tail end GH run, Hughes won an Emmy as Outstanding Lead Actress in 1991. Sadly, Hughes could not accept the golden bitch in person because she was experiencing visa issues in England. And not of the plastic variety, either. (Though I’m sure with Hughes’ fashion taste, her credit card limit is probably astronomical.)
Does she regret not being there? “Oh, yeah,” she punctuates. “I’m always, ‘Damn it, I was there. I was pissed. I couldn’t believe it. Kimberly McCullough was supposed to accept for me if I won, but they wouldn’t let her because she was a kid or something. I was in England getting my green card.”
Hughes better get her papers in order because next year she’s definitely winning her second golden statue.
“You can come as my date,” she offers. “Just make sure your visa is in order!”
Ha! She’s here all week, folks.
Having won the coveted award on her second nomination, Hughes still has to pinch herself. Did she expect the win. After all, until her co-star Laura Wright won last year, Hughes was the only GH actress to win top acting honours by the Academy. “No, I never thought I was going to win,” she admits. “I didn’t win the year before. That’s probably why I wasn’t there…. And get my papers in order in time. Winning was a huge shock. Back then, only the heavyweights in daytime won the Emmys. The big divas took home the gold. Yeah, I never saw myself as that. But it was sure fun to win.”
What did she win for?
“The Alien storyline and the second Duke dying,” she reports.
Wow. That’s some range.
She laughs, “I’d say!”
Next week: Hughes discusses her AMC stint, if Robin has a twin out there like Anna; working with Vincent Irizarry and Michael Nader; who is Anna’s true love — Robert or Duke; her sexy haircut that has me questioning my sexuality; and her passion for fashion. Oh, and GH: NIGHT SHIFT.
SOAPILEAKS:
This Week’s Hottest News, Gossip, and Reviews!
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, CBS/CTV — Best Story of 2012?
• B&B is one smart soap: In this week’s DIGEST, fans voted Crystal Chappell as the fan fave they are most excited to return in May. The Emmy winner earned 71% of the vote. So there, DAYS! Second place went to DAYS’s Charles Shaugnessy with 14%, GH’s Roger Howarth at 7%, Flo Lozano and Jon Hensley clocking in at 4% each. Chappell hits B&B next month in the show’s first gay storyline. Well, if you don’t count Clarke.
Executive producer and head writer Brad Bell gave TV GUIDE some exposition on the much-anticipated storyline. Turns out Danielle and Karen have been partners for most of Caroline’s life. While Karen’s father, Bill Sr., knew of his daughter’s sexuality, he disapproved. However, Bill Jr. has no clue and will assume Danielle is hitting on him when she arrives asking for a job at Spencer Publications. Ha! I always feel that way when Chappell sees me. Also, look for Bill to be patterned on Archie Bunker in terms of his response when he learns the truth. Expect major kissing, too. “Karen and Danielle are a modern-day married couple; why wouldn’t they kiss?” the Emmy winner says. Clearly, Mr. Bell has never seen GUIDING LIGHT or AS THE WORLD TURNS.
Bell thought of the groundbreaking storyline when he was trying to figure out who Caroline’s dad was — and was inspired to do something different. Later, he’ll reveal who the baby daddy is. He adds, there are about four or five ways he can go with the plot. (My sperm has an alibi, F.Y.I!) When he decided to make Karen a friend of Ellen’s, Bell says Crystal Chappell immediately popped up in his mind. Why? “She’s a great actress,” she states. “And she’s a good kisser.” How does he know? “Because I’m a big fan of her web series, VENICE.” Sure, Brad; Sure.
“I did not have DNA-relations with that showrunner,” Chappell tells me in a future UNCENSORED.
Seriously, I’m glad to see someone in the daytime industry pays attention to the evolution of the art form.
What’s funny to me is that Thorne never catches a break. Now he’s going to find out he drove Karen to lesbianism! LOL! I kind of love it.
Will Danielle and Karen turn to men if this plot isn’t accepted? No, answers Bell. If there is going to be any kind of triangle, “Danielle will end up with Katie instead of Bill.”
Um, best idea ever!
Is it fucking May 17 yet? Bring it, Bradley Bell; B&B!
DAYS OF OUR LIVES, NBC/GLOBAL — EJ Learns The Truth!
• Look who’s back: THE NANNY’S British Bitch! Charles Shaughnessy, who once earned the distinction from SOAP DIGEST of being a future super-prime-time TV star along with Jessica Tuck, is bringing sexy ISA back to Salem. “Stefano is up to his old tricks,” sets up the actor to DIGEST. Shane and Roman end up diffusing a bomb intended to kill Hope, Carrie, Rafe, Marlena and John. Shaughnessy will make 12 appearances this time around. And he’ll cross paths with Kayla, Shane’s former crush. Look for the actor, who appeared on one of my all-time fave shows MAD MEN, to appear on Nickelodeon’s VICTORIOUS.
• Well, that didn’t take long. This week, EJ learns he is not Stefano’s son. Stefano informs EJ that Alice saved his life as a baby and stumbled on to the fact that they couldn’t be dad and son. You know, because they are the same height and everything! Stefano adds that he doesn’t know who EJ’s bio dad is. Enter Susan? Later, Stefano urges EJ not to tell anyone about DAYS’s latest retcon. Not sure why DAYS thinks it is in Stefano’s character to cut EJ out of his life, which he does this week. Um, hello: Stefano had no problem raising Kristen and Peter as his own.
• In story 411, Sami and Lucas have sex. Green, no doubt. Kate sees the couple kiss and is not happy (when is this bitch ever happy?). And neither is EJ. Let the games begin. See ya, Rafe!
GENERAL HOSPITAL, ABC/CITY — The HIV-Syringe Ball!
• The Nurses Ball Coming Soon: In this week’s SOAP OPERA DIGEST, Frank Valentini hints that he’s thinking of bringing back the Nurses’ Ball later this year. Can I get a “Woo” and a “Hoo?” Makes sense considering Robin “died.” I’m sure there will be some kind of tribute to her life with AIDS during the ball despite the fact that the heroine is really alive. Maybe Lisa will show up with an HIV-syringe for shits and giggles.
• Carly is on to Connie. Well, duh. My dead grandmother is on to Connie/Kate. And, so is my dog. Does this mean she’ll forgive Johnny for pulling a Ford (ONE LIFE) on an ill Connie? “This is Carly we’re talking about,” reminds Laura Wright in DIGEST. “Even if she did forgive him, she’d still give him hell for the next six months to a year. He’s got a long hill to climb.” And no doubt Carly will enjoy riding that long hill. Thank God for Anna Devane!
• Brandon Barash fans, rejoice: Frank Valentini denied the popular and sexy hunk is being let go. Whew. Someone should have told Kelly Sullivan.
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS — Phick: Engaged and Expecting!
• Be careful for what you wish for: OK, I was just joking last week when I predicted Phyllis would find herself in the family way.This week, Phyllis and Nick become engaged after finding out they are pregnant again! I was actually hoping Sharon would have to carry Phyllis and Nick’s baby. Imagine that dynamic. Like ONE LIFE’s Viki and Dorian, Phyllis and Sharon’s rivalry should be explored on a daily, deep, and divisive basis. There’s so much story there to mine. Like Sharon’s vajayjay; discuss. Regardless, if Y&R decides that Summer is indeed Jack’s daughter, at least Phick will still have a baby of their own now (not if she loses it, that is!). Well, if Y&R doesn’t pull a fast one and make the baby Ronan’s. Hey, on this show, Phyllis’s baby could be mine!
• Fans are growing anxious over the fact that Cane could, in fact, be Tucker’s son. So far, my moles state that’s not in the scripts yet but knowing Maria Arena Bell, it probably will be, especially since it would make sense as to why Cane felt so at ease at being a Chancellor. Kill. Me. Now. God.
• Is showrunner Maria Arena Bell in hot water? With sinking ratings, unhappy fans, and pissed-off critics, UNCENSORED can report that there has been some “talk” behind the scenes to solve a problem nam
ed Maria. “Maria comes up with great story ideas. The problem is she allows Scott [Hamner] and Hogan [Sheffer] to execute them while she’s off playing socialite,” says an insider. “If anyone is going to go, it’ll be Scott and Hoagie.”
• More Law & Disorder: Victor fired Michael for being distracted with his loony wife Lauren’s personal shenanigans instead of focusing on Beauty of Nature. What happened to the beauty of nuture? Also, why are titans like Jack and Victor fighting over cosmetics? Where is that Bill Bell hologram when you need one?
• Look who’s back: Daytime Emmy Award-nominated actor Aaron Lustig reprises his role as the kooky Dr. Tim Reid, Phyllis’s former partner-in-crime.
According to TV GUIDE, Lustig reports to the Y&R studio this week for what is currently set as a six-episode run that will begin airing on Wednesday, May 30.
Lustig appeared in Lauralee Bell’s web show FAMILY DINNER.
This better be good, Y&R. And I hope Adam Newman is involved.
SOAP OPERA MYSTERY HOUR
This week’s hottest blind item
• Which actress is not winning any favours with the writers and producers of her show?
THE IDIOT RATINGS: April 16-20
Winners: Isn’t that an oxymoron?
Loser: Us!