Fronsie did. I.e., into the ground and with an agenda, PR and otherwise.
• Condolences are in order for Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo who miscarried her second child this week. The Emmy winner, who tweeted the news, has a child, Kassius, with Fringe star Brian Austin Green. Get well, boo!
• In story 411: Next week, Dante proposes to Lulu. Are they still on this show? Meanwhile, in order to win Lucky’s heart, Liz commits herself to Shadybrook; and hair model Delores Padilla makes her move on Johnny! Yep, this show is so getting canceled soon.
• In this week’s Soaps In Depth, Kimberly McCullough reveals her contract expired months but she re-signed so Robin and Patty Cakes could get a proper send-off. Um, with recent rumours about Robin dying of AIDS, perhaps the Emmy winner should have bolted when she had the chance.
• Soap Opera Weekly has this blind item in this week’s issue: A major character will die in a shocking death next week. My guess? Abby.
• Will new head writer Ron Carlivati stop this upcoming serial killer storyline? Apparently — with increasing buzz that Steve Burton has decided to leave the show, along with Maurice Benard and Tony Geary — it’s anyone’s guess. Maybe I should flip a coin! Let’s pray with Cartini headed to Port Hell all the actors stay on until the show’s finale. Heck at this point it’s better to ask: who isn’t leaving this show.
The Nate Berkus Show — Soap fans: A lifestyle show actually wants YOU!
• From Oprah’s gay BFF, Nate Berkus: Are you a huge daytime soap opera fan? Have you seen every episode since the first day it aired on television? Do you find yourself staying home to watch during the days or taping them so you can watch it at night? Are there any particular characters you idolize and follow their careers? If this sounds like you, and you live in the tri-state area, tell us your story! Please submit your full contact info (phone and email), a description of your situation and few recent photographs!
Hey Nate: Just don’t pull an Oprah, er, Clint Buchanan and tell us soaps are dead and not financially viable.
One Life to Live, ABC — Will Fraternity Row be canceled for a third time?! Best Writing Emmy Scored!
• Are the rumours true that One Life filmed multiple endings as Hillary B. Smith hinted at in a recent interview (apparently, her story had different taped endings)? Head scribe Rob Carlivati tells Digest, “It's impossible. There is no re-shooting of anything at this point." Let’s hope fans get closure with a two-hour prime time TV-Movie. All together: “Yeah, right.”
However, in Erika Slezak’s newest newsletter (found at erikaslezak.com or onemillionemmywinner.com), she attests, like Smith, there was one alternative scene filmed. She said, “No, I don't think alternate endings were taped, except one, which in this case now, will apply. Other tidbits: Susan Flannery emailed Slezak to offer support; Brian Frons called her two hours before ABC made the cancellation announcement, but she refused to initially take the call “because he never calls just to say ‘hello;’ and how she loved working with my fave Barbara Rhodes (Irene). Read the rest of the informative interview for more scoopage.
• From Mike Gold’s desk: Celebrity Events Group -- the folks behind the AMC’s "A Tribute To Pine Valley" fan event -- will present a farewell to One Life next month as well. "Loving Llanview" will take place on Saturday, January 21, at the Theatre at Westbury in Westbury, NY. Actors scheduled to attend are Jerry verDorn, Kassie DePaiva, Trevor St. John, John-Paul Lavoisier, Kim Zimmer, Melissa Archer, Michael Easton, Gina Tognoni, Ilene Kristen, and Sean Ringgold. The main event begins at 7 p.m., with a post-show autograph and photo session at 9:30. Tickets are on sale now at www.LovingLlanview.com.
No word if the stars from Fraternity Row will be getting their own farewell event. I miss you Spring Skye! And Ruby/Roxanne!
• Who needs the WGA? Speaking of #FratRow, head writer Ron Carlivati will most certainly score his second Emmy Award if he is smart enough to submit Tuesday’s spectacular homage to soaps and its fans (don’t count on it). Despite Soap Opera Digest touting that the last the Two Todds storyline was 2011’s best (and I agreed), the death of Fraternity Row, and its resurrection onscreen (the soap-within-a-soap was a huge story back in the 90s), was the best-written episode and possibly storyline of 2011, in my opinion (the year’s not over yet). The industry will love this unconditional tribute to daytime and its brave criticism of the destruction of our beloved genre… so it’s a great bet. Clearly, ABC didn’t approve these episodes! And thank you, ABC! Nice to see that One Life gave Soap Opera Weekly a co-starring role in this story. Weekly so deserves a Daisy Award for Outstanding Prop in a Storyline. That sound you hear? Morris, Roxy’s fake porcupine, Morris; and Cutter’s boxer briefs crying, “we were robbed!”
• Shocker: The View will pretend that my fave TV show ever existed by saluting the Emmy-winning serial’s years on air with a special episode, co-hosted by Erika Slezak. One Life creator Agnes Nixon will also appear on the show, which will feature behind-the-scenes footage from Llanview’s final days and interviews with your favorite stars. Kassie DePaiva and Hills Smith are scheduled to appear as well; more boldface will be announced soon.
• Emmy winner Crystal Chappell revealed on her weekly Venice blog she was offered role on the One Life reboot. No shit! She declined.
• Next week, I’m offering you the ultimate Andrea Evans tribute. In what has to be the best comeback of the year — and best exit storyline for any character this year — the love of my life refuses to confirm she’ll be back for the show’s January final, but my sources attest otherwise. Tune in, indeed! It’s a must-read interview for any One Life, B&B, Y&R and Passions fan!
Also, Kim Zimmer will not be seen on the One Life canvas until January towards the finale. The Emmy winner had e-mailed yours truly this past fall worried she had no more airdates but that has clearly changed.
• And this is just for shits and giggles: read my former TVguide.ca article found here (https://tvguide.ca/Soaps/Features/Articles/110420_most_hated_man_NB.htm) which heralded Brian Frons: The Most Hated Man in TV.
The Young and the Restless, CBS — Science and Tology Don’t Mix! Francis staying!
• Is Genie Francis leaving Y&R for GH? Hell, no! Sources report she’s in Genoa City for the time being now that she has toned down her portrayal of the scene-chewing Gen. In fact, she’s heavily playing in scripts for the foreseeable future.
• Are the rumours true that Sharon and Victor will fall in love and marry? No. But it was talked about. Luckily for us, it’s not happening. Yet. Trust me, kids: this show could be worse than it is now.
• Actor Michael Fairman has filed a lawsuit against a Scientologist chiropractor -- claiming she refused to see him and his family after he was excommunicated from the Church. I’m glad he has a better real-life storyline than most of his on-screen peers on Y&R.
According to TMZ: Fairman claims he was a prominent member of the Church, but became disenchanted with the way Church was running things. Fairman claims Church leaders got fed up with him earlier this year, branded him and his wife "suppressive persons" and blacklisted the family from all things Scientology.
After Fairman was ousted, the actor claims he received a letter from the family chiropractor -- an active Scientologist -- informing him she would no longer treat the Fairman family. Fairman also claims she refused to hand over a copy of the family's medical records.
In the lawsuit, Fairman claims he must have been discriminated against because he's no longer with the Church -- noting that he's been a good, paying customer since 2003.
• Emmy winner Eric Braeden thinks the occupy movement will have an impact on America’s future, he tells Uncensored. However, he calls police violence against protestors “ridiculous. Why look for the confrontation.
• Two shocking weddings? You decide. Deacon blackmails Nikki into marrying him after Victor takes the murder rap for killing Diane (he — nor she did, I think). Also, the worst couple on daytime, Neil and Sofia wed. Puke.
AWARDS SHOW
CENTRAL:
Game of Thrones: NATAS finally reinvents the rules for the 2012 Daytime Emmy Awards showdown! Uncensored has the exclusive scoop!
And the Emmy goes to … the most deserving actor and shows in daytime! Whatcha talkin’ about, Nellie?
Yep, the elusive dream may actually become a reality next year. NATAS likes us; they really, really like us! Thanks to the tireless and brave efforts of actors like Y&R’s Michael Muhney, who boldly put a face on the fight for much-needed Emmy reform, NATAS listened and (re)acted in a big way!
A National Academy of Arts and Sciences spokesperson exclusively confirms Soap Opera Uncensored’s Emmy report in our first issue six weeks ago: a major overhaul has reinvented the award nomination process, along with introducing a proposed new category that will get the web soap community all lathered up. The changes have mostly been approved but will be integrated over the course of two years.
Below are the changes; read ‘em and rejoice:
• There is no limit to how many actors from one show can submit their name for Emmy consideration in the pre-nomination round in a category.
Soap Opera Uncensored: ISSUE 8 Page 4