News
Should Soap Operas Have a Docuseries Taking Viewers Behind the Scenes of the Writers’ Room and How Creative Decisions are Made?
Many of the often questionable or shocking decisions in storylines that fans witness on their favorite soap operas often leave them ready to sound-off on social media. But what if the world of daytime drama peeled back the curtain just a little, and let you see some of what goes down in the writers’ room; where you follow a particular storyline from how it was developed to how it resolved, or how it was left open-ended for more context?
To be clear: we’re not talking about a storyline currently still playing out, either. We’re talking about a story that wrapped up (for now) and how the creatives; from the executive producers to the writers, crafted the arc and why?
Take for instance the culmination of The Bold and the Beautiful’s Luna Nozawa’s (Lisa Yamada) great escape from prison in a laundry hamper, making it all the way to Will Spencer (Crew Morrow), only to tell him she lost their baby, then only to later be run down by a car (off-screen), to then later, Dylan (Sydney Bullock), the friendly school teacher copping to being the person behind the wheel.
Courtesy/CBS
As comparison, Netflix is set to release its second season of WWE Unreal (premiering Jan 20) which gives audiences a second glimpse at an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at WWE creative, as it pulls back the curtain from what goes down inside the writers’ room, where the team crafts the storylines that take them through to a major premium live event such as SummerSlam, and television programming such as Monday Night Raw.
In it, fans also get a glimpse of how the WWE superstars stage their matches: from their moves, to the camera angles and more to tell their stories in the match and inside the ring; plus scenes featuring their real-life personas. The second season takes place leading up to, and at WWE SummerSlam which was held this past August. So, in WWE UnReal, they are not giving away any results, as the stories and matches have already happened.
During The Bold and the Beautiful’s Lawrence Saint Victor (Carter Walton), recent guest visit to the Michael Fairman Channel’s pro wrestling talk show, “What’s Up? Wrestling,” Saint-Victor, who is not only an actor on the CBS daytime drama, but also a writer on the B&B writing staff and a fan of the WWE, weighed-in on if soaps could be successful in using a similar formula to WWE UnReal to give fans more of an up close and personal look at what goes on behind the scenes.
“With WWE Unreal, it’s a controlled picking and choosing of what fans will see,” explains Lawrence. “But like how WWE UnReal season one showed how John Cena’s heel turn was decided, we got to see the pivot and we got to see them have to make decisions, which happens on our show. It happens on every show, especially shows that don’t have off seasons where you’re constantly twisting and turning the whole time.”
Photo: Netflix
“Sometime inspiration hits, or an actor does something and you go, ‘What was that? Let’s unpack that.’ There’s a multitude of reasons and some above my pay grade of why a decision changes,” shared the actor and writer. “Sometimes it can just be logistical. As writers, we don’t ask why, we just pivot. I think that’s the nature of soap operas. It’s the nature of WWE. You don’t have that ‘We finished season one, now we’re going to go away for five months and write season two.’ No, you’re in it all the time. It’s a fluid situation. So the pivot is just part of the nature of it.”
You can check out Lawrence Saint-Victor’s conversation discussing John Cena’s final match and tap out, soaps and the WWE writers rooms, and much more below.
Now let us know, would you want to see a never-before-seen look into the writers’ room of a soap opera – from taking a storyline from inception to the changes and evolution of it along the way – to its conclusion? If so, would you want to see 5 episodes – one each featuring all the current soaps: Beyond the Gates, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless featured; focusing on one or two major storylines from each soap? Or, would you like to see a series featuring just one? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
If American soaps leaned into a synergy with the WWE, that must be why a crop of them were canceled roughly 15 years ago. Those shows need nuance and sophistication so that they don’t look like an over the top circus, not a batch of heel turns. If the writers can tell us anything, it’s why they reject realism outright, when it can actually provide relatable boundaries in storytelling and encourage more creativity. Immortal super villains lost their appeal long ago.
Amen to everything you said, Soapster, and the only thing I would add is: “Immortal super villains lost their appeal long ago, and so did allegedly lovable mobsters and their codependent enablers.”
It’s been refreshing to see how well Beyond the Gates has been able to stick (mostly) to good old emotionally grounded storytelling so far. I just wonder how long it will be allowed to go on. I plan to enjoy it while I can.
B&B missed a perfect opportunity to extend the Luna story even with her demise. Writers sent everyone looking for her in the dark in a wooded field. Think of the drama and mystery if Luna(tic) had been found dead from blunt force trauma..? A great whodunit with a cast of suspects. In the end, Remy did it from the twisted notion of helping Electra hoping for her forgiveness, in turn, garnering a second chance with Deke. Traumatizing the teacher again was anticlimactic for such an intriguing character as Luna
I would probably watch it but I seriously doubt it would tell anything close to the truth about how the shows make creative and writing decisions. The network suits would never agree to show how they micromanage and kill most creativity.
You’d also need to have some truth-tellers to interview, but people like Harding Lemay and Bridget Dobson, who knew how the soaps used to be put together before all the interference started and would have the balls to talk about it, are long gone.
This would be more interesting than watching a bunch of the real housewives constantly kvetching.
News
Y&R’s Co-Head Writer Jamey Giddens, Ahead of November Stories and Scripts Debut with Dan O’Connor, Explains How Fall Tees Up Their Plans for Genoa City
As previously reported on Thursday, September 10, Y&R fans should circle November 11th on your calendars. That will mark the official on-screen head writing regime change on The Young and the Restless, when material from newly-planted co-head writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor begins to air on the number one daytime drama series on CBS.
Taking to X, Giddens backed up all mentions of when his run as co-head writer begins with an electronic alarm clock showing the numbers 11:11. In addition, up until that time, Y&R fans are still watching the story and scripts from Josh Griffith who stepped down a few months ago from his position as head writer after a lengthy run that started back in 2019.
However, Giddens responded to a Y&R viewer on X, who said they won’t tune back into the action in Genoa City until his and O’Connor’s material starts to air. Jamey expressed that if you are fan of the series, you should tune-in now because before Jamey and Dan get to launch their set of new stories and adventures for the citizens of Genoa City, but they first needed to decide what to do with the story they inherited from Josh Griffith.
Photo: JPI
Jamey teased, “Start watching NOW!” Fall in Genoa City set up tons of juicy stories Dan O’Connor and I are lucky to inherit as we begin telling new ones! Let’s watch as a soap fam! #YR”
Jumping into the thread in response was one fan who said to Giddens, “I’m watching, and some stuff is good while other stuff needs revisions, so hoping the revised improves the stories. My future request: can we get Sharon and Adam sharing scenes again? And please let Sharon interact with people beyond Nick 24/7. Shick can happen but Sharon needs more to do. JT said he was filming a good story, so hopefully he isn’t rinsing and repeating with Billy’s mistake but JT seems excited on what’s to come.”
In pretty short order, Giddens has worked as a breakdown writer for both Days of Our Lives and Beyond the Gates, where he is nominated this year as part of the writing team for both shows, in addition to previously being the head writer of OWN’s Ambitions and writing for Tyler Perry’s Sistas. Jamey started his career with Daytime Confidential as a journalist covering the genre that he knows and loves.
As for Dan O’Connor, he previously held down co-head writer duties at General Hospital or as an Associate Head Writer. He also wrote for One Life to Live and made a stop in Salem and Days of Our Lives.
So, can November 11th come soon enough for you? Will you be tuning-in to Y&R leading up to the takeover by Jamey and Dan on the writing front? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Start watching NOW! Fall in Genoa City sets up tons of juicy stories @oconnordanj and I are lucky to inherit as we begin telling new ones! Let’s watch as a Soap Fam! #YR https://t.co/BSBT8hNMb6
— Jamey_Giddens (@Jamey_Giddens) September 10, 2026
If Anna Devane’s (Finola Hughes) new therapist on General Hospital looks familiar to you, it’s because actress Kearran Giovanni, who plays Dr. Nichols, previously played a doctor on One Life to Live!.
Viewers tuning-in to the Thursday, September 10 episode of GH got their first look at Dr. Nichols who has been brought in to help Anna recover from her PTSD and trauma following the reveal that she has been suffering from a break in reality since before being put in mental health facility in France, after being gaslighted by Cullum and company earlier in the year.
One Life to Live fans will recall that Kearran Giovanni played Dr. Vivian Wright in 2009, and it was then she first worked with current General Hospital EP, Frank Valentini, who at the time was at the helm in Llanview.
Photo: JPI
WHERE ELSE HAVE YOU SEEN KEARRAN GIOVANNI?
Giovanni appeared on OLTL in the recurring role through 2012 and in the final ABC episode of the beloved series was the the ob/gyn who delivered Destiny Evans (Shenell Edmonds) and Matthew Buchanan’s (Eddie Alderson) baby into the world, whom they named Drew Buchanan II after Bo Buchanan’s (Robert S, Woods) late son. In addition, Vivian has been dating Shaun Evans (Sean Ringgold).
In addition to One Life to Love, Giovanni has very impressive credits having appeared in numerous TV series and motion pictures including starring in the TNT drama Major Crimes from 2012-18, ABC’s Designated Survivor 2017-19, the CW’s Black Lightning from 2019-20. Most recently, Giovanni appeared on the Fox series, The Resident and has a recurring role on the CW’s crime series, Walker from 202-2024.
HEALING ANNA
On today’s General Hospital, after Anna’s harrowing meltdown where she almost shot and killed Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) after seeing visions of “Peter August” (Wes Ramsey), Jason (Steve Burton) saved the day and talked Anna down from committing murder. Now, Dr. Nichols was introduced as a valuable staff member at the hospital. Although, this marked the first time in the history of the show we have heard of her character.
So, do you remember seeing Kearran Giovanni on One Life to Live? Happy to see that Anna may have a qualified therapist in charge of her healing, unless the doctor turns out to be not on the up and up? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.
The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”
Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).
Photo: Days of our Lives
Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).
Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).
The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).
Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.
The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.
So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.
View this post on Instagram
Y&R’s Co-Head Writer Jamey Giddens, Ahead of November Stories and Scripts Debut with Dan O’Connor, Explains How Fall Tees Up Their Plans for Genoa City
Kearran Giovanni Debuts on ‘General Hospital’ as Anna Devane’s New Therapist
CBS Announces Fall Preview and Season Premieres for ‘Beyond the Gates’ ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ and ‘The Young and the Restless’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Comes to the Realization She May Be Pregnant … With Carter’s Child!
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Anna Breaks Down in Front of Jason and Britt After Shots Are Fired
‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Vivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
Genie Francis Exits ‘General Hospital’ For Her Annual Summer Hiatus
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Did Brook Lynn Deserve Chase Walking Out on Her?
GENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Women on the Edge
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Trina Demands Answers from Brook Lynn, Scout Questions Rocco, and Can Anna Pull the Trigger on Britt?
‘General Hospital’s’ Braedyn Bruner Reveals Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and How Emma is Getting Her ‘Edge’ Back
‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Give Fall 2026 Preview: Marlena and Stefano’s Chess Mystery, The Arrivals of Dante and Sydney, Romance Drama for Sarah and Others
-
General Hospital6 days ago‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
-
News4 days agoVivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
-
General Hospital1 week agoGenie Francis Exits ‘General Hospital’ For Her Annual Summer Hiatus
-
General Hospital4 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Braedyn Bruner Reveals Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and How Emma is Getting Her ‘Edge’ Back
-
General Hospital1 week agoChris McKenna Speaks Out on His Exit from ‘General Hospital’ and Thanks Fans for ‘The Support You’ve Shown Me and Jack’
-
General Hospital1 week agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: A Body is Found Floating in the Metro Court Pool; Chase Gets Too Close for Comfort with Willow
