Soapside: Advocate's Guide to Daytime

Crystal Chappell returns to Days , signals the end of Otalia; One Life to Live launches gay storyline with Chris Evans's gay brother Scott; All My Children goes cougar with Susan Lucci and Cameron Mathison.

By Michael Fairman

Soap Switch: Crystal Chappell Speaks on Otalia's End and Days ' Beginning

Shockwaves went out throughout the soap industry last week when, in an interview with TV Guide magazine, Crystal Chappell announced she has signed a contract with Days of our Lives to return to the role that made her "soap famous"â€¦ that of Dr. Carly Manning (a.k.a. Katrina Von Leuschner). What's so earth-shattering about the news? Fans of Chappell's from her current role as Olivia on Guiding Light -- one half of the über-popular same-sex couple Otalia -- realized that once the 72-year-old soap ends its run on September 18th, Otalia won't be moving elsewhere.

In an exclusive interview with Advocate.com, Chappell addressed her LGBT fans to let them know that as heartbroken as they are, so is she. "I told our executive producer Ellen Wheeler, 'If she can get the show moved I will be there,' and the people at Procter and Gamble. I spoke to Jessica Leccia [Natalia] and we said, 'We would be willing to move, and we want to be Web stars. Is there any way we can move the show there?' I tried to think of everything I could, not just for the Otalia story line, but for the show. The day the news came out last Friday, I told my cast mates and they were unbelievably supportive and lovely. I think the thing that dawned on me at that moment was this was going to be the end of the character of Olivia. I kind of went through this little wallow over the weekend and went, 'Oh my God. This is so sad for me!' We all have known since April 1st that our show was canceled, and we have all known there was an end date. We all had hopes that the show would continue. But as far as I know, as of right now, we all finish taping August 7th. I would love for the show to continue, but unfortunately or fortunately I have to work. It became a practical decision."

Of the few same-sex story lines in daytime history, it has been the romance of Otalia that has struck a chord with gay and straight viewers, and with that, has made an impact on this soap season. Chappell wanted to express to the gay audience how much this story and role has meant to her.

"I wish I could adequately put into words how honored I have felt to be a part of the story. Even during my trip to LA [where she landed the Days role] and my phone call with Procter and Gamble, I was grateful to them that they approved the story. I went back to the very beginning of it, because it was important to thank everyone who said 'Yes' along the way. I thought it was very brave. To have this opportunity to represent a group of people I have come to love and appreciate was amazing. The character may be finished as far as I know, and the coupling, but I am still a big advocate and a big supporter. I will continue to represent the gay community in a positive light. It's important to me and its something dear to my heart, and it's because of the journey I have taken with this character."

Crystal's soap switch has been all the rage on the Internet. Make sure to check out Daytime Confidential's podcast "CBS and Days Buried Alive," where the boys from DC take a look at: What does Chappell's return to Days of Our Lives mean for Guiding Light ? Is it bittersweet for Guiding Light fans? Plus, numerous fan reactions to the news of Chappell's return to Salem.

And speaking of fans, Big Purple Dreams , the message board for Otalia, has reached yet another milestone. This week they have reached more than 5,000 members! That is an incredible show of support and love by a fan base. It's made even more incredible by the fact that ever since CBS canceled Guiding Light , message board membership has gone through the roof. So, what does that say? Missed opportunity?

Finally, read my exclusive interview with Crystal about her return to Days , the end of Otalia, her omission from the Daytime Emmy nominees and more. I think it's a must-read for gay soap fans.

Otalia Watch

Next Week's Preview:

Olivia thinks Natalia's new job as Blake's assistant will help prove that they're together because they choose to be. Olivia and Natalia decide they're going to show up at the Bauer barbeque together and will tell Emma about their relationship just before it.

Next Page: Chris Evans's openly gay brother plays gay on One Life to Live.

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. 1 2 3 4 NEXT Page 1 of 4

Fairman runs MichaelFairmanSoaps.com and is creator and host of Soap Break on XM Satellite Radio channel 24, the Pink Channel.

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Reader Comments

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Name: Lucia
Date posted: 6/29/2009 2:11:00 PM
Hometown: Atlanta

Comment:
OM G..... CRYSTAL CRYSTAL speechless. beautiful in and out.. yes! GOd bless!!
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Name: robbyj
Date posted: 6/24/2009 4:20:00 PM
Hometown: huntsville, alabama

Comment:
don't forget daytime tv does not end with soap opera - daily on the price is right there is a slue of college age hunks that keep my jaw dropping - especially if they win and i get to see them jump up and down - too bad tho chappel has to jump ship before GL ends - the wrap up of her storyline would not have been great anyway in the hands of the currents writers
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Name: Tvcat1
Date posted: 6/23/2009 3:30:00 PM
Hometown: Connecticut

Comment:
Thanks for the interview. I hope you will continue to cover Crystal after she goes to Days also. Well, on soap site I guess. I can understand the mixed emotions she has. I think it's understandable she would want to explain her side to the fans. Glad she has a job and we will continue to see her on a regular basis, but sad that Olivia's storyline was cut short way too soon. Even if GL gives a 'happy' ending, it's still so bittersweet..........
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Name: Jenilee
Date posted: 6/22/2009 4:40:00 PM
Hometown: New York City

Comment:
Crystal Chappell is a beautiful woman, and a beautiful actress, and I am SO glad she will be able to get back to playng normal storylines. I say pair her up with Victor Kiriakis again! :) They were delicious fun!
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Name: Brendan
Date posted: 6/22/2009 4:33:00 PM
Hometown: Matheson

Comment:
Guiding Light. See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya! This show started 72 years ago as a show about morals, and faith, and a reverend. Everyone has a grandma who had to Guiding Light on radio or watched. It ends now with a lesbian storyline as one of it's "highlights". Has anyone else noticed that since soaps started delving into gay stuff, the genre's ratings have slipped over 700% from where they were in 1995? There were lots of reasons to blame...O.J. Simpson, cable, etc. But the main viewers of soaps have always been stay at home women...NOT 12-17 children, NOT gay men. People want to see values upheld, even with all the sleeping around and murder and violence. Women who watch soaps want romance between a MAN and a WOMAN, they want to see GOOD eventually triumph over EVIL, and they want to see LOVE stories. Simple. Somewhere along the way, soap writers thought that mob "heroes:, gay legacy characters, and immoral filth would save the soaps. Too bad. They were wrong.
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Name: neixannd
Date posted: 6/19/2009 2:03:00 PM
Hometown: Puerto Rico

Comment:
Thank you Michael for your support and coverage. Crystal Chappell is a superb actress and extraordinary person who has embraced her fans in a way that I have never seen in a celebrity before. She is humble, loving and down to earth. She is truly a Goddess..I will support her and follow her career. Is really a miss opportunity of CBS to lost an incredible actress like her. GL cast rock! OTALIA forever!
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Name: DSwan212
Date posted: 6/19/2009 12:55:00 PM
Hometown: Louisville, KY

Comment:
Thank you Michael. Your continued suppoprt of Crystal and the Otalia storyline are greatly appreciated. Crystal Chappell is not only an amazing actress, she is a phenominal human being. She has been and continues to be generous of her time and affection with her fan base. We will follow her to DOOL... Way to miss a golden opportunity CBS
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Name: Micah
Date posted: 6/19/2009 12:01:00 PM
Hometown: Portland, OR

Comment:
Talk about a class act! Crystal Chappell is not only an amazing actress but she is such a sincere, ethical, outstanding human being. With her enthusiasm for the story line, call-ins to the BPD podcast, and general embrace of the gay community, she has changed lives and helped to bring so much healing to many individuals who have stood alone for a large part of their lives with little support. While I am forlorn at the ending of Otalia, I am grateful that Crystal will grace our lives with her acting and outreach. She has a truly loyal fan base of more than 5,000 Big Purple Dreamers who will follow her career wherever it goes and provide loyal support. Thank God she and Jessica Leccia were the ones to play Olivia and Natalia!
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Name: Junebuggnc
Date posted: 6/19/2009 9:23:00 AM
Hometown: NC

Comment:
OMG...that photo. Uh..was there an article. Will have to wait for my eyes to recover. DAYS better step up their writing and give the Goddess a storyline deserving of her talents. I could go with Carly now being a lesbian. Just imagine the shock on Bo's face when he found out. Ohhh. I watched Days when CC was on then, I will be tuning in again. Can't wait to read the full interview, maybe my eyes will be OK. I'm ded.
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Name: Rocktoddy
Date posted: 6/19/2009 8:46:00 AM
Hometown: Amersfoort, The Netherlands

Comment:
Crystal Chappell has my undying love and support all the way to the moon and back. So heartbroken to see Guiding Light end, but know that Otalia will forever hold a special place in our hearts, no matter where the story goes or how it will end. That said, I'm very excited for CC and her DAYS gig, hope that Carly Manning 2.0 will bring over some of that Spencer-branded Brassiness into Salem! Thanks Michael for the interview, can't wait to see when the full coverage's up.

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