Evening News

Los Angeles Times: Soap fans claim bias against gay characters. AS THE WORLD TURNS couple Luke and Noah are relegated to hugs and off-screen affection when hetero pairs smooch away and viewers are complaining.

CBS spokesmen said the show's ratings have increased since the pair were introduced last year. "CBS supports the producers' vision for the Luke and Noah storyline," according to a statement. "We have not censored it or asked them to hold back in any way."

Jeannie Tharrington, a spokeswoman for Procter & Gamble Productions, denied the show's writers were discriminating. "We're trying to be sensitive to all the different audiences who watch our show. We do make our decision based on what we think is best for the show's diverse audience and what's best creatively."

Soap Opera Digest: Though THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS has not confirmed Lynn Latham's exit from the show, there has been an executive shuffle: Josh Griffith has been bumped up to Head Writer/Executive Producer and Maria Arena Bell has been named Co-Head Writer of the No. 1 sudser.

Broadcast Newsroom: Ripple6 has been in a strategic partnership with Procter & Gamble since February 2007, working with P&G to enhance relationships with consumers through two-way interaction and communication. Several projects with P&G are underway including a partnership to integrate the Ripple6 platform into a new site for GUIDING LIGHT, the longest running show in broadcast history. "Our consumers are increasingly participating in online communities. These communities offer potential to activate and accelerate word-of-mouth, and to build engaging connections between brands and consumers," said Stan Joosten, Innovation Manager - Holistic Communication, P&G. "Our partnership with Ripple6 has provided us a unique opportunity for marketing innovation in social media, with a look beyond traditional online advertising and toward developing even stronger relationships between consumers and P&G brands."

ABC 7 Chicago: It was homecoming week in Crete for one of the stars of ALL MY CHILDREN. Colin Egglesfield, who has played Josh Madden for 3 years, was honored by Marian Catholic High School. A Marian Catholic alumnus, the actor attended the school's annual Hall of Fame Dinner on Thursday and received the Fine Arts Distinguished Achievement award for his work in print, film and television. Earlier in the day, he visited students in theater and mass media classes, toured the school, and visited with former teachers and coaches.

Santa Rosa Press Democrat: Not many careers range from a TV biography of Howard Hughes to the sci-fi romp "Men in Black" as Tommy Lee Jones' career has. But do you remember his initial bit-part appearance in 1970's LOVE STORY? And did you know he also appeared in the pilot episode of the hit TV series CHARLIE'S ANGELS in 1976? It was a busy decade for him. He even did soap opera, playing Mark Toland on ONE LIFE TO LIVE from 1971 to 1975.

Georgia Straight: Paul Kane was living in the Waterfall Building on West 2nd Avenue when he accidentally took his first step on the path to becoming a custom-furniture designer. The units of the brand new, mixed-use structure were then without blinds, so Kane took it upon himself to drill a couple of holes, install a supporting rod, and hang some curtains in his place. Seeing this, the owner hired him to do the same for the whole building. Kane, who was raised on the West Side, had just moved back to Vancouver after an acting stint in Los Angeles (he had a recurring role on the soap DAYS OF OUR LIVES). So he was free not only to work on the Waterfall Building but, when a friend’s company relocated to larger space, to fill an order for 50 desks.

Variety: NBC may share FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS with CW, E!, TNT or DirecTV. NBC Universal execs have decided they want to go the extra yard to ensure the drama returns for a third season. To make sure that happens, conglom is having serious conversations with several networks about a plan to carve out multiple broadcast windows for the show, which has received critical worship and has a cult-like following.

San Francisco Chronicle: New DVD Releases Include "Dark Shadows: The Beginning — Collection 3" — Creepy life among the Collins family continues with more tales from the supernatural soap opera. The four-disc package has 35 episodes of the show from its early days, before vampire Barnabas Collins joined the cast and lifted the show to devoted cult status. DVD set, $59.98. (MPI)

Borehanwood Times: BBC Elstree Studios forms a crucial part of the television heritage of the area. Its closure would come as a massive blow to Borehamwood. If shows such as EASTENDERS and HOLBY CITY were to move as far away as Belfast or Cardiff then it is unlikely they would keep many cast members, potentially spoiling viewers' enjoyment of the programmes.