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All My Children

RATINGS: General Hospital Has Good Week!

Courtesy/ABC

The ratings are out for the week of September 17-21st and it was General Hospital which had a good week,  getting some upward numbers in some significant demos!

First up, GH added + 50,000 in total viewers for the week, bringing its total to 2, 578, 000 for the week.  In addition, General Hospital was the only one of the four network daytime dramas to add viewers in the key 18-49 female demo.  And, in only its second week in its new time slot, the lone ABC soap tied with The View as the number one watched program in women 18-34, it’s highest number since September 2011.

In addition, TV Media Insights is reporting: “GH has settled in comfortably weekdays at 2 p.m., building from lead-in The Chew across the board and maintaining audience levels from one year earlier (when it aired at 3 p.m.). Based on the Live Plus Same Day data from Nielsen for the week of Sept. 17, General Hospital versus The Chew increased by 350,000 total viewers (2.23 to 2.58 million), 45 percent in women 18-49 (419,000 to 609,000), 43 percent in women 25-54 (564,000 to 808,000) and 34 percent among women 18-34 (149,000 to 200,000).   GH compared to one year earlier was on par in total viewers and women 18-34, with erosion of just nine percent and eight percent, respectively, among women 18-49 and 25-54. The Chew in contrast, continues to trail All My Children from one year earlier by double-digit percentages.”

The Young and the Restless, while adding the most viewers for the week +73,00,  bringing their total for the ratings period to 4,289,000, hit all-time lows in key demos!  First, Y&R lost women in the key 18-49 category and had its lowest total since early December of 2011.  And, an all-time low in ratings share for women 18-34 and 18-49 too!

Over at The Bold and the Beautiful, the soap was the only daytime drama to lose overall viewers for the week – 25,000, but stay firmly in the number two position.  And last, Days of our Lives added + 15,000  and came in with 2,312,000 total viewers, but also tied an all-time low in the women 18-49 ratings share!  You can view all the  ratings courtesy of  Soap Opera Network here!

OK, it’s time for our soapers to be our weekly Soap Opera Programming Executive Armchair Quarterbacks!  So, what is happening here?  What soaps are working?  Which one’s aren’t enticing you enough to want to watch every day?  Which are making you want to not miss an episode?  And, what storyline or character, or actor/actress would you bring in to anyone of the four soaps to spice things up that could turn their arrival into ratings gold?  Weigh-in!

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I think GH is working because it’s combining the best of OLTL and the best of GH. Ron C is great at mixing humor, drama, action and keeping it fast paced. He also hearkens back to a lot of history from both shows without making viewers feel as though they have to schlep to You Tube to figure out what they’ve missed (although why ABC themselves doesn’t post soap ‘cliff notes’ on their site to bring new viewers up to speed when the show makes mention of old stories is kind of puzzling).

I have been a GH fan since the late 70s, but havent watched regularly for over a decade (because of the endless mob centered stories) but have been watching every day since April.. love this show now!

I agree. I’ve been watching for over 20 years and the mob centered story lines got really old. It’s called GENERAL HOSPITAL, so it’s nice to see story lines taking place at the hospital, not just people being toted in because they were shot by the mob or blown up during mob violence. I love the fast pace, I feel like if I miss a show, I’ll miss something important. It used to be I could miss a week and come back and Sonny would be pointing a gun at someone just like the week before. This is much better. I especially love all the completely insane characters on the show, even though I hate what they do. Heather Webber is a hoot! Love the OLTL characters as well, especially Todd, but these new hospital characters (the two involved with Dr. Drake) are boring and annoying. Like the lab tech though! The other soaps need new blood, new storylines and a faster pace. Hey, whatever happened to The Nurses Ball on GH? Used to look forward to that.

As someone who has watched for fifty yrs..almost…the GH of today is OUTSTANDING. Amy, you are right. RC must be having a field day writing for the best of two worlds. Have not been this excited to tune in for years.

Will, I love the idea of soap cliff notes! The networks and/or Soapnet really should do that. For me, all three ABC soaps were all must-see everyday for me. I’m loving GH more than ever and I now watch Days and Y&R to help support the soap genre. I don’t care for B&B, never have.

Most every prime time show that is even remotely serialized has a ‘previously’.. so the cliff notes could drive traffic to the ABC site and be quick and fun. Hey, ABC I need a job, hire me to do this! 🙂 LOL 🙂

I agree as well. The show is on a roll, Ron Carlivati is doing a great job working the GH vets as well as the crossovers into the show. Frank Valentini is doing a great job bringing back some old favorites while balancing a tight budget…Show gets 2 thumbs up from me.

I have been watching GH since it came on and I am a true fan of the soap. I would like too see some of the old characters on screen more. Edward was a great example of how much fun it was to see him with Jason and Michael, now he is gone and those moments are lost. I hate when one character is favored for happiness too, but with Jason gone Sam should have her final days pure joy. Jason, Sam, baby Daniel Edward and Monica too. I like some of the new characters from OLTL, but the new doctor and nurse stinks. I am just glad that we have a soap on ABC to watch. I hate when a great character. Is killed off like Ewen. I will watch GH at any time slot as long as they are on, just stay true to GH …….t forget the Christmas story and family time. Steve and Audrey created a wonderful tradition.

Who and what I like: McBam- John & Sam- of General Hospital. They have an amazing amount of chemistry and are so enjoyable to watch! I haven’t seen chemistry like this in awhile. I love they way they stare at each other, how they are drawn to each other, and am eager to see much more of their relationship. Hopefully they will be a future couple once Jason is gone! They are the main reason I am watching GH.

GH is getting better. It feels more like the real/old GH. Less mob. However, the continued focus on Kate/Connie really brings the show down. Her over-the-topness is embarrassing to watch and a perfect example of why many viewers won’t watch soaps. If you turned on GH for the first time and saw her, you’d turn it off fast. She has got to go.

And while the show is getting better, it’s still not as good as OLTL. THAT was must-see, appointment viewing TV.

I agree only to this point…………OLTL was must watch TV, only the last year when they knew they were leaving, and RC did an outstanding job getting as much story told in a small amount of time as he did. JMO

I sooooo agree with you Louisa! I love GH and want it on for many more years… but I really do not like the Kate/Connie character now. Not because of the DID story but because it is just not good to watch. I loved the Kate chracter when she was the editor of Crimson with Maxie and LuLu and the whole “Devil Wears Prada” storyline. But with Kelly Sullivan in the DID role it just really turns me off. I am sure Kelly is a great person and at times she is talented, but maybe it is the over the topness… I loved Vicki and all of her DID stories on OLTL… maybe it is because I cared about the Vicki character and because I loved Erica Slezak… not sure… but this is not working and makes me want to FF through it.

I agree about Kate/Connie. I didn’t like the DID storyline to start with, but thought they had closed it down when she seemed “cured.” Now it’s just desperate and over-done. I’m sure there are more skeletons in the closet they can dredge up for characters to play, especially since DID had been done recently again in OLTL. I do like the idea of her being Trey’s mother. Maybe she had a DID incident with Joe Jr. and she was really Connie having a one-nighter with him, instead of a Kate rape. Really miss OLTL.

There is something very wrong with Y&R getting so many viewers and staying #1- it is not all that good.
I think its’ ratings has something to do with Y&R being aired internationally in 33 countries outside of the USA, (same with B&B being international..)
for both to have such very high ratings is not right, it has to have something to do with them being international IMO ..

I’m absolutely in love with GH too! I started watching in the 90’s with S&B but stopped daily watching after the first JaSam break up. Got back after they reunited but I have never seen GH be soooooo entertaining! Todd and ME additions are really enticing. Though a JaSammer, I was a Calivian first and with SB leaving, McBam has enticed me to no end! Addicted to GH once again, thanks RC!

What I’m loving is that all the characters that used to be on the backburner for years are getting more play now (Alexis, Mac, Tracy, Monica, etc..) I love that I can count on seeing some of my favs..people who made me watch the show in the first place. I remember I started watching when I was a soldier in Korea…SEXIS got me hooked! Love seeing more women based stories outside of the mob…NLG, KMo, KSu, KS, FH, JE, LC, LW, RH keep rocking it ladies….

Really agree with you re: backburner characters. Hope they keep Jax, want more Luke and Anna, together or not.

Bring Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers) back to GH. For good! That would be ratings gold!

…Like him a lot

I agree. He is an awesome actor and I love his chemistry with Finola Hughss

If Y&R ‘s not smart enough to bring him back I’m hoping GH’s is.

GH is vastly improved! I love seeing the entire cast being used. I strongly dislike the new nurse/doctor stuff with Patrick ; it’s painful. Connie at her party was painful too. The faster pace and less mob is great. Love Nancy Lee Grahn with “the Davis girls” and am loving that Alexis is relevant again. I would really like to see Ned return and their romance rekindled ; ending with a marriage this time.

Totally agree about the new Patrick storyline. You wouldn’t have known that 5 minutes ago he was grieving for Robin, and when a bachelor, wouldn’t have been so taken in by the new doctor. And while “girls just want to have fun” the bachelorette part was “painful.” Besides Connie, I didn’t like Lulu’s role, or Mac going along with all of this. Still can’t figure out how Connie keeps fooling everyone, especially Olivia and Sonny.

Totally shocked DAYS picked up 15,000 viewers. The last 3 weeks have been nothing but painful. Nicole’s crazy, Sami’s weak and Jennifer’s pathetic. There is no one worth rooting for.

Oh, and Marlena doesn’t care which of her daughter’s Rafe ends up with as long as he stays in her family. Worst Mother Ever.

the 15K most likely tuned in to see the WilSon story and Kiss, the rest of the show was Boring. Glad the Melanie show is ending.

Lol. I agree. I hated the Melanie show. Rafe and Sami have become unbearable and Im surprised that they gained some viewers considering all the storylines are terrible. Wilson are good though so I guess viewers tuned in for them.

I agree for once with Avelina. WilSon is the only reason people are watching Days right now. Actually, I lied. WilSon and Nabi, plus Melanie leaving, thank goodness! But even if the Melanie show was canceled, we are still left with the Sami show.

For once Dmitri and I agree lol. Thank goodness melanie is going. Wilson are good but I cant handle Sami and her flip flopping between 3 men. It has become a real turn off and unbearable. I wish the show would focus on other characters. I cant stand Sami at the moment and I havent watched in months. That is really affecting the ratings. It shouldnt be the Sami hour. I guess ghat gives me an extra hour to focus on other things in the day

How long have you watch days of our lives? And yes other characters beside sami need to be front and center, but sami is entertaining and it is not actress fault that writers can settle her with one person. Her mother marlana , bo, hope, stefano, john and victor kiriakis use be on all time. Everbody has a opinion on how a show should run or who gets airtime, right now nick, jen, nicole, chad, gabi, daniel, and maggie are chewy up airtime.

Nobody ever said it was Ali Sweeney’s fault. I’m sure she’s upset at this storyline as well. But We all know that Sami won’t choose a man for quite a while. Watch this happen: Sami learns Rafe isn’t the dad, so she has grief sex with EJ. Then, she and EJ flirt, but she decides to be with Lucas because she still loves him. EJ plots to keep Lucas and her apart, but Sami finds out adn yells at him. Then, Sami realizes she still loves Rafe, and leaves Lucas to forgive Rafe. Once she’s back with Rafe, she and EJ have some flirty argument, and nearly kiss. Rafe sees and ends it with her. Then, Sami wants to be with EJ for the kids, but chooses Lucas because Marlena tells her to. Then once Lumi are reunited, Sami flashbacks to Rafe and kisses him in the Town Square for all to see, including Lucas…
This is all we have seen for YEARS, that’s why everyone isn’t watching the show anymore, because Sami’s merry-go-round of men will never stop and never appease any EJami, Lumi or Safe fans AT ALL!

Late james reiley wrote sami has insure girl who wanted attention and damn good villianess i might add who wanted austin reed and live saint carrie shadow, that is probably why ever writer since him as wrote sami as bed hopping slut, they write her as still has that insure girl that is not good enough or screws everything up. How you like them apples dimtri. I have watch this for almost 20 yrs., their little you get over on me.

CR, I don’t understand a thing you just posted. Again, I’m not saying that it is AS’s fault, she’s a wonderful actress, but a lot of people don’t like the character. I’ve been watching for years so don’t treat me like a newcomer. I know the history of Days and what Sami has done to Austin, Carrie and Lucas.

I posted something that makes a lot of sense, because it very much explains how the writers are writing the character. Now i did not call you newcomer and bunch of people like sami brady. Phyllis, brooke, carly on gh, taylor on b&b, and etc. All have similarties with sami brady character. Im 27 yrs old and watch days for 20 yrs and my mother has watch it 40 yrs., it real funny that almost every soap opera that been on has a someone hate and someone you like, golddiggers( jill y&r), sluts (steffyb&b), psychos (patty williams y&r) and on and on, so your opinion of sami brady is not opinion of countless others.

CR go to daytime royalty. 90 percent of ppl there LOATHE Sami as much as Carrie, Kate and Nicole do!

Who gives a shit of what daytime royalty says, soap opera digest she was voted favorite actress for months. I bunch people hate nicole, kate, and even the absence carrie.

More people watch days of our lives during sami and nicole baby switch, sami was front and center, all writers like the character, no matter how they write character. People like you don;t know that any brady or horton are core and heart of show. We can round and round, you not gonna make me dislike sami brady, if i was writer she would be alone for a while and focus on children and her career.

You are type people who get on my nerves, you talk how days is sami brady hour, just recently i have been seeing daniel, nicole, gabi, chad, jennifer, nick, and maggie and the ratings stay the same. So your facts are off at the present time.

Uh, hello! Sami has been on for months EVERY SINGLE DAY!

Duh, she does not get the whole hour retard!

You talk she gets all the airtime and she does not. I watch everday so do call me liar or patroize me. She is main character and her marlana use to get same amount as she did, do you dislike marlana, you most likely don’t. Anyway im not studying you and i have bigger fish to fried..

Sami is show everyday nonetheless, while prize characters like Justin, Adrienne, Maggie, Victor and Bo & Hope are put on backburner. It isn’t fair. And using the word “retard” isn’t cool. I haven’t insulted you, so I expect the same level of respect.

Ok dimtri, those characters are prize characters true, but hate to tell you that wally kurth and judi evans are both recurring, maggie gets air time, victor not so much,peter reckell is leaving in october, and hope is not character she used to be. Im bo and carly fan. Crystal chappell all the way. Days went up 44,000 this week and that people love to all the characters on the show.

Days may have gained ratings, but it is still the number four soap, when just a month ago it was ahead of GH, thanks to the post-Olympics stuff, which I generally hated anyways. I also like Carly, and Barly, though I do think Bo belongs with Hope.

I have been watching both GH and OLTL for over 35 years. Love them both. I still miss OLTL. Gh is getting better, less mobster, more hospital. Ron’s writing is great, and soaps fans are tough critics. I love the recent episode with Milo. Whoa. great abs, and a fun show. I love Max, Milo, diane, and Spinelli. I am a big Spixie fan. Bring over david Vickers for awhile. He is great. Funny and sweet at the same time. I now love watching GH w/o any spoilers. It makes watching more fun. Thanks,

A week of David Vickers would be terrific!!!

Plus Dorian!

The ratings that I’m really looking forward to is the period of 9/24-28 as I’d like to see how Y&R did that week that led up to their 10,000th episode. That is what I’m interested in seeing!

I couldn’t agree more! Loved the nurses ball please bring it and Lucy Coe back. They didn’t fade into obscurity.

If you follow some GHers on Twitter-there have been some VERY cryptic Nurse’s Ball references-decorum prevents me from listing them here…

YES, a return of the Nurses Ball – and Lucy Coe ending the show almost completely undressed (always a hoot!!)

“General Hospital” has definitely become more focused now that the “One Life to Live” cast-offs and Frank/Ron are settling in and finally making it about the show they’re on currently, and not their previous Daytime home. However, I still fail to see what‘s making it so boast-focus.

“Days of our Lives” is truly in its prime right now; while I loved Marlene at the helm writing-wise, Christopher and his team (Lorraine, ex-AMC head scribe) have definitely taken it into a more paced, and modern serial! I love it and hope that it continues to succeed, especially with the return of Eileen Davidson (Kristen; ex-Ashley, Y&R) and upcoming début of Greg Vaughan (Eric; ex-Diego, Y&R; ex-Lucky, GH).

Days in its prime? Days is at its suckiest right now! They’ve been in last place for about two weeks! After the Olympics they were in front of GH. MarDar was bad, but TomSell just brought the show to new lows.

Wow. I agree again. Days is do bad now, I feel really bad for them. I fobg get it. Im still scratching my head at the fact that Ken Corday fires Tomlin and Whitesell snd then brings them back. Thry are destroying the show. All storylines are bad. Its hurting tge ratings and people are tuning out. Wilson is the only thing working for them.

Sorry I was meant to say i dont get it. My computer isnt working very well.

That’s your opinion Avelina, however, I must disagree.

Days is medicore

I like seeing the crossovers of OLTL on GH….I would like to see Erika Slezak make an appearence on GH…..The boasting is GH stories are soooooooo good and I can’t wait to see it everyday & find out what will happen next…Yes GH is that GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, it’s not as good as you’re boasting it to be Susan.

Days is in a deep transtion ditch and writers need to climb out with some of the stories to ffind a creative ground. I liking the sami, rafe, and e.j story and nick story. I could not believe that they only gain 15,000 , i was expecting at least 40,000 gain. I say demote whitesell to script writer and make lorranie broderick co head writer with tomlin. B&b is boring folks and ridge is gone, stephanie is not far behind him. Liam steffy and hope masked with rick thomas and caroline, please!

Lorraine would be an excellent headscribe at DAYS. She really would be. Her writing on AMC was pure and attentive of the true history of the series. As for B&B, I’m not bored of it now that Ridge is gone.

Lorranie is script writer at days of our lives right now and ridge and brooke also stephanie made bold and the beautiful.

You’re one of the few that likes the Sami and her men storyline. I just want to see a Lumi/Safe triangle and that’s it! EJ belongs with Nicole.

That sounds cool dmitri having safe and lumi triangle, but e.j has lot more chemistry with sami than nicole. Nicole belongs with brady or somebody else.

Cr I agree with you about the Ejami thing as I love them. Safe/Luumi will be boring but I like Lumi . So I dont mind if Sami chooses Lucas but Ejami is my favourite. However Tomsell are really tanking the show and no storyline is interesting at all.

So happy for GH !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think GH is here to stay !!!! Keep up the good work Ron!!!!! Drama in the afternoon , YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There sees to be an uptick in daytime drama. AMEN! I think less of the mob in Port Charles is a good thing. I think reviving histories and some characters is a good thing. Daytime drama evolves and moves forward. I do not want to see the same show I saw in 1977, 1987, or 1997. I do want the same compelling storytelling with the hospital as its center stage. And I do want some connection to the past. We seem to be getting that on GH now. I only wish ABC has the wisdom to tak etime to recraft AMC and OLTL to allow their evolution.

I agree about the Kate/Connie story, it has to go.

Two weeks do not a season make, but GH is off to a promising start. What scares me though is all the Jasam and Liason honks jumping off a bridge once Steve makes his last (for now) appearance. Just shut up and watch already.

Over at DAYS-I’m a new viewer, and still settling in-but I do like what I see so far. I DO hope, though that they have Bo’s exit written out better than what I’m seeing so far-especially since Kristian is sticking around…

SEXIS brings the ratings. Alexis brings the ratings! The GH Vets bring the ratings!!! More of them please!!!

General Hospital is on fire and viewership will continue to raise. I trust Frank, and Ron completely and so excited to have a soap again I feel good about. I still miss One Life To Live everyday, but getting a small dose in GH. Kassie Depaiva, and Florencia Lozano help a lot!!

No wonder GH and the CBS soaps are still on, beause nobody is watching Days of Our Lives! The only reason worth watching is because Will & Sonny, or Gabi & Nick! The show is just G-d-awful right now and hopefully Kristen’s return will bring back viewers. I can’t even watch right now because my eyes are sore from the regime of TomSell.

Y&r had demo lows dude, just like days. Gh gain ground, b&b is bore fest of horny liam and slut steffy and even a likeable one.

Don;t watch days then if are that nick picky!

Just want to wish steve burtton.aka jason thebest in his next journeys to . Hhcome he will be missed on gh. I’ve enjoyed his character for so long won’t be the same without him but I do hope to see him on screen soon. Had the honor of meeting him:-)goodluck steve best to u in whatever is to come next u won’t be forgotten and just will keep a lookout to. See what’s next on the bigscreen for u …

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: The only reason it’s getting better, is because of Lorreiane, the writer from AMC. I have always loved her work. And ever since she came in, the scene it’s more balanced. And I would love more of love triangle with Nicole with EJ and BRADY. BUT she personally belongs with Brady more. Than EJ any day. And leave DANIEL AND RAFE ALONE, FOR ONCE AND FOR ALL.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: FRANK AND RON : they are the best of what they do, of creating different storylines. That everyone relates to, right now though there is one, that they need to, get rid of the most is the stories, that is surrounding JOHNNY. Johnny is being annoying, of lying to Carly, who he says that he’s changed. But he really the same person, that he was. Before Carly came into his life. and Connie is married to him. And is a thorn to him, which I love the most. I love that the writers are, making Kate a mother to, Trey. I love that part most of all. I would love to more of Blair, coming on GH. For good. She needs to be on the show. That’s when GH is at its best. To have a love triangle with some OLTL CHARACTERS with GENERAL HOSPITALS CHARACTERS. Such as JOHN/SAM/NATALIE and TODD/CARLY/BLAIR.

The ratings or nelisens only count 1out of 4the people watchin these shows and gh is doing very well, but how long after steve burton is gone and big question for days is peter reckell exit.

Days is awful! Before the Dayaster, Sami and EJ were on the run trying to prove his innocence in killing Stefano. There were some mighty powerful scenes with them; Sami seemed to be admitting her feelings for EJ and then after the Olympic – poof! EJami gone and Safe is back. What the heck is going on with the writers? EJami fans were all enthused about their couple finally getting together after 6 years and we get nada, zilch! Safe is what we’re getting! James Scott and Alison Sweeney have more chemistry together in their little fingers than GG and AS have in their whole bodies, so why on earth would Corday and TomSell promote the Safe reunion? Don’t they know how to write a good love story for two people who have been on the verge of a relationship for the last 6 years? No wonder viewers are leaving by the droves! They’d better rethink their plots and storylines before Days will be following in the path of the other soaps! They are wasting the talents of James Scott to be the big, bad EJ DiMera yet again! Now I read on a spoiler that Sami offers to help Rafe keep the baby’s paternity a secret from EJ. What in the h**l is that all about? I am baffled by this writing! I could do better myself! I am about to stop watching Days in spite of being a faithful viewer for the past 46 years!

Who have been a faithful viewer for almost 46 yrs and you want to quit watching the show now, when this show has seen a lot worser times than this. You could try watchin bold and beautiful and maybe than you appreciated days of our lives. But the show gets cancel, you will moan and complain.

This page is about ratings and why they are up or down, dimtri seem to think that sami is the reason for days low ratings. Not one actor is blame for this.

Thank you for requesting feedback from viewers.  I am a young professional who used to be a loyal GH viewer during the Sonny and Brenda years.  Apparently, I live under a rock because I happened upon an online post that Brenda returned to GH in 2011-2012.  For the past few weeks, I have been on You Tube catching up on the episodes during Vanessa Marcil’s visit.  I wasn’t but three episodes in, when I recalled why I stopped watching daytime TV years ago.  The following list details what, for me, has made daytime TV a thing of the past. 

1) Weak story lines.  Why not have quality writing, similar to prime time dramas?  Please find  higher caliber writers — the ridiculous and sappy storylines are an insult to our intelligence.   

2) Make watching worth viewers valuable time.  Day time story lines move at the pace of a snail!  Example:  On GH, there were months wasted on Brenda in Rome, yet no time for S&B honeymoon footage, which was shot and never used.   Infuriating.  

Most people have digital TV and/or access to You Tube, on Demand, etc.  Make archives of episodes accessible, so if the audience has missed out on episodes, they can catch up.  No point in making actors repeat themselves for a week or more.  Understandably, there’s something to be said for suspense, but let’s face it, we are an ADD, technology toting nation, with plenty of other things to focus on.  There is no point in DRAGGING out the inevitable… more times than not, the audience already suspects what will happen.  Soap writers, please, let’s get on with it, so we can move on to the next evolution of the story.  

3) Tell relevant, powerful, emotionally intelligent stories vs. cheesy, cliche stories that support and glorify ridiculous and sometimes criminal behavior.  Now, I realize this is a bit hypocritical considering my favorite character of all time is a mob boss.  However, the balance of “good” vs. “bad”characters in daytime TV seemed grossly out of whack.  In most prime time TV shows, there is a balance of good vs. evil, where most cases, good prevails.  Soap writers, GH writers, please tell stories that the audience can relate to, that inspire us to be better people, to make good choices, not such an unbalanced display of behaviors that glorify being part of the problem.  

 The one exception, regardless of crap writing, is the pure enjoyment of watching the on-screen chemistry between Vanessa Marcil and Maurice Benard.  They turn all that isn’t perfect behind the scenes into such an enjoyable pass time, that it left my husband scratching his head as to how a soap opera could keep his successful, no BS wife watching until the wee hours.  I gladly engaged in the friendly banter, took the flack and kept on watching.  Yet was content to stop as soon as Marcil’s visit was over.  

Now, with the networks weeding out other soaps, it would suggest that there is an opportunity for change.  With quality writing, good acting and intelligent story lines that evolve at a quicker pace, I would be happy to give up another activity to fit watching GH or Y&R into my schedule again.  

All My Children

Carol Burnett Talks About Being a Superfan of ‘All My Children’ on ‘Live with Kelly and Mark’

In a heartfelt reunion, of sorts, the one and only Carol Burnett appeared on Monday March 25th episode of Live with Kelly and Mark.

Burnett had first met Kelly Ripa (Hayley) and Mark Consuelos (ex-Mateo) back when they all appeared on All My Children together. Carol played Verla Grubbs first in 1983 and then again in the 90’s.

Host Kelly Ripa (ex-Hayley, AMC) noted to Burnett that “we go back a long time”. She also described Burnett’s character of Verla Grubbs, “extraordinary in every way.”

Carol’s love for All My Children is well-documented, hence legendary soap creator, Agnes Nixon, created the role of Verla for Burnett.

Photo: ABC

Speaking on how her passion for All My Children began, Carol told Kelly and Mark, “It started with my kids. They would watch at noon. I said, ‘What are you guys doing?’ I sat down and I started to watch and I got hooked!”

When Carol’s family decided to travel through Europe during one summer, the comedic legend recalled thinking, “How am I going to last if I don’t know what’s going on in Pine Valley?” She revealed she had a friend, “who sent me a telegram to the (different hotels) on Fridays to bring me up to date.”

Photo: ABC

In a hilarious moment from the segment, Carol recalled receiving a late night telegram while in Lake Cuomo when there was a knock at her hotel room door from the hotel manager who was shaking.

Carol related what it said, “Erica is still in a coma. Mark slipped again and ran away from rehab.” As Kelly and Mark broke into laughter, Burnett continued, “Chuck has learned that Donna is carrying his baby, who was once a hooker.”

Check out Carol explaining how she became an AMC Superfan below.

Now, let us know, did you enjoy Carol as Verla Grubbs? What show do you consider yourself a Superfan of? Tell us in the comment section.

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All My Children

Malachy McCourt, ‘Ryan’s Hope’ and ‘All My Children’ Actor, Dead at 92

If you watched Ryan’s Hope through its 14-year-run, you know that Kevin the bartender became a beloved “member’ of the Ryan clan on the defunct ABC daytime drama series. The character of Kevin MacGuiness became so loved by the fans because of the actor who portrayed him, Malachy McCourt.

Sadly, according to his wife Diana McCourt to The New York Times, Malachy passed away on Monday from a heart condition and battling cancer. The actor was 92-years-old.

Playing Kevin on Ryan’s Hope was not much of a stretch for McCourt, because in his lifetime, he was the owner of 1950s Irish pub Malachy’s on Third Avenue in Manhattan. Known as one of the city’s great story-tellers, patrons from longshoremen to the actor Richard Harris would stop in and talk all things Irish with . On Ryan’s Hope, Kevin was best friends to “Ryan’s Bar” owner, Johnny Ryan (Bernie Barrow) and he tried to keep Delia (Ilene Kristen) on the straight and narrow.

Photo: ABC

In his soap opera career, McCourt also was widely-known for his role of Father Clarence McCourt on All My Children especially come Christmastime. Was Clarence, actually St. Nick? That was always the proverbial question. McCourt also appeared on the New York soaps: One Life To Live, Search For Tomorrow and Another World. Other roles included: Devil’s Own, Brewster’s Millions, The Molly Maguires, and Starman, to name 

Later in 2006, Malachy ran for governor of the state of New York as a Green Party candidate. He tackled social issues of the time including being an advocate for gay and lesbian groups to march in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Photo: ABC

McCourt’s childhood was recounted within his brother Frank McCourt’s Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir Angela’s Ashes, which detailed their mother’s attempt to raise the four of their surviving seven children in poverty in Limerick, Ireland. Later, Malachy wrote his own memoirs: 1998’s Monk Swimming, and 2000’s Singing My Him Song.

Malachy is survived by his aforementioned wife, Diana, daughter Siobhan McCourt; sons Malachy Jr., Conor and Cormac; stepdaughter Nina Galin; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Share you remembrances and condolences for Malachy McCourt via the comment section, but first check out this scene from a 1983 episode of “Ryan’s Hope” featuring the late actor with Ilene Kristen.

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All My Children

‘Live with Kelly and Mark’s’ Annual ‘After the Oscars’ Show Brings Backstage Interviews, Fashion Review and Red Carpet Arrivals from Movie’s Biggest Night

Monday morning, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos took to the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood for the talk show’s annual Oscar post show.

However, this time it would be Consuelos’ first time as the co-host of ‘Live’ for an Oscars episode. Mark took over the gig from Ryan Seacrest to team with his wife back in April of 2023 and since then the show has seen a ratings spike hitting several all-time highs.

The After the Oscars show opened with a tribute to the movies were the former All My Children stars took on iconic roles from: Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct to Barbie and Ken in Barbie, to the Cameron Diaz and Ben Stiller role’s in the romantic comedy Something About Mary and more.

Courtesy/DisneyABC

During After the Oscars, Kelly and Mark were shown in clips backstage as the first stop for the newly-anointed Academy Award winners including: Finneas and Billie Eilish and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. The Bachelor host, Jesse Palmer was the talk show’s guest correspondent who spoke to the nominees, and celebrities as they were entering the Dolby Theatre on Sunday night.

Singer Andy Grammar took to the stage and performed on Live’s  After the Oscars show as well, and Project Runaway’s Elaine Welteroth shared her thoughts on the night’s Oscar fashion.

You can watch the full ‘Live with Kelly and Mark After the Oscars’ show below, plus the full movie parody below that. Now let us know, what do you think of Kelly and Mark’s first post-Oscar show together on ‘Live’? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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