News Brief

SAG, AMPTP talks kick off
Negotiators for SAG and the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers sat down for the first time Tuesday to begin what is expected to be two weeks of intense talks on the actors union contract, which expires June 30. Among the issues the union -- led by chief negotiator Doug Allen and president Alan Rosenberg -- is bringing to the table are residuals on new media, more money for DVD/home video and changes to health and pension benefits.

The talks come at a crucial time with the industry is still recovering from the 100-day WGA strike. The threat of proatacted negotiations -- and the possibility of an actors' strike -- already has caused studios to scale back production schedules for film and TV. The first day of bargaining began at 10 a.m. at the AMPTP headquarters in Sherman Oaks. It marked the first time SAG has sat down with the AMPTP and its chief, Nick Counter, without fellow performers union AFTRA.

As AFTRA waits for its turn at the table, the union has sent out a letter to its members urging them to ratify the new Network TV Code, which covers 70% of the hours programd on the four major networks and the CW. It excludes primetime dramas, which was part of the Phase One agreement with SAG. If ratified, the new contract will give members up to 3.5% in program fees, retroactive to Nov. 16, 2007.

The letter included endorsements of the new code from several members, including ONE LIFE TO LIVE actress Hillary B. Smith and ANOTHER WORLD/BEVERLY HILLS 90210 alum Gabrielle Carteris.

David gets some bad news on CORONATION STREET
David (Jack P Shepherd) has a few goodbyes to say before he goes to court tomorrow and leaves another message on Tina's (Michelle Keegan) answerphone. Later that day, Gail (Helen Worth) is surprised when she opens the door to Tina – who's come to speak to David. She apologizes to Gail about lying but Gail harbours no resentment and asks her to stay for tea. When David arrives home he's delighted to see his ex but as they eat dinner there's an awkward atmosphere. When they're alone, Tina tells him that she needs a break from him - she won't be visiting him in prison and can't see a way back for them.

Patrick Drake temporarily recast on GH
Jason Thompson will be off GENERAL HOSPITAL for four episodes - while he's away, the role of Dr. Patrick Drake will be temporarily recast by Ethan Erickson (ex-J, GUIDING LIHGT) beginning April 23rd. Jason will return to the role on May 2nd.

AUDIO: Interview with Matthew Borlenghi and Gregori J. Martin
Matthew Borlenghi (ex-Ziggy, B&B; ex-Brian, AMC) and Gregori J. Martin (Charlie, S&S) were interviewed on "Buzzworthy Radio" where they discussed some upcoming soap-studded films including MANHATTANITES and JACK RIO. (30 minutes in)

CANAL ROAD introduces Leyden to Australia
Paul Leyden, 35, might be unfamiliar to many viewers in Australia. But the Melbourne-born actor was a soap superstar in the US, playing the character Simon Frasier on CBS’s AS THE WORLD TURNS until last year.

"I suppose for many people in Australia, CANAL ROAD will be my introduction," he says. Welcome or welcome back, it’s going to be an interesting ride for Leyden and viewers.