News Round-up

Jessica Capshaw inks contract with GREY'S ANATOMY
Looks like Callie's new girlfriend is a keeper. Grey's Anatomy has signed Sara Ramirez's latest lesbian crush, Jessica Capshaw, to a contract.

INTERVIEW: AMC's Walt Willey (Jackson)
"I think soaps as we know them are in trouble. The days when 'daytime' was the “cash cow” for news and sports are well gone. With so many people back in the workforce, not many people can watch the show in 'real time'. We know people watch on VCR and DVR and even on Soapnet, but our advertisers know that we fast-forward through the commercials, so our rate card drops and revenue goes away. These shows are expensive to produce and we need to find a way to keep them on the air, hence all the pay cuts you’ve heard about. We have all taken a cut to help as best we can. The soap needs to be re-imagined, deconstructed and put back together in a format in which we can survive these hard times."

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: ATWT's Judith Blazer (Ariel)
Blazer will be part of a 21-member cast for the world premiere production of the musical "Giant" by composer Michael John LaChiusa and playwright Sybille Pearson.

Harold to leave NEIGHBOURS after 22 years
Ian Smith's long-standing NEIGHBOURS character Harold Bishop is about to fade off TV screens forever. Bishop has been a character on the Australian soap opera for more than 22 years, but will finally exit the Network Ten program on Friday.

In a show of respect, a group of young and old tuba players gathered in Sydney's CBD yesterday, playing the show's theme song. The stunt was part of the I (Heart) Harold campaign being run on the web. Fans of the show want people to vote for Smith to win the Gold Logie this year.

Tom Jones, Rick Astley boost NEIGHBOURS' Harold for gold Logie
International celebrities have joined fans in a campaign to farewell Neighbours veteran Ian Smith with a gold Logie.

Tom Jones and Rick Astley are among celebrities who have sent best wishes for his retirement and have backed an I Heart Harold gold Logie campaign being run on the NEIGHBOURS website.

"I was never going to give you up but you're off anyway - best of luck," Astley said.

Jones said, "Harold, good luck in the future from me, Tom Jones - we're gonna miss you."

EASTENDERS co-stars unite to pay tribute to Wendy Richard
Gillian Taylforth, who played Kathy Mitchell alongside Richard for 13 years, said she was "the loveliest of ladies and a dear friend".

"I remember going out with her many times and she made the most wonderful chilli with chocolate in it from a recipe from a chef at the Dorchester and used to make up an extra batch for me as I loved it so much," Taylforth said. "She was very generous like that, and had a great sense of humour."

Todd Carty, the actor who played Richard's on-screen son, Mark Fowler, said: "Wendy was a fantastic lady, not only to work with as an actor but especially as a friend. She had a heart of gold and always fought my corner on-set and off."