Although it wasn’t listed with the other “Hot” stuff in TV Guide Magazine’s Annual “Hot List” issue (pages 16-35), “General Hospital” did earn a spot under Michael Logan’s Daytime Highlights column (page 84) under the heading “Hot Again.” NBC’s “Days of our Lives” also made the cut under the heading “Hot Days, Hotter Nights” courtesy of daytime’s hottest (and only) gay on screen couple, Will Horton (Chandler Massey) and Sonny Kiriakis (Freddie Smith).
Author: Errol Lewis
ABC’s “General Hospital” posted its largest overall audience in nearly 21 months (since week of February 21-25, 2011) as the daytime drama series averaged 2.82 million viewers during the week of November 5-9, 2012. This was the programs largest overall audience under executive producer Frank Valentini and head writer Ron Carlivati.
The series was up 21% compared to the same week last year (week of November 7-11, 2011) in Total Viewers (2.82 million vs. 2.27 million), 54% in Women 18-34 (266,000 vs. 161,000) and 23% in Women 18-49 (679,000 vs 571,000). “General Hospital” edged “The Young and the Restless” in Women 18-34 with its largest competitive advantage in nearly 4 1/2 years (since week of June 23, 2008).
Although fans of ABC’s “General Hospital” got their first glimpse of Sean Kanan back on screen as AJ Quartermaine on the Friday, October 26 episode, they didn’t learn much about why the character had returned to Port Charles. Kanan himself may be able to shed some light when he joins fans for an upcoming live Twitter chat during the east coast broadcast of the daytime drama series.
With word of Sean Kanan returning to “General Hospital” next month in an as yet to-be-determined role, despite portraying AJ Quartermaine 15 years ago on the drama series, I recently noted an uncanny similarity Kanan currently has with former co-star and on screen brother Steve Burton.
For more than 12 years Sean Kanan has been portraying the role of the flawed Deacon Sharpe on CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful” and “The Young and the Restless,” but for fans of “General Hospital” he is best known for his portrayal of AJ Quartermaine. Last seen in 1997 as AJ went toe-to-toe with Carly Roberts (now Carly Jacks) as played by Sarah Brown, fans were shocked to find the role recast with actor Billy Warlock. According to published reports, Kanan had been fired by then executive producer Wendy Riche because of issues relating to alcohol use. In 2005, Warlock’s AJ was killed off by a psychotic psychiatrist, but after a 15 year absence from the canvas does Kanan’s return mean the show has decided to undo AJ’s death?
People.com is launching its first-ever Sexiest Man and Woman on TV poll. Users will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite of five male and five female finalists chosen by PEOPLE’s editorial staff. Voting begins today on http://www.people.com, http://www.emmys.com and http://www.abc.com, and will continue until 7:30 p.m., ET / 4:30 p.m., PT on Sunday, September 23, the evening of “The 64th Primetime Emmy® Awards.”
During its premiere week in the National ratings (w/o 09/03/12), the newly-rechristened “LIVE! with Kelly and Michael” finished as TV’s No. 1 syndicated talk show in Households (2.8 rating), Total Viewers (3.6 million) and Women 25-54 (1.5 rating).
During its second week up against season premieres of nearly every other syndicated talker, newly-rechristened “LIVE! with Kelly and Michael” finished as the No. 1 talk show overall in Households (leading the premiere week of “Ellen” by 2 shares and tied in rating – 2.8/10 vs. 2.8/8). Its top-ranked position becomes even more impressive considering “LIVE! with Kelly and Michael” airs earlier in the day with lower overall HUT levels.
Debuting amidst one of the most competitive landscapes in years for syndicated talkers, “Katie” opened as the clear No. 1 freshman daytime talk show, winning all 5 days of its opening week in Homes. On average during the week, “Katie” held wide advantages over its freshman competitors in both Households (2.3/7) and Women 25-54 (1.2/7), including “Steve Harvey” (+64%/+33%), “Jeff Probst” (+188%/140%) and “Ricki Lake” (+229%/+200%).
Actor Gilles Marini has been promoted to series regular for the upcoming second season of “Switched at Birth,” the hit original drama on ABC Family. Gilles has a recurring role in the first season as Angelo Sorrento, Bay’s biological father and Regina’s ex, who comes back into their lives after finding out about the switch.
THE TALK Will Feature Appearances By Upcoming “Survivor: Philippines” Castaways, Medical Evacuees Michael Skupin, Jonathan Penner and Russell Swan, and Lisa Whelchel (Blair from “The Facts of Life”)
CBS announced today that it will broadcast the 39th Annual “People’s Choice Awards” Live on Sunday, January 9, 2012 from the Nokia Theater L.A. Live. Additionally, fans of TV, Music and Movies can begin voting on 15 potential new categories to be added to this years telecast. Voting is now open at www.PeoplesChoice.com/pca/categories.
Former “Days of our Lives” star Heather Lindell (ex-Jan Spears) and husband Josh Boyd welcomed their first child, Desmond George, who was born on Monday, August 27. Desmond George weighed in at 6 ½ lbs.
Beginning Monday, September 10 ABC’s “General Hospital” moves to a new time period (2:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT/CT) and in celebration the network is hosting a weeklong twitter chat with cast members of the drama series.
ABC News’ “Good Morning America” won the week of August 27, 2012, ranking as the No. 1 morning newscast in both Total Viewers (5.386 million) and Adults 25-54 (1.969 million), according to Nielsen Media Research. “GMA” outperformed NBC’s “Today” (4.503 million and 1.817 million, respectively) by +883,000 Total Viewers and +152,000 Adults 25-54, scoring its largest margins over “Today” in more than 18 years in both measures – since w/o 5/16/94 and w/o 8/15/94, respectively. Additionally, Goodmorningamerica.com on Yahoo! is the dominant morning news website, leading NBC’s Today.com by millions of pageviews and unique users. In July 2012, 24 million people visited Goodmorningamerica.com on Yahoo!.
On Monday, August 13, Soap Opera Network first brought you the story of WKDH, an ABC affiliate that will cease operations effective Friday, August 31, 2012 at 11:59 PM CT after citing poor financial conditions in recent years as its reasoning. Now Soap Opera Network has learned that the ABC Television Network, which was left scrambling to replace the 11-year-old affiliate, has signed a long-term agreement with WTVA, an NBC affiliate that had actually provided WKDH with ABC programming through a local marketing agreement (LMA) with Southern Broadcasting, Inc. (WKDH’s parent company). The new deal, by utilizing WTVA digital channel 9.2, will enable ABC programming to remain in the Columbus/Tupelo/West Point television market and is effective Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 12:35 AM, Central Time.
ABC’s “The Chew” returns for its second season MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 (1:00-2:00 p.m. ET), bringing with it a smorgasbord of exciting guests, culinary creations and tips and tricks to make life healthier, easier and, frankly, a whole lot more fabulous. Season Two will also continue to showcase the hosts’ signature series, including “Five in Five,” “Mario’s Simple Italian,” “The Power of Oz,” as well as “Clinton’s Craft Corner” and “C&C Food Factory.”
ABC has acquired the television rights to “BAD25,” a documentary film by the award-winning director Spike Lee. Airing at Thanksgiving (details to be announced at a later date), “BAD25” shares fresh insights into the King of Pop’s creative vision that resulted in his landmark “BAD” album, this year marking its 25th anniversary.
Andrew Kubitz, an esteemed entertainment executive with 17 years of scheduling experience, has been named executive vice president, Program Planning & Scheduling, ABC Entertainment Group, it was announced today by Paul Lee, president, ABC Entertainment Group, to whom he will report. In his new role, Kubitz will have oversight of daytime, primetime and late-night program planning and scheduling, as well as film acquisition and theatrical inventory. Kubitz will also facilitate and coordinate windowing strategies for ABC Entertainment Group programming across all platforms.
TV Guide’s Michael Logan pulls off another exclusive! In an interview with Steve Burton, the actor reveals that he has in fact decided to leave ABC’s “General Hospital” after two decades at the drama series. First joining the cast in 1991, Burton had portrayed the role of Jason Quartermaine turned Morgan. He left the series in 2000, but returned in 2002, and has remained at the show ever since. He’s also appeared on the “GH” spinoff, “General Hospital: Night Shift,” during the SOAPnet original series’ first season.