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Hallmark Channel Chief Bill Abbott Exits In Aftermath Of Same-Sex Ad Controversy

Photo: Hallmark

Looks like there is still fallout from the Hallmark Channel pulling several ads from wedding planner, Zola that centered on a same-sex lesbian couple kissing at their wedding.

Now, Bill Abbott, who has been Crown Media Family Networks president and CEO for the last 11 years, is exiting the company.  The announcement was made today by Mike Perry, president and CEO of Hallmark Cards Inc.

No successor has been named. “I have tremendous confidence in the Crown Media management team and, with this team in place, I will begin a search for Bill’s replacement,” Perry said. “I want to thank Bill for his many years of success and contributions to Crown Media and wish him continued success.”

Prior to the firestorm against the cable outlet for pulling the Zola ads, (after conservative group One Million Moms petitioned to have the ads removed) and the network complied, the company was doing well.

Abbott presided over a period of growth and visibility for Hallmark including: Christmas programming and regular opportunities for seasoned A-list stars that in return attracted viewers and ratings. Bill Abbott’s exit is the latest result of Hallmark’s efforts to quickly turn the page on the bad PR.

Deadline reported that according to people familiar with the internal discussions, many people at the network expressed their preference for restoring the ad quickly, while Abbott went against their wishes and kept it off the air.

So, what do you think of Abbott stepping-down and Hallmark parting ways with him? Do you enjoy Hallmark Channel programming or find its fare and formula not diverse and inclusive enough? Comment below.

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Barb Flickinger
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Barb Flickinger

Once Hallmark starts showing LBGTQ crap – I’m gone. I always thought Hallmark followed more closely with my Christian values, but if they follow the way of the rest of TV, I will no longer watch it. I liked a lot of their shows, but I won’t have this garbage in my house where my young grand children might see it.

Billy
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Billy

Seriously? Soaps are moral and kissing is not? SMH.

Satan
Guest
Satan

A lot of folks who describe themselves as “Christians” are supporters of a serial adulterer who has about 1500 documented lies coming from his mouth since he’s been squatting in the White House.

Now admittedly, I haven’t spoken to my Former Employer in a long time, but I suspect he might find that a little more offensive than two people kissing in a commercial that airs on a channel full of bland, sappy programming.

rose
Guest
rose

Barb…So I guess that means you don’t watch The Young and Restless and General Hospital.

Kay
Guest
Kay

This is the biggest lie Lordy do you people never stop take your crap and literally shove it! The ad never showed them kissing !!! It was humorous actually quite funny why does the left insist on making a drama out of nothing!!!

Kay
Guest
Kay

In other words why don’t you leave these people alone if this is their beliefs leave them alone let it go

Patrick Rose
Guest
Patrick Rose

“get off the cross” red green yellow.. all means the same thing to every body. common sense… mind your own p’s and q’s.. for those who “choose” to mix with rally ! every one.. I’ve been to the rodeo aint no charge lesser than mine… I pay the bills … mortgage, utilities, food on the table I stand equal his step down is freeing on another note : from what I can gather… Mark Steines, “settles” lawsuit with ? hip hip hooray. He … stood with his female co-workers. Hallmark thought he would take the bullet not so fast… I… Read more »

rose
Guest
rose

We’ll never know the real politics behind closed doors for Abbott’s departure. I just know I enjoy the Hallmark Channel. I may not have watched everyday, back-to-back, like over Christmas, but it was a welcome relief from our daily news, Million Moms, and politics. It may be formula…so are our soaps…and I find it is almost as diverse as our soaps. With pleasant stories, some actors I recognized from the soaps, and stories that always end right. Even our soaps don’t let stories that initially end right stay that way for long.

dzz
Guest
dzz

Everyone calls out for their Rights, not every one has the desires/stomach to see LBGTQ kissing.. Doesn’t make straight people wrong or selfish. We have our rights to keep our belief. It’s called desires!

Patrick Rose
Guest
Patrick Rose

how sad to leave the house and not see any thing more than what you want

Heather
Guest
Heather

I left when they reinstated the gay commercial. I will not support a gay channel or company. Will not go into a store or buy a card from them again unless they go back to real family values.

rose
Guest
rose

Heather…So I guess that means no ABC/ General Hospital, or CBS/Young &Restless.

Satan
Guest
Satan

Real family values?

You mean like an orange man who orders his immigrant brides via mail order and then cheats on them with porn stars when they’re pregnant?

Hell, I have better values than that, and I’m the Devil!

Patrick Rose
Guest
Patrick Rose

this is exciting… leave, enough room for color… a shared moment…a start

Tom
Guest
Tom

Yes, if you don’t like Hallmarks programs then change the channel. Majority of Americans approve of the network’s movie.

As to you the small majority of Americans who want to push their lifestyle on others. Simply said, get your own network and problem is solved

JEnny
Guest
JEnny

I think that if Hallmark continues to show these types of commercials and add gays to their programs they will eventually not have a hallmark channel. I cannot understand why we do not have rights as conservative Christians in America. Losing Bill Abbot will forever change hallmark.

Days Of Our Lives

Linsey Godfrey Returns to Days of our Lives

No one is really ever written off Days of our Lives forever! Now, Linsey Godfrey (Sarah) is coming back to the Peacock streaming soap opera, reprising her role of Sarah.  However, this time, Sarah returns to Salem, pregnant!

We last saw Godfrey back in March when Sarah exited the canvas to take a job in Chicago with Rex (Kyle Lowder).  At the time of her exit, she was pregnant with Xander’s (Paul Telfer) child, but their divorce went through on the same day.

Courtesy/Peacock

Now, next week on DAYS, when Bonnie (Judi Evans) goes to visit Rex, she sees a very pregnant Sarah along with him.  Meanwhile back in Salem, Xander is growing closer to Chloe (Nadia Bjorlin).

Linsey chatted with Soap Opera Digest on her return (in their latest issue on newsstands now), sharing that she was very excited to be back on DAYS, and for the next leg of this story. The actress commented, “This is the antithesis of what Sarah would want to happen. She moved to Chicago to be far away from anything like this and to keep this secret.”

Check out the latest promo for next week’s DAYS below featuring plenty of baby drama to go-around.

Let us know, do you want Xander and Sarah to reconcile? Do you want the baby to be Xander’s or do you think there is a twist coming, especially since Sarah and Rex hit the sheets before they left Salem? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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News

Linden Ashby on His Y&R Return as Cameron Kirsten: “Let’s Write Him Bad. I’m Not Looking For a Redemptive Story Here”

Cameron Kirsten is back in Genoa City marking the return of Linden Ashby to the CBS daytime drama series.  In story, Kirsten who terrorized Sharon (Sharon Case) decades ago now has a room at the GCAC. So, just how will he turn Sharon’s world upside down this time, and those that she loves?

Speaking on the latest episode of the Soap Opera Digest podcast on his Y&R come back, Ashby related how he had been asked back to the show previously, but had to turn it down.

Y&R executive producer and head writer, Josh Griffith Jr. called and asked Linden, “Hey, can you do it now?” (referring to having Ashby reprise his role of one of the series most notorious bad guys).

Photo: CBS

When discussing his imminent return as Cameron, the actor told the Y&R showrunner, “I’m like, ‘Hey man, let’s write him bad. I’m not looking for a redemptive story here. I’m not looking to turn over a new leaf. I’m getting out of prison. It’s been 20 years. I’m coming back and I’ve got a few scores to settle .. and business to take care of.”

As to what viewers will see once Kirsten is back in action, Linden expressed, “It is pretty much go, go, go, go …  hit the ground running.”

Photo: CBS

The actor, who is married in real-life to Y&R’s Susan Walters (Diane), shared on Cameron’s current mindset, “He’s burning the town down. He feels justified and motivated for what he is doing and not about to back down for one second.”

So, are you looking forward to seeing just what Cameron Kirsten has in store for Sharon? Will this story bring Chance  and Sharon closer together … or will Nick ultimately be the one to save the day? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, but first watch the final moments from Friday’s Y&R.

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AEW

‘AEW Collision’ Debut Confirmed for Chicago; CM Punk Return Imminent

Wednesday night on AEW: Dynamite, the league’s CEO & President, Tony Khan made the official announcement that the first episode of TNT’s new Saturday night pro wrestling show, AEW: Collision will emanate from the United Center in Chicago on June 17th (8pm ET).  That all but guarantees (although unconfirmed) that CM Punk (who hails from Chi-town) will be returning to the company following his injury and his backstage brawl at All Out 2022.

Photo: AEW

Initial reports had Punk’s name crossed off of the official press release for the new Saturday night show. Speculation was rampant that it was taken off the roster list  because either CM’s appearance would then be a surprise, or that Punk, Khan and AEW had not come to resolution of all their previously publicized backstage issues.

It should be noted, that when Punk made his AEW debut it was during an episode of AEW Rampage from the United Center back in August of 2021.

With “Collision” apparently housing wrestlers who have had other issues with the company including: Miro, Thunder Rosa, and Andrade, CM Punk would seemingly fit right in.

Reports also surfaced that part of the clause that needed to be worked out between Khan and Punk, was that moving forward nobody would speak publicly about the backstage fight between Punk, Ace Steel, and The Elite at All Out 2022.  If Punk’s return happens on AEW: Collision, additional rumors say he will feud with Samoa Joe to kick off his return to the ring.

Photo: AEW

Memorial Day weekend, AEW is set to serve up one of its four major pay-per-views of the year with Double or Nothing live from Las Vegas on Sunday, May 28th. In the main events, The Elite with Hangman Adam Page face off with the Blackpool Combat Club in the Anarchy in the Arena match, while MJF puts the AEW World Championship on the line and defends in a four-way matchup against Darby Allin, Jack Perry and Sammy Guevara.

You can watch Tony Khan’s announcement below of Chicago being the home for the premiere episode of AEW Collision.

Now, let us know, are you hoping that CM Punk does return to AEW and on the premiere of “Collision”? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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