'Serial Scoop Now': 'The Bay' at the 44th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards

We Love Soaps teamed up with Serial Scoop Now to cover the 44th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. In the video below, check out interviews with producers and cast of Amazon Prime drama The Bay at the Creative Arts ceremony. Host Jenna Stone spoke with Nicolas Coster, Jade Harlow, Celeste Fianna, Carolyn Hennesy, Kristos Andrews, Lilly Melgar, Matthew Ashford, Ronn Moss and Devin DeVasquez.

'The Bay' New Season Begins: Sara Garrett Is In The Big House!

In jail, Sara (Mary Beth Evans) meets Big Candi (Kym Whitley).

A new season of Gregori J. Martin's Emmy and Indie Series Award-winning web series, The Bay, kicked off on Tuesday with back-to-back episodes and an all-star lineup that now includes, among other, daytime favorites Patsy Pease and Judith McConnell. There's also a haunting new opening sequence set to "Devil's Bride." As the season begins, havoc reigns as Bay City residents deal with the aftermath of multiple calamities and ongoing scandals.

What tragedy awaits Janice Ramos (Lilly Melgar) at the hands of the despicable Chase Walker (Brian Gaskill)? Charged with murder, can Sara Garrett (Mary Beth Evans) survive prison life? Or do Big Candi (Kym Whitley) and Reya (Sarah Tirado) have other plans? Will concerned son Pete Garrett (Kristos Andrews) be able to help his mother when astute lawyer Cleo Harris (Vanessa Williams) reveals a dire situation? Do Mayor Jack Madison (Nicolas Coster) and Melody Garrett (Judith McConnell) have what it takes to help their daughter? Will persistent reporter Nathan Perkins (Scott Bailey) get answers before a cavalier Steve Jensen (Matthew Ashford) gets what he deserves? Is Vivian Johnson (Karrueche Tran) the first to grow suspicious of Daniel Garrett (Eric Nelsen) when he arrives on the scene? Can Riley Henderson (Brittany Underwood) handle the firery wrath of Lianna Ramos (Jade Harlow)? Will a brooding John Blackwell (Ronn Moss) become an unsuspecting hero?

Continuing in Episode 2, Sara makes a tentative friend when offered advice from odd inmate Lola (Patsy Pease). Jo Connors (Kira Reed Lorsch) offers Steve fair warning as Commissioner Lex Martin (Tristan Rogers) and Zoey Johnson (Taylor Stanley) deal with Blackwell’s shocking revelation. At the roadhouse, Pete relays discouraging news to Daniel, Vivian, and Avery Garrett (Alicia Leigh Willis) before Vivian offers a shocking solution. Lianna and Will Campbell (Derrell Whitt) arrive just in time for an intense confrontation. As Janice prepares to deal with the unthinkable, Sara remembers when a young Lee Nelson (Eric Martsolf) offered her young self (Abby Wathen) comforting words.

Watch the episodes below.

Matthew Ashford Returning: 'Days of our Lives' Actor Back as Jack

Matthew Ashford

Days of our Lives fan favorite Matthew Ashford is returning to the NBC soap opera for a five-episode arc in late spring, according to TVInsider.com. Since the return is scheduled to be so brief, it's not clear whether his dead character, Jack Deveraux, will turn out to be alive. It may be that Jack is only returning, quite literally, in spirit.

I'm okay with Jack coming back as some kind of ghost. Shakespeare used a ghost to bring back Hamlet's father, Dickens brought back Scrooge's dead business partner as a ghost. In the right hands, it can work well.

What if Jack Deveraux is really alive again? Hope there's a good explanation.

What do you think, would you want Jack to be alive after all, or have past soap opera "resurrections" soured you on the idea of a back-from-the-dead Jack Deveraux? Please leave me a comment in the comments section, below. Especially if there's some third possibility you think is viable.

As for actor Ashford, he also stars currently in The Bay, an indie series with ISA and Emmy wins. Matthew Ashford returns to the Days of our Lives set this week.

When will Jack return to Days? Since the production is 5-6 months ahead, look for the first episode of Days of our Lives with Matthew Ashford back as Jack Deveraux to air in May 2016. We'll post updates here on We Love Soaps as we confirm the airdate.

Here's the original story at TV Insider.

Read about when Ashford was axed, along with Sarah Brown and others, back in 2010:
AXED FROM DAYS: Matthew Ashford, Sarah Brown, Christie Clark & Patrick Muldoon

And of course you may want to revisit our quite juicy, exclusive-to-WLS, five-part, one-on-one, epic tell-all interview with Matthew Ashford in August 2010.

'The Bay' Returns With Back-To-Back Episodes on Tuesday, December 1

The Bay returns December 1.

The Bayhem reaches new heights when Gregori J. Martin's Emmy-winning drama series The Bay returns in December with eight all new episodes. LANY Entertainment has confirmed two new episodes will air back-to-back on Tuesday, December 1 with a third new episode airing on Thursday, December 3. Additional new episodes will be released every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the month (Dcember 8, 10, 15 and 17), with the season finale episode airing Tuesday, December 22.

A slick trailer for the new season was released in October. Now facing murder charges, Bay City matriarch Sara Garrett (Mary Beth Evans, Days of our Lives) finds herself behind bars. In an attempt to secure Sara’s freedom, youngest son Pete Garrett (X Games Champion Kristos Andrews) is willing to take the plunge with his former lover Vivian Johnson (Model and Actress Karrueche Tran) while the sultry Janice Ramos (Indie Series Award nominee Lilly Melgar, General Hospital) deals with the aftermath of a brutal rape as well as the rage of her betrayed daughter Lianna Ramos (Jade Harlow, ZOO). An angry John Blackwell (Ronn Moss, The Bold and the Beautiful) is about to pull the trigger as the conniving Steve Jensen (Matthew Ashford, Days of our Lives) plots to take over the Garrett empire.

Special guest stars in the new season include Thomas Calabro (Melrose Place), Heather Langenkamp (Nightmare on Elm Street), and Kym Whitley (Young & Hungry) as Big Candi.

In case you missed it, watch the trailer below:

Rivalry, Romance and Revenge: 'The Bay' Season 4 Trailer Released

Lilly Melgar stars as Janice Ramos on The Bay.

The Bay won a Daytime Emmy Award earlier this year, and the show promises "rivalry, romance and revenge when the bayhem continues" in Season 4 this fall.

Matriarch Sara Garrett (Mary Beth Evans, Days of our Lives) is arrested for murder while attending her daughter's funeral. Golden boy Pete Garrett (Kristos Andrews) was about to fall in the arms of his former lover Vivian Johnson (Model and Actress Karrueche Tran) while the sultry Janice Ramos (Indie Series Award nominee Lilly Melgar, General Hospital) is tossed in the back of Chase Walker's (Brian Gaskill, Port Charles) seedy van. An angry John Blackwell (Ronn Moss, The Bold and the Beautiful) is intent on seeking revenge and bringing Bay City down while the nefarious Steve Jensen (Matthew Ashford, Days of our Lives) attempts to cover up his blackmail in taking over the Garrett empire.

Special guest stars in the new season include Thomas Calabro (Melrose Place), Heather Langenkamp (Nightmare on Elm Street), and Kym Whitley (Young & Hungry) as “Big Candi”.

Watch the just-released released trailer for The Bay's new season below:

'Days of our Lives' Spotlight: Jack Deveraux and Jennifer Horton

Photo Credit: NBC

I recently wrote out about the disastrous pairing of Daniel (Shawn Christian) and Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) on Days of Our Lives, asking if it was time for them to call it quits.  Based on the emails, comments on this website and the social media responses we received, many fans think it is.

The continued focus on this couple in the past few weeks has not helped make me root for them. In fact, I find myself rooting for Liam (Mark Collier). Something is not working. What did work for many years was the pairing of Jack and Jennifer. In their time they were the it couple. Their story had so many layers to it and the audience longed for them to be together. There was angst, drama, laughter, adventure and, most of all, love. It was obvious these two people belonged together.

The dynamic Matthew Ashford (the definitive Jack Deveraux) may never return to the show. And if he did, would it even be possible to recapture the dynamic the couple once had? Could the writers finally get it right? Jack and Jennifer fans remained very loyal to their favorite couple over the years, and they never had it easy.

So for those Jack and Jennifer fans out there, or for DAYS fans who never experienced this couple at their peak, below are a selection of classic videos that I consider to be some of their most defining moments.

Enjoy!

DAYS: Is It Time For Daniel & Jennifer To Call It Quits For Good?

DAYS OF OUR LIVES is doing so many things well right now. I have already gone on record saying how lovely the WilSon Wedding was. Salem feels like a town that I want to visit. Every character on the show is connected to each other in some way. Their use of history has never been better.

In a recent scene, Julie (the divine Susan Seaforth Hayes) let Sami (Alison Sweeney) have it for not giving "poor Nick" a second chance, considering all of the times the Hortons and Bradys have forgiven Sami. This takes even on more meaning, because how supportive Julie was of Sami, during the Sami & Lucas days.

Hope (Kristian Alfonso) is front and center again and working incredibly well with Daniel Cosgrove as Aidan.

Fireworks will explode when Sami finally finds out about EJ's affair with Abby.

However, there is something that still isn't working for me. That would be Daniel and Jennifer.

THE BAY Director's Cut Released In Memory of David Pregerson (1990-2013)

THE BAY has released a "Director's Cut" featuring the best of its recent webisodes. The new Chapter 11 edit is dedicated to the memory of David Pregerson, one of the head camera operators on THE BAY and star Kristos Andrews' childhood best friend. Pregerson was a victim of a hit-and-run in the early morning hours of Friday, December 27, and passed away from his injuries on New Year's Eve. Local law enforcement officials are seeking the public’s help to find the hit-and-run driver.

THE BAY cast includes Mary Beth Evans, Tristan Rogers, Matthew Ashford, Kristos Andrews, Lilly Melgar, Nicolas Coster, Jacklyn Zeman, Terri Ivens, Scott Bailey, Jade Harlow (who makes her DAYS OF OUR LIVES debut next week), Taylor Stanley, Derrell Whitt and Erik Fellows.

The best of chapter 11 is presented in an 18 minute episode by director Gregori J. Martin. Watch below:

Janice and Peter Heat Up The Latest Webisode of THE BAY (Video)

Lilly Melgar as Janice and Kristos Andrews as Peter.

On this week's episode of THE BAY, Bay City vixen Janice Ramos (Lilly Melgar) and the handsome young Peter Garrett (Kristos Andrews) deal with the aftermath of their sexual rendezvous. How will Pete's mother, Sara (Mary Beth Evans), feel about this?  Janice's daughter, Lianna (Jade Harlow), attempts to vent as the ominous Steve Jensen (Matthews Ashford) gives Orchid (Terri Ivens) a warning.

Meanwhile, Sofia Madison (Jacklyn Zeman) is perplexed by her daughter Tandi Jo's (Emmie Romanovich) relationship with Igor Chambers (Camden Toy) and her husband Jack's (Nicolas) mysterious 3 a.m. phone calls.  Are the streets of Bay City going to be safe if Lex (Tristan Rogers) and Will (Derrell Whitt) let Igor go?

Watch the latest installment from Chapter 11 of THE BAY below:

THE BAY Returns Edgy, Sexier and More Scandalous Than Ever

Nicolas Coster and Jackie Zeman star in THE BAY

Gregori J. Martin's Emmy-nominated and Indie Series Award-winning THE BAY returned today with two brand new installments that move the series three years into the future. Sara has done the unthinkable making Lex determined to uncover the truth. Peter's love life takes a complicated turn, as does a confused Lianna. Steve has little choice but to deal with pesky reporter Nathan, while Mayor Jack is left to do some serious explaining. Igor attempts to deal with Sofia's wrath and his shady reputation.

Edgy, sexier and more scandalous than ever before, the series delves deeper into forbidden love, taboo sex, and riveting political scandals. The much anticipated new chapter includes returning favorites Mary Beth Evans (Sara Garrett), Tristan Rogers (Comm. Lex Martin), Kristos Andrews (Peter Garrett), Matthew Ashford (Steve Jensen), Nicolas Coster (Mayor Jack Madison), Jackie Zeman (Sofia Madison), Lilly Melgar (Janice Ramos), Camden Toy (Igor), Derrell Whitt (Will Campbell) and Lianna Ramos (Jade Harlow).

Watch the new installments of THE BAY below:

Deidre Hall Sings On DATING IN THE MIDDLE AGES (Video)

On the latest episode of comedy web series DATING IN THE MIDDLE AGES, when Samantha (Devin Mills) advances from no dates to two all in one morning her Mom (DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Deidre Hall) is so excited she decides to sing. Her song of choice is the title song of the series, "Dating In The Middle Ages." Watch it below:

READER POLL RESULTS: Indie Series of the Week (July 28-August 3, 2013); PROPER MANORS #1

Hunter Gomez from PROPER MANORS

The results are in from the We Love Soaps Indie Series of the Week poll for web series that aired July 28-August 3, 2013. The latest from PROPER MANORS was voted favorite show of our readers. BLOOMERS finished second followed by the premiere of PAULIE PASTRAMI: KING OF ILLEGAL MEATS.  MY SYNTHESIZED finished fourth with the season premiere of DATING IN THE MIDDLE AGES coming in fifth.

Check out the complete results below including the Favorite Actor, Actress and Couple of the Week:

RANK	SHOW	LAST WEEK	TOP 3
1	PROPER MANORS	-	4
2	BLOOMERS	4	4
3	PAULIE PASTRAMI: KING OF ILLEGAL MEATS	-	1
4	MY SYNTHESIZED LIFE	3	1
5	DATING IN THE MIDDLE AGES	-	0
6	TRUTH IS	-	0
7	GIRL PLAY	-	0
8	WORLD'S WORST DIRECTOR	5	0
9	LIPS	12	0
10	TRYING	-	0
11	X: THE WEB SERIES	8	0
12	MANCHESTER HIGH	13	0
13	THE VAULT	-	0
14	WHATEVER THIS IS	-	0
15	IN TRANSITION	15	0
16	SISTAS	-	0
17	WHERE THE BEARS ARE	11	0
18	CREAM	10	0
19	PARALLELS	-	0
20	THE COLD READ	-	0

See the rest of the poll results and watch last week's Top 3 Indie web series below:

WATCH: DATING IN THE MIDDLE AGES Season 2 Premiere Featuring Matthew Ashford & Deidre Hall

The Season 2 premiere of indie comedy DATING IN THE MIDDLE AGES is here! Samantha has a lusty dream about her man in "The Uniform" (DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Matthew Ashford), and all goes well until a nosy relative (DAYS' Deidre Hall) butts in...

Watch the episode below:

DATING IN THE MIDDLE AGES Returns July 30th, Deidre Hall & Matthew Ashford Join The Cast

DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans) and Matthew Ashford (ex-Jack Deveraux) join the cast of musical comedy soap opera, DATING IN THE MIDDLE AGES, launching July 30th online at datinginthemiddleages.com.

Created by Devin Mills (DAYS OF OUR LIVES, GENERAL HOSPITAL, THE O.C., BIG LOVE), DATING IN THE MIDDLE AGES follows Samantha Collins, a divorced, historical romance novelist attempting to navigate the dating scene after her fifteen year marriage ends. However, her overactive imagination tends to send her on flights of fancy to medieval times and beyond!

THE BAY Cast Does The Harlem Shake

THE BAY's Mary Beth Evans, Matthew Ashford, Nicolas Coster, Jacklyn Zeman, Kristos Andrews and more do the Harlem Shake in a new promo video shot in Marina Del Rey on Coster's boat. Bay City residents ‘shake’ things up as production gets in gear for the new episodes of THE BAY. Check out the video below:

Matthew Ashford Joins DATING IN THE MIDDLE AGES

Matthew Ashford is the latest daytime soap star to sign up for Season 2 of hit web series comedy DATING IN THE MIDDLE AGES. The show tells the story of Samantha Collins, a blocked historical romance writer back on the dating scene after her fifteen year marriage ended. She searches for her Mr. Right through a series of very wrong dates.

Ashford joins his former DAYS OF OUR LIVES co-star Deidre Hall in the second season cast. He has played the character of Jack Deveraux on and off on DAYS since 1987.

He has also been playing Steve Jensen in indie soap THE BAY the past two years.

To find out more and to watch the first season, check out datinginthemiddleages.com.

RELATED:
- Deidre Hall Signs On For DATING IN THE MIDDLE AGES Web Series

DAYSaster: August DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview

When DAYS OF OUR LIVES returns on August 13 after the Olympics wraps up on NBC, the aftermath of the "DAYSaster" will find the residents of Salem in precarious positions. Some are "trapped in collapsed buildings, some have to climb their way out of sunken holes, while others learn to make due by canoodling with unlikely paramours."

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

50 Greatest Soap Couples: #39 Nick & Althea From THE DOCTORS

COUPLE: Nick Bellini & Althea Davis
SHOW: THE DOCTORS
RANK: 39
PLAYED BY:
Nick: Gerald Gordon
Althea: Elizabeth Hubbard (replaced briefly by Virginia Vestoff in 1969–1970)
YEARS: 1966-1976

STORY:
Nick was a brilliant but rough-around-the-edges surgeon from Chicago and Althea was a sophisticated physician brought up in the finest New England schools.  Both doctors were hotheaded and passionate and had instant and undeniable chemistry.   The couple married in 1968 but both had such volatile personalities the marriage was short-lived.  The two remained close with fans always wondering "will they or won't they" finally reconcile.

50 Greatest Soap Couples: #40 Jack & Jennifer From DAYS OF OUR LIVES

COUPLE: Jack Deveraux & Jennifer Horton
SHOW: DAYS OF OUR LIVES
RANK: 40
PLAYED BY:
Jack: Matthew Ashford, Mark Valley, Steve Wilder
Jennifer: Melissa Reevees, Stephanie Cameron
YEARS: 1989-present (with breaks on screen when the actors were off the show)

STORY:
After Jack abandoned his political ambitions, he became controlling owner of The Spectator, Salem's local newspaper.  This was where he first became involved with college intern Jennifer.  Jennifer was involved with Emilio Ramirez (Billy Hufsey), but the more she demanded the truth from Jack and called him on the wrongs he committed, the more he secretly fall for her.

PHOTOS: Daytime Emmy Nominees Cocktail Reception

Last night, the stars of Daytime came out to celebrate this year’s nominees at the annual Daytime Emmy Nominee Cocktail Reception presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Daytime Programming Peer Group at SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills.

Among those in attendance included nominees Elizabeth Hendrickson and Genie Francis (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS), Heather Tom and John McCook (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL), Gregori J. Martin (THE BAY), Melissa Claire Egan (ALL MY CHILDREN), Laura Wright and Sean Blakemore (GENERAL HOSPITAL), Matthew Ashford and Shelley Hennig (DAYS OF OUR LIVES) and many more.

The Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards will be held on Saturday, June 23 in Los Angeles and broadcast on HLN. The Creative Arts ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 17.

Below are some photos from last night's event.