All My Children
Tainted Dreams Creator Sonia Blangiardo: "I Was Struck By The Loss Of This Unique Art Form That Had Been Integral To NYC!" Casts RHONJ Dina Manzo in Role!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Daytime Emmy winning director Sonia Blangiardo (GH, OLTL, AMC, ATWT) has been hard at work on her first series that takes a look at the behind-the-scenes of a soap opera, Tainted Dreams!
The director created Tainted Dreams after the last of the NYC-based soap operas, One Life to Live, shut down production in November of last year. Sonia related to Celebuzz: “I was struck by the loss of this unique art form that had been such an integral part of NYC for decades. I wanted to somehow capture my own two decades working behind the scenes of three different NYC-based soaps.” And that is exactly what Blangiardo has set out to do with her upcoming project that begins production this May!
In addition, today Tainted Dreams added reality star, Dina Manzo (pictured right) from The Real Housewives of New Jersey to the cast in the role of Allessandra DiGiacomo. Blangiardo explains the casting decision, “I created the role of Alessandra with Dina Manzo in mind, and we are thrilled to have her join our cast.” Allessandra will also have a gay brother on the series played by Anthony Wilkinson. As it turns out, Manzo is also a long time fan of One Life to Live!
Manzo joins the cast which already has included soap stars: Alicia Minshew, Walt Willey, Michael Lowry, Marnie Schulenburg, and Kelley Menighan Hensley!
So soapers what do you think about Sonia’s comments about the terrible loss for New York and the soap industry there once OLTL, AMC, GL and ATWT were all canceled within a span of three years? And what do you think about Dina Manzo being on Tainted Dreams? Let us know!
All My Children
All My Children Alum Ben Jörgensen Reportedly Dead At 51
According to his former All My Children castmate, Brian Gaskill. there is sad news in the soap world today. Ben Jörgensen who played Kevin on All My Children and Chris on As the World Turns passed away on Tuesday at the age of 51, apparently via suicide, although unconfirmed as to his cause of death.
Gaskill, who played Bobby Warner while in Pine Valley shared via his Instagram: “Sad news to report. Ben Jörgensen who played Kevin Sheffield on All My Children has past away at 51 years old. My understanding is it was suicide. I have heard he suffered from Bipolar disorder but as I have not spoke to him in years I do not know all the details. I just want to remember the good times we had on the set of All My Children 24 years ago. He was a good guy and had the courage to play a gay teenager on tv back when it was nowhere near as common to have representation as it is today. He was part of an award winning storyline…but mostly we just had some good times back then…my condolences go out to his friends and family. Please everybody hang in there and reach out for help if you need it. ”
Since the time of Brian’s posting, friends, colleagues and fans have been posting tributes and condolences on the actor’s Facebook page. You can view that here.
In this heartbreaking photo below from Steven Bergman, during his time on As the World Turns, Ben is pictured with the late Nathaniel Marston, as well as Jaime Nicole Dudney and Terri Conn.
Photo: StevenBergman
On All My Children, Ben was part of the important social issue storyline brought into the ABC legacy soap opera by the iconic Agnes Nixon, who was always trying to move the needle forward in daytime, as the character of Kevin was a gay high school student facing bullying, ridicule and discrimination for his sexuality.
Share your thoughts on the passing of Ben via the comment section below.
All My Children
Hallmark Channel’s ‘Home & Family’ Returns to Production For Ninth Season; Premiere Date Revealed
All My Children
Michael B. Jordan Pays Tribute To Chadwick Boseman: “Since Nearly The Beginning Of My Career, Starting with All My Children When I was 16 Years Old You Paved The Way For Me”
Following the news of the tragic death of now motion picture icon, Chadwick Boseman late Friday, tributes and sentiments have poured in from celebrities, politicians and fans from all across the world.
Chadwick Boseman passed away late last week at the age of 43 from colon cancer – a battle he kept silent about for the last four years of life.
Photo: JPI
No one could be more intertwined with Boseman’s career than that of his fellow Black Panther star, Michael B. Jordan. For Jordan took over the role of Reggie Porter on All My Children from Boseman after the late actor lasted one week, following standing up to, and addressing concerns, of racial stereotypes in the way that the part was written. Reggie was introduced to Pine Valley as a gang member in 2003. As previously reported it was Boseman who helped the soap opera improve the role that Jordan took over with some recommendations.
Now Michael B. Jordan has written a heartfelt remembrance of Chadwick that he shared on his Instagram, and what he has meant to his life, including how he showed him how to be better, to honor purpose and create legacy.
Read below Michael’s post:
“I’ve been trying to find the words, but nothing comes close to how I feel. I’ve been reflecting on every moment, every conversation, every laugh, every disagreement, every hug…everything.
I wish we had more time.
One of the last times we spoke, you said we were forever linked , and now the truth of that means more to me than ever. Since nearly the beginning of my career, starting with All My Children when I was 16 years old you paved the way for me. You showed me how to be better, honor purpose, and create legacy. And whether you’ve known it or not…I’ve been watching, learning and constantly motivated by your greatness.
I wish we had more time.
Everything you’ve given the world … the legends and heroes that you’ve shown us we are … will live on forever. But the thing that hurts the most is that I now understand how much of a legend and hero YOU are. Through it all, you never lost sight of what you loved most. You cared about your family , your friends, your craft, your spirit. You cared about the kids, the community, our culture and humanity. You cared about me. You are my big brother, but I never fully got a chance to tell you, or to truly give you your flowers while you were here.
I wish we had more time.
I’m more aware now than ever that time is short with people we love and admire. I’m gonna miss your honesty, your generosity, your sense of humor, and incredible gifts. I’ll miss the gift of sharing space with you in scenes. I’m dedicating the rest of my days to live the way you did. With grace, courage, and no regrets. “Is this your king!?” Yes . he . is! Rest In Power Brother.”
What do you think of Michael’s tribute to Chadwick and how they have been interconnected dating back to 2003 and All My Children? Comment below.
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General HospitalOctober 20, 2020ABC Previews General Hospital’s Halloween Episode
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InterviewsOctober 16, 2020Marla Adams Talks Her Final Scenes As Dina Mergeron, The Alzheimer’s Storyline, and Her Touching Farewell
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General HospitalOctober 18, 2020GH’s Ingo Rademacher Shares Insight With His Son On Parenting & Anger On Maurice Benard’s “State of Mind”
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InterviewsOctober 19, 2020Y&R’s Peter Bergman Talks On Dina’s Death & How It Will Impact Jack, His Final Scenes With Marla Adams & Taping During COVID-19
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As The World TurnsOctober 19, 2020As the World Turns Cast To Perform Virtual Reading Of Final Episode
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NewsOctober 17, 2020Y&R Shares ‘Most Memorable Moments Of Dina Mergeron’: What Was Your All-Time Favorite?
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Breaking NewsOctober 19, 2020Days of our Lives Returns To Production After Temporary Halt Amid COVID-19
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NewsOctober 19, 2020Kiara Barnes To Perform Her Original Song On The Bold and the Beautiful
Another World was another great soap shot in NYC. Soaps have a lot in common with theater so it made perfect sense that so many soaps were once shot in a city known for it’s theater. I am sure many actors and backstage people like living on the East Coast rather than the West and having soaps in NYC gave them a chance to do that. It was a sad day indeed when soaps left the Big Apple. But now they have AMC and OLTL being shot out East- maybe not as exciting as NYC, but the tradition is still… Read more »
Growing up in the NYC area, I was lucky to see lots of plays and musicals. Always got a kick out of seeing daytime drama stars on the stage or knowing about soap actors that were also doing Broadway or off Broadway shows at the same time as their TV shows.
I saw the original Broadway cast of “Grease” which means I saw Ilene Kristen (OLTL/RH) as Patty Simcox.
I just recalled another example. I saw the Sondeim musical “A Little Night Music” with Patricia Elliott, who we all loved as Rene on OLTL. She sang the song “Every Day A Little Death” with Victoria Mallory who played one of the Brooks daughters on Y&R.
I find it funny that just the island of Manhattan with a population of 1,601,948 could not or would not support the soap operas that were such a part of that city.
The new OLTL and AMC will not be filmed bu cast in Manhattan.
That’s an interesting point, Dave. I am sure that some of the casting will be done in New York City and yet the show will be taped in Connecticut – I guess production costs would be a little less there somehow ~
Can’t wait to see Tainted Dreams. Big fan of Dina and I love the soap stars Tainted Dreams is assembling.
I agree with Michael, I live in NJ and it is fun to see soap stars on Broadway. Just saw Michael Park in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and last year saw Tom Pelrey in the show about Judy Garland, both Tom and Michael are great.
it’s odd and counterproductive that she’d cast someone from rhonj bec the real housewives franchises don’t do anything for primetime soaps and especially daytime soaps. the rh franchises are detrimental to daytime and even primetime soaps bec they are effectively the new daytime soaps. reality tv is a threat to the scripted primetime soap operas and especially daytime soap operas bec reality tv is much cheaper to produce. some of the women from real housewives get a lot of press and more of them are household names compared to your average daytime soap opera actors and actresses. compare b&b to… Read more »
I read so much about these new online soap projects but can never find them or keep up with them all. Anyone, help me?
There was nothing like a NYC-based soap for me. They seemed more real to me somehow. I miss them!