Spring is in the air soap fans. Could that mean more romance is about to bloom on our favorite daytime dramas? Love certainly seems to be in short supply on the soaps and that is sad. Also sad- the departure of my buddy Queen of Hearts from the Soaptown USA family. I certainly understand how tough it is these days to write a weekly column on soap romance.  Couple that with our Queen having a wonderful and successful life outside of the soap world and it all makes sense. It’s still a bummer and I will miss my wonderful colleague and her superb writing. Good luck Queen!

Spring also means out with the old and in with the new as shows do some Spring cleaning, so to speak. In the headlines this week, “Guiding Light”.  We learned early in the week that “GL” Executive Producer John Conboy had been fired. Wasn’t this déjà vu from this past December all over again?!

To refresh your memories, late last year, word got out that Conboy had been fired by “GL” or walked off the show when his contract expired-we never really got a definitive answer. Within a day, the situation was resolved, Conboy was back to work with a new contract and CBS and Procter & Gamble (which owns “GL”) were trying to forget about this incident.

Fast forward a few months-February 20^th to be exact. P&G bigwigs called Conboy on the carpet as “GL’s” ratings continue to plummet. They told the EP how unhappy they were and by the end of that meeting Conboy was out of a job.

Enter Ellen Wheeler, a very familiar name in the daytime world. Wheeler won Emmy awards for her dual portrayal of  Marley and Vicki on “Another World” and Cindy on “All My Children”. Since July, 1999, Wheeler has been behind the camera as a director at “As The World Turns”. She was a director briefly in 2002 at “GL” before heading back over to “World Turns”. Wheeler steps in as Executive Producer immediately.

Mary Alice Dwyer Dobbin, Executive in charge of production for P&G, had this to say; “This is an exciting announcement for me to make. Ellen joined our P&G family almost twenty years ago and has been an invaluable asset working in almost every facet of production as an actress, director and producer.”

It’s said with Wheeler’s appointment, “GL” will be shifting gears and will head in a new direction. First order of business is re-writing or axing many of the shows’ stories currently on the canvas. Rumor has it up to six actors could be without jobs by mid-April as the show shores up the cast and junks irrelevant characters. First story to be cut is the Mayor plot.

The first performer cut is Lindsey McKeon who plays Marah. Many know McKeon had already announced she planned on exiting when her contract expired later this year. Some behind the scenes issues with the actress forced her out earlier than she planned. The show claims her departure is “Storyline dictated”-a phrase we may be hearing a lot in the next month or so. McKeon last airs in early April. I have not heard if there will be a recast or not yet.

I am told many of the cast are shaken up by Conboy’s dismissal and are worried about the future of the show. I am also told that Ellen Wheeler is very popular with everyone at “GL” and this should be an easier transition than normal.

And with rumors that this could be the long-running soap’s final stretch getting louder by the day, I hear the next situation to be dealt with is head writer Ellen Weston, who could be gone within the next few weeks.  Rumors of the show replacing Weston have been around for months, but now they make more sense. Ratings are down, P&G and CBS are unhappy and fans no longer recognize this once formidable soap.

I’m told P&G has ordered Weston to clean up the show pronto. Scripts are being scrutinized and rewrites are the order of the day. Rumor has it Weston has been asked to submit story outlines for the remainder of the year, which could make or break Weston’s future with the show. Even with Donna Swajeski brought in as co-head writer, the show’s plots have been weak. I do hear Swajeski is safe for now.

It may be premature to discuss replacements, but word is a pair of former “GL” writers or a gentleman completely new to the head writer’s chair are the leading contenders to step into the writing position should Weston be relieved of her duties. One writer NOT on the small list of replacements is Millee Taggert, who wrote the show prior to Weston. I hear she is just not interested in a return. There is also talk the show may “borrow” writing talent from within the CBS shows. Top theory going around is that Hogan Sheffer, head writer for “World Turns”, could jump over to “GL” when his contract expires next month. I do hear Sheffer is bored at “World Turns” and moving to daytime’s longest-running soap could be just the challenge the scribe needs to jump start his creativity. A bonus is Sheffer knows Wheeler from “World Turns”-did I mention Wheeler also brought her “AW” character of Marley to Oakdale several times!?

“As The World Turns” is in very good shape with it’s writing staff and there is talk that co-head writer Jean Passanante could step in to fill Sheffer’s shoes should he leave.

To top everything off, there were always rumors that Conboy would feature his “favorites” in stories, whether they were great performers or not. I’m told one actor fears the rug may be pulled out from under him now that Conboy is no longer there to protect him-and he should. His rumored departure may now actually happen with no one there to shield him.  There is an ax with his name on it and a recast is highly likely now. And it couldn’t happen soon enough!

Just a side-note; Wheeler had been in the running for the EP position before. Prior to Conboy taking the job, there was lots of speculation Wheeler would get it. But Conboy lowered his salary request and the feeble-minded people at P&G thought his experience in the soap genre would save the show. You would’ve thought after the Paul Rauch experience these people would learn!

On to news of daytimers branching out……….Last week I told you about the soap stars, both present and former, heating up the screens in prime time. This week, many favorites are tackling movie roles.

Corbin Bernsen, of ‘Law & Order’ fame and most recently a brief role on “Y&R”, has lined up a cavalcade of daytime celebrities (13 to be exact!) for his comedy ‘3 Day Test’, which begins filming in April.

Kin Shriner (ex-Scott, “GH”), Jeanne Cooper (Katherine, “Y&R” and Bernsen’s real-life mom), Eileen Davidson (Ashley, “Y&R”), Kristoff St.John (Neil, “Y&R”), John McCook (Eric, “B&B”), Stephen Martines (Tony, “GL”), Julia Barr (Brooke, “AMC”), Jacob Young (J.R., “AMC”), James Mitchell (Palmer, “AMC”), Tony Geary (Luke, “GH”), Farah Fath (Mimi, “Days”), Arianne Zucker (Nicole, “Days”) and James Reynolds (ex-Abe, “Days”) all star in the film, slated for a release late this year.

And in New York, Eileen Fulton (Lisa, “World Turns”) and Soaptown USA favorite Ilene Kristen (Roxy, “One Life”) have finished filming ‘Signs of The Cross’, a drama to also be released later this year.

In L.A., another Soaptown USA favorite is gearing up for a run in two plays. Judi Evans Luciano, who plays the hilarious Bonnie on “Days Of Our Lives” continues to show her comedic side in the plays dubbed a Double, Double Feature. The plays, entitled ‘Jesus Christ Super Star Wars’ (yup, that’s the title!) and ‘The King and I know what You did last Summer’ (LOL!), are spoofs. Well let’s let Judi describe them,

“It’s silly, funny, spoofy, comedy, dancing, just great stuff,” she laughs.  “I’m really nervous about it but I’m also really excited!”

Continuing, “It’s so funny and so well written. In the first one, I have a small role as a Tupperware sales person at the Death Star Headquarters!  In the second, I play Anna. It’s Anna, Maria von Trapp, Annie Warbucks and Rizabella and they all go out for a night on the town to get lax, loaded and laid!  They run over the King! They have to figure out what to do with the body, and, all of a sudden, one by one, they get killed and they have to figure it all out. It’s just spoofy, funny, fun, fun, fun!”

Lucky west coasters can see the plays at the Egyptian Arena Theater in L.A. on March 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 , 14, 19, 20, 21 and 26, 27, 28.  For ticket info, call 323/692-9601.  Good luck Judi and watch for a feature update on this talented actress in the coming weeks here at Soaptown USA.

Now on to the rest of the NEWS and GOSSIP for the week.  Things are fairly quiet, but here’s what I’ve got!……………………….

Monday, March 1^st is Marc Menard’s (Boyd) last airdate.  While other New York shows have expresses interest in Menard, looks like the actor is heading west………….Also airing for the last time this week is Dax Griffin (Justin), who last appears on March 4^th……………………TPTB at “AMC” are about to put their foot in their mouth if what I hear is true. Is Olga Sosnovska (Lena) about to be dumped? That’s what I’m now hearing as the show tries to get far away from any real lesbian romance, and yes folks that will also include Maggie. Despite what you may be seeing, Maggie will be getting a male love interest by summer. This is sad news coming from a show that has led fans and the daytime press on for months. I’ll keep you posted!…………Erica’s drinking will lead to a breakdown and only Jackson can save her.

With former “GH” star Billy Warlock (ex-A.J.) showing up in New York to appear in the play ‘The Normal Heart’, rumors are running rampant that “World Turns” wants to snag the actor for a lead role to debut this summer…….Jodi Stevens plays Daria, a reporter on March 5^th. She also happens to be Mrs. Scott Bryce (ex-Craig)………….Cady McClain brings Rosanna back to town on March 26^th……….Molly is about to do something she may regret……………..There is no Carly/Paul romance planned-Carly and Jack are safe! So please no more questions!

Chris Warren Jr. plays Jimmy, Hector’s adopted son. Warren happens to be the real life son of ‘Passions’ star Brook Kerr (Whitney)…………Was that Erin Hershey Presley (ex-Alison, “PC”) auditioning for a role on the show, possibly a recast? If  Presley is cast, expect major story re-writes!………Deacon learns Jackie’s secret……………Will Amber heat up with older man Hector?

News is scarce this week-Doug dies on March 5^th-how sad is that?! I hear he may come back for ghostly appearances……………..Also returning as a ghost is John Aniston (ex-Victor) on March 11^th……………..So after Doug dies, there will be two more deaths, then a major death in May. Hold on to your hats folks, these are major Salem citizens about to kick the bucket courtesy of the Stalker (that’s Marlena to you and me!)…………….Word is Belle is safe. Should Kirsten Storms leave the show in May, they will recast the role. I guess my prayers were NOT heard!……………….We may have some big names return briefly (nothing long-term) in May for a big funeral. How depressing!  And that may explain some rumors!……….When all is said in done in the Stalker story, the “Days” cast will be down to fifteen contract players!

Catherine Wadkins has been cast as Mary. She joins the show in a very controversial story and will be a new love interest for Nikolas. Looks like those Emily/Jax rumors may prove true…………………..Greg Fitzpatrick plays Wally, Amanda Tepe plays Enid on March 11^th, two recurring characters making a brief appearance in a surprising storyline…………….I hear Kristina Wagner (Felicia), who returns this week, has been filming a lot……………Zander is about to change several lives.

See Lead story

 

 

 

Looks like the Music Box Killer story is ending earlier than planned-Matt Ashford (Stephen) finished filming last week, as did Ty Treadway (Troy). Both last air in late March……….Surprisingly, word reached me that Kamar de los Reyes (Antonio) may actually stay with the show now. I hear he wants a new love interest. Why?……….. The Nora/Bo reunion is looking more definite and Jen may find true love with Riley.

 No news is good news!

 

 

Again, no news is good news!

 

 

 

That’s it for this week. We are gearing up for our big move of The Steamroom, Soaptown USA’s message board. Active members of the board will get emails announcing the details of the new board very soon.

This Thursday, March 4^th, the Emmy nominees will be announced on NBC’s Today show. I will have the whole list-and handicap the winners in an early column posting Saturday, March 6^th. Let’s see how many I got right from my pre-nominee column! I can’t wait!

Also coming up, exclusive interviews with Bobbie Eakes (Krystal, “AMC”), Judi Evans Luciano (Bonnie, “Days”), Tyler Christopher (Nikolas, “GH”) and an interview with someone so huge, so important to daytime I cant even say their name-yet!. Stay tuned for those!