Breaking News
British Soap Awards Institute Gender-Neutral ‘Leading Performer’ Category for Upcoming Nominations & Fan Voting
The UK’s British Soap Awards are back after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and with it will come some changes as revealed by ITV who hosts the ceremony.
This year when the nominations are announced on April 22nd, the usual Best Actor and Best Actress prizes will be consolidated into one category – Best Leading Performer. That means that cast members from EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, The Doctors, and Hollyoaks no matter the gender will compete against one another if nominated.
The Best Leading Performer category will be one of three that is decided on by fan voting. For full details on categories and voting please go to www.britishsoapawards.tv from next Tuesday 19th April at 10am – the updated 2022 information will be available on the website from this date once the long list opens.
In addition to Best Leading Performer, Best British Soap and Best Family, will also be voted on by the fans. The remaining 14 categories will be decided on a vote from a ‘panel of experts’
Look for the British Soap Awards to return to UK TV in June.
So, what do you think? Do you like the idea of both actors and actresses competing against each other in the Leading Performer category? Would you like to see more gender-neutral categories in award shows here in the U.S.? Comment below.
This is wokeness on steroids!!! Look, I am all for gender equality and inclusion. I understand the need to include trans persons in every part of life, including the British Soap Awards show. A better route would be simply as follows: if a trans person — now I will attempt to use the correct pronouns — is deemed worthy of nomination, then simply include that person in the actor category if the trans person considers himself a male or include that person in the actress category if the trans person considers herself a female. Problem solved…
James
Your solution seems very viable for trans performers. The SAG Awards years ago went with “male actor” and “female actor”. It could be argued that terminology is more excluding than the traditional actor and actress categories of the major award shows.
The Grammys removed gender-specific categories years ago, but television and film are different media entirely. The Daytime Emmys have combined the previously gender-specific guest performance and younger performer categories. It would be peculiar to see one lead category where Maurice Benard competes with Maura West.
Combining the categories could just lead to increased competition and jealousy amongst cast members.
Jamesj75 and Steve: I agree with your analyses. There’s a time when inclusion becomes illogical and doesn’t mean inclusion at all except for those who hold a specific opinion. But you can’t go by me.. I object to unisex bathrooms. If a trans person chooses to use a certain bathroom, fine. But I shouldn’t be forced to use a unisex facility. That doesn’t sound inclusionary to me.
Steve, thank you for your reply. I appreciate your expansion and clarity on these points. I agree with your points about combining categories leading to increased competition and jealousy. If combining the genders would mean fewer nominees, it wouldn’t be fair to limit those who might be considered as nominees. I hadn’t paid attention to the Daytime Emmys guest and younger performer categories. Further, with regard to the Daytime Emmys, it seems that the awards aren’t as meaningful with just four soaps on the air. But that’s certainly not the fault of those still working in the industry.
My understanding is that all performances will be judged on simply just that…overall performance, instead of best male/best female, it’s simply who knocked it out the park period. We’re so use to the actors separated by sex at every awards show, that what makes logical sense appears mind blowing. I think it’s smart.
davlestev1, thank you for your reply and viewpoint. I certainly get what you’re saying (same as with Soaphound), but my mind is still blown. Then, again, I don’t like that the Oscars can have as many as 10 Best Picture nominees when it was traditionally five. Change comes hard for some of us, even when we appreciate and practice diversity and acceptance.
I think this is a strange idea frankly. As Steve notes above, it puts [male actor] and [female actor] against each other; and doesn’t it reduce the number of awards. Don’t like this at all.
I do enjoy voting in the Brit Awards (when I remember)
Bloody ridiculous Gender awards why, ?? Keep it best actor and best actress why change it after all these years?
There is no need for gender neutrality. There should be separate ctegories for best actor and best actress. People are getting ridiculous trying to wipe out any differences between people.
You think ??? Hey let’s strip naked go to a park get down on all fours and pretend we are a dog! Can’t wait until this stupid insanity is shown the door . Women have a vagina Men have a penis deal with it!!
LOL, Kay. But I wonder how long before even those basic distinctions are denied, relabeled, neutered, or banned altogether. I hope I’m long in the grave before that time!
Kay
I agree with you. So sick of all this crap. All these people so unsatisfied with what they were born with, so they just switch it out. As per your last sentence, they can’t deal with what they have so just get a new and improved model. Also these so called greedy, etc,etc doctors ready and willing to load up kids with hormones to help their transition.
I agree, Deborah. The worst part for me is that if I disagree about this topic, I’m labeled a bigot, a hater, or worse. When, in reality, it’s often the opposite. I’ve never labeled anyone the way I’ve seen folks who share our view label us as “haters”. Sorry but two wrongs don’t make a right. Unless I’m “wrong” about that, too.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.
Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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This week starts with heartbreaking news. Patrick Muldoon, best known for his roles as the original Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives and later as Richard Hart on Melrose Place, died on Sunday, April 19, at the age of 57. Reports indicate his death was sudden following a heart attack.
Muldoon’s sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, told TMZ on Monday more details on her brother’s death, “Patrick went to take a shower Sunday morning after drinking coffee with his girlfriend in their Beverly Hills home. His girlfriend decided to check on him after he was taking too long and found him unconscious on the bathroom floor?” Shana added that paramedics rushed over and tried to revive Patrick, but there was nothing anyone could do.
Soap fans first saw Muldoon as Kate’s (Lauren Koslow) son on DAYS back in 1992, where he quickly became a fan favorite during the on-screen love story between Austin and Carrie Brady (Christie Clarke). Patrick left the series in 1995. He later made comeback for appearances in 2011 and 2012.
Photo: JPI
On Melrose Place, he played bad buy Richard Hart from 1995-1996. Patrick launched his acting career while in college landing the role of Matt in the 1990 sitcom Who’s The Boss? alongside the likes of Judith Light (ex-Karen, OLTL) and Tony Danza. Following his graduation, Patrick nabbed a recurring role as Jeffrey Hunter in Saved By The Bell by 1991.
Throughout his decades long career, Muldoon also starred in several motion and TV series including his leading roile in Starship Troopers (1997). He also had parts in Deadlock (2021), Vanquish (2021), Dakota (2022), Marlowe (2022), and Murder At Hollow Creek (2023).
Photo: JPI
Not only was Patrick an actors, but a producer and a musician and singer. He often made appearances and put out music with his band, The Sleeping Masses. Muldoon was the band’s lead singer and guitar player. Patrick was also a producer of TV and film projects.
At the time of his death, Patrick was also an executive producer on a the movie “Kockroach,” which is currently in production.
Taking to his Instagram, just a few days before his death, Muldoon expressed,“So excited to be a part of this amazing project KOCKROACH directed by Matt Ross starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Edgerton, Zazzie Beetz And Alec Baldwin. Filming now in Australia,” he captioned his post.
Sadly, on April 24, Muldoon can be seen in his 2025 film Dirty Hands also festuring Denise Richards (ex-B&B, RHOBH), which will be released on digital streaming platforms on VOD.
Muldoon is survived by his partner, Miriam Rothbart; parents, Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr.; his sister and brother-in-law, Shana and Ahmet Zappa; and their children, Muldoon’s beloved niece Halo and nephew Arrow Zappa.
Share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Patrick Muldoon via the comment section, which is followed below by the trailer Dirty Hands due out later this week on digital platforms.
All My Children and Hallmark alum, Jonathan Bennett has been cast in the newly-created role on General Hospital as Joe Fitzpatrick.
Look for Bennett to make his debut on the ABC soap opera next month in May. Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans for his work as JR Chandler on All My Children from 2000-2001. Later, he landed the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout role.
Jonathan would go on to star in seven Hallmark Channel movies and then hosting and producing the network’s reality competition show Finding Mr. Christmas, Bennett has also appeared as a contestant on Season 19 of Dancing with the Stars, plus Celebrity Big Brother in 2019, and he starred on Broadway in Spamalot.
Courtesy/ABC
Frank Valentini, the executive producer of General Hospital shared to Deadline who first reported the casting news, “We’re so excited to have Jonathan joining our cast. He’s a tremendous talent and will be a fantastic addition to ‘GH.’
After the news broke, Bennett took to his Instagram and shared, “There’s a new guy in town…” Meanwhile, the official General Hospital account shared a pic and expressed, “He’s already tired of us telling him his hair looks sexy pushed back. Welcome to the family, Jonathan Bennett.
Bennett is married to Jaymes Vaughan. Back in 2022, they became the first gay couple to appear on the cover of the wedding magazine, The Knot.
So, what do you think of the casting of Jonathan as Joe Fitzpatrick? Is he the new man for Lucas? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
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