News Round-up

CNN: Soap features daytime TV's first lesbian wedding
"When my character did first come out of the closet, there was a lot of negative reaction," said Eden Riegel, the actress who plays Bianca on ALL MY CHILDREN. "People were very protective of Erica Kane's daughter, and I think that the beauty of the show is that we were able to reach people and get people sort of used to the idea."

"I promise to love you and devote myself to you," says a tearful Reese, played by Tamara Braun, during the ceremony, her hands in Bianca's. "Because standing here with you, it's where I belong."

Susan Lucci said, "Once Bianca came out and said she was gay, Erica said, 'But no! You won't get married!' Well, now that Bianca is getting married, you know, the other part of Erica is like, 'Hooray!' You know? 'I get to plan my daughter's wedding after all!' "

At least one religious group, however, expressed its disapproval of the nuptials.

"I think it is really important to understand that there are a lot of things that people don't really want to see and don't want coming into their homes, and lesbian weddings are certainly one of them," said Glenn Stanton of the group Focus on the ave that right no matter what sex you are, who you love, what color you are, how manyFamily.

Actress Braun said, "If you are brave enough to want to get married, especially with the divorce rate as high as it is, then you should h extra toes and feet you have ... equal rights for all people."


Strayhorn slams Austin for not paying FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS could become a political football in the race for Austin's next mayor. Candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn is blasting the City of Austin for not paying any of the money it offered the NBC show in a 2007 incentive deal. The city had agreed to give NBC $40,000 a year for past and future seasons if it kept filming FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS in Austin and met contract terms. The show, now in its third season, has yet to see a dime.

City officials say NBC hasn't shown that it complied with key terms of the contract. But Strayhorn said the show, which chronicles folks in a football-centric Texas town, deserves to be paid because it achieved the purpose of the deal: pumping millions of dollars into the local economy and promoting Austin as a film-friendly city.

Salma Hayek weds French billionaire on Valentine's Day
The UGLY BETTY producer married French magnate Francois-Henri Pinault in a small affair.

Young CW puts brand into focus
Its overall ratings may suggest otherwise, but it's been a pretty good season for the CW network. And on a Monday-through-Thursday basis (which takes wrestling and comedy out of the mix), the net is up 7% in adults 18-34 and an impressive 18% in its core women 18-34 audience.

Sunday Ratings: DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES leads a slow Sunday
DH had a 4.8 rating (12 share) in the adults 18-49 demo with 13.85 million total viewers.

Kelly Rutherford staying positive through divorce
Despite her ongoing divorce battle with estranged husband Daniel Giersch, former GENERATIONS star Kelly Rutherford tells Life & Style she's getting through these tough times.

"We have kids together. We have a beautiful son together. I think we're both decent people. But sometimes you go through tough times," a pregnant Kelly told Life & Style at the Matthew Williamson store opening in New York City on Feb. 15. Rutherford is now starring on GOSSIP GIRL.

"It's a challenge, you know? I think everyone goes through it on a certain level. "When it's public, it's really hard. People say things they don't mean because they're upset. I'm hoping we can work it out."