NEWS: Bradford Anderson, Jake Wood, Rebecca Budig, George R.R. Martin, Naya Rivera, Seth Gilliam, John Heard, Mark Jordon

'General Hospital' alum Bradford Anderson and wife welcome second daughter
Anderson (ex-Spinelli, GH) and his wife, Kiera, became the proud parents of their second child, daughter Finola Leo Anderson, on May 2. "A big week for sure," he tweeted. "Today we welcomed our 2nd daughter…. Juna [their 2-year-old] is thrilled." On May 3, he clarified that the baby was not named after his Port Charles cohort Finola Hughes (Anna), saying, "Thanks for the good wishes all! And Finola is a family name, not to mention the name of one of the coolest gals we know. So, perfect!"

EastEnders' Jake Wood on Lucy mystery: '15 endings will be filmed'
[SPOILER ALERT] Wood has said that the soap's bosses are planning to film 15 different endings to the Lucy Beale murder mystery. The show launched a long-running whodunnit storyline at Easter as Lucy was found dead on Walford Common. The plot will run until EastEnders' 30th anniversary in February 2015.

Wood's character Max Branning is among the many suspects in the story, but he told ITV's Good Morning Britain today (May 5) that he may only discover the outcome when the reveal episode airs.

Asked whether Max is the culprit, he replied: "I genuinely don't know. I think there's about four people in the world who know at the moment. I'm certainly not one of them."

NEWS: Katie Couric May Move From ABC to Yahoo; Alicia Minshew Shooting 'The Funeral Guest'

Katie Couric Negotiating ABC News Exit
Less than three years after joining ABC in a lucrative and wide-ranging deal that included a daytime talk show and a role at ABC News, Katie Couric is set to exit her role as ABC News special correspondent early as she nears a deal for an interview show on Yahoo, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Couric's daytime talk show is in its second and almost certainly final season on ABC. She will complete the season and sources at Disney-ABC insist that a decision about the future of KATIE will not be made until sometime in December after executives get a look at the November sweeps ratings.

USA's COMPLICATIONS adds Jessica Szohr and Beth Riesgraf to its cast
The GOSSIP GIRL and LEVERAGE alums will join GREY'S ANATOMY's Lauren Stamile on the medical drama starring Jason O'Mara.

Alicia Minshew lands role in romantic comedy, The Funeral Guest
Minshew (ex-Kendall, ALL MY CHILDREN) is hard at work in Lansing, MI filming the upcoming movie, a romantic comedy that follows Emily (Julianna Robinson), a socially isolated woman, who spends her time attending stranger's funerals. Minshew plays Robin, a recently divorced lawyer who fights to win back her ex before Emily takes his heart.

Google's Greatest Doodle Yet: an Epic 8-bit DOCTOR WHO Game
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Timelord, this epic multi-level Doodle has been in the works for four months. At the Googleplex in Mountain View, it became known as the "Whodle." The company says it's the largest interactive Doodle yet created. It's an 8-bit platform game in which you play the Doctor through all his 11 incarnations.

NCIS Heads for Guinness World Records with Japan Marathon
How much do the Japanese love to watch the adventures of Team Gibbs? The Fox Japan channel is about to find out with its plan for a 10-day marathon of 234 episodes of “NCIS.”

The stunt should qualify the show for a slot in the Guinness World Records book as the longest uninterrupted transmission of a TV series, according to CBS. The marathon of segs from the show’s first 10 seasons will lead into the launch of the show’s current 11th season on Fox Japan in February.

The marathon is set to begin at 11 p.m. local time on Dec. 29 and conclude at 5 p.m. on Jan. 8.

FX's THE STRAIN Casts 'Harry Potter's' David Bradley to Replace John Hurt
He will play Professor Abraham Setrakian in the upcoming series from Guillermo del Toro.

WGN & Weinstein Company Team For Ten Commandments Event Series Produced By Bruce Cohen
Deadline reports the current plan is for each of the 10 episodes to be helmed by a different A-list director, focusing on one commandment and its evolving significance.

Where Were They When JFK Was Killed? A Movie and TV Timeline of the Kennedy Assassination
With the stipulation that there is no possible way to chronicle every TV and movie character's experience of the JFK assassination, The Wire has created a representative timeline of the events of November 22, 1963 as experienced by the fictional (or fictionalized) characters who experienced it.

Marley Shelton To Topline Lifetime Pilot THE LOTTERY
The Warner Horizon-produced conspiracy thriller is set in a world where women have stopped having children, threatening extinction of the human race. When 100 embryos are successfully fertilized, a national lottery is held to decide the surrogates.

NEWS: Tuc Watkins; Corbin Bernsen; Brant Daugherty; GENERATIONS Stops Filming; BEACON HILL; America Ferrera; Is KATIE on the Way Out?

Is KATIE on the Way Out?
Katie Couric's KATIE has never delivered the audience levels Disney/ABC's syndication arm promised to the TV stations that pay high fees to carry it. Syndication executives who hear the complaints of unhappy TV station owners say that KATIE is a goner. The show will make it to a third year only if Disney/ABC and Couric agree to take less money from the stations that carry it (she currently earns $10 million a year).

People close to Couric say money is less important to her than being happy with the final product. If KATIE doesn't make it to next season, ABC stations will need to find a replacement for the hour.

South Africa soap opera stand-off stops GENERATIONS filming
The producer has told the BBC he does not intend to comply with the contract demands of striking actors. Nearly the entire cast of South Africa's most popular drama series did not turn up on set when filming of the show was supposed to restart on Monday.

ONE LIFE TO LIVE star and single dad Tuc Watkins says his twins are crawling in opposite directions
'When I don't sleep, I can be pretty grumpy," says the actor who looked pretty rested at a recent fundraiser for Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing in Malibu. Twins Catchen and Curtis were back at home with their 'manny' who is Watkins' cousin. It's an arrangement that was supposed to be for a month or two but is working out so well that the actor jokes he hopes to keep his cousin on the payroll until the twins go off to college.

"My kids are 10 months old now which means they are crawling," Watkins said. "Not only are they crawling – it’s like they’ve got little jet packs on their backs and of course go in opposite directions."

NEWS: Juliet Mills New Here TV Show; Grant Gustin Is Barry Allen/Flash; Couric/Walters Deny Replacement Rumors

Former PASSIONS star Juliet Mills part of FROM HERE ON OUT cast
FROM HERE ON OUT is a comedy that follows the character of aging gay writer Jimmy Richards (Terry Ray), who, after years of failed attempts, finally sells his television show Guy Dubai: International Gay Spy to the 18-year-old president (Austin Robert Miller) of Here TV. But Jimmy first must hire an openly gay leading man or the series will not go forward. Jimmy casts the sexy and talented Sam Decker (T.J. Hoban)... except Sam is secretly straight.

To keep their show, Jimmy and Sam conspire to convince the network that they are a gay couple. Sam is publicly an out gay man as he, Jimmy, a pool boy (Adrian Gonzalez), a diva maid, and wannabe actress (Suzanne Whang), the network president, and his former nanny-turned-receptionist Dottie (Juliet Mills) struggle every week to make a new television show... and in the process, a new family.

GLEE's Grant Gustin cast as CW's Flash
Gustin will play the lightning-fast character also known as Barry Allen, and appear in three episodes of ARROW -- including the backdoor FLASH pilot.

SWITCHED AT BIRTH's Gilles Marini: ' I think it's very uncool to be in the closet nowadays'
"We're in 2013. I think it's very uncool to be in the closet nowadays. I never was a witness in any wedding in my life, and the first time I was a witness in a wedding in my life was for my dear friends Philippe and David--same-sex couple--and I think it was fantastic. Don't stay in the closet. You'll only hurt your heart and, down the line, probably your family. They need to know the truth about what you like and what you want in life."

ABC Present-Day Drama Project Set In America That Lost Revolutionary War
What if Americans had no Independence Day to celebrate? A drama project in development at ABC answers that question by building an alternative reality where the 13 colonies lost the 1775-83 Revolutionary War. Titled THE THIRTEEN, the contemporary drama takes place in a world in which the colonies lost their bid for independence, and America is still fighting the British for freedom.

Katie Couric, Barbara Walters Deny ‘View’ Replacement Report
The New York Daily News reported that Couric may replace Walters on THE VIEW.

But a spokesperson for ABC told TheWrap, “There is absolutely no truth to this rumor whatsoever, it’s completely erroneous.”

NEWS: Maura West, Kristian Alfonso, Hartley Sawyer, Michael Easton, Katie Couric, Isaiah Washington, Aaron Sorkin

Maura West on playing GENERAL HOSPITAL's Ava Jerome and her stint on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
"I try to bring the best energy I can to work, to be the very best scene partner, to be prepared. I don't try to outdo anyone in a scene, or undermine anyone. And that does happen — everywhere! I mind my own business. And, also, they're a very nice bunch of people at GH. Tony and Jane Elliot [Tracy] were so embracing and kind to me and that really made a big difference because they have power and they can really shape your experience there."

"Honestly, I was at Y&R so briefly that I don't even think about it! [Laughs] I must have blocked it out! I met some wonderful people at Y&R but that experience is not something my heart aches over, not something I miss at all. Clearly there was no intention to make Diane a viable character at that time, so I probably would have been off by now anyway."

Y&R's Hartley Sawyer raises funds for animal rescue and rehabilitation
Sawyer (Kyle) will be participating in "Strut Your Mutt" fundraiser for animal rescue and rehabilitation on September 15 in Van Nuys, CA at Woodley Park. "Your time and a few of your bucks means the world to me," says the actor. "I love my dogs more than anything. Help us reach our fundraising goal of $20k."

NEWS: Doctor Who Announcement Imminent; GLEE's Plans for Finn & Cory; Spoiler Paranoia; Michael Damian Back to Y&R; Hulu

Doctor Who announcement imminent...
Will the BBC reveal the new Doctor Who tonight? We may find out at 7 p.m. ET.

GLEE Will Address Deaths of Cory Monteith and Finn Hudson in Third Episode
“The third episode will write Finn Hudson out of the show,” Fox Broadcasting Entertainment Chairman Kevin Reilly said at the network's exec session at the TCA press tour today. “That episode will deal with the incidents directly involved with Cory’s passing, (including) drug use.”

NEWS: ABC Desperately Seeking Katie Couric Replacement; Plus, Joanna Johnson, Kay Alden, Heather Tom, Lee Phillip Bell, Brenda Greenberg

Sources: ABC desperately seeking Katie Couric replacement
“It’s an unmitigated disaster,” one seasoned studio executive said. “One of the biggest failures ever in syndication. Terrible ratings, no growth, shouldn’t be on the air. Where did it miss the mark? Let’s start with her, she is dreadfully boring. The show offers nothing new to the audience, nothing to say.”

In January, Disney-ABC Domestic Television officially renewed Couric’s syndicated talk show, which airs in stations spanning more than 95 percent of the country, for a second season through fall 2013. A source closely connected to Couric insisted that the news woman is working closely with ABC and is still very much wanted by the network. But as it stands, we’re told it is almost a certainty there will be no season three.

Lee Phillip Bell will make another cameo on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
Mrs. Bell will next appear on the show July 23.

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL's Joanna Johnson Dishes The Fosters and Her "Gayest Year Ever"
"There are so many interesting issues that come up in this series (THE FOSTERS), and Stef and Lena being a same-sex couple isn't a big one because the series is set in California where gay adoption is increasingly common. But in many other states this is an issue, because gay couples or single gay people are not allowed to adopt or foster, and that's a real shame. There are a lot of wonderful families willing and wanting to get into the program but the law in some places just won't allow it."

"Yes! I do feel bad [about abandoning THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL], even though [B&B exec producer] Brad Bell always knew that was the deal. My writing-producing always comes first. But it does look like I'll be going back to B&B pretty soon. Brad and I are talking about my returning for a really fun story in July when The Fosters has wrapped for the season. I really do miss B&B — both the people and the news. I went to the GLAAD awards a while back with Crystal Chappell [Dani] and Linsey Godfrey [Caroline] and found out that Karen's daughter has turned into a total badass crazy person since the last time I was on the show. I couldn't believe it! [Laughs] Clearly, I need to come back. That girl needs some mothering!"

20/20 Special: GENERAL HOSPITAL - THE REAL SOAP DISH Airs Saturday, April 6 (Photos & Video)

For 50 years, GENERAL HOSPITAL has entertained and amazed its viewers with unforgettable romance, action and cutting-edge story lines. To celebrate the pop icon’s golden anniversary, Katie Couric and 20/20 travel to the fictional town of Port Charles to experience first-hand the passion, intrigue and adventure that has made the daytime soap opera the longest running scripted drama currently on television.

The hour program will feature interviews with fan favorites including Tony Geary, Genie Francis, Maurice Benard, Jack Wagner, Rick Springfield, many other cast members, and Executive Producer Frank Valentini.

Katie Couric To Make Cameo on GENERAL HOSPITAL April 16

Katie Couric will make a cameo on GENERAL HOPSITAL on April 16. [SPOILER ALERT] She will play Dr. Kelly Curtis on GH in scenes with Nikolas (Tyler Christopher) and Epiphany (Sonya Eddy).

RELATED:
- PHOTOS: GENERAL HOSPITAL Stars Greet Fans After Taping KATIE
- GENERAL HOSPITAL's Rebecca Herbst, Sean Blakemore, Leslie Charleson & John J. York Talk Tackling Tough Topics
- REVIEW: GENERAL HOSPITAL 50th Anniversary Episode Was Flawless
- Emme Rylan First Airdate On GENERAL HOSPITAL Revealed

Katie Couric Asks Jack Wagner For A "Kiss Me Now" Look (Video)

Katie Couric is celebrating 50 years of GENERAL HOSPITAL with a special episode of KATIE today. She asks Jack Wagner (Frisco) to show her his smoldering kiss me now look. Check it out in the video below:

GENERAL HOSPITAL's Rebecca Herbst, Sean Blakemore, Leslie Charleson & John J. York Talk Tackling Tough Topics

GENERAL HOSPITAL taped an episode of KATIE this morning that will air on Thursday. Katie Couric makes a cameo on GH as part of the show's 50th anniversary celebration and pre-taped some footage as well when she was on the set. In a newly released video, stars from GH talk about talking tough topics. Rebecca Herbst remembers Elizabeth's rape storyline. Sean Blakemore revisits Shawn's PTSD. Leslie Charleson discusses educating as well as entertaining with Monica's breast cancer. John J York talks about Stone dying from AIDS. Watch it below:

GENERAL HOSPITAL's 50th Anniversary Extravaganza On KATIE

On the Thursday, April 4 episode of KATIE, Katie Couric goes behind-the scenes at GENERAL HOSPITAL to bring you all the secrets of Port Charles!

You'll see a sneak preview of Katie’s first soap cameo (as Dr. Kelly Curtis on GH, airing April 16), an exclusive interview with Luke and Laura, plus: Kin Shriner, Maurice Benard, Finola Hughes, and Kelly Monaco, and a special performance by Rick Springfield!

RELATED:
- SOAPnet's 50-Hour GENERAL HOSPITAL Marathon Kicks Off With Very First Episode
- Anthony Geary To Appear On THE VIEW On April 1 To Celebrate 50 Years Of GENERAL HOSPITAL
- GENERAL HOSPITAL – THE REAL SOAP DISH Airs Saturday, April 6
- WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE Celebrates 50 Years Of GENERAL HOSPITAL
- New photo of the GENERAL HOSPITAL cast
- GENERAL HOSPITAL Classic Photo Of The Day (1983 Cast Sketch)
- ABC Partners With amfAR For Nurses' Ball
- GENERAL HOSPITAL Nurses Ball Photos [SPOILER ALERT]

NASHVILLE Preview: "When You're Tired of Breaking Other Hearts" With Guest Star Katie Couric

Photo: ABC

The first season of NASHVILLE continues on Wednesday, March 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Fans will be able to submit questions and receive real-time responses on Twitter from the cast and guest star Katie Couric during the east coast broadcast of the show. Use hashtag #AskNashville to join the conversation.

In "When You're Tired of Breaking Other Hearts," Katie Couric guest stars as herself when Rayna appears on the "Katie" show, trying to set the record straight about her marriage and balancing her career with motherhood. Juliette attempts to take her album launch into her own hands but it backfires when she tweets out a surprise concert location. Maddie lies to Teddy about her whereabouts -- with dangerous consequences -- and Deacon is drawn to his dog's pretty new veterinarian, Stacey.

KATIE Renewed For Second Season

Disney-ABC Domestic Television has renewed KATIE for a second season, it was announced today by Janice Marinelli, president, Disney-ABC Domestic Television.

“KATIE is the No. 1 new syndicated talk show of the 2012-13 season, and we are thrilled to announce a green light for Season Two,” said Marinelli. “Katie is an immensely talented host who has an incomparable ability to connect with her viewers. We also have outstanding station partners and time periods, and look forward to continued success with KATIE this year and into Season Two.”

“Hosting, producing and launching a show from scratch has been challenging but very rewarding,” said Katie Couric. “I’m looking forward to working with our terrific team to build on the success of our first season, and continuing to share compelling stories, explore important topics, and create entertaining television for our audience.”

KATIE Celebrates Being "No. 1 Freshman Daytime Talk Show"

Despite reports that ratings for Katie Couric's new talk show, KATIE, fell each day throughout last week through Thursday, the show sent out a press release on Monday celebrating the show being the "No. 1 freshman daytime talk show." Read it below:

Debuting amidst one of the most competitive landscapes in years for syndicated talkers, KATIE opened as the clear No. 1 freshman daytime talk show, winning all 5 days of its opening week in Homes. On average during the week, KATIE held wide advantages over its freshman competitors in both Households (2.3/7) and Women 25-54 (1.2/7), including “Steve Harvey” (+64%/+33%), JEFF PROBST (+188%/+140%) and RICKI LAKE (+229%/+200%).

NEWS ROUNDUP: Kelly Monaco On Jason's "Pretty Dramatic" Exit From GH; More Bad News For KATIE

Kelly Monaco Talks Balancing Big Jason Morgan Exit Storyline On GENERAL HOSPITAL With DANCING WITH THE STARS
Originally, there were plans to lighten Kelly's load at work, but the impending departure of beloved GH star Steve Burton, who plays Sam's husband (although they're divorcing on the show), Jason Morgan, has meant more material.

"They're wrapping up a nine-year relationship," Kelly said.

Steve, who plays lethal killer Jason on the show, is moving with his family to Tennessee after more than two decades on "GH," and Kelly doesn't even want to think about her co-star leaving.

"Man, I haven't even been able to cross that bridge yet. I don't like goodbyes," she said. "I'd like to think that he's just gonna take a little vacation and come back. I know it might be wishful thinking."

Kelly has an inkling of how Jason will exit Port Charles, and she said it's likely to be "pretty dramatic."

KATIE lost 43% of GENERAL HOSPITAL New York audience on Wednesday
On WABC New York last Wednesday, for example, KATIE scored a 1.8/14 at 3 p.m., while "Harvey," on WNBC at 3 p.m., turned in a 1.2/10. While head-to-head, KATIE won that timeslot battle, the Couric show lost 43% of its GENERAL HOSPITAL lead-in (3.2/24).

THE TALK Season Premiere Up 28% From Last Year; KATIE Drops On Day 2

The third season premiere of THE TALK delivered a 2.3 household rating in Nielsen’s 56 local metered markets, a +28% increase from last year’s premiere and matching its all-time high in the metered markets.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS stars Melody Thomas Scott and Michelle Stafford joined THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL's Katherine Kelly Lang on the "Makeup Free Monday" episode.

KATIE First Day Ratings: 2.8 Household Rating, 8 Share

Nationally syndicated talk show, KATIE debuted on Monday, September 10, 2012 with a 2.8 Household rating, 8 share in the 56 U.S. Metered Markets to lead the pack of new daytime talk shows by huge margins. The premiere of KATIE outdelivered the debut telecasts of STEVE HARVEY by 87% (1.5/4 on 9/4/12), JEFF PROBST by 150% (1.0/3) and RICKI LAKE by 250% (0.8/2). Also worth noting, KATIE topped the sophomore season premiere of ANDERSON by 115% (1.3/4).

We are still waiting for an update on GENERAL HOSPITAL's ratings on the first day in its new timeslot.  We do know up KATIE was up 12% from its lead-in of 2.5/8, which is GH in many big markets.

Below are more KATIE tidbits from a press release the show sent out today:

Katie Couric To Guest On THE CHEW's Season Premiere

ABC's THE CHEW returns for its second season Monday, September 10 (1:00-2:00 p.m. ET), as the new lead-in for GENERAL HOSPITAL.  According to an ABC press release THE CHEW's new season brings "with it a smorgasbord of exciting guests, culinary creations and tips and tricks to make life healthier, easier and, frankly, a whole lot more fabulous."

Katie Couric Promoting KATIE, Will Debut September 10

Katie Couric was on ABC 7 NEWS AT 4 in New York City on Wednesday afternoon promoting her new talk show, KATIE. She said the show will be a mixture of topical stories and more lighthearted fare allowing her to show both sides of her personality.

Starting on September 10, KATIE will air here at 3 p.m. ET on ABC taking the time slot that has been owned by GENERAL HOSPITAL for decades. GH will move to 2 p.m. replacing the six week trial show GOOD AFTERNOON AMERICA. How GAA performs in the ratings will likely go a long way in determining the future of GH on ABC.  It will be interesting to see how GH performs on ONE LIFE TO LIVE's former time slot.

KATIE is produced by ABC Entertainment and distributed by Disney-ABC Domestic Television but is a syndicated program. It will air on many ABC stations but also on some NBC and CBS stations as well around the country.

Watch the first promo for KATIE below.