News
Paul Lee Steps Down As ABC's Entertainment President: Channing Dungey Named As Successor!
Courtesy/ABC
A report from the New York Times on Wednesday first broke the news that ABC Entertainment President Paul Lee, who found such hit series, as How to Get Away with Murder and Scandal has stepped down, or more than likely been forced out from the company after a power struggle with high-ranking executive.
That executive would be Ben Sherwood, the Chairman of the Disney/ABC Television Group. ABC has since confirmed the news. Lee had been the ABC Entertainment President for the last three years. However, Ben Sherwood became Paul Lee’s boss early last year and has used ABC’s soft standing in the overall ratings race to make a case inside Disney for a management shake-up at the network.
Lee has been a supporter of the one daytime drama series left on the network, General Hospital. Longtime ABC development executive Channing Dungey has assumed Lee’s role. She now becomes the first African-American person to head programming at a major broadcast network. Dungey will now report directly to Sherwood.
Courtesy/ABC
In a statement from Sherwood on Dungey’s new position with ABC, he expressed: “Channing is a gifted leader and a proven magnet for top creative talent, with an impressive record of developing compelling, breakthrough programming that resonates with viewers. We thank Paul for his many accomplishments at ABC and his devotion to the ABC brand, and we wish him continued success in the future.”
ABC has been languishing in the ratings, which makes the case for their to be a change at the top. Of the major networks, it’s down the most, year-to-year, shedding 9 percent among adults 18-49 to an average 2.0 rating. It’s down 12 percent among total viewers, its average primetime audience down to 7.2 million viewers. In fact, just one night prior to the news of Lee’s exit, ABC ranked last on the broadcast networks — trailing even the CW and Fox with an anemic 0.8 rating in the key demo.
So, what do you think of the network shake-up at the top of ABC? Do you think ABC made the right move in forcing Lee out? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Guiding Light
30 ‘Guiding Light’ Stars Set for Virtual ‘Daytime Stars and Strikes’ Benefit for Autism Society of America
Circle, Sunday, October 10th when 30 stars from the beloved Guiding Light are set to participate in the the 17th Annual Daytime Stars and Strikes virtual charity event for Autism, live on You Tube’s The Locher Room.
The four-hour livestream begins at 2:00 pm ET/11am PST. The event will be co-hosted by Guiding Light’s Liz Keifer (Blake Marler), Jerry verDorn (Ross Marler), and Michael O’Leary (Rick Bauer) along with Alan Locher.
Courtesy/theLocherRoom
Joining the foursome to help raise funds and awareness for the Autism Society of America are the following former Guiding Light cast members who are scheduled to appear including: Grant Aleksander, John Bolger, Jeff Branson, Bryan Buffinton, Jean Carol, Beth Chamberlin, Crystal Chappell, Jan Conklin, Ritchie Coster, Kassie DePaiva, Mark Derwin, Frank Dicopoulos, Aubrey Dollar, Beth Ehlers, Nicole Forester, Stephanie Gatschet, Ricky Paull Goldin, Melissa Hayden, Rick Hearst, Rebecca Hollen, Mart Hulswit, Crystal Hunt, Maeve Kinkead, Jessica Leccia, Fran Myers, Robert Newman, Sonia Satra, Tina Sloan, Rebecca Staab, Nancy St. Alban, Paul Anthony Stewart, Kimberley Simms, Michelle Ray Smith, Krista Tesreau, Gina Tognoni, Jordi Vilasuso, Michael Woods and Kim Zimmer.
You can watch the livestream here. And to donate, and further information on the organization, click here.
So, excited to see this array of talent from Springfield come together to help raise awareness and needed funds for the Austism Society of America? Comment below.
Dancing with the Stars
Cheryl Burke Tests Positive for COVID-19 Ahead of Tonight’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’
Dancing with the Stars’ Cheryl Burke announced via an emotional Instagram video on her account on Sunday that she was not feeling well, and tested positive for Covid-19. Burke had been vaccinated and is another breakthrough Covid case. Burke had been fully vaccinated via Moderna.
Burke’s diagnosis means that she must quarantine for the next ten days and will miss tonight’s second episode of the new season of the ballroom-dance competition series. She has been partnered with Pelonton’s Cody Rigsby.
Photo: ABC
How will Burke’s departure affect Rigsby in terms of the competition? ABC says it will address it on Monday’s night’s show. However Good Morning America” reported that Rigsby has been tested for COVID-19, and if he comes back negative he will perform with an alternate pro dancer.
It is now also most certain that Burke will miss next week’s show as well.
In her post, Cheryl shared to her fans she was on her way to get a Covid test, then she shared after getting tested: “I am positive which means I have Covid.”
She went on to say, “It’s so overwhelming because it’s Sunday and the show’s tomorrow. I figured I should let you guys know since I’ve been as open and as a real and as vulnerable as I could be here. I just hope I didn’t spread it. For those of you who don’t think COVID is a real thing, it’s f–king real, dude.”
The pro dancer also related how upset she was to let her celebrity partner, Cody Rigsby, down by having to exit the show for now.
So, what do you think about Burke’s exit from the series and her emotional message? You can watch it below. Then, share your thoughts via the comment section.
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General Hospital
Nancy Lee Grahn Debuted 25 Years Ago Today as General Hospital’s Alexis Davis
30 ‘Guiding Light’ Stars Set for Virtual ‘Daytime Stars and Strikes’ Benefit for Autism Society of America
Cheryl Burke Tests Positive for COVID-19 Ahead of Tonight’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’
Nancy Lee Grahn Debuted 25 Years Ago Today as General Hospital’s Alexis Davis
Erika Slezak Shares More on Her Role in Hallmark’s ‘Next Stop, Christmas’ and Its Premiere Date
‘The View’s’ Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro Test Positive for COVID-19; Asked to Leave Studio Ahead Of V.P. Kamala Harris Interview
B&B’s Kimberlin Brown and Tanner Novlan Talk on Sheila’s Motherly Love for Finn and the Next Move Against Steffy & the Forresters
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Becomes Possessed … Again!
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Comes Home as Jason and Carly Begin Their Wedding Night
Beloved Soap Stars Left Out of 2021 Primetime Emmy Broadcast In-Memoriam Tribute
TONIGHT: 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards on CBS
Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Comes Home as Jason and Carly Begin Their Wedding Night
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Nina He Knows Exactly Who He Is; Jason & Carly’s Wedding Comes to an Explosive Conclusion
Beloved Soap Stars Left Out of 2021 Primetime Emmy Broadcast In-Memoriam Tribute
Erika Slezak Shares More on Her Role in Hallmark’s ‘Next Stop, Christmas’ and Its Premiere Date
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Becomes Possessed … Again!
‘The View’s’ Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro Test Positive for COVID-19; Asked to Leave Studio Ahead Of V.P. Kamala Harris Interview
Nancy Lee Grahn Debuted 25 Years Ago Today as General Hospital’s Alexis Davis
30 ‘Guiding Light’ Stars Set for Virtual ‘Daytime Stars and Strikes’ Benefit for Autism Society of America
B&B’s Kimberlin Brown and Tanner Novlan Talk on Sheila’s Motherly Love for Finn and the Next Move Against Steffy & the Forresters
B&B’s Kimberlin Brown and Tanner Novlan Talk on Sheila’s Motherly Love for Finn and the Next Move Against Steffy & the Forresters
Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
Days of our Lives Revisits ‘The Possession Storyline’ This Fall
‘The Talk’ Unveils Its Season 12 Premiere Promo with its New Host Line-Up
WATCH: Kimberly McCullough Reunite and Visit with Maurice Benard on ‘State of Mind’
B&B’s EP and Head Writer, Brad Bell, On Bringing Back Sheila Carter
‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’ Drops Trailer; Announces Charles Shaughnessy and Jackie Cox Cast Additions
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Sheila’s Going To Make Sure She Has Jack & Finn Right Where She Wants Them
Carrie Ann Inaba Officially Departs ‘The Talk’
THIS SATURDAY: Jen Lilley, Ryan Paevey and Linda Dano in Hallmark’s ‘A Little Daytime Drama’
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Days Of Our LivesSeptember 18, 2021Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
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General HospitalSeptember 21, 2021GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Comes Home as Jason and Carly Begin Their Wedding Night
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General HospitalSeptember 18, 2021GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Nina He Knows Exactly Who He Is; Jason & Carly’s Wedding Comes to an Explosive Conclusion
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All My ChildrenSeptember 20, 2021Beloved Soap Stars Left Out of 2021 Primetime Emmy Broadcast In-Memoriam Tribute
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NewsSeptember 24, 2021Erika Slezak Shares More on Her Role in Hallmark’s ‘Next Stop, Christmas’ and Its Premiere Date
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Days Of Our LivesSeptember 22, 2021DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Becomes Possessed … Again!
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Breaking NewsSeptember 24, 2021‘The View’s’ Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro Test Positive for COVID-19; Asked to Leave Studio Ahead Of V.P. Kamala Harris Interview
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General HospitalSeptember 26, 2021Nancy Lee Grahn Debuted 25 Years Ago Today as General Hospital’s Alexis Davis
Lee supported GH. We dont know how this women feels about soaps. Until she makes a statement its hard to give an opinion. My feeling is she could give a rats azz about GH or she may just be the one to cut the fat and hire decent actors who belong on GH!
ABC Entertainment President Paul Lee seemed to like soaps..
His ABC primetime biggies were soaps;
Revenge, How to Get Away With Murder, Scandal etc etc..
His replacement ‘Channing ‘ by her photo is quite young..
Truth be told, younger people do not like soaps, and she most likely has never been a fan, no matter what she says..
Su…Paul Lee just turned fifty, Channing Dungey’s YOUNGER sister, an actress, is 45. So…she’s probably close to 50 give or take. Since she’s a woman, thougj I’m not sure if thaf will have a bearing, she may be able to tap into the dying embers of the soap genre…fingers crossed.
hi rebecca1..
wow! she looks so much younger than 50ish.. I sat her photo as early 30’s …
I think your right, she is not the typical demo to like or support soaps. BTW, I dont think young people dislike soaps, I think that one, there are not many on TV and they usually dont make the news and two, way too many other options for todays youth.
I’m guessing this puts the nail in the last ABC soap.
ABC will now cancel GH, they want out of the soap business.
Happy to see my ABC boycott is paying off 😉
Yes me too, Karma is a bitch ABC.
I’m very glad know that others are still avoiding programming on the alphabet network. From the numbers quoted in this article, a lot of others are avoiding their trash. It couldn’t happen to a more deserving company.
The first thing that came to my mind when I read this was Bette Davis in ‘All About Eve’…”fasten your safety belts, it’s going to be a bumpy night.” I would substitute “ride” for “night.”
Another thing is that it’s ironic Paul Lee got caught up in what I have to assume was very serious politics at ABC, not unlike ‘Scandal.’ I have to assume no dead bodies in this case though.
Brian Frons could be dead, or in hiding. If I find the sob, I will send Sheila Carter after him LOL. I will gladly help Sheila to tie him up, and torture him lmao.
You will need to go above Frons, he was doing what he was told to do and got a 3 million dollar bonus for doing so..
Disney is pushing to get rid of the soaps. He was just their hatchet man.
Perhaps the new head loved OLTL‼️ Maybe we’ll get it back. MB mom of 3 I have been boycotting ABC as well. They don’t mess with my soaps
I hope you are right Melissa. How I crave our beloved One Life to Live.
I honestly don’t miss ABC. I do DVR and watch GH, but that’s it. I will always miss OLTL.
Not happy at all on this. Wish someone would take General Hospital to another channel like POP 273.
They ABC cancel all the soaps that were on 262 SoapNet which Disney now own. And at least I have them there to watch no more now.
We need someone the can help our soaps.
Thank for listening
hi Judy Ann..
POP is a rerun network, they do not produce soaps POP reruns them..
ABC has extension cable for years to place GH on, but that will never happen..
It is ABC daytime or not at all 🙁
ABC development executive Channing Dungey may well be very good for GH as Entertainment President…
In 3 months time, we will most likely know..
Well we still have Vicky and she is our Daytime Exec, and she supports GH
Hopefully she too will support ABC’s lone soap. As far as prime time goes ABC needs to do something. they were lagging behind the CW on Tuesday nights. Hopefully she will leave GH alone and focus on prime time
Bye….GH……most likely more talk trash…food non-sense….or KarTRASHian crap.
More lifestyle and FOOD tv?! So tired of that. Calgon/ABC’s GH take me away from 50 ways to make Kale Salad!
Congratulations to Ms. Dungey! I’m looking forward to her positive impact on ABC, including ABC Daytime. We have no reason to believe that she won’t support GH. Furthermore, as she is a black woman, I am hopeful that she oversees and insists that there are more fully fleshed out black actresses/characters added to the GH canvas! They are in DESPERATE NEED of QUALITY black women on General Hospital!
ENOUGH of the black talk! Did you see GH this past Friday? 3/4 of the show focused on Jordan, Valerie, Dr. Maddox , Curtis and T.J. WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT?
Well, I don’t like your tone — so I’d appreciate you being a bit more polite, just for starters. But, since you asked what I want, I’m more than happy to tell you. If you’d have paid attention (which you seem to imply, yet you’re asking what I want — so that means you really didn’t pay attention), you’d know that I don’t agree with ALL of the black people on the GH canvas being involved with each other. THAT MAKES NO SENSE!!! There are more than enough white people in Port Chuck for the four black people to interact… Read more »
My TONE is vital in getting your attention and I got it! I simply pointed out how many blacks were on screen this past Friday. I mentioned nothing about couples and relationships! A lot of races STILL date and marry within their own race. BUT LISTEN, There is nothing wrong with interracial coupling. T.J. and Molly are cute and I really miss Shawn Butler and dug him and Alexis together. Lastly, PLEASE do not use the term “Racist” when replying to me! I love all people and hope for happiness! PS: “Gay Talk?” There are a lot of gay posters… Read more »
Sweetie, you make me chuckle. I think that’s what got the attention that you so desired — not your tone. But I do thank you for toning it down because you did appear a bit irate. “Be patient” — well, that’s the same thing that black people ROUTINELY heard throughout the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. Should they have listened, and remained “patient?” What time frame would you have given them for their “patience?” Again, you make me chuckle. Not sure if it’s truly ignorance on your part, or just something else altogether. And, as for your comment that… Read more »
I am not going to get into a debate over civil rights on a soap site. However, I do think it is healthy to talk to one another. NOTHING will ever get accomplished if society continues to yell at one another. Your original post mentioned race. It is STILL a hot button topic in 2016. Please listen, I am for love and happiness. I dont care about the color of skin. A happy couple is all that should matter. I dont care about the sex of a partner. People site the bible over this issue. Fine, its a matter of… Read more »
She’s going to try and prove herself ,probably got her list in motion.
was not surprised about this. ABC’s ratings have been bad. some of their primetime shows have been dismal. let’s hope she cares about soaps and get rid of Varni
I’m guessing this means NASHVILLE will finally get cancelled…
Welcome back to GH JJ?
I really believe they need to focus on primetime. ABC Daytime may not be great, but it’s doing it’s thing. The last time they attempted an overhaul of their daytime programming they mucked it up royally. Primetime is where the large part of the money is made and spent. That said, I still won’t watch. ABC is dead to me with the exception of GH. I would hate to see this iconic show go, but if it did I would never have a reason to tune into ABC again. Again, I don’t miss it. CW is where its at for… Read more »