AfterEllen.: Pat Benatar hits THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS with her best shot on February 14th and 15th.
PGP Blog: Former ONE LIFE TO LIVE star Kevin Stapleton appears on GUIDING LIGHT as Preston and goes on a date with Harley (Beth Ehlers) on Wednesday, February 6.
Soaps.com: DAYS OF OUR LIVES guest star Shirley Jones is interviewed. "I came away with great admiration for everybody who does this. It's a lot of memorization. I just enjoy doing it."
Centre Daily Times: On Wednesday, General Mills announced Laura Wilson of Irving, Texas as the winner of the Curves Foods Real Change, Real Women contest, a national search for the most inspirational weight management story among American women. Spokesperson for the contest, Daytime Emmy Award-winning actress and DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Judi Evans, who publicly struggled with weight management for years following the birth of her son, congratulated Wilson on her contest win, "Your story will touch so many and inspire them as well. Embrace this moment and treasure it!"
Santa Barbara Independent: Former ONE LIFE TO LIVE star Tommy Lee Jones will be presented with the American Riviera Award and chat with Pete Hammond on Friday, February 1, at 8 p.m., in the Arlington Theatre.
Las Vegas Sun: Trivia: If you still can’t get the infernal theme to THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS out of your head, that would explain it. It was renamed “Nadia’s Theme” after the 1976 Olympics and released as a single, making it to the Top 10.
This is Nottingham: EMMERDALE star Matthew Wolfenden is reportedly keen to set up a computer-gaming league between rival soaps. Matthew, who plays bad-boy David, apparently came up with the idea afer ITV1 bosses treated the Emmerdale cast to a new console. He told The Sun: "It's great as we've got a new games room and we love playing ten pin bowling and tennis on the Wii. "I'm not that good myself, but I'm getting in plenty of practice. Matthew Bose, who plays Paul Lambert, is the highest scorer. "It's fantastic as you can play the games online." Matthew added: "I think it's time for a soap championship against CORRIE, EASTENDERS and HOLLYOAKS.
The Sun (UK): Steamy soap love triangles.
All3Media: VIDEO: Father Kieron tells John Paul a few home truths on HOLLYOAKS and the young McQueen is left realising he doesnt know as much as he thinks.
Eclipse Magazine: A recent episode of CSI in which ALL MY CHILDREN star Rebecca Budig appeared will be repeating tonight on CBS.
All American Patriots: From the time she first appeared on GENERAL HOSPITAL at age seven, through becoming a lead doctor on SOAPnet’s highest rated original show, GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT, the character of Robin Scorpio (Kimberly McCullough) has been a fan favorite. This Valentine’s Day, take a look back at her loves in a special programming event, as SOAPnet premieres its Valentine's Day special, "Robin Unwrapped," on Sunday, February 10 from 10 AM–1 PM ET/PT.
Episodes featuring the loves of Robin's life will be wrapped with clips of some of Robin’s milestone moments. In addition, fans are invited to submit their personal Valentine love letters, stories and proposals. Kimberly McCullough will select her favorites to read on air. Fans are invited to submit their personal letters online at from January 21st through February 1st.
"Robin Unwrapped" Sunday, February 10:
10AM – Episode #1995-08361 (OAD 11/29/95) Stone sees Robin clearly one last time before he dies.
11AM – Episode #1996-08480 (OAD 5/16/96) Robin and Jason sneak into the Quartermaines' lake for some swimming and romance.
12PM – Episode #2006-11170 (OAD 11/7/06) Patrick declares his love for Robin outside her window.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Out on the Town - January 30, 2008
Former GUIDING LIGHT child star Hayden Panettiere attended The Old Navy Celebrates "New Year, New Old Navy" event at the Eyebeam Atelier in New York.
Ex-A WORLD APART and SEARCH FOR TOMORROW star Susan Sarandon attended the New York Premiere of HBO Films "Bernard And Doris" at the Time Warner Screening Room.
Today's Soap Star Birthdays
Réal Andrews (ex-Walker, AS THE WORLD TURNS/ex-Taggert, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Robert, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Danny, SANTA BARBARA) - 45
Timothy Stickney (R.J., ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 43
Timothy Stickney (R.J., ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 43
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
News Brief
Cinema Blend: Sarah Brown Returns to GENERAL HOSPITAL. Hollywood 411 on TV Guide Network will air an exclusive interview with Brown on Wednesday, January 30, at 9 p.m. ET. She’ll reveal details about her new character, and also discuss her reactions to not returning to the role she made so famous.
Deadline Hollywood: More sources say mre WGA progress.
Variety: The effects of the writers strike are starting to show up in year-to-year ratings comparisons: In a week when Fox dominated thanks to AMERICAN IDOL and to a good start for lie-detector reality series MOMENT OF TRUTH, the broadcast industry as a whole limped across the finish line.
Huffington Post: Writer Lynn Grossman writes: "The only chant I've heard since we began the (writer's) strike was a small chorus of 'Heigh ho, scabs must go!' during a large demonstration against ALL MY CHILDREN, but I'm pretty sure that was led by a contingent of SAG members who were picketing with us that day. Although we're a fiercely committed group, pep on the picket line, it seems, is not a writerly thing."
In The Zone: AUDIO: Interview with GENERAL HOSPITAL star Leslie Charleson.
MarlenaDeLacroix.com: On Soaps, Multiple Suspect Murder Mysteries are So-o-o Done!
PGP Blog: A spoiler photo preview for AS THE WORLD TURNS. This is one fiery death that will make fans rejoice.
Guardian Unlimited: EASTENDERS turned the tables on EMMERDALE last night, January 29, winning its slot for the first time since the two soaps went head to head on a Tuesday night three weeks ago. The BBC1 soap had 7.1 million viewers and a 31% share in the 30 minutes from 7.30pm, according to unofficial overnight ratings. This was well ahead of the 6.5 million and 29% averaged by the second half of the hour-long Emmerdale on ITV1.
The Argus: HOLLYOAKS star Helen Noble has spoken out against planned funding cuts to a Sussex arts venue.
Soap Opera Digest: Catching up with former AS THE WORLD TURNS star Todd Rotondi.
Variety: Nickelodeon Latin America has jumped on the telenovela bandwagon with its first Latino sudser, KARKU, aimed at teens.
Deadline Hollywood: More sources say mre WGA progress.
Variety: The effects of the writers strike are starting to show up in year-to-year ratings comparisons: In a week when Fox dominated thanks to AMERICAN IDOL and to a good start for lie-detector reality series MOMENT OF TRUTH, the broadcast industry as a whole limped across the finish line.
Huffington Post: Writer Lynn Grossman writes: "The only chant I've heard since we began the (writer's) strike was a small chorus of 'Heigh ho, scabs must go!' during a large demonstration against ALL MY CHILDREN, but I'm pretty sure that was led by a contingent of SAG members who were picketing with us that day. Although we're a fiercely committed group, pep on the picket line, it seems, is not a writerly thing."
In The Zone: AUDIO: Interview with GENERAL HOSPITAL star Leslie Charleson.
MarlenaDeLacroix.com: On Soaps, Multiple Suspect Murder Mysteries are So-o-o Done!
PGP Blog: A spoiler photo preview for AS THE WORLD TURNS. This is one fiery death that will make fans rejoice.
Guardian Unlimited: EASTENDERS turned the tables on EMMERDALE last night, January 29, winning its slot for the first time since the two soaps went head to head on a Tuesday night three weeks ago. The BBC1 soap had 7.1 million viewers and a 31% share in the 30 minutes from 7.30pm, according to unofficial overnight ratings. This was well ahead of the 6.5 million and 29% averaged by the second half of the hour-long Emmerdale on ITV1.
The Argus: HOLLYOAKS star Helen Noble has spoken out against planned funding cuts to a Sussex arts venue.
Soap Opera Digest: Catching up with former AS THE WORLD TURNS star Todd Rotondi.
Variety: Nickelodeon Latin America has jumped on the telenovela bandwagon with its first Latino sudser, KARKU, aimed at teens.
Out on the Town - January 29, 2008
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES star Eva Longoria (formerly of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) was all smiles at Los Angeles premiere of her new film Over Her Dead Body at the ArcLight Hollywood Theatre.
Felicity Huffman was one of the HOUSEWIVES show were on hand to show their support.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Evening News
TV Guide: February sweeps preview!
Soap Opera Digest: A rumor that Lauren Koslow (Kate) was axed from DAYS OF OUR LIVES spread like wildfire over the Internet last weekend — and flooded our inboxes — but as it turns out, the buzz is false. “The internet rumors regarding Lauren Koslow being let go are simply not true," says a DAYS spokesperson.
TV Guide Canada: Sexiest Woman Alive 2008. Angelina Jolie, watch your back! GUIDING LIGHT’s Crystal Chappell proves you don’t have to be rail-thin to be hot! "We shoot the show like a film now — with a master shot, and close-ups. We shoot in a charming little New Jersey town that dubs for Springfield. I think fans are going to respond well to the changes ahead. The new sets they built are absolutely phenomenal."
CBS: Behind the scenes interview with GUIDING LIGHT star Marcy Rylan. "I've been waiting for something to happen with Jonathan and Sarah. Bill has been a horrible love interest for Lizzie. Girls want to be swept off their feet but Bill just treats Lizzie horribly. I think Lizzie always thinks in the back of her mind that Jonathan was the one that could have loved her."
In The Zone: GENERAL HOSPITAL legend Leslie Charleson (Monica) calls into ITZ Radio at 10PM ET for an interview discussing her 30+ years on the soap, as well as the charity work that is so close to her heart. We are absolutely thrilled to have Ms. Charleson as a guest on our show, and hope that all of you fans will tune in.
Buzzworthy Radio: ALL MY CHILDREN star, Colin Egglesfield, will be making an appearance on BuzzWorthy Radio, Tuesday January 29, 2008 at 10pm ET. He will be promoting his T-Shirt line, his time on the daytime drama, and taking calls from fans/listeners for this half hour special.
: VIDEO: Alison Sweeney's (DAYS OF OUR LIVES appearance on THE TONIGHT SHOW last night.
Soapdom: ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Robin Strasser to Dine with Lucky Fan!
Soap Opera Digest: Top 10 Catherine Hickland-isms.
What's On TV: Channel 4 has denied reports that Chris Fountain is due to quit HOLLYOAKS for the live Dancing on Ice tour.
Soap Opera Digest: A rumor that Lauren Koslow (Kate) was axed from DAYS OF OUR LIVES spread like wildfire over the Internet last weekend — and flooded our inboxes — but as it turns out, the buzz is false. “The internet rumors regarding Lauren Koslow being let go are simply not true," says a DAYS spokesperson.
TV Guide Canada: Sexiest Woman Alive 2008. Angelina Jolie, watch your back! GUIDING LIGHT’s Crystal Chappell proves you don’t have to be rail-thin to be hot! "We shoot the show like a film now — with a master shot, and close-ups. We shoot in a charming little New Jersey town that dubs for Springfield. I think fans are going to respond well to the changes ahead. The new sets they built are absolutely phenomenal."
CBS: Behind the scenes interview with GUIDING LIGHT star Marcy Rylan. "I've been waiting for something to happen with Jonathan and Sarah. Bill has been a horrible love interest for Lizzie. Girls want to be swept off their feet but Bill just treats Lizzie horribly. I think Lizzie always thinks in the back of her mind that Jonathan was the one that could have loved her."
In The Zone: GENERAL HOSPITAL legend Leslie Charleson (Monica) calls into ITZ Radio at 10PM ET for an interview discussing her 30+ years on the soap, as well as the charity work that is so close to her heart. We are absolutely thrilled to have Ms. Charleson as a guest on our show, and hope that all of you fans will tune in.
Buzzworthy Radio: ALL MY CHILDREN star, Colin Egglesfield, will be making an appearance on BuzzWorthy Radio, Tuesday January 29, 2008 at 10pm ET. He will be promoting his T-Shirt line, his time on the daytime drama, and taking calls from fans/listeners for this half hour special.
: VIDEO: Alison Sweeney's (DAYS OF OUR LIVES appearance on THE TONIGHT SHOW last night.
Soapdom: ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Robin Strasser to Dine with Lucky Fan!
Soap Opera Digest: Top 10 Catherine Hickland-isms.
What's On TV: Channel 4 has denied reports that Chris Fountain is due to quit HOLLYOAKS for the live Dancing on Ice tour.
News Brief
Entertainment Weekly: 17 Great Soap Supercouples from Angie and Jesse to Luke and Laura to Luke and Noah.
Los Angeles Times: More on the GUIDING LIGHT revamp: In addition, the median age of its audience is now nearly 56 years, which poses a dilemma for the producers and network executives, who are interested in reaching younger viewers that advertisers covet. They must figure out how to keep loyal fans of the show tuned in, while attracting a generation weaned on reality fare such as MTV’s REAL WORLD and ABC’s THE BACHELOR. It’s the intimacy of those programs and the edginess of movies shot with hand-held cameras, such as “The Blair Witch Project,” and more recently “Cloverfield,” that soap opera producers are trying to duplicate. “Ellen’s challenge has been, ‘How do I preserve what’s working and at the same time make the show more visually relevant and current for viewers who have so many other choices,’?” said Barbara Bloom, CBS’ senior vice president for daytime programs. “This is all about continuing the evolution of the show so that it will have longevity.”
Fairfield Champion: Getting lost in some ludicrous soap plots from over the years including "Roman is John is Roman is . . . Chris?" and "Dallas is but a dream."
Monsters and Critics.: A chat with KNIGHT RIDER and former ALL MY CHILDREN star Justin Bruening. "Working with the new KITT - that was an amazing experience. Actually, it’s the Shelby Cobra 500GTKR. It’s an absolutely amazing piece of machinery, and all our little bells and whistles that we added to it also heighten the experience."
Variety: Actor Timothy Stetson, who appeared in several British TV shows and films, was killed in an apartment fire Jan. 21 in Los Angeles. He was 53. He previously appeared in 22 episodes of ALL MY CHILDREN in the U.S.
Inside Pulse: All-Star FAMILY FEUD is now out on DVD including "SOAP vs ALL MY CHILDREN." SOAP is Jay Johnson, Robert Mandan, Donnelly Rhodes, Jimmy Baio, Arthur Peterson. AMC is Ruth Boyd, Susan Lucci, Taylor Miller, Peter Bergman & Louie Edmunds.
Broadcasting & Cable: At the Fifth Annual Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Awards, Mark Itkin recalled that he convinced Tartikoff to syndicate a late-night soap opera when, briefly, Tartikoff ran New World, then a producer of television. Tartikoff left that job, and the soap withered, but Itkin insisted, "There still should be a late-night soap opera, by the way … I'm always selling."
Gazette & Herald: After the death of popular soap character Vera Duckworth on CORONATION STREET, Age Concern Wiltshire is highlighting the need for older people to plan ahead. Millions tuned in to the ITV soap last week as Vera left behind her screen husband, Jack (William Tarmey). As well as having to deal with the terrible grief of losing his beloved wife, he also had to begin making all of the arrangements for her funeral without any indication of her wishes. Although this is a soap opera, it does highlight the issue of not making any prior arrangements for when the time comes. In fact, less than two per cent' of people pre-plan their funeral.
MyParkMag: Chris Fountain is set to leave HOLLYOAKS after being offered £100,000 to star in the 'Dancing on Ice' live tour following the contest finale. The actor - who plays bad boy Justin Burton on the Channel 4 soap - is currently splitting his time between training for the ice-dancing show in London and filming 'Hollyoaks' in Liverpool, but has reportedly decided to leave the soap in favour of the 'Dancing on Ice' live tour.
Los Angeles Times: More on the GUIDING LIGHT revamp: In addition, the median age of its audience is now nearly 56 years, which poses a dilemma for the producers and network executives, who are interested in reaching younger viewers that advertisers covet. They must figure out how to keep loyal fans of the show tuned in, while attracting a generation weaned on reality fare such as MTV’s REAL WORLD and ABC’s THE BACHELOR. It’s the intimacy of those programs and the edginess of movies shot with hand-held cameras, such as “The Blair Witch Project,” and more recently “Cloverfield,” that soap opera producers are trying to duplicate. “Ellen’s challenge has been, ‘How do I preserve what’s working and at the same time make the show more visually relevant and current for viewers who have so many other choices,’?” said Barbara Bloom, CBS’ senior vice president for daytime programs. “This is all about continuing the evolution of the show so that it will have longevity.”
Fairfield Champion: Getting lost in some ludicrous soap plots from over the years including "Roman is John is Roman is . . . Chris?" and "Dallas is but a dream."
Monsters and Critics.: A chat with KNIGHT RIDER and former ALL MY CHILDREN star Justin Bruening. "Working with the new KITT - that was an amazing experience. Actually, it’s the Shelby Cobra 500GTKR. It’s an absolutely amazing piece of machinery, and all our little bells and whistles that we added to it also heighten the experience."
Variety: Actor Timothy Stetson, who appeared in several British TV shows and films, was killed in an apartment fire Jan. 21 in Los Angeles. He was 53. He previously appeared in 22 episodes of ALL MY CHILDREN in the U.S.
Inside Pulse: All-Star FAMILY FEUD is now out on DVD including "SOAP vs ALL MY CHILDREN." SOAP is Jay Johnson, Robert Mandan, Donnelly Rhodes, Jimmy Baio, Arthur Peterson. AMC is Ruth Boyd, Susan Lucci, Taylor Miller, Peter Bergman & Louie Edmunds.
Broadcasting & Cable: At the Fifth Annual Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Awards, Mark Itkin recalled that he convinced Tartikoff to syndicate a late-night soap opera when, briefly, Tartikoff ran New World, then a producer of television. Tartikoff left that job, and the soap withered, but Itkin insisted, "There still should be a late-night soap opera, by the way … I'm always selling."
Gazette & Herald: After the death of popular soap character Vera Duckworth on CORONATION STREET, Age Concern Wiltshire is highlighting the need for older people to plan ahead. Millions tuned in to the ITV soap last week as Vera left behind her screen husband, Jack (William Tarmey). As well as having to deal with the terrible grief of losing his beloved wife, he also had to begin making all of the arrangements for her funeral without any indication of her wishes. Although this is a soap opera, it does highlight the issue of not making any prior arrangements for when the time comes. In fact, less than two per cent' of people pre-plan their funeral.
MyParkMag: Chris Fountain is set to leave HOLLYOAKS after being offered £100,000 to star in the 'Dancing on Ice' live tour following the contest finale. The actor - who plays bad boy Justin Burton on the Channel 4 soap - is currently splitting his time between training for the ice-dancing show in London and filming 'Hollyoaks' in Liverpool, but has reportedly decided to leave the soap in favour of the 'Dancing on Ice' live tour.
Out on the Town - January 28, 2008
ALL MY CHILDREN legend Susan Lucci was one of the honorees at the 2008 American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Media and Entertainment Excellence Awards at the Gotham Hall in New York. Maureen McGovern and Sam Donaldson were honored as well.
Today's Soap Star Birthdays
Matthew Ashford (ex-Jack, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Tom, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Cagney, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW; ex-Stephen, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 48
Heidi Mueller (Kay, PASSIONS) - 26
Drew Tyler Bell (Thomas, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 22
Heidi Mueller (Kay, PASSIONS) - 26
Drew Tyler Bell (Thomas, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 22
Monday, January 28, 2008
Evening News
Variety: Hollywood remains guardedly optimistic about an end to the writers strike, now entering its 13th week. Informal talks between the studios and leaders of the Writers Guild of America are expected to continue today. Both sides continued to observe the news blackout, instituted last week when the WGA accepted the majors' invitation to start meeting. The sessions -- widely viewed as de facto negotiations -- have apparently been productive, but the outcome remains uncertain. There's another sign of a thaw in the chilly relationship between scribes and congloms: With no advance fanfare, CBS Corp. supremo Leslie Moonves broke bread with WGA leaders Patrick Verrone and David Young on Friday. The trio, along with CBS labor relations chief Harry Isaacs, had dinner at a private dining room inside the Four Seasons Hotel.
NBC: Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) will be a guest on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno tonight on NBC.
CBS: VIDEO: THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS recently traveled to Atlanta to conduct a screentest in search of one talented actress to appear on an episode of Y&R. Actor Michael Graziadei was there to lend his expertise. Go behind the scenes in Atlanta and find out how things went!
Theater Mania: Full casting has been announced for Casa Manana's production of Robert Harling's Steel Magnolias, to run February 12-17. The show will star Margaret Colin (ex-Margo, AS THE WORLD TURNS) as M'Lynn, Ruta Lee as Claree, Sally Struthers as Truvy, June Squibb as Ouiser, Jennifer Blood as Annelle, and Erin Krakow as Shelby.
X17 Online: Fans of ONE LIFE TO LIVE ought to be excited - there's a possibility that soon, the soap opera might become a Snoop opera!
Merry Media News: Former EASTENDERS star Shane Richie is returning as a game show host again.
The Sun: Ex-EASTENDERS star Gary Beadle is starring in a raunchy new comedy series that’s so hot, you can only see it on internet TV.
What's On TV: Ex-EASTENDER Phil Daniels has apparently revealed that he left because of all the 'bad stuff' that happens on the show. The 49-year-old actor, who left the BBC1 soap over New Year when his character, Kevin Wicks, was killed off in a car crash, reportedly admitted it was all the doom and gloom in Albert Square that made him quit.
Student Operated Press: GENERAL HOSPITAL'S Jason & Elizabeth: Daytime's Next Supercouple, Part II.
Variety: Crash, the 2005 best picture Oscar winner, will become a 13-episode TV series for John Malone's Starz, the network's first original drama ever. Lionsgate, which distributed the film, is co-producing the series with Starz. Don Cheadle, a star-producer of Crash, will work behind the camera on the series along with Paul Haggis, the director, producer and co-writer of the movie, and four of the other producers: Bobby Moresco (also co-writer of the movie), Bob Yari, Mark R. Harris and Tom Nunan.
NBC: Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) will be a guest on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno tonight on NBC.
CBS: VIDEO: THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS recently traveled to Atlanta to conduct a screentest in search of one talented actress to appear on an episode of Y&R. Actor Michael Graziadei was there to lend his expertise. Go behind the scenes in Atlanta and find out how things went!
Theater Mania: Full casting has been announced for Casa Manana's production of Robert Harling's Steel Magnolias, to run February 12-17. The show will star Margaret Colin (ex-Margo, AS THE WORLD TURNS) as M'Lynn, Ruta Lee as Claree, Sally Struthers as Truvy, June Squibb as Ouiser, Jennifer Blood as Annelle, and Erin Krakow as Shelby.
X17 Online: Fans of ONE LIFE TO LIVE ought to be excited - there's a possibility that soon, the soap opera might become a Snoop opera!
Merry Media News: Former EASTENDERS star Shane Richie is returning as a game show host again.
The Sun: Ex-EASTENDERS star Gary Beadle is starring in a raunchy new comedy series that’s so hot, you can only see it on internet TV.
What's On TV: Ex-EASTENDER Phil Daniels has apparently revealed that he left because of all the 'bad stuff' that happens on the show. The 49-year-old actor, who left the BBC1 soap over New Year when his character, Kevin Wicks, was killed off in a car crash, reportedly admitted it was all the doom and gloom in Albert Square that made him quit.
Student Operated Press: GENERAL HOSPITAL'S Jason & Elizabeth: Daytime's Next Supercouple, Part II.
Variety: Crash, the 2005 best picture Oscar winner, will become a 13-episode TV series for John Malone's Starz, the network's first original drama ever. Lionsgate, which distributed the film, is co-producing the series with Starz. Don Cheadle, a star-producer of Crash, will work behind the camera on the series along with Paul Haggis, the director, producer and co-writer of the movie, and four of the other producers: Bobby Moresco (also co-writer of the movie), Bob Yari, Mark R. Harris and Tom Nunan.
Y&R February Sweeps Teasers 2008
As his love life and career seem to disintegrate, will Brad revert back to his bad boy ways?
More on GL's End-to-End Transformation
GUIDING LIGHT, the Procter & Gamble Productions soap opera that is the longest-running television show in broadcast history, today announced its plans to take on a revolutionary new production model. The production changes, which will take effect immediately and begin airing on CBS on Feb. 29, 2008, will bring a modern, more realistic look to the show, allowing viewers to be entertained by the stories and characters they love in a more intimate way.
GUIDING LIGHT's new model will represent an end-to-end transformation in the way the show is created, from direction to editing to scenic design. Permanent sets inside the show's New York City studio will now feature four walls and a ceiling and will increase in number from eight to forty, allowing viewers to see much more of the fictional town of Springfield. Handheld cameras will shoot the actors inside the sets and deliver a higher level of realism and intimacy to the audience. In addition to the changes inside the studio, the show has adopted the town of Peapack, NJ to shoot all of its exterior scenes, which will total approximately 20% of production–an unprecedented amount for a contemporary daytime drama.
"Our new production model enables us to truly bring Springfield to life for our viewers," said Executive Producer Ellen Wheeler. "Our fans want to see more of our characters' lives — from the houses they live in, to the cars they drive, to the experiences they have in their everyday lives. The changes will enable us to tell stories in a more intimate way, capturing real moments and engaging the audience on a deeper level."
The bold move to modernize GUIDING LIGHT is the result of a yearlong development process by the show's production team and Procter & Gamble Productions, who in that time were experimenting with new methods and technologies. The resulting new model will combine elements from film, reality and daytime to deliver the more realistic feel for which GUIDING LIGHT fans have asked.
In contrast to the handheld cameras and newly crafted four-wall sets the old production model — one pioneered by Procter & Gamble Productions and Guiding Light in the 1950's — featured three pedestal cameras that shot the action from outside a proscenium wall. Location shooting was limited to once or twice a year. More than 50 years later, this form still dominates soap opera production.
Feb. 29 will also mark the re-launch GUIDING LIGHT's website, guidinglight.net. The interactive, video-rich site will showcase the new look of Guiding Light, providing daily new content on the happenings of Springfield's favorite residents. In addition, the site will feature a robust community section, offering an engaging area that will foster a stronger connection between the fans and the show, and an interconnectedness between the fans themselves.
$1.4M FCC Fine for NYPD Blue
While the FCC's ability to crack down on swearing and fleeting images may be in limbo, the Federal Communications Commission flexed its muscles Friday in the nudity department after a long hiatus.
The commission late Friday issued a proposed fine totalling almost $1.4 million against 50-some ABC affiliates for airing a Feb. 25, 2003, episode of NYPD Blue that included "adult female nudity," specifically a "small portion of one side of her breasts" and a side view of her buttocks, the FCC said, and another scene of her naked from the back. Rather than the fleeting nudity and profanity decisions currently being challenged in court, the FCC said the scene "dwelled" on the nudity and was "lingering," as well as "shocking and titillating."
The "female" in question was former DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Charlotte Ross.
News Brief
AdAge.com: P&G Comes to Rescue of Soaps on the Ropes. On February 29, GUIDING LIGHT will have new flicker. The crew is dumping the $1 million pedestal cameras and outfitting itself with 8-pound digital minicams that cost anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 each. That will enable Ellen Wheeler, the show's executive producer, to shoot over characters' shoulders or across a table and follow people as they descend stairways or walk around town. The show has struck an agreement with the town of Peapack, N.J., that allows the crew to shoot autos more naturally; shooting outdoors has long been a rarity for soap-opera productions.
Newsday: Campbell Soup sponsoring a month of heart health on daytime shows. ABC and Campbell have a deal for an integrated campaign to promote heart health and the soup in both programs and commercials through February, which is American Heart Month. The companies are not disclosing the cost of the deal, which is the first ABC has ever made to have all its daytime shows focus on a single issue. The heart-related story lines will surface in different ways. On GENERAL HOSPITAL, one nurse will have a heart attack; on ALL MY CHILDREN, characters will plan a charity event sponsored by Campbell's to benefit the American Heart Association.
ABC: VIDEO: Jesse reeturns on ALL MY CHILDREN.
TIME: Uplift at the SAG Awards.
SLAM! Sports: Who says skaters should have all the fun at the NHL all-star game? There were several celebrities on hand at the Philips Arena for the NHL's showcase game Thorsten Kaye of ALL MY CHILDREN.
Arkansas Traveler : Growing up, people are often encouraged to follow their dreams. English and creative writing major Raymond Burks listened to that advice and followed his dreams all the way to Los Angeles, where he landed the role of a lifetime as a production intern at THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL. "I wondered if I would be able to get it because a lot of TV internships typically go to people who are majoring in something related to television production, film or communications," Burks said. "And then, I finally just told myself to go for it. The worst they could say is 'no.'"
MyParkMag: SPOILER ALERT: Ian Beale is going to be crying when he sees what Lucy's done to his house on EASTENDERS. In an episode to be aired in March, the Beale house is completed wrecked by Lucy and a gang of teenagers.
Telecom Paper: Portuguese internet portal Sapo, part of the Portugal Telecom gorup, will launch a soap opera produced for the internet.
Newsday: Campbell Soup sponsoring a month of heart health on daytime shows. ABC and Campbell have a deal for an integrated campaign to promote heart health and the soup in both programs and commercials through February, which is American Heart Month. The companies are not disclosing the cost of the deal, which is the first ABC has ever made to have all its daytime shows focus on a single issue. The heart-related story lines will surface in different ways. On GENERAL HOSPITAL, one nurse will have a heart attack; on ALL MY CHILDREN, characters will plan a charity event sponsored by Campbell's to benefit the American Heart Association.
ABC: VIDEO: Jesse reeturns on ALL MY CHILDREN.
TIME: Uplift at the SAG Awards.
SLAM! Sports: Who says skaters should have all the fun at the NHL all-star game? There were several celebrities on hand at the Philips Arena for the NHL's showcase game Thorsten Kaye of ALL MY CHILDREN.
Arkansas Traveler : Growing up, people are often encouraged to follow their dreams. English and creative writing major Raymond Burks listened to that advice and followed his dreams all the way to Los Angeles, where he landed the role of a lifetime as a production intern at THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL. "I wondered if I would be able to get it because a lot of TV internships typically go to people who are majoring in something related to television production, film or communications," Burks said. "And then, I finally just told myself to go for it. The worst they could say is 'no.'"
MyParkMag: SPOILER ALERT: Ian Beale is going to be crying when he sees what Lucy's done to his house on EASTENDERS. In an episode to be aired in March, the Beale house is completed wrecked by Lucy and a gang of teenagers.
Telecom Paper: Portuguese internet portal Sapo, part of the Portugal Telecom gorup, will launch a soap opera produced for the internet.
Out on the Town - January 27, 2008
Former ONE LIFE TO LIVE Tommy Lee Jones picked up an award as part of the Best Ensemble cast of No Country for Old Men at the TNT/TBS broadcast of the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on in Los Angeles.
Former GUIDING LIGHT actress Ruby Dee a surprise winner in the Best Support Actress category.
Today's Soap Star Birthdays
Nicholas Pryor (ex-Victor, PORT CHARLES; ex-Trey, CAPITOL; ex-Joel, THE EDGE OF NIGHT; ex-Linc, ALL MY CHILDREN, ex-Ted, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Paul, LOVE IS A MANY SPENDORED THING; ex-Johnny, THE SECRET STORM; THE BRIGHTER DAY) - 73
Keith Hamilton Cobb (ex-Damon, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Noah, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 46
Terri Colombino (Katie, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 33
Keith Hamilton Cobb (ex-Damon, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Noah, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 46
Terri Colombino (Katie, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 33
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Snoop Dogg Pens Theme Song For One Life To Live
Snoop Dogg is reportedly writing a theme song for ONE LIFE TO LIVE.Snoop, who is a big fan of the daytime drama, tapped the show's execs offering to pen a tune after hearing Mary J. Blige would be performing on the show next month for a Valentine special.
“I’m a huge fan of Snoop and I'd love to hear what he'd come up with,” Paul Glass, the supervising music director of the show, told The Post.
Last year, Timbaland performed his hit "The Way I Are" on the show along with Keri Helison and rapper D.O.E.
Christopher Goutman in The Powers of Matthew Star
Before he became an Emmy winng soap Director and later an Executive Producer of ANOTHER WORLD and AS THE WORLD TURNS, Christopher Goutman was an actor. He starred in THE EDGE OF NIGHT, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW and TEXAS. He also appeared in a number of plays, films and prime time episodics. In this episode of THE POWERS OF MATTHEW STAR, you can catch Mr. Goutman in all his acting glory (start at the 1:58 minute mark).
Greener Mountains Coming to DVD
Greener Mountains, an indie film starrting Chris Heuisler (ex-Cole, AS THE WORLD TURNS) and Kimberly McCullough (Robin, GENERAL HOSPITAL) is finally coming to DVD this spring. Heuisler, who was named to the WeLoveSoaps Top 10 Newcomers of 2007 list, plays JP Barton, a restless Vermont resort manager in the film. McCullough plays Alice Flynn, a young, free spirited New York artist who turns his world upside down.
Avalanche Kills Former Another World Star Allport
TV actor Christopher Allport has been named as the third victim killed by the snowstorms roaring towards Southern California.Skiing enthusiast Mr. Allport, 60, was reported missing after a trio of "freak" avalanches. His body was found near the Mountain High ski resort in Wrightwood.
The veteran character actor had appeared on prime-time shows including MAD MEN (see below), DYNASTY (see right), and KNOTS LANDING. He played Tim McGowan on ANOTHER WORLD in the 70s. Tim left Bay City in September 1974 after stealing funds from Frame Enterprises. The character died a few years later in a mine explosion off-camera. He also had a brief role on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.
He wrote a story that appeared in the Los Angeles Times in 2004 about the pleasures of backcountry skiing.
"Any excursion into the mountains requires awareness," he wrote. "Have fun, but be careful."
Friday's avalanches also killed Michael McKay, 23, an off-duty member of the resort's ski patrol, and Darin Coffey, 31. Both were skiing out of the resort boundaries.
Avalanches are unusual in the San Gabriel Mountains, authorities said, but so was the 3ft or more of new snow that has hit the region in a matter of days this week.
Avalanches were "a freak occurrence" in the local mountains, said Pete Olson, president of Mt Baldy Ski Resorts. "We depend on snow-making, and snow-making doesn't lead to avalanches," he said. "It usually doesn't snow enough to make anything happen up here."
A missing snowboarder was found on Saturday after spending the night on the mountain. Oscar Gonzales, 24, said he got lost when he left the marked ski trails at the resort and sheltered in an old plane fuselage.
Darnell Williams is a Better Man
I never get tired of giving my friend Darnell Williams (recently returned to ALL MY CHILDREN as Jesse) a hard time about his SOUL TRAIN days and his "Pure Satisfaction" album from the early 80s. If you've never heard any tracks off the album, here is "Better Man" sung by Darnell, the two-time Emmy winner and all around first class guy. Way to hit that final note, Darnell!
News Brief
New York Daily New: SPOILER ALERT: Lizzie gets the shock of her life Monday on GUIDING LIGHT when she sees that the man who saved her from the oncoming car on Friday was her ex-lover Jonathan - who is supposed to be dead.
Daily Telegraph: Hot on the heels of Idol's Dean Geyer and Cyber Shack's Erin McNaught, NEIGHBOURS has now signed Celebrity Big Brother's Imogen Bailey to play the sister of Miranda (Nikki Coghill).
AfterElton.: Luke and Noah Are Tops.... Again. The results are in and Luke and Noah were the favorite couple to watch in the CBS Daytime Viewers Voice poll.
The Province: If there's such a thing as a Z-list for celebrities, they were in attendance in Atlanta for the NHL All-Star weekend. The stars, such as they were, included David Boreanaz of the TV series, BONES; Thorsten Kaye of ALL MY CHILDREN; singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards; the rock band Mastodon; and actor Matthew Modin, who stood out on the list because you might have heard of him. The big attractions were Alyssa Milano -- and who can ever forget her work on WHO'S THE BOSS? -- and Kelowna's Taylor Kitsch of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.
New York Daily News: Provocateur Michael Moore's latest target is (drumroll, please): Joan Lunden? "I got to picket 'The View' this morning," the director and Writers Guild member said cheerfully on Thursday. "It's been a lifelong fantasy to be able to picket THE VIEW." Moore was celebrating his Oscar nomination for the documentary "Sicko" with a lunch, thrown by Harvey Weinstein, at the Four Seasons. I asked him if he enjoyed calling Barbara Walters a scab. "Nah, just some of the guests who shouldn't have been on the show." (Thursday, that meant Lunden, as well as ALL MY CHILDREN'S Debbi Morgan, Darnell Williams and Rebecca Budig. Those villains!)
Palm Beach Post: After all the glitter-and-glamour of last year's half-century anniversary of Palm Beach's famous Red Cross Ball, were the 400-plus well-heeled folks at the 51st Saturday in for a letdown? Although the wingding offered all the Mar-a-Lago hoopla that a $1,000 ticket should provide, there was no international star such as Pierce Brosnan, who came in '07. And there were the fewest ambassadors in memory, four including Luxembourg after the Italians canceled because of political turmoil at home. Yet soap star Susan Lucci of ALL MY CHILDREN strolled into the grand ballroom like a debutante into her first dance. "I've done a lot of work for the Red Cross but I've never been able to attend this event," she said. "It's so exciting."
Chicago Tribune: A recap of the DGA Awards ceremony last night.
Muskegon Chronicle: Drew Pillsbury, a Michigan native and former television and film actor who wrote the screenplay of "Broken," will attend his first Muskegon Film Festival. He played the role of Jim Adams on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS in 1986.
Central Florida News: The 14th Annual SAG Awards managed to side-step the three-month-long writers strike and is set for a full ceremony Sunday night. It will be the first awards show to roll out the red carpet and garnish the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s big name stars. “Live at the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards with Lisa (Rinna) and Joey” premieres Sunday, January 27 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. ET/PT on the TV Guide Network.
Daily Star: It must be love for EASTENDERS stars Kara Tointon and Rob Kazinsky. The touchy-feely pair have been spotted cosying up together at a star-studded nightclub. And a close pal told the Daily Star Sunday that romance is definitely on the agenda for the couple, saying: “It’s very early days but they’re both having a lot of fun.
Daily Telegraph: Hot on the heels of Idol's Dean Geyer and Cyber Shack's Erin McNaught, NEIGHBOURS has now signed Celebrity Big Brother's Imogen Bailey to play the sister of Miranda (Nikki Coghill).
AfterElton.: Luke and Noah Are Tops.... Again. The results are in and Luke and Noah were the favorite couple to watch in the CBS Daytime Viewers Voice poll.
The Province: If there's such a thing as a Z-list for celebrities, they were in attendance in Atlanta for the NHL All-Star weekend. The stars, such as they were, included David Boreanaz of the TV series, BONES; Thorsten Kaye of ALL MY CHILDREN; singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards; the rock band Mastodon; and actor Matthew Modin, who stood out on the list because you might have heard of him. The big attractions were Alyssa Milano -- and who can ever forget her work on WHO'S THE BOSS? -- and Kelowna's Taylor Kitsch of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.
New York Daily News: Provocateur Michael Moore's latest target is (drumroll, please): Joan Lunden? "I got to picket 'The View' this morning," the director and Writers Guild member said cheerfully on Thursday. "It's been a lifelong fantasy to be able to picket THE VIEW." Moore was celebrating his Oscar nomination for the documentary "Sicko" with a lunch, thrown by Harvey Weinstein, at the Four Seasons. I asked him if he enjoyed calling Barbara Walters a scab. "Nah, just some of the guests who shouldn't have been on the show." (Thursday, that meant Lunden, as well as ALL MY CHILDREN'S Debbi Morgan, Darnell Williams and Rebecca Budig. Those villains!)
Palm Beach Post: After all the glitter-and-glamour of last year's half-century anniversary of Palm Beach's famous Red Cross Ball, were the 400-plus well-heeled folks at the 51st Saturday in for a letdown? Although the wingding offered all the Mar-a-Lago hoopla that a $1,000 ticket should provide, there was no international star such as Pierce Brosnan, who came in '07. And there were the fewest ambassadors in memory, four including Luxembourg after the Italians canceled because of political turmoil at home. Yet soap star Susan Lucci of ALL MY CHILDREN strolled into the grand ballroom like a debutante into her first dance. "I've done a lot of work for the Red Cross but I've never been able to attend this event," she said. "It's so exciting."
Chicago Tribune: A recap of the DGA Awards ceremony last night.
Muskegon Chronicle: Drew Pillsbury, a Michigan native and former television and film actor who wrote the screenplay of "Broken," will attend his first Muskegon Film Festival. He played the role of Jim Adams on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS in 1986.
Central Florida News: The 14th Annual SAG Awards managed to side-step the three-month-long writers strike and is set for a full ceremony Sunday night. It will be the first awards show to roll out the red carpet and garnish the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s big name stars. “Live at the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards with Lisa (Rinna) and Joey” premieres Sunday, January 27 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. ET/PT on the TV Guide Network.
Daily Star: It must be love for EASTENDERS stars Kara Tointon and Rob Kazinsky. The touchy-feely pair have been spotted cosying up together at a star-studded nightclub. And a close pal told the Daily Star Sunday that romance is definitely on the agenda for the couple, saying: “It’s very early days but they’re both having a lot of fun.
One Life to Live wins DGA Award
The 60th annual Dirctor's Guild of America (DGA) Awards were held last night at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. Director Larry Carpenter and the ONE LIFE TO LIVE team won the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials Award for their work on EPISODE #9947.
In that episode, Nash is forced to finish the operation on Antonio by himself, and Michael is leading him through the entire process. Meanwhile, Cristian, Bo, John and the rescue team are working on clearing the damaged area of the hospital. The team helps Michael and Nash finish the operation on Antonio. Jessica is grateful to learn what Nash did for Antonio. Carlotta and Adriana are happy when Cristian informs them about the successful end of the operation. Rex and Roxy are drinking together, and when they see Kirk entering Rodi's, Rex realizes there is something that the man is hiding. He goes to the hospital, where he sees Tate and Adriana in an embrace, and then leaves without saying anything. Miles continues blackmailing Marty into marrying him.
The other members of the directing team include:
Associate Director: Teresa Anne Cicala
Stage Managers: Alan P. Needleman, Keith Greer
Production Associate: Anthony Wilkinson
This was Mr. Carpenter's fifth DGA Award nomination and second win. He previously won the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials for One Life To Live "Episode #8849" in 2003 and was nominated for that series for "Episode #9686" in 2006, "Episode #9385" in 2005 and "Episode #8655" in 2002.
Out on the Town - January 26, 2007
Ex-ANOTHER WORLD hunk Julian McMahon attended the G'Day USA: Australia Week 2008 Australia Day Black Tie Gala at the Waldorf Astoria oin New York City.
Former SEARCH FOR TOMORROW and THE CITY star Morgan Fairchild attended The Luxury Lounge in honor of the 2008 SAG Awards featuring Ilori, held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills,California.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Hollyoaks: What Is The Deal with Robin?
Just when I think John Paul has found a good man we have this new development.
Directors Guild of America Awards Tonight
Awards season continues with tonight's Director's Guild of America (DGA) Awards at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles.
The "Daytime Serials" nominees are:
LARRY CARPENTER
ONE LIFE TO LIVE - "EPISODE #9947"
ABC
Associate Director: Teresa Anne Cicala
Stage Managers: Alan P. Needleman, Keith Greer
Production Associate: Anthony Wilkinson
This is Mr. Carpenter's fifth DGA Award nomination. He won the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials for One Life To Live "Episode #8849" in 2003 and was nominated for that series for "Episode #9686" in 2006, "Episode #9385" in 2005 and "Episode #8655" in 2002.
CASEY CHILDS
ALL MY CHILDREN - "EPISODE #9669"
ABC
Associate Directors: Shirley Simmons, Barbara M. Simmons, Anthony Pascarelli
Stage Managers: Rusty Swope, Penny Bergman, Martin Fritz Brekeller, Brendan Higgins
Production Associates: Jennifer Minda, Marika Brancato
This is Mr. Childs' third DGA Award nomination. He was nominated for All My Children "Episode #9297" in 2006 and "Episode #7919" in 2000.
CHRISTOPHER GOUTMAN
AS THE WORLD TURNS - "EPISODE #12971"
CBS
Associate Directors: Michael Kerner, Carol Sedwick, Janet Andrews
Stage Managers: Nancy Barron, Jennifer Blood
Production Associates: Brett Hellman, Alexandra Verner Roalsvig
This is Mr. Goutman's third DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this same category for As the World Turns "Episode #12,166" in 2004, and "Episode #10,446" in 1997.
SCOTT McKINSEY
GENERAL HOSPITAL - "EPISODE #11228"
ABC
Associate Directors: Penny Pengra, Christine Magarian, Ron Cates, Pete Fillmore, RC Cates, David MacLeod
Stage Managers: Craig McManus, Crystal Craft, Michele Azenzer
Production Associates: Lisa Kaseff, Denise Van Cleave, Christine Cooper
This is Mr. McKinsey's sixth DGA Award nomination in this category. He won for Port Charles "Episode #1433" in 2002, and for General Hospital "Episode #8883" in 1997. He was nominated for General Hospital "Episode #11178" in 2006, "Episode #8492" in 1996, and "Episode #8233" in 1995.
ELLEN WHEELER
GUIDING LIGHT - "EPISODE #15221"
CBS
Associate Directors/Stage Managers: Chris Cullen, David Brandon
Production Associates: David Brandon, Kelly Jobmann
This is Ms. Wheeler's third DGA Award nomination. She was previously nominated for Guiding Light "Episode #14832" in 2006, and for Guiding Light "Episode #14696" in 2005.
Out on the Town - January 25, 2008
Former THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL co-stars Maeve Quinlan and Jennifer Finnigan attended the screening of "3 Way" at the M Bar in Hollywood.
News Brief
Deadline Hollywood: Nikki Finke Writers Strike Update: "I'm told the informal writer-mogul meetings are going "in a positive direction" enough so that it's beginning to look possible for the Academy Awards to proceed normally. Friday's was an especially productive session, I've learned. 'I feel optimistic. In my opinion, today was productive and collaborative and respectful. I thought it was a very good day," an insider told me.'"
Albany Herald: Flowers? Check. Candy? Check. Card containing amorous sentiments? Check. Romantic dinner? Check. With such a list in tow, an ideal Valentine’s Day in Southwest Georgia could be within reach. But what if you’ve done all that in the past or just want to add something a little different to this year’s Valentine’s Day celebration? If your significant other is a soap fan, ABC Daytime’s “Love Affair” could be the answer. Available through Buena Vista Records for $18.98, the 12-song CD features stars from each of ABC’s three daytime dramas putting their spin on well-known love songs in a variety of genres, including big-band-era ballads, jazz, hits from the ’60s and recent chart-toppers. When ALL MY CHILDREN's Bobbie Eakes decided to lend her voice to the project, she chose Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me,” which topped Billboard magazine’s charts in 1996. “I’ve always loved that song,” she said in a recent telephone interview from the show’s New York studio.
AfterEllen: Eden Riegel will be returning to ALL MY CHILDREN (yes, again) as Bianca, the lesbian daughter of Erica Kane.
News24: Actress Kimberlin Brown, who plays the manipulative Sheila Carter in American TV soapie THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, was in Mpumalanga last week. She ate sushi at Fez Restaurant in White River with South Africa's renowned jewellery designer Jenna Clifford, women's golfing champion Tania Fourie and MEC for economic development and planning Craig Padayachee before flying back to the US on Friday.
This is Scunthorpe: Her place in soap opera history is assured, but when the lady behind CORONATION STREET's Vera Duckworth came to Scunthorpe, she made an impression all of her own. The timely appearance of a needle and thread when Liz Dawn, aka Vera Duckworth, was the star guest at the 1983 Family Weekend, helped her out of a potentially embarrassing fix.The loss of the Street's Vera, has evoked a host of memories from some of the people who welcomed her to the town.
All3Media: VIDEO: John Paul gets up the courage to talk to Robin.
AfterElton: AS THE WORLD TURNS clip update: Mom! Mom! They're sending Dad to the Big House!
Digital Spy: Gay Spy picture special: Soap Stars part 3.
Albany Herald: Flowers? Check. Candy? Check. Card containing amorous sentiments? Check. Romantic dinner? Check. With such a list in tow, an ideal Valentine’s Day in Southwest Georgia could be within reach. But what if you’ve done all that in the past or just want to add something a little different to this year’s Valentine’s Day celebration? If your significant other is a soap fan, ABC Daytime’s “Love Affair” could be the answer. Available through Buena Vista Records for $18.98, the 12-song CD features stars from each of ABC’s three daytime dramas putting their spin on well-known love songs in a variety of genres, including big-band-era ballads, jazz, hits from the ’60s and recent chart-toppers. When ALL MY CHILDREN's Bobbie Eakes decided to lend her voice to the project, she chose Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me,” which topped Billboard magazine’s charts in 1996. “I’ve always loved that song,” she said in a recent telephone interview from the show’s New York studio.
AfterEllen: Eden Riegel will be returning to ALL MY CHILDREN (yes, again) as Bianca, the lesbian daughter of Erica Kane.
News24: Actress Kimberlin Brown, who plays the manipulative Sheila Carter in American TV soapie THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, was in Mpumalanga last week. She ate sushi at Fez Restaurant in White River with South Africa's renowned jewellery designer Jenna Clifford, women's golfing champion Tania Fourie and MEC for economic development and planning Craig Padayachee before flying back to the US on Friday.
This is Scunthorpe: Her place in soap opera history is assured, but when the lady behind CORONATION STREET's Vera Duckworth came to Scunthorpe, she made an impression all of her own. The timely appearance of a needle and thread when Liz Dawn, aka Vera Duckworth, was the star guest at the 1983 Family Weekend, helped her out of a potentially embarrassing fix.The loss of the Street's Vera, has evoked a host of memories from some of the people who welcomed her to the town.
All3Media: VIDEO: John Paul gets up the courage to talk to Robin.
AfterElton: AS THE WORLD TURNS clip update: Mom! Mom! They're sending Dad to the Big House!
Digital Spy: Gay Spy picture special: Soap Stars part 3.
Today's Soap Star Birthdays
Anne Jeffreys (ex-Amanda, PORT CHARLES/GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 85
Walt Willey (Jackson, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Joe, RYAN'S HOPE; ex-Jim, ANOTHER WORLD) - 57
Tracy Middendorf (ex-Carrie, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 38
Walt Willey (Jackson, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Joe, RYAN'S HOPE; ex-Jim, ANOTHER WORLD) - 57
Tracy Middendorf (ex-Carrie, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 38
Friday, January 25, 2008
Evening News
CBS: Preemption Alert! KLAS/Las Vegas preempted THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, AS THE WORLD TURNS AND GUIDING LIGHT today, Friday, January 25, due to news coverage of the Monte Carlo Hotel fire. KLAS will air the shows in late night as follows: B&B - 1:37am, ATWT - 2:07am, GL - 3:07am.
Showbiz Spy: Meet The Spartans opens in theaters this weekend. Former EASTENDERS star Sean Maguire dons a loin cloth and cape to play Leonidas in the comedy.
Daytime Confidential: Is DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Lauren Koslow on her way out?
TV Guide Canada: Nelson Branco's Sud's Report.
openPR: Irish Actor, Kevin J. Ryan, to be in NBC’s DAYS OF OUR LIVES.
ABC: Daytime ratings for the week of January 14-18, 2008.
AfterElton: Liveblogging AS THE WORLD TURNS: Quid Pro Quo, Holden!
Daily Free Press: Never say Macbeth in a theater; always use "break a leg," never "good luck." Superstition has gone hand-in-hand with theatre since Shakespeare was spouting sonnets -- and with those superstitions whisperings of the supernatural is always present. Producer Steve Maihack began shooting the pilot episode of Project Ghostlight Monday night in the Boston University Theatre. Ghostlight, a new "docu-reality" series, follows up-and-coming actors (including Ryan Serhant from AS THE WORLD TURNS) as they spend sleepless nights in some of America's haunted theatres.
Cinema Blend: A man and his car have a special bond, and that’s just what David Hasselhoff told former ALL MY CHILDREN hunk Justin Bruening on the first day of shooting the new Knight Rider TV movie. The movie airs Sunday, Feb. 17 at 9 p.m. on NBC, and Bruening, who plays the new KNIGHT RIDER, Mike Tracer, was happy for the advice from the man who originated the role.
Broadway World: Barrington Stage Company presents the Berkshire Area premiere of Trumbo from February 14 through 24. Starring Thom Christopher (ONE LIFE TO LIVE and other soaps) and Brian Hutchison (BSC's Wonder of the World), with direction by Julianne Boyd, this stirring drama about the famous blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter Dalton Trumbo will have a press opening on Saturday, February 16 at 8PM.
Roadracing World: Stuart Manning, best known as "Russ" from HOLLYOAKS, will be revealing his talents away from the screen on Sunday 11 May when he takes to the challenging Thundersprint track in Northwich town centre.
OK! Magazine: Interview with former PASSIONS star Ryan McPartlin, who plays Captain Awesome on CHUCK.
Showbiz Spy: Meet The Spartans opens in theaters this weekend. Former EASTENDERS star Sean Maguire dons a loin cloth and cape to play Leonidas in the comedy.
Daytime Confidential: Is DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Lauren Koslow on her way out?
TV Guide Canada: Nelson Branco's Sud's Report.
openPR: Irish Actor, Kevin J. Ryan, to be in NBC’s DAYS OF OUR LIVES.
ABC: Daytime ratings for the week of January 14-18, 2008.
AfterElton: Liveblogging AS THE WORLD TURNS: Quid Pro Quo, Holden!
Daily Free Press: Never say Macbeth in a theater; always use "break a leg," never "good luck." Superstition has gone hand-in-hand with theatre since Shakespeare was spouting sonnets -- and with those superstitions whisperings of the supernatural is always present. Producer Steve Maihack began shooting the pilot episode of Project Ghostlight Monday night in the Boston University Theatre. Ghostlight, a new "docu-reality" series, follows up-and-coming actors (including Ryan Serhant from AS THE WORLD TURNS) as they spend sleepless nights in some of America's haunted theatres.
Cinema Blend: A man and his car have a special bond, and that’s just what David Hasselhoff told former ALL MY CHILDREN hunk Justin Bruening on the first day of shooting the new Knight Rider TV movie. The movie airs Sunday, Feb. 17 at 9 p.m. on NBC, and Bruening, who plays the new KNIGHT RIDER, Mike Tracer, was happy for the advice from the man who originated the role.
Broadway World: Barrington Stage Company presents the Berkshire Area premiere of Trumbo from February 14 through 24. Starring Thom Christopher (ONE LIFE TO LIVE and other soaps) and Brian Hutchison (BSC's Wonder of the World), with direction by Julianne Boyd, this stirring drama about the famous blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter Dalton Trumbo will have a press opening on Saturday, February 16 at 8PM.
Roadracing World: Stuart Manning, best known as "Russ" from HOLLYOAKS, will be revealing his talents away from the screen on Sunday 11 May when he takes to the challenging Thundersprint track in Northwich town centre.
OK! Magazine: Interview with former PASSIONS star Ryan McPartlin, who plays Captain Awesome on CHUCK.
Latest Ins and Outs From the World of Soaps
ALL MY CHILDREN
Out
Brent Weber (last airdate TBD)
In
Darnell Williams (first airs as Jesse today)
Mario Van Peebles (first airs as Samuel on January 29)
AS THE WORLD TURNS
Out
Cady McClain (last airdate January 28)
Wally Kurth (last airdate the week of February 4th)
Scott Bryce (last airdate TBD)
Ryan Serhant (last airdate February 14)
Jennifer Landon (last airdate TBD)
Jesse Soffer (last airdate TBD)
In
Billy Magnussen (first airs as Casey on January 29)
Eric William Morris (first airs as Matt on February 11)
Dominic Fumusa (first airs as Gray in February)
Tala Ashe (first airs as Ameera on February 22)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
In/Out
William de Vry (although he's out he comes back on January 25)
DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Out
Judi Evans (last airdate January 31)
Julie Pinson (last airdate TBD)
In
Renee Jones (first airs as Lexie on January 29)
Shirley Jones (first airs as Colleen on January 31) - six episodes
Tamara Braun (first airdate and role TBD)
The role of Lance (being cast per Showfax)
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Out
Jason Gerhardt (last airdate TBD)
In
Seamus Dever (first airs as Ian today)
Anthony Geary (returns as Luke on January 31)
Sarah Brown (first airs as Claudia next week)
GUIDING LIGHT
In
Lois Robbins (first airs as Catherine on February 1)
ONE LIFE TO LIVE
Out
Melissa Fumero (last airdate TBD)
In
Barbara Garrick (first airs as Allison today)
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
In
Jerry Douglas (shows up as ghost John again today)
Amelia Heinle (returns as Victoria on January 29)
Chris Engen (first airs as Victor, Jr on February 12)
Out
Brent Weber (last airdate TBD)
In
Darnell Williams (first airs as Jesse today)
Mario Van Peebles (first airs as Samuel on January 29)
AS THE WORLD TURNS
Out
Cady McClain (last airdate January 28)
Wally Kurth (last airdate the week of February 4th)
Scott Bryce (last airdate TBD)
Ryan Serhant (last airdate February 14)
Jennifer Landon (last airdate TBD)
Jesse Soffer (last airdate TBD)
In
Billy Magnussen (first airs as Casey on January 29)
Eric William Morris (first airs as Matt on February 11)
Dominic Fumusa (first airs as Gray in February)
Tala Ashe (first airs as Ameera on February 22)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
In/Out
William de Vry (although he's out he comes back on January 25)
DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Out
Judi Evans (last airdate January 31)
Julie Pinson (last airdate TBD)
In
Renee Jones (first airs as Lexie on January 29)
Shirley Jones (first airs as Colleen on January 31) - six episodes
Tamara Braun (first airdate and role TBD)
The role of Lance (being cast per Showfax)
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Out
Jason Gerhardt (last airdate TBD)
In
Seamus Dever (first airs as Ian today)
Anthony Geary (returns as Luke on January 31)
Sarah Brown (first airs as Claudia next week)
GUIDING LIGHT
In
Lois Robbins (first airs as Catherine on February 1)
ONE LIFE TO LIVE
Out
Melissa Fumero (last airdate TBD)
In
Barbara Garrick (first airs as Allison today)
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
In
Jerry Douglas (shows up as ghost John again today)
Amelia Heinle (returns as Victoria on January 29)
Chris Engen (first airs as Victor, Jr on February 12)
January 25, 1937: The Guiding Light Debuts
THE GUIDING LIGHT was created by soap writer Irna Phillips, and began as an NBC radio serial on January 25, 1937, before moving to CBS-TV on June 30, 1952. In the early days, the show was recorded in Chicago and then later moved to Hollywood and finally New York, where it has remained for the past 59 years.
To celebrate the show's 71st anniversary, here is a clip from the radio days - Episode 0791:
To celebrate the show's 71st anniversary, here is a clip from the radio days - Episode 0791:
News Brief
New York Daily News: As the writers strike approaches its third month and prime-time dramas grind to a halt, all eight network soaps continue to air new episodes every weekday."We had been planning for a possible strike for months," explains an executive producer, who asked not to be named. "We wrote ahead, we had a long-term story in place, and we made contingency plans in the event that our writers went out."
Those contingency plans included lining up execs or hiring former head writers to fill in if the current head writers walked.
For example, No. 1-rated THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS is now helmed by Josh Griffith, who was Y&R's co-executive producer and prior to that co-head writer of "One Life to Live."
Another exec widely believed to be filling in as head writer now (although not officially credited) is AS THE WORLD TURNS executive producer Christopher Goutman.
"CBS is declining comment on any matters to do with the writers strike," says a CBS representative.
Longtime GENERAL HOSPITAL writer Garin Wolf has gone "FiCore" (Financial Core, which allows WGA union members to return to work without censure) and is now the only name credited.
James Harmon Brown and Barbara Esensten have also gone FiCore and are co-head writers of ALL MY CHILDREN.
ONE LIFE TO LIVE brought in its former executive producer, Gary Tomlin, as head writer; he previously wrote for ANOTHER WORLD. days is using former OLTL head writer Dena Higley.
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL is being written by former Y&R head writer Kay Alden. GUIDING LIGHT was the most ahead when the strike hit; the current staff is unconfirmed. Since a typical writing staff involves 15-20 people, obviously other, unnamed people are filling in. But some shows have discovered they can do the job - at least temporarily - with fewer people.
"GH" and "Y&R" are showcasing more musical montages than usual, while "DAYS" and "OLTL" are using more flashbacks. "AMC" chose to distract viewers from the spotty writing by bringing back fan favorites like Rebecca Budig as Greenlee. Most actors miss their writers and want them back writing ASAP, but a few have commented that their shows are more balanced now.
"Our head writer had a few pets that [he/she] always wrote for. The new one is writing for everybody."
"There is obviously some tap-dancing going on during the transition," says an insider. "But thank God for the people who stepped in to television's longest continuous genre and kept it on the air. Because we all know if soaps had stopped airing, we'd be done."
Media Life: Death in the afternoon? A likely story. An exaggeration, perhaps, but it doesn't look good.
TV Envy: Daytime Dish on GENERAL HOSPITAL, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and AS THE WORLD TURNS.
AfterElton.: Best. Gay. Week. Ever. We've got Nuke this Friday on AS THE WORLD TURNS. Phew! Luke (and Noah) are there when Luke's dad, Holden, gets arrested for killing someone we don't care about because, well, they are aren't Nuke!
Winston-Salem Journal: Last May on the soap opera AS THE WORLD TURNS, the character Casey Hughes was dragged off to prison for theft. He’s now been released - and, when he returns to the show on Tuesday, he’ll look a lot like an alumnus from the N.C. School of the Arts. Billy Magnussen, who graduated in 2007, is taking over the role of Casey. That makes him the sixth actor to play Casey since the character was born in 1991. “This is a character that just got released from jail, who’s had gambling troubles and who’s stolen money,” he said. “There’s scandal and intrigue happening. It’s a fun plot line to play.” Magnussen, 22, got into acting when he was a high-school student in Cumming, Ga. “I was a big jock,” he said. “In wrestling I tore a hamstring and couldn’t take gym classes. So I took an acting class, and I fell in love with it.”Miami Herald: ABC soaps stirring up the mix. We can't remember when there have been so many significant comings and goings at one time on daytime television. The big news is over at ALL MY CHILDREN, where four character additions are being made. Recently, fan favorites Rebecca Budig (the "real" Greenlee), Debbi Morgan (Angie) and Darnell Williams (Angie's beloved Jesse) have returned to the canvas. All three were wildly popular. Morgan and Williams joined the show in the early 1980s, and audiences watched as Williams' character was killed off. No matter, we will willingly suspend our disbelief to have this magic couple back. Many viewers didn't accept Budig's replacement, Sabine Singh, but she grew on a lot of viewers. Promos touting Budig's return as "the real Greenlee" were a real slap in the face to Singh, who was still airing at the time. Recently, the show announced the fourth addition -- actor/director Mario Van Peebles, who will be joining AMC as a love interest for Erica (Susan Lucci).
WFAA: Dallas actress turned ONE LIFE TO LIVE diva Melissa Archer will be back in town for the parade at the Feb. 2 Mardi Gras event at Victory Park called MystiQal 2008.
AFP: A star of South Africa's most popular television soap opera, GENERATIONS, has landed herself in hot water after accusing the ruling ANC party of trying to bump off its political opponents.
hello magazine: EASTENDERS actor Sean unveils new Hollywood comedy in LA.
Buzzworthy Radio: AUDIO: Interviews with ONE LIFE TO LIVE star Ilene Kristen and THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS diva Michelle Stafford.
Out on the Town - January 24, 2008
Long-time AS THE WORLD TURNS star Tamara Tunie attended the "Come Back, Little Sheba" Broadway Opening Night at the Biltmore Theatre in New York. Recently fired ALL MY CHILDREN actress Sabine Singh was also in attendance.
Today's Soap Birthdays
George Alvarez (Ray, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Enrique, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL; ex-Alex, GENERAL HOSPITAL/PORT CHARLES)
Paul Taylor (ex-Isaac, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 32
Paul Taylor (ex-Isaac, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 32
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Evening News
ABC: VIDEO: ALL MY CHILDREN stars Debbi Morgan, Darnell Williams and Rebecca Budig on THE VIEW today.
Variety: Industry hopes costly strike ends. Every show is different, but it's believed showrunners will take anywhere from two weeks (for multicamera laffers) to six weeks (for newer hourlong dramas) to produce their first post-strike episodes. DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES creator-exec producer Marc Cherry recently told KABC-TV that he could finish the full season of his show if the strike ended fairly soon.
San Jose Mercury New: A status report on the writers strike.
TV Guide: GENERAL HOSPITAL's Sarah Brown, Part 2: When Claudia Met Sonny.
MyParkMag: Emma Barton lusts after HOLLYOAKS hunks. The EASTENDERS star - who plays Albert Square's Honey Mitchell - admits she tunes in to the rival soap because it boasts "a lot of attractive men".
Celebrity Baby Blog: Former DAYS OF OUR LIVES actress Christie Clark Barnes, 34, is anxiously awaiting the birth of her first child -- a daughter to be named Hannah -- with husband Thomas Barnes, but one thing she didn't count on was the crazy dreams that came along with the pregnancy. "It's amazing the crazy dreams you have when you're pregnant. Extremely vivid dreams, or maybe I just remember them more because I haven't had the usual wine I have through out the week."
Soap Opera Weekly: Kimberly McCullough's Five Greatest GENERAL HOSPITAL Moments.
AfterElton: AS THE WORLD TURNS update: Casting info and this week's Nuke.
Mansfield News: Angelina Mullins — who passed on a short-term contract with CBS-TV’s GUIDING LIGHT to take “Fosse” - looks forward to a possible future in television and films, she’s also clearly enjoying her current assignment.
Variety: Industry hopes costly strike ends. Every show is different, but it's believed showrunners will take anywhere from two weeks (for multicamera laffers) to six weeks (for newer hourlong dramas) to produce their first post-strike episodes. DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES creator-exec producer Marc Cherry recently told KABC-TV that he could finish the full season of his show if the strike ended fairly soon.
San Jose Mercury New: A status report on the writers strike.
TV Guide: GENERAL HOSPITAL's Sarah Brown, Part 2: When Claudia Met Sonny.
MyParkMag: Emma Barton lusts after HOLLYOAKS hunks. The EASTENDERS star - who plays Albert Square's Honey Mitchell - admits she tunes in to the rival soap because it boasts "a lot of attractive men".
Celebrity Baby Blog: Former DAYS OF OUR LIVES actress Christie Clark Barnes, 34, is anxiously awaiting the birth of her first child -- a daughter to be named Hannah -- with husband Thomas Barnes, but one thing she didn't count on was the crazy dreams that came along with the pregnancy. "It's amazing the crazy dreams you have when you're pregnant. Extremely vivid dreams, or maybe I just remember them more because I haven't had the usual wine I have through out the week."
Soap Opera Weekly: Kimberly McCullough's Five Greatest GENERAL HOSPITAL Moments.
AfterElton: AS THE WORLD TURNS update: Casting info and this week's Nuke.
Mansfield News: Angelina Mullins — who passed on a short-term contract with CBS-TV’s GUIDING LIGHT to take “Fosse” - looks forward to a possible future in television and films, she’s also clearly enjoying her current assignment.
News Brief
Los Angeles Times: Soap on the talk show circuit today: Lisa Rinna (DAYS OF OUR LIVES, SOAP TALK) on LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY. Darnell Williams, Debbi Morgan and Rebecca Budig from ALL MY CHILDREN will appear on THE VIEW. Oprah is talking to Oscar nominees this afternoon and some ex-soap stars may be included there as well.
MovieWeb: Former ONE LIFE TO LIVE actress Kerry Butler has landed a role next to Brooke Shields in LIPSTICK JUNGLE on NBC.
The Desert Sun: If you have met Wesley Eure (ex-Mike, DAYS OF OUR LIVES), you know he believes in happiness. You will know it the minute you see his smile, his beautiful, twinkling blue eyes. You will know he has achieved it, and you will want to know how he does it!
Belleville News Democrat: At the 2008 St. Louis Auto Show, soap opera buffs will want to make a date on Sunday to see Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing) of GENERAL HOSPITAL and Colin Egglesfield (Josh Madden) of ALL MY CHILDREN.
AfterElton: Review of TORCHWOOD’s Second Season Premiere.
MarlenaDeLacroix.com: Patrick Erwin: GUIDING LIGHT Today: A Few Flickers of Light?
PGP Blog: A mother and daughter reunion on GUIDING LIGHT.
Soap Opera Weekly: Amber's Wildest Schemes on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL.
Knoxville News Sentinel: Johnson City native Matt Czuchry can now be seen on NBC's FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. He started his four-episode arc as Christian radio personality Chris Kennedy on Janauary 18.
The Big Lead: Want to go to a Super Bowl party hosted by Playboy Playmate Kendra Wilkinson, co-hosted by Jason Street of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, Warren Sapp, and Larry Johnson?
Chicago Tribune: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS pulls out a win in the closing minutes of Season 2.
Manchester Evening News: A new soap battle could revive the regional rivalries last seen when Manchester's CORONATION STREET was in competition with the wobbly sets of Birmingham's CROSSROADS motel. The rumour circulating at a high-brow telly conference in Salford this week was that DOCTORS, the award-winning BBC daytime drama which is currently made in the Midlands, could be bundled up the M6 as part of Auntie's plans to devolve staff throughout the United Kingdom.
MovieWeb: Former ONE LIFE TO LIVE actress Kerry Butler has landed a role next to Brooke Shields in LIPSTICK JUNGLE on NBC.
The Desert Sun: If you have met Wesley Eure (ex-Mike, DAYS OF OUR LIVES), you know he believes in happiness. You will know it the minute you see his smile, his beautiful, twinkling blue eyes. You will know he has achieved it, and you will want to know how he does it!
Belleville News Democrat: At the 2008 St. Louis Auto Show, soap opera buffs will want to make a date on Sunday to see Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing) of GENERAL HOSPITAL and Colin Egglesfield (Josh Madden) of ALL MY CHILDREN.
AfterElton: Review of TORCHWOOD’s Second Season Premiere.
MarlenaDeLacroix.com: Patrick Erwin: GUIDING LIGHT Today: A Few Flickers of Light?
PGP Blog: A mother and daughter reunion on GUIDING LIGHT.
Soap Opera Weekly: Amber's Wildest Schemes on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL.
Knoxville News Sentinel: Johnson City native Matt Czuchry can now be seen on NBC's FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. He started his four-episode arc as Christian radio personality Chris Kennedy on Janauary 18.
The Big Lead: Want to go to a Super Bowl party hosted by Playboy Playmate Kendra Wilkinson, co-hosted by Jason Street of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, Warren Sapp, and Larry Johnson?
Chicago Tribune: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS pulls out a win in the closing minutes of Season 2.
Manchester Evening News: A new soap battle could revive the regional rivalries last seen when Manchester's CORONATION STREET was in competition with the wobbly sets of Birmingham's CROSSROADS motel. The rumour circulating at a high-brow telly conference in Salford this week was that DOCTORS, the award-winning BBC daytime drama which is currently made in the Midlands, could be bundled up the M6 as part of Auntie's plans to devolve staff throughout the United Kingdom.
Out on the Town - January 23, 2008
Former ONE LIFE TO LIVE and current DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES star Marcia Cross joined Lifetime Television at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol Building to deliver over 20 million petition signatures collected on myLifetime.com to support bipartisan legislation to end "drive-through" mastectomies.
Former ANOTHER WORLD actor Michael Rodrick attended the Los Angeles premiere of Trailer Park Boys: The Movie held at Laemmle's Sunset 5 Theater in West Hollywood.
Former AS THE WORLD TURNS Emmy Winner Julianne Moore attended the Savage Grace premiere at Palacio de la Musica Cinema in Madrid, Spain.
Today's Soap Star Birthdays
Tonya Crowe (ex-Olivia, KNOTS LANDING) - 37
Mischa Barton (ex-Lilly, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 22
Mischa Barton (ex-Lilly, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 22
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Evening News
News24.com: Tributes pour in for Heath Ledger who first came to prominence by acting as a homosexual athlete in a little-known Australian soap opera, SWEAT, in 1996.
Soap Opera Digest: Elizabeth Hendrickson, who departed her role as ALL MY CHILDREN's Maggie Stone in February 2007 is joining THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS as a fashionista who befriends Lily (Christel Khalil).
Daily Mail: EASTENDERS' teenage stabbing plot sparks 200 complaints to the BBC.
The Plain Dealer: Pat Benatar and her husband Neil Giraldo will perform their original tune "Every Time I Fall Back" while taping two episodes for the CBS daytime drama THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS this Thursday, January 24.
Soap Opera Digest: Tala Ashe joins AS THE WORLD TURNS as Ameera, a young woman who will come to Luke (Van Hansis) and Noah (Jake Silbermann) for help on February 22 — and who supposedly has a deeper connection to Noah.
Soap Opera Weekly: AS THE WORLD TURNS's Craig: Bryce-d for Impact.
CBS: Check out the photo shoot for THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS stars Christel Khalil and Bryton for CBS' Watch! Magazine.
Bedford Times Register: A former teacher of ALLY MY CHILDREN's David Canary has passed away. During her tenure at Washington High School, Mary A. Osborne began a successful and popular program called Bachelor Living" to teach young men how to manage their finances and take care of homes, drawing from football team members as well as other young men. Canary was one of her students.
Cherry Hill Courier Post: Former GENERAL HOSPITAL star Amber Tamblyn takes 1st grownup role.
CBC Saskatchewan: Virgin Galactic says it is one step closer to putting paying passengers into space with the unveiling of its new spacecraft design on Wednesday. The company has so far signed up more than 150 passengers for flights, which cost about $200,000 U.S. per person. Physicist Stephen Hawking, former DALLAS star Victoria Principal and designer Philippe Starck are among those who have signed up.
Soap Opera Digest: Elizabeth Hendrickson, who departed her role as ALL MY CHILDREN's Maggie Stone in February 2007 is joining THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS as a fashionista who befriends Lily (Christel Khalil).
Daily Mail: EASTENDERS' teenage stabbing plot sparks 200 complaints to the BBC.
The Plain Dealer: Pat Benatar and her husband Neil Giraldo will perform their original tune "Every Time I Fall Back" while taping two episodes for the CBS daytime drama THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS this Thursday, January 24.
Soap Opera Digest: Tala Ashe joins AS THE WORLD TURNS as Ameera, a young woman who will come to Luke (Van Hansis) and Noah (Jake Silbermann) for help on February 22 — and who supposedly has a deeper connection to Noah.
Soap Opera Weekly: AS THE WORLD TURNS's Craig: Bryce-d for Impact.
CBS: Check out the photo shoot for THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS stars Christel Khalil and Bryton for CBS' Watch! Magazine.
Bedford Times Register: A former teacher of ALLY MY CHILDREN's David Canary has passed away. During her tenure at Washington High School, Mary A. Osborne began a successful and popular program called Bachelor Living" to teach young men how to manage their finances and take care of homes, drawing from football team members as well as other young men. Canary was one of her students.
Cherry Hill Courier Post: Former GENERAL HOSPITAL star Amber Tamblyn takes 1st grownup role.
CBC Saskatchewan: Virgin Galactic says it is one step closer to putting paying passengers into space with the unveiling of its new spacecraft design on Wednesday. The company has so far signed up more than 150 passengers for flights, which cost about $200,000 U.S. per person. Physicist Stephen Hawking, former DALLAS star Victoria Principal and designer Philippe Starck are among those who have signed up.
News Brief
TMZ: Former ANOTHER WORLD star Lindsay Lohan distraught over Heath Ledger's death.
Towleroad: In an effort to generate discussion about AIDS prevention and reach gay men online, the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center is producing 12 "webisodes" focusing on the sex lives of a group of gay men in West Hollywood. Each is five minutes in length and is intended to stimulate discussion, via an online forum where viewers can comment on various issues raised by each episode of the online mini-soap opera. The first "webisode" called "So Many Choices" depicts situations related to hooking up online, heavy drinking, and unsafe sex.
Soap Opera Weekly: Behind the Scenes at ONE LIFE TO LIVE's "Go Red" Ball.
PGP Blog: A preview of this Friday's episode of AS THE WORLD TURNS.
Marlena De LaCroix: Marcie Surrenders Her Son on ONE LIFE TO LIVE: A Rare Soap Opera Grand Slam.
Click 2 Houston: Broadway actress and television star Renee Elise Goldsberry from ONE LIFE TO LIVE, The Color Purple, and All About You joined Marlayna Syms of The Lion King and Smokey Joe's Cafe to promote the importance of mentoring and its impact on their careers in Houston, KPRC Local 2, Your Education Station, reported Tuesday. Syms and Goldsberry were both mentored and inspired by people who made differences in their lives and impacted their careers. Now, they are returning the favor.
Associated Press: The makers of a racy Thai soap opera about airline crews apologized Tuesday for offending real-life flight attendants, who had complained that its scenes of sexual hijinx sullied their reputations. The Exact Company Ltd., producers of the THE AIR HOSTESS WAR, said at a news conference that they were sorry if they had offended anyone, and would tame some of the show's racier elements. "The Air Hostess War" follows the sexual shenanigans of a dashing married pilot and features love triangles, fights in the plane aisles and trysts on stopovers in exotic locations. I'm sorry that our soap opera has caused such a fuss. I would like to say that we don't have any intention of causing trouble. We just want to entertain our viewers," said the show's director, Nipon Pewnen.
High Tech Lounge: Rajshri Productions plans on launching a 90-episode soap opera on mobile phones with the first episode getting released near the end of January 2008. The concept of watching television on a cell phone isn't exactly new -- the Koreans and Japanese have been taking advantage of that functionality for some time -- but the difference is that this is not being done over 1Seg. The episodes will be streamed and/or downloaded over the cellular network, feeding a need to satisfy short attention spans. Each episode is only three minutes long.
Soap Opera Digest: Playtime with GUIDING LIGHT star Tom Pelphrey.
Press Association: Fans of BBC One flagship soap EASTENDERS were devastated to learn hunky actor Rob Kazinsky was jumping ship. Now there's another blow, with the revelation Mohammed George (Gus Smith) will also wave goodbye to Albert Square at the end of this year. Both he and Kazinsky, who plays bad boy Sean Slater, are popular with the viewing public. Robert said: "If I had done everything I wanted to do as an actor before I joined, I would have wanted to stay forever. "It's such a wonderful place to work and it's become like a second home to me. I'll be sad to go."
Towleroad: In an effort to generate discussion about AIDS prevention and reach gay men online, the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center is producing 12 "webisodes" focusing on the sex lives of a group of gay men in West Hollywood. Each is five minutes in length and is intended to stimulate discussion, via an online forum where viewers can comment on various issues raised by each episode of the online mini-soap opera. The first "webisode" called "So Many Choices" depicts situations related to hooking up online, heavy drinking, and unsafe sex.
Soap Opera Weekly: Behind the Scenes at ONE LIFE TO LIVE's "Go Red" Ball.
PGP Blog: A preview of this Friday's episode of AS THE WORLD TURNS.
Marlena De LaCroix: Marcie Surrenders Her Son on ONE LIFE TO LIVE: A Rare Soap Opera Grand Slam.
Click 2 Houston: Broadway actress and television star Renee Elise Goldsberry from ONE LIFE TO LIVE, The Color Purple, and All About You joined Marlayna Syms of The Lion King and Smokey Joe's Cafe to promote the importance of mentoring and its impact on their careers in Houston, KPRC Local 2, Your Education Station, reported Tuesday. Syms and Goldsberry were both mentored and inspired by people who made differences in their lives and impacted their careers. Now, they are returning the favor.
Associated Press: The makers of a racy Thai soap opera about airline crews apologized Tuesday for offending real-life flight attendants, who had complained that its scenes of sexual hijinx sullied their reputations. The Exact Company Ltd., producers of the THE AIR HOSTESS WAR, said at a news conference that they were sorry if they had offended anyone, and would tame some of the show's racier elements. "The Air Hostess War" follows the sexual shenanigans of a dashing married pilot and features love triangles, fights in the plane aisles and trysts on stopovers in exotic locations. I'm sorry that our soap opera has caused such a fuss. I would like to say that we don't have any intention of causing trouble. We just want to entertain our viewers," said the show's director, Nipon Pewnen.
High Tech Lounge: Rajshri Productions plans on launching a 90-episode soap opera on mobile phones with the first episode getting released near the end of January 2008. The concept of watching television on a cell phone isn't exactly new -- the Koreans and Japanese have been taking advantage of that functionality for some time -- but the difference is that this is not being done over 1Seg. The episodes will be streamed and/or downloaded over the cellular network, feeding a need to satisfy short attention spans. Each episode is only three minutes long.
Soap Opera Digest: Playtime with GUIDING LIGHT star Tom Pelphrey.
Press Association: Fans of BBC One flagship soap EASTENDERS were devastated to learn hunky actor Rob Kazinsky was jumping ship. Now there's another blow, with the revelation Mohammed George (Gus Smith) will also wave goodbye to Albert Square at the end of this year. Both he and Kazinsky, who plays bad boy Sean Slater, are popular with the viewing public. Robert said: "If I had done everything I wanted to do as an actor before I joined, I would have wanted to stay forever. "It's such a wonderful place to work and it's become like a second home to me. I'll be sad to go."
Out On The Town - January 22, 2008
Former ALL MY CHILDREN actress Kathy Bates and Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Sid Ganis announced the Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. The nominees included former THE BRIGHTER DAY star Hal Holbrook.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
iMurders Teaser
This is the teaser trailer for the new film iMurders by Writer/Director Robbie Bryan. The film features a number of current and former soap stars including Terri Colombino, Justin Deas, Margaret Colin, Frank Grillo, Billy Dee Williams and more.
Oscar Nominations - Strong Soap Showing
Here are the nominations for the 80th annual Academy Award in the acting categories announced Tuesday with former soap actors in bold:
Actor: George Clooney, "Michael Clayton"; Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood"; Johnny Depp, "Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street"; Tommy Lee Jones (ONE LIFE TO LIVE), "In the Valley of Elah"; Viggo Mortensen (SEARCH FOR TOMORROW), "Eastern Promises."
Actress: Cate Blanchett, "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"; Julie Christie, "Away From Her"; Marion Cotillard, "La Vie en Rose"; Laura Linney, "The Savages"; Ellen Page, "Juno."
Supporting Actor: Casey Affleck, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"; Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men"; Hal Holbrook (THE BRIGHTER DAY), "Into the Wild"; Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Charlie Wilson's War"; Tom Wilkinson, "Michael Clayton."
Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett, "I'm Not There"; Ruby Dee (GUIDING LIGHT), "American Gangster"; Saoirse Ronan, "Atonement"; Amy Ryan (AS THE WORLD TURNS), "Gone Baby Gone"; Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton."
Actor: George Clooney, "Michael Clayton"; Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood"; Johnny Depp, "Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street"; Tommy Lee Jones (ONE LIFE TO LIVE), "In the Valley of Elah"; Viggo Mortensen (SEARCH FOR TOMORROW), "Eastern Promises."
Actress: Cate Blanchett, "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"; Julie Christie, "Away From Her"; Marion Cotillard, "La Vie en Rose"; Laura Linney, "The Savages"; Ellen Page, "Juno."
Supporting Actor: Casey Affleck, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"; Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men"; Hal Holbrook (THE BRIGHTER DAY), "Into the Wild"; Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Charlie Wilson's War"; Tom Wilkinson, "Michael Clayton."
Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett, "I'm Not There"; Ruby Dee (GUIDING LIGHT), "American Gangster"; Saoirse Ronan, "Atonement"; Amy Ryan (AS THE WORLD TURNS), "Gone Baby Gone"; Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton."
News Brief
TV Guide Canada: Per Nelson Branco, Joshua Morrow from THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS is the Sexiest "Dude" Alive 2008.
Jackson Clarion Ledger: Shakespearean actor and soap opera star (SANTA BARBARA, GENERAL HOSPITAL) Lane Davies has been cast in a new TV pilot DIXIE MELODIE, a sitcom producers hope to get picked up by HBO or Showtime.
Malaysia Sun: DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES star Eva Longoria plays a 'ghost bitch' in Over Her Dead Body.
Business Wire: Heartthrob Winsor Harmon, who stars as Thorne Forrester on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, has contracted Paid, Inc. celebrity services to create and manage his online presence internationally, including development of his personal web site, ticketing and event management for fan experience events/meet & greets with fans world wide, and sales of his exclusive lines of merchandise. The three-year contract commences immediately.
Courier Mail: Indiana Evans is one of HOME AND AWAY's younger players, but that doesn't mean she's immune to gossip. Although she's only 17 there's always speculation about who Evans is dating and, when it's rumoured to be someone from the Channel 7 soap opera, it's sure to make the internet. But Evans says it didn't take long to figure out how to deal with the speculation surrounding her love life. "It's really odd, it's bizarre when people you haven't met say things about you, but I don't go looking for it," she says.
Media Guardian: Are EASTENDERS viewers ready for a realistic gay character? So there's a gay on the Square. Christian, Jane's estranged brother, like so much human flotsam and jetsam before him, has washed up in Walford. Notwithstanding the clumsiness of his introduction - over a dinner with Ian and Jane during which he behaved so monstrously the pair would have got up and left - his appearance in E20 is to be welcomed. There hasn't been an 'omosexual in EastEnders since Naomi briefly turned Sonia sapphic. And Naomi wasn't so much a character as a plot device charged with shaking up Sonia and Martin's relationship - so often the fate of a soap's lone gay character before they're packed off to Manchester/Scotland/Holby City.
MyParkMag: Martine McCutcheon thinks Los Angeles is "brutal". The former EASTENDERS and current ECHO BEACH actress moved to the Hollywood after starring in hugely successful romantic comedy 'Love Actually', but had her dreams shattered and was glad to come home. Martine told Britain's Closer magazine: "Los Angeles is just brutal. Even Cameron Diaz is old hat not. Once you do three movies, you're over. I can see why people like Kate Winslet have said they like spending time in the UK- Los Angeles just isn't the real world.
Martha Madison Online: Martha Madison confirms her firing from DAYS OF OUR LIVES on her official website (login required). "I can't believe how fast word travels...I have been bombarded with emails and PM's asking if it's true if Brandon and I have been let go from the show. I'm sorry/sad to say that we have, in fact, been released from our contracts. It was explained to us on Friday that this was a storyline dictated move by the writers, and that, at this time, we were free to move on to other work. We have both been incredibly grateful for the time that we've had there, and we will still be taping for the next few weeks." Brandon Beemer also confirms.
Theater Mania: Actress Lois Nettleton, who received a Tony Award nomination for the 1976 revival of Sidney Kingsley's They Knew What They Wanted, died on January 18 in Calfornia of lung cancer. She was 80. She appeared on GENERAL HOSPITAL in the late 90s as Virginia Benson.
Beliefnet: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Redeems Itself.
Jackson Clarion Ledger: Shakespearean actor and soap opera star (SANTA BARBARA, GENERAL HOSPITAL) Lane Davies has been cast in a new TV pilot DIXIE MELODIE, a sitcom producers hope to get picked up by HBO or Showtime.
Malaysia Sun: DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES star Eva Longoria plays a 'ghost bitch' in Over Her Dead Body.
Business Wire: Heartthrob Winsor Harmon, who stars as Thorne Forrester on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, has contracted Paid, Inc. celebrity services to create and manage his online presence internationally, including development of his personal web site, ticketing and event management for fan experience events/meet & greets with fans world wide, and sales of his exclusive lines of merchandise. The three-year contract commences immediately.
Courier Mail: Indiana Evans is one of HOME AND AWAY's younger players, but that doesn't mean she's immune to gossip. Although she's only 17 there's always speculation about who Evans is dating and, when it's rumoured to be someone from the Channel 7 soap opera, it's sure to make the internet. But Evans says it didn't take long to figure out how to deal with the speculation surrounding her love life. "It's really odd, it's bizarre when people you haven't met say things about you, but I don't go looking for it," she says.
Media Guardian: Are EASTENDERS viewers ready for a realistic gay character? So there's a gay on the Square. Christian, Jane's estranged brother, like so much human flotsam and jetsam before him, has washed up in Walford. Notwithstanding the clumsiness of his introduction - over a dinner with Ian and Jane during which he behaved so monstrously the pair would have got up and left - his appearance in E20 is to be welcomed. There hasn't been an 'omosexual in EastEnders since Naomi briefly turned Sonia sapphic. And Naomi wasn't so much a character as a plot device charged with shaking up Sonia and Martin's relationship - so often the fate of a soap's lone gay character before they're packed off to Manchester/Scotland/Holby City.
MyParkMag: Martine McCutcheon thinks Los Angeles is "brutal". The former EASTENDERS and current ECHO BEACH actress moved to the Hollywood after starring in hugely successful romantic comedy 'Love Actually', but had her dreams shattered and was glad to come home. Martine told Britain's Closer magazine: "Los Angeles is just brutal. Even Cameron Diaz is old hat not. Once you do three movies, you're over. I can see why people like Kate Winslet have said they like spending time in the UK- Los Angeles just isn't the real world.
Martha Madison Online: Martha Madison confirms her firing from DAYS OF OUR LIVES on her official website (login required). "I can't believe how fast word travels...I have been bombarded with emails and PM's asking if it's true if Brandon and I have been let go from the show. I'm sorry/sad to say that we have, in fact, been released from our contracts. It was explained to us on Friday that this was a storyline dictated move by the writers, and that, at this time, we were free to move on to other work. We have both been incredibly grateful for the time that we've had there, and we will still be taping for the next few weeks." Brandon Beemer also confirms.
Theater Mania: Actress Lois Nettleton, who received a Tony Award nomination for the 1976 revival of Sidney Kingsley's They Knew What They Wanted, died on January 18 in Calfornia of lung cancer. She was 80. She appeared on GENERAL HOSPITAL in the late 90s as Virginia Benson.
Beliefnet: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Redeems Itself.
Out on the Town - January 21, 2008
Former ALL MY CHILDREN Emmy winner Sarah Michelle Gellar visited THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN at the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York City.
Today's Soap Star Birthdays
John Wesley Shipp (ex-Doug, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Kelly, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Carter, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Blanchard, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Martin, SANTA BARBARA) - 52
Robert Mailhouse (ex-Brian, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 46
Brian Gaskill (Dylan, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-B.J., AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Oscar, THE BOLD AND THE BEATIFUL; ex-Rafe, PORT CHARLES; ex-Bobby, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 38
Robert Mailhouse (ex-Brian, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 46
Brian Gaskill (Dylan, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-B.J., AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Oscar, THE BOLD AND THE BEATIFUL; ex-Rafe, PORT CHARLES; ex-Bobby, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 38
Monday, January 21, 2008
Betty White Pens Book With Longtime Friend, Former Soap Star Tom Sullivan
Betty White has been eager to talk about her latest project, another book she has co-authored with her long time friend, actor, speaker, singer and author, Tom Sullivan. Sullivan is known to daytime soap fans for his role as Michael Kendall on SEARCH FOR TOMORROW. He was awarded the 1984 Governors Committee Award for his role.Due out in June, "Together," is said to be a remarkable story of a young man who loses his sight in a mountain climbing accident and a black Labrador Retriever, Nelson, who struggles to find his place as a working guide dog. In the course of these pages, White and Sullivan provide the reader with insights into an astounding relationship between a blind man and his guide dog, whose essence is found in the deep bonding of love and trust. Readers learn how the dog thinks and interprets the needs of his blind master, and how the master grows in his awareness of the signals being sent by this remarkable animal. You come to love characters Brenden McCarthy and Nelson almost as much as they learn to love each other.
Evening News
Soap Opera Network: DAYS OF OUR LIVES has fired Brandon Beemer (Shawn) and Martha Madison (Belle).
Media Week: The battle between the Writers Guild of America and the broadcast networks began focusing more heavily on the daytime daypart last week. For the first time since the strike commenced in early November, the networks began airing soap opera episodes not written by WGA members. Regarding the number of remaining WGA-written soap scripts, Courtney Simon, who writes for AS THE WORLD TURNS, which is produced by P&G for CBS, said, "There is a huge variation from show to show. Some do not want to get too far ahead with their story lines." But Simon said she's heard that scripts written by her team will run out this week.
Los Angeles Times: EIGHT IS ENOUGH actor Willie Aames had it easy by contrast with hiw wife Maylo, 46, whom he met in 1985 (they later weaned Maylo off drugs and booze, through Alcoholics Anonymous, and were baptized and married during the same ceremony in 1987). Her father was a gay backup singer for Johnny Mathis who divorced Maylo's unstable mother in the 1960s. The mother dragged Maylo and her sister from one apartment to another, exposing the young girl to the sexual predations of a live-in boyfriend. Frequently raped as a teen, she left home for good at 16 and lived as a homeless itinerant, scavenging food from garbage cans and using drugs. A trained dancer, she gave acting a try and eventually landed some TV roles. For several years, she appeared on the soap opera SANTA BARBARA (Sally).
Monsters and Critics: The Oscar Makeup and hair “bakeoffs” were Saturday, January 19, as the members of the Academy’s Makeup Branch viewed 10-minute excerpts from each of the seven shortlisted films. The bakeoff determines by vote which three teams will be nominated for an 80th Academy Award. Along with many television and film artists, hairstylists Robert Wilson and Mary Kate Welsh from THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS were also in attendance.
The Soap Show: CORONATION STREET viewers vote for Vera's best moments.
The Sun: Vera's funeral unites the STREET.
Sony: On Saturday, March 15, join some of your favorite Salemites in Hartford, CT, at the Downtown Hartford Marriott. James Scott, Martha Madison, Brandon Beemer, Nadia Bjorlin, Jay Kenneth Johnson and Judi Evans will be meeting and greeting from 12PM - 4PM. Tickets are $70 per person. Mingle with the stars over some hors d' oeuvres in the evening from 7PM - 11PM. Tickets are $90 per person. This is looking more and more like a list of ex-Salemites.
Media Week: The battle between the Writers Guild of America and the broadcast networks began focusing more heavily on the daytime daypart last week. For the first time since the strike commenced in early November, the networks began airing soap opera episodes not written by WGA members. Regarding the number of remaining WGA-written soap scripts, Courtney Simon, who writes for AS THE WORLD TURNS, which is produced by P&G for CBS, said, "There is a huge variation from show to show. Some do not want to get too far ahead with their story lines." But Simon said she's heard that scripts written by her team will run out this week.
Los Angeles Times: EIGHT IS ENOUGH actor Willie Aames had it easy by contrast with hiw wife Maylo, 46, whom he met in 1985 (they later weaned Maylo off drugs and booze, through Alcoholics Anonymous, and were baptized and married during the same ceremony in 1987). Her father was a gay backup singer for Johnny Mathis who divorced Maylo's unstable mother in the 1960s. The mother dragged Maylo and her sister from one apartment to another, exposing the young girl to the sexual predations of a live-in boyfriend. Frequently raped as a teen, she left home for good at 16 and lived as a homeless itinerant, scavenging food from garbage cans and using drugs. A trained dancer, she gave acting a try and eventually landed some TV roles. For several years, she appeared on the soap opera SANTA BARBARA (Sally).
Monsters and Critics: The Oscar Makeup and hair “bakeoffs” were Saturday, January 19, as the members of the Academy’s Makeup Branch viewed 10-minute excerpts from each of the seven shortlisted films. The bakeoff determines by vote which three teams will be nominated for an 80th Academy Award. Along with many television and film artists, hairstylists Robert Wilson and Mary Kate Welsh from THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS were also in attendance.
The Soap Show: CORONATION STREET viewers vote for Vera's best moments.
The Sun: Vera's funeral unites the STREET.
Sony: On Saturday, March 15, join some of your favorite Salemites in Hartford, CT, at the Downtown Hartford Marriott. James Scott, Martha Madison, Brandon Beemer, Nadia Bjorlin, Jay Kenneth Johnson and Judi Evans will be meeting and greeting from 12PM - 4PM. Tickets are $70 per person. Mingle with the stars over some hors d' oeuvres in the evening from 7PM - 11PM. Tickets are $90 per person. This is looking more and more like a list of ex-Salemites.
News Brief
New York Times: Soap-Operas Are the Hidden Drama of Strike. As the writers’ strike approaches the three-month mark, it has conveyed new cachet, such as it is, on soap operas. Shows like GENERAL HOSPITAL and AS THE WORLD TURNS have become virtually the only reliable option for viewers interested in watching rerun-free, serialized drama on broadcast television.A handful of writers, for ALL MY CHILDREN, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and GENERAL HOSPITAL on ABC and THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS on CBS, have officially crossed picket lines to return to work in recent weeks, invoking a guild designation known as “financial core,” or financial need. But they are the exception. The sexual shenanigans, back-from-the-grave miracles and double-dealing that are the lifeblood of such shows are being scripted by mostly uncredited, ragtag staffs variously made up of network executives, producers, secretaries and, some union members insist, scabs who are either writing sub rosa or slipping plot points to management.
Consider that “The Young and the Restless,” which before the strike carried a writing staff of more than a dozen, now lists just three writers in its closing credits, each a guild member granted financial core status.
“There’s just no way three people can be doing that job,” said Sandra Weintraub, a striking writer who has written for the show for more than three years. “With the Internet, people don’t ever have to cross a picket line. So we’ll never know.”
While many of the soap episodes shown last week were based on scripts written by guild members before the strike — each daytime drama tends to ready episodes at least two months in advance — network representatives refused to say exactly how they were preparing the shows that will be seen as those stockpiles are depleted.
“The shows are staffed, and we have people in place to continue producing original programming,” ABC said in a statement, which also noted that “producers are aiding in the process.” The actors are typically members of unions that are not on strike, and some have joined the picket lines during breaks.
Megan McTavish, a striking former head writer for four soaps — GENERAL HOSPITAL, GUIDING LIGHT, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and most recently ALL MY CHILDREN — said in an interview she was particularly incensed by the recent return of James Harmon Brown and Barbara Esensten to “All My Children.” The two, who write as a pair and have been doing so for more than two decades, cited the financial strains of the strike in asking for a guild exception. Ms. McTavish said she was dubious of their reasoning.
“These are not youngsters struggling to make mortgage payments or feed their children,” Ms. McTavish said. “Their sole intent now seems to be piling up more money for themselves.”
PGP Classic Soaps: On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the spotlight is on one of the very few African-American women working as a director and writer in daytime television today, Susan Dansby.
E! Online: GLAAD Happy About Betty, Housewives.
AHN: Thai Airways on Monday urged the culture ministry to stop the airing of THE AIR HOSTESS WAR, a soap opera about the immoral relationship between a married pilot and a flight attendant, which has become hugely popular but is tainting the reputation of flight attendants.
What's On TV: EASTENDERS gears up for Pat and Peggy catfight.
Awards Schedule Update
Updating my previous post on the schedule of awards shows and nominations.
Director's Guide of America (DGA) Awards: January 26, 2008
Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Pre-nominations: TBD (tentatively February)
NAACP Image Awards: February 14, 2008
Writer's Guide of America (WGA) Awards: February 9, 2008 (winners may only be announced for this one due to the writer's strike)
GLAAD Media Awards: March 17, 2008 (for Daily Drama)
Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Final nominations: April 30, 2008 (tentative)
Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards: June 20, 2008
Director's Guide of America (DGA) Awards: January 26, 2008
Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Pre-nominations: TBD (tentatively February)
NAACP Image Awards: February 14, 2008
Writer's Guide of America (WGA) Awards: February 9, 2008 (winners may only be announced for this one due to the writer's strike)
GLAAD Media Awards: March 17, 2008 (for Daily Drama)
Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Final nominations: April 30, 2008 (tentative)
Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards: June 20, 2008
GLAAD Media Awards Nominations
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) announced Sunday at a press conference held at Queer Lounge in Park City, Utah, the nominees and honorees for its 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.The GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies will be held in New York on March 17, 2008 at the Marriott Marquis; in South Florida at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on April 12; in Los Angeles on April 26 at the Kodak Theatre; and in San Francisco on May 10 at the San Francisco Marriott. GLAAD will provide details about upcoming broadcast dates in the near future.
Daily Drama
All My Children (ABC)
As The World Turns (CBS)
Comedy Series
Desperate Housewives (ABC)
Exes and Ohs (Logo)
The Sarah Silverman Program (Comedy Central)
Ugly Betty (ABC)
The War at Home (Fox)
Drama Series
Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
Degrassi: The Next Generation (The N)
Dirty Sexy Money (ABC)
Greek (ABC Family)
The L Word (Showtime)
Out on the Town - January 20, 2008
Former QUEER AS FOLK star Peter Paige participated in the Q&A after the FIND Screening of Ping Pong Playa in West Hollywood.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
News Brief
New York Daily News: When Eva Longoria Parker was first drawn to "Over Her Dead Body," opening Feb. 1, it wasn't for the more prominent, sweet female love-interest role (taken by newcomer Lake Bell). Oh no, she was more interested in the part of a spirited spirit who works from beyond to stop Bell from hooking up with her former fiancé, played by Paul Rudd. The 32-year-old actress has made a good career out of being bad. Before her breakout as sexy and self-centered ex-model Gabrielle Solis on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, she sharpened her bitchy bite as a soap opera psychotic on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.
Athens Exchange: A Timeline of the WGA Strike.
AfterDawn: Is it too late to avoid long term affects from WGA strike?
Radiosoap.net: Radio soap EYE OF THE STORM is back with an all-new episode titled "Take No Prisoners" available for download now.
MyWestTexas: Jeanne Cooper, Katherine Chancellor of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, will be in West Texas this month to celebrate the ground breaking festivities for the new Inpatient Treatment facility for The Springboard Center. She will be accompanied by another cast member. "As our national spokeswoman and a passionate supporter of treatment for addictive disease, Ms. Cooper is hoping to use this as an opportunity to promote quality treatment rather than high dollar retreats for the rich and famous," said Tim Baker, executive director of Springbroad. CBS-7 will launch a contest today which asks participants to send in an essay concerning their interest in the TV show "The Young and The Restless," but also comment on Ms. Cooper's passion for the education and treatment of addictive disease, Baker said. "The winner will get to join Ms. Cooper for lunch at the Midland Racquet Club along with another cast member and Tatum Hubbard and Jay Hendrix of CBS-7. The contest runner-up will get a Friday afternoon of the 25th of January complete makeover by Ms. Cooper's personal and well known Hollywood stylist, Gino Columbo."
Jackson Clarion Ledger: GUIDING LIGHT's 71st anniversary is coming up Friday. The show went on the air for the first time on Jan. 25, 1937. During its first few years, GL was centered around Pastor Rutledge, his family and congregation, who were the guiding light, as it were, for the city of Five Points (Anywhere, U.S.A.).
Grand Rapids Press: Casey Childs, an Emmy Award-winning director of television's ALL MY CHILDREN and son of longtime Grand Rapids actress Marti Childs, directed the first staged reading of "Going to St. Ives" at the O'Neill Playwright's Conference in 1996.
Tulsa World: PBS has been airing installments of a landmark documentary this past month titled “Pioneers of Television,” about the innovators of sitcoms, late night talk shows and variety and game shows. These fascinating stories feature archives and never-before-seen clips and interviews. Some of America’s first celebrities – including Dick Van Dyke, Andy Griffith, Betty White (Ann, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) – are also featured.
Entertainmentwise: EASTENDERS star Joe Swash has been slammed by his fiancee after he ditched her and his seven-month-old son. Emma Sophocleous has described herself as “bitter and angry” after she and baby Harry were kicked out of the home they shared with Swash - who plays Mickey Miller in the BBC soap.
Daily Star: Former EASTENDERS star Marc Bannerman has been cautioned over a confrontation with a photographer. The 34-year-old became involved in a row with paparazzi last month after they followed him and fellow I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! contestant Cerys Matthews to a pub. He was arrested after a meal with the singer near her home in west Wales. Bannerman and another man were released on police bail after the incident outside the Ship Inn in Trefin, Pembrokeshire.
Glasgow Sunday Mail: One of 50 Reasons To Be Cheerful: CORONATION STREET is back on form.
New York Daily News: The Screen Actors Guild Awards usually flies under the radar each year, lost in a sea of major Hollywood celebrations. This year, however, due to the Writers Guild of America strike, the SAG Awards could be the awards, said former DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Lisa Rinna, who will work the red carpet at next weekend's celebration with Joey Fatone for the TV Guide Network.
Athens Exchange: A Timeline of the WGA Strike.
AfterDawn: Is it too late to avoid long term affects from WGA strike?
Radiosoap.net: Radio soap EYE OF THE STORM is back with an all-new episode titled "Take No Prisoners" available for download now.
MyWestTexas: Jeanne Cooper, Katherine Chancellor of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, will be in West Texas this month to celebrate the ground breaking festivities for the new Inpatient Treatment facility for The Springboard Center. She will be accompanied by another cast member. "As our national spokeswoman and a passionate supporter of treatment for addictive disease, Ms. Cooper is hoping to use this as an opportunity to promote quality treatment rather than high dollar retreats for the rich and famous," said Tim Baker, executive director of Springbroad. CBS-7 will launch a contest today which asks participants to send in an essay concerning their interest in the TV show "The Young and The Restless," but also comment on Ms. Cooper's passion for the education and treatment of addictive disease, Baker said. "The winner will get to join Ms. Cooper for lunch at the Midland Racquet Club along with another cast member and Tatum Hubbard and Jay Hendrix of CBS-7. The contest runner-up will get a Friday afternoon of the 25th of January complete makeover by Ms. Cooper's personal and well known Hollywood stylist, Gino Columbo."
Jackson Clarion Ledger: GUIDING LIGHT's 71st anniversary is coming up Friday. The show went on the air for the first time on Jan. 25, 1937. During its first few years, GL was centered around Pastor Rutledge, his family and congregation, who were the guiding light, as it were, for the city of Five Points (Anywhere, U.S.A.).
Grand Rapids Press: Casey Childs, an Emmy Award-winning director of television's ALL MY CHILDREN and son of longtime Grand Rapids actress Marti Childs, directed the first staged reading of "Going to St. Ives" at the O'Neill Playwright's Conference in 1996.
Tulsa World: PBS has been airing installments of a landmark documentary this past month titled “Pioneers of Television,” about the innovators of sitcoms, late night talk shows and variety and game shows. These fascinating stories feature archives and never-before-seen clips and interviews. Some of America’s first celebrities – including Dick Van Dyke, Andy Griffith, Betty White (Ann, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) – are also featured.
Entertainmentwise: EASTENDERS star Joe Swash has been slammed by his fiancee after he ditched her and his seven-month-old son. Emma Sophocleous has described herself as “bitter and angry” after she and baby Harry were kicked out of the home they shared with Swash - who plays Mickey Miller in the BBC soap.
Daily Star: Former EASTENDERS star Marc Bannerman has been cautioned over a confrontation with a photographer. The 34-year-old became involved in a row with paparazzi last month after they followed him and fellow I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! contestant Cerys Matthews to a pub. He was arrested after a meal with the singer near her home in west Wales. Bannerman and another man were released on police bail after the incident outside the Ship Inn in Trefin, Pembrokeshire.
Glasgow Sunday Mail: One of 50 Reasons To Be Cheerful: CORONATION STREET is back on form.
New York Daily News: The Screen Actors Guild Awards usually flies under the radar each year, lost in a sea of major Hollywood celebrations. This year, however, due to the Writers Guild of America strike, the SAG Awards could be the awards, said former DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Lisa Rinna, who will work the red carpet at next weekend's celebration with Joey Fatone for the TV Guide Network.
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