News Brief

Judging fi-core writers
Bernard Lechowick is a two-time winner of the Writers Guild Award and a veteran television staff writer, show runner and series creator. He teaches writing at USC. During the recent strike he lost his job as a creative consultant to the CBS serial THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. He wrote an interesting Op-Ed piece for the Los Angeles Times: "The Writers Guild has an obligation to judge the actions of members who worked during the strike."

Soap stars lining up for Britis Soap Awards
The British Soap Awards will be shown on ITV1 on Wednesday, May 7 at 8pm. BBC One's EASTENDERS and Channel 4 serial HOLLYOAKS are the front-runners. It's neck-and-neck when it comes to the categories voted for by the viewers though, as CORONATION STREET, EASTENDERS, EMMERDALE, DOCTORS and HOLLYOAKS have three nominations each for Sexiest Male, Sexiest Female, Villain of the Year, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Soap, The remaining 11 gongs are voted for by the panel. The awards include Best Dramatic Performance, Best Exit, Best Single Episode and Best Storyline.

PHOTOS: ATWT Fan Club Luncheon
Photos from the annual AS THE WORLD TURNS Fan Club Luncheon event held on April 26th.

Michael Park to perform in "Pure Country" workshop
Producers Randall L. Wreghitt, Chris Presley and Ellen Rusconi announced casting for the current workshop presentation of Pure Country, the new Broadway-bound musical based on the movie of the same name. Its world premiere will be in the 2008-09 Broadway season. Principal workshop casting includes Broadway veterans Michael Park (AS THE WORLD TURNS.) as leading character Rusty, a country singer who reassesses his life..

EVENT: Dusay at 81st Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival
GUIDING LIGHT actress Marj Dusay will join the stars of the 81st Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival later this week. Dusay will serve as the Ambassador from the Nations at the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah Designate Jaqui Rice, according to a press release from the festival organizers.

AMC's Budig to attend the Mint Jubilee Gala
ALL MY CHILDREN star Rebecca Budig will attend the Mint Jubilee Gala Fundraiser on Kentucky Derby Eve at the Galt House Hotel & Suites in Louisville.

Budig also appears in a CSI rerun tonight
To fill the 10pm ET slot tonight, CBS is running a rerun of CSI where Rebecca Budig plays an exotic dancer named Candy.