FLASHBACK: DAYS OF OUR LIVES Hobbies 1968

Soap Hobbies
Pittsburgh Press
January 7, 1968

Acting is perhaps one of the more glamorous of occupations but some of the pressures and demands of the profession have caused many of television's actors and actresses to retreat behind a satisfying hobby after the show.

Such is the case for many of the cast of NBC's DAYS OF OUR LIVES, the Monday-through-Friday dramatic series (2 p.m. Channels 6, 7, 11).

Each morning the Horton family and significant outsiders on the show get involved in some pretty emotional crises either in Dr. Tom Horton's (Macdonald Carey) hospital office or at the home he shares with Mrs. Horton (Frances Reid).

ALL MY CHILDREN Honored With Media Award by Peace Over Violence

ALL MY CHILDREN was honored on Friday at the 9th Annual Humanitarian Awards from the Peace Over Violence organization. The show was given the "Media Award" at the ceremony held at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Agnes Nixon spoke at the event as did Calista Flockhart (the organizations National Spokesperson), Rosario Dawson, Bo Derek and Maria Conchita-Alonso.

The last time the "Media Award" was given out was in 2007 to Amy Berg for Deliver Us From Evil.

The other honorees were Wendy Greuel (Los Angeles City Controller), the Southern California Gas Company, Father Greg Boyle (S.J., Executive Director, Homeboy Industries) and Cheryl Burke.

Cady McClain Releases ‘Here Comes Love’

Tracie Powell is a freelance writer and law student. She’s also the co-founder of Bring Back Our Soaps (BBOS), a grassroots effort to prevent further destruction of the soap opera genre. She has reported for both People and Newsweek magazines. Most recently she was a web editor for a national trade publication and was a political columnist for Congressional Quarterly (CQ) in Washington.

Cady McClain Releases 'Here Comes Love'
By Tracie Powell
Guest Editorial

McClain showed off her beautiful voice in 2006 with the release of "Blue Glitter Fish," an album that can best be described as semi-equal parts country, folk, blues, jazz and pop. With this month's release of her newest single, "Here Comes Love," she proves yet again the versatility of her musical styling.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Lee Grant (ex-Rose, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW; ex-Stella, PEYTON PLACE) - 83
Charles Cioffi (ex-Kirk, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Claudius, RYAN'S HOPE; ex-Ernesto, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 75
Deidre Hall (ex-Marlena, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 63
Andrea Hall (ex-Hattie/Samantha, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 63
Nolan North (ex-Chris, PORT CHARLES) - 40
Scott Clifton (Liam, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL; ex-Schuyler, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Dillon, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Fritz, LIFE IN GENERAL; ex-Caleb, UNDRESSED) - 26

TRIVIA: Also born on this day, in 1941, was the late Brent Collins who made a big soap impact in the 1980s with his roles as Mr. Big on AS THE WORLD TURNS and Wallingford on ANOTHER WORLD. He died in 1988 at age 46.

WATCH: IN BETWEEN MEN Trailer

IN BETWEEN MEN released its first season trailer earlier this week. The show, which stars Nick Mathews, Ben Pamies, Max Rhyser and Chase Coleman, will premiere in early November. Watch the trailer below and let us know what you think.

Catching Up With Denise Alexander: The PRETTY Interview, Part 1

Legendary actress Denise Alexander performed in over 2500 radio shows in New York starting at age 6, and was part of the transition from radio to television 60 years ago. In the 1950s she appeared in numerous primetime shows as a teenager, and in 1960 made her television soap debut on the West Coast in THE CLEAR HORIZON. Following a stint on BEN JERROD she was cast in the breakthrough role of Susan Hunter Martin on DAYS OF OUR LIVES. In 1973 GENERAL HOSPITAL was able to sign her to a contract as Lesley Webber, a role she's played on and off ever since. Earlier this year she was named on of the 50 Greatest Soap Actress of All-Time by our panel of critics. In 2010 she's part of another transition, from television to the internet, as she will be guest starring on the upcoming second season of the hilarious web series PRETTY. In this exclusive multi-part interview with WE LOVE SOAPS TV, Alexander shares memories from her remarkable career, discusses the future of entertainment on the web, and previews her web series debut.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: You were involved in the industry when it was transitioning from radio to TV.
Denise Alexander: At the tail end of it. I got to do a little bit of everything.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: I compare that to what's happening now with the web. A lot of people are doing a lot of different types of shows and experimenting.
Denise Alexander: That's the fun of it. That's why I'm involved with PRETTY. My dear friend Steve [Silverman, creator of PRETTY] asked if I would like to come and play and it's really a kick. I never thought about it as a kid. There was television, there was radio, I did theater, I did everything there was to to do, and it seemed natural. Now when I look back I think, "How lucky was I," because a lot of people didn't have those experiences. Here I am now because of Steve. And this is really such a baby form of entertainment.

VOTE: Indie Soap of the Week Poll

Which indie soap was your favorite last week? Support your favorite continuing drama and vote in the weekly WE LOVE SOAPS TV poll below. Check back on Tuesday morning for the results (voting ends Tuesday at 9 a.m. ET). Only the shows that aired one or more new episodes from October 24-30, 2010 are listed. Based on release schedules, the shows in the poll will change weekly.

If an indie soap aired this week and is not on the list, feel free to cast your vote as "Other" and add a note in the Comments section of this post.



Watch this week's indie soaps below:
- 4 GUYS IN A STUDIO APARTMENT Episode 6 "The Exorcism of Lou Perecca"
- 8.13 Episode 9 "Shoot For the Head"
- AGENT LING Episode 4 "Petrov"
- APT 1B Season 2 Episode 2
- AS THE CORN GROWS Episode 55
- COLLEGE Season 2 Premiere
- I BREATHE THIS Episode 2 "Party Time" (explicit)
- KOLE'S LAW Episode 104 "Talking Shop"
- MISDIRECTION Episode 2 "Read Through"
- MONTREAL HEARTS Episode 7 "Lollipops"
- PARTY GIRL PLUS ONE Episode 8 "Date 8: Three's Company"
- SQUARE ONE Episode 11 "No Trace"
- SNOW-WIGHT AND THE STRIPPER Episode 1 "The Bunny has landed.."
- TABLE OF CHOICES Episode 60
- THE BAY Chapter 2 Webisode 5
- THE BEST FRIEND Episode 7 "In the Ring"
- THE PARAGON Season 2 Episode 9
- THE RENFIELD SYNDROME Episode 1
- VAMPIRE ZOMBIE WEREWOLF Episode 1
- VENICE Season 2 Episode 3 (subscription)
- VENUS SPA S2.6: "Thriller Night!"

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Jane White (ex-Olivia, A WORLD APART, ex-Lydia, THE EDGE OF NIGHT; ex-Tante, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW) - 88
Marilyn Alex (ex-Molly, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL/THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 79
Kathleen Cody (ex-Laurie Ann, THE EDGE OF NIGHT; ex-Sally, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Cecilia, THE SECRET STORM; ex-Hallie, DARK SHADOWS)- 57
Gina Gallego (Jane, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Diandra, RITUALS; ex-Santana, SANTA BARBARA; ex-Gina, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 55
Shanna Reed (ex-Terry, TEXAS) - 54
Brümilda van Rensburg (ex-Louwna, EGOLI) - 52
Kristina Wagner (Felicia, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 47
Nia Long (ex-Kat, GL) - 40
Dominique Jennings (ex-Virginia, Sunset Beach)
Matthew Morrison (Will, GLEE; ex-Adam, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 32
Eva Marcille (ex-Tyra, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 26

NEWS: GH Facebook, Ryan Kwanten, Izzie, SHUGA, McCardle, Foley

How GENERAL HOSPITAL increased Facebook responses
Finding out what works on Facebook can require some expertise. Jeff Ragovin, chief revenue officer of Buddy Media, describes how GENERAL HOSPITAL, which he says “I’ve never seen in my life,” had made 30-40 status updates on its Facebook page without stirring any customer engagement. So Buddy Media suggested, they change the tone and talk about what was going on in the soap with status updates such as “Should Luke and Laura have had sex last night?” That kicked responses up from about 10 comments to 10,000.

VOTE: Daytime Soap of the Week Poll

Which daytime soap was your favorite the week of October 25-29, 2010? Vote in the weekly WE LOVE SOAPS TV poll below and check back on Monday morning for the results.

Voting ends at 9 a.m. ET on Monday.

Free Web poll for your Web site - freepolls.com

Soap Opera TV Ratings October 18-24, 2010

Compiled from a list of several Nielsen reports, here are the Nielsen ratings for the week of October 18-24, 2010 for all the daytime and primetime television soap operas. DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES ruled in total viewers for the week.

THE GOOD WIFE (12.169 million, 7.9/14)
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (12.159 million, 7.7/12)
GREY'S ANATOMY (10.974 million, 7.1/11)
BROTHERS & SISTERS (8.21 million, 5.7/9)

Daytime Stars in Primetime Shows: A Guest Star List

WE LOVE SOAPS TV is keeping a running list of soap stars who are guesting on primetime shows. Below is the latest list of stars who will be making guest stints on primetime shows in the coming weeks including new additions Michael Badalucco and Nadia Bjorlin.

OCTOBER
29 CSI: NEW YORK - Thomas Calabro / Paul James
29 BLUE BLOODS - Alex Charak / Amy Carlson (recurring role)

NOVEMBER
1 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER - Laura Bell Bundy / Ashwyn Bagga
1 TWO AND A HALF MEN - Liz Vassey
1 CASTLE - Mary Page Keller
1 HAWAII FIVE-0 - Kelly Hu
3 BETTER WITH YOU - Valerie Mahaffey
3 CRIMINAL MINDS - Robert Newman / Melissa Claire Egan
3 COUGAR TOWN - Carolyn Hennesy (recurring role)
5 MEDIUM - Rena Sofer
5 SMALLVILLE - Peyton List
5 BLUE BLOODS - Yvonna Kopacz-Wright / Amy Carlson (recurring roles)
7 CSI: MIAMI - Kristen Renton / Matthew Florida

ABC Press Release: Daytime Ratings For Oct. 18-22, 2010

From ABC:
* ABC stood as Daytime's No. 1 network for the 8th straight week among target Women 18-49 (1.0 rating/667,000 - tie).

* In head-to-head action, ONE LIFE TO LIVE surpassed the premiere week of CBS' THE TALK by a solid 10% among Total Viewers (2.35 million vs. 2.14 million), by 23% among Women 18-49 (625,000 vs. 510,000) and by 30% among Women 25-54 (845,00 vs. 652,000).

o Notably, ONE LIFE TO LIVE's 10% advantage over THE TALK at 2 o'clock improved on last season's near-dead-heat finish between ONE LIFE TO LIVE (2.42 million) and former time period occupant AS THE WORLD TURNS (2.41 million).

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Finola Hughes (ex-Anna, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Alex, AMC) - 51
Laura Bonarrigo (ex-Rebecca, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Cassie, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Lindsay, ANOTHER WORLD) - 46
Grayson McCouch (ex-Dusty, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Morgan, ANOTHER WORLD) - 42
Ben Foster (ex-Russell, SIX FEET UNDER) - 30

WE LOVE SOAPS TV Interview Archive: Anthony Geary

Earlier this month, WE LOVE SOAPS TV spoke with legendary actor Anthony Geary about his long and illustrious career in theater, television and film. Geary first burst onto the national scene in an episode of ALL IN THE FAMILY where he guest-starred with Philip Carey. He appeared on a number of primetime shows in the 1970s and had roles on BRIGHT PROMISE and THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS before landing his most famous role to date - Luke Spencer on GENERAL HOSPITAL. He is returning to his musical theater roots in a new show, "Into the Woods," that is running in Los Angeles through November 20. In our exclusive two-part interview, Geary talks about the musical as well as some of the highlights from his career.

Part 1 - Geary discusses his first professional break ("The Subject Was Roses"), his ALL IN THE FAMILY classic episode, his early soap roles and landing what was intended to be the short-term role of Luke Spencer on GENERAL HOSPITAL.

NEWS: Ashley Jones, Hillary B. Smith, Sarah Glendening, BIG LOVE

THE GOOD WIFE nabs Leelee Sobieski for guest spot
The actress has signed up to play the girlfriend of one of the law firm's most influential clients.

BIG LOVE set to end
HBO announced that the polygamy drama’s fifth season — premiering Sunday, Jan. 16 — will be its last.

Nelson Aspen & Kylie Minogue: "Black Tie/Black Leather"

Of course Kylie Minogue is best known as pop music royalty, but fans know she got her start on the long running Australian soap opera, NEIGHBOURS. I had the chance to interview her exclusively last night, as she prepared to host the AmFar extravaganza "Black Tie/Black Leather" at the Chateau Marmont (I got a shocking and inadvertent flash of Ms. Courtney Love, but that's a story best left untold).

FAN EVENT: An Evening with THE BAY November 7

NEWS: JoBeth Williams, Julianne Moore, Lindsay Hartley, Veleka Gray

First Look At Lindsay Hartley As Mad Harriet In SMALLVILLE
In the episode, titled “Abandoned,” Mad Harriet is sent by Granny Goodness — Christine Willes, last seen in Season Nine's “Salvation” — to defeat Clark. The episode, airing November 12, also marks the debut of Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane’s mother Ella. Created by Jack Kirby, the insane Mad Harriet debuted in January 1972′s Mister Miracle #6 as member of the Female Furies, a group of warriors trained on Apokolips to serve its ruler Darkseid. She’s only the latest denizen of Apokolips to appear in Smallville‘s 10th and final season; we’ve already seen Granny Goodness, Desaad (Steve Byers), Gordon Godfrey (Michael Daingerfield) and Darkseid himself.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Mark Derwin (George, THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER; ex-Ben, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Mallet, GUIDING LIGHT) - 50
Daphne Zuniga (ex-Jo, MELROSE PLACE) - 48
Lauren Holly (ex-Julie, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 47
Chris Bauer (Andy, TRUE BLOOD) - 44
Lauren Woodland (ex-Brittany, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Anika, UNDRESSED; ex-Sara, SUNSET BEACH; ex-Janelle, PORT CHARLES) - 33

NEWS: CAPRICA, TWIN PEAKS on PSYCH, Shaughnessy, Maria Bell

EVENT: NY SAG Foundation Conversation with ONE LIFE TO LIVE
The New York SAG Foundation has invited all union members (SAG, AFTRA, Equity) to a Conversations Event with the Executive Producer and Cast Members of ONE LIFE TO LIVE. The panel will include: Frank Valentini, Gina Tognoni, Florencia Lozano, Sean Ringgold, Kristen Alderson, David Gregory, Hillary B. Smith, Kassie DePaiva. The panel will discuss the 42-year-old soap and will be moderated by Abby West from Entertainment Weekly.

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Bracket Challenge

You now have the chance to let your voice be heard in choosing the Ultimate Fan Moment! The B&B website team has scoured the past 24 years of scandals, catfights, weddings, and fashion shows and those wonderful moments will compete head to head in an online fan battle.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Returns to DirecTV Tonight

Critically-acclaimed, underappreciated FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS returns for its fifth and final season tonight at 9 p.m. on DirecTV's The 101 Channel.

The season premiere offers viewers a glimpse of Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) in prison and a fond farewell to Landry Clark (Jesse Plemons), who heads off to Rice University, but not before saying his goodbyes to Matt Saracen's grandmother and the Alamo Freeze.

THE BAY: Chapter 2, Webisode 5 Shaughnessy & Andrews Debut!

The latest webisode of THE BAY has been released, the first in the show's second chapter (aka the second television episode). What happened with Igor and his strapped on bomb? Plus, Charles Shaughnessy and Real Andrews debut! Watch the new webisode below.

Christian LeBlanc: The We Love Soaps Interview, Part Four

In Parts One, Two, and Three of our interview with Christian LeBlanc, the Emmy-winning outspoken talent discussed his hosting and participating in both the upcoming exciting Soap Star Spectacular and Soap Cruise Fourth Voyage, as well as keeping Jeannie Cooper out of jail, his take on the Indie Soap Revolution, his self-expression through his art work, and how he has prevented himself from becoming one of soap's "walking wounded." In this final part below he shares about his new foray into stand-up comedy, and the tragedy that fuels his drive to push new boundaries. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: You sound so humble as you talk about your craft.
Christian LeBlanc: There is nothing more humbling than being out on a stage.  There isn’t.  It’s the risk of failure.  I lucked into my first acting class.  I was into medicine at the time.  Someone had to miss an audition and said to me, “I cant give this up, you’ve got to take it.” Bobby Lewis, who founded the Yale Drama School, asked me if I had a monologue.  I had learned this [saying] from New York, “Give me thirty seconds and I’ll give you a monologue.” He said, “You’re brave,” and he put me in a Masters class.

NEWS: Ellen Dolan, Michael B. Jordan, Timothy Adams, Lenny Platt

Sourcebooks Sells Early E-Installments of DAYS OF OUR LIVES Books
Sourcebooks is testing a new model in which it is selling early access to books connected with the soap opera Days of Our Lives. Although CEO Dominique Raccah said “very few” people have paid $9.95 to become members of the DaysInsider Early Access program so far, it’s “significantly more than we expected.”

The program launched earlier this month as a subscription-based Web site that gives fans early access to two new books in the publisher’s DAYS OF OUR LIVES series. The promotion coincides with the show’s 45th anniversary. Earlier this year, Sourcebooks and Corday Productions, which produces the show, announced a five-book deal consisting of a memoir, a 45th anniversary commemorative coffee table book, and a fiction series extending storylines featured on the show.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Ruby Dee (ex-Martha, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Alma, PEYTON PLACE) - 86
Russ Anderson (ex-Christopher, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Steve, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 48
Eddie Alderson (Matthew, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 16

Natalia Livingston Joins DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Natalia Livingston, best known to daytime audiences as GH's Emily (2003-08) and Rebecca (2009) has been hired to play Taylor Raines, sister of Arianne Zucker’s Nicole.

The role was last portrayed by Katherine Ellis from 1998-99.

RESULTS: Indie Soap of the Week Poll

Here are the results from the WE LOVE SOAPS TV "Indie Soap of the Week" poll for the week of October 17-23, 2010. VENICE return its second episode of the new season and finished in the top spot. ANACOSTIA finished in a strong second place.



Indie soaps that aired one or more episodes last week were eligible. Check back on Saturday when this week's polling begins and keep supporting your favorite indie shows by voting. But more importantly watch them and spread the word.

Watch last week's indie soaps below:
- 8.13 Episode 8 "Barb"
- ANACOSTIA Season 2 Episode 3 "Hello Like Before"
- BLACKOUT Episode 3
- I BREATHE THIS Episode 1 "Meet the Crew" (explicit)
- MONTECITO HEIGHTS Episode 7 "Operation Shiva Part 2"
- MONTREAL HEARTS Episode 6 "Wages"
- PLACES PLEASE Episode 2.3 "Showcase Yourself"
- ROOMIES! CODA "Where Sally Ran..."
- SQUARE ONE Episode 10 "2010 A.F."
- THE PLAY'S THE THING Episode 10 "Are We There Yet?"
- THROWN EP.01 "Private Sesh" (explicit)
- VENICE Season 2 Episode 2 (subscription)
- VENUS SPA S2.5: "Bedroom Action?"

RELATED:
- Check out our Indie Soap Beat Fall Preview Guide here.

ONE LIFE TO LIVE Upgrades To 16x9 Widescreen SD Format

Continuing ABC’s lead in providing quality programming with high production values, ONE LIFE TO LIVE will begin producing the show in 16X9 Widescreen SD format. The first tape date for the new format is today, OCTOBER 26 and will first air on December 6.

Emmy Award-winning ONE LIFE TO LIVE, created by Agnes Nixon, was launched July 15, 1968. Frank Valentini executive-produces. Ron Carlivati is the head writer. The popular drama consistently ranks among the top five in the key demographic of Women 18-49. ONE LIFE TO LIVE airs Monday-Friday (2:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

James Pickens Jr. (Richard, GREY'S ANATOMY; ex-Zach, ANOTHER WORLD) - 56
Patrick Breen (ex-Winslow, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 50

GLEE Releasing Christmas Album on Nov. 16

EW.com is reporting that GLEE is releasing a Christmas album featuring the cast (and k.d. lang) singing covers of 12 holiday classics. The disc is set to drop on Nov. 16 — three weeks ahead of a special "Yuletide" episode (airing on Dec. 7.)

The track list is below.

Daytime Stars in Primetime Shows: A Guest Star List

WE LOVE SOAPS TV is keeping a running list of soap stars who are guesting on primetime shows. Below is the latest list of stars who will be making guest stints on primetime shows in the coming weeks including new additions Megan Ward and Bryton James.

OCTOBER
25 CHUCK - Morgan Fairchild
25 TWO AND A HALF MEN - Liz Vassey
25 CASTLE - Anne Marie Howard
25 CHASE - Eddie Cibrian
26 GLEE - John Stamos
26 NO ORDINARY FAMILY - Rachel Miner

NEWS: B&B Hires Homeless, Brooks on Reid, CORRIE Move

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL hires the homeless
B&B went down to L.A.'s Skid Row and hired some 25 real-life homeless people to tell their life stories on camera. The sequences, airing October 28-29, are part of a plot that has Beverly Hills matron Stephanie Forrester (Susan Flannery) battling stage 4 lung cancer and using what time she has left to help those who have nothing.

Christian LeBlanc: The We Love Soaps Interview, Part Three

In Parts One and Two of our interview with Christian LeBlanc, the Emmy-winning outspoken talent discussed his hosting and participating in both the upcoming exciting Soap Star Spectacular and Soap Cruise Fourth Voyage, as well as keeping Jeannie Cooper out of jail, his take on the Indie Soap Revolution, and his expression through his art work.  In Part Three below he discusses lessons learned from playing Michael Baldwin, his take on actors taking "shortcuts," as well as what he really thought of the Y&R doppelganger story this past year.  

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: After all these years of portraying Michael, do you still have fears?
Christian LeBlanc: Yes.  Because I’m in a show where they put with me people where I have to up my game.  The extent of my interactions with the producers is saying, “I want to work with Maura!” and then I slam the door and run away.  Or, “Please give me a story line with Tricia Cast!” then slam and run away.

But truly, I don’t want to get that involved.  If you get involved with where you want your character to go, it might not be as creative as some of the red herrings coming down the chute.  I remember one script said, “Michael does an Inspector Clouseau imitation.” I said, “Hey, that’s disrespectful. Who the hell knows if he has a french accent?” Then I thought, “Wouldn’t that be interesting if evil Michael Baldwin loved the Pink Panther?” That’s what they gave me.  What a quirk!

Tristan Rogers Joins The Young and the Restless

THE BAY star Tristan Rogers has landed a recurring role on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. A show rep tells TV Guide Magazine he'll play "a mysterious and charming stranger named Colin who comes to Genoa City with a dark secret and a threatening agenda." Rogers will start shooting Y&R October 27 and hit the air December 8.

RESULTS: Daytime Soap of the Week Poll

Here are the results from the WE LOVE SOAPS TV "Daytime Soap of the Week" poll for the week of October 18-22, 2010. DAYS OF OUR LIVES returned the top spot for the week.



Check back on Friday when this week's polling begins.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Jeanne Cooper joined the cast of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS in November 1973 and has been going strong ever since. She's one of several current and former daytime stars celebrating a birthday today. See the full list below.

Jeanne Cooper (Katherine, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 82
Brian Kerwin (Charlie, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Greg, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 61
Tom Eplin (ex-Jake, ANOTHER WORLD/AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 50
Darlene Vogel (ex-Melanie, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 48
Chris Engen (ex-Adam, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 31

The Week in Review: Most Popular Posts

In case you missed them, here are the 15 most popular topics over the past week at WE LOVE SOAPS TV:

1.   EXCLUSIVE: Steve Burton Dishes On New Cookbook & More!
2.   Jake Silbermann As You've Never Seen Him Before
3.   Eric Sheffer Stevens Update
4.   80 YEARS AGO TODAY: THE SOAP OPERA WAS BORN

Today's Soap World Birthdays

WE LOVE SOAPS TV debuted our three-part interview with YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS star Doug Davidson last year on his birthday. A year has gone by and he's celebrating again today. See the full birthday list below.

F. Murray Abraham (ex-Joshua, HOW TO SURVIVE A MARRIAGE) - 71
Kevin Kline (ex-Woody, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW) - 63
Doug Davidson (Paul, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 56
Christina Chambers (ex-Marty, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Maria, SUNSET BEACH; ex-Molly, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 41
Shenae Grimes (Annie, 90210; ex-Darcy, DEGRASSI) - 21
Aubrey "Drake" Graham (ex-Jimmy, DEGRASSI) - 24

VOTE: Indie Soap of the Week Poll

Which indie soap was your favorite last week? Support your favorite continuing drama and vote in the weekly WE LOVE SOAPS TV poll below. Check back on Tuesday morning for the results (voting ends Tuesday at 9 a.m. ET). Only the shows that aired one or more new episodes from October 17-23, 2010 are listed. Based on release schedules, the shows in the poll will change weekly.

If an indie soap aired this week and is not on the list, feel free to cast your vote in the comments section.


Watch this week's indie soaps below:
- 8.13 Episode 8 "Barb"
- ANACOSTIA Season 2 Episode 3 "Hello Like Before"
- BLACKOUT Episode 3
- I BREATHE THIS Episode 1 "Meet the Crew" (explicit)
- MONTECITO HEIGHTS Episode 7 "Operation Shiva Part 2"
- MONTREAL HEARTS Episode 6 "Wages"
- PLACES PLEASE Episode 2.3 "Showcase Yourself"
- ROOMIES! CODA "Where Sally Ran..."
- SQUARE ONE Episode 10 "2010 A.F."
- THE PLAY'S THE THING Episode 10 "Are We There Yet?"
- THROWN EP.01 "Private Sesh" (explicit)
- VENICE Season 2 Episode 2 (subscription)
- VENUS SPA S2.5: "Bedroom Action?"

Jonathan Jackson Attends Release of New Film Kalamity

Jonathan Jackson's new film, Kalamity, premiered in New York City on Monday. On Friday night, the movie made its Los Angeles debut at the Laemmle's Sunset 5 Theatre.

James M. Hausler wrote and directed the film which also stars Nick Stahl, Christopher M. Clark, Beau Garrett, Robert Forster and Alona Tal.

Here's a preview of the storyline:

Haunted by memories of his ex-girlfriend Alice (Beau Garrett), a heartbroken Billy (Nick Stahl) returns home to Northern Virginia seeking solace from old friends. But what he finds there is more disconcerting than comforting: his best friend Stanley (Jonathan Jackson) has become unstable, mysterious, and withdrawn from those around him. Billy teams up with another old friend, Stanley’s roommate Christian (Christopher M. Clark), to find out what’s going on, and as they probe Stanley’s recent activities, their friend’s behavior seems more and more bizarre and frightening. The discovery of blood-stained evidence among Stanley’s possessions pulls them deeper into their friend’s nightmare—and eventually leads to a violent confrontation that not everyone will survive.

For more information on the film, visit www.kalamitymovie.com.

NEWS: LONE STAR, Michael Park, Sean Ringgold, J.R. Martinez

LONE STAR Creator Kyle Killen Still Hoping for Cable Pickup for Cancelled Show
Killen isn’t giving up. The creator-writer-executive producer of LONE STAR, the short-lived and critically acclaimed 20th Century Fox Television show about a Texas con-man, still believes the series could air on cable television. “We have 6 completed episodes that function nicely as a mini-season and we’d love to find a home for that,” Killen told Speakeasy on the eve of this year’s Austin Film Festival and Conference, where he’s speaking this weekend and the LONE STAR pilot will be shown.

Another SKINS Trailer, AfterEllen Calls Lesbian-er

AfterEllen.com says of the second trailer for MTV's version of SKINS: "Yes, there are some similarities between the US and UK versions. Yes, there are stricter Standards and Practices in on this side of the pond. Yes, I miss Naomily too. But when a guy who has proven his commitment to characters — gay and lesbian ones, especially — introduces something to American TV and says, 'Please give it a chance,' you can bet your Curly Wurly bar I'm going to give it a go."

Watch the new trailer below.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Former DAYS OF OUR LIVES actress Taylor Spreitler turns 17 today. WE LOVE SOAPS TV interviewed the up and coming actress in July 2009. She's currently starring on the ABC Family hit MELISSA & JOEY. Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating today.

See the full list below.

VOTE: Daytime Soap of the Week Poll

Which daytime soap was your favorite the week of October 18-22, 2010? Vote in the weekly WE LOVE SOAPS TV poll below and check back on Monday morning for the results.

Voting ends at 9 a.m. ET on Monday.

Free Web poll for your Web site - freepolls.com

Soap Opera TV Ratings October 11-17, 2010

Compiled from a list of several Nielsen reports, here are the Nielsen ratings for the week of October 11-17, 2010 for all the daytime and primetime television soap operas. DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES ruled in total viewers for the week.

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (12.669 million, 8.0/12)
GREY'S ANATOMY (12.114 million, 7.8/13)
THE GOOD WIFE (11.815 million, 7.7/13)
GLEE (11.356 million, 6.7/10)
BROTHERS & SISTERS (8.809 million, 6.0/10)

TV Networks Are Blocking Google TV

The Wall Street Journal reported today that the nation's big broadcast networks are blocking Google TV, triggering quite a bit of speculation over why this might be the case.

The networks aren't blocking Google TV because it's Google. They are blocking Google TV because it is putting a web TV show, with web TV show economics, on a TV, which would be incredibly disruptive to their business.

EXCLUSIVE: Anthony Geary on New Show & Storied Career (2/2)

In Part One of the WE LOVE SOAPS TV interview with Anthony Geary, the legendary actor and six-time Emmy winner discussed his first professional break, his ALL IN THE FAMILY classic episode, his early soap roles and landing what was intended to be the short-term role of Luke Spencer on GENERAL HOSPITAL. In the final part below, Geary shares his thoughts on his new play, "Into the Woods," which is opening tonight at Big Art Labs in Los Angeles. Geary also shares his thoughts on dealing with fame at the height of the GH phenomenon in the early 1980s, how the character of Luke had helped him out, writing prose and the changing landscape of television and the web.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: "Into the Woods" debuted on Broadway in 1987. It won several Tony awards.
Anthony Geary: Yes.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: There have been many different versions of it. I was trying to think if when I’ve seen it, and I don’t think I have. Is that something that you saw and wanted to always do?
Anthony Geary: No, I never saw it. I bought the cast album and found the music inaccessible, but I love Sondheim. This was years ago. I’ve had it but I don’t think I tried to listen to it more than a couple of times.

It’s very complicated music. It’s not numbers that are hummable, apart from children will listen. I don’t think that there’s anything that you’d know from that show, but Sondheim is a god in musical theater and I did play Pseudolus once in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” I’ve always wanted to do more Sondheim.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

BethAnn Bonner is celebrating a birthday today along with Robert Torti, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and more. Happy Birthday to them all.

Eric Sheffer Stevens Update

We've received a number of inquiries about what former AS THE WORLD TURNS actor Eric Sheffer Stevens (Dr. Reid Oliver) has been doing since the soap stop taping in June. WE LOVE SOAPS TV has the answers! Sheffer Stevens calls himself "happily busy" and adds he's working on "all great projects that have been a lot of fun."

NEWS: B&B Promo, Terri Colombino, Ronn Moss, DYNASTY

B&B commercial claims on October 28 Daytime Television will go where it's never gone before
Brooke in the preview: "Sometimes when we least expect it, something happens and makes us stop and take stock of our lives. We look back on what we've done. And you can't help but wonder, what's next?"

Corinne Camacho Has Died at Age 68

Corinne Camacho, a New Jersey native, born Gloria Angelina Katharina Alletto, moved with her parents to Los Angeles at age 5. She died Sept. 15 in Beaverton, Oregon, of cancer. She was 68.

She started out modeling and then switched to acting with a part in 1967's THE WILD WILD WEST as Artie's date.

Jake Silbermann As You've Never Seen Him Before

Brian Geldin is a publicist based in New York City, having led media relations for independent films, film festivals, and other arts, media, and entertainment organizations. Brian is also the founder and Chief Notetaker of TheFilmPanelNotetaker.com, a fun and informative resource for everyone from film professionals to cinephiles where notes are shared from film panel discussions, filmmaker Q&As, and more. And he was introduced to the world of daytime serial dramas way back in 1986, and has been a loyal viewer of his favorite soap, ONE LIFE TO LIVE, ever since.

Jake Silbermann As You've Never Seen Him Before
By Brian Geldin
Guest Editorial

Since departing the unfortunately canceled long-running daytime drama, AS THE WORLD TURNS, Jake Silbermann, much remembered for his portrayal of Noah Mayer, Luke's first love, has been busy. He can now add one more thing to his resume - film festival winner! Stuffer, a short film that Silbermann wrote, produced and co-starred in (directed by Nathan Crooker), not only had its World Premiere at the 2010 Royal Flush Festival in Brooklyn, NY, but also took home the "Skullie" Award for Best Short Film.

TRAILER: MTV's New Soap, Remake of British SKINS

This winter, MTV will debut perhaps its most eagerly anticipated new series, SKINS, an adaptation of the hit British series. Premiering January 2011, SKINS is a realistic look at life as a teenager and its hardships (think sex, drugs, eating disorders, parent issues). MTV enlisted the original series’ father-and-son creators, Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain, to bring this provocative and controversial series to U.S. audiences.

Watch the first trailer below.

Christian LeBlanc: The We Love Soaps Interview, Part Two

In Part One of our interview with Christian LeBlanc, the Emmy-winning outspoken talent discussed his hosting and participating in both the upcoming exciting Soap Star Spectacular and Soap Cruise Fourth Voyage, as well his take on VENICE THE SERIES and the Indie Soap Revolution. In Part Two below, LeBlanc shares his perceptions on the future of daytime television, as well his fascinating artwork.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Do you think it’s possible for daytime television to tap into that enthusiasm again as it did 20-30 years ago?
Christian LeBlanc: I think because there are so many choices you have a culling of the herd. You can’t sit on your laurels. Sitting around for one hundred years doesn’t make you relevant, it makes you old. The story you told yesterday is what is going to make or break you. I really think you can tap into that if you’re writing good stories, and if you’re not playing down to your audience. Who would have thought THE SOPRANOS would have succeeded? Watch the writing in MAD MEN. There’s no reason why we can’t have that. Write a good story, people will come.

ABC Daytime Ratings Release (October 11-15, 2010)

Here is the ABC Daytime ratings press release for the week of October 11-15.

* ABC ranked as Daytime's No. 1 network for the 7th straight week among target Women 18-49 (1.1 rating/716,000).

* ABC held 3 of Daytime's Top 5 programs among Women 18-49 with GENERAL HOSPITAL (No. 2 - 1.3 rating/831,000), THE VIEW (No. 3T - 1.1 rating/728,000) and ONE LIFE TO LIVE (No. 5T - 1.0 rating/686,000).

* Among Women 18-34, all ABC programs ranked among Daytime's Top 5: GENERAL HOSPITAL (No. 2T - 0.8 rating/269,000), THE VIEW (No. 5T - 0.6 rating/205,000), ALL MY CHILDREN (No. 5T - 0.6 rating/202,000) and ONE LIFE TO LIVE (No. 5T - 0.6 rating/194,000).

FEAST OF FUN #1276 - Why It Gets Better Isn’t Good Enough

There is no argument that the “It Gets Better” campaign is a runaway success with literally thousands of people coming forward to speak about their experience being abused as teenagers.From Hillary Clinton to Amanda Lepore, everyone’s creating video testimonals to inspire young people to live the best life possible.

Now we may be drowning in an ocean of “It Gets Better” videos but are we still ignoring the real problem here?Today Damon L. Jacobs, therapist and author of “Absolutely Shouldless: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve,” joined "Feast of Fun" to take a look at other ways we can help prevent teen suicide and make lasting changes in our community.

The Daisy Awards for Political Ads

ABC's NIGHTLINE has announced a new award for campaign ads – the Daisy!

Named after President Lyndon Johnson’s infamous ad against Barry Goldwater, The Daisy Awards seek to recognize the nonsense and sleaze we’re all subjected to each campaign season.

The world has seen other Daisy Awards throughout the years. But as soap fans, there is only one that counts - the ONE LIFE TO LIVE version from 1989!

Watch it below.

NEWS: Agron Sorry, Beverley Callard, DAYS Book, Afghan Soap

Beverley Callard leaving CORONATION STREET after 22 years
The BBC quoted the actress as saying she will leave the role permanently next year because she wants to see "what life has to offer beyond Liz's famous mini skirts. I've loved every minute of my second stint on the STREET. It's always a difficult decision to make the leap. I'll miss everyone on the show, but I'm looking forward to some new challenges."

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Launches Book Reflecting 45 Years of TV History & Introduces New Social Media
As DAYS OF OUR LIVES celebrates its 45th year on television and in the hearts of loyal viewers, Executive in Charge of Production Greg Meng and famed art director Eddie Campbell will release a culmination of photos in a new book, Days of our Lives 45 Years: A Celebration in Photos (SourceBooks). The release of the book is in conjunction with a new social media platform to connect with fans at www.days45online.com.

Inside Photo Shoot with the Hot Men of ABC Soaps!

ET takes you behind the scenes of a photo shoot with the hotties from ALL MY CHILDREN, GENERAL HOSPITAL and ONE LIFE TO LIVE -- Trent Garrett, Jordi Vilasuso, Brandon Barash, Chad Duell, David Fumero, John Paul Lavoisier, Nic Robuck, and David Gregory -- at a hot tub in the mountains of California with lots of fake snow.