Julio Iglesias, Jr. Joins Cast of HACIENDA HEIGHTS

Music superstar Julio Iglesias, Jr. has signed on to head the cast of the new weekly, one-hour, dual-language soap opera HACIENDA HEIGHTS, a groundbreaking new series aimed at a network debut sometime in 2011. Vida Guerra, FHM's "Model of the Year" for 2004 and multiple international-issue Playboy magazine cover model, also joins the cast of bilingual actors. HACIENDA HEIGHTS is based on the familiar and popular telenovela format, but unlike most telenovelas, the new series will not end at a predetermined point and for the first time, will be offered in both English and Spanish-language formats which are not dubbed. Each episode is shot in both English and Spanish so that audiences viewing in either language can enjoy the full experience of the show without distraction, and in the original voices of the actors. Thirteen episodes will be shot for the 2011-12 television season. HACIENDA HEIGHTS is distributed by Trifecta Entertainment & Media.

The new series centers on the trials and tribulations of the families who live, work and love in the fast growing city of Hacienda Heights. The conflicts that arise between the political factions, the wealthy dynasties and the working middle class families are universal and will reflect the times in which we live today. The stories are rich and compelling, and will be portrayed by a talented international cast which, in addition to Iglesias and Guerra, includes: Braulio Castillo, Jr. (EL FANTASMA DE ELENA); Alexa Kuve (MAS SABE EL DIABLO); Eva Tamargo (PASSIONS); Karla Zelaya (PEPSI MUSICA) and Enrique Sapene (EL ALMA HERIDA), along with a large ensemble of young, talented and sexy new faces.

TRAILER: HACIENDA HEIGHTS - Syndicated This Fall

As We Love Soaps reported in January, HACIENDA HEIGHTS, a soap that had aired on some local television stations on the West Coast, was picked up for syndication by Trifecta Entertainment. At the time Trifecta said they hoped to launch the show this fall as a weekend block of two half-hours on both English- and Spanish-language TV stations, as well as secure a cable run for it if possible.

The show has released a longer trailer as a preview. Watch it below.

NEWS: Sumpter, Landers, York, Serialized Drama, Anderson

INTERVIEW: OLTL's Tika Sumpter (Layla)
"I want her to be successful in any career that she chooses, but hopefully she’ll go back to acting and singing. I hope she gets some kind of peace from her mother. Her mother always places Evangeline on a pedestal and kind of looks down on Layla. I hope she finds some peace with that, as well as finds peace with her dad passing."

Are Heavily Serialized Dramas Heading Towards Extinction on Broadcast Nets?
Even as DVR penetration increases, serialized dramas, says one network executive, “are really hard to sustain. I have great respect for shows like DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES that can keep it going. On the other end of the spectrum you've got HEROES, which is not quite one-and-done, but pretty close.”

“I think we're seeing the decline of these shows,” says Chuck Larsen, president of distribution consulting firm October Moon Television, of serialized dramas. “The networks were kind of slow to realize that serialized shows just don't repeat well.” But they appear to realize it now, including with their current series.

INTERVIEW: Former DALLAS and daytime star Audrey Landers
"DALLAS was a big part of the 1980s and into the ‘90s. I was in and out for 8 years over the span of the show -- leaving to do A Chorus Line: The Movie and then returning to DALLAS. In the early 90s I did a year on ONE LIFE TO LIVE in New York. Then I had my babies and decided to take a break from the biz to be a mom - until the DALLAS TV movie. I had been acting non-stop since I was 12 years old, and thought I wanted to retire. However, I continued to record and perform all over Europe-- and have a dozen gold or platinum albums."

More on the HACIENDA HEIGHTS deal with Trifecta
With the dual language tracks, the show is being pitched to both English- and Spanish-language television stations as well as cable networks and international buyers. HACIENDA HEIGHTS is also taking a page from Tyler Perry's model, securing financial backing from Sahara Media for the next 89 episodes. The first 11, which have been given a test run on four TV stations, were financed by executive producer Desmond Gumbs.

SAG Agrees to Explore Joint Talks With AFTRA
The Screen Actors Guild has voted to explore a bargaining partnership with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. The move mirrors AFTRA's actions of last month, when it formed a high-level cabinet to examine jointly negotiations with SAG.

Bradford Anderson injured on Soap Cruise
Bradford Anderson (Spinelli, GH) injured himself aboard the Soap Cruise. The actor was playing basketball when he hurt his Achilles' tendon. He is currently in a cast and may require surgery.

An imperial night at Winter Ball with John J. York
There's nothing glamorous about Crohn's Disease or ulcerative colitis, but the 2010 Winter Ball benefiting the Houston Gulf Coast/South Texas Chapter of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America more than lived up to its “Imperial Grandeur” theme. Women of Distinction Ambassador Jan Carson, who will co-chair the 2011 Winter Ball with Virginia Reisman, may have had the most dashing escort of all in GENERAL HOSPITAL star John York, who swept her off her feet with soap-opera savoir-faire.

NATPE 2010: HACIENDA HEIGHTS Picked Up By Trifecta

According to B&C, Trifecta Entertainment has acquired distribution rights for HACIENDA HEIGHTS, an original soap opera featuring an all-Hispanic cast and previously directed by former soap star Tom Eplin. Trifecta hopes to launch it this fall as a weekend block of two half-hours on both English- and Spanish-language TV stations, as well as secure a cable run for it if possible.

HACIENDA HEIGHTS is not a telenovela in that it doesn't have close-ended story arcs. It is aimed at both English- and Spanish-speaking Hispanic audiences, and will be produced in both languages.

News Round-up

HACIENDA HEIGHTS adds another affiliate
KSWT/CBS and KSWT 13.2/CW announces a new addition to its daytime line-up, HACIENDA HEIGHTS, starting Wednesday, December 17. HACIENDA HEIGHTS is a new television show that takes the familiar and popular format of the soap opera and introduces it to a new audience. The show features an all Hispanic cast in an English language soap opera. The show will air weekly, every Wednesday at 12:00pm on KSWT/CBS and on KSWT/13.2, a CW affiliate at 12:30pm. The show already airs on KRON in San Fransico and is directed by former ANOTHER WORLD and AS THE WORLD TURNS star Tom Eplin.

Lucy Speed: "I prefer THE BILL to EASTENDERS"
Lucy Speed has admitted that she prefers being on THE BILL to EASTENDERS. The actress, who plays DC Stevie Moss in the ITV1 police drama, said that she gets less attention now then during her time in Walford.

"EASTENDERS and CORRIE and those guys, the attention is just incredible. Everyone watches it, but whoever you speak to will always say, 'I never watch the show, but weren't you in EASTENDERS?'" she told Metro.

Former ATWT star Tamara Tunie likes the new variety in Harlem
A Harlem resident since 1983, Tunie had plenty to say about gentrification, and her husband’s cooking, in this week’s "New York Diet" segment for New York Magazine.

INTERVIEW: GENERAL HOSPITAL's Jason Thompson
"I love that Patrick has flaws, and I love that he doesn't always want to admit them."

UGLY BETTY's Jensen sues, gets restraining order against FLIPPING OUT's Jeff Lewis
According to the documents filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Jensen (Christina) and Beesley live next door to a house Lewis is currently renovating in the tony Los Feliz section of the city. The couple took issue earlier this year when they realized a deck Lewis had constructed on the fixer-upper home had encroached on their pricey property. And that's when things got downright unneighborly.

After all parties were alerted to the violation, Jensen and her hubby claim that Lewis offered them $10,000 to buy an easement and simply let the deck stand. However, after consulting with other real estate experts, the couple say they were informed that the property Lewis had encroached upon was actually worth $100,000—10 times the amount of his lowball sum.

Clearly unhappy with the new figure, Lewis, the papers claim, paid a late-night visit to his neighbors' home and countered with a $30,000 offer, as well as a threat to make their lives miserable and generally talk nonstop smack about them on the new season of his show.

LIPSTICK JUNGLE's fate lies in the final three episodes
LIPSTICK JUNGLE remains exiled in TV's version of Siberia - not canceled, and not renewed. And whether it'll ever come in from the cold will be decided this winter, no less. This much is clear: the show's future hinges on how it performs over its next three original episodes - one airing tonight and two more airing next month.

Heather makes a play for a BROTHERS & SISTERS role
"Heather is a huge fan of the show but also believes that getting back to work will keep her clean and give her a new lease on life," a source tells Star. "She's on her best behavior when she's on a show."

HACIENDA HEIGHTS Coming Dec. 3; Tom Eplin Directs

KRON 4 in San Francisco has announced a new addition to its daytime line-up, HACIENDA HEIGHTS. This groundbreaking new show will premiere on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 12:30pm. I first posted about this in April and it looks like it has taken until now to find a good outlet for the program.

"HACIENDA HEIGHTS is a new television show that takes the familiar and popular format of the soap opera and introduces it to a new audience." The show features an all Hispanic cast in an English language soap opera. The show will air weekly, every Wednesday at 12:30pm.

News Brief

Nelson Branco's "Suds Report"
Andrea Evans back on ‘OLTL’? SOAPnet buys Canuck soap ‘MVP’! Jacob Young sticks with ‘AMC!’ ‘Y&R’s Lily’s preggers!

Engagement fete TURNS sticky when ex arrives
Margo throws Katie and Brad an engagement party next week on AS THE WORLD TURNS, which leads to a series of events that could wreck the wedding. "Mike shows up at the engagement party," says Austin Peck, who plays Brad. Mike is Katie's ex-husband, who just came back to town. But Mike is now being played by a new actor (Jon Prescott), so viewers can be forgiven if they don't feel the full impact of his return when he crashes the party. "Brad is totally cool when Mike shows up," says Peck. "He's like, 'Big deal.' But Henry fills his mind with all this doubt and that makes Brad want to rush the wedding."

Kelly Ripa Happy That Kathie Lee Gifford Is Returning To The Air
Kelly Ripa, co-host of LIVE WITH REGIS & KELLY (and former ALL MY CHILDREN star) is thrilled that her predecessor, Kathie Lee Gifford has landed another hosting job. Gifford has just landed a gig co-hosting the fourth hour of NBC's "Today" show. Ripa and Gifford have both shared the co-hosting chair with Regis Philbin over the years. Ripa, 37, who took over for Gifford in 2001, said Gifford was very influential on her life. Ripa told People.com that Gifford, 54, was a big influence on her life because she saw her as a working mom. "I saw her doing it all - a working mom. She had a big impact on me," Ripa said.

Space Opera Returns: One Last Step for Mankind
Baltar, played hammily as a selfish, cowardly survivor, is to BATTLESTAR GALACTICA what Erica Kane is to ALL MY CHILDREN — an amusingly villainous central character who brings a little campy comic relief to all that earnest, jaw-clenched melodrama.

ATWT's former Chris Hughes to play gay
The April 22nd episode of LAW & ORDER: SVU is called "Closet" revolves around a gay pro football player blayed by Bailey Chase (ex-Chris, AS THE WORLD TURNS).

Petition to decertify B&B as AFTRA?
According to AFTRA president Roberta Reardon, SAG leaders broke that fragile peace with a move to organize the soap opera THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, an AFTRA signatory show. A group of B&B actors -- including longtime featured player Susan Flannery -- reportedly came to Allen about a month ago with complaints about the show's AFTRA contract. Reardon maintained that unnamed SAG members then helped circulate a petition to decertify B&B as an AFTRA show. Calls to Flannery and other actors reportedly involved with the petition were not returned as of press time.

Former GH actor embroiled in cat drama
Allegheny County officials and the Pennsylvania branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals raided Tiger Ranch, on Miller Drive, March 13 after an undercover sting confirmed suspicions of what it determined to be animal cruelty. But Tiger Ranch supporters have spoken out on the good that they claim was done for every cat that came through the sanctuary's gate.

Animal rights activist Chris DeRose (ex-Dino, GENERAL HOSPITAL), president of Los Angeles-based Last Chance for Animals, said the SPCA and assistant district attorney are "telling a big enough lie."

"From what I have seen of the place and the photos that were sent to my office, there's nothing wrong with Tiger Ranch," DeRose said. "It's all very inflammatory. What they did was really wrong."

The SPCA issued a statement claiming that DeRose is mounting a "campaign of lies" against the Pennsylvania branch of the SPCA and its case against Tiger Ranch.

"As a soap opera actor, Mr. DeRose is no doubt very familiar with creating drama and sensationalism. And clearly he has employed his acting skills with great success in garnering media attention for himself and his group, Last Chance for Animals."

New Daytime TV Soap Opera - HACIENDA HEIGHTS

Chan Add Films is proud to announce the first ever English speaking Latin soap opera
HACIENDA HEIGHTS. This hot new show is a groundbreaking new television show that takes the familiar and popular format of the telenovela, but introduces a new audience to the experience. This project was brought to life by Executive Producer and CEO Desmond Gumbs of Chan Add Films. The story is about the trials and tribulations of the families in the fast growing city of Hacienda Heights. The conflicts that arise between the political, wealthy and the working middle class families are universal and extremely current in today's world. The stories are rich and are portrayed fantastically by its talented cast.

HACIENDA HEIGHTS is an exciting new venture that also tells truly intriguing stories filled with love, struggles, mystery, vengeance and the search for happiness. It is a television show that is the first of its kind and will be sure to captivate its' audience from the opening episode.