Tales from the Soap Revolution

Yesterday, I was proud to be one of the many fans of All My Children and One Life to Live protesting outside of the Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, NYC. The protest was held right across from where ABC was presenting its 2011-2012 schedule to its stations, affiliates, advertising partners and press outlets. Colleen Zenk (ex-Barbara Ryan, ATWT), Ilene Kristen (Roxy Balsom, OLTL), Mimi Torchin (founding Editor in Chief of Soap Opera Weekly) and the Broadcast Television Union NABET CWA Local 16 were all there as well.

All in all, about 30 to 50 people were at the protest. No, we were not a league of thousands...but our voices were heard through bullhorns and whistles. As we shouted "SAVE THE SOAPS!", "SCREW THE CHEW!", "BOYCOTT ABC!" and such across the street, the network executives and advertisers hobnobbing in front of Lincoln Center could not ignore the protest. At the end of the ABC event, it was gratifying when many of those across the street were taking pictures of us with their cell phones. Along with being covered by the usual soap opera media, the protest also made its way into the news of Deadline TV and The Hollywood Reporter.

Work commitments forced me to leave the protest early (sorry, anonymous commenter of The Hollywood Reporter; no, I'm not a "welfare mom")...so sadly I missed the grand spectacle of ABC head of daytime programming Brian Frons reportedly walking by the protestors, laughing and sneering. But what a perfect representation of what soap operas, soap actors and soap fans have been going through! Two Daytime Emmy Award-nominated actresses and a passionate group of viewers committed enough to stand out in the rain for their cause...to be sneered at by a guy in a suit. Yep, sums it up pretty well.

For more information about how to fight for the soaps, go to http://www.soapfansunited.com/.

For more pictures of the protest, check out the album at "OutTakes Interviews" on Facebook.

Matthew Ashford returning to DAYS

Break out the champagne! Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux, Days of Our Lives) has finally been asked back to the soap opera. With Jack's wife and daughter already firmly ensconced in Salem, it is high time that he comes back on the canvas. Dare I hope that this will be the beginning of a turnaround for DAYS; and that this is the first step out of pulling them out of the bottom of the ratings? Um, not that optimistic...but this is certainly a step in the right direction.

Check out this link to the OutTakes interview with Matt Ashford last year where he discussed his role on the internet webseries, The Bay. Also, last March, OutTakes hosted a "Bring Back Jack!!!" campaign show in the hopes that this very news would break.

Congrats, Matt Ashford! See you in Salem soon.

Congratulations to the OutTakes Daytime Emmy Nominees!

Congratulations to Colleen Zenk, Christian LeBlanc and Chandler Massey for their Daytime Emmy Nominations this year!

Listen to the OutTakes interviews with these nominees. Christian LeBlanc and Chandler Massey revealed which episodes they submitted for consideration for the Emmys in these podcasts.

Colleen Zenk (Barbara Ryan, As The World Turns) - Outstanding Lead Actress

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2010/07/13/colleen-zenk-barbara-atwt

Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin, The Young and The Restless) - Outstanding Lead Actor

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/03/15/christian-leblanc

Chandler Massey (Will Horton, Days of Our Lives) - Outstanding Younger Actor

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/outtakes/2011/03/11/casey-deidrick-and-chandler-massey

2011 Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced

Outstanding Drama Series
ALL MY CHILDREN (ABC)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)


Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
ONE LIFE TO LIVE (ABC)
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)

Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team
AS THE WORLD TURNS (CBS)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)

Outstanding Special Class - Short Format Daytime
GOTHAM THE SERIES - YouTube (Executive Producer - Martha Byrne)
TASTY TIME WITH ZEFRONK - Disney Channel (Producer - Greg Chalekian, Director - Robert Ramirez, Writer - Craig Shemin)
VENICE - venicetheseries.com (Executive Producers Kim Turrisi, Crystal Chappell)

Outstanding Lead Actor
Christian LeBlanc, as Michael Baldwin THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
Michael Park, as Jack Snyder AS THE WORLD TURNS (CBS)
Maurice Benard, as Sonny Corinthos GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
Ricky Paull Goldin, as Jake Martin ALL MY CHILDREN (ABC)
James Scott, as EJ DiMera DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)

Outstanding Lead Actress
Susan Flannery, as Stephanie Forrester THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
Michelle Stafford, as Phyllis Summers THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
Colleen Zenk, as Barbara Ryan As the World Turns" (CBS)
Alicia Minshew, as Kendall Slater ALL MY CHILDREN (ABC)
Debbi Morgan, as Angie Hubbard ALL MY CHILDREN (ABC)
Laura Wright, as Carly Corinthos Jacks GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor
Jonathan Jackson, as Lucky Spencer GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
Jason Thompson, as Patrick Drake GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
Brian Kerwin, as Charlie Banks ONE LIFE TO LIVE (ABC)
Doug Davidson, as Paul Williams THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
Billy Miller, as Billy Abbott THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)

Outstanding Supporting Actress
Melissa Claire Egan, as Annie Chandler ALL MY CHILDREN (ABC)
Julie Pinson, as Janet Ciconne AS THE WORLD TURNS (CBS)
Heather Tom, as Katie Logan Spencer THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
Nancy Lee Grahn, as Alexis Davis GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
Bree Williamson, as Jessica Brennan ONE LIFE TO LIVE (ABC)
Tricia Cast, as Nina Webster THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)

Outstanding Younger Actor
Scott Clifton, as Liam Cooper THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
Chandler Massey, as Will Horton DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)
Chad Duell, as Michael Corinthos GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)

Outstanding Younger Actress
Brittany Allen, as Marissa Chandler ALL MY CHILDREN (ABC)
Lexi Ainsworth, Kristina Davis GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
Emily O'Brien, Jana Hawkes THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)

Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design
ALL MY CHILDREN
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
GENERAL HOSPITAL
ONE LIFE TO LIVE
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Outstanding Achievement For A Casting Director for a Drama Series
ALL MY CHILDREN
GENERAL HOSPITAL
ONE LIFE TO LIVE
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Outstanding Achievement In Costume Design for a Drama Series
ALL MY CHILDREN
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
GENERAL HOSPITAL
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design For A Drama Series
ALL MY CHILDREN
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
GENERAL HOSPITAL
ONE LIFE TO LIVE
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Outstanding Achievement for a Casting Director For A Drama Series
Judy Wilson, ALL MY CHILDREN
Mark Teschner, GENERAL HOSPITAL
Julie Madison, ONE LIFE TO LIVE
Camille St Cyr, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design For A Drama Series
ALL MY CHILDREN
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
GENERAL HOSPITAL
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling For A Drama Series
ALL MY CHILDREN
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
ONE LIFE TO LIVE
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction For A Drama Series
ALL MY CHILDREN
GENERAL HOSPITAL
ONE LIFE TO LIVE
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Outstanding Achievement in Live & Direct To Tape Sound Mixing For A Drama Series
ALL MY CHILDREN
GENERAL HOSPITAL
ONE LIFE TO LIVE
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Outstanding Achievement in Makeup For A Drama Series
ALL MY CHILDREN
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
ONE LIFE TO LIVE
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Outstanding Achievement in Multiple Camera Editing For A Drama Series
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
GENERAL HOSPITAL
ONE LIFE TO LIVE
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction And Composition For A Drama Series
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
DAYS OF OUR LIVES
GENERAL HOSPITAL
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Outstanding Original Song for a Drama Series
"Bad for You," GENERAL HOSPITAL
"Home Again," GENERAL HOSPITAL
"Starr X'd Lovers," ONE LIFE TO LIVE

Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction/Electronic Camera/Video Control For A Drama Series
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
DAYS OF OUR LIVES
GENERAL HOSPITAL
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

New Approaches Daytime Entertainment
"What If..." An ALL MY CHILDREN, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and GENERAL HOSPITAL web series (Executive Producers - Brian Briskman, Sue Johnson, Adam Rockmore; Producers - Leeanne Irvin, John Corser; Director - Frank Valentini; Writer - Sara Saedi; Associate Producer -Delara Adams-Waro) - ABC

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (Producer, Director - Casey Kasprzyk; Executive Producer - Bradley P. Bell; Writer, Performer - Brad Sanders) - CBS

DRIVING JERSEY - www.DrivingJersey.com

THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW - - Syndicated

HALF OF US - MTVU

Jackie Cooper 1922-2011

Rest in peace, Jackie Cooper. As a child, he was in many classic films such as Treasure Island and The Champ. He is remembered fondly for The Little Rascals series. Comic fans will know him from the Superman films.

Web Series - GOODNIGHT BURBANK

Check out Goodnight Burbank, the first half-hour comedy series made exclusively for the web. This is a fun satire of a very very very barebones news program (so bare bones it is filmed in a garage!) with all sorts of madcap antics going on both on and off the set. Hayden Black and Laura Silverman play the lead anchors who are sort of an unmarried version of liberal James Carville and conservative Mary Matalin – taken to extremes. Supporting cast members include Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings series), Miracle Laurie (Dollhouse) and Diahnna Nicole Baxter.

To watch the first two webisodes so far, go to http://www.hulu.com/goodnight-burbank.

Also, give a listen to last March's OutTakes interview with cast member, Camden Toy (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Bay). He plays the director of the Goodnight Burbank newscast who cheerfully butchers the English language on a regular basis with great comic gusto.

Catch the CoffeyBuzz!

Last night, I had an amazing look into what the future content of the Internet may have in store with the launch party of CoffeyBuzz. For more information, see the press release below:

New Website Revolutionizes Online Shopping!

Tuesday, May 3, marks the debut of an innovative new web series that changes the way people shop online. CoffeyBuzz is an entertaining and informative weekly lifestyle video-zine that presents a fresh look at what’s new in lifestyle, fashion, health and popular culture. What makes the show different is that the viewer, using the groundbreaking Hyperspots™ technology, can push a shopping cart through the video and interact with goods and services AS THEY APPEAR ON SCREEN. With Hyperspots™, viewers simply click on an item in the show and they are immediately provided with a direct link to either make a purchase, or learn more about the subject matter.

CoffeyBuzz is hosted by lifestyle and relationship guru Lissa Coffey. Coffey is a bestselling author and a frequent contributor to several talk shows. Emmy Award winning actor Charles Shaughnessy (Days of Our Lives, The Nanny) and his brother, Emmy Award winning producer David Shaughnessy (The Young and the Restless) produce the show along with Coffey (pictured above).

For more information, go to www.coffeybuzz.com.