News
OWN Orders New Soap Opera To Series!
Big news soap fans! None other than Jamey Giddens (Daytime Confidential) has written and will co-executive produce a new soapy drama for Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network.
The word came via Deadline who announced that Ambitions (working title) is a multigenerational family saga centered around one woman who, having recently relocated and intent on revitalizing her marriage, finds herself going head to head with some of the most powerful and deceitful players in the city.
Ambitions will begin production later this year and will debut on OWN in 2019.
The series will be produced for OWN by Will Packer Media in association with Lionsgate/Debmar-Mercury. Will Packer Media’s Sheila Ducksworth serves as executive producer alongside Packer; writer Jamey Giddens serves as co-executive producer.
So, excited to hear a new soap is on its way, and Giddens has been given the nod as writer and co-EP? Comment below.
I know Jamey has worked hard so kudos to him he will be missed at DC he made me laugh hysterically but he deserves this!
He proved you work hard you can live your dream!!!
Time will tell…the best primetime soap was Peyton Place with Knots Landing a close tie…also liked Dynasty and Dallas-the originals!!!!…did watch Empire for some time but lost interest!!!
Never saw Peyton Place the soap-loved the Movie with Lana Turner. Wish they would re-run Peyton Place-and the other classic soaps. Loved Knots-also Falcon Crest was delightful.
Jim really!! How old sre you?? Lol??? Peyton Place??
Jovin there’s a lot of us old fuddy duddy diehard’s still hanging about. LOL. I was 7 when One Life To Live started and 8 when All My Children began. Our father worked days, our nurse mother worked nights. During the summer it was watch her stories or go outside. I chose the soaps and haven’t looked back. My aunt and uncle used to argue over how true to the novels Peyton Place was. And if you were visiting one of three other aunts you ran the range from ABC to CBS to NBC.
maybe.
Good for Jamey!
And
Good for us!
Do not know where else to post this but we lost a First Lady yesterday Barbara Bush I read President Obamas remarks they were very gracious do you think maybe we might just stop with the hate on both sides just for once and try to come together as a nation their have been many Presidrnts that I have not agreeded with but maybe we might try to just for a day stop the hate. If we do not we are going to be lost as a nation let’s quit yelling at each other and try to find solutions for our many problems. Obama Clinton Bushes even the Trumpster maybe we just might find some common ground for our children and for our nation.
We also lost Harry Anderson-star of 80s sitcom Night Court…
There was another “coincidence” the same time of Barbara Bush’s passing. I wonder, is the universe telling us something? The British were celebrating the 92 birthday of Queen Elizabeth. You may not agree with some of their politics or decisions, but here were two women about the same age, both having grace, dignity, love for their family and country, and having adapted to changes throughout their lives. You won’t see many of their kind again.
Thought I should add re the comment ” You won’t see many of their kind again.” With Barbara and the Queen I meant persons like them that were brought into the public/political arena by circumstance or lineage who became good role models. But I’m sure many of us have those in our own lives to whom we can say the same things. I know I can. But wonder how they would adapt to many of the changes if they were here now. Hard enough for us who are here now. Sometimes a lot of culture shock here in micro seconds.
It is Not a soap opera,,
It is simply another series with a continuing story which is the same as all the other tv series with a continuing story all considered to be soapy by continuation.
* OWN is not a big enough network to create and maintain a soap opera.
A soap airs daily– – series air once weekly with a set amount of episodes per season.
IF, OWN could maintain a daily soap it would have taken on AMC or OLTL that came with a huge ready to go following (and still has its’ audience)
”Ambition” is simply another tv series with a continuing story..
((and by description, it sounds like ‘eeehhh’ ..
Anyways– good luck with it .. 🙂
su0000, simply, you’ve nailed it!
In your remarks here and the remarks below regarding the current status of soap boards…
No! Not all soap operas air daily… Primetime Soaps have been around for quite sometime and were even featured in SOD in their heyday! That being said this does sound more like a soapy continuing drama NOT a Soap Opera! The fact that the network even stops short of calling it a soap speaks volumes!
I hope Oprah knows what she’s doing and that Jamey Giddens is a much better writer and producer than he is a co-host of Daytime Confidential’s podcast. I always support Oprah and her network though so will give it a chance despite the often obnoxious, aggressive, talk-over-your-cohosts petty critiques I have heard from Jamey on DC in the past. I have heard enough of his podcasts to know the ideas he pitched on there were not my taste. They were often of the Carlavati-inspired school of soap.
Wow, congrats to Jamey Giddens. That’s probably why he’s not as active in Daytime Confidential lately.
hi James ..
All the soap boards are failing..
We, checked out the soap boards this weekend, a look-see to check out the situations
All were quite absent from posters and enthusiasm.
The big posting board around the corner is the same old speak..
It’s referred to as – Groupthink .
Same people posting their carbon copy remarks, it seems to be the same group, mainly for the past decades.
Even here, my favourite place ..
It used to be updated 3 times a day, now once every 1-2 days, usually.
Why??
there is no new news to get excited over to generate controversy ..
It used to be that 150- 200 (at times) posts, in threads here now 50 is a big deal..
Some boards have instant posting other boards have a delay to get to moderaters, yet they all are way-way way below posts they once were.
It seems, Jamey Giddens, has a lot more time these days to do other projects..
Hi Su- I am thinking the reason things here are not updated so often is Fairman is busy with launching his new site, plus the emmys nest weekend is a huge amount of work and planning-and often he is involved in the production end of the program. I don’t know what the big posting board around the corner is?
This is my favorite place-the scoops are always 100 per cent true and accurate and way sick of those sites that put out totally false or misleading soap news or lure you in with clickbait titles and then nothing. Hate that. I do enjoy twitter- can quickly scan through a lot of info and respond right away if desired.
Hi Phyllis, I totally agree with you
Im hoping we get some veterans fromOLTL and or AMC/GL. Also, kinda of hoping for a priest! I know, a bit weird but love the idea of havinf somebody know all the secrest via confession!
Thanks, Oprah.
No.Winfrey stated that ‘there is no money in soap operas’ when she was previously asked to produce the now defunct One Life to Live and All My Children.
Yep; that was my first thought!
I can’t take on another soap, but good luck!
Good for him can’t wait and i’m sure Jamey will be casting some of our daytime faves
It is Not a soap opera unless it airs 5 days a week.
If it is a once a week then it’s simply another ‘continuing series’
A real genuine soap opera, it will not be.
but- it’s worth a look-see..
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
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