resembled a lot of GH’s trademark violence (but intelligently written and acted), which probably prompted Maurice Benard to think his job is safe on GH. But then again, did you check out John’s brilliant aim and target skills. I’d run if I were Jason and Sonny! And while we’re chatting about GH, DIGEST seems to think that one male and female character will bring their Llanview characters to Port View.
• Photo Of The Week: Another reason to buy SOAP DIGEST’s incomparable ONE LIFE tribute issues? The first shot of Erika Slezak and her six Emmys. It’s a sight to behold.
• In my upcoming ONE LIFE tribute book, I interview one of Llanview’s best head writers, four-time Emmy Award winner Josh Griffith. You know the guy who changed ONE LIFE’s trajectory forever by creating Todd Manning, Nora Gannon, penning Marty’s gang rape, Billy Douglas’s homosexuality tale and John McBain with his partner-in-crime, Michael Malone. As for rumours that there was an ABC conspiracy to dismantle and then cancel its soap operas, Griffith sighs, “No. I don’t think there was a conspiracy. It got to a point that the structure of the shows as they are now, coupled with the changing audience —and people are still watching these soaps; they’re just not the people the advertisers care about — couldn’t sustain itself. Instead of looking for ways to reinvent the production structure, they decided it was easier to let them go. Yes, the networks weren’t creative in reacting to this problem because I believe there were ways to keep these shows on the air. It would have meant a lot of changes but they could have survived.”
As for ONE LIFE’s depressing and untimely cancellation, he says, “I’ve worked on a lot of shows but ONE LIFE has a very special place in my heart. I feel so connected to it, so I’m very sad. It’s devastating. I was surprised, to be honest, that it was cancelled. I had a feeling AMC was going to be cancelled. The ironic surprise is that after its cancellation, ONE LIFE only got better and better with each day and the ratings increased. I’m glad they are going out in a blaze of glory. It’s the best revenge.”
Would he return to the genre he helped to take into the future? The former SANTA BARBARA, Y&R, and SUNSET BEACH show-runner says, “I am not done with this business — even if they may be done with me.”
Look for a full-fledged feature interview with Griffith in my ONE LIFE tome where he lists his best and worst moments on ONE LIFE and explains what makes Llanview so special. Oh, and his dealings with Frons.
• Oh, and this just in: #FuckYouABC.
The Young and the Restless — Put Up Your Daisy Dukes, Miss Phyllis!
• Is this good or bad news? Emmy winner Darnell Williams has joined The Old and the Rejected. No word on which role he’ll be playing or when he first airs. Williams will join his iconic AMC co-star Debbi Morgan — well, the entire AMC cast — on the number-one daytime drama. Buzz is that William may be a Keemo Abbott recast. Oh, I kid.
• Oh, Lawd: Just when Y&R was improving, Maria Arena Bell was once again asleep at the wheel when someone allowed Debbi Morgan’s YoHarmony to call her white boss, Phyllis “Miss Phyllis” this week, which ignited a firestorm of anger and shock. While Bell may not have penned the line herself, it’s her ship, and she is ultimately responsible for this unforgivable and offensive line. It’s not 1969, Maria! I’m digging around to find out what really happened because I’d really like to know why Morgan would utter those words! Or if she ad-libbed ‘em!
• Another D-Lister arrives in Genoa City: As UNCENSORED reported a few weeks back, Y&R was casting the role of Chelsea’s mother. Well, THE DUKES OF HAZZARD’s Catherine Bach has nabbed the role, which UNCENSORED had known about for a week but I had to keep my trap shut. The former pin-up star will first air Feb. 7. If Maria keeps this up, Y&R will have to start airing on TVLAND. In other news, Maria Bell is reportedly in talks with Casey Anthony to take over the role of Daisy Carter.
• Don’t shoot the messenger: Apparently, Emmy winner Christian LeBlanc has nothing better to do than to invite non-actors on Y&R. LeBlanc appeared on the show that replaced WORLD TURNS and invited real-life Y&R fan and new co-host Sheryl Underwood for a cameo. Can’t wait. Maybe she’ll turn out to be Sofia’s mother.
• Happy holidays, indeed: Y&R welcomed back almost half a million viewers during Christmas and is up from last year in ratings. Let’s see how long it takes before Y&R scares them away again. Coincidentally, Shadam was playing front and centre that week. You do the math.
• According to DIGEST, Y&R may be recasting the role of that annoying kid, Kyle. My pick? Zack Conroy or Nic Robuck.
SOAP WHISPERER:
This week’s hottest blind items
• Which actress is being allowed to write her own lines? Needless to say, the rest of the cast isn’t happy.
• Which superstar is considering coming back to GH now that a new regime is in place? And it’s not who you think!
• Which actor loves to tell his cast and crew of his show that his wife is ugly and looks like a horse?
SOAP PORN: Next Week's Soapgasms
Can’t watch all the soaps this week? No worries — here’s a cheat sheet!
Top Shows to Watch:
1. ONE LIFE TO LIVE, ABC
2. VENICE, venicetheseries.com
3. DAYS OF OUR LIVES, NBC
Top Storylines to Watch:
1. What Will Happen, Who Will Die, ONE LIFE
2. Save FRAT ROW, ONE LIFE
3. Angels in Llanview, ONE LIFE
Top Actresses to Watch:
1. Jessica Tuck, ONE LIFE
—tie— Ilene Kristen, ONE LIFE
3. Fiona Hutchison, ONE LIFE
4. Erika Slezak, ONE LIFE
5. Shawn Batten, ONE LIFE
6. Hillary B. Smith, ONE LIFE
—tie— Kassie De Paiva, ONE LIFE
Top Actors to Watch:
1. Ty Treadway, ONE LIFE
2. Jerry verDorn, ONE LIFE
3. Roger Howarth, ONE LIFE
4. John Wesley Shipp, ONE LIFE
5. Bob Woods, ONE LIFE
—tie— Michael Easton, ONE LIFE
6. Van Hughes, ONE LIFE
Top Young Actors To Watch:
1. Patrick Gibbons, ONE LIFE
2. Eddie Alderson, ONE LIFE
3. Shenell Edmonds, ONE LIFE
Top Duos to Watch:
1. Clint and Viki, ONE LIFE
2. Bo and Nora, ONE LIFE
3. Starr and Cole, ONE LIFE
Top Couples to Fast-Forward Through:
1. Sonny and Kate, GH
—tie— Lulu and Dante, GH
3. Ethan and Painting Lady, GH
Top Dream Couples:
1. Carly and Shawn, GH
2. Will and Chad, DAYS
3. Sharon and Avery, Y&R
Top New-ish Duos to Watch:
1. Chad and Melanie, DAYS
2. Abby and Austin, DAYS
3. Rick and Beverly, B&B
Top Newcomers:
1. Van Hughes, ONE LIFE
2. Dina DeGarmo, Y&R
3. Gina Rodriguez, B&B
Top Scene Stealers:
1. Ilene Kristen, ONE LIFE
3. Tina Sloan, VENICE
4. Tuc Watkins, ONE LIFE
Top Rivals:
1. Viki vs. God, ONE LIFE
2. Todd vs. God, ONE LIFE
3. Troy vs. Bo, ONE LIFE
Top Equations to Watch:
1. Bo/Nora/Colin-Troy, ONE LIFE
2. Téa/John/Natalie, ONE LIFE
3. Cole/Starr/James, ONE LIFE
Top Tweeters:
1. Ron Carlivati: @carlivatiron
2. Chris Van Etten: @chrisvanetten
3. Adam Newman: @adamnewmanYR
Top 3 Best Reads/Buys at the Newsstand:
1. SOAP OPERA DIGEST
2. SOAP OPERA WEEKLY
3. ABC SOAPS IN DEPTH
The next issue of SOAP OPERA UNCENSORED will be out on Friday, January 13, 2012! Happy New Year!
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