Rumor: AMC to LA?

Daytime Confidential is reporting that some of their insiders say that ABC is considering moving the production of All My Children from New York to Los Angeles, where network partner General Hospital is currently filmed. One insider cites a reason as the cost of breaking down sets, and in LA permanent sets will be used. The network is said to be trying to keep making the shows profitable, and may be willing to lose a few stars because of the move." If this happens, will the stars agree to commute, or will big NY based vets Susan Lucci, and Michael E. Knight, or even perhaps the NY based Alicia Minshew not agree to move?Or could they agree to commute, and even LA based ex-cast members such as Rebecca Budig agree to return? A DC insider also reports that at one point, One Life to Live was being considered to move to Florida, but the vet cast refused. This move would perhaps save ABC's three soaps for the time being, as earlier it was rumored that a talk show, hosted by Aisha Tyler would be added to the ABC daytime lineup, but ABC denied the report. Also, even though GH has the lowest ratings, if cancellation were to happen, it is historically the network's most popular soap, while AMC is considered the legacy soap in which longtime stars are identified out of the soap, which OLTL never created those types of stars. Well I'll say about the soaps what I say about the daytime veterans, anything to save 'em!

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A Pay Cut for Y&R's Braeden?

Sara Bibel of Fancast is reporting that this past friday, Sony Television's president met with Y&R's cast, crew and production about the show's recent two-year renewal. President Steve Mosko talks about the new renewal will mean more budget cuts, but praised the work of Maria Arena Bell and her brother Billy Bell (who the last time I checked was a creative consultant). Bibel says that the meeting was described as a pep talk to let the staff know their work was appreciated. Notable non-attendees were CBS daytime pres. Barbara Bloom and show star Eric Braeden, even though he was said to be on the set on Friday. Daytime Confidential hears that Braeden, whose contract is up soon, is reportedly already saying he doesn't want a pay cut, and MAB and associates won't back down either. Hopefully, the two sides can carve a deal so Y&R will not suffer the loss of the center of the show, perhaps and daytime! When will some of these execs realize that a few dismissals can work to save a big, veteran name!

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Mourning MJ

There was not much going on in the soap world today, except for a pretty facinating Y&R, mostly a continuation from yesterday, but the world stopped when an estimated 1 billion people around the world tuned into the King of Pop Michael Jackson's funeral. The world has lost a great entertainer. He was survived by his parents Joe and Katherine, Siblings: Tito, Jermaine, Le Toya, Janet, Randy, Rebbie, Jackie and Marlon, and children: Prince, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince II "Blanket", 7. The funeral festivities were great at the star studded event including performances by Mariah Carey, Trey Lorenz, Usher, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder and John Mayer. The family spoke unsuspectedly at the end of the service, which featured a breakdown of brother Marlon, and perhaps the moment of the service, when an really unsuspected moment came when daughter Paris cried when calling her father "The best in you could imagine." That moment, in which people will remember forever, as a part of a bigger moment which may never be imitated in history. The pre-emption was necessary.

(L-R: Janet, Paris, Le Toya, Jermaine and Prince Jackson)

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MTS Re-Signs, But Exit Story to Play out -- Will Nikki Really Die?

Michael Logan of TV Guide interview Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki) and got several insights on her current storyline, and whether she did resign or not?

When asked about her "tweet-crazy" on screen grandson Kevin Schmidt (Noah) tweeting about a character's death, she said

"Well, jeepers, I would have been happy to tell you before that memo went out. But I will tell you this: The way they write me off is shocking, but ambiguous."

In this statement she said:

"It’s a short amount of time [she will be offscreen]. Just a few weeks. I have not been given my exact date of return. I’m going to take advantage of this overdue breather and have a little “me” time, travel a little bit, get reacquainted with my family and friends. I finished shooting just last Thursday [July 2]. And I really have to hand it to the writers. Nobody knew how this [contract situation] was going to end so they very cleverly figured out a way to get me off the show. I never say stuff like this, but I have been so knocked out, so impressed with the writing of the episodes that air the first week of August. Please put this in your article: That week is not to be missed. It’s an amazing ride—grueling but really satisfying—and the writers did terrific work. Not just with my story but the whole show that week. You cannot miss it. [Head writer-executive producer] Maria Bell, who came in and saved Y&R, as we all know, is doing an amazing job."

You can read the full article here.
Will this bring up the rumors again that a conspiring Adam and MJ take a body out of the ranch. Which I still think is outrageous!! But, this adds support to the claim that Nikki will see Adam doing the do with Rafe. Will he decide she needs to be eliminated?? Are they that diabolical or are they just messing with us? Not just Adam and MJ - the writers too!

So this also puts to quiet that Nikki could have been a possible character recast, in our last post.

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