa’s return than we think.
An ABC Daytime/SOAPnet spokesperson elaborates to Soap Opera Digest that, “fans have often expressed the desire to see their favourite episodes of our soaps … Throughout the year, ABC Daytime will occasionally encore episodes that will enhance current story and give fans the opportunity to see episodes they really loved and have wanted to see again.”
Let’s just pray that ABC’s definition of classic episodes line up with ours. As I said earlier in this report, I think this is a good, proactive idea on ABC’s part.
Leahey doesn’t think it’s the worst idea ever, either. “As for the possibility of cutting episodes, the networks already re-run episodes around the holidays without sacrificing the integrity of the shows,” notes the magazine chief. “It would make sense for ABC to test the concept on a broader level; they could always pull back if it doesn’t work, so there’s little risk. I’d much rather see them committed to creating a healthy business model for soaps than watching them go ... down the drain!”
Ditto that.
• Something Beautiful This Way Comes: GH’s Emmy-winning promo-winner Scott Tucker, Director of On Air Promotions, teased Suds Report to expect an epic promo campaign for Vanessa’s return in the same vein as Carnival, James Franco, and Sins of the Father. “We’re already working on the Brenda, Jax, Sonny, and Jason promo,” he teased.
• What do you get when you mix a sinful body, uncompromising morality and an unconditional heart? La Lisa LoCicero, dummies! (Every time I say LoCicero’s sexy last name, I’m swept back into one of favourite musicals, Chicago).
LoCicero and I hung out in Vegas and L.A. recently, and, yes, she is as divine as she appears.
After I had no choice but to undress the former One Life and The City star with my gay eyes, LoCicero and I raved about the genius that is her co-star, the shy Dominic Zamprogna. “I see the little boy in Dominic’s Dante,” she gushes. “For me, from day one, Dominic was Dante. We’re family on and off screen.” A hot and talented familia, that is.
The big question I wanted to ask was: Will she submit herself for 2011 Emmy consideration? “I think I have the material with Dante’s shooting. And the stuff with Johnny’s breakup I thought turned out great,” she diplomatically offered.
The big question fans want to know is: Are Johnny and Olivia the endgame? “Brandon [Barash] and I are keeping our fingers crossed! Obviously, there’s no story if there’s no conflict or a spoiler involved. It’s rare when you have chemistry like Brandon and I do. In fact, I used to not believe in chemistry. I used to think, ‘We’re actors, we can [create] chemistry.’ But I’ve learned that’s not true.”
So why did it take so long for LoCicero to break out on ABC Daytime after a critically lauded debut on Loving/The City (and a less than stellar one on One Life due to a bad writing)? Ever since she left One Life in 2004, armchair casting critics had been dying for a big west coast soap to cast the promising actress. Why did it take so long for her to make her daytime comeback?
She clarifies, “I wasn’t pursuing daytime after I left One Life. So there’s that! [laughs] And listen, that’s no disrespect at soaps. There is no bigger daytime fan than me. I started watching GH at seven years old. I still have a fan letter on my door that I wrote to Tristan Rogers when I was nine years old.”
LoCicero continues, “I was just doing my own thing. I also did a lot of comedy. I’m actually known in the comedic world, which is why people I know always laugh that I’m on a soap. Having said that, GH is the show that made me want to become an actor.” True that. I remember catching LoCicero on one of my fave comedies ever, Little Britain USA in 2008.
As for the future, does LoCicero think that Olivia will ever find herself back in Sonny’s destructive clutches? “It’s a very fine line to walk in terms of that relationship because she does love Sonny,” LoCicero analyzes. “And always has and will. But her moral code is too strong. Which is also coming between her and Johnny, too.”
But Sonny’s no Johnny …
One Life To Live, ABC — Natalie and Jessica preggers!
• SOS winner John Brotherton keeps getting booked on episodics! The latest? The talented hunk will appear on the Aug. 15 episode of Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva. Good work, buddy!
• In her hilarious weekly Soap Opera Digest column, Carolyn Hinsey Giovinazzo confirms that the initial plan for Michael Easton and Trevor St. John’s Emmy stage entrance was for the two stud muffins to hold hands but a producer ordered them to dial it down so the real-life buds walked on stage arm and arm. God forbid two men appear on TV holding each other’s hands! Who knew homophobic focus groups not only ran One Life but the Emmys, too?!
• Speaking of the genius that is Trevor St. John, this is why I love the actor so much (and Bradford Anderson, too).
• Kill me now. In story 411, next week those twits Jessica and Natalie both learn they’re preggers! I pray there isn’t a baby switch in their future. But there will be two paternity puzzles to figure out.
• All I can say is thank God for Tuc Watkins or I would have deleted this show from my DVR a long time ago.
The Young and the Restless, CBS/Global — Blame Y&R, not Canada!
• Soaps In Depth’s Julie McElwain has a feisty, must-read interview with Jeanne Cooper in its current issue where the Emmy winner chastises Y&R for portraying Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, as seedy. In fact, it’s the opposite, says the honorary Canadian citizen. “It’s elegant and clean and marvelously beautiful. It’s one of the most pristine cities,” defends La Grande Coop! “I thought how it was portrayed was a horrible disrespect to the capital, the seat of Canada. Don’t mess around with Canada!” FYI: the Queen of England just visited Ottawa (and Toronto). Too bad the Queen didn’t give Cooper the Order of Canada. I highly doubt Victor Newman would be able to jump out of a shady plane over Washington, D.C.! But bygones … Y&R is only one of the most-watched TV programs in Canada!
Later, Cooper weighs in on the extinction of soaps, who Kay’s true love is (Rex), Betty White’s resurgence, and how corporations are destroying the narrative art form.
Also, Soaps In Depth delivers another gorgeous cover with Melody Thomas Scott and Eric Braeden gracing the top page.
• Speaking of Hollywood North — has it been determined if Meggie is Canadian?
• Lauralee Bell is back on Y&R as Crickety Christine just in time to weigh in on Paul and Nina’s fledgling romance, which is slightly gross if you ask me. Hopefully, Christine will remind Nina that Paul is one of daytime’s TV’s unpunished rapists. As for whether or not we can expect Princess Bell to spread her self-righteous morality around Genoa City, Lauralee tells Soap Opera Digest she has no clue — it could be just short term or longer depending on how it all turns out in the end. I hope she sticks around (she’s good for the publishing business, too: let’s not forget how many covers the magazine queen sold for Digest and In Depth back in the day). Moreover, Bell has grown into a decent actress over the years. Remember she was one of the original hair models back in the day! Rumour is Cricket has Intel on the son Nina gave up for adoption all those years ago (hello, Ronan). If that’s true, let’s hope we get to see some Darlene Conley flashbacks!
• Is Terri Colombino headed to Y&R? Not yet. A source close to the actress says Terri hasn’t been approached but she enjoys putting it out into the ethers so it will happen. My sources say the cast-heavy Y&R is eyeing two-time Emmy winner Maura West first.
• This Skye chick is a good actress but every time I see her on-screen, I scream, “Oh my God! Vail Bloom is back!”
• Ugh. Stacy Haiduk’s last airdate is August 6.
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• In story 411, Victor proposes to Nikki. Who knew they were even an item again? Katherine the Great advises Nikki the Ex-Stripper to keep her renewed romance with Victor the Stunt Man as is since they get along better when they’re not husband and wife. I agree, but Nikki eventually agrees to tie the knot after Meggie’s interloping. Zzzz … It would be nice to see Victor and Nikki fall back in love again, but I’m just a traditional soap watcher, so what do I know? Without the investment, well, all we have is a Jack and Emily downer. If Y&R really wants to bring back someone with primetime and daytime credits, I will wash Barbara Bloom’s hair for an entire year if Maria Arena Bell brings back the only man who could break up Victor and Nikki — and that’s Mr. John Enos as Bobby! Now that was hot. Hey, maybe Colombino can play Britney!
• Eileen Davidson’s third murder mystery novel, Diva Las Vegas, will be released this month. Can we expect a fourth edition? “I do already have an outline,” she tells Digest. “After I finished the third one, I thought I was done because it got so crazy for me. Now I’m like, ‘Maybe we’re not done yet.’ We’ll see what happens.” |
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• Fancast’s Sara Bibel recently reported that Kristoff St. John may be leaving Y&R for a sitcom created by the Wayans Brothers. St. John responded that he’s not going anywhere … yet. The two-time Emmy winner wrote on his Facebook page: “To all my peeps out there, this I must share, cuz I know you care; As of right now, today, I am not leaving Y&R. I love my daytime home and treasure it. I love all you and thank you for your beautiful support.”
Want to dish the soaps with Nelson Branco? Join The Suds Report discussion group today on Facebook.com.
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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. |
