FLASHBACK: Newsweek Names GH TV's Hottest Show

Television's Hottest Show
Newsweek
September 28, 1981

I tell you, Doctor, this GENERAL HOSPITAL is making my head sick. It's bad enough that my wife has shelled out $1,000 for a video-tape-recorder so we'll never miss a single episode. But now my brilliant 14-year-old daughter, whom I figured to become another Susan Sontag, is off organizing a fan club for the guy who plays Luke. And my college boy, the one who won a scholarship to Harvard...know what his last term paper was titled? "Inter-Generational Alienation and Social Networking Modes on GENERAL HOSPITAL." When I call him a dummy, he tells me that everyone in the Ivy League is wearing an "I Love Luke and Linda" T shirt. What's that, Doctor? You say her name is Laura? Oh, no. Doc, not you, too! I feel so utterly alone. This is beginning to sound like (gasp, moan, sob)...a soap opera!

Take heart, you miserably unplugged-in wretch. GENERAL HOSPITALitis really hasn't afflicted the entire nation; it just seems that way. With a daily following of more than 14 million viewers, "GH" (as connoisseurs call it) has become not simply the highest-rated daytime show in the history of television, but a genuine pop-cultural phenomenon. No other soap--not even the legendary "Oxydol's Own Ma Perkins" which dominated radio in the 1930s--has inspired a devotion as widespread or as passionate.

Continue reading...

Classic Soap Videos!

Check out some wonderful classic soap videos below.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: In what may have been the late Brenda Bennet's last episode on the show, Lee seeks help from Marlena about Stefano and the DiMera family.

GUIDING LIGHT: Reva sings Proud Mary!

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nikki warns Sharon to stay away from Nicholas!

ONE LIFE TO LIVE: Viki loses it on Tina when she refuses to believe she isn't Nikki Smith.

News Round-up: Kyle Lowder, SAG, HOLBY CITY

INTERVIEW: B&B's Kyle Lowder (Rick)
"I am always amazed by what Brad (Bell) has in store for Rick. We’ve seen a lot of changes in the character since I took over the role, but I can assure you, the fun is only just beginning. I am very lucky to be working with John, Susan, Ronn, Katherine and Jacqueline. Everyone I work with I become a better actor because of what they bring to the table. They make me work harder to do the best work possible. And we are all very lucky to have Brad (Bell) writing and guiding us. Everyone knows we are doing the best work we can."

SAG members sign online solidarity statement
SAG said Friday that Alec Baldwin, George Clooney, Sally Field and Tom Hanks have signed an online statement of support for ratification of the tentative TV-theatrical contract. Ballots have been in members' hands since May 19 and are due back to the guild by June 9.

PHOTOS: Nicholas Galbraith in "The Grand Tour"
Galbraith's (ex-Zac, ATWT) weekend play opened on Friday night.

May gloom for most showbiz stock prices
With some very impressive exceptions, show-business stocks undperformed broader markets during May: The S&P 500 rose 5.3%, the Dow 4.1% and the Nasdaq 3.3%, but the lowly THR Showbiz 50 actually sank.

New Look, Additional Features at TVWeek.com
From now on the publication will exist exclusively on the web at its website, TVWeek.com. The site has been given a complete redesign, with several new features.

INTERVIEW: HOLBY CITY's Tony McHale/Diana Kyle
McHale: "Personal and hospital politics will collide very soon in a story which will have far-reaching consequences for one of our powerful females."

Kyle: "Brother and sister trainee doctors Oliver and Penny Valentine arrive on the screen in June. They're both full of energy and enthusiasm and are both absolutely gorgeous. They will have instant impact on the wards at every level."

Disney/ABC TV 2009 Summer Press Junket

Disney and ABC TV held their 2009 Summer Press Junket on Saturday at the Walt Disney Studios ABC Riverside Building in Burbank.

Among the stars who attended were Scott Michael Foster and Spencer Grammer from GREEK, Laura Wright from GENERAL HOPSITAL, and Daren Kagasoff and Shailene Woodley from THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Maeve Kinkead (Vanessa, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Angie, ANOTHER WORLD) - 63
Nick Scotti (ex-Tony, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 43
Ara Celi (ex-Raquel, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 35
Matt Cavenaugh (ex-Adam, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Mark ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 31
Meredith Hagner (Liberty, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 22

Classic Soap Videos!

Check out some wonderful classic soap videos below.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Roman confronts Marlena about the differences in her since they "returned from the dead."

GUIDING LIGHT: Beth dreams of Lujack.

ANOTHER WORLD: A drunk Felicia is unable to help Jenna when she begins to have stomach pains.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Gina sings the theme song to Y&R.

Jeremiah & Karla: The Right to Love

GUIDING LIGHT's Karla Mosley (Christina) and her husband, Jeremiah, speak out on marriage equality.


Visit MarriageNY.com

FLASHBACK: Fans Mourn Loss of Interracial Soap 1991

Fans Mourn Loss of an Interracial Soap Opera

By C. Gerald Fraser
New York Times
March 5, 1991

Washed out by low ratings, television's first interracial soap opera devoted to the adventures and misadventures of black and white families, GENERATIONS, has left behind a group of disappointed viewers, many of them black professionals, still yearning to tune in tomorrow.

After broadcasting 407 episodes, NBC took GENERATIONS off the air at the end of January. It had lasted for 13 months.

Describing the serial in 1989, as it was about to go on, the network said that it was "a contemporary daytime drama set in Chicago" and that it centered "on the relationships of two families -- one white, the Whitmores; one black, the Marshalls -- whose lives have been linked for generations."

Now it is gone for good. An NBC spokesman, Rob Maynor, said, "If it doesn't deliver, it doesn't stay on the air."

Continue reading...

The cancellation annoyed a number of the show's regular viewers. One New Jersey working couple taped the 30-minute show daily for evening viewing. They were perturbed "on the day of the final segment to find out that most of it was superseded by a war bulletin, leaving a seemingly inexplicable ending and adding insult to injury." 'It Was Different'

The cancellation also upset Marsha Hunt, a Philadelphia novelist. "It was a very good show," she said in a telephone interview. "It was different. The story line was not who's sleeping with whom. It showed a real relationship between the two women."

Ms. Hunt did not rest on her disappointment. "I don't sit back," she said. "When people say blacks don't write in, I'm not one of them. When they say blacks don't call in, I'm not one of them." She wrote, she called and she organized "The Coalition to Save 'Generations.' "

She said she had 12 people in 12 states "running groups" that had sent "around a thousand" save-GENERATIONS letters to local stations, NBC, prospective syndicators and PBS, which they view as a potential broadcaster of the serial.

Ms. Hunt voiced several complaints, echoed in the letters. One was that the serial had been broadcast in poor time slots. In New York, it came on at 12:30 P.M., opposite the No. 1 soap, "The Young and the Restless." In some cities, Ms. Hunt said, GENERATIONS came on at 2:30 A.M. She also said that the soap had not been given enough time on the air to develop an audience. Were Ratings Accurate?

She questioned whether the show's low Nielsen ratings accurately reflected the number of viewers. "There are few Nielsen boxes in homes in minority communities," she said. A Nielsen Media Research vice president, Jack Loftus, said yesterday that 11 percent of households in the Nielsen population sample are black.

Mr. Maynor, the NBC spokesman, said the network had dropped GENERATIONS "because it didn't get the size of audience we wanted."

"We wanted more than we had," he continued. "It was the lowest-rated soap opera on the air. It had the smallest audience, it didn't deliver for advertisers and it wasn't attractive to affiliates."

Consequently, he said, the network does not intend to revive the show. Creator of the Show

Sally Sussman, a writer who had received two Emmy award nominations as a member of the writing staff of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, created GENERATIONS, serving as both its executive producer and head writer.

In a telephone interview, she said, "I came up with the idea four years ago and sold it to NBC to create the first racially balanced show." She said it had been well received .

"Most shows are given more than two years to find an audience," she said. "The nature of the soap opera business is that it takes two years to find itself and find an audience. The current climate at NBC, in terms of economics, did not lend itself to continuing the show. It was expensive to produce and had a soft advertising market. And they decided to cancel. It was a valid reason from their perspective, but I think it was short-sighted."

In New York, the editor in chief of Soap Opera Weekly, Mimi Torchin, agreed. "It was intelligent and fast moving," she said. "A new show always gets off to a slow start. They're always terrible in the beginning. Until you are in these people's lives, know the background, it's hard to get involved, until you care about them."

The probationary period for most serials is, she agreed, usually two years. For example, she said, NBC dropped TEXAS only after 28 months. She also cited LOVING and SANTA BARBARA as two long-running soaps that have never achieved high ratings.

Ms. Torchin, speaking of the GENERATIONS cancellation, said: "Blacks are only 11 percent of the total viewing audience, and there was not enough of a black audience to watch it." She added: "It was known as 'the black soap' in the heartland. There's still a lot of racism and whether it was racism per se, there was resistance."

Lauralee Bell at Families Matter Benefit

Lauralee Bell attended the 13th Annual Families Matter Benefit and Celebration Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel last night with her husband, Scott Martin. Here they are posing with Dee Dee and Dan Cortese.

The Families Matter Benefit is the signature fundraiser for Friends of the Family, Southern California’s premier family resource center.

Bell's new online series, FAMILY DINNER, will debut June 8.

News Round-up: Zach Gilford, Jennie Garth, HOLLYOAKS

The Great Auto Dealer Closure Debate
With General Motors closing 1,100 dealerships and Chrysler cutting 789 franchises, many industry observers believe this is yet another punch to the chin of the beaten-down station business. But there are also those who don't anticipate much fallout, and even see some long-term upside.

TVB's data for the fourth quarter of 2008 ranks Chrysler as the No. 3 ad spender with stations. The company's ad spending was down 29.2% from the year-ago period to $88 million. General Motors Corp. ranked No. 11 and had increased its spending by 10% to $63 million, while its dealer association reduced spend by 69.4% to $38 million.

INTERVIEW: FNL's Zach Gilford (Matt)
"I got super lucky. I auditioned in New York and then went to L.A., and a month after the fact, I ended up getting the part. I like the show a lot. We don't play into a lot of cliches. You think about high school football and how I play the quarterback, and you'd think I'd be this stud-superstar kid, but what makes it interesting is that he's kind of this shy, unsure-of-himself kid who has to overcome that in order to step into this position that has an extreme amount of pressure on him."

Fountain and Manning exit HOLLYOAKS
Chris Fountain and Stuart Manning's final scenes on HOLLYOAKS will be aired next week. Chris's character Justin Burton leaves the village after the police issue a warrant for his arrest in connection with the fire at The Loft. And Stuart's alter-ego Russ makes a swift exit after kidnapping his baby son Max.

SABC boss adds fuel to indie fire
Hostilities between the SABC and the country's unpaid independent producers heated up several degrees this week, with producers planning a picket and the broadcaster publicly threatening to produce up to 40% of its content in-house. This week independent producers reacted vehemently to the veiled threat by chief executive Gabs Mampone that the broadcaster might begin to sideline their sector.

Levern Engel, managing director of Endemol South Africa, which recently threatened to pull its soap opera, ISIDINGO, off air, this week called Mampone's statement "ludicrous and against the public broadcaster's mandate".

Maroulis stole his skinny jeans from B&B
After a recent performance of his Tony nominated show, "Rock of Ages," Constantine Maroulis finished autographing Playbills and emerged in T-shirt, J. Lindeberg skinny jeans (“I totally stole these from THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL,' ” he said, referring to the soap opera where he used to appear), Yohji Yamamoto tennis shoes and his signature dark tresses.

VIDEO: Jennie Garth reveals heart ailment
"I've been affected by heart disease practically my whole life," Garth, 37, told ACCESS HOLLYWOOD's Tony Potts at an American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women BetterU Program event. “My father has struggled with heart disease since he was 50 and I lost him a year ago.”

Adonis 2009: Week 3 Semifinalists

In the first week of the Adonis 2009 semifinals, ALL MY CHILDREN's Cameron Mathison and AS THE WORLD TURNS' Jake Silbermann were voted into the finals. Last week, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL's Brandon Beemer and DAYS OF OUR LIVES' James Scott won the fan vote.

This week, fans can vote for their favorite hunks from GENERAL HOSPITAL and GUIDING LIGHT.

Vote at soaphunks.net.

Only the highest vote-getter from each soap will advance to the finals. Each second place contestant will return for Wild Card Week on June 17, 2009.

You may vote ONCE PER DAY per e-mail & IP address. (A maximum of six votes using either the same e-mail address or IP address will be counted.) Each individual ballot will be weighted as 1,000 votes.

The Adonis 2009 will be revealed September 2, 2009.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Scott Holmes (Tom, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Dave, RYAN'S HOPE) - 57
Tonya Pinkins (Livia, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Heather, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 47

Daytime Emmy Update: ATI Returns to Y&R

ATI president of Worldwide Media and Entertainment, Jim Romanovich, who was the key player in bringing the Daytime Emmy Awards to The CW, made a return visit to the set of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS on Friday and shared his thoughts with We Love Soaps.

As I mentioned before I received a call from Y&R that Jeanne Cooper was disappointed she missed me on my previous visit and was hoping that I could stop by this week. Well, today was the day and I spent some really quality time with her. She is everything you can imagine. She’s saucy, funny, spiritual, and has a tremendous blue streak in her. She was thrilled that I came by as much as I was thrilled to meet her. She is very proud of Corbin who I also I had the pleasure to work with on one of my shows. She is the cornerstone of Y&R. She asked if there was anything she could do to help me and I said anytime she had the chance to promote the Emmys telecast in interviews or just in conversation to please do so. As Jerry Maguire once said, “help me help you.” The more support I get from daytime shows-producers, writers and actors in particular as they are mostly in the public eye and can sway opinion-the more support I am able to give them in return. Y&R couldn’t be any more accommodating as they truly are a class operation.

What I thought was going to be just a simple meeting with Jeanne turned into a day of several surprises. I happened to catch a taping of a July 4th episode in which 90% of the cast was in attendance. I met Jess Walton who is strikingly beautiful and gave me a very nice personal compliment which was totally unexpected (note to self…find out if Jess Walton is single…). Liz Hendrickson was cute, goofy, and I thoroughly enjoyed her company. Kate Linder was very gracious and very interested in what I had to bring to the table. My good buddy, Kristoff St. John was there as we’re working on other projects together. We also chatted up some Lakers, Bulls, Cubs and Dodgers news. Very good guy. Christel Khalil was very nice. Christian Leblanc was born for improv as he is a truly gifted funnyman. Could easily see him on a sitcom. Eric Braedon is as hilarious as Victor is serious. Quite a cut up and a real pro. Melody Thomas Scott was interesting because I knew she was a fan of Lucille Ball. In 2001, I produced a special called INSIDE TELEVISION'S GREATEST: I LOVE LUCY for Discovery Channel. It was for the 50th anniversary of the show and I had many of the original producers, directors, and writers. I was working with Both Lucie and Desi, Jr to make it a success. I had her quiz me thinking she was going to give me episodes to recall. But no. The very first question was to guess their address which I did not know. I was close, though. Below the belt shot, Mel! Her next question was probably going to be in guessing how many polka dots were on Lucy’s dress from episode 57. I mean all this affectionately as I really enjoyed meeting her and I promised her she would get a DVD. Then we’ll have a trivia rematch!

In the court of public opinion, we can safely say that Y&R is one of the best and most consistent soaps on television. Maria Arena Bell is steering that ship well. She has a dynamite cast, terrific writers, and well thought out stories and characters. Today was an even greater treat because the scenes I saw were nothing short of amazing. And I do not give spoilers so don’t expect any from me. But as an advocate for the promotion of daytime television, I’m telling you that if you miss the July 4th episode, you will have subjected yourself to the greatest injustice of the decade. And the performances were riveting! As a matter of fact, don’t miss that entire week as I don’t know how long July 4th will play out.

Now, it’s no secret that Y&R fans have felt some furor over the last few days with the Academy. I don’t know how the voting process works quite frankly. I didn’t know who got nominated until you did and I won’t know who wins until you do. We’re just the conduit. We just want to give you a great show. With that being said I really don’t care who wins as I see this as a platform to promote ALL of daytime. The fact that we got this son of a bitch off the ground and on television this year is a miracle. But it is happening. Daytime still has a platform. All banded together, right? We all win or we all lose. These aren’t the old days with one show beating up another for the win. Today, when you have a loss such as the cancellation of GUIDING LIGHT, EVERYONE feels it. It’s everyone’s loss. There are producers out there and industry people just waiting for the demise of soaps. Well not on our watch. Not this year. And not next year, God willing, when we put this behemoth together once again. And the shows themselves have no intention of quitting. If they don’t, then we don’t. We’re ready for 2010!

To quote another favorite movie phrase of mine (and forgive my use of dramatics but we are talking about the soaps after all), it was Jefferson Smith's (Jimmy Stewart) very last line in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington that said, “You think I'm licked. You all think I'm licked. Well, I am not licked! I'll stay and fight for this lost cause. Even if this room gets filled with lies like these - And the Taylors and all their armies come marching into this place. Somebody will listen to me.”

And you will.

I promise some more fun updates throughout the summer. One will be a first for daytime television if we pull it off.

I honestly can't remember a Daytime Emmy producer who ever cared as much about daytime soaps. The Y&R 4th of July episode sounds exciting to stay tuned!


RELATED:
- ATI visis DAYS
- ATI visis GH
- ATI visis Y&R
- ATI visis ATWT/GL
- ATI visis AMC/OLTL
- ATI visis B&B

News Round-up: Nancy Lee Grahn, Mag Readers, Zucker

Median Age of Magazine Readers Rises
Since 2001, 64 of 90 leading consumer magazines have seen the median age of their readers increase faster than the population at large, according to a MediaPost analysis of the latest figures from Mediamark Research & Intelligence. The analysis, based on MRI's spring 2009 measurements, confirms the continuation of a long-term trend previously observed in 2006-2008.

The median age of female readers also increased between 4 and 4.9 years at Soap Opera Digest and Woman's Day.

GH's Nancy Lee Grahn is a 'tweetaholic'
"I am lying to the people I love. When they ask me what I'm doing, I tell them I am reading the Huffington Post, when in fact ... I am tweeting. I am aligning myself with other addicted celebrity tweeters like Elisabeth Hasselbeck, for which I am so ashamed. Even though I have not yet tweeted while drinking (okay, actually I have), I fear that I will wake up the next morning with a tweet blackout, having no recollection of what I twittered about. What if I, in a twitter stupor, follow Hasselbeck and mistakenly post her rants/tweets on my twitter home page and push send?! Someone could mistake me for a Republican! Stop the madness!"

Deep Soap: Summer School
Sara Bibel blogs: "School’s out for summer, which means that daytime’s teens are headed for the front burner. The prospect of teen storylines tends to turn adult viewers into grumpy old men screaming, 'Get off my lawn.' At their worst, they are the perfect storm of underdeveloped new characters, newbie actors and banal insta-love stories. But at their best, stories about the under-21 set have universal appeal."

It's possible to be gay and Muslim... even on EASTENDERS
Alex de Moller writes : "EASTENDERS is about a handful of cockneys getting pissed, generally talking rubbish and flaunting the trivial crap of their mundane lives. The show does not contain a moral message, and if it did, we’d all be married to ugly women and doing business in the pub. What’s important is that the show depicts what London really is: a modern Babylon, a weird and wonderful place where anything can happen and anyone can come together. Congrats to the producers for adding some flavour to the meat and potatoes of British television."

NBC Universal's Zucker Says Ad Market Has 'Bottomed Out'
NBC Universal Chief Executive Jeff Zucker said he believes the advertising market has "bottomed out" as he also discussed the continued challenges of making up for lost TV revenues with digital business models at a technology conference.

He also said that with 60% of its profits coming from cable, "we're at our core a cable company," the Wall Street Journal reports.

VIDEO: Chappell and Leccia interview teaser
Nicole Valentine of Tellofilms.com has releaseda teaser video for her upcoming interview with GUIDING LIGHT stars Crystal Chappell and Jessicia Leccia.

TV Guide Magazine Dumps Digital Version

TV Guide magazine has discontinued the digital edition as of the May 18 issue. You can continue to read news on the magazine website at tvguidemagazine.com.

Back in October, Macrovision sold the once wildly popular TV Guide magazine to equity fund OpenGate Capital for $1. Connections between the magazine and TV Guide network were severed at that point, which is why you also have tvguide.com.

From a soap perspective, we continue to see new articles posted by Michael Logan at tvguidemagazine.com and Matt Mitovich at tvguide.com.

On Thursday, Lionsgate Entertainment Corp agreed to sell a 49 percent stake in the TV Guide channel for about $123 million, aiming to turn the network into an entertainment channel.

The buyers are One Equity Partners, a private equity arm of JPMorgan Chaser & Co, and Allen Shapiro, former chief executive officer of Dick Clark Productions, who had previously reached a deal to buy the network before it was sold to Lionsgate.

Jake Silbermann at "Ugly Man" Launch

AS THE WORLD TURNS star Jake Silbmann was among the guests at last night's "Ugly Man" book launch sponsored by Homo-Neurotic and Harper-Perennial.

News Round-up: EASTENDERS, GH's Dominic, Obama

EASTENDERS courts more gay controversy by outing a new Muslim character
EASTENDERS is set to out a character named Syed Masood, who arrived with a girlfriend but will soon fall for openly gay character Christian Clarke (John Partridge). Masood (who is played by Marc Elliot) will of course be conflicted about his feelings and his religious beliefs.

The Muslim Affairs Committee is upset about the choice, and has made a statement that the show should instead present a "normal, friendly" Muslim character.

Source Interlink delisted
The NASDAQ Stock Market announced Thursday that it will delist the common stock of Source Interlink Companies, Inc. Source Interlink Companies, Inc.'s stock was suspended on May 14, 2009 and has not traded on NASDAQ since that time. NASDAQ will file a Form 25 with the Securities and Exchange Commission to complete the delisting. The delisting becomes effective ten days after the Form 25 is filed.

Paul Leyden (ex-Simon, ATWT) starring in Maneater with Sarah Chalke
Maneater is a two-part Lifetime miniseries airing Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm/ET, and based on the Gigi Levangie Grazer's New York Times best-seller. If the mini does well, there's talk Lifetime may turn it into a series.

Dominic Zamprogna joins GH cast
Claudia's intentions always seem to blow up in her face -- and the introduction of a new character, Dominic, to GENERAL HOSPITAL on June 22 is no exception. Dominic Zamprogna plays the newcomer, whom Claudia takes into the fold to help her with one of her ill-conceived schemes.

Connie Passalacqua Hayman talks soaps
"Marlenda De Lacroix" was a guest on "Brandon's Buzz" earlier today.

Obama Committed to Network Neutrality
President Obama said Friday that the government was going to start treating the nation's digital infrastructure, broadband networks and computers as strategic national assets that should be "open and free."

T.R. Knight Will Not Be Returning To GREY'S
E!'s Marc Malkin reports: "Multiple sources tell me that T.R. Knight will not be returning to GREY'S ANATOMY next season. Knight's departure shouldn't come as too much of a shock. Not only was George flatlining at the end of the season finale earlier this month, but the 36-year-old actor has reportedly wanted off the hit ABC series for quite some time. I'm told that tension between Knight and show creator Shonda Rhimes has become unbearable for both."

Latest GREY'S Rumors Ripped as "Ridiculous," "False" and "B.S."
GREY'S ANATOMY creator Shonda Rhimes is nipping in the bud talk that the role of George — who last was seen barely alive after being mauled, mangled and mashed in a bus accident — will be recast with a new actor.

"A hilarious, ridiculous rumor" is how Rhimes, via Twitter, qualified the speculation.

Next ABC Daytime/SOAPnet Soap Nation Stop: Nashville

Nashville is the next stop for ABC Daytime and SOAPnet's Soap Nation Tour, where actors from all three soaps, ALL MY CHILDREN, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and GENERAL HOSPITAL, will be integrated into the "ABC All Star Block Party" festivities at the CMA Music Festival June 12 and 13. Soap Nation is an ongoing initiative to bring the stars to more fans in more cities more often.

ABC Daytime talent confirmed to attend the "ABC All Star Block Party," hosted by ALL MY CHILDREN's Cameron Mathison, includes Bobbie Eakes and Thorsten Kaye also from ALL MY CHILDREN, Kathy Brier, Kassie DePaiva and Bree Williamson from ONE LIFE TO LIVE, and Bradford Anderson, Brandon Barash, Rebecca Herbst, Kimberly McCullough, Greg Vaughan and Laura Wright from GENERAL HOSPITAL. The talent will sign autographs, participate in Q&A sessions, introduce musical performances and mingle with the fans. Talent is subject to change.

There will be plenty of music too, courtesy of the Divas of Daytime: Kathy Brier, Kassie DePaiva and Bobbie Eakes, who are performing country and southern rock favorites at the "ABC All Star Block Party" on Friday and Saturday. In addition, multi-platinum country music superstar Sara Evans will headline the evening with a performance from 4:00-5:00 p.m. at the "ABC All Star Block Party's" Main Stage on June 13.

Daytime Nielsen Ratings Week of May 18-22, 2009

From Soap Opera Network:
Total Viewers (Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)
1. Y&R 4,874,000 (-121,000/+228,000)
2. B&B 3,369,000 (+81,000/-198,000)
3. OLTL 2,560,000 (+65,000/-176,000)
4. GH 2,550,000 (-8,000/-230,000)
5. DAYS 2,527,000 (-178,000/-310,000)
6. AMC 2,518,000 (-37,000/+22,000)
7. ATWT 2,394,000 (-77,000/-278,000) <------- new low
8. GL 1,951,000 (-93,000/-294,000)

Household Rating (Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)
1. Y&R 3.5/13 (-.1/+.1)
2. B&B 2.5/9 (same/-.2)
3. GH 2.0/7 (+.1/-.2)
4. DAYS 1.9/7 (-.1/-.2)
4. AMC 1.9/7 (-.1/-.1)
4. OLTL 1.9/7 (same/-.3)
7. ATWT 1.8/7 (-.1/-.2)
8. GL 1.5/5 (same/-.2)

From the ABC Daytime ratings release:
* ABC ranked as Daytime's No. 1 network in Women 18-49 for the third week running (1.3 rating/853,000).

* In Women 18-49, ABC positioned all shows among Daytime's Top 5 for the second straight week: GENERAL HOSPITAL (No. 2 - 1.4 rating/905,000), THE VIEW (No. 3T - 1.3 rating/865,000), ONE LIFE TO LIVE (No. 3T - 1.3 rating/848,000) and ALL MY CHILDREN (No. 5T - 1.2 rating/793,000).

* In Women 18-34, all ABC programs landed among Daytime's Top 5: GENERAL HOSPITAL (No. 2 - 1.0 rating/342,000), ONE LIFE TO LIVE (No. 4T - 0.9 rating/321,000) and THE VIEW (No. 4T - 0.9 rating/319,000) and ALL MY CHILDREN (No. 4T - 0.9 rating/304,000).

Daytime Network Rank - Total Viewers:
No. 1 CBS 3.36 million
No. 2 ABC 2.84 million
No. 3 NBC 2.53 million

Daytime Network Rank - Women 18-49 (Rtg/000s)
No. 1 ABC 1.3/853,000
No. 2 NBC 1.2/802,000
No. 3 CBS 1.0/680,000

Daytime Show Rank - Women 18-49 (rank based on rating)
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS CBS 1.7/1.09 million
GENERAL HOSPITAL ABC 1.4/905,000
THE VIEW ABC 1.3/865,000
ONE LIFE TO LIVE ABC 1.3/848,000
DAYS OF OUR LIVES NBC 1.3/802,000
ALL MY CHILDREN ABC 1.3/793,000

Source: NTI, Live + Same Day: Week of 5/18/09. All ranks based on rating unless otherwise noted.

Victoria Rowell Speaks With Time Out New York Kids

Former THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS star Victoria Rowell (ex-Drucilla) recently spoke with Time Out New York Kids about fighting for foster kids, her family and battling racism.

Color television isn’t color television until there is integration of all people behind the camera. When I came on the show, we shot to No. 1 and stayed there. The audience is predominantly African-American women. Twenty-five million people watch the show domestically, and that’s not counting the 22 foreign countries in which we air, including those on the continent of Africa. Those stats are not lost on me. While it was wonderful to hear the accolades from so many blacks and non-blacks who said, “Wow, you represent,” I said, “Thank you, but I don’t feel represented behind the camera.” There were no people of color doing our hair and makeup; no writers of colors on the show in 37 years. If that’s controversy, fine. I think it’s controversial that that hasn’t changed in so many decades. When you’re in a position of power, you can’t just sit there and gloat and collect your paycheck. You’re not put in that position by accident; you’re put there by the design of a higher power, and you’d better make a difference. I give that message everywhere I go.

Time Out New York Kids

Y&R and DAYS at Dodger Stadium

On Monday June 1, at 7:00pm, the L.A. stadium will host THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS night at Dodger Stadium when the Los Angeles Dodgers play against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Not only will Adrienne Frantz (Amber Moore) sing the National Anthem, Jamia Simone Nash (Ana Hamilton) will sing “God Bless America” during the seventh inning.

Other cast members will be in attendance including Clementine Ford (Mac Browning), Stacy Haiduk (Mary Jane Benson), Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe Abbott), Kate Linder (Esther Valentine), Thad Luckinbill (J.T. Hellstrom), Billy Miller (Billy Abbott), Emily O’Brien (Jana Fisher) , Greg Rikaart (Kevin Fisher), Kevin Schmidt (Noah Newman), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Newman) and Jess Walton (Jill Abbott).

The group will sign autographs in the DodgersWIN tent in center field in Autograph Alley from 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. Longtime Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda's voice will air in scenes on Y&R on Wednesday, June 3 as he hosts a radio talk show and ends up playing a pivotal role in the story.

The Dodgers will also be hosting a DAYS OF OUR LIVES day on Saturday, June 6 at 1:10pm. Nadia Bjorlin and Eric Martsolf will be singing the national anthem. Both actors will also sign autographs for fans in the DodgersWIN tent in center field in Autograph Alley before the game.

In The Famous Words of John McEnroe...

"YOU CAN NOT BE SERIOUS!"

It's Joshua Morrow and Sharon Case on the cover of the new Soap Opera Digest (June 9 issue). Why am I always surprised by this? Case has now surpassed Eric Braeden as the second most "covered" soap star behind Morrow over the past year.

These two must really sell. It's six out of the last eight issues for Morrow. I have not received my subscriber copy yet, but was really expecting a full cover of Thom Bierdz now that SOD has had enough time to go to print with his return. These redundant Y&R covers featuring the same actors, similiar pictures and rotating headlines (Nick Wants Sharon, Nick Chooses Phyllis, Nick Leaves Phyllis, Why Sharon Must Be With Nick - I'm not making these up, these are the actual headlines from SOD over the past two months) are just becoming ridiculous.

There seems to be a general consensus among online soap fans that Y&R is the most consistently written and produced daytime soaps. I certainly agree with that. The show is also number one in the Nielsen ratings. So if they are truly the only show that will sell magazines (I still have my doubt but will go along with it for argument's sake), how about giving Melody Thomas Scott (contract negotiations), Thom Bierdz (most shocking return this decade) or Chris Engen (shocking exit and even before that was driving major twisted story) a cover?

When I complained about Eric Braeden being on the cover every other week, this was not the alternative I had in mind.

UPDATE: The home subscriber cover is almost identical but there is no picture of Thom Bierdz. Only the text of his return appears in the bottom right corner.

RELATED:
- Joshua Morrow Digest...Again

TV Guide Canada's "Suds Report"

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

- GUIDING LIGHT exodus! Plus: Did Jeffrey kill Edmund?; Will Josh and Reva reunite?

- Y&R scandal: Chris Engen speaks!

- WORLD TURNS: Yep, Forbes March is gay for pay!

- GH's Rebecca is Emily’s evil twin!

- Who’s back on ONE LIFE? Is Robin Strasser on recurring?

News Round-up: Depaiva, Mathison, Shick, Ripa

INTERVIEW: OLTL's James DePaiva (ex-Max), Part 2
"If it wasn’t said outright, it certainly was implied that I was too old and made too much money. Would I say that it hurt? Absolutely. But I mean they did absolutely everything they could to diminish the value of the character. I had to sit there for a long time watching them drive him into the ground. And I’m the one sitting there facilitating this character I love, driving him into the ground. So that made the anger a lot worse."

Sharon kissed in the Nick of time on Y&R
Sharon accepts Jack's magnanimous offer to raise her unborn baby today on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, but then gets a shocking proposal from her true love, Nick.

"The minute she decides she'll stay put, he says he has made up his mind and he's done with Phyllis," says Sharon Case, who plays the confused and pregnant Sharon Newman. "And then he kisses her!"

Yard Sale Secrets with Cameron Mathison
Yard sale, garage sale, rummage sale or tag sale -- no matter what you call it, it can help you clear out the winter clutter and scoop up enough cash for a summer treat. Special correspondent Cameron Mathison of ALL MY CHILDREN tried one in his own home, and shared with GOOD MORNING AMERICA his secrets for making a sale fun and profitable.

Kelly Ripa Bulks Up Legal Forces to Take on Diet Company
Kelly Ripa is ripping a diet company for using her skinny self without permission. But despite some online reports that she had actually filed a lawsuit against the Guaranà-peddling Internet-based company, Ripa's rep says the former ALL MY CHILDREN star is just in threatening mode.

"Kelly's attorney did not file a lawsuit. A lawsuit was only threatened," Ripa publicist Stan Rosenfield tells E! News. "A cease and desist letter was sent on behalf of Kelly."

Going MENTAL for Marisa Ramirez (ex-Gia, GH)
Ramirez talks about her new character, Chloe, on FOX's MENTAL. "To be honest with you, there have been places in my life where I've had to visit family and friends in mental wards of hospitals, and those are the kind of memories you can never erase and never forget ,so that's always something that was always in my head and an image I would always refer back to."

Lionsgate Sells 49% Of TV Guide Network
Lionsgate said it will sell a 49% stake in TV Guide Network - which it recently acquired from Macrovision Solutions -- to JPMorgan Chase's private equity arm and TV producer Allen Shapiro for about $123 million in cash.

Under the terms of the deal, One Equity Partners, the global private equity investment arm of JPMorgan Chase, will become a 49% equity partner in Lionsgate's TV Guide Network and TVGuide.com. One Equity Partners retains the option of buying another 1% of TV Guide Network and TVGuide.com under certain circumstances.

STUDY: Broadband-media consumers fall into distinct categories
Far ahead of the tech-adoption curve is what the study terms "extreme techies": tech innovators at the forefront of adoption behavior.

Watching as much as 91 minutes of online video content in an average week, they represent 8% of the adult broadband population in the U.S., or 4.6 million viewers. A good majority watch TV online in addition to regular TV viewing (64%) and have specific targets for online video content (60%). They also own an average of four cross-platform devices, such as console gaming systems and cell phones, to view TV or movie content, with 38% also having connected TV sets to their computers.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Anthony Geary (Luke, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-George, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 62
Tracey E. Bregman (Lauren, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Lauren, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL; ex-Donna, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 46
Mark Hapka (Nathan, DAYS OF OUR LIVES)
Kristen Alderson (Starr, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 18

Also celebrating a birthday today is We Love Soaps contributor Michael Goldberg!

Soap Shrink Talks With James DePaiva

The "Soap Shrink," Damon L Jacobs, has become known for his provocative and insightful interviews. In part one, of a two part interview, James DePaiva (ex-Max OLTL), talks to Jacobs about how he got into acting, the part on ANOTHER WORLD that got away, his audition for the role of Max Holden, and how he has dealt with fame.

On losing out on the role of Jamie Frame on ANOTHER WORLD and auditioning to play Max Holden:

D: Jamie on ANOTHER WORLD?
J: Yes, Jamie Frame. I called my agent and said, “I don’t think I got it.” So ONE LIFE TO LIVE was screen-testing. And at this point I just decided that I’m going to do what I want to do. By then I was still doing what I thought they wanted to see. I had just given up hope so I said, “I’m just here for me, I’m just here for my entertainment, so I’m gonna do whatever I want. “ I said this guy (Max) is a wild kind of cowboy, he’s like Starbuck from “The Rainmaker.” His opening line was, “Tina you just won’t believe what happened.” And she says, “Max, I’ve never seen you so wound up.” Now, this guy is crazy is to begin with, and she’s never seen him this wound up? So I just ran in, whooped her up, spun her around three times. There was a monitor where we could watch each other audition for this role. This one kid comes in and he’s just so excited and happy, and I’m just this grumpy old curmudgeon. He said to me, “We do this and then one of us gets the part?” I said, “Sit down and shut up. This doesn’t mean anything. What’s gonna happen is maybe one or two of us are going to fly to New York, we’re gonna go test against everybody else they found throughout the whole country, and then they’re gonna hire an actor that used to be on another show that just got out of rehab anyway!” (laughs) No offense, Larry.

Read part one of the interview here and look for part two to be posted tomorrow!

The Latest in Soap Videos

Here are some of the latest soap videos to hit the web.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Owen kocked Brady out on Thursday and threatened Melanie with a gun!

All MY CHILDREN: The Chandlers said their final goodbye to Stuart on Thursdays' episode.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Robin told Ethan on Thursday there wasn't any chance Robert could be his father.

OTALIA: Natalia worried about Rafe on Thursday's show and Olivia was there for her.

Y&R Offers a Chance to Win a "Wedding of a Lifetime"

Christel Khalil and Daniel Goddard appeared on KTLA to offer the viewers a chance to win the "wedding of a lifetime," and also discussed the relationship of Cane and Lily.



RELATED:
- Khalil and Goddard promote the contest for We Love Soaps

Rumer Willis To Guest on SECRET LIFE

Rumer Willis, the daughter of Bruce Willis and former GENERAL HOSPITAL actress Demi Moore, will guest star on an August episode of THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER.

Willis will play a pregnant teen in the episode. She appeared on an episode of ARMY WIVES last year.

The second season of SECRET LIFE will premiere on June 22 on ABC Family.

SOUTHERN BELLES: LOUISVILLE Sets Ratings Records

The launch (on May 21) of original series SOUTHERN BELLES: LOUISVILLE, SOAPnet’s 10-episode original reality series that follows the lives of five sexy and single, modern Southern women living life their way and breaking the rules of southern tradition in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky, became the net’s No. 1 reality series premiere on record in Total Viewers (459,000), Women 18-34 (73,000) and Women 18-49 (205,000).

In fact, among all original series launches on the net, SOUTHERN BELLES: LOUISVILLE stood as SOAPnet’s second-most-watched premiere of all time in all three key demos, behind the debut of GENERAL HOSPITAL spin-off, GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT (7/12/07).

• SOUTHERN BELLES: LOUISVILLE generated SOAPnet’s largest audience in Thursday’s 10 o’clock hour in 16 months in Women 18-49 (205,000 – since 1/31/08), and in 6 months in Total Viewers (459,000 – since 11/20/08) and Women 18-34 (73,000 – since 11/13/08).

• SOUTHERN BELLES: LOUISVILLE gained solidly over year-ago time period levels (5/22/08), registering double-digit percent gains of 12% in Total Viewers (459,000 vs. 409,000), of 24% in Women 18-34 (73,000 vs. 59,000) and of 14% in Women 18-49 (205,000 vs. 180,000).

PREVIEW FOR TONIGHT'S EPISODE:
The girls help Julie celebrate her 35th birthday as she faces the harsh reality that her clock is ticking and her job is at a standstill. Meanwhile, Emily is offered a job opportunity that her conservative parents will not be happy about. Then, Hadley regrets telling her Sterling she has strong feelings for him. Next, Shea and her father have already started picking dates for her wedding, even though Shea's boyfriend Jeff hasn't proposed yet. And ironically, Kellie decides to start a matchmaking business even though she has been divorced twice. Premieres tonight (10:00 – 11:00 p.m., ET/PT) on SOAPnet.

News Round-up: Christian/Bjorlin, Lily Allen, DTV

Nets begin recasting series
The broadcast networks have started recasting the shows that made it to their fall schedules, the Hollywood Reporter says.

3.1 million not ready for DTV
The number of TV households completely unready for the digital transition decreased to 3.1 million, according to Nielsen. The number represents 2.7% of TV households, down from 2.9% at the time of Nielsen’s last report two weeks ago, which stated that 3.3 million households were unready.

GOSSIP GIRL's Chace Crawford on starring in the new Footloose
"I’ve got some movement in me, but I’m not a dancer," he admits. "I need to start stretching now."

INTERVIEW: DAYS' Nadia Bjorlin & Shawn Christian (Chloe & Daniel)
Christian: "I get a lot of static from people telling me that you went from the grandmother to the granddaughter and now you went to the town slut."

Bjorlin: "I always feel I am the last one to know anything about anything. I think things are pretty good, and the energy around here is pretty great. We all work so well together, and we enjoy being with each other. There is a great camaraderie, so
I can’t complain."

Lily Allen to appear on NEIGHBOURS
Lily Allen is set to appear in Australian soap opera NEIGHBOURS. The singer is a huge fan of the soap, and managed to bag a guest spot after her management bumped into a network executive who works on the program. The singer will play herself in the show and record a scene alongside character Zeke Kinski (played by Matthew Werkmeister) over two days.

Blue County Headed To Warsaw To Support Fight Against Autism
Blue County (featuring former soap star Scott Reeves) will be in Warsaw (Indiana) for a concert to raise funds to support research into causes and a cure for autism. The concert is June 27, and proceeds will go to Walk Now for Autism, an annual event aimed at raising awareness and funds for Autism Speaks, an organization aimed at finding a cure for autism and improving the lives of those with the disease and their families. Walk Now for Autism is scheduled for Sept. 12 at the Allen County Fairgrounds.

The Latest in Soap Videos

Here are some of the latest soap videos to hit the web.

OTALIA: At Rafe's hearing on Wednesday, Frank volunteered to be Rafe's mentor so the judge granted his release. Watch Part 2.

AS THE WORLD TURNS: Noah suggested Meg make a video to appearl for her missing daughter on Wednesday, then put it up on UsTube.

RECKELL/ALFONSO: The DAYS actors talk about their long run on ET CANADA.

CLEMENTINE FORD: The Y&R actress talks with ACCESS HOLLYWOOD about her decision to come out and why she wanted to be on a soap.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Sally Stark (ex-Sharon, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Trish, GUIDING LIGHT) - 71
Alicia Minshew (Kendall, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 35
Emily O'Brien (Jana, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 24
Joseph Cross (ex-Casey, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 23

THE INSIDER: The Making Of A Love Scene

The Ricky Paull Goldin and Chrishell Stause segment on THE INSIDER finally aired on Wednesday. Check it out below.

News Round-up: Tom Pelphrey, ATWT, NBC Ratings

Tom Pelphrey to star in "My Italy Story"
Two-time Emmy Award winner Tom Pelphrey from GUIDING LIGHT will star in Joseph Gallo's "My Italy Story," to be presented by the Mile Square Theatre at Monroe Center for the Arts, June 17-28. Matthew Lawler will direct.

The play is a story of a young man from Hoboken, NJ who sets out to heal the rift that divides his family, and in the process traces his roots to a remote village in Italy, returning to America to face a surprising family secret. Matinee performances on June 27 and 28 will feature Richie Call.

TV Guide Network Launches Celebrity Look-a-Like Contest
TV Guide Network has launched an "I'm a Celebrity Look-a-Like" contest where you can enter to win a role on the network's hit series LOOK-A-LIKE. Viewers have until June 21 to submit photos.

Michael Musto on Brash's Gay Soap Opera?
Village Voice's Michael Musto writes: "That could actually happen, seeing as P.J. Brash, who's written for soaps for years and has won an Emmy and several Writers Guild Awards, has concocted a script with me as the central character! I'd play a bitchy gossip columnist who's basically hiding a lot of heart (a real stretch). My character must also be hiding a lot of cash because he happens to double as the owner of a local gay club, which allows for lots of scenes featuring half-clad gogo boys and hunky bartenders."

Will HOLLYOAKS survive after Bryan Kirkwood?
As Kirkwood's deputy throughout the glory days, new boss Lucy Allan certainly has the chops for the job. And in her first interview in the role last week, she came across as someone who knows what she's doing.

But she doesn't face any easy task. With Warren and Justin now joining Max, OB, Craig, John-Paul, Louise and Mandy in the ranks of the departed (with Hannah soon to join them), she finds herself without a raft of well-loved characters, and a lot of new ones waiting to bed in.

Mother Doesn't Know Best on AS THE WORLD TURNS
"When Parker catches her drinking, Carly offers him a deal. She says, ‘If you don’t tell anyone about my drinking, I won’t give you a hard time for dropping out of school and being a screw-up.’” This throws Parker for a loop. “I think he secretly wants to be disciplined and forced to go to school, but he goes along with the offer,” Mick Hazen says. “He has no idea how much of a problem his mom really has. He’s not old enough to understand addiction. He doesn’t realize it’s a disease.”

EASTENDERS writer pens new drama series
BBC Three has announced that it has commissioned a new drama called PERSONAL AFFAIRS. The series, starring Laura Aikman, Annabel Scholey, Maimie McCoy and Ruth Negga and penned by former EASTENDERS writer Gabbie Asher, follows the fortunes of four personal assistants living in the City.

NBC makes history in the primetime TV ratings
NBC set a low-water mark of historic proportions for TV viewership last week. The network averaged 4.4 million primetime viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. While it's not the smallest ever recorded by ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox, it's the smallest to come in a week outside of the summer doldrums of June, July, August or early September.

Morrow and Goddard on TPIR on June 1

CBS's Emmy Award-winning THE PRICE IS RIGHT, with host Drew Carey, welcomes stars of the number one daytime drama, CBS's THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Daniel Goddard and Joshua Morrow, Monday, June 1 (11:00 AM-12:00 Noon, ET; 10:00-11:00 AM, PT) on the CBS Television Network. Goddard and Morrow compete to prove they are the most romantic guy in daytime television by each putting together a romance-themed showcase at the end of the show.

Maria Arena Bell Talks Y&R, Emmys and More

In a new interview with TV Guide Canada's Nelson Branco, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS executive producer Maria Arena Bell speaks frankly about the Emmys, Chris Engen, GUIDING LIGHT's cancellation and reveals her thoughts on so many of the burning questions fans have at the moment regarding daytime's top-rated soap.

She spoke about the Emmy process and the lack of a Drama Series nomination for Y&R.

As an Emmy judge this year, I found myself with a few gripes. I didn’t understand what these shows did on a daily basis. I didn’t get a sense of these shows. I watched one gigantic stunt episode after another. Afterwards, I was left asking: What are these shows really about? What’s their production like on any given day? What’s their storyline process? These shows air 53 weeks a year, and almost air five days a week out of the calendar year. As a judge, I wanted to honor the best drama series of the year, not just one special episode. Which is why I stand by my submission because I felt like what we offered was emblematic of what Y&R delivers each and every day.

She also spoke about the decreasing budget at Y&R.

Our licencing fee was recently [slashed] so we’re dealing with it the best we can. I think we’re doing a great job in that respect without having to sacrifice quality or our history. We’re also not reacting to these cuts as dramatically as other shows are. Y&R will look and feel the same with, by and large, the same cast. I want all our viewers to know that everything will be OK because I still feel that we’re not at the mercy of these cuts.

Read the full interview here.

News Round-up: Lisa Peluso, Erin Torpey, NYC Tax

Lynn Leahey on Chris Engen's MySpace statement
"I'm glad Chris Engen responded to the rumors that he quit Y&R because he refused to kiss a man on television. Because of the timing of his exit, and that fact that he is taking the unusual (and professionally risky) step of breaking his contract with the show, people jumped to the conclusion that he's a homophobe. Judging from his statement on MySpace, that doesn't appear to be the case at all."

Two Ways to Target Ads Compete in Cable
Cable television has two approaches to creating advertising that is targeted to selected customers the way the Internet can, the Wall Street Journal says. Canoe Ventures aims to address ads to individual homes with certain demographic characteristics, while National Cable Communications allows advertisers to send different ads to different geographic zones based on income, ethnicity and geography to achieve the same effect.

NYC to renew popular film tax credit
The city is introducing legislation in Albany this week to extend the popular tax incentive program that began in 2005 to give a boost to an industry that pumps $5 billion a year into the local economy, officials told The Associated Press. The initial 5% tax credit -- on top of a state credit -- was wildly successful in bringing millions of dollars worth of film and television business to the city, including the ABC comedy UGLY BETTY and Jennifer Aniston's upcoming movie, The Baster.

Lisa Peluso on her favorite ANOTHER WORLD memories
"Just the daily day to day was a joy. I had such a great experience there. For a while I kept in touch with Robert Kelker-Kelly (Shane), Kim Rhodes (Cindy) and Rhonda Ross Kendrick (Toni), but sadly we have not kept in touch in recent years. But they are all still warmly in my thoughts. I still keep in touch with Eldo Estes, the show's make-up artist. Lila was a great character. I miss her very much."

ANOTHER WORLD TODAY: Episode #4
Read the latest episode of the AW text revival and vote on where you want the show to go next.

Deep Soap: When Subtext Becomes Text
Sara Bibel writes: "Like many other fans, I’m pissed off at the Ethan-is-Luke’s long lost son storyline on GENERAL HOSPITAL. It spits on Luke and Laura’s history to now claim that Luke was a serial cheater who always hated having a relatively traditional family. It’s especially frustrating because Luke and Laura were on the canvas during the period when Ethan was born. They were happy and in love. Luke occasionally had wanderlust, but he cherished his wife and his children. Luke preferring the company of grifter Ethan over his police officer son isn’t cool or edgy. Instead, Luke comes across as a schmuck."

Erin Torpey and Hamilton von Watts wedding photos and details
"Erin (ex-Jessica, OLTL) and Hamilton were a dream to work with. You see, besides being unbelievably kind and sweet, they sure know how to work the camera as they have both spent the better part of their lives in front of it (big screen and small). Their wedding was intimate and classy and the 18 person guest list was made up of immediate family only, the minister and his wife and their good friend and fellow actriccce, Rusty, who introduced the couple. The ceremony was right there, on the public beach in front of the newly redone Malibu Beach Inn, followed by a scrumptious dinner on the lovely terrace of the hotel."

Bloom, Frantz & Kwanten at French Open Party

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS actresses Vail Bloom (Heather) and Adrienne Frantz (Amber) were among the celebrities at Tuesday's 2009 French Open celebration party at Beso in Hollywood. Former HOME AND AWAY star Ryan Kwanten (ex-Vinne) was also in attendance at the event sponsored by TV5Monde USA and The Tennis Channel.

Colleen Zenk Pinter NYU College of Dentistry Speaker

AS THE WORLD TURNS star and oral cancer survivor, Colleen Zenk Pinter, addressed graduates at the New York University College of Dentistry graduation ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.

Surrounded by her husband and children, Zenk Pinter also accepted NYUCD’s Strusser Memorial Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to improved public health.

“Zenk Pinter’s willingness to share the story of her personal struggle with the disease and her determination to have oral cancer incorporated into the AS THE WORLD TURNS storyline, gives her acceptance of the Strusser Memorial Award special resonance,” says NYUCD’s Dean Charles N. Bertolami.

AMC on THE INSIDER

ALL MY CHILDREN's Ricky Paull Goldin and Chrishell Stause were scheduled to be on THE INSIDER last night for a "Making of a Love Scene" segment. I did a quick scan of the show and didn't see them. Were they pre-empted? The preview clip is below which features Goldin having abs painted on.

via The Insider

UPDATE:
Chrishell Stause has tweeted: "ET had a promo for it-posted it on my fan site-so I think bc of the passing of M Tysons lil girl, they cut it for that."

Josh Duhamel Drives Pace Car at Indy 500

Former ALL MY CHILDREN star Josh Duhamel drove the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Pace Car at the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday.

During his initial practice laps in the pace car, Duhamel had problems holding the accelerator down to the floor coming off of turn four, but he credited three-time 500 champion Johnny Rutherford with teaching him to trust the car as he led the field onto the main straight.

News Round-up: Willey, Larson, FNL, GodTube

ABC mulls post-merger exec plan
With the broadcast upfronts over, attention is focusing on ABC, which is piecing together a new executive structure. ABC said in January it was merging ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios under president Stephen McPherson, but it opted to defer any executive changes until after the end of the development season, with McPherson spending the past few months examining the synergies between the units.

AMC's Willey and Larson to appear on "Odd Couple" in Ottawa
Tickets for “The Odd Couple” are now on sale. The performance will feature ALL MY CHILDREN actors Walt Willey (as Felix Ungar) and Jill Larson. The show will kick off Ottawa’s Riverfest on July 24-26. Willey said if the three scheduled performances sell out, he is prepared to add an extra matinee on Saturday afternoon.

CHUCK and FNL?
NBC entertainment president Ben Silverman says that while the current plan is to deliver 13 midseason episodes of CHUCK, depending on the ratings, "we may extend it out and continue it through the summer," where he thinks it could pair nicely with FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.

FNL has paid off for DirecTV
"It's paid off for us and we're pleased with it," says Eric Shanks, DirecTV's entertainment executive vp. "We're happy to kind of play the part we do in the equation." The show's executive producer Jason Kamins adds that the critical success of his show has helped it last. "If this sets a benchmark for other quality shows that otherwise wouldn't have survived without this kind of relationship, I'll be very proud."

GodTube Founder Buys AmericanLife TV Network
Dr. Robert Schuller, former pastor of Crystal Cathedral Ministries, and Chris Wyatt, the founder of religious video site GodTube, have acquired baby boomer targeted cable network AmericanLife TV. ComStar Media Fund, for which Wyatt currently serves as CEO, will purchase the cabler, which reaches nearly 13 million subscribers, for an undisclosed sum. The plan is to turn the network into a “family values” channel, though they claim it will not become a religious network per se. The on-air look will change, as will the syndicated programs the network seeks to acquire.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If they take off MARY TYLER MOORE or LOST IN SPACE, I will be seriously annoyed. Who defines "family values" anyway?

Bolger & Hopkins at "Venice Night at the Pantages"

John Bolger (Garrett, GH; ex-Gabe, AW), Kaitlin Hopkins (ex-Kelsey, AW), Amanda Leigh Cobb and Josef Brown arrive at Venice Magazine's "Venice Night at the Pantages Theatre" showing of Dirty Dancing at the Pantages theatre last night in Hollywood.

Bolger joined the ANOTHER WORLD cast as Gabe in 1995 after Hopkins had left the show, but appeared while she was still part of the canvas as a completely different character, Alton Spader.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Mark Collier (ex-Mike, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-David, SUNSET BEACH) - 39
Marissa Tait (ex-Becky, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 30
Darin Brooks (Max, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 25

Crystal Chappell Blown Away By Fan Support

Crystal Chappell posted a beautiful message on her blog. The passion she feels for her fans, GUIDING LIGHT, and Otalia shines through.

Hello Everyone!

Bear with me while I figure out exactly what this blog will be. It may be a hodge podge of ideas because that seems to be my make up. But, either way,the point is to be able to reach out to each other. So, here we go.

I continue to be blown away by the amount of love, passion and compassion that flows through my email. I've always appreciated the support of you fans but never more than I have in the past few months. The news that GL was canceled was shocking and devastating. Even when you know a show's struggling, you hope for the best. And, I believe, we were on our way to some interesting story.

Regarding the Otalia story, I've heard from fans from all over the world and varying belief systems, who've said their hearts and minds have opened to new or different ideas. And, recognize the common thread amongst all of us, love. Asking interesting questions: Where do we find hope? What is real love? What does it look like? What is a family? What is happiness? True joy? It's been inspirational for me to hear such great words.

We at GL have been given plenty of pats on the back over the years, but the truth is it's we who applaud you. For your dedication and on-going support. And for just being down-right great!

I have LOVED playing Olivia! Yes, she can be a bit whacked but I always knew there was a blooming heart underneath it all. I consider the Otalia story to be one of my proudest accomplishments. If, in any way, I've touched a life, a thought, or at least served as some kind of distraction for those who need to look away for a moment from a hardship they're dealing with, I am grateful. It truly has been my privilege.

For those of you who have never written a fan letter but have started, THANK YOU! For you who have and continue, THANK YOU! Your voices are powerful. They've certainly touched me.

I will continue to love and support GUIDING LIGHT, no matter where it goes!

Until next time...

Crystal

Chappell also has a new Twitter page with over 1,500 followers already.

The Latest in Soap Videos

Here are some of the latest soap videos to hit the air!

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Stephanie declared on Tuesday she would win back Forrester Creations for her family.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Victor exchanged harsh words with Bo and Brady on Tuesday.

ONE LIFE TO LIVE: On Tuesday's episode, Tess and Bess battled it out.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Patrick and Robin reunited on Tuesday.

Stars Speak Out on Prop 8 Ruling

The California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8 by a vote of 6-1 in a ruling released Tuesday. However, the 18,000 same-sex marriages performed before Proposition 8 took effect will remain valid.

Some stars tweeted their feelings after the decision came down.

@edenriegel Heartbreaking CA Supreme Court decision. I am ashamed. Let's raise some $ for a new ballot measure next year. I know we can do this. The people who are on the wrong side of history will soon be outnumbered.

@emmyrossum The people who are on the wrong side of history will soon be outnumbered.

@mrskutcher Heartbreaking CA Supreme Court decision. I am ashamed. Let's raise some $ for a new ballot measure next year. I know we can do this.

@bryangreenberg Cali Supreme court are you kidding me?! If 2 people love each other and wanna get married it's fine by me.

Earlier in the day, AMC's Chrishell Stause was hopeful.

@Chrishell7 I hope California gets it right today and #rejectprop8 Sad to not have equal rights in 2009

Moments after the decision was handed down, hundreds of people outside the California Supreme Court began chanting "Shame on you, shame on you."

News Round-up: Linder, Hughes, Consuelos, Canary

INTERVIEW: Y&R's Kate Linder (Esther)
Kate Linder was named celebrity spokesperson for The ALS Association in early 2005. Earlier this month, she went to Washington to lobby for more funds to fight ALS – Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis – for the fifth year in a row.

Linder said: "My brother-in-law, Scott, was diagnosed with ALS in 2004, and I had heard about ALS before because Michael Zaslow, who was on GUIDING LIGHT, had it. When Scott came down with it, I thought 'Oh gosh, I have to get involved and see what I can do here'."

BWE Writers Room: DAYS Of Our SCRUBS
Nurse Laverne Roberts from SCRUBS, actress Aloma Wright, appeared on DAYS OF OUR LIVES and the Best Week Ever writers were thrilled.

Hughes, Consuelos and Webster in Lifetime Movie Network film
The fashion police are out in force this summer as Lifetime Movie Network premieres two fashionably fabulous murder mysteries. Maggie Lawson stars as Lacey Smithsonian, a Washington, D.C., fashion reporter whose beat turns deadly when she stumbles upon some hair-raising murders in Killer Hair and Hostile Makeover. Mark Consuelos (ALL MY CHILDREN), Mario Cantone, Emmy Award-winner Finola Hughes (GENERAL HOSPITAL), Mary McDonnell and Victor Webster (DAYS OF OUR LIVES) round out the "ensemble." Killer Hair premieres on Sunday, June 21, at 8pm ET/9pm PT, and Hostile Makeover premieres on Sunday, June 28, at 8pm ET/9pm PT on Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime's sister network and the second highest rated women's channel.

Deep Soap: Canary In The Coal Mine
Sara Bibel writes: "Last week featured some brilliant performances that elevated mediocre storylines into compelling television. I hate that All My Children killed off Stuart. But David Canary’s portrayal of Adam’s grief was incredibly moving. His guilty realization that Stuart took a bullet meant for him was heartbreaking. The scene where he broke down at the sight of his twin brother’s body was one of the Emmy Award winning actor’s most powerful."

Primetime Emmy Watch: Drama
It's the year after the Big Breakthrough at the Primetime Emmy Awards. The question is no longer how long it will be until there's drama series parity between broadcast and cable networks, but rather whether the Big Four can compete in this category on even terms any more.

Chris Engen Blogs About His Y&R Departure

Chris Engen has posted a long message on his MySpace page regarding his exit from the role of Adam on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.

CHRIS ENGEN - STATEMENT TO THE PUBLIC

Good Day. This is the first time in my life that I address an audience so vast and varied. There are a number of heated topics that have become entwined with my recent decision to quit my job, and I feel there are a number of truths that deserve to be stated, a number of untruths that deserve to be rectified, and a few of my own ideas that, by way of circumstance, I am compelled to inject into the debate. This is the only statement I intend to make regarding this subject. I would like first to apologize, as I feel I owe a great many of you at least that. I know that a choice like this appears weak and impulsive. Honestly, it was the last thing I ever thought I’d do - the absolute LAST thing I ever wanted.

The job has been a great challenge, and my hat is off to all my fellow actors who have mastered it so gracefully. I know a great many of you have endured far worse than what you perceive to have been my circumstance, but I do not believe that just because you have suffered a particular injustice, so too must everyone else in order to understand that injustice. I want to apologize to any of my fellow actors who I may have disappointed. I would also like to apologize to those of you who feel slighted by this choice, as I have been branded a "homophobe" by several members of the press. This is, of course, absurd and many of my dearest friends are homosexuals who would be more than happy to speak on my behalf. My decision had nothing to do with religion, or anything I learned at Bishop Montgomery High School. Bishop is a great institution of learning that encourages tolerance and acceptance of others. I do not ascribe to any one religious ideology but do value the truth that exists in them all. I think the unfortunate assumption that has been made is that Catholics are intolerant of homosexuals on the basis of their Catholicism. Intolerance of anything is a product of one’s underlying belief system as an experience of limitation. It is the line we intellectually draw within ourselves that prevents us from understanding those things we reject, because it defines the boundaries of who we are as individuals. We are what we are, but we are also NOT what we are not. Intolerance is a natural reaction that, I believe, we must understand in order to defeat. It is not a fire to be stomped out by an angry foot or extinguished by a inundating stream of media exposure. Homosexuality is a quality of beingness: one of many qualities that make up the rich diversity that humanity expresses.

True -- I was not comfortable with many of the challenges they presented before me, but I put my head down and did my job. The fact that I had an opportunity as ostensibly attractive and lucrative as this, particularly in difficult economic times and with so many talented actors and industry professionals out of work was, of course, more than reason enough to be grateful. I considered it part of the challenge and within my job description to do the best with whatever storyline was being written for me, as I was very fortunate to be getting a storyline in the first place. I understand that the writers have a very difficult task. They accomplish more in a week than what other shows do in over a month. I never stormed off the set, nor have I stormed off any set in my 18 years of struggle as an artist. I felt generally unhappy about my contribution to the show, and had greater and greater difficulty making any sense of the challenges they were asking me to face. If that makes me a limited actor, then so be it. I was allowed ONE meeting with Maria Bell, and I called in sick ONCE in my 16 months on the show. In the end, I didn’t feel that decisions were being made in my best interests, personally or professionally.

I learned a great deal in my time there and I am eternally grateful for the challenges that enriched me as an artist and as a man. As a single father, with sole custody of a 10 year-old boy, this was neither a practical decision, nor was it an easy decision to make. I believe that as an actor, and as a human being, I deserve better than to be forced to do something that I don’t feel is right on many levels, and that should have nothing to do with the choices that other people make. My visage and my craft were being utilized to tell a story that I wasn’t inspired to tell. I have a great deal of respect for the show in general and all those hard-working people who make it possible, and it is out of respect for them and a sense of duty toward them that I asked to be removed from my duties. I know this doesn’t conform to contract stipulations and it is regrettable that my personal feelings came into conflict with that precedent, although I don’t think that would have ever been the case if what was being requested of me was not unprecedented. Ultimately, the producers were very understanding and amenable and I, in fact, worked until they told me they didn’t need me anymore. I am sure that more of my colleagues would speak on my behalf if they too weren’t afraid of the possible consequences, and I don’t blame them for that. It has been a difficult journey for me, and many others, on the road to understanding the nature of artistry and what it takes to succeed. Strength is measured by what we are willing to stand for, not by what we are willing to lie down and take. I want to thank everyone who has voiced such tremendous support and encouragement. Much love and gratitude to you all. God Bless. Namaste

Chris Engen

Do you feel for Chris Engen? Or is this a case of an actor bolting on a show and not admitting his true reasons for leaving? I think we will be debating this one for some time to come.