News Brief

Knoxville News Sentinel: As Hope Brady on the long-running daytime drama "Days of Our Lives," Kristian Alfonso has maneuvered through many plot twists. However, nothing has been as challenging as Alfonso's real-life role as a wife and mother with a high-profile career. "I don't know how I do it," she said from her home in Los Angeles. "My most important job is being a mother and wife. It can be crazy. Every day is completely different."

Biloxi Sun Herald: Organizers are ramping up for "A Fashion Extravaganza," a star-studded benefit to raise money for the Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, scheduled to take place Jan. 12 at the Beau Rivage. The event features both silent and live auctions of the late Darlene Conley's show wardrobe. Conley, a longtime member of the popular daytime drama "The Bold and the Beautiful," died Jan. 14, 2007. She portrayed Sally Spectra, the quintessential colorful, tough and funny dame with a heart of gold. "In addition to five of the 12 members of 'The Bold and the Beautiful' that are coming, we also have celebrity models... and a whole host of local celebrities," said Mary Cracchiolo-Spain, director of public relations for the Beau Rivage. "It's really about fun and fashion, and not strictly about 'The Bold and the Beautiful,' although the stars themselves will be there. The costumes from the show include everything from size 6 to 16. It's clothes that people can actually wear. Bidding will start out very cheap, $40 to $50 per item. So you can own a piece of Hollywood history for not very much money."

MyParkMag: Scott Maslen claims kissing "EastEnders" co-star Samantha Janus is like kissing his sister. The soap heartthrob plays Albert Square bad boy Jack Branning, who is about to have an affair with Ronnie Mitchell, played by his old friend Samantha. Scott told Britain's Soaplife magazine: "I've known Sam since I was 16 and I'm godparent to her kids. When we kiss it's going to be like kissing my sister!"

Independent: The birth of a new ITV soap would not be an event with which The Independent would necessarily trouble its readers. And neither would the fact that this particular soap marks the return to continuing drama of Jason Donovan – "Neighbours" sweetheart turned musical Joseph and jungle reality star – and Martine McCutcheon, the button-eyed actress who went from "EastEnders" barmaid Tiffany Mitchell to Eliza Doolittle to a strange sort of celebrity limbo. But then "Echo Beach," a sexy post-watershed saga set in Cornwall full of hard-bodied young surfers and their bikini-clad teenage followers (imagine "Hollyoaks" meets "Home and Away"; Donovan and McCutcheon play middle-aged parents) is not your traditional kind of soap. Or, at least, it is and it isn't. Let me explain.

MediaPost Publications: Put Down That Cookie: Medifast Launches New Campaign with Genie Francis.

AfterElton.com: 2008 Gay Pop Culture Wish List: "As the World Turns" set the bar high in their impressive handling of the first legit gay male romance in daytime television history. By “legit” we mean that the characters, Luke Snyder and Noah Mayer, have actually kissed and expressed their love for each other. But in recent months, fans of “Nuke” have been put off by an apparent reticence on the part of the show to allow the couple’s physical relationship to move forward; in fact, they stalled at their second kiss months ago and have become an old married couple without ever having enjoyed a honeymoon.