News Round-up: Knox, McClain, Drake, GRAVITY

To boldly go where no soap opera has gone before
Space. The final frontier. These are the voyages of the spaceship Antares. It's ongoing mission, to boldly go where no soap opera has gone before.

Part GREY'S ANATOMY, part Isaac Asimov, part Captain Kirk's ultimate dream come true, DEFYING GRAVITY is a new series about a small crew of young, libido-driven beautiful women and men exploring space.

CORONATION STREET legend Barbara Knox to be temporarily written out of soap
CORONATION STREET legend Barbara Knox is to be written out of the hit soap for 6 weeks in a mystery health scare. The 75-year-old actress - who has played Kabin shopkeeper Rita Sullivan for 37 years - told producers on Thursday that she needed some time off. Writers were then forced to quickly alter storylines to explain Rita's absence.

INTERVIEW: CORRIE's Craig Gazey (Graeme)
"Graeme's developed quite a lot. The big difference between then and now is the fact that he's settled down and become more grounded. We've got some scenes coming up soon where he says to David that he's really wanting a normal life and that he doesn't want to get into trouble. He wants to keep his job and wants to do well in what he's doing. And not start any more fires…"

ATWT's Cady McClain is having fun, Rosanna to have tortured love life
"I have to say, that I am having SO MUCH FUN on the show these days. I can pretty much promise you that the appearances of old favorites from other shows won’t detract from the ATWT bunch. In fact, I think it just gives the regular, beloved cast of ATWT some fun actors to bounce off of. I really think you will enjoy their stints on the show, and see some new sides of favorite characters that will no doubt be entertaining!

"Yes, Rosanna is going to have love in her life, but in true soap opera style, it will torture the hell out of her. What is love on a soap without high drama, I ask you?? That’s what it’s all about! Cady, meanwhile, is enjoying a relatively peaceful life with man and dog, and hoping that this summer will bring a few more sunny days and a few less rainy ones."

GL/Otalia in Isreali soap magazine
"As the final act, before going off the air this September, the writers of the longest-running soap opera in the world, Guiding Light, decided to develop a lesbian love story between two key characters. The LGBT community was overjoyed with the innovative storyline, and even joined the fight to save the light and keep the show on the air. Here's to Pride!"

INTERVIEW: Soap vet Brian Gaskill
"I walked away from Hollywood for a bit, for my family, and I don’t regret it for a second, because life needs to be really lived if you want to be a true artist. Now I can't wait to get back to work, and bring it all to the table."

DEGRASSI's Aubrey Graham (aka Drake) falls on stage
Aubrey Graham (ex-Jimmy, DEGRASSI), known as rapper Drake, decided to hit the stage in New Jersey Friday night against doctor's orders. And hit the stage he did.
Drake collapsed while performing his hit song "Best I Ever Had" after his knee buckled underneath him. He had to be carried off stage and Lil Wayne had to finish the show himself.

Gold Standard, Week Of Secrets
This week's Gold Standard honors from Tommy Garrett are awarded to Julie Pinson, Peter Bergman and Susan Flannery.

Why not put old episodes of daytime soaps on DVD?
Steve Marinucci wonders why soaps don't release old episodes on DVD.