Friday Night Nielsen Ratings: GRIMM Up, NIKITA Steady, SUPERNATURAL Down

Here's a look at Friday night's ratings:

- GRIMM was up almost 7% to a 1.6 Adults 18-49 on an audience of about 5.4 million viewers.

- Compared to DATELINE NBC (in the same NBC time slot last year) GRIMM was up more than 33%.

Lots of Super Soap Weekend Videos

In addition to a photo gallery and multiple interviews, Michael Fairman's "On Air On Soaps" site has added a number of videos from Super Soap Weekend.

Jason Thompson, Thorsten Kaye, Erika Slezak, Eden Riegel and many more are featured.

You can find them all here.

News Brief

O'Hare plays a key role in Milk
Former BROTHERS & SISTERS guest star Denis O'Hare plays state Sen. John Briggs in the new Gus Van Zandt film, Milk. Brigg proposes a California ballot initiative to outlaw gay and lesbian teachers and becomes the arch-nemesis of Harvey Milk, the first out man to be voted into public office in America. O'Hare's role is an ironic twist - considering he is gay.

To accurately depict Briggs' dialect, passion and fortitude, O'Hare viewed old tapes - and everything else, including being a homophobe, came easy. O'Hare's met several. And knows they're walking our streets, working with us, breathing the same air and, given the recent passing of California's Prop 8, hating on us. Even 30 years later.

"It's a measure of how far we've come," he starts, "and also a measure of how far we haven't come. We're still fighting the same fight in the same place."

Stressed About Money? Save, Baby, Save...
Manisha Thakor and Sharon Kedar write on the Huffington Post: "How did we veer so far off course from our historic roots as a country founded on the values of hard work, perseverance and thrift?

Culprit number one is a society in which personal finance, like parenting, is expected to simply be picked up 'along the way.' We are not formally taught the basics of personal finance, and unlike parenting, there is not much societal support for admitting to confusion in the arena of money. Culprit number two is pervasive media images of 'middle class' lifestyles that are anything but. For instance, if the DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES on Wisteria Lane tried to live like that on real world incomes, they would have been teetering on the verge of bankruptcy by the end of season one."

Couple Alert: Nicollette Sheridan and David Spade
Nicollette Sheridan is single and ready to mingle! Three months after ending her engagement to crooner Michael Bolton, the DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES star was seen making out with Hollywood lothario David Spade at her 45th birthday party at L.A. restaurant Luau on Friday night.

ATWT's Eileen Fulton getting "back to the basics"
Eileen Fulton is setting the holiday spirit for fans in Manhattan and soon to be fans across the country. The cabaret legend is performing at the famed Metropolitan Room in New York on Friday, December 5, and then an encore on Friday, December 12. Fulton has one of the most sought after voices and cabaret acts in the industry. Her talented musical director, Bob Goldstone, will be performing with her both evenings. “Bob and I have made some great classics a little livelier this year. I’m really excited about the shows and the Metropolitan Room is always a great venue for me. I am so happy they have me as often as they do.”

Her manager is busy booking her for appearances at various locations throughout the U.S. and Eileen is excited about the new gigs. “I love performing in front of a live audience. I miss that. I love working on AS THE WORLD TURNS but since they have so many cast members and storylines going, I decided now is the time to go back to the basics of my career. I love my fans and the audience can give so much to you and you feel wonderful entertaining before live audiences. At least I do.”

Former ATWT star Meg Ryan selling Bel-Air home
Meg Ryan's Bel-Air home can be yours for the low, low, price of only 19.5 million dollars. This comes on the heels of Friday's news that Cynthia Watros-Gilliland (ex-Annie, GUIDING LIGHT) sold her Hancock Park home for $5.2 million.

AUDIO: Tampa Bay's Mix 100.7's Super Soap Weekend Interviews
GENERAL HOSPITAL star Greg Vaughn (Lucky) coins a new term - the "Lucky Samwich," plus interviews wtih GH's Kelly Monaco, Kimberly McCullough, Jason Thompson, Julie Berman and Brandon Barash. ALL MY CHILDREN's Thorsten Kaye, Eden Riegel, Ricky Paull Goldin, Darnell Williams and Vincent Irizarry are also interviewed.

News Brief

Lindstrom says ATWT like "joining an old fraternity of professionals"
Lots of big names are coming back to daytime, starting with former GENERAL HOSPITAL star Jon Lindstrom, who joins AS THE WORLD TURNS Dec 3.

"Coming to AS THE WORLD TURNS was like joining an old fraternity of professionals," says Lindstrom, best remembered as Dr. Kevin Collins on "GH" and sister show "Port Charles." (He also played Kevin's psycho twin on GH.) "And the fact that they're all so nice and good-looking doesn't hurt."

"I've agreed to a long-term contract," he tells Soap Opera Digest. "These are unsure times for a lot of shows, but it's certainly my intention to be around for a while."

Roscoe museum displays one-of-a-kind JFK artifacts
In commemoration of the 45th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, Wayne Lensing, owner of Historic Auto Attractions, will debut newly procured artifacts that will be added Saturday to the museum’s permanent collection. Rockford resident Cathy Adams, a retired kindergarten teacher, is fascinated by the one-of-a-kind items related to Kennedy’s assassination.

“The 22nd of November will never be the same for those (of us) who lived through our president’s assassination,” Adams said. “I’ll never forget that. I was sitting at home feeding my baby, watching AS THE WORLD TURNS when life exploded. I called my mother and told her to turn her TV on immediately. Our whole weekend, we were obsessed with the coverage. It was just unbelievable.”

Cynthia Watros-Gilliland sells her Hancock Park home for $5.2 million
Cynthia Watros-Gilliland, who won an Emmy for her role as Annie on GUIDING LIGHT, has sold her 1923 Hancock Park home in L.A. for $5.2 million. The property has about 8,000 square feet, which includes a detached 2,300-square-foot two-story guesthouse. The 5,700-square-foot main house has five bedrooms and five bathrooms. There are fireplaces in both the formal dining room and living room. The home, completely updated and remodeled, has hardwood floors, a gourmet kitchen, custom stone work and wrought iron throughout.

DAYS Aniston hot on Google Trends
After Star reported that John Aniston had dinner with his daughter, Jennifer, and her boyfriend, John Mayer, searches for the DAYS OF OUR LIVES star on Google went through the roof.

Disney's Hollywood Studios says "Goodbye" to Super Soap Weekend

More recaps and photos from this past weekend's event in Orlando.

"The fans who gathered at DHS this past weekend seemed to feel just as Kassie did. Which is why you'd periodically hear chants of 'Save Super Soap!' break out. Not to mention small pockets of people booing whenever that Super Soap replacement event, Rock the Soap, was mentioned."

Trekkers familiar with face of Jonathan Frakes
Jonathan Frakes, the man who will always be synonymous with the Riker Star Trek character, is beaming down this weekend to the Boston Super Megafest with the Sheraton Framingham standing in as Farpoint Station.

Trying to make it as an actor, Frakes moved to New York City and landed a role as Vietnam vet Tom Carroll on the soap opera, THE DOCTORS. In late 1978, Frakes moved to Los Angeles and made numerous television guest appearances on big primetime shows.

Whether there was something in the air or in the mint juleps, four couples from the set of North and South married, including himself and Genie Francis (Laura of GENERAL HOSPITAL fame). The couple just shared their 20th wedding anniversary. As for the secret of a happy marriage, Frakes said, “Patience. Compromise. And your wife is always right.”

Van Der Beek back in North Carolina
Five years after his star-making turn as the center of DAWSON'S CREEK came to an end, Van Der Beek is back on one of Wilmington's sound stages -- working with some of his former crew colleagues -- for a guest appearance on the CW's teen drama ONE TREE HILL. The episode airs Monday night.

"This is just a real nice homecoming for me," Van Der Beek (ex-Stephen, AS THE WORLD TURNS) said.

UGLY BETTY's Suarezes rule
On last night's episode, "Hilda gives the best damn speech to Justin about his being perfect and never, ever compromising who he is. I admit it: I got a bit verklempt, and having a sinus headache only made me a tiny bit more susceptible to the emotion. The Suarezes rule yet again."

2008 SoapHunks.net Awards nominees announced
Who was nommed for Best Hunk, Hunkiest Soap, Most Shamefully Clothed and more? Check out this year's nominations.

News Brief

U.K. online use catching up with U.S.
Americans spend the most time online, but Brits are catching up. This is according to the third annual Intl. Communications Market report conducted by British media regulator Ofcom, which looked at global trends in TV, the Internet and cell phone usage. On average, Americans spent 15 hours a week online last year. In Blighty, where Internet usage per subscriber has risen fastest, Netizens spent nearly 14 hours a week.

Despite the increased use of the web, TV viewing levels remained strong. In the U.S., Ofcom estimated that on average auds watched 4.5 hours of TV a day last year. In Europe, tube addiction is less severe. Polish viewers watched more TV than the other European countries at four hours a day, while the Swedes watched the least at 2.6 hours a day. Brits consume 3.6 hours of TV a day on average. Spaniards spent the least time online of all Europeans -- 7.5 hours a week.

MALA BHATTACHARJEE: Pearl Clutchers Anonymous
"I thought [ATWT's] Noah was repressed, but Brian's repression puts his to shame. He is so tightly controlled and courtly, and he dotes on Lucinda. Seeing him kiss Luke was mindblowing — and yet also made a LOT of sense. I don't know about anyone else, but the whole time he was protesting the Nuke PDA and cautioning Luke against the Foundation supporting the Big Gay Film Festival, I got a distinct tinge of 'the gentleman doth protest too much.'"

Also, check out Mala's highlights from Super Soap Weekend.

ATWT's Van Hansis on his "Dance Dance Revolution" character
"Wiggles is a fun-loving, dumpster-diving, teenage renegade. He grew up in the landfill on the south side of town, watching cartoons from the eighties. The nineteen eighties. Like way old school. He and Jaquise have been besties 4FR. Turnons: sequined gloves, busting hot moves, arithmetic. Turnoffs: making decisions, thinking about any sort of consequence that his actions may have, and books without pictures."

Untangling the John Aniston, Jennifer Aniston, John Mayer and Brangelina Gordian Knot
John Mayer met (in person) John Aniston of DAYS OF OUR LIVES fame and father to one Jennifer Aniston. Star Magazine reports that the couple had dinner with John and Jennifer's stepmother on November 20th

Citing a mysterious eyewitness -- who seems to have hidden in the terrine for all the details s/he could give about the outing - there is reasonable hope that this relationship is not only on-again, but hot and blazing.

GOSSIP Guy Nixes Contract
GOSSIP GIRL third-stringer Connor Paolo, who plays Blake Lively's little (and recently outed) brother, Eric van der Woodsen, has rejected an offer from the show to become a series regular.

So what's the deal? Is he scared to be gaycast, as Thomas Dekker allegedly was circa HEROES? Nah. The ONE LIFE TO LIVE alum is "totally comfortable playing a gay character." More likely, it's about dollars and common sense.

The contract offered called for him to appear in only half of this season's 25 episodes, which is about what he's been averaging as a recurring player, anyway. So, basically, by remaining a free agent, he's got the same gig with none of the strings attached.

Berlanti's ELI STONE canceled, Is DIRTY SEXY MONEY next?
ABC officials also would not comment on the fate of DIRTY SEXY MONEY, which Greg Berlanti also produces. The dramedy, starring Peter Krause, has suffered from low ratings all season and is not expected to survive. Berlanti could not immediately be reached for comment.

John Thomson's "loveable" soap role
John Thomson has described his CORONATION STREET character as "loveable". The COLD FEET star is making a highly anticipated cameo appearance in the ITV soap next month.

"I play an electrician stroke children's entertainer called Jesse. He's funny and loveable. It'll be shown on TV on the 15th of December."

Burnet: I'm proud of gay storyline
Guy Burnet is proud of being involved in ground-breaking HOLLYOAKS storylines, as he returns in the soap's spin-off mini series, HOLLYOAKS LATER.

"I can't tell even you how proud I am, it was basically the baby of me, James and (producer) Bryan Kirkwood and we worked on it really hard for two years. Initially the idea was that it would be a gay relationship between these two guys, but I don't think that's as interesting as flawed characteristics. So you had John Paul coming out as being gay and proud, but he had to deal with his family's religion and then you have something that was never covered in any medium, which was a character who was heterosexual who you then had to justify being attracted to a man,. In doing my research, I found a lot of people who perhaps were married with children and then discovered they had gay tendencies.

You can't categorise Craig Dean in any way, he said 'I don't know what I am, I'm confused', which I know p****d a lot of people off, but I think there were a lot of people out there who related to that and they're the people I wanted to do it for."

News Brief

ALL MY CHILDREN's lesbians cuter than GREY'S ANATOMY's says Frons
During a lunchtime interview at Madeo in West Hollywood earlier this month, ABC Daytime President Brian Frons extolled the virtues of AMC’s lesbian storyline, which this year features the show’s on again / off again resident lesbian Eden Riegel’s Bianca and her new love, Tamara Braun’s Reese, in a committed, often passionate relationship.

“Our lesbians are cuter,” Frons said when an interviewer mentioned that while AMC’s lesbian storyline is blossoming, GREY'S ANATOMY’s was axed.


End of DAYS for Hall and Hogestyn
In a story on the firing for the New York Post, Don Kaplan adds: "Daytime soap operas in general are dying breed. With far more profitable syndicated judge shows and talks shows dominating the network's daytime schedules, many industry observers believe it will only be a matter of time before soaps are banished entirely to far-flung cable channels, the Internet or oblivion."

John and Marlena were FIRED?!
Melissa Niksic from the Chicago Daily Herald writes: "I am so freakin' angry! Yes, I'm sure Deidre and Drake have the most inflated salaries on the show, but how could they be fired?! John and Marlena are the center of Salem! They are the number one supercouple of all time! Firing John and Marlena would be like firing Bill Cosby from THE COSBY SHOW. You just cannot have the show without them!"

Froth and fun at Super Soap Weekend
Matt Palm of the Orlando Sentinel recaps the event and then makes an interesting observation: "I suppose in the world of soaps it's possible that even Super Soap Weekend could someday return from the dead."

HOLLYOAKS has a scandalous new lesbian storyline
The character of Sarah Barnes, a model, has had her fair share of failed relationships (with men, that is). This week, it was reported that she will share an intimate connection with someone — Zoe Carpenter, aka her dad's girlfriend.

It appears that in the UK, some television writers actually pay attention to what their actors want. Last January, actress Zoe Lister (who plays Zoe on the show) told a reporter she was interested in trying out a Sapphic scene: "I’d definitely do a lesbian love scene in HOLLYOAKS," she said. "That would be a really good story."

90210 scoop: Brenda's medical issue
Sources close the series have revealed that Brenda has fertility issues and won't be able to have kids.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Scott Bailey (ex-Sandy, GL)
"I'm still alive and kicking — another day above ground! I'm lucky enough to still make a living at this crazy, playing-pretend game. Sandy got thrown off a cliff, but you know they say if you leap, the net will appear. My net appeared in Los Angeles. It's been a while now. I shot a pilot that started airing last year [on myNetworkTV] called SAINTS & SINNERS, which was great fun. Obviously, the soap training helped! In the end, I didn't get thrown off a cliff. I actually survived that one. I got to shoot a couple of films, too. One called Seducing Spirits, where I played a serial killer who killed bad guys, and I just finished doing a film called Little Wonders with a filmmaker from Portugal ... I go to numerous meetings [laughs] and it's not as busy when you're on a soap."

NBC confirms LIPSTICK JUNGLE isn't dead
Reports of the demise of LIPSTICK JUNGLE may have been premature. A recent uptick in DVR viewing may have saved the Brooke Shields drama. NBC boss Ben Silverman says if LIPSTICK JUNGLE continues to "grows more," he'll order additional episodes.

Alec Baldwin joins ROSIE LIVE
The 30 ROCK star, who played Billy on THE DOCTORS, is the latest name to join Rosie O'Donnell's live variety show, which airs on Thanksgiving Eve. Baldwin will appear along with his 30 ROCK co-star Jane Krakowski (ex-T.R., SEARCH FOR TOMORROW), Kathy Griffin, ALL MY CHILDREN guest star Ne-Yo and Liza Minnelli.

The Latest in Soap Videos

Here are some of the latest soap additions to YouTube.

LUKE PUNCHES CASEY: On Tuesday's excellent episode of AS THE WORLD TURNS, Luke drunk got at Yo's. When Casey tried to help him, Luke punched him in the face. Meanwhile, Lucinda proposed to Brian.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: On Tuesday's episode, relieved to learn that Maxie will recover fully, Spinelli sits by her bed and makes a heartfelt profession of his love. Later, an irate Mac blasts Spinelli for putting Maxie's life in jeopardy.

JAMES SUTTON: The former HOLLYOAKS star performs a cover of "Hear You Me" by Jimmy Eat World.

GH MOTORCADE AT SUPER SOAP: Laura Wright, Rebecca Herbst, Jason Thompson, Kimberly McCullough, Tyler Christopher, Greg Vaughan and Kelly Monaco enter the motorcade.

News Brief

First look at Jon Lindstrom as ATWT's new Craig

Craig Montgomery, now played by soap vet Jon Lindstrom, comes back to Oakdale this December.

MICHAEL FAIRMAN: Super Soap Weekend "short" report
"The experience was a very bittersweet one for the fans, the stars, and the journalists alike. As many of you know SSW 13 was the finale. The curtain finally came down on its long soapy run. Next year ABC Daytime prepares for it's new fan adventure - The 'Soap Nation' Tour."

Heather Locklear Charged with DUI
Heather Locklear has just been charged with one count of driving under the influence of drugs....prescription medications. No alcohol and no illegal narcotics were found in Heather's system. Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney Lee Carter tells us they believe the prescription medications found in her system "could have impaired her ability to safely drive a motor vehicle." Locklear was busted September 27.

CADY MCCLAIN: War... What is it Good For?
"I think it is good to have a strong country, but better to have a JUST one, as well. Whatever your definition of GOOD is, to me it is something that lives in the hearts of those who are willing to choose to negotiate, to deliberate, and to consider deeply the effects of one’s decisions upon others.

I am so proud of those that fight for this country. They deserve leaders who will guide them carefully, with utmost respect for the lives they are putting at risk. It is only with this care that we can feel like an ethical, moral, GOOD nation once more."

Soap Opera Weekly's JOE DILIBERTO: GL's Remy and Christina
"Don't you hate it when you plan to attend a friend's wedding but end up drunk and married yourself? Kudos to GUIDING LIGHT's Lawrence Saint-Victor and Karla Mosley for squeezing laughs out of Remy and Christina's clichéd predicament."

The Latest in Soap Videos

Here are some of the latest soap additions to YouTube.

SUPER SOAP WEEKEND: Sherri Shepherd files a report from this past weekend's event at Disney World.

DRUNK LUKE: On Wednesday's AS THE WORLD TURNS, Noah finds a drunk Luke in Old Town.

Y&R: On Tuesday's episode, Phyllis hacks into Jacks credit card account.

B&B: Thorne assists his father in his plan to test Donna's loyalty on Tuesday's show.

News Brief

So long to Super Soap at Disney World
In the Super Soap program there was a letter from Brian Frons, ABC Daytime honcho, explaining that they always heard from fans wanting the soap stars to come to their hometowns, thus the end of Super Soap (after 13 years) and the beginning of the Soap Nation Tour.

Kenyan soap opera that examines issues of global concern is helping to challenge UK pupils' preconceptions about Africa
MAKUTANO JUNCTION, the east African soap opera now in its fourth season, was originally funded by the Department for International Development (DfID) to convey serious issues through an entertaining medium. Feedback from the pilot episodes suggests that MAKUTANO JUNCTION has been a hit with both students and teachers. Lynn Cutler, from Somerset's development education centre, says the soap has helped them promote global issues in schools.

"Our challenge is to show teachers that development education is not something extra - it's part and parcel of what they're already doing," says Cutler. "Secondary schoolteachers have a lot of specialist expertise, but sometimes they need a way in. Makutano Junction provides this link between the global dimension and subject areas."

Ruth Newman, an English teacher from Clyst Vale community college in Devon, took part in the pilot and used the soap in work with year 8 and 10 students. Their reactions were very different.

"While year 8 enjoyed it straight away, year 10 was more challenging," she says. "They wanted to watch a British soap like EASTENDERS and found it more difficult to adapt to the different setting and humor."

Former Y&R actor Gigandet cast in Five Day Star
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cam Gigandet (ex-Daniel) will play the lead in the indie drama from writer-director Danny Buday.

Brooke Shields: LIPSTICK JUNGLE is not canceled
Despite reports, Brooke Shields says her NBC drama Lipstick Jungle hasn't been scrapped.

"They thought that because MY OWN WORST ENEMY has been shut down that the same thing had happened to us, and it's not true," she told reporters at Sunday's Cookie magazine Kidsfest in NYC.

"They're not breaking down the sets," she added. "We’re still working. We still have more to do, so it's erroneously presented that we’ve been canceled, thank God. Our bosses are saying, 'You’re not canceled, don’t worry. We’re just trying to figure out how to make this make sense.'"

Fire on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES in bad taste
It was according to Roger Catlin of the Hartford Courant: "Maybe it just didn't play well up here. There's still something distasteful about using a club fire for a dramatic turning point (especially in Southern New England, where 100 people died in a club fire). It probably played no better in Southern California, swept up in its own wildfires Sunday."

SARA A. BIBEL: John Gone Again
"Arguably, DOOL has written itself into a corner by failing to develop compelling new characters for the past decade. Many other shows have popular characters were created relatively recently. But DOOL has not had a breakout new character since the “last blast” era. This only enhances the importance of the 'big four.' Without them, the show has nothing. If DOOL had chosen to let John die a year ago, and used his death to generate compelling story for Marlena, Hope, Bo and some of the newer characters the show might be in better shape today. Since it hasn’t, firing Hogestyn isn’t just disrespectful to the actor and his passionate fans. It’s bad business."

TV’s UGLY BETTY has a secret weapon within its sassy supporting cast
“When I read the UGLY BETTY pilot, I thought, Oh, this part’s funny,” says Becki Newton, 30, who plays Amanda. “I said to my husband, ‘I’m going to get it!,’ ” she says. “But based on what? All my exquisite comedic work in a Nike commercial? Yet something about the character made perfect sense in my head, even though she’s so demented. I knew exactly how I wanted to portray her.”

AMC's Martinez participated in FSU program for veterans
JR Martinez, of Dalton, Ga., participated last summer in Florida State University’s Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities program, which trains veterans in entrepreneurship and small business management. It is geared to post 9/11 soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who were disabled as a result of their service.

CADY MCCLAIN: Sexy Men
"I like my men a little rough and tumble, clearly. I like a guy that can swear in really creative ways, but also likes a good chocolate shake. For ME, no brilliance or good looks, kindness or fame, can match the genius, handsome-ness, sweetness, or wow-factor of my [fiance] Frankie. He’s just the BEST."

Unhappy People Watch TV, Happy People Read/Socialize
A new study by sociologists at the University of Maryland concludes that unhappy people watch more TV, while people who describe themselves as "very happy" spend more time reading and socializing. The study appears in the December issue of the journal Social Indicators Research.

"TV doesn't really seem to satisfy people over the long haul the way that social involvement or reading a newspaper does," says University of Maryland sociologist John P. Robinson, the study co-author and a pioneer in time use studies. "It's more passive and may provide escape - especially when the news is as depressing as the economy itself. The data suggest to us that the TV habit may offer short-run pleasure at the expense of long-term malaise."

News Brief

Fans bathe in the limelight of Super Soap Weekend
Hundreds of soap opera fans leaned over the tape snapping photos as the actors danced on an outside stage at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

While he didn't admit to watching soaps, Vincent Irizarry, David Hayward of ALL MY CHILDREN, said many men are "closet" viewers, including businessmen with briefcases.

"We are just people," longtime soap actress Erika Slezak, Viki Davidson of ONE LIFE TO LIVE. "We happen to have high profile jobs."

Advertisers shouldn't fear tuning back in to linear television
Despite what some believe, television content is anything but dead. Earlier this year, Nielsen reported that even in today's digitized world, the average American consumer watches more linear television per week than ever. What is up for debate, however, is the future of linear television advertising. Four experts convened to discuss this matter during the TV 3.0 Power Panel at Ad:tech New York.

In the absence of traditional com­mercial spots, advertisers must be more innovative in sponsorship, noted Stacey Lynn Schulman, SVP of Turner Enter­tainment Ad Sales Research at Turner Broadcasting. “Fans want to engage,” she said. “With DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, fans were connecting with the music. The advertiser could easily sponsor a CD release and have the message associated without disrupting.”

LYNN LICCARD: Fool Me Once, Shame On You
On the recent big soap news including Grant Aleksander's return to GUIDING LIGHT: "There's a whiff of desperation about the whole thing - that they're just making it up as they go along, which begs the real question, 'is doing something better than doing nothing, when what's being done hasn't been well thought out?' If recent history, in the form of John McCain's presidential campaign, is any indicator, the answer, in that case, thankfully for the country, is a resounding 'no!'"

Western New York native lands in Lockport to guide These Working Actors
At 46, Debra Cole (ex-Patsy, GUIDING LIGHT) has progressive multiple sclerosis and now lives Lockport with her significant other, Mike Marion. She is house-sitting and dog-sitting for a friend who is going to medical school in the Netherlands.

“I never expected to fall in love with a guy from Buffalo,” she said. “I left Buffalo when I was a 17-year-old and I would have bet you $5 million I’m never coming back ... I’m starting a whole new round. If people are interested, they should call.” (717-2649)

Former NEIGHBOURS star Kylie Minogue to host 2009 Brit Awards
She will front the U.K. music awards show on British channel ITV in February.

LUCY reaches galactic audience
The first episode of I LOVE LUCY was broadcast sometime on October 15, 1951, more than 50 years ago. About 0.0002 seconds later, the signal glided over the rooftops of the farthest city suburbs, and headed into space. It’s still going. Every day, that first installment passes through an additional 4 thousand trillion trillion trillion cubic kilometers of the cosmos. Given that stars in our galactic neighborhood are separated by about 4 light-years, it’s easy to figure that roughly 10 thousand star systems have been exposed to I LOVE LUCY in the past five decades.

Now, a radio telescope being built to study distant galaxies might also be able to pick up ET’s TV... maybe even their version of DAYS OF OUR LIVES. The telescope consisting of 25 thousand tent-shaped antennas spread across Holland and Germany can be tuned to frequencies under 250 megahertz. This is a spectral range far below what’s usually searched by SETI, but it’s the band in which much of your local television is broadcast - and maybe theirs as well.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The future of soaps! Soaps from another galaxy. That really would be Janet from another planet.

The Latest in Soap Videos: Super Soap Weekend Edition

Here are some videos from Super Soap Weekend which took place Saturday and Sunday at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The video quality isn't the best but this will give you a flavor for what happened at the event.

SUPER SOAP WEEKEND ARRIVALS: Susan Lucci of ALL MY CHILDREN came down the street with Minnie Mouse and was introduced by Sherri Shepherd of THE VIEW. You can also see stars from ONE LIFE TO LIVE in a motorcade.

CAMERON MATHISON: The ALL MY CHILDREN star is innterviewed by Bob Guiney.

THORSTEN & ALICIA: "Zendall" is introduced to huge applause and also interviewed by Bob Guiney.

BRADFORD ANDERSON: The GENERAL HOSPITAL actor sings during Super Soap Weekend.

AMC SPOILERS: A video sneak peak at what's coming up in Pine Valley. Annie pulls a gun on Ryan and later shows up with a knife which may have been used to hurt Erica. Stay tuned!

AIDEN & MELISSA: Guiney interviewed Aiden Turner and Melissa Claire Egan from ALL MY CHILDREN.

News Brief

Kiss gives Brian a new spin in AS THE WORLD TURNS
Lucinda marries the much-younger Brian at her hospital bedside next week on AS THE WORLD TURNS, but what he does next might kill her.

"Brian's relationship with Lucinda is genuine," says Laurence Lau, who plays Brian. "They challenge each other and make each other laugh."

They also just met, but since Lucinda has cancer, she doesn't have time to do her usual due diligence.

"Lucinda [Elizabeth Hubbard] is recovering from a mastectomy," Lau says. "She wakes up with Brian by her side and says, 'I don't want to live alone any longer. Marry me.' Brian says, 'Ask me again when the drugs wear off.'"

Lucinda insists that she means business, so Brian has her sign a prenup to prove he's not after her money and then gives her his Princeton class ring.

"She calls her friend the judge and they get married," says Lau. "It's the real deal. But while she's in recovery, Brian drives back to her house to pick up some things for her. On the way, he sees her grandson Luke staggering on the highway, drunk out of his mind. He pulls him into the car and takes him back to the house to sober up. In the process of comforting Luke, something happens."

Brian gives his new step-grandson a reassuring hug ... and then kisses him!

Everything's Coming Up Rosa (former ATWT organist)
One of the bay area's true treasures is a petite woman with an indelible sense of humor, ongoing musical prowess and almost 90 years in show business. Rosa Rio will bring new life to the restored pipe organ at St. Petersburg's Palladium Theater during a film and song fest this Saturday. The classically trained musician started playing organ for silent films before auditioning and landing a job with NBC radio where she worked for 23 years. She moved from radio to TV playing music for AS THE WORLD TURNS. But, her first love has always been the theater organ. She's scored more than 300 silent films that are now on video. Rosa Rio is 106 years old and still playing and living her theme song "Everything is Coming Up Rosa."

Last Super Soap Weekend offers bittersweet suds
"Your jaw definitely hurts after the whole event," says Kristen Alderson, who plays Starr Manning on ABC's ONE LIFE TO LIVE. "The whole weekend, your jaw muscles are so tense from smiling."

Alderson is 17 years old but has logged more than 10 years on the show. This Saturday and Sunday mark her fourth appearance at Super Soap at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

"The first time I went, I think I was around 12 years old, and it was absolutely insane to have fans screaming your name. I had never witnessed anything like that before," she says. "There was a huge, two-hour line for my autograph. . . . It was the coolest thing."

Andrea Evans walks for a cure
A never-ending stream of over 9,000 men, women and children started their 5K or 2.5K walk as the buzzer went off on Sunday morning's Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer at the City of Hope campus in Duarte.

Walk of Hope celebrity ambassador and actress on the long-running TV show ONE LIFE TO LIVE, Andrea Evans, also took the microphone with her infant daughter Kylie. "I walk not just because I am the daughter of a breast cancer survivor, I walk because I don't want [my daughter] to worry about this."

Is John Stamos Broadway Bound?
John Stamos seems to be hinting rather strongly that he'll be returning to the Broadway stage in the near future. While a guest on both the TODAY and "Howard Stern" shows yesterday morning, the multi-talented Stamos (ex-Blackie, GENERAL HOSPITAL) mentioned he had a role set in "something new" that was opening on Broadway in "late May". Reports indicate it may be the rumored, but little talked about revival of "The Pirates of Penzance," which is slated to begin performances this summer.

Down economy with striking workers forces Indian soap operas to resort to re-runs
The BBC News reported Thursday that technicians and assistants on set behind the scenes working to produce immensely popular soaps in India are planning a strike because the production companies bailed out of an agreement last month to award them a 20% wage increase.

NEIGHBOURS, HOME AND AWAY accused of White Australia policy
NEIGHBOURS and HOME AND AWAY have been branded racist for consistently failing to feature families from ethnic minorities. Now academics and politicians fear that international viewers could get the "wrong impression" about Australia.

University of Queensland Aboriginal studies lecturer Sam Watson said the dramas were operating an "exclusive white family club" that didn't reflect Australia's true demographic.

"The producers and directors of these shows are very sadly harking back to the White Australia policy of the '40s and '50s," he said. "Instead of embracing the rich diversities of our country, they are shunning it."

Canadian television must increase diversity
For Annmarie Morais, the secret to Canada's future success is for the television industry to encourage diversity behind the scenes, within the management sector, and also in front of the camera.

"While in the States, I work with a lot of teenagers and pre-teens, and every one of them knows about DEGRASSI. Now, that show doesn't have an O.C formula or BEVERLY HILLS 90210 formula; it's unique and it has a Canadian voice. Shows like DEGRASSI prove that we can develop shows that have strength across the border."

News Brief

Michael Fairman's "Day of DAYS" coverage
Fairman has some wonderful video from the event and interviews with much of the cast.
Video Clips
Cast Interviews (Trascript with audio) - Part 1
Cast Interviews (Trascript with audio) - Part 2

Y&R's Jeanne Cooper projects a 'Yes, Indeed!' personality
At 5-foot-4 and a blue-eyed blonde, Jeanne Cooper is “hanging in there” and makes no pretense about her roles in life from her screen debut as a 25-year-old actress in the 1953 Western The Redhead From Wyoming with Maureen O’Hara, to an 80-year-old television soap opera star who, without whimper, graciously accepts her latter years (“80 is 80”) with humor and reality and views as pretense the popular notion that “80 is the new 60.” Among her laurels is television’s 2008 Emmy Award for outstanding "leading actress" in a daytime drama.

Unsuspectingly, her route to Midland took flight, in a roundabout way, during Mardi Gras in New Orleans in 1975 when Colbert Latimer “Tim” Baker was introduced to Jeanne Cooper by way of his debonair father, Colbert “Bud” Baker. Tim Baker, who is The Springboard Center’s executive director and a seasoned marathoner, moved to Midland in the 1980s and became immersed in the recovery community. “We represent something that is good and positive,” Tim Baker affirmed.

And that, the “recovery community,” is Jeanne Cooper’s primary interest in Midland and environs. While she cited the big-time monetary gifts to The Springboard Center, which is necessarily both “political and spiritual,” Jeanne Cooper noted tactfully, “the two-dollar bets keep the racetrack open.”

EVENT: Y&R's Judith Chapman to appear at Girl Scout fundraiser
Judith Chapman (Gloria, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) will be appearing at Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council's 2nd Annual Smart Cookie Chef's Challenge and Holiday Silent Auction on Sunday, December 7 from 2-5 p.m., at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa in Indian Wells, 4400 Indian Wells Lane.

DAYS' Alison Sweeney celebrates her upcoming arrival
DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Alison Sweeney raked in the gifts at her November 2nd baby shower at the Treehouse Social Club in LA. But there was a twist — all presents were donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “It seemed the perfect opportunity to do something good and have a good time, too.”

A Very Merry Market brings 'Hope' to Central Louisiana
The Alexandria Riverfront Center will transform into a winter wonderland attraction Thursday through Saturday. Christmas trees, gift-wrapped boxes and festive lights will be strewn about the shopping area in the main venue on the second level. Kristian Alfonso (Hope, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) will not only show up Saturday to sign autographs and pose for picture, but she will also be promoting her jewelry line.

AMC's Lee Meriwether in "Long Days Jouney Into Night"
Lee Meriwether (Ruth, ALL MY CHILDREN0 will star as Mary Tyrone in the Eugene O'Neill Pulitzer Prize-winning play at City College of San Francisco. The show plays at 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Nov. 20-22, and 2 p.m. Sunday and Nov. 23, at the college's Diego Rivera Theatre, 50 Phelan Ave., S.F. Tickets, at $15, may be reserved at 415-452-5185. For more information, call 415-239-3100.

FLASHBACK: Super Soap Weekends Past
Sad times coming up this weekend for soap fans as the last Super Soap Weekend will be held at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The company is discontinuing the event, which for 13 years has shipped dozens of ABC Daytime stars to Central Florida to meet and greet their fans through autograph sessions, parades, game shows, interviews and even a few love scenes.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Landry as female repellent?
Landry is probably one of the few characters who inhabit Dillon who wouldn't bat an eye at finding out the girl he likes, Devin, is a lesbian. But FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS managed to find a way to unveil a gay character while illustrating the unintentional cruelness of teenage life.

When Landry asked why she kissed him if she's gay, Devin matter-of-factly says, 'I didn’t want to be rude, Landry, and I had to make sure.' So in one one season, Landry has been dumped by one woman and officially turned another off of men for good. It's enough to drive the man to say he possesses some sort of "repellent that repels females." And with those few words, and the struggle on Tami Taylor's face not to laugh when she hears them, last season's murder plot is now officially forgiven."

NBC axes LIPSTICK JUNGLE
Sources confirm that NBC has canceled the struggling Brooke Shields drama LIPSTICK JUNGLE.

News Brief

McKee "exhausted" by HOLLYOAKS exit
Hollyoaks star Roxanne McKee has admitted that she feels "exhausted" after filming her final scenes for the soap. The actress's character Louise Summers will bow out after three years as part of a dramatic Christmas storyline next month. McKee has found the experience so overwhelming that she is delaying her leaving party while she recuperates.

"I'm absolutely exhausted. The stuff we've been filming has been very emotional," McKee told the Daily Star Sunday. "I can't say too much as I don't want to spoil it for everyone. I know it sounds lame but I needed some time off to get over it all. So I'm having a couple of weeks chilling out before I hold two parties - one in London and the other in Liverpool. I've been in Liverpool for three-and-a-half years so I want to get everyone I know together for a proper send-off. And a lot of my friends and former cast members are now based in London so I'll have another party once I move back."

Son of PASSIONS' Brook Kerr making a splash in Hollywood
At 18, Chris Warren Jr. already has a string of impressive show-business credits under his belt. But if you look at his family tree, you know where his talent comes from. His parents are accomplished actors who are devoted to each other and their son.

His mom, Brook Kerr, and dad, Christopher Warren Sr., were in Indianapolis recently to visit family, check out changes in the city, see a Colts game, talk to a few reporters and grab lunch at Steak n Shake.

Brook had a long stint portraying Whitney Russell Harris on PASSIONS and more recently has appeared in CSI: MIAMI and CANE.

In 2004-2005, Chris played Jimmy Ramírez on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL.

ABC's stars hit Disney World to help celebrate final event
"We are pulling out all the stops to show our appreciation," said Cameron Mathison, 39, who is headlining the weekend by hosting some events, including The Colgate Total Street Jam in which actors will sing and perform. Sherri Shepherd, co-host of ABC's THE VIEW, will help host the jam. "(The daytime fans) are the most devoted fans in the world. We are in their living rooms every day."

Mathison of New York City, whose wife and two children also will enjoy the Disney parks, has recently been a special correspondent for GOOD MORNING AMERICA, including interviewing some of the cast of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES for a segment sheduled to air this month. He was on DANCING WITH THE STARS last year and said it was "incredibly tough." He said his partner and teacher Edyta Sliwinska "got me to move in ways I could not believe I was able to do."

DEPSERATE HOUSEWIVES keeps strong grip on viewers
"At its heart, DEPSERATE HOUSEWIVES remains what it has always been: a complex, tightly plotted prime time soap opera, with elements of An American Family and The Stepford Wives. Part satire, part farce and only occasionally tragedy, its wry take on suburbia and social mores is still fun to watch."

Ryan Kwanten: Modesty becomes him
Ryan Kwanten must be used to wearing a modesty patch by now. And just to be clear, a modesty patch is not designed to cover an eye.

"It was different going into my trailer and not seeing a full wardrobe," said Kwanten, who plays Jason Stackhouse in True Blood. "All I had was a modesty patch."

In real life, Kwanten hardly needs the blood of a vampire to expand his horizons. He grew up in a beach town in Australia; got a business degree at Sydney University; became a soap-opera star on HOME AND AWAY in his native land; moved to Los Angeles eight years ago to pursue acting; has competed in international biathlons; has become a yoga instructor; has published a book of poems; and he's writing another book, which started out as a parody of self-help books.

Jesse Mccartney's shocking TV role
Former teen music idol and ALL MY CHILDREN star Jesse McCartney is shaking off his family friendly image and giving audiences a glimpse of a new, darker side next week playing a murder suspect on TV crime drama "Law and Order: SVU."

"I have a good feeling about this role. People will be shocked by what they see," said the 21-year-old McCartney, who first stepped into Hollywood's limelight at age 12 when he joined boy band Dream Street.

CORONATION STREET and EASTENDERS' Christmas plots feel cobbled together
"But, as we take our first steps down the long road to Christmas, the soaps we love to hate are laying the foundations for their blockbuster festive storylines. Who was the hit-and rundriver who killed Street heartthrob Liam? Who was the hit-and-run driver who nearly killed EastEnders lowlife Max?"

Super Soap Weekend Event Schedule

The schedule for Super Soap Weekend has been announced. The event takes place November 15-16 at the Disney Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida).

Saturday November 15th Event Schedule

SOAP CENTRAL
at the ABC Commissary
From 8:00am to 8:00pm

"ON LOCATION" AUTOGRAPHS
8:00am -- 7:30pm
*In order to ensure that each Guest receives an autograph, please limit items to one per person.

SUPER SOAP TALK SHOW
at the NEW Premiere Theater (located off Streets Of America)
Hosted by Bob Guiney

9:00am Family Ties -- Alicia Minshew, Eden Riegel, Brandon Buddy, Kassie DePaiva, Kristen Alderson, Susan Haskell, Julie Marie Berman, Tyler Christopher

11:15am "One Life to Live" -- Bree Williamson, Brittany Underwood, Erika Slezak, Farah Fath, Jason Tam, Kassie DePaiva,Michael Easton, Susan Haskell

1:45pm "All My Children" -- Aiden Turner, Alicia Minshew, Bobbie Eakes, Cameron Mathison, Darnell Williams, Melissa Claire Egan, Ricky Paull Goldin, Thorsten Kaye

4:00pm "General Hospital"-- Greg Vaughan, Jason Thompson, Julie Marie Berman, Kelly Monaco, Kimberly McCullough, Laura Wright, Rebecca Herbst, Tyler Christopher

5:15pm Back By Popular Demand -- Darnell Williams, Eden Riegel, Rebecca Budig, Vincent Irizarry, Bree Williamson, Susan Haskell

6:45pm Heartbreakers -- Aiden Turner, Ricky Paull Goldin, Brandon Buddy, John-Paul Lavoisier, Bradford Anderson, Brandon Barash, Jason Cook, Jason Thompson

CASTING CALL presented by COLGATE TOTAL
at the NEW Premiere Theater (located off Streets Of America)
Hosted by Cameron Mathison

10:15am Aiden Turner, Rebecca Budig

12:30pm Greg Vaughan, Kelly Monaco

3:00pm Brandon Buddy, Kristen Alderson

MOTORCADE AND STAR CONVERSATION
at Hollywood Boulevard & the Sorcerer's Hat Stage

10:00am "General Hospital" -- Greg Vaughan, Jason Cook, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Kimberly McCullough, Laura Wright, Rebecca Herbst, Tyler Christopher

11:00am "All My Children" -- Bobbie Eakes, Darnell Williams, Eden Riegel, Ricky Paull Goldin, Vincent Irizarry

12:00pm "All My Children" -- Susan Lucci
Hosted by Sherri Shepherd of "The View

1:15pm "One Life to Live" -- Erika Slezak
Hosted by Sherri Shepherd of "The View"

1:45pm "One Life to Live"-- Brandon Buddy, Brittany Underwood, Farah Fath, John-Paul Lavoisier, Jason Tam, Kristen Alderson

4:00pm "All My Children" -- Aiden Turner, Alicia Minshew, Cameron Mathison, Melissa Claire Egan, Rebecca Budig, Thorsten Kaye

5:15pm "General Hospital"-- Bradford Anderson, Brandon Barash, Jason Cook, Julie Marie Berman, Kirsten Storms

6:15pm "One Life to Live" -- Bree Williamson, Kassie DePaiva, Michael Easton, Susan Haskell

COLGATE TOTAL TRIPLE PLAY GAME SHOW
at Theater Of The Stars
Hosted by John-Paul Lavoisier

9:30am Vincent Irizarry, Farah Fath, Kirsten Storms

10:45am Melissa Claire Egan, Kristen Alderson, Greg Vaughan

12:00pm Ricky Paull Goldin, Brandon Buddy, Bradford Anderson

GRAND MOTORCADE up Hollywood Boulevard 7:45pm

- followed by -

COLGATE TOTAL STREET JAM
at the Sorcerer's Hat Stage
Hosted by Cameron Mathison and Sherri Shepherd
Musical Performances by ABC Daytime Soap Stars, followed by a Star-Studded Finale


Sunday, November 16th Event Schedule

SOAP CENTRAL
at the ABC Commissary
From 8:00am to 8:00pm

"ON LOCATION" AUTOGRAPHS 8:00am -- 7:30pm

SUPER SOAP TALK SHOW
at the NEW Premiere Theater (located off Streets Of America) Hosted by Bob Guiney

9:00am Rivals -- Alicia Minshew, Rebecca Budig, Kassie DePaiva, Susan Haskell, Kelly Monaco, Rebecca Herbst

CASTING CALL presented by COLGATE TOTAL
at the NEW Premiere Theater (located off Streets Of America) Hosted by Cameron Mathison

10:15am Ricky Paull Goldin, Melissa Claire Egan

12:30pm Bradford Anderson, Kirsten Storms

3:00pm John-Paul Lavoisier, Farah Fath

MOTORCADE AND STAR CONVERSATION
at Hollywood Boulevard & the Sorcerer's Hat Stage

9:45am "General Hospital" -- Bradford Anderson, Brandon Barash, Jason Cook, Julie Marie Berman, Kirsten Storms

10:45am "All My Children" -- Bobbie Eakes, Darnell Williams, Eden Riegel, Ricky Paull Goldin, Vincent Irizarry

12:15pm "One Life to Live" -- Erika Slezak
Hosted by Sherri Shepherd of "The View"

12:45pm "One Life to Live" -- Bree Williamson, Kassie DePaiva, Michael Easton, Susan Haskell

1:45pm "General Hospital" -- Greg Vaughan, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Kimberly McCullough, Laura Wright, Rebecca Herbst, Tyler Christopher

4:00pm "All My Children" -- Aiden Turner, Alicia Minshew, Cameron Mathison, Melissa Claire Egan, Rebecca Budig, Thorsten Kaye

5:15pm "One Life to Live" -- Brandon Buddy, Brittany Underwood, Farah Fath, Jason Tam, Kristen Alderson

6:15pm Men We Love -- Aiden Turner, Darnell Williams, Ricky Paull Goldin, Thorsten Kaye, Brandon Buddy, John-Paul Lavoisier, Michael Easton, Brandon Barash, Greg Vaughan, Tyler Christopher
Hosted by Sherri Shepherd

COLGATE TOTAL TRIPLE PLAY GAME SHOW
at Theater of The Stars
Hosted by John-Paul Lavoisier

9:30am Aiden Turner, Bree Williamson, Tyler Christopher

10:45am Rebecca Budig, Susan Haskell, Laura Wright

12:00pm Bobbie Eakes, Brittany Underwood, Brandon Barash

GRAND MOTORCADE up Hollywood Boulevard 7:45pm

- followed by -

COLGATE TOTAL STREET JAM
at the Sorcerer's Hat Stage Hosted by Cameron Mathison and Sherri Shepherd

Musical Performances by ABC Daytime Soap Stars, followed by a Star-Studded Finale

*All outdoor performances weather permitting.
*Talent and individual schedules subject to change without notice.
*Check event information locations for the latest updates.
11:15am Schemers -- Melissa Claire Egan, Thorsten Kaye, Vincent Irizarry, Bree Williamson, Kassie DePaiva, Kelly Monaco, Kirsten Storms

1:45pm "One Life to Live" -- Brandon Buddy, Brittany Underwood, Erika Slezak, Farah Fath, Jason Tam, Kristen Alderson

4:00pm "General Hospital" -- Bradford Anderson, Brandon Barash, Greg Vaughan, Jason Cook, Jason Thompson, Julie Marie Berman, Kimberly McCullough, Laura Wright

5:15pm "All My Children" -- Aiden Turner, Alicia Minshew, Bobbie Eakes, Eden Riegel, Ricky Paull Goldin, Thorsten Kaye, Vincent Irizarry

6:45pm Love Stories -- Aiden Turner, Cameron Mathison, Rebecca Budig, Farah Fath, John-Paul Lavoisier, Bradford Anderson, Kirsten Storms

News Brief

Iraq war veteran cast on ALL MY CHILDREN
Iraq war veteran J.R. Martinez has landed the role of Brot Monroe on ALL MY CHILDREN, said Brian Frons, president of daytime for Disney-ABC Television Group.

"We are honored and delighted to welcome J.R. Martinez to the cast of ALL MY CHILDREN. J.R. represents the best of the human spirit. His commitment to help his fellow service men and women and their families has inspired us all. J.R.'s challenging journey and resilience will bring a uniquely authentic perspective to the role of Brot Monroe," said the soap opera's executive producer, Julie Hanan Carruthers.

According to the show's plot line, Brot served in the U.S. Army in Iraq and was injured in combat. While serving, he fell in love with Lt. Taylor Thompson (Beth Ehlers,) but, due to the extent of his injuries, Brot decided to allow Taylor to believe he was dead. After many operations and recovery, Brot returns to find his fiancee grieving because she doesn't know he is alive. The character's injuries were determined by Martinez's own real-life wounds, ABC said in a release.

Martinez's first airdate on "AMC" is Nov. 7.

Y&R looking for an actress in St. Louis
A local actress will be selected on Nov. 14 to travel to Hollywood to appear in an episode of "The Young and the Restless," the highest-rated soap opera in the country. Actor Bryton McClure (who plays Devon Hamilton on the show) will be here for the selection and to do a screen test with the finalists. KMOV-TV (Channel 4), which broadcasts the show daily at 4 p.m., and KEZK-FM 102 are teaming up with the crew from "Y&R" to find a new local talent. The screen test is open to women ages 18 to 35. It will be held at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton beginning at 9 a.m. Rules, releases and registration forms are available at: theyoungandtherestless.com; kmov.com and kezk.com.

Coleman to present an award in Brooklyn
Former Y&R star Signy Coleman will present the Corporate Partnership Award to Maureen Henegan at the Cobble Hill Health Center’s Annual Fall Gala Nov. 12 at Steiner Studios/Stage 6 in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

HOLLYOAKS' Guy Burnet to guest on THE ROYAL
Guy Burnet is to make a guest appearance in The Royal as a crazed DJ in his first post-Hollyoaks role. The 25-year-old, who is most noted for his role as Craig Dean in the Channel 4 teen soap, filmed his scenes as DJ Lenny earlier this week on a boat in Southampton.

Speaking of the part, he told Digital Spy: "It's an amazing character. I feature in a one-off episode where I play a late '60s radio DJ who's wired on drugs and booze - and he's got a gun. He's a completely over-the-top character. It's the best thing I've ever done - it's amazing. I've been filming all week on a boat."

Super Soap Q & A with Jason Thompson
"It's great to see the fans who have supported you and the show for all these years. And it is great to hang with other casts from other shows."

AMC Reese and Bianca spoilers
Coming in November, Bianca's mom, Erica (Susan Lucci), eventually meets Reese, and, like most mothers, starts planning a lavish wedding.

News Brief

Baby, what a big surprise for Robin and Patrick on GH
Robin and Patrick's long-awaited wedding is interrupted Friday on GENERAL HOSPITAL when her water breaks.

"Anna takes them to the hospital," says Kimberly McCullough, who plays the pregnant Robin. "They find out that the baby has the cord wrapped around its neck. Everyone is really nervous about the baby. Kelly tries to [persuade] Robin to have a C-section right away, but she doesn't want to."

Robin goes ahead with the surgery on Monday.

"She's awake. There's a lot of screaming and grunting and crying before the baby comes out. It's not a normal television C-section. There's a whole labor scenario beforehand. You do see that, unfortunately."

And in the end, "she has a baby girl," McCullough says. "Of course, something else happens with the baby. The situation is something common that happens to mothers. It's not related to her HIV."

More on the final Disney Super Soap Weekend
Were you shocked when you learned that 2008 would be the very last year for the ABC SOAPnet Super Soap Weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort?

Well, so were managers at Disney's Hollywood Studios. They had little or no warning that ABC Daytime was planning on pulling the plug on this annual event at their theme park. Indeed, given the large amount of money that the Mouse had just poured into DHS over the past year in order to make this theme park a far better venue for special events like Super Soap (EX: The $750,000 Disney just spent on enclosing the Backlot Theater). This news came as a real surprise to these folks.

Former ATWT star Runyeon joins AMC cast
Frank Runyeon, who played Steve to Meg Ryan's Betsy on AS THE WORLD TURNS in the '80s, joins ALL MY CHILDREN as Reese's (Tamara Braun) father in December. He also played Michael on SANTA BARBARA.

Braun debuted on AMC on Thursday.

Fame is a necessary evil says EASTENDERS' Jo Joyner
"There’s a point where you’re standing in front of 60 cameras and you’ve either got it in you to pose or you curl up inside and want to run away like me. People remember the loud luvvies but I know a lot of shy actors. I’m fine when somebody’s written the words for me and I’m in character, I’ll sing karaoke if I have to, but if you ask me to get up at your do and sing karaoke, there’s no way."

HOLLYOAKS' Matt "could play Max's lost twin"
Matt Littler has joked he could return to HOLLYOAKS - as Max Cunningham's long lost brother. The 26-year-old actor won a National TV Award this week for his performance as Max, who was killed after being hit by a car immediately after his wedding to Steph Dean.

Asked whether he would like to return to the soap, he joked: "I could come back in as my lost twin brother or something."

He added that he thought the way his character was killed off worked well.

"I think it was a really wise decision from Brian (Kirkwood, the show's producer) because when he first said we thought 'wow', as they were trying to think of a way to get us out whilst leaving Ellis (Hollins) who plays Tom in there. No one had ever considered that idea and as soon as it was on the table everyone was like 'oh!' and these were the people that write the show and if that was their reaction we thought it would work with the audience as well."

OLTL brings back the previews
ONE LIFE TO LIVE will go back to promoting the next day's episodes next week. "We have an amazing story coming in November, and we want the audience to get a sneak preview every day," says executive producer Frank Valentini.

Gay teens on TV and in Speech and Debate
More fully defined portraits of gay teens — the kind that go beyond sexuality as a sole, defining characteristic of a character — seem to be proliferating on network TV (UGLY BETTY, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, DEGRASSI and AS THE WORLD TURS among them).

DENA HIGLEY: I'd like to mention the passing of Jim Reilly
"He was, and will always remain, an amazing force behind the history of DAYS. I was lucky enough to write for him during the "Buried Alive" storyline--one of my favorites. Of course, I think he will most be remembered for having Marlena act completely out of character when she was possessed and then again when she was a serial killer. Two very popular and successful storylines. Jim's imagination was crazy and it was an adventure working for him. He will be missed by the entire daytime community."

INTERVIEW: Michael Fairman
Fairman discusses the latest happenings in the soap world.

The Latest in Soap Videos

Here are some of the latest soap additions from around the web.

EASTENDERS: An extended version of the Christian and Lee scenes from the controversial episode on Tuesday.

NIGHT SHIFT: A preview of next week's episode.

EDEN RIEGEL: The Emmy winning actress, who is about to return to ALL MY CHILDREN, thinks this is year to come to Super Soap Weekend.

SEARCH FOR TOMORROW: Jennifer (Morgan Fairchild) shoots Eunice (the late Ann Williams).

The Latest in Soap Videos

Here are some of the latest soap additions from around the web.

LEVEN RAMBIN: Leven wants you to watch TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES on Fox.

MANHATTANITES: Check out a scene featuring ONE LIFE TO LIVE star Ilene Kristen and others.

SUPER SOAP WEEKEND: Preview for the last event at Disney World this November.

KIMBERLY MCCULLOUGH: The GH and NIGHT SHIFT star spoke last night about how she got involved with AIDS Walk Los Angeles at the 2008 AIDS Walk reception.