If you missed Thursday night’s season premiere of Soap Nation Live! with Michael Fairman it was a broadcast full of surprises, fun, and intriguing intel as some of the biggest names in the soap opera genre helped kick-off the series 2018 run of episodes.

Joining Michael in-studio as guest co-host was General Hospital’s Laura Wright (Carly Corinthos).  The show began with a guest call-in to surprise Laura, which was revealed to be daytime drama icon, and four-time Daytime Emmy winner, Kim Zimmer (Ex-Reva) of Guiding Light.  Laura and Kim worked together on the beloved CBS soap where they played sisters.  Kim expressed how much she enjoys checking out General Hospital and the actors performances she has loved watching which included: Max Gail (Mike), and the recently exited Nelle (Chloe Lanier), among others.  Michael, Laura, and Kim bantered on the actresses time on GL and more.

Next, GH’s Michael Easton (Finn) joined the show where he discussed the release of his upcoming 20th anniversary edition of his book 18 Straight Whiskeys, working on GH opposite Finola Hughes (Anna) and Jessica Tuck (Cassandra).  During his segment, Michael Fairman asked Easton to play a game show segment he prepared for him, which was called, “Michael, Who Said That?” In it, Michael Easton had to guess which one of his many soap characters was he portraying in the scene in the audio clip, and it made for one of the highlights of the night.

Calling in from New York City was Stacy Haiduk, who is about to make her debut this week on the August 21st of Days of our Lives as Susan Banks, replacing Eileen Davidson in the role.  Susan is back on the canvas just as John and Marlena’s wedding is about to begin.  The question is: Will more of Davidson’s roles be played by Haiduk during her upcoming rum on the show?  We chatted with Stacy about working on DAYS, and taking over the one-of-a-kind role of Susan made soap-famous by Emmy winner, Davidson.

Then, The Young and the Restless, Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott) was our special guest in the studio.  Jason talked about Billy’s latest stumble back into his gambling addiction, Phyllis’ fling with Nick, and if Billy will be able to resist the seduction attempts by Phyllis’ daughter, Summer on upcoming episodes.  Jason fielded several questions from fans who called-in to chat with him during his segment.  As well, throughout the broadcast, several listeners were able to get through the busy phone lines to pose a question to our guests.

Michael surprised the listeners with none other than Maurice Benard (Sonny) of General Hospital as the last guest on the show.  Maurice was celebrating his 25th anniversary as Sonny on the ABC daytime drama series.  With Maurice, some of the funniest moments of the night occurred when Jason and Laura recounted what happened the first time they met him.  Maurice also expressed that this past week, he taped some of his most favorite scenes of all-time, and Laura said they have been very emotional.  As announced, look for a special Sonny-centric episode in September in honor of Benard’s 25 years as Port Charles’ top mobster.

Finally, one lucky caller won a pair of tickets to the GH Fantasy Event in Atlanta, Georgia, during our game show trivia segment, when he had the correct answers (with an assist from Jason Thompson) to the questions.

Now, below click on the play button and hear the replay of the Soap Nation Live Season Premiere with Laura Wright, Kim Zimmer, Michael Easton, Stacy Haiduk, Jason Thompson, and Maurice Benard.

If you want to hear past episodes of the show, click here.

Let us know in the comment section below what was your favorite part of the season premiere.

Listen to “Soap Nation Live Season Premiere 2018” on Spreaker.

The world continues to mourn the loss of the one and only, Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, who died this past Thursday at age 76.   For some time, Aretha had been batting advanced pancreatic cancer.  The voice that meant so much to so many, and inspired so many female vocalists of today can never be replaced, and her songs and performances will live on in our hearts forever.

Over the last few days, television news programs have brought to us some heartbreaking, emotional, and uplifting moments from her dear friends: the incomparable Stevie Wonder, who shed tears while speaking of Aretha on the CBS Morning News, and with whom he went to see shortly before she died,  as well as Franklin’s longtime friend, Smoky Robinson, who spoke about his relationship with host Robin Roberts on Good Morning America.

Photo: Atlantic Records

This weekend, several tributes are on tap paying tribute to the mighty Franklin including those on TV One, and on OWN, with Oprah Winfrey’s Remembering Aretha Franklin: The Oprah Interview  tonight at 8PMEST.

But daytime fans were clued in to the fact that Aretha had a passion for the soaps.  She loved The Young and the Restless, and the character of Victor Newman (Eric Braeden).  In fact, Aretha was thrilled to be asked to help introduce the Y&R Daytime Drama Series nomination clip package at the Daytime Emmys in 1997.  She expressed why she was superfan of the show: “I watch it in the morning. I watch it when I’m at home. I watch it when I’m in concert. I watch it when I’m asleep …  I watch it!”   And one of the main reasons she loved Y&R, was Victor Newman: “Victor is one of my favorite characters in The Young and the Restless.  I love the way he makes his approach to a woman.  He’s the all-time player.”  The ‘Queen of Soul’ even did her own impersonation of him.

Courtesy/CBS

At the 2005 Daytime Emmys, Aretha presented the Outstanding Drama Series Award alongside Eric Braeden.  It was a thrill for her, and also notable for Braeden as he tweeted about his mishap where he accidentenly said, “God Bless, Eric Braeden,” when he meant to say, “God Bless, Bill Bell”.

Upon learning the news of Franklin’s passing, The Bold and the Beautiful’s Eva Basler (VP Communications for Bell-Phillip Productions and The Bold and the Beautiful) recalled on Twitter: “It was my first year at The Bold and the Beautiful & we were at rehearsals in NYC.  Aretha Franklin was on stage & looked down to the floor & screamed, “RIDGE! THORNE!” excited to see them in the front row. Later, I had the honor of escorting Susan Flannery & her thru the gifting suite.”

Courtesy/CBSBoldInsider

The official show Twitter feed posted: “The cast & crew of The Bold and the Beautiful are sending prayers & good thoughts up to Aretha Franklin & her family. Some of our cast met The Queen of Soul, who is a huge fan of B&B, at Radio City Music in NYC Pictured here with Susan Flannery. We LOVE you Aretha!”

Throughout the last few days so many soap stars have posted their sadness on the loss of Franklin, and what she meant to their lives and to all of ours.

Now below, watch the two moments of Aretha’s from the Daytime Emmys were she talks her love of Y&R, and presents with Eric Braeden.  Followed by the emotional interview with Stevie Wonder on the CBS This Morning and then Smokey Robinson’s remembrances. 

Then let us know your thoughts on the passing of Aretha, your favorite song of hers, and how wonderful it was to know that this American treasure was actually a soap opera fan, just like so many of you via the comment section below.

Tonight on the season premiere of Soap Nation Live! with Michael Fairman, get ready for a full house of some of your daytime drama favorites.

Join Michael and his in-studio special guest co-host Daytime Emmy winner, General Hospital’s Laura Wright, for our 90-minute broadcast

Michael and Laura will be joined by special guests: GH’s Michael Easton, DAYS’ Stacy Haiduk, and Y&R’s Jason Thompson, plus you never know who might pop up!

Make sure to listen in for our trivia game show segment, when one lucky caller has the chance to win two VIP tickets to one of nine GH Fantasy Events throughout the country courtesy of Coastal Entertainment,

To call-in and pose a question or a comment to any of our guests, dial the exclusive listener-line at 818-295-2130.  

The season premiere begins its stream-live at 7PMPST/10PMEST.  You can also head on over to the Soap Nation Live! page at Spreaker.com, if you have any trouble listening to the show here.

Portions of the broadcast can also be viewed at Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/michaelfairmanTV

Now, listen live to the broadcast below. If you are tuning-in shortly before 7PMPST, you will hear some musical interludes before we go live for showtime. Make sure to press the play button on the player below. We hope you enjoy the show!

Listen to “Soap Nation Live Season Premiere 2018” on Spreaker.