News
Hallmark CEO Apologizes After Cable Network Pulled Zola’s Same-Sex Wedding Ad Sparking Controversy
On Sunday night, Hallmark Card president and CEO Mike Perry offered up an apology to wedding planner website Zola after the Hallmark Channel removed four commercials that featured a same-sex wedding. See previous story here, and as many soap fans several former favorites from daytime are hired as actors consistently by the network for their movies,
In a statement, Perry shared: “The Crown Media team has been agonizing over this decision as we’ve seen the hurt it has unintentionally caused. Said simply, they believe this was the wrong decision. Our mission is rooted in helping all people connect, celebrate traditions and be inspired to capture meaningful moments in their lives. Anything that detracts from this purpose is not who we are. We are truly sorry for the hurt and disappointment this has caused. … Across our brand, we will continue to look for ways to be more inclusive and celebrate our differences.”
Then, on the companies corporate website another statement was served up expressing: “That is is, and always has been, committed to diversity and inclusion — both in our workplace as well as the products and experiences we create. It is never Hallmark’s intention to be divisive or generate controversy. We are an inclusive company and have a track record to prove it.”
That post talked about how the company has LGBTQ greeting cards, and goes on to say how the company has been recognized as one of the Human Rights Campaigns Best Places to Work, and as one of Forbes America’s Best Employers for Diversity. You can read that statement in full here.
GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis said on the the reinstatement of the ads: “The Hallmark Channel’s decision to correct its mistake sends an important message to LGBTQ people and represents a major loss for fringe organizations, like One Million Moms, whose sole purpose is to hurt families like mine. LGBTQ people are, and will continue to be a part of advertisements and family programming and that will never change. GLAAD exists to hold brands like The Hallmark Channel accountable when they make discriminatory decisions and to proactively ensure families of all kinds are represented in fair and accurate ways.”
So, what do you think about Hallmark’s apology? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Hallmark knew they would lose viewers, so finally they made the right decisions. I still find there shows cheesy and terrible acting. Lol
Recognizing a grave error, apologizing for it and overturning the decision is the perfect response. Hallmark.
So Disappointed in there decision.If the ads come back no more Hallmark channel in our home and guess will get lower cable bill.Disconnecting from all channels with no family morals.
My husband, son and I have family values, just like all LGBTQ people.
So I guess that means FAUX Noize will also be off your TV? How many perverts have been fired from that channel? Including the former boss, Roger Ailes.
I’ll give you three guesses where he is right now.
Yeah, gimme soaps with REAL “family morals”! I wanna see upstanding folks like Baby-snatching Thomas plotting to bring down those he thinks wronged him! Show me pics of Rey’s niece from his ex-wife Mia’s affair with his brother Arturo! And I just gotta find out if little Violet (conceived out of wedlock with Papa Finn) will ever notice her mother abandoned her. You mean THOSE “family morals?”….
I suggest you stay with the old 60’s tv series where divorce, LGBTQ, children before marriage, women working outside the home etc were never discussed. In other words, a sanitized version of real life.
you mean you actually watch all the commercials? Most people skip thru them or leave the room.
Hallmark should have discussed this more thoroughly before acting on it.
I dont mind the commercials – Im guessing dont have drug co ads or erectile dysfunction ads – both of those kinds of ads I could do without. ha
So the heterosexual family with an abusive alcoholic father is okay to see, but not the loving, non-violent lesbians? Love that morality.
The Hallmark Channel caters the seniors..
”Hallmark has an older audience — its median age is 58.6”
And seniors are not as open to same-sex as the younger are.
Seems Hallmark was catering to what they perceived the seniors would freak at, dunno.
It looks like the younger heard the news, read of it in social media
and acted on it..
Anyways- Hallmark isn’t going anywhere..
Its apology wasn’t necessary; they scare too easily.
then again most all do..
political correctness has become to be used as a weapon.
Su000…According to the ratings I’ve read Hallmarks fastest growing demos start at women 18 to 49+, even including men. Right now their ratings are very, very good compared to other major networks. And have been acknowledged as feel good, “traditional,” go-to tv compared to the real life and divisive politics, especially since 2016. Not that they don’t need some updating in their formula. Just wish Facebook would axe the “fake news” political ads from unfriendly counties/groups that they accept. But it seems the money is just too good.
Hallmark needed to be updated years ago!
I really thought that Hallmark was a better company than this.I for one do not want to see same sex anything forced in my face just because I love to watch TV. Whatever people do behind closed doors is between them and God, we should never have it forced on us to watch. Yes, I am of the older generation and I do not agree that the almighty dollar should take precedence over what is morally right. I will be looking for another channel to watch my movies on and will never Grace the hallmark cards section. This company knows right from wrong but they’ve chosen the latter.If your cards promote the same of children and women for millions of dollars,how would you handle that? I am very disappointed, goodbye Hallmark!
Earlene…I guess that means you don’t watch General Hospital because of the Brad and Lucas storyline?
Yet you are willing to force your religious beliefs on the rest of us
Anne…this has nothing to do with forcing my religious beliefs on anyone. And you don’t even know what they are. But when there are things on tv I don’t want to watch, and there are some, I mute, or switch channels until they pass. Just wish I could do the same in some of our national political discourse. With all of that said I truly hope you have a nice holiday season.
Earline…you are not being forced to watch anything that goes on behind closed doors. There was absolutely NOTHING wrong with these commercials. Would you feel the same if it portrayed an inter-racial heterosexual couple? There is nothing wrong with love.
God bless you Earlene.
Including individuals like me and families like mine is not political correctness. WE are not going anywhere and companies that are looking to the future know that equality for all – and equal treatment/representation – is the future. Get over it.
Hallmark deciding not to bow to white supremacist, homophobic hate groups like One Million Moms is not political correctness. They were cowards to appeasing them in the first place. Get a clue.
Hi soapfan..
it wasn’t about bowing to white supremacist
it’s about caving in.. every time some group says; boycott
people jump to appease.
anyways.. the white supremacists should be happy,,
the Hallmark movies are nearly all-white actors
ever notice that??
((i don’t watch Hallmark but work people had mentioned
the movies are white peoples ..
one said;
it’s going to be a ”white” Christmas movie, again.
Im a very young 60 – dont consider senior until 70. But most older people that are uncomfortable with non hetros are much older than me, like my mom’s group which would be WWII crowd. Or they haven’t lived in larger population areas.
100 percent agree!
These are the worst movies, but this is good news.
These ads don’t bother me. I’m more for love than hate anyway. Haven’t seen these ads before. I wonder if Zola runs them on other networks?
I personally do not have a problem with gays or lesbians but I believe since Hallmark is family oriented that it should be more selective with what they show on television. Not everyone is on board with watching woman kissing each other or men kissing each other. We have children watching some of these movies and it is very confusing to them. To them this is not natural. So I have to elect not to watch these movies. It was a good move to do what they did.
On what basis do you say what is or what is not “natural”?
Believe me, as a long term observer of mortal humanity, I can promise you that there have been people of different orientations for a really long time. If you want to get biblical about it, don’t go with the Sodom & Gomorrah thing, because that story has been seriously misinterpreted. Not to mention that chapter ends with Lot getting drunk and doing really weird things with his own daughters. Now THAT is not natural!!
Try the story of young future king David & his relationship with Saul’s son, Jonathan, for example. Scripture says that their love for each other was greater than their love for women. And when old Saul found out about it, he accused poor Jon of being a “whore” just like his mama, and tried to gut his own son with a spear. Guess Saul was the founder of “One Million Moms” (yeah the current organization ain’t run by women either, nor do they have anything remotely close to a million members. But since when do FundaMENTALists tell the truth about anything??)
Children are taught hate, they are taught what is “unnatural.” They do not innately think that some people should kiss and others shouldn’t. They are not confused unless people like you confuse them. Also, not to make your brain explode or whatever, but lots of kids are LGBTQ. Shouldn’t they be able to see reflections of themselves on TV? For crying out loud, read a book. Read a pamphlet. Get a clue.
There ARE children being raised by same sex couples.
There is nothing wrong with any child witnessing LOVE. It should not be confusing. It is not natural TO YOU, you are teaching your children the same. Sad.
They realized the amount of money they were, and will continue to lose… They offer 2 – 3 Same sex cards, for any occasion/holiday. Plus, there was here an apology, they just agonized over the decision.
I was not happy when they pulled the ads. I had been seeing them already on other platforms and thought they were cute. I am glad they have seen the error of removing them and hope Zola will put them back on.
Breaking News
Steve Kent Reportedly OUT as Sony Pictures Television VP in Charge of DAYS and Y&R
On Friday, reports surfaced that Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President of Programming at Sony Pictures Television, is no longer with the company and overseeing the Sony soap operas, Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless.
According to Soap Opera Digest, a set side source reported that Kent’s last day was last Friday, April 12th, which was one day after what would have been his final appearance in his Sony VP role at the Days of our Lives 15,000th episode on set celebration.
During that ceremony, Kent gave a brief speech giving kudos to DAYS for its incredible milestone. Days is a co-production of Sony Pictures Television and Corday Productions, while Y&R is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company in association with Sony Pictures Television.
Photo: JPI
Kent started his soap opera career as a producer for CBS’ defunct Capitol and then as the supervising producer of NBC’s Santa Barbara from1984 to 1993.
Photo: JPI
At Sony, before his role overseeing the soaps, Kent was Senior Executive Vice President of International Productions for Sony Pictures Television International department.
If reports are true, the question becomes who has taken over his position, and would oversee DAYS and Y&R from the Sony side? Share your thoughts on this developing story via the comment section below.
Breaking News
(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!
After exciting morning for your favorite daytime stars when they were revealed to be nominees for the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards comes tonight 10th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special.
Beginning at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT, several of the nominees will talk with Michael Fairman on their reactions to the news they have been nominated for a Daytime Emmy, share what scenes they submitted that landed in the top five or six in their respective performer acting categories and much more.
Scheduled to appear are: Days of our Lives nominees, Tamara Braun (Ava), Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Linsey Godfrey (Sarah), The Young and the Restless nominees: Allison Lanier (Summer), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Courtney Hope (Sally), Bryton James (Devon), The Bold and the Beautiful’s John McCook (Eric), General Hospital nominees, Finola Hughes (Anna) and Alley Mills (Heather), and The Bay’s Mike Manning (Caleb).
Photo: JPI
The 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ on Friday night, June 7th and emanating, once again this year from the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
Photo: JPI
For a full list of this year’s nominations click here.
Now, watch below as the stars chat it up as we celebrate their Daytime Emmy Nominations. If you have a potential question you might want posed to any of our guests, drop it in the comment section below and we just might ask it on air.
Breaking News
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) have officially announced on Friday, the full list of nominees for the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
While Thursday brought with it four reveals of the nominees in the Outstanding Daytime Drama, Talk Show Host, Lead Actor and Actress categories (as presented by various entertainment news programs), today’s nominations include all the other categories not previously announced.
The Daytime Emmy Awards telecast is set to be presented live on Friday night, June 7, at 8 PM EDT /delayed PT, on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+. This will mark the 18th time that CBS has broadcast the Daytime Emmys.
Photo: JPI
In addition, The Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy Awards will be presented on Saturday, June 8 at t9 PM ET/6 PM PT and streamed on The Emmys apps and at watch.TheEmmys.tv. The ceremonies will take place at the Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles.
Television icon, Dick Van Dyke has received his first-ever Daytime Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Guest Performer category for his touching portrayal of Timothy Robicheaux on Peacock’s Days of our Lives. The nomination makes Van Dyke the oldest Daytime Emmy nominee in history at 98-years-old. In addition, motion picture and TV star, Guy Pearce, is also nominated as Guest Performer for his longtime role as Mike Young in the reboot of Neighbours.
Speaking of Neighbours, the Australian soap opera also received its first ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Daytime Drama Series now that its a revival can be streamed on Amazon Freevee. In addition, The Young and the Restless iconic, Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) received his first Daytime Emmy nomination in more than 20 years in the Lead Actor in a Drama Series category.
Photo: AmazonFreevee
In the Daytime Drama series categories, CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless each scored 12 nominations more than any other show. Leading the acting nominations was B&B, who landed 7 performers in the various categories, a first in its 37-year history.
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President & CEO, NATAS expressed, “We are happy to once again honor the creative talent both in front of and behind the camera of America’s favorite Daytime programs. We look forward to celebrating the icons who enliven the days of audiences across the country.”
Photo: JPI
Brent Stanton, Head of Daytime, NATAS added, “Producing the Daytime Emmys is a labor of love for all of us at NATAS. The huge popularity of these shows continues to be must-see viewing for their fans.” NATAS also revealed that Lifetime Achievement Honorees, Hosts, Presenters, and Silver and Gold Circle honorees will be revealed at a later date.
The Daytime Emmy Awards recognize outstanding achievement in television programming honoring work in a variety of categories, including daytime dramas, talk shows, instructional programming, hosting, culinary, and legal/courtroom programs. In 2021, NATAS and the Television Academy jointly announced plans to realign the Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards to be organized by content genre, as opposed to program airtime.
The 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be produced once again by NATAS and Associated Television International (ATI). Adam Sharp and Lisa Armstrong are executive producers from NATAS, while David McKenzie executive produces from ATI.
Congratulations to all the men and women in front of the camera and behind the scenes for their recognition as we take a look at who will be going for gold come June. Here are the nominees below starting with the Daytime Drama Categories.
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
Neighbours
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS
Tamara Braun, Days of our Lives
Finola Hughes, General Hospital
Katherine Kelly Lang, The Bold and the Beautiful
Annika Noelle, The Bold and the Beautiful
Michelle Stafford, The Young and the Restless
Cynthia Watros, General Hospital
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR
Eric Braeden, The Young and the Restless
Scott Clifton, The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye, The Bold and the Beautiful
Eric Martsolf, Days of our Lives
John McCook, The Bold and the Beautiful
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS
Jennifer Gareis, The Bold and the Beautiful
Linsey Godfrey, Days of our Lives
Courtney Hope, The Young and the Restless
Allison Lanier, The Young and the Restless
Emily O’Brien, Days of our Lives
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR
Robert Gossett, General Hospital
Bryton James, The Young and the Restless
Wally Kurth, Days of our Lives
A Martinez, The Bay
Mike Manning, The Bay
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
Linden Ashby, The Young and the Restless
Ashley Jones, The Bold and the Beautiful
Alley Mills, General Hospital
Guy Pearce, Neighbours
Dick Van Dyke, Days of our Lives
OUTSTANDING WRITING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DIRECTION
General Hospital
The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The View
Photo: ABC
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL DIRECTION, CAMERAWORK, VIDEO
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade
The Kelly Clarkson Show
OUTSTANDING CASTING
African Queens: Njinga
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
Start Up
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING ART DIRECTION/SET DECORATION/SCENIC DESIGN
African Queens: Njinga
The Drew Barrymore Show
General Hospital
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The View
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN/STYLING
African Queens: Njinga
The Bold and the Beautiful
The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri
Photo: WarnerBros
OUTSTANDING HAIRSTYLING AND MAKEUP
African Queens: Njinga
The Drew Barrymore Show
Sherri
The View
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SONG
“Shine” General Hospital
“Unexpected Truth”Unexpected
“We’re Home” Reconnecting Roots
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME TALK SERIES
The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall
Turning The Tables with Robin Roberts
The View
Photo: ABC
OUTSTANDING ENTERTAINMENT NEWS SERIES
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
OUTSTANDING CULINARY SERIES
Be My Guest with Ina Garten
Family Dinner
Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays
Valerie’s Home Cooking
What Am I Eating? with Zooey Deschanel
OUTSTANDING LEGAL/COURTROOM PROGRAM
Hot Bench
Judy Justice
Justice For The People with Judge Milian
The People’s Court
We The People with Judge Lauren Lake
Photo: Disney/ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES HOST
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Mark Consuelos, Kelly Ripa, Live with Kelly and Mark
Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Natalie Morales, Jerry O’Connell, Sheryl Underwood, The Talk
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
OUTSTANDING CULINARY HOST
Lidia Bastianich, 25 Years with Lidia: A Culinary Jubilee
Valerie Bertinelli, Valerie’s Home Cooking
Eduardo Garcia, Big Sky Kitchen with Eduardo Garcia
Emeril Lagasse, Emeril Cooks
Sophia Roe, Counter Space
Buddy Valastro, Legends of the Fork
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME PERSONALITY – DAILY
Frank Caprio, Caught in Providence
Kevin Frazier, Nischelle Turner , Matt Cohen, Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Will Marfuggi, Rachel Smith, Entertainment Tonight
Deborah Norville, Steven Fabian, Lisa Guerrero, Ann Mercogliano, Jim Moret, Les Trent. Inside Edition
Robert Hernandez, Star Jones, Divorce Court
Judge Judy Sheindlin, Whitney Kumar, Kevin Rasco, Sarah Rose, Judy Justice
What do you think about the nominations for the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Who do you think deserved to get in that did? Who do you think got snubbed? Who are you happiest to see receive a nomination? Let us know via the comment section below.
Make sure to be with us live starting tonight Friday, April 19th at 8pm ET/5pm PT for the Michael Fairman Channel’s 10th anniversary edition of its Daytime Emmy Nomination Special 2024, featuring some of the just announced daytime drama nominees.
Steve Kent Reportedly OUT as Sony Pictures Television VP in Charge of DAYS and Y&R
(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods
Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
51st Daytime Emmys: Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa Receive Talk Show Host Nominations
General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
DAYS Alum Tanner Stine to Appear in ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ Starring Nicholas Chavez
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Set to Be Announced
B&B’s Sean Kanan, Heather Tom and Lawrence Saint-Victor All Had Creative Hand in Sheila’s ‘Ten Toe’ Reveal
(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods
General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
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