News Round-up: BETTY Webisodes, Urie, June Brown

ABC.com Rolls Out UGLY BETTY Webisodes Take Two
ABC.com is rolling out six weekly Webisodes to pitch the May return of UGLY BETTY to ABC’s primetime schedule. The first in the series, UGLY BETTY: MODE AFTER HOURS, debuted last week. The short-form content follows the show’s characters Marc (Michael Urie) and Amanda (Becki Newton) in different adventures at the Mode fashion magazine publishing office after the workday is done and everyone has left.

MODE AFTER HOURS Webisodes originally appeared on ABC.com last September and quickly drew a following and a nomination for a NAMIC Vision Award for original short-form Webisode content. The original series attracted more than 10 million views. UGLY BETTY returns to ABC on May 7.

UGLY BETTY's Michael Urie to Star in Off-Broadway's "The Tempermentals"
Michael Urie of UGLY BETTY will make his way to the off-Broadway stage, according to The New York Times. Urie will lead the cast of the Jon Marans play "The Tempermentals," which begins performances April 30 at the Barrow Group Studio Theater. The limited engagement, directed by Jonathan Silverstein, opens May 4 and will run through May 18.

New album for Vanessa Williams
USA Today reports in an interview with Vanessa Williams that the actress will be taking a break from playing Wilhelmina Slater on ABC's UGLY BETTY and will get back to making musiC. Williams releases The Real Thing, on Concord Records, June 2nd 2009. Her first album in four years, The Real Thing will have touches of jazz, samba, salsa, pop and R&B.

Husband gives wife the 'WORLD'
In November, Daniel Ward bought his wife Danielle a speaking part on AS THE WORLD TURNS. The couple live on Daniel Island. The one-of-a-kind gift for charity, which set Daniel back $13,500, earned Danielle a role on one of CBS's longest-running soap operas.

Though she originally was slated to say only five words, apparently she impressed the producers because those five words turned into five lines spread out over two scenes.

"I've always dreamed of being an actress," Danielle said, "And it was so much fun. I can't imagine that ever being work."

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: 19 Trips to the Altar
Entertainment Weekly looks back at 19 B&B weddings over the past 22 years.

Diedrick Santer hails 'remarkable' June Brown
EASTENDERS executive producer Diedrick Santer has paid tribute to June Brown following her BAFTA TV Awards nomination. The actress, 82, is the first soap star to receive a best actress nod since Jean Alexander appeared in the category 20 years ago for her role as Hilda Ogden in CORONATION STREET.

"This is a fantastic moment for June, made all the more special by the quality of the other nominees," said Santer.

"Traditionally it has been almost impossible for our actors to break through into these kinds of awards. June is a truly remarkable and unique talent."

Zimbabwe' sESTATE BLUES folds
ZTV’s soap opera ESTATE BLUES has folded indefinitely due to financial problems and the departure of most of its actors in search of greener pastures, an official has confirmed. According to the director and producer of the soap, Admire Maramba, there were many problems that led to the demise of the soap. “I can safely say we are over and done with ESTATE BLUES. The major challenge that we encountered was limited resources and financial constraints. We failed to meet several cash-intensive needs.

Sister of Aasha Davis missing
Police on Tuesday appealed to the public for help in finding a woman who went missing six weeks ago, describing her husband as "less than helpful." Detective Chris Gable told a press conference that Lesley Herring, 46, disappeared Feb. 8 after an argument with husband Lyle Herring. The woman's sister Aasha Davis, an actress who has had recurring roles on FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (ex-Waverly) and GREY'S ANATOMY (ex-Rina), reported her missing several days later after discovering she had not been to work.