Cable channel gets soapy with real-life soap stories

by Liz Masters

Posted Friday, August 03, 2012 1:19:00 AM

Is reality stranger than fiction? Possibly -- and one cable channel will be offering a series of special programming that could help fuel the debate. Investigation Discovery will broadcast real-life soap stories hosted by real-life soap stars.

Traditionally, it's been hard to tell if soap operas have been inspired by real-life situations or if the sometimes-crazy antics of the soaps have prompted real-life people to misbehave.


Now, the Investigation Discovery channel is turning the spotlight on soap operas by launching a new daytime lineup of shows about real-life soap operas. And while the series might not solve the chicken-and-egg dilemma, it certainly should be juicy to watch.


"Investigation Discovery is already the home of guilty pleasure programming, but perhaps there is no more popular example of a classic guilty pleasure than the soap opera. With ID being the #4 network in daytime for women 25-54, we realized that soap fans already love The Young and the Restless, so let's give it to them ID-style: The Young and the Reckless," said Henry Schlieff, president and general manager of Investigation Discovery.


The Days of our Knives block will premiere on Monday, August 20, 2012, from 1-4 p.m., starting with Tainted Love Week, hosted by Robert Newman (ex-Josh Lewis, Guiding Light) and his on-screen GL love interest, Kim Zimmer (ex-Reva Shayne, GL), which will run August 20-24.


Next, Wicked Women Week, hosted by Lynn Herring (ex-Lucy Coe, General Hospital/Port Charles), Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie Spencer, GH), and Judi Evans (Adrienne Kiriakias, Days of our Lives), will run August 27 -31.


The third week will be all about revenge with the appropriately titled Revenge Week, hosted by Drake Hogestyn and Kristian Alfonso (John Black and Hope Brady, DAYS), September 3-7.


Bad Boys Week, hosted by Matt Ashford (Jack Ashford, DAYS) and Kin Shriner (ex-Scott Baldwin, GH) will run September 10-14.


Double Lives Week, hosted by Laurence Lau (ex-Greg Nelson, All My Children) and Alicia Minshew (ex-Kendall Hart, AMC) will run September 17-21.


Family Secrets Week, hosted by real-life husband and wife, Austin Peck and Terri Conn (ex-Brad Snyder and Katie Peretti, As the World Turns) will run September 24-27.


The soap-themed programming is a clever promotion for the network's brand new series, Deadly Affairs, hosted by Susan Lucci (ex-Erica Kane, AMC). Viewers can catch a special sneak preview of Deadly Affairs on Monday, September 3, at 1 p.m. The show will officially premiere on Saturday, September 8, 2012, at 10 p.m.


Check your local listings for the channel in your area.

Making headlines on soapcentral.com: