News Brief

INTERVIEW: Y&R/B&B star Eileen Davidson
Davidson tells TV Guide Canada's Nelson Branco: "At this point in my life, I just want to do the best job I can. I’m not phoning in my performances, thank God. I’m still passionate about my career in soaps and playing Ashley Abbott. This time around, my intention is to inject more fun and sexy into Ashley — but she won’t take any crap from Jack, who desperately needs a foil."

Next week, Branco interviews two-time Emmy winner Martha Byrne.

ATWT nominated for Sentinel for Health Award
Barbara’s cancer storyline on As The World Turns has been nominated for a 2008 Sentinel for Health Award. The awards will take place Wednesday, October 2 in Los Angeles.

Jennie Garth talks about last night's big 90210 revelation
"It’s gone back and forth: Who and what and when and why? I think they settled on Dylan because Kelly and Dylan had such a passionate relationship in the past. Their relationship was so heated. It was kind of undeniable."

Study: GREY'S ANATOMY delivers a health message for viewers
The Kaiser Family Foundation analyzed an entire "Grey's" episode, and found that viewers retained the show's medical information weeks after watching.

EASTENDERS abuse plot sparks complaints
In last Friday's show, character Tony King arrived in Albert Square after spending a year in jail and was shown passionately kissing Whitney Dean. The BBC has received 138 complaints and Ofcom 27 about the storyline. The BBC said the plot had been created "in association with the NSPCC" and in accordance with its editorial policy.

Friday's pre-watershed show was watched by a peak audience of eight million viewers. As part of the storyline, King - played by Chris Coghill - had groomed Dean - Shona McGarty - before being sent to prison. Viewers saw him sneak into her bedroom while girlfriend Bianca Jackson, played by Patsy Palmer, took a bath. The two then kissed before falling onto the teenager's bed.

Geary, Reilly and Wyatt visit NIGHT SHIFT
TV Guide reports that the two-part finale of GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT — Oct. 21 is the last airdate — will be a joy fest for longtime GH fans. Anthony Geary (Luke), John Reilly (Sean) and Sharon Wyatt (Tiffany) will appear. GH: NIGHT SHIFT airs on SOAPnet Tuesdays at 11 p.m.

At the NY TV Festival, the Present and Future of TV Come to Broadway
For the past five days, television has taken over Midtown, and today is your last day to join in on the fun. The New York Television Festival was founded in 2005 as a forum for independent filmmakers to showcase their television pilots. Over the last four years, it has evolved into an overwhelming television experience—but the pilots remain the foundation of the festival.

For those more interested in how television gets made than television that’s already been made, the festival organized a variety of panels with industry professionals. Sunday’s Production Day featured panels about breaking into television— focusing on theater, daytime drama, writing, sketch comedy, web productions, and late-night comedy.

HOLLYOAKS star eager for CORRIE job
Give them an inch and they take a mile - or so it seems in soapland. You would think actor Gerard McCarthy would be on top of the world playing Kris Fisher in glossy Channel 4 soap HOLLYOAKS, but apparently not. Although he's having a ball where he is, that hasn't stopped the thesp from daydreaming about a part in a rival show.

He told MyPark Magazine: "I'd love to be part of the Connor family in CORONATION STREET - they are in desperate need of a real Irish member. And when I was growing up, I always wanted to play Jim McDonald's long-lost son."

DC #295: Top 10 Ways to Improve As the World Turns
On today's podcast, I was invited to Daytime Confidential's Luke, Mike and Jamey to discuss The Top 10 Ways to Improve AS THE WORLD TURNS.

Catching up with SWINGTOWN'S Grant Show
On the future of SWINGTOWN: ""There's absolutely hope for it. It's touch and go but they haven't let me go on to other projects yet."

INTERVIEW: OLTL's Brittany Underwood
Underwood, who plays Langston on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, was the guest on "Stardish Radio" last night.