NEWS: Maura West, Kristian Alfonso, Hartley Sawyer, Michael Easton, Katie Couric, Isaiah Washington, Aaron Sorkin

Maura West on playing GENERAL HOSPITAL's Ava Jerome and her stint on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
"I try to bring the best energy I can to work, to be the very best scene partner, to be prepared. I don't try to outdo anyone in a scene, or undermine anyone. And that does happen — everywhere! I mind my own business. And, also, they're a very nice bunch of people at GH. Tony and Jane Elliot [Tracy] were so embracing and kind to me and that really made a big difference because they have power and they can really shape your experience there."

"Honestly, I was at Y&R so briefly that I don't even think about it! [Laughs] I must have blocked it out! I met some wonderful people at Y&R but that experience is not something my heart aches over, not something I miss at all. Clearly there was no intention to make Diane a viable character at that time, so I probably would have been off by now anyway."

Y&R's Hartley Sawyer raises funds for animal rescue and rehabilitation
Sawyer (Kyle) will be participating in "Strut Your Mutt" fundraiser for animal rescue and rehabilitation on September 15 in Van Nuys, CA at Woodley Park. "Your time and a few of your bucks means the world to me," says the actor. "I love my dogs more than anything. Help us reach our fundraising goal of $20k."

NEWS ROUNDUP: 'S' Word On EASTENDERS; Prospect Park Extension; Tracy Middendorf Charity

No Shagging Allowed! Viewers Complain After EASTENDERS' Alfie Moon Utters The 'S' Word
Viewers complained to the BBC after Alfie Moon, played by Shane Richie, squared up to love rival Derek Branning on Thursday night's episode of the soap and accused him of "shagging" his wife, played by Jessie Wallace.

But the seemingly innocent word prompted viewers to call the BBC and complain - and the word soon started trending on the social networking site.

COUNTRYFILE host Julia Bradbury wrote: "The word 'shagging' used on EastEnders seems to have caused quite a pre-watershed stir this evening....?"

A BBC insider told The Sun that the word had been used before on the soap and they had only received 45 complaints.

DAYS OF OUR KNIVES Coming To Investigation Discovery August 20, Will Feature Kim Zimmer, Alicia Minshew, Drake Hogestyn, Kristian Alfonso and More

Walking in on your beau bedding your best friend… Halting your wedding because your evil twin stole your spot at the altar… Discovering that your mortal enemy is really your long-lost sibling. These may seem like the plotlines of a delicious daytime soap, but sensational stories are anything but fiction on Investigation Discovery. Dishing out the drama of blindsided betrayals, mistaken identities, and deadly deceptions, ID is staking its claim on real-life soap operas with the launch of daytime programming block DAYS OF OUR KNIVES on Monday, August 20 from 1-4 p.m. ET/PT.

By enlisting adored soap stars to host themed programming each weekday, ID will provide a new alternative to devoted soap fans searching for new “stories” to turn to. Hosting the block each day will be talent hailing from GUIDING LIGHT¸ to the now-longest running American soap currently in production, GENERAL HOSPITAL.

RESULTS: Daytime Soap of the Week Poll

Here are the results from the We Love Soaps "Daytime Soap of the Week" poll for the week of March 15-19, 2010. DAYS OF OUR LIVES remained on top for the eighth straight week. After a dramatic week in Port Charles, GENERAL HOSPITAL moved into the Top 3 for the first time. Check back on Friday when this week's polling begins.