What’s In And What’s Out On Soaps Today!

IN: GETTING AWAY WITH IT A wreck over her trauma with Aiden and Bo’s sudden death, DAYS’s Hope shot Stefano in cold blood — but thanks to Rafe’s assist with the initial cover-up and framing of Andre (which he was subsequently able to squirm out of), she hasn’t served time behind bars. Ditto Anna on GH, a free woman despite having shot Carlos multiple times and confessing to it (because Paul — who himself doesn’t seem at great risk of going down for shooting Kyle Sloane dead — got the charges dropped). On B&B, Quinn held amnesiac Liam hostage for months, but her victim decided not to press charges. Then there’s Y&R’s Neil; he never had to face prosecution for kidnapping Hilary because everyone involved (and everyone who has subsequently learned about it!) ultimately agreed to keep quiet. And they say crime doesn’t pay! B&B’s Liam (Scott Clifton) and Quinn (Rena Sofer)

OUT: NEWLYWED BLISS In what feels like an effort to prevent the old “happy couples=boring” curse, soaps’ most popular marrieds have seen their unions torn asunder quicker than they could get their thank you cards out. DAYS’s Chad and Abby hadn’t even gotten to “I do” before she was haunted by visions of her psycho ex, Ben. GH’s Julian rocked the blissful boat by returning to his shady ways and murdering Carlos, which wound up with wife, Alexis, being arrested. Y&R’s Stitch and Abby barely had time to pick out a china pattern before they were dealing with the issues of his son, Max. And B&B’s Wyatt and Steffy had about a week of happiness before Liam returned to town, determined to win her back. Y&R’s Stitch (Sean Carrigan) and Abby (Melissa Ordway)

IN: SPIRITUAL VISITORS Visitors from beyond the grave are all the rage, even though we haven’t seen the floating head of B&B’s Darla since Aly died last year. On DAYS, Bo and Jack have both appeared to their late loves (Hope and Jennifer, respectively), and GH’s Anna had two similar visions of Duke. Not all the drop-ins are friendly, though; on Y&R, Sharon is plagued by nightmares starring the late Sage, while on GH, Carlos haunted Anna, then Julian, and Helena showed up in typical menacing form in Sam’s dream, and on DAYS, Stefano’s spectre has popped in on his killer, Hope. DAYS’s Bo and Hope (Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso)

IN: REVAMPING SETS With mixed results, multiple shows have undertaken set renovations. To give Brooke and Bill a hook-up spot, voilà, he suddenly had a secret private office at Spencer Publications. DAYS took heat for reducing the square footage of the DiMera and Kiriakis mansions and the Brady Pub; the latter has since been granted some breathing room. On GH, Liz’s house was blown up, allowing the show to debut her spiffy new apartment, while the previously grand foyer at the Quartermaine mansion got a size-shrinking revamp. Y&R fans (and Jill) cried foul when Billy redid the iconic Chancellor mansion, while the suites at the GCAC got spruced up with new paint and lighter decor. B&B’s Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) and Bill (Don Diamont)

OUT: HEAD WRITER STABILITY B&B’s Bradley Bell remains a steady force atop his show’s writing team, but there has been notable turnover in the ranks at every other show. DAYS has all but required a scorecard! In February 2016, Dena Higley and Josh Griffith took over from Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell, and Beth Milstein stepped in when Dena Higley took a leave of absence. Then, it was announced that Higley was back, Griffith was out, and Ryan Quan would be her new co-head writer. Over at GH, Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante are closing in on the one-year mark at GH, where they took over from Ron Carlivati; they were available because they exited Y&R to make way for Tracey Thompson and Charles Pratt, Jr. B&B’s Bradley Bell

IN: TOTAL RECALL All the recent memory-challenged characters on soaps have bounced back from their gaps. B&B’s Liam realized that he was not, in fact, “Adam,” spouse to “Eve” (really Quinn), and that his memory of flashes of a certain brunette beauty (Steffy) were significant indeed, when a shocked Wyatt burst into the cabin where his mom was stashing his brother. Jason’s lengthy stint as amnesiac came to an end on GH when called upon to save Dante’s life (after all this time, that’s all it took?). GH’S Jason (Billy Miller) and Carly (Laura Wright)

IN: BRAIN TROUBLES Daytime is really using its noggins these days. B&B derived months of storyline out of Liam’s concussion and amnesia, which allowed Quinn to convince him they were husband and wife. Within months, DAYS’s Bo was felled by a brain tumor, a car accident left Daniel brain dead, and Kayla suffered a subdural hematoma. Meanwhile, GH’s Tracy was nearly done in by a worm infestation in her brain (that’s a soap first!). And on Y&R, Ashley survived a brain tumor, the same condition that may be affecting her stepgrandson, moody Max. GH’s Tracy (Jane Elliot)

IN: LIMITED RUNS Short-term roles are all the rage on every network. B&B made economical use of Chaz Bono and Mark Damon Espinoza for the brief but pivotal roles of Rev. Rydell and Dr. Wolin, respectively. On DAYS, Tamara Braun was back for three months as doomed Ava. GH hired ATWT alum Trent Dawson to play sinister Huxley, a temporary wrinkle in the Nik/Ava ointment, while working in popular Brooklyn Rae Silzer (Emma) where it can. Ray Wise made a Y&R comeback as Ian, who complicated Victor’s life in prison; Alicia Coppola (ex-Lorna, AW) was tapped as another not-long-for-this-world prison player, Meredith; while Chrishell Stause made a splash in her short gig as bombshell Bethany. Trent Dawson as GH’s Huxley

IN: PSYCHIATRIC FACILITIES On all but B&B, characters are seeking (or receiving against their will) a boost in their mental health game. DAYS’s Shady Hills was troubled Abigail’s home before her escape. The institution is still treating rapist Chase, while the woman he raped, Ciara, is interning there (because that sounds like a good idea). On GH, Miscavige and Ferncliff have fallen out of favor, but fear not, bipolar Morgan — The Friedman Clinic is your spot for healing! (Bonus: Kristina met new beau Aaron while visiting her brother there.) Meanwhile, Y&R’s Sharon (and briefly Sage) landed at Fairview, where she had the misfortune of being treated by the super-sketchy, super-vengeful Dr. Anderson. Bad Medicine: Y&R’s Sharon (Sharon Case, l.) was manipulated by psycho shrink Dr. Anderson (Elizabeth Bogush).

OUT: MISCARRIAGES With the sad exception of Y&R’s Abby, who lost her baby earlier this year after falling victim to Max’s booby trap, most soap pregnancies are making it safely through delivery. This uptick in gestational success has resulted in something of a daytime baby boom, with new moms including GH’s Sabrina (to Teddy), B&B’s Caroline (with Douglas) and Maya (with Lizzie, courtesy of surrogate Nicole) and DAYS’s Abigail (with Thomas). B&B’s Caroline (Linsey Godfrey) and baby Douglas

IN: NURSES Nurses are in season, and not just because they get their very own ball each May on GH. DAYS has introduced two new Latina characters, Blanca and Adriana, who are both practicing R.N.s. GH paid homage to its late Nurse Amy Vining with a new gossipy health worker, Amy Driscoll (and we’ve been seeing Nurse Felix on a regular basis since the hospital has been getting more play). And on Y&R, guilt-ridden Nurse Stephens played a key role in the unraveling of the truth about Sully’s true identity to Sharon. GH’s Epiphany (Sonya Eddy), Bobbie (Jacklyn Zeman) and Amy (Risa Dorken)

OUT: PRACTICING CLERGY Once upon a time, spiritual advisers were a soap mainstay (think GL’s Rev. Ruthledge or OLTL’s Rev. Andrew Carpenter). But it’s hard to find good religious help these days! DAYS’s defrocked priest, Eric, is doing time for drunk driving, while GH revealed that Griffin is both a neurosurgeon and a priest — but that he’s taken a leave of absence from his diocese. B&B’s Reverend Rydell may have been timely with filing Steffy and Wyatt’s wedding certificate, but he wasn’t so good at dodging the law when he was caught burglarizing Liam’s pad. B&B’s Rev. Rydell (Chaz Bono)

IN: COMMUTING TO WORK Out of state? No problem. Taking a plane to work in Los Angeles has become the thing to do. To wit: Steve Burton (Dylan, Y&R) and Melissa Reeves (Jennifer, DAYS) are based in Tennessee; Jacob Young (Rick, B&B) goes back and forth to Utah; Eric Martsolf (Brady, DAYS) now calls Las Vegas home; Roger Howarth (Franco, GH), Thorsten Kaye (Ridge, B&B) and Karla Mosley (Maya, B&B) split their time between New York and Los Angeles; Ingo Rademacher (Jax, GH) crosses the Pacific from Hawaii; Jess Walton (Jill, Y&R) is in Oregon; and B&B’s Executive Producer/Head Writer Bradley Bell travels between California and Hungary, where his wife, Colleen, serves as the U.S. ambassador. B&B’s Thorsten Kaye (Ridge) and Jacob Young (Rick)

IN: MOVIES OF THE WEEK Movies of the week were a big perk in actors’ contracts in the ’80s and ’90s, but as networks veered away from the format, stars’ opportunities dwindled. Enter Lifetime and Hallmark, two biggies that recognize the value of hiring popular daytime faces. Hallmark tapped DAYS superstar Alison Sweeney (ex-Sami) to headline a series of mystery flicks with ALL MY CHILDREN alum Cameron Mathison (ex-Ryan), and Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco, GH) and Vanessa Marcil (ex-Brenda, GH) were center stage during the net’s wedding push in June. Lifetime has also gotten in the game, hiring DAYS’s Jen Lilley (Theresa) and Arianne Zucker (Nicole). And Y&R’s pint-sized powerhouse, Alyvia Alyn Lind (Faith), is playing a young Dolly Parton in NBC’s stories of the singer’s life. MURDER, SHE BAKED stars Alison Sweeney (ex-Sami, DAYS) and Cameron Mathison (ex-Ryan, ALL MY CHILDREN)

OUT: FURRY FRIENDS Animals aren’t entirely absent from the daytime canvas, thanks to Roxy, the trusty bearded dragon companion of GH’s Finn, but the fur ain’t exactly flying these days. GH’s Nina rejected the rescue pup Franco tried to gift her, and Jason nixed the cutie going to Jake (though Daisy did ultimately go to a good home — off-camera). The fate of the shelter kitten Liam got B&B’s Hope was never addressed when she jetted out of L.A.; we haven’t seen Nicole’s pooch, Pookie, on DAYS in years; and on Y&R, there’s been nary a trace of Victor’s dog or Nikki’s horses. GH’s Finn (Michael Easton) and Roxy

IN: DEFUNCT SHOW HIRES If there’s any upside to the multiple soap cancellations over the last decade, it’s the availability of popular stars who have been plucked to play news roles. ALL MY CHILDREN’s Rebecca Budig (ex-Greenlee) and ONE LIFE TO LIVE’s Bree Williamson (ex-Jessica) found homes on GH as Hayden and Claudette, respectively, and Trent Dawson (ex-Henry, AS THE WORLD TURNS) was another happy hire as Huxley. OLTL alum John-Paul Lavoisier (ex-Rex) landed on DAYS as Philip, after Melissa Archer (ex-Serena, DAYS; ex-Natalie, OLTL) and Kassie DePaiva (ex-Eve, DAYS; ex-Blair, OLTL) had already visited. Y&R snatched up Michael E Knight (ex-Tad, AMC) to play Simon, and his former co-star Chrishell Stause (ex-Amanda, AMC) is doing a stint as Bethany. With a talent pool this deep, the possibilities are endless for soaps’ casting departments. Bree Williamson (Claudette, GH)

IN: DYING WITH A SECRET Dead men tell no tales, which has proven beneficial for a quartet of characters. B&B’s Dr. Wolin was slammed by a truck and killed at what turned out to be the most opportune time for Ridge: The doc was blackmailing him with the news that his vasectomy was irreversible, thereby making it impossible for him to have fathered Douglas. Y&R’s Sage met her maker moments after discovering that baby Sully was actually her biological son, not Sharon’s (not long after “Dr. Anderson” perished before divulging her orchestration of the baby switch, or her true identity as “Sandra Allen”). And GH’s Carlos was stabbed to death by Julian, but perished before he was able to name his assailant (or implicate Paul for Kyle Sloane’s murder). Y&R’s Sage (Kelly Sullivan) and Sharon (Sharon Case)

IN: STAND-ALONE EPISODES  In January 2006, GUIDING LIGHT borrowed from then-ABC hit LOST and unveiled a new storytelling format, where one episode a week focused on a single character or storyline. A decade later, the idea is still being employed, to great success. DAYS has been the most creative and prolific, with episodes built around Stefano’s funeral, Jennifer’s addiction battle, Abigail’s descent into madness and Hope’s romantic dilemma. GH’s Jason had (nearly) total recall in an hour devoted to the long-awaited moment of him regaining his memory. And Y&R is usually good for A Christmas Carol-themed entry around the holidays. DAYS’s Abigail (Kate Mansi) and Ben (Robert Scott Wilson)

IN: SECRET CHILDREN Soaps’ family trees sprouted a few more branches, with mixed results. After the successful integration of the Avant clan to B&B, along came Sasha, Julius’s secret daughter from Chicago, whose reveal set the family reeling. With Duke gone forever, GH introduced his charming, never-before-mentioned son, Griffin. From day one, Matt Cohen seamlessly entered the hospital — and the canvas — sharing beautiful scenes with Finola Hughes’s Anna and a messy past with Nathan. Over at DAYS, giving Maggie yet another sudden child — Summer — may have sounded good on paper, but its execution was a bust. Rewriting Maggie’s back story on the farm was one thing. Giving her an unlikable grifter for a daughter was a path to nowhere, evidenced by Summer’s impending exit from the canvas. B&B’s Nicole (Reign Edwards) and Sasha (Felisha Cooper)

IN: ESTRANGED DADS AND SONS Family dysfunction is a forever in, but father/son discord is trending. The fact that B&B’s Thomas took advantage of a drunk, pill-popping Caroline hasn’t earned him any of Ridge’s respect or affection but Ridge is lording his control over the end result — Douglas — and doesn’t appear to be giving up. Despite the fact that he lost Bo last November, DAYS’s Victor has all but shunned his remaining son, Philip, and is curiously cruel whenever Philip tries to make amends. Meanwhile, the push/pull of Y&R’s Victor and Adam’s tenuous bond reached a fever pitch when Adam accused his prisoner father of framing him for murder. Y&R’s Adam (Justin Hartley) and Victor (Eric Braeden)

IN: ADDICTIONS The battle to stay clean has never been so compelling, thanks to some relatable tales and memorable performances. B&B’s Katie hit the bottle hard when she thought Bill and Brooke were getting too close for comfort. After sneaking sips and hiding bottles, Katie vowed to stop boozing, not realizing that her worst fears had come true and her sister and husband were sharing stolen kisses. DAYS’s Jennifer began popping pills after a car crash on New Year’s Eve, which led to a shocking downward spiral the Salem sweetie, and ended with her family rallying around her to help her kick the habit. Y&R’s Neil and Nikki both fell off the wagon, but confessed to their slips in an attempt to get back on the program. DAYS’s Jennifer (Melissa Reeves)

OUT: FOREVER COUPLES Maybe we were spoiled by the supercouple sagas of the ’80s and ’90s, but is it really too much to ask that happily ever after isn’t just a romantic fantasy? DAYS’s Bo and Hope were torn apart forever by his heartbreaking death, Justin and Adrienne called it quits again, and Steve and Kayla are in limbo over issues that they should have worked out decades ago. Over in Genoa City, Victor and Nikki are on the brink of divorce, and Jack and Phyllis and Billy and Victoria are all facing relationship woes. As for “forever” and “GH,” they haven’t seemed to mix for a while now. Luke and Laura didn’t get a proper good-bye scene last year, but that was still a kinder fate than it dealt Duke and Anna (he was murdered the night they reconciled); these duos were the last two vestiges of the show’s supercouple heyday. GH’s Anna (Finola Hughes) and Duke (Ian Buchanan)

OUT: BIG WEDDINGS Months-long buildups, splashy locales, long, romantic ceremonies and most of the town in attendance used to be de rigueur for soap nups. Today’s weddings are far more modest. B&B’s Wyatt and Steffy had the most lavish celebration of late, and that was a small ceremony on the beach in Malibu. DAYS’s Aiden and Hope planned their nups around the town’s bicentennial celebration, but it felt tucked into the main event. The show’s hot duo, Chad and Abigail, said their “I dos” in the shrunken study of the DiMera manse, with barely any Hortons in attendance. GH’s Sonny and Carly married in hospital chapel before a few family members; ditto Lucas and Brad, albeit in Alexis’s living room, while Hayden and Nikolas eloped to Vegas, and Carlos and Sabrina tied the knot off camera. On Y&R, the most recent nuptials were those of Dylan and Sharon, conducted, in keeping with soaps’ new reality, in her living room. GH’s Hayden (Rebecca Budig) and Nikolas (Tyler Christopher)

OUT: MEDDLING MOMS Nosy family members have always been good story spoilers, but none more so than a mom. The death of Stephanie ended the game on B&B, but now Y&R’s Gloria is missing in action, leaving sons Kevin and Michael to fend for themselves; and Jill isn’t on frequently enough to truly get into Billy’s business. DAYS is trying to make it happen with Adriana, but mama bear Kate is so focused on Deimos that she has barely had time to worry about what Philip and Lucas are up to. And while she doesn’t always succeed, GH’s Carly is at least trying to let her sons conduct their own lives. DAYS’s Kate (Lauren Koslow) and Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier)