Monday, September 29, 2008

News Brief

INTERVIEW: GH and NIGHT SHIFT star Kimberly McCullough
"I was watching everyone talking about Sarah Palin on CNN. Oh, my God! I did not know if I wanted to throw up or cry. I am so infuriated. I feel like the main thing that frustrates me, is that sense of, 'Well, I worked so hard for it, so I get to keep it.' It’s that whole greed thing. Then, if you are not greedy you are called a Socialist, because you want people to be successful. It’s so far from being a Socialist; it’s not even funny. If you had a lot of money you wouldn’t think twice about helping somebody who doesn’t have it. I think it’s just greed and being self-centered, when people do not give back."

Disney prepares for last Super Soap weekend -- promises fitting finale
In a press release issued today, Brian Frons said ABC wants to send its soap stars on a national promotional tour in 2009, rather than sponsor one big Super Soap Weekend at Disney World. “Our fans have told us they want us in their neighborhoods," he stated

“We thank Walt Disney World for being a wonderful host and partner and look forward to our plans to send Super Soap off with a bang,” Frons added.

“On My Porch” Chat – The 2008 Election with Daytime for Obama
Wednesday, October 1, Nancy Lee Grahn and her special guests from Daytime for Obama, Jane Elliott, Mary Beth Evans, Susan Flannery, Kimberly McCollough, Heather Thom, Kelly Monaco, Kim Zimmer, Kassie Depaiva, Bree Williamson, Deidre Hall and Debbi Morgan. Visit the "Politics" forum to learn more! (work schedules permitting) will gather at her house to discuss the upcoming election, with a particular focus on issues critical to the well-being of women and children in our country. They’ll be joined by Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) via teleconference for this in-depth conversation that we will cover live in the nancyleegrahn.com chat room.

The chat room has space for everyone to join from 8:00 pm EST to 9:00pm EST.

Directly following that, fans are invited to interact with Nancy and her guests in the “Politics” forum at nancyleegrahn.com. Start a thread to pose your questions about the election, candidates, or issues that matter to you (anytime between now and next Wednesday) and the actors will reply with their answers and opinions on Wednesday night. We’ll also leave the chat room open for you to chat with each other about the issues, election, and question responses and the actors will pop in to join the discussion from time to time.

Jesse McCartney Pledges 'GREEK'
The actor/singer/songwriter has enrolled in ABC Family's guiltless pleasure GREEK. The ex-ALL MY CHILDREN star will play the recurring role of Andy, a heavily recruited freshman jock who'll be torn between rushing the KT and OX houses. McCartney will make his Greek debut in early '09 when the show kicks off its fourth season/cycle.

"Out" in Hollywood: Starring Roles Are Rare
The New York Times published an interesting article on being "out" in the entertainment industry. Despite inroads made by out celebrities like Neil Patrick Harris and T.R. Knight, many actors remain in the closet out of fear their career would be negatively impacted.

“The industry is persuaded that being known as gay will undermine your credibility both as romantic lead or an action star,” said Larry Gross, director of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California and author of a book on media portrayals of gays and lesbians.

“They don’t test it,” he said. “We’re waiting for the Jackie Robinson moment when someone tests that assumption and discovers it’s not true.”

Chad Allen, 34, a child actor on shows like ST. ELSEWHERE and DR. QUINN, MEDICINE WOMAN, said steady work dried up in 1996 after a tabloid ran a photograph showing him kissing another man. The DR. QUINN cast was supportive and he remained in the family-oriented show, he said, but after the series ended, “It was tough.”

“I couldn’t get an audition for a pilot after that,” he said.

But Mr. Allen, who attended college and continued to do some work in film, found new roles a few years ago, with the advent of gay-oriented cable networks. In channels like Here! and Viacom’s Logo, openly gay actors have played lead roles as private detectives, vampires and superheroes. Mr. Allen now stars on NIGHT SHIFT and in a mystery series on Here!, in a role he describes as “a good detective who happens to be gay.”

Bravo picks up SWINGTOWN reruns
Bravo cut a deal with CBS Paramount Network Television to acquire rights to the entire 13-episode first season of languishing drama SWINGTOWN. The NBC Universal-owned cable network plans to begin airing episodes in October.

EASTENDERS regains best soap crown
EASTENDERS has swiped back the best soap crown from CORONATION STREET and swept the board at the Inside Soap awards with nine gongs.

For the second year she triumphed as best actress and best couple alongside Charlie Clements, who plays her on-screen husband Bradley Branning.

Max and Stacey's affair revealed at Christmas won EASTENDERS the best storyline award, beating other plotlines including the death of Vera Duckworth in CORONATION STREET.

Robert Kazinsky, who plays Sean Slater, was named best actor as well as sexiest male. Rob James-Collier, who is bowing out of CORONATION STREET as Liam Connor, was last year's sexiest male. He was also shortlisted this year.

EASTENDERS' wins included Rita Simons clinching the best newcomer award for her role as Roxy Slater and Cheryl Fergison scooping the funniest performance for her character portrayal of Heather Trott. Kara Tointon (Dawn Swann) picked up the award for a second time for sexiest female.

Last year was the first time CORONATION STREET had won the best soap title at the Inside Soap awards in more than a decade. This year CORRIE retained its reputation as the home of the screen villain for the fourth year in a row, with Jack P. Shepherd scooping best bad boy for his evil doings as David Platt for the second year in succession.

CORONATION STREET's Kym Marsh was named best-dressed soap star at the awards, sponsored by LittlewoodsDirect.Com.

Meanwhile, the outstanding achievement award was bestowed upon Chris Chittell, who has entertained viewers over the years as EMMERDALE's Eric Pollard.

Ellis Hollins, who plays Tom Cunningham in HOLLYOAKS, was awarded the best young actor trophy for the second time. And THE BILL was awarded best drama for the third year running.

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