Web Series Never Fade Away Pilot Review!

What if your whole existence had been wiped away from the memories of those you loved and cared about? What if you still remembered those relationships? Never Fade Away a brand new web series by writer Jordan Ross and producers Jo and Matt Fahey examines just that.

The Bold And The Beautiful Where It All Began Box 5 Announced!

Great news for fans of The Bold and the Beautiful after the success of the first for box sets (which included episode 1-100) the fifth box set collection containing episode 101-125 has been announced!

The box set similar to the first four will include both English and German audio and will be released on July 13th 2012!

Are you excited to see the set get released? Will you be purchasing it? Let me know in the comments below.

Melanie/SoapOperaBabble's 2012 Soap Predictions!

For more predictions, check out Brooke's Predictions and SoapWikiJohn's Predictions

Okay, I'll just put this out there... My predictions suck. Emmy predictions, Academy Award predictions, TV Show predictions... I suck at all of them. So if I'm predicting it here, chances are it will not happen, lol. So...here we go!

Brooke's 2012 Soap Predictions!

I thought this was fitting for soaps....

You loved them last year, so they're back! That's right, in a 3-part special, each Denial Island Resident is going to share with you their extremely-accurate-and-not-biased-in-any-way 2012 Soap Predictions! No two predictions are exactly the same... we've all kind of taken a slightly different approach, ranging from the serious to the more snarky (guilty!). I'm starting off, so here is what I think will happen in the world of soaps in 2012...

Dirty Soap Coming to Australia

US E channel's hit new show Dirty Soap has been picked up by it's Australian cable channel counterpart E! and will begin airing Tuesday 18 October! This is awesome news for Aussie viewers, as most US soaps (or soap-related shows) aren't shown in Australia anymore (apart from Days of Our Lives and the Bold and the Beautiful) - for some reason Aussie TV likes to show US soaps for a year, then not renew the rights (boooooo!!!!).

Dirty Soap stars General Hospital's Kelly Monaco and Kirsten Storms, One Life to Live's Farah Fath and John Paul Levoisier, Days of Our Lives' Galen Gering (and wife Jenna) and Nadia Bjorlin, and the Bold and the Beautiful's Brandon Beemer.  Shamefully under-represented are actors from the Young and the Restless, but I'm told they were not allowed to take part (missed opportunity if you ask me, hello Daniel Goddard and Christian Le Blanc!).

Our Predictions for the 2011 Daytime Emmys!

Well it's that time again! The Daytime Emmys are set to air on June 19th! Check out our predictions, wishes and wtf reactions to the nominees.
(Judging done by Denial Island Academy of Soap Opera Arts and Sciences members: Brooke, SoapWikiJohn and Melanie/SoapOperaBabble)

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
ALL MY CHILDREN
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
GENERAL HOSPITAL
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Brooke's comments: Are you kidding? Why is ABC nominated here, if it was outstanding, why is it being cancelled? I only watch B&B out of this list, but I'm picking Y&R.
Melanie's comments: Yeah, AMC stands out like a sore thumb here. I'd be curious to see what they submitted. Maybe scenes involving Palmer's death? If so, I think they've actually got a shot. Otherwise, I'll say B&B because Susan.Flannery.Rocks.
John's comments: General Hospital gets my vote! I agree with Brooke. The only thing outstanding about AMC is how awful it was, but they did hire Lindsay Hartley and gave me a little 'Cake' so I can't say it was all bad.

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES WRITING TEAM
AS THE WORLD TURNS
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
DAYS OF OUR LIVES
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Brooke's comments: *falls dead* How did Days of Our Lives end up in this category? That has got to be the biggest joke of this year's nominations. Sorry DOOL writers, I know you work hard and I don't disparage that, but seriously? An Emmy? Um. No. I don't care who wins this, as long as it's not DOOL, otherwise I'd demand a recount!
Melanie's comments: My heart says ATWT. I believe they submitted the final episode and boy was that a tear jerker. Could anyone really resist Bob/Don Hasting's "Our Town"-ish narration? And while ATWT's last year on the air was rocky, the home stretch was terrifically written and acted.
John's comments: I like ATWT, I want them to win, but I cannot say they really deserve it because a lot of the show was such a mess. B&B was just dull (even if Brooke slept with her daughter's boyfriend...again) and even though this will make (our) Brooke's head explode I want Days of Our Lives to take it home.

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR
CHRISTIAN LEBLANC (MICHAEL, Y&R)
MICHAEL PARK (JACK, ATWT)
MAURICE BENARD (SONNY, GH)
RICKY PAULL GOLDIN (JAKE, AMC)
JAMES SCOTT (EJ, DAYS)

Brooke's comments: Well as a James Scott fanatic, I want James to win! Alas, DOOL never wins best anything (and often for good reason), so I'm going to say hope for James, but predict Michael Park.
Melanie's comments: James Scott is criminally under appreciated. I'd like to think the Academy can get over their prejudice against DAYS actors. The episode where EJ contemplates suicide was great, James knocked it out of the park. I think RPG submitted comedic stuff so we can cross him off the list. I don't know what CLB submitted, but he shouldn't be in the Lead category anyway. And MP won last year. That leaves James and Maurice. My heart says James, my head says Maurice. The Kristina/Keifer story pissed me off (because it served to pimp the men on the show) but Maurice/Sonny's speech by Kristina's bedside was good stuff.
John's comments: I really want James Scott to pull this one off, he has a lot of good material to pick, but it is all in the reel.

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS
SUSAN FLANNERY (STEPHANIE, B&B)
MICHELLE STAFFORD (PHYLLIS, Y&R)
COLLEEN ZENK (BARBARA, ATWT)
ALICIA MINSHEW (KENDALL, AMC)
DEBBI MORGAN (ANGIE, AMC)
LAURA WRIGHT (CARLY, GH)

Brooke's comments: How is there no DOOL actress in this category? Surely Ali Sweeney or Ari Zucker should be nom'd? Remind me who the pre noms were again, Ali was there, right? Um, apparently this is the first year Laura Wright has been nominated in like 20 years, so she will probably end up winning.
Melanie's comments: Yeah, it's pretty amazing that this is the first nomination Laura's gotten! While I'd love it to be Susan or Colleen, I'm guessing it's going to come down to Laura or Debbi. I'll go with Debbi. She was saddled with the totally stupid Soap Blindness/I'm 55 and Pregnant story - but managed to make us care anyway. She certainly deserves an award for that!
John's comments: Susan Flannery had the major cancer battle storyline this year and while it is true it's Laura's first time, I don't think it's her year.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR
JONATHAN JACKSON (LUCKY, GH)
JASON THOMPSON (PATRICK, GH)
BRIAN KERWIN (CHARLIE, OLTL)
DOUG DAVIDSON (PAUL, Y&R)
BILLY MILLER (BILLY, Y&R)

Brooke's comments: Cos he's hawt I'd like to see Jason Thompson win this, but I think Jonathan Jackson probably will.
Melanie's comments: Let's just get this out of the way: Van Hansis (Luke, ATWT) should be on this list, but he didn't submit himself. While Brian Kerwin is a personal favorite of mine, he doesn't have a chance. Doug did some great work in the Patti story, but that won't be enough to win. JJ's scene where Lucky goes off on LikNiz and makes his eyes bleed was a showstopper. But boy, Jason T did some amazing work in 2010 (Patrick confessing to Robin was killer soap). Jonathan Jackson will get it, but Jason Thompson deserves it.
John's comments: Jonathan Jackson all the way! Yes, Jason T had some good scenes, but the heartbreaking 'you slept with my brother' scene was brilliant and it allowed him to go all out emotionally and help fans reconnect with his Lucky after the loss of Greg Vaughan.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS
MELISSA CLAIRE EGAN (ANNIE, AMC)
JULIE PINSON (JANET, ATWT)
HEATHER TOM (KATIE, B&B)
NANCY LEE GRAHN (ALEXIS, GH)
BREE WILLIAMSON (JESSICA, OLTL)
TRICIA CAST (NINA, Y&R)

Brooke's comments: I'd like to see Bree win this one.
Melanie's comments: WTF is Heather Tom doing on this list? The other nominees are great. I'm going with Nancy Lee Grahn.
John's comments: Heather 'I did nothing' Tom nominated herself? For what exactly??? MCE is my pick. I think they all did good stuff but Annie was amazing and I would like to see her win.

OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTOR
SCOTT CLIFTON (LIAM, B&B)
CHANDLER MASSEY (WILL, DAYS)
CHAD DUELL (MICHAEL, GH)

Brooke's comments: Chad Duell ftw!
Melanie's comments: *Yawn* Chad, I guess...
John's comments: Scott Clifton, only because he might have two soaps voting for him...

OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTRESS
BRITTANY ALLEN (MARISSA, AMC)
LEXI AINSWORTH (KRISTINA, GH)
EMILY O'BRIEN (JANA, Y&R)

Brooke's comments: Maybe Lexi. What's with only three noms for the younger actor/actress categories this year?
Melanie's comments: Brittany Allen?? Seriously?? Well, at least Molly Burnett isn't one of the nominees. Not sure what Emily submitted. I'll go with Lexi, who gave a great performance in the Kristina/Keifer abuse story.
John's comments: Emily??? Emily thinks she deserves the nod? What for? Making the world hate Jana even more than they already did? Go Lexi!

Well that's our take on the nominations! What about you guys? Who do you think is going to win? Who are you rooting for? Who's missing? Which nominations are undeserved? Let us know!

-Melanie/SoapOperaBabble/daisyclover

Nominations for the 2011 Daytime Emmy Awards Announced!

Well the nominations for the Daytime Emmy Awards have been announced. Here's a quick list of the major categories (courtesy of We Love Soaps - for the full list of categories/nominees head over to their site.)

We'll be posting our comments on the nominations soon, but until then, have a look and let us know what you think!

Outstanding Drama Series
ALL MY CHILDREN (ABC)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)

Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
ONE LIFE TO LIVE (ABC)
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)

Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team
AS THE WORLD TURNS (CBS)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)

Outstanding Lead Actor
Christian LeBlanc, as Michael Baldwin THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
Michael Park, as Jack Snyder AS THE WORLD TURNS (CBS)
Maurice Benard, as Sonny Corinthos GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
Ricky Paull Goldin, as Jake Martin ALL MY CHILDREN (ABC)
James Scott, as EJ DiMera DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)

Outstanding Lead Actress
Susan Flannery, as Stephanie Forrester THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
Michelle Stafford, as Phyllis Summers THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
Colleen Zenk, as Barbara Ryan As the World Turns" (CBS)
Alicia Minshew, as Kendall Slater ALL MY CHILDREN (ABC)
Debbi Morgan, as Angie Hubbard ALL MY CHILDREN (ABC)
Laura Wright, as Carly Corinthos Jacks GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor
Jonathan Jackson, as Lucky Spencer GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
Jason Thompson, as Patrick Drake GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
Brian Kerwin, as Charlie Banks ONE LIFE TO LIVE (ABC)
Doug Davidson, as Paul Williams THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
Billy Miller, as Billy Abbott THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)

Outstanding Supporting Actress
Melissa Claire Egan, as Annie Chandler ALL MY CHILDREN (ABC)
Julie Pinson, as Janet Ciconne AS THE WORLD TURNS (CBS)
Heather Tom, as Katie Logan Spencer THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
Nancy Lee Grahn, as Alexis Davis GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
Bree Williamson, as Jessica Brennan ONE LIFE TO LIVE (ABC)
Tricia Cast, as Nina Webster THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)

Outstanding Younger Actor
Scott Clifton, as Liam Cooper THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
Chandler Massey, as Will Horton DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)
Chad Duell, as Michael Corinthos GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)

Outstanding Younger Actress
Brittany Allen, as Marissa Chandler ALL MY CHILDREN (ABC)
Lexi Ainsworth, as Kristina Davis GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
Emily O'Brien, as Jana Hawkes THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)

-Melanie/SoapOperaBabble/daisyclover

My Take on the ABC Soap Fiasco

Wow, who would have thought that we would be 'here' again? It seems like just yesterday we got the news that Guiding Light was going off the air, and Passions before it. We only JUST digested the ending of As the World Turns and yet once again we are here grieving the loss of not one but TWO legendary programs All My Children and One Life to Live.

Now it is important to note that the fight is not yet over, but with that said I am just going to write about my take on this whole situation as it currently stands.

Should the soaps have been canceled?

No one wants to honestly answer this question, we have history with these shows, we love them, and we know that there is every chance that the shows 'could' improve and return to the amazing status of yester-year. But with that said, both shows have been less than perfect as of late, and if we are going to be completely honest All My Children has been dang near unwatchable for a very long time, and if this was ANY type of Primetime show we would be championing the cancellation so we could potentially get new content that we would fall in love with, but because it is daytime, if we 'wish' cancellation upon any of the soaps we are treated as villains, and to an extent rightfully so. But let's look at the situation at All My Children. You have got to look at the entire situation at All My Children. The show was moved across the country, got a new writing regime, and continued to produce lack-luster programming for over a year.

It was really given a fighting chance, but TIIC did not rise to the occasion and save the show, thus it is dead.

Now on the other hand I do give a lot more credit to Frank Valentini / Ron Carlavati then my co-blogger Mel might. Mel completely feels that Ron C was the end of One Life to Live and I guess to an extent she is right. But while One Life to Live has its fair share of issues, it has been consistently the better soap produced here in the U.S.A.

But what is that saying? Soaps here in the states have consistently been slipping in regards to quality. While the rest of the world has adapted and treated viewers with respect, we in the states have been treated like imbeciles with stories of doppelgangers and back from the dead. We shake our head, write angry blog post, but continue to watch because there is no alternative.

If tomorrow I became Head of ABC, I would have looked at the daytime line up, cussed and asked why this horrific programming is on my lineup, and probably proceeded to make drastic changes from the top on down and give the show a year to turn everything around, or else face the axe.

From strictly a 'quality' standpoint I agree with the choice to axe both of these programs.

With that said, I believe that the replacements for these soaps should have been maybe The Chew and two half hour, quality written soaps. Maybe cut One Life to Live to a half hour and give the other half hour to a brand new streamlined soap with one or two Vets as the big draw, but do everything possible to keep the budget low. Home and Away reportedly has a very low budget, and a VERY high return due to international licensing and high cast turn over, so do that for a new soap. Just come up with new ideas and revitalize this genre.

I do think axing two soaps at the same time was dumb, they should have at least taken the CBS model of axing one soap this year, and then another next year, that way the blow is not as harsh.

With that said the decision has been made, and it is time for us as soap fans to mobilize and try to find these shows another home, and more importantly help keep the ones we have on the air.

That does NOT however mean we should simply stop complaining about the quality of these shows and just be thankful that the shows are on the air. I have heard countless times since the ABC announcement that we need to just watch the shows, and that quality writing doesn't save anything, but at the end of the day if a show has quality writing and I am involved in the characters, storylines, and other elements of the show, than I am going to promote it and get more people to watch it, whereas I cannot in good faith tell ANYONE to watch Days of Our Lives, All My Children or any of the other shows on the daytime lineup as they currently stand.

In closing, it is time to end on a downer, because I am hearing, from a very reliable source, that General Hospital is on the block, with a decision being made about it in January. If we want to save that soap we need to start acting now and not wait for the final moments when the axe has already swung.

I am upset and frustrated by this whole situation as well, and I wish I was not here writing this piece, but at the end of the day we are, and while I am upset with the choices that have been made up to this point, I can somehow rationalize the decision to cancel these shows, but I do not in any way agree with their replacements.

What is your take on this fiasco? Am I crazy? Have I lost my mind? Let me know in the comments below or on twitter @Soapwikijohn.

SoapWikiJohn's 2011 Soap Predictions!

Hey everyone,

So with 2011 upon us I thought I would take a moment and make some soap predictions and see how close I actually come to being right as 2011 plays out, so without further delay here are my 2011 soap predictions-

Will A Soap Be Canceled, if so which one?- I think 2011 will be the end for All My Children. Its the bottom of the ratings, the show is over budget, and unless something dramatic happens the quality is not the best, so while it pains me to say it, I think AMC is toast.

Will there be another 'kish-o-trophic' casting shocker in 2011? I think so, I have a feeling that one MAJOR actor will be fired/let go/ not resign in 2011, I am not sure on which soap, but I have a feeling that it will shock the soapworld to its core.

Which Soap will be the 'best' in 2011 -

Oh lord this one is hard, the soaps fluctuate so rapidly that it is really hard to tell which will be the "BEST".

If you are watching U.K. soaps I am going to go out on a limb and say EastEnders will reclaim its thrown with the whole Baby Swap storyline that has just kicked off. While I haven't seen those scenes yet, I just have a feeling that this storyline could be game changing and could help it be the 'BEST'. Coronation Street has issues and I think its to unpredictable to say it will be the best, and Hollyoaks and Doctors while both having a big year, and I will personally be loving them I don't know that they can overtake a baby swap. That leaves Emmerdale. Had Executive Producer Gavin Blyth not died I would have said Emmerdale would easily take best soap, but because of his unfortunate passing I am just going to give it to EastEnders and pray that I am right.

If Australian soaps are your favorite I am going to say Home and Away will reclaim its former glory and beat out Neighbours in quality come 2011. The soap had a lot of problems in 2010, but with a new writer involved I have a feeling that we will get much better storytelling in this coming year.

Now for what you all really care about the U.S. soaps..... This one is really a toss in the bucket. I don't think All My Children or The Bold and the Beautiful will get this title. The ONLY way Days of Our Lives will be the BEST is if Dena Higgly is fired, and I highly doubt that will happen. The Young and the Restless is way to sporadic. So that really just leaves One Life To Live or General Hospital. Between those two I am going to say General Hospital will pull the year off as best show. Now I think they will also be the most talked about and controversial show, but that might be just the thing the soap needs to regain its footing as best soap.

What Soap Will Be Unwatchable in 2011-

I am going to go out and just say All My Children will be the worst soap of 2011. There really is no foundation for this assumption, only that I don't think it will be able to compete with any of the others. I feel that Days might wise up and fix a few things, but AMC... I just don't feel that they can gain the ground needed to fix things to even compete so that's why it is the most unwatchable in my opinion.

Who will be the most tortured couple of 2011?

Well this one is going to be fun, and get me into a LOT of hot water. I am going to say JaSam will be the most tortured couple of the year. I don't know anything, or have any hard proof, but I just feel that things could go down a bad road and the way that General Hospital has been with its couples I think its about time to cause havoc and wreck the thing that is JaSam all up.

Cutest Couple of 2011?

I am going to say for the US- Kevin and Chloe from The Young and the Restless, and for Australia - Romeo and Ruby from Home and Away.

So those are my predictions for 2011! Do you agree or disagree? What are your predictions? Let me hear them in the comments below!

Latest Soap Ratings: Sept 13 - 17, 2010

As the World Turns reaches #4 again! *sniff* *sniff*

Credit Soap Opera Network

September 13 - September 17, 2010
(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)

Total Viewers
1. Y&R 5,048,000 (-69,000/+46,000)
2. B&B 3,193,000 (-58,000/-153,000)
3. GH 2,641,000 (-101,000/-61,000)
4. ATWT 2,593,000 (+18,000/+105,000)
5. DAYS 2,510,000 (+16,000/-360,000)
6. AMC 2,387,000 (-81,000/-211,000)
7. OLTL 2,327,000 (-130,000/-236,000)

HH
1. Y&R 3.5/13 (same/-.1)
2. B&B 2.3/8 (same/-.1)
3. GH 2.0/7 (same/same)
4. ATWT 1.9/7 (same/+.1)
5. DAYS 1.8/7 (same/-.3) <- ties low rating (11th straight week)
5. AMC 1.8/6 (-.1/-.1)
5. OLTL 1.8/6 (same/-.2)

For Demographic breakdowns, Day-To-Day and Seasonal numbers, visit Soap Opera Network

-Melanie/SoapOperaBabble/daisyclover1938

Latest Soap Ratings: Sept 6 - 10, 2010

Nice to see some weekly gains for all our shows! And I'm thrilled that ATWT hit #4 in Total Viewers!!

Credit Soap Opera Network

September 6 - September 10, 2010
(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)

Total Viewers
1. Y&R 5,117,000 (+144,000/+119,000)
2. B&B 3,251,000 (+107,000/+21,000)
3. GH 2,742,000 (+82,000/-45,000)
4. ATWT 2,575,000 (+207,000/+227,000)
5. DAYS 2,494,000 (+51,000/-226,000)
6. AMC 2,468,000 (+48,000/+7,000)
7. OLTL 2,457,000 (+82,000/-22,000)

HH
1. Y&R 3.5/12 (same/-.1)
2. B&B 2.3/8 (+.1/-.1)
3. GH 2.0/6 (+.1/-.1)
4. AMC 1.9/7 (+.1/same)
4. ATWT 1.9/6 (+.2/+.1)
6. OLTL 1.8/6 (+.1/-.1)
6. DAYS 1.8/6 (same/-.2) <- ties low rating (10th straight week)

Women 18-49 Viewers
1. Y&R 1,108,000 (+96,000/-15,000)
2. GH 966,000 (+85,000/+35,000)
3. OLTL 714,000 (+57,000/-34,000)
4. B&B 711,000 (+74,000/+12,000)
5. DAYS 706,000 (+28,000/-63,000)
6. ATWT 620,000 (+84,000/+64,000)
7. AMC 599,000 (+6,000/-58,000)

Women 18-49 Rating
1. Y&R 1.7/11 (+.2/same)
2. GH 1.5/9 (+.2/+.1)
3. DAYS 1.1/7 (+.1/-.1)
3. OLTL 1.1/7 (+.1/same)
3. B&B 1.1/7 (+.1/same)
6. ATWT 0.9/6 (+.1/+.1)
6. AMC 0.9/6 (same/-.1)

Girls 12-17 Viewers
1. GH 50,000 (+8,000/-2,000)
2. Y&R 48,000 (-1,000/+35,000)
3. OLTL 46,000 (+20,000/+14,000)
4. ATWT 36,000 (-1,000/+31,000)
5. AMC 27,000 (+13,000/+16,000)
6. B&B 24,000 (-9,000/+7,000)
7. DAYS 17,000 (+8,000/-2,000)

Women 18-34 Rating
1. Y&R 1.0/7 (+.1/-.2)
1. GH 1.0/6 (+.1/same)
3. DAYS 0.8/5 (same/-.1)
4. OLTL 0.7/5 (+.1/-.2)
4. B&B 0.7/4 (+.1/-.1)
6. ATWT 0.6/4 (+.1/same)
7. AMC 0.5/4 (same/-.3) <- ties low rating (3rd straight week)

Men 18+ Viewers
1. Y&R 1,185,000 (+62,000/-13,000)
2. B&B 719,000 (+46,000/+65,000)
3. DAYS 549,000 (-4,000/-10,000)
4. ATWT 522,000 (+62,000/+106,000)
5. AMC 499,000 (+28,000/+21,000)
6. GH 495,000 (-8,000/-7,000)
7. OLTL 444,000 (-4,000/+22,000)

For Day-To-Day and Seasonal numbers, go to Soap Opera Network

- Melanie/SoapOperaBabble/daisyclover1938

(ATWT finale starts in a half an hour - *sniff* *sniff*)

Winsor Harmon On Recurring At The Bold and the Beautiful

CBS Soaps In Depth is reporting that star Windsor Harmon who has played the role of Thorne Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful since 1996 has been pushed down to recurring status.

This news doesn't come as a shock as Thorne has been pushed more and more towards the background over the past ten years. With that said this news is still upsetting for many fans.

Did you expect this news to break? Do you think this could potentially be good news for Mr. Harmon who will now have time to try out for other roles? Or would you rather just see Thorne in a front burner storyline?

Latest Soap Ratings: April 12 - April 16

Yikes! Big losses for all the shows, with OLTL and ATWT hitting all-time lows.

Credit Soap Opera Network

April 12 - April 16, 2010
(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)

Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,902,000 (-431,000/-378,000)
2. B&B 3,200,000 (-53,000/-274,000)
3. GH 2,580,000 (-188,000/-45,000)
4. DAYS 2,563,000 (-154,000/-249,000)
5. AMC 2,426,000 (same/-146,000)
6. ATWT 2,258,000 (-65,000/-272,000)
7. OLTL 2,253,000 (-227,000/-310,000) <---- new low (Previous low: 2,254,000 for December 21-25, 2009)

HH
1. Y&R 3.5/13 (-.3/-.3)
2. B&B 2.3/8 (same/-.3)
3. GH 1.9/6 (-.1/-.1)
3. DAYS 1.9/7 (-.1/-.2)
5. AMC 1.8/7 (same/-.2)
6. OLTL 1.7/6 (-.1/-.2) <---- ties low rating (Last time: March 22-26, 2010)
7. ATWT 1.6/6 (-.1/-.3) <---- ties low rating (Last time: August 3-7, 2009)

Day-To-Day Ratings - HH/Total Viewers
AMC
Monday: 1.9/2,600,000
Tuesday: 1.9/2,573,000
Wednesday: 1.8/2,382,000
Thursday: 1.7/2,267,000
Friday: 1.8/2,307,000

ATWT
Monday: 1.8/2,425,000
Tuesday: 1.7/2,343,000
Wednesday: 1.6/2,204,000
Thursday: 1.5/1,986,000
Friday: 1.7/2,323,000

B&B
Monday: 2.4/3,417,000
Tuesday: 2.3/3,417,000
Wednesday: 2.4/3,388,000
Thursday: 2.0/2,691,000
Friday: 2.2/3,085,000

DAYS
Monday: 2.0/2,675,000
Tuesday: 1.9/2,542,000
Wednesday: 1.9/2,578,000
Thursday: 1.9/2,487,000
Friday: 1.9/2,533,000

GH
Monday: 1.9/2,608,000
Tuesday: 1.8/2,557,000
Wednesday: 2.0/2,742,000
Thursday: 1.9/2,480,000
Friday: 1.8/2,515,000

OLTL
Monday: 1.7/2,267,000
Tuesday: 1.7/2,441,000
Wednesday: 1.7/2,281,000
Thursday: 1.6/2,090,000
Friday: 1.7/2,184,000

Y&R
Monday: 3.7/5,198,000
Tuesday: 3.6/5,147,000
Wednesday: 3.6/4,953,000
Thursday: 3.3/4,610,000
Friday: 3.4/4,604,000

-Melanie/SoapOperaBabble/daisyclover1938

Why I Am Bored With US Soaps

Okay I know what you are thinking, another post by the crazy man about disliking programming that has been on longer then he's been around, correct? Well let's hold off the bashing until I finish talking...or rather typing I guess it is.

Recently I have been examining the soap opera industry trying to get back the passion and love that I had for the industry just a few years ago. But with the cancellation of the soap that got me into the industry (Passions) and my favorite soap of 2009 period (Guiding Light) I have been finding it harder and harder to enjoy these series.

Now As the World Turns is about to stop turning, and I cannot bring myself to tune into that dreadful series for fear that I will only hate myself more if I do.

The Industry as a whole has lost it's will to live. One Life To Live has never fully recovered from the 2007 writers strike, Bold and the Beautiful is banking on a few more years of Ridge/Brooke/Taylor triangle before they have to call that mess quits. Then we have the "NUMBER ONE!" rated soap having doppelgangers, fake deaths, baby switching, craziness along with horrendous acting.

With that said General Hospital and Days Of Our Lives have both been, arguably, good as of late. The problem is that both of those series have series issues. General Hospital completely blew (in the minds of a lot of fans and some crew) the whole Kristina / Keifer abuse storyline by essentially ending it to quickly and having no real long term conseqences come out of it except that Alexis ran someone else over. DAYS meanwhile just needs to continue to beef up its younger actors with um...more capable hands, and keep improving the day-to-day writing.

Now this post wasn't for me to say that I am "GIVING UP" on the industry, far from it! I truly want the industry to survive, but I am personally getting tired fo the same old crap being on my screen when I could spend that time watching another soap that is either still airing in another country, or I could be watching repeats of classic soaps (Like Dark Shadows, the Aussie soap Sons and Daughters, and many others). Will I give up on the current US line up? Not yet, but I might be tempted to cut back some of my US Soap Viewing if things continue the way they are.

Do you agree with the points I made? Or are you on the complete opposite end and think I am full of it? Let me hear your thoughts and lets debate it in the comments below.

Latest Soap Ratings: April 5 - April 9

Here are the latest soap ratings! Happily, every soap had a viewership increase from last week!

Credit Soap Opera Network


April 5 - April 9, 2010

(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)

Total Viewers
1. Y&R 5,333,000 (+282,000/+118,000)
2. B&B 3,253,000 (+187,000/-97,000)
3. GH 2,768,000 (+94,000/+257,000)
4. DAYS 2,717,000 (+135,000/-51,000)
5. OLTL 2,480,000 (+78,000/+79,000)
6. AMC 2,426,000 (+3,000/-84,000)
7. ATWT 2,323,000 (+14,000/-139,000)

HH
1. Y&R 3.8/13 (+.2/+.1)
2. B&B 2.3/8 (+.1/-.1)
3. DAYS 2.0/7 (+.1/same)
3. GH 2.0/6 (same/+.1)
5. AMC 1.8/6 (same/-.1)
5. OLTL 1.8/6 (same/same)
7. ATWT 1.7/6 (same/-.1)

Day-To-Day Ratings - HH/Total Viewers

AMC
•Monday: 1.9/2,506,000
•Tuesday: 1.9/2,471,000
•Wednesday: 1.9/2,445,000
•Thursday: 1.8/2,393,000
•Friday: 1.7/2,314,000

ATWT
•Monday: 1.7/2,206,000
•Tuesday: 1.7/2,401,000
•Wednesday: 1.7/2,290,000
•Thursday: 1.6/2,336,000
•Friday: 1.7/2,383,000

B&B
•Monday: 2.4/3,397,000
•Tuesday: 2.3/3,322,000
•Wednesday: 2.3/3,146,000
•Thursday: 2.1/3,122,000
•Friday: 2.3/3,279,000

DAYS
•Monday: 1.9/2,693,000
•Tuesday: 1.9/2,610,000
•Wednesday: 2.0/2,795,000
•Thursday: 2.0/2,794,000
•Friday: 2.0/2,695,000

GH
•Monday: 2.1/2,764,000
•Tuesday: 2.2/3,035,000
•Wednesday: 2.0/2,827,000
•Thursday: 1.9/2,693,000
•Friday: 1.9/2,520,000

OLTL
•Monday: 2.0/2,592,000
•Tuesday: 1.9/2,555,000
•Wednesday: 1.9/2,469,000
•Thursday: 1.8/2,450,000
•Friday: 1.7/2,304,000

Y&R
•Monday: 3.8/5,334,000
•Tuesday: 3.8/5,534,000
•Wednesday: 3.7/5,215,000
•Thursday: 3.6/5,267,000
•Friday: 3.8/5,314,000

-Melanie/SoapOperaBabble/daisyclover1939
04/15/10 11:26pm

Latest Soap Ratings: March 29 - April 2

We don't usually post ratings here, but I thought the latest ratings were interesting, so why not?

Credit Soap Opera Network: http://soapoperanetwork.com/news/29-report/2157-ratings-days-continues-to-fall

Credit Dominoes and Tequila: http://z13.invisionfree.com/Dominoes_and_Tequila/index.php?showtopic=5926&st=780&#entry15497125


March 29 - April 2, 2010

(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)

Total Viewers
# 1. Y&R 5,051,000 (-128,000/-83,000)
# 2. B&B 3,066,000 (-121,000/-259,000)
# 3. GH 2,674,000 (+38,000/+30,000)
# 4. DAYS 2,582,000 (-189,000/-285,000)
# 5. AMC 2,423,000 (+27,000/-290,000)
# 6. OLTL 2,402,000 (+67,000/-286,000)
# 7. ATWT 2,309,000 (-22,000/-296,000)

HH
# 1. Y&R 3.6/12 (-.1/-.1)
# 2. B&B 2.2/8 (-.1/-.3)
# 3. GH 2.0/6 (+.1/same)
# 4. DAYS 1.9/7 (-.1/-.3)
# 5. OLTL 1.8/6 (+.1/-.2)
# 5. AMC 1.8/6 (same/-.2)
# 7. ATWT 1.7/6 (same/-.2)

All Soaps, All Week: Wrap Up

Well my week of watching all the soaps is over! I originally wanted to write a Daily Diary of my soap watching, but I had absolutely ZERO time. I'm actually glad I didn't have a chance to write about them in the beginning of the week, because it probably would have been a b*tch fest. Monday and Tuesday were torturous (especially with no fast forwarding!) but something happened mid-week, call it the Soap Version of Stockholm Syndrome but I stopped focusing on the negative and started enjoying what the shows were doing right. Weird.

AMC: I really like the David/Greenlee relationship. It's nice to see him interacting with a woman who isn't a dummy he's manipulating. But I prefer them as friends. They'll ruin it if they make it a real romance. I'm also really liking David & Liza. Jamie Luner is growing on me. Here's the trick: I just pretend she's not Liza. And sorry, I'm soooo over Erica and Jackson (did she really have the nerve to complain that Jackson's daughter Greenlee would always come first for him??), but if it means I get Walt Willey back I can deal with it. Annie continues to crack me up, while Marissa continues to make me cringe. And call me crazy, I think I might actually, kinda, not hate the idea of Ryan and Madison.

ATWT: I've been watching this show pretty irregularly over the last couple of years and I've heard some pretty bad things about it lately (the James/Mick story - WTF??), but I was totally charmed by it this past week. I'm giving it an award for Most Adorable Cast: Van Hansis, Daniel Cosgrove, Terri Colombino, Trent Dawson, Colleen Zenk Pinter...seriously, how cute (not to mention gorgeous) are these people?? Well normally I would hate Holden and Molly together, but since this involves faux-Lily (no offense to the talented Noelle Beck - she just ain't my Lily), I don't mind them. I found the Carly/Jack/Janet/Dusty stuff really amusing. Faith is an annoying brat, but I guess she's supposed to be. The faux-Craig stuff was pretty good. And I really liked that they mentioned Hal (I still miss Ben Hendrickson). While I enjoyed watching the show, I found myself getting sad all over again thinking about its cancellation. A world without these characters just feels so wrong :(

B&B: I'll say one thing for B&B, even if you don't like what's going on, it's short length and breezy tone makes each episode feel 5 minutes long. While I find it ridiculous that women are still fighting over Ridge and Eric, there's a lot I do like about the show. Half the cast is wonderful, the humor always works, it's beautiful to look at and it's almost always entertaining. I like Whip and Taylor, I love Bill (yummy Don Diamont), am so relieved that they finally got a young actor that can act (okay Zach Conroy isn't exactly Laurence Olivier, but he's a thousand times better than the other younger actors on the show) and I'm thrilled that Sarah J Brown has managed to escape GH's clutches. However, I'm not looking forward to a Stephanie/Eric reunion. John McCook and my girl crush Susan Flannery work so well together, but my Stephanie deserves better than to be with that wimpy Walking Hard-On Eric. I wish they would give Stephanie a love story...

DAYS: The show I was dreading the most. I started watching it in the mid-80s and once considered it "my" show, but it's unrecognizable to me now. I always say it's like watching a spin-off... DAYS: TNG. But truth be told, it wasn't awful. There wasn't a whole lot of Melanie, which I was thankful for. Smart Rafe + Badass EJ = Hotness. Justin and Adrienne on my screen again? Awesome! And while I like Bo and Carly, my heart is breaking for Hope (which is good drama). Unfortunately, I could care less about Nicole/Brady/Arianna. I despise Nicole, always have. Arianne Zucker is great, but I think Nicole is a creep and I've always seen her as a b*tchier, drunker, less sympathetic version of Sami. And she's a hypocrite - giving her mom sh*t about marrying an abusive rapist? I guess Nicole forgot that she married Trent, an abusive scumbag that pimped out his own daughter? Or what about her marriages-based-on-money to Lucas and Victor? And I really want all the younger characters to get into a car and drive off a cliff. However, I adore Leann Hunley and think she would be wonderful on Young and the Restless!!

GH: Sweet Jesus I hate Luke Spencer. First he gives some dumbass speech to Ethan about how he could understand it if Ethan did beat up Kristina because of how she acted and because Sam dared to get angry at him for putting his hands on Krissy. He gets all pissy when Ethan asks about Laura's rape. He gets bitchy with Alexis and Sonny because they dared to believe their own daughter and not his son. Then Kristina doesn't want to let him in the house so he's going to push his way in?! Oh and then he tries to threaten Sonny?? What's he gonna do? Rape him? And I love how he's suddenly a tough guy when it comes to Ethan, but where was he when Franco almost killed Lulu? Did he care? Did he use his "connections" to get Franco? I get that Ethan is innocent, but seriously...Luke is a rapist and he needs to quit with the self righteous indignation. The protective father routine is a Joke - isn't it about time for him to desert his family for another 3 months again?

I think the Kristina storyline has a lot going for it. The performances have been amazing and I like that they're at least touching on the cycle of abuse issue. However, the fact that Guza has written an abuse storyline that's caused a backlash against the victim is so disgusting to me. This story isn't an attempt to explore the issue, it's to pimp the men - it's about Sonny and Luke, it's about proving Sonny is a Good Father and it's about finally getting the audience to accept and like Ethan. The abuse story is just an afterthought at this point.

Johnny to Claire: "Why don't you try being married to a misogynistic lecherous pig?" Hmm...I wonder if GH writer Meg Bennett (Mrs. Bob Guza) wrote that line?

Oh and More JaSam Please!!!

OLTL: Pretty disappointing. The Jessica in HS story is so dumb. Also, wasn't she really sweet and nice when she was in HS? So why is she acting like a snarky little witch? Though I have to say that I kind of like Brody wooing Jessica (there needs to be more wooing in daytime!) I'm not into Todd and Kelly at all. And I am soooo over Tweedledee and Tweedledumb (Rex and Gigi). I don't know what to make of this Allison mess. I don't understand why no one is telling the cops! Sierra Rose is kidnapped and Schuyler and Tea don't call the cops. So then she shows up at Roxy's and instead of Roxy signaling Natalie, she does nothing...leading to Roxy being taken hostage. Instead of Natalie signaling John for help, she starts yammering about her feelings for him - giving Allison the opportunity to get away with Sierra Rose, Roxy and then taking Kyle hostage. Does she have to kidnap everyone in town before someone does something? Why are people keeping quiet and just hoping everythng is going to turn out okay?? Oh but I loved the "Morasco Fiasco" wink to the audience, lol.

Y&R: Ashley giving up baby Faith was devastating and Eileen Davidson was amazing! Yeah, the story is ridiculous, but it's about love and loss and the outlandish plot element was just a starting off point, it's not the whole story. I'm not sure how I feel about Adam. I think Michael Muhney is great when he's being devious, but he's not selling me on the more "human" side of Adam and I'm not buying his "love" for Sharon (which I should be.) Though he cracks me up when he's acting like a victim and demanding those that wronged him be brought to justice, lol! So that's Psycho Story #1. Psycho Story #2 is Emily/Patty and I'm liking it. I find Patty really disturbing and I actually care about Emily (believe her Paul!!) Psycho Story #3 is less successful. I could care less about idiot Daisy and Ryder, & I don't care that they've kidnapped Jana (maybe they can claim they have a tumor and that's what's making them commit these crimes - isn't that how Jana got off on her kidnapping and murder charges years ago?) Though the story lead to a brief Paul/Lauren almost hook-up which I LOVED!! I don't know...I think a show should only have one Psycho story going on at one time. Billy/Victoria = Snoreville. Though you would think Amelia Heinle's non-acting would balance out Billy Miller's over-acting, but it doesn't. Tucker and Ashley...hmmm...I could get into that.

Well I've certainly lived up to my SoapOperaBabble name! Sorry for going on like this, lol. I still haven't decided which shows to watch and which to drop. I actually wish I could continue watching all of them!

What do you guys think of the shows? What are you loving and what are you hating?

-Melanie/SoapOperaBabble/daisyclover1938

All Soaps, All Week – Yes, I’m Crazy

Hi soap peeps! Hope everyone is doing well. Since I’m still trying to decide which soaps I’ll continue to watch and which ones I’m going to drop (see So Many Soaps, So Little Time), I’ve decided to do something a little crazy. This week I’ll attempt to watch all the soaps, all week. This means all US soaps (possibly including Ryan’s Hope on SoapNet). I’d love to include the UK’s EastEnders and the Australian soap Neighbours, but I think that might be pushing it, lol.

I’m going to try not to fast forward (oh boy, that’s going to be really hard) and go completely without spoilers. This also means that my half-assed boycott of One Life to Live is over (for now). I’m hoping to write a Daily Diary with my brief thoughts on each show and general comments about the experience.

So join me this week on Denial Island, where I plan to eat, breathe, and sleep all things soap!

-Melanie/SoapOperaBabble/daisyclover1938

So Many Soaps, So Little Time

Okay, I have a major dilemma soap peeps! While I would love to watch all the soaps every day (even the crappy ones), having a FT job and going to school makes it impossible. I have to decide which soaps I’m going to watch and which ones I’ll be dropping for now. This is so hard because I have a long & tortured history with each show. I know I’m going to keep watching EastEnders on YouTube, but other than that, I’m not sure. I’d love to hear your comments on the shows – what you like, what you hate. Here’s a list of shows w/ Pros and Cons. Help me decide, lol!


Pros: Pratt is GONE. David is one of my favorite villains. A mostly great cast.

Cons: Too many actors who still haven’t learned to act. Yet another Colby recast that isn’t working. Jesse and Angie are the only couple I’m invested in. The memory of Ryrica is burned into my brain forever.


Pros: Great cast. The show is ending soon – okay, that’s not a “Pro” but it’s a good reason to watch.

Cons: The Mick/James story – WTF?? Martha needs to come back as Lily…seriously. One weird trauma after another for Luke and Noah. I haven’t watched in a loooong time, and I haven’t really missed it.


Pros: The always fabulous Susan Flannery! Half the cast is great. Usually very entertaining. Only a half hour long.

Cons: I don’t care what they tell me, Ridge is not desirable and women would never fight over him…ever. The Logan women. Pretty kids that can’t act. Being constantly reminded of the dangers of plastic surgery (Hunter – WHY???)


Pros: Nostalgia – Of the shows still on the air, this is the one I’ve been watching the longest. Victor’s zingers. Hope/Bo/Carly triangle. Drool-worthy men. The possibility they’ll someday bring back my beloved Billy Warlock (Frankie).

Cons: Melanie Layton makes me want to stuff my ears with cotton and stick a hot poker in my eye. Bye-Bye Vets. Younger actors that can’t act. Dialogue that's painful to listen to. Did I mention Melanie Layton?


Pros: JaSam! Sam! Kelly Monaco! Terrific cast, a show with the fewest “weak” links in terms of actors. Younger actors that can actually act. The possibility they’ll someday bring back my beloved Billy Warlock (AJ). When GH is good, it’s really good.
(*note: for JaSam fans out there, I recommend JaSam Radio on BlogTalk Radio. You can listen live and participate in the chat room or listen to the shows later. It’s a lot of fun :) Their twitter is @JaSamRadio1 )

Cons: When GH is bad, it’s really bad. The blatant disrespect TPTB have for women: female characters, actresses and viewers. Plot holes you can drive a truck through. Missed opportunities and constantly wasting wonderful actors. I'm so tired of Sonny's Magic P*nis and Super Sperm. Elizabeth Webber probably won’t be killed off anytime soon.


Pros: FAB cast of veterans that are actually used. My massive crush on Brian Kerwin. Ripple-effect storytelling. It’s usually last in the ratings – not a “Pro” but I feel like I should support it.

Cons: Too many violent creeps/rapists running around town in the past few years. Todd, the degenerate pig, is their “romantic lead” and I’m supposed to believe women would fight over him?? Ron Campivati’s writing just goes too far for me sometimes. I haven’t watched in awhile and I only miss it a little.

Pros: They use vets! Doug Davidson is Killing It! No matter what, there are usually two stories that have me riveted (right now it’s Patty/Emily and Adam vs. Everyone). The possibility they’ll someday bring back my beloved Billy Warlock (Ben) – yeah okay, that one’s a stretch, lol.

Cons: A few younger actors that can’t act (though they seem to be fixing that). Some of the couples and characters are Snoreville!

*************************

Tough decision. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the shows!!

-Melanie/SoapOperaBabble/daisyclover1938 (and various other aliases)