News Round-up

New rift opens in SAG over strike vote
Many actors are hesitant to hold a strike during a recession, and the the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios, is appealing directly to actors to vote against strike authorization.

Leno decision shows retreat from 10 pm dramas
NBC's decision to give Jay Leno a show each weeknight leaves CBS and ABC the only major broadcasters still in the business of making scripted dramas for the last hour of prime-time.

Viewing habits are changing, and the well-turned adult drama is one more genre that broadcasters no longer have uniquely to themselves.

So far this season, not one program that airs in that hour is among the 10 most popular prime-time shows, according to Nielsen Media Research. CSI: MIAMI, at No. 11, comes closest.

MICHAEL FAIRMAN: Day Two -"Inside GUIDING LIGHT" & Kim Zimmer chat!
"I can understand how sometimes cramped they may feel for the crew and the actors. I was extremely impressed though, at how creative set designer, Rick Dennis had to be to be able to quickly convert writers, staffers, and production team offices on a dime."

Heather Tom's annual Christmas Bash
Tom, looking stunning in a Herve Leger shimmering silver-blue dress, hosted the event for many family, friends and soap industry guests.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: ATWT's Ashley Williams (ex-Dani)
Williams starred on an ABC Family movie night. She wouldn't mind coming back to TV and even has good things to say about her soap days: "I think the ideal schedule in terms of like kids and stuff is a sitcom, then again it's always been my major goal to just try to go get back on a soap opera and just have that life, which is so steady and so loving and familiar and you can have your kids on set with you and you understand exactly your job and it's very relaxed. I loved being on AS THE WORLD TURNS, and I've always thought, gosh, I can't wait until I just go back to a soap."

Former UK soap actress Kathy Staff has died at age 80
Staff played Doris Luke, a cleaner, on the ITV soap CROSSROADS, but it was sitcom battle axe Nora Batty that she won an enduring place in viewers' hearts. She appeared in 243 episodes of the Yorkshire-based comedy, LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE, beginning in the very first episode in January 1973. She made her last appearance in August. She also appeared on EMMERDALE FARM and CORONATION STREET.