All My Children
NY Post: Collective Bargaining & Unions the secret villain to soaps demise!
Courtesy/ABC
NY Post: “The soaps are effectively an industry heading for bankruptcy, and even union members realize it. In the last decade, soaps have been trying to cut costs to the bone. But those bones are covered in the impenetrable gristle of AFTRA (the daytime actors union), WGA (the writers guild), the DGA (directors) and the backstage union IATSE.
Soaps are “certainly not expensive by other entertainment gauges,” says former producer Michael Laibson, a leader of the creative teams at All My Children and Guiding Light. But “they don’t pay the people [on reality TV] the same kinds of wages. The acting, the above-the-line costs [for creative talent] are much higher on soaps. Generally, on a soap there are about 30 actors that are under contract so they have a guaranteed number of performances per week and a guaranteed salary per performance.”
Union super-minimum wages lead directly to high unemployment. AFTRA requires each of the main performers to be paid at least $913 a day, but stars get much more. Seventeen Writers Guild jobs disappear when the two ABC soaps go dark. They aren’t getting paid in Palmolive, either. Head writers (of whom there might be more than one) get at least $35,345 a week. Writing expenses are minimal on reality, which the WGA hasn’t successfully penetrated yet.”
“The soap industry is highly skilled, and Days of Our Lives is a more polished product than The Biggest Loser. Soaps are more like airlines. The value of their product has dwindled rapidly, but unions don’t provide flexibility for trimming costs to keep up. Since soaps aren’t a separate industry, they can’t use bankruptcy as a wedge to reopen contracts and make cuts. An AFTRA source who didn’t want to be identified says, “We’re certainly mindful of the challenges the industry faces,” although not mindful enough to back down on their main goal: “We want to increase pay and benefits for our members.” Hundreds of IATSE members are going to be out of work. Even unionized reality programs like ABC’s upcoming soap replacements The Chew (Mario Batali cooking show) and The Revolution (a Biggest Loser-style weight-loss show) will bring far fewer jobs in makeup, costumes, set moving, etc.”
“Maybe renegotiating the daytime serials portion of the contract would have beaten layoffs. But from the unions’ perspective, any concession sets a dangerous precedent. If they take a hit on daytime, isn’t that an invitation to cut prime-time contracts? So unions will continue to shrug at reality and the marketplace will continue to punish them.”
All My Children
Kelly Ripa Reveals How Her Son Chose NYU Due To The Consuelos Connection To Former Soap EP/ Director, Chris Goutman
Last week on an episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan, the former star of All My Children, Kelly Ripa (Ex-Hayley) told Ryan Seacrest how a chance meeting when her son, Michael was deciding where to go to college; between her, Michael, and Chris Goutman (Ex-Executive Producer As the World Turns and former director, All My Children) changed the course of Michael’s creative and academic path.
Turns out that Goutman is now working over at NYU’s Tisch School for the Arts as an assistant professor and academic director.
During their banter on the talk show, Kelly revealed that Goutman directed the screen-test that landed Mark Consuelos the role of Mateo on All My Children, and thus how Ripa met her real-live enduring lovematch.
Ripa explained that Michael was waiting for a sign as to which college to go to as he liked most of the places he saw. Then came the sign as Ripa explained to Seacrest: “We’re walking down the hallway and I hear a voice I know say, ‘Consuelos!’ “He turns around and I see Chris Goutman, who was our director at All My Children … I worked with him for 11 years.”
Ripa says Chris then expressed to Michael: “You have to come here, because I am the reason you literally exist.”
Photo: JPI
Ripa is reportedly also working on a film for the class, as well. Watch what Kelly shared below.
Then let us know your thoughts on the story Kelly told via the comment section below.
All My Children
Y&R, AMC and GL Alum, Jeff Branson Featured In New AppleTV+ Drama, ‘For All Mankind’
Daytime Emmy winner, Jeff Branson is featured in a new drama coming your way on the new AppleTV+ platform. Branson takes on the role of famous astronaut Neil Armstrong in For All Mankind.
At the epicenter of the story is NASA and the Soviet space program as they square off in the space race of the 1970s. But this has a twist, America has lost the race and tensions boil over between the two nations.
The main focus in the series is the lives of the astronauts and the personal and professional relationships they encounter. For All Mankind presents an aspirational world where NASA and the space program remained a priority and a focal point of our hopes and dreams.
Branson is fondly remembered in soapland for his performances as Ronan Malloy on The Young and the Restless, Jonathan Randall on All My Children, and Shayne Lewis on Guiding Light.
For All Mankind is created by Emmy Award winner Ronald D. Moore (Outlander, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica), Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi.
In addition to Branson the cast includes: Joel Kinnaman, Michael Dorman, Wrenn Schmidt, Shantel VanSanten, Sarah Jones and Jodi Balfour. General Hospital’s Jason David (Aiden Spencer) also appears in the series.
The first season streams on on AppleTV+ beginning on November 1st, with the second season of the series “all systems go”.
Watch the teaser for the series and interviews with some of the cast including: what Branson had to share about playing Neil Armstrong below.
Then let us know, would you love to see Jeff back on the soaps? Will you be checking out the new streaming service featuring For All Mankind and check out Jeff’s performances? Comment below.
All My Children
TODAY: ‘Tainted Dreams’ Begins To Stream Episodes On PopStar! TV Platform
Beginning today on Monday, September 23rd, the series Tainted Dreams, which shows you the behind-the-scenes antics of a fictional hit TV soap opera, will stream its first two seasons for free on the on the Popstar! TV platforms.
To view: you can download the Popstar! TV’s mobile app or visit www.popstaronline.com to watch Tainted Dreams or for more info visit https://www.tainteddreams.com/#home-section.
For those who need a refresher: Tainted Dreams follows the cast and crew behind the scenes of a hit TV soap opera called “Painted Dreams”, and of course, it’s filled with lots of twists and turns
In addition, there is a bonus episode on Popstar! TV that gives some background on how all the characters came to be a part of “Painted Dreams”.
Courtesy: NYCBrandEnt
Sonia Blangiardo, the executive producer and creator of Tainted Dreams shared in a statement: “We are thrilled that there is more life for the show and that the new exposure will attract new viewers for the series. We’re excited to be in great company with the other shows the platform will be streaming and couldn’t be happier to be working with Craig and Jim Romanovich who has always been a loyal soap supporter.”
Tainted Dreams features a cast that includes: All My Children veterans Alicia Minshew, Walt Willey, Michael Lowry, Bobbie Eakes, Terri Ivens and the late Larkin Malloy, General Hospital’s Natalia Livingston, As the World Turns‘ Colleen Zenk, Austin Peck, Marnie Schulenburg and Kelley Menighan, Guiding Light’s Grant Aleksander, One Life to Live’s Ilene Kristen, Tonja Walker, Nathan Purdee and James DePaiva, Big Brother’s Jessie Godderz, The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Dina Manzo, and more.
So, will you be checking out Tainted Dreams on its new platform? Comment below,
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Wally Kurth & Chandler Massey Deliver Poignant Scenes As Justin Tells Will ‘Don’t Give Up On Life’
Greek Soap Star Andreas Georgiou To Appear On The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamron Hall Talk Show Gets Second Season Renewal
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Max Gail Turns In Another Emmy-Worthy Performance As Mike’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Takes Its Toll
OLTL Alum Renée Elise Goldsberry Says: “I Just Think The Best Actors In The World Are On Daytime Television”
DYNASTY’s Rafael de La Fuente Reflects On Being Out and Proud After Conquering His Fears
Days of our Lives to Air in the UK Beginning In January
‘Empire’ Actress Amanda Detmer Arrested For DUI And Fleeing The Scene
Stephen Nichols On His DAYS Return As Stefano: “I Knew I Didn’t Want To Be A Cheap Imitation.”
A Friz Holiday Miracle On GH?
Stephen Nichols On His DAYS Return As Stefano: “I Knew I Didn’t Want To Be A Cheap Imitation.”
WATCH: Steve Burton & Bradford Anderson Take On Grammy-Nominated Hit ‘Old Town Road’ With A GH Twist
DAYS Head Writer Ron Carlivati Talks On: Ben Weston, Soap Amnesia, Doppelgängers, and the Time Jump
A Friz Holiday Miracle On GH?
DYNASTY’s Rafael de La Fuente Reflects On Being Out and Proud After Conquering His Fears
Noted Soap Opera Producer Lisa de Cazotte Has Died; Daytime Community Mourns Her Passing
Paging Dr. Griffin Munro! Matt Cohen Makes A Return Visit To GH
Alison Sweeney Reveals She Is Making A Return To DAYS In 2020
OLTL Alum Renée Elise Goldsberry Says: “I Just Think The Best Actors In The World Are On Daytime Television”
‘Empire’ Actress Amanda Detmer Arrested For DUI And Fleeing The Scene
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Max Gail Turns In Another Emmy-Worthy Performance As Mike’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Takes Its Toll
A Friz Holiday Miracle On GH?
WATCH: Steve Burton & Bradford Anderson Take On Grammy-Nominated Hit ‘Old Town Road’ With A GH Twist
Rob Scott Wilson and Victoria Konefal Interview – Day of Days 2019
Freddie Smith and Chandler Massey Interview – Day of Days 2019
Camila Banus Interview – Day of Days 2019
Drake Hogestyn and Deidre Hall Interview – Day of Days 2019
Eric Martsolf and Stacy Haiduk Interview – Day of Days 2019
TONIGHT: GH Alum Ryan Paevey Stars In Hallmark’s ‘Christmas at The Plaza’
Stephen Nichols Returns To DAYS In Cliffhanger As ‘The Phoenix Always Rises From The Ashes’
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Days Of Our LivesDecember 10, 2019Stephen Nichols On His DAYS Return As Stefano: “I Knew I Didn’t Want To Be A Cheap Imitation.”
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General HospitalDecember 6, 2019WATCH: Steve Burton & Bradford Anderson Take On Grammy-Nominated Hit ‘Old Town Road’ With A GH Twist
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Days Of Our LivesDecember 8, 2019DAYS Head Writer Ron Carlivati Talks On: Ben Weston, Soap Amnesia, Doppelgängers, and the Time Jump
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General HospitalDecember 9, 2019A Friz Holiday Miracle On GH?
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DynastyDecember 11, 2019DYNASTY’s Rafael de La Fuente Reflects On Being Out and Proud After Conquering His Fears
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Days Of Our LivesDecember 8, 2019Noted Soap Opera Producer Lisa de Cazotte Has Died; Daytime Community Mourns Her Passing
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General HospitalDecember 6, 2019Paging Dr. Griffin Munro! Matt Cohen Makes A Return Visit To GH
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Days Of Our LivesDecember 6, 2019Alison Sweeney Reveals She Is Making A Return To DAYS In 2020
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So is Frons trying to get the blame off himself and blame the Unions?? Is he hoping for infighting amongst the unions so that AFTRA and IATSE don’t support each other anymore? Since the actors can’t support the ABC protests publically (because they are worried about backlash from Frons), is this around about way of trying to make sure the other unions don’t support the SAVE OUR SOAPS Protests and Boycotts….create infighting amongst the unions?
Again we blame the unions? People have INCREDIBLY short memories. Or a really deficient schooling in what working conditions in this country were like before unions. And what they will be like again if unions are crushed. I can’t help but feeling that our grandchildren will be spilling their blood fighting for rights which our ancestors spilled their blood to hand down to us, and which we so take for granted.
What a load of bunk! You can’t blame the unions, who protect the workers, for the out of control GREED on the part of ABC’s and Disney’s top level management and shareholders.
This FAUX News style propaganda a la GOP ain’t gonna fly.
“Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Robert A. Iger commanded a 35% jump in salary and bonuses in 2010, rewarding what the board of directors’ compensation committee called his “exceptional performance” in the face of a slow-recovering U.S. economy. Iger’s salary and bonus reached nearly $16.3 million, up from $12 million a year earlier. His total compensation, including equity awards, reached $28 million… “(LA Times 1/28/2011)
What a crock of S**T!!!!! So Brian Frons is AGAIN trying to deceive us with his pack of lies! Like I said, “what a crock of SH**T!!!!” While I understand that managing soap operas can be expensive, why is it NOW they’ve become too expensive to handle?! They have been going on for as long as I’ve been aound! What kills me is that Disney is too greedy and doesn’t give a rat’s a$$ about us, but also the fact that Brian Frons can’t take responsibilty for his own stupidity! He continued to lie to our faces about AMC and OLTL then did exactly what he wanted to do in the first place! Soon ABC won’t have a network because we will grow sick and tired of Frons, Disney and all the lies they’ve told! Even Pinocchio can’l lie that much! He (Frons) talked about being in the witness protection program… well honey, you’d better start running! There are MANY, MANY people who would like to get you alone in a room for just 5 mins.! Now THAT’S a reality show I would pay to see!! Don’t blow smoke up our a$$e$ when you know that we’re on to you!
Sorry Michael! We still love you and all you do for the soap world! Thank you for keeping us informed! Best wishes!
You can’t believe anything that you read in the New York Post. It is owned by Rupert Murdoch and is a political paper. It exists as propaganda for far right conservative causes. Having thousands more mad at unions now, with all that is going in the Midwest, is too convenient.
Unions can be blamed in the same respect, for all of the US jobs being sent overseas. It boils down to corporate greed — money beforeanything else. OLTL made money,but a reality show will make more. They don’t care that less will watch. It will make more profit. They don’t have to pay as many people, or as high a wage. Frons will get a promotion, not fired. If you think any US corporation is any different, you are wrong. It is capitalism. Even Hoover saw the dollars that would benefit them in supporting our cause. I want OLTL back more than anybody. I have been in a daze since the news broke. I just cant see a Network picking it up.
WELL SHE SOME ACTORS ARE WILL TO GO CUT PAY AND SALARY !JUMP ON THE BAND WAGON FOR SOMEONE TO BLAME AND THIS THE CURRENT TREND.HOW STUPID DO YOU THINK THE AMERICAN PUBLIC IS. THEN PUT IT ON SOAPNET AND WE’LL PAY FOR THE CHANNEL!
All that article is doing is trying to switch the blame game on Unions.I am sorry if there wasn’t Unions around it go back to what it was before the 1900 ‘s.I mean Unions stop child labor laws before there were Unions they were having ten or even nine year olds working under the worst conditions inmagable.I mean think about the garment fire back in the early 1900’s when how many young women and children lost there lives.They can all say it is caused by the unions,but all this does make trouble were it don’t belong.Common sense with this so-called “Reality shows are done with real people who I believe don’t have to have like the join the actor gulid.They can all say it is cheaper,but just how cheaper is it when and I mean when someone gets hurt bad enough that the network get sued then what.I mean these people have to get there a**** out of there heads.And just stop and think I do believe some of these actors who have been on the show long enough they would kind of enough take a pay cut.It just the higher ups think if we read this we quite blaming them and that won’t work in my book.
NO ONE from the network approached the unions for negotiations.
REALLY – ABC and Disney are trying to break the unions… I hope no one falls for or stands for that. If top execs who do nothing would take a pay cut that would be wonderful. Frons isn’t doing much any way.. keep the calls up people.. cause his ass needs to be out like yesterday unions unite