NEWS: Deidre Hall, Mary Lynn Blanks, Kelly Ripa, Sean Blakemore, James Franco, Camila Banus, Taraji P. Henson

Mary Lynn Blanks: The Soap Opera Actress Who Captured Chuck Blazer's Heart
Vice.com has posted a fascinating excerpt involving one-time soap opera star Mary Lynn Blanks (ex-Tara Martin, All My Children; ex-Annie Stewart, As the World Turns; ex-Jenny Baylor, Loving; ex-Thelma, Another World) from the forthcoming book "AMERICAN HUCKSTER: How Chuck Blazer Got Rich From-and Sold Out-the Most Powerful Cabal in World Sports" by Mary Papenfuss and Teri Thompson. Copyright © 2016 by Mary Papenfuss and Teri Thompson. To be published on April 26, 2016 by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

"Mary Lynn Blanks was stunned to receive a letter out of the clear blue from long-ago lover Chuck Blazer offering sunny birthday greetings when she turned fifty. Blazer boasted in the October 2002 note that he had achieved 'most of my goals, both professional and personally.' He expressed the hope that she was enjoying a good life too."

100-year-old Days of our Lives fan meets cast members
Ann Young didn't know what to expect when 12 News sat her in front of a laptop and dialed a number on Skype. The people who answered were people she had only seen through her television set-they were members of her favorite show, Days of our Lives. Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans) was joined briefly by her co-star Kristian Alfonso (Hope Brady) to wish Ann a very happy 100th birthday. After Kristian returned to work, Ann talked with Deidre for almost 20 minutes. They talked about the show, about Ann's love for the characters and the entertainment. Deidre asked Ann what her secret to long life is.

"Oh, surround yourself with young people, and lie about your age," Ann said.

Watch the 12 News story below.

Sean Blakemore Visiting 'General Hospital' on April 4

Sean Blakemore, who recently received his second Daytime Emmy nomination for playing Shawn Butler on General Hospital, is returning to the ABC soap opera for one episode on Monday, April 4.

Blakemore tweeted that "it was a great ride" when he left GH in May 2015. He has since appeared in a number of CSI: Cyber episodes as Director Silver.

Following his visit to General Hospital, he can next be seen on the upcoming fourth season of Lifetime's Devious Maids.

RELATED:
- 'General Hospital' Alum Sean Blakemore Joins 'Devious Maids'

'General Hospital' Alum Sean Blakemore Joins 'Devious Maids'

General Hospital alum Sean Blakemore (ex-Shawn Butler) has joined the Season 4 cast of Lifetime's primetime soap opera Devious Maids. Co-star Rebecca Wisocky (Evelyn) shared a picture of them on set on Twitter, writing, "Welcome to #DeviousMaids S4 sweet @SBlakemoreActor. Start preparing your crush now."

Welcome to #DeviousMaids S4 sweet @SBlakemoreActor 😊 Start preparing your crush now #DeviousArmy pic.twitter.com/bTxUJ5jo3s

— Rebecca Wisocky (@rebeccawisocky) March 3, 2016

Blakemore is currently recurring on CSI: Cyber as FBI Director Silver.

Sean Blakemore Leaving 'General Hospital'

Sean Blakemore

General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini revealed today during the live behind-the-scenes video broadcast on Periscope that Sean Blakemore would be leaving the show and the role of Shawn Butler. Today was his last day.

Blakemore tweeted a message for fans: "Thank you all frm my heart 4 all ur immeasurable spprt/luv during my time on GH! It was a great ride! Ur support is overwhelming. ..such beautiful people u all are...much love 4 each and everyone of you"

Today was also the final episode for Jeffrey Vincent Parise (Carlos Rivera), whose character was shot and killed by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes). Parise guest-starred on last night's Mad Men series finale.

Blakemore previously taped additional scenes that will keep Shawn on the canvas for a few more weeks.

RELATED:
- 'General Hospital' Stars Teresa Castillo & Jeffrey Vincent Parise Cover Nick Jonas' "Chains"

GENERAL HOSPITAL 13,000th Episode Behind The Scenes Video

In celebration of GENERAL HOSPTIAL's 13,000 episodes, the cast reflects on the milestone.

“It’s overwhelming to think that we've done 13,000 episodes,” executive producer Frank Valentini says in the Parade clip. “It’s great to look out at everyone in the cast and crew, and some people have been there for 20, 25 years.”

Maurice Bernard (Sonny Corinthos) marveled at GH's longevity. “We’ve grown up here, and our families have grown up together,” he says. “We’ve watched people come, we’ve watched people go, and it’s still a success.”

Watch the video below and get a peek at the on-set celebration.

Sean Blakemore, Tyler Christopher, Roger Howarth, Kelly Monaco & Jason Thompson Visit THE CHEW on October 24th

Five stars from GENERAL HOSPITAL (Sean Blakemore, Tyler Christopher, Roger Howarth, Kelly Monaco and Jason Thompson), Hayden Panettiere (NASHVILLE), Tori Spelling (BEVERLY HILLS, 90210), STAR TREK alum George Takei and Tyler Blackburn (ABC Family's RAVENSWOOD) are among the guests featured next week on THE CHEW (1:00-2:00 p.m. ET) on ABC.

For the week of October 21-25:

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21 – “HOW ‘BOUT THEM APPLES” – Hayden Panettiere (ABC’s NASHVILLE) helps Clinton Kelly make a Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apples and pulls a hilarious prank on the co-hosts. Matt and Ted Lee, authors of Lee Bros. Charleston Kitchen, make a scrumptious, apple-studded Huguenot Torte, and Carla Hall makes Crispy Peanut Butter Caramel Apples.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: If She Dies, You Die

Starting this week, it looks like summer in Port Charles is going to be a scorcher. But Sonny (Maurice Benard) is not happy! Check out the latest SOAPnet promo for GENERAL HOSPITAL below:

GENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Revenge Takes A Tragic Turn

The town Franco (Roger Howarth) terrorized wants him dead. But this week, revenge takes a tragic turn. Check out the latest SOAPnet promo for GENERAL HOSPITAL 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:

NEWS: Tracey Bregman Contract; Jon Hamm Rolling Stone Cover, CW Revamp, Gay Men On TV, DWTS Results

Tracey Bregman signs new contract with THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Bregman tweeted the news: "It's official! Signing my new contract with @Official_YandR on the shows 40 th anniversary. #grateful #YR40"

Y&R websites at TheYoungandtheRestless.com and CBS.com are merging
Beginning Thursday, March 28, TheYoungandtheRestless.com will be automatically redirected to the Y&R page on CBS.com. Finally a successful marriage in Genoa City!

Rolling Stone Cover: 'Mad Men's' Don Draper Exposed
Jon Hamm makes his first solo appearance on the cover of Rolling Stone in the next issue. Contributing Editor Josh Eells shadowed the actor on the set of the hit AMC show, at his favorite neighborhood dive bar and on a hike through his hip Los Feliz neighborhood. Hamm explains how drastically he differs from Don Draper, his pre-MAD MEN struggles in the entertainment business and his plans when the show goes off the air in 2014.

DAYTIME EMMYS: Heather Tom, Christel Khalil, Jonathan Jackson, Rebecca Herbst, Bradford Anderson, Sean Blakemore & Jason Thompson On THE TALK Today

CBS’s Daytime talk show THE TALK salutes the 39th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Awards with a special show completely dedicated to daytime television’s biggest night, Monday, June 25, 2012, (2 p.m.  ET/1 p.m. PT) on the CBS Television Network.  Hosts of THE TALK will be joined live in-studio by some of the night’s biggest winners for a post-Emmy celebration.

Outstanding Lead Actress winner Heather Tom of CBS’s THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL will appear live on the show to discuss her win. Tom made history at the Awards show this year, becoming the only actress to win in all three categories, including Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series.

Christel Khalil of CBS’s THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, winner for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series, will also visit the show along with Jonathan Jackson, who won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role on GENERAL HOSPITAL.