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News for the week of 22-Dec-2014

by Carol Banks Weber

Weird. Michael Fairman interviewed (Dec. 18) Tracey Bregman (Lauren) and Christian LeBlanc (Michael) about Michael’s prostate cancer story — without either of them acting like it was the end of the world, or the end of an actor’s job. They made it all sound like one great acting opportunity, and a storyline turn that the character of Michael will survive. Bregman said she learned about the new story first, so she tried to avoid LeBlanc “like the plague.” What’s even more interesting is that LeBlanc’s father passed away in May, after the Erectile Dysfunction story had begun. “Our executive producer Jill Farren Phelps and I had exchanged family stories about our real lives. So she said, ‘I have a story for you.’ I didn’t rush to find out what it was,” LeBlanc explained. “However, Brent Boyd, one of our writers came downstairs and said, ‘We are starting this storyline and we thought you should know.’ It turns out that Jill thought I might be too sensitive to come to talk to her about a story about cancer. But I didn’t know anything yet, and then Brent said, ‘Cancer’ and I said, ‘Cancer?’ Then he said, ‘Prostate Cancer’ and then I said, ‘Oh, not the glamour one!’ (Laughs) But then I talked to Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante (former head writers, Y&R) and they were very excited about this story. Any woman, or any wife, would tell you that men will not go to the doctor for this unless the arm is literally dangling from them. It’s a big problem, and if it’s anything to do with sexuality or urology, or any of those issues, it’s even less likely that men will go see a doctor. It’s a very sensitive area, and they wanted to sort of touch this third rail of manhood. I said, ‘Oh, I will never be the hunk now!’ (Laughs) And Jill goes, ‘Afterwards!’ When you have a hard story, or something that is difficult to tell, I want to have the opportunity to tell it, and I want them to give it to me to play.”

LeBlanc emphasized that “Death is not, not an option” for his character, even though “I don’t know where we are heading. I did talk to Chuck [Pratt, new head writer] and I have a continual concern. I want to make it clear that it’s stage 3, and if you treat it, it’s stage 3 and it’s beatable. The point of this being it’s a shameful thing for him, and how do you deal with the results of what the treatment can do? And, that in essence could be extremely difficult for a man who is trying to deal with insecurities about his manhood.”

Hopefully, Michael will survive prostate cancer and help viewers dealing with this cope through his example.

Gossip for the week of 22-Dec-2014

by Carol Banks Weber

Something’s wrong with Melody Thomas Scott’s (Nikki) health lately. She’s been chronicling about it in cryptic terms on her Facebook. It doesn’t look as if she trusts the medical establishment much. Her latest post, December 14th: “God willing, I will be able to describe my agonies and slow recovery to all of you tomorrow. Thank you 4 your patience. Miss u all. xo”

 

What show and which actors are Daytime Confidential’s December 18th holiday blind items referring to?

>> This soap opera scribe is setting the stage for a huge disaster storyline. Will there be casualties when everything comes crashing down?

More top secret returns are headed to this sudser.

Battle lines are being drawn for control at one daytime soap, as the creatives square off against a network suit.

No one wants to work with this soap hunk. If his current on screen romance doesn’t work out, there’s talk of another recast or resting the character.

This veteran soap diva is not thrilled about her current storyline. She’s usually a team player, but has been making noise of late.

This multi-soap icon is on her way out and she doesn’t even know it.

One popular soap princess has taken her sweet time in warming up to her new leading man. Considering how long she tends to sit on the backburner, you’d think she’d be happy to have a hot new storyline!

It pisses one showrunner off royally when he or she hears about actors skipping out on fans at events.

A certain cabler is thisclose to booking an awards show near and dear to soap fans’ hearts

Carol Weber will be on vacation the week of Decenber 29. Scoops & Spoilers will return the week of January 5. Happy Holidays from SoapZone.com!

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