Evening News

TV Guide: Martha Byrne wasn't planning to say much publicly about her shocking decision to quit AS THE WORLD TURNS. But then the show's executive producer, Chris Goutman, issued a statement saying: "We made Martha an incredibly generous offer in hopes that she would remain a valuable member of the ATWT cast. Unfortunately, Martha has decided to leave despite our best efforts to keep her." And that was something Byrne couldn't ignore. " I've spent 21 years of my life at ATWT and have loved every minute of it, and that's what's so hard about this. On my last day on the set I cried like a baby. Ellen Dolan [Margo] brought in the bagpipe guys from the NYPD to play when my last scene was done. The cast, the crew, everybody was so incredible. That show was my life! I met my husband [retired NYC police officer Michael McMahon] and had my three children while doing ATWT. I had my very first kiss in my life on that show, with Brian Bloom [the original Dusty]. I had my first crush ever on Jon Hensley [Holden], and I probably now still have a crush on him!"

ABC: "The 35th Annual Daytime Emmy(r) Awards" will be produced by White Cherry Entertainment for the ABC Television Network LIVE, FRIDAY, JUNE 20 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET; West Coast tape delayed), from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre, it was announced jointly by Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group and Peter Price, president, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

In making the announcement, Mr. Frons said: "After hiring them initially in 2003 and delivering a memorable show in 2006, we are thrilled White Cherry Entertainment will be back to produce this year's broadcast ceremony. I am confident Ricky Kirshner, Glenn Weiss and their highly creative production team will craft a show that is not only entertaining and fun, but a must-watch one that will captivate the audience."

Emmy Award-winning executive producers and White Cherry principals Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss continued: "We are happy to again partner with the creative people at ABC and NATAS to produce a broadcast that celebrates the remarkable achievements in daytime television." Mr. Kirshner and Mr. Weiss have also produced the pre and half-time shows for Super Bowls XL and XLI, as well as the Tony Awards, for which they have won many primetime Emmy Awards.

As previously announced, TV legend and talk show host Regis Philbin ("Live with Regis & Kelly") will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during the broadcast ceremony. Past recipients include Barbara Walters, James Lipton, Caroll Spinney and Merv Griffin. In addition, the nominations for "The 35th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards" will be announced live on ABC's "The View" Wednesday, April 30 (11:00 a.m. to noon, ET).

More news on the show, presenters, performers and other guest stars will be announced at a later date.

Broadway World: EVENT: On March 20, join the production team and cast of Life After Tomorrow (including AS THE WORLD TURNS star Martha Byrne) for a discussion, performance and signing at 5:30pm at the Barnes and Noble at Lincoln Triangle (located at 1972 Broadway).

AfterElton: Liveblogging AS THE WORLD TURNS: We have ways of making you talk, Mayer.

New York Times Blogs: Among the recipients of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Media Awards on Monday night, one stood out: AS THE WORLD TURNS, which won the award for outstanding daily drama, has been criticized by viewers for what they perceived as a deliberate attempt to treat gay characters differently.

FOX News: Billionaire investor Warren Buffett is coming to the aid of Susan Lucci's ALL MY CHILDREN character Erica Kane.

Soapdom: THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL is 21 years young (or will be on Sunday).

The Spoiler: "Despite growing up in Texas, Eva Longoria managed to avoid the slow road to obesity, and found fame playing Gabrielle in DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (she’s the youngish one whose always finds an excuse to trot around in just her underwear).In 2006, she shot straight to the top of the international WAG league when she married Tony Parker, point guard for her favourite basketball team the San Antonio Spurs. Should you ever meet the 33-year-old actress, here’s some facts to slip into conversation to show her your level of obsession: she has a Bachelor of Science degree, she was previously married to a star of crappy soap GENERAL HOSPITAL, she has handled firearms since her youth and IMDB tells us that one of her cousins works in a Post office in New Jersey (presumably the other cousins don’t have jobs)."

Soaptown USA: Interview with PASSIONS actress Emily Harper.