Days Of Our Lives
Y&R's Peter Bergman Previews The Bombshell Reveal That Jack is Summer's Bio-Dad!
Photo Credit: Getty Images
The Young and the Restless, Peter Bergman is about to have some more juicy story when his character of Jack Abbott realizes Summer Newman (Hunter King) is his biological daughter, and that Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) had been hiding the truth for years and now Jack’s gal, Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) is covering it up too!
In a brand new interview with TV Guide Magazine’s Michael Logan, Bergman weigh-ins on the major deception and how Jack will deal with finding out Summer is his child! Here are few interesting excerpts below!
Bergman on how the revelation of being Summer’s bio-dad affects Jack: ” It hits Jack right in his most vulnerable spot. All his life he’s been striving for the thing he can’t have — a solid, happy family. Jack’s mother walked away when he was just a teenager. And he’s so desperate to keep his dead dad around, he keeps conjuring him up! The loss of family is powerful, primal stuff that can haunt you for life.”
Bergman on how the scenes will be when Summer and Jack both know the truth: “The scenes where the two of them are finally alone together are brilliantly written. I mean, what do you say under circumstances like that? It’s some of the best material I’ve had in a long time, and Hunter is absolutely spectacular. And, of course, as you know we’ve lost Michelle Stafford. How does Jack maintain a relationship with Summer if there’s no Phyllis around? That’s going to be tricky. Plus there are more big things coming — something really major that will distract Jack from the situation with Summer in a huge way.”
So Y&R fans, are you looking forward to Jack finally “meeting” his daughter? How do you think this will impact the relationships between Nick, Phyllis and Jack? Will Jack begin pill popping again? Sound off in the comments below!
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It should be good!!!!
This will send Phyliss away from town until Jill FPhelps realizes that she needs Robin Christopher like yesterday
She would be the perfect Phyllis recast!
No.
Can’t wait………….
Recast phyllis with liz keifer ex blake guiding light.
Oh leanna girl i agree with you. i love liz keifer replacing the snotty michelle stafford.
There are lots of actresses ripe for a Phyllis recast. They should hire Kimberlin Brown and have everyone totally ignore the fact she is a dead ringer for a certain evil someone. On second thought, no GH would do that, not T&R. Haha.
Bring back Mari Jo Mason played by Diana Barton, and if Diana doesn’t want to come back, bring Robin Christopher to play the role.
Jamie Luner (ex-Liza Colby, AMC) … the perfect actress to tackle the role!
After successfully replacing Marcy Walker, she’s definitely up for the challenge.
I agree about Luner. She resembles Stafford and can play “bitch’ very well.
I hate to see Miss Stafford leave. Theis ia challegning recast for producers shoudl they go thar toure. I am not rue they can avoid it, otherwise we have such incompleteness a la a B&B with its absent Ridge. Sometimes storylines take precedence. I need the character to make things work or be there logically to respond and to participate.
The change in parternity storyline is working for me, and the show is trying to right its sails after a bumpy few years. I am not thrilled with how some characters have shifted in thought and focus or with new characters and plot points. But it seems like things moving along in Genoa City and making a little more sense.
Sure is nice to see Tracy around,
Eager to see the fallout of Katherine Chancellor;s death. Oh, I miss Miss Jeanne Cooper already.
OMG Jamie Luner would be a fantastic Phyllis!!!!!!!!!! Seductive and a great actress!!!!!!
Liz Kiefer!
I’m afraid when Jack finds out about Phylis and Kyle he may start popping pills again.
This huge story will not be near as good as it would be if Phyllis were not leaving..
This story is extremely Phyllis involved, and without her, it will fizzle out..
It is a ”’Phyllis” story ! (and Jack, Summer, Nick <– without Phyilis, BLAHHH..
I think Peter will kill it with this storyline. I won’t miss Phyllis for one single second. No longer will I have to endure Ms Stafford and her constant repeating of every line she says. Talk about lazy writing…or maybe it’s Michele’s style. Who knows, but it drives me to fast forward every scene she’s in.
Michelle stafford is a diva period. I’m glad she is leaving. i hope she never comes back to the show. please recast her with liz kiefer ex blake guiding light. the. second choice is robin christopher ex skye gh and ex lorna another world. both are wonderful ladies. and both of them can act too.
Michelle stafford /Phillis is hard to replace..
I doubt they would even attempt to re-cast the roll until end of year, if at all.
I really loved Michelle stafford’s Phillis, she owns the character ..
I will miss Michelle stafford as Phillips, she rocked the character, made it hers….
Liz was already on Y&R back in the 80’s. I dunno if she would want to come back.
Anyone know why Michelle Stafford is leaving the show and what will she be doing next?
I can not. Wait to see Peter knock it out of the park!
She’s probably too young to play her, but I think that Laura Stone would be a fantastic Phyllis. She played Skye before she allegedly fell into that darn volcano. At any rate, I wish they would bring the actress back. Other than that, I have no idea who would be the best NuPhyllis.
This storyline is a total mess from start to finish.
Who cares about recast Summer hooking up with recast recast Kyle? Their forced “blink and you missed it” romance has taken place mostly off camera (except for that character defining moment when she revealed she likes The Lumineers and Mumford and Sons and he realized she had blossomed into a mature adult — oy) and don’t EVEN get me started on the dumbing down of Phyllis by having her put the moves on her boyfriend’s son as a way of keeping him out of her daughter’s bed. UGH.
With material like this, I don’t blame Michelle Staford for leaving.
It would have been a lot better if it could have been revealed a couple if weeks ago instead of that ridiculous detour that was taken with Nick & Phyllis deciding that Summer wasn’t ready to hear the truth & Phyllis’ cringe inducing flirting & seduction of Kyle. This had been the major story line of the season & all the momentum & suspense had been lost when the writers decided to take it down this tangent.
ITA- it was a really silly side story– just a tacky excuse to have Phyllis kiss Kyle. I remember when Jill and Jack made love up at the Abbott’s cabin when Jill was still married to John. Now that was a storyline- it took years for Jack to repair the damage to his relationship with his father for sleeping with his wife. But this thing with Kyle was just plain LAME—- thousands of different ways to keep the two of them apart– first and foremost–JUST TELL THEM THE TRUTH– I hate when soaps thrown in a stunt for fake drama- the next one coming is Carmine will release his sex tape of him and Lauren– The story line of a couple trying to rebuild their relationship after a betrayal is dramatic enough is a sex tape really necessary?
I suspect that the writer’s are setting the scene for another murder mystery. Carmine’s days are numbered in GC but who will be the killer? Michael, Lauren, Paul or maybe even Fen. This sex tape is just another motive. Maybe the redhead that Carmine slept with will be the killer? Michael would be the prime suspect & have to sit in the defence chair. Don’t be surprised if I’m right on this story line.
Michael has come off looking like a complete doofus in this storyline. His wife cheats on him FOR MONTHS and yet he never once demands she take a test to make sure she hasn’t contracted an STD as a result of her affair? No — he just gets mad for 10 minutes, then goes to off-camera marriage counseling (the first session they scheduled the same afternoon as their son’s graduation — seriously?) and defends her to their son who has the reaction her husband should be having to her infidelity.
Give me a break.
I really wish Michelle the best… and secretly hope since she left Y&R… that she comes to GH… however with this storyline… I wish the character Phyliss were not leaving. She is too pivotal to this story. She always knocks it out of the park and Peter will too!!! Joshua has been doing a very good job too and surprisingly so has Hunter! I am not loving the new Kyle… and didn’t like the old one… wish they would get the casting of the role right. They just don’t seem like Jack’s sons. Can’t wait to see Jack’s reaction and see Peter play… what could be an emmy winning group of scenes! For me… at this time Y&R is second to GH! Can’t wait for the reveal!!!
The only thing that will even remotely save this story is PB taking the reins and running with it the rest of it has been a snoozefest. I can only hope the DNA was not tampered with by poor Sharon as some have hinted that poor actress has had enough tearing down of her character. I do hope PB/Jack gets one hell of a scene putting Phyllis and Nick in their place those two have destroyed how many lives in between their video games and rolling in the sack. Glad to see and end to that couple.
bring back the kay alden’s team back as the writers of this show.
YawneR
Where’s Kay Alden and Jack Smith when you need them (as writers?)
Josh Griffith isn’t cutting it.
I dont know , maybe we should start a petition to bring them back. She is being wasted by the B&B team. I know Kay alden knows BILL BELL vision of this show.
It’s no use. The show will never be the same again. They take major opportunites to go in for the kill and blow it every single time. The paternity storyline of Summer was a diamond in the rough and they blew every single facet of it. I think the show is finally too far gone for revival. I am so done! But you are right to a certain degree. The show needs new blood to take over the writing. Someone who can think outside of the box without playing favorites and give us back the drama that used to leave us hanging on with bated breath on the edge of our seats. Now it puts me to sleep and I never watch all of it anymore. I am so major done with this show. B&B is better. And I never thought I would ever say that. Knock it out the box, Heather Tom, you are so talented. I love the way the girl gets the job done. I hope they don’t try and tear her down like they have done Sharon Case. She is stigmatized for life. It is going to take a miracle to save this talented actress from Y&R;s Grave. I am appalled.
Recast Phyllis, don’t care who as long as it isn’t one of JFP best friends! that never works..There is so much story that needs to be addressed concerning summers paternity.. Phyllis needs to be a part of that. Don’t let this be one of the dropped stories than never has an ending.. since they film 6 weeks ahead, recast Phyllis NOW!
Sony/CBS do you hear the fans????
Yes, they have done it again to Sharon Case. She admits to Cassie’s ghost that she did in fact change the paternity results. I am done. It is one big snooze fest and many more. They should have blown this out of the water! This could have been emmy material for the show itself. Summer should’ve belonged to Jack not NIck. It seems as though someone has a favoriite on this show. Case cannot get a break without dying off the show. She is way too good for this. They just won’t let up on her. She gets rotten leftover plots. I said it before and I will say it again………the show stinks to high heaven. They had the opportunity of a lifetime to nail this paternity thing and they blew it all sky high. I’m done! They let it drag and it began to stink more and more as the days went by. Letting Phyllis kiss Kyle was so phony and tackyand small like a minor role in the sweat house. Please someone make me understand why they could not have come in for the kill with this storyline it was done all wrong. The behavior of Summer was too unreal to believe. I have been truly let down by my favorite soap of all times. I am done!
Breaking News
47th Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: GH Scores Most Nods, DAYS Follows
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced today the nominees for the 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, which will be presented in a two-hour special on Friday, June 26 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Awards will be presented in leading categories during the telecast, with recipients and other special guests appearing from home in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional categories will be announced simultaneously on Twitter (@DaytimeEmmys), and others will be presented in a separate ceremony in July.
The awards are presented to individuals and programs broadcast between 2:00 am and 6:00 pm, as well as certain categories of digital and syndicated programming of similar content and that originally premiered in calendar-year 2019.
Show to show, and leading all daytime programming: General Hospital received the most nominations overall with 23, followed by Days of our Lives with 22. The Young and the Restless was next with 21, followed by The Bold and the Beautiful with 13. They were followed by the digital drama series, EastSiders and Studio City who scored 8 nominations, along with The View, Ghostwriter and Sesame Street.
Now below are the nominees in all the daytime and digital drama categories and congratulation to all of the nominees. Here we go, and the nominees are ….
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
After Forever Amazon Prime Video
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Eastsiders Netflix
Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Photo: ABC
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Finola Hughes as Anna Devane General Hospital ABC
Katherine Kelly Lang as Brooke Logan The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Heather Tom as Katie Logan The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Maura West as Ava Jerome General Hospital ABC
Arianne Zucker as Nicole Walker Days of Our Lives NBC
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTRESS IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Rowin Amone as Ester Issa Rae Presents King Ester YouTube.com
Mary Beth Evans as Sara Garrett The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Jade Harlow as Lianna Ramos The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Cady Huffman as Lisa After Forever Amazon Prime Video
Shanti Lowry as Yolanda Rodriguez Bronx SIU UMC / Amazon Prime Video
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Steve Burton as Jason Morgan General Hospital ABC
Thorsten Kaye as Ridge Forrester The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Jon Lindstrom as Kevin Collins/Ryan Chamberlain General Hospital ABC
Thaao Penghlis as Tony DiMera Days of Our Lives NBC
Jason Thompson as Billy Abbott The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTOR IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Kristos Andrews as Pete Garrett The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Alex Hurt as Adam The Rehearsal rehearsalseries.com
Brad James as Cameran Jr. A House Divided UMC / Amazon Prime Video
Sean Kanan as Sam Stevens Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Brian White as Jimmy Blue Bronx SIU UMC / Amazon Prime Video
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Tamara Braun as Dr Kim Nero General Hospital ABC
Rebecca Budig as Hayden Barnes General Hospital ABC
Susan Seaforth Hayes as Julie Williams Days of Our Lives NBC
Christel Khalil as Lily Winters The Young and the Restless CBS
Annika Noelle as Hope Logan The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Tina Benko as Helen The Rehearsal rehearsalseries.com
Veanne Cox as Lenora Indoor Boys vimeo.com
Patrika Darbo as Violet Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Carolyn Hennesy as Gloria Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Janet Hubert as Mignon Issa Rae Presents King Ester YouTube.com
Photo: IMDB
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Mark Grossman as Adam Newman The Young and the Restless CBS
Bryton James as Devon Hamilton The Young and the Restless CBS
Wally Kurth as Justin Kiriakis Days of Our Lives NBC
Chandler Massey as Will Horton Days of Our Lives NBC
James Patrick Stuart as Valentin Cassadine General Hospital ABC
Paul Telfer as Xander Kiriakis Days of Our Lives NBC
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Willam Belli as Douglas / Gomorrah Ray Eastsiders Netflix
Leith M. Burke as Derrick Eastsiders Netflix
Tristan Rogers as Doc Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Lenny Wolpe as Carl After Forever Amazon Prime Video
Gregory Zarian as Nate Venice the Series vimeo.com
Photo: ABC
OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERFORMER IN A DRAMA SERIES
Sasha Calle as Lola Rosales The Young and the Restless CBS
Olivia Rose Keegan as Claire Brady Days of Our Lives NBC
Katelyn MacMullen as Willow Tait General Hospital ABC
Eden McCoy as Josslyn Jacks General Hospital ABC
Thia Megia as Haley Chen Days of Our Lives NBC
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMER IN A DRAMA SERIES
Elissa Kapneck as Sasha The Young and the Restless CBS
Michael Knight as Martin Grey General Hospital ABC
Eva LaRue as Celeste Rosales The Young and the Restless CBS
Jeffrey Vincent Parise as Simon Black The Young and the Restless CBS
Chrishell Stause as Jordan Ridgeway Days of Our Lives NBC
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMER IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Rene Heger as Zack Sullivan DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Mary Beth Peil as Helen After Forever Amazon Prime Video
Scott Turner Schofield as Max Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Lin Shaye as Diane Eastsiders Netflix
Graham Sibley as Zack DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
OUTSTANDING WRITING TEAM FOR A DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING WRITING TEAM FOR A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
After Forever Amazon Prime Video
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Eastsiders Netflix
Issa Rae Presents King Ester YouTube.com
Studio City Amazon Prime Video
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Bronx SIU UMC / Amazon Prime Video
DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Issa Rae Presents King Ester YouTube.com
Studio City Amazon Prime Video
OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION AND COMPOSITION FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Days of Our Lives NBC
Pillow Talk YouTube.com
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING MAKEUP FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Eastsiders Netflix
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING HAIRSTYLING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL TEAM FOR A DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING MULTIPLE CAMERA EDITING FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING LIVE AND DIRECT TO TAPE SOUND MIXING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING ARTDIRECTION/SETDECORATION/SCENIC DESIGN FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
After Forever Amazon Prime Video
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DIRECTION FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING CASTING FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
Eastsiders Netflix
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SONG
“The Bad Guys?” Brainwashed By Toons funnyordie.com
“Everything Changed” The Feels YouTube.com
“North Star” General Hospital ABC
“A Holiday Carol – The Holidays Are Here”
93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade NBC
“Hooray Hooray, We’re On Our Way”
93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade NBC
Photo: ABC
OUTSTANDING SPECIAL CLASS SPECIAL
93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day NBC
Hate Among Us Popstar TV
Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration HBO
This Old House: 40th Anniversary Special PBS
The Young and the Restless: Kristoff St. John Tribute CBS
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT –TOPICAL
Days of Our Lives “Flash Forward” NBC
Dr. Phil “Rodney Reed” SYNDICATED Jeopardy!
“Jeopardy! All Star Games” SYNDICATED
Nick Jr Paw Patrol Ready, Race, Rescue: Trailer Nickelodeon
Spirit Riding Free: Spirit of Christmas
“Launch” Netflix The Star Wars Show
“Stars Wars Animals: The Trench Run” YouTube.com
The full list of nominees in all categories is available at https://theemmys.tv/daytime
So, who are you thrilled to see nominated from your favorite daytime and digital dramas? Who do you think is MIA? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Breaking News
47th Annual Daytime Emmys To Be Broadcast On CBS; Nominations To Be Announced Tomorrow On ‘The Talk’
Breaking news on Wednesday, the Daytime Emmys are back on and in a major way returning to broadcast television and CBS on Friday night, June 26h beginning at 8 p,m, ET/PT in a two-hour special.
The announcement was made by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and this marks the 14th time CBS had aired the Daytime Emmys throughout its history.
Photo: NATAS
The June 26 telecast will be produced by the National Academy and Associated Television International (ATI), which previously produced the Daytime Emmys Awards on The CW in 2009 and CBS’ most recent broadcasts in 2010 and 2011.
In addition, nominations in major categories will be revealed for the first time tomorrow May 21st on the CBS Daytime afternoon series, The Talk as well as ETOnline.com’ there are 100 categories in all that comprise the Daytime Emmys this year. This year’s awards honor content from more than 2,700 submissions that originally premiered in calendar-year 2019, judged by a pool of 1,000 peer professionals from across the television industry
“The Daytime Emmys are coming home,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “For generations, daytime television has been a source of comfort and continuity that’s never been more important. We’re delighted to join with CBS in celebrating the programs and professionals who never cease to brighten our days.”
“As a leader in Daytime, we are thrilled to welcome back the Daytime Emmy Awards,” said Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events for CBS. “Daytime television has been keeping viewers engaged and entertained for many years, so it is with great pride that we look forward to celebrating the best of the genre here on CBS.”
“In these challenging times, daytime has been a primary influence in staying connected with its audience, entertaining them, and keeping them informed,” said 47th Annual Daytime Emmys® executive producer and director David McKenzie of Associated Television International. “We are honored to be a part of it. We are also excited for the challenge of introducing a new format that will celebrate the contributions of daytime television.”
Awards will be presented in leading categories during the telecast, with recipients and other special guests appearing from home in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional categories will be announced simultaneously on Twitter (@DaytimeEmmys), and others will be presented in a separate ceremony in July.
So, what do you think about the Daytime Emmys returning to primetime and CBS? Who do you think will score a nomination tomorrow? Comment below, but first check out The Talk’s Daytime Emmy announcement below.
Big announcement on @TheTalkCBS today: The 47th ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY® AWARDS will return to CBS Friday, June 26 at 8pm ET/PT. Join @TheTalkCBS and @ETNow tomorrow when they announce #DaytimeEmmyAward nominations. pic.twitter.com/sQ9gqbh2wC
— CBS (@CBS) May 20, 2020
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
GH’s Steve Burton and Maurice Benard Deliver “The Power Performance of the Week”
‘Studio City’s’ Sean Kanan to Host Indie Series Awards Virtual Ceremony
‘The Masked Singer’ Runner-up, Ex- AMC’s Jesse McCartney, Recalls Working With David Canary
Justin Deas, Beth Ehlers & Company Set For Guiding Light Cooper Family Reunion
CW’s ‘Dynasty’ Cast Livestream Chat On Tap
TODAY: General Hospital Rebroadcasts Masterful 52nd Anniversary Episode
Y&R To Run “Villains Week” While B&B Is Set for “Celebrity Week”
47th Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: GH Scores Most Nods, DAYS Follows
All My Children Cast Reunites For #UnitedAtHome Series In Week-Long Event
Lori Loughlin and Husband Mossimo Giannulli To Plead Guilty To Charges In College Admissions Scandal
The Bold and the Beautiful Projected To Resume Production In June; Although Situation Remains Fluid
Andy Cohen On His ‘Story of Soaps’ Backlash: “I Went To The Interview As A Soap Fan Prepped To Talk Soaps & They Asked About Reality TV … Sue Me!”
ABC’s “The Story of Soaps” Two-Hour Special Shifts Time Slot to 9 p. m. EST/PST
ABC and PEOPLE’s ‘The Story of Soaps’: What Was Your Review Of It?
47th Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: GH Scores Most Nods, DAYS Follows
Dominic Zamprogna Reveals He’s Ready to Come Home to General Hospital
OLTL Icon, Erika Slezak Talks On Her 42-Year Run As Viki, Her Llanview Co-Stars & Husbands, and Life Now
GH’s Steve Burton and Maurice Benard Deliver “The Power Performance of the Week”
47th Annual Daytime Emmys To Be Broadcast On CBS; Nominations To Be Announced Tomorrow On ‘The Talk’
TODAY: General Hospital Rebroadcasts Masterful 52nd Anniversary Episode
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
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Breaking NewsMay 15, 2020The Bold and the Beautiful Projected To Resume Production In June; Although Situation Remains Fluid
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Breaking NewsMay 20, 2020Andy Cohen On His ‘Story of Soaps’ Backlash: “I Went To The Interview As A Soap Fan Prepped To Talk Soaps & They Asked About Reality TV … Sue Me!”
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Breaking NewsMay 16, 2020ABC’s “The Story of Soaps” Two-Hour Special Shifts Time Slot to 9 p. m. EST/PST
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All My ChildrenMay 20, 2020ABC and PEOPLE’s ‘The Story of Soaps’: What Was Your Review Of It?
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Breaking NewsMay 21, 202047th Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: GH Scores Most Nods, DAYS Follows
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General HospitalMay 19, 2020Dominic Zamprogna Reveals He’s Ready to Come Home to General Hospital
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InterviewsMay 20, 2020OLTL Icon, Erika Slezak Talks On Her 42-Year Run As Viki, Her Llanview Co-Stars & Husbands, and Life Now
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General HospitalMay 24, 2020GH’s Steve Burton and Maurice Benard Deliver “The Power Performance of the Week”