Eric Martsolf
DIRECTV is giving Passions fans an easier way to follow their soap. When Passions ended its run after nine years on NBC, fans were left hanging. If you didn't make the switch from cable to DIRECTV to catch the new episodes (the soap has continued on the satellite provider's The 101 channel), you can now view them online.
DIRECTV now offers a subscription service to Passions for US$19.95 a month at www.nbc.com/passions. Each new episode from The 101 will be posted daily on the site and will be available to be watched for up to eight weeks. They have also added four new Passions LIVE! episodes to The 101 schedule, which is a weekly live call-in show featuring your favourite cast members. The programme is hosted by Ethan Winthrop himself, Eric Martsolf, and airs at 8 p.m. EST every Thursday.
Martsolf invites Passions stars to discuss their roles and answer questions from the live call-in audience. Fans can participate by calling 800-860-8537 to speak with their favourite actors directly or by submitting questions via e-mail to viewermail@passionsondirectv.com to be answered on-air. Fans can also visit www.stickam.com to post questions and videos to be aired on the live programme.
"The fans have spoken, and we're listening," said Eric Shanks, executive vice-president of DIRECTV Entertainment. "Since we announced the Passions move to DIRECTV, we've had a significant response from fans requesting that we continue to stream the show online. We know that Passions fans are religious about keeping up with the happenings in Harmony, and we are happy to be able to offer them the option of an online subscription if they cant make the switch to DIRECTV. Now fans can catch the daytime drama anywhere, anytime by signing up for the monthly subscription."
"The first four episodes of Passions LIVE! generated an overwhelming response from fans, so we knew we had to keep new episodes coming," said Patricia Ishimoto, general manager of DIRECTV Original Entertainment. "DIRECTV is breaking the mould, giving viewers access to their favourite soap stars on a weekly basis, and the cast enjoys having the opportunity to interact with their fans. It's a form of instant gratification for both the actors and the viewers."
unique feature
DIRECTV has also added a unique feature to its Passions episodes that includes interactive quizzes where viewers can use their remote controls to answer questions about the soap, characters and cast. These trivia tidbits will be found during each episode, testing fans on their Passions knowledge.
The Bold and the Beautiful has returned to its roots by wisely expanding the Logan family. When the soap debuted 20 years ago, there were two prominent families, the Forresters and the Logans. This year, Donna Storm and Katie Logan have all moved back to Los Angeles, the setting for B&B, joining their sister Brooke. Now their father comes home again when Patrick Duffy (ex-Bobby, Dallas) returns as patriarch Stephen Logan.
"Patrick was exquisite in his portrayal of Stephen Logan in 2006," says executive producer and head writer Bradley Bell. "I look forward to him reprising the role; a dynamic character that will reach ne as he stands up for his daughters and battles their archrival, Stephanie Forrester." Duffy played Stephen from April to June 2006. His return is slated for November 5.
- Dana Block
