Soap Opera Digest Covers - Time To Change Things Up

When is Soap Opera Digest going to start spreading the wealth with their cover stories? Here's a look at the SOD covers for the past 15 weeks starting with the latest issue date: Click to enlarge 1 I have no problem with Eric Braeden (the main cover story in 5 of the last 15 issues) or Maurice Benard and have read a number of interesting stories about their lives, but there are other actors on daytime, many of whom have never been on the SOD cover or even gotten close. 1 Breakdown of the last 15 Digest covers by number of actor appearances (for two with two or more cover shots): 5 Y&R's Eric Braeden 4 GH's Maurice Benard (includes one subscriber only appearance) 3 DAYS'/AMC's Tamara Braun 3 GH's Jason Thompson 3 Y&R's Raya Meddine 3 OLTL's Trevor St. John 2 DAYS' Deidre Hall 2 GH's Megan Ward 2 Y&R's Peter Bergman 2 AMC's Alicia Minshew If you go back even further you will notice the same trend with Y&R and GH dominating the covers with some DAYS thrown in while the other shows rarely are featured unless you are a subscriber. And pretty much the same actors as well. Does this mean subscribers enjoy ATWT, GL and B&B so they get custom covers but Digest believes fans will not buy magazines featuring those shows from newsstands? Not even Susan Lucci has made the cover recently despite her DANCING WITH THE STARS crossover. It's time to update your business model, Soap Opera Digest. All you have to do is look at your "Poll Call" page to see which actors and couples your readers are enjoying the most. This week alone, Van Hansis was voted as favorite ATWT actor for the 52nd straight week (one full year), and not even an inset cover pic in all that time despite being in one of the most talked about soap storylines of the past decade. How about a cover story on the impact of gay characters on daytime television? Or the lack of African American covers both on the daytime soaps and your cover? I honestly believe a little more diversity and the taking of a few journalistic chances would pay off for your magazine. Just because the writing for the soaps you cover is inconsistent at best does not mean you have to produce an inferior magazine about the genre. With over 150 contract actors on the daytime soaps alone, and a number of interesting behind the scenes stories of various executives and crew members, stop limiting yourself to what seems like a few favorites from the Digest staff. If your marketing research tells you that you are on the right path, it is wrong.

Alicia Leigh Willis At Breast Cancer Event

1 Former GENERAL HOSPITAL and ANOTHER WORLD actress Alicia Leigh Willis attended the 2nd Hurley Art Chest Silent auction and Art Show at Apple on Tuesday in West Hollywood. The Hurley Art Chest was an event to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research, featuring custom designed corsets and t-shirts. Former ALL MY CHILDREN star Leven Rambin also appeared at the event. 1 1 1

AMC Tapes 10,000th Episode

1 As mentioned earlier, ALL MY CHILDREN taped its 10,000th episode this morning. Most of the cast was on hand to take part in the celebration and, of course, creator Agnes Nixon. 1 The 10,000th show, which will air in November on ABC, is giving Susan Lucci the chance to “look back on some of the happy times." She told OK! that some of her favorite scenes, she says, were the ones that had Erica working as a model in New York City in the 1980s shot at Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan museum.

TONIGHT: "Soaps In The City"

1 Cops 4 Causes and POZ Magazine in association with “Michael Fairman On-Air On-Soaps” are pleased to announce the first, “Soaps In the City” celebrity fundraiser. The event serves as a kick-off to AIDS Walk Los Angeles weekend and benefits APLA (AIDS Project Los Angeles). The biggest and brightest stars from the top daytime dramas will attend the event, and lend their support to the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. As well, the evening will also be the official launch party of daytime’s hottest new website, www.michaelfairmansoaps.com. This evening, Thursday October 16th, 2008 from 6:30-9:00PM at the hip East/West Lounge@ 801 E. Larrabee Street, West Hollywood, California, the stars of daytime are set to come out in full force for an evening of red carpet arrivals, special performances, cocktails, music by DJ ORA and a very special “Soap Family Feud” competition. Scheduled to appear: THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Christian LeBlanc, Michelle Stafford, Nia Peeples, Kristoff St. John, Daniel Goddard, Judith Chapman, Billy Miller, and Kate Linder GENERAL HOSPITAL: Kimberly McCullough, Bradford Anderson, Megan Ward, Lisa LoCicero, Brandon Barash, and Carolyn Hennesy THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Heather Tom, John McCook, Texas Battle, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT: Chad Allen and Adam Grimes DAYS OF OUR LIVES: James Scott, Nadia Bjorlin, Galen Gering, Ariane Zuker, Shelley Hennig, Rachel Melvin, Molly Burnett, Emcee Patrika Darbo and Martha Madison ONE LIFE TO LIVE: A special musical performance Ilene Kristen THE LAIR: David Moretti SORDID LIVES: Ted Detwiler and Ann Walker Here! Network’s & POZ’s May cover feature Sherri Lewis Another highlight of the evening’s festivities will give party-goers a chance to bid on unique soap-related items in the event’s silent auction that will include: A phone call from GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Sonny, Maurice Benard, a set visit to THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, a day of fashion with DAYS OF OUR LIVES' Lauren Koslow as your personal shopper at Fred Segal Melrose, a Genoa City makeover and set visit to THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and a chance to win a phone call from ONE LIFE TO LIVE’s, Rex (John Paul Lavoisier), or AS THE WORLD TURNS' Luke, Van Hansis! Tickets are $50.00 donation and can be purchased through www.wantickets.com Visit the “Soaps In the City” webpage for more up-to-the-minute event information@ http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/SITC/. Also make sure to check out these sites: www.pozevent.com, www.inlamagazine.com, and www.cops4causes.org.

DAYS Event & Bonnie Hunt Contest

Are you the biggest DAYS OF OUR LIVES fan? Do you think you have what it takes to be Bonnie Hunt’s special correspondent at the "Day of DAYS" event at Universal CityWalk on Nov 1st? If so, tell Bonnie why in 100 words or less why you should be picked to interview all your favorite DAYS stars. Make sure you include a photo of yourself, and if you want, you can upload a video as well. The winner will be picked on Oct 27th so don’t delay, enter today! Go here to enter. EVENT INFO: Who: Stars of DAYS OF OUR LIVES (see below) What: "Days of DAYS" - Meet & Greet, Q&A and many more exciting activities with your favorite "Days of our Lives" stars! Where: CityWalk at Universal Studios Hollywood, 1000 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608 When: Saturday, November 1, 2008 - 10:00am Admission to event is free! DAYS OF OUR LIVES stars planning to attend include Alison Sweeney, Blake Berris, Nadia Bjorlin, Darin Brooks, Molly Burnett, Shawn Christian, Bryan Dattilo, Kevin Dobson, Mary Beth Evans, Galen Gering, Deidre Hall, Shelley Hennig, Drake Hogestyn, Leann Hunley, Jay Johnson, Renee Jones, Lauren Koslow, Eric Martsolf, Joe Mascolo, Rachel Melvin, Stephen Nichols, Thaao Penghlis, James Reynolds, James Scott and Arianne Zucker.

The "New" Joost

1 The "new" Joost is available now with a much frienlier user interface and the ability to watch your favorite shows on the web versus having to download their software (did they think that would actually work out?). This is just one more option for viewing THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, GUIDING LIGHT, AS THE WORLD TURNS and THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL episodes online.

ABC Shows Launch Interactive Websites

1 ABC has launched a real website for their fake magazine. ModeNY.com is the website for Mode where UGLY BETTY works. It is much like a real magazine website with sections for Beauty & Fashion, a fashion blog, letter from the editor, photo gallery and more. 1 Meanwhile, ABC has developed a Wisteria Lane interactive virtual tour where you can explore the ins and outs of the homes of the DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES.

Interview With NIGHT SHIFT Head Writer Sri Rao

1 Nelson Branco at TV Guide Canada has a wonderful new interview with GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT head writer, Sri Rao, out today. TV Guide: Do you think the future of daytime will end up as short-term nighttime series on SoapNet? Sri Rao: Honestly, I don’t know if it’s possible to HOOK get a 16-year-old or a 24-year-old to be hooked into a show at 2 in the afternoon anymore. We watched them back in the day because of our families. I think networks are trying to win that losing battle. But if you change the fight or the battle, it may turn in their favour. Let’s go after the older viewers. That may be what we’ve demonstrated on Night Shift. There is a segment of the audience to cater to and really grow. By bringing in Robert and Anna, and refocusing on Patrick and Robin, we hoped to reinvest in our loyal audience. I think by combining history and legacy characters with [postmodern] new characters, we really invigorated the core characters and brought in some new viewers. That could be a partial solution to daytime’s problem. TV Guide: From my couch, it looked like SoapNet/ABC gave you autonomy. Is that true? Because that’s A RARE luxury in this business. Sri Rao: Yeah, they did. And yes, I know that’s not often the case. The network has been amazing. They gave me the flexibility I needed. Also, their notes were really constructive. And I’m not blowing smoke up your a--. To a large extent, if you don’t feel like the network supports you, it shows in the work. My creative process was never hindered at any point.

Gale Harold Seriously Injured in Motorcycle Crash

1 TMZ is reporting Gale Harold, who plays Teri Hatcher's new boyfriend, Jackson, on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, has been seriously injured in a motorcycle crash. The accident happened yesterday and the actor is now in the intensive care unit of L.A. County - USC Medical Center. According to a representative for the actor, "We can confirm that Gale Harold was in a motorcycle accident yesterday, Oct 14. He has fractured his shoulder and is under observation to assess any possible further injuries. Everyone is hopeful for a full recovery. No one else was injured in the accident." Fans first fell in love with Harold when he played Brian on QUEER AS FOLK.