News Round-up: DVRs, GL, Dano, Kirkwood, Levanti

STUDY: DVRs in 36% of households
DVRs are now in 36% of all U.S. homes, four times more than the penetration of just four years ago, according to a study from Leichtman Research Group.

But even with the deployment of all those time-shifting devices, more than 90% of TV viewing in the country remains the traditional, live-linear type.

The study also says that at least 65% of those owning DVRs begin their TV-watching experience by watching live television, then switch to their recorded programming after determining there's nothing that interests them there.

MELROSE encores to replace BEAUTIFUL LIFE
Encore episodes of MELROSE PLACE will air in THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE's 9 p.m. timeslot beginning Sept. 30.

INTERVIEW: Producer Bryan Kirkwood (HOLLYOAKS LATER)
"It's a totally difference experience for a couple of reasons. Firstly, there's a beginning, middle and an end to it. It's very strange for me to start something and even stranger to see it end as I've only ever worked on continuing soap serials! It's oddly sad that something you've invested so much in has to come to a close. Also, for me as a producer, it's given me a lot more opportunity to get involved with the crews and filming, rather than being a remote producer on the top floor. It's been really satisfying to be able to get my hands dirty - that's something you don't have the time to do when you're in endless, back-to-back meetings on a five-nightly soap."

Bubble bursts for soap, its fans
The brutal warrior Attila the Hun is said to have died of a nosebleed. Playwright Tennessee Williams choked on a plastic bottle cap. Reva Shayne, a signature character on the soap opera GUIDING LIGHT, went out with a wedgie.

At least, that's what it looked like to the women gathered last Friday for a "Light's Out" party at Joan Peltier's house in South Toledo to watch the show's final episode.

Kansas City critic Phil Boatwright reviews movies from a religious perspective so you don’t have to suffer, too
"Kathie [Lee Gifford] introduced me to the producer of DAYS OF OUR LIVES. I did extra work on that show and was a stand-in and dialogue coach, then had a part on NBC’s GENERATIONS, also a soap opera. For more than 20 years, I worked in many capacities in television and radio, and that gave me a knowledge of how movies are made."

Linda Dano's DIY Penthouse
SELLER: Linda Dano
LOCATION: West End Avenue, New York, NY
PRICE: $1,675,000
SIZE: 1,100 square feet, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
DESCRIPTION: ...A beautifully appointed living room with bookcases, white Sunbrella covered sofas and a hand-blown glass chandelier opens to the large east-facing terrace where dinner can be served in a romantic gazebo. The large elegant bedroom, with furnishings including a huge antique armoire and and Asian screen behind the bed, faces west and opens to a terrace with views of the Hudson.

Dano is probably best known for her 17 long years on ANOTHE WORLD as the glammy and dramatic romance novelist Felicia Gallant, a character based on real life author Jacqueline Susann who penned "Valley of the Dolls."

Following the dream of Joe Levanti
Levanti, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, is not a novice to the entertainment business. As a younger man he relocated to California where he joined the cast of the Glendale Theatre Centre, an organization that for over 60 years produced live theatre. This experience got him gigs with a couple of traveling shows and eventually positions as a stagehand working many sitcoms and game shows. For 18 years before retiring he worked as a prop man on GENERAL HOSPITAL.