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Miles Gaston Villanueva On Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders: "We Are All Really Grateful To Be Able To Give A Voice To Not Only The Menendez Brothers, But Other People Who Have Suffered Abuse Whether It Be Sexual, Emotional, or Psychological"

16. One Life's, Destiny - One Life To Live

Photo: Paley Center For Media

One of the most highly-anticipated new shows on the fall line-up is NBC‘s Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders. 

The eight-episode season tells the brothers side of the story and the dramatization of the trial of Lyle and Erik who were convicted in 1996 for the murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. The boys, who were defended by then attorney Leslie Abramson, were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 1996.

While Lyle and Erik committed the crime, they were both the victims of sexual abuse at the hands of their parents, which is detailed in this harrowing and powerful series. The point of contention of the real-life story back in the 90’s was were the boys telling the truth about their abuse, or not. As Dick Wolf, the executive producer of the series said during the Paley Center for Media Panel spotlighting the show, “It’s not the ‘who’, at the end of the eight hours, you’re going to really understand the ‘why.’”

On-Air On-Soaps caught up on the red carpet with former Y&R star, Miles Gaston Villanueva (Ex-Luca Santori) who plays Lyle Menendez on the upcoming drama series, as well as his on-screen younger brother, Gus Halper, who plays Erik Menendez at the Paley Center for Media Fall Preview of the series last week.  Here’s what they shared of their experience thus far (as they are currently taping the last few episodes of the season), and their thoughts on inhabiting the lives of these troubled young men, and what they believe to be the truth of what happened behind close doors in the Menendez family.

MILES: Honestly, if I could do this role again in maybe 5 or 10 years, maybe I could do it more justice, but it’s one of the hardest and most difficult tasks to capture and to try to put yourself in their shoes. I know personally, Gus brought me back to a place of authenticity and a darkness, and a really scary truth, that is maybe something that I can’t really fathom, or are to afraid to get into.  This show has been the most challenging thing we both have done.

Photo: Paley Center For Media

GUS:  Far and away, this is the most challenging thing I have done. I feel very confident in what I believe is the truth of what happened.

MILES:  Yes, undeniably and daily.  We have a whole crew of people, and a whole group of people who believe it too, and if they are not saying it or spouting it out, they know the story we are telling.  We are bonding with our family members in the show, and in the production. We are all really grateful to be able to give a voice to not only the Menendez brothers, but other people who have suffered abuse whether it be sexual, emotional, or psychological.

GUS:  There are certain days (during the shooting process) where you get something important, and you’re doing well, and those days make it all worth it.

MILES: I know I have to do turn to Gus and he gives me a reality check with this story.  In the audition process, I got to read with Gus.  I was really fortunate to have read with him, and I know he was a huge reason why I booked this part, because our bond was pretty immediate and deep.

Later inside the panel, when asked if Miles would want to ever meet the man he is portraying, Lyle Menendez, he answered: “That’s a hard question.  I’m just wondering if they (the brothers) wonder how each other is doing.  They have not seen each other in over 2o-some-odd years.  We found out they play chess through the mail.  I have brothers in real life, and Gus is like a brother, and so the idea that while yes, they committed this crime and that was wrong, to not being able to see your brother for decades is just wild to me.  To ask another human being: ‘How are you doing now?’ ‘How is life now?’ It would be insightful, and at the same time really heartbreaking.”‘

Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders premieres Tuesday, September 26th at 10PMEST/9PMCST.

So, will you be watching the series? Think you know all the details of the Menendez Murders? Think again! This show promises to rip the lid off the story, and it should be must-see TV. Comment below!

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I do want to catch this show. Don’t know if it will be as highly rated as a couple of other installments in the Law and order franchise but i do think it will be good for me.

Initially, I wasn’t interested, having “lived” through all the coverage when it happened. But the more I read about it, the more interested I am. It’s on my schedule for the new season & I will definitely be watching.

Love “Law and Order SVU” and “Criminal Intent” (reruns)…..so much so that I can watch and rewatch reruns over and over.
I will try to watch, albeit I have an antipathy for Villanuema. Not a fan……We shall see, James .

Was the abuse ever really proven?

So he wants to give a voice to killers. Okay. I wont’ be watching.

No, the abuse is still in question. And their actions following the murders didn’t help their claims of abuse.

Consider the source! We have had six thousand movies made of thes killers enough already!

Does anyone agree that there is a bigger problem going on here, especially when you take a look at the fall TV schedule? They’re rehashing EVERYTHING, good or bad, interesting or (usually) not. Scott Peterson specials, live interviews with that creepy Son of Sam, endless noise about O.J. or that poor Jon-Benet Ramsey. Isn’t there anything else they can come up with? Inane reality shows about people I hope I never meet or live next to; Navy Seals; conspiracy-driven maze-plots with no redeeming characters; ever more grisly crime dramas that exploit violence toward women under the guise of realism? And they stand there in shock when a quality drama about interesting people like THIS IS US becomes a hit? Maybe they should ask any one of US what we’d like to see…viewers’ ideas could hardly be any worse.

They can’t seem to come up with new ideas. I read “Miami Vice” will be redone. Why? The original was good, the 2.0 version probably won’t be.

Soaphound…oh, I agree. To me, NOTHING out there on the TV HORIZON is looking new or fresh. Beyond sad.

Have a good one.

Totally agree with your comment Soaphound. I recently found a fun time out from all of the rehashed crap on tv, as well as the daily negative news. It’s reruns of “Murder She Wrote.” Each one is a new adventure in who will be guest stars per episode which include many from our favorite soaps…like John McCook, Eric Braeden, Genie Francis, Judith Chapman, and “Yes” even Constance Towers/Helena. Today it was George Clooney. Probably not for su, though.

Hmmmm, got you–I see what you mean.

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‘Neighbours’ EP Jason Herbison on Series Daytime Emmy Nomination: “It’s a Huge Honour to be Nominated Alongside Such Iconic US Daytime Dramas”

When the 51st annual Daytime Emmy nominations were revealed last Friday, the iconic Australian soap opera, Neighbours, made the grade as one of the nominees for this year’s Outstanding Daytime Drama Series going up against U.S. titans such as General Hospital, The Young and the Restless et al.

That is because the revival of Neighbours, which is now seen in the United States streaming on Amazon Freevee, is now eligible under the rules from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

Not only did Neighbours receive its first Daytime Emmy nomination for Drama Series, but also for one of its legendary stars, Guy Pearce, who returned for a stint in the revival as Mike Young. Pearce is nominated for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series.

Photo: Freemantle

Throughout its run, Neighbours has received several nominations and wins in Australian and the UK, with this being its first nomination in the U.S.

Neighbours Executive Producer Jason Herbison shared on this momentous moment for the series: ‘Neighbours has been on an incredible journey these past few years and a Daytime Emmy Award nomination is the icing on the cake! It’s a huge honour to be nominated alongside such iconic US daytime dramas. This news is an exciting moment for our hard working cast and crew and a wonderful recognition of the new chapter of the show on Amazon Freevee.”

Photo: Freemantle

For those who need a bit of a refresher on the revival of Neighbours. The series streams exclusively on Amazon Freevee in the UK and U.S. and on Prime Video in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.  New episodes air daily Monday-Thursday on Amazon. The new series launched on 18 September, 2023, and picks up two years after the finale left off. In Australia, Network 10 retains first-run rights in Australia for the new chapter of the series.

Photo: Freemantle/AmazonFreevee

The series is known as the longest running local drama of all time in Australia and has launched the careers of so many celebrities including: Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, the aforementioned Guy Pearce, and Liam and Chris Hemsworth, to name but a few.

Long running series star Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodbridge shared their many thanks on Neighbours Daytime Emmy nominations in a video message below.

So, what do you think of ‘Neighbours’ being nominated for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Could they be the spoiler in the category? Weigh-in below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Lisa Rinna Would Be Down to Reprise Her Role of Taylor McBride in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot

When Lisa Rinna departed her popular role of Billie Reed on Days of our Lives back in 1995, her next major role would be a jump to primetime and the soapy Melrose Place.

In 1996, Lisa was introduced as new character Taylor McBride and stayed with the Fox young adult sudser for three seasons. Now in 2024, with the recent reveal that a Melrose Place revival is the works with Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton all on board to reprise their signature roles, would Rinna board the project should it come to fruition?

Speaking with PEOPLE, Rinna expressed, “Well, gosh, I’ve heard about it. I haven’t been approached or anything, but I would love to see what Taylor McBride is up to 25 years later. Wouldn’t that be something?”

Photo: FOX

OG Melrose Place fans know that in story, Taylor moved to the Melrose Place apartment building with her husband Kyle played by Rob Estes. However, Taylor had her eye on Dr. Peter Burns played by former GH star Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco). But, by the time she had moved to the apartment complex, Peter had married tough as nails ad executive, Amanda Woodward, played by Heather Locklear.

Recalling her time on Melrose Place, Rinna added that it, “was one of my greatest and most fun acting experiences, playing Taylor and working with Heather and the whole crew.”  Rinna also noted, “So if they need a Taylor McBride appearance, they know who to call. I’m around.”

Photo: JPI

The new Melrose Place is in development at CBS Studios. In the premise of the reboot, the Melrose Place residents reunite after the death of one of their friends, “but the pressure cooker of a reunion soon uncovers old traumas, rekindles old romances, reignites old resentments, and reveals new secrets… throwing our characters into chaotic drama that’s reminiscent of the past, but with a much more modern perspective.”

So, would you want to see Lisa Rinna reprise her Melrose Place role as Taylor McBride? Comment below.

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News

Sean Kanan’s Stepdaughter, Juliet Vega, to Appear on The Bold and the Beautiful

Coming up on this Friday’s April 26th episode of The Bold and the Beautiful, Juliet Vega, the stepdaughter to Sean Kanan will make an appearance on the CBS daytime drama series in the role of Michele.

Keeping it “All in the Family”, the character is named after Juliet’s real-life mother, and Kanan’s wife, writer and producer, Michele Kanan.

Back in 2012, Sean married Michele Vega and thus began their blended family which included his daughter, Simone, and Michelle’s children, Peter, Gigi, and her twins, Annie and Juliet.

Photo: JPI

According to a B&B show spokesperson, Juliet’s B&B character is intentionally named Michele in honor of her mother and Sean’s wife.

While we don’t know how “Michele” shows up in story, it is the same episode that Clint Howard makes an appearance as well seemingly tied to the case of where in the world is Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown)?

Photo: CBS

We can’t imagine that Juliet wouldn’t get the opportunity to mix it up on-screen with her stepdad, Sean Kanan. Previously, the two acted together in Sean’s streaming series Studio City, where she played the role of Delilah and he played soap actor, Sam Stevens. In it, Delilah is the bio-daughter Sam never knew he had.

So, looking forward to seeing Juliet on B&B and how ‘Michele’ turns up in the story? Comment below.

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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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