News Brief

New York Times: On Monday, guild members picketed the shows of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, with about 15 people outside Mr. Stewart’s studio. Courtney Simon, a striker who formerly worked as a script editor on “As the World Turns,” acknowledged some awkward feelings about protesting against Mr. Stewart, whose show she said she loved. “He is a member of the guild,” she said. “But we are on strike against the studios. There are certain things that have to be done, and this is one of them.”

Los Angeles Times: CORRECTION: In a Dec. 31 Calendar article about how soap opera writers are coping with the Writers Guild of America strike, a comment by "All My Children" writer Michelle Patrick was not placed in the correct context. When she said, "The more heinous the producers behave, the angrier I get," Patrick was referring to members of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, not the individual producers of soap operas.

Deseret News: It's one life to live in Paris, Texas.

This is North Scotland: "Hollyoaks" star Zoe Lister has reportedly advised "Coronation Street" producers to write a lesbian storyline. The actress, who plays Zoe Carpenter, apparently revealed that she is proud to be part of a "saucy" soap and claimed that Corrie chiefs need to spice up their show.

Bradford Telegraph Argus: Bradford actress Abi Uttley found herself taking a trip into her past when she filmed her first television role. Abi, above, filmed scenes at St Luke's Hospital in the maternity ward where she was born. "It felt a little strange to be working on the ward where I'd taken my first breath," said Abi, 22, of Wibsey, who plays a footballer's wife in new series "The Royal Today."

Liverpool Echo: "Echo Beach" writer Tony Jordan: "I want to do things that haven’t been on TV before."

Army Archerd: Shirley Jones joins the cast of NBC's "Days Of Our Lives" in Feb. The Oscar winner ("Elmer Gantry," 1950) will play the role of Colleen Brady -- complete with Irish brogue. (She's studying with Robert Easton who has coached over 2000 actors including Forrest Whittaker last year for his Oscar-winning role in 'The Last King Of Scotland.") It's Jones' first outing in a soap and she acknowledges "It's hard work! I didn't want to do it -- but they gave me more money than --" No she will not be singing on the tv'er stories which bow in February. But come March, Shirley will be concert'ing again around the U.S. before heading on a cruise down the Amazon with Ed Asner, Patricia Neal and other friends.

Guardian Unlimited Monday UK ratings: In the early evening, the soaps dominated, with ITV1's Coronation Street boasting an impressive 11.2 million viewers for both instalments. At 7.30pm that translated to a 46% share, while the 8.30pm programme was watched by 43% of the audience. Emmerdale drew 8.2 million viewers and a 37% share to ITV1 at 7pm, while EastEnders on BBC1 was watched by 10.6 million and 42% at 8pm. Earlier in the day, ITV1's new daytime drama, The Royal Today - a spin-off from The Royal - debuted with 2 million viewers and a 19% share between 4pm and 4.30pm.

News Brief

Digital Spy: Ex-EastEnders star Jack Ryder quits The Royal Today before filming first episode.

Philadelphia Enquirer: Triplets share the role of Spike on All My Children.

Kansas City Star: More on Jane magazine closing and how it impacts new Soapnet reality show.

OC Register: Friday Night Lights will premiere on Friday, October 5th, at 9pm ET, after swapping timeslots with Las Vegas.

News Brief

Doug Davidson is Restless, yes, but staying put.

Days' Patch and Kayla's chemistry made soap history.

Emmerdale's Zoe joins The Royal Today.

Ex-'Hollyoaks' star to guest in 'Doctors'.

Chandra Wilson does daytime on the red carpet.

Jack Ryder to star in The Royal Today

Former EastEnders' star Jack Ryder has landed a role in the daytime hospital drama The Royal Today, it has been confirmed. The soap will begin airing on ITV later this year.

Jack, who quit his role as the soap's Jamie Mitchell in 2002, is due to start filming The Royal's modern day spin-off this summer.

Jack will play ambitious charge nurse, Adam Fearnley, who proves a real hit with the student nurses.

News: GL, Bell family, New Soap on the way

On Guiding Light, Reva takes the stand.

Variety interviews the Bell family.

The producers of Emmerdale and Heartbeat produce a new daytime soap.

The Bold and the Beautiful celebrates 20 years on the air.

B&B won't eschew issues.