News
Paul Rauch weighs in on soaps troubled waters & OLTL's cancellation!
© JPI Studios
One of the all-time magicians of the daytime genre, Paul Rauch discussed the plight of the soaps and the end of his beloved One Life to Live with TV Guide Canada in a new feature from Nelson Branco. Rauch, who recently left The Young and the Restless as co-executive producer is widely known for his tremendous producing skills as head honcho at Another World, Guiding Light, and of course, One Life to Live.
During the TVG interview, Rauch gave his thoughts on how his protege Frank Valentini (EP, OLTL) is handling the news of the series ending. In addition, Rauch reveals his thoughts as the daytime landscape is all but washed away, and where many wrong turns were made within the industry over the last few decades. Here are a few excerpts!
Rauch on how Valentini handled the news of the cancellation of OLTL: “He was devastated. I think he particularly believed ABC would keep the show on the air because One Life was doing such a good job [creatively and staying under budget]. He thought business as usual would continue. He was knocked out by the news. Frank will do a terrific job from now until the end of the show. No doubt about it. And my guess? I think their numbers will improve.”
Rauch on if he thinks that now that two soaps have been canceled, if those viewers will in turn start to watch the four remaining soaps: “I don’t know. People are so engrained in their own habits, so I don’t see that necessarily. I like sports, but if I don’t have football or baseball on, I’m not going to turn to hockey and basketball because I don’t like hockey and basketball. I’m not sure if that’s the benchmark or not, but I don’t know if viewers will turn to another story. I think fans might be angry – and not watch any soaps [because why invest]?”
Rauch on the way Oprah Winfrey delivered her message to soap fans that her OWN network, would not pick up AMC and OLTL: “She took the air as the decider when she said we’ll never do it. Unfortunately, she didn’t say, ‘My network can’t support an expensive model like soap operas.’ Essentially, she said, ‘soaps are done.’ I think it was a gratuitous point of view. The question posed by fans was: would your network be interested in [absorbing] AMC and One Life? What she should have said was: ‘We’re a branded network and we can’t afford a quarter to a million dollars a week to produce a show, but we can produce other shows for much less.’ That’s what her statement should’ve been instead of, ‘soaps are dead.’”
Breaking News
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.
According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).
Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.
Photo: ABC
After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared, “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”
In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.
Photo: ABC
TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.
Photo: ABC
The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.
No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.
So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS and ‘Supernatural’ Alum Jensen Ackles Joins the Cast of Justin Hartley’s CBS Series ‘Tracker’
Look who’s joining Justin Hartley’s hit freshman drama, Tracker! None other than another soap alum, former Days of our Lives and Supernatural favorite Jensen Ackles.
In a reveal via Hartley’s Instagram on Thursday, Ackles is set to play Hartley’s on-screen brother on the CBS procedural drama. In Tracker, Colter Shaw is estranged from his brother, Russell, which has been a big part of the mystery of season one.
Ackles is best known for his long run as Dean Winchester in The CW’s Supernatural, a role he reprised in the prequel of the series The Winchesters. He also recently starred in ABC’s Big Sky as Sheriff Beau Arlen and in The Boys as Soldier Boy.
Photo: CBS
Jensen was the original Eric Brady on Days of our Lives, a role he played from 1997-2000, before departing for the world of primetime and film. Eric was in love with Nicole played by Arianne Zucker. The part of Eric was recast with Greg Vaughan taking over the role in 2012.
Photo: JPI
In his Instagram post, Justin thanked everyone for watching Tracker, and then revealed Ackles as the surprise casting announcement in the role of Russell, while Jensen was playing pinball in the video! No word yet on when Jensen’s first episode as Russell will air. Stay tuned.
Check out Justin’s casting post featuring Jensen Ackles below. So, what do you think of Justin and Jensen playing brothers on Tracker? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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General Hospital
Jack Wagner Open to Making an Appearance in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot and Shares, “You Never Really Die on a Soap”
With the Melrose Place revival the talk of the town, now Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco, GH, ex-Nick, B&B and ex-Peter Burns, MP) has weighed-in on it and if he would show up in the new series if it should find a home.
Currently, CBS Studios is developing a reboot starring Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton. But what is Dr. Peter Burns were to show up alive?
As those who saw the end of the original MP know, Peter and Amanda (Locklear) faked their deaths and then tied the knot with Peter on a beach, supposedly in a “happily ever after” scenario.
Photo: Fox
Speaking with PEOPLE, Wagner expressed, what we all know who watch the soaps, that no one is never, ever really gone for good. Jack expressed, “You never really die on a soap, right? How they unfold those two characters (Peter and Amanda), it’d be fantastic how they sort of tell that story.”
Wagner added, “That was a great finale to be included in, especially with Heather. If I’m asked to come back, I’d absolutely entertain that.”
Photo: Fox
The original Melrose Place aired for seven seasons from 1992 to 1999. The story featured the residents of an apartment complex, whose lives were intertwined. Eventually Wagner and Heather Locklear dated fro 2007-2011.
As previously reported, the new Melrose Place share that some of original neighbors and friends reunite after a death. The loglines add, “The pressure cooker of a reunion soon uncovers old traumas, rekindles old romances, reignites old resentments, and reveals new secrets… throwing our characters into chaotic drama that’s reminiscent of the past, but with a much more modern perspective.”
So, would you like to see Jack Wagner return as Dr. Peter Burns on Melrose Place, or Frisco Jones on GH, or both? Comment below.
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Still extremely sad about my shows. I will never watch abc after the last oltl airs. I totally agree with Mr Rauch about the way Noprah answered us. If she would have said it the way that he suggested, I would not have been mad. Now I am so angry and I hope OWN tanks.
“noprah”?
Can you be anymore immature. If wishing for someone else to fail because they are unwilling to go in debt to save something that can’t be saved, then maybe its a good thing we will eventually see the soap business gone. People need to grow up.
After her message to the soap fans, I haven’t watched her show since. What goes around comes around and cancellation may come to her OWN Network as well.