News Brief

WGA: 28 writers quit during strike
In a post-strike missive, WGA leaders on both coasts sent out a joint letter Friday to its membership revealing the names of 28 members who resigned from the union during the 100-day strike.

"In the face of enormous personal and financial hardship on the part of many, you sacrificed in the knowledge that your refusal to work would reap benefits not only for yourselves but countless others in the creative community, now and in the future," WGAW president Patric Verrone and his counterpart in the east, Michael Winship, said in a statement. "Yet among the many there were a puny few who chose to do otherwise, who consciously and selfishly decided to place their own narrow interests over the greater good."

The 28 writers elected to file for financial core status, in which writers resign from the union, but still pay a percentage of the dues but do not face fines from the WGA for working during the strike. Covered under the National Labor Relations Act, the WGA must still represent fi-core writers in bargaining and the writers do not lose any rights under their contract.

Members who Elected Financial Core During the Strike:
Barbara J. Esensten - ALL MY CHILDREN
Jeanne M. Grunwell - Ex-AS THE WORLD TURNS/DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Hogan Sheffer - Ex-DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Dena Higley - DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Mark Christopher Higley - DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Meg Kelly - DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Garin Wolf - GENERAL HOSPITAL
Gary Tomlin - ONE LIFE TO LIVE
Michelle Poteet Lisanti - ONE LIFE TO LIVE
Shawn Morrison - PASSIONS
James E. Reilly - PASSIONS
Darrell R. Thomas Jr. - PASSIONS
Marlene Poulter Clark - PASSIONS
Clem Egan - PASSIONS
John F. Smith - THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Paula F. Cwikly - THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Maria Arena - THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
John Ridley
John F. Cosgrove
Terry A. Meurer

AMC recasts Colby
Colby Chandler of ALL MY CHILDREN is getting a makeover ... sort of. Ambyr Childers, who's played Adam's (David Canary) once-spoiled-now-saintly daughter since 2006, is leaving, and Colby's been recast. Starting May 7, Colby's going to look like 25-year-old newcomer Brianne Moncrief. A graduate of Fordham University's performing-arts program, Brianne has a lot of stage credits and a "Sopranos" episode to her name. So, what's up with the recast? An "AMC" spokesperson says storyline dictated the change. Wonder if that means Colby's growing crush on med student Frankie (Cornelius Smith Jr.) will be needing a crash cart?

Hollywood hunk and DAYS star, Brazilian Marcio Rosario pays his dues
He encourages young Latinos to reach for the stars and stay out of trouble while visiting schools on behalf of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts.

EASTENDERS halts filming as Samantha Janus breaks shoulder in stair fall
EASTENDERS star Samantha Janus had to be rushed to hospital after she plunged down stairs and fractured her shoulder. The 35-year-old, who plays Ronnie Mitchell, is now recuperating at home but the accident had thrown the soap into chaos. Sam, who has two children, was rushing to work when she tripped and fell.

VIDEO: EASTENDERS gay kiss between Christian Clark & Steven Beale


Casiello blogs on the end of Breakdown Writers and the future
Emmy-winning former ATWT, OLTL, Y&R and DAYS writer Tom Casiello writes: "I've just learned of two more soaps that no longer employ breakdown writers. I believe that out of eight soaps currently in production, we are now down to THREE soap operas that use breakdown writers.

Which means that the head writers now write long story AND breakdowns on 80% of the shows.

What does this mean for me? It means my job position has all but been eliminated, and what I thought might be a temporary hiatus from daytime while all of this post-strike stuff gets worked out could possibly turn into something more permanent. And many of the most talented writers I know could be facing early retirement."