News
Nelson Branco's new weekly "Soap Opera Unscensored"!
Suds Report journalist, Nelson Branco is back in an all new platform for his infamous columns featuring a weekly roundup of the hottest news in soaps, along with stories, interviews, humor, gossip and analysis.
Each Friday or Monday fans get download his new E-book version of his column called, Soap Opera Unscensored. The cost is $1.99, but Branco hopes to make it a subscription based feature in the very near future.
Branco stated about his new venture, “I’ve been getting a lot of feedback from readers saying how much they missed my Suds Reports, etc, and urged me to re-imagine my columns somewhere else. And since I’m still on the receiving end of a lot of news and gossip, I decided to not throw it all to waste. Thanks to the technology out there, I’m able to publish it myself and have Soap Opera: Uncensored distributed to multi-media formats. My first issue sold remarkably well; way above my expectations and without any promotion… so I’m very happy. I’m also in the process of publishing several soap opera-related books so stay tuned!”
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General Hospital and ‘H.R. Pufnstuf’s’ Billie Hayes Dead at 96
She was one-of-a-kind, and now actress Billie Hayes has passed away at the age of 96. Hayes’ family announced her death from natural causes on April 29th at Cedar-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.
Hayes was best-known for her unforgettable role as Witchiepoo on the 1969-70 Saturday morning live-action children’s classic H.R. Pufnstuf from Sid and Marty Kroft.
However, daytime fans will remember that then General Hospital executive producer, Gloria Monty, hired Hayes to play the recurring role of the street-smart international spy, Brighton O’Reilly, back in the 80’s series hey day.
GH’s Tristan Rogers (Robert Scorpio) took to Twitter to mourn the loss of Hayes on Monday sharing; “My dear wonderful Billie Hayes has died. Sadly I only got to work with her on GH but it was a magical relationship. Right away Gloria Monty saw something unique and ran with it. I cannot tell you how her passing saddens me.”
Photo:ABC
In story, Brighton O’Reilly was shot and killed by Victor Cassadine back in 1981. Billie told Soap Opera Digest back in 2003 about her time as an agent on GH, and her exit from the series: “I asked Gloria why she killed me off, and Gloria said, ‘To tell you the truth, Billie, we really hemmed and hawed at it. But I decided to do it for selfish reasons. I knew if I killed O’Reilly there’d be such an abundance of sympathy and love for Scorpio that his stock would go up. And he’s my new leading man!’ I understand why Gloria knocked me off, but I would have loved to have gone on with it because I feel it could have been developed into a fascinating character.”
Photo: JPI
Sid and Marty Kroft also took to Twitter and expressed: “Margaret Hamilton (Wizard of Oz) once told us that Billie Hayes was “one of the best witches ever” We couldn’t agree more. Rest in Peace dear friend.”
Billie’s career spanned decades including Broadway, television, motion pictures and voice-over work. In addition, she founded the Los Angeles-based animal rescue nonprofit organization Pet Hope, a cause she had championed since adopting a puppy abandoned in the basement of Broadway’s St. James Theatre during the run of Lil’ Abner in which she was featured in the role of Mammy Yokum.
Share your remembrances of Billie Hayes and your condolences for her family and loved ones via the comment section below.
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General HospitalMay 3, 2021General Hospital and ‘H.R. Pufnstuf’s’ Billie Hayes Dead at 96
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NewsApril 28, 2021‘This Is Us’ Star Justin Hartley Lands Timely and Pivotal Role in New Thriller ‘A Lot Of Nothing’
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Nelson could have so much more promise if he wouldn’t be bashing others that cover soaps. His comments towards Daniel Goddard and Goddard’s fans were insulting. I think those that talk to him (i.e. Crystal Chappell) would be wise to look out for Nellie’s streak and fear his reactions. He’s quickly self imploding.
Who would pay money to read his smut? All the important news gets out eventually. I’d rather get my info a week later from an honest, reliable and well-intentioned columnist/journalist than him.
i am not paying for his crap!!
I’m confused–What has Nelson Branco done wrong in the execution of his work? Please explain somebody–Thanks!
Nelson should take a page out of your playbook, Michael. While I find your reports positive and relatively unbiased, Nelson comes off as snarky and hateful, and it’s just a turnoff.
I’m sorry but i’m not paying for it either when i’m sure i already have read a lot of it already. I miss his TV Guide Canada column, that was always fun. Wish that was still going. It’s just not the same anymore.
Im not paying for a column especially when the comments are so biased and there are so few soaps left. No one covers the fact that Y&R is going the drain and JFP who killed the spirit of GH to make it a mob festival starring her friends did far worse than the rise in GH under a new producer. She is at it again bringing on her friends and divas and throwing out far superior talent in hordes. As with the talent that is leaving so am I. I disliked what Burton did on GH, duller than dull and… Read more »