As The World Turns
SAG Award Shocker! British Soap Downton Abbey Wins Best Ensemble Drama Series!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Last night at the SAG Awards in Los Angeles, one of the biggest shockers of the night came when Sigourney Weaver announced the winning cast for Best Ensemble For A Drama Series, and it was one of our favorite shows ever … Downton Abbey!
That’s right, the British Soap from ITV which is now airing its season three here in the United States on Masterpiece Classic on PBS, bested heavy favorite Homeland in a category that also featured heavyweights: Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and Boardwalk Empire!
‘Downton’s’ Phyllis Logan accepted the award on behalf of the cast of the series and was accompanied to the stage by some of the stars in attendance from the U.K. including Drama Series Actress nominee, Michelle Dockery, Alan Leech, Amy Nutall and Sophie McSheara!
Logan stated to the shocked crowd: ‘We were so not expecting this. Shut the French windows, honestly! We would like to thank, first of all, SAG for even bothering to consider us against this fantastic category that we’re in. We’re just absolutely overwhelmed by it all.”
It was also a great night for former daytime soap stars! Tommy Lee Jones (Ex Mark Toland, OLTL) picked up the Actor, for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in Lincoln, Julianne Moore (Ex-Frannie and Sabrina Hughes, ATWT) picked up Best Actress in a MiniSeries or Special for Game Change, Bryan Cranston (Ex- Doug Donovan Loving)won for Best Actor in a Drama Series for Breaking Bad and Alec Baldwin (Ex-Billy Aldrich, The Doctors) won for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for 30 Rock! You can view the complete winners and list of nominees here!
So soapers, what do you think of ‘Downton’s’ victory? Thrilled as we are? What do you think of the former daytimers who came away victorious? Let us know!
As The World Turns
ATWT and ‘Vampire Diaries’ Alum, Zach Roerig Arrested For DUI
Another actor has been arrested for a DUI, and this one happened over Memorial Day Weekend.
News out of TMZ is that former As the World Turns actor, Zach Roerig (Ex-Casey), who went to appear in CW’s Vampire Diaries was taken in by the cops.
According to the report: “Zach was busted Sunday around 2:30 AM in Montpelier, Ohio. Police tell us, officers noticed Zach’s pickup truck did not have a front license plate, so they pulled him over.”
Apparently when the officer went up to the driver’s side window they noticed that Zach’s slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and say he, “reeked of booze”.
Roerig was arrested for for a misdemeanor and was held overnight in a holding cell. He was later released.
Photo: JPI
Zach’s arraignment is set as of now for June 4th.
ATWT fans will remember Zach as part of the younger set in Oakdale comprised of: multi-Daytime Emmy winner Jennifer Landon (Ex-Gwen), Jesse Sofer (Ex-Will) and Alexandra Chando (Ex-Maddie), all who went on to primetime fame during their careers.
So, what do you think about the latest past or present soap star receiving a DUI? Remember Zach on ATWT? Comment below.
As The World Turns
Michael Swan and Margaret Reed Set For ATWT Reunion
More As the World Turns former cast members come forth during the COVID-19 pandemic to participate in Alan Locher;’s weekly ‘Locher Room’ virtual chats.
Newly announced on Thursday are former on-screen lovebirds, Michael Swan (Ex-Duncan) and Margaret Reed (Ex-Shannon).
Look for the twosome to appear on the upcoming Thursday June 4th edition of the reunion series, at 2 p.m. ET/11 a. m. PT.
To log on for the time of the conversation click here.
Remember Duncan and Shannon’s ATWT love story? Looking forward to seeing Michael and Margaret? Comment below.
All My Children
ABC and PEOPLE’s ‘The Story of Soaps’: What Was Your Review Of It?
Tuesday’s night airing of ABC and PEOPLE’s two-hour special The Story of Soaps featured many notable daytime and primetime soap stars, past and present, clips from backstage to classic memorable moments, and some participants who were providing commentary on the erosion of the daytime soaps in our culture. Still others, maintained and realized that everything today is serialized from the news we watch, to some of Netflix’s most binge-watchable series, and of course, the birth of reality-programming.
Throughout the airing of the special, The Story of Soaps was trending on Twitter and social media either at the #2, #3 or #4 spots for the entire duration of the broadcast presentation, and the cancelled and beloved All My Children was also at one point trending.
However, known soap writers, journalists, ardent fans, and actors of the genre, were all on Twitter last night live-tweeting their thoughts as the special went down, and there was definitely mixed reactions and reviews, when all was said and done.
What the special did not shy away from, but tackled, was Luke’s rape of Laura at the campus disco on General Hospital. and how that moment now, as Genie Francis (Laura), so eloquently put, would be considered as ‘date rape’ in our culture. The series even included a pivotal moment where Laura addresses Luke (Tony Geary) about the rape years later, after helping Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) through her rape ordeal.
John Stamos (Ex-Blackie Parrish, GH) got a bevy of “Right On’s!” for his comment that the soaps do not get the credit that they deserve and clearly came through as one of the soaps greatest supporters, as did former The Doctors and Knots Landing star, Alec Baldwin.
However, throughout the two-hours, Andy Cohen’s commentary was thread throughout; mostly citing soap’s demise and the creation of reality-programming and his “Real Housewives” franchise, that the special touted as the new soap operas. It continued on the narrative that people preferred to see real-life drama then made-up drama on a fictional soap. And while, that has been a trend in American culture for decades, the commentary came off as often out of place in a celebration of the soaps; and bringing in a lot of negativity to the special that soap fans were tired of hearing.
In a lighting rod moment, Cohen stated: “I know Susan Lucci doesn’t agree with me, but I think that the Housewives have replaced soap operas because truth is stranger than fiction. Soaps became kind of unnecessary because you could do it with real people, and they’re writing the drama themselves.”
The special did also address the cancellations of All My Children and One Life to Live, (which many were not sure they were going to do – given this special was airing on ABC), where One Life’s leading lady and six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (Ex-Viki) said what we all wanted to sa ywhen the ax fell on the towns of Llanview and Pine Valley, “People were horrified”.
Clearly, OJ Simpson and his murder trial and reality-programming were also given a chunk of time to show where the once mighty landscape of daytime soaps which once had 13 shows on the air, dwindled town to 4. But, it would have been nice to see more time spent on how in this day and age, the people in this current landscape of the genre work so hard to get episodes done at an unbelievable pace, and how in that climate the performers still deliver gut-wrenching performances.
Photo: ABC
Former Loving, OLTL and Breaking Bad star, Bryan Cranston, did point out how the once powerful soaps, just don’t have the dollars they used to, and need to, to help with production costs and their taping schedule.
Viewers were reminded of soaps’ socially relevant storylines including hankie-inducing moments from: Robin (Kimberly McCullough) and Stone’s (Michael Sutton) HIV/AIDS storyline on General Hospital, to Billy Douglas being a gay teen coming out on One Life to Live, played by a young Ryan Phillippe.
There also did not seem time spent on the contributions of William J. Bell; one of the most prominent writers of the soap genre of all-time.
For many commenting on social media last night, there seemed to be a feeling of some glaring omissions of participants who could speak on this genre, who have been in the trenches as soap producers, soap writers, pundits, actors, and more, who were not included in the special.
So, what was your review of The Story of Soaps? How would you grade it? Do you feel it accurately reflected the history of the genre? Were you happily surprised, or when it came to the end where you over it, or somewhere in between? Sound off in the comment section below. Below are some tweets from notables who have worked as an actor, a writer, and a journalist in the soaps.
What started as a love letter kinda dissolved into a lover kicking you out of bed.
Ummm ok well I guess I appreciate the effort. But that definitely took a turn.🤷🏻♀️😬🤪 #TheStoryofSoaps— Chrishell (@Chrishell7) May 20, 2020
OMG so I’m still watching/catching up on #TheStoryofSoaps. Why does it suddenly feel like a death knell for the genre?! Why can’t it be a celebration? We’re hanging tough with no new episodes IN THE MIDDLE OF A FREAKING PANDEMIC! Why not celebrate our resilience? I’m done!
— Michele Val Jean (@MicheleValJean) May 20, 2020
Here’s the thing: The reason we’re down to 4 soaps is because network execs messed with time slots, cut budgets and interfered with storytelling. ABC can’t admit that so they have to get @Andy to trash them. But #TheStoryofSoaps was still a fun watch. Long live #AMC, #OLTL & #GH! https://t.co/pqR0Gx3cnf
— Carolyn Hinsey (@CarolynHinsey) May 20, 2020
Sonny & Carly Week Of Encore Episodes On Tap For General Hospital
DAYS Susan Seaforth Hayes Talks On Her Daytime Emmy Nomination For Julie and Doug’s Emotional Storyline
Hollywood Studios, Producers & Guilds Send Plan To Gov. Newsom and Gov. Cuomo For COVID-19 Production Restart Guidelines
The Best of the GH Nurses’ Ball Continues; Which Is Your Favorite Musical Performance?
British Soap ‘Coronation Street’ Set To Resume Production Next Week Following COVID-19 Shutdown
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
DAYS Chandler Massey Chats On His Bittersweet Daytime Emmy Nomination
Eva LaRue Talks On Her Daytime Emmy Nomination, And Opens Up About The Loss Of John Callahan
Hollywood Studios, Producers & Guilds Send Plan To Gov. Newsom and Gov. Cuomo For COVID-19 Production Restart Guidelines
B&B’s Annika Noelle Chats On Her First Daytime Emmy Nomination For Hope’s Emotional Journey Back to Beth
Former Y&R Star, Emily O’Brien Set to Debut On Days of our Lives
All My Children Weeklong Virtual Reunions Kick-Off With Ripa, Consuelos, LaRue and Penny
DAYS New Summer Promo Reveals The Returns of Jay Kenneth Johnson and Louise Sorel
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
Y&R’s Tracey E. Bregman and Kimberlin Brown Pelzer Talk the Iconic Battles of Lauren & Sheila
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
-
Days Of Our LivesMay 30, 2020DAYS Chandler Massey Chats On His Bittersweet Daytime Emmy Nomination
-
All My ChildrenMay 29, 2020Eva LaRue Talks On Her Daytime Emmy Nomination, And Opens Up About The Loss Of John Callahan
-
Breaking NewsJune 1, 2020Hollywood Studios, Producers & Guilds Send Plan To Gov. Newsom and Gov. Cuomo For COVID-19 Production Restart Guidelines
-
InterviewsMay 26, 2020B&B’s Annika Noelle Chats On Her First Daytime Emmy Nomination For Hope’s Emotional Journey Back to Beth
-
Breaking NewsMay 27, 2020Former Y&R Star, Emily O’Brien Set to Debut On Days of our Lives
-
All My ChildrenMay 26, 2020All My Children Weeklong Virtual Reunions Kick-Off With Ripa, Consuelos, LaRue and Penny
-
Days Of Our LivesMay 30, 2020DAYS New Summer Promo Reveals The Returns of Jay Kenneth Johnson and Louise Sorel
-
All My ChildrenMay 29, 2020All My Children Reunion with Josh Duhamel, Ricky Paull Goldin, Cameron Mathison and More; Later Debbi Morgan Live
Leave a Reply
Incredible episode of DA last night. Soaps, both daytime and nighttime, are back!!!
So happy DA won last night!
FABULOUS! It’s a great show. They deserve it.
Yes!
Great news for DA and also Tommy Lee Jones for Lincoln.
I’m so very happy for all of you!! My husband & I have been watching since the beginning. We look forward to more Downton Abbey and more good luck to you all. By the way were are from New Orleans, Louisiana..Yeah Saints!
the sag awards were a mess! argo’s win was a travesty! typical hollywood has to reward a film w/c glorified whitewashing. ben affleck is not a latino and he cast himself as the lead! it was ridiculous especially during argo’s credits where they didn’t show affleck’s picture next to tony’s picture bec obviously the casting was not racially accurate. affleck’s casting is a part of hollywood’s “grand” tradition of whitewashing racial minorities and portraying white people as saviors. the film’s historical and it’s abt how moviemaking can save lives and therefore it’s going to be rewarded bec hollywood wants to tell the planet how “special” they are. stupid hollywood whitewashed tony and yet it premiered argo during latino heritage month! that’s hollywood’s brand of sensitivity towards racial diversity and latino representation! typical hollywood whitewashes a latino but then hollywood only uses “realism” if they need to portray latinos doing menial labor. hollywood glorified argo w/c whitewashed latino americans! what the hell was w/ the camera panning repeatedly to neil patrik hariss during argo? there are no complaints from hollywood and entertainment press and mainstream manhattan media abt nph’s newest “music video” w/ a bollywood theme. nph’s attempts at humor were disgusting. the video was equating bestiality to the religious belief of cows being sacred. and of course there was a stupid “holy cow joke” w/c is typical of untalented nph. hinduism and indians and indian americans can be mocked w/ no backlash from hollywood and entertainment press and manhattan mainstream media. it’s bec only mocking white gays is hateful right? if any “comedian” made an lgbt themed “music video” where he compared lgbt relationships between 2 white gay men w/ bestiality then hollywood and the entertainment press and mainstream manhtattan media and glaad would keep screaming homophobia. but hollywood keeps bashing Asian americans w/ their “jokes” and whitewashing and lack of portrayals. it’s bec Asian americans are the most educated and richest among grps compared to lgbt. Among Asian americans it is indian americans and filipino americans who are the richest according to pew research and thus hollywood has to bash them bec the only minority grp they want to be successful are white lgbt. this reminds me of how Asian americans who identify as lgbt were mocked by an lgbt theme party. the huffington post reported abt this “mr. wong’s emporium” lgbt party where the whole theme was meant to mock and degrade Asian americans. new yorkers love to proclaim how openminded and “progressive” they are and yet this party was manhattan based! typical of the “tolerant” and “progressive” crowd of manhattan media and hollywood. they’re only tolerant of lgbt issues but they bash Asian americans.
sag awards was the oldest prom! julianne moore of course was awarded for her horrific acting. it’s hilarious how hollywood bashes palin for being a stupid republican and for favoring traditional marriage. but hollywood never bashes her for leaving hawaii bec there were too many Asian americans. typical hollywood racism. mf wins for best comedy ensemble bec of its message. the gay chars of course have to be white and rich. obviously glaad and the mainstream media and entertainment press and hollywood loves that specific kind of portrayal of the lgbt community. but of course lily’s vietnamese heritage is completely ignored bec the only thing hollywood cares abt is a flattering portrayal of the white gay couple to make people support same gender marriage. who cares abt how they raise lily and completely ignore her Vietnamese heritage? mf’s really problematic when it comes to the latina char. she’s a complete stereotype. feisty! wears loud clothes! thick accent! her culture is made fun of bec she’s foreign.of course she has to be attractive bec she’s paired w/ an old guy who’s white. he’s her “savior” bec hollywood loves those kinda storylines. she was poor til she married her white husband. and she really loves him and not his money! talk abt a hollywood fantasy tailor made for an old and white executive from hollywood! at least that horrid cbs sitcom “theory” did not win best comedy ensemble. I stopped watching that show abt nerds bec it keeps bashing Asian americans. howie i guess married bernadette. the other nerd is dating penny. the white actor that portrays sheldon is openly gay and is paired w/ mayim’s char. but of course the Indian american actor who portrays raj is single and asexualized. one episode had him dating his talking gadget. this other episode had raj think of marrying a closeted lesbian bec he didn’t think anyone would ever marry him. the ugly white actors get romantic storylines but the handsome Indian american actor does not get a romantic storyline bec hollywood loves to bash Asian americans. hollywood’s abt controlling the culture and thus Asian americans must be bullied and discriminated against by hollywood thru their racist portrayals. hilarious though bec the actor that portrays raj is married to miss India and yet it’s not “realistic” for him to be portrayed romantically! have these hollywood idiots never watched scenes from bollywood? Indian males are portrayed very sexually and a lot of them are handsome leading men! but hollywood can’t handle that bec white males must be the “ideal” and the status of white males as leading men would be threatened. typical hollywood racism. the acting careers of dev patel and freida pinto are examples of how hollywood treats Asian american actors compared to Asian american actresses. dev was the villain on the horrid “the last airbender” w/c whitewashed all the Asian leading characters by hiring unknown actors who are white to portray the lead roles. and yet the villain remained Asian as portrayed by… Read more »
bc you will be much happier in life if you do not watch awards shows and do not watch shows that make you unhappy this is the lay of the land now days as my dad would call it. They will slowly come into everything and destroy your enjoyment and Asian Americans are the hardest working people I know our best friends our from Vietnam they work 66 to 70 hrs a week private sector their children our doctors and an engineer they could buy and sell hollywood if they wanted they want to be left alone raise their families etc.So do not worry they know all about the views from liberal America and as my family could care less. Quit watching this B/S and enjoy life!
What is really SHOCKING is the number of people who come to Michael’s site who profess to love soap operas and yet do not watch Downton Abbey or even seem to know it exists. You have no idea what you are missing.
I do not watch award shows.I am thrilled DA won,I do not watch the other shows that were nominated.This show deserves every award it gets. The acting is great,the writing is great, and the way they have kept it real is terrific. Congratulation.DA.Hope you continue .I will continue watching.
Julian Moore great .She is a superb actress and person. She will always have my support because she came back to ATWTs to say goodye to the cast and fans.She put herself out there. She never denies she was on soaps like it was something to be sorry about and needs to hide. I was very happy to see her win.
Congratulation to the winners,and also to the nominees.