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.