Days Of Our Lives
Jen Lilley Issues Statement And Confirms Her Exit From Days of our Lives!
Photo Credit: Brad Everett Young
On Monday morning, Jen Lilley took to her Instagram account to offer up her side of the story and confirm she is no longer with NBC’s Days of our Lives. Here is what Jen offered up in her statement below on how DAYS and her parted company, and the reasons why.
Jen Lilley statement: “It is with bittersweet sentiment that I find myself making this statement 6 months too soon. First, I would like to say your comments, support, and well wishes regarding my recent departure from the iconic daytime drama, Days of Our Lives, have melted my heart. Second, I have never enjoyed playing a character so much. I absolutely love Theresa, and the idea of not playing her pains me. I once found a quote that perfectly describes her, ‘She’s a mess of gorgeous chaos, you can see it in her eyes.’ Exploring Theresa, from her insecurities to her strengths, from her tendency to deflect emotional anguish with comedy to her firecracker spirit has been pure joy.
I hate to dissatisfy our love for black and white explanations, but there’s no one to point your finger at here. Days of Our Lives and I are parting company on the best of terms. It came down to time and the sacrifices required to keep Theresa on the front burner. Given the demanding production schedule a soap requires, that just wasn’t possible with the other commitments and opportunities I wanted to pursue. As we all know in the world of soaps, good bye for now isn’t always good bye forever, who knows what the future has in store for Theresa.
I am taking time right now to be with my family, advance the charitable causes I believe in, and pursue additional career opportunities. While I’ve missed so many moments in my family’s lives back east, I have built a west coast family at Days of Our Lives, and they haven’t seen the last of me! I’ll be stopping by the set from time to time with baked goods and bear hugs.
Lastly, cheer up! There are 6 more wonderful months of Theresa to enjoy. And I can honestly say that each month, the storyline gets better! My exit will have you on the edge of your seat, laughing, crying, cheering, screaming, clapping, and bewildered. And to the Theresa’s out there: I love you, I love you, I love you. You are not alone. You are beautiful and worthy of love and happiness and joy and success! May my storyline over the next six months inspire you.”
So, what did you think of Jen’s statement? Sad to see her go? What do you think Theresa’s exit storyline will be? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
29
Leave a Reply
Good luck to her, she made Theresa an interesting character. However, I found her relationship with Brady to be a bit unbelievable at times. It seemed highly unlikely that Theresa could wack John over the head with a fireplace poker landing him in the hospital and then Brady married her anyway even though John is his father. Then again, of course, it IS a soap.
Will they re-cast the character of Theresa or just write her out somehow? What about the baby that she and Brady share?
So sad to see her go, I wish her luck on her future projects
She’s a beautiful and talented actress–loved her singing also. Hope she gets to fulfill her dreams and goals.
I am sorry but< I have never read anything like this before. The girl is full of herself. I think she reads her own press.And believes it. Sorry.
Seriously? Jen Lilley is one of the best actors on DOOL. What she has brought to the show has for the most part kept it going. I’m not sure she is 100% truthful in why she has chosen to leave because I believe she is smart enough to see a sinking ship. Watching Theresa grow has been fun and Jen brought her to life. She may be many things but “full of herself” is not one. I suspect you are confused with reel and real.
I know, really!
I don’t mean to sound like suzy skeptical, but if you have to point out that there’s no one to blame, there’s probably someone to blame. Given that Theresa is a Brady and a legacy character and not a Hernandez, I’m going to guess the person to blame’s name rhymes with Pena Piglely.
🙂
For all the people predicting the death of Theresa…The statement from Jen Lilley indicates something different. Theresa will most likely move away. I predict Theresa will be recast unless JL agrees to a return.
If there is a more ‘nefarious’ reason (lol), Jen is being very diplomatic. I sooo admire that in a person. Obviously, she does not want to burn any bridges.
Good fortune to you, Jen. I will miss you so!!!! Follow your brain, girl!!
I really dont know what to think at the moment…sounds like she wanted to leave and it also sounds like she didnt…would have liked to had seen her with Chad…well, she could come back but will the show be with us a year from now?…show needs better lighting, taping 6 months in advance is absurd…brighten up the stories a bit…characters like Deimos, Philip and Summer should leave not Shaun and Belle…i have no problem with Rafe’s family but the show should never loose focus on the Hortons…Bill and Laura or Jen and Jack shouldve been the shows Matriarch and patriarch…Lucas is a Horton and should be featured if we are not going to ever again see Mike…Kayla and the Aussie doc-feels like Jen and Danial all over again-ugh!!!
Basically it’s the same as any other actor/actress. They want to be able to do other outside projects, and the PTB don’t want to give them the time off. So that’s where the no one to blame comes from.
I’m certain that some soap fans being how some soap fans can be, were looking for someone to blame on social media, which necessitated the statement. I didn’t see anything wrong with the statement at all, it was straight and to the point that they are parting on good terms, but there are always going to be people that look for a problem where there is none.
I wish her lots of luck, and if the character is needed that much that she couldn’t be given the time off that she needs, then I expect it will be recast.
Good Luck to Jen, wish her the best.
To me it says a lot when talented actors leave a show. There is chaos happening at DAYS as far as the writing and production of the show. The stories are either lost in the 80’s or so boring that no one cares WHAT happens. Theresa Donovan was a spark in this show. She was catty, bitchy, funny and tender all at the same time. She added life but when they paired her with Brady they killed all of the spark. Then she became a sap. The whole story with her competing against Summer was a joke because the character of Summer was awful and ridiculous. Exactly how many babies did Maggie have that she forgot about? Next thing we know we will hear about how Maggie was a teenager and kidnapped by the Manson family and forced to be impregnated with all of his family’s future children. They already have the commune with Joey there. Watch him bring back half a dozen of Maggie’s forgotten “children”. I will miss Theresa as a good character with a lot of talent from Jen Lilley. I hope she finds work somewhere that she can show off her acting chops. DAYS is shooting straight towards cancellation with their current stories. They can bring back all the old characters they want and try to make Jack come back from the dead and have Bo whisper in ghost form to Hope and Patch ride a motorcycle to take Kayla to the Flock Of Seagulls concert at the club but it will still be a bad experience. This show is proof positive that you can not live in the past. I don’t know anything about Ms Higley’s direction for story but I do know that what she is sending forth now is embarrassing. If I hear John mumble any more about how rough his upbringing was I will puke. He is nearly seventy, time to move on and drink his metamucil.
My thought of the article and Jen was ” What a beautiful Soul.” There have been rumors since last year that JL wanted to leave DOOL to pursue other projects. Thus her leaving was no surprise to me. Did the Head Writer hasten the exit? Maybe so. I don’t watch the show with regularity so I am not invested.
I’m a fan of JL from her filling in for Kirsten Storms on GH. I wish she was available to do the same this time around. However, I can understand if JL needs downtime with her real family back east. Good luck to Jen Lilley. She is truly talented.
Too bad! She made a great Teresa, and a great Maxie on GH! If the GH production team waited one more day, she would have return as Maxie. Meanwhile, Molly will do a good job!
I’m sorry to see her go. She should pursue a career in comedies. She was hilarious on the old MTV series, Disaster Date.
I am going to miss Theresa. Jen made the character a blast to watch so I will miss the actress as well. I hope to see her in something else soon.
good lucky jen Lilly theresa was the best part of days if it wasn’t for you i would of stop watching long ago you did a great job i will miss you where every you go i wish you well many will follow you were ever you go next come back and see us know and then you had more fans following you then you know bye bye !
Perhaps she could be the temporary replacement “Maxie Jones” on GH, she’s done it before and quite successfully I might add.
I am very sorry to see Jen Lilley leave DOOL. She has been a solid bright spot in her role since day 1. My favorite dynamic was her interactions with Anne Milbauer. There haven’t been enough of them. They are terrific together!
Best of luck to you, Jen!
Oh, I agree, James. Those two should be on stage as a comedic duo. Anne and Jen are magic together.
Thanks, Celia! You’re right about them being on stage as a comedic duo. At least we have their rap video…
You can’t blame Jen Lilley, like so many beloved actors she’s leaving for greener pastures. Days is back to being a mess again, they hired Dena Higley back, and she is a disaster. And Days’ ratings are at an ALL TIME LOW, the future of Days is not looking good.
Best of luck to one of daytime’s most beautiful performers.
GH needs to quietly maintain some form of a relationship with JL in case KS ever decides to leave in a few years. JL was a very good as Temp Maxie for a full year on GH, despite fan outrage that she sadly decided to read, and honestly I was sad to see JL leave. I have always loved KS as Maxie and was happy to see her back but it was bittersweet feeling. JL did a solid job on the show as Temp Maxie so I never understood the insane amount hate on the internet that she said lead to to crying herself to sleep.
I am so going to miss Jen Lilley. Loved her character in her scenes with Ann Milbauer or Jennifer Horton most of all. Theresa and Chad would have been a great duo. Hope she returns at some point.
Wishing you all the best, Jen. You have a bright future ahead of you!
Lovely actress who is a joy to watch. She’s a shining light in the noir village of Salem these days. I hope the exit storyline is everything Jen believes it to be. And hope beyond hope that the writing team finds some sort of solid footing – and soon!
I never saw any chemistry between Brady and Theresa and IMO, Theresa ruined Brady. But, I do want to wish Jen Lilley the best!
Breaking News
47th Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: GH Scores Most Nods, DAYS Follows
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced today the nominees for the 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, which will be presented in a two-hour special on Friday, June 26 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Awards will be presented in leading categories during the telecast, with recipients and other special guests appearing from home in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional categories will be announced simultaneously on Twitter (@DaytimeEmmys), and others will be presented in a separate ceremony in July.
The awards are presented to individuals and programs broadcast between 2:00 am and 6:00 pm, as well as certain categories of digital and syndicated programming of similar content and that originally premiered in calendar-year 2019.
Show to show, and leading all daytime programming: General Hospital received the most nominations overall with 23, followed by Days of our Lives with 22. The Young and the Restless was next with 21, followed by The Bold and the Beautiful with 13. They were followed by the digital drama series, EastSiders and Studio City who scored 8 nominations, along with The View, Ghostwriter and Sesame Street.
Now below are the nominees in all the daytime and digital drama categories and congratulation to all of the nominees. Here we go, and the nominees are ….
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
After Forever Amazon Prime Video
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Eastsiders Netflix
Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Photo: ABC
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Finola Hughes as Anna Devane General Hospital ABC
Katherine Kelly Lang as Brooke Logan The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Heather Tom as Katie Logan The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Maura West as Ava Jerome General Hospital ABC
Arianne Zucker as Nicole Walker Days of Our Lives NBC
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTRESS IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Rowin Amone as Ester Issa Rae Presents King Ester YouTube.com
Mary Beth Evans as Sara Garrett The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Jade Harlow as Lianna Ramos The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Cady Huffman as Lisa After Forever Amazon Prime Video
Shanti Lowry as Yolanda Rodriguez Bronx SIU UMC / Amazon Prime Video
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Steve Burton as Jason Morgan General Hospital ABC
Thorsten Kaye as Ridge Forrester The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Jon Lindstrom as Kevin Collins/Ryan Chamberlain General Hospital ABC
Thaao Penghlis as Tony DiMera Days of Our Lives NBC
Jason Thompson as Billy Abbott The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTOR IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Kristos Andrews as Pete Garrett The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Alex Hurt as Adam The Rehearsal rehearsalseries.com
Brad James as Cameran Jr. A House Divided UMC / Amazon Prime Video
Sean Kanan as Sam Stevens Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Brian White as Jimmy Blue Bronx SIU UMC / Amazon Prime Video
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Tamara Braun as Dr Kim Nero General Hospital ABC
Rebecca Budig as Hayden Barnes General Hospital ABC
Susan Seaforth Hayes as Julie Williams Days of Our Lives NBC
Christel Khalil as Lily Winters The Young and the Restless CBS
Annika Noelle as Hope Logan The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Tina Benko as Helen The Rehearsal rehearsalseries.com
Veanne Cox as Lenora Indoor Boys vimeo.com
Patrika Darbo as Violet Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Carolyn Hennesy as Gloria Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Janet Hubert as Mignon Issa Rae Presents King Ester YouTube.com
Photo: IMDB
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Mark Grossman as Adam Newman The Young and the Restless CBS
Bryton James as Devon Hamilton The Young and the Restless CBS
Wally Kurth as Justin Kiriakis Days of Our Lives NBC
Chandler Massey as Will Horton Days of Our Lives NBC
James Patrick Stuart as Valentin Cassadine General Hospital ABC
Paul Telfer as Xander Kiriakis Days of Our Lives NBC
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Willam Belli as Douglas / Gomorrah Ray Eastsiders Netflix
Leith M. Burke as Derrick Eastsiders Netflix
Tristan Rogers as Doc Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Lenny Wolpe as Carl After Forever Amazon Prime Video
Gregory Zarian as Nate Venice the Series vimeo.com
Photo: ABC
OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERFORMER IN A DRAMA SERIES
Sasha Calle as Lola Rosales The Young and the Restless CBS
Olivia Rose Keegan as Claire Brady Days of Our Lives NBC
Katelyn MacMullen as Willow Tait General Hospital ABC
Eden McCoy as Josslyn Jacks General Hospital ABC
Thia Megia as Haley Chen Days of Our Lives NBC
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMER IN A DRAMA SERIES
Elissa Kapneck as Sasha The Young and the Restless CBS
Michael Knight as Martin Grey General Hospital ABC
Eva LaRue as Celeste Rosales The Young and the Restless CBS
Jeffrey Vincent Parise as Simon Black The Young and the Restless CBS
Chrishell Stause as Jordan Ridgeway Days of Our Lives NBC
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMER IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Rene Heger as Zack Sullivan DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Mary Beth Peil as Helen After Forever Amazon Prime Video
Scott Turner Schofield as Max Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Lin Shaye as Diane Eastsiders Netflix
Graham Sibley as Zack DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
OUTSTANDING WRITING TEAM FOR A DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING WRITING TEAM FOR A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
After Forever Amazon Prime Video
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Eastsiders Netflix
Issa Rae Presents King Ester YouTube.com
Studio City Amazon Prime Video
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Bronx SIU UMC / Amazon Prime Video
DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Issa Rae Presents King Ester YouTube.com
Studio City Amazon Prime Video
OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION AND COMPOSITION FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Days of Our Lives NBC
Pillow Talk YouTube.com
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING MAKEUP FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Eastsiders Netflix
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING HAIRSTYLING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL TEAM FOR A DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING MULTIPLE CAMERA EDITING FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING LIVE AND DIRECT TO TAPE SOUND MIXING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING ARTDIRECTION/SETDECORATION/SCENIC DESIGN FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
After Forever Amazon Prime Video
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DIRECTION FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING CASTING FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
Eastsiders Netflix
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SONG
“The Bad Guys?” Brainwashed By Toons funnyordie.com
“Everything Changed” The Feels YouTube.com
“North Star” General Hospital ABC
“A Holiday Carol – The Holidays Are Here”
93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade NBC
“Hooray Hooray, We’re On Our Way”
93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade NBC
Photo: ABC
OUTSTANDING SPECIAL CLASS SPECIAL
93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day NBC
Hate Among Us Popstar TV
Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration HBO
This Old House: 40th Anniversary Special PBS
The Young and the Restless: Kristoff St. John Tribute CBS
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT –TOPICAL
Days of Our Lives “Flash Forward” NBC
Dr. Phil “Rodney Reed” SYNDICATED Jeopardy!
“Jeopardy! All Star Games” SYNDICATED
Nick Jr Paw Patrol Ready, Race, Rescue: Trailer Nickelodeon
Spirit Riding Free: Spirit of Christmas
“Launch” Netflix The Star Wars Show
“Stars Wars Animals: The Trench Run” YouTube.com
The full list of nominees in all categories is available at https://theemmys.tv/daytime
So, who are you thrilled to see nominated from your favorite daytime and digital dramas? Who do you think is MIA? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Breaking News
47th Annual Daytime Emmys To Be Broadcast On CBS; Nominations To Be Announced Tomorrow On ‘The Talk’
Breaking news on Wednesday, the Daytime Emmys are back on and in a major way returning to broadcast television and CBS on Friday night, June 26h beginning at 8 p,m, ET/PT in a two-hour special.
The announcement was made by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and this marks the 14th time CBS had aired the Daytime Emmys throughout its history.
Photo: NATAS
The June 26 telecast will be produced by the National Academy and Associated Television International (ATI), which previously produced the Daytime Emmys Awards on The CW in 2009 and CBS’ most recent broadcasts in 2010 and 2011.
In addition, nominations in major categories will be revealed for the first time tomorrow May 21st on the CBS Daytime afternoon series, The Talk as well as ETOnline.com’ there are 100 categories in all that comprise the Daytime Emmys this year. This year’s awards honor content from more than 2,700 submissions that originally premiered in calendar-year 2019, judged by a pool of 1,000 peer professionals from across the television industry
“The Daytime Emmys are coming home,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “For generations, daytime television has been a source of comfort and continuity that’s never been more important. We’re delighted to join with CBS in celebrating the programs and professionals who never cease to brighten our days.”
“As a leader in Daytime, we are thrilled to welcome back the Daytime Emmy Awards,” said Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events for CBS. “Daytime television has been keeping viewers engaged and entertained for many years, so it is with great pride that we look forward to celebrating the best of the genre here on CBS.”
“In these challenging times, daytime has been a primary influence in staying connected with its audience, entertaining them, and keeping them informed,” said 47th Annual Daytime Emmys® executive producer and director David McKenzie of Associated Television International. “We are honored to be a part of it. We are also excited for the challenge of introducing a new format that will celebrate the contributions of daytime television.”
Awards will be presented in leading categories during the telecast, with recipients and other special guests appearing from home in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional categories will be announced simultaneously on Twitter (@DaytimeEmmys), and others will be presented in a separate ceremony in July.
So, what do you think about the Daytime Emmys returning to primetime and CBS? Who do you think will score a nomination tomorrow? Comment below, but first check out The Talk’s Daytime Emmy announcement below.
Big announcement on @TheTalkCBS today: The 47th ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY® AWARDS will return to CBS Friday, June 26 at 8pm ET/PT. Join @TheTalkCBS and @ETNow tomorrow when they announce #DaytimeEmmyAward nominations. pic.twitter.com/sQ9gqbh2wC
— CBS (@CBS) May 20, 2020
All My Children
ABC and PEOPLE’s ‘The Story of Soaps’: What Was Your Review Of It?
Tuesday’s night airing of ABC and PEOPLE’s two-hour special The Story of Soaps featured many notable daytime and primetime soap stars, past and present, clips from backstage to classic memorable moments, and some participants who were providing commentary on the erosion of the daytime soaps in our culture. Still others, maintained and realized that everything today is serialized from the news we watch, to some of Netflix’s most binge-watchable series, and of course, the birth of reality-programming.
Throughout the airing of the special, The Story of Soaps was trending on Twitter and social media either at the #2, #3 or #4 spots for the entire duration of the broadcast presentation, and the cancelled and beloved All My Children was also at one point trending.
However, known soap writers, journalists, ardent fans, and actors of the genre, were all on Twitter last night live-tweeting their thoughts as the special went down, and there was definitely mixed reactions and reviews, when all was said and done.
What the special did not shy away from, but tackled, was Luke’s rape of Laura at the campus disco on General Hospital. and how that moment now, as Genie Francis (Laura), so eloquently put, would be considered as ‘date rape’ in our culture. The series even included a pivotal moment where Laura addresses Luke (Tony Geary) about the rape years later, after helping Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) through her rape ordeal.
John Stamos (Ex-Blackie Parrish, GH) got a bevy of “Right On’s!” for his comment that the soaps do not get the credit that they deserve and clearly came through as one of the soaps greatest supporters, as did former The Doctors and Knots Landing star, Alec Baldwin.
However, throughout the two-hours, Andy Cohen’s commentary was thread throughout; mostly citing soap’s demise and the creation of reality-programming and his “Real Housewives” franchise, that the special touted as the new soap operas. It continued on the narrative that people preferred to see real-life drama then made-up drama on a fictional soap. And while, that has been a trend in American culture for decades, the commentary came off as often out of place in a celebration of the soaps; and bringing in a lot of negativity to the special that soap fans were tired of hearing.
In a lighting rod moment, Cohen stated: “I know Susan Lucci doesn’t agree with me, but I think that the Housewives have replaced soap operas because truth is stranger than fiction. Soaps became kind of unnecessary because you could do it with real people, and they’re writing the drama themselves.”
The special did also address the cancellations of All My Children and One Life to Live, (which many were not sure they were going to do – given this special was airing on ABC), where One Life’s leading lady and six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (Ex-Viki) said what we all wanted to sa ywhen the ax fell on the towns of Llanview and Pine Valley, “People were horrified”.
Clearly, OJ Simpson and his murder trial and reality-programming were also given a chunk of time to show where the once mighty landscape of daytime soaps which once had 13 shows on the air, dwindled town to 4. But, it would have been nice to see more time spent on how in this day and age, the people in this current landscape of the genre work so hard to get episodes done at an unbelievable pace, and how in that climate the performers still deliver gut-wrenching performances.
Photo: ABC
Former Loving, OLTL and Breaking Bad star, Bryan Cranston, did point out how the once powerful soaps, just don’t have the dollars they used to, and need to, to help with production costs and their taping schedule.
Viewers were reminded of soaps’ socially relevant storylines including hankie-inducing moments from: Robin (Kimberly McCullough) and Stone’s (Michael Sutton) HIV/AIDS storyline on General Hospital, to Billy Douglas being a gay teen coming out on One Life to Live, played by a young Ryan Phillippe.
There also did not seem time spent on the contributions of William J. Bell; one of the most prominent writers of the soap genre of all-time.
For many commenting on social media last night, there seemed to be a feeling of some glaring omissions of participants who could speak on this genre, who have been in the trenches as soap producers, soap writers, pundits, actors, and more, who were not included in the special.
So, what was your review of The Story of Soaps? How would you grade it? Do you feel it accurately reflected the history of the genre? Were you happily surprised, or when it came to the end where you over it, or somewhere in between? Sound off in the comment section below. Below are some tweets from notables who have worked as an actor, a writer, and a journalist in the soaps.
What started as a love letter kinda dissolved into a lover kicking you out of bed.
Ummm ok well I guess I appreciate the effort. But that definitely took a turn.🤷🏻♀️😬🤪 #TheStoryofSoaps— Chrishell (@Chrishell7) May 20, 2020
OMG so I’m still watching/catching up on #TheStoryofSoaps. Why does it suddenly feel like a death knell for the genre?! Why can’t it be a celebration? We’re hanging tough with no new episodes IN THE MIDDLE OF A FREAKING PANDEMIC! Why not celebrate our resilience? I’m done!
— Michele Val Jean (@MicheleValJean) May 20, 2020
Here’s the thing: The reason we’re down to 4 soaps is because network execs messed with time slots, cut budgets and interfered with storytelling. ABC can’t admit that so they have to get @Andy to trash them. But #TheStoryofSoaps was still a fun watch. Long live #AMC, #OLTL & #GH! https://t.co/pqR0Gx3cnf
— Carolyn Hinsey (@CarolynHinsey) May 20, 2020
B&B’s Annika Noelle Chats On Her First Daytime Emmy Nomination For Hope’s Emotional Journey Back to Beth
All My Children Weeklong Virtual Reunions Kick-Off With Ripa, Consuelos, LaRue and Penny
GH’s Steve Burton and Maurice Benard Deliver “The Power Performance of the Week”
‘Studio City’s’ Sean Kanan to Host Indie Series Awards Virtual Ceremony
‘The Masked Singer’ Runner-up, Ex- AMC’s Jesse McCartney, Recalls Working With David Canary
Justin Deas, Beth Ehlers & Company Set For Guiding Light Cooper Family Reunion
CW’s ‘Dynasty’ Cast Livestream Chat On Tap
TODAY: General Hospital Rebroadcasts Masterful 52nd Anniversary Episode
Y&R To Run “Villains Week” While B&B Is Set for “Celebrity Week”
47th Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: GH Scores Most Nods, DAYS Follows
Andy Cohen On His ‘Story of Soaps’ Backlash: “I Went To The Interview As A Soap Fan Prepped To Talk Soaps & They Asked About Reality TV … Sue Me!”
GH’s Steve Burton and Maurice Benard Deliver “The Power Performance of the Week”
ABC and PEOPLE’s ‘The Story of Soaps’: What Was Your Review Of It?
47th Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: GH Scores Most Nods, DAYS Follows
Dominic Zamprogna Reveals He’s Ready to Come Home to General Hospital
OLTL Icon, Erika Slezak Talks On Her 42-Year Run As Viki, Her Llanview Co-Stars & Husbands, and Life Now
47th Annual Daytime Emmys To Be Broadcast On CBS; Nominations To Be Announced Tomorrow On ‘The Talk’
TODAY: General Hospital Rebroadcasts Masterful 52nd Anniversary Episode
All My Children Cast Reunites For #UnitedAtHome Series In Week-Long Event
Justin Deas, Beth Ehlers & Company Set For Guiding Light Cooper Family Reunion
Y&R Alum Max Ehrich Big Smooch with Demi Lovato in Arianna Grande & Justin Bieber’s New Music Video ‘Stuck With You’
Soap Vet Debbi Morgan’s Emotional Words On How COVID-19 Has Affected the Black Community
WATCH: ‘Venice the Series’ Gregory Zarian Talk Daytime Emmy Pre-Nom, Bullying & Staying Safe During COVID-19
Tony Geary Opens Up About His Iconic Role as GH’s Luke Spencer on Nancy Lee Grahn’s ‘Soaps In Quarantine’
Soap Stars & Jake Gyllenhaal In All-New Episode of Tonight Show’s ‘The Longest Days of our Lives’
WATCH: Nancy Lee Grahn’s Birthday Celebration Replay With Her Drive-By GH Friends & Co-Stars
Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong Continues To Lobby To Be On Y&R & We’d Be All For It
Brandon Barash On His DAYS Return: “The Reveal Is Going To Be Fun!” But, Who Will He Ultimately Be ?
FRIDAY ON Y&R: Paul and Christine’s Honeymoon Circa 1996
ABC and PEOPLE Announce ‘The Story of Soaps’ Two-Hour Prime-Time Television Event
-
Breaking NewsMay 20, 2020Andy Cohen On His ‘Story of Soaps’ Backlash: “I Went To The Interview As A Soap Fan Prepped To Talk Soaps & They Asked About Reality TV … Sue Me!”
-
General HospitalMay 24, 2020GH’s Steve Burton and Maurice Benard Deliver “The Power Performance of the Week”
-
All My ChildrenMay 20, 2020ABC and PEOPLE’s ‘The Story of Soaps’: What Was Your Review Of It?
-
Breaking NewsMay 21, 202047th Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: GH Scores Most Nods, DAYS Follows
-
General HospitalMay 19, 2020Dominic Zamprogna Reveals He’s Ready to Come Home to General Hospital
-
InterviewsMay 20, 2020OLTL Icon, Erika Slezak Talks On Her 42-Year Run As Viki, Her Llanview Co-Stars & Husbands, and Life Now
-
Breaking NewsMay 20, 202047th Annual Daytime Emmys To Be Broadcast On CBS; Nominations To Be Announced Tomorrow On ‘The Talk’
-
General HospitalMay 22, 2020TODAY: General Hospital Rebroadcasts Masterful 52nd Anniversary Episode