Martha Madison

Wanna see your favorite past and present Salemites sweat it out on the B-Ball court for a worthy cause? Here's your chance.

Our pal Brandon Beemer (ex-Shawn, Days/Owen, The Bold and the Beautiful) sent out a bulletin to his My Space friends confirming his appearance at the James Reynolds 19th Annual Days of Our Lives Celebrity Basketball Game held at 7:30 pm, tomorrow, May 30, 2008 at South Pasadena High School’s Main Gym at 1401 Diamond Avenue in South Pasadena, CA . The event is to benefit the South Pasadena High School Boys Basketball Program.

Playing this year will be: Bryan Dattilo (Lucas), Kyle Brandt (ex-Philip Kiriakis), Mary Beth Evans (Kayla), Alison Sweeney (Sami), Kyle Lowder (ex-Brady), Arianne Zucker (Nicole), Martha Madison (ex-Belle), Rachel Melvin (Chelsea), Shelley Henning (Stephanie), Rashann Orange (ex-TEK), Jay Kenneth Johnson (Philip), Patrika Darbo (ex-Nancy), Stephen Nichols (Steve), Blake Berris (Nick), James Reynolds (Abe), Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe) and Brandon Beemer (ex-Shawn).

Beemer encourages fans to get their early. Doors will open at 7 pm. There will be a raffle and a silent auction. General Admission tickets are $15 for all attendees. VIP tickets are $165. They include backstage access at the game, a team jersey, a photo with the teams, a gift basket and special seating. Only 40 VIP tickets will be sold.

For more information, call 323-993-3376 or email DaysGame2008@gmail.com

Okay, let me first say that there is no, I repeat NO concrete talk of the fabulous Kim Zimmer leaving her legendary role as Reva Shayne on Guiding Light, but you'd have to have been living under a rock this week in Soapland not to know that Ms. Kim is a bit, shall we say cross, about the way things are going with her character at GL. So of course, you know me, my mind couldn't help but wonder where else the multiple-Emmy winner might end up should she decide to leave broadcasting's longest-running program.

Kim to Young and the Restless as Dr. Casey Reed

I was chatting with one of Daytime Confidential's faithful visitors in the comments section of the post regarding Zimmer's current state of unhappiness about how great it would be to see Zimmer go head on with Eric Braeden's Victor Newman on Young and the Restless (Feel free to remind me who you are as that post is now enormous and I couldn't sift  through the comments quick enough! LOL). So following in that vein, should Zimmer opt not to re-sign with GL, I propose she join the Bell sudser as a recast of Nikki's doctor sis Casey.

Casey hasn't been seen in Genoa City in years, so there wouldn't  have to be that much of an adjustment as with the usual recast. Wouldn't it be great to see the fiery Zimmer's Casey take Victor to task for his shoddy treatment of her sister and nephew? If there is anyone who can out yell Braeden it's Zimmer. 

It would also be wonderful for Casey to call Nikki's smarmy boy toy David (Vincent Irizarry) on his gambling addiction and clash with her sister over the issue. Then there are all the guys for Zimmer's Casey to mix it up with, including the aforementioned Braeden and Irizarry. Isn't it about time Jack Abbott was with a woman who was more his equal? I adore Sharon Case, but she comes off as arm candy with Peter Bergman's Jack. I'd much rather see her back in a hot triangle with Nick and Phyllis and let Jack play with a big girl like Zimmer! If TPTB don't like Zimmer for the role of Casey, then how about Amber's scheming trailer park Mama Tawny from Bold and the Beautiful fame? I was saving that one for Judi Evans, but what the heck!

Kim to Bold and the Beautiful as the long lost sister of Sally Spectra

Ever since Darlene Conley passed away, B&B has been lacking in the area of brassy, unforgiving dames who don't have sex to feel good about themselves, but simply have sex to feel good! Zimmer would be perfect as Sally's long lost sister Lola, who blows into town carying  trumped up secret trust documents that give her 20 percent of Spectra Fashions. Imagine the look of horror on Jackie's face when she realizes she has no choice but to go into business with this fire ball who has the fashion sense of a Las Vegas showgirl on speed! Bring back the woefully-underused-at-Days Joe Mascolo as Massimo and you'd have a ready made Baby Boomer triangle that doesn't involve the Logans or the Forresters! 

And what if Lola instantly recognizes Moss from a one night stand she had some 25 years ago? Around that time, Lola's 24-year-old daughter Shannon (ex-Days star Martha Madison) could show up in town catching the eye of Brandon Beemer's (remember this is JUST my Wishful Casting) Thomas Forrester. Is Thomas about to fall for his aunt? Hey this is Bold and the Beautiful! Don't worry, Lola also finds Patrick Duffy's Stephen quite familiar. What can I say? My fantasy characters get around!

Kim to All My Children as Liza Colby

Since Marcy Walker has retired from acting, why not have Zimmer follow all of her exiting Springfielders and rumored-to-be exiting Springfielders over to Pine Valley as Liza Colby? Tbat show already has the ultimate grand dame in Susan Lucci, but I bet there could be room at the table for Zimmer, especially if she is brought on as Adam and Tad's ex-lady love and Colby's mother.

There is so much rich history being explored on AMC right now (allbeit with hit and miss success) with the returns of Liza's enemies Jesse and Angie and the object of her girlhood affections Greg Nelson soon-to-be added to the mix. Zimmer would fit in perfectly. I can totally visualize the scenes where Liza attempts to make ammends to Darnell Wiillams Jesse for her accusations of rape all those years ago. And with their children currently becoming involved on the soap, this storyline has the potential to be soaps at their history-laden best. Not to mention seeing Zimmer in a scene with Adam Canary or Michael E. Knight would likely require a cigarette afterwards and that's if they were just doing comedy!

Kim to One Life to Live as talk show host Veronica London

Okay, you're going "Say who, Say What???" This character, like Lola Spectra above, is from my own imagine, so be kind. A wildly successful talk show host/lifestyle guru named Veronica London pops up in Llanview- think Oprah meets Martha. The glamorous Ms. London takes a keen interest in Marcie McBain. She wants to produce a TV-movie based on Marcie's life-The Killing Club murders, losing Sam to Todd and Blair-she also makes it a point that she can't stand Todd Manning.

What gives? Who is this mystery woman Shaggy? The plot thickens when Marcie's dad comes to town and she tells him all about the wonderful lady who wants to make her a star. When Mr. Walsh sees Veronica it's as if he's seen a ghost, literally.

Once Marcie's out of earshot he asks her a tense, "What the hell are you doing here?"  She replies, "I needed to be with my daughter." Cue the organ music. Veronica London is Marcie's long believed dead mother! It turns out Mama Walsh had these awful itchings and stirrings to run off to Hollywierd and make it as a star. So when she packed up and left her kids on the back of a drifter's motorcycle. Mr. McBain thought it would be easier to tell the kids she'd died than to tell them the truth.,that she had abandonded them.

  Now Ronnie is back and she plans to make ammends to her children if it's the last thing she does. Look out Todd. Oh and did I mention the motorcycle riding drifter she abandoned her kids for was none other than Charlie?

Okay, now I looked on Soap Central AND Wikipedia to find out the real backstory on Marcie's mom and turned up with zilch, so if she died in front of her forgive me and blame the Margaritas! Next time I'll tell you who I think Zimmer should play on Days, GH and As The World Turns. Stay tuned for more Wishful Castings!

On today's special edition of Daytime Confidential Luke and Jay visit with Brandon Beemer about his role as Shawn Brady on Days of Our Lives.

We talk about what it was like, as his first major soap role, to portray the son of soap royalty Bo and Hope Brady and work with Kristian Alfonso and Peter Reckell. He talks about Days of Our Live's big plane crash and what it was like for Shawn and Belle to spend so much time on the run.

He shares with us how he and Martha Madison found out that Shawn and Belle were being written off the canvas and who he would have liked to have more scenes with had he had the time.

We ask him about the online rumors that he may end up at One Life to Live or Bold and Beautiful and what other projects he may have in the works. He talks about Samantha's Friends, a wonderful charity that seeks to help youth, challenged by catastrophic illness, gain independence with the assistance of a service canine.

Be sure to visit drop by Brandon Beemer's Official MySpace profile and leave him a comment and keep up on his latest appearances. Continue Reading...

TV Guide Canada's Nelson Branco joins Luke and Jay for an in-depth discussion of the soap industry, his column's The Suds Report & Nelson Ratings, all the latest soap gossip, his interviews with Michelle Stafford and Katherine Kelly Lang, his Emmy prediction, how the industry could reinvent itself with additional programming and much more including...

His belief that fans watch for the "little moments" and that soaps have been dumbed down. What is going on with the Proctor and Gamble soaps, including Guiding Light's use of its couples, the "Nuke" controversy and letting go of Martha Byrne.

Branco predicts that Victoria Rowell will return to the Young and Restless by April or May and discuss the rumors of Jeanie Cooper leaving the venerable soap.

We learn why there isn't more diversity on the Bold and Beautiful, which character was supposed to have been gay, and who might soon appear as a recast Thomas Forrester.

Could Cady McClain's return as a ghost for May sweeps end up being more? The real reason why Susan Lucci lost the Emmy so many times. All My Children is using its veterans more often and how Nelson believe it is emblematic of the industry.

Will Days of Our Lives be canceled? Where could Brandon Beemer and Martha Madison pop up next. Might Kyle Lowder be returning to Salem and will Deidre Hall get a Emmy nomination.

Exiting Days of Our Lives heartthrob Brandon Beener (soon-to-be ex-Shawn) blogged about his and Martha Madison (soon-to-be ex-Belle)'s last day on the set on his official website and although I have to admit I have never been much of a fan of this incarnation of Shelle (couldn't get over Jason Cook and Kirsten Storms in the roles), I have to say I am sad to see them go, especially Beemer. He has really risen to the occasion during the aftermath of Grandpa Shawn (Frank Parker)'s traumatic death and Bo (Peter Reckell)'s medical crisis. Beemer's Shawn has been a steady rock for his mom Hope (Kristian Alfonso) and Grandma Caroline (Peggy McKay) and has even made me able to stomach his bratty, self-centered half sister Chelsea (Rachel Melvin). Here's hoping another soap snatches him up pronto! Personally I think he would make a GREAT Thomas Forrester on Bold and the Beautiful. Just "putting it out there in the universe" as Lisa Rinna used to say on Soap Talk!

Here's Beemer's goodbye blog in its entireity: 
So... a lot of people have been asking me how it went down on our last day.. so here it is. Our last day was not a fun one. We had an afternoon call time so I had a lot of time to think before I went in. I wasn't really sure what to expect.
I got to work and I have to say that I found myself really appreciating more than ever the time I got to spend with everyone, walking the halls, sitting on set, sitting quietly in my dressing room, etc. It was very strange how aware of everything I was that day... knowing that this was my last day I will be doing this. I said my good byes to those that had to leave early and packed up everything in my dressing room before we started to tape our last scenes.
We had about five scenes to shoot at the end of the day... they went by really quickly and before I knew it we were on our last scene. It was hard...all the time that it took to shoot it seemed so great because it allowed us more time to stay on set and do what we love so much. Then it was done. Everyone gathered around as there was great applause and I stood there wishing I could run away from this moment and then come back to find that it never happened... but I figured that it probably wouldn't go down that way.
A cake and three presents were wheeled out on stage. Then they played a pre-recorded speech that Martha had done to thank everyone that she wanted to thank. She thanked everyone...it was very sweet. Then it was my turn..I thought it would be a piece of cake but I have to tell you that it was not easy. I said what I had to say or shall I say what I COULD say. When emotions start to overcome you, it's almost impossible to speak. Ed Scott gave a very nice farewell speech to us.. that man has got to be the coolest man ever!! Then we said our goodbyes, took our pictures and that was the End of our run on Days of our Lives. (Sounds soooo dramatic huh?!! Lol)
I am so thankful for every memory that I have and all the amazing people I met because of that show. The last year and eight months have been the best of my life. I will cherish everything that I have experienced. And I thank you all that have been so supportive during my run on the show and through this crazy last 8 weeks. I will never forget what you have done.

Sincerely, 
Brandon

I hope ya’ll got some answers because let me tell you! Have I got some questions!!!

 

Why is this the funniest screencap ever?

And finally, why can’t I stop watching this video I found on you tube???

Wow, what a week it’s been for offscreen drama on Days of Our Lives.  The news about Tamara Braun joining Days, then the breaking news of Martha Madison (Belle) and Brandon Beemer (Shawn) being fired.  Is anyone safe in Salem?  Rumblings around the net are that no, noone is and watch out for more firings… seems it’s going to get worse before it gets better.  Plus, I’ve heard we should expect some sort of announcement on the future of Days, sometime in Feb/March.

So is it worth continuing to watch the show? Decide for yourself – this is what you can expect to see this week (apologies, yet again I have missed Monday’s show so I will comment from Tuesday on):

EJ/Sami – go into hiding with the twins; Lucas aint too happy hear about this, but there isn’t too much he can do about it from behind bars… or so you would think! Maybe having Stefano as a cellmate wont be so bad after all? Especially a Stefano who may have his own reasons for finding EJ and Sami… and little Giovanni. Is Lucas about to make a deal with the devil?

Marlena/John – after John got free on Monday’s episode, Marlena still refuses to give up on him (frankly I’d be disappointed if she had so soon).  She and Dr Carrington give John truth serum to find out exactly what Stefano and Dr Rolf did to him in the DiMansion Dungeons – unlike for everyone else, the serum doesn’t work (what modifications did Dr Rolf make to John so that truth serum doesn't work??); the mention of Stefano’s name apparently has John going mental.  Instead, they give him a psychiatric test, learning what seems obvious to me, that John is without emotions (a real DiMera soldier if you like). I’m just hoping what I’m reading as a spoiler is true for this next part… Marlena goes to confront Stefano, armed with more truth serum! Brooke pleads… please please please let scary Marlena stay!

Shawn/Chloe, Philip/Belle – are going to team up to investigate Claire’s kidnapping.  They research Rob’s tattoo and end up finding him in Crystal’s store.  Shawn the rookie cop demands his daughter back… Belle's still recovering in hospital, with Philip there to comfort her.  She wants to join the hunt for Claire of course, but is not allowed.

Sorority (and Billie) – More disagreement over whether to tell the truth about Ford’s death; Stephanie confesses her rape to the sisters in an effort to convince them to stay quiet, Chelsea has a normal teenage emotion/experience when she can’t convince the gals to talk and wonders if Nick will dump her because of her continued secret keeping.  Billie’s job is threatened by the Dean if he finds out she had any knowledge of the girls’ involvement in Ford’s disappearance, prompting Billie to continue to work on Nick to spill his guts, appealing to his goody goody nature and his love for Chelsea.  Meanwhile, Chelsea ends up cracking under the pressure and tells Crawford Decker his son is dead.  Oops.  Bo gets in on the action, meeting with a Dectective to discuss the case and Stephanie finally admits the truth about the rape to Steve.

Aaaand speaking of Steve, he and Kayla are still pursuing this baby making business – I’m sorry, but the only thing making me watch this s/l is how amusing I find Patch.

Next Week:

Holy moly! Next week looks freakin' awesome…

•    Return of the lost DiMera’s – Lexie (Renee Jones), Tony (Thaao Penghlis) and Anna (Leann Hunley)!

•    Adrienne (Judi Evans) says her goodbyes

•    John and Marlena start off the Ireland adventure

•    Colleen (Shirley Jones) reveals she faked her death

•    Max comes forward with Ford’s body (ewwwwwwwww)

In Other News:

First date onscreen: Tamara Braun – her character ‘Ava’ (another soap character named Ava? Is there no originality left in soapland?), will be seen from February 8th

NBC Text Message Spoiler: Hope to rejoin the Salem PD? She’s certainly been getting into everybody’s business lately