Julie Plec, the writer/director/producer of hit primrtimes series including CW’s The Vampire Diaries (which she co-created), as well as The Originals, and the soon-to-be-seen Containment (which co-stars former OLTL star Trevor St. John (Ex-Victor Lord Jr.) is featured in TV Guide.com’s new online series, Visionaries.
In one of her five part video feature installments, Plec discusses “Villains and Anti-Heroes” and the keys to those characters working in particular on The Vampire Diaries. Julie admits that soap operas had a huge hand in her storytelling. She recalls loving General Hospital, and how the character of Scotty Baldwin (Kin Shriner), and his relationships with Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), and Dominique Baldwin (Shell Danielson) was a perfect example of how the villain is not alwaya a true villain, and can also be involved in a moving love story.
Courtesy/ABC
Plec related on the soaps and GH: “I always talk about Kevin (Williamson, co-creator) and I, and when we made The Vampire Diaries, and what are influences were. He was a huge nightime soap fan, and I was a massive daytime soap fan, and those shows are the first show to tell you that a villain doesn’t have to be a villain. A villain doesn’t have to be redeemed. I always called it the ‘Scotty Baldwin theory’ and the ‘Lucy Coe Theory’. Two characters I loved from General Hospital ... they were both so nasty for so long, and all of a sudden Scotty Baldwin falls in love with a girl with a brain tumor. Suddenly, you love Scotty and Dominique more than any couple you have loved in your life, and you are right there with them.
Courtesy/CW
You forget anything bad Scotty ever did, because if Scotty and Dominique can’t be together then the world must come to an end. Thinking about that is sort of the root of the Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) character on Vampire Diaries.”
Watch Plec speak about her soap influences after the jump! Then share your thoughts on how soap opera villains have informed dramatic primetime series of today, and your thoughts on Scotty Baldwin, Lucy Coe, Damon Salvatore and more!
I figure most drama, day or night, is a variation of the soap opera “formula.” Also thanks a lot to Shakespeare.
Also think vampires, werewolves and zombies are very “in” for telling a story to certain audiences. As strange as this may seem to some, the stories they tell can have many other layers and can ask interesting questions and suggest consequences of human nature (again a “soap” thing). StarTrek has done this. Like ‘Once Upon A Time ‘ right now…several evil to hero’s…Regina, Gold, Hook.
Getting back to the Vampire Diaries, which was derived from a teen series (lots of adults like to read teen series these days), it’s not hard to root for redemption of Damon or Katherine when they look that good. We somehow forget the damage they’ve done over many years. Makes Scottie and Lucy ‘s intrigues look trivial by comparison.
rebecca1
8 years ago
Agree with her. People, not just “villains” aren’t ever black or white. Always loved the character Scott Baldwin…still do. Wish he was a more permanent fixture on GH. He brings it all…history, humor, likeability…what is WRONG with these writers who don’t recognize the need and demand for the original players! These “scribes” should be talented enough to blend the past with the present and future. Sorta like real life!
Mo
8 years ago
I watched when Dominique had her tumor and it was so sad. It was lovely storytelling. Good to get more recognition for the soaps!
Don’t remember the actress playing Dominique, but she was lovely.
Liam
8 years ago
Scotty, Dominique, and Lucy…what a great story that was. I too wish that there was more blending of the past with the present and future. I also wanted to add that I believe there is truly one element that has been missing from GH for a very long time…and that is the relationship between Monica and Scott. They are practically family (due to Gail) but that has rarely been addressed since the early days of these characters.
Abruzzfan
8 years ago
No wonder why I like Vampire Diaries so much! The co-creator based it on beloved characters from my favorite soap!
Looks like there is another new actor in the younger set on General Hospital. Tristan Riggs is taking over the role of Elizabeth Webber’s (Rebecca Herbst) son, Aiden.
Previously, Enzo De Angelis played the part of Liz and Lucky’s (formerly Jonathan Jackson) son since 2021. Soap Opera Digest confirmed that Riggs is now firmly in the part.
The switch happened on today’s Thursday May 2nd episode in scenes. Recently, Aiden came out as gay to him mom after admitting his interest in one of his classmates.
Photo: ABC
As Riggs begins in the part, it looks like Aiden is being bullied at school. Elizabeth is trying to get to the bottom of things and made an appointment with school counselors to find out what’s going on, after seeing his book bag had pink paint on it.
Riggs has been acting since he was 7-year-0ld and has appeared on the TV series Walker, True Lies and Best Foot Forward to name a few.
So, what do you think of Tristan Riggs as the new Aiden? Do you hope Aiden’s story becomes more front and center? Comment below.
Juliet Donenfeld is the Temporary Recast as General Hospital’s Georgie
May 2, 2024
Those who saw the GH preview for today’s May 2nd episode were a bit confused when they saw a young actress sitting with Lois (Rena Sofer) and Violet (Jophielle Love). As it turns out, that young girl is a recast Georgie.
Juliet Donenfeld is stepping into the role temporarily replacing Lily Fisher. As viewers know, Georgie is the young daughter of Maxie (Kirsten Storms) and Spinelli (Bradford Anderson) named after Maxie’s sister, Georgie who passed away.
According to Soap Opera News, Fisher will be back soon in the part.
As for Donenfeld’s credits, she has appeared as JJ in the Netflix’s WWE series The Big Show Show, Better Call Saul, Good Girls, Station 19, and Sydney to the Max to name but a few.
In addition, Juliet became the youngest nominee for an Annie Award, gaining recognition for voicing the character of Sally Squirrel in the Animated TV/Broadcast Production of Pete the Cat.
Watch today’s GH teaser below, and let us know your thoughts about Juliet as a recast Georgie via the comment section below.
‘Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit For Stand Up To Cancer’ Live Virtual Event Announced; Featuring Soap Opera Notables and Moving Tributes
May 2, 2024
Stand Up to Cancer in collaboration with Alan Locher and Michael Fairman, will come together for a a three-hour livestream benefit, Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer … We All Have a Story.
Several stars from from daytime drama television past and present are scheduled to participate for an evening of stories of emotional on- and off-screen experiences with cancer, and moving tributes to beloved daytime favorites who lost their battle plus musical performances.
Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer … We All Have a Story, streams live on Thursday, May 16, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET/5 to 8 pm PT simultaneously on StandUpToCancer.org and YouTube channels The Locher Room and Michael Fairman Channel.
Photos: CBS and JPI
Tune-in for cancer survivorship stories with General Hospital’s Cameron Mathison and The Young and the Restless’ Colleen Zenk, who will reflect on the impact of publicly sharing their diagnoses; 2024 Daytime Emmy nominee Eric Braeden, who shares his cancer journey as well his memories of beloved The Young and the Restless co-star Meg Bennett, who passed from cancer April 11; and more.
Moving tributes to soap stars who’ve lost their cancer battles, including: Daytime icon Jackie Zeman, who played nurse Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital for 45 years, shared by daughters Cassidy MacLeod and Lacey Gorden, a tribute to Elizabeth Hubbard who played the iconic Lucinda Walsh on As the World Turns and Dr. Althea Davis on The Doctors, as shared by her on-screen daughter Martha Byrne and real-life son Jeremy Bennett, two-time Emmy Award-winner Jerry verDorn (Guiding LightOne Life to Live), shared by widow Beth verDorn and his on-screen wife on Guiding Light, friend and co-star Liz Keife, the iconic Andrea Evans, who played Tina Lord Roberts on One Life to Live, shared by her husband Stephen G. Rodriguez and daughter Kylie Rodriguez and Kamar de los Reyes shared by his One Life to Live co-stars Michael Easton(General Hospital)Trevor St. John (The Young and the Restless).
Photo: MEastonFacebook
Poignant reflections from actors who have portrayed breast cancer survivors, including Sharon Case and Eileen Davidson from The Young and the Restless; Erika Slezak from One Life to Live; Tina Sloan and Kim Zimmer from Guiding Light and more.
Additional talent slated to participate in the virtual benefit include (*subject to change): Eddie and Kristen Alderson (One Life to Live); Elia Cantu (Days of Our Lives); The Day Players, Featuring Days of OurLives castmates Carson Boatman, Brandon Barash, Wally Kurth (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee), Eric Martsolf (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee); Kassie DePaiva (One Life to Live); Don Diamont (The Bold and the Beautiful); Linsey Godfrey (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, Days of Our Lives); Leo Howard (Days of Our Lives); LesliKay (The Bold and the Beautiful); Eden McCoy (General Hospital); Kin Shriner (GeneralHospital); Michelle Stafford (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, The Young and the Restless).
Courtesy/LaceyGorden
“Daytime television invites viewers into the private lives of characters, often bringing important issues like cancer screenings into living rooms and around water coolers. Soaps debuted the first cancer storyline in 1962 – years before the topic was discussed in the mainstream, and it left an indelible impact: a whole generation of women who scheduled a potentially life-saving Pap smear for the first time,” said Daytime Stands Up host Alan Locher. “For so many viewers, this brought the issue front and center,” added co-host Michael Fairman. “Today, it’s become almost impossible to avoid; but there is hope with cancer research, thanks to organizations like Stand Up To Cancer.”
SU2C Co-Founder Sue Schwartz, SU2C President and CEO Julian Adams, Ph.D., and SU2C Health Equity Committee Member Elizabeth Jaffee, M.D., will also participate to speak to the importance of early detection, exciting scientific breakthroughs, and the ongoing work yet to be done to make screenings and treatment equitable for all.
“This year, an estimated 2 million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer, presenting an opportunity for the public to stand with us and rise to the occasion,” said Adams. “We’re thankful to Alan Locher, Michael Fairman and our friends from the daytime television community, who will raise critical funding to honor those we’ve lost – and to propel new scientific breakthroughs for current and future patients. Everyone has a story, and we’re grateful to all of you for sharing yours.”
For over 15 years, SU2C has leveraged its relationship with the entertainment community – which includes more than 1,100 celebrity ambassadors – to generate public donations, increase awareness and fund cutting-edge cancer research. SU2C research has contributed to the development of more than 10 scientific breakthroughs that have significantly impacted the field and provided new treatment options for breast, colorectal, lung, melanoma, pancreatic, pediatric and prostate cancers.
Photo: SUTC
In support of the event, SU2C will also be launching a 10-day eBay silent auction, from May 16 through 26, for fans to bid on items, including a meet-and-greet experience with the cast of NBC’s Days of Our Lives; an autographed script from the cast of Young and Restless and signed merchandise from the Bold and Beautiful cast; a 1:1 video call with General Hospital’s Cynthia Watros, Maura West and Laura Wright, and with daytime legends Robert Newman, Vincent Irizarry, Colleen Zenk, and more. Full details will be shared the evening of May 16, on Stand Up To Cancer’s website.
Are you looking forward to this very special one-night only virtual event to help benefit cancer research and shed light on the stories, performances and lives of the people we love and have loved in daytime TV? Comment below.
