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C3 Team: Hypermasculine Soaps

This piece was originally published as part of an entry on August 16, 2007, on the MIT Convergence Culture Consortium Weblog at http://www.convergenceculture.org/weblog/

Regular C3 readers probably know that I like to talk about hypermasculine soap opera, just as I like to talk about soaps in general. Look at my recent writing on pro wrestling, for instance. But C3 Consulting Researcher and astute television scholar Jason Mittell has a great piece on Rescue Me as hyper-masculine soap over at his blog, Just TV. I wrote a response there and won't post it in full here, but I point out that daytime serial dramas often manage less realistic and more realistic elements simultaneously in a way that primetime shows cannot, likely due to the much larger cast and the much larger amount of time soaps have to tell their stories.

C3 Update: ATWT Inturn

This piece was originally published as part of an entry on August 15, 2007, on the MIT Convergence Culture Consortium Weblog at http://www.convergenceculture.org/weblog/

As the World Turns InTurn. The reality television show which pits several neophyte actors competing for the chance of a continuing stint as a minor supporting character on ATWT must have been decently successful, as the show is now in the process of wrapping up the second season of the Webisode series, InTurn, distributed through the CBS Web site. I wrote about InTurn last August, pointing out that some fans of the soap enjoyed the extension, while others felt that it distracted the company's attention from the main text, which should be the focus. Last year, the finalists appeared in small roles on the main text of the show, giving viewers a chance to choose among the finalists. They were doing a story in which a serial killer was murdering Oakdale teenagers, and each of the InTurns played one of the roles. The winner, Alex Charak, plays the recurring role of Elwood Hoffman, who was the college roommate of a prominent ATWT character for awhile. This season hasn't wrapped up yet, but one of the contestants who didn't make the cut has recently had an extended run in the small part of a barmaid on the show. See more here.

on Feb 12, 2008 Posted by: Sam Ford | Comment (0)

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Writers Strike worried?

Every day I surf the net to see what the latest buzz is about the Writers Strike. I'm not weighing in here on the merits of the WGA strike..But its all about ME and my TV viewing.

Right now - I dont think most people are too worried as we don't feel the pain, yet. The Daytime producers say they enough scripts to make it into the new year.

B&B Blast From Past

Todd McKee (Jake) with Colleen Dion (ex-Felicia)

Todd McKee, who played Jake MacClaine on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL from 1990 to 1992, returns to the role on November 14. His first major soap role was as Ted Capwell on the late, great SANTA BARBARA from 1984-89. Jake was romantically involved with Felicia (then played by Colleen Dion) and had been abused by his uncle.

on Oct 26, 2007 Posted by: james.brooks | Comment (0)

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Marston Off OLTL

Nathaniel Marston

ABC Daytime has made the following statement regarding the fate of Nathaniel Marston's job as ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Dr. Michael McBain: "We are reviewing the matter internally, and until completion of this review we have taken him off the schedule."

on Oct 26, 2007 Posted by: james.brooks | Comment (0)

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Hasta La Vista

Alexandra Chando

Oakdale fans will want to TURN in today for Alexandra Chando's final appearance as Maddie Coleman, who is about to head to Wesleyan University. The actress, who joined the show in 2005, was let go for storyline reasons.

on Oct 26, 2007 Posted by: james.brooks | Comment (0)

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Family Tragedy

Hunter Tylo

TMZ.com is reporting that Michael "Mickey" Tylo, 19, son of B&B's Hunter Tylo (Taylor) and ex-husband Michael Tylo (ex-Quint et al), drowned. According to unconfirmed reports he died at the family home in Nevada.

on Oct 19, 2007 Posted by: james.brooks | Comment (0)

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The Weitz Stuff

Bruce Weitz

After months of hearing the name GENERAL HOSPITAL's Anthony Zacchara, the dreaded mob boss finally shows his face — and he looks just like that guy from HILL STREET BLUES! Emmy winner Bruce Weitz (who wowed fans two decades ago as the barking Sgt. Belker) joins the cast, and according to Head Writer Robert Guza, Jr., thrills, chills and spills lie ahead. "This has worked out extremely well," Guza enthuses. "I had originally envisioned somebody who was much more physically imposing but when they told me that Bruce was out there, I was like, 'Oh, my God. You think he'd like to do it?' We brought him in, had a long talk with him and he is just unbelievable because the character he is playing is a certified whack job. He is criminally and pathologically insane. And what Bruce gives you is not only glimmers of a mobster who is ruthless and fearless, but you also get a sense of vulnerability because we're going to talk about what made the man this way. He will do anything. And the moment he walks on camera, you're almost cowering because, really, anything can happen."

on Oct 19, 2007 Posted by: james.brooks | Comment (0)

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Comeback Kid

Daniel Cosgrove

Daniel Cosgrove's highly anticipated return to GUIDING LIGHT as Vanessa and Billy's estranged son Bill is set for early November. "It's been a whirlwind," the actor told Digest at the GUIDING LIGHT luncheon. "I've been working with these guys again, which has been so much fun." Check out what else Cosgrove had to say about his big daytime comeback and reuniting with his old Springfield kin in the soap opera digest 10/30 issue.

on Oct 19, 2007 Posted by: james.brooks | Comment (0)

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Return Engagement

Tonja Walker Tuc Watkin

Tonja Walker and Tuc Watkins return to ONE LIFE TO LIVE as the unpredictable Alex Olanov and David Vickers the first week of November. As Alex is one of the few people who knows David has Buchanan blood running through his veins, one can only imagine what she might be up to.

on Oct 18, 2007 Posted by: james.brooks | Comment (0)

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