News Round-up

The MAD MEN Dilemma
First THE SOPRANOS. Then THE WIRE. Why you might be suffering from Quality Show Fatigue.

TOM CASIELLO: Mythbusters, Soap Style - Part Three
"Even if you don't know the term 'C-story', you've seen hundreds of them. They're the least important story on the show at the moment, and it's usually used as a cutaway from the big heavy-hitter storylines. There seems to be a myth that if you just play this story one or two days a week, and just get through it as quickly and painlessly as possible, you've accomplished your goal."

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: GUIDING LIGHT's Kevin Mambo
The MTC and Goodman Theatre world premiere co-production of Lynn Nottage's RUINED confirms the critically acclaimed cast from Chicago will appear at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street).

The cast for the MTC run will include Kevin Mambo, who won two Daytime Emmy Awards for the role of Marcus on GUIDING LIGHT in the 90s.

NY TIMES: Is 'On Sale' the Greeting of the Season? And Other Questions
How many Young & Rubicam advertising executives do double-takes when they see the covers of magazines like Soap Opera Digest, Soap Opera Weekly and CBS Soaps In Depth — which typically abbreviate the title of the soap opera THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS — and read headlines like "Shake-Up at Y&R"?

LIPSTICK fans delayed gratification
During an interview this week about LIPSTICK JUNGLE the teetering NBC drama in which she stars, Ms. Shields embarked on an arcane discussion of the show’s performance in the Nielsen ratings, specifically its gains in the category of "live plus 7," when measured against "live plus same day." Translation: Among viewers 18 to 49, the group prime-time advertisers most wish to reach, the show’s ratings increase by about 29 percent — or by 652,000 viewers, to 2.3 million, according to the most recent Nielsen figures — when the numbers include people who take as many as seven days to watch an episode on digital video recorders as opposed to those who watch it live or within hours of its broadcast.

Vanessa Williams marks local cancer fundraiser
UGLY BETTY star Vanessa Williams was at Country Road Communications in Mount Kisco today, marking the start of a breast cancer fundraising campaign for Relay for Life.

By driving a pink post into the ground, Williams kicked off the "Post for a Cure" campaign, in which Campanella Fence Center of Mahopac will donate one dollar to Relay for Life for every post put in the ground through April 18.

The Latest in Soap Videos

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

JAKE!: A preview of this week's GENERAL HOSPITAL.

ELIZABETH HUBBARD: AS THE WORLD TURNS' "Lucinda" appeared on Dutch TV on MOOI WEER DE LEEUW on Saturday. Watch Part 2 and Part 3.

HOLIDAY PIE: GENERAL HOSPITAL's Kirsten Storms and Bradford Anderson appear in this cute SOAPnet holiday commercial.

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: A sneak peak at at Susan and Mike scene from tonight's episode.

FLASHBACK: NBC-TV Trying an Hour-Long Daytime; Proliferation Is Noted (1974)

NBC-TV Trying an Hour-Long Daytime; Proliferation Is Noted

by Les Brown
New York Times
October 19, 1974

When daytime soap operas moved from radio to television in the early nineteen-fifties, they retained the accustomed 15-minute format. In 1956, the networks found 30 minutes to be more suitable. Now, NBC-TV is preparing to expand one of its long-running daytime serials, Another World, to a full hour every day, beginning next Jan. 6.

If the innovation proves successful, NBC program executives expect that other serials will adopt the 60-minute format and that it will become standard for daytime melodrama. NBC also plans to experiment with a one-hour episode of its other soap operas, Days of our Lives and The Doctors.

News Round-up

Where are TV's Obama-like characters?
As Obama prepares to move into the White House in January, he and his family will be hard pressed to find blacks like themselves represented on any of the major networks -- ABC, NBC, CBS or Fox.

In fact, not only will they have great difficulty locating any black family in a leading role on the networks, they also will see it's nearly impossible to find a scripted comedy or drama that features a young person of color in a central role.

Budig leaving NY for Hollywood
Fort Mitchell native Rebecca Budig leaves ABC's ALL MY CHILDREN studio in New York early next year and returns to Hollywood to pursue TV and movie roles.

Budig, 35, had left the soap in 2007 and moved to Los Angeles. But she resumed the role of Greenlee Smyth du Pres Lavery in January.

"I will be on into spring with a great story line, I am told," says the 1991 School for Creative & Performing Arts graduate. "I will go back out to L.A. and definitely be looking for work again. It never ends as an actor."

Forget GOSSIP GIRL and bed-hopping. The American public, as it showed by electing Obama, is ready again for TV shows that reflect real life
Although there are exceptions, most notably BROTHERS & SISTERS and FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, families are, for the most part, confined to sitcoms where the kids are contractually obligated to be smarter than the adults and anyone older than 60 is eccentric in some way.

Dramas, meanwhile, are populated by people who have nothing better, or else, to do than perpetually work or hang out with people from work. Beyond their profession and their romantic lives they have no other responsibilities. Or, apparently, interests. Religion and spirituality are usually verboten unless a character is communicating with dead people, as is any sort of creative outlet (no one sings in a choir or writes short stories that never get published), and politics are rarely discussed, much less made part of characterization or narrative.

Medical shows and legal dramas occasionally address pressing social issues (though health-care costs and prohibitive legal are rarely among them), but the only public servants we see on TV are cops and firefighters. No teachers, no caregivers, no social workers, no politicians except, of course, the ones who are corrupt.

HOLLYOAKS' Roxanne McKee Is Maxim’s Hottest TV Star
Roxanne McKee is a star on the UK’s HOLLYOAKS, where she just filmed her final scenes. She cant reveal whether her character Louise dies or not but she did say this:

"Louise will be a bride out for revenge. I’m really happy with the way she leaves and fans will be shocked by what she gets up to before they see her for the last time."

Roxanne herself was just named Maxim’s hottest television star.

SAG stance sends pilots to AFTRA
The strike saber-rattling by the Screen Actors Guild is sending the studios into the arms of its rival, AFTRA, for pilot season.

The prospect of SAG going on strike by mid-January, just as primetime's pilot season starts in earnest, is ensuring that more broadcast network pilots will be produced under AFTRA contracts than under SAG pacts next year, top studio brass confirm.

Sanchez and Winter marry in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican actress Roselyn Sanchez (ex-Pilar, AS THE WORLD TURNS) has gotten married to former DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Eric Winter at a historic San Juan fort in front of 250 guests that included Eva Longoria Parker.

Sanchez and Winter arrived Saturday at the San Cristobal fort in a white Mercedes Benz. Guests also included actor Amaury Nolasco and Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila and his family.

Sanchez wore a princess-style dress with hand-embroidered pearls and diamonds created by Venezuelan designer Angel Sanchez. Winter wore a Calvin Klein suit.

The couple expects to honeymoon in the Mayan Rivera.

Winter proposed to Sanchez a year ago, while they were vacationing on the island of Vieques, east of mainland Puerto Rico, brandishing a 4.3-carat engagement ring to seal the deal.

Coming in January: "The Man From Oakdale"

On January 6, 2009, AS THE WORLD TURNS (via Pocket Books) is releasing their third novel in three years. This time, the character of Henry Coleman is the "author" unlike the previous two, which were "written" by Katie Peretti. They were all actually written by Alina Adams.

Description
"This is the novel everyone in Oakdale is dying to read!"

Henry Coleman is Oakdale's self-styled Cary Grant. Why shouldn't a man who's as smooth as a martini and blessed with a wit that's just as dry write a novel starring himself and his gorgeous girlfriend, Vienna Hyatt? In this sophisticated adventure, Coleman puts all his investigative skills to use as he searches for a missing young woman...and dares to reveal some of Oakdale's most closely-held secrets, including a few of his own.

Synopsis
Desperate to locate her missing granddaughter, high-powered businesswoman Lucinda Walsh hires Henry Coleman for the job. Two years ago, Lucy Montgomery kidnapped her infant half brother Johnny in order to protect him from their manipulative father, Craig Montgomery, and Johnny's equally ruthless uncle, Paul Ryan. Now, both Craig and Paul are hot on Lucy's trail and it's up to Henry and his socialite girlfriend, Vienna, to find the lovely fugitive first.

Sweeping from the sun-drenched South American Republic of Montega to a nobleman's dangerous lair in Sweden, and infiltrating the United Nations in Manhattan, Henry and Vienna discover that the tentacles of Lucy Montgomery's life on the run reach far and wide. With assistance from Margo and Tom Hughes, Sierra Esteban, and Gwen and Will Munson, and challenged by the escalating tensions in their own romantic relationship, they confront enemies both seen and unseen who are locked in a power struggle with Lucy and Johnny at its center. But when Vienna herself disappears, Henry must race against the clock to complete his mission so they can both make it back to Oakdale alive.

About the Author
Henry Coleman lives in Oakdale, Illinois. The Man from Oakdale is his debut novel. He has previously worked as a nanny, a private investigator, a television station manager, and a limousine driver. He is most definitely not married.

Alina Adams is Creative Content Producer for AS THE WORLD TURNS and GUIDING LIGHT. She is also the author of "The Figure Skating Mystery" series of books.

PREVIEW: Tonight's BROTHERS & SISTERS

"Unfinished Business" -- Nora recruits the family to deconstruct her new charity money pit; Kitty and Robert take a giant but overwhelming step forward in the adoption process; Sarah takes a big risk and eats crow with her new business partners; and Holly drives Tommy to his limit when she offers Rebecca a high level executive position at the winery without consulting him, on BROTHERS & SISTERS, Sunday, November 30 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

BROTHERS & SISTERS stars Dave Annable as Justin Walker, Maxwell Perry Cotton as Cooper Whedon, Kerris Lilla Dorsey as Paige, Sally Field as Nora Holden, Calista Flockhart as Kitty Walker, Balthazar Getty as Thomas Walker, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Whedon, Luke Macfarlane as Scotty Wandell, Rob Lowe as Senator Robert McCallister, Sarah Jane Morris as Julia Walker, Matthew Rhys as Kevin Walker, Ron Rifkin as Saul Holden, Emily VanCamp as Rebecca Harper and Patricia Wettig as Holly Harper.

Guest starring are Sonja Sohn as Trish Evans, Steven Weber as Graham Finch, Eric Christian Olsen as Kyle DeWitt, Will McCormack as Ethan Tavis, Jesse Henecke as Chris Ward and Maura Soden as Dr. Barbara Riley.

"Unfinished Business" was written by Nancy Won and Jason Wilborn and directed by Michael Morris.

PREVIEW: Tonight's DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES

"Me and My Town" - The road to recovery begins in the aftermath of the deadly fire that shook the citizens of Fairview, on ABC's DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, Sunday, November 30 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET). For Gaby and Carlos, injuries sustained in the fire lead to a fortunate discovery. But for most, the consequences are less forgiving. Lynette and Tom vow to protect son Porter at any cost; Susan must learn to let go of the man she loves; and Orson's attempt at a good night's sleep puts Bree in a most precarious, though amusing, position on the day of her big cooking demonstration.

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Hodge, Eva Longoria Parker as Gabrielle Solis, Nicollette Sheridan as Edie Britt, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Kyle MacLachlan as Orson Hodge, Dana Delany as Katherine Mayfair, Neal McDonough as Dave, Shawn Pyfrom as Andrew Van De Kamp, Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young, James Denton as Mike Delfino, Charlie Carver as Porter Scavo, Max Carver as Preston Scavo, Joshua Moore as Parker Scavo and Kendall Applegate as Penny Scavo.

Guest stars include Kathryn Joosten as Mrs. McCluskey, Gail O'Grady as Anne Schilling and Lily Tomlin as Roberta.

"Me and My Town" was directed by David Warren and written by Lori Kirkland Baker.

Today's Soap Star Birthdays

David Lee Russek (ex-Sean, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Chip, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Christos, GUIDING LIGHT) - 40
Christel Khalil (Lily, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 21

The Latest in Soap Videos

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

SCRUBS THANKSGIVING: On Wednesday's episode of GENERAL HOSPITAL, Patrick told Robin how he used to go away for a tropical vacation each year around Thanksgiving time. Thinking back on how they first met, Robin wondered aloud what might have happened if their paths hadn't crossed when they did.

ATWT PREVIEW: Next week on AS THE WORLD TURNS, Paul pulls a gun on Dusty, Luke tells Noah that Brian came on to him, Brad finds a dead body in his locker and Craig returns.

HOME FROM INDIA: Former NEIGHBOURS star Brooke Satchwell and David Gross were interviewed at Sydney Airport after surviving a terrorist attack in Mumbai.

ONE LIFE TO LIVE: On Wednesday's episode, Viki raged at the legacy her father has left her, trying to destroy his mausoleum by hand (and by crowbar).

News Round-up

BOSTON GLOBE: Looking back on the good old DAYS
One of the grand dames of daytime will bid adieu early next year when Deidre Hall retires her beloved DAYS OF OUR LIVES character Dr. Marlena Evans, whom she's played on and off for 32 years. Hall and costar Drake Hogestyn, who has played John Black for two decades, were recently let go as a cost-cutting measure by the NBC soap. Sarah Rodman takes a look back at some small-screen highlights of Hall's life and "LIVES."

First Look: FNL's Taylor Kitsch as Gambit in Wolverine
Empire Magazine has the first official photo of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS star Taylor Kitsch as Gambit in Gavin Hood’s Wolverine.

Attendees at Comic Con were lucky to see an early preview of the film which featured Gambit in action.

Wolverine will be the character’s first appearance in a movie. The fan favorite has appeared in previous television cartoons and video game releases.

TOM CASIELLO: Mythbusters, Soap Style - Parts One and Two
Casiello begins a list of the five myths The Powers That Be have convinced themselves of with Part One and Part Two.

Eva Longoria: In Puerto Rico for wedding of two former soap stars
The DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES actress is visiting the island for good friend Roselyn Sanchez’s (ex-Pilar, AS THE WORLD TURNS) wedding. Sanchez is marrying former DAYS OF OUR LIVES hunk, Eric Winter (ex-Rex).

SIGHTING: Catherine Hickland in Vegas
ONE LIFE TO LIVE star Catherine Hickland, ex-wife of David Hasselhoff, attended "Mesmerized" at the V Theater (The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort) on Thanksgiving Day.

CADY MCCLAIN: Mom and Me
"The holidays always make me think about my Mom. She’s been dead for 14 years now, but that doesn’t make it any easier. Well, maybe a little bit. Still, I wish she was here to hug and talk to about life. She was a nutty babe. I never thought she’d be just a memory.

I often think about the little things she did to remind me that she loved me. She had her tough side, but her sweet side was pretty sweet. I thought it might be a nice thing to share some of what she did for me with the other mom’s out there. Now that my mom is gone, these little gestures are so nice to look back on."

THE NUKE FANCAST: Thanksgiving Episode
This special episode features a compilation of many of the memorable "How Nuke Changed My Life" segments from the past several months. It really shows the power a soap opera storyline can have on social issues if it is relatable and written well.

90210: Old and New Cast at Gemini Awards

Host Jason Priestley (ex-Brandon, BEVERLY HILLS, 90210) and Shenae Grimes (Annie, 90210; Darcy, DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION) posed on Friday at the 23rd Annual Gemini Awards at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

News Round-up

NY TIMES: TV Casting May Feel an Obama Effect
It may say something about the state of American television that there is one more black president-elect of the United States than there are black actors with individual lead roles in a network television drama.

But after years of ensemble dramas sprinkled with nonwhite supporting actors, the excitement surrounding the election of Barack Obama could help to open doors for more minorities in leading dramatic roles, executives from television production studios said.

Ben Silverman, the co-chairman of NBC Entertainment who oversees the network’s television studio, said that he and the head of the diversity initiative for NBC Universal, Paula Madison, have been pushing for projects starring minorities.

Mr. Silverman said, “We were going after this regardless, but I don’t think you can deny the power that Barack Obama brings in magnifying this direction in our world.” He added, “We’ve all been colorblind for years, but the results don’t necessarily match up to our intentions.”

B&B inspires young woman in Kenya
"After many years of watching THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL on TV, I got captivated by the glamorous side of the soap. I thus wanted to be a designer."

To Boldly go where this soap has never gone before
The daily routine of Australia's stay-at-home moms has been thrown into turmoil by their favorite soap opera moving into the family rush-hour zone. News of the saga-filled lives of THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL's Forrester clan moving from 4.30pm, its timeslot of 12 years, to 6pm has caused outrage among the show's fans.

INTERVIEW: NEIGHBOURS Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson)
"The Paul and Izzy relationship was fantastic, it was very popular. Izzy was an interesting character because she was very emotional and insecure. That's what drove her evil ways. She had a bit of a soulmate in Paul, but it couldn't work in the end because they would just destroy each other."

Christmas 2008 UK Soap Schedules
Digital Spy continues to maintain the best list of when the soaps will air.

Braeden and Kennedy reunite in Boise for film premiere
Academy Award winner George Kennedy and soap star Eric Braeden have more in common than most movie-trivia buffs would think. Kennedy played the father of Braeden's longtime character, Victor Newman, on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.

The two are mortal enemies in The Man Who Came Back, Braeden's film that will premiere Dec. 5 at Boise's Egyptian Theater.

"I have a deep and abiding respect for George," Braeden said. "He's a consummate professional and one of the kindest men I've ever met in this business. He's the reason we're having the premiere in Boise."

Braeden and Kennedy will answer questions from the audience after the film is shown.

Spiritual quest for father, daughter ended in terrorist siege
On a quest for spiritual enlightenment, Alan Scherr quit the workaday world 12 years ago and moved with his wife and infant daughter to a woodland monastery in the Virginia Blue Ridge, where they settled into quiet meditation at the feet of a swami.

The former college professor became the monastery's president, and his daughter, Naomi, passed her early childhood on the oak-shaded, 450-acre spread in rural Nelson County. Scherr also became chief spokesman for the community's spiritual leader, a New York native named Master Charles Cannon.

From behind a desk crowded with paperwork, incense and a miniature Zen garden, Scherr fielded sometimes exasperating queries about the master's past: Charles has long declined any discussion of his first 21 years, though old newspaper stories quote him saying he briefly portrayed Ernie on TV's MY THREE SONS and a doctor on the soap opera LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING and performed on Broadway in "Jesus Christ, Superstar."

But Scherr's search for truth, awareness and meditative bliss ended tragically this week: A monastery spokesman and State Department officials said that father and daughter were among those slain by gunmen in the terror attacks in Mumbai, India.

Today's Soap Star Birthdays

John Ashton (ex-Mickey, DOCTORS/ex-Cahill, EASTENDERS) - 60
Charles Grant (ex-Grant, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL; ex-Evan, AMOTHER WORLD; ex-Connor, SANTA BARBARA) - 51
Kim Delaney (ex-Jenny, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 50
Jane Cameron (ex-Nancy, ANOTHER WORLD)

Black Friday

The day after Thanksgiving, also known as "Black Friday," is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year.

Fitness personality Richard Simmons, who appeared on a recurring basis on GENERAL HOSPITAL starting in the late 70s, pumped up Black Friday shoppers with the "Cranergy Holiday Hustle" at the world's largest store, Macy's Herald Square in New York City.

Early birds were treated to free samples of Ocean Spray's Cranergy Energy Juice Drink and Craisins Sweetened Dried Cranberries at 200 Macy's stores nationwide.

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:

Will GUIDING LIGHT be canceled in 2009?

Soap Crisis: More payouts — and you won’t believe for whom!

Kelly Monaco’s personal heartbreak!

Phoebe dies on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL!

It’s official: DAYS OF OUR LIVES' Blake Berris fired!

Is Scott Clifton Llanview-bound? The former GENERAL HOSPITAL actor (ex-Dillon) was spotted at the ONE LIFE TO LIVE studio in New York on Monday, November 21st.

Is Kamar leaving ONE LIFE TO LIVE?

Here It is... The Latest Eric Braeden SOD Cover

I posted on Wednesday about the rumors of yet another Eric Braeden Soap Opera Digest. From the image above you can see that it is true. Is there anything to be said that I haven't already ranted about?

Braeden has now appeared on 8 of the past 21 covers (with Victor mentioned on a ninth). In that span, Y&R has been featured on 15 covers (with none dedicated to the sensational Jeanne Cooper). Braeden has appeared on every other cover since the October 28 issue.

Once again, "Eric Braden" was named on this new cover, the December 9 issue. As I pointed it out in the past, Digest usually does not include the actors names on its covers, but with Braeden, it happens almost ever time. Even last week, when the story was about two superstar actors being fired from DAYS, only their last names were used.

I have asked Digest Editorial Director Lynn Leahey for a comment and will let you know if I get an answer.

News Brief

There's still Hope (and Bo) for DAYS fans
"I'm always thinking, 'Am I going to get the call?'" says Kristian Alfonso (Hope), who's played heroine Hope Brady since 1983. "I never take anything for granted."

Alfonso says the cast was stunned to hear Hogestyn and Hall had gotten the ax.

"Everyone was aghast when we heard about Dee and Drake," she says. "Drake came up to me the other day and said, 'It's been so great working with you.' I said, 'Don't you dare say goodbye to me.' I felt tears starting to well."

The good news is that DAYS will stay on the air until 2010.

"We are picked up for 18 months," says Alfonso. "I've heard there are going to be more financial cuts, and not just our show."

Indeed, NBC has said it will cut $500 million in operating expenses over the next year.

"It's happening everywhere. I'm thankful every day I walk through those doors. The economy is a disaster right now."

NEIGHBOURS star Satchell escapes attack on Taj
Former NEIGHBOURS actresss Brooke Satchwell and her film editor boyfriend David Gross were Friday on a flight to Singapore after a harrowing 36 hours in India's financial capital Mumbai, still battling a coordinated terror attack that began two nights ago. Satchwell was at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel Wednesday night when gunshots and grenade attacks by militants turned the luxury hotel into a war zone.

Beacham now confirmed for CORRIE
Former DYNASTY and THE COLBYS star Stephanie Beacham will join the cast of CORONATION STREET in January as a potential love interest for soap stalwart Ken Barlow. The 61-year-old, seen last year on the BBC's STRICTLY COME DANCING, will play Martha, a slightly eccentric theatre actress who lives on a canal barge. Beacham will be in the show for around three to four months, according to the long-running ITV1 drama's website.

CORRIE star caught urinating outside nightclub
CORONATION STREET actor Ryan Thomas was given an £80 fine for urinating in public outside Club Ice in Westbury at the weekend. The 24-year-old soap star, who plays Jason Grimshaw, was ordered to pay the fine after he was caught relieving himself against a bush by Warminster’s PC Andy Lee in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Local taxi driver Ben Gregory, of DJ’s Taxi firm in Warminster, witnessed the incident. Mr Gregory said: “He was put in handcuffs and was in the back of the car for a good 15 minutes. He was released with a piece of paper and got into a DJ’s car. He slammed the door so hard I’m surprised he didn’t smash the window. He didn’t look happy at all.”

Gay Wired's 10 Favorite Actors in 'Positive' Roles
#7- Kimberly McCullough in her two-time Emmy-winning role as Robin Scorpio (1985–present), daughter of Robert and Anna from the Luke and Laura era, as an HIV-positive doctor, in the soap opera GENERAL HOSPITAL.

Singapore Soap Opera Helps Fight Spread of AIDS (Update1)
Singapore has turned to soap opera to stem an HIV infection rate that’s doubled in the past decade. BY MY SIDE, a 20- episode series in Mandarin with English subtitles, tells the story of a married, middle-aged Chinese man who contracts the AIDS-causing virus, a reflection of the campaign’s target age group. Tomorrow, a pop concert will also try to get more young people talking about, and having, safer sex.

Eric Braeden in new issue of HELLO! Canada
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS star and Soap Opera Digest cover boy welcomes HELLO! Canada into his Los Angeles home in the issue hitting newsstands today. Former HOME AND AWAY star Kylie Minogue is also featured in the new issue.

Niven in Christmas film
Nothing says Christmas quite like Tom Arnold. The boisterous ex-husband of Roseanne Barr takes a softer turn in a Vermont-made holiday movie, Moonlight & Mistletoe, that premieres Saturday on the Hallmark Channel.

Moonlight & Mistletoe was filmed in June, bringing Christmas in late spring to Chester as well as Edgewood Studios in Rutland. The movie also stars Candace Cameron-Bure and Barbara Niven (ONE LIFE TO LIVE; THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL).

Today's Soap Star Birthdays

James Karen (ex-Linc, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Dr. Burke, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 85
Jeffery Byron (ex-Mark, PORT CHARLES; ex-Chuck, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 53
Gina Tognoni (Dinah, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Kelly, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 35
Don Money (ex-Brian, SCRIPTS & SCRUPLES/ROCKLAND COUNTY; ex-Rob, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 29
Mary Elizabeth Winstead (ex-Jessica, PASSIONS) - 24

Soap Stars Giving Back in L.A.

Thousands of less-fortunate people had a happy Thanksgiving a day early as celebrities and elected officials made their annual trek to downtown Los Angeles to help distribute holiday meals.

Acting legend Kirk Douglas and his wife, Anne, again hosted the annual holiday meal at the Los Angeles Mission. They were joined by a number of celebrities including former DAYS OF OUR LIVES actress Patrika Darbo and THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL star Katherine Kelly Lang.

An estimated 2,500 to 3,000 people crowded into the Mission, after the event was moved inside because of the rain.

INTERVIEW: ATWT's Van Hansis

AS THE WORLD TURNS star Van Hansis will be pulling double duty this December, playing Luke Snyder on the soap by day, and taking a very different slant on the stage in an adaptation of the popular video game Dance Dance Revolution.

He told Soap Opera Weekly's Mala Bhattacharjee: "...it's important for me to be onstage. When you're onstage, it helps your work on the soap. It's a lot of fun, and I love the sense of community in theater. I try to do at least one [production] a year. This will be a really fun show. I think it will have some good response."

But he issued a warning: "If people have weak stomachs and don't like raunchy language, then I would say to not come to this show. If you can handle some dirty words and some strange situations, then, by all means, I think [you're] going to like it. It's also a musical, which is weird for me, because I don't do musicals."

Read the full interview here.

INTERVIEW: Y&R's Christian LeBlanc

TV Guide Canada published an entertaining new interview with Emmy winner Christian LeBlanc today.

LeBlanc told Nelson Branco: "I’m so highly strung that if I didn’t go to the gym, my head would blow off!"

Check out the interview to find out what LeBlanc has to say about the (Y&R) Baldwins, scenery chewing Judith Chapman and much more.

ANOTHER WORLD Thanksgiving Speeches

ANOTHER WORLD's Mac Cory was famous for his holiday speeches. Below are the last two Thanksgiving toasts before his portrayer, the late, great Douglass Watson, passed away on May 1, 1989, just before the show's 25th anniversary. Mac's wife, Rachel, gave the Thanksgiving toast that year. His "I give you life" speech in 1988, Mac's last one on Thanksgiving, was replayed many times later in the show's run.

Mac's Thanksgiving toast, 1987:
"Dear friends, dear family. Well, how fortunate we are just to be able to say those words. How fortunate we are that the past year has brought us the most precious gift of all: the gift of life itself. And we could live it as we choose in this land that is our land. How fortunate we are that the coming year will give to each of us innumerable choices. May we all choose wisely. May we choose the right. And may we live our choices joyfully. To the future!"

Mac's Thanksgiving toast, 1988:
"Well, everybody... It's been a hard year to get through for many of us. Yet, here we all are, for Thanksgiving. And together. I'm very happy Iris is with us after all those years. And as I look at Jamie, Matthew, Amanda, Sam, and then Alexandra, I am grateful for the awareness of the sheer munificence of life as it keeps on rolling on despite our little problems. Sharing our lives with our friends and our family is far stronger than anything that world out there can do to us. Today especially, though indeed every day, Rachel and I our truly blessed. Our riches are at this table with us today. [Looking to the viewer] As indeed you are in our hearts every day. And so I give you, all of us, I give you life!"

Rachel's Thanksgiving toast, 1989:
"Well, here we all are once again. And here I am, trying to stand in for Mac. Pretty hard act to follow ... Where would I be without all of you? I feel very blessed. I love you all. To our unique American family."

'Ma Perkins' Celebrates Thanksgiving

Caption: "Thanks to a bumper turkey crop, CBS Radio's 'Ma Perkins' has ample quantities of the all-American festive favorite for the dual celebration of a long holiday season and her daily program's entry on its 24th year of broadcasting. Virginia Payne stars as 'Ma Perkins.'"

Photo Date: November 29, 1956

Thanks to Rob Wargo

Happy Thanksiving: Video Retrospective

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., here are some classic soap Thanksgiving celebrations.

ANOTHER WORLD 1989: The first Thanksgiving without Mac.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES 1990: Tom Horton toasted family and friendship.

AS THE WORLD TURNS 1999: Adam was upset that Margo was arrested and Hal tried to smooth things over.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS 1999: Little Nate visited Olivia at the hospital. Nate was upset because all his friends would be around lots of family for Thanksgiving while he and Olivia will be alone without Malcolm.

PREVIEW: Tonight's GREY'S ANATOMY

"Dream a Little Dream of Me" - On a two-hour episode of GREY'S ANATOMY, Meredith and Derek learn that "happily ever after" isn't easy, a military doctor who brings in a trauma patient catches Cristina's eye, and the Chief and his staff reel at the news that Seattle Grace is no longer nationally ranked as a top-tier teaching hospital, on GREY'S ANATOMY, Thursday, November 27 (9:02-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD 9/25/08)

GREY'S ANATOMY stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Katherine Heigl as Isobel "Izzie" Stevens, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, T.R. Knight as George O'Malley, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres, Eric Dane as Mark Sloan, Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey and Brooke Smith as Erica Hahn.

Guest starring Kevin McKidd as Owen, Mariette Hartley as Betty, Lauren Stamile as Rose, Cliff DeYoung as Phil, John Getz as Michael, with Bernadette Peters as Sarabeth and Kathy Baker as Anna.

"Dream a Little Dream of Me" was written by Shonda Rhimes and directed by Rob Corn.

Today's Soap Star Birthdays

Joseph Campanella (ex-Harper, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Joe, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Jonathan, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 81
A Martinez (Ray, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Cruz, SANTA BARBARA; ex-Roy, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 60
William Fichtner (ex-Rod/Josh, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 52
Robert Doran (ex-Jamie, ANOTHER WORLD) - 50
Fisher Stevens (ex-Henry, RYAN'S HOPE) - 45
Sean Kenniff (SURVIVOR; ex-Doctor, GUIDING LIGHT) - 39

News Brief

AD AGE: Susan Lucci Caught Up in Detroit Drama
As advertising dries up for soap operas -- particularly from the genre's traditional mainstay, local automotive dealers -- Ms. Lucci, a megastar of the daytime world who has played Erica Kane on ALL MY CHILDREN since its inception in 1970, is being handed a pay cut, Ad Age has learned. And she's not the only iconic player on the stalwart soap being forced to do with less. "All the actors on ALL MY CHILDREN have been reduced [in salary]," said creator Agnes Nixon, who also created the ABC soap ONE LIFE LIVE and is now a paid consultant to the network's daytime division. "Susan Lucci, Michael Knight and Ray McDonald have all been reduced -- substantially. And so have I, as a consultant. The ratings are not the same."

Ms. Nixon, who wrote nearly every episode of ALL MY CHILDREN from 1970 to 1992 and has remained a consultant to the show since 2000. "Two years ago, what I got was cut in half," she said. "And a year later, that was cut in half again."

"I think soaps lose viewers because the stories aren't good or because they don't have good actors," Ms. Nixon said. "I don't think anyone leaves the theater humming the sets; it's the story and the actors. "I think they are viable [businesses], but I am afraid the suits are making some big mistakes," she said of NBC's decision to kill off older characters on DAYS. "In my experience over the years, young people are interested in 'older' stories," she said. "I have always tried to keep various age groups involved instead of concentrating on just one. ... I think that to represent life, in all its varieties, one needs various age groups."

Budget Cuts at ABC Daytime
"We are carefully and responsibly managing our costs, which include some production cuts, but in ways the audience will not see on screen. Sweeps to date, all of our soaps are showing ratings growth and we are excited about upcoming storylines on all three shows," a spokesperson for ABC Daytime explained to soapoperadigest.com.

Deep Soap: Thanks for Everything
Sara A. Bibel blogs about the special Robin and Patrick centered Thanksgiving episode which aired today and publishes part of an interview with stars Kimberly McCullough and Jason Thompson.

Thompson: (unaware the episode is actually airing Thanksgiving Eve, not the actual holiday.) It’s a day nobody watches TV, so why not do an episode about Robin and Patrick?

She also names five things she's thankful for this year.

Dee-A-Palooza Day Three: Searching for the Real Deidre
Marlena De Lacroix writes: "Deidre is very, very, very [Deidre and Wayne] smart, both politically and personally. She has done all of the above to perfection, and no soap star has treated her fan club better. She has worked very hard. Like Lucci, no one has ever questioned that soap fans absolutely love and adore her."

INTERVIEW: DAYS' Eric Martsolf and Ari Zucker
Video interview from the recent "Day of DAYS" event at Universal studios.

INTERVIEW: DAYS' Jay Kenneth Johnson
Another "Day of DAYS" interview.

INTERVIEW: Colin McShane
McShane is a singer and songwriter based out of New York City. GUIDING LIGHT fans should recognize his music, because his songs have guided their beloved characters through many ups and downs throughout the past year. He spoke to Soap Opera Weekly about his musical background and how he got his tunes on TV. "When GL reformatted in the beginning of 2008, executive producer Ellen Wheeler wanted to incorporate music from up-and-coming musicians. I submitted about 10 songs, and four of them got chosen for recurring themes in the 2008 season. I have been asked to submit more music, which I am currently in the studio working on."

Airplane Reading

I was dropped off at Newark (NJ) Airport Terminal C this morning only to find out I was supposed to be at Terminal A. I ended up taking a shuttle bus there and when I arrived there was only one tiny magazine stand. I normally clear out the racks to try to fill my time on the plane with news, gossip, sports and whatever I can find. I use it to take my mind off the fact that there is no leg room for a tall person on a plane (at least in coach) and to pass the time.

Today I read all kinds of crazy things in the Dec. 8 issue of the National Enquirer. You never know if any of it is true but it can be quite entertaining.

Anyway, there were two soap related stories, one on the DAYS firings and one on Marg Helgenberger.

The DAYS story was titled, "Dumped Deidre Hall FUMES AT NETWORK."

"How can they do this to me? I'm the face of the show!" the 61-year-old actress told an insider. "This is shameful. ABC would never treat Susan Lucci like this!"

Supposedly she is sending out feelers to B&B and wants to stay on the West Coast, but says she'll never go back to DAYS, even if the producers beg her to return. Take it with a grain of salt considering the source.

Meanwhile, former RYAN'S HOPE star Helgenberger (ex-Siobhan) has apparently split with her longtime husband, Alan Rosenberg. They met in 1984 when both worked on RH.

Oh, and if you're interested, the tell-all Oprah book is out soon, Paris Hilton dumped Joel Madden because he wasn't rich enough, and Lisa Bonet's lover was injured in a bar brawl.

News Brief

Tyra Colar cast as Leah on GUIDING LIGHT
Rick and Mel's little girl continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Tyra Colar takes over the role of GUIDING LIGHT's Leah Bauer on Monday, December 1. The actress previously had a small part as Jen on GL in 2007, and as Lenore on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

Soap operas fill afternoons with serialized drama
The Reporter has published an article on daytime soaps that actually is not predicting doom and gloom. Caryn Murphy, a radio-TV-film professor at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, said the storytelling formula is, in fact, so successful, today's primetime shows are following suit. More...

Brooke Burke Crowned DANCING WITH THE STARS Queen
Previously dismissed celebrities, including ALL MY CHILDREN's Susan Lucci, also returned for a last dance.

Photo Coverage: Valarie Pettiford at the Upright Cabaret
The former ANOTHER WORLD and ONE LIFE TO LIVE actress filled Upright Cabaret at Mark's Restaurant with with two sold-out star-studded audiences which included Marc Cherry, Chris Bratten and Shane Scheel, among others.

HOLLYOAKS wins Mental Health Media Award
The awards highlight the best coverage and portrayal of mental health issues in the media, across TV, radio and newspapers.

HOLLYOAKS won for Hannah’s battle with anorexia in the "Soaps & Continual Drama" category.

TOM CASIELLO: For a Good Cause
On Project Holiday Spirit: "...this isn't about whether or not you want to see two men kiss at two o'clock in the afternoon on network television. This is about supporting a cause to keep people from DYING. People of all races, all sexual orientations, all worthy of life."

LYNN LICCARDO: A Pre-Thanksgiving Roundup
"While soaps aren't asking viewers to invest $25 billion, they are asking us to invest an hour a day, five a week, two-hundred-fifty plus a year. And yet, they continue to put shows on the air fewer and fewer viewers want to watch."

CADY MCCLAIN: Fall Weddings
"I can’t even count how many weddings I have sat through on the sets of soaps. People used to bring scripts, books, magazines, knitting, homework, crosswords, bills, snacks, you name it, to a wedding set. The hours that would go by just sitting there seemed like endless torture, even though the final product was always beautiful and touching. You’d never guess how many magazines were stuffed under our bums!"

Blake Berris out at DAYS
Berris, who plays Nick, will leave DAYS OF OUR LIVES sometime in January.

EVENT: Laurence Lau to star in "Breaking Legs"
Lau, who plays Brian on AS THE WORLD TURNS, will star in "Breaking Legs" from January 9 until February 1 at the Riverside Theatre, located at 3250 Riverside Park, Vero Beach, FL. Tickets and info here.

NBC Unveils January Prime Time Schedule

NBC announced Tuesday the January 2009 schedule that features the series premieres of SUPERSTARS OF DANCE (debuting January 4) and HOWIE DO IT (January 9), the returns of THE BIGGEST LOSER: COUPLES (January 6) and FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (January 16).

The critically acclaimed FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS will return to NBC's Friday-night lineup on January 16 (9-10 p.m. ET) just two days after wrapping up the season on DirecTV.

LIPSTICK JUNGLE did not appear on the January schedule. This comes after rumors the show had been canceled, followed by statements from Brooke Shields that it was still in production.

Braeden on the Soap Opera Digest Cover Again?

I am on my way out of town today and will not receive my copy of Soap Opera Digest in the mail before Friday or Saturday, but multiple people have told me that Eric Braeden is on the cover once again on the next issue (dated December 9).

The Journal Is Proven To Be Victor's! (But He Finds A Most Unlikely ally)

Plus: The Movie ERIC BRAEDEN Fans CAN'T MISS!

This can't be true, right? Is no one listening to my rants? I'll be interested to see if subscribers get a different cover this week. Stay tuned.

PREVIEW: Tonight's PRIVATE PRACTICE

"Tempting Faith" - Addison receives a surprise visit from her brother and fellow surgeon, Archer, and his presence not only causes trouble for her, but for Naomi and Sam as well. Meanwhile Meg returns to try to make it work with Pete, and a patient accused of a malicious crime stirs up anger and emotions, for both Violet and Dell, on PRIVATE PRACTICE, Wednesday, November 26 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

PRIVATE PRACTICE stars Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery, Tim Daly as Dr. Pete Wilder, Audra McDonald as Dr. Naomi Bennett, Paul Adelstein as Dr. Cooper Freedman, KaDee Strickland as Dr. Charlotte King, Chris Lowell as William Dell Parker, with Taye Diggs as Dr. Sam Bennett and Amy Brenneman as Dr. Violet Turner.

Guest starring Grant Show (ex-Rick, RYAN'S HOPE) as Archer, Jayne Brook as Meg, Cullen Douglas as Hal, Darby Stanchfield as Tess, Scott Michael Campbell as Gregory, Geffri Maya as Maya and David Sutcliffe as Kevin.

"Tempting Faith" was written by Jon Cowan and Robert Rovner and directed by James Frawley.

PREVIEW: Tonight's DIRTY SEXY MONEY

"The Facts" - The Darlings are away celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday. Back at their New York mansion, Clark the chauffeur must appease a relentless and sexy reporter by setting straight Darling rumors regarding family betrayal, possible criminal cover-ups and murder accusations. His version of the way things happened include Patrick's subpoena to Tripp over his association with the lowlife Fantini brothers, Karen's anger over the intrusion of Simon's beautiful ex-wife, Ama (Gina Torres), and Juliet's (Samaire Armstrong) adventures with her lover, Kai. Meanwhile, under house arrest, Letitia holds the Ferragamo fashion show at the Darling mansion and one of the socialite attendees (Donna Mills) has some angry words for the family matriarch, on DIRTY SEXY MONEY, Wednesday, November 26 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on ABC.

"The Facts" is written by Bill Chais & Jake Coburn and directed by Matthew Gross.

DIRTY SEXY MONEY stars Peter Krause as Nick George, Donald Sutherland as Tripp Darling, William Baldwin as Patrick Darling, Natalie Zea as Karen Darling, Glenn Fitzgerald as Brian Darling, Seth Gabel as Jeremy Darling, Zoe McLellan as Lisa George, with Blair Underwood as Simon Elder, Jill Clayburgh as Letitia Darling and Lucy Liu as Nola Lyons.

Guest stars include Samaire Armstrong as Juliet Darling, Donna Mills as society lady, Gina Torres as Ama, Shawn Michael Patrick as Clark and Rena Sofer (ex-Lois, GENERAL HOSPITAL) as news reporter.

The Latest in Soap Videos

GOODBYE TINA: Andrea Eveans said goodbye to Llanview and ONE LIFE TO LIVE again today.

BIANCA & REESE: On Tuesday's episode of ALL MY CHILDREN, Bianca worked with Randi and Pete to prepare for the fundraiser to rebuild Pine Valley in the wake of the tornado, and Zach bitterly informed Reese it will take a miracle to bring Kendall back to her family.

DWTS: TV Guide Network visits some of your favorites from past seasons of DANCING WITH THE STARS. See what Kristi Yamaguchi, Jennie Garth (90210), Cameron Mathison (ALL MY CHILDREN) and Sabrina Bryan have been up to since they hung up their dancing shoes.

PAUL & NIKKI: The longtime Y&R friends hit the sheets today for the first time in three decades (complete episode).

REMINDER: No FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Tonight

For those of you as devoted to the Dillon Panthers as myself, here's a friendly reminder about the upcoming episodes of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and when they will air:

December 3 -- Ep. 309
December 10 -- Ep. 310
December 17 -- Ep. 311
January 7 -- Ep. 312
January 14 -- Ep. 313

The show will be taking a break for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. The final episode of this season will air on DirecTV's The 101 on January 14th. The show will then run edited versions of this season on NBC on Friday nights.

Today's Soap Star Birthdays

Rue McClanahan (Peggy, SORDID LIVES; ex-Caroline, ANOTHER WORLD) - 74
Marcy Walker (ex-Liza, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Eden, SANTA BARBARA; ex-Tangie, GUIDING LIGHT) - 47
Brandon Buddy (Cole, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 23

Lots of Super Soap Weekend Videos

In addition to a photo gallery and multiple interviews, Michael Fairman's "On Air On Soaps" site has added a number of videos from Super Soap Weekend.

Jason Thompson, Thorsten Kaye, Erika Slezak, Eden Riegel and many more are featured.

You can find them all here.

"Nuke" Fans Launch 2nd Annual Project Holiday Spirit Campaign

"Nuke" Fans Launch 2nd Annual Project Holiday Spirit Campaign
in honor of Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann

November 25, 2008—As a tribute to AS THE WORLD TURNS actors Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann, fans at vanhansis.net announce the second annual "Project Holiday Spirit" campaign (PHS) in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. For 2007's campaign, "Nuke" fans set a fundraising goal of $500, but raised well over $6,000! Bolstered by the success of PHS, fans continued to work together, ultimately contributing over $35,000 to 10 different charities in less than 12 months.

The first campaign was launched on December 1, 2007 (World AIDS Day), and was originally inspired by a blog by Hansis about the holidays. Fans decided to embrace the true spirit of the holidays by helping others, and the campaign became a meaningful way for them to acknowledge the positive impact Van and Jake have had on so many lives.

Fans have decided to kick off another year of charitable giving by making this very special tribute an annual holiday tradition. This year's PHS campaign once again begins on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2008, with the goal of surpassing last year's total. Fans invite everyone to join them in honoring Van and Jake by donating to this very worthy cause.

For additional information or to donate, visit http://phs.vanhansis.net or email
[email protected].

The Latest in Soap Videos

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

ILENE KRISTEN SINGS...: A wonderful video of the ONE LIFE TO LIVE and Manhattanites star singing Ken Mazur's "Love is Leaving You" at The Triad earlier this month.

...AND DOES AN INTERVIEW: Kristen was interviewed on a recent GREGORY MANTELL SHOW.

AS THE WORLD TURNS: Emma was surrounded by family and the Hubbard squash (and even received phone calls from Ellie, Iva, Seth and Abigail) on today's Thanksgiving episode.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: On Tuesday's show, Carly was not happy Sonny was planning to marry Claudia later tonight.

News Brief

Write Move? Wrong Move? Illegal Move?
Few issues divided the WGA more than the leadership's post-strike publication on April 18th of the names of its 28 members who went fi-core during the strike. It turns out that the AMPTP took advantage of the discord and filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, which has now sided with the Hollywood CEO negotiating clique against the WGA.

It's Grant Showtime on PRIVATE PRACTICE ... and MELROSE 2.0?
Grant Show talks about his guest appearance on PRIVATE PRACTICE ("I come into town because I miss Addison") and a possible return to MELROSE PLACE:

"I play golf with one of the executives at the CW, and I was on the 18th green and he was on the 9th. He goes, 'Hey! Do you want to come on MELROSE PLACE?' I said, 'Hey, do you have $150,000 an episode?' He said no, so I go, 'There's your answer!'"

In the Heights' Merediz to guest on ONE LIFE TO LIVE
Olga Merediz, a 2008 Tony nominee for her performance as Abuela Claudia in the Tony-winning "In the Heights," will will play Sister Mary Claire on the Nov. 26 broadcast of the long-running serial.

E4's HOLLYOAKS spinoff starts with 743,000 viewers
Spinoff show HOLLYOAKS LATER had a decent start for E4 last night (Monday), drawing 743k (4.8%) to the channel in the 10pm hour. The five part series, which follows Craig Dean (Guy Burnet) and sister Steph (Carley Stenson) on a remote holiday in Scotland, is being stripped every night this week on the digital channel. A further 166k (2%) watched an hour later on E4+1.

REVIEW: HOLLYOAKS LATER
"Don't get me wrong, this was monumental dross, like a towering and teetering pile of dog-shit waiting to topple over into various gaping mouths... but it was kinda fun. I need a shower."

SAG Strike Could Spell Disaster for TV
While its effect would not be as far-reaching as this year's strike by the Writers Guild of America -- a SAG walkout would only affect scripted prime-time fare -- it would derail the broadcast season for a second straight year, this time in the midst of a severe economic crisis.

HACIENDA HEIGHTS Coming Dec. 3; Tom Eplin Directs

KRON 4 in San Francisco has announced a new addition to its daytime line-up, HACIENDA HEIGHTS. This groundbreaking new show will premiere on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 12:30pm. I first posted about this in April and it looks like it has taken until now to find a good outlet for the program.

"HACIENDA HEIGHTS is a new television show that takes the familiar and popular format of the soap opera and introduces it to a new audience." The show features an all Hispanic cast in an English language soap opera. The show will air weekly, every Wednesday at 12:30pm.

ATWT Casting News: Maddie, Lucy and Johnny

Soaps.com has revealed some major casting news for AS THE WORLD TURNS.

Kelli Barrett has been cast as Maddie Coleman, originally played by Alexandra Chando (who is now starring in ROCKVILLE, USA). Maddie was last seen in October 2007 when she left Oakdale to attend Wesleyan and get her head together after her relationship with Noah ended. Will Maddie reunite with old flame Casey? Barrett's first airdate is set for December 22.

Also joining the cast is Sarah Glendening, who will take on the role of Lucy Montgomery. Lucy, last portrayed by GREEK's Spencer Grammer, left Oakdale in late 2006 when she kidnapped baby Johnny to keep him away from Craig. Glendening's first airdate is set for December 24.

Finally, Bailey Harkins will take over the role of Johnny, Jennifer's biological son with Craig. The recently returned Dusty has been searching the world for Johnny, his adopted son. Harkins' will also first appear on December 24.

News Brief

Farewell Dee-a-Palooza Week, Day One: Soap Shrink Says, “I Wanted to Be Dr. Marlena!”
From Marlena De Lacroix: "To mark executive producer Ken Corday’s ver-ry curious decision to fire Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn from DAYS OF OUR LIVES, we here at Marlenadelacroix.com figured we’d pull out all the stops to honor both Dee and one of the most popular characters in history, let alone daytime history, namely Dr. Marlena Evans – 32 years in Salem, 32 years as a daytime superstar!"

INTERVIEW: Y&R's Billy Miller
Miller, who plays Billy Abbott, told Michael Fairman: "There are days when you go to work, and I take everything personally, not only in my work but in everyday life. There are days I am very competitive and more competitive with myself than anybody else. And there are days when I beat myself because that is not what I wanted to do. And there are days when I feel slightly satisfied, and those are the good days."

Dear Captain Obvious: Issue #24
A Y&R update on this clever parody advice column.

INTERVIEW: Soap vet Sean Kanan
Kanan, who starred on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL and GENERAL HOSPITAL and has appeared on SCRIPTS & SCRUPLES this month, talked to Soap Opera Weekly's Mala Bhattacharjee about his new play, "It's Just Sex."

"It's fantastic. I forgot how much I love doing theater. First of all, it's going to the theater every day and rehearsing for six or seven hours a day — which I love doing. It's like playing with a bunch of friends. And let me tell you, the soap opera training really comes in handy learning lines, because it's a significant amount of dialogue and I'm onstage about 90 percent of the time. It was very helpful to be able to look at stuff and learn it really quickly."

GREG HERNANDEZ: UGLY BETTY episode brings back memories
"I nominate last Thursday's episode of UGLY BETTY for a GLAAD Award. Any gay high school kid who watched it I'm sure identified with the pain Justin was feeling when his new best friend, Randy, succumbed to peer pressure and blew him off in favor of his 'cool' buddies who couldn't believe he was even hanging out with a drama geek."

TOM CASIELLO: Turkey Soap
"I'm especially looking forward to Thanksgiving, and seeing how the soaps treat the holiday. In recent years, it's been getting harder and harder to really deliver an original, moving, heart-warming Thanksgiving episode. Not because we don't want to - quite the opposite. It's just that every year, so much time and care is put into the Thanksgiving and Christmas episodes, and it gets harder and harder to do something that's never been done before."

"Moral rubbish" in Botswana
I loved this line from an article I read today: "Botswana is stuck with TV that sells western values, morals and images of excellence and or failure. It has shown everything from DAYS OF OUR LIVES, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, FALCON CREST and every other kind of Hollywood inspired moral rubbish."

Linda Dano at Rosie's Gala

"Rosie's Gala, Building Dreams for Kids," a one-night-only benefit for Rosie's Kids, was held last night at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. Proceeds will benefit Rosie's For All Kids Foundation and Rosie's Broadway Kids.

The evening paid tribute to Tony Award winner Chita Rivera.

The sensational Linda Dano (ANOTHER WORLD, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and many more) was on hand to lend her support. On her website, Dano says: "You all know that I love Rosie and have tried to support all her efforts to help disadvantaged children. Through, Rosie's For All Kids, she has helped to set up Cutie Patootie childcare centers in low-income urban areas across the country and RBKids, an arts education organization, offers free musical theater programs for NYC's neediest public school students."

International Emmy Award Photos and Winners

The time-traveling detective show LIFE ON MARS (UK version) picked up its second International Emmy for best drama series, leading a British sweep of seven of the 10 awards handed out Monday night at a ceremony in New York that also honored LAW & ORDER creator Dick Wolf.

During the ceremony, host Roger Bart (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) and many of the celebrity presenters - Judith Light (UGLY BETTY), Heather Tom (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL), Andrea Roth (RESCUE ME) and Lance Reddick (FRINGE) - acknowledged Wolf for giving them roles in his LAW & ORDER shows.

The awards are presented by The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the largest organization of global broadcasters, with more than 600 members from nearly 70 countries and over 400 companies.

2008 INTERNATIONAL EMMY® AWARD WINNERS

TELENOVELA
AL-IGTIYAH (THE INVASION)
Arab Telemedia Productions
Jordan
Executive Producer: Talal Adnan Awamleh
Producer: Talal Adnan Awamleh
Director: Shawqi Al Majiri
Writer: Riyad Seif
Principal Cast: Abbas Al Nouri, Saba Mubarak, Munther Rayahneh, Iyad Nassar
Nominees: Talal Awamleh, Adnan Awamleh

THE INVASION is a love story amidst war and chaos which focuses on the daily life of a modern Palestinian who desires to live in dignity and peace. “Operation Defensive Shield”, a real-life military operation conducted by the Israel Defense Forces in 2002, provides the backdrop for the show.

Continue reading...



ARTS PROGRAMMING
STRICTLY BOLSHOI
Ballet Boyz Productions for Channel 4
United Kingdom
Executive Producer: Dennis Marks
Producers: Michael Nunn, William Trevitt
Director: Oliver Manzi
Writers: Michael Nunn, William Trevitt
Nominees: Michael Nunn, William Trevitt

Conceived and executed by The Ballet Boyz, Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, Strictly Bolshoi follows the world’s most sought after ballet choreographer, Christopher Wheeldon, as he becomes the first Englishman to create an original work for the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow. This documentary blends fly-on-the-wall footage of the creative process in Moscow, as well as diary-cam confessions and interviews from some of the ballet world’s most illustrious figures. The trials and tribulations of this creation culminate in the broadcast of the world premiere of the ballet in Moscow.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR
David Suchet
as Robert Maxwell
MAXWELL
BBC
United Kingdom

David Suchet stars as Robert Maxwell, the charismatic and tyrannical media tycoon, in the final stages of his life. With his multi-billion pound business empire on the rocks, a failing marriage, and rival Rupert Murdoch on his heels, Maxwell attempts to curb his debt by stealing millions from the pension funds of his companies.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS
Lucy Cohu
as Liz
FORGIVEN
Betty TV for Channel 4 and More4
United Kingdom

Suburban housewife Liz discovers that her husband Stephen is sexually abusing their daughter. She confronts him and reports him to the authorities. Stephen is tried and imprisoned. When he leaves prison, Liz decides to try to help him recover and arranges for him to receive treatment at a residential clinic for sex offenders, where he undergoes intensive therapy. Stephen finally faces his guilt and the consequences of his abuse. The family decides to try to rebuild their lives together. Is it right? Is it even possible? And – if they can succeed – what is the emotional cost?

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
SHAUN THE SHEEP
Aardman Animations / CBBC
United Kingdom
Executive Producers: Miles Bullough, Peter Lord, David Sproxton, Nick Park, Michael Carrington, Nikki Chaplin
Producer: Julie Lockhart
Directors: Richard Goleszowski, Christopher Sadler, JP Vine
Writers: Ian Carney, Glenn Dakin, Trevor Ricketts, Richard Goleszowski, Rob Dudley
Principal Cast: John Sparkes, Justin Fletcher, Kate Harbour, Rich Webber, Jo Allen

How much mischief can one sheep create? Plenty when that sheep is Shaun. His insatiable curiosity and irrepressible sense of fun lead him into the unlikeliest adventures, much to the exasperation of long-suffering sheepdog Bitzer and the amusement of the rest of the flock.

COMEDY
THE I.T. CROWD
A Talkback Thames Production for Channel 4
United Kingdom
Executive Producer: Ash Attala
Producer: Jamie Glazebrook
Director: Graham Linehan
Writer: Graham Linehan
Nominees: Graham Linehan
Principal Cast: Chris O'Dowd, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Parkinson

The I.T. Crowd centers on the world of the ignored and unloved office information technology (I.T.) department of the fictitious British corporation Rynholm Industries in central London, and the relationship between the socially-awkward I.T. staff and their computer ignorant boss.

DOCUMENTARY
THE BECKONING SILENCE
Darlow Smithson Productions / C4 / C4i
United Kingdom
Executive Producers: John Smithson, Julian Ware
Producer: Louise Osmond
Director: Louise Osmond
Nominees: John Smithson, Louise Osmond

Climber Joe Simpson travels to the Swiss Alps to recount the story of one of mountaineering's most epic tragedies – Toni Kurz's heroic, though failed battle for survival, after attempting to conquer the North Face of the Eiger. It is a story with eerie parallels to Simpson's own experiences and forces him to confront fundamental issues of his own.

DRAMA SERIES
LIFE ON MARS
Kudos Film & Television Ltd for BBC Wales
United Kingdom
Executive Producers: Jane Featherstone, Claire Parker, Matthew Graham
Producer: Cameron Roach
Directors: SJ Clarkson, Richard Clark, Andrew Gunn
Writers: Matthew Graham, Ashley Pharoah, Chris Chibnall, Julie Rutterford, Guy Jenkin, Mark Greig
Principal Cast: John Simm, Philip Glenister, Liz White, Dean Andrews, Marshall Lancaster
Nominees: Ashley Pharoah, Cameron Roach

In the final season, viewers learn how time-traveling DI Sam Tyler came to be stuck in 1973. Slowly adjusting to his new surroundings, Sam tries to fit in; however the team continues to fight crime and each other. Their investigations are as tough as ever, from a spate of bombs in the Irish community, to an undercover operation with swingers in middle-class suburbia. But as the series unfolds, Sam is still driven by his quest to find a way out of this world. Can he get back home or will he be stuck in 1973 forever?

NON-SCRIPTED ENTERTAINMENT
THE BIG DONOR SHOW
Endemol for BNN
The Netherlands
Executive Producers: Paul Römer, Laurens Drillich
Associate Producer: Judith Hülsenbeck
Writer: Sebastiaan Spaan
Host: Patrick Lodiers
Nominees: Patrick Lodiers, Paul Römer

Lisa pretends she is a terminally-ill 37-year-old woman with a malignant brain tumor who doesn’t have much longer to live. In this live reality “psychology experiment”, Lisa decides to which of the three patients present she would donate her kidney. Although Lisa ultimately decides who the recipient would be, viewers at home can offer her advice via text messages.

TV MOVIE/MINI-SERIES
Television por la identidad
Telefe Contenidos
Argentina
Executive Producers: Bernarda Llorente, Claudio Villarruel
General Producer: Claudio Meilan
Director: Miguel Colom
Writers: Marcelo Camaño, Guillermo Salmeron
Principal Cast: Lucrecia Capello, Malena Solda, Soledad Villamil, Lidia Catalano, Micaela Brusco, Mariano Torre, Carlos Belloso, Leonora Balcarce, Lucas Krourer, Nicole Popper

Television por la identidad is a mini-series that tells the story of grandchildren recovered by the Abuelas (Grandmothers) de Plaza de Mayo, an association of Argentine mothers whose children disappeared during the military dictatorship of 1976 to 1983. It conveys the permanent struggle of the organization in their attempt to recover the identity of children illegally appropriated during the dictatorial regime.

The Latest in Soap Videos

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

GL THANKSGIVING: Cast members Lawrence Saint-Victor, Karla Mosley, Kane Manera, Murray Bartlett, Yvonna Kopacz-Wright, Ron Raines and more wish fans a happy Thanksgiving.

EDGE OF NIGHT: Back in 1984, Jeremy Rhodes (Michael Conforti) overslept after a wild night with Liz Correll (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVE's star Marcia Cross) when Nancy (Ann Flood) arrived to interview Liz.

HOLLYOAKS LATER: The opening credits for the HOLLYOAKS spin-off which debuted Monday night.

B&B PREVIEW: A sneak peak at Tuesday's episode.

Today's Soap Star Birthdays

Charlie Holliday (ex-Dr. Campbell, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 70
Paul Copley (ex-Ivor, CORONATION STREET; ex-Ted, DOCTORS) - 64

GUIDING LIGHT's Dinah and Shayne?

Shayne Lewis will be returning to GUIDING LIGHT's Springfield on December 1st. Former ALL MY CHILDREN actor Jeff Branson (ex-Jonathan). Branson is the eighth actor to play the role of Josh and Reva's son, most recently portrayed by Marty West.

It looks like Shayne will be paired with Dinah, played by Emmy winner Gina Tognoni. As the years go on, the characters are getting closer in age. Tune in on Monday to catch Branson's debut.

Continue to watch a video of a Tognoni/Branson photo shoot...

It's That Time Again...Ripa and Consuelos Greet Santa

Cartier lit up Fifth Avenue in New York today with some much-needed holiday cheer as Kelly Ripa and hubby Mark Consuelos came out to host the 29th anniversary of the Cartier Holiday Bow celebration at the Cartier Mansion.

In the spirit of giving, the brand unveiled a holiday card collection designed by the children of The Art of Elysium, which will donate 100 percent of profits to the charity. “Giving back to kids battling serious conditions is what we decided to do this year by partnering with Art of Elysium, which is a dear organization that we’ve been supporting for more than three years,” Cartier exec Frederic de Narp said. “It’s very important to give back to the community and give back to the children, especially in this moment.”

News Brief

Y&R Preview: Paul and Nikki Get Back in the Sack
On Tuesday's episode of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Paul (Doug Davidson) and Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) will have sex—three decades after the characters last did the deed! The surprise recoupling happens when Paul offers Nikki a place to stay while she copes with the death of her best friend, Kay (Jeanne Cooper), and recovers from her abusive relationship with Victor (Eric Braeden). They begin to reminisce about the past and end up in the sack.

"It's love in the purest sense," Davidson explains. "They've been friends for 30 years and are supporting each other in the most intimate way possible. They do not judge the rightness or wrongness of their actions, nor do they want to tell anyone about it. They know their kids probably won't understand."

Former Y&R star Thom Bierdz: Artist, Actor, Broadener
"I am a natural rebel and came out to my family and friends at 18. I was urged by my representation 20 years ago to stay in the closet.

I imagine if I were 25 I would heed the advice of my agent and manager today and play it as they suggested, but their advice may be to come out – which would be so freeing. I would have been a better actor having that freedom and not feeling like I was hiding a secret from Hollywood."

Y&R's Marcille bagging on TBS
In the spirit of the hit TBS improv series, 10 ITEMS OR LESS, from Sony Pictures Television, the first-ever star-studded celebrity bagging competition took place Friday, Nov. 21st during The Comedy Festival at Caesars Palace. Y&R's Eva Marcille (Tyra) participated.

REVIEW: Web Series LUKE 11:17
"Oddly enough, [LUKE 11:17] mines the more genteel pastures of daytime soaps for many of its performers. Ryan V. Cafeo emoted for a nine-episode run on PASSIONS; Bernadette Wilkes once illuminated the set of GUIDING LIGHT; and Chrishell Stause IS a regular on ALL MY CHILDREN. As daytime drama is not often rife with subtle character studies either, it’s a surprisingly well-suited breeding ground for the future heroes and heroines of horror." LUKE 11:17 Website

Mark Consuelos: I have no idea how I became an OPRAH regular
"I really have no idea why they picked me" to be part of "Fridays Live," the daytime queen's Friday panel edition of her show, he says. "I'm sorry for being vague, but it's really about as much as I know."

It may have something to do with the fact that Oprah, um, likes him.

"Our producers thought Mark provided the energetic male counterpoint we were looking for in our 'Fridays Live' panel," a spokesman for Oprah's show said in a prepared statement when asked why Consuelos had been picked.

Indian TV employees resume work after strike
Workers in India's television industry went back to work on Monday, unions said, after a stop-start strike that plunged the country's soap opera schedules into turmoil. Shooting resumed in all major studios, although disgruntled employees of some unions that make up the Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) said exact terms still had to be thrashed out.

They do it on prime time too: HEROES Creator Finds New Way To Insult Viewers' Intelligence
"Tim Kring, creator of NBC's HEROES has found the culprit for the super-mutant soap opera's problems — its most loyal viewers."