Post by Bonobochick on Mar 12, 2010 16:46:10 GMT -5
From the latest Suds Report: tvguide.ca/Soaps/Suds/Articles/100312_suds_report_NB.htm
One Life To Live, ABC — Are we GLAAD? Nope!
• The Kish-off heard around the world — One Life’s lone super-couple, Kyle and Fish, have been exiled into Marcie and Michael oblivion. Mid-week, TV Guide Magazine shockingly informed the suds world that Spirit Award nominees Brett Claywell and Scott Evans have been essentially fired, though their characters may still recur. Suds Report contacted GLAAD rep Rich Ferraro for a reaction because this weekend, One Life will find out if their soap will win for best daily drama. Although they deserve the accolades, One Life clearly has no tact — nor timing. Or do they? Couldn’t they wait until Monday to announce this disappointing news. Why would ABC subject their stars to torture on the red carpet this weekend and release this information on their own accord? Unless they wanted the message out that there is no longer a gay couple on their soap, other than John and Todd, of course.
But back to the larger subject. GLAAD president Jarret Barrios exclusively tells Suds: “The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today advocated for continuation of the storyline of characters Kyle and Fish on One Life and spoke out on the importance of bringing fair and accurate media images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to Americans. Last summer, One Life brought a ground-breaking relationship into the homes of millions with Kyle and Fish’s story, one that built acceptance and understanding of gay people. While we understand that the close of storylines is a frequent occurrence on daytime dramas, cancelling this story just as it gains momentum is a step backward in ABC Daytime’s representation of the lives of gay Americans.”
He continues, “When news reports broke yesterday, GLAAD spoke to ABC Daytime to voice concerns over the cancellation and advocate that the storyline continue. We remain disappointed that ABC Daytime has chosen to stop sharing this powerful story with viewers of One Life. GLAAD will continue to advocate that in the near future, producers and writers at ABC Daytime incorporate gay and transgender characters in their programming.”
Thanks a lot, Frank. Don’t blame Brian Frons on this idiotic decision, Suds readers. Yes, in fact, I have learned it was reportedly executive producer Frank Valentini’s decision to fire Claywell and Evans. “We were all shocked,” says a cast member. “And so were they.” While Suds reported last week that Evans auditioned for a pilot, it was not because he learned he had been let go. The stunned actor confirmed that on his Twitter account this week.
So what’s the real reason for 2010’s dumbest decision? Well, reportedly, one of the actors’ unprofessional behaviour could be to blame for the firing. “Scenes were literally nixed because of someone’s partying,” says a network source. “Never have I seen that before. It’s not all Frank’s fault.”
Still, why would ABC fire their biggest marketing tool? How many soap stars have held up production before because of their egos? Couldn’t something be worked out? Or did this storyline hit too close to home for certain execs?
Despite this new information, several conspiracy theories are abound including a massive budget cut — because of the eight actors fired in the past few months — and Logan’s theory that a homophobic focus group led to the decision. While One Life sunk in the ratings this week, last week it was 28,000-ish viewers ahead of last year — when One Life began telling the Kish storyline. As we all know, Kish hasn’t even been on the front burner since October, so who really is to blame for One Life’s alleged ratings loss? Remember when One Life beat GH and AMC in the ratings last year? One reason — Kish, baby. I bet you a million dollars if this risky Jessica storyline doesn’t work out, Bree Williamson won’t be fired!
Daytimeconfidential.com’s Jamey Giddens hit the nail on the head with his astute editorial today. And I’ll give him the last word because I’m too furious to comment right now.
Also, why does spoiler-phobic ABC suspiciously keep releasing story information to TV Guide Magazine two months in advance? They did it with the big gay wedding, Stacy’s icy death, and now Kish’s exit. It’s unheard of. And criminal.
Meanwhile, One Life fans are FURIOUS over the firing. And I mean furious. Suds Report’s inbox is overwhelmed with vitriolic emails. In fact, some fans are mobilizing to protest outside of Good Morning America! Many, especially the fans who tuned into watch One Life because of Kish, promise they won’t ever watch the best soap on TV again.
I know. One of my best friends, Michael Guenther, started watching One Life when he happened upon Kish’s sex scene. “I had never seen anything like that before on TV,” he shockingly told me months later. Yep, he knows I’m a soap columnist, and even though I urged the B&B and Coronation Street fan to watch One Life ages ago, he never heeded my advice. Now he’s addicted.
When I told him Kish was exiting the canvas, his heart sunk. The gluten-free chef said, “I arranged my whole day around One Life. In fact, I gave up B&B so I could watch Kish! What am I going to do now?”
Get in line, honey.
Regardless, this controversial decision may help Claywell and Evans secure Emmy nominations in their respective categories from the gay-friendly soap business. Suds has learned that One Life only paid for — and pre-nominated in-house — contract actors to enter the Emmy race, not recurring stars. Once again, One Life was dead on arrival on that decision ...
• Who cares? Austin Williams has been taken off contract. Who knew he was on contract? Hey, buddy — squinting doesn’t mean you’re acting.
• AMC’s Jamie Luner would make a fierce Marty. Just saying.
• Bazillion-time Emmy winner Erika Slezak is back on set. The soap vet ended up taking six weeks off instead of four for her back surgery. Welcome home, honey buns!
• In story-related news, just want to say this Jessica-17-again storyline is genius. I’m loving every second of it. Bree Williamson is nailing it — and I think One Life would be wise to create a new personality for the Emmy-nominated actress every year. Seriously — it’s one of the funniest and most entertaining storylines of the new decade. My abs hurt just thinking about it.
• Is Tika Sumpter the next One Life casualty? She better not be. Thankfully, the answer is a big nope! Suds has learned that the beautiful and talented Soap Opera Spirit Award nominee has asked to go on recurring status herself. So there.
• The Kish-off heard around the world — One Life’s lone super-couple, Kyle and Fish, have been exiled into Marcie and Michael oblivion. Mid-week, TV Guide Magazine shockingly informed the suds world that Spirit Award nominees Brett Claywell and Scott Evans have been essentially fired, though their characters may still recur. Suds Report contacted GLAAD rep Rich Ferraro for a reaction because this weekend, One Life will find out if their soap will win for best daily drama. Although they deserve the accolades, One Life clearly has no tact — nor timing. Or do they? Couldn’t they wait until Monday to announce this disappointing news. Why would ABC subject their stars to torture on the red carpet this weekend and release this information on their own accord? Unless they wanted the message out that there is no longer a gay couple on their soap, other than John and Todd, of course.
But back to the larger subject. GLAAD president Jarret Barrios exclusively tells Suds: “The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today advocated for continuation of the storyline of characters Kyle and Fish on One Life and spoke out on the importance of bringing fair and accurate media images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to Americans. Last summer, One Life brought a ground-breaking relationship into the homes of millions with Kyle and Fish’s story, one that built acceptance and understanding of gay people. While we understand that the close of storylines is a frequent occurrence on daytime dramas, cancelling this story just as it gains momentum is a step backward in ABC Daytime’s representation of the lives of gay Americans.”
He continues, “When news reports broke yesterday, GLAAD spoke to ABC Daytime to voice concerns over the cancellation and advocate that the storyline continue. We remain disappointed that ABC Daytime has chosen to stop sharing this powerful story with viewers of One Life. GLAAD will continue to advocate that in the near future, producers and writers at ABC Daytime incorporate gay and transgender characters in their programming.”
Thanks a lot, Frank. Don’t blame Brian Frons on this idiotic decision, Suds readers. Yes, in fact, I have learned it was reportedly executive producer Frank Valentini’s decision to fire Claywell and Evans. “We were all shocked,” says a cast member. “And so were they.” While Suds reported last week that Evans auditioned for a pilot, it was not because he learned he had been let go. The stunned actor confirmed that on his Twitter account this week.
So what’s the real reason for 2010’s dumbest decision? Well, reportedly, one of the actors’ unprofessional behaviour could be to blame for the firing. “Scenes were literally nixed because of someone’s partying,” says a network source. “Never have I seen that before. It’s not all Frank’s fault.”
Still, why would ABC fire their biggest marketing tool? How many soap stars have held up production before because of their egos? Couldn’t something be worked out? Or did this storyline hit too close to home for certain execs?
Despite this new information, several conspiracy theories are abound including a massive budget cut — because of the eight actors fired in the past few months — and Logan’s theory that a homophobic focus group led to the decision. While One Life sunk in the ratings this week, last week it was 28,000-ish viewers ahead of last year — when One Life began telling the Kish storyline. As we all know, Kish hasn’t even been on the front burner since October, so who really is to blame for One Life’s alleged ratings loss? Remember when One Life beat GH and AMC in the ratings last year? One reason — Kish, baby. I bet you a million dollars if this risky Jessica storyline doesn’t work out, Bree Williamson won’t be fired!
Daytimeconfidential.com’s Jamey Giddens hit the nail on the head with his astute editorial today. And I’ll give him the last word because I’m too furious to comment right now.
Also, why does spoiler-phobic ABC suspiciously keep releasing story information to TV Guide Magazine two months in advance? They did it with the big gay wedding, Stacy’s icy death, and now Kish’s exit. It’s unheard of. And criminal.
Meanwhile, One Life fans are FURIOUS over the firing. And I mean furious. Suds Report’s inbox is overwhelmed with vitriolic emails. In fact, some fans are mobilizing to protest outside of Good Morning America! Many, especially the fans who tuned into watch One Life because of Kish, promise they won’t ever watch the best soap on TV again.
I know. One of my best friends, Michael Guenther, started watching One Life when he happened upon Kish’s sex scene. “I had never seen anything like that before on TV,” he shockingly told me months later. Yep, he knows I’m a soap columnist, and even though I urged the B&B and Coronation Street fan to watch One Life ages ago, he never heeded my advice. Now he’s addicted.
When I told him Kish was exiting the canvas, his heart sunk. The gluten-free chef said, “I arranged my whole day around One Life. In fact, I gave up B&B so I could watch Kish! What am I going to do now?”
Get in line, honey.
Regardless, this controversial decision may help Claywell and Evans secure Emmy nominations in their respective categories from the gay-friendly soap business. Suds has learned that One Life only paid for — and pre-nominated in-house — contract actors to enter the Emmy race, not recurring stars. Once again, One Life was dead on arrival on that decision ...
• Who cares? Austin Williams has been taken off contract. Who knew he was on contract? Hey, buddy — squinting doesn’t mean you’re acting.
• AMC’s Jamie Luner would make a fierce Marty. Just saying.
• Bazillion-time Emmy winner Erika Slezak is back on set. The soap vet ended up taking six weeks off instead of four for her back surgery. Welcome home, honey buns!
• In story-related news, just want to say this Jessica-17-again storyline is genius. I’m loving every second of it. Bree Williamson is nailing it — and I think One Life would be wise to create a new personality for the Emmy-nominated actress every year. Seriously — it’s one of the funniest and most entertaining storylines of the new decade. My abs hurt just thinking about it.
• Is Tika Sumpter the next One Life casualty? She better not be. Thankfully, the answer is a big nope! Suds has learned that the beautiful and talented Soap Opera Spirit Award nominee has asked to go on recurring status herself. So there.