MAB Finally Fired from Y&R! SONY Names Jill Farren Phelps as Executive Producer & Josh Griffith as Head Writer!
Jill Farren Phelps has been named Executive Producer of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, daytime's number one drama, and Josh Griffith joins the series as Head Writer, it was announced today by Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President, U.S. Programming at Sony Pictures Television.
"We are excited to have such a talented daytime veteran leading our team at 'Y&R.' Jill has a stellar record of success in the daytime genre," said Kent. "We are also happy to welcome Josh back to THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and are looking forward to his creative input and ideas."
"On behalf of everyone at 'Y&R,' we extend our sincere thanks to Emmy® Award-winning Maria Bell for her contributions to the show over the last five years. We wish her the best of luck and continued success," he added.
Phelps has been the executive producer of five daytime dramas and two prime time cable dramas: "Santa Barbara," "Guiding Light," "Another World," "One Life to Live," "General Hospital," the first season of "General Hospital: Night Shift" and "Hollywood Heights." As an executive producer, Phelps has been nominated for 14 Daytime Emmy Awards and has won seven times (1988–1990, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2012).
Griffith's writing career includes "As the World Turns," "One Life to Live," "Santa Barbara," "Sunset Beach," "General Hospital," "The Young and the Restless" and "Hollywood Heights." He has received four Emmy Awards and four Writer's Guild Awards.
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS has been the number one rated daytime drama for more than 23 years and is in its 39th season.
In a statement posted last night her Facebook page, ousted THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS headwriter and executive producer Maria Arena Bell shared that she was "mystified" over being let go from her post by Sony.
"So it was announced today I am leaving Y and R... the show I have loved so much for so long. It is the legacy of my father in law... my mother in law... and all the Bells. The show has been my heart and soul. I loved working with the most talented writers in TV who were also the most wonderful human beings I know. They became a second family and my best friends. I loved the cast and crew. I am extremely sad to go because there are more stories I could have told. So much more I wanted to do. My ratings are strong... each week stronger than last year. The show is in a great place creatively. We are number one by the greatest margin in the show's history and have been consistently while I've been there. Under no one else's tenure as head writer exec producer have we won every demographic for so long. I am just shy of five years at the helm. It has been an amazing ride. So why am I leaving? I am mystified as are my cast and crew.
"There have been a lot of tears shed in the last few days... by me and by my loyal staff and by our iconic actors," she continues. "I was not given a reason and in fact I have heard nothing from Sony or CBS. They sent me a message through my husband Bill who had the terrible job of conveying that they'd gone around him and were letting me go. I fought hard for my vision and to keep the show on track with the characters that matter to the audience. Maybe I fought too hard. But I am glad I did. I never compromised on what I believed in. I never dumbed down the storytelling. I walked in the door at Y and R in 1988... as a young writer getting her first job. Today I leave there knowing it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I love you Y and R. Your story was my life story too. And to Victor... Nikki... Jack... and Kay... I will miss you."
On Facebook, Maria Arena Bell also talked about saying good-bye to the cast: "When I said my farewell today to the company of The Young and The Restless I stood between Eric Braeden [Victor], Peter Bergman [Jack], Melody Thomas Scott [Nikki] and addressed everyone. Then, spontaneously, each of them said something that was profoundly moving to me about how much they appreciated me, my work, my storytelling, my vision. The moment that will stay with me for the rest of my life was looking out at a se...a of faces, many of them in tears.
And then Eric Braeden who was choking back tears himself to the point he could barely speak said that my leaving was a travesty that made no sense and that "This is the end of an era." In that moment I could feel my heart break a little... but I also felt that the commitment I had to that show... the seven day a week fifty two week a year craziness of it all was worth it... because I was part of the history of something truly great."
After canceling longtime favorites "All My Children" and "One Life to Live," leaving "General Hospital" as their sole scripted daytime show, ABC doesn't exactly have the best reputation with soap opera fans. When ABC President of Entertainment Paul Lee sat down to talk to the press at Friday's Television Critics Association Press Tour, he addressed his feelings about soaps -- and suggested that perhaps the daytime soaps are being eclipsed by their primetime counterparts.
After Lee referred to the new Sunday night horror show "666 Park Avenue" as a "delicious soap," a reporter asked him about his tendency to use the term "soap" in a complimentary fashion, whereas other execs sometimes use it in a more derogatory fashion.
The daytime dramas were canceled in favor of shows like "The Revolution," which failed to find an audience and was canceled this summer. Despite "The Revolution's" demise, though, Lee says ABC is not looking to revive "All My Children" or "One Life to Live," and they're not looking at picking up new scripted daytime shows.
"I think those decisions were made," he says. "No. Our focus is on 'General Hospital,' and I think Frank [Valentini] is doing a great job with that, and a lot of his crossovers. So we like that and are great supporters of it."
He also urges viewers not to discount "The Chew." "I think we are very pleased with 'The Chew,'" he notes. "I don't know if you are watching that, but it's got such energy, that show, really well run by Gordon. And we saw a presentation the other day, and that's just going to get better and better. It's also a huge asset for us as you get into the holiday season and beyond."
Kelly Monaco (Sam, GENERAL HOSPITAL) will be among the contestants vying for the mirrorball trophy in the DANCING WITH THE STARS: All-Stars cast. Other celebs returning to the floor include Kristie Alley, Pamela Anderson, Joey Fatone, Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, Drew Lachey, Gilles Marini, Bristol Palin, Apolo Anton Ohno, BACHELORETTE Melissa Rycroft, NFL Pro Emmitt Smith and race car driver Helio Castroneves.
Viewers will be able to vote in the coming weeks to decide on Carson Kressley, Sabrina Bryan or Kyle Massey as the thirteenth "Viewers 'Choice" contestant. Click here until Friday, August 24, to place your vote!
The All-Stars season will kick off on Monday, September 24.
It’s no secret that suds fave Eileen Davidson is headed back to Days of Our Lives this October after nearly 14 years away, but little is known about what’s behind her villainess Kristen Blake’s Salem homecoming — until now.
Has the (reformed?) troublemaker turned over a new leaf? How did she get off that island? And, most importantly, will the actress be reviving any of her alter-ego’s alters?
TVLine hit the set of the NBC soap to chat exclusively with Davidson about all of this and more, and what she had to say about present-day Kristen — who has, apparently, undergone “years of intensive therapy” — might really surprise you.
It's official. At the GENERAL HOSPITAL Fan Club Weekend, Jen Lilley revealed that her stint as Maxie was up, and Kirsten Storms would be returning to the role.
First and foremost, Lilley was grateful to the fans for accepting her during her time on the show. "They've been so gracious," she says. "I just can't thank them enough. I hope that they'll follow me and my career, and keep tweeting with me. Just, thank you. That's all I can say."
Storms, who had to leave GH last fall for medical reasons, is reportedly due back on set on Monday, August 20, and her castmates are thrilled to have their friend back. "I'm so excited that she's coming back," says Kelly Monaco (Sam). "Jen Lilley did an amazing job. It was a very tough role to step into and a crowd to win over. I think she did both wonderfully."
Lilley's final episode is scheduled for Friday, August 10.
Some may say the future of soaps seems grim — but the mood was anything but during General Hospital‘s showing at the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour in Beverly Hills on Thursday. Several key cast members — including Anthony Geary, Kelly Monaco, Nancy Lee Grahn and Laura Wright, to name a few — and executive producer Frank Valentini took the stage to discuss the future of the ABC sudser — which is nearing its 50th anniversary — as well as preview what’s ahead for all of your Port Charles (and Llanview!) faves.
Here are eight key takeaways from the panel discussion:
ADDING NEW LIFE | At the start of the panel, Valentini was careful to note that he came in earlier this year to remodel, not rebuild General Hospital. “I think the show was in terrific shape, but there needed to be some tweaks.” And now? “It’s much more my taste and my sensibility for the show to go just a little bit faster,” he shared. “I also thought there were some key characters missing, not in terms of who they were, but certain archetypes that I thought were really important to bring on the show.” Valentini explained that his choice to bring on “some of the people from One Life to Live was a little bit of a way to honor that audience and also to create story that was good for the current cast of General Hospital.” For example, “John McBain being a police officer [on OLTL] was a good fit to merge into the PCPD.”
A SHOCKING DEVELOPMENT | As you’ve probably figured out by watching General Hospital this week, Kimberly McCullough is back, baby! “Robin is back for a little bit,” Valentini confirmed. The EP explained that while the actress had chosen to leave the show to pursue her dream of directing prior to his joining the series, they quickly bonded and after a few weeks of working together, “I said to her that this is such a wonderful thing that [she'd created], so let’s try to keep it alive as opposed to snubbing it out. She’s open to it, and we’re going to try to work together.” Added McCullough’s on-screen cohort Jason Thompson, with a laugh, “And who doesn’t want to do a story about electric-shock [therapy]?”
THINK OF LAURA | For the foreseeable future, Luke Spencer will remain Laura-less. “Unfortunately, contracts forbid us from even discussing that,” Valentini said of the possibility of Genie Francis — who is currently on The Young and the Restless — returning to her iconic GH role. “I’ll just say we’re big fans of Genie’s and we wish her all the best — but I think we’re pretty solid right now.”
CHANGING IT UP | Michael Easton, who plays stalwart cop John McBain, discussed his “bittersweet” move from the axed One Life to Live to General Hospital. “It’s been exciting to come over and work with these guys. It’s been new energy for me… I was in a stupor a little bit [at the end of OLTL], and these guys have snapped me out of it. I’m really happy to be there.” And his new castmates are happy to have him. Shared Maurice Benard (Sonny), “I love that there’s new blood. They’re great… They’re bringing a different element to Sonny that wasn’t there before; maybe a little bit more vulnerable.” And speaking of Port Charles newbies that we love…
BLAIR WILL BE BACK! | Valentini told TVLine following the panel discussion that, “Kassie [DePaiva] will definitely be coming back” as Blair Cramer. The showrunner also promised that it will “absolutely” come out that Todd did not kill his brother Victor over on OLTL. “We have all these great surprises to play out,” Valentini teased.
NO NAT… FOR NOW | On the possibility of further complicating John McBain’s love life by at some point getting his Llanview love Natalie to Port Charles, Valentini confided to TVLine that “legal issues, in terms of the Prospect Park deal [that almost gave OLTL an online home]” were among the reasons why Melissa Archer has yet to at least cameo. “I can’t really talk about it, but I will say that Melissa is a very close friend of mine and I adore her, and she’s a phenomenal actress.” (Easton, for his part, told us he’d love to reunite with Archer, since the “one-sided phone calls” between John and off-screen Nat are getting to be a bit much.)
SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER | Valentini, for one, is thrilled about General Hospital‘s upcoming “great” time slot change. “I like the way that we’re being positioned with the other shows surrounding us. I know that the network is doing a big push to inform the audience about the time change.” What’s more, the soap is planning “an umbrella story” leading into the move, and has “a lot of really fun surprises [and] terrific stuff coming on in September.”
STAYING POWER | And when it comes to life for General Hospital beyond its upcoming 50th anniversary, Valentini is “confident. All I can say is [ABC] invited us here [to TCA], and to me that’s a great sign.” He added that in anticipation of the show’s big 5-0, the soap will be “rolling out lots of different things between now and April — and past then… So, you just need to watch the show to catch the energy and the momentum that we have.”
As what is perhaps the best week in Indie Soaps of the year continues, RAGGED ISLE releases another excellent episode.
Im "Moment of Surrender," nearing the end, Gertie receives an urgent visit from old friends; Agent Thorne confronts her right hand man Griggs; and Dr. Hoffman and Sheriff Dalton hit the books.
Watch the new episode of RAGGED ISLE below:
Iraq War Veteran J.R. Martinez has become a household name. Not only for his stint on 'All My Children' or for winning Season 13 of 'Dancing with the Stars'. He's also famous for his brave recovery and inspirational attitude after suffering from disfiguring burns back in 2003 when the Humvee he was driving in Iraq hit a mine.
Now, Martinez is using his struggles to inspire others. But he says it hasn't always been easy for him.
"I'm still human," Martinez said. "When I was in the hospital there were days I didn't want to be alive. I never thought about killing myself, but I thought it would have been better if I had never survived period."
Now he has a different outlook. At the 2012 North American School Bus EXPO Monday, Martinez spoke to the crowd about how they can also inspire the many kids who ride school buses every day.
Organizers say the theme of this year's expo was 'Overcoming Challenges'. Ryan Gray who helped put together the event said Martinez's story complimented the theme.
"When we came across J.R., we said hey this is someone who has really persevered," Gray said. "He's an inspiration to people across the world and he really has a story to share that has some legs especially for this industry."
Vanessa Marcil-Giovinazzo (ex-Brenda, GENERAL HOSPITAL) is celebrating the East Coast launch of her children's clothing line, Baby Gagoo, with a star-studded event in Staten Island, NY, on Saturday, August 4!
The actress will be joined by her husband, CSI: NY star Carmine Giovinazzo, at Jimmy's Fine Jewelry Too on Victory Blvd., for a cocktail party and fashion show featuring the original designs of the Baby Gagoo 4 Kids and Baby Gagoo 4 Newborns lines. Other TV stars scheduled to appear are Staten Island's own MOB WIVES Drita DaVanzo and Carla Facciolo... and Marcil-Giovinazzo's GH better half, Maurice Benard (Sonny)!
The event begins at 7:30 p.m. ET, and tickets are $100.
ANACOSTIA is back with a brand new episode and it was worth the wait. Watch it below:
DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Peter Reckell taped his final episode on Tuesday. Reckell started on the show in 1983 and played the role of Bo Brady for much of the last 29 years. Reckell tweeted this morning: "Heading into Salem for the last time. Going to miss that place, but not the traffic. Always The two edged sword."
He also tweeted that his brothers were coming in for his last day.
It's hard to imagine DAYS without Bo Brady at this point. Watch one of his very early scenes with Wayne Northrup and Deidre Hall below:
Smashing Interviews' Melissa Parker has published a wonderful new interview with daytime legend Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) whose memoir, "Not So Restless," will be released on July. Cooper talks about her troubled marriage, sexual abuse, her affair with Beau Kazer and much more. She also shared her feelings about this year's Daytime Emmy Awards:
Please just give us a luncheon and announce who won after the luncheon. You don’t have to televise it. We were so desperate the last three years that it’s pathetic. First of all, we’re part of a commercial for the Hilton hotels, and by the way, we’re giving away Emmys in between commercials.
The Emmys made us look desperate. Even porn conventions don’t look desperate. Porn conventions have such a happy thing going about them. Everybody’s happy, and at least something is going on. There were a couple of people that looked so tarnished doing it. I thought, “Why would you do it when you promised me you wouldn’t? You said you wouldn’t.”
I just couldn’t support it. But, God bless the people who picked it up. What made it even worse that when it was over, they started playing it all over again, and when that was over, they played it again. It went on three times in succession which means if you hadn’t gone out and shot yourself in the head after the first one, you will have done so by the third showing (laughs). If you have not met your demise by that time, nothing is ever going to disturb you. I couldn’t believe it when it ended and started all over again. I said, “What? Did they forget they already filmed this?” If you thought it was bad the first time, look at it the second time. By the third time, you’ll really see where it went wrong (laughs).
Cooper is also asked about Jess Walton (Jill), who reportedly took six months off from the show earlier this year.
She left that so open, but in the meantime, they haven’t said, “You’re coming back.” I miss her like mad. Of course, I miss that whole relationship with Jill and Katherine. Nobody can have fights like the two of them.
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Are the rumors still pretty strong right now about soaps being cancelled?
Jeanne Cooper: I think The Bold and the Beautiful, Y&R and General Hospital will hang on. General Hospital is the only ABC soap that hasn’t been cancelled. But, my God, there is such a history to that show. We’re talking about bottom line, the all American dollar. But, by the same token, they’re telling you that you’re going to watch what they give you. They can say all they want about making shows geared to a younger generation. I don’t know of a single young person that turns on a food show and says, “I can’t miss this food show tomorrow. I’ve got to have it.”
We’re down to food shows and talk shows, you know? As I said, The Talk has an audience. The View becomes … thank God, Whoopi Goldberg keeps that thing moving. Joy Behar was the glue until she got her own show, but she still is very good. I’m not that partial, but I think The Talk is a great challenge to the others. You can have a few laughs, and it’s not tedious. It’s better than watching a food show. Today, if you’re not fat, there is nothing on TV for you. We’re an overweight society, but enough is enough. One Life to Live and All My Children are old staples. They should have stayed on, but ABC is just wiping their calendar.
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): I read that Bonnie Franklin would be guest starring as a nun.
Jeanne Cooper: Oh, yes, Sister Celeste. Well, Bill Bell, where are you now? If Bonnie Franklin can be a nun, I can be Shelley Winters! Melissa, I really don’t know. General Hospital used to be at the nurse’s station, and everything took off from there. I haven’t seen a hospital on General Hospital in so long (laughs). I mean, unless somebody gets shot, that’s the only time you’ll see a hospital. Jessie Brewer ain’t there anymore (laughs).
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): There are rumors swirling around that Eric might be leaving, so it must be …
Jeanne Cooper: That his contract must be near (laughs). I don’t think so. I don’t know where he could go unless he became an ambassador to another country. That, he could do very well. I’d like to personally see him as an ambassador of this country to some other country. I really would. The man has a short fuse, but he has an insatiable appetite for what is going on in the country and the world. He has an incredible sense of humor. He also has a bark that could scare pit bulls (laughs).
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): What do you think of Eileen Davidson leaving the show?
Jeanne Cooper: Well, I don’t know. I think she’ll be back eventually. I adore her. She’s an incredible talent. Again, one of the major pieces of talent that is leaving and going to jack up another show, you know? She will go to Days and when finished there, she’ll either go to The Bold and the Beautiful or back to us. I’m sure of that. Well, let’s put it like this. I’d like to think that I’m sure of that.
Susan Lucci will be starring in the new Lifetime soap opera DEVIOUS MAIDS starting in 2012, but first, she will host and narrate DEADLY AFFAIRS, a new primetime series airing on Investigation Discovery. The show will explore true stories of romance gone wrong and the crimes of passion that resulted. It premieres September 8 at 10 p.m. ET
"They are deceptive love relationships, love triangles and betrayal that have deadly consequences," Lucci said. "And they end in tragedy.
"Every day you hear these stories and you think, 'Oh, my goodness!' Then they disappear. You don't know what happened next, and you don't know why they happened. I'm hoping that, in exploring them, we'll shed some light on human nature."
Lucci played Erica Kane for all 41 years ALL MY CHILDREN was on the air.
"As Erica, I got punished for my wrong deeds," Lucci noted. "I wound up in jail several times, even in a blood-stained ball gown. But with DEADLY AFFAIRS, these are not characters on a soap opera. This is real life."
Describing her new show as a "real-life soap," she called her hosting role "a perfect match," adding, "I couldn't help but smile" after getting the series offer.
With Kirsten Storms returning to the role of Maxie on GENERAL HOSPITAL, Jen Lilley will be leaving the show. The gracious and talented actress posted a YouTube video thanking fans for their support. Here's a transcription of the message.
Hey guys, I just wanted to say thank you so much for all your support. You've been tremendous and I feel super blessed and super gracious and I just thought you all deserved a huge thanks from me personally. I wish I could meet all of you. I wish I could hug all of you and I just wanted to say thank you for making my departure from GH easier.
Even though I'm crying they're happy tears, they're tears of gratitude and you guys have been amazing and I just thank you so much for trying to trend #WeLoveJenLilley. That's really sweet. So, thank you guys and I will keep you posted with everything I'm working on...knock on wood, things will start happening. Thank you so much. Bye.
Lilley's final episode is scheduled for Friday, August 10. Storms is set to return to work on August 20.
The veteran soap actress, 59, bought the sprawling Mediterranean-style spread in 2007, but she’s been squeezed financially since her role on the long-running ABC daytime drama ended in 2010.
Now the home is in foreclosure, and the lender is threatening to sell it unless she comes up with more than $320,000 to cover back mortgage payments. Meanwhile, she put the 4,181-square-foot home on the block for just over $3.5 million.
“Jackie is devastated, but since leaving ‘General Hospital’ it’s been financially difficult for her to keep up with everything,” a family friend told The ENQUIRER.
Zeman played Nurse Bobbie Spencer on “GH” from 1977 until her character was axed. Since then she’s appeared on the web series “The Bay.”
“Jackie is still one of the most popular characters with ‘General Hospital’ fans, and they’re always overjoyed when she makes personal appearances,” the family friend noted. “But she thought she was going to be on the show much longer, and now it’s a struggle to keep her head above water.”
According to legal documents, as of June 18 Jackie had 90 days to cough up $320,505 to cover back mortgage payments, or the property will be sold.
“Hopefully Jackie will be able to work something out with her bank,” said the friend. “It would be a tragedy if she loses her home.”
Michael Lipton, 86, of Englewood, New Jersey, died on February 10 at The Lillian Booth Actors Home of The Actors Fund in Englewood.
Born in in Queens, N.Y., Lipton is well known to soap opera fans for his roles as Neil Wade in AS THE WORLD TURNS, Dr. Stan Kurtz in SOMERSET, and Augustus Harper in ONE LIFE TO LIVE.
Lipton left AS THE WORLD TURNS in 1967 after a five-year run to devote more time to his love for the theater. The show killed the character of Neil off leaving Penny Hughes Baker Wade (Rosemary Prinz) a widow for a second time in five years, each time just after the man she loved finally found their niche in life. With Neil, his was his success retail venture running the bookstore.
Lipton returned to soaps but managed to fill his resume over the years with numerous Broadway, Off-Broadway and Regional theater productions including "Loose Ends," "Inquest," "Wake Up, Darling" and "Caesar and Cleopatra."
Lipton is survived by nephews and nieces.
Here's a May 18, 1967 scene between Lipton's Neil and Rosemary Prinz's Penny in AS THE WORLD TURNS:
On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, Casper Van Dien played Ty Moody, Luna's brother with the high moral standards. However, when he appears in Cinemax's scintillating anthology series, FEMME FATALES, he'll be showing a whole new side of himself. In the episode, titled "One Man's Death," an assistant district attorney is involved in a mysterious fatal accident, prompting his widow and his mistress to join forces to uncover the truth about what happened. Look for Van Dien to play a private detective of questionable ethics who becomes entangled in the investigation. For a sneak peek, check out the video below. Then tune in to Cinemax on Friday, July 27, at 11 p.m. EST.
Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) announced some very good news at the GENERAL HOSPITAL Fan Club Weekend: He and wife Linda Leslie are expecting their second child!
"She's due on December 27," the actor reports. "It's different the second time around. You're so into the kid that you already have that you almost forget that there's this other one cooking! We're really focusing on names right now. We don't know what [sex] it is yet. Everything is good. Linda is happy and healthy and the baby is doing well."
Zamprogna's daughter, Anbilliene, will have just turned two when her baby sibling arrives later this year, but already seems ready to meet him or her. "She's in love with babies," he says of his baby girl. "She's awesome."
Hot on the heels of its first Emmy nomination, popular Web soap opera, THE BAY , has just added this year's Daytime Emmy's show runner, Gabriel Gornell, to its staff. "With his success in this years Daytime Emmys, we're excited to have Gabriel join THE BAY as an executive producer," announced the drama's creator, Gregori J. Martin.
"We are certain Gabriel is going to be a wonderful asset to our family!" In addition to serving as the chief creative officer for LocoDistro (Locomotive Distribution, Inc.), Gornell's other recent accomplishments include You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Kills You (Lionsgate's upcoming, hip hop horror flick for which they partnered with Spike Lee), and developing, producing and distributing numerous other TV and film projects.
Gornell's slated to begin working on the show's third season, which airs in October, but you can catch THE BAY's summer special, DARKSIDE OF THE BAY, starting Thursday, August 9.
Kathy Brier (Marcie, ONE LIFE TO LIVE), Kassie DePaiva (Blair, GENERAL HOSPITAL/OLTL) and Bobbie Eakes (Krystal, ALL MY CHILDREN) are back in action as The Divas of Daytime! The musical trio will perform a show and do a meet & greet with fans at the Brokerage in Bellmore, NY, on Saturday, August 11. Doors open at 12:30 for a 2 p.m.; tickets are $67 and $89. To order, or for more information, visit www.brokeragecomedy.com.
Then, on Sunday, August 12, the ladies will be at Uncle Vinnie's Comedy Club in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. Showtime is 11 a.m., and tickets are $75. For more information, or to purchase, visit www.unclevinniescomedyclub.com.
Another soap hunk will soon be off the market! Brody Hutzler (ex-Cody, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS; Zachary, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Patrick, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) tells Soaps In Depth that he will be tying the knot later this month with his fiancée, Judith. ""We met at a friend's birthday party almost three years ago," he reveals. "I proposed between Christmas and New Year's Eve last year."
The guest list will be small, but Kristian Alfonso (Hope, DAYS), Hutzler's pal - and landlady - is set to attend. The newlyweds will hold off on having their honeymoon until the spring. "We're going to go to London and Paris," Hutzler shares. "Judith has a sister in London."
The actor can be currently seen on Web soap THE BAY as Kenneth, the press secretary to Nicholas Coster's mayor character. "I have a few episodes coming up," says the actor, who notes that Kenneth is THE BAY's first gay character. "I like it. It brings a different dynamic to the show." To view episodes of the Emmy-nominated Web soap, visit www.thebaytheseries.com.
THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS fans who have been waiting for their favorite matriarch, Jeanne Cooper (Katherine), to finally pen her memoirs need wait no longer! Her autobiography, Not Young, Still Restless, will hit bookstores and on-line retailers like Amazon.com on Tuesday, July 31.
The Emmy winner tells Soaps In Depth that it wasn't easy for her to revisit certain chapters, as it were, in her 84 years of life. "It brings back all sorts of feelings! You get angry all over again!" Cooper says, giving her trademark throaty chuckle. "Writing your autobiography is a lot like therapy."
Indeed, Cooper's good friend, Barbara Hale (PERRY MASON), was amazed by the effort. "She was like, 'Oh my God, how did you put it down in a book? How did you get started?' I'm like, 'Please don't ask me that, Barbara!'"
Of course, the showbiz vet is well aware that some of her revelations might raise eyebrows -- like her affair with Beau Kazer, who recurs as her Y&R son, Brock. "I asked Beau's permission to tell people about it, and he said, 'Duchess, I love you and I've always loved you. I'd marry you tomorrow,'" she recounts. "I said, 'But you're already married!' He said, 'It doesn't matter -- I'd marry you, too!'"
While Cooper said she was careful in what she revealed, not wanting to be vindictive or mean-spirited, does she have any regrets after seeing her life story in print? "No. I have no regrets. Not a thing!"
SOD reports that Y&R had originally planned for a main character to come out of the closet. But the idea was scrapped. The same story will now be shifted to a recently returned SORASED character.
In light of the fact that Days will be off the air for two weeks for the Olympics, the new Soap Opera Digest features two articles in which various actors answer questions about the show and the plot.
Is there a sexual subtext to the dynamic between EJ and Will?
James Scott answers this and says that while EJ recognized that Will was attracted to him in some way and used this to his advantage, the overall relationship is mentor/mentee, and that EJ is comfortable with his sexuality, which allowed him to be comfortable with Will. Scott also takes the opportunity to praise Chandler Massey's acting.
Is romance in the future for Will and Sonny now that Sonny has acknowledged an attraction?
Freddie Smith fields this one but doesn't really give an answer, saying in the past, the timing wasn't right for the characters, and now, it may or may not happen. He acknowledges that fans would like the pairing to happen.
Does Rafe still have feelings for Sami?
Gering says that he does, which is why they fight so much, and that Rafe cares about the kids. However, Rafe is still angry with Sami for what she did. SOD also notes that Rafe will have a "shake-up" under the new writers.
Why is Gabi so hung up on Chad when he hasn't given her any encouragement?
Camila Banus says that Gabi saw that Chad was a great guy and wanted to see what would happen between them.
In another article, SOD interviews James Scott and Chandler Massey. In terms of storyline, Massey is asked whether he plays the scenes such that Will is attracted to Sonny. He says he plays "whatever is in the moment" and does not know what the writers have planned.
James Scott is asked if he thinks that the fact that EJ and Sami haven't acted on their attraction makes the story sexier. He says yes. He continues that the buildup to characters' getting together is what is the most powerful, especially characters with a history which includes lying and betrayal, like theirs does. He says that he and Ali Sweeney have asked that the relationship not move quickly because of this.
The new Soap Opera Digest features an interview with Peter Reckell, where he discusses his departure from Days. Some tidbits:
- Reckell says that Corday has said the door is always open for him to return.
- Asked why he is leaving, Reckell responds that when he joined Days, some of the people who were the age he is now stepped aside and let younger actors be more central, and now there are talented young actors at Days doing the storylines. He adds that he wants to spend more time with his wife and daughter.
- He says he bought a house in Portland OR a few years back, but since the economy was not doing well after that, he felt he had to work a bit more to be financially secure before retirement.
- Reckell was asked if money played a factor. He says "No", but then goes on to say that he'd signed a two-year contract the last time he signed, and "I got one year into it and they wanted to make some changes". He says this was understandable and that he supports the show. He adds that "storyline wasn't going to get off the back burner for me." He says that if his contract hadn't been changed, then he wouldn't have been able to leave (on a legal basis).
- He had a long talk with Ken where they both cried, but Ken understood Peter's point of view. Peter again said that "once you get to a certain age, they kind of put you out to pasture", and he'd rather be vital in his daughter's life than not vital on the show.
Reckell continues by discussing his immediate plans, which include travel, and reminiscing extensively about the history of the show and all those he's worked with. He also thanks the fans and credits them for keeping Bo on the air at times when he feels the production team didn't want to. For the full interview, be sure to pick up the new Digest!
Update: In reading it again I see that it says Corday told Reckell that they're not going to kill Bo or recast.
Total Viewers
(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)
1. Y&R 4,402,000 (-103,000/-212,000)
2. B&B 3,065,000 (-50,000/+121,000)
3. GH 2,318,000 (+76,000/-124,000)
4. DAYS 2.230,000 (-179,000/-201,000)
Opal was disappointed when she learned that Adrian had not proposed to Belinda. Mateo found Hayley and Ryan together in the condo and hit the roof, spoiling Max's birthday party. Raquel revealed that she'd been in touch with her family. David pretended to poison Donald so that the writer would admit on tape that Vanessa had stolen photos from his office. Edmund, Brooke, and Erica were stunned when they learned Dimitri had died after suffering a massive stroke. Shock also followed when a woman, Alexandra, announced that she was Dimitri's wife. Jake comforted Gillian after learning of Dimitri's death. A panicked Alexandra talked Edmund out of opening Dimitri's casket. Edmund was upset when Dimitri's casket, along with Alexandra, disappeared.
Brad kept mum that he knew Carly and Jack had slept together. After learning Jack had slept with Carly, Julia decided she was meant to be with Reid/David. Brad received his divorce payoff from Carly, then he shocked everyone at Barbara and Hal's engagement party with the news that Hal, not John, was Parker's father. Jennifer, who had returned from camp, was worried about her mom, Barbara. Brad handed Parker over to a stunned Hal. Molly returned Melinda's pacifier after learning Julia had already had a DNA test done on the child with the alleged result that she was not Lily and Holden's daughter.
Taylor had contact with a homeless man who later died of tuberculosis. CJ took Becky out on a date, and after a few drinks, they hit it off. Rick and Amber spent some quality time together. Thorne tried to contact with Macy, who told him to leave her alone. Stephanie tried to get Macy and Thorne together by going to speak to Macy. When she got to Spectra, Macy inadvertently told Stephanie what had happened when she showed up at Thorne's house. Stephanie was outraged. Brooke invited Thorne to the cabin at Big Bear, but he said no. Stephanie burst into Thorne's office, demanding an answer regarding his relationship with Brooke. Thorne admitted to Stephanie that he loved Macy, but if there were no Macy, there would be a Brooke. Stephanie could not believe Thorne's feelings about Brooke after all Brooke had done to their family. She stormed out of Thorne's office on a rampage, vowing that Brooke would never to do Thorne what she had done to Eric and Ridge.
After faking a heart attack, Vivian handed a stunned Stefano the microchip he had gotten Rolf to implant in her tooth. Stefano was stunned when Vivian later revealed she was not dying, then promised not to tell anyone about his efforts to kill her as long as he let her keep the Titan stock, and the townhouse and its contents. It hurt Stefano to learn Lexie had been helping Vivian. Worried that Stefano might harm Lexie, Abe begged her to sever all ties with him. In Paris, Eric and Greta vowed to find information on her mother's death. The real Princess Gina was mentally out of it, and still waiting for John to rescue her.
Lila and Edward confessed all about Elliot's death, and Luke and Felicia agreed to keep it quiet. Faison was still tracking Felicia and her children. Luke decided to take a trip out of town for a while. Sonny had a breakdown, and Carly aided him. Jason told Maria in Puerto Rico that he missed Carly. Chloe prepared to wed Ned while Jax and Alexis looked on. Emily continued to have problems with Monica and Alan where Juan was concerned.
Josh was devastated to learn that Reva and Richard were married and had a son together. Josh agreed to stay in San Cristobal with Reva while she tried to remember her past, but Richard warned Josh that Reva's life was in danger if he stayed in town. Edmund continued to manipulate Olivia and convinced her that Richard would forget Reva and marry Olivia. Edmund sabotaged Richard and Reva's fencing match, with a serious outcome. Josh, Billy, Cassie, Danny, and Michelle worked on a plan to free Reva. Alan had a major heart attack at Towers. Rick saved Alan's life and was reinstated to the hospital. Susan sneaked Lizzie into to the hospital to see Grampa Alan. Alan expressed remorse to his family for his past mistakes and vowed to change if he lived. India kept a vigil at his side. Alan had another setback after receiving a good prognosis. David and Vicky made love, but he purposely pushed Vicky away after refusing to fire Ben as his attorney. Bill's computer software got the green light. Jesse got a marriage license, but Drew kept stalling. Drew finally opened up to Jesse about her Judaism and how it might affect their relationship. Cassie hired Sam to work at the farm. Holly tried to find out more about Sam's past. Carmen plotted with Edmund to ruin Danny and Michelle's marriage and to support Edmund with his plan to remove Reva from Richard's life for the sake of the country.
Jessica and Will returned to Llanview. Lindsay's trial began. Nora tried to convince Dorian to confess. Barnes blackmailed Lindsay. Jessica went to Crossroads to try to remember. Jessica wanted to get back together with Cris. Max had trouble with his vision. Barnes knocked Bo out. Jessica took the stand. A mysterious woman arrived in Llanview.
Passions made its debut. Ethan Crane and Gwen Hotchkiss awoke after spending the night on the beach at Dune Point, making love, but the local police soon interrupted their happiness. In Paris, Sheridan Crane prayed in church for the chance to live in happiness. Grace was troubled by an angelic childlike figure who warned her about nearby trouble. Theresa told Whitney she had plans to marry Harmony's most eligible bachelor -- even though they had yet to meet. Tabitha materialized in the Bennetts' garden after sensing danger ahead. Gwen encouraged a reluctant Ethan to get out and start meeting the "ordinary" people of Harmony instead of hiding in his family's ivory tower. Theresa leaned against a ladder and accidentally spilled paint all over Ethan's head; however, she didn't know that it was Ethan. Sheridan's car crashed in the same tunnel where Princess Diana had died. Alone in the bedroom, the slumbering Grace was suddenly levitated into the air and whisked out the window.
Billy returned to Genoa City. Christine and Paul told Mary some bad news. Tony received his summons to court. Victor gave Ryan a new job at Newman Enterprises. Diane gave back her engagement ring. Nikki and Brad met for dinner. There was a special family celebration for Cassie. Jack made Victor an offer.
(Getting Help)
7/30, Joe Jr. asks Trey for help; Michael confides in Starr about his career aspirations.
(The Investigation)
7/31, Sam fills Jason in on her investigation of Todd; Alexis tries to loosen up with Shawn.
(The Conversation)
8/1, Lulu and Dante have a serious talk about their recent woes; Alexis takes Mac's advice and invites Shawn out on a date.
(Next Steps)
8/2, Sonny and Alexis give Jason and Sam some guidance; Ewen does his best to win Elizabeth's affections.
(Todd's Secret)
8/3, Todd goes to great lengths to keep his secret; Elizabeth tells Jason about her feelings for Ewen.
(The Accussation)
7/30, Taylor and Ridge have words for Bill; Liam is confused after seeing Hope's reaction.
( Understanding the Situation)
7/31, Hope works through her tough situation; Steffy speaks her mind to Brooke.
(The Final Word)
8/1,Hope gets the last word with Steffy; Brooke encourages Liam to believe in fate.
(Taylor Defends Steffy)
8/2, Taylor looks out for Steffy's best interests; Hope reaches a decision.
8/3, Steffy makes her feelings about Liam known; Brooke cautions Hope about the future.
Unable to convince Nikki to put a halt to her upcoming wedding to Jack, Victor seeks revenge
The return of Dr. Tim has a devastating effect on Phyllis' case
Abby tries to make amends for the kidnapping hoax
A guilt ridden Paul makes a shocking decision
Ashley makes a decision about her future
Tammie Brown, a RuPaul's Drag Race alum from way back in the prehistoric ages of season 1, has become the (expertly painted!) face of Allstate Insurance. The new ad continues a trend of major companies understanding that targeting and supporting the gay community is a better financial, political and moral move than bowing to the failed boycotts and objections of hate groups. Details follow.
