Evening News

TV Guide: Procter & Gamble has confirmed that two-time Emmy winner Martha Byrne will soon exit AS THE WORLD TURNS. Other websites are reporting that the fan fave — who plays Lily Snyder — nixed an insulting offer to re-sign her contract. Not so, claims the soap’s executive producer Chris Goutman. “We made Martha an incredibly generous offer in hopes that she would remain a valuable member of the ATWT cast,” Goutman says in a statement. “Unfortunately, Martha has decided to leave despite our best efforts to keep her.” Those close to the situation swear that’s no baloney. “When Goutman says ‘generous,’ he means it — the offer was generous by anyone’s standards,” insists one longtime staffer. “I don’t know what else the show could have done for Martha.” The actress, who is still taping episodes, will be off the air by April. Word is, a recast is likely.

Eurweb: TV One viewers can hear singer Aretha Franklin play host Cathy Hughes' father's favorite song, "Canadian Sunset" on the piano and enjoy her special visit with her favorite soap actor, Eric Braeden, who plays Victor Newman on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS on the show's premiere on premiering Sunday, March 2 at 10 PM ET.

Daily Advertiser: THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, the most intriguing CBS soap, includes multi-ethnic relationships as part of its existence. Mamie was infatuated with her boss, John Abbott. Miguel served the Newmans well. Neil has a new girlfriend. Daughter Lily's older boyfriend bothers Neil. Someone killed Jill's sweetheart. Jack Abbott discovered that he fathered a son in Vietnam.

National Ledger: Get out your banjos, it is time for another chorus of the "story line dictated" blues. ALL MY CHILDREN's Jonathan Lavery (Jeff Branson) will be off the show come March. An executive explains the write out is "story line dictated." It is not a surprise that the character is being axed. For months, the once focal character has had little screen time.

AfterElton: Best. Gay. Week. Ever. Michael Jensen writes: "I know it's hard to believe, but we had three whole days of Nuke on As the World Turns this week. But even with the fellows taking a higher profile this week, a lot of folks still aren't happy with the show. First things first — yes, they should just show Luke and Noah kissing and are clearly caving into to pressure to not have them kiss (at least on the lips). And, yes, the writing and the fight scenes were pretty clunky this week (hello, low-budget soap opera here!). BUT I do feel I have to speak up in defense of the show."
Bay Windows: Daytime drama AS THE WORLD TURNS earned accolades last year for introducing a gay storyline. But that was then, and now fickle fans are angry at the show - for not being gay enough! Fed up with the circumspect and slow moving romance between Luke and Noah, a contingent of fans has launched a letter-writing campaign taking the show to task for its timidity in depicting a gay relationship.

E! Online: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS fans plan to send more than 13,000 mini-footballs to NBC.

Soap Opera Network: DAYS OF OUR LIVES Higley-Gate in Burbank.