News
ABC Purchases Modernized Soap Version of "Great Expectations"!
Looks like soaps are the “in” thing at ABC primetime! The network has now has put in development Legacy, a drama described as a sexy soap and a modern-day twist on the Charles Dickens classic Great Expectation. Jeremy Anderson and Patrick Moss will write the script and will co-executive produce. Debra Martin will executive produce.
According to Deadline.com, “This is feature producer Debra Martin’s first sale under her overall deal with ABC Studios. Under the pact, she was to hire a dedicated TV executive, which she has now done, bringing in Charles Pugliese as VP at Martin Chase Prods. Previously, he was VP of Production and Development at Darren Star Prods, where he most recently co-produced the ABC/ABC Studios dramedy GCB. Prior to that, he was a producer at NYC-based Killer Films.
Of note: this is the second drama project this season that is a modern-day reimagining of Great Expectations. The other, Expectations, has been set with Reese Witherspoon executive producing.
So what do you think of a primetime soap with a twist on the Dickens classic? Who would you cast in the lead roles? Let us know!
ABC has named their ‘Bachelor’ for the upcoming 30th season of the reality series. Sam Hartman, a 27-year-old NFL quarterback who plays playing for the Washington Commanders, will be handing out the roses as he searches for love.
The upcoming season of The Bachelor will premiere in 2027 on Sunday, March 21 at 8 p.m ET. on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S.
The announcement was made, and Hartman’s first interview was on the Friday, November 13 edition of Good Morning America, where he shared with cohosts Sam Champion and Rebecca Jarvis: “I’m excited but also very nervous, I have a tough time holding conversation with one girl. 30 is going to be pretty tough.”
Photo: NFL
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS QB WRESTLED WITH THE NOTION OF BECOMING THE BACHELOR
Hartman also revealed his initial thoughts on appearing on The Bachelor: “Honestly, at first, I was like ‘no way. The connotation of it − I don’t know.” Ultimately the QB was swayed to take on the reality franchise lead for its upcoming season.
A Charlotte, North Carolina, native, Hartman played for Wake Forest and Notre Dame in the college ranks. It was there he set ACC records, including most career touchdown passes and 300-yard passing games. Sam was also featured in the documentary series QB1: Beyond the Lights. Currently, on the NFL’s Washington Commanders, he serves as a quarterback on their practice squad.
FORMER ATHLETES THAT ALSO GAVE OUT THE FINAL ROSE
The pick of Sam Hartman aligns with pro athletes who have appeared on the show in the past including: now ‘Bachelor’ host, NFL quarterback Jesse Palmer, former soccer player Juan Pablo Galavi, ace car driver Arie Luyendyk Jr. and former NFL practice squad player Colton Underwood.
The Bachelor is executive produced by Scott Teti, Jason Ehrlich and Andy Frank serve as executive producers.
You can check out Sam Hartman talking about being cast as the series lead for the upcoming season 30 of The Bachelor with GMA below.
Now let us know, will you be checking out the 2027 season of The Bachelor featuring Sam looking for love? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
General Hospital star Cynthia Watros, who can currently be seen in on the ABC soap opera in the role of Nina Reeves, has had a enduring career in television. That included her time on the 2000-2002 Fox sitcom, Titus.
In Titus, Watros starred along with Stacy Keach as Erin Fitzpatrick and Ken Titus, respectively. After the November 10th news that Keach had passed away at 85 while living in Poland, Cynthia took to her Instagram on Thursday, November 12 to pay tribute to the great actor.
Watros expressed, “My first prime time show was along side Stacy. I loved him instantly. What an amazing talent and man.❤️”
Photo: ABC
In Titus, Stacy played stand up comedian Christopher Titus’ heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, five-times-divorced father who frequently pulled cruel pranks and tried to toughen his kids up. Cynthia played by Christopher’s level-headed, big-hearted girlfriend trying to build a normal life with him. In fact, Cynthia’s role on the sitcom was first series regular role after her Daytime Emmy run of Annie Dutton on Guiding Light which ran from 1994-1998.
STACY KEACH’S WIFE ON HIS PASSING
Keach’s wife, Malgosia shared the news of the actor’s death publicly in a statement with PEOPLE. Malgosia expressed, that Stacy had, “a long and difficult battle with a serious heart condition and heart failure.”
She added, “Stacy peacefully departed this world. He fought for so long, with extraordinary courage, determination and strength. He was a true warrior, facing his illness with the same remarkable spirit and resilience that defined his life.”
Małgosia continued, “Stacy was not only a legendary actor, admired and loved by audiences the world over, but also my beloved husband, my companion and the heart of our family. His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in our lives. But his extraordinary spirit, his unforgettable voice and the love he gave so generously will remain with us forever.”
Now, let us know do you remember when Cynthia made her sitcom debut in Titus? Share your thoughts via the comment section on Cynthia’s many TV roles and the passing of Stacy Keach in the comment section. But first, check out the very first episode of Titus with Cynthia Watros below!
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
Soap opera fans are always clamoring for when Dancing with the Stars reveals their cast each season, that they would include a familiar face from daytime drama, but it rarely happens, if ever, anymore.
Over the last several years, the series has leaned heavily into casting celebrities with massive TikTok or Instagram followers, which in turn, have helped this season and last have their best ratings numbers in years.
But, how about for next season’s cast of Dancing with the Stars, that it could include newly-awarded Daytime Emmy winner, Ambyr Michelle (Eva Thomas) of Beyond the Gates?
Photo: CBS
LOVE OF DANCE TO LOVE OF ACTING
Michael Fairman TV spoke to Michelle about her dance background and if she would love a shot at lifting the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy during Wednesday’s November 11, livestream chat on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Ambyr explained to fans (who joined in on the live chat), how she began her show business career. “I started off as a dancer, first and foremost. Acting wasn’t really something I wanted to go after. I did plays when I was younger, but it was just something we did in school, but I really wanted to be a dancer. I moved out to LA to dance, and I fell out of love with dance, which was so weird.”
This year’s Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series winner, added, “I was like, ‘What is going on?’ I moved all the way out here for dance. I found I was forcing myself to go to dance class, and I just didn’t have the passion for it. I was working at this restaurant at the time, and one of my coworker was like, ‘What about taking an acting class out here?'”
Next, Ambyr took the coworker up on the idea. “So, I took an acting class and I fell in love with it that day,” shared Michelle. “I was like, ‘I want to do this for the rest of my life.’ I thought, I would love to book a role, of course, as a dancer, but I think acting has a little bit more longevity.”
Photo: ABC
A SHOT AT THE LEN GOODMAN MIRRORBALL TROPHY
When the talked turned to if Ambyr would consider or be interested in appearing on the ballroom dance competition series, she piped up with, “I would love to do Dancing with the Stars! Pick me!”
As those in the live chat rallied around this idea, it made us think, Ambyr could be the first contestant from Beyond the Gates, and someone representing the soaps. It checks off so many boxes! To which Ambyr replied, “That would be beautiful.”
You can check out the full conversation with Ambyr below.
So, what do you think soap fans? Can we make sure Ambyr’s name gets in front of the producers and casting director for next season’s Dancing with the Stars? Would you like to see her in the competition? If so, who would be your dream pro professional dance partner for her? Let us know in the comment section.
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‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
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Daytime soaps! DAYTIME!!
I think its stupid ABC got rid of there Daytime Soap .and now they are trying to bring soaps to prime time.what are they thinking.JUST BRING BACK ALL MY CHILDREN & ONE LIFE TO LIVE.!
Agree with you Tammy, whole heartedly!
ABC just needs to bring back AMC & OLTL! I do think the reason they are going all soapy in Primetime is because of the boycott the daytime fans have done. While ABC doesn’t want to say they made a mistake-they are trying to make up for it with primetime soaps. I don’t think it’ll work.
ABC does not even have a thought of lost viewers of OL and AMC..
They are a mere grain of salt in the ABC/D media sea..
Them not watching the great prime time soaps is their loss not ABC/Ds ..
I am really into the riveting prime time ABC soaps and always GH ABC’s daytime soap..
Not interested in anything ABC/D until they own up to their mistakes and bring soaps back to the daytime lineup! As good as Nashville looks, and I love Jonathan Jackson in anything he does, I refuse to give any show on ABC a shot until the right their wrongs!
I am looking forward to this production of one of my favorite stories by Dickens.
Nightime shows have a bigger budget due to the fact that sponsors pay more per minute than in daytime mainly due to the larger audiences in all demographics.
I hope is as good as Revenge and Last Resort.
If ABC/D wants nighttime soaps, make OLTL a nighttime soap. I’d prefer to see OLTL everyday, but I’d rather see it once a week than not at all!
Great Idea – heard this before or maybe a tv movie a couple times of year to see what is going on in Llanview!!
Great idea ! ABC are you listening?
I will say this;
Out of the daytime soaps GH is the only one with prime time quality..
It is a new media era and the daytime soaps need to move out of the dark ages and into the 21st century of story telling ..
And GH under Frank and Ron can bring GH into the new era, IF, they are brave enough to try.
By the ratings for the ABC prime time soaps, which are over the top, that is the viewing the public is into theses days.
OLTL had bettter ratings than GH and now with Frank & Ron over fromOLTL, GH has to get better, but I don’t watch it because they are destroying OLTL history and changing the characters that are jumping. Hopefully if GH stays they will incorporate more, true characters from Llanview into Port Charles!
Agreed!
WTF? We don’t need two shows based on the same book. How stupid would that be? Hopefully at least one of them will go away. Don’t care which one…
This is craziness! They have the nerve to promote certain nightime series as being soaps, when their supposed reason for cancelling AMC and OLTL was that soaps are no longer relevent? No, I will never watch anything on ABC/D except for GH! They have two fine programs with established audiences that they could do something with, if only they were smart enough to realize it!