Today in Soap Opera History (June 10)

1981: General Hospital's Luke went to church.
1991: The final episode of Twin Peaks aired on ABC.
2009: Guiding Light's Josh and Olivia shared a kiss.
2010: Amanda and Jake were married on All My Children.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1941: On NBC radio soap opera The Guiding Light, Myrna returned to San Francisco in a depression and tried to bury her grief by returning to her broadcasting career. Martin Kane thought she was sad because her ex-husband, Ned Holden (Ed Prentiss), was marrying Mary Rutledge (Sarajane Wells) but Myrna told him that wasn't the case. She confessed that she met a man on the East Coast and fell in love with him. Myrna refused to give details, but said that the relationship ended. Martin said that she may have misinterpreted the entire affair and that he'll wait for her.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 10)

1981: General Hospital's Luke went to church.
1991: The final episode of Twin Peaks aired on ABC.
2009: Guiding Light's Josh and Olivia shared a kiss.
2010: Amanda and Jake were married on All My Children.

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1941: On NBC radio soap opera The Guiding Light, Myrna returned to San Francisco in a depression and tried to bury her grief by returning to her broadcasting career. Martin Kane thought she was sad because her ex-husband, Ned Holden (Ed Prentiss), was marrying Mary Rutledge (Sarajane Wells) but Myrna told him that wasn't the case. She confessed that she met a man on the East Coast and fell in love with him. Myrna refused to give details, but said that the relationship ended. Martin said that she may have misinterpreted the entire affair and that he'll wait for her.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 10)

1981: General Hospital's Luke went to church.
1991: The final episode of Twin Peaks aired on ABC.
2009: Guiding Light's Josh and Olivia shared a kiss.
2010: Amanda and Jake were married on All My Children.

"History is a vast early warning system."
― Norman Cousins

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1941: On NBC radio soap opera The Guiding Light, Myrna returned to San Francisco in a depression and tried to bury her grief by returning to her broadcasting career. Martin Kane thought she was sad because her ex-husband, Ned Holden (Ed Prentiss), was marrying Mary Rutledge (Sarajane Wells) but Myrna told him that wasn't the case. She confessed that she met a man on the East Coast and fell in love with him. Myrna refused to give details, but said that the relationship ended. Martin said that she may have misinterpreted the entire affair and that he'll wait for her.

Showtime Releases Another 'Twin Peaks' Teaser

Showtime has released a new video teaser from the limited event series Twin Peaks, which will debut with a two-part premiere on Sunday, May 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on air, on demand and over the internet.

Immediately following the premiere on Showtime, subscribers will have access to the third and fourth parts, across the Showtime streaming service, Showtime Anytime and Showtime On Demand. In its second week, the third and fourth parts of Twin Peaks will air back-to-back on Showtime on May 28, starting at 9 p.m. ET/PT, followed by single parts in subsequent weeks.

Check out the new teaser below.

Showtime Releases New 'Twin Peaks' Promo

Showtime has released a new promo from the limited event series Twin Peaks, which will debut with a two-part premiere on Sunday, May 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on air, on demand and over the internet.

Immediately following the premiere, Showtime subscribers will have access to the third and fourth parts, exclusively across the network's streaming service, Showtime Anywhere and Showtime OnDemand. In its second week, Twin Peaks will air the third and fourth parts back-to-back on May 28, starting at 9 p.m. ET/PT, followed by single parts in subsequent weeks.

Directed entirely by David Lynch, the new Showtime 18-part limited event series picks up 25 years after the inhabitants of a quaint northwestern town were stunned when their homecoming queen Laura Palmer was shockingly murdered.

Watch the new promo below.

Showtime Offering "Twin Peaks' Holiday Binge

Showtime is offering viewers the opportunity to binge watch the groundbreaking original series Twin Peaks over the holidays, starting on December 26 on the Showtime streaming service, Showtime On Demand and Showtime Anytime. Every episode of the original series will be made available to subscribers in advance of the new Twin Peaks premiere in 2017 on Showtime. The network is also offering across its platforms the iconic noir film Blue Velvet, written and directed by David Lynch and starring Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper and Laura Dern.

Directed entirely by David Lynch, the new Showtime series picks up twenty-five years after the inhabitants of a quaint northwestern town were stunned when their homecoming queen Laura Palmer was shockingly murdered. Twin Peaks is written and executive produced by series creators David Lynch and Mark Frost, and is produced by Sabrina S. Sutherland.

Showtime is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Apple, Roku, Amazon and Google. Consumers can also subscribe to Showtime via Hulu, Sony PlayStation Vue and Amazon Channels.

Showtime Releases First 'Twin Peaks' Behind the Scenes Video

Showtime has released the first behind-the-scenes look at the new Twin Peaks, which will premiere in 2017. This first glimpse on set features original cast members Kyle MacLachlan, Miguel Ferrer, Kimmy Robertson, Harry Goaz, Dana Ashbrook and James Marshall sharing their thoughts on returning to the television phenomenon, as well as insight from new cast members Jim Belushi, Amy Shiels, Robert Knepper and Chrysta Bell into what fans can expect from the new Twin Peaks.

Watch below.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 10)

1981: General Hospital's Luke went to church.
1991: The final episode of Twin Peaks aired on ABC.
2009: Guiding Light's Josh and Olivia shared a kiss.
2010: Amanda and Jake were married on All My Children.

"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."
― Michael Crichton

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1941: On NBC radio soap opera The Guiding Light, Myrna returned to San Francisco in a depression and tried to bury her grief by returning to her broadcasting career. Martin Kane thought she was sad because her ex-husband, Ned Holden (Ed Prentiss), was marrying Mary Rutledge (Sarajane Wells) but Myrna told him that wasn't the case. She confessed that she met a man on the East Coast and fell in love with him. Myrna refused to give details, but said that the relationship ended. Martin said that she may have misinterpreted the entire affair and that he'll wait for her.

Official Cast List for New 'Twin Peaks' Includes 217 Names

Twin Peaks will premiere in 2017 on Showtime.

Principal photography has concluded on the highly-anticipated new Twin Peaks for Showtime. And today, the network, David Lynch and Mark Frost revealed a key piece of the mystery: the official cast of the series. Written and produced by series creators and executive producers David Lynch and Mark Frost, the new Twin Peaks is directed entirely by David Lynch, and will premiere on Showtime in 2017, on-air, on demand and over the internet.

One of the most groundbreaking and influential television series of all time, the new Showtime series picks up twenty-five years after the inhabitants of a quaint northwestern town were stunned when their homecoming queen Laura Palmer was shockingly murdered.

The list below includes the 217 cast members appearing in the new Twin Peaks, including Golden Globe winner and Emmy Award nominee Kyle MacLachlan, who returns as FBI Agent Dale Cooper. Those who have previously appeared in the Twin Peaks world have been asterisked.

Those who have previously appeared in the Twin Peaks world have been asterisked (*).

Aaseng, Jay
Aboutboul, Alon
Adams, Jane
Adler, Joe
Alden, Kate
Allynne, Stephanie
Amick, Mädchen *
Anderson, Eric Ray

NEWS: Susan Lucci, Lawrence Saint-Victor, Eva Longoria, Sean Whitesell, Alison King, Don Stewart, Matthew Morrison, Kerry Washington, Sherilyn Fenn

Eva Longoria

Is Telenovela based on Eva Longoria's soap opera experience?
Longoria says that Telenovela, airing Monday nights on NBC, draws from her time on The Young and the Restless. But she connects with her character, Ana Sofia, in other ways too. “As a Mexican-American, I didn’t grow up speaking Spanish, so I was kind of shunned by my community,” says the Desperate Housewives alum. “Then in the American community, they were like, ‘Oh, you’re the Mexican,’ so I really never fit anywhere. And that’s exactly how Ana Sofia feels.”

Burgess Jenkins bids farewell to The Young and the Restless
Jenkins has left the role of Billy Abbott, which will be played by Jason Thompson started next week.

Jenkins wrote a short and sweet goodbye tweet on Friday: "Farewell GC, thanks for the memories! #YR"

Susan Lucci hopes Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis doesn't lose another 12 NFL playoff games before notching his first postseason victory with the Bengals
After losing to Houston in 2012, Lewis said he was starting to feel like Lucci, who was nominated 19 times before winning her first Daytime Emmy Award for Best Actress in her role as Erica Kane on All My Children.

Three seasons later, Lewis and his Bengals host Pittsburgh on Saturday as the coach looks to avoid an NFL-record seventh straight postseason defeat.

"I hope he doesn't go 12 more years before he wins a playoff game," Lucci said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press, and she wasn't joking. "I certainly hope the best for him. I'm sure he has a similar feeling to what I had - how do you do your work better and grow?"

The Bold and the Beautiful's Lawrence Saint-Victor to guest star on BET's Zoe Ever After
Saint-Victor, who plays Forrester Creations attorney Carter Walton, is slated to appear in two episodes of Zoe Ever After as Stephen Hawthorne, a love interest for the title character, a divorced mother, played by Brandy Norwood. Former The Young and the Restless and General Hospital actor Ignacio Serricchio is a series regular in the role of Miguel.

Saint-Victor's episodes will air on January 26 and February 16.

Sean Whitesell, Producer for Oz, House, The Killing, has passed away at age 52
Sean David Gerard Whitesell, a writer and producer for television shows including HBO’s Oz, CBS’ Cold Case, FOX's House, TNT’s Perception and AMC’s The Killing, died on December 28 in Los Angeles after a long battle with cancer. He was 52.

Coronation Street's Alison King is leaving the British soap for good to embark on 'new chapter'
King, who has played Carla Connor since 2006, has finally addressed rumors that she is leaving the soap. Speaking to Radio Times, she confirmed that she has handed in her notice to ITV bosses and is not taking a sabbatical as previously reported.

"It's been put out there that I'm taking a sabbatical, but I'm not," she said.

Don Stewart

A look back at the life of Guiding Light alum Don Stewart, who passed away 10 years ago today
Jerry verDorn played Ross Marler on Guiding Light for more than 20 years, beginning in March 1979. He remembers Don showing kindness to him when he was a newcomer on the show.

“I joined Guiding Light in 1979 and Don had been there for 10 years or more,” verDorn said. “He was very kind to me, a young guy new to New York, and we had many scenes together from 1979 to 1984. We also had much in common as I, too, was a Midwesterner from both Dakotas and Minnesota. He was a terrific guy and wildly popular on the show.”

Tina Sloan played Lillian Raines, whose character was a love interest for Mike Bauer shortly before Stewart left the show in 1984.

“He was lovely to work with,” Sloan recalled. “He cared about appearances. He always took care of his looks. He always was prepared for scenes.”

While on Guiding Light, Don Stewart met his future wife, Susan.

“Don and I met in New York on a blind date with a Navy buddy of his shortly after he joined Guiding Light” she said. “I remember thinking I never heard this line before, ‘I’m an actor on Guiding Light.’ I am a nurse and the next day I asked a patient what she was watching and it turned out to be Guiding Light. There he was. That night I called him to apologize if I was rude and he asked me to dinner — and that was it.”

As the World Turns and Glee alum Matthew Morrison joins The Good Wife
Morrison (ex-Adam, ATWT; ex-Will, Glee) will recur as a U.S. attorney who’s had experience putting four Illinois governors in jail.

Cable aired 750 unscripted shows in primetime last year
That includes 350 brand-new shows premiering in 2015, according to a tally by National Geographic. The 750 unscripted cable shows is 83% higher than the 409 scripted shows on broadcast and cable that FX counted at the end of last year.

Kerry Washington: Olivia Pope is a “changed” woman when Scandal returns from hiatus
“She’s definitely changed,” Washington told critics as the TV press tour. “What happened at the end of the winter finale is a huge decision for her, and she’s a different woman because of it.”

Teen Wolf is bringing back a fan favorite, but as a different character
Crystal Reed won’t return as the late Allison Argent.

Netflix: We’re restoring the Lost series finale's missing 18 minutes
In reaction to news that the 18 minutes were missing, Netflix tweeted: "We are in the middle of correcting now, and will have the uncut version back streaming as soon as possible.” Showrunner Carlton Cuse tweeted in response: "Thank you @Netflix for promising to restore the version we made of the Lost finale to the service."

HBO is close to renewing Game of Thrones for Seasons 7 and 8
A formal announcement is expected soon, according to The Hollywood Reporter, though it’s unclear if this will mark the end of the series. Game of Thrones will have its season premiere on April 24.

Sherilyn Fenn will reprise her Twin Peaks role on the Showtime reboot
According to Deadline, her character, Audrey, is expected to have a “major presence.”

Once Upon a Time recasts Gaston
Wes Brown will play the role originally played briefly by Sage Brocklebank.

The Unsung Legacy of Black Characters on Soap Operas
Well before primetime shows like Empire, daytime TV was the place where diversity and complexity learned to coexist.

HBO exec on a Deadwood movie: “It’s going to happen”
HBO programming president David Lombardo tells TV Line that Deadwwood creator David Milch "has our commitment that we are going to do it. He pitched what he thought generally the storyline would be — and knowing David, that could change. But it’s going to happen.”

Mila Kunis is producing a fashion drama for Freeform with Gossip Girl team
Made in L.A., from Kunis Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, is based on the memoir by Juicy Couture’s founders.

Netflix CEO is taken aback by Making a Murderer's popularity
"I called it wrong,” says Reed Hastings in an interview with Re/code. "I thought, 'This is going to be eight or 10 hours about a murderer? I hope it wins some awards, because it’s not going to be popular.'"

White House responds to Making a Murderer petition, says President Obama can’t pardon Steven Avery
The White House had to respond to the petition to pardon Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey because it reached the 100,000 signature threshold that triggers a response. “The U.S. Constitution grants the power of clemency to the President,” the White House’s We the People website said in an email to signees. “This clemency authority empowers the President to exercise leniency towards persons who have committed federal crimes.”

Starz developing three Spanish-language shows
Starz aims to cater to Latino audiences with the telenovela-based Maleficio, Pour Vida and supernatural thriller Santeria.

Michael Weatherly Leaving NCIS: How Will DiNozzo Be Written Out?
Special Agent Tony DiNozzo’s portrayer is parting ways with TV’s most watched drama after 13 seasons.

Fear the Walking Dead returns April 10, accompanied by Talking Dead
The 15-episode second season of The Walking Dead spinoff will air in two parts, with the first seven episodes airing in the spring. Fear the Walking Dead will also have a Talking Dead talk show, hosted by Chris Hardwick.

ABC is reviving $100,000 Pyramid with Michael Strahan as host
The classic game show will return this summer in primetime, running 10 episodes on ABC.

Steve Harvey to reunite with Miss Colombia on his talk show
In an episode of Steve Harvey airing the week of January 18, Ariadna Gutierrez will speak with Harvey for the first time since his Miss Universe flub that demoted her from winner to runner-up.

Welcome to 'Twin Peaks' Teaser Video Released

Twin Peaks returns in 2017 on Showtime.

On Friday, Showtime debuted a new tease for the critically-acclaimed, ground breaking television phenomenon Twin Peaks, which returns as a limited series in 2017. The tease will run on Showtime this Sunday during the season finales of the hit series Homeland and The Affair. Currently in production, Twin Peaks is written and produced by series creators and executive producers David Lynch and Mark Frost and is directed entirely by David Lynch. While the full mystery awaits, fans can expect many familiar faces, including Golden Globe winner and Emmy Award nominee Kyle MacLachlan, who reprises his role as FBI Agent Dale Cooper.

Twin Peaks followed the inhabitants of a quaint northwestern town who were stunned after their homecoming queen Laura Palmer was shockingly murdered. The town's sheriff welcomed the help of FBI agent Dale Cooper, who came to town to investigate the case. As Cooper conducted his search for Laura's killer, the town's secrets were gradually exposed. The mystery that ensued set off an eerie chain of events that plunged the inhabitants of Twin Peaks into a darker examination of their very existence. Twenty-five years later, the story continues...

Watch the teaser video below.

NEWS: Genie Francis, Stephen Hancock, Kenneth Gilbert, Frank Grillo, Miguel Ferrer, Giancarlo Esposito, People's Choice Awards

Genie Francis on her new three-year contract with General Hospital: "This gives me a really warm, cozy feeling—a feeling like I’ve come home. "
"The visits have been nice but this gives me a really warm, cozy feeling—a feeling like I’ve come home. A three-year deal is a very big commitment from ABC these days. It’s too soon to know what stories they have planned for Laura—the who-what-where—but I know they really want to write for me and that’s exciting. [Laughs] They finally took me back!"

"[The writers have] been really busy trying to pick up the pieces of what was left behind from the other writer. They were very stressed out and I didn’t want to bug them. [Executive producer] Frank Valentini wants Laura to have a romance, so I know they’re thinking in that direction. I don’t know if it will be with someone already on the show, or if they’ll bring in someone new."

British actor Stephen Hancock has died at age 89
Hancock is best known for playing Ernest Bishop in long-running soap opera Coronation Street, starting in 1967. Following a salary dispute with producers, Hancock's character was dramatically shot and killed off in 1978.

Said a Corrie spokesperson: "We are saddened to hear of Stephen's death and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time... In Ernest Bishop, Stephen created a character that will always be remembered by Coronation Street fans, Ernest's dramatic exit from the soap is still one of the most memorable moments in the show's history."

Former Crossroads actor Kenneth Gilbert dead at 84
Actor Kenneth Gilbert, best known for roles in Doctor Who, Edward VII and Crossroads has died at age 84.

His longest running regular role was that of Oliver Banks, well-off businessman and father of brummie Kevin Banks, in the long running British soap opera Crossroads. First appearing in 1981, Gilbert was a semi-regular until the mid-1980s.

Frank Grillo thankful for his Guiding Light days
“Friends said, ‘You’re going to work on a soap opera? You don’t want to work on a soap opera!’ I said, ‘Let me tell you something, my father never made more than $30,000 a year and they want to pay me $1,500 a day. I’m doing a soap opera!”

The show was the Guiding Light, and it proved to be just that for Grillo. “It was a great experience. I met my wife [Wendy Moniz, who played Dinah], and we're still married and have two kids.”

People's Choice Awards nominees include Empire and Pretty Little Liars
Favorite Network TV Drama: Empire, Gotham, Grey's Anatomy, How To Get Away With Murder, Scandal

Favorite Cable TV Drama: Bates Motel, The Fosters, Pretty Little Liars, Rizzoli & Isles, Suits

Twin Peaks revival will not premiere until 2017
CBS and Showtime boss Les Moonves confirmed the 2017 premiere during an earnings call. The rebooted series originally eyed a 2016 debut.

Miguel Ferrer to reprise Twin Peaks roles
Ferrer is set to reprise his role as FBI Agent Albert Rosenfield, a cynical city slicker FBI forensics specialist who butted heads with Twin Peaks Sheriff Harry S. Truman.

Giancarlo Esposito returning for 100th episode of Once Upon a Time
Esposito will reprise his role as Sidney Glass, a.k.a. the Magic Mirror, in the landmark episode. The last we saw of Sidney, he had aligned himself with the Snow Queen (Elizabeth Mitchell), who freed him in exchange for working against Regina (Lana Parrilla).

The Muppets showrunner Bob Kushell exits as series heads for reboot
Kristin Newman (Galavant) is in negotiations to succeed Kushell as new showrunner under her overall deal at ABC Studios, the studio that produces The Muppets. The move is part of a creative overhaul of the freshman comedy, which is expected to take a hiatus after finishing Episode 10 for a reboot. ABC recently ordered 3 more episodes, bringing The Muppets' first season to 16 episodes — 10 to air in the fall and the other 6 in midseason after a winter hiatus. The spring run will likely be treated as a relaunch.

Syfy's The Expanse to premiere online three weeks before its TV debut
The first episode of the futuristic mystery drama will be available early on multiple platforms.

Are indie web series the new indie film?
With more actors and filmmakers turning towards producing, writing and starring in web series, it seems that web series are the new "Indie Film."

Psy-chology 101: Academics Put Spotlight on Korean Pop Culture
Academic minds around the world are tackling some tough new questions about South Korea, including why do Korean soap opera plotlines seem to defy the basic principles of microeconomic theory?

Jimmy Fallon and Bryan Cranston unearth their '90s soap opera Suspended Suspense
Jimmy and Bryan Cranston show clips from their short-lived '90s soap opera, "Suspended Suspense," where they acted every scene while suspended in midair.

Watch below:

NEWS: Frank Albanese, Alison Sweeney, Jacob Young, Robert Forster, Cady McClain, Kate Linder

Frank Albanese

Frank Albanese, Tony’s Uncle on The Sopranos, Dies at 84
Albanese, who played Tony Soprano’s uncle, retired mobster Pat Blundetto, in three episodes of The Sopranos, died Monday in a Staten Island, N.Y. hospice. He was 84.

Albanese, who performed on stage, in films and on television, was a longshoreman and then a successful boxer before becoming an actor. He got a tiny speaking part in Martin Ritt’s 1968 Mafia film The Brotherhood, which enabled him to join the Screen Actors Guild.

Albanese’s other credits included playing Paul Castellano in a reenactment on America’s Most Wanted as well as appearances in two “Godfather” films and in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas.

He also guested on the soaps As the World Turns and Loving and appeared in the 1969 film Goodbye, Columbus, based on the Philip Roth novel.

Alison Sweeney: Why Nujeen Mustafa inspires us all
Sweeney wrote about her experience with Nujeen for CNN.

"Nujeen wanted to squeal about Sami and EJ, she wanted to tell me about her favorite scenes and how devastated she was when EJ died. She brushed aside the idea that she learned to read and write on her own because she wasn't allowed to go to school. She told me that I taught her to speak English. I apologized for all the curse words."

"I found out later she's been using her language skills to help others from her country communicate in the refugee camps. This incredibly bright girl, who had never been allowed a formal education in Syria, conquered the Internet in a matter of days upon arriving in Germany. She joined Twitter and posted a YouTube video in which she shared her reaction to our conversation and she used it as an opportunity to wish strength, courage and inspiration to others."

All My Children alum Cady McClain makes special birthday plans
McClain will spend her upcoming birthday in a meaningful way. "On October 13th at 9 a.m., I'm introducing the Los Angeles Mayor at City Hall in downtown LA for Domestic Violence Awareness Day, with a focus on elder abuse," she reports. "The police chief will also be present, as well as members of the Domestic Violence Task Force. The idea of the event is to honor those who work in the field and bring more awareness to the issue."

The Young and the Restless actress Kate Linder works on Garry Marshall's upcoming film, Mother's Day
Tweeted Linder: "So enjoyed working with #scottmarshall #garrymarshall #mothersdaymovie #atlanta #juliaroberts… https://instagram.com/p/8i4mEIHBW8/"

Jacob Young on trying to make an impact with the transgender story on The Bold and the Beautiful
"We are trying to make an impact and anything we can do to support it, would be great. Having Caitlyn Jenner or any other transgender model could help to enlighten people. When I started reading about transgender issues, the statistics were something like, three out of five transgender people commit suicide. I think the educational portion is so important. I’m so glad they [the writers] had the stones – as we call it daytime TV so often – to write something like this."

Robert Forster will play Twin Peaks sheriff, replacing Michael Ontkean
Ontkean opted not to reprise his role as Sheriff Harry S. Truman on the Showtime reboot, according to TV Line. Replacing him as the town’s top lawman will be Forster. But it’s unclear if Forster will be playing Sheriff Truman, or a brand-new sheriff character.

John Stamos to be charged with driving under the influence of GHB
According to TMZ, the General Hospital alum and Grandfathered star, was using the so-called date rape drug as a fitness supplement when he was arrested while driving erratically in Beverly Hills in June.

FX renews Tyrant for Season 3
The 10-episode third season will run in 2016.

AMC on why the network renewed Halt and Catch Fire for Season 3, despite its low ratings
"We decided to stick with it primarily because we love the story, and we think it's a show that has a lot of life left in it,” says Joel Stillerman, AMC’s president of original programming and development. "These things are always complicated, and the ratings play a part, but they're far from the entire story. If we see something that we truly love, and we see the talent and the momentum behind it that give us the confidence to move forward, we're all in.”

Empire in a Winery? 5 Hot Trends of TV's Development Season
"Think Empire …" That is how dozens of pitches for new TV shows have begun this development season. "You name it, we've probably heard it," jokes one network exec, who rattles off examples including a "Latina Empire" and "Empire set at a winery." But the deluge of Empire offshoots isn't the only theme to emerge this season, which is off to another late start as networks still are vying for several projects well into the fall.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 10)

1981: General Hospital's Luke went to church. 1991: The
final episode of Twin Peaks. 2009: Guiding Light's Josh
and Olivia shared a kiss. 2010: Amanda and Jake were
married on All My Children.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
― John W. Gardner

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1941: On NBC radio soap opera The Guiding Light, Myrna returned to San Francisco in a depression and tried to bury her grief by returning to her broadcasting career. Martin Kane thought she was sad because her ex-husband, Ned Holden (Ed Prentiss), was marrying Mary Rutledge (Sarajane Wells) but Myrna told him that wasn't the case. She confessed that she met a man on the East Coast and fell in love with him. Myrna refused to give details, but said that the relationship ended. Martin said that she may have misinterpreted the entire affair and that he'll wait for her.

NEWS: Dylan Bruce, Randy Mantooth, Bradley Cooper, Bernie Sanders, Trent Dawson, John Aniston, Farah Fath

'Twin Peaks' Will Return With 18 Episodes, Angelo Badalamenti Composing All New Music
During the Twin Peaks panel at Crypticon in Seattle, Sherilyn Fenn and Sheryl Lee revealed two big pieces of news: there will be eighteen new episodes of Twin Peaks, all directed by David Lynch, and his longtime collaborator Angelo Badalamenti would be composing all new music. Yep, we'll take a slice of cherry pie to go with that. This effectively doubles the nine episodes that were announced when the Showtime deal was first revealed, and suggests this will be more than just your standard waltz through the past.

Dylan Bruce Joins NBC’s 'Heroes Reborn'
On the heels of the shocker involving his character on Orphan Black, Dylan Bruce (ex-Chris, As the World Turns) has been tapped for a recurring role in NBC’s upcoming event series Heroes Reborn.

Randy Mantooth of 'Emergency!' and 'Loving' Looks Back and Forges Ahead
"I'm in the middle of a normal routine of being on the road talking to firefighters and paramedics. I have also been writing screenplays and I will probably be doing a play at Jeff Daniels' Purple Rose Theater here in New York sometime next year."

Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, Ellen DeGeneres Join List of World’s Most Powerful Women
Eleven entertainers made Forbes’ 2015 list of The World’s Most Powerful Women, with Oprah Winfrey leading the pack at #12. The television titan is this year’s “top ranking billionaire,” with a net worth of $3 billion.

Trailing behind is Beyoncé at #21, while Conde Nast artistic director Anna Wintour ranked highest in the media sector at No. 28.

'As the World Turns' alum Trent Dawson set to star in Harold Pinter's 'The Homecoming'
"The Homecoming" comes to Los Angeles for the first time in over a decade from May 30 - July 26.

Set in 1960's North London, Teddy (Dawson, who played Henry on ATWT) returns home to introduce his wife of six years to the family: his father Max, a retired butcher; his Uncle Sam, a chauffeur; his younger brother Lenny, who appears to be a pimp; and his youngest brother Joey, a boxer who works in demolition. But things don't go exactly as planned...

Bradley Cooper was ‘nervous’ for early on-screen kiss
About his beginning days, he told Page Six: “My earliest screen test was for All My Children or One Life To Live or whatever they called Kelly Ripa’s soap opera.

“Who knows what they tried to turn me into? I remember most they kept blow-drying my hair. I was maybe 25. My action was kissing a girl. Ohhh, I was so nervous.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders officially launches campaign for President of the United States
"Politics in a Democratic society should not be treated as if it were a baseball game, a game show or a soap opera," Sanders said.

Jennifer Aniston: Shut Your Trap, Dad!
Jennifer Aniston's father John Aniston (Victor, Days of our Lives) told a family dinner, including Jen: “If it wasn’t for me, Jenny wouldn’t have a movie career today!”

Confides my Aniston insider: “Jen exploded, screaming, ‘You think I owe you my career because you did a favor to someone and gave me one lousy script? Let it go – stop taking credit!’ Then she stormed out as John hung his head!”

For the record, the story’s TRUE – John did give Jen a script written in the mid-’90s by a fellow Days actress, which got made into big-screen rom-com Picture Perfect, Jen’s breakout movie role.

“John’s proud he helped her to movie stardom,” said the source, “but she’s had it with him throwing it in her face. She called Daddy next day and made him vow to NEVER take credit again. John reluctantly agreed.”

Jean Slater returning to 'EastEnders'
Gillian Wright, who played Stacey Slater's mother Jean for eight years before quitting the BBC One soap in 2013, is set to reprise her role for her character's upcoming wedding to boyfriend Ollie Walters.

The 'Coronation Street' script for Deirdre Barlow's funeral is 'really magnificent'
Writer and producer Stuart Blackburn said that he has seen the scripts for the upcoming episodes and was very pleased with what he saw.

“The scripts are magnificent, really magnificent and yes, it’s kind of upsetting experience for all of us for obvious reasons but I think it’s a really fitting tribute to Deirdre,” Stuart said at a recent Coronation Street press conference.

Actress Anne Kirkbride, who played the long-standing character for 42 years, died in January from cancer. Stuart said that her family had been consulted closely on the storyline.

It was revealed earlier this week that Dierdre will be haunt the Rovers Return pub and other Coronation Street residents after they learn of her sudden death.

Newlyweds Steven and Michelle will get a fright when the doors of the Rover Return bust open suddenly as they are talking about her.


Did your favorite TV show get canceled? Here are 7 reasons it might have.
There are a bunch of reasons your show might have been canceled, but these seven are the most likely. No. 1: It was a flop.

Former 'One Life to Live' and 'Days of our Lives' actress Farah Fath joins cast of 'Murder She Baked'
On Instagram, newlywed Farah Fath (ex-Mimi, Days; ex-Gigi, OLTL) who just married Phil Galfond on May 15, revealed that she is heading north to work with Alison Sweeney (ex-Sami, Days). "Last night at our beautiful new house in vegas, then i gotta head to vancouver for a lil job with @alisweeney woo woo,” she posted, along with this photo. Sweeney is toiling on the second installment of Murder She Baked for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, which will air in December.

Kyle MacLachlan Joins Showtime's 'Twin Peaks'

Kyle MacLachlan

Kyle MacLachlan will reprise his role as FBI Agent Dale Cooper when the critically-acclaimed, ground breaking television phenomenon Twin Peaks returns as a new limited series on Showtime. Series creators and executive producers David Lynch and Mark Frost are on board to write and produce all nine episodes of the limited series. Four-time Oscar nominee David Lynch will direct every episode. Twin Peaks will go into production in 2015 to air on the network in 2016, marking the 25th anniversary of when the program last aired. Set in the present day, Twin Peaks will continue the lore of the original series, providing long-awaited answers for the series’ passionate fan base. The announcement was made today by Showtime Networks President David Nevins and MacLachlan at the Television Critics Association’s annual Winter Press Tour.

'Twin Peaks' Making A Comeback, On Showtime

Cult TV classic Twin Peaks will return as a new limited series on Showtime in 2016.

Series creators and executive producers David Lynch and Mark Frost will write and produce all nine episodes of the limited series, and Lynch will direct every episode.

Set in the present day, Twin Peaks will continue the lore of the original series, providing long-awaited answers and a satisfying conclusion for the series' passionate fan base.

Watch Showtime's Twin Peaks announcement below:

Today in Soap Opera History (August 20)

1973: Suzanne Rogers debuted as Maggie on Days of our Lives.
1996: General Hospital's Robin & Jason were happy in Montauk.
1987: John Reid was left at the altar on Ryan's Hope.
2001: As the World Turns' Jack rescued Carly from quicksand.

"To believe what has not occurred in history will not occur at all, is to argue disbelief in the dignity of man."
- Mahatma Gandhi

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1973: Suzanne Rogers debuted as Maggie Simmons in Days of our Lives. Amnesiac Mickey Horton (John Clarke) stumbled onto Maggie's farm.

1976: On Another World, Clarice Hobson, pregnant with Robert Delaney's (Nicholas Coster) baby, was threatened by Robert's estranged wife, Iris (Beverlee McKinsey), who ordered her to leave town. While trying to flee her boarding house, Clarice went into labor. End credits rolled during her hospital labor. The unmarried Clarice delivered a son, Cory, on August 23.

NEWS: 'Twin Peaks' Reunion; 'Days of our Lives' Actress Cast as Aaliyah; 'Passions' Stars Marry; TCA Awards Winners; Lack of CBS Diversity; 'Hollyoaks' UK's Most Violent Soap

'Twin Peaks' Cast Reunites in Los Angeles 23 Years After Series Run'
The stars of the cult hit but short-lived TV show got together at the Vista Theatre in Los Angeles. The reunion was in celebration of the release of Twin Peaks - The Entire Mystery, a Blu-Ray/DVD collection containing all 30 episodes of the ABC show.

'Days of our Lives' actress Alexandra Shipp Set as Aaliyah in Lifetime Biopic
Wendy Williams has also boarded the TV movie that was previously set to star Zendaya Coleman.

'Hollyoaks' overtakes 'EastEnders' as UK's most violent soap
According to new research from Ofcom, Channel 4's teen drama had 11.5 violent scenes per hour in 2013, up from 2.1 in 2002. By contrast, violence in EastEnders has dropped, from 6.1 scenes per hour in 2002 to 2.1 per hour today.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 10)

1981: General Hospital's Luke went to church. 1991: The
final episode of Twin Peaks. 2009: Guiding Light's Josh
and Olivia shared a kiss. 2010: Amanda and Jake were
married on All My Children.

"History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies."
- Alexis de Tocqueville

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1941: On NBC radio soap opera The Guiding Light, Myrna returned to San Francisco in a depression and tried to bury her grief by returning to her broadcasting career. Martin Kane thought she was sad because her ex-husband, Ned Holden (Ed Prentiss), was marrying Mary Rutledge (Sarajane Wells) but Myrna told him that wasn't the case. She confessed that she met a man on the East Coast and fell in love with him. Myrna refused to give details, but said that the relationship ended. Martin said that she may have misinterpreted the entire affair and that he'll wait for her.