News
Oprah Winfrey Lays Off 30 Employees as part of OWN's Restructuring!
Courtesy/HarpoProds
Ratings-challenged OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) let go of 30 employees yesterday as part of a restructuring. “It is difficult to make tough business decisions that affect people’s lives, but the economics of a start-up cable network just don’t work with the cost structure that was in place,” said OWN chief executive Oprah Winfrey, who was in the network’s mid-Wilshire offices Monday afternoon. “As CEO, I have a responsibility to chart the course for long-term success for the network. To wholly achieve that long-term success, this was a necessary next step.”
In a bid to improve what had become a dark spot in Discovery Communications’ otherwise strong portfolio, Winfrey took over as chief executive eight months ago. At that time, longtime Harpo leaders Erik Logan and Shari Salata were tapped as presidents of OWN. Added Logan, “We have been on the air for 15 months, and since September we have gained momentum in ratings and viewership. Restructuring our business will allow us to build a solid foundation for long-term growth.”
According to the Hollywood Reporter, “the reconfiguration of OWN’s operations in Los Angeles and New York will see the responsibilities of those exiting staffers redistributed among the network and venture partners Discovery and Harpo Studios. ” After the latest round of cuts, about 90 people remain on the OWN payroll, down from 150 employees at its peak. With ratings continuing to average lower than what Discovery Health – the low-cost network OWN replaced in January 2011–earned, “no one was particularly surprised,” about the layoffs, an OWN insider revealed.
All My Children
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
On the Friday, October 2 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, the morning talk show marked the 56th birthday of Kelly Ripa (ex-Hayley Vaughan Santos, All My Children).
During the opening segment, Mark Consuelos (ex-Mateo Santos, All My Children) humorously comparing his wife to both Gandhi and Groucho Marx, reflecting on both her comedic ability and peaceful ways.
Later, they went on to discuss the origins of her name and the most popular picks to name babies back in the year she was born, 1970. They were Kimberly, Lisa, and Jennifer for girls and Michael, David, and James for the boys.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Ripa recalled that she learned she was almost named Kim. However, their neighbors at the time had two daughters Kelly and Kim, which is what her parents wanted to call them, but they settled on Kelly and and her younger sister, Linda.
At the conclusion of the episode, Mark rolled out a huge cake for his wife. It was, “Happy birthday from all of us here at Live and at home.” Next, he cut the cake, and Ripa grabbed his face and gave him a “thank you” kiss.
Photo: JPI
KELLY AND MARK TRIED TO KEEP THEIR VEGAS WEDDING ON THE DOWN LOW
All of this brings back memories of how Kelly and Mark’s Las Vegas wedding ceremony went public in 1996 while the two were still on All My Children playing Mateo Santos and Hayley Vaughan. In essence, they were outed by then radio host Wendy Williams! They discussed it on the talk show back in 2024.
In fact, the duo hid their marriage from their All My Children castmates for months, until they found out Williams got wind of the nuptials and spread the intel on the airwaves.
The two recalled their secret wedding on a 2024 episode of Live! “We’d eloped. It’d been a few months at that point. We’d been married for three months, nobody at All My Children knew we were even dating, much less married to each other. We’re brushing our teeth and we’ve got Wendy Williams’ radio show on. We’re listening, and she’s like, ‘I’ve got celebrity dish!”
EYEWITNESS
Next Ripa continued, “The celebrities,’ I guess they had a broad use of the term back then, was the fact that ‘two soap stars from All My Children, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos eloped in Las Vegas.’ There was this eyewitness that worked in the Clark County courthouse that said we eloped, and the news broke, and we had to tell everybody we were married.”
Live With Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication. Check your local listings for times in your area.
Share your birthday wishes for Kelly in the comment section, and let us know your thoughts on how Wendy Williams broadcast the news, unbeknownst to the All My Children newlyweds, that they tied the knot in Vegas? Check out Mark and the ‘Live’ studio audience singing ‘happy birthday’ to Kelly in the post below.
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Beyond the Gates
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
As previously reported, kicking off today, is a two-part Beyond the Gates, when The Duprees gather to celebrate Banneker University’s homecoming weekend.
The producers and writers are taking an opportunity to spotlight the rich traditions of the long-held tradition of attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through its fictional university.
The episodes are today on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Friday, October 2 and next week on Monday, October 5, where in true Beyond the Gates fashion, there will be some surprising drama that ensues when someone shows up!
Photo: CBS
BANNEKER REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE OF HBCUS
Sheila Duckworth, (executive producer, Beyond the Gates) spoke to Soaps.com to give some insight on the decision for the series to illustrate the ties that bind with HBCUs.
“It was important that we have this school as almost a character on our canvas, right from the beginning. Beyond even education, HBCUs have been pivotal when it comes to everything from economic progression and fostering a sense of community to the development of leadership skills,” explained Ducksworth. “From the beginning, we wanted to illustrate that what the Duprees are able to do in the world was a direct reflection of the impact HBCU’s have in real life.”
EVERYTHING HAS ITS PURPOSE
The EP talked about how purposeful the elements that integrate Banneker into the overall story of Beyond the Gates are including: the Dupree family door knocker that is a lion, the mascot for the fictional university, plus, the upcoming fight song that the cast will sing together on the Monday, October 5 episode, and the painting the hangs at Fairmont Crest.
That portrait of Vernon Dupree’s (Clifton Davis) father, George Cheeks Dupree, that hangs prominently at the country club, was named after CBS executive George Cheeks (now Chairman of TV and Media, Paramount), and as Ducksworth says of the legacy of Vernon’s father, “He was the architect of Fairmont Crest.”
So, are you looking forward to these episodes honoring HBCU traditions with the Dupree and the Richardson clans? What surprises do you think might be in store come next week? Let us know via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Britt Stewart Visibly Upset After Shocking Elimination with Taylor Hanson
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Days Of Our Lives3 days agoREPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
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Beyond the Gates3 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
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General Hospital1 week agoAlley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
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News1 week agoJudith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
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Beyond the Gates7 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
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News1 week agoMatthew Atkinson Reveals New Project ‘Into the Wilderness’
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Beyond the Gates18 hours agoTUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
With the network’s poor performance thus far, Oprah may want to reconsider the “format” she feels “fits” OWN, and take a chance on the soaps. With her recent high profile Sunday evening interviews, I am sure more people now know where OWN is on their cable stations, but I think it will take a lot more than that to pick up the needed ratings. I say bring on the soaps, and boy will there be many happy new viewers.
I think Oprah is looking out not putting the soaps on her network because it doesn’t fit in is that she isn’t seeing it from a fans point of view. Even thought some of the stories are not real life , there are still some stories that are definitely like real life . Just like her helping people to solve their problems. She is entertainingj just like the actors and actress on a soap. She helps people and the soaps also, help people. So why doesn’t she see that the both shows can help people. That is what she wants to accomplish. Please think about it and you’ll see I’m right and alot of the fans will agree . Think of all the scenes that were truea and how they help people going though the same thing and how they learned to handle a situation.
No I’m sorry I don’t find her entertaining at all…She doesn’t compare like the actors or actress on a soap………….Again Im sorry I don’t agree……….She is not a professional in solving problems.She isn’t a dr. She doesn’t have a PHD…It just her own opinion nothing more.. Take her advice with discernment.. Yes she does help people I’ll give you that…But there are professionals out there to solve problems…..I would perfer to ask a professional for advice in solving problems over Oprah any day… I don’t think she is the right person to solve personel private problems… That’s all…….
I think a more traditional approach to programming would help. Acquire something exclusive in the rerun department (not GOLDEN GIRLS, FRASIER, BIG BANG or RAYMOND!) that has some special appeal… acquire something unique lost on other webs (say cancelled daytime dramas)… avoid the trap of making it all about one personality (say the CEO)… steer clear of lame reality shows (avoid the Oxygen model)… work to get better exposure on cable systems…
30 employees…..maybe they’ll find a car under the envelope of their last paycheck. I will never forgive Oprahs uncharitable remarks about the soaps. She could have guaranteed herself a multigenerational audience, instead, she kicked us under the very same curb her 30 employees are now sitting on .
Maybe if Miss Oprah had gotten down off her high horse and put AMC and OLTL on her network instead of shows that stink, she might have some viewers.
I agree with this comment 100%. On 3/20 at 12:57 pm..
This was predicted when Martha Stewart’s show was canceled by Hallmark.
That being said, what comes around, goes around, Oprah, Disney, et al.
By the way, did anyone hear that Disney lost 200 million on John Carter. Perhaps we soap fans ARE sticking together and boycotting after all.
Everyone one has their ups and downs in life, and Oprah is no different. If it wasn’t this, it would of been something else. It’s just a reminder to us that she too, is human. Every business has it’s challenges, the first year of business, and once again, Oprah is no different. Therefore there is no need for the Oprah bashing, “she should have picked up the soaps “, and the recanting of that noise. She has earned the right to make her own dicisions rather we agree with it or not. She has come through for people in life and death situations, and her humanity should not be discounted because she refuse to take on a soap. We dont agree with all the things our friends do, yet we support them ‘ none the same ‘. We don’t agree with everything our children do, yet we support them. And our parents didn’t agree with all our diecisions, yet they supported us. I agree Oprah not picking up the soaps wasn’t the best business decision, yet I still support her. She wasn’t the cause of the axe of the saops. She has done so much good for people and the world that only a selfish, narrow minded, subjective type would hold such trivia against her.
“She has done so much good for people and the world that only a selfish, narrow minded, subjective type would hold such trivia against her.”
Whatever, how much did she pay you to post this?
Do you believe everything Oprah says & does? Do you think she should give people advice on their disturbing problems????????? Do you think she is alway’s right???Yes she does ggod things such as helping people…That’s great… But, is she the authority on evety single subject????????? And I’m not talking about her deceision about the soaps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Would you go to Oprah or a professional doctor for personal disturbing problems?????????Her advice isn’t alway’s the right advice…Could do more harm than good….You should alway’s listen with discernment…She is not a professinal advice giver.. That’s all I have to say on this matter………………..
Rather I believe or not isn’t the subject that is being discussed, bc WHO believes every word anyone says? No one.
Before she declined on picking up the soaps, there seem to be no complaints from soaps fans (whom said they made her) about all her advice giving. Now she’s not doing what “we” want her to do, there is plenty of fault finding by many, when there was nothing but love for her before. That’s like a child throwing a temper tandrum when he doesn’t get his way, and I don’t find it very mature.
I may not agree with her decision, but I respect it and ” it ” in no way impairs her previous deeds.
Thanks for your opinion….But this goes way before .. about 2years ago… Way before her deceision about the soaps I was talking about…Go on her site about her New Age Releigion stuff…Thats were my friends and I have a problem with her………That’s when we stop watching her show on abc…We feel she is sticking her nose in where it doesn’t belong…She doesn’t know what she is talking about when it comes to this particular subject…This what I mean that she shouldn’t give people advice on…We use to be fans…She is a good person…..But on this subject my friends and I have a difficult problem with her advicing people on this…. This is a touchy subject.. Thats all…
She should stick to subjects she is more familiar with………..Thats it.. On to other things: watched GH yesterday , like seeing Rick Springfield, Michael Easton, ETC…………
SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE, OPES, AND PICK UP A SOAP. JUST LIKE NICKELODEON DOES HOT IN CLEVELAND. BRING ALL THE ACTORS BACK AND PRODUCE IT IN NYC. You can even name it after yourself, we don’t care. You’ll be a hero.
Redemption, honey. Redemption shall be yours. Promise.
I agree with the guy from Jersey City……..
I second that.
Haha. She should have taken the soaps when they were offered to her.
That is all I have to say on this subject.
Hey… I know a wonderful show that was averaging 2.5 million plus viewers, 5 days a week… “ONE LIFE TO LIVE” !!!
Yet no network seems to want it.
They just want to put on silly dopey shows…Instead of a claas show like OLTL..
I don’t watch her network and have no suggestions. Interesting, but about a year ago, we were reaching out to her to help save AMC & OLTL and she couldn’t be bothered. Payback is a bitch and she has been slapped!!! All the best to Ms. Winfrey!
She should have welcomed ABC’s cancelled soaps. Karma.
Quote : The soaps do not fit the own channel format (HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM) What is doing now isn’t doing well at all…. I am not interested in any of the programs she puts on her own channel….I looked at what was on her channel one day & there was nothing of interest what so ever.. Not my cup of tea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wonder why her channel is BOMBING????????? Not putting on the right sort of programs viewers would be interested in…Not interested in watching her friend Gail on her cable channel… As i said there is nothing of interest to watch.. Don’t need to watch reality/info/talk shows….Don’t like those kind of shows, they are boring to me. Their not ENTERTAINING… Like other shows that are on abc daytime.. you know what they are!!!!!! I think Oprah should reconsider her deceision about the soaps.. This is my opinion… Maybe it would boost the ratings on her channel & re-hire those workers she let go…I really think the soaps could make the difference for her cable channel..I think they will fit her format after all. She could have had MILLIONS of viewers tuning in to her channel Mon.- Fri. I think she made a big mistake & hasty deceision about the soaps. Saying goes: I told you so………………That is my feelings on this subject…
Oprah made a huge mistake saying no to AMC & OLTL. Just think what an additional 2.5 million viewers each day would have done for her network. Since she said no to the soap fans I don’t care what she airs. I won’t watch OWN.
Read an article on her site and it sais: stay tuned Oprah is about to stage a TCA press tour and face a roomful of critics….. It said her show has had a deep decline in the ratings. Rival channels like Oxygen , WE mostly close the gap(with lifetime remaining in front)………………. I know what could solve this problem “The Soaps.” But it will not happen…But could sure solve her ratings problem on her OWN CHANNEL………
At this point, a test pattern would get better ratings than OWN. If she laid out some of her billions for reruns of, say, SANTA BARBARA or ANOTHER WORLD she’d at least get to the one-million viewer mark.
I’m sorry but I’m with 1loveabcsoaps on that one. I’m not going to take part of the Oprah-bashing on this website. It is not Oprah’s responsability to pick up ABC’s discarded soaps. And nothing proves that the soaps would have succedeed on her network anyway.
Oprah is a wonderful woman and it’s her right to not wanting soaps that were cancelled by another network. If people wants to make fun of her because of her decision, then so be it. But I won’t be part of it. And in case you guys didn’t know, ALL cable networks (not just OWN) refused to pick up the soaps when Prospect Park was shopping them.
@ Heather : ” And in case you guys didn’t know, ALL cable networks (not just OWN) refused to pick up the soaps when Prospect Park was shopping them. ”
Yes, all the cable networks that ” they ” are supporting, and have no qualms with.
Thanks for pointing that out!
Heather: Can you please answer this? This landed in my email as a response to you’re post.
” Boo HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where did you read that ?????????? Sounds like you didn’t want the soaps to suceed on another cable channel….Where did you get the info on that???? Never read anything about that……”
Hi 1loveabcsoaps
It was reported by Deadline that Propsect Park couldn’t find a buyer.
https://www.deadline.com/2011/11/on-the-brink-prospect-park-may-be-forced-to-pull-the-plug-on-oltl-amc/
And I don’t care if some OLTL fanatics wants to believe that I didn’t want the soaps to suceed on a cable channel. Let them believe what they want to believe. Unlike them, I go by the facts, not wishful thinking .
“Unlike them, I go by the facts, not wishful thinking . ”
Heather: I know EXACTLY where you are coming from. This wishful thinking and making up their facts is the ‘most’ on here. I just can’t have a meeting of the minds with folk who think like this. If you’re not willing to look at the facts, than
” WHAT ” do have, wishing thinking! That is one of the reasons I enjoy your post, because U always have supporting evidence, and a objective thinking process.
Thank you!
See what FP posted for the Mar 21st post about Ron Carliviti.
FP: Obviously, the level of discourse on this board has taken quite a nose… “
I feel that the problem is the lack of variety within the programing. Almost all the programs that air are reality shows about life.
PBS has strong ratings because it airs a variety of programming including comedies (Keeping Up Appearances), dramas (Downtown Abbey), news (PBS Newshour), documentaries (Prohibition), and reality programs (Antique Roadshow). If Oprah did something like that and added a bit more variety to her programming, she might be successful.
But as Carolyn Hinsey says, it’s only my opinion.
I don’t like Oprah Winfrey. Oh well, she likes herself enough for all of us.
Get the soaps! Have a “soap block” of time every day-from noon till 3 or 4, or anytime really-whether you revamp AMC & OLTL (I pray to God) and/or rerun shows like Santa Barbara, Another World, GL, ATWT, there should be many choices, people would love this! Oprah would be a hero. Knots Landing, Falconcrest-get some soaps going on OWN. Forget Dr. Phil reruns from 2008. And running the same shows over & over & over. Have a mix, soaps, talk, food, movies!
I can’t dispute that Oprah has done SO MUCH for SO MANY people–if it hadn’t been for her show, I never would have know about Debbie Ford, and Debbie’s first couple books were a life saver for me. That said, Oprah’s comments re: soaps really turned me off. I don’t blame her for not taking in AMC and/or OLTL, but I think she could have worded her rejection of the idea a bit better.
I don’t feel bad for Oprah. Sher got exactly what she deserves! She didn’t want to buy the rights to amc and oltl so alot of fans stayed away from her network. (I know I did) I don’t care how low she stoops to get ratings (ie; Boobie Kristina) she now ruins a tabloid network is how I feel. She turned her back on the MILLIONS of fans who made her. Does she really think she would have achevied the fame she did IF the soaps werent her lead in? I think not! She goes and hires Rosie O’Donnell! After what that woman did on The View did she really think people would be interested in seeing her big mouth on tv again? Well I read she had 150,000 viewers. Oprah said about the soaps if there was money to be made abc would have kept them. Looks as though with thw cancelation of Rosie AND all the layoffs Oprahs not doing so well. 150,000 vs. 2.5 million viewers. I’ve always said what comes around goes around and Oprah this is what happens when you bite the hand that fed you and made you who you are today.
Oprah forgot about the daytime fans who made her what she is today and rich too. The fans giveth and the fans taketh away. Sorry Oprah never watched your network.