News
Paul Rauch weighs in on soaps troubled waters & OLTL's cancellation!

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One of the all-time magicians of the daytime genre, Paul Rauch discussed the plight of the soaps and the end of his beloved One Life to Live with TV Guide Canada in a new feature from Nelson Branco. Rauch, who recently left The Young and the Restless as co-executive producer is widely known for his tremendous producing skills as head honcho at Another World, Guiding Light, and of course, One Life to Live.
During the TVG interview, Rauch gave his thoughts on how his protege Frank Valentini (EP, OLTL) is handling the news of the series ending. In addition, Rauch reveals his thoughts as the daytime landscape is all but washed away, and where many wrong turns were made within the industry over the last few decades. Here are a few excerpts!
Rauch on how Valentini handled the news of the cancellation of OLTL: “He was devastated. I think he particularly believed ABC would keep the show on the air because One Life was doing such a good job [creatively and staying under budget]. He thought business as usual would continue. He was knocked out by the news. Frank will do a terrific job from now until the end of the show. No doubt about it. And my guess? I think their numbers will improve.”
Rauch on if he thinks that now that two soaps have been canceled, if those viewers will in turn start to watch the four remaining soaps: “I don’t know. People are so engrained in their own habits, so I don’t see that necessarily. I like sports, but if I don’t have football or baseball on, I’m not going to turn to hockey and basketball because I don’t like hockey and basketball. I’m not sure if that’s the benchmark or not, but I don’t know if viewers will turn to another story. I think fans might be angry – and not watch any soaps [because why invest]?”
Rauch on the way Oprah Winfrey delivered her message to soap fans that her OWN network, would not pick up AMC and OLTL: “She took the air as the decider when she said we’ll never do it. Unfortunately, she didn’t say, ‘My network can’t support an expensive model like soap operas.’ Essentially, she said, ‘soaps are done.’ I think it was a gratuitous point of view. The question posed by fans was: would your network be interested in [absorbing] AMC and One Life? What she should have said was: ‘We’re a branded network and we can’t afford a quarter to a million dollars a week to produce a show, but we can produce other shows for much less.’ That’s what her statement should’ve been instead of, ‘soaps are dead.’”
News
B&B Alum Lisa Yamada in Production on New Film, ‘My Boyfriend Is A Demon’
On recent episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful, Dylan (Sydney Bullock) gave herself and the audience quite a scare when it seemed like Luna had popped out from behind the clothing rack and revealed herself to be alive. Only it was a fakeout to B&B viewers, when it turned out not to be Luna, but Remy Pryce (Christian Weissmann) donning a long black wig.
However, there is news about the actress who played the real Luna, Lisa Yamada. The Daytime Emmy winner is busy shooting another film role and this time the movie is already in production,
Yamada is part of the ensemble cast of My Boyfriend Is A Demon that also features notable and newcomers including: Mattias Ferrell (A Very Jonas Christmas Movie), Bailey Sloan (Ragamuffin), Jack Champion (Avatar), Ever Anderson (Peter Pan & Wendy), Vinnie Hacker (Euphoria), Josephine Reitman, David Arquette (Scream), Rosanna Arquette (The Moment), Coco Arquette (Cougar Town), Savannah Lee Smith (Tinsel Town), and Ty Law (Friday Night Lights).

Photo: LYamadaIG
My Boyfriend Is A Demon is written and directed by mishka. In the story, Mary, a lonely, small-town girl who, in an effort to gain the acceptance and friendship of her peers, creates a ‘finsta’ account for a nonexistent, seemingly perfect guy, appearing to be her boyfriend. After apparently manifesting a little too hard, her new beau suddenly shows up at her door. The film is executive produced by Verdi Productions. Ketchup Entertainment and Kinolime.
In a statement, Verdi Productions’ President, Chad A. Verdi, shared with Deadline, “This cast is a perfect balance of veterans from major studio franchises such as Scream and Avatar alongside exciting emerging talent poised to become the next generation of movie stars. mishka’s script connects with young audiences in a way that feels fresh, authentic, and culturally relevant. From the cast to the department heads, there’s been a real sense of fearlessness and creative energy throughout production — the kind of collaboration you always hope to find on a film like this.”
If and when Luna ever returns to The Bold and the Beautiful alive and well remains to be seen. But. as discussed in Michael Fairman TV’s recent interview with Yamada on the red carpet at the BBTV app launch party, Lisa will soon be seen in this summer’s highly-anticipated Prime Video Legally Blonde prequel Elle. Lisa touted My Boyfriend Is a Demon on her Instagram Story.
So, intrigued to see Lisa in My Boyfriend Is A Demon when it’s released? Do you think at some point soon, Luna will for sure pop up and be alive and well and planning revenge on the Spencers and Dylan? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
Anthony Geary’s Husband, Claudio Gama, Shares Remembrance of How Much the ‘General Hospital’ Legend Loved Working with Erika Slezak
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been five months since the passing of General Hospital icon and eight-time Daytime Emmy winning actor, Anthony Geary. Since the news of Tony’s passing at the age of 78, broke last December 14, 2025, tributes have poured in from Geary’s co-stars, and GH even honored the incredible legacy of Luke Spencer on a special episode where the characters take a moment to remember him.
On-screen, Luke had died in 2022. Geary retired from the soap in 2015, to spend his life full-time in Amsterdam with his husband, Claudio Gama and only made one other brief appearance in 2017 to usher off Jane Elliot, who at that time was leaving as Tracy Quartermaine.
Gama, has continued to provide memories of his beloved husband over the past many months as he continues to mourn his loss. Now, with it being the 5-month mark since Tony’s death, Claudio took to his Instagram to share how Tony felt about his leading ladies, and in particular, in this post, six-time Daytime Emmy winner, and One Life to Live icon, Erika Slezak (ex-Viki).

Photo: ABC
It was back in 2010 that then ABC Daytime launched the What If series which featured crossover vignettes or mini-stories which crossed a character from one soap in their daytime line-up with a character from another soap. And of course, the one that every one waited for was to see Erika and Tony act together for the first time.
In fact, after Geary’s passing and as previously reported, Erika Slezak shared a statement, on her official website, Erika expressed, “I am so terribly saddened by the death of Tony Geary. He was a charming man, a brilliant actor and all together a very nice man. I send my sincerest condolences to his husband Claudio, and I will keep him in my prayers. We had such fun together when we did the What If crossover promotions in 2010. I thoroughly enjoyed him and loved watching him on television.”
LUKE SPENCER AND VICTORIA LORD MEET
In his new post, Gama wrote: “It has been exactly six months since you left to be up there, where the stars shine for eternity. I miss you so much every day. I miss your smile, your warm hugs that wrapped me in love. Rest in peace, my love. Max and I miss you and will always love you. Greetings to everyone from Amsterdam — it’s a holiday here today, Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension Day). I’m going to do a little work, then head back home to Max and continue sorting through more videos and photos. So many tears, but also so many beautiful memories, and those keep me going. Have a safe and healthy week”
Claudio then added, “Tony always loved Erika Slezak, a truly classy lady. As Tony would say about all the talented ladies he worked with, he was always a gentleman. I was just told it is 5 months actually but it feels like a long time.”
With that, as you can see in the Instagram post below, Claudio posted the What If Luke Spencer crossed paths with Victoria Lord, as they get stuck in an elevator together. Check that out, followed by the What If Series Promo. The What If series was the brainchild of current General Hospital executive producer, Frank Valentini.
Now let us know, what did you think about Claudio’s heartfelt message missing his husband, Tony? Did you love seeing Tony and Erika together in the What If series? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
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Dancing with the Stars
ABC/Disney Upfronts: ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Season 35 Adds ‘Savannah Bananas’ Jackson Olson, ‘The Bachelor’ Franchise Spin-Offs Not on Fall Schedule
On Tuesday, May 12 at the ABC/Disney Upfronts, there were several headlines coming out of it for the upcoming 2026-2027 television and streaming season.
First, Savannah Bananas second baseman Jackson Olson will be taking some swings on the ballroom dance floor when he joins other celebrities already locked in for Dancing with the Stars season 34.
Olson will join already confirmed reality stars: Maura Higgins (The Traitors and Love Island) and Ciara Miller (Summer House). The full cast list and their pro partners will be announced on September 2nd.

Photo: SavannahBananasIG
SAVANNAH BANANAS COME TO DISNEY+
The news of Olson who has also become a social media influencer, comes out of the Disney upfront that also revealed that Disney+ will become the exclusive home of the Banana Bowl streaming live this October, hence the tie-in.
The Banana Bowl will feature the top teams in the Banana Ball league facing off for the season championship. Known for blending athleticism with entertainment, the game will include one of the biggest performances the league has ever seen, bringing together all six teams, along with its signature on-field showmanship.
NO BACHELOR FRANCHISE THIS FALL
Meanwhile, ABC revealed that a new season for the troubled The Bachelor franchise offshoots is not on the fall schedule where they usual place: The Bachelorette, The Golden Bachelor or Golden Bachelortte are no where to be found. This is the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic that there will be no Bachelor-branded series on ABC’s fall schedule.

Photo: ABC
The Bachelor will return as usual in the midseason in 2027, Grant Ellis was the lead as the man looking for love and vying for a woman’s heart in 2025.
All this, amid the turmoil surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette being pulled and currently never seeing the light of day after the domestic violence surfaced with her throwing a chair towards the direction of her child, while she got into a melee with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.
Ari Goldman, SVP, Content Strategy and Scheduling said of removing The Bachelor from the new season ABC lineup, “We’ve had to take a look at just managing the franchise properly. These shows have enormous fan bases, and we were so thrilled the year that we were able to launch Golden Bachelor and have it stand out in that fall season the way that it did. But I think that the usual cadence that we like to find ourselves in is really the flagship series in midseason and then having some summer edition, which we have already locked in on Bachelor of Paradise for next season. So this is more of a return to a steady state on the franchise.”
So, what do you think about Jackson Olson from the Savannah Bananas joining the new season of Dancing with the Stars? Do you like how the show is making efforts to cast social media influencers and talents with a mass number of followers to draw eyeballs to the reality-competition series? Meanwhile, are you for or against even The Bachelor coming back in 2027, or do you think its time to rest the entire concept all of its spin-offs for good? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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Still extremely sad about my shows. I will never watch abc after the last oltl airs. I totally agree with Mr Rauch about the way Noprah answered us. If she would have said it the way that he suggested, I would not have been mad. Now I am so angry and I hope OWN tanks.
“noprah”?
Can you be anymore immature. If wishing for someone else to fail because they are unwilling to go in debt to save something that can’t be saved, then maybe its a good thing we will eventually see the soap business gone. People need to grow up.
After her message to the soap fans, I haven’t watched her show since. What goes around comes around and cancellation may come to her OWN Network as well.