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Okay, so Rebecca Budig is returning as Greenlee. But is there no decency left in daytime?  What are Brian Frons, ABC Daytime, and the producers of All My Children thinking with the "Real Greenlee" marketing campaign?

 

Talk about tackiness. Talk about total lack of decorum, empathy, and professionalism. 

For several weeks now we have been hit over the head with the fact that the dynamic trio, Rebecca Budig, Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams are returning to All My Children in the roles of Greenlee, Angie and Jesse respectively.  Soapdom has been promoting it.  We are happy that Angie and Jesse, one of soapdom’s early super couples, are coming back to the show, and we are likewise anticipating the return of Budig as Greenlee.

However…

We can’t help but feel terrible about Sabine Singh (current Greenlee) who stepped into the role of a popular fan favorite character -- although there are some fans who never warmed up to Budig’s Greenlee -- and did the best job she could under the circumstances.  Not once did Soapdom receive fan snail mail or email complaining about Singh’s performance. Only once did Soapdom hear a negative comment in regard to Singh’s acting ability -- and that just today.  More often we heard appreciative comments regarding Singh, that she was doing the best job she could with the story material she was given.

We are happy that ABC Daytime is so happy about the return of Budig, and they sure must be, given all the marketing and promotion they are putting behind it.  But we are likewise quite taken aback by ABC Daytime’s tackless and downright embarrassing marketing campaign in regard to the return of Budig, calling her “The Real Greenlee.”  How degrading to the current actor playing the role.   If Budig is the real Greenlee, what does that make Singh?  A fake Greenlee?  A nondescript Greenlee?  Chopped liver?  ABC cast Singh in the role of Greenlee, after Budig quit and opted not to return the first time. Singh was their choice and she’s the real Greenlee now, and until January 16th when Budig returns. 

As Budig did originate the role of Greenlee, and ABC wanted to give her return a catchier marketing phrase, why not use Rebecca Budig, “The Original Greenlee?”  It may be stating the obvious but at least it’s not publicly denouncing the current actor.

Yet, Singh has maintained poise and has not spoken out about being so slighted by her once former bosses.  Instead, she took the high road and is finishing out her time on AMC giving it her all.   Whether she will come clean after her tenure remains to be seen, but we can bet that she will have only the nicest things to say about her stay in Pine Valley.  You know, burning bridges and all that. 

Cady McClain (ex Rosanna, ATWT; ex Dixie, All My Children), another actor to feel the door hitting her behind on the way out of Pine Valley, had this to say to Carolyn Hinsey in a recent Soap Opera Weekly interview:  “I think it’s great Rebecca is returning. She is a terrific actress and that will be a wonderful return for the ABC family. I’m sure no one feels worse than she does that her replacement (Sabine Singh) is having to leave so ungracefully, but the timing on these things is never perfect.”

All I can say is that Budig’s return better be something really special. They better have some pretty terrific story material lined up for her as stated earlier; many fans never did warm up to her portrayal of the character, and there are quite a few who enjoy Singh in the role.  With the writer’s strike still taking its toll on the writing staffs of all the soaps, it will be pretty interesting to see what kind of story Budig does receive. I just really wish the “Real Greenlee” campaign would go away.  It makes me cringe every time I read or hear it. 

Soapdom wishes only the best for Sabine Singh as she embarks upon other, hopefully, more appreciative endeavors.

What do you think? Is this daytime's most embarrassing marketing campaign or what? 

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