Soap Opera Uncensored: Issue 31 Page 3

  ~Charles R. Brown

  Next month, most countries — liberated or not — will be celebrating Gay Pride.

  The international parade and party recognizing our historic, present and future fight for equal rights only got more joyous —and that’s because one of our most passionate allies, Crystal Chappell, is back on television (where she belongs) and is once again playing a friend of Melissa Etheridge’s.

  With four — count ‘em four — gay parts to her credit (GUIDING LIGHT, VENICE, THE GROVE, and now B&B), it appears Chappell was born to play a striking and unforgettable rainbow of complex, beautiful yet disenfranchised human beings on the fringe of society.

  Which is why when B&B showrunner Bradley Bell had to cast a “hot lesbian wife” for Joanna Johnson in a new lesbian storyline that has everyone buzzing, only one name popped up on his speed dial.

  After all, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL is Chappell’s nickname.

  “It’s flattering,” the soap superstar quietly shares when I mention that Brad Bell instantly thought of her for this history-making role on B&B.

  No stranger to gay (and womanly) parts, the international gay icon and eternal sex symbol jumped at the chance to help tell B&B’s first gay storyline. “I’m proud to be here,” she enthuses.

  Almost a year to the date that DAYS OF OUR LIVES controversially let the Emmy winner go as Dr. Carly Manning, things have come full circle for the widely popular fan favourite and critical darling on many fronts.

  Not only did she already inspire thousands of fans to tune into B&B to see her latest daytime reinvention as Karen’s partner, Dani, but Chappell also recently earned her first Lead Actress Emmy nomination as Carly this past month (She won an Emmy as Best Supporting Actress as Olivia on GL, and has been nominated multiple times since then in the Lead category for the same role; as well as winning an Emmy for producing hit web soap, VENICE, last year).

  In part one of our UNCENSORED interview, Chappell weighs in on the ever-evolving gay debate, Johnson’s brave decision to come out of the closet; what makes her latest soap opera reincarnation, Dani, tick; realizing her dream of working for the Bell dynasty; and whether or not CBS will allow Dani and Karen to be physically intimate.

  [Joking] Hello, Mrs. Chappell. It’s nice to finally meet you!

  [Laughs] It’s nice to meet you, too!

  It’s nice to have you on the boob tube again. Without your boobs, TV was less boobilicious! Seriously, we’ve all missed you. Also, congrats on becoming the new spokeswoman for THE SECRET: You put it out into the universe that you wanted to work with Bradley Bell, and here we are!

  [Laughs] See, all you have to do if put some good intentions out there.

  I keep telling the universe that I will sleep with the Brad Pitt one day…

  You really underestimate yourself, Nelson!

  Are you happily surprised how this all worked out? I read in SOAPS IN DEPTH that you said “yes” to the part before you even began negotiating.

  Yeah. I spoke with Brad and he told me what the role was about and it’s something I really believe very strongly about. I’m very happy B&B is telling this story between these two women. People are very excited about it. I jumped on it. Everything else fell into place.

  [Joking] You’re not scared about being typecast, are you?

  You know, a lot of people are asking me that question. Listen, I’m an actress. I spent the majority of my career playing the straight leading lady or the straight supporting actress.

  And no one asked you then if you minded being typecast as an actor who plays straight roles. Gay characters are not a type — we come in all different sizes, colours, and cup sizes!

  This is something that happened as a result of [GUIDING LIGHT super-couple] Otalia. That storyline was very important to a lot of people, especially the LGBT community. In particular, for gay women to be represented on TV somewhere. That’s the original compass for me. I’m the [celebrity] ambassador for the Hetrick-Martin Institute, [an organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth], so I want to be something familiar to them on their screens. Typecasting? No. Listen, I have a media company… I could write myself a slew of straight parts if I wanted.

  Years after GL was cancelled, Otalia continues to be the gift that keeps on giving… They live on in all your other roles in a way. What an homage and a legacy! What I love is how different Gina and Olivia are… and I can already tell Dani is her own person. Has Brad told you anything about her back story yet, or is he leaving it up to you to fill in the blanks?

  I’ve got some information. She’s a writer. She’s like any writer… she has her own neuroses. Wouldn’t you say, Nelson?

  [Laughs] I have no idea what you’re talking about!

  [Laughs] Well, I know who I am as a writer. She’s insecure and she’s passionate and very protective of the people she loves. She’s very passionate. The passion is Olivia and the insecurity is a little of Gina, so she’s a little bit of a combination of the two.

  She’s a hybrid; I love it. I like the character name, Danielle, too because you look like a Danielle.

  That’s what my husband [Michael Sabatino] said, too. Maybe he’ll start calling me Danielle.

  Why did you decide to keep your hair short for this role? Was it because you wanted to separate yourself physically from the other parts you’ve played?

  I cut it because I wanted to. I cut it right after I left DAYS. It’s been short for about a year. I wanted something different. I’m a Leo… this is what I do.

  I like it a lot, by the way. You must be proud of Joanna for coming out of the closet as a lesbian the week before the storyline debuted on B&B. Perfect timing.

  I think it’s extremely brave. It’s not something she had to do. I knew she was for it but there has to be some kind of fear — even for someone like her. She’s such an honest person. I think putting herself out there is going to help a lot of people. I happen to like her a lot. She’s a very smart and funny person. I was very lucky to work with the talented and gorgeous Jessica Leccia… so lucky me that I get to work with a second talented and gorgeous lady in Joanna Johnson!

  Is Jessica jealous?

  Yes, she is. I saw her in New York City not too long ago and she was like, “You know I don’t see you for a hot minute and now you’re with someone else. I may have to get the fans on this.” [Laughs]

  Well, Jessica got Nadia Bjorlin as a leading lady so this is just karma. Suck it up, Jess!

  Right.

  Do you think Joanna’s coming out will inspire others in daytime to do the same?

  I don’t know. I’m just a straight girl lobbying for LGBT causes. I’ve told Joanna this: I can’t possibly understand what it took for her to do that. She’s had her own journey to take. She’s shared her own personal fears and insecurities with everyone. Coming out is a very personal thing. I don’t know… Hopefully, her coming out will help non-celebrities feel more comfortable with who they are and live their own truth.

  Amen. Do you think President Obama’s recent statement that gay couples should be allowed to legally wed will carry some weight on a federal level and impact the divisive gay rights movement?

  Well, I would hope so; he is the president! I admire him for doing that. I’m sorry it took so long, but I’m admire him for finally doing it. I really hope so… but I don’t know. I hope we can all work together…

  Were you familiar with Joanna’s work? She was B&B’s biggest star at one point when she played Caroline in the first two years of the show. Heck, several countries re-named the show CAROLINE after Johnson.

  You know what? I didn’t. But my husband was on B&B for a couple of years, from 1994-96 [when he played fashion designer, Anthony Armando]. She was on the show at that time playing Karen. I would run into Joanna at soap events. Daytime is such a small community. I knew her but not very well.

  You’re giving Michael, one of daytime’s best soap hoppers, a run for his money now that you’re on
your fifth major soap opera. You and Joanna have a lot in common. You’re both producers. She created HOPE & FAITH and she’s been a producer on several shows. Do you guys talk shop in between kissing scenes?

  We do. I pick her brain and vice versa. It’s been fun. One thing we both agree on is that it’s nice to put all that [show-runner] stuff aside and go into a studio and act. We don’t have to deal with making certain decisions and dealing with scripts and talent. It’s a nice breather to just be the talent.

  And talent you are! Can viewers expect Dani and Karen to kiss? The last time you played gay on CBS… [Nervous laugh] [Sarcastically] Will there be some tongue action?

  First of all, when do you ever see tongue action on daytime? What show are you watching?

  The show in my head!

  [Laughs] That’s right! That’s where it is. [Diplomatically] I can tell you that the storyline is beautifully written. It’s very honest and there’s great tenderness. You can tell these women love each other and have been together for a very long time and raised a beautiful child together. When I heard about this story, well, that aspect was very appealing to me. People are going to see Dani, Karen and Caroline as a family. People are going to be very, very happy with the story. I know I am. You know, this is a family that is very real: They’re insecure and in love just like any other family.

  Karen and Dani must be the happiest relationship you’ve been a part of so far in your daytime career. And it’s nice to see a couple on daytime that’s been together for decades.

  Yeah, that’s a different part of a relationship. Once your kids are raised, you’re still trying to find yourself in your career and in life. Karen and Dani are in a different stage of a relationship — and I find that interesting. As somebody who has been with my husband for over two decades… things change, it’s different and I like this dynamic. People are going to relate to the story a lot, I think.

  Is there anyone you are dying to work with on B&B? Brad has an embarrassment of riches in the talent department. I can’t wait to see you throw down with Susan Flannery! Talk about a wet gay dream…

  I can’t wait to work with everyone. They’re all so nice. I’m very spoiled going to that set each day. I’ve known these people socially for years. I get hugs when I walk in. From Ronn [Moss] to John McCook. I had dinner with Katherine [Kelly Lang] not too long ago… and, of course, I’ve worked with Susan Flannery on VENICE. I feel like I know these people. I’ll just pop up in their scenes if I have to! Brad doesn’t even have to write anything for me. I’ll just be in the background and have a ball.

  What a great studio, too. I love Television City. And you also have the Y&R cats to get into trouble with there! We’re not in Peapack, N.J., anymore.

  Yes, no swimming geese! They did get more airtime than we did!

  Bitches. The future of daytime doesn’t seem so bleak when you’re at TV City. There’s still a glamorous machine at work there. Even the DAYS set is sort of falling apart. What are some of the differences working at the B&B studio from the other studios you are used to?

  Michael was telling me before my first day, “You’re going to love those dressing rooms!” I spent the majority of my career in New York on GL where there were two actors to a box! It’s ridiculously lush here. I mean, I have my own bathroom! My first impression walking on the B&B set was how beautiful the sets are. It’s such a visual show. I want to live in those sets.

  When you returned to DAYS, you increased the ratings. Is there pressure to do the same at B&B, which is the only soap to increase in numbers this past year? I’m confident you will and continue B&B’s momentum in that department.

  Um, no. I can only go in and do my job. I’m on a team. I’m going to promote it and sell it. It also helps that I believe wholeheartedly in the show — and I’m a fan of the show. Ratings are someone else’s worry on B&B. I have to worry about numbers on VENICE. [Laughs] That’s one of the great things about being on B&B is that I don’t have to worry about that stuff. I don’t believe that any one actor can affect ratings. I don’t. It’s all about the story. I’ll say this until I’m no longer here: Story is the star.

  Speaking of your other shows, VENICE and THE GROVE, do you think this B&B-Chappell marriage will help all three shows? Otalia has an international and rabid following and B&B is the most watched daily serial in the world. It’s a great union, if you ask me.

  I agree. And that was actually discussed when Brad brought it up to me during one of our talks. Listen, he was the first person to come up to me and congratulate me when I won the Emmy for VENICE at the Tech Emmys. He’s been very supportive of VENICE and has said wonderful things about the show. He told me to help talk about the B&B storyline and promote it, and vice versa.

  I’m super-proud of Brad. He’s thinking outside of the box while maintaining the integrity of B&B’s history and identity. Has Hillary B. Smith filed a restraining order against you yet? You’ve stalked her all the way from Llanview to Venice Beach and now to L.A. Did you ever think you’d be reunited on a daytime soap opera every again? It’s kind of awesome how it all worked out, huh?

  I love stalking Hillary! She’s my favourite target. We joked about that. We had one day on the set together since I started. It’s been, like, 14 years since we’ve been on a daytime set together. We had some good food, did our work and then we went home. It was very exciting. [Laughs]

  Oh, to be a fly on your dressing room wall! Is it tough commuting? I know you moved out of Hollyweird to Central California.

  No, it’s easy. I’m in L.A. once a week anyway because it’s easier for me to write there. When I write VENICE and THE GROVE, it’s important for me to get out of mommy mode so I can sit down and accomplish my show duties. We’re also building websites for the shows so I have to be in L.A. anyway. Hey, it’s nice to shoot over to TV City and tape a couple of days a week to keep things different and fun.

  Would you sign a contract with B&B? I know the recurring aspect is appealing to you and your schedule.

  [Pauses] I’m trying to enjoy the moment. I would never say never. I absolutely love, love, love going into B&B. I couldn’t say, I wouldn’t. If this works out for everybody, then that’s terrific. I have no complaints. Do you like how I answered that? [Laughs]

  Next week: Chappell talks THE DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS; what she’s wearing to the ceremony; if she’s found closure after being fired from DAYS OF OUR LIVES; and big news for future GROVE fans!

  COVER STORY

  DARK SHADOWS

  Y&R’s Super Villainess, Stacy Haiduk, is Still Roaring and Lurking About!

  Not since Kimberlin Brown has an actress so effortlessly stolen the Y&R spotlight as a villainess the way skilled actress and instant breakout star Stacy Haiduk has as Patty Williams (and her earnest doppelganger, Dr. Emily Patterson). So what happened? Why was Haiduk let go not once but twice during her climatic, sensational arcs? UNCENSORED spoke with one of my favourite actresses to find out what went wrong — and who is to blame!

  Always grateful for a gig, Haiduk says she’s “always happy to be back on Y&R; absolutely.” Although, “I would have liked to have done something a bit different.” Hello: Myrna.

  She elaborates, “I don’t think Y&R wrote my storyline that far in advance so they didn’t know where it was going. I was talking to Genie Francis and she told me that back in the day they used to know stories three to six months in advance. They don’t do that anymore.”

  Welcome to our hell, Stacy.

  Haiduk can’t take it personally, however. It’s been widely reported that Maria Arena Bell abandoned the show for most of the summer and allowed co-head writers Scott Hamner and Hogan Sheffer run amuck while the showrunner was trying to save MOCA and play soap socialite in Europe.

  Case in point: had Melody Thomas Scott not returned after a pay-cut dispute, insiders tell UNCENSORED that Patty would’ve been revealed as Diane’s murderer. “I could tell when I came back from the holidays that my storyline all of a sudden stop
ped,” she says. “While I was happy to be back, I don’t think my storyline was written as deeply as it could have been. I sensed the show was in a transition when I returned.”

  Haiduk can turn shit into gold, no matter what she’s handed. Even if she was walking around in a veil.

  There was one highlight, however. “I really enjoyed when Patty shot Jack at Gen’s wedding. I liked that better than the last shootout with Victor and Colleen. I loved the wedding reveal. I had so much fun playing that.”

  Who could forget Haiduk wearing the biggest-ass wedding dress next to Princess Diana’s? She laughs, “They had to do that so no one could tell it was Patty under the dress. I loved that whole part of my storyline. It was campy and old school.”

  And the ratings spiked during that buzzed-about, genuine cliffhanger. “Yes, they did,” she acknowledges. “And then, goodbye Stacy! It’s hard as an actor to deal with going back and forth to a show, especially when you really like the people you work with. You start putting up these guards up or shields because you don’t want to get hurt. It’s hard… the first time I was let go, it was devastating.”

  Actually, it was shocking to this journalist, too. In fact, one of my sources emailed me to tell me that Haiduk had been let go a couple of months before the news was announced.

  Thinking it was ridiculous, I emailed Haiduk for confirmation but, as far as she knew, it wasn’t true. So I dropped the intel.

  Fast-forward a few weeks:

  “Then, it hit me: maybe it was true because out of the blue Y&R changed my storyline dramatically and drastically,” she reveals. “They didn’t go down this path with Emily, who was supposed to become dark. Remember Emily was becoming anxiety-ridden when she thought someone was following her? Well, that story ended rather abruptly. There was a bigger arc to it….”

  And then Y&R dropped the bomb that had fans reeling. “When they finally told me I was let go,” she recalls, “I mentioned that someone knew I was leaving two months before, and this person said, ‘No one knew.’ And, of course, you did!”

  In hindsight, she says, “I should have listened to you, Nelson!”

  Just before Haiduk left Y&R again earlier this year, it appeared as if the show was making a concerted effort to redeem or at the very least make Patty more sympathetic to the audience by stressing how Victor and Adam used this sick woman to further their agendas.

  Add the fact that at the tail end of her comeback Haiduk managed to create many more Emmy-worthy performances opposite creepy Peter Porte as Ricky — despite the ludicrous writing.

  “I enjoyed working with Peter,’ she says. “I had a lot of fun with him.”

  So what’s Haiduk’s status with the show today? After all, Y&R never wrote out Patty or Emily for good.

  “My contract was for six months,” she reminds me. “To be very blunt and honest, I was scheduled until March to fulfil my six month contract but they didn’t do anything past January. I basically worked for three months. I haven’t been asked back since my contract ran out. They never called to say, ‘Thanks very much, but that’s it.’ Shocking, right? But it’s funny because a lot of fans have been asking me what is up because they didn’t really write me out of the show.”

  Like many of us, Haiduk has stopped trying to figure out Y&R.

  But I can’t help ask the question: Why is Patty so hard to write for? This is the second time that Haiduk’s storyline has climaxed and fizzled out on the show.

  It’s frustrating, to say the least.

  “I don’t know,” sighs Haiduk. “I don’t understand it. It’s like when we talked last time: you do well, the fans love you… and then it’s over. I have no idea.”

  Even though one could argue that it’s impossible to redeem psycho Patty, that’s why the show created Emily so they could keep phenomenal find Stacy Haiduk around. But that proved fruitless.

  “People say that Emily is so boring,” she begins. “But Emily is not boring. She just hasn’t been written properly. You could do so much with Emily. I guess, they didn’t want to write for Emily. I wrote on Facebook that I wasn’t coming back because the show didn’t want to write for me, and I got flack for it, but it’s the truth. They have their favourites, their main characters, and I get that… And it’s not like I’m saying, ‘Oh, poor Stacy.’ I have to guess that’s the reason because I have no idea what happened. I think these characters, Emily and Patty, would be easy to write for.”

  You’re not the only one, Stace. A fetus could write these characters better than Y&R.

  Moreover, one could even argue that Patty is redeemable because she’s mentally ill. “She’s totally redeemable,” agrees Haiduk.

  In addition, daytime is in desperate need for a smart psychiatrist on its landscape (Sorry, B&B’s Dr. Taylor Hayes and DAYS’s Dr. Marlena Evans, but I wouldn’t let you counsel my dog or my crack pipe).

  “Emily could be Genoa City’s psychiatrist,” Haiduk offers. “She’d know everyone’s secrets… and she couldn’t do anything about it because of the confidentiality agreement. There are many brilliant, wonderful places to go with Emily.”

  Like grappling with ethical dilemmas, which were daytime staples back in the day.

  As for Patty, “all she needs is a good pill,” Haiduk laughs.

  Or some good old-fashioned electroshock therapy, a controversial practice that has recently garnered credence in the press recently thanks to more humane advancements.

  “Sure,” she says. “I think a lot of fans prefer seeing Patty out in society than lurking about or hiding under a veil.”

  And that’s when Patty began losing steam.

  “I would like to see Patty like she was when she was Mary Jane,” stresses Haiduk. “I’d like to see her more romantic. I’d like to see her fall in love with someone — someone who isn’t Jack! There is so much to the character because Patty is not a bad person.”

  The girl can focus, too. Case in point: Patty can pull it together when she’s impersonating Emily. “She’s very smart,” defends the actress. “If Adam and Victor Newman could be redeemed, so can Patty.”

  Speaking of Adam, Haiduk would welcome the opportunity to spar with Michael Muhney if she were to return. “We had a great time acting together,” she notes. “Again, I always had these short spurts of story but it would be over in two weeks.”

  If she were to return, “I want the characters to grow and the story to be deeper and go somewhere,” she says.

  Wasting Haiduk is akin to Rose throwing the Hope Diamond over the Titanic in James Cameron’s Oscar-winning film classic.

  One also has to wonder if the show only used Haiduk to give Doug Davidson Emmy reel material! For some reason, Doug comes alive when he’s acting opposite Haiduk. And then, poof, she’s gone. Just like the Daytime Emmy Awards’ credibility.

  “Doug gets good stuff when it comes to Paul and Emily’s brother-sister relationship,” she says. “Doug feels like a big brother to me. We still talk to each other.”

  Next week: Haiduk elaborates on her DAYS OF OUR LIVES debacle as Hope’s prison chief, her maddening Emmy snub last year, and what’s she’s working on next. Don’t miss it!

  SOAPILEAKS:

  This Week’s Hottest News, Gossip, and Reviews!

  THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, CBS/CTV — What To Expect When You’re Expecting!

  • Victoria Newman is fertile, damn it! Emmy winner Heather Tom announced on Facebook that she’s expecting her first child, which would explain her character’s shocking pregnancy announcement on Friday’s tag. Congratulations, Heather! UNCENSORED has also heard two other daytime stars are expecting, too. More soon.

  • How far she’s come: Toronto native Jackie MacInnes Wood, a former soap opera hair model, is not only stealing B&B but she’s also been Emmy-nominated for her stellar efforts as Outstanding Younger Actress. The former MVP starlet told SOAP OPERA DIGEST that she learned of her first nomination when she was in Italy filming on-location for the show when she heard the news. "
I was just about to shoot a scene in the Adriatic sea in Italy," Wood laughs. "The water was only 54 degrees! [Executive Producer/Head Writer] Brad Bell came up to me and said, "How does it feel to be Emmy nominated? At first I didn't get it, I thought he meant the scene I was about to shoot would be nominated. I laughed out loud then I realized what he was saying; it was pretty cool."

  Hey, the location shoot could very well be Emmy-nominated next year for Outstanding Directing!

  The whole Italian adventure will forever remain a beautiful and bold memory for the actress. She says, "Actually it was pretty spectacular. We were having such a fabulous time meeting our fans that came out in droves to see us film our in their town this just topped the cake for me!"

  DAYS OF OUR LIVES, NBC/GLOBAL — The Days and Nights of Molly Burnett!

  • Say it an’t so: Is Molly Burnett leaving DAYS? According to SOAP OPERA DIGEST, it looks like the Emmy-nominated starlet is ditching Salem for the bright lights of Hollywood. As UNCENSORED’s 2012 Star To Watch, it’s no surprise to us. Friends whisper to DIGEST that Burnett has had to turn down several prime time and film gigs because of her DAYS schedule despite the fact that Burnett has not been on the front burner since early last year. But a very close source to Burnett tells me: “Nothing is set in stone yet. [She] hasn’t decided one way or another yet.” Stay tuned.

  • Not so fast: It looks like Christie Clark isn’t going anywhere. Yes, she was fired last month but insiders whisper the actress could be back… without Patrick Muldoon. “Carrie may return to give Galen Gering’s Rafe story. Gary Tomlin loves Galen — and he’s not getting rid of the character so Carrie is Rafe’s best romantic option at this point,” says an insider. Seriously? Am I the only person who doesn’t see an inkling of chemistry between Clark and Gering? Heck, Will and Rafe share more!

  • If Burnett’s impending exit isn’t enough to make Maggie cry, there’s even more heartache headed Suzanne Rogers’ way. Trouble at the Kiriakis mansion: After learning Victor is the person who stole her frozen eggs decades ago, Maggie walks out on Victor! Is it the end of Magic? Let’s hope not, because this couple is the only romance on the show that resonates and makes sense anymore.

  GENERAL HOSPITAL, ABC/CITY — The Rapist, The Spy, And The Bitch!

  • It looks like GH is forging ahead with an Anna/Luke/Tracy triangle! In an excellent interview with TV GUIDE magazine, Jane Elliot says, “It was the biggest thrill when [current head writer] Ron Carlivati came to GH. I tried for nine years to get [former head writer] Bob Guza to acknowledge that Tracy had been married to a member of the mob in New York and he completely ignored it. But within minutes of Ron getting there he brought it up, and I love him for that! I'm told that they're going to do a love triangle with Anna [Finola Hughes], Luke and Tracy, and how thrilling would that be? How good is that? In all my years on GH, Tracy has never been in a triangle!” Poor Anna — hasn’t she suffered enough? I’d rather see her fall for John McBain.

  • As reported by SOAPS IN DEPTH, Emmy-nominated Nathan Parsons has landed a role on the new ABC Family show BUNHEADS. The series is about a Vegas showgirl who gets married and moves to her husband’s small coastal hometown to work in her mother-in-law’s dance studio. Parsons will play a surfer named Godot, whose family owns the local hangout and who every girl in town is hot for. What. A. Stretch.

  HOLLYWOOD HEIGHTS — JFP To Kill Off Hollywood Vets?

  • But will Fronkey join the cast? According to SOAP OPERA DIGEST: Nick at Night's hot new one-hour prime-time drama, HOLLYWOOD HEIGHTS, which stars Brittany Underwood (ex-Langston, ONE LIFE), Cody Longo (ex-Nicholas, DAYS) and Grayson McCouch (ex-Dusty, WORLD TURNS), premieres Monday, June 18 at 9 p.m. ET. Produced by Jill Farren Phelps (former executive producer of GH, ANOTHER WORLD and GL) and written by former ONE LIFE and SANTA BARBARA scribe Josh Griffith, the 80-episode show is the U.S. adaptation of the popular Mexican telenovela ALCANZAR UNA ESTRELLA. The ensemble cast also features telenovela star Carlos Ponce, AMC’s Shannon Kane, and former GH guest star James Franco.

  No word when Ron Carlivati and Frank Valentini are expected to take over the show and clean up another Jill Farren Phelps mess.

  THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS — Got, Q?

  • Congratulations are in order for Y&R's Liz Hendrickson: The fan fave, who received her first Emmy Award nomination as Supporting Actress earlier this month, ranked No. 2 in the coveted and industry-regarded “Q-Rating” poll for women 25-54. While UNCENSORED cannot print the entire list, Hendrickson ranked No. 2 right after Oscar winner Sandra Bullock! Also: Daniel Goddard, Jeanne Cooper and Sharon Case placed in the top 30 poll that ranks top movie and TV stars. GH’s Dominic Zamprogna made number 18, right above — yes, above — John Travolta. Massages sold separately.

  • Oh, Ronan Malloy: According to SOAP OPERA DIGEST, Emmy winner Jeff Branson is on his way back to Genoa City. The actor, who made his Y&R debut in June 2010, was last seen in February, when Ronan left town on a secret assignment. The show is not commenting on the duration of his stay, but his first airdate is set for June 26. Has it really been two years since Branson hit Y&R? I know he’s popular, but the oh-so-dirty Ronan has never taken off for me. Maybe this recent trip will change things. Watch out, Nick! Or will they pair Branson with Jenn Landon as nuHeather? They did both star on P&G soaps… a recipe for disaster on this show.

  • Don’t expect to see Melody Thomas Scott’s new svelte face and body in Y&R’s new opening credits. The actress tells TV WATERCOOLER she hasn’t been asked to film new scenes for the updated opening. “Apparently, they’re not updating mine, or I would have known about it,” she said. “But I’m already in them.”

  • An actor recently reminded me that Clementine Ford was also out of the closet when she joined Y&R and that Joanna Johnson’s coming out wasn’t such a big deal. Oh, really? Well, according to SOAPS IN DEPTH, Ford is engaged to a man just as the gay rights movement to legalize gay marriage federally in America has heated up.

  Writes SID: “Arriving on the arm of her fiancé, actor Cyrus Wilcox, the actress was proudly showing off her sparkling engagement ring this past weekend at the 19th Annual Race To Erase MS Glam Rock Gala in Los Angeles.” Regardless, congrats!

 

  SOAP OPERA MYSTERY HOUR

  This week’s hottest blind item

  • Which actor has been seen making out with men in clubs although he insists he’s straight?

  THE IDIOT RATINGS: May 7-11, 2012

  Winners: DAYS spikes but are still in last place! GH doing well in demos! B&B Up From Last Year!

  Next Week: It’ll be interesting to see how the Crystal Chappell Effect Will Impact B&B’s numbers.