Scott is back and better than ever. “I’m so happy she’s back,” he enthuses. “And she looks sensational. She’s never looked better. Without Mel, it’s not right … the show doesn’t work without her.” He remarks that MTS had to go through the same contract negotiations he famously endured last year. “I think it’s over now,” he says. “I hope it’s over now.”
Me, too! Y&R has been sorely soulless since MTS left as Nikki. Let’s hope Mel, who triumphantly returned this week, receives one hell of a storyline to make up for her six-month absence. We’ve all missed Nikki!
As for the cancellations of AMC and One Life, all he weighs in, saying: “More talk shows. Like we need those. Everyone’s talking but no one’s communicating. Let’s hope the trend comes back to storytelling. People need stories. They want to follow a character they’ve seen for years grow and evolve and endure the trial and tribulations of life. Art has always been about the surviving travails. Art is about letting people know we are all a part of a larger universe. There is a certain amount of comfort in that, especially when you see a wealthy person like Victor deal with problems. Despite his billions, Victor is still not happy. Art has always made people think: ‘Oh, someone feels the way I feel and I’m not alone. That’s what soaps do best.”
Madison Avenue’s obsession with the younger demo infuriates Braeden the most. He suggests #OccupyMadisonAvenue! “It’s bullshit,” he yells. “These guys are asleep at the wheel,” he fumes. “It’s ridiculous! Look at the demos: the notion that people under 49 only buy things is ludicrous and erroneous. It’s simply nonsense. Why should we ignore what is or will be the majority of our population?”
What he said.
• Pretty and talented Michael Graziadei has booked yet another prime-time gig! Graziadei has landed a guest role on The Secret Circle as a sexy and hot-blooded guy, Callum, who has a killer charm. Look for Graziadei's episode to air on Jan. 19. Congrats!
• Would Lauralee Bell agree to do a show like Dirty Soap? “Um, no,” the stunner laughs. “[The Bell family] was offered to do a reality show years ago but we declined. It’s creepy to me.” La Bell has watched one episode of the reality show. What did she think? “I think it’s a good idea. I don’t know if I could watch every week. Have you ever watched Long Island Medium [on TLC]? I like watching people talking to the dead. I’m just not a reality-TV person. I don’t think anyone has that much of an interesting life to be filmed every day. No one has that much high drama in their lives.”
Well, unless you’re a Kardashian! Or a Newman.
Considering Bell loves mediums, would she ever consider trying to channel the spirit of her late, great father William Bell? “I would love it,” she says. Hey, maybe Master Bell could head-write Y&R from beyond.
Any talks of Bell re-joining B&B? “I did it once, but I doubt it. Listen, the show is awesome right now, but if I return to soaps, Y&R just makes more sense. My fear is if I go to B&B it would be for a legal case. And those stories are brain busters! I don’t know if I can do that anymore.”
Now that Bell’s bro, Brad, has one million Emmy awards, has the famous nice guy turned into a diva? She laughs, “For so long the family has said, ‘Oh, poor Brad, he hasn’t won an Emmy in so long.’ And now he has to build another shelf!” Does Bell want an Emmy of her own — especially if a Guest Star category comes to fruition? “I think I would be pushing it to throw my name into the Emmy race. What I’m most proud of are my Webby Awards for Family Dinner.” Bell does reveal that she submitted Dinner for Daytime Emmy consideration but NATAS refused to consider comedic web serials. “Christian LeBlanc and Martha Byrne fought hard for us, but we need to be a drama to qualify,” she says. Weird since the now-defunct Passions was considered by most to be a comedy!
• It’s high tea time! Kate Linder — who is currently starring in Global Toronto News ads promoting its new timeslot before Canada’s top soap — is headed to up north again. Benefitting the Puget Sound Affiliate of the Susan G. Kome for the Cure, Linder is bringing Daniel Goddard, Tracey E. Bregman and Michael Muhney to Seattle, Wash., at the Westin Hotel on Dec. 3 from noon-3:30 p.m. Sounds like trouble to me! “I’m really excited,” Linder tells Uncensored. But can she handle all that testosterone? After all, Muhney, Goddard and LeBlanc can be a handful. “Yeah, but fans love them,” laughs Linder. “It’s going to be fun. I encourage everyone to come!”
In addition to the high tea, enjoy treats (sandwiches/desserts) to eat and the autograph session with cast members. LeBlanc will emcee the two-hour event, which includes a question and answer session, raffle, live auction, gift bag plus exclusive Y&R merchandise store. Makeup and hair stars George Guzman and Patti Denney will auction off an on-the-spot makeover for a lucky winner.
Tickets are $100 and available online at: www.wiztix.com/komentea.html
Linder, who says she working relatively a lot on Y&R, is worried about the future of soaps. “If viewers want their soaps on the air, they have to watch. It’s that simple. They also need to write into the networks and shows and be vocal about their favourites. I also don’t think executives know how many people are actually watching these shows. I believe we have a much larger audience. Because I travel all over the country, I constantly run into our fans. It’s ridiculous to think that this [medium] is dying.” As for Y&R’s future, she’s optimistic. “We have a great product. We all work hard. We’re not going anywhere. Cancellation isn’t an option.”
She agrees with me when I say ratings would skyrocket if Esther was on the front burner and found a man who actually loved her. “Yes! I love you,” she laughs. “Working with my [on-screen] daughter, Elizabeth Hendrickson, is always a joy. She’s given Esther more story. I’m so happy Jeanne Cooper is coming back soon. She’s going to be fine. I’m in constant communication with her. I enjoyed working with Michael Learned though. She is a wonderful actress but no one is Katherine except Jeanne.”
SOAP WHISPERER:
This week’s hottest blind items
• Which super villain character is headed to jail soon?
• Which actor’s bad breath instills fear in anyone who comes close to him on set? “He also drinks way too much,” says one co-star.
• Which showrunner is pissing off the cast by walking around with his/her Emmy on set?
IDIOT RATINGS: Nov. 7-11/11
Winner: Topsy Turvy Y&R/B&B rise again! DAYS beats GH!
Loser: GH plummets!
—Courtesy of SoapOperaNetwork.com
Total Viewers:
1. Y&R 4,516,000 (+264,000/-477,000)
2. B&B 3,175,000 (+209,000/+126,000)
3. OLTL 2,524,000 (-95,000/+128,000)
4. DAYS 2,294,000 (+4,000/-204,000)
5. GH 2,269,000 (-124,000/-259,000)
Households:
1. Y&R 3.4/11 (+.2/-.1)
2. B&B 2.3/8 (same/+.2)
3. OLTL 1.9/6 (same/+.1)
4. GH 1.8/5 (same/same)
5. DAYS 1.7/6 (same/-.2)
Women 18-49 Viewers:
1. Y&R 907,000 (+80,000/-190,000)
2. B&B 642,000 (+96,000/-5,000)
3. OLTL 595,000 (-50,000/-84,000)
4. GH 571,000 (-57,000/-277,000)
Soap Opera Uncensored: Issue 7 Page 5