Days Of Our Lives
RATINGS: Y&R and B&B Gain Total Viewers, While GH and DAYS Slip!
The ratings are out for the week of March 7th to 11th and the number one and two daytime dramas: The Young and the Restless (+66,000) and The Bold and the Beautiful (+63,000), both gained in total viewer average for their week, while General Hospital (-40,000) and Days of our Lives ((-45,000) found themselves in the loss column in viewers.
However in the key demos, Y&R and B&B tied their lows in the 18-49 ratings share. On the flip side, B&B was also the only soap to gain viewers in the category. DAYS tied their all-time low in the 18-34 ratings share. In story for the ratings week, Y&R focused on Victor’s (Eric Braeden) arrest and the fallout from it. On B&B, Caroline (Linsey Godfrey) gave birth to her baby with Ridge (Thorsten Kaye), but the bio-dad is actually Thomas (Pierson Fode), and Quinn (Rena Sofer) gave Liam “proof” of Adam and Eve’s past together to further keep him under her thumb.
Courtesy/CBS
On GH, Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Carly (Laura Wright)came to an understanding after taking a hard look at their relationship, Tracy (Jane Elliot)visited the Quartermaine crypt before having a seisure, and Griffin (Matt Cohen) was following Anna (Finola Hughes).
Days of our Lives featured the beginning of Chad (Billy Flynn) and Abigail’s (Kate Mansi) wedding, and in turn Abigail learning Ben (Rob Scott Wilson) is on the loose, plus Marlena (Deidre Hall) and Arianne being kidnapped which then sends John (Drake Hogestyn) and Eduardo (A Martinez) to the rescue with dire consequences. You can view the entire ratings picture via SON here.
Numbers are based on Live+Same Day ratings
(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)
Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,763,000 (+66,000/-71,000)
2. B&B 3,585,000 (+63,000/+84,000)
3. GH 2,898,000 (-40,000/+78,000)
4. DAYS 2,294,000 (-45,000/+34,000)
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Chandler Massey Chats On His Bittersweet Daytime Emmy Nomination
He’s won three Daytime Emmys in the Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series three years in row in 2012, 2013 and 2014, and now Chandler Massey is going for gold for the second time in his career in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series which in a field where he is competing with two co-stars from Days of our Lives among others.
Massey has long been a stand out performer, giving nuanced and emotional portrayals in the angst-ridden life of Will Horton and the love of his life, Sonny Kiriakis (Freddie Smith).
Back in February of this year, DAYS fans learned that Chandler and Freddie had taped their last episodes, and since the NBC soap tapes more than 6 months ahead of air, that the two will still be on the air into the fall. That has made this moment of recognition for Massey all the more poignant.
Michael Fairman TV talked with Chandler to get his reaction to the news that he is once again a Daytime Emmy nominee, and here’s what he had to say about it all.
Photo: JPI
I thought it was great that you received another Emmy nomination. What do you think?
CHANDLER: Yeah. I thought it was pretty great too, actually. I was surprised. I wasn’t keeping up on when they were announcing the nominations. I was thrilled that Wally (Kurth) and Paul (Telfer) also got nominated too in the same category. So, hopefully, DAYS, has a decent shot to take it home.
What did you end up submitting that ultimately landed you the nomination?
CHANDLER: I went with some scenes that aired on December 16th of last year (I just looked that up), where Will basically breaks up with Sonny when Sonny comes to visit him in prison. I liked those because they were sort of subtle. I just found myself drawn in when I watched it, and it wasn’t big or dramatic, but it felt like two real people sharing their pain. So, that’s why I chose it.
Photo: JPI
I remember those. Those were heartbreaking because he had to get Sonny to let him go.
CHANDLER: Yes. He said he has a new prison boyfriend, and that he’s doing really well in prison, so he doesn’t want to be tied down. (Laughs)
You’ve had Freddie Smith as your scene partner for so much of your run on DAYS. What did he give you in those scenes that helped you, or even further enabled the performance that you gave?
CHANDLER: Freddie always gives everything. He is a consummate professional, so he really commits every time. I think it is more that we are just so comfortable with each other that we are not afraid, and that there is no hesitation between the two of us, so we just are able to do the work. We usually know we are there to listen to, and support each other. in the scenes.
Photo: NATAS
Was your entire submission from the prison scenes or did you include something else?
CHANDLER: It was just that. I know I could have included something else, but I like to keep it sort of short because I feel like as a judge, I know within a few minutes. It’s not that I get bored, but it really only takes a scene or two, and then, you’re like, “this is something special.” You can recognize it pretty quickly.
So, you have won three Daytime Emmys. This is your first nomination in a few years, right?
CHANDLER: Yeah, I didn’t get nominated the year before. I had a gap year… to my family’s great shame. (Laughs) They were not pleased with me.
Photo: JPI
This is your second nomination in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
CHANDLER: Yes. I was nominated in ‘Supporting’ for the first time when I came back to DAYS, and then submitted for “Lead” the next year, didn’t get nominated, and then went back to ‘Supporting’. I learned my place. I went back to ‘Supporting’ for this year. (Laughs)
It’s such a game though, right? .
CHANDLER: Yeah, you’ve got to be smart. I just thought, “What the heck?” Freddie and I were like, “Maybe there’s a shot that if we pick different categories, we can both get nominated,” but then, after that didn’t work, I said, “Screw that… going back to ‘Supporting”
Now, you’ve been through Emmy night before, and this is obviously going to be a virtual Emmy’s. Now, if they did a six-shot of all of the nominees, what would you wear? Would you be dressed up? Would you be casual? What would you see yourself doing?
CHANDLER: That’s a good question. I think maybe… I’ll do a little of both. I’ll go the middle ground. I’ll be in my finest bathrobe, a silk bathrobe so it’s casual but also still sort of fancy.
There you go. (Laughs) Is this nomination all the more special for you in that you are no longer working at DAYS?
CHANDLER: Oh, totally. Every year is special, but you know, I’m not on the show anymore, so it’s a nice reminder that the work that I did had an effect on people, and it won’t be forgotten for at least a few more hours.
Photo: JPI
I saw the fan outcry and show of support for you and Freddie, when viewers got wind that you were exiting the series. It was sad and heartwarming at the same time. The WilSon fans are so behind you guys.
CHANDLER: Yeah, if only they knew what horrible people that we were in real life, then they wouldn’t be this way, but thankfully… (Laughs) Yeah, it’s really nice, but it is sad. I started in 2009, and that was over 10 years ago, and nothing lasts forever. I had a really, really great run, and so did Freddie. I am very satisfied and don’t feel jipped, or like, I was entitled to anything more than I got.
Courtesy/NBC
Obviously, your co-nominees, Wally and Paul you worked with many times. What can you say about them?
CHANDLER: I think that both men deserve definitely to get second and third place. (Laughs) I have known Wally for a while now. I love him. I think his work is phenomenal. I think he is really, really underrated. Paul, I don’t know as well, but I think obviously his work speaks for himself. If only he were physically attractive, I think that would really, really help his career.
Photo: JPI
I know, it’s a shame.
CHANDLER: Unfortunately, he is kind of schleppy, you know? (Laughs)
Photo: JPI
Did Freddie reach out to you after you received the nomination?
CHANDLER: Oh yes, he sent a text congratulating me, and we talked about it. It was nice. I feel like our stories are so intertwined, the scenes we submit are mostly with each other. So, it’s really kind of a shared accolade.
So, will you be rooting for Chandler to cap off his career on DAYS with an Emmy win on June 26th during the virtual ceremony on CBS? What did you think of the nominated scenes he submitted? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS New Summer Promo Reveals The Returns of Jay Kenneth Johnson and Louise Sorel
Exciting new storylines, weddings and some bombshell returns will liven up Salem during the summer months according to the new promo for Days of our Lives released over the weekend.
Look for the return of Claire (Olivia Rose Keegan), the debut of Gwen (Emily O’Brien), and the SORAS’d Allie Horton, plus some more familiar faces that people have missed in town.
Back in action will be Jay Kenneth Johnson as Phillip Kiriakis, Louise Sorel resuming her signature role of Vivian Alamain, Bryan Dattilo as Lucas Horton and the one and only Alison Sweeney as Sami.
Then look out for four weddings from Ben and Ciara, Eric and Nicole, Kayla and Justin, Eli and Lani, but who will actually say their “I-do’s”?
It’s a jam-packed summer of original episodes from DAYS; the only soap still delivering new installments to its fans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Check out the preview below. Then let us know, who are you most excited about seeing back on the canvas via the comment section!
Breaking News
Former Y&R Star, Emily O’Brien Set to Debut On Days of our Lives
You loved her as Jana Hawkes on The Young and the Restless, and now daytime soap fans will get to see actress Emily O’Brien again, when she premieres in her new role as Gwen on the NBC daytime drama, Days of our Lives.
According to Soap Opera Digest, O’Brien is set to hit our screens on the upcoming June 5th episode.
As fans of Y&R know, Emily played crazy Jana, who was involved with Kevin Fisher (Greg Rikaart) from 2006-2011, and there were many twists and turns in their dark romantic storyline.
In the current issue of SOD on newsstands now, DAYS head writer, Ron Carlivati had previewed that Gwen is introduced as Jake’s (Brandon Barash) ex-girlfriend.
So, excited to see Emily on DAYS? Comment below.
DAYS Chandler Massey Chats On His Bittersweet Daytime Emmy Nomination
DAYS New Summer Promo Reveals The Returns of Jay Kenneth Johnson and Louise Sorel
Mark Derwin, Melissa Hayden and More to Reunite for Upcoming Guiding Light Virtual Reunion
Eva LaRue Talks On Her Daytime Emmy Nomination, And Opens Up About The Loss Of John Callahan
ATWT and ‘Vampire Diaries’ Alum, Zach Roerig Arrested For DUI
Y&R’s Tracey E. Bregman and Kimberlin Brown Pelzer Talk the Iconic Battles of Lauren & Sheila
All My Children Reunion with Josh Duhamel, Ricky Paull Goldin, Cameron Mathison and More; Later Debbi Morgan Live
Next Y&R and B&B Theme Weeks Announced
Michael Swan and Margaret Reed Set For ATWT Reunion
Former Y&R Star, Emily O’Brien Set to Debut On Days of our Lives
DAYS Chandler Massey Chats On His Bittersweet Daytime Emmy Nomination
GH’s Steve Burton and Maurice Benard Deliver “The Power Performance of the Week”
Eva LaRue Talks On Her Daytime Emmy Nomination, And Opens Up About The Loss Of John Callahan
TODAY: General Hospital Rebroadcasts Masterful 52nd Anniversary Episode
Justin Deas, Beth Ehlers & Company Set For Guiding Light Cooper Family Reunion
Former Y&R Star, Emily O’Brien Set to Debut On Days of our Lives
B&B’s Annika Noelle Chats On Her First Daytime Emmy Nomination For Hope’s Emotional Journey Back to Beth
All My Children Weeklong Virtual Reunions Kick-Off With Ripa, Consuelos, LaRue and Penny
Next Y&R and B&B Theme Weeks Announced
All My Children Reunion with Josh Duhamel, Ricky Paull Goldin, Cameron Mathison and More; Later Debbi Morgan Live
Y&R Alum Max Ehrich Big Smooch with Demi Lovato in Arianna Grande & Justin Bieber’s New Music Video ‘Stuck With You’
Soap Vet Debbi Morgan’s Emotional Words On How COVID-19 Has Affected the Black Community
WATCH: ‘Venice the Series’ Gregory Zarian Talk Daytime Emmy Pre-Nom, Bullying & Staying Safe During COVID-19
Tony Geary Opens Up About His Iconic Role as GH’s Luke Spencer on Nancy Lee Grahn’s ‘Soaps In Quarantine’
Soap Stars & Jake Gyllenhaal In All-New Episode of Tonight Show’s ‘The Longest Days of our Lives’
WATCH: Nancy Lee Grahn’s Birthday Celebration Replay With Her Drive-By GH Friends & Co-Stars
Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong Continues To Lobby To Be On Y&R & We’d Be All For It
Brandon Barash On His DAYS Return: “The Reveal Is Going To Be Fun!” But, Who Will He Ultimately Be ?
FRIDAY ON Y&R: Paul and Christine’s Honeymoon Circa 1996
ABC and PEOPLE Announce ‘The Story of Soaps’ Two-Hour Prime-Time Television Event
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Days Of Our LivesMay 30, 2020DAYS Chandler Massey Chats On His Bittersweet Daytime Emmy Nomination
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General HospitalMay 24, 2020GH’s Steve Burton and Maurice Benard Deliver “The Power Performance of the Week”
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All My ChildrenMay 29, 2020Eva LaRue Talks On Her Daytime Emmy Nomination, And Opens Up About The Loss Of John Callahan
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General HospitalMay 22, 2020TODAY: General Hospital Rebroadcasts Masterful 52nd Anniversary Episode
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Breaking NewsMay 22, 2020Justin Deas, Beth Ehlers & Company Set For Guiding Light Cooper Family Reunion
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Breaking NewsMay 27, 2020Former Y&R Star, Emily O’Brien Set to Debut On Days of our Lives
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InterviewsMay 26, 2020B&B’s Annika Noelle Chats On Her First Daytime Emmy Nomination For Hope’s Emotional Journey Back to Beth
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All My ChildrenMay 26, 2020All My Children Weeklong Virtual Reunions Kick-Off With Ripa, Consuelos, LaRue and Penny
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I wonder if pre-emptying GH on March 11 for Nancy Reagan’s funeral affected the lower week’s ratings for GH…it had one less day?
Oops..pre-empted
If anything not having a Friday episode to count helped GH. Fridays are almost always the lowest rated day.
Interesting Matilda. Because Friday’s can leave us with a Cliff hanger for Monday, especially around sweeps.
P.S…Plus, it was the day for the Griffin/Anna “first” reveal. And like a lot of other commenters, I figure there’s more twits and turns with Griffin. I just hope he stays a good guy.
@Rose…Per your “Val” comments to me further down the page: I do concur that this character got a raw deal when it came to the writing she was afforded….one minute she was a long-lost member of a beloved legacy family and then immediately thereafter, she became the “Scarlet Lettered” predator of Port Charles’ most reliably faithful married man who was a relative, no less. But having said that, I never found the casting of this role to be well-done, either. You had someone who was obviously very green being given highly dramatic material which she handled with noticeable difficulty, not to mention, to put it as kindly as possible, a rather unlikely choice for being part of the Spencer clan, with absolutely no further explanation provided. All of these factors combined for a very confusing and unsatisfying introduction to the GH canvas for yet another newbie.
Hi Shay… I think you are right about a newbie being thrown in the fire, so to speak, at a very “critical” time in the Fluke story. And up to now they never have explained her parentage. You’ve probably noted over the speculation of some she may have a bit of Q because of the affair Edward had with Mary Mae Ward. On of those leftover loose ends. As long as she’s still on the canvas, I don’t mind that they are trying to salvage her now…just keep Dante out of it.
And that’s exactly the problem, Rose….whenever a newbie hits town, there is endless speculation about their heritage, and there are very few examples where we actually get a definitive answer—except maybe for Griffin???—mainly, because, I believe, that the writers possess no explanations….they don’t have a clear plan for most of these characters…they are made up as they go along due to the fact they were created upon a whim to provide a role for the latest soap opera refugee get, or perhaps due to what I have long suspected has been a network agenda to increase representation of certain demographics(?) and that’s all that matters….adding the right bodies to the canvas, logic be damned, even when another avenue would better serve the program and its storytelling. Since you mentioned it, I’ll go with this Val example….the heart and soul of her existence is owed to the endearing presence of Patricia, who truly made her mark during her brief appearance in the Fluke drama….I realize it was probably not realistic to expect that someone of Dee Wallace’s caliber would have been kept for a lengthy duration, but, oh my, she was truly fine! Her stay should have been extended for at least a few months to really explore her own backstory and give her daughter an identity, but no, she was killed off almost immediately, and we were awkwardly left with her orphan?) with no purpose other than to wreck her cousin’s marriage. Who could have thought that was a good idea???? It would have been a recipe for disaster for even an accomplished performer, since there was basically little goodwill for this character or actress…..just because they said she was a Spencer wasn’t enough of a reason, and then she almost instantly became a ready and willing partner in Dante’s dastardly infidelity….for a newbie to soaps it was an impossible position in which to be inserted, and from my perspective, all the backtracking and tinkering with this character is now too little, too late….I simply do not like her….period. Furthermore, in retrospect, I think it would have been a far better idea to snag that talented actress who played young Patricia to also have been cast as her lookalike daughter….she was absolutely amazing, and made so much of those brief moments she had onscreen to receive rave reviews….how her immense talent could not have been spotted before that story unwound is beyond me……I still would not have approved of the cheating scenario, but she probably could have made it seem more of a sympathetic, emotionally tortured attraction and less of a selfish, headstrong seduction with no thought for the family that was about to be torn asunder, which was the impression I was left with during that whole ungodly mess. Finally, I agree that I hope Dante is done and dusted with this character, but the damage has already taken its toll upon the both of them. I’ll never look at him (or her, given her part in that adulterous… Read more »
GH is in big trouble and struggling..
Jean & Shelly are not the correct writers for GH ..
GH’s trademark is high drama, intense drama, suspenseful mysteries..
And I being one of GH’s most enthusiastic fans, well I no longer enjoy GH..
It is not just me… I work with many GH fans, some even men..
We see each other in break etc and of course we always mention our GH, and only one, just one likes this horribly dull stale GH..
GH has always been out of the tradition soap box..
GH was unique because it was not as the other soaps..
It was a huge mistake to kill the soul of GH and trash it down to below average everyday soap as the others..
GH needs to be GH, once again ..
The uneventful couples having long conversation that go nowhere, the lackluster love in the afternoon has been a fail and very lame.
There has not been one great notable story of intense intrigue in 6 months, not one.
(( I need to write Guza and beg him to un-retire and save GH, give GH it’s soul back and once a month put me on the edge from wondering whodunit or who’s going to be the next one thrown into pile of drama and the adventure of finding the way out , in one piece.
bring back ron callivarti , he knows how to write .
Hi gail..
Better yet..
Bring in the team of Guza and Carlivati <- now, that's General Hospital .. !!!
Only if he works under Bob Guza….
Yass, please!
would nice to see anthony geary on special occaisions
Well it’s still in the positive from last year, so I have to disagree that it’s in “big trouble”.
I totally agree. The show is too normal. Where is the action/adventure, intrigue and suspense? Why can’t they add a writer from the mid 80’s to come back to the team?
General Hospital
GH is really boring, so I get it. They bring Dr. SexyPecs on board, but only show him sporadically. When will TIIC get that no one cares about Spermy, his b*** and his spawn?
Days too gloomy=John’s father a snooze…he reminds me of an old nestuke figurine i once owned-lol-the writers didnt have to make him evil…Marlena and the baby kidnapped…John and Paul kidnapped…too much murder and kidnapping…Ciara drunk-they could use that scene in acting school for bad acting…Summer story doesnt work for me-Maggie already has two daughters they could had written for…Days has some good moments but not enough…GH has too many bad characters running free and that Lomax/Olivia storyline is horrible-poorly written-still too much mob…best part is more focus on the hospital…both of these soap ok but if i miss an episode i really havent missed a thing….Y&R stays focused on its two core families-the Newmans and Abbots and has been that way for over 30 years-thats why it remains number one plus not so much gloominess, not any mob, and keeps its vets front and center!
Great post, Jim.
OK–odd–I wrote more than “Great post, Jim.”
I spoke of how I wrote another long and well thought out post about why I think GH is plummeting in ratings and how that post never showed up. It does feel rather rotten to go to a lot of trouble to write an insightful post only not to see it show up.
What is going on here? You censor posts which were not in violation of any standards and then you edit posts which speak of that censorship.
I doubt you will post this but please prove me wrong.
You are losing me as a reader and as a commentator.
Harry
Do not leave! You are one of a small handful of posters that I seek to read! Should you depart, I will send you my email so we can communicate about Y and R!
Boy, Harry. Do I ever know what you mean, below!!!!…i know exactly what you’re talking about, and how you feel.
“I” have had posts… that did not make the cut
I’ve started saving some of them… in my own file… should I feel that strongly … and need to repost… and… ??? like a film.. edit… “My” reel
???
kinda cuts some times
TRUTH
My days and GH are once again…. waning
I’m watching to keep up
DAYS … LORD GOD give Ryan Quan a skillset to mind DOOL
GH… give these ladies chutzpa to write out of the box… stimulate
Passion.. after all these decades… I love the longtimers
@Harry…..We’ve all been there, some many more times than others! (Really, you have NO idea, but it’s a comfort to know I’m not alone!) I cannot tell you how often I’ve replied to you to no avail….ditto for Timmm, jimh, Fanny and of course, CeeCee!!!! LOL.
@Patrick…..I have long kept my own file of previous posts, so I can review the failed ones to try to figure out what I did that led to their rejection….sometimes a mere rephrasing of a sentiment can do the trick for a reposting, but most frequently, I’d say it’s the “what” more than the “how” that gets me in trouble!
Great points, Jim! Particularly with regard to the endless GH mob storylines… Regarding your final comments, I compare GH with Y&R. I was always annoyed that GH rarely used (and then discarded) the wonderful actress Rachel Ames, whereas on another network, Y&R was thriving (at #1) while it gave continuous frontburner storyline to Jeanne Cooper. Y&R has always respected (and utilized) its veterans, whereas GH has been horribly pathetic in that regard…
WTH? ”endless mob storylines”’.. I would love to have just one mob story!!!!!
fact is;
GH hasn’t had any real Mobster’s since Guza..
GH use to have a dozen actual mobsters in the cast; now Sonny is it, one guy..
GH hasn’t had mob STORIES since Guza..
GH has been free of any mob STORY’S action since Guza and 1st year RC..
Mob ”incidents” are not even close to an actual mob story..
I want the mob !!! ,, I want the mob !!!
( there are mob short scenes but never a story..
Yes…i hated how they treated Rachel Ames …like the late great Jeanne Cooper Rachel was and still is a daytime legend…just like Valerie Starret!
James…you (also) make great points!!!!! Oh…as far as I’m concerned…bullets, gangsters, mob-like stuff, murder, shootings…sadly, this is N-O-T the GH that I remember from long ago. Beyond sad.
Take care, Brother.
P-e-a-c-e.
I hear you, jimh! The last handful of GH episodes pretty much illustrates exactly why the ratings are down….just consider that to which we were treated(?): the obnoxious breastfeeding brouhaha, narly Nina in all of her contrived busywork glory running a past-its-prime, pointless publication that’s not even remotely worth saving, the nauseating Alexis, Julian and her unappealing brood with their puke-inducing personal dramas, the ever mobbed-up Sonny, Carly, Ava and their related, redundant family issues, plus the additional drudgery featuring unnecessary newbie characters like Val, Curtis, Hayden and Jordan. Hardly the romance and adventure for which this show was once renowned. Other than Anna and Griffin’s superbly-executed emotional scenes, Epiphany’s little chat with Liz and Obrecht and Franco’s fun, but far-too-brief, encounter, there was nothing of any interest or substance to speak of. (Even Sam and Jason’s long-awaited reunion fell flat, thanks to the glacial pace of his regaining his memory.) There are enough other major storylines which reference the soap’s great history upon which to focus….Helena’s postmortem(?) mirthful hijinks with Laura, Lulu, and Liz, Tracy’s illness, Griffin’s paternity backstory and hopefully, Michael Easton’s debut, which, with some luck, will connect to characters of yesteryear. Enough with all of the other waste of time and space fillers which seem to constitute at least 75% of GH each week. Oh, and as @maddiehayes so cannily observed, a return engagement for Robert Scorpio would most definitely not go amiss either!!!! He has more charm and charisma than most of the current cast combined!
Love this post…so well said…totally agree 100%…if they would get rid of Valerie , Nina, and a few others they could sign Tristian Rogers to a contract and i would start tuning in daily again!
Hi Shay…I know Val is touchy-touchy with a lot of viewers. But one thing I will say in the character’s defense, whether you like her or not. A lot of that goes onto the writers. After Fluke (thank goodness that’s over), and with Val’s mom dying, they wrote her into an impossible, negative story that no one liked. It could have been a chance to add to a GH legacy family. And none of the other Spencer family members showed support like Bobbie, Carly…they were missing in action.
“Boobgate” is horrible. I was embarrassed to watch two adult actresses fighting over a phone and the fight was super lame! I imagine that this comes up from time to time in real life because this world is unbalanced but is it really a front burner issue? NO! The Crimson story is horrible. I guess if your paying me lots of money and I have two kids to raise I’ll say the lines written on the page but Michelle Stafford has to be embarrassed? After all the bubbles have popped in the bathtub, what do we do with Alexis and Julian? Apparently not much! Alexis is chirping at Dianne and Julian is falling into Ava’s dark, dark world AGAIN! The Jason story is just as big of a letdown as Fluke! I remember in the 80’s there would be a story set up and then a super couple would set out on an adventure and others would join and it was so exciting. Helena’s recent will would have worked well in the 80’s but what they did in 2016 did not excite me at all. NONE of the “Mysteries” sound intriguing. I’m sure Genie is getting paid well but her time on GH again has been WASTED!
Thanks, Jim! Amen to your “legend” remark regarding Cooper, Ames, and Starrett! (You knew I would like that!)
After rewatching a few clips with her a short time ago i just fell in love with Starrett…i remember her before as a waitress when i watched the show with my grandmother…i was also a fan of her replacement Brooke Bundy who allso appeared on Days where i enjoyed her before she went to GH and i had seen her on many tv shows since the 60s too but the more i watch Starrett on those old clips i kind of wish they had kept her now and never killed off Diana…Brooke could had played her sister Beth Maynard instead!!!
Jim, thanks for your further discussion of Valerie Starrett. Also, I like your suggestion of enlisting Brooke Bundy to play Beth…
As I have stated at this site and shared with you (perhaps in nauseating detail), she will always be my favorite daytime actress. She was a terrific actress as well as beautiful and popular. Fans were outraged when she was let go in 1977, but this was a time long before the Internet… The love story of Peter and Diana Maynard Taylor was captivating. They were star-crossed lovers who faced many obstacles in their quest to be together. They simply don’t write such long-term love stories like that anymore, which is really a shame. It’s almost frightening how well I can remember certain storylines (and scenes) from 40-48 years ago, including, as you mention, when Starrett first appeared on GH as a waitress (and you watched with your grandmother then). At my age, I am forgetting so much, but these wonderful times with GH are etched in my brain vividly. Thanks again, Jim, for reminiscing with me…
I dont find that frightening at all…its simply having a good memory and thats great…im like that with certain soaps…i also experienced the loss of a favorite actress on a soap…me and fans were outraged when Jackie Courtney was let go and replaced as Alice Mathews on Another World after 11 years with the show…she was an original cast member…like Peter and Diana Steve and Alice faced many obstacles in their relationship…Rachel Davis was a constant thorn in their side…she wanted Steve and had a child by him…both Jackie and George Reinholt who played Steve were fired from the show…Steve was killed off and Jackie was replaced by Susan Harney-luckily i got to like Susan who resembled Jackie and she did a fine job but i still hated that they fired the show’s most popular leading couple…40 years later and im still not over it-lol
Thank you, jimh! I think it’s safe to say that most, if not all, of us naysayers that frequent these GH threads with our regular critiques would be absolutely delighted were it to be the case that we felt compelled to rejoin the show for viewing on a daily, can’t miss, basis!!!! I would definitely love to see Robert Scorpio back as a Port Charles regular….that single addition, along with a lessening reliance upon newbies that don’t embellish the long-standing fabric of the show, could very well prove the magic antidote to cure what ails GH.
I think you might be right about Hamilton Finn and his connection to David Hamiliton…i think he might want revenge on Laura…maybe its part of Helene’s plan for her…but he will probably fall in love with Laura instead-not sure if they have any chemistry-ill see…thats if it turns out that way…by mistake i watched GH today…that whole courtroom drama about breastfeeding and the women removing their tops..makes me dislike Nina even more-cant stand her…i dont see why Alexis had to expose herself-she already shows too much in the courtroom….that was sooooooo lame…some boob must have written that!!!!
@jimh…..As for Hamilton Finn???? I hope there is a very intriguing backstory for Michael Easton’s latest character…..going back to Laura’s early years on GH would certainly provide that! At any rate, I enjoyed my first glimpse of Mr. Finn….along with his scaly sidekick!!!!
Jim, just a quick response here… I’m glad I am not the only one with great memories when it comes to early soap-watching days! And, yes, we both were burned as viewers of our respective shows when the show in question chose to let go of one of its most popular actresses: Starrett and Courtney, respectively. I had heard about AW’s Steve and Alice having the same kind of relationship as did GH’s Peter and Diana. I thought of a couple of other such couples: GH’s Steve and Audrey and ATWT’s Dan and Kim. I’m sure other long-term viewers could come up with more examples. But that type of storytelling, wherein the viewer went on the journey with the characters and rooted for the characters, that was FANTASTIC!! It reeled me in, kept me viewing, and etched these cherished memories into my mind at a young age.
I am the same way with my music, but that’s a story for another time… Take care.
The rating system needs an overhaul b/c I follow a lot of soap chats and GH was rocking it with Sonny n Carly
IMO, Y&R is good soap right now. B&B should take a hint that this triangle storyline with Baby Forrester is the kind of soapy conflict that could generate story for alot of characters and shake things up. Seeing happy families where nothing happens except for more smiles and kisses and handshakes is dull. Let the secret of the baby’s parentage come out and create arguments, passion, anger, and changes. There needs to be more rivalries, more risk, more fear, more challenges. Even if B&B ultimately decides that Ridge will be the father, the fact that he’s keeping the possibility that Thomas is the dad should cause alot of ripples, and if Caroline could break with Ridge and say that Thomas should know that he could be the father, it would be alot more interesting than the smilefest we have going on now.
As for Days, the current crop of stories are terrible. I never wanted to see Maggie have yet another surprise child, and Summer is a drip so far. The fact that Days ignores the children whom we know actually exist, like Sarah and Melissa, offends me. Then we have the silliness of John needing to find his father, and while Tobin Bell is a good actor and seems to be a nice guy (from Twitter), his casting is not the biggest “get” I could think of. Ciara’s rape was unnecessary. She’s dealing with losing loved ones, including her dad, her step-father was a killer, and her mom is keeping secret that she killed a man in cold blood, and Ciara knows something is up with her mom. Her cousin Joey just killed someone, while her uncle has been arrested for the crime. Why add sexual assault to the mix? It’s too much, and alot of it isn’t remotely believable.
not surprised about DAYS low numbers. the show is too dark
With GH it seems that TPTB hint about great storylines, even show small teasers that make you really want to watch the show. You tune in and it just falls flat. We continue to bring back the veteran actors like Michael Easton and Wally Kurth because they know that fans will tune in for their favorites. Yet we also keep casting for new people. New people who aren’t even really on enough to gain a good fan following. I know many will say that if you don’t like the show stop watching, but I think it is really hard to give up on a show after you have been watching it for so long. I really hope that TPTB see these trends and try to really look at these things seriously. I really don’t think we need another “CHEW” type story brought back. It will be interesting to see what Michael Easton does for ratings over time. I am not talking about just his premiere week. I think they need to gain viewers and keep them if they want to feel like something is going right.
In the last few years with all the casting we have seen little of really great acting and more of models who want to be actors . Models who can’t find the truth or emotion in their character if it bit them in the ass. In 2014 they cast Robb Derringer who is a really great actor, but with the whole recast bullshit they basically killed any chance Sloane would of ever had in PC. I still find it funny that he has more history now on PC, than he did when he was alive. Anthony Montgomery is also a really great actor, who doesn’t get a lot of air time, but also has a lot of acting experience. Lastly Matt Cohen is a really great actor, but again he has lots of acting experience and took this role so that he could go home to his family everyday. See the trend here. I think even if the storylines sucked we would be happy to tune in for some really great acting. Lately some of these characters just seem like filler.
There are too many characters on the canvas and it results in superficial stories with no impact, too many stories to follow in a coherent way, and as Layla has said, a bunch of cheap-to-hire actors who can’t act.
FV must be the cheapest executive producer in daytime. Otherwise what does he offer? He can’t tell a story with any depth or drama whatsoever, he has no talent for using his funds effectively, he has no business acumen, and he gets duped into poor hiring decisions time and time again. Maybe he is Bob Iger’s secret illegitimate son.
“…it is really hard to give up on a show after you have been watching it for so long ”
it’s a captive audience… and it smarts… that GH doesn’t think… that i’m a nielson worthy enough number
“… New people who aren’t even really on enough to gain a good fan following. ”
newbie or recasts… need to be tied to a core veteran character… then… they’d utilize core character
I can’t imagine what Robb Derringer … who wanted a job.. lauded and pressed GH… and was unceremoniously fired ! he had all the attributes necessary to sweep Anna off her feet.. and to no avail… WRONG!
it think it’s quite clear… to fan outcry… that Jean And Shelley .. since; September, 2015
7 months later… have had plenty of time to flesh out and consider the canvas as a whole… and should know
should know; the strengths and weaknesses
were they told, by the higher ups… ; TPTB
the end all and be all
must be;
Sonny and Carly
Jason and Sam
Juilian and Alexis
LOL
see you on the other side of CARE
there are still things of keen interest
1. Kristina…. explore your triggers
2. Julian and Nina… the Crimson monthly feature has become embarrassing… obvious … that someone is fixing… the circulation and means to an end… Nina! FIGHT… grab his cajones and he’ll not wilt
4. Claudette… Nathan and Maxie struggle and … Maxie.. he’s still got some oomph outside of his drop dead gorgeous
5. Liz is on hiatus… GH ! how dare you! multi- year extension… SHE’s your best
6. Roger Howarth has an inroad to character smash! Franco IS w/ Liz
7. Tracy is not faltering… but gathering her whole means and eyes onlookers
8. Laura is tired of candy bars… her latent dreams come hither and she charges head on…
GH… do NOT ! even go their… and render Liz… backburner with her sons… however SORAS….
9. Liz and Griffin… HOT Feast
10. Liz and FRanco… HOT welcome… oy argh about time taking my blinders off
11. Liz and don’t waste our time… Jason is soiled with dull Sam… in equal measure.. they are done… Liz full steam ahead… Jason languishes and regret
you’ve simply got to get Jason… with his full memory BACK.. and in house with the Quartermaine… salvage this show… Sam is a waste of time. so is Carly
Correction ” before having a seizure”
GH has no romance or adventure. That was its claim to fame. Now its claim to fame is mob, mob and more mob. Right now the only thing that I can think of that would make me watch again is Robert Scorpio. As for DAYS, it’s doing better in the romance department, they had a nice wedding for Chad&Abby .. I was pleasantly surprised, because I thought for sure Ben would ruin it all! DAYS is making use of its vets and giving them storylines. Bored with Summer, though.
The rise in viewers for “Y & R” was quite meager (66K) but still manages to be the only soap down compared to last year. It’s about time, but viewers are slowly catching on to HW Chuck Pratt’s lame, plot-driven stories and the demos speak for themselves.
It’s not going to get any better until a change is made….
Watching General Hospital, my sentimental favorite, is like watching a ferris wheel when it gets stuck and the people on it are left dangling but going nowhere. It pains me to see great actors like Michelle Stafford and Billy Miller trapped in silly or boring roles with no compelling story. The sublime actresses in the breastfeeding story had their characters written as irrational airheads – hardly a fitting backdrop to a serious women’s issue. The magazine story is as inane as it is pointless. I was embarrassed to be watching this. GH has the best cast in daytime. It’s sometimes painful watching them try to make something out of terrible material. The writing is awful, especially the dialogue. I continue to watch out of loyalty and habit but I am not enjoying it very much. Long live GH!
Yeah, the breast feeding story was a perfect example of EVERY.THING that is wrong with GH. Superficial story with minimal emotional draw. FV’s need to go out and hire a big name to come in. Starts one day, then nothing for weeks, then picks up again when most of us could not care less. Not one element within it that gives viewers back story, ties in with another sub-story, doesn’t develop any information that ties into a larget arc. Just another vignette for a few of the cast that is meaningless in the larger scheme of things. Although I guess i have to backtrack on this opinion a little bit since Olivia was supposed to be on the cover of Crimson, tying into that piece. Oh well, still it has no impact on me as a viewer.
Exactly, Elizabeth! Not only was the breastfeeding story misplaced from day one, but then they had to go and “milk” it for all it was worth, which certainly wasn’t much!!!! There was an awful lot of time and effort put into such a controversial issue that had absolutely nothing to do with anything of any importance specific to Port Charles….if that much care were assigned to and reflected in honoring and drawing upon the great history of GH, just think how incredible the show could once again be!
Perfectly said!!! I skip so many scenes. I think Nancy Lee’s Alexis has long over stayed her welcome.
I loved Alexis when she was Stefan’s consigliere and truly a plotting Cassadine. Even more delicious when she was partners in crime with Luke, unbeknownst to Stefan or anyone else. Then they made her Sonny’s witless moll/lawyer and her character has been on the decline ever since. All I can hope for is that there is some relevance to her presence at the reading of Helena’s will and some meaning to the dagger that killed Kristen, her mother. Both Alexis and Sam could have an entire new world of fresh
G.H. HAS WAY TOO MANY NEW CHARACTERS.TIME TO GET RID OF VALERIE,AVA,JULIAN,NINA,ALSO JASON.HE WAS GREAT ON Y&R,SO BORING ON G.H.Y&R HAS ALMOST 2 MILLION MORE VIEWERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MANY ACTOR THAT HAVE BEN ON THE SHOW FOR YEARS.THEY KEEP THEM FRONT AND CENTER.G.H. NEEDS TO BRING BACK CHARACTERS THAT HAVE A LONG HISTORY WITH THE SHOW.
And yet at this point there is yet another casting call out for FOUR new cast members!
I started back watching GH about 3 months ago (after a 4-month hiatus due to total boredom for much longer than that), but now I find myself FF’ing through the show. I like the recent action for the Quartermaines (Tracy, Monica, Dillon, and Jason in the crypt—also looking forward to Ned’s return) and the reading of Helena Cassadine’s will.
Since when did soaps become about happily ever after. Why are the younger characters getting married and having babies. Why are characters not mad at the person who did something bad to them, Instead they are patting them on the head and telling what a great person they are.
Especially on GH. Well the younger character are not necessarily getting married but nobody is ever mad at anyone, they are magically turned into saints. It makes for boring tv.
So GH is down from last week and up from last year. Ah, whatever, I cannot wait to see GH’s numbers starting on March 21st when ME returns. Everyone is foaming at the mouth over Silas 2.0 so lets see if he has drawing power!
hey Timmm
They could bring in George Clooney– when the writing stinks it wouldn’t make a difference..
And—
Guza at his very worst is better than what we now.
Guza never put me in a 6 month coma..
Wolf, Guza and Carlivati, were/are among the best GH writers..
I see Jean and Shelly as the worst I have seen writing for GH(GH has always had a special type of head writer, one who held the essence of the uniqueness of GH..
// that is all but buried, now..
I have been watching the last four soaps for a number of years and I cannot recall a time when all four were this dismal at the same time. Usually one soap is in the zone, but right now all of them are at best mediocre and at worse just plain bad. I love soaps, I really do, but the quality of stories on all four right now is enough to force even me, a rabid fan that would watch paint dry if were on a good soap, to admit defeat and say daytime drama should be cancel if none of the four can even make an attempt on putting on a decent show.
The only bright spot for me last week was when Quinn pushed Deacon over the cliff– didn’t see that coming, the twist being that was her plan all along when I was convinced she was going to kill Liam. But those bright spots have been few and far between of late– and it really saddens me to say all four deserve the numbers they are getting.
And Days should continue to fall. The show is an absolute trainwreck. Characters go missing for weeks, if not forever a la Eve. Roman who is supposed to be the police comish is now covering up 2 murders committed by his relatives. The teen set continues to struggle with acting in basic scenes let alone the high drama stuff that has been sent their way. And in what reality did Maggie have 35 yo Summer when she was 17? That would make Maggie 52!! I think Days needs a new EP with a last name that isn’t Corday.
I love Ava and am tired or Sonny but swear there is chemistry there and would love to see that played out. I waited forever to hear Helena’s will and it was snoozefest city. I miss Ron Carlivati’s writing. When he went to Ryan’s bar in New York, and there was Delia- it was such a thrill beyond words to me. Things seemed to move at a faster pace, I don’t know but I find myself tuning in less often as opposed to every day I was excited to watch. I wish for a new soap and hope perhaps someone will figure a way to revive the genre.
hi Peggy
I miss Ron’s writing, too 🙁
I said from day one; Ava and Sonny would make a dynamite couple!
Never a dull moment and hot and sexy (recalling the crypt whoa hot)
Sonny and Ava could be an awesome explosive and yet loving with family Avery..
I would like that.. but!!! they would need really really really great writers to bring them fully to life!
I miss Ron’s writing; I still don’t he was fired. I agree that Days is awful ; maybe Ron will go there. I didn’t expect what happened to Deacon either; that was a surprise! Days ‘ teens are terrible; I kind of like Theo, thou. He seems to be playing his role better than the others. The producers should have left the younger kids. I agree about John and his father’s story; very dull. I already miss Stefano. where is Andre? I agree about Roman also. I consider him as an untrustworthy cop. Where are the writers who have new ideas? I know that someone can write ,the same as the ones who are writing Gotham, Super Girl, Empire, Blackish, Scandal, Get Away with Murder, Sleepy Hollow, Flash, etc. These shows are well written.
Y&R is and has been number one. Doesnt any of these shows examine why? I will save you the time. The Newmans and the Abbotts. Plain and simple. Mostly everything revolves around these two core families. We love or love to hate both of these families. Keep them strong in numbers and expose their weaknesses. Its that simple. GH was mentioned more than any other soap here. It has fans and fans express what they want. NONE of the writers will pacify us. We have asked for the Quartermaines back for years. ONE core family! No, they wont do it it! Why? I would sign Wally Kurth to a lifetime contract! Find him a sweet wife and make them the new staples of the family. We loved Edward and Lila but they have been gone for years. The other family, although they wouldnt be a rival family against the Q’s, is the Scorpios. Sign Tristan to a lifetime contract, we have Anna, recast Robin and bring back Emma and Jason Thompson. He is lost at Y&R. He is not a bust there because he is a good actor but he is out of place there. Billy Abbott should have been shelved until Billy Miller ever agreed to return. Thats another story and they are #1 so I dont need to roll over that now. GH has the Anna story, Kristina and Tracy stories. Its something positive but the rest of the show is rubbish and thats why they spend too much time swimming at the bottom of the ratings pool!
Out of curiosity I checked the ratings of some of the nighttime shows such as Belle mentioned….some of which I watch and like. I know it’s not “scientific” but let’s just say the average is around 4 Million. So is Y&R.
I also wonder if daytime soap writing pays as much as nighttime, isn’t seen as a career builder for aspiring, talented writers, and if industry-wise, soaps have been saddled with “soaps being a dying genre”…even though if you watch carefully, or not so carefully, nighttime drama has a lot of the same daytime drama elements?
Why do the soap daytime ratings have to be held to higher standards, especially since many people are working or doing other daytime things? Do they measure the evening replays that viewers watch because they are not at home?
Also, stats show that over 50’s control about 75% of income and make many new buying choices (and not just meds…Ugh)…yet they are not part of the preferred demo, and are in audience numbers which greatly contribute to keeping soaps on the air. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for interesting stories for all ages. It keeps us all current and well rounded. it’s just that there seems like a lot of disrespect for daytime, and those not in the preferred demos when it comes to ratings.
Wish the networks would would invest in more quality soap and daytime for NOW, along with an eye on the future.
I hope Days is seeing this and realizing that a MAJOR overhaul is needed. Most of the stories are bad, the teens are a mess and not in a good way. This whole John-Yo Ling storyline is so stupid and boring. I’m bored with Eddie as an assassin too. Winterthorne Academy needs to be relegated to the past.
We need new writers and some recasts (Ciara).
Give more story to Justin and Adrienne, Doug and Julie. Give us characters to care about. Give us more romance. Give us more light than dark! Give us our old Days back please.
I have taken advice from some fellow posters that if all I was going to do was complain about the good old days of soaps. Quit Watching!!! I have I read updates and just shake my head got use to it now I have more time for me and my family work etc. I do miss the way they use to write them but I think now they have just gotten lazy no fresh ideas just the same old same old. Also no doubt in my mind if Jeanne Cooper had not got ill and passed away JFP would have written her out.
Are ratings still determined by Nielson and based on the homes their monitors are in? I question the accuracy of this. I cut the cable cord a couple of years ago after spending a lot on it for years. I did love Soapnet. I never watched Ryan’s Hope from the start nor Knott’s Landing or Falcon Crest and they would run two episodes of each and I was hooked in totally. On Antenna tv I get like 20 channels and one network just runs old game shows– I would love to see another network run old soaps if possible-would anyone besides me watch? I still need to see last couple years of Knott’s.
Both of my shows, GH and DAYS, turning me off big time ! Days has become way too dark and dull. Likewise, GH has evolved into a snooze fest. Missing Ron Carlivati’s writing. Only thing I hoping for is romance between new BFFs Franco and Liz–two amazing talents who emit sparks. Roger is why I ever watched GH in the first place and am so furious at how he is given crumbs most of the time. Looking for a new coupling since the neglect of his relationship with Nina has managed to squelch their passion!
Bring back Carlivati!
Also, the SORASing to create story lines for too many untalented teens is a disappointment for me as a middle-aged viewer. Finally, my favorite actor Bryan R Dattilo (Lucas) has vanished along with his sweet romance with Adrienne (Judi Evans).
The answer to why GH is failing is simple – It’s terrible right now,Shelly and Jean need to go!
FINALLY! BB Ridge is going to get his just reward for all the people he has screwed over! Thanks to Brooke’s discussion with Rick I know he will figure out the Thomas is the father of Douglas not Ridge! He will probably blackmail him into giving up the CEO position for silence! Ha Ha Ha! But I can’t wait for Thomas to demand shared custody of Douglas thanks to Rick!
I will never forgive Ridge for the way he abused Brooke, Taylor etc! So despite the fact that the Liam storyline drove/drives me to turn off the TV, I’m watching again to see Ridge get his just reward! I still miss Ron Moss. He made jerk behavior more tolerable LOL! I also hate Sasha! She has been trashy from the beginning; and I hate the stereotype BB is showing with this character. Now, How weak is Zende? Really Sad! Nicole did some fabulous acting today–wow! Also, will Hope return to help find Liam and is Deacon really dead? Really good stories ahead! Must be the new director’s vision!
Finally! Liam has been found! Where the hell is Deacon! Looks like an annulment for Steffy and Wyatt! Nut house for Quinn! Come on B & B don’t drag it out any longer!