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2009 Critics Choices Picks Announced! OLTL wins big!
As we say goodbye to the decade and usher in a new year, On-Air On-Soaps wants to pay tribute to the men and women who daily and weekly have brought to soap fans and the daytime industry a place to gather their news, views, interviews, column, and blogs on the genre. Each has a unique voice and stamp that they bring to you, the online community. If we truly look at 2009, it was this online community of passionate and dedicated journalists and reporters who hoped for the best in daytime and called out it’s worst. So with that said, we asked the best of the best –TV Guide Canada’s, Nelson Branco, Daytime Confidential’s, Jamey Giddens and Luke Kerr, We Love Soaps, Roger Newcomb and Damon Jacobs, Fancast’s, Sara Bibel, AfterElton.com’s, Anthony Langford, On-Air On-Soaps, Michael Fairman and Soap Central’s, Dan Kroll, who were their picks for 2009 for Best Soap, Worst Soap, Best Performance Male and Female. Then we asked the pundits their thoughts on the Worst Mistake in Soaps, Most Disappointing, Most Shocking , and finally their Soap Wish for 2010.
In almost a sweep, One Life to Live was the choice for 2009’s Best Soap, while All My Children was almost a uninamous choice for Worst Soap. And in the Best Performance, Female- Crystal Chappell continued her amazing year end accolades by picking up the most votes from the panel. View the entire picks and year end comments, after the jump!
2009 ON-AIR ON-SOAPS CRITICS CHOICES CATEGORIES
| Best Male | Best Female | |||
| Best Soap | Worst Soap | Performance | Performance | |
| Dan Kroll | One Life | All My | Drew Garrett | Crystal Chappell |
| Soap Central | to Live | Children | GH | GL & DAYS |
| Sara Bibel | One Life | All My | David Canary | Robin Strasser |
| Fancast | To Live | Children | AMC | OLTL |
| Nelson Branco | One Life | All My | James Scott | Crystal Chappell |
| TV Guide Canada | to Live | Children | DAYS | GL |
| Jamey Giddens | One Life | All My | Billy Miller | Crystal Chappell |
| Daytime | to Live | Children | Y&R | |
| Confidential | ||||
| Luke Kerr | One Life | All My | Billy Miller | Stacy Haiduk |
| Daytime | to Live | Children | Y&R | Y&R |
| Confidential | ||||
| Damon Jacobs | Days of | All My | Don Hastings | Crystal Chappell |
| We Love Soaps | our Lives | Children | ATWT | (for all her roles) |
| Roger Newcomb | One Life | All My | Grant Aleksander | Crystal Chappell |
| We Love Soaps | to Live | Children | GL | GL |
| Anthony Langford | One Life | The Young & | Brett Claywell | Arianne Zuker |
| AfterElton.com | To Live | The Restless | OLTL | DAYS |
| MIchael Fairman | One Life | All My | Justin Deas | Crystal Chappell |
| On-Air On-Soaps | to Live | Children | GL | GL |
Worst Mistakes in Soaps of 2009
Dan Kroll – Soap Central
Phillip Chancellor III was believed to have been dead for 20 years, but he returned to town to announce that he’d only faked his death because he didn’t want anyone to know that he was gay. Speaking of gay, Adam Newman pretended to be gay in order to keep his dirty deeds a secret, dirty deeds that included injecting Botox into his eyes so that he could feign blindness.
Sara Bibel – Fancast
Cancelling As The World Turns.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Nelson Branco – TV Guide Canada
Canceling World Turns too early.
Jamey Giddens – Daytime Confidential
Not firing Chuck Pratt much earlier.
Luke Kerr – Daytime Confidential
Not firing Chuck Pratt much earlier.
Damon Jacobs – We Love Soaps
Phillip’s return on Y&R/Thom Biertz’s acting/the horrible writing for this story. Everything to do with this fiasco on and off screen was WRONG.
Roger Newcomb – We Love Soaps
P&G not cashing in on the Otalia phenomenon by spinning them off into a P&G produced web series.
Anthony Langford – AfterElton.com
Young and The Restless’ offensive, insulting and homophobic handling of their ‘gay’ storylines.
Michael Fairman – On-Air On-Soaps
CBS canceling ATWT just as it was getting its groove back.
Most Disappointing in Soaps of 2009
Dan Kroll – Soap Central
CBS didn’t just cancel one soap in 2009 – it pulled the plug on two shows- ATWT & GL!
Sara Bibel – Fancast
(tie) the ultimate lack of consequences for so many characters that committed vile acts — from Todd’s kidnapping and raping Marty to Victor unleashing Patty on Jack and OLTL’s ratings woes.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Nelson Branco – TV Guide Canada
GL’s sloppy series finale!
Jamey Giddens – Daytime Confidential
Cancellation of Procter and Gamble soap operas.
Luke Kerr – Daytime Confidential
As the World Turns’ Cancellation
Damon Jacobs – We Love Soaps
Canceling GL and ATWT
Roger Newcomb – We Love Soaps
ATWT’s GH actor fixation instead of using a history (including veteran actors) deeper than any other soap. I love Lynn Herring and Stuart Damon but Audrey and Ralph instead of Lisa and Tom? If there is a soap God, ATWT will fix this problem before going off the air.
Anthony Langford – AfterElton.com
that As The World Turns was canceled just as it was improving creatively.
MIchael Fairman – On-Air On-Soaps
Guiding Light’s boring finale!
Soap Moment that shocked you the most in 2009
Dan Kroll – Soap Central
ABC’s decision to move production of All My Children from New York to Los Angeles.
Sara Bibel – Fancast
(tie) Adam in drag on Y&R and Nash’s decomposing corpse’s reappearance on One Life To Live.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Nelson Branco – TV Guide Canada
Phillip Chancellor is alive and Adam and Rafe have sex on Y&R.
Jamey Giddens – Daytime Confidential
Finding out it was true that James Franco was doing General Hospital.
Luke Kerr – Daytime Confidential
James Franco guesting on General Hospital.
Damon Jacobs – We Love Soaps
Crystal Chappell and Louise Sorel returning to DAYS.
Roger Newcomb – We Love Soaps
Phillip III’s return from the dead on Y&R.
Anthony Langford – AfterElton.com
That OLTL showed two men being intimate in bed as if it happened on every soap opera every day.
MIchael Fairman – On-Air On-Soaps
Adam and Rafe have sex.
Your Soap Wish for 2010
Dan Kroll – Soap Central
Quite simply, my wish is that no more fans have to endure the pain of losing their favorite soap. For so many viewers, the soaps have become part of their daily routine. I’d like to see the networks strive to ramp up storylines and get viewers back to their stories. Maybe then more advertisers will pour money into these shows and allow them to continue.
Sara Bibel – Fancast
That the genre will stop being so dark and mean spirited and rediscover love stories and family sagas focusing on flawed but rootable characters resulting in an improbable ratings resurgence insuring that soaps will still be on the air in 2050.
Nelson Branco – TV Guide Canada
One Life to Live escapes cancellation and increases in the ratings.
Jamey Giddens – Daytime Confidential
I wish the showrunners, head writers, network executives, etc. that work with each of the remaining soaps would take a long, hard look at the history of their respective soaps, and the genre as whole, to get a proper understanding of when soaps were on fire (ratings-wise and creatively) and why. Then, I wish they would take this information with them into their writing rooms as they attempt to create television that, first and foremost, rewards the diehard fans who have stuck with the soaps for generations, as well as aggressively attempts to bring back lapsed viewers.
Luke Kerr – Daytime Confidential
No soaps get cancelled in 2010.
Damon Jacobs – We Love Soaps
NO CANCELLATIONS. That all current shows look at DAYS as an example of how to make a product that is consistent, respectful of viewer’s intelligence, written to their actor’s strengths.
Roger Newcomb – We Love Soaps
One or more web soaps find huge sponsorships leading to a golden new era for the genre -online.
Anthony Langford – AfterElton.com
Besides OLTL not getting the axe, I wish that ATWT begin to write Luke and Noah as adult, sexually realized gay men and give their long suffering fans what they want and deserve before the show ends.
Michael Fairman – On-Air On-Soaps
One Life soars in the ratings and captivates new viewers, and does not get cancelled!
James Franco was a surprise and not a particularly well-received one on General Hospital. But, at least, GH was given a nod because of Franco. I love General Hospital but I must be the only person. I can’t believe there was no recognition of actors such as Maurice Benard, Nancy Lee Grahn, Steve Burton, Tony Geary, Laura Wright, Jane Elliot, LisaLoCicero, Brandon Barash, Bradford Anderson, Rebecca Herbst and many of the recurring actors. I’ll continue to watch GH in 2010…even if I’m all alone.
I’d agree with all these selections and comments, though my choice for Best Female Performance would be Florencia Lozano, who has been hypnotic as Téa Delgado, even if she’s still involved with the dreaded Todd.
I’m a little disappointed that there weren’t more women among the critics–Melodie or Jillian from DC or Soap Opera Weekly’s Mala Bhattacharjee– or Dawn or Allison from Soap Central. Not sure it would’ve changed the overall results, but it would’ve been nice to have a more diverse set of voices.
Where is the diversity in the panel? The last time I checked most soap fans are women. Some of these men haven’t been watching soaps for very long either.
I’m very disappointed that AfterElton was selected as a legitimate representation. Last time I checked, most of the soap audience would not follow this publication for soap news. It’s a niche publication and not one that serves the general population. I’d much rather hear from Mala, Gabrielle Winkel from one of the main soap magazines.
There is only one actress to vote for, she is exceptional, brilliant, georgeous and her acting talent and range have no boundries…She makes everyone around her look better…CRYSTAL CHAPPELL!!!
I agree that Crystal Chappell’s performance of Olivia Spencer in love with Natalia Rivera was mesmerizing this year. CC was able to completely transform her character from a seemingly selfish woman to a wonderful, compassionate, and giving person. Her scenes at the grave yard in April where breathe taking and for that she deserves not one Emmy but several. Kudo’s to you Crystal Chappell you really stepped up your game this year and DOOL must be over the moon to have you!!!!!
The panel is correct, when the writers realize that soaps are “HISTORY” and quit re-writing it, GH learned this lesson the hard way “BUT” do they listen “NO”, they continue this travesty that will wind up with GH going down the tubes of cancellation. I began listening to soaps as a third grader with my aunt as the radio played Guilding Light, to this day I remember Dick & Kathy, a love story that still rings true, everytime I watch James Lipton on the Actors Studio he is still Dr Dick Grant. Mr Guza of GH has “NO” respect for history the backbone of soaps, first he destroys the Luke & Laura story, Now he is changing the Sonny & Kate story with the lude and non chemistry of Olivia & Sonny, the ratings since they broke them up has gone so far down, then he turns on the very people that kept GH up there by ignoring the Jason & Elizabeth s/l to bring back the Jasam story, I ‘am sorry to say that I as many others have left GH only checking in to see when Megan Ward is on a really good actress who brought out the best in Maurice Benard, daily GH get’s darker and darker, daily Anthony Geary becomes so sad to watch he needs to take Luke away to save the show, he need’s to bring back what made GH “FAMILY” and not “THE MOB”, James Franco has proved one thing you cannot bring in an actor that no one cares about, as for Marcell her time is over to, Mr Guza needs to front burner a woman that can “IGNORE” Sonny, instead of the “FOOLS” that go limp when he speaks the mob s/l needs to show redemtion instead of being made the hero’s, Give the viewers what made soaps indure, Strong, Intelligent, Sensative women, Kate, Aleis, Monica, Diane, Robin, and also give us the women we “LOVE” to hate, Carly, Tracy, Sam, when Mr Guza “FINALLY” admits he has been wrong, then there is “HOPE” for GH, if not the handwriting is on the wall for GH, also, OLTL has gone back to family, the return of Kevin, the “Intelligent Gay S/L”, the only thing missing is kill Mitch and “NEVER” let him come back, Tood & Blair great coupling and acting, John I could do without the actor is boring, Brody & Jessica a real soap couple, Gigi & Rex gettting boring, Scott Clifton getting loveable, OLTL knew what was wrong kudos to the wrinting staff for giving the viewrs what they want.
Why didnt any one put Tea Delgado as best of 2009. Tea had powerful performances in 2009 when she and Todd were in jail when and many other things. Maybe Victor Newman just alone when he made that video for hope it was good.
I noticed all the critics seem to be on a Gay fixation, while most of these shows don’t show minorities at all and the ones that do, show them every other Tuesday. OLTL has a bunch of African Americans but we see Layla and Cris every other week. Rachel is seen to prop up Bo and Nora, Destiny is there to prop up Matthew and Danielle. On Y & R (which is still the best because they have the higher ratings and apparently that is all that really matters, not a bunch of critics) the Winters family is hardly seen unless it is Lily and her Caucasian Husband. AMC probably has the strongest Black cast acting wise with Debbie Morgan and Co but you were right AMC is just tired. GH, you can’t find a minority if you wanted to especially a Black person. Days has Lexie and Abe yet they don’t do anything but support the White characters unless Lexie is cheating on Abe again (like Blacks folks don’t have other problems.) Are there any people of color on ATWT? I don’t know because you never see any. TBTB has one or two that we hardly ever see. So I am glad the see the critic are happy that Gay people are getting props on daytime. Minority groups especially Asians are not represented and while it is nice to see that White Gays are getting the respect that they deserve, how about you critics focus on the other minority groups not being represented. I am sure this will be deleted or not make it because I am speaking on things that I know mainstream wants to ignore.
General Hospital
Who Should Justin Bruening Play on ‘General Hospital’? Wife Alexa Havins is Down for His Return to Soaps
Will General Hospital be able to reunite on-screen real live loves and former All My Children co-stars Justin Bruening and Alexa Havins, by casting Justin in a role on the ABC daytime drama series?
The subject came back up when Alexa, who attended the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday, October 30 to root GH on to its sixth Outstanding Drama Series win in a row, spoke with Swoon.
Havins shared, “There’s always talk about him: ‘Is he going to come (on the show)?’ That would be amazing since we started (on a soap). Why not? He would definitely come in and play,”
Photo: ABC
IS IT TIME TO REUNITE JUSTIN AND ALEXA ON-SCREEN IN PORT CHARLES?
However, when taking to the red carpet, it was obvious Justin was not with his wife, and she clarified while she attended daytime’s biggest night, the former Jamie Martin of Pine Valley dropped her off at the Emmys, and went home to take of their four children. Alexa smiled, “Right now, he’s watching all my children. That’s my pun!”
Bruening and Havins married back in 2005. Recently, and as reported, Justin came to visit his wife at the set of General Hospital and posted some photos from it via his Instagram. One caption read directed towards Alexa, “You’re cute…..What are you doing the rest of your life? I’m thinking……… 4 kids? House in the burbs? 1,001 pets?”
General Hospital is also the current soap home of Bruening’s former TV father, Michael E. Knight (Martin Grey) who played Tad Martin on the beloved All My Children. So, if Justin nabs a role, he could be reunited with both his wife and Pine Valley father!
So, put your casting director hats on! If Justin Bruening were to come to General Hospital? Should be play an original role created for him? Should he be a recast for a character currently off the canvas? And, should he brought on as a love interest for Lulu Spencer or someone else? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Raven Bowens Breaks Silence About Being Fired From ‘Days of our Lives’ and Her Future Plans
Days of our Lives actress Raven Bowens has opened about publicly about what happened when she learned back at the very beginning of 2026 that she was being let-go by the soap opera after playing Chanel Dupree for five years.
Bowens took to her TikTok and explained in a video what went down and how that helped inspire her next move in life. “On January 2nd, before I could even start on any of my New Year’s resolutions, I got fired,” shared Bowens after receiving a call from DAYS early that morning.
“For the backstory, I spent five years working on Days of Our Lives. I played Chanel Dupree. I love my character. I love the show. I love everyone that I worked with. I had just signed a new contract that was for nine months, but every three months, your contract can not be renewed or picked up.”
Photo: JPI
THE DREADED CALL
Chanel recalled the moment she found out. “It’s like, eight o’clock in the morning, and I am completely blindsided” Next, Bowens recalled saying to her sister in that moment, “‘Why would my producer be calling me on January 2nd? We don’t go back to work for a week. Something is going on. I think I’m getting fired.” Then, Chanel revealed, “I answered that call, and that is what that call was.”
As to the reason for her pink-slip, Raven shared, “I was told that they didn’t have a storyline for me at the moment and so they will be writing my character off at the end of my current storyline.”
Trying to buckle up after hearing she was being fired, Raven recalled, “While that isn’t fun, that is the business of show business, especially on soap operas. So it is what it is. That’s the contract I signed. I had to accept it. But it was a really hard reality.” She realized, “Having spent five years in Salem, I got comfortable. That was like my second home.”
RAVEN BOWENS EXITS DAYS ALONG WITH THREE OTHER ACTORS
As Days of our Lives fans know, Bowens along with her on-screen love Carson Boatman (Johnny), Leo Howard (Tate) and Ashley Puzemis (Holly) were also let go at the same time. Since DAYS tapes nearly 10-11 months in advance, Raven and Carson’s final airdates should be right around the corner, although nothing has been released.
After explaining the life-changing job news, Raven explained what she is up to next: “My next chapter is not my acting career ending because I’m an actress. I will always be an actress. I have sacrificed so much for this life and for this career and I love it. I will never give it up and I will never quit. However, losing the job made me realize the importance other streams of income.”
THE NEXT CHAPTER POST-DAYS
From there, Bowens encouraged fans to follow her journey on TikTok to become a millionaire by the end of 2027 with money and wealth management. In fact, she launched a new TikTok series, Millionaire Pending where she plans to document the financial journey she is with advice from a financial adviser, wealth coach and her father.
Bowens explained, “When that job ended, I was kind of shocked. I had felt a certain sense of security, even working in a non-secure profession, and I didn’t really prepare. This series is me trying to put myself in a position so that nothing like this ever happens again.”
So what do you think about Raven coming forward with how her dismissal from Days of our Lives went down? Will you miss Chanel and Johnny when they eventually exit Salem? Will you be interested to check out Raven’s wealth management series on TikTok to see if you can pick up any pointers for financial security and success? Let us know via the comment section.
Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady, Days of our Lives) is jumping head first into the celebrity podcast rage with the launch of hers entitled, Between Takes with Alison Sweeney.
In between her busy schedule of Hallmark Channel movies, features, TV appearances and returns to Days of our Lives, Sweeney will now feature special guests each episode as previewed in her Instagram video clip announcing the new podcast series.
Accompanying her video, Sweeney expressed, “Trying something new! Check out my new podcast. Just fun casual chats with my friends. Links are in my bio.”
Photo: Hallmark
The first episode features former DAYS star and Hallmark Channel mainstay, Victor Webster (ex-Nicholas Alamain). It was back from 1999-2000 that Victor first appeared on the then NBC soap opera.
As previously reported, Sweeney will be reprising her role of Sami on Days of our Lives, next summer in June when she returns along with several fan favorites for a story arc.
During Alison’s premiere of “Between Takes,” Webster shares stories of his time on DAYS, being a proud dog dad, and globetrotter, plus working on action scenes and for Victor, taking over from The Rock in the the Scorpion King franchise appearing in Scorpion King 3: Battle For Redemption. Alison and Victor also chat about their time on sets.
You can listen to Between Takes with Alison Sweeney on all major podcast streaming platforms; including Apple Podcasts here.
So, will you be checking out Alison’s podcast as it continues to grow? Intrigued who from Days of our Lives and the soaps might chat it up with her in future episodes? Let us know in the comment section.
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‘General Hospital’s’ Rory Gibson and Katelyn MacMullen Believe Michael and Willow Still Love Each Other, But What About Chase?
Who Should Justin Bruening Play on ‘General Hospital’? Wife Alexa Havins is Down for His Return to Soaps
Raven Bowens Breaks Silence About Being Fired From ‘Days of our Lives’ and Her Future Plans
Roger Howarth Reflects on Daytime Emmy Win, 32-Year Record Gap, and Embracing Matt Clark on ‘The Young and the Restless’ (Exclusive)
Y&R’s Bryton James and Christel Khalil Crossover to ‘Beyond the Gates’ (Sneak Peek)
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Winners: ‘General Hospital’ Takes Drama Series, Tamara Tunie and Scott Clifton Top Acting Honors
Who Should Win Outstanding Lead Actor at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards? (Poll)
Could Justin Bruening Join ‘General Hospital’? Set Visit with Wife Alexa Havins Stirs Fan Hopes
Who Should Win Outstanding Daytime Drama at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards? (Poll)
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Bests ‘General Hospital’ in Key Demos
‘General Hospital’s’ Rory Gibson and Katelyn MacMullen Believe Michael and Willow Still Love Each Other, But What About Chase?
Y&R’s Bryton James and Christel Khalil Crossover to ‘Beyond the Gates’ (Sneak Peek)
‘Days of our Lives’ Fall Preview Reveals Sofia Mattsson as Chloe Lane and New Storyline Twists!
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