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Y&R's Melody Thomas Scott On Soaps Loyal Audience: "People like Meryl Streep Or The Biggest Stars In The World – They Don’t Enjoy The Fans We Have.”

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Leave it to Y&R stalwart Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman) to talk about her appreciation, and that of her colleagues for the dedicated soap fans in a new piece in the Washington Post from journalist Lonnae O’Neal.  The writers also cops to being a soap addict herself, like so many of us throughout our lives.

While detailing how she would watch soaps growing up and with her mother, and how daytime dramas have been multi-generational, O’Neal discusses General Hospital’s Luke (Tony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) and Tony Geary’s major end of an era on-screen departure from the ABC soap opera this week.  However, the columnist reveals her favorite soap opera since college has been The Young and the Restless!

Lonnae spoke to Melody Thomas Scott about how soap operas have helped her through the birth of her babies, divorce, and making some of her hardest work less lonely.  Scott replied: “People feel like we’re their dearest friends or their closest cousins.  People like Meryl Streep or the biggest stars in the world — they don’t enjoy the fans we have.”  Ain’t that the truth, Mel! 

What do you think about Melody’s comment that soap fans are the most loyal and dedicated in the entertainment genre?  Have soap operas helped you through some of the toughest times in your life?  Share your comments below!

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Amen melody !!!! We luv u n r so very proud of u n other actors on y&r as well as gh !!!! Team Mel !!!

she’s right and the soap stars are the best stars!

I agree and have always been a champion of daytime actors and actresses and the special bond we have with them throughout our lives and theirs.

When you invite the same set of individuals, such as the residents of Genoa City, into your home five days of the week for 40+ years, they earn a special place in your heart. They become like family. It’s a very special relationship we have with those actors and their characters.

been watching soaps 49 years, they are the best ACTOR’S in the business

That was good artical..
We do become addicted..

All that was written is so true and yet the networks will not hesitate to make y’all soap homeless and cancel the soaps without one pang or an apology. As a matter of fact they wouldn’t even recognize the fans in any manner at all (shown to be factually true with every canceled soap) They pull the plug without a word of sorry for your loss..

SOAP STARS—ALL OF THEM—ARE BETTER RIGHT NOW THAN ANYTHING NIGHT TIME TV HAS TO OFFER!!!

Just love the acting and storylines you have brought into my life for years. I love you with Victor and I would not want it any other way. Seasoned veterans like yourself are the best in the acting world.

I thought about this not long ago and have over the years but she is right, soap fans are the best fans you could ever have. Even fans of boy bands eventually move on. But soap fans remember EVERYTHING and are very passionate to say the least! lol

My husband is a sports addict and he is always talking about what’s going on behind the scenes. I always tell him it’s exactly the same with soap fans. We listen to find out what actor is moving from one soap to another and who is dropping off contract. Too bad they don’t have 1000 soap radio shows like theu do about sports! We’re a pretty loyal bunch!

With all the talk of Luke and Laura and the (sad) end of an era, I will always remember Victor and Nikki as THE power couple because their love lives on in infamy in the 80s movie, MR. MOM.

I never grow tired of this movie and absolutely love when Michael Keaton’s “Jack” becomes a stay-at-home dad and asks how people actually “watch this stuff” only to become addicted to it himself.

Aside from the crappy storytelling on Y&R lately, it still remains my favorite soap. Sadly most days are watched out of habit instead of intrigue, although today with Harding actually siding with Kevin and Michael and Lauren about to find their way back to one another, I have renewed hope.

Agreed. As far fetched as the Jack/Marco/Victor storyline has been, I’ve loved that they have put EB and PB on my tv everyday. Hilary/Devon, Sharon/Dillon are soooooo boring.

I agree, Ashleigh.

It is nice that they gave Sharon a man … again, but she has the best chemistry with Nick … unfortunately. Sage and Nick are boring. Hilary and Devon are boring (liked him better with Roxie). Somehow Melissa Claire Egan always seems to be able to work with the lack of talent she is paired with (Burgess Jenkins), but she has potential with Hartley.

What happened to that cute girl, Gwen? She would be good for Neil albeit a bit young.

And if we could just get the Baldwins to be on more, especially Gloria. Judith Chapman can act circles around the likes of the actors playing Summer, Abby, Kyle, to name a few. 🙁

Oh great comment, Chrystie!
And while I know many hate Victor Newman, he is still the man you love to hate.
Victor behaves abhorrently time and time again, and yet his explanations for that insane behavior is all logical and rational.
The other person to whom he explains it to usually nods and says,”Oh yeah, Victor, that makes perfect sense. You kidnapped Jack, imprisoned him with Krazy and then replaced him with a psycho killer for the good of the family. Yep! Makes perfect sense to me.”
Victor really amuses the hell out of me.

Haha Harry, how about Victor telling Jack all the reasons not to come clean!? I was sitting there thinking “Wow! SO Victor and probably the only way he could make this work in his favor! Kudos, writers!!” Hahaha.

completely agree. daytime soaps have the most passionate fans. some people take their fans for granite,but not the actors of daytime. Y&R is my favorite soap,I grew up watching it. Daytime soaps feel like family,because you let them into your home everyday

robert I have to agree..and with all their loyal following a lot of Daytime actors will take the time to respond to a tweet or message that hits them and interact with a lot of their followers on a regular basis..and are quicker to graciously follow fans that hold similar opinions of there’s too..and then there are those who just want the adoration and fanbase following..lol

So very true, but I think soap stars are loyal to there fan’s also, they are reachable, they tweet you back when you tweet them, they talk to you, not in a I’m a big star sort of way, but a down to earth I’m just like you and I appreciate the fact that you took the time to say something to me. I love Melody, just did a sketch of her with the shorter hair and was amazed to see her sporting the same do on the show 2 weeks later.. Love you Mel.

I tweet the sketch to her, hope she saw it, I did it with love and appreciation of her wonderful work on Y&R

I have been going to Soap events the past few years and I definitely agree. The stars of the soaps do not act like they are STARS, they are personable and eager to talk with their fans. If you want proof just go to the Daytime Stars and Strikes event n NYC daytimestarsandstrikes.com . It is so cool just to talk like an acquaintance to actors you see on TV. Have met Gina Tognoni there several times and it is just cool to talk about other events and feel like your are not just a fan. I don’t think many famous people from other mediums do the same.

Breaking News

Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts and Marlene King Land ‘Calabasas’, a Soap in the Vein of the ‘O.C’ and ‘Beverly Hills 90210’, at Netflix

There has been lot of soapy projects coming to life and in the works of late, and now comes word that Kim Kardashian is executive producing a new series in development for Netflix called Calabasas.

After a bidding war last week, it looks like Netflix cemented the development deal from Kim, and her producing partners American Horror Story co-star Emma Roberts (pictured below) and Pretty Little Liars creators Marlene King and Alexandra Milchan.

The concept of Calabasas is based on the book If You Lived Here You’d Be Famous By Now by Via Bleidner.  King set to write the adaptation and will serve as the series showrunner.

Photo: JPI

According to Deadline, Calabasas is said to be in the vein of primetime young teen and young adult soaps the O.C. and Beverly Hills 90210. The story follows “Via, a 16-year-old sheltered Midwestern Catholic school girl whose world is turned upside down when her family moves and she’s forced to transfer to the fast world of Calabasas High where nothing is as it appears and where everyone is trying to be someone else. It’s a place where dreams come true … but not without complications and sometimes unforeseen consequences.”

Photo: Hulu

As fans of the Kardashians know, Kim and her family made the town of Calabasas a household and worldwide name. Kim being attached to this project helped make its sale. This marks her fourth project to sell since the writers and actors strikes concluded at the end of last summer.

So, would you be interested to see a teen soap called ‘Calabasas’ on Netflix from Kim and company? Comment below.

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General Hospital

Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital

If General Hospital’s Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) nuptials are on, you didn’t think Grandma Gloria Cerullo would miss out on the festivities, now did you?

Casting news from Soap Opera Digest reveals that Ellen Travolta is back taping scenes that will air the week of May 13th on the ABC daytime drama series.  When viewers learned that Carmine Cerullo, was also on his way back to Port Charles, now in the face and body of actor George Russo, it only made sense that Grandma Gloria would join Grandpa Cerullo. Look for them both mid-May.

As most people know, Ellen is the older sister to John Travolta. She first make appearances as Gloria back on GH in the mid-90s. Most recently, she returned to the Quartermaine mansion to meet up with daughter, Lois (Rena Sofer) and granddaughter Brook Lynn for Thanksgiving in Port Charles in 2023.  Michael Fairman TV interviewed Rena Sofer and Amanda Setton late last year where they shared what it had been liking working with Ellen, who remains very close to Sofer in real-life.

Photo: JPI

Amanda shared: “We fell in love immediately. What’s crazy is my maternal grandmother was Grandma Gloria. I had her till I was 30 and we were so close. She was really like a second mom to me. So, when I got this script and I’m reading “Grandma Gloria”, it was so bizarre. And then in meeting Ellen, she looks like my grandma – same haircut, same high cheekbones. It really did feel like I had a few days with my grandma. It was very, very special for me. Ellen is sweet, prepared, professional, talented and funny to boot. So, it was one of the best weeks I’ve had at work. I hope she comes back. My fingers are crossed.”

Photo: ABC

Now, we can’t imagine Brook Lynn and Chase’s wedding day to be smooth sailing, in fact, expect just the opposite, but could it be Grandma Gloria who is ultimately the hero or the calming voice of reason for any pre-wedding jitters? Stay tuned.

So, glad to know that Ellen Travolta will be back for Brook Lynn and Chase’s big day? Comment below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Kristian Alfonso Returns to Days of our Lives for Tribute to The Late Bill Hayes

After a few weeks of Days of our Lives fans being upset that Kristian Alfonso (Hope Williams) was not on the first list of initial returns for Doug Williams’ funeral and episodes honoring his portrayer, the late Bill Hayes, comes word that the popular star is back and taping scenes.

Kristian reported to work on the Peacock streaming soap opera on Monday, April 22nd. She shared how important it is for her to be back for this particular return to the show that made her a household name.

“My return is very bittersweet,” Alfonso told TV Insider,  “because it is the end of an era with Bill gone. So to return to Days is very sad. I am appreciative that they came to me to include me in their series of shows honoring Doug and I’m very happy to see everyone, but I’m entering the studio with a heavy heart.”

Photo: JPI

It was back in 1983 that Kristian first debuted as Doug’s daughter, and now 41 years later looking back at it, and her time with Bill Hayes is very emotional for her.

“I remember my first scenes with him/ He was very loving, very welcoming. That he was very talented and an incredible actor and an icon, that all goes without saying, but my personal relationship and my working relationship with Bill, it was home,” expressed Alfonso. “Doing the scenes with Bill, I felt like I was with my dad because there was so much warmth and reality.”

Photo: JPI

Alfonso did express some deep regret, in that she had wanted to work with Bill Hayes during her last appearance on the soap back in 2023, but according to the iconic actress, there was something in the works but it never materialized.  “I’m sad that I did not get the opportunity to do the storyline that Ron (Carlivati, head writer) had planned/ It was great; we returned to Salem to reunite with our families and I would have had father/daughter scenes with Billy. What Ron had written was beautiful and emotional and it was a fantastic story. I was 100 percent for it and the fans would have loved it.”

Photo: JPI

As for if Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope will be back on-screen together anytime soon, Kristian would only say, “What I will say is don’t give up hope.” Doug’s passing and memorial episodes will stream later this year come late November into December.

So, are you happy to learn that Kristian Alfonso is back taping episodes surrounding Doug’s memorial episodes? Comment below.

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