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How B&B & ‘Dynasty’ Showrunners Are Being Creative To Keep Sex & Intimacy Alive In The Soap Genre Amidst COVID-19

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI/CW

In one of the more entertaining but true titles of an article in the New York Times, “How to Shoot a Sex Scene in a Pandemic: Cue the Mannequins” several series executive producers and showrunners participated and related how they are coming up with ways to exist in a COVID-19 world, but need to keep the love stories, and intimate moments still look alluring for its viewership, especially those bonafide soaps.

At the forefront remains The Bold and the Beautiful and its executive producer and head writer, Brad Bell.  BOLD has returned to making new episodes and as noted today, will be airing all-new episodes come July 20th.

In the NY Times piece, Bell shared on making the love scenes work:  “At first, we took out the love scenes, and the show was falling a little flat because we’re all about romance and family interactions. One of the first ideas we had was to bring in mannequins for the intimate scenes and hospital scenes, and it’s working quite well — we’re shooting it from a great distance or in a way you can’t see the form is inanimate.”

When asked how his cast is handling the transition to lifeless stand-ins, he shared.  “We’ve had a lot of strange looks and questions like, Do you really want to do this? But everyone is game. They are getting their first latex kiss.”

Another soap, CW’s Dynasty, who had to wrap its 3rd season much earlier than they had hoped, without the wedding of Fallon and Liam due to COVID-19, is figuring out how their over-the-top sexy sudsy show might look when it returns.

Showrunner, Josh Reims shared with the Times: “Phone sex has certainly come up a lot. I was looking through the first episode written before all this, and basically removed everything that said, ‘And then they kiss.’”

Reims noted: “The joke among the writers is that we will watch two characters say they want to have sex and then cut to them saying, ‘That was some great sex.’”

It is Reims true hople that when Dynasty returns next spring in 2021, that the effects of COVID-19 will not be felt or will have at least subsided, adding “No one is watching ‘Dynasty’ to be reminded of a pandemic.”

So, looks like soaps are leading the charge to get you back to enjoying love in the afternoon or the evening? Comment below.

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Daytime is returning too fast; they should still be shut down. As for Dynasty, I am shaken by the wait until 2021 for its return, simply due to ratings and its streaming history, however, I know I (and many others) will certainly be tuning in!

I wholeheartedly agree they’re coming back way too fast. And then they’re gonna have to stop again and that’s just going to delay new episodes coming back. I’d rather see them wait a couple months and maybe start shooting in September and bank a whole bunch of episodes and then come back on air in January. That way if there’s a shut down during the winner they’ll have some left to air.

I know I am going to get a lot of flack for what I am about to say. But everyone is entitled to their opinion so here goes. I have been an on again off again viewer of Y&R & B&B since the mid eighties. (Depending on my work schedule at the time). With that being said, it has been nice watching past episodes to see what I have missed. I just wish B&B would go further back. It was nice to see Ronn Moss as Ridge. Anyway, sorry for digressing. I am getting to my point, I promise. And trust me I never thought these words would ever be uttered out of my mouth. I think soap operas should go by way of the dinosaur. Enough is enough. After watching the reruns these past weeks, today’s writing doesn’t hold a candle to the past episodes. As always on B&B the scenes with Brooke and Stephanie SR were excellent. I loved watching Bridget lay into Brooke for getting pregnant with Deacon. Now I know why that girl won an Emmy. Like I said, enough is enough. How many times can Brooke go back and forth between Bill and Ridge without it getting predictable. Not to mention with the new boyfriend for Steffie, you know a Liam triangle is coming up. They also killed (not physically) Sally with the lie to get Wyatt back. They made such a cute couple. Y&R is the same thing The writing and acting was so much better. I guess all good things must come to an end sometime. Thank you to whoever reads this. Stay safe and healthy everyone and happy viewing everybody.

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‘Santa Barbara’ Favorites A Martinez and Marcy Walker, ‘Cruz and Eden’ Reunion Chat, On Demand Replay Available for Half Price (Exclusive)

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The love was felt around the world during the Sunday, June 7 livestream conversation featuring enduring Santa Barbara Daytime Emmy winners, A Martinez and Marcy Walker who played Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell on the iconic NBC soap opera. The popular duo reunited for this special one-day only special event honoring their most memorable of daytime roles.

Santa Barbara was globally a hit, and nothing illustrated that more than having attendees from 20 countries and over four continents participate in and watch the live chat moderated by Melissa Braverman, the author of Santa Barbara: The Complete Story due out this fall.

While many were not able to purchase the initial livestream when the ticket costs were revealed to be $100,  A Martinez previously clarified the event was to also raise money for Walker, who is currently facing a very serious health situation, now there is a way to catch the replay at half the price.

Courtesy: MBraverman

HOW YOU CAN STILL CATCH A AND MARCY’S LIVESTREAM

Michael Fairman TV can share exclusively that if you missed the chance to see and listen to what A and Marcy had to say, On demand access is available at the event link for a half price at $50 (guests can contribute up to $100 if they so chose). Like the livestream, 100% of On demand sales for the recording will be available for a limited time only, and also go toward Marcy’s medical expenses.

There was plenty of laughter, tears, and reminiscing through the the two and a half hour chat which included: some memorable footage and images from the love story of Cruz and Eden. At one point, Marcy reflected on the enduring impact and affection for Cruz and Eden. “You hope that whatever you do in this life, that you’ll make an impact of some kind,” expressed Walker. “It doesn’t have to necessarily be wrapped up in success or career or anything like that, but I think we all want desperately to feel like our time here blessed someone. To hear that somebody’s life was even a moment better because of what we did is a massive gift.

Photo: NBC

A AND MARCY’S DESIRE TO WORK TOGETHER AGAIN

In a moment that brought joy to those in attendance, A and Marcy both expressed a sincere hope and desire that one day they can work together again. Martinez explained, “There’s more avenues to pursue now than there have ever been. I would say just keep a good thought for it. I’ve been holding it for decades, and I fully intend to do whatever I can to make it happen. We’re engaged in trying to make it happen. And you know, we’ll see. I know we both want to do it.” Marcy simply nodded and responded “Amen.”

Melissa Braverman shared with Michael Fairman TV, her sentiments on hosting the Santa Barbara favorites. “Seeing A and Marcy together again, even virtually, was an absolute gift. It instantly reminded all of us why we fell so hard for Cruz and Eden in the first place. Their undeniable chemistry leaped off the screen and straight back into our hearts, proving that the magic they created all those years ago hasn’t faded one bit. Sharing in equal parts laughter and tears felt like catching up with old friends. It just meant the world to see them side-by-side again and to see how this incredible fandom showed up for Marcy during such an important time for her.”

So, if you attended the livestream chat with A Martinez and Marcy Walker, what did you enjoy hearing about the most? Now the tickets have dropped to watch the replay On Demand, would you want to check it out? Let us know via the comment section below.

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‘Days of Our Lives’ Officially Confirms Ryan Quan Returning as Co-Head Writer Beginning in July

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There is definitely a shake-up going down at the writing team at Peacock’s Days of Our Lives. Now, the long-running soap opera has confirmed, what has been previously reported, that current General Hospital breakdown writer, Ryan Quan is heading back to his old stomping grounds in Salem. This time as the series co-head writer.

The appointment of Quan comes with the official news that current co-head writer, Paula Cwikly, who was previously rumored to be departing the series, is not. She is staying with the soap opera and transitioning to a consultant role with the show. Now, Quan will join current co-head writer, Jeanne Marie Ford to steer the ship for the characters on the canvas.

On Wednesday, TV Insider, reported the official confirmation and that Quan will return to DAYS next month in July. In a statement to the outlet, executive producer, Ken Corday expressed, ‘We are lucky to have Ryan back in the fold. There are very few people who have such a deep knowledge and understanding of our show’s history. Stay tuned!”

Photo: JPI

THE FUTURE OF DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Since Days of our Lives unusual production schedule tapes ten-months ahead of air, the new creative team’s vision led by Quan and Jeanne Marie Ford are not expected to stream on Peacock until mid-2027.

Days of Our Lives is currently renewed through its 63rd season. The former NBC soap opera which transitioned to Peacock in September of 2022, celebrate its 60th anniversary in November of 2025.

The writing regime change comes after NBCUniversal Media Chairman Matt Strauss revealed that Peacock is expected to turn a profit for the first time in the current quarter, punctuating their investment with the enduring soap opera on its platform.

As for Quan, his knowledge of Salem is tremendous. Ryan joined Days of Our Lives as a writer’s assistant in 2007 after some time over at Passions. He then spent two decades and held every position on the writing team where he previously served as co-head writer from 2016-17 alongside Dena Higley.

Later, when Ron Carlivati took over as head writer for 7 years in 2017, Quan became his right-hand man and main story consultant for his deep knowledge of the history and the legacy of the show. After Carlivati exited the show in 2024, General Hospital hired Quan in 2025.

So, what do you think about DAYS making it official with Ryan Quan as the new co-head writer of the series alongside Jeanne Marie Ford. What do you think about the fact we won’t see the changes on-screen till 2027? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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ABC Announces ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Texas Spin-Off Gets Straight-to-Series Order

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In a surprise move, coming a week after ABC unveiled its 2026-2027 fall television schedule, Grey’s Anatomy is getting a new spinoff co-created by the original series’ creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes.

The new untitled medical drama will be written and executive produced by Rhimes and Grey’s Anatomy showrunner/executive producer Meg Marinis under the Shondaland and 20th Television umbrella. In addition, long-running ‘Grey’s’ star Ellen Pompeo will also serve as an EP of the spinoff.

The upcoming new series will debut midseason in 2027. This will be the first of Grey’s franchise not set in urban city or West Coast locale. According to Deadline, the new “edgy drama is about a team at a rural West Texas medical center — the last chance for care before miles of nowhere.”

Photo: ABC

In a statement, Marinis shared, “I am incredibly excited to expand the Grey’s Anatomy universe. This opportunity will bring new characters and stories to life that will embody the same heart, emotion and connection audiences have loved from Grey’s for more than two decades — all set in my home state of Texas. I am so grateful to Shonda Rhimes for creating this dynamic world and feel so fortunate that I get to be a part of it.”

A NEW GROUP OF DOCTORS IN RURAL TEXAS

The Texas spinoff will feature a a new group of doctors, but there will be some connection to the OG Grey’s Anatomy and possibly to Debbie Allen’s character of Catherine Fox. The amount of episodes in the series order has not yet been determined. Previous Grey’s Anatomy spinoffs were the defunct Station 19 and Private Practice.

Previously, Grey’s Anatomy was renewed for its upcoming 23rd season while the amount of episodes is unclear.  The last two seasons the series produced 18 episodes.

It should also be noted, Grey’s Anatomy and the Texas spinoff would likely share a time period, which requires limited-run orders for both with Grey’s premiering in the fall, followed by the spinoff on the midseason programming block.

So, what do you think about a Texas spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy coming in 2027? Who would you like to see from daytime or primetime as some of the featured roles as new doctors? Put on your casting directors hat and let us know via the comment section below.

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