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!
Breaking News
Anne Heche in Her Final TV Performance to Air on ‘All Rise’
It is hard to believe that now one year later, television fans will see the final performance of Daytime Emmy winner, Anne Heche (ex-Vicky/Marley, Another World). The talented actress passed away from injuries sustained in a car crash back on August 5th, 2022.
Heche was officially declared ‘brain dead’ on August 12th, when her reps shared that Anne was “peacefully taken off life support.” Before she passed, Anne taped what would be her final TV acting appearance in her recurring role on the legal drama, All Rise.
The series formerly with CBS and now airing on OWN, will air Heche’s last performance this Saturday, September 30th at 9pm ET/8 pm CT. On All Rise, Heche plays lawyer Corrine Cuthbert. Since season 2, Heche has taken on the recurring role. She appeared in six episodes.
Photo: JPI
In story, Corrine has had a fraught professional relationship with Judge Lola Carmichael played by Simone Missick. For her final appearance, Heche’s Corrine shows up as part of a trial case.
All Rise dedicated the episode to Heche. As the hour comes to its conclusion, they express: “In Memory of Anne Heche, Our Friend and Wonderful Artist. You Are Missed.”
After this, Heche will star posthumously in the independent movie feature Wildfire: The Legend of the Cherokee Ghost Horse, slated for release in November.
Will you be watching Anne’s final television performance on All Rise? Share your thoughts via the comment section below. But first, check out a teaser for the episode which also features former Y&R star, Wilson Bethel who stars on the legal drama as Mark Callan.
Judge Lola is not the one to mess with and she is making that very clear! #AllRise pic.twitter.com/IBbJrPLCUK
— All Rise (@AllRiseOWN) September 28, 2023
News
Y&R’s Jess Walton On Why Mamie Irks Jill As Feud Reignites: “It’s Mamie’s Arrogance and How Much She Enjoyed Stepping on Jill’s Toes All These Years”
On recent episodes of The Young and the Restless, viewers learned that Mamie Johnson (Veronica Redd) is back and is actually the new secret investor in Chancellor-Winters.
Mamie told Nate (Sean Dominic) that she is looking forward to watching Jill’s (Jess Walton) head explode when it is finally revealed. Those remarks date back to Jill and Mamie’s longstanding feud and history; when Mamie was the Abbott family housekeeper, and both women had relationships with the late John Abbott (Jerry Douglas).
This current story will feature Jess Walton in an arc that pits her against Veronica Redd, and should delight longtime Y&R viewers who have loved the often catty remarks and fireworks between Jill and Mamie.
Photo: JPI
In the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands now, Jess Walton spoke about why Jill has such an issue with Mamie. The Daytime Emmy-winning star expressed, “It’s Mamie’s arrogance and how much she enjoyed stepping on Jill’s toes all of these years. Mamie had always been judging Jill who in turn just hated the influence Mamie had with John. When Jill was married to him, she never felt welcome in her own home.”
Photo: JPI
Walton went on to say on this new storyline development: “As far as she (Jill) is concerned that disrespect is continuing because Mamie bought into Chancellor-Winters without letting Jill know.”
Y&R fans can look forward to more of Jess on-screen in the next few months as she informed SOD, she will be taping scenes in October and November on the top-rated soap opera.
Photo: JPI
When all is said and done, Jess shared that her Genoa City alter-ego is very clear on just how Mamie gets under her skin: “Mamie was always so damn sanctimonious and hollier-than-thou and that always pissed Jill off. Mamie still knows how to really push Jill’s buttons.”
Check out the flashback scenes below featuring Veronica Redd and Jess Walton that were part of this week’s episodes of Y&R; where Mamie is revealed to be a now major investor in Chancellor-Winters.
Now let us know, are you looking forward to seeing the sparks fly between Jill and Mamie in the coming weeks? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives Star Brandon Barash and Wife Isabella Devoto Welcome Baby Boy
Congratulations are in order to Days of our Lives‘ Brandon Barash (Stefan) and his wife, Isabella Devoto. The couple welcomed their first child together, a son, named Joaquin Lee Barash.
Taking to his Instagram account on Thursday, Barash revealed little Joaquin was actually born back on September 15th.
Brandon shared three adorable photos of the newest addition to his family accompanied by the words: “Joaquin Lee Barash arrived on the planet on 9.15.23. A mighty name for a mighty boy…to honor my (departed but never gone) father, Jerry Lee Barash, as well as my wife’s Hispanic heritage. We. Are. Smitten…and forever changed. Through your birth, lil man, we are reborn. Our family is mightier, our ocean of love runs deeper and more fierce. School’s back in session.”
Photo: BBarashIG
The actor also shares a daughter, Harper,9, with his ex, GH’s Kirsten Storms (Maxie). Harper is pictured in one of the snaps with her baby brother. You can see them below.
Isabella and Brandon tied the knot back in December of 2022.
@NIKKIRYANPHOTOGRAPHY & @MCCALLMEDIAMANAGEMENT
Share your well-wishes to Brandon, Isabella, Harper and little Joaquin via the comment section.
View this post on Instagram
GENERAL HOSPITAL: ‘Sprina’ in New York Part Two: Trina and Spencer Make Love
Anne Heche in Her Final TV Performance to Air on ‘All Rise’
OLTL and GH Alum Kristen Alderson Reveals Pregnancy
Y&R’s Jess Walton On Why Mamie Irks Jill As Feud Reignites: “It’s Mamie’s Arrogance and How Much She Enjoyed Stepping on Jill’s Toes All These Years”
Days of our Lives Star Brandon Barash and Wife Isabella Devoto Welcome Baby Boy
Kristen Vaganos Is New Molly Recast on General Hospital
Hayley Erin Talks On Her Second Chance to Return to The Young and the Restless
Rena Sofer on Her General Hospital Comeback as Lois Cerullo: “She’s Still Loud and She’s Still Mouthy”
Tricia Cast Returning to The Young and the Restless
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Alex Learns He’s Victor’s Son While Xander Learns He’s the Father of Sarah’s Baby
GENERAL HOSPITAL: ‘Sprina’ in New York Part Two: Trina and Spencer Make Love
Anne Heche in Her Final TV Performance to Air on ‘All Rise’
Y&R’s Jess Walton On Why Mamie Irks Jill As Feud Reignites: “It’s Mamie’s Arrogance and How Much She Enjoyed Stepping on Jill’s Toes All These Years”
AEW DYNAMITE: Adam Cole Announces Injury Requiring Surgery; The Devil Mask and Assailants Beat Down Jay White
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Charity Lawson, Jason Mraz & Ariana Madix Early Frontrunners After Season 32 Premiere
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NewsSeptember 20, 2023Mark Grossman’s Mom to Appear on The Young and the Restless
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General HospitalSeptember 27, 2023Kristen Vaganos Is New Molly Recast on General Hospital
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NewsSeptember 25, 2023Hayley Erin Talks On Her Second Chance to Return to The Young and the Restless
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General HospitalSeptember 28, 2023Rena Sofer on Her General Hospital Comeback as Lois Cerullo: “She’s Still Loud and She’s Still Mouthy”
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NewsSeptember 21, 2023Michael Corbett Returns to The Bold and the Beautiful
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NewsSeptember 27, 2023Tricia Cast Returning to The Young and the Restless
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 with. Why in the HELL are they ALL tied to each other??? That is just dumb, and point blank — RACIST!
And, furthermore, I just LOVE how you said, “ENOUGH of the black talk!” If I were talking about the gay storylines, would you have DARED to type, “ENOUGH with the GAY talk!” I’m willing to bet NOT. Somehow, people think they can FLAT OUT tell you to table the race relations talk, but the GAY talk — oh, everyone should be on board! How dare anyone say ANYTHING against the gays, but hey, we’re tired of hearing about the lack of blacks with a DECENT storyline on this show, so that should be disregarded. So, you want us to be pro-gays, but ANTI-BLACK INTERRACIAL ROMANCE right? Gimme a break, dude!
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 here and they dont bitch about stories. If they did and I had an opinion I would voice it. One of my favorite characters is Lucas. He gets VERY little screen time and I also enjoy Brad. You here nothing about them. Be patient and quit being so angry. HUG SOMEONE TODAY!
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 “a lot of races STILL date and marry within their own race” — well, both Ms. Dungey AND her sister, Merrin, have chosen to marry white men. Soooooooo, I’m going to intelligently surmise that Ms. Dungey is ALL FOR black women/white men interracial romance on screen — since, after all, it’s not as ethereal and complicated as you may believe.
Here’s to hoping that she makes MANY positive changes on GH!
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 the gay couple and their talk with Jesus. Its not our place to judge! I simply want better stories on my soaps, black, white, yellow or gay. Amen Trophy Lady?
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 primetime TV.