WATCH: Brunch With The Boys On OLD DOGS & NEW TRICKS

The boys get together poolside for brunch in today’s new episode of OLD DOGS & NEW TRICKS, "Best Laid Plans." Muscles and Bobby (Thom Bierdz from THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) plan a weekend together, while Ross decides to find an internet hook-up. Meanwhile, Nathan makes a date with Damian and receives an offer from Christoph (GENERAL HOSPITAL's Ian Buchanan) before coming to blows with Nelson and Dirk (Bruce L. Hart and Greg Louganis). Watch the episode below.

YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS' Thom Bierdz Opens Up About Family Tragedy On CBS L.A.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS actor Thom Bierdz (Phillip) recently sat down with CBS2 anchor Pat Harvey — at his “tree house,” a very secluded mountain getaway in Lake Arrowhead, hours away from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood. They talked for hours about his long journey — a journey that also includes forgiving his brother.

“I’ve dealt with some horrible stuff,” says Bierdz.

Younger brother Troy Bierdz murdered their mother in her kitchen, hitting her with a baseball bat. Thom’s brother was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic. It’s all detailed in his harrowing book, “Forgiving Troy.”

RESULTS: Indie Soap & Couple of the Week Poll (January 8-14, 2012); VENICE/Gina & Ani No. 1

Below are the results from the WE LOVE SOAPS TV "Indie Soap of the Week" poll for the week of January 8-14, 2012. VENICE nabbed the top spot for the eighth week in a row. OLD DOGS & NEW TRICKS officially premiered and landed in second.  HUSTLING continues to be popular with our readers finishing in third.



If you're a fan of any of these shows, we encourage you to check out some of the other series you may not have watched yet. Indie soaps that aired one or more episodes last week were eligible.

We asked readers which web series couple was their favorite last week and it was Gina & Ani from VENICE.   Thom Bierdz proved popular on OLD DOGS & NEW TRICKS as his Bobby character landed in third with Muscles. Check out the Top 5 below:

RANK	COUPLE	LAST WEEK	TOP 3
1	Gina & Ani, VENICE	1	6
2	Lara & Ani, VENICE	2	4
3	Muscles & Bobby, OLD DOGS	-	1
4	Ryan & Geoffrey, HUSTLING	-	0
5	Charlie & Diane, BROOKLYN	-	0

Watch last week's indie soaps below:

CRAZY IS WHAT CRAZY DOES: Thom Bierdz Sings "Lady"

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS' Thom Bierdz just posted the following video on YouTube:

"What happens when a middle-aged gay man moves to the mountains in complete isolation - to paint pictures for a living? This happens. He pretends a bar of soap is a microphone and sings to Kenny Rogers."

Watch Bierdz perform below and let us know what you think.

Thom Bierdz on "Forgiving": The WLS Interview, Part Four

In Parts One, Two and Three of our interview with Thom Bierdz, the acclaimed actor and artist spoke about his best selling biography Forgiving Troy, his struggle to forgive his brother following a violent family tragedy, as well as struggles being out as gay in Hollywood, and the highs and lows of Phillip Chancellor on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.  In this final part he shares his inner conflicts between expressing himself as an actor as an artist, and opens up about the importance of cosmetic surgery.  What misinformation does he want to clear up? Find out below!

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: The career as an artist and as an actor can often ride on two separate tracks.  From the way you’ve described it to me, it sounds like those tracks can conflict.
Thom Bierdz: I’m still trying to make sense of them.  I’m trying to figure out where is my calling. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Which one of those is more rewarding to you?
Thom Bierdz: Both. I’m not naturally an actor.  I’m not a guy who likes people looking at him, or likes being in a room full of people.  But I see that I’m a vulnerable compassionate person and I believe, especially on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS that people see I’m a nice gay guy.  I think that is important.  I’m pleased as an actor that I’ve been able to be so honest and committed to that aspect.  I have felt ever since I was a little boy that I was supposed to be in front of people.  That is very conflicting to my natural nature.