News
OLTL issues statement on end of Kish/GLAAD's response to ABC!
The LGBT community is not taking kindly to the pull-out by ABC and One Life to Live of the Kish storyline featuring Brett Claywell and Scott Evans. In a news item from Advocate.com, a One Life to Live spokesperson issued the following statement today, “The groundbreaking Kyle-Fish relationship on One Life to Live was embraced by fans both as a great story and a fair and honest reflection of the LGBT community. We’re glad their story resonated with the audience, and understand the fans’ disappointment now that it has concluded. The show has a history of bringing LGBT stories to the screen — earning two GLAAD awards in the process — as well as returning popular characters when they serve the ongoing story. These great characters remain in Llanview, and while there are no immediate plans to advance their story, the door is always open for their return.”The statement comes after the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation announced Friday morning that it is lobbying ABC Daytime to review its decision to end the storyline. “Last summer One Live to Live brought a groundbreaking relationship into the homes of millions with Kyle and Fish’s story, one that build acceptance and understanding of gay people,” GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios said in a statement. He went on to say that ending the story is a step backward in the representation of gay Americans, even though plot changes and cancellations are common in daytime dramas.
“We remain disappointed that ABC Daytime has chosen to stop sharing this powerful story with viewers of One Life to Live. GLAAD will continue to advocate that in the near future producers and writers at ABC Daytime incorporate gay and transgendered characters in their programming.”
There have been rumors that One Life to Live was ending the gay story line because of low ratings and poor response to the characters.
Days Of Our Lives
Sean Blakemore and Gilles Marini To Appear in Season Five of THE BAY
Two more stars very familiar to daytime audiences have been added to the continual growing cast of the digital drama series, The Bay.
Now comes word that Daytime Emmy-winner, Sean Blakemore (Ex-Shawn Butler, General Hospital) who can currently be seen in the motion picture Ad Astra with Brad Pitt is coming to Bay City. Sean will take on the role of Tony Foster, a character who makes a visit in an effort to “save the day”.
In addition to that casting announcement, former Days of our Lives star, Gilles Marini (Ex-Ted Laurent) will also be showing up. Marini is also known for his work on Sex and the City, Devious Maids and Brothers & Sisters.
Look for Gilles to take on the role of Judge Nazar Zekarain, a character who will also crossover to The Bay’s s spinoff series yA – a drama focusing on Bay City’s elite and often troubled teens.
The Bay’s creator. Gregori J Martin expressed his excitement on the casting news sharing: “Sean and Gilles are absolute pros! Such a true honor to work with both gentlemen and have them a part of The Bay family!”
Currently, the first half of season 4 of the series is available via Amazon’s Prime Video, with the second half of season to be released later this fall. No release date has been confirmed at this time.
So, what do you think of Sean and Gilles coming to The Bay? Comment below.
General Hospital
GH’s Maurice Benard Memoir Available Now For Pre-Order
One of the most highly-anticipated autobiography’s, Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos, GH) Nothing General About It, is set for release on April 7th of 2020. But now according to the book publisher, HarperCollins, you can pre-order your copy of the riveting real-life story of Benard now by heading on over to Amazon to make your purchase.
According to the log lines and publisher notes: “In Nothing General About It, Maurice looks back to his youth in a small town and his tenuous relationship with his father. He describes how his bipolar disorder began to surface in childhood, how he struggled to understand the jolting mood swings he experienced, and how a doctor finally saved his life. For years Maurice was relentless in his goal to be a successful actor. But even after he “made it,” he still grappled with terrifying lows, breakdowns, and setbacks, all while trying desperately to maintain his relationship with his wife, who endured his violent, unpredictable episodes. Maurice holds nothing back as he bravely talks about what it was like to be medicated and institutionalized, and of how he learned to manage his manic episodes while on the set of GH.
HarperCollins
Nothing General About It is also an incredible love story about an enduring marriage that demonstrates what those vows—for better, for worse, in sickness and in health—truly mean. Maurice also pays tribute to the community that has been there for him through thick and thin, and ruminates on the importance of both inherited and created family.”
Look for Nothing General About It to feature a 16-page insert featuring nearly 50 photographs.
So, will you be pre-ordering Maurice’s memoir? Excited to read what he shared? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
RATINGS: Days of our Lives Has Strong Week
The ratings are out for the week of September 2nd through the 6th and it was NBC’s Days of our Lives that was the only daytime drama series to gain in total viewers and households.
That week featured the debut of One Life to Live icon, Robin Strasser in her debut on DAYS as Vivian Alamain replacing Louise Sorel.
DAYS topped General Hospital for the week moving into third place adding +82,000 total viewers, while GH hit a new low losing – 143,000 viewers, as well, the CBS Daytime series of The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful also lost total viewers … -189,000 and -120,000 for the ratings period.
In addition, DAYS was up +.04 in households week-to-week. However. the show year-to-year that has continued in recent weeks to lose viewers is The Young and the Restless who from this time last year lost -453,000 viewers.
In the key demos: Y&R remained at #1 in 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54 in total viewers, but in the ratings share it tied with B&B in the 18-34 category. Over the past few weeks, B&B has also been in the top demo slots trading off with Y&R.
With the fall season upon us and summer coming to a close, perhaps many soap viewers will be checking back in to see what is happening in the towns of Genoa City, Port Charles, Los Angeles, and Salem.
But of course, story and content is king, so here’s hoping viewers will be into what the shows are serving up in the months to come. And if you love the genre, it’s important to remember in the words of Robin Strasser to “Support the Four”.
Check out the entire ratings picture via SON here.
(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)
Total Viewers
1. Y&R 3,616,000 (-120,000/-453,000)
2. B&B 3,196,000 (-189,000/-87,000)
3. DAYS 2,123,000 (+82,000/-30,000)
4. GH 2,023,000 (-143,000/-297,000)
So, what soap opera do you think is delivering the best drama right now? Which soap opera is delivering the worst? What changes would you like to see made that you think would help your favorite soap gain more viewers? Comment below.
EMPIRE Season Six Premiere: Andre Is In For A Shocker
Sean Blakemore and Gilles Marini To Appear in Season Five of THE BAY
GH’s Maurice Benard Memoir Available Now For Pre-Order
RATINGS: Days of our Lives Has Strong Week
Y&R’s Jason Thompson Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Eileen Davidson & Vincent Van Patten Talk ‘7 Days to Vegas’, Their Relationship and Y&R, DAYS & RHOBH
One Life to Live Alum Tuc Watkins Joins Cast Of Showtime’s ‘Black Monday’
Mishael Morgan Returns To The Young and the Restless And Shares: “I Hope To Create Something New But Just As Special As That Girl You All Loved To Hate”
GH Head Writers: Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor Reveal More Details On Michael E. Knight’s New Soap Role
Peter Weber Is Revealed To Be The Next ‘Bachelor’
THIS WEEK: Jason Thompson Featured In Standalone Episode of Y&R
Sharon Case Celebrates 25 Years On The Young and the Restless; Shares With Fans: “Thanks For Going On The Ride With Me”
Jessica Tuck Returns This Week To General Hospital
Mishael Morgan Returns To The Young and the Restless And Shares: “I Hope To Create Something New But Just As Special As That Girl You All Loved To Hate”
GH Head Writers: Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor Reveal More Details On Michael E. Knight’s New Soap Role
Eileen Davidson & Vincent Van Patten Talk ‘7 Days to Vegas’, Their Relationship and Y&R, DAYS & RHOBH
Y&R’s Jason Thompson Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Y&R’s Elizabeth Hendrickson and Greg Rikaart Talk On The Return of Chloe and Kevin
Judith Light Receives Her Star On The Hollywood Walk of Fame
Kelly Clarkson and Tamron Hall Talkers Debut With Strong Ratings; Hall On GH Friday
EMPIRE Season Six Premiere: Andre Is In For A Shocker
Eileen Davidson & Vincent Van Patten Talk ‘7 Days to Vegas’, Their Relationship and Y&R, DAYS & RHOBH
THIS WEEK: Jason Thompson Featured In Standalone Episode of Y&R
Sharon Case Celebrates 25 Years On The Young and the Restless; Shares With Fans: “Thanks For Going On The Ride With Me”
Days of our Lives New Fall Season Promo That ‘Tops All’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Thomas Goes Over A Cliff! If He Survives, Will They Redeem Him?
DAYS Promo: What’s Going To Happen At Jarlena’s Wedding Anniversary Shindig?
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Liam Realizes Beth Is Alive As Scott Clifton Delivers Heart-Tugging Performance
David Hedison, AW and Y&R Alum and Star of ‘Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea’ Dies At 92
THIS WEEK: Eileen Davidson Makes a Return to The Young and the Restless
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PreviewsSeptember 15, 2019THIS WEEK: Jason Thompson Featured In Standalone Episode of Y&R
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InterviewsSeptember 15, 2019Sharon Case Celebrates 25 Years On The Young and the Restless; Shares With Fans: “Thanks For Going On The Ride With Me”
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General HospitalSeptember 15, 2019Jessica Tuck Returns This Week To General Hospital
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NewsSeptember 19, 2019Mishael Morgan Returns To The Young and the Restless And Shares: “I Hope To Create Something New But Just As Special As That Girl You All Loved To Hate”
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General HospitalSeptember 18, 2019GH Head Writers: Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor Reveal More Details On Michael E. Knight’s New Soap Role
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InterviewsSeptember 20, 2019Eileen Davidson & Vincent Van Patten Talk ‘7 Days to Vegas’, Their Relationship and Y&R, DAYS & RHOBH
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RecapsSeptember 20, 2019Y&R’s Jason Thompson Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
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InterviewsSeptember 12, 2019Y&R’s Elizabeth Hendrickson and Greg Rikaart Talk On The Return of Chloe and Kevin
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The same sex marriage aspect harming Kish should be addressed by the soap press when critiquing OLTL axing Kish. With a topic as splintering as same sex unions, it definitely hurt more that it helped Kish. Soaps are about escapism, not political debates. Even in someplace as stereotypically thought to be liberal like Manhattan, many people are not on board w/ same sex unions. And the ratings of a conservative news channel like Fox reflects that sentiment.
Accrdg to TVGCanada’s newest report, it was Frank Valentini who axed Kish. So no one go blame Brian Frons or say some homophobic group engineered their firing. It’ll be interesting how the soap press criticizes Valentini for this move, since OLTL seems to be the golden child of the soap press. Even in TVGC, the only critique for Valentini was a sarcastic “Thanks a lot” for Valentini axing Kish.
Goutman was raked through the coals consistently for mishandling Nuke and Ellen Wheeler was all but crucified numerous times for neglecting Otalia. But at least those 2 didn’t fire their same sex couple. Carlivati’s writing should be taken to task, but I think the closest criticism he’d get was TVG’s Michael Logan’s “gay overkill” comment. If this were Megan McTavish, imagine all the harsh reviews she’d get?
Also accrdg to TVGC, speculation is that one of the portrayers of Kish is a hard partying kinda guy. He’d hold up production, so he was axed. My bet goes to Evans, since he admitted to going to the gay bars frequently in the interview here, and anyone who’s been to a gay bar/club knows how out of control it can get, especially in Manhattan.
More from TVGC, speculation is that they are axing 8 actors bec of budgetary constraints but the most interesting speculation is that the Kish storyline hit too close to home for certain execs. Well Carlivati is out, so it can’t be him.
Onto that mess GLAAD, they gave the award to Nuke the year that Nuke was banished from kissing or showing any affection on ATWT! So GLAAD is a joke. And they’d be even more of a joke if they award it to Kish now that kish has been written off.
All this blaming the actors thing is nonsense.
Scott Evans didn’t even have a contract so if they wanted to fire him for whatever reason, they could have done so without so much as a “See ya”.
They replace actors and actresses all the time (even long-time actors and actresses who have contracts).
If they were committed to these characters and their story, the producers would have simply recast or rewritten.
I’m not buying this “actor parties too hard ” crap for one second.
And if this is the reason he was fired, why fired both he AND Brett?
Why even make the statement about “not resonating with the mainstream”?
The “wedding” was like a month of the entire Fish coming out storyline and it was over by the period they claim was the problem area (November 09)
All of these latest excuses are just nonsense spin.
The primary viewership of soaps hasn’t being stay-at-home straight women for like 20 years. Teens, and gay men also make up a huge portion of the viewing audience (if they ever bothered to notice)
They cut KISH and fired Scott and Brett because they got scared and caved into the pressure of the right wing, conservative voices screaming in their ears. It’s a simple as that.
Don’t kid yourself, Persa!
I am a “stay-at-home straight women”; I am also what a lot of people would consider a “right wing, conservative voice”.
That being said, hearing that KISH had been unceremoniously dumped was, for me, like a kick in the gut. I loved their story, and I was really looking forward to the (seemingly) upcoming custody battle story-line! I wanted to see KISH kick stupid GiGi’s Butt, in court, get their baby, and raise their little girl together!
I wanted to see this couple go through all of the trials, tribulations, pride, and joy of parenthood together! It would have been great to watch them cope with being a family, while also facing all of the inevitable prejudices that would have gone along with their relationship.
I, for one, am very, very sorry that we are losing these wonderful characters/actors – along with their ground-breaking story! I can only hope that the Network will, somehow, miraculously, reconsider their unfortunate decision and decide to give our KISH a last minute reprieve from their looming execution!
Oh, and for what it is worth, I have already sent off my letters and e-mails (first time ever doing this!) that fully detail my displeasure with this decision to all concerned parties!
TVGC already reported that it was Frank Valentini who axed Claywell and untalented Evans, and they axed Crystal Hunt prior to them. They were not axed bec of so called pressure by a so called right wing grp. Why is everything homophobic for fans of Kish or Nuke? There’s no conspiracy theory against Crystal Hunt. She was let go bec people disliked Stacy, her acting is awful and she didn’t translate to ratings. The same applied to Kish. Since valentini axed them, complain to him instead of blaming these anonymous right wing groups.
Explain “doesn’t resonate with mainstream viewers ? If it’s not about the “gay” what is it that doesn’t “resonate”? Is it both Scott and Brett who don’t “resonate”? Is it Kyle and Fish together or separately that doesn’t “resonate”? Did Kyle as a character “resonate” before the viewers realized he was gay? Did Fish? Scot Evans has never been on contract so did they just keep him around for almost 3 years because he’s pretty? Do tell. You’re ascribing things to me that aren’t about me. I’m an individual, not some sheep following along and I have a right to voice my opinion and what I see is a heterosexist point of view taking precedence over good storytelling.. ABC made this about the characters being gay, I didn’t start it. I don’t know what you gripe is with NUKE fans an KISH fans in general and it’s not really relevant to what I’M saying. How do you even know I’m a fan of NUKE? Who’s talking about NUKE, I never even mentioned them. What does Crystal Hunt have to do with anything? Lot’s of actors got fired and the reasons given didn’t target their race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. I have no problem with firing an actor that isn’t working out as an actor, I have a problem with an American tv show, in 2010 firing actors because its viewership is upset about all the gay. OLTL has had some of the most preposterous story lines (for good or ill) I’ve ever seen outside of Passions. So to target the Big Gay Wedding as somehow totally out the box and over the line is just coo coo bananas. I’m responding to the REASONS the producers of OLTL gave for why they fired BOTH Brett and Scott. That’s the issue. They are the one’s who made it about the characters being gay, not me. If it’s all about Scott, why fire both of them AND why not just say they are firing them because the actors aren’t working out AS ACTORS? What does their “mainstream” viewers have to do with anything? Whether it was Frank Valenti or The Pied Piper is immaterial to me. If actors suck, then fire them because they suck. Don’t claim that you are firing them for a whole host of other reasons that have to do with the sensibilities of your viewing audience then get shocked when members of your viewing audience who don’t happen to have that particular sensibility decide to speak out against your decision. Scott Evans was on the show for an entire year before he even interacted with Brett Claywell, if his acting sucked so badly they could have fired him then. His character has always been a second-tier character so they could have easily replaced him. Why keep him around if he was so much trouble? If you think the folks complaining to ABC about gays on OLTL aren’t right-wing, then you’re just not a very critical thinker or you… Read more »
There’s no pt debating w/ you. As for who’s “complaining” about Kish, I’m a queer male viewer of soaps, I thought Claywell was a good actor and he was the only actor who carried Kish, but I thought Evans sucked at the role majority of the time. So to make a sweeping generalization that only homophobes with an agenda don’t like Kish is closeminded. People can or can’t like a same sex rel storyline based on other factors too, like performances (Claywell’s was good, Evans’s was awful) and writing (Carlivati clearly had many missteps). Majority of the Kish fans seem as closeminded as these so called homophobic grps that they blame for Kish’s axing. I find it strange that you would say it’s immaterial that Frank valentini or the pied piper is who axed Kish. Who axed Kish has everything to do with it. If it was Brian frons who axed Kish then everyone would be complaining at him. It’s very telling that the soap press in particular are not going after Frank valentini on this issue of him axing Kish, but they raked Goutman through the coals for the Nuke kissing banishment, and they all but crucified Wheeler, a Mormon, for not letting Otalia marry in the GL finale. Goutman and Wheeler did not get rid of their same sex couple, but Valentini did.
Persa .. if you watch the video, around 13 minutes in, Brett says something like they do a lot of scenes in 1 take. Doesn’t sound like partying is a huge problem if it’s 1 take.
I only watched OLTL because of Kish and when they are gone, I will be gone as well.
DO NOT stop this storyline. It has been one of the best depictions of just how gay people live in the non-accepting gay world. I lived in the closet for a long, long time — fifty years — going the marriage route for a number of years. It wasn’t until my husband’s death and subsequent psychiatric counseling for other issues that I finally came out. I have been out fourteen years. I never felt as much of whom I was and am until that day when I declared I can be my gay self. The story on One Life To Live has been one of the best, better than All My Children even. It has featured gay men which it seems programs have trouble showing how they really feel, interact, how they think and believe. Women have been portrayed many times. This was a real break through as far as I am concerned. Please do not let naysayers and others decide what you will put in the show. It is certainly more realistic than underground worlds and Mitch Lawrence. Would you please kill him and Allison once and for all!
dont stop this storyline with brett claywell and scott evans and keep going to keep their storyline open and we need to bring scott evans and brett clatwell to bring them back to the show with oltl
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