News Brief

Soap Shrink to Thinking Fans: Ways to Cope with Recent Soap Deaths
Damon L. Jacobs writes: "This is not an easy time to be a soap fan. Already we are coping with declining ratings, pre-emptions, time changes, and signs of behind-the-scenes instability. But this week the Thinking Fans are coping with not one, not two, but three significant creative and artistic losses. What’s worse, the NAW’s (Non-Addicted-Watchers) in our lives usually have a limited ability to relate to our pain and sorrow."

JENNIFER GIBBONS: The legacy of James Reilly
"Last night when I read about his death, I was sad the rest of the night. Sad that he died, of course. He also died on the anniversary of my grandfather's death, so that was part of it. But I also felt bad because well, let's face it: I wasn't a fan of his writing. And boy, did I say so. I think I also said in the blog that if we based Reilly on his writing, then he would be considered a odd little man. Now I feel like a complete bitch."

INTERVIEW: GH head writer Bob Guza
"Obviously, Jason and Kirsten had a very strong and popular romance on DAYS four or five years ago, and that's great, but I don't think the assumption should be made that just because we bring him on this show, we are going to put him in a romance with Maxie. In fact, I would never do that. Maxie is in no way responsive to anybody but Spinelli right now. So she will play with Matt; there will be some sparks — mostly of anger — but we are not going to jeopardize Maxie and Spinelli. Not right away, for sure. It's too good a relationship. Matt is going have to work for it, if that is what he chooses to do. He will be very much in the mix, but I don't want Maxie and Spinelli fans to think that we are just going to throw Spinelli aside and give her to Matt. We are not."

Deep Soap: Baby Bust
Sara A. Bibel blogs: "Got a strongwilled female character embroiled in a love triangle? How about a sexy leading man with chemistry to burn? How are you going to complicate their story? You could give your characters a workplace conflict, family issues, or contrasting temperaments that make their relationship a struggle. Or, if you’re a current soap opera headwriter you can give them an unwanted pregnancy that will effectively neuter them for years."

TOM CASIELLO: Swept Away
"Congratulations, All My Children! The cast, the crew, the writers, the post-production guys - overall, you delivered a fantastic two episodes."

PATRICK ERWIN: Cover to cover
"The magazines generally say that they are driven to put what’s popular and what sells on the cover. But it seems like that’s a big of a chicken-or-egg discussion to me. I mean, I’m in PR and I completely understand the shows have their own agenda and want to push particular stories. But the magazines should endeavor to feature couples and stories from ALL shows that are making an impact. GL’s ratings have to be in part due to the fact that major stories from the show hasn’t been on the cover of either magazine for years. How can you promote a compelling story when people have forgotten you existed and think you were canceled?"

INTERVIEW: GENERAL HOSPITAL actress Carolyn Hennesy Interview
"If I am having such a good time when I'm taping then that's got to be coming through. Enjoyment breeds enjoyment."

Old Time Radio Gathering in New Jersey This Month Is the 33rd
The 2008 Friends of Old Time Radio convention will be held Oct. 23–26 at the Holiday Inn North, in Newark, N.J. Every year these keepers of radio's sacred flame (or should that be sacred tubes?) gather and re-create classic radio plays, listen to big band music, enjoy interviews with radio veterans, buy memorabilia and socialize with celebrities such as Lucie Arnaz and Chuck McCann.

Players from old-time favorites such as "Red Ryder," "My Little Margie," "Our Miss Brooks," "The Lone Ranger" and "The Guiding Light" are expected to attend.

Rich cribs: Jennifer Creel, former Ford estate
A 5-year-old, 3,500-square-foot home on Fishers Island sold last month for $3.05 million. Public records show the 3.88-acre waterfront property was owned by Jennifer and Lawrence Creel, who purchased the tract in 1999 for $350,000. Jennifer Creel is a socialite, actress and, this past summer, co-host of Plum TV's lifestyle show THE JUICE. She also had a recurring role on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, playing the character Sophie Gage.

Former EMMERDALE actor Benedict Paul Freeman acquitted
Freeman, 28, had been accused of having unlawful sexual intercourse with the now 17-year-old girl on November 29, 2006, while both were guests at the hotel.