News Round-up

Senate agrees to move the Digital TV transition to June 12
The Senate Monday night approved unanimously a compromise bill (S.328) that would move the DTV transition date from Feb. 17 to June 12, but it must now be reconciled with a House version of the bill, and quickly, point out backers of the legislation.

Senator Jay Rockefeller, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee and the bill's co-sponsor, sought a similar vote on his original bill, which would simply have moved the date from Feb. 17 to June 12. That bill was blocked by at least one Republican, which is all it takes.

UGLY BETTY: ABC has "complete faith" in show
An ABC spokesperson insists that BETTY isn't close to dying: "ABC has complete confidence in UGLY BETTY and the hiatus is no way meant to reflect a loss in faith for the show which remains large part of ABC's identity." Meanwhile, a source tells AfterElton.com that UGLY BETTY will enter its hiatus with five episodes remaining, and they will air before the season is over.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Y&R's Lilibet Stern
Lynn Leahey blogs: "You never know what a new day will bring. Out of the blue last week, I got a call from Lilibet Stern, who played Patty Williams back in the early 80s. She left soaps in the middle of a contract, eventually becoming a registered nurse. She's got a new career now — about six months ago she started her own company, coaching people for job interviews."

DAYS stars become the latest victims of the economy
"And you thought it would be Stefano DiMera who would ultimately take down John and Marlena! But, no, it was a villain of a different sort who was responsible for the demise of the dynamic DAYS OF OUR LIVES duo.

The sputtering economy - combined with high production costs and declining ratings - have made soaps, and soap stars, vulnerable. This past week, two of our sudsy favorites got the axe."

Robbie Williams leaves LA with ex-DAYS girlfriend
Robbie Williams is abandoning his sun-soaked life in Los Angeles to head back to Britain – and he won't be alone. The 34-year-old will bring his US girlfriend, Ayda Field (ex-Angela, DAYS OF OUR LIVES), back for a slice of life in Blighty, according to his sister Sally Symonds.

How the Celia Rivenbark article came to be
‘What’s the deal with big-name soap opera stars getting axed? Am I the only one who watches anymore?” Celia asks. “You’d think they’d be doing great, with the product placements and all. I saw Sami Brady using a Swiffer Wet Jet and I just had to have one.” She pauses for a moment. “Maybe I’ll write a column about that.” (That article appeared in papers around the country the following week.)

HOLLYOAKS girls go for the natural look as they pose without any make-up
The shoot was taken by Heat magazine as part of an ongoing campaign to show celebrities as they really look.

SCRIPTS & SCRUPLES: Episode #875
Angie taunts Sam. Bobby is unwilling to forgive his father (Mark Arnold).