In Memoriam: Remembering Those We Lost in 2016 (Updated)

As 2016 comes to a close, we want to pay special tribute to those who passed away this year from the world of soap operas, including beloved creators, writers, performers and executives. Watch our tribute below.

'Tainted Dreams' is Now Streaming on Amazon Video

Actor Larkin Malloy, who passed away in September, plays Henry Steinman
in Tainted Dreams.

Soap with a soap Tainted Dreams began streaming on Amazon Video today. The show is ad-free for Amazon Prime members, while non-subscribers can watch with short promotional breaks.

Created by Sonia Blangiardo, Tainted Dreams follows the lives of the cast and crew of fictional soap opera Painted Dreams. The show features an all-star cast which includes Alicia Minshew (All My Children), Terri Ivens (All My Children), Grant Aleksander (Guiding Light), Kelley Menighan Hensley (As the World Turns), Walt Willey (All My Children), Bobbie Eakes (All My Children), Natalia Livingston (General Hospital), Marnie Schulenburg (As the World Turns), Michael Lowry (All My Children), Austin Peck (Days of our Lives), Colleen Zenk (As the World Turns), the late great Larkin Malloy (The Edge of Night), Nathan Purdee (The Young and the Restless), Tonja Walker (One Life to Live), James DePaiva (One Life to Live), Ilene Kristen (Ryan's Hope), Dina Manzo (Real Housewives of New Jersey), Anthony Wilkinson ("My Big Gay Italian Wedding" and the new "My Big Gay Italian Funeral"), Lisa Marie Varon (Impact Wrestling) and “Mr. PEC-Tacular” Jessie Godderz (Impact Wrestling, Big Brother).

Watch the Tainted Dreams trailer below.

'Tainted Dreams' Coming to Amazon on December 26, Watch a Sneak Peek!

Longtime As the World Turns star Colleen Zenk plays Sofia DiGiacomo in
Tainted Dreams.

Sonia Blangiardo's much-anticipated indie web series Tainted Dreams will finally be available to stream beginning December 26, for free on Amazon Video (ad-free for Prime members; with short promotional breaks for non-subscribers).

Tainted Dreams follows the lives of the cast and crew of fictional soap opera Painted Dreams. The show features an all-star cast which includes Alicia Minshew (All My Children), Terri Ivens (All My Children), Grant Aleksander (Guiding Light), Kelley Menighan Hensley (As the World Turns), Walt Willey (All My Children), Bobbie Eakes (All My Children), Natalia Livingston (General Hospital), Marnie Schulenburg (As the World Turns), Michael Lowry (All My Children), Austin Peck (Days of our Lives), Colleen Zenk (As the World Turns), the late great Larkin Malloy (The Edge of Night), Nathan Purdee (The Young and the Restless), Tonja Walker (One Life to Live), James DePaiva (One Life to Live), Ilene Kristen (Ryan's Hope), Dina Manzo (Real Housewives of New Jersey), Anthony Wilkinson ("My Big Gay Italian Wedding" and the new "My Big Gay Italian Funeral"), Lisa Marie Varon (Impact Wrestling) and “Mr. PEC-Tacular” Jessie Godderz (Impact Wrestling, Big Brother).

Watch a sneak peek video below.

Nelson Aspen Remembers Larkin Malloy

Nelson Aspen and Larkin Malloy in March 2010.

Like a lot of other kids of my generation, after school TV viewing included Dark Shadows and The Edge of Night. Guiding Light was another longtime favorite, so of course I knew dashing Larkin as Sky Whitney and Kyle Sampson. He was arguably the quintessential leading soap opera leading man...what Fabio did for Romance Novels, Larkin did for '80s daytime drama: creating smart, sexy, swashbucklers that women would love and men would emulate. In later years, he transitioned to being a strong patriarch on All My Children and a hilarious, creepy villain on As the World Turns (Did you know that for many of its final years, he was also the off-screen announcer for ATWT?). With all that going for him, no wonder he was a sought after acting teacher.

But he was also a loyal friend, although I mostly knew him peripherally. We first met on the last episode of Search for Tomorrow, where you can spot a cameo of us together pushing forward in a crowded airport line. For the last day of the 35 year old soap, assorted cast and crew from over the years comprised the "background players" for those scenes. Larkin had worked in the same facility where SFT was shot in his EON days, so he was much loved by everyone from the Producers to the Boom Operators.

Then, through our mutual friends Marcia McCabe and Chris Goutman, I got to know him off-set. Sharing countless meals, especially Thanksgiving dinners, together over the years. He was devoted "Uncle Larkin" to their kids and always one of the most clever, charming and interesting people at the table.

Daytime has lost another great, much loved guy. And so have his friends and family. RIP, Larkin.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Below is the initial part of a "Where Are They Now?" interview Nelson Aspen conducted with Larkin Malloy in March 2010. We will post the interview in its entirety soon.



RELATED:
- Larkin Malloy has passed away
- Nelson Aspen Previews His "Full Circle" Return to Don't Tell Mama

TAINTED DREAMS: Watch The First Three Episodes

Sonia Blangiardo's much-anticipated indie web series TAINTED DREAMS follows the lives of the cast and crew of fictional soap PAINTED DREAMS. The show features an all-star cast which includes Alicia Minshew (ALL MY CHILDREN), Terri Ivens (ALL MY CHILDREN), Grant Aleksander (GUIDING LIGHT), Kelley Menighan Hensley (AS THE WORLD TURNS), Walt Willey (ALL MY CHILDREN), Bobbie Eakes (ALL MY CHILDREN), Natalia Livingston (GENERAL HOSPITAL), Marnie Schulenburg (AS THE WORLD TURNS), Michael Lowry (ALL MY CHILDREN), Austin Peck (DAYS OF OUR LIVES), Colleen Zenk (AS THE WORLD TURNS), Larkin Malloy (THE EDGE OF NIGHT), Nathan Purdee (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS), Tonja Walker (ONE LIFE TO LIVE), James DePaiva (ONE LIFE TO LIVE), Ilene Kristen (RYAN'S HOPE), Dina Manzo (DINA'S PARTY and REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW JERSEY), Anthony Wilkinson ("My Big Gay Italian Wedding" and the new "My Big Gay Italian Funeral), Lisa Marie Varon (IMPACT WRESTLING) and “Mr. PEC-Tacular” Jessie Godderz (IMPACT WRESTLING and Big Brother).

The wait for the series is now over! TAINTED DREAMS released its first three episodes today via TV Guide Magazine. Watch them below:

Larkin Malloy Joins TAINTED DREAMS

One of Daytime television's most popular leading men in the 1980s, Larkin Malloy is joining the all-star cast of TAINTED DREAMS. The actor, best known for his roles as Sky Whitney in THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Travis Montgomery on ALL MY CHILDREN and Kyle Sampson in GUIDING LIGHT, will play the role of Henry Steinman, a director of PAINTED DREAMS (TAINTED DREAMS' soap within the soap.) He was named to our 50 Greatest Soap Actors list in 2010.

According to executive producer, Sonia Blangiardo, "Henry Steinman is the most politically incorrect director in the history of Daytime…truly the Archie Bunker of the soap genre. Whatever crosses Henry’s mind comes out of his mouth…in the most inappropriate way possible."

"Before you ask, yes, Larkin and I may have known a real-life director who might allegedly fit this description," Blangiardo adds with a grin.

THE EDGE OF NIGHT Ended 28 Years Ago Today

ABC aired the final episode of THE EDGE OF NIGHT 28 years ago today (December 28, 1984). There were discussions about continuing the show in syndication but it never panned out and the beloved P&G soap became television history. Below are some of our favorite EDGE OF NIGHT articles, features, photos and interviews from over the years:

- CLASSIC CLIPS: Daytime Soap Opera Finales
- CLASSIC PHOTO: ATWT/EDGE Celebrate 1,000!

30 Dynamic Duos of Daytime Soaps (25-21)

Our list of 30 Great Dynamic Duos of Daytime Soaps started with a look at 30-26.   Below the countdown continues with Dynamic Duos 25-21.  Tell us your favorite Dynamic Duos in the Comments section below:

50 Greatest Soap Couples: #17 Sky & Raven From THE EDGE OF NIGHT

COUPLE: Schuyler Whitney & Raven Swift
SHOW: THE EDGE OF NIGHT
RANK: 17
PLAYED BY:
Sky: Larkin Malloy
Raven: Sharon Gabet
YEARS: 1980-1984 (including Jefferson Brown)

STORY:
Sky and Raven were an explosive duo that met in 1980 after Sky had survived a plane crash and moved to Monticello.  Sky was Geraldine Whitney's nephew who won Raven's heart, ultimately leading to their wedding.  But it wasn't happily ever after for the couple as Raven realized Sky had been a patient of plastic surgeon, Dr. Kenneth Bryson, and was actually an impostor named Jefferson Brown!

CLASSIC CLIPS: Sky & Raven in THE EDGE OF NIGHT

Sky and Raven were one of the most popular couples in the history of THE EDGE OF NIGHT. Below are some clips featuring the characters:

Nelson Aspen's Where Are They Now Tour: Larkin Malloy

International entertainment reporter Nelson Aspen, author of "Hollywood Insider Exposed!", continues his Where Are They Now Tour for We Love Soaps with a sit down with former The Edge of Night star Larkin Malloy. After EDGE and the historical character of Sky ended, Malloy went on to starring roles as Kyle on Guiding Light, Travis on All My Children and Clay on Loving. He also had a memorable guest run on As the World Turns as Dr. Weston.

In this fascinating interview, Malloy, who came in at #45 on the 50 Greatest Soap Actors of All Time list, shares his thoughts on his soap roles, reveals some things never heard before, and catches us up on what he's doing now.



Visit Larkin Malloy on the web at:
- LarkinMalloy.com
- thenewyorkactingcoach.com

CLASSIC CLIPS: Larkin Malloy

Larkin Malloy came in at #45 on the 50 Greatest Soap Actors of All Time list. Here are some classic clips of Malloy's work on THE EDGE OF NIGHT, GUIDING LIGHT, ALL MY CHILDREN, LOVING and AS THE WORLD TURNS.

1981: Gunther tells Sky he heard a loud noise upstairs. (EON)
1982: Sky rescues Preacher. (EON)

1982: Sky has a duel to the death with Donald Hext. (EON)
1983: Sky and Raven try to escape the CEA. (EON)

1985: Kyle falls asleep while fishing and has a mermaid fantasy. (GL)
1986: Maeve interrupts Reva and Kyle's wedding. (GL)

1987: Erica tries to calm Travis down. (AMC)
1987: Erica pleads with Travis and Jackson to work together. (AMC)

1992: Promo of Malloy as Clay on LOVING.
2002: Dr. Weston denies knowing James. (ATWT)