From Soap Operas to Stardom: Celebrities’ Journey to Success

We all know that it can be extremely challenging to break onto the Hollywood scene. Los Angeles is filled with hopeful actors waiting to make their big break — but they can’t just sit back and wait for the opportunity to come to them. The road to fame requires a lot of hard work, including work to pay the bills while you audition and fight for roles.

In fact, some of the biggest names in Hollywood today started out working odd jobs to make ends meet. Did you know that Brad Pitt worked as a fast food restaurants chicken mascot? Or that Mark Consuelos was a roadie and exotic dancer before settling into his role on All My Children?

Luckily, these stars didn’t have to work regular jobs for too long before making their way to the small-screen with roles in some of your favorite soap operas. From there, they catapulted their careers and have become some of the most well-known actors in the industry. The team at Hola looked at the journey to stardom for actors like Pitt, Consuelos and more, and their humble beginnings, their start on soap operas, and when they caught their first big break.

John Stamos 'General Hospital' Inspired Drama Lands at Amazon

Amazon has landed for development a drama series project from John Stamos and producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Hairspray Live), which chronicles the fame and excess of daytime soaps in the 1980s. Universal TV, where Zadan and Meron are under a deal for series and live events, is the studio.

The untitled drama, originally set up at Uni TV a year ago, is inspired by the experiences of Stamos, whose acting career was launched in 1982 when, at the age of 18, he landed the role of Blackie Parrish on the ABC daytime drama General Hospital.

Written by Adam Stein (Damages), the drama is described as "Boogie Nights in the soap world." It will explore the colorful and volatile world of daytime drama as it tracks the journey of an 18-year-old Orange County kid suddenly thrust into the limelight of Los Angeles in the early 80s, when he is anointed the next big thing on America's most popular soap.

Stamos executive produces alongside Stein, Zadan and Meron, while Zadan/Meron Prods.' Mark Nicholson will co-executive produce.

When the show was first announced, fans noticed the idea sounded similar to the one being pitched by longtime GH star Kimberly McCullough (Robin Scorpio Drake). Watch her Sundance pitch for Heyday below.

'General Hospital' Alum John Stamos Producing Drama Set in 1980s Soap World

John Stamos

General Hospital alum John Stamos has partnered with Universal TV producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (The Wiz Live!) for an upcoming cable drama series chronicling the fame and excess of daytime soaps in the 1980s.

The untitled drama, now in early stages of development, will be inspired by the experiences of Stamos, whose acting career was launched in 1982 when, at the age of 18, he landed the role of Blackie Parrish on GH.

Described as “Boogie Nights in the soap world,” the drama will explore the colorful and often dark world of soaps as it follows the journey of a young man thrust into soap stardom, during a decade defined by Reaganomics, greed, excess, indulgence and materialism. As a newly minted teen idol, he will struggle to balance his family life, working at his fathers restaurant and maintain his humble upbringing while navigating the temptations of sex, drugs and fame.

Per a Deadline report, Stamos will executive produce alongside Zadan and Meron.

The idea sounds somewhat similar to the one being pitched by longtime GH star Kimberly McCullough (Robin Scorpio Drake). Watch her Sundance pitch for Heyday below.

People's Choice Awards 2016 Winners List Includes John Stamos, Priyanka Chopra, Nathan Fillion, Jensen Ackles

Priyanka Chopra and John Stamos

The People's Choice Awards, hosted this year by Glee star Jane Lynch, honor the year's pop-culture favorites from movies, TV, music, gaming and social media.

Quantico star Priyanka Chopra's acceptance speech for the People's Choice Award was emotional, but perhaps a tad too long for General Hospital alum and Grandfathered winner John Stamos. Priyanka went on a thanking spree when she clinched the Favorite Actress In A New TV Series award, but her speech was cut short by Stamos when he quipped: “It’s just a two-hour show.” -'

The People's Choice Awards 2016 aired live, from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, on CBS. The full winners list is below.

Humanitarian Award
Ellen DeGeneres

MOVIE CATEGORIES
Favorite Movie
Furious 7 *** WINNER
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Inside Out
Jurassic World
Pitch Perfect 2

Favorite Movie Actor
Channing Tatum *** WINNER
Chris Pratt
Johnny Depp
Robert Downey Jr.
Will Smith

Favorite Movie Actress
Sandra Bullock *** WINNER
Anne Hathaway
Melissa McCarthy
Meryl Streep
Scarlett Johansson

NEWS: Heather Tom, John Stamos, Michael Weatherly, Steven Avery, Matt Bomer, Corbin Bleu

Heather Tom directed Tuesday's episode of The Bold and the Beautiful
Tuesday's episode of B&B is a very special one for Heather Tom, who stars as Katie Logan Spencer. “Be sure to watch … It's my directorial debut!" Tom tweeted. Support from her fellow castmates was immediate. “I LOVE sitting on a bed while a beautiful woman calls the shots!! Brava, Heather!” tweeted John McCook (Eric). Katherine Kelly Lang, who plays Katie’s big sister, Brooke, added, “Go sis!! Yea!! U are amazing."

E! renews The Royals for Season 3
The hit primetime soap opera has been renewed in advance of its Season 2 finale.

GH's Jason (Billy Miller) and Sam (Kelly Monaco)

Disney used General Hospital characters to promote ESPN’s New Year’s Eve College Football Playoffs
An episode last week of the ABC soap opera contained no less than seven references to the playoffs.

General Hospital alum John Stamos on his DUI arrest: "It was really stupid and ignorant of me”
"I could have hurt somebody... I hated myself for that,” Stamos told Howard Stern on Monday.

Loving alum and NCIS star Michael Weatherly gets three years probation after pleading no contest to DUI
Weatherly will also have to participate in a three-month Mother’s Against Drunk Driving alcohol program.

President Obama can’t pardon Making a Murderer's Steven Avery
The president’s pardon power is constitutionally limited to federal crimes, and Avery is in prison for a state crime. So the two petitions calling on Obama to pardon Avery and nephew Brendan Dassey that have attracted more than 200,000 signatures won't be successful.

Lily Collins to star opposite Guiding Light alum Matt Bomer on The Last Tycoon
Collins, the daughter of Phil Collins, will play Kelsey Grammer’s daughter on the Amazon pilot based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s final unfinished novel.

Turner to blur the lines between its TV shows and commercials
Turner plans to announce this week "Turner Native Plus,” which will help to extend TV show content into the commercials.

Eric Nelsen and Corbin Bleu to star in L.A. play "The Dodgers"
Eric Nelsen (ex-AJ, All My Children) and Corbin Bleu (ex-Jeffrey, One Life to Live) will be featured in the Los Angeles production of The Dodgers, beginning January 30 at the Hudson Theatre. According the the show’s official website, the play is about “four boys in a band who expect to play music, do drugs and make love must face a lottery that will send at least one of them to Vietnam, propelling them to take daring and dangerous steps to dodge the draft.”

NEWS: John Stamos, SAG Awards, Image Awards, 'Scream Queens' Finale, Queen Latifah, Adam Gregory

The Bold and the Beautiful alum Adam Gregory and wife are expected second child
Gregory, who played Thomas on B&B, announced via Instagram that he and his wife, Sheridan, are expecting their second child. The actor posted a photo of the sonogram, noting, “More trouble coming our way June 2016!” The couple, who wed in February of 2010, had their first child, Adam Kannon Gregory II, on February 7, 2013.

John Stamos

General Hospital alum bares his butt, and is tired of himself
" I rarely read about myself — mostly because I'm tired of 'me' — and also if you believe the good stuff, you have to believe the bad stuff. I just stay away."

Queen Latifah to star in Fox music pilot from Lee Daniels
Latifah will play the surrogate mother with an amazing voice to an up-and-coming girl group. As Variety notes, Queen Latifah’s star power plus Empire co-creator Lee Daniels’ track record could make this project a strong contender for next season.

Empire and black-ish dominate NAACP Image Awards nominations
In the outstanding drama category, Empire is facing Power, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder and Being Mary Jane. The Image Awards have not included a daytime drama category for the past two years..

SAG Aards nominations revealed!
The casts of Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, Homeland, House of Cards and Mad Men are competing in the Outstanding Performance By an Ensemble in a Drama Series category.

Lea Michele on the Scream Queens Red Devil Reveal and Why No One Writes for Women Better Than Ryan Murphy
While Dickie Dollar Scholars golden boy Boone (Nick Jonas), Gigi (Nasim Pedrad), and unrelated-to-the-central-narrative Pete (Diego Boneta) were unmasked as three of them — and swiftly killed — the question left on everyone’s minds was simple: Who was the final killer? As it turns out, the second “bathtub baby” from the unfortunate night at Kappa Kappa Tau in the ’90s was none other than Hester Ulrich (a.k.a. Chanel No. 6), played with great panache by Lea Michele.

Hulu announces premiere date for Aaron Paul's The Path
The cult family drama from Jason Katims debuts March 30. It’ll also star Hugh Dance, Michelle Monaghan and Rockmund Dunbar.

Once Upon a Time is bringing back an older version of Dorothy Gale
The Wizard of Oz character will be in her late 20s/early 30s when she returns as “a brave warrior for good.”

Telenovela will reunite Eva Longoria with her Desperate Housewives husband
Longoria tweeted that Ricardo Chavira will appear on her NBC comedy. “He’s amazing and still my first love!” she added.

NBC renews The Blacklist for Season 4
Creator Jon Bokenkamp announced the news on his Blacklist podcast. "“We knew about that a while ago, it’s one of those things that’s hard to keep quiet,” he said.

NBC is developing an 1891 NYC-set musical featuring Broadway stars
Voice of the City will use songs to tell the sweeping story of the rise of New York City.

NEWS: Katherine Kelly Lang, John Stamos, Drake Hogestyn, Adam Croasdell, Eva Longoria

Katherine Kelly Lang

The Bold and the Beautiful star Katherine Kelly Lang completes Ironman Triathlon in Kona, HA
Lang swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles and ran a full marathon (that's 26.2 miles) on Saturday in 15 hours and 57 minutes.

EastEnders actor Adam Croasdell to guest star on Once Upon a Time
Croasdell, who played Dr. Al Jenkins on EastEnders, has been cast as Hook's father for an upcoming episode of ABC's fantasy drama, EW.com reports.

Days of our Lives actor Drake Hogestyn teachers an acting master class with fellow actor, Christopher Sean (John Black on Days) gave a master class in acting for daytime television last Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Malibu Playhouse. Christopher Sean (Paul Norita) joined Hogestyn on stage for an interactive exchange of acting experience, advice and practical acting techniques.

- See more at: http://www.malibusurfsidenews.com/malibu-resident-actor-imparts-acting-tips-local-playhouse#sthash.K4wZiN1u.dpuf

John Stamos charged with DUI, faces up to 6 months in jail
The General Hospital alum was officially charged today with misdemeanor DUI following his arrest in June in Beverly Hills.

Showtime responds to 'Homeland is racist' graffiti that made it to the air on Sunday
The three street artists responsible for the work — Heba Amin, Stone, and Caram Kapp — released a statement on Wednesday, explaining that production crews gave them pro- President Bashar al-Assad graffiti as inspiration but instructed them to keep their art apolitical. However, it quickly became apparent that, as Amin tells the Washington Post, “no one was paying attention.”

In a statement released to EW, Homeland co-creator and showrunner Alex Gansa said, “We wish we’d caught these images before they made it to air. However, as Homeland always strives to be subversive in its own right and a stimulus for conversation, we can’t help but admire this act of artistic sabotage.”

Empire ratings slip for fourth straight episode
FOX’s Empire this Wednesday drew 12.2 million total viewers and a 4.6 rating, down 7 and 10 percent week-to-week and marking a fourth straight decline since its Season 1 finale.

Nashville (4.6 mil/1.2) ticked up 5 percent and two tenths.

Drake reveals he was fired from Degrassi
Drake, known as Aubrey Graham when he starred on Degrassi, told W Magazine his aspiring rap career began to affect his work on the show.

After filming Degrassi during the day, he would spent nights in the studio recording. “I’d sleep in my dressing room and then be in front of the cameras again by 9 a.m.,” he said. “Eventually, they realized I was juggling two professions and told me I had to choose. I chose this life.”

Eva Longoria, Jason Blum & Eric Winter producing Zone Of Silence paranormal drama for NBC
Zone Of Silence focuses on the area acting like a domestic Bermuda Triangle, an invisible interference which appears in the southwest and not only wreaks havoc on communications but is central to key myths, folklore and legends. When a group of ICE agents go missing under odd circumstances within the “zone”, a task force is formed to find them. Science clashes with the unexplained on a weekly basis while the larger search to explain the disappearance continues.

Julianne Moore, John Stamos, James Corden Act Out Soap Opera on 'The Late Late Show' Using Taylor Swift Lyrics

On Monday night's episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden featured a soap opera sketch with Corden, Julianne Moore (ex-Frannie/Sabrina, As the World Turns) and John Stamos (ex-Blackie, General Hospital) that used Taylor Swift song lyrics to play out a breakup.

The bit found Corden and Moore starring in in The Bold and the Lyrical as "James Cordone" and "Juliette Moore," two young, reckless lovers who take things way too far. The scene opens when Corden saunters home one night with a weak explanation for his whereabouts: "I've been cruising. Can't stop, won't stop moving."

John Stamos played "John Stamosa," who was "feeling 22."

Watch The Bold and the Lyrical below:

John Stamos Plays the Ultimate Bachelor in Tonight's Premiere of 'Grandfathered'

John Stamos goes from bachelor to grandfather tonight on Grandfathered.
Photo Credit: Erica Parise/FOX

General Hospital alum John Stamos stars as the ultimate bachelor on the series premiere of Grandfathered, airing tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.

Successful restaurateur and man-about-town Jimmy Martino (Stamos) is used to being the most suave, most handsome and most single person in the room. But everything changes with the surprise appearance of Jimmy's adult son, Gerald (Josh Peck), and his baby daughter, Edie. Now Jimmy has to unlearn a lifetime of blissful selfishness and grapple with the fact that he went straight from single to grandfather in six seconds flat.

Watch the Grandfathered trailer below for a sneak peek.

NEWS: Michael Park, Colleen Zenk, Lexi Ainsworth, Xander Berkeley, John Stamos, Ian Somerhalder, Stephen Amell, Constantine Maroulis

Colleen Zenk, Michael Park

Longtime As the World Turns star Colleen Zenk to star in Hudson Stage Company production of "Other Desert Cities"
Zenk, who is currently playing Polly in a Nantucket production of "Other Desert Cities," will play the character again for Hudson Stage Company.

Preview Friday, Oct. 16th, opens Saturday, Oct. 17th and runs weekends only through Saturday, Oct. 31st. Evenings at 8 p.m., Matinees Sunday Oct. 18th , and Oct. 25th at 3pm (Q&A following the Oct. 25th performance) and matinee Saturday, Oct. 31st at 3 p.m.

As the World Turns alum Michael Park joins cast of Broadway's "Tuck Everlasting"
"Tuck Everlasting," the new musical based on Natalie Babbitt's novel, has announced principal casting for the Broadway production. The show will star Carolee Carmello as Mae Tuck, Andrew Keenan-Bolger as Jesse Tuck, Michael Park (Jack Snyder on ATWT) as Angus Tuck, Terrence Mann as the Man in the Yellow Suit , Fred Applegate as Constable Joe, Robert Lenzi as Miles Tuck, Michael Wartella as Hugo, Valerie Wright as Betsy Foster, and 11-year-old Sarah Charles Lewis as Winnie Foster.

Meet an Inspirational Syrian Teenager Who Trekked 20 Days in a Wheelchair Getting to Europe
How did she learn to speak English so well? “At home with my favorite TV show, Days of our Lives,” she said, beaming. "I watched it for two years.”

“I was waking up at 8 a.m. some days to watch it. That’s a great show," she said. "But they killed the main character that I loved!”

Lexi Ainsworth returns to General Hospital as Kristina today
"I was pretty shocked when I got the call," Ainsworth tells Soap Opera Digest. "It was definitely a surprise, but I was very excited." She says she's grateful for the support she's received from GH fans both before and since the announcement of her comeback. "I'm pretty overwhelmed by the amount of love they show me," she beams. "It's so heartwarming."

Stephen Amell apologizes after his Ahmed Mohamed tweet receives backlash
The Arrow star sparked anger among some of his followers when tweeted about the 14-year-old Muslim boy in Texas who was arrested after bringing a homemade clock to school. “Stereotyping Texas isn’t any better than stereotyping Ahmed. Just so we’re clear,” Amell tweeted. Because of the backlash, Amell is taking a break from social media.

The View loses two advertisers over nursing controversy
Johnson & Johnson and Eggland's Best have opted to cut ties with the ABC talk show over the controversial nurse comments made by Michelle Collins and Joy Behar.

Judge dismisses charges against The Bold and the Beautiful alum Constantine Maroulis
The former American Idol contestant had been accused of kicking his ex-girlfriend and mother of his 4-year-old daughter.

Empire's "Batshit Crazy" Behind-the-Scenes Drama
It's TV's soap opera within a soap opera, a show so big even Lucious Lyon couldn't dream it up, with an A-list guest-star roster (Chris Rock as … a cannibal?), hints of a tour, a spinoff and Lee Daniels' defense of Terrence Howard: "He ain't done nothing different than Marlon Brando or Sean Penn."

FOX's Empire and Scream Queens will premiere globally on the same day
The season two premiere and series premiere, respectively, will bow internationally within 24 hours of their stateside debuts.

Scream Queens adds Chad Michael Murray
Murray will play the older brother of Glen Powell's frat bro character.

The Walking Dead casts Xander Berkeley
The 24 alum's role on the zombie drama is being kept top-secret.

American Horror Story launching a fashion collection
Hot Topic will host the collection, which will include at least one item inspired from each season.

Buffy’s Nicholas Brendon slams Dr. Phil over their disastrous interview
"It was extremely sad that the producers decided to sensationalize and exaggerate the already-disappointing events of the past year, Brendon wrote on Facebook, adding that he didn’t like Dr. Phil’s harsh words for his mom.

Game of Thrones enlists a Downton Abbey alum to play Samwell Tarly’s dad
British actor James Faulkner, who played Downton Abbey’s Lord Sinderby is joining the HBO drama for Season 6.

NBC plans to remake Hart to Hart featuring a gay couple
A reboot of the 1979-84 ABC mystery/adventure drama starring Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers would be made with the characters Jonathan Hart as the “by the book” attorney and Dan Hartman as a free-spirited investigator. Hart to Hart is from former CSI executive producer Carol Mendelsohn.

TNT drama Home casts Broadchurch's Andrew Buchan as male lead; Somerset alum JoBeth Williams to co-star
Home centers on the not-yet-cast Rose Altman, an accomplished designer with a successful business who is expecting a child with husband Joe (Buchan), a highly regarded prison psychologist. But her image of her perfect family is shattered when she discovers long-buried secrets that threaten to destroy the very foundation of her life.

Hollywood Gets CPR Dangerously Wrong
If you watch shows like House or Grey’s Anatomy, your idea of CPR is probably all wrong.

Ian Somerhalder's Twitter Hacked! Vampire Diaries Actor Did Not Profess His Love for Ex-Girlfriend Nina Dobrev
Somerhalder's Twitter account was hacked Tuesday around 9:45 p.m. ET. The hacker tweeted for about 20 minutes before writing, "I am so sorry," and deleting the tweets. When the hacker first revealed that the account was seized, he or she asked his followers, "who even is ian somerhalder."

One of the tweets professed his or her love for Nina Dobrev, Somerhalder's ex-girlfriend and former co-star on the hit CW series.

Alison Brie is joining Tom Hollander and Ian McShane on Downton Abbey creator’s new ITV drama
Brie will co-star on Julian Fellowes’ Doctor Thorne.

The League’s Steve Rannazzisi admits to lying about escaping the World Trade Center on 9/11
The New York Times confronted Rannazzisi on his lie this week after finding evidence that “undermined his account" of his oft-told 9/11 story. The paper notes that Rannazzisi admitted his lie “after a day of deliberation….Actually, he had been working in Midtown that day, and not for Merrill Lynch, which has no record of his employment and had no offices in either tower.”

John Stamos teaches Jimmy Kimmel the art of a sitcom opening
Watch them re-create the “dying art" below:

NEWS: Anthony Geary, Wally Kurth, John Stamos, Hulk Hogan, Aubrey Peeples, Alicia Coppola, Brianna Brown

Anthony Geary on how General Hospital grew into a cultural phenomenon
"It’s amazing in retrospect. At the time we were working so hard, I don’t think we really realized the impact that the show was having, or that the marriage of Luke and Laura was having, on its audience. Genie Francis and I were working five days a week, sometimes as much as 70 pages of dialogue a day, so we would finish our work, go home, learn the next day’s work and come back and do it for months at a time. And it really took leaving the studio and going out of L.A. – either making a personal appearance or going to my parents’ home in Utah – for me to realize that the show and this character was having the impact it was having."

ABC buys family drama Black Heart from Prospect Park
In a competitive situation, with two networks interested, ABC has bought Black Heart, a sprawling family drama from playwright/screenwriter Kelly Masterson (Killing Kennedy) and Prospect Park. Prospect Park’s CEO Jeff Kwatinetz and TV partner Josh Barry executive produce with Masterson.

Alicia Coppola, Brianna Brown join ABC Family pilot Stay
Coppola (ex-Lorna, Another World), Brianna Brown (Taylor, Devious Maids) and Leonard Earl Howze have booked series regular roles in ABC Family drama pilot Stay. Described as an edge-of-your-seat thriller, Stay centers on a recently widowed police detective and his two daughters who are stranded at a foreboding hotel during a storm and must unravel the hotel’s mysteries to escape. Coppola plays Alison, Jake’s mother and the wife of the conservative, emotionally withdrawn Frank, whom she fears. A steady diet of antidepressants help block out her crumbling marriage and keeps her sane. Brown is Eva, another guest at the Grayfield Hotel, who’s seeking shelter from the storm. A con artist, Eva went down the wrong path in life, let her actions get out of control and is on a journey to right these wrongs.

Former General Hospital star John Stamos out of rehab
Stamos tweeted the update: "I'm back! Took a month to take care of things. Healthy. Feeling grateful for the love & support of family & friends."

Hulk Hogan apologizes for 'unacceptable' racist rant as he is scrubbed from WWE Hall of Fame
Hulk Hogan is speaking out about a just-released audio transcript that features him making racist slurs about his daughter Brooke's love life.

"Eight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation. It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it," Hogan said in a statement exclusively to PEOPLE. The transcript featuring that conversation was published online by the National Enquirer.

"This is not who I am. I believe very strongly that every person in the world is important and should not be treated differently based on race, gender, orientation, religious beliefs or otherwise," Hogan told People. "I am disappointed with myself that I used language that is offensive and inconsistent with my own beliefs."

How to Get Away with Murder to reveal Rebecca's killer sooner than expected
After waiting most of season 1 to discover who killed Sam (Tom Verica) and sorority girl Lila Stangard (Megan West) — the puppy Wes (Alfred Enoch) axed the former, the bulldog Frank (Charlie Weber) the latter — How to Get Away with Murder is preparing to buck expectations when it comes to the mystery surrounding the death of Rebecca (Katie Findlay). In the season finale, Wes’ angsty emo girlfriend was found dead in the basement by Frank and Annalise (Viola Davis), who both swore they played no part in her untimely demise. Viewers will find out who killed Rebecca in the season premiere on Thursday, September 24.

Nashville promotes Aubrey Peeples to series regular in Season 4
Peeples' Nashville promotion comes as Layla tests the waters as a Highway 65 artist and figures out her relationship with manager/kinda boyfriend Jeff (played by Oliver Hudson, whose status with the show has changed from series regular to recurring).

Questlove will serve as musical diretor for A+E's new version of Roots
Roots is an adaptation of late author Alex Haley’s 1976 novel about Kunta Kinte, an 18th century African-born man who was captured and sold into U.S. slavery. A TV adaptation aired in 1977 on ABC. This production will air in 2016 and be simulcast on A&E, Lifetime and History.

Baron Blitzkrieg joins Arrow as Baron Reiter, better known in DC Comics lore as Baron Blitzkrieg
Already for Season 4 (premiering October 7), Arrow has cast Neal McDonough (Agent Carter) as Damien Darhk, Echo Kellum (as tech whiz Mr. Terrific) and Alexander Calvert (as the villain Anarky).

Showbiz411 takes issue General Hospital star Michelle Stafford "sneaking" Scientology into Nickelodeon
Writes Roger Friedman: "Scientology may have been outed on HBO’s Going Clear but it’s going strong at Nickelodeon. The children network’s Nickmom.com website is currently featuring short films from Michelle Stafford, the extremely mannered actress who jumped from one soap opera, The Young and the Restless [as Phyllis], to another, General Hospital [as Nina], last year. Stafford is an avowed member of Scientology. So is her production: everyone involved with her Secret Mind of a Single Mom is from Scientology. Just about the entire credit list, from actors to crew, are members of the cult."

Kurth & Taylor release new music
Days of our Lives star Wally Kurth (Justin Kiriakis) and Christian Taylor have released their first new song in five years. “It’s about my home state of Montana,” Kurth tells Soap Opera Digest. The song, “Big Sky Country,” features the band’s trademark harmonies over a bed of electric and acoustic guitars. The tagline of the chorus, “The Last Best Place You Can Find,” is Montana’s state tourism slogan. The song is available as a digital download on iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby.

The group has also posted a lyric video on youtube, featuring historical concert footage of the band’s more than 20 years of live performances as well as footage of Kurth shot in Montana. Watch it below:

NEWS: John Stamos Enters Rehab; Melissa Benoist, Blake Jenner Married; 'AHS: Hotel' Character Names

John Stamos

Former General Hospital star John Stamos enters rehab for substance abuse
The actor has checked himself into a residential program for the treatment of substance abuse. Last month, the Full House star was charged with a DUI, after which he was briefly hospitalized for an unknown medical condition.

Rob Thomas, Kristen Bell eye possible Veronica Mars limited series
Thomas says both he and Bell find the limited-series format "really appealing."

Ryan Murphy reveals AHS: Hotel character names
“Everybody on this side of the table are bad boys and girls this time,” Murphy said looking at cast members Angela Bassett, Matt Bomer, Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson and Kathy Bates.

The actors, for the first time, also revealed their character names. Bomer will play Donovan, Peters is Mr. March, Paulson revealed she is Hypodermic Sally and Bates is Iris.

Glee co-stars Melissa Benoist, Blake Jenner are married
Supergirl star Benoist and Jenner have secretly been married for several months now. Benoist was spotted wearing a thin silver band on her ring finger while promoting her upcoming CBS superhero drama at Comic-Con over the weekend, and told several people at the annual event that her wedding day had already happened.

NEWS: Jordan Clarke, Sonia Satra, John Stamos, Dusty Rhodes, Jerry Penacoli, Danielle Harold, 'Game of Thrones' Finale

Guiding Light alum Jordan Clarke enjoys being a handyman
Jordan Clarke lived a working actor’s dream, going from primetime bit player to beloved, award-winning star of Guiding Light, playing Billy Lewis for many years. He was also a part-time handyman. In his latest feature, BuzzFeed's David Kushner recounts his relationship with Clarke as a handyman over the past few decades.

"Fixing things had a tangibility that, after all these years reading lines, he craved. He savored the satisfaction of making a new cabinet and seeing it being used in someone’s home. There were no lights shining down, no directors giving him orders, no egotistical co-stars. There was just him, a hammer, and a problem to solve. 'As wonderful as acting is,' he told me, 'this is more satisfying.'"

Where Are They Now: Former Guiding Light actress Sonia Satra
Sonia Satra is perhaps best known for her life as a soap opera star, having appeared in both Guiding Light (Lucy) and One Life to Live (Barbara). However, she is now known for her role in the world of fitness.

Former General Hospital actor John Stamos breaks his silence as a DUI arrest
Police pulled over the 51-year-old General Hospital (Blackie) alum in Beverly Hills on Friday evening after receiving several calls about a possible drunk driver. They then transported Stamos, who was driving alone, to the nearby Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for observation "due to a possible medical condition." There, he was arrested and issued a citation for DUI and was released to the care of the hospital.

"Thanks to everyone for their love & support," Stamos tweeted. "I'm home & well. Very appreciative of the BHPD & Cedars for their care."

Stamos is scheduled to answer to the DUI charge at a hearing in Los Angeles on September 11.

Jerry Penacoli thanks President Obama: You ‘Saved My Finances and My Life’
During an interview with entertainment news program Extra, correspondent Jerry Penacoli thanked the president for his healthcare law, which he says “pretty much saved my finances and my life” during his battle with cancer.

The former Days of our Lives (Miles) actor suffered from stage 3 melanoma and early-stage thyroid cancer. But he was able to pay for treatments thanks to a provision in the president’s healthcare law that lifted lifetime caps on insurance benefits.

EastEnders star Danielle Harold confirms exit from soap
Danielle Harold has confirmed she's leaving the show. The 23-year-old has played Lola Pearce since July 2011, but she admitted she's looking forward to trying new things.

Speaking to the Mirror, Harold said: "I've had the most amazing time at EastEnders having been involved in some exciting story lines, including giving birth in a live scene.

Emmerdale's Pasha Bocarie signs new contract, staying for another year
Bocarie will now appear as Rakesh Kotecha until at least summer 2016.

Game of Thrones finale brings disturbing deaths, big changes for Season 6
[Warning: Spoilers ahead for Sunday's Game of Thrones finale, "Mother's Mercy."]

Jon Snow's (Kit Harington) journey came to an end, when he was betrayed by the Night's Watch, who executed him Julius Caesar-style, each of the mutineers stabbing him while saying "for the Watch." The cruelest cut came when Jon's squire Olly (Brenock O'Connor) took part.

Remembering the one, the only, The American Dream Dusty Rhodes
Virgil Runnels Jr. is dead, but his American Dream will live forever. Dusty Rhodes reached the top of the pro wrestling mountain, one of the best all-time. He’s easily pegged for the Mt. Rushmore of pro wrestling’s most charismatic and most inspirational.

Watch a WWE special tribute to Dusty Rhodes below:

'Galavant' Premieres January 4 on ABC With Back-to-Back Episodes, John Stamos Guest Stars

Galavant premieres Sunday on ABC.

Screenwriter/executive producer Dan Fogelman unites with Broadway and Hollywood award-winning musical team—composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater for ABC's new comedy series Galavant. Once upon a time, the dashing hero, Galavant (Joshua Sasse), lost the love of his life, Madalena (Mallory Jansen), to the evil King Richard (Timothy Omundson). Now, our fallen hero is ready to take revenge and restore his “happily ever after.” But it won’t be without a few twists and turns along the way. Galavant will premiere on Sunday, January 4 at 3 p.m. ET/PT with two back-to-back 30 minute episodes.

NEWS: GENERAL HOSPITAL, Ron Carlivati, John Stamos, SOAPnet, Melody Thomas Scott, Angelica McDaniel, Corbin Bleu

GENERAL HOSPITAL head writer Ron Carlivati: 'I'm sorry people are disappointed when their favorite is not in story. You can't please everybody.'
On the status of Genie Francis (Laura): "I had to write her character off the show because it's my job, not because I wanted to. I don't make the contracts. I sit in New York and write the show. As I understand it, Genie came back to us on a short-term contract, which is what both she and ABC wanted. I was given her dates and worked with them the best I could."

On being overly sensitive to Twitter criticism: "People have different ideas of what constitutes criticism and, to me, 'This show sucks' is not criticism. I will listen and respond very thoughtfully to someone who says, 'I had a problem with this because of such and such...' That doesn't mean I'll change my plans, but that's completely valid. But, yeah, call me sensitive when someone says, 'You're the worst writer and human being on the planet!' There are some very angry, very hateful people out there and who needs that in your life? I would never talk about people the way some of them talk about me."

Carlivati and John Stamos disagree on Twitter about proposed Blackie return for GENERAL HOSPITAL's 50th Anniversary
Stamos responding to a fan asking if he would ever return to GH: "Never! I tried,they wanted me 2 play J.G. on drums with R.S. Legacy too important to me."

Carlivati: "I'm sure I will be shouted down by 1.3M people, but this is a total mischaracterization of what occurred."

NEWS: Y&R Casting New Role; OLTL's Amber Skye Noyes Joins BEAUTY AND THE BEAST; THE KILLING Canceled; Yahoo Launches New Shows

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Casting New Role
Y&R will soon be expanding the Abbott family by introducing a never-before-heard-of cousin named Andrew Abbott. The show is actively searching for "a strong leading man" in his "mid to late 30s" to play the contract role of the "handsome and educated" Andrew. The character is also described as "very driven and ambitious."

ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Amber Skye Noyes joins BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Amber Skye Noyes, who debuted as Michelle on the online reboot of OLTL, has landed a role on The CW's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Noyes will play Tori and appear on three episodes in the second season, with an option to become a regular.

THE KILLING Canceled By AMC Network: No Season 4
“We have made the difficult decision not to move forward with a fourth season of The Killing,” AMC said in a statement to Deadline. “We want to thank our great partners at Fox Television Studios, creator Veena Sud, an extraordinary cast and the dedicated fans who watched.”

NECESSARY ROUGHNESS Season 3 Finale Preview

Photo Credit: Richard Ducree/USA Network

Season 3 of NECESSARY ROUGHNESS wraps up on Wednesday, August 21st at 10 p.m. ET/PT on USA Network.

In the episode, "Sympathy For the Devil," Dr. Dani (Callie Thorne) searches for her missing client as the V3 scandal comes to a head.

Meanwhile, TK (Mehcad Brooks) may be benched for the big game and Nico (Scott Cohen) has a surprise visitor.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

NECESSARY ROUGHNESS "Sucker Punch" Preview

Photo Credit: Bob Mahoney/USA Network

Season 3 of NECESSARY ROUGHNESS continues on Wednesday, August 14th at 10 p.m. ET/PT on USA Network.

In the episode, titled "Sucker Punch," Dr. Dani (Callie Thorne) trades punches with a championship boxer who wants to get back in the ring. TK seeks treatment at the V3 clinic while Nico (Scott Cohen) follows a new lead that takes him to the clinic as well. Abby is brought into the V3 fold, but it's unclear whose side she is really on.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

NECESSARY ROUGHNESS Preview: "Bringing the Heat"

Photo by: Richard DuCree/USA Network

Season 3 of NECESSARY ROUGHNESS continues on Wednesday, July 31st at 10 p.m. ET/PT on USA Network.

In the episode, titled "Bringing the Heat," Connor (John Stamos) asks Dr. Dani to resume a course of therapy with her very first V3 client. TK struggles to shake Sheera (Kate Miner) after their break-up. Nico continues to work behind the scenes for the FBI to investigate the scandal at V3.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

Jesse & The Rippers Reunion (Video)

FULL HOUSE band Jesse & The Rippers (featuring former GENERAL HOSPITAL star John Stamos) stopped by LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON on Friday to perform a medley of their greatest hits. Check it out below: