News
Confirmed: Gina Tognoni back as Kelly Cramer and One Life to Live!
It’s official, Gina Tognoni is going back to One Life to Live and reprising the role she made famous, that of Kelly Cramer. In a new TV Guide Magazine exclusive with Michael Logan, Gina admits she looked at west coast soaps “B&B” and “Y&R” but ultimately it made more sense for her life to stay on the east coast and to reunite with her favorite head writer, Ron Carlivati! Here are some excerpts from the feature:
So what went haywire at Y&R and B&B? Didn’t [B&B exec producer] Brad Bell want to team you with Jack Wagner?
Yes, which I would have loved. It was a wonderful experience meeting with Brad, but it came down to asking myself the difficult question: east coast or west coast? I just got married last May. We live in New Jersey. We’re still on the honeymoon! All that came into play when I made the decision, and it really wasn’t easy. The same goes for Y&R, though we never got as far as talking about a character. It just wasn’t in the cards. I will say this: Everybody in the soap industry has so much passion these days and they’re intent is to stay alive, and that’s exciting to see. Everybody is on their game and trying to make their shows the best they can be. That’s the optimistic view, obviously. The other side of that is that this is a very changing and challenging time. Having just lost GL, it’s all so emotional. I care about these shows. I care about what I do.
So what’s in store for Kelly when she hits Llanview? When she was last seen, and the role was played by Heather Tom, Kelly and Kevin went off to London. [Dan Gauthier, who plays Kevin, will return to OLTL this fall].
I believe she is still connected to Kevin. We’ll see where that relationship is at when we see Kelly. I think they have some ideas about that, but it’s too soon to know. It’s all still in the works, but I trust them. I don’t need to know much more. I know the standard elements of the character—her family connections, her relationships in the town—so I get the basic deal. [Longtime staff writer turned head writer] Ron Carlivati has always been a champion of Kelly. He always understood her.
Days Of Our Lives
Patrick Muldoon and Jennifer Taylor Cast as Mike Manning’s Conservative Parents on ‘The Bay’
The ever-expanding cast of the streaming soap opera, The Bay, has announced two new additions for its upcoming 9th season, including Days of our Lives favorite Patrick Muldoon (ex-Austin Reed). TV fans also know Patrick Muldoon from his role as Richard Hart on Melrose Place.
In story, The Bay will bring Caleb McKinnon’s parents into the mix. Caleb is played by Daytime Emmy-winner and Outstanding Supporting Actor nominee this year, Mike Manning.
According to Deadline, Muldoon, along with Jennifer Taylor (Two and a Half Men), will play Caleb’s ultra-conservative parents. When Caleb married Daniel Garrett (Eric Nelsen), they all but abandoned him. The season looks to bring a major story for Manning and hopefully and eventually love and acceptance from Caleb’s parents.
Photo: JPI
The casting news doesn’t stop there. Rhonda Ross has been tapped to play Colleen Givens, the biological mother of Pete Garrett’s (Kristos Andrews) wife Vivian (Karrueche Tran) in the new season.
Coleen is brought into the mix when Pete searches for Colleen after Vivian becomes ill. In the backstory, Colleen is a jazz singer who gave Vivian up for adoption at birth. Now she may be Vivian’s only hope to stay alive.
Photo: LANY Entertainment
The series is up for 5 Daytime Emmy nomination at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards on June 7th including: Outstanding Drama Series, Writing, Directing, A Martinez (Nard0) for Supporting Actor and the aforementioned Manning.
What do you think of the casting of Patrick Muldoon and Jennifer Taylor as the on-screen parents to Mike Manning on The Bay? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
Kennedy Garcia on Joining the Cast of Days of our Lives: “For a Role to Come up for a Teenager with Down Syndrome was Just Amazing!”
Days of our Lives has made a groundbreaking move for the soaps, by casting Kennedy Garcia in the new role of Felicity. Viewers of the Peacock streaming soap opera will first see the character beginning the week of May 20th,
Garcia has previously appeared on primetime including on 9-1-1, This Is Us and more. Speaking to TV Insider, Kennedy shared: “I have wanted to be on a soap opera for a long time, so for a role to come up for a teenager with Down syndrome was just amazing!”
In real life, Kennedy who has Down syndrome is also a cancer survivor, and becomes he first teen with Down syndrome to land an ongoing role on the soaps. “It’s really such a special thing. I am so proud of Days of our Lives for taking this step and taking a chance on me. Inclusion in this industry is so important and I am proud to help move it forward.”
Photo: JPI
As to a little insight on her new role of Felicity in Salem, Garcia shared. “She is sweet, funny and kind. She is also very smart and she never misses anything. Most of all, she loves her family more than anything else. I think that viewers will love her and see the beauty she brings to everyone in her life.”
The actress added, “I hope that everyone will love Felicity and see that even though she has Down syndrome, she is cherished by her family and friends, she is capable of great things, and she’s a hard worker. I’m pretty sure she bakes better than I do. She is also a typical teenager who has real feelings and fears that people will see as her story goes on. I hope no one underestimates Felicity as a character, or actors with disabilities like me. Representation is so important and I’m so thankful for this opportunity to become Felicity and let you all get to know her, and me!”
What do you think of Days of our Lives casting of Kennedy Garcia and the importance of inclusion and representation on streaming and daytime dramas? Comment below.
General Hospital
Giovanni Mazza On Contract at General Hospital: What Are Your First Impressions?
This week, General Hospital introduced newcomer Giovanni Mazza in the role of Giovanni Palmieri, who apparently is Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) second cousin, one removed or so the story goes.
The character of Gio showed up at Brook Lynn’s wedding to Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard) and played the violin at the ceremony. As has been previously reported, Mazza in real-life is a professional violinist and actor.
Upon making his first appearance on the ABC daytime drama series back on May 15th, fans wondered if Gio will be sticking around and that was confirmed by the closing credits of the May 17th episode where Mazza’s name is included along with other contract players.
Photo: ABC
When the news of Mazza’s casting was announced, the talent young man took to his Instagram and shared the good news, expressing, “I am so honored, grateful, and ecstatic to announce the big news! The biggest thank you to General Hospital for bringing me.” He closed his sentiments with “So much love and joy to my new fam! YAY!!! ”
Commenting on his post included new castmates Evan Hofer (Dex) saying, “Happy to have you brother,” plus Tabyana Ali (Trina), Eden McCoy (Joss) and ABC executive Nathan Varni who said, “Congratulations! Welcome to GH!
Photo: ABC
During the May 17th episode, Gio had an exchange with Dex, where he mentioned that his father was in the military back in early 2000’s. Previously, Gio revealed to Chase that his father died in the military when he was young. So this begs the question, who is Gio’s dad?
What were you first impressions of Giovanni Mazza in the role of Gio? Who do you think he might be romantically involved with and might be also related to other than the Cerullos? Comment below.
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Patrick Muldoon and Jennifer Taylor Cast as Mike Manning’s Conservative Parents on ‘The Bay’
Kennedy Garcia on Joining the Cast of Days of our Lives: “For a Role to Come up for a Teenager with Down Syndrome was Just Amazing!”
Giovanni Mazza On Contract at General Hospital: What Are Your First Impressions?
Michael Easton Shares on the Loss of Kamar de los Reyes, “I Was Holding His Hand When He Passed”
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Brook Lynn and Chase’s Wedding Reception Brings a Beatdown for Dex
Michael Easton Shares on the Loss of Kamar de los Reyes, “I Was Holding His Hand When He Passed”
Patrick Mulcahey OUT as General Hospital Co-Head Writer
GH’s Nancy Lee Grahn Speaks Out for Jailed Former On-Screen Daughter, Haley Pullos
Giovanni Mazza On Contract at General Hospital: What Are Your First Impressions?
Steve Burton Confirms New Relationship
Michael Easton Shares on the Loss of Kamar de los Reyes, “I Was Holding His Hand When He Passed”
Kim Zimmer Reveals Breast Cancer Diagnosis
The Young and the Restless Eileen Davidson to Chat Live on Ashley’s Alters Storyline
TONIGHT: ‘Daytime Stands Up – A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer’
Motion Picture Star Chris Hemsworth, a ‘Home and Away’ Alum, Defends Soap Operas, ‘It Used to Bother Me When Actors Would Later Talk About the Show with Guilt or Shame”
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