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INTERVIEW: Crystal Chappell announces plans for new Web Soap!

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: Lesley Bohm

Daytime’s enterprising superstar, Crystal Chappell spoke with On-Air On-Soaps for the skinny on her plans for her exciting new web soap, and her concept of developing, producing, and housing a very special online network of series. Chappell, ever the mover and shaker and visionary, has some exciting plans for her fans and twitter followers everywhere. In fact, her new series is a collaboration with her talented husband, Michael Sabatino! We will let Crystal fill you in on the rest!

Already the hardest working woman in soaps, tell us about your new project!

CRYSTAL: My intention from the beginning was to create various online content and create an online network. So, what I have been doing is developing other projects. And the one I just finished is one that I have been developing with Michael Sabatino, my husband. There are so many daytime actors who are going to be out of work soon. So I thought I would love to be able to pull some talent into this new show. But I can say it will star me and Jessica Leccia.  It has a classic soap structure about a wealthy family vs. the working class.  It has been fun to write, and it’s called The Grove. It’s about a family who lives in sort of a Topanga Canyon (California) grove area, and comes down to a slice of life family business of nouveau-riche versus the working class. I have also started my company called New Voice Productions. With The Grove, getting to work with Michael on this has been a lot of fun.  And you never know how that stuff is going to go! (Laughs)  I am very decisive. So I love collaboration, but at the end of the day I know what I want. And, my husband has put up with me for years. (Laughs)  He will say to me, “You know Crystal, you are a passionate person. And, if someone comes to you with a stronger argument than your own, you concede.” This is why I should have been an attorney! (Laughs)  I am excited about The Grove.  I am planning on shooting it in October and it will probably be the end of the year before it’s put up online. There are two or three other projects I want to do that are more reality based, and eventually I would like to create an online network where you can go in and buy certain packages.

If The Grove is a classic soap, will the LGBT community be represented?

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

CRYSTAL: I can tell you that I play a married woman to another beautiful woman, and the show is about families. There will be all kinds of people and characters in the show.  It is not Otalia, but it is Otalia-esque. I feel like what I loved about that story was the simplicity. I remember Jessica Leccia and I would talk about this going, “God, are they going to want to watch us folding laundry?” We were not sure about a lot of stuff, but it became such an important lesson for me, because something about it was just so simple and the purity of their love.  I think people will be very happy.  I think the LGBT community will be OK with this. My perspective on my own world that I live in is that I surround myself with all walks of life: heterosexual, homosexual, Caucasian, African-American, etc. I live in a world that is diverse, thankfully.  So those stories are very much part of the new show.

Now with the soon-to-be available talent pool from OLTL and AMC, will  some of those performers be on your radar for roles in the new series?

CRYSTAL: I am a huge fan of One Life to Live and the cast, and a lot of my friends have gone over to All My Children, and even the people I don’t personally, I am a big fan of. And in what we do, it is a very collaborative and creative effort that shoots really fast. The Grove is about getting back to family strife and all the stuff that comes with relationships. The soaps I remember growing up with are also my inspiration for this series.  I would love to have some of the OLTL cast come on the show, and I have spoken with some actresses from GH, too. It has been nice that people are willing to take a chance and get in on something from the ground floor.  I know my IT team is building out The Grove site, but they are also building out the New Voice site, and a lot of great people are coming aboard.  I think it is very exciting and we will get to hopefully use these actors and see their beautiful talent and faces on-screen again.

How many shows do you see yourself producing to be part of your online network platform?

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

CRYSTAL: I don’t see a limit, and with the help of these wonderful fans we have been able to create an online show.  It’s not inexpensive. The fact that we have been able to do it, and they have been so passionate and loyal, then they will go and support it.  The second we were able to do that meant that we could do this show and grow it. The fact that sponsors are contacting us is a good thing. So I don’t see why we need to put a limit on something unless it starts to become detrimental to the overall network.

You seem to be so inspired by twitter and your legions of followers who you communicate with so often. Are they having some input as to how you cast the new series?

CRYSTAL: I do have a casting wish list and a lot of my casting ideas have come from twitter,  honestly.  I get told all the time who should be on the show, and so I finally got in touch with those actors, and the performers have been positive in responding. So I think I can say the twitter fan base will enjoy The Grove. And, what is good about this is that I have the internet teams that I need to make things go more smoothly, and so the viewers and the audience will be more than taken care of.

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The Grove sounds really intriguing and since I’m already familiar with the Topanga canyon — it sounds even more attractive for me. I love Jessica and Crystal acting together so I’ll watch it. Kudos to Crystal for always being creative.

I Love And Respect Crystal More Everyday. Her Love and Support for her fellow Cast Mates and Dool’s, Venice Cast Members. I Am So proud of her and all she does. She Always is There for her fans on twitter. I am Very Glad she is doing this storyline. It Hits home. Thanks To Crystal, i Now see how hard it is too stop. and there are many things that happen to make someone start taking Drugs. i Admire and Respect her more for it.. Love the interview and can’t wait for The Glove. Thanks Michael, For All You Do. Love and Respect Michael Sabatino, Crystal Chappell Sabatino. Kelly from CT

Very intrigued by Crystal and Michael’s new show. Sounds very GL esque and very soapy!

she is certainly a powerhouse and has all this ideas– my wish for her list Rebecca Herbst they would be good together–I would love to see becky play a daughter/sister/mother of great wealth she has the right look for what most people think of as ‘old money’ and can play any emotion given her.

good luck Crystal

Now that I got an insight about the new websoap I’m getting more excitted. Thank you CC for this wonderful interwiew and Mr.Fairman thank for sharing this with us all.

Good luck to Crystal. Honest, articulate and beautiful. Looking forward to her new projects.

Crystal Chappell is a visionary who not only dreams but has the writing, acting, directing & producing talent to make her dreams come to reality. I will follow her whereever she goes because I love her & love that she always thinks of the fans first. We are her friends & will wait with excitement & support for whatever she brings us. The Grove with Jessica Leccia sounds like a winner from Crystal & Michael Sabatino. Thank you Crystal, you are simply the BEST. Hugs

You have to give a hand to Crystal that no matter what tries to kick her down she’s already working on something new and better. She’s got great ideas and she is not afraid to put the work in to make them happen. Crystal is a soap fan as am I and I know she knows what fellow soap fans want. Crystal is a great role model for woman but I am sure she would just say she’s doing what she loves while giving us that sexy smile of hers. I came to Days with Crystal and I will leave with her too.
Michael, thanks for this nice interview with Crystal.

I wish her all the best. She’s such a pioneer. Love her work and her initiative. Will continue to support her projects! 🙂

Bloody awesome!

CRYSTAL YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO WOMEN EVERWHERE, SO IT WASNT ENOUGH TO BE A GREAT ACTRESS NOW YOU ARE A GREAT WRITER , DIRECTOR, PRODUCER, WEB CREATOR ,MOM, WIFE . WOW YOUR MY IDOL.
GOOD-LUCK

What a great role model for aspiring actors and writers in this webisodes medium.Chrystal is not only one of the most beautiful actresses, but one of the most caring people in the soap opera world .I will be looking for her newest projects and have the greatest admiration for what she is going to accomplish. Best of luck, Chrystal and hubby, Michael.

Good Yuck Crystal, I’m such a big fan.

I have faith that Crystal’s New Voice Productions will be amazing. I see this being the smartest idea for soaps. You can watch anytime of the day. Don’t have to worry about TPTB getting upset over ever little thing. I know Crystal will get it right. She listens to what her fans want.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I will totally be watching The Grove from the very first episode…

I wish Crystal Chappell all the best for her future (and futuristic) endeavors. The Grove sounds very intriguing. I love the idea of the Irish Catholic families from both sides of the track.

CC is a smart and talented woman, Im sure this show will be a hit! But I do have worries… Web is still new and I feel she should have still worked on Venice for a bit… but who knows! I hope im wrong! Good luck CC!

I’m so inspired by CC. She give us something to look forward to, give me engery, make me want to feel positive about a lot of things. I will support CC in everything she does. She is so awesome. I feel the love that vibes from her and her name. You go girl and I’m always in your corner!

I’m super excited to see The Grove and especially more acting chemistry with CC and JL!!!! Just something about those two that can grab viewers and pull us in. I absolutely will watch them folding laundry lol. Crystal seems such an amazing person, I don’t know how she does it all- but am so thankful she does.

I had the pleasure of meeting Crystal and her then, future husband,
Michael Sabatino, when they were both acting together on Days of Our Lives in 1992, at a benefit to raise money for children who had cancer. My husband and I were very impressed by them and wish them all the luck in the world in their new creation. They knew I was an Art Therapist, working at the National Cancer Institute, Pediatric Branch, and were very curious about the work I did and the patients I worked with. They were both personable and obviously very intelligent and a great looking couple, dating each other at that time. Not wanting to pry, I kept any questions about their relationship only asking about their roles on “Days” when I met them. It was obvious that they were very much in love. They are very down to earth and were a treat to act with them and Crystall was very gracious since I stunk playing Vivian Alamain with her and she gave me a kiss and hugged me when our brief skit was done. She really is a doll and so is her now, husband, Michael. I’m a great fan of both of them and was delighted to have met them. I’m sure she’ll do well in any future things they both create. They are very talented and creative people. My husband and I truly enjoyed meeting them, as well as Charles Shaunessy and Robert Kelker-Kelley. I wish them all the success in the world. Sue Ellen.

I don’t mind seeing the new show called Grove my self and it sound very Interesting to me and if Crystal says that it’s gonna be that good(Grand) than hey I’m all for it.
just keep me posted because I don’t wanna miss it!
I would love to see Crystal and Jessica Leccia working together more again because
they are very good together and I’m still full from the V.T.S and now that I’m all caught
up with the G.L. ending Episodes etc. now I can take a little breather and sit back and
relax for a minute to jump off into The new show called Voice Productions(Grove)
My new idea would be Crystal and Jessica living on a Ranch called the outback with a little Venicetheseries lemon/kiwe purple strawaberry topanga canyon california mix twist.Now thats what you call living it up but keeping it on the down low style can you dig it! now that would be the bomb like WOW!
I’d look up to CC and JL because these two beautiful ladies are very Awesome to me and I like their style and they got good taste and it’s in a class by it self..G.L and all of the other soaps and Venicetheseries have me laughing really hard until my stomach hurts and they also have me crying. and I’m telling you CC and JL( and other actors)
are truely good.I’ve been watching soaps way back in the mid 70’s.CC & JL is my two Queen Princess.can you Imagine crystal and jessica ridding on a horse together near the California beach relaxing after a long hard day from working!(picture it like wow it will take your breath away) But you just can’t seem to get Enough of these Beautiful ladies.
I sure would love to meet CC and JL in person some day.Love always your Big fan keep up the good work Ladies! P.S. CC are you gonna come up with an idea for the fans to write to your new productions show? for an Example:fans expression by sending in pomes,arts and crafts and the Questions that the Interview ask you perhaps you can ask us fans the same questions or come up with something similar to it I hope so..

I can’t wait to see Crystal and Jessica act together onscreen with more screen time ..I loved Otalia ..it touched my life in so many beautiful and positive ways..brought me the most beautiful warm-loving friends from all over the world..there will never be another Otalia..Olivia and Natalia but perhaps The Grove will be the closest thing to it…

I can’t wait. I am so looking forward to The Grove. Especially seeing Crystal and Jessica working together is awesome. All they have to do is be talking to each other and you can see the chemistry and love they have for each other and their fans. They are wonderful women and oh so talented.

Beyond the Gates

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16

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The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.

The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.

The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.

Photo: CBS

In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”

“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”

The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.

Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!

Photo: JPI

Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful

Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates

Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital

Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View

Outstanding 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
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri

Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra

Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court

Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre

Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime

Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program

Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”

Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program

Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273

So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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Beyond the Gates

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series

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Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.

ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.

Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.

Photo: NATAS

THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …

The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.

This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.

Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.

Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.

Photo: ABC

DAYTIME TALK SERIES

In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.

“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”

The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.

So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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Beyond the Gates

‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel

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It’s Daytime Emmy nomination week, and as previously reported things kick-off on Monday, July 13 when Entertainment Tonight (7pm ET) will announce the nominees for Lead Actress category and Daytime Talk Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. In addition on Monday, Extra (7pm ET) will reveal the nominees for Lead Actor and Daytime Talk Host.

On Tuesday, The View (11am ET) starts things off with their announcement of Daytime Drama, Entertainment News program and Outstanding Daytime Personality-Daily. That is followed by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) full reveal of all the categories beginning at 12noon ET/9am PT on their website and their official social handles on X and Instagram.

Then, Tuesday night at 8pm ET/5pm PT join Michael Fairman as he hosts his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where he will chat with some of the just announced nominees as we celebrate the hard work of the men and women in front of the camera who will be going for gold.

WHEN ARE THE DAYTIME EMMYS?

This year, the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out on October 30 in ceremonies in Hollywood, California (Venue yet to be revealed). At that time, as like last year, both the major categories and creative arts will be presented. There is no word yet on a broadcast partner for the annual celebration of daytime programming, or if it will soley be streamed on NATAS’ watch.theemmys.tv and various apps and platforms.

WHO WILL BE APPEARING ON THE DAYTIME EMMY NOMINATIONS SPECIAL 2026?

Throughout Tuesday, keep an eye on Michael Fairman TV’s social media handles on X, Facebook and Instagram, for updates of who will be expected to appear on our live show.

If you have a question or comment for one of the nominees, or on the nominations, we can encourage you to join us in the live chat on Tuesday night.

So, who are you hoping lands a nomination from Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless? Let us know via the comment section. More Tuesday!

 

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