A Moving Commentary

So the news is out. Now we know who stays and who goes. I can honestly say there were really no surprises. There was definitely relief, but not many surprises. My worst fear was that longtime New Yorkers Susan Lucci, David Canary and Michael E. Knight would not be making the trip out west. Can you even imagine a Pine Valley without Erica, Adam or Tad? OK, to be fair we have experienced Pine Valley without Tad before, but really, I'd rather not.

I wasn't even surprised by the news that Ray MacDonnell would be retiring as Joe Martin. He isn't on enough to warrant uprooting his life and making that move. Hopefully he'll appear from time to time because it certainly would be sad to never see him again.

No I take back. I was surprised by one thing. Stephanie Gatschet will remain on the show as Madison. I'm actually happy about this because I find the character strangely fascinating. But once she's found out to be the killer and doesn't have the Hubbard's to kick around anymore, what kind of story will she get? I guess we'll find out.

Which brings me to the Hubbard's. And I can't even begin to express my joy that the they will remain in Pine Valley!! I'm an Angie and Jesse lover from way back and I'm overjoyed to have them back and staying. Just think of how many crimes Jesse can solve in the future. I mean the ones he didn't commit himself! Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams are exquisite.

I'm thrilled that JR Martinez and Shannon Kane are coming along for the ride. Brot and Natalia are the new couple to watch for me. They have a very easy chemistry and the love/hate thing they have going on right now works well for them. And of course, some of my other faves are coming along too... Vincent Irizarry as Deviously Devilishly Handsome David Hayward. Seriously, if Dr. Dave wasn't staying in Pine Valley, who would save all their lives dammit! Ricky Paull Goldin has become my very favorite incarnation of Jake Martin. Ricky has such an easy acting quality that I forget he's even acting! He has chemistry with everyone. I'm also very happy that Bobbie Eakes is staying with the AMC and look forward to what is next for Krystal. Quite frankly, I'm just happy all around with the outcome that could have been so much worse.

But the other side of the coin is sadness at who we will be losing. Aiden Turner has been my favorite AMC eye candy for some time now. It's unfortunate that he has been released from the show, someone who has always given his all especially when he was never given great storylines. Loyalty like that is to be rewarded, not discarded.

I hate that we are losing Thorsten Kaye (Zach) but it really comes as no surprise given his longtime companion and mother of his children will remain in NYC. And while Alicia Minshew (Kendall) will be on maternity leave while the move is happening, how long she will return for afterwards is yet unclear. Right now she will air into December, and will return after her maternity leave. But will she only be returning to tie up loose ends and finish story?

It's unfortunate that TPTB could never figure out what to do with someone as talented as Beth Ehlers (Taylor). Her romance with Jake fizzled. Her relationship with Brot ended. Her budding romance with Tad stopped before it even began and that was something I was all ready to get behind and root for. And then there's Colby. I had a little trouble warming up to Brianne Moncrief at first. Replacing Ambyr Childers (ex-Colby) seemed so unnecessary. We got to watch that girl go from spoiled brat to mature young lady. And then BOOM, she was replaced. But I did warm up to her. And I loved her relationship with Pete. Which brings me to Pete. Recurring cast was not asked to make the move. But presumably, they can be asked to do a show at any time. In essence, that is what recurring means. So let's just not say right now that Jill Larson (Opal) and Daniel Kennedy (Pete) won't be back. Am I living in denial? Maybe. But I can't wrap my hairdo around never having Opal on again!

And although I'm sad to learn that Chrishell Stause has decided not to remain on contract with the show as Amanda once she moves to LA, this also wasn't a surprise. She announced back in June that she would only be staying until the end of the year. I love her and Jake, well not lately since Amanda has decided David isn't so bad after all and seems to be falling right into his web. But it is what it is. I knew she was going and the move didn't change that. She stated she would like to remain on recurring, and hopefully that will work out for her.

I think it's a fair guess that the children of the cast will all be recast. This isn't new and happens quite frequently as kids are aged up. But out of all the kids, it will definitely be sad to lose, if indeed we do, Lucy Merriam. That child has brought Emma to life and given the material she has to work with, has been quite impressive besides being cute as a dickens!

All in all, I'm happy that my doom and gloom outlook for AMC's future is being proven premature. So far anyway... come on, I have to remain partly gloomy, it's who I am!

So how do you feel about the move now?

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CASTING NEWS: Who is Going to LA, Who Isn't!

The famed "list" of who will be going to LA with AMC and who won't has been released this morning. Topping the list of who is going is Susan Lucci. Despite living her whole life in NY, she has decided to continue on as AMC's much loved Erica Kane. Joining her is (as previously reported) is Cameron Mathison, Brittany Allen (Marissa), David Canary (Adam - PHEW!), Bobbie Eakes (Krystal), Melissa Claire Egan (Annie), Stephanie Gatschet (Madison), Ricky Paull Goldin (Jake), Vincent Irizarry (David), Shannon Kane (Natalia) Michael E. Knight (Tad - another phew!), Jamie Luner (Liza), Adam Mayfield (Scott), JR Martinez (Brot), Debbi Morgan (Angie), Cornelius Smith, Jr. (Frankie), Denise Vasi (Randi), Darnell Williams (Jesse) and Jacob Young (JR).

Ray MacDonnell (Joe) will be retiring from AMC and not making the move, although he may appear from time to time. The biggest name not making the move is Thorsten Kaye (Zach). Considering his significant other, Susan Haskell has a contract role on OLTL and would be staying in NY with their children, this doesn't come as a big surprise. Alicia Minshew (Kendall) will be on maternity leave at the time of the move.

Chrishell Stause (Amanda) was planning on leaving AMC at the end of her contract (the end of this year) but has decided not to stay with the show after the move.

That leaves Jill Larson (Opal) who is recurring and will most likely stay that way. While not making the move, if available she could still appear from time to time. Daniel Kennedy (Pete) who, after the last update to the opening, no longer appeared in it, indicating he was dropped to recurring, is most likely in the same situation. But there has been no official word on either of them.

AMC will tape in their NYC location until December 11 and then moves on to LA, with their first tape date there being January 4.

CASTING NEWS - AMC Loses Colby!

And the hits just keep on coming! Brianne Moncrief (Colby) will be leaving AMC. What does that mean for Liza? For Adam? For Petey! Will the role be recast? All these questions are yet to be answered. Stay tuned! The news just keeps on coming!!!

CASTING NEWS: BethAnn Bonner Joins AMC!

Former I Wanna Be a Soap Star contestant and OLTL regular, BethAnn Bonner joins AMC in the role of a woman named Kat. She begins airing the week of November 2 and will get involved in the Zach, Kendall and Aidan story. The assumption is that she will be making the move to LA with the show in December, but anymore, making assumptions could bite you on the heiny!

CASTING NEWS: Beth Ehlers Leaving AMC!!!

After a very high profile departure from Guiding Light, Beth Ehlers (Taylor) came to AMC on the heels of her long time co-star Ricky Paull Goldin (Jake). Now, with the move to LA coming fast, the hits keep on coming. First it was Aiden Turner (Aidan) and now the PVB learned that Beth Ehlers will be departing Pine Valley by December. Beth issued a statement indicating the split with AMC was a mutual between her and the show.

I can't say this comes as a surprise since AMC seemed to have a "now that we got her what do we do with her" attitude. But it's a shame it happens just when something is developing between Taylor and Tad. A couple I was all ready to root for.

Strap on your seat belts folks, looks like we're in for a bumpy ride between now and moving time!

Happy Birthday Melissa Claire Egan!!!!

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Melissa Claire Egan. She celebrates her 28th birthday today!!!!

Spoilers for the Week of September 28!!!

This weeks spoilers are now posted and there is a lot going on! The dance marathon finally and mercifully comes to a close. Liza's baby mama makes contact. Zach declares his love for Kendall. JR takes control. And Jake thinks his marriage is over!

And be sure to check out the About Town page! New appearances have been added with a big soap event coming to Detroit and AMC's farewell to NYC event! As well as two events in FL and one in IL!

Michael Nader on Cold Case 9/27

Michael Nader (ex-Dimitri) guest stars on the season premiere of Cold Case this Sunday (9/27) on CBS at 10 pm EST. In the episode titled, "The Crossing," the team investigates the 1966 shipboard murder of a young woman aboard an upscale ocean liner's final round-trip Atlantic crossing. Michael plays Duke Benton, a man with whom she shared a shipboard romance.

This week from the Soap Blog Coalition!!!

The Daytime Confidential podcast gang discusses the final week of Guiding Light. The highs, lows and final moments of the broadcast icon. (Daytime Confidential)

PVB Roving Reporting Peppermint Patti hit lot of the events around AMC Fan Club Weekend. Check out her first hand account of all the festivities! (Pine Valley Bulletin)

The Young and The Restless killed off Colleen Carlton and made the Serial Drama girls to wish, again, that soaps would stop killing off legacy characters. And also that Victor Newman would just stop. (Serial Drama)

I love my DVR recorder, but if it is smart enough to know Guiding Light simply evaporated, it should have been kind enough to send me a digital condolence message or something. (Soap Opera Examiner)

What happens when a bunch of Spinelli fans get together on Twitter to start a movement? GH, OLTL and AMC stars, writers and producers all Twibboned up to support a fan and raise money for a great animal shelter. (Wubs)

CASTING NEWS: Aiden Turner Leaving AMC!!!!

Aiden Turner (Aidan) has been let go from AMC. According to Soapnet.com he will apparently finish out his contract. Aiden's departure is, as they love to say, storyline dictated.

Sarah Michelle Gellar Gives Birth to a Girl!!!

Sarah Michelle Gellar (ex-Kendall) and husband Freddie Prinze, Jr. welcomed their daughter into the world on Saturday, September 19. Charlotte Grace Prinz is the first child for both stars. Congratulations to them both!!!

Live from AMC Fan Club Weekend!

Be sure to read longtime PVB fan Peppermint Patti's first hand account of all the festivities around Fan Club Weekend in NYC September 12-13!!! She hit a lot of events! Thanks for being the PVB Roving Reporter for the weekend Patti!

Happy Birthday Debbi Morgan!!!!

Very happy birthday wishes to Debbi Morgan! She celebrates her 53rd birthday on September 20!!!!

This week from the Soap Blog Coalition!!!

Daytime Confidential's Jillian Bowe dishes the latest The Bold and the Beautiful spoilers. What could be in store for everyone's favorite Forresters and Logans? (Daytime Confidential)

General Hospital's Nikolas and Liz had sex, and then Liz accepted Lucky's marriage proposal. It was enough to make the Serial Drama girls completely speechless, which is why they are turning to you to fill in the blanks and describe what the writers were thinking. (Serial Drama)

There is a god or goddess for just about every human affection and despite the fact that the soaps goddess has never been documented by anyone contributing to Wikepedia, Mary Montanari simply know she exists. (Soap Opera Examiner)

One Life to Live's Nick, Nicholas Rodriguez, went "On The Record" with We Love Soaps in the first of a new video series. (We Love Soaps)

Find out why the Wubqueen is suffering from Post-Traumatic Carnival Syndrome. (Wubs)

Cameron Confirmed to LA?

As we wait to hear just who is staying in NYC and who is making the move to LA in December, little bits and pieces are trickling down. The New York Times did an interview with Cameron this past week, talking about how he's put his brownstone in Harlem up for sale and is looking for a home in Pasadena, CA, near his new studio. So there you go. Cameron is making the move with AMC!

Non AMC Post - True Blood Season Finale!!

A lot of my PVB friends already know this about me, but in case you don't, I'm completely and totally obsessed with the HBO series, True Blood. Last season I loved the show. And then during the hiatus, I read the books and completely fell in love. With nine months to wait until the next season begins, I'm already getting twitchy for my Eric fix!

My love of vamps goes way back... way back to 1978 when I got my first taste in the Stephen King novel, 'Salem's Lot. That was the beginning of my obsession so don't go thinking I'm a bandwagon jumper here! This is a long time love affair, with True Blood the latest visual obsession and the Black Dagger Brotherhood books the latest reading obsession.

On a whole, I thought this season of TB was exceptional, although the MaryAnn story did go on too long and she had far too much airtime for my liking. Having read all the books, I actually enjoy that they don't follow them too closely. I like not knowing everything that is going to happen and getting some great surprises along the way (like Lafayette not being killed off in the first season!). The show always leaves me hungry for more.

With some loose ends tied up on last nights season finale, it also left open some new doors. MaryAnn is dead and according to series creator Alan Ball, she's not only merely dead, she's really most sincerely dead! Good news! The town is back to normal, relatively speaking anyway. But who took Bill? What is going to happen with Jessica and Hoyt? How will Jason live with killing Eggs? Why is the Queen having Eric have Lafayette sell V? And most importantly, how I am going to be able to stand waiting nine months to find out!!!

Happy Birthday Tanisha Lynn!!!

Happy Birthday wishes to Tanisha Lynn! The former AMC cutie celebrates her 31st birthday today!!

Spoilers for the Week of September 14!!

This weeks spoilers are now posted! Erica and Ryan's fundraiser gets underway. There's lots of plotting, a drugging (and David doesn't do it!), accusations and one couple even manages to make love.

I'll be out of town next weekend so spoilers will not be posted. I'll be back in action for the week of Sept. 28!!!

Brooke Alexander Reports in Pine Valley!!

Brooke Alexander, formerly of ATWT and OLTL, and most recently a reporter for Fox News, will appear on AMC this week as a television reporter covering Erica's dance marathon fundraiser. Back in 2000 she was host of Soapnet's news magazine show, Soap Center. Hmm... maybe they should bring that show back!

Happy Birthday Jacob Young!!!

Happy Birthday wishes to Jacob Young! He celebrates his 30th birthday today!!

This week from the Soap Blog Coalition!!!

Daytime Confidential's Jillian has been pondering the wonderful world of soap operas and compiled 21 questions to ponder, including: "When will Agnes Nixon start playing with her Chuckie doll to save AMC?" (Daytime Confidential)

His cruel and condescending treatment of poor Paul has led the Serial Drama girls to wonder if there is anyone worse than Victor Newman (short answer: no). (Serial Drama)

Soap Opera Examiner's Mary Montanari weighs in on the Daytime Emmy Award's Guiding Light tribute, in an open letter to its creator Michael Fairman. (Soap Opera Examiner)

Melrose Premieres Tonight!!

Fans of former AMC hottie, Colin Egglesfield (ex-Josh) may want to tune into the CW tonight at 9 pm for the premiere of Melrose Place, the new remake of the 90's sensation of the same name. As previously reported, Colin plays the role of Auggie, a sous chef by day, surfer dude by night. Show premieres tonight and will live in that timeslot... 9 pm EST on CW.

Spoilers for the Week of September 7!!!

This weeks spoilers are now posted and for a short week, there is a heck of a lot going on! David makes a power play, JR makes a confession, Adam starts to wonder, and shocker... Emma is missing again! All this and much more!!!

Labor Day AMC

Just a quick reminder that AMC is repeating the show that aired on June 29, Liza gives birth to a pillow. Spoilers will be delayed until tomorrow. I hope everyone has a nice holiday!

Happy Birthday Haley Evans!!!

Very Happy Birthday wishes to Haley Evans (Miranda)!!! She celebrates her 7th birthday today :)

This week from the Soap Blog Coalition!!!

Michael E Knight has announced that he is willing to move to AMC's new production facility on the west coast. Meanwhile Charles Pratt has indicated that 22 year vet Walt Willey's character, Jackson, has been "retired". With that in mind fans are answering the question - Is it time Tad was "retired" as a character? Join the conversation. (AMC Superposter)

Daytime Confidential’s Jamey Giddens reports live from the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. Listen as he shares behind-the-scenes scoops, being on TV, red carpet tidbits and his experiences in the Emmy Award press room. (Daytime Confidential)

DAYS Lauren Koslow was Michael Fairman's Fashion Correspondent on the Red Carpet of the Daytime Emmys. Find out who had Emmy Style and who didn't, in her fashion review! (Michael Fairman Soaps)

This years Daytime Emmys were an all time ratings low. Is this the end of televising the Emmys? Check out this weeks commentary and then share your thoughts! (Pine Valley Bulletin)

Daytime Emmy's fashion! We were in the front row for the red carpet show. Come check out our library of photos. (Scrubs Hub)

The 2009 Daytime Emmy Awards were...well, they were something else. The Serial Drama girls present their own awards to this year's Emmy broadcast. (Serial Drama)

Is there such a thing as a 'work ethic' on the soaps? For a select few, there certainly is. Nurse Lillian Raines from Springfield comes to mind immediately and--as stupid as this sounds--if you watch General Hospital, Kate Howard is married, devoted and attached to her job like Velcro. (Soap Opera Examiner)

Did you see the dramatic Daytime Gives Back segment during the Emmys? With emotions running high, stars shared their experiences in Kenya. (Wubs)

The Emmy Wrap Up

With all the awards handed out and every one back at work, we can take a look back on this years Daytime Emmy Awards. After a shaky start of possibly no telecast, the CW network picked up the show. I'd be willing to bet that they won't be doing that again. This years Daytime Emmys received the worst ratings yet. Viewed by only 2.2 million viewers, the show had a 58% drop over last years ratings. Wow. That does not bode well.

Having watched the pre-show first, my overall opinion of it was that it was more like an hour long commercial for CW and it's shows. Better than nothing? I suppose so. And I got to learn more about the new Melrose (which I'll be watching so I can see former AMC hottie, blink and you missed him during the telecast, Colin Egglesfield) and more about another show I'm interested in, The Vampire Diaries. But they really need people who are involved in daytime to host the red carpet. Having people who know what questions to ask the stars helps.

Vanessa Williams served as host and I thought the opening number was very well done, funny and cute. And of course I loved the first award of the night, Outstanding Supporting Actor. The award was a tie between AMC's Vincent Irizarry (David) and former AMCer Jeff Branson (ex-Jonathan, now on GL) Not too shabby!



I hoped, along with lots of other AMC fans I'm sure, that this award was going to set the pace for the night. Not to be. As award after award was given out, AMC actors and actresses were met with defeat. But at least there were actually AMC stars to root for this year. In previous years, AMC would get one or maybe two nods. This year, AMC got six acting nominations as well as other nominations, winning a total of five awards. Including Vincent's win, AMC also won Outstanding Achievement in Live and Direct to Tape Sound Mixing, Outstanding Achievement in Light Direction, Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction/Electronic Camera/Video Control (in a tie with Y&R), and Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design.

Let's talk stupid wastes of time. Now, as much as I love *sigh* Gilles Marini and seeing him dance again makes my heart go pitter pat, the dance number for him and Vanessa Williams was an absolute waste of time. It had no reason to be in this show. And by adding it in it succeeding in cutting off any time that first time show winner Bold and Beautiful could have had to say their thanks. Seriously, what was the point? They had this but no In Memoriam? You know, a little tribute to Eileen Herlie would have been nice. At least Guiding Light got their send off. And quite honestly, I don't think it was nearly a big enough or special enough tribute to a show that has run for 72 years!

Certainly my darling husband, Mr. Diva, loved seeing the insanely gorgeous Chrishell Stause (Amanda) in a bikini as a Bond girl. But was the whole daytime fashion show segment necessary? It was supposed to be a tribute to the make up, costume and hair departments on the soaps, but it seemed more like a thrown together piece of fluff. I think to better honor those departments, a look at the people who actually do those jobs behind the scenes would have been better tribute to them.




All in all, I can't complain too much about the Daytime Emmy telecast because quite frankly, it was probably the last one that will be televised. And there were some really great highlights to the show.... Vincent's win, the Feed the Children segment was wonderful and had me in tears, the Sesame Street Lifetime Achievement Award segment was so sweet and well done, and of course, the fact that Trebek didn't win always makes my day. So what did you think? Is the fact that the ratings have plummeted so low for this years telecast the end of the Daytime Emmys as we know them? Is it another nail in the already shaky daytime coffin?