A traffic jam,
When you're already late,
A no smoking sign,
On your cigarette break.

"Ironic" —Alanis Morrissette

Congratulations to One Life to Live, which tonight took home the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Daily Drama Series, the same week the show's executive producer Frank Valentini decided to stop "advancing story" for the groundbreaking couple that helped them achieve the nomination in the first place. Sorry, still bitter. Kudos to OLTL's head writer Ron Carlvati, Scott Evans (Fish), Brett Claywell (Kyle), Nicholas Rodriguez (Nick), Robin Strasser (Dorian) and everyone else involved in this amazing, if not "mainstream", story.

This week in Daytime,

I called bullshit! One Life to Live's ratings decline was blamed on the gays because the storyline reportedly doesn't "resonate with the mainstream audience." Which loyal and core audience does ABC Daytime think helped make Grey's Anatomy the No. 1 show in all of primetime? Who do they think tunes into ABC's Sunday night scripted lineup of Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters? Who do they think made the Bravo network a smash success? Who do they think tuned in to Ugly Betty for four seasons? Fans of soapy storytelling and gays, that's who. The same "mainstream" audiences who enjoy the gay storylines at nighttime and on cable are the very ones who watch in the daytime.

The Kish storyline and its lead characters are far better than any gay storyline Desperate Housewives has given us. Kyle (Brett Claywell) and Fish's (Scott Evans) relationship has been more organic than anything the soaptastic Shonda Rhimes has penned for her lesbian characters on Grey's Anatomy. I would put Kyle and Fish up against Brothers & Sisters' Kevin (Matthew Rhys) and Scotty (Luke Macfarlane) any day. To ABC's rationale I say bullshit!

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I must say, the Kiefer/Kristina/Ethan story is being fairly well written. There was a beginning when Kiefer was the controlling abuser who always apologized and she accepted it. There was a middle with a friendship between Kristina and Ethan. Sam backed him off and Kristina got possessive and slightly stalkerish. Then, Ethan got angry and hands-on in front of witnesses. Sam later found Kristina and noticed the bruise. In the final chapter, Kiefer beats her and Ethan is the likely suspect. The only downside for me is why Kristina became so possessive of Ethan in the first place. Ethan was a bit over the top in his reaction to her. The story would have worked the same if he'd kept it down a notch, but those are just small problems.

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Network television might not be the safest place for daily serialzed dramas—or their fans— anymore, but it looks like our dreams of cable stepping up to the plate to save our suds may finally be starting to come true. New York Daily News is reporting TeenNick will be trying out the telenovela format for the upcoming 10th season of Degrassi: The Next Generation.

The network will air half-hour versions of the teen drama 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday for six weeks, Nickelodeon President Cyma Zarghami told the Daily News Thursday.

"We're making additional episodes, a little more in the telenovela format, a little bit faster, cheaper and more efficient," Zarghami said. "It will be, I think, a big success."

ABC Daytime has provided Daytime Confidential with a longer statement about One Life to Live executive producer Frank Valentini's head-scratching decision to stop advancing story for one of the soap's most popular couples, Kyle (Brett Claywell) and Fish (Scott Evans).

"The groundbreaking Kyle/Fish relationship on One Life to Live was embraced by fans both as a great story and a fair and honest reflection of the LGBT community. We’re glad their story resonated with the audience, and understand the fans’ disappointment now that it has concluded. The show has a history of bringing LGBT stories to the screen— earning two GLAAD awards in the process— as well as returning popular characters when they serve the ongoing story. These great characters remain in Llanview, and while there are no immediate plans to advance their story, the door is always open for their return."

I am really trying to remember all of the other reasons I love this show and not be too reactionary, but it's hard. REALLY hard!

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) isn't too happy about One Life to Live's decision to kick Kish to the curb. In a statement to TV Guide Canada, GLAAD president Jarret Barrios revealed his organization had sought out ABC Daytime to advocate for the popular pairing of Kyle (Brett Claywell) and Fish (Scott Evans) to no avail.

“The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) today advocated for continuation of the storyline of characters Kyle and Fish on One Life and spoke out on the importance of bringing fair and accurate media images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to Americans. Last summer, One Life brought a ground-breaking relationship into the homes of millions with Kyle and Fish’s story, one that built acceptance and understanding of gay people. While we understand that the close of storylines is a frequent occurrence on daytime dramas, cancelling this story just as it gains momentum is a step backward in ABC Daytime’s representation of the lives of gay Americans.”

He continues, “When news reports broke yesterday, GLAAD spoke to ABC Daytime to voice concerns over the cancellation and advocate that the storyline continue. We remain disappointed that ABC Daytime has chosen to stop sharing this powerful story with viewers of One Life. GLAAD will continue to advocate that in the near future, producers and writers at ABC Daytime incorporate gay and transgender characters in their programming.”

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Here’s the Scoop!

The story we’re all going to be talking about… Kristina’s abuse storyline! Is it wrong to be excited about a storyline featuring a teenager getting the crap beat out of her? Nancy Lee Grahn tweeted a few days back that Lexi Ainsworth was ‘acting the hell out of this abuse storyline’ and that only excites me more. Have I mentioned lately how much we love GH’s casting director Mark Teschner? We talked about Mr. Teschner and what we think he could do for All My Children on the latest ABC Podcast. Check it out!

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Outraged fans across the web are springing up to do whatever they can to prevent One Life to Live executive producer Frank Valentini from scrapping what many (including myself) feel has been the most authentic and successful gay love story daytime has ever told, that of Oliver Fish (Scott Evans) and Kyle Lewis (Brett Claywell). The best effort I've spied so far is the "Don't Put Kish In The Closet"  Post Card Campaign.

I haven't said much about all of this up until now, because my old J-School prof used to advise me to wait for 24 to 36 hours to write about something that really gets me fired up. Now if you read me here on this site, or follow me on Twitter, you know I rarely follow that advice, but for something this sensitive, this imperative, this game-changing for OLTL and, in my opinion, the entire industry, I decided to take a breather for a couple of days.

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As the World Turns' Terri Colombino and One Life to Live's Bree Williamson and David Gregory popped up at the 25th Annual Starlight Children's Foundation Gala on March 4 at the Marriott Marquis to help shed light on a worthy cause. Check out photos from the event. (Daytime Confidential)

In the spirit of ABC's "Rediscover" campaign, we've put together our own... Rediscover Hillary! With the reveal this week that Damon is actually the son of Hillary Wilson, one of Tad's former loves, this is the time to get to know her. Also the PVB is appealing to fans to get Carmen Thomas-Paris back in the role she created. (Pine Valley Bulletin)

The only thing in the world more pleasing to the ear than Olivia's righteously angry smackdown of Sonny would be the sentence "Breaking News: Bob Guza Fired!" But since we'll probably never get the hear the latter, the Serial Drama girls will just play (and re-play) the former when they need a pick-me-up. (Serial Drama)

If The Bold and the Beautiful's Steffy does just one thing right, she will convince the new owners to change the FC name from 'Forrester Creations' to 'Freakish Creations" or something because in my mind, that is the only way the buying public will ever be able to relate to these wretched retailers. (Soap Opera Examiner)

Wub Tub Sunday Surgery explores March General Hospital spoilers including the Keifer drama, newbies coming to Port Charles and some great tweets from your fave stars. (Wubs) READ MORE

On today's ABC episode of Daytime Confidential Luke, Jamey and Regan discuss the latest in All My Children, General Hospital and One Life to Live storylines and news, including:

Jamey's Blind Item news that former All My Children star Eden Riegel is going to The Young and the Restless. What does this mean for both soaps? AMC has said it wants to recast the role of Bianca, but should it when other roles need to be recast? Jamey outlines what AMC fans can expect if they tune in to Y&R to see Riegel. Is Annie's return to crazy land a good twist or a desperate move? Should the role of Scott be recast so that AMC can play up the Camelot angle?

Regan has a major problem with One Life to Live's Ford and how he's turned Langston into a panty dropper. Is he smarmy or is he a classic soap character? Has ABC and OLTL turned Scott Evans into a star Y&R should snap up? What can be done with Marty? Should she be moved back into Todd's orbit or should Clint and Marty fall for each other? Who should get custody of Sierra Mist? The DC gang reacts to Jessica reverting to 17 again. Did anyone care Melinda died?

Johnny takes on the Corinthos organization to try and make Sonny pay on General Hospital. Jamey believes GH needs to tell fans what illegal products Sonny and Jason are trafficking in. The claim he's shipping Cuban cigars doesn't cut it anymore. Does Elizabeth have too many children? Patrick confronts Sonny and calls him out. Luke is tired of Spinelli's small dog syndrome. Give Spinelli and Maxie a better storyline. Helena manipulates the paternity tests.

All this and much more on today's show.

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