Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Super Soap Weekend 2008 Event Details

Cameron Mathison will headline "ABC-SOAPnet Super Soap Weekend" November 15th and 16th at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Also joining the stellar lineup of 30 stars from the ABC Daytime dramas are Thorsten Kaye, Aiden Turner and Rebecca Budig from ALL MY CHILDREN, Erika Slezak, Michael Easton and Kristen Alderson from ONE LIFE TO LIVE, and Laura Wright, Kelly Monaco and Jason Thompson from GENERAL HOSPITAL. Soapnet.com will reveal the full "Super Soap Weekend" all-star lineup on Tuesday, September 30.

This year will mark the last "Super Soap Weekend" in Orlando, as ABC's Daytime division embarks on the 2009 "Soap Nation Tour," a collection of nationwide events designed to interact with fans on a year-round basis, offering greater access to stars in more cities, more often. The final Walt Disney World weekend will be dedicated to the fans with special retrospectives and exclusive productions.

This year special trivia and commemorative clip packages honoring the 45th anniversary of GENERAL HOSPITAL, the 40th anniversary of ONE LIFE TO LIVE, ALL MY CHILDREN's 10,000th episode and past "Super Soap Weekends" will be shown during the event. "Super Soap Weekend" will become more interactive than ever with the introduction of new mobile programs and text trivia. A special musical number will be developed for Colgate Total Street Jam that honors the final event as well.

Throughout the weekend, fans will have the opportunity to meet favorite stars from ALL MY CHILDREN, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and GENERAL HOSPITAL. Festivities include celebrity motorcades, autograph sessions, game shows, interviews and the chance to purchase one-of-a-kind memorabilia from each of the shows. The Colgate Total Street Jam will close the event each day with live musical performances by some favorite Daytime Stars. Colgate Total toothpaste has served as the presenting sponsor of the event for nine consecutive years.

"We recognize that we live in a 'Soap Nation'-from primetime soaps to daytime soaps to reality and celebrity soaps, they are all around us. The 2009 tour will be a collection of coast-to-coast fan-based events that will ignite our Soap Nation," said Brian Frons, president, Daytime Disney-ABC Television Group. "Our fans have told us that they want us in their neighborhoods, so we are traveling our daytime talent to better serve them. The new year will bring new ways to involve our stars in more events, in more cities, more often." Frons continued, "We thank Walt Disney World for being a wonderful host and partner and look forward to our plans to send 'Super Soap' off with a bang and the celebration it deserves."

"We have certainly enjoyed hosting the ABC soap stars-and their fans-over the years, and we're going to make sure this year's event is a fitting finale," said Rilous Carter, vice president, Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Confirmed events within the 2009 "Soap Nation Tour" that support the new effort begin on the west coast with the maiden voyage of "SOAPnet Presents Rock the Soap," a three-day cruise (from Los Angeles to Mexico) hosted by Bob Guiney and filled with top daytime stars, including Rebecca Budig, Thorsten Kaye, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Kassie DePaiva and Bree Williamson, and featuring musical performances, autograph sessions and parties. More information about the event can be found at www.rockthesoap.com; new contests will be developed to provide trips to New York so winners can attend Broadway Cares, a one-night musical celebration featuring daytime stars, and continued participation in the CMA's Music Festival with stars attending the event weekend. Additional information regarding new fan experiences and expanded affiliate events will be released next year.

"ABC-SOAPnet Super Soap Weekend" is included with theme park admission to Disney's Hollywood Studios - where guests of all ages are caught up in the glitz, glamour and excitement of show business. For future updates and more information about "ABC-SOAPnet Super Soap Weekend," guests may call the recorded Super Soap Hotline recording at (407) 397-6808, or visit the ABC Daytime website at ABC.com.

PREVIEW: Tonight's GH: NIGHT SHIFT


Episode 211 ("Love/Hate") – Robin reaches out to her mother Anna (special guest star Finola Hughes) for support, after Robert is brought in for emergency surgery. Meanwhile, the staff has a hard time treating a group of racists, Patrick makes a stand, and Eric (special guest star Chad Allen) questions Kyle about why he can't forgive Claire and Leo for sleeping together, on GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT, Tuesday, September 30 (11:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m., ET/PT) on SOAPnet.

The Latest in Soap Videos

Here are some of the latest soap additions from around the web.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Secrets from the Texas set (includes former ATWT star Zach Roerig).

INSIDE SOAP AWARDS: EASTENDERS was the big winner at Monday's award ceremony.

TOP MODẼLES: Taylor dit à Brooke que s'il lui restait un soupçon de dignité,elle prendrait ses affaires et quitterait sa maison et celle de Ridge avant qu'il ne lui dise de partir.

CARJACK: Preview of today's AS THE WORLD TURNS.


News Brief

LYNN LICCARDO: In A Funk (more Bloom/Goutman reaction)
"I'm looking for some kind of logic here, however misguided it may be. Both P&G soaps, GUIDING LIGHT and AS THE WORLD TURNS, have felt like a series of unconnected stories for a while now....Of all of the complaints about soaps today, the lack of connection among the individual stories looms the largest."

A Soap Shrink Special: The Valuable Lesson You Can Learn From B&B's Stephanie Forrester
Damon L. Jacobs writes: "Soap operas are unique in their ability to slowly portray a character’s bad behaviors, tragic downfall, and ultimate redemption. But lately I’ve been troubled by the vehemence of the anger, blame, and finger-pointing OFF screen. We have all recently seen actors, producers, anonymous bloggers and even journalists engage in attack, blame, and judging. My feeling is that many are ignoring the most consistent and essential thread in the soaps’ history: Good people do messed up things when they are afraid. If someone is in pain or insecure, they are more likely to lash out at others than to ask for help. They deserve empathy and understanding, not attack. Case in point: Stephanie Forrester."

Same time, different channel for Y&R in Philly today
CBS' THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS will air at 12:30 p.m. today on WPSG (Channel 57) to make room on KYW (Channel 3) for EYEWITNESS NEWS' live coverage of the funeral of slain Philadelphia Police Officer Patrick McDonald, according to a spokeswoman for the two stations.

Should funeral coverage extend past 1:30 p.m., today's THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL will also air on Channel 57.

Blurb on Sharon Wyatt's NIGHT SHIFT appearance
University of Tennessee graduate Sharon Wyatt is reprising her GENERAL HOSPITAL role of Tiffany Hill on the soap's spin-off, GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT, on Oct. 21. Wyatt played Tiffany for most of the 1980s and into the 1990s. She earned her secondary education degree from UT and did her student teaching in Harriman. She is originally from Cookeville, Tenn.

PHOTO GALLERY: Inside Soap Awards
More photos from the Inside Soap Awards 2008 where EASTENDERS took home gongs including Best Soap.

"Jonathan's Story" out on paperback today
Today is the official publication date for the mass market, paperback edition of "Jonathan's Story" by Julia London and Alina Adams.

Featuring all of the material available in the New York Times' best-selling hard cover edition, the $7.99 reprint also boasts an exclusive, all new chapter updating Guiding Light fans on what everyone's favorite bad boy -- and his adorable little girl -- are up to now.

GH's Jason Thompson at Walmart in Dekalb

Info from the first stop on Soap Opera Digest's "Shop Like a Soap Star" national tour.

UPDATE: Eileen Fulton's contract
As previously reported, the AS THE WORLD TURNS legend recently signed a new contract with the soap. It is now confirmed to be a two year deal which will take her to the 50th anniversary on the show as Lisa.

"Soaps In The City"...IN LA Cover Shoot

At "Michael Fairman On-Air On-Soaps" this week, the ramp up begins for our "Soaps In The City" charity fundraiser for the upcoming AIDS Walk Los Angeles and official launch party for www.michaelfairmansoaps.com on October 16th.

It starts with your first look at the behind-the-scenes video and special interviews from our cover shoot for IN LA Magazine hitting the newsstands today, September 30th.

Y&R's Michelle Stafford, DAYS' James Scott, B&B's Heather Tom, GH's Kimberly McCullough, along with Michael Fairman, took part in this very special and historic cover shoot, which for the first time in IN LA's history, has soap stars featured on the cover! Make sure to check out the special "Soaps In The City" and IN LA cover shoot special which included shoot photo gallery, videos, and confirmed attendees. Lots of terrific content at http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/SITC/.

Photo credit: John Paschal/JPI Studios

News Brief

INTERVIEW: B&B's Heather Tom
"I am working for Obama right now, and we are working hard to bring change to America. The other issue is for the proposition 8 issues for people living in California. I think it’s important they have to vote “No”. A lot of people are confused as to what this is, and basically it means they want to strip rights away that have been granted by the Supreme Court of California. We have to make sure they fail in their efforts, and that they are exposed for the hate-mongers they are."

INTERVIEW: ATWT's Grayson McCouch
"I was in the garden at my house, thinking about all the weeds and someone came and got me and said [Executive Producer] Chris Goutman is on the phone. He said he wanted to know if I was interested in coming back to the show. To which my response was, 'of course.' Eight months of not acting, I was ready to get back in the saddle. I owe a lot to Nick [Chris Goutman's son], his friendship, we kept in contact. Nick was one of the guys when things weren't working my way, telling me everything is going to be alright. I have friends like him, and his father, that they would always take care of me and they gave me a lot of support in a time when I was trying to take things by storm."

INTERVIEW: DAYS OF OUR LIVES' James Scott
"I am not going to pretend to be an expert. However, when I was living and working in New York for example, I did some work with an AIDS hospice with kids who were HIV+, whose parents had died. Some of the children had been put in care facilities when their parents could not deal with them anymore. That was because children born with HIV have a lot of problems, and they all seemed to fall in the same socio-economic demographic. They were the people who had no voice. If it was a disease that affected the most affluent one percent of society, you can be pretty sure it would have been a major election and political issue. I think you will find that it falls to the smaller social groups be it: race, economic, social, or sexual statuses, who tend to have less of a voice in this country."

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES down but still Sunday's top show
Despite falling 7% from last fall's first showing, ABC's DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES was Sunday's highest-rated program averaging 18.4 million viewers in overnight ratings.

INTERIVEW: Y&R's Michelle Stafford
"I feel that people with a lot of things and a lot of money, who buy pretty things, and don’t do things with it, are just the most boring people in the world. They are the most angry, most selfish, and they are stuck to their things. I would rather stick 16,000 needles in my eye than hang out with somebody like that. There is nothing wrong with having things, if you have the money to buy it, but if you are not giving back you are just a very sad individual, to me."

INTERVIEW: ALL MY CHILDREN's Aiden Turner
Turner, who plays Aidan on AMC, was the guest on "Soap Box" last night.

Today's Soap Star Birthdays

William Christian (ex-Derek, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 53

Monday, September 29, 2008

Will Dailey To Perform On ATWT


CBS Records recording artist Will Dailey will perform his hit singles "Boom Boom" and "Rise" his most recent album Back Flipping Forward, on AS THE WORLD TURNS, Friday, Oct. 3 on the CBS Television Network. Dailey will play himself in scenes as he performs at Metro for a benefit to save the Snyder farm. There, Dusty (Grayson McCouch) surprises most of Oakdale with his return.

Dailey released his album Back Flipping Forward in 2007. In 2006, he took home a Boston Music Award for Best Male Singer/Songwriter.

He previously appeared on CBS-TV's CSI: NEW YORK and appears on the soundtrack for the CBS series NUMB3RS and CSI: MIAMI, and The CW's GOSSIP GIRL.

News Brief

INTERVIEW: GH and NIGHT SHIFT star Kimberly McCullough
"I was watching everyone talking about Sarah Palin on CNN. Oh, my God! I did not know if I wanted to throw up or cry. I am so infuriated. I feel like the main thing that frustrates me, is that sense of, 'Well, I worked so hard for it, so I get to keep it.' It’s that whole greed thing. Then, if you are not greedy you are called a Socialist, because you want people to be successful. It’s so far from being a Socialist; it’s not even funny. If you had a lot of money you wouldn’t think twice about helping somebody who doesn’t have it. I think it’s just greed and being self-centered, when people do not give back."

Disney prepares for last Super Soap weekend -- promises fitting finale
In a press release issued today, Brian Frons said ABC wants to send its soap stars on a national promotional tour in 2009, rather than sponsor one big Super Soap Weekend at Disney World. “Our fans have told us they want us in their neighborhoods," he stated

“We thank Walt Disney World for being a wonderful host and partner and look forward to our plans to send Super Soap off with a bang,” Frons added.

“On My Porch” Chat – The 2008 Election with Daytime for Obama
Wednesday, October 1, Nancy Lee Grahn and her special guests from Daytime for Obama, Jane Elliott, Mary Beth Evans, Susan Flannery, Kimberly McCollough, Heather Thom, Kelly Monaco, Kim Zimmer, Kassie Depaiva, Bree Williamson, Deidre Hall and Debbi Morgan. Visit the "Politics" forum to learn more! (work schedules permitting) will gather at her house to discuss the upcoming election, with a particular focus on issues critical to the well-being of women and children in our country. They’ll be joined by Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) via teleconference for this in-depth conversation that we will cover live in the nancyleegrahn.com chat room.

The chat room has space for everyone to join from 8:00 pm EST to 9:00pm EST.

Directly following that, fans are invited to interact with Nancy and her guests in the “Politics” forum at nancyleegrahn.com. Start a thread to pose your questions about the election, candidates, or issues that matter to you (anytime between now and next Wednesday) and the actors will reply with their answers and opinions on Wednesday night. We’ll also leave the chat room open for you to chat with each other about the issues, election, and question responses and the actors will pop in to join the discussion from time to time.

Jesse McCartney Pledges 'GREEK'
The actor/singer/songwriter has enrolled in ABC Family's guiltless pleasure GREEK. The ex-ALL MY CHILDREN star will play the recurring role of Andy, a heavily recruited freshman jock who'll be torn between rushing the KT and OX houses. McCartney will make his Greek debut in early '09 when the show kicks off its fourth season/cycle.

"Out" in Hollywood: Starring Roles Are Rare
The New York Times published an interesting article on being "out" in the entertainment industry. Despite inroads made by out celebrities like Neil Patrick Harris and T.R. Knight, many actors remain in the closet out of fear their career would be negatively impacted.

“The industry is persuaded that being known as gay will undermine your credibility both as romantic lead or an action star,” said Larry Gross, director of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California and author of a book on media portrayals of gays and lesbians.

“They don’t test it,” he said. “We’re waiting for the Jackie Robinson moment when someone tests that assumption and discovers it’s not true.”

Chad Allen, 34, a child actor on shows like ST. ELSEWHERE and DR. QUINN, MEDICINE WOMAN, said steady work dried up in 1996 after a tabloid ran a photograph showing him kissing another man. The DR. QUINN cast was supportive and he remained in the family-oriented show, he said, but after the series ended, “It was tough.”

“I couldn’t get an audition for a pilot after that,” he said.

But Mr. Allen, who attended college and continued to do some work in film, found new roles a few years ago, with the advent of gay-oriented cable networks. In channels like Here! and Viacom’s Logo, openly gay actors have played lead roles as private detectives, vampires and superheroes. Mr. Allen now stars on NIGHT SHIFT and in a mystery series on Here!, in a role he describes as “a good detective who happens to be gay.”

Bravo picks up SWINGTOWN reruns
Bravo cut a deal with CBS Paramount Network Television to acquire rights to the entire 13-episode first season of languishing drama SWINGTOWN. The NBC Universal-owned cable network plans to begin airing episodes in October.

EASTENDERS regains best soap crown
EASTENDERS has swiped back the best soap crown from CORONATION STREET and swept the board at the Inside Soap awards with nine gongs.

For the second year she triumphed as best actress and best couple alongside Charlie Clements, who plays her on-screen husband Bradley Branning.

Max and Stacey's affair revealed at Christmas won EASTENDERS the best storyline award, beating other plotlines including the death of Vera Duckworth in CORONATION STREET.

Robert Kazinsky, who plays Sean Slater, was named best actor as well as sexiest male. Rob James-Collier, who is bowing out of CORONATION STREET as Liam Connor, was last year's sexiest male. He was also shortlisted this year.

EASTENDERS' wins included Rita Simons clinching the best newcomer award for her role as Roxy Slater and Cheryl Fergison scooping the funniest performance for her character portrayal of Heather Trott. Kara Tointon (Dawn Swann) picked up the award for a second time for sexiest female.

Last year was the first time CORONATION STREET had won the best soap title at the Inside Soap awards in more than a decade. This year CORRIE retained its reputation as the home of the screen villain for the fourth year in a row, with Jack P. Shepherd scooping best bad boy for his evil doings as David Platt for the second year in succession.

CORONATION STREET's Kym Marsh was named best-dressed soap star at the awards, sponsored by LittlewoodsDirect.Com.

Meanwhile, the outstanding achievement award was bestowed upon Chris Chittell, who has entertained viewers over the years as EMMERDALE's Eric Pollard.

Ellis Hollins, who plays Tom Cunningham in HOLLYOAKS, was awarded the best young actor trophy for the second time. And THE BILL was awarded best drama for the third year running.

TV Guide Canada's Weekly "Nelson Ratings"



The latest "Nelson Ratings" from TV Guide Canada's Nelson Branco are now available.

In addition to reviewing the week in soaps, naming his top-rated actors, and providing next week’s viewing cheat-sheet, Branco takes a look at potential nominees for "guest actor" if the Daytime Emmys decide to add that category next year.

He also takes a look at the controversial Todd-Marty storyline on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

Soap Stars' Kids Love Sleeping Beauty


ALL MY CHILDREN star Cameron Mathison and his children Leila and Lucas attend the 50th Anniversary release of the Walt Disney classic Sleeping Beauty at Chelsea Cinemas in New York City on Sunday.

ONE LIFE TO LIVE actors Thorsten Kaye, Susan Haskell brought daughters McKenna and Marlow as well.

The Latest in Soap Videos

Here are some of the latest soap additions from around the web.

IN LA MAGAZINE: James Scott (DAYS), Kimberly McCullough (GH), Michelle Stafford (Y&R) and Heather Tom (B&B) come together to shoot the cover of IN Los Angeles Magazine to promote "Soaps in the City," a benefit for AIDS Project LA.

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: Last night's Season 5 premiere was excellent.

BROTHERS & SISTERS: The wonderful Walker family.

VANCE JEFFERIS: The former OLTL star (he played Dorian's nemesis Matt McAllister in 1974 and 1975) appeared on TIME OUT WITH KEVIN GALLAGHER.


News Brief

Michael Damien at cancer walk; will appear on Y&R in November
Damien participated in the 10th annual UMass Medical School Walk to Cure Cancer yesterday.

“My godmother/aunt passed away two days ago. It happened really fast. She was diagnosed with a rare stomach cancer and then she was gone. This is the least we can do,” said Mr. Damien, who volunteered his services and flew his band and a friend with cancer to Massachusetts just for the cancer walk.

“I believe in this cause deeply, and support the research that is going on now. I put the concert (date) on MySpace and it was amazing how many people responded with stories of their own. It was my honor to help,” said Mr. Damien.

Damien will be on the set of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS in October, with episodes to air in November.

Actress Heather Locklear Arrested
Former DYNASTY and MELROSE PLACE star Heather Locklear has reportedly been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance in Santa Barbara, California.

Patrol spokesman Tom Marshall said 47-year-old Locklear was pulled over by a California Highway Patrol officer on Saturday afternoon.

It followed a passer-by telling police that the actress left a car park "driving erratically".

The officer noticed Locklear's vehicle parked on a state highway and blocking a lane in Montecito - a wealthy community about 90 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

She was believed to have be alone in the car, Mr Marshall said.

Locklear was taken to the police station, where she was tested for alcohol and drugs.

She was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of prescription medication.

Arrest photos showed a huge ring on her finger. She was apparently staying at the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito with B&B star Jack Wagner.

THAAO PENGHLIS is "bewildered"
"Off to NY and Wash. on Tuesday for meetings for one week. Had a DOOL show yesterday with Lexie. It went very well. Sorry to say but there has been so little story that I'm a little bewildered. It was going so well. But I'm doing other things that could be very exciting."

Favorite DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES quotes from last night's premiere
Edie to the ladies: "Oh, you don't know. I have a husband now!" Susan: "Really? Whose?"

Edie to Gabby on her looks: "What happened to you?" Gabby: "I had two children." Edie: "For what, breakfast?"

Colin Egglesfield: Soap Opera Heart Throb and Entrepreneur
On how he manages his time being both an actor and t-shirt entrepreneur: "It’s tricky. The key is to have good people around to to delegate to. My sister helps with PR. She fields inquiries, samples, and distributes press kits. My brother helps with the inventory. Lots of friends help out in different ways such as helping me out at trade shows. I’m talking to a manufacturer and distributor that I’ll possibly working with. It’s getting to a point where I can’t do it myself…you have to give up certain part as you grow because you can’t do it all after a certain point."

'Another World' Alums Anna Holbrook & Kale Brown Visit 'Scripts & Scruples (Audio)

Daytime Emmy Award-winning actress Anna Holbrook, and her Another World co-star, Kale Browne, appear on today's episode of indie web soap Scripts & Scruples. They plan Sam's parents, Maggie and Alan Zegas.

Sam (Nathan Rollins) brings Stacey Gamage (Melissa Rae) to dinner at his parent's house in Montclair, New Jersey. They are surprised at Stacey's age, and it's obvious they are dealing with some serious issues of their own.

Listen to today's episode (#860):



PREVIEW: Coming up on Wednesday's episode of S&S, Tristan Rogers from General Hospital: Night Shift appears as crooked attorney, Garfield Merriweather.

Today's Soap Star Birthdays

Drake Hogestyn (John, Days/ex-Roman, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 55
Andrea Pearson (ex-Gia, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 31

Sunday, September 28, 2008

CHUCK Season 2 Launch Party


The cast of CHUCK attended NBC's Season 2 launch party at PURE Nightclub last night in Las Vegas.

Among the cast in attendance were former PASSIONS hunk Ryan McPartlin, Yvonne Strahovski, Zachary Levy, Sarah Lancaster and Joshua Gomez.

News Brief

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES tries a new direction
Series creator Marc Cherry shifted the series five years ahead so he could take new, fresher, directions with the characters.

"The soap tends to build up and I wanted to get back to where we were that very first season where it's just the problems of some ordinary women and they were small and relatable And, of course, the ball will start rolling and pick up steam as the year goes on. But I thought it would be a good chance to do something interesting and give everyone some challenges."

KEVIN MCDONOUGH: Do these sisters ever listen to themselves talk?
"The problems on BROTHERS & SISTERS don't get solved right away, but gosh, those Walkers seem terribly focused on their faults and confront them with the zeal of a patient paying a therapist $400 an hour.

BROTHERS & SISTERS hardly has the market cornered on unreality. Some series make you wonder whether their creators live on the same planet as the rest of us. And they go on to prove that depravity can be as boring as anything else."

Two brothers from San Diego in hit shows
Tonight will be a banner evening for Hillary and Jason Cotton. The Spring Valley couple's two sons, Maxwell, 8, and Mason, 6, have roles in back-to-back hit series on ABC.

First, on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES at 9 p.m., Mason will debut as the 5-year-old son of Teri Hatcher's character, Susan (the series speeds ahead five years from last season's finale when she gave birth).

Then, at 10 p.m., Maxwell reprises his role as Sally Field's grandson on BROTHERS & SISTERS. Maxwell has played Cooper since the TV series began two years ago.

Former ATWT star Runyeon to speak at Holy Trinity Catholic
Former soap actor Frank Runyeon will do a one-hour performance titled "Sermon on the Mount," followed by a 30-minute talk on "Hollywood vs. Faith" at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church -- Richmond, 571 Howard St. in Kalona.

Lago gives back rubs for a good cause
Actor David Lago, formerly of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, gave impromptu back rubs for $20 at the local United Cerebral Palsy celebrity waiter luncheon last Friday.

Today's Soap Star Birthdays

Susan Walters (ex-Diane, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Lorna, LOVING) - 45
Todd Rotondi (ex-Bryant, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 34

Saturday, September 27, 2008

The Latest in Soap Videos

Here are some of the latest soap additions from around the web.

OLLIAN: Christian and Constantin read Lydia's blog. Gregor visits Olli.

DARK SHADOWS: Minisode #36 - Elizabeth convinces Victoria to stay at Collinwood. Roger tells Sam not to paint Burke's portrait.

MEG RYAN: The former ATWT star is on the cover of In Style in October.

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: A promo for Sunday's Season 5 premiere.


News Brief

Sabato keeps daytime sizzling
Antonio Sabato Jr. wrote a fitness book called "No Excuses" about staying fit, but it wasn't the writing that sold 300,000 copies. "I go, 'OK, I'm just going to write a book,' and the company that I worked for said, 'We have to shoot pictures.' And then people just kind of bought it for the pictures, which is fine, but I still wrote it, and I still believe everything I said."

In 2006, Sabato Jr. returned to the soaps to play Dante Damiano in THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL. Sabato Jr. eventually quit the series because his storyline was moving too slowly.

This year he has signed on to reprise the role of Jagger Cates on the GH spinoff, GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT.

And he is waiting for his star to shine again. "Actors are always, always working, always going to auditions, trying to get jobs. How do I succeed? You try to be focused, you try to be humble, you try and do your work. That's all you can do and everything else is not up to you."

HOLLYOAKS: Mercedes discovers she may have HIV
Malachy knows he needs to be a brave man this week. He has to tell Mercedes that he may have infected her with HIV, but quite understandably, he's dreading the thought of starting that conversation.

Mercedes soon finds out the truth of her own accord and confronts Malachy about it at the Dog. In full public view she forces him to admit that he may have infected her with HIV.

A distraught Mercedes then seems to hit her self-destruct button, as she's just unable to come to terms with the shock. Jacqui eventually persuades her sister to go for a test, so that she can find out the truth one way or another.

Dunmore native takes home Daytime Emmy for OLTL
One day, not long after becoming the lighting designer for ONE LIFE TO LIVE, Bob Bessoir Jr. was sitting on the show’s set with its director, watching the day’s drama unfold on a monitor. As they chatted, Catherine Hickland, one of the soap’s very attractive blond actresses, passed by.

“You see her?” the director said to Mr. Bessoir. “Make her look good, and you have a job for life.”

What wise counsel that proved to be. Mr. Bessoir has spent the past decade making the soap’s thespians look good, and the industry has finally given him his due.

In June, the former Dunmore resident took home the trophy for Outstanding Lighting Direction for a Drama Series at the Daytime Emmy Awards, which he shared with fellow OLTL lighting designer Scott Devitte. It was Mr. Bessoir’s first win in five nominations.

“Every time you get nominated, it’s a great honor, because that means your peers are nominating you. It was a sense of relief and happiness at the same time,” said Mr. Bessoir, who gave a short, off-the-cuff speech on behalf of himself and Mr. Devitte. “You’re hopeful that you’re going to win but you don’t know. When you win, it’s a great feeling. It’s almost otherworldly.”

Staten Island Philharmonic goes "On the Town" with Kathy Brier Sept. 27
ONE LIFE TO LIVE star Kathy Brier stars in a one-night-only Staten Island Philharmonic presentation of the classic musical "On the Town" Sept. 27. Douglas Leland directs the production with choreography by Kate Valle and musical direction by José Alejandro Guzmán. The evening also features the 25-piece Staten Island Philharmonic.

Arab TV Tests Societies’ Limits With Depictions of Sex and Equality
Many Arabs were shocked and appalled earlier this month when a prominent Saudi cleric declared that it was permissible to kill the owners of satellite TV stations that broadcast “immoral” material.

But the comment, by Sheik Saleh al-Luhaidan, was only the most visible part of a continuing cultural controversy over Arab television. This summer another Saudi cleric denounced the Arab world’s most popular television show ever — the dubbed Turkish series NOOR — calling it “replete with evil, wickedness, moral collapse and a war on the virtues.” He also barred Muslims from watching the series, which portrays the lives of moderate Muslims who drink wine with dinner and have premarital sex.

Saudi clerics have denounced popular soap operas like BAB AL-HARA, which attract enormous audiences during Ramadan.

And last week, as if to provide comic relief, a third Saudi cleric said (in all seriousness) that children should not be allowed to watch Mickey Mouse, labeling the cartoon character a “soldier of Satan” who should be killed.

Molly's Stanton's DO NOT DISTURB first casualty of new prime time season
Fox's DO NOT DISTURB has become the fall TV season's first official cancellation, officially checking out after just three episodes. DISTURB averaged a 1.6 rating and 4 share, and pulled just 4 million viewers in its trio of airings. Writing was already on the wall for the show Thursday, when Fox decided to pre-empted next week's episode in favor of a second 'TIL DEATH seg.

SCRIPTS & SCRUPLES: Episode #859
Rex is upset at Perry's recent behavior.


INTERVIEW: Matt Borlenghi
The new DAYS OF OUR LIVES star appeared on "Stardish Radio" earlier this week.

Today's Soap Star Birthdays

Peter Simon (ex-Ed, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Scott, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW; ex-Ian, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 65
A Martinez (Ray, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Roy, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Cruz, SANTA BARBARA) - 60
Patrick Muldoon (ex-Austin, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 40
Derrell Whitt (Lucas, SCRIPTS & SCRUPLES) - 20

Friday, September 26, 2008

News Brief

Desperately good . . . a look at the season premiere of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
Amy Amatangelo writes: "I’ve seen the first two episodes of the season and I’m so relieved to report that the show is back on track. The time travel corrects some of the core problems that had stymied the series and returns the series to its season one entertaining combination of mystery, camp, humor and wit."

UGLY BETTY's Ana admits past abuse
She may play Betty's feisty no-nonsense sister Hilda in Ugly Betty, but Ana Ortiz has revealed that she once let herself be pushed around by a boyfriend.

The 37-year-old actress, who is now happily married to musician Noah Lebenzon, told US Weekly that she was once a victim of domestic abuse.

"It started with him humiliating me in front of my friends, calling me 'sl**', saying, 'You're so stupid', and shamelessly flirting with women. It escalated to shoving and manhandling me - and always because I tried to stand up for myself or because he felt disrespected. One time I jokingly called him a name, and it set him off on a tirade of abuse and pushing me around."

DEEP SOAP: Veterans Day
Sara A. Bibel blogs: "I am baffled as to why daytime would choose to portray veterans so negatively. While it’s true that a few soldiers have returned home from war and committed despicable violent acts, 99% would never even contemplate hurting a woman or child."

EASTENDERS theme more familiar to Brits than "God Save the Queen"
The theme of BBC soap EASTENDERS is more easily recogniZed by Brits than the UK national anthem, according to a new poll. Almost four in ten people say they are more familiar with the theme tune than "God Save the Queen."

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES jumps 5 years
Creator Marc Cherry promises that while he's bringing the show back to earth, it won't stay there indefinitely.

"Of course, the ball will start rolling and pick up steam as the year goes on," he said. "But I thought it would be a good chance to do something interesting and give everyone some challenges. That's what I love about my gals is that, for all the glamour, they're all actresses first. And that can't be said on some TV shows because I have friends who constantly marvel at what my gals allow me to do and how ridiculously silly I make them and how wickedly driven I make the characters, but they really go with me. And I've always been very fortunate in that regard."

INTERVIEW: Ilene Kristen
Kristen, who plays Roxy on ONE LIFE TO LIVE and Marilyn in the upcoming Manhattanites, was a guest on "Stardish Radio" earlier this week and had a lot to say about the upcoming election, her roles on the soaps and more.

The Latest in Soap Videos

Here are some of the latest soap additions from around the web.

PAUL & JAMES: A preview of Monday's episode of AS THE WORLD TURNS.

AS THE COOKIE CRUMBLES: Episode #2 - Tension mounts in the tea-house as past relationships with missing person Kim Maxwell are exposed. Meanwhile Daphne and Diana both fall for Officer Steve.

JOAN COLLINS: The former DYNASTY and GUIDING LIGHT star appeared on THE TODAY SHOW last week.

DRESSING ROOM: B&B's Hunter Tylo gives a tour of her dressing room.


TV Guide Canada's Weekly "Suds Report"

In his weekly "Suds Report" column for TV Guide Canada, Nelson Branco covers the following stories and much more:

Monavie-gate: Ingo Rademacher versus Steve Burton!

AMC’s Rebecca Budig out?

Confirmed: Amanda Baker fired!

Exclusive: Eric Braeden discusses his new TV role!

DAYS casts Galen Gering and Eric Martsolf! Is Forbes March next?

ATWT's Dylan Bruce exit interview!

GL's Nicole Forester out!

News Brief

Kiss between Jake & Taylor on AMC put on hold
ALL MY CHILDREN star Ricky Paull Goldin (Jake) reveals that a key scene between Jake and Taylor set to air next week was rewritten at the last minute.

"We were scripted to kiss, but we all decided that it felt a bit rushed," Goldin tells the New York Daily News. "So we didn't actually touch lips."

Fans know that AMC scooped up Goldin and Beth Ehlers (Taylor) from their former soap (GUIDING LIGHT) after negotiations went south. The two, who played popular supercouple Gus and Harley, have been slowly integrated into AMC, where they will soon become a couple as well.

"We reblocked the scene," says Goldin. "I take her hand and end up slow-dancing with her. You can't force this stuff down people's throats."

Sarah Michelle Gellar making her TV comeback on HBO
The former ALL MY CHILDREN and BUFFY star is poised to return to TV with WONDERFUL MALADYS, a half-hour series about three adult siblings who lost their parents at a young age that was written with Gellar and HBO in mind. In her first regular TV role since BUFFY ended in 2003, Gellar will play a character who has "a kind of zealous immaturity -- like a drug addict with a to-do list," said the show's writer, Charles Randolph. Gellar, meanwhile, says the HBO project is "a terrific next chapter for me."

Kelly Ripa reveals her workout secrets on the cover Of Shape Magazine's November issue
A toned Kelly Ripa graces the cover of Shape magazine's November issue, wherein she shares her cooking secrets and her favorite workout routine.

The 37-year-old mother of three shares a little multi-tasking secret saying, "I'd say 99 percent of my cooking, I've either learned from the guest chefs on the show or from watching the Food Network while I'm on the treadmill."

INTERVIEW: ATWT legend Eileen Fulton
"When I went on the show was in black and white and all the sets were painted a dark green. Everyone had the same color walls in Oakdale, except one very rich woman, Claire Cassen. She had green and white wall paper. Irna Phillips (series creator and head writer for over 15 years) wouldn't even let us have flowers because we were supposed to be middle class and poor."

Larry Bryggman in "Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing"
Emmy-winning television and film actor Larry Bryggman (the former Dr. John Dixon on AS THE WORLD TURNS) plays the husband and 'asdeftly adds a tension Mrs. Miller can't easily fix.' Mr. Miller, a resident of the Clairmont Convalescent Home, angrily accepts the reality of his circumstances that his wife refuses to acknowledge as she dabs at his mouth, and sings "Nearer My God To Thee."

Santos Ortega reference in Yankee Stadium article
John Hanlon was born in Chicago but moved to Tenafly, N.J., as a youngster after the death of his father. His mother, Virginia Maddocks, was a Broadway actress and friends with actor Santos Ortega, best known as Grandpa on AS THE WORLD TURNS.

Several times, Hanlon and Ortega’s son, Stephen, piled into Ortega’s Rolls Royce and headed off to the Bronx.

“When you’re 10 years old, do you know how incredibly cool it was to be taken across the George Washington Bridge to the greatest city in the world to the cathedral of baseball? I can still see the Rolls Royce, and off we’d go,” recalls Hanlon, 51, an attorney for the state appellate defender’s capital trial assistance unit in Springfield.

Days at Yankee Stadium meant watching boyhood idol Mickey Mantle — and some bad baseball, says Hanlon, as the Yankees had plummeted in the standings in the late ’60s.

It's All About The Cheese


Matthew Borlenghi (formerly Ziggy on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL and Brian on ALL MY CHILDREN and now the new Mayor of Salem on DAYS OF OUR LIVES) attended the 7th Annual Precious Cheese Italian Feast Of San Gennaro, Los Angeles last night.

News Brief

The truth about soap's most hated man
He’s embroiled in one of the darkest and most disturbing storylines EASTENDERS has ever attempted – and Chris Coghill knows it will turn him into public enemy number one. He’s barely been in Walford five minutes and already his character, evil pedophile Tony King, has become the most hated figure in soap.

“From time to time members of the public may confuse reality with the soap, but I’m an actor, not Tony. I’m a bit worried about that, but I’m a big boy – I’ll get a big hat and a pair of sunglasses.”

The shocking moment teenage temptress Rosie Webster strips on CORONATION STREET
While ITV dumps its commitment to serious programmes it shows no signs of losing its taste for the salacious. CORONATION STREET executives have put the character Rosie Webster at the heart of a tawdry storyline which sees the teenager try to seduce a man twice her age.

Greetings from the Shore a disappointment to Jersey
"The actors are cast well and fit their roles by look alone, despite poor acting and accents fading in and out among the immigrants. Shaw and [ONE LIFE TO LIVE's David] Fumero do a decent job in portraying their cliché movie roles, but still lack the substance to make their story believable."

Brandon and Dylan return to 90210....sort of
In "Model Behavior," the episode of 90210 airing Sept. 30, we learn that Brenda (Shannen Doherty) has been keeping in close contact with twin brother Brandon and ex-boyfriend Dylan. In this ep, Brenda reveals some heretofore unknown details about Brandon's current whereabouts.

But that's not all. Next week, that wayward Dylan finally phones home again. Apparently the call is to Brenda's phone, but both Brenda and Kelly end up talking to him, and after the fact, the two girls get into a "tense" convo (most likely because he calls Brenda's phone).

CADY MCCLAIN: More Thoughts
"I have found that it is important to recognize that while we may be special and unique as individuals, as human beings we are more similar than different. Recognizing that we all have similar needs and dreams is useful to making laws to help us as a large and varied nation within a large and varied world."

DANCING WITH THE STARS Power Rankings, Week One
#9 - Susan Lucci & Tony Dovolani: ALL MY CHILDREN star needs to work on pretty much all her moves.

Jean Carol to Star in Actor's Group Theatre's "Mastergate"
Former GUIGIND LIGHT star Jean Carol will star in Larry Gelbart's Mastergate, to play the Actor's Group Theatre, October 3-November 2. Penny L. Moore will direct. The satiric farce takes the form of a congressional hearing looking into shady doings between a film studio and the White House.

OLTL airdate from ESPN fantasy sports expert Matthew Berry
"For those that care, the episodes of ONE LIFE TO LIVE that I appear on will air Nov. 5 and 6. I'm guessing I might bring it up a lot more as it gets closer."

Today's Soap Star Birthdays

Stephen Markle (ex-Mel, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Ted, THE EDGE OF NIGHT)

Thursday, September 25, 2008

The Latest in Soap Videos

Here are some of the latest soap additions from around the web.

SOAP-IVOR: Vying for the trophy and a seat at Rachael Ray's kitchen table are Brandon Buddy from ONE LIFE TO LIVE, ALL MY CHILDREN's Chrishell Stause, and Kane Manera from GUIDING LIGHT.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS: Sneak peak of Kevin and Scott in the Season 3 premiere episode.

TRILLIONS: Episode 6 "SHANE ON YOU!"

OLLIAN: Lydia starts to write a blog about love and Constantin quotes a part of it to Olli and Christian.


DEGRASSI: New Students... New Drama!

Fall has arrived and high school is back in session for a few new underclassmen at Degrassi, when The N premieres a new season of the award-winning hit teen drama DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION with a special hour-long episode on Friday, Oct. 10, at 8:00 p.m. (ET). Degrassi's new students may think they're ready to navigate their new surroundings with the help of new best friends, cliques and boyfriends, but they'll soon discover that this high school redefines teenage drama.

Beginning Friday, Oct. 3, and leading up the new season premiere, The N will "Get Ready for DEGRASSI" by airing every episode ever of the hit teen series and showing sneak peeks of the new season. Marathons of the series will run from Friday, Oct. 3, at 3:00 p.m. through Monday, Oct. 6 at 9:00 a.m., and weekdays from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. On Friday, Oct. 10, The N will run an all-day marathon, leading up the anticipated one-hour premiere at 8:00 p.m. (ET).

In the Degrassi premiere, "Uptown Girl," teen mom Mia, desperate to have a normal teenage life, is relieved of her after-school parental duties by her mom. Mia takes full advantage of her newfound freedom and her chance to do it all, joining the cheerleading squad, making new girlfriends, catching the eye of Degrassi's star quarterback, and the ultimate teen girl's dream -- landing a plum modeling contract. But will Mia be able to balance cheerleading, a new boyfriend, new friends, and life in the limelight as a working model? When Mia has the chance to book the ultimate job -- becoming the new face of a hot, new ad campaign -- she's faced with some tough choices and the harsh realities of fame. Mia wants the job so badly that she's willing to do just about anything to land it, but at what cost?

Degrassi also welcomes a new class of "gifted" freshmen, including Clare, Darcy's buttoned-up and book-worm younger sister. Having the beautiful, prom queen for an older sister isn't easy and there's no way Clare is even going to try to follow in Darcy's footsteps. She claims that she doesn't care what people think and is only at Degrassi for one reason, to learn. But that claim is immediately challenged when she meets K.C., a cute skater and fellow gifted freshman. He sees through her "just here for school" act and tries to break through her tough shell. When he challenges her to an 'open mic' performance in the school cafeteria, things don't go the way either of them expect and Clare is brutally humiliated before the entire school.

Meanwhile at Smithdale University, it's far from one-for-all, and all-for-one, when Degrassi grads Emma, Liberty and Manny are assigned different roommates in a housing mix-up. Manny and Liberty are just as happy to start fresh, part ways and embrace the opportunity to meet new people. But Emma is determined to keep them together and to their dismay, spends hours negotiating with the housing department to get them reassigned together ... along with Kelly, a fourth roommate, who is not at all what they are expecting and definitely going to make dorm life a lot more interesting.

Daytime Ratings from the 2007-08 Season

From ABC Daytime:

For the Season, "General Hospital" and "One Life to Live" Surpass Time Period Competition on CBS by Double-Digit Percentages in Both Key Targets Women 18-34 and Women 18-49.

* For the 2007/08 season, ABC was Daytime's No. 1 network in Women 18-49 (1.3 rating/883,000; tied on rating).

* For its drama lineup only, ABC wrapped the 2007/08 season as Daytime's No. 1 network in Women 18-49, topping runners-up CBS (1.3 rating/871,000) and NBC (1.3 rating/869,000) by 8%.

* "The View" and "General Hospital" swept Top 5 ranks for the season in Total Viewers (No. 4 - 3.44 million and No. 5 - 2.94 million, respectively), *Women 18-34 and **Women 18-49.

* In Women 18-34, ABC positioned all programs among the season's Top 5 in Daytime: "General Hospital" (No. 1T - 1.0 rating/341,000), "The View" (*No. 4T - 0.9 rating/310,000), "One Life to Live" (No. 5T - 0.8 rating/282,000) and "All My Children" (No. 5T - 0.8 rating/254,000).

* In Women 18-49, "General Hospital" (No. 2 - 1.5 rating/999,000), "One Life to Live" (No. 3T - 1.3 rating/878,000) and "The View" (**No. 3T - 1.3 rating/854,000) placed among Daytime's Top 3 programs in the key demographic.

* A Top 5 player in Daytime for the last half of the season (23 straight weeks), "One Life to Live" overshadowed CBS' "As the World Turns" at 2 o'clock by 35% in Women 18-34 (282,000 vs. 209,000) and by 16% in Women 18-49 (878,000 vs. 756,000).

* At 3 o'clock, "General Hospital" nearly doubled CBS' "Guiding Light" for the season in Women 18-34 (97%; 341,000 vs. 173,000), and surpassed the time period rival by 44% in Women 18-49 (999,000 vs. 694,000) and by 21% in Total Viewers (2.94 million vs. 2.43 million).

Following are the Daytime Lineup averages, plus Top 5 Programs Ranks - 2007/08 Season:
Daytime Rank:        Total Viewers                Women 18-49 (Rtg/000s)
No. 1 CBS 3.80 million No. 1 ABC 1.3/883,000
No. 2 ABC 2.89 million No. 1 NBC 1.3/869,000
No. 3 NBC 2.70 million No. 1 CBS 1.3/834,000


Top 5 Daytime Programs in Women 18-49 (rank based on rating):
Program                    Net              Rtg/000s
The Young & the Restless CBS 1.8/1.17 million
General Hospital ABC 1.5/999,000
One Life to Live CBS 1.3/878,000
Days of Our Lives NBC 1.3/869,000
The View ABC 1.3/854,000
Bold and the Beautiful CBS 1.3/851,000
Days of Our Lives NBC TBD/TBD
As The World Turns CBS TBD/756,000
Guiding Light CBS TBD/694,000

Daytime Nielsen Ratings For Week of Sept. 15-19, 2008

From the ABC Daytime ratings release:

* ABC ranked as Daytime's No. 1 network in Women 18-49 (1.3 rating/868,000), surpassing CBS (1.2 rating/789,000) by 8% and NBC (1.1 rating/709,000) by 22%.

* Placing all programs among the Daytime's Top 3, ABC dominated the competition by double-digit percentages for the No. 1 position in Women 18-34 (1.0 rating/324,000), topping NBC by 43% (0.7 rating/246,000) and CBS by 67% (0.6 rating/209,000).

* For the third week running, "The View" (No. 3 - 3.71million) and "General Hospital" (No. 5 - 2.93 million) placed among the week's Top 5 most-watched programs in daytime in Total Viewers, with both Elite 3 players in target Women 18-34 and Women 18-49.

* In Women 18-34, all ABC programs positioned among Daytime's Top 3 programs, including the week's No. 1 with "General Hospital": "General Hospital" (No. 1T - 1.0 rating/353,000), "The View" (No. 3T - 0.9 rating/318,000), "One Life to Live" (No. 3T - 0.9 rating/318,000) and "All My Children" (No. 3T - 0.9 rating/306,000).

* In Women 18-49, ABC delivered 3 of the week's Top 5 programs in Daytime: "General Hospital" (No. 2 - 1.5 rating/998,000), "One Life to Live" (No. 3T - 1.3 rating/849,000) and "The View" (No. 3T - 1.3 rating/836,000).

* Extending its streak as a Top 5 player in Daytime to 23 straight weeks, "One Life to Live" surpassed CBS' "As the World Turns" in the 2 o'clock hour by 85% in Women 18-34 (318,000 vs. 172,000) and by 14% in Women 18-49 (849,000 vs. 747,000).

* At 3 o'clock, "General Hospital" nearly tripled the delivery of CBS' "Guiding Light" in Women 18-34 (182%; 353,000 vs. 125,000), and towered over the time period competitor by 74% in Women 18-49 (998,000 vs. 575,000) and by 44% in Total Viewers, or by almost 1 million (2.93 million vs. 2.03 million).

Following are the Daytime Lineup averages, plus Top 5 Programs Ranks - Week of September 15, 2008:
Daytime Rank:        Total Viewers       Women 18-49 (Rtg/000s)
No. 1 CBS 3.35 million No. 1 ABC 1.3/868,000
No. 2 ABC 2.93 million No. 2 CBS 1.2/789,000
No. 3 NBC 2.32 million No. 2 NBC 1.1/709,000


Top 5 Daytime Programs in Women 18-49 (rank based on rating):
Program                    Net              Rtg/000s
The Young & the Restless CBS 1.7/1.13 million
General Hospital ABC 1.5/998,000
One Life to Live CBS 1.3/849,000
The View ABC 1.3/836,000
Bold and the Beautiful CBS 1.3/834,000
Days of Our Lives NBC TBD/TBD
As The World Turns CBS TBD/747,000
Guiding Light CBS TBD/575,000

The Latest in Soap Videos

Here are some of the latest soap additions from around the web.

RAY MONTEZ: Ray (A Martinez) arrives in court and announces that he wants to be Langston's legal guardian.

REBECCA BUDIG: Zootoo.com's Adoption is the Option PSA.

WATER AID: EASTENDERS star Brooke Kinsella appears as a surgeon in an ad for Water Aid, the charity that campaigns for the world's poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.

10 QUESTIONS: B&B's Brandom Beemer answers questions from fans.


News Brief

DANCING WITH THE STARS: Lucci survives
Former DYNASTY star Ted McGinley was eliminated from DANCING WITH THE STARS last night. The actor and his professional partner, Inna Brayer, were eliminated Wednesday from ABC’s dancing competition. Comedian Jeffery Ross and partner Edyta Sliwinska were dismissed Tuesday's show. Susan Lucci survived to dance again next week.

BARBARA BLOOM: On GUIDING LIGHT
"It will never revert to a traditional format. It will however, continue to evolve to get the kinks out. CBS is not yet fully comfortable with where the production values are. What you're seeing on the air now has better camera direction. We've gotten out of some of those tight places. The lighting and audio have improved. We still have a ways to go on some stuff. [The writers] are coming up with strong story that the audience can sink its teeth into while the kinks are being knocked out of the production model."

SOAP-IVOR on RACHAEL RAY today
Brandon Buddy (Cole, OLTL), Chrishell Stause (Amanda, AMC) and Kane Manera (Grady, GL) will participate in SOAP-IVOR on the Thursday episode of THE RACHAEL RAY SHOW. Emmy-winning host Jeff Probst will run them through their challenges. "Honestly, if it weren't for the eating situation on Survivor, I think it'd be really fun to do, but I don't know if I could eat rats," Stause told Soap Opera Weekly.

Ex-soap hunk Trachta hunkers down at Spa
Former B&B star Jeff Trachta brings that show this week to the Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs for an unlimited run in the Cascade Lounge.

“Think of it as a combination of Tracy Ullman and Carol Burnett,” Trachta said as he prepared for Friday night's opening.

Top Up adds Disney, ABC shows to Anytime
Top Up TV will add 400 hours of programming from Disney-ABC-ESPN Television to its library, it was announced today. The first seasons of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, GREGY'S ANATOMY and UGLY BETTY will be among the shows joining the Anytime service from September 27.

Maria Kyriacou, senior vice president for new media distribution at Disney-ABC-ESPN, said: "We’re committed to working with international partners in the new media space to bring our content to viewers in flexible ways - the impressive back catalogue of these award-winning hit series lends itself perfectly to Top Up TV Anytime’s on demand offering, where viewers will be able to revisit them, or discover them for the first time."

Today's Soap Star Birthdays

Josh Taylor (Roman/ex-Chris, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Jed, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Quint, GUIDING LIGHT) - 65
Mark Hamill (ex-Kent, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 57
Hunter Garner (ex-Billy, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 29
Van Hansis (Luke, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 27
Alexis Manta (ex-Amanda, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 19
Justin Carroll (ex-David, PASSIONS)

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

The Latest in Soap Videos

Here are some of the latest soap additions from around the web.

OLLIAN: Christian again tells Olli that he loves him and this time Olli's awake.

BRUENING: Former AMC hunk Justin Bruening, star of NBC's KNIGHT RIDER, is interviewed on POPTUB.

FLETCHER IN PETER PAN: NEIGHBOURS star Alan Fletcher, who plays Dr Karl Kennedy in the Australian soap, is looking forward to playing Captain Hook later this year.

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: In a sneak peak at this Sunday's premiere, Edie returns with her new husband to Wisteria Lane and realizes that there gave beeb major changes over the past five years.


News Brief

GUIDING LIGHT: Nicole Forester out
"The decision was storyline-dictated," says a rep, adding that she'll last air in November and there are no plans to recast the role. "Nicole will be missed, and we wish her great success in her future endeavors." CBS Soaps In Depth is reporting that Forester took the news that her contract wiuld not be renewed in stride, since her personal life is about to change dramatically: While she hadn't yet told her bosses the actress is expecting her first child with beau Paul Brown, and they're getting married in October!

GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT Pulls a Stunner

Marlena De Lacroix blogs: "Last night I unexpectedly saw the best soap opera scenes of the year. They were in, of all places, GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT! They came from the heart and the head. They were thoroughly human. I could relate to them perfectly. And I was so stunned to see authentic drama on my screen, I almost couldn’t fall asleep afterward."

Will CW revive MELROSE PLACE?
Former MELROSE PLACE star Lisa Rinna says she's been hearing some buzz that the 1990s Aaron Spelling nighttime soap could be getting an update.

Two "duds" debut tonight including KNIGHT RIDER
Jonathan Storm of the Philadelphia Inquirer opines: "Because the show is filled with sexy chicks and speedy cars, it's not hard to imagine hordes of college boys in the common room cracking up over [Justin Bruening's] KNIGHT RIDER, a remake that stays true to the awfulness of the original. It's so bad it's good, in a bad way. And if you think that sentence makes no sense, wait till you see KNIGHT RIDER.

The impact of NOOR
"The show may have ended but the fallout from ‘Noor’ has changed many peoples’ lives forever. Women, inspired by NOOR, are putting down their aprons and heading to the office to earn their own living. There have also been reports of spouses becoming disenchanted with each other and some even have gone as far as filing for divorce on the criteria that either spouse was not as amazing and beautiful as Mohannad or Noor."

Pelphrey turns down GENERAL HOSPITAL
CBS Soaps in Depth is reporting that Tom Pelphrey has passed on GH's offer to play opposite Maurice Benard as Sonny's son, not wanting to commit to a long-term soap role.

SCRIPTS & SCRUPLES: Episode #858
Casey (Tom Baran) finds a drunken Perry outside Hannah's door.

Eric Braeden To Guest on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER

Matt Mitovich at TV Guide is reporting that Eric Braeden of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS fame has scored a gig on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, playing Robin's father. His name? Robin Charles Scherbatsky, Sr.

(Apparently Alan Thicke is only Robin Sparkles' dad, in the "Sandcastles" video.)

The storyline set-up: As Ted and the gang hide in a restaurant from... er, someone, they each take turns recounting the the one person they would most hate to run into. Robin's pick is her father, seeing as she has Daddy issues — in that hers always wanted her to be a boy.

New Martha Byrne Interview

Two-time Emmy winning actress Martha Byrne, who left AS THE WORLD TURNS after more than two decades in April, has given a wonderful interview with TV Guide Canada's Nelson Branco.

Byrne, like many soap actors I've met, seems to really understand the issues plaguing daytime soaps today.

"Daytime is all about character, which is why it’s always been successful. The problem is when you try to infuse plot into a character’s life without explaining why, well, the viewers tune out. Fans need to know why someone is acting the way they do — and we need to see the consequences of those actions. Because I’m writing a lot now, I have Marland’s bible and rules near my desk — which is all about one thing: character, character, character! The stories will take off themselves, and like you said, flow organically if the character comes first. If you focus on plot, then it’s also very difficult for the actor because the character’s growth and trajectory is [thickly veiled]. It’s no secret Douglas respected the fans. I kept a New York Times article in which he was quoted: 'The audience is always two steps ahead of me; I got to find a way to stay three steps ahead of them. So my goal is to be unpredictable.' That’s what an audience wants to see — period."

The Latest in Soap Videos

Here are some of the latest soap additions from around the web.

QUICKSTEP: Susan Lucci and Tony Dovolani do the Quickstep on last night's DANCING WITH THE STARS.

NIGHT SHIFT: Kyle (Adam Grimes) met new love interest Eric (Chad Allen) on last night's episode.

DUSTY'S BACK: A short reminder of how Dusty "died" on AS THE WORLD TURNS in January. He returns today.

DR. MCSWINNY: Michael Phelps' GREY'S promo spoof.


News Brief

DANCING WITH THE STARS UPDATE: Lucci rebounds
Orlando Sentinel: "Comedian Jeffrey Ross was the first ejectee Tuesday night. Daytime diva Susan Lucci and chef Rocco DiSpirito had bombed in Monday's season premiere. Oh, how they rebounded Tuesday. Lucci executed an elegant quickstep."

Lucci "wasn't that impressive"
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "Susan Lucci started slow with her quickstep, but then picked it up toward the end. Still, it wasn't that impressive. She'll hang in there for now. How long depends if she can learn the more difficult dances."

Lucci not as "frail"
Chicago Sun-Times: "Susan Lucci didn't look quite so frail tonight during her quick step. Must have been the whole crouton she ate for lunch. Way to go Susan!"

DEEP SOAP: Sell Me On It
Sara A. Bibel blogs: "It looks like ABC is on the same wavelength as I am about viewer frequency. The network is launching a major new promotional campaign, 'Take a Look Now.' While some fans might mock the line about the commitment to great stories, I’m again impressed by ABC’s efforts to promote its shows."

INTERVIEW: ONE LIFE TO LIVE star Andrea Evans
On what's ahead for Tina: :I think more vintage Tina and more what the fans want to see. I think the fans were very happy to have Tina come back for the 40th anniversary. We did the Medorra storyline, which is very 80’s Tina. Totally 80’s Tina….. and gave the audience what they want. I think now, they want to see her blend in to her roots with the family, and involved in more of the storylines that are in Llanview."

DAYS' Mary Beth Evans talks about her SVU appearance
"At the Daytime Emmys, I sat next to Bruce Evans [head of NBC daytime] and we became fast friends. I even sent his mother one of my apple pies. He said he wanted to make [DAYS OF OUR LIVES] less of an island and get people from our show onto other NBC shows. He called me up later and said I'd get to be the test case."

GREY'S adds McHunky to start fifth season
McDreamy and McSteamy, make way for McHunky. That's right. There's a new doctor operating on GREY'S ANATOMY, the ABC hospital drama that begins its fifth season with a two-hour episode on Thursday.

And the new cast member actually has a last name that Mc-fits the GREY'S Mc-nickname pattern for its so-called "studs in scrubs" characters. Scottish actor Kevin McKidd, best known for his star turns on HBO's ROME and NBC's short-lived JOURNEYMAN, makes his first appearance Thursday night as U.S. Army surgeon Owen Hunter.

TV GUIDE: James Stenbeck to die....again
Next week, AS THE WORLD TURNS kills off supervillain James Stenbeck when he takes a flyer off a lighthouse. But is he really most sincerely dead? As veteran ATWT fans know, Stenbeck has come back from the dead many times--even after a fall from an airplane.

CADY MCCLAIN: Why Palin is a Moron
"I think Palin is an ignorant woman. An ambitious woman, but an ignorant, closed minded one. A dangerous combination. History has shown us what people like this do."

Author will reveal the secrets of Milford-Haven
Mara Purl sees the Central Coast as something of a “spiritual home.” In fact, the Los Angeleno is so smitten with the area that she’s placed the location of her Milford-Haven novels (and radio soap) slightly north of Cambria.

She has been a reporter for publications from The Financial Times of London to Rolling Stone, with stints along the way with Working Woman Magazine and The Christian Science Monitor.

Those platforms helped launch successful careers as an educator, author, producer, creator of a British radio drama based on Milford-Haven and a regular role on DAYS OF OUR LIVES (ex-Darla Cook).

As varied as her career has been, she says, “Writing is my passion; story is the lens through which I look at life.”

Hansis thanks fans for raising $7,100 and counting
ATWT's Van Hansis, who turns 27 on Friday, responded to learning fans had donated money in his honor to sponsor a student at his high school: "Walnut Hill is a private school, and thus, students and their families have to pay their way. The school is very generous with scholorships and never wants to turn away a student due to thier financial background, but sometimes the school needs help. And you all, through your donations and dedication, helped give a student the help he needed. You raised $7,100 to date for this student. That is amazing. And you did it in my name. That is one of the kindest, most humbling experiences of my life."

I presented him with a bag full of birthday cards from fans and the gift at Sunday's Broadway Flea Market.

HOLLYOAKS star grateful for BSAs backing
HOLLYOAKS star Roxanne McKee has credited the British Soap Awards for improving the image of the show. The actress, who plays Louise Summers, admitted that the Channel 4 soap was mainly known for its attractive cast before it scooped six prizes at the ceremony in May.

"It used to have that image but recently it won six awards for writing and acting," Roxanne told Take 5 magazine. "It has been perceived as a show just about looks, but then it's a very young cast - and youth is always attractive. In EMMERDALE, EASTENDERS and CORRIE the cast is older, but the young people in those soaps are beautiful too."

Shannen Doherty: Leave Skinny 90210 Costars Alone!
“I see those girls and they eat on the set, so I’m pretty sure they’re not starving themselves."

Today's Soap Star Birthdays

Megan Ward (Kate, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 39
Michelle Ray Smith (ex-Ava, GUIDING LIGHT) - 34
Justin Bruening (ex-Jamie, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 29
Spencer Treat Clark (ex-Steven, ANOTHER WORLD) - 21