INDIE SOAP BEAT: April 16, 2010

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" feature we reveal the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera and web series production. Click the show logos to visit the official websites.

The second season of EMPIRE premieres on April 27. We Love Soaps is current counting down to the new season with "The 12 Days of EMPIRE." Look for a new feature every day including a brand new episode of WE LOVE SOAPS TV fearing interviews with creators Greg Turner and Brian Hewson. Season Two star Tina Sloan recently previewed her new film, Oh My Love, for We Love Soaps. Read that interview here.

The fabulous Rachael Hip-Flores, who plays ANYONE BUT ME lead Vivian, won the Streamy Award on Sunday for Best Female Actor in a Drama Web Series. Why the Streamy show itself was vulgar and full of technical difficulties, it was nice to see some of the winners, including Flores, get recognized. ANYONE BUT ME was also an Official Honoree (Drama, Best Writing) for the 14th Annual Webby Awards which released nominees this week. Season One of ABM is now available for purchase at Amazon.com.

We Love Soaps recently spoke with new REALITY BYTES star Jade Harlow, who will play Victoria Radcliffe on the upcoming drama. Harlow revealed how the casting process worked: "I got the script and it was different than a lot of the other pilots in general that I had been reading over this past season. I got real excited to go in. The meeting was unlike any meeting. It was a giant conference table, which was a bit intimidating, but [Tristan] was very personable, a very smart man." Look for the full interview soon.

THE LOVERS AND FRIENDS SHOW returned on Wednesday with the first part of the Season Three finale. L&G is an urban web-based lesbian soap that debuted in January 2008. The show stars Marlaina Law, Christy Rodriguez, BeBe Brunswick, Nicole Pina, Zaire, Kissa Jo and Hollissia Holloway. A Season Two DVD is currently available for purchase.

GOTHAM released its 11th episode on Monday. Does Martha Byrne have chemistry with everyone? Byrne's Catherine shared a kiss with Matt Crane's Perry and left fans wanting more. The next episode will take place at the Nicole Miller Fashion Week show. What will happen? Stay tuned!

JACLIFE, from Slice.ca, is now in its fourth week. 24-year-old Jaclyn owns JacFlash, one of Toronto's best boutiques and she runs the store with her closest friends. By day they dress some of the city’s most fashionable and famous but when the store closes the party is just beginning for the girls of JacFlash. The show released its latest episode, "Burlesque Baby," this week. Jaclyn’s first burlesque performance is a hit, so why does the night end in tears?

LENOX AVENUE recently released a trailer for the upcoming season. LENOX AVENUE follows the fast-paced metropolitan lives of Harlemite friends Owen (creator Al Thompson, who was a presenter at the Streamy Awards on Sunday), Sellars (Dorian Missick), and Vaughn (Ryan Vigilant) as they learn that in relationships even with experience, there's no playbook. The show also features a star-studded supporting cast, including Victor Williams, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Jamie Hector, Chenoa Maxwell, Lord Jamar and Michael K. Williams.

On Episode #23 of WE LOVE SOAPS TV, Roger Newcomb and Damon L. Jacobs welcomed the cast of ANACOSTIA, winner for Best Ensemble at the recent Indie Soap Awards. Creator and star Anthony Anderson (Sean Taylor) was interviewed along with Chanté Bowser (Salina Taylor), Tamieka Chavis (Mia Stephenson), Pasha Diallo (Dominique Johnson) and Kena Hodges (Nicole Reese-Davis). ANACOSTIA recently concluded a successful first season and is currently in pre-production on Season Two. Find out more about these rising indie soap stars who are ready to take the world by storm here.

THE LIKE US SHOW finished on top of last week's Indiei Soap of the Week poll LIKE US is a radio soap opera airing on stations around the country, and has now aired 54 episodes. The episodes are short enough that you can easily catch up so check it out! Christian Barber, who plays Robert, also has a role on EMPIRE in Season Two, as Cane's best friend, Rodney. Look for the We Love Soaps interview with talented two-indie soap star Barber soon.

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