Solid Ratings Start for 'Jugar con Fuego' on Telemundo

The premiere of Telemundo's new captivating thriller Jugar con Fuego (Playing with Fire), produced by Telemundo International Studios and Globo, ranked as the # 1 program on Spanish-language television at 9 p.m., among adults 18-49 and adults 18-34, according to Nielsen. Starring Jason Day, Carlos Ponce, Margarita Rosa de Francisco, Gaby Espino, Laura Perico, Tony Plana and Marcelo Serrado, the premiere of the 10-episode series averaged 615,000 adults 18-49 and 256,000 adults 18-34, outperforming Univision's Mi Marido tiene más Familia in both demos, and ranking as the #1 most social program among Hispanic networks in primetime.

Locally,Jugar con Fuego's premiere ranked as the #1 program, regardless of language, among adults 18-49 in Houston and Miami in its timeslot. It also ranked as the #1 Spanish-language program in its timeslot in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago among adults 18-49.

Shot entirely on location in the Colombian coffee "triangle," Jugar con Fuego tells the story of Fabrizio, an attractive and charming young man, who bursts into the lives of three women, Camila and Martina, married women who are great friends - and Andrea, Martina’s daughter. His arrival from Mexico will disrupt, in a terrible and permanent way, the life of the homes in the prosperous Colombian coffee zone, and his incursion into a forbidden territory will confirm that playing with fire ... can bring terrible consequences.

Source: Nielsen, 1/22/19, L+SD, Tue 9-10 p.m., A18-49(000). NSI, 1/22/19, Tue 9-10 p.m. EST & PAC/8-9 p.m. CEN, rank based on A18-49 (000). Nielsen Social Content Ratings, 1/22/19, ranked by total linear episode-level interactions.

Luis Ernesto Franco & Camila Sodi Lead Cast of Upcoming Telemundo Telenovela 'Falsa Identidad'

Luis Ernesto Franco stars as Diego Hidalgo. Photo Credit: Telemundo

Telemundo has revealed the cast for its upcoming telenovela, Falsa Identidad, which is set to premiere in September.

Falsa Identidad will Luis Ernesto Franco as Diego Hidalgo; Camila Sodi as Isabel; Sergio Goyri as Gavino Gaona, a drug lord from Alamos, Sonora; Alejandro Camacho is Augusto Orozco, Eduardo Yáñez is Don Mateo; Sonya Smith as Fernanda Orozco, Augusto’s wife; Uriel del Toro plays the role of Joselito, Samadhi Zendejas is Circe Gaona, daughter of Gavino; Geraldine Bazán is Marlene, Isabel’s best friend, Azela Robinson is Ramona; Isabel’s best friend; Alvaro Guerrero is Salas, Gabriela Roel plays the role of Felipa; Azela Robinson is Ramona; Pepe Gámez plays Deivid, Diego’s best friend, Manuel Balbi is Eliseo Hidalgo, the mayor of Alamos, Sonora; Marcus Ornellas portrays Porfirio Corona, a norteño music singer A.K.A. Corona, Martijn Kuiper as Jim; Alejandra Zaid as Lourdes; Juliette Pardeu as Gabriela; Vanessa Restrepo as Paloma; Pedro Hernández as Piochas; Gimena Gómez as Nuria; Marcela Manriquez as Zoraida; Barbie Casillas as Amanda; Checo Perezcuadra as Ricardo; Emilio Herrera as Erik; and Toño Valdes as Chucho.

Falsa Identidad is the story of Diego (Luis Ernesto Franco) and Isabel (Camila Sodi), two complete strangers who are forced to flee their home state of Sonora, México for different circumstances, adopting the false identity of a solid marriage as they escape their haunting destiny.

Diego leaves his family after his father’s passing and his mother remarries. In an act of rebellion, and in order to punish what he considers a betrayal of his father's memory, Diego gets involved in an illicit world, selling fuel to Sonora's most powerful drug dealer, Gavino Gaona. Things get complicated when Diego has an affair with Gavino's wife, putting a price on his own head.

Telemundo Unveils Sneak Peak of 'Al Otro Lado Del Muro'

On Tuesday night, Telemundo viewers got a chance to watch an sneak peek of the upcoming drama series Al Otro Lado Del Muro (On the Other Side of the Wall) set to premiere on Wednesday, February 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Starring renowned actresses Litzy and Marjorie de Sousa, the story centers on the lives of two women that cross the U.S.-Mexico border, one following a dream, and the other fleeing a nightmare. Al Otro Lado Del Muro showcases the challenges and opportunities many immigrants experience as they risk everything in pursuit of a better life for themselves and their families. The series also stars Oscar-nominated Adriana Barraza, Gabriel Porras, Uriel del Toro and Guillermo Iván.

Litzy plays Eliza Romero, a mother of two who moves to the United States to reunite with her husband, not knowing that during the many years they have been apart, he started a new family. This project marks Marjorie de Sousa’s debut on Telemundo, portraying Sofía Villavicencio, a woman who supports the successful political life of her husband, but discovers that behind the façade of state Governor, he is a member of a child-trafficking ring.

Al Otro Lado Del Muro is an original story by Laura Sosa, directed by Luis Manzo and Nicolás Di Blassi, with Carmen Cecilia Urbaneja as executive producer. The stellar cast also includes Khotan Fernández, Gabriela Vergara, Daniela Bascope, Ana Estupiñan, Mauricio Novoa, Daniela Wong, Jonathan Freudman, Alexis Vabegas, Thamara Aguilar, Gustavo Pedraza, Jullye Gilberti, Omar Germenos, Edward Nutkewickz, Elias Campos, Daniela Macias, Ed Trucco, Christopher Millan, Ana Gonzalez, Francisco Porras, Sofia Osorio, Regina Orquin, Nicolas Sadovnik, Gael Sanchez, Noah Rico and Luis Antonio.

The premiere of Al Otro Lado del Muro is part of a Telemundo's double premiere evening that also features the grand debut of the network’s new Super Series Enemigo Intimo, at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

New Season of 'Señora Acero, La Coyote' Premieres November 6 on Telemundo

Next Monday marks the return of the new season of the Telemundo novela Señora Acero, La Coyote. Dubbed a "Super Series" by the network, the show stars Carolina Miranda, Luis Ernesto Franco, Michel Duval, Jorge Zárate, Diego Cadavid, Ana Lucía Domínguez, Oscar Priego, Rodrigo Guirao, Alberto Agnesi, Aurora Gil, Oka Giner, Mauricio Henao and Jonathan Islas, with the special participation of Gaby Espino.

The new season unfolds within the painful context of the undocumented immigrants who cross the border from Mexico to the United States in search of the American Dream. Señora Acero, La Coyote continues the story of Vicenta Acero (Miranda), a strong woman who has carved a path for herself in a male-dominated world and fights for better treatment of the many immigrants who struggle to cross one of the world’s longest borders. La Coyote now faces enemies on both sides of the law who are out for revenge and to destroy the Acero Quintanilla dynasty.

Watch new episodes of Señora Acero, La Coyote starting Monday, November 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Telenovela Star Slaps Univision Journalist on Red Carpet (Video)

Telenovela star Eduardo Yáñez (ex-Facundo, Amores con trampa; ex-José, True Love et al) slapped Univision personality Paco Fuentes, after Fuentes reportedly asked a question about Yanez's son, according to CBS2 Los Angeles.

Fellow entertainment reporter Lupita Herrera was at the event and had just spoken with Yanez moments before the actor slapped the Univision reporter. She told CBS2 that Yanez has a reputation for getting combative with journalists.

Fuentes and Yanez were reportedly chatting peacefully just moments before the slap.

Watch the slap below.

Antonio Medellín Dead at 75

Mexican telenovela actor Antonio Medellín died on June 18. In a post on Facebook, actors guild Associación Nacional de Intérpretes (ANDI) confirmed his passing.

"With deep sorrow, the directive counsel the passing away of Antonio Medellín, today in the city of México. He was 75," the statement read. "To his family and friends, we send you a warm-felt hug and our condolences."

Medellín was a seasoned actor that participated in countless telenovelas. His last credit was on Televisa's Tres Veces Ana, where he co-starred opposite Angelique Boyer and Sebastián Rulli.

Prior to that role, Medellín played roles in telenovelas like Lo Imperdonable (2015), Que Te Perdone Dios, Yo No (2015), La Gata (2014), Por Siempre Mi Amor (2013), Porque El Amor Manda (2012), Cuando Me Enamoro, Se Detiene El Tiempo (2010), Mi Pecado (2009), Fuego En La Sangre (2008), Contra Viento y Marea (2005), Barrera De Amor (2005), Rubí (2004), Amarte Es Mi Pecado (2004), Niña Amada Mía (2003), María Belén (2001), Ramona (2000), and many more.

'El Señor de los Cielos' Season 5 Premieres June 20 on Telemundo

The wait is almost over and now the hunt begins. Telemundo announced the new season of its Emmy-award winning Super Series El Señor de los Cielos, starring Rafael Amaya, Fernanda Castillo, Carmen Aub, Mariana Seoane, Maricela Gonzalez, Sabrina Seara and Vanessa Villela, premieres Tuesday, June 20 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

In this new season, Aurelio Casillas (Rafael Amaya) has withdrawn himself from the action and his business to enjoy life with his lover, especially now that the authorities think he is dead. However, he knows he must prepare for an impending war with his nephew, which will end in a life-or-death struggle against his own family.

The four previous seasons of El Señor de los Cielos have positioned this Super Series™ as the most-watched program at 10pm on Spanish-language television. In 2014, it won the first-ever International Emmy® award given in the category of Non-English Language US Primetime Program.

The cast of El Señor de los Cielos also includes Lisa Owen, Alejandro Lopez, Jorge Luis Moreno, Plutarco Haza, Ofelia Medina, Jesús Moré, Ivan Tamayo, Manuel Balbi, Wendy de los Cobos, Ivan Arana, Rafael Novoa, Carlos Mata, Patricia Vico, Emanuel Esparza, among others.

El Señor de los Cielos is an original Telemundo Studios production filmed in Mexico by Argos Televisión. Luis Zelkowicz wrote the script and Danny Gavidia and Victor Herrera direct, while Mariana Iskandarani serves as executive producer.

'Totalmente Diva' Premieres June 13 on UniMás

Totalmente Diva, a romantic and uplifting telenovela with a contemporary plot for the enjoyment of the whole family, premieres Tuesday, June 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on UniMás.

Totalmente Diva tells the story of Eliza (Marina Ruy Barbosa), a humble girl who must overcome many obstacles to win a beauty pageant in order to turn her life around and help her family. At the same time, the young girl will have to decide who her true love is: Arthur (Fábio Assunção), the owner of a modeling agency who wants to transform her into a professional model and win the “Totalmente Diva” pageant, or Jonatas (Felipe Simas), a young street vendor who helps Eliza survive in the big city. Will Eliza’s plans to become a total diva prevent her from finding true love? It’s totally possible!

Featuring breathtaking landscapes in Brazil, Australia and Uruguay, Totalmente Diva will air Monday through Friday.

Telemundo Announces 2017-2018 Programming Slate

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises have announced their lineup programming for the 2017-2018 television season, featuring over 850 hours of new formats and multiplatform original content, at a press conference today. Telemundo's new primetime programming line-up features three super series including the much-anticipated return of the worldwide success La Reina del Sur, and five new mini-series, including a series based on the life of renowned music icon Luis Miguel and El Secreto de Selena, the story behind the death of the beloved Mexican-American singer, Selena Quintanilla.

Check out the super series, series, and mini-series announced below.

SUPER SERIES

El Señor de los Cielos (The Lord of the Skies) – Starring Rafael Amaya, Fernanda Castillo, Carmen Aub and Mariana Seoane, the most successful Super Series™ returns for a sixth season as Aurelio Casillas has recovered all the fortune he lost and finally feels the need to retire. But it's payback time, the hatred he sowed since he sold his soul to the demon of drug trafficking is now knocking at his door with the face and blood of the many innocent people he destroyed. Aurelio will understand that his riches are an illusion and that after having been the great hunter he was, he will now become the prey. The women he mistreated, the men he betrayed, the political puppets he put in power, and even his own children will turn against him. Has the time come for Aurelio to pay for his sins?

'The Double Life of Estela Carrillo' Premieres May 8 on Univision

Univision is inviting viewers to discover the secrets of a determined single mother who comes to the United States and fights to give her daughter a better life in La Doble Vida De Estela Carrillo (The Double Life of Estela Carrillo). Set in Los Angeles, it is an original story by the acclaimed producer Rosy Ocampo starring Ariadne Díaz as Estela Carrillo, alongside David Zepeda, África Zavala and Danilo Carrera.

In this modern story, a desperate Estela obtains false documents only to find herself trapped in a web of lies and intrigue surrounding the fake identity she has adopted. In the meantime, she also pursues her lifelong dream of becoming a Regional Mexican music singer.

“We’re excited for our audience to partake in the dual life of Estela as she navigates obstacles that are familiar to so many, in the pursuit of her dreams,” said Lourdes Diaz, President of Entertainment, Univision Communications Inc. “This thrilling story will have all on their edge of their seats, rooting for Estela and even singing along with her.”

La Doble Vida De Estela Carrillo premieres May 8 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Univision.

'El Chema' Premiere Draws 2.4 Million Viewers

Telemundo's first ever super seriesspinoff El Chema ranks as the #1 Spanish-language program in primetime, delivering 2,435,000 total viewers and 1,434,000 adults 18-49 on premiere night, outperforming Univision at 10 p.m. by +22% and +63%, respectively, according to Nielsen. Starring Mauricio Ochmann, the series reached a cumulative audience of 3,089,000 total viewers and 1,827,000 adults 18-49.

Locally, El Chema ranked #1, regardless of language among adults 18-49 in Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Chicago, San Francisco, Orlando and Miami, where it also ranked #1 among total viewers.

In a first time ever for Spanish-language television, TELEMUNDO launched a virtual reality experience called "El Chema 360°", which has generated 3,700,000 global views to date. On Facebook, the video generated 2,600,000 global views. The El Chema Facebook page generated 1,400,000 global video views on Facebook and 63,000 global actions across social channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) on the day of the premiere.

An original Telemundo production made by Argos Televisión, El Chema tells the story of how Chema Venegas (Ochmann) got his start in organized crime and rose through the ranks to become the head of the cartel he runs in El Señor de los Cielos. Chema began breaking the law at a young age, transporting marijuana across the US-Mexico border when he was just a boy. Little by little, he worked his way up to become a successful and skillful leader, earning his place through bloodshed and brutality, in the history of drug trafficking. Since he was a young man, Chema has been one of the most important public enemies of both the US and Mexican governments.

Source: Nielsen 12/6/16, NPM L+SD IMP TEL vs SLTV nets; Fastie Reach w/6+ min qual. NSI L+SD, Ranking based on P18-49 & P2+ IMP for 10p-11p time period (vs UNI, UMA, AZA,ETV,MMX). Adobe Analytics US Only, 12/6/16. Shareablee, 12/6/16; YouTube Analytics, 11/21-12/6/16; Tubular Labs, November 2016.

'Señora Acero 3, La Coyote' Ends Run as Top Spanish-Language Series at 10 PM

Gaby Espino

Monday night's third season finale of Telemundo's highly-rated Señora Acero 3, La Coyote ranked #1 in Spanish-language prime delivering 2,642,000 total viewers and 1,508,000 adults 18-49, according to Nielsen. During its full run, the Super Series averaged 2,091,000 total viewers and 1,180,000 adults 18-49, ranking as the #1 Spanish-language program at 10pm, outperforming Univision among total viewers by +19% (2,091,000 vs 1,753,000), adults 18-49 by +47% (1,180,000 vs. 805,000), and by +63% among Adults 18-34 (587,000 vs. 360,000).

Locally, Telemundo ranked as the #1 program at 10pm among adults 18-49, regardless of language, in Los Angeles, Houston (also among total viewers), Phoenix and Orlando. The finale also ranked as the #1 Spanish-language program among total viewers and adults 18-49 in New York, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Denver, Tampa and Boston.

On the day of the finale, Señora Acero 3, La Coyote ranked as the #1 most socially engaged Spanish-language program during primetime social. The Super Series generated 2,200,000 million global native views on Facebook and 113,000 global actions across social platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). During the full season, the series generated 10,600,000 global actions across social platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and 96 million global Facebook video views.

Señora Acero 3, La Coyote is an original TELEMUNDO production filmed by Argos Televisión, with Mariana Iskandarani and Marcela Mejía as executive producers.

Source: NPM LS+D IMP. Strict Daypart & PAV, 10p-11p. 7/19/16-12/5/16. TEL vs UNI, UMA, AZA, ETV. Adobe Analytics US Only; ListenFirst; Shareablee, 12/5/2016. Adobe Analytics US Only; Shareablee, 7/19/16-12/5/16.

'El Chema' to Feature First-Ever Viritual Reality Experience on Spanish-Language TV

For the first time in the history of Spanish-language television, Telemundo announced today the launch of a 360-degree virtual reality experience to engage with viewers in advance of the launch of its upcoming telenovela El Chema. On the heels of its success in reaching the coveted Generation M – mobile, multicultural, millennials – with original content tailored to their modern cultural interests, Telemundo’s Marketing and Digital divisions teamed up to bring viewers "The Chema: A 360 Escape.” The experience gives fans the opportunity to immerse themselves in a dizzying journey, accompanied by El Chema Venegas (Mauricio Ochmann), as they undertake his daring tunnel escape from a high-security prison. Telemundo also partnered with Facebook and YouTube to release the experience across those social platforms to engage fans as a lead up to the highly-anticipated spin off’s premiere.

“Our marketing team is always looking for new and innovative ways to connect with our audience and engage them with our programming through cutting edge, entertaining experiences” said Aileen Angulo-Merciel, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Creative, Telemundo. “We are thrilled to bring viewers an unforgettable opportunity through our ground breaking virtual reality escape for El Chema.”

As part of the 360 experience, Telemundo activated a campaign to allow viewers to enjoy the virtual reality experience in person across multiple cities including Los Angeles, California at Stonewood Mall; Houston, Texas at Plaza Americas; Bronx, New York at the Mall at Bay Plaza; and Chicago, Illinois at the Gurnee Mills Mall.

“Our digital initiatives and partnerships allow viewers to stay connected during our shows and in between on-air episodes,” said Peter Blacker, Executive Vice President, Digital Media and Emerging Business, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. “The campaign we are launching across multiple platforms provides our fans with yet another inventive experience and more exclusive content, which enables us to continue to connect with Generation M.”

In addition to the partnerships with Facebook and YouTube, the network also presented an exclusive online preview of the Super Series on Telemundo.com, VOD and the Telemundo Novelas app titled “capítulo cero” (chapter zero). The preview gives fans an exclusive look at El Chema’s backstory and what he has been doing between the character’s end on El Señor de los Cielos and the start of the new series.

El Chema, premiering Tuesday, December 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, is a spin-off of the wildly popular* series “El Señor de los Cielos.” Starring Mauricio Ochmann, Mariana Seoane, Julio Bracho, Itatí Cantoral, Carmen Aub, Alexandra de la Mora, Arcelia Ramírez and Sergio Basáñez with the special participation of Rafael Amaya, “El Chema” tells the story of how Chema Venegas (Ochmann) got his start in organized crime and rose through the ranks to become the head of the cartel he runs in “El Señor de los Cielos.”

El Chema is an original production of Telemundo, made by Argos Televisión directed by Danny Gavidia and Nicolás Di Blasi and produced by Mariana Iskandarani and Patricia Benítez.

*The season four finale for El Señor de los Cielos on July 18 ranked as the #1 most social primetime program in broadcast across all networks, regardless of language and reached 4.57 million viewers per Nielsen.

'La Doña' Ranks as Telemundo's Highest Rated 9 P.M. Debut Since 2012

Telemundo's La Doña delivered 1,851,000 total viewers and 958,000 adults 18-49 on premiere night, according to Nielsen. Starring Aracely Arámbula, David Chocarro, Danna Paola and Rebecca Jones, the series ranked as the network's highest-rated 9 p.m. premiere since 2012. Additionally, the premiere episode of La Doña reached a cumulative audience of 2,504,000 total viewers and 1,328,000 adults 18-49.

Locally, La Doña ranked #1 regardless of language in Miami among total viewers and adults 18-49, and was the #1 Spanish-language program in New York, Philadelphia, Houston, Boston, Atlanta, Denver and Orlando, among total viewers and adults 18-49.

The premiere of La Doña ranked as the #1 most socially engaging primetime program among Spanish-language networks. It also generated 10,000 streams, ranking #1 among 9 p.m. premieres in video views. Additionally, the premiere was the most mobile 9 p.m. premiere in Telemundo's history with 89% of users accessing content on mobile platforms.

An original Telemundo production made by Argos Televisión, La Doña is a tale of revenge, ambition and seduction that centers on Altagracia (Arámbula), an elegant, beautiful and successful woman who runs a construction empire and enjoys widespread respect in society. A series of major traumas early in life left their mark on Altagracia and turned her into the implacable "Doña" she is today.

Source: Nielsen NPM L+SD IMP. 11/29/16 Fastie National 9p-10p & Fastie Reach w/6+ min qual. NSI, L+SD, Ranking based on P18-49 & P2+ IMP for 9-10 p.m. ET / 8-9 p.m. CT time period (vs UNI, UMA, AZA,ETV,MMX). Source: Adobe Analytics US Only, 11/29/16. Nielsen Social; Shareablee, 11/29/16.

'Sin Senos Si Hay Paraiso' Wraps as #1 Spanish-Language 9 P.M. Program Among Adults 18-49

Telemundo's Sin Senos Si Hay Paraiso wraps up ranking as the #1 Spanish-language program at 9 p.m. among adults 18-49 (933,000) for its full run, according to Nielsen. The highly rated scripted drama series also delivered 1,768,000 total viewers. Monday’s three-hour finale averaged 2,476,000 total viewers and 1,262,000 adults 18-49, and 630,000 adults 18-34, outperforming Univision +16% among total viewers, +30% among adults 18-49 and +36% among adults 18-34 during 8pm-11p. In addition, the epic finale reached a cumulative audience of 4,058,000 total viewers and 2,126,000 adults 18-49.

Locally, the finale of Sin Senos Si Hay Paraiso helped Telemundo rank as the #1 network among adults 18-49, regardless of language in Los Angeles, Houston, Orlando and New York and Miami, where it also ranked #1 among total viewers. The finale also ranked as the #1 Spanish-language program with total viewers and adults 18-49 in Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Boston, Atlanta, Tampa and Denver.

On digital platforms, the finale generated 169,000 streams and reached 62,000 unique users. On social media, Sin Senos Si Hay Paraiso generated 231,000 global actions, ranking as the #1 most engaged primetime Spanish-language program. During its full run, the series generated over 19,000,000 video views on digital platforms. On social platforms, the full run generated 12,000,000 global actions and 171,000,000 native video views. “Sin Senos Si Hay Paraiso” has 1,500,000 followers across social platforms, +630% since the start of the season.

Sin Senos Si Hay Paraiso is produced by FoxTelecolombia for Telemundo.

Source: Nielsen NPM L+SD IMP. 11/28/16 8p-11p & 9p-10p strict daypart, excludes sports/specials. Reach based on 8p-11p (6+ min qual). Full Run (7/19/16-11/28/16) vs broadcast and cable. NSI, L+SD, Ranking based on P18-49 & P2+ IMP for 8-11 p.m. ET time period (vs UNI, UMA, AZA,ETV,MMX). Adobe Analytics, US Only; Nielsen Social; Shareablee, Global; 11/28/16. Adobe Analytics, US Only; Nielsen Social; Shareablee, Global; 7/19/16-11/28/16‎

NEWS: Jensen Buchanan, Justin Hartley, Eric Braeden, Victoria Rowell, Bryan Cranston, Pablo Azar, Jeff Bezos

Jensen Buchanan, photo via Santa Maria Times.

Jensen Buchanan pleads not guilty to DUI crash charges
Buchanan, charged with felony DUI in a head-on collision just outside Buellton in May, pleaded not guilty in Santa Maria Superior Court on October 14.

Buchanan (Vicky on Another World, Sarah on One Life to Live, et al) appeared with defense attorney Meryl Chambers, who entered a not-guilty plea on behalf of her client. Deputy District Attorney Tiffany Dix is prosecuting the case.

Judge Patricia Kelly ordered the actress to remain at the sober living facility and continue wearing the SCRAM (electronic monitoring) bracelet on her ankle until further review next month.

Amazon chief Jeff Bezos watched Days of our Lives as a kid
Before he was a tech titan worth $70 billion, Bezos said he spent his childhood summers on a ranch with his grandfather watching the soap opera Days of our Lives.

Eric Braeden offers The Young and the Restless brass input on his character, Victor Newman
“To be frank with you, I think that over the last few years, the scales tipped toward [Victor] being a bad guy,” Braeden tells Soap Opera Digest. “And, I have asked them to kindly not pull back on it but to remember that Victor always justifies his actions because something preceded it.”

Victoria Rowell speaks out about her discrimination lawsuit against CBS and Sony
“Here in Hollywood, I have long championed diversity,” says Rowell, who played Drucilla Barber Winters for years on The Young and the Restless. “Not only for African-Americans, but for all minorities, for gender bias, et cetera.”

The upcoming trial is set to take place on April 17, 2017, and Rowell is confident that she’ll be pleased with the outcome.

“I believe that I will prevail,” she says.

Justin Hartley on Ellen.

This Is Us star Justin Hartley Strips Out of His Shirt for a Good Cause
In partnership with Ulta, Ellen DeGeneres asked the recent Young and the Restless alum up to get hit with water balloons during Thursday's episode of her daytime talk show, all in the name of breast cancer research.

The objective was simple—Hartley sat tight in a chair while DeGeneres and her other guest, Oscar nominee Rachel McAdams, took turns pulling sticks from a Jenga-styled contraption. As they pulled out the sticks, the balloons began dropping on the Hollywood hunk's head.

Watch Hartley's appearance on Ellen below.

Former daytime writer Suzanne Johnson shares experiences at Oswego State
Johnson, a story lead for Pocket Gems’ Episode Interactive mobile gaming app, spoke to students about her career on October 10.

During her career, Johnson worked her way up from an assistant to the vice president of programming and talent development for ABC Daytime for almost 20 years. She wrote for All My Children and oversaw One Life to Live.

General Hospital awkwardly works in mention of Marvel Comics movie Doctor Strange
Product placement has been popularized in the entertainment industry these days to boost promotion. This often happens between shows or films under the same mother company to help endorse a certain product. As for the unexpected Doctor Strange mention on General Hospital recently, viewers slammed the crossover for being totally irrelevant and obvious.

In a conversation of Ned Ashton (Wally Kurth) and Olivia Falconeri (Lisa LoCicero) where the former expressed his sweet talk to the latter saying "I missed you," Olivia blurted out, "Well, Dr. Strange is about to hit theaters pretty soon." The conversation went on with Ned saying, "You may be surprised to hear this, but if I can't see that movie with you, I won't see it." The scene ended with Olivia kissing Ned.

GH airs on ABC, which is owned by Disney, which owns Marvel, which is distributing Doctor Strange.

Y&R alum Darius McCrary cast in Lee Daniels' Star
McCrary (formerly Malcolm on Y&R) has booked a recurring role opposite Queen Latifah in new Fox series Star, created/executive produced by Lee Daniels and Tom Donaghy. Set in Atlanta, Star revolves around three talented young singers (Jude Demorest, Ryan Destiny and Brittany O’Grady) who navigate the cutthroat music business on their road to success. McCrary will play Otis Leecan, a nasty piece of work who’s obsessed with his foster daughter Simone (O’Grady). He will do everything in his power to drag her back from Atlanta after she runs away. He’s clever, manipulative and dangerous. But he’s met his match in Simone and her sister Star (Demorest).

Bryan Cranston reflects on his soap opera start on Loving
"There was something that happened when I turned 25, and I got a job in New York on that soap opera [Loving]. It wasn’t necessarily the soap opera that did it for me, it was the timing. I felt like I crossed a threshold. I felt like I belonged, that I wasn’t fooling anybody and deserved to be there. Even though that’s the Joe Stuart period where [the Loving producer] fired me unceremoniously. But even then, as you saw, I was licking my wounds, and I went to Central Park and saw the marathon and felt, I’m going to do this next year. And I did."

Jon Hamm and Jimmy Fallon get dramatic for Tonight Show soap opera sketch
Called In the Dust of Night, Hamm and Fallon played two friends and business partners who always find themselves in dramatic situations – usually ones that involve a cheating scandal with Fallon’s girlfriend. What truly separates this from other soap operas, though, is the turtle riding around the set in a toy car during takes.

Nutri-Brex prices surge in China following appearance on soap opera Ode to Joy
Weet-Bix, which is known as Nutri-Brex in China and U.K., is a cereal in the form of a biscuit. The cereal, which is highly popular in Australia and New Zealand, has been on the shelves in China for eight years.

It was only with its appearance on the popular Chinese soap opera Ode to Joy earlier this year, however, that millions more discovered the brand, spurring demand that emptied local supermarket shelves.

"We were doing okay then but then along came this opportunity and we just saw this huge spike in sales," Mark Roper, international business manager at Sanitarium Health & Wellbeing, which produces Weet-Bix, told CNBC's Street Signs on Wednesday.

Mary Boylan was Plattsburgh’s little known treasure
Boylan's credits included two daytime soap operas: The Secret Storm (playing Katie Logan) and As the World Turns.

He Stars in a Spanish-Language Soap. Why Is He Driving for Uber?
Pablo Azar, the green-eyed Mexican telenovela star, stepped out of a limousine and walked down the red carpet at an awards show here last year amid the usual celebrity mayhem. Cameras flashed. Fans shouted. Azar, 34, smiled broadly and walked inside.

But after the awards show, Azar did something his army of admirers would never have imagined: He changed out of his suit, climbed behind the wheel of his car and started his shift as an Uber driver, a job he relies on when he’s between acting gigs to pay his bills.

Azar's credits include Reina de corazones and Marido En Alquiler.

Netflix breaks up with Mexico’s Televisa in the most soap-opera way possible
The beginning of a recent Netflix Latin America ad explained to viewers that the streaming content company has just parted ways with Mexico’s main television station, Televisa. The video showed a preppy-looking young man with slicked-back hair, buttoned-up shirt and a high-pitched voice. He looks devastated. A young woman walks into the room.

— What is it, my love? Why the long face?

— Netflix took off my favorites series...

Netflix is making fun of what was some of its own most-watched content. The break-up means that Netflix no longer offers the content that Televisa was supplying, mostly soap operas. And it has chosen to tell viewers about it in the funniest way possible. The message is clear: “We are eliminating the soaps, but leaving you other much more interesting series.”

'Vino el Amor' Set to Premiere October 25 on Univision

Irina Baeva as Luciana and Gabriel Soto as David in Univision’s new
telenovela Vino El Amor.

Telenovela Vino el Amor (Then Came Love) will premiere October 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Univision.

Featuring the majestic vineyards of Napa Valley, California, Vino el Amor brings to light the life of an immigrant family seeking not only their American Dream of success, but also the happiness of the family and the possibility of finding true love.

The story follows the life of David (Gabriel Soto), the owner of a winery who is depressed after having lost his wife in a highly suspicious accident, so much that he begins to neglect his children and the vineyard he loves so much. His mother-in-law Lilian, played by Azela Robinson, tries to take advantage of the situation and steal David’s fortune, but her plans are disrupted by the unexpected arrival of Luciana (Irina Baeva). A cheerful and spontaneous young woman who grew up on the vineyard with her father many years ago, she returns to turn David’s life upside down. Through their love-hate relationship, Luciana breathes new life into David and rekindles his love for life…and for his Napa Valley vineyard.

Produced by Jose Castro, who has produced several award-winning novelas including Pasion y Poder, which recently won the 2015 Premio TVyNovela’s award for Best Novela of the Year. The stellar cast also includes Cynthia Klitbo, Mar Contreras, Moises Arizmendi, Kimberly Dos Ramos, Sofia Castro, Christian de la Campa, Alejandro Avila, Laura Carmine, and José Eduardo Derbez as León.

'Velvet' Set to Premiere October 4 on UniMás

Miguel Ángel Silvestre as Alberto Márquez and Paula Echeverría as
Ana Ribera in Velvet series on UniMás.

Galerías Velvet, a high-end fashion house in 1950s/1960s Spain, is the setting for this stylish story of powerful young love that has captivated audiences in Spain and around the world. An exceptionally lavish production featuring art deco inspired sets and authentic period soundtrack, Velvet will make its debut Tuesday, October 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on UniMás.

From the creators of Spain's hit period drama "Grand Hotel," Velvet is a production of Ramón Campos and Teresa Fernández-Valdés from Bambú Producciones for Antena 3. The cast also includes, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón (Doña Blanca), Manuela Velasco (Cristina Otegui), Marta Hazas (Clara Montesinos), Javier Rey (Mateo Ruiz), Cecilia Freire (Rita Montesinos) Adrián Lastra (Pedro Infantes), Asier Etxeandía (Raúl de la Riva), and Max Iglesias (Maximiliano Expósito).

Alberto (played by striking galán Miguel Ángel Silvestre of Sense8) and Ana (Paula Echeverría) meet as children, after Ana’s mother dies and she is forced to move to the big city to live with the only family she has left, her uncle Don Emilio (José Sacristán), the head of staff at Galerías Velvet. As the heir to the fashion empire Alberto’s budding love for Ana was forbidden by Don Rafael, Alberto’s father, and he is sent to study abroad.

When Alberto returns to take over the family business and get the love of his life back, jealous relatives and other outside forces keep interfering. In a world of haute-couture dresses and cutthroat competition, Alberto and Ana have to fight not only for their long-awaited life together, but for the very life of Galerías Velvet itself - even if it means Alberto entering into a loveless marriage of convenience. While Alberto rebels against the expectations made of him, Ana dreams of becoming a designer and struggles to assert herself as a creative personality. And both must defy the outdated conventions of a society resistant to change.

Velvet episodes will air Monday through Friday during the 9 p.m. ET/PT timeslot.

'My Life is a Telenovela' Premieres October 7 on WE tv

On Friday, October 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, WE tv will take viewers behind the drama, intrigue, betrayal, and sex that occurs both on and off-screen in Latino Hollywood, when it premieres its newest docu-series, My Life is a Telenovela. Set in sun-kissed Miami, the eight episode, one-hour series follows a group of beautiful, talented and hard-working Hispanic actresses and actors working in the hyper-competitive world of telenovelas, a genre which has continued to entertain audiences all over the world for decades. But when the cameras stop rolling, it’s their real life drama that steals the show.

My Life is a Telenovela features a group of telenovela stars including, Maria ‘Raquenel’ Portillo, Sissi Fleitas, Gustavo Pedraza, Enrique Sapene, Alina Robert, and Liliana Rodríguez Morillo, whose lives off-screen are just as passionate, intense and melodramatic as their characters on-screen. The series begins with several female cast members vying for the same role in a telenovela being produced by the Spanish-language television network, Telemundo, resulting in jealousy, betrayal, backstabbing, rivalry and fireworks on both sides of the camera. The competition is already fierce for our leading ladies, but suddenly a new rival has returned to town, Maria ‘Raquenel’ Portillo, and with her comes unanswered questions about a scandalous past. Having spent time in prison for a prominent sex scandal, Raquenel wants nothing more than to come to Miami for a second chance in the spotlight, but will her past tainted with sex, murder, and prison be inescapable?

Find out more about the cast, and watch a sneak peek of the series below.

Gaby Espino Joins 'Señora Acero 3, La Coyote'

Gaby Espino

Gaby Espino has joined the cast of the hit Telemundo super series Señora Acero 3, La Coyote, where she will play the role of Indira Cárdenas, a Homeland Security agent whose arrival on the scene has drastic implications for La Coyote’s fate. Since its premiere, Señora Acero 3, La Coyote has ranked as the number one Spanish-language television program in its time slot, among adults 18-49 and 18-34.

Indira Cárdenas is the newly appointed head of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office in El Paso, Texas. A disciplined and determined woman whose beauty is matched by her tenacity and intelligence, Indira’s efficiency and directness make her a force to be reckoned with, making her Vicenta’s (Carolina Miranda) worst nightmare. Her demeanor immediately puts her at odds with fellow agent Daniel Phillips (Luis Ernesto Franco), who’s systematic, analytical and scientific approach creates obvious and dangerous tensions with his new boss. But Indira isn’t all she appears: She leads a double life, with a shocking secret in her past that is sure to take viewers’ breath away.

Actress and television host Gaby Espino is one of the most popular Latin personalities on social media and has gained widespread acclaim throughout Latin America since her debut in Venezuela. Gaby has starred in a number of successful original productions for Telemundo, including Santa Diabla, Más Sabe el Diablo, Sin Vergüenza, Ojo por Ojo, and many more. She has hosted top awards ceremonies such as the Billboard Latin Music Awards and Premios Tu Mundo, as well as the music competitions Buscando Mi Ritmo and Yo Me Llamo. Hand in hand with her popularity as an actress and television personality, Gaby has graced the covers of countless international publications and has been featured as one of People en Español’s “50 Most Beautiful People” and Siempre Mujer’s “Inspirational Women.”

Señora Acero 3, La Coyote is an original Telemundo production filmed by Argos Televisión. Set on the border of El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, the show is currently in production in Mexico. Roberto Stopello wrote the script, with Danni Gavidia and Camilo Villamizar directing and Mariana Iskandarani and Mónica Vizzi as executive producers.