JD Roth and Revolution: Fat Chance

 Ha..read the Seattle pi piece on The Revolution and it's attempt to get someone, anyone to watch the show. We know that if ABC had any sense, they'd can this turkey, keep GH and have a WIN WIN on their hands. Heck, we might even believe Katie "wanted" to save GH and give her a try.

You know I commented. I encourage all wubbers to do the same. I got in thru Facebook. 

Excerpt:

  Roth, best known for hosting TV shows like Fun House before becoming an exec, answered our showrunner survey in the hopes that, say, you want a Revolution.

I'm not at home during the day. Why should I DVR your show?
Everyone on the planet has at least one thing they want to improve. If I can tell you that you can improve that one thing by watching this show, why wouldn't you?

My Answer?  BECAUSE IT SUCKS and it replaced an awesome drama with great actors/crew!! I don't need to improve anything, thank you. Or if I did, I could watch the other 900 shows on about doing that.

"I Dare Anyone To Cancel This Show"!

Read a great article on ET ONLINE! about GH and The OLTL crossover. "Fans Breathe Life in General Hospital Cast"

On Kassie and Kristin: The on-screen mother-daughter duo is equally as affectionate when not playing their roles. Kassie stressed that the Manning's relocation is "a gift to the fans of One Life to Live." She added, "Not each fan watches both shows, so this way we can bring some of our OLTL fans over to GH."

"I just hope that the network does not turn its back on daytime. ABC has always been such a great brand," wept a heartbroken Kassie. Maurice Benard, who plays mobster Sonny Corinthos, threatened, "I dare anybody to cancel this show."

 READ THE article, get some traffic over there! We will be heard!! woot! Great video too!

"Americans who just want good, safe programming,"

Ah, let the spin begin!! This is in a piece in the Killeen Daily Herald, signaling the switch that Dish Network and Time Warner is going to have soon. What is "GOOD, SAFE PROGRAMMING"? Well, getting rid of Soap Net of course!!
Company spokesperson Ryan Kelly said the cable provider will add the kid-friendly channel, Disney Jr., sometime in March. The channel, 155, will feature shows, such as JoJo's Circus, Rolie Polie Olie and Higglytown Heroes..

"I get a lot of direct emails from customers," said Shull. "These were very commonly requested channels by our customer base."
In describing the company's subscriber base, he called them: "Americans who just want good, safe programming," adding that DISH wanted to address concerns of some parents about profanity and other adult themes on pay television services.

Disney Jr. started as a daytime programming block on the Disney Channel. It replaced Disney Playhouse two years ago, earning the pay channel some of its highest ratings in years among children aged 2-5. Launching as its own 24-hour network, the new channel will replace Disney-ABC's soap opera channel, Soapnet. 

THE demo?? 2-5 Year olds.
Thank you Disney, ABC, Time Warner et. al.

All in the name of Good Safe Programming.
I think I just threw up a little.

So, You Like Downton Abbey? Watch Daytime Soaps Then!

Phoebe Wallingford?

There I was, watching the finale of Downton Abbey last night, the newest sensation on PBS --and I thought: Every ONE of these stories were used/lifted from soaps. Snooty people watching this primetime soap are no doubt the same ones that look down their noses at us for watching "daytime dramas"-- when Downton Abbey is just about the MOST soapy you can get:


Guy is paralized and walks again? Check
Someone comes back claiming to be the heir that looks way different than they did years ago? Check
Dead gorgeous guy in heroine's bed? Check
Can't marry the the man you want because your father thinks he's not good enough/wrong side of the tracks? About a MILLION checks.
Pissy older grandparent tossing off one liners? Check
Virus outbreak? Check
Innocent man convicted of murdering nasty wife? Yep. 
I can go on and on. Thomas and O'Brien are straight out of soapy casting!  

VANITY FAIR even has "Trading Cards"  for the characters!! LOL.. and "we're extreme"? 

SO, You can all STHU when it comes to soaps. America is demonstrating their love for the genre in droves. Yes, it's got better costumes and is on an 'artsy' channel but IT'S A SOAP. Deal with it.
ABC, you have Revenge going strong--and look at the Desperate Housewives run... and you can't see the value of GH? You can't see the point of promotion and making production top notch? Well, you are not thinking straight. It's time to make the GH hour must see TV again. WAKE UP!

ABC May Launch "The Moo"!

With ratings dismal for their mid-afternoon show "The Revolution", a new idea is in the works to have a replacement in the offering. So, to fit in with "The View" and "The Chew", execs have ordered 3 episodes of "The Moo" --a program dedicated to having "ordinary people"  learn the "spiritual awaking" of milking cows. Guest hosts such as Mr. Green Jeans and Pamela Anderson will keep audiences guessing...and tuning in day after day as udder-chaos is exposed!! 

Host Nicole Richie can't wait to start "It gives me some use with my experience from my reality show" she says.  Insiders reveal that Paris Hilton is in talks to join the panel which will judge each contestant on their milking techniques after only three sessions with "Milking Professionals".

So, don't fret soap fans, if "The Revolution" tanks, ABC has something all ready to follow it! Get your Milkin' On!

A Wubber Must Hear: Daytime Confidential's Interview with OLTL's RC

My friends over at Daytime Confidential have a great podcast that includes Ron Carlivati talking about the end of OLTL and more importantly his plans for the OLTL-GH Meld. It may make you feel much better about the merger. HIT this DCPODCAST link and give a listen. 

Hear from Carlivati himself on his thoughts about how the 43-year-old sudser came to a close. Would he have done things differently had he known OLTL wouldn't be moving online immediately following the ABC finale? Carlivati shares how it felt to be able to bring back such popular veterans as Jessica Tuck (Megan), Roscoe Born (Mitch), Fiona Hutchison (Gabrielle), Susan Batten (Luna), Ty Treadway (Troy), and more during the soap's "Between Heaven and Hell" arc during its final week.

The Mind-Melding of OLTL and GH: The WUB View

 I've gotten so many emails and post/twitter comments asking me my feelings on the two shows coming together, I thought I'd write a blog post about it and just point people in this direction if they wish to know.
First of all, I want everyone to realize where I'm coming from. I think you know I'm a HUGE OLTL fan.  I loved the direction, production and most of all writing in the past few years. In the end, it became my "can't miss show" . GH on the other hand, let me down time after time and really doesn't hold my interest much anymore. Hopefully, with Guza, JFP and Frons gone, Cartini will have more reign on the golden calves and sacred story lines that have been a steady choke-hold on GH . GH has a bloated cast and storylines that we've seen for years without much modification. I won't mention them all here but let's admit it ---character growth really hasn't been a priority. Right now, under Wolf, things are such a mess, I'm not even sure anyone knows the 'big picture' anymore. Just a bunch of scenes thrown together, edited all over the place and loose ends that dangle every dang day. 
What I want most for GH is fabulous writing. Period.  Characters come and go--actors come and go but  good writing? That  should be a given. I've learned over the years that actors are also coming and going as well as "golden couples".  Soaps need to be  in some form of flux to keep us watching.
Here's an example of good writing not interfering with how I feel about the show itself: I was really upset that Robin Strasser left before OLTL ended. I thought she should be a part of the finale. The last few months were written so well and then the final weeks were so awesome, Dorian being missing was more of my own annoyance and didn't effect the enjoyment of the show. One reason this works? Out of all the soaps, OLTL does not use one actor over another in stories. In fact, most stories involve all characters, even if it's on the sidelines. I remember reading one stat that had "air hogs" from all the soaps and OLTL didn't even make the list because there wasn't one or two or even three actors that got way more airtime than others. That's a great use of canvas and story-threading imo.
Now we come to the actual characters coming over from OLTL to "invade" our Port Charles space. Again, I'm excited for this to happen. I do understand that if you're only a OLTL Fan or only a GH fan, this can seem daunting. I personally have faith in Ron C to make it work. Remember, they are also bringing back Holly, Robert and Anna!! GH's "look" was going to change anyway. Newbies don't know about that past. Everyone will be playing catch up a bit. 

I totally understand the Actor and Couple loyalty. You don't want to see your faves leave in favor of others coming over from a different show. All I can say about that is GH should have evolved long ago into a way different show than it is now. It's not the actors faults but it is what it is. If new "life" and different stories are going to make it better, I'm all for it.
One thing Ron is great with is integrating the cast--that's what I can't wait to see. How will these characters tie into Port Charles? To me it will be exciting to watch. I need some excitement about now when  it comes to GH.

I'm not really keeping up with the Prospect Park deals or who licenses who or how this effects ongoing efforts to keep the shows on air (in another market). I'm looking solely at the next 6 months. I suppose I'm hoping for ratings to climb into the 3.0 range or beyond so perhaps there's a chance at the show being saved. I do believe that by Sept, GH will be done. I'm not being a downer but that's what I believe based on what I've seen/read and heard. Until then, I want one hell of a ride. I think Cartini will deliver it.

The View: One Life To Live Tribute

Will air today at 11am EST. Wubber Walkster was lucky enough to get tickets! Here's a photo of Andrea Evans in the crowd (Tina). Robin Strasser, Judith Light, Erika Slezak were all there paying homage to Nixon's soap. 
It's going to be a long day. *sigh*

Daytime Killer Brian FRONS IS OUT PEOPLE!!

 BYE!

That's right!!!! SID broke the news on Twitter right now....Read all about it on Michael Fairman Consolidation will happen for Daytime...and Frons is moving to some other in-house division.
I just wish the idiot was on YEARS AGO! Even more on Deadline!
This doesn't mean that the soaps are saved and I doubt if GH is staying but hell, I'm happy. His replacement is a reality TV programmer so don't count your chickens.

Frons will assist in the transition to the new structure and will provide counsel to the management team. “Brian Frons has been the driving force in our successful Daytime division since joining us in 2002, and while we understand his decision to leave at the end of his contract, we’re sad to see him go,” Sweeney said. “We took this opportunity to rethink our business, and the result was the creation of Times Square Studios. Having it be part of the ABC Entertainment Group, under the supervision of proven executives Vicki Dummer and Paul Lee, provides us the opportunity to bring greater creative resources, development strength and operational flexibility to this key area of our business.”

Announcement Coming on Jill Farren Phelps Exit?

Late last night ...Soaps In Depth tweeted the info that Producer Jill Farren Phelps will be exiting GH and Frank Valentini from One Life to Live will be in. What does this mean for us, the viewer? 

Short term: Great... FV takes chances  and hopefully will fix this. Will he bring head writer Ron Carvalti with him? You know how I love One Life to Live so yes, it's great news to turn things around. 

Long Term: Not hopeful. Lorainne Broderick came to AMC to "sweep up"... the show was over. GH isn't even listed on my station's fall line-up.  That makes me the saddest. 

There should be a press announcement coming soon regarding all this shake-up. I'll update when I can. Raven has rumored JFP out for months, I'm surprised it took this long.

Cady McCain and The Prospect Deal...

Cady McCain took to facebook to address some of the things she's been hearing about the Cyber-deal. Thought you'd like to read some of it.. interesting. Read it in FULL on Cady's FB Page

Okay, I just have to say that the news that "AMC didn't move on because of actor negotiations" is just totally wrong. First of all, when I was there at the very end, TONS of actors were asking each other, "have you been contacted? Has ANYBODY been contacted?" The answer was always, "No. What's going on? Why haven't they contacted any of us?"

Now comes the real question, why? Why weren't they asked? Is it true that PP was negotiating only with Lucci and waiting until that deal was done to contact anyone else? I do not know. She did not share that info with anyone as far as I know. I did hear through the grapevine (after the show ended) that PP did indeed contact her. Make of that what you will.

Is it true that PP showed preference for OLTL from the very beginning? Yes, I do know that because OLTL had higher ratings, PP felt they had a better bet with them. Other than that, I cannot guess at anything else, other than that PP only has so much money to go around, and this internet gamble is a huge one. My feeling is, when OLTL goes to the internet, it will have a only a FEW months to prove itself as a viable show. If it doesn't pull the ratings PP needs it to... it will not withstand the chopping block. If it DOES do well in the ratings, then there is a CHANCE that AMC will be pulled back into the mix.

Oprah Drops The Soap!!

Oh, yes,  I'm calling out OPRAH!! I was tuning into MSNBC today and saw the program head for Discovery Channel  (OWN) and he was saying "be patient"!! Ratings? HA! "It takes cable channels years to develop a following."
Now, I don't know much about running a  giant cable channel but I do know a little something about building a fan base. Oprah blew it when she dissed "Daytime TV" in her video message to Soap Stars, out in April. 



In other words, kiss off!! "The support of the audience" is the key, as she's said-- but guess what? Bet you're WISHING you had that kind of numbers for your floundering shows on OWN about now. 
You know what she should have done?
How about at least saying she'd TRY to come to the rescue and  "talk with people" about having them come over to her network? Maybe say "I'd love to explore the possibilities" of a scripted show on OWN and would work really had to help the soap fans find a home on this network. NOW don't GET ME WRONG ,  I have no clue the money or "legal stuff" that would go into such a venture but the big O could have at least pretended to care. Can you imagine if she forged something with Susan Lucci for saving AMC and had that as a point on her new channel?? If she would have threw a crumb,  we would have followed and been forever grateful.
Ah, but she didn't Blanche, she didn't.
Instead, her network is a big ol' ratings flatline.  I am going out there and saying this: Many of us, No..MOST of us that would watch her following our soaps just DON'T WANT TO TUNE in anymore.  The big 'built in audience" We are GONE lady.


FROM MSNBC...read the full article at the top link, good stuff! 

“I’ve been in TV all my life and I know most television programmers do not start the meeting by ‘How is this going to serve the viewer?’ ” Winfrey said. “Numbers are important, but they’re not as important to me right now as they might be to you. What I’m concerned about is building the channel with programming that is meaningful to our viewers.” 

Oh we Daytime fans  know what you could have tried to do to make OWN meaningful. We know.  

Anthony Bourdain HATES the Chew TOO!

Oh, Anthony, I knew you were a closet LaLucci fan! Go to  New Times and see full exchange including video. 

 

Needs to drink watching The Chew! 

In an interview with Mercury News, Anthony Bourdain was asked what he thought about The Chew, the ABC foodcentric daytime talk show.

Bourdain said, "(Heavy sigh) I'm really shaken. Honestly, I don't know what to believe anymore. Mario Batali is a better chef than I am, a better businessman. And Michael Symon! I can't tell you how much I like and respect those guys. They're the smartest, funniest, best since Julia Child. They had to know what they were getting into. I'm not trying to be funny or snarky -- I'm really shaken. I feel like I've left the mountains, and found all my comrades had joined the Interior Ministry. The whole world has tilted in a way I don't understand. I feel like I'm a million years old and very naive. I just don't know who the fool is. I suspect it's me.

Deadline: Couric Cleared in 60% of Market!

 Promo Poster 

One more nail. DeadlineHollywood is reporting that Couric's talk show has been sold in 14 out of the 15 top markets. The show will be called "Katie" and debuts in the fall of 2012. Rumors  persist she's slated to take over General Hospital's time slots in most cities.

Dirty Soap: Review From The Wub Chair...

First of all, I DVR'd it and watched it during that SHOW that shall not be mentioned. I found it to be interesting, a bit staged but I'm giving it a go. My fave part was of course, seeing behind the set in make-up, dressing rooms and fan events. 

Kelly and Kirsten were good together. The whole "boyfriend" break up?? ehh.. I'm more interested to see Farah in the mix!! Love JP and the fact he's a New Yorker through and through. Farah came off as a snarky beeatch but I found myself liking that a bit. The House hunting should be cool to watch.


The other actors I don't know at all as I don't watch DOOL or BB. But it's couple and family drama and Nadia looking for a new job. I do think there could have been more people involved, not sure thsi can hold my interest for all the shows--I will watch to support the industry however! Most of you know I'm a reality Ho for most shows so I'm picky. I can tell if it's scripted a mile away. This is pretty staged, that's for sure. I'll have to see the drama unfold to make a final judgement. 

BEST LINE: Kelly says: "Call me a bitch and my fans will rip your face off" !! 

My one big question is WHY THE HELL didn't Soap Net do this years ago?? It has a whole freekin' channel..it could have even started with one ABC show and moved on to the others. It could have been epic. Then, they could have even taken OLTL or AMC and moved it to that network and save them. IDIOTS. grrrrr. No vision.

2 AMC Actors To Sign with CyberSoap

Breaking news this afternoon via TV Line.  Cameron Mathison and Lindsay Harley are ready to sign to continue on with All My Children online. This is pending a deal with AFTRA. Good news!

Courtesy/ABC:

Here is the statement from Prospect Park: “Pending a final agreement with AFTRA, Prospect Park has confirmed that … Cameron Mathison (Ryan Lavery) and Lindsay Hartley (Dr. Cara Castillo Martin) have agreed to deals to join the company’s new production of All My Children.
This marks the first confirmation of cast members since Prospect Park began planning for the AMC production to live on the new online network beyond its final televised date on ABC this week.”

BIG WEEK in SoapLand!!

This week finds us with the last ever All My Children on network TV. I will try to contain my grief. It's not everyday a girl finds a soap she's watched from DAY ONE dissolve into oblivion. Ok, into CyberSpace.  Watch for VINTAGE AMC here for the next 5 days. Indulge me!

Palmer and  Cynthia Cortlandt!

Did you know this??
Cynthia Preston -- All My Children
Portrayed by: Jane Elliot (1984-86)
Family: Andrew Preston Cortlandt (Son)
Marriages: Ross Chandler; Palmer Cortlandt


Genie Francis was also on AMC as con artist and incest victim Ceara Connor Hunter from 1990 to 1992! 

My fave story on AMC was Jesse, Angie, Greg and Jenny. Awesome TV at the time, and just right for my age!! I also loved Nina and wanted her hair. She was the only one I knew with a nose as tiny as mine. LOL

Palmer and Nina... 1979.

Enough for today!!! I'm sure I'll find more pics I want to display during the week. End of a long, long era...boo to the Chew and Frons and Sweeney and everyone else that helped hasten it's death! 

Frank Valentini named Vice-Prez of CyberSoaps

 He kinda looks like David  Vickers?? 

According to Deadline, Prospect Park has put One Life to Live showrunner Frank Valentini in charge of both All My Children and One Life to Live, by making him vice-president of serial dramas for the company. Valentini will also continue on as executive producer of One Life to Live.

Read it all on Daytime Confidential. 


What does this mean to me?? Well,I obviously am happy since I love OLTL and Valentini is one of the best in the biz.  Other than that...no clue if this will be a good thing in the long term or what. Like I've always said... GIVE ME THE STORIES and I'll watch!!

The Talk Cashing In on AMC Fan Woes...

PRESS RELEASE from TV By the Numbers:

“The Talk” IS COOKING UP A TREAT FOR FANS OF “All My Children” WITH “ALL MY MEALS” WEEK, AIRING SEPTEMBER 26-30 ON CBS

A Special Series Of Themed Cooking Segments Featuring Delicious Daytime Hunks Jacob Young, Michael E. Knight and Ricky Paull Goldin Will Run Throughout The Week

The Talk is cooking up a special “All My Meals” week, airing Sept. 26-30 (2:00-3:00 PM, ET; 1:00-2:00 PM, PT), on the CBS Television Network.  Three shows during the week will feature “All My Children” daytime hunks Jacob Young, Michael E. Knight and Ricky Paull Goldin, as they cook up their favorite recipes and join The Talk hosts at the table to reflect back on the legacy of “All My Children,” which ends its 41-year run on Friday, Sept. 23.

Jacob Young (JR Chandler) will be a guest on The Talk on Monday, Sept. 26, where he’ll also discuss his return to CBS’s “The Bold and the Beautiful” that same day.  Daytime Emmy Award winner Michael E. Knight, best known for his role as Tad Martin, will appear on Wednesday, Sept. 28, and Daytime Emmy Award-nominated co-star Ricky Paull Goldin, who played Dr. Jake Martin, will be a guest on Thursday, Sept. 29.

Well, thanks for showing support NOW.  Geesh, this could have been done, I don't know years ago to help bolster ratings??  And interesting it's on CBS AND  not ABC's THE VIEW?

Cady McClain on The Last Days of AMC

Cady McClain has a great website and a wonderful BLOG.. read what she has to say about her last days on set and "The Death of Daytime? "  Cady and Michael are two of my all time faves from any soap. They are just good people.

Mike and I and all us long time daytime actors- have spent so many moments in a world of make-believe.  A world where good always wins over bad, and love triumphs over all.  I will miss that world.  I’m not always fond of the “real” world, where news always seems bad and the tragedies never seem to stop.  It’s not like soaps don’t have their share of dead babies and tornados, but things always work out somehow.  Babies are found alive and lovers come back from the dead!  I will miss watching and working on the soaps for those outrageous but wonderful, hopeful happy endings.