INDIE SOAP BEAT: August 25, 2009

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" feature, we take a look at the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera production.

VENICE - THE SERIES
Mimi Torchin announed in Monday's "Soapgeist" column that Crystal Chappell would indeed, as many suspected, be playing the lead role of Gina on the series. Monday also saw the release of a fabulous New York Times article on Chappell/Otalia and VENICE which has since been republished and repackaged on a variety of websites including Gawker, Huffinton Post and Eclipse Magazine.

Producing VENICE is a labor of love as everyone is working without pay for now. Ms. Chappell recruited as cast mates the actors Hillary B. Smith (ONE LIFE TO LIVE), Jordan Clarke and Daniel Cosgrove (both from GUIDING LIGHT), and Elizabeth Keener (THE L WORD). 'I can’t pay you anything,' she said she told them. 'How’s that for an opening line?' (She’ll cover food and transportation, she said.)

Camera equipment was donated by friends. And her partners in the newly formed Open Book Productions — Kim Turrisi, the writer for VENICE, and Hope Royaltey, the series’s director — are also donating their services.

It’s a business model that costs next to nothing — only one Web designer is paid. And now Ms. Chappell has taken the next step: calling on fans to design the logo and music for VENICE through contests. Ms. Chappell’s fan club president, Cathie Wagner, a 54-year-old married kindergarten teacher from Ohio, oversees 15 volunteers for Ms. Chappell’s Facebook page and Web site.

INDIE SOAP BEAT: August 18, 2009

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" segment, we take a look at the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera production.

WORKSHOP
Daytime Confidential's Jamey Giddens turned me on to WORKSHOP, a new comedic web series that was created by Nate Golon and Kimberly Legg which stars former PASSIONS actor Phillip Jeanmarie. The show is airing new episodes every Monday until the season finale on November 2. I asked Golon, who also plays Jeff Reynolds in the series, to introduce the show to the We Love Soaps readers.

We Love Soaps: If someone hasn't seen the show, how would you describe it to them in a nutshell?
Nate Golon: WORKSHOP takes a comedic look at the struggles of the LA actor. Basically, I wanted to show what it's really like in Hollywood for the majority of actors trying to make it, but take the situations that can be frustrating for actors and put them in a comedic light. Think of this show as ENTOURAGE for poor actors.

We Love Soaps: New web shows are coming and going quite frequently lately. What would you say distinguishes WORKSHOP from other shows and why should people check it out?
Nate Golon: I think it is fantastic that there are new web series starting to pop up more and more! Many people in the industry refer to anything web-related as New Media, and it really is going to be the dominant medium for entertainment sometime in the not-too-distant future. WORKSHOP sets itself apart by the quality of the acting, writing, and production values. There may be a lot of web content coming out, but that doesn't mean that it is all high quality.

We Love Soaps: How are you going to measure the success of the series? (YouTube hits, buzz, website hits, etc). Might there be more episodes after the initial run?
Nate Golon: I'm measuring the success of the series by the buzz it generates and the fan base it excites. I envisioned this show to appeal to everyone, young and old. There is a constant fascination about Hollywood, and this show puts the viewer in center of the action. It is not the tabloid life, it is the daily actor life, which in itself is fascinating and there is a limitless amount of stories that come out of trying to "make it" in Hollywood. With that being said, my goal is to be picked up by a major sponsor and/or network, and definitely do a second season. I think this show would actually be a great half-hour comedy, and if given the chance, we'll make it happen!

INDIE SOAP BEAT: July 28, 2009

On today's "We Love Soaps Radio" podcast, we discuss CHICAGO TO CORONAOD's Kirsten Osolind's ingenius trip to Comic-Con. There is plenty of other news in this week's "Indie Soap Beat" report.

VENICE - THE SERIES
Join one of the creators of VENICE, the fabulous Crystal Chappell, on Twitter tonight along with new co-star Hillary B. Smith to find out more about the show. Be sure to follow VENICE on Twitter as well. If you miss tonight's Tweetfest, follow the series anyway as new clues about the show are added all the time.

Evening News

Y&R's Kate Linder to receive star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Kate Linder (Esther) will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, April 10 at 11:30 am at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard (on the north side of the street between North Orange Drive and North Sycamore Avenue). The public is invited to share this special day with Kate. The week of the ceremony will mark Linder's 26th year with THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.

NBC squashes PASSIONS' chances
NBC has killed whatever small chance there was of a PASSIONS resurrection. A few months ago, DirecTV, which has broadcast the sudser since it was cancelled by NBC last year, opted against another season of the show. Nonetheless, producer Universal Media Studios had been trying to find yet another new home for the soap.

But at a wrap party last week, PASSIONS cast and crew members were told that talks to keep the show alive via the Internet or another outlet had failed. Peacock insiders confirmed the report, though the studio declined comment. Further proof of the end of PASSIONS came Monday morning when UMS and Premiere Props announced a two-day blowout sale of props and costumes from the show this weekend.

Tony Geary Reflects on 30 Years of GH
There is no one more universally recognizable on ABC’s GENERAL HOSPITAL than Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer). Since joining the show 30 years ago, the 60-year-old actor has won five Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor, the most for an actor at the show, and helped GH make daytime history as one half of the Luke and Laura (Genie Francis) supercouple, whose 1981 wedding, witnessed by 30 million Americans, still holds the record as the most-watched soap opera episode. Now, as GH prepares to celebrate 45 years on the air on Tuesday (April 1), Geary reflects on the changes to the show, his leading ladies — old and new — and himself. "I first came on to do 13 weeks and that was all I expected to do. It just sort of grew out of that."

The Split: New SAG & AFTRA Explanations
Today's statements from SAG and AFTRA about this weekend's split.

A new ESPN campaign spoofs soap operas. Is that a good thing?
The purpose of this campaign (it includes a teaser ad that runs on TV, plus several more Webisodes available at EndlessDrama.com) is to create and retain interest in ESPN's fantasy-baseball leagues. According to the ad agency behind the campaign, the fantasy-baseball season can feel "long" and "daunting" to some players. Thus the ads—with their references to the "endless drama" inherent in fantasy sports—are meant both to fire up excitement for the start of the new season and to encourage players to stick it out for the whole marathon.

DAYS' Kristian Alfonso will judge Miss USA pageant
NBC, Donald Trump and Paula M. Shugart, President, Miss Universe Organization, today announced the celebrity judges for the 2008 Miss USA Pageant on NBC on Friday, April 11 (9-11 p.m. ET). The judges include Kristian Alfonso, entrepreneur and star of NBC's DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

NBC offers escape with new prime time slate
Peacock programming chief Ben Silverman will unveil Wednesday his first schedule since taking over the network in June. While the net is keeping a tight lid on specifics, its decision to order projects straight to series, along with the condensed pilot season, makes it possible to outline some broad details of NBC's strategy. Many of the series in contention for the Peacock lineup boast a fantasy or action element, including one show just added to NBC's 2008-09 roster: KNIGHT RIDER, the Doug Liman-produced actioner whose two-hour backdoor pilot starring Justin Bruening (ALL MY CHILDREN) snagged solid ratings in February. Project has been given an episodic order and has been mentioned as a contender for a Friday night timeslot.

Liveblogging AS THE WORLD TURNS: Casey at the bat!
"Noah and Luke show up at the coffee shop and Noah quickly races in to fake hug wife Ameera. The INS agent still thinks something is going on between Ameera and Casey. Luke lurches forward and hugs Casey. 'He's my boyfriend! Look, we have matching haircuts and everything.' As if to prove the point, Luke and Casey begin making out passionately - or as they like to call it: 'knocking amulets.' The INS agent retreats."

Bravo has a core audience of "affluencers"
They combine affluence with influence, and they are largely upscale urban women and gay men, Bravo chief Lauren Zalaznick says of the word she coined. "Who doesn't want to be that person with the cute boyfriend and the hot cellphone?" she says. "You want to influence people, and you want to have money. It's like America."

AUDIO: Episode #18 of radio soap EYE OF THE STORM
Listen to the latest episode, "Life Must Fall," of the J.R. Benight audio series.

HOLLYOAKS beauty Gemma to go online
Devotees of HOLLYOAKS star Gemma Atkinson are in for a treat. Next Wednesday, the actress will be dropping in to The Sun's offices to take part in a webchat - so now is the time to jot down that issue you've always wanted to bring up. Email any questions to webchats@the-sun.co.uk, making sure to mark them 'Gemma'.

News Brief

TV Guide Canada: The Nelson Ratings: March 17, 2008.

OK! Magazine: Snoop Dogg, soap star? That’s right! Last week the D-O-double G taped a guest appearance on ONE LIFE TO LIVE. “He sings a few songs at the fictitious club Ultraviolet and has a scene where he teaches Ilene Kristen, who plays the town's foulmouthed blonde, how to speak Izzle."

Noir Dame Blog: A look at audio suds: EYE OF THE STORM, SCRIPTS & SCRUPLES, WESTWAYS, THE ARCHERS and more. "Amazing casting certainly plays a part in ROCKLAND COUNTY, a continuing soap project created by Roger Newcomb of Loger, Inc. Since Newcomb’s long-time favorite soap is the aforementioned ANOTHER WORLD, it is a happy surprise to hear the solid soaper Kale Browne (ex-”Michael Hudson”, AW, and currently starring on DAYS OF OUR LIVES) on several episodes. Newcomb’s other project is SCRIPTS & SCRUPLES, which has continued for several years, most recently culminating in the connected indie film Manhattanites."

TVShowsOnDVD: Rumbling back into action, "The Rat Patrol" Complete Series Giftset deploys onto DVD May 13, 2008 from MGM Home Entertainment. Available just in time for Father's Day, this seven-disc set includes all 58 adventure filled episodes of the action-packed dramatic series chronicling the adventures of four commandos fighting in the African Desert. Lead by bold Sergeant Sam Troy (Christopher George, Chisum, The Immortal), The Rat Patrol was comprised of a misfit team of men including Sergeant Jack Moffitt (Gary Raymond, Moonraker, The Greatest Story Ever Told), the intellectual British archeologist expert, Private Mark "Hitch" Hitchcock (Lawrence Casey, KNOTS LANDING) a demolition specialist and Private Tully Pettigrew (Justin Tarr, Massacare Harbor), the group's mechanical wizard. The four maneuvered tanks across the barren badlands of Africa during World War II to battle the German Army's Africa Corps, led by Hauptmann Hans Dietrich (Eric Braeden, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS).

Daily Star: Former HearSay star Suzanne Shaw won the final of Dancing on Ice. The singer and her dancing partner Matt Evers won a public vote against HOLLYOAKS star Chris Fountain and WATERLOO ROAD actress Zaraah Abrahams.

Ananova: A border terrier loves CORONATION STREET so much he howls along with the theme tune. Percy rushes to the TV as soon as he hears the music and howls along with the music. Percy only reacts to CORRIES's music and ignores the other soaps. Owner Christine Conway from Sereham, Norfolk said: "I also watch EASTENDERS and EMMERDALE but Percy is just not interested. It must be something in the pitch of the music that gets him excited and makes him always want to join in."

FTM: The AFA has Procter & Gamble, the country’s largest advertiser, in its sights. P&G produces the CBS Soap Opera AS THE WORLD TURNS whose story line a few months ago started featuring a romance between two young men. That caused the AFA to issue an “Action Alert” -- that’s short of a boycott call, but a warning to P&G that the AFA is taking a close look

Serial Drama: DAYS OF OUR LIVES Couple of Weeks in Review. Sort Of. Not Really. I'm Too Bored, Y'all!

News Brief

New York Daily News: Jack, Carly, Brad, Katie and Henry converge in Chicago this week on AS THE WORLD TURNS, culminating in Henry's being freed and Jack getting shot. "Brad and Katie go to this warehouse looking for Henry," says Austin Peck, who plays Brad. "Jack and Carly are there looking for Kit, so they all work together." Kit is wanted back in Oakdale, where teenager Parker is on trial for murder. "Kit is the key to keeping Parker from being sent to prison for killing Sam. [Parker] fired one shot that hit Sam, but Kit fired the second shot that killed him," reveals Peck.

Great Reporter: The 100-day writers' strike provided just the free time and creative stimulation writers needed to resurrect back burner projects and develop new material, but it isn't destined for your TV. For the writers who went to work every day on the picket line, the strike offered creative inspiration for new material, if not the time to pursue it. Judy Tate, a writer for DAYS OF OUR LIVES, worked on a dramatic screenplay about overcoming personal plight to make sacrifices for the good of the community--that is, when she was not being a strike captain for the guild. "Who knew striking was such a full-time job," Tate said. But it also "inspired the script." Tate said she was creative in her organizing techniques and picket signs, and when the time was right, she would write--her screenplay or one of several other projects she began. "The creative process is at work everywhere," she said.

Güncel Haber: Profile of former DAYS star Krista Allen.

Washington Post: An ABC soap opera has waded into the controversial subject of teenage sex with a story about the first sexual experience of a 16-year-old girl that parallels the real-life situation of teen idol Jamie Lynn Spears. A producer for daytime soap ONE LIFE TO LIVE said on Friday that before Spears announced she was pregnant, the show's writers and producers had already begun planning episodes in which teen character Starr Manning, played by Kristen Alderson, has sex with her 17-year-old boyfriend.

Allentown Morning Call: Now that the writers strike has been settled, former RYAN'S HOPE and MELROSE PLACE star Grant Show has swung back into action. Show plays Tom Decker, an airplane pilot and lead character in the '70s-themed CBS series SWINGTOWN, about a group of married couples living in Chicago during the disco era. Production on the series resumed at about the same time that Show, 46, put his gated Hollywood Hills home on the market at close to $2 million.

Northwich Guardian: HOLLYOAKS star Ricky Whittle, who is a patron of Jacob's Unique Memory Pot (J-U-M-P) - a charity that captures memories for children with health challenges - appeared on a celebrity edition of BBC quiz show, THE WEAKEST LINK in January. Promising to donate any winnings to the charity that was founded in 2004 in memory of Jacob Hawthorn, who died at the age of three from a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy, Ricky missed out on first place to THE BILL actor Rav Wilding, but had a surprise up his sleeve. Before the show the pair had pledged to share the winnings between their chosen charities should they win the game.

Digital Spy: EASTENDERS producers have been forced to scrap plans to film a week's worth of episodes in Spain. Chiefs had hoped to send the Mitchell family abroad for a special summer storyline, but they were told that it would not be possible due to cutbacks at the BBC.

Serial Drama: A Lynn Marie Latham Y&R survivor speaks out.

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Some fans of As the World Turns have started a letter campaign and Web site in protest over the relationship between gay characters Luke Snyder and Noah Mayer. Soap opera watchers aren’t enraged because they are affectionate, but because they’re not affectionate enough and haven’t smooched since September (or in 162 days, 10 hours, 19 minutes and 49 seconds since the writing of this, according to the site’s “liplock clock” ). Can’t everyone just kiss and make up?

EOTS: AUDIO: Listen to Episode #17 ("Secrets") of radio soap EYE OF THE STORM.

News Brief

New York Daily News: When Eva Longoria Parker was first drawn to "Over Her Dead Body," opening Feb. 1, it wasn't for the more prominent, sweet female love-interest role (taken by newcomer Lake Bell). Oh no, she was more interested in the part of a spirited spirit who works from beyond to stop Bell from hooking up with her former fiancé, played by Paul Rudd. The 32-year-old actress has made a good career out of being bad. Before her breakout as sexy and self-centered ex-model Gabrielle Solis on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, she sharpened her bitchy bite as a soap opera psychotic on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.

Athens Exchange: A Timeline of the WGA Strike.

AfterDawn: Is it too late to avoid long term affects from WGA strike?

Radiosoap.net: Radio soap EYE OF THE STORM is back with an all-new episode titled "Take No Prisoners" available for download now.

MyWestTexas: Jeanne Cooper, Katherine Chancellor of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, will be in West Texas this month to celebrate the ground breaking festivities for the new Inpatient Treatment facility for The Springboard Center. She will be accompanied by another cast member. "As our national spokeswoman and a passionate supporter of treatment for addictive disease, Ms. Cooper is hoping to use this as an opportunity to promote quality treatment rather than high dollar retreats for the rich and famous," said Tim Baker, executive director of Springbroad. CBS-7 will launch a contest today which asks participants to send in an essay concerning their interest in the TV show "The Young and The Restless," but also comment on Ms. Cooper's passion for the education and treatment of addictive disease, Baker said. "The winner will get to join Ms. Cooper for lunch at the Midland Racquet Club along with another cast member and Tatum Hubbard and Jay Hendrix of CBS-7. The contest runner-up will get a Friday afternoon of the 25th of January complete makeover by Ms. Cooper's personal and well known Hollywood stylist, Gino Columbo."

Jackson Clarion Ledger: GUIDING LIGHT's 71st anniversary is coming up Friday. The show went on the air for the first time on Jan. 25, 1937. During its first few years, GL was centered around Pastor Rutledge, his family and congregation, who were the guiding light, as it were, for the city of Five Points (Anywhere, U.S.A.).

Grand Rapids Press: Casey Childs, an Emmy Award-winning director of television's ALL MY CHILDREN and son of longtime Grand Rapids actress Marti Childs, directed the first staged reading of "Going to St. Ives" at the O'Neill Playwright's Conference in 1996.

Tulsa World: PBS has been airing installments of a landmark documentary this past month titled “Pioneers of Television,” about the innovators of sitcoms, late night talk shows and variety and game shows. These fascinating stories feature archives and never-before-seen clips and interviews. Some of America’s first celebrities – including Dick Van Dyke, Andy Griffith, Betty White (Ann, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) – are also featured.

Entertainmentwise: EASTENDERS star Joe Swash has been slammed by his fiancee after he ditched her and his seven-month-old son. Emma Sophocleous has described herself as “bitter and angry” after she and baby Harry were kicked out of the home they shared with Swash - who plays Mickey Miller in the BBC soap.

Daily Star: Former EASTENDERS star Marc Bannerman has been cautioned over a confrontation with a photographer. The 34-year-old became involved in a row with paparazzi last month after they followed him and fellow I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! contestant Cerys Matthews to a pub. He was arrested after a meal with the singer near her home in west Wales. Bannerman and another man were released on police bail after the incident outside the Ship Inn in Trefin, Pembrokeshire.

Glasgow Sunday Mail: One of 50 Reasons To Be Cheerful: CORONATION STREET is back on form.

New York Daily News: The Screen Actors Guild Awards usually flies under the radar each year, lost in a sea of major Hollywood celebrations. This year, however, due to the Writers Guild of America strike, the SAG Awards could be the awards, said former DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Lisa Rinna, who will work the red carpet at next weekend's celebration with Joey Fatone for the TV Guide Network.

WeLoveSoaps Interview With S&S Star Matthew Preston

Actor and writer Matthew Preston is a jack of all trades. Preston hosts the monthly vlog "SON Insider" and co-hosts the online radio show "Buzzworthy." Preston has also been the writer of numerous web soap operas, short films, and commericals. For the past three years he has starred as Dirk Endicott (now deceased) and the fiery Dylan Endicott on radio soap "Scripts & Scruples." This summer, Dylan crossed over to "Eye of the Storm," a radio drama produced by J.R. Benight. WeLoveSoaps talked to Preston about his character, the crossover and his busy schedule.

WeLoveSoaps: For someone who hasn't listened to "Scripts & Scruples" or "Eye of the Storm" before, how would you describe the character of Dylan?
Matthew Preston: Dylan can be described in four words: mouth of the south. He's very passionate but can have an attitude problem if he's pushed over the edge...mostly from someone like his father.

WeLoveSoaps: You are the only character from S&S who has ever crossed over to a soap not produced by Loger, Inc. What was it like working on "Eye of the Storm," produced by J.R. Benight?
Preston: It was exciting and different. With S&S the lines have to be called in but on EOTS, the lines were recorded from my computer. S&S has a more daytime feel where as EOTS is definitely primetime. Both were fun and I'm loving how Dylan is getting tons of story plot. I was worried I was going to be forgotten on one of the shows but that didn't happen, if anything, I received an even jucier role.

WeLoveSoaps: What has been your favorite scene to play on S&S so far?
Preston: So many to choose from but recently fighting with Jackson over Hannah has been my favorite. The arguing and tension keeps building to what I'm sure will be a very exciting climax! I myself want to know why Dylan hates his own father so much.

WeLoveSoaps: Do you think Dylan and Jackson will ever mend fences and develop a better relationship?
Preston: I honestly hope not. I hope that this broken relationship goes on forever. Of course it would be nice to see them maybe have a tender moment or so but then go back to hating each other. Happiness seems to be the death for any soap opera character.

WeLoveSoaps: On a personal note, how do you find the time to juggle all the various things you have going on?
Preston: I honestly don't know. With a full time job, auditioning for movies, writing screenplays, recording radio shows...I honestly don't know. I wish I had a twin but one that's not evil.

Eye of the Storm Returns for Season 2 Today

Radio soap "Eye of the Storm" returns today for the start of a second season. Season 1 left off with a murder mystery unraveling and fans waiting for answers. Meanwhile, "Scripts & Scruples" character Dylan Endicott completes his crossover role today. Dylan will soon head back to New York and find out what his girlfriend, Hannah, has been up to while he was gone.

Radio Soap Crossover in the Works

Matthew Preston will take his Scripts & Scruples character, Dylan Endicott, to Eye of the Storm this summer starting July 21st. Spoilers on the upcoming storyline will be released in the near future.

Soap Opera Sundays

If you didn't get your soap fix during the week, you can listen to Soap Opera Sundays on Radio Loger.

The line-up kicks off at 9am ET with the best of The Big Apple Meets Tinseltown featuring interviews with some of soap's finest like Louise Sorel, Ilene Kristen, Jill Larson, Terri Colombino, Anna Holbrook and more.

At 10am catch up on this week's Scripts & Scruples.

At 10:30am you can listen to a marathon of the new hit radio soap Eye of the Storm.

From Noon to 8pm you can listen to old-time radio soaps like The Guiding Light and One Man's Family.

At 8pm you can listen to a Rockland County marathon.