SUDSIEST QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“Well, I told him I wanted to make out in his dressing room for a little while just to get all warmed up. [laughs] He didn’t know me very well at first, so I had explain that it was just an attempt at humour.”
—Y&R’s Michael Muhney (Adam) to afterelton.com on meeting Yani Gellman (Rafe) before taping their “sex” scene
Translation: And then I asked him for his ID in case he wasn’t 18.

AWARDS SHOW CENTRAL
Suds Report named red-carpet Emmy expert!
If all goes according to plan, The Suds Report will join Soap Opera Digest editor Stephanie Sloane and daytimeconfidential.com’s editorial director Jamey Giddens in handicapping the Daytime Emmy Awards race as experts on the red-carpet show leading up to the kudofest on Aug. 30 at 8 p.m. on The CW.

In other Emmy news, ATI president of Worldwide Media and Entertainment, Jim Romanovich wants soap fans to know the telecast will air live. “They initially were going to tape delay the whole thing by two hours,” he says. “But the CW has since decided this show needs to be live.” I’d say.

In addition, the red carpet pre-show with Lara Spencer and Kevin Frazier will also be live on the CW immediately preceding the Emmys telecast (7 p.m. ET live, tape delayed on the west coast).

Finally, don’t forget to visit the Daytime Gives Back Facebook page.

CRUISING THE SOAPS
Robert Newman added to Cameron Mathison’s lineup
Murray Bartlett is out, and Robert Newman is in for the third voyage of Cameron Mathison’s Soap Cruise from Jan. 28-Feb. 1, 2010. The first 150 fans to register are invited to an exclusive VIP breakfast with the stars. And a hangover cocktail with yours truly. Click here for information, events, and prices.

All My Children, A/ABC — Revenge shooting!
• Yep, just when you thought this soap couldn’t get any worse: Emmy-nominated diva Jennifer Bassey (Marian) will be extending her visit to Pine Sluts for a few more episodes, report spies. “Marian tries to avenge Stuart’s death by killing Kendall, but she accidentally shoots Marissa instead.”
• Lorenzo Pisoni has been cast as Assistant D.A. Andrew Willis. Andrew takes over for the recently killed D.A. Henry North beginning July 15.

As The World Turns, Global/CBS — It’s official: This show will only get worse before it’s cancelled, too!
• Was Lynn Marie Latham not available? World Turns is confirming what daytimeconfidential.com reported weeks ago — that Emmy winner David Kreizman will be absorbed by World Turns when GL officially leaves the airwaves on Sept. 18. He’ll team up with existing head writer Jean Passanante. “I am thrilled that Dave and Jean will make up the new head-writing team,” said ATWT executive producer Chris Goutman in a statement.

• March comes early: Don’t forget to check out our fellow Canadian Forbes March (ex-Nash, OLTL) as Mason beginning July 14. In story 411, Mason’s lover walks out on him on his first day in Oakpenis before March officially becomes Noah’s film professor and possible romantic suitor.

• Fans are up in arms over World Turns’ decision this past week to script and air a scene in which Noah burns his father’s purple heart. A reader sent this letter to The Suds Report:

I sincerely hope that I was not the only viewer to be thoroughly disgusted, and sickened to my stomach, when I saw Jake burning his father’s military memorabilia, including the most revered symbol of our country — the Purple Heart.

That scene should never have been written, it never should have approved by the network censors and producer, and certainly never should have been filmed. If I had been Jake Silbermann, I would have submitted my instant resignation. Please know, I am not from a Blue state, and, for the most part, do not consider myself to be a Conservative. I am an American, and I am highly insulted and hurt that a show that I have literally grown up with, and have loved with all my heart, would do such a thing.

If someone tries to justify this action by saying that Noah had issues with his father, that won’t fly with me. I had issues with my father, but when he died, I buried him, with full respect, in the veterans’ lot of our local cemetery.

The show desecrated the Purple Heart and desecrated the memory of those men and women who, deservedly, earned this award. I am sure that the late Santos Ortega (Grandpa Hughes) and Don MacLaughlin (Chris Hughes) are turning in their graves at the sight of the scene. I grew up watching Grandpa Hughes fly our flag on the Hughes’ flagpole, and I think each and every viewer deserves a profound apology.

—William Joseph Reynolds

The Bold and the Beautiful, CTV/CBS — Ari Gold alert!
• Emmy winner Rick Hearst makes his return to B&B this week as Whip-erella. “I’m hoping to become the Ari Gold of Jackie M,” he tells Soap Opera Weekly. OK, now that’s what I’d like to see. Don’t be surprised if Whip is romantically paired with Steffy and Brooke, report moles.

Days of our Lives, Global/NBC — Justin and Adrienne separated?
• On Aug. 10, Wally Kurth (ex-Ned, GH) returns to the breakout role he originated 22 years ago. He admits to Soap Opera Weekly that he couldn’t sleep the night before he began taping as Justin Kiriakis. “I was so excited,” says the actor.  As for Justin’s romantic status, Kurth reveals, “Justin talks to Adrienne on the phone. They’re having a bit of trouble. There’s something going on in their relationship. I don’t know what the writers are planning.” Yep, she sure is in trouble — Adrienne is living in Oakdale!

• Another reason why actors should not go under the knife: What the hell happened to Rachel Kimsey’s (Meredith; ex-Mac, Y&R) face? Yikes. To see for yourself, purchase this week’s Soap Opera Digest.

Daytimeconfidential.com, iTunes — Is GH improving?
• If you’re the three people still watching GH, click here to find out the latest spoilers and gossip from DC’s resident Port Chuck expert Regan.

General Hospital, CTV/ABC — The plot to save GH!
• Is Greg Vaughn (Lucky) on recurring status? The personable star denies rumours that state he’s been taken off contract via Twitter.

• Is GH finally listening to their fans? With GH’s ratings bleeding out each week, head writer Bob Guza is banking the soap’s future on a summer of love between Spinelli and Maxie. This week, Spinelli proposes to Maxie! This should be good …
Guiding Light, Global/CBS — Dinah to air until Sept 18!
• Fans can expect another heavenly visit from Emmy-nominated actress Fiona Hutchison (Jenna). The former One Lifer (ex-Gabrielle) is set to pop on July 29, according to PGP Classic blog.

• Finale update: Emmy winner Gina Tognoni tells Soap Opera Digest that she will continue airing as Dinah until the finale on Sept. 18. The popular actress pre-taped all her unaired scenes in June. This latest intel suggests Tognoni did have another soap deal in the works for her to ask executive producer Ellen Wheeler to leave GL earlier than the rest of the cast.

• According to New York Daily News’ Carolyn Hinsey, One Life is interested in recasting the role of Joey Buchanan with Emmy nominee Daniel Cosgrove (Bill). FYI: Tognoni’s One Life character Kelly was romantically paired with Joey. If Tognoni returns to One Life, she could be involved in a romantic love story with her GL on-screen brother. Me? I say do it!

One Life To Live, A/ABC — Breaking news: Will Strasser quit today?
• Dark Friday? One Life superstar Robin Strasser (Dorian) is expected to quit her Emmy-winning role early this evening. In an updated hotline (212-414-5300) recording yesterday, Strasser informed her listeners that she will have a “big announcement” today around 5 p.m. From the sound of Strasser’s tone, it doesn’t sound promising, kids. However, Strasser gives fans hope by hinting that, “a very heroic figure on the horizon whom I love and respect” is on her side and asked her yesterday to delay her announcement for 24 hours to see what he could do.

Why did Strasser hint to fans she could be leaving the soap? Strasser says she is worried that ABC may leak the news elsewhere before she does in order to spin the bombshell. “I want to break this news to my fans and listeners first,” she states on the hotline.

As for her on-going contract negotiations, Strasser says she could not be “a partner to devaluing her own self” hinting that the take-it-or-leave-it deal ABC offered the diva was insulting. She also adds that the initial offer did not change during the course of her intense contract negotiations. As most fans already know, the team player is no stranger to paycuts, but Strasser maintains that this new deal just isn’t financially worth it for the star to continue as one of the most popular villainesses in soap history, à la Martha Byrne (Andrea, GH; ex-Lily, World Turns). 

In the must-hear recording, Strasser alleges that she was blacklisted by former network president Angela Shapiro after she quit the sudser in 2000 after another fruitless contract stand-off. “I know this for a fact,” she states. The talented thespian goes on to hint that a major publisher is interested in her life story for an upcoming tell-all autobiography.

Tune back to Suds this evening to learn what Strasser’s decision ultimately is. We will also be talking to the leading actress after the recording airs for more on this breaking story. Let’s all light candles this afternoon, soapers, and pray this is good news, not bad.

• He’s baaack! Tuc Watkins (David) begins airing as my favourite soap cad on Aug. 10. Watkins has been telling friends that he is also expected to report back to the Desperate Housewives set sometime around the third week of July. In story 411, David annoys the Buchanans when he arrives in Llanview to shoot a reality-TV show on his new family. I think I just fell back in love with head writer Ron Carlivati.

• Where in the world is Patricia Mauceri (ex-Carlotta)? The actress, who was recently fired for reportedly not being “gay-friendly,” is teaching outside of New York until July 20 and is unavailable for interviews, her rep tells The Suds Report. When Mauceri returns home, Suds Report is expected to speak to the religious star for her side of the story.

• Read the GL item above to learn who One Life wants as nuJoey Buchanan. Also, Suds is hearing the soap is also looking to recast his brother, Kevin.

• Best news ever: recently fired Chris Stack is back as Michael for a few episodes when the doctor helps Gigi and Rex in taking down Stacy. Hey, One Life: why can’t Kathy Brier come out and play as Marcie, too, damn it?

The Young and the Restless, Global/CBS — Stafford joins MTS in the summer vacation sweepstakes!
• Emmy winner Michelle Stafford has re-signed with daytime’s No. 1 soap, reports New York Daily News soap queen Carolyn Hinsey. However, the sexy actress will be taking some time off this summer before returning full time this fall. After all the crying Phyllis has done this past year, The Stafford deserves a vacation.

• For my weekly TV column in Hello! Canada, I asked tabloid star Denise Richards if she had ever met her soap-opera doppelganger, Amelia Heinle (Victoria). The actress told me she hadn’t yet but wants to. “I need to meet her,” she says. “Several friends of mine have told me I look eerily similar to a soap actress.”

• Hopefully soaps fans didn’t miss this amazing scene featuring my future wife, Tricia Cast, and Thom Bierdz. In the brave scene, Phillip finally confesses to his wife Nina that he’s gay. Next week, Phillip tells Kay and Jill that he’s a friend of Dorothy’s.

The Young and the Restless, CBS

 

• Brilliant idea alert: Whomever came up with the decision to pair Michael Muhney and my second wife, Stacy Haiduk, as Genoa City’s biggest wack-jobs, Adam and MJ/Patty, is going to get one hell of a makeout session from me at this year’s Emmy Awards. And maybe more if they’re lucky.

• Next week, Nick makes his “final choice,” screams Soap Opera Digest on their latest cover in a well-positioned inset. Yeah, right! Let me guess: in next week’s issue, SOD will be announcing Nick makes “yet another choice … again!” And the following week, well, you get the picture. And yes, you’re right — Nick reunites with Phyllis this coming week.

• Someone is asleep at the wheel: Why did Y&R use Stacy Haiduk in Patty’s flashback on the day of her wedding to Jack all those years ago? In the story, Victor paid for Patty’s plastic surgery after she left town! Y&R tells The Suds Report the flashbacks were not a fantasy but “a reenactment.” Oh, well — the more Haiduk fans see, the better.

• Daytime’s most popular and beloved soap star Kitty rung up Suds Report to complain about all the attention and love her co-star Stacy Haiduk is receiving. “She’s such a hack,” she purrs. “I’m the real star of Y&R. You have no idea how hard it is to watch her chew the scenery. If Paul Rauch wasn’t running this show, I’d scratch her eyes out. I’d like to see her act stuffed and lifeless.”

• Former GL heartthrob John Driscoll (Chance, ex-Coop, GL) tells Soap Opera Weekly that Y&R actually rejected his initial audition until his peeps pleaded with Y&R’s amazing casting department to give him another, um, chance. Look for Driscoll to debut next week. Can’t wait.

• For the exclusive story on Victoria Rowell’s (ex-Dru) wedding, buy the July 12 edition of the New York Times for all the details on the big event. Rowell wed artist extraordinaire Radcliffe Bailey on June 27 in Dublin, N.H.. “The day was simply fabulous,” enthuses Rowell. Suds will have additional coverage of the nuptials in an upcoming edition.

SOAP OPERA MYSTERY HOUR: This week’s hottest blind items
—Which east-coast newcomer has everyone salivating over his hotness? And by “everyone,” Suds means straight men, gay men and straight women are requesting alone time with the actor. And said hunk milks the attention big time, reports a friend.

—With east-coast actress isn’t happy that she’s not front and centre on the show ever since she returned from a vacation?

—Which star is complaining that a major spoiler was leaked to the press? Perhaps he/she shouldn’t have told everyone and their mother about the storyline.

 

 

 

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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.