Some of this scares me to death, especially the parts I bolded.

Gossip for the week of 22-Jan-2007

by Carol Banks Weber

NBC’s Passions may soon set a precedent in daytime, and not for the good. This crazy-assed soap may see the final chapter*, to make way for an extended Today Show. If this comes to pass, then expect ABC Daytime to follow suit by dropping one of its soaps (maybe OLTL) to free up an hour for an extended Good Morning, America.

*Nothing major about it. As of January 17th, based on a Variety report, it’s done, Passions will soon be history.

TVGuide.com senior editor Daniel R. Coleridge talked to an ABC Daytime source who swears its line-up is safe, following the cancellation notice of NBC’s Passions.

Gina Tognoni (Dinah, GL; ex-Kelly, OLTL) would have to dye her hair brunette for the recast role of Brenda Barrett, but hey, it’s out there.

Alan drops dead in Jason’s arms. That and the secret of Elizabeth’s baby turn Jason’s life around, forcing him to walk away from the mob’s dark side and go toward the light and love of the Quartermaines, ELQ or GH.

A bullet fells Sonny, but not permanently, as Elizabeth nurses him back to health. Then and there, she unburdens her soul to him about the baby’s true paternity. Elizabeth takes over as GH’s new “It” girl, interacting predominantly in the mob.

Alan’s death transforms Skye too, into a Lorenzo hater.

The worst thing TIIC could’ve done on GH was kick Stuart Damon (Alan) to the curb. For the fans, the show’s legacy and for the cast and crew. Some members of the cast, according to some SoapDish postings, are taking the firing personally. Leslie Charleson (Monica) and Kimberly McCullough (Robin), especially, are having a hard time of it. Charleson and Jackie Zeman (Bobbie) are two remaining veterans so upset by Damon’s firing that they’ve seriously considered bailing along with him. “There have been lots of meetings with LC and JZ - I heard that execs are trying to convince them to stay - but LC has been inconsolable. Execs, stupidly, are surprised that fan backlash has been high. Some of the younger actors on set are now upset because they feel they are being blamed for SD leaving - but JI [John Ingle/Edward] is telling most that it is not them but execs that are to be held responsible. It is not a happy time now, and SD has been visibly shaken and upset through all of this. JE [Jane Elliot/Tracy] and TR [Tristan Rogers/Robert] have had to take KMc from the studios a couple of times as she was seen crying openly regarding SD's firing,” wrote Anonymous.

After the newly appointed consultants get through with their GH review, Rick Hearst (Ric) may find himself on the outs. –SoapDish

Alan is only the first of many veteran soap characters to see the inside of a body bag. Btw, Alan croaks February 16-19.

More cheery rumors from SoapDish:

Make room in the morgue for three or four more bodybags, including one for Mac. Jason and Lucky throw down. Ric’s sorrys aren’t taken seriously. Alexis and Ric consummate. Tracy uncovers a Sam McCall secret. Turns out Sam isn’t even Sam anymore, but Angela. Angela is a lookalike con [I’m trying not to hurl as I type this] who fancied a better life through Sam. Sam – who is either a Quartermaine relation, or a former mistress of Jax’s late father – and Angela – who might have boffed John Jacks instead – face off.


-- Edited by everbran at 14:27, 2007-01-23