Sorry for being late this week folks! What a crazy week it’s been for me but thanks for your patience.

As I sat down to write this week’s column, I found myself with very little news. It happens every year around Emmy time-it’s drier than a desert out there for dirt. Although there will be a wealth of hot gossip next week, I kept coming back to wanting to delve into something that continues to bother me this week.

Certain fan bases. It’s certainly not the first time I will write about this topic and it sure as heck probably wont be the last. Now if you will allow me a few minutes to get up on the silver plated soapbox, I promise I have a point.

You all know we have many lively discussions over at The Steamroom, Soaptown USA’s message board (shameless plug!). And I love answering questions and having mini-chats with all who visit, including some very savvy regulars. And without a doubt “General Hospital” is probably the soap most mentioned at the board. And as I pondered the state of “GH” at the moment (we are on the cusp of BIG, BIG changes coming up on the show!), I found myself focused on three characters and the fan bases of the trio.

I’m sure you guessed I’m talking about Jason, Courtney and Liz. Can three characters be MORE discussed!? That’s doubtful. But what gets me is the downright hatred spewed about a certain actress. There is no middle ground with these three. It’s love or hate. What really stuck in my brain is how fanatical and nasty people can be about these characters and the arrows shot at people who may disagree with another. In the world of daytime, these characters and actors for that matter are really quite average. The actors don’t suck but the characters give new meaning to blah!

Let me state up front, and many of you know this already, I’m not a fan of Jason. Didn’t like Jason Quartermaine, don’t like Jason Morgan. I’ve never been able to place why-maybe it’s because I’m a guy and I’m not supposed to like him, who knows.  Maybe other characters just blow Jason away on-screen, no pun intended. I try not to let that color my judgment though. 

I’m also not a fan of Liz, although I think Becky Herbst is a daytime wonder. It’s probably because Liz changes with the wind. I did like Herbst opposite Jonathan Jackson (ex-Lucky #1) and I like her with Rick Hearst’s dastardly Ric Lansing.  This is not the actress’ fault nor would I blame her.

And then we come to THE most maligned actress in daytime, Alicia Leigh Willis, who plays Courtney.  Loved, loved, loved her opposite Billy Warlock’s A.J. and I think she’s improved immensely since she joined the show. Yes I know she’s on all the time, but there are people out there who WANT to see her. I can’t quite fathom why people have a hard time wrapping their brains around that!

I’m sure you see I am taking the long way to the point but I have one. Lately the posts and rumors surrounding these characters have gotten out of hand. The writings at The Steamroom,  the emails I get-it all gets very vindictive.  Obviously what I write here is my opinion, but you wont see me trashing someone or jotting off a flaming email just because  Jason, Liz or Courtney are mentioned. But I’m getting close because the situation seems to be bordering on insanity.

The venom the “Liason” fan base-a very small percentage of them mind you- toss at Willis and the rumors started about her are nuts. Hey I deal in rumors daily, but it’s time to say ENOUGH! I know you cant please everyone. People rant at me when I say there will be no Liz/Jason reunion-well I’m just the messenger. People call me a liar when I say Willis is NOT leaving “GH”. It’s time to move on, at least if you feel the need to post about these three characters. As I have stated many times, never give up hope. However, there are no plans to do anything that many posts and emails imply. I think soap fans in general are sick of this topic. It’s starting to resemble that famous “One Life” couple and their obsessive fans-and we all know how that ended!

I would appreciate it if people would stop asking me questions about these three. I have nothing to add and it gets tiresome saying that in eight different threads all asking the same thing.  It’s a BIG soap world. There are hundreds of other characters and actors to discuss. Let’s talk about some others for awhile. I’m quite sure many will agree.

   Now that I got that off my chest, let’s move on to GOSSIP and NEWS………………

“GENERAL HOSPITAL”- Can we put those Jason/Gia rumors to rest. Not happening. And while I hear Frons has told some fans via email Gia has a big story coming up with Nikolas, I continue to hear she’s headed out of town.  I will keep you posted………………..The big drug story will be heating up and Ted King WILL be back as Alcazar’s brother in mid-June. The question remains-is this really Alky’s brother?  Well who else could he be?!  Pay attention…………………….What a drag for Alexis this week-you will see why…………………..I'm hearing the show is trying to lure Kristina Wagner back, even for a short run, as Felicia.  The show is discussing recasting……………The Skye story will yield many surprises as she searches for her dad and finds romance down the line………………I hear Stefan arrives back in PC with a bang!

“ONE LIFE TO LIVE”- Looks like ABC has finally announced the dismissal of Ty Treadway (Colin).  Loyal readers of this column knew that several weeks back. Watch the spin on this one-I hear Treadway was itching to get out of Llanview.  And two New York based soaps have their eye on Treadway, but it’s a west coast show that has the inside line. And it’s not the one you think either!……………….David Fumero (Christian) has been added to the after-Emmy party in Saddlebrook, NJ this Saturday.  Click here to learn more about this worthwhile event and see who else will be appearing……………The Kevin Buchanan casting rumors are heating up again and I hear the show is anxious to snag someone from CBS. Their first choice turned them down and you would never believe who second choice is.  Same show as the first choice.  Role starts filming in early July…………………..I hear the casting for River is getting down to the wire and he should be on-screen late June.  Looks like a newbie is close to landing the role………… Laura Koffman’s return this week is just the first of several planned for this summer.  Contract talk is still out there……………Riley has a secret-can you guess what it is?

“ALL MY CHILDREN”- Looks like Megan McT’s initial story outlines may please many disgruntled fans.  There will be a major focus on the vets (Opal is getting a story!!) and at least three former fan favorites could be on the way back. But don’t count on original actors for at least two of them, the show will go the recast route if this comes to fruition………………Watch for a change in presenters with the “AMC” group on Emmy night.  Proves one of the newbie's is being recast. Said actor has also been dropped from Super Soap Weekend in California……………..We will soon see a very interesting group of Pine Valley-ites living together. Someone hide the china!……………….Maria finally remembers, but that doesn’t mean Aiden is out of the picture. Not by a long shot…………….Yes J.Eddie Peck is returning for a few episodes.  Can we all say closure!?…………….Someone is about to be in the wrong place at the wrong time…………..Chris is alive rumors are popping up-wonder why!………Walt Willey (Jackson) and Finola Hughes (Anna) are hosting SoapNet’s pre-Emmy coverage Friday, May 16th at 7pm on SoapNet.  The pair will also host the Emmy wrap-up party on May 17^th at 6:30 pm……….Olga Sosnovska (Lena) has finally signed a long-term contract.

“NBC/CBS SOAPS”- The good news is “Days Of Our Lives” has been renewed for five years by NBC. The bad is James Reilly is returning to his head writer slot. Look out Satan! Also at “Days”, watch for several country stars to appear this summer on the show …………………..Billy is being recast on “Young & Restless”…………………Mick Cain (CJ) is out at “Bold & Beautiful”-he’s been dropped back to recurring.  He will soon have company……….Welcome back James Stenbeck  to “World Turns” for a few episodes.  You know who is slated to pop up on screen June 9^th……………………….I am not hearing Kim Zimmer (Reva) is leaving “Guiding Light”. Doesn’t look good for Jordi Villasuso’s Fox pilot-I hear it’s not getting a pick up.  Not sure that will change the actor’s plans to bolt the soap. Listen for Alan Michael’s name to be mentioned a lot-the role should be cast any day now.

“BLIND ITEM”- One of daytime’s more popular performers will soon be heading to the exit door permanently. Standard reasons for leaving wont apply here though. Seems our thespian (hmm…man or woman?) let their recent drug use impair their judgment. Said performer had a brief, steamy same-sex affair with someone who works at the soap. But the day timer is having a hard time getting the co-worker to believe it’s really over. Can someone say stalker? It appears that jilted co-worker can and it’s convinced our soap star to leave the roost and head cross country. I hear the co-worker is NOT happy and also pondering a career change. I also hear the police may soon be involved. Do stay tuned, although it makes you wonder why the soap our star appears on can’t write such compelling melodrama.

Let’s drop another plug for The Steamroom, Soaptown USA’s message board where we discuss ALL soaps. (except three certain “GH” ppl!).  Enter through Soaptown USA’s main page.

Lots to discuss next week with the Emmys this Friday May 16^th at 8pm on ABC.  Hope your favorite wins!

Until next week, can somebody please pass the

Comments/feedback? Wanna throw something? 
Email me :soapboy@soaptownusa.com