News Round-up

GREEK cuts a sister (major spoiler alert)
Michael Ausiello is reporting that Frannie, played by Tiffany Dupont, has been fired. "Although a rep for the ABC Family hit declined comment, my GREEK mole tells me that Dupont will not be returning as a series regular for the show's just-announced third season. The decision, per the source, was primarily a creative one, although budget considerations were a factor as well."

Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth reunite on 90210
A dozen or more photographers gathered Monday to grab shots of the pair, who starred in the 1990s Fox hit BEVERLY HILLS, 90210. Spelling is joining the CW sequel, which features Garth, for a multi-episode arc that begins airing April 14.

SAG pair want Doug Allen back
In the latest stunning twist in the SAG saga, the guild and the congloms have delayed the relaunch of their contract talks because guild prexy Alan Rosenberg is going to court today to demand the reinstatement of ousted national exec director Doug Allen.

Rosenberg and SAG first VP Anne-Marie Johnson submitted a notice of intent to the guild on Monday afternoon. That was followed a few hours later by an announcement from the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers that two days of talks -- which had been had been set for today and Wednesday -- had been put on hold.

CORONATION STREET can make you a better parent
New research indicates that rather than causing anti-social behavior, television might actually help teach pre-school children to be less aggressive. Parenting expert John Sharry agrees, and is keen to point out that television can be a positive, even helpful part of family life.

"I know one instance where a woman was having serious difficulties with her teenage daughter yet they maintained a connection by watching a regular soap opera together -- no matter how bad things were they could always talk about CORONATION STREET together. In this way television actually helped them stay connected."

MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER new release is hamdinger of a set
John Stahl reviews: "The nicest thing about new DVD set of MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 (MST 3K) is that it allows me and other Misties to relive the many wonderful Saturday mornings that we spent from the late 1980s to the 'Manhunt in Space' episode from the Volume 14 edition of this set that is being released today. 'Manhunt in Space' was equally entertaining and included one of the shorts from the soap opera GENERAL HOSPITAL that Misties loved so well."

The Boys in the Band on DVD
"The unexpected guest Alan (the former Linc on ALL MY CHILDREN, Peter White) is Crowley's eyes and ears to the outside world, and the scratching post for so many cats. But White invests Alan with a quiet, compelling vulnerability that renders his sexual ambiguity both coherent and touching. His utilitarian function ceases to matter as White becomes another of the ensemble to deliver the goods."

Love and Theft on ABC
Starting today on ABC and SoapNet, Love and Theft's song, "World Wide Open," will be heard as part of the on- and off-air marketing campaign for ABC's ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE. The spots will also be available on ABC.com and SOAPnet.com.

DAYS' Patrika Darbo cast in Rango with Johnny Depp
Patrika Darbo (ex Nancy Wesley, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) has been cast in Paramount’s feature film Rango with Johnny Depp starring as a household pet who goes on an adventure to find himself. The film is directed by Gore Verbinski and also stars Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Harry Dean Stanton and Ned Beatty. It's a live action and animation project.

ATWT's Morris and Glendening at the Zipper Factory
Eric William Morris (Matt) and Sarah Glendening (Lucy) continue their run in "Things To Ruin" at the Zipper Factory. Showtimes: Friday, February 6 at 11:00 P.M.; Friday, February 13 at 8:00 P.M.; Friday, February 20 at 11:00 P.M.; Friday, February 27 at 8:00 P.M.