WE LOVE SOAPS TV 1.27 Christian Barber

On Episode 1.27 of WE LOVE SOAPS TV, Roger Newcomb welcomes up and coming young actor, Christian Barber. Barber is currently starring in Season Two of EMPIRE as Rodney. He also plays Robert on radio soap THE LIKE US SHOW and has another web series in the works (SIX OF ONE). Get to know this rising star in this special one on one interview.



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Check out these links related to this episode:
- EMPIRE
- THE LIKE US SHOW
- SIX OF ONE

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INDIE SOAP BEAT: April 16, 2010

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" feature we reveal the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera and web series production. Click the show logos to visit the official websites.

The second season of EMPIRE premieres on April 27. We Love Soaps is current counting down to the new season with "The 12 Days of EMPIRE." Look for a new feature every day including a brand new episode of WE LOVE SOAPS TV fearing interviews with creators Greg Turner and Brian Hewson. Season Two star Tina Sloan recently previewed her new film, Oh My Love, for We Love Soaps. Read that interview here.

The fabulous Rachael Hip-Flores, who plays ANYONE BUT ME lead Vivian, won the Streamy Award on Sunday for Best Female Actor in a Drama Web Series. Why the Streamy show itself was vulgar and full of technical difficulties, it was nice to see some of the winners, including Flores, get recognized. ANYONE BUT ME was also an Official Honoree (Drama, Best Writing) for the 14th Annual Webby Awards which released nominees this week. Season One of ABM is now available for purchase at Amazon.com.

We Love Soaps recently spoke with new REALITY BYTES star Jade Harlow, who will play Victoria Radcliffe on the upcoming drama. Harlow revealed how the casting process worked: "I got the script and it was different than a lot of the other pilots in general that I had been reading over this past season. I got real excited to go in. The meeting was unlike any meeting. It was a giant conference table, which was a bit intimidating, but [Tristan] was very personable, a very smart man." Look for the full interview soon.

THE LOVERS AND FRIENDS SHOW returned on Wednesday with the first part of the Season Three finale. L&G is an urban web-based lesbian soap that debuted in January 2008. The show stars Marlaina Law, Christy Rodriguez, BeBe Brunswick, Nicole Pina, Zaire, Kissa Jo and Hollissia Holloway. A Season Two DVD is currently available for purchase.

INDIE SOAP BEAT: April 9, 2010

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" feature we reveal the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera and web series production. Click the show logos to visit the official websites.

In case you missed the We Love Soaps interview with REALITY BYTES star Drake Hogestyn, you can read it here. Hogestyn previewed his character, Jerry Parker: "Creating a character is always a challenge, but in this particular case I'm going to be ask to bring a character to life. He was a real-life hero to many and that in itself is especially daunting. I'm up for the task but I'll also be very respectful of the writer's interpretation of this man's reincarnation. From what I understand, the man was a state trooper who died a very young and untimely death, and left a lot of people behind. He was one of the all around good guys and quite a prankster. I'm honored to be asked to bring this man back to life with the help of Kate Lang, the writer." Look for our interview with Jade Harlow (Victoria Radcliffe) in the coming days.

The second season of EMPIRE premieres on April 27. WE LOVE SOAPS TV is going to feature interviews with writers Greg Turner and Brian Hewson as well as features with several of the stars of the show as we countdown to the premiere date. Turner's critically acclaimed musical, "All Fall Down" is having a reading in New York City on Saturday.

THE LIKE US SHOW, a radio soapa opera airing on stations around the country, has now aired 49 episodes. The episodes are short enough that you can easily catch up so check it out! Christian Barber, who plays Robert, also has a role on EMPIRE in Season Two. Look for the We Love Soaps interview with two-indie soap star Barber soon.

THE LOVERS AND FRIENDS SHOW returns on Wednesday, April 14, for the finale of Season Three. L&G is an urban web-based lesbian soap that debuted in January 2008. You can watch the trailer for the season finale here. The show stars Marlaina Law, Christy Rodriguez, BeBe Brunswick, Nicole Pina, Zaire, Kissa Jo and Hollissia Holloway.

INDIE SOAP BEAT: April 2, 2010

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" feature we reveal the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera and web series production. Click the show logos to visit the official websites.

We Love Soaps spoke with new REALITY BYTES star Drake Hogestyn this week. Hogestyn, whose son, Ben Hogestyn, is also part of the cast, will play Jerry Parker. Drake told us, "Ben and I have not worked together in the business before. However, he was asked to come in to read for the role of Brady on DAYS OF OUR LIVES years and years ago." Aside from REALITY BYTES, the two of them also have some other projects in the works including a baseball-related docudrama/reality show. Look for the full interview with Drake Hogestyn on Saturday. In other REALITY BYTES casting news, Sarajane Rogers has been cast as Harper Rains the teenaged daughter of Trevor Rains (Tristan Rogers).

LENOX AVENUE recently released a trailer for the upcoming season. LENOX AVENUE follows the fast-paced metropolitan lives of Harlemite friends Owen (creator Al Thompson), Sellars (Dorian Missick), and Vaughn (Ryan Vigilant) as they learn that in relationships even with experience, there's no playbook. The show also features a star-studded supporting cast, including Victor Williams, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Jamie Hector, Chenoa Maxwell, Lord Jamar and Michael K. Williams.

VENICE was honored with three awards at the recent LA Web Festival - Outstanding Achievement in a Drama Series, Best Theme Music and Lead Actress in a Drama (Crystal Chappell). We Love Soaps recently had the opportunity to VENICE actress Tina Sloan who said she would be turning for Season Two: "Kimmy [Turissi] said I was. I imagine I'll just be a tiny character but that's just fine with me."

EMPIRE released the trailer for Season Two last week and fans are buzzing about the show. We Love Soaps spoke with Kathryn Neville Browne, who plays Haven matriarch Sandra, about the upcoming season.

We Love Soaps: Sandra seems like a fun character to play.
Kathryn Neville Browne: She definitely is. This time we're seeing a lot more of her, and learning a lot more about her history and what she's really all about beneath the glamorous exterior.

We Love Soaps: What do you think are her driving motivations?
Kathryn Neville Browne: Well, in this instance, definitely pride and revenge. I guess they're two sides of the same coin.

INDIE SOAP BEAT: March 26, 2010

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" feature we reveal the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera and web series production. Click the show logos to visit the official websites.

Indie Soap Award winner EMPIRE released the trailer for Season Two this week and it looked great. You'll notice We Love Soaps in a cameo early in the clip. We Love Soaps had the opportunity to interview new EMPIRE star Tina Sloan recently and she had a blast working on the show. In describing her character, Theodora, Sloan said, "I'm totally bitchy. It was hysterical."

DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM released the Season Two finale on Thursday titled "Emasculated." Ocean learns the extent of Trina and Sammy's secrets. Eventually, she teaches Sammy the real meaning of manhood when an unexpected situation demands he "man up."


PREVIOUSLY ON POINT DUME is now airing at funnyordie.com. Every "webisode" will be a PREVIOUSLY ON POINT DUME style collection of clips from the previous episodes — and there'll never be a full-length episode, at least not for the foreseeable future. Instead, you'll see the soap-opera parody's storyline unfold through these little recaps.

INDIE SOAP BEAT: March 19, 2010

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" feature we reveal the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera and web series production. Click the show logos to visit the official websites.

In case you missed it, check out Damon L. Jacobs' recent feature on "Gays on Indie Soaps" here.

Winner for Best Indie Soap at the 1st Annual Indie Soap Awards, DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM released another new episode on Thursday titled "Promise Keeper." Ocean tries to help Peggy who's been behaving erratically. Peggy finally takes a step to help herself and in doing so, realizes how lonely she is for male attention. Lupe wonders if God has abandoned her. At the same time, Ocean confronts the devil she knows. DIARY has been named "Web Series of the Year" by the Los Angeles Web Series Festival.

GOTHAM aired a new episode this week featuring the debut of Matt Crane as Perry. This week's opening theme was "New York, New York" sung by Broadway legend Lee Roy Reams. In the pre-show chat, producer Martha Byrne revealed that GOTHAM would be casting Richard's son, Nick. Stay tuned!

Enver Gjokaj, who played Victor on DOLLHOUSE, is following launching a new webseries called PREVIOUSLY ON POINT DUME He describes it as "TWIN PEAKS meets Clue." Every "webisode" will be a PREVIOUSLY ON POINT DUME style collection of clips from the previous episodes — and there'll never be a full-length episode, at least not for the foreseeable future. Instead, you'll see the soap-opera parody's storyline unfold through these little recaps.

Here's the synopsis: Something is hiding in the wealthy beach enclave of Point Dume. A dark secret so so secretive it could take at least five seasons to reveal. When big city-boy Lazlo Wood returns home for his father's funeral, his nosy questions threaten to dig up more than just a corpse. What exactly is his step-mother Ginabeth hiding in the pantry? What exactly is Professor Pyle injecting local children with? And when exactly will Bron the Landscapist ever wear a shirt? These and other mysteries promise to almost never be explained in this new recap show for the greatest nighttime soap opera never seen, POINT DUME.

INDIE SOAP BEAT: March 11, 2010

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" feature we reveal the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera and web series production. Click the show logos to visit the official websites.

There was huge casting news from REALITY BYTES this week as the show announced that former daytime soap stars Drake Hogestyn and Tonja Walker were joining the cast. Hogestyn will play Jerry Parker, while Walker will be playing Avery "the queen bitch of daytime" Meadows. If you missed the We Love Soaps interview with newcomer Jered Allen, who will play Ben, read it here. Look for more on the new cast members of RB very soon.

STEAMBOAT creator Michael O'Leary recently spoke to We Love Soaps about the series: "Each one of us is taking what are sensibilities are and trying to make it into a different format, with no money. But the only place you can do that is the internet. If you’re looking for a network to say yes to you, hell will freeze over. This is the great thing about the internet. At least it gives you the forum and opportunity to get your ideas out there. For Martha [Byrne] and Crystal [Chappell] and I, at least you want to get the shot at bat." Read the full interview here.

Winner for Best Indie Soap at the 1st Annual Indie Soap Awards, DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM released another new episode on Thursday titled "Snap-back." Ocean happily takes life-changing action. Lupe flounders on her career path and feels judged by Ocean. Trina's need for attention takes a dangerous course involving Sammy. Indie Soap Award winner Billy Dee Williams is particularly amazing in this episode.

INDIE SOAP BEAT: March 4, 2010

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" feature we reveal the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera and web series production. Click the show logos to visit the official websites.

The latest actor to join the cast of the upcoming REALITY BYTES is Jered Allen, who will play Ben. We Love Soaps caught up with Allen and he revealed that he had been a fan of creator Tristan Rogers from his GENERAL HOSPITAL days: "As a kid back home on my TV all we had was about five channels - a couple of sports channels, the news and soap operas. We enjoyed watching him and it's kind of funny that one day I'd get to meet him and be in something he's involved with." Look for our complete interview soon. Fans has submitted scripts for BEYOND REASON, the soap within the soap on REALITY BYTES. More details on that will be coming soon.

Several cast members from ANACOSTIA - Anthony Anderson, Kena Hodges, Tamieka Chavis, Chanté Bowser and Pasha Diallo - were in New York over the weekend and taped an episode of WE LOVE SOAPS TV which will be released next week. They discussed the recently concluded Season One and offered previews for Season Two.

ANYONE BUT ME returned with an all new episode on February 23 featuring Liza Weil from GOSSIP GIRL. The show received three nomination for the Streamy Awards including Best Writing, Best Directing and Best Actress in a Drama Series (Rachael Hip-Flores).


VENICE will air its Season One finale on Friday. Subscriptions for Season One will terminate on Saturday, May 1st. Season Two is in pre-production now. Star Crystal Chappell has been nominated for a Streamy Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for the role of Gina.

INDIE SOAP BEAT: February 26, 2010

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" feature we reveal the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera and web series production. Click the show logos to visit the official websites.

ALL'S FAIRE, which features former GUIDING LIGHT star Rob Bogue as Sir Robert, has released a hilarious new "F. Your Consideration" video for the Streamy Awards. You can watch it here. The musical video makes references to not having any big name sponsors or big name stars (including Bogue).

ANACOSTIA has aired its season finale but the cast is still making the press rounds. Look for interviews coming up on DCTV next Thursday and Saturday. Also, Indie Soap Award nominee Anthony Anderson and company will be in New York on Saturday taping an appearance for an upcoming episode of WE LOVE SOAPS TV.

STEAMBOAT released a trailer and the first episode last week and fans seem to like it so far. The show is a comedy series described as "THE OFFICE meets ALL MY CHILDREN" with Kim Zimmer starring as the executive producer if a dying soap. The second episode was released today. The soap spoofed on the show is hilariously brought to you by Lactene.

ANYONE BUT ME returned with an all new episode on February 23. GOSSIP GIRL actress Liza Weil guest starred as Aster's (Nicole Pacent) therapist. Pacent has also joined the cast of new feature film and episodic series, Queens of the World.

INDIE SOAP BEAT: February 19, 2010

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" feature, GOTHAM shoots at Nicole Miller, DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM releases another excellent episode, STEAMBOAT moves toward a release, and we reveal the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera and web series production. Click the show logos to visit the official websites.

STEAMBOAT is a new web comedy series written by longtime GUIDING LIGHT star Michael O'Leary and directed by former AS THE WORLD TURNS actor Scott Bryce. O'Leary was a guest on "Dayplayer Dish" on Sunday and previewed the series. The show was shot in one day on December 13. O'Leary wants to give fans something he thinks is missing in soaps today - humor and satire (the show is about the backstage happenings at a dying soap). You can listen to the entire interview here. The show is planning to debut on March 1st (first episode or teaser) on YouTube and hoping advertisers will like what they see. They shot 30 minutes which will be broken down into five webisodes. Kim Zimmer plays the executive producer of the soap spoofed in STEAMBOAT. Justin Deas plays the line producer. Orlagh Cassidy is a new age actress. Beth Chamberlin plays a character with drastic mood swings. Kurt McKinnery plays an upper crust actor trying to sell a skin line. Michael Park, who also stars on GOTHAM, plays O'Leary's (Michael) roommate, Dirk, in the series and O'Leary says he's "off the charts funny."

The first episode is about the Daytime Emmys and the things people will do to get votes. Dirk and Michael throw a barbecue to suck up to voters. At the end of the first episode, someone is shot. The show is being shopped to cable networks as well. The show will integrate products into the show in a satirical way.

GOTHAM taped scenes at the Nicole Miller Fashion Week show last Friday. Then on Wednesday, new cast member Matt Crane (Perry), along with Martha Byrne (Catherine) and LaMont Craig (Jayqui), taped on location to the Nicole Miller offices. You can check out photos from the shoot here. The next episode of GOTHAM will air on March 1 and will featuring the opening song, "Love Makes The World Go 'Round," performed as a duet between Byrne and Michael Park.

ANYONE BUT ME will air its next new episode of ANYONE BUT ME will air February 23. Producers/Writers Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward appeared on "Sister's Talk Radio" on Thursday night and you can listen to their interview here. The first question is about their Indie Soap Award wins.

We Love Soaps caught up with VENICE actress Gina Tognoni (Sami) at the ONE LIFE TO LIVE studio this week. She said she taped two episodes for season one (the first of which was the scene with dust blowing all round Sami's date with Owen). She enjoyed it and would love to do more. In last week's epiosde Nadia Bjorlin debuted as Lara and had mad chemistry with Jessica Leccia's Ani.

INDIE SOAP BEAT: February 12, 2010

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" feature, we take a look back at the recent signing of some indie web series by the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), Crystal Chappell directs VENICE, and we reveal the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera and web series production. Click the show logos to visit the official websites.

GOTHAM is now a WGAE signatory show. WGAE executive director Lowell Peterson told We Love Soaps that the writers' strike in 2007-08 was focused on web content but more for rebroadcast of television shows: "More recently we've been focusing our resources and analysis on made-for the web shows." Read our entire interview with Peterson here. GOTHAM recently reached a million page views since the show's website was launched. The show also edited the first four episodes together to make it easier for fans to catch up on the saga of Richard and Catherine. You can watch the new edit at gothamtheseries.com.

Winner for Best Indie Soap at the 1st Annual Indie Soap Awards, DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM, returned on Thursday with an all new episode. Look for Season Two to play out every Thursday through March 25. The show is directed and produced by Robert Townsend and stars Monica Calhoun, Valery Ortiz and Janice Lynde, along with Richard Roundtree and Billy Dee Williams.

ANACOSTIA is back today with a new episode! You can watch it here. The episodes starts out by the cast giving fans a "taste of DC." This is must watch! ANACOSTIA is one of the longer web shows. This episode runs over 38 minutes including the fun intro. The show takes place in DC's Anacostia community neighborhood.

ALL'S FAIRE returned on Thursday with a new episode. King Gary investigates the camp of the enemy; Sir Drederick encounters a foreign invader; the women of the faire behold Sir Robert (former GUIDING LIGHT Robert Bogue). If you haven't checked out this absurd and hilarious comedy, check it out.

INDIE SOAP BEAT: February 3, 2010

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" feature, we take a look back at the Indie Soap Awards, have an interview with COVIES creator Len Collin, details on a Super Bowl contest from THE RULES, and reveal the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera and web series production. Click the show logos to visit the official websites.

The 1st Annual Indie Soap Awards were broadcast on Monday, February 1 at We Love Soaps, Outviews, Daytime Confidential and several other websites. DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM won the award for Best Indie Soap, while ANYONE BUT ME and COMPULSIONS tied with four wins each. VENICE won the Fan's Choice Award in which thousands of fans voted for their favorite indie soap.

In total, 13 shows were honored and they all sent representation at the ceremony. The passion and dedication from this talented bunch of producers, writers, actors, directors, etc. was inspirational.

Click here for a complete list of winners.

Irish soap COVIES has now been airing for a month. We Love Soaps spoke with creator Len Collin about the project.

We Love Soaps: For fans who may not have seen COVIES yet, how would you describe the show to them?
Len Collin: It's a drama that combines high comedy and fantasy with social issues, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Mayo countryside. Other than that it's been described as TWIN PEAKS meets FATHER TED.

We Love Soaps: How many episodes have you produced?
Len Collin: We've made eight episodes, each approximately 15 minutes long, so two hours worth of drama and comedy.

We Love Soaps: Have you watched any other web series?
Len Collin: When I came up with the idea for COVIES there wasn't really much to watch. At least not in Europe. It was only later that I discovered series such as PROM QUEEN - which looks sumptuous, but probably only got so many viewers because "Prom" is very similar to another four letter word beginning with "P". I've also seen WEB THERAPY and NOVEL ADVENTURES. I've also looked at the nominees for the Indie Soap Awards. I like BUPPIES and COMPULSIONS.