News Brief

Cyndi Lauper appears on AS THE WORLD TURNS for gay rights
David Hinckley of the New York Daily News reports: "You could argue that Cyndi Lauper's appearance on AS THE WORLD TURNS Thursday is a 360-degree back-scratch: Lauper promoting her new record and tour, the show enjoying the glow from a genuine pop star who drops in to sing a tune or two.

But hey, does everything have to be cynical?

What if it's really just a nice gesture by Lauper to boost a notion she's supported for years - respect and fair treatment for gay folks?

But her appearance on the show is clearly an endorsement of the relationship, a signal that people need to deal with it and get used to it and accept it. The fact that P&G is having her on the show knowing that's her message also speaks well for the company."

Soap Watch: Cyndi Lauper's 'As the World' turn
Cyndi Lauper does know how to make an entrance. We're not talking about her guest appearance on As the World Turns' July 3 episode, when she visits the CBS soap to perform a benefit concert (her latest single ''Into the Nightlife'' and the classic ''True Colors'') for a university Pride event. We're talking about her appearance on the ATWT set May 27, when, before shooting her scenes, she replaced actor Jake Silbermann — the first half of daytime's hottest off-but-soon-to-be-on-again? gay couple, Noah and Luke (Van Hansis) — in the hot seat at the Snyder family kitchen table to answer reporter questions.

"I just think it's awful, and you should get back together with your boyfriend," she told Silbermann, before taking a breath that would have to last for the next 30 seconds. "Because honestly, I think you two are made for each other. And if you're gonna start this silliness now, just think, you know, later on, you'll be sorry in life. You had your moment when you could have had real love. But no, you decided to become distracted. And then what's gonna become of you? You're gonna be unhappy, which will be perfect for this show, but, you know what I mean. You better get straightened up... [She puts out her hand out for Silbermann to shake] It's nice to meet you."

Set Visit: Cyndi Lauper Helps AS THE WORLD TURNS Celebrate Gay Pride
Brian Juergens from AfterElton visited the ATWT set the day Cyndi Lauper taped a guest appearance and spoke with Lauper, Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann about daytime television's first gay pride celebration and the Luke and Noah storyline.

Lauper: "It’s wonderful in this soap opera that they’re showing real life. And there’s a lot of real people in real situations – that’s why on the tour I also brought along PFLAG. Because you know, when you come out you go through what you go through, but your family goes through a lot too, and who do they talk to if they don’t know other people? But there’s PFLAG where they can talk to other parents. Information is power, and I wanted to do a tour that would empower people."

Former stripper writes memoir and reveals his Matt Drudge friendship — and their butual love of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
According to Seymour: "Matthew and I were primarily obsessed with two things: music and THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. That’s all we talked about as we walked around D.C. late at night or drove out to the Maryland suburbs where his mother worked behind the counter at 7-Eleven."

ATWT's Magnussen to star in "Paper Dolls"
Lively Productions and Métropole Ink will present Paper Dolls as part of the 11th annual New York International Fringe Festival, running Aug. 8-24 at the Players Theatre. Penned by New York Daily News columnist and playwright Patrick Huguenin, the cast will feature Ali Ahn, Allison Goldberg, Jen Jamula and AS THE WORLD TURNS star Billy Magnussen. Magnussen also made his Broadway debut last season in "The Ritz."

Analysis: SAG's in a Tough Spot
With its final offer just hours before the screen actors contract expired Monday night, the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers issued a dare to the Screen Actors Guild: Take the deal or go take your strike vote.

EASTENDERS: No stranger to controversial storylines
With the latest admonishment from Ofcom still ringing in its ears, EASTENDERS has announced it plans to tackle the taboo subject of child sex abuse in a forthcoming storyline. The plot will revolve around Bianca Jackson's 15-year-old stepdaughter Whitney and her jailbird dad who will arrive in Albert Square later this year.

Sarah Jayne Dunn's 'great' return to HOLLYOAKS
The 26-year-old actress - who reprises her role as Mandy Richardson in the Channel 4 soap - insists she is thrilled to return to the show, and be involved in an emotional storyline involving the custody of her stepbrother Tom.

She said: "I always said, 'Never say never' so it was nice not to be killed off, so I always knew there an opportunity to go back. I don't think I can look as it as going back because it's still a job in the industry and when you're an actor you just want to be working. HOLLYOAKS is riding such a wave at the moment - it's a great time to be there."

INTERVIEW: PASSIONS's Hector Luis Bustamante
"Well, for a long time, he was just called 'Henchman' in the scripts. But he then had a scene with Tabitha where she asked what his name was and Juanita didn't even know his name, so she said, 'Hench.'"