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The Suds Report: July 2, 2009
By Nelson Branco



Shocker: Which Newman dies on ‘Y&R’? Plus: Phillip Chancellor’s gay! Mimi Torchin joins TVGuide.ca as ‘GL’ commentator! Stuart Damon joins ‘World Turns’! ‘GH’ star signs contract! Josh and Reva ‘World Turns’-bound?

SUDSIEST QUOTES OF THE WEEK:
“Chuck's been writing in a different medium for a while. Chuck's been doing prime time which is one episode a week. He's been doing a different genre entirely; he has not been writing soap operas. He's been writing camp basically and that's a whole different kind of thing. You don't have to commit to history; you don't have to commit to the gravitas in a situation when you write camp. Camp's all making fun of stuff, it's all broad comedy stuff. So maybe he needed to be reminded that soap audiences don't take kindly to you messing with history, and even if you can't see the seriousness of a situation, they see it. And they want you to write it seriously. You're asking them to trust you, and soap audiences are very generous. They'll forgive you as long as they think you're taking it seriously and trying. If they feel like they're being [screwed] with is when they get pissed off. He's clearly a talented writer and has a good resumé. I hope the show can find its way back on track.”
—AMC’s Beth Ehlers (Taylor) on head writer Chuck Pratt during a Star Dish radio interview
Translation: Y&R call me — I’m sorry!

“We tell [Nuke’s] love story as we would any other couple’s.”
—ATWT executive producer Christopher Goutman to TV Guide Magazine’s Michael Logan in a story discussing the gay explosion on soaps
Translation: Except for the sexual nature of their relationship because that would just be gross.

“I’m very happy with what I’ve been seeing on air. I was especially thrilled with the performances and writing for Grace’s death.”
—DAYS executive producer Ken Corday on his show’s surprising creative renaissance in this week’s Soap Opera Digest cover story
Translation: Because I had nothing to do with it — but don’t worry I’ll screw it up soon enough.

AWARDS SHOW CENTRAL
Red-carpet show announced!
Who needs SOAPnet? The CW announced that it will air a red-carpet special leading up to the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards hosted by Lara Spencer of The Insider and Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier. Let’s pray they do some research.

All My Children, A/ABC — Ehlers clarifies Martinez comments
• Beth Ehlers (Taylor) responded to her controversial Star Dish radio interview regarding her comments on co-star JR Martinez’s (Brot) acting abilities: “If I say something, and my friend tells me I’ve hurt him, I take that seriously. I don’t need people who don’t know us to get involved. It got really mean. I kind of heard about it a little bit last week after JR had texted me. I misspoke and didn’t have a chance to qualify it because the woman who was talking jumped in and interrupted me mid-sentence. I felt terrible and said I’d give him a few days and then we’ll talk. But then all this happened and when we spoke today we were both kind of like, ‘Damn,’ that really got out of hand. And it got mean and nasty and people who don't know us were saying nasty things about both of us. We just wanted an opportunity to say we love each other, we’re friends, stop, stop, enough, you’ve made your point.” Don’t worry, Beth — I still love you!

• Just what AMC needs — another lame and predictable murder mystery! As The Suds Report revealed a few week back, D.A. Henry North will meet his maker this week.

As The World Turns, Global/CBS — GH stars move in!
• Hospital Turns? Soap Opera Digest announced that Emmy winner Stuart Damon (ex-Alan, GH) is joining the cast of ATWT in a new role. He joins fellow GH/PC pals Jon Lindstrom (Craig), Julie Pinson (Janet), Lynn Herring (Audrey) and Marie Wilson (Meg). Damon should first air sometime in September.

Memo to exec Chris Goutman: you could hire Genie Francis (ex-Laura, GH), or the entire GH cast for that matter, and you’d still never recover from moronically and carelessly pushing out beloved Emmy winner Martha Byrne (ex-Lily, Andrea, GH) from her iconic role. World Turns has never bounced back after Byrne’s shocking exit. And why the fascination with GH these days? Oh, right — Byrne is a hit in Port Charles! Too bad Chris doesn’t realize that everyone in the industry is laughing at him. “It’s sad,” says one executive. “He needs a new head writer — not more high-priced stars.”

• File this under absurd: An insider tells The Suds Report that CBS VP Barbara Bloom’s husband may be joining World Turns in a new role! Yikes.

• Why hasn’t World Turns signed 2009 Emmy nominee Julie Pinson (Janet) to a contract yet? Heck, Pinson’s new on-screen sibling Vanessa Rey (Teri) is on contract. Weird.

• Who said soap actors were all self-absorbed? Nicholas Galbraith (ex-Zac, World Turns) tells The Suds Report that, “I’ll be visiting India to teach in an orphanage/boarding school. If anyone would like to sponsor me so I can secure the funds to help out these kids, I’d be grateful.”

• Emmy winner Judi Evans dishes with Digest about her upcoming World Turns gig as Maeve. While Evans claims she’s enjoying her part-time job selling cemetery property for Rose Hills, she also reveals that she hasn’t given up on acting. In fact, Evans just shot a TV-movie starring Eddie Cibrian (ex-Cole, Sunset Beach; ex-Matt, Y&R). In addition, Evans says she is thrilled to be back working in the former Another World studios, and admits she’s jealous Wally Kurth (Justin) is back on DAYS without her. Memo to Evans: don’t worry; World Turns will get rid of her in six weeks anyway. Look for the real Beth Raines to debut on Aug. 26.

• In story 411, this week it’s revealed that Hunter is Emily’s son. Puke. Didn’t Hunter come on to his mother and sister? Oh, right — he did because this is Oakdale after all!

The Bold and the Beautiful, CTV/CBS — Donna’s baby daddy!
• Insiders are buzzing that Bradley Bell will be casting Marcus’s father soon. Paging Shemar Moore (ex-Malcolm, Y&R)! Hey, I’ll settle for Réal Andrews (ex-Taggert, GH), who got shafted by One Life as Dr. Evans.

• Soap Opera Digest interviews Morgan Fairchild about her upcoming appearance on B&B as Beverly Hills socialite, Dottie. Fairchild already knew Lesley-Anne Down (Jackie), Susan Flannery (Steph), Jack Wagner (Nick), and John McCook (Eric), so it was an easy transition, she says. As for a longer stint, Fairchild says, “never say never.” Watch for the former The City diva to debut on Aug. 10.

• Ryan and Erica, who? Pick up Digest to read an entertaining interview with daytime’s most surprising romance between Brandon Beemer (Owen) and Lesley-Anne Down (Jackie). Memo to The View (or The Early Show): Beemer and Down is the only authentic cougar story on daytime — not AMC’s Cameron Mathison (Ryan) and Susan Lucci (Erica).

Days of our Lives, Global/NBC — Corday defends firing his super-couples!
• Expect to see less of James Scott (EJ) in the near future. “He’s not working tons lately, but he’s not going anywhere. The show is just giving him a break,” offers a source.

• Here’s DAYS’ annual summer promo. Enjoy!

• Another reason to buy Soap Opera Digest this week: In its revealing DAYS cover story, executive producer Ken Corday defends his decision to fire Deidre Hall (ex-Marlena), Drake Hogestyn (ex-John), Mary Beth Evans (ex-Kayla), and Stephen Nichols (ex-Patch). He explains, “It wasn’t a matter of sacrificing. It was a matter of choosing amongst those three very powerful couples: Which one to keep on the show and play? “John and Marlena haven’t been on the show since January and by the time this happens in September, it will be nine months. Patch and Kayla, the same. The choice wasn’t made when we wrote Patch and Kayla and John and Marlena off, ‘Well, we’re going to bring on a new character down the road for Bo and Hope.’ And by the way, let’s not do a price check here because John and Marlena and Patch and Kayla are not even in the same store. For the ardent John and Marlena and Patch and Kayla fans, great, you can still see them at their luncheons. That was then, this is now. The first time I visited my father at the World Turns studios, when he was running the show down the day before with the cast, they would always ask the same questions, ‘How can you do this now when a month ago or a week ago or a day ago you did this?’ And he took a big crayon and wrote across the wall, ‘That was then. This is now.’ For the most part, our viewers are involved with what the story is today.” There is a joke in there somewhere, but I’ll give Corday a break — this time.

For once, Corday appears to be steering his ship in the right direction. He realizes, “The most important six months in the history of the show thus far will be September through March 2010. Our ratings for those six months will basically determine the future of the show and whether we’re picked up for another year into March ’11.” It’s nice to hear that Corday is finally being proactive and not reactive. Gulp. Did I just write that?

• In the same Digest story, Corday reveals that Wally Kurth (Justin) will be involved in a recurring role opposite Philip and Daniel story.

Daytimeconfidential.com, iTunes — The View in Review
• Check out another hilarious and insightful DC.com podcast here in the CBS/DAYS edition. The gang dishes whether or not former DAYS producer Ed Scott saved DAYS, Emmy winner Gina Tognoni quitting GL as Dinah, and initial reactions to Michael Muhney (Adam, Y&R). Good times.

General Hospital, CTV/ABC — Can soap fans save Port Monavie?
• Is this a waste of time? Due to GH’s recent colossal ratings slide, Port Chuck fans are mobilizing the troops to save their embattled soap opera. Click here to join the crusade (good luck, folks).

• Soaps In Depth is tweeting their news instead of posting it on their website. Their latest scoop? Lisa LoCicero (Olivia) has signed a contract with the soap.

• Duck for cover: An airdate has been assigned to Bruce Weitz’s mini-return as crazed mob head, Anthony Zacchara, and it’s July 10. Oooh, I can’t wait.

General Hospital: Night Shift, SOAPnet — Rao’s new project
• Where in the world is former Night Shift head writer, Sri Rao? The talented scribe issued this statement to Suds: “I am excited to announce that Sri & Company’s first Bollywood film — entitled New York — opens in theatres worldwide today. As many of you know, we produced this project last year for Yash Raj Films, India’s largest movie studio. The film was shot entirely on location in NYC and Philadelphia, and was a substantial undertaking for our company — to produce the longest American shoot in Indian film history!”

“Not only is this an exciting day because the film is getting excellent reviews, but it also marks Sri & Company’s leading position in bridging the American and Indian film industries. There has been much talk about the crossover between Hollywood and Bollywood in recent months. Sri & Company has become the go-to American production company for Bollywood studios looking to produce films in America. We are currently in pre-production on our second film for Yash Raj, and in talks with two other Bollywood studios, which will be shooting here within the next year.”

“Thanks to everyone who helped us reach this milestone. To see a trailer for the film (which stars John Abraham of the Oscar-nominated Water, and Irrfan Khan of Slumdog Millionaire), please visit our website and click on Our Work.”

Guiding Light, Global/CBS — Welcome aboard, Mimi Torchin!
• Watch your back, Ellen Wheeler: Founding Soap Opera Weekly editor Mimi Torchin will be taking over as GL’s editorialist every week in Nelson Ratings until the show’s finale. As all of you know, Torchin is a diehard GL fan. In the meantime, click here to peruse Torchin’s impressive photography and soon-to-be critically acclaimed website.

• Soap fan Lana Nieves wrote a great op-ed piece on the Otalia Kissing Controversy. Click here for another Sapphic fix.

• Next week, Jeffrey dies in a plane crash but Reva refuses to believe her hubby has died. Of course she doesn’t — how many times has the former slut of Springfield returned from the dead? In related news, Bradley Cole (Jeffrey) is said to be thrilled to have left the series early.

• Word from Brooklyn is that World Turns wants Kim Zimmer and Robert Newman to crossover their popular super-couple pairing, Reva and Josh, to their show. That sound you hear? Me screaming, “Run, Kim and Robert, run!”

Imaginary Bitches, imaginarybitches.com — Super-size Bitches!
• What’s new in Andrew Miller’s imaginary world? He tells Suds, “Imaginary Bitches was accepted to participate in the Independent Television Festival that takes place here in L.A. July 31 to Aug. 6. The fun part is that the Bitches will never be bigger ... in that a bunch of our episodes will be shown on a big screen at the Sunset 5 movie theatre. It’s pretty cool, actually.”

One Life To Live, A/ABC — Chris Evans: One Life fan? Slezak expected to re-sign! How about Strasser?
• M&M love: One Life clearly made a mistake firing Chris Stack and Kathy Brier — did you see all the tributes and love that ensued during their final week? Every critic, magazine, blogger, and online site paid his or her respects to this phenomenal coupling that helped define what One Life did best and used to be about. Someone hire these talented thespians, pretty please?

• Helping a brother out: Scott Evans (Fish) tells Soap Opera Weekly that his film star bro, Chris, watches One Life but can’t follow the stories or understand the characters (get in line, Chris). Regardless, Chris promises to catch One Life every time his brother is on-screen.

• In her must-hear hotline, Emmy winner Robin Strasser (Dorian) reveals that she’s been offered a take-it-or-leave-it deal. La Strasser isn’t sure if she’ll re-sign yet, adding that her pay cut amounts to 63 per cent. Meanwhile, Suds is hearing that Erika Slezak (Viki) is thisclose to signing a new contract with the ABC sudser. Whew!

Welovesoaps.com — Irna Phillips birthday on Canada Day!
• That young and restless blogger Roger Newcomb pays tribute to our grandmother, Irna Phillips’ legacy here. Phillips would have celebrated her 108th birthday on July 1 — Canada Day!

The Young and the Restless, Global/CBS — Another death!
• What will happen? Who will die? Y&R, the king of funerals, will kill off a member of the Newman family in a few weeks. Guess who? And yes, the tragic death will rock the Newman family down its core — and promises to be a three-hankie event.

• Step away from the technology, nuAdam. Michael Muhney admits he’s addicted to his new iPhone and he proudly refuses to get help for his addiction!

• Who does Christian LeBlanc (Michael) think he is, Nelson Branco? The Emmy winner tweeted that Thad Luckinbill (JT) and Amelia Heinle (Victoria 3.0) are expecting their second baby. Congrats Deacon!

• Eons ago, The Suds Report revealed that a major character would come out of the closet. No, we weren’t talking about Rafe, but Phillip Chancellor III (Thom Bierdz)! This week, Cane’s con is exposed when Phillip returns to explain to his family that he faked his death because he feared his homosexuality would never be accepted by his family. And yes, Cane knew he wasn’t Delia’s father and that Billy was all along! Nice twist. Expect a gay romance between Rafe and Phillip III — and not John Driscoll’s Phillip IV a.k.a. Chance.

• Never ask an actor on the record if he’s coming back to a show when he’s been told to be quiet about it: Despite soaps.com’s claims, Sean Kanan (Deacon) is indeed reprising his B&B character Deacon on Y&R. In April, Daytimeconfidential.com first broke the news and The Suds Report confirmed it a week later. We told you so, soapers!

• Whoa — what is Jeanne Cooper (Katherine) smoking? The Emmy winner tells Soaps In Depth that she, along with Jess Walton (Jill), told CBS VP Barbara Bloom that she’d like to appear on the last episode of GL — and is even “willing to pay my own way.” Marge, is that you?

• Here’s a sweet picture with Daniel Goddard (Cane) and his son, Sebastian. All together now: “Awww …” By the way, I’m loving Goddard’s longer locks!



SOAP OPERA MYSTERY HOUR: This week’s hottest blind items
—Which popular young star has finally calmed down and now behaves himself at fan events after getting a good talking to by producers for his previous crude behaviour? Personally, I loved his crude behaviour.

—Which east-coast executive producer is getting away with a bevy of litigious actions? The chief has a slew of harassment charges against him, but his employers refuse to do anything about it.

Source: TV Guide.ca