WATCH: Season 1 Finale of PIECES

Jacob races against the click to make it o Cujo in time to save Claire's live on the season finale of PIECES. Watch it below.

NEWS: Patrick Dempsey, Eileen Fulton, Sam Waterston, Cat Deeley

Patrick Dempsey On GREY'S ANATOMY Future: Season 8 Will Be 'My Last'
In the new issue of the Italian Vanity Fair, Patrick Dempsey confirms that the show’s upcoming eighth season will be his swan song. “It’s gonna be my last,” he told the mag. “I do not know what’s going to happen to the other characters, but for me it’s done.”

Eileen Fulton on why the audience embraced ATWT's Lisa
"That she had guts. And that she knew what wanted and she went after it. And just to hell with anybody who got in her way. After about 10 years of being on the show, I went out and, when I made appearances, like in shopping malls, these women would bring their little girls up and say, ‘I named my daughter for you.’ And I said, ‘Oh, hello Eileen.’ And a little kid said, ‘My name is Lisa!’ And gave me a kick. And I said, ‘You’re living up to your name.’"

RESULTS: Indie Series of the Week Poll (May 22-28, 2011)

Here are the results from the WE LOVE SOAPS TV "Indie Series of the Week" poll for the week of May 22-28, 2011. DEVANITY finished in the top spot for the fifth week in a row.



If you're a fan of any of these shows, we encourage you to check out some of the other series you may not have watched yet.

Indie soaps that aired one or more episodes last week were eligible.

Watch last week's indie soaps below:

- AIDAN 5 Episode 8 "Down The Rabbit Hole (PART 1)"
- ANYONE BUT ME Season 3 Ep. 3 "Something Old Something New"
- AVE 43 CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
- BEIRUT, I LOVE YOU Episode 23 "Where Have You Been?"
- CITY Episode 3
- DEVANITY Episode Five
- DIVINE WHITE Episode 5 "Marketing"
- DOWNSIZED Season 2 Episode 3 "Personal Property"
- FUMBLING THRU THE PIECES Episode 9 "It's five o'clock somewhere"
- LIFE OF THE OTHER HALF Episode 7 "The Morning After"
- LOS AMERICANS Episode 1 Happy Birthday
- MONTAGE Episode 2
- NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN Ep. 4: Not Suitable for Rekindling
- ORANGE JUICE IN BISHOP'S GARDEN Episode 4.05 "Creepy Treehouse Effect"
- THE P@ASSIONATE & THE PRIVILEGED Episodes 123 & 124
- SIX FIGURES Episode 4 "Mr. Cluckles and the Diva"
- THAT'S WHAT MAMA SAID Episode 4
- TIGHTS AND FIGHTS Episode 98 - Confessions of a Super Villain
- THE YOUNG & REBELLIOUS Episode 5 "Losing My Religion"

If you are an indie producer and would like to have your web series added to our Indie Soap Guide, please contact editor@welovesoaps.com.

WATCH: BREAKING BAD Season 4 Preview

AMC will premiere the highly anticipated fourth season of its Emmy® Award-winning series BREAKING BAD on Sunday, July 17 at 10pm ET/PT. From acclaimed writer/producer/director Vince Gilligan and produced by Sony Pictures Television, the series follows the story of a desperate man who turns to a life of crime to secure his family’s financial security. Season four consists of 13, one-hour episodes.

Watch a preview below.

NEWS: No 3D for Dark Shadows, Jon Blake, Gina Tognoni, DEGRASSI

Aussie actor, Jon Blake dies at 52 after long years in bed
He was once hailed Australia’s “next Mel Gibson” while at the peak of his career in the late 1980s. But an unfortunate road accident had left Jon Blake permanently incapacitated as he was described in ‘near-vegetative state” until his death Sunday. He was 52.

Blake appeared in a number of TV series including soap opera THE RESTLESS YEARS and ANZACS.

PHOTOS: Fiona Hutchison and the Final Day of The Southside

On Monday, WE LOVE SOAPS TV was on set of the upcoming film The Southside.

Photo: Kristos Andrews, Gregori J. Martin, Fiona Hutchison, Derrell Whitt

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1943: Radio soap opera LORA LAWTON debuted on NBC Radio. Joan Tompkins starred as Lora, housekeeper to important, dynamic shipbuilder Peter Carver. Lora would later marry Peter. Frank and Anne Hummert produced the series.

1984: On GUIDING LIGHT, Bert told Rick she knew he was upset because she had lost her leg, but she was going to be alright.



1987: Soap opera writer Roy Winsor died at the age of 87. Winsor was the creator of SEARCH FOR TOMORROW, LOVE OF LIFE and THE SECRET STORM. The year SECRET STORM was canceled (1974) he took over SOMERSET. He later would create the CBN soap ANOTHER LIFE.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Maeve Kinkead (Dinah, GOTHAM; ex-Vanessa, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Angie, ANOTHER WORLD) - 65
Nick Scotti (ex-Tony, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 45
Ara Celi (ex-Raquel, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 37
Matt Cavenaugh (ex-Adam, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Mark ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 33
Meredith Hagner (ex-Liberty, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 24

Wisner Washam's "The Cloning" Now Available on Amazon

Longtime ALL MY CHILDREN writer Wisner Washam has published his novel, "The Cloning," on Amazon at Kindle e-books. It originated as a screenplay, which won a Writers' Guild award and was performed at Lincoln Center.

"The Cloning" is a fast moving story of a young, hedonistic Harvard professor who clones a fragment from the Shroud of Turin believing that it contains Jesus’ DNA, then implants the cells in the womb of a hell-raising youngster named Maria. This irreligious pair finds their lives hurled into new orbits by sudden, unprecedented fame . . . and a love that blossoms in the midst of chaos caused by the possible “second coming.” Their experiences include the Pope, the U.S. President, a banana republic dictator, and clerics on three continents. The story is satirical at moments, but it’s not without a spiritual aspect; the two central characters are profoundly transformed.

Order it on Amazon.com here.

RESULTS: Daytime Soap of the Week Poll (May 23-27, 2011)

Here are the results from the WE LOVE SOAPS TV "Daytime Soap of the Week" poll for the week of May 23-27, 2011. ONE LIFE TO LIVE remained the most popular soap at WLS for the 8th week in a row.

NEWS: Martha Byrne's Showbiz Bootcamp, Mark Teschner, J.R. Martinez

Aspiring Stars Look To Mahwah Actress For Guidance
Mahwah resident Martha Byrne, perhaps best known for her turn as Lily Walsh Snyder on soap opera AS THE WORLD TURNS, and Mario Costabile, an accomplished music producer, founded Showbiz Boot Camp, a series of courses on acting, singing, songwriting, music and video production, as well as resume development and other courses to help students break into the entertainment industry.

"This is not their day job," Byrne said of the instructors. "They're doing this out of a love of the industry, a love of the creative process. They see a potential for future talent."

New Executive Producer Of THE TALK Quits After One Week
After only a week on the job, Susan Winston, the new executive producer of CBS’ THE TALK, has turned in her letter of resignation. Developed as a replacement for AS THE WORLD TURNS, this shoddy VIEW impersonation has gotten almost universally slandered by critics and has shed viewers from the figures its soap opera predecessor was putting up.

SNEAK PEAK: Fox's I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER

I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER (working title) is a new comedy that follows two single mom best friends who hate their teenage daughters. The show will air Wednesday nights at 9:30. Check out the trailer below.

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1938: Radio soap opera JOYCE JORDAN, M.D. debuted on the Mutual Network. Elspeth Eric was the original Joyce who worked at Heights Hospital. Other cast members during the show's run included Bill Johnstone and Agnes Moorehead.

1984: Steve Andropoulos and Betsy Stewart married on AS THE WORLD TURNS with a reported 20 million viewers watching, the second highest rated hour of daytime soap operas in history.



2006: James Scott debuted as EJ DiMera on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Scott Holmes (ex-Tom, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Dave, RYAN'S HOPE) - 59
Ted McGinley (ex-Clay, DYNASTY) - 53
Tonya Pinkins (ex-Livia, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Heather, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 49

Frances McDormand Stops The Show, With Renee Elise Goldsberry

Micheal Musto reported a funny story from Renee Elise Goldsberry's (ex-Evangeline, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) play "Good People" last night for the Village Voice. Read it below.

At last night's performance of the Broadway play "Good People"--right at a climactic plot moment, when the audience was on the edge of their seats, waiting for information about the baby--a cell phone boldly rang in the house.

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.   Maura West Out As Diane on Y&R
2.   NEWS: P&G Expands Web Presence, Genie Francis, Jeff Branson, BAFTAs
3.   NEWS: Maria Bell, Brian Frons, Jane Lynch, Oprah, Ingo Rademacher
4.   NEWS: Billy Miller, Megan Ward, DYNASTY, Ana Ortiz, GLEE
5.   NEWS: Eden Riegel, Ricky Martin, Marnie Schulenburg, WWE
6.   NEWS: Claire Bloom, Afternoon TV, Cady McClain, Port Chuck
7. NEWS: Genie Francis, FOX, Naya Rivera, Edward James Olmos
8.   NEWS: Ratings, Jon Hamm, Frances Conroy, Jeff Conaway
9.   NEWS: Natalie Cassidy, Older Viewers, Tristan Rogers, Lisa Kudrow

PHOTOS: Tammy Blanchard in "How To Succeed in Business Without Trying"

Former GUIDING LIGHT actress Tammy Blanchard is current winning rave reviews in Broadway's "How To Succeed in Business Without Trying" including from our own Kevin Mulcahy Jr. She also earned a Tony nomination for her role in the show which also features Michael Park and stars Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette. Below are some photos from a recent show.

PHOTOS: Peter Bartlett & Finn Wittrock in "The Illusion"

ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Peter Bartlett and former ALL MY CHILDREN actor Finn Wittrock are currently starring in Tony Kushner's "The Illusion" Off-Broadway at the Signature Theatre Company in New York City. Here are some photos taken at a recent show.

PHOTOS: Karla Mosley in "I Married Wyatt Earp"

Former GUIDING LIGHT actress Karla Mosley is currently starring as Cora in "I Married Wyatt Earp" at 59E59 Theaters in New York City. Here are some photos taken at a recent show.

ENATION New Music World Premiere - May 31!

BUY TICKETS TOTHIS SPECIAL USTREAM EVENT HERE

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1939: Radio soap opera THE AFFAIRS OF ANTHONY debuted on the Blue Network. Henry Hunter starred as Anthony.

2006: Todd's execution aired on ONE LIFE TO LIVE earning rave reviews for Trevor St. John.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Anthony Geary (Luke, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-George, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-David, BRIGHT PROMISE) - 64
Tracey E. Bregman (Lauren, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Lauren, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL; ex-Donna, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 48
Robin Johnson (ex-Darcy, GUIDING LIGHT)
Mark Hapka (Nathan, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 25
Kristen Alderson (Starr, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 20

NEWS: Billy Miller, Megan Ward, DYNASTY, Ana Ortiz, GLEE

Billy Miller, Greg Rikaart & Megan Ward set for 19th Annual Young Playwrights Festival
Jerry O'Connell, Jennifer Stone, Lenny Jacobson, Ariel Winter, Michael J. Willett, Scott Lowell, and Larry Poindexter will join soap opera stars Billy Miller and Greg Rikaart (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS), and Megan Ward (GENERAL HOSPITAL) in The Blank Theatre Company's 19th Annual Young Playwrights Festival. Twelve winning plays by teen playwrights aged 15 -19, from five different states, will be presented during this year's festival at The Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood, running from June 2 - 26, 2011.

Among the 70 actors who will appear in this year's festival, WEEK ONE (June 2-5) will feature Larry Poindexter and Greg Rikaart, along with Gale Harold (QUEER AS FOLK), and Susan Park. WEEK TWO (June 9 -12) will feature Jennifer Stone, Megan Ward, and Ariel Winter, along with Dale Dickey. WEEK THREE (June 16-19) will feature Lenny Jacobson and Jerry O'Connell, along with Julia Campbell, Scott Lowell, Eric Nenninger, and Marcia Wallace. WEEK FOUR (June 23-26) will feature Billy Miller, along with Parvesh Cheena, and Tessa Thompson.

VOTE: Indie Series of the Week Poll (May 22-28, 2011)

Which web series was your favorite last week? Support your favorite continuing drama or comedy 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 May 22-28, 2011 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:
- AIDAN 5 Episode 8 "Down The Rabbit Hole (PART 1)"
- ANYONE BUT ME Season 3 Ep. 3 "Something Old Something New"
- AVE 43 CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
- BEIRUT, I LOVE YOU Episode 23 "Where Have You Been?"
- CITY Episode 3
- DEVANITY Episode Five
- DIVINE WHITE Episode 5 "Marketing"
- DOWNSIZED Season 2 Episode 3 "Personal Property"
- FUMBLING THRU THE PIECES Episode 9 "It's five o'clock somewhere"
- LIFE OF THE OTHER HALF Episode 7 "The Morning After"
- LOS AMERICANS Episode 1 Happy Birthday
- MONTAGE Episode 2
- NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN Ep. 4: Not Suitable for Rekindling
- ORANGE JUICE IN BISHOP'S GARDEN Episode 4.05 "Creepy Treehouse Effect"
- THE P@ASSIONATE & THE PRIVILEGED Episodes 123 & 124
- SIX FIGURES Episode 4 "Mr. Cluckles and the Diva"
- THAT'S WHAT MAMA SAID Episode 4
- TIGHTS AND FIGHTS Episode 98 - Confessions of a Super Villain
- THE YOUNG & REBELLIOUS Episode 5 "Losing My Religion"

If you are an indie producer and would like to have your web series added to our Indie Soap Guide, please contact editor@welovesoaps.com.

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1980: Ed anticipated Rita's return home on GUIDING LIGHT.



1984: Beth and Lujack talked about where they stand on GUIDING LIGHT.



1986: Original AS THE WORLD TURNS cast member Don MacLaughlin died at age 79 shortly after the soap celebrated its 30th Anniversary.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Sally Stark (ex-Sharon, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Trish, GUIDING LIGHT) - 73
Alicia Minshew (Kendall, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 37
Emily O'Brien (Jana, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 26
Joseph Cross (ex-Casey, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 25

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.70 TRAILER MADE's Jason Vitteri-Lewis

On episode 2.70 of WE LOVE SOAPS TV, Roger Newcomb welcomes TRAILER MADE writer/producer/director Jason Vitteri-Lewis.

In this new interview, Vitteri-Lewis explains how the idea for his popular web series came to be and the inspiration behind the characters. TRAILER MADE will air its first season finale in June.



RELATED:
- TRAILER MADE Official Website - TrailerMadeTV.com
- WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.57 TRAILER MADE's Laura Thomas
- Disastrophe Films on YouTube
- REVIEW: SEX AND THE CITY meets Jerry Springer on TRAILER MADE

VOTE: Daytime Soap of the Week Poll (May 23-27, 2011)

Which daytime soap opera was your favorite the week of May 23-27, 2011? 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.

Y&R's Jabot Cosmetics Debuts In Real Life

On the red carpet of the 2011 Daytime Emmy Awards on June 19, Tracey E. Bregman, the face of the fictional beauty company Jabot on the Young & the Restless (Y&R), will unveil a new beauty brand for fans on the daytime soap opera. Jabot Cosmetics, a collection of color cosmetics, advanced scientific skincare and luxurious fragrances, will be sold in the same packaging as the products used in the TV show. 

Jeff Conaway Is Dead At 60

TAXI and THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL actor Jeff Conaway is dead at 60, reports Radar Online.

Earlier this month, Conaway entered Encino Hospital Medical Center unconscious and with an pneumonia after what was thought to be an accidental overdose of painkillers. He would remain in critical condition and in a coma for the duration of his stay.

Over objections of his longtime girlfriend, Vikki Lizzi, Conaway's family decided Thursday to remove the feeding tube and ventilator that was keeping him alive.

REVIEW: A "New Y&R" Aims for Madcap Parody; Misses

Web Series: THE YOUNG & REBELLIOUS

For fans of...: THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

What it is: Corny daytime soap send-up.

What's good: Fast cars and a hot girl.

What's great: There is a certain train-wreck appeal.

WATCH: Susan Lucci on THE TALK

ALL MY CHILDREN's Susan Lucci was a guest on Thursday's episode of THE TALK. She remains hopeful the soap might get picked up by another network.

Watch the interview below.

NEWS: Ratings, Jon Hamm, Frances Conroy, Jeff Conaway

Daytime Soap Ratings: Week of May 16-20, 2011
Total Viewers (versus last week/versus last year)
1. Y&R 4,898,000 (+268,000/-197,000)
2. B&B 2,847,000 (+57,000/-399,000)
3. OLTL 2,687,000 (+105,000/+346,000)
4. GH 2,577,000 (+206,000/+78,000)
5. AMC 2,514,000 (+215,000/+54,000)
6. DAYS 2,341,000 (-148,000/-211,000)

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1943: Radio soap opera LONE JOURNEY, sometimes billed as "the distinguished American radio novel," debuted on NBC radio. Sandra Michael wrote the show in collaboration with her brother, Peter. The Montana setting was a place she had lived: the show was based on real people and incidents.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Lee Meriwether (Ruth, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 76
Mark Collier (ex-Mike, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-David, SUNSET BEACH) - 41
Marissa Tait (ex-Becky, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 32
Darin Brooks (ex-Max, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 27
Chris Colfer (Kurt, GLEE) - 21

WATCH: The Premiere of LOS AMERICANS

LOS AMERICANS is an eight-part series that focuses on a multi-generational, middle-income Latino family living in Los Angeles. The Valenzuela family deals with many issues facing American families today, including: unemployment, cultural identity and alcoholism. The series features Latino-Americans in a realistic and complex manner seldom seen on television or the Internet.

While the series portrays some of the experiences unique to the Latino community, such as the challenges of straddling two cultures, the series also shows that much of the family’s struggles can be identified with families from various socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. Following each episode of Los Americans, viewers will be directed to online resources and information offering solutions and help for the issues portrayed in the program.

The series is written and directed by Dennis Leoni, who is best known for having created and produced the award-winning, television series RESURRECTION BLVD. for Showtime. Los Americans feature Esai Morales (CAPRICA), Lupe Ontiveros (SOUTHLAND) Raymond Cruz (BREAKING BAD) and Tony Plana (UGLY BETTY).

Los Americans is an original production of One Economy Corporation and its video production company, V-Studios. V-Studios is managed by award-winning director, Robert Townsend (DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM).

The web series is funded through a grant of the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program, made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to promote broadband and technology use to help people improve their lives.

On the premiere episode, Leandro (or “Lee” as he prefers to be called) Valenzuela’s idyllic suburban world is shaken as he deals with losing his job, his mother’s alcoholism and three new houseguests – his homeboy cousin Memo, who he hasn’t seen in thirty years, Memo’s undocumented wife and their overweight son.

Watch it below.

GLEE's Kurt Versus UGLY BETTY's Justin

If you watched GLEE's "Prom Queen" episode (complete episode below), you may have thought that Kurt being named "Queen" seemed familiar. That may be because UGLY BETTY's Justin faced a similar situation being voted Homecoming Queen (excerpt below).

Justin boldly stated: "I'd say off with your heads, but for some of you, that might not matter."

Watch them both for comparison and let us know what you think. Have you enjoyed both storylines? Do you think one is more realistic than the other?





Both are quite moving and show that television has come a long way in depicting gay storylines over the past two decades.

As a bonus, watch Justin's coming out scene, at Hilda's wedding, below:

WATCH: Preview of the New VH1 Drama, SINGLE LADIES

VH1′s first scripted hour-long series, SINGLE LADIES, focuses on three Atlanta women (Stacey Dash, LisaRaye McCoy, and Charity Shea) and their various dating lives in the Southern city.

LADIES doesn’t officially premiere until May 30 on the network, but the show has released a clip from the two-hour premiere.

In the scene below, Val (Dash) confronts her ex-boyfriend Quinn over their recent break-up. “She’s a romantic and she believes in love even though she’s had her heart broken,” says Dash. “She still believes that her prince is out there and she will find him come hell or high water. She is determined. But what I also like about her is that she is no pushover. She’s very dynamic.”

NEWS: Natalie Cassidy, Older Viewers, Tristan Rogers, Lisa Kudrow

Natalie Cassidy 'splits from fiancé Adam Cottrell' after his arrest over alleged assault on former EASTENDERS star
Cassidy has allegedly split from her fiancé and cancelled their £50,000 white wedding planned for later this year after his arrest on assault charges.

She has also booted him of the £190,000, two-bed flat she shared with him and their seven-month-old daughter Eliza in Brouxbourne, Hertfordshire,

The news comes as the star's father claims that Cottrell 'punched a hole in a microwave oven' shortly before he was arrested on suspicion of beating the 28-year-old former EASTENDERS actress.

Networks talk about value of older viewers but still program to young
Unless the entertainment chiefs at the networks figure the best way to entice people over the age of 50 is to give them something young and hot to look at, it’s unclear how their new fall schedules are in sync with what their counterparts in sales are spinning to media buyers.

The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same...

The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same...
By Nelson Aspen

I work in International TV news. I don't always get to choose the stories I report... I take assignments and pitch others. But over the course of the last two weeks, the dominant coverage has not been the tornadoes in the midwest nor President Obama's declaration about MidEast borders. It hasn't even been Kim Kardashian's engagement! It has been, almost nonstop, the end of Oprah Winfrey's 25 year run on Daytime.

Many don't seem to realize that with OWN, her eponymous network, she's not really saying goodbye at all. In fact, she's increasing her omnipotence from 1 hour in the afternoon to 24 hours a day. Still, we can't help but wax nostalgic because of the very real "end of an era."

NEWS: Claire Bloom, Afternoon TV, Cady McClain, Port Chuck

Charlie Chaplin Is the Father Claire Bloom Never Had
Bloom brought her 65 years of experience at New York’s Film Forum in a special event devoted entirely to her life and work on Tuesday night. She talked openly about acting jobs she took on mostly for money, like her 18-month stint as villainous Orlena Grimaldi on AS THE WORLD TURNS (As she said last night about the latter role, she doesn’t regret taking it on, but she has no plans to return to that kind of acting again.)

Through it all, Mrs. Bloom continues to work. Last seen as Queen Mary in this year’s Best Picture Oscar winner The King’s Speech, she ended the night with a tantalizing hint as to a possible future film project: something with Jerry Lewis?

“Well, why not?” she said in a carefree tone of voice. “It would be terrific. I don’t know if it’s ever going to happen.”

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1993: At the 20th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, winners included THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (Drama Series), David Canary, Linda Dano, Gerald Anthony, Ellen Parker, Monti Sharp and Heather Tom.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Margaret Colin (Eleanor, GOSSIP GIRL; ex-Margo, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 52
Doug Hutchison (ex-Sebastian, GUIDING LIGHT) - 51
Genie Francis (GenevIeve, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Laura, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Ceara, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Diana, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 49
Tamara Clatterbuck (ex-Barb, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Alice, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 48

Broadcast Rankings 2010-2011

Here are the adult 18-49 ratings for all primetime television shows on broadcast networks during the 2010-2011 season.

RANK	SHOW	NET	RATE
1	AMERICAN IDOL — WED	FOX	8.8
2	SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL	NBC	8.0
3	AMERICAN IDOL — THU	FOX	7.7
4	NFL SUNDAY PRE-KICK	NBC	5.6
	THE VOICE	NBC	5.6
6	DANCING WITH THE STARS	ABC	4.8
	MODERN FAMILY	ABC	4.8
8	NFL THE OT	FOX	4.6
9	BIG BANG THEORY	CBS	4.4
10	SURVIVOR:NICARAGUA	CBS	4.3
	GREY’S ANATOMY	ABC	4.3
12	NCIS	CBS	4.2
13	THE OFFICE	NBC	4.0
	TWO AND A HALF MEN	CBS	4.0
	GLEE	FOX	4.0
16	FAMILY GUY	FOX	3.9
	HOUSE	FOX	3.9
18	FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA	NBC	3.8
	AMAZING RACE: 17	CBS	3.8
	CRIMINAL MINDS	CBS	3.8
	SURVIVOR: REDEMPTION ISLAND	CBS	3.8
	DANCING WITH THE STARS RESULTS SHOW	ABC	3.8
	DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES	ABC	3.8
24	NCIS: LA	CBS	3.7
25	THE BACHELOR	ABC	3.6
26	HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER	CBS	3.5
	BONES	FOX	3.5
28	MIKE & MOLLY	CBS	3.4
	UNDERCOVER BOSS	CBS	3.4
30	CSI	CBS	3.3
	HAWAII FIVE-0	CBS	3.3
	HELL’S KITCHEN	FOX	3.3
	SIMPSONS	FOX	3.3
	CELEBRITY APPRENTICE	NBC	3.2
	THE MENTALIST	CBS	3.2
	COUGAR TOWN	ABC	3.2
	BIGGEST LOSER 10	NBC	3.1
	BIGGEST LOSER 11	NBC	3.1
	$#*! MY DAD SAYS	CBS	3.1
	AMAZING RACE: 18	CBS	3.0
	RULES OF ENGAGEMENT	CBS	3.0
	HELL’S KITCHEN-WEDNESDAYS	FOX	3.0
	CSI MIAMI	CBS	2.9
	CASTLE	ABC	2.9
	SECRET MILLIONAIRE	ABC	2.9
	CLEVELAND SHOW	FOX	2.9
	PARENTHOOD	NBC	2.8
	BODY OF PROOF	ABC	2.8
	MR. SUNSHINE	ABC	2.8
	PRIVATE PRACTICE	ABC	2.8
	BREAKING IN	FOX	2.8
	LAW & ORDER: SVU	NBC	2.7
	CRIMINAL MINDS: SUSPECT BEHAVIOR	CBS	2.7
	RAISING HOPE	FOX	2.7
	30 ROCK	NBC	2.6
	PARKS & RECREATION	NBC	2.6
	THE GOOD WIFE	CBS	2.6
	BROTHERS & SISTERS	ABC	2.6
	MAD LOVE	CBS	2.5
	V	ABC	2.5
	THE EVENT	NBC	2.4
	OUTSOURCED	NBC	2.4
	60 MINUTES	CBS	2.4
	THE MIDDLE	ABC	2.4
	BOB’S BURGERS	FOX	2.4
	HARRY’S LAW	NBC	2.3
	EXTREME MAKEOVER HOME EDITION	ABC	2.3
	WIPEOUT — THURSDAYS	ABC	2.3
	AMERICAN DAD	FOX	2.3
	FRINGE	FOX	2.3
	MINUTE TO WIN IT — TUESDAY	NBC	2.2
	BLUE BLOODS	CBS	2.2
	DEFENDERS	CBS	2.2
	OFF THE MAP	ABC	2.2
	HUMAN TARGET	FOX	2.2
	LIE TO ME	FOX	2.2
	LAW & ORDER: LA	NBC	2.1
	CSI NY	CBS	2.1
	BETTER WITH YOU	ABC	2.1
	HAPPY ENDINGS	ABC	2.1
	THE CHICAGO CODE	FOX	2.1
	COMMUNITY	NBC	2.0
	THE CAPE	NBC	1.9
	CHASE	NBC	1.9
	CHUCK	NBC	1.9
	NO ORDINARY FAMILY	ABC	1.9
	MILLION DOLLAR DROP	FOX	1.9
	MEDIUM	CBS	1.8
	KITCHEN NIGHTMARES	FOX	1.8
	RUNNING WILDE	FOX	1.8
	THE APPRENTICE (FALL)	NBC	1.7
	AMER FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS	ABC	1.7
	DETROIT 187	ABC	1.7
	AMERICAS MOST WANTED	FOX	1.7
	COPS-SAT 8:30P	FOX	1.7
	AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL 15	CW	1.7
	PERFECT COUPLES	NBC	1.6
	UNDERCOVERS	NBC	1.6
	20/20-FRIDAY	ABC	1.6
	MY GENERATION	ABC	1.6
	COPS-SAT 8P	FOX	1.6
	AMERICA’S NEXT GREAT RESTAURANT	NBC	1.5
	DATELINE-FRIDAY	NBC	1.5
	PRIMETIME: WHAT WOULD YOU DO	ABC	1.5
	THE WHOLE TRUTH	ABC	1.5
	LONE STAR	FOX	1.5
	TRAFFIC LIGHT	FOX	1.5
	WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE	NBC	1.4
	JAMIE OLIVER’S FOOD REVOLUTION	ABC	1.4
	SHARK TANK	ABC	1.4
	VAMPIRE DIARIES	CW	1.4
	MINUTE TO WIN IT-WED 8P	NBC	1.3
	OUTLAW	NBC	1.3
	48 HOURS MYSTERY	CBS	1.3
	LIVE TO DANCE	CBS	1.3
	SKATING WITH THE STARS	ABC	1.3
	PAUL REISER SHOW	NBC	1.2
	CHAOS	CBS	1.2
	FLASHPOINT	CBS	1.2
	SUPERNANNY	ABC	1.2
	AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL 16	CW	1.2
	SMALLVILLE	CW	1.2
	SUPERNATURAL	CW	1.1
	FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS	NBC	1.0
	GOOD GUYS	FOX
	90210	CW	0.9
	GOSSIP GIRL	CW	0.9
	NIKITA	CW	0.9
	ONE TREE HILL	CW	0.8
	SCHOOL PRIDE	NBC	0.7
	HELLCATS	CW	0.7
	LIFE UNEXPECTED	CW	0.7
	SHEDDING FOR THE WEDDING	CW	0.5

WATCH: DOWNSIZED Season 2 Episode 3

DOWNSIZED is back today with an all new episode.

In Episode 3, Andy (Conan McCarty) goes door-to-door with his self-help program 'The E Trinity' and discovers his ex-wife Priscilla (Meredith Zinner) is selling off their property in a House Sale.

DOWNSIZED is a made-for-the-web ensemble dramedy about the extremes people go to when faced with an economic crash. The critically acclaimed series, told in "the mosaic style of Magnolia with the dark humor of NURSE JACKIE," follows the lives of several New Yorkers as they try to balance work, love and their checkbooks post-economic crisis.

Watch it below.

FLASHBACK: Great Courtroom Trials - Leslie Bauer

In the mid-1970s Daily TV Serials magazine ran a series called "The Great Courtroom Trials of Daytime Dramas" which included famous cases from the world of daytime soaps. In the classic article below, the trial of Leslie Bauer, who was accused of murdering her millionaire husband, Stanley Norris, is examined.

(click to expand)

NEWS: Genie Francis, FOX, Naya Rivera, Edward James Olmos

WATCH: Genie Francis on CBS Atlanta
Genevieve Atkinson debuts on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS on Friday.

Genie: "It's all about having a good story and actors who can tell it. The shows all have wonderful actors, but the key is the writing."

Fox wins broadcast season; CBS tops in viewers
Fox is projected to win the broadcast season among the coveted adults 18-49 demographic for the seventh consecutive time. CBS can also claim a victory: The network wrapped up 2010-11 as the most-watched broadcaster, a title the network has held eight out of the past nine years.

David Sutcliffe's "Group" Needs YOU: The WLS Interview, Part Four

In Part One, Two, and Three of our interview with David Sutliffe, we discussed the importance and relevance of his new docu-webseries GROUP, his Kickstarter campaign to raise necessary funds for this project, as well as recollections and insights into the legacy of GILMORE GIRLS.  In this final part, he discusses the "strange" experience of doing love scenes with Antonio Sabato Jr., his decision to post some very unconventional videos on YouTube, and what's next for this innovative and creative mind.  

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: In the middle of your successful run on GILMORE GIRLS, you took a step off the traveled path of family friendly fare by starring in TESTOSTERONE, a gay psychological thriller, that involved a lot of nudity and you doing hot intimate scenes with other guys.  What led you take what many would consider a kind of unconventional “risk”?
David Sutcliffe: I was curious.  It was a fascinating character who was sexually twisted.  And even though I’m not gay, I related to that element of it.  I was interested in exploring that darkness.  It was an opportunity to go down to Argentina, I was in every scene in the movie, I thought there was a chance to explore a completely different side of myself and put that out there.  I’m not 100% satisfied with how the movie turned out, but I’m satisfied with it, and I’m grateful for it.  The experience was incredible, and going to the dark areas inside of myself was a chance to grow as an actor. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Even in 2011, many actors are told “don’t do the gay stuff.” You made this movie ten years ago.  Did you get a lot of that feedback?
David Sutcliffe: Not really. My manager was a pretty open cool guy and he saw the value in me taking a risk.  I think he understood that I was interested in exploring that.  My agents were a little...suspect.  They weren’t quite as sure because I was building a career as a romantic lead, as a nice guy.  I think they had some resistance.  But agents figure it out, actors are going to do what actors are going to do, they have to surrender to it.  That didn’t enter my mind to be honest.  I was not going to make decisions with that. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: I think that is very courageous, and not typical of actors working in Hollywood.  What was it like for you as a straight guy to be doing love scenes naked with Antonio Sabato Jr.?
David Sutcliffe: (Laughs), It was a little strange.  I’ll be honest.  I was trying to find my inner gay man.  I’m not sure I entirely succeeded in that.  It was interesting to explore it.  Antonio clearly had his own issues as well.  We were kind of in this together, trying to figure it out.  I think both of us had  a willingness to explore it, see what it was, and get past whatever judgments we may have.

Ultimately people are attracted to whomever they are attracted to, but human sexuality is human sexuality.  Longing, desire, the need for contact is all the same thing whether you are going for that in a man or a woman.  I think the hardest part for me was to connect with the lust of it, or to see Antonio and connect to the lust.  I can see him as an attractive man but I didn’t have that “GRRRR” thing that I have with women. So I had to use my imagination and deal with it that way.  It was fun to be honest with you.  He’s a good guy, he’s a good sport, and he really showed up.  I wasn’t sure how he was going to be, but when it came to the shoot he was a real pro. 



WE LOVE SOAPS TV: In recent months, you have come to express yourself in videos on YouTube, that many would consider again to be “unconventional.”  Tell me about deciding to do that.
David Sutcliffe: When we shot GROUP we gave everybody flip cameras to film as diary videos.  The stuff we got back was so incredible.  Clearly when you are in group therapy for a week, the stuff you are going to capture on your video is going to be pretty emotional and revealing.  I was struck by that.  I was struck by how honest they were and how much courage they had.  I went on YouTube, I searched for video blogs where people revealed themselves like that and I couldn’t find anything.  All the vlogs were a little bit light, more day-to-day stuff, or observational.  I had it in my mind that I wanted to do something a lot more personal, a lot more real, a lot more revealing.  I did not have it in my mind that it was going to be me (laughs).

Eventually I realized I have to do it myself.  I have to be the one to lead, to set the example, and just go for it.  So I’ve been making them on my own for awhile and not sharing them.  Then I made one and decided to post it.  It snowballed from that.  I’m not sure how long it’s going to last or what I’m going to do with it but what I can say it that it is incredibly liberating.

All I’m trying to do is to be as real and honest as I can.  I’m sure I will not be that all the time.  But to reveal who I am and what I’m going through in that sense is coming out of hiding.  I have nothing to hide, I don’t want to hide anything anymore.  Here I am all the way for you to see.  It may be weird to watch or it may feel uncomfortable.  You may think I’m an idiot for doing it, or you may be inspired and say “that’s courageous, I would like to reveal more about myself and stop hiding too.”  I’ve gotten all this kind of feedback from it.  It’s been really interesting and scary.  But I’m really trusting my impulses, and trust they will lead me somewhere.  I don’t really know what I’m doing. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: How does it feel to have show such raw vulnerable emotions out there for anyone in the world to see?
David Sutcliffe: I love it.  It feels liberating.  It’s like, “Okay, this is me.”  People can have their opinions on it, but what do they care?  It’s me, I’m doing my thing.  I’m not concerned about other people’s judgments and I don’t really care about what people think.  That’s not to say I don’t want to be connected to people.  I do.  But there’s a way that is much more liberating to live your life for yourself and the way you want to.  And then not to put demands on other people.  That’s the great thing about these videos.  You don’t have to watch them, you don’t have to  like them, you don’t have to care.  That’s okay if you don’t like them or don’t watch them or don’t care. It’s doesn’t bother me.  People can have whatever reaction they want, I want to make space for all of that. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: On May 14th on your Twitter account you said, “I’m eliminating ‘should’ from my vocabulary.”  What led to that declaration?
David Sutcliffe: I have been rigid in my outlook in life about what I should and should not be doing, about how I should live my life.  I have set up a lot of strict rules for myself.  For that past couple of years I have been trying to let that go.  It came to a head when I was telling myself, “You should do that, you should do this, this is what I should be doing...” And I responded by saying “Fuck that. Surrender and just let yourself do whatever it is you want to do.  You are a hard working guy.”  This idea that we "should" do things make our existence rigid, and I realized I just don’t want to live like that anymore. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Hearing you say that reminds me earlier when you told me your father left the home at age six, and you were given some very clear messages about how you should express that.
David Sutcliffe: That’s exactly right.  There wasn’t room for me to have all the reactions to that pain. Instead I was focused on, “This is how I should behave.”  And that has manifested a lot in my career. I tried to be this perfect guy, this romantic lead, and that put a lot of restrictions on how I could behave.  That didn’t feel real to me.  So all of this in effect is like coming out and reclaiming my life and my humanity.  I’m just some person trying to be happy and trying to get what I want out of life.  I’m struggling just like everyone else, I have good days and bad days.  Overall I’m pretty satisfied and happy with my life but it’s not always easy, I don’t always know what’s going on, and that’s okay. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: So the liberation of doing those YouTube videos in part stems from breaking free of those rigid “shoulds?”
David Sutcliffe: Exactly. And now I’m just letting things be messy.  I’m letting life be messy, I’m letting myself be messy, let myself make mistakes knowing that everything doesn’t have to be perfect, not everything I put out has to be great.  That’s what life is.  It is imperfect, it is messy.  There is no one whose plan works out perfectly.  Letting go of that for me has been incredibly liberating.  I feel my load lightening, and I’ve been much happier. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: And there is an important lesson right there.  In a world where people are upset about the economy, the environment, or even their favorite soaps being canceled, it is liberating to know that we have the key to happiness and freedom within ourselves.  It is not determined by the White House, Wall Street,  or by Disney/ABC.  True stability comes from within, not the world.  I think your project gives people an alternative.  By helping to get GROUP made, people will learn tools for being responsible for their lives, and experience the liberation you have described.  When we take responsibility for our lives, there is always a sense of levity and an increase in joy of living. 
David Sutcliffe: You nailed it. That is exactly what I’m trying to do for myself.  I am also aware that everything you do in the public eye is an example for others.  So I’m really trying to give that to people, give it to myself, and that feels really really great.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Thank you for reading! Please consider the importance and relevance of Sutcliffe's passion, and if you can, contribute to his Kickestarter campaign for GROUP.

Damon L. Jacobs is a Licensed Therapist in New York City who specializes in treating  depression, stress management, anger management, ageism, and grief/loss issues. He is also the author of the popular book "Absolutely Should-less: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve," currently available at Amazon.com. For more information about scheduling an appointment or a speaking engagement, please email him at Shouldless@gmail.com.

Tweet

NEWS: Maria Bell, Brian Frons, Jane Lynch, Oprah, Ingo Rademacher

Y&R producer/writer Maria Bell: 'Fans really just want to see their favorites'
"We already have such an incredibly strong cast — to add a character is a major decision," Bell said discussing the arrival of former GENERAL HOSPITAL star Genie Francis. "A lot of fans really just want to see their favorites. ... I knew it would be an exciting addition to weave her into the canvas among all these other strong people."

Eight Programs Set to Begin Filming in New York; From Cops to 20-Somethings
Eight new prime-time series are slated to shoot in New York, including shows produced by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, Judd Apatow and J.J. Abrams. That represents a significant rebound for the city's film-production industry after a period in which it lost its longest-running series, LAW & ORDER, and suffered the cancellation of its last remaining soap opera, ONE LIFE TO LIVE

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1988: The Abbotts celebrated Traci's pregnancy on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.



1992: New Zealand primetime soap SHORTLAND STREET debuted and would eventually become the country's longest running soap opera.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Patti D'Arbanville (ex-Selena, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Christy, ANOTHER WORLD) - 60
Hillary B. Smith (Ellie, FUMBLING THRU THE PIECES; Nora, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Margo, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Kit, THE DOCTORS) - 54

Maura West Out As Diane on Y&R

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS has made a habit in the past two years of hiring the right actor for the wrong part. Case in point was the incredible Maura West in the role of much older Diane Jenkins. If anyone could have made that miscasting work, it would have been West. But according to Soaps in Depth, West will be exiting the show and the role of Diane proving that the Y&R brass realize their mistake. There's no word yet on how West -- or Diane -- will exit the canvas.

West won the Daytime Emmy last year as Outstanding Lead Actress. It's too bad Y&R didn't create a role worthy of her talents.

REVIEW: Sex and the City plus Queer as Folk equals In Between Men

Web Series: IN BETWEEN MEN

For fans of...: QUEER AS FOLK; SEX AND THE CITY

What it is: Sophisticated alpha-males party and hump in present-day New York City.

What's good: Looks really good—nice graphics, multiple locations, lots of camera angles, and so on. Pretty people and some solid tunes as well.

What's great: This series is definitely better than some of what we've seen on the Logo cable network. TV ready.

REVIEW: Visit an adorable comic book store at The Variants

Web Series: THE VARIANTS

For fans of...: COMMUNITY, comic books

What it is: Sweet misfits run a strip-mall comic book shop.

What's good: Characters are watchable and believable. Good episode length. Cute and comfy.

What's great: For the right audience, the unintentional awkwardness and zero-sum narrative arcs will, no doubt, only enrich the comic book realness. THE VARIANTS has a huge fan base.

Genie Francis & Susan Lucci Visit THE TALK This Week

CBS' AS THE WORLD TURNS replacement is getting soapy this week with new YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS actress Genie Francis on Tuesday's show and ALL MY CHILDREN star Susan Lucci on Thursday.

Friday will feature SANTA BARBARA alum Constance Marie.

Check your local listings for the time the show airs in your area.

UPDATED:
Watch Genie Francis on THE TALK on Tuesday below.

AfterElton & AfterEllen Name Hot 100 Men & Women

AfterElton and AfterEllen have named their Hot 100 Men and Women of 2011. Check out the soap-filled list below:

After Ellen's HOT 100 WOMEN

1. Naya Rivera - GLEE
2. Heather Morris - GLEE
3. Jessica Capshaw - GREY'S ANATOMY
4. Sara Ramirez - GREY'S ANATOMY
8. Dianna Agron - GLEE
10. Lea Michele - GLEE
40. Crystal Chappell - VENICE/DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Phyllis Avery Dead at 88

Phyllis Avery, who played the wife of Ray Milland in 75 episodes of the 1953-55 CBS comedy MEET MR. MCNULTY, died May 19 of heart failure at her home in Los Angeles. She was 88.

During her 50-year career, the petite blonde had roles in numerous television shows including the CBS soap opera THE CLEAR HORIZON as Anne Shelby (1960-1962) where she starred opposite Ed Kemmer (and Denise Alexander).

NEWS: Univision, Andrea Parker, Larry Hagman, Erika Christensen

What's The Fastest-Growing TV Network In America? Univision
One TV network is serving the fastest-growing consumer population in the country — at times edging out ABC, NBC and CBS in the coveted 18- to 49-year-old viewer demographic. And it isn't broadcast in English.

What's the Spanish-language and Hispanic community asking for? A wide genre of programming akin to any English network: news, information and entertainment — with a growing cultural relevance for its audience.

Take Spanish-language soap operas, known as telenovelas. They're not soap operas in the American sense. They're broadcast during primetime, every night of the week.

And for an actor in the Spanish-language or Hispanic media space, Conde says, starring in a telenovela can be "the apex of their career" — what starring in a Hollywood blockbuster is for English-speaking actors.

RESULTS: Indie Soap of the Week Poll (May 15-21, 2011)

Here are the results from the WE LOVE SOAPS TV "Indie Soap of the Week" poll for the week of May 15-21, 2011. DEVANITY finished in the top spot for the fourth week in a row.



If you're a fan of any of these shows, we encourage you to check out some of the other series you may not have watched yet.

Indie soaps that aired one or more episodes last week were eligible.

Watch last week's indie soaps below:
- AIDAN 5 Episode 7 "The Life of Riley"
- ALL'S FAIRE Episode the Fourteenthe
- AS THE CORN GROWS Epsiode 66
- DEVANITY Episode 4
- DIVINE WHITE Episode 4 "Sexuality"
- FREAKS Episode 1X05 "Freaks"
- IN BETWEEN MEN Season 1 Episode 6
- MONTAGE Series Premiere
- ORANGE JUICE IN BISHOP'S GARDEN Episode 4.4 "Mitchell Men"
- THE P@ASSIONATE & THE PRIVILEGED Episodes 121 & 122
- SOLO The Series Episode 9 "Endgame - Is Only the Beginning"
- THAT'S WHAT MAMA SAID Episode 3
- THEN WE GOT HELP! Episode 2.9: "What Am I To You?"
- TRAILER MADE Season 1 Webisode 11
- UNDERGRADS Episode 3 "Eating Habits"
- THE YOUNG & REBELLIOUS Episode 4 "The Sneak Attack"
- ZENYA: A FAIRY TALE Episode 6 "We're Going Now "

If you are an indie producer and would like to have your web series added to our Indie Soap Guide, please contact editor@welovesoaps.com.

Today in Soap Opera History

On this date in...

1966: "Mame" opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theater. The show featured Frankie Michaels, the youngest Tony winner ever, who has been playing Tom Hughes on AS THE WORLD TURNS the previous two years. He has just turned 11 when the show closed.

1984: Bert learned she had a blood clot in her foot on GUIDING LIGHT. Meanwhile, Nola has a "Wizard of Oz" fantasy.



1993: Radio writer and producer Carlton E. Morse passed away in Sacramento, Calif. at age 91. Morse wrote, directed, and produced the popular radio soap ONE MAN'S FAMILY.

1999: The original MELROSE PLACE aired its last episode.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Steve Carlson (ex-Jeffrey, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Josh, A NEW DAY IN EDEN; ex-Gary, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Mark, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Sean, SANTA BARBARA) - 68
Priscilla Presley (ex-Jenna, DALLAS) - 66

REVIEW: Brit Soap Hollyoaks does True Blood in Blood and Bone China

Web Series: BLOOD AND BONE CHINA

For fans of...: TRUE BLOOD; Harry Potter; HOLLYOAKS

What it is: PG Vampire tale set in Victorian England.

What's good: It's a fun, campy adventure that's graphic enough to sink your teeth into but also lighthearted enough to watch with a grin.

CALIFORNIA HEAVEN Web Soap Launches On Digital Entertainment Site StJohn-Fisher.com June 1

With over 100 episodes already shot and ready to air, CALIFORNIA HEAVEN is a supernatural soap that will unfold online at the newly formed entertainment portal StJohn-Fisher.com.

StJohn-Fisher.com-- The St. John Fisher Company -- is the brainchild of Hollywood digital pioneers Stewart St. John and producing partner Todd Fisher, the guys who’ve been at the forefront of original online content since 1996 when they were part of the first online network, American Cybercast. Together they relaunched The Spot 2.0 in 2003, and created America’s first cell phone soap for SPRINT phones in 2004.

StJohn-Fisher.com will feature original online content, from dramas to comedy, as well as books, children’s books, music, games and blogs.

Q&A: New Series for Lucas Grabeel of High School Musical; Milk

WE LOVE SOAPS TV recently had the chance to talk with Lucas Grabeel--the versatile young actor who is probably best known as Ryan from the three Disney High School Musical movies--about his art, his career, and Lea Thompson!

Grabeel's latest project, ABC Family’s new one-hour scripted drama, SWITCH AT BIRTH, tells the story of two teenage girls who discover they were accidentally switched as newborns in the hospital. Grabeel plays their brother, Toby.

Grabeel has made television guest appearances on series such as CSI, FAMILY GUY, BOSTON LEGAL, TIL DEATH, VERONICA MARS and SMALLVILLE. He's also had roles in The Adventures of Food Boy, Alice Upside Down and College Road Trip.

In 2008, he appeared in the movie Milk, directed by Gus Van Sant, starring Sean Penn and James Franco. He co-starred in the upcoming film What’s Wrong with Virginia, directed by Dustin Lance Black.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Do you have a favorite “guilty pleasure” sort of TV show?

Lucas Grabeel: You know, I did catch myself watching a ton of RIVER MONSTERS, which is a really crazy show about this guy who goes around the world and fishes, finds these crazy fish in natural rivers and streams. It’s pretty crazy.

Julianna Margulies: Network Executives 'As*holes' For 'Pitting Women Against Each Other'

Speaking to The Huffington Post, THE GOOD WIFE's Julianna Margulies said that she feels a certain pride in blazing the trail for the new batch of women-led programming.

"If you look this year at the pilots that they picked up, I would say more than not, women are the leads in network television, and I think we were the catalysts for that," she said. "And that makes me so happy."

Still, she understands that there's a lot of work to be done to change the perception and treatment of women stars, even when their shows are so successful. Citing the perceived women-led ratings battle between her show and BODY OF PROOF, Margulies made no secret of her disdain for current scheduling practices.

ABC changes GOOD CHRISTIAN BELLES to "C.G.B."

ABC pilot GOOD CHRISTIAN BITCHES was picked up last week but renamed GOOD CHRISTIAN BELLES. Now the network has decided to change the name of its newest primetime soap again--this time to G.C.B.

Here's how ABC described the show last week at the upfronts:

The soap returns to Dallas in this wicked new drama that shows that you can go home again... but only if you’re ready to face the sins of your past.

Amanda Vaughn (Leslie Bibb), once the ultimate high school "mean girl," is forced to return home in disgrace after her marriage ends in scandal. Amanda is nothing like the girl she was 20 years ago, but as her old classmates reacquaint themselves with the new Amanda, will her home town welcome her with open arms or seek revenge? No one in this town is a saint, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have a heart. As Amanda and her teenage kids try to adjust to their new lives, the ladies from her past alternate between sympathy and scheming.

NEWS: Eden Riegel, Ricky Martin, Marnie Schulenburg, WWE

ABC's BODY OF PROOF to L.A. from Rhode Island
The new crime drama starring Dana Delany and Jeri Ryan filmed its first season in Providence, R.I., but uncertainty surrounding the small state's film tax credit program put California in play. Gov. Lincoln Chafee has recommended dismantling the state film tax credit program to balance the state's budget. The production has a crew of about 200 people.

Eden Riegel welcomes son
Riegel tweeted on Sunday: "Jack Oscar Miller's! Born 4:07 PM, 8lbs 14 oz., 22 inches long."

Marnie Schulenburg in "South Pacific" starting June 15
Opening the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival's 20th anniversary season is Rodgers and Hammerstein's thrilling musical based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by James Michener. A young U.S. Navy nurse falls in love with an island plantation owner during World War II. The incredibly romantic score includes "Some Enchanted Evening," "Bali Ha'i," and "There is Nothin' Like a Dame." Winner of seven 2008 Tony Awards, "South Pacific" is appropriate for the entire family.

NEWS: P&G Expands Web Presence, Genie Francis, Jeff Branson, BAFTAs

Soap Opera Demise Expands P&G, NBC Efforts
Rich DelCore, P&G's director of global brand entertainment and VP of its Productions unit, says one impetus that set the company looking for new media platforms was the demise of soap operas that P&G has historically been involved with -- GUIDING LIGHT and AS THE WORLD TURNS.

"We saw that there were white spaces online where consumers weren't being served and after that we launched PetSide.com with NBC Digital. And we started looking at other places where we felt there wasn't a lot of great content or communities."

Genie Francis gets ‘Restless’ about daytime’s future
On Friday, the day after her 49th birthday, she debuts on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS as Genevieve Atkinson, the antagonistic mother of Ethan “Cane” Ashby, who was murdered on the show earlier this year. Francis says her character is “driven by a need for revenge and has developed sociopathic tendencies, shall we say.”

David Sutcliffe's "Group" Needs YOU: The WLS Interview, Part Three

In Parts One and Two of our interview with David Sutcliffe, the acclaimed and beloved actor discussed the relevance of his Kickstarter campaign for his new docu-webseries GROUP, his personal emotional struggles, as well as memories of starting on GILMORE GIRLS.  In Part Three below we continue to discuss the impact of his role of Christopher on the show, why his character's anger challenged him, and what it was like to film the fight with Scott Patterson.  Is there a reunion movie coming soon? Read below! 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Lorelai and Rory came alive whenever Christopher was around, and that was part of what made him so lovable for the audience.  However, there is an unnerving scene in Season Two where all his charm and finesse comes to a screeching halt.  At the end of the episode titled "It Should've Been Lorelai," Christopher suddenly flipped on Lorelai and displayed a capacity for intense anger.   That was one of the first times we saw that this show could get very dark.
David Sutcliffe: That was a tough day for me.  I remember resisting wanting to play that scene.  I didn’t want to go there.  I didn’t want it to be that intense, I didn’t want to be that angry.  And to be honest with you, at the time I didn’t completely understand it.  I remember Amy and the director of that episode (Lesli Linka Glatter) gave me a strong direction to keep moving into the anger, into the intensity, into the overreaction.  It was uncomfortable for me.  Now when I see it, I see why they wanted that, and why it works from a psychological point-of-view.  As an actor you can’t see everything that is going on.  There is a limit as to how much you can understand the scene.  There has to be an element of letting it go, letting it be, and not trying to understand it.  That’s one of those scenes where I surrendered and let it go.  Now I can see why it works.