News
Maria Arena Bell & Hogan Sheffer fess up to the reason behind Y&R's doppelgangers!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Genoa City citizens, and fans of the number one soap, The Young and the Restless have had several bouts of seeing double recently, with both the Lauren/Sarah Doppelganger story, and the Emily/Patty Doppelganger story. But in a new and revealing interview with TV Guide Canada’s, Nelson Branco, Y&R’s head scribes, Maria Arena Bell and Hogan Sheffer sat down for a joint interview about all the on-screen happenings and recent backstage casting. Here is an excerpt about the some of the online flack the duo have taken for to much duality at one time!
Maria Arena Bell on why so many doppelgangers: “Let me tell you what’s funny about that. Someone in the soap press [Soap Opera Digest’s Carolyn Hinsey] recently wrote, “Did you guys realize that you have two doppelgangers airing at once?” Yeah, we did [laughs]! It was intentional. The two stories are intertwined. The Sarah and Patty storylines will be a rapid-fire denouement. It gave us an opportunity to tell a fun, clever and interesting culmination of Patty’s story and the pseudo reemergence of Sheila. It gave Tracey Bregman an opportunity to stretch herself as an actress and show a different side, a darker side, in this dual role. It’s a very short arc. But what it gives the audience is a tour-de-force performance from Tracey. You’ll see a very fun explosion this week. Tracey shouldn’t just win an Emmy Award for this portrayal, she should win an Oscar! You’ll see! As for viewer dissatisfaction, I want to say I do visit the message boards. I do listen to our fans and critics. Sometimes when you’re watching a storyline unfold, you don’t know where it’s going and you get understandably frustrated. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It means people are watching and talking about our show. I’d be more concerned if fans weren’t talking about our show! A perfect example of that is the Adam Newman storyline. Everyone complained about Adam getting away with all his evildoings, yet [we surged almost 300,000 viewers in the ratings the week he was murdered — which proved at the end of the day that the audience really loved the story]. We always ensure there is a great payoff in all of our stories. Just trust us.”
News
Judith Light To Star and Executive Produce New Limited Series Along with Noah Wyle, ‘Shadows in the Vineyard’
Two-time Daytime Emmy and Tony winner, Judith Light (Ex-Karen, One Life to Live) has a major project on the way in which she will not only star, but executive produce. Light will serve as one of the EP’s along with Noah Wyle (Ex-ER) and the two will be part of the cast of Shadows in the Vineyard, which, according to Deadline will be a limited TV series, with a potential spinoff.
Shadows in the Vineyard is based on journalist Maximillian Potter’s bestselling book Shadows in the Vineyard: The True Story of the Plot to Poison The World’s Greatest Wine. Production is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2021 in Europe.
Photo: JPI
Written by John Newman (Get Shorty, Proud Mary), Peter Cambor and Potter, Shadows in the Vineyard is set against the backdrop of the gorgeous, rolling countryside of the Côte-d’Or in Burgundy, France. The series is based on the true story of the outlandish 2010 plot-by-poison extortion scheme, a sinister criminal conspiracy that targeted the most sought-after and expensive wine in the world – the legendary Romanée-Conti.
The Landmark Studio Group will market the series, and one of its executives, David Ozer, who will also serve as another EP on the series shared: “Shadows in the Vineyard is rife with rich characters and a compelling narrative that will take viewers on a twisted tale of both a shocking who-done-it mystery and a journey of self-discovery that will resonate with a global audience, With Maximillian, John, Peter and Sam leading the charge of capturing the heart of the story for the screen, along with the star talents of Judith and Noah and a beautiful location to create the ambience, we have no doubt that this series, which has spinoff potential, will be a hit.”
So, what do you think of Judith’s next project? Comment below.
General Hospital
GH’s Lisa LoCicero On Olivia and Ned’s Kiss During COVID-19: “For Those Asking, That Kiss Was Filmed Before We Broke …”
General Hospital had its triumphant return on Monday with all-new episodes, it’s first since the coronavirus pandemic shut production down.
Since its airing, many viewers took to social media questioning the kiss in the episode between the characters of Ned (Wally Kurth) and Olivia (Lisa LoCicero), when protocols had been put in to place by the ABC daytime drama series, and that it going to have to come up with more creative ways to illustrate intimate moments during the editing of upcoming episodes.
Photo: ABC
Throughout the day, several soap pundits including Carolyn Hinsey let viewers know that some of the scenes in this week’s GH episodes were actually filmed months ago before the production break including the kissing moment.
On Tuesday, long-running series cast member, Lisa LoCicero took to Twitter to clarify that as well to the fans, tweeting” Happy to be back with new shows! To those asking, the kiss was filmed before we broke..”
What was nice was that it seems with Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) back on the canvas, ans trouble brewing in the marriage of Ned and Olivia, that LoCicero may have some meaty material coming her way.
So, glad to hear from Lisa about the kiss in the episode? Do you hope she will be featured more in story coming up? Comment below.
Breaking News
Courtney Hope Exits The Bold and the Beautiful Shares: “This Chapter of Sally Has Sadly Come to an End”
Judith Light To Star and Executive Produce New Limited Series Along with Noah Wyle, ‘Shadows in the Vineyard’
GH’s Lisa LoCicero On Olivia and Ned’s Kiss During COVID-19: “For Those Asking, That Kiss Was Filmed Before We Broke …”
Courtney Hope Exits The Bold and the Beautiful Shares: “This Chapter of Sally Has Sadly Come to an End”
Dominic Zamprogna On His Return To General Hospital: “So Great To Be Back With My Family!!”
Bradford Anderson, Melissa Fumero & Juan Pablo Di Pace To Appear In Virtual ‘Ballots Over Broadway’
The Young and the Restless Returns With All-New Episodes Beginning August 10th
Exec Prod Frank Valentini On GH’s Return with New Episodes: “There is a Bang and a Surprise and a Twist”
MONDAY: Melody Thomas Scott On ‘The Talk’ To Discuss Her Memoir, ‘Always Young and Restless’
Lindsay Hartley On Temporarily Replacing GH’s Kelly Monaco: “Some Big Shoes To Fill … Precious Too.”
Ellen DeGeneres Offers Apology As She and Her Talk Show Remain Under Fire
Exec Prod Frank Valentini On GH’s Return with New Episodes: “There is a Bang and a Surprise and a Twist”
Nancy Lee Grahn on GH’s Safe Return to Production: “Organizing This Took Epic Care & I Applaud All Involved”
Y&R’s Joshua Morrow, Sharon Case and Camryn Grimes Revisit “Cassie’s Death” As Heartbreaking Episode is Rebroadcast Today
Lindsay Hartley On Temporarily Replacing GH’s Kelly Monaco: “Some Big Shoes To Fill … Precious Too.”
GH’s Lisa LoCicero On Olivia and Ned’s Kiss During COVID-19: “For Those Asking, That Kiss Was Filmed Before We Broke …”
Dominic Zamprogna On His Return To General Hospital: “So Great To Be Back With My Family!!”
Courtney Hope Exits The Bold and the Beautiful Shares: “This Chapter of Sally Has Sadly Come to an End”
The Bold and the Beautiful Shows How They Shoot Scenes With Blow-Up Dolls & Mannequins On Access Hollywood
Greg Vaughan Shares Heartfelt Message On His Days Exit: “It’s With Love, Laughter & Tears Of Joy I Leave You.”
Kassie DePaiva Back as Eve on DAYS; What Did You Think of the Shocking Reveal?
The Bold and the Beautiful Shows How They Shoot Scenes With Blow-Up Dolls & Mannequins On Access Hollywood
Scott Clifton Saluted By His Co-Stars For His Ten Years On B&B
THIS WEEK: BOLD is Back! What Are You Looking Forward to Most in All-New Episodes?
Victoria Rowell Debuts Her New UMC Home Makeover Series ‘Trash vs. Treasure’
OLTL’s Erika Slezak Featured In Film ‘Guest Artist’ with Jeff Daniels Available On-Demand Starting July 21
WATCH: Nancy Lee Grahn, Jane Elliot & Kim Zimmer in ‘Covid Support Group’ Episode Two
DAYS Mary Beth Evans & Stephen Nichols with Guest Ron Carlivati Talk Stayla’s Greatest Hits & Approach To Scripts During COVID-19
GH’s Mark Lawson Fuels At-Home Workout With Soap Opera Competition: “Dante, Dante, Dante, Dominic, Dominic, Dominic … But What About Dustin?”
Y&R’s Mishael Morgan Produces Video For Juneteenth Day Featuring Several Soap Notables
Daytime Emmys Release Highlights From Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Nominees
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General HospitalAugust 2, 2020Exec Prod Frank Valentini On GH’s Return with New Episodes: “There is a Bang and a Surprise and a Twist”
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General HospitalJuly 28, 2020Nancy Lee Grahn on GH’s Safe Return to Production: “Organizing This Took Epic Care & I Applaud All Involved”
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The Young and the RestlessJuly 29, 2020Y&R’s Joshua Morrow, Sharon Case and Camryn Grimes Revisit “Cassie’s Death” As Heartbreaking Episode is Rebroadcast Today
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Breaking NewsJuly 31, 2020Lindsay Hartley On Temporarily Replacing GH’s Kelly Monaco: “Some Big Shoes To Fill … Precious Too.”
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General HospitalAugust 4, 2020GH’s Lisa LoCicero On Olivia and Ned’s Kiss During COVID-19: “For Those Asking, That Kiss Was Filmed Before We Broke …”
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Breaking NewsAugust 3, 2020Dominic Zamprogna On His Return To General Hospital: “So Great To Be Back With My Family!!”
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Breaking NewsAugust 3, 2020Courtney Hope Exits The Bold and the Beautiful Shares: “This Chapter of Sally Has Sadly Come to an End”
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NewsJuly 31, 2020The Bold and the Beautiful Shows How They Shoot Scenes With Blow-Up Dolls & Mannequins On Access Hollywood
Sheffer, MAB and Nelson Branco have been vilified online for this interview.
It’s on the goldderby forums and daytime confidential boards.
My critiques are there, but to Sheffer’s credit, his Y&R is pushing the envelope and not doing customry things soaps do, like on boring B&B.
I have to agree with MANY of the derogatory comments on other boards in regard to this interview. These writers are so out of touch with what the viewers want. While the Patty/Emily required MAJOR suspension of disbelief, the Lauren/Sara story was just plain dumb. Tracy Bregman made gold out of the crap she was handed, as well as the rest of the cast involved in this beyond ludicrous storyline. My gripe is that what people want are the character driven storylines that made soaps so great. Now it seems its just one crazy plot device after another. Bold and… Read more »
B&B never taps into its history. It completely ignores it when the show’s history could be mined for good storylines. Instead it’s 1 rewrite after the next. Bridget lost Nicole, had a freaking surrogate that lost her baby, and now that Bridget’s older, she’s pregnant! Can you imagine the lengths Nelson Branco is going to promote this storyline? He just named Jackie Marone one of the best mothers on soaps! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Jackie lied to Nick abt Ridge Junior being his child. Jackie lied to Nick abt her prostitution and had her “johns” over at their house while Nick, a child… Read more »
The reason MAB gave for all of the doubles on Y&R still did not satisfy me. Makes for very dull and boring and brings nothing to the table. I have been with the show much too long to just accept anything. I am sure I do not share these feelings by myself. We . tje voewers. want more than we have been getting lately. I want the edge-of-your- seat storylines back and the wonderful Friday cliffhangers. After you get used to the best of the best –that is all you will ever want. I speak for a lot of viewers… Read more »
If MAB really reads the message boards then she should know how much we want Victoria R. back!!!!
and on B&B, I wanna know how Brooke’s blond haired, blue eyed sister gave birth 2 a darkskinned man!!! and his “dad” just comes OUT OF NOWHERE! no one even remembers you dating a Black man, much less being PREGNANT by one and now let’s just pop this unimaginable storyline in… i was insulted, not only as a Black viewer at the fact that adding Black characters to the plot was so thoughtless and haphazard, but that the writers think the viewers are that damn dumb… as for the doppleganger stories, DUMB!!! you REALLY need to listen to the fans!… Read more »
Dear Maria, Eric Roberts is one of the most interesting characters on Y& R. I think his charcter could evolve into a permanent role. He’s always been one of my favorite ‘macho actors. Thanks for giving him a leave of absence from the show so he could straighten himself out. I went through rehab a few times myself so I know the painful drill. Well take care and HSPPY NEW YEAR. Bob “Ziggy” Anderson
We Need to have Nick & Phyllis back to together because they have a lot of chemistry and a lot of people will watch the show more like people like my age like 18-29.
Go phick forever