SOAP OPERA UNCENSORED
Volume 02, Issue 29 (No. 39)
BY NELSON BRANCO
Copyright 2012 Nelson Branco
INSIDE —TALES FROM THE EMMY PRESS ROOM — Susan Lucci On Grieving AMC; Working With Maurice Benard on GH; the “Horrible Journey” of 2011; And Her Wrath Against Brian Frons! Tony Geary: “I Never Think About The Audience!” Plus: Who Does He Prefer Working With: Finola Hughes or Jane Elliot? And His Return Dates To GH Revealed! DAYS’s Chandler Massey Praises James Scott; His Thoughts On EJ “Getting Off” Will! Are Massey and Scott Playing the Sexual Subtext on Purpose? Find Out! Christel Khalil LOL-Transcripts, Including Forgetting to Thank Daniel Goddard! When She Won! B&B’s Heather Tom’s New TV Project! Also: Tom On Putting Victoria Newman To Bed! Kimberly McCullough Returns To GH! Plus: GH Casting A New Role! Details Inside! Is This A Recast? Todd Proposes To Blair on GH! EJ’s Paternity Exposed on DAYS! More Sean Kanan on B&B? Update: Y&R’s Eric Braeden Staying! A New Romance for GH’s Alexis! Should Soap Fans Boycott GOOD AFTERNOON AMERICA? B&B’s Kim Matula on Her “Shitty” Emmy Reels! Fired DAYS Writers’ Emmy Speech! Which Y&R Actor Is Writing A Memoir, Too? Last Week's Reviews, Unbelievable Blind Items, and Next Week's Cheat Sheet!
UNCENSORED MASTHEAD:
FOUNDER/EDITOR: Nelson Branco
EDITOR AT LARGE: Denette Wilford
Follow Soap Opera Uncensored at: @nelliebranco or @SoapUncensored
NOTE FROM EDITOR/FOUNDER:
You asked — and it’s happening. For more information on subscribing to daytime’s first weekly e-zine SOAP OPERA UNCENSORED, email
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COMING SOON: VENICE — UNCENSORED
To pre-order your upcoming book VENICE THE SERIES: UNCENSORED for a special price email:
[email protected]. The Sapphic tome, which will be out in a couple of months, chronicles the web soap’s meteoric rise, punctuates and analyzes its relevance in serial storytelling and its groundbreaking achievements in the online and soap opera medium. With every single Crystal Chappell interview I’ve ever conducted in one e-book, — and those of her VENICE co-stars/directors — this is one must-buy keepsake in addition to episode synopses and reviews, top ten lists, fearless predictions, translated quotes, humour, and exclusive season four previews. Plus: Tributes to GUIDING LIGHT’s Otalia and new interviews! Order your copy now!
UNCENSORED QUOTES OF THE WEEK:
“We would like to thank Ken Corday for his endless support, and for entrusting us with his family legacy, and Greg Meng for always believing in us — we share this award with both of them.”
—Fired DAYS head writers Darrel Thomas and Marlene McPherson give their belated Emmy speech in the pages of SOAPS IN DEPTH
Translation: They’ll never win Emmys.
“And lastly, we want to thank our mentor and friend James E. Reilly — we know he is watching over us and smiling.”
—Thomas and McPherson in the same speech
Translation: … and eating a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
“I met him in the dressing room. He just looked you right in the eyes and stared into your soul."
— HOLLYWOOD HEIGHT’s Brittany Underwood on co-star James Franco in the NEW JERSEY STAR-LEDGER
Translation: Yep, I’m a total fag hag!
“Three days to tell if Katie’s A-OK.”
—Cindy Adams alleges in her NY POST gossip column that ABC is only giving KATIE three days to figure out if it’s a hit or miss
Translation: More like three minutes.
“It’s like Zulu Dawn, the movie where you have thousands of Zulu warriors charging down at 200 soldiers. We know that if we can hold on a little longer, we may stand a chance, but everyone knows you’re doomed. Personally, if I was running a show that I knew was going to be terminated, I would start bringing in writers who are either young, worked in primetime, are cutting edge or have written for cable and ask how we could bring in the young crowd.”
— Y&R’s Daniel Goddard to DOSE.CA about the end of daytime TV.
Translation: I watch a lot of crappy movies.
"When new writers come in, they fire everybody and bring in new actors. As soon as they let go of all of the actors, there are already rumors of us going back."
— Patrick Muldoon in a ZAP2IT.COM interview about his upcoming DAYS exit.
Translation: Bring me back!
“Deborah Adair [who originated the role] was great as Kate, but Lauren [Koslow] and I have wonderful chemistry together. I’ve loved every scene that I’ve done with her.”
— Muldoon in DIGEST
Translation: I’d so tap that.
SOAP OBIT
CELESTE HOLM DEAD
Sad news: Oscar-winning actress (GENTLEMAN’S AGREEMENT) Celeste Holm died at age 95 this past Sunday. The theatre and film star toiled on the daytime dial as the second Isabelle Dwyer Alden on LOVING opposite her real-life husband Wesley Addy. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in her memory on Wednesday, July 18th, at exactly 8:00 p.m. for one minute
When I began watching daytime TV, I never understood the prejudice against “soap opera acting.” After all, when I tuned in, I got to watch the likes of Beverlee McKinsey, Phil Carey, Larry Brygmann and Celeste Holm deliver master-class performances each weekday on GUIDING LIGHT, ONE LIFE, AS THE WORLD TURNS and LOVING, respectively.
Holm was even recognized for her scene-stealing work with a Daytime Emmy Award nominated as Outstanding Guest Peformer in 1987 for her role on LOVING. She also appeared on FALCON CREST.
She is survived by her husband, Frank Basile, and her sons.
SUDSY NEWSSTAND
SOAPS IN DEPTH ENDORSES GAA BOYCOTT
What a difference a year makes. Last year, SOAPS IN DEPTH’s executive editor Richard Simms thumbed his nose at soap fans boycotting ABC non-soap programming because the effort was futile. He even did a whole podcast on it with my friend, Spinsvixenella, as a guest.
Now that GH is in danger, SOAPS IN DEPTH, is all of a sudden on the boycott wagon. But when AMC and ONE LIFE needed that kind of support, Simms thought boycotting was counterproductive and not helpful.
"If fans want to keep GENERAL HOSPITAL on the air, they need to make sure a clear message is sent to ABC," said Simms. "Although GAA is being talked-up as a limited-run series to bridge the gap between THE REVOLUTION's demise and the premiere of Katie Couric's new program, ABC has proven that they'll happily pull the plug on a soap if they can replace it with something that's cheaper to produce.”
Well, I agree with Simms on this one: soap fans need to boycott GOOD AFTERNOON AMERICA, but I think the spin-off’s fate is already sealed with or without our help.
Moreover, boycotts don’t register or impact the movement especially if you’re not a Nielsen home but the principal will make you sleep better at night.
But, most importantly, Simms seems to be perpetuating this ludicrous myth that ABC doesn't care about ratings as long as the shows it airs are cheaper to produce. That is not (and never has been the case), and people need to stop believing that because it makes no business sense whatsoever, and if followed to its logical conclusion, ABC should just air a test pattern.
What ABC wants is equal or better ad revenue with cheaper production costs, and that will require substantially similar ratings, and ABC has not achieved that with any of the replacements. I think the truth of the matter is neither CBS, nor ABC, have achieved the same ratings as soaps with their cheaper replacements, although CBS has come closer to doing so than ABC. In fact, THE TALK basically failed
out of the gate before ABC canceled its soaps giving THE TALK a ratings surge, and the demographics for LET’S MAKE A DEAL are really quite abysmal, but no one ever seems to talk about that.
Finally, the press should be comparing GAA’s numbers to ONE LIFE last year—and not to that needless torture that happened to be THE REVOLUTION that no one ended up watching.
Remember, the comparison I suggest is obviously important because ABC made a big point of publicly saying they had research suggesting viewers wanted more "transformative lifestyle programming" and that is the public reason ABC gave for canceling the soaps in the first place. Therefore, in order to properly assess the validity of ABC's stated rationale for canceling the soaps, comparison should be made between the "lifestyle" programming and the soaps they replaced and punctuate the fact that the audience, in fact, is rejecting such non-scripted shows in the day part — not embracing them.
If ABC is concerned with cheaper production, it could achieve equal or better ratings to what they were getting with either REVOLUTION or GAA, by airing classic soap opera repeats which would prove even cheaper because ABC owned the soaps and residuals paid to actors for repeats are negligible.
REAL OR RUMOUR?
IS ERIC BRAEDEN IN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS?
Two weeks ago, UNCENSORED reported that Eric Braeden was entering “tumultuous contract negotiations” with Sony, which necessitated Victor Newman being written off the show.
Immediately, Braeden’s publicist Charles Sherman shot down the story, saying that he’s not currently in contract talks and merely just taking a two-week vacation.
So what’s the truth? Is he or isn’t he?
Well, it turns out UNCENSORED’s sources may have jumped the gun before Braeden entered negotiations formally.
However, after double-checking, my sources maintain and insist that the super star is in negotiations right now.
Moreover, if this Intel is indeed true, it sounds like everything is going relatively well. “Dealing with Eric is always tumultuous,” laughs the insider. “But it looks like Braeden is going to accept Sony’s offer.”
The writing team, however, suspiciously “wrote out Victor,” as a message, one insider assumes.
It’s certainly not the first time Y&R has done written off an actor during contract negotiations. Hello: Melody Thomas Scott.
How does Victor leave? Spoiler Alert: Victor disappears, and some may wonder if he’s dead; well, at least for one episode. But he reappears and leaves town like Adam did to search for himself… leaving Sharon in control of the entire Newman fortune.
FYI: Braeden is back on set taping at press time.
As for my conjecture as to why Braeden, who infamously avoids THE DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS, it was just my musings… I didn’t state it as fact. Nor did I attribute that to any source. Apparently, reading copy verbatim is a lost art form.
Braeden’s publicist claims that Braeden accepted CNN/HLN’s invitation to appear at the kudofest because he’s a fan of the 24-hour news network.
Translation: He’s not a fan of his own network, CBS, who have aired the Emmys the past three years. During that time, Braeden hasn’t attended the golden ceremony.
And memo to SOAPS IN DEPTH: I didn’t hear about Braeden’s contract negotiations at the Daytime Emmy Awards.
My sources on the story are the same high-placed insiders who helped me exclusively break Braeden walking off the show after Sony demanded the actor take a pay cut two years ago inspiring international headlines and mainstream TV coverage.
At the time, Braeden called me personally to congratulate me on my reporting and sourcing. “You were right on target with everything,” he said.
This time, however, things got a tad sloppy, but sometimes you get bad information. It happens. Apologies.
COVER STORY
TALES FROM THE EMMY PRESS ROOM
From Susan Lucci to Anthony Geary, daytime’s brightest had the press corps in stitches, and sometimes in tears, during THE 39th ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS last month in Los Angeles. Here are the best conversations from this history-making night:
ANTHONY GEARY: OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR
What was it like having the extra time on stage [since your award was presented first and not last as in years past]?
It’s a little unnerving. I’m used to [my category] being at the end of the night with the lights flashing: Get the hell off stage! I didn’t give it very much thought but having more time is never a bad thing.
What’s it like being the most fêted actor in Daytime Emmy history? Lucky number seven…
Well, if that is what I am, I’m feeling pretty good tonight.
Is tonight extra special because your former GH co-star Jonathan Jackson won as well?
Absolutely! Jonathan is the best actor I have ever had the wonder to work with. He just unzips his heart and bleeds. It’s very easy to look into Jonathan’s eyes and be right there in this deep emotional place with him.
Did you know right away that Jonathan had “it” when GH cast him as a boy all those years ago?
Yes. I tested with six kids. I knew he was the one. I mean, we all did. When I first worked with him on set, he asked all the right questions. In fact, on one of our first shoots in Rochester, he asked me, “Why doesn’t Lucky have a pet?” I said, “Well, what do you think?” He said, “Is it because [they] move around so fast and maybe he had a dog that got lost in a move and it’s too painful for him to have another dog?” We ran with that. Every question Jonathan asked was always about the work — not celebrity or any of the other stuff.
You’re on summer vacation again?
Yes. I’m leaving tomorrow [June 24 for Amsterdam] but I’ll be back for two weeks on July 22 and then I’ll fly back out to Amsterdam. I’ll be back and forth until they need me full time in September.
What do you think Robert Scorpio would say about Luke and Anna?
I don’t know but I would love to find out. It would be great to have Tristan Rogers back to deal with that.
Do you prefer working with Jane Elliot or Finola Hughes when it comes to a partner?
I do not prefer any of the women I’ve ever worked with over another. They all bring such different qualities to the party. I love working with all three: Finola, Jane and Robin Mattson. I’m a very lucky man to have three fabulous actresses to work with.
You praised [former head writer] Bob Guza for writing the storyline of your career: Jake’s death. Did you ever think about how the audience would react?
I never think about the audience. I really don’t. I never have. I only think of how I can fulfill the material. I had actually been begging Bob and Jill [Farren Phelps, former GH executive producer] to explore Luke’s dark side because we never really went there and his dark side has always been there. I felt we were trivializing Luke by making him comical. Bob came up with this amazing story… I was thrilled. I figured the audience will like it or not. I love the audience because they have been very good to me but I don’t work for them. I work for the script and for my own sense of ethics of the character. So far, the audience has been OK with it. Yes, they complained… but they didn’t like Luke raping Laura! That’s how I started. I learned a long time ago, you don’t follow the audience, you ask them to follow you.
What’s the mood on the GH set these days? Do you feel like you have a fighting chance now with Cartini at the helm?
Frank is an amazing producer. He’s got his hands in everything. He’s micromanaging that show like crazy. I think we’d all say that the look of the show is pretty spectacular at the moment. The mood on set is that we’re all working hard; much harder. I did eleven shows in two days. And I’m not the only one doing that. Frank likes to keep moving…
JONATHAN JACKSON: OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR
How did you pick your Emmy-winning reel?
Instincts! I went with my first instincts. I watched eight different shows because there were quite a few shows that had a lot going on. I
went with an episode with Tony and I locked up in a room. I felt like those scenes were a culmination of my career with Tony. I started out as an 11-year-old kid with him. You don’t see this kind of risk-taking between a father and son [acting team] and we just went for it. We spent a lot of time in his dressing room digging and digging to find the heart of the story. I give a lot of credit to our GH director Bill Ludel for opening up the space for us to try things. He was always there with us, too.
Are you concerned you won’t have that kind of chemistry, or working situation again on another show? I mean, that’s a pretty intense history you have on GH.
I wouldn’t say concerned. I look at it as a blessing. I would never look to repeat that again. I mean, I’ll never be able to work with a cast as a kid again. GH is unique. I feel gratitude when I work with other actors because of the time I spent with Tony. My Emmys are a testament to Tony’s humility and graciousness towards me because I came in as an 11-year-old kid but he never treated me like a kid. He was never condescending. He treated me like a peer. I would learn from him through observation and osmosis. The same thing with Genie Francis. They are both with him me in every scene I do no matter what project I’m working on. I can’t articulate the impact they’ve had on me as an actor.
Maybe you’ll be at the Prime Time Emmy Awards next year?!
[Laughs shyly] Who knows!
Would you consider returning to GH?
I’ve always been open to that even when I left originally in 1999. But it didn’t happen for various reasons. I’ve been talking to them recently about that [once NASHVILLE wraps].
Where are you putting your Emmy?
We don’t know. My wife and I were just talking about it. We’re moving to Tennessee so this one may come with us. Some of the other ones are in Washington State. I haven’t brought them down to L.A. yet. We’ve never displayed them.
CHANDLER MASSEY: OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTOR
How does it feel to win?
It feels great! It’s an honour. It’s funny because I told my Mom, Dad, Grandfather, Brother and Sister, who all flew out from Georgia, not to come because I wasn’t feeling the magic but I am now.
How do you plan on celebrating?
That’s a good question. Going to Disneyland after this! [Laughs] I don’t know… probably dinner with the family.
Your storyline really kicked in at the beginning of this year. Can you talk about the episode you submitted…
Yeah, the episode aired on December 29. I asked my Mom which episode was her favourite and she chose that one. It wasn’t dramatic but I like that kind of stuff. It was more heart-to-heart stuff between Will and Marlena and Will and Sonny. I thought it played well.
There’s one super couple on DAYS and that super couple is James Scott and Chandler Massey! How conscious are you guys of your explosive chemistry?
[Laughs] First of all, there is no one I love working with more than James. He’s a phenomenal actor. He’s also one of those people you feel safe investing in the circumstances and going as deep as possible because he’s always there. It’s funny, some of the dialogue that aired the other day, we were talking about getting off of a crime but Will says, “EJ, you gotta get me off!” Things like that… [Laughs] We do play up the natural chemistry we have.
Is Casey Deidrick jealous? It was Chill; and now it’s EJill.
I don’t know! I hope he’s not. Casey’s a friend. I’ll have to ask him.
Your win must be extra special because DAYS won Best Writing. I mean, that was a shocker….
Yeah, I was thrilled. It’s the team who created my storyline. The credit really goes to the writers and producers. They wrote Will’s coming out so realistically that all I had to do was go in front of the camera and act with all these amazing people.
Your story is breaking ground for DAYS. How does it feel to be a part of that?
It’s an honour. It really is. It’s an honour to be a part of the canvas. I’m honoured to be a part of DAYS’s first gay storyline but I’m also honoured to be a part of the storyline because it was written so well. Regardless of the subject matter, it was handled very realistically. And it’s always cool to be a part of a storyline a topical because soaps usually stretch the bounds of reality.
Where are you finding that place in yourself to play this storyline and character?
No matter who the character is you can always break it down to basic human needs. Will’s formative relationship is with his mother, Sami. His whole life he’s had to watch her go from guy to guy and not pay him any attention in his mind. The thing he really wants from other people, because he didn’t get from his mother, is love. Everyone can relate to that. Will’s secret about being gay is something everyone can relate to because we’re all insecure something.
HEATHER TOM: OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS
How does it feel to become the first performer to win in all three acting categories? You greedy star, you!
[Laughs] It’s kind of crazy, actually. It’s crazy to think I’ve been doing this for this long that I’d even have a shot at that. I’m so grateful to be a part of this community and to be able to work on this show. I’m grateful for so many things.
It must be nice to not go up there alone. [Tom is pregnant with her first child.]
I know! It felt like the baby was doing back flips! He’s all jacked up on adrenaline.
What was it like being nominated with these great lead actresses?
Honestly, it was intimidating. I’m friends with all them and I’m a fan of all of their work. I think they are all amazing women and actresses. This is a big surprise for me — and I’m thrilled about it.
Did the work feel different this past year as a lead actress?
I felt I had a story that warranted a lead actress shot. I felt like I’ve been doing this for 22 years, so why not? [Laughs] It was one of those things where I felt I’m going to jump in and see what happens.
Can you speak as to why you chose your reel — and Don Diamont and Jackie MacInnes Woods’ work in them?
I chose them because I felt the episodes had a nice arc to them. I felt like they told a story. Honestly, I had trouble picking because I thought I had a lot to submit. To me, what’s important is I want to feel proud of what I’m submitting so the chips may fall where they may. As far as Don and Jackie, they’re so much fun to work with them. They’re the kind of actors that you can toss a ball to and they’ll hit right back at you. It makes it fun and easy.
Why did you switch your pre-nom Emmy reel? Based on those episodes, I knew you’d win but was worried you’d made a grave error when you switched Clearly, and luckily, I was wrong!
[Laughs] I switched because I wasn’t thrilled with the earlier scenes in those shows to be honest. I felt like those scenes didn’t lend them to the story. I originally thought that you could submit ten minutes of any show for your final reel, so I had this whole idea of my final reel but they’re not [instituting] that until next year. I think it’ll be great to see a wide range of people’s work not just one or two episodes.
How are you going to celebrate since you can’t have any champagne?
We’ll manage! I guess I’ll eat which is my new favourite pastime!
Is your dress maternity?
No. It’s Dolce & Gabbana! It was hard to find a dress. I literally tried on everything and this is the only dress that fit — and I loved it! [Laughs]
Do you feel like you have finally put Victoria Newman to bed after winning two Emmys as Katie? A lot of critics are still praying every night that you will return to play the part you were born to play on Y&R.
Yeah, I feel like I have. I feel like that role is someone else’s. I loved my time on Y&R. And Victoria will always be in my heart but I’m Katie Logan now. And that’s where I want to be.
Next year, you can host the Best Actress luncheon!
Yes, and now I can pay for it, too!
You were briefly on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, which earned you yet
another Daytime Emmy Award nomination… how do you feel about the show’s cancellation? AMC and ONE LIFE will be honoured tonight in a tribute…
I thought it was a real travesty. I feel like it was a great error in judgment. And I still feel that way. What more can you say? I think there’s an audience for this kind of entertainment in the afternoon — and you can see that with our show. Our numbers are doing very well. I think there’s only a certain amount of cooking and talk shows you can watch. People want to be entertained. And that’s what soaps do. They’re guilty pleasures. And you can’t replace soaps with something else just because you think its cost effective.
Are you naming your unborn son, Emmy?
No! That would be cruel! He’d probably write a song about it when he’s older.
Don’t run a marathon now that you’re pregnant!
No, I won’t, but I’m doing a HGTV show. It will supposedly air in the fall. It’s a design show. My husband and I do that for a living. Right now it’s called The Untitled Heather Tom Project. [Laughs] But I will let everyone know when it comes out.
CHRISTEL KHALIL: OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTRESS
Was there anyone you didn’t thank in your speech?
Yes. I wanted to thank the rest of my family. And some of the people on the show. I felt like I was up there for two seconds.
Anyone by name?
My best friend Ruth. I love her so much. She’s helped me so much. And even Daniel [Goddard] for making me feel so infuriated in that scene in my reel that made me win. I love him, too. I can’t think of anyone else right now.
As I’ve said before your reel is one of the best I’ve ever seen in this category. Did you know when you were filming that the show was special — not necessarily that it would translate into Emmy gold?
I did. When I did that scene, people said, “cut,” I stayed in Daniel’s arms because I couldn’t stop crying. I knew that was the show I would submit right away because it was so special.
The Winters family has been recognized a lot by The Daytime Emmys: Shemar Moore, Kristoff St. John, Bryton, you…
The Winters family equals awesome! [Laughs] Amazing.
Are you going to Disneyland?
Disneyland? Why would I do that?
Well, when sports heroes win the big prize they always say they’re going to Disneyland….
Oh! I’ll go to the bar! [Laughs]
Where are you going to put your Emmy?
Someone told me to put it in my guest bathroom. I’m going to put it right on my toilet so when they pee they can see it. Why not?
Did you do anything for good luck tonight?
No. Today was just awful. I had so many things to do and my friends left me. So, finally, I’m in a good mood now! [Laughs]
Why do you think Y&R has been the number-one soap opera all these years?
I think it’s the quality of actors we have. I love the cinematography of the show. I feel a lot of soaps look soapy. I feel our show looks high quality. The writing, directing are great. We don’t do a lot of outlandish stories. We’re just the best. [Laughs]
You’ve been on the backburner a bit… do you think this Emmy win will translate into more airtime?
I’ve been on the backburner?!
A little bit!
Yes, I have been on the backburner. I don’t know. We’ll see. That’s not up to me. Hopefully.
Is it hard for you as an actress to play a character who keeps going back to a man who relentlessly lies to her all the time?
Well, he hasn’t lied to her recently! [Laughs]
Well, he could be Tucker’s son now!
Oh, really. I didn’t know