Legion College

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) – The “One Life To Live” invasion continues at “General Hospital” as the show makes more changes to its writing staff.

Christopher Van Etten and Jean Passanante are joining “GH” as breakdown writers and Katherine Schock is joining as a script writer.   All of them were part of current “GH” head writer Ron Carlivati‘s writing staff at “OLTL”.

Exiting “GH” are scripts writers David Kreizman, Joanna Cohen, and Nathan Fissell.  Fissell is the latest long time ‘GH’ employee who was given the axe under the new regime.   He started as an intern in 1993 and has done various jobs over the years before finally being promoted to full time script writer last year.   Breakdown writer David Rupel, who joined a couple of months ago, is also leaving.

Over at “Days of our Lives,” newly installed head writer Gary Tomlin has added Lorraine Broderick to his writing staff.

For discussion on these topics and more, join us in the Writers/Directors thread at the SON Community.

Pictured: Gary Tomlin (Photo: Aaron Montgomery/JPI)

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — With news of Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell‘s ascension to the top of the “Days of our Lives” writing team after the NBC daytime soap let go Marlene McPherson and Darrell Ray Thomas, Jr., less than a year after the two were hired to replace Dena Higley, Soap Opera Digest in its newest issue (issue dated April 16, 2012) is reporting that Tomlin and Whitesell has added the multiple Emmy award winning talents of veteran writer Lorraine Broderick to its new regime.

Broderick, who most recently enjoyed a stint at ABC’s “One Life to Live” as a breakdown writer shortly after penning the final months of “All My Children” as the soaps head writer – she was hired at “AMC” just days before the network officially announced it had decided to cancel both soaps with “Children” going off the air in September 2011 and “One Life” completing its run in January 2012 - joins “DAYS” in the same position she had at “One Life to Live” until its final episodes were written. “We are excited and look forward to the stories of romance, suspense and intrigue this new dream team plans to tell,” Co-Executive Producer Greg Meng said via Digest.

Broderick’s long career in daytime television as a writer began more than three decades ago when she was hired on as a script writer at “All My Children” in 1979. She held that position until 1981, when she was named Associate Head Writer. She would begin a short stint as the soaps Co-Head Writer in 1987, but would revert back to her former position as Associate Head Writer beginning in 1988 until 1991. She left “AMC” for “Guiding Light” beginning in 1992, where she was hired once again as an Associate Head Writer (1992-1993). After leaving “GL,” Broderick would find herself at numerous daytime soaps in various capacities including the role of Head Writer and/or Associate Head Writer at “Another World,” “As The World Turns,” “One Life to Live” and “Port Charles.”

Before marking her return to “DAYS” later this year, Broderick was previously credited as Head Writer of the soap for just one month (October 1999).

Thomas A. Montalto/Montalto Photos

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Earlier today Soap Opera Network broke the story that NBC’s “Days of our Lives” has decided to end its relationship with co-head writers Marlene McPherson and Darrell Ray Thomas, Jr. The female half of the dynamic team has now spoken out on Twitter against the decision by revealing that the two weren’t given enough of a chance to develop the soap to where they wanted it to go thanks to network interference.

“NBC never let us tell our stories. They kept stopping us and changing our direction,” said McPherson, who also took the time to thank the fans for hanging in for the ride (for the full tweet, see below).

Sources tell Soap Opera Network that Thomas deleted his Twitter account late last week.

An NBC spokesperson did not return requests for comment at press time.

Marlene McPherson’s Twitter Response

Twitter

Former “Days of our Lives” Co-Executive Producer Gary Tomlin and Co-Head Writer Christopher Whitesell will take over co-head writing duties effective immediately. Note: “Days of our Lives” films approximately three months ahead of airdate, however, in most cases the soaps writing is completed four months in advance. Therefore, depending on rewrites, Tomlin and Whitesell’s material should begin airing sometime in August after the Olympics on NBC.

NBC Universal

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Exclusive! Soap Opera Network has learned that “Days Of our Lives” has fired Marlene McPherson and Darrell Ray Thomas, Jr. as its co-head writers and replaced them with Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell.

McPherson and Thomas were hired in May 2011, replacing Dena Higley, to help shepherd the “DAYS” reboot (the returns of fan favorites Drake Hogestyn, Deidre Hall, Patrick Muldoon, Christie Clark and Matthew Ashford).  Unfortunately, the ratings did not improve and the show recently hit a new low in Women 18-49 Viewers with just 496,000 total tuning in from that ratings category for the week March 19-23, 2012.

Tomlin returns to “DAYS” after being the Co-Executive Producer from September 17, 2008 – September 2, 2011 (on air episode dates) . This will be Tomlin’s first head writing gig in about 27 years – he was Head Writer of “Another World” in the mid-80′s.  Though he was an interim Head Writer for “One Life To Live” (on air episodes dates: February 1, 2008 – May 1, 2008) during the 2007-2008 Writers Strike.

Whitesell also returns to the show after being Co-Head Writer from October 13, 2008 – June 13, 2011 (on air episode dates).  This will be Whitesell’s 6th Co-Head Writing stint: he co-head wrote for “General Hospital” (1997), “Sunset Beach” (1998 – 1999), “One Life To Live” (2001-2003), “As The World Turns” (2005-2007).   Whitesell was writing breakdowns for “The Young and The Restless” for the past year.

Renee Jones has made one of the most daring decisions of her life. The “Days of our Lives” actress has decided to quit acting and leave the NBC daytime soap after a 20-year career that has spawned one of the longest and most successful pairings in daytime with her character Lexi Carver and James Reynolds‘ Abe Carver.

Read More >>

Jo Brooks

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — According to ABC Soaps in Depth, “General Hospital” has cast actor and model Christian Monzon in the recurring role of Eddie Cabrera – the onscreen husband of Delores Padilla (portrayed by Rebeka Montoya). While the character had been discussed on numerous occasions for several months, it wasn’t clear if he would ever be seen. A first airdate is set for the week of April 16.

Before joining “GH,” Monzon appeared in episodes of several television series including “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “CSI: Miami” and “CSI: NY,” “The Closer,” HBO‘s” Entourage” and most recently Showtime‘s “Shameless.” In 2010, he appeared in the series finale of “Dollhouse.” He can also be seen in episodes of the 2008 online series ”Hot Hot Los Angeles,” which can currently be viewed  for free on Hulu.com. The actor is also known for his appearances in Dolce & Gabbana ad campaigns.

As part of Wyndotte Street, a production company that provides original online music and comedy, Monzon has starred in several shorts that he either wrote or helped produce such as “Naked Man,” a comedy series where he portrays a naked superhero (no worries, they blur out everything below the waste), and “Wyndotte Presents: (I’m At Work),” a sketch comedy following life within the walls of an office building.

Trailer of “Naked Man”

Adam Taylor/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Jack Wagner, 52, is a soap opera legend and singer, but for millions of viewers he’s a dancing star courtesy of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” The actor joined the 14th cycle (season) of the reality-competition series along with such celebrities as Melissa Gilbert (actor, “Little House on the Prairie”), Sherri Shepherd (talk show host and actress, “The View”), Jaleel White (actor, “Family Matters”), Gladys Knight (singer), Donald Driver (NFL star, “Green Bay Packers”), William Levy (latin soap star), Katherine Jenkins (opera star), Gavin DeGraw (singer), Martina Navratilova (tennis star), Roshon Fegan (actor, “Shake It Up!) and Maria Menounos (TV host and correspondent), but what fans truly want to know is if Wagner is heading back to ABC’s “General Hospital” after being taken off contract by CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful” in early February.

In promotion of “Dancing’s” current season each celebrity is taking part in “You Tweeted, They Answered,” a taped segment in which they answer questions provided to them by “Dancing with the Stars’” Twitter followers (@DancingABC). Of the three questions Wagner answered none was as attention grabbing for soap fans, in particular those watching “General Hospital” (in which Wagner portrayed Frisco Jones off and on from 1983 to 1995), as the one pertaining to his possible return to the soap that put him on the map. When asked if he “would you ever consider coming back to “General Hospital,” Wagner stated “Frisco’s never dead, man! He’s right here! Yeah!” While that isn’t an outright yes, or much of an answer in itself, it does help that “Dancing” is on the same network as “GH” and with Kristina Wagner (Felicia Jones) reportedly returning to the soap in late April the possibilities are endless. If you want to ask Wagner your own question, he’s always available online @JackWagnerHPK.

In addition to his Emmy nominated stint on “General Hospital,” Wagner portrayed the Emmy nominated role of Dominick “Nick” Marone on CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful” and was the much beloved and hated Dr. Peter Burns on the FOX primetime soap “Melrose Place.” Other soap stints include appearances in NBC’s short-lived primetime soap “Titans” and daytime soap “Sunset Beach.”

Fans can vote for Wagner each week via telephone or text message until an hour after the Monday performance broadcast of “Dancing with the Stars” based on their local time zones. To vote by text message, text the word “VOTE” using the information below:

*Message and data rates may apply.

Online voting, however, is open from the beginning of the Monday performance show until 11:00 AM ET/8:00 AM PT the next day (morning of the Tuesday results show). To vote online, you must create a username and provide a valid email address at ABC.com. You can also connect your Facebook or Twitter account to your ABC.com account and login to vote (find out how).

Watch Wagner dancing the Jive with his professional partner Anna Trebunskaya

Disney/ABC Television Group

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “General Hospital” and “The Revolution” are both fighting for a spot on the fall 2012-2013 schedule on ABC Daytime, although neither appear to be making a solid case for themselves.

During the week of March 19-23, 2012, ”General Hospital” was down in numerous key categories year-to-year and hit or tied new series lows in Women 18-49 rating (tied its series low with a 0.8), Women 18-34 (new series low with a 0.3). The remaining daytime soap on ABC was down by a mere 1,000 viewers from its performance the week prior (week of March 12-16, 2012), but the show has hemorrhaged a massive 622,000 viewers compared to its performance on the year-ago (week of March 21-25, 2011). “GH’s” most recent performance is a far cry from its comparable week last year when the soap was on the rise, which helped secure its future just before the network announced it was canceling “All My Children” and “One Life to Live.”

After hitting a series low during the week of March 12-16, 2012, “The Revolution was primed and ready for another series low during the week of March 19-23, 2012, according to figures released Thursday by Marc Berman, Editor in Chief of TV Media Insights.

“One Life to Live,” which last aired on Friday, January 13 of this year, had more than a one million total viewer advantage over “Revolution” and performed 46-60% higher in the key sales demographics including Women 18-49 and Women 18-34 on the comparable week last year (week of March 21-25, 2011). ”Revolution” averaged  just 1.32 million viewers compared to “One Life’s” performance the year before when the ABC soap had a total average audience of 2.51 million viewers. On the year-ago in Women 18-49, “One Life” held a 0.9/6 rating compared to the 0.5/3 “Revolution” received (difference of 44%) and in Women 25-54 “One Life” had a 1.3/8 rating compared to “Revolution’s” 0.7/2 (difference of 47%). The “It’s About You” talker barely rated in Women 18-34 with its 0.2/2, which was a difference of 60% from “One Life’s” performance the year before when the soap hit a 0.5/4 rating. Note: ”One Life to Live” began its upward swing in all ratings categories beginning with the week of March 14-18, 2011 (the trend continued until its series finale earlier this year).

Ratings Comparison per TV Media Insights:

• One Life to Live – Week of 3/21/11
  Viewers: 2.51 million, Women 25-54: 1.3/ 8, Women 18-49: 0.9/ 6, Women 18-34: 0.5/ 4

• The Revolution – Week of 3/19/12
  Viewers: 1.32 million, Women 25-54: 0.7/ 4, Women 18-49: 0.5/ 3, Women 18-34: 0.2/ 2

Percent Change – The Revolution vs. One Life to Live
Viewers: -47, Women 25-54: -46, Women 18-49: -44, Women 18-34: -60

If “Revolution” wasn’t problem enough for ABC, “The Chew” has returned to performing below “All My Children” in key ratings categories. Note: “The View” was in reruns.

For a look at how daytime talk shows performed during the week of March 19-23, 2012 head on over to TV Media Insights. For a look at how daytime soap operas performed, click here.

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Ratings Report for the Week of March 19-23, 2012

NOTE: Please do not copy and paste the entire ratings.  Thank you.

Numbers are based on Live+Same Day ratings

(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)

Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,065,000 (-272,000/-463,000) <—– new low *
2. B&B 2,949,000 (-167,000/+130,000)
3. DAYS 2,252,000 (-168,000/-109,000)
4. GH 2,247,000 (-1,000/-622,000)

* Previous low: 4,209,000 (October 3-7, 2011)
Households
1. Y&R 3.0/10 (-.2/-.3) <—– new low *
2. B&B 2.2/8 (-.2/+.1)
3. DAYS 1.7/6 (-.1/same)
3. GH 1.7/5 (same/-.4)

* Previous low: 3.1/10 (March 5-9, 2012)

Women 18-49 Viewers
1. Y&R 842,000 (-74,000/-87,000)
2. B&B 663,000 (-32,000/+75,000)
3. GH 536,000 (-30,000/-344,000)
4. DAYS 496,000 (-60,000/-163,000) <—– new low *

* Previous low: 500,000 (January 30 – February 3, 2012)

Women 18-49 Rating
1. Y&R 1.3/9 (-.1/-.1)
2. B&B 1.0/7 (-.1/+.1)
3. GH 0.8/6 (-.1/-.5) <—– ties low
3. DAYS 0.8/5 (-.1/-.2) <—– ties low

Women 18-34 Rating
1. Y&R 0.6 (same/-.1)
2. DAYS 0.5 (same/same)
3. B&B 0.4 (-.1/-.1)
4. GH 0.3 (-.2/-.4) <—– new low *

* Previous low: 0.4   (February 13-17, 2012)

Men 18+ Viewers
1. Y&R 921,000 (+14,000/-141,000)
2. B&B 591,000 (-39,000/-19,000)
3. DAYS 440,000 (-72,000/-112,000)
4. GH 429,000 (-8,000/-73,000)

Day-To-Day Ratings – HH/Total Viewers

B&B
Monday: 2.0/2,581,000
Tuesday: 2.2/2,938,000
Wednesday: 2.3/3,061,000
Thursday: 2.3/3,035,000
Friday: 2.3/3,129,000

DAYS
Monday: 1.7/2,208,000
Tuesday: 1.7/2,273,000
Wednesday: 1.6/2,303,000
Thursday: 1.6/2,172,000
Friday: 1.7/2,304,000

GH
Monday: 1.7/2,294,000
Tuesday: 1.8/2,261,000
Wednesday: 1.7/2,286,000
Thursday: 1.7/2,215,000
Friday: 1.6/2,177,000

Y&R
Monday: 3.0/4,079,000
Tuesday: 3.0/3,973,000
Wednesday: 3.0/3,982,000
Thursday: 3.1/4,171,000
Friday: 3.1/4,168,000

For the SEASON September 19, 2011 through March 25, 2012

Households
1. Y&R 3.6
2. B&B 2.5
3. DAYS 2.0
4. GH 1.9

Women 18-49 Rating
1. Y&R 1.6
2. DAYS 1.1
2. GH 1.1
2. B&B 1.1

Ratings Archive

American Media, Inc.

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Although the likelihood was expected thanks to the loss of long-time soaps “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” in 2011 and 2012, which were preceded by the departures of “Guiding Light” and “As The World Turns” in 2009 and 2010, news broke on Thursday, March 22 that after 22 years in publication Soap Opera Weekly would end its successful run as one of the premier soap opera magazines. The final decision to end the mag was just one of many blows the soap opera industry has felt in as many years. Soap Opera Network takes a by the numbers look at Weekly and how its readership levels helped lead to its ultimate demise.

On April 14, 2011 news of “All My Children” and “One Life to Live’s” cancellations created headlines in nearly every trade magazine, newspaper and informational entertainment website you could think of. What the world didn’t know at the time was that same day (morning in fact) American Media, Inc. had signed a licensing deal with Source Interlink, owner of both Weekly and sister mag Soap Opera Digest, in which American Media would control the editorial, advertising, marketing and distribution aspects of both magazines. As part of that deal a number of staffers were let go from both Digest and Weekly, while those who remained were either re-assigned or part of the recent layoffs now effecting the demise of Weekly itself.

According to the latest Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) data Soap Opera Network has received, Soap Opera Weekly magazine had an average total circulation of nearly 108,000 between subscriptions and single copy sales in the second half of 2011. Single copy sales exceeded subscriptions by just over 5,000 issues. The magazine lost upwards of 40,000 subscribers compared to the second half of 2010, when its total circulation was nearly 146,000 between subscriptions and single copy sales. In November of 2011, in our report announcing the launch of Reality Weekly, we noted that Soap Opera Weekly had recently ceased providing subscriptions:

Dated November 14, 2011:

Although I do not personally subscribe to either Digest or Weekly, it recently came to my attention that Soap Opera Weekly no longer provides subscriptions for soap fans wishing to receive their Weekly at home as it and numerous other magazines have done since their inceptions. This was later confirmed as the magazine no longer provides an online subscription via the Zinio magazine subscription and tablet application service. Digest and Soaps in Depth (both ABC and CBS editions) continue to provide subscriptions, however.

With the magazine no longer providing subscription based readership, sales figures fell to just over 50,000 single copy sales based on the data average of the 15 issues sold during the first half of 2012, according to the ABC. This showed axed subscribers did not opt into buying the magazine at their local supermarket or grocer. By comparison, in the first half of 2001, when there were 10 soaps still on the air (“All My Children,” “As The World Turns,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “Days of our Lives,” “General Hospital,” “Guiding Light”, “One Life to Live,” “Passions,” “Port Charles” and “The Young and the Restless“), Weekly‘s total circulation was 372,000 on average between subscriptions (134,000) and single copy sales (238,000).

Soap Opera Weekly, which launched with its first issue dated November 21, 1989, with maven Mimi Torchin as its founding Editor in Chief, will present a final look into the world of soaps with its last issue dated April 10, 2012, according to an American Media spokesperson. Stephanie Sloane, in her role as the Editor in Chief of both Weekly and Digest, will close the books on the magazine.