News Brief

Desperately good . . . a look at the season premiere of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
Amy Amatangelo writes: "I’ve seen the first two episodes of the season and I’m so relieved to report that the show is back on track. The time travel corrects some of the core problems that had stymied the series and returns the series to its season one entertaining combination of mystery, camp, humor and wit."

UGLY BETTY's Ana admits past abuse
She may play Betty's feisty no-nonsense sister Hilda in Ugly Betty, but Ana Ortiz has revealed that she once let herself be pushed around by a boyfriend.

The 37-year-old actress, who is now happily married to musician Noah Lebenzon, told US Weekly that she was once a victim of domestic abuse.

"It started with him humiliating me in front of my friends, calling me 'sl**', saying, 'You're so stupid', and shamelessly flirting with women. It escalated to shoving and manhandling me - and always because I tried to stand up for myself or because he felt disrespected. One time I jokingly called him a name, and it set him off on a tirade of abuse and pushing me around."

DEEP SOAP: Veterans Day
Sara A. Bibel blogs: "I am baffled as to why daytime would choose to portray veterans so negatively. While it’s true that a few soldiers have returned home from war and committed despicable violent acts, 99% would never even contemplate hurting a woman or child."

EASTENDERS theme more familiar to Brits than "God Save the Queen"
The theme of BBC soap EASTENDERS is more easily recogniZed by Brits than the UK national anthem, according to a new poll. Almost four in ten people say they are more familiar with the theme tune than "God Save the Queen."

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES jumps 5 years
Creator Marc Cherry promises that while he's bringing the show back to earth, it won't stay there indefinitely.

"Of course, the ball will start rolling and pick up steam as the year goes on," he said. "But I thought it would be a good chance to do something interesting and give everyone some challenges. That's what I love about my gals is that, for all the glamour, they're all actresses first. And that can't be said on some TV shows because I have friends who constantly marvel at what my gals allow me to do and how ridiculously silly I make them and how wickedly driven I make the characters, but they really go with me. And I've always been very fortunate in that regard."

INTERVIEW: Ilene Kristen
Kristen, who plays Roxy on ONE LIFE TO LIVE and Marilyn in the upcoming Manhattanites, was a guest on "Stardish Radio" earlier this week and had a lot to say about the upcoming election, her roles on the soaps and more.