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‘Days Of Our Lives’ Vet Arianne Zucker Alleges Sexual Harassment In Lawsuit Against Corday Prods., Albert Alarr; Show Claims Accusations Are “Without Merit”

Zucker is pointing fingers at Alarr, who lost his job in August after Deadline revealed the DoOL veteran had been the subject of an investigation into allegations that included inappropriate comments and touching, including groping and forceful kissing, as well as creating a toxic environment on the show and governing by fear. See lawsuit here.

In her lawsuit, Zucker alleges she was victim of nonconsensual sexual touching and inappropriate comments by Alarr, like telling her costars during sex scenes that he would “love to switch positions” with them. He also would state that he enjoyed aggressive sex scenes.

“Alarr would frequently grab and tightly hug Plaintiff, purposely pushing her breasts onto his chest, while moaning ‘Oh Ari!’ Alarr’s unwelcome physical touching made Plaintiff feel offended, uncomfortable, humiliated and intimidated. Indeed, on many occasions, Alarr forcefully touched Plaintiff without her consent during dry blocking of scenes. Alarr would put his hands on Plaintiff’s waist, with his thumbs placed just above her vagina, and move her around, all the while smirking and grinning in a sexual manner, making Plaintiff extremely uncomfortable and violated.”

In response, a spokesperson for Corday Prods. released this statement: “The allegations in Ms. Zucker’s lawsuit are without merit. Corday Productions offered to renew Ms. Zucker’s contract including offering her a pay increase. Rejecting Ms. Zucker’s counteroffer does not constitute retaliation. Complaints about Mr. Alarr’s on-set behavior were promptly investigated. Corday Productions fully cooperated with the impartial investigation and subsequently terminated Mr. Alarr.”

Added Robert M. Barta, attorney for Alarr: “As Albert said when Ms. Zucker first leveled these outrageous claims through the press last year, her baseless allegations were examined in a detailed and entirely independent investigation that lasted for two months. Dozens of individuals cooperated and every claim was thoroughly looked into. At the end of that process, the decision was made that Albert should continue in his role as Co-Executive Producer of Days of Our Lives. As Ms. Zucker’s own lawsuit all but admits, at a time of industry-wide cutbacks, she was aggressively seeking a significant personal pay increase and additional influence on the show. Having failed in those attempts, she is now – again – trying to exploit vile stereotypes to denigrate and demean a Black man who was in a position of power. Well, enough is enough. Every day for decades, Albert worked with hundreds of people who can – and will – testify about the falsity of Ms. Zucker’s mischaracterizations of him. We relish having a chance to share the truth and putting an end to her offensive claims once and for all.”

The suit goes on to say that “from the onset of Alarr’s employment, he repeatedly subjected Plaintiff and other employees to severe and pervasive harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment, based upon their female gender. That Alarr engaged in this illegal behavior was well known to Defendants Corday and Ken Corday and to the HR department of Sony Pictures Television (the distributor of Days of Our Lives for years. Indeed, Alarr has been accused by numerous individuals of making sexually charged inappropriate and gender hostile remarks, and of bullying and intimidating female employees. Alarr has been accused of groping female members of the cast, and in at least one instance, forcibly kissing an actress against her will. Many prominent actresses that worked under Alarr have spoken publicly about Alarr’s misconduct dating back for years, and how their complaints to Defendants Corday and Ken Corday fell upon deaf ears.”

Zucker claims in her suit that she met with Sony and Human Resources between March and June of 2023 while Alarr continued on the show. Zucker’s contract on the sudser expired in October after Corday gave her a “take it or leave it” offer.

Zucker, who first joined the soap in 1998, is suing for harassment, discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination, among other claims, and is seeking unspecified damages.

Before Alarr was axed, more than 25 DoOL cast members signed a petition calling for the director to be replaced with a female after the nine-week investigation didn’t result in a meaningful change. He was able to continue his role on the show while receiving a written warning and was only axed after his behavior went public.

DoOL alums Farah Galfond and Lisa Rinna both supported the cast’s request for Alarr to be removed.

Live Chat with Alison Sweeney & Kendra Anderson

‘General Hospital’: Steve Burton Reveals Return Date

Steve Burton has revealed when he’s returning to General Hospital to reprise his role as Jason Morgan. It’s March 4.

“I got to talk to the head writers, this story is going to be sick. It’s gonna be awesome,” he says in the video posted to Daily Drama. “So, make sure you keep watching, because the pieces of the puzzle are gonna be fit for when I return.”

Burton’s return to the show that made him a household name was revealed at the end of GH‘s 60th Anniversary special.

Burton left the ABC sudser in 2021 after failing to adhere to its Covid vaccine policy. He ended up joining the second installment of Beyond Salem, Peacock’s Days of Our Lives spinoff, before hopping over to DOOL earlier this year. He played Harris Michaels, a role he originated on Days in 1988.

Burton depicted Jason Morgan on and off on General Hospital from 1991 to 2012, then from 2017 to 2021. His departure from the soap came three weeks after it drop-kicked Ingo Rademacher (Jasper Jacks), who had been a vocal critic of Covid 19 mandates. He subsequently sued ABC for religious discrimination.

Last July, Burton talked to Deadline about leaving the ABC soap. His character departed at an awkward time: he married his longtime pal Carly (Laura Wright).

“Look, the circumstance [of his GH departure] was tough and you know, that’s just the way it is,” he told Deadline. “I’ll always be grateful for my time there. It was my family for so long. I grew up there and the fans have always been awesome to me.”

Cuba Gooding Jr., Vivica A. Fox, Vernon Davis & Quinton “Rampage” Jackson Join Thriller ‘Break The Cycle’

Others in the cast include Loretta Devine (Waiting to Exhale) and Kym Whitley (Next Friday). Production kicks off in Memphis in March.

Directed by Josh Webber (Never Heard), Break the Cycle delves into the lives of two brothers whose childhood is marred by a horribly tragic incident. Raised by their loving but stern grandmother, the brothers take radically different paths as they come of age in the gritty streets of Memphis.

Jay, a gifted basketball player with dreams of making it to the NBA, is a beacon of hope for his grandmother and a potential ticket out of their harsh reality. However, the allure of his charismatic yet troubled brother, Eddie, who’s deeply entrenched in the world of street crime, casts a shadow over Jay’s future.

“This film is a heart-pounding journey through the world of streetball that explores themes of family, ambition, and the moral complexities of urban life. It tells the story of navigating a treacherous path, an unfortunate reality for far too many young boys in our urban communities,” said Stokes. “I’m so excited to have written my first film and honored to be working with such a tremendously talented group of actors to bring this project to life.”

Said producers Goodrich and Armstrong: “What excites us about the script is its terrifying plausibility. It’s essentially a true story. We’re thrilled to be working with Jarnell, Josh and the entire team to bring Break the Cycle to the big screen for what will no doubt be a gripping thriller.”

Added Fox: “I’m so proud to have the opportunity to work on such a meaningful film with an incredibly passionate group of people. I’m excited for ‘Break the Cycle’ and the impact I truly believe it will have. If it can motivate change or even a conversation in just one person’s life, we’ll have achieved something important.”

In addition to Stokes, producers on Break the Cycle are Rob Goodrich and Jason Armstrong of Walk Like A Duck Entertainment. Henry Penzi is exec producing.

Gooding is repped by manager and attorney Peter Toumbekis; Fox by Sheila Legette Entertainment; Davis by UTA, manager Henry Penzi and Fox Rothschild; Jackson by Golden Foo Entertainment, Penzi Management and attorney Robert Galarza; Devine by Innovative Artists and Essential Talent Management; Whitley by Innovative Artists, 111 Media and Untitled Entertainment; and Webber by Penzi Management.n

Lisa Rinna To Star Opposite Daughter Delilah Hamlin For First Time In Lifetime Movie ‘Mommy Meanest’

Mommy Meanest is set to premiere later this year on the cable channel. Inspired by actual events, the movie tells the story of a teenage girl with a history of emotional trauma who is relentlessly cyber-bullied, only to discover the culprit behind the horrific texts is her very own mother. Yikes.

No doubt to keep peace in the household, Hamlin isn’t playing her mother’s daughter in the movie. She appears as Summer, the friend of the cyber-bullied teen.

Here’s the official logline: The story follows divorced mother Madelyn (Rinna), who’s always had a tight bond with her daughter Mia (played by Briana Skye). But when Mia starts spending more time with her new boyfriend and is on the verge of leaving for college, Madelyn is panicked by her emerging independence. When Mia starts to receive a barrage of degrading texts, as a protective mother, Madelyn is determined to find out who is harassing her daughter and will do anything to help her, bringing them closer together again. As the hundreds of texts become more threatening, Mia begins to wonder if her tormentor is someone closer than she could have ever imagined.

Mommy Meanest is produced for Lifetime by Stalking Productions in association with Johnson Production Group. Rinna and Stacy Mandelberg are executive producers. It’s produced by Navid Soofi. Greg Beeman (Murdaugh Murders: The Movie) directs from a script written by Gregg McBride (Would You Kill for Me? The Mary Bailey Story).

Rinna is repped by Atlas Artist and UTA; Hamlin by UTA; and Skye by Trisko Talent Management and Venture Entertainment Partners.

Daytime Emmys Eliminate Outstanding Younger Performer Category, Split Up Daytime Host Race

That means no more awkward competitions between kids and young adults. This year was particularly odd, since McCoy, 20, was competing against two boys — Henry Joseph Samiri, 10, of The Bold and the Beautiful and Cary Christopher, 7, of Days of Our Lives.

Other changes announced by NATAS include merging Outstanding Writing for a Daytime Non-Fiction Series and Outstanding Writing for Daytime Non-Fiction Special into Outstanding Writing for a Daytime Non-Fiction Program. The Daytime Program Host category has also been split into two categories – Daytime Personality Daily, and Daytime Personality Non-Daily.

“Programming is always changing, and NATAS continues to adapt its competition rules to reflect these shifts in the television landscape,” said Adam Sharp, President of NATAS. “We’re looking forward to gathering again at the 51st Daytime Emmys to celebrate all the nominees and the entertaining and enlightening programs they create.”

The Call for Entries for the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will open Feb. 1.

Hosts, Co-Hosts, and Correspondents from Entertainment News and Legal/Courtroom Programs (e.g. the judges and bailiffs) are now eligible within the Daytime Personality – Daily or Daytime Personality – Non-Daily category depending on airing/streaming schedule. They also remain eligible in their respective Program categories but cannot win two Emmy statuettes for the same function, e.g. if a Program wins Outstanding Program and the Hosts win Outstanding Daytime Personality, the statuette defaults to the Host entry. Hosts from the same Program will be included in a single entry with all Hosts, Co-Hosts, Anchors and Correspondents on the same submission and the reel must contain footage that highlights all entrants.

For Daytime Hosts, the Talk Series Host and Culinary Host categories remain unchanged.

In terms of those who petition for off-list credits, Late Credit additions are still permitted, as per the parameters above, but ONLY for on-list credits. Off-list credits must be submitted at the time of entry to allow for Awards Administration to seek a full petition if warranted. Off-list credits cannot be submitted late.

For categories identified as Music Categories (these are Music Direction and Composition and Original Song in the Daytime Emmys), nominees will be required to provide complete publishing information and sign an additional NATAS-issued licensing agreement allowing NATAS to use the music featured in the Ceremony Clip(s). The information will be distributed to nominees only. Failure to provide adequate information AND proper contact information for a legally authorized signer will result in a different clip being selected or replacement of the music with rights-cleared music at NATAS’ discretion.

NATAS will be offering weekly webinars every Tuesday at 3 PM ET/12:00 PM PT during the entry process to explain the process and answer questions. After the submission window is completed, the administration team will send out further information regarding Zooms dedicated entirely to judging.

Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

The 51st Annual Daytime Emmy timeline:

February 1, 2024 – Open for submissions/Judging Sign Ups
February 22, 2024 – Entry Deadline
March 7, 2024 – Late Entry Deadline
March 21-April 11, 2024 – Judging for all Entries
Week of April 15, 2024 – Nominations Announced
Five business days after nominations announcement: Gratis credit card changes deadline and program deadline

Entry fees for program categories are $425 with a late fee of $500. Performer, host and craft category fees are $350 with a late fee of $400. Additional details for the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be announced in the coming weeks/months.eo

New Hannah Swensen Mystery

The Days of Our Lives vet will reprise role as baker-turned-amateur sleuth Hannah Swensen in the movie, which reunites her with The Wedding Veil trilogy love interest Victor Webster.

“I’ve always loved working with Victor — from our years in daytime to our work together on The Wedding Veil,” Sweeney, who wrote and executive-produced One Bad Apple, said in a statement. “When writing the script and developing this movie, I knew he’d be a great addition to the Hannah Swensen family and am thrilled that he said yes.”

In One Bad Apple — premiering later this year, and based off the novel Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke — “Hannah Swensen has been asked to teach a baking class at the college in town, but her equipment is tampered with causing an explosion that the fire department rules an accident,” reads the official synopsis. “Soon, a colleague ends up dead and Hannah begins to put together the puzzle of the mysterious circumstances surrounding the murder. Hannah leans on her friends and family to collect the breadcrumbs of foul play and put them together, and meets a different side of law and order when Lake Eden’s prosecuting attorney Chad Norton (Webster) enters her life.”

Returning cast members include Gabriel Hogan, Barbara Niven, Tess Atkins and Lisa Durupt.

‘90210’ Star AnnaLynne McCord Joins ‘Paper Empire’ Cast As S3 Shoots In Saudi Arabia

McCord plays Tabitha Sutton, a seasoned CIA protective agent and cyber security analyst, on assignment to monitor a CIA asset’s activity and ensure his mission objectives are adhered at the same time as providing security in a dangerous environment.

She joins an ensemble cast led by Robert Davi and also featuring Wesley Snipes, Denise Richards, Kelsey Grammar, Anne Archer, Carol Alt, Cuba Gooding Jr., Steve Guttenberg, Robert Knepper, Richard Grieco, and Carol Alt.

Paper Empire revolves around Laurence Fintch (portrayed by Davi), a wealth management expert who accidentally creates a “digital limbo,” leading to an uncontrollable financial apocalypse. McCord’s character plays a pivotal role in navigating this high-stakes world of finance and deception.

Gillings spoke of his admiration for former Nip/Tuck and 90210 star McCord, who has spoken openly about being sexually assaulted as a child and teenager. He said she quickly understood the psychology and emotional truth of her character.

“Personally, AnnaLynne is not just an example of a woman survivor of hellish child abuse; I see her as a warrior, a role model for others who have been victims of physical, mental, and sexual abuse, showing that one can not only overcome but succeed in life and career. She’s heroic; she’s my hero,” he said.

The third season of Paper Empire is shot and set in Saudi Arabia’s heritage region of AlUla in the northwest of the country.

Anna Lynne McCord is one of the first actresses to film an American TV show in the country since it started opening up as part of its 2030 Vision strategy aimed at moving the economy away from a reliance on oil.

“By filming the new season in AlUla, we bring a new dimension to the narrative, exploring the contrast between ancient history and modern financial technologies,” said Gillings, who aims to juxtapose the modern world of digital finance against AlUla’s timeless landscapes.

McCord first gained widespread recognition for her role as Naomi Clark in the popular teen drama series 90210, a modern-day spin-off of the iconic Beverly Hills, 90210. Prior to her success in 90210, she appeared in shows such as Nip/Tuck and American Heiress, with more recent big credits including Dante’s Return, Condition of Return and The Weapon.

Paper Empire is currently in production and is expected to hit screens in 2024.

McCord is represented by Innovative Artists, Vault Entertainment and Yorn, Levine.

‘Obliterated’ Canceled By Netflix After One Season

The cancellation comes as a little bit of a surprise as Obliterated spent a respectable six weeks in the Netflix Top 10 for English-language series following its November 30 release, peaking at No.1 in Week 2. The streamer largely bases its renewal decisions on analyzing viewing vs. cost.

From Cobra Kai creators Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald, Obliterated told the story of an elite Special Forces team who thwarts a deadly threat to Las Vegas. After their celebratory party, filled with booze, drugs and sex, the team discovered that a bomb they deactivated was a fake. The now-intoxicated team had to fight through their impairments, overcome their personal issues, find the real bomb and save the world.

Nick Zano, Shelley Hennig, Terrence Terrell, Alyson Gorske, C. Thomas Howell, Eugene Kim, Paola Lázaro and Amalia Yoo starred in the series, produced by Sony Pictures Television. Hurwitz, Schlossberg and Heald executive produced, along with Dina Hillier.

Obliterated was an original concept from Counterbalance Entertainment’s Heald, Hurwitz and Schlossberg, who are behind such hard-R comedies as the Harold & Kumar franchise, Hot Tub Time Machine, American Reunion and Blockers and have said that the series was meant to resemble an R-rated action-comedy feature film told over eight episodes, with a beginning, middle and end.

Envisioning Obliterated as a movie franchise in the vein of Die Hard or The Hangover, the trio are hoping to revisit the concept in some form in the future, picking up with the characters years later.

Meanwhile, Netflix remains in business with Hurwitz, Schlossberg and Heald, who are working on the upcoming sixth and final season of the hit martial arts comedy Cobra Kai and have teased potential spinoffs.

NAME THAT TUNE - TUESDAY FEBRUARY 13 ON FOX

Tony Award winner Jane Krakowski hosts, and Grammy Award-winning producer Randy Jackson serves as band leader. Actor/Producer/TV Host Vivica A. Fox, playing for Best Buddies International vs. Actor/Humanitarian/Documentarian Ravi Patel, playing for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in a highly competitive game of Blank That Blank, tensions run high but who’s firing blanks and who’s filling in the blanks as they try to win big money for charity? It’s the Bid-A-Note showdown that proves got the music knowledge to win big in the Golden Medley. In the second battle, Grammy Award winning Singer/Songwriter/Author/Podcast Host Michelle Williams, playing for Compassion International vs. Actor/Producer Rachael Leigh Cook, playing forOxfam. This Blank That Blank match is a close competition, but it’s Bid-A-Note that decides their ‘destiny’ leaving only one with a shot at the big bucks in the Golden Medley. Each one-hour episode of Name That Tune is comprised of two stand-alone half-hour contests, each pitting two players against each other, as they race against the clock to test their knowledge of songs, performed by the live band. The contests feature a rotating variety of games from the original format, before the iconic Bid-a-Note round. Pulling no musical punches, a true battle unfolds and the player with the most money at the end of Bid-a-Note wins the game and takes his or her bank into the final Golden Medley round, for a chance to win additional cash and potentially the $100,000 grand prize for their charity in the all-new “It’s Destiny!'' episode of Name That Tune airing Tuesday, February 13 (8:00 - 9:00 ET/PT) on FOX. (NTU-321) (TV-PG D, L)

Bryan Cranston Has Big Screen Ideas For Potential Reboot Of ‘The Office’

“Let’s say that there’s not a reboot series, but what if there was a movie?” said Cranston, who directed The Office episode Work Bus in season 9. “Something to where we can see where these people are. These people in the entire cast that we’re curious about. We wondered at the end, where did they go? What did become of them?”

Fischer and Kinsey were all for it. “I would do it,” Kinsey said. “I would do it for my kids, because I think they would think that’s fun.”

“I mean, if [showrunner] Greg [Daniels] did it, because I would trust it. You know?” Fischer said. “As long as Greg is writing it and he’s in charge of it, then I say yes.”

Cranston said he’d have a minor role. “I just want to be an extra in it,” he said. “I would be an extra in it. I would be some guy. I’d be a crossing guard or something like that. Just something.”

Kinsey wanted more. “Maybe you’re like one of Dwight’s hired hands on Schrute Farms,” she said.

Of course, revival talk about The Office has been around since the series ended in 2013.

Days Cast on The ‘Weakest Link’ 4/2/24

The games begin with a “Days of our Lives” special featuring cast members Lindsay Arnold, Bryan Dattilo, Galen Gering, Tina Huang, Victoria Konefal, Martha Madison, Eric Martsolf and Zach Tinker competing to earn money for charity.

For a first look at the “Days of our Lives” special Video (USA Only).

Jordi Vilasuso asks for prayers as baby daughter is admitted to NICU

The soap star, who announced Lucy’s arrival earlier this month, shared that their baby’s health scare is due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

“We found out Monday that Lucy had RSV and by Monday night she had been admitted to the hospital w/ difficulty breathing,” the couple wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of Lucy lying in an incubator and hooked up to various machines.

“Last night, things unexpectedly took a turn for the worse and she was moved to NICU w/ what the doctors described as a partially collapsed right lung. I am still struggling to believe this as I type.”

RSV causes infections of the lungs and respiratory tract, according to the Mayo Clinic. It’s so common that most children have been infected with the virus by age 2; however, it can cause severe infections in babies under 12 months.

“Please please pray with us for miraculous healing for Lucy’s precious little body,” the couple concluded. “We love her so much and just want her home and happy and in our arms.”

Early Monday, Kaitlin, 37, shared a video of Lucy sleeping with her hand on a pacifier.

“This little hand [prayer emoji],” she wrote over the clip on her Instagram Story. “..hi sweet baby.”

She also posted a snap of herself holding holding hands with the former “Guiding Light” star, 42, and their older daughters, Riley Grace, 10, and Everly Maeve, 7.

“Thankful for family bedtime prayers for the first time since all of this happened..anxious to have the littlest hands in our circle back home,” Kaitlin captioned her Instagram Story.

The pair have grappled with numerous obstacles throughout their fertility journey, including two pregnancy losses before Kaitlin, who is also an actor, became pregnant with Lucy last year.

Morning Show Appearances

AIRING Jan 29, 2024

Bryan Cranston ("Argylle"); actor Laurence Fishburne

AIRING Jan 31, 2024

Actress Demi Moore

'General Hospital' Tyler Christopher Died from Suffocation Due to Intoxication

According to the Medical Examiner Office's report, obtained by TMZ, the "General Hospital" star's official cause of death is being listed as positional asphyxia due to acute alcohol intoxication. There's a contributing condition cited ... coronary artery atherosclerosis.

In layman's terms, Tyler suffocated to death because of how he was positioned when he died -- and the ME here is saying booze played in a part in him ending up that way. The latter description is basically plaque build-up in his arteries. His death was accidental.

Tyler's friend found him deceased at his San Diego apartment -- this after trying and failing to get a hold of him for a while. His pal discovered his body in his bedroom ... and called 911 shortly thereafter.

Tyler's one-time costar, Maurice Benard, broke the news about his passing ... calling him a "truly talented individual that lit up the screen in every scene he performed and relished bringing joy to his loyal fans through his acting."

He'd been on 'General Hospital' for a very long time, starring in over 1,100 episodes. He was only 50.

NAACP Image Awards Nominations

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
Aja Naomi King – “Lessons in Chemistry” (Apple TV+)
CCH Pounder – “Full Circle” (HBO | Max)
Micheala Jaé Rodriguez – “American Horror Story: Delicate” (FX)
Phylicia Rashad – “Heaven Down Here” (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
Tisha Campbell – “Every Breath She Takes” (Lifetime)

Outstanding Guest Performance
Ayo Edebiri – “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
Garcelle Beauvais – “Survival of the Thickest” (Netflix)
Giancarlo Esposito – “The Mandalorian” (Disney+)
Michael B. Jordan – “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Roy Wood, Jr. – “The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album
“Creed III: The Soundtrack” – Michael B. Jordan, Ludwig Göransson, Archie Davis, Frank Brim (Dreamville / Interscope Records)
“Godfather of Harlem: Season 3 (Original Series Soundtrack)” – Swizz Beatz & Avery Chambliss (Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment)
“Metro Boomin Presents Spider–Man: Across the Spider–Verse (Soundtrack From and Inspired by the Motion Picture/Deluxe Edition)” – Metro Boomin (Republic Records)
“The Color Purple–Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” – Various Producers (WaterTower Music/Gamma)
“The Little Mermaid Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Alan Menken, Mike Higham and Lin–Manuel Miranda (Walt Disney Records)

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special
Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr. – Cinnamon (Tubi)
Chris Robinson – Shooting Stars (Peacock)
Keke Palmer – Big Boss (YouTube TV)
Numa Perrier – The Perfect Find (Netflix)
Vivica A. Fox – First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story (BET+)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture
Antoine Fuqua – The Equalizer 3 (Sony Pictures)
Ava DuVernay – Origin (Neon)
George C. Wolfe – Rustin (Netflix)
Juel Taylor – They Cloned Tyrone (Netflix)
Michael B. Jordan – Creed III (Amazon / MGM Studios).

Talk Show Appearances

Monday, Jan. 29: Bryan Cranston

Wednesday, Jan. 31: Demi Moore

Vivica A. Fox To Host Food Competition Series ‘Family Recipe Rumble’

She has teamed with Rainbow Heads Productions and Woody Woodbeck, a producer on Bravo’s Southern Hospitality, to develop Family Recipe Rumble (w/t).

The series will follow two families battling it out for culinary supremacy and a $10,000 prize. They will put their family recipes to the test, while sharing their stories.

The format will include three courses, where the families share their recipes on classic favorites. While they are preparing, viewers learn about their lives, their culture and their sweet and savory creations along the way. Then Fox invites her special guest judges to taste the results and award the grand prize of $10,000 to one lucky family per episode.

Rainbow Heads, which was founded by former Discovery exec Jodi Tovay and 1000lb Sisters exec producer Daniel Keller-Bradshaw, is currently taking the project out to networks and streamers.

“This isn’t your typical food competition show,” said Fox. “Recipes passed down by generations sometimes tell the story of a family’s rich traditions, that nourish not only the appetite but the soul.” “We hope to show that meals made with love, and a little bit of friendly competition, can be satisfying to everyone who watches.”

“We are thrilled to be working with Ms. Fox and veteran executive producer, Woody Woodbeck, on this project.” added Tovay and Keller-Bradshaw. “The goal is to showcase that culture and tradition shine through with each family’s passion for cooking; serving the viewer with a truly unique culinary competition experience.”

Bill Hayes’ Wife Susan Posts Statement After Husband’s Passing: “May We All Embrace Life With Gusto”

On her Instagram account that she shared with her husband, Susan Seaforth-Hayes thanked fans for their support under a vintage black and white shot of the couple.

“To all of you who honored my Billy with a word of remembrance, a sense of personal loss, or even a tear- I thank you,” she wrote. “You touched my heart by seeing in him the goodness and joy I experienced every moment of our wonderful marriage. May we all embrace life with the gusto of Bill Hayes- and enrich it with grace and love xx Susan”

Hayes originated his Days role in 1970 and played the part on and off through 2023. The show’s statement also observed that, “He and his wife, Susan Seaforth-Hayes, remained the foundation of the Williams-Horton family spanning more than 50 years.”

Seaforth-Hayes plays Julie Williams on the show. The duo was awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Daytime Emmys in 2018.

Hayes got his start on TV as a singer on Your Show of Shows in the early ’50s. He also made appearances on shows of the era such as Decoy and True Story, as well as a number of TV movies. Even after he got his break on Days, he continued to guest on shows such as Matlock, Hooperman, Cop Rock and Frasier.

A successful singer as well, Hayes’ “Ballad of Davy Crockett” was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks in 1955 and sold over 2 million copies. On Broadway he starred in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Me and Juliet in 1953.

Lynne Marta Dies: Prolific ‘Love, American Style’ & ‘Footloose’ Actor Was 78

Calling Marta “a beautiful light,” the actor’s friend Joan Sobel wrote on Facebook, “My friend, Lynne Marta lost her good fight. A wonderfully talented actress and a beautiful singer whose voice was of the angels. A dear heart who adored her friends both human and furry. I will miss her terribly.”

Born on October 30, 1945, in Somerville, NJ, Marta began her TV career in 1966 with appearances on Gidget and The Monkees, and relatively few years went by without a film or TV credit through her 2004 role in an episode of the NBC drama series American Dreams. She appeared in 24 episodes of the soap Days of Our Lives between 1983 and 2003.

A steady presence on episodic television of the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, Marta guested on such shows as, among many others, Then Came Bronson, Dan August, Cannon, Mod Squad, The Rookies, The F.B.I., Gunsmoke, Marcus Welby, M.D., Kojak, The Streets of San Francisco, Barnaby Jones, ChiPs, Matt Houston, Designing Women, Law & Order, The Young and the Restless, Crossing Jordan and ER.

She appeared in four episodes of Starsky and Hutch, which starred David Soul, her romantic companion throughout most of the cop drama’s 1975-79 run.

As one of the Love, American Style Players — the group of regulars who appeared in short, interstitial skits between the main segments of the 1969-74 comedy anthology series — Marta was already familiar to TV audiences when she landed a featured role in the 1972 Clint Eastwood Western Joe Kidd.

The Eastwood film would stand as a high point in her big-screen career until 1984, when she was cast as the aunt of Kevin Bacon’s main character in Herbert Ross’ smash hit Footloose. Though a small role, Marta’s Aunt Lulu Warnicker was a gossip-mongering standout.

Five years after Footloose, Marta became a part of Hollywood history under horrific circumstances: She was a neighbor and friend of Rebecca Schaeffer, the My Sister Sam actor fatally shot by a stalker. Living on the same floor of the West Hollywood apartment complex where the 21-year-old Schaeffer was murdered, Marta testified against the killer in court, providing vivid eyewitness testimony. In testimony that helped put the killer away for life, Marta was quoted in a Los Angeles Times account of the trial as saying, “The door shook, the wall shook. The cat went up into the air. I fell to my knees and crawled into the bedroom. Then, I heard Rebecca’s first scream. She was still screaming while I was talking to 911.”

Marta is survived by a sister.

AARP Movies For Grownups Award Winner

Christina Applegate Makes Emmys Appearance & Greeted With Emotional Standing Ovation

After host Anthony Anderson announced the Married… with Children alum, Applegate made her entrance and was received with a standing ovation by the audience.

Anderson walked up to the Emmy-winning star and walked with her to the podium to present the Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category.

Applegate was moved by the reception, with tears flooding her eyes. The Dead to Me star took a moment to gather herself and gave Anderson a hug during the emotional moment.

“You’re totally shaming me with disability by standing up, but it’s OK,” Applegate joked before adding, “Body not by Ozempic.”

Later on, Applegate would quip about the man who accompanied her on stage, saying, “I actually don’t need him here; he’s just really cute.”

Watch Applegate’s appearance at the Emmys in the video posted below.

Last year, Applegate opened up about being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and said she “probably is not going to work on-camera again.”

“Ping-pong is so much more fun when the other person is just as good as you are. I’m probably not going to work on-camera again, but I’m so glad that I went out with someone who is by far the greatest actress I’ve ever worked with in my entire life, if not the greatest human I’ve ever known,” Applegate told Vanity Fair.

Despite not working on-camera, Applegate said she was open to doing voiceover work adding, “I can’t even imagine going to set right now. This is a progressive disease. I don’t know if I’m going to get worse. I can do voiceover stuff because I have to support my family and keep my brain working.”

More Stars Pay Tribute To DAYS OF OUR LIVES's Bill Hayes

Tina Andrews (ex-Valerie, DAYS): “This hurts. My Days Of Our Lives costar, Bill Hayes, 98, is dead. What a decent, loving man. He & wife Susan Seaforth Hayes were wonderful to me when I came on the show. Condolences to his family & fans.”

Lamon Archey (ex-Eli, DAYS): “He was the brightest light at @dayspeacock Heaven shines even brighter with his arrival. RIP Bill Hayes”

Tracey E. Bregman (Lauren, Y&R; ex-Donna, DAYS): “I have so many memories of Bill Hayes, who I met when I was 14 years old and started my first day on DAYS OF OUR LIVES. His smile is something I will always remember, along with his great kindness and warmth. There is another memory that I have when Susan Seaforth Hayes was playing my mother [JoAnna] on YOUNG AND RESTLESS and it was my wedding, or Lauren Fenmore‘s wedding, to Michael Baldwin. I had very long vows that I had to remember and every actor was on stage, except for me as I was the bride, waiting to go down the aisle. Billy sat in my dressing room with me and ran my vows with me over and over and over until I felt comfortable. I will never forget that sweet lovely time.”

Mary Beth Evans (Kayla, DAYS): “To the sweetest, happiest man around, who always came to set singing a song. Bill and Susan’s real life love story was an inspiration to all of us … they adored each other. I love you, Bill. You will certainly live on in our hearts.”

Kate Linder (Esther, Y&R): “I will so miss Bill Hayes and will treasure our years of friendship. I’m so grateful to have had him in my life. We both studied with the amazing choreographer Dean Barlow, so I had the extra joy of being able to tap dance with him through the years. With his long background in musical theatre, that was an extra special treat. Sending my thoughts, love and deepest sympathy to his beautiful wife Susan, and to all of Bill’s family, friends and co- workers.”

Eric Martsolf (Brady, DAYS): “A legend is lost. All our love and sympathy extender to his family. The cast of Days of Our Lives salutes you. RIP Bill.”

Stephen Nichols (Steve, DAYS): “Bill Hayes, you were a beautiful human being. Little did I know that our association would begin when I was 5 yrs old watching my favorite TV show and singing along with you! … “Da-vy, Da-vy Crocket, king of the wild frontier,” and that we would cross paths many years later on Days of Our Lives. You were and will remain an inspiration. Your work ethic, your childlike spirit, your love for Susan and your family and especially your kindness touched me and so many others. Thanks, Bill, for your beautiful example. Rest easy, Dear sir. Love and condolences to dear Susan and your entire family.”

Melissa Reeves (ex-Jennifer, DAYS): “This is such a hard post to write. I was going to post a picture of just Bill. But you see, I can’t ever see Bill without Susan They have such a beautiful love for each other. So not only do we mourn the loss of our precious Bill, I also pray for Susan’s heart in this time. It was always beautiful to watch their love, care, and respect for each other. And I have no doubt Susan will continue to carry on their wonderful legacy in everything she does I will miss my dancing lessons with you Bill between scenes and your lovely singing voice that would stop all of our hearts you are simply one of the best”

James Reynolds (Abe, DAYS): “I was a little boy when I heard the Davy Crockett song on the radio. I had no idea the man singing that song would be my friend and colleague for over 40 years. I loved Bill Hayes! I am so glad our life paths ran together for so long. #billhayes”

Alison Sweeney (ex-Sami, DAYS): “Since I found out about the passing of the incredibly talented Bill Hayes, so many memories have been coming back to me. How lucky and blessed I feel to have known such a generous and kind man. Every day he and Susan @billsusanhayes brought such joy to the set and to their work. It was always such an inspiration to see them. This photo was from behind the scenes at a @dayspeacock photo shoot in 2010. The happiness captured in Bill’s expression in this photo is how he was everyday I saw him. Sending prayers and love to Susan.”

Greg Vaughan (Eric, DAYS): “Mr. Bill Hayes, a true gentleman, master of talent, a smile that welcomed you at every moment & always had a song to sing or a story to tell, mostly about his family, and the love of his life Mrs. Susan ! Truly a gift to have shared the stage with you for 10yrs! Love & peace be with you always.”

Robert Scott Wilson (Alex, DAYS): “A legacy like no other.”

Bryan Cranston on Bill Hayes ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Legend

One of my first professional acting jobs was on Days of Our Lives. It was 1980 and I won a 3 day gig on the show. My first day was a disaster. I failed to fully extend the stem on my alarm clock and missed my call time…Panicked, I raced to NBC and arrived over two hours late…I was embarrassed, and failed in my first attempt at making a positive impression. I missed the rehearsal of my two scenes, and the irritated stage manager arranged for an assistant to give me a quick review of the blocking, then I was on my own. Trying not to fall into a shame spiral, I was alone in my tiny dressing room when there was a knock on the door. I opened it to see Bill Hayes – the star of the show. For a moment I thought he was coming to fire me personally! Instead, he said some comforting words, commiserating with my situation, and asked if I wanted to know the backstory to the character and the scene. I was shocked. He spent 20 minutes helping a stranger to feel a little less humiliated. He really cheered me up. I will never forget his kindness and patience. From that moment, I think of Bill whenever I see an actor in need. Bill Hayes was a Prince, and a damn fine actor. Rest now, Bill, and thank you.— Bryan Cranston

Stars Pay Tribute To DAYS OF OUR LIVES Legend Bill Hayes

Brandon Beemer (ex-Shawn, DAYS): “He was one of a kind“

Blake Berris (Everett, DAYS): “this man is an icon. Watched him wish Salem merry Xmas for the last time this year and wept. What a talent. What a life. sending love to Susan [Seaforth Hayes, Julie, Hayes’s wife].”

Nadia Bjorlin (ex-Chloe, DAYS): “Bill, you were an incredible talent & true gentleman. I am honored to have known you & worked with you. You were loved by so many, & my heart goes out to your amazing wife Susan & the entire Hayes family. Heaven is a little bit brighter now. #RIPBillHayes”

Darin Brooks (Wyatt, B&B; ex-Max, DAYS): “Awww man… One of the SWEETEST people I have ever met… So sad to hear this… Such a talent and kind person! RIP Bill… Love, Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Hayes family!”

Cary Christopher (Thomas, DAYS): “Bill, what an honor it was to have gotten to work with you. You were always so kind to me and everyone“

Kassie DePaiva (ex-Eve, DAYS et al): “My heart is saddened this morning to read of this amazing man’s passing. Bill is one of the kindest and sweetest people I have ever met. My thoughts of comfort are with Susan and all the Days fans that have lost a friend. RIP dear man.“

Farah Fath (ex-Mimi, DAYS): “There’s nice people and then there’s NICE NICE people. Bill Hayes was NICE NICE. He and Susan left a lasting impression on me for many years. They radiated kindness, love, & gratitude every time I was around them. My condolences go out to Susan and all those who loved him.“

Galen Gering (Rafe, DAYS): “Loved this man and truly thought he’d outlast us all. A man full of light, infectious energy and love of his craft. What an inspiration of a life well lived. Rest in power Bill. #dool#days“

Jen Lilley (ex-Theresa, DAYS): “WE’VE TRULY LOST A RARE GEM. MAY HE REST IN PEACE Y PRAYERS GO OUT TO SUSAN.”

Martha Madison (ex-Belle, DAYS): “He was a talented man and a warm and delightful soul. My heart goes out to Susan and all who loved Bill.”

Peter Reckell (ex-Bo, DAYS below): “We had powerful moments together on the show,but what really touched me was listening to his stories. Being a pilot in the military, huge celebrations with his family,the many musicals he was in. Boundless talent, energy, and spirit.RIP”

Lisa Rinna (ex-Billie, DAYS): “Oh Bill rest in peace sweet Prince”

Paul Telfer (Xander, DAYS): “All our love and sympathy to @billsusanhayes family, friends and colleagues.”

Bill Hayes Dies: ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Legend Was 98

Hayes originated his Days role in 1970 and played the part on and off through 2023. The show’s statement also observed that, “He and his wife, Susan Seaforth-Hayes, remained the foundation of the Williams-Horton family spanning more than 50 years.” Seaforth-Hayes plays Julie Williams on the show. The duo was awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Daytime Emmys in 2018.

Executive Producer Ken Corday said, “I have known Bill for most of my life and he embodied the heart and soul of Days of our Lives. Although we are grieving and will miss him, Bill’s indelible legacy will live on in our hearts and the stories we tell, both on and off the screen.”

Hayes got his start on TV as a singer on Your Show of Shows in the early ’50s. He also made appearances on shows of the era such as Decoy and True Story, as well as a number of TV movies. Even after he got his break on Days, he continued to guest on shows such as Matlock, Hooperman, Cop Rock and Frasier.

A successful singer as well, Hayes’ “Ballad of Davy Crockett” was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks in 1955 and sold over 2 million copies. On Broadway he starred in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Me and Juliet in 1953.

Bill Hayes, Days of Our Lives’ Doug Williams, Dead at 98

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of our beloved Bill Hayes,” the show said in a statement on Friday. “One of the longest running characters on Days of Our Lives, Bill originated the role of Doug Williams in 1970 and portrayed him continuously throughout his life. He and his wife, Susan Seaforth-Hayes, remained the foundation of the Williams-Horton family spanning more than 50 years.”

Adds executive producer Ken Corday: “I have known Bill for most of my life and he embodied the heart and soul of Days of our Lives. Although we are grieving and will miss him, Bill’s indelible legacy will live on in our hearts and the stories we tell, both on and off the screen.”

Hayes was twice nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for his work on Days, first in 1975 and again in 1976. He and wife Susan Seaforth-Hayes, who also plays his on-screen wife, received Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 45th annual ceremony in 2018. Watch the Emmys’ touching tribute to the couple’s lasting love and careers below:

Though he doesn’t feature on Days as frequently as he used to, Hayes still made sporadic appearances in recent years. His character was even (briefly) possessed by Satan during Days‘ MarDevil redux in 2021.

In addition to his acting career, Hayes was also an accomplished recording artist. Among his musical successes was a recording of “The Ballad of Davy Crocket,” which topped the Billboard charts in 1955. ťę”].

People’s Choice Awards Nominations

THE TV PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Adjoa Andoh, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Ayo Edebiri, The Bear
Billie Eilish, Swarm
Jon Hamm, The Morning Show
Matt Bomer, Fellow Travelers
Meryl Streep, Only Murders in the Building
Steven Yeun, Beef
Storm Reid, The Last of Us

THE REALITY TV STAR OF THE YEAR
Ariana Madix, Vanderpump Rules
Chrishell Stause, Selling Sunset
Garcelle Beauvais, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Kandi Burruss, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Khloé Kardashian, The Kardashians
Kim Kardashian, The Kardashians
Kyle Richards, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, Jersey Shore Family Vacation

‘Clone High’ Revival Rounds Out Season 2 Guest Cast

They include Jermaine Fowler as Toussaint Louverture, Paul F. Tompkins as Professor Hirsute, Stephen Root as Schneider Snorkelle, Jackee Harry as Jackee the Ripper, Hannah Simone as Lady Godiva, D’Arcy Carden as Mary, Randall Park as Frida’s Adopted Dad, Jameela Jamil as Mrs. C, Renee Elise Goldsberry as Sandra Sandria and Richard Kind as Nostradamus

They join returning cast members Will Forte reprising his role as Abe; Nicole Sullivan as Joan; Lord as Scudworth; Chris Miller as JFK and Mr. B; Christa Miller voicing a new character, Candide Sampson; Donald Faison back as George Washington Carver; and Judah Miller as Scangrade.

Dubbed a “modern refresh” of the 2002 animated series, the followup from MTV Entertainment Studios is set at a high school for clones of historical figures. After a high school that was secretly being run as an elaborate military experiment to clone the greatest minds in history was put on ice, the clones have been thawed out 20 years later to resume the experiment with new clone classmates – all while navigating a new set of cultural norms and overly dramatic teen relationships.

The series is executive produced by Lord, Miller and Lawrence. From MTV Entertainment Studios, Clone High is executive produced by Lord, Miller, Lawrence, Erica Rivinoja, and Erik Durbin. Judah Miller, ShadowMachine’s Corey Campodonico and Alex Bulkley, and Jeff Ingold also executive produce.

Talk Show Appearance

AIRING Jan 8, 2024

Vivica A. Fox

Steve Burton Is Returning to ‘General Hospital’

After recently revealing that he’s leaving his one-year gig on Days of Our Lives, Steve Burton is now headed back to General Hospital. He will reprise his role as Jason Morgan in early 2024.

The news was revealed at the end of GH‘s 60th Anniversary special that aired Thursday night after The Golden Bachelor live wedding.

Burton left the ABC sudser in 2021 after failing to adhere to its vaccine policy. He ended up joining the second installment of Beyond Salem, Peacock’s Days of Our Lives spinoff, before hopping over to DOOL earlier this year. He played Harris Michaels, a role he originated on Days in 1988.

Burton depicted Jason Morgan on and off on General Hospital from 1991 to 2012, then from 2017 to 2021. His departure from the soap came three weeks after it drop-kicked Ingo Rademacher (Jasper Jacks), who had been a vocal critic of COVID-19 mandates. He subsequently sued ABC for religious discrimination.

Last July, Burton talked to Deadline about leaving the ABC soap. His character departed at an awkward time: he married his longtime pal Carly (Laura Wright).

“Look, the circumstance [of his GH departure] was tough and you know, that’s just the way it is,” he told Deadline. “I’ll always be grateful for my time there. It was my family for so long. I grew up there and the fans have always been awesome to me.”

Lifetime Movie Net Releases Q1 Movie Slate

The Wrong Life Coach will premiere on January 11, and is executive produced by Vivica A. Fox, who stars alongside Eric Roberts, Tracy Nelson, Michael Paré, Jackée Harry, Morgan Bradley and Allison McAtee. Roberts, Paré, Harry and Nelson also star in the Valentine’s themed Tall Dark and Dangerous, set for February 8th, with Matthew Pohlkamp and Vanderpump Rules‘ Tom Sandoval.

Here’s a breakdown of the films:

Dying For Fame (January 4 at 8pm ET/PT). Starring Dylan Raine, Amelie Anstett. A career-driven tabloid reporter Anna (Raine) is assigned to write a profile about popular influencer Juliet (Anstett). During their time together, Anna discovers that many of Juliet’s fans aren’t real. After she is confronted, Juliet reveals a different story about a stalker who has been tormenting her for months but Anna ultimately decides to proceed with the fake fans story.

The Wrong Life Coach (January 11 at 8pm ET/PT). Starring Vivica A. Fox, Morgan Bradley, Allison McAtee, Michael Paré, Tracy Nelson, Eric Roberts, Jackeé. Harry When Jordan (Bradley) gets a new boss, Tara (Fox), the job becomes more than she bargained for. Jordan enlists the help of a life coach named Liz (McAtee), but unfortunately, Liz has some sinister plans of her own including sabotaging Jordan’s new job with Mr. Gordon (Roberts). Hybrid produced.

A Party to Die For (January 18 at 8pm ET/PT). Starring Jonetta Kaiser, Kara Royster, Jermaine Rivers. Sadie (Kaiser) works in a luxury boutique store but is ready for a change in her life when she meets socialite Jessica (Kara Royster). They become fast friends but when they attend an after party at a new friend’s house, the night goes terribly wrong, and someone ends up dead. Tubi co-prod.

Crowdsource Murder (January 25 at 8pm ET/PT). Starring Nicole Weber, James Hyde, Francesca Barker McCormick, Clark Moore, Lexi Minetree. After her daughter Shannon (Minetree) is injured in an accident, her mother Monica (Weber) is encouraged by her friend Rebecca (McCormick) to start a crowdsource fund to pay for the hospital bills. But when a handsome stranger, Noah (Hyde), donates more and more money to the fund, she begins to question his motives.

Sabotaging the Squad (February 1 at 8pm ET/PT). Starring Meyon Jacobs, Lauren Mayo, Olivia Buckle, Brittany Goodwin. Missy (Jacobs) is ready to take over as head coach of daughter Arielle’s (Mayo) cheer squad but unfortunately, the other cheer moms are resistant to a change in regime, especially Darlene (Buckle), who has been vying for the top job ever since becoming interim coach. With the help of her friend and assistant coach, Gemma (Brittany Goodwin), Missy focuses on getting her cheerleaders ready for competition. But as strange things begin to happen that sabotage all her efforts and one mom ends up dead, Missy fights to clear her name while keeping her squad competition ready before anyone else dies.

Tall, Dark and Dangerous (February 8 at 8pm ET/PT). Starring Jamie Bernadette, Matthew Pohlkamp, Michael Paré, Tracy Nelson, Tom Sandoval, Eric Roberts and Jackeé Harry. As Valentine’s Day approaches, Alice (Bernadette), a successful real estate attorney, decides to try out the dating app Be My Valentine where she finds her seemingly perfect match, Chris (Pohlkamp). But Alice soon realizes that her “Valentine” is an imposter who stole the identity of his former roommate Jason (Sandoval) in order to insert himself into her life, fooling her boss Ed (Roberts) and even her parents.

She’s Obsessed with My Husband (February 15 at 8pm ET/PT). Starring Alissa Filoramo, Matthew Pohlkamp, Aryč Campos, Taylor Castro. Violet (Filoramo) has carried a torch for Garrett (Pohlkamp), the love of her life, ever since they dated in high school. Now twenty years later, Violet has moved in next door to Garrett and is determined to destroy his marriage and take her “rightful” place as his wife.

The Ex-Obsession (February 22 at 8pm ET/PT). Starring Chaley Rose, B. J. Britt, Anthony Dalton II. Happily married to her husband, John (Britt), Kim (Rose) is shocked to learn John’s new co-worker is her ex-boyfriend Grant (Dalton II). Unwilling to spoil John’s excitement, Kim and Grant decide to keep their history a secret. But when John sees Kim and Grant out together one day, he becomes consumed by jealousy and confronts Kim. Co-prod with Tubi.

Lonely Crime Fanatic (February 29 at 8pm ET/PT). Starring Brenna Skalski, Ian Reier Michaels, Alexandra Ponce, David Alan Hurt. Romance sparks when a true crime fan meets her favorite podcast host, but things soon turn strange as his fascination with her turns into obsession.

Danger on Party Island (March 20 at 8pm ET/PT). Starring Lindsey Dresbach, Adam Harper, James Bobo, Kate Dailey. After the death of her sister, Mel (Dresbach) travels to an infamous party island to collect her estranged sister’s body. With the reluctant help from local bar owner Jever (Bobo), Mel begins to unravel the circumstances of her sister’s accident and starts to believe she could be next.

My Father’s Murder in Greece (March 21 at 8pm ET/PT). Starring Cass Huckabay, Maeve Quinlan. When Allie’s (Cass Huckabay) father George takes her on a celebratory trip to Greece to uncover her family’s roots, she never expected her father would be murdered. Allie must uncover long-kept family secrets if she’s going to bring the killer to justice.a

Lisa Rinna guests on So Help Me Todd (2/15)

“Iceland Was Horrible” – Margaret and Todd tackle a case involving a murder on live local morning news and must rethink their working relationship after Todd decides to open his own PI business, on the season two premiere of the CBS Original drama SO HELP ME TODD, Thursday, Feb. 15 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. WRITTEN BY: Scott Prendergast. DIRECTED BY: Nancy Hower.

Steve Burton Confirms He Is Exiting ‘Days of Our Lives’ 1 Year After Reprising His Role

“Wow! Well, I just shot my final scenes here on Days of Our Lives and I just want to say, thank you so much to the cast [and] to the crew. It’s been amazing,” Burton, 53, said in a video uploaded to the Daily Drama’s YouTube page on Wednesday, January 3. “I can’t believe it’s been a year already! So, thank you so much to the fans. It’s just … I’m always so full of gratitude. So thank you. Stay tuned.”

Burton made his debut on Days in 1988 as Harris Micheals and exited the series later that year. Following his time on the soap opera , the actor went on to star in other daytime shows including The Young and the Restless and General Hospital, where he earned several Daytime Emmy awards.

Burton starred on General Hospital from 1991–2012 and from 2017–2021. In November 2021, the actor revealed he was let go from the ABC soap after he did not comply with the studio’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

“I did apply for my medical and religious exemptions and both of those were denied, which, you know, hurts,” he explained in an Instagram video at the time. “But this is also about personal freedom to me. I don’t think anybody should lose their livelihood over this.”

Shortly after his exit from General Hospital, Burton reprised his role of Harris Michaels in the Days spinoff, Beyond Salem, in 2022. The following year, he signed a one-year deal to return to Days.

“When you’re in the business 36 years and people are still calling? I’m super grateful,” Burton said to Soap Opera Digest in 2023. “[Days is] a great environment to work in, and I feel like I’m getting a real run at things.”

In addition to his TV career, Steve has also made headlines for his personal life over the years. Steve filed for divorce from ex-wife Sheree Burton, who was pregnant at the time, in 2022, claiming he was not the child’s father. (The exes share three children: Mackena, 20, Jack, 17 and Brooklyn, 9.)

“I wanted to clear something up. Sheree and I are separated,” he wrote via his Instagram Story at the time. “She recently announced that she’s expecting her 4th child. The child is not mine.”

Sheree, for her part, never publicly addressed her ex-husband’s claims about her pregnancy. She welcomed her fourth child, daughter Izabella, in February 2023. The fitness coach, 45, is also currently pregnant with her fifth baby. (She has not revealed the identity of either child’s father.)

Us Weekly confirmed that Steve and Sheree finalized their divorce in December 2023. According to court documents obtained by Us at the time, the duo will share joint legal and physical custody of their two minor children. Steve will also pay Sheree $12,500 per month in child support until April 2024, after which he will pay $10,000 per month.

2023 The Year That Was

Categories includes High, Lows & Wishes for each soap, Best Psychopath Tale, Most Unbelievable Endgame and Most Toxic Excuse For A Love Story.

Read our take on the year here: Here!

Steve Burton Settles Divorce

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the judge signed off the settlement reached by Steve and his now-ex-wife, Sheree Gustin, on Wednesday ... agreeing to joint legal and physical custody of their two minor children, Jack and Brooklyn.

Steve's paying Sheree $12,500 per month for child support ... $10,000 for 9-year-old Brooklyn and $2,500 for 17-year-old Jack.

When Jack turns 18 at the end of March, Steve's child support obligations to him will go away ... but he’ll continue to fork over the $10K for Brooklyn until she turns 18.

Steve and Sheree also agreed to waive any and all rights to spousal support ... but he's going to pay her $50,000 in $ 2,500-per-month installments.

TMZ broke the story ... Steve filed for divorce in July 2022 after 23 years of marriage, only two months after he claimed Sheree was having a baby and he wasn't the father.

Now, they're officially moving on.

Days of Our Lives Star Carson Boatman and Bold & Beautiful's Julana Dizon Welcome First Baby

The Days of Our Lives actor, 29, and The Bold and the Beautiful actress have welcomed their first baby together, a rep for the couple confirms to PEOPLE.

Daughter Ava Rey was born on Monday, Dec. 18 in Los Angeles, weighing 8 lbs., 5 oz. and measuring 19 in. long at birth.

"We are both absolutely over the moon about starting our family and being new parents!" the couple tells PEOPLE exclusively.

"It truly feels like we've found something we didn't even know we were missing in our lives. The only way I can think to describe it is pure joy, but it's really something more than that. We are blessed and humbled to have been chosen to be Ava's parents. What we are now lacking in sleep, we have gained tenfold in love."

Their baby girl was given a meaningful middle name, honoring Dizon's father, Reynaldo Dizon, who passed away in November after a long battle with lung cancer.

In August, the couple announced they were expecting their first baby together with a sweet post on Instagram.

"Boatman, party of 3! ??Coming December 2023 ????," the couple captioned the joint post, where they posed alongside a stip of ultrasound photos.

The couple celebrated their second wedding anniversary after tying the knot in 2021 in Des Moines, Iowa, near where Boatman grew up.

Boatman and Dizon first met in 2016 in Los Angeles, when their mutual gym trainer played "matchmaker" and set them up for a dinner date. "And the rest is history," Boatman told PEOPLE.

"Free piggy backs for life. Love you more than words can convey. Happy second anniversary, @julana," he wrote in an anniversary tribute on Instagram in July.

In her own, Dizon wrote, "Celebrating 2 years of marriage today and WOW did it fly by. I still have *pinch me* moments sometimes just thinking about the fact that I get to spend every single day with this man."

"@carsonboatman you mean the world to me. Thank you for making all my dreams come true, continually being everything I need, inspiring me to be the best version of myself, and making me laugh at LEAST 3x / day. You make me feel lucky and loved everyday," she continued. "I love you, Forever and Ever Amen."

So Help Me Todd: Lisa Rinna Brings Big Secrets, Even Bigger Hair to Season 2 — 2024 FIRST LOOK

Fresh off her turn as a sinister modeling scout on Hulu’s American Horror Stories, Rinna will guest-star in the Season 2 premiere of CBS’ So Help Me Todd on Thursday, Feb. 15 (9/8c), TVLine has learned exclusively. We also have your first look at her shady character.

Rinna will step into the role of beloved local morning talk show host Jennifer Gianola, an old friend of Margaret’s (Marcia Gay Harden). But according to Jennifer’s official description, her friendly face conceals an off-screen persona that “isn’t quite so nice and cuddly.”

Fortunately, Rinna has plenty of experience stirring up drama on screen. Her previous credits also include memorable turns on Days of Our Lives, Melrose Place, Veronica Mars and, of course, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Starring Skylar Astin in the title role, So Help Me Todd follows a disgraced-but-lovable private detective who works to repair his damaged career — with extremely mixed results — by assisting with major cases at his mother’s law firm.

The cast also includes Madeline Wise as Todd’s sister Allison, Tristen J. Winger as investigator Lyle, Inga Schlingmann as Todd’s lawyerly ex-girlfriend Susan and Rosa Evangelina Arredondo as Margaret’s assistant Francey. The series was created by Scott Prendergast.

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Casts ‘90210’s AnnaLynne McCord

The 90210 star has signed a one-year contract to play Marin on Peacock‘s Days of Our Lives. Her character is described as a “fascinating and complicated woman who is devastatingly beautiful, almost angelic in her outward appearance. The desire of many but her heart belongs to only one man who continues to push her away for her own good.”

McCord’s character will appear later in 2024.

McCord played Naomi Clark on the CW’s 90210 from 2008 to 2013. Her other credits include The Night Shift, Secrets and Lies, Let’s Get Physical, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. She is repped by Innovative Artists, Vault Entertainment and Yorn, Levine.

In March, DOOL was picked up for an additional two seasons by Peacock, where it has consistently been a top 10 title since it moved to the streamer last year.

The renewal will take the daytime sudser through its 60th season.

Shelley Hennig, Shiloh Fernandez & Tyrese Gibson Lead Cast In Thriller ‘Fluxx’, Filming Wraps

The psychological thriller charts the story of a Hollywood actress who is intent on finding her famous missing husband, despite the fact that she cannot willingly leave her Malibu home.

Production outfits Silver Sail Entertainment and Altered State Entertainment are behind the film directed by Brendan Gabriel Murphy.

Co-written by Keyaunte Mayfield and Brendan Gabriel Murphy, producers are Tanner Beard, Lance Paul, Brendan Gabriel Murphy, Daniel Sheldon, and Cait Bidwell. Co-producers are Tomik Mansoori, Lexie Beard and Kieran Murphy.

Supporting cast include Henry Ian Cusick (Lost), Charlotte McKinney (Baywatch), Jeff Perkins (Echo Boomers), Lance Paul (Never and Again), Michael A. Milligan (Outer Banks) and Tanner Beard (We Summon the Darkness.

“We had the pleasure of working with an incredible Hawaiian crew in Honolulu, HI, with the support of Sight & Sound Productions,” said Brendan Gabriel Murphy, co-founder of Altered State Entertainment.

Tanner Beard, CEO of Silver Sail Entertainment, added: “This project will be something so new for audiences, the actors go places you’ve never seen them go, the cinematography is a cut above and Brendan Murphy has a style that’s going to change the game. I’m immensely proud of the work done here by our cast, crew and fellow producers, can’t wait for everyone to experience the neon magic.”

2023 Daytime Emmy Winners

PERFORMERS AND PRESENTERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 50TH ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS

The show, hosted by ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT’s Nischelle Turner and Kevin Frazier, includes a historic reunion, as actor Shemar Moore will present the Lifetime Achievement Honor to Susan Lucci. Moore famously presented Lucci with her landmark first Daytime Emmy Award in 1999 after she had been nominated in the lead actress category 19 times for her portrayal of Erica Kane in “All My Children.” At the time of opening the envelope, Moore famously exclaimed, “the streak is over!” in what is frequently cited as one of the greatest awards show moments in history.

In addition, Grammy Award-winning, Emmy-nominated superstar Jennifer Nettles will perform “Life is Sweet” for the In Memoriam segment, which pays tribute to the stars and contributors in the field of daytime whom we lost this past year. The song originally premiered on the Daytime Emmy-nominated television show “American Anthems” and is also nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for original song.

Presenters for the evening will include icons of daytime as the show pays tribute to 50 years, including Lauralee Bell (Y&R), Peter Bergman (Y&R), Michael Damian (Y&R), Don Diamont (B&B), Mary Beth Evans (“Days of Our Lives”), Akbar Gbajabiamila (THE TALK), Drake Hogestyn (“Days of Our Lives”), Finola Hughes (“General Hospital”), Amanda Kloots (THE TALK), A Martinez (“The Bay”), John McCook (B&B), Melody Thomas Scott (Y&R), Heather Tom (B&B), Donnell Turner (“General Hospital”), Kym Whitley (“The Bay”) and Laura Wright (“General Hospital”). Maury Povich and Connie Chung will make special appearances to present the Gold & Silver Circle honorees and the In Memoriam tribute, respectively..

Lifetime Reveals Movie Slate For January & February Starring Cush Jumbo, Tamar Braxton & More

Inspired by real events, Girl in the Video follows the story of widowed mother Mo (Cush Jumbo, The Good Wife, The Good Fight), whose daughter Krissy (Tia May Watts, The Chelsea Detective) has begun chatting online with a closet predator who ends up kidnapping her and exploiting her in sexually abusive live streams on the dark web.

Girl in the Video airs Jan. 13 and is produced by ITN Productions for Lifetime. Ian Russell serves as executive producer. The film is written by Matthew Broughton and Neil Rawles directs.

Inspired by true events. Dying in Plain Sight tells the story of overweight high school student Morgan Cruz (Raffa Virago, Fellow Travelers, Macy Murdoch) and her mother Kim, (Nicola Correia-Damude, The Boys, Resident Alien) who both harbor dark secrets that lead to devastating circumstances. The movie airs Jan. 20 and is from Neshama Entertainment in association with MarVista Entertainment. Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer, Fernando Szew, Julianna Hays and Bonnie Zipursky executive produce for MarVista. Arnie Zipursky, Dayna Zipursky and Suzanne Berger executive produce for Neshama. Michelle Ouellet directs from a script written by Lydia Genner.

Confessions of a Cam Girl follows eighteen-year-old fashion savant Kristen (Megan Best, Dawn) who is set to become the first in her family to graduate college. Determined to pay for it herself, Kristen secretly creates an online explicit content page to raise $10,000 for dream program. It premieres Jan. 27 and is produced by Sepia Films for Lifetime. Sheri Singer serves as executive producer. Siobhan Devine directs from a script written by Miriam van Emst.

A Mother’s Intuition centers on the story of a new mom who searches for the truth of her missing newborn and uncovers more than she could have ever imagined. Airing Feb. 3, it stars Denise Boutee, Matt Cedeńo, Braley Evans and Tamar Braxton.

Based on a true story, Abducted off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Story chronicles the abduction of a Philadelphia nurse’s aide at the hands of a homicidal predator, and reveals how she fought to survive and created a trail that would ultimately lead to her rescue. It airs Feb. 10 and stars Riele Downs (Darby and the Dead, Henry Danger) as Carlesha Freeland-Gaither, Kenya Moore (The Real Housewives of Atlanta) as Keisha, Sam Asante (The Porter) as Delvin, Aiden Devine as Detective Darby, Diana Johnstone as Ana, Danny Waugh as Carl and Dylan Taylor as Officer Montgomery.

The film is produced by Cineflix Productions for Lifetime. Katie Boland directs from a script written by Amani Walker. Jeff Vanderwal, Sherri Rufh and J.C. Mills are the executive producers.

One-on-One with Vincent Irizarry

Vincent made his daytime debut as “Brandon / Lujack Luvonaczek Spaulding” on CBS’s Guiding Light in 1983. Vincent received his first Daytime Emmy nomination for the role in 1985. In addition to his role as Lujack, Vincent went on to play Dr. Scott Clark on Santa Barbara, Nick McHenry back on Guiding Light, Dr. David Hayward on All My Children, David Chow on The Young and the Restless and Deimos Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives.

Vincent has also starred in several TV movies and mini-series, such as Jackie Collins' Lucky Chances (opposite Sandra Bullock), Left to Die (opposite Barbara Hershey), and Lying Eyes, to name a few. His feature work has been opposite Clint Eastwood, (Heartbreak Ridge), Sissy Spacek (Marie: A True Story), and Worth, opposite Jeffrey Johnson, Eric Roberts, and Corey Feldman. His most recent Primetime work has been Guest Starring roles on NCIS:LA, Homeland, and Wild West Chronicles.

Morning Show Appearance

Wednesday, November 22

Donna Mills, Nicollette Sheridan and Morgan Fairchild on Ladies of the 80s: A Divas Christmas.

DICK VAN DYKE 98 YEARS OF MAGIC

GRAMMY®, Emmy® and Tony® Award winner Van Dyke is one of the most beloved and legendary stars. He has inspired generations of performers and will be honored for his incredible contributions to the arts and entertainment. The tribute will travel back in time to the iconic set of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and feature dazzling music and dance spectacles, heartfelt performances, special guests and a magical holiday number. The two-hour tribute event will also showcase songs and archival footage from the best of his nearly full century career encompassing “Mary Poppins,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and more.

“I started with CBS under contract in 1955 with the CBS morning show, then ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ and ‘Diagnosis Murder,’” said Van Dyke. “I’ve been with the CBS family for almost 70 years, and I couldn’t be prouder. I’m incredibly honored that CBS will be throwing a 98th birthday special for me. Can’t wait to be part of the show!”

DICK VAN DYKE 98 YEARS OF MAGIC is executive produced by Craig and Clara Plestis of Smart Dog Media. Deena Katz will cast and executive produce, Ashley Edens serves as showrunner, and Dick Van Dyke and his wife, Arlene Silver, will produce along with White Label Productions.

The $100,000 Pyramid: Jackée Harry vs Bobby Berk and Jason Alexander vs Rosie O’Donnell (11/29)

The 50th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards - Dec 15, 2023

Daytime Emmy Award-winning actress Susan Lucci, who was previously announced, will receive her Lifetime Achievement Honors at the gala awards ceremony. The nominations were announced in April and can be found here.

“We are pleased to set this new date with CBS for the Daytime Emmys to celebrate our golden anniversary,” said Adam Sharp, president and CEO of NATAS, adding, “We know the loyal fans of daytime television have waited patiently to properly honor and recognize all of the deserving nominees and we look forward to the celebration we have all been waiting for.”

The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of categories, including daytime dramas, talk shows, instructional programming, hosting and legal/courtroom programs. In 2021, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) and the Television Academy jointly announced plans to realign the Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards to be organized by content genre, as opposed to program airtime. In addition, in recognition of the marked increase in content and entries for children’s programming, 2022 marked the first annual Children’s & Family Emmy® Awards, with relevant categories separating from the Daytime Emmys into their own competition and ceremony. All awards are judged by a pool of peer professionals from across the television industry.

THE 50TH ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS is produced by NATAS and Associated Television International (ATI), which produced Daytime Emmy Award ceremonies on The CW in 2009 and on CBS in 2010, 2011, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Adam Sharp and Lisa Armstrong are executive producers from NATAS, while David McKenzie is executive producer from ATI..

Wally Kurth and Lisa LoCicero General Hospital Interview

Long-running GH stars, Wally Kurth and Lisa LoCicero will be live on the Michael Fairman Channel talking about their latest storyline, and taking your questions in the live chat and more.

Be with us on Monday, November 13th beginning at 7:30 PM ET and 4 PM PT as we talk to two of GH's MVP's.

Camila Banus Explains Why She Left DAYS OF OUR LIVES

In an essay she penned for Today explaining her move, Banus called it “a difficult decision” because it was a job she had loved for so long. “When I told my mom, sister, and husband — who I call my ‘tripod’ — I was thinking of leaving the show, they understood. They’d seen me come home from work crying because I couldn’t shake off something bad that had happened to Gabi. They’d seen me memorizing 60 pages a day and feeling like my head was going to explode. Their support is monumental and it’s what makes me feel safe enough to take this risk.

“I did it for me and the dreams that surpassed DAYS,” she added. “I did it for my family: past, present, and future. I did it for my dad, in honor of the person he thought I could be — but never could see me become.”

Soon after joining the cast of DAYS, Banus’s father took his own life and she bottled up her feelings about it for many years before finally coming to terms with the loss. “I had always spoken to my dad about my dreams,” she explained. “He knew my ultimate goal is to create amazing stories and cultivate characters — to be on the big screen. That was part of why I walked away. He didn’t stay to see his dreams realized — the depression took over. I need to reach mine for him, and me, and our family.

“DAYS was undeniably a dream job,” Banus concluded. “But I hope it’s the first of many dream jobs. I want to leave a legacy for my family, honoring the sacrifices that my Cuban immigrant parents made for me so that I could pursue those dreams. Now, in Florida, when I look at the water, I think of my dad. I feel his embrace. And I know: He would be so proud of me.”

Natalia Livingston’s Powerful Tribute to Tyler Christopher

“I want everyone to know how sweet and gentle Ty was,” she expressed. “How gifted, how dedicated, how much he cared about his craft and those around him. I was honored to work with him for many years and admired his talent tremendously. He created such a safe space for us to work together.

“I felt confident when I worked with him,” Livingston continued. “He made it easy. He was generous. He brought scenes to life with such grace and conviction. He gave his work everything he had. And, he was funny. So funny. I loved that about him. He made me laugh.”

Livingston joined the cast of GH back in April 2003, taking over the role of Emily Quartermaine made famous by Amber Tamblyn. She made the part her own, taking home the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2005.

“He was one of the best chapters of my life and I’ll always be grateful to him,” Livingston declared. “I’m so happy we reconnected after over a decade apart. He was going to join my husband and I and our little ones for dinner at our home on a trip to Atlanta. That meant the world to me. He called me Naty… I called him Ty. The friendship was there. It was always there — through the ups and the downs.

“My heart goes out to his family and his two precious children,” she concluded. “Please, if you are struggling with alcohol abuse or a mental illness, don’t let this be your fate. I love you, Ty. I’ll never forget you. Thank you for the memories. Rest in peace, my friend.”

Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas Brings Morgan Fairchild, Loni Anderson and More Icons Together on Lifetime — Watch Trailer

Premiering on Saturday, Dec. 2 (8/7c), the Lifetime original movie Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas brings together five of the decade’s most iconic actresses — Loni Anderson (WKRP in Cincinnati), Morgan Fairchild (Falcon Crest), Linda Gray (Dallas), Donna Mills (Knots Landing) and Nicollette Sheridan (Knots Landing) — for a special holiday event. And now, we’ve got ourselves a trailer!

The women star as “five soap opera divas readying for a reunion show who take on playing cupid during Christmas to bring together their director and producer as they all learn the meaning of true Christmas spirit,” per the official release. The movie also stars Travis Burns, Taylor Ann Thompson, Christopher Atkins, Patrika Darbo, Alec Mapa and Mills’ real-life daughter Chloe Mills.

“The opportunity to bring together Donna, Morgan, Loni, Linda and Nicollette — five powerhouse women into one holiday movie — has been like finding the perfect gift under the Christmas tree,” executive producer Larry A. Thompson says in a statement.

NATAS Reveals Dates For Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle, Children’s & Family Emmy Awards

NATAS-produced Emmy Award ceremonies include The Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy Awards Luncheon (12:00 noon, Dec. 16), the second Annual Children’s & Family Creative Arts Emmy Awards Dinner (8 pm PT, Dec. 16), and the second Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards and Trustees’ Gala (5 pm PT, Dec. 17).

All three Emmy celebrations will be held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles. NATAS will kick off the weekend with a private luncheon to honor its 2023 Daytime and Children’s & Family inductees into the Gold & Silver Circle honor society on Thursday, Dec. 14.

Maury Povich, who was previously announced as a Daytime Emmys Lifetime Achievement Honoree, will receive his award at the Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle ceremony.

The Daytime Emmy nominations were announced In April while the Children’s & Family nominations were announced Nov. 2. The 50th Daytime Emmy Awards, as well as the Creative Arts & Lifestyle ceremony, were previously scheduled for June but were postponed because of the strikes.

No date has been set yet for the Daytime Emmys on CBS.

“We are pleased to honor once again the writers, performers and other creators that inspire and entertain audiences of all ages,” said Adam Sharp, President and CEO, NATAS. “We look forward to a fun-packed weekend that underscores the amazing scope of content making a difference in viewers’ lives.”

‘The Bay’ To Release 18 New Episodes Starting This Month

The series is an independent multi-camera drama and is produced under a non-struck SAG-AFTRA contract which has allowed the series to continue production and self distribute new content.

The final four new episodes of season 7 will air Popstar! TV starting November 14 at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT with encore presentations at 9 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. PT. Replays of Season 7 will follow in its entirety every weekday up to the debut of 14 all-new episodes of season 8, beginning Monday, December 11, and will include The Bay’s 100th episode special on, December 14.

Previously on The Bay, several chore characters found their lives hanging in the balance after being kidnapped and brought to a non-disclosed location in Puerto Rico by the nefarious Adam Kenway (Daytime Emmy-winner Kristos Andrews). With help in Bay City from the Police Commissioner Lex Martin and former Police Detective Nardo Ramos (Daytime Emmy-winners Tristan Rogers and A Martinez), vigilantes Pete Garrett (also played by Andrews), Caleb McKinnon (Daytime Emmy-winner Mike Manning), and R.J. Garrett-Foster (Najee DeTiege) set out to a remote island to find and rescue their abducted family members Vivian Johnson-Garrett (Daytime Emmy-winner Karrueche Tran), Daniel Garrett (Daytime Emmy-winner Eric Nelsen), and Tamara Garrett (Celeste Fianna). But will they arrive in time?

Back in Bay City, psychic medium and southern belle Sofia Madison (played by the late Jacklyn Zeman, in her Emmy nominated role) taps into socialite and town matriarch Sara Garrett’s (Daytime Emmy-winner Mary Beth Evans) coma to discover she’s being visited by the spirit of her deceased husband, Lee Nelson (Joe Lando) and haunted by the ghost of her late grandfather, the corrupt Senator Red Garrett (Golden Globe-winner and Oscar-nominated special guest star Bruce Davison), whose spirit is said to have cursed the town after his drowning in the bay 30 years prior.

In December, the series will introduce billionaire Sir Thomas Kenway (played by special guest star Maxwell Caulfield), the father of Adam Kenway. Returning series regulars include Brandon Beemer, Alicia Leigh Willis, Matthew Ashford, Taylor Stanley, Carlo Mendez, Kiara Liz Ortega, and Dante Aleksander.

The Bay received three Daytime Emmy nominations this year for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, Outstanding Writing and for Outstanding Directing. It is written and produced by Daytime Emmy-winners Gregori J Martin and Wendy Riche and is owned by the independent production company LANY Entertainment, in association with She Mogul Media.

Filmed at ATI Studios in Burbank, a segment of season 7 of The Bay was shot on location in Puerto Rico. Ninety-two episodes of THE BAY are currently available on Tubi, Prime Video, and Popstar! TV, with several episodes also available for streaming on Peacock and The Roku Channel.

Fans can also #BingeTheBay on demand on multiple streaming platforms in early 2024.

GH/Days Vet Stephen Nichols Pays Tribute to Tyler Christopher: ‘My Heart Aches,’ But He Is ‘Finally at Peace’

Stephen Nichols on Thursday evening shared many deep, and difficult, thoughts about fellow General Hospital and Days of Our Lives alum Tyler Christoper, who died on Oct. 31 at age 50.

As recounted by TVLine, Nichols and Christopher had many scenes together upon the their joint July 1996 GH debut, as the enigmatic Stefan Cassadine and his “son” (really, nephew) Nikolas, in a banger of a storyline that put the Greeks on a collision course with the iconic Luke and Laura and their own son Lucky.

“This is something I was hoping I would not have to write about, another young man taken. A sweet natured man. An Ohio boy like me. A man who had his demons — another thing we had in common,” Nichols started on Instagram, in a long missive accompanied by a clip of one of their GH scenes. “A young man I called son for the early part of our time together.”

Nichols goes on to recall first meeting Christopher for a GH chemistry read, and how “I felt connected to him immediately. I can’t say enough about the beauty of Tyler Christopher’s work. He was an actor who was all instinct and spontaneity. It seemed effortless for him. I knew I wanted to work with him. I knew he would make me better.”

Nichols shares that as Christopher sought advice on the work, he once gifted his “green and eager” TV kin a copy of Michael Chekhov’s To the Actor. Some 20 years later, when Christopher turned his fifth Daytime Emmy nod into a first win, he held up that book on stage. “I was thrilled for him, and so touched and honored that he had mentioned our early connection,” Nichols writes.

Nichols acknowledges the well-documented addiction issues that Christopher battled over the years. And while they would at times broach the topic, they “never really got deep into the subject of recovery,” Nichols laments. “I regret that. When I asked how he was doing, he would generally say, ‘good…fine.'”

In 2017, “Tyler called and asked if he could meet me for lunch,” flying into L.A. from the Midwest, Nichols relates. “He told me he had been having a hard time and he was now sober and working to stay that way. He said needed to take care of his kids and he needed a job. I advocated for him, and it took a while, but he finally came over to Days [of Our Lives],” in the role of Stefan DiMera. There, on the NBC soap Nichols again was calling home (as Patch/Steve), “Tyler was doing remarkable work,” he says, “but I could tell that he was unsettled. Again, when I asked how he was doing he said he was good. Looking back, I now know he wasn’t.”

In conclusion, “My heart aches,” Nichols shares, “but all I wish for now, sweet Tyler, is that you are finally at peace. We won’t soon forget you.”.

Daytime Stars Remember Tyler Christopher

Brandon Barash (Stefan, DAYS; ex-Johnny, GH): “Rest in strength and peace, friend.”

Nicolas Bechtel (ex-Spencer, GH): “Our chemistry was unmatched. Working with you for so many years was a pleasure and a blessing. Some may argue we were the greatest Father/Son duo on Daytime, and I agree. My heart is with Greysun, Bo, and all of the people who love you. Rest in Eternal Peace.”

Rebecca Budig (ex-Hayden, GH et al): “Gut punched. Sweet Tyler. I only worked with him briefly but his kindness left its mark. We had many talks about his kids whom he loved so dearly. Praying for them and his family. May he rest in peace.”

Sarah Brown (ex-Carly, GH et al): “I’m gutted. Tyler was a joy to work with. His smile & sense of humor lit up the stage. I enjoyed every minute of our time together. You never what someone else is silently coping with. R.I.P. old friend My condolences to his family & many fans around the world.”

Nicholas Alexander Chavez (Spencer, GH): “Tyler we never had the opportunity to work with one another but in the process of working on GH I’ve watched tons of tape on you. You were one hell of an actor and it pains me to know that you’re gone. Thank you for the meaningful contributions you made to our medium. Rest easy.”

Doug Davidson (Paul, Y&R): “He was such a beautiful person and an amazing actor. I am in total shock. May God bless his soul.”

Kathleen Gati (Liesl, GH): “I am once again devastated by yet another loss of a wonderful colleague and beautiful human being. Deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of #TylerChristopher.”

Adam Huss (ex-Nikolas, GH): “This is so tragic and heartbreakingly sad. My heart goes out to his entire family and friends who loved him. Brilliant actor who inspired me (and continues to ) in many many ways.”

Sean Kanan (Deacon, B&B; ex-A.J., GH): “Stunned to hear that Tyler Christopher passed away. I have no words. RIP my friend.”

Martha Madison (Belle, DAYS): “I’m so sad to hear this. He was such a phenomenal actor. Sending prayers up for his family and loved ones.”

Kate Mansi (Kristina, GH; ex-Abigail, DAYS): “Just heard the news about Tyler. He was a force. Someone just sent me a story from when we first aired together and I was quoted as saying, ‘Tyler and I really hit the ground running. He was electric.’ I remember feeling exactly that. I’m proud of him for the way he spoke up about mental difference and was vocal about his struggles finding peace and balance in hopes of helping others. Sending my love to his family and kids.”

Stephen Martines (ex-Nikolas, GH): “Tyler Christopher and I were always cordial and although our versions of #nikolascassadine may have been different, we loved the character the same. This is such a sad loss for #GeneralHospital and the fans. My heart goes out to everyone. Love, light and prayers.”

Kin Shriner (Scott, GH): “RIP Tyler so sad he was a huge talent and I had the pleasure of working with him a few months ago as well as the fun times at General Hospital!”

Laura Wright (Carly, GH): “Thank you for the memories Tyler- rest easy my friend. #daytimefamily”

Lisa LoCicero (Olivia, GH): “Our hearts just keep getting broken. He always made me laugh. Rest in peace Tyler.”v

General Hospital Actor Tyler Christopher Dead at 50: 'A Sweet Soul and Wonderful Friend'

Christopher's former GH costar Maurice Benard confirmed the actor's death on Instagram.

"It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Tyler Christopher," he wrote. "Tyler passed away this morning following a cardiac event in his San Diego apartment."

Benard continued, "Tyler was a truly talented individual that lit up the screen in every scene he performed and relished bringing joy to his loyal fans through his acting. Tyler was a sweet soul and wonderful friend to all of those who knew him."

Benard also noted that "Tyler was an advocate for better mental health and substance use treatment who openly spoke about his struggles with bipolar depression and alcohol. We are beyond devastated by the loss of our dear friend and pray for his children and his father."

General Hospital Executive Producer Frank Valentini told PEOPLE in a statement: “I am heartbroken over the news of Tyler Christopher’s passing. He was kind, an incredible actor, and dear friend, who was beloved by our GH family and fans of Nikolas Cassadine."

Valentini added, "On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, our heartfelt sympathies go out to his loved ones during this difficult time.”

Christopher portrayed Nikolas Cassadine on the legendary medical soap opera from 1996 to 2016. He also played Stefan DiMera on Days of Our Lives from 2018 to 2019, winning his second Daytime Emmy (and the fifth of his five career nominations) for the performance.

In 2008, Christopher married former ESPN reporter Brienne Pedigo and reportedly divorced in 2021. The former couple share two children: Greysun James Christopher and Boheme Christopher. He was also previously married to Desperate Housewives alum Eva Longoria from 2002 to 2004.

Back in July, the actor, who was placed under the guardianship of his sister Susan Asmo Baker since 2019, spoke out about regaining control of his life in an interview with Bloomberg.

“I never thought in a million years that I would be taken advantage of by a family member,” he said.

Shortly after the article was published, Christopher captioned photo of himself on Instagram, writing, “Sharing is part of the healing process.”

Christopher was first placed under his sister's guardianship during a bout of alcohol withdrawal. He fell, hit his head and underwent life-saving surgery after internal bleeding. While Christopher was hospitalized, his sister filed for guardianship.

In a previous court filing, Christopher alleged that Asmo Baker used up to $40,000 of finances that should have been for his guardianship to pay off her own credit cards and buy her son a laptop, among other things. Asmo Baker denied the allegations.

Back in May, Christopher was arrested at the Hollywood Burbank Airport for public intoxication. He was released on $250 bail. It wasn’t his first public intoxication arrest, as Christopher was first arrested for a similar incident in 2019 when he fell asleep in the back of an Uber. He pled guilty, and a judge denied a request by law enforcement that Christopher be sentenced to an alcohol treatment program.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. .

Talk Show Appearance

AIRING Oct 30, 2023

Actress Lisa Rinna

Soap Opera Digest Is Ending Its Weekly Print Edition

Staffers were informed of the decision Friday, according to sources. A spokesperson for a360Media, the company that owns the brand, confirmed that the weekly edition is being discontinued. The company plans to continue publishing special print issues of Soap Opera Digest four times per year.

“Soap Opera Digest, like many other brands, is adjusting its print frequency and shifting more resources to digital to better accommodate its audience,” the a360Media rep said in a statement to Variety.

Soap Opera Digest was first launched in 1975. Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp bought the publication in 1989 for $70 million before selling it two years later, per the New York Times, and it has had a succession of different owners ever since.

In its heyday, the magazine had a circulation of 1.5 million in 1991, according to the Times. But the reach of its print edition, as with many magazines, has sharply fallen off in the decades since.

According to its website, Soap Opera Digest is “the leading magazine reporting on the soap opera industry for over 40 years,” serving up “behind-the-scenes scoops and breaking news to passionate soap fans every week.” The mag also has included special editorial features on beauty, fashion, parenting, and health and fitness.

Soap Opera Digest has been available in print and digital subscription plans, priced at $45.97 for six months (26 issues at $1.77 apiece) or $69.97 for one year (52 issues at $1.34 apiece).

A360media houses a media portfolio of celebrity, entertainment and women’s lifestyle brands including Us Weekly, Star, InTouch and Life & Style. The company claims that it is the largest print publisher in the U.S., both in retail sales and units sold, with its titles representing about one-third of all magazines sold at retail.

A360media was formerly known as American Media Inc., which had been the owner of the National Enquirer (involved in the “catch and kill” scandal involving Donald Trump and which Jeff Bezos accused of an extortion attempt). In 2020, AMI was acquired by Atlanta-based logistics firm accelerate360, which sold off the National Enquirer, Globe and National Examiner tabloids earlier this year.

The Recipe Files

Heather Graham Dares Brandy Norwood to Deliver Best. Christmas. Ever! in Netflix Movie Trailer

The Yuletide premise: Every Christmas, Jackie (played by Star‘s Norwood) sends a boastful holiday newsletter that makes her old college friend Charlotte (Californication‘s Graham) feel like a lump of coal. But when a twist of fate lands Charlotte and her family on Jackie’s snowy doorstep just days before Dec. 25, she seizes the opportunity to prove her old friend’s life can’t possibly be that perfect.

Or… is it? [Cue holiday magic]

The holiday flick’s cast also includes Jason Biggs (Orange Is the New Black) and Matt Cedeńo (Devious Maids) as the ladies’ significant others, plus child actors Wyatt Hunt (The First Lady), Abby Villasmil and Madison Skye Validum.

DAYS Reveals Huge Spoilers In Video Preview!

Chrishell Stause and Diora Baird Are Told You’re Not Supposed to Be Here in LGBTQ+ Thriller Trailer

Developed from a concept from Lauren Caster, as part of Lifetime’s Broader Focus initiative that supports female creatives, the telepic stars Chrishell Stause (Selling Sunset, All My Children) and Diora Baird (Cobra Kai) as Zoe and Kennedy, an expectant couple headed on a “babymoon” to a remote mountain town that slowly reveals itself to not be as charming and peaceful as it seems.

As their vacation continues, Zoe feels uncomfortable with the looks and stares of the townsfolk, and questions if their unwanted attention has to do with them being a same-sex couple, while Kennedy tries to reassure her partner it’s simply her pregnancy hormones getting the best of her.

Alas, just as the two let their guards down, their nightmare begins, and they realize that the townspeople want something they have….

The You’re Not Supposed to Be Here?cast also includes Curtis Hamilton (Insecure), Heather Matarazzo (Welcome to the Dollhouse), Devon Gummersall (My So-Called Life), Drew Powell (Ray Donovan), Jeante Godlock (The Simone Biles Story) and TikTok star Alejandro Rosario.?

Aketra Sevillian Exits DAYS OF OUR LIVES

After appearing in shows like GROWN-ISH, GRAND CREW, and THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE IRLS, Sevillian made her daytime debut when she joined the cast of DAYS as Talia, the younger sister of Jada Hunter. She cozied up to Chanel Dupree, but it turned out that was all part of a nasty scheme cooked up by her abusive boyfriend, Colin Bedford, who wanted revenge on Chanel, who he blamed for his mother’s death.

After that storyline’s thrilling climax, Talia managed to make things right with Chanel and confessed she did have genuine feelings for her. The former doctor also managed to get her career back on track when she landed a job working at the hospital. Unfortunately, after Chanel picked Johnny, Talia got drunk and slept with Shawn, a married man.

Talia is just going back to California, though, so it’s entirely possible that she could come back again to visit her sister. (Not that even death can keep characters from popping back up again on DAYS!) It’s just a shame that she’s leaving Salem on such bad terms!

Brandon Beemer Says Goodbye to DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Beemer made his daytime debut when he took over the role of Shawn-Douglas Brady from Jason Cook in September 2006. His initial run lasted until 2008, and while Cook reprised the role for the soap’s 50th anniversary in 2015, Beemer was back as Shawn in 2016. He then made appearances of varying lengths in subsequent years before becoming a regular again in 2020.

Beemer’s exit is just one of many currently happening on DAYS. TV wife Martha Madison’s Belle is also on her way out, and Nadia Bjorlin’s Chloe just left Salem with John-Paul Lavoisier’s Philip. Also, Camila Banus is wrapping up her latest run as Gabi.

After his first exit from DAYS, Beemer starred as Owen Knight on CBS sudser THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL from 2008-12, and has appeared in primetime series like CSI: IMAMI, THE AGENCY, and 9-1-1: LONE STAR. The actor can also be seen in movies like Non-Stop, Wedding Planner Mystery, Dead Trigger, Life With Dog, and Gates of Darkness.

Who knows where Beemer might show up next? Keep checking back here at SoapsInDepth.com for future updates and we’ll let you know what the actor is working on. And who knows — it may one day be a return to Salem!

Holiday Movies with Soap Stars on Hallmark, Lifetime, Netflix and Others

SWORN JUSTICE: TAKEN BEFORE CHRISTMAS - BET+
Release Date: Thursday, Nov. 16
Cast: Mishael Morgan, Leland B. Martin, Vivica A. Fox , Melyssa Ford and Preacher Lawson
Premise: On Christmas Eve, a hardened detective and her DA boyfriend are both informed that each other has been kidnapped. As the world closes for the holiday, they are locked out of their computers and phones and must follow the demands of the menacing voice giving them orders. This leads to a snowy night of cat-and-mouse thrills as the two fight for their survival.

SO FLY CHRISTMAS - BET+
Release Date: Thursday, Nov. 23
Cast: Tichina Arnold, Tami Roman, Robert Christopher Riley, Laurissa Romain, Jackee Harry, Tommy Davidson and Michael Colyar
Premise: After being stood up at the altar on Christmas Eve, Wyvetta loses her love on her favorite holiday. To show solidarity, Wyvetta’s best friend, Dione, suggests that the two of them renounce love. Things become complicated when Dione falls for a mild-mannered record store owner and tries to keep it under wraps.

CHRISTMAS RESCUE - BET+
Release Date: Thursday, Dec. 14
Cast: Robin Givens, Raven Goodwin, Donny Carrington, Catfish Jean, Mario Van Peebles, Cameron Bailey and Samantha Neyland Trumbo
Premise: A man abducts the love of his life from her holiday-themed wedding in a desperate last attempt to win her back.

‘TWAS THE TEXT BEFORE CHRISTMAS - Great American Family
Premiere Date: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 8 pm
Cast: Merritt Patterson and Trevor Donovan
Premise: An unexpected text message sent to the wrong number sets into motion a Christmas tradition with a new family over three separate years.

A CHRISTMAS BLESSING - Great American Family
Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 12 at 8 pm
Cast: Lori Loughlin, James Tupper and Jesse Hutch
Premise: A TV chef is divinely inspired to take over her late aunt’s charity with help from a new friend and handsome business associate next door.

A PARIS CHRISTMAS WALTZ - Great American Family
Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 19 at 8 pm
Cast: Jen Lilley and Matthew Morrison
Premise: In this sequel, a novice dancer pairs with a professional to enter a renowned dance competition… in Paris!

A ROYAL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY - Great American Family
Premiere Date: Saturday, Dec. 23 at 8 pm
Cast: Brittany Underwood and Jonathan Stoddard
Premise: In search of her big break, a reporter arranges a Christmas interview with a European Prince visiting the States. Will the reporter’s big story become her love story?

CHECKIN’ IT TWICE - Hallmark Channel
Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 20 at 8 pm
Cast: Kim Matula and Kevin McGarry
Premise: A journeyman hockey player falls for a real estate agent in a career crisis when he’s traded to her hometown, then moves into the cottage in her hockey-loving family’s backyard.

WHERE ARE YOU, CHRISTMAS? - Hallmark Channel
Premiere Date: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 8 pm
Cast: Lyndsy Fonseca, Michael Rady, Jim O’Heir and Julie Warner
Premise: When Addy wishes for a year without Christmas, she wakes up in a world of black and white. She must work together with the town mechanic to restore Christmas.

UNDER THE CHRISTMAS SKY - Hallmark Channel
Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 22 at 8 pm
Cast: Jessica Parker Kennedy and Ryan Paevey
Premise: Kat is an esteemed astrophysicist, who is scheduled for her first trip into space next year until an accident grounds her. While on leave, coming to terms with the reality that her dream of being an astronaut is over, she volunteers at the local planetarium. There, she is paired up with by-the-book David to work on an exhibit opening right before Christmas. Will the stars align to bring these two together at the holidays?

MYSTIC CHRISTMAS - Hallmark Channel
Premiere Date: Saturday, Oct. 28 at 8 pm
Cast: Jessy Schram, Chandler Massey, Patti Murin and William R. Moses
Premise: Juniper travels to Mystic, Conn., during the holidays to work at the rehabilitation center and aquarium. She reconnects with Sawyer, the owner of the pizza shop.

JOYEUX NOEL - Hallmark Channel
Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 29 at 8 pm
Cast: Jaicy Elliot and Brant Daugherty
Premise: When a romantic painting of a Christmas market captures the imagination of copy editor Lea, she is sent to France with pragmatic reporter Mark to uncover the mystery behind the artist.

THE SANTA SUMMIT - Hallmark Channel
Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 5 at 8 pm
Cast: Hunter King and Benjamin Hollingsworth
Premise: It’s time for the annual Santa Summit, in which revelers put on Santa suits and hop around designated locations in town to eat, drink and be merry. Three best friends decide to go together: Jordin, a recently dumped art teacher looking to cut loose; Ava, a shy woman hoping to run into her crush; and Stella, a Christmas cynic with no interest in the Santa Summit whatsoever. At the start of the night, Jordin meets and bonds with Liam, but doesn’t get his name before getting separated and lost in a sea of Santas. As the night progresses and hijinks ensue, amidst the chaos, celebration, and a sea of Santas, they all find what they’re looking for: Christmas spirit, potential romance, and a strengthened bond of friendship.

A MERRY SCOTTISH CHRISTMAS - Hallmark Channel
Premiere Date: Saturday, Nov. 18 at 8 pm
Cast: Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf
Premise: When estranged siblings Lindsay and Brad Morgan travel to Scotland at Christmas to reunite with their mother Jo, a big family secret is revealed.

HAUL OUT THE HOLLY: LIT UP - Hallmark Channel
Premiere Date: Saturday, Nov. 25 at 8 pm
Cast: Lacey Chabert, Wes Brown, Stephen Tobolowsky, Melissa Peterman, Ellen Travolta, Seth Morris and Jennifer Aspen
Premise: As the holidays approach, Emily and Jared are looking forward to celebrating the holidays together again — this time as a couple. Emily, now embracing Evergreen Lane’s uniquely festive spirit, is ready to work with Jared, Ned, Mary Louise and Pamela to make this year’s Christmas celebrations the best yet… even if being the HOA president’s girlfriend doesn’t stop those dreaded decorating citations. When a house on the block goes up for sale, it causes quite a stir with residents. When the soon-to-be neighbors turn out to be holiday royalty, it looks like this year’s competition is about to heat up. As the welcoming committee prepares for the new arrivals, only one thing is certain – this Christmas, Evergreen Lane is going to sleigh!

A BLITMORE CHRISTMAS - Hallmark Channel
Premiere Date: Sunday, Nov. 26 at 8 pm
Cast: Bethany Joy Lenz, Kristoffer Polaha, Jonathan Frakes and Robert Picardo
Premise: Lucy Hardgrove is a screenwriter who lands the job of a lifetime when she’s hired to pen the script for a remake of the beloved, holiday movie classic, His Merry Wife!, which was filmed in 1947 at beautiful, historic Biltmore House. When the head of the studio isn’t satisfied with the ending Lucy wrote because it deviates from the original’s feel-good conclusion, he sends Lucy to Biltmore Estate for research and inspiration. While there, she unwittingly discovers the ability to travel to the 1947 set of His Merry Wife! through the help of an hourglass. While on set, she and Jack Huston, one of the film’s stars, spend time together and become close. But her sudden appearance has set off a chain of events that put the production in jeopardy. Before she can return to the present, Lucy must make things right or threaten to alter the future forever.

CHRISTMAS WITH A KISS - Hallmark Channel
Premiere Date: Sunday, Dec. 3 at 8 pm
Cast: Mishael Morgan, Ronnie Rowe Jr. and Jaime M. Callica
Premise: A woman returns home to help with her family’s Christmas Carnival and romance ignites. A photo journalist curates a surprise reunion.

CHRISTMAS ON CHERRY LANE - Hallmark Channel
Premiere Date: Saturday, Dec. 9 at 8 pm
Cast: Catherine Bell, James Denton, Jonathan Bennett, John Brotherton, Erin Cahill and Vincent Rodriguez III
Premise: A young couple preparing to welcome their first child; an empty-nester and her fiancé ready to start a new chapter; and a couple who unexpectedly have the chance to expand their family on Christmas Eve celebrate the holiday as they navigate these turning points in their lives.

MYSTERY ON MISTLETOE LANE - Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 9 at 8 pm
Cast: Erica Cerra and Victor Webster
Premise: New to town, Heidi Wicks and her kids discover a Christmas mystery in their historic home. Local handyman and historian David helps along the way, finding his own surprising connection.

A WORLD RECORD CHRISTMAS - Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 16 at 8 pm
Cast: Nikki DeLoach, Lucas Bryant and Aias Dalman
Premise: Charlie is an autistic boy determined to set a Guinness World Record by stacking 1400 Jenga blocks. His mother Marissa and stepfather Eric encourage him to reach for his dream and they all celebrate when he gets the good news that he’ll have get his chance on Christmas Eve. In the spirit of the holiday, they organize a fundraiser giving the townspeople an opportunity to donate and decorate a Jenga block, with the proceeds going to benefit kids with autism. Charlie’s journey to setting the Jenga world record gives them all the chance to learn more not just about themselves, but about what family really means.

HEAVEN DOWN HERE
Premiere Date: Thursday, Dec. 14 at 8 pm
Cast: Krystal Joy Brown, Tina Lifford, Juan Riedinger, Richard Harmon and Phylicia Rashad
Premise: Inspired by Mickey Guyton’s song of the same name, Heaven Down Here tells the story of four disparate people who find themselves stranded in a local diner on Christmas Eve when a snowstorm hits the town. Imami is a widowed mother of two who’s having trouble making ends meet and reluctantly agrees to work the Christmas Eve shift, where she clashes with her boss Dan, who doesn’t exactly embody the Christmas spirit. Felix is a local pastor desperately trying to secure food for parishioners while his faith is challenged by his alienation by his son. Clara is a hospice nurse with an obstinate patient and whose daughter is moving away, causing her to question her place in this world. Throughout the evening, these four bicker, bond and unwittingly provide each other with the answer to their respective prayers.

A CHRISTMAS FREQUENCY - Hulu
Premiere Date: Wednesday, Nov. 1
Cast: Denise Richards, James Hyde, Ansley Gordon and Jonathan Stoddard
Premise: Richards stars as morning radio show host Brooke Walkins, who is not only secretly separating from her husband Todd but hemorrhaging ratings on her show. When she finds out the show is being axed, Brooke’s producer Kenzie Parker has the bright idea of setting up the host with a series of blind dates live on air to help Brooke find someone to take to the company’s Christmas party. But things take an unexpected turn when Kenzie finds out Ben, a guy she’s interested in, has applied to date Brooke. As Ben proves a hit with listeners, Kenzie finds herself having to choose between her heart and her job.

LADIES OF THE ’80S: A DIVAS CHRISTMAS - Lifetime
Premiere Date: TBA
Cast: Loni Anderson, Morgan Fairchild, Linda Gray, Donna Mills and Nicollette Sheridan
Premise: The movie follows five soap opera divas readying for a reunion show who take on playing cupid during Christmas to bring together their director and producer as they all learn the meaning of true Christmas spirit.

BEST. CHRISTMAS. EVER! - Netfilx
Premiere Date: Thursday, Nov. 16
Cast: Heather Graham, Brandy Norwood and Jason Biggs
Premise: Every Christmas, Jackie sends a boastful holiday newsletter that makes her old college friend Charlotte feel like a lump of coal. When a twist of fate lands Charlotte and her family on Jackie’s snowy doorstep just days before Christmas, she seizes the opportunity to prove her old friend’s life can’t possibly be that perfect.

HOW TO FALL IN LOVE BY CHRISTMAS - Roku
Premiere Date: Friday, Nov. 3
Cast: Teri Hatcher
Premise: A beloved writer-turned-CEO must save her company by writing a column on her falling in love by the holidays – which is complicated by the handsome photographer who has been assigned to the piece.

YULETIDE THE KNOT - Uptv
Premiere Date: Sunday, Dec. 3 at 7 pm
Cast: Mary Antonini, Peter Porte, Kelley Jakle, Kelsey Scott and Melissa Peterman
Premise: When small town wedding planner Rachel is faced with planning her biggest Christmas wedding yet for an out-of-town influencer couple, she is thrown an unexpected surprise when the bride’s manager turns out to be Logan, her first love and high school sweetheart. He reminds her what it is to love, and through rediscovering the magic of Christmas, she rediscovers a part of her heart she closed off long ago.

Days of Our Lives’ Emily O’Brien Asks Fans to ‘Keep an Open Mind’ About Her Shocking Recast as Theresa

Nearly one week since her debut in the role, O’Brien has taken to social media to address the major change, expressing her excitement while also acknowledging fans’ concerns.

“As I step into the shoes (and wig) of a very different role, I hope that you can keep an open mind, have fun with my interpretation, and enjoy the ride,” O’Brien wrote Thursday on Instagram. “After all, it’s just a bit of dress up and make believe, really.”

O’Brien also takes a moment to show her “utmost gratitude” for getting to play a “beautifully layered character” like Gwen for the past four years. “She has taken me through such a delicious discovery of who she is, and what she ultimately always yearned for — despite all her pain, vengeance and deceit,” O’Brien writes. “To be loved. Perhaps someday, somewhere away from Salem, she can finally find it.”

Of course, there’s a bit more to this shocking recast than a new wig and a dropped accent. In a recent interview with Soaps.com, Lilley (aka the previous Theresa) alleged that she didn’t know the role was going to be recast when she signed on to come back. According to Lilley, she was supposed to film 12 weeks’ worth of material in the four weeks she was available, then was surprised to learn on set that Theresa would live on through O’Brien.

Nadia Bjorlin Is Leaving DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Bjorlin has come and gone from Salem quite a lot over the years since her debut back in 1999. Her first run as Chloe ended in 2003, and then she recurred from 2004-05 before returning full-time in 2007. That stint lasted until 2011, after which she popped in for a couple of brief appearances in 2013 and again for DAYS’ 50th anniversary in 2015. After another short run in January 2016, Bjorlin came back on contract in June. She then exited in 2019 but was back again in August 2020 for another three years.

In addition to her work on DAYS, Bjorlin has also appeared in episodes of primetime series like NCIS, TWO AND A HALF MEN, and CSI, movies like A Mermaid for Christmas and Alone, as well as streaming soaps like VENICE THE SERIES and BEACON HILL.

After her relationship with Brady fell apart, Chloe rebounded with Xander, which didn’t work because both of them were really in love with other people. After she and Xander called off their wedding, Chloe reconnected with Philip and the pair decided to go to New York City together and try to make a fresh start.

But given how often Bjorlin comes and goes from DAYS, perhaps one day we’ll see Chloe winging her way back to Salem? (With or without Philip, depending on how things go!) Stay tuned to find out!

A Zest for Death: A Hannah Swensen Mystery 10/6/23

Premieres FRI OCT 6 9/8c on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Starring Alison Sweeney, Cameron Mathison and Barbara Niven (hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com)

Tinker Books "Beneath the Light"

Based on an online mystery game that can be found here and a subsequent novelization, the film sees a troubled young man (Tinker) take a job at an abandoned lighthouse, hoping to reconnect with an old friend — the daughter of the lighthouse’s current owner (Ferguson). Isolated, with no way to return to shore, he falls headlong into a series of mysterious and frightening experiences that make him question his sense of reality and confront his long-standing anxiety and memory gaps.

John Baumgartner is directing from his script written with Cindy Seng, and the pair are also set to produce. Tinker is repped by Pakula/King & Associates and Luber Roklin Entertainment; Pyper-Ferguson by TalentWorks; Chavez by Artists & Representatives and Untitled Entertainment; and Baumgartner by Kaplan-Stahler Agency.

Jen Lilley Calls Days of Our Lives Recast 'Befuddling' but Says Other Actress 'Drew the Shortest Straw'

On Tuesday, news broke that fellow Days star Emily O’Brien will take over playing Theresa Donovan from Lilley, 39.

“Right now, outlets are reporting that I thought they were bluffing about recasting Emily,” Lilley tells PEOPLE. “That's not the truth.”

Instead, Lilley says she was somewhat blindsided by the network's sudden recasting. PEOPLE has reached out to reps for Days for comment.

Lilley says her path to returning to Days started when her close friend and costar John Aniston died last year and she thought about Theresa coming back to attend his character Victor Kiriaki’s funeral.

“I was close to John Aniston personally as an actress, and also our characters were oddly close in a way that none of the other characters knew,” she explains. “So I was like, okay, that would be a really fun way to come back, kind of shake things up in Salem in a way that would fluster other characters and would be fun for the show. It would make sense for Theresa, and it would also make sense for Jen Lilley to honor John Aniston.”

So Lilley reached out to then-Days producer Albert Alarr about making it happen. “Albert was like, ‘Oh my gosh. So good to hear from you. I think that's a great idea. We haven't gotten to it yet. Circle back early next year, January, February,’” she recalls.

Lilley did, and in early 2023, she says Days expressed interest in bringing her back for a 12-week arc. Unfortunately, due to other scheduling commitments, including running her Christmas INC fundraiser, Lilley could only commit to filming for three weeks.

“At this point, my reps were like, ‘No, they haven't written 12 weeks. We have had so many clients on Days. They've never written a 12-week arc from the get-go,’” Lilley says of the show’s tight turnaround. “So we were like, ‘Well, we're sorry. I cannot come back for a 12-week arc.’ And they wrote back and said, ‘Well, at this point, the character's coming back, whether or not it's Jen, but we want it to be Jen.’”

Lilley understood. “I wrote them back and was like, ‘I totally understand. I'm so sorry that you guys got excited [by my return]. This was not my intention. If you have to recast, I really understand,’” she says.

Three days passed before Lilley says she heard back, and during that time, she came to terms with the fact that her character would likely be recast. “I go in the shower, I cry about it, I'm like, ‘This sucks. I just wanted to go back for John and now they're recasting,’” the actress shares.

But then Days got back in touch and allegedly asked if Lilley could come for three weeks, and she decided she could actually give them four weeks, under the impression that they would fit filming the 12 weeks worth of episodes into that time. Lilley says she consulted with Alarr, 67, about what he had in mind for Theresa’s arc “and I'm like, ‘Oh my gosh, that's really exciting!’” she says.

So Lilley headed back to the Days set and on her first day, met O’Brien, 38, while standing in line to take a COVID test.

“I was like, ‘Hi, I'm Jen Lilley, I play Theresa. Who are you?’” Lilley recalls. “And she's this sweet British girl, she's like, ‘I'm Emily O'Brien, so nice to meet you.’ I was like, ‘Who are you on the show?’ And she's like, ‘I play this character named Gwen,’ and I'm like, ‘Cool. Are we cousins? Are you good? Are you bad?’ We're catching up in the line. All the while, poor thing knows that she's the recast. At that point, nobody else knew.”

At the end of the second week of filming, Lilley started to suspect something fishy with her casting when she received an email informing her that she only had to film one day the following week.

“I was like, ‘That doesn't make sense. I have 12 weeks to do,’” Lilley remembers.

Lilley says she emailed Bob Lambert in the show’s casting department and asked directly if they’d recast her, and Lambert allegedly pointed her to casting director Marnie Saitta. Instead, Lilley went upstairs to talk to Alarr.

“I'm like, ‘You told me Theresa's going to do X, Y, and Z, but I just got the schedule for Monday, and it's only this one script. Is Theresa still going to do that?’” Lilley claims of what she asked Alarr. “He goes, ‘Yeah, no, no, no. Theresa's still going to do all of that. It's just we're going to go ahead and do it with another actress.’ That's how I found out.”

Lilley asked which actor would be replacing her, and Alarr told her it would be O’Brien, moving over from her role as Gwen Rizczech. The Hallmark Channel vet thought this didn’t make sense because, when she asked prior to filming if she should dye her hair from blonde to brunette to match Theresa, the show actually told her to go blonder.

“I was like, ‘But Emily's a brunette,’” Lilley recounts. “He goes, ‘We're just going to throw a wig on her.’”

According to Lilley, Alarr allegedly told her the show made the decision to bring in O’Brien three weeks prior to Lilley being informed. Lilley says she consulted with O’Brien after finding out and “just hugged her."

"I was like, ‘I'm so sorry. That must've been so awkward for you. I didn't know you've known for three weeks,'" she recalls.

Lilley says she offered to give O’Brien her phone number and to “champion” her recasting. “Because even if you're a tremendous actor, the fans will wreck you over the fact that you're the recast,” the mom of four continues. “They do not take recasts well."

As expected, Lilley says fans have been upset since the news broke. She, however, harbors no ill will towards the show.

“I love doing Days. I stayed way longer than I ever thought I would because I loved them so much,” Lilley says of her first go-around on the show, which ended in 2016. “So I was like, no love lost. I love you guys.”

Lilley also notes that Alarr left her “a really nice voicemail” after filming, in which he let her know that O’Brien would only be taking over for Theresa for the duration of the 12-week arc.

“That's not cool to do to Emily,” Lilley says. “I think Emily drew the shortest straw, honestly. I was like, 'That is the worst thing you could possibly do to a recast is be like, we're going to wig you and make you just walk through fire for eight weeks.' I don't know whether it was a budgetary thing or a scheduling thing where they just couldn't work the schedule out so everybody could do it. I don't know their reasoning. It's a little befuddling, but I still am really grateful that I got to go back.”

New episodes of Days of Our Lives are released weekdays at 6 a.m. ET on Peacock.

Lifetime To Air ’80s Themed Holiday Movie With Loni Anderson, Morgan Fairchild, Linda Gray, Donna Mills & Nicollette Sheridan

As the tentpole for its holiday movie slate, Lifetime will air Ladies of the 80’s: A Divas Christmas, a festive romp starring Loni Anderson (WKRP in Cincinnati), Morgan Fairchild (Falcon Crest), Linda Gray (Dallas), Donna Mills (Knots Landing) and Nicollette Sheridan (Knots Landing).

Filmed earlier this year, the movie follows five soap opera divas as they reunite to shoot the final Christmas episode of their long-running sudser. The producer, Alex (Travis Burns) and director Nell (Taylor Ann Thompson), who happen to be old college friends, do their best to keep things on the rails but as the ladies come together, old rivalries resurface that threaten to tear the production apart. With the show nearly canceled before it even begins due to the ladies’ famous diva behavior, they reluctantly agree to set aside their differences and past secrets to “act” as if they all still love each other. When old sparks reignite between Alex and Nell, the ladies become eager to play cupid and conspire to bring the couple together.

Naturally, they all learn the meaning of Christmas at the same time.

Eighties’ heartthrob Christopher Atkins, along with Patrika Darbo, Alec Mapa and Donna Mills’ real-life daughter, Chloe Mills, also star. The movie’s theme song Ladies of the 80’s was written by Song Writer Hall of Fame’s Steve Dorff and Michael Jay and is performed by 80’s pop sensation Tiffany (I Think We’re Alone Now).

“The opportunity to bring together Donna, Morgan, Loni, Linda and Nicollette, five powerhouse women into one holiday movie, has been like finding the perfect gift under the Christmas tree,” said executive producer Larry A. Thompson (Liz & Dick, Amish Grace).

An airdate will be announced in the coming weeks, along with the rest of the channel’s It’s a Wonderful Lifetime holiday movie slate.

Ladies of the 80’s: A Divas Christmas is executive produced for Lifetime by Thompson. Christie Will Wolf (Christmas on Candy Cane Lane, The Art of Passion) directs from a script by James Berg & Stan Zimmerman (The Golden Girls, Gilmore Girls) with Robert G. Endara II and Ed Polgardy producing..

Is This Days of Our Lives’ Most Insane Recasting Ever? Exiting Actress Calls It a ‘Horrible Situation’ in New Interview

The role of Theresa Donovan, which has been portrayed by Jen Lilley on and off since 2013, is being taken over by a new-yet-familiar actress — one who’s already playing another character on the show. As confirmed in the credits for the Peacock soap’s Oct. 2 episode, the new Theresa is none other than Emily O’Brien, whom viewers have known as Gwen Rizczech (now von Leuschner) since 2020.

If that isn’t enough to blow your mind, you might want to buckle up. Lilley tells Soaps.com that she learned about the recast on set, calling it a “horrible situation. Top to bottom, it was just not handled the right way. … Everybody was mad, because everybody was kind of lied to.”

According to Lilley, she had reached out to Days‘ former co-executive producer Albert Alarr — who has since been fired following a separate misconduct investigation — about bringing Theresa back to Salem for Victor Kiriakis’ funeral. Following a bit of back and forth, Lilley says an agreement was made for her to shoot 12 weeks’ worth of scenes in the four weeks she was available.

So imagine Lilley’s surprise when her four weeks on set came to a close, yet Theresa’s storyline remained unfinished. Lilley recalls confronting Alarr in his office, at which point he finally admitted, “Theresa’s still going to do all of that… it’s just we’re going to do it with a different Theresa.”

Lilley previously suspected that her 12-week arc hadn’t actually been fully written when she signed on (“I think they were bluffing at the time”), and this seemed to confirm those suspicions.

For what it’s worth, Lilley has “no hard feelings” towards O’Brien, to whom she was happy to provide pointers about playing “the funniest, sassiest character in daytime.” In fact, as she expresses in her interview, “That poor girl has had to have conversations with me [on set, knowing she was going to replace me]. How horrible she must have felt!”a

Celebrity Wheel of Fortune: Natasha Leggero, Roy Wood Jr., and Kyle Brandt (10/18)

9:00-10:00 p.m. EDT – Celebrity Wheel of Fortune: “Natasha Leggero, Roy Wood Jr., and Kyle Brandt” (405)

Logline: Celebrity contestants Natasha Leggero (Surfrider Foundation), Roy Wood Jr. (Birmingham Urban League) and Kyle Brandt (Make-A-Wish Foundation) spin to win for their charities. Pat Sajak and Vanna White host.

Morning Show Appearance

AIRING Oct 2, 2023

director Vivica A. Fox ("First Lady of BMF")

Brandon Barash Welcomes His Baby Boy!

The photos in the carousel include a selfie of the happy family together, a photo of Joaquin being held by his big sister, Harper (9), and a shot of Joaquin with all his stats including the time of his birth at 2:08 a.m., his weight of 7 pounds, .5 ounces, and length of 19 1/2 inches.

“We. Are. Smitten,” Barash declared. “And forever changed. Through your birth, little man, we are reborn. Our family is mightier, our ocean of love runs deeper and more fierce. School’s back in session.”

Barash made his daytime debut when he joined the cast of GH as Johnny Zacharra in September 2007. After his exit in March 2013, he returned for some brief appearances in 2014 and 2016. In March 2019, the actor took over the role of DAYS‘ Stefan DiMera from Tyler Christopher. After Stefan was killed off, Barash began playing his twin brother, Jake, until his death when Stefan was resurrected. (it’s complicated!)

Naturally, the comments filled up with love and congratulations from fans and friends, including some of Barash’s co-stars past and present. “Congrats!” Jen Lilley (Theresa) gushed. “Also, he is so cute! And we all know most babies aren’t right out of the gate!”

Joaquin certainly is a beautiful little baby and we can’t wait to see more adorable photos as the little guy grows up!

New Movie For Chrishell Stause

Emmy Award-winning Writer Lisa Seidman Interview

Lisa has written for some of the hottest shows on primetime TV starting with Cagney & Lacey in 1984. She went on to write for Dallas, Falcon Crest, Knots Landing and Knots Landing: Back To The Cul-De-Sac to name a few. Lisa also spent five years in Russia writing nighttime soaps and won the equivalent of an Emmy for best show.

In daytime, she has written for Another World, Days of Our Lives, Guiding Light, One Life to Live, Sunset Beach and The Young and the Restless. Lisa has been nominated multiple times for a Daytime Emmy and has won the award for her work on DOOL and Y&R.

Lisa has also taught writing at USC and UCLA.

WGA Strike To End At Midnight

Jamie Martin Mann and Ashley Puzemis Cast on DAYS OF OUR LIVES!

Tate is the son of Brady Black and Theresa Donovan and was born in 2015. It was recently mentioned that the boy had been expelled from school. Mann’s credits include a couple of short films as well as the role of Brody in the 2021 Netflix series COUNTRY COMFORT starring Katherine McPhee and Eddie Cibrian (ex-Matt, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS).

Holly’s parents are Nicole Walker and the late Daniel Jonas, and was born in 2016. The role was most recently played by Elin Alexander. Puzemis has also appeared in some shorts, the TV movie Beware of Mom, and episodes of the television series BF FOR HIRE, THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS, and DANGER FORCE.

Kids can cause problems for their parents, but teens can be even more trouble! So stay tuned to DAYS to see how Tate upends Brady’s life and what kind of drama Holly creates for Nicole!

Dishing with Diest - 9/22/23 - Elia Cantu

Lamon Archey Welcomes a Beautiful Baby Girl!

“Blessings on blessings on blessings on blessings,” Archey declared as he shared a trio of photos from Monica Martin Photography of the new family. And he also added in “#Blessed” for good measure.

Over on her own Instagram, Terry shared nine photos from the shoot and called her daughter: “My princess. Kennedy Archey. You are my everything. I pray I am everything you want me to be in a mama. I never thought I’d love you so deeply the way I love you, baby-cakes. I’ll forever be your guide, protector, and nurturer.”

Archey actually made his daytime debut back in 2012 when he joined THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS in the recurring role of Mason Wilder. But he found soap success when he began playing Eli Grant on DAYS in 2017. After his 2022 exit, the actor has reprised the role for special appearances and fans are always hopeful they’ll see Eli, Lani, and their twins again someday.

Naturally, the comments on Archey’s Instagram post filled up with congratulatory comments from fans and friends, including many of his DAYS co-stars. “Oh my goodness,” marveled Stephen Nichols (Steve). “Doll baby! Congratulations!” And Kristian Alfonso (ex-Hope) exclaimed: “Oh my gosh Lamon! Congratulations to you and your beautiful family!”

Archey and Terry announced their engagement on January 30 and the couple tied the knot on March 25. Little Kennedy is absolutely gorgeous and we can’t wait to see even more wonderful family photos of her as she grows up!

Peacock Pulls DAYS OF OUR LIVES: BEYOND SALEM

The first five-episode season of BEYOND SALEM premiered on Sept. 6, 2021, and featured popular characters from DAYS traveling the globe involved in a massive scheme to recover stolen jewels to complete the Alamanian Peacock (which turned out to be a weapon!). Season two debuted on July 11, 2022, and centered around Megan Hathaway’s search for three magical prisms needed to bring someone back to life.

The two mini-series featured regular characters from DAYS joined by returning fan favorites like Lisa Rinna as Billie, Eileen Davidson as Kristen, Thomas, and Sister Mary Moira, Christie Clark as Carrie, and Austin Peck as Austin. And season two reunited Kristian Alfonso and Peter Reckell as Bo and Hope, even if it was just in the afterlife for the time being.

After the success of the two BEYOND SALEM series and the holiday movie on Peacock, DAYS itself ended its run on NBC to move to its streaming platform, first airing there on Sept. 12, 2022. And fans don’t need to worry about the soap going anywhere anytime soon. Back in March, it was announced that the soap had been renewed for another two years, taking it through to 2025 when it will celebrate its 60th anniversary.

However, if you haven’t checked out BEYOND SALEM or have been wanting to re-watch it, you’re running out of time so you’d best get to binging!

Hallmark Announces 40-Title Holiday Movie Slate Not Impacted By Strikes

Even though the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes impacted TV and film productions, Hallmark anticipated the labor dispute by getting a head start on production in Canada. “Christmas is a year-round business at Hallmark, so we were able to mitigate early in the year understanding that the strikes were unfortunately imminent,” Lisa Hamilton Daly, EVP of programming at Hallmark Media, was recently quoted as saying. “We’re grateful to meet all our goals for a full, all-new holiday slate and to bring our viewers the content they love most to celebrate the season.”

Holiday programming kicks off Friday, Oct. 20 with the channel’s Countdown to Christmas and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ Miracles of Christmas.

Among the actors set to headline Hallmark’s movies include Lacey Chabert (A Merry Scottish Christmas, Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up); Benjamin Ayres, Katherine Barrell, Catherine Bell, Jonathan Bennett, Krystal Joy Brown, Warren Christie, Cindy Busby, Erin Cahill, Paul Campbell, Nikki DeLoach, James Denton, Brooke D’Orsay, Jaicy Elliot, Brennan Elliott, Tyler Hynes, Dan Jeannotte, Hunter King, Bethany Joy Lenz, Luke Macfarlane, Chandler Massey, Niall Matter, Barbara Niven, Ryan Paevey, Janel Parrish, Brendan Penny, Kristoffer Polaha, Michael Rady, Marcus Rosner, Ronnie Rowe Jr., Jessy Schram, Kimberley Sustad, Andrew Walker, and Victor Webster.

Here’s the full slate for Hallmark Channel:

Friday, October 20: Checkin’ It Twice starring Kim Matula and Kevin McGarry. A journeyman hockey player (McGarry) falls for a real estate agent (Matula) in a career crisis when he’s traded to her hometown and moves into the cottage in her hockey loving family’s backyard.

Saturday, October 21: Where Are You, Christmas? Starring Lyndsy Fonseca, Michael Rady, Jim O’Heir, Julie Warner. When Addy (Fonseca) wishes for a year without Christmas, she wakes up in a world of black and white. She must work together with the town mechanic (Rady) to restore Christmas.

Sunday, October 22: Under the Christmas Sky starring Jessica Parker Kennedy, Ryan Paevey. Kat (Kennedy) is an esteemed astrophysicist, who is scheduled for her first trip into space next year until an accident grounds her. While on leave, coming to terms with the reality that her dream of being an astronaut is over, she volunteers at the local planetarium. There, she is paired up with by-the-book David (Paevey) to work on an exhibit opening right before Christmas. Will the stars align to bring these two together at the holidays?

Friday, October 27: Christmas by Design starring Rebecca Dalton, Jonathan Keltz. A fashion designer (Dalton) gets accepted into a Christmas challenge to create a new holiday-themed collection and not only finds the inspiration for her next line but decides to redesign her approach to what’s most important in life.

Saturday, October 28: Mystic Christmas starring Jessy Schram, Chandler Massey, Patti Murin, William R. Moses. Juniper (Schram) travels to Mystic, Connecticut during the holidays to work at the rehabilitation center and aquarium. She reconnects with Sawyer (Massey), the owner of the pizza shop.

Sunday, October 29: Joyeux Noel stars Jaicy Elliot, Brant Daugherty. When a romantic painting of a Christmas market captures the imagination of copy editor Lea (Elliot), she is sent to France with pragmatic reporter Mark (Daugherty) to uncover the mystery behind the artist.

Friday, November 3: Flipping for Christmas starring Ashley Newbrough, Marcus Rosner. It’s almost Christmas when busy realtor Abigail (Newbrough) agrees to help her sister with the “simple flip” of a recently inherited home. Unfortunately, co-beneficiary Bo (Rosner) has other plans in mind.

Saturday, November 4: Never Been Chris’d starring Janel Parrish, Pascal Lamothe-Kipnes, Tyler Hynes. Home for the holidays, BFFs Naomi (Parrish) and Liz (Lamothe-Kipnes) reconnect with high school crush Chris Silver (Hynes). A complex love triangle forms, forcing them to take stock of their lives and find the value of friendship.

Sunday, November 5: The Santa Summit starring Hunter King, Benjamin Hollingsworth. It’s time for the annual Santa Summit, in which revelers put on Santa suits and hop around designated locations in town to eat, drink, and be merry. Three best friends decide to go together: Jordin (King), a recently dumped art teacher looking to cut loose; Ava, a shy woman hoping to run into her crush; and Stella, a Christmas cynic with no interest in the Santa Summit whatsoever. At the start of the night, Jordin meets and bonds with Liam (Hollingsworth), but doesn’t get his name before getting separated and lost in a sea of Santas. As the night progresses and hijinks ensue, amidst the chaos, celebration, and a sea of Santas, they all find what they’re looking for: Christmas spirit, potential romance, and a strengthened bond of friendship.

Friday, November 10: Everything Christmas starring Katherine Barrell, Cindy Busby, Corey Sevier, Matt Wells. Lori Jo’s (Busby) love for Christmas takes her on a road trip to Yuletide Springs with her roommate Tori (Barrell), where Christmas is celebrated year-round, to participate in a longstanding town tradition to honor her late grandmother. Along the way, the friends meet Carl (Sevier) and Jason (Wells), and the foursome make stops during their journey to enjoy more small-town Christmas attractions. But when a series of events puts a damper on their plans, a little Christmas magic may put this trip back on the right path.

Saturday, November 11: Christmas Island starring Rachel Skarsten, Andrew Walker. When a snowstorm diverts Kate’s (Skarsten) first private flight en route to Switzerland to Christmas Island, she must team up with an air traffic controller (Walker) to secure her dream job as the family’s pilot.

Sunday, November 12: A Heidelberg Holiday starring Ginna Claire Mason, Frédéric Brossier. Heidi Heidelberg (Mason) receives the dream opportunity to sell her beautiful, handmade glass ornaments at the prestigious Heidelberg Christmas Market in Germany. While there, she meets Lukas (Brossier), a local artisan who helps her reconnect with her lost heritage.

Friday, November 17: Navigating Christmas starring Chelsea Hobbs, Stephen Huszar. Recently divorced Melanie (Hobbs) and her son Jason visit a remote island for Christmas, only to find themselves running a real working lighthouse where she connects with the curt but cute owner (Huszar).

Saturday, November 18: A Merry Scottish Christmas starring Lacey Chabert, Scott Wolf. When estranged siblings, Lindsay (Chabert) and Brad (Wolf) Morgan travel to Scotland at Christmas to reunite with their mother Jo, a big family secret is revealed.

Sunday, November 19: Holiday Hotline starring Emily Tennant, Niall Matter. After leaving London, Abby (Tennant) connects with an anonymous caller while working at a cooking hotline. The caller is single dad “John” (Matter) who Abby unknowingly has become smitten with in real life.

Thursday, November 23: Catch Me If You Claus starring Italia Ricci, Luke Macfarlane. Avery Quinn. (Ricci) is an aspiring news anchor who’s finally getting her big break on her station’s Christmas morning newscast. But that’s put in jeopardy when she captures an intruder in her home wearing a red suit claiming to be Chris (Macfarlane), Santa’s son, who is on his first mission. A night of adventure ensues as they find themselves being pursued by the police as well as some shady characters. Along the way, they connect over living in the shadow of their parents and inspire each other to go after their dreams.

Friday, November 24: Letters to Santa starring Katie Lecler, Rafael de la Fuente. When young siblings receive a magic pen from Santa that appears to be granting wishes, they request a Christmas gift they want more than anything – for their separated parents (Leclerc, de la Fuente) to reunite.

Friday, November 24: Holiday Road starring Sara Canning, Warren Christie. When bad weather leaves each of them stranded at the airport for the holidays, a tech entrepreneur (Christie), a travel writer (Canning), a devoted mother (Enid-Raye Adams) and her son (Kiefer O’Reilly), a stubborn senior (Trevor Lerner), an enigmatic woman with a hint of mystery (Brittany Willacy), a couple traveling from Hong Kong (Sharon Crandall, Ryan Mah) and a social media influencer (Princess Davis) all agree to rent a shared van to embark on a road trip to Denver. When their unexpected journey brings them into uncharted territory, they navigate a series of misadventures together and form a deeper bond that just might change the trajectories of each of their lives. Inspired by true events.

Saturday, November 25: Christmas in Notting Hill starring Sarah Ramos, William Moseley. Famous soccer star, Graham Savoy (Moseley), has always been too busy for love, but when he comes home to Notting Hill for Christmas, he changes his mind after meeting Georgia (Ramos) – a visiting American and the one person who has no idea who he is.

Saturday, November 25: Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up starring Lacey Chabert, Wes Brown, Stephen Tobolowsky, Melissa Peterman, Ellen Travolta, Seth Morris, Jennifer Aspen. As the holidays approach, Emily (Chabert) and Jared (Brown) are looking forward to celebrating the holidays together again, this time as a couple. Emily, now embracing Evergreen Lane’s uniquely festive spirit, is ready to work with Jared, Ned (Tobolowsky), Mary Louise (Travolta) and Pamela (Peterman) to make this year’s Christmas celebrations the best yet – even if being the HOA president’s girlfriend doesn’t stop those dreaded decorating citations. When a house on the block goes up for sale, it causes quite a stir with residents. When the soon-to-be neighbors turn out to be holiday royalty (Morris, Aspen), it looks like this year’s competition is about to heat up. While there, she unwittingly discovers the ability to travel to the 1947 set of His Merry Wife through the help of an hourglass, where she meets one of the film’s stars, Jack Huston (Polaha).

Sunday, November 26: Our Christmas Mural starring Alex Paxton-Beesley, Dan Jeannotte. Olivia (Paxton-Beesley) is a single mom who returns home for Christmas. Her mom secretly enters her into a mural contest; she wins but partners with teacher Will (Jeannotte) to create a Christmas masterpiece.

Sunday, November 26: A Biltmore Christmas starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Kristoffer Polaha. Lucy Hardgrove (Lenz) is a screenwriter who lands the job of a lifetime when she’s hired to pen the script for a remake of the beloved, holiday movie classic, His Merry Wife!, which was filmed in 1947 at beautiful, historic Biltmore House. When the head of the studio isn’t satisfied with the ending Lucy wrote because it deviates from the original’s feel-good conclusion, he sends Lucy to Biltmore Estate for research and inspiration. While there, she unwittingly discovers the ability to travel to the 1947 set of His Merry Wife! through the help of an hourglass.

Friday, December 1: My Norwegian Holiday starring Rhiannon Fish, David Elsendoorn. JJ (Fish), grieving the loss of her grandmother and seeking dissertation inspiration, stumbles upon an unexpected holiday destiny. Meeting Henrik (Elsendoorn), a Norwegian from Bergen, their connection deepens when he discovers she has a troll figurine from his hometown. To explore the troll’s history and her grandmother’s ties, JJ agrees to join Henrik on a journey to Norway. In Bergen, they’re drawn into Henrik’s family Christmas and wedding traditions, with his sister’s wedding the day before Christmas Eve. JJ embarks on a holiday adventure, uncovering the troll’s origins and finding her own path to healing, love and family.

Saturday, December 2: A Not So Royal Christmas. Starring Brooke D’Orsay, Will Kemp. Tabloid journalist Charlotte (D’Orsay) attempts to land an interview with a reclusive Count. In response, the royal family has a groundskeeper (Kemp) pose as the Count since the real one fled years ago.

Sunday, December 3: Christmas with a Kiss starring Mishael Morgan, Ronnie Rowe Jr., Jaime M. Callica. A Mahogany Presentation. A woman (Morgan) returns home to help with her family’s Christmas Carnival and romance ignites. A photo journalist (Rowe) curates a surprise reunion.

Friday, December 8: Magic in Mistletoe starring Lyndie Greenwood, Paul Campbell. Harrington (Campbell) is the author of a popular book series but commercial success has left him a bitter recluse. As he returns to his hometown for an annual Christmas festival celebrating his books, he’s joined by April (Greenwood), a publicist for the major publishing house he works with. April is there for damage control after Harrington’s recent comments on social media have ruffled some feathers. But as she gets to know him better, hope springs that April can unlock Harrington’s guarded heart and help him rediscover the spirit of the holiday.

Saturday, December 9: Christmas on Cherry Lane starring Catherine Bell, Jonathan Bennett, John Brotherton, Erin Cahill, James Denton, Vincent Rodriguez III. A young couple preparing to welcome their first child (Brotherton, Cahill); an empty-nester (Bell) and her fiancé (Denton) ready to start a new chapter; and a couple (Bennett, Rodriguez III) who unexpectedly have the chance to expand their family on Christmas Eve celebrate the holiday as they navigate these turning points in their lives.

Sunday, December 10: Round and Round starring Vic Michaelis, Bryan Greenberg, Rick Hoffman. Rachel’s (Michaelis) stuck in a time loop, reliving the night of her parents’ Hanukkah party. Can Zach (Greenberg), the “nice boy” Grandma’s trying to set her up with, help her make it to tomorrow?

Friday, December 15: The Secret Gift of Christmas starring Meghan Ory, Christopher Russell. Bonnie (Ory) is a personal shopper who helps her new, widowed client Patrick (Russell) reconnect with his young daughter. Though Bonnie and Patrick’s ideas of shopping couldn’t be more different, she is determined to get Patrick and his daughter everything on their wish list.

Saturday, December 16: Sealed with a List starring Katie Findlay, Evan Roderick.This holiday season, festive Carley (Findlay) sets out to conquer her list of abandoned resolutions from last year. Aided by coworker Wyatt (Roderick), she finds love and the confidence to chase her dreams.

Sunday, December 17: Friends & Family Christmas starring Humberly Gonzalez, Ali Liebert. Daniella (Gonzalez) has recently moved to New York to pursue an art career and decides to stay in town to share the holidays with her circle of artist friends, instead of going home to see her sweet, if overbearing parents. Amelia (Liebert) is a talented entertainment lawyer trying to stay focused on her work after a broken engagement. When Daniella and Amelia are set up by their parents, they agree to pretend that they are dating, to appease them for the holidays. However, as they spend time in eachother’s worlds, they soon build a connection that is deeper than either of them could have hoped for.

Dishing with Digest - 9/15/23 - Kassie DePaiva

Celebrity Wheel of Fortune: Stars of Ted Lasso, SNL, Wednesday and Ghosts Among Season 4 Contestants

Premiering Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 9/8c on ABC, the starry primetime offshoot’s new 10-episode season will also feature Kel Mitchell (All That, Dancing With the Stars), Kim Fields (The Facts of Life, The Upshaws), magician Penn Jillette, Noah Mills (NCIS Hawai’i), Melissa Villasenor (Saturday Night Live), Danielle Pinnock (Ghosts), Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias (Mr. Iglesias), Tim Gunn (Making the Cut), Natasha Leggero (Chelsea Lately, Another Period), NFL Network’s Kyle Brandt, Roy Wood Jr (The Daily Show), NFL star-turned-sportscaster Marcellus Wiley and fellow former NFL stars Rashad Jennings and Jared Allen.

As per usual, the celebs are competing for a chance to win as much as $1 million for their favorite charity.

The new season arrives as host Pat Sajak gets ready to bow out of the Wheel franchise after four decades. It also comes as Sajak’s longtime partner in crime, Vanna White — whose current Wheel deal is up next summer — is engaged in very public contract negotiations with Sony Pictures Television.

'Young and the Restless' Alum Jordi Vilasuso Expecting Third Baby with Wife Kaitlin: 'Beyond Excited'

Jordi, 42, shared a post on Instagram Friday celebrating the couple’s “growing family,” and reposted a heartfelt note Kaitlin, 37, posted on her own account that same day.

In her caption, Kaitlin detailed that they are “expecting a precious addition to our family in January,” and she asked fans to “join us in praying" for their unborn daughter after she previously lost two children and found out she requires a surgical procedure during her current pregnancy.

“Grateful for your prayers for our growing family, my friends!” Jordi began his caption, which was posted alongside a family photograph of the actor, his wife and their two children — Riley Grace, 10, and Everly Maeve, 7 — who held a sonogram of their unborn sibling.

“Also, I know this was not easy to put out there my love, but your openness and call for prayer inspire me and I know will do the same for others! With faith and love!” he continued.

Jordi — who played Rey Rosales on The Young and the Restless between 2018 and 2022 — then reposted the caption his wife had penned in her own Instagram post.

“Sweet friends! We come to you with big, exciting news and perhaps an even bigger prayer request. We are beyond excited to share that we are expecting a precious addition to our family in January!” Kaitlin wrote, before opening up about their heartbreaking journey to becoming parents for a third time.

“After two losses, this precious girl (??) is an answer to our prayers and has already filled our hearts with so much hope and joy. But, while she is growing perfectly, we learned last week that my body is struggling to hold her and she’s at risk of coming far too early,” she said.

Kaitlin then explained that “after many visits with some incredible doctors” the couple made the decision “to undergo a procedure called a cerclage in hopes that it will help keep her safe in my belly.”

According to the American Pregnancy Association, cervical cerclage is a surgical procedure where the cervix is sewn closed in order to prevent premature labor.

“There are risks to the procedure, but we are standing in faith that God did not bring us this far -with Riley and Everly feeling her move in my belly night after night- or bring her this far (20 weeks!) for her to not breathe the breath of life and have a long, beautiful one at that,” Katlin added in her caption.

The expectant mom then acknowledged the support of fans and followers in the past and revealed that she is undergoing the procedure next Wednesday.

“While we didn’t expect to share the news like this, you all have covered our family in love and prayer many times before and we are humbly asking that you do it again. I’m scheduled for surgery Wednesday evening and we are praying she stays snug in my belly until then, that our doctors are not met with anything unexpected, and that their God-given skill leads to a successful surgery- specifically that my water does not break during the procedure and that the procedure itself doesn’t put me into labor,” she wrote, adding, "We are praying for many many more boring weeks of me mostly laying in bed while this baby girl grows stronger and more ready for this world.”

“I know that God knows the desires of our hearts. I know He is knitting her together in my womb, that she is already fearfully and wonderfully made, that He has a plan for her life. I ask that you’ll join us in praying that that plan is on this side of heaven. ???? We will keep you posted. Thank you for your love always,” Kaitlin's emotional post concluded.

Last month, the couple — who married in 2012 and welcomed their first daughter the same year — celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary, with Jordi posting a sweet tribute to his wife on social media.

“My one and only, @kaitlinvilasuso ! They say 11 is a lucky number…well I’m feeling especially lucky to have had you by my side for all these years!” he wrote in the caption of his post.

“This year in particular has had so many things to celebrate as we’ve navigated this beautiful journey together! May God continue to bless us, our girls, and our family as we love, grow together, and continue to stay faithful to one another no matter what life throws at us. You’re my rock green eyes!" Jordi continued.

His wife, meanwhile, posted her own celebration of their marriage that same day.

“ELEVEN beautiful years of getting to say ‘I still do’ .. Happy anniversary, my love.” Kaitlin began her tribute, which was accompanied by photos of the couple and their children laughing and hugging on a rooftop.

She continued, “Thank you for filling my soul with joy and peace, for fighting for us and our family day in and day out, and for being the good good man that you are. Words could never express how grateful I am that it is YOU that I get to hold hands with and raise beautiful little humans with and continue to build a life with each and every day. A lifetime could never be long enough. Love you forever @jordivilasuso.”

The sweet post ended with a cheeky nod to her ongoing attraction to her husband of more than a decade: "Ps ur hot.”

Dishing with Digest - 9/1/23 - Rachel Melvin

Hallmark’s October Movie Slate Includes New Hannah Swensen and Curious Caterer Mysteries — See Full Schedule

The eighth installment in the Alison Sweeney/Cameron Mathison franchise — A Zest for Death — is one of four TV-movies set to premiere on Hallmark in the lead-up to Halloween.

Additionally, Nikki DeLoach and Andrew Walker are back for the third chapter in the Curious Caterer saga — this one subtitled Fatal Vows.

Of course, the movie slate won’t interrupt When Calls the Heart Season 10. New episodes will continue to air every Sunday at 9/8c through Oct. 15. (The long-running drama was previously renewed for Season 11.)

Check out the full October movie lineup for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries below:

Premiering on Hallmark Channel:

3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Ghost
Premiere Date: Saturday, Oct. 7 at 8 pm
A ghost from the 1920s refuses to leave the home just listed by Anna, a new real estate agent. Worse, the spirit is convinced she cannot “pass over” until she gets Anna back together with her ex; Julie Gonzalo (Supergirl), Chris McNally (When Calls the Heart) and Madeleine Arthur (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before) star.

Field Day
Premiere Date: Saturday, Oct. 14 at 8 pm
Jen (Witches of East End‘s Rachel Boston), Marissa (Virgin River‘s Carmel Amit) and Kelly (Good Trouble‘s Shannon Chan-Kent) are moms from different backgrounds who are thrown together to plan the annual Field Day at their kids’ school. Along the way, they navigate a myriad of obstacles, including an unsupportive head of the PTO. New to town and still trying to move on following the loss of her husband, Jen is thankful to have the encouragement of Dan (Saving Hope‘s Benjamin Ayres), the school’s PE teacher who is becoming a good friend…or could this be the start of something more? As the planning continues, Jen, Marissa and Kelly bond as friends who will stop at nothing to make sure their kids are happy, with each of them finding their own path as their friendship grows stronger.

Premiering on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries:

A Zest for Death: A Hannah Swensen Mystery
Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 6 at 9 pm
They say the real estate business is deadly, but no one is more surprised than Hannah Swensen (Days of Our Lives‘ Alison Sweeney) when her mother, Delores (Barbara Niven), discovers the dead body of the homeowner – and regular customer of The Cookie Jar – while house-hunting for her sister Michelle (The Flash‘s Tess Atkins). Hannah is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and is convinced that the prime suspect Mike (All My Children‘s Cameron Mathison) and the Sheriff (Day of the Dead‘s Mike Dopud) are focusing on isn’t the culprit. Hannah’s sleuthing becomes a family affair when Delores, Michelle and even her sister Andrea (Heartland‘s Lisa Durupt) – who pays an unexpected visit – take part in the investigation. As Hannah uncovers clues she slowly rules out suspects and is led to the shocking truth about the killer’s identity.

Curious Caterer: Fatal Vows
Premiere Date: Friday, Oct. 13 at 9 pm
In the third installment of the franchise, professional caterer and amateur detective Goldy Berry (Awkward‘s Nikki DeLoach) is hired to cater for a big wedding. The bride, Jessamyn Cole (Superman & Lois‘ Amanda Khan), is the ex-wife of Goldy’s current romantic interest, detective Tom Schultz (the ubiquitous Andrew Walker). The town is shocked when they find the groom, Sterling Clearwater (The Flash‘s Kareem Malcolm) dead and Jessamyn missing. To complicate matters, a new detective (Dangerous‘ Brock Morgan) with a vendetta against Tom is hired to oversee the case. Forced to take matters into their own hands, Goldy and Tom must find Jessamyn before she meets Sterling’s fate.

A Day of Days 2023

Beginning at 10am PT, you will have the opportunity to meet your favorite Days cast members in person, as well as participate in autograph signings, a Q&A session with the cast, giveaways, and so much more.

Please RSVP at this link: www.PEACOCKDAYOFDAYS.COM

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at a Day of Days! #dayofdays2023 #DaysOfOurLives

R.I.P., Arleen Sorkin: Days of Our Lives Vet John de Lancie Reflects on a ‘Match Made in Heaven’

Speaking to TVLine in the wake of Sorkin’s death last week at age 67, de Lancie exalts, “I never had more fun acting than with Arleen on Days of Our Lives,” adding, “Over the last 40 years, I’ve been reminded nearly every week by someone coming up to me and telling me how much they enjoyed the two of us [as] Calliope and Eugene. We were a team and we laughed. We laughed a lot. I will miss her always.”

Dubbed “TV’s zaniest couple” in 1985 by Soap Opera Digest, Eugene and Calliope infused Days — and the melodramatic soap genre as a whole — with some desperately needed comic relief.

“I think we were very lucky to have been able to pull off the antics that we did,” de Lancie shares. “[Then-exec producer] Al Rabin [was a] class clown and saw in me a kindred spirit when I first came to work at Days [in 1982]. It was to be a one-week stint. They wanted a psychopath but, after looking at the show, I came to the conclusion that they needed a comedian. My one-week gig turned into a few months and then Arleen came along. [It was] a match made in heaven.

“For three years our only note from Al was ‘faster and funnier,’” de Lancie continues. “We had the best of times.”

De Lancie says he is often asked to share acting stories from his vast career, which also includes stints on Stargate SG-1, The West Wing, Breaking Bad and Torchwood. “The best stories,” he maintains, “are the ones from Days with Arleen.”

Read on as de Lancie shares a few of those tales…

R.I.P., ROMAN BRADY | “We arrived on set [one morning] at 6 and the producers were standing there waiting for us with a message: ‘Roman is dead today. And it’s not funny!'”

THE 1984 PLANE CRASH STORYLINE | “As you might expect in a soap opera, the plane took about two weeks to fall out of the sky. For some inexplicable reason everyone from Salem was on that plane. And everyone was acting at a level of soap opera hysteria rarely seen in the real world. But, in the actor’s defense, two weeks of ‘we’re crashing, we crashing’ is a bit over the top. On one of those days I looked at Arleen — with a big smile on my face — and yelled, ‘We’re crashing, we’re crashing. Put your head between your legs!’ Arleen gave me a wink — dropped out of frame — I threw my head back in the chair and said, ‘Between your own legs, Calliope!’ That got us sent up to the principal — [then-NBC boss] Brandon Tarticoff. Who told us, ‘You guys are very funny but you’re killing me. De Lancie, when you first came on the show, we had one blue haired censor who showed up once a week. Now, with Arleen, we have two censors on all your scenes and you’re still getting stuff out there. You’re not doing daytime, you’re not doing prime time, you’re doing a 2:30 in the morning blue time. It’s got to stop!'”

The Hotel Sequence | “The scene had Arleen and me in a hotel. I don’t even remember what the scene was about except that it was boring. So we decided to mix things up a bit. We set the scene as a ‘morning after’ event with a pile of our clothes on the floor and the two of us in bed. We asked to have one of the extras come in as ‘the maid’ and pick up our clothes and walk out… The camera then finds us under the sheets, with my head at Arleen’s feet. We both ‘wake up’ and discover that our clothes are gone. Oh, and did I say, we decided to do the scene naked? We then gingerly stand up in bed — Arleen struggling to wrap herself in the sheet and me placing two pillows around my privates. All this time we rattled off the dialogue as written, which of course had nothing to do with our circumstances. To make things even more ridiculous, we decided — for some reason — that we couldn’t simply go out into the hall or call room service but rather that we’d make our way to another room by climbing out the window. It was totally insane. And so much fun.”,y

Charles “Chip” Dox Dies: Former ‘General Hospital’ Production Designer & Art Director Was 80

Dox first joined GH in 2005, where he best known for designing those fancy Quartermaine homes and the sets for the beloved Nurses Ball. He won an Emmy for his work on the ABC sudser in 2011.

Before he joined the entertainment industry, Dox attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now known as Carnegie Mellon University) and served two years in the Army. He ended up teaching at his alma mater, but he was determined to move west and launch a design career in Tinseltown.

There wasn’t a genre Cox didn’t have a hand in. He designed touring shows for Elton John, The Beach Boys, Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire and Jackson Browne. He worked with Tracey Ulman on her sitcom Tracey Takes On, as well as the Lifetime comedy series, Oh Baby. Dox also spent time at Telemundo, working on the sitcoms Viva Vegas and Los Beltrán.

But daytime TV is where Dox truly made his mark. He spent 17 years on NBC’s Days of Our Lives, where he won his first Emmy for Outstanding Set Direction in 1997. It was there that he met producer Jeanne Haney, who would ultimately become his wife.

Dox then moved to ABC, where he worked on Port Charles, the nighttime soap Nightshift, and General Hospital, where he worked until his retirement in 2015.

Cox was generous in every aspect of his life, whether it was mentoring up-and-coming art directors, or helping to redesign a pilates studio where his wife convinced him to “try just once.” (He continued going for more than 22 years). He prepared brown bag lunches every Sunday for the homeless, and was frequently called upon to design family weddings and parties.

Cox is survived by his wife of 29 years, Jeanne, along with daughters Morgan Dox, Katie Segal, Hayley Dox-DaCosta, and stepdaughter Megan Younger and their families; granddaughters Rae Kim, Kiddo Dox-DaCosta, and grandsons Henry and Charlie Segal.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to an organization that was dear to Cox, the World Central Kitchen.

DICK VAN DYKE - DAYS INTERVIEW!

DAYS’s Arianne Zucker Reveals Wedding Plans

General Hospital: Kassie DePaiva Set to Bring One Life to Live‘s Blair Back to Port Charles

DePaiva will begin airing in September, an ABC rep confirms, although it’s unclear what brings Blair to town (zoom in on her phone in the exclusive image above for a possible clue.)

This will not be DePaiva’s first trip to OLTL‘s sister soap. In March 2012, just two months after OLTL ended its broadcast run on ABC, the actress brought Blair to GH for a multi-month crossover event that also featured her longtime Llanview leading man Roger Howarth, AKA Todd Manning. Coincidentally, Howarth has been starring on GH for much of the past decade in myriad new roles, first as Franco Baldwin (R.I.P.) and, currently, as Austin Gatlin-Holt.

Earlier this month, DePaiva — who recently returned to Days of Our Lives as Eve Donovan — discussed a possible GH return (and the inevitable deja vu with Howarth), telling Soap Opera Digest that she would be game to return to the soap as Blair.

“There’s a lot of history there, a lot of time, a lot of water under that bridge,” she told to the mag, before acknowledging, “But I guess Todd is not Todd, right? So if I was to go back on that show, he probably wouldn’t recognize me. But I could go, ‘You’re hot. You look like somebody I used to know.'”

In July, GH rolled out the welcome mat for fellow ABC soap alum Walt Willey, who reprised his role as All My Children‘s Jackson Montgomery for three episodes. He is set to resurface on GH this week for another arc.

Rachel Melvin Returning To Days

Obliterated: Nick Zano and Teen Wolf’s Shelley Hennig Get Wasted, Save the World in Netflix Comedy

Hitting the streamer on Thursday, Nov. 30, Obliterated‘s eight-episode first season “tells the story of an elite special forces team who thwarts a deadly threat to Las Vegas. After their celebratory party, filled with booze, drugs and sex, the team discovers that the bomb they deactivated was a fake. The now intoxicated team has to fight through their impairments, overcome their personal issues, find the real bomb, and save the world.”

Shelley Hennig (Teen Wolf) and Nick Zano (Legends of Tomorrow) lead the show’s cast, which also includes C. Thomas Howell (SEAL Team), Kimi Rutledge (Shrill), Paola Lázaro (The Walking Dead), Terrence Terrell (B Positive), Alyson Gorske (Shrinking) and Eugene Kim (The Lincoln Lawyer).

Writers Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald serve as co-showrunners, executive-producing alongside Dina Hillier. Hurwitz and Schlossberg are also directors.e00

Arleen Sorkin, 'Days of Our Lives' Actress & Harley Quinn Voice, Dies at 67

Her passing was confirmed on Twitter by Neil Kaplan, a fellow voice actor, who wrote, "It broke my heart to hear… the original voice of Harley Quinn, Arlene Sorkin has passed away. I adored her work as HQ & as Calliope in “Days of Our Lives.”

Sorkin was born October 14, 1955, in Washington, D.C. She was a cabaret performer and worked in a comedy troupe in the '70s and '80s, and found fame as Calliope Jones on "Days of Our Lives" (1984-1990; 1992; 2001; 2006; 2010).

She was also a regular on the series "Duet" (1987-1989), was a co-host on "America's Funniest People" (1990), and as a writer worked on "Tiny Toon Adventures" (1990-1992) and the Jennifer Aniston vehicle "Picture Perfect" (1997).

It was Sorkin who inspired the character of Harley Quinn, the Joker's girlfriend — her college roommate, Paul Dini, created the character, which first appeared on "Batman: The Animated Series" (1992). The character was directly influenced by a series of out-there dream sequences Sorkin performed in on "Days," and Sorkin was the first voice actor to breathe life into Harley Quinn, doing so in several TV series and other projects.

Lady Gaga will be seen as Harley Quinn in the feature film "Joker: Folie ŕ Deux," coming in 2024.

She won four Soap Opera Digest Awards and shared a Peabody Award with Jessica Hernández.

Sorkin is survived by her husband of 26 years, TV producer and writer Christopher Lloyd; and their sons Eli and Owen.

Days of Our Lives & General Hospital's Wally Kurth Joins The Locher Room

In addition to his roles on DOOL and GH, he also played Sam Hutchins on As the World Turns. In his spare time, Wally performs and tour with The Day Players featuring his co-stars Eric Martsolf, Brandon Barash, and Carson Boatman. He and Christian Taylor formed the band in 1992 and reunited in 2010.

'Days of Our Lives': Louise Sorel Returns as Vivian to 'Stir Up Trouble' After Victor's Death

PEOPLE can exclusively share a first look at Louise Sorel's upcoming return as Vivian Alamain. The actress is due to head back to Salem on Friday, Sept. 8 to "stir up trouble" in the aftermath of the death of her ex-husband Victor Kiriakis, who was portrayed by the late John Aniston.

Sorel first joined the cast of Days in 1992 and starred as Vivian up until 2000. She then reprised her role from 2009 to 2011, and again from 2017 to 2018. Her last on-screen appearance as the character was in 2020.

In between, various actresses have assumed the role of Vivian, including Marj Dusay, Robin Strasser and Linda Dano.

Vivian was briefly married to wealthy crime boss Victor. Their marriage ended when he left her for her rival Kate Roberts (originally played by Deborah Adair, then Lauren Koslow). Victor's last on-screen appearance was in a posthumous Dec. 2022 episode — it aired on Peacock as a tribute to Aniston a month after his death at age 89 on Nov. 11, 2022.

Earlier this month, PEOPLE also confirmed that Jen Lilley would make an appearance as Theresa Donovan as part of a send-off for Victor's character, who was on the show for 37 years.

At the time of Aniston's death, his daughter, actress Jennifer Aniston, broke the news in a loving Instagram tribute, calling him "Sweet Papa."

"You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew," she wrote. "I am so grateful that you went soaring into the heavens in peace — and without pain. And on 11/11 no less! You always had perfect timing. That number will forever hold an even greater meaning for me now ???I'll love you till the end of time???"

Additionally, Days co-creator Ken Corday said to PEOPLE in a statement at the time: "There is no question that all of us at Days will be mourning this great and profound loss. John was an icon, but even more so, he was a pillar of strength and unity for our Days of Our Lives community. He, along with our 'Victor Kiriakis,' will forever be in our hearts.”

Sorel's return to Days of Our Lives will be available to stream on Friday, Sept. 8 at 6 a.m. ET on Peacock..

Suzanne Rogers Interview - Days of our Lives: Celebrating 50 Years as Maggie

Don't miss this opportunity to join us as we discuss this milestone achievement with Suzanne and all of Maggie's storylines over five decades and more on Thursday, August 24th. Plus, Suzanne will share her thoughts and memories on working with the late John Aniston (Victor). In story, this past week, Salem learned of Victor's death,

Stay tuned in for official starting time (as this may change) and more details in the coming days.

Dishing with Digest - 8/18/23 - Austin Peck

Martha Madison Confirms DAYS Exit

Days of Our Lives Reveals Victor’s Fate, Nine Months After John Aniston’s Death

Victor Kiriakis’ farewell arc began last week when Justin received word that his plane, believed to be en route to Salem after a stay in Greece, lost contact with air traffic control. Additional intel from Hope and Shane revealed that Victor actually took off ahead of schedule, meaning that he’d been missing for several days. Though Maggie held out hope that her husband would be found alive, it was confirmed on Wednesday’s episode that Victor’s body was recovered by the coast guard.

The tragic update was delivered to the Kiriakis family by John, who received official word through his contacts at the ISA, while Stephanie then had the unfortunate task of relaying the news to Alex. As Maggie broke down in tears over the death of her husband, the camera panned over to a framed photograph of Victor with the words “In loving memory of John Aniston” underneath.

Victor’s death will bring several former Days regulars back to Salem for a fitting farewell to the TV titan; Jen Lilley (aka Theresa) and Zach Tinker (Sonny) are both among the faces expected to return for the memorial.

Aniston died on Nov. 11, 2022, with the news being announced via social media by his daughter, Friends star Jennifer Aniston. “You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew,” she wrote of her late father. “I am so grateful that you went soaring into the heavens in peace, and without pain.”

The actor’s final on-screen appearance as Victor aired on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, a full 37 years after first stepping foot in Salem. True to his character, the notorious curmudgeon spent most of the hour throwing shade, this time at unwanted houseguest Leo Stark. From threatening to throw the “deranged woodland critter” out on his “sugar plumb ass” to demanding that Leo “scamper back to Whoville,” Victor was in rare form.

But being the secret softie that he was, Victor ended the hour by allowing Leo to stay at Chez Kiriakis. Aniston’s deadpan delivery of “I changed my mind because I have a heart of gold” was not only hysterical but also a perfect line with which to remember this complicated man.

Aniston received the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Awards in June 2022, just six months before his death. He was previously nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2017.

Celebrity Family Feud: The Rookie vs The Rookie: Feds and Lauren Lapkus vs June Diane Raphael (8/27)

SUNDAY, AUG. 27

9:00-10:00 p.m. EDT – Celebrity Family Feud: “The Rookie vs The Rookie: Feds and Lauren Lapkus vs June Diane Raphael (908)”

Logline: Hosted by Steve Harvey, the casts of “The Rookie” and “The Rookie: Feds” and later Lauren Lapkus and June Diane Raphael battle it out to see who will win the grand prize for their selected charities.

(TV-PG, L) Watch episodes on demand and on Hulu the day following their premieres.

The celebrity teams trying to guess what the “survey said” are the following:

Team “The Rookie” playing for EB Medical Research Foundation:
· Richard T. Jones
· Mekia Cox
· Eric Winter
· Melissa O’Neil
· Jenna Dewan

VERSUS

Team “The Rookie: Feds” playing for Amazing Grace Conservatory:
· Niecy Nash-Betts
· Britt Robertson
· Kevin Zegers
· Felix Solis
· James Lesure

AND

Team Lauren Lapkus, playing for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation:
· Lauren Lapkus
· Mike Castle
· Lauren Ashley Smith
· Jacquis Neal
· Paul F. Tompkins

VERSUS

Team Significant Women … and Paul (June Diane Raphael), playing for Oceana:
· June Diane Raphael
· Suchin Pak
· Kulap Vilaysack
· Paul Scheer
· Jessica St. Clair

Jen Lilley Back To DAYS!

Dishing with Digest - 8/11/23 - Kate Mansi

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Co-EP Albert Alarr Out Following Misconduct Investigation & Cast Petition; Janet Drucker To Replace Him

“Effective immediately, Janet Drucker will be elevated to co-executive producer of Days of Our Lives, replacing Albert Alarr, who will be exiting his role,” Corday wrote. “Moving forward, we will be implementing additional HR protocols, including an increased HR presence as well as channels for reporting any concerns. It is imperative that we have a safe and inclusive workplace environment.”

The news comes a week and a half after Deadline revealed that DoOL veteran Alarr had been the subject of an investigation into allegations that included inappropriate comments and touching, including groping and forceful kissing, as well as creating a toxic environment on the show and governing by fear, with no HR mechanism for cast and crew to complain or get help.

The dismissal also comes on the heels of a petition signed by more than 25 DoOL cast members who called for Alarr to be replaced with a female director after the nine-week investigation didn’t result in a meaningful change, with him continuing in his role on the show while receiving a written warning and asked to undergo training. Along with breaking news of the petition, Deadline this Wednesday published a followup to the original report with new allegations against Alarr and more details about the toxic environment on the show and its lack of HR support.

That second story was reposted by DoOL alums Farah Galfond and Lisa Rinna who both supported the cast’s request for Alarr to be removed.

In the petition, a copy of which was obtained by Deadline, the actors are referring to the “traumatic and disheartening” recent developments on the show chronicled in Deadline’s June 25 report.

“As a result of said actions of the current [co-] executive producer Albert Alarr, mentioned in the report, many of us feel — and will continue to feel — very uncomfortable and distraught should he stay involved with the show,” the petition says. “Many of us have either been physically or verbally violated by him, including witnessing those objectionable and offensive actions.”

DoOL was dark last week and was supposed to return to production this week, with Alarr scheduled to direct his regular Friday episode. At the last minute, the hiatus was extended last Friday night for another week. I hear the investigation and its aftermath was reexamined over the last few days, leading to the decision for Alarr to exit.

The series, which streams on Peacock, will return to production on Monday for a week, followed by a pre-scheduled hiatus the week of Aug. 14.

As Deadline reported, the investigation, conducted by Sony Pictures TV and triggered by a complaint of gender disparity in pay and the recent layoffs on the show, evolved after misconduct allegations against Alarr were raised, with about 30-40 people — primarily women — interviewed.

Alarr had been an associate of DoOL executive producer and Corday Prods. owner Ken Corday for the past two decades. He has worked on DoOL since 2003, joined Corday Prods. several years later, and was named co-executive producer in 2015. In that position as the top day-to-day producer on the show, Alarr was in charge of creative and staffing decisions on the show, deciding who from the cast and crew would stay and who would go.

As Deadline reported, after the investigation was completed, a report was delivered to Corday Prods., which made a decision to give Alarr a written warning and ask him to undergo training while keeping him in his co-EP and director roles, sparking outrage among cast and crew aware of the allegations and the investigation.

In their petition, the DoOL cast spoke about the current events’ potential longterm impact on the show, changing its environment for the better.

“We all want to make the most of this significant moment, not just for us in entertainment, but for our loyal viewers and the culture as a whole,” the actors said.

Here is Corday’s note:

Dear Days Cast and Crew,

Effective immediately, Janet Drucker will be elevated to co-executive producer of Days of Our Lives, replacing Albert Alarr, who will be exiting his role.

Moving forward, we will be implementing additional HR protocols, including an increased HR presence as well as channels for reporting any concerns. It is imperative that we have a safe and inclusive workplace environment.

Production will resume, as planned, on Monday with new leadership in place. As a reminder, we still have a pre-planned hiatus set for the week of August 14th.

Sincerely,

Ken

Terri Conn and Austin Peck Interview

Terri and Austin celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary last month and will stop by to look back at their time working on As the World turns where they first met. Terri joined the cast in September of 1998 and Austin followed eight years later in December of 2006. The duo played Katie Peretti and Brad Snyder and the two characters married in April of 2008. In addition to their roles on As the World Turns, both actors moved over to Llaneview and One Life to Live shortly after As the World Turns. Austin is also well-known for his role as Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives.

Terri currently serves as a program host for the shopping network QVC, a role she has held since August of 2018.

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Alums Farah Galfond & Lisa Rinna Support Cast’s Petition To Remove Co-EP Albert Alarr: “This Has Gone On For Far Too Long”

“I’m not on the cast anymore but I would love to sign the petition in spirit,” Galfond wrote in a retweet of Deadline’s latest story. “These were my experiences too. It wasn’t until I switched shows that I realized not every set was like that.”

Galfond proceeded to share one experience working with Alarr as a director.

“I had the particular misfortune of having Alarr direct my first ever ‘love’ scene when I was 19,” she wrote. “He was new so I was already nervous not having one of the other directors that I was used to. I was extremely modest and freaked out to be standing in my underwear in front of dozens of crew (aka men that had known me since I was 15…ew) and did Albert do or say one little thing to make me feel remotely at ease? Absolutely not. He pushed and pushed and pushed and pushed me on a particular issue, and was annoyed when I stood my ground.”

Deadline’s reports featured several actresses sharing stories about Alarr giving directing notes on love scenes “in the most vulgar, crass ways” as well as touching actresses while “inserting himself” into such scenes during rehearsal and making inappropriate comments about the scene or the actress involved.

In interviews with Deadline, actresses revealed additional traumatic experiences from filming intimate scenes on the show that did not make it into the published stories, including being convinced to just wear pasties, making them feel exposed and uncomfortable in front of the male crew, as well as not having nudity clauses or intimacy coordinator.

“It’s been hard for me to read the news. I guess I’m shocked he learned nothing after the me too movement,” Galfond wrote. “I’m sorry to my former coworkers who’ve been dealing with this relentlessly for decades now. Proud of those who are finding their voice now. His time is up.”

Rinna, one of the first DoOL stars to react to the original Deadline expose, also stood by her colleagues and called on DoOL executive producer Ken Corday and series distributor Sony Pictures TV, which handled the investigation, to take action.

“Ken Corday [sic] and @sony Do the right thing now! Protect your talent!!!,” Rinna wrote on her Instagram stories over a screen shot of Deadline’s story from this week “Listen to what they are saying-there is a petion [sic] 25 people have signed it. Protect your young actors!! This has gone on for far too long.”

DoOL is currently dark. The show was slated to return to production on Monday but its hiatus was extended by a week amid the fallout from the Albert Alarr investigation controversy. c

Days of Our Lives Temporary Recast

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Cast Calls For Change As More Details Emerge About Toxic Environment Under Co-EP Albert Alarr

Now the DoOL cast are taking things into their own hands, with a petition that calls for a new leader on the show, which streams on Peacock. It has been signed by more than 25 cast members to date.

In the document, a copy of which was obtained by Deadline, the actors refer to the “traumatic and disheartening” recent developments on the show chronicled in Deadline’s June 25 report.

“As a result of said actions of the current [co-] executive producer Albert Alarr, mentioned in the report, many of us feel — and will continue to feel — very uncomfortable and distraught should he stay involved with the show,” the petition reads. “Many of us have either been physically or verbally violated by him, including witnessing those objectionable and offensive actions.”

The petition goes on to call for Alarr to be replaced with another director-producer who has the cast’s respect and trust. “We all want to make the most of this significant moment, not just for us in entertainment, but for our loyal viewers and the culture as a whole,” the actors wrote.

DoOL was dark last week, when Deadline’s report was published, and was supposed to return to production this week, with Alarr scheduled to direct his regular Friday episode. At the last minute, the hiatus was extended for a week.

As Deadline reported, the investigation, conducted by DoOL distributor Sony Pictures Television and triggered by a complaint of gender disparity in pay and the recent layoffs on the show, evolved after misconduct allegations against Alarr were raised. About 30-40 people — primarily women — were interviewed in the probe. The accusations against Alarr involved inappropriate comments and touching, including groping and forceful kissing. Our report also included multiple testimonies about Alarr laughing off his improper remarks and mocking the lack of HR presence on the show.

In the days since Deadline published the story, a number of other current and former DoOL staffers corroborated the description of Alarr’s behavior in the piece and shared their own accounts. Everyone who talked with Deadline did so on condition of anonymity, citing the power Alarr still yields on the show and the fear of being retaliated against by him and his team.

New Allegations

The new information includes an incident from a few months ago, in which an actress donned a spangly, somewhat tight-fitting ’70s-style jumpsuit and a David Bowie-style flock-of-seagulls haircut for several scenes.

As the actress was walking off the stage with her male co-star, Alarr “comes walking on the set and in a big booming voice goes, ‘Hey, you big d*ke’,” an insider who was on the set that day told Deadline, adding that the shocking remark caught everyone by surprise, evoking gasps among the actress, her co-star and the crew.

Touching upon every actress’ body image insecurities, “he meant it to be humiliating in front of an all-male crew,” the person said.

In another incident, which was corroborated by three sources with knowledge of the situation, Alarr jokingly told an actress on her last day on the show in front of several staffers that she “should just come up to my office and f*ck me.”

Deadline’s July 25 report also featured witness accounts of Alarr giving directing notes “in the most vulgar, crass ways.” That included telling a male actor filming a love scene “You’re f*cking horny, man, you just want to f*ck her” in front of his female acting partner and the crew, and instructing an actress in her early 40s filming a different intimate scene to “try and remember what it was like when you were young and vibrant.”

According to a show insider Deadline spoke with since, Alarr not only has made crude directing comments onstage, but he also does it over a loudspeaker for cast and crew to hear his remarks about the sexiness of a risqué scene or the actress involved in it.

“I just remember being like, oh, that’s uncomfortable,” the source said about hearing those comments.

Deadline’s original report also referenced allegations that Alarr’s directing instructions have incorporated the touching of actresses that is no longer considered appropriate.

A new source from the show, who has since come forward, elaborated on that accusation, saying that “During love scenes, [Alarr] has been inserting himself into them like, ‘Let me show you how to do it’, which, even in and of itself as this is awkward and uncomfortable.”

A DoOL actress revealed that Alarr always has been “flirtatious” with her. “We’re all adults but there is a line at work, and the flirtation happens often, and it would go with a hug and then a lingering hug and then his famous line; if he said something derogatory or sexual, it always came with a chuckle and ‘A good thing there’s no HR.’ I can’t tell you the amount of times I heard that,” she said. The last comment was relayed to Deadline by some half-dozen people during the interviews conducted for the first story and the follow-up.

“I’ve had moments on set where he has chosen to physically move me or tries to be my co-star in dry block,” the actress added, referring to onstage camera rehearsals. “And then he does his Albert giggle, and we just keep moving because that’s what you do on this show. Otherwise, who knows, you get fired if you say anything.”

A staffer who had been on the show for many years expressed their surprise that Alarr’s behavior did not get exposed during the first wave of the #MeToo movement.

Added another DoOL long-timer, “You get to a point where you’ve been watching it for decades, and you go, ‘Wait, this is still happening in this day and age?’ In fact, it’s getting worse on this particular show.”

Staffers also called out series distributor Sony Pictures Television for the lack of HR support on the Corday Prods. show, detailed in Deadline’s story last week, which has made Alarr the de-facto arbitrator of HR matters on set. A DoOL employee said they had gone without an HR meeting for about four years, with no mechanism to seek help when needed.

“I don’t want to point a finger at anybody but there’s no help for us, the crew and cast,” the person said. “Part of it too is, when nobody would do anything or say anything or if things were reported and it got brushed under the rug. Most of the time, it really feels like, ‘Oh my god, I’m going to lose my job if I say anything.’ There’s no meritocracy.”

Added another DoOL employee, “It’s an environment in which people are afraid to take time off work, even if it’s for something important — family or having babies or whatever — because they’re like, you lose your job. It’s a running joke, keep things a secret about your personal life. That’s just not an environment to work.”

Another refrain repeated by actors on the show is how they are being told by Alarr and his team that they are replaceable, which adds to the stress and anxiety as they try to provide for their families.

“People would be let go, being told, ‘We’re not going to use you anymore’, and then they would bring them back. It was just like we were Tinkertoys,” one performer said.

Budget Cuts, Transparency & Cast Camaraderie

Adding to the tension on-set are the recent budget reductions on DoOL that came with its renewal through Season 60 earlier this year that led to pay cuts for cast and crew. (Budget cuts are not isolated to DoOL, with multiple other daytime soaps including General Hospital and The Young & the Restless also implementing salary/minimum guarantees reductions for cast, according to sources.)

“I have had personal conversations with some crew members who are literally tearing up that now it feels like they have to pay to work there, that they are now taking money out of their savings account just to pay all their bills,” a source on the show said.

Multiple other DoOL employees told Deadline that they feel “rushed” having to tape scenes faster, with blocking now regularly done through cast’s lunch break.

“This crew is being beaten, and it’s really hard to watch that,” one person said. “I get keeping the show on the air but at the cost of people’s [well-being], it’s brutal.”

Staffers also criticized the lack of transparency on DoOL, which did not inform employees about the investigation into Alarr or its results, and has still not addressed the situation with them following Deadline’s story. Show producer Corday Productions did reach out to staff last week with the Week of July 31 filming schedule, which had Alarr slotted to direct Friday. DoOL employees told Deadline that they found out that their hiatus had been extended by a week from our story Friday night.

“Everyone is so upset,” one staffer said about the lack of communication and lack of action.

Added another: “It’s just so disheartening. That silence is so deafening. The silence from the show, the silence from Ken.”

As Deadline reported last week, Corday Prods. owner and DoOL executive producer Ken Corday has not been hands-on involved with the show in the last few years, passing that responsibility to Alarr, and he also opted to keep Alarr in his roles after receiving the report from the Sony TV-run probe following meetings with multiple staffers who had shared their issues with the director-producer before speaking with the Sony HR investigator. Alarr received a written warning and was asked to undergo training.

“I was always grateful to Ken, and I always had hopes that he would do the right thing, and what we’re seeing is that he’s not, and that’s very sad to me,” a longtime DoOL employee said. “It’s very sad that he’s chosen one person over the entirety of the show, and the integrity of the show.”

Reached for comment, Corday Prods. referred to the company’s statement issued to Deadline last week, in which it confirmed that Sony Pictures Television has been engaged to “conduct an impartial investigation into this matter.” “After a two-month investigation, the independent investigator produced a report with its findings,” the statement continued. “Based on those findings, Corday Productions has taken a series of actions designed to ensure a safe and respectful work environment.”

Alarr, whose wife also works on DoOL as a writer, did not respond to a request for comment. Sony TV declined comment.

For the cast members, who signed the petition calling for Alarr’s removal, it comes down to accountability.

“If any of this had come out about any actor or actress, even remotely close, even if it was just an allegation, not even something that was true, they’d be gone,” a performer said in reference to the investigation against Alarr. “The actors are held to a standard, and the fact that a producer isn’t, it’s just madness to me.”

Added another, “Where are the people helping out the ones who feel voiceless? What is also sad is that you feel like is that this guy gets to get away with it because not enough people are coming to our rescue.”

As for the cast’s ultimate goal, “all we’re trying to do is create a safe, balanced and fair work environment,” one of them said. “We want this beautiful show to continue for as long as we can. We want all these people to have jobs.”

This is not the first time actors on DoOL have had to take things into their own hands.

“It’s really a place in which the actors have had to take care of each other, check in on one another, ‘are you OK?’,” one performer said. “Even during intimate scenes, it’s the actors taking care of one another to make sure they’re comfortable. Because that that level of consideration doesn’t come from the top, which is unfortunate.”

One actor pointed to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which does not pertain to soap actors who are employed under a different SAG-AFTRA contract “even though we’re dealing with and facing a lot of the same things that they’re striking about, if not more, in some cases, because it’s a big-time forgotten about area of the business,” the person said. “That being said, the actors and some crew are having to band together and call for change because it just doesn’t seem as if it’s happening.”ir&.

Jennifer Aniston allegedly upset over ‘Days of Our Lives’ plan to ‘kill off’ dad

The Friends alum, 54, was left deeply grief-stricken by the death of her dad, Days of Our Lives star John Aniston, who passed away last November at the age of 89.

Inside sources tell DailyMail.com the actress's prolonged battle with grief has seen her cling to a tight-knit support system which includes some of her father's former co-stars on the long-running soap opera.

Ex-husband Justin Theroux, who she divorced in 2017 after just two years of marriage, has also been a close source of comfort, with the actor calling her almost every day to console her, insiders say.

The couple tied the knot in 2015 after four years of dating and shocked fans when they announced their separation just two years later.

Despite their split, the two have indicated that they still maintain a close relationship, occasionally celebrating birthdays and holidays together.

In a rare, candid interview earlier this year, Theroux himself revealed that the exes still keep in touch through text, Facetime, and phone calls.

And a few months earlier in November, Jennifer in an interview also alluded to their close friendly relationship by revealing Theroux had recently dropped by her home at the time.

The Hollywood star first lost her mother, Nancy Dow, with whom she had a strained relationship throughout her career, in 2016.

She was also estranged from her father for years, but had been on good terms with him at the time of his death.

Sources say Jennifer has had a particularly hard time coping with his loss and has even reached out to his former co-stars and hosted them at her home.

'Jennifer has sent his friends gifts and called them and remember their birthdays and been a real sweetie,' an insider told DailyMail.com.

'She has been incredibly generous and has had his friends up to her house for parties to talk about the good old days with John.'

Aniston had appeared on the soap opera on and off as Victor Kiriakis from 1985 until his death, however, the show is yet to address his character's absence.

But DailyMail.com has learned that showrunners are now planning to kill off his character in a plane crash, much to Jennifer's disappointment.

'Jennifer hates to fly so this has rubbed her the wrong way but what can she do? They have to explain Victor's death on the show,' the source said.

'The funeral show is expected to air sometime late August, early September.'

Meanwhile, the NBC soap has already been facing its own real-life drama behind the scenes.

A Deadline report last week revealed director/co-executive producer Albert Alarr was the subject of a nine-week internal investigation after misconduct allegations were made against him by numerous parties.

Corday Productions confirmed the investigation in a statement and said the company had 'taken a series of actions designed to ensure a safe and respectful work environment' - but did not elaborate on the specifics of what those measures are.

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Pauses Production Amid Controversy Over Albert Alarr Investigation

The decision comes in the wake of Deadline’s report earlier this week about the misconduct investigation against longtime co-executive producer/director Albert Alarr and its aftermath. As Deadline reported, about 30-40 people — primarily women — were interviewed in the investigation, which probed accusations of inappropriate comments and physical contact, including groping and forceful kissing, and revealed a toxic environment on the show that allegedly had been fostered by Alarr for years.

Conducted by DoOL distributor Sony Pictures Television, the investigation concluded with a report the studio delivered to series’ producer Corday Prods. The results were not shared with the staff; as Deadline reported, Alarr received a written warning and was asked to undergo training.

Beyond that, he remained in his co-EP and director roles, sparking outrage among cast and crew aware of the allegations and the investigation. That has continued after Deadline’s story made the investigation public. Alarr was scheduled to direct his regular Friday episode next week, according to a grid sent to the staff that further upset those impacted, I hear.

No reason for the unexpected production hiatus has been given. The pause is expected to allow the entities involved in DoOL to examine the situation before it further escalates. Deadline has reached out to Sony TV and Corday Prods. for comment.

As we reported, Alarr’s presence on the set has been scaled back over the past couple of months, though it is unclear whether it is due to the investigation or the writers strike, which has shifted some of Alarr’s attention to keeping scripts being generated after a number of WGA members walked off. (Daytime dramas continue to produce scripts during a writers strike using fi-core WGA writers or temporary non-union writers, with some series producers in Alarr’s role also known to pitch in. Alarr’s wife started writing on the show in March.)

“Corday Productions engaged Sony Pictures Television, which distributes Days of our Lives, to conduct an impartial investigation into this matter,” the production company said in a statement to Deadline earlier this week. “After a two-month investigation, the independent investigator produced a report with its findings. Based on those findings, Corday Productions has taken a series of actions designed to ensure a safe and respectful work environment.”

Kassie DePaiva Returns to DAYS OF OUR LIVES

“I was sitting up in the Catskills last winter when the phone rang,” DePaiva revealed. “I looked over and saw that it was Marnie [Saitta, DAYS’ casting director]. We talked for about 20 minutes and then she said, ‘They’re writing a quick little story arc. It’s one episode. Would you be interested?’”

DePaiva took over the role of Eve back in 2014 and she came and went a few times over the years with her last appearance being in August 2020 when Eve abducted Ben and tried to brainwash him back into being a serial killer. While the actress thought her alter ego was sent to prison, Eve was actually sent to a mental institution to get the help she so desperately needed.

This is where she will run into Harris, who has also been sent to Bayview. The two characters share some unfortunate history together as back in the late ‘80s, Harris was a jock who treated Eve terribly, making a bet with his friends to see who could sleep with her first. Of course, back then, the role of Eve was being played by Charlotte Ross, who originated it in 1987.

But DePaiva was already familiar with Steve Burton (Harris) from back in the day when they were both stars on ABC Daytime — him as Jason on GENERAL HOSPITAL and her as Blair on ONE LIFE TO LIVE. And while it’s only a brief return this time around, if Eve manages to get her life back together, perhaps she could rejoin Salem society once more! In soaps, anything is possible!

Shawn Christian Reveals His Exciting New Job!

Christian’s show, TAHOE TONIGHT, airs at 6 p.m., 8 p.m., and 11 p.m. PST on Lake Tahoe Television Channel 12. However, fans who don’t live in the area can still stream the show online. “Watch anywhere in the world on our apps,” he reported. “Outside Watch and Outside+! Create a life of adventures!”

Christian made his television debut playing Mike Kasnoff on AS THE WORLD TURNS in 1994. After leaving the CBS soap in 1997, the actor appeared in numerous episodes of primetime series like PACIFIC PALISADES, ELLEN, CHARMED, BEVERLY HILLS, 90210, FRIENDS, BOSTON LEGAL, LAS VEGAS, FAMOUS IN LOVE, and MAGNUM P.I. throughout his career.

In 2002, Christian returned to daytime to play Ross Rayburn on ABC sudser ONE LIFE TO LIVE, and in 2008, joined the cast of DAYS OF OUR LIVES as Dr. Daniel Jonas, a role he portrayed until the character was killed off in 2017.

Christian is currently engaged to his former DAYS co-star Arianne Zucker (Nicole) and they are planning their wedding. The couple resides in the Lake Tahoe area and Christian is active in all kinds of various outdoor activities, so this job is a natural fit for him!

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Veteran Peter Reckell Reacts To “Disturbing” & “Shocking” Workplace Misconduct Allegations

“We have learned disturbing news about the environment at Days of Our Lives,” tweeted Reckell, who has periodically recurred as the character Bo Brady on the show since its launch. “It’s shocking to all who care deeply about the show, it’s legacy, and the audience who love it so much. With quick resolution, I hope to see a return to its past values of family and respect for all.”

As Deadline reported, there have been issues with Alarr’s behavior since he joined the soap, but things escalated after he was named co-executive producer in 2015. Multiple DoOL insiders said Alarr has been abusive, making people feel uncomfortable and humiliated, according to the Deadline report.

“Corday Productions engaged Sony Pictures Television, which distributes Days of our Lives, to conduct an impartial investigation into this matter,” the production company said in a statement to Deadline. “After a two-month investigation, the independent investigator produced a report with its findings. Based on those findings, Corday Productions has taken a series of actions designed to ensure a safe and respectful work environment.”

The company did not elaborate what these actions are, citing a confidential employee matter. However, Alarr remained in his co-EP and director roles, sparking outrage among cast and crew aware of the allegations and the investigation.

Lisa Rinna, who has appeared periodically as Billie Reed on Days beginning in 1992 and most recently in 2021 in the first season of the Peacock spinoff Beyond Salem, reacted earlier to our report in a since-delated Instagram story. She recalled a recent experience when she returned to reprise her character on the show working under Alarr, writing “I couldn’t believe the work environment. It was disgusting. I was shocked. I let many people know how I felt — Albert included.”s

Lisa Rinna Reacts To Albert Alarr Misconduct Probe: ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Work Environment “Was Disgusting”

In a since-deleted post on her Instagram Stories (Daily Mail published the screenshot you can see here), Rinna recalled a recent experience when she returned to reprise her Billie Reed character on the show working under Alarr, describing the work environment as “disgusting.”

Writing “Karma is a bitch” atop a photo of Alarr and referring to the Deadline story, Rinna added: “Well, this took a long time. Let’s see when’s the last time I went over there and did that week on Peacock I couldn’t believe the work environment. It was disgusting, I was shocked. I let many people know, Albert included, and they didn’t do a thing until now, it seems.”

Deadline has reached out to Rinna’s reps for comment.

Rinna portrayed Billie Reed on Days from 1992-95, then returned to reprise the role several times, in 2002-03, 2012-13 and for a few episodes in 2018. She most recently played the character in 2021.

As Deadline reported, there have been issues with Alarr’s behavior since he joined the soap, but things escalated after he was named co-executive producer in 2015. Multiple DoOL insiders said Alarr has been abusive, making people feel uncomfortable and humiliated, according to the Deadline report.

“Corday Productions engaged Sony Pictures Television, which distributes Days of our Lives, to conduct an impartial investigation into this matter,” the production company said in a statement to Deadline. “After a two-month investigation, the independent investigator produced a report with its findings. Based on those findings, Corday Productions has taken a series of actions designed to ensure a safe and respectful work environment.”

The company did not elaborate what these actions are, citing a confidential employee matter. However, Alarr remained in his co-EP and director roles, sparking outrage among cast and crew aware of the allegations and the investigation.

Actor Marla Gibbs, 92, will tell her life story in the memoir ‘It’s Never Too Late’

The Emmy-nominated actor known for her roles on “The Jeffersons” and “227” among others has a deal with Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers dedicated to Black stories, for a memoir coming out in fall 2024. Gibbs, 92, is calling the book “It’s Never Too Late,” in which she traces her rise from Chicago’s South Side to long-term success in Hollywood.

“My hope is that my memoir will serve as an inspiration to those that continue to show me love and support,” Gibbs said in a statement Wednesday. “I believe no matter the challenges one faces, it is never too late to turn your life around or make a difference. I am grateful and I am ready to reveal the challenges I overcame as a way of service to those who wish to transform their tests into testimonies.”

Gibbs’ other credits include the films “The Visit” and “Meteor Man” and a recurring role on the daytime soap opera “Days of Our Lives.”

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Staff Cuts & Work Environment Scrutinized As Co-EP Albert Alarr Faced Misconduct Investigation

According to multiple sources, there has been shock, disbelief, disappointment and anger among cast and crew following the outcome of an internal investigation into misconduct allegations against longtime Days of Our Lives director/co-executive producer Albert Alarr.

Created by Ted and Betty Corday, Days of Our Lives is produced by the company they founded, Corday Productions, which is owned and run by their son, DoOL executive producer Ken Corday.

According to sources, the nine-week investigation, launched in March, was triggered by a complaint related to a recent round of layoffs. Filed by a female employee, it alleged that women had been disproportionally impacted by the cuts and were not receiving equal pay on the show, people close to the matter said.

The gender disparity of the recent staff reductions was particularly pronounced among cast members. According to sources, a total of seven women left the ranks of contract players around the time of the layoffs. Five of them were let go or demoted to recurring and two departed on their own, at least in part due to their experiences on the show. One male actor was laid off.

And of the five DoOL episodes airing each week, only one is consistently directed by a woman. The one full-time female director on the show helms the Monday shows, working alongside three full-time male directors including Alarr, who directs the Friday episodes. Another female director is part of a rotation for the fifth weekly slot that has multiple part-time helmers alternating.

This is not typical; General Hospital, for instance, has four full-time female directors, with a fifth in training, and three male directors. There is, however, an across-the-board male dominance in daytime dramas’ head writer and executive producer ranks, a fact that is puzzling given their overwhelmingly female audiences, and something a soap veteran finds “disheartening.”

The Investigation & Allegations

Conducted by DoOL distributor Sony Pictures Television, the investigation evolved after misconduct allegations against Alarr were raised, Deadline has learned. About 30-40 people — primarily women — were interviewed, according to multiple sources. Alarr has not responded to Deadline’s requests for comment. A rep for Sony TV declined comment. Corday Prods. issued a statement; confirming the investigation. You can read it later in the story.

Alarr has been an associate of Ken Corday’s for the past two decades. He has worked on DoOL since 2003 and joined Corday Prods. several years later.

According to people who have observed Alarr’s behavior since he joined the popular soap, issues had been present for years but escalated after he was named co-executive producer in 2015. In the position of power, multiple DoOL insiders say, Alarr has been abusive, making people feel uncomfortable and humiliated.

“He became much more tyrannical, I think he became much more aware of his unilateral power, and that Ken wasn’t going to be involved in decision-making. And I think [Alarr] took the ball and ran with it, and I think it’s ruined the show,” a DoOL veteran said.

An insider pointed to the significant number of women who have left the show over the past couple of years including actresses who played major characters. Men also have been publicly bullied on set, with at least one male cast member getting abruptly written off after Alarr screamed at him in front of cast and crew. According to a source close to the situation, the verbal attack happened after the actor had gotten a hair trim, which he apologized for even though he wasn’t on contract at the time, meaning he was not obligated to maintain his appearance, and his character had not been on the show recently.

“Albert has a habit of belittling people, especially people he wants to put down,” the source said.

As part of the probe, complaints, a large portion of them involving inappropriate comments, were reviewed.

“It’s kind of a running joke that everything that comes out of Albert’s mouth is inappropriate,” said a DoOL longtimer.

Another staffer compared the environment Alarr has been fostering to a frat house, with college boys-style sexualized remarks about women normalized as being par for the course when working on DoOL.

“After awhile, you stop cringing and just get used to it,” the staffer said.

For instance, Alarr gives directing notes “in the most vulgar, crass ways,” making “not only women but everybody feel uncomfortable,” an insider told Deadline. That includes him using the F-word when referring to making love on the show.

Two DOOL sources shared strikingly similar accounts of witnessing Alarr give directions to a male actor filming a love scene in front of his female acting partner and the crew by saying, “You’re f*cking horny, man, you just want to f*ck her.”

There also have been allegations of physical contact, including groping, against Alarr, whose directing instructions have incorporated the touching of actresses that is no longer considered appropriate, multiple witnesses told Deadline.

The investigation also examined an incident from 5-6 years ago. In it, Alarr allegedly, without warning, forcefully grabbed and kissed a DoOL actress without her consent at an event after the show had won an award, leaving her horrified, according to an eyewitness. The psychological and emotional impact of Alarr’s actions that night were long-lasting for the actress, who was terrified to be left alone with Alarr, a person close to the situation said.

Another incident from about a year ago that was investigated involved an actress who filmed an intimate scene directed by Alarr. The prop department had forgotten to bring her an extra sheet to wrap around herself, and she was trying to manipulate the existing sheets on the bed so she wouldn’t be exposed on camera. Irritated by the delay, Alarr allegedly came down to ask the actress to hurry up and make the scene hot, giving her an acting direction in the vein of “try and remember what it was like when you were young and vibrant,” an eyewitness said.

Feeling humiliated and half-naked in front of the cast and crew, the actress, who was said to be in her early 40s at the time, told Alarr “F*ck you,” with him trying to laugh off the incident, according to a person who was on the set that day. The actress kept tearing up as she went on to film another dozen or so scenes that day, requiring multiple makeup touchups, the person said.

Alarr eventually apologized to the actress, reportedly after a conversation with the stage manager, a source close to the situation told Deadline. Months later, the actress was informed she would be written off the show. According to sources, she was ultimately offered to stay but as a recurring, without a contract.

These and a number of other incidents involving alleged misconduct by Alarr were corroborated by witnesses during the investigation, sources close to the situation told Deadline.

There were two Zoom calls with a Sony HR representative during the probe — one for the cast and one for the crew — with Alarr in attendance on both. The calls were for Spotlight on Respect training (formerly known as Prevention of Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment training), with the HR executive explaining what constitutes harassment, what to do and not to do in different situations, etc. According to attendees, Alarr’s presence while the subject was being discussed made staffers, especially those who had been asked to participate in the investigation, uncomfortable.

During the investigation, Alarr admitted to at least some of the allegations, Deadline has learned. The report was completed by Sony TV and handed over to Corday Prods. as the show’s production company, a source told Deadline.

The Investigation’s Aftermath

“Corday Productions engaged Sony Pictures Television, which distributes Days of our Lives, to conduct an impartial investigation into this matter,” the production company said in a statement to Deadline. “After a two-month investigation, the independent investigator produced a report with its findings. Based on those findings, Corday Productions has taken a series of actions designed to ensure a safe and respectful work environment.”

The company did not elaborate what these actions are, citing a confidential employee matter.

According to sources, Alarr received a written warning and was asked to undergo training. Beyond that, he remained in his co-EP and director roles, sparking outrage among cast and crew aware of the allegations and the investigation.

Amid tensions on the set last month, the producers paused tapings, with an additional week of hiatus starting June 17 tacked onto a planned two-week break around July 4.

Sources close to the production stress that the extra week off was a general show-scheduling decision made at least in part because there weren’t have enough scripts due to the writers strike.

As to how Alarr’s alleged misconduct could’ve gone unchecked for so long, current and former staffers point to the power that he yields and the lack of HR procedures on the show.

According to multiple sources, there is no HR infrastructure where the show tapes in Burbank; any such reps are at Sony TV in Culver City. When NBCUniversal owned the studio complex that houses DoOL at 3000 West Alameda Avenue (then known as NBC Studios), the production had an HR department, an insider said. That changed after the facility was bought by Worthe Real Estate Group in 2014 and renamed Burbank Studios. With no HR reps on set, any issues have had to go to the producers, with Alarr himself most likely to handle.

“He was it,” one employee said, noting that “there is a huge fear factor” among cast and crew who have been afraid to speak up because their livelihood depends on Alarr. For instance, many of the cast members are not on contract, so they don’t want to cause trouble and risk not being asked back.

“You don’t want to challenge him, because he’s in charge of everything; he decides who stays, who goes, who get stories,” another staffer said. “If you are someone that was going to make a problem for him, he would just call you a budget cut and get rid of you.” (Like all long-running series, DoOL, which aired on NBC for decades before moving to Peacock in 2022, undergoes budget trims including after a pickup. The most recent renewal for the show came in March, when the soap was picked up for two additional seasons, bringing its run to 60 seasons.)

Additionally, there has been an overall sense that going to Alarr with an HR issue is futile, which has been reinforced by incidents like one involving a female production employee. She “was accosted, berated and yelled at,” and a male actor put his hands on her, a person with direct knowledge of the situation said. An actress saw what happened and went to Alarr, asking him to intervene. By the time Alarr got there, the actor’s hands were off the female employee. “Instead of approaching the situation with these two people involved, he chose to just walk in the other direction,” the source said about the incident.

Alarr, who was praised by actors for his overall directing skills and character development work, allegedly regularly mocked HR conduct standards. According to eyewitnesses, he would chuckle after making inappropriate or offensive remarks in front of cast and crew with a jokey comment about what would happen if HR ever knew about his behavior. If Alarr was called out for saying something that was inappropriate and hurt someone’s feelings, he would dismiss the criticism, insisting it was just a joke.

DoOL is produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television, with Corday the executive producer and Alarr co-executive producer. Alarr’s wife also works on the show. She was introduced as a writer around March when her name appeared on scripts, making a lot of the cast “really upset,” an insider said.

People who have worked on DoOL had great things to say about Corday but noted that his office is in another building and he doesn’t have enough of a physical presence at the studio, so the cast and crew don’t feel they know him well enough to confide in him about production issues.

Following the sale of the studio facility, “there were still checks and balances” for a while, with Corday visiting the set for special occasions and parties several times a year. “But little by little, his presence on the floor has become less and less, and really there is no one to go to,” one staffer said. That vacuum was filled by Alarr’s rise to power.

Still, at least two employees went to Corday ahead of speaking to investigators and laid out the issues involving Alarr, with examples, but were asked to let the process take its course and wait for the report, a source close to the show told Deadline.

According to multiple insiders, Corday Prods. has not addressed the investigation internally and has not shared its results with staffers. That continues to be the case after DoOL returned from hiatus more than a week ago, with a portion of the employees still in the dark about the probe.

Meanwhile, Alarr continues as co-executive producer and director. Overall, his presence on the set has been scaled back over the past couple of months, sources said, though it is unclear whether it is due to the investigation; the writers strike, which has shifted some of Alarr’s attention to keeping scripts being generated after a number of WGA members walked off; or some other reason.

While the situation on the show after the break is described as “normal,” the disappointment and anger among those encouraged to share their experiences — and did so — remains.

“Nobody should treat people like this,” one person said. “In this day and age for men to be treating women like this, to take away their voices and treat them like they don’t matter and they’re second-class citizens, is just appalling.” ta& .

J. Eddie Peck Live in The Locher Room

J. Eddie has also starred in 14 films including the dance film, Lambada which he pitched, sold to the studio as a writer and he was later cast as the lead.

In addition to his multifaceted work in the entertainment industry as an actor, writer, producer, director, J. Eddie spent several years as a corporate executive. While on All My Children, a director friend knew that J. Eddie had written several business plans in the past and asked him to create one for his New York-based production company. Once leaving AMC, J. Eddie did more of the same, partnering with an investment banker who commissioned him to write plans for start-ups...from production companies to health and fitness, to oil and gas. This eventually led to a national healthcare company offering him a role he couldn’t refuse, but would require him stepping away from entertainment altogether. As CEO of AmeriPrem LLC, J. Eddie was responsible for managing and executing the day-to-day operations for the network-marketing financial services company. J. Eddie’s now back home in Los Angeles contemplating his next move. He just recently finished his luxury Airbnb outside of Los Angeles and says another acting run is certainly not out of the question.

Soap Star Nick Benedict Dead at 76

Although no specific cause of death was given, a GoFundMe had previously been set up on July 13 for the Benedicts that explained that Nick had undergone emergency spinal cord surgery on July 2. Two days later, he was admitted to hospice paralyzed from the neck down and requiring constant care and support.

Born in 1947 in Los Angeles, Benedict began his career in the late ‘60s, appearing in television series like IRON HORSE, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, HAWAII FIVE-0, ADAM-12, and IRONSIDE. In 1977, the actor was cast as Vietnam veteran Philip Brent on ALL MY CHILDREN, who found himself torn between Tara and Erica. In 1979, he earned a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in the Outstanding Actor category for his work on the soap.

In 1981, Benedict joined the cast of THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS as Michael Scott, who Victor trapped in a bomb shelter believing he’d slept with his wife. From 1982-83, he played Ron Washington on ANOTHER LIFE, and in 1990, he appeared in some episodes of SANTA BARBARA. In 1993, the actor began making recurring appearances on DAYS OF OUR LIVES as Curtis Reed, Kate’s abusive ex and father to Austin and Billie.

Benedict’s career also included movies like An American Summer, Beach House, Memories of Murder, Get a Job, and Courting Courtney.

Our thoughts are with Ginger and the rest of Benedict’s family and friends during this difficult time.

‘Wilderness’: First-Look Images Of Jenna Coleman, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Ashley Benson & Eric Balfour In Prime Video Psychological Thriller

Written and created by Dickens, based on B.E. Jones’ novel of the same name, Wilderness is a twisted love story, where a dream holiday and a supposedly “happily-ever-after” quickly turn into a living nightmare.

Jenna Coleman and Oliver Jackson-Cohen star as Liv and Will, a happy British couple who seem to have it all. A rock-solid marriage. A glamorous new life in New York. A golden future stretching ahead of them. Until Liv learns about the affair. Heartbreak is swiftly followed by another emotion: fury. Enter the American road trip Liv’s fantasized about since she was little, from Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon, on through Yosemite, ending up with a hedonistic weekend in Las Vegas to blow off the dust and sweat. For Will, it’s a chance to make amends, for Liv, it’s a very different prospect—a landscape where accidents happen all the time. The perfect place to get revenge.

While exploring the American wilderness, the couple bump into Will’s colleague Cara (Ashley Benson), a young woman with a glittering career and an adoring boyfriend, Garth (Eric Balfour). Liv’s best-laid plans are wrecked and, as the foursome go hiking together, Cara and Garth soon find themselves enmeshed in Will and Liv’s lives in a way that will change the course of all their future’s forever.

On the themes of the series, Dickens said: “Who doesn’t know someone who’s been cheated on? That gut punch on discovery, the trail of paranoia and suspicion it leaves behind, the difficulty of trusting again. It’s enough to tip anyone over the edge. And that’s where we meet our heroine, Liv, as she’s lied to over and over by the man she loves. Of course she wants revenge, and I, for one, hope she gets it.”

Wilderness is created, written and executive produced by Dickens and directed by So Yong Kim. Elizabeth Kilgarriff also executive produces. It launches on Prime Video globally this fall.

Check out the photos above.

Peacock Raising Prices For First Time Since 2020 Launch

After the increase, the new prices will be $5.99 for Premium and $11.99 for Premium Plus. The latter tier is virtually ad free and also includes access to live, local NBC channels and the ability to download programming. The update will take effect on August 17 for existing subscribers and immediately for new ones.

NBCUniversal parent Comcast will report new figures later this month as part of quarterly earnings, but as of March 31, Peacock had 22 million subscribers. The service has grown more rapidly than most since a strategic shift in 2021 from its free, ad-supported origins toward a focus on paid subscribers. Still, it remains a laggard compared with traditional company-backed rivals Disney+, Max and Paramount+, not to mention pure streamers Netflix and Prime Video. Red ink continues to spill (as for most in the streaming arena), with losses projected by the company to peak at $3 billion this year. Upon launch, execs predicted the service would reach break-even by 2024; last year, they conceded that the move to profitability could take a bit longer than that.

The financials of Peacock are well-known to NBCU’s new overseer, Mike Cavanagh, the Comcast president who was previously chief financial officer. He took responsibility for NBCU three months ago when former CEO Jeff Shell exited the company amid disclosures of an inappropriate relationship with a colleague.

Peacock is certainly not alone in raising streaming prices, with some rivals implementing multiple step-ups in the time it has taken for NBCU to pull that lever for the first time.

Programming on Peacock, both live and on-demand, has continued to expand as NBCU has navigated both a competitive direct-to-consumer field and ongoing viewer migration to streaming and away from linear pay-TV. Original programming took time to gain traction but recent additions to the roster like Poker Face, Mrs. Davis and Bupkis have resonated. Along with onboarding full networks and experiences from WWE, Hallmark and Reelz, the platform has also taken the pay-1 film release window that used to belong to third-party premium cable networks and laid claim to NBCU titles that used to go to Hulu in next-day windows (notably Bravo and NBC fare).

Comcast is negotiating with Disney for an exit to its longtime interest in Hulu. The company still has a one-third stake in the service stemming from NBC’s initial role as a founding partner in it.

Live sports are also part of the lure for Peacock, with Premier League soccer and events like the Olympics and the Women’s World Cup having extensive offerings. NBCU also snared exclusive rights to an NFL playoff game next January.

Greg Rikaart & Elizabeth Hendrickson Celebration - The Young and the Restless & Days of our Lives

This July, Greg (Kevin, Y&R and Leo, DAYS) is celebrating his 20th anniversary on daytime. Rikaart debuted on The Young and the Restless back in 2003 as Kevin Fisher, the troublemaking younger brother of Michael Baldwin. 20 years later, he still inhabits the role, while also playing another troublemaker, the LGBTQ character of Leo Stark on Days of our Lives, a part in which he has played since 2018.

Greg won a Daytime Emmy back in 2005 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work on Y&R, and has been nominated 6 other times throughout his career. On Y&R, Kevin is married to Chloe and they are raising two young children together.

Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe, Y&R) has had an extensive soap opera journey, 2023 marks her 15th anniversary in Genoa City and her 22nd year in daytime.

Soap viewers first saw Elizabeth in 2001 in the role of All My Children's Frankie Stone, because she was so popular and paired in a romantic storyline with Eden Riegel's Bianca Montgomery, they brought her back as Frankie's twin, Maggie.

In 2008, Hendrickson joined Y&R in the role of Chloe Mitchell, who turned out to be the daughter of Katherine Chancellor's maid, Esther Valentine. Chloe was in troubled relationships with Cane and Billy before finding her soulmate in Kevin Fisher. In 2018, Liz appeared in the role of Margaux Dawson on General Hospital, before heading back to reprise her signature role of Chloe on Y&R in 2019. Along the way, Liz has been nominated for five Daytime Emmy Awards.

John-Paul Lavoisier Returns to DAYS OF OUR LIVES as Philip!

Last seen in December 2021, Philip will be back this August, played again by Lavoisier, according to Soap Opera Digest. He previously played the role from 2015-2016 and is well known to ABC soap fans for portraying Rex Balsom on sudser ONE LIFE TO LIVE from 1999-2012.

After a series of child actors, the character of Philip was aged in October 1999 and played by Brandon Tyler. Jay Kenneth Johnson took over in December 1999, remaining until December 2002. In May 2003, the role was recast again with Kyle Brandt, who exited in October 2006. Johnson stepped back into the role from 2007-2011, and Lavoisier took over in 2015, last airing in December 2016.

When Philip returned for the DAYS streaming spinoff LAST BLAST REUNION in 2019, the role was once again played by Johnson, who then rejoined the cast of DAYS proper in August 2020. He was last seen in December 2021, when the character disappeared.

Philip’s rivalry with Brady over Chloe escalated to the point where he framed his rival for his “murder” and skipped town with the help of his mother, Kate. A lot has changed while he’s been away — Chloe is now with Xander — so he’ll have him to contend with as well as Brady… and that’s after he wriggles out of the trouble of having faked his own death!

DAYS’ Sal Stowers Is Engaged to John-Michael Carlton!

“On April 30, 2023, the love of my life got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife,” she revealed. “I said yes! Soaking it all in being engaged to this incredible and gentle man. Holding on to him forever and ever.” And she added an infinity symbol emoji for emphasis!

Fans might recognize Stower’s handsome fiancé from his appearances in primetime series like MOM, NEW GIRL, BULL, and BLUE BLOODS as well as in movies like Kept Boy and Kill Thy Neighbor.

Stowers first rose to fame by winning cycle nine of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL in 2007, and after appearances on shows like UGLY BETTY and NEW GIRL, focused on her acting career by joining the cast of the online revival of ALL MY CHILDREN in 2013 as Cassandra Foster, daughter of legacy character Angie Hubbard. She then went on to play Lani Price on DAYS in 2015, exiting in 2022 when the character was sent off to prison. Stowers is currently in the middle of another run on the Peacock soap, with Lani out on furlough due to the death of her father.

Naturally, the comments on Stowers’ Instagram announcement filled up with congratulations and well-wishes from fans and friends, including some of her DAYS castmates. “Hurray!” cheered Arianne Zucker (Nicole). “So happy for you both!” Lamon Archey (Eli), Robert Scott Wilson (Alex), Kristian Alfonso (ex-Hope), Raven Bowens (Chanel), and Stacy Haiduk (Kristen) also expressed their congratulations to the happy couple.

And like many, Marci Miller (ex-Abigail) was blown away by the gorgeous engagement photos. “Woman,” she declared. “Look at the two of you! Sheesh!”

‘General Hospital’ Star Mired in Off-Screen Guardianship Drama

While large-scale frauds often involve guardians or lawyers, problems can also ensue when family members take the role. Many undergo less stringent training and oversight, opening the door for complications.

INDIANAPOLIS – Tyler Christopher, a daytime soap actor once married to actress Eva Longoria, fell in his bathroom as he withdrew from alcohol. Christopher had fallen before. But this time, at home in Indiana, he hit his head on the back of the bathtub, fracturing his skull and causing bleeding on the brain.

Rushed to the hospital that day in November 2019, he underwent life-saving craniotomy surgery, with doctors drilling holes in his head to relieve pain and pressure.

While Christopher was recovering, his sister filed a petition in 2020 to put him under guardianship. And that, the veteran ‘General Hospital’ performer said, is when his troubles truly began.

“I never thought in a million years that I would be taken advantage of by a family member,” Christopher, 50, said in an interview.

While he was under guardianship in Indiana, Christopher alleged in court papers, his sister misspent or improperly received reimbursement for $40,000 to pay down her own credit card debt, bankroll her move, even buy her son a MacBook.

His sister, Susan Asmo Baker, has defended her stewardship and described her brother’s complaints as unproven “allegations.”

Baker declined an interview request to discuss the case. But in court papers, and in an email to Bloomberg Law, she said her actions protected her brother.

“If I hadn’t been his Guardian he’d be DEAD!” she wrote to Bloomberg Law.

Shortly before the guardianship ended in 2021, she emailed her brother, “I would have never done you wrong, not before your injury, during or after and for some reason you think I need your money … I DO NOT TYLER!” She added, “Sad that you don’t even trust me. That’s what hurts the most.”

Their tussle highlights the deep friction adult guardianships can cause amongst families. The complications can ensnare everyone from nursing home residents to young adults with disabilities to Daytime Emmy-winning stars such as Christopher.

In April, the sister agreed to pay for a forensic accountant to examine her spending under the guardianship. If the review supports her brother’s contentions, Baker will be on the hook to pay him back. If it clears her, Christopher would likely help cover the cost of the forensic accounting.

Family Conflict

Bloomberg Law’s ongoing investigation explores how guardianships deprive citizens of basic rights, often requiring them to get approval for everything from where to shop to who they can marry. All the while, probate courts typically provide a flimsy safety net of protection for those under guardianship.

As in the case of pop star Britney Spears, Christopher’s experience shows how guardianships can become contentious even when family is involved. And like that of artist Peter Max, whose case has been engulfed in so many legal disputes a judge called it “toxic,” Christopher’s guardianship escalated family legal entanglements.

For families, entering into formal guardianships can be tricky terrain. Family members, not always formally trained before taking the role, must contend with the medical or mental health impairments of their kin, but also write checks, manage their affairs, and even buy or sell properties.

While large-scale fraud cases from Nevada to New Mexico to Florida have exposed criminal guardians and lawyers, family members can also be susceptible to problems, said Anthony Palmieri, former president of the National Guardianship Association.

“So, we see just as many issues with family and non-professional guardians as with professional guardians,” said Palmieri, deputy inspector general of the Palm Beach Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. Abuses are typically “a lot more egregious” when professionals are involved, he said.

In Palm Beach County, family members and non-professionals are guardians in two-thirds to three-fourths of cases, said Palmieri. Studies have found that family members serve as the majority of guardians in other localities too; since detailed data on US guardianships is scant, it’s not possible to pinpoint a national figure.

Yet some states set less stringent training and oversight standards for family members than professional guardians, said Morgan Whitlatch, a lawyer and director with the Center for Public Representation public interest law firm.

While many family members become guardians with best intentions, Whitlatch said, they may not be fully prepared for the legal process they are entering.

“I think there are more loopholes for family guardians than for others,” she said. “There are different requirements that would apply to them that would allow for more opportunities for problems to go unnoticed.”

When Christopher was placed under guardianship, he said, “I didn’t know what I was getting myself into and I didn’t have a choice.”

Starry Roles

Christopher made his name starring in ‘General Hospital,’ where the IMDb database says he appeared in 1,150 episodes from 1996-2016, and ‘Days of Our Lives,’ where he appeared in 155 shows from 2001-2019.

He was nominated for five Daytime Emmys on ‘General Hospital,’ winning the lead actor in a drama series prize in 2016 for his role as Nikolas Cassadine. He was also nominated in 2019 as lead actor on ‘Days of Our Lives’ for portraying the character Stefan DiMera.

Christopher also attracted paparazzi for his relationships with well-known actresses, most notably with Longoria. Their marriage was brief, lasting from 2002-2004.

The actor has told interviewers that his excessive alcohol use led to his departure from the shows that made him famous, saying “I threw it away.”

“When I looked in the mirror, there was only one person to point the finger at,” he said.

Between 2019-2022, the IMDb site lists no acting credits for Christopher. It was during that time he suffered the near-fatal fall, and began his trip into the world of adult guardianships.

While his soap opera travails attracted tabloid attention, his guardianship drama, playing off-screen, has not generated similar headlines.

‘In the Dark’

Christopher’s case dates to January 2020, when Asmo Baker filed a petition in Morgan County, Indiana, to put her brother under guardianship. He was in a rehabilitation hospital in Indianapolis at the time.

Baker described him as a “flight risk,” saying he had “aggressively verbalized” his wish to leave the hospital and was refusing a pending move to a neurological center. She said he was unable to drive “or otherwise make decisions for his care or care for himself.”

Living in North Carolina at the time, she asked a judge to formally rule that her brother was incapacitated and to appoint her as his temporary guardian. A day later, a judge approved her request, deeming it an emergency situation.

Two months later, Baker became his permanent guardian, tasked with negotiating with Christopher’s creditors, hiring a lawyer to represent her brother in his pending divorce from his second wife, and selling his house.

Among other duties, she was to sell his personal property “and use the proceeds for Tyler’s sole benefit,” the court order says.

Oversight of guardians is scant, Bloomberg Law found. In Indiana, for instance, guardians are required only to file biennial reports, or once every two years; Baker wasn’t her brother’s guardian long enough to even have to file that.

As the case evolved, Christopher said, he was “completely in the dark about everything.”

“I was recovering from a brain injury so the choice for guardianship was made for me without my knowledge,” he said.

Once he learned what was happening, he said, he began questioning his sister about how she was spending his money. “And she really didn’t have an answer for me,” he said.

In court papers, Christopher said he “does not doubt” that his sister’s “initial motivation to become his legal guardian was rooted at least in part in a genuine desire to help her younger brother in his time of need.”

But once he and his lawyer began digging into his finances, he said their relationship became “fractured.”

Questioned Spending

On Feb. 12, 2021, the court transferred Christopher’s guardianship from Indiana to Ohio, where he had relocated. While there, Christopher successfully pushed to end the guardianship in September 2021. His sister agreed to his request and an Ohio judge approved.

Then, he said, he discovered “various irregularities” in his sister’s handling of his accounts.

Under Indiana rules, Christopher had a year after the case closed in that state to challenge any actions by his guardian.

On Feb. 10, 2022, on the eve of that one-year deadline in Indiana, his lawyer Justin Schrock filed a motion challenging Baker’s spending.

As the case closed in Indiana, the sister had to file a final accounting of the guardianship in that state. Christopher and Schrock challenged her final accounting and then a revised version.

In one court filing, Schrock, senior attorney with Indiana Disability Rights, alleged she “had engaged in significant commingling of funds with the guardianship estate.”

He cited $40,000 in spending she “cannot legitimately account for.” Among the questioned costs detailed in court filings: More than $10,000 in her personal credit card debt paid after she received thousands from her brother’s accounts, another $13,000 to move herself and family from North Carolina to Ohio, and $5,000 for furniture, electronics, and appliances.

During the time Christopher was under guardianship in Indiana, he received more than $75,000 in income, between acting residuals and disability insurance following his brain injury. So, the questioned $40,000 exceeds more than half that total.

Schrock cited thousands of dollars more she spent “without evidence or legal support,” and said her actions represented an “egregious abuse” of the authority a guardian holds.

“Petitioner treated his income as her personal slush fund,” Schrock wrote.

In court papers, Baker said she and other family members paid expenses “out of pocket” for her brother before the guardianship was formally approved in March 2020. She also said she hadn’t been “availed the opportunity to defend against said allegations in open Court.” Her lawyer, Jerald L. Miller, could not be reached despite three interview requests.

Forensic Accounting

In June 2022, Schrock filed a motion on Christopher’s behalf seeking a forensic accountant to examine Baker’s spending.

Initially, Baker asked the judge to deny her brother’s bid, saying the forensic accounting could cost $10,000.

Ten months later, the siblings came to a rare pact: Baker agreed to submit to a full forensic accounting that could cover all 20 months Christopher was under guardianship, covering both Indiana and Ohio.

Baker has hired an accountant to conduct the review. Under the agreement, she is paying for the work. If the review finds misspending, the sides could come to a financial settlement that would close the case.

Christopher said he’s long looked for a full examination of what happened while he was “in the dark.” The forensic accounting, he said, should finally provide it.

“It’s long past due.”

Though she declined an interview request about her management of his assets, Baker noted that she became guardian in a bid to aid her brother. And while the siblings are engaged in a legal skirmish whose final act is still playing out, they have at times put that acrimony aside. “Love you Ty,” she wrote him in 2021. “Keep pressing up!”

Christopher said the guardianship was deeply restrictive and that, “She controlled everything.”

Relapse and Recovery

Christopher has openly discussed his fight with alcohol and said he remains in recovery. Before his near-fatal bathroom collapse, he had fallen at least twice while under the influence.

After his guardianship formally ended, Christopher moved back to California. As he fought to stay sober, he said he was initially homeless in Southern California before landing acting work again. He has secured at least six acting roles since 2022, often in TV movies.

This May, he was arrested at a California airport on a misdemeanor charge of suspicion of public drunkenness. He was asleep on the floor near American Airlines when police arrived, and he “displayed the objective signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication and was unable to care for himself,” Burbank Police told The Los Angeles Times.

Christopher acknowledged in an interview he had a “relapse” at the airport. “I’m back in recovery,” he said.

His recent travails, he said, were not as dire as his experience under guardianship. While relieved he was able to end the guardianship, Christopher said, “that just opened up a whole can of worms.”

“Being homeless was a far better circumstance than being in the guardianship,” he said. C

James Reynolds, Kim Coles and Terrell Ransom Jr. Interview - Days of our Lives

Currently, Abe is being held hostage by Nurse Whitley and has been suffering from amnesia. Meanwhile, Whitley had hired actor Jerry Prentiss to impersonate Abe's son, Theo. But the catch is ... the real-life actor, Terrell Ransom Jr. actually played Theo as a child on Days of our Lives! Got that?

During the interview with this trio, we will discuss this wacky story, where this may all lead, plus we will discuss their television careers which includes Kim Coles sitcom roles and more.

Ray-Ban heir Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio pops question to Jessica Serfaty

We hear Del Vecchio, 28, one of the world’s youngest billionaires, popped the question while they were vacationing at the five-star Borgo Santandrea Luxury Hotel on Italy’s Amafi coast.

Suites at the posh spot can go for upwards of $9,000.

We’re told Serfaty said, “I do,” over a weekend meal at the Conca del Sogno restaurant — known for its sea views and gourmet dining.

A source tells Page Six, “They are happier than ever, and so in love with each other.”

Del Vecchio, worth an estimated $3.8 billion, works for his family’s Luxottica Group SpA, which own Oakley, LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut, Persol, and Oliver Peoples. They also make eyewear for designer brands like Chanel, Prada and Versace.

His father, Leonardo Sr., passed away last year, leaving $3.5 billion to each of his six children, according to reports.

Del Vecchio was previously married to Anna Castellini Baldisserra. They had a large wedding ceremony in June 2022, and were divorced six months later, according to Italian press. They officially wed in a civil marriage in Milan in 2021.

Serfaty, a former “America’s Next Top Model” contestant, stars in the movie “The Ride,” and was also in Nick Loeb’s controversial “Roe v. Wade” film.

She was also engaged to Firefly CEO Kaan Gunay in 2019, dated YouTuber Logan Paul, and was previously linked to One Direction star Niall Horan.

She has one son from a previous relationship.

A source tells us Del Vecchio and Serfaty met in 2017 at Cannes Film Festival.

“They were always friends and in touch, but in other relationships so never acted on their attraction,” says a source. “They reconnected not too long ago after both of their other relationships ended. The timing was perfect for them and they instantly fell in love after a long friendship.”

We’re told that Del Vecchio is getting delivery on a multimillion dollar Mangusta 165 REV mega yacht in two weeks, and that the couple will spend the rest of the summer vacationing up and down the coast of Italy.

They have recently been jet-setting around Europe. They were spotted last month at the LuisaViaRoma x British Vogue fashion show in Florence, Italy.

In May, they were seen at the F1 Grand Prix weekend in Monaco.

Dishing with Digest 7/7/23 - Miranda Wilson

Movie Academy Invites A Martinez Among Nearly 400 New Members

The list includes actors, directors, writers, producers, musicians, executives, artist reps, publicists and below-the-liners such as casting directors, cinematographers, costume designers, film editors, makeup artists and hairstylists, production designers and sound pros.

“The Academy is proud to welcome these artists and professionals into our membership,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a statement. “They represent extraordinary global talent across cinematic disciplines and have made a vital impact on the arts and sciences of motion pictures and on movie fans worldwide.”

As usual, the invitees include newly minted Oscar winners, which this year include actor Ke Huy Quan, filmmaking duo The Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert), producer Jonathan Wang, cinematographer James Friend, songwriters M.M. Keeravaani and Chandrabose, film editor Paul Rodgers, makeup artist Annemarie Bradley, production designer Christian M. Goldbeck and set decorator Ernestine Hipper.

Among the 18 people invited to join the Academy’s Music branch are such big names as Taylor Swift, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye and David Byrne.

AMPAS noted that if all of the 2023 invitees accept membership, the total members (including Emeritus) would be 10,817 and number of voting members will be 9,375.

Here are all of the 2023 Actor invitees each must select one branch upon accepting membership:

Zar Amir-Ebrahimi – Holy Spider, Bride Price vs. Democracy
Sakura Ando – A Man, Shoplifters
Selma Blair – Hellboy, Legally Blonde
Marsha Stephanie Blake – I’m Your Woman, Luce
Austin Butler – Elvis, Once upon a Time…in Hollywood
Raúl Castillo – Cha Cha Real Smooth, The Inspection
Chang Chen – The Soul, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Ram Charan – RRR, Magadheera
Kerry Condon – The Banshees of Inisherin, Gold
Robert John Davi – Licence to Kill, The Goonies
Dolly De Leon – Triangle of Sadness, Verdict
Martina Gedeck – The Lives of Others, Mostly Martha
Bill Hader – Trainwreck, The Skeleton Twins
Nicholas Hoult – The Favourite, Mad Max: Fury Road
Stephanie Hsu – Everything Everywhere All at Once, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Tin Lok Koo – A Witness out of the Blue, Paradox
Vicky Krieps – Corsage, Phantom Thread
Joanna Kulig – Cold War, Elles
Lashana Lynch – The Woman King, No Time to Die
A Martinez – Ambulance, Powwow Highway
Noémie Merlant – Tár, Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Paul Mescal – Aftersun, The Lost Daughter
Richard Mofe-Damijo – Oloibiri, 30 Days in Atlanta
Keke Palmer – Nope, Hustlers
Park Hae-il – Decision to Leave, Memories of Murder
Ke Huy Quan – Everything Everywhere All at Once, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
NT Rama Rao Jr. – RRR, Nannaku Prematho
Paul Reiser – Whiplash, Aliens
Rosa Salazar – Alita: Battle Angel, The Kindergarten Teacher.

Lew Palter Dies: ‘Titanic’ & ‘First Monday In October’ Actor Was 94

Palter died of lung cancer May 21 at his Los Angeles home. CalArts, where Palter was a longtime faculty member, shared news of his death on Twitter.

“It is with great sadness that we share the news that longtime #calartstheater faculty Lew Palter has passed away. Lew retired from @CalArts in 2013, having served our community since 1971 as an acting teacher, director, and mentor.”

Among his students at CalArts was Cecily Strong, said it was Palter who encouraged her to try out for improv/sketch comedy group The Groundlings, leading to her breakout role on SNL.

“Lew loved the craft of acting, and taught his students to do the same,” said CalArts School of Theater Dean Travis Preston in a statement. “He fostered deep curiosity, care, intellect, and humor in every scene, play, and class. He had the utmost respect of his students, and encouraged all to find truth in their work and lives,” said Preston. “His legacy is carried forth in the many careers, lives, and stories he touched, and our collective CalArts thoughts are with his family, friends, and theater community who loved him so.”

Born in Brooklyn, Palter began his career on stage, appearing in such New York productions as The Madwoman of Chaillot and An Enemy of the People. He also directed Off-Broadway plays including Let Man Live, Overruled and The Trial of Lucullus. He went on to work in television in 1967, appearing in the TV series Run for Your Life. He also guest-starred in numerous television series including The A-Team, Day by Day, Charlie’s Angels, Baretta, The Virginian, Columbo, The High Chaparral, Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, The Six Million Dollar Man, Kojak, The Brady Bunch, The Flying Nun and L.A. Law. He also was known for his recurring role as Detective Clark in the 1976-77 CBS drama series Delvecchio, opposite Judd Hirsch and future Hill Street Blues stars Charles Haid and Michael Conrad.

However, he is best remembered for his work in film, particularly for the role of Isidor Straus in Titanic. In a memorable montage, Palter is seen with Elsa Raven, who portrayed his wife, Ida, embracing on a bed in their stateroom as the ship’s string quartet plays “Nearer My God to Thee” and water begins to flood the ship. The real-life Isidor and Ida Straus were traveling back from Germany on the Titanic. When the ship hit the iceberg, the Strauses were directed to a lifeboat, but Isidor refused to board while there were young men being prevented from boarding and Ida refused to get into the lifeboat without Isidor, according to the National Archives. The couple were last seen holding hands on deck when a wave swept them out to sea.

Wendy Rush, widow of Stockton Rush, the Oceangate CEO who died last week in the Titan submersible tragedy, is a great-great-granddaughter of the Strauses.

Palter also appeared in the 1971 film The Steagle.

Lisa Rinna To Star In ‘American Horror Stories’ Season 3

Deadline has learned that the former star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills will appear in an episode of the upcoming season titled “Tapeworm.” Details of the episode remain under wraps but we hear that Rinna has concluded most of the filming and is back in LA.

American Horror Stories is a spinoff of American Horror Story with each episode telling a different horror tale. Created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, Stories has a total of 15 episodes between two seasons.

Some of the actors that have appeared in the series include Matt Bomer, Billie Lourd, Dylan McDermott, Denis O’Hare, Gabourey Sidibe, Max Greenfield, Paris Jackson, Bella Thorne, Kevin McHale, Danny Trejo, Judith Light, Alicia Silverstone, among others.

Rinna has been thriving since exiting RHOBH earlier this year after eight seasons on the Bravo reality series.

“This is the longest job I have held in my 35-year career and I am grateful to everyone at Bravo and all those involved in the series. It has been a fun 8-year run and I am excited for what is to come!’” she said in a statement about her exit.

Since leaving the franchise, Rinna has been focused on fashion and posing for magazines like Paper, Es and Super. The former Days of our Lives star has also made several appearances as a guest host on CBS’s The Talk.

Jensen Ackles “Would Want To” Play Batman In ‘The Brave & The Bold’ & Joked Pedro Pascal Would End Up Getting It

Fans of the superhero genre have thrown out names for who they want the next Bruce Wayne to be and Supernatural alum Jensen Ackles recently addressed rumors he was up for the role.

“Uh, I don’t know. Even if I knew, I wouldn’t tell you,” Ackles at the Jus In Bello Convention in Italy. “I mean, could I do it? Sure. Would I want to do it? Yes.”

Ackles joked that Pedro Pascal would probably get the part adding, “Will I be mad when Pedro Pascal gets it? Yeah. God bless you, Pedro. You just keep killing it, buddy. Let me know when you pass on something.”

He continued, “Look, right now nobody’s talking about anything. There’s a strike going on in the entertainment industry, and until that gets solved, nobody is having conversations about anything. Would I entertain the idea of playing my favorite superhero of all time? Nah, I’m good. It seems like a lot of work, you know. You gotta put in a bat suit and be a superhero. I would love it. Sign me up.”

It was recently confirmed that The Flash director Andy Muschietti would be directing The Brave and the Bold, story which features Batman and his son Damien Wayne, as Robin.

Former ‘Felicity’ “Wunderkind” Riley Weston Pens Movie For Great American Family; Trevor Donovan, Jessica Lowndes To Star

Her latest creation is Apples, Orchards & Romance, a new confection for Great American Family that stars Trevor Donovan (Jingle Bell Princess, “90210”) and Jessica Lowndes (I’m Glad It’s Christmas, Harmony from the Heart, “90210”).

The movie, which will air as part of the net’s annual Great American Autumn programming event that returns this September, follows teacher Drew Granger (Donovan) who accepts a temporary substitute job in his old hometown of Chestnut Hollow, Texas, where he meets Aiden, the proverbial new kid at school, desperate for a caring friend. While he would rather have taken a job anywhere else, Drew reconsiders Chestnut Hollow when he meets Lainie Abbott (Lowndes), the new manager of his parents’ massive apple orchard and cider mill business, and more importantly, Aiden’s mom. Production commences this week.

Weston wrote the screenplay (before the WGA strike) for Apples — one of many she’s penned since leaving Felicity in 1998. Her other titles include a collection of breezy movies for Hallmark such as Good Morning Christmas!, Always and Forever, and The Nanny Express.

“I love writing these rom-coms so much for a few reasons,” says Weston to Deadline. “First, I’m a diehard romantic who is still waiting for her own fairytale! Second, I love bringing joy to people, whether it’s through movies or music. My hope is that a movie like this can take people out of their work week for two hours and give them a little getaway from reality. They always make me feel hopeful and I try to get that feeling spread to the viewers. It’s also so awesome when I get to write a movie for friends. Trevor and I have wanted to work on something for a while now and this was the perfect project.”

Weston burst onto the scene in the late ’90s as a “wunderkind” teenage staff writer for Felicity — until it was discovered that she lied about her real age to find acting jobs (the petite actor/scribe was many years older). It was a rather trite offense, in retrospect, given the subsequent #MeToo era, but many executives and agents who promoted her so-called youth were left with egg on their faces.

“It’s been an accepted practice for actresses to lie about their age, especially in instances where they are always asked to play younger,” Weston said at the time. “I adopted an age appropriate for my physical appearance, never imagining I would one day become a writer. I could not be one age in the acting world and another in the writing world, so I chose to maintain the ruse. In a business fraught with age bias, I did what I felt I had to do to succeed.”

Weston left Felicity in the middle of the first season because her contract had expired, explained co-creator Matt Reeves during a 2021 interview with Entertainment Weekly (which was one of the first publications to play up Riley’s “wunderkind” status). Before she left, Reeves gave Weston a role as a teenager in one episode.

“People thought that we let her go because of it. None of that was true at all,” Reeves recalled to EW. “The story was blown so crazy out of proportion from the perspective of our relationship with Riley. We did discover that she was not telling us the truth, but it was after she had already finished her term. When you sign somebody on as a staff writer in those days, you had a number of scripts that you signed them to do. We just put her on the show because we thought, ‘well, let’s just let her do what we know she really wants to do as well, which is to be an actor.’ It got turned into a scandal that I’m not sure ever was. We liked her writing. That’s all.”

Weston has since settled in Tennessee where she writes and performs country songs — often at the famed Bluebird Café in Nashville. She’s garnered a dedicated following for her music and even wrote a song for Apples, Orchards & Romance.

“I’ve got a couple of great shows in July at The Bluebird Café and a few other venues,” she tells Deadline. “I’m so excited to also be working on my first Christmas album. There are a few new Christmas songs of mine that I am adapting into movies as well. Fingers crossed that I will be combining my acting, writing and music all together in a movie soon!”

Apples, Orchards & Romance is executive produced by Brad Krevoy, Amy Krell, Jimmy Townsend, Lorenzo Nardini, Cara J. Russell, Trevor Donovan, Kelly Martin, Susie Belzberg Krevoy, Don McCutcheon, and Jessica Lowndes. David Anselmo produces. Supervising producers are James Mou and W. Michael Beard. Associate Producer is Victor St. Pierre. Don McCutcheon directs.

Apples, Orchards & Romance is the first of two new Great American Family films starring Donovan, who will also star in the upcoming holiday original movie, Christmas by Chance. In addition to his acting career, Donovan is also a children’s author who is currently collaborating with middle school students participating in his anti-bullying initiative, Team Upstanders, to write and animate the fourth book in his Love Always series. All proceeds from the book will be donated to Team Upstanders, which is dedicated to creating a support system for students based on treating others with empathy, kindness and respect.a

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Actor Cody Longo Died From Alcohol Abuse

The actor was best known for his role as Nicholas Almain on NBC’s daytime drama Days of Our Lives and also as Eddie Duran in Hollywood Heights. He was 34.

Longo was found dead in February at his home in Austin, according to TMZ. His wife, Stephanie Clark, became concerned that she couldn’t reach him while working at a local dance studio and asked police to do a welfare check. He was found dead in bed when officers arrived, TMZ reported.

Longo portrayed Nicholas Almain on Days of Our Lives in 2011. He went on to land the lead role of Eddie Duran in Hollywood Heights. The Nick at Night/Teen Nick series followed aspiring singer-songwriter Loren Tate (Brittany Underwood), whose life changes forever when she crosses paths with her rock-star idol Eddie Duran (Longo).

His other TV credits included guest/recurring roles on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Brothers & Sisters and most recently Nashville, The Catch and Secrets & Lies. His film work includes Wildflower and Not Today.

Why Soap Actors Will Keep Working If There Is A SAG-AFTRA Strike As Scripts Continue To Be Written

However, SAG-AFTRA’s film and TV contract, which expires June 30, does not apply to SAG-AFTRA members working on soaps. It means those cast members will have to continue to work even if their guild goes on strike after the membership voted overwhelmingly for strike authorization ahead of SAG-AFTRA’s current negotiations with the the studios’ collective bargaining representative the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. And, with the four daytime dramas — The Young and the Restless (CBS), The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS), Days Of Our Lives (Peacock) and General Hospital (ABC) — continuing to churn out scripts amid the WGA strike using fi-core and other non-member writers, those shows appear positioned to continue production without interruption for the foreseeable future.

Soap actors are employed under the SAG-AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting (aka Network Code). It is different than the film and TV collective bargaining agreement that SAG-AFTRA is currently negotiating with the AMPTP. Negotiated between SAG-AFTRA and the Big 4 broadcast networks as well as other producers, the National Code covers soaps as well as morning news shows, talk shows, variety, reality, game shows, sports and promotional announcements. The current Code agreement, reached a year ago, goes through July 2024.

Daytime soaps tape well in advance, which allowed the shows to stay in originals for weeks after Covid shut down all Hollywood production in March 2020. For instance, Days of Our Lives is six months ahead.

In addition to the episode stockpile, the series remain in production and continue to generate new scripts. They are penned largely by financial core (fi-core) writers, who have resigned their WGA membership while benefiting from the guild’s contracts with the studios. Others, such as producers, assistants and executives, also are involved in writing in some cases.

During the 2007-08 WGA strike, a total of 28 writers went fi-core per the guild; almost all of them worked on daytime dramas. There were eight soaps at the time that kept going during the work stoppage.

The four current daytime soaps are all in production and currently working on new scripts, I hear.

Some of the dozens of soap writers who claimed fi-core status in 2007-2008 remain active. Additionally, the WGA has listed four writers who have gone fi-core this year, three of whom — Sheri Anderson, Michael Minnis and Mark Pinciotti — are daytime scribes. (The fourth is feature writer Matthew Sand.)

“The shows don’t stop,” daytime veteran Ron Carlivati, head writer on Days of Our Lives and a striking WGA member, said in an interview from the picket lines a month ago. “They replaced us in 2007 when I worked at One Life to Live, and I can only assume they’re replacing us right now. I’m being replaced on day one by other people.” He told Vulture that DOOL was going to run out of scripts he and his team had written before the strike “in a few weeks.”

After the strike is over, returning WGA soap writers will have to adjust their storytelling to accommodate the plot developments introduced during their absence.

Amid the nail-biting final days of SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP negotiations, with a potential strike looming, all daytime dramas except The Young and the Restless are taking extended summer breaks; The Bold and the Beautiful and General Hospital are going on monthlong production hiatus in July, while Days of Our Lives‘ three-week hiatus starts this weekend, I hear. Regardless of what happens between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP, the casts will be expected to report back to work once those breaks are over.

Daytime Emmys To Honor Susan Lucci & Maury Povich With Lifetime Achievement Awards

The Emmys were supposed to be held today on CBS. But the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in May announced it was postponing them, as well as the June 17 Creative Arts & Lifestyle ceremony, because of the WGA strike.

Lucci and Povich will be celebrated in person once the awards are rescheduled.

“I am truly humbled to receive this esteemed award from the Academy,” Lucci said in a statement. “Throughout my career, I have been incredibly fortunate to work alongside exceptional talents and embraced by my fans that have been with me every step of the way. This honor is not just a reflection of my journey, but a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the profound connection we are so lucky to forge with audiences all over the world through television.”

“I’m just blown away by this honor from the Academy,” Povich said in a statement. “I have always had great respect for its work as I served on the National Board and was President of the New York Chapter. I guess if you hang around long enough, some good things happen. It’s been a 60+ year ride for me in this business, so I feel extremely blessed with this acknowledgment.”

Lucci starred as Erica Kane for over 40 years on All My Children. In May 1999, on her 19th nomination, she won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

Povich hosted the first-run syndicated show Maury from 1998 to 2022.

NATAS also announced the 2023 Gold and Silver Circle Honorees. Inductees are professionals who have performed distinguished service within the television industry, setting standards for achievement, mentoring, leadership and professional accolades for 50 or 25 years respectively. This year’s class is:

Gold Circle

Tanya Hart, Host / Producer, Entertainment News
Wendy Riche, Producer, Daytime Drama
Al Schwartz, Producer, Specials
Vernée Watson, Performer, Daytime Drama

Silver Circle

Christina Knack, Production Coordinator, Daytime Drama
Patrick Weiland, Producer, Lifestyle.

Interview with Grant Aleksander, Judi Evans, Michael O'Leary and Krista Tesreau Strauss - The Four Musketeers

Dishing with Digest - 6/9/23 - Julie Pinson

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Star Bill Hayes Celebrates 98th Birthday On Set Of Peacock Soap

The Days of Our Lives star celebrated his 98th birthday on set Wednesday with a personalized, double chocolate cake and a reminder by his wife and co-star Susan Hayes that he was “the first performer to sing on daytime television.”

Hayes plays the beloved Doug Williams. His on-screen wife, Julie, is played by Susan Hayes.

Before joining the sudser in 1970, Hayes worked as a recording artist. His song “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” hit the top of the Billboard charts. When he joined DOOL, Hayes was introduced as a convicted con artist who also happened to be a lounge singer.

His first job in the fictitious town of Salem was serving as a singer at Sergio’s restaurant.

Hayes celebrated his 50th anniversary on the sudser in 2020. In 2018, he won Daytime Emmy’s Lifetime Achievement Award for starring on the daytime drama, which began its run in 1965 on NBC before moving to Peacock in September of 2022.

In March, Peacock announced that it has picked up DOOL for an additional two seasons. The renewal will take the daytime sudser through its 60th?season.

‘The Christmas Waltz’ Movie Franchise Moves To Great American Family; Matthew Morrison, Jen Lilley To Star In Sequel

Michael and Janeen Damian, who were responsible for Hallmark’s 2020 film The Christmas Waltz that starred Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp, will produce a sequel for Great American Family’s Great American Christmas programming block. Dubbed Paris Christmas Waltz, the new holiday flick will star Matthew Morrison (Glee) and Jen Lilley (B&B Merry, Days of Our Lives).

It was shot on location in Paris and promises to “sweep viewers into the magic of the city’s most iconic destinations.” In Paris Christmas Waltz, Emma (Lilley) relinquishes her job so a colleague with a family will keep his. Contemplating life’s next steps, Emma meets a professional dancer, Leo (Morrison), whose love for competitive dancing is waning, until a once in a lifetime opportunity arises for the novice to join the pro and sweep all of Paris off of its feet.

Great American Christmas returns Oct. 21 with new holiday movie premieres every Saturday and Sunday and 24/7 Christmas movies through the end of the year.

Michael Damian, who is best known for his role as Danny Romalotti on The Young and the Restless, has collaborated on 17 original movies with his wife Janeen, including the highest-rated holiday film of 2020, The Christmas Waltz. The prolific team wrote all 17 films together with Michael Damian directing all except Falling for Christmas and Irish Wish, which Janeen Damian helmed.

The pair is also behind the Great American Christmas hit of 2021, A Hot Cocoa Christmas.

Paris Christmas Waltz is executive produced by Brad Krevoy, Amy Krell, Jimmy Townsend, and Lorenzo Nardini. Janeen Damian produces. Michael Damian directs from an original screenplay by Janeen Damian.

Producer and Director Roy Steinberg

Roy is an actor, director, producer and educator and he is currently the Producing Artistic Director of the Cape May Stage. The 2023 season kicks off with Roy directing Emmy Award-winner Cady McClain in the Tony-winning one-woman showstopper Shirley Valentine (June 7th to July 2).

That’s Kim Coles as Nurse Whitley on DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Coles made her daytime debut in the episode of DAYS that premiered on May 31, though at this point, it’s unclear how long her run as Nurse Whitley will last. But given that she’s clearly up to no good, it likely won’t last very long!

Nurse Whitley was first seen tending to Colin Bedford at the hospital and reacting badly when he initially confused her with Paulina Price, the woman he’d tried to kill. She scolded him for hurting Mayor Abe Carver and urged him to repent his sins if he wanted to get into heaven.

Later, Whitley entered Abe’s room and since he was suffering from amnesia and didn’t know who anyone was, he also believed her to be his wife, Paulina. However, this time, the nurse didn’t correct him and simply smiled. She expressed her concern for Abe’s safety, given that his attacker is also in the same hospital, and decided to whisk him away for his own protection!

Stay tuned to see what Whitley has in store for Abe… and the rest of his family!

'General Hospital' Star Arrested for Public Intoxication Alleged Boozy Airport Nap

Burbank PD tells TMZ, the longtime soap actor was arrested Friday at the airport after cops were notified of a dude snoozing on the ground near the American Airlines terminal ... which the officers suspected might've been alcohol-related.

We're told when the officers approached Christopher and woke him up, he told them he'd missed his flight. That apparently wasn't a good enough explanation for them though -- 'cause the cops ended up cuffing and booking him for public intoxication.

We're told Christopher displayed clear and objective signs of intoxication ... and he was unable to care for himself. Our sources say that was reason enough to bust him.

It's unfortunate to see him in this sitch ... as he was arrested for something very similar a few years ago when he got thrown in jail for passing out in the back of an Uber ... and the driver claimed he'd even urinated on himself too.

As for this airport arrest -- Christopher was ultimately cited and released with a date to appear in court.

It's the kind of drama Tyler's character Nikolas Cassadine might land in on GH. Sadly, he doesn't get to reshoot these scenes IRL.

Peter Porte, Miranda Wilson and Colton Little Interview

Porte, Wilson, and Little all had successful runs on the 2022 limited series, "Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem Chapter Two, which definitely caught the eye of the writers and producers to have them back for another story arc and much more.

Now, that Dimitri has been revealed to be a DiMera (and the son of Megan Hathaway), how will these two continue to get what they want and exact revenge on the good people of Salem and rise to the top of the DiMera Clan? Will ISA Agent Andrew Donovan be able to bring the bad guys down? Stay tuned.

Make sure to join us and bring your questions for this live chat. It all begins, Friday May 26th at 4 PM ET/1PM PT.

Kassie & James DePaiva Interview 5/31/23

James joined the cast of One Life to Live as Max Holden in 1987 and Kassie moved over to Llaneview as Blair Cramer in 1993 where she remained until the show went off the air.

CHRISHELL STAUSE & G FLIP Not Legally Married ... Despite Vegas Ceremony

It's been more than a week since Chrishell and the 29-year-old Australian musician strongly hinted at their marital status with a social media post showing what appeared to be a Vegas wedding ... but we did some digging and there's still no marriage records for the couple in Clark County, Nevada.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... despite rampant online speculation, Chrishell and G Flip are NOT legally married.

However, our sources say Chrishell and G Flip plan to have an official wedding ceremony somewhere down the line.

Chrishell and G, who is non-binary, have been together for over a year ... first revealing their romance last May during the "Selling Sunset" reunion special.

G Flip is going to be on the upcoming 'SS' season, which just dropped on Netflix ... but Chrishell told E! News they will likely avoid a televised wedding.

Molly Burnett Exits ‘Law & Order: SVU’

She joined the series in July and made her debut in the second episode of Season 24 titled, “The One You Feed.”

The news follows the shocking announcement cast member Kelli Giddish would exit the series in August, her final episode as a series regular was episode 9 of Season 24. Giddish reprised the role of Amanda Rollins in last night’s crossover season finales of Law & Order: SVU and Law & Order: Organized Crime revealing she is pregnant.

In the same SVU finale, Muncy’s departure was revealed but TVLine was the first to reveal Burnett was exiting the show. Could this open spot potentially be filled by Rollins? The answer is as yet unknown but the episode is sure to give fans hope.

Dishing with Digest - 5/19/23 - Billy Warlock

A Zest for Death: A Hannah Swensen Mystery

Daytime Emmys June Awards Postponed Due To WGA Strike

“We look forward to our community gathering together as one to celebrate our Golden Anniversary and all of the talented nominees and honorees at a later date,” the NATAS statement said.

Meanwhile, NATAS said today that the 44th annual Sports Emmys will go on as planned Monday at Lincoln Center in New York as they are not televised.

The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of categories, including daytime dramas, talk shows, instructional programming, hosting, and legal/courtroom programs.

ABC’s General Hospital leads the 2023 Daytime Emmy nominations with 19 noms, followed by fellow long-running soaps CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful (14) and The Young and the Restless (13) and NBC/Peacock’s Days of Our Lives (11). All also are vying for the marquee Daytime Drama Series prize along with Popstar TV!’s The Bay, which received three noms.

The Kelly Clarkson Show leads the talk field with 11 noms, with fellow syndies The Drew Barrymore Show and freshman The Jennifer Hudson Show next with seven and six, respectively, all including Daytime Talk Series.

Deidre Hall Reflects on 5,000 'Days of Our Lives' Episodes, Including Scorching a Church the Day of Her Son's Birth

On Friday, the 75-year-old actress, who has played Dr. Marlena Evans on the soap since 1976, celebrated her 5,000th episode of the daytime soap.

"It's a big moment for me," Hall exclusively tells PEOPLE. "I said to my agent, 'I want a regular job. I want a home.' Days happened and I thought, 'Oh my gosh.' It's the family I always wanted."

Hall left Days in 1987 to pursue her role on Our House, but returned after the NBC sitcom got canceled the next year. "My attorney was a friend of [soap star] Tom Langan's and I said, 'Gosh, it'd be nice to go back to Days,'" Hall confesses. "He said, 'I'll make a call.' And it was done."

Hall names working with twin sister Andrea on the show from 1997-80, and again from 2000-01, her favorite plotline so far — one which she actually manifested by telling a writer about it.

"Ann Marcus, who had been interviewing a lot of the primary actors on the show, one of her questions was, 'What's the storyline you'd like to do that you've never done?' Now, how genius is that? And I said, 'Gosh, maybe I'd like to work with my twin sister,'" Hall recalls.

Andrea, a special education teacher in Tallahassee at the time, flew out to L.A. and lived with her sister while she worked on the show. The actress worried about her twin's acting chops — especially when it came to a scene that required Andrea to fake cry — but Andrea ending up impressing the star.

"I was so panicked for her," Hall recalls. "I stood way out of her sight line and I was watching the scenes and she began to cry. As she came off, and I said, 'That was spectacular. How did you do that?' And she said, 'Well, I don't know. I've watched you do it for years. How hard could it be?'"

Hall says her sister eventually paid off her college loans with the money she made working on Days. "Working with her, living with her, paying off her college loan, just having that time together was spectacular," Hall notes.

Hall will also never forget another iconic moment: when Marlena burned down a church — for a special reason.

"One of my kids was born on the night that I burned down the church," Hall says of her oldest son David, born via surrogate in 1992. "And I'd gotten a call from [my surrogate] Robin saying, 'I think I'm going to go to the hospital.' I said, 'We've got to burn this church. I've got a baby on the way.' I drove to the hospital in flame retardant clothes. And then, within hours, there was a baby in my arms."

Another story arch Hall enjoyed: Marlena being possessed by Satan for months starting in late 1994. "The possession storyline is obviously going to be on my tombstone," Hall says.

Marlena has come back from the dead countless times over the years, but "like my marriages, I have not kept track," quips Hall, who has been married four times.

She thinks Marlena and John Black's relationship will stay strong, though. "We're the couple that teaches you that people stay together through thick and thin, and they stay loving, and they stay sensual and sexual, and that's worth fighting for," Hall says.

The mom of two appreciates how fans have always been along for the journey: "They're able to suspend the disbelief long enough to really sink into the story."

Hall also acknowledges how die-hard soap fans can be — "they just come and stand in my front yard," she says — and recalls how she formed a special relationship with one devoted Days viewer.

"When I was on the show the first two or three years, we got fan mail and I got a letter from a man in Chester, Pennsylvania who wrote to me and said, 'I was walking past a TV and Days was on, and I stopped dead in my tracks because you look exactly like my late wife,'" Hall says.

Hall and this fan, who was 96 years old at the time, started writing each other letters back and forth. And then, while visiting Philadelphia, Hall decided to visit him.

"I got to his house and we sat on the front porch and just talked and talked," she says. "He was an artist that had done every known style of watercolor and charcoals and oils. We stayed in touch and we talked three or four times a month."

The Wisconsin native planned to visit him again and checked in the day before her trip when he told her, "I'm feeling kind of funny." The next day, Hall received word from his son that he had died.

"I have all of his letters; I've got a number of his charcoals and illustrations that hang in my home that are just one of my great treasures," Hall says. "The richness of that friendship up until the day before he died, just the closest."

Interactions like that make being on Days, which moved to Peacock from NBC last year, for a whopping 5,000 episodes feel like "more than the work" to Hall.

"It's all a group effort," she says. "It's everybody pulling in the same direction at the same time. We get to be on camera, so we get a little more of that light shining on us, but everybody works just as hard and supports each other. I love the people. I love the production. I love the sense of welcome. It's such an absolute joy. It's been a home."

New episodes of Days of Our Lives are available on Peacock at 6 a.m. ET weekdays. .

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Star Deidre Hall Celebrates 5,000 Episodes, Making Her Soap’s Longest-Running Actress

But most of all, actress Deidre Hall has been a survivor, spending almost five decades as Dr. Marlena Evans on daytime drama “Days of Our Lives.” The fan favorite had a milestone to celebrate Friday, appearing in her 5,000th episode. That makes her the longest-running soap actress ever.

In the May 12 episode that marked the magic number, Evans and husband John Black (Drake Hogestyn) are seen at dinner, allegedly celebrating the good doctor’s 5,000th patient.

“I would like to propose a toast,” John Black tells his wife. “To you, doc. What an incredible career you’ve had and continue to have. You’ve provided so much care and comfort to people in need. And through your hard work and determination, your dignity, your style, your grace—the most important thing—your loving heart.

“You have made an indelible mark on not only this town but the entire world,” John Black adds, raising a glass. “So, here’s to you, Dr. Marlena Evans. You are a true legend.”

With that, he kisses his imaginary wife. She quips, “Maybe 5,000 isn’t such a crazy number at all.”

The show also saluted the 47 years of appearances with flashbacks to some of her special moments on the show. That included her first appearance in June 1976.

Hall spoke to KTLA reporter Sam Rubin about her 5,000 shows.

“It’s always my first day when you start to get a 13-week contract, and then I kept thinking, ‘Oh, maybe I’ll get more than 13 weeks, maybe they’ll like me a little bit,’” she said to Rubin.

Days' Deidre Hall Reflects on 5,000 Episodes as Marlena (and MarDevil): 'Who Wouldn't Want to Be Her?'

Friday’s Days of Our Lives, now streaming on Peacock, marks the 5,000th episode for series staple Deidre Hall, who still remembers exactly how she felt arriving in Salem for the first time.

“It was like putting on a new robe,” Hall tells TVLine of her 1976 debut. “I knew that my body would warm it up and it would begin feeling like it was mine, and it would stay snugly and safe. And that’s what it’s been. It’s always been just the best feeling.”

But the more time Marlena spent in Salem, the less “snugly and safe” her life became. A jealous twin sister, a love child from a torrid affair, multiple faked deaths, occasional demonic possession — there’s nothing Days hasn’t thrown at Marlena, who earlier this year stood up to Satan himself during a memorable visit to Purgatory.

The good doctor is nothing if not resilient. In fact, that’s just one of the qualities Hall has appreciated about her character over the decades. “People can trust who she is when she presents herself,” Hall says. “She’s a woman who is empathic, knowledgeable and deeply caring, and has a very high regard for her family, her friends and her career.” To ask a rhetorical question, “Who wouldn’t want to be her?”

Now back in the land of the living, Marlena is returning to her usual routine — and that includes more strawberries and whipped cream with hubby John Black.

“I’m so tired of them,” Hall says with a laugh, referring to the fruit-flavored love scenes fans have come to expect from Marlena and John since 1986. “We [filmed] one today, but we didn’t actually have to feed each other, so that was a nice break from that.” (This interview was conducted on Monday, May 8.)

(Video Sweet Memories) Strawberries aside, Hall cherishes her screen time opposite long-time scene partner Drake Hogestyn. “Drake and I are very different,” she says. “He comes in knowing his lines cold, he hits his mark and he does his thing. I come in and go, ‘Where are we today? What are we doing?’ I sort of fly through it, and if something strikes me in the moment, so be it. There’s really nothing that I plan. If I get moved, I cry. If I get amused, I laugh.”

But John is hardly the only man in Marlena’s life. No, we’re not talking about Roman. Or even poor Don. We’re talking about that yellow-eyed son of a gun, you know the one. Hall vividly recalls the 1993 meeting with Tom Langan and James E. Reilly during which the duo pitched what would become one of the most memorable (and controversial) storylines in daytime TV history — the possession of Dr. Marlena Evans.

“I knew that Jim was a devout Catholic and his faith is deeply important to him, so when they asked how I felt about it, my only concern in that moment was that it be done right,” Hall says. “I thought, ‘This is a big storyline, and we can’t cheap out on it. We have to really lean into it.’ And they did.”

One of the storyline’s most iconic moments found Marlena levitating in her bedroom, an experience that still impresses Hall to this day. “They really went the distance on the levitation, because that was not a trick,” she says of the practical effects employed to make her character float. (For the record, Hall would like to clarify: “I don’t mean that I know how to levitate.” Just in case there was any confusion.)

(Video Marlena Possessed 1994)

“I was very proud of the work they put into that,” Hall says of the show’s crew and writers. “I think it paid off in a very big way, because you were sort of forced to believe.”

As an actress, Hall says it was “so much fun to play” a completely different Marlena than the “kind, patient and understanding” version we’re used to seeing. “The devil was nuts. She was all about killing people and wreaking havoc. It was fun to cut loose.”

So Hall was thrilled to “take a second swipe” at the storyline when Marlena found herself back under Satan’s control nearly two decades later. “We had more tricks in our back pocket,” Hall says of the 2021 redux. “We could do a lot more with lightning and stunts, and the bed could actually rock and roll — a lot that simply couldn’t happen the first time.”

(Video Marlena Possessed Again)

As for what the next 5,000 episodes hold for Dr. Marlena Evans, your guess is as good as Hall’s.

“I have to leave that to the writers,” she says. “I don’t know how they do it. [Ron Carlivati] creates it, then the writers outline, then the dialogue writers put it into words for us. I get just to stand and say the words. I don’t have to be that creative force behind them. They’re my heroes.”

Days fans, which of Marlena’s many wild storylines have been your favorites? And what are your hopes for Hall’s iconic character?

‘Big Sky’ Canceled By ABC After 3 Seasons

Big Sky, which had a straight-to-series order, was a breakout when it premiered in November 2020. It was one of the strongest broadcast series to launch during the pandemic-hit 2020-21 season and set a mini trend for a big-name actor (in this case Ryan Philippe) to be announced as a star of a series and be used heavily in the marketing campaign only to have their character shockingly die in the first episode.

Ratings for the heavily serialized Big Sky have significantly slipped since the high flying first season, with the drama among the lowest rated scripted series on ABC this season when the show aired 13 episodes vs. 18 for each of its first two seasons. That, coupled with the challenging economics for a drama series in its fourth season and rumors of on-set tensions had made a renewal for the drama a long shot heading into the upfronts.

Still, there was an effort to find a path toward a potential fourth season, with the pitch reportedly featuring a creative reboot and bigger day-to-day involvement by Kelley.

In Season 3, titled ‘Deadly Trails’, private detective Cassie Dewell (Bunbury), undersheriff Jenny Hoyt (Winnick), and newly appointed sheriff Beau Arlen (Jensen Ackles) maintain order in Helena, Montana with their unparalleled investigative skills. But when a local backcountry trip led by charismatic outfitter Sunny Barnes (Reba McEntire) goes awry, the trio faces their most formidable mystery yet – in which no camper can be trusted and where danger lurks around every jagged rock and gnarled tree.

Big Sky is produced by 20th Television in association with A+E Studios. Elwood Reid serves as showrunner, executive producing alongside creator Kelley. C.J. Box, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Paul McGuigan, Matthew Gross, Ross Fineman also executive produce.

This is one of three series cancellations by ABC today alongside Alaska Daily and The Company You Keep. The only drama series at the network whose fate has not been decided yet is Rookie: Feds whose chances have likely improved in light of today’s news. n .

‘Days of Our Lives’ fan favorite Deidre Hall hits 5,000 episodes as ‘daytime royalty’

Hall, who plays psychiatrist Marlena Evans on NBC’s long-running daytime drama, will celebrate her 5,000th episode on Friday — a milestone she said took her by surprise.

“When we start a contract with a daytime show, we’re given 13 weeks at a time,” she told The Times on Thursday. “I was hoping for, ‘Can I have four weeks? Can I have six months?’ And that was over 40 years ago, so I couldn’t have dreamed [of this].”

In 1976, “Days” introduced Hall into the drama of its core family, the Hortons. Since then, Hall’s Dr. Marlena has saved lives, survived a plane crash and been possessed by the devil — twice.

Before landing her “Days” role, Hall said, she simply wanted a job that she could look forward to and to “do it for as long as I want.” Marlena was exactly that.

Hall made her entrance as Marlena sharing the screen with Macdonald Carey (“I was gobstruck”), Frances Reid and the “lovely” Mary Frann, who portrayed Amanda Howard.

According to Hall, her first scene “slid off the tracks.”

“I enter the scene and Macdonald Carey, Tom Horton, introduces me to everybody and he says, ‘This is Dr. Evans,’” she recalled. “And I said, ‘Oh, please call me Amanda.’ And everybody stopped … finally Mac reached over and said, ‘Darling, she’s Amanda. You’re playing a character named Marlena.’”

Hall’s Marlena quickly became a “Days” staple, but the series didn’t feel quite like home until it was continually renewed, her contract was extended and she was granted the privilege to film outside the studio on location.

“To be the person they took on location was, ‘Oh, you like me, you really like me,’” Hall said. “They had realized that this character was a fan favorite, and I sort of realized [Marlena is] a fan favorite. You like her!”

During her time, Hall has traveled to Mexico and Carmel to film scenes with co-stars including Wayne Northrop, Drake Hogestyn and Jed Allan.

Hall, 75, has also acted alongside her twin sister, Andrea Hall, and late daytime legends Joseph Mascolo and John Aniston, who portrayed Stefano DiMera and Victor Kiriakis, respectively.

With 5,000 episodes under her belt, Deidre Hall prides herself on the connections she’s made over time — from the late fan whose letters she keeps in a box in her attic to the “deep and abiding friendships” with the people on her “Days” team.

“We know each other so incredibly well, and we know their details, their joys, their heartbreaks,” she said.

Peacock, which now streams the soap, spotlighted that camaraderie this week. On social media, co-stars including Leann Hunley, Stephen Nichols, Mary Beth Evans and Thaao Penghlis celebrated Hall’s achievement.

“You are a legend, you are daytime royalty. Thank you so, so much for being a part of our show for so long,” co-star Lucas Adams said in a video. “Five thousand episodes, that is something that we as actors would be looking forward to in our careers, and thank you so much for showing that it’s possible.”

For her work on “Days of Our Lives,” Hall has received three Daytime Emmy nominations, won five Soap Opera Digest Awards and was honored in 2016 with her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“Playing Marlena has been a gift to me in so many ways,” Hall said.

Hall’s 5,000th “Days of Our Lives” episode streams Friday on Peacock. .

Jensen Ackles Launches #SaveTheWinchesters Campaign After CW Cancellation

The CW announced The Winchesters cancellation earlier today, along with Kung Fu.

Supernatural alum Ackles reprised his role as Dean in the CW series and served as executive producer.

Knowing cancellation was likely coming, The Winchesters studio Warner Bros. Television has been preparing to look for a new home, and plans to be aggressive in its efforts, we hear.

Per Ackles tweet, it’s clear the actor is not wasting any time on efforts to make that happen.

Starring Meg Donnelly and Drake Rodger, The Winchesters hails from the Supernatural trio of Robbie Thompson, Jensen Ackles and Danneel Ackles, Warner Bros. Television and CBS Studios.

Written and executive produced by Thompson, The Winchesters is a prequel to the CW’s long-running Supernatural, centered on Dean and Sam Winchester’s parents – John and Mary. Told from the perspective of narrator Dean Winchester (voiced by Jensen Ackles), The Winchesters is the epic, untold love story of how John (Rodger) met Mary (Donnelly) and how they put it all on the line to not only save their love but the entire world.

Jensen and Danneel Ackles executive produce via their banner Chaos Machine Productions. Chaos Machine produced in association with Warner Bros. TV and CBS Studios. Glen Winter serves as executive producer and pilot director. David H. Goodman and John Showalter serve as executive producers.

‘Selling Sunset’ star Chrishell Stause marries G Flip after 1 year of dating

The “Selling Sunset” star announced the exciting news on her Instagram Wednesday alongside a video montage of the happy couple.

“Love doesn’t always go as planned…Sometimes it’s immeasurably better,” she captioned the video, which featured an image of the pair kissing at the altar.

She went on to call the musician — who goes by they/them pronouns — “the kindest, funniest & most talented hard working people out there.”

The song featured in the emotional video is G Flip’s new song, which they wrote about Stause, titled, “I’ll Be Your Man.”

Several fellow reality TV stars flocked to Stause’s comments section, congratulating the pair on their nuptials.

“IM DYING!!!!!! I’ve been waiting for this post all day!!!” co-star Emma Hernan wrote. “Covered in goosebumps since the moment I watched! Watching your love is like watching the best love story in the world! I love you both to the ?? & back!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS ????????????????”

“Congratulations my love! So happy for you two” former “Bachelorette” Jojo Fletcher added.

“This makes me SOO HAPPPYY” “Too Hot To Handle” star Francesca Fargo, who just got engaged, wrote.

Stause and G Flip first crossed paths in 2021 at a Halloween party while they were dating other people. The two then reconnected at another gathering in February 2022 after breaking up with their respective partners.

In fact, the pair ended up kissing at the party, but Stause — who previously dated “Selling Sunset” boss and co-star, Jason Oppenheim — said she didn’t think much of it.

“I had no issue doing something like that, but in my head I [didn’t think I] could have a meaningful relationship with somebody …” the former soap star, 41, told Vogue Australia. “I definitely still thought I was straight at that party!”

However, less than six months later, the pair went public with their relationship during the Netflix show’s Season 5 reunion episode.

“I recently have been spending a lot of time with someone that’s very important to me. Their name is G Flip. They’re non-binary, so they go by they/them,” Stause said during the episode. “And they are an extremely talented musician.”

She went on to explain that the pair really connected after G Flip, 28, asked her to be in their music video for “GET ME OUTTA HERE,” which was about a “chaotic love story.”

During the video, the pair got hot and heavy as they made out in a gas station — which lead Stause to re-evaluate her sexuality.

“[It] opened my brain up to the fact that I’m attracted to energy, not whatever physical thing that people have in their head,” she told Vogue. “I don’t have a type.”

Their union comes as a surprise to many given the fact Stause previously denied engagement rumors, claiming her diamond ring on that finger was “just a ring and nothing else.”

Prior to her relationship with G Flip, Stause was married to “This Is Us” star Justin Hartley.

GH Recast Shocker

Lexi Ainsworth posted a response to the news on instagram. You can watch here.

Selling Sunset Season 6 Trailer

But it’s not just Stause’s personal life that’s on display in the 11 new episodes, dropping on Friday, May 19. “New agents mean new drama. The realtors of The Oppenheim Group return with sleek penthouse listings, personality clashes, and pregnancies — and throw enough shade to cover every cabana in Los Angeles,” reads the official description.

Make a traditional Rwandan dish with Sal Stowers!

‘Days of Our Lives’ Star Camila Banus Exits After 13 Years: ‘I’m Just Ready for Something Different’

Her last shoot day was April 28, but her last airdate is many, many months down the line.

“There’s definitely been a lot of changes at ‘Days’ the last couple of years, one being moving to Peacock. Although it’s been wonderful and we’ve had a super great reception, for me, I felt like that was kind of like the initial start for changes happening in general. And I kind of just saw that as a sign for me to start the next chapter in my life,” she said.

That chapter includes having a baby with her partner of over a decade and husband of less than two years, Marlon Aquino. “My husband and I are trying to start a family, hopefully,” she said. “And that’s another big factor in possibly just slowing down for a little bit and seeing kind of where this time takes me. But I’m also open to other opportunities and ready for big things. I’m just ready for something different.”

Banus has played Gabi for 13 years, which is a long time by any Hollywood standard, but even more so because she’s only 32.

“That’s an enormous amount of time, especially in this industry where it’s such an inconsistent employment process that I call it the 99% unemployment industry for everyone,” she laughed. “You know, you book something and you never know what’s up ahead or what may be the future for that project. So I’ve been very blessed and very lucky to have been representing Latinas and Latinos as Gabi. And I’m just ready to see how I can represent further along in my career, you know, see what the next chapter of representing will be.”

Taking that leap of faith was a long time coming, and having that conversation with the powers that be at “Days” was “tough” and so bittersweet, she said.

A month before her contract was up with the show, producers messaged her, asking her what her terms were. “I was honestly open to renegotiating a certain type of shooting schedule where I would have a little bit more time off. But they didn’t go for it. And certain other factors that were involved that they didn’t go for. At first, it was just easy to say, ‘Well, if you can’t meet these demands, then I can’t,’ and move on with a new contract. But then, you know, I talked to producers and they had a call with me and they were like, ‘Well, what can we do?’ And I [said,] ‘I need to slow down. And part of that is you guys accepting this shooting schedule for me, and you won’t. So I have to respectfully bow out and say thank you.’ That’s all I can do.”

When her last work day came to an end and everyone said their goodbyes, Banus drove home crying her “eyes out.” “It’s just a really renewing and refreshing time for me. And, I think a lot of great things are to come.” Among those big things she’s hoping for is a good role on the big screen.

“I’m ready for pretty much whatever comes my way,” Banus told TheWrap. “My biggest desire is to work on films. I’m a huge film buff, and I would love to work on big budget films wherever, whenever that is. I’m just excited for cultivating new characters and possibly working on something comedic. I do think that I need to stretch that out because I think there’s a lot of potential there for me. I feel like people are really receptive to my comedic timing and I think that would be wonderful. I’m just excited for this new horizon of whatever is to come because I just love characters. I love cultivating them. The most wonderful thing about acting is playing pretend every day. I love to do that, and I can’t wait to do that with a bunch of other people and make magic again.”

“Days” fans are among the loyalist soap fans out there. If given the chance to speak directly with them, Banus, would express her undying gratitude for their endless love and support.

“Gabi has definitely put fans through a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the 13 years that she has wrecked havoc on Salem. And I just wanna say a huge thank you to everyone that has ridden that ride, been there through all the highs, been there through all the lows when my girl has not been someone you want to support,” Banus grins. “But there’s still been support. I wanna say a deep, deep thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone that’s loved Gabi the way that I have.”e

Victoria Grace’s Daytime Emmy Nomination Rescinded

“I was honored to be nominated for a Daytime Emmy and to be recognized by the Academy,” Grace wrote in a statement published to her social media. “Unfortunately, there was a huge misunderstanding across the board regarding the rules for this year’s category. This is obviously a surprise and I am heartbroken, but in fairness to all, I’ll be rescinding my nomination. I wish the best of luck to all the nominees. I will continue to work hard to earn another Daytime Emmy nomination next year!”

For the 2020 Daytime Emmy Awards, the Outstanding Younger Actor and Outstanding Younger Actress categories were merged into the single, gender-neutral Outstanding Younger Performer category. The age cap for this particular category used to be 25, but was lowered to 21 in 2021 and for this year’s Daytime Emmys, was lowered further to 18.

While Grace didn’t go into details regarding the “huge misunderstanding,” the obvious explanation is that she’s simply over the age limit and neither she nor DAYS realized that submitting her in the Younger Performer category was against the rules. And, of course, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences also didn’t realize when they included her among the nominees.

As the Outstanding Younger Performer category only had four nominees to begin with, there will now be three vying for the trophy on Emmy night: Cary Christopher (Thomas, DAYS), Eden McCoy (Josslyn, GENERAL HOSPITAL), and Henry Joseph Samiri (Douglas, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL).

Richard Burgi Opens up About His Divorce

“A friend of mine informed me that I am still listed as married on IMDb and Wikipedia, etc,” Burgi revealed. “It has been a very trying year and a half. After losing a great job for something that had nothing to do with my work as an artist, and then, with much difficulty, my second marriage ended.”

The veteran actor joined the cast of Y&R as the villainous Ashland Locke back in March 2021, but he was let go in January 2022 because he unwittingly violated the soap’s COVID protocols. The role was recast with GUIDING LIGHT veteran Robert Newman, who continued telling Ashland’s story until the character met a violent end.

Burgi married his first wife, Lori Kahn, in 1995, and they have two sons, Jack and Samuel. After their divorce, he married Liliana Lopez in February 2012. But now that union has also sadly come to an end.

“Divorce is painful and devastating but the good Lord has a way of leading you to things you need and away from things that you don’t,” Burgi declared thoughtfully. “The loss of a job, relationship, or any other important thing is like a death and takes time, good friends, and family or nurturing people and places to get through.”

He then suggested to anyone going through the same kinds of experiences a couple of places that helped him to recenter his life and move past the darkness. “Oniya in Montana is one of those places,” Burgi said. “The staff, the facility, the natural elements, as well as the horses are truly a transformational experience.

“Also check out LeahKalish.com,” he added. “She and her husband, Bruce, offer another amazing life-affirming experience for those looking for growth, healing, and change. With these and more, I am in a great place and grateful for this beautiful life… Onward!”

Jerry Springer Dies: Legendary Talk Show Host Was 79

A statement from family spokesman Jene Galvin issued to WLWT, where the broadcaster and journalist once worked, read: “Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word. He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.”

According to TMZ, he had been fighting cancer over the past months and recently had taken a turn for the worse.

Springer was known for Jerry Springer, the mega-popular but controversial syndicated talk show that ran for nearly 5,000 episodes. After launching with a focus on politics, it retooled and became a ratings smash and cultural phenomenon as a tabloid-style program with focuses on hot-button topics. Many guests would swear or end up in fights as they told their salacious stories.

Springer would act as the fatherly figure overseeing the proceedings, and despite the chaos, he would sign off every episode with a final thought, saying: “Take care of yourselves and each other.”

“I don’t watch the show, but it’s not aimed at 66-year-old men,” Springer said in a 2010 interview on NBC’s Today celebrating the show’s 20th anniversary. “If I were in college, I would watch. I enjoy doing it. It’s a lot of fun.”

Jerry Springer producer NBCUniversal paid tribute to Springer in a statement: “Jerry Springer was much more than a talk show host who redefined television. He was a savvy politician, pop cultural icon, and devout and loyal friend who was most proud when he spoke up for the marginalized and unrepresented. He connected equally with both the powerful and the man on the street. Strangers would open up to him and he loved nothing more than to give them a voice. We deeply mourn his loss and are fortunate to have been partners in a career that was truly astounding and a life that emulated the very best of us.”

The Jerry Springer Show was produced by NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and ran for 27 seasons. It continues to air in syndication.

Born on February 13, 1944, in London, Springer moved with his family to the U.S. in 1949, Before starting a career in broadcasting, he had a protracted political career, serving on the Cincinnati City Council before being elected mayor in 1977. He served one term. Springer was also a political campaign adviser to Robert F. Kennedy in the ’60s. In 1982, Springer launched a failed campaign to become governor of Ohio.

Springer also hosted NBC’s America’s Got Talent for three years and returned to daytime TV in 2019 when he launched the court show Judge Jerry, which ran for three seasons before being canceled at NBC. After the show was dropped, Springer told the press that he planned to retire from public life. “I’m 78 and have been in front of the camera now for 40 years, plus 10 years in politics. I’m winding down,” he said in an interview at the time.

He added: “We taped Judge Jerry for the entire season, and I want to try out retirement while I’m still healthy.”

He also was a contestant on Season 3 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, paired with pro dancer Kym Johnson. They were eliminated in Week 7.

Springer made one of his final on-screen appearances late last year on Fox’s popular show The Masked Singer, where he performed in a large beetle costume.

He is survived by his daughter Katie Springer and his older sister Evelyn.

2023 Daytime Emmy Nominations

Daytime Emmys: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Leads In Early Nominations

This means that game shows have now migrated to the Primetime Emmys; meanwhile, children’s and family programming categories have already been removed from both shows and relocated to a new Children’s & Family Emmy Award competition and ceremony, the first of which took place this past December. Also, instructional/how-to programming is now considered strictly the purview of the Daytime Emmys, regardless of daypart. Among other changes this year, informative and entertainment talk show categories have merged into “daytime talk series,” while informative and entertainment talk show host fields are now “daytime talk series host.”

Here are this year’s Daytime Emmy nominees:

Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
“The Bay” (Popstar! TV)
“The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
“Days of Our Lives (NBC/Peacock)
“General Hospital” (ABC)
“The Young and the Restless” (CBS)

Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Drew Barrymore, “The Drew Barrymore Show” (SYNDICATED)
Kelly Clarkson, “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (SYNDICATED)
Tamron Hall, “Tamron Hall” (SYNDICATED)
Kelly Ripa, Ryan Seacrest, “Live with Kelly and Ryan” (SYNDICATED)
Sherri Shepherd, “Sherri” (SYNDICATED)

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress
Sharon Case as Sharon Newman, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
Melissa Claire Egan as Chelsea Lawson, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
Finola Hughes as Anna Devane, “General Hospital” (ABC)
Michelle Stafford as Phyllis Summers, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
Jacqueline MacInnes Wood as Steffy Forrester, “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor
Maurice Benard as Sonny Corinthos, “General Hospital” (ABC)
Peter Bergman as Jack Abbott, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
Billy Flynn as Chad DiMera, “Days of Our Lives” (NBC/Peacock)
Thorsten Kaye as Ridge Forrester, “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
Jason Thompson as Billy Abbott, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)

(More to come on Wednesday.)

Dick Van Dyke Books Guest Star Gig On Peacock Soap ‘Days Of Our Lives’

‘I have played old men before,” Van Dyke told Access Hollywood about the soap gig, “but comedy old men. First time I ever just played my 97-year-old self.”

In the episode, which will air in the fall, Van Dyke plays that soap opera staple – a man with amnesia. He’ll appear in a scene with cast members Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn.

Van Dyke says it was an encounter with Hogestyn – they’re both members of the same gym – that led to the guest appearance.

‘Drake and I went to the same gym together,” Van Dyke said. “I used to kid him, ‘Say, don’t you ever have any parts for old people? Come on, give me a part!’ And he took me seriously. He got me a part.”

During the Access Hollywood segment, Carol Burnett, who had a recurring role on her favorite soap All My Children back in the ’80s, offered her old pal some advice. “Make sure you know all your lines because they don’t do retakes.”

Van Dyke said he watched an episode of the show for preparation. “That’s about all the homework I could do was watch one and see how they did it,” he said.

Dishing with Digest - 4/21/23 - Brandon Barash

Dick Van Dyke Opens Up About Joining ‘Days Of Our Lives’

DAYS’ Dan Feurriegel is Now a United States Citizen!

As the DAYS hunk further explained, after being in the U.S. for a decade, he figured it was about time that he made things official. “I’ve been here 10 years,” he wrote. “Guess I now have to stay a little longer.”

The photo that Feurriegel chose to accompany his big announcement included a Certificate of Citizenship, a letter from President Biden congratulating him on the accomplishment, and a mini stuffed koala bear — an animal native to his homeland — holding an American flag. “Don’t worry Australia,” he quipped. “You’ll always be my first.”

Feurriegel’s soap co-stars quickly jumped in to extend their well wishes, like fellow Aussie Thaao Pehghlis (Tony) and Scotland native Paul Telfer (Xander). Alison Sweeney (Sami) offered a “congrats” with multiple exclamation points, Raven Bowens (Chanel) punctuated her note of congratulations with a heart emoji, and Greg Rikaart (Leo) commented with two clapping hands.

Born and raised in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia, Feurriegel began his professional career after studying acting at the Queensland University of Technology. After appearing in several Australian theatrical productions, he segued to television with roles on Aussie soaps MCLEOD’S DAUGHTERS, HOME AND AWAY, and ALL SAINTS. Feurriegel gained international recognition when he starred as gladiator Agron in Starz’s SPARTACUS series and found his way to American soap operas when he was tapped to be the highly anticipated recast of EJ DiMera on DAYS in 2021.

Congratulations to the newest citizen of the United States!

Peter Reckell Interview - 4/13/23

Peter will discuss his recent on-screen return to DAYS, Bo's resurrection, preview what's next in his current storyline, discuss his thoughts on his upcoming 40th anniversary with the show, and much more.

Be with us on Thursday night, April 13th live starting at 8 p.m. EST/5 p. m. PST.

Dishing with Digest - 4/7/23 - Lynn Herring

Victoria Grace and Remington Hoffman Interview

Victoria is internationally well-known for her performance capture and voiceover as Yara in the Naughty Dog / Sony PlayStation hit, The Last of Us Part II. She has also been seen in primetime on Superstore, Modern Family, and Freeform’s Famous in Love.

In addition to his role as Wei, Remington also plays the character of Bryce in Tyler Perry’s Zatima. Other television credits include: Marvel's Agents of Shield, Westworld, Animal Kingdom and Station 19. He is the director of the critically acclaimed short film, A Walk in West LA. And a creator/producer on the documentary series, Talkin' Success.

CBS To Air Daytime Emmys Through 2024; Sets Date for 50th Annual Ceremony

In the meantime, it has set the date for this year’s milestone ceremony; the 50th annual event will air live on Friday, June 16 (9-11:00 p.m. ET) on CBS and stream live on Paramount+.

This year marks the 17th time CBS has broadcast the Daytime Emmys, more than any other network.

The ceremony will take place at the Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles. Nominations and additional information will be available in the coming weeks.

“We are thrilled to be back with our incredible broadcast partner CBS for two years,” said Adam Sharp, president and CEO of NATAS. “In commemorating the show’s golden anniversary this year, we look forward to honoring and celebrating the beloved world of daytime television.”

“CBS has a storied history in daytime and we are delighted to continue having the Daytime Emmys on the network for the next two years,” added Mackenzie Mitchell, VP specials, music and live events, at CBS. “We look forward to celebrating the show’s 50th anniversary and highlighting the best that daytime has to offer.”

The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of categories, including daytime dramas, talk shows, instructional programming, hosting and legal/courtroom programs. In 2021, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) and the Television Academy jointly announced plans to realign the Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards to be organized by content genre, as opposed to program airtime.

In addition, in recognition of the marked increase in content and entries for children’s programming, 2022 marked the first annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, with relevant categories separating from the Daytime Emmys into their own competition and ceremony. All awards are judged by a pool of peer professionals from across the television industry.

The 50th Annual Daytime Emmys is produced by NATAS and Associated Television International (ATI), which produced Daytime Emmy Awards ceremonies on The CW in 2009 and on CBS in 2010, 2011, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Adam Sharp and Lisa Armstrong are executive producers from NATAS, while McKenzie is executive producer from ATI.

Sharon Acker Dies: Veteran Film (‘Point Blank’) And TV (‘Perry Mason’) Actress Was 87

Acker had a long and varied resume in film, television, and the stage. In 1956, she played the teacher Mrs. Stacey on a CBC adaptation of Anne of Green Gables. She then joined the Stratford Shakespeare Festival company, starring as Anne Page opposite future Star Trek costar William Shatner in a production of The Merry Wives of Windsor.

In addition to Point Blank, her film credits include Lucky Jim (1957). Acker also was in Don’t Let the Angels Fall (1969), which played in competition at Cannes. She was selected by the Motion Picture Exhibitors of Canada as their Film Star of Tomorrow that year,

Her memorable TV roles included a 1976-77 CBS adaptation of Executive Suite, playing the wife of Mitchell Ryan‘s Dan Walling. She later appeared in the 1973 reboot of Perry Mason, which lasted 15 episodes.

She also appeared on the CBC series Festival, and in 1961 portrayed Lady MacDuff on an adaptation of Macbeth.

Rounding out her TV career, she was on episodes of The Wild Wild West, Get Smart, It Takes a Thief, Lancer, Alias Smith and Jones, Gunsmoke, Mission: Impossible, Mod Squad, Marcus Welby, M.D., Cannon, Barnaby Jones, The Streets of San Francisco, The Rockford Files, Police Story and Quincy, M.E.

She was last seen in the horror film Happy Birthday to Me (1981), and her final TV appearance came on The Young and the Restless in 1992. She retired from acting in 1994.

Survivors include her children, Kim and Gillian; granddaughter Alexis; great-granddaughter Berkeley; and stepchildren Kim and Caitlin.

Dishing with Digest - 3/31/23 - Kristian Alfonso And Peter Reckell

DAYS’ Chandler Massey is Engaged to Stephanie Bennett

The actor and the real estate agent recently did a nature-themed photo shoot with Atlanta wedding photographer Kim Hynes. Bennett was wearing a sunny yellow skirt-and-top combo while her groom-to-be was barefoot in black jeans and a white tee for the photo sesh, which had the couple sitting in the grass — among other romantic poses! — as they canoodled and smiled for the camera.

“Love is in the air!” Hynes wrote in an Instagram story, sharing several of the beautiful photos of Massey and Bennett that she captured with her camera. “Bring on all the spring vibes! These two lovebirds were down with all my ideas! Congratulations.”

As you can see from some of the photos, Massey is wearing a band on the fourth finger of his left hand. But Hynes said that the jewelry is not a symbol that the couple already got hitched, but rather a sign of a sweet gesture from Massey’s future bride! “Oh, and she proposed tonight!” Hynes noted on another slide. “If you see a ring on his finger, that’s why! He proposed to her previously and she wanted to surprise him!”

Last month, Massey wrapped up his most recent run as DAYS’ Will Horton. He made his debut in the role back in 2010, playing the part of Sami and Lucas’ son until 2013. A year later, the role was recast with Guy Wilson, but the character was killed off in October 2015. Then, in September 2017, Massey came back to the soap when it was revealed that Will was in fact very much alive. After exiting the canvas again in September 2020, Massey returned for occasional appearances and also appeared on the spinoff BEYOND SALEM.

Outside of his soap role, Massey has headlined several movies for Hallmark, including the upcoming film The Professional Bridesmaid. Co-starring fellow daytime alum Hunter King (ex-Summer, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS), that film is slated to premiere on Saturday, April 8, at 8 p.m.rideProvider€

Lisa Rinna co-host on The Talk 3/27 - 3/29

Monday, March 27

Lisa Rinna guest co-hosts

Tuesday, March 28

Lisa Rinna guest co-hosts

Wednesday, March 29

Lisa Rinna guest co-hosts

Louse Sorel Returning To DAYS

Brody Hutzler - The Interview 3/24/23

In addition to his role on Guiding Light, Brody went to play Cody Dixon on The Young and the Restless and Patrick Lockhart on Days of Our Lives. Fans of the hit series, Angel will remember Brody for his recurring role of Landok. He also made several guest appearances on the primetime series, Charmed, NCIS, Ringer, 7th Heaven, Family Guy and Ally McBeal to name a few. He also starred in the films, Beach Kings and Mega Shark vs. Kolossus. One of his most proud roles to date is that of dad to his daughter, Vivienne.

Besides his career in acting, Brody has a successful career as a realtor. He covers all of California and helps his clients buy and sell property anywhere from San Diego to San Francisco.

Bo and Hope Return to Days of Our Lives — Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso Reveal What Lured Them Back to Salem

Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso made their long-awaited return to Days of Our Lives on March 17 as Bo and Hope, a duo over which fans have obsessed for nearly three decades. Unfortunately, Bo isn’t quite the same man who “died” back in 2015.

“After being in cryogenics for however long it’s been, he’s on a journey to find out who he really is,” Reckell says. “A lot of people tell him along the way who he is, but he really needs to figure it out for himself. That’s the crux of the journey that we’ll be seeing in the next few weeks.”

As revealed on Friday, Bo has been successfully brainwashed into believing that his one true love is Stefano’s presumed-dead daughter Megan Hathaway. Elsewhere in the same building, Hope crossed paths with with John and Steve in their mutual mission to track down the madwoman.

The Hope-Bo-Megan kerfuffle is a direct continuation of a storyline from Season 2 of Days spinoff Beyond Salem, now colliding with the Orpheus-orchid saga of Days proper. The original plan was for Bo and Hope to return again in a third season of Beyond Salem, but according to Alfonso, everything changed when the Powers That Be moved Days from NBC to Peacock. (A third season of Beyond Salem has not officially been confirmed.)

“We couldn’t possibly leave the audience with that cliffhanger,” Alfonso says of Bo opening his eyes in the final moments of Beyond Salem‘s second season finale. “That would have been so unfair. So that’s another reason why I decided to come back. We owe it to the fans and the show, and to [executive producer] Ken Corday.”

The next few weeks will also witness the return of Steve Burton’s Harris Michaels, last seen seducing (and attempting to murder) Hope while under Megan’s control in Beyond Salem. Despite their rocky start, Hope believes “there’s still goodness” in Harris, Alfonso says.

As for whether this storyline could lead to a more permanent return for Bo and/or Hope, Reckell is optimistic about the characters’ future on Days, which was recently renewed through Season 60.

“How and when they would come back is obviously very much in the air,” he says, “but I think I think our audience will kind of demand it.”

Days Nation, what did you think of Bo and Hope’s long-awaited comeback?

Great American Family Increasing 2023 Christmas Movie Slate; Trevor Donovan And Merritt Patterson To Reunite In ‘Christmas By Chance’

Dubbed “Great American Christmas,” the network’s holiday fare will kick off in October with its largest lineup since first launching in 2021. Among the actors set to appear this year are Trevor Donovan (90210, Dancing With the Stars) and Merritt Patterson (The Royals, Catering Christmas), who will reunite in the new Christmas By Chance.

In Christmas By Chance, Addie (Patterson), a New York City chiropractor mistakenly receives a text from “Nana.” The accidental text turns into a loving friendship between the matronly Nana and Addie who now communicate regularly. Nana invites Addie to spend the holiday in Vermont. It is picture-postcard perfect and exactly as Nana described except for one surprise. Nana’s single son, James (Donovan), a traveling doctor is also home for the holidays. Over three consecutive years, James and Addie are together during the holidays, though it isn’t until they are both single that they begin to see each other in a different light.

Donovan and Patterson previously starred in Jingle Bell Princess. Christmas By Chance is written by Cara J. Russell and executive producers are Brad Krevoy and Susie Belzberg Krevoy. David Anselmo produces for HP Christmas Chance Productions Inc.

Deadline just broke last month that Donovan booked two more films for Great American Family. The first one is a romantic comedy set for this fall.

“Great American Christmas” original movies will premiere Saturdays and Sundays, with 24/7 holiday movies through the end of the year. GAC already announced that Danica McKellar will headline Royal Christmas Ball this year.

‘Days of Our Lives’ Renewed for Two More Years at Peacock, Through Its 60th Season

“Days of Our Lives” moved to Peacock in September, having previously aired on NBC since 1965. “Days” was NBC’s longest-running drama series before switching to Peacock in 2022.

This new two-year deal for Seasons 59 and 60 reps a much swifter and calmer renewal for “Days” than it has experienced in recent years, when deal between NBC and Sony Pictures Television (which distributes the soap) seemed to always come down to the wire. As ratings declined for soaps, that has been a perennial issue at the networks (where the tally on broadcast nets now stands at just three — two on CBS and one on ABC).

In 2021, production was paused on “Days” as NBC and Sony negotiated for a renewal — which in the end, resulted in a two-year pickup that kept the show going through 2023.

But the Peacock move seems to have generated renewed enthusiasm for the show at NBCU. Peacock reports that the sudser has “consistently been a top 10 title” on the streamer. This reps the first time the show has been renewed since moving to Peacock, as this past Season 58 was actually part of the previous NBC pact.

“Days of Our Lives” is produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer and Albert Alarr is co-executive producer, while Ron Carlivati serves as head writer.

“Days” most recently won a Daytime Emmy award for outstanding writing for a daytime drama. The show has landed 61 Emmys over its run, as well as 392 nominations. It is also a multiple People’s Choice Awards, GLAAD Media Awards and Prism Awards winner.

Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, “Days of Our Lives” centers on the core families of the Bradys, Hortons, Carvers, DiMeras, and Kiriakises. Core stars include Lamon Archey, Susan Seaforth Hayes, Martha Madison, Eric Martsolf, Marci Miller, Stephen Nichols, James Reynolds, Suzanne Rogers, Josh Taylor, Robert Scott Wilson and Arianne Zucker.

Peacock previously aired the spinoff “Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem” for two seasons, as well as the spinoff film ”Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas” in 2021.s

Barbara Crampton Interview 3/22/23

Barbara made her television debut on Days of Our Lives as Trista Evans. She went on to play Mindy Lewis on Guiding Light and Maggie Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful.

Barbara’s career as an iconic figure in the horror/thriller genre has spanned four decades and continues to gain momentum. Currently she is producing and co-starring with Heather Graham in the horror thriller Suitable Flesh. Barbara produced and starred in Jakob’s Wife. Other recently completed features include Run Hide Fight, King Knight with Aubrey Plaza, Superhost and Sacrifice, a thriller shot in Norway.

This year, Barbara will appear in Larry Fessenden’s new film Blackout, Onyx The Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls which premiered at Sundance 2023, and the thriller Last Stop in Yuma County. On television, Barbara guest starred on the last season of Channel Zero: The Dream Door, on season 2 of Creepshow and in an episode of the highly acclaimed series Into the Dark: Culture Shock.

In addition, Barbara writes a column for Fangoria magazine entitled Scene Queen, for which she won two “Rondo Hatton Horror Awards” in 2020 and 2021.

Barbara made her film debut in 1984’s Body Double. The cult classic Re-Animator, in which Barbara portrayed the leading role of Megan Halsey, continues to be a huge fan favorite. Other films she has starred in include From Beyond, the original and remake of Puppet Master, You’re Next, and We Are Still Here.

Ben and Ciara Return to DAYS OF OUR LIVES!

Reckell’s first air date back is scheduled for Thursday, March 16, and Alfonso’s is Friday, March 17. But along with those two, Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Victoria Konefal and Robert Scott Wilson will be reprising their roles of Ciara and Ben as part of Bo and Hope’s big return storyline.

Unfortunately, no details are available as to when, exactly, the young couple will first appear again, or how long they will be sticking around. Though it’s likely to only be for a short visit as part of this tale as Konefal is pursuing other roles and Wilson is currently playing Alex Kiriakis on DAYS!

Konefal and Wilson brought Ciara and Ben back to the screen during the second season of BEYOND SALEM and are now bringing their characters back to the “mothership,” as it were. And a couple more actors who appeared in the DAYS spinoff are going to be joining them as part of this big, new storyline.

Christopher Sean will appear as Paul Narita in the Thursday, March 16, episode when John goes to visit his son in San Francisco, and Colton Little will be back as Andrew Donovan in the same episode when he appears in scenes with Steve.

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Megan Hathaway returned in BEYOND SALEM season two and is already appearing on DAYS, and Steve Burton will be bringing his character of Harris Michaels back to the soap on Monday, March 20. This upcoming storyline is going to be full of old friends, so don’t miss a single episode!

BET+ Greenlights Biopic ‘The First Lady Of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story’

Vivica Fox (Holiday Hideway) is set to direct the film based on a script by Gabrielle Collins; Tressa Azarel Smallwood (All In) and Judge Greg Mathis (Madea Goes to Jail) executive produce alongside Donte Lee and Delece James.

The biopic charts Welch’s rise from teen mom to drug dealer to being labeled by federal prosecutors as “The First Lady of BMF.” Dreams and desires, craftiness and creativity, hustle and hard work, Welch tells a harrowing story about riches, remorse, personal responsibility, and redemption set amidst the lavishness and extreme violence of Detroit’s crack era and America’s “war on drugs.”

First featured as part of the BET+ hit unscripted series American Gangster: Trap Queens, a true crime series detailing the criminal chronicles of some of America’s most notorious female gangsters, Tonesa Welch’s story reignited interest in the history of the Black Mafia Family. Currently, key aspects of her life make up the main storyline in Season 2 of the hit Starz series, BMF, with LaLa Anthony portraying the character inspired by Welch, MarKaisha Taylor.

Production on The First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story is set to begin in April in Washington, D.C., and will debut on BET+ later this year.

‘Erin & Aaron’: Ava Ro & Jensen Gering To Lead Nickelodeon Series

The music-driven comedy will premiere two episodes on Thursday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT. Following the premiere, new episodes of the 13-episode-long season will be available on Nickelodeon weekly on Thursdays. The full season of Erin & Aaron will premiere on Netflix outside the U.S. this fall.

Deadline has your exclusive first look in the teaser trailer above.

The series follows teenage stepsiblings Erin and Aaron as they navigate their new lives after their parent’s marriage, and find strength in their shared passion for music. The multi-camera series will feature original songs and performances throughout the season.

Rounding out the cast is Larisa Oleynik (10 Things I Hate About You) as Sylvia; David S Jung (I Think You Should Leave) as Chuck; and Pyper Braun (Country Comfort) as Natasha.

“Erin & Aaron is our next great buddy comedy,” said Shauna Phelan and Zack Olin, co-heads of Nickelodeon & Awesomeness Live-Action. “The series continues to expand our footprint in music, and we’re so excited to work with such a talented cast and creative team that we know will deliver a unique and memorable comedy that kids and families will love.”

The series is created by Dicky Murphy (Danger Force, The Thundermans), who also serves as executive producer alongside showrunners Sean Cunningham and Marc Dworkin (Julie and the Phantoms, The Thundermans). Wendy Faraone (That Girl Lay Lay, Bunk’d) directs the first three episodes.

Samantha Martin (Snow Day, Danger Force) serves as co-executive producer. Production on Erin & Aaron for Nickelodeon is overseen by Phelan and Olin. Omar Camacho serves as Nickelodeon’s Executive in Charge of Production for the series.

Steve Burton’s Return Date Revealed!

Back at the start of his career in the ‘80s, Burton got his big break playing Harris Michaels on DAYS in 1988. He then went on to star in the primetime series OUT OF THIS WORLD from 1987-91 and joined the cast of GH in 1992. The actor also had a stint in CBS Daytime playing Dylan McAvoy on

Burton reprised his role of Harris Michaels for the second season of the DAYS spinoff BEYOND SALEM, where his character was working as a henchman for the villainous Megan Hathaway. Following the conclusion of the mini-series, it was announced that not only would Bo and Hope be returning to DAYS, but so would Megan and Harris.

Megan is already back, having recently been revealed to be the one behind faking Marlena, Kate, and Kayla’s deaths, and Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso will be back as Bo and Hope on Thursday, March 16. However, it will be just a little bit longer before Burton is seen again as Harris.

“I thought it was March 16th, but the actual day is March 20th,” Burton admitted in a recent episode of his That’s Awesome! With Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson podcast. “So set your calendar, Peacock! March 20th! It’s going to be fun. Finally, the time has come!”

So mark your calendars for Monday, March 20, and stream Steve Burton’s return to soaps on Peacock to see what trouble Harris is going to stir up this time around!

Dishing with Digest - 3/3/23 - Barbara Crampton

Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison Returning for Second 'Hannah Swensen Mystery' at Hallmark

Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison are returning for the second installment of their Hannah Swensen mystery franchise for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, tentatively titled Carrot Cake: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, ET can exclusively reveal. Filming is currently underway (see ET's exclusive photo above from set) and the film will debut later this year.

The pair reprise their roles from the first Hannah Swensen movie, Sweet Revenge, which premiered in July 2021. They'll be joined by returning cast members Barbara Niven and Gabriel Hogan.

The new mystery, based on Joanne Fluke's novel Carrot Cake Murder, kicks off when the discovery of a skeleton amid the rubble of a building undergoing renovation reveals that one of Lake Eden’s beloved citizens is not who he claimed to be. Much to the dismay of her fiancé, Detective Mike Kingston (Mathison), crime-solving baker Hannah Swensen begins to investigate the case on her own. As she tries to piece together the events that led to the murder and tries to learn the victim’s true identity, Hannah even calls on her mother Delores (Niven) as she works to bring the killer to justice and uncover the truth.

“The adventures of Hannah Swensen have long been a favorite among our viewers and we’re thrilled to bring them a new mystery they can try to solve at home along with Hannah,” said Elizabeth Yost, Senior Vice President of Development at Hallmark Media. “Being able to reunite Alison Sweeney, Cameron Mathison and Barbara Niven for this latest installment makes it even sweeter.”

“The fans of Hannah Swensen are incredible and we are so excited to make more mysteries to share with them. Plus, working together again with Cam and Barbara is so much fun!” said Sweeney, who also serves as an executive producer.

The Hannah Swensen mystery franchise is a continuation of sorts for Sweeney and Mathison. They played the same characters over five TV movies as part of Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' Murder, She Baked mystery franchise from 2015 to 2017.

Hunter King Has a Hallmark Date With Chandler Massey!

According to a synopsis for the film, King stars as Maggie, who realized years ago that she had a special knack for being a bridesmaid and went pro. Now, she uses her talents as a paid professional to help brides navigate the tricky emotional and social dynamics that go along with planning the big day. Maggie’s latest client is Alexis, whose father is up for re-election as the mayor of Columbus. Since the wedding is sure to be the social event of the season, the mayor’s team hires Maggie to join the bridal party and keep everything on track — but since no one can know she is a professional, Maggie poses as cousin Maisie.

Things get tricky when Massey’s character, ambitious local reporter Henry, is assigned to the story. Hoping to get close to the mayor and secure the scoop on the pending development of local parkland, Henry starts sniffing around. To pull off her assignment, Maggie must coordinate three unhelpful bridesmaids and keep Henry focused on the wedding. All the while, of course, hiding her true identity as she grows closer to Henry!

The movie is part of King’s multi-picture deal with Hallmark Media, which was announced in November. “Thrilled to continue working with my Hallmark family!” King gushed on Instagram about her contract with the media company. “So many exciting things to come.”

King played Y&R’s Summer for nearly ten years (from 2012 until 2021), earning five Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Younger Actress — and taking home back-to-back trophies in 2014 and 2015. Since leaving the soap, she has starred in the Hallmark movies Hidden Gems, Nikki & Nora: Sister Sleuths, and A Royal Corgi Christmas. Massey has played DAYS’ Will on and off since 2010, having wrapped his most recent return earlier this month. During his time back and forth in Salem, he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award six times for Outstanding Younger Actor, winning the category three years in a row: 2012, 2013, and 2014. Like King, Massey has also appeared in three Hallmark movies, Next Stop, Christmas, Heart of the Matter, and A Tale of Two Christmases.

The Professional Bridesmaid is scheduled to premiere on Saturday, April 8, at 8 p.m. on Hallmark Channel.

Crystal Chappell and Michael Sabatino Interview 3/2/23

Michael gained fame when he first appeared as Chip Roberts on the hit prime-time series, Knots Landing. Besides his role on Days, Michael is known to daytime audiences for his roles on The Bold and the Beautiful as Anthony Armando, on All My Children as Dr. Jonathan Kinder, on Sunset Beach as Phillip Vargas, on Passions as J.T. Cornell, on Guiding Light as Vince Russo and on Crystal’s series Venice as Alan Anders.

Crystal made her daytime debut as a day player on All My Children before landing a short-term role on Santa Barbara. She spent three years playing Carly on Days before moving over to One Life to Live where she played Maggie Carpenter. She joined the cast of Guiding Light as Olivia Spencer in 1999 and remained with the show until the last episode aired in 2009. On Guiding Light, Chappell and Jessica Leccia were paired together creating the uber popular same sex pairing of, OTALIA. Crystal went on to win the Daytime Emmy-Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her role in 2002. She also played another Spencer, Danielle on The Bold and the Beautiful in 2012.

In addition to her roles in front of the camera, Crystal has created, Executive Produced and directed the Emmy Award-winning Venice: The Series and Beacon Hill.

Together they are the proud parents of two sons Jake and Dylan. Jake and his wife Grace welcomed their first grandson Zeke in 2021.

Victoria Konefal Books Film

The feature from Mirror Films follows a group of young filmmakers who enter an abandoned children’s orphanage in order to do research for a movie…and that’s their first mistake. Paul Boyd (I, Challenger) will direct from his own script, with Eric Barrett (Echo in the Canyon) and Shaye producing.

Shaye is repped by Buchwald and Rugolo Entertainment; Moseley by Judy Fox Personal Talent Management and Skrzyniarz & Mallean; Paris by J Pervis Talent and Curtis Talent Management; Konefal by Buchwald, Stride Management and Yorn, Levine, Barnes; and Boyd by RW Media and APA.

Talk Show Appearance

Th 2/23: guest co-host Lisa Rinna

Fr 2/24: guest co-host Lisa Rinna

Three Days Stars Exit

Lindsay Arnold, who has portrayed Sweet Bits co-owner Allie Horton on Days of Our Lives since 2020, has finished filming her run on the Peacock drama, according to Soap Opera Digest. It’s not yet known when her final episodes will air.

And Arnold isn’t the only Days star crafting an exit strategy. The magazine also reports that both halves of supercouple #WilSon — that’d be Will Horton (Chandler Massey) and Sonny Kiriakis (Zach Tinker) — will leave town sometime during next week’s run of episodes.

Days of Our Lives streams weekdays at 6 am on Peacock.

Melinda Clarke guests on Fantasy Island 2/20/23

Cast: Roselyn Sánchez as Elena Roarke; Kiara Barnes as Ruby Akuda; John Gabriel Rodriquez as Javier

Guest Cast: Alexa Mansour as Helene; Melinda Clarke as Amber Graham; Reggie Austin as Dan; Stephen Friedrich as Isaiah; Selah Austria as Ryeligh; Cree Kawa as Trevor.

Morning Show Appearance

Tuesday, February 14

(10-11 a.m.) Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin.

Cody Longo, ‘Days of Our Lives’ Actor, Dies at 34

The actor and musician, who was sometimes credited as Cody Anthony, was found dead at his home in Austin, Texas on Wednesday, according to TMZ. The police were called to check in on Longo at the home by his wife, Stephanie Clark, while she was working at a local dance studio.

“Cody was our whole world. The kids and I are shattered and beyond devastated. He was the best dad and best father. We will always and forever miss you and love you,” Clark said in a statement.

A family member tells TMZ Cody's body was found Wednesday in bed at a residence in Austin, Texas. We're told Longo's wife, Stephanie, was at work at a local dance studio and got an uneasy feeling when she couldn't reach him ... so she asked police to go and check on him.

Cops responded to the home, and when Longo didn't answer, they kicked the door down ... finding him dead in bed.

The family member tells us Cody struggled with alcohol abuse for years -- and went to rehab over the summer. At this time, an official time of death has not been released, but the family believes he relapsed and alcoholism is likely what killed him.

Born March 4, 1988 in Littleton, Colo., Longo established a reputation in entertainment with performances in films like “Ball Don’t Lie” and the 2009 “Fame” reboot. The budding actor secured recurring roles on shows such as ABC Family’s “Make It or Break It” and Nick at Nite’s “Hollywood Heights,” in which Longo starred as teen heartthrob Eddie Duran for 78 episodes.

The same year Longo appeared in “Days of Our Lives,” he guested on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” as Nathan Culver, the boyfriend of one of the series’ many victims, and played Jo Danville’s son Tyler Josephson for two episodes of “CSI: New York.”

“Cody was a dear friend for over a decade, before he was a client,” said Alex Gittelson, Longo’s representative. “My heart breaks for his beautiful family. He had taken some time away from acting to pursue music and spend more time with his family in Nashville, but we had kept in touch regularly and he was excited to get back into acting this year. Cody was such a loyal, loving and talented person and he will be greatly missed.”

The actor was arrested for domestic assault in 2020. Longo also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge in 2021 after being charged with the sexual assault of a 9-year-old girl.

Prior to his death, Longo was in production for director David Moreton’s upcoming feature, “Do You Want to Die in Indio?”

Longo is survived by his wife and three children.

Trevor Donovan To Headline Two New Movies For Great American Family

The first one is a romantic comedy in which Donovan will star. Details of the film are being kept under wraps, but we can confirm the film features the 90210 actor as a teacher headed to his hometown in Texas … and maybe to a love he has searched for all of his life.

The movie planned for fall is also expected to showcase Donovan’s newly-acquired expertise on the dance floor during DWTS‘ 31st season: the flick is expected to include a choreographed dance sequence. Donovan’s role as a classroom teacher will also provide opportunities to showcase GAC’s collaboration with his real-life anti-bullying initiative, Upstanders, which is dedicated to creating a support system for students based on treating others with empathy, kindness, and respect.

Viewers who appreciated Donovan in Jingle Bell Princess, GAC’s highest-rated original movie in 2021, will see the star in another holiday movie planned for the network’s Great American Christmas 2023.

Details on both films will come later.

In 2021, Donovan announced he was leaving Hallmark, where he appeared in 12 movies, to join GAC as part of a multi-picture deal. Besides Jingle Bell Christmas, he headlined the GAC films Aloha with Love and The Engagement Plot in 2022.

Last fall, he was paired with Emma Slater on DWTS; they ultimately came in sixth place.

Ian Buchanan - The Interview 2/17/23

Ian is well known to daytime audiences for creating the role of Duke Lavery on ABC’s General Hospital. He went to on to play Dr. James Warwick on The Bold and the Beautiful, Lord Sheraton on Days of Our Lives, Joshua Temple on Port Charles, and Dr. Greg Madden on All My Children. In 1997, Ian won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor for this role on The Bold and the Beautiful; the first actor to ever win for the popular soap.

After leaving General Hospital in 1989, he appeared on prime time in It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, Twin Peaks and Columbo: Columbo Cries Wolf before returning to daytime in 1993 with B&B.

Ian appeared on numerous hit series including The Larry Sanders Show, Quantum Leap, The Nanny, NYPD Blue, Nash Bridges, Charmed, Alias and Nip Tucked to name a few. He appeared on film playing Jodie Foster’s Realtor in Panic Room as well as many others.

Aketra Sevillain Cast on DAYS OF OUR LIVES as Talia

“We wanted to round out [Jada’s] family a little bit so we bring on her little sister, Talia, who, despite having a medical degree, applies for a job at the bakery,” DAYS headwriter Ron Carlivati teased to Soap Opera Digest in their new issue. “So there’s a little mystery that remains to be unraveled.”

Viewers might recognize Sevillain from her role as Zoe on the HBO Max series THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS. The actress has also made appearances in the series GROWN-ISH, GRAND CREW, and MILLENNIALS.

Not only will Talia complicate Jada’s life in Salem, but she should also slot in nicely with the town’s younger set. Working at the bakery will bring her right into Chanel and Allie’s orbit. But will she be interested in them or perhaps one of the boys like Tripp or Johnny?

No first air date has been announced for Sevillian’s daytime debut, so you’ll just have to stay tuned to see when she shows up in Salem and what kind of drama Talia gets mixed up in once she’s there!

Talk Show Appearance

AIRING Feb 16, 2023

Jackée Harry ("Days of our Lives")

Ashley Benson, 33, dating oil heir Brandon Davis, 43: report

Ashley Benson is reportedly dating Brandon Davis, the grandson of oil tycoon Marvin Davis.

While it’s unclear how long the rumored couple has been together, a source told People on Friday that “they have a lot of mutual friends and are both super fun and very social people.”

Despite remaining quiet about their relationship on social media, it appears Benson and Davis, 43, aren’t trying to keep their love under wraps as they’ve been spotted together numerous times over the past couple of weeks.

Most recently, the “Pretty Little Liars” star, 33, and Davis joined Emma Roberts and her boyfriend, Cody John, for a double date in Los Angeles.

The foursome hit it off as they chatted and smoked a cigarette outside a restaurant before heading back inside to grab a bite to eat.

The new couple was also photographed sitting courtside at a basketball game and at a friend’s birthday party.

News of Benson’s new beau comes following the end of her on-again, off-again relationship with rapper G-Eazy.

The now exes — who first started dating in 2020 — were last linked at a 2022 Oscars party.

Although sources say the twosome — who once sparked engagement rumors — “looked very much in love,” their romance seemingly fizzled out shortly after.

Before her relationship with the rapper, Benson dated Cara Delevingne for two years.

However, after facing backlash for moving on with G-Eazy just one month after her split from the model, Benson opened up to Cosmopolitan UK about why she often keeps her dating life private.

“The most annoying part is having to sit back and be quiet while everybody talks about you and you have to deal with it,” she said. “People can say whatever they want about me, but unless you know me, you don’t really know anything at all.”

“I usually keep my relationships private,” she continued. “You obviously can’t help if you get photographed together. [But] it’s more sacred that way. Those private moments are for you and your partner, and I think it’s best not to be over-exposed, and you can really protect your relationship if you’re not exploiting it.”

The oil heir — who has earned himself a bad boy reputation around Hollywood — has also dated his fair share of celebs, including “The O.C” star Mischa Barton, model Brittny Gastineau and Paris Hilton.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Star Lamon Archey Is Engaged to Kristen Terry

(Instagram) The engagement announcement came in joint Instagram posts from both Archey and his real-life leading lady. On his page, the DAYS actor shared a point-of-view photo of Terry casually dressed in jeans and a green turtleneck sweater, her left hand extended out which he held in his own left hand. On Terry’s fourth finger is a stunning marquis-shaped diamond on a glittering diamond-covered band. “Engaged,” Archey simply captioned the photo, adding the hashtags “coming soon” and “real life” along with an engagement ring emoji.

Immediately, Archey’s co-stars from the soap jumped in to pass on good wishes to their friend on his engagement. “Congrats, my dude!” enthused Brandon Barash (Stefan), who recently tied the knot himself. “Alright, alright, alright,” added Greg Vaughan (Eric).

In the comments of her fiancé’s post, Terry quipped, “Gosh, I hate that pic of me,” adding the laugh-out-loud smiley face, monkey see, and red heart emojis. Over on her Instagram profile, Terry (who goes by Krissy), posted a carousel of photos of her and her guy together. “I. Said. Yes,” she enthused. “To a lifetime of love, family, health, and happiness with my loving, handsome, and charming best friend.”

A businesswoman involved in multiple industries, Terry is the marketing director for a California law firm, owns a marketing consultant agency for law firms and healthcare providers, is a licensed real estate agent, and runs TerryFit Recovery as a licensed sports therapist. She is also a former professional dancer, stuntwoman, actress, and singer who performed overseas touring her original music.

Congratulations to Archey and Terry! Please join us in wishing them all the happiness in the world as they begin their life together.

APA Signs ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Alum Mike Manning

Manning is best known for his recent two-year arc as Charlie Dale on the long-running soap Days of Our Lives, appearing in 65 episodes of the series which recently migrated from NBC to Peacock.

The actor was also seen in a few episodes of the final season of This Is Us — also on NBC — and has previously been seen on such additional series as Netflix’s Welcome to Eden, OWN’s The Haves and the Have Nots, MTV’s Teen Wolf, TNT’s Major Crimes, and CBS’s Hawaii Five-0, to name a few.

Manning appears in Damien Chazelle’s Old Hollywood epic Babylon for Paramount, which this year is nominated for three Academy Awards, and was previously seen in the 2018 SXSW prize winner, Jinn.

Manning continues to be represented by Kurt Patino of Patino Management Company.

Chrishell Stause once apologized to G Flip ‘for being straight’

The “Selling Sunset” star – who for most of her life considered herself to be straight – revealed in a joint interview with Vogue Australia that she once told the drummer, “I apologize for being straight” after they asked her out on a date.

The couple first met at a Halloween party in Los Angeles in 2021, but reconnected at another gathering that following February.

Stause – who was fresh off her breakup with her “Selling Sunset” boss and co-star, Jason Oppenheim – said she shared a kiss with G Flip at the fęte, but didn’t think much of it because she had kissed women before “for the guys’ reaction.”

“I had no issue doing something like that, but in my head I [didn’t think I] could have a meaningful relationship with somebody …” the former soap star, 41, explained, adding, “I definitely still thought I was straight at that party!”

G Flip – who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns – asked out Stause soon after, which is when they received the mea culpa about her orientation.

However, the chemistry only continued to flourish once the pair got together again for a real estate meeting.

“I specifically remember because it was the same feeling you would have when somebody you have a crush on gets a little too close into your space and you get a little flush … flustered,” Stause recalled to Vogue.

“But for me, that bodily reaction where I was like, ‘Oh, hold on a second, that’s familiar,’ that was a turning point.”

Stause and G Flip, 28, decided to give their romance a real chance and went public with their relationship in May 2022 on the “Selling Sunset” Season 5 reunion.

Stause told Vogue about some of the hate they both received as a result, sharing, “Every day I’m seeing, like, three positive comments and then hundreds of puke emojis and midlife crisis comments. At first, it felt so heavy, like, ‘What have you done?’ because it brought all this negativity to G’s life.”

However, the couple decided to not let the trolls influence their lives and Stause – who was previously married to TV heartthrob Justin Hartley and only publicly dated men – reflected on what her new lover has taught her.

“I feel like you get to an age and you’re supposed to know it all by then, but there is no age where you know it all, because you’re always evolving,” the “Under Construction” author said.

“And this is the perfect example of a relationship that a few years ago I wouldn’t have thought was possible.”

She added that G Flip helped her realize she’s “attracted to energy, not whatever physical thing that people have in their head.”

‘Fire Country’ Adds Zach Tinker To Season 1 Cast

Tinker will make his series debut this weekend with a special episode that airs immediately following the AFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 29. He plays Collin, a humble, charming, and talented probie firefighter. As the son of a famous firefighting hero, Collin carries a name that he’s constantly trying to live up to.

In Fire Country, seeking redemption and a shortened prison sentence, young convict Bode Donovan (Max Thieriot) joins a firefighting program that returns him to his small Northern California hometown, where he and other inmates work alongside elite firefighters to extinguish massive blazes across the region.

Kevin Alejandro, Billy Burke, Diane Farr, Jordan Calloway, Stephanie Arcila, and Jules Latimer also star.

Series creators Thieriot, Tony Phelan, and Joan Rater executive produce alongside Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman, and KristieAnne Reed for Jerry Bruckheimer Television. CBS Studios is the studio.

Tinker was most recently seen in this season of ABC’s Big Sky and has also appeared in CBS’ CSI Vegas and FX’s American Horror Story: 1984.

He is popularly known for his recently concluded portrayal of Sonny Kiriakis in NBC’s long-running soap Days of Our Lives and its Peacock spinoff series, Beyond Salem.

Tinker is repped by Luber Roklin Entertainment and Pakula King and Associates.

Dishing with Digest - 1/20/23 - Alison Sweeney & Lacey Chabert

Zach Tinker guests on Fire Country 2/3/23

GUEST CAST: Zach Tinker (Collin), David James Lewis (Neil Wallace), Leslie Murphy (Tatum), Vince Song (Doug), Amira Anderson (Protester #1), Jamal Ali (Woozy Protester).

Tracey Bregman Interview - Celebrating 40 Years as Lauren Fenmore on The Young and the Restless

Tracey joined the cast of The Young and the Restless in January 1983. From September 1995-1999, Tracey starred as Lauren Fenmore on "The Bold and the Beautiful" before returning to "Y&R" in September of 2001. Tracey received her first Emmy award for her work on "Y&R," as Outstanding Younger Actress In A Daytime Drama Series," in 1985 and was nominated again for the award in 1987. In both 2006 and 2008 Tracey received nominations in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series for her role on "The Young and the Restless.". In 2016, she received her first nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actress category.

Tracey's first break came when she landed a three-day role on the daytime drama series "Days of Our Lives." It turned in a two-and-a-half-year stint. Tracey's other television credits include lead roles in the ABC after school specials, "The Girl With E.S.P.," and "Three On A Date." She had guest starring roles in the Movies of the week, "Fair Weather Friend" and Lifetime's "Sex and Mrs. X" She also guest starred in the primetime television series "The Fall Guy," "The Love Boat," "Gavilan," and "Fame" and was a series regular on the NBC show, "Second Family Tree."

Her feature film credits include lead roles in "Misogynist", "Happy Birthday To Me," "The Funny Farm." "The Concrete Jungle" and "Blue Devil, Blue Devil."

Tracey has been passionately involved in branding and has been the spokesperson for a vegan make-up brush line "Advanced Beauty Tools," and was the face and spokesperson of Jabot Cosmetics for Sony Pictures/CBS-TV/Fushion Brands all on HSN. Tracey has also been designer and spokesperson for the Tracey Bregman Collection of jewelry on The Shopping Channel in Canada.

Tracey currently serves as the spokesperson for the uber-popular, Pilates Pro Chair.

Talk Show Appearance

Tuesday, Jan. 24

Actress Tracey Bregman (CBS’ THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) (n)

Tinker returns to Y&R

Zach Tinker guests on Fire Country 1/29/23

FIRE COUNTRY stars Max Thieriot (SEAL TEAM) as Bode Donovan, a young convict seeking redemption and a shortened prison sentence by joining a prison release firefighting program in Northern California, where he and other inmates are partnered with elite firefighters to extinguish massive, unpredictable wildfires across the region. It’s a high-risk, high-reward assignment, and the heat is turned up when Bode is assigned to the program in his rural hometown, where he was once a golden all-American son – until his troubles began. Five years ago, Bode burned down everything in his life, leaving town with a big secret. Now he’s back, with the rap sheet of a criminal and the audacity to believe in a chance for redemption with Cal Fire.

GUEST CAST includes: W Tre Davis (Freddy), Zach Tinker (Collin), Seth Ranaweera (Luis).

‘All American’ Renewed For Season 6 At The CW; Marks First Scripted Deal Under New Owners

The network has handed an early sixth season renewal to the drama series, marking the first scripted renewal after Nexstar took ownership earlier this year.

All American, which was The CW’s number one linear series in adult 18-49, most-watched series on digital and the largest show in total audience across all platforms, will launch its fifth season on January 23.

It will then return for season six in the 2023-24 broadcast season.

Deadline understands the series, which comes from Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Studios, will continue to be produced in line with its previous seasons. This comes despite talk that the network is looking to cut budgets for scripted orders and floating a target license fee for drama series of $1 million dollar per episode going forward.

The move also marks the first renewal since the hire of Brad Schwartz as President of Entertainment.

It bucks a trend where a large number of The CW’s scripted shows are coming to an end including DC’s Stargirl, The Flash, Riverdale and Nancy Drew.

Season five kicks off when Laura (Monet Mazur) throws Billy (Taye Diggs) a surprise birthday party, everyone comes together to roast Billy, but Billy has a looming decision hanging over his head. Spencer (Daniel Ezra) makes an effort to do what’s best for himself, hoping it helps Olivia (Samantha Logan) and him take a step towards moving on. Jayme (guest star Miya Horcher) offers some sage advice to Asher (Cody Christian) about his speech with JJ (Hunter Clowdus), but she ignores her own about watching out for red flags. Meanwhile, Jordan (Michael Evans Behling) and Layla (Greta Onieogou) get in their first fight over something neither of them could have predicted.

All American is exec produced by Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, John A. Norris, Jameal Turner, Mike Herro and David Strauss.

“Over the last five seasons, All American has established itself as one of the all-time CW flagship franchises,” said Schwartz. “All American is not only the network’s youngest series, but also the strongest performer when combining all our platforms. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, the entire creative team and the incredible cast for another season of captivating family drama.”

WGA Awards TV Nominations/Winner

Days of Our Lives
Head Writer Ron Carlivati Writers Lorraine Broderick, Jazmen Darnell Brown, Joanna Cohen, Carolyn Culliton, Richard Culliton, Cheryl Davis, Kirk Doering, Christopher Dunn, Jamey Giddens, David Kreizman, Ryan Quan, Dave Ryan, Katherine D. Schock; NBC

‘El Patio’ Comedy From Danny Fernandez, Roselyn Sanchez & Eric Winter And Kapital In Works At Fox

Written by Fernandez, El Patio follows a group of mostly Latin neighbors of all ages, races and walks of life, who welcome a new neighbor, Gabriel Suarez, into their small Miami apartment building. Gabriel, a Mexican-American from Texas, always knew that life in Miami would be different, but he never expected that his neighbors’ cultural differences would be an almost-constant source of conflict and comedy.

Fernandez executive produces with Kapital Entertainment’s Kaplan and Melanie Frankel. Sanchez and Winter executive produce via Two For The Road. Manuel Mendoza serves as co-producer. Kapital’s Jessie Abbott serves as creative executive. El Patio is a co-production of Fox Entertainment and Kapital Entertainment.

This marks the latest project to come out of Two For The Road’s producing deal with Kapital Entertainment.

Fernandez is co-creator and executive producer on Keep This To Yourself for Peacock and Telemundo and recently wrote pilot script Home Sweet Gomez for ABC and 20th TV. Prior to that, he was a writer/producer on the iCarly reboot for Paramount+ and also worked on Disney+’s Diary of a Future President, Hulu’s Love, Victor, as well as ABC’s Grand Hotel where he met the series’ star Sanchez, leading to their collaboration on El Patio. Fernandez is repped by CAA, Anonymous Content, and Nelson Davis.

El Patio expands Sanchez and Kapital’s relationship with Fox. Sanchez headlines the network’s series Fantasy Island. Kapital is behind animated comedy series HouseBroken.

Sanchez is repped by APA, Alchemy Entertainment & Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof and Fishman. Winter is repped by Gersh, Brillstein Entertainment & Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof and Fishman.

Quinn K. Redeker Dies: ‘Days Of Our Lives’, ‘The Young And The Restless’ Actor Was 86

His death was announced by his family.

Redeker was probably best known for his portrayal of the villainous Alex Marshall on Days of Our Lives from 1979 to 1987, and, from 1987 to 1994, as wealthy businessman Rex Sterling on The Young and the Restless (Redeker had briefly played two other characters on Restless prior to his casting as Sterling).

His performance in the Rex Sterling role earned Redeker two nominations for Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (1989 and 1990).

In addition to an acting career that encompassed leading man roles and character parts, Redeker received a story credit and Oscar nomination for Michael Cimino’s The Deer Hunter (1978). The film was based in part on an unproduced screenplay titled The Man Who Came to Play written by Redeker and Louis A. Garfinkle.

A familiar face on television for decades, Redeker made numerous guest appearances on episodic series including Bonanza, That Girl, Mannix, Ironside, Mayberry R.F.D., Adam-12, The Bob Newhart Show, Kojak, Cannon, The Six Million Dollar Man and Supernatural, to name a sample.

On the big screen, his films varied from The Three Stooges Meet Hercules (1962) to Where The Buffalo Roam (1980).

A role in 1972’s The Candidate starring Robert Redford began an association between the two actors that would include reuniting with Redford in 1979’s The Electric Horseman. When Redford made his feature directing debut with the celebrated Ordinary People in 1980, he cast Redeker in a small but emotional scene as the golf-playing brother of the grieving Beth (played by Mary Tyler Moore).

Redeker is survived by his adult children Brennen, Arianne, Glaen, and Quinn Jr., and two grandchildren.

Lisa Rinna Exits ‘The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills’ After 8 Seasons

“This is the longest job I have held in my 35-year career and I am grateful to everyone at Bravo and all those involved in the series. It has been a fun 8-year run and I am excited for what is to come!'” she said in a statement.

A representative for the star said that Rinna’s contract was up at the end of Season 12 and “after taking the time to weigh her current options and business obligations, Lisa and Bravo have discussed and mutually decided that she will not be returning to RHOBH.”

Rinna had a rough season on RHOBH starting off the season with the loss of her mother Lois. As she coped with losing her mom, the drama surrounded that show and Rinna was caught in the middle of controversy surrounding costar Kathy Hilton.

Rinna alleged that Hilton had a severe meltdown during a cast trip to Colorado and she was forced to lock herself in her room. Cameras for the Bravo reality series were down and none of the drama was filmed. When the RHOBH cast made an appearance at BravoCon, Rinna was greeted with boos from the audience and she answered them by flipping them off. In contrast, Hilton was greeted with cheers and applause in all of her presentations throughout the weekend.

The Days of our Lives alum joined RHOBH in Season 5 of the franchise with fellow soap star Eileen Davidson. Rinna quickly became a fan favorite for calling her fellow costars out, especially Lisa Vanderpump.

RHOBH is expected to start filming Season 13 in the coming weeks after taking a break between seasons following a controversial year.

People was the first to report the news.

Phideaux Xavier Interview - Celebrating 25 Years Directing Daytime Television

Phideaux began his career on Guiding Light (under his original name of Scott Riggs) as a Student Intern and then worked as a PA, Associate Director, Writer and Director. In NYC, Phideaux spent time directing on Another World, One Life To Live, As The World Turns and All My Children before relocating to Los Angeles to direct Sunset Beach, MTV's Spyder Games, Passions, Days Of Our Lives, The Young And The Restless and ultimately General Hospital where he currently resides.

Phideaux has also written two songs for General Hospital's “Nurses Ball” which were performed on the show by Eden McCoy. He also made an on-camera appearance singing an original song on General Hospital.

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Bids Farewell To John Aniston

DOOL announced before Christmas that it would pay tribute on December 26 to Aniston, the veteran soap actor best known for his 30-plus-year run as the soap’s crime boss and in his personal life as the father of Jennifer Aniston.

He died November 11 at age 89.

As was typically the case for his character, Aniston’s final scenes as Victor were filled with both anger and comic relief. While stewing over the notion that his nephew Sonny (Zach Tinker) invited his ex-hubby Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) into the Kiriakis household for the holidays, Victor threatened to throw the cute cad out “on your sugar plum ass.” He then chastised Leo for “wearing baby jam jams” around the house. (They were actually holiday PJs but don’t try telling that to Victor).

Ultimately, Victor forgives Sonny for inviting in the “man who blackmailed you into your marriage,” not to mention having drugged Sonny and sold compromising pictures of him to the tabloids. Believing Sonny when he said he and Leo were now friends, Victor allowed the baby jam-jam-wearing Leo to stay. Even old mobsters can forgive and forget!

At the end of the episode, DOOL featured a montage of past Aniston clips, including scenes from his marriages (boy, were there a lot), some of his funnier moments that included a spit take, and a minute when his character reflects on a life well led. “Old age has a way of softening you,” his characters says. “At the end of the day it’s family that counts.”

The final image of the episode features Victor motoring away on his yacht named (what else?) Victor.

Aniston joined Days of our Lives in 1985. He was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Daytime Emmys. He is survived by daughter Jennifer Aniston, son Alexander, and his wife Sherry Rooney.

Tamara Braun Exits ‘Days Of Our Lives’ & Ends Latest Stint As Ava Vitali

“Hey all you Days fans!! If you want to see Ava off, tune into DOOL today for her last day in Salem,” she wrote. “Thought I’d share some of my memories from the last (almost) two years. Starts at the end and ends at the start with my first nasal swab. Oh Covid!! Thanks for all the love and support you continue to show me. I will miss you all!! Wait, I’ll still be here, you can find me on IG!! Much love.”

Braun originally joined DOOL back in 2008 in the role of Ava who was connected to Stephen Nichols’ character Steve Johnson. Her portrayal of Ava gave her, her first Daytime Emmy award in 2009 in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category. She would return briefly to the soap in 2011 as Taylor Walker, taking over Natalia Livingston.

Braun reprised her role of Ava in 2015 when DOOL was celebrating its 50th anniversary. She would once again leave in 2016. Her latest run on the NBC show in the character of Ava started again in November 2020 and up until 2022.

As of now, it is not known what Braun is up to next. She has previously starred in other soaps like All My Children as Reese Williams and in General Hospital where she played Carly Corinthos and Kim Nero in separate runs.

Watch Braun’s video here in tribute to her time on DOOL.

The Bay Interview - Season 7 with Brandon Beemer, Celeste Fianna, Mike Manning and Eric Nelsen

Season 7 of The Bay premiers on Monday, December 19th. Season 7 kicks off into high gear right where season six ended. The drama recently completed shooting its milestone 100th episode, which will be released in early 2023. Viewers can watch the series weekdays at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT on Popstar! TV, with encore presentations at 8pm ET/5 pm PT and 11pm ET/8pm PT.

The series shoots in Burbank and on location throughout Southern California. This season, the cast flew to the Caribbean and shot on location in beautiful Puerto Rico. The soap takes place in a town cursed by the spirit of a murdered Senator played by Golden Globe winner and Special Guest Star Bruce Davison. The residents of Bay City struggle after a shocking cataclysmic event leaves everyone wondering who lives and who dies.

Season 7 stars Kristos Andrews and Karrueche Tran as super couple Pete and Vivian Garrett; Mary Beth Evans as Sara Garrett; Tristan Rogers as Commissioner Lex Martin; A Martinez as Nardo Ramos and my guests today, Brandon Beemer as Evan Blackwell, Celeste Fianna as Tamara Garrett, Eric Nelsen as Daniel Garrett and Mike Manning as Caleb McKinnon.

Ashley Benson Seeks Protection From Man She Claims Is Seeking Sexual Relationship

The actress beelined it to court and filed for a protection order against a 20-year-old man she claims has been incessantly seeking a sexual relationship with her and is threatening to shoot himself if she doesn't at least interact with him, even though she says she never even gave him her number.

In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Ashley claims the guy keeps blowing up her phone ... and she says he's also messaging her incessantly on social media.

It sounds pretty scary ... Ashley claims the man often references the use of a gun ... and she says the guy sends her audio messages where he's sobbing and threatening to kill himself.

Ashley claims the man has been harassing her online for over a year but she says things ratcheted up recently ... she says he's tracked her location using social media and approached her in a frightening and threatening manner.

AB says she blocked the guy's phone number and he responded by calling her from 40 different numbers.

Ashley is asking a judge to prohibit the guy from contacting her and keep him at least two football fields away from her home, job and car.

Lacey Chabert Just Confirmed 3 More ' Wedding Veil' Movies Are Coming—Very Soon

“Autumn Reeser and Alison Sweeney and I, we are gonna be back with three more ‘Wedding Veils,” Lacey Chabert told Fallon on a recent episode. “We’re currently filming the last one. We’re about to actually head to Greece this weekend to film the third one. But Ali is the lead-in. And we are so excited to bring these characters back to life. Because the movies always end with a kiss, they fall in love. And now we get to see what happened after that. There might be babies, the friendships are deeper.”

Lisa Hamilton Daly, Hallmark Media's EVP of Programming had already confirmed during the summer session of TCA (Television Critics Association) that the feel-good network hoped to make more of them. "The Wedding Veil' was so popular that we’re hoping to do more of that" she said at the time.

And now we know that three more movies in The Wedding Veil franchise are on the way! We even have a premiere date for the first movie. The first movie, The Wedding Veil Expectation, premieres Jan. 7. Chabert will be front and center alongside When Calls the Heart star Kevin McGarry.

Sneak Peek: 'Million Dollar Listing' Star Josh Flagg Will Appear on 'Days of Our Lives'

The Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles star, 37, will appear on NBC's Days of our Lives on May 12, 2023, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal. But this is not his first time acting.

"I acted when I was a child and have a background in theater," he tells PEOPLE. "When I was 21, I started doing MDLLA, which is not acting, but helped prepare me to be in front of the camera."

He added that he was not nervous to take on this role, in fact, he says, "I was very excited!"

The details of his character's arc are, of course, still under wraps. But in exclusive set photos shared with PEOPLE, Flagg can be seen having a seemingly tense meeting with two of his co-stars in a restaurant and dramatically descending a staircase. He wears a dark suit, not unlike his MDLLA-wear, and is in possession of a folder of documents.

Asked how he landed the unique gig, Flagg recalls how the Days of our Lives casting team reached out to him because they thought he would "play this particular character very well."

As a longtime fan of the soap, he adds how thrilled he was to be a part of it, and remembers watching the show with his mom as a child.

Despite his past acting experience, Flagg said that the role came with some challenges.

"There was one line that I could not remember and we tried over and over again," he says. "Finally I just changed it into my own words and the director loved it, so we just went with my own language."

Along with his upcoming appearance on Days of Our Lives, the luxury realtor is looking forward to season 14 of MDLLA premiering on Thursday, December 8.

In the teaser for the new season, Flagg reveals he's "seeing somebody" following his divorce from husband Bobby Boyd. He made his new relationship with fellow realtor Andrew Beyer Instagram official in April 2022 after announcing his divorce in March.

After breaking the news of his new romance, his co-star Josh Altman offered him some advice: "Just take time, there's no rush," he says, to which Flagg reassures him, "I'm not getting married today."

The rest of the season will show Flagg's new relationship play out and the drama that unfolds as he works alongside his ex-husband as co-listing agents on a property.

Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles premieres Thursday, December 8 at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.

Hallmark Media Signs Nikki DeLoach To Exclusive, Multi-Picture Overall Deal

Hallmark Channel viewers should recognize DeLoach from her starring roles in such original movies as The Perfect Catch, Christmas Land, A Dream of Christmas, Truly, Madly, Sweetly and Love Takes Flight, which premiered as a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. She also developed, executive produced and starred in Reunited at Christmas, as well as co-wrote Christmas for Keeps with her writing partner Megan McNulty, which aired during “Miracles of Christmas” on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

DeLoach also starred as the lead in the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries original Two Turtle Doves opposite Michael Rady. She executive produced and starred in Taking the Reins for Hallmark Channel and showcased her acting range in Five More Minutes, which premiered in 2021 during “Miracles of Christmas” on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

Most recently for the network, DeLoach brought her talent to Curious Caterer: Dying for Chocolate.

“Nikki is one of those rare actors who has a range of skills that allows her to play both comedy and drama while making it look effortless,” said Lisa Hamilton Daly, Executive Vice President, Programming, Hallmark Media. “Her warmth and likability shine through in every role she takes on, making her a favorite among our viewers.”

“I’m thrilled, of course, to continue my relationship with the Hallmark family,” added DeLoach. “These movies are special and to be able to bring to life stories that make people feel good is an opportunity I am grateful to have.”

As part of the deal, DeLoach will next star in the DaySpring movie The Gift of Peace, premiering exclusively on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries on Saturday, December 10, 9 p.m. ET/PT.

DeLoach is also known for her role as Lacey Hamilton on Awkward and from the iconic The All New Mickey Mouse Club. She’s guest starred in NCIS, Criminal Minds, CSI, CSI: NY, Cold Case, Mad Men, Grey’s Anatomy, Without a Trace, and most recently 911. DeLoach was also a series regular on North Shore.

Her films include Love & Other Drugs, Flying Lessons, and the French comedy Hollywoo.

DeLoach is repped by TalentWorks, More Medavoy Management, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich & Gellman.

‘The Bay’ Announces Season 7 Premiere Date; Milestone 100th Episode To Air In 2023

The sudser recently completed its milestone 100th episode, which will be released in early 2023. Viewers can watch the daytime drama series weekdays at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT on Popstar! TV.

“Growing up watching American daytime dramas in a Latino household where telenovelas were also a big part of our upbringing, I’ve always wanted to combine these two worlds and feel our creative team really helped accomplish that in these latest episodes,” said Gregori J. Martin, series creator, director, and showrunner.

“The huge success of The Bay is attributed to Gregori’s inspired vision, his genuine love of the soap opera genre and his inherent understanding of serialized storytelling. The Bay always delivers intimate dramatic stories, romance and mystery while exploring the complexity of the human condition. I’m always excited to dive into writing with Gregori because of his fearless and bold approach to traditional soap storytelling,” added co-writer and executive producer Wendy Riche (General Hospital, Port Charles).

The multi-camera serial drama is recorded at Associated Television International Studios in Burbank and on location throughout Southern California. The series also shot in Puerto Rico this season. The soap takes place in a town cursed by the spirit of a murdered Senator (Golden Globe winner and Special Guest Star Bruce Davison). The residents of Bay City struggle after a shocking cataclysmic event leaves everyone wondering who lives and who dies.

Season 7 stars Daytime Emmy winners Kristos Andrews (Survive the Game) and Karrueche Tran (Claws, Bel-Air) as super couple Pete and Vivian Garrett; Daytime Emmy-winners Mary Beth Evans (Days of Our Lives) as Sara Garrett; Tristan Rogers (General Hospital) as Commissioner Lex Martin; A Martinez (Longmire, Santa Barbara) as Nardo Ramos; Eric Nelsen (1883, All My Children) as Daniel Garrett; and Mike Manning (This is Us, Days of our Lives) as Caleb McKinnon. Andrews will be doing double duty as Pete Garrett’s diabolical twin brother Adam Kenway, a role that garnered him a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Drama Series in 2021.

Other returning series regulars are Jackie Zeman and Alicia Leigh Willis (General Hospital), Brandon Beemer and Matthew Ashford (Days of Our Lives), Celeste Fianna (The Raven), Najee De-Tiege (Power Rangers: Samurai), Taylor Stanley (Another World), Dante Aleksander (yA), Carlo Mendez (Parks and Recreation, 90210) and this seasons newcomer Kiara Liz Ortega (Panama).

Guest stars include Bianca D’Ambrosio (Call Jane) and Chiara D’Ambrosio (Bandit), Réal Andrews, Cari Shane and Alexia Robinson (General Hospital), Daniel Covin (All My Children), Ciara Hanna (The Bold and the Beautiful), Txunamy Ortiz (Riverdale), Joe Lando (Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman), Stephen Schnetzer (Another World), John Aprea (The Godfather II & III) and multiple Latin Grammy winner Draco Rosa.

The Bay is produced by the independent film and television production company LANY Entertainment in association with SheMogal Media and is distributed exclusively internationally by GRB Entertainment. Since its inception, the serialized crime romance has garnered 23 Daytime Emmy wins out of 56 nominations from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Popstar! TV also will air encores of The Bay at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT on Popstar! TV.

Interview: Camilla Banus, Mark Hapka and Brittany Underwood - Sweet Navidad

Brittany is well known to daytime audiences for her role as Langston Wilde on One Life to Live and her role as Riley Henderson on The Bay. She appeared as Loren Tate on the Nick at Nite series, Hollywood Heights. Some of her other roles include Law & Order: SVU, Youthful Daze, Major Crimes and The Goldbergs to name a few. Sweet Navidad is her directorial debut.

Daytime fans know Camila Banus for her role as Gabi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives and her role as Lola Montez on One Life to Life. She had a regular role on the FOX-TV show, Star in the third season.

Mark Hapka is also known to daytime audiences for his role as Nathan Horton on Days of Our Lives and Eric Preston on Beacon Hill. He first gained attention for portraying the lead role of the spirit ‘Zach’ on the Ghost Whisperer spin-off Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side. He had a recurring role on the hit series, Hannah Montana and appeared on Greek and Cold Case to name a few.

Zach Tinker guests on CSI: Vegas 1/5/23

GUEST CAST includes: Sara Amini (Sonya Nikolayevich), Madison Lewis (Kristen), Zach Tinker (Warren Bart).

Ashley Benson shows anxiety-induced rash that takes over her ‘whole body’

“My anxiety takes over my whole body,” the “Pretty Little Liars” alum, 32, wrote over a TikTok video of herself showing off a rash all over her skin on Thursday.

The red spots appeared to be particularly spread out around her neck and shoulders.

Benson filmed herself wearing only a white bath towel for the eight-second clip, while the song “Overwhelmed” by Royal & the Serpent played over it.

The lyrics of the track appropriately state, “I get overwhelmed so easily / my anxiety / creeps inside of me / makes it hard to breathe.”

Benson’s fans flooded the comments section, applauding her for sharing her struggles.

“this is real. makes me feel less alone,” one person wrote, while another commented, “This happens to me as well when I get anxiety. I’m glad I’m not alone.”

Benson didn’t reveal what was causing her anxiety at the time, but hinted the next day that she was still experiencing the disorder in a separate video posted on Instagram.

“Who else struggles w bad anxiety and panic attacks???” the “Spring Breakers” star captioned a clip of herself taking a sip of a drink on Friday.

The song “Overwhelmed” — once again — was played over the video.

Benson has been candid with the public about her issues with mental health in the past.

In February 2015, the “Ravenswood” alum told The Post she undergoes acupuncture in order to help her manage stress.

“I do it on my back and private parts,” Benson said at the time. “It relieves anxiety.”

Dishing with Digest - 11/25/22 - Camila Banus

Mike Manning Interview 12/1/22

On television, he is most known for his role in Disney’s snowboarding movie "Cloud 9," on MTV's "Teen Wolf," as ‘The Manny’ on NBC’s popular drama series “This Is Us,” and as bad boy ‘Charlie Dale’ on NBC's "Days of Our Lives." Manning's other TV credits include "Hawaii Five-0" on CBS, "Major Crimes" on TNT, "Crash & Bernstein" on Disney XD, Tyler Perry's "The Haves and the Have Nots,” and as 'Caleb McKinnon' on "The Bay" (Peacock), for which Manning won two Emmy Awards and was also nominated for an Independent Series Award.

In film, Mike has appeared in the civil rights feature "Son of the South" executive produced by Oscar-winner Spike Lee, and the third installment of the faith-based blockbuster "God's Not Dead." Other notable credits include the WWII drama "D-Day: Battle of Omaha Beach," "The Call" featuring Lin Shaye and Tobin Bell, and “Slapface.

Mike is also a voiceover actor, working as an English voice on some of the largest foreign Netflix shows in the world, including the worldwide hit "Money Heist" ("La Casa De Papel"), the French hit "Lupin," Mexico's "Unstoppable," Italy's "Generation 56K," Brazil's "Spectros," and the Spanish Sci-Fi "Welcome to Eden."

In 2014, Mike executive produced the Showtime documentary "Kidnapped for Christ" alongside Tom DeSanto (“X-Men”). After producing the documentary "An Act of Love" with actress Pauley Perrette ("NCIS"), Mike later produced the homeless youth documentary "Lost in America," featuring Oscar-winner Halle Berry, Tiffany Haddish, Grammy-winner Jewel and Rosario Dawson. Manning also helped produce "The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson," directed by Oscar-nominated David France, which was a Netflix Original after premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival.

NBC LAUNCHES NEW GAME SHOW ‘THE WHEEL’ WITH A TWO-WEEK TAKEOVER DURING THE HOLIDAYS, BEGINNING MONDAY, DEC. 19

The takeover begins Monday, Dec. 19 with new episodes airing nightly at 10 p.m. ET/PT, and continues the following week with new episodes airing at 8 p.m. The series features suspenseful high-stakes trivia, laugh-out-loud moments and more than 50 all-star guests seated on a spectacular 42-foot-wide spinning wheel.

The all-star lineup includes Clay Aiken, Carole Baskin, Brie Bella, Tom Bergeron, Bobby Berk, Bre-Z, Jaime Camil, Christine Chiu, Margaret Cho, Deepak Chopra, Cat Cora, Victor Cruz, Ester Dean, Russell Dickerson, Taye Diggs, Sheila E., Shawn Johnson East, Josh Flagg, Kate Flannery, Vivica A. Fox, Debbie Gibson, Todrick Hall, Tony Hawk, Matt Iseman, JoJo, Chris Kattan, Steve Kornacki, Ricki Lake, Lyric Lewis, Loni Love, Judge Greg Mathis, Mark McGrath, Chrissy Metz, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, Terrell Owens, Kyla Pratt, Christina Ricci, Andy Richter, Amber Riley, Adam Rippon, Captain Lee Rosbach, Jalen Rose, Sanya Richards Ross, Amber Ruffin, Mark Sanchez, Tori Spelling, Curtis Stone, Raven-Symone, Jackie Tohn, Bruno Tonioli, John Urschel, Buddy Valastro, Kym Whitley, Justin Willman, Carnie Wilson and Captain Sandy Yawn.

Created and hosted by McIntyre, each hourlong episode follows six celebrity guests spinning, advising and supporting charismatic contestants as they endeavor to be the last one standing. As the contestants vie for the chance to win over $100,000, the celebrities lend their expertise in a variety of hilarious and outrageous categories from candy and comedians to poker and politics.

Below is the episode rollout:

Monday, Dec. 19 at 10 p.m. – “The Wheel: Premiere”
Contestants receive help from celebrity guests Cat Cora, Mark McGrath, Todrick Hall, Steve Kornacki, Christina Ricci and Amber Ruffin to answer trivia questions tackling a range of categories from Beyoncé and the ’90s to elections and more.

Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 10 p.m. – “Boats, Soaps & Wrestling Ropes”
With categories ranging from soap operas to mathematics, contestants receive help from celebrity guests Vivica A. Fox, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, JoJo, John Urschel, Captain Sandy Yawn and Bruno Tonioli.

Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 10 p.m. – “Déjŕ Vu & Eyes of Blue”
Celebrity guests Judge Greg Mathis, Ricki Lake, Mark Sanchez, Amber Ruffin, Justin Willman and Tori Spelling lend their expertise in a variety of categories that include candy, magic and Beverly Hills to assist contestants competing for a life-changing prize.

Thursday, Dec. 22 at 10 p.m. – “Divas & Derbies”
With categories including cakes, horse racing, percussion and more, contestants are supported by celebrity experts Buddy Valastro, Amber Riley, Jaime Camil, Carnie Wilson, Steve Kornacki and Sheila E.

Friday, Dec. 23 at 10 p.m. – “Fish N’ Chips & Gold Medal Flips”
Celebrity guests Tom Bergeron, Shawn Johnson East, Captain Lee Rosbach, Kyla Pratt, Victor Cruz and Debbie Gibson lend their expertise to contestants in a wide range of hilarious categories, including “The Three Stooges,” gymnastics and seafood.

Monday, Dec. 26 at 8 p.m. – “Big Cats & Bigger Brains”
With wacky categories including big cats and bowling, contestants lean on celebrities Carole Baskin, Bre-Z, Deepak Chopra, Matt Iseman, Raven-Symone and Terrell Owens to be the last one standing on “The Wheel.”

Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 8 p.m. – “Wigs Galore, Dogs & More”
Contestants hope for answers from celebrity experts Bobby Berk, Margaret Cho, Kate Flannery, Loni Love, Andy Richter and Adam Rippon in categories that include wigs, comedians, dogs, figure skating and more.

Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. – “Sky Hooks & the Almighty Book”
Celebrity experts Taye Diggs, Ester Dean, Josh Flagg, Lyric Lewis, Jalen Rose and Christine Chiu advise contestants on questions about the Bible, real estate, plastic surgery and more.

Thursday, Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. – “A Spin, a Twin & a Win”
With categories including astrology, presidents and country music, contestants lean on celebrity experts Chrissy Metz, Sanya Richards Ross, Russell Dickerson, Loni Love, Brie Bella and Clay Aiken.

Friday, Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. – “The Skater & the Dater”
Contestants get insight from celebrity guests Christina Ricci, Chris Kattan, Kym Whitley, Tony Hawk, Jackie Tohn and Curtis Stone on a variety of categories that include “Saturday Night Live,” pregnancy and meat.

“The Wheel” is produced by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon, Apploff Entertainment and the original British creative team, Hungry McBear. The series was created by Michael McIntyre and Dan Baldwin, who executive produce alongside Jeff Apploff, Noah Bonnett, Mike Darnell and Brooke Karzen.

Hogan's Heroes Star Robert Clary, aka Corporal LeBeau, Dead at 96

Born in France, Clary was actually sent to a Nazi concentration camp as a teenager during World War II because he was Jewish. He survived, though, which he credited to his ability to entertain the German troops by singing and dancing. After the war, he recorded music and appeared on Broadway before landing the role of LeBeau on Hogan’s Heroes, which debuted on CBS in 1965.

The sitcom, ironically, was set at a prisoner-of-war camp in Nazi Germany during World War II; LeBeau explained that he had no problem with the premise because there was “a world of difference” between the show’s POW camp and the real concentration camp where he was held. Clary’s LeBeau and his fellow POWs — including Bob Crane’s Colonel Hogan and Richard Dawson’s Corporal Newkirk — schemed to help the Allied war effort by outsmarting their German captor Colonel Klink with the help of the complicit Sergeant Schultz, who was often won over by LeBeau’s cooking.

Clary starred as LeBeau in all six seasons of Hogan’s Heroes, which wrapped up its CBS run in 1971. Clary later appeared on the daytime soap Days of Our Lives as Robert LeClair, with additional roles on The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful.

'Days of Our Lives' Will Pay Tribute to John Aniston During Late Star's Final Episode

The actor, who died last week at age 89, had a recurring role on the daytime series Days of Our Lives for over 30 years. The late star played Victor Kiriakis, a villainous, yet charming crime lord, in nearly 3,000 episodes.

In response to his death, the show will air a special tribute during his final episode, which is scheduled to air on Dec. 26.

"In terms of how we plan to complete Victor's storyline, that is still being discussed," Days of Our Lives said in a statement to PEOPLE.

John first appeared on the NBC series in July 1985 and made his most recent appearance in an episode that aired Nov. 11.

During that episode, John's character prepared to celebrate his wedding anniversary and had a chat with his nephew Xander, played by Paul Telfer.

Telfer told PEOPLE that he felt incredibly lucky and grateful to have worked with the star.

"He was my mentor on the show in as much as Victor was Zander's mentor within the narrative," he said, adding that his on-screen uncle elevated the daytime series and bettered his career as an actor.

"Mostly because being around him, learning the lessons of brevity and wit and strength, all the things I hope to continue on from his style and bring into mine, ultimately it's just gratitude in being exposed to such a consummate actor," Telfer explained.

John was recently honored with a Daytime Emmys Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-standing role on the soap opera. Though he did not attend the June ceremony, Jennifer Aniston, his daughter, appeared virtually on the awards stage to celebrate her father's career on the show.

"This is truly a special moment for me," Jennifer, 53, said. "It's an opportunity to not only pay tribute to a true icon in the daytime television world, but it's also a chance to recognize the lifelong achievements of a great and well-respected actor, who also happens to be my dad."

News of John's death came after Jennifer confirmed he died in an Instagram post on Monday.

Stars React To John Aniston’s Death

Kristian Alfonso (Hope): “Rest in Peace John It was an Honor knowing you & working with you . Thank you for Always being so Kind & for Always making me laugh. XOXO You will be Greatly missed.”

Stephen Nichols (Steve): “We’ve lost a dear man. John Aniston was as kind -hearted and humble as he was gifted. John was a consummate actor; so relaxed, focused and committed. His power was in his easy -going attitude. You never saw the work, even in the days of cue cards – – for which John was the master! In 1985 Days of Our Lives was one of my first regular gigs and John was the first person I worked with on a regular basis. Victor’s hired thug “Patch” had an adversarial relationship with his “Boss” and the two had a lot of fun getting under each other’s skin. We never talked about the work however, I absorbed lessons from the master in the doing. John always greeted me with a handshake and a smile and often with a joke. Man, could he tell a story. John had impeccable timing — he could land a punchline on or off stage, with such panache. In recent years we had discussions about the challenges of raising children and each of us being blessed with a first grandchild, at around the same time, we compared notes on the joys being grandparents for the very first time. In all the years we shared a stage, I never heard John complain about anything work related. Even in later years when he wasn’t feeling the best, he never complained. It was easy to see how he loved being there with his Days family. I know how sorely he will be missed by all. Rest, dear sweet, John. You made an indelible mark on this world. I’m really going to miss you, my friend. Much love to John’s family and to all who loved him.”

Arianne Zucker (Nicole): “My heart is so full when I think of this wonderful man, John Aniston! I have nothing but incredible memories of a man who was so professional at his job and always walked in with the best jokes. No one could tell a joke like John! He taught me how to be a better actress. When I would get a note from a director that I didn’t understand at the time, John would say “Just act faster.” Ha! It actually works! I sang him the same tune every single day I saw him! He loved it! Our characters were married for four years and some of my fondest storylines have been with John. I will love him forever and so grateful I was able to know him.”

Wally Kurth (Justin): “John, you were my mentor and acting partner. You taught me without having to say a word. You were a father figure who I tried to make proud. John, I feel so grateful and honored to have known you, laughed with you and called you my friend. RIP.”

Paul Telfer (Xander): “One of my very fave scenes So lucky to have had the chance to learn from the master Rest In Peace John”

Bryan R. Dattilo (Lucas): “This man taught me so much. The best joke teller in the world. A master Actor. A great man. RIP.”

Mary Beth Evans (Kayla): “What a force, this lovely man was… And the nicest sweetest guy around. He was the master of this daytime art form and all of us at Days Of Lives can’t imagine Salem without him. I know we will think and talk of John often in the days and months to come and Victor Kiriakis will live on forever in our fictional little town…. We love you John, rest in peace #?? #days”

Carson Boatman (Johnny): “RIP John. A true daytime icon.”

Judi Evans (Bonnie): “To know John was to love John. I feel incredibly lucky to have been working with this kind, funny, generous man for all these years.

Always with a new joke, a sweet word of encouragement, or a much needed bear hug- John was a consummate professional and forever a classy guy.

I will miss him terribly, but will always hold him close to my heart. Rest well, John. Thank you for everything. And we’ll always ‘see you back in Salem.’ ”

James Reynolds (Abe): “My dear friend, John Aniston is missed and admired. One of the true professionals @daysofourlives@Days Peacock #DaysofOurLives #Peacock #JohnAniston

Staci Greason (ex-Isabella): “John Aniston was a true gentleman. We hadn’t seen each other in years but I remember him as a good and kind fellow actor. Patient and steady with me as my TV dad on Days of Our Lives. (He was always worried about what I was doing with the money I was making lol. He was right to worry like a dad.) And he was so proud of his real daughter.”

Martha Madison (Belle): “John was funny and sharp and an inspiration to all of us. You always knew you were going to laugh a lot when you had scenes with him. Sending my love to his fans, friends and family. #RIP #Days.”

Greg Rikaart (Leo, DAYS; Kevin, Y&R): “I didn’t know John well but I had the great fortune of working with him a bunch of times. I was always in awe of how dry and sharp his delivery was. He could land an insult like no one else. He was such a gifted actor and I send my love and warm wishes to his family and friends.”

Lauren Koslow (Kate): “John, thankU for making me laugh EVERY time I saw you( best joke teller ever) ,for always being playful & terrifically creative in our work, inspirational as a friend-what an extraordinary life you lived .I feel lucky & privileged to have known you -Rest In Peace #JohnAniston”

Bill Hayes (Doug) and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie): “A tall tree has fallen in the forest of imagination, where we wander in memory for the pleasure of recalling moments and people we love. For the cast crew and numberless fans of John Aniston, sometimes Victor Kiriakis, he will always be there, with a hero’s handsome good looks and a villain’s scathing wit! ‘Did he really say that!?’ ‘We’re we shocked?’ ‘Did we laugh?’ Oh, yes yes yes. Thank you, John, for decades of drama that were mostly a dream- and days of delight that were as real as could be. Sleep well.

Tamara Braun (Ava): “A great talent and more importantly, a great man has left this earth. John was always so incredibly kind. And funny. I was always uplifted when I was in his presence. There is going to be so much more laughter in the afterlife now. RIP John.”

Patrika Darbo (Nancy): “He will be missed. His wit, the man could really tell a joke, his generosity doing scenes with another actor and over all kindness was a gift to us all. Till we met again, keep the angels laughing.”

Stacy Haiduk (Kristen/Susan): “It was Such a pleasure getting to work with John Aniston! He will be missed! May he Rest In Peace! L&L”

Tina Huang (Melinda): “So honored to have worked with him. He was always so kind and funny. Condolences to his family and all he touched.”

Kassie DePaiva (ex-Eve): “A truly amazing man. Kind, generous, funny, and talented. I was so blessed to have gotten to work with him. RIP my friend.”

Jen Lilley (ex-Theresa): “I am so saddened by the loss of John Aniston. A veteran and consummate professional. He was such a delight to work with and gave me wonderful parting advice when I left #Days. I adore you sir. #RIP”

Sarah Brown (ex-Madison): “John Aniston was one of the kindest, most generous actors I’ve worked with. Such a gentleman. I loved sharing scenes with him & seeing his smiling face on set. He certainly made me feel at home on ‘Days’ from day 1 & I appreciated him. Rest in peace John. Peace and love to his family.”

Genie Francis (ex-Diana; Laura, GH): “I am so happy to have had the chance to work with John Aniston. Such a wonderful man.”

Charles Shaughnessy (ex-Shane; Victor, GH): “Rest In Peace, my favorite “ frenemy”! We had so many fun times, and laughs, whilst eagerly plotting each other’s downfall. You are loved and already missed by all of us.”

Eileen Davidson (ex-Kristen; Ashley, Y&R): “I loved John. What a wonderful man. The best.”

Melissa Reeves (ex-Jennifer): “One of our cheeky moments?? thank you John for jokes of the day, teaching me at a young age how to plan for the future and always stopping to say hi to my father in law at Starbucks ???? I always looked forward to when we would work together and when we would both get the same grin on our faces as we fogot our dialogue you are one of a kind and your life touched and blessed so many your presence will be greatly missed. Xoxo”

Vincent Irizarry (ex-Deimos): “I awoke this morning to the very sad news that our dear Mr. John Aniston has passed. I’m so grateful to have had the privilege and opportunity to have played opposite this legend on Days of Our Lives for a couple years in the role of “Deimos Kiriakis,” his/Victor’s bastard brother, and even more so to have begun my stint on the show preforming my very first scenes in “Salem” alongside him. John couldn’t have been more gracious nor more giving towards me as the newbie on the show. As any actor will tell you, regardless of how seasoned one might be as a veteran actor, or even how excited one might be to begin work on a new show, one’s first day on the set, performing a new character, can’t help but be coupled with a tad bit of nervousness. It’s only natural, but John immediately made me feel so at ease on the set with his presence as the wonderful actor he was, as well as with his keen sense of humor, something else he was well known for amongst all who knew and loved him. My heart goes out to his many loved ones, those in his family, as well as those from his DOOL family who were greatly blessed to have had his incomparable contribution to their show as the forever memorable “Victor Kiriakis” for all these decades, and to the countless fans who now mourn his passing with us all. John will be greatly missed, without question…RIP dear man”

Robert Mailhouse (ex-Brian): “This really is sad news. What a great gentleman. We played hours of backgammon together in his dressing room. I loved spending time with him. He truly was a gentle soul.”

Darin Brooks (ex-Max; Wyatt, B&B): “Awww man… RIP John… you were one of the greats!”

Brant Daugherty (ex-Brian): “We had one scene together on Days of our Lives and during rehearsal he blurted out “I want some lasagna” and left the set. A true legend. Rest in peace. Also it was like 9am”

Robin Strasser (ex-Vivian): “#JohnAniston Great & Magnificent has passed away. #DOOL was graced by his strong commitment to the show & his character. Condolences to his family & friends…RIP…”

Trevor Donovan (ex-Jeremy): “Victor Kiriakis was the best, and most likable villain on Days Of Our Lives. RIP John #DOOL“

Patrick Muldoon (ex-Austin): “God Bless you John. Class, Grace, and made me laugh a whole lot when I first got to Salem. You will be missed. @DaysPeacock”

Melissa Archer and John Brotherton Interview

Melissa created the role Natalie in July 2001. It didn't take long for Natalie to shake up one of Llanview's most prominent families when she revealed that she, not Jessica, was Viki's daughter. Melissa soon moved to Salem as Serena Mason on Days of Our Lives, creating havoc everywhere. Some of Melissa’s other TV and film projects include, Saved by Grace, Excuse Me For Living, West End, Coach of the Year, Beacon Hill, Youthful Daze, Sweet Dissolution, Wraith, South32, Viral,Deadly Expose´, The Bay, and her YouTube series, Melissa Is A Dork. Last month, Melissa and her One Life co-star Jessica Morris, teamed-up to co-write the new thriller romance, Betrayed by Bridesmaid that aired on Lifetime last month.

John Brotherton joined the cast of One Life to Live as Jared Banks in 2002. He went on to star as Matt Harmon on the Netflix hit series, Fuller House for all five seasons. In addition to his role on Fuller House, John has appeared in primetime on the hit series, 2 Broke Girls, Modern Family and American Horror Story to name a few. On film, John has been seen in The Conjuring, Guardians of the Galaxy and Furious 7. His most recent television movie Lights, Camera, Christmas aired this month on the Hallmark Channel. John is also part of The Fantasy Football Cause which celebrates Fantasy Football and helps to raise money for worthy causes.

John Aniston, soap opera mainstay and father of Jennifer Aniston, dies at 89

His daughter confirmed Monday on Instagram that Aniston died Friday, sharing several photos of them together. She did not mention the cause of death.

“Sweet papa…? John Anthony Aniston,” she wrote. “You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew. I am so grateful that you went soaring into the heavens in peace — and without pain. And on 11/11 no less! You always had perfect timing. That number will forever hold an even greater meaning for me now I’ll love you till the end of time.”

His daughter signed off her post with, “Don’t forget to visit.”

Representatives for Jennifer Aniston did not immediately respond Monday to The Times’ requests for comment.

John Aniston, whose career spanned six decades, was best known for playing villainous crime lord Victor Kiriakis on the daytime drama set in the fictional Midwestern town of Salem. Since his debut as the character on the NBC series in 1985, he had remained a steady presence on the show. (The soap recently moved to NBC’s streaming platform, Peacock.)

The series on Monday paid tribute to the late actor with a video montage posted on Twitter.

“Our hearts are broken over the loss of our beloved family member John Aniston. We love you John. Your legend will live on,” the tweet said.

Aniston was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for the role in 2017 and last summer received the lifetime achievement award at the 49th Daytime Emmy Awards.

“Soap operas have just the right amount of recognition. You get just enough recognition to salve your ego and not enough to disrupt your life. Whereas some people, my daughter being one of them, can’t go anywhere,” he said in an extended interview with the Television Academy Foundation.

He also told the foundation that his proudest career achievement was performing in a Theatre East production of “The Royal Hunt of the Sun.” His career regrets? Not being cast as Ted Baxter in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” a role that ultimately went to Ted Knight. Aniston said producers didn’t want “any possibility of a romance between the character and Mary, and with me there would’ve been that possibility.”

“Once I saw it — you get pissed off about something — [Knight] was perfect for it,” he told the foundation.

Born Yannis Anastassakis on the Greek island of Crete on July 24, 1933, Aniston and his family moved to the United States when he was 2. They shortened their last name to Aniston and settled in Pennsylvania, where his parents opened a diner called the Rialto. Aniston and his brother and sisters worked there alongside their parents before he went to college. He later graduated from Penn State University with a degree in theater arts and began acting after enlisting in the Navy, where he served as a Naval Intelligence officer and reached the rank of lieutenant commander.

Aniston began acting in the 1960s with a small part on the series “New Man in the Precinct” and appeared in soap operas. He was first cast on “Days of Our Lives” in a minor role as Eric Richards in 1970, but also appeared in soap operas “Love of Life” and “Search for Tomorrow.”

“I was a mature adult when I was 18. I didn’t really start working until I was 40,” he said. “Sometimes you just have to grow into things.”

The actor also notched guest roles in “Star Trek: Voyager,” “The West Wing,” “Gilmore Girls,” “My Big Fat Greek Life,” “American Dreams,” “Cold Case” and “Mad Men.”

Aniston was married to fellow actor Nancy Dow, Jennifer Aniston’s mother, from 1965 to 1980. She died in 1990.

In 1984, he married his “Love of Life” co-star Sherry Rooney, with whom he had a son, artist Alex Aniston.

“John’s genteel character, charm and great sense of humor will be missed but certainly not forgotten as he leaves behind an incredible body of work and legacy over the course of his career [that] spanned 60+ years of continuous work,” his manager, Richard N. Lewis, said Monday in a statement to The Times. “He was a devoted husband, father, and friend to millions of fans across the globe.”

Aniston is survived by his wife and two children.

John Aniston, ‘Days of Our Lives’ Star and Father of Jennifer Aniston, Dies at 89

The father of actress Jennifer Aniston died Friday, his daughter announced.

“Sweet papa …? John Anthony Aniston,” the Friends mega-star wrote in a tribute post on Instagram Monday, “You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew. I am so grateful that you went soaring into the heavens in peace — and without pain. And on 11/11 no less! You always had perfect timing. That number will forever hold an even greater meaning for me now.”

She ended the post: “I’ll love you till the end of time.”

Aniston had played a different character, a doctor, on Days of Our Lives in 1969-70, then worked on two other daytime serials, CBS’ Love of Life and CBS/NBC’s Search for Tomorrow, before returning to Days in July 1985. He received a Daytime Emmy nomination for his efforts in 2017.

“Soap operas have just the right amount of recognition. You get just enough to satisfy your ego but not enough to disrupt your life,” he said in a wonderful 2018 interview with Adrienne Faillace for the Television Academy Foundation website The Interviews. “Whereas some people, my daughter being one of them, can’t go anywhere.”

The dashing Aniston also appeared twice on Kojak — that show’s star, the late Telly Savalas, was Jennifer’s godfather — and also showed up on episodes of Combat!, I Spy, The Virginian, That Girl, Airwolf, Star Trek: Voyager, The West Wing, Gilmore Girls, Cold Case and Mad Men.

In the early 1970s, Aniston made it through three auditions to play newscaster Ted Baxter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but the part eventually went to Ted Knight.

“The original script described [the character] as the Marcello Mastroianni of Minneapolis,” he said. He was told he didn’t get hired because producers “didn’t want the possibility of a romance between Baxter and Mary.” When he saw the show, he realized that Knight was perfect for the part.

One of four children, Yiannis Anastasakis was born on July 24, 1933, in Chania on the Greek island of Crete. His father, Antonios, had gone back and forth between the U.S. and Greece before leaving his home country for good in 1935, bringing the family to Chester, Pennsylvania, where he opened a restaurant.

Aniston started acting in plays in high school and did two seasons of stock at the Allenberry Playhouse while attending Penn State University. After getting his bachelor’s degree in arts and letters, he served in the U.S. Navy as an intelligence officer based in Panama.

He moved to New York and in 1959 got a guest spot on the CBS cop show Brenner, starring Edward Binns, and began a 14-month stint playing a Native American, Chief Brown Bear, in the comic off-Broadway musical Little Mary Sunshine, starring Eileen Brennan.

Aniston tried for a part on Days of Our Lives and lost out to Bill Hayes, but he accepted an offer to play Eric Richards, a prison doctor.

After being thwarted in a bid to go to medical school in Greece, he returned to acting, spending three years as the Spaniard Edouard “Eddie” Aleata on Love of Life — Christopher Reeve played one of his stepsons — and six as the philandering Martin Tourneur on Search for Tomorrow. His daughter, then just a kid, appeared on that soap as an extra.

“I told her you don’t want to be in show business, show business stinks,” he recalled. “I tell everybody who wants to be an actor, ‘Don’t be an actor, be something else.’ Because if my telling them to stay out of show business is going to keep them out, they shouldn’t be in it in the first place.

“But I knew right from the beginning when Jennifer started auditioning for things [she would be a success], because she always got called back.”

Aniston said portraying the Greek crime boss Victor in the town of Salem appealed to him because “you could punish your enemies and reward your friends. What’s not to like?” His character was married five times, spent a year and a half in a coma and once was killed off, only to be found alive on the island of Melaswen (that’s new Salem spelled backward).

Friends fans know full well that in a second-season storyline, Joey Tribbiani, played by Jennifer’s castmate Matt LeBlanc, gets a job on Days of Our Lives, but his neurosurgeon character, Dr. Drake Ramoray, is killed off after falling down an elevator shaft.

Aniston was married to late actress Nancy Dow (Jennifer’s mother) from 1965 until their 1981 divorce and to actress Sherry Rooney, whom he met on Love of Life, since June 1984. In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by his son, Alexander.

Acting, Aniston pointed out in his TV Academy Foundation interview, “beats working for a living. Especially when you’re doing theater, you can feel the beast … When you’re in a play and you really control the audience, it’s a lot of fun.”

Mike Starr Guests on East New York 11/27/22

GUEST CAST: Mike Starr (Kurt Walsh), Samantha Soule (Denise Walsh), Lena Kaminsky (Annika).

John Aniston, 'Days of Our Lives' Legend and Jennifer Aniston's Father, Dead at 89

The veteran actor, who was also Jennifer Aniston's father, was best known for portraying Days' Victor Kiriakis starting in 1985. On Monday, the Friends alum announced that her father passed on Nov. 11.

"Sweet papa… John Anthony Aniston," she captioned a set of photos of the pair. "You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew. I am so grateful that you went soaring into the heavens in peace — and without pain. And on 11/11 no less! You always had perfect timing. That number will forever hold an even greater meaning for me now. I'll love you till the end of time"

Jennifer concluded the post, "Don't forget to visit."

In response to his passing, Days of Our Lives also posted a sweet tribute video highlighting his time on the series.

"Our hearts are broken over the loss of our beloved family member John Aniston," the series said in a statement shared on Twitter and Instagram. "We love you John. Your legend will live on."

Series co-creator Ken Corday also shared a statement with PEOPLE.

"It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the passing of one of our own — our beloved and legendary cast member and dear friend, John Aniston. It is truly unimaginable to think he won't be stepping foot on our set again, but it's comforting to all of us to know that he is at rest and no longer in pain," the statement began.

"John was one of the best — kind, smart, witty and incredibly talented. It is enormously fitting that he received the Emmy for Lifetime Achievement this past year," he continued. "There is no question that all of us at Days will be mourning this great and profound loss. John was an icon, but even more so, he was a pillar of strength and unity for our Days of Our Lives community. He, along with our 'Victor Kiriakis,' will forever be in our hearts. Our love and support goes out to his family and all those who knew him."

Peacock confirmed to PEOPLE that John's final Days episode will air on Dec. 26.

John was recently honored with a Daytime Emmys Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-standing role on the soap opera. Though John did not attend the June ceremony, Jennifer appeared virtually on the awards stage to celebrate to her her father's illustrious career.

"This is truly a special moment for me," Jennifer, 53, said. "It's an opportunity to not only pay tribute to a true icon in the daytime television world, but it's also a chance to recognize the lifelong achievements of a great and well-respected actor, who also happens to be my dad."

"For over 30 years, his dedication to that show has gained him respect and admiration of his fellow actors, deep friendships and thrilled millions of fans around the world," she added. "His career is literally the definition of lifetime achievement."

Early in Jennifer's career — even before her Friends fame — John shared what acting gifts make her invaluable to Hollywood. "Jennifer is a natural talent," John told E! News in 1990. "There are certain things you can learn in this business, and there are certain things you can't learn. The comic instinct that she has in unerring. That's her greatest asset."

John was born in 1933 in Crete, Greece. His acting credits also include TV series Search for Tomorrow, The West Wing, Gilmore Girls and Mad Men.

Most recently, the veteran actor — who previously served in the military — appeared in an episode of Days of Our Lives that aired on Friday.

John once opened up about his proudest career achievement.

"I don't know. Some play down the line somewhere," he said in an interview with the Television Academy Foundation. "Maybe Royal Hunt of the Sun. .. We did it at Theatre East."

"It was phenomenal the way the director conceived it and did that," he added. "Yeah, we were all very proud of that."

As for his only career regret, John said: "I'm sorry I didn't get The Mary Tyler Moore Show."

Along with Jennifer, John leaves behind son Alex Aniston. John's first wife and Jennifer's mom, Nancy Dow, died in 2016.

Days of Our Lives' John Aniston Dies: Peacock Sets Release Date for His Final Episode as Victor Kiriakis

Aniston’s death was announced by his daughter, Friends vet Jennifer Aniston, on her Instagram account Monday. “You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew,” she wrote. “I am so grateful that you went soaring into the heavens in peace — and without pain.” He was 89 years old.

In a new statement provided to TVLine, Days of Our Lives executive producer Ken Corday refers to Aniston as “one of the best” — a Daytime TV “icon” whose passing is nothing short of a “profound loss” for the Days community:

“It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the passing of one of our own — our beloved and legendary cast member and dear friend, John Aniston. It is truly unimaginable to think he won’t be stepping foot on our set again, but it’s comforting to all of us to know that he is at rest and no longer in pain. John was one of the best — kind, smart, witty and incredibly talented. It is enormously fitting that he received the Emmy for Lifetime Achievement this past year. There is no question that all of us at Days will be mourning this great and profound loss. John was an icon, but even more so, he was a pillar of strength and unity for our Days of our Lives community. He, along with our Victor Kiriakis, will forever be in our hearts. Our love and support goes out to his family and all those who knew him.”

Aniston first started playing Days‘ Victor in 1985. He most recently appeared in the Nov. 11 episode. Earlier this year, he was among the Lifetime Achievement honorees at the Daytime, Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle, News & Documentary and Children’s & Family Emmy Award ceremonies.

John Aniston Dies: ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Actor, Father Of Jennifer Aniston Was 89

A cause of death has not been released.

In an Instagram post today, Friends star Jennifer Aniston wrote, “You were one of the most beautiful humans I ever knew. I am so grateful that you went soaring into the heavens in peace – and without pain. And on 11/11 no less! You always had perfect timing. That number will forever hold an even greater meaning for me now. I’ll love you till the end of time.”

Born on the island of Crete, Greece, on July 24, 1933, Aniston and his family moved to American when John was just two. Years later, Aniston graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts.

After a stint in the Navy, he began his acting career in 1962 in a small part on the series New Man in the Precinct, and began appearing regularly in soap operas in 1970, first on Days of Our Lives, then Love of Live, and Search for Tomorrow. In 1985, he took on what would be his signature role with a return to Days of Our Lives, this time as a new character named Victor Kiriakis, a role he’d continue to play until just last year. He was nominated for the 2017 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his performance.

Aniston received a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 49th Annual Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy Awards on June 18.

Other TV roles include appearances on Airwolf, Gilmore Girls, The West Wing, Combat!, My Big Fat Greek Life, Star Trek: Voyager, American Dreams, Journeyman and Mad Men.

John Aniston is survived by daughter Jennifer Aniston, son Alexander, and his wife Sherry Rooney.

Kristian Alfonso And Peter Reckell Back To DAYS!

Dishing with Digest - 11/11/22 - Melissa Archer

Steve Burton Returns to 'Days of Our Lives' ! Actor Set to Reprise Role with 'Thrilling New Storyline'

PEOPLE can exclusively confirm that Steve Burton is reprising his role as Harris Michaels on the Peacock soap opera early next year.

Burton's character will have "a thrilling new storyline" and will be working alongside veteran cast members including Stephen Nichols, Mary Beth Evans, Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn, according to the streamer.

While additional details about the return are being kept under wraps, fans can expect "more mystery, high-stakes adventure, and romance" with Harris back on the scene.

Burton, 52, made his daytime television debut on Days of Our Lives in 1988 and played the character for two years before departing in 1990.

He returned to the role when he joined the cast of the spin-off series Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem this past April.

In June, the actor told Soap Opera Digest it was an "honor" to reprise the role after many years away from the soap opera.

Burton added that it felt was playing a "new character" because "obviously I wasn't on the show long enough to establish [much about the] character."

"I make references in the digital series to that character a couple of times, but it's a new character," he explained. "And I just let [Days of Our Lives head writer] Ron [Carlivati] figure it out and do his thing, like we always do as actors, and talked it through with him."

Burton's return to Days of Our Lives comes a year after he says he was "let go" from General Hospital for not complying with the show's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

At the time, Burton — who played Jason Morgan on the ABC soap on and off since 1991 — shared the news in a video on his Instagram, explaining that "I did apply for my medical and religious exemptions, and both of those were denied, which, you know, hurts."

"But this is also about personal freedom to me. I don't think anyone should lose their livelihood over this. But with that being said, you know me, I'll always be grateful for my time at General Hospital, I love it there," he continued. "Maybe one day if these mandates are lifted, I can return and finish my career as Jason Morgan. That would be an honor."

New episodes of Days of Our Lives are available on Peacock at 6 a.m. ET weekdays.

Louise Sorel - The Interview 11/9/22

Daytime audiences know Louise for her role as Vivian Alamain in Days of Our Lives, Augusta Wainwright on Santa Barbara and Emily Tanner on Beacon Hill. In addition, Louise has appeared on All My Children, One Life to Live and Passions and Port Charles in smaller roles. Louise received theatrical training at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York and began performing on stage when she was 15 years old. She spent several years on Broadway and made her film debut with The Party’s Over in 1965. She has appeared in Plaza Suite, Night Gallery, The Return of Charlie Chan, Airplane II: The Sequel, Where the Boys Are and Crimes of Passion to name a few.

She has made guest appearances on more than 50 prime time programs and TV movies including Star Trek as Rayna in the Requiem for Methuselah episode, The Fugitive, Bonanza, Route 66, The Big Valley, Vegas, Hart to Hart, The Incredible Hulk, Hawaii Five-0, Magnum P.I., and one of my favorites, Charlie’s Angels to share a small few.

Pretty Boy Floyd Biopic Attracts Emile Hirsch, Harvey Keitel, Thomas Jane, Ashley Benson, Shawn Hatosy, More; Vertical Pre-Buys North America

The film stars Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild) as legendary bank robber Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd, Thomas Jane (Troppo) as FBI Detective Melvin Purvis, Harvey Keitel (Reservoir Dogs) as Floyd’s dad Walter, Ashley Benson (Spring Breakers) as Floyd’s wife Ruby, and Shawn Hatosy (Animal Kingdom) as Floyd’s older brother Bradley. Lera Abova (Peacock’s upcoming Pitch Perfect series) and Oliver Cooper (Echo Boomers) round out the cast.

Motus Studios is handling international sales at this week’s AFM.

Good Side of a Bad Man will chart the true story of Floyd (Hirsch), a poor midwestern farm boy who grew up to become one of the most notorious criminals of the Depression era. Labeled as a deadly crook and danger to society, the film will see the FBI assign storied agent Melvin Purvis (Jane) to lead the manhunt to take down Floyd, who in the eyes of his wife Ruby (Benson) and the farmers plagued by extreme poverty, is their very own Robin Hood, stealing from the rich and sharing with the long-suffering community he was raised in.

K. Asher Levin (Dig) is directing and producing, reteaming the filmmaker with actors Hirsch and Jane, from a screenplay by Charlie Glass, who also serves as executive producer.

Levin produces via Lakewood Production, alongside Urban Tales Productions’ Gabrielle Smith Almagor, and Umbrelic’s Brian Katz and Thomas Zambeck. Executive producers are Renegade Entertainment’s Thomas Jane and Courtney Lauren Penn along with Daniel S. Cummings, Harris Tulchin, Emanuele Moretti, Ryan Baetens and Lee Broda, and in association with Ali Jazayeri and Viviana Zarragoitia who are executive-producing from Three Point Capital.

Director K. Asher Levin said: “This will be a gangster film like no other because Charles Floyd was one of a kind. His story isn’t just timeless, it speaks to a lot of folks in an America still struggling today, desperate to find a way out. I can’t wait to collaborate with the cast and crew to create iconic characters, breathless action, stunning visuals, and addictively re-watchable scenes. As a massive fan of crime films, from Howard Hawks to Martin Scorsese to Michael Mann, this project is a dream come true.”

Renegade Entertainment’s Thomas Jane and Courtney Lauren Penn stated: “Melvin Purvis was the original G-Man, bringing down the gangsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd. J. Edgar Hoover groomed Purvis to be the face of the newly formed FBI, and then crushed him for it. We look forward to exploring the complex relationship between crime, mass media and government control that have their roots in 1930’s America.”

Vertical Entertainment’s SVP of Co-Productions & Development Kristin Harris stated: “We have a great track record in this genre (Capone, Lansky) and are thrilled to be involved from the very beginning, continuing to build on Vertical’s expansion strategy into production and production financing. We are excited to work with K. Asher Levin and the entire filmmaking team to bring this exciting story to life.”

Emile Hirsch is represented by UTA. Thomas Jane and Renegade Entertainment are represented by Paradigm. Harvey Keitel is represented by Untitled Entertainment. Ashley Benson is represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman et al. Shawn Hatosy is represented by Paradigm and MGMT Entertainment. Lera Abova is represented by Paradigm and AFA Prime Talent. Oliver Cooper is represented by Cavalry and TalentWorks.

Talk Show Appearance

AIRING Nov 4, 2022

Alison Sweeney

Dorothy Lyman guests on Blue Bloods 11/4/22

GUEST CAST: Derek Gaines (Bugs), Robert Stanton (Connor Kelly), Dorothy Lyman (Elizabeth).

‘Alone At Night’: Erotic Horror Starring Ashley Benson, Pamela Anderson, Paris Hilton, Winnie Harlow, G-Eazy & Luis Guzmán Gets North American Deal

The film follows Vicky (Ashley Benson), a young woman looking for an escape after going through a tumultuous breakup. After retreating to a friend’s remote cabin in the woods to clear her head, she continues modeling sexy lingerie for her devoted followers on 18 & Over, an adults-only, live-streaming website. But when the power goes out, Vicky discovers something terrifying awaiting her in the dark — a masked killer wielding a crowbar who’s hellbent on bringing her night to a grisly end.

Cast comprises Benson (Pretty Little Liars), Pamela Anderson (Baywatch), Luis Guzmán (Traffic), model Winnie Harlow, musician G-Eazy, rapper A$AP Nast, Paris Hilton, Lindsey Pelas (Extraction), John Robinson (Lords of Dogtown) Cassius Corrigan (Huracán), and Sky Ferreira (Baby Driver). Social Media influencers Lindsey Pelas, Twan Kuyper, Steven Spence, Cheyrelle Fontenette, Shannon Hamilton, and Clara McGregor round out the cast.

The film’s original score was composed by G-Eazy, marking the rapper’s first film score.

The slasher pic is directed by Jimmy Giannopoulos and penned by Giannopoulos alongside Diomedes Raul Bermudez. The film is slated for a day-and-date release on January 20, 2023.

The film is produced by Purpose Film’s Diomedes Raul Bermudez, Artemis Pictures’ Siena Oberman, Cassius Corrigan, and Ashley Benson. Executive-producers are Paris Kassidokostas-Latsis, Terry Dougas, Jean-Luc De Fanti, and Jamin O’Brien. Peter Buntaine is cinematographer. Finance comes from Hercules Film Fund.

Tony Piantedosi negotiated on behalf of Vertical Entertainment and Rhea Films negotiated on behalf of the filmmakers. Below is a first look still from the project, which is now complete.

Vertical’s SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi commented: “The words ‘fun’ and ‘terrifying’ don’t typically go together but Jimmy Giannopoulos has made a film where you run the gamut of emotions with a great horror story and unique casting choices that will thrill audiences this coming January.”

“With Alone at Night I wanted to make the kind of movie I would have snuck into as a teen. Slasher, stoner, a sexy thriller with killer music,” said director Jimmy Giannopoulos. “Playing on the nostalgia of my favorite B-horror we truly made a terrifyingly fun film. Though the themes of isolation and obsession are as old as time, culture always breeds new ways for them to manifest. You can isolate but you can’t hide.”

People’s Choice Award Nominees

Voting for the 2022 People’s Choice Awards runs today (Oct 26) through Wednesday, November 9 at 11:59 pm ET. Fans can either vote online at http://www.votepca.com or on Twitter.

Male Movie Star of 2022
Brad Pitt – Bullet Train
Chris Hemsworth – Thor: Love and Thunder
Chris Pratt – Jurassic World Dominion
Daniel Kaluuya – Nope
Dwayne Johnson – Black Adam
Miles Teller – Top Gun: Maverick
Ryan Reynolds – The Adam Project
Tom Cruise – Top Gun: Maverick

Daytime Talk Show of 2022
Good Morning America
Live with Kelly and Ryan
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The View
Today with Hoda and Jenna

Reality TV Star of 2022
Chrishell Stause – Selling Sunset
Garcelle Beauvais – The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Kandi Burruss – The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Kenya Moore – The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Khloé Kardashian – The Kardashians
Kim Kardashian – The Kardashians
Kyle Richards – The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino – Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.

A Day Of Days 2022

Beginning at 10 a.m., this complimentary event will offer Days of our Lives fans the chance to interact with some of the show’s most beloved cast members and festivities will include autograph signings, Q&A session with cast, and much more!

Some of the Days stars scheduled to attend include Deidre Hall, Drake Hogestyn, Lauren Koslow, Wally Kurth, Matthew Ashford, Camila Banus, Brandon Barash, Brandon Beemer, Nadia Bjorlin, Stephen Nichols, Mary Beth Evans, Ari Zucker, Thaao Penghlis, James Reynolds, Greg Vaughan, Robert Scott Wilson, Eric Martsolf, Jackée Harry, Susan Hayes, Bryan Dattilo, George DelHoyo, Judi Evans, Billy Flynn, Dan Feuerriegel, Galen Gering, Linsey Godfrey, Patrika Darbo, Leann Hunley, Abigail Klein, Victoria Konefal, Kyle Lowder, Martha Madison, Greg Rikaart, Jessica Serfaty, Josh Taylor, Paul Telfer, Zach Tinker, Carson Boatman, Raven Bowens, Victoria Grace, Lindsay Arnold, Stacy Haiduk, Remington Hoffman, and Tina Huang.

SWEET NAVIDAD (Lifetime) 11/17/22

THE SEARCH FOR SECRET SANTA (Ion) 12/4/22

DOGNAPPED: HOUND FOR THE HOLIDAYS (Ion) 11/27/22

A CHRISTMAS COOKIE CATASTROPHE 11/27/22

A TALE OF TWO CHRISTMASES (Hallmark) 11/26/22

SANTA BOOTCAMP (Lifetime) 11/19/22

A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS VILLAGE (Hallmark) 11/4/22

B&B MERRY (GAC Family) 12/4/22

CHRISTMAS ON CANDY CANE LANE (GAC Family) 12/3/22

HOLIDAY HIDEAWAY (BET+) 11/24/22

Jade Harlow guests on FBI: International 11/15/22

GUEST CAST includes: Jade Harlow (Paige Taylor), Jacob Moscovitz (Kody Taylor), Andreas Karras (Sergeant Kostas Artino)

One on One - Cady McClain 10/25/22

Cady will be here to tell us about her work as the Artistic Director of the Axial Theatre. Axial is a twenty-three-year-old not-for-profit institution dedicated to supporting the professional development of the independent voice through audience involvement and a commitment to presenting challenging, intelligent, and culturally relevant theatrical experiences.

Cady is currently directing Axial’s latest production, Never the Sinner by John Logan. The star-studded cast features Broadway actor Trent Dawson, Tuesdays With Morrie star Albi Gorn, Michael Howard Conservatory Members Tom Ryan and Michael M. Alva, and Axial Theatre Members Bruce Apar, Youlim Nam and special guest Najah Imani Muhammad. McClain will be directing and producing alongside Axial Board Members Steven Williford (Emmy© Winning Director), Amanda Quinn Olivar (Editor-in-Chief, Curator.Guide), and Axial Ensemble member Dan Walworth.

Never the Sinner is based on the true story of two young men, Nathan Leopold (Tom Ryan) and Richard Loeb (Michael M. Alva), who murder a local boy to prove their superiority and claim the right to having committed “the crime of the century.” The case is argued by two esteemed lawyers, Clarence Darrow (Albi Gorn) and Robert Crowe (Trent Dawson). While Crowe wants to fulfill the outraged nation’s cry for a hanging, Darrow argues for the rights of all human beings to be shown mercy, no matter how shocking the crime.

The play will be produced at Bethany Arts Community in Ossining (N.Y.), Nov. 10 - 13 and Nov. 17 - 20, 2022. Thursday through Saturday shows are 8 p.m. Sunday performances are 3 p.m. A post-show discussion of the topics of the play will follow each performance, led by Cady along with members of the ensemble and special guests.

An industry trailblazer for more than three decades, Cady was recognized by Deadline.com for being the first woman to win three Emmys© for her acting work on three different daytime shows (All My Children, As the World Turns and Days of Our Lives) in three different categories on three different networks in three different decades. She continues to recur on Days of Our Lives.

'Days of Our Lives' ' Lucas Adams Marries 'Liv & Maddie' Costar Shelby Wulfert in Intimate Wedding

The Days of Our Lives actor said "I do" to actress Shelby Wulfert on Oct. 15 at the Chateau Hiddenwood estate in Waxahachie, Texas.

"This marks the beginning of starting to really build our family together and what that means for us," Wulfert tells PEOPLE. "We want to have kids in a couple of years so starting to prepare for that next chapter of being parents and the next chapter of the rest of our lives."

Adams, 29, and Wulfert, 28, first met in 2016 when they costarred together on Disney Channel's Liv & Maddie and got engaged in 2021.

"We were friends first," recalls Wulfert. "And then after a while, Lucas was so sweet. He was like, 'I have to tell you that I have a crush on you.' And then after that I was like, 'Oh, thank goodness. I do too!' "

Wulfurt walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of "La Vie En Rose," and joined Adams on a picturesque deck over a pond where they exchanged vows in front of 40 close friends and family members.

The bride wore a Jenny Yoo crepe satin dress from BHLDN at Anthropologie in Los Angeles which featured a deep V in the front and scooped back. "It's so beautiful," she says. "It's like if a calla lily flower came to life and became a vintage Hollywood starlet. It was the first dress I tried on."

After the ceremony, which was officiated by a close friend of the couple, guests dined outdoors on meatballs and lasagna — "a good old pasta feast," says Wulfert — while music played from a Spotify playlist that the couple created.

The cake was two tiers of white buttercream decorated with greenery and florals to match the green color scheme.

"We have a lot of really cute vintage touches that are super meaningful to us," she says. "Like our cake topper is actually from my grandparents' wedding in 1951."

As for honeymoon plans, "We're doing a mini-moon in Dallas," says Adams. "So we can go and just kind of hang out and just relax for a couple of days. We'll be staying at the Rosewood Mansion. We're actually really excited."

Now with their matrimony official, Wulfert says there's one perk she's particularly looking forward to.

"I'm really excited to come up with a bunch of husband nicknames for him," she says. "All the different cringey things I can call him as my husband… the great hu-bino, you know, the options are endless."

Ketty Lester to be inducted into Arkansas Black Hall of Fame

The name Revoyda, she says, was "a curse for me. ... That is a hard name. When you say 'Revoyda,' people are going to say — the next word is going to be 'What?' Then you've got to spell it and pronounce it all over again."

When she went to San Francisco as a young adult, she vowed to change her name after the first person she told her name said "What?"

When a young man did, indeed, ask her her name and respond with "What?" when she told him, "I said listen, honey, just call me Ketty, K-e-t-t-y, and forget it." Her show-business surname, Lester, came along later. And Revoyda-turned-Ketty went on to a Grammy nomination for her chart-topping single "Love Letters," as well as for appearances that ranged from Juanita Jones, the cab-driver turned-vampire in the 1972 cult-classic film "Blacula" to Hester-Sue Terhune, the teacher at the blind school in the '70s-'80s TV series "Little House on the Prairie."

Lester is one of six inductees to the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame, which makes a return to its in-person induction ceremony and variety show after a two-year, covid-related hiatus. The induction of the newest class takes place Saturday at Robinson Center Performance Hall.

Other inductees:

-Sherman Banks of Little Rock, international citizen diplomat, honorary consul general to Ghana and arts education patron.

-Dr. Joe L. Hargrove, Grady native, cardiologist, educator and philanthropist.

-Hattie Hill, Moro native, international business consultant, entrepreneur and philanthropic leader.

-James Thrower, Camden native, NFL star and business, philanthropic and civic leader.

-The late Gertrude Newsome Jackson, Gum Bottom native, educator and social justice/civil rights leader.

"Our 2022 class of inductees continues the tradition of showcasing the tremendous talent that Arkansas produces," says Charles Stewart, Black Hall of Fame chairman. "The covid-19 pandemic paused our plans in 2020 and again in 2021, so we look forward to an amazing ceremony for our inductees, their family and friends and others as we celebrate the return to the Robinson and 30 years of recognizing some of our state's best."

With the proceeds, the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation will continue to issue grants for improving education, health and wellness, and youth development, as well as strengthening families, in Black and other underserved communities throughout Arkansas. This year, with the support of corporate partners, the foundation awarded $50,000 in 16 mission-related grants.

Since 2010 these grants, totaling up to $5,000 each, have affected Arkansans in 69 counties.

A VETERAN ENTERTAINER

Lester, now 88 and a Los Angeles resident, discusses her storied career in her 2020 book, "Ketty Lester: From Arkansas to Grammy Nominated 'Love Letters' to Little House on the Prairie" (Elite Publishing House, $19.69). Which did she enjoy most, singing or acting?

"Being an actress," she says during a phone interview. "I have always sung all my life, in the church and in the school. When I was in high school, I was known as 'the singer'; every program that was on, I was on there. If I wasn't on there, they didn't have one."

Lester was the youngest of 15 children born to a farm family. She lived about eight blocks from where former President Bill Clinton was born, she says.

"I picked cotton; I picked cucumbers. We raised everything that we ate," she says. "We had a joyful time. To me, that was the joy of my life."

She and one of her sisters, whom she always looked out for, graduated at the same time as she; Lester got a scholarship to Philander Smith College in Little Rock, but was concerned about this sister's welfare. She decided they should follow in the footsteps of two of their brothers who'd joined the Army. But another brother came to fetch the two girls and moved them to San Francisco, where they enrolled in San Francisco City College. There, Lester studied nursing. Meanwhile, she began to sing at a club called The Purple Onion, working with Arkansas' noted poet, Maya Angelou, and comedian Phyllis Diller. The three worked together for a year; then club officials decided to open another location in Hollywood. They wanted Lester to be the opening headline act at the new club.

"So I opened that Purple Onion and I stayed there for about two years. Of course, Maya was still in San Francisco, but she did come to Los Angeles to be with me. And that was when she started writing her poems," Lester remembers.

Lester then went to open at another club, Ye Little Club, which was her home base while she had other singing gigs. (She sang at such venues as the Village Vanguard in New York and toured internationally as a singer with the Cab Calloway orchestra.)

It was at Ye Little Club Lester says, that she met Rosemary Clooney, who warned her that if she ever started recording, she needed to avoid a company called RCA Victor.

"Then I met a hillbilly singer named Dorothy Shay, the Park Avenue Hillbilly." Shay sang the hit song "Feudin' And Fightin'."

"She took me on as her prodigy," Lester recalls. "And she took me first to New York. Would you believe the first company she took me to, to audition for, was RCA Victor. Oh Lord." RCA officials told her that she didn't have a recording voice. Lester, who remembered Clooney's warning, didn't mind.

When she returned to Hollywood, Lester says, comedian Groucho Marx "was the first man that put me on television."

"It was kind of funny. Me and Groucho Marx, we were good friends." He had started coming to the Purple Onion "and for some reason he just loved me," Lester says. That's when he invited her to appear on his show.

The show: "You Bet Your Life." The year: 1957. She was a contestant. According to Lester's bio, "[Marx] commented on her striking beauty and asked her to sing a song with the show's musicians. She performed 'You Do Something to Me' that ended with a standing ovation. Marx predicted then that she would soon become a top singing sensation."

DAYS OF HER LIFE

But then came the role on the soap opera "Days of Our Lives." Dorothy Shay had a friend that was associated with the soap opera ... executive producer Betty Corday. She asked Corday if she'd ever thought about having a Black family on the show.

No, she hadn't thought about it, but the idea was born. The Black family was developed, and Lester stepped into the brief role of Helen Grant, a wife and mom of two teenagers.

It was also at Ye Little Club, Lester says, that she met hit songwriter Ed Cobb, who asked if she wanted to do some demos. She thought he wanted her to do some demos of his songs. "But that's not what he had in mind. He takes me to his co-worker who ... had a studio above his garage. And they told me to come there and do some demos for them. All right, I go there. And I said, 'Well, what do you want me to do?' And [Cobb] said, 'Well, just do what you do in the nightclub.'

The first song she sang: Billie Holiday's song, "I'm a Fool to Want You."

She was asked to sing more songs ... until she ran out of songs to sing. "I told them 'I've got to go because I've got to work tonight, and I don't know no more songs.' ... They said, 'Just one more.'

As it happened, the piano player had the music to "Love Letters" available, Lester says. "I said, 'Play that. And I'll sing that for you.'

"Well, he played it, but he played it so straight. I said 'Can't you put a little soul into that song?' And he said, 'What is that?' He didn't know what soul was. I said, 'Well it's similar to gospel, don't you know?' He didn't know what gospel was." She had a Black drummer there who demonstrated rhythm for the piano player. "I said 'Earl ... you get the drum and you get this rhythm going, and we're gonna make a gospel player out of this classical musician.' And that's what we did."

Her first single had been 1962's "Queen for a Day" on the Everest label. Era Records released her "I'm a Fool to Want You," which was a jazz hit for Lester; the B side, "Love Letters," rose to number five on the charts in 1962, the same year she toured with the Everly Brothers. In 1963, she was nominated for a Grammy as Best Female Pop Vocalist.

"So all of a sudden now, RCA Victor wants me," Lester says. Her record company "sold me without even asking ... to RCA Victor. It's like slavery, you know."

Lester continued to record throughout the 1960s and 1970s with several labels, releasing such songs as her 1966 single "When a Woman Loves a Man," a response to the Percy Sledge hit "When a Man Loves a Woman." Her discography: "Love Letters," "The Soul of Me," "Where Is Love?," "When a Woman Loves a Man" and "Ketty Lester in Concert." (She released a Christian music album in 1984.)

She told RCA she didn't like to sing with big bands, and asked that she be allowed to sing her way. "But the first album they come out with, it was torch songs like I sing; it was love songs like I sing. But they had an 18-piece band. ... They made me start belting [out songs], and I did a lot of beautiful songs that they had there. But I had to belt.

"I only did two albums for RCA Victor. ... And they sold my album to ... London Records. It was number one. I'm still known in London, and they are still selling my records in London."

CHARACTER ACTOR KETTY

Lester had earned her acting chops in college, where she was associated with a theatrical group at the neighboring University of California, Berkeley. In 1964, she appeared off-Broadway in "Cabin in the Sky," winning a Theatre World Award for her role. Once she ended her relationship with the record company, she returned to Los Angeles once again and embraced acting, co-starring in such feature films as "Up Tight" and "Prisoner of Second Avenue."

She also appeared in a number of network TV's most popular '60s-'70s shows ... "That Girl," "Julia," Sanford and Son," "Love, American Style," "Marcus Welby M.D.," "Streets of San Francisco," "The Waltons," "Lou Grant," "Happy Days," "Hill Street Blues," "St. Elsewhere," "In the Heat of the Night" and "L.A. Law." Her television movies include "Louis Armstrong: Chicago Style" and "It's Good to Be Alive."

Her favorite actor to work with? "Bill Cosby," she answers readily. "I loved working with Bill Cosby." She also enjoyed working with the late comedian Bernie Mac, who had planned to do a series and wanted her to play his mother. She was ready to do it, but that's when he became ill.

"And I lost him. It was like losing a friend when I lost him. I just loved him."

Lester had also been close to the late Michael Landon, with whom she appeared in "Little House on the Prairie."

Her meeting with Landon came about when she played the mother of the late baseball player Roy Campanella on a TV bio-pic, "The Roy Campanella Story." When she went to the studio, she met Landon.

She praised him as "a heck of a director and writer" who kept her on the show until she retired and would let her do her scenes the way she chose to do them. "It was just a blessing."

STILL A FAN FAVORITE

Lester still has a lot of "Little House" fans. For her 88th birthday she received more than 200 gifts and birthday cards from all over the world.

"I'm grateful to all of my fans, wherever they may be," Lester says. "I'm just grateful for all of the people that remember me and remember that I do exist and I'm still alive and well."

When she was told of her induction into the Hall of Fame, she was shocked.

"Basically my people in Arkansas didn't know me because of the name change and stuff like that," she explains. "And they really didn't know who I was. And I don't know how they found out about Ketty Lester. But I think it was my manager here that wrote them and told them 'Why don't you have Ketty Lester in your Hall of Fame?' ... But it's a pleasure to to go back there."

Arkansas Black Hall of Fame

28th annual induction ceremony and show, Saturday

5 p.m. VIP reception, ballroom, DoubleTree Hotel Little Rock; 7 p.m. ceremony and show, Robinson Center Performance Hall

Tickets: $25-$100; VIP packages available

Information: arblackhalloffame.org.

'Days of Our Lives' Airs Daytime TV's First Threesome Scene — But Not Everyone Is Thrilled About It

On Thursday, the series, which now airs on Peacock, featured a storyline in which three of the characters — Allie Horton (Lindsay Arnold), Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens) and Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) — engaged in a consensual threesome.

As fans know, Allie and Chanel are two young women in a healthy same-sex relationship. (Allie identifies as bisexual while Chanel identifies as sexually fluid.)

The scene marks the first time any daytime television show has shown group sex — an unspoken line that has rarely, if ever, been crossed on network television. Many viewers assumed this scene was green-lit because of the show's jump to Peacock, which means it no longer airs on a network channel and has more flexibility with the content it shows.

However, after the scene aired, viewers had some strong thoughts — both for and against the scene.

"Today, I believe Days of Our Lives made history, as the first American soap opera to air a threesome," one Twitter user wrote. "They really went there, too. So much for 'nothing will change' when the show moves to Peacock, like Deidre Hall and all the other stars suggested. Buckle up, guys…"

Some loved the idea. One viewer called the scene "hot," while another applauded the show's ability to represent a broader group of interests.

"I'm so behind on Days of Our Lives but I'm glad they are pushing the boundaries," the Twitter user wrote. "The first threesome in Daytime television. That's pretty groundbreaking."

Others were appalled. "DAYS of our Lives is disgusting now!! I have watched for over 40 years - I didn't know it could get any more disgusting but now they have young people having threesomes!" one person wrote. "No wonder our country [is] spiraling out of control."

"Today's episode was disgusting. Days has gone too far with the Allie, Chanel, Alex storyline. This is obscene. I'm done!" wrote one Facebook user.

"Well today's show with the threesome was the last straw. I've been trying to stay with the show because I have watched it since I was a kid and I'm 59, so a long time. But I'm done. This is just to [sic] much and I don't support their views anymore. It's so sad but the move to Peacock is going to be the end of the show for the long timers. Makes me mad they took it away from us. Bye Days," added another Facebook user.

"I'm really shocked and highly disappointed in Days bringing on a threesome. It's an all-time low for me for Days to be so desperate to do this. Where do you draw the line, writers?" commented someone else.

Days of Our Lives made the official switch to Peacock on Sept. 12 after nearly 60 years airing on network television. In the move, it left only three soap operas airing on network daytime TV — The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless on CBS, as well as General Hospital on ABC.

DOOL previously made history in 2014 when it featured daytime TV's first gay wedding as Will Horton (Allie's brother played by Chandler Massey) and Sonny Kiriakis (Freddie Smith) got hitched.

New episodes of Days of Our Lives are available on Peacock at 6 a.m. ET weekdays.

Days of Our Lives Threesome Leaves Some Fans Hot, Others Bothered

For the first time since it premiered in 1965, Days delivered a threesome during Monday’s episode, with Allie Horton (Lindsay Arnold) and Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens) inviting Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) to their apartment for a game of 2-on-1. Or 1-on-1-on-1? Whichever sports metaphor applies here.

Needless to say, the fans had thoughts. Most reacted positively, with one viewer calling it the “hottest sex scene in daytime history,” and another simply exclaiming, “That was hot!”

But even some of the fans who enjoyed the finished product still remained mindful of the show’s more conservative viewers. “Wonder what my 90 yo grandmother would have thought about a threesome on [Days of Our Lives],” one fan tweeted.

Of course, not everyone was on board with the ménage ŕ trois; one fan asserted that the storyline felt “disrespectful.” More specifically, some feel that the storyline “has been harmful to queer women.” As one person writes, “People assume that bi/fluid women still want a [man] even when they’re completely happy with another woman. It’s why gross men like Alex won’t leave [female couples] alone.”

Along that same line, another viewer commented: “If [Days] really wanted to push the envelope by showing a threesome then they’d do it with one of their heterosexual couples. Why do they always have to inject a man into a relationship between two women who love and want each other.”

Others were fine with threesome but were surprised that the show decided to treat it “as a genuine love scene.” (To be fair, the song used in the scene featured the word “love” ad nauseum, which was certainly a choice.)

Tell us, Days fans: What do you make of this threesome? Check out video of the main event below: Video.

'Days of Our Lives' Actor James Lastovic Found!!! After Going Missing in Hawaii with Friend

11:23 AM PT -- A source involved in the investigation tells us the vehicle has not yet been located.

"Days of Our Lives" actor James Lastovic and his roommate have gone missing in Hawaii, according to his mother, who's pleading for help.

James' mom, Lucienne, says her son and Nevin Dizdari were vacationing at a resort in Kauai. On Sunday they told someone on the staff at the Hanalei Bay Resort they were headed for Kokee State Park where they were going to take a long trail hike. They also asked for directions to Shipwreck Beach ... specifically around the cliff diving area.

According to Lucienne, they never returned to the resort Sunday night and haven't been seen since. They left all their belongings in the room, which are now in the possession of the police.

They were driving a black Nissan, which also hasn't reappeared. Lucienne says there's a tracking device on the car, but no word from cops if they've been able to locate it.

We spoke with Lucienne, who's flying from San Diego to Kauai to help search for her son and his roommate. She believes they're in Kokee State Park.

Fans of the soap remember James playing Joey Johnson -- a recurring character that was on the show for 5 years, starting back in 2015.

His mom is asking for anyone with info to come forward and help.

Anne-Marie Johnson guests on So Help Me Todd 10/27/22

GUEST CAST includes: Clayton James (Chuck Grant), Kate Buron (Joan), Anne-Marie Johnson (Felicity).

Marla Gibbs guests on Grey's Anatomy 10/20/22

Guest starring is Kate Walsh as Addison Montgomery, E.R. Fightmaster as Kai Bartley and Marla Gibbs as Joyce Ward.

Talk Show Appearance

Tuesday, Oct. 4

Mila Kunis

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Adds Marla Gibbs For Season 19 Arc

Marla Gibbs (The Jeffersons) has been cast in a multi-episode guest arc as Joyce Ward, grandmother of one of the new residents, Simone Griffith (Alexis Floyd), who lives in Seattle. Gibbs’ character will be introduced in Episode 1902 and will also appear in 1903. (Floyd’s character was originally announced as Simone Griffin. The last name has been changed to Griffith.)

Simone is described as a funny, whip smart, high achiever with a complicated family dynamic who grew up in Seattle, but never wanted to work at Grey Sloan because of a painful personal history with the hospital. Gibbs’ Joyce will likely shed light on both Simone’s family dynamic and history with Grey Sloan.

Grey’s Anatomy is adding five new cast members this season — Harry Shum Jr., Adelaide Kane, Floyd, Niko Terho, and Midori Francis — all playing new interns.

TV veteran Gibbs is known for her role as Florence Johnston on The Jeffersons, which earned her five Emmy nominations. She reprised her role in a surprise appearance on ABC’s 2019 special Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons’.

Gibbs’ extensive resume includes an arcs on Grey’s Anatomy spinoff Station 19 as well as another Shondaland drama, Scandal. She recently had a major recurring role on Days Of Our Lives.

Talk Show Appearance

Wednesday, Sept. 28

Mila Kunis (“Luckiest Girl Alive”)

Morning Show Appearance

Wednesday, September 28

(7-9 a.m.) Guest: Mila Kunis on Luckiest Girl Alive.

Dishing with Digest - 9/23/22 - Cady McClain

18th Annual Stars And Strikes Event To Honor Jerry verDorn

‘Days of Our Lives’ made the move to streaming. Some loyal fans are feeling burned

There was the time Carly Manning was buried alive by her romantic rival, Vivian Alamain.

The time Stefano DiMera planted a microchip in Hope Brady’s brain to make her believe she was an international art thief named Princess Gina.

And the time — sorry, two times — Dr. Marlena Evans was possessed by the devil.

But last week, the daytime drama took a leap that many longtime viewers may never accept: NBC moved the soap, a staple of its daytime programming since 1965, to Peacock, NBC Universal’s streaming service, replacing it with a daily news broadcast. From now on, new episodes of “Days” will be ready to view on demand each weekday at 6 a.m. Eastern. (In a final indignity for some viewers on the East Coast, NBC cut away in the final two minutes of the show’s last linear broadcast on Sept. 9 to air a pre-recorded address from King Charles III about the death of his mother, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, the previous day.)

Announced with little fanfare last month, the news that “Days” would live on as a streaming exclusive was not as surprising as, say, the time a completely unrecognizable Roman Brady reappeared in Salem years after he was presumed dead.

“Days” was the least-watched of the four daytime soaps remaining on broadcast TV, and it has endured numerous budget cuts as its ratings dwindled. Still, its audience is loyal and, by the fragmented standards of 2022, significant: It drew around 1.7 million viewers to NBC each day (roughly the same number of people who tuned in to the Season 3 finale of HBO’s much-lauded “Succession” on the day it ran). Peacock had already tested the digital waters with two installments of a spinoff, “Beyond Salem,” which proved that at least some of the “Days” fan base could be lured to a new platform.

“The writing has been on the wall for quite a while, at least two years, that the future of dramatic broadcast television will be behind the paywall on streaming venues,” said executive producer Ken Corday, whose parents, Betty and Ted Corday, created “Days,” one of the first soaps to air in color and expand to a 60-minute format.

He sees the transition to digital as the latest evolution for a medium that began on radio before migrating to broadcast TV. “As things change, you either adapt with them or you get left behind,“ he says. ”And ‘Days’ has always been good at pioneering change.”

While some fans welcome the move as a vital lifeline for their beloved soap, many other longtime viewers, particularly older ones, are outraged. They balk at the idea of paying for something that was once available for free over the airwaves. They may be intimidated by new technology or lack the funds for a smart TV or tablet. They feel as though after decades of unstinting loyalty, they are being abandoned by entertainment conglomerates desperate to woo elusive younger audiences. And, perhaps most of all, they resent the disruption of a cherished daily ritual during a time of dizzying change.

Trish Hobbs, 60, has been watching “Days” since she was 9. (Her German grandmother, a soap fanatic, got her hooked.) As a stay-at-home mom, she timed her kids’ naps so she was free to tune in each afternoon to hear Macdonald Carey’s voice in the iconic intro: “Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.”

Until Sept. 9, Hobbs, who lives in North Carolina, continued to plan her days around “Days.”

“I’m divorced. I live alone. It’s like friends coming over,” she said, likening the show to a comforting plate of macaroni and cheese. Through her cable provider, she was able to get a free Peacock subscription and has been watching the show on her desktop computer the last few days — “but it’s not the same,” she said wearily. Hobbs, a cancer survivor, is not able to work and can barely afford to see her doctor, so she’s not sure what she’ll do when the free subscription runs out.

“I already have to pay for cable to get my TV. Now you want me to pay to watch my show on an app that I don’t fully understand, that I don’t have the money to pay for and I probably won’t watch anything else on?” she said. “They’re discounting the people that made the show what it is.”

Yolanda Viviani, 83, has been watching “Days” since she was a young mother in New York City in the 1960s. When she and her husband eventually moved upstate and opened a bar, she’d sometimes flip the TV over to “Days,” irritating customers who preferred sports.

“I’m really disappointed with what they did. It’s unfair,” said Viviani, who now relies on her daughter or grandchildren to turn on Peacock using several different remotes. “A little more independence taken away.”

Producers have been promoting the move with short clips on social media featuring favorite cast members. One, starring 97-year-old Bill Hayes and his 79-year-old wife, Susan Seaforth Hayes, was squarely aimed at older, technophobic viewers.

“We need to tell our loving and loyal fans, ‘Come on, we’ve got you.’ Take them by the hand and bring them over,” said Deidre Hall, who began playing Marlena Evans, a psychiatrist who has endured enough trauma to spend a lifetime in therapy, in 1976. “Nobody’s saying it’s not a change, and we’re all a little uncomfortable with change. But it’s a good thing.”

Daytime TV is inherently habit forming “because we never give you any relief,” Hall said. “There’s always something you’ve got to know the answer to.” But “Days” is unique in the way it has followed the same families — the Bradys, Hortons, Dimeras and Kiriakises — for decades. It may be bonkers, but it’s a familiar bonkers.

“We’re having such hard years lately. So many people have been stuck at home, and our show is a tremendous comfort. They know us, they love us, they trust us,” Hall said.

In its early years, the serial was known for its bold yet intimate storylines, including a groundbreaking interracial romance in the 1970s. Over time, “Days” embraced more outrageous plots involving doppelgängers, brainwashing and characters that came back from the dead with alarming regularity — a campy streak that “Friends” spoofed via Joey’s breakout role as a neurosurgeon revived by a brain transplant.

“When you turned on ‘Days,’ it was so strikingly different than any other show. It was the eye candy of the soap genre, it was shirtless hunks, locations like New Orleans, devil possessions and larger-than-life weddings. It was truly on its own,” said Casey Hutchison, 22, who learned about the show’s history through commemorative books acquired at thrift stores and whose love of the daytime genre inspired him to create an audio soap called “Forever and a Day.” “It knows the type of crazy show it is, and it’s always going to be that.”

Even at its most over-the-top, “there was still some nuance about it,” a kernel of emotional truth that kept the madness grounded, said Troy Thompson, 36, from Milwaukee, who started out watching every day after school with his mother and grandmother. “Especially being a young, Black gay boy, there were times where I felt more comfortable with these characters than people in my real life. I was able to get lost in it.”

Thompson is sympathetic to older people frustrated by the switch to Peacock but believes that younger fans like himself need to help out however they can. “Yes, inflation is high. We all have our issues. But if you can go get a pack of Newport 100s, you can make damn sure your grandma gets to watch Marlena Evans.”

Some “Days” devotees are doing just that. Using her Twitter account @hourglassfan, Clare Kilgallen, 52, has been trying to raise awareness among fans about how to sign up for Peacock and avail themselves of a promotional deal allowing new subscribers to get a full year of the service for $20 throughout the month of September. She hopes that, over the coming weeks, NBC will make a robust attempt to reach viewers who tune into the show’s old time slot. “It’s really important to let people know where they’ve gone,” said Kilgallen, who even warned her local library to brace for calls from seniors looking for tech support. “It’s like, go help your neighbor.”

Others have gone to even more extreme lengths: The weekend before “Days” permanently relocated to Peacock, Elizabeth Capobianco, 35, flew to New York from North Carolina to help her 81-year-old grandmother set up the streaming service. She worries about people in nursing homes or in rural locations without access to high-speed internet.

“They’re going to lose so many of these grandmothers that have been watching since the very beginning,” she said. “But the flip side is, ‘Thank God they’re not canceled.’ Because that was the alternative.”

There are other advantages to the streaming model beyond mere survival: preventing the constant pre-emptions for breaking news, the possibility of edgier content, longer episodes without so many ad breaks. There might even be an opportunity to attract new fans (and thrill existing ones) with access to classic episodes of “Days” gone by. “While there are no plans at this time, it’s our sincere hope that we will be able to give fans access to old episodes and footage in the future,” said Corday.

But daytime drama flourished in a cultural and social climate that is now unrecognizable. American TV’s remaining soaps — “Days,” “General Hospital,” “The Young and the Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful” — face significant challenges. The homemakers who once made up the daytime audience are an endangered species — and have been for decades. Their kids are hooked on TikTok, not their mom’s intricate and slow-moving “stories.”

Viewers with a taste for family intrigue and messy love triangles have countless other diversions at their fingertips, including reality TV like “The Real Housewives” and the nonstop churn of celebrity gossip on social media. Even glossy scripted sagas like “Yellowstone” and “The Crown” offer juicy family melodrama dressed up with higher production values.

In the end, “Days’” most formidable villain isn’t any of the scheming Dimeras. It’s a viewer with too many options and not enough time.

Alison Sweeney Signs Multi-Picture Overall Deal With Hallmark Media

“Alison Sweeney has been an incredible creative partner for us over the years – both on screen as well as behind the camera as a producer,” said Lisa Hamilton Daly, EVP Programming at Hallmark Media. “She’s long been a fan favorite, and we can’t wait to continue our work together as we bring new stories to life.”

Sweeney remarked: “I am thrilled to continue to work with Hallmark as they continue to support my work as an actress and as a producer. I’m very proud of our Christmas movie and excited for the future projects to come!”

As part of Sweeney’s deal, she is starring in A Magical Christmas Village, which she also executive produces with Luke Macfarlane (Moriah’s Lighthouse) and guest star Marlo Thomas. The movie premieres this year during Hallmark Channel’s annual Countdown to Christmas programming event and features Sweeney as Summer, an architect living in a small town where she’s raising her young daughter Chloe (Maesa Nicholson, Dying for Chocolate: A Curious Caterer Mystery). When her mother Vivian (Thomas) finds herself in need of a place to live, her orderly life becomes a little less so after inviting Vivian to move in with them during this transition. Upon arrival, Vivian sets up an heirloom, miniature Christmas village resembling their town and tells Chloe it grants Christmas wishes. As Chloe begins setting up the figurines, real-life events seem to mimic the scenes she creates, including Summer’s chance meeting with Ryan (Macfarlane), a newcomer to their community.

Sweeney is an award-winning actress, producer, director, content supplier, TV host and author. She began acting at 4 and at age 16, she joined the cast of Days of Our Lives as Sami Brady. She went on to star on the NBC sudser for more than 21 years.

She also hosted 13 seasons of NBC’s The Biggest Loser while making many guest-starring appearances on TV series and true crime podcasts. Sweeney serves as an ambassador for Stand Up 2 Cancer and American Humane Association and is a member of the Entertainment Council for Feeding America.

A Magical Christmas Village is from Looking Glass Productions, LLC. The executive producers are Sweeney, Craig Baumgarten, Shawn Williamson, Jamie Goehring and Melissa Salmons. Kevin Leslie serves as producer. Jason Furukawa directed from a script by Salmons. Sweeney is repped by UTA, Vault Entertainment and Wonderst.

Dishing with Digest - 9/16/22 - Farah Fath

Tanner Stine, Kaylee Bryant, Justin Long, Ali Larter & More Set For Supernatural Horror ‘Spin The Bottle’ From Director Gavin Wiesen

The recently wrapped film written by John Cregan centers on a group of teenagers in small town Texas who unleash a deadly force after playing the famed party game Spin the Bottle in an abandoned house where a grisly massacre once took place.

Christopher Ammanuel (Black Lightning), Ryan Whitney (Reagan), Angela Halili (American Horror Stories), Samantha Cormier (Legion), Hal Cumpston (The Greatest Beer Run Ever) and Tony Amendola (The Curse of La Llorona) round out the cast. Fortress Media Group is financing, with Will Hayes, Jim Valdez, Kyle Hayes and Chris Barish producing. Harrison Kordestani is exec producing, with Scot Ruggles serving as co-producer.

Stine has previously appeared on series including Impulse, The Thundermans and Here and Now, among other projects.

Bryant is known for her role as Josie Saltzman on The CW’s Legacies and has also been seen on series like Santa Clarita Diet, Speechless and The Real O’Neals, to name a few.

Long is a Critics Choice Award nominee who can currently be seen in Kevin Smith’s Clerks III and Zach Cregger’s horror-thriller, Barbarian. He’s also recently appeared in films including Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, Literally, Right Before Aaron, Frank & Lola and Yoga Hosers, having made his feature directorial debut with Lionsgate’s 2021 comedy Lady of the Manor, co-written and directed with Christian Long, in which he also starred. Notable television credits include F Is for Family and New Girl. Other upcoming projects for the actor include John McPhail’s horror-thriller Dear David and Clare Niederpruem’s romantic comedy Christmas with the Campbells, in which he stars opposite Brittany Snow.

Wiesen made his feature directorial debut with the romantic drama The Art of Getting By, starring Freddie Highmore, Emma Roberts and Michael Angarano, which premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and was subsequently released by Fox Searchlight. His sophomore feature All Nighter, starring Lio Tipton, Emile Hirsch and J.K. Simmons, was released by Good Deed Entertainment in 2017.

Stine is represented by Untitled Entertainment; Bryant by APA, Kate Linden Management and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman; Long by APA; Larter by UTA, Untitled Entertainment and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller; Ammanuel by APA, Vision Entertainment and Yorn, Levine, Barnes; Whitney by Gersh and Myman Greenspan Fox; Halili by Buchwald and 323 Talent Management; Cormier by Midwest Talent Management; Cumpston by Gersh, Robert Stein Management and Catherine Poulton Management (Australia); Amendola by AKA Talent Agency; Wiesen by Gersh and Apostle Management; and Cregan by Foundation Media Partners.

Andrea Barber Joins Candace Cameron Bure-Produced Holiday Movie In ‘Full House’ Reunion, Dan Payne Also Stars

Developed as part of her Candy Rock Entertainment venture, Christmas on Candy Cane Lane is Bure’s second Christmas project with Great American Media for the 2022 season and the first produced under the banner Candace Cameron Bure Presents. The new film will be part of Great American Christmas, the network’s holiday programming franchise which returns on October 21.

“It brings me great joy to bring you the incredibly talented and funny Andrea Barber. Having a 30-year bestie friendship both on and off camera has allowed me to find the perfect project to introduce the Christmas genre audience to her brilliant comedic skills, her heartwarming authenticity and vulnerability that is a rare gem today. Just as I have, audiences will fall in love with Andrea’s warmth and relatability, and chuckle along with her all the way down Candy Cane Lane,” said Candace Cameron Bure.

In the movie, based on the novel by Sheila Roberts, Barber stars as Ivy Donaldson, who is going through a transition in her life. Separated from husband, Rob (Payne), and putting on a brave face for her daughter, Ivy also struggles with the long shadow cast by her late mother, Muriel, the darling of Icicle Falls; head of the Candy Cane Lane Lights Extravaganza, owner of The Christmas Haus, and a former TV star known adoringly as the “Christmas Maven.” The shoes seem too big to fill. When obstacles reach a crescendo for Ivy, a series of comical and mysterious events bring neighbors of Icicle Falls, including Ivy’s entire family, together in a masterstroke of perfection only the “Christmas Maven” herself could appreciate.

Christie Will directs from an original screenplay by Teena Booth.

Bure, Jeffery Brooks, Ford Englerth, Jim Head, and Gerald Webb are executive producers for the project on behalf of Candy Rock Entertainment. Executive producers on behalf of Motion Picture Corporation of America are Brad Krevoy, Eric Jarboe, Amanda Phillips, Lorenzo Nardini, Jimmy Townsend, Susie Belzberg Krevoy, and Doran S. Chandler. Catherine Kretz produces. Kay Metchie, Michael Shepard, Bradley M. Goodman, and Christie Will are supervising producers. Marlisa Fruehauf, Trudi Thorwaldson, Felicia Lee, and Alexandra Maslova are associate producers.

Barber is repped by Liz Wagner at The Rosenzweig Group. Payne is repped by Lucas Talent and Alagash Entertainment.

Johnny Depp-Amber Heard Defamation Case TV Movie To Premiere On Tubi

Starring Mark Hapka (Parallels, Days of Our Lives) as Depp and Megan Davis (Alone in the Dark) as Heard, the film is written by Guy Nicolucci (The Daily Show) and directed by Sara Lohman (Secrets in the Woods). It hails from Fox Entertainment’s indie studio MarVista Entertainment.

Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial follows the tumultuous relationship – in and out of court – of Depp and his ex-wife Heard in a dramatization of the two-month defamation trial.

Melissa Marty (Station 19) will join Hapka and Davis as Depp’s lawyer Camille Vasquez and Mary Carrig (Law & Order: True Crime) joins as Heard’s lawyer Elaine Bredehoft.

“Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial has ‘Hot Take’ in the title for a reason,” said Adam Lewinson, Chief Content Officer, Tubi. “With our partners at MarVista, this Tubi Original was fast-tracked into production to capture a timely take on a story that became part of the cultural zeitgeist, painting a unique picture of what millions watched play out in the headlines over the summer.”

The trial concluded on June 1, with the jury ruling that Aquaman star Heard defamed Depp in a late 2018 Washington Post op-ed. Depp was awarded around $10.4 million in damages, which Heard has appealed. The jury found that Heard was defamed in one of her claims, awarding her $2 million in compensatory damages.

The film is executive produced by Brittany Clemons, Angie Day, Marianne C. Wunch, Hannah Pillemer and Fernando Szew. Autumn Federici and Kristifor Cvijetic serve as producers under their The Ninth House banner.

Mark Miller Dies: ‘Please Don’t Eat The Daisies,’ ‘Guestward, Ho!’ & ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Actor, Prolific Screenwriter Was 97

Miller portrayed college professor Jim Nash on Please Don’t Eat the Daisies, which ran from 1965-1967 and then in syndication. The NBC-MGM sitcom, which ran for 58 half-hour episodes, was loosely based on the theatrical film of the same name starring Doris Day and David Niven. The series did well initially, but its ratings took a hit in Season 2 when it was moved opposite The Jackie Gleason Show.

Miller had substantial runs on other big shows, most notably Desilu’s Guestward Ho! on ABC in 1960. He played one half of a New York City couple, the Hootens, who relocate to a dude ranch in New Mexico. Guestward Ho! ran for one season alongside The Donna Reed Show on Thursday evenings.

The actor had a 13 episode arc as J.R. Barnett on Days of Our Lives in 1975, another 13 episodes as Howard Jones on NBC’s college-set soap Bright Promise in 1970. He did two episodes of General Hospital in 1965.

Thoughout the ’60s and ’70s, Miller had appearances on many staples of the era: I Spy, The Andy Griffith Show, Alfred Hitchcock Presents , The Patty Duke Show, The Twilight Zone, That Girl, Adam-12, Cannon, Emergency!, Barnaby Jones, Kung Fu, The Waltons, Marcus Welby, The Streets of San Francisco and more.

In the ’80s, Miller wrote episodes for a host of well-known shows including Diff’rent Strokes and The Jeffersons.

On the big screen, Miller wrote the 1995 Keanu Reeves vehicle A Walk in the Clouds, which was directed by Alfonso Arau. He also wrote and starred in 1982’s Savanah Smiles, which featured two of his daughters, Marisa and Savannah, the latter of whom inspired the film.

Miller also starred in dozens of stage productions such as Noël Coward’s Private Lives opposite Grace Kelly, Phillip Barry’s The Philadelphia Story, William Inge’s Bus Stop opposite Elaine Stritch and with Joan Blondell in Dark at the Top of the Stairs.

'Days of Our Lives' Cast on How the Soap Will Change After Moving to Streaming

"Well, I think we all think of Peacock as NBC," Deidre Hall said, "so, it isn’t a huge transition, but it means that we are on the air, we'll still be reaching millions of people, and I think we’re all thrilled to be doing that."

"Absolutely, yeah, no, it's a new opportunity," Robert Scott Wilson added. "It's refreshing, and adds to the longevity ... with a lot of history. Brings it into another opportunity for a new audience."

For Drake Hogestyn, while he still prefers the traditional way of TV watching, he said he's going to get on board.

"I’m kind of the older audience. I don’t have a smart television set. I don’t have internet connectivity. I like to turn my set on, have my show be right there," Hogestyn admitted. "And I was talking to some guys in the gym and they said, 'Hoge, you're missing it! Everybody's on their phones, their tablets, different things. They watch anything they want, anytime they want. You have a television set?'"

"So, I’m with a lot of the audience here," he continued. "There’s a learning curve I’m gonna go through, but for a $1.99 a month, I think that is a deal, and I’m on board."

Moving from broadcast to streaming -- a transition that was initially shocking for some of the cast -- allows the 57-year-old soap to take more creative risks.

"It's an opportunity to be more creative -- whatever that means -- within the guidelines, and not losing the the integrity of the history of what we've done here for many, many years," Wilson shared. "But now, having the lines, being broadened a little bit, and being able to be a little more creative and keep up with he demands of what's streaming now."

That means the show can be more "racy," with Hogestyn explaining that they no longer have to follow some of the strict standards and practices imposed by broadcast television.

"We're kind of moving into a different league," Hogestyn added. "It’s from the league of standards and practices, where I remember there were some scenes we had one time that were pretty racy, and they had the standards and practices people in the booth, and when the racy scene came up, they accidentally knocked a hot cup of coffee over on 'em ... while we got the scene in, and they won’t have to do that now with the streaming."

"And it’s a balancing line there, between the older audience, and respecting what they want out of their soap opera, and yet giving the younger audience and the adventurers what they want also, he continued.

Eric Martsolf called the move "a gift" that will allow watchers to take the show with them wherever they want.

"I was nervous at first, I’ll be honest," Martsolf admitted. "I was nervous because I’m a creature of habit, like many people, that watch their television a certain way."

He continued, "And those nerves went away as soon as I got home, and I went to say hello to my twin boys, they're 16, and they're on their tablets, and they're on their phones and they're watching their stuff, and they're taking their phones and taking their shows with them out the door. I realized this could be a really important, wonderful thing -- the mobility."

"The ability to take your show with you wherever you wanna go, I think once people accept that change and realize what a gift that is, I think it's just gonna rock and roll from there honestly," Martsolf added.

All in all, it's an exciting time for the show, with Camila Banus adding that the cast is "happy" to be part of the long-running soap's innovative next move.

"I think we're all just buzzing with excitement," Banus gushed. "We're just happy to be part of this fun, new, different, innovative move, and I think the first soap to go full on streaming is a really exciting title to have."

Days of Our Lives is streaming now exclusively on Peacock. (Watch on The W Network in Canada)

Today Show: Deidre Hall Talks ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Moving To Peacock

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Plugs Benefits Of Peacock: No More Breaking News Interruptions

In the latest in a series of tweets featuring stars of the soap promoting the show’s switch from longtime berth NBC to the streaming service – effective today – actor Robert Scott Wilson lists five reasons why the change is “a very good thing.”

After mentioning “fewer commercials,” the ability to hit pause, not having to set a DVR and being able to watch past episodes, Wilson delivers Reason #5 with mock-dramatics:

“Finally, and most importantly, you will never, ever have to hear these words,” at which point a stentorian voice says, “We interrupt this program to bring you a special news report.”

Adds Wilson, “Never again will someone break into your show to make you watch something that they think is more important.”

The tweet comes just three days after broadcast viewers in New York City missed the final scene of the episode when NBC News cut in to cover King Charles III’s speech about his mother. Thursday’s episode was bumped from its time slot entirely by live coverage of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

NBC will fill the DOOL slot with NBC News Daily. (Video)

Jackée Harry honors Sheryl Lee Ralph’s ‘full circle’ Emmys win: ‘I’m so excited’

Jackée Harry — who won the 1987 Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in “227” — celebrated Sheryl Lee Ralph’s win in the same category at the 2022 Emmys.

“Winning my Emmy was a career highlight, but it was also a lonely experience,” Harry, 66, tweeted moments after Ralph’s win Monday night.

“For 35 years I’ve been the only Black woman to win Outstanding Supporting Actresses (sic) in a Comedy Series. But that all changes tonight…and it’s come full circle! #Emmys”

The “Sister, Sister” actress noted that NBC, the network behind “227,” had originally wanted Ralph to play the role of Sandra. However, Harry “got the part and won an Emmy for it.”

She continued in a separate tweet, “Now, Sheryl joins me as the 2nd Black woman in this category and deservedly so! I’m so excited for her #Emmys win!”

Harry dubbed the “Moesha” star, 65, as “one of the nicest people in Hollywood” and said her “Abbott Elementary” no-nonsense character, Barbara Howard, is “another fabulous character we’ve been fortunate to watch her breathe life into.”

Ralph was up against her “Abbott Elementary” co-star Janelle James, as well as Juno Temple, Sarah Niles and Hannah Waddingham, who were all nominated for their roles in “Ted Lasso.”

Additionally, “Hacks” star Hannah Einbinder, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” actress Alex Borstein and “Saturday Night Live’s” Kate McKinnon were all up for the award.

Ralph thrilled the Emmy audience when she got on stage and began powerfully singing during her acceptance speech, “I am an endangered species, but I sing no victim’s song. I am a woman, I am an artist. And I know where my voice belongs.”

“To anyone who has ever, ever had a dream and thought your dream wasn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t come true. I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like this,” she concluded.

Michael Keaton, who won Best Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series for his role in Hulu’s “Dopesick,” also surprised audiences during his own speech, which was partially censored.

“Over the years we’ve all been through a lot of tough times. There have been some doubters. I’ve had some doubters. You know what? We’re cool. But I also had those people for all these years when times were rough who were true believers. I f–king love you,” he expressed as the audio cut off during the last sentence.

Peter Porte guests on NCIS 9/26/22

GUEST CAST includes: Kash Abdulmalik (Carter Landegraff/Traffic volunteer), Peter Porte (Owen Belfort III/ Preppy dad), Brian Thomas Smith (Larry/Dad/Bro/Driver)

Soap Opera Fans in a Lather as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Leaves NBC to Stream on Peacock

Starting Monday, “Days of Our Lives” is leaving NBC after nearly 57 years on the air and is moving exclusively to Peacock, a streaming platform owned by NBC parent Comcast Corp.

Minutes after she heard about the move a few weeks ago, Ms. Capobianco, a 35-year-old logistics coordinator from Charlotte, N.C., called her grandmother, who has barely missed a daily episode since the show began airing in 1965.

“She doesn’t know anything about streaming,” Ms. Capobianco said of her grandma, Sidnee Capobianco, who introduced her to “Days” more than 20 years ago. She offered to come to her grandmother’s Long Island home and set up Peacock on her TV ahead of Monday’s launch. They plan to watch the show’s Peacock debut together.

The announcement last month that “Days” would no longer be on TV was greeted with a mix of shock, anger and resignation by fans, many of whom have been watching it since childhood.

Casey Costello, a 31-year-old freelance musician from Rochester, N.Y., said the show holds a special place in his heart because it was one of the rare things that wasn’t stopped by Covid-19. Because episodes are shot so far in advance, “Days” managed to air a new one every day even at the height of the pandemic.

“I really admired the way they carried on,” he said. “So when I heard they were going to this app, I was sort of dismayed.” He said he fears plenty of viewers will turn on their TV on Monday “and wonder where the show went.”

Comcast’s NBCUniversal unit said bringing “Days” fans to Peacock would bolster the streaming service. The company said it ran a series of ads about the move, and noted that people who sign up for Peacock later than Monday will be able to catch up on any episodes they missed.

Despite declining ratings, “Days” is appointment television for about 1.9 million viewers every day, many of whom go out of their way to watch the show live despite the fact that it airs early in the afternoon. Some even tune in from the office, scheduling their lunch break around the show.

Many fans expressed relief that “Days of Our Lives” wasn’t canceled outright—a fate that befell other prominent soaps, including ABC’s “All My Children” about a decade ago. They see the fact that Peacock is already home to recent “Days” spinoffs as a good omen.

Ms. Capobianco is going above and beyond to make sure the show keeps going. She says she already has complimentary access to the premium version of Peacock through her cable subscription, but decided to create another account for herself—for which she now has to pay—with the hope that “Days” will get credit for the sign-up.

“New subscriptions are really what they are looking for,” she said, adding she knew of a handful of fans who canceled original subscriptions and signed on with a new email—making the most of a special promotional offer—to try to give the show a boost.

Peacock’s premium version has 13 million paying subscribers in the U.S., not including people who get it at no extra cost through cable providers. There is also a free version of Peacock, but that one won’t offer “Days of Our Lives” once the show moves to the premium version Monday.

Set in the fictional Midwestern town of Salem, “Days” chronicles the lives—and romantic entanglements—of people from several families. Hardcore fans will usually root for one family, though Ms. Capobianco said people also love cheering for a specific couple.

“I’ve always been a John and Marlena fan for as long as I can remember,” she said. “They really drew me in back in the day, and they pretty much have kept me coming back all these years.”

As with many TV shows, the “Days” audience has been aging fast. This year, three-quarters of its viewers are 55 and older, according to Nielsen, compared with a little over half back in 2013.

In one of the ads flagging the show’s move to Peacock, Billy Flynn, who portrays the “Days” character Chad DiMera, pays a visit to co-stars Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth Hayes to help them set up the service. No need, he’s told: They’ve already done so, and it was a breeze.

NBCUniversal also said new episodes of “Days” would be prominently featured on Peacock’s home page.

Watching “Days” on streaming instead of broadcast TV will have upsides, fans say. For one, the show will no longer be pre-empted by breaking news. On Friday, the last scene of the final broadcast episode of “Days” was cut short in some markets by King Charles III’s first speech as British monarch.

Mr. Costello said that early in the pandemic, the show was so frequently interrupted by then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s coronavirus briefings that he wrote a letter to the manager of his local NBC affiliate asking him to stop broadcasting them.

Mr. Costello also hopes the show, which opens with a close-up of a rotating hourglass, reverts to its full-length theme music once it no longer has to meet television’s time constraints. He occasionally plays it on the piano.

NBCUniversal said there are no immediate plans to go back to the longer intro music.

Some fans are speculating the show might get a little edgier as it leaves broadcast television. Bryen Miller, a 44-year-old from Goshen, Ind., said he noticed that “Days” actors who appeared on “Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem,” a recent spinoff made exclusively for Peacock, occasionally swore, which wouldn’t happen on the main broadcast.

“An occasional swear word in some of these situations makes it more realistic,” Mr. Miller said.

Not all “Days” fans are planning to make the jump to Peacock.

Asked what he would do on Monday, Bob Price said: “I’m going to start watching ‘General Hospital,’ ” referring to the ABC soap opera. Mr. Price, a 56-year-old land surveyor from Pittsburgh, said he already has Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Video and doesn’t want to pay for yet another streaming service.

Nancy Belden, a 63-year-old from Altoona, Wis., said her 94-year-old mother, who has been watching “Days of Our Lives” daily since its inception, won’t be able to anymore starting Monday because she doesn’t have an internet connection.

“ ‘Days’ was her favorite,” Ms. Belden said. “We even had to schedule doctor’s appointments for her around ‘Days of Our Lives.’ ” When her mother found out the show was coming off TV, Ms. Belden said, “she cried.”

In another of NBC’s recent ads, James Reynolds, who plays Abe Carver on the show, said that when he grew up, soap operas were 15-minute programs on the radio.

“In the ’50s, a new technology came along called television, and soaps transitioned to TV,” Mr. Reynolds said. “It wasn’t an easy change for everybody—some people didn’t have television sets.” He said the move to Peacock is a result of “the wave of the future.”

Instead of having to wait for the daily midday broadcast, people will have access to new episodes every morning, possibly as early as 6 a.m. Eastern time, NBCUniversal said.

John Michael, a 45-year-old bookkeeper from Terre Haute, Ind., plans to make the most of it. “You could watch ‘Days’ over breakfast with your coffee and stuff, and get it out of the way before the rest of your day.”

Entertainment Tonight: 'Days of Our Lives’: Go Behind the Scenes of the Hit Soap

Morning Show Appearance

Monday, September 12 (9-10 a.m.)

Catching Up with Deidre Hall

Dishing with Digest - 9/9/22- Wally Kurth

Alice Eve, Shelley Hennig & Antonio Banderas Thriller ‘The Last Girl’ Gets Worldwide Deal

Directed by Jon Keeyes (The Survivalist) and written by Charles Burnley, The Last Girl recently wrapped production in Ireland and stars Alice Eve (Star Trek Into Darkness), Shelley Hennig (Teen Wolf) and Oscar nominee Antonio Banderas (Pain and Glory).

Saban is planning an early 2023 release for the feature, which follows a private investigator (Eve) who’s forced into a dangerous alliance with a killer (Hennig) in order to uncover a quiet town’s grisly criminal underbelly and clear the name of her mentor (Banderas), who is implicated in the crimes.

The pic is produced by Jordan Yale Levine, Jordan Beckerman, and Michael J. Rothstein for Yale, as well as Richard Bolger and Conor Barry from Hail Mary Pictures, and Richard Clabaugh.

The deal was negotiated by Jonathan Saba from Saban Films and Nick Donnermeyer from Yale’s recently launched sales banner Great Escape.

Executive producers include Jesse Korman and Jeffrey Tussi from Yale Entertainment, Nick Donnermeyer from Yale’s Great Escape, Bondit’s Luke Taylor and Matt Helderman, Kurt Ebner, Stephen Braun, Kade Thomas, Jason Kringstein, Scott Levenson, Richard Switzer, Colby Cote, Lee Broda, Aden Darmody, Will Hirschfeld , Luke Daniels, Shaun Sanghani, Tyler Konney, Grant Johnson, Grady Craig, Phil Hunt, Compton Ross, David Nazar, Patrick Heaphy, Simon Cooper, and Harriet Cooper.

Saban Films has recently acquired Jason Momoa’s The Last Manhunt; American Murderer starring Tom Pelphrey, Ryan Phillippe, Idina Menzel And Jacki Weaver; Ana Lily Amirpour’s Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon starring Kate Hudson and Jun Jong-Seo; Brett Donowho’s western The Old Way starring Nicolas Cage; Adam Sigal’s reincarnation dark comedy Chariot with John Malkovich; and Butcher’s Crossing starring Nicolas Cage, which will make its world premiere at the Toronto Film festival this month.

‘Dancing With The Stars’ Announces Season 31 Cast, Including First Ever Drag Queen Plus Selma Blair, Cheryl Ladd & More

Actor and Performer D.J. “Shangela” Pierce, who was the first contestant to compete on three separate seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race, will dance with Gleb Savchenko when the former ABC competition show makes its debut on Disney+ Shangela’s participation marks the first time a drag queen has ever competed for the mirror ball trophy.

Joining Shangela in the ballroom is Wayne Brady, the host of CBS’ Let’s Make a Deal, along with a platinum recording artist, a Real Housewife, a Bachelorette and an OG angel of Charlie’s, among several other famous (or should we say infamous?) celebrities. The entire cast was announced this morning on Good Morning America in anticipation of the show’s Sept. 19 premiere on Disney+.

And the season 31 teams are:

Fitness model and actor Joseph Baena, son of Arnold Schwarzenegger, with partner Daniella Karagach
Selma Blair with partner Sasha Farber
Let’s Make a Deal host Wayne Brady (The Bold & The Beautiful) with partner Witney Carson
Good Morning America contributor and WABC-TV New York’s weather anchor Sam Champion, with partner Cheryl Burke
TikTok star Charli D’Amelio with partner Mark Ballas
Heidi D’Amelio (The D’Amelio Show) with partner Artem Chigvintsev
Country star Jessie James Decker with partner Alan Bersten
Actor Trevor Donovan (90210, Days of Our Lives) with partner Emma Slater
Actor Daniel Durant (CODA) with partner Britt Stewart
Teresa Giudice (The Real Housewives of New Jersey) with partner Pasha Pashkov
Vinny Guadagnino (Jersey Shore) with partner Koko Iwasaki
Cheryl Ladd (Charlie’s Angels) with partner Louis van Amstel
Actor Jason Lewis (Sex and the City) with partner Peta Murgatroyd
Drag queen superstar Shangela with partner Gleb Savchenko
Platinum recording artist Jordin Sparks with partner Brandon Armstrong
Gabby Windey (The Bachelorette) with partner Val Chmerkovskiy

The pairs will be judged by Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough. Season 19 winner Alfonso Ribeiro will join Tyra Banks as a co-host.

Dancing with the Stars, which is produced by BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions, received a two-year pickup and will become the first live series to debut on Disney+.

How to Watch DAYS OF OUR LIVES on Peacock

Peacock is NBC’s streaming service and will include not only brand-new episodes of DAYS but also past episodes as well as other television and movies. While it is possible to sign up for a free account, the programming on that tier is very limited, and DAYS will not be included. There is an ad-supported Peacock Premium tier that normally costs $4.99 a month, but as part of a special promotion in September for new members, the price has been slashed to just $1.99 a month for the first 12 months, or you can get an entire year for just $19.99. There is also the Peacock Plus tier which costs $9.99 a month, and allows you to watch ad-free as well as download select titles for viewing offline.

If you have a smart TV, you can simply download the Peacock app to your television and sign up there. If not, there are also various devices such as Roku and Amazon Fire sticks that will allow your television to access streaming content like Peacock. The app is also available on tablets, smartphones, and of course, on computers via web browsers at PeacockTV.com. For a full list of devices click here.

Then, beginning on Monday, Sept. 12, fans simply need to navigate to the Peacock app and select the newest episode of DAYS to start watching. New episodes will be available every weekday, although it has not been confirmed at exactly what time that will happen. The soap’s executive producer, Ken Corday, has already promised that it will be the same show that fans have known and loved for years. And in fact, episodes could actually become longer now that they no longer have to leave space for so many ads in the one-hour time slot on network television.

DAYS has been going out of its way to assure fans that nothing is changing except how you watch DAYS (unless, of course, you were one of the viewers already watching the soap on Peacock) with a series of videos featuring the cast. Like this hilarious one where Billy Flynn (Chad) discovers that Bill Hayes (Doug) and his wife, Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie) don’t really need his help setting Peacock up on their TV! https://youtu.be/J_0mwJGxly4

We hope this helped clear some things up, but if you still have any questions about Peacock and how to continue watching DAYS on the streaming service, you can visit PeacockTV.com/Help.

Days of our Lives (in Canada) is moving to an Exclusive New Home on W Network

Days of our Lives is set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem. The core families are Bradys, Hortons and DiMeras, and the multi-layered storylines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama. The show remains a consistent favorite among critics and fans alike. “Days of our Lives” is produced by Corday Productions, Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producer Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati is the head writer.

The show has garnered 58 Emmy Awards – most recently 2018’s Outstanding Daytime Drama – and 372 nominations, as well as multiple People’s Choice Awards, GLAAD Media Awards and Prism Awards. The show’s success stems from its consistent commitment to excellence in writing and storytelling – supported by a diverse ensemble of performers – and an uncanny knack for anticipating viewer interests. With its mix of classic genre traditions and groundbreaking narratives reflecting modern life, “Days of our Lives” remains a perennial favorite among viewers of all ages.

‘The Bay’ Heading To Peacock; Upcoming Season Featuring Maxwell Caulfield, Stephen Schnetzer, Joe Lando & More

The multi-camera serial drama is currently in production on 20 all-new episodes that will be released later this year, marking the completion of its 100th episode. Today, the cast and crew will commemorate the milestone while on location in Sun Valley, CA.

Filmed on location in Puerto Rico and Los Angeles, the new episodes star Daytime Emmy winners Kristos Andrews (Survive the Game) and Karrueche Tran (Claws, Bel-Air) as super couple Pete and Vivian Garrett, as well as Daytime Emmy winners Mary Beth Evans (Days of Our Lives) as Sara Garrett, Tristan Rogers (General Hospital) as Commissioner Lex Martin, Eric Nelsen (1883) as Daniel Garrett, and Mike Manning (This is Us) as Caleb McKinnon. Andrews will be doing double duty as Pete Garrett’s diabolical twin brother Adam Kenway, a role that garnered him a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Drama Series in 2020.

Returning series regulars for the upcoming installments include Najee De-Tiege (Power Rangers: Samurai), Celeste Fianna (Bandit), Jackie Zeman (General Hospital), Alicia Leigh Willis (The L Word), Matthew Ashford and Brandon Beemer (Days of Our Lives). Daytime Emmy winner A Martinez (Longmire), as well as newcomer Kiara Liz Ortega and Carlo Mendez (Parks and Recreation) are also series regulars this season.

Special guest stars appearing this season include Maxwell Caulfield (Dynasty), Stephen Schnetzer (Another World), and the returns of Joe Lando (Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman), John Aprea (The Godfather II & III), and Bruce Davison (Ozark).

Also, guest starring is Latin Grammy Winner Draco Rosa, Ciara Hanna (Power Rangers: Megaforce), Alexia Robinson, Real Andrews (General Hospital), McKenzie Westmore (Passions), Precious V. Mayes (The Magic), Breana Raquel (Purple Hearts), Txunamy Ortiz (Class of 1970), Mariann Aalda (The Blacklist), Dante Aleksander (The Raven), Bianca D’Ambrosio (Call Jane), and Daytime Emmy winner Chiara D’Ambrosio (Slapface).

Created and directed by Daytime Emmy winning producer and director Gregori J. Martin, The Bay is produced by the independent film and television production company LANY Entertainment in association with SheMogul Media. The series is written by Martin and multiple Daytime Emmy winner Wendy Riche (General Hospital), who also serves as Executive Producer.

With a total of 23 Daytime Emmy wins and 56 nominations, The Bay is also available on PopStar! TV, Amazon Prime Video, Tubi in the US, Channel 10 and Ten Play in Australia, SABC in South Africa, and others. The series is distributed internationally by GRB Entertainment.

Richard Roat Dies: Actor In ‘Seinfeld’, ‘Friends’, ‘Dallas’ & Dozens Of Other Shows Was 89

Roat died August 5 in Orange County, CA, according to his family. No other details were available.

Born on July 3, 1933, in Hartford, CT, Roat had a couple of bit TV roles before being cast as Dr. Jerry Chandler in the 1962 pilot of NBC soap opera The Doctors. He appeared in more than 170 episodes during the first year of the which, would go on to air for two decades.

He guested on a 1965 episode of The Fugitive and became a busy character actor during the following decade. Roat appeared in memorable 1970s comedies and dramas as Hawaii Five-O, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Columbo, Cannon, Kojak, The Bob Newhart Show, Police Story, Vega$, Fantasy Island, Happy Days, Charlie’s Angeles and Dallas.

Roat also had small roles in the 1970s features Westworld, American Hot Wax and Corvette Summer.

He continued to be an in-demand TV character actor throughout the 1980s and ’90s, appearing on such hits as 7th Heaven, Cybill, The Practice, Ellen, Coach, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Murphy Brown, The Nanny, Melrose Place, Blossom, Grace Under Fire, Living Single, Mad About You, Lois & Clark, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Night Court, Baywatch, Murphy’s Law, Simon & Simon, L.A. Law, Matlock, ALF, St. Elsewhere, Hart to Hart and others.

He also co-starred with Eva Gabor, Robert Hays and a young Jay Leno in the 1978 telefilm Almost Heaven.

Roat is remembered by Seinfeld fans as one of the doctors who found Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Elaine Benes to be a “difficult patient” in the Season 8 episode “The Package” in 1998. He also appeared as a professor colleague who busts Ross (David Schwimmer) for dating a student in a 2000 episode of Friends.

Farther back, he appeared in two episodes of The Golden Girls, including a Season 1 role as a man who dies while having sex with Rose (Betty White). Roat also recurred as Farnsworth on multiple Hill Street Blues episodes from 1982-85 and as a publisher on Dynasty in 1986.

In a 1985 episode of Cheers, Roat played Norm’s (George Wendt) boss Mr. Hecht, who promotes him to corporate killer — responsible for firing people in the office.

About that time, he returned to his soap opera roots to play Professor Henry Moore in about a dozen episodes of NBC’s Days of Our Lives from 1985-91. His final credit was a 2009 episode of 24.

Roat also appeared briefly on Broadway and onstage at The Public Theatre in Central Park, The Huntington Hartford Theatre in Los Angeles and the Pasadena Playhouse. Along with his long acting career, he had a successful practice as an entertainment tax preparer for more than 50 years.

Survivors include his wife of more than 40 year, Kathy.

‘Queen Sugar’ Final-Season Trailer Debuts Ahead Of September Premiere On OWN

Ava DuVernay, who created the series and directed the pilot, will also direct the series finale of the show, which in Season 7 picks up six months after Ralph Angel and Darla welcomed their baby girl to the world.

Based on Natalie Baszile’s 2014 novel, Queen Sugar focuses on the trio of Bordelon siblings — played by Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Rutina Wesley and Kofi Siriboe — and their extended family in the fictional Louisiana community of St. Josephine. Tina Lifford, Nicholas L. Ashe, Omar Dorsey, Bianca Lawson and Amirah Vann also star.

The series premiered in 2016 and DuVernay pledged to exclusively hire women directors; across its 88 episodes, the show has employed 42 women to direct.

Queen Sugar is produced for OWN by DuVernay’s Array Filmworks and Harpo Films in association with Warner Bros. Television. Executive producers are DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey, Paul Garnes and Shaz Bennett.

Check out the Season 7 trailer above.

DAYS Celebrates Move To Peacock

Joe E. Tata Dies: ‘Beverly Hills, 90210 Actor’ Was 85

His longtime 90210 costar Ian Ziering announced his death Thursday on Instagram. Tata’s character was the owner of the Peach Pit.

“In the last few months we’ve lost Jessica Klein one of 90210’s most prolific writers and producers, Denise Douse who played Mrs. Teasley, and now I’m very sad to say Joe E Tata has passed away,” Zeiring wrote. “Joey was truly an OG, I remember seeing him on the Rockford files with James Garner years before we worked together on 90210. He was often one of the background villains in the original Batman series. One of the happiest people I’ve ever worked with, he was as generous with his wisdom as he was with his kindness. Though the peach pit was a 90210 set, It often felt like the backdrop to the Joe E Tata show.”

“The stories of days gone by that he would share, incredible experiences in the entertainment industry that he was a part of would keep us all captivated,” he continued. “He may have been in the back of many scenes, but he was a leading force, especially to us guys, on how to appreciate the gift that 90210 was. My smile dims today but basking in fond memories moves him from my eyes to my heart where he will always be. My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends, and everyone else he was dear too. Rest In peace Joey.”

In 2018, Tata was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, according to.his daughter Kelly, who started a GoFundMe account to help with finances. She had served as her father’s caregiver until he “unwittingly signed documents which entered him into a conservatorship. He maintains that he agreed to this conservatorship under duress.”

Kelly Tata added she was admitted to a hospital “amid my own health struggles,” she wrote.

Born in New York City, Tata’s early career included roles on General Hospital, The Outer Limits and Mister Roberts. His career in TV flourished in the 1970s and ’80s — he appeared in multiple cop dramas like Mannix, Adam-12, The F.B.I. and The Streets of San Francisco — but he truly became a household name when he joined 90210 as the beloved owner of the Peach Pit. He was on the show for 10 seasons.

His final role on TV was in ABC Family’s Mystery Girls. That’s when his health “took a turn for the worse,” Kelly wrote.

“Nat was a loving father figure to the kids of West Beverly High,” she wrote. “In real life, my Dad, Joey, is honest, kind, and a truly incredible father.”

Peacock to (temporarily) Slash Price on Premium Tier

Starting September 19, Peacock will — as TVLine previously reported — become the new streaming home of NBC and Bravo fare, offering its Premium subscribers next-day access to current seasons of NBC and Bravo shows the day after they air on the networks. (Older NBC series such as 30 Rock are not affected by this decision, as they currently stream on Hulu as part of different, separate deals.)

Adding further value to a Peacock Premium account is the fact that the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives will stream exclusively on the service beginning Monday, Sept. 12, ending its 57-year run on NBC.

“We are excited to provide Peacock customers with a comprehensive destination for streaming the incredible programming airing on NBC and Bravo all year long,” Peacock president Kelly Campbell said in a statement. “From Sunday Night Football and Jurassic World: Dominion to Saturday Night Live and The Office, Peacock is the streaming home for NBCUniversal and beyond, providing customers a massive premium content offering across TV, Film, Sports, and News, with less than five minutes of ads per hour for just $5 per month.”

Ah, but for new customers who sign-up for Peacock’s Premium plan in the month of September, that “just $5 a month” will be “just $1.99 a month,” or $19.99 for an entire year, as part of “a special Fall celebratory offer.” (Or, you can sign up now for Premium at the regular rate, and make sure you’re all set for the Fall TV season.)

Currently, Peacock offers three levels of entry: a free, basic plan that will not allow you to stream episodes next-day; the Premium plan, which forces you to sit through some ads and usually is $4.99/month, but is being cut to $1.99 for new subs signing up in September; and Peacock Premium Plus, which fetches $9.99/month and spares you the watching of any ads.

Saturn Awards Nominations Featuring Soap Alums

Supporting Actress in a Film
• Awkwafina, Shang-Chi and the Legend Of the Ten Rings (Marvel / Walt Disney Studios)
• Jodie Comer, Free Guy (20th Century Studios)
• Carrie Coon, Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Sony Pictures)
• Viola Davis, The Suicide Squad (Warner Bros. Pictures)
• Stephanie Hsu, Everything Everywhere All at Once (A24)
• Diana Rigg, Last Night in Soho (Focus Features)
• Marisa Tomei, Spider-Man: No Way Home (Sony Pictures Marvel)

Supporting Actor in a Network / Cable Series
• Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul (AMC)
• Tony Dalton, Better Call Saul (AMC)
• Patrick Fabian, Better Call Saul (AMC)
• Harvey Guillen, What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
• Michael James Shaw, The Walking Dead (AMC)
• Michael Mando, Better Call Saul (AMC)
• Brandon Scott, Jones Ghosts (CBS)

Actress in a Streaming Series
• Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things (Netflix)
• Britt Lower, Severance (Apple TV+)
• Erin Moriarty, The Boys (Amazon)
• Elizabeth Olsen, WandaVision (Disney+ / Marvel)
• Beth Riesgraf, Leverage: Redemption (FreeVee)
• Kate Siegel, Midnight Mass (Netflix)
• Ming-Na Wen, The Book of Boba Fett (Disney+ / Lucasfilm)

Guest Performance in a Streaming Series
• Jensen Ackles, The Boys (Amazon)
• Levar Burton, Leverage: Redemption (FreeVee)
• Hayden Christensen, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Disney+ / Lucasfilm)
• Rosario Dawson, The Mandalorian (Disney+ / Lucasfilm)
• Robert Englund, Stranger Things (Netflix)
• Tony Dalton, Hawkeye (Disney+ / Marvel)
• Jonathan Majors, Loki (Disney+ / Marvel).

Dishing with Digest - 8/12/22 - Robert Scott Wilson

'Days of Our Lives' Crew Members 'Shocked' to Learn Soap Is Moving to Peacock, Source Says

A source tells ET that some members of the Days of Our Lives production team learned the soap opera was moving to Peacock through media reports and were not told beforehand.

"We suspected this would happen at some point, but just not now," the source says. "This was shocking."

Indeed, the long-running daytime soap had been NBC's longest-running series after 57 years on the air. It had eclipsed more than 14,000 episodes, and just two years ago celebrated its 55th anniversary at NBC. But it's now moving to the network's streaming service, with new episodes dropping Sept. 12. NBC News Daily will replace the soap's time slot.

The bold move means NBC is getting out of the soap business, at least on the network side, and it leaves behind only three soaps on network television: The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS), The Young and the Restless (CBS) and General Hospital (ABC).

During its historic run, Days of Our Lives won four Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Daytime Drama, with its last win in 2018. The series has been nominated 26 times in that category and, overall, it has a whopping 372 Emmy nominations.

In a statement, the network billed the move as a win-win for the show's ardent fans of the show and those who want to consume more daytime news.

"For the first time ever, all new episodes of the 58-time Emmy Award-winning drama will debut on Peacock daily with the show's robust library already available to stream for Peacock Premium subscribers," a statement read. "The historic move to Peacock creates the ultimate destination for daytime fans to access the library, new episodes and Peacock Original Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem in one place."

DAYTIME DRAMA ‘DAYS OF OUR LIVES’ MAKES HISTORIC MOVE TO PEACOCK

NEW YORK – Aug. 3, 2022 – NBC is evolving its daytime programming lineup with the move of “Days of Our Lives” to stream exclusively on Peacock and the launch of “NBC News Daily” in the drama’s former network timeslot.

Starting Sept. 12, Peacock will become the exclusive home of the fan-favorite drama “Days of Our Lives.” For the first time ever, all new episodes of the 58-time Emmy Award-winning drama will debut on Peacock daily with the show’s robust library already available to stream for Peacock Premium subscribers. The historic move to Peacock creates the ultimate destination for daytime fans to access the library, new episodes and Peacock Original “Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem” in one place.

Also beginning Sept. 12, in the timeslots previously occupied by “Days of Our Lives,” “NBC News Daily” will debut across NBC stations. NBC News will provide signature world-class reporting and breaking news coverage in a first-of-its kind, live in most markets mid-day news offering. “NBC News Daily,’’ an hourlong program anchored by NBC News’ team of award-winning journalists, including Kate Snow, Aaron Gilchrist, Vicky Nguyen and Morgan Radford, will provide viewers with up-to-the-minute national and international news, with the option for NBC stations to add local news. NBC News Daily” will also be streamed simultaneously on NBC News NOW and Peacock.

“This programming shift benefits both Peacock and NBC and is reflective of our broader strategy to utilize our portfolio to maximize reach and strengthen engagement with viewers,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “With a large percentage of the ‘Days of Our Lives’ audience already watching digitally, this move enables us to build the show’s loyal fanbase on streaming while simultaneously bolstering the network daytime offering with an urgent, live programming opportunity for partners and consumers.”

NBC owned stations will announce their specific daytime schedule soon.

ABOUT “DAYS OF OUR LIVES”: “Days of Our Lives,” a consistent favorite among fans and critics alike, aired it’s 14,000th episode in 2020 and remains NBC’s longest-running series. The show has garnered 58 Emmy Awards, including most recently 2018’s Outstanding Daytime Drama, and 372 nominations, as well as multiple People’s Choice Awards, GLAAD Media Awards, and Prism Awards. The show’s success stems from its consistent commitment to excellence in writing and storytelling – supported by a diverse ensemble of performers – and an uncanny knack for anticipating viewer interests. With its mix of classic genre traditions and groundbreaking narratives reflecting modern life, “Days of Our Lives” remains a perennial favorite among viewers of all ages. “Days of Our Lives” is produced by Corday Productions Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is executive producer with co-executive producer Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati is the head writer.

ABOUT NBC NEWS NOW: NBC News NOW is a 24-hour streaming network with over 10 live hours daily of best-in-class journalism. Featuring more live original programming than any other news streaming network, NBC News NOW is the fastest-growing streaming news network in the U.S. with both international and now domestic linear distribution.

NBC News NOW is ad-supported and is also distributed across Peacock, Fubo, Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus, the Roku Channel, Tubi, Xumo, YouTube, YouTube TV and NBC News’ apps on Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV.

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Moving From NBC To Peacock

Starting Sept. 12, Peacock will become the exclusive home of the sudser, which has already produced two spinoffs for the platform dubbed Beyond Salem. For the first time ever, all new episodes of the 58-time Emmy Award-winning drama will debut on Peacock daily with the show’s library already available to stream for Peacock Premium subscribers.

DOOL launched on NBC in 1965.

NBC will fill the DOOL slot with NBC News Daily, which NBC News promises will “provide signature world-class reporting and breaking news coverage in a first-of-its kind, live in most markets mid-day news offering. The hour-long program will be anchored by Kate Snow, Aaron Gilchrist, Vicky Nguyen and Morgan Radford and offer “up-to-the-minute national?and international news, with the option for NBC stations to add local news.”

NBC News Daily will also be streamed simultaneously on NBC News NOW and Peacock.

“This programming shift benefits both Peacock and NBC and is reflective of our broader strategy to utilize our portfolio to maximize reach and strengthen engagement with viewers,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, in a statement. “With a large percentage of the ‘Days of Our Lives’ audience already watching digitally, this move enables us to build the show’s loyal fanbase on streaming while simultaneously bolstering the network daytime offering with an urgent, live programming opportunity for partners and consumers.”

The demise of daytime dramas on broadcast networks has been slow but (sadly) predictable. There used to be multiple soaps on the Big Three networks; today, it’s down to four. For a time, it seemed like the bleeding had stopped once ABC in 2011 canceled One Life to Live and All My Children. (And ironically, Prospect Park tried to keep those shows alive by offering them online couldn’t make the deals work). More than a decade went by with the soaps on ABC, CBS and NBC flourishing, with DOOL even successfully expanding the franchise by offering the Beyond Salem spinoff on Peacock. It seemed like the action in Salem could co-exist on Peacock and NBC — that is, until now.

Season-to-date, DOOL was the least-watched daytime drama in viewers (1.8 million) and women 18-49 (.3 rating). With DOOL headed for the streamer, only three daytime sudsers will exist on ABC and CBS — General Hospital, The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. Y&R remains the most-watched soap in daytime (3.7 million), with Bold second and GH third.

Big Sky Season 3: Jensen Ackles Is One Cool Sheriff in 'Deadly' Teaser Trailer Narrated by Reba McEntire

Big Sky‘s new season premieres on a new night — Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 10/9c, where it will lead out of the sitcom block of The Conners, The Goldbergs, Abbott Elementary and Home Economics.

In Season 3, private detective Cassie Dewell (played by Kylie Bunbury), undersheriff Jenny Hoyt (Katheryn Winnick) and newly appointed sheriff Beau Arlen (Supernatural alum Jensen Ackles, who debuted in the Season 2 finale) maintain order in Helena, Montana with their unparalleled investigative skills.

But when a local backcountry trip led by charismatic outfitter Sunny Barnes (played by McEntire) goes awry, the trio faces their most formidable mystery yet — in which no camper can be trusted and where danger lurks around every jagged rock and gnarled tree.

In addition to Ackles and McEntire, Season 3’s cast additions include Luke Mitchell (Blindspot) as Sunny’s son Cormac, Henry Ian Cusick (MacGyver, Lost) as tech executive Avery, Anirudh Pisharody (9-1-1) and Madalyn Horcher (Doom Patrol) as a young couple from New York, and Seth Gabel (Salem, Fringe) as Walter, a recluse who lives in the Montana wilderness.

Additionally, Jamie-Lynn Sigler and J. Anthony Pena, like Ackles, were promoted to series regulars, as waitress-turned-crime-syndicate-go-to-woman Tonya and deputy Mo Poppernak.

Ariana Muenker Interview 8/10/22

Daytime fans will remember Ariana for her roles Christie Rogers and Christine Valere on Guiding Light, Annie Stewart and Melinda Gray Spencer on As the World Turns, Marianne Rudolph on Another World, Amanda Kirkland on Ryan’s Hope and Kimberly Brady on Days of Our Lives.

Camila Banus Joins Thriller 'Bad Connection' From The Ninth House

The story of Bad Connection follows a waitress (Davis) who purchases a new cell phone, only to discover a snuff film on the phone. She soon becomes the target of a madman (Gann) who will stop at nothing in order to get that video back, including destroying anything or anyone in his way. In addition to Davis and Gann, Bad Connection stars Camila Banus (Days of our Lives), Orel De La Mota (Minx), Courtney Halverson (Unfriended), and Brooke Anne Smith (Mischief Night).

The Ninth House's previous independent film productions include List of a Lifetime, which stars Kelly Hu, Sylvia Kwan, and Shannon Doherty and was just nominated for a Hollywood Critic’s Association Award for Best Broadcast Network or Cable Live-Action TV Movie, as well as receiving a 2022 Critics Choice Award nomination. Other previous projects from The Ninth House also include The Bodyguard, Whose Child, and A Country Christmas Harmony, among others. Joining Bad Connection as an upcoming project is the Latinx-led holiday movie, A Christmas & Postre, which is currently in post-production. When it comes to horror projects, Bad Connection will be The Ninth House’s second outing in the genre. The film will join Tow, starring Kane Hodder alongside Caitlin Gerard streaming on Tubi.

Producers representing The Ninth House on Bad Connection are Autumn Federici, Deon Richmond, and Jake Helgren. Helgren also serves as the film's director and co-writer alongside Stephen Wells. Bad Connection will be executive produced by Vanessa Shapiro, Michael Madnick, and Tim Stearns.

The Ninth House's Bad Connection does not have a release date or trailer, but stay tuned at Collider for updates! You can read the full official description of the upcoming horror film down below.

'Bad Connection' follows a down-on-her-luck waitress, played by Dana Davis (“Prom Night” “The Morning Show”, “The Rookie”) who discovers a snuff film on the stolen cell phone she purchased. She soon finds herself on the run from a methodical madman played by Chris Gann (“For all Mankind”, “The Valet”) hellbent on getting it back, and willing to destroy anyone who stands in his way.

Judge Dismisses Frances Fisher’s Lawsuit Against SAG-AFTRA “With Prejudice”

U.S. District Court Judge Christina Snyder dismissed the suit with prejudice Thursday, meaning that Fisher and her co-plaintiffs cannot refile it. Snyder previously has dismissed the suit without prejudice and allowed Fisher to file an amended complaint.

Fisher, who is first vice president of the union’s Los Angeles Local and a member of its national board of directors, named former SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris, national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, former national executive director David White, chief contracts officer Ray Rodriguez and several other SAG-AFTRA officials as defendants. Other plaintiffs in the case included SAG-AFTRA members David Andrews, Belinda Balaski, Stephen Hart, Raymond Harry Johnson, Anne Lockhart and Toby Stone-Mandelberg.

Read the judge’s ruling here.

“With respect to plaintiffs’ DFR [Duty of Fair Representation] claim,” the judge wrote, “the Court finds that amendment would be futile, as plaintiffs’ have been unable in successive complaints to allege facts that meet the causation standard or overcome the six-month statute of limitations. Likewise, plaintiffs have been unable to state a cognizable Section 501 claim in successive complaints, and plaintiffs – in their briefing and in oral argument – did not proffer any further allegations that they could plead that would suggest, for example, that the Defendants’ nondisclosures harmed the Union as a whole, or that Carteris, White, or Crabtree-Ireland received any personal benefits as a result of their challenged actions that could sustain a Section 501 claim.”

Section 501 prohibits employment discrimination against individuals with disabilities, and Fisher maintained that the union’s changes in eligibility for health coverage disproportionately affected older members.

Her case was separate but similar to a lawsuit filed in December against the trustees of the Health Plan, which claims that that the changes in its eligibility rules “illegally discriminate based on age” – a charge flatly denied by the plan’s trustees, who say the changes were necessary to keep the plan afloat. Like Fisher, two of the plaintiffs in that case – former SAG president Ed Asner and L.A. Local second vice president David Jolliffe – are aligned with MembershipFirst, the union’s opposition party.

“We are pleased to finally and forcefully put this matter behind us,” a spokesperson for the union said. “The court correctly found that plaintiff’s duty of fair representation claims were doomed. The court additionally found no plausible claims of breach of fiduciary duty by any defendant. This was plaintiffs’ third attempt and the court has now shut the door on any future attempts. We will move ahead and continue fighting for our members.”

Deadline reached out to Fisher and will update if she responds.

Heather Graham, Judah Lewis, Barbara Crampton Lead Erotic Bodyswap Horror Based On H.P. Lovecraft Short Story; Crampton Joins Producer Amp As VP

Directed by Joe Lynch (Mayhem) and loosely based on Lovecraft’s short story The Thing On The Doorstep, the film is an erotic body-swapping horror, in which a psychiatrist played by Graham becomes obsessed with a young client with multiple personalities.

Also starring are Bruce Davison (X-Men), Johnathon Schaech (That Thing You Do!), and scream queen Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator).

The film, which recently finished shooting in Mississippi, is produced by Crampton, Bob Portal, Inderpal Singh and Joe Wicker for genre specialist producer and seller Amp, in association with Mississippi-based Eyevox Entertainment. Brian Yuzna (Re-Animator) serves as an executive producer, as does Joe Lynch, alongside Rick Moore for Eyevox, and James Norrie and Nina Kolokouri for Amp. Amp is handling worldwide sales.

Dennis Paoli, who wrote the screenplays for Lovecraft adaptations Re-Animator and From Beyond, penned the screenplay. The project completes a full circle for Paoli with Crampton, who made her name as an actress in those movies, which were directed by the late Stuart Gordon.

Crampton, doyenne of genre cinema, has also joined Amp as Vice President of Production and Development.

The new untitled H.P. Lovecraft picture is the third production that Crampton has worked on at Amp. The first, vampire movie Jakob’s Wife, premiered in the Midnight section of SXSW 2021, and was released by RLJ Entertainment in 2021. Crampton subsequently acted as executive producer on Rebekah McKendry’s Glorious, a supernatural horror starring Ryan Kwanten and J.K. Simmons, which premiered at the 2022 Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal and is released on Shudder on August 18.

Barbara Crampton said: “We’ve been so fortunate to work with top talent both behind and in front of the camera on our recent films. At Amp it’s about developing not only memorable, thought-provoking material for an audience, but also fresh and unusual enough to attract the very best creative collaborators. I was ecstatic when first the formidable Joe Lynch, then Heather Graham signed on – her natural charm is always in evidence, but we get to see a different untapped side of her abilities here. I’ve been thrilled to be invited to join seasoned pros at Amp, and we are only getting started.”

Joe Lynch commented: “When I read Dennis Paoli’s adaptation of the story, I felt like there was a fantastic opportunity to update and subvert Lovecraft’s often old-fashioned sensibilities in a way that felt modern, relevant and even dangerous, with a pinch of 90’s neo-noir and a dash of eroticism to spice up the stew. Working with Amp and such a fantastic cast – including Heather, Judah, Barbara, Bruce and Johnathon – we’re so excited that this sexy, funny, scary film isn’t just a modernized love letter to Lovecraft, but the kind of provocatively entertaining “sin-ema” I believe audiences are salivating for!”

Heather Graham is repped by RMS Productions, Paradigm, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes. Judah Lewis is repped by Buchwald, Untitled Entertainment, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes. Bruce Davison is repped by Chris Roe Management, and TalentWorks.

Johnathon Schaech is repped by LINK Entertainment. Joe Lynch is repped by Anonymous Content. Barbara Crampton is repped by AEFH, Silver J Management, and Mark Temple.

‘Wilderness’: Ashley Benson, Eric Balfour Among Cast Additions To Amazon Drama Series

Written and created by Marnie Dickens based on B.E. Jones’ novel of the same name, Wilderness revolves around British couple Liv (Coleman) and Will (Jackson-Cohen) who seem to have it all: a rock-solid marriage; a glamorous new life in New York thousands of miles from their provincial hometown; and still young enough to feel that their whole lives are ahead of them. Until Liv learns about Will’s affair. Heartbreak is swiftly followed by another emotion: fury. Revenge is her only option, and when Will proposes a trip around America’s epic National Parks to give their relationship a fresh start, Liv knows just how to get it…Wilderness is a twisted love story, where a dream holiday and a supposedly “happily-ever-after” quickly turns into a living nightmare.

Benson portrays Cara alongside Balfour as Garth, Rushbrook as Caryl, Blake as Det. Rawlins and Van Peebles as Ash. Jonathan Keltz (Reign) also joins the cast as Det. Wiseman and Talia Balsam (Divorce) as Bonnie.

Additional casting includes Crystal Balint (The Fall of the House of Usher) as Liana, Natalie Sharp (The Flash) as Marissa, Geoff Gustafson (A Christmas Proposal) as Zach and Jake Foy (Designated Survivor) as Anton.

Wilderness is produced by Firebird Pictures, written, created and executive produced by Marnie Dickens, directed and executive produced by So Yong Kim and executive produced by Elizabeth Kilgarriff.

Balfour, currently seen in Paramount+’s limited series The Offer, is repped by Innovative Artists, Luber Roklin and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols. Benson is repped by Untitled Entertainment, CAA, Viewpoint and attorneys Barry Littman, Nina Ramer & Steve Warren.

SVU Adds Days of Our Lives Alum Molly Burnett Ahead of Season 24

Molly Burnett (Days of Our Lives, Queen of the South) has been cast as Det. Grace Muncy ahead of the NBC procedural’s upcoming Season 24, TVLine has learned.

Details about the recurring role are scarce, but we hear that Muncy has experience working with gangs, and that she’s very good at her job. She’s also smart, blunt and attractive… so we’re guessing she’ll fit right in with Capt. Benson’s team.

In addition to playing Days of Our Lives‘ Melanie and Queen of the South‘s Kelly Anne, Burnett’s TV credits include Chicago P.D., FBI: Most Wanted, CSI: Cyber and General Hospital.

Burnett won’t be the only new face at the show this fall: Coyote co-creator/executive producer David Graziano has joined at showrunner, taking over for departing EP Warren Leight.

In related news: NBC is looking into launching the new seasons of all of its Law & Order series with a three-way crossover on Thursday, Sept. 22. The event would be the first of its kind exclusively among Law & Order shows, though SVU has had a triple crossover with Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire. But before you put the big night on your calendar: We hear that scheduling issues might move the Law & Order 3x crossover deeper into the Fall.

Talk Show Appearance

We 7/27: Lisa Rinna

Robert Scott Wilson In New DAYS Role

Kevin Daniels, Mickey Rourke, Vivica A. Fox, Lamorne Morris & More To Star In Comedy ‘Not Another Church Movie’

Not Another Church Movie is billed as a wild ride through the fabulous world of Taylor Pherry (Daniels), an ambitious young man given a holy mission from God Himself: to tell his family’s stories and inspire his community. His only concern? His family and community. What he doesn’t know is that the Devil (Rourke) has plans of his own.

Johnny Mack (Wild ‘N Out) and City on a Hill actor James Michael Cummings are directing from Mack’s script. Cummings, Jim Cardwell, and Paul Saleba are producing, with Valerie McCaffrey serving as executive producer. The film is slated for release next spring.

“The parody comedy genre is making a huge comeback and NOT ANOTHER CHURCH MOVIE is stepping up to lead the charge,” said Cummings. “Mack’s interpretation of outlandish comedies pays homage to such well-known movies, including the works of Keenan Ivory Wayans, Robert Townsend and Tyler Perry.”

Daniels is represented by Greene Talent, Luber Roklin Entertainment and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Rourke by APA, Framework Entertainment and Edelstein, Laird & Sobel; Fox by Sheila Legette Entertainment; Pratt by Gersh and Mays Law Group; Morris by CAA, Entertainment 360 and Myman Greenspan Fox; Campbell by TCA Mgmt and Mosley & Associates; Guy by Kass Management; and Cummings by managers Jim Cardwell and Tony Boldi and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman.

‘Days Of Our Lives: Beyond Salem’ To Release Soundtrack From Peacock Spinoff

D. Brent Nelson and Ken Corday produced another 44-minute score soundtrack chapter 2 that’s now available across all digital platforms.

Released by Corday Productions, Inc., the album was recorded at Eastwood Scoring Stage on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, Calif. Nelson and Corday hired a 44-piece live string orchestra and a harpist to help set the tone for the second iteration.

“There are places in our show where a cinematic approach enhances the storytelling in a big way,” said Nelson in a statement. “Yes, we are absolutely pushing the envelope in terms of putting music to picture in our genre… And sure, we could settle for a string section half this size. But why? 44 strings sound amazing, especially on the Eastwood Stage at Warner Bros. It’s very exciting and so much more fun doing it this way. There’s a sense of tradition and magic happening as the cues are being performed. For me, this is it. This is the thing.”

“This score for Beyond Salem as with the mothership, Days of our Lives, is always meant to enhance the story and in doing so only serves as a frame for the big picture” added Corday. “There are times when the music is played in scenes without dialogue and in those moments the composers have an amazing opportunity to enhance the story in a much more direct way. It has always been my greatest pleasure and creative outlet to have been able to score Days of our Lives since 1979. Beyond Salem has given us an opportunity to raise the bar and somewhat change the game of composing Daytime Drama.”

Nelson and Corday are Emmy-winning composers who have created the underscore for DOOL for more than 18 years.

Chapter 2 of the spinoff featured the return of DOOL super-couple Bo and Hope (Kristian Alfonso and Peter Reckell), as well as Deidre Hall as Dr. Marlena Evans, Drake Hogestyn as John Black, Stephen Nichols as Steve “Patch” Johnson, Mary Beth Evans as Kayla Brady Johnson, Lucas Adams as Tripp Johnson, and Camila Banus as Gabi Hernandez.

Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem Ends Season 2 With a Chilling Cliffhanger — Is [Spoiler] Really Back for Good?

Don’t call it a comeback. Or do. At this point, it’s still a bit of a mystery.

We’re talking, of course, about the final scene of Friday’s conclusion to Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem Season 2. Despite failing to kill Hope — for a second time, anyway — Megan Hathaway was successful in collecting all three prisms needed to cure her frozen father’s previously incurable brain tumor.

But it wasn’t Stefano who stepped out of the cryogenic chamber at the end of Episode 5 — it was Bo Brady, who had just been told by Angela that his decision to sacrifice his second chance to save Hope earned him a second second chance from the folks upstairs. (Side note: who knew there would be so much red tape in Heaven?)

It’s currently unclear whether Bo will return home and rejoin Days of Our Lives, or if we’ll have to wait until Beyond Salem Season 3 to see how this whole situation sorts itself out. But as Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack might say: Tonight, I celebrate my love for this resurrection.

Here’s how things shook out for everyone else…

* Despite their best, repeated efforts (take a hint, guys!), neither Joey nor Tripp ended up winning Wendy’s heart. Or even an invitation to visit her in Alaska. Then again, she’s about to be pretty busy, what with her well-deserved promotion and all. Sorry, guys!

* Speaking of Johnsons making travel plans, a still-hospitalized Stephanie received an “interesting” text message, prompting her to wonder aloud, “I might be going home to Salem sooner than they think.”

* Paul proved significantly luckier in love, snagging a goodbye kiss from Andrew before he returned to his life as an international man of mystery.

* Hope vowed to track down Megan, while also promising to be more involved in her grandson’s life — a pair of promises which will likely be kept off camera.

Dishing with Digest - 7/15/22 - Ron Carlivati

Queen Sugar Final-Season Castings Include Kaci Walfall, Lamman Rucker and Greg Vaughan returns

The OWN family drama’s end point was announced back in November, when it was renewed for a seventh and final season. “To everything, there is a season,” series creator DuVernay said at the time in a statement. “And my producing partner Paul Garnes and I have had seven gorgeous seasons making Queen Sugar with a remarkable cast and crew, alongside our partners at OWN and Warner Bros. Television.”

Interestingly, details are not yet available for Walfall’s role nor the character being played by Greenleaf vet Lamman Rucker, another of Season 7’s guest stars. Hmm. Perhaps aged-up versions of current characters, for a series-ending flash-forward? (I’m just spitballing here!)

The press release announcing the start of production on Queen Sugar‘s swan song noted that the returning guest stars include Emmy winner Glynn Turman as Ernest, the Bordelon siblings’ late father; Sharon Lawrence as Lorna, Charley Bordelon’s mother; Greg Vaughan as Nova’s former partner, Calvin; Amirah Vann as family nemesis Parker Campbell; and Brian Michael Smith as Ralph Angel’s high school friend/police officer Toine.

Additionally, Tracie Thoms (9-1-1) will guest-star as Nova’s long-lost high-school love.

Returning recurring cast members, meanwhile, include Reagan Gomez as Nova’s former lover Chantal; Ann Nesby as Sandy, the at-home nurse who catches Prosper Denton’s eye; Tanyell Waivers as Micah’s ex-girlfriend Keke; McKinley Freeman as Nova’s anthropologist beau Dominic; and Vivien Ngô as Ralph Angel’s ex-girlfriend Trinh.

The final season — following through on DuVernay’s commitment to exclusively hire women as directors — welcomes the return of seven directors from previous seasons, including Kat Candler, Stacey Muhammad, showrunner Shaz Bennett, Patricia Cardoso, Aurora Guerrero, DeMane Davis and DuVernay herself. In fact, DuVernay, who directed the series pilot, will direct the final episode.

Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem Explains Why Hope Has Been M.I.A., Brings Back [Spoiler] After 3 Decades

The week-long event begins with Ciara and Ben arriving in Montreal, where they’re greeted by none other than Hope Williams Brady (played by Kristian Alfonso, who left Days in 2020). It’s all hugs and kisses as Hope finally meets her grandson, but once the group is settled in Hope’s new Canadian digs, the gloves come off.

Ciara rips into her mother, demanding to know why she didn’t return to Salem for her and Ben’s real wedding, much less for the birth of their son.

“There are a lot of people who loved you who were very hurt when you weren’t around,” she says. “Shawn, your son, Grandpa Doug, Grandma Julie — I guess that just means you don’t care about us anymore. That must be it.”

Hope insists that this is “the furthest thing from the truth,” and that Ciara, Shawn and baby Bo are the most important people to her in the world. She pleads with Ciara not to judge her because, as Hope says, “I judge myself harshly enough as it is.”

Thinking that her mother has been harboring dangerous secrets, Ciara is actually relieved when Hope says that she’s been busy coaching figure skating at a nearby rink. But that’s only part of the truth (if true at all), as we later see Hope poring over a folder of top-secret ISA files after Ciara has gone to bed.

To her credit, Hope starts to tell Ben and Ciara the truth over breakfast the next morning, but the big reveal is interrupted by a knock at the door. It’s a shady gentleman named Harris Michaels (played by soap vet Steve Burton), the same man viewers saw kidnapping Patch and John Black earlier in the hour. But the only thing he comes armed with this time are flowers for Hope, which she happily receives… along with a kiss!

So here’s the big question as we head into Tuesday’s second episode: Is Hope blinded by love, or is she secretly aware that the man she’s dating is working for — wait for it — Stefano DiMera’s presumed-dead daughter Megan Hathaway?! Kidnapping aside, can anything good come from the return of a DiMera, not to mention one that’s been in hiding since 1985?

Other developments in Episode 1…

* If you’re displeased by the sight of Hope kissing the enemy, just imagine how Bo feels! Via the magic of streaming television, Hope’s ex has a front-row seat to the action from heaven, where an angel named Angela (played by the incomparable Loretta Devine) is punishing him for bringing Tripp back to life earlier this year. Apparently getting into heaven is a lot easier than playing by its rules.

* Prior to being kidnapped by Michaels, Patch arrives in Seattle with Kayla to pay the Johnson kids a surprise visit. Of course, neither of them could have predicted that a bomb (disguised as a pizza box, as if nothing is sacred!) would land Stephanie in the hospital.

* As for John, his kidnapping goes down in San Francisco, where he’s celebrating Pride with his son Paul. (The sight of him dancing to EDM in a rainbow tank top makes the whole crisis worth it, to be honest.) Paul immediately contacts the ISA, but it isn’t Shane who shows up at Paul’s door the next day — it’s Shane’s son, Andrew Donovan. Cue the sparks.

'Beyond Salem' Star Steve Burton Files for Divorce

Steve beelined it to court and filed docs to divorce his pregnant wife Sheree Gustin, who he has previously accused of having another man's baby.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Steve lists March 1 as the date of separation ... and he's citing the usual "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split.

As we reported ... Steve claimed in May that Sheree was having a baby, but the baby-to-be wasn't his.

Steve and Sheree tied the knot way back in January 1999 and they have 3 kids together ... including 2 minor children in 16-year-old Jack and 8-year-old Brooklyn.

Steve is seeking joint legal and physical custody of the kids.

The soap star also wants the court to terminate either party's ability to get spousal support once they legally part ways.

‘Days of our Lives’ star Kristian Alfonso teases Bo Brady’s return

The last time we saw Bo Brady (Peter Reckell) on “Days of our Lives” he had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. After recreating his wedding vows with wife, Hope, he lost consciousness and died in her arms (naturally, snow started to fall on them as he passed).

So, Page Six was more than a little surprised to see Reckell’s name listed as one of the beloved soap’s promised stars in Peacock’s “Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem.”

Kristian Alfonso, who plays Hope and is also appearing in the miniseries, concedes that death is not a permanent state in soaps.

“What I would say is in some cases, no, in some cases, yes,” she tells Page Six. “Stories and characters vacillate back and forth and it’s a roller coaster.”

And as for how the drama will explain Bo’s seeming resurrection, the 58-year-old actress teases, “I will just say that you have to tune in, it’ll be worth it.”

Alfonso, who has played the character of Hope on and off since 1983, is keenly aware of how lucky she is.

“It’s as astounding as it is to you as it is to me because in all honestly, it feels like I blinked and here we are,” she says. “I blinked, time traveled so quickly and it’s been an incredible adventure.”

The mother of three loves the heightened pace of “Beyond Salem.”

“There is such a tremendous amount that happens within five episodes and that’s the part I could not get my head around,” she says. “I love that pace. Normally on a soap it takes quite a lot of time, storyline can span three months, six months and this is five episodes, beginning, middle and explosive end, that’s all I’m going to say.”

Some of her character’s plot lines have been a bit eccentric over the years. They include Hope being kidnapped multiple times, switching the DNA results of children and taking prescription sleep medication that caused her to assume an alter-ego who mugged men on the street.

“I would start to think, ‘What?'” she confesses of reading an outlandish script before pivoting to a more positive perspective, calling her plot lines, “super fun and interesting.”

“I don’t believe my character repeated storylines which is so fun and kept it interesting. Something I really loved about Hope, she was never a stationary character, she was always in action.”

“Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem” premiered on Peacock July 11.

‘Beyond Salem’ Star Steve Burton On ‘General Hospital’ Exit: “You Could Get Angry But That’s Not Going To Get Anyone Anywhere”

Though GH fans certainly miss him as Jason Morgan, Burton couldn’t be more thrilled about reprising his role as Harris Michaels — a DOOL character he originated in 1988 and is now reprising for Beyond Salem starting Monday. New episodes will drop each day through next Friday.

“Look, the circumstance [of his GH departure] was tough and you know, that’s just the way it is,” Burton tells Deadline. “I’ll always be grateful for my time there. It was my family for so long. I grew up there and the fans have always been awesome to me. But again, some doors shut and other doors open and here we are in Beyond Salem. Wow.”

Here, Burton reflects on his departure from GH and shares how his relationship with DOOL began more than 30 years ago.

DEADLINE: After you left General Hospital, did you feel like your daytime career was done?

STEVE BURTON There’s a lot of things I’ve learned in my life. You just never say never because doors continue to open. I knew there was a possibility that The Young and the Restless may call because I was on it some point. I didn’t know that this opportunity would come up! I would never shut the door on daytime. That’s been my place. That’s where I’ve learned to act. That’s where I’ve lived for so long. And there’s only four shows left now. I was excited because Marnie Saitta, the DOOL casting director I’ve known for years, called and said, “Hey, Albert Alarr, the executive producer, wants to have a meeting.” I said, “Yeah, sure.” Why not? He said, “Hey, this is kind of what we’re thinking. It’s a pretty cool arc.” I said, “Absolutely. For sure.” I didn’t even get to read the scripts. I was excited that it was a limited run. We did so many stunts. And it’s funny because obviously on General Hospital, I had one wardrobe, you know? I joke that I had more wardrobe changes in Beyond Salem than I have my whole career on General Hospital.

DEADLINE: How was your character of Harris Michaels first introduced on DOOL in 1988?

BURTON: In the olden days, the summers used to be for the teen storylines. It was Charlotte Ross, who played Eve, and me and Scott Reeves [as Jake], who’s a good friend of mine. That’s where we actually met on Days of Our Lives 30 years ago. He and I were kind of like the high school troublemakers trying to mess with Eve. I wasn’t the greatest guy, but the character was only 17, so what can you do? He’s still going through puberty. I was only supposed to be on for a couple of shows and I ended up being on for more. I had really great memories of driving on the lot and working. It was one of my first jobs. I was so grateful. But I had to go back to a series I was on called Out of This World with Donna Pescow and Doug McClure. I don’t know how they wrote me off of DOOL. I just kind of disappeared. I didn’t die, apparently.

DEADLINE: Is Harris the same guy he was 30-some years ago?

BURTON: He’s not operating on a code of ethics that is great. Albert was like, “Do you care about being a bad guy?” I said, “No, man. Whatever. I can play anything.” I don’t know how much I can say but he does some not nice things in this chapter. There may be some redemption.

DEADLINE: Is there a potential to join DOOL permanently?

STEVE BURTON I don’t know. You really have to ask Ron Carlivati and Albert. From what I gather, Peacock’s happy with this, NBC’s happy with this. But if the opportunity’s there, sure. I never say never. You know, for a while, daytime was kind of in the dumps. Until streaming came along, daytime was hanging by a string. Then NBC goes, “Hey, we have a great brand here. Let’s let’s do a spinoff.” Now there is such great energy in the building. They just have this energy like, “Hey, we’re doing something cool.” I had a blast and got to see a bunch of old friends that I haven’t seen for a while ‘cuz obviously the daytime community’s small and we only see each other at award events.

DEADLINE: The daytime genre couldn’t be stronger right now.

BURTON: I agree. I think a lot of times, people forget the power of our fan bases and how loyal they are. I wouldn’t have a career and I wouldn’t be able to go on the road and do these comedy shows. I wouldn’t be able to do a podcast. I wouldn’t be able to do any of the things I do if the fans weren’t so loyal and loved our shows and wanted content so much. And this is where NBC kind of took the ball and ran with it. They’re giving the fans what they want. That’s why the first Beyond Salem was so successful, and hopefully the second one will surpass or equal that.

DEADLINE: The last two years were scary for folks during the pandemic. Have the vaccination rules relaxed in daytime?

BURTON: Whatever you believe or not believe about Covid, there has to be protocols in place. At GH we are having great success. Everybody was social distancing, masking. It’s the same thing at Days. And they can take tests there, which is smart, every day when you go in. It hasn’t relaxed and I don’t think it should for a little while. [Note: Burton declined to reveal his vaccination status.]

DEADLINE: Was it hard having your personal choices about vaccines out there in public when it was revealed how and why you left GH?

BURTON: No not really, because I’m a public figure and that’s just how life is. It was my belief and I stuck to it and I knew it was gonna be that way. I knew some people would agree with it and some people wouldn’t agree with it. It’s a personal choice and that’s what I had to do. GH was a huge part of my life and I’m so grateful for the opportunity there and the people there. I just don’t have anything bad to say. It was a handshake — “Hey, it doesn’t work for you. It doesn’t work for me.” Okay, great. Awesome. That was it. And that’s okay. In life it’s perspective, right? It’s how you choose to handle it. We all have a choice in how to handle things. You could get angry and pissed off and bad-mouth people and take the low road and that’s not gonna get anyone anywhere, ever. I truly am grateful and I work from that.

DEADLINE: But your character just got married!

BURTON: Yeah, it was bad timing. The timing could have been better for sure!

Talk Show Appearance

Monday, July 11

Actress Vivica A. Fox

Dishing with Digest - 7/8/22 - Christopher Sean

Kristian Alfonso Hits Back at Critics Ahead of Days of Our Lives Return: 'I Didn't Say I'm Never, Ever Coming Back'

Cut to July 2022, Alfonso is set to reprise her role of Hope Williams Brady opposite former leading man Peter Reckell in the second installment of Days offshoot Beyond Salem (premiering July 11 on Peacock). But the soap legend insists her return does not contradict her previous statements.

“I don’t think of this as going back to Days of Our Lives,” Alfonso tells Soap Opera Digest. “[Beyond Salem] is, I feel, a branch of it.”

Regardless, Alfonso insists that her comments two years ago came with an asterisk.

“I have seen online where viewers have stated that I said, ‘Never’ regarding [returning someday] — I never said never,” Alfonso maintains. “I said that I will not be popping in and out like other actors have done in the past. I didn’t say I’m never, ever coming back. I was not absolute.”

(Fact check: While Alfonso did leave some wiggle room about a potential comeback in one post-departure interview, she was decidedly more firm in a subsequent exit Q&A with Soap Opera Digest. “I’m not coming back,” she told the magazine at the time. “I’ve had a great run and so many wonderful moments on the show and worked with so many wonderful people. It’s time for me to start a new chapter professionally.”)

Ultimately, Alfonso says the opportunity to play Hope again was one she could not refuse. “It always has to be the story and the characters,” she explains to Digest. “And [the Beyond Salem storyline] made me excited. That’s why I decided to come on board.”

Ben and Ciara Are Leaving DAYS OF OUR LIVES

The reason behind the exit, according to DAYS headwriter Ron Carlivati, was largely due in part to scheduling issues with Konefal, who was on recurring status with the soap. “She really just was not available on a regular basis, and in the way our show works and how you have to schedule people, it just became less and less feasible to keep her in that status,” he explained. “If you’re going to tell a story with a couple, you need these people to be on contract.”

Since Wilson was on contract, the situation presented a unique challenge in penning story for the popular couple affectionately dubbed Cin by fans. “You want them to have a happy ending, but then that involves writing Rob off the show, who doesn’t necessarily want to leave,” Carlivati shared. “Half the couple leaving oftentimes doesn’t work. Are they not supposed to have any kind of romance, any kind of love story because their spouse or significant other is out there somewhere else? It just ties your hands in an impossible way.”

Thanks to fortuitous timing, Carlivati’s team was able to send Ben and Ciara off into the sunset with the second installment of the soap’s spinoff. “We were writing BEYOND SALEM at the same time, so we decided, ‘Hey, they leave Salem on July 8 and say that they’re going to arrive in Montreal on [the following Monday] July 11 on their sailboat,” the headwriter revealed. “So, you can seamlessly follow their story when they leave town.”

Wilson joined DAYS in 2014, and Konefal took over the role of Bo and Hope’s daughter in 2017. Shortly after the two characters began dating, the unlikely pair — a reformed serial killer and the daughter of two police officers — quickly became a Salem supercouple.

Chapter 2 of BEYOND SALEM will stream Monday, July 11, through Friday, July 15, on Peacock, with the five-episode season spanning the entire globe as beloved characters from the OG soap go on the adventure of a lifetime. And after Ben is done in Montreal, Carlivati teased, he may find his way back home. “Salem hasn’t seen the last of Rob,” the scribe confessed.

Morning Show Appearance

Friday, July 8

(10-11 a.m.) Vivica A. Fox on Keeping Up With The Joneses

Morning Show Appearance

Tuesday, July 5— Actress Vivica A. Fox (“Keeping Up with the Joneses”)

‘Beyond Salem’: Peacock Drops Official Trailer For Chapter 2

Those of the words of Bo Brady, who’s joining the action in chapter 2 of Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem beginning July 11. Peter Reckell (Bo) and Kristian Alfonso (Hope Williams Brady) are reprising their super-couple roles in the next evolution of the DOOL spinoff designed especially for Peacock.

Speaking of uber-unions, DOOL faves Steve (Stephen Nicholas) and Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) make a surprise visit to their children in Seattle, while private eye John Black (Drake Hogestyn) travels to San Francisco to see his son, Paul (Christopher Sean). Meanwhile, new parents Ben (Robert Scott Wilson) and Ciara (Victoria Konefal) meet up with Hope in Montreal. Over five episodes, reunions and mysteries ensue!

Also joining Chapter 2 are Eileen Davidson as Kristen DiMera, Deidre Hall as Dr. Marlena Evans, Steve Burton as Harris Michaels, Lucas Adams as Tripp Johnson, Camila Banus as Gabi Hernandez, Loretta Devine as Angela, Vince Van Patten as Phil Hellworth, Tanner Stine as Joey Johnson, Christopher Sean as Paul Narita, Abigail Klein as Stephanie Johnson, Colton Little as Andrew Donovan, Victoria Grace as Wendy Shin, and Remington Hoffman as Li Shin.

Five, 60-minute episodes will drop daily on Peacock through July 15. Ken Corday is executive producer, Albert Alarr is co-exec producer, and Ron Carlivati is the head writer. Chapter 2 of Beyond Salem is from Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television.

Nick Zano & Shelley Hennig To Headline ‘Obliterated’ Netflix Series From ‘Cobra Kai’ Creators

Written by Hurwitz, Schlossberg and Heald, the eight-episode Obliterated is a high-octane action-comedy that tells the story of an elite Special Forces team who thwarts a deadly threat to Las Vegas. After their celebratory party, filled with booze, drugs and sex, the team discovers that a bomb they deactivated was a fake. The now-intoxicated team has to fight through their impairments, overcome their personal issues, find the real bomb and save the world.

Zano plays Chad McKnight, the head of an elite SEAL team who loves him despite his reputation for being a wild guy on and off the job. The night from hell in Vegas will test his commitment to both keeping the good times going and saving the world while he’s at it.

Hennig plays Ava Winters, a CIA lead agent who likes to play by the book while overseeing an elite Special Forces team. But the book gets thrown out the window when she and the team have to go back to work while impaired.

Hurwitz, Schlossberg and Heald as well as Dina Hillier executive produce for Counterbalance Entertainment.

Zano is coming off six seasons on Legends of Tomorrow at the CW. He’s repped by UTA, Carrabino Management and Sloan Offer.

Hennig is known for roles in the horror film Unfriended, the MTV series Teen Wolf and the Netflix rom-com When We First Met with Adam Devine and Alexandra Daddario. She’s repped by APA, Alchemy Entertainment, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman.

Alice Eve, Shelley Hennig & Antonio Banderas To Star In Jon Keeyes’ Thriller ‘The Last Girl’ For Yale Entertainment

In the film written by Charles Burnley, Eve plays a private investigator forced into a dangerous alliance with a killer (Hennig) in order to uncover a quiet town’s grisly criminal underbelly and clear the name of her mentor (Banderas), who is implicated in the crimes.

Jordan Yale Levine, Jordan Beckerman, and Michael J. Rothstein are producing for Yale Entertainment, along with Richard Bolger and Conor Barry from Hail Mary Pictures, and Richard Clabaugh. Executive producers include Jesse Korman and Jeffrey Tussi from Yale, Nick Donnermeyer from Yale’s Great Escape, BondIt’s Luke Taylor and Matt Helderman, Kurt Ebner, Stephen Braun, Kade Thomas, Jason Kringstein, Scott Levenson, Richard Switzer, Colby Cote, Lee Broda, Aden Darmody, Jonathan Zuck, Luke Daniels, Shaun Sanghani, Tyler Konney, and Grant Johnson. Yale’s recently launched sales banner Great Escape, led by Donnermeyer, will handle worldwide sales.

Eve recently starred in Epix’s limited series Belgravia from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and next will be seen in Prime Video’s drama series The Power. The actress just wrapped roles in the action-comedy Freelance, with John Cena and Alison Brie, as well as the horror film The Queen Mary. Additional credits include Netflix’s Black Mirror and Paramount’s Star Trek Into Darkness.

Hennig is known for roles in the horror film Unfriended, the MTV series Teen Wolf and the Netflix rom-com When We First Met with Adam Devine and Alexandra Daddario. She also starred in the Hulu series Dollface with Kat Dennigs and the Netflix series The Woman in the House with Kristen Bell, recently wrapped filming on Teen Wolf: The Movie and can currently be seen starring in the supernatural comedy Gatlopp.

Banderas’ decades-long career has spanned stage and screen, in both the United States and his native Spain. He’s a frequent collaborator of iconic Spanish writer-director Pedro Almodóvar who has starred in a number of his most notable titles, including Pain and Glory, for which he won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival, also landing an Academy Award nomination in the same category. He can currently be seen starring with Penelope Cruz in the Spanish comedy Official Competition, is set to return as the voice of Puss in Boots in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and next year stars in the highly anticipated fifth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise.

Keeyes serves as Head of Production at Yale Productions and has previously directed features including The Survivalist, Rogue Hostage, The Harrowing, Element, Phobia and Doom Room, among others. Other upcoming projects from the filmmaker include the thriller Code Name Banshee with Banderas and Jaime King, and the dramedy Butterscotch.

Other upcoming projects from Yale Entertainment include the recently-wrapped thriller The Kill Room, starring Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Joe Manganiello and Maya Hawke, writer-director David Duchovny’s adaptation of his novel Bucky F*cking Dent, in which he’ll also star, and Brittany Snow’s feature directorial debut, September 17th.

Eve is represented by CAA, Independent Talent Group in the UK, Alchemy Entertainment and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Hennig by APA, Alchemy Entertainment, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman; Banderas by NuCo Media Group and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum; and Yale Entertainment by APA.

Ratings: Daytime Emmys Audience Grows, Stanley Cup Final Tops Friday

Leading into the kudoscast, Come Dance With Me‘s finale (2.3 mil/0.2) drew its second-best audience of the season while flat in the demo.

ABC’s broadcast of the Stanley Cup Final Game 5 (3.4 mil/0.8) dipped a bit from Tuesday’s prelim numbers but still dominated Friday in the demo.

Elsewhere, Fox’s Friday Night SmackDown (2.1 mil/0.5) ticked down week-to-week… The CW’s Dynasty (450K/0.1) is up sharply, so I am thinking “preemption in some markets.”

Lamon Archey and Sal Stowers OUT at Days of Our Lives!

The last air date for Stowers, who joined the show in 2015 as Abe's (James Reynolds) presumed daughter Lani, will be July 1. No word on Archey's—who originated the role of Julie's (Susan Seaforth Hayes) grandson Eli Grant in 2017—last air date.

Morgan Fairchild Cast on GENERAL HOSPITAL!

Not only does Fairchild have daytime experience, having played Jennifer on SEARCH FOR TOMORROW, Sydney on THE CITY, and Anjelica on DAYS OF OUR LIVES, but she’s also familiar with home shopping networks! “Joan Rivers and I were the first two celebrities that had product lines on QVC back in the late ‘80s,” the actress reminded Digest, “so I’m familiar with the genre and with how it works.

“And it was such a great script,” Fairchild added. “My character is very fun and over-the-top — my usual over-the-top thing! And a little bit mean, which I can play falling off a log at this point in my life!”

The GH gig also reunited Fairchild with one of her old co-stars from THE CITY, Lisa LoCicero (Olivia), who played Jocelyn on the ABC sudser. “It was so great to see her,” she enthused. “Her dressing room was right next to mine, and she said, ‘Come and stop over when you have a break!’

“I never had a break until I was finished,” Fairchild admitted, “but when I was done for the day, I got to sit in her dressing room for a while and catch up. She’s a lovely girl. I got to see pictures of her kids and it was just great to see how well she’s doing.”

Dishing with Digest - 6/24/22 - Peter Bergman

Chrishell Stause's ‘Selling Sunset’ Renewed For Seasons 6 & 7 At Netflix As Streamer Builds Out Property Slate

The streamer has handed breakout reality series Selling Sunset a two season order – taking it through seasons six and seven and ordered a slate of new property, real estate and renovation shows.

Production on season six of high-end real estate series Selling Sunset, which follows the likes of Chrishell Stause, Christine Quinn and Mary Fitzgerald and their colleagues at The Oppenheim Group, will start later this summer.

The series, which is produced by Lionsgate and Done and Done Productions, is exec produced by creator Adam DiVello, Sundee Manusakis, Kristofer Lindquist, Skyler Wakil and Jason Oppenheim.

Elsewhere, the streamer has ordered four new shows and handed premiere dates to a slew of others in the property space.

Brent Montgomery’s Wheelhouse is behind two series: Designing Miami and Buying Beverly Hills.

Designing Miami, which premieres September 21, follows two of Miami’s two hottest designers who are competitors and husband and wife – Eilyn and Ray Jimenez. The eight-part series, produced by Wheelhouse’s Spoke Studios, is exec produced by Eric Wattenberg, Will Nothacker, Deanna Markoff and Luke Neslage.

Buying Beverly Hills, which premieres this fall, follows the agents and clients within Mauricio Umansky’s The Agency in Beverly Hills, California. Produced by Wheelhouse’s Spoke Studios and Just Entertainment, it is exec produced by Brent Montgomery, Will Nothacker, Justin W. Hochberg, Liz Fine, Adam Sher, Deanna Markoff, Ed Simpson, Michael Call, Steven Drieu and Sara Chamberlain.

Meanwhile, Critical Content has Instant Dream Home and Buy My House.

Instant Dream Home, which premieres August 10, is hosted by Danielle Brooks and is part home renovation show and part heist movie. It is exec produced by Tom Forman, George Verschoor, David Metzler, Jenny Daly, Jon Beyer, Bob Asher, Sue Langham, and Courtney Sanders.

Buy My House, which premieres this fall, follows homeowners from across America who come to sell their properties, on the spot, to one of four real-estate tycoons including Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman, Corcoran Group CEO Pamela Liebman, NFL Linebacker Brandon Copeland, and investment property magnate Danisha Wrighster.

The six-part series is hosted by Nina Parker and exec produced by Tom Forman, Jenny Daly, Matthew Pickel, Moira Ross and Dan Morando.

Finally, the streamer has dated How To Build a Sex Room for July 8, the third season of Dream Home Makeover on July 27 and Selling Sunset spinoff Selling The OC on August 24.

How To Build a Sex Room follows luxury interior designer Melanie Rose helping couples to create stylish spaces where they can carry out any fantasy they wish. It comes from ITV America and High Noon Entertainment and is exec produced by Adam Sher, Jim Berger, Scott Feeley, Corrina Robbins and Sarah Howell.

Jen Lilley to host July Christmas Event

Dishing with Digest - 6/17/22 - Marci Miller

PRESENTERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 49TH ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS

The talented stars scheduled to present at the ceremony include Krista Allen, Camila Banus, Drew Barrymore, Tracey Bregman, Sean Dominic, Scott Evans, Galen Gering, Deidre Hall, Tamron Hall, Tanisha Harper, Christian Le Blanc, Cameron Mathison, Natalie Morales, Deborah Norville, Tanner Novlan, Jerry O’Connell, James Reynolds, Suzanne Rogers, Lawrence Saint-Victor and Laura Wright.

Ron Carlivati Interview 6/22/22

Days Duo Returns

Dishing with Digest - 6/10/22 - Genie Francis

Days To Be Pre-empted for Golf

KEVIN FRAZIER AND NISCHELLE TURNER TO HOST THE 49TH ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS

As hosts of the six-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning show ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner have established themselves as accomplished journalists covering the stories that most impact the entertainment industry. Frazier is a multi-faceted journalist, producer and entrepreneur who has interviewed Hollywood’s biggest stars and traveled the world covering exclusive stories. Turner, who also hosts SECRET CELEBRITY RENOVATION on the Network, is an award-winning journalist, a regular contributor for CNN and made television history in 2021 when she became the first Black woman to host ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT in the show’s 41-year history. Together, Frazier and Turner are the first Black duo to host an entertainment news show.

The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of categories, including daytime dramas, talk shows, instructional programming, hosting and legal/courtroom programs. In 2021, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) and the Television Academy jointly announced plans to realign the Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards to be organized by content genre, as opposed to program airtime. In addition, in recognition of the marked increase in content and entries for children’s programming, 2022 will mark the first annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, with relevant categories separating from the Daytime Emmys into their own competition and ceremony.

In addition, the Creative Arts and Lifestyle Emmy ceremony will stream Saturday, June 18, (LIVE online, 9:00 PM, ET/6:00 PM, PT) at watch.TheEmmys.tv and via The Emmys apps for iOS, tvOS, Android, FireTV and Roku (full list at apps.theemmys.tv).

MTV Movie & TV Awards 2022 Winner

‘Days Of Our Lives: Beyond Salem’ Adds Loretta Devine, Eileen Davidson, Vince Van Patten & More To Second Chapter

Christopher Sean (You), Tanner Stine (Impulse), Abigail Klein (Code Black), Colton Little (General Hospital) and Victoria Grace (All of Us Are Dead) will also appear in the five-episode season that will stream from July 11-15. The previously announced cast include Kristian Alfonso (Hope Williams Brady); Peter Reckell (Bo Brady); Deidre Hall (Dr. Marlena Evans); Drake Hogestyn (John Black); Steve Burton (Harris Michaels); Stephen Nichols (Steve “Patch” Johnson); Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Brady Johnson); Lucas Adams (Tripp Johnson); Camila Banus (Gabi Hernandez); Victoria Konefal (Ciara Brady); Robert Scott Wilson (Ben Weston) and Remington Hoffman (Li Shin).

Here’s the official logline for the second installment of Beyond Salem: “In an epic, action-packed tale that spans the entire globe, from Monte Carlo to Hong Kong, beloved characters from Days of our Lives once again go Beyond Salem! as they trade the comforts of home for an adventure of a lifetime! Supercouple Steve and Kayla make a surprise visit to their children in Seattle, while private eye John Black travels to San Francisco to see his son, Paul. Meanwhile, new parents Ben and Ciara drop anchor in Montreal – where they are greeted by a much-missed Hope! Over the course of five thrilling episodes, heartwarming family reunions take a dangerous turn as a mysterious adversary wreaks havoc on their lives.”

Beyond Salem was recently nominated for four Daytime Emmy Awards including: Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, Outstanding Writing, Outstanding Directing, and Outstanding Casting. It’s produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producer Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati serves as head writer.

Peacock is also the exclusive streaming home of Days of Our Lives. The daytime soap also airs weekdays on NBC.

The first installment of Beyond Salem debuted last September. Lisa Rinna reprised her role as Billie Reed, with Hall as Marlena and Hogestyn as John.

Talk Show Appearance

Wednesday, June 8: Jensen Ackles (The Boys)

Greg Rikaart Interview 6/1/22

Greg joined the cast of the CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless in 2003 where he has played the oft misguided, yet lovable Kevin Fisher ever since. In 2005, Greg won the Daytime Emmy for his work and has been a multiple Emmy nominee in years since. In addition to his role on Y&R, Greg has a Daytime Emmy-nominated stint on Days of Our Lives as “Leo Stark” making appearances on both Days of Our Lives and the Peacock limited series, Beyond Salem.

In addition to his work in daytime, he has had a recurring role on Dawson’s Creek as well as Major Crimes and appeared on other series including Modern Family, Bones and The Closer.

Greg is very proud to be a recipient of the Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award for his advocacy work and has hosted fundraisers for GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) helping to ensure that any LGBTQ adolescent has a safe space in school free of bullying.

‘Big Sky’ Renewed For Season 3 At ABC; Jensen Ackles Joins As Series Regular

The series stars Kylie Bunbury and Katheryn Winnick.

Jensen Ackles, who guest starred in the season two finale, joins the cast as a series regular in season three. The Supernatural star plays Beau Arlen, a confident and charming good ol’ boy from Texas who steps in as temporary Sheriff (and Jenny Hoyt’s new boss) as a favor to his friend Sheriff Tubb. Ackles, Deadline understands, is on a one-year deal.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler has also been upped to series regular for season three. She had a recurring role on season two as Tonya, a waitress at a local diner whose boyfriend mysteriously disappears. Tonya hired the services of Dewell & Hoyt to find her boyfriend, but soon afterward found herself stepping into power as a trusted associate of the local crime family.

In season two of Big Sky, which is based on the books by C.J. Box, private detectives Cassie Dewell (Kylie Bunbury) and Jenny Hoyt (Katheryn Winnick) reunite to investigate a car wreck outside of Helena, Montana, and they soon discover that the case might not be as straightforward as it seems. As they unravel the mystery of the accident, their worlds will collide with a band of unsuspecting teens, a flirtatious face from Jenny’s past and a vicious outsider hellbent on finding answers.

The series cast also includes Brian Geraghty, Dedee Pfeiffer, Omar Metwally and Anja Savcic.

Big Sky scored a solid season 2 premiere, bringing a 0.4 demo rating and 3.13 million viewers in October. Though not topping primetime charts, the drama has been steady in the demo and audiences. ABC touted its digital gains to average around 9M viewers per episode this season.

Big Sky is produced by 20th Television and A+E Studios. Elwood Reid serves as showrunner, executive producing alongside creator Kelley.

Jensen Ackles To Make Guest Appearance In ‘Big Sky’ Season 2 Finale

In the finale, titled “Catch a Few Fish,” Ackles will play Beau Arlen, who’s described as “a confident and charming good ol’ boy from Texas who steps in as temporary Sheriff (and Jenny Hoyt’s new boss) as a favor to his friend Sheriff Tubb (Patrick Gallagher).”

Here’s ABC description of the season 2 finale: “In a struggle between head and heart, final resolutions are made as Jenny works to find Travis before he reaches a dangerous point of no return; meanwhile, Ren and Jag find a new familial bond and decide together how to handle their father now that he’s crossed a serious line. After receiving a startling surprise from Scarlett, Cassie changes the course of her quest for justice forever. Later, with Tubb out of commission for the time being, a new sheriff comes to town; and after getting fully acquainted with Cassie and Jenny, it seems like he may just stick around for a while.”

Ackles, known for his long run as Dean Winchester in The CW’s Supernatural, has joined the cast of The Boys Season 3 as Soldier Boy. He is also the Principal of Chaos Machine, a First Look production company under Warner Brothers, which just picked up the Supernatural prequel series The Winchesters to series for The CW. Ackles is also developing an Untitled DC Project with Greg Berlanti and recently directed an episode of The CW’s Walker. He is repped by Gersh, Management 360, and attorney P.J. Shapiro.

Big Sky is produced by 20th Television and A+E Studios. Elwood Reid serves as showrunner, executive producing alongside creator David E. Kelley.

Watch an exclusive clip of the finale below: Video.

‘The Winchesters’ Picked Up To Series By The CW

All three are based on underlying IP: Supernatural prequel The Winchesters, Walker origin story Walker: Independence and Gotham Knights. Because of their pedigree, solid execution and the fact that this is half the number of pilots the CW has normally picked up over the past decade, all had been major contenders from the start.

The Winchesters is said to be the strongest attempt at a Supernatural spinoff to date; it is the first to go to series. Gotham Knights‘ pickup comes as the CW canceled three other DC series: Batwoman, which was set in a similar world, Naomi and Legends of Tomorrow. And Walker: Independence has been getting praise for its expansive Western feel.

Based on characters created for DC by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, Gotham Knights is written by Batwoman trio of Chad Fiveash, James Stoteraux and Natalie Abrams. It picks up in the aftermath of Bruce Wayne’s murder, with his rebellious adopted son forging an unlikely alliance with the children of Batman’s enemies when they are all framed for killing the Caped Crusader. As the city’s most wanted criminals, this renegade band of misfits must fight to clear their names. But in a Gotham with no Dark Knight to protect it, the city descends into the most dangerous it’s ever been. However, hope comes from the most unexpected of places as this team of mismatched fugitives will become its next generation of saviors known as the Gotham Knights.

Produced by Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Fiveash and Stoteraux exec produce alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and David Madden. Abrams is also co-exec producer, while Danny Cannon will direct and exec produced the pilot.

Starring Matt Barr and Katherine McNamara, Walker prequel Walker: Independence, written by Seamus Fahey based on a story by him and Anna Fricke and directed by Larry Teng, is set in the late 1800s. It follows Abby Walker (McNamara), an affluent Bostonian whose husband is murdered before her eyes while on their journey out West. On her quest for revenge, Abby crosses paths with Hoyt Rawlins (Barr), a lovable rogue in search of purpose. Abby and Hoyt’s journey takes them to Independence, Texas, where they encounter diverse, eclectic residents running from their own troubled pasts and chasing their dreams, all while becoming agents of change themselves in the small town.

Fahey, Teng and Padalecki exec produce with Fricke and Laura Terry via their Pursued By a Bear banner alongside Rideback’s Dan Lin and Lindsey Liberatore. CBS Studios is the studio behind both Walker and Walker: Independence.

Supernatural prequel The Winchesters hails from the Supernatural trio of Robbie Thompson, Jensen Ackles and Danneel Ackles, Warner Bros. Television and CBS Studios. Glen Winter directed and executive produced the pilot.

Written and executive produced by Thompson, in The Winchesters, before Sam and Dean, there was John and Mary. Told from the perspective of narrator Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles), The Winchesters is the epic, untold love story of how John (Drake Rodger) met Mary (Meg Donnelly) and how they put it all on the line to not only save their love, but the entire world.

Jensen and Danneel Ackles executive produce via their banner Chaos Machine Productions as part of their overall deal with WBTV. Chaos Machine produces in association with Warner Bros. TV and CBS Studios.

The three series orders, as well as the earlier renewal of All American: Homecoming, join the seven scripted early renewals previously announced for the 2022-23 broadcast season: All American (Season 5), The Flash (Season 9), Kung Fu (Season 3), Nancy Drew (Season 4), Riverdale (Season 7), Superman & Lois (Season 3) and Walker (Season 3).

'Selling Sunset' Chrishell Stause Make Out Mayhem In G Flip's Music Vid

G Flip dropped the raunchy video for "GET ME OUTTA HERE" Thursday, and Stause is the project's main star. In the vid, Chrishell straddles G Flip while they make out, other times they stand and make out, they even make out in a convenience store -- there's a lot of making out.

Dressed in a tight black leather dress, Chrishell is sexy and smiling throughout the vid -- which was shot in L.A.

It was during last week's "Selling Sunset" reunion when Stause revealed, "I recently have been spending a lot of time with someone that's very important to me. Their name is G Flip. They're nonbinary, so they go by they/them. And, they're an extremely talented musician."

It's the first relationship Chrishell has been in since splitting with her co-star Jason Oppenheim. The two had seemed like a perfect match, but had different desires for what their future together might look like.

Robin Givens Mockumentary ‘The Nana Project’ Adds Sierra McCormick, Morgan Fairchild, Katie Sarife & More

Set primarily at Timeless Acres Retirement Home, the film follows a documentary crew who develop an interest in one of its star residents—feisty chess master Helen “Nana” Lewis (Ruehl). With the help of her friends Jennifer (Whelan), Francesca (Fairchild), Jack (Todd), Esther (Tilton), Kitty (Beth Broderick), Gladys (Margaret Avery) and Lisa (Hiraizumi), Nana begins training for an upcoming chess tournament. She plans on dominating the competition but her real plan involves reuniting her estranged grandsons, Andrew (Gould), a dedicated veterinary student, and Cody (Peltz), a flashy male model and influencer. Olivia d’Abo (The Wonder Years), Eddie Steeples (My Name is Earl), and Mike Manning (This Is Us) will round out the cast.

Eric Ulloa (Jekyll and Hyde), Anthony Del Negro (The Girl in the Window) and 12-time Tony Award winner Carl Moellenberg (Wakefield) wrote the script. The latter is also producing on behalf of Flamingo Films alongside Del Negro, with production set to kick off later this month.

McCormick is represented by Management Production Entertainment and Innovative Artists; Todd by manager Jeff Goldberg and Defining Artists Agency; Sarife by Link Entertainment and Innovative Artists; Hiraizumi by Link Entertainment; Fairchild by Pinnacle Theatrical Talent; Whelan by Luber Roklin Entertainment and Innovative Artists; D’Abo by APA; Steeples by Jackson Entertainment Management and Del Shaw Moonves; Broderick by Mavrick Artists Agency; and Avery by Ideal Talent Agency.

2022 MTV Movie & TV Award Nominations

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SHOW
Amanda Seyfried, The Dropout
Kelly Reilly, Yellowstone
Lily James, Pam & Tommy
Sydney Sweeney, Euphoria
Zendaya, Euphoria

BEST REALITY STAR
Chris “CT” Tamburello, The Challenge
Chrishell Stause, Selling Sunset
Lindsay Hubbard, Summer House
Teresa Giudice, The Real Housewives of New Jersey
Willow Pill, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14

BEST FIGHT
Bosco vs. Lady Camden, RuPaul’s Drag Race
Candiace Dillard Bassett vs. Mia Thornton – Salad toss fight, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Christine Quinn vs. Chrishell Stause, Selling Sunset
Danielle Olivera vs. Ciara Miller vs. Lindsay Hubbard, Summer House
Margaret Josephs vs. Teresa Giudice, The Real Housewives of New Jersey.

Chrishell Stause Dating Nonbinary Singer G Flip

Chrishell dropped the news on the "Selling Sunset" reunion special ... she and the nonbinary Australian singer are an item. She said, "I recently have been spending a lot of time with someone that's very important to me. Their name is G Flip. They're nonbinary, so they go by they/them. And, they're an extremely talented musician."

The 2 were seen leaving The Abbey in WeHo, spending 4 hours partying until 2 AM -- with plenty of PDA.

As for how they hooked up, Chrishell said, "It started because I was just going to be in their video. And, it's about this chaotic love story. I come from soaps, I love acting. And, with the job that we have, I don't always get to do it. At first of course I was like yes, let's do that."

The 27-year-old musician is reportedly living with Chrishell, 40, in her L.A. home. As we reported, Chrishell bought the home, in part, with the loot she got from selling her wedding ring courtesy of ex-hubby, Justin Hartley.

The 27-year-old musician hails from Melbourne and is known for their songs, "GAY 4 ME," "Lover," and "Drink Too Much."

Chrishell flew to Denver last weekend to watch her partner perform with Lauren Sanderson ... the 2 collabed on the song, "GAY 4 ME."

Congrats you two!!!

Flashback: Chicago writer Irna Phillips and the birth of the soap opera

IRENE: I tell you, Sue, it won’t work. I’ve never worn that shade of orchid in my life. I’d look like a perfect washout. Besides that’s your very best special occasion dress. I wouldn’t think of taking it.

SUE: Don’t be silly. A wedding is a special occasion, isn’t it? And as long as I won’t need to wear it, you might just as well. If you are a bridesmaid, you’ve got to look the part, kid.”

The audience had no inkling of what Wicker or Phillips looked like. They were elsewhere, sitting in front of radio sets and listening to the 25th episode of “Painted Dreams.” Phillips’ brainchild was broadcast from the Drake Hotel on Michigan Avenue by WGN, the Chicago Tribune’s radio station.

The previous year, Phillips had been assigned to write the prototype of a dramatic series. In fact, she created brand-new theatrical form that would become the soap opera.

The name was derived from advertisers of laundry products eager to reach housewives taking a break from their chores. ‘Painted Dreams” was sponsored by Lever Brothers, the makers of Super Suds.

The show’s plot lines reflected an advertising executive’s understanding of women’s issues. “Painted Dreams” revolved around Mother Moynihan, a widow who dispenses old-fashioned wisdom to the two young women who live with her:

“Irene is her daughter, frivolous and thoughtless, a cigar counter clerk who has ambitions for a career upon the stage or in radio, and Sue Morton, an orphan, whom life has given some hard knocks,” the Tribune explained on Oct. 4, 1931, the show’s first anniversary.

“What started out as a dialogue between two working girls has become in a year a sketch with seven distinct character parts, and as many more persons who, although they have never entered the story as speaking characters, have become such a vital part of it that listeners regard them as real persons.”

All of the characters were played by Wicker and Phillips, who also created the sound effects. Later in life, Phillips set down her soap-opera philosophy in an unpublished memoir preserved in the Library of Congress.

“The critics say, ‘But why then do soap operas convey such a sense of overwhelming tragedy, of lives gone wrong?’ ” she wrote. “I can only point out that unrelenting bliss can be (in dramatic terms) as tedious as unrelenting misery.”

Like her character Irene, Phillips was raised by a widowed mother. Her writing career began, as it would end, on a melodramatic note.

Upon the initial success of her soap opera, Phillips wanted to take it to a national network, but WGN’s management balked. She sued claiming she owned the rights to “Painted Dreams” and lost a long, bitterly fought courtroom battle.

“The courts have found that she was a salaried employee of WGN and that the idea of the script was conceived by the station manager,” the Tribune reported after the Illinois Supreme Court denied her appeal in 1941. “After a sponsor was found, however, she copyrighted the first 10 scripts without advising her employer.”

She had long since sold a new soap opera to WGN’s rival, WMAQ. The show’s sponsor offered a guide to “Today’s Children.” Thousands of fans sent in a label from Pillsbury Flour to get one.

By the 1940s, Phillips had five shows running simultaneously on various stations. She earned more than $250,000 a year, enabling her to live at 1335 Astor St., in Chicago’s posh Gold Coast neighborhood. Yet Phillips couldn’t type so many scripts.

“Like Scheherazade, I work best before a live audience,” she explained, invoking the putative narrator of the “Arabian Nights,” who told a sultan a tale every night. “And so I dictate to a secretary”

Part of her workday was devoted to keeping tabs on the rivals her success created.

“I often listen to other soap operas, not to imitate but to avoid imitation,” she noted. “In many cases, I have shuffled entire synopses because other programs anticipated a plot line that I was considering.”

Phillips was born in 1901, one of 10 children in a German-Jewish family. Her father died when she was 8 years old, and she grew up wearing hand-me-down clothing. Lonely, she dreamed up stories and enacted them with her dolls, which became the origin of her compositional technique.

“When I dictate, I in fact act out the entire episode,” Phillips recalled. “People who have watched me have commented that when dictating I change my voice to fit each character, that I use certain gestures when speaking the lines intended for this character or that.”

After high school, she enrolled in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She wanted to be an actress, but was discouraged by teachers saying she wasn’t pretty enough for Hollywood or Broadway. So she went on to the University of Wisconsin, where she got a master’s degree in journalism.

For seven years, she taught drama and English at an Ohio teachers college and a Missouri junior college before being hired as a writer on a WGN talk show. Then came the assignment to write a drama, and being among the first to do so for radio, she pioneered the tricks of the trade, such as: an organ to echo a character’s emotion or indicate a change of scene the audience couldn’t see; ending an episode with a cliffhanger, an unresolved twist of plot that entices listeners to tune in the following day; or the use of plot twists such as characters with amnesia.

In her memoir, Phillips specified the essential ingredient of a soap-opera script: “There must be that element of universality in everything — that something that causes the listener to say, ‘Yes, I have felt that way, ' or ‘I have known someone very much like that.’ ”

Her characters were often modeled on people she’d known.

Dr. John Rutledge, the nonjudgmental pastor of “Guiding Light,” resembled Dr. Preston Bradley the nondogmatic Chicago minister in whose radio broadcasts Phillips found comfort when troubled.

Yet Phillips was harshly judgmental of the actors who appeared in her soap operas. When Jane House did a nude scene in the Broadway play “Lenny” in the early 1970s, Phillips tried to kill off her character on “As the World Turns.”

In one instance, Phillips’ art imitated life. “Today’s Children” was the story of a widowed mother trying to keep her family afloat. Upon the death of her own mother, who had similarly struggled, Phillips closed the curtain on “Today’s Children.”

When television leapfrogged over radio she easily made the transition to telling a story with moving images. Her successes continued until 1973, when she drew on a painful chapter of her life for an episode of “As The World Turns.”

At 19, she’d been head over heels in love with an English doctor. When she got pregnant, he turned his back on her and she miscarried. Never married, she adopted two boys.

In the soap opera version, she drew up a character who seduces her brother-in-law and becomes pregnant.

Proctor and Gamble didn’t want their soap associated with a dismal tale of adultery. Phillips stood her ground and was fired. A few months later, she died. The doctor said she had a heart attack.

If soap opera writer were to tell the tale, the script would instruct an organist to play somber chords as a fitting endnote for fans who’d be convinced that Phillips died of a broken heart.

Jeffrey Vincent Parise guests on S.W.A.T. 5/8/22

GUEST CAST: Brigitte Kali Canales (Cabrera), Terri Hoyos (Mama Pina), Jeffrey Vincent Parise (Molina).

‘General Hospital’ alum splits from pregnant wife: ‘The child is not mine’

The allegation has resulted in the pair separating, the actor, 51, announced via his Instagram Story on Wednesday.

“I wanted to clear something up. Sheree and I are separated,” Burton’s post began. “She recently announced that she’s expecting her 4th child. The child is not mine.”

He continued, “We are still co-parenting our three beautiful kids. We would appreciate privacy at this time. Much luv, Steve.”

The estranged couple have been married since 1999 and share three children: Makena, 18, Jack, 16, and Brooklyn, 7.

Gustin has yet to address Burton’s allegations.

Burton’s Instagram account is full of inspirational messages from the actor, many which end with his personal motto, “Don’t settle.”

In November 2021, he also took to social media to speak out after he was let go from “General Hospital” due to his refusal to take a COVID-19 vaccine.

“I know there’s been a lot of rumors and speculation about me and ‘General Hospital,’ and I wanted you to hear it from me personally,” Burton said in a video at the time.

“Unfortunately, ‘General Hospital’ has let me go because of the vaccine mandate.”

Burton was a part of the soap series since 1991, playing Jason Morgan on-and-off for the last 30 years.

“I did apply for my medical and religious exemptions, and both of those were denied. Which, you know, hurts,” he continued.

“But this is also about personal freedom for me. I don’t think anyone should lose their livelihood over this.”

Steve Burton Joining ‘Beyond Salem’

DOOL Executive Producer Ron Carlivati confirmed the news on Twitter Friday, saying “We’re BEYOND excited about this news!”

It’s unclear, for now, what role Burton will play in the spinoff that will feature the much-anticipated return of super-couple Bo and Hope (Kristian Alfonso and Peter Reckell), as well as Deidre Hall as Dr. Marlena Evans and Drake Hogestyn as John Black. But Burton is definitely familiar to DOOL fans; at the start of his career, he played Harris Michaels on the NBC soap in 1988.

Burton left GH for failing to comply with its COVID-19 vaccine mandate. He had returned to the sudser in 2017 after playing Jason on and off on GH from 1991 to 2012. His departure in 2021 came three weeks after the soap drop-kicked Ingo Rademacher, who had been a vocal critic of COVID-19 mandates. He subsequently sued ABC for religious discrimination.

New episodes of Beyond Salem will drop daily from July 11-15 on Peacock, which is also the exclusive streaming home of DOOL. The series also airs weekdays on NBC.

Beyond Salem first debuted last September. Lisa Rinna reprised her role as Billie Reed, with Hall as Marlena and Hogestyn as John. The spinoff is from Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producer Albert Alarr, and Ron Carlivati serves as head writer.

Deadline reached out to a DOOL spokesperson for more information. Stay tuned.

DVD: Days Of Our Lives: Beyond Salem - Season One

Emmys: LeVar Burton, John Aniston to Receive Lifetime Achievement Awards

All NATAS events are scheduled to return to being in-person this year, after holding virtual ceremonies in 2020 and 2021.

This year marks the launch of the Children’s & Family Emmy Award ceremony — the first expansion in the competition since 1979 — as part of a previously announced realignment of the Daytime and Primetime Emmys. Burton, who has earned more than 20 Emmys over his career, will be honored at the 1st Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, to be held Dec. 11 at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles.

Aniston, who has played Days‘ nefarious Victor Kiriakis for more than 35 years, will receive his Lifetime Achievement award at the 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, which will be held Friday, June 24 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and air on CBS.

Other recipients of Lifetime Achievement awards this year include:

* This Old House, which will join Sesame Street and 60 Minutes as the only programs (versus individuals) to receive Lifetime Achievement awards from NATAS.

* Sir David Attenborough, one of the world’s preeminent natural history documentarians, and Judy Woodruff, a news and political journalist for more than five decades and anchor/managing editor of PBS NewsHour. (The 43rd Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards will be held Sept. 28-29 at the Palladium Times Square in New York.)

* Lesley Visser, a trailblazing sports journalist who is enshrined in six different halls of fame and is the most highly acclaimed female sportscaster of all time. (The 43rd Annual Sports Emmy Awards will be held May 24 at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall.)

* Yvette Kanouff, a technology entrepreneur who has been involved in digital transformation worldwide for 25 years. (The 73rd Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards will be held April 25 at the Wynn Encore in Las Vegas.)

“THE 49TH ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY® AWARDS” TO BE BROADCAST FRIDAY, JUNE 24, ON CBS

The ceremony is set to take place at the Pasadena Civic Center in Pasadena, Calif. Nominations will be announced Thursday, May 5. Additional information will be available in the coming weeks.

The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of categories, including daytime dramas, talk shows, instructional programming, hosting, and legal/courtroom programs. In 2021, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) and the Television Academy jointly announced plans to realign the Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards to be organized by content genre, as opposed to program airtime. In addition, in recognition of the marked increase in content and entries for children’s programming, 2022 will mark the first annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, with relevant categories separating from the Daytime Emmys into their own competition and ceremony. All awards are judged by a pool of peer professionals from across the television industry.

The 49TH ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS is produced by NATAS and Associated Television International (ATI), which produced Daytime Emmy Award ceremonies on The CW in 2009 and on CBS in 2010, 2011, 2020 and 2021. Adam Sharp and Steve Ulrich are executive producers from NATAS, while David McKenzie is executive producer from ATI.

Lionsgate’s Grindstone Entertainment Group and MarVista Entertainment aquires Powder Pup

Ari Novak (Sk8 Dawg) directed the pic, which centers on Shaun (Arbab), a 16-year-old surfer who has it all living in Southern California. When his dad announces they’re moving to the mountains of Montana, he is crushed. That is, until he meets a dog who can snowboard. With the help of his new canine friend, Shaun is set to make a run for the annual snowboarding championship; however, rough terrain awaits.

Novak penned the script with Manning and Miriam Burden. Novak, Todd Slater, Hillis and Manning are the producers of the film, which hails from Pixium Film Group in association with Slater Brothers Entertainment and Lucky Mann Productions. Slater brokered the deals on behalf of the producers for Slater Brothers Entertainment, whose credits include the recently completed thriller King Of Killers starring Frank Grillo, She’s In Portland starring Minka Kelly and The Parts You Lose starring Aaron Paul.

Dishing with Digest - 4/22/22 - Zach Tinker

Vanessa E. Williams guests on 9-1-1 5/2/22

Cast: Angela Bassett as Athena Grant; Peter Krause as Bobby Nash; Jennifer Love Hewitt as Maddie Kendall; Oliver Stark as Evan “Buck” Buckley; Kenneth Choi as Howie “Chimney” Han; Aisha Hinds as Henrietta “Hen” Wilson; Ryan Guzman as Eddie Diaz; Corinne Massiah as May Grant; Marcanthonee Jon Reis as Harry Grant; Gavin McHugh as Christopher Diaz

Guest Cast: Tracie Thoms as Karen Wilson; John Harlan Kim as Albert; Arielle Kebbel as Lucy Donato; Brad Durfee as Jonah Greenway; Megan West as Taylor Kelly; Vanessa E. Williams as Claudette Collins; Bryan Safi as Josh Russo; Debra Christofferson as Sue Blevins; Chiquita Fuller as Linda Bates; Alex Loynaz as Terry Flores; Nick Cafero as Carson Hayes; Donny Carrington as Antoine Banks; Samantha Smith as Capt. Pamela Shore

‘Days Of Our Lives: Beyond Salem’ Returning To Peacock; Five Episodes Planned For July

Chapter 2 of the spinoff will feature the return of DOOL super-couple Bo and Hope (Kristian Alfonso and Peter Reckell), as well as Deidre Hall as Dr. Marlena Evans, Drake Hogestyn as John Black, Stephen Nichols as Steve “Patch” Johnson, Mary Beth Evans as Kayla Brady Johnson, Lucas Adams as Tripp Johnson, and Camila Banus as Gabi Hernandez.

Here’s the official logline for the next iteration: “In an epic, action-packed tale that spans the entire globe, from Monte Carlo to Hong Kong, beloved characters from Days of our Lives once again go Beyond Salem as they trade the comforts of home for an adventure of a lifetime! Over the course of five thrilling episodes, heartwarming family reunions take a dangerous turn as a mysterious adversary wreaks havoc on their lives. The next chapter of Beyond Salem is story full of larger-than-life romance, jaw-dropping twists, and high-stakes drama – and it all connects back to a plot that long-time DOOL fans will surely remember.”

“We are beyond thrilled to be partnering with Peacock again to produce a second chapter of Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem,” said executive producer Ken Corday in a statement. “Being able to build off of the storylines from Days of Our Lives to create another exciting series for the audience brings myself, the Corday Productions team, and the cast so much joy. I cannot wait for the fans to see what we have in store next!”

New episodes of Beyond Salem will drop daily from July 11-15 on Peacock, which is also the exclusive streaming home of DOOL. The series also airs weekdays on NBC.

Beyond Salem first debuted last September. Lisa Rinna reprised her role as Billie Reed, with Hall as Marlena and Hogestyn as John. The spinoff is from Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producer Albert Alarr, and Ron Carlivati serves as head writer.

Greg Vaughan returns!

Chrishell Stause sold wedding ring from Justin Hartley to buy a house

Chrishell Stause admitted that she paid for her $3.3 million Hollywood Hills pad using money from the sale of her wedding ring from ex-husband Justin Hartley.

“When sometimes life gives you lemons, sometimes you’ve gotta add a little vodka,” the “Selling Sunset” star, 40, joked during her appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

“I was trying to, you know, make the best out of a situation.”

Clarkson, who’s amid an ongoing high-profile split herself – with ex Brandon Blackstock – approved of the move.

“I mean, what are you supposed to do, keep wearing it? I think that’s amazing,” the “Stronger” singer, 39, told Stause.

“You did something good with the money.”

Stause was married to Hartley, 45, from 2017 to 2021. Following her breakup from the “This Is Us” star, she was briefly linked to “Dancing With the Stars” alum Keo Motsepe and her “Selling Sunset” boss Jason Oppenheim.

The “All My Children” alum admitted to Clarkson that the singer’s music helped her navigate various heartbreaks over the years.

“Your music has gotten me through many a breakup, so thank you for that. You’ve helped all of us,” she said.

The reality star also discussed her “Under Construction: Because Living My Best Life Took a Little Work” book. She told Clarkson that she found it “therapeutic” to discuss her past relationships for the tome.

“I do think that this was just a cathartic situation because so much is said out there, on social media and in the news, and sometimes there’s not a lot of context,” she explained.

“I am healed; there’s no anger there. So it’s nice to kind of give context and tell a story that I know a lot of people have related to.”

While Stause appears to be single at this time, Hartley is a married man once again. He tied the knot for a third time in March 2021, to actress Sofia Pernas.

Page Six exclusively caught up with his new wife on the red carpet for PaleyFest’s “This Is Us” event in Los Angeles last weekend, where she gushed about their first year of marriage and being a stepmom to his “wise” daughter, 17-year-old Isabella.

“She’s so wise. I mean, that girl, she’s got it figured out!” Pernas told us of the teen, whom Hartley shares with his first ex-wife, Lindsay. “She knows exactly what she wants. She has a beautiful, wonderful boyfriend. I don’t want to say too much about it because she’s like ‘Ahh!’ but they’re awesome.”

‘The Rookie’ Renewed For Season 5 By ABC

The network revealed the renewal on Wednesday. Season 4 of The Rookie opened with a 0.3 rating in the 18-49 demo and 2.8 million viewers and has remained fairly steady in demo throughout the season. Per ABC, The Rookie season 4 averages 10 million total viewers after 35 days of viewing across ABC’s linear and digital platforms, growing six times over its initial Live+Same Day rating among Adults 18-49 with a lift of +500% after 35 days of multiplatform viewing.

The Rookie renewal comes less than two months after Deadline learned exclusively that ABC will expand on the drama’s world with an FBI-focused spinoff starring Niecy Nash. Joining Nash for the spinoff will be Kat Foster, Felix Jones and Frankie Faison. The currently untitled spinoff, from Hawley and The Rookie executive producer Terence Paul Winter, will exist in the same universe to frequent crossovers for a programing block similar to Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19.

Fillion stars as John Nolan, Cox as Nyla Harper, Diaz as Angela and Jones as Sgt. Wade Grey. The Rookie also features Melissa O’Neil as Lucy Chen, Eric Winter as Tim Bradford, Jenna Dewan as Bailey Nune and Shawn Ashmore as Wesley Evers.

Here’s the logline for the upcoming episode to air on Sunday: “Officer John Nolan and the team feel they must negotiate with a distraught man who is holding a hospital hostage to ensure his wife receives a lifesaving surgery.”

Hawley executive produces with Winter, Fillion, Mark Gordon, Michelle Chapman and Bill Norcross. Entertainment One (eOne) is the lead studio and international distributor of The Rookie, a co-production with ABC Signature. ABC Signature is a part of Disney Television Studios.

Jason Patric, Keli Price, Jack Kesy, Penelope Ann Miller, Mickey Rourke & More To Topline Action-Thriller ‘Murder At Hollow Creek’

The film written by Keli Price (On Thin Ice) follows a disbarred lawyer (Price) and his eccentric brother (Kesy) who, with their little sister dying and no money left to pay the medical bills, attempt to pull off the robbery of a lifetime. Instead, they find themselves in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a disgruntled Serbian mobster (Rourke), with a local detective (Patric) trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together before it’s too late.

Lipper, Paul Ben-Victor (Pam & Tommy), Patrick Muldoon (The Comeback Trail), Jessica Lord (Find Me in Paris), Jason London (Dazed and Confused), Jeremy London (Mallrats), Joe Reitman (Happy!), Isabella Blake-Thomas (Once Upon a Time), Jaeme Velez (Snowfall), Yasha Blackman (Blood Shed), Sophia Gasca (Mood Swings), Jordan Kennedy (TORN) and Madeleine Byrne (Twenties) round out the cast. Lipper & Robert A. Daly Jr. produced for Latigo Films, with Price for Price Productions.

“We’re excited to be collaborating with this exceptional cast to bring this action-thriller with dark comedy to life,” said Price.

Patric is represented by The Kohner Agency and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman; Price by Eris Talent Agency, JL David Agency in Atlanta, Revenant Entertainment and Yorn, Levine, Barnes; Kesy by Paradigm, Luber Roklin Entertainment and Brecheen Feldman Breimer; Miller by Innovative Artists and Management Production Entertainment; Reeves by APA and Kraditor & Haber; Hines by Innovative Artists, Rafterman Media and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman; Van Dien by Global Artists Agency, Jeff Goldberg Management and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum; Rourke by APA, Framework Entertainment and Edelstein, Laird & Sobel; and Lipper by Martinez Creative Management in Montreal, The Characters Talent Agency in Toronto, Rothman / Andrés Entertainment and Fischbach, Perlstein, Lieberman & Almond.

‘Best. Christmas. Ever.’: Heather Graham, Brandy Norwood, Jason Biggs & Matt Cedeńo To Star In Netflix Holiday Film

The film written by Charles Shyer (Father of the Bride) and Todd Calgi Gallicano (Sam London Adventure book series) centers on Jackie (Norwood), who every Christmas, without fail, sends a boastful holiday newsletter that makes her old college friend Charlotte (Graham) feel like a lump of coal. When a twist of fate lands Charlotte, her husband Rob (Biggs), and their family on Jackie’s and her husband Valentino’s (Cedeńo) snowy doorstep just days before Christmas, Charlotte seizes the opportunity to prove her old friend’s “perfect” life can’t possibly be that perfect. But in her overzealous attempt to expose Jackie, Charlotte nearly ruins Christmas for both families and must team up with her old friend to put the pieces back together.

Brad Krevoy is producing, with Amanda Phillips, Eric Jarboe, Steve Berman, David Wulf, Shyer and Gallicano serving as executive producers.

Graham is a Critics’ Choice Award, Independent Spirit Award and SAG Award nominee who will next appear in the Apple series Extrapolations, Daniel di Grado’s horror film Oracle, Seam McNamara’s drama On a Wing and a Prayer, Sara Zandieh’s romantic comedy The Other Zoey, and the film Chosen Family with Julia Stiles, which she also wrote and is directing. She’s also appeared in such films as Half Magic, The Hangover and The Hangover Part III, Bobby, Hope Springs, The Guru, Bowfinger, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Lost in Space, Scream 2, Boogie Nights, Swingers and the Twin Peaks titles Fire Walk with Me and The Missing Pieces, among others. Additional TV credits include The Stand, Get Shorty, Angie Tribeca, Flaked, Californication, Scrubs and Twin Peaks.

Norwood is an actress and Grammy-winning musician, who recently starred in the ABC series Queens, and starred as the title character on UPN’s Moesha between 1996 and 2001. She’s also starred in the films Cinderella, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer and Tyler Perry’s Temptation, as well as in such series as Star, The Game, Drop Dead Diva and 90210. The RIAA ranks Norwood as one of the best-selling female artists in American music history, having sold over 40 million records worldwide.

Biggs is a SAG Award winner perhaps best known for his roles as Piper’s (Taylor Schilling) one-time fiancé Larry on Orange Is the New Black, and as Jim Levenstein in Universal’s American Pie films. He also recently starred in the Fox series Outmatched and has previously appeared in multiple Jay and Silent Bob films, as well as such big-screen titles as Jersey Girl, Prozac Nation, Saving Silverman and Loser.

Cedeńo is perhaps best known for his turn as drug dealer and former Hermanos Tainos gang leader Cristobal on Starz’s Power, and can currently be seen on BET’s Ruthless. Additional credits include the series Power Book II: Ghost, Promised Land, Truth Be Told, Z Nation and Devious Maids.

Graham is represented by Paradigm, RMS Productions and Yorn, Levine, Barnes; Norwood by CAA; Biggs by ICM Partners and Management 360; Cedeńo by Mosaic, Buchwald and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman; Lambert by APA, Pebble Entertainment and Nochimson Law; and Shyer by Echo Lake Entertainment, A3 Artists Agency and Weintraub Tobin Chediak.

2022 Writers Guild Award Winner

Days of Our Lives
Head Writer: Ron Carlivati Writers: Lorraine Broderick, Joanna Cohen, Carolyn Culliton, Richard Culliton, Jamey Giddens, David Kreizman, Rebecca McCarty, Ryan Quan, Dave Ryan, Katherine D. Schock, Elizabeth Snyder; NBC

Talk Show Appearance

Mo 3/21: Alison Sweeney

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher exceed $30M donation target in aid of Ukraine

The ‘That 70s Show’ stars – who tied the knot in 2015 and share seven-year-old daughter Wyatt and five-year-old son Dimitri – have surpassed their “goal” amount to ease the humanitarian crisis caused by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade the neighbouring country late last month on Thursday.

In a video posted to Instagram, the 38-year-old actress said: “We just want to say that we hit our goal.”

The 44-year-old actor added: “Over $30 million raised.”

The ‘Black Swan’ star admitted to being “overwhelmed with gratitude” after tens of thousands of people contributed to the fund after millions have been made refugees following the violence that has killed an unconfirmed amount of people.

Mila – who was born in the Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi – continued: “Over 65,000 of you donated. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the support and while this is far from the salve of the problem, our collective effort will provide a softer landing to so many people as they forge ahead into their future of uncertainty.”

The ‘Punk’d’ star – who along with his wife are allocating funds to AirBnB and Flexport.com, organisations on the ground dealing with the refugee crisis prompted by the conflict – asserted “our work is not done” as he vowed to do more after they vowed to match donations up until $3 million when they began their efforts.

Ashton said: “Our work is not done. We’re gonna do everything we can to ensure that the outpouring of love that came from you all as a part of this campaign finds the maximum impact with those in need. As funding continues to come in, we’re going to treat every dollar as if it’s being donated out of our pocket: with respect and honour for the work that went into earning it, with the intent of love for which it was given, and the desire for it to be maximized for positive outcome for others.”

Last week, Mila shared how people should views Russians – who live under a dictatorship – as “an enemy”.

She said: “I don’t think that we need to consider the people of Russia an enemy.”

“I do really want to emphasise that. I don’t think that that’s being said enough in the press.”

“I think that there’s now [an] ‘If you’re not with us, you’re against us’ mentality. And I don’t want people to conflate the two problems that are happening.”

Dishing with Digest - 3/18/22 - Raven Bowens

‘The Boys’:Jensen Ackles & Laurie Holden Make Debut In Season 3 Teaser

The latest look at the upcoming season, which premieres June 3, brings the suspense with possible powers for Karl Urban’s Billy Butcher and touts groovy moves with what seems to be multiple dance numbers. The teaser also gives fans a look at Jensen Ackles and Laurie Holden, who join the cast as Soldier Boy and Crimson Countess, respectively. Of course, there’s plenty of gore in store for The Boys fans in the teaser, which can be viewed above.

Season 3 episodes will be available each Friday following, leading up to the season finale on July 8. The eight-episode season will stream exclusively on Prime Video.

Season 3 of The Boys also stars Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Dominique McElligott, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Tomer Capon, Karen Fukuhara, Nathan Mitchell, Colby Minifie and Claudia Doumit. Sean Patrick Flanery, Miles Gaston Villanueva, Nick Wechsler, Frances Turner, Kristin Booth and Jack Doolan are also set to appear.

The Boys is an irreverent take on what happens when superheroes—who are as popular as celebrities, as influential as politicians, and as revered as gods—abuse their superpowers rather than use them for good. Intent on stopping the corrupt superheroes, The Boys, a group of vigilantes, continue their heroic quest to expose the truth about The Seven and Vought—the multibillion-dollar conglomerate that manages the superheroes and covers up their dirty secrets. It’s the seemingly powerless against the super powerful.

Based on the bestselling comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, The Boys was developed by showrunner Eric Kripke, who also serves as writer and executive producer. Joining Kripke as executive producers are Point Grey Pictures’ Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Weaver; Original Film’s Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty; and Phil Sgriccia, Craig Rosenberg, Rebecca Sonnenshine, Ken Levin and Jason Netter. Ennis and Robertson also co-executive produce along with Michael Saltzman.

The Boys is produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon Studios with Point Grey Pictures, Kripke Enterprises and Original Film.

Vincent Irizarry Has Emergency Surgery

The man then proceeded to beat his wife unconscious. Vincent was rushed to the ER and had to be treated for his head wound, injuries and tests run. Unfortunately, that fluid has increased substantially over the last 3 months requiring emergency head surgery this Friday morning.” Glisson then posted a photo of the soap vet, with an update on his recovery.

“Vincent’s surgeon performed the procedure early this am skillfully but finding a bit more than he expected,” she wrote. “But he has been watched and tested all day and thankfully fluid has not increased again. They will keep him there and be watching for that or any complications and observing his condition before sending him home. Otherwise Vincent has been awake all day talking, eating and being his ever charming self even with his head bandaged and tubes coming out all over him! On behalf of Vincent, Thank you for all the love and well wishes. It is not overlooked or taken for granted. He is as always grateful.” We are wishing Vincent a very speedy recovery!

‘Gotham Knights’: Oscar Morgan, Olivia Rose Keegan & Navia Robinson Join CW Pilot

Written by Batwoman trio Chad Fiveash, James Stoteraux and Natalie Abrams, Gotham Knights picks up in the aftermath of Bruce Wayne’s murder, with his rebellious adopted son forging an unlikely alliance with the children of Batman’s enemies when they are all framed for killing the Caped Crusader. As the city’s most wanted criminals, this renegade band of misfits must fight to clear their names. But in a Gotham with no Dark Knight to protect it, the city descends into the most dangerous it’s ever been. However, hope comes from the most unexpected of places as this team of mismatched fugitives will become its next generation of saviors known as the Gotham Knights.

Morgan will play Turner Hayes. Despite the murder of his biological parents, Turner remains resilient and driven to live up to his billionaire adoptive father’s name. While charming and soulful, Turner has never quite felt comfortable in this world of wealth and privilege.

Keegan portrays Duela. Abrasive, unpredictable and a little unhinged, Duela is, above all, a survivor. Born in Arkham Asylum and abandoned by her father – the most dangerous man in Gotham – Duela forged herself into a brutal fighter and skilled thief.

Robinson plays Carrie Kelley. Fearless, idealistic and plucky as hell, Carrie talked her way into being Batman’s unlikely sidekick. If there’s a burning building or a person in need, she’s the first to rush in. Just as long as she’s home by curfew.

Produced by Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Fiveash and Stoteraux exec produce alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and David Madden. Abrams is also co-exec producer, while Danny Cannon will direct and exec produce the pilot.

Morgan stars in a leading role in the feature film De Son Vivant, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. His other credits include Steven Spielberg’s Masters of the Air; Death in Paradise, Warren and The Miniaturist for the BBC, and ITV’s Trauma. Morgan is repped by Insight Management & Production and Untitled Entertainment.

Keegan is best known for her role as Claire on NBC’s Days Of Our Lives. She received two Daytime Emmy nominations for her performance and won an Emmy for Outstanding Young Performer in a Drama Series in 2020. She can most recently been seen in a major recurring role as Lily in Disney+’s High School Musical: The Musical-The Series and recently filmed Amazon’s Daisy Jones & The Six. She’s repped by Paradigm, Artistic Endeavors, and Schreck Rose Adams Berlin & Dunham.

Robinson is known for her role as Nia Baxter, Raven Baxter’s (Raven Symone) socially conscious teenage daughter, in Disney Channel’s live-action comedy, Raven’s Home. Her earlier credits include Netflix’s Free Rein. She’s repped by CESD and Mitchell Gossett at Industry Entertainment.

Billy Baldwin Reveals DAYS Rejection

On Instagram, actor Billy Baldwin revealed that he was rejected by DAYS early in his career.

It was very early in my career.
I had just signed with my agent J. Michael Bloom and Associates.

Michael had also recently signed Jeanne Tripplehorn, Laura Linney and Anthony LaPaglia… so it was a very exciting and scary time.

I was going on lots and lots of meetings and auditions with casting directors, directors, producers, writers, show runners… and studio and network executives.

On my second audition… I booked the film ‘Born of the Fourth of July’ with Oliver Stone at the helm directing and starring Tom Cruise.

Not all of of my auditions went that well. ??

One time I was submitted to read for the soap opera ‘Days of our Lives.’ I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do a soap but was willing to take any and every audition and meeting early in my career so I could have more experience in the room, get over the butterflies and try to make an impression on anybody in the business… so I decided to go for it.

Ironically… I was reading to play the love interest Ivy Jannings. Ivy Jannings was played by the wonderful and beautiful Holly Gagnier. At the time Holly Gagnier was the real life fiancé of my brother Alec so we were friends and spent a good amount of time together palling around NYC.

To make matters worse… it literally said on the breakdown of the audition for this part:

Prototype: “Alec Baldwin type”

They were actually looking for an “Alec Baldwin type” and it was to play the part of the love interest of my brother Alec’s real life fiancé… Holly Garnier.

To be kind… let’s just say I stunk up the room so bad that I didn’t even get a call back.

In the days and weeks that followed that audition my agent, my brother and the lovely Holly Gagnier never mentioned a word to me about how I did. It just disappeared and was never mentioned again as if it never happened.

Recap:

1. I went on an audition for a soap opera.
2. I was reading for a part to star opposite my brothers fiancé… Holly Gagnier.
3. The prototype on the breakdown for the audition was: “Alec Baldwin type”
4. I didn’t even get a call back.
5. Repeat… I didn’t even get a call back.

End of story.

Matt Cedeńo guests on Promised Land 3/15/22 on Hulu

Guest starring is Miguel Angel Garcia as Joe “Junior” Sandoval, Ariana Guerra as Rosa Sanchez, Kerri Medders as Young Margaret, Susan Ortiz as Marta, Tom Amandes as O.M. Honeycroft, Eduardo Ambriz DeColosio as Foreman Gonzo, Ariella Amar as Young Marta, Julio Macias as Javier, Manuel Uriza as Manuel Rincon, Gigi Zumbado as Natalia “Nati” Rojas, Matt Ceden?o as Tomas and Jacqueline Obradors as Present Day Rosa.

‘Fresh Prince’ Alums Daphne Maxwell Reid & Vernee Watson-Johnson To Guest Star On Peacock’s ‘Bel-Air’

Reid (Frank’s Place, Snoops) and Watson-Johnson (General Hospital, Bob Hearts Abishola), who played Aunt Viv and Viola “Vy” Smith in the original, are coming back in a similar vein. Instead of portraying sisters, the two will be playing “Helen and “Janice,” members of the Art Council Board, in episode 109 of Bel-Air, scheduled to stream March 24th on Peacock.

Set in modern-day America, Peacock’s new one-hour drama series re-imagines the beloved sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air through a new dramatic take on Will’s complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air. As these two worlds collide, Will reckons with the power of second chances while navigating the conflicts, emotions, and biases of a world far different from the only one he’s ever known.

Bel-Air is currently streaming on Peacock with new episodes dropping every Thursday. The season one finale will stream on March 31st.

The drama stars Jabari Banks, who tackles the new iteration of Will Smith’s character. Other cast includes Adrian Holmes as Phillip Banks, Cassandra Freeman as Vivian Banks, Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks, Coco Jones as Hilary Banks, Akira Akbar as Ashley Banks, Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey, Jordan L. Jones as Jazz, and Simone Joy Jones as Lisa.

The series, based on Morgan Cooper’s popular fan film that re-envisions the original series, hails from Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Universal Television and received a two-season order in September 2020. T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson serve as executive producers and co-showrunners. Morgan Cooper directs and serves as co-writer and executive producer.

Matt Cedeńo guests on Promised Land (3/22/22) on Hulu

Guest starring is Kerri Medders, Susan Ortiz, Jacqueline Obradors, Daniel Mora, Julio Macias, Christopher Wallinger, Eduardo DeColosio, Tom Amandes, Ariella Amar, Manuel Uriza, Matt Cedeńo and Miguel Angel Garcia.

“La Cosecha (The Harvest)” was written by Mark Wilding and directed by Lily Mariye.

Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher GoFundMe Campaign To Help Ukraine’s Needy Approaches $10M Mark

Kutcher and Kunis, the latter a native Ukrainian who came to the US with her parents as a small child, are using the GoFundMe fundraiser in hopes of raising $30 Million, with a $3 Million match by the couple, to benefit Flexport.org and Airbnb.org.

“Today, I am a proud Ukrainian,” Kunis wrote on the fundraising page. “While my family came to the United States in 1991, I was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine in 1983. Ukrainians are proud and brave people who deserve our help in their time of need. This unjust attack on Ukraine and humanity at large is devastating and the Ukrainian people need our support.”

GoFundMe.org recently stirred up some controversy by withholding contributions to the Canadian truckers in the so-called “Freedom Convoy” in Canada, resulting in investigations by several state attorney generals.

But the organization claims this particular fundraiser will provide an immediate impact on refugee and humanitarian aid efforts, including for transporting humanitarian aid to known NGO’s on the ground, and providing free, short-term housing to up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine.

In a video on the GoFundMe Kunis and Kutcher explained why this situation is personally important and how people can join them in helping. gofundme.com/f/stand-with-ukraine.

Dishing with Digest - 3/4/22 - George Del Hoyo

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher launch Ukraine fundraiser, will match $3M

The Hollywood couple announced on Thursday that they’ve launched a GoFundMe page for victims of Russia’s invasion of the country and will match up to $3 million in donations.

“While we are witnessing the bravery of Ukrainians, we are also bearing witness to the unimaginable burden of those who have chosen safety,” Kutcher, 44, captioned a video shared to Instagram.

“Through GoFundMe, this fundraiser will provide an immediate impact on refugee and humanitarian aid efforts.”

The “Two and a Half Men” alum sat beside his wife, 38, as she opened up about her Ukrainian roots.

“I was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, in 1983. I came to America in 1991 and I have always considered myself an American. A proud American,” the actress said in the clip. “I love everything that this country has done for myself and my family. But today, I have never been more proud to be a Ukrainian.”

Kutcher then chimed in to say, “And I have never been more proud to be married to a Ukranian.”

Elsewhere, Kunis called Russian President Putin’s attacks on Ukraine “devastating.” She added, “There is no place in this world for this kind of unjust attack on humanity.”

Kutcher and Kunis — who once co-starred on “That ’70s Show” and later wed in 2015 — have a goal to raise $30 million through their GoFundMe page, which will support refugee aid and more humanitarian efforts for displaced Ukrainians.

The pair’s $3 million pledge will benefit AirBnB and Flexports, companies that are providing shelter to those who have found safety in such countries as Romania, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Moldova.

Kunis — who shares kids Wyatt, 7, and Dimitri, 5, with Kutcher — previously spoke about returning to Ukraine as an adult in a 2017 interview with Net-a-porter.com.

“We went to our house and I knocked on the door because we really wanted to look inside. And [the new owner] was like, ‘No!’ She did not care. I said, ‘I used to live here when I was little, my parents are here [with me],’” she said at the time. “She wouldn’t even open the door. The whole experience was very humbling.”

Dishing with Digest - 2/25/22 - Eileen Davidson

Critics Choice Super Awards Nominations

BEST ACTRESS IN A HORROR MOVIE
Barbara Crampton – Jakob’s Wife
Rebecca Hall – The Night House
Anya-Taylor Joy – Last Night in Soho
Thomasin McKenzie – Last Night in Soho
Agathe Rousselle – Titane
Millicent Simmonds – A Quiet Place Part II

BEST ACTOR IN A SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY MOVIE
Mahershala Ali – Swan Song
Timothée Chalamet – Dune
Leonardo DiCaprio – Don’t Look Up
Tom Hanks – Finch
Dev Patel – The Green Knight
Ryan Reynolds – Free Guy

BEST ACTRESS IN A SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY MOVIE
Cate Blanchett – Don’t Look Up
Jodie Comer – Free Guy
Rebecca Ferguson – Dune
Mckenna Grace – Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Jennifer Lawrence – Don’t Look Up
Alicia Vikander – The Green Knight

Dishing with Digest - 2/18/22 - A Martinez

Victoria Konefal is Leaving DAYS OF OUR LIVES Again

“A friend of mine is actually producing a film in the South. I can’t really talk much about it or the storyline, but I like it,” Konefal confessed. “So, I think I’m going to go ahead and take some time off and do that. I might be putting on my cowgirl hat!”

Thankfully for DAYS fans, Konefal does plan on returning to the soap after working on the movie. But she likely won’t be as front and center as Ciara has been over the past few months as she’s no longer on contract with the show.

The decision was hers, Konefal clarified, explaining that she’d first decided back in early 2020 to exit at the end of her original two-year contract to pursue other projects. Then the pandemic hit. “I was ready to dip my toe into other projects. Then two weeks later they shut down the world completely,” she recalled, adding that when DAYS resumed production months later, they called her about returning. “They asked to have me back as a contract player, and I was like, ‘Well, this is kind of tricky. I know I’ve been away for 10 months, but I haven’t had a chance to dip my toe. So I agreed to a 16-week contract.”

Konefal returned to the screen last summer when Ciara was found to be alive — if not quite well! After her short-term deal with the soap was up, the soap’s powers that be asked her to ink a contract for another year. Konefal, however, wasn’t ready to make that kind of commitment to daytime. “I was like, ‘Hey, I can’t do it. I did quit for a reason. I appreciate you so much, but understand me and where I’m coming from,’” she said. “My artistic integrity was no longer being fulfilled. I needed a change, a switch-up.”

Luckily for Cin fans, the soap agreed to let Konefal work on a recurring basis, allowing her the freedom to audition and explore outside projects like the film her friend pitched to her. “So I’ve been doing that for a couple of months. I’m very grateful.”

Konefal did not divulge when she’d be away to film the movie. But since DAYS films several months in advance, it will be some time before her absence is noticed on-screen — if it’s even noticed at all. Stay tuned!

DAYS’s Bryan R. Dattilo (Lucas) Launches Podcast

Dattilo’s had some interesting experiences of his own, dating back to his childhood. “I was in Fate magazine in 1987,” explains Dattilo, citing the story The Psychic Adventures in Beverly Hills. “We had this write-up about ghosts and paranormal stuff that would happen in this house I grew up in in Beverly Hills. My mom [Peggy Dattilo] was working for the National Enquirer and would have a lot of cool parties at our house. She’d have a lot of seances and past life regressions. I watched some of the cast of EIGHT IS ENOUGH get past life regressed in my living room once. So a lot of cool things happened when I was growing up.”

The Fate magazine article centered on a tragedy that occurred in 1982. The man who lived next door to the Dattilo family was murdered. “I had had a dream prior to that,” recalls the actor. “I told my mom if she walked out the front door, the guys who killed the man next door were going to see her, think she was a witness, take her, and kill her. I begged her not to go out the front door that week. So she used the back door. That weekend there was police tape next door. The guy was indeed killed. I had this premonition that came true. I described the van, how many people there were… Some of the things lined up.”

Dattilo’s most intriguing experience happened when he left his family home in 1993. He’d just gotten his job on DAYS OF OUR LIVES, was attending Santa Monica Junior College, and had moved to Culver City. “One night, I was trying to go to sleep,” he recounts. “I had this fish tank against the window. Through it, I saw these four figures of different heights standing there. They came through the window and fish tank into the room, where they became solid. They were really there, physically, and one of them guided me out of bed.” What happened next had long been a blur to Dattilo. However, in the first two episodes of Conspiracies, Inc., he allows himself to be hypnotized by Yvonne Smith, a leading alien abduction hypnotherapist, and recounts details about the encounter. “You can see how hard it is, emotionally, for me to go through it,” reveals Dattilo. “It made me uncomfortable, because it sounds so freakin’ nuts. But it’s something that happened and something that I’d been dying to understand. To go under hypnosis and it be verified as actually happening was worth every bit of sanity that I could hold onto.”

It was that encounter that made Dattilo want to tackle this podcast. “I wanted to understand it,” says the actor. “I’ve been reading books about this habitually since I was 12 or 13. I’ve done a lot of research on the paranormal, dimensional travel, life after death, aliens, other worlds… There’s the possibility that there’s so much out there, and the odds are that, yes, there are places that might have life and they might be advanced enough to reach us. I think it would help society, as a whole, to throw some light on some of this stuff that’s been ignored for so long, because there’s so much evidence [that it does exist].”

Throughout his decades of experiences and research, Dattilo has truly come to admire the people within the business of the paranormal; people that he’s now getting the chance to chat with on his podcast. “I got to interview Kathleen Marden, the niece of Betty and Barney Hill, who were part of one of the biggest alien abduction cases in 1961,” he says. “They were taken out of their car and remembered it under hypnosis. I’ve interviewed Rueben Uriarte, one of the heads at MUFON; Don Schmidt, who’s the head curator of the Roswell Museum; and David Shorter, a professor at UCLA who teaches a class called Ghosts, Psychics and Aliens. I’ve also spoken to Nick Pope, the host of ANCIENT ALIENS. He’s probably the one I was most starstruck over, because I’m a huge fan of his show.”

Another memorable guest on Conspiracies, Inc. is Dattilo’s mother, Peggy. “It was great interviewing her, because she’s my mom,” he delivers with a smile. “Plus she’s interviewed people for years as a reporter, and I’ve heard her do that.”

Dattilo’s goal is to speak to more and more notable figures in the paranormal field. “I want to highlight the most famous abduction cases,” he says. “I want to highlight the most famous UFO cases. I want to ask questions, and go over it with people. This such a passion of mine, and I want to share it.”

To hear the trailer for the podcast, which will launch on March 3, click here

‘Teen Wolf’: Shelley Hennig Is Back For Paramount+ Revival Movie

Missing from the list are former series regulars Dylan O’Brien, Arden Cho and Tyler Hoechlin. I hear Cho and O’Brien are not returning for the revival. There has been chatter that Hoechlin also would not be coming back but his status appears to be in flux. Paramount+ said that additional cast names will be announced.

According to sources, Cho, who is the only actress of color among the four female series regular cast members who played the group of teen friends at the center of the show, was offered half the salary presented to her three counterparts, leading to her decision to pass. Cho recurred in Season 3 and was a series regular in Seasons 4-5.

In Teen Wolf The Movie, from the series’ developer Jeff Davis, MTV Entertainment Studios and MGM’s Orion Television, a full moon rises in Beacon Hills, and with it a terrifying evil has emerged. The wolves are howling once again, calling for the return of banshees, werecoyotes, hellhounds, kitsunes, and every other shapeshifter in the night. But only a werewolf like Scott McCall (Posey), no longer a teenager yet still an alpha, can gather both new allies and reunite trusted friends to fight back against what could be the most powerful and deadliest enemy they’ve ever faced.

Cast set to reprise their roles include:Tyler Posey as Scott McCall
Holland Roden as Lydia Martin
Shelley Hennig as Malia Tate
Crystal Reed as Allison Argent
Orny Adams as Coach Bobby Finstock
Linden Ashby as Sheriff Noah Stilinski
JR Bourne as Chris Argent
Seth Gilliam as Dr. Alan Deaton
Colton Haynes as Jackson Whittemore
Ryan Kelley as Deputy Jordan Parrish
Melissa Ponzio as Melissa McCall
Dylan Sprayberry as Liam Dunbar

As previously announced, under the partnership with MTV Entertainment Studios, Davis will also write and executive produce an all-new series, Wolf Pack, and will serve as showrunner and director for the pilot of the live-action Ćon Flux for Paramount+. All three titles will be available on Paramount+. The entire 100-episode Teen Wolf library is also available to stream on Paramount+ in key global markets.

“Teen Wolf was a global cultural phenomenon that spawned one of the largest and most loyal fandoms – we are thrilled to partner with the incredibly talented Jeff Davis to reward the fans, reignite this franchise with an original movie, and launch a brand new series Wolf Pack for Paramount+,” said McCarthy, who also serves as President and CEO of ViacomCBS Media Networks and MTV Entertainment Studios.

Talk Show Appearance

Fr 2/18: Alison Sweeney

Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth Hayes Interview

Roselyn Sanchez & Eric Winter Ink Producing Deal With Kapital, Set ‘HSI: Puerto Rico’ Drama At CBS

Under the deal, Two for the Road and Kapital have sold their first project, procedural drama HSI: Puerto Rico, to CBS.

Additionally, the companies have optioned the book White Smoke by New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D Jackson for TV development. Published in 2021, the YA psychological thriller is described as The Haunting of Hill House meets Get Out.

In HSI: Puerto Rico, written and executive produced by Lisa Morales (Queen Sugar), a hot-headed Homeland Security agent reluctantly returns home to Puerto Rico where she works with her talented but jaded training officer as part of an elite HSI team working tirelessly as the first line of defense against all manner of threats to the United States.

Puerto Rico-born and raised Sanchez and Winter executive produce via Two for the Road; Kaplan and Brian Morewitz executive produce for Kapital, which serves as the studio. Jessie Abbott is overseeing for Kapital.

Kaplan has known Sanchez and Winter for a while, and Winter has starred in two Kapital series, GCB and Secrets and Lies, both on ABC.

“Ros, Eric and I have been longtime friends, and we have often talked about working together,” Kaplan said. “They have an impeccable eye for content, incredible relationships, and I’m looking forward to our producing partnership.”

Winter is repped by Gersh and Brillstein Entertainment. Sanchez is repped by APA and Alchemy. Both are also repped by attorney Bob Wallerstein.

Morales also served as showrunner of the CW’s Two Sentence Horror Stories anthology horror series.

Talk Show Appearance

Tu 2/8: Chrishell Stause

Supernatural Spinoff The Winchesters Gets Pilot Order at The CW

The Winchesters centers around Dean and Sam Winchester’s parents, John and Mary, and is described as “the epic, untold love story of how John met Mary and how they put it all on the line to not only save their love, but the entire world.” It will be told from the perspective of their eldest son, Dean, with Ackles narrating. (On Supernatural, John and Mary were portrayed as young adults by Matt Cohen and Amy Gumenick, while Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Samantha Smith played the pair as grown-ups.)

One-time Supernatural co-executive producer Robbie Thompson will pen the pilot and serve as EP alongside Jensen and his wife Danneel Ackles (via their production company Chaos Machine).

The project garnered extra media attention when it was first announced in June 2021 after Supernatural star Jared Padalecki tweeted that he was “gutted” that he was not aware of The Winchesters‘ existence prior to the announcement. The message ignited a brief but very public feud between Padalecki and Jensen Ackles that concluded with the former castmates making peace.

The Winchesters marks the third attempt to spin off Supernatural: The backdoor pilots Bloodlines and the female-centric Wayward Sisters both failed to get series orders.

“After Supernatural wrapped its 15th season, we knew it wasn’t over. Because like we say in the show, ‘nothing ever really ends, does it?’,” Jensen Ackles said in a statement last June. “When Danneel and I formed Chaos Machine Productions, we knew the first story we wanted to tell was the story of John and Mary Winchester, or rather the Supernatural origin story. I always felt like my character, Dean, would have wanted to know more about his parents’ relationship and how it came to be. So I love the thought of having him take us on this journey.”

Julie Pinson & Billy Warlock Interview

Julie made her daytime television debut on Port Charles playing Eve Lambert. In addition to Eve and Billie, Julie went on to play Janet Ciccone on As the World Turns where she earned a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress. She also played the part of Shiloh on The Young and the Restless in and appeared on River Ridge as Kimberly Reeves.

Billy Warlock made his television debut on the 10th season of the ABC hit comedy, Happy Days. He then went on to play the lifeguard Eddie Kramer on the first three seasons of Baywatch. Billy joined the cast of Days of Our Lives in 1986 and in 1988 he won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor. In addition to Frankie, Billy played A.J. Quartermaine on General Hospital, Ben Hollander on The Young and the Restless, Ross Rayburn on One Life to Live and as Anthony Blackthorn on As the World Turns working with Julie.

Vivica A. Fox, Theo Rossi & Thomas Jane Wrap Prison Break Movie ‘Bosco’

Leading the cast are Aubrey Joseph (Cloak & Dagger), Theo Rossi (True Story), Thomas Jane (Troppo), Tyrese Gibson (Fast And Furious franchise), and Vivica A. Fox (Kill Bill) alongside Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray) and Jim O’Heir.

DC Young Fly, Brandon Rogers, Tory Lanez, and John Lewis round out the cast on the movie, which was written and directed by Nicholas Manuel Pino.

The pic tells the story of Quawntay “Bosco” Adams (Joseph). Sentenced to 35 years for attempted possession of marijuana, Adams miraculously escaped from a Federal maximum-security prison while under 24-hour surveillance in solitary confinement with the help of an older woman (Blonsky) he met through a lonely-hearts ad. The pic filmed in Los Angeles and New Orleans. It is produced by Quawntay Adams himself, Justin Steele and Patrick McErlean of Fluke Studios, and Darryll C. Scott of Evergreen Valley Productions, a subsidiary of David Ayer and Chris Long’s Cedar Park Entertainment.

The Exchanged has boarded the projects sales and will be shopping at the European Film Market.

“Bosco is an incredible human, not only because of his escape, but because of his passion and drive to better himself and the world around him. I hope we can carve out a unique, interesting space in the prison genre that reflects his distinctive journey,” said Pino.

Kelly Kruger and Darin Brooks Welcome Second Baby, Daughter Gemma Wynter: 'Couldn't Be Happier'

The couple welcomed their second baby together, daughter Gemma Wynter Brooks, on Saturday, Jan. 29, in Los Angeles, PEOPLE can exclusively announce. Darin, 37, and Kelly, 40, are also parents to 2-year-old daughter Everleigh Jolie.

Baby Gemma weighed 9 lbs, 13 oz. and measured 21 inches at birth.

"We are just overjoyed! We couldn't be happier! We always wanted a sibling for Everleigh because I have my older brother and Kelly has an older brother and two stepsisters," Darin tells PEOPLE. "So we were so excited to be able to give Everleigh a sibling and when we found out it was a girl, it was perfect because Everleigh is just so awesome, caring, strong and such a personality."

"I can't wait to see her little personality and who she becomes," adds Kelly. "Becoming a mother for the second time is definitely more emotional because we now know what to expect with everything. It's truly such a miracle and such an incredible journey."

As for the meaning behind the newborn's moniker, the couple says Gemma and Wynter were "both our two top first names" and the baby's full name was eventually decided by their daughter Everleigh.

"We decided to use both because when we asked our daughter, Everleigh, what name she liked for baby sister, Gemma or Wynter, she would always say 'Gemma Wynter.' So we said 'why not just do what Everleigh wanted to name her baby sister, Gemma and Wynter?' So it's actually kind of sweet that she now played a big part in naming her baby sister!" they explain.

Darin and Kelly first shared the news of their pregnancy exclusively with PEOPLE in August.

"We are so excited about baby No. 2! We told our daughter Everleigh as soon as we found out, and since then she asks to kiss my tummy every day. It's the sweetest thing," said Kelly, an actress and founder of Madison Charles oils.

"My first trimester was definitely not the same this time around. Laying down and binge-watching TV doesn't work when you have a 1-year-old running around," she added. "It was definitely much more challenging. Plus we just moved! It has been a lot, to say the least, but we are so grateful."

At the time, Darin, who stars in the Apple TV+ series Amber Brown, said his wife had been a "real champion" throughout this pregnancy.

"There was a lot more morning sickness with this pregnancy and a lot less sleep," said the Daytime Emmy winner. "The first time around she was away shooting a movie so I didn't get to see the first trimester struggle, but watching her go through it this time she's been so strong handling it all and it's been amazing to see. We are so excited about this new addition."

The couple, who have co-starred together in The Bold and the Beautiful and Blue Mountain State, tied the knot on March 21, 2016, in Hawaii.

Lia Maiuri Joins ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Producer Corday As Director Of Communications

In her new role, Maiuri oversees publicity and talent relations for Days Of Our Lives, along with any spinoff series or movies, including Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas. She works hand-in-hand with creator/executive producer Ken Corday, co-executive producer/director Albert Alarr and head writer Ron Carlivati, along with co-producer and distributor Sony Pictures Television and NBC.

“Lia is a terrific addition for our team as she comes to us after her stellar work at NBC, which included her insightful publicity efforts for Days,” said Ken Corday, executive producer, Days of Our Lives. “Her transition from the network to our production has been seamless and we know we’re in good hands with someone so passionate about our show and its loyal audience.”

Maiuri joined NBCU as a Press Coordinator in 2016, rising through the ranks to Publicist, before leaving the company at the end of 2021.

In addition to Days, Maiuri handled press campaigns for TV series and films including NBC’s Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, The Voice, America’s Got Talent, and Will & Grace, Syfy’s The Real Housewives of Orange County, Van Helsing, SurrealEstate, Slumber Party and Massacre and Nash Bridges The Movie for USA. She also was heavily involved in the press campaign and day-to-day publicity for NBC’s flagship drama series This Is Us, beginning from the show’s development.

Gilles Marini joins thriller Deadly Games

Missaghi’s feature directorial debut follows four female influencers who are invited to an island by a Crypto mogul to partake in a million-dollar contest. The influencers get more than they bargained for when this tropical subscriber challenge turns into a systematically deadly competition.

Sean Crayne penned the script. Krista Kalmus, Mahpara Khan, Emelina Adams, Roberto Sanchez, Ravyn Rochelle and Kelsie Jean Smeby will round out the cast of the project, which Missaghi and David Wachs are producing under their Toric Films banner. Gurpreet Chandhoke and Dr. Donald Basile are exec producing, with R. Ellis Frazier set to co-produce through his Badhouse Studios.

Angel is repped by Sovereign Talent Group and MAC Management; Marini by Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates, AS Talents (France), Performers Management (Canada) and Felker Toczek Suddleson; and Metrass by A List Agency, Elite Lisbon (Portugal) and Bohemia Group.

Morning Show Appearance

Wednesday, February 2

(10-11 a.m.) Guest: Vivica A. Fox on The Wrong High School Sweetheart.

Dishing with Digest - 1/28/22 - William Christian

Days of our Lives Preemption Schedule During 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

Look for all-new episodes of DAYS to return on Monday, February 21st.

Talk Show Appearance

AIRING Jan 25, 2022

Lacey Chabert, Autumn Reeser and Alison Sweeney (Hallmark trilogy

Molly Burnett guests on FBI: Most Wanted 2/1/22

GUEST CAST includes: Migs Govea (Nick Vargas), Molly Burnett (Tara McPherson)

Dishing with Digest - 1/14/22 - Carson Boatman

WGA Awards - TV Nominations

DAYTIME DRAMA

General Hospital
Head Writers: Chris Van Etten, Dan O’Connor Associate Head Writer: Anna T. Cascio Writers: Barbara Bloom, Suzanne Flynn, Charlotte Gibson, Lucky Gold, Kate Hall, Elizabeth Korte, Shannon Peace, David Rupel, Lisa Seidman, Scott Sickles; ABC

The Young and the Restless
Head Writer: Amanda L. Beall Writers: Susan Banks, Jeff Beldner, Sara A. Bibel, Brent Boyd, Susan Dansby, Christopher Dunn, Sara Endsley, Janice Ferri Esser, Marin Gazzaniga, Lynn Martin, Natalie Minardi Slater, Teresa Zimmerman; CBS

Days of Our Lives
Head Writer: Ron Carlivati Writers: Lorraine Broderick, Joanna Cohen, Carolyn Culliton, Richard Culliton, Jamey Giddens, David Kreizman, Rebecca McCarty, Ryan Quan, Dave Ryan, Katherine D. Schock, Elizabeth Snyder; NBC

Linsey Godfrey Returns to DAYS OF OUR LIVES!

Godfrey joined the cast of DAYS back in October 2018 and got Sarah Horton mixed up in all kinds of drama. But just as her romance with Xander was taking off and they were planning to be married, the character was written off the soap. Godfrey last appeared in March 2021, but fans can expect to see Sarah back in Salem again the week of Jan. 17!

Xander had been led to believe that Sarah had dumped him for Rex, not realizing that it was really Kristen in disguise manipulating both men. In fact, Kristen drugged Sarah and had her shipped off to DiMera Island in a crate!

But when Rex returned to Salem and Xander saw Sarah wasn’t with him, he grew suspicious and began questioning everything that had happened. That is very bad news for Gwen, who is now dating Xander and definitely does not want his ex back in the picture!

Godfrey made her daytime debut over on CBS sudser THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL, playing Caroline Spencer from 2012-18. During her time on that soap, she earned three Daytime Emmy Award nominations, and in 2019, earned another for her work on DAYS.

So brace yourselves for some dramatic confrontations, shocking revelations, and more Emmy-worthy performances as Godfrey brings Sarah back to Salem!

Jen Lilley Inks Multi-Picture Overall Deal With GAC Media, Will Star In Four Movies

Lilley, best known for her long running roles on NBC’s Days of Our Lives and ABC’s General Hospital, most recently starred in TV movie Where Your Heart Belongs, for Hallmark Channel. On the big screen, she appeared in Oscar-winning film, The Artist.

The actor, singer/songwriter recently starred in GAC Family’s, Royally Wrapped for Christmas, part of the network’s first-ever Great American Christmas franchise. Lilley has also released two popular music albums, including the 60s-inspired Hindsight in 2020 and the Christmas album Tinsel Time in 2015.

“Aside from being an immensely talented and hardworking actor, Jen is a generous and kindhearted person who is a perfect fit for GAC,” said Bill Abbott, President and CEO of GAC Media. “Many of us on the GAC team have known Jen for years, and we are excited to welcome her to the family as we work together to bring even more entertaining movies to our fans.”

Abbott, former CEO of Crown Media Family Networks, parent of Hallmark Channel, has been bringing in established Hallmark Channel talent he worked with while running the network. Lilley joins other fellow Hallmark Channel veterans Danica McKellar and Trevor Donovan, who have both signed multi-picture deals with GAC Family. Additionally, When Calls the Heart alums Lori Loughlin and Daniel Lissing reunited for the return of spinoff When Hope Calls on GAC Family.

Lilley also is a philanthropist who has worked to raise funds and awareness for foster care and adoption. She recently created Christmas Is Not Cancelled, an organization that brings celebrities, brands, and fans together to fundraise for nonprofits, including Toys for Tots, to provide presents and school supplies for underprivileged children.

Soap Opera Directors Interview - Bruce Barry, Sonia Blangiardo, Scott McKinsey, Phideaux Xavier

These four talented directors have brought to life some of your favorite stories, characters and moments in daytime television history over the last few decades. The shows they have worked on include All My Children, Another World, As the World Turns, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, Guiding Light, Love of Life, Passions, Search for Tomorrow, Sunset Beach, Texas and The Young and the Restless to name a few.

Sarah Joy Brown Interview 1/13/22

Sarah's career began at the prestigious Los Angeles County High School for the Performing Arts and she graduated from both LACHSA’s Theatre Department and Alexander Hamilton’s Academy of Music. Sarah launched her professional career on her nineteenth birthday when she was cast as the series lead on children's series V.R. Troopers which aired in more than thirty countries around the world.

Two years later, Sarah won the lead role of Carly on General Hospital. In five years on GH, Sarah was nominated for four Emmy awards and won three. Since leaving, Sarah has appeared on multiple hit television series and became a series regular on Cold Case. She followed Cold Case with a co-starring role in the blockbuster comedy "Big Mommas House" starring comedy legend Martin Lawrence.

In 2008 Sarah returned to General Hospital in the newly created role of Claudia Zacchara for which she was nominated for another Emmy. In 2015 Sarah was nominated for an Emmy for her starring role in the independent web series Beacon Hill. Sarah currently stars on the Emmy winning series, Studio City, on Amazon Prime, for which she was again nominated for an Emmy in 2021.

Sarah transitioned into directing during the summer of 2021 when she agreed to direct and edit ten episodes of a streaming audio drama from Violet Hour Media, the leading Horror Podcast network. The series is titled Red Ridding Hoods and is currently available across all audio streaming platforms.

Patrika Darbo to reprise her role on ‘Days of Our Lives’

Darbo who won a Primetime Emmy in 2016 for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for Acting Dead was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for the role of Nancy Wesley in 2000. After leaving Days of Our Lives, she last returned to the show for a limited appearance in 2017.

Her new storyline will begin airing on January 14th, 2022.

Darbo who is currently a Performer’s Peer Group Co-Governor at the Television Academy also played the role of Shirley Spectra on CBS’s The Bold & The Beautiful from 2017-2018 before reprising the same role on CBS’s The Young & The Restless in 2021.

The Good The Bad & The Ugly: The Best & Worst of '21

Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas Recap: Happier Endings

This is what Sonny tells Will as they craft and perfect their personalized holiday tale at the start of Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas, Peacock’s festive standalone flick that began streaming Thursday. To celebrate the most magical time of the year, the special creates an alternate reality for Salem’s good and bad guys for a script Will is penning with Sonny’s help.

For instance, Sami and Marlena own Brady’s Pub, because in this multiverse version of Days, Roman is deceased. Sami is also super sweet and intuitive and can’t help but feel close to Sydney, who, as she suspected all along, is actually her daughter. She learns the truth, gets to slap Nicole over and over until she confesses, and then snatches EJ and Sydney from the villainous deceiver.

Nicole wasn’t completely left in the cold, and when she sat down to bemoan her horrible mistakes, a bum took pity on her and handed her a tissue to wipe away her tears. But this wasn’t just any bum. It was actually Eric, and when he showed Nicole who he really was, she smiled.

Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas, Paulina In another twist, Kristen was married to John, but they opted for a divorce when Kristen chose his son Brady instead. Worse still, John caught them getting frisky in the snow. However, John wasn’t too brokenhearted because he got to be with Marlena. Speaking of Kristen, she was as duplicitous as ever — and not just in her marriage.

She secretly worked with a Scrooge-y Paulina, who tried to evict Sami, Marlena, John and all the other small business owners in order to build a big-box store. Thankfully, Paulina got outsmarted by a nicer-than-expected Leo, who found a legal loophole that helped the residents of Salem save their businesses and experience their own Christmas miracle.

Paulina’s interactions with Leo proved especially humorous, and in one of several meta moments, Paulina kept calling Leo “Mary,” much the way Jackée Harry did as Sandra Clark on the classic sitcom 227. There were also a few fun nods to other beloved Christmas movies, including Brady’s flashcard homage to Love Actually, and Will, Sonny and Chad got dressed in drag again a la September’s breakout miniseries Beyond Salem.

Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas, Nick and GabiAll of the merry moments weren’t as warm and fuzzy as they should’ve been. The boyfriend swap between Chanel and Allie was especially awkward because in the end, they seemed to actually want to be with each other. Meanwhile, Gabi and Nick were best friends who became much more. And this is sweet, unless you remember that on the original Days, Gabi had to kill Nick when he became a creepy stalker.

In the end, Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas is more kitsch than cringe and has all the mirth and holiday stock footage it needs to get fans in the holiday spirit.

‘Selling Sunset’ stars Chrishell Stause and Jason Oppenheim have split

Apparently, the split came down to the couple’s “different wants regarding a family.”

“While Chrishell and I are no longer together, we remain best friends and we will always love and support one another,” Oppenheim wrote via Instagram Tuesday. “She was the most amazing girlfriend I’ve ever had, and it was the happiest and most fulfilling relationship of my life.”

The statement continued, “While we have different wants regarding a family, we continue to have the utmost respect for one another. Chrishell is an exceptional human being and loving her and having her in my life is one of the best things that has ever happened to me.”

The couple’s split comes less than a month after Oppenheim, 44, told Page Six that he was “in love” with Stause, 40.

“Oh, I love her, yeah,” he told us on Nov. 23.

Two days later, the co-stars spent Thanksgiving together, volunteering at the Los Angeles Mission. Most recently, Stause posted a video joking with Oppenheim as they finished filming Season 5 of the hit Netflix show.

Stause and Oppenheim worked together for two years at his brokerage, the Oppenheim Group, before they announced they were dating in July. Since then, the two haven’t been afraid to engage in some lunchtime PDA in between closings.

Oppenheim told Page Six last month, “I’m just going to keep all that between us,” when asked if he was considering getting down on one knee anytime soon.

Prior to dating Stause, Oppenheim dated Stause’s BFF and co-star Mary Fitzgerald on and off before “Selling Sunset” premiered in 2019. The two have remained close friends and work colleagues, and she has since married French pastry chef and model Romain Bonnet.

As for Stause, viewers watched her post-marital journey after her now-ex-husband Justin Hartley filed for divorce after two years of marriage. Their split played out on Season 3 of “Selling Sunset,” on which Stause claimed that the “This Is Us” actor asked to end their marriage via text. She finalized her divorce in January.

Stause then began dating “Dancing With the Stars” pro Keo Motsepe after they competed against each other on Season 29 of “DWTS,” but the two didn’t last long, breaking up after three months of dating in February.

Neither Stause nor Oppenheim’s reps immediately responded to Page Six’s request for comment.

Stause and Oppenheim’s relationship will play out on Season 5 of “Selling Sunset,” premiering in 2022 on Netflix.

Watch OLTL’s Jessica Morris and Melissa Archer in ‘Twisted Little Lies’

“The very first script that I wrote with Melissa Archer will air on Lifetime Movies very soon,” Morris announced.”The working title Web of Deceit has been changed to Twisted Little Lies.” The pair first announced their new project back in June when they first began filming the movie in Chicago.

In the film, Morris plays Brianna, a professor whose engagement to her boyfriend falls apart when he cheats on her. Turning to the internet, Brianna meets William, but soon discovers that he is really her troubled student, Cooper! Naturally, she rejects the young man, but he proves dangerous as he spirals out of control and orchestrates his revenge! Archer is portraying Christina, the older sister of Cooper and also the woman Brianna’s boyfriend cheated with! (It’s all very complicated and soapy!)

OLTL fans will remember Archer as Natalie Buchanan, a role she played from 2001 until the soap’s end in 2012 and then again in the short-lived online revival. Morris played the ill-fated Jennifer Rappaport from 1999-2008, and the two friends also appeared together in the streaming series LADIES OF THE LAKE and BEACON HILL.

Check out this trailer for Twisted Little Lies and be sure to set your DVR for Friday night!

Days of Our Lives: Alison Sweeney, Chandler Massey and Zach Tinker Tease Peacock Christmas Flick's Alt Reality

That’s because the standalone flick, which streams this Thursday on the Peacock service, features the two actors’ characters as narrators/story creators who spin a fanciful and wondrous tale that imagines an multiverse version of Salem. And like the Muppets offering, there’s a Scrooge, romance and Christmas miracles.

But the likenesses end there, because this Days movie also includes one woman slapping another repeatedly, mate and baby swapping, kissing, partial nudity, deceit, divorce, and one really cute kid.

“It’s very tongue-in-cheek, the way Beyond Salem was,” Tinker excitedly tells TVLine, referring to Peacock’s limited series from September. “It’s fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is the way Christmas movies should be. If you enjoyed Beyond Salem, you will like A Very Salem Christmas very much.”

Massey agrees, and adds that his favorite part is seeing the cast and returning stars rise to the challenge of playing their characters in completely different ways.

“It allows everyone to shift to a more unfamiliar medium,” Massey shares. “Because of this, we’re allowed to create a wackier, bolder and more refreshing and whimsical take on the story and the characters you thought you knew.”

This includes Alison Sweeney’s Sami. In Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas, Sami is warm and sweet, and has a very close relationship with her mother Marlena (played by soap icon Deidre Hall).

“There are all of these scenes where Sami and Marlena are together,” Sweeney previews. “And it was great getting to play that out with Deidre. She and I had such an enjoyable time doing our scenes, and that was the greatest aspect of it. Say what you will about Sami, but all she has ever really wanted was to have her family together and to love, be loved, and have her kids with her. Without giving too much away, that’s her Christmas wish, and because of that, some things about Sami never change.”

Sweeney says the beauty of the Days of Our Lives holiday movie is that it is independent of NBC’s day-to-day sudser, which also means Marlena doesn’t get possessed by the Devil (again).

“Because it’s a standalone project, you can watch it again and again like any other Christmas movie,” Sweeney adds. “It’s a great way to celebrate the holiday with your favorite characters in Salem. That’s why I was super-excited to be a part of this because I have so much fun being on Days and playing Sami. It was really fun to be a part of the twists and alternate universe Ken Corday and Ron Carlivati created.”

Sweeney also knows that the Sami haters are going to hate — and she is fine with that, too.

“This special allows fans to see Sami in a different light and how she would’ve been if things had gone differently,” Sweeney surmises. “When I am filming it, I think about fan reaction, because I’m a fan. And I love following what the fans think about certain episodes and scenes on Twitter and Instagram, right up until the moment I don’t love it anymore and get upset. Hopefully, the reactions to this version of Sami will be more good than bad.”

Eileen Davidson - Interview 12/21/21

Eileen originated the role of Ashley Abbott on The Young and the Restless back in March of 1982 and has played Ashley on and off on Y&R as well as on their sister show, The Bold Bold and the Beautiful since her debut as Ashley almost 40 years ago. Eileen joined the cast of Days of our Lives as Kristen in May of 1993. She recently returned to her role as Kristen for Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem currently streaming on Peacock. In addition to these two iconic daytime roles, Eileen appeared as Kelly Capwell on NBC's Santa Barbara. She was also a series regular on Bravo's The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for Seasons 5 through 7 and has made guest appearances in subsequent seasons.

Eileen is also an accomplished author and co-wrote her first novel with author Robert J. Randisi, a mystery set in the soap opera world titled Death in Daytime, released in October 2008. She followed it up with three sequels: Dial Emmy for Murder, Diva Las Vegas, and Swinging in the Rain.

Emmys: Primetime & Daytime Awards Get Realigned Based On Genre Not Airtime; Dramas, Talk Shows & Game Shows Impacted

Moving forward, the competitions will be organized solely by content genre as opposed to the current method, which separates programs based on program airtime. The changes, which will be included in the Call For Entries put out in January, will result in digital daytime dramas as well as other daytime programs, including some talk shows and game shows, potentially moving to the Primetime Emmy Awards.

Criteria such as how a show is filmed (on sound stage or on location, using one or multiple cameras) and how frequently it airs (daily or weekly) would determine whether a program stays in the Daytime Emmy race or switches to the Primetime one. (Despite the fact that a large portion of the TV content is consumed time-shifted on-demand, the two competitions will keep their Primetime/Daytime monikers for legacy reasons.)

Here are some of the changes by genre:

Daytime Dramas: Daytime Drama categories will remain in the Daytime competition and be redefined as “any multi-camera, weekday daily serial, spinoff or reboot.” Programs for ages 15 and under will be represented in the recently announced Children’s & Family competition.

The other daytime scripted dramas, most notably streaming/digital series like The Bay, previously awarded in the Daytime Limited Drama category, will transition to the Primetime competition. A series like Days Of Our Lives: Beyond Salem, which streams on Peacock and would’ve moved to the Primetime Emmys will instead be eligible for the Daytime Drama series field at the Daytime awards alongside the mothership Days Of Our Lives soap. (For more on that, read Outstanding Daytime Drama Series Category Could Have Rare 5 Nominees After Classification Change)

Talk Shows: Talk shows will be separated by format and style characteristics between the Daytime and Primetime Emmys. Most current daytime talk shows will remain in the Daytime Emmy competition based on them featuring interaction with the audience, including giveaways, as well as segments from other daytime genres, including crafting and cooking. Meanwhile, a daytime talker like The Ellen DeGeneres Show, now in its final season, could relocate to the Primetime Emmys as it resemble late-night talk show with a monologue, celebrity interviews and virtually no traditional daytime segments like cooking.

The Morning Show and Spanish-Language Morning Show categories will leave the Daytime competition; they will be eligible in the NATAS-administered News & Documentary Emmys or the Daytime competition’s Talk Show categories, depending on show format. While the news-heavy first two hours of NBC’s Today have competed in the Morning Show category, Today with Hoda & Jenna had been running in the Talk Show Informative Daytime Emmy field. Going forward, morning shows, will be part of the News & Documentary Emmys if they tend to be more news-driven, and of the informative talk show category at the Daytime Emmys if they skew more toward entertainment.

Game Shows: Game shows and Instructional & DIY programming categories will remain divided by airtime for the 2022 competitions, while the Academies look to a genre-based alignment for the 2023 competition year. Because daytime and primetime game shows are very similar, the organizations may look at frequency of airing (daily vs. weekly) and regular run vs. limited event like Jeopardy Tournament of Champions to make the distinction.

“NATAS and the Television Academy each pride ourselves on celebrating and honoring the best television has to offer, and with the evolution of our industry, it was critical to update our competitions to meet current trends in both content and viewing habits,” said Adam Sharp, President and CEO, NATAS. “These changes will allow each Academy to honor an undivided scope of achievement in our respective fields of television excellence.”

Emmys: Outstanding Daytime Drama Series Category Could Have Rare 5 Nominees After Classification Change

For seven years now, there have been four nominees in the top category, matching the number of daytime soaps left on the air: ABC’s General Hospital on ABC, CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless and NBC’s Days Of Our Lives. The last time there were five entrants in the field was 2013 when One Life To Live made a final appearance post-cancellation.

That could change in 2022 as the Daytime Drama category has been redefined as open to “any multi-camera, weekday daily serial, spinoff or reboot.”

Under the existing rules, limited series Days Of Our Lives: Beyond Salem, which streams on Peacock, would’ve qualified for the Daytime Limited Drama category, which in the new setup would move to the Primetime Emmys. Now, as a spinoff from DOOL, Beyond Salem would be eligible for the Outstanding Daytime Drama series category where it could face mothership DOOL if the producers choose to submit the digital offshoot.

While we have five eligible shows in the top Daytime Drama category for the first time in almost a decade, we may not end up with five nominees even if all five are submitted.

“Our nomination procedures allow for fewer than five nominees in categories with a low number of entries,” NATAS’ President and CEO Adam Sharp said. “This is so you don’t have categories where every submitter is automatically guaranteed a nomination.”

For instance, in the early 2000s, when there were still more than four daytime dramas on the air, the nominees in the Outstanding Drama Series category were often four.

“The number of submissions was still low enough to consider limiting the number of nominees to fewer than the typical five depending on the score distribution” Sharp said.

Additionally, “we last year implemented a ‘minimum viability score’ for nomination,” he said. “Under this new policy, an entry needs to achieve a minimum average score to even be eligible for nomination, even if they would otherwise be in the top five of the category (or fewer in a small category). This is why we had one category last year with only two nominees. They were the only ones who were over this viability threshold, even though there were more than five submitters in the category.”

Brandon Barash Is Engaged to Isabella Devoto!

The video starts innocently enough with Barash and Devoto posing for a family photo along with Harper, his daughter with ex-wife and former GH castmate Kirsten Storms (Maxie). With the desert and city behind them, the trio quickly get the shot. After Harper scurries off, Barash suddenly slips in the dirt and falls to the ground, so Devoto rushes to his side. As Harper comforts her dad, Devoto tries to examine his ankle. Barash shifts onto his knees and asks his girlfriend to stand up as someone hands him a little blue box.

“No!” Devoto cries out in disbelief as she bursts into happy tears. Harper is all smiles as she sits next to her dad and he opens the box. When Barash suggests that Harper show her the ring, the seven-year-old pushes him and insists, “No, you do it, you big silly pants!” Then Harper gives hew new stepmom-to-be a quick hug as Barash pops the question.

“I imagine my life without you and it sucks,” Barash declared, holding the ring in one hand and Devoto’s hand in the other. “So I want nothing more in this life than to be your husband.” Devoto leans down to hug him, but can’t stop the tears from flowing. “She’s crying, I think it’s a no,” Barash teased. Harper is crying too, as Barash finally places the diamond engagement ring on Devoto’s finger.

And at the conclusion, Barash had a special treat for his daughter, who he credits with helping bring them together. “I had no idea we’d end up here,” he said, “but we’re here because of you.” Harper squeals as she hugs Devoto and declares, “I’m so happy for you two!” Then Barash presents his little girl with her own diamond, in the form of diamond earrings.

Then it’s time for a big group hug as everyone gets swept up in the emotion of it all. The comments naturally filled up with congratulations and well-wishes from fans, friends, and his castmates from DAYS and GH. Storms also shared her best… while still teasing her ex. “I’m happy for you both — I still feel more happiness for Isa, because I like her more than you,” she joked. “Ya did good, Brandon. Congratulations.”

Barash and Devoto went “Instagram Official” with their relationship back in December 2020 and have been head over heels in love ever since. We wish Barash and Devoto all the best for a lifetime of happiness together!

Talk Show Appearance

Mo 12/13: Alison Sweeney

Dishing with Digest - 12/10/21 - Krista Allen

Rhonda Stubbins White Dies: BET’s ‘Ruthless’, ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Actor Was 60

Her death was announced by a friend, Todd Baker, on White’s official Facebook page.

“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my dear friend Rhonda Stubbins White,” Baker writes. “She was an amazingly talented woman, full of positivity and energy, and grounded by her faith. We were all fortunate to have known her and shared her short time on this earth.”

Born in Brooklyn, White attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in the 1980s before relocating to Los Angeles. By the early- to mid-1990s she was booking roles on such series as Here and Now, starring Malcolm-Jamal Warner and S. Epatha Merkerson, Roc, Laurel Avenue, Homicide: Life on the Street, NYPD Blue and ER.

In 2000, White recurred as “Lady Vi” on Days of Our Lives, and followed that with numerous guest roles on series through the 2000s, including Southland, The Comeback and Crossing Jordan.

Most recently, she recurred on Ruthless throughout 2020-21 as Agnes.

Full information on survivors was not immediately available.

Days of our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas | Official Trailer | Peacock Original

Hallmark Trio Team Up

Martha Madison - Days of Our Lives Interview 12/3/21

Martha is a native of Newport News, VA and spent her formative years in Houston, TX. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Psychology before enrolling at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC to study musical theatre. Martha has also appeared on hit TV shows “One Mississippi,” “Criminal Minds,” and “Law and Order: Criminal Intent” as well as a variety of comedy and drama features for Netflix, Amazon and Hallmark.

In 2018, Martha was recognized for her work on Days of Our Lives with a Daytime Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

In addition to acting, Martha is an experienced restauranteur and currently serves as the Vice President of Recruitment for One Haus; a New York based firm specializing in Executive recruitment for the hospitality industry. She is also an Executive Mentor with GLEAM; a nonprofit, volunteer network whose purpose is to provide mentorship to the underserved community in the food service industry in hopes of cultivating future industry leaders. Other charitable ventures include a celebrity ambassadorship for the National MS Society and The Association of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) in honor of her mother.

DAYS Promo Reveals Returns And More!

Joseph C. Phillips guests on CSI: Vegas 12/1/21

GUEST CAST includes: Wallace Langham (David Hodges), Jamie McShane (Anson Wix), Joseph C. Phillips (A.G. Rhodes).

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Alison Sweeney To Revive Sami Brady For ‘A Very Salem Christmas’

The film, a first for DOOL‘s Corday Productions, follows Will Horton (Chandler Massey) as he writes a screenplay before his Christmas Eve deadline. Using everyone’s favorite feel-good holiday movie tropes, he creates a festive story based on his family and friends in Salem— but with several twists and turns.

Joining Sweeney and Massey are Deidre Hall, Eileen Davidson, Jackée Harry, Drake Hogestyn, Camila Banus, Ari Zucker, Raven Bowens, Eric Martsolf, Billy Flynn, Paul Telfer, Lindsay Arnold, Lucas Adams, Carson Boatman, Greg Rikaart, Dan Feuerriegel, Zach Tinker, and Blake Berris.

The movie greenlight follows Peacock’s spinoff limited series Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem, which premiered on the streaming service in September.

Days of Our Lives is produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producer Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati serves as head writer.

Peacock is the exclusive streaming home to Days of our Lives. The series airs weekdays on NBC.

Dishing with Digest - 11/19/21 - Victoria Konefal

Check It Out! Details About Day of DAYS Event Tomorrow

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Spinoff Movie Set At Peacock; Chandler Massey, Eileen Davidson Among Cast

Peacock has greenlighted Days of our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas, Corday’s first-ever movie, with Days of our Lives alum Chandler Massey, and Days’ star Eileen Davidson among the cast for the holiday film on Peacock. Davidson announced the movie Monday night at The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip event in Malibu. It’s set to premiere December 16 on Peacock.

It stars Massey, who reprises his Daytime Emmy-winning role as Will Horton, as he writes a screenplay before his Christmas Eve deadline. Using everyone’s favorite feel-good holiday movie tropes, he creates a festive story based on his family and friends in Salem — but with several twists and turns you’ll never see coming.

Additional cast and Davidson’s role were not revealed.

The movie greenlight follows Peacock’s spinoff limited series Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem, which premiered on the streaming service in September. Davidson also stars in Beyond Salem, along with Lisa Rinna, Deidre Hall, Drake Hogestyn, Jackée Harry, James Reynolds, Victoria Konefal, Robert Scott Wilson, Billy Flynn, Lamon Archey and Sal Stowers.

Days of Our Lives received a two-year renewal in May, taking it through its 58th season. Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, the show’s core families are the Bradys, Hortons, Carvers, DiMeras, and Kiriakises. It mixes elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

Days of Our Lives is produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producer Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati serves as head writer.

Peacock is the exclusive streaming home to Days of our Lives. The series airs weekdays on NBC.

DAYS’s Hayeses Release New Project

Geoff Pierson & Clark Backo Join ‘The List’

They’ll appear alongside previously announced cast members Halston Sage, Christian Navarro, Gregg Sulkin, Jonah Platt, Chrissie Fitt, Will Peltz and Zach Reino.

The film written by Rob Lederer and Steve Vitolo centers on Abby (Sage), a woman who is about to get married, for whom everything is perfect. Until she finds out her fiancé Matt (Platt) has slept with a celebrity from his “free pass” list. To get her mind off things, Abby and her best friend Chloe (Fit) come up with a crazy idea: Abby should pursue a celebrity from her own list. But things become complicated when she meets Jake (Navarro), a sweet and charming waiter at a neighborhood cafe, who gives her a fresh perspective. Pierson will play New York City Mayor Capozzi. On the verge of announcing his bid to run for president, Capozzi has a special, paternal relationship with Abby, who’s been his speechwriter for the last five years. Backo will portray Kenzie Burke, the rising star who sleeps with Abby’s fiancé.

Tobias Weymar, Annie Mahoney and Mark Fasano are producing for Nickel City Pictures, with Sage exec producing alongside Lederer, Vitolo, Eric B. Fleischman and Maurice Fadida, and New Legend Entertainment financing.

Pierson is perhaps best known for his turn as the doomed President John Keeler on 24, and will next be seen opposite Chris Pratt in upcoming Amazon series, The Terminal List. The actor has also appeared on the TV side in Designated Survivor, Splitting Up Together, Castle, Dexter, Boardwalk Empire, The West Wing and more. He recently appeared on the film side in Tyler Spindel’s Netflix pic The Wrong Missy, previously featuring in the casts of J. Edgar, World’s Greatest Dad, Get Smart, Changeling and other titles.

Backo is an actor, writer and activist who has appeared on the TV side in Hulu’s Letterkenny and The Handmaid’s Tale, Nat Geo’s The Hot Zone, The CW’s Supernatural, Designated Survivor and other series. She’s appeared on the film side in Blumhouse and Netflix’s Seven in Heaven and Jay Baruchel’s Random Acts of Violence, among other titles. The actress will next be seen in Amazon Studios’ rom-com I Want You Back, starring alongside Jenny Slate, Charlie Day, and Gina Rodriguez.

Pierson is repped by Artists & Representatives, Edna Talent Management and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller. Backo is with A3 Artists Agency and Ambition Talent.

Morning Show Appearance

Wednesday, November 10

(9-10 a.m.) Catching up with Alison Sweeney.

Day Of DAYS Returns This Month

William Lucking Dies: ‘Sons of Anarchy’s Piney & Veteran Character Actor Was 80

Lucking died October 18 at his home in Las Vegas. No cause of death has been revealed.

An obituary shared by his wife Sigrid Lucking reads, “Although William often played toughs and strongmen, in his actual life he was an elegant man with a brilliant intellect who loved to argue about politics and current affairs, discuss philosophy and physics, and assert fine-pointed opinions about art and poetry.”

Lucking was born on June 17, 1941, in Michigan and moved with his family to California in the 1950s. With a degree in literature from UCLA, he furthered his theater studies at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Throughout his lengthy career in Hollywood, he portrayed a diverse range of characters on the big and small screens including 1976’s Oklahoma Crude, opposite Faye Dunaway; the original Colonel Lynch in NBC’s The A-Team in the ’80s; and in different roles in the Star Trek series Deep Space 9 and Enterprise during the 1990s and 2000s, respectively.

Lucking began his career in the late 1960s and early ’70s with guest roles on such popular series as Mission: Impossible, Ironside, The Virginian, The Partridge Family, and Bonanza. He continued to work regularly in films and television through the ensuing decades, with roles on series including Kojak, Gunsmoke, M*A*S*H, CHiPs, and The Waltons, such movies as Doc Savage: Man of Bronze, Extreme Justice, and The River Wild.

Along the way, Lucking starred in two short-lived TV series: the CBS crime dramas Shannon (1981-82) and Outlaws (1986-87).

Lucking joined the cast of Kurt Sutter’s biker drama Sons of Anarchy during its debut season in 2008 in the role of Piney Winston, one of the founding members of the motorcycle club with his best friend John Teller. The character was part of the First 9 and known to fiercely protect the legacy of the club from both outsiders and, more important, insiders like Clay Murrow (Ron Perlman), who was ruining the club and what it originally stood for.

But after being diagnosed with emphysema in 1991 and a heavy drinking problem, Piney’s health began to falter. He remained on the show for four seasons and nearly 50 episodes, complete with oxygen tube, until the character was murdered. Piney’s legacy continued through his son Opie Winston (Ryan Hurst), best friend of series protagonist Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam), son of John.

Lucking is survived by his wife, two daughters, Marjet Lucking and Juliana Ryan, and their families.

Linda Carlson Dies: ‘Newhart’, ‘Murder One’ Actor Was 76

Her family said the cause of death was ALS.

Born in Knoxville, TN, Carlson moved to New York to attend graduate school at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and soon after began appearing Off Broadway and, in 1973, on Broadway in the Otto Preminger-directed revival of Erich Maria Remarque’s Full Circle.

Carlson made her TV debut in 1977’s Westside Medical, playing Dr. Janet Cottrell for the 13-episode run. The following year she co-starred in the legal drama Kaz, with Ron Leibman playing attorney Martin “Kaz” Kazinsky.

Numerous guest appearances followed, including roles on WKRP in Cincinnati, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Brothers (starring her then-husband Philip Charles MacKenzie), My Two Dads and, beginning in 1985, Newhart as the manager of the Vermont television station where Bob Newhart’s Dick Loudon hosted a talk show. She recurred in the role for three seasons.

In 1995, Carlson began a two-season stretch on Bochco’s legal drama Murder One, playing Judge Beth Bornstein.

Subsequent TV credits include The Pretender, Clueless, Passions and others.

On film, Carlson appeared in 1992’s Honey, I Blew Up the Kid and 1993’s The Beverly Hillbillies.

She is survived by husband James A. V. Hart, sister Janet Calson Ouren, brother James Hale Carlson and four nieces and nephews.

DAYS’s Lauren Koslow Introduces Son

Jen Lilley Is Pregnant! Actress Expecting a Baby with Husband Jason Wayne: 'So Happy'

The proud parents of three are excited to announce they are expecting another baby next year.

"I'm so, so happy," Lilley, 37, tells PEOPLE, joking that the future family of five is "going to have to get a bus now."

Lilley and Wayne are parents to half-brothers Kayden, 5, and Jeffrey, 3, whom they adopted from foster care in 2019 and 2020, respectively, and welcomed daughter Julie, now 2, in 2019.

"Julie was planned, but this was definitely a surprise," says Lilley, who was on her way to Canada to film her new TV movie Royally Wrapped for Christmas when she sensed a change in her body.

"I don't know what it is with me, but I honestly will know like day after conception, I'm very aware of my body," she says. "I felt very pregnant and I thought, 'This is very weird.' I was excited, but also it was so strange. I was in this long customs line in Canada waiting for my work permit, and I'm texting my husband and our nanny via group text, 'I think I'm pregnant right now?' "

On that hunch, Lilley took a pregnancy test at her hotel in Canada. It was negative.

So she carried on with her quarantine ahead of the start of filming, but couldn't shake that intuitive feeling.

"I ordered another test on Amazon, I take the test," she recalls. "I'm in Ottawa and this is like a French-Canadian test, not one I've normally seen, the directions were in four different languages. I see one line in the control and one line in the other. On an American pregnancy test, that's a negative. So I go to throw it out. But I'm looking at the test and I'm looking at the box, I'm looking at the test and I realize this one is positive."

The A Little Daytime Drama star says the surprise factor started to wear off once the happy news was officially confirmed by her doctor.

"It took a long time to comprehend it," she says. "I waited until I was back [from filming] and had a doctor's appointment to verify it because I just kept thinking, 'I need a blood test.' "

Meanwhile, the rest of the family is just as excited about having a new little brother or sister.

"Kayden and Jeffrey very much understand," Lilley says. "It's also been super helpful to kind of start talking to Kayden a bit about adoption, which has been great. Because he says, 'So when I was in your belly,' and I'm like, 'Okay, let me talk to you about that.' So it's been a really wonderful introduction to explain adoption to him. That's been awesome and he's really excited."

Lilley is due in May 2022, which also happens to be Kayden's birthday month.

"He says, 'I want you to have the baby on my birthday! I want you to name the baby Kayden and then that baby will be my twin,' " she says. "And I'm like, 'That's not how twins work.' But he's really excited. Jeffrey's really excited. I don't think Julie understands."

In the meantime, Lilley is busy promoting and fundraising for her second annual Christmas is Not Cancelled toy drive with the goal of donating 20,000 toys to Toys for Tots, and enjoying her pregnancy thus far

"This has been a little bit more of a finicky baby than Julie," she says. "But overall I cannot complain. I've had the traditional tiredness and nausea, but luckily I've not had it as bad as most people. I'm so excited."

Lilley's Royally Wrapped for Christmas airs Nov. 27 on GAC Family and you can find more information about her Christmas Is Not Cancelled toy drive here. https://christmasisnotcancelled.com/

Dishing with Digest - 10/29/21 - James Reynolds

Vincent Irizarry Returns to DAYS OF OUR LIVES!

Actor Vincent Irizarry — who played Victor’s black-sheep half brother for a little over a year — confirmed his return on Facebook. Punctuating his announcement with a devil-face emoji, Irizarry teased, “Heeeeere’s Deimos!” and informed at least one excited viewer that he’d be airing on DAYS “next week.”

Although Irizarry didn’t divulge any details of his return from the grave, his return lines up with a teaser from the soap that Nicole’s past will come back to haunt her on Nov. 2. As longtime DAYS fans will recall, Nicole killed Deimos back in 2017 when he drugged everyone at a party with the hallucinogen Halo so he could steal a priceless amulet that belonged to Sonny. During a struggle with Nicole, Deimos was accidentally stabbed by his drugged ex and died on the living room floor of Martin House.

In addition to his role on DAYS, soap-hopper Irizarry has played ALL MY CHILDREN villain David Hayward, GUIDING LIGHT twins Lujack Luvanoczeck and Nick Spaulding, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS’ politician David Chow, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s Dr. Jordan Armstrong, and SANTA BARBARA’s Scott Clark.

DAYS typically does a standalone Halloween episode where a character has a crazy dream of some sort. But with the devil running around town in control of Marlena, anything crazy that happens can impact the soap’s storyline for real this year! Stay tuned to see which other familiar faces from the past will be rising from their graves this Halloween in Salem!

The Bold and the Beautiful recasts Dr. Taylor Hayes

EW has learned exclusively that veteran TV actress Krista Allen will assume the iconic role starting on Dec. 10. She fills the very big stilettos left behind by Hunter Tylo, who played the part of the psychiatrist who stole Ridge Forrester's heart from 1990 to 2019. Taylor's romance with Ridge was constantly tested by Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang); the love triangle turned into one of the daytime drama's biggest story lines.

An insider tells EW that the show reached out to Tylo about reprising the role but was unsuccessful.

After Tylo left B&B in 2019, the show tried to explain Taylor's absence by saying she was doing missionary work in another country. But she missed huge moments in the lives of her children: her son Thomas (Matthew Atkinson) had brain surgery, and her daughter Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) was popping pills. More recently, Steffy got married to — and had a son with — Dr. John "Finn" Finnegan (Tanner Novlan). Fans were left wondering, where's ma?

Allen got her start in the soap world: From 1996 to 1999, she played Billie Reed on Days of Our Lives. She went on to appear in shows like CSI, The X-Files, and Baywatch, as well as Two and a Half Men and Monk. More recently, she costarred on 9-1-1 and in the TV movie I Almost Married a Serial Killer.

Allen is scheduled to start taping episodes of B&B in Los Angeles on Oct. 28. Her first scenes will be with her daughter and ex-husband Ridge (Thorsten Kaye), who's been with Brooke for some time now. Could it be time for a change?

The Bold and the Beautiful airs weekdays on CBS.

Billy Flynn and Gina Comparetto Are Expecting Their First Child

The couple celebrated their fifth anniversary this year, with Flynn declaring: “My queen. I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow.”

Fans joined the couple’s friends and Flynn’s DAYS co-stars in congratulating them on the blessed news and wishing them all the best as their family grows. “Oh my gosh!” exclaimed Jen Lilley (ex-Theresa). “Yay! Congrats! Kids are the best thing ever.” And Sal Stowers (Lani) declared: “This makes my heart so happy! Congratulations, you two!”

Alec Baldwin Fired Prop Gun That Killed Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, Injured Director

The incident occurred on the set of “Rust,” an independent feature that was filming at the Bonanza Creek Ranch, a popular production location south of Santa Fe.

Hutchins, 42, was transported by helicopter to University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, where she died. Souza, 48, was taken by ambulance to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe, where he is undergoing treatment for his injuries, according to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office.

The Sheriff’s office said in a statement that Hutchins and Souza “were shot when a prop firearm was discharged by Alec Baldwin, 68, producer and actor.” The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that Baldwin was questioned by investigators, and was in tears.

No one was arrested in the incident, and no charges have been filed, the office said. Detectives were interviewing witnesses, and the incident remains under an “open and active” investigation, according to the Sheriff’s office.

Baldwin’s reps did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Hutchins’ death was confirmed by the Sheriff’s office and by the International Cinematographers Guild, Local 600.

“We received the devastating news this evening, that one of our members, Halyna Hutchins, the Director of Photography on a production called ‘Rust’ in New Mexico died from injuries sustained on the set,” said John Lindley, the president of the guild, and Rebecca Rhine, the executive director, in a statement. “The details are unclear at this moment, but we are working to learn more, and we support a full investigation into this tragic event. This is a terrible loss, and we mourn the passing of a member of our Guild’s family.”

Rust Movie Productions LLC, the production entity behind the film, issued a statement on Thursday night, saying that the cast and crew are “devastated” and that the company is cooperating fully with the investigation.

“The entire cast and crew has been absolutely devastated by today’s tragedy, and we send our deepest condolences to Halyna’s family and loved ones,” the company said. “We have halted production on the film for an undetermined period of time and are fully cooperating with the Santa Fe Police Department’s investigation. We will be providing counseling services to everyone connected to the film as we work to process this awful event.”

The Sheriff’s office received a 911 call reporting the incident at 1:50 p.m. Mountain Time. ABC News broadcast scanner audio, in which someone could be heard reporting that, “We have a person who was shot accidentally.”

The production company issued its initial statement on Thursday afternoon, saying, “There was an accident today on the New Mexico set of ‘Rust’ involving the misfire of a prop gun with blanks.”

However, the Sheriff’s office indicated that it was too soon to say what type of round was involved. The office also did not use the word “accident,” leaving that determination up to the investigators.

“The Sheriff’s office is referring to this incident as a shooting investigation,” Sheriff’s spokesman Juan Rios said. “That detail will be addressed by detectives as they work their case.”

The Sheriff’s office did say that the shooting occurred “during filming of a scene.”

“According to investigators it appears that the scene being filmed involved the use of a prop firearm when it was discharged,” the office said. “Detectives are investigating how and what type of projectile was discharged.”

Hutchins graduated from the American Film Institute in 2015, and had worked on several short films before shooting “Archenemy,” a 2020 feature starring Joe Manganiello. She was named a “rising star” by American Cinematographer in 2019.

“She’s a wonderful, positive, creative person that was so excited to be breaking through and making movies,” said Michael Pessah, a cinematographer who was a friend of Hutchins’. “She was really on the upswing.”

Lesli Linka Glatter, the president of the Directors Guild of America, expressed condolences on behalf of the guild.

“The DGA is incredibly saddened to hear of the tragic passing of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, and the serious injuries sustained by DGA director Joel Souza in an on-set incident in New Mexico today,” she said. “We await further details and a full investigation. Our hearts go out to Halyna’s family, to Joel, and to everyone impacted.”

Souza is writing and directing the Western, which also stars Frances Fisher, Jensen Ackles, Brady Noon and Travis Fimmel. Albuquerque station KOB4’s news helicopter photographed the incident, showing an old church set blocked off, and reported that set security confirmed it is on lockdown.

Baldwin is a co-producer on the film and plays infamous outlaw Rust, whose 13-year-old grandson is convicted of an accidental murder. Ackles plays a U.S. Marshal and Fimmel plays a bounty hunter who are on the pair’s tail as Rust tries to break his grandson out of prison. An unexpected bond forms between the outlaw and his estranged grandson as they go on the run.

CAA Media Finance and Highland Film Group were launching sales on the film at last year’s Cannes virtual film market, with Baldwin producing through his El Dorado Pictures banner alongside Anjul Nigam and executive producer Matthew Helderman. Baldwin and Nigam produced Souza’s previous feature, 2019’s “Crown Vic.” Anna Granucci is also producing with Elizabeth L. Barbatelli as an executive producer.

New Mexico is a busy film location, and the Bonanza Creek Ranch has hosted productions including “Hostiles,” “Cowboys & Aliens,” “3:10 to Yuma,” “Appaloosa” and “Longmire.”

ROYALLY WRAPPED FOR CHRISTMAS

PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 27 at 8/7c (GAC Family)

More 2021 Christmas Movies with former Soap Stars

A KISS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
PREMISE: When nice-guy Ethan casually wishes his life had taken a different course, he wakes up the next day to find nothing is the same – he’s not married to his wife Joyce, he doesn’t have two teenaged kids and he’s CEO of his company. If he wants to reclaim his original life and the family he loves, he must convince Joyce he’s telling the truth and win her over…and he only has until Christmas Day. James Denton, Teri Hatcher and Marilu Henner star.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 21 at 8/7c (Hallmark Channel)

AN UNEXPECTED CHRISTMAS
PREMISE: A writer convinces his ex-girlfriend to pose as a couple for Christmas. Bethany Joy Lenz and Tyler Hynes star.
PREMIERE DATE: Friday, Nov. 26 at 8/7c (Hallmark Channel)

A VERY MERRY BRIDESMAID
PREMISE: Leah’s 30th birthday is on Christmas Eve, the same day as her brother’s wedding. Her childhood crush is back in town for the wedding and he is determined to make sure her birthday does not go by the wayside. Emily Osment and Casey Deidrick star.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Dec. 4 at 8/7c (Hallmark Channel)

OUR CHRISTMAS JOURNEY
PREMISE: As a single mom and her teenaged son with autism come to a crossroad during Christmas, she must learn to let go so he can flourish as she finds her own heart healing in unexpected ways. Holly Robinson Peete, Lyriq Bent, Nik Sanchez and Aloma Wright star.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Dec. 4 at 10/9c (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)

THE CHRISTMAS THIEF
PREMISE: Lana Lawton (Michelle Borth), a fledgling private eye home for the holidays, realizes the only way to save her career is by solving a string of local burglaries where the main suspect is Santa Claus. With little evidence and having to contend with a local detective with an investigative style that clashes with hers, the season may prove to be anything but holly and jolly. Vivica A. Fox co-stars.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 5 at 8/7c (ION)

A NEW LEASE ON CHRISTMAS
PREMISE: A single real estate agent (Claire Coffee) falls for a handsome coffee shop owner (George Stults) — only to discover that the job she just took requires her to evict him from his shop.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Dec. 11 at 8/7c (ION)

PEOPLE PRESENTS: BLENDING CHRISTMAS
PREMISE: The Hacienda de la Sierra is Emma’s (Haylie Duff) favorite place to spend the holiday season and her boyfriend Liam (Aaron O’Connell) has been secretly planning to propose to her there, surrounded by both their families. Emma is delighted when she arrives to find the whole family bunch there. Of course, no holiday gathering is complete without drama, and soon the families are bickering over every detail! The added stress from trying to blend the two families eventually takes a toll on Emma and Liam, who start questioning their own relationship. Now just days before Christmas, the two families realize that they’re going to have to work together in order to reunite Emma and Liam! Blending Christmas also stars Beth Broderick, Christopher Knight, Greg Evigan, Mike Lookinland, Barry Williams, Susan Olsen, Robbie Rist, Telma Hopkins and Jennifer Elise Cox.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 12 at 8/7c (Lifetime)

JOY FOR CHRISTMAS
PREMISE: When her family firm’s annual Christmas toy drive is in jeopardy, Holly Silver must convince pro athlete Jack Kane to be the public face of the toy drive to help save it. As Noelle helps Jack rediscover the meaning of Christmas, Holly reconnects with her own family and family traditions. As Jack and Holly go through challenges of making Christmas dreams for others come true, they discover kindred spirits in each other and the potential for the gift of romance this holiday season. Cindy Busby and Sam Page star.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 19 at 8/7c (GAC Family)

Selling Sunset Season 4

Hallmark 2021 Christmas Movies With Former Soap Stars

Friday, Nov. 5
Open By Christmas
Time: 8 p.m. ET/PT on The Hallmark Channel
Stars: Alison Sweeney, Erica Durance, Brennan Elliott
Logline: "When Nicky finds an unopened Christmas card from a high school secret admirer, she and her best friend Simone search to find and thank the anonymous author."

Saturday, Nov. 6
Next Stop, Christmas
Time: 8 p.m. ET/PT on The Hallmark Channel
Stars: Lyndsy Fonseca, Chandler Massey, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd
Logline: "Angie wonders what her life would be like if she had married a former boyfriend who became a famous sportscaster. She takes the train home to spend Christmas with her family and inexplicably finds herself 10 years in the past. With the advice of the train's enigmatic conductor, Angie has the chance to revisit that Christmas and learn what -- and who -- is truly important to her."

Date TBD
Christmas at Castle Hart
Stars: Lacey Chabert, Stuart Townsend
Logline: "Brooke Bennett goes to Ireland for Christmas to search for her Irish roots. While there, she meets Aiden Hart, Earl of Glaslough. Mistaken for an elite event planner, she's hired to host his castle's epic Christmas party."

Date TBD
The Christmas Contest (working title)
Stars: Candace Cameron Bure, John Brotherton, Barbara Niven
Logline: "Exes Lara and Ben compete in a Christmas contest to win money for the charity of their choosing. The city watches them battle and choose what is more important, victory or love."

Date TBD
The Christmas House 2: Deck the Halls (working title)
Stars: Robert Buckley, Ana Anyora, Jonathan Bennett, Sharon Lawrence, Treat Williams, Brad Harder
Logline: "The Mitchell brothers compete to see who can create the best Christmas House."

Date TBD
The Nine Kittens of Christmas
Stars: Brandon Routh, Kimberley Sustad, Gregory Harrison
Logline: "Cat lovers Zachary and Marilee are thrown back together at Christmas when they're tasked with finding homes for a litter of adorable kittens."

Dishing with Digest - 10/15/21 - Ron Carlivati

Soap Stars Terrell Tilford and Victoria Platt are Divorcing

The couple’s on-screen romance as David Grant and Vicky Spaulding on GL blossomed in real life and the pair were married on Sept. 29, 2001, the same year that they both exited the CBS sudser. They have a daughter, Marley, who was born on Aug. 24, 2014. “For y’all that know us,” Tilford wrote, “we love each other profoundly. 22 incredible, magical, crazy years together, culminating in the manifestation of our little Marley Tilford, who, well, I’ll let her tell her own story.

“Vic, I love you and always will,” he concluded. “Thank you for our marriage and now our friendship. God could not have given me a better partner to co-parent with. I love you, too. What a journey, huh?!”

During their years together, Tilford made appearances on soaps like ONE LIFE TO LIVE (as Dr. Greg Evans), THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS (as Dr. Barton Shelby), and on DAYS OF OUR LIVES (as Dr. Bob Carrington and also D.A. James Giddens). He also had roles on primetime shows like SWITCHED AT BIRTH, SINGLE LADIES, and THE PROTECTOR. Platt also appeared on DAYS where she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her work as Dr. Raynor, and in primetime shows like THE GATES, STAR-CROSSED, and NCIS.

While it’s sad to see such a long marriage come to an end, it’s wonderful to know that Tilford and Platt have remained friends are will continue to co-parent their beautiful daughter.

Jensen Ackles Joins Alec Baldwin In Western ‘Rust’

CAA Media Finance handling domestic sales for the pic, with Highland Film Group repping international. Baldwin will produce under his El Dorado Pictures banner along with Matt DelPiano through his Cavalry Media, Ryan Donnell Smith through Thomasville Pictures, Anjul Nigam of Brittany House Pictures and Ryan Winterstern and Nathan Klingher of Short Porch Pictures. Allen Cheney, Emily Hunter Salveson as well as Christopher M.B. Sharp and Jennifer E. Lamb will serve as executive producers. BondIt Media Capital and Hunter Salveson and Donnell Smith’s Streamline Global are on board for financing.

The story follows an Supernatural, recently landed the huge role of Soldier Boy in the highly-anticipated third season of the Emmy nominated The Boys. He is repped by Gersh, Management 360 and attorney P.J. Shapiro.

‘The Junkyard Dogs’: First Look At Denise Richards & Patrick Muldoon In U.S. Comedy

The film, penned by Jacob Cooney — who also directs — and Jamie Sykes, follows a dog named Houdini who is a master escape artist and must team up with his neighborhood puppy pals to prevent their block from being robbed by a duo of bumbling thieves.

Richards plays Monica Sullivan, a single mother of two. Muldoon plays Shane DeSoto, Monica’s fun loving fiance. While focused on their upcoming wedding, they discover that both of Monica’s children and her precocious pup are devising a plan to stop the thieves before their neighborhood falls under siege.

Chad A. Verdi, Chelsea Vale, David Gere, Chad A. Verdi Jr. and Paul Luba are producing. Filming is underway in the U.S.

Verdi Productions is financing, and VMI Worldwide is handling worldwide sales. The film is scheduled for a day and date domestic theatrical release in mid-2022 through VMI.

Producer Chad A. Verdi told us: “Denise is a wonderful, brilliant actress that brings her A-game to set every day. Patrick is as funny off set as he is on set — a very gifted actor to say the least.”

‘9-1-1’: Vanessa Estelle Williams Joins Fox Drama Series

Williams will play Claudette Collins, a take-control 9-1-1 Call Center veteran who transfers back to the main LA station and shows the younger ones, including May Grant (Corinne Massiah) “how it’s done”… Claudette is tough but fair, outspoken, and confident as hell.

Williams’ character will be introduced in tonight’s episode.

Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear, 9-1-1 explores the high-pressure experiences of police officers, firefighters and dispatchers who are thrust into the most frightening, shocking and heart-stopping situations. These emergency responders must try to balance saving those who are at their most vulnerable with solving the problems in their own lives.

Angela Bassett, Peter Krause and Jennifer Love Hewitt star. Additionally, Oliver Stark, Aisha Hinds, Kenneth Choi, Ryan Guzman, Rockmond Dunbar, Corinne Massiah, Marcanthonee Jon Reis and Gavin McHugh are featured in series regular roles.

Williams casting follows the temporary exit of Hewitt, who is on maternity leave. In last Monday’s episode, Hewitt’s Maddie Buckley, who works as a call center operator, is suffering from postpartum depression. In the episode, titled “Desperate Measures,” Maddie left her and Chimney’s newborn daughter at the fire station and left town to get the proper help she needs.

9-1-1 is produced by 20th Television in association with Ryan Murphy Television and Brad Falchuk Teley-Vision. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear are creators, executive producers and writers on the series. Bradley Buecker is an executive producer and director on the series. Alexis Martin Woodall, Angela Bassett, Peter Krause, John J. Gray, Kristen Reidel and Juan Carlos Coto also serve as executive producers.

Williams is maybe best known for her role as Maxine Chadway in Showtime’s drama series Soul Food which aired from 2000-2004. She starred as Anna Marie in the original Candyman film and will soon be seen reprising her role in the sequel Say My Name, directed by Nia DaCosta, written and produced by Jordan Peele. Williams is repped by A3 Artists Agency.

Jennifer Aniston’s Great-Grandfather Fought in Cretan Revolt of 1878

The discovery was made by a team of historians and professional genealogists at Greek Ancestry, a Greek genealogy service founded by historian and genealogist Gregory Kontos in 2020.

The Greek-American star’s father, John Aniston, was born Yiannis Anastasakis in Chania, Crete but moved to the US as a very small child.

The star’s roots in Crete

Like many Greek immigrants to America, he decided to shorten his name, going from Anastasakis to Aniston.

John Aniston is most famous for playing a Greek character, Victor Kiriakis, on the NBC soap opera “Days of Our Lives.”

His father, Antonios Anastasakis, was born in 1889 the village of Pervolakia, near Chania, on Crete.

Genealogists were able to access this information from the village’s “Male Register,” which was an important document stating the name, father’s name, birth date, and place of birth for every male in the village.

The Male Register was used to keep track of all men in the area for military purposes, so it is an incredibly useful document for those looking to explore their family history.

Greek Ancestry holds an extensive collection of Male Registers from many areas in Greece. Their collection spans the early nineteenth century through to the early twentieth century.

Antonios, Aniston’s grandfather, had three brothers who were also listed in the village’s Male Register, Eleftherios, Stavros, and Andreas.

Using information from this register, geneaologists from Greek Ancestry discovered the name of Antonios’ father, Ioannis Anastasakis, who was born in 1858.

Jennifer Aniston’s great-grandfather fought in the Cretan Revolt of 1878

Antonios Anastasakis first arrived in the US from Naples, Italy in 1910 aboard the SS Regina D’Italia. He arrived at the port of New York, and stated that he was visiting a cousin who lived in the city.

According to the port record, Aniston’s grandfather was 6 feet tall with dark hair and eyes. In the same year that he arrived, Antonios joined the military and became a US citizen.

He then went back to Greece, only to return to America in 1928 with his wife, Stella Anastasakis, and two of his children, Helen and Constantinos. John, Jennifer Aniston’s father, was born in Crete five year later, and then brought to the US when he was two years old.

It is through Stella, Aniston’s grandmother, that genealogists discovered an unlikely link between the Hollywood star and the 1878 Cretan Revolt against the Ottomans.

Stella Anastasakis was born Stella Koumis around 1900 in Charvata, a village near Chania, Crete. Her father, Markos Koumis, was born in 1858.

At just the age of just 20, Markos, Aniston’s great-grandfather, fought for Crete’s freedom from the Ottoman Empire in the Cretan Revolt of 1878.

Although the island remained under the yoke of the Ottomans until 1898, the revolt twenty years earlier results in the creation of the Pact of Halepa, which afforded the Cretans more autonomy, making it a major step in the island’s freedom.

Jennifer Aniston very proud of her Greek roots

Although born in the US, Aniston has a strong connection to Greece. When she was five years old, Aniston lived in Athens and then Crete for a short while with her family.

She is even connected to other famous Greeks in Hollywood, such as Telly Savalas, most famous for playing “Kojak”, who is her godfather.

Frequently ranking on lists of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, Jennifer Aniston is known for her ageless beauty and radiant smile.

Her beauty, and particularly her agelessness, are things that the actress credits to her Greek heritage. In an interview, Aniston stated:

“My dad is 100 percent Greek; he turned 81 and he barely has a wrinkle. And neither did my grandmother, who was 95 when she died.”

Greek Ancestry helps Greeks uncover their family history

Greek Ancestry provides Greeks of the diaspora unprecedented access not only to countless genealogical records, but also to assistance from professional genealogists with years of experience exploring Greek genealogy.

The Greek business has access to over 750,000 records, and will soon gain over one million. In addition to providing genealogical services such as free consultations and professional research services, Greek Ancestry also hosts educational conferences.

Last year, their virtual International Greek Ancestry Conference featured exceptional lectures and discussions from guests including historians Alexander Kitroeff, Gonda van Steen, Roderick Beaton, and former AHEPA Greece Governor Stathis Kefalidis.

The next conference will be held from January 28 to 30, 2022.

Greek Ancestry also offers a number of educational resources such as articles, webinars, and live presentations.

Talk Show Appearance

Mo 10/11: Deidre Hall, Robert Scott Wilson

Chrishell Stause pokes fun at height difference with boyfriend Jason Oppenheim

Chrishell Stause posted a throwback selfie with her boyfriend Jason Oppenheim with a joking reference to their height difference.

“I like my snacks with a little salt and pepper on them,” Stause, who has a few inches on her man, captioned the photo, adding the hashtag “Height Ain’t Nothing But a Number.”

Oppenheim, 44, commented under the photo, “Love this pic boo!”

The “Days of Our Lives” alum confirmed their relationship in July with PDA-packed photos from their trip to Italy and Greece. The two “Selling Sunset” stars kept their relationship quiet for two months prior to going public.

“It’s just one of those things. You don’t want to share with everybody and get all their opinions before you really know what it is,” Stause, 40, told E! News’ Daily Pop in August.

She added, “We really were really private and secretive for as long as we could until we realized the walls were closing in. People were getting a little savvy to it.”

Their romance comes after Stause ended her three-month relationship with “Dancing With the Stars” pro Keo Motsepe in February. The duo met on set, but they were not paired together.

Stause was previously married to Justin Hartley for two years, with Stause claiming on her Netflix show that the “This Is Us” star had informed her via text that he filed for divorce in November 2019. Their divorce was finalized in January.

Prior to dating Stause, Oppenheim told Page Six in May that dating one of his “Selling Sunset” co-stars “probably wouldn’t be an epic idea.” Luckily for Stause, he decided to combine business and pleasure anyway.

“Selling Sunset” airs on Netflix.

Tyler Christopher Is “Grateful to be Home”

The first photo shows Christopher standing on the beach as the sun sets in the background, bathing everything in a warm glow. Next is a group photo of the “friends that are family” with the actor in the middle. Then a shot of Christopher with former GH co-star and good friend Ronnie Marmo (ex-Ronnie) at a performance of his play I’m Not a Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce, followed by a photo of him with someone, presumably attending Sunday service. You can scroll through them all in his Instagram post here https://www.instagram.com/p/CUoMptyvZDF

Fans were relieved when Christopher posted online, given that he hasn’t been active since May 3, when he shared a photo of his daughter, Boheme, on her sixth birthday. He also has a son, Greyson, who just turned 12 on Oct. 3. And before that, he posted a selfie with both of his kids back in April 2020.

Christopher has been open about his struggles with substance abuse, so a message like this is a very good sign for the actor. And while his supporters would love to see him back in daytime, GH has unfortunately recast the role of Nikolas. And while DAYS also recast Stefan with fellow GH alum Brandon Barash (ex-Johnny), they then killed off the character entirely and gave Barash the role of Jake, instead. Of course, with DAYS, no one is ever truly dead, so who knows what might happen in the future?

Hopefully, this is the beginning of a new stage in Christopher’s life and we will soon see a lot more of him — both on social media interacting with fans and on the screen!

Search for Tomorrow Reunion 10/15/21

Maree has been a working actress for over 60+ years and is knowns to daytime audiences for her roles on Search, General Hospital and Port Charles (Charlene Simpson), Passions (Mona) and Days of Our Lives (Marie Horton). She is best known to movie audiences for roles in Beetlejuice, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and The Wedding Singer. As Maree puts it, "In my on-going 60+year career as a working actress, pottery continues to save my sanity. I live in two worlds, Native American and TV! When I am between gigs, I’m in my pottery studio or the garden, grounding myself by putting my hands into the dirt or clay."

Lisa is also known for her other roles on ABC's Loving as Ava Rescott Forbes Alden Masters and as Lila Hart Roberts Cory Winthrop on NBC's Another World. Lisa has transitioned and has made a successful career selling real estate in New Jersey full time since 2002. She prides herself on her ability to listen to her clients and give them the personal attention they deserve.

Phoebe Robinson Comedy ‘Everything’s Trash’ Lands Series Order At Freeform

The Disney-owned network has ordered the half-hour comedy series after picking up a pilot order earlier this year.

Starring, written by and exec produced by the 2 Dope Queens star Robinson, the series follows Phoebe, a 30-something podcast star navigating her messy life. Forced to grow up when her older brother Jayden emerges as a leading political candidate, she relies on her friends and close-knit family to help her figure out adulthood.

The series also stars Jordan Carlos (First Wives Club) as Jayden, Phoebe’s extremely intelligent, Blerd-y older brother with big dreams for his community, who has recently emerged as a leading political candidate. Their boundary-less relationship must change as Phoebe’s wild yet entertaining behavior threatens to overshadow his Barack Obama-esque aspirations.

Toccarra Cash (Station 19) plays Malika, Phoebe’s savvy, smart and beautiful “code-switch queen” podcast producer. As Phoebe’s work wife and ride-or-die friend, Malika tries to balance wanting Phoebe to grow up with encouraging her to be messy because, hey, the mess pays the bills and is funny AF. Nneka Okafor (God Friended Me) plays Jessie, Phoebe’s sister-in-law, who’s a former socialite-turned-feminist and college professor. Jessie worries that she is the only one in her in-laws’ family that has the strength to let Phoebe know that some of her shenanigans are dangerous to her husband’s career and too influential on her daughter.

Moses Storm (Sunnyside) plays Michael, Phoebe’s BFF, roommate and friend since freshman year of college. He is a video game livestreamer who is not ashamed to promote his TikTok whenever he can. Michael is more than happy not to grow up and will be the playful devil on Phoebe’s shoulder.

And Jackée Harry plays Zora. “Back in May, I filmed a pilot with the hilarious @dopequeenpheebs for @freeform and I’m so excited that everyone will get to see the genius of this woman on their screens soon!” she posted on Instagram. “Congrats on the series order, @dopequeenpheebs! You deserve it.

The series is produced by ABC Signature with Robinson’s production company, Tiny Reparations, led by Jose Acevedo, serving as nonwriting executive producer. Jonathan Groff executive produces. Co-executive producer Chioke Nassor will direct.

“Phoebe has one of the most unique and hilariously sharp voices in the business,” said Tara Duncan, president, Freeform and Onyx Collective. “Everything’s Trash is the perfect addition to the Freeform slate, bringing a distinct point of view to a woman navigating adulthood on her own terms.”

“I feel like Whoopi Goldberg’s choir at the end of Sister Act 2 when they won the competition. Overjoyed. Stunned. Extremely grateful,” said Robinson. “We’re going to make something special that you won’t want to miss.”

Michael Lowry Interview 10/14/21

Vanessa E. Williams guests on 9-1-1 10/18/21

Cast: Angela Bassett as Athena Grant; Peter Krause as Bobby Nash; Jennifer Love Hewitt as Maddie Kendall; Oliver Stark as Evan “Buck” Buckley; Kenneth Choi as Howie “Chimney” Han; Aisha Hinds as Henrietta “Hen” Wilson; Rockmond Dunbar as Michael Grant; Ryan Guzman as Eddie Diaz; Corinne Massiah as May Grant; Marcanthonee Jon Reis as Harry Grant; Gavin McHugh as Christopher Diaz

Guest Cast: Vanessa E. Williams as Claudette Collins; Anirudh Pisharody as Ravi

Dishing with Digest - 10/1/21 - Dan Feuerriegel

Darin Brooks Co-Stars In Apple Comedy Series ‘Amber Brown’ From Bonnie Hunt Based On Children’s Books

Amber Brown is described as an unfiltered look at a girl finding her own voice through art and music in the wake of her parents’ divorce. Rose plays Amber Brown, an everykid who is going through what many children experience, and making sense of her new family dynamic through her sketches and video diary. Drew plays Amber’s mother Sarah, a good, caring mom with strict rules. Brooks plays Sarah’s boyfriend, Max; Inouye plays Amber’s friend Brandi Colwin.

Bob Higgins (Dino Ranch) and Jon Rutherford (A Tale Dark & Grimm) are executive producing for Boat Rocker.

Danziger’s award-winning Amber Brown middle-grade book series has been published in 53 countries with more than 10 million copies in print.

Drew is best known for playing Dr. April Kepner for nine seasons on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, a role she reprised on the show last season. She most recently has been recurring on Freeform’s Cruel Summer. Drew is repped by Innovative Artists, Vault Entertainment and Morris Yorn.

Rose, who recurred on ABC’s The Rookie, is repped by Osbrink Talent Agency and Morris Yorn.

Vanessa E. Williams guests on 9-1-1 10/11/21

Cast: Angela Bassett as Athena Grant; Peter Krause as Bobby Nash; Jennifer Love Hewitt as Maddie Kendall; Oliver Stark as Evan “Buck” Buckley; Kenneth Choi as Howie “Chimney” Han; Aisha Hinds as Henrietta “Hen” Wilson; Rockmond Dunbar as Michael Grant; Ryan Guzman as Eddie Diaz; Corinne Massiah as May Grant; Marcanthonee Jon Reis as Harry Grant; Gavin McHugh as Christopher Diaz

Guest Cast: Vanessa E. Williams as Claudette Collins; Anirudh Pisharody as Ravi

Daniel Cosgrove guests on Bull 10/14/21

GUEST CAST includes: A.J. Shively (Jerry McConnell), Daniel Cosgrove (AUSA Carto), Stephanie Ittleson (Judge Rogers).

Christopher Sean guests on NCIS: Los Angeles 10/17/21

GUEST CAST: Christopher Sean (LAPD RHD Detective Jack Tanaka), Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Craig Tanaka), Sebastian Sozzi (LAPD Detective Matt Guerrero).

Charles Shaughnessy Reveals His Nanny Kissing Scenes with Fran Drescher Once Upset His Kids

Shaughnessy shares two daughters with wife of 38 years Susan Fallender — Jenny, 31, and Maddy, 26 — and as kids, the girls were not fans of the series.

"I came home one day, and Maddy was very upset," Shaughnessy, 66, recalls in this week's issue of PEOPLE. "She had seen the show that night and said, 'Daddy, don't kiss the girl.' She wasn't very keen on all the Fran and Maxwell chemistry."

As for a potential Nanny reunion, Shaughnessy says it's a possibility.

"It would be a lot of fun. It's hard because people see The Nanny now, it's 30 years old, so we're all different. I'm a lot older. She's a lot older. The kids are a lot older. You see that and you kind of want to recreate that, but it's un-recreatable," he says. "The train has left the station. We're down the tracks awhile. You can't really recreate that magic. You can create something else using some of the elements, but it's not going to be what it was originally."

He continues: "I have questions about reboots, in general, but if someone comes up with it and offers me to revisit Maxwell Sheffield, I'd be delighted."

Looking back, Shaughnessy says some of his fondest memories had to do with surprise appearances.

"My most favorite thing about the show was the guest stars," he says. "We kicked off in episode 2 with Carol Channing and then went through all the sort of Broadway [stars], Marvin Hamlisch and Burt Bacharach. Then we went into Elton John. We had Ray Charles coming on as Auntie Yetta's boyfriend. Elizabeth Taylor!"

Shaughnessy continues: "I mean, incredible guest stars. Donald O'Connor, to be tap dancing with Donald O'Connor. That was the most thrilling thing. I think if someone asked me what did I take away from The Nanny more than anything else, it's that. It's the fact that I got to actually goof around with Donald O'Connor. Go figure. And then you had some great episodes. The surgery shaving episode got the biggest laugh I think I've ever seen on a set. We had to literally stop the show to let the audience calm down."

Shaughnessy first made his American television debut as Alistair Durban on General Hospital, which he credits for jump starting his career. "It was my first TV job," he says. "I arrived here in 1983 and found myself on an American soap opera, which was so out of my wheelhouse. It was like an animal I did not understand or recognize, but I had a blast."

Now he's returning to daytime TV as Shane Donovan on Peacock's Days spinoff Beyond Salem and as the villainous Victor Cassadine on General Hospital, where he says he feels right at home.

"I enjoy the crazy stories," he says. "I always find them amusing."

Jensen Ackles to Direct Walker

Ackles will step behind the camera for the seventh installment of Season 2, which premieres Thursday, Oct. 28 at 8/7c on The CW.

The gig also reunites Ackles with Supernatural vet Mitch Pileggi, who played Dean and Sam Winchester’s maternal grandfather and now portrays Cordell Walker’s father. Ackles previously helmed six episodes of Supernatural.

Asked about the possibility of Ackles guest-starring on Walker, Padalecki previously told TVLine, “I cannot wait for Jensen to be on the show!… One of these days, he’ll have to come on and be my bow-legged friend. We’ll put him on horseback and give him a cowboy hat.”

Days of Our Lives Fall 2021 Preview

Christopher Goutman Interview 9/24/21

Chris has spent most of his career working as a director, producer, and writer. He started his career as an actor appearing on The Doctors, Search for Tomorrow, The Edge of Night and Texas. Chris served as the Executive Producer for Another World and As the World Turns as well as directed episodes from nine different daytime dramas.

He created and produced two web series, In Turn and L.A. Diaries, which he also directed, as well as promotional campaigns for network television, commercial movie theater trailers, and an award-winning Presidential campaign ad. For his work in television, he has shot on locations all over the world. He also wrote, produced, and directed two short films, The Square Root of Three and Visions of Joanna, both of which received extensive exposure on the independent film circuit. In theatre, he has directed in New York, Philadelphia and Florida, including productions at EST, NYC Fringe, the Harold Clurman Theatre and the Theatre at Madison Square Garden. His plays have been performed at L.A. Stage and Film Company, the Barrow Group and EST. He has five Emmy Awards for his work as a producer and director and a Directors Guild of America Award.

Chris currently serves as the Artistic Director, Associate Professor at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Dishing with Digest - 9/17/21 - Charles Shaughnessy

Chrishell Stause on Family Feud 9/19/21

The celebrity teams who will try to guess what the “survey said” are the following:

Team Selling Sunset; playing for FoodOnFoot
• Jason Oppenheim
• Brett Oppenheim
• Amaza Smith
• Chrishell Stause
• Heather Rae Young

VERSUS

Team Bling Empire; playing for Hate is a Virus
• Christine Chiu
• Kevin Kreider
• Kane Lim
• Kelly Mi Li
• Cherie Chan

Team Wilson Phillips; playing for ASPCA, MusiCares and Los Angelitos Orphanage Foundation
• Chynna Baldwin
• Bijou Phillips
• Carnie Wilson
• Wendy Wilson
• Marilyn Wilson

VERSUS

Team Pentatonix; playing for Make-A-Wish
• Scot Hoying
• Kirstin Maldonado
• Mitch Grassi
• Kevin Olusola
• Matt Sallee

Linda Dano Interview 9/22/21

"Days of Our Lives" Ben and Ciara: TV's New Super Couple - PAPER

Fran Bennett, Actress and Longtime CalArts Voice and Acting Teacher, Dies at 84

Known for her booming voice, Bennett was a member of the Linklater Voice faculty at CalArts from 1978 until her retirement in 2014. She also served as head of acting and director of performance from 1996 to 2003.

“Fran’s voice was unmistakable. She never shied away from using it. And she taught so many throughout the years to find and free their own,” Dean Travis Preston of the CalArts School of Theater said in a statement.

“Before there were diversity committees and personnel at CalArts, there was Fran. She unceasingly championed students, artists and innovators of all backgrounds and demanded that leaders do more to serve the left out and kept out.”

Born on Aug. 14, 1937, in Malvern, Arkansas, Bennett earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin.

She studied voice under Scottish actress Kristin Linklater at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis and movement with Austrian actress Litz Pisk in London, then returned to the Guthrie to spend 12 years as its voice and movement director.

Bennett made her onscreen debut on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light in 1965 and went on to appear on Roots: The Next Generations, Lou Grant, St. Elsewhere, Cagney & Lacey, Dynasty, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Quantum Leap, In the Heat of the Night, Becker, Community and Scandal.

In 2019, she portrayed Mother Jefferson on The Jeffersons segment of Live in Front of a Studio Audience.

Her film résumé included Promises in the Dark (1979), Wes Craven’s Newest Nightmare (1994), Foxfire (1996), Leave It to Beaver (1997), 8MM (1999), The Next Best Thing (2000), Jessabelle (2014) and the upcoming The Manor.

For the stage, Bennett was a member of the classical theater company Antaeus, a founding member of the Los Angeles Women’s Shakespeare Company and an Ovation Award and NAACP Theatre Award winner.

‘Days Of Our Lives’ To Revisit Possession Storyline This Fall

Per NBC, the story began when the wicked Stefano DiMera began hypnotizing Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” The hypnosis meant to make her fall in love with him left her open to demonic possession and ultimately led to Marlena becoming possessed by the devil. Later that year (on Christmas Eve) in one of the most memorable moments in American pop culture history, Marlena levitated (see image above). The story continued through 1995 and concluded that summer when John Black, her now husband who was thought to be a priest at the time, had to perform an emergency exorcism. You can watch a teaser clip below. In the revisited storyline, NBC is promising that “fans can look forward to twists and turns you’d never suspect as well as familiar faces returning to save the day (or not)…. this time around, the devil knows no bounds and no one in Salem is safe!”

Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, the core families on Days of our Lives are the Bradys, Hortons, Carvers, DiMeras, and Kiriakises. The show mixes elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

Days of Our Lives is produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. (Video Promo)

Jackée Harry Says She's Still Searching for Love in 'All the Wrong Places'

In this week's issue of PEOPLE, the sitcom legend, 65, opens up about her secrets to success, finding humility and maintaining a hot dating life!

"I'm still looking for love in all the wrong places," admits Harry, who has recently brought her outsized personality to the daytime soap Days of Our Lives and its Peacock spin-off Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem as real estate mogul Paulina Price. "I'm seeing a couple of people and trying to keep busy juggling them all!"

"I like younger men," she adds. "And that's definitely the wrong place, but they're much more fun!"

Though the pandemic has limited her efforts when it comes to dating, Harry — who was married to celebrity hairstylist Elgin Charles from 1996-2003 — says she's still putting herself out there and enjoying the ride.

"I'm dating because I like people and I love to socialize," she says. "So I have friends who try to hook me up and I'll have people I'll be eyeing in the supermarket or library."

"There are certain places you got to go," she says. "Whole Foods is the place. And the bookstore. Bookstores are still good. Barnes & Noble. Make sure you dress properly. Don't have everything out, but something's got to be out!"

While her dating life is keeping things interesting for the time being, Harry says her main priorities are being a mom to son Frank, 27, a grandma to her two grandchildren and continuing to find success as an artist.

"My goal was always to be the best," says Harry, who became an '80s sitcom sensation starring as Marla Gibbs' maneater neighbor Sandra Clark on 227 and is currently enjoying a career renaissance. "You've got to develop a persona and make an impression."

At one point, Harry says she felt like she had "made it," but quickly realized her ego was holding her back from her full potential.

"It's important to keep your sense of humor and stay grounded," says Harry, who admits it was difficult at times to find a healthy balance between career and motherhood. "I'm still the same, but I'm more aware of sharing. I've become more empathetic and more of a team player."

With her career still buzzing, Harry is reflecting on lessons learned and looking forward to her next chapters, both professionally and personally.

"I don't want to fall in love for love's sake," she says. "I want to enjoy it because I don't know how much time I have left. If I'm able to, I'll keep going. I've been very lucky."

Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem Finale Recap: Unlikely Heroes

That’s because, as viewers soon learned, the bad guys hadn’t quite revealed themselves. Turns out that wasn’t Shane who collected the emerald from Leo and the amethyst from Ciara and Ben, but Shane’s evil twin brother Drew. And that’s why he didn’t go ballistic when Ben apologized for murdering his granddaughter Paige.

Later, when the real Shane arrived to tell them that they’d been duped, he did yell at Ben and emphasized the fact that Paige was an innocent victim. Ciara attempted to defend Ben, but Shane was over it. “Hope to hell you’re right about this guy,” an enraged Shane barked before leaving to take down the bad guys. Over in Switzerland, John, Marlena, Anna and Tony couldn’t believe that they’d been tricked by a fake Shane. Things got even crazier when Carrie figured out that it was ISA agent Kyle Graham who had framed her hubby Austin by sneaking the missing ruby and citrine into his luggage — the same Austin who was still in ISA custody at that point, because the authorities hadn’t connected the dots as quickly as Carrie had.

Soon after, at the Alamainian museum, Billie and John cornered Drew, aka the fake Shane, so he could stop wreaking havoc. And that’s where Kyle revealed his true identity as a double agent who had been working with Drew to secure the jewels for the golden peacock. The figurine wasn’t simply priceless and ornamental, it actually doubled as an evil homing device that could cause explosions, carnage and chaos in cities like Miami and even Salem.

Drew pushed the button on his smartphone to make everything go boom, but nothing happened. Leo had given the fake Shane a fake emerald and unintentionally saved the world. Will, Sonny and Chad got the real emerald from Leo, and Billie and John — with the help of a late-to-the party Marlena — took down Drew and whatever Kyle’s real name was and saved the day.

The ISA released Austin and dropped the charges, and the Alamainian curator dude asked Billie out on a date. Too bad Kristen, who must’ve been working for Drew and Kyle, wasn’t around to see that. Oh, and Paulina’s friend wasn’t Michelle Obama, but the wife of a rich plastic surgeon named Michelle White who lives in “the White house,” so named for their surname. Get it?

Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem's Eileen Davidson Previews a Kristen and Billie Showdown, RHOBH Reunion

Why Anna (played by Leann Hunley) would leave such an expensive piece of jewelry unattended in a room with a strange nun she had just met is beyond us. But that’s what Anna did as she ran to get her checkbook to donate to Sister Mary Moira’s fund for orphans. After the “nun” guilted her into adding yet another zero to the check, no less. Anna didn’t even notice it was gone until Marlena (Deidre Hall) and John (Drake Hogestyn) came over to retrieve the necklace on behalf of the ISA but couldn’t.

John then asked Anna who this nun was, and he and Marlena realized Kristen had struck again.

“Beyond Salem is a really cool concept, and honestly, I love the characters that I helped create on Days,” Eileen Davidson, who reprised her role as Kristen, cheerfully tells TVLine. “It’s really fun for me to come back and revisit them, you know? They’re like your children, and I didn’t want to say goodbye to them forever and ever. It’s really fun for me to do this as a hit-and-run.”

Davidson, who is also known for her work as Ashley Abbott on CBS’ The Young and the Restless and her reality show turn on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, says the best part of coming back for the Days limited series spinoff was working with her bestie Lisa Rinna. Their characters, Kristen and Billie, will have a showdown on Thursday’s Episode 4, Davidson divulges. Kristen will also appear in Friday’s series finale, she says.

“Kristen is up to her old tricks, and she’s as devious as ever,” Davidson adds. “I had a lot of fun working with Lisa, and we were able to revisit our friendship off screen and have some fun on screen, too. There’s even a Real Housewives wink-wink in Episode 4 for the audience. Lisa and I had such a blast, and we decided it wasn’t long enough. We wanted to do more.”

If there is a Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem sequel, Davidson says she would return.

“It was such a great time,” she continues. “I would do it again in a second. I also like that they’re bringing it to a different platform and reinventing the wheel. That’s awesome. It’s a great idea, and I love being a part of something that’s different. You can’t really say that so much nowadays. Hats off to them for coming up with this concept and combining old Days with new Days and beyond that. Excuse the pun.”

Young and the Restless fans will be happy to know that Davidson’s Ashley will be back on the soap in the near future as well, she says.

“Ashley and Kristen are just so completely different,” Davidson concludes. “As an actor, it’s a treat for me to play a pragmatic and smart character like Ashley and someone who is off-the-hook nuts like Kristen. It’s great. With villains, anything goes, and you get to be more creative.”

‘Queens’: Precious Way Joins ABC’s Musical Drama Series As Recurring

In Queens, written by McGhee and directed by Tim Story, four estranged and out-of-touch women in their 40s — Naomi (Brandy), Jill (Naughton), Brianna (Eve) and Valeria (Velazquez) — reunite for a chance to recapture their fame and regain the swagger they had as their ’90s group that made them legends in the hip-hop world.

Way will play Jojo, Naomi’s, 20-year-old, estranged daughter, who has been living with her grandmother while Naomi has been chasing after her elusive lost fame. Bitterly resentful of her absentee mother, JoJo has written Naomi off for good, and tells her so in no uncertain terms. But when Naomi invites her to attend her comeback at one of the award shows, JoJo is dazzled by this side of her mother, a new perception of Naomi that may spark their reconciliation.

Following a nationwide talent search initiated during the American Black Film Festival, Way was cast as a co-lead alongside MC Lyte in sitcom Partners in Rhyme, for AMC Networks’ streamer ALLBLK. Way is repped by Pakula/King & Associates and Zero Gravity Management.

Days of Our Lives Vet Deidre Hall Previews Peacock's Avengers-Style Standalone Caper Beyond Salem

The beloved pair is one of seven couples searching the globe for the fictional and priceless Alamainian gemstones that used to adorn a gold peacock (get it?) until Hope/Princess Gina Von Amberg cat burgled the bejeweled figurine 30 years ago. The Kingdom of Alamainia reacquired the golden bird but when they got it back, all of its six precious jewels — an amethyst, ruby, sapphire, emerald, citrine and orange diamond — were missing.

If the rocks and their retrieval sound a little like Thanos’ coveted infinity stones from the Avengers franchise, Hall says it’s just a fun little coincidence.

“I am an Avengers fan but ours feels more like a caper,” Hall clarifies for TVLine with a chuckle. “No one dies and no one is really scared or hurt. There are moments where maybe we won’t get the gemstones, but all of these exotic locations are great fun and I think the audience will love the seven couples that set out to get this job done.”

Shane (Days MVP Charles Shaughnessy, reprising his role) divulges the secret of the golden peacock and its highly sought after jewels to John and Marlena, who are on vacation in Switzerland. Shane dispatches them to an auction where the duo can covertly purchase the sapphire on behalf of the ISA. Unbeknownst to the trio, Anna ( Leann Hunley) and Tony (Thaao Penghlis) are also in town visiting Carrie (Christie Clark) and Austin (Austin Peck) and may or may not be interested in the sapphire as well.

“We’ve done free standing things in the past and they’re so popular with the audience, Hall notes. “We can’t really afford to go on location anymore because of COVID, [so] this is as close as we can get. I thought [head writer] Ron Carlivati brilliantly created seven different venues. And Tom Early, our set designer, had to create all these different cities.”

Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem, which will roll out daily for free and culminate with the spinoff’s finale on Friday, also afforded Hall the chance to reconnect with former cast members.

“Christie [Clark] coming back as Carrie was huge for me because I’ve known Christie since she was a child,” Hall shares. “We were grabbing time to catch up and gab and the director would yell, ‘Shut up, everybody. They’re talking to each other.’ We were so happy to be back together.

“She’s got children now and lives in Europe and she was dying to hear from everybody on how they were doing,” Hall adds. “It’s always like coming home. “

While Marlena, John, Anna, Tony, Carrie and Austin work their magic in Zurich, Paulina (Jackée Harry), Abe (James Reynolds), Lani (Sal Stowers) and Eli (Lamon Archey) fight to protect the orange diamond in Miami. Ciara (Victoria Konefal) and Ben (Robert Scott Wilson) get entangled with Billie (Lisa Rinna) and the amethyst in New Orleans, which is miles away from Will (Chandler Massey), Sonny (Zachary Atticus Tinker) and Chad’s (Billy Flynn) emerald insanity in Phoenix.

“You always need to turn our show on and see familiar faces that you feel safe with and then you’ll stay with it,” Hall concludes. “Now those same familiar faces are on a not so familiar streaming platform; that’s the future. I remember I said, ‘What is streaming?’ I felt like the Dowager Countess on Downton Abbey.”

Morning Show Appearance

Monday, September 6

(10-11 a.m.) Guests: Jackée Harry on Peacock’s Days of Our Lies: Beyond Salem.

Talk Show Appearance

We 9/8: Eileen Davidson
Th 9/9: Jason Biggs

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: BEYOND SALEM Livestream Event!

Dishing with Digest - 9/3/21 - Christie Clark

Celebrity Family Feud: Fran Drescher vs. Charles Shaughnessy

The celebrity teams who will try to guess what the “survey said” are the following:

Team “The Fran-tastics”; playing for Cancer Schmancer
• Fran Drescher – “The Nanny” star and Creator
• Brenda Cooper – Emmy®-Winning costume designer and author
• Meryl Starr – Let’s Get Organized personal organizer and author
• Howie Prieser – biography book and audio editor
• Judi Mann – interior design consultant

VERSUS

Team “Charles Shaughnessy”; playing for Cancer Schmancer
• Charles Shaughnessy – Dad
• Susan Shaughnessy – Wife
• Jenny Shaughnessy – Daughter
• Maddy Shaughnessy – Daughter
• Jonathan Tanners – Son-in-Law

Team “The Decker Family”; playing for Graham’s Foundation
• Jessie James Decker
• Eric Decker
• Karen Parker – Jessie’s mother
• Steve Parker – Jessie’s father
• Sydney Bass – Jessie’s sister

VERSUS

Team “Chris Bosh”; playing for Boys and Girls Club of America
• Chris Bosh
• Adrienne Bosh – wife
• Tia Mowry – friend
• Genevieve Padalecki – friend
• Max Frost – friend

Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem in Canada

‘The Croods: Family Tree’ Series To Air On Hulu & Peacock; Trailer, Premiere Date Unveiled

The Croods: Family Tree continues the ever-evolving story of the Croods and the Bettermans as they learn to live together on the most idyllic farm in prehistory. The journey from sparring rivals to unlikely friends is fraught with hilarious misadventures as the two families slowly overcome their differences to turn a tree house divided into a tree home united.

Kelly Marie Tran returns as the voice of Dawn, alongside new addition Amy Landecker as Ugga. as Dawn. Cast also includes Kiff VandenHeuvel (This Is Us) as Grug; Ally Dixon (The Interview) as Eep; AJ Locascio (Voltron Legendary Defender) as Thunk; Artemis Pebdani (Big City Greens) as Gran; Darin Brooks (The Bold and the Beautiful) as Guy; Matthew Waterson (Tales of Arcadia) as Phil; Amy Rosoff (Scandal; Criminal Minds) as H.

Mark Banker (Go, Dog. Go!) and Todd Grimes (The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants) serve as executive producers and showrunners.

The most recent TV iteration of The Croods was the 2D-animated Dawn of the Croods, based on the 2013 animated film The Croods, which ran for four seasons on Netflix from 2015-2017.

Watch the trailer here.

Days of Our Lives' Camila Banus Marries Longtime Partner Marlon Aquino During Intimate Ceremony

Camila Banus is officially a married woman!

The Days of Our Lives star, 31, married longtime partner Marlon Aquino at The Castle House Estate located in Joshua Tree, California over the weekend.

"We picked this venue because it was so different and unique," Banus tells PEOPLE exclusively. "It felt like an oasis in the middle of the desert. The minute we saw it, we knew it was for us."

Banus and Aquino couldn't "wait to commemorate a decade of being together with a romantic and unforgettable evening in Joshua Tree," the actress adds.

The newlyweds were surrounded by 90 of their loved ones. All traveling guests in attendance for the outdoor ceremony were either vaccinated or received a negative COVID-19 test prior in advance. Sanitation stations were present and masks were made available to all.

During the reception, guests snacked on Caribbean and Cuban-inspired food, which Banus says was a nod "to our cultures."

For the pair's special day, Banus wore two dresses: one from the White Collection by Vera Wang and from Willowby by Watters.

"Both are very bohemian and are a perfect fit for me and the venue," she says.

Banus and Aquino have been together since 2012. She announced their engagement in December 2020 during an Instagram Live.

"After almost 9 years together and months of planning the engagement, I was extremely happy & blessed with the overall turn out," Aquino also wrote on Instagram the following month. "Grateful for every family member and friends that was there. It's one of those impactful events you rarely forget."

Aquino later called Banus "the one" in a sweet Instagram post.

"I think I was 20 or something but I asked @jmargarini how do you know when she's the one? And he said, when you know, YOU KNOW," he captioned a photo of the couple. "Great advice because … Well I knowwww."

The Wrong Cheer Captain's Jackée Harry Talks Career Longevity, Black Women Emmy Snubs and Days of Our Lives

But that’s what the actress, who is best known for her Emmy-winning turn as Sandra Clark on the hit 1980s sitcom 227, has done from the start — gone above and beyond. When The Wrong Cheer Captain airs Sunday at 8/7c, Harry’s character will fretfully wring her hands and question a villainous cheerleader named Anna (The Lies that Bind‘s Soffia Masson), who is at best a bully and at worst, a murderer.

“It’s nice when you work with people who you know and who respect your work,” Harry tells TVLine about Vivica A. Fox, who stars in the small-screen flick as an unsuspecting cheer mom, director Dave DeCoteau (Keeping Up with the Joneses) and the producers. “That’s really the key. With every job, if you can get that, you’re almost there.”

When it comes to Ellen Simpson, Harry says the principal doesn’t want to believe that Anna is as evil as she is, despite warnings from a teacher and Kate (Alexis Samone), one of Anna’s fellow cheerleaders.

“She’s a child,” Harry says of the movie’s baddie. “Mean girls are everywhere still. You can be mean and grow up and not be that way because everyone’s done something to somebody at school, especially in high school and junior high. But there’s more to Anna.”

The Wrong Cheer Captain is the latest offering in Lifetime’s third annual “Fear the Cheer” movie slate, which runs Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 5 and celebrates all the sociopathic behavior cheering can inspire.

“Lifetime skews toward these kinds of pictures and people love them,” Harry says. “These are whodunnits with a cheerleader theme and viewers get addicted. They don’t know how it’s going to turn out and it’s all in the writing.”

Writing, Harry argues, is one of the reasons she was the last Black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. In the 34 years since Harry has won, seven Black women (including Harry in 1988) have been nominated but didn’t win.

“Hollywood isn’t writing enough for Black actresses in that category,” she opines. “Viola Davis and Regina King are big Emmy winners, but they’re in dramatic roles. We need to see comedy roles where Black women can sparkle and showcase their gifts. It’s not being written.”

There are exceptions, of course. “Issa Rae is good and so is Robin Thede, but Insecure and A Black Lady Sketch Show are on HBO and not enough people get to see them,” Harry adds. “There are a lot of Black shows, but we’re either not prominent or accessible. I think it will get better, but the writing has to get better and social media will make the change come quicker.”

Days of Our Lives scribes wrote Harry’s character, Paulina Price, just for her — an honor she says she doesn’t take for granted. Harry has also recently enjoyed small turns on FX’s Pose and Netflix’s Family Reunion.

“When people write for me, I’m always happy. I’m honored,” Harry divulges. “I’ll keep doing it until I run out of steam. Paulina Price is a mess. She’s got her money and her love interest, James Reynolds, who plays Abe. And he’s my man, honey. I’m older, but I can get a man. It’s glamorous and there’s a lot of fun and intrigue. I haven’t murdered anybody yet. I’ve never played a role where I get to murder anybody, so hopefully I will.”

Even more than the potential for murder, Harry says, she’s excited that the industry is still making a place for her.

“They’re taking care of me. It’s hard work and a lot of work in a short time,” Harry concludes about her soap role with a laugh. “But it’s fun and the cast and crew is nice. They treat me really well and that helps. I like to hustle. I’m from the old school, I like to work. The veteran actresses are working because we’re more reliable. We ain’t got nothing else to do.”

Eric Winter guests on Fantasy Island 9/14/21

Cast: Roselyn Sanchez as Elena Roarke; Kiara Barnes as Ruby Akuda

Guest Cast: John Gabriel Rodriquez as Javier, Eric Winter as Brian Cole, Caitlin Stasey as Isabel, Gillian Saker as Rachel Goldwater, Andrew Richardson as Reginald Goldwater, Dominic Burgess as Edmund Walsh, Benjamin Stockham as Young Brian

‘Days Of Our Lives: Beyond Salem’ Trailer Reveals Newly Added ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Queen Jackie Cox

The video also features Charles Shaughnessy’s return as Shane Donovan.

The first original Days of Our Lives limited series will bring together past and present residents of Salem including the return of Rinna as Billie Reed, along with Deidre Hall as Dr. Marlena Evans, Drake Hogestyn as John Black, Jackée Harry as Paulina Price, James Reynolds as Abe Carver, Victoria Konefal as Ciara Brady, Robert Scott Wilson as Ben Weston, Billy Flynn as Chad DiMera, Lamon Archey as Eli Grant and Sal Stowers as Lani Price. Eileen Davidson is also set to appear.

Beyond Salem is a limited series premiering Sept. 6 with new episodes dropping daily culminating with the finale on September 10.

Over a long weekend, John and Marlena take a trip to Zurich, Ben and Ciara have a romantic getaway in New Orleans, Chad visits some old friends in Phoenix, and Abe, Paulina, Lani, and Eli vacation in Miami. All find themselves embroiled in a mystery involving stolen jewels which, in the wrong hands, could cause dire consequences for Salem. It’s a race against time for ISA agent Billie Reed as she crosses the globe in search of this missing treasure.

Watch the trailer in full above.

Peter Porte To Recur In ‘Days Of Our Lives: Beyond Salem’

The five-episode limited series is set over a long weekend, when John and Marlena travel to Zurich; Ben and Ciara have a romantic getaway in New Orleans; Chad visits some old friends in Phoenix; and Abe, Paulina, Lani, and Eli vacation in Miami. All find themselves embroiled in a mystery involving stolen jewels that, in the wrong hands, could have dire consequences for Salem. It’s a race against time for ISA agent Billie Reed (Rinna) as she crosses the globe in search of this missing treasure.

He will play the role of Kyle Graham, an ISA agent.

Additional cast members are Days alums Thaao Penghlis, Leann Hunley, Christie Clark and Austin Peck and Greg Rikaart, Chandler Massey and Zachary Atticus Tinker.

Porte appeared opposite Andie MacDowell and Juan Pablo di Pace in Paramount’s Dashing In December. His additional credits include Lifetime’s Dead in the Water, ABC Family’s Baby Daddy and Hallmark’s Rome In Love.

His reps are Buchwald and Alchemy Entertainment.

Why Chrishell Stause and Jason Oppenheim kept romance secret for 2 months

“It’s just one of those things. You don’t want to share with everybody and get all their opinions before you really know what it is,” Stause, 40, told E! News’ Daily Pop on Monday.

The realtor explained that she and Oppenheim, 44, kept their blossoming romance as private as possible until people close to them started to notice.

“We really were really private and secretive for as long as we could until we realized the walls were closing in,” she said. “People were getting a little savvy to it.”

When Stause finally decided to reveal she was in a romance with Oppenheim — who is also her boss — she said they “knew exactly what” their relationship was.

Stause confirmed the relationship in July by adding photos of the couple to the end of a photo dump she shared on Instagram from a trip to Capri, Italy. The last two photos showed the couple cozying up on a boat together. In the last photo, Oppenheim is kissing Stause’s neck as she smiles for the camera.

Prior to her relationship Oppenheim, Stause was dating “Dancing With the Stars” pro Keo Motsepe for a few months before they split in February.

She was previously married to “This Is Us” actor Justin Hartley for two years, though according to Stause the marriage ended badly and he asked for a divorce via text. Hartley officially filed for divorce in November 2019.

Video Interview: Writers Carolyn and Richard Culliton

Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem Spinoff: Get Its Peacock Premiere Date and See First Photos

New episodes of Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem will be available daily, culminating with the limited series’ finale on Friday, Sept. 10.

Four photos were also released on Wednesday, as seen Here: Photo1, Photo2, Photo3, Photo4.

Days alum-turned-Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Rinna headlines the offshoot, reprising her role as Billie Reed, while fellow Days vet Eileen Davidson will also appear in the spinoff (presumably in the role of Kristen DiMera, though Peacock is confirming nothing).

Peacock also announced that Christie Clark (as Carrie), Austin Peck (Austin), Thaao Penghlis (André), Leann Hunley (Anna), Greg Rikaart (Leo), Chandler Massey (Will) and Zachary Atticus Tinker (Sonny) will be a part of the spinoff. They join previously announced cast members Deidre Hall (Marlena), Drake Hogestyn (John), James Reynolds (Abe), Jackée Harry (Paulina), Victoria Konefal (Ciara), Robert Scott Wilson (Ben), Billy Flynn (Chad), Lamon Archey (Eli) and Sal Stowers (Lani).

Per the official logline, the Beyond Salem action will take place over a long weekend as “John and Marlena travel to Zurich; Ben and Ciara have a romantic getaway in New Orleans; Chad visits some old friends in Phoenix; and Abe, Paulina, Lani, and Eli vacation in Miami. All find themselves embroiled in a mystery involving stolen jewels which, in the wrong hands, could cause dire consequences for Salem. It’s a race against time for ISA agent Billie Reed as she crosses the globe in search of this missing treasure.

Current Days head writer Ron Carlivati will helm Beyond Salem alongside EP Ken Corday and co-executive producer Albert Alarr.

‘General Hospital’ Pays Tribute To Jay Pickett; Streaming Memorial Service Set

At the end of today’s episode, a photo of Pickett, who starred as the daytime serial’s Detective David Harper from 2006-08, was accompanied by the words, “In Loving Memory of Jay Pickett.”

A celebration of Pickett’s life is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 20, at the Nampa Civic Center in Nampa, Idaho, with live streaming of the service beginning at 4:45 p.m. ET through the Nampa Funeral Home website.

Pickett died of an apparent heart attack while filming a horseback-riding scene for the film.

In addition to General Hospital, Pickett appeared in soaps Days of Our Lives and Port Charles, and on primetime series China Beach, Dragnet, Mr. Belvedere and Perry Mason. He is survived by his wife Elena and their three children.

‘Highway To Heaven’ Trailer: First Look At Jill Scott & Barry Watson In Lifetime’s Reboot Movie

Here is the first trailer for Highway to Heaven, a movie reboot of the 1980s NBC drama series that starred Michael Landon. This time it’s Jill Scott as the angel who is sent back to Earth to help others in need. Have a look above.

Scott plays Angela (wink-wink), who applies for a “temporary guidance counselor” job at a middle school and tells the interviewer/principal (Barry Watson), “A few weeks in one place can be enough to change a life — I could start today.”

Welcome to the team.

“I am not like anybody else,” Angela tells Cody (Ben Daon), a troubled boy who is bitter and resentful about his mother’s recent death. “I’m an angel. I can see and do things that other people can’t do.” The skeptical kid asks, “What are you talking about?” A little miracle later, they share an embrace.

Angela works alongside Principal Bruce Banks and eventually reveals her Big Secret to him. It draws an initial laugh, of course, but she eventually tells him, “My boss has such big plans for you.”

The first movie installment of the Highway to Heaven series is produced by Rain Productions and Propagate. Three-time Grammy-winning singer Scott also executive produces along with Jonathan Baruch, Rob Wolken, Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens, Gregory Lipstone, Rodney Ferrell, Howard Braunstein, Cathryn Humphris, Shawn Gee, Cindy Landon and Wayne Lepff. Stacey K. Black directs from an original script by Humphris and playwright Angelica Chéri.

The film premieres November 6 on Lifetime.

A Sneak Peek of Ryan Paevey and Jen Lilley’s Soapy Hallmark Movie!

Lilley stars as Maggie in the film, the headwriter of FOREVER IS A LONG, LONG TIME, a soap opera whose ratings have declined since the exit of show star Darin, played by Paevey. Dano’s character, Alice, is the soap’s producer and creator, who is planning to retire and hand the helm over to Maggie. But with the soap on the verge of cancelation, Alice wants to boost ratings by bringing back Darin — who also happens to be Maggie’s ex-boyfriend! When Darin exited the soap to star in an ill-fated play and broke up with Maggie, she wrote out his character. But when she convinces him to return, will they be able to set aside their hurt feelings and work together to save the show and their careers?

On Instagram, Dano posted a snap of her with Lilley and Paevey on the set of A Little Daytime Drama, saying that she “fell in love with these two people” while working together. “Most fun ever.”

Paevey and Lilley previously starred together in the 2015 film Harvest Love for the cable network. And the actress, who has become a staple in Hallmark’s rotation of stars featured in its original films, confesses that A Little Daytime Drama has made the top of her list. “This is actually my favorite Hallmark movie that I’ve ever done,” gushed Lilley in a behind-the-scenes video posted by Hallmark Channel. “This movie is a soap opera that takes place in a Hallmark movie. It’s so brilliant. There’s romance, there’s drama, of course, there’s comedy, and there’s me and Ryan Paevey. What’s not to love?”

GH alum Paevey adds that playing an actor who is a soap actor himself is “a strange page from my own life. My time on General Hospital… there’s a lot of parallels between Darin’s life and my own.”

Check out this behind-the-scenes video of Lilley and Paevey on the set of A Little Daytime Drama above, then tune in to watch the romcom when it premieres on Sat. August 21!

Soap Opera Writers Interview: Carolyn and Richard Culliton

This talented duo met when they were both students at Northwestern University. Carolyn grew up watching soaps and Richard had never seen one. Fate intervened in 1978 when a family friend offered to make some introductions to an executive Procter & Gamble Productions. The rest is history.

Carolyn’s first job in the daytime industry was working as Paul Rauch’s assistant at Another World and Richard’s first job was as a script writer on Texas. From that moment forward this duo worked non-stop as breakdown writers, script writers and as head writers on almost every soap opera on the air. Together this duo created the General Hospital spin-off Port Charles while serving as head writers for the first few months of the show’s run.

They are the recipient of numerous Daytime Emmy Awards and Writer’s Guild Awards for their work. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Emily who is an adjunct professor of creative writing at St. Joseph's College in Brooklyn, and Kathleen a journalist. Emily published her first novel In 2017, "The Misfortune of Marion Palm" was published by Knopf.

Looks like the writing gene is a strong one in the Culliton family.

A Martinez Video Interview

Soap Vets In New Hallmark Films

On September 25, Nikki Deloach (ex-Brenda, DAYS), Scott Porter (ex-Casey, AS THE WORLD TURNS), Corbin Bernsen (ex-Todd, Y&R et al) and Janine Turner (ex-Laura, GH) star in TAKING THE REINS about a writer who returns to the family ranch to write an article about her passion for horses and discovers what ended her marriage and why she stopped riding.

On October 16, Brooks Darnell (ex-Nate, Y&R) and Erinn Westbrook (Tabitha, RIVERDALE) play the leads in FLIRTING WITH ROMANCE about a dating columnist who finds himself attracted to a love advice author.

Days of Our Lives Vet Melissa Reeves Eyes Christmastime Return as Jennifer

A Days source confirms to TVLine that Melissa Reeves is eyeing a return to the role she played off and on for three decades. Her comeback is slated to take place around the holidays.

News of Reeves’ return was first reported by Kelli Gustafson, manager of the JnJ Classic Days Instagram account.

Soap vet Cady McClain (All My Children, As the World Turns) was tapped almost a year ago to step into the role, on a temporary basis, and made her debut in late October. (Reeves — who commutes from Tennessee to Los Angeles to shoot Days — reportedly had chosen not to return to the West Coast when the soap resumed production amid the coronavirus pandemic.)

McClain last appeared on-screen in March. Around that time, she told Soap Opera Digest that while “of course” she would be open to a more Days, “I also understand if they need their Missy back! I have complete understanding for that, too, so whatever is meant to be, I’m OK with it.” Days head writer Ron Carlivati meanwhile told Digest, “As far as I’m concerned, Jennifer will someday be back on canvas, regardless of who it might be.”

That recast, which sources always stressed would not be permanent, came nearly three months after Reeves’ views on Black Lives Matter sparked a backlash among her co-stars and fans. Back in January 2020, it was revealed that Reeves “liked” several anti-BLM posts from right-wing activist Candace Owens on Instagram.

‘Catch The Bullet’ Trailer: First Look At Western Dedicated To Memory Of Actor Jay Pickett

The film from director Michael Feifer centers on Britt MacMasters (Pickett), a U.S. marshal who returns from a mission to find his father (Tom Skerritt) wounded and his son, Chad (Mason McNulty), kidnapped by the outlaw Jed Blake (Gattlin Griffith). Hot on their trail, Britt forms a posse with a gunslinging deputy and a stoic Pawnee tracker. But Jed and Britt tread dangerously close to the Red Desert’s Sioux territory, which poses a menace far greater than either can imagine.

Peter Facinelli, Cody Jones, Callder Griffith, Tucson Vernon Walker, Rick Moffatt, Ardeshir Radpour, Kevin McNiven, Peter Sherayko, Eric Pickett, and Ryder Kozisek also star in the film, scripted by Jerry Robbins.

Feifer produced the film, with Barry Brooker, Alan B. Bursteen, Dawn Bursteen and Stan Wertlieb serving as exec producers.

Pickett died July 30 of unknown causes while shooting the film Treasure Valley in Idaho. He was 60. Feifer remembers him as a dedicated actor and family man.

“Jay was not just an actor in many of my films, he was a great friend and valued collaborator,” the director said in a statement to Deadline. “Even more, he was a true gentleman on set and always made all of the crew and cast feel special with his kind hearted and humble way. We’ve all been overwhelmed by the incredible outpouring of love and support since his unexpected passing. Jay told me just a week before he passed that he felt that his part as Britt McMasters was his best performance yet … and I wholeheartedly agree. I so look forward to sharing our movie with audiences and, especially, his fans.”

Check out the trailer for Catch the Bullet above.

Dishing with Digest - 8/6/21- Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison

Charles Shaughnessy Joins GH

Details on the English actor’s role, which was first reported by Soap Opera Digest, are currently under wraps, but he is set for a September debut. But it must be noted that back in 1984, he showed up for a short spell as Holly Sutton’s cousin, Alistair Durban.

In the daytime-TV arena, Shaughnessy is best known for his longtime, multi-part run as Days of Our Lives‘ ISA agent Shane Donovan (whom he most recently played in early 2017).

His myriad primetimes roles, meanwhile, of course include The Nanny (as Maxwell “Mistah!” Sheffield), Saints & Sinners, Mad Men (as London-based ad exec Saint John Powell), Masters of Sex and The Magicians (as Christopher Plover).

A Martinez Video Interview 8/12/21

‘Days Of Our Lives: Beyond Salem’: Eileen Davidson Joins Peacock Limited Series

The limited series is set over a long weekend, when John and Marlena travel to Zurich; Ben and Ciara have a romantic getaway in New Orleans; Chad visits some old friends in Phoenix; and Abe, Paulina, Lani, and Eli vacation in Miami. All find themselves embroiled in a mystery involving stolen jewels that, in the wrong hands, could have dire consequences for Salem. It’s a race against time for ISA agent Billie Reed (Rinna) as she crosses the globe in search of this missing treasure.

Alums Thaoo Penghlis, Leann Hunley, Christie Clark and Austin Peck also have joined the Beyond Salem cast, along with Greg Rikaart, Chandler Massey and Zachary Atticus Tinker.

It is unclear which character Daytime Emmy winner Davidson will play on Beyond Salem. On Days, she most recently portrayed Kristen DiMera, in 2017. Rinna, who returns as Reed, teased Davidson’s return to the Days universe on her Instagram account Monday.

NBC handed Days of Our Lives a two-year renewal in May, taking the drama to its 58th season. Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, the show’s core families are the Bradys, Hortons, Carvers, DiMeras and Kiriakises. It mixes elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

Days of Our Lives is produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producer Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati serves as head writer.

‘Days Of Our Lives’: Thaao Penghlis, Leann Hunley & Christie Clark Among Alums To Return For Peacock Limited Series

The newly added cast members will join Lisa Rinna, Deidre Hall, Drake Hogestyn, Jackée Harry, James Reynolds and more. In the limited series, over a long weekend, John and Marlena travel to Zurich; Ben and Ciara have a romantic getaway in New Orleans; Chad visits some old friends in Phoenix; and Abe, Paulina, Lani, and Eli vacation in Miami. All find themselves embroiled in a mystery involving stolen jewels which, in the wrong hands, could have dire consequences for Salem. It’s a race against time for ISA agent Billie Reed as she crosses the globe in search of this missing treasure.

Penghils will return as André DiMera, Hunley as Anna DiMera, Clark as Carrie Brady, Peck as Austin Reed, Rikaart as Leo Stark and Massey as Will Horton. Tinker will appear as Sonny.

NBC handed Days of Our Lives a two-year renewal in May, taking the drama to its 58th season. Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, the show’s core families are the Bradys, Hortons, Carvers, DiMeras, and Kiriakises. It mixes elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

Days of Our Lives is produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producer Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati serves as head writer.

‘Port Charles' Actor Jay Pickett Dies While Shooting Movie Scene

“Yesterday I lost a good friend and the world lost a great person. Jay Pickett decided to ride off into the Heavens. Jay died sitting on a horse ready to rope a steer in the movie Treasure Valley in Idaho. The way of a true cowboy,’ Heffel said of Pickett, both of who co-produced the film alongside Travis Mills.

Mills in a post of his own shared to the film’s official Facebook page shared a tribute to Pickett. “Many of you have already heard about the tragedy that happened two days ago,” he wrote on Sunday. “Jay Pickett, our leading man, writer, producer, and creator of this movie passed away suddenly while we were on location preparing to film a scene. There is no official explanation for the cause of his death but it appears to have been a heart attack. Everyone present tried as hard as they could to keep him alive. Our hearts are broken and we grieve for his family who are so devastated by this shocking tragedy.”

Pickett was born in Spokane, Washington in 1961 and grew up in Caldwell, Idaho. By his college years, he was focused on becoming an actor; he received his BA degree in acting from Boise State University and his MFA in acting from UCLA with a focus in theater at both institutions.

He made appearances throughout the years in many popular TV shows including China Beach, Dragnet, Mr. Belvedere, Perry Mason, and Days of Our Lives before securing a gig on the ABC soap Port Charles as Frank Scanlon in 1997. He followed that with a recurring role in General Hospital as Detective David Harper.

He is survived by his wife Elena and their three children.

GENERAL HOSPITAL and PORT CHARLES Star Jay Pickett Dead at 60

“My greatest friend has sadly left this world,” he wrote. “We met when we were cast as brothers on PORT CHARLES many, many years ago. He played my big brother on TV but that carried over into real life and an amazing friendship that was one of a kind. He was an incredible husband, father, friend, and godfather to my daughter. Everyone that knew him loved him. I love you, Jay. Keep smiling my friend. All my love to his family, who truly became our family as well. You will be forever missed.”

In addition to his role as Frank on PORT CHARLES, Pickett also temporarily filled in for Ted King as Lorenzo Alcazar on GH and later returned to GH again in 2006-07 in the recurring role of Detective David Harper. Before joining the cast of PORT CHARLES, Pickett played Dr. Chip Lakin on NBC sudser DAYS OF OUR LIVES, and after, could be seen in primetime series like DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and NCIS: LOS ANGELES as well as films like A Matter of Faith and A Soldier’s Revenge. According to the IMDb, the prolific actor currently has four projects that are completed and in post-production and one that was still filming.

Pickett is survived by his wife, Elena, his daughters, Maegan and Michaela, and a son, Tyler. Our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.

Morning Show Appearance

Thursday, Aug. 5

actors Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison (“Sweet Revenge: A Hannah Swensen Mystery”)

Frances Fisher’s Application To File Suit Against SAG-AFTRA Over Health Plan Changes Rejected By Judge, But Case Could Still Go Forward

“We expect the claim to go forward with an additional claim being added,” said her attorney, Neville Johnson. “We’re working it out with the other side. We are coming to an agreement.”

The union said in a statement that “In the breach of fiduciary suit case which Frances Fisher was seeking to file against SAG-AFTRA officers and executive staff, the Court has denied her application to file the fiduciary lawsuit at this time. Should a breach of the duty of fair representation suit against the union or a renewed application for the court’s permission to file the fiduciary breach claims be filed, SAG-AFTRA will oppose those efforts to proceed, as all claims raised are without merit.”

SAG-AFTRA declined further comment.

In her June 25 application for leave to file a proposed complaint, Fisher identified the defendants as “the members of union leadership who are SAG-AFTRA Health Plan trustees; the members of union leadership who participated in the collective bargaining agreement negotiations and approvals with knowledge of the ongoing activity by the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan trustees to change the benefit structure, and the members of union leadership who approved the benefit cuts changes or who have used their union positions and the union to support the benefit cuts.”

Fisher, who is first vice president of the union’s Los Angeles Local and a member of the its national board of directors, named SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris, national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, former national executive director David White, chief contracts officer Ray Rodriguez and several other SAG-AFTRA officials as defendants.

Her case is separate but similar to a lawsuit filed last December against the trustees of the Health Plan, which claims that that the changes in its eligibility rules “illegally discriminate based on age” – a charge flatly denied by the plan’s trustees, who say the changes were necessary to keep the plan afloat. Like Fisher, two of the plaintiffs in that case – former SAG president Ed Asner and L.A. Local second vice president David Jolliffe – are aligned with MembershipFirst, the union’s opposition party.

Chrishell Stause: I'm Dating Jason Oppenheim

The "Selling Sunset" star just posted a ton of pics with Jason from what appears to be a romantic getaway with the "Selling Sunset" cast to Capri, Italy ... and there are a few shots of Chrishell and Jason planting kisses on each other.

Chrishell captioned her photo dump "The JLo effect" ... a nod to Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, who were just flaunting their romance -- very publicly -- in Capri as well.

Jason's brother, Brett Oppenheim, already commented on the post, telling his "Selling Sunset" co-star... "Love you Chrishell. Thank you for making my brother happy." Jason added a "??" emoji comment too.

The relationship dynamic's kinda interesting ... Chrishell works for The Oppenheim Group, a real estate company founded by her new boo -- so, you've gotta figure this relationship won't sit well with some of the other agents.

Jason is at least the second boyfriend for Chrishell since her divorce from Justin Hartley ... as we first told you, she was dating 'DWTS' star Keo Motsepe for about 3 months before a mutual split.

Justin's moved on too ... he wasted little time getting married, tying the knot with Sofia Pernas in May, less than 3 months after his divorce from Chrishell was finalized.

Amber Riley, Bill Bellamy And Loretta Devine Lead BET+ Holiday Film Slate

The full breakdown of the 2021 BET+ holiday films is below.

A Christmas Wish

Roz McKenzie, a single mother, is calling upon a miracle so she and her daughter can survive Christmas.

Starring: Noree Victoria, Nadia Simms, Blue Kimble, Javon Johnson

Written and Directed by: Christopher Nolen

A Rich Christmas

A spoiled and ungrateful socialite learns a valuable lesson one Christmas after her mega-rich father forces her to work at the first property he ever owned – a family homeless center.

Starring: Bill Bellamy, Vanessa A Williams, Tyler Abron, Brandee Evans, Denise Boutte

Directed by: Victoria Rowell

Written by: Shateka “SJ” Johnson

The Business of Christmas 2

For the Franklin family, Christmas will never be the same without their father, Oscar. As their mother hesitates to let love in again, the children struggle to see beyond their own career and relationship problems. They must get outside of themselves and forgive each other for the mistakes of the past in order to remember that there is no Christmas without family.

Starring: Daphne Maxwell Reid, Jennifer Freeman

Directed by: Tim Reid

Written by: Camara Davis

Christmas Déjŕ Vu

A woman with a downtrodden life who hates Christmas longs for the life she could have had as a singer. She meets an angel who grants her wish.

Starring: Amber Riley, Loretta Devine, Blue Kimble

Written and Directed by: Christel Gibson

Christmas for Sale

A young real estate agent pretends to be a billionaire’s yoga instructor on a holiday ski trip to gain a lucrative real estate listing, but she ends up falling in love with the eccentric and charming gentlemen.

Starring: Nadine Ellis, Aaron Spears, Shanti Lowry

Written by: Camara Davis

Directed by: Michael Mayhall

The Jenkins Family Christmas

After burying their father earlier in the year, Baneatta and Beverly attempt to carry on his Christmas traditions without strangling each other – but when an unknown half-sister arrives at the family festivities, more than just Christmas presents are opened.

Starring: Regina Taylor, Kim Coles, Tammy Townsend, Robert Gossett, Ashley Love Mills, Anthony Chatmon II, Derek Chadwick, Bailey Bass, Thomas Miles (“Nephew Tommy”), Monti Washington

Directed by: Robin Givens

Written by: Christopher Oscar Pena and Joy Kecken

Merry Switchmas

The holidays take a wrong turn when identical twin sisters agree to switch places for one night only at their parents’ Christmas party. With their boyfriends, a feisty great-aunt, and others tangled in their charade, the sisters end up finding out more about their family and themselves before the night ends. But the real question is whether the sisters can eventually make things right with their family and boyfriends when the truth comes out.

Starring: Valarie Pettiford, Thea Camara, Peter Parros, Rachel Aladdin, Rebekah Aladdin, Joseph Harold, Joel Harold

Directed by: Chris Nolen

Written by: Gabrielle Collins

Soul Santa

When an unlucky businessman gambles away the mob’s money, he is forced to go on the run and hide out as a shopping mall Santa Claus.

Starring: David Mann, Tamela Mann, Brooke Monroe Conaway, Christopher Gurr, Ross Fleming

Directed by: Terri Vaughn

Written by: Greg Anderson

BET+ will announce the full schedule at a later date.

‘Fantasy Island’ Adds guest stars Eric Winter, Debbi Morgan & Leslie Jordan

Fox’s follow-up to the classic ABC anthology doesn’t premiere until next month, but we’ve already started getting wind of who has lined up to have their wishes granted on the magical dramedy starring Roselyn Sánchez as Elena Roarke — grand-niece of Ricardo Montalban’s Mr. Roarke. And now, TV Insider can exclusively confirm three more tourists heading for the island.

Call Me Kat‘s Leslie Jordan, a longtime equal-rights advocate who blew up on Instagram in 2020 with his hilarious lockdown posts, will drop in on the eighth episode as the ghost of a shady art dealer named Jasper that gets 24 hours back on Earth to reconnect with the protégé he may have given misguided advice to.

All My Children vet Debbi Morgan (Power and Fox’s upcoming People Like Us) shows up in episode four as Eileen, “a delightful free spirit with elegance, charm and the confidence of someone who has always been the most beautiful and entertaining person in the room.” Unfortunately, Eileen also has a strained relationship with her daughter, which she hopes to mend while vacationing in paradise.

And finally, Roselyn Sánchez’s real-life husband, Eric Winter of The Rookie, is due to have us swooning in episode six as Brian, an athletic and competitive survivalist who dares the island to put him through the “ultimate mental and physical challenge.” Fans of the couple will be aware that Winter was in Puerto Rico with the family while Roselyn began filming, so ya had to know this one was coming. Sánchez even told TV Guide Magazine that she was going to make sure he showed up, which is proof positive that she really is a boss!

The three actors join a number of already-announced guest stars on the reboot. Fantasy Island will be welcoming Prodigal Son‘s Bellamy Young and Bold and the Beautiful‘s Kiara Barnes in the premiere, followed by Dave and Odette Annable (he of Yellowstone, she of Walker) and the give-it-to-us-now reunion of Melrose Place alums Daphne Zuniga, Laura Leighton, and Josie Bissett.

Fantasy Island, Series Premiere, Tuesday, August 10, 9/8c, Fox.

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Limited Series With Lisa Rinna, Deidre Hall, More Ordered By Peacock

The first original Days of Our Lives limited series will bring together past and present residents of Salem including the return of Lisa Rinna as Billie Reed, along with Deidre Hall as Dr. Marlena Evans, Drake Hogestyn as John Black, Jackée Harry as Paulina Price, James Reynolds as Abe Carver, Victoria Konefal as Ciara Brady, Robert Scott Wilson as Ben Weston, Billy Flynn as Chad DiMera, Lamon Archey as Eli Grant and Sal Stowers as Lani Price.

In the limited series, over a long weekend, John and Marlena travel to Zurich; Ben and Ciara have a romantic getaway in New Orleans; Chad visits some old friends in Phoenix; and Abe, Paulina, Lani, and Eli vacation in Miami. All find themselves embroiled in a mystery involving stolen jewels which, in the wrong hands, could cause dire consequences for Salem. It’s a race against time for ISA agent Billie Reed as she crosses the globe in search of this missing treasure.

Rinna portrayed Billie Reed on the daytime soap from its launch in 1992 through 2013. She most recently returned for a five-episode arc in 2018.

Days of Our Lives received a two-year renewal in May, taking it through its 58th season. Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, the show’s core families are the Bradys, Hortons, Carvers, DiMeras, and Kiriakises. It mixes elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

Days of Our Lives is produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producer Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati serves as head writer.

Peacock is the exclusive streaming home to Days of our Lives. The series airs weekdays on NBC.

Days of Our Lives Star Carson Boatman Weds Model Julana Dizon: 'We Couldn't Be Happier'

Boatman, 27, wed model Julana Dizon on Friday, July 23, at a ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa, near where he grew up.

"We're ecstatic," Boatman tells PEOPLE exclusively of his nuptials. "We couldn't be happier. It's been a long year and so we're excited to kind of get it behind us and top it off with us tying the knot."

You can see the soap opera actor portray an aged Johnny DiMera on Days starting this August.

The happy couple first met in 2016 in Los Angeles, when their mutual gym trainer played "matchmaker" and set them up for a dinner date. "And the rest is history," Boatman says.

On July 3rd, 2020, Boatman, who is also a country singer, popped the question by writing an original song that concluded with him asking Dizon to marry him.

"It came a lot sooner than I expected, so I was really surprised," Dizon recalls of the romantic proposal.

At Friday's ceremony, Boatman and Dizon made a point to also include their pets, with one of their dogs serving as the ring bearer and the other as a flower girl.

"It's kind of a whole little bit," Boatman explains. "The pastor is going to go to my brother, who's my best man, for the rings. And then my brother's going to say, 'Oh, no. I don't have the rings. I don't know where the rings are.' And then the pastor's going to go, 'Does anybody have the rings?'"

He continues, "And then this AC/DC song is going to come on and the suspense will build for a few seconds and then these sliding barn doors will open and Willie, our dog, is going to run down the aisle to me with the rings and then we'll leash him up and he'll sit there with us for the rest of the ceremony."

Aside from the theatrical moment at their ceremony, Boatman and Dizon add that their reception had a "very summery" feel with a touch of country western, with Dizon and her bridesmaids all donning cowboy boots.

As for what they're looking forward to now that they have tied the knot, the newlyweds say they can't wait to simply experience life together.

"I'm just so excited to be like, 'This is my husband,'" Dizon says. "My husband! The thing I've looked forward to my whole life is one day getting married and then eventually later down the line start a family. Literally anything in life that comes after getting married, I'm just excited to do with him."

"These last five years with Julana have honestly been the best years that I've had so far," adds Boatman. "I love spending every day with her and I'm just looking forward to spending the rest of my days with her. Just doing life with Julana is what I'm looking forward to."

In addition to his nuptials, Boatman is currently preparing for the release of his latest film, Runt, which hits theaters Oct. 1 and starts streaming Oct. 19.

He stars as Hank in the upcoming film, which was also the late Cameron Boyce's final acting project before his death in July 2019.

Kirsten Storms Leaves GENERAL HOSPITAL Temporarily

Back on June 4, Storms stunned her fans by revealing that she had just had surgery to remove a large cyst in her head that she assured everyone was not cancerous. Days later, as she continued to heal, the actress gave more background about how her doctor discovered the mass and promised she would be back on GH as soon as she was fully recovered. And after a couple of weeks, Storms reported that she was already experiencing a “noticeable difference” in the symptoms that had been plaguing her for years. And one month after the surgery, she shared yet another update to pass along that her doctor says she’s “healing really well.”

On-screen, Maxie delivered her baby in the woods and passed Louise on to Brook Lynn to pass off as Valentin’s child in order to protect the infant from Peter. However, because Storms required time off for the surgery and the subsequent period of recovery, the soap had to write in an exit for her alter ego. This is why Maxie began finding it hard to tear herself away from Louise, threatening to expose their baby swap, and decided to leave Port Charles with her other children, Georgie and James.

Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Storms’ absence will be for “an undisclosed length of time” but once she has fully recovered, she’ll be back to work and Maxie will return to step back into the storyline, wherever it might be at that point. Because now Nina knows the truth and is worried that Valentin will be heartbroken to learn Bailey isn’t really his daughter. Plus, Austin, the doctor who helped Maxie give birth, is now working at GH and might reveal something about that day! So who knows what kind of mess Maxie could be coming back to! Keep watching GH to see how the story unfolds and keep checking back at SoapsInDepth.com for updates on when Storms returns to work!

Dishing with Digest 7/23/21 - Jackée Harry

‘The Jeffersons’ star Marla Gibbs describes herself as 90 going on 30

The “Jeffersons” star exclusively told Page Six in a new interview that she viewed her June 14 birthday as her third time turning 30.

“You have to understand that we’re spiritual beings as well as physical,” she explained. “And as spiritual beings, we have time, we have no age, so I choose to vibrate on 30.”

Gibbs added that 30 is how old she feels and “that tells me that I can work as long as I want to.”

Therefore, she scoffs at the notion of retirement. The “Madea’s Witness Protection” star is currently filming episodes of her favorite soap opera, “Days of Our Lives,” in which she plays Jackée Harry’s mom.

It’s not the first time the two have worked together. They both starred in the long-running sitcom “227” and, as Gibbs noted, “I was her mother in ‘The First Family’ and now I’m her mother again in ‘Days of Our Lives.’ I mean, how great is that?”

The Emmy nominee, however, is best known for her role as George Jefferson’s maid, Florence Johnston, in the acclaimed ’70s CBS sitcom.

“When I first got on ‘The Jeffersons,’ I was concerned that young people might be might not like it because I was a maid,” she revealed.

Gibbs thinks her character became so beloved in the end because “she was down-to-earth.”

“She was like some of the maids I had met growing up. They took over,” she said.

These days, Gibbs is a doting great-grandmother of two. She’s also active on the video-sharing site Cameo and started smoking weed a couple years ago to help her get to sleep at night, though she has since stopped because it didn’t help much.

“When I was growing up, we had such a terrible thing about marijuana, right? They called it wild weed, all kinds of things,” she said. “And I would fuss with the boys in the neighborhood if they were doing it. I would always be giving them lectures.

“So, they would be amazed right now to know that I supported it,” she continued. “But when I became acquainted with a lot of musicians, they explained to me what it really was, that it was herbs that grew in the ground, not whatever I was trying to make it out to be. And so, that’s why now it’s legal.”

Marla Gibbs on Days

Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean Teases ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Appearance

On Thursday the vocalist shared via Instagram that he will appear in the long-running NBC daytime drama. In his Instagram video post, McLean said that joining the series, even briefly, is “one of my biggest dreams” come true.

“There is a certain daytime TV show that my grandmother and I used to watch growing up. I’ll drop a couple of hints – Bo, Hope, Patch. Ring a bell?” he said in his video.

For Days Of Our Lives fans, it’s clear that McLean is talking about the series’ key characters including super couple Bo Brady and Hope Williams Brady, portrayed by Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso, respectively. As if name-dropping characters wasn’t already a dead giveaway, his video pans to a large poster that decorates a studio hallway.

“Your’s truly is making a guest appearance on this show right here,” he adds. “Oh my god I’m freaking out. So exciting. I hope made you proud grandma.”

Sources tell Deadline that McLean will appear for only one episode. Watch his social media post here.

Lisa Rinna had ‘one-night stands’ with former co-star Patrick Muldoon

The “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star revealed that she had a few “one-night stands” with her former co-star on the long running soap opera, Patrick Muldoon.

The 58-year-old played Billie Reed on the show from 1992 to 1995 — and Muldoon, 52, played her her on-screen brother, Austin Reed.

The Emmy nominee dished on her fling when asked what her most “surreal” ’90s moment was during an appearance on the podcast “PEOPLE in the ’90s.”

“Having an affair with the guy who played my brother,” she playfully replied.

“Well, not an affair, but a couple of one-night stands with the guy who (played) my brother. Patrick Muldoon and I had like, a thing,” she clarified, going on to note that it was before she met now-husband Harry Hamlin.

The two also appeared on the nighttime soap “Melrose Place.”

Rinna and Hamlin, 69, married in 1997 and share daughters Amelia, 20, and Delilah, 23.

Amelia is currently dating “KUWTK” star Scott Disick. Rinna admitted on a recent episode of “Housewives” that she was initially shocked when her daughter told her about the relationship which began in October 2020 when Amelia was only 19.

“It’s a what the f–k moment,” Rinna recalled of when she was told. “She’s 19! He’s 37 with three kids, hello!”

She added that Hamlin was more sanguine with the age gap perhaps because the “L.A. Law” actor was in a relationship with Ursula Andress when he was 28 and she was 44.

Rinna celebrated her birthday earlier this month by posting a sexy swimsuit selfie on Instagram.

Muldoon’s rep did not get back to Page Six for comment.

Jackée Harry on Family Feud July 25

The celebrity teams who will try to guess what the “survey said” are the following:

Team Nev Schulman; playing for National Dance Institute and American Cancer Society’s Benefit Event Dance Against Cancer

Laura Perlongo – Wife

Sarah Wahl – Sister-in-Law

Claudia Hirshon – Mother

Sheldon Hirshon – Stepfather

VERSUS

Team Jimmie Allen (Team Captain/multiplatinum recording artist); playing for Duffy’s Hope

Dexter Darden – Friend/actor

Lexi Gale – Wife

Tyrone Gale – Father-in-Law

Matt Stell – Friend/platinum country artist

Team David Arquette; playing for Violence Intervention Program’s The Alexis Project

RJ City – Sports Entertainer

Jack “Jungle Boy” Perry – AEW Wrestler

Peter “Pretty” Avalon – AEW Wrestler

Dalton Castle – ROH World Champion

VERSUS

Team Paul Reubens; playing for Feeding America

S. Epatha Merkerson – Friend

Jackée Harry – Friend

Joe Manganiello – Friend

Drew Carey – Friend

DAYS Alum Mike Manning Reveals He’s Married!

The actor declined to name his spouse and told Soap Opera Digest at the event, “He’s not in the business and he hates attention, and he works in finance, so it’s completely different from what I do. But he’s very supportive, so I lucked out.”

While he’s keeping his private life private, Manning is eternally grateful that he was able to tie the knot with the man that he loves. “I grew up thinking I would never get married and I just sort of accepted that,” he confided. “To be able to marry my best friend in front of my family and friends — and I’m the oldest child so it was the first wedding in my family — was very special and very important.”

Although he hasn’t shared any details of his husband or his wedding, Manning did share a piece of his big day in the most recent season of THE BAY. “In season six, in the finale, we shoot a wedding between my character and Eric Nelsen (Daniel; AJ, ALL MY CHILDREN) and for that wedding scene, I wore the actual suit that I wore in my wedding,” he revealed.

Congratulations to Manning and his husband and please join us in wishing them a lifetime of happiness together!

Joseph Behar, Longtime ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘General Hospital’ Director, Dies at 94

Behar, who also helmed TV programs featuring Ernie Kovacs when the famed comedian was first starting out, died June 26 at his home in Manhattan Beach, his wife, Carolyn, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Behar spent 22 years as a director on NBC’s Days of Our Lives — beginning with the show’s first broadcast in November 1965 — and from 1963-77 also called the shots for the Monty Hall-hosted Let’s Make a Deal, including the pilot.

The New York native also helmed the 1963 pilot for General Hospital before coming out of retirement to return to the ABC show 30 years later to begin a decade-long stay.

Behar won five Daytime Emmys, including four in the 2000s for his work on GH, before he retired — this time for good — at age 79 in 2005.

Born in Harlem on Sept. 30, 1926, Behar was raised in Long Beach, New York. He left Hofstra University in 1945 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army; stationed in Japan, he started a newspaper for the troops.

After his discharge, he took a class in television production in 1948, and that led to a job at WPTZ-TV in Philadelphia as a cameraman (working studio shows, Athletics and Phillies baseball games and University of Pennsylvania football games) and a promotion to director.

In the 1950s, Behar helmed episodes of the NBC daytime sci-fi show Atom Squad, the soap opera The Greatest Gift and local programs starring Kovacs, including a two-hour weekday morning program that predated the Today show. (Kovacs had begun at WPTZ as a staff announcer.)

From 1955-58, he directed for NBC’s Wide Wide World, a Sunday travelogue series conceived by Pat Weaver and hosted by Dave Garroway. When the Rocky Mountains were obscured by a blizzard during one episode, he sent someone to a gift shop to buy a picture postcard for the camera to zoom in on, his family noted.

He relocated to Los Angeles in 1959 to reteam with Kovacs on several network shows.

The key to directing Let’s Make a Deal was capturing the contestants’ reactions, he said in a 2003 conversation for the TV Academy Foundation website The Interviews. “Once a reaction was gone and you didn’t catch it, there was no way of editing it in or redoing it,” he noted. “But I was a wiz at getting it the first time.”

In addition to his wife of 53 years, survivors include sons Jeffrey, Steven and Greg and their partners Lori, Tim and Jennifer; grandchildren Alex, Mallory, Niko and Lydia; and great-granddaughter Brooklyn.

Check Out Two Daytime Vets in DRIVEN’s “Racy” Second Season!

For those not familiar with Passionflix, the subscription-based streaming service adapts popular romance novels into original movies and series. DRIVEN is based on the cult-favorite book series of the same name by bestselling author K. Bromberg, and the new season follows the events of the second novel, Fueled.

The first season of DRIVEN debuted on the streamer back in 2018 to high ratings, with DAYS alum Casey Deidrick (ex-Chad) playing the lead role of Colton, a sexy racecar driver with a troubled past who falls for social worker Rylee. Deidrick parted ways with Passionflix when he was cast on The CW’s IN THE DARK, leading the streaming service to tap Y&R vet Roark to take over as Olivia Applegate’s love interest. Roark actually got twice as much work out of the gig, as both the second and third seasons (which follows the book Crashed) were filmed back-to-back in late 2020.

“That’s a wrap on ‘Fueled’ and ‘Crashed’ in the Driven series,” Roark wrote on Instagram when filming completed just before Christmas. “Thank you, Olivia Applegate, [director] Tosca Musk, and the cast and crew for a great job with an ambitious schedule during a challenging time. Thank you to the fans for the warm welcome and to Kristy Bromberg for bringing us this story. ‘Fueled’ releases in 2021, with ‘Crashed’ to follow.”

While Roark will be heavily featured in all four episodes as one of DRIVEN’s leads, Shaughnessy appears in the supporting role of Colton’s adoptive father as the driver realizes he needs to confront the demons of his traumatic childhood in order to explore a future with Rylee.

Check out the exciting trailer for DRIVEN Season 2 below (warning: there is adult language), and then head over to Passionflix for subscription info! (Trailer)

‘A Christmas & Postre’: ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Camila Banus & Mark Hapka Lead Ninth House Holiday Indie Feature

Cristina Boada will write the script, which reps Colombian-American Brittany Underwood’s directorial debut.

A Christmas & Postre follows Carmen (Camila Banus) a quirky and lovable pastry chef, dreams of one day opening her very own Puerto Rican influenced postre shop– like the one her family owned on the island. In the meantime, she showcases her treats at a local coffee shop, Coqui, where she works with her sister, Pilar. When local hotel owner, Victor Flores (David Fumero), discovers her talents, she secures a coveted pastry chef position for his grand holiday event known for bolstering the careers of pastry chefs. Carmen is paired with perfectionist chef Jax (Mark Hapka), whom she frequently disagrees with. As they race against the clock to assemble their intricate holiday menu, Carmen and Jax realize they have a lot to learn from one another and eventually come together to create a truly inspired menu just in time for Christmas.

Melissa Marty, Terri Hoyos, David Fumero and Norma Maldonado will also star.

Banus is best known for her role as Gabi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives. She has also appeared in One Life to Live, Fox’s Star, and ABC’s Mistresses. Banus is repped by Banus is repped by Justin Baxter at A3 Artists Agency and Karla Huffman at Dream Talent Management.

Hapka is best known for his wok on Days of Our Lives, The Ghost Whisperer, Hannah Montana and Cold Case.

Ninth House Films is a full-service production company co-founded by Federici and Helgren. Their recent features includes Dashing in December, written and directed by Helgren, which aired on The Paramount Network last December. They are currently in post-production on Whose Child, a socially conscious film about domestic child abuse starring Anna Schafer as well as Breast Cancer Bucket List, starring Kelly Hu. Additionally, they recently wrapped production on A Christmas Retreat. The Ninth House is repped by Bradley Garrett, Esq.

DAYS Star Lucas Adams Is Engaged to Shelby Wulfert!

Over on her own Instagram account, Wulfert shared a series of pics of the pair on their hike where he popped the question. “I said, ‘Of course I will, baby!’” she declared. “Y’all, I’m gonna marry my best friend!” To which Adams replied: “I love you so much!” with a series of heart emojis for good measure. And just to one-up her beau, Wulfert replied to his Instagram post with “I love you to infinity!”

The couple celebrated their fifth anniversary of dating back in October 2020. “I love you more than anything in the universe and I am so grateful to be able to love you more and more every day,” Adams declared at the time. “You are my world, sweetheart. Happy anniversary, Shelby, here’s to so many more. Love you always.”

Thankfully, Adams’ real-life love life is much happier than poor Tripp, who has been having quite a rough go of it lately! Keep watching DAYS to see if Tripp’s luck gets any better.

Video: Passions Reunion

Passions ran on NBC from July 5, 1999 - September 7, 2007 and on Direct TV from September 17, 2007 - August 7, 2008.

Soap Vet Philece Sampler Dead at 67

“My heart is heavy,” Webb wrote on Facebook. “My dear friend, Philece Sampler, died unexpectedly at her home in Los Angeles. She was an enormously talented actress with a beautiful spirit, a loving heart, and a kind soul.”

Born on July 16, 1953, Sampler began acting in the late ’70s. Over the course of her forty-year career, Sampler logged nearly 200 performing credits, and was a prolific voice actor in animated television and video games. But to daytime fans, Sampler is best known for her roles as Donna Love on ANOTHER WORLD and Lee DuMond’s sister, Renee, on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

Although Sampler’s role on DAYS was short-lived, Renee was romanced by both Tony DiMera and David Banning before it was revealed that her character was Stefano’s long-lost daughter — and she was ultimately killed by the Salem Stalker. In a touching Instagram post, DAYS star Thaao Penghlis (Tony/Andre) shared a throwback photo of himself along with Sampler, Joseph Mascolo (Stefano), and Brenda Benet (Lee) from a scene celebrating the DiMera family on DAYS.

“So sorry to hear that Philece Sampler has passed on,” Penghlis wrote. “It’s hard to believe that all three actors have made their transition. Today I celebrate having known such talented pros. Here’s to Joseph, Brenda, and Philece.”

Chrishell Stause Will Recount Her 'Crazy Life Journey' in Her First Book Under Construction

The Selling Sunset star, 39, is preparing to give fans a glimpse behind the "sold" sign in her first book, Under Construction: Because Living My Best Life Took a Little Work, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal.

"I have always loved writing and it is an honor to be able to tell my story in this way," Stause says of the memoir. "I've had such a crazy life journey and in the process of finding my voice, I'm hopeful I can inspire others along the way as well."

Her literary debut, which will be published by Simon & Schuster imprint Gallery Books, will dive into her Kentucky upbringing, which included periods of homelessness and family's addiction struggles. Stause will also write about achieving her dream of being on a daytime soap, as well as her highly publicized love life, all while dishing out advice on "how to stay resilient and positive no matter how many times life knocks you down."

Stause has starred on the Netflix real estate reality series Selling Sunset since its premiere in 2019. After her ex-husband Justin Hartley suddenly filed for divorce, the couple's messy split played out on season 3 of the hit show.

"I've had to start over so many times in my life," she told PEOPLE in September. "I always know how to look at the bright side because there's been a lot of dark."

The former Dancing with the Stars competitor has also had to cope with the loss of both of her parents to lung cancer in the past couple of years. "It's almost an ungrievable loss," Stause added, in comparison to her divorce. "The other loss, you can slowly recover and get over. This one just feels like I'm adapting, as opposed to getting over it."

After putting herself back out there, she's more than ready to share her wisdom and her story. "I'm very happy, I'm in such a great place and I'm so grateful for everything," she said. "I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."

Under Construction: Because Living My Best Life Took a Little Work hits shelves February 8, 2022.

Passions Reunion Chat

Passions ran on NBC from July 5, 1999 - September 7, 2007 and on Direct TV from September 17, 2007 - August 7, 2008.

Precious Way Says Goodbye to DAYS OF OUR LIVES

“Chanel was my first TV role,” Way continued. “I was scared, excited, nervous, and unbelievably grateful all at the same time. I gained so much respect for everyone I had the absolute pleasure of working with on this show. Thank you all for being so welcoming and teaching me so much! It was such a pleasure.”

Way made her daytime debut as the daughter of Jackée Harry’s Paulina in the March 25, 2001 episode of DAYS and Chanel made a big splash in Salem as she tried scamming her way into money through various means, including marrying a drunken Xander! Her final episode will air on Monday, July 5, and the following day, Raven Bowens will be taking over the role to continue telling Chanel’s story.

No official reason for the recast has been given, although last summer, it was announced that Way had been cast to star alongside rap legend MC Lyte in the upcoming TV series PARTNERS IN RHYME. In it, Way will play Luscious T, an up-and-coming high-school rapper who thinks she’s the next big thing. The series is currently filming and is slated to debut on the AMC Networks streaming channel ALLBLK this November.

So fans can look forward to enjoying Way in her new role in PARTNERS IN RHYME while also enjoying Bowens as she takes over the role of Chanel on DAYS.

For actor Charles Shaughnessy, it’s been a surprise-filled journey to performing in “Spamalot” in Maine

Actually, that almost happened. As a young man in England, Shaughnessy was pursuing a law degree at Cambridge when he realized he’d much rather try to make a living as an actor. “I thought I might make a career of it,” he says with a laugh. “But I never dreamed I’d end up in America doing a soap opera. And a sitcom. And ‘Spamalot.’ I mean, all of this is just crazy.”

It may be crazy, but it sure is fun. Shaughnessey is now portraying King Arthur in Ogunquit Playhouse’s production of “Spamalot,” the musical comedy adapted from “Monty Python and the Holy Grail. “It’s a joy,” he says. “Theatre is the spiritual home. This is what I love.”

Theatre is his passion, but television made him famous. He tells the story of how star Fran Drescher, at the height of “The Nanny’s” popularity, tried to get away from the fans and the fame by jetting off for a vacation in a remote part of the South Pacific. “She ended up on an island near Tonga. As she was being rowed ashore from the ship, she saw all the natives on the beach going ‘Nanny! Nanny!’ And she noticed all the huts had satellite dishes. Even there they picked up ‘The Nanny.’ “

Watch both parts of our interview with Shaughnessy, who is an engaging and likable guy. In the first he talks mostly about “Spamalot,” in the second mostly about “The Nanny.”

Stuart Damon, Longtime Actor on ‘General Hospital,’ Dies at 84

Damon had been struggling with renal failure, KABC reporter George Pennacchio said in a Facebook post about Damon’s death, quoting Damon’s son, Christopher, who said of the elder Damon’s time on the soap, “It was his favorite place to be. He loved playing Alan and was always so appreciative of that role and that job. It was his passion.”

After beginning his career on Broadway, the tall, dark-haired Damon shot to prominence when he portrayed the prince opposite Lesley Ann Warren in a lavish 1965 CBS musical production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

He then worked for a dozen or so years in London, where he starred as a secret agent on the 1968-69 ITV series The Champions, appeared on shows including The Saint, Steptoe and Son and The New Avengers and toplined the West End musicals Charlie Girl, a long-running hit, and Man of Magic, as Harry Houdini.

Damon joined General Hospital in May 1977 when Alan Quartermaine, a member of a rich, dysfunctional family, arrived in Port Charles to help Dr. Steve Hardy (John Beradino) raise funds for a new hospital wing. He sticks around and weds Dr. Monica Webber (Leslie Charleson) in 1978, and their marriage is tested by affairs and murder attempts over the years.

“He’s really one of the most interesting characters around,” Damon said in a 2010 interview. “He’s loving one day, but he’s also a failed murderer who wound up in a hospital on two occasions. … I’ve just played some scenes with Monica in which you couldn’t be sure whether I’d kill her or screw her.”

Following six Daytime Emmy nominations without a win, Damon finally took home the prize on his last attempt in 1999 when Alan got addicted to painkillers while attempting to recover from career-threatening hand surgery. (The actor also spent 1997-2001 on the GH spinoff Port Charles.)

Damon was fired from GH in late 2006 — Alan would die of a heart attack after being taken hostage in a hotel — but he occasionally returned as ghostly apparitions or in flashback sequences through 2013. Meanwhile, he worked on two other soaps, CBS’ As the World Turns and NBC’s Days of Our Lives.

The son of Russian immigrants, Stuart Michael Zonis was born in Brooklyn on Feb. 5, 1937. He graduated in 1958 from Brandeis University, where his classmates included Louise Lasser and future advice columnist Margo Howard.

He sang on Broadway in 1959 in the ensemble of First Impressions, a musical comedy version of Pride and Prejudice that was directed by Abe Burrows, then spent more than a year in two roles in the original Broadway production of Irma la Douce.

Damon appeared in a 1963 Obie-winning off-Broadway revival of The Boys From Syracuse, which featured music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, then was back on Broadway in 1965 in a featured part in Do I Hear a Waltz?, from Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim. (He also was heard on that cast album and others as well.)

On The Champions, Damon played spy/pilot Craig Stirling opposite British actors Alexandra Bastedo and William Gaunt. Their characters worked at a Geneva-based law enforcement organization known as Nemesis and used the exceptional powers given to them by an advanced Tibetan civilization to save the world.

Damon later starred for two seasons (1976-77) on the World War II-set ITV comedy Yanks Go Home before returning to the U.S. to work on a soap opera. “I was thinking General Hospital might be a 13-week gig, and 31 years later, I was still there,” he said.

“I tried to make [Alan] as complete as possible,” he added. “I wanted to make sure that this character had an edge, that he wasn’t Mr. Good Guy or Mr. Bad Guy — he wasn’t black or white, he was gray. I wanted to make him someone you didn’t mess with.”

Damon also showed up on other TV shows including Naked City, Fantasy Island, Hotel and Diagnosis Murder and in the 1983 feature Star 80, directed by Bob Fosse.

Survivors include his wife, British-born actress, singer and dancer Deirdre Ottewill, whom he married in 1961, and their children, Jennifer and Christopher.

Days To Stream on Peacock

Stuart Damon Dies: ‘General Hospital’s’ Alan Quartermaine Had 50-Year Career On Stage And Screen

On behalf of everyone at #GH, I want to extend my deepest condolences to Stuart Damon’s family and all who loved him. Stuart was an absolute legend of our industry and he’ll be sorely missed. @GeneralHospital — Frank Valentini (@valentinifrank) June 29, 2021

The actor’s son, Christopher Damon, told Pennacchio that the actor had been dealing with renal failure for the past few years. Of his father’s five-decade run on General Hospital, the younger Damon said: “It was his favorite place to be. He loved playing Alan and was always so appreciative of that role and that job. It was his passion.”

Damon first appeared on the ABC soap as Alan Quartermaine in 1977. He remained in the role even after the good doctor’s death in 2007, appearing occasionally as the character’s ghost.

The actor also appeared as Quartermaine on the spinoff Port Charles, which aired from 1997-2003 on ABC

After his stint as a regular on General Hospital was over, Damon landed multi-episode arcs on Days of Our Lives and As the World Turns. He also appeared on such pre-2000 hits as Diagnosis Murder, Fantasy Island, Mike Hammer and Hotel.

Damon got his start on Broadway, which led to him play the prince opposite Lesley Ann Warren in a 1965 TV movie remake of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

In the late ’60s, he appeared on 30 episodes of NBC’s The Champions.

Cady McClain Sets Daytime Emmy Record With Wins For ‘Days Of Our Lives’, ‘As the World Turns’ & ‘All My Children’

Soap veteran Cady McClain this past weekend won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series. She earned it for her recurring role as Jennifer Horton-Deveraux on NBC’s Days of Our Lives. It was McClain’s third Daytime Emmy win, following 2004 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series trophy for her role as Rosanna Cabot on CBS’ As the World Turns and Outstanding Juvenile Female in a Drama Series Emmy in 1990 for playing Dixie Martin on ABC’s All My Children.

With the new win, McClain has become the first female performer to nab Daytime Emmys for three different series — which also happen to be on three different networks and span three decades. McClain’s résumé also includes a major role on CBS’ The Young and the Restless as Kelly Andrews.

TV Ratings: Daytime Emmys Slip, Olympic Trials Dominate Friday

NBC’s coverage of the latest U.S. Olympics trials dominated Friday in both measures, with the 8 o’clock hour doing 4.1 mil/0.6 and the 9 pm portion rising to 4.4 mil/0.8.

Elsewhere:

FOX | Friday Night SmackDown (1.9 mil/0.5) was steady.

ABC | Emergency Call (2.9 mil/0.3) was steady.

THE CW | Charmed (390K/0.1) and Dynasty (240K/0.1) each dropped some eyeballs.

‘Supernatural’ Prequel ‘The Winchesters’ In Works At The CW From Jensen & Danneel Ackles

The Winchesters, which has a script commitment, is written/executive produced by another Supernatural alum, former co-executive producer Robbie Thompson.

Before Sam and Dean, there was John and Mary. Told from the perspective of narrator Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles), The Winchesters is the epic, untold love story of how John met Mary and how they put it all on the line to not only save their love, but the entire world.

Jensen and Danneel Ackles executive produce through their company, Chaos Machine Productions, which the duo launched last fall with an overall deal at Warner Bros. Television, the studio behind Supernatural which also is producing The Winchesters in association with Chaos Machine.

“After Supernatural wrapped its 15th season, we knew it wasn’t over. Because like we say in the show, ‘nothing ever really ends, does it?'” Jensen Ackles told Deadline. “When Danneel and I formed Chaos Machine Productions, we knew the first story we wanted to tell was the story of John and Mary Winchester, or rather the Supernatural origin story. I always felt like my character, Dean, would have wanted to know more about his parents’ relationship and how it came to be. So I love the thought of having him take us on this journey.”

The Ackles have been working on The Winchesters with Chaos Machine head of development Renee Reiff.

Supernatural, which ended its 15-season run last fall, starred Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki as brothers Dean and Sam Winchester who hunt demons, ghosts, monsters, and other supernatural beings. John and Mary were played on the show by Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Samantha Smith. Mary was killed by a demon when Sam was still a baby. Investigating her death, John becomes a hunter and then passes on his knowledge and skills to his sons. John was a recurring character in the first season and died in the Season 2 premiere.

Supernatural, created by Eric Kripke, originated on the WB and is the longest-running sci-fi/genre series in the history of American broadcast television. A favorite of fans — and the CW chairman Mark Pedwoitz — the show enjoyed loyal following and strong support at the network. The CW made two previous attempts to launch a Supernatural spinoff with Bloodlines and Wayward Sisters, both of which were introduced as backdoor pilots.

If The Winchesters goes forward, the CW will have both stars of Supernatural back in the fold; Padalecki is star/executive producer of Walker, which is headed to a second season.

On-screen, Jensen Ackles will next be seen in a high-profile new role as Soldier Boy on Season 3 of Amazon’s hit series The Boys. He and Danneel are repped by Gersh, Management 360 and Ziffren Brittenham.

Thompson was on Supernatural for five years, rising to co-executive producer. He most recently served as co-executive producer on Netflix’s Cursed. He is repped by Artists First and Mark Wetzstein.

Daytime Emmy Presenters, Special Appearances & On-Air Categories Annouced

The 48th ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY® AWARDS will feature talent appearing from the Emmy stage in Los Angeles, individual show studios and homes to accept their awards. Kathy Lee Gifford, Ken Jeong, Martha Stewart and Robin Roberts will make special appearances and pay tribute to legends Regis Philbin, Alex Trebek and Larry King. Also, Diamond White from THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL is scoring and singing the song for the “In Memoriam” segment.

Presenters scheduled to appear include:

Al Roker (“Today Show”)

Amy Robach, T.J. Holmes & Dr. Jennifer Ashton (“GMA3: What You Need to Know)

Bryton James and Brytni Sarpi (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS)

Deidre Hall (“Days of Our Lives”)

Donnell Turner and Cynthia Watros (“General Hospital)

Drew Barrymore (“The Drew Barrymore Show”)

Giada De Laurentiis (“Giada at Home 2.0”)

Gloria Estefan (“Red Table Talk: The Estefans”)

Heather Tom (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL)

Jackée Harry and Robert Scott Wilson (“Days of Our Lives”)

Jacqueline MacInnes Wood and Tanner Novlan (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL)

Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest (“Live with Kelly & Ryan”)

Kelly Thiebaud (“General Hospital”)

Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner (ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT)

Mario Lopez (“Access Hollywood”)

Michelle Stafford (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS)

Nate Burleson (CBS SPORTS and “Extra”)

Rachel Lindsay (“Extra”)

Sean Kanan (“Studio City”)

Tamron Hall (“Tamron Hall”)

Categories scheduled for the CBS broadcast include:

Outstanding Drama Series

Outstanding Limited Drama Series

Outstanding Game Show

Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program

Outstanding Morning Show

Outstanding Informative Talk Show

Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show

Outstanding Entertainment News Program

Outstanding Daytime Special Event

Outstanding Daytime Non-Fiction

Outstanding Special Performance by a Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Outstanding Special Performance by a Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Outstanding Younger Performer in A Drama Series

Outstanding Guest Performer in A Drama Series

Outstanding Culinary Host

Outstanding Game Show Host

Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host

Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host

Outstanding Writing Team for a Drama Series

Outstanding Directing Team for a Drama Series

Additional winners will be announced on Twitter (@DaytimeEmmys) beginning at 5:00 PM, ET/2:00 PM, PT. Awards for Daytime Children’s Programming, Animation and Daytime Lifestyle Programming will be presented in separate ceremonies in July.

The Daytime Emmy® Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in daytime television programming since 1974. The awards are presented to individuals and programs broadcast between 2:00 AM and 6:00 PM, as well as certain categories of digital and syndicated programming of similar content. This year’s awards honor content from more than 2,700 submissions that originally premiered in calendar-year 2019, judged by a pool of 1,000 peer professionals from across the television industry.

The 48TH ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY® AWARDS is produced by NATAS and Associated Television International (ATI), which produced Daytime Emmy® Award ceremonies on The CW in 2009 and on CBS in 2010, 2011 and 2020. Adam Sharp and Steve Ulrich are executive producers from NATAS, while David McKenzie is executive producer and director from ATI.

Chrishell Stause buys $3.3M home after divorce from Justin Hartley

At an impressive $3.3 million, the “Selling Sunset” star found herself landing a bargain on the four-bedroom, 4˝-bathroom Hollywood Hills pad that was initially listed at nearly $4 million when the home first hit the market back in October.

Stause, 39, went into contract on the Los Angeles residence last month. The sale closed on June 10, according to property records.

And who else better to represent her in the transaction than her very own boss and co-star, Jason Oppenheim, of the Oppenheim Group?

Built in 1964, the home has since undergone modern renovations and the living space spans over 3,300 square feet.

Features of the home include European oak flooring throughout, a chef’s kitchen with premier Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances opening to a great room with expansive, unobstructed views of the canyon and city, according to the listing.

The master suite includes a bath with extensive Italian Calacatta marble, a steam shower and a soaking spa tub.

Exterior features include a heated pool and spa with a cabana, bathroom and two outdoor fireplaces. The house also comes with a security entry system by DoorBird and Sonos sound system.

Following her sudden divorce, Stause first moved into a much smaller, fully furnished, one-bedroom apartment rental in the Hills.

Hartley still owns the massive six-bedroom, eight-bathroom Encino home they purchased in March 2019 for $4.65 million.

Soap Vet Carrie Genzel’s New Gig

Kirsten Storms Recovery Update

Mondays With Mindy: Deidre Hall

John Gabriel, Actor on ‘Ryan’s Hope,’ Dies at 90

Gabriel’s death was announced on Instagram by his daughter, actress Andrea Gabriel (Lost). “It is with an unspeakably heavy heart that I share the news of my father’s passing,” she wrote. “John Gabriel was my hero, my role model, and my champion, but above all, my daddy. … I will love you forever.”

No details of his death were immediately available.

Gabriel appeared in the John Wayne starrer El Dorado (1966) — and co-wrote the film’s title song with Nelson Riddle — and had a recurring role as WJM-TV sportscaster Andy Rivers on CBS’ The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

He played The Professor on the original pilot for CBS’ Gilligan’s Island, filmed on the Hawaiian island of Kauai in November 1963, but Russell Johnson wound up with the part when the show made it to the air the following September. (Two other actors, Nancy McCarthy and Kit Smythe, were dumped as well.)

“It was the first time in my adult life that I remember weeping,” he once said. “And I think part of that has to do with the fact that I built this thing up to such a degree it was going to be my breakthrough.”

Gabriel portrayed Seneca, chief of staff at New York’s Riverside Hospital, on Ryan’s Hope from 1975 through 1985, then returned as the show was wrapping up in 1988-89. He received an Emmy nomination for outstanding actor in a daytime drama series in 1980.

At the start of the show, Seneca had come to New York in pursuit of his wife, Nell (Diana Van der Vlis), who had left him. After he participated in her mercy killing, he married attorney Jill Coleridge (Nancy Addison Altman), who had defended him in the murder trial.

Gabriel was born on May 25, 1931, in Niagara Falls, New York. His parents owned a grocery store. He acted in plays at UCLA and, after a stint in the U.S. Air Force, was signed to a contract at 20th Century Fox, where he was given small roles in the 1958 films The Young Lions and The Hunters.

He appeared on such TV series as Surfside 6, Hawaiian Eye, 77 Sunset Strip and The Flying Nun and worked on Broadway in The Happy Time — as Robert Goulet’s standby — and Applause before landing on Ryan’s Hope.

Raven Bowens Is the New Chanel on DAYS OF OUR LIVES

DAYS will mark Bowens’ daytime debut, though she did star as Savannah Peters in the streaming series MR. STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT, which also counted GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Haley Pullos (Molly) among its cast. She also appeared as Adria Biles in the TV movie The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar and more recently could be seen guest-starring on primetime series like ALL RISE and INSECURE.

Paulina’s daughter Chanel first appeared on DAYS back on March 25, 2021, and immediately started stirring up drama, marrying Xander in the hopes of a quick payout and then later revealing her crush on Allie as she decided to go legit and start her own bakery business.

So while Chanel might have a new look come July, fans can rest assured that her storyline will continue on as the young woman starts to realize that her mother is up to no good in Salem! Stay tuned to see what happens next!

Jen Lilley and Ryan Paevey Star in a Soapy New Hallmark Movie!

If you follow Lilley on Instagram, you know that the GH and DAYS alumna has been quarantining in Vancouver, as she’s about to begin work on her next Hallmark movie. Last week, she revealed in an Instagram story that her next project will be a film titled Love In The Afternoon. The actress also shared a photo of the cover page of her script, which showed that the movie was written by sisters Sandra and Judith Berg — who also penned Harvest Love!

Paevey has also been quarantining in a Vancouver hotel room, but neither daytime alum mentioned that they’d be collaborating again. That is, until self-proclaimed workaholic Lilley went live on Instagram yesterday to answer fan questions while she made her lunch! “I am going to be doing another movie for Hallmark with Ryan Paevey,” she confirmed as for her reason for being in Canada.

With a title like Love In The Afternoon, the movie must have a connection to daytime dramas, right? Yep! According to a synopsis for the film, “soap opera dreams come true as a writer not only gets the job of her dreams but the perfect partner, too.” Lilley is slated to star as the writer, Natalie, but it’s not clear if Paevey’s Chase is one of the performers on the soap, or if he too works behind the scenes.

If we had to venture a guess, we’d say that the handsome GH alum will play a soap hunk in the upcoming film as well… so stay tuned for more information about Love In The Afternoon and to see if our prediction was right!

‘The Boys’: First Look At Jensen Ackles As Soldier Boy

The photo was released Monday on the show’s official Twitter account. You can see the full image below.

Ackles’ Soldier Boy is the original Superhero. After Soldier Boy fought in World War II, he became the first super celebrity, and a mainstay of American culture for decades.

Supernatural alum Ackles also posted a close-up of the shield on his Instagram account with the caption: “Every dent, every scratch, every mark tells a story. A story that ends with me, winning.” See below.

Based on The New York Times best-selling comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, The Boys was developed by showrunner Eric Kripke, who also serves as writer and executive producer. Joining Kripke as executive producers are Point Grey Pictures’ Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Weaver, Original Film’s Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty as well as Phil Sgriccia, Craig Rosenberg, Rebecca Sonnenshine, Ken Levin and Jason Netter. Ennis and Robertson also co-executive produce along with Michael Saltzman.

The second season saw The Boys – Hughie (Jack Quaid), Mother’s Milk (Laz Alonso), Frenchie (Tomer Capon) and Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara) – on the run from the law, hunted by the Supes, and desperately trying to regroup and fight back against Vought. Erin Moriarty, Antony Starr and Aya Cash also star. The Supes of The Seven also include Queen Maeve (Dominique McElligott), A-Train (Jessie T. Usher), The Deep (Chace Crawford) and Black Noir (Nathan Mitchell), while Karl Urban plays Butcher.

The series is produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television Studios with Point Grey Pictures, Kripke Enterprises and Original Film.

GH’s Kirsten Storms Offers Recovery Update

Kate Mansi Reveals Marriage

Kirsten Storms is Recovering from Brain Surgery

In the videos, Storms was seated in the front seat of Rylan’s car, sporting a neck brace with a pillow propped behind her back, presumably to keep her neck straight following the operation. “I’ve not really spoken about this much, or at all, actually,” she confessed. “Less than 48 hours ago, I had brain surgery. Hence the neck brace. It was on the lower portion of my brain. Emme is taking care of me until I get to my at-home nurse.”

Storms went on to explain more about her medical crisis, reassuring fans that the mass on her brain was not cancerous. “What they had to drain and remove was not cancer,” she insisted. “I want to clarify that right now before the internet goes crazy wild with rumors about this. I had a very large cyst that had to split into two. The doctor said it was so full, the pressure was very noticeable when they opened up my skull.”

Brain surgery is kind of a big deal when it comes to medical procedures, so Storms will understandably be on a restricted schedule for the foreseeable future as she recovers — and that includes taking some time off from the soap “I will be on the mend for the next several weeks,” she explained. “I will be back at work when this is over with.”

At that, her best friend interjected that time off was well-deserved. “I mean, I think you can take a moment,” Rylan laughed, causing Storms to laugh in return. “Yeah, I’m going to knit during this time,” the patient confessed.

Although Storms clearly looks like she’s in pain in the video, we’re glad that she still managed to share some laughs with her best friend! “Thank you to Emme for taking care of me,” she gushed.

Stay tuned to see how Storms’ real-life health crisis will impact Maxie’s on-screen drama. And hopefully, we will see the actress back on the screen very soon!

Hallmark Sets Christmas In July Slate With ‘Crashing Through The Snow’, ‘The Christmas Ring’ & More

The annual summer movie celebration will kick off Friday, July 9 and will run until Sunday, July 31. Crashing Through The Snow will make its Hallmark debut Friday, July 10 at 9 p.m. The film centers on Maggie (Acker), who joins her ex-husband Jeff (Kristian Brunn) and his girlfriend Kate (Brooke Nevin) for a Christmas getaway in Aspen, where she meets Kate’s brother, Sam (Warren Christie).

Crashing Through the Snow is from Through the Snow Pictures Inc. Stan Spry, Eric Woods and Ryan M. Murphy are executive producers. Anthony Fankhauser is co-executive producer.

This year’s lineup will also include a 2020 Movie Marathon, Soap Sunday and Countdown to Christmas Greatest Hits, which will feature holiday movies including The Christmas Ring and Crown for Christmas.

See highlights from the Christmas In July lineup below.

2020 Movie Marathon (Saturday, July 10-Sunday, July 11)

Popular Christmas movies from 2020 will air from morning till night, including the original movie premiere of “Crashing Through the Snow,” (Saturday, July 10, 9 p.m., ET/PT).

Soap Sunday (Sunday, July 18)

Holiday films featuring soap stars will air throughout the day and into the night, including Cameron Mathison, Chaley Rose, Rome Flynn, Alison Sweeney, Jesse Metcalfe, Fiona Gubelmann, Bethany Joy Lenz, Victor Webster, and more.

Countdown to Christmas Greatest Hits (Saturday, July 24-Sunday, July 25)

Celebrate some of Hallmark Channel’s Christmas hit films of the past. Highlights include:

“Crown for Christmas” (Saturday, July 24, 7 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Danica McKellar (“Matchmaker Mysteries,” “Love and Sunshine,” “The Wonder Years”), Rupert Penry-Jones (“MI-5”)

“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (Saturday, July 24, 9 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Brooke Burns (“Christmas Connection,” “Melrose Place”), Henry Winkler (“Barry,” “Happy Days”), Warren Christie (“If I Only Had Christmas,” “Motive”)

“Christmas Under Wraps” (Sunday, July 25, 7 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Candace Cameron Bure (“If I only had Christmas,” “Full/Fuller House,” “Christmas Town”), David O’Donnell (“A Christmas in Vermont”) “The Nine Lives of Christmas” (Sunday, July 25, 10 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Brandon Routh (“The Rookie,” “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow,” “Superman Returns”), Kimberley Sustad (“Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen,” “Morning Show Mysteries”)

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries (Friday, June 25-Thursday, July 8):

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries presents a Christmas gift of themed nights of Yuletide favorites to enjoy:

Blake Shelton Night! (Monday, June 28)

Blake Shelton proves that he’s more than just an award-winning musician by showing his skills at executive producing the following:

“Time for Me to Come Home for Christmas” (6 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Megan Park (“My Christmas Love,” “The Secret Life of the American Teenager”), Josh Henderson (“Dallas,” “Desperate Housewives”)

“Time for You to Come Home for Christmas” (8 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Alison Sweeney (“Murder, She Baked,” “Days of Our Lives”), Lucas Bryant (“The Angel Tree,” “Love Song”)

“Time for Us to Come Home for Christmas” (10 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Lacey Chabert (“The Christmas Waltz,” “Party of Five”), Stephen Huszar (“A Homecoming for the Holidays,” “My One & Only”)

Holiday Jam Session! (Friday, July 2)

Christmas films featuring music will include:

“Our Christmas Love Song” (6 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Alicia Witt (“Cybill,” “Nashville”), Brendan Hines (“Scandal”)

“The Christmas Bow” (8 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Lucia Micarelli (“Treme”), Michael Rady (“Two Turtle Doves,” “Love to the Rescue”)

“Christmas at Graceland” (10 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Kellie Pickler (singer/songwriter), Wes Brown (“Check Inn to Christmas,” “90210”)

Salute to Christmas! (Saturday, July 3)

A Yuletide salute to those who bravely serve our country. Some of these films include:

“The Christmas Doctor” (6 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Holly Robinson Peete (“Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy,” “American Housewife”), Adrian Holmes (“Arrow”)

“USS Christmas” (8 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Jen Lilley (“Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday,” “Days of Our Lives”), Trevor Donovan (“Nostalgic Christmas,” “90210”)

“Deliver by Christmas” (10 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Alvina August (“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” “Nancy Drew”), Eion Bailey (“Switched for Christmas,” “Once Upon a Time”)

Family on the 4th! (Sunday, July 4)

Family Christmas movies also part of the annual event are:

“A Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas” (6 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Rachael Lee Cook (“Cross Country Christmas,” “Perception”), Benjamin Ayres (“Cranberry Christmas,” “Saving Hope”)

“Holly & Ivy” (8 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Janel Parrish (“Pretty Little Liars”), Jeremy Jordan (“Supergirl”), Marisol Nichols (“Riverdale”)

“The Christmas Ring” (10 p.m., ET/PT)

Stars: Nazneen Contractor (“Star Wars Resistance”), David Alpay (“The Vampire Diaries”)

Greg Vaughan's Days Return

The actor will reprise his role on the NBC soap this summer, a recently released promo revealed.

In case it’s been a while since you, too, have been in Salem: Eric has been away from the action, doing missionary work in Africa. Left alone in Salem, his bride Nicole recently succumbed to her baser instincts and cheated with the jilted (or so he thinks) Xander.

“Never say NEVER!” Vaughan tweeted after the summer promo first aired. (Fans will recall that the actor left the daytime drama in 2020, saying that after nearly a decade of playing Eric Brady, he felt “like a glorified extra.”)

Vaughan currently appears on OWN’s Queen Sugar.

The L Word: Generation Q Season 2 Sets August Premiere Date — Watch Teaser

The show’s second season will premiere on Sunday, Aug. 8 at 10/9c, with the first five episodes continuing to air on Sunday nights. New episodes will then move to Mondays, beginning Sept. 13, where the remainder of the season will air, leading up to the Oct. 11 finale.

If merely reading that roll-out plan gave you a headache, you’ll be happy to know that every new episode will be available to stream and watch on-demand for Showtime subscribers on Fridays, ahead of their on-screen premiere.

The L Word: Generation Q stars Jennifer Beals as Bette Porter, Katherine Moennig as Shane McCutcheon, Alice Pieszecki (Leisha Hailey), Arienne Mandi as Dani Nůńez, Leo Sheng as Micah Lee, Jacqueline Toboni as Sarah Finley, Rosanny Zayas as Sophie Suarez, Sepideh Moafi as Gigi Ghorbani, and Jordan Hull as Angelica Porter-Kennard. Rosie O’Donnell (SMILF) will recur in Season 2, along with Donald Faison (Scrubs), Griffin Dunne (This is Us) and Vanessa Williams (The Flash / Days of Our Lives).

Executive producers include showrunner Marja-Lewis Ryan, series creator Ilene Chaiken, Kristen Campo, Allyce Ozarski, Maisha Closson, and original L Word stars Jennifer Beals, Katherine Moennig and Leisha Hailey.

Robert Hogan Dies: Actor On ‘The Wire’, ‘Peyton Place’, ‘Law & Order’, Dozens Of TV Shows Was 87

Hogan amassed more than 150 credits during a six-decade career, guesting multiple times on such classic shows as Murder, She Wrote, Gunsmoke, The F.B.I., Barnaby Jones, 77 Sunset Strip, The Rockford Files and as Louis Sobotka in four Season 2 episodes of HBO’s The Wire. He also played Greg Stemple in a half-dozen Alice episodes during the early 1980s.

He also played the Rev. Tom Winter — whose affairs certainly were more than clerical — in more than 60 episodes of the New England-set 1960s romantic drama Peyton Place.

During his long TV career, Hogan was a regular on a handful of short-lived series, starring opposite the titluar star of The Don Rickles Show (1972), with Dennis Dugan in the 1978 Steven Bochco-Stephen J. Cannell drama Richie Brockelman, Private Eye — and its follow-up TV movie — and the 1980-81 Midwestern family drama Secrets of Midland Heights. He also was a regular for a handful of Season 2 episodes of sitcom Operation Petticoat in 1979.

He also appeared in episodes of the soap operas One Life to Live, Days of Our Lives, As the World Turns, All My Children, General Hospital and Another World.

On the big screen, his credits include The Lady in Red, Species II, Blue Christmas, The Sleepy Time Gal and Welcome to Academia. He also appeared on Broadway in A Few Good Men (1989-91) and Hamlet (1992). His stage career also included works by Anton Chekhov, Eugene O’Neill and others, including an Outer Critics Circle Award for Never the Sinner in 1998.

But Hogan’s stock in trade was guesting on primetime TV series.

The list is long — starting in the early 1960s on such dramas as Cheyenne, Hawaiian Eye, 77 Sunset Strip, The Fugitivew and the final-season Twilight Zone episode “Spur of the Moment.” He also appeared in comedies of the era including Hazel and The Donna Reed Show.

He would continue to amass credits throughout that decade and the next two, with stops at popular comedy and drama series including Batman, The MAry Tyler Moore Show, Bonanza, I Dream of Jeannie, Hogan’s Heroes, Hawaii Five-O, Gomer Pyle: USMC, McCloud, Love American Style, Mission: Impossible, The Streets of San Francisco, The Six million Dollar Man, The Incredible Hulk, Hill Street Blues, Newhart, St. Elsewhere, One Day at a Time, Magnum P.I. and Spenser: For Hire.

Born on September 28, 1933, in the NYC borough of Queens, Hogan served in the Army in Korea after high school and returned to New York to study engineering at NYU. After taking an aptitude test to determine whether that field indeed was his calling, his family said, the test results produced two words: the arts. “That’s when I gave acting a try,” they quoted him as saying.

Survivors include Mary Hogan, by his wife of 38 years; three children from a previous marriage to fine Shannon Hogan: Chris, Stephen and Jud; and grandchildren Susanna and Liam. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to the NYC nonprofit DOROT or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Sherri Shepherd, Mike Manning, Jonny Beauchamp & Ashleigh Murray To Star In ‘The Way Out’ From Barry Jay

Jay is also producing the pic, which is the debut project under his newly launched production label Fight Or Flight Films.

In the movie, Alex Romero (Beauchamp) is a struggling addict who takes unconventional advice from manipulative boxer Shane Collins (Manning). As Shane takes Alex under his wing and teaches him fighting techniques, Alex confronts demons from his past while finally taking control of his own life. In spite of being cautioned by his sponsor (Shepherd) and his best friend (Murray), Alex follows Shane’s guidance and finds himself walking a dark path that jeopardizes not only his sobriety, but also his life.

Carl Rumbaugh, Nick Theurer, and Artisha Mann-Cooper are also producing the project with Shepherd and Manning serving as executive producers. Filming is currently underway.

‘Motherland: Fort Salem’: Freeform Thriller Drama Adds Five To Cast Ahead Of Season 2

In Season 2, Raelle, Tally and Abigail confront higher stakes, dangerous magic and a new threat from an ancient group of witch hunters, The Camarilla. In the first season, we saw our trio of young witches follow in the footsteps of their foremothers, defending the nation from The Spree as part of the United States Army. Their training is intensified when they are promoted to attend War College, where their magic, relationships and beliefs will be pushed to the limits. While General Alder seeks out new witches to join the wars to come, The Spree and the Army learn their fight may no longer be with one another. But how can two enemies work together to thwart a hatred that won’t stop until all witches are exterminated?

Webster plays Blanton Silver, Vice President of the United States. When his daughter is discovered to be a witch, Silver tries to adjust to her newfound identity.

Barros portrays Penelope Silver, the only child of the Vice President who accidentally discovers she is a witch. She is enthusiastic, passionate, yet overwhelmed while she navigates this shift from civilian to military life.

Akilla is Gregorio, a male witch from the upper echelons of military witch society (like Abigail). He has HUGE opinions about how male witches are treated in a female dominant witch army, and makes them known.

Hödlmoser plays M, Non-binary. A second year soldier in War College, M is very protective of our Unit, and any witch in their coven.

Aguayo is Nicte, someone from Alder’s past who helped shape her into who she is now.

Laurence executive produces with Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Kevin Messick, along with Amanda Tapping, Erin Maher, Kay Reindl and Bryan Q. Miller.

Motherland: Fort Salem Season 2 premieres at 10 PM Tuesday, June 22.

Webster is repped by Performers Management, Elevate Entertainment, Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein. Barros is repped by Nuance Talent Management and Atlas Artists. Akilla is repped by Play Management and Canopy Media Partners. Hödlmoser is repped by daCosta Talent. Aguayo is repped by The Characters Talent Agency.

Richard Steinmetz Joins the Cast of DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Steinmetz made his daytime debut back in 1988 playing Jeff Hartman on ABC soap LOVING, but he was probably best known to soap fans for playing Martin Fitzgerald on PASSIONS from 2004-06. In 2012, the actor joined the cast of GENERAL HOSPITAL for a three-month run as the villainous Joe Scully Jr. Viewers might also recognize him from appearances in primetime series like MELROSE PLACE, SILK STALKINGS, CROSSING JORDAN, COLD CASE, MONK, and BETTER THINGS.

Although most soaps tape about a month ahead, DAYS is usually a little further ahead than that, so if Steinmetz is first reporting to the set on May 25, it could be well into July before we see him on screen. But keep checking back at SoapsInDepth.com for further updates as to when his first airdate might be and what character he might be bringing to Salem. (Because until we know that, we have no idea which storyline he’ll be bringing the drama to!)

Talk Show Appearance

Mo 5/31: Lisa Rinna (ex-Billie, Days)

‘Days Of Our Lives’: Dan Feuerriegel To Play EJ DiMera On NBC Daytime Drama

In Scott’s final episodes as the character, EJ was presumably shot to death by his disloyal henchman, but it was eventually revealed that he was actually alive. He was later left severely injured in an explosion and since then had been recuperating in Europe.

“EJ has always been an important character to the Salem landscape,” said Executive Producer Ken Corday, “and we’re thrilled to have found Dan to bring him back to the canvas.”

Feuerriegel’s first episode airs Wednesday, June 9.

“I am so excited to bring EJ back to Days of our Lives and to see what flavor I can bring to Salem,” said Feuerriegel.

Days of Our Lives, produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television, was recently picked up for two more years, which will take the iconic soap through record 57th and 58th seasons.

Australian-born Feurriegel is best known in the U.S. as gladiator Agron in Starz’s Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Prior to Spartacus, he appeared on several primetime soaps in his homeland, including McLeod’s Daughters, Home and Away, and hospital drama All Saints. His most recent credits include NCIS:LA, Chicago Fire, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Pacific Rim: Uprising, where he reunited with Spartacus creator, Steven DeKnight. He’s repped by Artists and Representatives and Cheri Barner Management.

Dishing with Digest - 5/21/21 - Heather Lindell

Chrishell Stause Returns to DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause has agreed to reprise her (dead) role as Jordan on the NBC sudser — and EW has the exclusive first look.

Stause, who was killed off the soap in 2020, will appear in two episodes airing next Monday and Tuesday as the ghostly "guilty conscience" of her brother Ben (Robert Scott Wilson). It's time for Ben to make a decision about his future with Ciara.

"I really love the cast and crew over at Days of our Lives, and anytime I getting to pop in is always so much fun!" Stause tells EW. "My favorite thing about daytime, and Days in particular, is that the door is always open for characters to reappear no matter how they left. In Jordan's case, death by strangulation has not kept her away. Ha!"

Stause is a daytime drama vet, having begun her career on ABC's All My Children before jumping to Days in 2013. She had a brief stint on CBS' The Young and the Restless in 2016 before turning to the NBC daytime drama.

In 2019, Stause found fans she didn't realize she had by joining Selling Sunset, an unscripted show on Netflix that follows a chichi real estate firm in Los Angeles. Stause quickly became the show's breakout star. It's about to stream its fourth season.

In 2020, Stause competed in the 29th season of Dancing With the Stars. She came in eighth place.

Days of Our Lives airs weekdays on NBC. It was recently announced that the soap has been renewed for two more years, through its 58th season.

Chrishell Stause slams reports about her reaction to Justin Hartley remarrying

“I see ‘sources’ are speaking for me,” the “Selling Sunset” star, 39, posted to her Instagram Story with an eye-roll emoji.

“If I have something to say, I will say it here. If it’s not on my page, it didn’t come from me,” she continued, adding the hashtag “#bookedandunbothered.”

Hartley, 44, and Pernas, 31, fueled marriage speculation on Sunday after wearing what appeared to be wedding bands on the red carpet at the MTV Movie & TV Awards. The next day, news broke that the couple had quietly tied the knot.

In response to the “This Is Us” star’s stunning nuptials, a source told Entertainment Tonight on Monday that Stause was “a little surprised.”

Another unnamed insider told E! News, however, that the former “Dancing with the Stars” competitor was not “entirely surprised by Justin getting married so quickly.”

Hartley filed for divorce from Stause in November 2019 after two years of marriage. She later claimed the actor had informed her via text. They finalized their divorce in January.

In May 2020, rumors swirled that Hartley and Pernas, his former “Young and the Restless” co-star, were an item. The pair made their romance Instagram official on New Year’s Eve.

Prior to his union to Stause, Hartley was married to Lindsay Hartley from 2004 to 2012. They share a 16-year-old daughter, Isabella.

As for Stause, she was most recently linked to “DWTS” pro Keo Motsepe. The former couple split in late February after nearly three months together.

Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison Reunite for New Hannah Swensen Mystery at Hallmark

The Murder, She Baked stars are reprising their characters from the popular Hallmark Movies & Mysteries movie franchise, ET can exclusively reveal, but with a slight twist: They'll be kicking off a new mystery!

Sweeney will again play the fan-favorite Hannah Swensen in the upcoming film, and Mathison, who will wrap up as co-host of Hallmark Channel's Home & Family in August, will return as Mike Kingston. Barbara Niven will also be back as Hannah's mom, Delores Swensen.

In the new mystery, Hannah (Sweeney) and Mike (Mathison) enjoy their engagement while still managing their busy careers. However, a murder at Hannah’s gym may complicate their wedding plans as Hannah’s need for sleuthing again impact’s Mike’s investigation.

Production on the new Hannah Swensen mystery movie begins this week in Vancouver. It will premiere this summer on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

“I’m so excited to revisit Hannah Swensen and to again work with Cameron and Barbara on these fun stories that combine romance with intrigue," Sweeney said in a statement. "The fans have been so vocal in their love of these characters and it’s exciting to be bringing them back to life and to return to Hannah’s bakery where it all began."

Sweeney serves as an executive producer alongside Craig Baumgarten and Lighthouse Pictures. The upcoming movie, which would be the franchise's sixth, is based on the Hannah Swensen mystery novels by Joanne Fluke.

Sweeney, Mathison and Niven starred in the previous five Murder, She Baked films, which aired from 2015 to 2017.

Live chat with Real Andrews

‘The Rookie’ Renewed For Season 4 By ABC

The Rookie averages nearly 10 million total viewers this season (9.80 million) after 35 days of delayed viewing on linear and digital platforms, up from 6.14 million viewers over its initial Live+Same Day average. The series also more than quadruples (+342%) its Live+SD adults 18-49 rating after 35 days of multiplatform viewing (2.12 rating).

The show, which also stars Mekia Cox, Alyssa Diaz, Richard T. Jones, Titus Makin, Melissa O’Neil and Eric Winter, is produced by Entertainment One and ABC Signature.

Hawley exec produces with Mark Gordon, Fillion, Michelle Chapman, Jon Steinberg, Bill Norcross and Terence Paul Winter.

Jackée Harry Signs a Contract to Stay at DAYS OF OUR LIVES

When Harry made her debut in Salem in the March 1 episode of DAYS, she made an immediate splash as Paulina. But at the time, she wasn’t sure how long her stint would last. Although she got her start in daytime playing Lily on ANOTHER WORLD, the pace of soap production now is much different than it was back in the ‘80s. “I will say that the workload is a lot,” Harry admitted to Entertainment Weekly when she first started at DAYS. “After this, I don’t know what will become of my brain. I have so many scripts at my house I say I have enough to make a tree.”

However, Harry was also quick to add that there was always the possibility that she’d stick around longer than just a brief stint. “I’m having a ball,” she declared, “and what I’ll say about more is ‘Never say never.’”

Now that DAYS has resumed production there are plenty more stories to tell, including more drama for Paulina as she tries to wrangle her wild-child daughter, Chanel, as well as navigate Salem society. She’s been eying up Abe since she arrived, so could a romance be in the cards? You’ll just have to stay tuned to find out!

Video: Guiding Light Chat - Mart Hulswit and Fran Myers

Nelson Lee And Krista Allen Join Cast Of Thriller ‘Five Below’

They will appear In the high concept sci-fi thriller, which is scheduled to shoot this summer, opposite previously announced cast member, Steven Strait (The Expanse). Mike Le Han (Mrs. Peppercorn’s Magical Reading Room, Hellraiser: Origins) is directing.

While the film’s plot is being kept under wraps, it has been described as “a new take on the meta-human sci-fi genre.” Scripted by Nick Brown, it will be the first in a franchise of low-budget, high-concept science-fiction films made by Le Han’s newly formed outfit, RedOne Studios. Liam Finn (Two Eyes, Midnight Movie) and Le Han are producing, and a sequel to Five Below is already in development.

Perhaps best known for his turn as Dr. Shiro Ito / Dragon King in The CW’s Stargirl, Lee’s other TV credits include Westworld, Evil, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Claws and Sneaky Pete. On the film side, he has appeared in Disney+’s 2020 remake of Mulan and more.

On the TV side, Allen has appeared in 9-1-1, Modern Family, Significant Mother and more. Recently wrapping on the pandemic-themed After Masks, she has also appeared in films including The Final Destination and Anger Management.

Lee is represented by TCA Mgmt and Bohemia Group, while Allen is repped by Bohemia Group, Commercial Talent and attorney Matthew Saver. Strait is with The Gersh Agency and Management 360.

NBC RENEWS BELOVED DAYTIME DRAMA ‘DAYS OF OUR LIVES’ FOR TWO ADDITIONAL YEARS

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — NBC, Corday Productions and Sony Pictures Television have announced that “Days of our Lives” has been picked up for two more years. This renewal will take one of TV’s most iconic series through its 57th and 58th seasons.

In late 2020, amidst the height of the pandemic, the show celebrated its 55th anniversary and aired original episodes while successfully maintaining a safe and steady production schedule.

“We couldn’t be happier to bring our loyal fans two more seasons of ‘Days of our Lives’ and continue what has been an absolutely remarkable achievement in television,” said Michael Sluchan, Executive Vice President, Scripted Series & Kids Programming, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “A big thank you to Ken Corday and the cast and crew for their incredible passion for storytelling that continues to reach new generations of viewers.”

“After more than 55 years of bringing drama, adventure and romance to screens around the world, we are thrilled and honored to carry on the “Days of our Lives” legacy for another two years,” said executive producer Ken Corday. “We are thankful to NBC for their enduring commitment to the show and grateful to continue this wonderful journey with our fans for years to come.”

“We are incredibly proud of the work being done by Ken Corday, the cast and crew. They continue to tell bold stories through these iconic characters captivating audiences around the world,” said Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President, Programming, Sony Pictures Television. “We are thrilled to continue the legacy of ‘Days of our Lives’ and for viewers to enjoy two more seasons.”

“Days of our Lives,” which is currently in its 56th season, aired it’s 14,000th episode in December and remains NBC’s longest-running series. Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, the core families are the Bradys, Hortons, Carvers, DiMeras, and Kiriakises. The show’s multi-layered storylines continue to capture audiences with elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy, and drama.

“Days of our Lives” is produced by Corday Productions Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati is the head writer.

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Gets 2-Year Renewal Through Season 58 On NBC

Days of Our Lives, produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television, has been picked up for two more years, which will take the iconic soap through record 57th and 58th seasons.

This marks a happy ending to another down-to-the wire renewal for Days and the first time in six years, since 2014, that the show has snagged a multi-year pickup. As Deadline reported last month, negotiations between NBC and Sony TV were going well, and insiders were optimistic that Days of Our Lives would continue even after production on Season 56 wrapped April 16, with the show going on hiatus while awaiting word on renewal.

In anticipation of a pickup, the producers had been making if-come deals with key cast members, including signing a new contract with Days veteran Robert Scott Wilson and bringing in full-time Emmy winner Jackée Harry who has recurred this season.

In late 2020, amidst the height of the pandemic, Days celebrated its 55th anniversary. Currently in its 56th season, the show aired it’s 14,000th episode in December and remains NBC’s longest-running series. Along with the other daytime dramas, Days was able to produce original episodes amid the pandemic employing Covid safety protocols.

“We couldn’t be happier to bring our loyal fans two more seasons of Days of our Lives and continue what has been an absolutely remarkable achievement in television,” said Michael Sluchan, EVP, Scripted Series & Kids Programming, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “A big thank you to Ken Corday and the cast and crew for their incredible passion for storytelling that continues to reach new generations of viewers.”

Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, the core families on Days of our Lives are the Bradys, Hortons, Carvers, DiMeras, and Kiriakises. The show mixes elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy, and drama.

“After more than 55 years of bringing drama, adventure and romance to screens around the world, we are thrilled and honored to carry on the “Days of our Lives” legacy for another two years,” said executive producer Ken Corday. “We are thankful to NBC for their enduring commitment to the show and grateful to continue this wonderful journey with our fans for years to come.”

Corday is the executive producer with co-executive Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati is the head writer. The current Season 56 of Days marked the departures of Kristian Alfonso, Greg Vaughan and Victoria Konefal and the return of Alison Sweeney.

“We are incredibly proud of the work being done by Ken Corday, the cast and crew. They continue to tell bold stories through these iconic characters captivating audiences around the world,” said Steve Kent, Senior EVP, Programming, Sony Pictures Television. “We are thrilled to continue the legacy of Days of our Lives and for viewers to enjoy two more seasons.”

Renewal negotiations for Days of Our Lives have taken months in each of the past couple of years, which again was the case in 2021. It usually comes down to distributor Sony Pictures TV finding ways to adjust the show’s business model, including international sales, so it can continue to make the show without going in the red. Because of Days of Our Lives‘ age and declining linear ratings in all day parts, including daytime, the show no longer is profitable for Sony TV, but there has been a commitment by the studio and the network to find a way to keep the show on the air.

Daniel Cosgrove guests on Blue Bloods 5/14/21

“Justifies The Means” – The Reagans band together to prevent Joe Hill from being killed in the line of duty like his father when they fear Joe’s cover has been blown within the gunrunning outfit he’s helping the ATF bring down, in the second part of the two-hour 11th season finale of BLUE BLOODS, Friday, May 14 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

GUEST CAST includes Gloria Reuben (Special Agent Rachel Weber), Annabella Sciorra (M.E. Faith Marconi), Shannon Wallace (Tyce Dickson), Daniel Cosgrove (Det. Felix Evans).

Guiding Light Chat - Mart Hulswit and Fran Myers 5/13/21

DAYS Is Back In Production! So Has the Soap Been Renewed?

In the clips, Braun donned a black face mask and eyeglasses as she walked through the studio. The first clip had the actress cheerfully singing the Dwarf chorus theme from the classic Disney cartoon Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. “Hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s back to work I go,” the Emmy winner chirped. In the second slide, Braun shared more of her surroundings with her followers. “Behind the scenes, back to work from our hiatus,” she shared. “Hope everyone’s doing well. Just going to get my little lashes on.”

The third slide had Braun showing off the fake trees and greenery that are used to decorate some DAYS sets. “You think it’s real? It’s not real,” she confessed. “A lot of you don’t think it’s real. But if you did, now you know.” And in her fourth video, Braun wished her followers a good day. “Be happy, be kind. Be joyful and safe,” she shared.

In each of her four behind-the-scenes videos, Braun made it clear that she was “back to work” at DAYS, as she tagged the official DAYS Instagram handle in each slide. That particular detail is certainly a good sign for the soap’s future. As previously reported, DAYS wrapped production on its 56th season in mid-April, with enough episodes banked to air into September. The soap’s hiatus corresponded with ongoing renewal negotiations between NBC and Sony Pictures Television, which produces the soap in conjunction with Corday Productions.

At the time that the soap went dark, an insider told TVLine that the writers were continuing to plot out storylines as “everyone is proceeding under the assumption that the show will be back.” And Deadline reported that “if-come deals” were made with “key cast members” — which meant that those actors committed to returning to the soap if and when the time came and wouldn’t be paid until that happened.

So while a formal announcement has yet to be made by the network, we have our fingers and toes crossed that Braun being back to work at DAYS is good news, and that word of an official renewal will be coming any day now!

Mondays With Mindy | Season 4, Episode 3: Tracey Bregman

Video: Soap Con Live Presents: One Life to Live "The Cramer Women"

Video: Soap Con Live Presents: As the World Turns "Live from Oakdale!"

Dishing with Digest - 4/30/21 - Tamara Braun And Galen Gering

Linda Dano Interview 5/6/21

DAYS’s Jackée Harry To Appear In FX’s POSE

Another Grandchild On The Way For Soap Faves

Hallmark Announces 'The Wedding Veil' Movie Trilogy, Starring Lacey Chabert, Alison Sweeney and Autumn Reeser

The Wedding Veil trilogy, starring Lacey Chabert, Alison Sweeney and Autumn Reeser, will "follow three close but far-flung college friends who, during one of their annual trips together, discover an enchanted antique that changes each of their lives." Kevin McGarry, who plays Nathan on Hallmark's When Calls the Heart, is also set to appear in the movies, but it's unclear who he'll play — a love interest, perhaps?

As one of the reigning queens of Hallmark, Lacey tells Good Housekeeping in an exclusive statement that she is thrilled to take on the executive producer title while working with two other Hallmark leading ladies: "This project is, quite literally, a dream come true for me and one that I have been deeply invested in. Both Allison and Autumn are incredibly talented, smart and wonderful women and actors. I'm thrilled to be able to finally get to work with them and tell this very special story!"

corporate executive maggie young meets the man of her dreams in chef hank daniels when she makes a business deal with him to develop a line of gourmet frozen meals for her company however, she is forced to choose between the chef and her career when her ruthless boss puts the kibosh on the deal earlier than expected and the chef’s restaurant faces closure, despite maggie’s hard work to help revive it following the loss of its critical “star” photo autumn reeser credit ©2019 crown media united states llcphotographer allister fosteralex and drew investigate a self help retreat and the controversial life coach who oversees it photo alison sweeney credit ©2021 crown media united states llcphotographer pooya nabei

Hallmark Channel echoes Lacey's sentiment about the trilogy, saying that there's no "better way to celebrate female friendships" than with this all-star lineup.

"While our channel is associated with romance, a core tenet of the Hallmark brand is celebrating love in its many facets, including family bonds and enduring friendships. Our programming is reflecting that more and more. What better way to celebrate female friendships than to bring together three beloved actors from our network, Lacey Chabert, Alison Sweeney and Autumn Reeser," Michelle Vicary, EVP Programming at Crown Media Family Networks, writes in the movie's official announcement.

Production recently started on the first movie in the trilogy, also titled The Wedding Veil, which means we'll have to (patiently) wait until 2022 to see what Lacey, Alison and Autumn have in store for us. Until then, check out the book that inspired it all, Long, Tall Texan by Lori Wilde, which was initially published as There Goes the Bride: Wedding Veil Wishes Book 1. Keep in mind that the book's description sounds slightly different than the movie's. In the book, a Texas socialite accidentally kidnaps a recently divorced detective instead of her future husband just weeks before her wedding.

Dishing with Digest - 4/23/21 - Patrika Darbo

‘Days Of Our Lives’: NBC In Talks For Season 57 Of Daytime Drama

Deadline has been monitoring the situation for several weeks. Negotiations between NBC and Sony Pictures Television have been ongoing. The two sides are not commenting but, according to sources, there hasn’t been any cause for alarm and insiders have been optimistic that Days of Our Lives will be renewed for a record 57th season.

Days of Our Lives is produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. In anticipation of a renewal, the producers have been making if-come deals with key cast members in the past few weeks — another indication that the intention is for the long-running soap to continue.

Renewal negotiations for Days of Our Lives have taken months in each of the past couple of years, which again is the case in 2021. It often has come down to distributor Sony Pictures TV finding ways to adjust the show’s business model, including international sales, so it can continue to make the show without going in the red. Because of Days of Our Lives‘ age and declining linear ratings in all day parts, including daytime, the show no longer is profitable for Sony TV, but there has been a commitment by the studio and the network to find a way to keep the show on the air.

As reported online over the weekend and confirmed this morning by TVLine, production on Season 56 wrapped April 16, with the show going on hiatus while awaiting word on renewal. That is not unusual for Days, which tapes well in advance. It allowed the show to remain in originals throughout the coronavirus-related production shutdown last year.

Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, Days of Our Lives airs nationally on NBC in the U.S. and in more than 25 other countries. The core families are the Bradys, Hortons and DiMeras, and the multi-layered storylines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

Season 56 marked the departures of Kristian Alfonso, Greg Vaughan and the return of Alison Sweeney.

Jeffrey Vincent Parise Teases His New Movie Role in The In Between!

The In Between stars King — younger sister of THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS star Hunter King (Summer) — as a young woman who survives a car accident that took the life of her boyfriend, played by Allen. Following the crash, she begins to believe that her beau is attempting to reconnect with her from the other side. Parise didn’t reveal what kind of character he was playing in the film, so that’s still a bit of a mystery at this time.

Parise is no stranger to spooky supernatural tales, having played the demon Asmodeus in multiple episodes of The CW series SUPERNATURAL and appearing in shows like THE MAGICIANS and iZOMBIE. The actor returned to daytime in 2019 to play the villainous Simon Black on Y&R, but has found great success in primetime and on the big screen with roles in shows like THE DETOUR, 13 REASONS WHY, and MAD MEN as well as films like The Love Witch and The Outer Wild.

George Clooney, Noah Wyle, Julianna Margulies & Anthony Edwards Join ‘ER’ Cast Reunion For ‘Stars In The House’

The ER reunion episode is set for Thursday, April 22 at 8pm ET.

The episode, another in the series’ popular TV cast reunions, will benefit Waterkeeper Alliance, the global clean water nonprofit. The idea for the benefit reunion came from actress Gloria Reuben, who portrayed ER‘s physician assistant Jeanie Boulet and now serves as the President of Waterkeeper Alliance.

Also joining the virtual reunion: Laura Innes (who played Kerry Weaver), Alex Kingston (Elizabeth Corday), Goran Visnjic (Luka Kovac), Paul McCrane (Robert Romano), Ming-Na Wen (Jing-Mei Chen), Laura Cerón (Chuny Marquez), Yvette Freeman (Haleh Adams), Conni Marie Brazelton (Connie Oligario), and CCH Pounder (Angela Hicks).

ER, which ran on NBC from 1994-2009, was a cornerstone of the network’s Must See TV Thursday night programming, scored 22 Emmy Awards out of 124 nominations and launched the careers of Clooney, Wyle, Margulies, Visnjic and others.

Stars in the House, created and hosted by Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley, has raised more than $823,630 to benefit The Actors Fund’ Covid relief efforts, and over $203,337 for other charities, since its first show following the Broadway pandemic shutdown in March 2020.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be reuniting with my ER family for a cause that is so close to my heart, and so grateful to Seth and James for allowing us to use their incredible platform to do so,” said Reuben. “I’ve been involved with Waterkeeper Alliance for fifteen years, representing over 350 community-based Waterkeepers around the globe, and the work that they do is beyond comparison. We must continue to fight for clean water not just on Earth Day, but all year round!”

The ER reunion episode will stream exclusively on People’s social platforms Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, as well as on PeopleTV’s Facebook and Twitter, and on the Stars In The House YouTube channel and StarsInTheHouse.com. Viewers will be able to ask questions live, and donate to Waterkeeper Alliance.

Recent Stars in the House TV reunion episodes have brought together the casts of The West Wing, Grey’s Anatomy, Thirtysomething, Little House On The Prairie, The Waltons and many others. The series also reunites film and Broadway casts.

Video: Guiding Light Reunion - John Bolger, Kassie DePaiva and Jamie Goodwin

James Hampton Dies: Writer, Director, And Bugler Hannibal Dobbs On ‘F Troop’ Was 84

A character actor whose amiable appearance made him the quintessential sidekick, Hampton had a long career in film and television before retiring to his native Texas.

Beyond F Troop, he is best remembered for many key film roles, including appearances as “Caretaker” the manager of the prison football team in the Burt Reynolds prison film, The Longest Yard.

He also had supporting roles in the 1979 thriller The China Syndrome, the 1981 superhero comedy Condorman, the 1985 comedy, and Teen Wolf,. playing Harold Howard, father to Michael J. Fox’s title character. Hampton reprised the part in the 1987 follow-up with Jason Bateman, Teen Wolf Too, and the animated series spinoff. He was also in 1996’s Sling Blade as Jerry Woolridge.

Later in his career, Hampton wrote and directed several sitcoms, including the early 1990s series Evening Shade, which featured Burt Reynolds.

Hampton studied acting in New York, Los Angeles, and Texas and appeared off-Broadway in several productions. It was in one of those plays that he met Reynolds.

He appeared in the Oscar-nominated short film The Cliffdwellers, but began his TV career in 1962 as “Jeb” on TV’s long-running Gunsmoke. That led to F Troop in1965 where he memorably played P.F.C. Dobbs, the incompetent bugler and personal assistant to lead character Captain Parmenter (Ken Berry). Dobbs could only competantly play Yankee Doodle and Dixie on his bugle, bolloxing the standard Army fare.

Although the TV series lasted only from 1965-1967, it became a fan favorite in frequent reruns through the years.

Other TV roles included a recurring spot on The Doris Day Show as Leroy B. Simpson and appearances on Gomer Pyle USMC, and The Rockford Files.

He received a HALO award for his part in the film Hawmps! and a Golden Globe nomination for “Caretaker” in The Longest Yard.

In 1980, he starred alongside Gary Collins in the low-budget movie Hangar 18.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Deese, sons Jim and Frank and daughter Andrea, and three grandchildren

No details were immediately available on memorial plans. The family requests donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation in lieu of flowers.

Ashley Benson To Produce & Star In Pandemic Slasher Film ‘18 & Over’

The pic hails from Hercules film fund and Rhea Films. Giannopolous directed the indie horror from a screenplay he co-wrote with Bermudez. Plot details are scare other than it takes place when quarantine leads to a night of terror. G Eazy composed the film’s score, marking the No Limit artist’s first-ever film score.

18 & Over marks Giannopolous’ sophomore feature following his debut Brooklyn mob thriller, The Birthday Cake, which also stars Benson.

“After deciding to shoot this film in the middle of the pandemic, we wanted to make something that would be fun but still a terrifying slasher for audiences during these tough times,” said Giannopolous. “A film relevant to today’s issues of a global pandemic, reality shows, isolation, Only Fans, and obsession.”

18 & Over producers are Purpose Film’s Bermudez and Artemis Picture’s Siena Oberman, Cassius Corrigan, and Benson. Jamin O’Brien serves as executive producer. Endeavor Content is handling worldwide sales.

Benson, who was last seen opposite Elisabeth Moss in the TIFF drama Her Smell, is repped by ICM and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller.

‘Queen Sugar’ Adds Tammy Townsend As Series Regular; Trio Tapped To Recur, Nine Directors Set For Season 6 Of OWN Drama

Paula Jai Parker (The Wayans Bros.), Marquis Rodriguez (When They See Us) and McKinley Freeman (Titans) have joined the OWN series as recurring, while Lisa France, Bertha Bay-Sa Pan, Carmen Marrón, Cierra Glaude, Keisha Rae Witherspoon, Marie Jamora, Shari L. Carpenter, Shaz Bennett and Stephanie Turner will all have their turn as helmers for Season 6, which is set to premiere later in the fall. The addition of the nine directors continues DuVernay’s commitment to hiring an entirely woman-led directing team for the show. The latest addition brings the series’ total women director count to 42 filmmakers, 39 of whom are first-time television directors.

Set in rural Louisiana and the fictional community of St. Josephine, the Anthony Sparks-showrun Queen Sugar focuses on the trio of Bordelon siblings, played by Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Rutina Wesley and Kofi Siriboe, and their extended family.

The drama will see Townsend in the series regular role as Billie, the daughter of beloved Bordelon family friend Prosper Denton (Henry G. Sanders), who returns to St. Josephine for the first time in 20 years to care for her ailing father.

Parker will play the recurring role of Celine, a single mother whom Aunt Violet takes under her wing as Celine works to establish a life in St. Josephine with her 10-year-old son.

Also joining as recurring characters are Marquis Rodriguez and McKinley Freeman. Rodriguez will play Isaiah, a college student wise beyond his years who befriends Micah West. Freeman takes on Dominic, a cultural anthropologist who captures the attention of Nova Bordelon (Wesley).

Bertha Bay-Sa Pan, Keisha Rae Witherspoon, Marie Jamora, Shari L. Carpenter and Stephanie Turner

Queen Sugar, created by DuVernay, airs Tuesday nights on OWN. The drama is produced for OWN by ARRAY Filmworks and Harpo Films in association with Warner Bros. Television. The season five executive producers are Ava DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey, Paul Garnes and Anthony Sparks. The series is based on the book by Natalie Baszile.

Star Trek: Picard: John de Lancie to Return as TNG Villain Q in Season 2

John de Lancie will reprise his role as Next Generation trickster god Q on Season 2 of Star Trek: Picard, Paramount+ announced on Monday. The announcement was part of Star Trek‘s “First Contact Day” series of events; de Lancie also appeared on the Picard virtual panel to confirm the news. Production on Season 2 of Picard is already underway, with a premiere set for 2022 on Paramount+.

The streamer also released a teaser for the new season, with Picard narrating a tour of his French wine chateau and saying “the true final frontier is time.” We see shots of Milton’s Paradise Lost and a model of Picard’s old ship the Stargazer before the camera settles on a playing card — the Queen of Hearts — which burns up until only the “Q” remains. Then we hear Q’s taunting voice reminding us that “the trial never ends” before he cackles with glee. de Lancie originated the role of Q — an omnipotent, shape-shifting creature who delighted in annoying and testing Picard — in the Next Generation pilot “Encounter at Farpoint” and reappeared seven more times, including in the TNG series finale. He later reprised the role on Deep Space Nine and Voyager. de Lancie’s other TV credits include Breaking Bad, Charmed and Days of Our Lives.

Guiding Light Reunion Chat - 4/8/21 John Bolger, Kassie DePaiva and Jamie Goodwin

Daytime Emmys: CBS & NATAS Ink Two-Year Broadcast Deal For Awards Show

With CBS also set to television the Primetime Emmys this year, it will mark the first time since 2008 that one network will broadcast both trophy shows in the same year. CBS, which will televise this year’s Daytime Emmys for a 15th time — more than any other network — most recently aired both in 2005.

The net and NATAS said additional information about the 48th annual Daytime Emmy Awards broadcast, set for June 25, will be announced in the coming months.

The 2021 Daytime Emmys is produced by NATAS and Associated Television International, which produced the ceremony from 2009-11 and again last year. Adam Sharp and Steve Ulrich are executive producers for NATAS, while David McKenzie is executive producer and director for ATI.

CBS also aired the 2020 Daytime Emmys, which were handed out virtually after the in-person ceremony was scrapped as the coronavirus pandemic took hold. The then-co-hosts of The Talk — Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, Eve, Carrie Ann Inaba and Marie Osmond — hosted the ceremony.

Before the Daytime Emmys’ return to CBS last year, the ceremony had been streaming on online platforms since 2015, when it aired on Pop TV.

NATAS and the Television Academy said in November that the children’s programming categories are moving from the Primetime ceremony to the Daytime Emmys for 2021.

Matt Cedeńo guests on Mom 4/15/21

GUEST CAST: Will Sasso (Andy), Matt Cedeńo (Vincent), Galen Hooks (Melinda).

DAYS's Miller Welcomes A Baby Girl

Michael Lowry Joins the Cast of DAYS OF OUR LIVES!

According to Soap Opera Digest, Lowry’s new character will interact with Jan, Belle, and Shawn… but how? During Lindell’s last appearance on DAYS as Shawn’s nutty ex back in November, Jan managed to prevent the love of her life from remarrying Belle by taking the bride-to-be hostage. But she didn’t stop there. The troubled woman forced Shawn to marry her instead, with Marlena presiding! When Shawn refused to kiss his bride, Jan claimed that she’d shot and killed Belle, leading John to snap and choke her unconscious! The character has been in a coma ever since, and since Jan had never actually applied for a marriage license, Shawn was free to reunite with Belle, who had somehow ended up in Philip’s bed that night!

Jan’s name has been dropped here and there in recent weeks, and it’s a safe bet to say that she’s going to have an axe to grind with the Brady and Black families once she awakens from her latest coma! Might Dr. Snyder be another pawn in Jan’s plans to claim Shawn for herself?

As for Lowry, DAYS marks the actor’s fifth soap opera. He’s best known for playing Jake Martin on ALL MY CHILDREN from 1996-2001, and he’s also had stints as Les Sweeney on AS THE WORLD TURNS from 2004-’05, Dr. Hillman on THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL in 2006, and Ross Rayburn on ONE LIFE TO LIVE from 2009-’10.

Stay tuned to see what havoc Jan will unleash on Shawn and Belle this time around, and look for Lowry’s DAYS debut on Friday, April 2.

When Women Invented Television by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong

This non-fiction book is released March 23, it’s about four female television pioneers including Irna Phillips (creator/writer GL, ATWT, AW, Days, etc.) and Betty White (Ann, B&B).

Order Your Copy Here.

Must-Read Book of March —Entertainment Weekly
Best Books of March —HelloGiggles

“Leaps at the throat of television history and takes down the patriarchy with its fervent, inspired prose. When Women Invented Television offers proof that what we watch is a reflection of who we are as a people.” —Nathalia Holt, New York Times bestselling author of Rise of the Rocket Girls

New York Times bestselling author of Seinfeldia Jennifer Keishin Armstrong tells the little-known story of four trailblazing women in the early days of television who laid the foundation of the industry we know today.

It was the Golden Age of Radio and powerful men were making millions in advertising dollars reaching thousands of listeners every day. When television arrived, few radio moguls were interested in the upstart industry and its tiny production budgets, and expensive television sets were out of reach for most families. But four women—each an independent visionary— saw an opportunity and carved their own paths, and in so doing invented the way we watch tv today.

Irna Phillips turned real-life tragedy into daytime serials featuring female dominated casts. Gertrude Berg turned her radio show into a Jewish family comedy that spawned a play, a musical, an advice column, a line of house dresses, and other products. Hazel Scott, already a renowned musician, was the first African American to host a national evening variety program. Betty White became a daytime talk show fan favorite and one of the first women to produce, write, and star in her own show.

Together, their stories chronicle a forgotten chapter in the history of television and popular culture.

But as the medium became more popular—and lucrative—in the wake of World War II, the House Un-American Activities Committee arose to threaten entertainers, blacklisting many as communist sympathizers. As politics, sexism, racism, anti-Semitism, and money collided, the women who invented television found themselves fighting from the margins, as men took control. But these women were true survivors who never gave up—and thus their legacies remain with us in our television-dominated era. It's time we reclaimed their forgotten histories and the work they did to pioneer the medium that now rules our lives.

This amazing and heartbreaking history, illustrated with photos, tells it all for the first time.

Order Your Copy Here.

2021 WGA Award Winner

‘L Word: Generation Q’ Season 2 at Showtime Casts ‘Candyman’ Star Vanessa Williams

The new iteration of the series follows the intermingled lives of Bette Porter (Jennifer Beals), Shane McCutcheon (Katherine Moennig) and Alice Pieszecki (Leisha Hailey) from the original “The L Word” drama series that aired from 2004 to 2009. Williams will recur as Pippa Pascal, described as an incendiary artist who’s been out of the public eye for almost 20 years — until Bette becomes determined to track her down.

Additional cast members for “Generation Q” include Arienne Mandi, Leo Sheng, Jacqueline Toboni, Rosanny Zayas, and Sepideh Moafi. It was also previously announced that Rosie O’Donnell, Donald Faison, and Griffin Dunne will guest star in multiple episodes of the second season. It is expected to debut on Showtime later this year.

Williams will next be seen in the Jordan Peele followup to the horror classic “Candyman,” in which she will reprise her role from the original 1992 film. She wrapped on BET’s “A Rich Christmas” back in December. Williams has also appeared in almost 100 episodes of “Days of Our Lives” to date, and is known for her roles in shows such as “The Flash,” “Soul Food,” and “Melrose Place.”

She is repped by A3 Artists Agency.

“The L Word: Generation Q” is executive produced by showrunner Marja-Lewis Ryan, as well as series creator Ilene Chaiken, Kristen Campo, Allyce Ozarski, and original series stars Beals, Moennig and Hailey. Steph Green executive produced and directed the pilot episode.

William Baldwin & Patrick Muldoon Join Abbie Cornish & Lola Sultan In ‘Dakota’, Italy Shoot This Month

The film centers on Kate (Cornish), a widow who lost her husband in the war in Afghanistan and is struggling to maintain her small-town farm with her daughter (Sultan) while also running the local volunteer fire department. Muldoon will play the local sheriff keen to take advantage of the family, and Baldwin will play a former U.S. Marine.

Filming is due to begin later this month in Italy. Dakota is being directed by Kirk Harris for Iervolino Entertainment. Andrea Iervolino, Monika Bacardi, Danielle Maloni and Marty Poole are producing. Johnny Harrington (I Still Know What You Did Last Summer) wrote the screenplay.

Baldwin is represented by Innovative Artists and Stride Management. Muldoon is repped by Mosaic.

‘Chicago’ Franchise Adds Hanako Greensmith & Margaret Colin As Recurring, Three More Cast

Colin will play Dr. Manning’s (DeVitto) mother. Greensmith’s Violet Mikami had a previous relationship with Gallo (Alberto Rosende) that may or may not continue.

Also joining in guest roles are Jack Coleman (Dynasty) on Chicago P.D., and Charlie Farrell (American Horror Story, Christmas Again) and Benny Mora (S.H.A.R.P., Neighborhood Buzz) on Chicago Med. All will appear in the series’ current seasons.

Coleman returns to Chicago P.D. as “Disco Bob” Ruzek, Adam Ruzek’s (Patrick Flueger) father. Farrell joins Chicago Med as Mark Barragan, the executive in charge of Dr. Halstead’s (Nick Gehlfuss) drug trial. Mora plays Mike, a blue-collar truck driver in his 30s whose ex-wife brings their baby to the ER.

Chicago Med, in its sixth season, Chicago Fire, in its ninth season, and Chicago P.D. in its eighth season, continue to draw strong ratings for NBC. In Live+7, they are the top three dramas on every Wednesday night of originals in the 2020-21 season-to-date.

Chicago Med airs Wednesdays at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC, followed by Chicago Fire at 9 pm ET/PT and Chicago P.D. at 10 pm ET/PT. All three are produced by Wolf Entertainment in association with Universal Television, a division of the Universal Studio Group.

Chicago Med‘s executive producers are Dick Wolf, Diane Frolov, Andrew Schneider, Michael Pressman, Stephen Hootstein, Derek Haas, Arthur W. Forney and Peter Jankowski.

Chicago Fire is executive produced by Dick Wolf, Derek Haas, Todd Arnow, Andrea Newman, Michael Gilvary, Michael Brandt, Reza Tabrizi, Arthur W. Forney, Peter Jankowski.

Chicago P.D.‘s executive producers are Dick Wolf, Rick Eid, Derek Haas, Peter Jankowski, Arthur W. Forney and Peter Jankowski.

Colin is repped by Innovative Artists and Framework Entertainment. Greensmith is repped by Nicolosi & Co., Inc. Coleman is repped by Susan Calogerakis and Domain Talent Agency. Farrell is repped by Grossman and Jack Talent (Chicago), JS Represents (LA). Mora is repped by Gray Talent Group.

Dishing with Digest - 3/19/21 - Lindsay Arnold And Lucas Adams

Linsey Godfrey Announces Exit From DAYS

Video Chat: Rebecca Gayheart, Sharon Leal and Yvonna Kopacz Wright

Chrishell Stause's ‘Selling Sunset’ Renewed At Netflix

The streamer has renewed Selling Sunset and Bling Empire and ordered two new reality shows from their exec producers.

Selling Sunset, one of the streamer’s first forays into the genre, has received a two season renewal, taking it through season five.

The series, set in the world of high-end real estate in LA, follows realtors from The Oppenheim Group. The cast including Jason and Brett Oppenheim, Chrishell Stause, Christine Quinn, Mary Fitzgerald, Romain Bonnet, Heather Rae Young, Amanza Smith, Maya Vander, and Davina Potratz are all returning. Adam DiVello is exec producer of the show, which is produced by Done and Done Productions and Lionsgate.

The Hills creator Adam DiVello has also secured a new show through his production company Done and Done. The untitled series is also set in the world of realty, this time along the Florida coast. It follows Allure Realty, owned by military vet Sharelle Rosado, an all Black, all female real estate firm has its eyes set on dominating the Suncoast. These ladies are equally as fun as they are fiercely ambitious, with all of them vying to be on top of the lavish world of luxury waterfront real estate. Sharelle has big plans for her brokerage and won’t let anyone or anything get in the way of making her dreams a reality.

Meanwhile, Bling Empire, a reality series that follows a wildly wealthy group of Asian and Asian-American friends and frenemies in Los Angeles, has been renewed for a second season. The eight-part series, which follows this group as they spend their days and nights at fabulous parties and expensive shopping sprees, while also running multi-billion dollar businesses and traveling the world, as well as keeping and spilling secrets, launched earlier this year and has already made reality stars of the likes of Christine Chiu, Kane Lim, Kelly Mi Li and Kevin Kreider.

The show is produced by Jeff Jenkins Productions, run by the Keeping Up With The Kardashians exec producer, in association with 3BMG. Jenkins, Ross Weintraub, and Reinout Oerlemans exec produce with Brandon Panaligan as showrunner.

Jenkins is also making My Unorthodox Life for Netflix. The series centers around the personal and professional life of fashion mogul Julia Haart – former member of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community turned CEO of Elite World Group. Since taking the reins of a global talent empire, Haart has been on a mission to revolutionize the industry from the inside out – all while being a mother of four. Her children include a TikToker, an app designer, a lawyer, and a high schooler torn between two conflicting cultures, and Haart helps them reconcile their orthodox upbringings with the modern world.

Jenkins, Weintraub, Oerlemans, and Haart exec produce with Real Housewives exec producer Lenid Rolov set as showrunner. Jeff Jenkins Productions produces in association with 3BMG and it will premiere later this year.

Netflix VP Brandon Riegg, who oversees unscripted for the streamer, said, “In my eyes, unscripted TV is one of the most broad and diverse categories of entertainment. There are competition shows to be named the best singer or the worst baker. There are dating shows to find the one, or $100,000. There are home design shows to spark inspiration (and even joy!). And there are programs that follow real people going about their real lives, among many others.

“That last style is called a docusoap. These shows follow a person or group of people, like family, friends, or coworkers, going about their real, everyday lives. They can offer a fun, light-hearted escape, or inspire a juicy, heated debate. They can provide a glimpse into a world different from our own, or even show a new side of our own circles. And yes, they’re usually filled with more feuds, tears and tense dinner parties than our regular lives.”

DAYS’s Godfrey Opens Up About Mental Health Struggle

Kyle Lowder Previews His Return to DAYS OF OUR LIVES

“So thank you all so much,” Lowder continued. “for like I said, the love, the support, the… kindness that you guys have shown me today. And all the time for that matter. I don’t get to do what I love to do for a living without all of you. So tune in to DAYS starting next week, Rex will be back. I think you’re gonna like it.” The actor closed out the video by panning over to the spectacular sunset outside his window before signing off. Check it out: Video.

Lowder originally starred on DAYS as Brady Black from 2000-05, and then played a recast of Rick Forrester on CBS sudser THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL from 2007-11. When he returned to DAYS in 2018, the role of Brady had been taken over by Eric Martsolf in 2008, so he was cast as the new Rex Brady, previously played by Eric Winter from 2002-05. Yes, it’s all very confusing!

‘Queen Of The South’: USA Network Drama To End With Fifth Season

The USA Network drama is ending with its upcoming fifth season, which will mark the end of the NBCU cable net’s long-running scripted series.

Production on Season 5 of the show, which was renewed back in August 2019, was suspended in March 2020 due to the Covid pandemic and started up again last fall in New Orleans. The 10-episode season – the previous four had 13 each — will premiere at 10 p.m. Wednesday, April 7.

“We could not be prouder of our entire cast and crew that joined us on this magnificent journey,” said executive producers Dailyn Rodriguez, Ben Lobato and David Friendly. “Queen of the South began shooting in Mexico City, brought us to faraway places like Malta and Colombia and finally landed in New Orleans. We cannot wait to share the explosive final season with our devoted fans. And, of course, we could not have made this show without the talented and tireless Alice Braga, who brought our queen to life.”

Braga plays Teresa Mendoza, a woman who is forced to run from the Mexican cartel and seek refuge in America. Queen of the South follows her eventual rise to power over her own drug-trafficking empire.

Season 5 will see Molly Burnett, who plays Kelly Anne, a member of Mendoza’s cartel, upped to series regular, with Pasha Lychnikoff joining in a recurring role as an underworld oligarch and war criminal.

Queen of the South is based on Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s novel La Reina del Sur, which was a popular series for NBCU-owned Spanish-language network. It is produced by 20th Television and UCP with Friendly, Rodriguez and Lobato as EPs.

It leaves The Sinner, which was renewed for a fourth season last summer, as USA Network’s only current scripted series as part of the network’s move away from ongoing scripted series toward more live and unscripted programming and “eventized” scripted projects such as anthology series.

“For five incredible seasons, Queen of the South has captivated us with brilliant storytelling and bold, powerful characters,” added Frances Berwick, Chairman, Entertainment Networks. “This series broke boundaries for the genre, and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with this incredible team of creators, cast and crew along with our studio partners at 20th Television and UCP. As we close this final chapter, we look forward to a great season culminating in a finale that will give our fans the ending they deserve.”

Cady McClain, Olivia d’Abo & director Julia Verdin Virtual Interview

Ray Wise guests on All Rise 3/15/21

GUEST CAST includes: Amy Acker (Georgia Knight), Ray Wise (Richard Walker)

‘The Woman In The House’: Mary Holland, Shelley Hennig, Christina Anthony Among Six Cast In Netflix Series

Created by Rachel Ramras, Hugh Davidson and Larry Dorf, who also serve as co-showrunners, The Woman In The House centers around heartbroken Anna (Bell), for whom every day is the same. She sits with her wine, staring out the window, watching life go by without her. But when a handsome neighbor moves in across the street, Anna starts to see a light at the end of the tunnel. That is until she witnesses a gruesome murder… Or did she?

Holland plays Sloane, a local art gallery owner and Anna’s loyal best friend. Dry-witted and not one to mince words, she steadfastly encourages Anna to put her life back together.

Hennig portrays Lisa, who is sweet and sexy, but is there more than meets the eye beneath her seemingly shallow surface? Anna certainly thinks so.

Anthony is Detective Lane, smart and no-nonsense. At first dismissive of Anna, she gradually becomes determined to get to the bottom of it all.

Yett plays Emma, Neil’s (Riley) adorable 9-year-old daughter. Anna is instantly drawn to this sweet little girl who reminds her of her own daughter.

Britton portrays Buell, Anna’s sweet, simple-minded handyman. Always accommodating , always polite and always around.

Aguilar plays Rex, who may not be the brightest bulb in the chandelier, but he’s definitely the hottest and hard for women to resist.

Bell executive produces, along with Will Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum and Brittney Segal for Gloria Sanchez Productions. Marti Noxon serves as a creative consultant on the series.

Holland is repped by ICM Partners, Atlas Artists and Ziffren Brittenham. Hennig is repped by APA, Alchemy Entertainment and Goodman Genow Schenkman Smelkinson & Christopher. Anthony is repped by Innovative Artists and Marsh Entertainment. Yett is repped by Paradigm and Marilyn Zitner Management. Britton is repped by UTA, Velocity Entertainment Partners and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Aguilar is repped by Innovative Artists, Thirty Three Management and Bloom Hergott Diemer.

Chrishell Stause accuses Keo Motsepe of ‘playing the victim’ after breakup

On Friday, People magazine posted that a source close to Motsepe, 31, said he’s heartbroken following his short-lived relationship with Stause, 39.

“He enjoyed his time with Chrishell and was 100 percent in it,” the source told the outlet, adding, “He’s had a tough time with his mom’s passing, but he really wanted to make his relationship with Chrishell last.”

Posting a screenshot of the article, Stause hit back, “Ok I TRULY wanted to keep this drama free, but playing the victim and bringing your mom into it is a step too far for me. I was also 100% in it as well, until revelations told to me recently have made me question if you could even order a coffee without lying.”

She also posted a link to an article titled, “Liar, Liar: How to Break Free from Habitual Lying.”

When a fan pointed out that it was a source quote and not an official comment from Motsepe, Stause responded, “I gathered all the facts before I posted. Don’t worry. I know exactly where it came from.”

Another commenter told her it’s best to ignore it because her response comes off as “childish.”

“Yes I am aware,” she replied. “If I end up alone with cats-it was worth it. But I am also human and not a robot. When you are the ass in the breakup & then the other person tries to let you save face and take the high road publicly….probably best not to poke a bear holding receipts.”

She then vowed to be a better person tomorrow. “Today wasn’t the day,” she concluded.

The “Selling Sunset” star first met the dance pro while she was competing on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2020. The couple went Instagram-official in December and were soon spotted jetting off to Mexico for a romantic getaway.

“He’s the best,” she gushed on Nick Viall’s podcast of Motsepe in December. “Soon after we made it official, we went ahead and shared it. I’m so blushing right now.”

They were together for nearly three months before their breakup.

A rep for Motsepe did not immediately return our request for comment.

Chrishell Stause Splits with Keo

Sources close to the former couple tell TMZ ... the "Selling Sunset" star and Keo Motsepe came to a mutual decision to end their relationship after about 3 months of dating.

Our sources say Chrisell's relationship with the 'DWTS' star had simply run its course. They started dating back in December 2020, so it was short and sweet.

We got Chrishell and her "Selling Sunset" co-star, Mary Fitzgerald, Wednesday afternoon at The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker in West Hollywood ... and Chrishell was reluctant to say much of anything about Keo. Now it makes sense, they were on the outs.

TMZ broke the story ... Chrishell and Justin finalized their divorce Monday, so it's been an eventful week for her.

Justin's still going strong with his girlfriend, Sofia Pernas, but now Chrishell is flying solo.

Dishing with Digest - 2/26/21 - Mike Manning

Jackée Harry Previews Her Debut on DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Harry got her start in daytime playing Lily on ANOTHER WORLD and hit the big time with her scene-stealing role as Sandra on the hit sitcom 227 in the ‘80s. When it was first announced that the actress would be joining the cast of DAYS back in December 2020, details were still being kept under wraps, but now we know that she’ll be playing Lani’s aunt, who is a real estate mogul from Miami.

“Paulina has plenty of money and she lives in Miami,” Harry told Entertainment Weekly. “She’s scandalous. I mean, you gotta be scandalous on DAYS OF OUR LIVES — you need murder, scandal, and divorce! You also need secrets. And she has plenty. Secrets that’ll be exposed later.”

While Harry admitted that the handsome Lamon Archey (Eli) naturally caught her eye, she was also thrilled to be working with daytime vet James Reynolds (Abe). “God, I love Jim Renolds,” she enthused. “He’s really the reason we’re there. He’s been on the show for 40 years. He is a leader, which he shows by his actions and his words. Working with him put me immediately into focus. He was so accepting! And you know Paulina wants to jump him! And he’s already jumped nearly everybody. I didn’t know he had that many babies. They had to break it down for me. You all have to watch to see how my background breaks down in the weeks to come, which is really fun.”

Although the length of Harry’s run on DAYS is not yet known, there’s still Paulina’s daughter, Chanel, to be introduced in the very near future. So be sure to tune in and watch all of the drama unfold!

Eric Martsolf Mourns the Death of His Mother

“Heaven was fortunate today to have received this angel,” the DAYS star wrote on Facebook and Instagram, sharing a photo of him with his beloved parent as well as a shot of Nancy on her wedding day. “My mom was the most original mixture of beauty and toughness I’ve ever known. She lived and loved fiercely, and the family unit was always to be treasured and never abandoned.

“Any room was better with her in it, and her storytelling style riveted the toughest of crowds,” Martsolf continued. “I will miss the perplexed look on the many waiters’ faces when asking for a large glass of ice to accompany your Chardonnay, and I will greatly miss the outlandish, and sometimes admittedly inappropriate, laughter that we extracted from any situation.”

It sounds like the good-natured Martsolf inherited his storytelling abilities from his mother. Nancy was a teacher who raised the daytime actor and his brother, Justin, in Harrisburg, PA. (The Martsolf family patriarch, Rick, was a lawyer.) Martsolf’s wife, Lisa, posted a touching Instagram tribute of her own, sharing family photos of the couple’s twins, Chase and Mason, as young kids with their grandparents.

“Aah, where to begin?” wrote Lisa, accenting her statement with a broken-heart emoji before going into a long list of memories shared with her mother-in-law, like recipes that called for a lot of unmeasured butter, care packages for the twins, and Nancy’s love of comedy movies. “Maybe it’s the same silly, light-hearted, wacky sense of humor my husband inherited from you… It was all of those little things that add up to the beautiful, vivacious, spirit you were. The miles sure kept us apart, but you were never far apart from our hearts.”

In concluding his own emotional tribute to his mother, the Emmy winner finished by writing, “Rest now, Mom. And thank you for showing me how to love. I, and everyone who knew you, will miss you. Love, E.”

Soaps In Depth extends our condolences to the entire Martsolf family at this difficult time.

GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Réal Andrews Tested Positive for COVID-19

GH, like all the other daytime soaps and other entertainment productions, have strict COVID guidelines to protect their casts and crews from the dangerous virus. This winter, GH temporarily recast the role of Taggert with actor Asante Jones for a handful of episodes, but Andrews soon returned to the soap. Even with his subsequent negative test result, the positive COVID result still means that Andrews will have to take a short break from work to ensure evryone’s safety. When his castmate, Briana Nicole Henry (Jordan) caught COVID around the Thanksgiving holiday, she was temporarily recast with actress Tiffany Daniels until Henry was cleared to return to the studio. Whether or not GH is planning to recast Taggert again with Jones or another actor has not yet been announced.

“I’ll keep you up to speed,” Andrews promised. “I didn’t come in and tell you about it right away because obviously I was just devastated and frustrated, but I’m going to keep you in the loop, let you know how it goes. But that’s where we’re at right now. Taggert is sitting out on the sidelines.”

In the video, Andrews seems healthy, so hopefully, his initial COVID test result was a false positive. But please join us in wishing him well.

Melissa Archer Mourns the Death of Her Father

Even as she grieves, Archer remembers the good times she had with her dad and the effect he had on her and everyone else in his life. “I know my dad will live on in so many people,” she wrote. “He touched the lives of so many and wanted so much for all to know and see the good in the lord. I’m grateful for the memories. I’m grateful we got to do some amazing things together over the years. While there were times I didn’t appreciate him, he patiently waited for me to come back around.

“I’m sad that I can’t call him right now to tell him how sad I am about not having him here to call,” Archer continued. “That I won’t ever hear the words “missy poo pot pie” again, that I won’t hear him look at a sign and say the words in a silly voice and think it’s funny (I now do this), that I won’t hear him sing with his band ever again, or have him say how much he loves his girls. But I know he’s in heaven, doing all those things, and I know he’s watching out for us. I hope he’s enjoying the beauty of heaven and all the promises we’ve been given. I hope he sees the rest of the family that’s in heaven and rejoicing in their freedom.”

Our thoughts are with Archer and her entire family during this difficult time.

Justin Hartley & Chrishell Stause Divorce Finalized

According to court filings, a judge officially signed off on the dissolution of their marriage earlier this month. We don't have details of the judgment yet -- meaning it's unclear if spousal support was ordered, or how any assets were divvied up.

You'll recall ... when Justin abruptly filed for divorce back in 2019 -- after only 2 years of marriage -- he'd indicated he didn't wanna pony up any spousal support to Chrishell, and also wanted her to cover her own legal fees. It's possible they had a prenup in place.

There was another weird thing about their original divorce docs -- the date of separation was listed as July 8, 2019 ... when they'd been seen publicly together many times after that.

Chrishell made it seem like Justin's filing came out of left field, but later admitted he'd threatened to leave several times prior.

In any case, both of these beautiful people have moved on to new loves -- JH is with Sofia Pernas and Chrishell's with 'DWTS' star Keo Motsepe. They had no kids together ... so, no custody battle to slow down the divorce.

This was us ... and then it wasn't.

Another Soap Alum Boards Reagan

Zachary Quinto, Ashley Benson & Michelle Buteau To Star In Comedy Crime Podcast For Audible & At Will Media

The trio will voice characters in Sorry Charlie Miller, a series that also features Gossip Girl’s Chace Crawford and The Office’s Brian Baumgartner.

Sorry Charlie Miller follows the disappearance of a D-list reality TV star with a rabid fanbase, played by Benson, who has gone missing off the coast of Key Biscayne, Florida.

On the case are Mark Green, voiced by Quinto, a desk bound police department employee with an encyclopaedic knowledge of celebrity gossip, and Tiana Jones, voiced by Buteau, his no-nonsense colleague. After Mark and Tiana pose as detectives to find Charlie, the case gains national media attention, and the two quickly find themselves in a firestorm of basic bitches, gun toting bookies, and cut-throat momagers.

The series, which launches Thursday February 25, was written by Tanner Cohen and David Ludwig.

It is produced by At Will Media, the company behind podcasts such as For All Mankind: The Official Podcast and Paul Feig partnership The Case of Adirondack Rose.

Listen to the trailer here.

“Working on a scripted podcast was a new experience for me, one which I absolutely loved. Mark was such a fun character for me to explore and to embody. I was also able to work with some close friends of mine, which was an added bonus. I am truly looking forward to having listeners experience this hilarious underdog story,” said Quinto.

Benson added, “I feel very lucky to have been given this opportunity to work with Audible alongside an incredible cast and the creative minds of Sorry Charlie Miller. I have never done anything like this before and it was great to work on something fun yet challenging during quarantine. I loved playing Charlie and cannot wait for everyone to go on this wild ride with us.”

Co-creator Cohen said making the show was a “dreamy” experience. “Covid tried to stop us but we said no, we’ll record everyone at home and make it happen. Our cast was so game and so brilliant. I hope people can hear how much fun we had. There’s so much freedom when you make an all-audio show, so we definitely tested the boundaries of what we could get away with in terms of the world’s we were able to design and the characters we could create and follow,” he added.

Will Media’s CEO Will Malnati said Cohen was a “natural fit” to create a podcast. “His writing is quick, witty, and rooted in dynamic characters who you can relate to and laugh with. Sorry Charlie Miller is unlike any other narrative comedy in the podcast space and our superstar cast really brought it to life, during a pandemic, in ways that I couldn’t have imagined possible.”

DAYS Alum Books New Gig

Country Comfort: LeAnn Rimes Crashes Eddie Cibrian and Katharine McPhee's Netflix Comedy in First Trailer

The streamer on Friday released a full-length trailer for its new musical comedy (premiering Friday, March 19), in which “an aspiring young country singer named Bailey (McPhee) takes a job as a nanny for a rugged cowboy named Beau (Eddie Cibrian) and his five children,” according to Netflix’s official synopsis.

“With a never-give up attitude and loads of Southern charm, this newbie-nanny is able to navigate the family dynamics and be the mother figure they’ve been missing. To her surprise, Bailey also gets the band she’s been missing in this musically talented family who help get her back on the road to stardom.”

And yes, that is LeAnn Rimes — country music icon, Cibrian’s real-life spouse and recent winner of The Masked Singer — talking one of Beau’s kids through her grief at the 1:28 mark.

In addition to McPhee and Cibrian, Country Comfort also stars Ricardo Hurtado, Jamie Martin Mann, Pyper Braun, Shiloh Verrico, Griffin McIntyre, Janet Varney and Eric Balfour.

Hit PLAY on the trailer below for your first taste of Country Comfort in action: Video.

Dishing with Digest - 2/19/21 - Kristen Storms

DAYS’s Sweeney and Alfonso Team Up On ALI’S EATS

Stage and Screen Actor Christopher Pennock Dies at 76

Chris performed on the Broadway stage in "The Rose Tattoo," "Abelard & Heloise" and "A Patriot For Me." His other theatrical credits include "The Philadelphia Story," "Third," "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" and "Royal Hunt Of The Sun." He is a lifelong member of The Actors Studio, a professional organization for actors, directors and playwrights best known for teaching method acting.

On television, he played a variety of characters on the original "Dark Shadows" daytime series during its final two years.

In addition to his series of "Dark Shadows"-inspired comic books, Chris also participated in numerous new "Dark Shadows" audio dramas over the past two decades.

Chris was also a longtime player on soap operas, later appearing in "Somerset," "General Hospital," "The Young & The Restless," "Days Of Our Lives" and "The Guiding Light."

On primetime television, Chris made guest spots on "Melrose Place," "Simon & Simon," "The Love Boat," "Dynasty," "The A-Team," "Tucker's Witch" and "Hotel." Chris made his movie debut in "Night of Dark Shadows" in 1971 and was also seen in "Savages," "Basic Training," "The Great Texas Dynamite Chase," "California Suite," "Frances," "Doctor Mabuse: Etiopomar" and, most recently, "A Journey To A Journey."

Talk Show Appearance

AIRING Feb 19, 2021

Alison Sweeney

Cady McClain Is Leaving DAYS OF OUR LIVES

The character of Jennifer has been recast before, with Reeves herself taking over for a series of child actors beginning in 1985 and then Stephanie Cameron assuming the role from 1995-98 when Reeves left the soap. McClain, best known for playing ALL MY CHILDREN’s Dixie, is no stranger to recasts herself, having played AS THE WORLD TURNS’ Rosanna and THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS’ Kelly.

During her run on DAYS, McClain has had some very juicy story to play as Jennifer discovered that while she was lingering in a coma, Jack had cheated on her with Kate and then later learning that Jack had a long-lost daughter, Gwen, who was out for revenge! When the recast was announced back in September 2020, there was no way of knowing how long it would last, but Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Jennifer will leave Salem and head to Boston with her last airdate slated for Wednesday, Jan. 17.

Boston is where Jennifer’s mother, Laura, has been living, so it would seem likely she’ll head to Massachusetts following her mom’s death. Will Jennifer ever return to Salem? And will McClain or Reeves be the one playing her? Only time will tell, so stay tuned!

Krista Allen guests on 9-1-1 3/1/21

Cast: Angela Bassett as Athena Grant; Peter Krause as Bobby Nash; Jennifer Love Hewitt as Maddie Kendall; Oliver Stark as Evan “Buck” Buckley; Kenneth Choi as Howie “Chimney” Han; Aisha Hinds as Henrietta “Hen” Wilson; Ryan Guzman as Eddie Diaz; Rockmond Dunbar as Michael Grant; Corinne Massiah as May Grant; Marcanthonee Jon Reis as Harry Grant; Gavin McHugh as Christopher Diaz; Jon Harlan Kim as Albert Han.

Guest Cast: Tracie Thoms as Karen; Marsha Warfield as Antonia “Toni” Wilson; La Monde Byrd as Dr. David Hale; Krista Allen as Meegan; Keana Marie as Veronica; Tim Herzog as Slim; George Wyner as Don; Michael James Lazar as Joe

Ashley Benson and G-Eazy break up after nearly one year together

The “Pretty Little Liars” alum, 31, and the “I Mean It” rapper, 31, have broken up after nearly one year of dating, E! News reported on Monday. The split comes as fans noticed Benson unfollowed him on Instagram.

Reps for the stars didn’t immediately return Page Six’s request for comment.

Benson and G-Eazy were first linked in May 2020 when they were photographed holding hands and kissing. The new romance surprised fans as the “Spring Breakers” actress had just called it quits with model Cara Delevingne the previous month after two years of dating.

G-Eazy was linked to Halsey before Benson.

In October, G-Eazy gushed about Benson after they worked together on his music video for “Hate the Way.”

“She’s an exceptionally talented person in many different spaces,” he told “ET.” “She’s a special one.”

He added, “It just blew me away that you can have such a hidden, special talent that the world doesn’t get to see as often.”

Dishing with Digest - 2/5/21 - Don Diamont

WGA Awards TV Nominations

DAYTIME DRAMA

Days of Our Lives
Head Writer: Ron Carlivati Writers: Lorraine Broderick, Joanna Cohen, Carolyn Culliton, Richard Culliton, Rick Draughon, David Kreizman, Rebecca McCarty, Ryan Quan, Dave Ryan, Katherine D. Schock, Elizabeth Snyder; NBC

General Hospital
Head Writers: Dan O’Connor, Christopher Van Etten Associate Head Writer: Anna Theresa Cascio Writers: Barbara Bloom, Suzanne Flynn, Charlotte Gibson, Lucky Gold, Kate Hall, Elizabeth Korte, David Rupel, Lisa Seidman, Donny Sheldon, Scott Sickles; ABC

Precious Way Joins ‘Days of Our Lives’ Cast as Jackée Harry’s Daughter

Way has been a savant from an early age. She graduated high school early at 16 after realizing her passion was in music and entertainment. Her first nationally released single, Watch Me Go, made its radio debut in 2018, which lead to her touring and performing at festivals and venues, including Times Square and Disney World. After this, she began acting professionally and participated in the American Black Film Festival competition, going on to book a co-lead role in Partners in Rhyme for Urban Movie Chanel. The series comes from female hip hop legend MC Lyte, who produces and co-stars along with Martin and The Jamie Foxx Show Executive Producer, Bentley Kyle Evans.

Jackée Harry is best known for her memorable characters as Sandra Clark on 227, Lisa Landry on Sister, Sister, and as Vanessa on Everyone Hates Chris, and countless other television and film productions.

Days of our Lives which is currently in its 56th season, is set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem. The popular soap opera focuses on the Brady, Horton and DiMeras families. The multi-layered storylines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama. Days of our Lives is produced by Corday Productions Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati serves as head writer for the iconic show.

Dishing with Digest - 1/29/21 - Emily O’Brien

Bruce Kirby Dies: ‘Columbo’, ‘L.A. Law’ Actor Was 95

His son, acting coach John Kirby, announced the death in a Facebook post. A cause of death was not specified, but John Kirby noted that his father “passed away peacefully” at Cedars in Los Angeles.

Beginning his acting career in the 1950s with appearances in Golden Age anthology programs such as Omnibus and Goodyear Playhouse, Kirby became a familiar presence on episodic TV in the 1960s, with roles on Car 54, Where Are You?, The Patty Duke Show, I Dream of Jeannie and The Defenders.

His TV career continued through the 1970s and ’80s with roles on sitcoms (Room 222, The Doris Day Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, Chico and the Man, MASH, Alice, Barney Miller, among others) and dramas, specializing in playing cops and detectives on such series as Medical Center, Toma, Kojak, Shannon, Lou Grant, Hunter and In The Heat Of The Night.

Kirby played several roles in the long-running Peter Falk series Columbo, most notably his run as the show’s Sgt. Kramer. From 1986 to 1991, Kirby recurred on L.A. Law as D.A. Bruce Rogoff, and in the early 1980s he was cast as Officer Schmidt in the San Francisco-based crime drama Shannon.

Other TV credits include The Rockford Files, Matlock, Hill Street Blues, The Golden Girls, Chicago Hope and, in the 2000s, The Sopranos, The West Wing and, in two of his final appearances, Numb3rs and Scrubs.

Though TV roles dominated his career, Kirby also made appearances in such feature films as the 1971 Don Knotts vehicle How To Frame A Figg, the 1985 Patsy Cline biopic Sweet Dreams (in which he played TV personality Arthur Godfrey), 1986’s Stand By Me and, in 1993, the Matt Dillon comedy Mr. Wonderful.

In 2004, Kirby reteamed with Dillon for one of his most memorable big-screen roles, playing the father of Dillon’s shady cop in the Oscar-winning Crash.

On Broadway, Kirby was featured in the replacement cast of 1984’s Death of a Salesman starring Dustin Hoffman. Kirby played the role of Uncle Ben.

Bruno Kirby, who died of leukemia in 2006 at age 57, followed his father into acting, with roles in The Godfather: Part II, When Harry Me Sally…, City Slickers, The Larry Sanders Show, This Is Spinal Tap, Good Morning Vietnam and many others. Like his father, he made appearances on MASH, Columbo, Kojak, Room 222 and Hill St. Blues.

On his Facebook tribute, John Kirby wrote, “My father loved acting and aside from his extraordinary professional career in television, film & theater, he never stopped working on it from his early years in New York on scholarship with Lee Strasberg for 9 years, LA’s Theatre East & The Actors Studio. It was very painful for him when he no longer could perform. I am so glad his wonderful work will live on…

“He was a great father who loved Bruno and me and as a family he made it his business for us to tour in these professional Summer Stock packages, something we would all look forward to every summer…I’m glad you’re up there with Bruno and so many of our loved ones.”

In addition to son John, Kirby is survived by wife Rosalyn.

Victoria Konefal Returns to DAYS OF OUR LIVES!

Meanwhile, Ciara’s mom, Hope, however, never gave up hope (see what we did there?) that her daughter was still alive. The detective left Salem to search for Ciara, a plot point that facilitated portrayer Kristian Alfonso’s exit from the sudser after 30 years. And Hope’s motherly instincts were right: According to Soap Opera Digest, Konefal is set to return to DAYS beginning Thursday, Jan. 28 — and as more than an apparition.

While Ciara may indeed be alive, whether or not she is well is another story. In related casting news, Soap Opera Digest is also reporting that Jason Downs has been tapped to play Rhodes, a handsome stranger with a mysterious connection to Ciara. Downs previously played a concierge on THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL back in 2014 in an episode surrounding the Forrester Creations photo shoot in Amsterdam. The actor/singer has had guest spots on NCIS: NEW ORLEANS, NCIS: LOS ANGELES and K.C. UNDERCOVER, and starred in Racing Daylight opposite Melissa Leo (Linda, ALL MY CHILDREN) and Giancarlo Esposito. Look for Downs to make his DAYS debut before the end of January.

We suspect that this isn’t going to be a pick-up-where-they-left-off reunion for Ben and Ciara, who barely had time to send out their wedding thank-yous before the new Mrs. Weston went missing and was supposedly died! There’s no word yet on how long Konefal or Downs will be on screen, but we can’t wait to see how Ciara’s return to Salem unfolds!

Garret Dillahunt, A Martinez, Keir O’Donnell & Moses Ingram Join Michael Bay’s ‘Ambulance

The four join current cast members Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Eiza Gonzalez in a feature that’s based off the original Danish Film Ambulancen. While the plot is being kept under wraps, the pic is expected to be in the spirit of such 1990s action pics Speed and Bad Boys. Chris Fedak wrote the original script. Bay, James Vanderbilt, Bradley Fischer, Will Sherak and Ian Bryce are producing. Michael Kase and Mark Moran will executive produce. Deadline first reported about the Bay project with Gyllenhaal in talks.

Universal is distributing the movie with Endeavor Content packaging of the project.

Dillahunt recently wrapped Zack Snyder’s upcoming Netflix film Army of the Dead and stars in AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead as a series regular. In addition, he starred opposite Viola Davis in Steve McQueen’s film Widows and appeared in television series including TBS’s The Guest Book, Amazon’s Hand of God, and Hulu’s The Mindy Project.

Martinez recently appeared in the series-long role of Jacob Nighthorse on Netflix’s Longmire, as well as recurring roles on The Bay and Queen of the South. He has also appeared in films including The Cowboys, She-Devil and Powwow Highway.

O’Donnell recently starred in Hulu’s Into the Dark and Project Blue Book for History Channel. His recent TV credits include Legion, Fargo and Ray Donovan, and his feature credits include Wedding Crashers, The Break-Up and American Sniper, among others.

Ingram recently made her television debut in Netflix’s limited series The Queens Gambit as chess champion Beth Harmon’s best friend and fellow orphan, Jolene. In addition, Ingram is set to play the role of Lady Macduff in A24’s Macbeth opposite Denzel Washington.

Dillahunt is repped by APA and D2 management; Martinez is repped by Teitelbaum Artists Group and David Shapira & Associates; O’Donnell is repped by Silver Lining Entertainment; Ingram is repped by Innovative Artists, Authentic Talent & Literary Management and Fox Rothschild.

DAYS’s Manning In New Film

V.C. Andrews’ The Landry Family will air on Lifetime over two weekends

Stars Of ABC’s ‘All My Children’, ‘One Life To Live’ & ‘General Hospital’ Reunite For Streaming Concert Benefit

ABC Daytime: Back on Broadway will gather musical performances by soap stars including Susan Lucci, Anthony Geary and Eva La Rue during the seven annual benefit concerts staged in New York from 2005-11. The daytime actors will revisit the performances in new interviews as part of the special.

The special will stream free of charge on February 11. See viewing options below. The lineup of performers includes Bobbie Eakes, Melissa Claire Egan, Vincent Irizarry, Eva La Rue, Susan Lucci, Cameron Mathison, Eden Riegel, Chrishell Stause and Walt Willey (from All My Children); Kristen Alderson, BethAnn Fuenmayor, Kathy Brier, Kassie DePaiva, David Gregory, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Catherine Hickland, Mark Lawson, Hillary B. Smith, Jason Tam and Brittany Underwood (One Life To Live); and Bradford Anderson, Brandon Barash and Anthony Geary (General Hospital).

“There are no fans like ABC Daytime fans,” said Lucci in a statement. “Their love and support continue to astonish us. We can’t wait to share these special performances with them and help raise money for so many in need during this difficult time.”

The concerts were staged at New York City’s Town Hall, and included production numbers, Broadway show tunes, ballads and comedy skits. The concert series began in 2005 as a one-night-only benefit to mark the 35th anniversary of All My Children, but fan support prompted ABC to stage the annual event for another six years. Over its seven-year run, ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares raised $1.85 million.

Tom Viola, Broadway Cares Executive Director, said, “We are so thankful to the stars from ABC Daytime for joining us again as we relive moments from this delightful tradition, while helping to provide lifesaving medication, healthy meals and emergency support to those struggling during this ongoing pandemic.”

This free streamed event can be viewed beginning Feb. 11, 8 pm ET, here, as well as on Broadway Cares’ YouTube channel, across ABC Owned Television Stations’ 32 connected TV apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku and each of the eight station’s websites around the country, including abc7ny.com in New York; and on Good Morning America’s Facebook page.

While the stream is free, donations will be accepted for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, with all proceeds to provide people affected by HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and other critical illnesses with healthy meals, lifesaving medication, emergency financial assistance, housing, counseling and more. The donations also support and champion organizations focused on social justice and anti-racism.

Blumhouse Television Announces Holiday Theme, Date, Cast for First ‘Into the Dark’ of 2021

Dana Drori, Casey Deidrick, Evan Williams and Kasey Elise star in the psychosexual horror-thriller film, which comes from a story by Alexandra Pechman and Nick Antosca and a teleplay by Pechman. It is directed by Clara Aranovich.

In “Tentacles,” couple Tara (Drori) and Sam (Deidrick) fall head over heels into a new romance and entwine their lives — until their intimacy transforms into something terrifying. The film is said to take inspiration from “the rushes of early intimacy and uncertain power dynamics at play, and the dangers of losing yourself,” and it will also present “a twist on gender roles in modern horror.”

“Tentacles” is the first “Into the Dark” title to launch in half a year: The most recent installment of “Into the Dark” was “The Current Occupant,” which streamed in July 2020. Production paused on the franchise for a good part of last year, “Tentacles” was produced under new health and safety guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Into the Dark” is designed as a monthly horror event series, delivering original films tied to specific holidays in each month. The very first installment was the Halloween-themed “The Body” in October 2018, but other titles and their respective holidays have included “New Year, New You” (New Year’s), “Culture Shock” (the 4th of July), “Pilgrim” (Thanksgiving), “Delivered” (Mother’s Day) and “Good Boy” (Pet Appreciation Week).

Jason Blum, Jeremy Gold, Marci Wiseman, Alexander Koehne, Lauren Downey, Alex Hedlund, John Hegeman, Antosca and Aranovich executive produce “Tentacles.”

Drori is represented by Innovative Artists and Silver Lining Entertainment; Deidrick is represented by Innovative Artists, Power Entertainment Group, and Morris, Yorn, Barnes, Levin, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner & Gellman; Williams is represented by Global Artists and Robert Stein Management; Elise is represented by Velocity Entertainment; Pechman is represented by UTA and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis; Antosca is represented by Ginsburg Daniels Kallis, and Aranovich is represented by ICM and Management 360.

‘General Hospital’ to Pay On-Air Tribute to John Reilly

Executive producer Frank Valentini tells Variety that Reilly “was a huge part of the ‘GH’ history and will be honored in an upcoming episode that the writers are working on now.”

Due to COVID-19, the ABC daytime drama has adjusted its schedule slightly, but both the writers’ room and production are still working weeks ahead and are currently prepping content for the end of the first quarter and start of the second quarter of 2021.

Reilly started on “General Hospital” in June 1984, playing Sean Donely consecutively for more than a decade, through February 1995, and then making sporadic appearances as the character in 2008 (for the finale of spinoff “General Hospital: Night Shift”) and in 2013.

The character was first introduced when Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary) needed help while he was on the run from murder charges, but Sean was a force with which to be reckoned: in the 1970s he was the head of the World Security Bureau (WSB), which added an adventure element into the medical soap.

Robert (Tristan Rogers), who worked for Sean, sent Luke to Sean for help. At the time, there was a mystery about Aztec treasure under way, which Sean was looking for, and things got so hairy he ended up kidnapping a few people close to Robert. Eventually, the two made up and Sean became the godfather of Robert’s daughter Robin (Kimberly McCullough).This, along with his romance with Dr. Monica Quartermaine (Leslie Charleson), cemented his place as an important player in Port Charles. He later became the police commissioner, which deepened his ties.

Sean also had a relationships with characters including Dr. Greta Ingstrom (Kristina Wayborn), Jessica Holmes (Starr Andreeff) and, of course, Tiffany Hill Donely (Sharon Wyatt), with whom his character had a daughter named Anna (Courtney Halverson).

The WSB has been a big part of the “General Hospital” storyline of late, through characters including Robert and Anna Devane (Finola Hughes).

When Reilly passed away on Jan. 9, the team behind “General Hospital” paid tribute to him on social media, tweeting, “The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of John Reilly’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones. Rest in peace.”

Daytime Star John Reilly Dead at 84

“I’m so grateful he was mine,” she continued. “I’m so grateful I got to love him. I’m so grateful I made it in time to hold him and say goodbye. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do, but I know he’ll be with me. I love you forever, Daddy.”

In the comments, GH star Finola Hughes (Anna) mourned the loss of her former co-star and friend. “Oh, Caitlin, I am so sorry,” she wrote. “He was indeed the best. The kindest person, most generous and loving actor. Most supportive man in every way. Please send my love to Liz and to your family.”

Chicago native Reilly began his acting career back in the mid-‘60s with guest roles on DEATH VALLEY DAYS, APPLE’S WAY, AND GUNSMOKE. He made his daytime debut in 1974 as a recast of Dan Stewart on CBS sudser AS THE WORLD TURNS. After numerous television roles in the ‘70s, Reilly landed a recurring role on the primetime soap DALLAS in 1983. And the following year, he was cast as WSB agent Sean Donely on GH, a role he played until 1995.

He returned to daytime as Del on NBC’s SUNSET BEACH in the late ‘90s and in 2005 took over the role of Alistair Crane on PASSIONS. Reilly reprised the role of Sean Donley on GH’s primetime spinoff NIGHT SHIFT in 2008 and then again in 2013 for GH’s 50th anniversary.

Our thoughts are with Reilly’s friends and loved ones during this difficult time.

John Reilly, General Hospital and Passions Vet, Dead at 84

One of Reilly’s daughters, actress and TikTok personality Caitlin Reilly, shared the news via Instagram saying, “John Henry Matthew Reilly AKA Jack. The brightest light in the world has gone out.” A cause of death has not yet been shared.

“Imagine the best person in the world. Now imagine that person being your dad,” Caitlin wrote. “I’m so grateful he was mine. I’m so grateful I got to love him. I’m so grateful I made it in time to hold him and say goodbye. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do, but I know he’ll be with me. I love you forever Daddy.”

The Chicago-born actor’s early career began with arcs on As the World Turns (as Dr. Dan Stewart), How the West Was Won, Quincy M.E. and Dallas (as Roy Ralston).

In February 1984, he made his GH debut as Sean Donely, Robert Scorpio’s former WSB (World Security Bureau) boss, who proved to be a bit of a foil during Frisco and Felicia’s Aztec Treasure hunt (watch his debut below). Following a redemption arc, superspy Sean was romantically paired with actress Tiffany Hill (played by Sharon Wyatt).

“He was a big brother to me. The kindest man you ever could find,” feellow GH vet Finola Hughes, who plays Anna and Alex Devane, tells TVLine. “I cannot express how sorry I am to hear of his passing.”

Following Reilly’s 11-year GH run, he voiced Hawkeye/Clint Barton on the animated Iron Man series, played Kelly Taylor’s pop on Beverly Hills, 90210, and then had multi-year runs on both Sunset Beach (as Del Douglas) and Passions (replacing the late David Bailey as Alistair Crane).

Reilly’s acting credits also include the short-lived spinoff General Hospital: Night Shift (where he reprised the role of Sean) and the web soap The Bay. And yes, he is the reason Talladega Nights‘ John C. Reilly uses a middle initial professionally.

Reilly is survived by his wife Liz and a total of three daughters.

Video Chat: John & Sandy Gabriel

Dishing with Digest - 1/8/21 - Kevin Spirtas

Arianne Zucker Joins Star Coby Ryan McLaughlin in The Nanny Murders!

In the film, McLaughlin stars are business magnate Warren Paige, who takes a shine to his family’s new nanny, Jamie, played by Mia Topalian. Hoping to use the job as an entry point to the business world, the Dartmouth grad takes the nanny job and learns from the high-powered businessman. But when Warren takes things a step too far, she rejects his advances and he… doesn’t react well!

Soap fans will also recognize DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Arianne Zucker (Nicole) playing Warren’s wife, Sheryl, GH’s Charlotte, Scarlett Fernandez, as one of the nanny’s charges, and GH alum Robert Palmer Watkins (ex-Dillon) as Zack, who finds Jamie the job in the first place!

Feel free to check out this trailer for the film (created back when it was titled Nanny’s Killer Scandal) before you tune in on Sunday evening, but be warned — it’s long and full of spoilers! (Video)

Days Vet Returns

Taylor Spreitler guests on Young Sheldon 1/21/21

“Freshman Orientation and the Inventor of the Zipper” – College orientation does not go as Sheldon planned. Also, Mary is invited to a party when she’s mistaken for a university student, and George Sr. helps Pastor Jeff set up a children’s nursery, on YOUNG SHELDON, Thursday, Jan. 21 (8:00-8:31 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

GUEST CAST: Taylor Spreitler (Sam), Jaden Martin (Jason), Lauri Hendler (Janet).

Jessica Tuck guests on B Positive 1/21/21

“Open Heart Surgery” – Gina needs to keep herself together to pass a psych evaluation while dealing with the news of an ex’s engagement, on B POSITIVE, Thursday, Jan. 21 (8:31-9:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

GUEST CAST: Lyn Alicia Henderson (Paula), Jessica Tuck (Dr. Goodson).

New 2021 Role For DAYS Star Freddie Smith: Husband

Best & Worst of '20: The Good The Bad & The Ugly

The Locher Room's 100th Episode Welcomed Cast from The Bay

The season finale of The Bay will air Tuesday, December 29th at 3 p.m. EST on PopStar TV. thebaytheseries.com/

DAYS’s Camila Banus: I Tested Positive For Covid-19

Dishing with Digest - 12/25/20 - Leann Hunley And Thaao Penghlis / 2021 Preview

THE BAY Virtual Interview Scheduled

Réal Andrews Reveals He Is Cancer Free

DAYS’s Camila Banus Engaged

‘All American’: Lamon Archey & GG Townson Join Season 3 Of CW Drama As Recurring

Season 2 of All American found Spencer James (Daniel Ezra), now a football State Champion, with a tough decision to make. Does he stay in Beverly Hills and play for Coach Billy Baker (Taye Diggs)? Or does he move back home to South LA, reunite with his mother, Grace (Karimah Westbrook), brother, Dillon (Jalyn Hall), and play for his father, Corey (Chad Coleman) – the new head coach for the South Crenshaw Chargers? Archey returns to All American as a recurring after guest-starring in the Season 2 finale. He plays Superintendent D’Angelo Carter, who finished last season with a large-scale proposal to convert South Crenshaw to a Magnet School, effectively gentrifying the surrounding neighborhood at warp speed under the guise of urban revitalization.

Townson will play Lil Jewel, a singer working on her upcoming album and another one of JP’s artists. While she can come across as a little self-serving, there is much more to her than meets the eye.

Archey can currently be seen in a recurring role on the long-running soap, Days of Our Lives. Archey is repped by NTA Talent Agency and Michael Bruno.

Townson can next be seen starring as “Salt” in the highly-anticipated Salt-N-Peppa biopic premiering January 23 on Lifetime. Her other credits include Everybody Hates Chris and Bounce TV’s In The Cut among others. Townson is repped by Michael Eisenstadt at AEFH Talent and Bohemia Group.

Stars Participate In Charity Holiday Reading

Chrishell Stause, Keo Motsepe go on yacht double-date with fellow ‘DWTS’ pro

Stause, 39, and Motsepe, 31, hugged and cuddled all over the vessel while Savchenko got a little handsy with Scerbo, sharing kisses while overlooking the ocean.

The couples spent the week in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and were spotted having a poolside double-date Monday at the adults-only Le Blanc Spa Resort.

Motesepe and Stause met on the set of “DWTS” this year and revealed earlier this month that they are dating.

Savchenko and Stause were partners on the most recent season of the ABC hit. They placed seventh in the competition, while Motsepe and his partner, Anne Heche, were the third couple to be eliminated.

Before confirming her relationship with Motsepe, Stause was rumored to be dating Savchenko after he announced his split from his wife Elena Samodanova.

Guiding Light - A Very Special Deck the Zoom

School closures, job disruptions, and health risks are causing millions of Americans to turn to food banks for much-needed support right now. You can help families impacted by COVID-19 in our community by supporting our partner tonight. www.feedingamerica.org/coronavirus.

Joining The Locher Room for this very special holiday show are Grant Aleksander (Phillip), Laura Bell Bundy (Marah), Bryan Buffinton (Bill), Ellen Dolan (Maureen), Jean Carol (Nadine), Beth Chamberlin (Beth), Crystal Chappell (Olivia), Kassie DePaiva (Chelsea), Frank Dicopoulos (Frank), Beth Ehlers (Harley), Judi Evans (Beth), Jamie Goodwin (Johnny), Melissa Hayden (Bridget), Liz Keifer (Blake), Harley Jane Kozak (Annabelle), Jessica Leccia (Natalia), Joy Lenz (Michelle), Rachel Miner (Michelle), Karla Mosley (Christina), Michael O'Leary (Rick), Robert Newman (Josh), Saundra Santiago (Carmen), Peter Simon (Ed), Tina Sloan (Lillian), Nancy St. Alban (Michelle), Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny), Krista Tesreau (Mindy), Jerry verDorn (Ross), Michael Woods (Jim), Yvonna Kopacz-Wright (Mel) and Kim Zimmer (Reva).

www.feedingamerica.org/coronavirus.

Taylor Spreitler guests on Young Sheldon 1/7/21

GUEST CAST includes: Taylor Spreitler (Sam), Jaden Martin (Jason)

Guiding Light - Reunion 12/16/20 - Terrell Tilford and Victoria Platt

‘The Rookie’: ABC Cop Drama Adjusts Production Schedule Following Covid-19 Cases

Deadline understands that the ABC cop drama is going to reduce the shooting schedule for the rest of December as a result of the positive cases, which were discovered through its strict health and safety protocols.

The positive tests came in the production’s Zone A, which includes cast, meaning that the LA-shot show, which is produced by eOne and ABC Signature, had to reconfigure its plans.

“The Rookie season three has moved to an alternate production schedule with limited production still underway, seeing the winter hiatus starting earlier than expected for most of the cast and crew following confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Zone A through a routine screening, in adherence with strict health and safety protocols. Together with our partners at ABC Signature, eOne wishes to thank our incredible cast and crew – and we look forward to cameras rolling at full speed in 2021 as planned,” a spokesman told Deadline.

This marks the latest positive cases of Covid-19 for the drama after four members of the production crew tested positive in October, leading to a deep cleaning of the set.

Season three of The Rookie, which stars Nathan Fillion, Mekia Cox, Titus Makina Jr. and Richard T. Jones, is set to premiere on January 3 2021. Legends of Tomorrow star Brandon Routh has also joined the show, playing Doug Stanton, an eleven-year veteran of the LAPD, whose views prove to be polarizing at the Mid-Wilshire station.

It is exec produced by Alexi Hawley, Eric Winter, Nathan Fillion, Mark Gordon, Michelle Chapman, Jon Steinberg and Bill Norcross.

Creator Hawley said earlier this month that the third season of the drama, which follows Fillion’s John Nolan, the oldest rookie at the Los Angeles Police Department, will challenge the status quo of cop shows on its return.

He said that the show would incorporate the ongoing conversations about police brutality sparked by the Black Lives Matter movement and the murder of George Floyd in May, and was working with Arisha Hatch of Color of Change, a team of activists committed to advocating for justice for Black people.

Inside Chrishell Stause and Keo Motsepe’s romantic vacation

The “Dancing with the Stars” contestants checked into the adults-only Le Blanc Spa Resort in Mexico on Sunday, a source told Page Six.

Motsepe also shared a video of him and Stause on the plane together, and followed it up with a video of them in the hotel’s lobby. He tagged Le Blanc Resorts.

We’re told that Motsepe, 31, and the “Selling Sunset” star, 39, will be staying for four days in a $1,630-a-night Junior Suite.

While the new couple did not have any special requests for their room, they were greeted with a bottle of Moët and desserts including macarons.

Despite Stause’s Instagram story saying she was at the resort for work, Motsepe and Stause are only expected to participate in a photoshoot around the property. As for fun, we’re told they’re getting a couple’s massage during their stay.

Fellow “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Gleb Savchenko is also vacationing on the property.

Motesepe and Stause met on the set of “Dancing with the Stars” this year and revealed earlier this month that they are dating.

Savchenko and Stause were partners on the most recent season of the ABC show. They placed seventh in the competition, while Motsepe and his partner, Anne Heche, were the third couple to be eliminated.

Before confirming her relationship with Motsepe, Stause was rumored to be dating Savchenko after he announced his split from his wife Elena Samodanova.

“I am so saddened about the news of Gleb and Elena’s split,” Stause shared on social media at the time. “It is unfortunate that this has caused rumors to swirl about my personal life. Having gone through a public split myself, I would not wish this on anyone.”

‘Days Of Our Lives’: Bryan Dattilo Upped To Contract Player, Rejoining Main Cast

A fan favorite, Dattilo has been a regular presence on Days of Our Lives since 1993; he has only been away twice for brief periods, most recently in 2011 before returning in early 2012 as part of a big Days of our Lives reset.

Lucas, who has battled alcoholism, is known for his relationship with Sami. The two were a Days of Our Lives‘s super couple in 1990s-2000s, given a Lumi moniker by fans. More recently, Lucas has been romancing his ex-wife Chloe (Nadia Bjorlin).

Days of Our Lives, which celebrated its 55th anniversary on Nov 8, will air it’s 14,000th episode this week, on Dec. 17. Set in the fictional Midwestern town of Salem, Days of Our Lives revolves around three core families, the Bradys, Hortons, and DiMeras. Its storylines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

Days Recasts Vivian

Dishing with Digest - 12/11/20 - Lamon Archey

Ryan's Hope - Reunion 12/10/20

Guiding Light - A Very Special Deck the Zoom 12/17/20

School closures, job disruptions, and health risks are causing millions of Americans to turn to food banks for much-needed support right now. You can help families impacted by COVID-19 in our community by supporting our partner tonight. www.feedingamerica.org/coronavirus.

Joining us for this very special holiday show are Grant Aleksander (Phillip), Laura Bell Bundy (Marah), Bryan Buffinton (Bill), Jean Carol (Nadine), Beth Chamberlin (Beth), Crystal Chappell (Olivia), Kassie DePaiva (Chelsea), Frank Dicopoulos (Frank), Beth Ehlers (Harley), Morgan Englund (Dylan), Judi Evans (Beth), Jamie Goodwin (Johnny), Melissa Hayden (Bridget), Liz Keifer (Blake), Jessica Leccia (Natalia), Joy Lenz (Michelle), Rachel Miner (Michelle), Michael O'Leary (Rick), Robert Newman (Josh), Saundra Santiago (Carmen), Peter Simon (Ed), Tina Sloan (Lillian), Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny), Krista Tesreau (Mindy), Jerry verDorn (Ross), Yvonna Kopacz-Wright (Mel) and Kim Zimmer (Reva).

‘Station 19’: Robert Curtis Brown To Recur On ABC Firefighter Drama

Brown’s Travis is a buttoned-up, religious father who’s hiding a part of himself from his family.

Station 19 follows a group of heroic Seattle firefighters as they put their lives and hearts on the line. It stars Jaina Lee Ortiz as Andy Herrera, Jason George as Ben Warren, Boris Kodjoe as Captain Robert Sullivan, Grey Damon as Jack Gibson, Barrett Doss as Victoria Hughes, Jay Hayden as Travis Montgomery, Okieriete Onaodowan as Dean Miller, Danielle Savre as Maya Bishop and Stefania Spampinato as Carina DeLuca.

The drama is produced by ABC Signature. Krista Vernoff (Grey’s Anatomy) serves as showrunner and executive producer. Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers serve as executive producers. Paris Barclay (Pitch, Sons of Anarchy) serves as the producing director and executive producer of the series. ABC Signature is a part of Disney Television Studios, alongside 20th Television and Touchstone Television

Brown’s credits include recurring roles on Ryan Murphy’s Ratched, Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Netflix’s Dear White People. He most recently guest-starred on The Right Stuff, The Rookie and All Rise, among others. Brown is repped by Ellis Talent Group.

Jackée Harry Joins the Cast of DAYS OF OUR LIVES!

Harry, who got her start playing Lily on NBC sudser ANOTHER WORLD, became a huge TV star playing Sandra on the classic sitcom 227 back in the ‘80s. In her extensive career, the actress has appeared on television series like SISTER, SISTER and EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS, and more recently could be seen in movies like A Christmas for Mary and The Wrong Wedding Planner.

As for Harry’s role on DAYS, she would only offer a little tease of what viewers can look forward to. “She’s fabulous!” she gushed. “You know I play the fabulous woman, you know that. It’s a brand-new storyline with African-Americans. And they’ve been at the forefront of hiring minorities; they have a lot of diversity on DAYS. I don’t want to give away the storyline, but I have a daughter and… you know, ain’t nothing but trouble in River City! But I”m told I’ll be fabulous.”

While details of Harry’s character are still being kept under wraps, there are also no details as to when she might first air on the soap.

Guiding Light - Reunion 12/16/20 - Terrell Tilford and Victoria Platt

Justin Gaston Shares His New Song, “Wish for You”

“So excited for this song to come out,” he enthused on Instagram. “Wrote it with one of my best friends, Mylen, for the ION movie The Christmas Sitters, coming out December 13!” But you can listen to “Wish for You” right now by following this link to pick your favorite music streaming service.

Although Gaston began his career as a model, he was a contestant on the final season of NASHVILLE STAR on NBC in 2008 and that same year also appeared in the pilot episode of GLEE! In 2010, he performed a duet of Elvis Presley’s “I Can Dream” with contestant Brooke White on the seventh season of AMERICAN IDOL. And later that year, he was the opening act for AMERICAN IDOL winner Kris Allen on tour.

In addition to his acting and his music, Gaston keeps quite busy raising daughters Sophie and Olivia with his wife, Melissa Ordway (Abby, Y&R). Hopefully, one day he’ll find enough time to record an entire album for us to enjoy!

Video: Daytime Cares: A Live Event

Hosted by Daytime Emmy Award Nominee Arianne Zucker (Days of Our Lives) and daytime actor Shawn Christian (formerly Dr. Daniel Jonas on Days of Our Lives) The event will feature daytime TV talent from NBC, CBS and ABC, as well as Broadway stars, a Celebrity Chef and Grammy-award winning artists Lisa Loeb and Gloria Gaynor. Ari & Shawn will be joined by The Locher Room host Alan Locher.

The following daytime talent is scheduled to appear:

Lamon Archey (Eli DOOL), Peter Bergman (Jack, Y&R), Galen Gering (Rafe, DOOL), Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, GH), Martha Madison (Belle, DOOL), Sofia Mattson (Sasha, GH), Michael Mealor (Kyle, Y&R), Marci Miller (Abigail, DOOL), Wes Ramsey (Peter, GH), Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter, B&B), Crishell Stause (ex-Jordan DOOL), Sal Stowers (Lani, DOOL), Jason Thompson (Billy, Y&R), Cynthia Watros (Nina, GH) and Laura Wright (Carly, GH)

Daytime Cares is a TV community spotlighting non-profit organizations offering Covid19 support and resources.

https://www.daytimecares.com/

https://www.restaurantstrong.org/.

Talk Show Appearance

Fr 12/11: Deidre Hall

Dishing with Digest - 12/4/20 - Melissa Ordway And Justin Gaston

Lisa Rinna hasn’t seen mom Lois since ‘last Christmas’ because of pandemic

The “Real Housewives of Beverly Hill” star, 57, shared on Instagram Wednesday a sweet video of herself dancing with her mom.

She captioned it, “We haven’t seen Lois since last Christmas. She is doing great I’m so happy to report, but we Miss her so much!!!”

Like many families, they appear to be taking precautions and not visiting Lois in person since older adults are in the highest risk groups if they contract COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On Wednesday, it was reported that three “RHOBH” stars tested positive for the coronavirus.

Kyle Richards, Dorit Kemsely, and new “Friend of the Housewives” Kathy Hilton contracted COVID-19 and were the reason production on Season 11 was halted.

A source previously told us, filming was “temporarily suspended” and “proper protocol” is being followed.

Lisa has not shared that she has experienced any symptoms herself, and it is unclear if she will try to reunite with her mom in time for the holidays.

Last year, on Dec. 23, Lois, Lisa, Lisa’s husband Harry Hamlin, and their two daughters, Amelia Gray Hamlin, 19, and Delilah Belle Hamlin, 22, were photographed taking part in Los Angeles Missions’ Christmas Celebration on Skid Row.

Lois has appeared on many episodes of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” and once opened up about her scary experience escaping a serial killer in her youth.

Lisa said after the episode aired, “I am so proud of my Mom and I know Dad is watching from heaven and is so proud of you Mama! I love you!”

Ryan's Hope - Reunion 12/10/20

Chrishell Stause is dating with ‘Dancing with the Stars’ pro Keo Motsepe

The “Selling Sunset” star, 39, is dating “Dancing with the Stars” pro Keo Motsepe, a rep for the dancer confirmed Thursday to Page Six.

On Wednesday, Motsepe — who was paired with Anne Heche on Season 29 of the ABC competition series — posted some touchy-feely photos with Stause.

Motsepe, 31, captioned one cozy Instagram picture with a heart emoji, and also shared a pic of him kissing Stause, 39, via his Instagram story.

“A WHOLE CURVEBALL I WASN’T EXPECTING,” one fan commented on the post.

“THE BEST THING TO COME FROM THIS SEASON!!!” another wrote.

Stause, who also competed on “Dancing with the Stars” this year, re-shared one shot on her Instagram story Wednesday.

Last month, Stause, 39, was the subject of rumors regarding the nature of her relationship with her pro partner, Gleb Savchenko, who split from wife Elena Samodanova this fall.

“I am so saddened about the news of Gleb and Elena’s split,” the Netflix star posted to social media in November. “It is unfortunate that this has caused rumors to swirl about my personal life. Having gone through a public split myself, I would not wish this on anyone.”

In November 2019, Stause’s husband, “This Is Us” star Justin Hartley, filed for divorce after two years of marriage. Their split became a storyline on Season 3 of “Selling Sunset.”

A reps for Stause did not immediately return our request for comment.

Daytime Emmys And Rest Of NATAS Awards Shows To Stay Virtual For 2021

NATAS was among the first awards shows to shift to virtual ceremonies as the coronavirus pandemic took hold in the spring. Its marquee Daytime Emmys were presented in primetime on CBS in July, while the others were livestreamed on the organization’s dedicated platform.

“The current timetables articulated by manufacturers project mass availability of vaccinations for the entire U.S. population by mid-summer 2021, potentially permitting a return to more traditional in-person ceremonies later in the fall,” NATAS chairman and CEO Adam Sharp said today. “However, we have determined that delaying our 2021 events to possibly allow for a compressed calendar of in-person Emmy ceremonies late in the year would result in unacceptable delays to our awards cycle for 2022.”

Three time frames are currently being considered for the 48th annual Daytime Emmys ceremony next year, which could take place over either two or three nights across a potential combination of dates on Friday, June 25, Saturday, July 17 and/or Sunday, July 18. The final entry deadline will be February 17, with nominations to be announced sometime in May or June.

The 42nd annual Sports Emmys are set for Tuesday, June 8, 2021, with nominations coming at the end of April. The 42nd News & Documentary Emmys are set for Tuesday, September 21 (for news categories) and Wednesday, September 22 (for Documentary categories), with noms coming at the end of July. The 72nd Tech & Engineering ceremony will be held during the NAB Show on Sunday, October 10.

Sharp said additional details including rules and category descriptions, early deadlines and entry fees are coming later on.

“Despite being born of unintended necessity, our 2020 ceremonies proved to be among our best,” Sharp said today. “We hope to build on this creative success in making the 2021 virtual gatherings even more inclusive and engaging celebrations of excellence. Looking ahead to 2022, we’ve already started booking venues and can’t wait to welcome you back in person!” This year’s Daytime Emmys ceremony was originally scheduled over three nights in June in live ceremonies at the Pasadena Civic Center. It went virtual because of the pandemic and was presented as a two-hour broadcast June 26 and averaged 3.1 million total viewers and a 0.3 demo rating.

ION Television Announces Vivica A. Fox Holiday Movie Marathon, ‘Christmas Together’ Premiere Date

Beginning Sunday Dec. 6, ION will play only holiday films starring the Independence Day and Empire actress. Part of the schedule are A Wedding for Christmas, A Husband for Christmas, A Christmas Cruise and Christmas Matchmakers. Vivica not only appears in all the holiday titles, but the actress also produced the film, alongside Hybrid. All films will lead up to the premiere of Christmas Together, a new holiday story starring and produced by Fox. Directed by David DeCoteau and written by Jay Cipriani, Christmas Together follows a brokenhearted New York painter and a West Coast widower as they find their way together for the holiday season, thanks to the latter’s young daughter and her innocent scheme. Anna Marie Dobbins plays the painter, Ava, Marc Herrmann stars as the widower, Mason and Rylie Coe stars as Mason’s daughter. Fox will play Deb, a friendly neighbor witnessing and encouraging the blossoming relationship between the three leads.

See the full “A Very Vivica Christmas” movie marathon schedule below.

Dec. 6, at 11/10c AM – A Wedding for Christmas

Dec. 6, at 1/12c AM – A Husband for Christmas

Dec. 6, at 3/2c AM – A Christmas Cruise

Dec. 6, at 5/4c AM – Christmas Matchmakers

Dec. 6, at 7/6c AM – Christmas Together

Daytime Cares Plans New Virtual Event On December 5

Jen Lilley Wants To Give You Your Dream Christmas!

These days, the alum of DAYS and GENERAL HOSPITAL (where she played Maxie) is a staple in the Hallmark family’s original movies. So she has partnered with the company to bring the ultimate Christmas to one lucky family, all while helping children in need through Toys For Tots and the United States Armed Forces with the USO!

“In an effort to provide Christmas cheer and perpetual hope, we are giving you the chance to win the ultimate Christmas — everything you need to create your perfect Hallmark moment!” Lilley explained. “Because no, 2020… Christmas is not cancelled!”

The actress even got some of her hunky former DAYS colleagues to help her spread the news about the holiday campaign. You can watch the sexy video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHbyFDdpx4G/.

So what is this feel-good holiday contest? Each week, fans can visit ChristmasIsNotCancelled.com and buy a toy for a child in need for a chance to win holiday-themed prizes like a Hallmark movie watching kit, gingerbread house kit, or a basket of toys. “Operation: Christmas Is Not Cancelled” runs through Friday, Dec. 11, and the grand prize is the ultimate Christmas celebration for one lucky winner: a Balsam Hill tree, decorations, dinner, gifts, and $1,500 cash!

“And the best part?” said Lilley. “‘Operation: Christmas is Not Cancelled’ provides toys to families in need through Toys for Tots and also supports our troops through USO!”

So go ahead and enter to win your dream holiday, all while doing something good. “The whole thing helps thousands of families in need this holiday season by benefitting Toys For Tots,” said Lilley. And be sure to check out Lilley and Trevor Donovan (ex-Jeremy, DAYS) in their Hallmark Movies & Mysteries film USS Christmas, premiering on Saturday, Nov. 28!

‘Unsinkable’: Blair Redford and Paul Telfer Set For Audio Movie Event

This year marks the 80th anniversary of one of the most extraordinary maritime events of World War II: the story of the cargo ship San Demetrio, which was severely damaged in battle, abandoned by its crewmembers and then later retrieved. To mark the occasion, Datura Studios and North Atlantic Ridge in association with B7 Media and AudioMarvels assembled an impressive team for the audio production of Unsinkable to capture this epic journey of the ship that would not die.

Datura partnered with John Mawson’s North Atlantic Ridge to adapt his screenplay, The San Demetrio, into an audio movie.

“It’s such an unusual story,” said Cox. He added of the audio platform for storytelling: “Suddenly radio has come back with a vengeance during this time, podcasts are very popular…I think it’s great that Covid has rediscovered (it).”

Malkovich said that in the story, they go through the “most unimaginably horrific circumstances and they just keep going.” When it comes to audio movies, he added, “Personally, I love that experience.”

Brodie-Sangster added to the sentiment, “I don’t think I’ve ever done anything on this scale before, the script and the story is such a high level…it’s a great way of portraying a story.”

The audio movie will embrace the production style and values of cinematic feature films by creating an immersive blockbuster audio experience through sound. The sound design and mix will be headed up by Academy and BAFTA winner Ben Wilkins (Whiplash).

Showrunners Misha Crosby (American Horror Story 1984, The Lying Game) and John Mawson (6 Years 4 Months 23 Days) are set to direct all 11 episodes with co-producers Andrew Mark Sewell of B7 Media and Jack Bowman of AudioMarvels, who will be running the UK side of the production.

Cox is repped by Paradigm, Conway Van Gelder Grant and Insight Entertainment. Malkovich is represented by WME. Brodie-Sangster is repped by Anonymous Content and Curtis Brown. Hamlin is repped by UTA, Industry Entertainment and attorney Dave Feldman. Redford is repped by APA and Industry Entertainment. Telfer is repped by BRS / Gage Talent Agency and Liberman-Zerman Management. Crosby is repped by Eris and Meyer & Downs. Mawson is repped by MTA and Stage Centre Management.

Chrishell Stause Shares Her Dog’s Cancer Battle

“Cause for celebration for Gracie!” the recent DANCING WITH THE STARS contestant said. “If you noticed a cone on her a few months ago, it’s because she had to have two cancer masses removed surgically.”

Stause went on to explain that her dog was diagnosed with carcinoma, a cancer so aggressive that Gracie had to undergo chemotherapy following the surgery. “After finishing her eight successful rounds, she is stronger and as playful as ever!” Stause exclaimed, thanking Gracie’s vet for their help as well as Burbank Animal Shelter, “where I found my puppy soulmate.”

The entire ordeal was so scary for Stause that she never even mentioned it on social media! “Dealing with this the last few months was something I kept private because I was too scared to think about what it might mean,” confessed the actress, who lost both of her parents to cancer. “But seeing her bounce back after treatment makes me want to remind you — if you feel lumps and bumps on your dog, go get them looked at! One vet told me it was probably nothing, but after noticing it getting bigger, I sought a second opinion, and thank God I did. She wouldn’t have had long with this aggressive type of cancer if left untreated.”

In an additional video she posted to Instagram, Stause cradled Gracie and confessed, “She is in, I guess you call it remission, just like people. But she is done with her chemo!”

We are so glad to hear that sweet Gracie has that pep back in her step!

Day Of Days Videos Available Only Until Nov 24 - Watch Now

Dishing with Digest - 11/20/20 - Real Andrews

Day of DAYS

B&B’s Denise Richards Reunites On-Screen With Patrick Muldoon

Jane Elliot Back To GH

Nominations For Inaugural Critics Choice Super Awards

BEST VILLAIN IN A MOVIE
Jim Carrey – Sonic The Hedgehog (Paramount)
Katherine Langford – Spontaneous (Paramount)
Kathryn Newton – Freaky (Universal)
Martin Short and Jane Krakowski – The Willoughbys (Netflix)
J.K. Simmons – Palm Springs (Hulu)
Hilary Swank – The Hunt (Universal)

BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION SERIES
Daveed Diggs – Snowpiercer (TNT)
Andrew Koji – Warrior (Cinemax)
Logan Lerman – Hunters (Amazon)
Alexander Ludwig – Vikings (History)
Shemar Moore – S.W.A.T. (CBS)
Al Pacino – Hunters (Amazon)

BEST ACTOR IN A HORROR SERIES
Jensen Ackles – Supernatural (The CW)
Mike Colter – Evil (CBS)
Michael Emerson – Evil (CBS)
Jonathan Majors – Lovecraft Country (HBO)
Ben Mendelsohn – The Outsider (HBO)
Jared Padalecki – Supernatural (The CW)
Michael K. Williams – Lovecraft Country (HBO)

BEST VILLAIN IN A SERIES
Tom Ellis – Lucifer (Netflix)
Abbey Lee – Lovecraft Country (HBO)
Samantha Morton – The Walking Dead (AMC)
Sarah Paulson – Ratched (Netflix)
Antony Starr – The Boys (Amazon)
Finn Wittrock – Ratched (Netflix).

‘You’ Season 3: Christopher Sean Cast In Netflix Series

Developed by Sera Gamble and Greg Berlanti, You is based on Caroline Kepnes’ bestselling books You and Hidden Bodies. In the second season, Joe Goldberg (Badgley) moves from New York to Los Angeles to escape his past, and starts over with a new identity. Fresh out of an intense relationship that ended in murder, the last thing he expects is to meet an incredible new woman but he’s falling in love again — with a woman named Love (Pedretti).

Burrows returns as Love’s mother, Dottie. After her son’s death, Dottie is determined to pour her love and attention into Love and her new grandchild.

Arnold plays Theo, a college student with a strained and complicated relationship with his stepfather. Theo is wise and perceptive, but vulnerable and troubled, with a propensity to get tangled up in his loved ones’ problems and to drown his own in controlled substances and dangerous behavior.

Gabrielle portrays Marienne, a smart, no-nonsense librarian who doesn’t let much get by her. Marienne is a keen observer of the neighborhood’s denizens, too savvy in the ways of the real world to be taken in by patrons’ privilege and oblivious entitlement. Beneath her practical, buttoned-up exterior, Marienne is hiding personal struggles that continue to set her back, hard as she tries to create a better life for herself and her young child.

McManus recurs as Natalie, Joe’s next door neighbor and subject of his growing fascination.

Married to a powerful man, Natalie is a professional and social success. But she sees through the shallow, Stepford-esque vibe that surrounds her, and beneath her wry exterior, she leads a secret life. One that Joe is willing to work hard to learn more about. Chan-Kent plays Kiki, a devoted member of Sherry’s cliquish “mean girl” friend group. Kiki is a wife, mother and life coach who enjoys a life of entitlement, frequenting mid-day fitness classes and enjoying lengthy gossip sessions at the local cafe.

Mehl portrays Dante, a librarian who retains his wit and equanimity no matter what the day brings. A veteran whose eyesight was damaged, Dante is a dedicated family man with a husband and two stepchildren who longs to expand his family, and delights in helping his friends with their children.

O’Shea plays Andrew, an adoring member of Sherry’s cliquish inner circle. A fit stay-at-home dad, Andrew is dependably tuned in to the latest town gossip.

Sean is Brandon. Kiki’s husband, who struck it rich in his mid 20’s as a tech investor, is now a stay-at-home dad for his kids.

Safi plays Jackson. Andrew’s wry husband; they have an enviable, loving marriage. Despite Jackson’s high-powered job as a tech attorney, he’s managed to stay humble.

Astin is Gil. A mild-mannered geology professor is thoughtful, friendly, and genuinely good-hearted if a bit vanilla and naive.

Zurer plays Dr. Chandra. A chic, brusque, but extremely seasoned couple’s therapist who has every intention of getting to the bottom of her patients’ issues.

Fisher portrays Young Joe Goldberg. Seen in flashbacks to a Boy’s Home where he is bullied mercilessly, Young Joe is sensitive and vulnerable to influence.

The series is produced by Berlanti Productions and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television. Gamble serves as showrunner and executive produces with Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leslie Morgenstein, Gina Girolamo, Silver Tree, Michael Foley, and Justin Lo.

McManus is repped by UTA and Artists First. Chan-Kent is repped by Red Management and Vault Entertainment. Gabrielle is with ICM, Deidre Graham and Fox Rothschild.

Attend the Virtual Day of DAYS Fan Event — for Free!

Typically, the Day of DAYS event gathers most of the iconic soap’s cast at Universal CityWalk in Hollywood every November for a full day of autograph signing, meet and greets, and a full-of-spoilers sneak peek at what’s ahead on the show. Of course, due to crowd restrictions as a result of the novel coronavirus, the network had to get creative in how they could still go ahead with the beloved event this year. The result? A free, all-day virtual event that fans across the United States (and abroad!) can partake in from the comfort (and safety!) of their own couches!

Beginning at 10 a.m. ET, fans can log online for virtual Q&A sessions with panels of cast members, trivia challenges, a behind-the-scenes set tour, at-home visits with some of the DAYS stars, and so much more! As the day goes on, new content will continue to be released on the fan website, so be sure to keep an eye on the official DAYS social media channels for updates all day long!

More than 40 DAYS cast members scheduled to participate in the first-of-its-kind virtual event, including Deidre Hall (Marlena), Drake Hogestyn (John), Lauren Koslow (Kate), Robert Scott Wilson (Ben), Matthew Ashford (Jack), Cady McClain (Jennifer), Stephen Nichols (Steve), Mary Beth Evans (Kayla), Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Doug and Julie), Eric Martsolf (Brady), Arianne Zucker (Nicole) and John Aniston (Victor).

The direct link for the Day of DAYS fan event will be revealed later this week.

Video: Beverlee McKinsey Tribute Chat 11/16/20

Video: The Bay Season 6 Chat

Dishing with Digest - 11/13/20 - Peter Reckell

Former 'Days Of Our Lives' Star Cody Longo Arrested for Domestic Violence ... I Didn't Do It!!!

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the actor's wife told officers Cody was intoxicated when he arrived late to his Clarksville home last Thursday night, accusing her of being unfaithful. According to the arrest warrant, the couple started arguing and it turned physical.

Cops say Cody's wife told them he shoved her face with his forearm, and while there were no visible bruises at the time, she claimed her jaw and neck were both sore.

Cody tells TMZ ... his wife's allegations are not true, and he calls their dispute a private matter.

He was arrested on a warrant the following day and posted $2,500 bond. Cops say there's no violent history between the couple.

Cody was arrested in 2013 -- as we first reported, he was busted for DUI in Los Angeles, and he copped a plea deal that required him to attend alcohol education classes.

‘Bring It On’ and ‘Days of Our Lives’ actor arrested in Clarksville on domestic assault charge

According to police records obtained by Clarksville Now, Longo arrived at his home in south Clarksville intoxicated, and accused his wife of being unfaithful.

The couple got into an argument that turned physical. Longo’s wife told the responding police officers that her husband had shoved her in the face with his forearm, the report said.

The police report states there were no visible bruises on Mrs. Longo, however, she told officers her neck and jaw were both sore.

Longo was arrested on Nov. 7 and posted bond on Tuesday, Nov. 10. According to the records, there is no history of violence between the couple. He will be formally arraigned next week.

He was also previous arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles in 2013 according to HuffPost, and was required to attend alcohol education classes.

The Bay Season 6 Chat 11/13/20

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Turns 55: Deidre Hall Shares Her Favorite On-Set Moments

Virtual Conversation: Soaps - Hillary Smith, Crystal Chappell and Irene Kristen

‘DAYS OF OUR LIVES’ STARS CELEBRATE 55 YEARS ON NBC WITH FIRST-OF-ITS KIND (VIRTUAL) ‘DAY OF DAYS’ FAN EVENT

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – – In celebration of one of the most iconic and enduring series in daytime television and on the heels of its 55th anniversary, the stars of NBC’s longest-running drama, “Days of our Lives,” will be continuing its annual “Day of Days” tradition with a special virtual fan event on Saturday, Nov. 21.

This complimentary event will offer fans the chance to get to know some of their favorite cast members virtually through Q&A panel sessions, quizzes and trivia challenges; a virtual behind-the-scenes set tour with an exclusive look at Salem in 2020; “at-home” content with cast members; and much more. This first-of-its-kind fan event will be accessible to everyone across the U.S. (and abroad) from the comfort and safety of their own home.

This virtual fan website will launch the morning of Nov. 21 starting at 10 a.m. ET, with new content being released throughout the day. Fans will have the opportunity to browse the site and engage and watch new content provided by the actors. Fans should stay tuned to the show’s official social media pages for more information, including the fan event to follow.

Some of the “Days” stars participating include Deidre Hall, Drake Hogestyn, Brandon Barash, Robert Scott Wilson, Lauren Koslow, Josh Taylor, Marci Miller, Billy Flynn, Emily O’Brien, Cady McClain, Matthew Ashford, Judi Evans, Wally Kurth, Mary Beth Evans, Stephen Nichols, James Reynolds, Sal Stowers, Lamon Archey, Nadia Bjorlin, Mike Manning, Paul Telfer, Linsey Godfrey, Camila Banus, Isabel Durant, Lindsay Arnold, Bill Hayes, Susan Seaforth Hayes, Eric Martsolf, Arianne Zucker, Stacey Haiduk, Brandon Beemer, Martha Madison, John Aniston, Jay Kenneth Johnson, Lucas Adams, Suzanne Rogers, Galen Gering, Tamara Braun, Bryan Dattilo.

“Days of our Lives,” which is about to begin its 56th season, is set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem. The core families are the Bradys, Hortons, and DiMeras, and the multi-layered storylines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

“Days of our Lives” is produced by Corday Productions Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati is the head writer.

For more information, please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/days-of-our-lives

For the latest “Days of our Lives” news, videos, and photos, please like on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram.

https://www.facebook.com/daysofourlives

https://twitter.com/nbcdays #Days

https://instagram.com/nbcdays

Chrishell Stause addresses ‘unfortunate rumors’ about her role in ‘DWTS’ partner’s split

“I am so saddened about the news of Gleb and Elena’s split,” Stause, 39, wrote on Instagram Friday night. “It is unfortunate that this has caused rumors to swirl about my personal life. Having gone through a public split myself, I would not wish this on anyone,” she continued.

Stause’s estranged husband, “This Is Us” star Justin Hartley, filed for divorce in November 2019 after two years of marriage; Stause claims that Hartley, 43, made the split via text message.

“As you can imagine, the countless hours of training, and dance rehearsals has created a strong supportive friendship, but nothing more,” the “Selling Sunset” star added. “I wish nothing but the best for both Gleb and Elena during this unfortunate time.”

Samodanova, 36, announced that she and Savchenko, 37, were splitting via social media on Friday. The two married in 2006 and have two children, daughters Olivia and Zlata.

Page Six reported that Savchenko and Stause were “the talk of the set” during their eight weeks on “Dancing With the Stars,” but that they had a blowout fight at one point that left Stause too upset to do post-show press, with Savchenko sending her flowers afterward.

‘DWTS’ pro Gleb Savchenko gets flirty with Chrishell Stause amid his divorce

Elena Samodanova, 36, announced that she and Savchenko were parting ways on social media on Friday. They got married in 2006 and share two children, daughters Olivia and Zlata.

“After 14 years of marriage with my deepest sadness out road is coming to the end,” she wrote on her Instagram Story, also posting to her feed, “i don’t hate you. i’m just disappointed you turned into everything you said you’d never be.”

Savchenko later posted to his Instagram, “It is with a heavy heart that I tell you my wife and I are parting ways after 14 years of marriage. We still intend to co-parent our wonderful children together who we love so dearly, and we will strive to continue to be the best parents that we can to them.”

But a source told Page Six that Savchenko, 37, and Stause, 39, who made it to week eight together on “DWTS” before they were eliminated, were the talk of the set and that they had a big fight a few weeks ago.

We’re also told the “Selling Sunset” star was so upset that she couldn’t do press after the show and that the fight resulted in Savchenko sending Stause flowers.

Meanwhile, Stause’s estranged husband, “This Is Us” star Justin Hartley, filed for divorce in November 2019 after two years of marriage.

Stause claims that Hartley, 43, broke up with her via text message.

“I know people are saying we were only married two years, but it’s like, we were together for six years … in a fight, that’s his go-to, you know? Like, ‘I’m out, I’m out.’ I hate that kind of impulsive stuff, but I always just thought, you know, that’s just an issue that we work through it,” she said in an episode of her Netflix show at the time.

“If that’s really what you wanted, there are better ways to go about [it],” she continued. “I talked to him right after ’cause I thought that must be a joke, but that was kind of the end of the communication. What am I supposed to say? What do you say after that? It’s like, now I have to find a place to live. Now I have to scramble and figure this out, you know?”

Savchenko’s rep declined to comment and Stause’s rep did not immediately respond to our request for comment.

Dishing with Digest - 11/6/20 - Nadia Bjorlin

Elsa Raven Dies: ‘Save The Clock Tower’ Lady From ‘Back To The Future’ Was 91

Raven, whose real name was Elsa Rabinowitz, was born September 21, 1929, in Charleston, SC, the fourth child of Louis and Rosalie Rabinowitz. She started her acting career on stage in New York City, where she also assisted Joseph Papp in bringing the Free Shakespeare Festival to Central Park.

Her career included many character actress roles. Beyond Back to the Future (see her appearance in that film in the video above, starting at 1:36), she also played the realtor who sold the house in The Amityville Horror, John Malkovich’s landlady in In the Line of Fire, Gertrude Stein in The Moderns, the mother who lost her son in Fearless, Ida Strauss in Titanic (where most of her scenes were cut, but she was featured in the Celine Dion video as half of the older couple in the stateroom where water poured in).

She also had regular TV roles as Inga the Swedish maid on Amen, as Vinnie Terranova’s mother Carlotta on Wiseguy, as Lucille on Days of Our Lives, and as Tugboat Tessie on General Hospital.

She was a proud voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, diligently watching many movies every year.

Survivors include 15 nieces and nephews. No memorial plans have been announced.

Search for Tomorrow - Reunion 11/10/20 - Maree Cheatham, Michael Corbett and Marcia McCabe

Chrishell Stause on How Her 'Therapeutic' Experience on 'DWTS' Helped Her Heal

During Monday's "Use Your Vote" Night, the Selling Sunset star and her pro partner, Gleb Savchenko, were eliminated from the dance competition after judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough unanimously saved the other couple in the bottom two -- Skai Jackson and Alan Bersten -- from going home.

Speaking with ET just moments after the show wrapped, Chrishell and Gleb reacted to the bittersweet news, while also reflecting on the special bond they've formed over the past eight weeks.

"We knew this was gonna happen at one point," Chrishell told ET's Lauren Zima. "At this point I just feel like everyone is so great. Everyone is giving 100 percent. And so it really did feel like anyone could go, and it would be shocking whoever went home."

"Honestly, I was shocked," added Gleb, before celebrating Chrishell's efforts. "But it doesn't matter. I'm so proud of you. You're my champ."

As #TeamSellingIt fans witnessed, Chrishell signed on to DWTS following an incredibly tumultuous time in her life. In addition to her highly-publicized divorce from This Is Us star Justin Hartley, the actress' parents, father Jeff and mother Renee, both died from lung cancer just over a year apart. Her father died in April 2019, while Chrishell lost her mom in July of this year.

Reflecting on how much joy and emotional growth the show has brought her, Chrishell said, "I feel like this show has been very therapeutic. We worked through so many things through this."

According to the reality star, being a part of DWTS is opening up about your personal life for the cameras, even when you'd rather not. But being pushed to confront your own emotions helped her grow in ways she didn't expect.

"We're in week eight, so I've had to talk about things that I didn't necessarily want to talk about, and I've had to push myself," she shared. "In doing that, it's just freed me up a little bit."

"I know it should be a sad moment right now, because of course I didn't want to leave, but I'm so happy that I've had this experience and I'm so grateful," she continued. "It's a once in a lifetime experience and I'll never forget it."

Chrishell and Gleb also reflected on Jeannie Mai's unfortunate exit from DWTS, after she had to undergo emergency surgery on her throat and was required to drop out of the competition.

"She's always one of those people who gave all her heart and soul every single week, so it was one of those moments where it just really felt so sad to see her go, because she really wanted to be here," Chrishell said. "Like me, I really wanted to be here. And unfortunately we got eliminated, but at least we got eliminated through the dance. So to get eliminated in that way is so heartbreaking -- more so than in the way that we did."

"Our hearts go out to her. We want her to heal up as fast as possible and we love her," she added.

After Monday's show, ET also spoke with Bruno Tonioli, who opened up about why the judged unanimously voted to save Skai when it came down to the elimination.

"It’s very hard and it’s going to get hard, but we all thought, overall, Skai was the better dancer," Bruno explained. "It’s not just based on tonight, it’s based on what she has achieved so far and what she can achieve in the future."

"I’m telling you, I could watch Chrishell any time. I want my sexy back!" he continued. "Personally, I’m going to miss her so much. But going forward, we all kind of agreed that Skai deserved to carry on."

It's clear this season's DWTS contestants have really upped the ante with their talent level, as there's arguably no clear frontrunner moving into week nine of the competition. When ET asked Bruno if this is the closest season ever, he agreed, saying, "Ever!"

"Because usually we are like 'Oh yeah, this one [contestant] is taking off,'" he said. "But like this season, one week, Johnny [Weir]'s like top of the leaderboard, then he gets it wrong. It happens every week and it's so unpredictable. But actually, it's exciting!"

Dancing With the Stars airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. In the meantime, tune into Entertainment Tonight this week to hear more from Chrishell, Gleb and their fellow season 29 contestants. Check your local listings.d

DAYS Alum Adoption Update

Dishing with Digest - 10/30/20 - Michael Mealor / November Previews

‘Creepshow’ Season 2 Rounds Out Cast; Barbara Crampton, Ali Larter & Several Others Set For Shudder Anthology Series

Production on the six new episodes is under way in Atlanta for a 2021 premiere.

Created and EP’d by showrunner Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead) and based on George A. Romero’s 1982 movie, Creepshow shattered records for the AMC Networks streamer when it debuted in October 2019.

Shudder announced details last month about four of Season 2’s segments, which will be directed by Nicotero. Anna Camp and Adam Pally will star in the two-part “Shapeshifters Anonymous,” which follows an unlucky soul who finds himself in need of a werewolf support group. Keith David, Ashley Laurence and Josh McDermitt lead “Pesticide,” in which an exterminator makes an infernal bargain. And “Model Kid” is about a 12-year-old monster fan who turns to hand-built model kits to escape his unhappy reality.

The series is produced by the Cartel with Monster Agency Productions, Taurus Entertainment and Striker Entertainment. Nicotero exec produces alongside Brian Witten, Stan Spry, Jeff Holland, Eric Woods, Robert Dudelson, James Dudelson, Jordan Kizwani and Russell Binder. Co-EPs are Geoff Silverman, Anthony Fankhauser, Julia Hobgood and Marc Mostman.

On Thursday, Shudder will premiere an animated Creepshow Halloween special based on two stories by Stephen King and his author son Joe Hill.

Caitlyn Jenner, Vince Van Patten to Star in Indie Sitcom ‘Duke of The Valley’

“Duke of the Valley” is based on the memoirs of late actor Dick Van Patten, who was best known for portraying father figure Tom Bradford in the ABC dramedy series “Eight Is Enough” in the late 1970s. The show is co-created by Dick’s son Vince Van Patten and grandson, Duke Van Patten, who wrote the series together. Vince Van Patten will direct and produce with help from James Van Patten, Stefan Colson and Kim Waltrip. The show is currently shooting and has filmed a first episode, but without a network or release date.

The show will follow the life of Duke Patten (who plays himself), trying to make it as an actor in Hollywood while living in a dingy apartment in the San Fernando Valley that is owned by his “crazy uncle Jimmy” (played by James Van Patten).

The fictional apartment is packed to the brim with eccentric tenants, including Heather, a transgender “white trash” woman who sells perfume at the counter at Macy’s who is played by Jenner; Heather’s roommate Fong (played by actress Thai Fong); and a homeless killer named Skipy who demands to camp outside the apartment building (played by Vince Van Patten).

Former “The Young and the Restless” and “Real Housewives Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Eileen Davidson also joins the cast as Brenda, a washed-up actress who can’t accept that her career in showbiz is over.

DAYS Faves In Hallmark Movie Together

Aloma Wright in THE CHRISTMAS EDITION

PREMISE: It’s Christmas time and Jackie (Carly Hughes), an up-and- coming journalist, finds that her life is at a crossroads until she finds an unexpected opportunity – to run a small-town newspaper in Alaska. Jackie decides to give it a try and relocates to the small picture-perfect small town. Using a series of Christmas articles, she’s able to quickly return the newspaper to profitability, and soon falls in love… both with her new home and the handsome son of the paper’s former owner. However, when her old boss announces plans to take over the paper for herself, Jackie will need a Christmas miracle to save it.

PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 15 (8/7c) on Lifetime.

Gilles Marini in A TASTE OF CHRISTMAS

PREMISE: When Natalie (Anni Krueger) learns her cousin Francesca (Nia Vardalos) must cancel the Christmas Eve opening of her new Italian restaurant, Natalie’s heart goes out to all of the guests who were planning on attending. Since no one should be alone on Christmas, Natalie decides to make the opening happen any way she can. However, the attractive but pessimistic Chef Stefano (Gilles Marini) believes it’s impossible – there are only three days until Christmas! But Natalie insists that problems are just opportunities in disguise and soon she convinces Stefano that they can do it. At first, these opposites do not attract, but feelings begin to change when they find themselves working side-by-side. With Stefano’s help Natalie learns that cooking, like Christmas, isn’t about perfection…it’s about sharing it with the ones you love.

PREMIERE DATE: Friday, Nov. 20 (8/7c) on Lifetime.

Natalie Hall & Tracey E. Bregman in A VERY CHARMING CHRISTMAS TOWN

PREMISE: City girl and travel and lifestyle blogger, Aubrey Lang (Natalie Hall), goes to the little town of Solvang for her next holiday vlog piece after it’s voted Most Christmassy Town in the USA. She soon meets Sawyer Larsen (Jon Prescott), a local community coordinator and chocolate shop owner assigned to show her around the small town. At first, the unlikely pairing is at odds but soon start to fall for each other amidst the twinkling lights of the romantic little Danish village.

PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 8 (8/7c) on Lifetime.

The Doctors Reunion 10/23/20

Retro TV airs The Doctors weekdays at 12 noon and at 7:30 p.m. EDT/PDT (see listings at www.myretrotv.com) and online at 4 p.m. EDT weekdays and streaming at myretrotv.com and on the Retro TV Roku channel.

Video: Guiding Light - Reunion - Judi Evans and Vincent Irizarry

Morgan Fairchild guests on The Simpsons 2/15/20

Voice Cast: Dan Castellaneta as Homer Simpson; Julie Kavner as Marge Simpson; Nancy Cartwright as Bart Simpson and Nelson; Yeardley Smith as Lisa Simpson; Hank Azaria as Moe; Harry Shearer as Skinner; Tress MacNeille as Dolph; Pamela Hayden as Milhouse; Harry Shearer as Flanders

Guest Voice Cast: Morgan Fairchild as Vivienne St. Charmaine, Stellan Skarsgard as himself, Christine Nangle as Tabitha Shingle, Bill Simmons as himself

‘Queen Of The South’: Molly Burnett Upped To Series Regular For Season 5

Starring Alice Braga, Queen of the South is based on the bestselling book La Reina del Sur by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. It tells the story of Teresa Mendoza (Braga), a woman who is forced to run from the Mexican cartel and seek refuge in America.

Burnett’s Kelly Anne is the on-again, off-again member of Teresa’s drug operation. Kelly Anne’s journey has seen her killing her abusive husband, turning informant with a Houdini-like dodging of a cartel hit, and a fall into cocaine addiction. Kelly Ann was last seen in the end of Season 4 finding sobriety and her way back into the Teresa’s operations in New Orleans.

David T. Friendly serves as executive producer of the series alongside executive producers and co-showrunners Dailyn Rodriguez and Ben Lobato.

Burnett’s credits include recurring roles on CSI: Cyber, Relationship Status and True Blood. She is repped by A3 Artists Agency, Archetype, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher.

Jennifer Aniston Convinced Her Father To Resume 'Days Of Our Lives' Shoot From Home?

A report by The Sun revealed a source confirming that Jennifer Aniston's father will resume the shoot of his highly-popular soap opera Days of Our Lives from his home. The report of the newspaper suggested that John Anniston was heading to Burbank to join Days of Our Lives cast to reprise his role as Victor Kiriakis. However, after his daughter realised the same, she was not willing to put his life at stake. According to the daily, Jennifer 'put her feet down' and pleaded her beloved father to convince the show's producers to shoot his scenes at home.

Jennifer also suggested they tapped her father at his home, which is located in an 'exclusive gated community'. The source also informed the international outlet that the makers of Days of Our Lives have agreed with Jennifer Aniston's father's proposition. The insider also revealed that John's scene partners will be 'chauffeured' to his place and will also be tested for COVID-19 before their arrival.

For the unversed, Jennifer Aniston's family has been through major ups and downs over the years. Jennifer is the daughter of John and his first wife Nancy Dow. The Golden Globe Award-winning actor and her father's relationship had hit rock bottom after he walked out years ago.

However, if the grapevines are to be believed, the father-daughter duo have reconciled during the lockdown and have reportedly been catching up with each other over the phone on a daily basis ever since then. The recent report by The Sun also proves that Jennifer and John have returned to being on good terms with each other.

‘Days Of Our Lives’ To Resume Production After Shutdown Over Positive COVID-19 Test

Filming on the NBC daytime drama was suspended on Oct. 12 for two weeks after a production team member tested positive for COVID-19. Taping on the series, produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures TV, was slated to resume October 26.

However, following a thorough investigation including contact tracing, quarantines, testing, and a deep cleaning of the studio, the health and safety experts at Days of our Lives have determined that it was safe to return to production before the end of the two-week period. As a result, the show will be back on set tomorrow Oct 20.

As reported, the pause will not delay air dates, and the show’s run of originals on NBC will not be disrupted.

G-Eazy on girlfriend Ashley Benson: ‘She’s a special one’

“She’s an exceptionally talented person in many different spaces,” he recently told “ET.” “She’s a special one. Obviously, she’s a great actress, but, you know, getting to work with her and putting her in front of a microphone and watching her sing so effortlessly, she has this very special tone of voice and texture and something that’s very innate to her given that’s not her first job or what she’s known for.”

He added, “It just blew me away that you can have such a hidden, special talent that the world doesn’t get to see as often.”

They’ve even worked on music together, though the 31-year-old rapper isn’t planning on releasing their collaborations anytime soon.

“[The songs] sound like what they sound like,” he said. “And they’re in my studio and, you know, maybe one day they’ll see the light of day, we’ll see,” he said.

As Page Six exclusively reported, G-Eazy and Benson, 30, sparked engagement rumors in August when the “Pretty Little Liars” star was seen wearing a sparkler on her left ring finger.

They’ve been linked as a couple since May when they were spotted locking lips and have since shown plenty of PDA.

G-Eazy previously dated Halsey and was recently linked to Megan Thee Stallion.

Meanwhile, Benson dated model Cara Delevingne for two years before splitting up in May.

Dishing with Digest - 10/16/20 - Judi Evans

Guiding Light Reunion - Judi Evans and Vincent Irizarry

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Production Suspended For 2 Weeks After Positive COVID-19 Test

The person who received a positive result as part of the production’s stringent testing protocol has been placed in isolation. Preliminary contact tracing has been completed, with the people identified as close contacts to the affected individual placed in quarantine for a period of 14 days.

The actions, taken out of an abundance of caution, also include deep cleaning and disinfecting of Days of Our Lives‘ production facilities at the Burbank Studios.

Days of Our Lives suspended taping in mid-March amid an industrywide production shutdown due to the pandemic. Unlike its counterparts, which had episodes in the can to last a couple of months, Days of Our Lives had enough completed originals to take it through early October. As a result, the NBC resumed production September 1, weeks — and in some cases months — after the other broadcast daytime dramas. Of them, CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful has had brief production pauses related to testing.

‘The Gilded Age’: Production Paused On HBO Period Epic After Two Crew Members Test Positive For COVID-19

Reflecting the challenges of filming large-scale TV series during a pandemic, several shows have recently shut down for two weeks following positive COVID tests including ABC/Sony TV’s For Life and NBC/Uni TV’s Chicago Med.

In January, NBC renewed Days of Our Lives for a record 56th season. Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, the show airs nationally on NBC in the U.S. and in more than 25 countries internationally. The core families are the Bradys, Hortons and DiMeras, and the storylines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

Days of Our Lives is produced by Corday Productions, Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer; Albert Alarr co-executive producers. Ron Carlivati is the head writer.

Talk Show Appearance

Fr 10/16: Chrishell Stause

Video: Killian and the Comeback Kids - Cast

Dishing with Digest - 10/9/20 - Judith Chapman

Jensen Ackles Forms Production Company With Wife Danneel, Signs Overall Deal With Warner Bros. TV

The pair have launched Chaos Machine Productions and have hired former DC creative executive Renee Reiff as head of development.

The overall deal will see the trio create, develop and produce new shows for streaming services, cable, and the broadcast networks. No financial terms were disclosed but it is an exclusive, multi-year agreement.

It comes ahead of the launch of the final run of Warner Bros-produced Supernatural. The drama returns for its final seven episodes, which were hit by the COVID-19 production shutdown, tonight on The CW. Ackles has starred in the series, as Dean Winchester, for 15 years as the show is the longest-running sci-fi show in the history of U.S. television. He has also directed multiple episodes of the show. Elsewhere, he starred in season four of Warner Bros’ drama Smallville and voiced the role of Jason Todd/Red Hood in the DC Universe Animated Original Movie Batman: Under the Red Hood.

Danneel Ackles was a regular on WBTV’s long-running series One Tree Hill and more recently has appeared in a recurring role in Supernatural seasons 13 through 15. She also starred in Harold & Kumar and was the lead in NBC comedy Friends with Benefits.

Prior to joining Chaos Machine, Renee Reiff served as a creative executive in television development and current programming at DC since 2016. While at DC, she worked on such series as the upcoming Sweet Tooth for Netflix, Lucifer for Fox and Netflix and iZombie for The CW. Reiff was also an active board member of Warner Bros’ OUT@WB business resource group, spearheading philanthropy events for the studio. She also created the first employee panel featuring several LGBTQ+ characters from The CW’s live-action DCTV universe, hosted by executive producer Greg Berlanti.

“Warner Bros. has been my home for the better part of two decades. The relationships I have acquired there are some of the finest and most supportive I could have hoped for in this industry. Danneel and I are thrilled for the opportunity to continue to grow as artists and now as a producers under the mentorship and guidance of Peter Roth and the whole WBTV team,” Jensen Ackles said.

Video: Guiding Light - Reunion - Maureen Garrett , Rick Hearst and Amelia Marshall

Live Chat: Killian and the Comeback Kids - Cast

New Gig For DAYS’s Eric Martsolf

Digital Sky Season 2 is the standalone series based on Digital Sky Season 1 episode, Ride Share, picking up right where the original left off.

Follow the weekly adventures of enigmatic con-man, Keith, a dangerous stranger capable of anything. As Keith uses a Ride Share app to find his next mark, his journey takes him from car to car, meeting interesting characters along the way.

Season 2 features some of the biggest voice performers anywhere including, Emmy winner Eric Martsolf (Days of Our Lives), reprising his role as Keith, and Britt Baron, star of the Netflix series GLOW and Final Fantasy 7: Remake. Ride Share also features some of your favorite characters returning from Digital Sky Season 1.

Experience movies of the mind with extraordinary production values that put you in the car alongside Keith.

'Zenon' Star Kirsten Storms Sued Your BF Skipped Out on $30k Bail ... Now YOU Gotta Pay!!!

The actress, best known for the Disney Channel original movies, 'Zenon,' is being sued by American Contractors Indemnity -- an affiliate of Always Bail Bonds -- which claims it posted John Farrow's $30,000 bond in August 2017 ... but only after Kirsten agreed to be on the hook if he skipped town.

Well, wouldn't ya know it ... boyfriend of the year candidate, John, was MIA for a court appearance a month later ... according to the lawsuit. BTW, ole Johnny boy was arrested on a drug charge and the case is still ongoing.

Meanwhile, poor Kirsten's left holding the $30k bag ... as far as the bail bond company is concerned. The suit, obtained by TMZ, includes John's bond application and it shows Kirsten was more than just a loyal GF.

It describes Kirsten -- who acts on "General Hospital" -- as Farrow's landlord and girlfriend. It's unclear if the relationship remains the same now ... but it doesn't really matter to Always Bail Bonds, which is suing for the $30k, plus a few hundred bucks in fees.

We've reached out to Kirsten for comment, so far no word back.

Video: The Doctors - Reunion

Retro TV airs The Doctors weekdays at 12 noon and at 7:30 p.m. EDT/PDT (see listings at www.myretrotv.com) and online at 4 p.m. EDT weekdays and streaming at www.MyRetroTV.com and on the Retro TV Roku channel.

Guiding Light - Reunion 10/2/20

Hallmark Unveils 2020 'Countdown to Christmas' Slate, Including Gay Adoption Movie, Hanukkah Celebration

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — and, at least for one night, Hanukkah — at Hallmark Channel.

The basic cable network has unveiled its slate of 40 (!) original holiday movies airing in 2020, including The Christmas House, starring Mean Girls‘ Jonathan Bennett as one-half of a gay couple looking to adopt their first child. The lineup also includes Love, Lights, Hanukkah!, a Hanukkah-themed flick featuring Star Trek: Discovery‘s Mia Kirshner and Boy Meets World‘s Ben Savage.

The three dozen-plus films feature a plethora of network vets, including Candace Cameron Bure (in her ninth Hallmark Christmas movie), Danica McKellar (in her sixth Hallmark movie overall), Catherine Bell, Alison Sweeney and Tamera Mowry-Housley, as well as Lacey Chabert and Holly Robinson Peete — both of whom appear in two original movies this year.

New to the Hallmark family in 2020 are Aaron Tveit (Grease Live), Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars), Jeremy Jordan (Supergirl), Marisol Nichols (Riverdale), Mallory Jansen (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Rochelle Aytes (S.W.A.T.), among others.

“Our holiday table is bigger and more welcoming than ever,” Hallmark Channel’s EVP of programming Michelle Vicary said in a statement. “This year’s movies reflect our most diverse representation of talent, narratives, and families, including The Christmas House, featuring a storyline about a gay couple looking to adopt their first child, and starring Jonathan Bennett in an ensemble cast. Our movies are rooted in warmth and positivity, meaningful connections, family gatherings, and seasonal traditions — a winning formula we hope will bring our millions of viewers much-needed levity and holiday cheer at the end of a tough year.”

Added Crown Media President and CEO Wonya Lucas, “For more than a decade, Hallmark holiday movies have represented the gold standard that many aspire to replicate. What we bring to the table and what truly sets us apart is an immersive holiday experience that has become a pop culture phenomenon for millions of fans… We have created a destination that evokes the spirit and feeling of the season in a way that is uniquely Hallmark.”

Hallmark’s “Countdown to Christmas” slate begins rolling out on Friday, Oct. 23. Scroll down for a complete list of this year’s holiday movies, then hit the comments and tell us which of the following flicks pique your interest.

JINGLE BELL BRIDECAST: Julie Gonzalo (Supergirl) and Ronnie Rowe Jr. (Star Trek: Discovery)
PREMISE: Wedding planner Jessica Perez (Gonzalo) travels to a remote town in Alaska to find a rare flower for a celebrity client and is charmed by the small town during Christmas, as well as the handsome local (Rowe Jr.) helping her.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Oct. 24 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

CHRISTMAS TREE LANE
CAST: Alicia Witt (Our Christmas Love Song), Andrew Walker (Christmas on My Mind), Drake Hogestyn (Days of Our Lives) and Briana Price (13 Reasons Why)
PREMISE: Music store owner Meg (Witt) spearheads the community effort to save the Christmas Tree Lane shopping district from demolition. As she finds herself falling for Nate (Walker), a recent acquaintance, she’s thrown when she learns his surprising tie to the developer.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Oct. 24 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

CHATEAU CHRISTMAS
CAST: Merritt Patterson (Picture a Perfect Christmas) and Luke Macfarlane (Just Add Romance)
PREMISE: Margot (Patterson), a world-renowned pianist, returns to Chateau Newhaus to spend the holidays with her family and is reunited with an ex (Macfarlane) who helps her rediscover her passion for music.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Oct. 25 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

DELIVER BY CHRISTMAS
CAST: Alvina August (Nancy Drew) and Eion Bailey (Switched for Christmas)
PREMISE: Bakery owner Molly (August) meets Josh (Bailey), a widower who recently moved to town with his young son, but she is also charmed by a mysterious client whom she’s never met in person and she doesn’t realize that they’re the same man.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Oct. 25 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

CHRISTMAS WITH THE DARLINGS
CAST: Katrina Law (Arrow) and Carlo Marks (Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday)
PREMISE: Just before the holidays Jessica Lew (Law) is ending her tenure as the assistant to her wealthy boss to use her recently earned law degree within his company, but offers to help his charming, younger brother (Marks) as he looks after his orphaned nieces and nephew over Christmas.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Oct. 31 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS
CAST: Nikki DeLoach (Two Turtle Doves) and Benjamin Ayres (A Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas)
PREMISE: A separated couple (DeLoach and Ayres) feign marital bliss on national television to help their town’s Christmas festival – and their business. But what will the future hold for them when rekindled love is complicated by new opportunities?
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Oct. 31 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

ONE ROYAL HOLIDAY
CAST: Laura Osnes (In the Key of Love), Aaron Tveit (Les Miserables), Krystal Joy Brown (Sydney to the Max), Victoria Clark (Homeland) and Tom McGowan (Everybody Loves Raymond)
PREMISE: When Anna (Osnes) offers a stranded mother (Clark) and son (Tveit) shelter in a blizzard, she learns that they are the Royal Family of Galwick. Anna shows the Prince how they do Christmas in her hometown, encouraging him to open his heart and be true to himself.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 1 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

HOLLY & IVY
CAST: Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars), Jeremey Jordan (Supergirl) and Marisol Nichols (Riverdale)
PREMISE: When Melody’s (Parrish) neighbor, Nina (Nichols), learns that her illness has returned, Melody promises to keep Nina’s kids, Holly & Ivy, together. To adopt the children, she must renovate her new fixer-upper, which she does with the help of contractor, Adam (Jordan).
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 1 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

NEVER KISS A MAN IN A CHRISTMAS SWEATER
CAST: Ashley Williams (How I Met Your Mother) and Niall Matter (Christmas at Dollywood)
PREMISE: Single mom Maggie (Williams) is facing Christmas alone until Lucas (Matter) crashes into her life and becomes an unexpected houseguest. Together they overcome Christmas while finding comfort in their growing bond.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 7 (Hallmark, 8/7c

THE CHRISTMAS RING
CAST: Nazneen Contractor (Ransom) and David Alpay (The Mistletoe Inn)
PREMISE: A reporter (Contractor) searches for the love story behind an antique engagement ring. With the help of the ring’s owner’s grandson (Alpay), they learn the legacy his grandparent’s left behind.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 7 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

ON THE 12TH DATE OF CHRISTMAS
CAST: Mallory Jansen (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Tyler Hynes (The Mistletoe Secret)
PREMISE: Two seemingly incompatible game designers team up to create a romantic, city-wide scavenger hunt themed for the “12 Days of Christmas.”
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 8 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

THE CHRISTMAS BOW
CAST: Lucia Micarelli (Treme) and Michael Rady (You’re Bacon Me Crazy)
PREMISE: When an accident puts her music dreams on hold, a gifted violinist (Micarelli) reconnects with an old family friend (Rady), who helps her heal and find love during the holidays.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 8 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

CHRISTMAS IN VIENNA
CAST: Sarah Drew (Grey’s Anatomy) and Brennan Elliott (Crossword Mysteries)
PREMISE: Jess (Drew), a concert violinist whose heart just isn’t in it anymore, goes to Vienna for a performance. While there, she finds the inspiration she has been missing, and a new love.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 14 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

MEET ME AT CHRISTMAS (WORKING TITLE)
CAST: Catherine Bell (Good Witch) and Mark Deklin (Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy)
PREMISE: When Joan’s (Bell) son’s wedding planner unexpectedly quits, she must coordinate his Christmas Eve wedding with the help of Beau (Deklin), the bride’s uncle. As they work alongside each other they discover their fates and pasts are intertwined.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 14 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8)

A TIMELESS CHRISTMAS
CAST: Ryan Paevey (Christmas at the Plaza) and Erin Cahill (Love, Fall & Order)
PREMISE: Charles Whitley (Paevey) travels from 1903 to 2020 where he meets Megan Turner (Cahill), a tour guide at his historic mansion, and experiences a 21st Century Christmas.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 15 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

THE CHRISTMAS DOCTOR
CAST: Holly Robinson Peete (A Family Christmas Gift) and Adrian Holmes (V-Wars)
PREMISE: A week before Christmas, Dr. Alicia Wright (Peete) is offered an assignment away from home. A mysterious man (Holmes) from her past journeys to find her before Christmas and brings with him a revelation that could change Alicia’s life forever.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 15 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

A NASHVILLE CHRISTMAS CAROL
CAST: Jessy Schram (Country at Heart), Wes Brown (Christmas at Graceland), Wynonna Judd (The Judds), Sara Evans (Nashville), RaeLynn (The Voice), Kix Brooks (Home by Spring), Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Darrow Mysteries)
PREMISE: Vivienne Wake (Schram), a workaholic television producer in charge of a country music Christmas special showcasing newcomer Alexis (Raelynn), never lets personal feelings get in the way of business. On the verge of accepting a job in LA, and with the return of Gavin Chase (Brown), her childhood sweetheart and manager to the special’s headliner, Belinda (Evans), she receives a visit from the ghost of her recently deceased mentor, Marilyn (Judd). Her mentor warns her current path leads to a dark future and has recruited both the Spirit of Christmas Past (Brooks) and the Spirit of Christmas Present (Williams-Paisley) to help her get back on track. The Spirits’ time-jumping adventures force Vivienne to take hold of her life.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 21 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

A LITTLE CHRISTMAS CHARM (WORKING TITLE)
CAST: Ashley Greene (Twilight) and Brendan Penny (Chesapeake Shores)
PREMISE: Holly (Greene), a jewelry designer finds a lost charm bracelet and teams up with investigative reporter Greg (Penny) in hopes of finding the owner and returning it by Christmas Eve.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 21 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

THE CHRISTMAS HOUSE
CAST: Robert Buckley (One Tree Hill), Jonathan Bennett (Mean Girls), Ana Ayora (In the Dark), Treat Williams (Chesapeake Shores), Sharon Lawrence (NYPD Blue) and Brad Harder (Aurora Teagarden Mysteries)
PREMISE: Working through some difficult decisions, Mitchell family matriarch Phylis (Lawrence) and patriarch Bill (Williams), have summoned their two grown sons – TV star, Mike Mitchell (Buckley) and Brandon Mitchell (Bennett) – home for the holidays. It is their hope that bringing the family together to recreate the Christmas house, will help them find resolution and make a memorable holiday for the entire family and community. As Brandon and his husband Jake (Harder) make the trip home, they are anxiously awaiting a call about the adoption of their first child. Meanwhile, Mike reconnects with Andi (Ayora), his high school sweetheart.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 22 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

THE ANGEL TREE
CAST: Jill Wagner (Teen Wolf) and Lucas Bryant (Country at Heart)
PREMISE: A writer (Wagner) seeks the identity of the person who helps grant wishes that are placed upon the angel tree, and in the process, reconnects with her childhood friend (Bryant).
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 22 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

ADDITIONAL MOVIE TBA
CAST: TBD
PREMISE: TBD
PREMIERE DATE: Monday, Nov. 23 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

A CHRISTMAS TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN
CAST: Rochelle Aytes (Mistresses) and Mark Taylor (Memories of Christmas)
PREMISE: Erin (Aytes) is planning the town’s Christmas celebration and must win over firefighter Kevin (Taylor) in order to obtain the beautiful spruce tree from his property for the celebration.
PREMIERE DATE: Tuesday, Nov. 24 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

A BRIGHT AND MERRY CHRISTMAS
CAST: Alison Sweeney (Days of Our Lives) and Marc Blucas (The Fix)
PREMISE: Two competing TV hosts (Sweeney and Blucas) are sent to a festive small town over Christmas. While pretending to get along for the sake of appearances, they discover that there’s more to each other than they thought.
PREMIERE DATE: Wednesday, Nov. 25 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

FIVE STAR CHRISTMAS (WORKING TITLE)
CAST: Bethany Joy Lenz (One Tree Hill) and Victor Webster (MatchMaker Mysteries)
PREMISE: After moving back to her hometown, Lisa (Lenz) plots with her siblings and grandparents to help her father’s new bed and breakfast get a five-star review from an incognito travel critic (Webster), but ends up falling for him, not knowing he is the real critic.
PREMIERE DATE: Thursday, Nov. 26 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

CHRISTMAS BY STARLIGHT
CAST: Kimberley Sustad (Travelers) and Paul Campbell (Battlestar Galactica)
PREMISE: Annie (Sustad), a lawyer, must help her loved ones this holiday season. Her family’s restaurant, The Starlight Café, is slated for demolition. The heir to the development firm responsible, William (Campbell), makes her an unlikely proposition: he’ll spare the café if Annie spends the week “appearing” as the legal counsel his father is demanding he hire in the wake of some costly mistakes.
PREMIERE DATE: Friday, Nov. 27 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

Lacey Chabert
CHRISTMAS WALTZ
CAST: Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls), Will Kemp (Royal Matchmaker) and JT Church (Dancing With the Stars: Juniors)
PREMISE: After Avery’s (Chabert) storybook Christmas wedding is canceled unexpectedly, dance instructor Roman (Kemp) helps her rebuild her dreams.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 28 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

USS CHRISTMAS
CAST: Jen Lilley (Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday), Trevor Donovan (Nostalgic Christmas) and Barbara Niven (Chesapeake Shores)
PREMISE: Maddie (Lilley), a reporter for a Norfolk newspaper, embarks on a Tiger Cruise during Christmastime where she meets a handsome naval officer (Donovan) and stumbles upon a mystery in the ship’s archive room.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Nov. 28 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

IF I ONLY HAD CHRISTMAS
CAST: Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House) and Warren Christie (The Color of Rain)
PREMISE: At Christmas, a cheerful publicist (Bure) teams up with a cynical business owner (Christie) and his team to help a charity in need.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 29 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

CHRISTMAS IN EVERGREEN: BELLS ARE RINGING
CAST: Holly Robinson Peete (A Family Christmas Gift), Colin Lawrence (Riverdale), Rukiya Bernard (One Winter Weekend), Antonio Cayonne (Fashionably Yours) and Barbara Niven (Chesapeake Shores)
PREMISE: As Michelle’s (Peete) wedding approaches, Hannah (Bernard) steps up to help finish the launch of the new Evergreen museum while questioning her relationship and future with Elliot (Cayonne).
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Dec. 5 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

TIME FOR US TO COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
CAST: Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls) and Stephen Huszar (A Homecoming for the Holidays)
PREMISE: Five guests are mysteriously invited to an inn to celebrate Christmas. With the help of the owner Ben (Huszar), Sarah (Chabert) discovers that an event from the past may connect them and change their lives forever; from executive producer Blake Shelton.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Dec. 5 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

CHRISTMAS SHE WROTE
CAST: Danica McKellar (The Wonder Years) and Dylan Neal (Gourmet Detective: Roux the Day)
PREMISE: When Kayleigh (McKellar), a romance writer, has her column cancelled right before Christmas, she heads home to reconnect with her family. Kayleigh gets an unexpected visit from the man (Neal) who cancelled her column who fights not only to bring her back to the publisher but also for her heart.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 6 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

A GODWINK CHRISTMAS: FIRST LOVES, SECOND CHANCES
CAST: Brooke D’Orsay (Royal Pains) and Sam Page (The Bold Type)
PREMISE: After 15 years, Pat (Page) moves home from Hawaii with his two sons and through a series of coincidences, or Godwinks, ends up stuck in traffic next to his high school sweetheart, Margie (D’Orsay), at Christmas.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 6 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

CROSS COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
CAST: Rachael Leigh Cook (She’s All That) and Greyston Holt (Chesapeake Shores)
PREMISE: Former classmates Lina (Cook) and Max (Holt) are traveling home for the holidays, until a storm hits and they have to work together to make it home in time, no matter the mode of transportation.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Dec. 12 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

A GLENBROOKE CHRISTMAS
CAST: Autumn Reeser (The O.C.) and Antonio Cupo (Hats Off to Christmas!)
PREMISE: As Christmas nears, heiress Jessica Morgan (Reeser) seizes what seems like her last chance to experience a relaxed Christmas and heads off to the small town of Glenbrooke, where she meets a handsome fireman (Cupo).
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Dec. 12 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

CHRISTMAS COMES TWICE
CAST: Tamera Mowry-Housley (Sister, Sister) and Michael Xavier (Paris, Wine and Romance)
PREMISE: Emily (Mowry-Housley) is a top newscaster who has achieved her career dreams but still has regrets about the guy (Xavier) who got away five years earlier. When the Christmas carnival comes to town, a ride around the carousel takes her magically back in time to the carnival five years before…giving her a second chance at love before she must return to Christmas present.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 13 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING (WORKING TITLE)
CAST: Taylor Cole (Matching Hearts) and Steve Lund (The Art of Us)
PREMISE: When a mysterious key and a holiday riddle arrive on their doorsteps, Kate (Cole) and Kevin (Lund) embark on a Christmas romance adventure they’ll never forget.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 13 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

CHRISTMAS CAROUSEL
CAST: Rachel Boston (Check Inn to Christmas) and Neal Bledsoe (Shameless)
PREMISE: When Lila (Boston) is hired by the Royal Family of Marcadia to repair a carousel, she must work with the Prince (Bledsoe) to complete it by Christmas.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Dec. 19 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

SWEPT UP BY CHRISTMAS (WORKING TITLE)
CAST: TBD
PREMISE: An antique seller and a cleaner clash over how to downsize a magnificent estate right before Christmas. As the two uncover the house’s treasures, they find a way to reconnect the reclusive owner with his own Christmases past.
PREMIERE DATE: Saturday, Dec. 19 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

LOVE, LIGHTS, HANUKKAH!
CAST: Mia Kirshner (Star Trek: Discovery), Ben Savage (Boy Meets World) and Marilu Henner (Aurora Teagarden Mysteries)
PREMISE: As Christina (Kirshner) prepares her restaurant for its busiest time of year, she gets back a DNA test revealing that she’s Jewish. The discovery leads her to a new family and an unlikely romance over eight nights.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 20 (Hallmark, 8/7c)

PROJECT CHRISTMAS WISH
CAST: TBD
PREMISE: For years Lucy has played Santa to her small town’s community by making their holiday wishes come true. But when Lucy grants a little girl’s wish for a Christmas like she used to have with her Mom, she unexpectedly finds her own wishes coming true in life and love.
PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 20 (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9/8c)

Video: Crystal Chappell and Hillary B. Smith

DAYS Recasts Melinda Trask

Crystal Chappell and Hillary B. Smith - LIVE

Days of Our Lives' Melissa Reeves Out, All My Children Vet Cady McClain In as Jennifer — But for How Long?

According to Soap Opera Digest, Reeves — who commutes from Tennessee to Los Angeles to shoot Days — chose not to return to the West Coast when the soap resumed production earlier this month due to the coronavirus pandemic. The recast, which sources stress is not permanent, comes nearly three months after Reeves’ views on Black Lives Matter sparked a backlash among her co-stars and fans.

News of the switcheroo was first reported by Celeb Dirty Laundry.

Back in January it was revealed that Reeves — who has played Jennifer Horton on the NBC sudser on and off for the past three decades — “liked” several anti-BLM posts from right-wing activist Candace Owens on Instagram. Reeves’ Days co-star, Linsey Godfrey, wasted little time responding. After one Twitter user defended Reeves’ right to express her opinion, Godfrey countered, “Nah there is no difference of opinion on racism, homophobia, transphobia and xenophobia.”

When another fan noted that she found Reeves to be “completely lovely and non-judgmental” after encountering her at several Days fan events, Godfrey responded, “Yea but even the nicest people can have awful views. Plenty of nice people have awful moral compasses. I can’t associate w/ it because it makes me a hypocrite. I condemn all those hateful & harmful beliefs.”

Days actor Lamon Archey, who is Black, liked Godfrey’s post taking Reeves to task. He then shared a rather pointed gif.

This is not the first time Reeves has come under fire for her controversial views. Several years ago, she incurred the wrath of the LGBTQ community when she expressed support for antigay fast food chain Chick-fil-A, tweeting, “Land of the free and home of the brave. Love that we all appreciate free speech, right?”

Reps for Days, NBC and Sony Pictures Television declined to comment for this story.

Dishing with Digest - 9/11/20 - Marci Miller

Kevin Dobson Dies: ‘Knots Landing’ and ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Star Was 77

The United Veterans Council of San Joaquin County announced the actor’s death on Facebook. Dobson, who died on Sunday, served as chairman of the San Joaquin County group.

Dobson was born in New York on March 18, 1943. Before pursuing his acting career, the New York native first worked multiple positions for the Long Island Railroad. After working as brakeman and conductor for the transportation system, he worked as a waiter.

The actor’s first big break into the industry was as Govorner Harrison Brooks in the TV series One Life to Live in 1968. The television appearance was the first of many roles Dobson would hold throughout his decades-long career. After his breakthrough, Dobson starred in a handful of other TV series including The Doctors, The Rookies, Emergency! and Stranded.

As the actor became a more regular face to the TV space throughout the late 60s and early 70s, Dobson landed a series regular role as Detective Bobby Crocker in Kojak. As Detective Bobby Crocker, Dobson starred alongside Telly Savalas, who played the titular Lieutenant Theo Kojak. Additional co-stars were George Savalas, Mark Russell and Dan Frazer.

In 1982 Dobson took on a new series regular role as Mack MacKenzie in CBS’ popular drama Knots Landing. In the Golden Globe-nominated show Dobson acted with Michele Lee, Nicollette Sheridan and Ted Shackelford.

While he’s most known for his TV work, Dobson also starred in a number of films as well. He played Ensign George Gay in Jack Smight’s Midway, Bobby Gibbons in All Night Long and Donald Shawnessy in She’s No Angel.

Among his most recent credits are Dark Power, Days of Our Lives, Hawaii Five-0 and House of Lies. In Days the actor played Mickey Horton, following John Clarke and John Ingle.

Dobson set to appear the TV series 12 to Midnight, which will premiere in 2021.

Survivors are Dobson’s wife Susan and their children Mariah, Patrick and Sean.

Dishing with Digest - 9/4/20 - Ken Corday

One-On-One With Melissa Ordway and Jordi Vilasuso

Casey Moss Back To DAYS!

Days Vet Plots Return

Ava’s reappearance is “important, not only for Steve and Kayla, but for her son, Tripp, and others to be determined,” executive producer Ken Corday tells the magazine. “[Head writer] Mr. Carlivati has a big story there. It’s exciting.”

The news comes as Days is going through a cast shake-up: In early July, Kristian Alfonso (aka Hope) announced that she was leaving the show after 37 years. Then Greg Vaughn (Eric Brady) revealed that he, too, would be exiting the series after eight years. Victoria Konefal, who plays Bo Brady and Hope Williams’ youngest daughter Ciara Brady, will also not be part of the cast when the NBC soap resumes production in the fall. Braun is also known for her Daytime Emmy-winning role as Dr. Kim Nero on General Hospital.

‘Dancing With The Stars’: ABC Unveils Season 29 Cast Including ‘Tiger King’s Carole Baskin & Rapper Nelly

The ABC competition show, which is based on BBC format Strictly Come Dancing, revealed the full cast on Good Morning America ahead of its September 14 premiere.

The quartet will be joined by Monica Aldama, star of Netflix’s Cheer, Disney Channel actress Skai Jackson, One Day at a Time’s Justina Machado, The Real’s Jeannie Mai, Catfish’s Nev Schulman and Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir.

The network confirmed that Super Bowl Champion Vernon Davis, Anne Heche, Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean will also be joining, after their names leaked over the last few days. The Bachelor’s Kaitlyn Bristowe was the first celebrity to be named a few months ago.

The professional dancers include Brandon Armstrong, Alan Bersten, Sharna Burgess, Cheryl Burke, Artem Chigvintsev, Val Chmerkovskiy, Sasha Farber, Jenna Johnson, Daniella Karagach, Keo Motsepe, Peta Murgatroyd, Pasha Pashkov, Gleb Savchenko, Emma Slater and Britt Stewart.

It will be hosted and exec produced by Tyra Banks, who replaces Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews in season 29. The show is produced by BBC Studios’ Los Angeles production arm with Andrew Llinares exec producer.

One of the challenges for this season is to ensure that the production adheres to COVID-19 protocols, a trickier move for a dance competition format than many other productions. Details of the health and safety protocols and other format refreshes are expected imminently.

Dishing with Digest - 8/28/20 - Scott Reeves

Ashley Benson says everybody should own these three style essentials

“I haven’t really gotten dressed up this summer. Sweatpants are my new favorite thing,” the actress, 30, admitted to Page Six Style of her social-distancing style.

But lately, the “Pretty Little Liars” alum has been “putting more effort into [her] wardrobe,” she added, and swapping athleisure for something silkier that’s equally easy to throw on and go.

“I love slips,” Benson said. “They are so comfy and chic, and you can wear them day to night.”

In terms of accessories, she’s got access to a vast collection of stylish shades thanks to her work with eyewear brand Privé Revaux. Last year, Benson released her own collection of sunglasses, and this summer, she’s teamed up with fellow actor Matt Bomer on a new range of gender-neutral designs.

“I love a square shape or aviators when it comes to glasses, usually always black,” she explained, naming the “Cliffs” ($39.95) — a modern aviator inspired by Brad Pitt’s character in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” — as her personal favorite from the capsule.

The genderless styles also reflect the contents of the star’s own closet. A self-proclaimed outerwear obsessive, Benson typically prefers casual or tailored pieces over anything too fussy — and unsurprisingly, when asked to name three style staples everyone should own, she pointed to a trio of simple unisex classics.

“Vintage Levi’s, a leather jacket and a good white T-shirt,” she told us.

Daytime Ratings: Young & Restless' Viewership Nosedives Upon Return as All 4 Soaps Hit Series Lows

After airing repeats for three-plus months due to the coronavirus shutdown, Y&R returned with original episodes the week of Aug. 10. However, a sizable chunk of the show’s audience was not there to greet it.

As first reported by Daytime Confidential, Y&R averaged a series low 2.7 million viewers for its first full week back with new episodes — down more than 1 million viewers vs. the CBS sudser’s last full week of original episodes in late April.

Y&R‘s sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful, — which returned with fresh episodes in mid-July — also sank to a series low for the week of Aug. 10, averaging 2.4 million viewers (down from 3.3 million when it left the air in April). ABC’s General Hospital has taken less of a hit since coming back on the air earlier this month. Its most recent tally of 1.9 million viewers (also a series low) was down from 2.1 million for its last full week of new episodes in May.

Meanwhile, NBC’s Days of Our Lives — which shoots eight months in advance and therefore never ran out of fresh material — has not been spared either: Its total viewer tally dipped to a series low 1.6 million viewers for the week of Aug. 10.

Alison Sweeney To Return To ‘Days Of Our Lives’ For Longest Stint Since 2014, Reprising Sami Brady Role

Since she left Days Of Our Lives as a full-time cast member in 2014 after 21 years, Sweeney has been coming back for a short arc every year since 2017. She filmed her most recent one before the coronavirus-related production shutdown; it started airing in mid-July and will wrap in late September.

Under the new deal, she will appear in fresh Days Of Our Lives episodes, beginning in late 2020, though most of 2021. She will be a part of an emotional storyline centered around family and Sami’s recently SORASed daughter Allie Horton, played by Lindsay Arnold.

“It is always a beautiful day in Salem when we get to welcome Alison Sweeney back to the canvas,” Days Executive Producer Ken Corday said. “Sami Brady is an integral part of our show’s history and we are elated that she’s coming home again.”

Days Of Our Lives, along with fellow daytime dramas The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful and General Hospital suspended taping in mid-March amid an industrywide production shutdown due to the pandemic. Days Of Our Lives has enough originals in the can to take it through early October. Production is slated to resume on September 1.

Sweeney left Days in 2014 after starring in the show since 1993. During her time on the drama the actress was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category in 2015 and won the Special Fan Emmy Award for America’s Favorite Villain in 2002. She returned to the show in 2017 and has appeared on and off since in various storylines.

In January, NBC renewed Days Of Our Lives for a record 56th season. Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, the show airs nationally on NBC in the U.S. and in more than 25 countries internationally. The core families are the Bradys, Hortons and DiMeras, and the storylines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

Since the January renewal, a number of cast members have left the show, including Kristian Alfonso, Victoria Konefal, Casey Moss, Chandler Massey, Freddie Smith, Galen Gering, and Greg Vaughan. Sweeney’s return would provide some stability — and star power — as the show looks to rebuild.

Days Of Our Lives is produced by Corday Productions, Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producers Meng and Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati is the head writer.

In addition to her lengthy new stint on Days, Sweeney will continue to produce and star in other TV projects, She previously toplined the Murder She Baked movie franchise for Hallmark Channel, and currently stars in and executive produces The Chronicle Mysteries movies for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

Dishing with Digest 8/21/20 - Ian Buchanan

DAYS Alum Gloria Loring To Release New Music

Heartbreak For Y&R Star

Days of Our Lives is bringing back Galen Gering

EW has learned exclusively that the actor, who has portrayed Rafe Hernandez since 2008, is sticking around on the NBC soap after all. Fans were expecting to say goodbye for good since his contract has expired on the show and his last episode was going to air at month's end — but not anymore!

Life has been hard in Salem for Rafe. He lost custody of the boy he was going to adopt and he's divorced from Hope Williams Brady (Kristian Alfonso), though a reconciliation was in the works. There's certainly no chance of that now, since Alfonso announced she's leaving the show for good. The actress revealed in July that she wouldn't return to set and that she filmed her last episode several months ago.

“I feel blessed and honored to have been invited into people’s homes for over three decades," she said in a statement. "However, it is now time for me to write my next chapter."

Executive Producer Ken Corday tells EW that he was "dismayed" by Alfonso's announcement, particularly since he had big plans for Hope. "In order to launch a new story ... and we had a great story for her, we still do ... I needed her off-camera for three or four months. During that time, something very interesting happens so she comes back to Salem with a secret. It doesn't look like that's going to happen."

When asked if there's a chance Alfonso would change her mind and stay at DOOL, Corday says, "That's up to Kristian."

Production on NBC sudser will resume Aug. 31. Though the other daytime sudsers returned to work in July, DOOL had the luxury of time because it had episodes in the can that could carry them through October. (DOOL, like every other TV show and film, went dark after COVID-19 forced a production shutdown in Hollywood). "We didn't have to rush it," Corday tells EW. "I wanted to make absolutely sure we were dotting every I and crossing every T with county health."

Corday has special plans to for the show's 55th anniversary. Besides keeping Gering in the family, there will be more surprise returns to Salem. And yes, there may even be kissing and canoodling -- assuming the actors are game. "It's really up to the individual actors and how much they do or don't want to do," Corday tells EW. "And no, we won't be using dolls."

Days of Our Lives airs weekdays on NBC.

Jensen Ackles Joins The Boys Season 3 as 'The Original Superhero'

Ackles will portray Soldier Boy, who after he fought in World War II became the first “super celebrity” and a mainstay of American culture for decades.

“When I was a child, I had a crazy, impossible dream — to provide Jensen Ackles with gainful employment,” The Boys showrunner Kripke said in a statement. “I’m happy to say that dream has come true. Jensen is an amazing actor, an even better person, smells like warm chocolate chip cookies, and I consider him a brother.

“As Soldier Boy, the very first Superhero, he’ll bring so much humor, pathos and danger to the role,” Kripke added. “I can’t wait to be on set with him again, and bring a bit of Supernatural to The Boys.”

Ackles this fall has the pandemic-delayed final episodes of Supernatural to film, in Vancouver.

The Boys‘ Season 3 renewal was announced during Comic-Con@Home in late July. Season 2 of the series will premiere Friday, September 4th, with new episodes available weekly through October 9th.

Marci Miller Back To DAYS As Abigail

New Role for a Soap Opera Writer: Husband

“I’m the more hotheaded, the more compulsive one in our relationship,” said Mr. Carlivati, 51, the head writer of the daytime drama “Days of Our Lives.” He also played the role of Mr. Rogal’s love interest for 16 years before they married on Aug. 1 in the front yard of their summer home in East Hampton, N.Y. There were 22 guests, down from 150 because of the coronavirus.

“When I’m ranting, David has this ability to let me talk myself out of some things, and patiently helps me work my way through other things,” said Mr. Carlivati, a former lawyer. “He’s the only guy who knows how to reel me in.”

As it happened, it was Mr. Carlivati, an Upper West Side resident, who first began reeling in Mr. Rogal (left), 55, of the Upper East Side, at a Manhattan movie theater in 2001.

“I was sitting there, alone, eating Twizzlers and minding my own business, when Ron and two of his friends tried making conversation with me by teasing and ribbing me,” said Mr. Rogal, chuckling as he spoke.“They kept saying, ‘Hey, are you going to share those?’”

When the movie ended, Mr. Carlivati said that he and Mr. Rogal “were sort of walking out together. We kind of began comparing notes on the movie and I was immediately attracted to him.”

“But I chickened out,” he added, “and we eventually went our separate ways and I was kind of kicking myself because I thought we had made this little connection, and now I was never going to see this guy again.”

Two weeks later, Mr. Carlivati was with one of his movie pals at a mixer at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan, when he spotted Mr. Rogal by the coat-check room. “I turned to my friend and said, ‘Hey, there’s Twizzlers.’”

They resumed their conversation and Mr. Rogal was soon sharing a cab with Mr. Carlivati, having accepted his spontaneous offer to go out for drinks.

They dated sporadically for the next two years, but became exclusive in July 2004 after Mr. Carlivati accepted an invitation from Mr. Rogal, who was hosting a party with a friend in the Hamptons.

“That’s when we really connected,” Mr. Carlivati said.

Mr. Carlivati, born and raised in Rochester, N.Y., graduated from College of the Holy Cross and received a law degree from George Washington University. He left his job in January 1996 as a lawyer in Washington to pursue a job as a soap opera writer. Nine months later he landed what he called his “dream job,” as an assistant soap opera writer on “One Life to Live,” and eventually worked his way up to head writer. He went on to become the head writer of the soap opera “General Hospital” before taking over in that same capacity at “Days of Our Lives,” four years ago.

Mr. Rogal was born and raised in Forest Hills, Queens, and graduated from Baruch College. He was until March a longtime interior designer at Vicente Wolf in Manhattan.

“In the beginning, at the movies, I thought he was just a cute guy with beautiful blue eyes,” Mr. Carlivati said of Mr. Rogal. “But we ended up sharing so many of the same interests, and we got along very well.”

So well, in fact, that Mr. Carlivati, whom Mr. Rogal describes as a “one-of-a-kind storyteller,” wouldn’t be adverse to allowing Mr. Rogal to play himself in one of his soap opera episodes. “I have the perfect role for him, he can play the sexy gardener and show off his good looks and green thumb all at the same time.”

Dishing with Digest - 8/14/20 - Robert Scott Wilson

Justin Hartley and Chrishell Stause "Never" Cheated On Each Other: Sources

However, a source tells E! News that rumors of the This Is Us star's infidelity are "100 percent false."

So why did Justin actually file for divorce? Well, a source close to Chrishell claims that remains a mystery.

"Chrishell knew they were having problems in their marriage. They were fighting for months before Justin filed, but she didn't think he would actually end their marriage," the insider explains, adding, "They always brushed their problems under the rug."

But the source notes Chrishell doesn't have closure. The insider says, "She speculates a lot about what truly happened between them."

"Chrishell is heartbroken that he has moved on so quickly," the source continues. "It doesn't do her any good to dwell on the possibilities of Justin cheating, and is trying to move on."

And while the first source says the rumors are false, it seems the real estate agent wasn't totally convinced of Justin's innocence as of four days ago. On her Twitter account, she liked two tweets that hinted he might've had an affair with his now-girlfriend Sofia Pernas prior to the split.

One of the tweets, from Twitter user @ConcernedSoapFan, read, "@justinhartley filmed a movie in Canada at the same time his new gf @SofiaPernas was filming the summer before they split. The timing seems like he probably cheated on @Chrishell7 and took a coward's way out to avoid spousal support and gaslight her."

The other tweet highlighted an unverified report on celeb scoop site Blind Gossip, which claims Justin was "having an affair" months before he filed for divorce, among other allegations.

But the first source reiterates, "Cheating was never in the cards and never happened on either side."

E! News reached out to Chrishell for comment.

With the divorce bringing Justin's character into question, his ex-wife, Lindsay Korman-Hartley, has spoken out to defend him. She said the actor is an "exemplification of a solid man" and a "dear friend and devoted father to our daughter." She continued, "No matter what conflicts Justin and I had in the past, I appreciate what we have today and I am thankful for the family we have built."

Hours later, Chrishell seemingly reacted by posting a statement to her Instagram Story, writing in part, "Be the woman who fixes another woman's crown without telling the world it was crooked."@J—ó».

Justin Hartley's Ex Defends Him After Chrishell Stause Shares Shocking Details On Selling Sunset

On Tuesday, Aug. 11, the soap opera star took to Instagram to defend her ex-husband and the father of her child in a lengthy post.

"In a day when social media should be used for positivity … an inspiration towards movement in an honest and deserving way, I'd like to join, by highlighting my appreciation for my family," Lindsay began her message.

"Today, I appreciate my ex-husband Justin for not only being [an] exemplification of a solid man but for being my dear friend and devoted father to our daughter," she continued. "Simply put; for being family. We derive our own opinion of people by experiencing life and time together, and we do our best to hold dear the ones that maintain consistent kindness, love and generosity."

"No matter what conflicts Justin and I had in the past, I appreciate what we have today and I am thankful for the family we have built," she closed.

Lindsay and Justin first met on the set of Passions in 2003 and began dating soon after. Later that year, the two announced their engagement. They not only tied the knot in May 2004 but welcomed their first child together, Isabella Justice Hartley, in July. Lindsay eventually filed for divorce in 2012.

As for Justin, he moved on and started dating Chrishell. In January 2014, they made their relationship official and got married three years later. But as fans recently learned, the This Is Us actor filed for divorce in November 2019. However, in documents obtained by E! News, he cited their separation in July.

According to Chrishell, she was completely blindsided by Justin's decision.

In the third season of Selling Sunset, the reality TV star confided in co-star and friend Mary Fitzgerald. She revealed details about her breakup, including how the actor allegedly told her he wanted a divorce.

"He texted me that we were filed. Forty-five minutes later the world knew," Chrishell said tearfully.

"In a fight, like that's his go-to. Like, 'I'm out, I'm out.' I hate that kind of impulsive stuff but I always just thought that's an issue, we'll work through it...," she explained of how Justin typically reacts to conflict. "If that's really what you wanted, there are better ways to go about it."

In her confessional, Chrishell added, "Because of the crazy way in which this went down, people want answers... and I f--king want answers."

Chrishell wasn't the only one surprised by her breakup. Her co-stars couldn't believe the news.

"I mean, you know, that was [a] shock to all of us, all the cast. Like we did not see this one happening," Maya Vander said in a recent interview on the Behind the Velvet Rope podcast. "I have to give a lot of credit to [Chrishell] because it's been very tough on her. Obviously... dealing with that and she was so professional. She's doing better, but obviously it's still fresh."

At this time, Justin has yet to publicly address his divorce or how things played out on Selling Sunset. However, it looks like he's already put the past behind him. The This Is Us actor has sparked romance rumors with soap opera star Sofia Pernas.

As for Chrishell? It looks like she's enjoying the positive reactions to the Netflix series.

DAYS’s Deidre Hall (Marlena) To Host Virtual Scrapbooking Event

James Hong, ‘Hollywood’s most prolific actor,’ may finally get Walk of Fame star

In his legendary career, actor James Hong (ex-Sung Cho Lee, General Hospital/ex-Baba Soo Lan , Days of Our Lives/Dave Cheng & Harry Yamada, Santa Barbara) — who recently went viral as “Hollywood’s most prolific actor” — has accrued more than 600 acting credits and inspired countless careers, yet he still doesn’t have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Now, a growing group of fans is actively trying to change that for Hong, 91, whose diverse projects include “Seinfeld,” “Big Trouble in Little China” and “Blade Runner.”

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: James Hong deserves a Star on the #Hollywood Walk of Fame. I’ve already started the nomination process. Who’s with me? #StarForJamesHong,” wrote “Hawaii Five-0” and “Lost” star Daniel Dae Kim in a now viral tweet earlier this month.

Other actors including Harry Shum Jr., of “Crazy Rich Asians,” and comedian Ken Jeong have also voiced their support for Hong getting a star, CNN reported.

Roughly 30 people are selected annually to be added to the Walk of Fame, where the creation and installation of a star costs $50,000. Kim, 52, has already raised more than enough via a GoFundMe.

“This man epitomizes the term ‘working actor,’ and that’s not even taking into account all he’s done to help further representation for actors of color,” reads the fund-raiser’s description of Hong. “Let’s show this man the respect and love his career has merited by getting him a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!”

Hong himself believes his name’s absence from the Walk of Fame is more than just an oversight by the industry. In an interview with the Great Big Story podcast, he referred to it as evidence of Hollywood’s continued prejudices.

“Even to this day, 500 credits or so, I don’t have a star on the Walk of Fame. So in a sense there is a lot of hidden prejudice behind this industry. They don’t think of us, like I say, the principal person,” he told the outlet. “And I try to fight against that.”

‘Selling Sunset’ star Chrishell Stause having a ball as fans slam Justin Hartley

The soap star and real estate agent, 39, was forced to talk about her bombshell divorce during Season 3 of “Selling Sunset,” which premiered on Friday, and has kept up with fans’ comments regarding her claim that the “This Is Us” star, 43, told her that he filed for divorce via text just 45 minutes before the news broke.

Page Six reported that Hartley filed for divorce in November and cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split.

“This n—- Justin Hartley TEXTED Chrishell that he was divorcing her?!? #SellingSunset,” one fan tweeted on Saturday, to which Stause responded with a GIF of Jordan Peele sweating profusely.

“Me trying to keep it classy and not like your tweet,” she wrote back.

Stause also responded to a fan who used a GIF of Kristin Davis as Charlotte York yelling “I curse the day you were born!” at Chris Noth as Mr. Big in the “Sex and the City” movie, saying, “My favorite gif” with the laughing face emoji.

She sent a GIF of Lady Gaga hugging herself as a response to a fan who disagreed with her co-star Davina Potratz saying that there were two sides to the divorce.

And of course, Stause responded with skull emojis to a fan who commented on her presence at co-star Christine Quinn’s wedding, saying: “Chrishell didn’t deserve the fake snow assaulting her, ok!? Justin Fartley ended their marriage over a TEXT and she STILL came to support her bully’s wedding…WHILE dying on the inside?! AND DAVINA HAD THE NERVE?! NOT THIS. #SellingSunset.”

Stause’s rep didn’t immediately get back to us.

Days of Our Lives' Greg Vaughan Reveals Why He's Leaving After 8 Years: 'I Felt Like a Glorified Extra'

In an interview in the new issue of Soap Opera Digest, the Daytime Emmy winner says he started thinking of leaving the soap in 2017, shortly after he returned to the canvas following a nine-month absence. “A lot of things [storyline-wise] that were said to me or promised to me never came to fruition,” he laments to the mag. “I didn’t feel like all of the things that were being told to me were being delivered. I felt like a glorified extra in everybody else’s storyline.

“It was time,” he added. “My deal was over and that was it.”

The General Hospital alum goes on to reveal that the Days brass made a concerted effort to convince him to stay. “They put up a fight before they finally knew that I was not coming back,” he shares, before quickly adding that he remains open to returning at some point. “Never say never… I love Days of Our Lives.”

Vaughan — who is the latest in a long line of Days vets hitting the exit in the coming months (see also: Kristian Alfonso, Victoria Konefal, Galen Gering, Freddie Smith and Chandler Massey — will make his final appearance as Eric in September.

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Star Eric Martsolf & ‘Glow’ Star Britt Baron Voice Hybrid Audio/Video Podcast Series ‘Ride Share’

Digital producer Scott Zakarin, podcast host James Gavsie and media attorney Bert Benton have joined forces to develop the format under the Digital Sky banner. The video podcasts feature visual elements such as graphic novel animations or actor performances to help bring the stories and characters to life.

The company previously piloted a handful of storylines based around popular apps and has been guided by each pod’s popularity when coming up with their first series. Ride Share will be a ten-episode spinoff series based on the pilot. Set to premiere on September 1 with new episodes releasing each week, it will follow Keith (Martsolf), a dangerous con-man who preys on the public under the guise of a friendly rideshare driver.

The first visual podcast episode, available this week on YouTube, is based on Digital Sky’s Trail Less Taken, which follows the fictional story of an experienced hiker and social media influencer, performed by Caitlin Thornburn (Good Omens). In the podcast, the influencer is faced with an unpredicted torrential rainstorm, putting her in a hopeless situation with a last chance to reveal her personal truth. The pod was shot in a recording booth with props, immersive sound effects and a backdrop of visual images.

Zakarin said: “We are creating an interconnected fictional universe that pushes the boundaries of story driven podcasting. Digital Sky brings our social media and app inspired stories to life with stellar performances by gifted actors and state-of-the art sound and visual production. Ride Share and Trail Less Taken are representative of the range of visual experiences we plan to deliver in the Digital Sky universe.”

Video: One Life to Live - Reunion

Justin Hartley Texted Chrishell About Divorce ... Claims 'Selling Sunset' Star

Chrishell broke down telling co-star Mary Fitzgerald about exactly how she found out the "This Is Us" star wanted out of their marriage. It's pretty heartbreaking ... Chrishell choked back tears before revealing, "I found out because he texted me that we were filed [for divorce]."

The actress/real estate agent says at first she thought Justin was joking but pretty quickly reality set in ... adding that "45 minutes later the world knew." TMZ broke the story ... Justin filed for divorce in November 2019 after 2 years of marriage. She later strongly hinted she was blindsided by the news ... and now we know why.

Chrishell says she spoke to Justin after he dropped the bombshell on her but that was the end of their communication. She was clearly distraught ... saying even though they were only married for 2 years they were together for 6 years. She said if this is what Justin really wanted "there are better ways to go about it."

The Netflix hit "Selling Sunset" premieres season 3 beginning Friday ... and the season's storyline largely centers around the sudden end of Chrishell and Justin's marriage.

That's playing out pretty publicly -- Justin's moved on and has been photographed getting cozy with a new GF.

Isabel Durant Is the New Claire on DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Durant is from Sydney, Australia, and broke into the business as a finalist on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE AUSTRALIA in 2010. Following that, she played the role of Grace Whitney on the Aussie teen drama DANCE ACADEMY and in 2014 joined the cast of MAKO: ISLAND OF SECRETS as the mermaid Ondina. The actress also appeared in the first episode of NBC’s THIS IS US and in the film Life Itself.

The character of Claire Brady was born back in 2005 and was aged into a teenager in 2015 when DAYS brought on Olivia Rose Keegan to play the role. During her time with the soap, Keegan was nominated three times for the Daytime Emmy Award in the Younger Actress category, taking home the trophy in 2020. Although her run came to an end in July 2019, Keegan reprised her role starting in June 2020. Stay tuned to see when Durant makes her debut and how she makes the character her own.

Video: Shawn Christian and Arianne Zucker Chat

‘The Bay’ Resumes Production Amid Strict COVID-19 Protocols

The series, along with virtually the entire TV and film industry, shut down production in mid-March due to the virus outbreak. Producer LANY Entertainment tells Deadline the series has resumed shooting at a secure location outside Los Angeles County. “Strictly adhering to the newly established industry guidelines, LANY Entertainment and The Bay producers have implemented rigorous safety standards and protocols including a skeleton crew and most of the cast being quarantined on a private 800-acre property, in addition to regular COVID-19 testing, and mandatory daily temperature checks from an onset medical professional, LANY Entertainment said in a statement.

Per Amazon’s official logline, The Bay follows the affluent yet cursed Bay City residents whose lives are riddled with forbidden love, malicious lies and never-ending scandals. Socialite Sara Garrett, her youngest son Pete, and those around them face a series of dilemmas that involve rape, blackmail, sordid lovers and vindictive arch rivals.

The critically praised series is coming off its fifth Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Digital Drama Series and additional wins this year for Outstanding Lead Actor (Kristos Andrews), Outstanding Lead Actress (Jade Harlow), and Outstanding Directing in a Digital Drama Series. Over the course of its run, it has won 19 Daytime Emmy awards and received 43 nominations.

The new season is written and directed by creator/showrunner Gregori J. Martin and executive producer and executive story editor Wendy Riche. Additional writers for Season 6 include Anne Schoettle (The Young and the Restless), Nick Peet (NBC’s Grimm) Susan Dansby (Ambitions).

Karrueche Tran returns for season 6 as Vivian Johnson-Garrett. This season she and her husband Pete (Kristos Andrews) are faced with important and socially relevant issues involving heart-wrenching COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter storylines.

Season 6 cast also includes John Aprea as former Mayor Jack Madison, Vanessa Williams, who last appeared as Cleo Harris in season 2, and returns as the new Bay City mayor, and Carrington Garland as realtor Kelly Johnson.

All new episodes of Season 5 will be released later this summer, followed by the 10-episode Season 6. The new season will premiere with a two-part 10th anniversary special on September 15, with the remaining episodes slated for release in December, the date TBA.

The Bay is currently available on Amazon Prime in the U.S. and is being distributed by GRB Studios internationally.

DAYS’s Drake Hogestyn Joins Hallmark Family

Soap Faves Become First-Time Grandparents

Wilford Brimley Remembered by His Our House Co-Star Deidre Hall: 'Heaven Just Got a Lot More Interesting'

From 1986 to 1988, Brimley played family patriarch Gus Witherspoon on the NBC family drama, on which Hall played his widowed daughter-in-law, Jessie. On Instagram Sunday, Hall spoke fondly of the esteemed character actor, referring to his loss as “a great one.”

“We lost a great one yesterday,” she said. “Every day with Wilford was a life lesson. Heaven just got a lot more interesting.”

Brimley passed away in his Utah home on Saturday morning. He had recently spent days in an ICU hospital unit on dialysis.

His breakthrough role came in 1974, when he was cast in the recurring part of Horace Brimley on the aforementioned family drama The Waltons. He would go on to appear in more than a dozen made-for-TV movies before he found a starring role in Our House, which ran for two seasons. Among his most memorable TV work, though, was a series of ads for Quaker Oats breakfast cereal throughout the 1980s, as well as a string of commercials for the diabetes testing supplies service Liberty Medical.

On the big screen, Brimley appeared in such films as The China Syndrome, The Thing, The Natural and Cocoon. All told, he had more than 70 acting credits to his name.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly, and his three children.

General Hospital's Kelly Monaco Recast Temporarily With Lindsay Hartley

As reported by Daytime Confidential, Passions alum Lindsay Hartley (ex-Theresa) was tapped to fill in as Sam, replacing longtime cast member Kelly Monaco in the role.

“Some big shoes to fill…precious too,” Hartley shared on Twitter. “I hope you enjoy watching Sam as much as I have enjoyed playing her, temporarily”

Why the short-term switcheroo? Monaco’s mother fielded that burning question on Twitter, once GH fans got to fretting.

“Kelly is great and should be back on set Monday,” Carmina Monaco reassured, explaining that Kelly was sidelined by a 14-day quarantine after encountering a breathing problem with her mask on her first day back on the soap’s set. But after three COVID tests that all came up negative, “I’d say she is better than great,” Carmina said. “Thank you for all of the love” ABC recently announced that General Hospital will be back on the air with new episodes beginning Monday, Aug. 3, having resumed production after a four-month coronavirus-imposed shutdown.

GH will be the second of broadcast TV’s four daytime dramas to get back on the air with new episodes, following CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful, which returned with originals on July 21.

A return date for The Young and the Restless, which has been back in production for a week, remains TBD. NBC’s Days of Our Lives — currently in the throes of a mass cast exodus — will head back to the studio in September without any lapse in fresh material (the show benefited from having eight months of episodes banked when production was halted in March).

Live Chat with Arianne Zucker and Shawn Christian

Dishing with Digest - 7/31/20 - Rick Hearst

Kelly Monaco Temporarily Replaced By Passions' Lindsay Hartley at General Hospital

Passions, Days of Our Lives and All My Children alum Lindsay Hartley is stepping in as Sam. Hartley is only expected to fill in for a couple of weeks.

One Life to Live - Reunion 8/6/20

Kristian Alfonso talks with Access Hollywood

Eva LaRue reveals home of John Callahan broken into; car, identity stolen after death: 'It's been a nightmare'

The “CSI: Miami” star has been picking up the pieces to Callahan’s life since the longtime soap opera performer had his home ransacked and his personal and material property stolen in the days after his death due to a massive stroke. He was 66.

“It has definitely been a roller coaster because not only is my daughter [Kaya Callahan] grieving so hard, but I'm grieving separately in my way, too, because he has been my great friend,” LaRue – who was married to Callahan from 1996 to 2004 – lamented to Fox News.

“And at the same time, somebody broke into his house right after he died and stole his identity, his car, his laptop,” continued the Emmy-winner. “They have been taking out loans and credit cards in his name and they’ve siphoned money out of his bank account – it's been a nightmare. A nightmare."

LaRue, who also performed alongside Callahan on the ABC series, said trying to remedy the difficult situation has been daunting as tedious phone calls and emails have been taking much longer or have simply gotten nowhere.

“As you can imagine, every phone call is being put on hold for like 20 minutes or an hour or two hours, and then people being like, ‘I'm sorry, we can't help you.’ It's just like a bureaucratic nightmare,” LaRue said. “Every phone call that we make to try to fix the situation is just insane.”

LaRue said some progress has been made in apprehending the alleged culprit, which if the global coronavirus pandemic wasn’t enough of a burden, the predicament itself has “wreaked havoc” on their family.

“It's just sick and messed up,” fumed the actress and model. “And I mean, the good thing is that they're circling the wagons around this person. And so he's going to get caught. But in the meantime, it's wreaked such havoc for the last four months, like such crazy havoc.”

But despite the misfortune amid Callahan’s tragic passing, LaRue -- who recently took home an Emmy for outstanding guest performer for her role in “The Young and the Restless,” receiving her nomination just two weeks after Callahan’s death -- has been hard at work on the Pure Flix original limited series, “Finding Love in Quarantine."

The show was filmed entirely in isolation and with a skeleton crew.

“I thought it was such a sweet story and it was so topical how we're all just we're feeling so lonely and reaching out via social media and Zoom in all of these things -- like it was just so topical that I really wanted to do it,” LaRue said of the limited series that also stars Tom Arnold, Stacey Dash and David White.

She continued: "I just loved the love story idea and I'm sure that it actually speaks to a lot of people because I know there were a lot of people that, that was the way that they were falling in love -- was just reaching out through all this madness in any way they could.”

She said she jumped at the opportunity to play in this limited filming space because the art of human interaction has seemingly been a lost art in recent years with growing technology, social media, and pesky dating apps. Plus, the coronavirus pandemic has “forced” people back into human habits.

“It’s exactly right. It forced people – the great thing about this insane [time] is that I think there's actually been a lot of interesting positives that have come out of this whole quarantine nightmare,” explained LaRue. “And that was a lot of self-reflection – which normally none of us ever slow down enough to do – and we’ve had an inordinate amount of self-reflection time and more than we'll probably ever have in our lifetimes again.”

Added the writer and producer: “And the fact that we really realized how much we need real interaction – not just texting interaction – but how we actually need that face time and I think we all really realized how much we desperately missed human touch. There's definitely an appreciation factor that you came out of that over these last four months.”

Given the strict social distancing guidelines, LaRue said it created a “weird” dynamic filming on an empty set and praised director Matt Shapira, as well as Tommy Blaze and David White, for their creativity in bringing the project together.

“I didn't get to work with everyone because of the way we shot it – we were shooting in quarantine. So we literally had – everybody was separate so that we wouldn't all be on the same set,” LaRue explained. “So the only person I worked with was Stacey Dash and the director/cameraman and the sound/lighting person. So we were just as minimal as you could get.

“And then David White worked with his real daughter,” added LaRue. “So it's just the two of them in their house shooting. So everybody worked separately so that we could put this thing together in quarantine. David shot in his own home and then we shot in a separate home for me – and it was the director's home that Stacey and I shot in. And I don't know where they shot everybody else because I wasn't there on those days at all.”

LaRue, who also starred on “CSI: Miami” for eight seasons from 2005 to 2012, said that machine would be impossible to reproduce in the era of COVID-19 and social distancing.

“It's weird because I mean, everybody's tentatively coming back if they're coming back at all because it's so hard on a regular night – I mean, thankfully, this was a short-form series so we didn't have to meet,” she said. “But if we tried to come back with 'CSI Miami' – we had 300 people on that show between writers and producers and grips and lighting and sound and makeup and hair and wardrobe and interns and casting – all the stuff.”

“We had almost 300 people who made that whole baby run and I don't know if they could have – we simply couldn't have done it,” she added. “Maybe they could have done it with 100 people, but 100 people still wouldn't be allowed right now.”

LaRue said she empathizes with the thousands of workers in Hollywood who all of a sudden found themselves out of a job due to COVID-19 and said everyone is united in the sense that no one knows if or when their job could be pulled.

“It's going to be crazy because nobody knows anything,” she said. “I think that's the weirdest thing about this is that we've kind of trudged through life year after year, decade after decade pretty much knowing that we will have a job – some job somewhere, if not this job, another job – and that for the most part unless something really traumatic happens, there's always the hope that, 'OK, maybe this job ended but, you know, there's going to be a better one on the horizon or something better.'”

“Right now, we're all really in this crazy limbo of, 'Will it get better?' And yes, eventually. But wow," she added. "This is the first time in my whole life – maybe in all of our existence – that there is really nothing promised to any of us right now. Period.”

Kristian Alfonso Opens Up About Her Days Of Our Lives Exit: 'I Felt a Sense of Relief'

Alfonso, who starred as Hope Williams Brady on the long-running NBC soap opera for 37 years, discussed her decision to depart the show in the Aug. 3 cover story for Soap Opera Digest.

After it was reported that DOOL had scheduled production to restart on Sept. 1, Alfonso announced that she would not be coming back for season 56.

"Our executive producer, Ken Corday, and I had a conversation prior to my announcement. During the conversation, Ken told me that Ron Carlivati, our head writer, and Albert Alarr, our co-executive producer, wanted to take me off the canvas for four to five months then bring me back for a storyline involving a Navy SEAL, who would be a new love interest for Hope," Alfonso, 56, told the outlet.

"I said to Ken, 'Oh, this is the storyline that you mentioned to me a while ago.' I know Ken was really looking forward to telling this story. When he originally told me about it, I got chills. I thought, 'You know what, this could be a great story. This could be so fun.' And during our conversation, he reiterated that they felt like I needed to be off canvas for four to five months. In that moment, I thought to myself, 'I think it’s time to leave,' " she said.

Although Alfonso made lifelong memories with her castmates throughout her more than three decades on the show, she believed it was time to go.

"I’ve been there for an incredibly long time and am hugely grateful that I was able to be a part of the Days of Our Lives family for as long as I was. But in the last few years, Days of Our Lives is not the Days of Our Lives as I know it," she explained.

Four years ago, Alfonso "first thought about leaving the show in 2016 for reasons I’d rather not specify," she said in the interview. "It was around the time I lost my dad. That’s the first time I really thought, 'You know what? It’s time for me to go.' "

After speaking with producer Ken Corday, she decided to stay on, promising him "in past meetings that I would never leave the show until the last episode was shot."

But recently having "time to really think and mull things," Alfonso said she's "been really enjoying my time home with my family and catching up with my friends. It just gave me time to really reflect."

She added of making the tough decision: "I felt a sense of relief. It’s been a roller coaster, for sure."

Alfonso confirmed she has already filmed what will now be her final episode. "Because this was only just decided, nothing was planned in terms of story. My last episode will air, as of right now, October 15," she said, adding that she "would have liked to have given the fans that have been so devoted to Days of Our Lives all of these years a final good-bye, and not, 'Oh, she’s out looking for someone,' or 'She’s upstairs cleaning her room,' or 'She’s taken a trip.' "

As for the possibility of a future return, the actress said that won't happen.

"No, I’m not coming back. I’ve had a great run and so many wonderful moments on the show and worked with so many wonderful people, met so many wonderful people," she told Soap Opera Digest. "It’s time for me to start a new chapter professionally. The time has come."

Alfonso became a household name for her role as Hope Williams Brady on the drama, first appearing in 1983. She and Peter Reckell, who played her on-camera husband Bo, received a special fan award at the 2002 Daytime Emmys for America's Favorite Couple.

In a statement posted to Instagram on July 6, Alfonso announced her departure from Days.

"Days of Our Lives has been a vital part of both my personal and professional journey," she began. "I am forever grateful to NBC and the late Betty Corday, who took a chance on me many years ago and changed my life. I have built some lifelong friendships with my extraordinarily talented castmates."

"Days has one of the hardest working crews in all of television, many of whom have become part of my extended family. I feel blessed and honored to have been invited into people's homes for over three decades. However, it is now time for me to write my next chapter. I will not be returning to Days when it resumes production in September. I've already filmed my last episode several months ago," her statement concluded.

In addition to Alfonso, actor Greg Vaughan has also left the show, and Victoria Konefal announced last week that she would not be returning as a full-time cast member.

Selling Sunset Trailer: Chrishell's Divorce Takes Center Stage in Season 3

The real estate moguls of The Oppenheim Group return for a third season on Friday, Aug. 7, and if there’s one thing that the trailer makes abundantly clear, it’s that the commissions — and the drama!!! — have never been higher.

Sure, the show remains pure Los Angeles real estate porn, but the business side of things quickly gets overshadowed — much like Christine’s wedding! — by the breaking news that Chrishell’s husband, This Is Us star Justin Hartley, has filed for divorce. (The TMZ article that Christine dramatically recites in the trailer is from Nov. 22, 2019 for those of you who appreciate a complete timeline.) Mary genuinely reaches out to Chrishell in her time of need, but when the divorce is brought up publicly at Christine’s wedding — did we mention that Christine is getting married this season?! — Chrishell is in no mood to defend herself. “I don’t want to do this anymore,” she says, storming off.

LeAnn Rimes, Pharrell Williams and Jon Bon Jovi To Keynote DOJ Event On Music Licensing

The virtual event on July 28 and 29 comes as the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division reviews the ASCAP and BMI decrees, a move that would have huge implications on songwriters, artists and publishers. The workshop will be open to the public.

The event also will include panels on an array of issues related to music licensing and industry competition. Makan Delrahim, chief of the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, will deliver opening remarks, and others speaking include David Israelite, president and CEO, National Music Publishers’ Association; Michelle Lewis, Executive Director, Songwriters of North America; Elizabeth Matthews, CEO of ASCAP; Michael O’Neill, president and CEO of BMI; and Gordon Smith, president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters.

The DOJ last reviewed the consent decrees during the Obama administration, but concluded that “the current system has well served music creators and music users for decades and should remain intact.”

But the DOJ under Delrahim has been reviewing consent decrees across all industries to gauge their continued effectiveness and relevance.

Victoria Konefal Exits ‘Days Of Our Lives’ As Full-Time Cast Member

Speculation that Konefal may be leaving surfaced earlier this month following the news that Kristian Alfonso, who plays her mom on the show, is exiting Days Of Our Lives after 37 years. Konefal confirmed her departure in a statement to Deadline. According to sources, the departure is not related to Alfonso’s exit. Here is Konefal’s statement:

I cherish every moment I have spent working on Days of Our Lives. It is an honor and a privilege to work in an environment filled with so much talent and passion in every direction. The experience and knowledge I’ve accumulated over the past three years is irreplaceable, and I’m forever grateful for it. I would love the opportunity to continue working with my castmates in the future, but at this time I will not be returning as a full-time cast member.

To the cast and crew, it was an absolute pleasure working with you. To the loving and unwaveringly supportive fans, thank you. Thank you for joining me on my journey of finding Ciara Brady. It was a beautiful one. Cheers to some of the best days of my life.

Konefal has been on Days of Our Lives since 2017 and earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for her role in 2019.

As we reported earlier this month, Days of Our Lives plans to return to production on September 1. Like all other Hollywood productions, the soap suspended shooting in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic. But it has enough originals in the can to take it through early October. That includes Konefal’s last episodes as a full-time cast member.

Days of Our Lives, which in January was renewed for a 56th season, comes from Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures TV. Since the January renewal, a number of cast members have left the show, including Casey Moss, Chandler Massey, Freddie Smith, Galen Gering, Greg Vaughan and Alfonso.

Sal Stowers and Lamon Archey on Spectrum News 1

Cin Q&A with Rob Scott Wilson and Victoria Konefal

Days of Our Lives' Greg Vaughan Leaving NBC Soap After 8 Years: 'My Time Was Coming to an End'

Greg Vaughan is no longer a member of the long-running NBC soap opera’s cast, he announced in a podcast released Wednesday.

“I’ve finished my reign at Days,” Vaughan says in the July 22 episode of That’s Awesome! With Steve and Bradford, which is co-hosted by Vaughan’s former General Hospital co-stars Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson.

As TVLine exclusively reported in Nov. 2019, the entire Days cast was released from their contracts as a cost-cutting measure, three months before NBC renewed the soap for a 56th season. Vaughan referenced the incident during his chat.

“I’m taking a break, if you will. Days was going through a renewal negotiation and not knowing where they were going to go,” he said, adding that he felt his time on the daytime drama “was coming to an end, anyway.”

Vaughan has played Days‘ Eric Brady since 2012. He currently also plays Calvin on OWN’s Queen Sugar.

Earlier in July, Vaughan’s Days co-star Kristian Alfonso announced she was leaving the soap she’d worked on for nearly four decades. ” I will not be returning to Days when it resumes production in September,” she said via statement. “I’ve already filmed my last episode several months ago.”

Vaughan did not offer any information about his final airdate, but he did leave open the possibility of an eventual return. “For all my Days fans that are listening, I love you all,” he said. “It’s never over, so I’m not going to say it’s over.”

TVLine has reached out to Days of Our Lives for more information on Vaughan’s departure.

Chrishell Stause’s mother dies after battle with lung cancer

“In disbelief that you are gone,” Stause captioned a collection of family photos on Instagram. “Feeling just about every emotion, but I find comfort knowing Dad is up there taking care of you and showing you the ropes like only he could.”

Stause, 38, who lost her father to cancer in April 2019, said “there is a peace knowing” her parents are “together again.”

“Absolutely heartbreaking watching you take your last labored breath, but there is a peace knowing you two are together again, free from the pain that plagued your time here,” she continued. “A free spirit and rebel till the very end. My beautiful Mom, in your own words #F–Cancer.”

Stause then thanked those at the Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center in her native Kentucky, telling the staff their “kindness and care in this time will never be forgotten.”

In February, Stause opened up about her mom’s cancer diagnosis, two months after the Netflix star had split from husband Justin Hartley.

“I just found out today is #worldcancerday eerily on the same day I found out my mom has 1 to 2 months to live from the same lung cancer that took my dad on Easter,” Stause posted to social media at the time. “I can’t make sense of what life is teaching me yet, but my heart is with every person fighting this horrible disease and every person that it robbed a loved one from.”

Last month, Stause posted a video of her mom modeling a wig she had previously worn to an award show.

“So I wore this wig many years ago to the American Music Awards just for fun to change it up. But now since my mom has lost her hair from cancer treatment, I felt like what better time to dust it off and have a little fun?? Here’s me teaching my mom to give a good soap turn-hair flip,” she captioned the clip.

Kristian Alfonso Shares the Moment She Decided to Leave 'Days of Our Lives' After 37 Years

Alfonso said she made the choice to step away from Days of Our Lives, which airs weekdays on NBC, after she was told by executive producer Ken Corday that they were planning to write her character, Hope Williams Brady, off of the show for four to five months. Although she was told that her character would come back and have a storyline with a Navy Seal, she decided it was time for a new chapter in her life.

"And at that moment I thought to myself, you know what, it's time for a change and it was the perfect moment to make that decision," she tells ET. "I was taken aback when he said that they wanted, he and [producer] Albert wanted to take me off camera for four to five months. It was not something that had ever been discussed but that's what it was, and to come back in five to six months, or four to five months -- whatever that time frame was -- I just thought, you know what, it's time to really write a new chapter. I've had an incredible run there. I've had so many amazing friends and memories. I cannot say enough how I'll miss so many people working there and working with them, but they are in my life and we do socialize, but like I said, I think it's time."

She said the current coronavirus pandemic also led her to reevaluate certain things in her life.

"This time during COVID, which has been so horrific for our country, the world, it really made me pause and think about life and to really appreciate our health every single day and never take it for granted and that was part of my decision also," she notes. "Through all of this horror of COVID, it's the first time in my life I was actually able to exhale because I've been so busy with my life and really enjoyed just being home and really doing nothing. Maybe cooking. But just enjoying my family, my friends. Catching up. I don't know if you realize or not, but I used to have a jewelry line also on top of working on Days Our Lives and I miss it."

Alfonso acknowledged she's had a "roller coaster of emotions" since her decision, but ultimately, she doesn't have any regrets.

"I tell my children all the time, if you feel it's time for a change then it must be, and take that leap of faith and believe in yourself," she shares. "I don't know if I will continue in this business, but possibly. I have been getting calls and some interest on some projects, so we'll see."

Interestingly enough, new Days of Our Lives episodes featuring Alfonso's character are still scheduled to run until October. Alfonso explained to ET why she decided to make her announcement now instead of waiting until after her episodes finished airing.

"You know, I felt that I owed it to the audience," she shares. "The viewers who have watched for so long, I didn't want to hide anything. I've always been upfront, very honest, sometimes I get in trouble for being so honest. ... But I just felt that I really wanted to share what my decision was. I didn't want it to be a shock or a surprise when all the sudden, you know, Hope just appears in the attic or she's off looking for someone or maybe she's taken a trip or she's, I don't know what they would come up with. ... I had really thought about leaving, mulling it over I'd say probably for the last few years."

"But it was as if Ken had opened that door for me just a little bit and I opened it all the way and made the decision to depart Days of Our Lives, which, you know, was my family for such a long time," she continues. "So many milestones in my life happened on that show and I have so many incredible memories."

Alfonso shared that nobody knew of her decision to leave the show until a week ago this past Monday.

"In the storyline, I still have scripts that were supposed to be shot," she reveals. "Of course, everything is being probably rewritten because of COVID and guidelines that they have to adhere to. But that was not supposed to be the end."

"I mean, I have to say, so many people on our show and on our set have reached out to me personally, have called, emailed, text me, and the beautiful comments that they have left on my Instagram page as well," she adds. "I have to say that some of them have really, definitely choked me up because I didn't realize that certain people, they got me and they understood that everything I did was to better Days of Our Lives and not necessarily myself, personally, but whoever was in the scene with me or something that was happening. ... It's not just a workplace, but we've shared so many moments in our lives. ... But I'm very grateful for all of it."

Alfonso said that unlike other soap stars, she plans on leaving the show for good and not making any guest appearances. She also said Corday told her they would never recast her character, though ultimately, that wouldn't be her decision.

"I think that that chapter has closed and a new one needs to be started," she notes.

Alfonso did enjoy seeing footage ET showed her of when we were on the set of Days of Our Lives during a major moment on the soap in the '80s -- when Hope first married the character Bo Brady. She shared that the incredible wedding dress by designer Lee Smith actually cost over $30,000 and was handmade.

"I am a very lucky -- I would say girl, but people would say, well, you're not a girl anymore, you're a woman -- but I would say I'm just a very lucky girl," she now says, looking back at her iconic soap opera run. "I mean, I truly worked my tail off but I was very lucky to get the opportunity. Did I ever think that I would be on a show for so many years? No, I didn't. I didn't realize that, no. I never took anything for granted. Ever. Ever, ever.".

Download the Emmys App to Watch Past, Present, and Future Shows!

“Television programming and its underlying technology have each gone through immense change over the more than seven decades the Emmys have recognized excellence in both facets of our industry,” said Adam Sharp, NATAS President & CEO. “Our awards have adapted through each of these transitions. Working with Vimeo, we now bring our celebration of this dynamic community of creators to all of the devices the audience uses to watch the television programming they love.”

The platform will allow fans to watch behind the scenes interviews, clips of memorable moments, and past Emmy ceremonies. Plus, you’ll be able to watch the upcoming shows live as they happen, because this year’s Daytime Emmys were split up into multiple shows to separate out the categories. Here’s what’s coming up:

Sunday, July 19, at 9 p.m. ET: The 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards – Digital Dramas
Sunday, July 26, at 8 p.m. ET: The 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards – Children’s, Lifestyle, and Animation
Tuesday, August 11, at 8 p.m. ET: The 41st Annual Sports Emmy Awards
September 2020: The 41st Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards

The app is completely free and all you have to do is sign up. Watch The Emmys is available on the web, as well as for iOS, Android, Amazon FireTV, and Roku.

Maurice Roeves Dies: ‘The Last Of The Mohicans’ & ‘Judge Dredd’ Actor Was 83

His agent, Lovett Logan, sent a statement to the Edinburgh Evening News: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm the passing of our wonderful client, Maurice Roëves. Maurice had a hugely successful career in both theatre and screen, which spanned several decades, starting in his home country of Scotland and moving to London and the United States.

“He was loved by his legions of fans for many of his performances. As well as being a truly dedicated and gifted actor, he was also a real gentleman and a delight to have as a client. We will miss him greatly and our thoughts and love go out to Vanessa and his family.”

On the small screen, Roëves was one of the few actors to have speaking roles in both Doctor Who (four episodes in 1984) and Star Trek (when he appeared in a 1993 episode of TNG). He also co-starred in 1987 BBC miniseries Tutti Frutti alongside Robbie Coltrane.

His most recent roles include in Justin Kurzel’s feature film adaptation of Macbeth, and in the 2020 BBC drama The Nest, which shot in Scotland.

Melissa Reeves Has Not Been Fired From Days of Our Lives

Chrishell Stause responds to claims she and Justin Hartley went to therapy

“I just learned Christine is giving press ‘information’ about my divorce,” Stause, 38, tweeted on Monday. “Let me be VERY clear. She knows absolutely nothing about the situation and is obviously desperate to gain attention by doing so. Anything from her is either a complete lie or total conjecture on her part.”

Hartley, 43, filed for divorce in November, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split. Stause claimed in the trailer for her show’s upcoming third season that she was “blindsided.”

However, Quinn, 31, told us that the couple were “having communication problems for a while.”

“We heard that they were in therapy, so obviously there were some issues going on with them,” she added.

After our interview published, Stause added in a separate tweet, “It’s so frustrating and unfortunate that someone would use someone’s personal painful situation to get press for themselves. I can’t say I am surprised, but please check the source. She has absolutely zero knowledge of the marriage we had.”

When a fan tagged Quinn in Stause’s tweets, saying, “I haven’t even heard of u speaking about her marriage other than u felt sorry for her,” Quinn responded, “I didn’t say anything bad at all.”

In our interview, Quinn also praised Hartley as an “absolute doll” and “sweetheart.”

She said, “I thought that was really interesting considering the dynamic between Chrishell and I. He has been nothing but nice and supportive to us.”

A rep for Stause did not return requests for comment.

Christine Quinn reveals Justin Hartley, Chrishell Stause went to therapy before split

But her co-star, Christine Quinn, reveals the couple was seeking help for their marital issues before they split.

“We all just thought maybe they were having communication problems for a while,” Quinn, 31, told Page Six. “We heard that they were in therapy, so obviously there were some issues going on with them.”

While the reality star admitted she doesn’t know exactly what caused the exes to finally call it quits, Quinn shared that infidelity was not a topic that was ever discussed amongst the group.

In May, Hartley, 43, was spotted kissing his former “The Young and the Restless” co-star, Sofia Pernas, just six months after filing for divorce from Stause.

Quinn said fans won’t see a lot of Hartley and Stause’s relationship play out on the hit Netflix series because the former couple agreed to keep their relationship private.

“I think that was the understanding that they had is that he wanted to be totally private in regards to ‘Selling Sunset,’ which she respected,” she said. “So, we’re never going to see him on the show and we’re never going to see her talk about him, and I really don’t think there’s ever any resolve unfortunately.”

Despite her co-star’s divorce, the real estate agent had only nice things to say about Hartley, whom she said treated her very kindly even though she has had a rift with his soon-to-be ex-wife.

“I hung out with him many times and he was an absolute doll,” Quinn said. “He was an absolute sweetheart, especially to Davina [Potratz] and I, and I thought that was really interesting considering the dynamic between Chrishell and I. He has been nothing but nice and supportive to us.”

Quinn recalled an interaction at The Critics Choice Awards in June 2019, in which she felt snubbed by Stause, but welcomed by Hartley.

“We went to the Critic’s Choice Awards together, and Chrishell was ignoring me at that time, of course, and running out of the room, but [Justin] is such a gentleman,” Quinn said. “He came up and took the time to say ‘Hi’ and have a conversation with Davina and I, and he is just, he is really, really, down to earth, humble, great guy, in my opinion, so he’s always treated me with respect.”

Stause recently told Radio One’s “The Reality Tea” podcast that she blocked Quinn on social media for allegedly bringing “toxic insults and toxic energy” to her profile page. The women’s rift began when they had a blowout fight on the Season 1 finale.

However, Quinn told us she is ready to “move on” and that many of her other cast members would like them to do the same.

“The other girls and I are really great at our jobs in real estate and filming a television show, because we understand that we get in fights, but at the end of the day, we’re always able to make up,” the realtor said. “Maya [Vander] is tired of it. Heather [Rae Young] is tired of it. Davina is tired of it. Everyone is just exhausted by her ignoring me, so I hope that maybe next season we can move forward, but I’ve been trying.”

Quinn added that Stause has a “brick wall” in “every aspect of her life.”

“You’ll see that on the show,” she said. “You don’t know much about her and you never really will, so I just wish that her and I could be in a better place.”

A rep for Stause did not immediately return our request for comment.

Chrishell Stause says public divorce from Justin Hartley was ‘traumatizing’

“Unfortunately, I’m in a position where more has been shared that I would have ever chosen because this was not a choice that I made,” she said on “RealiTea with Derek Z” this week. “Nor was this the timing that I would have chosen while I was filming a show, so I’m already in a position where so much has been shared that I wouldn’t have opted for.”

Hartley, 43, filed for divorce from Stause, 38, in November after two years of marriage.

Season 3 of Stause’s Netflix reality show, “Selling Sunset,” will offer viewers a look inside the aftermath of the couple’s split.

“It’s an embarrassing, humiliating type of thing to go through without cameras and without people judging you, so I just hope people are gentle when they watch,” the real estate agent said. “We’re real people. This was a traumatizing time in my life and it’s going to be hard for me to watch it myself.”

Hartley, who stars on NBC’s “This Is Us,” appears to have recently moved on to a new relationship. He was spotted kissing his former “The Young and Restless” co-star Sofia Pernas, 30, in May.

Meanwhile, Stause is open to dating again, too, saying she would go on a date with Brad Pitt. “It’s so cliché,” she said, “but it’s cliché for a reason.”

Days of Our Lives Actor Peter Reckell's Father Dies at 92

The Days of Our Lives actor's wife Kelly Moneymaker announced the news on Twitter over the weekend, sharing a sweet photo of Reckell and his late father.

"@PeterReckell's dad, Russ Reckell, departed peacefully & surrounded by love on June 27, 2020. Peter traveled back to MI to say his final goodbye," Moneymaker shared.

"This is a pic from happier days when the Reckell men took a snow-machine trip together. 4Ever," Moneymaker said of the photo, which shows Reckell and his father posing in front of Thunder Bay Inn in Michigan.

Reckell, 65, later broke his silence on his father's death writing, "Thanks for all your condolences. My father passed with his loving family around him at the age of 92. He came from a dirt poor upbringing to raise 6 healthy, motivated, successful children."

Reckell also shared his father's final moments, writing on Twitter that he "wished he could do more for those poor people dying out there for no good reason."

"While holding my father's hand in those final days, his only regret was, he wished he could do more for those poor people dying out there for no good reason. He was concerned about all the homeless and the folks affected by this pandemic," Reckell wrote.

His father's cause of death is not immediately clear at this time.

Reckell is most known for his role as Bo Brady on the soap opera Days of Our Lives. Reckell left this show after 23 years in 2015 when his character died in the arms of wife Hope Williams Brady. Kristian Alfonso, who played Hope, announced on Monday that she will not be returning to the daytime drama series after 37 years when it resumes production on Sept. 1.

"Days of Our Lives has been a vital part of both my personal and professional journey," Alfonso, 56, began.

"I am forever grateful to NBC and the late Betty Corday, who took a chance on me many years ago and changed my life. I have built some lifelong friendships with my extraordinarily talented castmates."

"Days has one of the hardest working crews in all of television, many of whom have become part of my extended family. I feel blessed and honored to have been invited into people's homes for over three decades. However, it is now time for me to write my next chapter. I will not be returning to Days when it resumes production in September. I've already filmed my last episode several months ago."

"Finally — to the incredibly loyal fans of Days — many of you have been with me on this journey from the beginning. I cannot thank you enough for your generosity, love and support."

"I could not have done it with YOU!!!!" Alfonso concluded.

Alfonso and Reckell received a special fan award at the 2002 Daytime Emmys for America's Favorite Couple.

Kristian Alfonso Exits ‘Days Of Our Lives’ After 37 Years

“I feel blessed and honored to have been invited into people’s homes for over three decades. However, it is now time for me to write my next chapter,” Alfonso said in a statement to Deadline.

As we reported on Friday, Days Of Our Lives plans to return to production on September 1.

“I will not be returning to Days when it resumes production in September,” Alfonso said. “I’ve already filmed my last episode several months ago.”

Like all other Hollywood productions, Days of Our Lives suspended shooting in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic. But the soap had traditionally been ahead of schedule and has enough originals in the can to take it through early October. That includes Alfonso’s final episode.

Alfonso has played Hope Williams Brady on the daytime drama since 1983 and, with two brief breaks, has been on the show ever since, earning a Daytime Emmy Award nomination.

She thanked NBC and the late Days co-creator Betty Corday, “who took a chance on me many years ago and changed my life,” her castmates, crew members, as well as the show’s “incredibly loyal fans.” (You can read her full statement above.)

Introduced as Hope Williams, her character fell in love with and married Bo Brady, played by Peter Reckell. She left the show for two years in 1987 and returned briefly from April to July 1990, which culminated with the entire town of Salem believing that Hope had died. She returned again in 1994 as Gina, an amnesiac who had a marked resemblance to Hope. The character turned out to be Hope after a complicated storyline involving the evil Stefano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo) who had brainwashed Gina into believing she was Princess Gina Von Amberg. Hope, a prominent detective in the Salem Police Department, was the one to finally kill Stefano, a decision with repercussions that weighed heavily on her conscience for many years.

Days, which in January was renewed for a 56th season, comes from Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures TV.

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Sets September Production Restart Date

Corday Productions, the company behind the venerable NBC soap, on Thursday sent emails to the cast notifying them that taping new episodes would resume on September 1, I have learned. Reps for NBC, Corday and Sony Pictures TV declined comment.

When the show goes back, it may be without one of its key creative auspices, co-executive producer Greg Meng. Daytime Confidential is reporting that Meng has been let go after 30 years with Corday, most recently as VP. We will update the story as more information becomes available.

Of the other daytime dramas, CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful is in production; it has been shooting new episodes for more than a week now. CBS’ The Young and the Restless just postponed the targeted July 6 return by a week, with July 13 now eyed as the new tentative start date. ABC’s General Hospital is still on track for a potential mid-July production restart.

Days Of Our Lives, The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful and General Hospital suspended taping in mid-March amid an industrywide production shutdown due to the pandemic. While The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful and General Hospital ran out of original episodes at the end of April and began airing repeats curated into theme weeks, Days Of Our Lives has enough originals in the can to take it through early October, which is why it is not as urgent for the NBC drama to resume production.

In January, NBC renewed Days Of Our Lives for a record 56th season. Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, the show airs nationally on NBC in the U.S. and in more than 25 countries internationally. The core families are the Bradys, Hortons and DiMeras, and the storylines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

Days Of Our Lives is produced by Corday Productions, Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producers Meng and Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati is the head writer.

Alison Sweeney & Christie Clark Reunion

New Podcast Soap Opera Series FOREVER AND A DAY

The series was created by Casey Hutchison (of The Chat Podcast), who also serves as Co-Head Writer and Co-Executive Producer, alongside two time Capital City Web Award nominee Candice Mack (of Soap Party 411 and Take2Radio). Other individuals on the writing team include multi Daytime Emmy, Producers Guild, and Writers Guild of America award winner/nominee John F. Smith (formerly of The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless), multi Daytime Emmy and Writers Guild of America award nominee Thom Racina (formerly of General Hospital, Another World, Days of Our Lives, Generations, Santa Barbara, Search For Tomorrow, The Young and the Restless, and One Life To Live), and web soap opera pioneer, multi Indie Series, Capital City Web award nominee, LA Web Fest award winner, Karolina Sivas (of Broken At Love). Capital City Web Award winner James Lott, Jr. (of JLJ Media) and multi Daytime Emmy Award nominee/one-time winner, Sally Sussman Morina, serve as consultants.

The cast of 20 characters includes many well known faces as well as on-the-come-up stars. The series has brought five time Daytime Emmy Award nominee, Beth Ehlers out of acting retirement. Ehlers is best known for her role of Harley Cooper on CBS' former soap opera Guiding Light. Quinn VanAntwerp, known to Broadway audiences as Bob Gaudio in the Tony Award winning production of Jersey Boys has also signed on to be a lead in the series. The soap opera will also star Matthew Preston (of Inside Amy Schumer and 5 Dias), one time Capital City Web Award nominee and web series trailblazer Dorell Anthony (of Pride: The Series, and General Hospital), Tony Moore (of AfterBuzz TV's Dishin' Days), Jeanne Young (of Home Free and Jolted 1&2), Brandon Larkins (of Monogamy, Chronicles of Jessica Wu, and Cougar Town), Elizabeth von Isser (of Amazed By You and That 80s Guy), Brett Lawrence (of West of The Sun), Lacreita Lyon (of Afterbuzz TV), Renee Suran (of Broken At Love and Circle of Love), Tyler David (commercial actor), Khalia Davis (of 3rd Generation Female Gangsta), Kristina Sullivan (of Shenanigans), Michael Carr (of Sometimes At Night and The Gag), Benjamin Bryant (of The Brink With Benjamin Bryant), Veronica Dang (of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and The Following), and Teri Limmer. Co-Head Writer and Co-Executive Producer will also star in the series along with Script Editor and Script Writer, Karolina Sivas.

Ratings: First Daytime Emmys Telecast Since 2015 Draws 3 Million Viewers

CBS’ The Young and the Restless led the soap opera pack with eight total wins, including for Outstanding Drama, followed by sister sudser The Bold and the Beautiful and ABC’s General Hospital with four wins apiece. Going by network, CBS topped Friday night’s ceremony with 15 total wins.

Friday’s presentation was hosted by the ladies of The Talk. Additional categories, including many from the digital drama arena, are being held for additional virtual ceremonies taking place on July 19 and 26.

Elsewhere, Fox’s Friday Night SmackDown (2.2 mil/0.5) and The CW’s Masters of Illusion (795K/0.1) were both steady, with the former landing in a three-way tie for the night’s best demo rating…. ABC’s 20/20 (3.5 mil/0.5) delivered Friday’s largest total audience.

The Ben and Ciara Scene You Didn’t See in Monday’s DAYS OF OUR LIVES

DAYS headwriter Ron Carlivati took to Twitter to describe the scene for fans of this supercouple who wanted to know what they missed. “Ben’s getting dressed for work,” he wrote. “Ciara’s concerned he’s going back to the garage; he and Jake could have been killed by those mobsters. Ben reassures her the thugs were rounded up and arrested. Ciara’s worried there could be more where that came from and if the top guy doesn’t get his book back, they could go after Jake or Ben again.”

Ben then assures Ciara, “Now that we’ve found Gwen, she’s hopefully given the book back to Jake, who will return it, and then everything will be fine.” But she’s not so confident, and the scribe ended the scene on an uncertain note. “Ciara urges Ben to be careful,” Carlivati said. “It’s only a few short weeks until their wedding. Ben tells her no way would he ever let anything interfere with that. He kisses her and goes.”

Famous last words! When has a wedding in Salem ever gone off without a hitch? Stay tuned to see what drama crops up to threaten their nuptials!

Days of Our Lives' Melissa Reeves Under Fire for Anti-Black Lives Matter Stance

Earlier this week it was revealed that Reeves — who has played Jennifer Horton on the NBC sudser on and off for the past three decades — “liked” several anti-BLM posts from right-wing activist Candace Owens on Instagram.

Reeves’ Days cousin, Linsey Godfrey, wasted little time responding. After one Twitter user defended Reeves’ right to express her opinion, Godfrey countered, “Nah there is no difference of opinion on racism, homophobia, transphobia and xenophobia.”

When another fan noted that she found Reeves to be “completely lovely and non-judgmental” after encountering her at several Days fan events, Godfrey responded, “Yea but even the nicest people can have awful views. Plenty of nice people have awful moral compasses. I can’t associate w/ it because it makes me a hypocrite. I condemn all those hateful & harmful beliefs.”

Days actor Lamon Archey, who is Black, liked Godfrey’s post taking Reeves to task. He then shared the rather pointed gif.

This is not the first time Reeves has come under fire for her controversial views. Several years ago, she incurred the wrath of the LGBTQ community when she expressed support for antigay fast food chain Chick-fil-A, tweeting, “Land of the free and home of the brave. Love that we all appreciate free speech, right?”

The proprietor of the popular Instagram fan account “Days of Our Lives Classics,” condemned Reeves’ stance in an early Wednesday post. “Being a racist/bigot is not something we should tolerate/ignore/accept,” read the caption. “I know Missy is Days vet and a lot of us have loved her every since she came to Salem in 1985. But I just can’t support this kind of behavior. It’s not acceptable.”

Despite being on a production hiatus since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Days has enough original episodes banked to last into fall.

Reps for Days, NBC and Sony Pictures Television declined to comment for this story.

Testing Emerges As A Main Hurdle To Production Restart Amid Pandemic

And yet, in the current final stage of setting guidelines to get cameras rolling again, testing surprisingly has become one of the biggest stumbling blocks in reaching a consensus between studios and the Hollywood guilds and unions so production can resume.

The issue is not whether there should be testing — both sides are in agreement on that — but how exactly it should be implemented, including frequency and type of tests used.

The problem was exposed when The Bold and the Beautiful last week restarted production but was forced to temporarily shut down after one day of shooting to adjust testing protocols. There has been speculation there were a number of positive or inconclusive test results that were deemed unreliable, creating a chaotic situation that led to the production pause for testing to be sorted out. Shooting is slated to resume today.

The major Hollywood studios, unions and guilds collaborated on the June 1 White Paper for reopening in a pre-vaccine environment, which emphasized “regular, periodic testing” with protocols to be developed by employers “in conjunction with, and approved by, the Unions and Guilds.”

The unions and guilds on June 12 released their detailed safety protocols. The DGA led the union effort to create the guidelines, based in part on models by Columbia University’s Jeffrey Shaman regarding the effectiveness of various testing protocols. The models show reduced risk of acquiring infection on set with weekly testing, further risk reduction when testing every three days, and its elimination with testing daily.

As a result, DGA, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE and the Teamsters require that, in addition to every member of the cast and crew being tested for active COVID-19 infection before their first day of work, for performers “a higher testing frequency of at least three times a week at minimum for them as well as those with whom they come into close contact.” (Those working in production offices with physical distancing and PPE are required to be tested at a minimum of once a week.)

The very high frequency of testing requested by the guilds, combined with the myriad largely unproven tests available (many of them of questionable accuracy), has created a sticking point in the studios’ negotiations with the unions and the guilds, with some studio sources indicating that the extensive testing requirements may not be feasible.

When the coronavirus started spreading, the Food and Drug Administration used its emergency powers to OK scores of quickly devised tests based mainly on small, often inadequate lab studies because the need was so great. Sifting through all the options is creating a challenge for Hollywood.

The nasal swab test is considered the most accurate, but it also is the most invasive as it activates a person’s lachrymal and gag reflex. It is very uncomfortable, as best described by Anna Davis Abel in a video featured on John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight; in it, she says, right after being tested, that “they just pulled out my brain out through my nostril,” and compares the sensation to her brain being impaled. (You can watch it below at the 6-minute mark.)

A far more palatable option is a saliva-based test. While there have been some promising lab results about that type of test, those are considered less accurate than the nasal swab ones.

I hear The Bold and the Beautiful, whose experience restarting production is now being studied by other shows to help avoid potential pitfalls, used saliva tests, which triggered the confusing results. I hear the show has since switched to nasal swab tests.

With questions surrounding the accuracy of testing — a recent study of five commonly used coronavirus tests revealed detection in the range of 60%-80% of infections — there is uncertainty about return-to-work safety protocols, built on the premise that “Testing is the key to the resumption of production,” as the DGA, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE and the Teamsters put it in their proposal.

Unless the pandemic starts slowing down, which does not appear to be in the cards for Los Angeles in the coming months, the casts of TV series and the crew closest to them may have to be subjected to painful nasal swab tests multiple times a week every single week to help keep the set safe and production going.

Blake Berris Puts Price on Silver Lake Home

Just over two years ago, soap opera veteran Blake Berris, who appeared in nearly 1,450 episodes of “Days of Our Lives,” paid “Deadpool” star Morena Baccarin a bit less than $2.1 million for a 1930s knoll-topping traditional in the hills above L.A.’s Silver Lake Reservoir that he and his wife, Alexandra McGuinness, writer-director daughter of Paul McGuinness, the former manager of U2, now have back up for sale at close to $2.5 million.

Listings held by Alyssa Valentine and Kurt Wisner of Compass show that the roughly 3,200-square-foot two-story house was designed by architect Winchton L. Risley and retains much original character alongside modern-day creature comforts. The home sits high and privately above a street-level garage with five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The step-down living room features a giant picture window and a full wall of pine built-ins, while a dining room and separate butler’s pantry/breakfast nook provide passage to an updated retro-inspired kitchen with a restored vintage range. A main floor guest bedroom or office spills out to a dining terrace just outside the kitchen, and two more guest bedrooms upstairs share a bathroom with minty green vintage tile work. Another vintage-tiled Jack-and-Jill bathroom separates the spacious second-floor master bedroom — it includes a small dressing room and is plenty roomy enough to accommodate a cozy sitting area — from a rustically paneled den/bedroom complete with fireplace and built-in desk. French doors lead to a large deck and an expansive, flat and grassy yard that overlooks the surrounding hills and reservoir.

Property records indicate that Berris and McGuinness also maintain a desert getaway, a two-parcel multi-residence compound in Yucca Valley, Calif., they scooped up about three years ago for a tad more than $200,000.

Annie Lennox, Kristin Chenoweth And Kelly Clarkson Among Performers For Project Angel Food Telethon

Lead With Love: Project Angel Food Emergency Telethon will air from 7 PM to 9 PM PT on KTLA 5 in Los Angeles and stream live on the channel’s website and on the Project Angel Food page.

The goal is to raise $500,000 to support Project Angel Food’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, set up for increased needs due to the coronavirus. In the past two months, the organization has gone from serving 1,600 people a day, to serving 2,000 people a day.

Also scheduled to perform are CeeLo Green, Deborah Cox and Billy Idol, and the event will include appearances by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Elton John, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sharon Stone and Marie Osmond and others. (See below).

Founded in 1989 during the AIDS crisis, Project Angel Food medically tailored meals to people with life-threatening illnesses, including those who are at high risk for COVID-19.

“This event will blend the best nostalgic elements from the Jerry Lewis Telethon with the modern virtual fundraisers of today,” Project Angel Food executive director Richard Ayoub said in a statement.

With a mix of in-studio and virtual appearances, the telethon also will include a live phone bank where callers can talk to celebrity guests, including Jonathan Adams, Joely Fisher, Rachel Lindsay, Peter Porte, Charlie Carver, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Lawrence Zarian, Sasha Roiz, and Lauren Tom. The event is being presented by City National Bank, and executive producer is Brad Bessey. Lisa Foxx will serve as announcer and auctioneer Gabriel Butu will be the money man.

More information on the event and how to donate is here.

Others scheduled to appear include Zachary Levi, Pauley Perrette, Marianne Williamson, John Goodman, Valerie Bertinelli, Marlee Matlin, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Olivia Newton-John, Kelly Osbourne, Margaret Cho, Charo, Danny Trejo, Matt Bomer, Cheryl Tiegs, Deborah Cox, Tyler Henry, Carson Kressley, Chrissy Metz, Sandra Lee, Lisa Rinna, Harry Hamlin, Jimmy Smits, Victoria Principal, Yvette Nicole Brown, Eileen Davidson, Loni Love, Chaz Dean, Sasha Alexander, Ron Cey and Josh Flagg.

Daytime Emmys Sets Presenters, Announces On-Air Categories

CBS announced the line-up today, along with the categories to be presented on-air. (See the complete list below.)

Joining the previously announced hosts Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, Eve, Carrie Ann Inaba and Marie Osmond will be presenters and performers including Gayle King (CBS This Morning), Kelsey Grammer (Light as a Feather), Melody Scott Thomas (The Young and the Restless), Kathie Lee Gifford (Today Show), Cookie Monster (Sesame Street), Scott Evans (Access Hollywood), Patrika Darbo (The Bold and the Beautiful), Kevin Frazier (Entertainment Tonight), Wayne Brady (Let’s Make a Deal), Michael Strahan (Strahan, Sara & Keke), James Reynolds (Days of Our Lives), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (The Bold and The Beautiful), Maurice Bernard (General Hospital), Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest (Live with Kelly and Ryan), Nate Burleson (Extra), Sunny Hostin (The View) and Eric Braeden (The Young and the Restless).

This year, awards in the leading categories will be presented virtually, with recipients and other guests appearing from home. Additional categories will be announced on the Daytime Emmys’ social media accounts simultaneously with the CBS broadcast, with some immediately following the broadcast and others streamed in separate virtual ceremonies on July 19 and July 26.

The 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be broadcast Friday, June 26, 8-10 PM ET/PT) on CBS.

Categories scheduled for the CBS broadcast include:

Outstanding Drama Series

Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Outstanding Entertainment News Show

Outstanding Writing Team for a Drama Series

Outstanding Digital Drama Series

Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host

Outstanding Game Show Host

Outstanding Game Show

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series

Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show

Outstanding Informative Talk Show

Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series

Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program

Outstanding Special Class Special

Outstanding Culinary Series

Outstanding Morning Show

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Selling Sunset's Chrishell Stause Gives Her Mom Her Old Wig as She Undergoes Cancer Treatment

On Wednesday, Stause, who is currently visiting family in Murray, Kentucky, shared some videos of her mom wearing one of her old wigs, which she had worn to the event "for fun to change it up."

"So I wore this wig many years ago to the American Music Awards just for fun to change it up," Stause, 38, explained in the caption for a video with her mom. "But now since my mom has lost her hair from cancer treatment, I felt like what better time to dust it off and have a little fun?? Here’s me teaching my mom to give a good soap turn-hair flip."

In the clip, the luxury realtor exclaims over the wig as someone off-camera says, "I love it!"

"Oh, look at this!" she says as her mom gives a big smile. Later in the video, the mother-daughter duo give the camera a dramatic hair flip and her mom jokingly says, "You b—!"

On her Instagram Stories, Stause shared some footage from a post-cancer treatment meal out, showing her mom wearing the long brunette wig as the pair enjoyed sweet tea, chicken and dumplings and pie.

In February, Stause shared a photo from a visit with her sister to her mom's chemotherapy session.

"Staying positive and laughing in the chemo room with my mom & sis. Make the most of today ??????," she wrote in the caption.

On February 4, the All My Children star said on Instagram that a doctor had told her that her mom had only one to two months to live "from the same lung cancer that took my dad on Easter."

"I can’t make sense of what life is teaching me yet, but my heart is with every person fighting this horrible disease and every person that it robbed a loved one from," she wrote, before adding an update that said another doctor suggested chemotherapy and radiation, to which her mom "responded positively."

"The results of her new round of tests & updated prognosis is much better than before and she is a fighter! THANK YOU for every prayer said for her," she added.

The former soap opera star is "doing a lot better" recently after ex Justin Hartley suddenly filed for divorce last November, her Selling Sunset costar Mary Fitzgerald told PEOPLE last month.

"She's such a strong woman, I wouldn't have been able to go through it like she did in the public eye, but she's very strong, and she's just so down-to-earth and a trustworthy person, which is hard to find here in L.A.," Fitzgerald said.

In December, a source had told PEOPLE that the actress was "still reeling" from the split.

The second season of Selling Sunset dropped on Netflix last month, and Fitzgerald told PEOPLE that she had Stause have "got each other's back."

The season's final episode teases Stause and Hartley's divorce as a storyline in the upcoming season 3.

Dishing with Digest - 6/19/20 - Thaao Penghlis

Daytime Emmy Broadcast Sets ‘The Talk’ Panel As Hosts

The awards will be presented virtually on Friday, June 26 on CBS, with leading category recipients and special guests appearing from their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional categories will be announced simultaneously on Twitter, with others presented in a separate ceremony in July.

This year marks the 14th time CBS has broadcast the Daytime Emmys, more than any other network. The show will be produced by NATAS and Associated Television International, which produced the 2009 Daytime Emmys on the CW as well as the most recent CBS broadcasts of the event in 2010 and 2011.

ABC soap General Hospital leads all shows and CBS and Amazon Prime Video top all networks in nominations. For a complete list, go here.

The 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards is set for Friday, June 26, 8 p.m. ET/PT, on CBS.

Video: Judi Evans Explains Why Her Legs Were Nearly Amputated: ‘They Blew Up So Fast’

Y&R’s Tracey E. Bregman Sues Insurance Company

John Enos Reports He is Cancer-Free

Although Enos’ most recent daytime appearance was as an Elvis impersonator on DAYS OF OUR LIVES in 2017, he’s probably best known by soap fans for his run as Bobby Marsino on CBS sudser THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS from 2003-05. Fans may also have seen the actor in primetime on MELROSE PLACE or in guest appearances on shows like NYPD BLUE, CSI: NY, or BLUE BLOODS.

Enos shared the pictures on June 11, one day before celebrating his birthday. And thanks to the skilled doctors and nurses who were able to safely remove the melanomas, he will be around to celebrate many more of them.

Emmy Performance Highlights: Lead Actress Nominees

Emmy Performance Highlights: Guest Performer Nominees

Dishing with Digest - 6/12/20 - Stephen Nichols

Emmy Performance Highlights: Supporting Actor Nominees

Emmy Performance Highlights: Young Performer Nominees

Mélange Cast Chat

Emmy Performance Highlights: Outstanding Leading Actor Nominees

DAYS’s Judi Evans Contracts Coronavirus In Hospital

Emmy Performance Highlights: Supporting Actress Nominees

Emmy Performance Highlights: Nominees for Best Drama

Melange Cast Chat 6/11/20

Dream Street's Chris Trousdale Dead at 34 From COVID-19

The ex-boy band pop star passed away Tuesday night at a hospital in Burbank, CA due to complications from COVID-19 -- this according to a family member.

Chris joined the band in 1999 along with Jesse McCartney, Greg Raposo, Matt Ballinger and Frankie Galasso -- several of whom were scouted from the NYC acting and Broadway scene, including Chris. He was no more than 14 years old at the time he was brought in.

The group lasted only a few years before disbanding in 2002 due to legal issues between the boys' parents and management. Still, in that short amount of time ... they were able to build a fan base and crank out a few hits along the way, accompanied by two albums.

Their biggest single, "It Happens Every Time," peaked at #48 on the charts. Following his Dream Street days, Chris went on to forge a career for himself as a solo artist in the Disney game -- perhaps most memorably, music-wise, were his features on Play's "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" as well as Nikki Cleary's cover of "You're the One That I Want."

He also appeared in a handful of shows too after making a bit of a comeback following his disappearance from the limelight in the 2000s, having starred on stuff like "Days of Our Lives," "Shake It Up," "Austin & Ally" and "Lucifer." Before he broke out on the Hollywood scene, he'd had a successful career on Broadway as a child actor in the Big Apple.

He was 34.

Huge DAYS Returns Revealed!

Dishing with Digest - Steve Burton - 5/29/20

Y&R Vet to Days

Video: All My Children Reunion 5/22/20

DAYS’s Judi Evans Recuperating From Fall

‘Selling Sunset’ teases Chrishell Stause, Justin Hartley split

A teaser at the end of the last episode hints that cast member Chrishell Stause and “This Is Us” star Justin Hartley’s divorce will be a prominent storyline next season.

In the clip, a wedding photo of Stause, 38, and Hartley, 43, is shown being torn apart while a voice-over states, “Chrishell Stause is dealing with change. Her husband, ‘This Is Us’ star Justin Hartley, filed for divorce.” Stause is then pictured with her back to the camera looking out of a window.

The teaser then cuts to Stause telling co-star Mary Fitzgerald, “I’m just kind of in shock with it all.” Fitzgerald then asks, “He just blindsided you?”

Over footage of Stause hugging friends, her voice can then be heard saying, “I love him so much. This was my best friend. Who do I talk to now?”

Hartley and Stause tied the knot in October 2017 after dating for three years. Hartley’s “This Is Us” co-stars, Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Chrissy Metz and Sterling K. Brown were in attendance.

But in 2019, just two years later, Hartley filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.

Hartley was previously married to “Passions” actress Lindsay Korman, with whom he shares a 15-year-old daughter.

Video: Mélange (Pilot) w/ Morgan Fairchild, Scott Evans, Robert Newman & More! | Logo TV

Cast of characters:

Morgan Fairchild (Golden Globe nominee, Two-time Emmy nominee, Flamingo Road, Falcon Crest, Cybil, Friends): Vivian King - One of the world's leading hotel moguls. She feels her ex-husband Syd used and betrayed her to gain his inheritance and open Mélange. With Syd gone, Vivian is out for vengeance.

Scott Evans (Grace and Frankie, One Life to Live, Daytime Divas): Ryann Parker - As Syd's protége and manager of Mélange, he will fight to preserve Syd's legacy and keep Mélange out of the hands of Vivian.

Robert Newman (Two-time Emmy nominee, Guiding Light, House of Cards): Dorian Sydney "Syd" Winchester - A prominent figure in the LGBTQIA+ movement, Syd opened Mélange with a trust fund he inherited. In order to receive this fund, he needed to be married to a woman. In 1975, he married his close friend Vivian.

Ilene Kristen (Two-time Emmy nominee, One Life to Live, Ryan's Hope, General Hospital): Dolly Faye - The eyes and ears of Mélange, she has been there since day one.

Omar Sharif Jr. (LGBTQIA+ Activist and Model): Zayn Hadid - Ryann's loyal boyfriend and bar back at Mélange. As a Syrian immigrant, his work visa has expired and he fears deportation.

Diana DeGarmo (American Idol season 3 runner up, The Young and the Restless): Melissa Bennett - A server at Mélange, she was a runaway who met Ryann during their tumultuous teenage years. She carries an unrequited torch for Ryann and is currently sleeping with Hunter.

Anne Ramsay (Mad About You, The L Word, A League of Their Own): Carter Sendroff - Syd's attorney and Dolly's wife. She is tough, but her moral compass is immovable.

Maya Days (Rent, Aida, FX's Damages, worldwide #1 hit single "Feel It" [The Chimney Song]): Carroll Davis - The Global Head of Operations for King Enterprises. She is bound to Vivian for mysterious reasons.

Kristen Alderson (Emmy winner, One Life to Live, General Hospital): Abigail Collins - Ryann's sister who recently escaped their mother's religious cult in search of her brother.

Laith Ashley (Strut): Detective Alexander Thomas - The district's first transgender police officer, he got his start as security at Mélange.

David Gregory (One Life to Live, The Good Fight, Constantine): Hunter Black - A young documentarian making a film about Mélange's 40th anniversary. However, he may have captured more footage than he bargained for.

Perez Hilton (Celebrity blogger and television personality): Briggs Baxter - an infamous gossip columnist who founded BriggsBaxter.com and has no problem exposing other people's secrets.

Mark Indelicato (Ugly Betty, Dead of Summer): JJ Marshal - JJ works several jobs, including being a bar back at Mélange, a barista at the coffee shop, and an escort to pay for medical school. He is dating Genesis, but his escorting is a secret.

Alex Newell (Glee, Zoe's Extraordinary Playlist): Genesis - Mélange's resident performer with a heart of gold and a history of substance abuse. Genesis identifies as gender-fluid.

Jessica Leccia (Guiding Light, One Life to Live): Eva Sotomayor - Vivian King's cutthroat attorney. She has her eye on Mélange and rival attorney Carter Sendroff.

Darnell Williams (Emmy winner, Golden Globe winner, NAACP winner, All My Children, The Young and the Restless): Dr. Max Bradshaw - Syd's longtime doctor. He was with Syd when he died. He is currently working on controversial new medicines.

Pamela Winslow Kashani (Star Trek: The Next Generation): Meredith Scott - A political activist and Mélange regular who is always ready to organize for a worthy cause.

Video: One Life To Live Reunion

The CW Sets Music Collaboration Special Featuring TLC

Based on the hit Korean format Immortal Songs: Singing the Legends, Iconic: TLC features four artists – country music duo Locash, R&B/hip-hop duo Ceraadi, pop singer MAX and singer-songwriter Ally Brooke — performing covers of TLC’s biggest hits. TLC and the artists will be connected by video chat to watch the at-home performances, then TLC will select one of the artists to collaborate with in the final performance of the show. Music fans can hear the exclusive songs on iHeartRadio stations across the country the following day, Tuesday, June 2, and re-watch the performances and show on The CW app and CWTV.com for free.

Immortal Songs: Singing the Legends has aired over 425 episodes to date on KBS (Korean Broadcasting Station).

Iconic: TLC hails from Critical Content in partnership with iHeartMedia and executive produced by Tom Forman, Jenny Daly and Matthew Pickel from Critical Content, John Sykes, Tom Poleman and Marissa Morris from iHeartMedia. Eunhui Jong and Michael Dempsey are also Executive Producers.

Reunited ‘Teen Wolf’ Cast And Creator To Kick Off New ‘MTV Reunions’ Digital Series

The Teen Wolf show will mark the launch of a new digital series, MTV Reunions, hosted by MTV Newscaster Josh Horowitz. The series will air on the MTV YouTube channel and this show benefits the First Responders First charity.

MTV will continue the series with other reunions of cast members from television’s most memorable shows, all with the purpose of raising money for charitable causes.

For this first show, MTV is bringing back Teen Wolf series creator Jeff Davis and cast members Orny Adams, Linden Ashby, Ian Bohen, Charlie Carver, Max Carver, Arden Cho, Cody Christian, Shelly Henning, Dylan O’Brien, Melissa Ponzio, Tyler Posey, Holland Roden and Dylan Sprayberry. All will appear virtually in this socially distant age, as they reflect on the series and its most memorable moments.

MTV’s Teen Wolf, which was produced by MGM Television, first premiered nine years ago on June 5th, 2011 and continued for six seasons. The supernatural drama follows Scott McCall (Tyler Posey), a high school student who is bitten by a werewolf and must cope with its effects on him, his friends, and his family.

The virtual reunion also coincides with MTV’s launch of #AloneTogether, a global talent and social media-driven campaign that educates young people on the importance of social distancing in order to flatten the curve of the coronavirus.

All rights were donated by MGM Television in an effort to ensure that 100% of proceeds could go to help first responders.

Daytime Emmys to Air on CBS in June; Winners, Guests Appearing Remotely

According to CBS, the broadcast will only include leading categories, with recipients and special guests appearing virtually from home. Additional categories will be announced on Twitter (@DaytimeEmmys) during the broadcast, while others are being held for a separate ceremony happening in July.

This announcement marks a major win for the Daytime Emmys, which have been relegated to an online live stream for the past four years. The ceremony last aired on television in 2015 via Pop TV.

Nominations in key categories will be announced during on Thursday, May 21 during The Talk (CBS, 2 pm), with the rest being posted on ETOnline.com.

“As a leader in daytime, we are thrilled to welcome back the Daytime Emmy Awards,” Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President of Specials, Music and Live Events, said in a statement. “Daytime television has been keeping viewers engaged and entertained for many years, so it is with great pride that we look forward to celebrating the best of the genre here on CBS.”

“The Daytime Emmys are coming home,” adds Adam Sharp, President & CEO of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. “For generations, daytime television has been a source of comfort and continuity that’s never been more important. We’re delighted to join with CBS in celebrating the programs and professionals who never cease to brighten our days.”

'Scarface' Actor Geno Silva Dead at 72

His "Scarface" role, where he played The Skull and forever silenced Tony Montana [for the youngins ... Al Pacino played him). It's one of the most memorable scenes in what may be the greatest movie ever made ... agree to disagree.

Geno did it all ... he starred on Broadway, movies and TV. Some of the TV credits -- "Miami Vice," "Star Trek: Enterprise and Alias," and "Key West."

As for his movie credits ... "Scarface" is definitely the most memorable, but there were many others. Geno was a true working actor.

Geno leaves behind a big family, including his wife, Pamela, daughter Lucia and 2 grandchildren. The Hollywood Reporter first reported the story.

The family asks that any donations be made to The Ass'n for Frontotemporal Dementia.

Geno was 72.

Video: PASSIONS CAST ZOOM REUNION!!

Permanent Resident By Kelly Moneymaker starring Peter Reckell

‘THE STORY OF SOAPS,’ A TWO-HOUR TELEVISION EVENT

“The Story of Soaps” explores how no genre of television has laid deeper roots into our cultural consciousness and serialized storytelling than the soap opera. In today’s shifting television landscape, “The Story of Soaps” traces how female creators migrated from radio to television to become the dominant force in daytime for more than three decades. Today, that legacy is alive and well all over prime time and reality, and much of what propels modern television traces its roots back to those first sprawling, steamy storylines. “The Story of Soaps” takes an extensive look at this iconic, impactful genre and the cultural phenomenon its massive impact has had on the world at large.

“The Story of Soaps” brings together an impressive company of experts and familiar voices to help illustrate this remarkable story (listed alphabetically by first name):

Abigail De Kosnik, author

Agnes Nixon, creator of “All My Children”

Alec Baldwin, actor

Allan Sugarman, co-founder of Soap Opera Festivals Inc.

Andy Cohen, creator

Angela Shapiro-Mathes, executive

Brad Bell, executive producer

Bryan Cranston, actor

Carol Burnett, actor

Chandra Wilson, actor

Chris Van Etten, writer

David Jacobs, creator

Deidre Hall, actor

Denise Richards, actor

Donna Mills, actor

Drake Hogestyn, actor

Eddie Mills, actor

Eileen Davidson, actor and reality star

Erika Jayne, “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”

Erika Slezak, actor

Finola Hughes , actor

Genie Francis, actor

Greg Vaughan , actor

James H. Brown, writer

Jill Farren Phelps, executive producer

John Aniston, actor

John McCook, actor

John Stamos, actor

Jon Hamm, actor

Jonathan Murray, executive producer

Joyce Becker, co-founder of Soap Opera Festivals Inc.

Kate Coyne, editorial director, entertainment, PEOPLE

Ken Olin, executive producer

Krista Smith, consultant

Laura Wright, actor

Lorraine Broderick, head writer

Marc Samuel, actor

Marc Cherry, creator

Mark Teschner, casting director

Mary Crosby, actor

Maurice Benard, actor

Melody Thomas Scott, actor

Shelly Altman, head writer

Susan Lucci, actor

Susan Sullivan, actor

Vivica A. Fox, actor

Yhane Smith, creator of “Harlem Queen”

Video: Daytime Cares Live Event

Passions Reunion Chat 5/12/20

Confirmed to attend are cast members Juliet Mills (ex-Tabitha), James Hyde (ex-Sam), Marianne Muellerleile (ex-Norma), Kim Ulrich (ex-Ivy), McKenzie Westmore (ex-Sheridan), Lindsay Hartley (Theresa), Charles Divins (Chad), Brook Kerr (ex-Whitney), Andrea Evans (ex-Rebecca), Silvana Arias (ex-Paloma), Heidi Murray (ex-Kay), Erin Cardillo (ex-Esme) and Phillip Jeanmarie (ex-Vincent/Valerie). Additional attendees will be announced closer to the reunion date.

The reunion will take place on Tuesday, May 12 at 2:00 p.m. EDT/11:00 a.m. PDT on the Soap Opera Royalty YouTube channel.

Dishing with Digest - 5/8/20 - Wes Ramsey

Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson break up after nearly two years together

The model, 27, and the “Pretty Little Liars” actress, 30, reportedly spilt in early April, People reported on Wednesday.

“Cara and Ashley always had their ups and down before but it’s over now,” a source told the outlet. “Their relationship just ran its course.”

Delevingne and Benson first sparked dating rumors in May 2018 when they were spotted holding hands while out in New York. Although many suspected they were an item, the couple didn’t confirm their relationship until June 2019, when Delevingne posted a video of her kissing Benson on social media.

Over the course of their relationship, Benson got two tattoos referencing her relationship with the model. The first, a “CD” on her side, and the second, the word “squishy” on her hip, an apparent nickname for Delevingne.

“I feel like I’ve known you my entire life and I am so proud of watching you grow into the woman that you always dreamt of being,” Delevingne wrote to Benson in a sweet 30th birthday message in December. “I love you beyond words my sprinkles, choonchi, angel face, grumpy ass, sweet cheeks, never boring, buttmunch, Benson ????????”

Benson replied to the post, “Love you my choonchie pet. My best friend. My kween. ??”

Delevingne previously dated singer St. Vincent and has been linked to Paris Jackson and singer Rita Ora, whose 2018 song “Girls” was allegedly inspired by her relationship with the “Paper Towns” actress. Meanwhile, Benson was on-again, off-again with Ryan Good, best known for being Justin Bieber’s stylist and an executive producer on the TV series “Punk’d,” for three years.

Reps for the pair did not immediately return our request for comment.

Daytime Cares: A Live Event Scheduled

The event can be viewed here and in addition to those mentioned above, will feature:

Lamon Archey (Eli, DAYS), Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH), Ian Buchanan (ex-Duke, GH et al), Crystal Chappell (ex-Carly, DAYS et al), James DePaiva (ex-Max, ONE LIFE TO LIVE et al), Kassie DePaiva (ex-Eve, DAYS et al), William deVry (Julian, GH), Chad Duell (Michael, GH), Andrea Evans (ex-Tina, ONE LIFE TO LIVE et al), Linsey Godfrey (Sarah, DAYS), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen, DAYS), Bill Hayes (Doug, DAYS), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie, DAYS), Finola Hughes (Anna, GH), Michael E. Knight (Martin, GH), Kyle Lowder (Rex, DAYS), Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, GH), Sofia Mattsson (Sasha, GH), Eric Martsolf (Brady, DAYS), Robert Newman (ex-Josh, GUIDING LIGHT), Wes Ramsey (Peter, GH), James Reynolds (Abe, DAYS), Melissa Reeves (Jennifer, DAYS), Scott Reeves (ex-Steven, GH et al), Emme Rylan (Lulu, GH), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis, Y&R), Paul Telfer (Xander, DAYS), Heather Tom (Katie, B&B), Jordi Vilasuso (Rey, Y&R), Cynthia Watros (Nina, GH), Maura West (Ava, GH), Josh Swickard (Chase, GH), Kim Zimmer (ex-Reva, GUIDING LIGHT)

The Longest Days of Our Lives: Chapter 3

Dishing with Digest - 5/1/20 - Haley Pullos

One Life to Live Reunion Chat 5/14/20

DAYS Releases Fun Spoof On The DOOL App

Video: Guiding Light Chat 4/29/20

Daytime Emmys Go Remote as NATAS Cancels In-Person Award Ceremonies

Originally scheduled to take place in Pasadena, Calif., from June 12 to 14, the Daytime Emmy Awards were postponed last month to a new, undetermined fall date. Now, as stay-at-home measures due to the coronavirus pandemic are expected to prevent large-scale gatherings for months to come, NATAS is mulling how and when to produce a remote streaming show for all of its various Emmy awards.

“The most important factors for us are twofold: To properly recognize the talents and achievements of those in our community and to do it in a safe way,” said NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp. “With those things in mind, we recognize that putting a thousand people or more into a room anytime this year was not going to satisfy the second prong of that test. And so, it became, take the auditorium gatherings off the table and focus all our energies on priority number one, recognizing excellence.”

Much like NATAS’ New York chapter did last weekend with its own local Emmy awards, the Daytime, Sports, News & Documentary, and Technology & Engineering Emmys will be presented in a series of productions utilizing multiple remote video production technologies to feature nominees and presenters.

Before NATAS confirms a new date for the Daytime Emmys (which could wind up being sooner than the fall), the org is focused on announcing this year’s nominations. Those nods were originally slated to be revealed this week, but are now expected to be shared in mid-May. “We extended the judging window to give some of our judges a little bit more time to complete their work,” Sharp said. “Certainly, everyone’s life has been upended of late. Without a hard date we need to hit on the ceremony side, that gives us some breathing room in each of the competitions to make sure that the judging is as thorough and complete as we would like it to be — and not have to make compromises there just to keep to a calendar.”

Among this year’s other NATAS ceremonies, the 71st Technology & Engineering Emmys were originally slated for April 19 at the NAB Show in Las Vegas; now they’re expected to be announced in October. The 41st Sports Emmys, scheduled for April 28 in New York, will now be revealed in the fall; and the 41st News & Documentary Emmys, originally set to be held in New York this September, will still take place then — but via virtual means.

“Once we have the nominees identified so we have a better feel for who the players are and the nominees that we need to engage for each of these, then we’ll get a sense for the capacity and capability to do things live or pre-recorded and the different types of formats we can experiment with,” Sharp said.

Each ceremony or even categories may be handled a bit differently. In news, for example, much of the talent is already anchoring from home every day. The same goes for daytime talk shows that have adapted to remote production.

“So there’s certainly broadcast level infrastructure to have live connectivity to some of those folks,” Sharp said. In other cases, it might be pre-recorded elements, or video conferencing programs such as Zoom or Skype.

The tricky part, especially with the Daytime Emmys, will be to make sure any pre-recorded segments — such as winner announcements — don’t get leaked early.

“Security is a paramount concern,” Sharp said. “There have been sensitivities in the community in the past, for the live ceremony when members of the crew in previous years had had prior knowledge. In the last two years we had made several changes to how we produce the daytime show to dramatically reduce even that knowledge. That said, this is a very unique environment and a very unique situation. Across the board, everything has to be on the table in considering how to present a show that property celebrates the winners and is entertaining for the viewer. Once we have the nominees, I think we will have more of a direct conversation with them about different ideas and different approaches.”

With the shape of the Daytime Emmys still in flux, Sharp said it’s still too soon to discuss who might host — including whether Mario Lopez and Sheryl Underwood will return again in the role. But he did say there would be an opportunity to tighten the show up, given that some of it will likely be pre-taped.

“I think one of the elements of the creative discussion we’re having is going to be what elements do you try to do live, what elements do you pre tape, what are the pros and cons of each, hosting, what categories are grouped together, how you weave the different events together, what traditional elements stay or change,” Sharp said. “Even in-memoriams and lifetime achievements inherently take a different tone and different form in this environment.”

Sharp said it’s still unclear whether the Daytime Emmys will be split into three ceremonies, as originally planned this year, but he’s expecting the pace to be much quicker. “How long does it take someone to walk from their seat to the stage when their name is called? Multiply that by 100 categories, and all of a sudden you’re taking a lot of dead time out of the show,” he said.

Meanwhile, NATAS is still planning to launch a streaming service this year that will serve as the place to watch the Daytime Emmys and its other awards shows.

Originally set to be unveiled at the NAB show, in time for the Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards, the over-the-top platform is now in final internal beta testing, Sharp explained. The service will launch with archives of past NATAS Emmy ceremonies and still carry this year’s events.

As for the financial hit of scrapping the in-person Emmy ceremonies, Sharp said it would sting, “but I wouldn’t say it’s a devastating one by any stretch. There are impacts on both sides of the balance sheet. Certainly, you’re giving up that ticket revenue, and you’re giving up some of that sponsorship and ad revenue, but you’re also freeing up a lot of costs: Production, food and beverage, printing for programs and tickets, and so on. We’ve also been very appreciative of our venue partners, who’ve been understanding of the situation. We are not left with massive contracts that we are unable to fulfill.”

Instead, Sharp calls the pandemic “the rainy day we were preparing for.” He also pointed out that the Daytime and Sports Emmys received the highest number of entries ever for their respective competitions, while the News & Documentary entry window is still open. “We’ll come roaring back too when the doors open again,” he added.

NATAS’ announcement is unrelated to its West Coast counterpart, the Television Academy, and its plans for the Primetime Emmy Awards, scheduled for September but likely to take a different form as well.

Remington Hoffman (Li, DAYS) Chats About Joining The Show

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 4/27/20 - The Show Must Go On?

Dishing with Digest - 4/24/20 - Jordi Vilasuso

Promo: The Story of Soaps

Eva LaRue adopts late ex-husband John Callahan’s dog

“Welcome to the family Cali!,” the actress wrote on Instagram, posting a few selfies with her new four-legged friend.

She continued, “Wasn’t looking to add another thing that poops to the household, but she was John’s baby, and I know she’ll be just what God ordered to help us heal and vice versa.”

LaRue, 53, and Callahan, who tied the knot in 1996, famously played on-screen couple Maria Santos and Edmund Grey on “All My Children.” They split in 2005, four years after welcoming daughter Kaya.

Following news of Callahan’s death from an apparent stroke, several of the actor’s former co-stars, including Kelly Ripa and Sarah Michelle Gellar, posted tributes and offered condolences to his family. He was 66 years old.

Video: Guiding Light / General Hospital Chat April 22

‘Selling Sunset’ Renewed For Season 2 By Netflix/Lionsgate

Selling Sunset follows seven of the city’s most successful female realtors who all work under the same roof at the #1 agency in the Hollywood Hills and the Sunset Strip. They work hard and play harder, as they compete with the cutthroat LA market and each other. These ladies will do what it takes to make it to the top of their game, all while trying to keep their personal lives intact.

This season, per Netflix, “the ladies deal with even more mind-blowing mansions, shocking new romances, and explosive truths that will change their lives, relationships and careers forever.”

Cast includes Chrishell Stause, Christine Quinn, Maya Vander, Mary Fitzgerald, Heather Young, Davina Potratz, Romain Bonnet, Amanza Smith, Jason Oppenheim and Brett Oppenheim.

“Selling Sunset is not your typical real estate series – it’s bold, fun and full of drama that will engage audiences episode after episode,” said Lionsgate SVP and Head of Unscripted Programming Alice Dickens-Koblin. “It enables viewers to go beyond the luxurious homes and into a world of powerful female realtors who navigate a truly cutthroat business. We’re very proud to be working with Adam and his creative team in bringing another great season to our partners at Netflix.”

“Along with our partners at Lionsgate and Netflix, we couldn’t be more excited to return for a second season of Selling Sunset,” said Adam DiVello, the show’s creator. “This season includes even more ups and downs as we see our cast take on larger listings and even bigger challenges in the office and in their personal lives. Fans of the series are in for a binge-worthy new season!”

UTA Signs ‘Selling Sunset’ Star & Daytime Soap Alum Chrishell Stause

Selling Sunset will be returning for a second season slated to debut May 22.

Selling Sunset follows seven of Los Angeles’ most successful female realtors who all work under the same roof at the No. 1 agency in the Hollywood Hills and the Sunset Strip. They work hard and play harder as they compete with the cutthroat L.A. market and one another. They will do what it takes to make it to the top of their game, all while trying to keep their personal lives intact.

Stause’s other credits include the Lifetime movie Staged Killer, ABC’s Body of Proof, and host of the dating show You Rock, Let’s Roll for Fuse.

She continues to be managed by Corner Booth Entertainment.

GUIDING LIGHT Santos Family Reunion Planned

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 4/20/20 - Sense & Nonsense

New GUIDING LIGHT Reunion Planned

Jessica Tuck guests on 9-1-1 4/27/20

Cast: Angela Bassett as Athena Grant; Peter Krause as Bobby Nash; Jennifer Love Hewitt as Maddie Kendall; Oliver Stark as Evan “Buck” Buckley; Kenneth Choi as Howie “Chimney” Han; Aisha Hinds as Henrietta “Hen” Wilson; Ryan Guzman as Eddie Diaz; Rockmond Dunbar as Michael Grant; Corinne Massiah as May Grant; Marcanthonee Jon Reis as Harry Grant; Gavin McHugh as Christopher Diaz

Guest Cast: Vae Goeken as Gladys; Sal Viscuso as Anton; Jack McGee as Red; Noah Bean as Jeffrey; Amy Waller as Margot; Gigi Zumbado as Officer Stafford; Jocelyn Hudon as Tiffany; Sean Kleier as Greg; Sohm Kapila as Chef Lana Mobley; Jeff Blim as Chef Maurice Malone; John Eric Bentley as Mark; Dallas Dupree Young as Bryce; Shasha Roiz as Det. Ransone; Joe Gillette as Dr. Clayton; Jessica Tuck as Dr. Royce; Deborah May as Cindy; Loren Escandon as Doris; Angela Cristantello as Bartender; Rueben Grundy as Booking Officer; Ulysses Morazan as ER Nurse.

Video: Guiding Light Chat #2

Kelly Thiebaud Addresses GH Exit

Guiding Light / General Hospital Chat 4/22/20

Vilasuso Recovering From Coronavirus

John Callahan Show - Memorial Special

Dishing with Digest - 4/3/20 - Paul Telfer

Y&R’s Greg Rikaart Gives Health Update

Daytime Soaps Surge: B&B, Days, GH and Y&R Experience Significant Ratings Boosts as America Quarantines

For the week of March 23, which is when much of the U.S. went into quarantine, CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful and ABC’s General Hospital posted their best numbers in two years. NBC’s Days of Our Lives, meanwhile, drew their strongest ratings in more than a year. And daytime’s top-rated soap, The Young and the Restless, surged to an 11-month high.

B&B, which celebrated its 33rd anniversary last week, averaged 3.66 million viewers, its best week since March 23, 2018. GH drew 2.57 million viewers, representing its strongest week since March 19, 2018. With 2.24 million viewers, Days enjoyed its highest-rated week since Feb. 18. 2019. Y&R drew 4.21 viewers, its best number since April 26, 2019.

As we recently reported, Days — which just months ago was dodging cancellation buzz — is in perhaps the best position of any TV series to weather the not-so-secret pandemic storm. The venerable NBC sudser, which earlier this month suspended production indefinitely, shoots a staggering eight months in advance. As a result, the soap has enough original episodes banked to last well until fall.

Y&R and B&B were four to six weeks ahead when production was suspended, which means their respective wells will run dry in early May. GH, meanwhile, had roughly two months worth of episodes banked when production was shut down, which takes the soap through the end of May.

The four daytime sudsers have not set a specific timetable for a resumption of production, although CBS will reportedly reevaluate Y&R and B&B‘s taping status in early April.

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 3/30/20 - The Real World?

CBS Soap Shocker as “Young and the Restless” Deposed from Number 1 Spot For First Time Since 1988

CBS’s “The Young and the Restless” has been the number 1 soap opera since 1988. It’s been an extraordinary run. But now it’s over.

For the week of March 16-20th, CBS’s “The Bold and the Beautiful” toppled Y&R and took the number 1 spot. Yes, that’s an old fashioned soap opera courtroom gasp you just heard.

“B&B” literally leap frogged over the show by adding 405,000 viewers from the prior week. “Y&R” lost 249,000 from the prior week but more importantly, 1,163,000 viewers left the show year to year.

Even more bad news: in the 18-49 category, “Y&R” fell to third place, behind “B&B” and “General Hospital.”

This is significant because the other two soaps, like “B&B,” added viewers that week, robustly. This was the beginning of the virus panic, with more people home during the day. But virus updates were also cutting into the schedule. Each of the shows was pre-empted at least one day by news, and cut into on other days by updates.

The trouble at “The Young and the Restless” is very bad. It has been for a couple of years, but it’s just gotten worse lately. There’s no central story. The main actors– Eric Braeden, Melody Thomas Scott, Peter Bergman, Eileen Davidson– are never on. Long term actors like Doug Davidson, who’s got the longest tenure– are complaining on social media about their absence. The audience has obviously responded.

Granted the soaps got a raw deal this winter with the whole impeachment business interrupting their schedule. But three of the four shows have clawed their way back. Only “Y&R” has drifted away, with the producers and writers refusing to listen to the audience.

This should be a wake up call to CBS and Sony TV. It’s time to restore “Y&R” to its root characters and stories, or the party is going to be over. It may already be over.

Numbers courtesy of Soap Opera News:

Total Viewers
1. B&B 3,620,000 (+405,000/+61,000) <——- first time #1
2. Y&R 3,445,000 (-249,000/-1,163,000)
3. GH 2,471,000 (+365,000/+130,000)
4. DAYS 2,089,000 (+242,000/-39,000).

AMC Alum John Callahan Dies At 66

All My Children Alum John Callahan Dies at 66

The Daytime Emmys announced the news on Saturday. “We’re devastated to share that John Callahan passed away earlier today. Sending our deepest condolences to Eva La Rue and all his loved one,” the tweet read.

A cause of death is currently unknown.

Callahan’s ex-wife and fellow All My Children alum Eva LaRue shared multiple throwback pictures of the pair and their daughter Kaya, 18, on Twitter. The actress also posted a lengthy Instagram tribute to Callahan.

“May Flights of Angels Wing You to Your Rest my Dear Friend,” LaRue, 53, wrote. “Your bigger than life, gregarious personality will leave a hole in our hearts forever. We are devastated-My great friend, co parent partner, and loving father to Kaya.”

The soap star added, “That big belly laugh, bear hugs, bad puns, ability to harmonize to any song, great kitchen table singing-fests, and two steppin bad ass! ‘Johnny Numbers’, my All My Children soap stud, the great time keeper, Beatles fanatic ( I wish to God we could go back to ‘Yesterday’).”

“Kaya and I are beyond broken hearted, so stunned, sorry that my thoughts are a mess,” LaRue said. “You gave the best most beautifully written tributes, and I am at a complete loss for words right now for you.”

LaRue concluded her heartfelt post, “I hope Heaven has baseball and that your team always wins! The Yankees has just lost their biggest Fan. ??????????????????????????.”

A rep for LaRue did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Kelly Ripa, who starred on All My Children from 1990 to 2002, commented on LaRue’s post with a single broken heart emoji.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who was on All My Children from 1993 to 1995, shared a tribute to Callahan on Instagram, writing, “He stepped into a lot of moments in my life because I didn’t have a father to be there. Johns greatest joy in his life, was when he had a daughter of his own @kaya_callahan. John left us this morning. I promise you GP just as you were there for me, I will always be there for smoosh (Kaya) and @evalarue as well.”

Callahan and LaRue were married from 1996 to 2004. He was previously married to Linda Freeman from 1984 to 1992.

Before joining All My Children in 1992, Callahan had roles in General Hospital and Santa Barbara. After leaving the ABC soap opera in 2005, he had a two-year role on Days of Our Lives.

Christie Clark's Coronavirus Update

‘How To Get Away With Murder’: Anne-Marie Johnson To Recur, Cicely Tyson Returning For Final Season

Johnson will play Kenda Strauss, Michaela Pratt’s (Aja Naomi King) chic, high-powered defense attorney. This will mark Johnson’s return to Shondaland after appearing on Grey’s Anatomy and the short-lived For the People. Other recent credits include Ava DuVernay’s new OWN series Cherish the Day and the Blumhouse-produced drama Adopt a Highway.

Tyson first appeared as Ophelia, who was diagnosed with dementia, in Season 1 of HTGAWM, a role that has earned the storied actress three Emmy nominations. She also stars on DuVernay’s Cherish the Day and can currently be seen in Tyler Perry’s Netflix film A Fall from Grace.

Johnson is repped by Imperium 7 Talent Agency and Opus Entertainment, while Tyson is with Larry Thompson Entertainment.

How to Get Away with Murder is created and executive produced by Pete Nowalk, Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers and Stephen Cragg. The show is produced by ABC Studios, a division of Disney Television Studios, which is a collection of studios comprised of 20th Century Fox Television, ABC Studios and Fox 21 Television Studios.

The final six episodes of the series will air Thursdays beginning April 2.

Young and the Restless' Greg Rikaart Tests Positive for Coronavirus

“I am a pretty healthy 43-year-old who doesn’t smoke, doesn’t drink much, eats well and exercises regularly and this has been the hardest experience of my life,” he shared on Instagram. “Two+ weeks ago, everyone in my house had a bit of a cough and my son came home from school with a high fever. Everyone recovered, but I deteriorated. I isolated from my family and have been in solo quarantine since Saturday the 14th. I had a fever for 11 days, difficulty breathing and was diagnosed with pneumonia. I’m confident that I have finally turned the proverbial corner and am fever free today for the first time since this all started. I was told to stay isolated for another 72 hours before I acclimate back into my family.”

Rikaart, a Daytime Emmy Winner who has also appeared on Days of Our Lives, concluded his post by saying, “Nice try coronavirus, but I have another 4-5 decades worth of experiences to have with these guys. Furthermore, I want to thank you all for the well wishes and I hope you heed the warnings. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay inside.”

As TVLine has previously reported, Young and the Restless has joined fellow daytime sudsers Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives and General Hospital is shutting down production as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Soaps in Depth Podcast - 3/23/20 - OPINIONS ARE LIKE...

2020 Daytime Emmys Ceremony Cancelled, Academy Mulling 'Alternative' Celebration of Winners

In light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, “There are just too many unknowns right now, not the least of which is whether we would actually be permitted to stage an event in June involving more than one thousand live participants,” National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences chairman Terry O’Reilly said on Thursday in a letter to NATAS members. “With deadlines to make significant financial commitments upon us, it seems irresponsible to move forward as we have in the past.”

In recent weeks, New York’s GLAAD Media Awards were cancelled while the Academy of Country Music Awards and Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards were postponed.

NATAS president Adam Sharp and his team are working on “alternative ideas to celebrate those who would normally have received their Emmys at the Daytime Awards,” O’Reilly added. “Watch for details in the weeks to come.”

The 2019 Daytime Emmys were held in May at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif., and live-streamed via YouTube and EmmyOnline.tv. The last time the ceremony was broadcast on TV was in 2015, on Pop.

The cancellation of the Daytime Emmy Awards comes on the heels of NATAS already scuttling two other national events: the 2020 Technology Emmys Awards (which were to be held next month at the NAB in Las Vegas) and the National Sports Emmy Awards (which were scheduled for June in New York City).

Kirsten Storms Shares the Recipe for Her Favorite Comfort Food

You’ll need turkey bacon, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, black pepper, peas, parmesan cheese, and pasta. Storms recommends the Gluten-Free “Brown Rice and Red Lentil” spaghetti from Trader Joes. Cut the turkey bacon into smallish pieces and cook it in a skillet with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and pepper. “When crispy, add peas and keep skillet on low heat,” the actress instructed. “When the pasta is done, add it to skillet and toss ingredients together, adding more olive oil and lots of lemon juice. Top with parmesan cheese. For realzies, it’s delicious. Kinda like a guilt-free carbonara.”

The photos Storms shared had fans and friends salivating in the comments. “I need this,” declared her BFF, Emme Rylan (Lulu). Even James Patrick Stuart (Valentin) chimed in: “I kinda wanna eat that. I do.” Kelly Monaco (Sam) responded with the licking lips emoji and Kin Shriner (Scotty) revealed: “I do a version of that!”

It looks absolutely delicious and we can’t wait to try it for ourselves!

Y&R’s Greg Rikaart Provides Health Update

Coronavirus Shuts Down Soaps: When Will Bold & Beautiful, Days, GH and Young & Restless Run Out of Episodes?

Daytime’s other three soaps, CBS’ The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful and ABC’s General Hospital have considerably less of a cushion. According to sources, Y&R and B&B were four to six weeks ahead when production was suspended this week, which means their respective wells will run dry in early May. GH, meanwhile, had roughly a month’s worth of episodes banked when production was shut down, which takes the soap through the end of April.

The four daytime serials have not set a specific timetable for a resumption of production, although CBS will reportedly reevaluate Y&R and B&B‘s taping status in two weeks.

Can soaps that are consumed on the daily sustain a prolonged outage? That question was first put to the test in 1995, when the months-long, live, daytime coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial pushed sudsers — back then, ABC, CBS and NBC each were home to multiple — off the air and eventually out of many viewers’ mindsets.

Y&R’s Rikaart Falls Ill

‘Days Of Our Lives’ To Remain On Hiatus Until Further Notice Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

NBC’s Days Of Our Lives, which was recently renewed for a 56th season following dramatic, down-to-the-wire negotiations between the network and Sony Pictures TV, is on a planned hiatus this week and next week. The show will remain dark after that until further notice.

Days Of Our Lives joins CBS’ The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful, which stopped production at the top of this week, and ABC’s General Hospital, which was shut down at the end of last week. Days should be able to go through a lengthy production shutdown without its run on NBC getting interrupted — the network currently has episodes in the can to air through October.

Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, Days Of Our Lives airs nationally on NBC in the U.S. and in more than 25 countries internationally. The core families are the Bradys, Hortons and DiMeras, and the multi-layered storylines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

Days Of Our Lives is produced by Corday Productions, Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producers Greg Meng and Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati is the head writer.

DOOL Stars Advise Fans to Wash Hands, Reveal Production to Shut Down Due to Coronavirus

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 3/16/20 - Ask Us Anything: The Sequel

Sports And Tech Emmys Postponed Due To Coronavirus; June’s Daytime Emmys Still On For Now

The organization said it will look to move both events to a later date this year, and comes as a reaction to the growing global coronavirus pandemic.

The Sports Emmys were set for April 28 in the Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Sports Emmy Award executive director Justine Gubar said the decision to postpone was “based on government guidance regarding events of 500 people or more during the continuing spread of the novel coronavirus.”

The Technology & Engineering Emmys dinner was scheduled for April 19 in Las Vegas as a kickoff to the National Association of Broadcasters’ NABShow 2020, which was canceled earlier this week. The plan is to reschedule the ceremony to correspond with NAB’s fall convention in New York.

NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said the organization is still moving forward with the Daytime Emmy Awards on June 12-14 in Pasadena, and the News & Documentary Emmy Awards in September in New York.

“We are closely monitoring public heath authorities’ guidance, seeking feedback from our awards communities, and evaluating the flexibility of our venue and production partners as we make determinations around these other events based on day-to-day developments,” Sharp said.

“In every case, the health and safety of our event attendees and staff will remain our paramount concern. We are particularly grateful to and proud of the thousands of NATAS members across America’s local newsrooms who are doing the front-line work of informing the public in this time of anxiety, confusion, and ever-changing information.”

High School Musical Series Adds Broadway Vet, Soap Star in Season 2

Banks, the first African-American actor to portray Evan Hansen, will play Howie, a “hyper-smart, adorkable high school junior who works at Big Red’s family’s pizza shop. And here’s a fun little fact: The character of Howie was named after playwright and lyricist Howard Ashman, whose many collaborations include Beauty and the Beast, the musical being performed in Season 2 of HSM:TM:TS.

Keegan, a two-time Daytime Emmy Award nominee for her work on Days, is also joining the cast as Lily, “an energetic and adorable East High freshman whose sweetness masks her insecurity and highly competitive nature.” Frankly, it sounds like we’ve got another Tiara Gold on our hands if. (You all remember Tiara, yes? The evil British exchange student from High School Musical 3 who attempted to overthrow Sharpay? Come on, what are they teaching in school these days?!)

It was also recently announced that Derek Hough (Dancing With the Stars) will recur in Season 2 as Zack, Miss Jenn’s ex-boyfriend. A charming but sneaky actor, he returns to Salt Lake to teach drama at East High’s biggest rival, North High.

Executive-produced by series creator Tim Federle, the Disney+ comedy stars Olivia Rodrigo as Nini, Joshua Bassett as Ricky, Matt Cornett as E.J., Sofia Wylie as Gina, Larry Saperstein as Big Red, Julia Lester as Ashlyn, Dara Reneé as Kourtney, Frankie Rodriguez as Carlos, Mark St. Cyr as Mr. Mazzara, Joe Serafini as Seb and Kate Reinders as Miss Jenn.

‘Crazy For You’: Shelley Hennig To Star, Alice Lee, Tiana Okoye & Nick Cafero Also Cast In NBC Comedy Pilot

Written by Lynn, Crazy for You is about Daisy (Hennig) who, with her life stalling, re-enters the dating scene only to discover that while she was out of the game, the game sort of, totally, completely changed. Realizing she is a bit rusty at being “normal” and “appealing” on first dates, she’ll need the support of her friends as she strives to succeed while being her true self in today’s quick-to-dismiss dating culture.

Hennig’s Daisy is the sweet and charming assistant at a publishing company. Lee will portray Emma, organized and ambitious, she works with Daisy. Okoye is Tasha, one of Daisy’s best friends. Cafero will play Ethan, Emma’s boyfriend and a genuinely nice guy.

Crazy For You, from Universal TV, Broadway Video and Sethmaker Shoemeyers Productions, is executive produced by Michaels, Meyers, Mike Shoemaker Andrew Singer, Hilary Marx and Jason Carden. Lynn co-executive produces.

Hennig, who played Malia for three seasons on MTV’s hit series Teen Wolf, most recently co-starred in the Netflix comedy em>When We First Met, opposite Adam Devine, and the Complex Network/Go90 comedy series, Liberty Crossing directed by Todd Berger. She also starred in The After Party on Netflix, and recently recurred on Hulu/Kat Dennings comedy, Dollface. She’s repped by APA, Alchemy and Rick Genow at Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher.

Cafero’s notable credits include guest-starring roles on NBC’s The Office, ABC’s Black-ish, and on the film side, Set It Up and Pitch Perfect. He’ll next be heard voicing various characters and singing on Apple TV’s Central Park, as well as in the upcoming Fox singing competition show I Can See Your Voice. He’s repped by KMR Talent and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

Lee most recently appeared on the big screen in Brittany Runs a Marathon and Sierra Burgess is a Loser. Her TV credits include a recent recurring role on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. She’s repped by Paradigm and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

Okoye most recently appeared as Asha on Awkwafina is Nora From Queens, as Amaya in Nancy Drew and Allesandra on The Good Place. Her other credits include Hairspray Live and The Cher Show on Broadway. She is repped by UTA and Rise Management.

Roscoe Born's Family Reveals Cause of Death, Calls For More 'Conversations Around Mental Illness'

“Roscoe has long struggled with bipolar disorder, a shadow that he succumbed to when he took his own life on Tuesday March 3, 2020,” read the family’s statement, which was posted on Facebook. “We are grateful for the outpouring of kind words and memories. We only wish that Roscoe could have seen how much people still carry his daytime villains in their hearts. May his death remind us of the importance of opening up conversations around mental illness. May those who need help seek it. May those who seek help receive it. And may it serve them.”

Born’s myriad daytime-TV roles included Ryan’s Hope‘s Joe Novak, Santa Barbara‘s Robert Barr and Quinn Armitage (for which he earned a Daytime Emmy nod in 1990), All My Children‘s Jim Thomasen, The City‘s Nick Rivers, Passions‘ Warden, The Young and the Restless‘ Tom Fisher and, last but not least, One Life to Life‘s super-nefarious Mitch Laurence.

If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s toll-free number: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 3/9/20 - OUR FAVORITE THINGS... FOR NOW

Matthew Ashford Guests on NCIS 3/24/20

“Schooled” – The team searches for answers when the body of a well-regarded Navy technician in the Reserves is found floating in a lake where a popular community event is being held. Also, Sloane is caught off-guard when her daughter, Faith (Kate Hamilton), makes an unexpected request, on NCIS, Tuesday, March 24 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

GUEST CAST includes: Kate Hamilton (Faith Tolliver), Jeremiah Birkett (Dean Neil Pattterson), Matthew Ashford (Rick Martel).

Soap Vet Roscoe Born Dead at 69

“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Roscoe Born’s passing,” friend and business partner Deanna Lynne shared on the Born Roscoe Songs Facebook page. “He was an incredibly talented actor and songwriter. Many who knew him know how dedicated he was to social and political causes. He will be missed forever.” After starting out his acting career with guest spots on series such as Joe Forrester, The Rockford Files and The Incredible Hulk, Born played reporter Mark Bailey on the ABC primetime sudser Paper Dolls.

From there, he dove into a long run of daytime-TV roles, including Ryan’s Hope‘s Joe Novak, Santa Barbara‘s Robert Barr and Quinn Armitage (for which he earned a Daytime Emmy nod in 1990), All My Children‘s Jim Thomasen, The City‘s Nick Rivers, Passions‘ Warden, The Young and the Restless‘ Tom Fisher and, last but not least, One Life to Life‘s super-nefarious Mitch Laurence.

A cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

Horror legend Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator, You’re Next) has wrapped filming on her latest genre feature, Jakob’s Wife, after an under-the-radar shoot in Canton, Mississippi.

Jakob’s Wife was developed by AMP and Crampton from a script by Mark Steensland, Kathy Charles and Travis Stevens. The story, a supernatural horror, follows a woman in her late 50s who, after a chance encounter with ‘the Master’, discovers a new sense of power, a change that comes with a heavy toll.

Also starring are Larry Fessenden (Stake Land), Bonnie Aarons (The Nun), Robert Rusler (Weird Science), Sarah Lind (Edgemont), Mark Kelly (Fear the Walking Dead), Nyisha Bell, and Phil Brooks (Girl On The Third Floor).

Producers are Bob Portal and Inderpal Singh from AMP, alongside Barbara Crampton and Travis Stevens. The project was also fully-financed by AMP – the London and Los Angeles company is looking to ramp up production activity in 2020.

The film is a co-production with Mississippi-based Eyevox Entertainment, with Rick Moore from Eyevox serving as executive producer, alongside James Norrie and Nina Kolokouri at AMP. Co-producers are Joe Wicker, Morgan Peter Brown and Kim Barnard.

“I’m thrilled to be able to bring Jakob’s Wife to life with such highly experienced producing partners at AMP International. It’s been wonderful working closely with Bob Portal in developing this amazing project, and reuniting with two of my favorite colleagues in the business, Travis Stevens and Larry Fessenden,” commented Crampton.

“Since making We Are Still Here together, I’ve been looking forward to telling more scary stories with Barbara and Larry. Jakob’s Wife has been a chance for us to dig deep in to the lives of these fictional characters and test them in ways I think genre fans are going to love seeing,” added Stevens.

Producer Portal called the project “a wild ‘marriage’ of talent that’s created such a rollicking, smart, fun genre feast.”

Director Stevens previously acted as a producer on the 2015 Crampton-starring pic We Are Still Here.

AMP’s credits include Anna And The Apocalypse, and the Sam Rockwell-starring Blue Iguana.

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 3/2/20 - It’s All About The Payoff

Dishing with Digest - 2/28/20 - Deidre Hall

Matthew Ashford guests on NCIS 3/17/20

GUEST CAST includes: Kate Hamilton (Faith Tolliver), Matthew Ashford (Rick Martel).

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 2/24/20 - You Win Some, You Lose Some

Kirsten Storms Stands up Against Bullying

Lion Brand Yarn has paired with STOMP Out Bullying to raise awareness of the issue by urging knitters and crocheters to use one of their free patterns to create hats with blue yarn and share their work online with the hashtag #HatNotHate, donate their hats to schools, or wear it during October, which is Anti-Bullying month. “They give the hats out at schools across the country to remind kids about the importance of being kind to one another,” Storms said, “and just because someone is different from them, that doesn’t mean they’re deserving of negative words or feelings. We are all different from each other. That’s what makes us special. It’s what makes us human.”

And as someone who has been on the receiving end of negative and hurtful comments on social media, Storms knows exactly what these kids are going through. “I’ve mentioned on my page before that kindness and positivity towards others is so important,” she insisted. “You truly never know what another individual’s life is like, what their hidden struggles are — or what your words could do to them. Be a light in someone’s day. I’d rather be remembered for spreading love than hate. Love lasts longer.”

You can visit the Lion Brand Yarn website’s “Hat Not Hate” page for more details about the cause.

DAYS’s Thaao Penghlis: “We’re back in March”

The Oval's Sex-Cult Spinoff Ruthless Gets March Premiere Date on BET+

Ruthless, which stars Melissa L. Williams in the title role, will kick off its 24-episode first season on Thursday, March 19, our sister site Deadline reports. Several episodes will be available to stream immediately, while subsequent installments will premiere on a weekly basis. This marks Perry’s first original series to stream on BET+.

The series follows Ruth “as she’s forced to play nice with a scandalous religious cult of powerful sex-crazed fanatics in the hopes of freeing herself and her daughter,” according to the official logline. We first met Ruth in the series premiere of The Oval, during which she visited her daughter’s father, only to be sent packing. She later returned with her fellow cult members and successfully kidnapped the child.

Ruthless‘ ensemble cast also includes Matt Cedeńo, Lenny D. Thomas, Yvonne Senat Jones, Baadja-Lyne Odums, Jaime Callica, Nirine S. Brown, Blue Kimble, Stephanie Charles, Hervé Clermont, Anthony Bless and Bobbi Baker.

Andrea Bogart, Michael Nouri & Lawrence Pressman on Hawaii Five-0 3/13/20

(“He puhe‘e miki” is Hawaiian for “A Gripping Cuttlefish”)

GUEST CAST nicludes: Michael Nouri (Oscar Hirsch), Lawrence Pressman (Stanley), Patty McCormack (Tabitha), Andrea Bogart (Cynthia).

Dishing with Digest - 2/21/20 - Martha Byrne

‘Days of our Lives’ soap star Brock Kelly & model/actress Adel Ruiz to ride in Krewe of Tucks

‘Days of Our Lives’ soap opera star Brock Kelly, who’s from New Orleans and a big Saints fan and his wife, who’s an actress & model, Adel Ruiz will both ride in Tucks on The Brothel Float.

The Brothel Float is one of Tucks’ newer signature floats! Look for Brock & Adel on the new addition this year to the Brothel Float, the Bourbon B float!

Show some love to our hometown guy Brock who’s making it big in Hollywood. Brock plays “Evan” the nanny on the popular soap opera.

The Krewe of Tucks rolls on the Uptown route starting at noon on Saturday, February 21st. This year’s theme for the parade is “Tucks Hits The Sweet Spot.”

Dishing with Digest - 2/14/20 - Lisa LoCicero

Days of Our Lives Vet Galen Gering Is the Latest Exit in Cast Shake-Up

Galen Gering, who has played Days of Our Lives‘ Rafe Hernandez since October 2008, revealed on Instagram on Thursday — on his birthday, no less — that, like castmates Freddie Smith and Chandler Massey (who play Sonny and Will), his time on the soap has come to an end.

Earlier this week, Smith announced his and scene partner Massey’s exits, saying “it was not our choice” to depart. “We were looking forward to staying on and keeping the story going,” he added. “But I do understand there is a lot happening with Days of Our Lives [at the moment].”

The “lot happening” refers to the fact that when Days recently was renewed for Season 56, Corday Productions began formally negotiating new deals with some — but clearly not all — members of the series’ large ensemble. “I’ve always seen birthdays as a day of reflection, an opportunity to look back at where I’ve been and where I’m going. So, it’s oddly befitting that today also happens to be my last day at Days,” Gering wrote in his Instagram post, below.

“Man…I have such great memories from the last 10 years,” he continued, rattling off some of the far-out storylines he has been involved in. “And offscreen, I’ve made friendships that I will have for a lifetime.”

“Thanks for the memories Days of Our Lives,” he said in conclusion, after thanking fans. “Like sands through the hourglass….”

Gering’s previous TV credits include Passions and the online sudser Venice the Series.

Due to Days’ unusual taping schedule — the soap shoots six months in advance — Rafe will remain on-screen until fall.

Casey Moss exiting NBC daytime drama 'Days of Our Lives'

Moss has played the role of JJ Deveraux on Days of Our Lives, and he will be exiting the soap opera during its February sweeps.

He began the role of JJ Deveraux back in the summer of 2013. JJ is the son of Jack Deveraux (Matthew Ashford) and Jennifer Horton (Melissa Reeves). His character had an affair with an older woman, Eve Donovan (Kassie DePaiva).

Lately, JJ suffered major heartache on the show (the death of his girlfriend, nurse Haley Chen) and he also faced his addiction, which is material worthy of an Emmy reel.

In 2018, Moss was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Younger Actor in A Drama Series" for his work on Days of Our Lives.

Daytime Emmys Find a New TV Home, as NATAS Launches Its Own Streaming App

The new over-the-top platform is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2020, several months before the Daytime Emmys take place. The service, which doesn’t yet have a name (but will likely include “Emmy” in its title), will be unveiled in time for the Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards in April, and the Sports Emmys in May, both of which are administered by NATAS.

But the real utility of the new streamer will come on June 12, 13 and 14, when the 47th Daytime Emmy Awards are held at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, Calif.

The Daytime Emmys used to be a broadcast mainstay, rotating between ABC, NBC and CBS in its heyday. But NBC dropped out after 2004, and ABC after 2008. The CW aired it in 2009, and then CBS aired it in 2010 and 2011. After that, HLN picked it up for two years, and Pop TV ran it in 2015 — the last time it was on linear TV. Since then, the Daytime Emmys has run on a mix of YouTube, Facebook, Periscope and something called KNEKT.

Now, with the new over-the-top app, NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said viewers would have a clear idea where to watch the Daytime Emmys and its other awards shows.

“We were making it available on PCs and mobile in a clunky way,” Sharp said. “But with the Emmys OTT app available on any platform, if you want to watch on your phone you can watch on your phone. You want to watch on your TV, you can watch on your TV. And really be accessible to the audience. Wherever they are consuming the shows, we’re on it.”

Sharp said NATAS is currently building out the OTT app in order to be available on web, mobile, and major settop platforms including Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Fire stick and Android TV.

Besides daytime, sports and tech/engineering, other Emmy awards shows that NATAS administers include News & Documentary, as well as regional awards in most of the country (except Los Angeles). The L.A.-based Television Academy, which handles the Primetime Emmy Awards, is not involved in this new OTT service, but has been briefed on it.

Sharp said the new service will also include past awards ceremonies, as well as clips from the NATAS archives. “Certainly on our social channels since the beginning of the year you’ve started seeing a couple of hints of that, some of these great moments being pulled from the Emmy archives like Ellen DeGeneres’ first win in daytime,” he said. “Or Rosie O’Donnell and Elmo bantering about wanting to rename it the ‘Daytime Elmos.’ Mr. Rogers doling out life lessons from the stage as he accepts his lifetime achievement award.”

NATAS is also producing original shorts, including its first entry, “Behind the Emmy.” “For this series of shorts we are combining backstage interviews, onstage acceptance speeches and some of the actual submitted content to really tell the story of the excellent creativity and production work that goes into winning that most coveted honor of excellence in television,” Sharp said.

The first installment, which posted today on NATAS’ social outlets, looks at PBS’ “Wildland,” a “POV” production that won a News & Doc Emmy last year. “The filmmakers literally learned to become fire jumpers in order to make this film,” he said. “Where they would jump into the burning region with the firefighters, actually help fight the fire, hold the hose, and then put the hose down, pick up the Red camera and start shooting some of it.”

The NATAS app will be free and, at least initially, not contain commercials. “It is going to be there as a resource,” Sharp said. “Long term, I think we certainly see opportunities for ad support and/or sponsor support. That is not in the plan for launch day. I think our focus right now is really on building the content and building the audience. Then we’ll look at the monetization path down the road. There are certainly opportunities for it, and it’s something where in the engineering we are baking in. Monetization is not the focus, at least for 2020.”

Days of Our Lives: Freddie Smith and Chandler Massey Poised to Exit in 'Sad and Shocking' Cast Shake-Up

Smith announced the news Wednesday on social media, telling fans in a Twitter video that “it was not our choice” to depart. “We were looking forward to staying on and keeping the story going,” he added. “But I do understand there is a lot happening with Days of Our Lives [at the moment].”

The “a lot” he referrs to relates to Corday Productions’ controversial, belt-tightening decision last fall to release the entire cast from their contracts amid renewal talks with NBC and Sony. Once Days was officially picked up last month for Season 56, Corday began formally negotiating new deals with some — but clearly not all — members of the series’ large ensemble.

Smith says he saw the writing on the wall in recent weeks. “As the scripts started coming in, I was like, ‘This doesn’t look good. This doesn’t look like we’re going to get [re-]signed to a contract.'”

TVLine has reached out to a Days spokesperson for comment.

Due to Days’ unusual taping schedule — the soap shoots six months in advance — Sonny and Will will remain onscreen until September, Smith confirms. “Though its sad and shocking, I want to celebrate what we’ve created,” the actor told fans. “That’s what I want to focus on.”

Days of Our Lives releases Freddie Smith and @ChandlerMassey from contracts. https://t.co/dMOErFKz2b

I will miss Salem so much!! Thank you all for the incredible love and support throughout the years. I really feel we told a love story that will live on forever.— freddie smith ?? (@freddiemsmith) February 12, 2020

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 1/10/20 - What's The Rush?

Chrishell Stause reveals mom’s terminal cancer diagnosis 2 months after Justin Hartley split

“I just found out today is #worldcancerday eerily on the same day I found out my mom has 1 to 2 months to live from the same lung cancer that took my dad on Easter,” the “Selling Sunset” star shared on Instagram this week. “I can’t make sense of what life is teaching me yet, but my heart is with every person fighting this horrible disease and every person that it robbed a loved one from.”

In April, Stause, 38, posted a tribute on Instagram to her father after he died.

“We lost you today but it was a long terrible battle with cancer that started taking you years ago,” she wrote. “I choose to remember you the way you were before it took it’s hold on you. You are at peace now, and ever the Catholic man at heart, I think you chose Easter for a reason.”

In November, Stause was seemingly blindsided when Hartley, 43, filed for divorce after two years of marriage.

Soon after the breakup, Stause posted a cryptic quote on Instagram that said, “It’s hard to watch people change right in front of you. But it’s even harder remembering who they used to be.”

According to TMZ, the exes disagree about the date of their actual split. Hartley claims they separated on July 8, 2019, but Stause argued in documents that they didn’t separate until Nov. 22, 2019.

Vincent Irizarry to grand marshal neighborhood Easter parade

The actor got his start in daytime television in the early 1980s with a recurring role in “Guiding Light.” Since then, he’s gone on to star in just about every soap opera you can think of: “One Life to Live,” “The Young and the Restless,” “All My Children,” “Days of Our Lives” and most recently “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

Irizarry is friends with neighbor Belynda Ortiz. When she told him about the parade, he expressed interest and agreed to serve as the grand marshal.

“It was that easy,” parade organizer Liz Simmons said.

Irizarry joins only a handful of celebrity grand marshals who have participated in the parade. In the past, Texas icon Kinky Friedman—a singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician, defender of stray animals and former Texas Monthly columnist—led the parade route.

“It’s a show up and do-your-thing event,” Simmons said. “I never know what we’re going to get. There’s no rules. It’s very creative and totally fun.”

The parade, in its 15th year, will start at 3 p.m. April 12.

Tamara Braun Joins Dark Indie Comedy

First Look! Kyle Lowder In Feature Film

Dishing with Digest- 1/31/20 - Brandon Beemer

DAYS To Resume Production February 3

NBC RENEWS BELOVED DAYTIME DRAMA ‘DAYS OF OUR LIVES’ FOR 56TH SEASON

“Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.”

Those words, which have drawn millions of eager viewers to their television sets for six decades, will remain a high point of the broadcast day with today’s renewal announcement of the multi-Daytime Emmy Award-winning series.

“From our incredibly loyal fan base to our wonderful writers, cast and crew, the enthusiasm for ‘Days’ never wavers,” said Bruce Evans, Executive Vice President, Current Programming, NBC Entertainment. “We’re incredibly thrilled to bring viewers another season of a show that has cemented its place in television history and touches all generations.”

“We are most grateful to NBC for their enduring faith in the future of ‘Days of our Lives,’ and we are excited to continue delivering compelling stories to our loyal family of fans into this new decade,” said executive producer Ken Corday.

Said Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President, Programming, Sony Pictures Television: “Ken Corday and his team continue to build on the legacy of quality storytelling and intriguing characters that connect with audiences of all ages. We are thrilled that viewers in the U.S. and around the world will be able to enjoy the award-winning ‘Days of our Lives’ for another season.”

“Days of our Lives,” which aired its 13,755th episode in 2019, remains a television institution. The show first premiered as a half-hour drama in 1965 and expanded to an hour 10 years later.

The show has garnered 57 Emmy Awards, including most recently 2015 and 2018’s Outstanding Daytime Drama, and 350 nominations, as well as multiple People's Choice Awards, GLAAD Media Awards and Prism Awards.

Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, “Days of our Lives” airs nationally on NBC in the United States and in more than 25 countries internationally. The core families are the Bradys, Hortons and DiMeras, and the multi-layered storylines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

“Days of our Lives” is produced by Corday Productions, Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producers Greg Meng and Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati is the head writer.

Stars Remember Marj Dusay

On-screen son, Vincent Irizarry (ex-Lujack/Nick, GL) posted, “Honestly, not enough words for me to share my love and respect for, and sadness in the passing of our now late, great Marj Dusay. She was a force of nature as an actress, courageously pulling out all stops in whatever role she was gracing us with. Not only did she play my mother on two different shows, 2 very different characters, but in one of those shows she was brought in to replace the ever brilliant, incomparable Beverlee McKinsey when she left the role of Alexandra Spaulding on GL; a feat practically no other actress could have been able to accomplish. But Marj was never just any other actress, as she proved by making the role her own; doing so while sharing her dynamic brilliance with us as well… I reached out to her a couple months back, having heard that she was having a difficult time with some physical challenges as of late. I’m grateful to have heard her voice one last time, to have heard her infectious laughter one last time…

RIP darling Marj. Your gift was our blessing.” Ron Raines (ex-Alan, GL) tweeted, “Heartbroken by the loss of my dear friend and colleague Marj Dusay. Marj was a dear friend to me and I will miss her greatly. I, with a couple of other GL colleagues, visited her last year here in New York and we all had a wonderful visit. She was, as always, in terrific spirits And made us laugh a lot. We all talked of specific memories we shared with her while on set. Marj lived with much physical pain the last decades of her life however, and this is what’s amazing, she never complained. I will miss her and glad she is pain free now.

RIP dear Marj.” Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) wrote, “HUGELY TALENTED & Stunning looking #MarjDusay When she stepped on a set everything was better because she showed up-Classy & impeccable-never stuck on herself-A wonderful human being RIP.”

Tina Sloan (ex-Lillian, GL) tweeted, “Lost the wonderful Marj Dusay aka Alexandra Spaulding. Great actress. Great woman. She will be very missed. RIP MARJ.”

Carrie Genzel (ex-Skye, ALL MY CHILDREN) tweeted, “I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of #MarjDusay. We had mutual friends in NYC and she was always so welcoming and wonderful to me. My heart goes out to her friends and family, and,her many fans who appreciated her on and off camera.”

Lisa Whelchel (Blair on The Facts Of Life): Just heard about the passing of Marj Dusay who played Blair’s mom, Monica Warner. She was absolutely perfect for the part, a seasoned actress and a delightful woman. It was a privilege to call her Facts of Life family.

Soap Opera Vet Marj Dusay Dead at 83

During Dusay’s decades-long daytime career, she established herself as one of the industry’s most reliable recasts. Dusay made her suds debut in 1983 when she replaced Carolyn Jones as Washington, D.C. matriarch Myrna Clegg on CBS’ Capitol. Following that show’s cancellation in 1987, Dusay jumped to NBC’s Santa Barbara, where she took over the role of Mason Capwell’s mentally unstable mother Pamela from actress Shirley Ann Field. In 1993, she temporarily filled in for Louise Sorel as villainess Vivian Alamain on NBC’s Days of Our Lives, after which she succeeded Beverlee McKinsey as Alexandra Spaulding CBS’ Guiding Light, a role she played on and off from 1993 to 2009 and one that earned her a 1995 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress.

It was in 1999 that Dusay finally originated her first soap role when she was cast as the evil Vanessa Bennett (mother to (Josh Duhamel’s Leo and Vincent Irizarry’s David) on ABC’s All My Children. She exited the soap in 2002.

Prior to making a name for herself in the soap world, Dusay made frequent guest appearances in primetime, most memorably on the original Star Trek (as alien Kara) and The Facts of Life (as Blair’s mother Monica).

Judi Evans Will Return To DAYS

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 1/27/20 - The Bold & The Pre-Empted

Taylor Spreitler guests on Young Sheldon 2/13/20

GUEST CAST includes: Taylor Spreitler (Sam), Nolan Bateman (Keith), London Cheshire (Marcus).

‘Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan’ Nickelodeon Series Sets Cast

Executive produced, directed and written by Perry, the story follows a family whose world is turned upside down when their nephew, Young Dylan (Gilmer), an aspiring hip-hop star, moves in unannounced. Michelle Sneed also serves as Executive Producer along with Will Areu and Mark E. Swinton who serve as Producers of the series, which films at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.

When Dylan’s grandmother Viola (Wright) realizes raising her grandson is too much to take on, she decides to send him to live indefinitely with her affluent son Myles Wilson (Payne), his wife Yasmine (Hillman) and their two kids Rebecca (Smith) and Charlie (Hunter).

The Wilson family household is soon turned upside down as lifestyles clash between rising hip hop star Young Dylan and his straight-laced cousins. From Dylan giving Rebecca and Charlie lessons in “swag” and street smarts, to learning that even “rappers” have rules in the Wilson house, the series follows the hilarious hijinks this family faces as they try to get on the same beat.

Perry made a surprise visit to The Ellen DeGeneres Show last October when Gilmer was a guest and announced that the young rapper would be starring in his own series.

Nickelodeon’s partnership with Perry is part of his long-term pact with Viacom, producing original series for BET Networks (The Oval and Sistas) and other Viacom networks, with exclusive licensing rights on this programming. Additionally, Perry recently announced his joint venture with BET Networks for the new streaming video on demand service BET+.

Born and raised in Annapolis, MD, Gilmer is best known for his appearances and performances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and at NBA All-Star Weekend. He also has an overall talent deal with Telepictures, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Television. In 2019, Gilmer made a guest appearance on the revival of Nickelodeon’s hit series All That.

Gilmer is repped by Sherry Kayne of The Green Room and Chris Abramson at Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson.

Hillman, who recently wrapped feature Psycho Nurses, is repped by Mavrick Artists Agency and manager Bob McGowan.

Soaps in Depth - 1/20/20 - Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Dishing with Digest - 1/17/20 - Camila Banus

“Last Blast Reunion” Conclusion Streaming Now On DOOL App

Rachel Kimsey Welcomes a Beautiful Baby Girl

Kimsey and Waterson are already parents to Everly Rian, who will be turning two on March 19. The actress has been doing a lot of voice work recently in her career, playing Wonder Woman in JUSTICE LEAGUE ACTION and performing various characters for videogames. And on Jan. 7, she was hard at work right up until the delivery! “Squeezing in one last session before a tiny human arrives (hopefully),” she shared. “Localizing a really fun game I can’t wait to share!”

And then later that day she tweeted: “I think my water just broke while I was standing in the parking lot at Walgreens. Two women in a car staring at me as my pants started to soak. I guess sometimes it does happen like in the movies.” Thankfully, Kimsey was able to get to the hospital and safely deliver her bundle of joy, though it took nearly a week before she shared the big news publicly.

Best wishes to the entire family on their new addition and we can’t wait to see more beautiful pictures as Sutton grows up!

Listen: Victoria Konefal on Bust's Poptarts Podcast

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 1/13/20 - Questions, We've Got Questions

Days of Our Lives Will be Airing in the United Kingdom

Days of Our Lives had previously aired in the UK on various channels over the years including Channel 5, CBS Drama and now will be currently airing weekdays on the Sony Channel.

NBC Boss Says Days of Our Lives Will Continue

"Of course Days of Our Lives is going to carry on," he said. "We love it. Millions of Americans watch it every week. I know there will be good news for the fans."

Those fans were on edge in the fall of last year after the entire cast was released from their contracts, making us all wonder whether the beloved soap, which debuted in 1965, would finally be coming to an end. That fear turned out to be unfounded when reports surfaced that NBC had renewed the series for Season 56 soon after, but the network would not confirm them at the time.

Unfortunately, Telegdy did not confirm which current cast members would be returning for next season and which would be leaving thanks to their expired contracts. We'll just have to wait and see who's life is on the line when the current season ends.

Days of Our Lives airs weekdays at 1 p.m. ET on NBC.

Episode 7 Of The “Last Blast Reunion” Available Now On The DOOL App

Melissa And Scott Reeves’s New Role: Grandparents!

Talk Show Appearance

We 1/8: Eric Winter

Episode 6 Of The “Last Blast Reunion” Available Now On The DOOL App

Season 5 Of THE BAY Available Now

Soaps In Depth - 12/30/19 - Best & Worst Of 2019

Dishing with Digest - 12/27/19 - Kassie DePaiva

DAYS’s Greg Vaughan (Eric) To Marry Angie Harmon

Episode 5 Of The “Last Blast Reunion” Available Now On The DOOL App

Judi Evans Thanks Fans For Support After Tragic Loss

Cara Delevingne surprises Ashley Benson with birthday trip to Morocco

On Saturday, the former “Pretty Little Liars” star revealed girlfriend Cara Delevingne had surprised her with a birthday trip to Morocco, sharing, “I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

“Morocco has always been a place I’ve wanted to visit. I faced so many fears and took on new adventures with my best friend by my side,” Benson wrote on Instagram. “I love you @caradelevingne. Thank you for making my birthday the best yet.”

Benson, who celebrated her birthday on Dec. 18, posted a collection of images from the trip, which included a ride in a hot air balloon.

On Wednesday, Delevingne, 27, honored the birthday girl with a sweet tribute.

“Happy birthday @ashleybenson There is so much I could say but something I love and cherish most about us is that I don’t need to because YOU KNOW and that’s all that matters,” the model began. “It’s you and me which is my favourite. My safe place. You let me be silly, you let me be wild, you keep me free, secure and curious.”

Delevingne, who was first linked to Benson in 2018, also wrote, “I feel like I’ve known you my entire life and I am so proud of watching you grow into the woman that you always dreamt of being.”

In addition to Delevingne, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen also sent Benson birthday wishes via video.

Episode 4 Of The “Last Blast Reunion” Available Now On The DOOL App

New Soap Digital Series Set To Debut

Réal Andrews Undergoes Cancer Surgery

Andrews had turned his life around this year, entering alcoholics anonymous, being diagnosed and treated for bipolar disorder, and getting back in shape. The day before his surgery, the actor posted a selfie from the challenging Pico Stairs admitting it would be "our last workout for a while… 24 hours, 49 minutes 'til it is on. Let's go."

Just one week earlier, Andrews was at the doctor's for routine tests to get ready for the procedure and reported he was in "the best shape ever. Test results don't lie. I am ready for the fight."

We will continue to keep you updated on Andrews' condition as soon as he posts more updates about his recovery, so keep checking back.

Dishing with Digest - 12/13/19 - Wally Kurth

Episode 3 Of The “Last Blast Reunion” Available Now On The DOOL App

Justin Hartley's Wife Chrishell Thinks Money Grab Triggered Divorce

Sources connected with Chrishell Stause tell TMZ, the "Selling Sunset" star is privately calling BS on the date of separation Justin listed in his divorce filing. TMZ broke the story ... Justin claims in his docs he and Chrishell separated July 8, 2019. By contrast, she says they were together right up until the day he filed ... November 22, 2019.

We know the 2 were seen out in public together multiple times between July and November, so the early separation date is puzzling. We're told Chrishell doesn't think it's all that puzzling ... that the tea leaves point to some sort of deal Justin may have and she believes he just doesn't want her to get a piece.

As we reported, both Justin and Chrishell acknowledge they were having problems, but she says they never called it quits until she learned from TMZ he filed to end the marriage.

And, as we reported, Chrishell's lawyer, Samantha Spector, is asking Justin to pay her client spousal support ... something he made clear he does not want to pay.

We're told Justin is making big bucks in the wake of his success on "This Is Us." Unclear how the spoils will be divided.

Soaps in Depth Podcast - 12/9/19 - Sweeps Hits & Misses

Lisa de Cazotte Dies: Emmy-Winning Daytime Producer Was Age 58

Born Lisa Smith in Westchester, New York in 1961, she graduated from Fordham University and began her television career as an intern on ABC’s One Life to Live. She quickly moved up the ranks to associate, then coordinating producer.

Later positions included working as a producer then supervising producer on NBC’s Santa Barbara and ABC’s All My Children before she was named supervising producer of Aaron Spelling’s Sunset Beach.

In 1999, de Cazotte partnered with writer James E. Reilly and was named EP of NBC Studio’s Passions. She served as EP for the run of the show until 2008; then went on to executive produce General Hospital: Night Shift, a primetime spinoff of GH that ran on cable, before returning to All My Children. In 2012, de Cazotte was named co-executive producer of Days of Our Lives where she won two Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding drama series. In 2017, she became supervising producer of The Young and the Restless, where she won her third Emmy. She was still producing the Sony/CBS show at the time of her death.

In 2002, de Cazotte married French filmmaker and Oscar winner Antoine de Cazotte. They divided their time between Los Angeles, New York and Paris.

Lisa de Cazotte is survived by her husband Antoine, her brothers Michael Patrick Smith, Robert Terence Smith, and Brian Charles Smith, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Alison Sweeney Announces DAYS Comeback As Sami

Robert Walker Jr. Dies: ‘Star Trek’ Actor And Son Of Hollywood Stars Was 79

The New York native portrayed the twitchy, callow title character in “Charlie X,” the second episode of Star Trek’s pioneering first season in 1966, and also handled the title role of the notable 1960s feature films Ensign Pulver and Young Billy Young.

For Ensign Pulver, the comedic 1964 naval drama, Walker inherited a role that had earned Jack Lemmon an Oscar for best supporting actor for Mister Roberts (1955). In the 1969 gunfighter tale Young Billy Young, Walker was the volatile outlaw who finds a mentor in Robert Mitchum in film that also featured Angie Dickinson and David Carradine. That same year Walker and his wife, Ellie Wood, appeared together in the milestone counter-culture epic Easy Rider.

Walker’s other big-screen credits include The Hook (1963), with Kirk Douglas; The Ceremony (1963), with Laurence Harvey; The War Wagon (1967), with John Wayne; Killers Three (1968), with Dick Clark; and Road to Salina (1970), with Rita Hayworth.

On television his career spanned 20 years and his many credits included roles on Route 66, Ben Casey, Combat!, Bonanza, The Time Tunnel, The Six Million Dollar Man, Quincy, M.E.,Charlie’s Angels, Columbo, CHiPs, L.A. Law, and Murder, She Wrote.

It was his role in Federation space, however, that earned Walker his most lasting screen legacy. Walker was 26 when he played the callow 17-year-old Charlie Evans, aka Charlie X, on the second episode of Gene Roddenberry’s sci-fi series for NBC. The petulant Charlie came aboard the USS Enterprise as a rescued castaway who survived 14 solitary years amid the wreckage of a downed transport ship. The memorable episode, penned by D.C. Fontana, takes a dark turn when the orphaned teen’s dangerous secret and formidable mental powers are revealed.

Walker was born in Queens in April of 1940, the year after his father (best remembered as Alfred Hitchcock’s off-kilter killer in the 1951 classic Strangers on a Train) and his mother (the Academy Award-winner from The Song of Bernadette in 1943) were married. The marriage ended in 1945. Four years later, the youngster got a powerful stepfather when Jones married David O. Selznick, the Hollywood titan who produced Gone with the Wind and Rebecca.

‘The Bay’s Kristos Andrews, Vivica A. Fox & Michael Copon Set For ‘yA’ Spinoff In The Works By Lany Entertainment

Co-written by Martin and Riche, the coming of age young adult series will follow teens Frankie Sanders and Regan Sanders (played by twins, Bianca D’Ambrosio and Chiara D’Ambrosio) as they relocate to sunny California and a sometimes cruel new social environment of Bay City High. Crossing over from The Bay season 1 are series star Kristos Andrews as Pete Garrett, Vivica A. Fox (Empire, Independence Day) as Dr. Angela Foster, and Michael Copon (One Tree Hill, Power Rangers) as Officer Colton Kurosaki.

The series regular cast of the spinoff also will include Dante Aleksander, who plays Xander Castro, with newcomers Damoni Burkhardt, Logan Garretson, Brady Gentry, Tyler C. Lofton, and Bella Martinez. Several social media influencers will recur throughout the season, including Tessa Brooks as resident mean girl Evelyn, and Indiana Massara as troubled teen Lindsay.

Cast also includes Melrose Place alum Jamie Luner, Ian Buchanan (Twin Peaks), Galadriel Stineman (Until Dawn), Mark Famiglietti (Terminator 3), Eltony Williams (Tyler Perry’s If Loving You is Wrong), Jacob Young (Bold & the Beautiful), Fiona Hutchison (One Life to Live) and Alla Korot (Grimm), and as previously reported, Wanda De Jesus (Sons of Anarchy) and Devious Maids’ Gilles Marini.

Other season 1 recurring/guest stars include Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th) as the school security guard Pooch, Emmy winner Brad Maule (General Hospital) as Mr. Ford, Eileen Fogerty (Better Call Saul) as Principal Wu, as previously reported Mike C. Manning (Teen Wolf) as Mr. McKinnon, and Lane Davies (Santa Barbara) as Police Captain Johnson. Twins Chloe Frizzi and Sophia Frizzi (Young Judith, The Walking Dead) will appear in a flashback sequence as young Frankie and Regan. Additional cast members for this season to be announced.

Andrews also directs yA with creator and showrunner Martin. The Bay’s Wendy Riche, who co-wrote the 10-episode first season of yA with creator Martin, serves as executive producer along with Martin and Andrews. Riche also executive produced General Hospital and MTV’s Laguna Beach.

The series, which is currently being shopped, is in production with a release date scheduled for winter 2020.

WGA TV Nominations

DAYTIME DRAMA

Days of Our Lives, Writers: Lorraine Broderick, Ron Carlivati, Joanna Cohen, Carolyn Culliton, Richard Culliton, Rick Draughon, Dave Kreizman, Rebecca McCarty, Ryan Quan, Dave Ryan, Betsy Snyder, Katie Schock; NBC Universal

General Hospital, Head Writers: Shelly Altman, Christopher Van Etten Associate Head Writers: Anna T. Cascio, Dan O’Connor Writers: Barbara Bloom, Suzanne Flynn, Charlotte Gibson, Lucky Gold, Kate Hall, Elizabeth Korte, Donny Sheldon, Scott Sickles; ABC

The Young and the Restless, Writers: Amanda L. Beall, Jeff Beldner, Sara Bibel, Matt Clifford, Annie Compton, Christopher Dunn, Sara Endsley, Janice Ferri Esser, Mellinda Hensley, Anne Schoettle, Natalie Minardi Slater, Teresa Zimmerman; CBS

Ring in the Holiday With Your Favorite Stars And The Salvation Army

Justin Hartley Divorce Wife Chrishell's Moving Out

The "Selling Sunset" star was seen talking to movers at her L.A. residence Wednesday, and it looks like she's staying positive through the rough situation. A moving truck was also parked in front of the house she's shared with her recently estranged husband.

We broke the story ... Chrishell filed her response to Justin's divorce petition, and strongly suggests she was totally blindsided by it. According to the docs, she lists their separation date as Nov. 22, 2019 -- the day Justin filed for divorce -- but he claims they separated on July 8, 2019.

As we've pointed out ... that's a bit odd, considering the couple was seen out together multiple times after that date, including a week before his divorce filing.

The separation date isn't the only thing the 2 don't agree on -- Chrishell wants Justin to pay spousal support and her attorney's fees ... but he wants the opposite.

Chrishell also took a thinly veiled shot at Justin on social media by sharing a quote about it being difficult to watch people change, and now ... she's changing her address.

'This Is Us' Star Justin Hartley Wife Responds in Divorce Strongly Hints She Was Blindsided!!!

Chrishell just filed her response to Justin's divorce petition and, according to the docs -- obtained by TMZ -- she's listing their date of separation as Nov. 22, 2019 ... literally the day Justin ran to court and filed his petition.

Meanwhile, he says they separated on July 8, 2019 ... which seemed crazy because we'd seen them out together multiple times since then, most recently in November -- just a week before his divorce filing.

Besides the separation date -- Chrishell and Justin don't see eye to eye on a couple of other issues. According to her docs, filed by celeb attorney Samantha Spector, Chrishell says she wants him to pay spousal support ... and he doesn't want to pay.

She also wants him to cover her attorney's fees, but -- you guessed it -- Justin wants her to cover her own legal expenses.

Chrishell seemed to indicate the breakup was bitter with a not-so cryptic post on Monday about watching people change.

Oh, and speaking of change ... Chrishell has one other request in her docs. She's going back to her maiden name ... Stause.

Talk Show Appearance

Thursday, December 5 - Alison Sweeney on her new Hallmark Christmas Movie, plus Puppies in-studio for Animal Planet's LIVE adoption event "Give A Dog A Home."

Justin Hartley’s soon-to-be ex-wife posts cryptic quote

“It’s hard to watch people change right in front of you. But it’s even harder remembering who they used to be,” read a quote by Nishan Panwar posted to her Instagram on Monday.

In November, Hartley, 42, filed to divorce Stause, 38, citing irreconcilable differences. He filed the documents without an attorney, according to TMZ.

The former couple met during their soap opera days, with Chrishell on “Days of Our Lives” and Hartley in “Passions” and “The Young and the Restless.”

The two dated for three years before Hartley popped the question in summer 2016, and they tied the knot the following October. They have no children together; Hartley has one daughter, Isabella, from a previous relationship.

Hartley currently stars on hit NBC series “This Is Us,” and Stause appears on Netflix’s “Selling Sunset.”

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 12/2/19 - Thanks For That

Dishing with Digest - 11/29/19 - Kyle Lowder And Arianne Zucker

Patrika Darbo To Appear In DOOL App’s “Last Blast Reunion”

Unfolding drama: Returning ‘Days of Our Lives’ star co-owns this upcoming Bishop Arts restaurant

Built in 1910, the house was the residence of Dallas Mayor George Sergeant, who was known as the “Centennial Mayor” because he served in 1935 and 1936, the year Dallas was in the national spotlight as celebration central for the 100th anniversary of Texas statehood.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt are said to have sipped lemonade on the front porch when they visited the centennial as Sergeant’s guests.

Sergeant lived in the house until he died in 1971, and it was vacant for years before Bishop Arts developer Jim Lake Cos. bought it in 2011.

The two-story white house on Zang Boulevard is dripping with Dallas history.

Built in 1910, the house was the residence of Dallas Mayor George Sergeant, who was known as the “Centennial Mayor” because he served in 1935 and 1936, the year Dallas was in the national spotlight as celebration central for the 100th anniversary of Texas statehood.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt are said to have sipped lemonade on the front porch when they visited the centennial as Sergeant’s guests.

Sergeant lived in the house until he died in 1971, and it was vacant for years before Bishop Arts developer Jim Lake Cos. bought it in 2011.

The house was a big ol’ mansion in its day, and now it’s in the shadow of hulking adjacent apartment buildings, a shining piece of old Oak Cliff, smack dab in the heart of the new. Jim Lake Jr., whose family company began redeveloping Bishop Arts in the 1980s, calls it “the crown jewel of Bishop Arts.”

Now the house is getting a dramatic new act as a restaurant and bar, The Mayor’s House.

Experienced restaurateurs, husband-and-wife partners A.J. Gilbert and Martha Madison, are expected to open The Mayor’s House as soon as this month.

“Finding something with this kind of historical value is really rare and really special,” Madison says.

Sitting near the second-story windows, there is a view of the Downtown skyline. The Oak Cliff streetcar whirrs by and dings as it pulls into Bishop Arts Station.

“I fell in love with this site,” Gilbert says.

Gilbert and Madison met while working in the restaurant business together in Los Angeles. They owned and operated six Luna Park restaurants in San Francisco, L.A. and New York.

They’re front-of-the-house stock: Gilbert started in the business as a busboy, and Madison started as a cocktail waitress.

Madison, an actress who is originally from Houston, started in the restaurant business while trying to make it on Broadway. After several years of trying, she realized she just didn’t have the singing chops, and she headed to the opposite coast, where she was cast as a series regular on “Days of Our Lives.”

That’s right, Martha Madison is Belle Black, the daughter of Marlena (Deidre Hall) and John Black. Her character was one half of a soap super couple with Shawn Brady, the son of ’80s soap power couple Bo and Hope. She wound up marrying Victor Kiriakis’ son, Phillip, because of so many misunderstandings. Then she had a baby that she assumed was Phillip’s but was really Shawn’s, conceived while they both were in a hypothermic coma.

Anyway, Madison took over the role in 2004 and is the reigning Belle Black. The TV show was put on indefinite hiatus in November, but when we interviewed her at the Mayor’s House, Madison had just returned from shooting scenes in California when we interviewed her in October. Since then, it’s been announced that Madison will return as Belle, alongside the return of Phillip and Shawn, in a digital continuation of “Days.”

Madison says she loves working on the show, and especially, with Hall.

“She really is like a second mother to me,” she says.

Soap operas only shoot about 20 months out of the year, and the cost of living in California is so high that many soap actors have their residence elsewhere.

Madison and Gilbert came to North Texas because her sister lives in Frisco, and they wanted to find better schools for their daughter, 6-year-old Charley.

Compared to operating restaurants in California, they say, everything seems so much easier here.

“It’s an incredibly difficult business,” Gilbert says. “This has been an easy project for us because the landlord is doing a lot of the work, and we don’t have the financial pressure that a lot of restaurants get into early on, when construction is delayed and things like that.”

Lake added an outdoor dining patio to the northern side of the building. But all the historical details, including a grand staircase and built-in bookcases, are still there. The décor is what you might expect in any tastefully renovated historic house. Patterned wallpaper and bold paint colors that make the original refinished molding pop, a mix of wood tables and modern chairs.

The restaurant’s chef hadn’t been announced as of The Advocate’s press deadline.

“We just want it to be fun, easy but delicious and really extraordinary food and make some kind of statement about what Dallas is now,” Gilbert says.

One of their Los Angeles restaurants was near the Museum District, and there could be a guy in a tux for a charity event sitting next to a guy who rode his skateboard there, Gilbert says.

They’re aiming for that same level of approachability for the Mayor’s House.

“That’s the trick is to make it feel accessible but also feel special,” Gilbert says.

Inside Salem Finale - 11/25/19 - Ron Carlivati

Soaps In Depth - 11/25/19 - Vats All Folks!

Days of Our Lives Star Jay Johnson Returning as Philip Kiriakis in New Digital Series

Jay Johnson, who starred as fan-favorite Philip from 1999-2012 on the long-running soap, will be reprising his role on the show’s upcoming digital series Last Blast Reunion, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal.

Last week, the show announced that nine past characters from the 2000 season of the NBC daytime soap will return for Last Blast Reunion.

Almost 20 years later, Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), Martha Madison (Belle Black), Heather Lindell (Jan Spears), Aaron Van Wagner (Jason Welles), Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe Lane) and Lindsay Hollistar (Susan Adamson) will return to the .Com cyber cafe.

Chadwick Hopson will play Kevin Lambert, originally played by Brett Lawrence and Robert Benvenisti. Teressa Liane will play Mimi Lockhart, which was played in the broadcast series by Farah Fath.

Additionally, viewers will be in for a big surprise when a fan favorite returns in the first episode. Audiences will have to wait and see if it’s Johnson or another Days actor.

Written by Days of our Lives head writer Ron Carlivati, Last Blast Reunion follows Belle and Chloe, who discover that old pal Kevin has reopened the .Com Cafe in New York, which is similar to the place they all gathered nearly two decades prior. The trio decides to plan a “Last Blast Crew” reunion, and one week later are joined by Susan, Shawn and Mimi. Though Jan and Jason are absent from the reunion, they will soon join in.

Audiences should prepare to be surprised, as the series promises an unexpected turn with a few shocking twists.

Each episode will be approximately seven to 10 minutes in length.

Last Blast Reunion will premiere Nov. 29, on The DOOL App.

Justin Hartley Files for Divorce ... This is No Longer Us

Hartley filed legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- in which he claims irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce from Chrishell Stause, who has been on "Days of Our Lives" and is a star of the Netflix show, "Selling Sunset."

It's almost like this came out of the blue. Justin and Chrishell were together just last week, so something seems to have happened.

The couple has no children together, so custody won't be an issue. It's unclear if they have a prenup. BTW, Justin has one child from a previous marriage.

Justin and Chrishell dated for 3 years before he proposed. They met when their mutual friend encouraged them to go on a date since they were both starring in soaps at the time and were single. He was on "Young and the Restless," and the soap community is small.

Update 3:59 PM PT -- The plot just thickened. Justin lists the date of separation as July 8, 2019 ... months ago. The weird thing is ... they've been together a number of times since then ... as recently as last week. And, in his docs, Justin says he does not want to pay Chrishell spousal support and he wants her to pay her own lawyer's fees. It is possible they had a prenup that would make spousal support unnecessary.

Dishing with Digest - 11/22/19 - Amelia Heinle

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Renewed For Season 56 By NBC, EP Says

The pickup comes 10 days after word got out that the entire cast of NBC’s daytime drama had been released from their contracts.

The cost-cutting move came during the annual renewal window between NBC and Days distributor Sony Pictures TV; a renewal for Days typically comes at the start of the year. Negotiations for another season of the show on NBC, which had been underway, likely got accelerated by fan outcry over the news of contract releases.

After a big wave of cancellations of daytime soaps, the genre had been stable for the past few years with the four remaining series, Days Of Our Lives on NBC, General Hospital on ABC and Young and the Restless and Bold and the Beautiful on CBS. Like any network programming, soaps have come under economic pressure amid declining linear ratings.

Days of our Lives, which aired its 13,500th episode in 2018, first premiered as a half-hour drama in 1965 and expanded to an hour 10 years later. The show has garnered 57 Emmy Awards, as well as multiple People’s Choice Awards, GLAAD Media Awards and Prism Awards.

Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, Days of our Lives airs nationally on NBC in the United States and in more than 25 countries internationally. The core families are the Bradys, Hortons and DiMeras, and the multi-layered storylines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

Days of our Lives is produced by Corday Productions, Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producers Greg Meng and Albert Alarr.

‘Days of Our Lives’ to Launch New Digital Series ‘Last Blast Reunion’

This streaming series will bring nine beloved characters from the 2000 season of the NBC daytime drama back together for a special Salem High class reunion. Brandon Beemer, Martha Madison, Nadia Bjorlin, Heather Lindell, Aaron Van Wagner and Lindsay Hollister are all reprising roles, while Teressa Liane and Chadwick Hopson have been added in recasting.

Beemer will portray Shawn Douglas Brady, who he has played in the linear series since 2006; Madison is Belle Black, who she has played since 2005; and Bjorlin is Chloe Lane, a role she originated in 1999. Lindell reprises her 2004-05 role of Jan Spears, while Van Wagner returns as Jason Welles, a part he played from 2000-07; and Hollister revisits her 2001 role of Susan Adamson. Liane has taken over the role of Mimi Lockhart, previously portrayed by Farah Fath, and Hopson steps in as Kevin Lambert.

Additionally, the team behind the show is promising a “major fan favorite” will also join the reunion.

“We are excited to bring together some of the most beloved characters from Days of Our Lives in the next DOOL App series,” said Greg Meng, co-executive producer of “Days of Our Lives.” “As this new digital platform continues to grow, we can provide exciting additional content to complement the air show on NBC.”

In “Last Blast Reunion” Belle and Chloe discover their old friend Kevin has reopened the “.Com Café” in New York, and the trio decides to plan a reunion of the “Last Blast Crew.” The friends reminisce and quickly ease back into their old bonds and rivalries, but the story “takes an unexpected turn with some shocking twists that will keep viewers at the edge of their seats all the way to the surprise ending.”

Each of the eight episodes will run between seven and 10 minutes and length, released weekly on the DOOL App. They will also be available on the NBC app and NBC.com a week after release on the DOOL App.

The “Last Blast Reunion” digital series was written by “Days of Our Lives” head writer Ron Carlivati and produced by Corday Productions. “Days of Our Lives” is produced by Corday Productions, Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. It is executive produced by Ken Corday, Greg Meng and Albert Alarr, with Ron Carlivati as head writer.

This new digital series announcement comes a week after the linear show released its actors from their contracts.

A MERMAID FOR CHRISTMAS Available Now!

Tamara Clatterbuck & Michael Graziadei on All Rise 11/25/19

GUEST CAST includes: Ever Carradine (Felice Bell), Tamara Clatterbuck (Katie Kopple), Michael Graziadei (Choke).

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 11/18/19 - What’s Going On At DAYS?

Dishing with Digest - 11/15/19 - Days Head Writer Ron Carlivati

'General Hospital' Star Judge Rejects Alcohol Treatment Program ... Despite Plea from Police

The Morgan County Prosecutor's Office tells TMZ ... Tyler pled guilty to 2 counts of misdemeanor public intoxication following his Monday night arrest in Martinsville, Indiana.

Tyler was booked Monday on his 47th birthday and stayed locked up until his release two days later.

Tyler was ordered to pay a $440 fine. He's got until next week to fork over the dough. And, that's it ... he didn't get probation and the judge did NOT order him to enter into an alcohol treatment program.

That's significant because according to the arrest report ... cops requested "the judge consider the possible sentence of a treatment facility for Tyler Christopher's alcohol issues, as well as consider restitution to [the Uber driver] for the damage to his vehicle from Tyler Christopher urinating in his back seat."

Tyler squared things up with the Uber driver. TMZ broke the story ... Tyler passed out in the back seat of an Uber driver's car and urinated himself on the night he was busted.

Police had received 9 calls about Tyler being intoxicated since September 14. Medical personnel had told law enforcement there was nothing more they could do for him cause they'd already tried to help him ... like when Tyler was taken to a medical center for treatment but, against medical advice, checked himself out on the day he got arrested.

Is This the End of ‘Days of Our Lives’?

Sometimes the most dramatic scenes of a soap opera happen off-camera.

That was the case this week when rumors surfaced that the long-running NBC daytime drama “Days of Our Lives” might be canceled after the end of the current season.

The cast and crew jumped in to control the damage. “We are still here and we are not going anywhere,” the actress Kristian Alfonso, who plays Hope Williams Brady, said on Tuesday in an Instagram video. “We’re not being canceled,” Chandler Massey, who plays Will Horton, said on Twitter. Despite those assurances, many fans wondered whether the future of the show was in doubt.

Representatives for NBC and Corday Productions, the production company which has produced “Days of Our Lives” since its debut in 1965, declined to comment. Sony Pictures Television, which produces the show in association with Corday, did not return phone calls.

A person close to the show, though, said that “Days of Our Lives” had not been canceled, and that Sony and NBC were in negotiations to renew it for its 56th season. “Everyone is hopeful that it will be picked up,” the person said. “People are assuming a worst-case scenario, while we are hoping for the best.”

The news about renewal talks was reported by TVLine, an industry news site, which said the entire cast had been released from their contracts and the show would go on an indefinite hiatus. Calling the move “decidedly ominous,” it questioned whether the end was near. Daytime serial dramas have suffered in recent years as ratings have plummeted and networks have shifted daytime programming to talk shows, which are cheaper to produce.

In 2011, for example, ABC announced it would end two of its long-running daily dramas, “All My Children” and “One Life to Live.” CBS announced the cancellations of both “Guiding Light” and “As the World Turns” in 2009.

Corday, which negotiates contracts with actors for “Days of Our Lives,” will wrap up production for the current season at the end of the month, eight months ahead of schedule, said the person close to the show. And that’s where things get confusing: Some, but not all, of the cast will be released from their contracts, the person said. Additionally, all this is happening as the cast is preparing to leave for a scheduled holiday hiatus.

“In the past, we had a return date for production,” the person said. “But since we are ahead of schedule, we don’t.” If Sony and NBC reach a deal to renew the show, then Corday Productions and the actors can sign new contracts.

“Days of Our Lives” debuted on Nov. 8, 1965, as a half-hour drama and was expanded to an hour format a decade later. Television soap operas were an offshoot of 1930s radio dramas, which were sponsored by soap companies. The show is set in the fictional Midwestern town of Salem and has garnered 43 Daytime Emmy Awards. It airs in more than 25 countries worldwide.

Like other serial dramas, “Days of Our Lives” has dropped in popularity. According to Nielsen, which tracks television viewership, the show has had an average of 2.07 million daily viewers so far this year. The show drew 2.6 million daily viewers over the same period in 2010.

In March, Corday sued Sony, saying the company “has intentionally sought to destroy the series,” according to a news release. According to the complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Sony sought to subvert the show in foreign markets.

“It is absolutely necessary to bring the current untenable situation out into the light in order to ensure the future of ‘Days of Our Lives,’” Ken Corday, president and owner of Corday Productions, said in the news release.

The production company said Sony did not negotiate adequate licensing fees with NBC for “Days of Our Lives” and had not taken advantage of the growth of cable television and video streaming. In addition to seeking the termination of its distribution agreement, Corday wanted at least $20 million in damages for lost profits, as well as damages for fraud and breach of contract.

Lawyers for both Sony and Corday declined to comment on Wednesday. But a recent court filing shows that the two sides have entered into settlement negotiations to resolve the conflict.

Days of Our Lives Star to Anxious Fans: 'We Are Not Going Anywhere'

“Today is Tuesday, November 12th, and we are still here and we are not going anywhere,” Alfonso assured viewers via Instagram. “You heard it here first, folks. Don’t listen to the news, always — especially that report.”

Per our initial story, Corday Productions is releasing all contracted cast members from from their commitment to the show amid renewal talks between Sony Pictures Television and NBC. The news comes as Days is set to go on an indefinite (and pre-planned) production hiatus. But because the sudser shoots eight months in advance, the show will have enough episodes in the can to last through Summer 2020.

“All indications are that NBC would like to keep the show going,” an insider previously stressed to TVLine. If NBC does renew Days, production is expected to resume in March. But by releasing the cast from their contracts, producers have no guarantee who — if anyone — will return.

As one source pointed out, “It’s actually a shrewd — if cynical — business move. If Days gets picked up, [Corday] can offer the actors new contacts at a reduced rate and with a ‘take-it-or-leave’ it attitude. Worst case scenario, they lose half their cast. Best case scenario [for Corday], everyone agrees to return at a lower salary.”

'General Hospital' Star Busted for Public Intoxication ... Mug Shot After Alarming Bender

The soap star was arrested in Martinsville, Indiana Monday night -- on his 47th birthday -- and booked for public intoxication. According to Morgan County Jail records ... he's being held on $225 cash and $1,000 bond.

As far as we can tell ... Tyler hasn't been released yet.

Based on his mug shot, Christopher's changed his look quite a bit since he left his role on another popular soap opera, "Days of Our Lives," earlier this year ... and not for the better.

Tyler played Stefan DiMera on 'Days' from December 2017 until leaving the series this past March. Before that, he played Nikolas Cassadine on 'GH' off and on from 1996 to 2016.

All that pales in comparison to the best fun fact about Tyler though -- he was married to Eva Longoria from 2002 to 2004.

Update 7:52 AM PT -- According to new legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- Tyler's arrest capped off an alarming bender that possibly went on for weeks. Cops say they were contacted on Nov. 11 by an Uber driver who drove him home ... because Christopher had passed out in the back seat and urinated himself. He also allegedly had 2 fifths of bourbon on him ... one of which was halfway drank.

The docs say police have received 9 calls regarding Christopher being intoxicated since September 14, and medical personnel advised law enforcement there was nothing more they could do for him ... they'd already tried to help him.

For example -- Christopher was detained just days earlier on Nov. 8 for public intoxication at a Walgreens when someone reported he was trying to get inside their vehicle. Cops say Tyler was bleeding from the bridge of his nose and had urinated in his sweatpants ... and possibly hit his head.

Instead of being arrested, he was taken to the ER to be examined, but also took a breath test ... and registered a BAC of .267% -- more than 3 times the legal driving limit.

The docs say he got transported to a medical center for more treatment, and a warrant was filed for his arrest upon being released. Apparently, he checked himself out on Nov. 11 against medical advice ... before he was arrested for the Uber incident.

Days of Our Lives Put on Hiatus — But Source Says Soap Will ‘Almost Definitely Get Renewed’

TVLine reported Tuesday that the longtime NBC soap opera’s production company had let all the actors out of their contracts. The show will reportedly go on an “indefinite hiatus” this month, and the network will decide in 2020 if it should return for season 56.

However, a source tells PEOPLE that the show will likely continue past the brief hiatus, calling the report “a clickbait story.”

“The show shoots months and months in advance and they’ve gotten so far ahead that the cast was prepared ages ago for the fact that they would all be put on hiatus until closer to pick-up (aka renewal) time, for scheduling reasons,” the source says. “The show will almost definitely get renewed and this was not news to literally anyone on the show, nor is anyone truly concerned.”

According to Deadline, negotiations for season 56 are already underway.

NBC and reps for several cast members did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.

The soap opera, which is currently in its 55th season, is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday since Nov. 8, 1965.

Some of the show’s most memorable cast members include John Aniston, Susan Seaforth Hayes, Suzanne Rogers, Deidre Hall, Eileen Davidson, Alison Sweeney, Bill Hayes and Chrishell Hartley.

Days of our Lives airs weekdays on NBC (check local listings).

Days of Our Lives: Entire Cast Released From Contract — Is the End Nigh?

TVLine has learned exclusively that the producers of Days of Our Lives have released the entire cast from their contracts, with the venerable soap set to go on an indefinite hiatus at month’s end. While the NBC sudser has not been cancelled, the unprecedented — and decidedly ominous — move comes at a precarious time for ratings-challenged Days and the vanishing soap genre as a whole. It also comes as Sony Pictures Television and NBC are in negotiations to renew series.

Reps for NBC and Sony declined to comment for this story. A Sony source, meanwhile, tells TVLine that the studio is not involved in the contract negotiations with the cast. “The actor deals are through Corday Productions,” explains the insider, referring to Days‘ production company. A spokesperson for Corday Productions, meanwhile, did not reply to TVLine’s request for a comment.

An insider cautions that because Days shoots eight months in advance, the show will have enough episodes in the can when it stops production at the end of November to last through Summer 2020. If NBC does renew Days, production is expected to resume in March. But by releasing the contracted cast members from from their commitment to the show, producers have no guarantee who — if anyone — will return.

“It’s actually a shrewd — if cynical — business move,” sniffs one insider. “If Days gets picked up, [Corday] can offer the actors new contacts at a reduced rate and with a ‘take-it-or-leave’ it attitude. Worst case scenario, they lose half their cast. Best case scenario [for Corday], everyone agrees to return at a lower salary.”

Despite the gloomy turn of events, a source tells TVLine, “All indications are that NBC would like to keep the show going.”

The news comes as Days is shaking things up on-screen. This week, the soap is fast-forwarding the narrative by one year. “This is a great way to reset things in Salem,” executive producer Ken Corday told TVInsider.com of the time jump. “It will be a catalyst for many more [changes] to follow.”

Inside Salem - 11/11/19- Melissa Reeves, Paul Telfer and Eric Martsolf

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 11/11/19 - November Sweeps

ABC, NBC Announce Lineups for Impeachment Hearing Coverage

ABC and NBC announced their lineups for the hearings on Monday, joining CBS and PBS, which announced their plans last week.

The hearings will start on Wednesday with Bill Taylor, pictured, and George Kent testifying, followed by Marie Yovanovitch on Friday. They all have previously testified in closed-door hearings.

ABC News’ coverage will feature chief anchor George Stephanopoulos, World News Tonight anchor David Muir, chief White House correspondent Jonathan Karl, senior White House correspondent Cecilia Vega, senior congressional correspondent Mary Bruce, chief Justice correspondent Pierre Thomas, senior national correspondent Terry Moran, chief legal analyst Dan Abrams and contributor Kate Shaw. Muir will anchor World News Tonight from Washington starting on Wednesday.

ABC News Live will are pre- and post- shows on both days, anchored by chief national affairs correspondent Tom Llamas, and he will be joined by correspondent Kyra Phillips, senior Washington reporter Devin Dwyer, legal analyst Melissa Murray, Shaw and the network’s political team. FiveThirtyEight will liveblog the hearings.

NBC News’ coverage will be led by NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt, chief legal correspondent and Today anchor Savannah Guthrie and Meet the Press moderator and NBC news political director Chuck Todd.

Among those who will be contribute to the coverage are chief White House correspondent Hallie Jackson, White House correspondents Peter Alexander and Kelly O’Donnell, Justice correspondent Pete Williams, White House correspondent Geoff Bennett and MSNBC correspondent Garrett Haake, legal analysts Neal Katyal and Chuck Rosenberg, political analyst Claire McCaskill, legal analyst Paul Butler, NBC News and MSNBC contributor Jon Meacham, presidential historian Michael Beschloss and justice and security analyst Matthew Miller. NBC News national political reporter Jonathan Allen and NBC News White House reporter Shannon Pettypiece will live blog along with additional contributors.

The network also launched a podcast on NBC News Digital called “Article II: Inside Impeachment,” hosted by MSNBC and NBC News national political correspondent Steve Kornacki.

It was a given that the cable news networks would cover the impeachment hearings. On Fox News, anchors Bill Hemmer and Sandra Smith will kick off coverage at 9 AM ET. Martha MacCallum, Dana Perino and Juan Williams will join them from New York, while Bret Baier and Chris Wallace will lead coverage from in Washington along with chief White House correspondent John Roberts, congressional reporter and producer Chad Pergram and chief congressional reporter Mike Emanuel. Ken Starr and Andrew McCarthy will provide legal commentary.

Brian Williams and Nicolle Wallace will anchor coverage on MSNBC, starting at 9 AM, and they will be joined by Ari Melber.

DAYS Alum Books New Role

Tamara Braun Shares the Secret to Healing Her Back Pain

After all these years, one of those wellness sessions recently left Braun’s head spinning. “I wasn’t dizzy, but I was really light and kind of whoo-whoo,” she shares. “It was bizarre, because I’d never had that experience getting up from the table. When people talk about what it feels like to get high? This must be what it feels like. But I wasn’t used to it. I wasn’t freaking out, but I couldn’t drive.” After a few mango slices, however, Braun was energized, ready to roll and, she reports, “I had the best sleep of my life that night!”

Dishing with Digest - 11/8/19 - Kristian Alfonso

Chapter Two Finale Of “Chad and Abby in Paris” Available Now

Ron Perlman, Vanessa Marano & More Star In ‘This Game’s Called Murder’ Thriller

The pic is being described as an absurdist story full of violence, betrayal, and sex set in a world ruled by technology and social media. It’s a modern, dark-humored tale of greed, romance, and lost innocence in consumer-crazed, alienated society that functions as a harsh critique of society today without taking itself too seriously.

Sherman and Hagai Shaham are producing the project, which is shooting in and around Los Angeles.

Perlman, known for FX’s Sons of Anarchy, Amazon’s Hand of God, and the Hellboy features, will next be seen in the Hulu series Reprisal opposite Abigail Spencer. He’s repped by Gersh and LINK Entertainment. Marano recently wrapped filming the CBS pilot, Super Simple Love Story with sister Laura Marano, who she starred alongside in Saving Zoe, which was released theatrically earlier this year. She is with Paradigm and Marano Entertainment.

Henstridge is repped by Buchwald and Atlas Artists; Lastovic by Global Artists Agency and Blain & Associates; Barrett by Citizen Skull.

First Trailer For A MERMAID FOR CHRISTMAS

Jen Lilley Opens up About the Difficult Birth of Her Daughter

The pregnancy had been fairly easy, with Lilley even shooting Hallmark movies through the sixth month. However, the delivery was anything but simple. Not only did the star endure 22 hours of labor, but she also went through transition twice! At one point, “they realized the baby’s heart had stopped, and the team ran in saying, ‘We have to give you Albuterol, an asthma medication, to stop your contractions.’ They were so intense that they were squeezing her to death,” Lilley revealed. “Jason and my best friend were praying over me with each one.”

Many tears and an ineffective epidural later, Lilley says she finally gave birth to their daughter, Julie Evangeline Wayne, on July 30. Of her resolve to endure the process, she confided, “I had a lot of peace about it, but at the same time, all I could think was, ‘The baby’s been in distress pretty much from the getgo, and now she has no air.’”

The Waynes had been prepared to expand their family — they’d even bought a bigger SUV — but hadn’t anticipated the warm welcome the boys gave their new sister. “The 17-month-old calls her ‘my baby,’ and Kayden can’t say his Ls, so he calls her Juie,” Lilley offered. “He kisses her constantly!”

Lilley has since been nursing her healthy baby and, amazingly, getting some rest. “I’ve now got two kids that sleep through the night,” she said proudly, "and I've trained Julie to sleep for four-to five-hour stretches." That was a huge relief, given that the actress soon needed to fly to Vancouver with the newborn to film Hallmark’s Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday (airing Friday, December 13). Might she also be up for bringing DAYS’ Tate for a visit to Salem? Daunted by the prospect of the soap’s rigorous production schedule, Lilley muses, “I think you’re going to have to wait for Theresa.”

Matthew Ashford Previews What's Next for Jack on DAYS OF OUR LIVES

While that was good news for Jennifer, Ashford said that for Jack, “as Will had predicted before, getting your memory back is no picnic.” Doors started opening, and Jack “didn’t just have to realize how he has been behaving over the past several months but also how he’s been all of his life in Salem.”

Reconciling all of that is a process that requires some painful soul searching. “Jack realizes that he really hasn’t been that great of a person,” Ashford offered. “The way he’s been treating everybody around him… it’s coming back in dribs and drabs but not in a good way. It doesn’t feel good at all.”

Is there really that much difference between the old Jack and the one he became? The man himself isn’t sure and will discover who he is through the perspective of others. As an actor, Ashford says that the challenge in creating this new, integrated version of the character is “to not just rely on history to propel me into and through the scenes,” he shared, “because that history is there and it’s wonderful, but we need to be in this moment.”

Having spent months fighting to get “her” Jack back, Jennifer’s willing to wait for him to sort out his feelings. “We’re finding each other again,” Ashford observes. “She says, ‘I know you’re going through something’ and allows him to just kind of sit with it because there are really no words… it’s just all sad and unhappy.”

In the meantime, there are plenty of other Salemites eager to see Jack come around and wondering just who he’ll be now (and whether they’ll like him!). “Everybody is reserving judgment,” Ashford said. “But then again, life in this town takes such twists that people suddenly have to pull it together and figure it out.”

The actor is referencing a major catastrophe just ahead that will move the focus elsewhere. “The effect it has on these families!” he previewed. “It’s like, they’ve all gotta wake up, get up, fall down, fall over, pull it together, don’t pull it together… Everyone has different choices about what to do.” Will Jack choose to become the hero that his daughter, Abigail, had once worshipped? Only time will tell.

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 11/4/19 - Big Turning Points!

Daytime Emmys: Gender-Neutral Young Performer Category, More Inclusive Eligibility Among 15+ Changes for 2020

NATAS has announced a slew of changes and updates for the 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, which as recently reported will now be held across three nights, Friday, June 12 through Sunday, June 14.

The changes include but are not limited to:

* Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series replaces the Outstanding Younger Actor and Younger Actress in a Drama Series categories, as well as eliminates the gender of the category.

* All performers eligible for gendered acting categories are encouraged to enter the one they feel best fits their gender identity — as Asia Kate Dillon, a non-binary cast member of Showtime’s Billions, does by choosing to compete in the Supporting Actor category at the Primetime Emmys.

* These categories are now open to both Broadcast Dramas and Digital Drama entrants:
Outstanding Art Direction/Set Direction/Scenic Design
Outstanding Casting
Outstanding Costume Design
Outstanding Lighting Direction
Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition

* Outstanding Makeup, Outstanding Costumes and Outstanding Hairstyling reels must now include only “everyday” makeup and hairstyling. Special event, Halloween, special effects, prosthetic or period makeup and hairstyling reels belong in a newly created Outstanding Special Effects Costumes, Makeup and Hairstyling category.

* Other new categories include Outstanding Young Adult Program (created for tween and teen viewers 12- 17 years old, and accepting Series and Specials) and Outstanding Picture Editing for an Animated Program.

* Outstanding Performer in a Children’s or Family Viewing Program has been replaced with two categories: Outstanding Principal Performance in a Children’s, Family Viewing, Young Adult, or Special Class Program, and Outstanding Limited Performance in a Children’s, Family Viewing, Young Adult Program, or Special Class Program (whereby Limited is defined as appearing in 25% or less of the total episodes for the season, appearing on screen in 25% or less of the entire Special, and/or onscreen Guest credit).

* Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program has been eliminated.

Daytime Emmy Awards Eliminates Gender Distinction From Outstanding Younger Performer Category

As gender identity becomes an ever-larger part of the conversation about inclusion, representation and diversity, the category of Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series will replace the Younger Actor and Younger Actress categories, eliminating gender distinction from the nominations, Deadline has learned.

In addition, performers eligible in all Daytime Emmy acting categories will be encouraged to enter the category they feel best fits their gender identity. The Daytime Emmys will honor those category selections.

The changes come at a time when gender identity is being examined in the award show space. In 2017, the MTV Video Music Awards went gender-neutral with all their categories (and changed its “Moon Man” trophy to “Moon Person”). The MTV Movie and TV Awards also did away with gender designations.

In 2018, Billions actor Asia Kate Dillon, who identifies as non-binary and plays a non-binary character on the Showtime series, questioned the Television Academy’s gender-specific categories. They felt that there was not a space for them as a non-binary individual.

In other rule changes, Deadline has learned that the six craft categories previously exclusive to Broadcast Dramas will now include entrants from Digital Dramas.

Tamara Price on DAYS OF OUR LIVES — Everything You Need to Know

Tamara was introduced as Marlena Evans' college roommate who surprised her friend as she was about to marry Roman Brady. Tamara initially clashed with Roman's friend, Abe Carver, as she cut him off in traffic hurrying to the ceremony. But of course, there is a thin line between love and hate, and those two definitely crossed it!

Tamara got a job singing at Blondie's, which upset Liz Chandler, because that was her gig. Abe and Tamara began dating, but it was clear that she was keeping something from him. It turned out she was running away from Coleman, a man from her past. When he resurfaced, Coleman confronted Tamara and promised to go legit if she came back to him (though he wouldn't leave his wife). Abe looked into Coleman's shady past and was stunned when Tamara announced they had reunited and left town with the guy.

It wasn't until 2015 when Lani Price admitted that Abe was her father that he learned that Tamara had been pregnant with his child when she left him. So there may be some drama when the pair come face to face at their daughter's wedding, but hopefully, they can work it out for her sake!

Inside Salem - 10/28/19 - SPECIAL: 55th Season Celebration Roundtable

Soaps In Depth - 10/28/19 - Daniel Goddard's Shocking Exit

DAYS Stars Remember John Clarke

Episode 6 Of Chad & Abby In Paris Available Now On The DOOL App

Win An Autographed Script From DAYS!

Major Daytime Emmy News Announced!

John Clarke Dies: ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Actor & Lifetime Achievement Emmy Recipient Was 88

Clarke passed away from complications of pneumonia on October 16, in Laguna Beach, a representative for the actor told Deadline Monday. Clarke previously suffered a stroke in 2007 and had been in declining health in the last few years.

The veteran actor worked in film, television and theater, but was most recognized by soap opera fans after 39 years on NBC’s long-running daytime series Days of Our Lives.

In addition to his stint in daytime TV, and two years co-starring with Leslie Nielsen on The New Breed for ABC, Clarke co-starred or had guest roles on the TV series: Gun Smoke; Have Gun Will Travel; The FBI; Sugarfoot; Death Valley Days; Twilight Zone; Maverick; Wanted Dead or Alive; The Law and Mrs. Jones; and many other shows.

His motion picture credits included Judgement at Nuremburg; It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World; The Satan Bug; Man Missing; and Burma Patrol

In the theater, Clarke performed as resident leading man in more than 75 plays at the Tenthouse Theater in Chicago. He was resident leading man at the Palm Springs Playhouse for one season, then switched to musical theater, and played various leading roles at the Sacramento Music Circus.

Born in South Bend, Indiana, Clarke attended school wherever his father, an Army officer, was stationed. Rarely, remaining at one school for more than a year, a young Clarke finally settled a bit when he attended Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, Virginia. Then came some years at Claremont High School in Claremont, California, his mother’s hometown.

After graduation from the American High School in Tokyo, Japan, he returned to Claremont and attended UCLA where he received his BA in Theater and completed work for his MA in television.

During the Korean War, John served in the Air Force where he kept up his interest in show business as a member of the Air Force Varsitones — a touring troop entertaining military personnel throughout the U.S.

Among the accolades for his TV work, Clarke received an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Actor, he picked up Afternoon TV’s Best Single Performance Award, and in May of 2004 — just after retiring from acting and Days of Our Lives — he was awarded an Emmy for Lifetime Achievement.

Above all, family life was most important to Clarke and his wife Patty, those close to him said. They raised three children, Joshua, Heidi and Melinda. Josh works in the Bioscience industry and Melinda followed in her father’s footsteps to pursue a career in Hollywood, including a starring role on The O.C. Heidi passed in 1994 from a heart tumor.

Clarke is survived by his wife Patty, his children Joshua and Melinda and his grandchildren, Catherine Grace, Natasha and Jacob.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Heidi Clarke Scholarship Fund at California Institute of the Arts, 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355-2340.

Soaps in Depth Podcast - 10/21/19 - What SHOULD Happen Next

Soap Stars On THE REAL

Talk Show Appearance

Monday 10/21: Galen Gering, Michael Mealor, Lawrence Saint-Victor, Donnell Turner, guest co-host Amanda Seales

Maree Cheatham on Young Sheldon 11/7/19

GUEST CAST: Maree Cheatham (Dorothy), David Futernick (Man In Crowd), Davey Johnson (Nigel).

Ron Carlivati’s Father To Appear On DAYS

Robin Strasser On DAYS: “They won’t be using me again”

Inside Salem - 10/14/19 - Camila Banus, Melissa Reeves, Matt Ashford

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 10/14/19 - The Week‘s Best… And Worst

Dishing with Digest - 10/11/19 - Darin Brooks

Episode 4 Of “Chad & Abby in Paris” Streaming Now On The DOOL App

Tamara Braun Previews Her New Play With GH Alum Ronnie Marmo

Death With Dignity… Comes in a Milkshake centers around a therapy session that erupts into full-blown mental anarchy as a therapist must contend with an office commandeered by her patients and she questions her own training and qualifications as she attempts to reign in the chaos. Tackling politics, social issues, and show business, the play reveals the thin line that separates doctor and patient.

"Honestly, I had been thinking about doing a weekend of one-acts with soap actors," Braun confided. "I had been talking about that with a few people to gauge interest. Then, out of the blue, I got a text from Ronnie saying he was directing this new play by Sam Henry Kass and kept thinking of me for a role. I saw it as a gift."

Braun was thrilled to get back on stage and flex some different acting muscles than the ones she uses on GH, and has reveled in the challenges it has presented. "It's been an interesting process becuase we didn't have Ronnie for almost two weeks because he is putting his one-man show [I'm Not a Comedian… I'm Lenny Bruce] up in Chicago and had a retreat with his New York Theater group," she revealed. "So it's been a bit unusual. He Skyped into rehearsals a couple of times and always checked in with us. He is back now and extremely enthusiastic, energetic, and inspired by the piece and what the actors are finding in it."

Death With Dignity… Comes in a Milkshake will have performances on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. with two Sunday matinees. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.theater68.com.

Lucas Adams Opens up About Leaving DAYS OF OUR LIVES... and a Potential Return!

Now, Tripp has left far happier than when he arrived, and Adams couldn’t be more grateful for his new family. “I never had a bad day on set,” he said, “and I’d love to thank everyone at DAYS and all the fans for watching. Everyone at the show made my time there so enjoyable and made me feel like I was part of the family so quickly.”

"I really appreciate the fans," said Adams, "especially the loyal fans who've been watching for decades. Having a new character come on out of nowhere and be accepted quickly was awesome."

Leaving, Adams admitted, was a bummer. “I love everybody there,” he shared. “I love the stories we get to portray. I was excited to get to try other things, but it was kind of a bittersweet moment, like, ‘Oh man, I’m not gonna get to come back here for a little bit.’” Still, Tripp’s leaving town is something the actor “understood, as a character. Medical school is something that he’s talked about for a long time. He came full circle. He grows into himself and into an adult.”

Adams can’t keep the pride out of his voice when talking about Tripp. “I loved his growth,” he explained. “That was my favorite thing about him. He grew by knowing that he did something wrong and constantly trying to make up for it.” Moving past his vendetta against Kayla was “when he started thinking about his life more instead of just everything being wrong around him,” he continued. “It shows that while he’s just like Steve, he wants to be like Kayla, too.”

That said, if Tripp’s exit was the perfect coda for his relationship with Kayla, it wasn’t the same for Patch. Missing Stephen Nichols’ comeback “was the one sad thing,” Adams admitted. “I wish Tripp could’ve been there to say goodbye. That was the whole reason he came to Salem in the first place.”

"I love any scene with Mary Beth Evans (Kayla)," Adams shared. "She's just like a second mom. We would just be chit-chatting and talking."

Since leaving DAYS, Adams has already landed a Lifetime movie, Killer Ransom, (and wrapped work on it months ago!). “I play a really bad guy,” he shared excitedly. “That was just a lot of fun. I kidnap this daughter and try to extort money from the parents.”

And now that Ransom’s under the actor’s belt, he’s ready to sink his teeth into something even murkier. “I want something where I’m down in the dumps and very dark and gritty,” he admitted. “I would love that.” In a way, it would bring Adams himself full circle. After all, he reflects, when he first came to DAYS, “Tripp started off in this really dark place. Then he started helping other people get out of their dark places. It’s like he got to Salem and something was covering his eyes. Now that he’s leaving, it’s finally lifted. If he comes back, he’d come back older and more mature.”

Tripp’s leaving, then, like Adams’, is just a part of the journey, rather than the end. So, of course, we have to ask whether the actor would be up for returning to the role if Tripp ever journeyed back to Salem. “Yeah!” he answered without hesitation. “I mean, the hospital’s a big part of DAYS. He’s going to medical school, he can come back as a smart doctor!”

GENERAL HOSPITAL's Wes Ramsey Announces His New Book, 'Into the Black'

"With that said," he continued, "I'm proud to announce that four weeks from today, on Halloween, I will release Into the Black as the second volume of my work. It will be available at wesramsey.com. I hope it finds its way to those it belongs with."

Back in 2014, Ramsey released his first volume, Salt & Sand, which is unfortunately no longer available. According to his website, Into the Black is a larger, full volume of poetry that was written between 2002 and 2017. "This volume is a raw look inside the journey between life's struggles and the beauty of the gift within those struggles that make us who we are," reads the description. "It is an intimate glimpse into the heart and mind of an artist who has endured."

So beginning on Thursday, Oct. 31, Into the Black will be available for purchase directly from Ramsey's website.

OWN Sets Its First Holiday Movies Starring Jackée Harry, Aloma Wright, Kimberly Elise, Rick & Sasha Fox And Alo

One Fine Christmas, starring Rick Fox and his daughter Sasha Fox in their first time acting together, as well as Marla Gibbs and Vanessa Williams (the Soul Food alumna, not Sasha’s mom), will premiere November 15. It will be followed by Carole’s Christmas, starring Jackée Harry and Kimberly Elise Star, on Nov. 22, and Baking Christmas, starring Aloma Wright and Tim Reid Star, on Nov. 29.

Holiday movies are a major audience draw, especially among women who are OWN’s core demographic. And, while TV movies are generally difficult to make work financially for a cable network because they are one-offs, holiday films are generally evergreen and can be rerun every holiday season.

Original holiday movies have been a long-time staple on female-focused Hallmark Channel and Lifetime. Freeform, which has carried on its predecessor ABC Family’s 25 Days Of Christmas franchise, started adding original holiday movies to the mix in 2017. Netflix too has been betting big on original holiday movies, with several new titles released every year.

“We are excited to bring holiday movies to OWN,” said Tina Perry, president, OWN. “This special time of year is about spending time with the ones you love, and we think our viewers are going to enjoy watching these movies together throughout the season.”

Here are details about OWN’s holiday movies:

One Fine Christmas premieres Friday, November 15 at 9pm ET/PT

Marking the first time they have acted together, Rick Fox and his daughter Sasha Fox star in One Fine Christmas. The father/daughter duo join beloved actress Marla Gibbs and fan favorite Vanessa Williams in the ensemble cast. The families on Christmas Street have been busy with their day-to-day lives that they lose sight of the importance of family during the holiday season. Haley (Sasha Fox) comes home for the Christmas holiday, but home has not been the same since her family split up. Haley’s mother Susan (Williams) is working on a new work deal with her client (Rick Fox) which causes her to hardly have time for Haley or her mother Alice (Gibbs). Al (Mark Christopher Lawrence) is too preoccupied with work that he overlooks his wife Matty (June Carryl). Meanwhile, Bob (Rodney Van Johnson) and Diana’s (Eva La Dare) son Jesse (Alfonso Torres Caballero) comes home for Christmas with a very special surprise. This “slice of life” holiday tale shares the individual stories of these neighbors as they celebrate Christmas Eve and find themselves unexpectedly united for the holiday season.

Carole’s Christmas premieres Friday, November 22 at 9pm ET/PT

Starring acclaimed actresses Jackée Harry and Kimberly Elise, Carole’s Christmas tells the story of Carole Jordan (Elise), an overworked businesswoman who learns the meaning of “be careful what you wish for” after she off-handedly wishes she had taken another path in life. When Carole’s wish is granted, her world is turned upside down and the only person she can confide in is Iris (Harry), a woman she recognizes from her “past life.” Carole no longer has time for the things that mattered most to her – family, friends and her annual Christmas party. She quickly learns how grateful she was for the previous life she was living. Carole’s Christmas also stars Cayden K. Williams (star of OWN’s David Makes Man), Bianca Buck and Anthony Montgomery.

Baking Christmas premieres Friday, November 29 at 9pm ET/PT

When Patty (Aloma Wright), the founder of the town’s most popular and successful bakery, announces her plan to retire at the end of the year, her children step up to take over the family business. Patty and Phillip’s (Tim Reid) children, Jennifer (Khalilah Joi), Angela (Leigh-Ann Rose) and Anthony (Arnell Powell), are qualified – and eager – to run the enterprise, and each has their own ideas for writing the bakery’s next chapter. There is only one way to ensure the shop ends up in the right hands and that is a Christmas cake bakeoff. The gloves come off and the frosting flies as the siblings vie for control of the bakery in an unforgettable competition to create the best-ever Christmas confection. Baking Christmas also stars Yohance Myles from OWN’s Ambitions.

The movies are produced for OWN by Hybrid, LLC in association with Harpo Films.

Soaps In Depth podcast - 10/7/19 - Hot (And Not) Plots

Dishing with Digest - 10/4/19 - Eric Martsolf

Eric Martsolf (Brady, DAYS) talks about how he went from law school student to musical theater performer to soap star with Digest's Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. Plus, we look at the importance of characters who were born on screen.

GH-ers Team Up For New Play

Alison Sweeney to Star in Blake Shelton-Produced Hallmark Christmas Movie

The Hallmark favorite has been cast as the leading lady in Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' upcoming Blake Shelton-produced holiday film, Time for You to Come Home for Christmas, ET has exclusively learned. Marvel's Agents of SHIELD star Lucas Bryant will play Sweeney's love interest.

The new movie is a sequel to last year's Time for Me to Come Home for Christmas, which starred Josh Henderson and Megan Park, and was based on Shelton's 2012 song, "Time for Me to Come Home," which he wrote and recorded with his mother, Dorothy Shackleford. She also published a novella of the same name in 2013.

In Time for You to Come Home for Christmas, recent widow Katherine (Sweeney) and her son, Will, return to her hometown to spend Christmas with family. On the train to Virginia, Katherine meets Jack (Bryant), a veteran on his own holiday journey. Katherine and Jack part ways, only to discover they had the same destination. While volunteering for the local Christmas dance, a fundraiser for military families, the two grow closer. But Katherine struggles to move on from her late husband and Jack is focused on a mysterious mission that brought him to town. As Christmas nears, the two learn of a hidden connection that may be the Christmas miracle they were looking for.

This is the Days of Our Lives star's second Hallmark Christmas movie, following 2017's Christmas at Holly Lodge. Production is currently underway in Vancouver.

Headlining this year's crop of 40 original Hallmark holiday movies are Candace Cameron Bure, Lacey Chabert, Rachael Leigh Cook, Jodie Sweetin, Erin Krakow, Tamera Mowry-Housley and Danica McKellar, as well as Kristin Chenoweth in Hallmark Channel's marquee movie, Hallmark Hall of Fame's A Christmas Love Story, opposite Scott Wolf.

As the countdown to the holidays begins, spend your evenings with Hallmark's official podcast, Bubbly Sesh, hosted by Jacks and Shawl. The podcast, featuring recaps and interviews with Hallmark stars, covers every Saturday movie premiere on Hallmark Channel, as well as every Sunday debut on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and will be breaking down every holiday film this Christmas.

And, if you're looking for another option as Hallmark Christmas nears, Deck the Hallmark podcast, hosted by three guys -- Bran, Panda and Dan --will return for another season of "liked it, loved it, despised it" for every original Hallmark movie debut.

Time for You to Come Home for Christmas, part of Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' "Miracles of Christmas," premieres Friday, Dec. 6 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Wally Kurth Clarifies His Status at GENERAL HOSPITAL and DAYS OF OUR LIVES

"I think this is common knowledge, but I'm working on DAYS mostly because I'm under contract over there," Kurth explained during an interview with Daytime After Dark. "Now we're almost eight months ahead, so you won't really see me full force… I start a major story in like, the middle of November. There's a big twist on the show and it's very interesting. So that'll be good. For people who like Justin, you'll be seeing a lot of me in a couple of months."

Kurth joined the cast of DAYS back in 1987 and when he left in 1991, he moved to GH to play a recast Ned Ashton in 1993. However, after dropping to recurring status with the ABC sudser, the actor went back to DAYS in 2009. And since 2012, he has juggled both soaps at the same time.

"The wonderful thing is that DAYS and GH coordinated and worked together and said that I can still go do GH," Kurth confided. "DAYS gets first choice if I have to work. But I can still do GH and Frank is allowing me to go do DAYS and also knows he can use me if he needs me to come on GH. So I'm the luckiest actor in town that I get to do both shows. So I have a feeling that I'll be back on GH in a couple of months. Which will be great."

It may be an unusual arrangement, but it's one that is working out not only for Kurth but for his fans who can enjoy watching the talented actor playing two separate roles at the same time!

Inside Salem - 9/30/19 - Bill Hayes, Bryan Dattilo, Lauren Koslow

‘DAY OF DAYS’ FAN EVENT ON SATURDAY, NOV. 9

This complimentary event, set for 10 a.m.-5 p.m., for devoted “Days of our Lives” viewers will offer fans the chance to meet and greet Salem’s favorite cast members during autograph signings, a Q&A session and much more.

Some of the “Days” stars scheduled to attend include Kristian Alfonso, John Aniston, Lamon Archey, Matthew Ashford, Camila Banus, Mary Beth Evans, Billy Flynn, Galen Gering, Linsey Godfrey, Deidre Hall, Bill Hayes, Drake Hogestyn, Victoria Konefal, Lauren Koslow, Wally Kurth, Eric Martsolf, Chandler Massey, Melissa Reeves, James Reynolds, Suzanne Rogers, Susan Seaforth Hayes, Freddie Smith, Sal Stowers, Paul Telfer, Greg Vaughan, Robert Scott Wilson, Arianne Zucker and a special surprise guest.

SCHEDULE OF THE DAY

10-10:30 a.m.: “Day of Days” welcome and cast introductions

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Meet and greet with the cast of “Days of our Lives”

12:30 p.m.: Lunch break

2-4 p.m.: Meet and greet with the cast of “Days of our Lives”

4:15-4:45 p.m.: “Days of our Lives” Q&A

4:45-5 p.m.: Event finale, including a special sneak preview what’s to come this season

“Days of our Lives,” which is about to begin its 55th season, is set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem. The core families are the Bradys, Hortons and DiMeras, and the multi-layered storylines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

“Days of our Lives” is produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producers Greg Meng and Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati is the head writer.

For more information, please visit the official show site at: http://www.nbc.com/days-of-our-lives

For the latest “Days of our Lives” news, videos, and photos, please like on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram.

https://www.facebook.com/daysofourlives

https://twitter.com/nbcdays #Days

https://instagram.com/nbcdays

For more information on CityWalk at Universal Studios Hollywood, go to http://www.citywalkhollywood.com/.

Hogan Sheffer Dies: Emmy-Winning ‘As The World Turns’ And ‘Y&R’ Writer Was 61

Sheffer went into cardiac arrest in 2014, and suffered a series of health problems up until his death last week from heart failure.

The veteran writer’s longtime manager, Brad Kramer, told Deadline Sheffer had a “huge heart” and always helped others.

“I met Hogan in 1993. I know I am speaking for countless others when I say Hogan Sheffer will be dearly missed,” Kramer said. “Besides a brilliant creative mind, and the most generous huge heart, Hogan could always and did make you laugh until you were in tears. He would and did do anything to help others.”

Sheffer started out in the industry in the 1980s and worked at DreamWorks as director of screenplay development from 1997 to 2000, under producers Mark Johnson and Elizabeth Cantillon. He was in charge of developing screenplays for films such as My Dog Skip, Galaxy Quest, Home Fries, and What Lies Beneath.

He would later make the transition to daytime TV on As the World Turns, The Young and the Restless, and Days of Our Lives.

While Sheffer loved writing and developing feature films, he thrived on the intensity and year-round schedule of daytime TV, Kramer said.

Sheffer served as head writer on the CBS daytime drama As the World Turns. He led his team to four Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team on the program in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005.

He was also head writer on NBC’s Days of Our Lives from 2006 to 2007, and co-head writer on CBS’ Y&R for several years.

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 9/30/19 - The Characters We Miss

Pa. soap opera scribe Hogan Sheffer, of ‘As The World Turns’ and ‘Young and the Restless’ fame, dies at 61

His death was confirmed on Facebook by friend and fellow soap opera writer Tom Casiello.

Sheffer, who was born in York as Mark Wayne Sheffer in 1958, is credited as leading the team of writers who turned the floundering “As the World Turns” around in the early 2000s, winning four Daytime Emmy awards for his work.

Sheffer was also head writer for “Days of Our Lives” and would pick up a fifth Daytime Emmy as part of “The Young and the Restless” writing team.

Prior to working for soap operas, Sheffer was Director for Screenplay Development with Dreamworks.

Réal Andrews Opens up About His Bipolar Diagnosis

Today, the soap vet is sober and reprioritizing both his health and his passion for performing. However, he’s also had a revelation that was two decades in the making. “I was having crazy, dark thoughts. Then it hit me one day that for the first time in my life, I’m not masking it with drugs, alcohol or anything like that. It was right there in my face!” he admitted. That’s when he decided to see a physician and “got officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder.”

Now receiving treatment, Andrews feels like a new man and wants to encourage others in the same boat to seek help. “I want to be able to tell you that you’re not alone,” he said. “There’s a big difference between being depressed, sad or having a bad day and suffering from this sickness. When you don’t know where [those feelings] come from, you don’t know how to stop them.”

My ultimate [goal], and kind of what I’ve already started working towards,” he said, “is being on the big stage, talking to hundreds of thousands of people about depression.”

The actor currently plays Dr. Keith Campbell on Amazon’s THE BAY THE SERIES, but as he looks to the future, there’s another kind of character he’s eyeing. “I like to play heavies: bad guys and psychos. I’ve always been drawn to that,” he admitted. “I became an actor because I saw Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.” While he says that he would “absolutely do daytime again,” Andrews remains open to whatever the next leg of his journey brings. “I put a lot of faith in my representation, but my No. 1 representation is God,” he insisted. “So whatever He puts on my plate… my job is to show up with excellence.”

Episode 2 Of “Chad & Abby in Paris” Streaming Now On The DOOL App

Darin Brooks and Kelly Kruger Welcome Daughter Everleigh Jolie: 'We Can't Believe She's Finally Here'

The couple welcomed daughter Everleigh Jolie Brooks at 4:13 a.m. on Sunday, September 22 in Los Angeles. Little Everleigh was born weighing 9 lbs. and 1 oz., and 21.5 inches long.

“It still feels so surreal, like one big blurry dream,” Kelly who is starring in No Place Like Home this fall, tells PEOPLE. “We’ve waited so long to meet our little girl and we can’t believe she’s finally here! She’s everything!”

“We keep looking at her in disbelief that we made her,” the new mom, 36, adds. “We look at her and try to figure out who she looks more like. She has my hair because I also was born with a ton, and she definitely has Darin’s height.”

Everleigh also has someone else’s looks — Kelly’s grandmother, Jolan!

“Jolie in French means beautiful, so we always knew that would be the name if we had a daughter one day. Then when we met her, she looked like and Everleigh and since it felt like forever from when we started trying to get pregnant to finally meeting her, the name just fit her perfectly,” Kelly says.

As for new dad Darin, the Bold and the Beautiful star is already over the moon.

“Long lean and with great hair — she’s already a supermodel!” Darin tells PEOPLE. “Everyone always says, ‘your whole life changes and she’s gonna be the apple of your eye and a daddy’s girl,’ but it’s true!”

“When she came out, I looked at her and that was it! She’s just amazing, and to think that we made her is just surreal! She’s half Kelly (hopefully with more of Kelly’s qualities) and half me,” Darin marvels.

But the actor wanted to point out that even though Everleigh is already a daddy’s girl, he’s not going to be spoiling her as she grows up.

“But let’s be clear, I’m not going to let her get away with anything as she gets older,” the Days of Our Lives alum says. “I’m not a pushover… she’s going to have to get a job soon.”

Kelly, however, wasn’t so sure about that. “Yeah, right. We shall see! She’s already got him wrapped around her little finger,” The Young and the Restless star says.

Both Kelly and Darin say that they are grateful for one another throughout the pregnancy — the pair told PEOPLE in April that they had been trying to get pregnant for about a year.

Kelly said that she leaned on her husband throughout labor — which lasted from Wednesday to Sunday! — and in the days that they’ve been home from the hospital.

“Throughout this entire pregnancy, through the labor (Wednesday—Sunday) and since we have gotten home with Everleigh, Darin has been unbelievable,” Kelly says, adding a shoutout to their “amazing doula Lori Bregman,” who she says “was also such a gift — so knowledgable and supportive. We got very lucky!”

Darin echoed Kelly’s words with some loving words of his own for his “rockstar” wife.

“Kelly has been truly a rockstar through all of this. She’s been thrown a lot of unexpected curveballs and I’m just so impressed with her and her strength and determination,” he says. “Trust me, I will make sure our little girl knows how special her mommy is.”

Darin also wanted to give a PSA about encouraging moms-to-be: “Also, a quick note, for anyone out there who sees a pregnant woman, try not to say, ‘wow you look huge!’ or ‘it looks like you’re having twins in there! When are you due?'”

Instead, the actor suggests to offer a simple compliment: “You don’t know what they’re actually going through! Just say, ‘you look beautiful! You look amazing!’ Because it truly is amazing what Kelly has gone through and did for us. I have a daughter now and with any luck, she’ll get everything, including her strength, from her mother!”

The couple celebrated their baby shower in July, and Darin commemorated the happy event with a joyful Instagram post, writing in the caption, “We had such a blast at our baby shower!!! Thank you to @camrich11 @sarahjeannetteruffino@cherisebangs @avenueluxe @grodanjand @susanbrooks6460 for all putting this on!! Seriously we love you all! We had good food, good drinks and great people!! We can’t wait for our little girl to join this world, especially this wonderful family!! ??”

On Monday, Kelly shared one last photo of her baby bump, on which she balanced a mug that read “Mom est 2019.”

“Gonna miss this table. Can’t wait to finally meet you baby Brooks ??,” she wrote in the caption.

DAYS’s Austin Peck To Appear On CHICAGO FIRE Tonight

Nadia Bjorlin Opens up About Leaving DAYS OF OUR LIVES

However, for the beauty’s talented portrayer, Nadia Bjorlin, parting ways (again) with the character that she first originated back in 1999 was sweet sorrow. “It’s been an absolute honor and a privilege to be part of DAYS’ legacy,” she reflected quietly to Soaps In Depth. “It’s like family over there, and I thank them for all of the years of support. And I thank the fans who’ve rooted for Chloe every step of the way, no matter what she’s done — good or bad!”

But why did the songbird have to leave now? While Bjorlin admitted that she still “doesn’t know all the behind-the-scenes workings of how these decisions get made,” she did leave with the basic understanding that having thrown an awful lot at Chloe over the past three years, the writers needed to rest the character. Plus, “I didn’t feel like it was a permanent thing, and they didn’t really present it that way,” Bjorlin shared. “They just said, ‘We’re just not going to pick up your contract until we figure out what to do with you.’”

Given her druthers, the actress would’ve liked to further develop the renewed connection between Chloe and her ex-husband, Brady. “I regret that the idea of Chloe and Brady’s romance wasn’t explored because I feel like they have such great history,” she said, adding, “I actually only started to work with [Brady’s portrayer] Eric Martsolf the last few months, and I really enjoyed it. But then they decided to write me out.”

Since wrapping her latest DAYS stint in February, Bjorlin said that she’s been “back to the grind of going to auditions and seeing what else is out there.” You can catch her this winter in the second season of online political drama BEACON HILL as the opportunist wife of a senator’s grandson (played by DAYS’ former Nathan, Mark Hapka).

However, most of the performer’s time has been spent with her two boys — Torin, 3, and Viggo, 2. “There has been something nice about being able to be home more with my kids, even though they are usually either glued to me or running away from me!” she said with a laugh. “I’ve been getting to see their fun personalities.”

While there’s always a chance that Bjorlin could wind up being cast by another daytime drama, the actress wants to assure her DAYS fans that “this is not a good-bye.” Rather, she insists, “This is ‘See you next time!’”

2 Soap Alums Join THE BAY

Soap Alum Books New Role

TAINTED DREAMS Finds Another Streaming Platform

Chapter 2 Of "Chad & Abby In Paris" Debuts On The DOOL App

Inside Salem - 9/16/19 - Robin Strasser, Greg Vaughan, Linsey Godfrey

Arianne Zucker Opens up About Playing Kristen on DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Zucker had previously left DAYS out of a desire to pursue other projects. But it was the ability to regroup at home during her time away from Salem that she treasures most. “My daughter [Izzy, age 9] appreciates that I took that [break from the soap],” the actress offered. “I got to drop her off and pick her up from school and be with her when she needed me.”

However, what was happening in Salem became a pretty big lure. “I’d been reading what fans were saying about Eric and Nicole and the [longtime] wall that’s been between them — you know, he came back as a priest, and there have been all these roadblocks,” Zucker reflected. “But with him falling in love with someone else [Sarah], it was a good time to bring this character back.”

And boy, did Kristen — together with her wily partner, Xander — blow up the good guy’s life! Worse yet, she schemed to send the whole town into mourning by faking Holly’s demise! But given that, much like Nicole, Kristen has always wanted to be a mother, how could she do something like that to the little girl’s loved ones? Zucker says the schemer’s lack of remorse comes from her “being so set on her goals that she didn’t give it a second thought. Plus, Kristen knows that she didn’t really do anything [to Holly], so her hands are clean.”

While a reckless Kristen is sure to make for an unpredictable time in Salem, Zucker’s own plans are much more concrete. She spent the summer on the set with Izzy’s dad, Kyle Lowder (Rex), shooting A Mermaid For Christmas. “I’m happily playing the villainous mayor,” she said, “so it’s juicy and fun! It’s written really smart, and the character reminds me of [Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly] in The Devil Wears Prada.”

Additionally, Zucker is busy launching a business, Chandelier Succulent , in which she pairs easy-to-care-for plants with recycled jars and beads to make beautiful gifts. As she explained during a recent do-it-yourself segment on Hallmark’s HOME & FAMILY show, “As much as I love it myself, it’s a really fun project to do with your kids, and your friends appreciate that you made it. The whole idea is to share.”

Talk Show Appearance

Tuesday, September 17 – EILEEN DAVIDSON

Rocci Chatfield Dies: ‘Knots Landing’, ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Writer Was 93

Her death was confirmed in a tweet by the Writers Guild of America West.

A member of the TV Academy for more than 40 years, Chatfield served six terms as a Governor of the Writers Peer Group and two terms on the Academy’s Executive Committee, according to a bio on the TV Academy website.

Born in Boulder, Colorado, Chatfield attended Massachusetts’ Endicott College, beginning her Hollywood TV career in the early 1960s. Early credits include the ’60s sitcoms My Three Sons and Family Affair, and, later, ’80s nighttime soaps Falcon Crest and Knots Landing. Also in the ’80s she wrote for the syndicated Romance Theatre series.

Her 1978-82 stint on Days of Our Lives included two Daytime Emmy nominations (’78 and ’79).

In addition to her TV Academy leadership roles, Chatfield produced dozens of Academy events, including panel series and “Family Day” celebrations. She wrote and produced the Academy’s 60th anniversary gala and served on numerous committees, including Hall of Fame, Daytime Awards, Governors Award, Governors Ball, Primetime Awards, Primetime Awards Show, By-Laws, Membership, Hyphenate and more.

As a dedicated WGA member, Chatfield served on the negotiating committee during the 1988 writers’ strike, and earned two nominations for the Guild’s Writing Award. She was honored with the Writers Guild of America Service Award for her contributions to the organization.

In acknowledgment of her professional achievements, her hometown of Boulder, Colorado, declared April 30, 2016, Rocci Chatfield Appreciation Day.

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 9/9/19 - Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Dishing With Digest - 9/6/19 - Vincent Irizarry

Vincent Irizarry takes a deep dive into his daytime journey, from GUIDING LIGHT’s Lujack to B&B’s Jordan, recalls a memorable encounter with Marisa Tomei, his prime-time successes and more with Digest’s Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky.

Thia Megia Admits She Was Star-Struck Joining the Cast of DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Having attended acting school and spent time producing music videos for YouTube, the former AMERICA’S GOT TALENT and AMERICAN IDOL contestant was at least comfortable enough around a camera to impress the soap’s producers. What she hadn’t been prepared for was being star-struck by the show’s veterans. “As a little girl, I would visit my grandma, and she would have DAYS on. I remember seeing scenes with Hope and Marlena,” Megia reflected. “Coming in on my first day, all the legends were in the makeup room. It was definitely nerve-wracking!”

However, just as Haley made trustworthy friends in Salem and was able to relax, so, too, did Megia. She credits a “laidback and down-to-Earth” Lucas Adams (ex-Tripp) for showing her how. “Doing scenes with him was just effortless,” she suggested. “I just felt the connection… The chemistry kind of did all the work.”

Despite its brevity, the Tripp/Haley/JJ love triangle had one particular benefit for the young woman. “What I think has changed the most about Haley is that because of JJ, Tripp and pretty much everyone else that has done a lot to help her,” Megia said, “she was able to finally let down her walls. That’s freed her in many ways.”

Her love life aside, Haley’s now in a position to relax and focus on her future. That means re-establishing her career, deciding where to live and, of course, getting that elusive green card. With a year now on the job and an intense storyline under her belt, Megia is able to exhale, too. “I’m a perfectionist,” she admitted, “but I’ve kinda stopped criticizing myself and started going with the flow.”

'Days of Our Lives' Profits Lawsuit Against Sony Mostly Shot Down by Court

Corday Productions in February sued Sony claiming it isn't trying hard enough to distribute the long-running series, is miscalculating profits and is deflating the licensing fee to NBC — all in the interest of promoting its “wholly-owned daytime drama, The Young and the Restless.”

Retired federal judge Gary Feess, who is handling the matter as a judicial referee, largely sided with Sony and granted the studio's demurrer on several claims.

Feess found Corday's breach of fiduciary duty claim fails because the relationship between the producer and distributor is a commercial relationship not a fiduciary relationship, and isn't a joint venture.

Feess also sustained without leave to amend Sony's demurrer to certain alleged breaches of contract. Corday claimed Sony refused to negotiate more favorable terms after the series expanded to one-hour episodes, which the distributor notes happened four decades ago, and claimed it was forced to pay for production overages, which Sony says a 2009 contract amendment made clear was Corday's responsibility. Feess axed both alleged breaches from the complaint.

Sony also beat Corday's claim for unfair competition because the relevant statute "is not designed to remedy private disputes between private businesses" but rather to quell "business practices that threaten to deceive the public."

Sony's demurrer to the fraud and concealment claims were sustained with leave to amend, with a skeptical Feess giving Corday one more shot. He found Corday doesn't allege it was deceived by false statements or engaged in detrimental conduct based on them and doesn't adequately describe what information was concealed, who was responsible for concealing it and how the concealment caused damage.

"At the hearing, Corday’s counsel indicated that it could plead fraud with greater particularity," writes Feess. "While that seems unlikely, given the nature of the relationship between the parties, the timing of the alleged misrepresentations, and the unlikelihood that Corday can ever plead reliance, Corday will be given another chance to plead this claim."

It wasn't a total victory for Sony, though, as a few of Corday's claims did survive this round. Feess found Corday has alleged a reasonable interpretation of their agreement with respect to its claims that Sony breached its obligation to adequately market the series and to share marketing costs.The claim for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing will also move forward, with Feess finding that Corday's allegations are more than a mere regurgitation of the breach of contract claim.

Feess found it is premature to decide at this stage whether an accounting should be ordered and whether declaratory relief may be appropriate.

Inside Salem - 9/2/19 - Leann Hunley, Arianne Zucker and Stacy Haiduk

Soaps in Depth Podcast - 9/2/19 - Fall Preview

Days of His Life

“I loved to read, and that enhanced a real big desire to dream,” Reynolds — the Emmy-winning actor from the NBC soap opera “Days of Our Lives’’ — told the Review at the Fremont Centre Theatre, which he and his wife Lissa, both South Pasadena residents, own.

“I battled asthma and almost died from it as a baby, so that kept me in a lot, which is why I turned to books. Books brought the outside world to me. Whenever I have a spare minute, I read.”

After high school, Reynolds joined the Marines and was assigned to the Information Service Office, where he had the chance to hone his writing skills for The Windward Marine newspaper at his first duty station in Hawaii. He was later sent to Vietnam, where he added battlefield reporting to his duties.

“I had to develop a good memory of events that happened and literally write a story in minutes, often under really horrific conditions,” Reynolds, 73, recalled. “It gave me a perspective on life and the world that I probably would not have had otherwise, particularly at such a young age. Naivety has worked for me a lot throughout my life, so being in that situation had its value to me later in life.”

After returning home from Vietnam and using his GI Bill to attend Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, Reynolds auditioned for his first play, “The Mad Woman of Chaillot,” at the suggestion of a friend. He landed the role of the police sergeant and described the experience as “love at first sight.”

Encouraged by the positive response he received from those around him, Reynolds began to pursue more acting opportunities, appearing in both campus musicals and play productions, as well as local theater groups.

To make ends meet, Reynolds wrote about theater, film and music for the Topeka Daily Capital newspaper for several years, and later on the Colorado Springs Sun after relocating to be a part of a new repertory. While in Colorado, he landed his first television commercial, in addition to a featured role in the movie “Mr. Majestyk,’’ starring Charles Bronson.

“It turned out to be this kismet — everything always seemed to dovetail and work out perfectly,” said Reynolds. “When I moved to Los Angeles, I was lucky enough to start working right away. I got a lot of television and movie roles, including the show “Time Express” with Vincent Price. A good friend of mine, Charles Shaughnessy, said that we’re among those people that seem to have their lives sprinkled with fairy dust.”

Reynolds’ world changed forever when he was cast as Abe Carver on “Days of Our Lives” — a character that he has played for the past 38 years. After receiving several nominations over the years for his work, Reynolds won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2018.

“It was an extraordinary feeling,” he said. “When they call your name, it’s an out-of-body experience — a dream come true. The gratitude of being able to be that person at that moment just kind of overwhelms you, and there are so many people to be grateful for that have lent a hand and helped along the way. It made me think of how wonderful my life has been and that I’d been given those few seconds of wonder.”

Having begun his career during the golden age of soap operas, Reynolds has seen a lot of changes in the industry over the years, with only a handful of daytime shows remaining. When asked what his show’s secret to longevity is, Reynolds pointed out that family is key.

“Soap operas are like sports, in that a family will sit and watch their favorite team together, and as the kids grow up, they will continue to watch and be fans,” said Reynolds. “One of the advantages to soaps for an audience is that you watch your favorite characters move through life with you and you see their struggles in life mirroring your own. We’re there five days a week in viewers’ living rooms and they take pride as if we are members of their own family.”

A resident of South Pasadena since 1986, Reynolds and his wife Lissa opened the Fremont Centre Theatre in 1997. Over the years they’ve produced, directed and performed in numerous critically acclaimed shows, including “National Pastime,” about Jackie Robinson, which starred their son Jed. Currently, Young Stars Theatre is producing shows in the space that feature actors between the ages of 8 and 18.

“As a theater we’ve always been committed to diversity, and we love the way the program founders, Jack and Gloria Bennett, are working with the kids,” said Reynolds. “We need to keep bringing the youth into the theater so that they can experience what live entertainment is all about.”

Reynolds also is on the Board of Directors for the South Pasadena Arts Council (SPARC), which Lissa founded 10 years ago. On Sept. 28, they will be hosting SPARC’s second annual Sparc’Tacular Benefit, a celebration of the arts for adults featuring entertainment, activities and awards.

“Arts are key to our lives and carry us through,” said Reynolds. “The one thing you will do throughout your life is take part in the arts in one way or another, no matter what you do for a career. When you’re in your 20s, you’ll go to movies, plays, art galleries, museums, and when you’re in your 80s, you’ll do the same. When our society is gone, all that people will remember is what we left behind and created — the sculptures, the art, the theater, the music and all of that. The arts will serve us extremely well as we go through life.”

Dishing with Digest - 8/30/19 - Robin Strasser

Robin Strasser talks about her new role as DAYS’s Vivian, her memories of playing ANOTHER WORLD’s Rachel and ONE LIFE TO LIVE’s Dorian and more with Digest’s Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. We also preview the big soap stories coming for fall.

Soap Alum's Baby News

Guy Wilson on NCIS: Los Angeles 9/29/19

GUEST CAST includes: Erik Palladino (CIA Officer Vostanik Sabatino), Alyssa Diaz (NCIS Special Agent Jasmine Garcia), Guy Wilson (Navy Gunner’s Mate Michael Skinner).

Donna D'Errico & Krista Allen 'Baywatch' Babes Targeted In $300k Dubai Scam

Here's the deal ... reps for Donna and Krista were contacted by people purporting to be from the office of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan -- the Deputy Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates -- offering the ladies a fat payday in exchange for speaking at an economic empowerment convention for small business owners in July and rubbing elbows with dignitaries.

Donna and Krista's people got contracts emailed to them with all the deets, and it looked legit on its face ... but once the women signed, things got super sketchy.

Organizers in "Dubai" said they had difficulty wiring funds to Donna and Krista and started asking for more personal information. Huge red flag. Another catch -- organizers were asking Donna and Krista to donate half of the funds back to the organization.

Donna and Krista slowly started putting the pieces together, feeling something was off ... and they eventually got cold feet.

Fortunately for them ... the 'Baywatch' babes never gave up their personal info, dodging a huge bullet ... just like Dog.

Alison Sweeney On Why She Can't Live Without Her Peloton Bike and the Scoop on Her New Hallmark Mystery

The Days of our Lives veteran wanted to step outside her role as the engaging soap opera schemer Sami Brady, and transitioned impeccably into leading productions—while still starring in them, too.

Chronicle Mysteries: The Deep End is the fourth film in Sweeney’s latest series. It premieres on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 9 p.m. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

This is not the first time Sweeney starred and executive produced a Hallmark movie. Other credits include the Murder She Baked franchise.

In making Chronicle, the multitasking Hollywood maven leveraged two of her personal passions: true crime and storytelling. She plays true-crime podcast host Alex McPherson. An avid fan of true crime podcasts herself, Sweeney connected with real-life podcasters to research the films and was featured on a few shows during the process.

“That’s been really fun for me,” she says.

The latest Chronicle installment centers once again on Alex and Drew Godfrey (Benjamin Ayers). Alex is tasked with proving a wife’s innocence after her husband’s murder. As for Alex’s love interest, Sweeney said the chemistry between Alex and Drew was a “slow build” in the previous movies, but fans will see it come full circle in the latest installment.

“They’ll be surprised by the emotional side of Alex that you get to see in this movie,” Sweeney says, adding that there are surprises in store.

Alex is more introverted than Sami on Days. But they’re similar because they both follow their instincts, Sweeney says.

“She [Alex] has something similar to Sami, she’s a risktaker—I really love characters like that,” Sweeney says.

Despite multiple hats to wear for Hallmark, Sweeney likes the change of pace that has come since leaving Days in 2014.

“It’s allowed me more free time to be a mom and be at home, and make a more regular schedule for myself,” says Sweeney, whose children are 14 and 10.

Fitting in Time on the Peloton

Sweeney, who gained more fame after hosting The Biggest Loser for eight years, still manages to squeeze in workouts. Lately, the Peloton bike is what helps her stay fit, as does healthy eating.

Though she admits she was afraid the bike would sit in the corner of her room as a dirty laundry rack, she uses it quite often. In fact, it’s helped her overcome the temptation do skip workouts all together when she doesn’t have a lot of time, the bike’s “presence” a reminder that a 20- or 30-minute ride can be just as successful.

“It’s really taken all of my excuses that I used to have,” she adds. “I find that this system really gives me that middle ground.”

When traveling, she uses the app to fit in other fitness classes as well.

Being fit comes with an added benefit—getting outdoors with her family. Whether it’s to hike or enjoy sports, she finds it satisfying to be able to engage with her children on that level … especially when things get competitive.

“That’s what’s fun about fitness,” Sweeney says, adding that staying active is the kind of role model she wants to be for her children.

Juicing may be a trend of the past, but Sweeney is still on board and likes eating clean. The natural energy from fruits and veggies helps her avoid artificial energy booster that cause crashes. And despite a hectic schedule, she’s still working to cut out caffeine.

Skin Cancer Safety

Her health is also front and center after undergoing skin cancer surgery this summer. Since then, Sweeney stepped into another role as an ambassador for Stand Up to Cancer. Sweeney had been involved in SU2C before, but admits she dismissed the notion of actually getting skin cancer.

“I always knew I had to be cautious,” she says, noting her fair complexion.

Ultimately, she hopes her involvement with the group inspires more people to get checked regularly. Many people take good care of themselves, but they still need professional care.

“You think you’re sort of an expert on your own body, but you’re not,” Sweeney adds.

What’s Next for Sweeney

Don’t think Sweeney will get pigeonholed from daytime schemer into mystery solver, either. She’s got a few projects on the horizon—one that includes a wartime love story. And she doesn’t have an ultimate end game or specific career aspiration in mind … she just wants to see what comes up next.

“I don’t know where these things are going to end up,” she says. It’s “fun” to be open to new things—something that never would have happened if she hadn’t left the comfort of her longtime daytime role.

“It’s fun to be open to things that are coming my way,” Sweeney adds. “I’m learning so much and getting the opportunity to be creative.”

DOOL App Series Episode 6 Preview!

Vincent Irizarry Opens up About Joining THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL

Though the Emmy winner is a well-established face in daytime, he starts every new character he plays with a blank slate. “Even though I’ve played a doctor before, it’s not like Jordan is going to be exactly like David, because the backstory always informs who the character is,” he said. “I never worry about having to bring something different [to my portrayal] — it all stems from who the guy is and where he comes from.”

Meanwhile, Irizarry is thrilled to be back working with former AMC colleague Thorsten Kaye (Ridge) and regularly bumping into old castmates from THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS, as the soaps tape across the hall from each other. “It’s like one huge repertory company with all of these shows at this point,” he mused. “I’ve been in this medium for nearly 40 years, so I’ve worked with so many people, not only the actors on the show but also people on the crew and production throughout all these years. It’s great!”

Stay tuned to see how Jordan impacts the canvas.

Réal Andrews Books an 'Amazing' New Role!

Andrews also began getting back in shape a couple months ago, dropping the pounds and putting back on the muscle, so it's a full-on transformation for the daytime vet, who has also appeared on AS THE WORLD TURNS as Walker Daniels, ALL MY CHILDREN as Agent Trumbull, and DAYS OF OUR LIVES as Hal Michaels. Of course, GH fans remember him fondly as Detective Marcus Taggart, the role he played from 1998-2003. "So grateful to my amazing agent, Paula Benard at Embrace Real Artists, and my buddy, Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH), for his support and coaching," the actor added. "A special shout out to all of you for support and prayers. Next, on to the next audition."

And sure enough, the following day, the dedicated performer shared a photo of his new script pages from VisionFire Films perched on his workout equipment so he could study his lines while at the gym! "Working on my next two auditions," he revealed.

Naturally, we'll keep you updated as Andrews releases any further details about his upcoming projects, so you can be sure to watch him back in action! And for more on your favorite GH stars — past and present — keep reading the ABC edition of Soaps In Depth magazine.

Inside Salem - 8/19/19 - Eric Martsolf, Camila Banus, Galen Gering

Eric Martsolf talks about how often he suspends his disbelief for storylines and looks back on Brady's long list of exes. Then, in two can't-miss clips, "Nicole" and Brady hit the sheets and "Nicole" and Gabi get in a catfight. And later, we go behind the scenes to Galen Gering's dressing room with Camila Banus.

Stacy Haiduk Previews What's Next for Kristen on DAYS OF OUR LIVES

“I prayed. I literally went to the heavens and the universe and was like, ‘Okay, I really want to go back to DAYS,’” Haiduk confided to Soaps In Depth of the months leading up to this demanding return engagement. “I’ve had such a blast with these characters and the cast and the crew… I’m thrilled to be back.” To viewers, the alumna of THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS (as Patty and Emily) and ALL MY CHILDREN (as Hannah) appears to switch effortlessly between all of her DAYS personas, but she admits that when it comes to channeling other people’s characters, there is some tricky technicality to it. “You have to remember certain physical things that an actor will do or does,” she explained. “It gets a little complicated, but actually, it’s so much fun!”

Kristen hit a speed bump in her scheme to remain presumed dead upon parting ways with her cohort, Xander. “When she got the mask back from him, their alliance was done,” Haiduk reflected. “A lot of that is because neither one of them trusts the other at all.” Worse yet, the mercenary is now in a position to become her nemesis! “He’ll hold all the cards because he can go to the cops if he wants to,” Haiduk suggested, “and say, ‘You know, I’ve been working with this person, and she’s really Kristen DiMera!’” However, much like Gone With The Wind heroine Scarlett O’Hara, that’s something she’d rather think about tomorrow. Right now, the schemer’s got other irons in the fire to worry about, like ousting her father’s son, Stefan, from DiMera Enterprises. For someone who holds family in high regard, doesn’t that seem disloyal? “Kristen doesn’t like Stefan in a lot of ways,” Haiduk observed. And besides, “they’re not blood-related because Kristen is adopted.”

No matter what transpires with the business, the No. 1 item on Kristen’s agenda remains winning Brady back. But how long can she keep on impersonating Nicole to do it? “Kristen, in her wonderful, sick mind, believes that one day, she’s going to be able to reveal to Brady [her true identity],” the actress theorized, “and that he’ll still love her. Honestly, it’s so bizarre!”

But with folks in Salem starting to grow suspicious and her plans fast unraveling, Kristen is understandably starting to panic. Haiduk admitted her alter ego is feeling frazzled. Yet “she still tries to keep it together and always tries to find a way to make it work for her. But yes,” she admitted, “little by little, she’s falling apart, and it’s not good. I’ll tell you that!”

Facebook Q&A with Sal Stowers and Lamon Archey | Days of Our Lives

Daytime Emmys to Combine Younger Actress and Actor Awards Into One Gender Neutral-Category in 2020

The National Academy of Television Arts (NATAS) is also expected to announce that coinciding with that change, the new category will include performers from both broadcast dramas and digital series.

The Daytime Emmys already keep things gender-neutral with its Outstanding Special Guest Performer category.

The young performer categories first debuted at the 1985 Daytime Emmys, at which time they were named the Outstanding Ingenue and Outstanding Young Man awards; Tracey E. Bregman (Lauren, The Young and the Restless) and Brian Bloom (Dusty, As the World Turns) were the inaugural winners. The gender-specific categories were later renamed Outstanding Juvenile Female and Outstanding Juvenile Male, before eventually adopting the Younger Actress and Younger Actor titles.

In 2012, the criteria for the two categories was tweaked, requiring that the nominated performer be aged 25 or younger.

This year’s winners in the separate categories were Hayley Erin (Kiki, General Hospital) and Kyler Pettis (Theo, Days of Our Lives).

The Television Critics Association Awards, held every August, are among the TV-industry accolades that similarly have gender-neutral categories (e.g. Individual Achievement in Comedy).

Matt Cedeńo Joins AMBITIONS

Inside Salem - 8/5/19 - Stacy Haiduk, Matt Ashford and Melissa Reeves

Stacy Haiduk takes a break from playing three different roles to talk about Kristin's latest stunts. Then, in two can't-miss clips, Susan pulls a gun on Susan and Gabi holds all the cards. And later, Matt Ashford and Melissa Reeves look back at recent scenes, including the moment Eve shattered Jack's chance at a future.

Ashley Benson, Cara Delevingne tie the knot in Elvis-themed Vegas wedding

According to the Sun on Sunday, the supermodel and her Pretty Little Liars girlfriend celebrated their nuptials in an Elvis-themed wedding at the Little Vegas Chapel in Las Vegas Boulevard.

Very few guests, including Charlize Theron, The Jonas Brothers and Sophie Turner were in attendance as the brides, both dressed in black, exchanged vows. Following the ceremony, the newlyweds had a brief photoshoot in a pink Cadillac.

“They were sure about what they are doing and they were sure about what they mean to each other,” Michael Kelly, who owns the chapel, told the British publication. “They were clearly devoted to each other and they had the biggest smiles on their faces.

He continued, “You could see that they were serious about what they were doing but having the most fun. They wanted it simple, quiet and easy.”

As Us Weekly reported, suspicions of Benson and Delevingne’s romance arose when the two were seen kissing at London’s Heathrow airport in August 2018 and later that year leaving Kylie Jenner’s birthday party together.

The couple, however, officially confirmed their relationship with a steamy make-out video during pride month.

The supermodel later told E! News she decided to share the clip in honour of the Stonewall Riots’ 50th anniversary and of her own anniversary with Benson!

The lovebirds have since been spotted enjoying a romantic trip to St. Tropez.

Wes Ramsey Opens up About His Sexy New Movie, 'Perception'

Directed by Ilana Rein and co-written by Rein and Brian Smith, Perception centers around Ramsey’s character of Daniel, a struggling real estate developer who must evict Nina (Meera Rohit Kumbhani), a small-time psychic struggling to provide for her young son. But when she offers him a free reading and senses the spirit of his dead wife, Daniel becomes obsessed with reconnecting with his lost love. Both he and Nina must decide how far they’ll go to get what they want, and the spirit might also have plans of her own in this supernatural thriller!

In addition to playing Peter August on GH, Ramsey has also been moonlighting in some independent feature films like Two Pictures and Last Seen in Idaho. While Perception premiered back at the DTLA Film Festival back in October of 2018, the actor is excited everyone will finally get to see the movie. "I'm happy it found distribution and that it's going to be able to be seen," he enthused. "When you make a movie, you don't know if it's going to take one year to come out or six months or two years. You just hope that it doesn't get blown off or put on a shelf and that it finds a home.

"The fact that right after I completed the movie was when I began the process of auditioning and screen-testing and ending up on contract at GH," Ramsey added, "it's nice to now, two years later, be able to use my Port Charles family and community to help me support the release of this film that I'm really proud of. And everyone's excited about it." Check out this steamy trailer!

Kyle Lowder Announces He Is Leaving DAYS OF OUR LIVES

"My most sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the powers that be at DAYS and NBC," he continued. "And of course, to all of you, the fans, for your unbridled love and enthusiasm. You remind me every single day of why I truly love what I do. Farewell, and thank you."

Lowder got his big break on DAYS when he played Brady Black from 2000-05. Following that, he joined the cast of CBS sudser THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL in 2007 as a recast Rick Forrester and remained there until 2011. In 2018, the actor made his return to DAYS, but since Brady Black was now being played by Eric Martsolf, the soap instead cast him as the new Rex Brady instead!

Lowder has also recently filmed the TV movie A Mermaid for Christmas, so fans can look forward to seeing him in that. And who knows, Rex could still return to Salem at some point in the future. In the world of daytime, you never know! Stay tuned to see how Rex's story comes to an end, and for more DAYS casting news, keep reading Soaps In Depth magazine.

Meet The Stars Of DAYS!

DOOL App Series Launches

Jen Lilley Welcomes a Beautiful Baby Girl

The parents had already settled on the name Julie back when they first went public with the pregnancy announcement back in March. They already have two sons who they took in as foster children, and have already finalized the adoption of the older boy. They are still working on the adoption process for his younger brother.

Lilley shared a short video that shows her entering the hospital and going through labor with her loving husband at her side, followed by the actual birth and then mother and father's first moments of skin-to-skin contact with their newborn baby girl.

Soaps InDepth Podcast - 7/29/19 - Tough Love

Hogestyn & Stewart Married

Dishing with Digest - 7/26/19 - Brandon Barash

DAYS's Brandon Barash (Stefan) chats about his Salem present, his Port Charles past, raising daughter Harper and more with Digest's Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. We also talk about casting popular vets in new roles.

Danica McKellar’s ‘Matchmaker Mysteries’ Kicks Off Production, Adds Bruce Boxleitner And Victor Webster

In Matchmaker Mysteries, McKellar stars as Angie Dove, host of a popular Philadelphia-based reality show dedicated to helping single people find their soulmates. Soon after one of her couples gets engaged on TV, the bride-to-be is murdered. The eligible bachelor Angie proclaimed as her perfect match is arrested as the prime suspect. Wanting to clear her client’s name, Angie uses all her matchmaking skills to evaluate the character and integrity of the suspects and cleverly gets them to reveal the truth about themselves. Not shy, she’ll sweet-talk her way into a crime scene, face-off with a bouncer at a hot nightclub or even endure a dental exam to interrogate a key witness. Boxleitner joins the cast as Angie’s dad, Nick Colomba, a retired detective who is always on hand to give his daughter advice and support – both in life and in her amateur investigation. Webster will star as Kyle Cooper, a by-the-book detective who isn’t thrilled that Angie is launching her own investigation. Much to his chagrin, he can’t help but admit when she’s unearthed valuable information that helps move the case forward.

Inside Salem - 7/22/19 - Brandon Barash, Freddie Smith, Maria O'Brien

Brandon Barash dishes on what it's like playing Stefan and what he really thinks of those sexy Gabi scenes. Then, in two can't-miss clips, Claire says goodbye to Ben and Ciara, and Stefan is framed. Later, Freddie Smith goes behind the scenes to talk to DAYS' on-set acting coach, Maria O'Brien.

‘SEAL Team’: Jamie McShane & Rudy Dobrev To Recur On Season 3

Starring David Boreanaz, SEAL Team follows the professional and personal lives of the most elite unit of Navy SEALs as they train, plan and execute the most dangerous missions that our country can ask of them.

McShane will play Captain Lindell, a hard charging leader who’s dedicated to bringing a new generation of operational adaptability to the Navy’s Tier One Command, and feels no allegiance to how things have been done in the past. Dobrev will portray Filip, a tough, capable field agent for Serbia’s SIA. Having lived through multiple horrific wars in his homeland, Filip is a world-weary man who is dedicated to preventing the eruption of war again. Equally comfortable in the field or calling the plays from the sidelines, Filip runs covert intel recon with Mandy (Jessica Paré) to provide targeting information for Bravo Team in Serbia.

Max Thieriot, Neil Brown Jr., AJ Buckley, Toni Trucks, Jessica Paré and Judd Lormand also star.

John Glenn, Christopher Chulack, Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly executive produce. SEAL Team is produced by CBS TV Studios.

McShane was most recently a series regular on Fox’s drama The Passage, opposite Mark Paul Gosselaar. Prior to that, he was a regular on Netflix’s Bloodline and also co-starred on USA’s limited series Unsolved chronicling the murders of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. McShane is repped by Paradigm and Trademark Talent.

Dobrev’s recent TV credits include guest-starring roles on NCIS: Los Angeles, Counterpart and Madam Secretary. On the big screen, he appeared in Megan Leavey. Dobrev is repped by Kerner Management Associates.

Days of Our Lives Alum Shannon Sturges Shares Journey from Soap Opera Star to Acting Coach

“When I booked my first two auditions, I recognized how unusual that was,” the actress, 51, tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “It’s like, ‘Okay, I’m going to be famous!’ “

A guest turn on Doogie Howser, M.D. gave way to her breakout role on NBC’s Days of Our Lives from 1991-92.

“I remember meeting somebody, and they started crying when they met me,” Sturges recalls of her early days of fame. “And I was like, ‘Wow!’ They were so excited that this person from their shows, from their stories, had shown up in their life.”

Sturges then married graphic designer Michael Kelley in 1993 and continued her soap opera run with NBC’s Passions and The WB’s short-lived drama Savannah, also starring Blake Lively‘s older sister Robyn, with whom she’s remained close.

“Once I ran into Robyn and I was with one of my sons, and she was with some of her children,” the mother of two remembers. “We just started screaming and squealing and my son was like, ‘Who was that woman?’ I was like, ‘That’s like my sister.’ “

But the uncertainty of an actor’s schedule, along with some encouragement from her lifelong acting coach, eventually led Sturges to teach.

“I discovered that’s really what I was meant to do,” says Sturges, who now owns the Speiser/Sturges Acting Studio in Los Angeles.

Though Sturges doesn’t see herself back on television anytime soon, one of her students — Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent — managed to get her back on the small screen when Bravo filmed a lesson with Kent, 29, and Scheana Shay for a January episode of the reality series.

“I wasn’t familiar, really, with Vanderpump Rules, although I have students who work the door at TomTom,” Sturges says. “So when they came I thought, ‘I know what these girls need to learn. I know what they need to work on. I know what makes good television.’ So that’s why I took them through some sense memory exercises.”

The scene somehow ended up with the Vanderpump Rules ladies faking orgasms. But no matter, Sturges says, “I really believe I have the best job ever.”

Dot-Marie Jones, Eugene Cordero, Ron Funches Join ‘Golden Arm’

DAYS' Paul Tefler Reveals Why it's Good to be Bad

Telfer enjoys the fact that no matter what the mercenary character is up to, he definitely draws attention. “I’m like the cat among the pigeons, poking everybody in the ribs, pointing out their hypocrisy and generally causing trouble,” the actor laughed. And whether it’s flashing a Cheshire-cat grin or merely arching an eyebrow in an unexpected moment, Telfer is keeping everyone on their toes while prolonging what could’ve been just a short run for his alter ego. “If I can take a strong angle on the material that hopefully either surprises or amuses The Powers That Be, then [that can result in] a really fun role,” the actor mused. “I feel so lucky that that’s what happened with Xander because he’s changed and become more fun and enjoyable as opposed to being just a menacing character as we’ve gone along.”

During his last visit, the baddie was instrumental in bringing a presumed-dead Jack back to town. This time, he’s again traded in shock and awe by kidnapping Holly and helping Kristen keep Ted and Kate prisoner. But will this new effort help him pursue his own goals? Or is there another motive at play? “He could be romantic and a hero,” his portrayer suggested. “He could do nice things for the right person but not necessarily for the right reasons.”

Ashley Benson really wants to be an Olsen twin

The “Pretty Little Liars” actress, 29, gushed to Women’s Wear Daily about her love for Mary-Kate and Ashley, admitting she’s “obsessed” with the famous sisters.

“I think I’m an Olsen twin,” she told the outlet. “I try to find out where they are at all times in New York. This is so weird and stalker-ish — I know a few places where they hang out so I go there to see if they’re there — I’ve never had luck yet.”

However, the actress isn’t just hanging out trying to grab a drink with the mysterious twins. Like most fans of MK&A, Benson counts the sisters as her style muses, and is angling for a sunglasses collaboration between her Privé Revaux brand and the Olsens’ luxury label, The Row.

“I’m obsessed with their clothes, their lines, if I could do a collaboration with them — which would never happen — it would be my dream. They are my fashion icons.”

While Benson said she also saved photos of Rihanna to her mood board, it’s the Olsens that spark the most inspiration when it comes to her personal style. “The fall is my favorite time because I can dress like the Olsens and do oversize coats and accessorize with jewelry,” she said.

Perhaps now that her obsession is out in the open, Benson’s girlfriend Cara Delevingne can set her up with Mary-Kate and Ashley.

Irizarry Joins B&B

Irizarry makes his debut on the CBS soap on Monday, Aug. 26, and will play a pivotal role in the baby Beth/baby Phoebe storyline.

Irizarry’s many daytime credits include Days of Our Lives, The Young and the Restless, One Life to Live, All My Children (for which he won a Daytime Emmy in 2009), Santa Barbara and Guiding Light.

Thaao Penghlis Reveals When He'll Be Back on DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Hunley originated the role of Anna DiMera back in 1982, and played her on and off over the years. Her most recent appearance was back in February of 2018 after she’d been a prime suspect in the murder of Andre DiMera. Of course, the real question is the one that Penghlis posed, which is which of his two characters will he be playing this time around? Tony DiMera died back in 2009, and Andre died more recently, in 2018, and the actor portrayed both of his dual roles in the March, 2019, episode when Marlena found herself encountering familiar faces during a near-death experience.

It’s easy enough to bring Anna back onto the canvas, but will Tony or Andre be appearing as visions or ghosts? Or might one of them be coming back from the dead? Resurrection is more common in Salem than most places, so you’re just going to have to stay tuned and find out what happens!

Dishing with Digest - 7/12/19 - Martha Madison

Martha Madison talks about her past and present with DAYS, her big move to Texas and more with Digestąs Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. We also reflect on the legacy of PASSIONS, which recently marked 20 years since its debut.

Arianne Zucker Previews Kristen's Next Wild Move on DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Might we see shades of Kristen’s past behavior with Brady’s dad, John? Zucker said yes! Kristen is operating, she explains, from a place of “this unbelievably crazy obsession but also this huge amount of desire for love.”

But can she really reclaim the guy she wants by posing as his former love? And how convincing can she really be as Nicole, given how well she is known in Salem? An inebriated Maggie was the first to get a hint that Kristen is alive and likely won't be the last. “Just the mere chance that Maggie might have seen her and could have been sober enough to remember [is a problem],” Zucker offered. “But Kristen is a master manipulator… she has to cover her tracks.”

Besides, there are other ducks to get in a row while pretending to be Nicole, including Eric, the current man in her life. Will she sabotage their relationship in order to move “Nicole” forward with Brady? Zucker says to look out: Kristen is gonna “keep people where they need to be in order to get where she wants to go!"

Olivia Rose Keegan Says Goodbye to DAYS OF OUR LIVES

"I also owe a huge thank you to the DAYS writers for giving me an opportunity to dig my nails into some fascinating material with this past storyline," Keegan continued, "as well as shine a light onto mental health awareness. It would be too difficult to explain how much I love every single person in my DAYS family. It was a four year dream. I met lifelong friends, learned an infinite amount, and simply loved every minute of it. Farewell from Salem's newest pyro!"

Keegan's on-screen parents wished their TV daughter well in her future career. "You're incredible and lovely and hilarious and kind and sweet and amazing times infinity!" expressed Martha Madison (Belle). Brandon Beemer (Shawn-Douglas) chimed in with "You're a super special human." Victoria Konefal (Ciara) also got in on the love-fest. "My little pyro niece!" she commented. "Salem will never be the same. Love you to pieces, and one of those dangly stars is still in the hallway so you're always with us. Also, you're always in my heart without the dangly star. You are a star. The star of our lives."

Inside Salem - 7/8/19 - Lauren Koslow, Paul Telfer, Stacy Haiduk

Lauren Koslow talks about Kate putting together the Nicole/Kristen puzzle and her influence on Kate's distinct fashion sense. Then in two can't-miss clips, Kate asks too many questions and Hope begs for her daughter's life. And later, join Paul Telfer and Stacy Haiduk in her dressing room to hear how they help each other out in between scenes.

Soaps InDepth Podcast - 7/8/19 - Summer Preview & Predictions

Brandon Barash Opens up About Taking Over as Stefan on DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Rather, what drew the former star of GENERAL HOSPITAL (where he played bad boy Johnny Zacchara) back to daytime was the opportunity to play Stefan’s duality. “He can be one way with one person in a certain situation and another way with somebody different,” his portrayer observed. “He can also be two very different people with the same person, as you’re kind of seeing with Gabi. As an actor, you have to go deeper, and that’s where I really start to enjoy myself and geek out.”

While all of that makes Stefan’s response to any given situation unpredictable, Barash said that his human nature makes him relatable. “Stefan is an orphan, and one of his driving forces is wanting to have the family experience,” the actor mused. “Even if he sometimes doesn’t want to believe that, or thinks that he’s tough and doesn’t need a relationship or a family to define who he is, Stefan absolutely does crave it.”

To that end, both of the women in the CEO’s life — single moms Chloe and Gabi — have the potential to fill that void, but in unique ways. “Chloe would be a great partner for him because she represents the maternal side: what he’s always kind of longed for [and lost after Vivian was presumed dead],” Barash observed. “On the other side of that coin is Gabi, who’d be a great fit for him because together, they really feel that they could conquer the world and accomplish whatever they want as far as business goes. And there’s fire between them, for sure!

However, while Chloe’s feelings for Stefan come from a place of gratitude and friendship, Gabi’s stem from intense disdain for the fact that he helped put her in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. In fact, she’s been seducing Stefan (as a favor to Brady) in an attempt to ruin his relationship with Chloe, while at the same time, succumbing to the genuine, if very unexpected, chemistry that they share.

Whichever lady winds up winning the heart of the DiMera heir might do well to remember his gene pool, lest he turn out to be a chip off the ol’ block! “There’s a different, more selfless side that’s woken up when you first make eye contact with your child, who is depending on you for everything,” Barash suggested. “Maybe if Stef were to become a father, that instinct would awaken in him, but I think he would struggle with it.

“It comes more naturally to me,” he concluded, “than it would to him.”

Soaps InDepth Podcast - 7/1/19 - The Worst Kept Secret in Daytime

Talk Show Appearance

Tuesday, July 2

actress Sofia Pernas (CBS’ BLOOD & TREASURE); actress Alison Sweeney guest co-hosts (n)

NATAS Exec Revamp Includes Changes For Daytime Emmys

The moves include David Michaels exiting as SVP of Daytime Emmy Awards & Events and executive producer of the Daytime Emmys, a post he has held for nearly five years, and come after NATAS launched a probe last summer when the four network daytime dramas in a rare show of unity threatened to boycott the Daytime Emmys unless structural changes were made.

Steve Ulrich, the former NBC Sports exec who since 2010 has overseen administration of the Sports Emmy Awards, will now move to the newly created role of SVP Production & Events. He will oversee overseeing the planning and production of the Daytime, Sports, News & Documentary, and Technology & Engineering Emmy ceremonies, along with the the National Student Production Awards announcement and other NATAS programs and events.

In addition, Lisa Armstrong, who joined NATAS in February, will become Director, Production & Events.

Among the soaps’ demands last year during the boycott threat was for NATAS to “hire a team, separate from the competition executive(s), to produce and executive produce the actual awards show” after questions arose about voting and accounting practices and the way the competition is held.

The organization said the new structure will create greater independence and differentiation between the production of the Emmy ceremonies and the top-level administration of the competitions.

“This realignment allows our leadership team to think more strategically across all our programs as we work to serve this growing audience,” Adam Sharp, who took over as president and CEO in November, said today. “Further, it builds on efforts initiated last year to strengthen confidence in the Emmy Awards process by responding to concerns raised regarding common oversight of awards administration and production.”

Sharp also noted audience growth for NATAS events like the Daytime and Sports Emmys, both of which have seen boosts in social media viewership. The Daytime Emmys streamed live in May on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and emmyonline.tv.

Alison Sweeney Reveals Her Skin Cancer Diagnosis

"She assured me that we caught it early and I just wanted to share her advice," Sweeney continued. "Check your skin for any noticeable changes and ask your doctor about it! Even if it seems like nothing, let an expert decide. Early detection of skin cancer gives you the greatest chance for successful skin cancer treatment and prevents it from developing into something more complicated. And of course, use sunscreen (which I do!)."

Sweeney is currently in the midst of another stint on DAYS as Sami Brady, the role she began playing back in 1993. The actress is also starring as Alex McPherson in the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries series of The Chronicle Mysteries films. Thankfully, she had the bump checked out early enough that it can easily be removed so she can get right back to work, and the doctor's advice she shared is good advice for everyone.

Inside Salem - 6/24/19 - Chandler Massey, Rob Scott Wilson, Victoria Konefal

Chandler Massey talks about shooting his crossing-over scenes and reflects on Will's place as an LGBT character in Daytime. In two can't-miss clips, Ciara finally learns the truth and Will overcomes his brain tumor. Rob Scott Wilson and Victoria Konefal offer up their commentary on the plan to expose Claire.

Soaps InDepth Podcast - 6/24/19 - The Stories Soaps Should Be Telling

This week, Charlie and Richard discuss the hot-button topics which soaps of the past turned into major storylines… and why today’s daytime dramas seem afraid to tackle them. From Erica Kane’s abortion on All My Children to Christine’s sexual assault on The Young & The Restless, social issues have given soaps some of their most powerful moments. We look at how today’s most buzzed about topics could be woven into your favorite shows.

Dishing with Digest - 6/14/19 - Stacy Haiduk

Stacy Haiduk (Kristen) dishes about her current DAYS tale, her past on Y&R and ALL MY CHILDREN, how she kept busy during her time in between acting gigs, and more with Digest’s Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. We also discuss Caroline’s upcoming memorial on DAYS and recent recasts.

Mark Valley on Blood And Treasure 7/2/19

DAYS Alum Officially Adopts Son

Inside Salem - 6/10/19 - Matthew Ashford, Camila Banus, Freddie Smith

Matthew Ashford gives his take on Jack’s controversial role in the immigration storyline and naming Eve as Salem’s police commissioner. Then, in two can’t-miss clips, a drunk Maggie reels from seeing Kristen DiMera and Jack arrest his son. Later, Camila Banus hangs out with Freddie Smith in her dressing room to talk about slaps, snaps and scenes.

Soaps InDepth Podcast - 6/10/19 - Grading The Soaps

Dishing with Digest - 6/7/19 - Greg Rikaart

Greg Rikaart talks about his surprising exit and welcome return as Y&R’s Kevin, his stint as DAYS’s Leo, his path to Genoa City and more with Digest’s Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. We also discuss characters who became suddenly interesting.

Multiple Stars Returning to DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Among the high-profile returns coming up on DAYS are Martha Madison (Belle), Alison Sweeney (Sami), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Douglas), Leann Hunley (Anna), Thaao Penghlis (Andre or Tony… who knows?), Bryan Dattilo (Lucas), and Christie Clark (Carrie). Unfortunately, there is no additional information on first air dates for any of these returns or details on the length of the particular stints this time around.

Oh, and another character is also returning to Salem even though the actress is already back on DAYS. While Stacy Haiduk has already been appearing as Kristen DiMera (masquerading as Nicole!), the promo shows that she’ll also be reprising another of her characters as Susan Banks pops up again! In the promo clip, she’s quite excited by the sight of a shirtless Brady, but who wouldn’t be? Check out the exciting summer preview right here to see what else is coming up!

Jen Lilley Prepares for an Emotional Custody Battle

Unfortunately, Lilley suffered a miscarriage, but when the call came asking if she and her family would foster her son’s younger brother they said yes, and took in the baby boy. The family had been working towards legally welcoming his brother into the family when trouble appeared on the horizon. “I cried tears of love the moment I met this little one," Lilley gushed on Instagram. Having my son’s younger brother in our house has been one of the most beautiful blessings of my life,” she wrote. "Seeing the boys interact, growing as a family, and celebrating all of this little one’s milestones to date, is more than I could ever ask for or imagine.

“We had an update in his case today,” Lilley continued, “A random great aunt he’s met once for less than an hour, and only after he was already 12 months old and deeply bonded with us, and more importantly, his biological brother, is fighting for custody. I’m not going to lie y’all, foster care is hard. It’s emotional, it’s unpredictable, but my goodness, it’s still worth it. I am so grateful to know he has extended family who is also concerned about him, but I cannot fathom what it would do to both of these boys if they were separated. A sibling relationship is one of the strongest bonds on earth. And these two tots are inseparable.”

The entire ordeal has been an emotional one and it has only just begun. ”Driving to the meeting today, trying not to cry (totally cried twice), I had a lot of time to pray," she confessed. "Here’s what I know; no matter how much I love this little boy, and I want the very best for him and will do my best every day he’s in my care to assure that he is loved, nurtured, and thriving, God loves him more, and created him for a life full of hope and goodness (Jeremiah 29:11). God goes before him, watches over him, and while I think Jason, my dad, and my father-in-law are just about the greatest dads on earth, I have peace knowing that God is the best dad there ever was, is, or will be. And He’s also my Heavenly Father. My concerns are not lost on Him, and He can take care of this little one, my son, my heart and Jason’s, and our entire family and friends who’ve fallen head over heels for this munchkin."

Lilley went on to state, "Please pray God’s will for this little one. We’re thrilled that as of now, he’s staying with us and his big brother, who love him beyond words," and then she ended her message,"But PSA, If you’re like so many people I talk to who say they would foster, but just can’t because they’d get too attached, can I lovingly say that that makes you the perfect foster parent! These kids desperately need your love and attachment more than you need your heart protected. Trust me. It’s worth it.”

The DAYS star is a strong foster care and adoption advocate and while celebrating her son’s birthday earlier this year, she opened up about what her kids mean to her. "But family is so much more than blood to me," she declared. "The children we foster are our children while they are in our house, and they’re in our hearts forever...”

Eric Martsolf To Host New Podcast

Inside Salem - 5/27/19 - Paul Telfer, Lamon Archey & Sal Stowers

Paul Telfer talks about playing Salem's resident bad boy, Xander, and gives his take on the Nicole Walker twist. Then, in two can't-miss clips, Tripp walks out on Claire and things are not as they appear when Kristen is revealed. Later, we're invited to Sal Stowers' dressing room, where she and Lamon Archey talk about life behind the scenes.

Deidre and Drake Q&A | Days of our Lives

DAYS’s Chandler Massey (Will) Shares Weight Loss Triumph

E! News To Air Soap-centric Special

Days Of Our Lives and Bold & Beautiful Actress Linsey Godfrey on Abortion Bans

Stephen Nichols Got the Best Welcome Back to DAYS OF OUR LIVES

(Photo) The yummy cake is a gorgeous three dimensional hourglass, with an eye patch for added flair. The two symbols show how much Patch and DAYS are entwined. And when Nichols announced in the video: "Look at all these people gonna get a piece of cake!" the camera pans to reveal Camila Banus (Gabi), Galen Gering (Rafe), Sal Stowers (Lani), and other cast and crew in the hair and makeup room itching to get a taste of the amazing confection!

Nichols joined DAYS cast as Steven Earl “Patch’ Johnson in 1985 and left for the first time in 1990. He returned to show in June, 2006, and stayed almost three years departing in February, 2009. A mere six years later, in 2015, Patch showed back up in Salem to once again get mixed up in the drama. In June, 2018, it was announced that Patch and Nichols would be once again leaving DAYS, which broke many the hearts of many fans. Now Patch is back, and fans will be able to fall in love with him all over again when his character shows up in Salem this fall.

Bobby Cannavale, Ashley Benson, Stockard Channing To Co-Star In ‘Lapham Rising’

The story follows Harry March (Langella), a retired writer whose life starts to unravel when a multimillionaire begins building a mansion across from his quiet island home in the Hamptons. Up until now, he has lived peacefully with his talking dog, Hector, a born-again Evangelical and unapologetic capitalist. To Harry, the gargantuan mansion represents the fetid and corrupt excess that has ruined modern civilization.

Langella also serves as executive producer. Kessler is also producing with Kerry Orent, Mike Sobiloff and Winter State Entertainment’s Hamid and Camille Torabpour, Dr. Mark Smith, and Patrick Werksma.

Cannavale is repped by Framework Entertainment and WME; Benson by ICM; Channing by ICM and Anonymous Content; Parker by Luber Roklin Entertainment.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Martha Madison Opens Up About Her Mother's FTD Dementia

The actress and her two sisters were raised by a single parent, Barbara “Barb” Baggs, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when Madison was six years old. Baggs, who was artistically, mathematically, and musically talented, struggled through the ups and downs of the chronic disease, but refused to let it stop her. When Madison was young, her mother would often serenade the three girls (Martha, Alison and Bo) to sleep by playing the guitar and singing “Puff the Magic Dragon” to them.

Her mother raised all three women to be like her; strong, independent and self-reliant. Although the family enjoyed a loving relationship filled with respect and laughter, Baggs wasn’t a “touchy-feely” parent. During Madison’s speech, she reflected that she saw her mother cry only once, and that was when she boarded the plane from Houston to study acting in New York City in 1999. In 2001, Madison traveled home to Houston to spend time with her mother. They had planned a night out, but then the unthinkable happened. Baggs didn’t arrive home from work, and her guests had been waiting for quite a while. “This was unusual, as she was excessively punctual," Madison explained. "Now, keep in mind that cellphones were not yet the norm, so I had no way of getting in touch with her. I did finally receive a call, on our house landline. It was a gas station attendant, telling me that my mother was there and she appeared lost. When she got on the phone she said in a very measured and unusually calm way, ’Don’t freak out.

Everything’s fine, you just need to come and get me.' It turned out that the gas station was three blocks from the house.”

Baggs' doctors initially thought that the occasional forgetfulness and other symptoms were stemming from the MS. As time went on, the symptoms progressed where Madison’s mother had difficulty telling time and began suffering from mood swings and delusions. The family banded together to take care of their only parent; Bo moved her mother to Dallas so that she could physically watch over her and take care of her needs. By this time Alison was living in Anchorage, Alaska, with her family and Madison had move to Los Angeles to play Belle Black on DAYS. Both sisters would make visits to see their mother, and contribute emotional and financial support to their sister. “None of us had any idea how intense Bo’s new duties would become but our mom taught us to be strong,” the actress explained.

After an episode where Madison’s mother confessed to her daughter Alison that she was contemplating suicide, the entire family met with the mother’s neurologist. He recommended that Baggs be committed to a psychiatric hospital for a few weeks to be evaluated. During this time, the doctors were able to adjust her anti-depressant dosage, which created an immediate and positive impact. During the followup visit with the neurologist, the doctor was finally able to diagnose her with FTD. “He made the diagnosis from experience," Madison revealed. "His mother had just died from FTD. He recognized the symptoms as the hallmarks of the disease.”

11 years after the first symptom appeared, Madison’s mother is being taken care of in a memory care facility and thriving. She receives constant visits from her children and grand children. Frontotemporal Degeneration can easily be mistaken for a different type of dementia, or in Madison’s mother’s case, as an offset of MS. For the complete list of symptoms and for more information about the disease, please visit their site https://www.theaftd.org/what-is-ftd/disease-overview/

Inside Salem - 5/13/19 - Arianne Zucker, Lauren Koslow, Galen Gering and More

Stephen Nichols Returns to DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Although disappointed when Nichols exited DAYS, some of his fans hoped it would free him up to return to one of his other soap roles, like Stefan Cassadine on GENERAL HOSPITAL or Tucker McCall on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS (even though his GH character is technically dead). But instead, DAYS is bringing him back as Steve, a role he first began playing back in 1985.

The last time fans saw Steve, he had left town after having his sight restored and was in big trouble because the bionic eye Stefan helped him get had been used to record secure documents! Now it looks as though he’s been able to clear his name and will be back in Salem soon enough to pick up where he left off. He wasn’t particularly thrilled with Kayla for going behind his back to get him that electronic eye, but he’ll definitely have something to say to Stefan for getting him into all that trouble!

Dishing with Digest - 5/10/19 - Suzanne Rogers

Suzanne Rogers talks about her remarkable run as DAYSąs Maggie, her real-life health battle and more. We also talk about the latest casting shockers at DAYS, GH and Y&R and the big surprises at this yearąs Daytime Emmys.

This Close Season 2

Thaao Penghlis And Leann Hunley Back To DAYS!

Two Days of Our Lives Returns

Soaps InDepth Podcast - 5/6/19 - The UN-Emmy's

This week Richard and Charlie hand out awards in categories that the Emmy's seem to have ignored. Who will be Man-Ho of the year? Listen to find out.

2019 Daytime Emmy Winners & Nominees

Talk Show Appearance

Monday, May 6

THE TALK’s Annual Daytime Emmy “After-Party” with exclusive appearances from many of the night’s biggest winners (n)

Dishing with Digest - 5/3/19 - Sal Stowers

Daytime Emmy Awards will be streamed online via EmmyOnline.tv, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

View the Emmys LIVE on the following outlets
On The Web: https://t.co/fkRkAzzWOA
On Facebook: https://t.co/vjYx6XpMoY and https://t.co/6LROgKmPQU
On Twitter: @TheEmmys and @DaytimeEmmys
On YouTube: https://t.co/ekuwtmU4Sb
KNEKT TV network (https://t.co/wkmAIjJRNh)

— Daytime Emmy Awards (@DaytimeEmmys) April 29, 2019

Stephen Nichols Books Days Return

Nichols says credit for his return belongs to the fans, many of whom cried foul when he was cut from the cast last year. “These good people who are so loyal and dedicated to supporting us, mean so much to me,” he enthused. “In my opinion, the most beneficial thing about social media has been connecting with the fans on a deeper level. So much so that I consider them true friends.”

Per Digest, Days has “big plans” for Steve (and presumably his on-screen “sweetness” Kayla) when he resurfaces in the fall, something Nichols would neither confirm nor deny. “You gotta’ wait and see,” he teased.

Last April, two months before his Days ouster and four months before his final air date, Nichols lamented his lack of screen time. “I do believe continuing to weave Steve and Kayla’s past into present day story is intelligent writing,” he said at the time. “However, one day per week (or less) doesn’t give the fans enough time to live with these characters. Respectfully, hoping for a remedy to this.”

Presenters Announced For The Daytime Emmys

Inside Salem - 4/29/19 - Greg Vaughan, Linsey Godfrey, Victoria Konefal, Eric Martsolf and Kassie DePaiva

Greg Vaughan talks about being caught in a love triangle and shares his thoughts on Nicole's return. Then, after two can't-miss clips, Linsey Godfrey, Victoria Konefal, Eric Martsolf and Kassie DePaiva join for a celebratory Emmy roundtable and play a portion of their nominated reels.

NATAS Explains Why Daytime Emmy Nominee Reels Weren't Made Public

“Looking at the original issue that brought up these protests and this investigation last year, where one entrant in the competition had gone on YouTube and pulled the reels of his competitors and, awards manual in hand, scrutinized every second of those reels and found potential violations that our staff in the vetting process and our judges in the judging process had missed; well, he only screened the categories that his show was competing in,” Sharp explained to Variety. “So the same way as you wouldn’t want a scenario where, in the middle of a trial all the evidence is put on the courthouse steps and the public can just come up and challenge whatever pieces they want and overrule the jury in the process, we determined that essentially handing these on-air raw submission materials over to competitors in a category would create the potential for abuse and the potential for an unfair imbalance.”

So the only options were to upload clip reels for every category or none of the categories, and because they simply didn’t have the resources or the rights to every clip, NATAS unfortunately had to choose the latter. All four daytime dramas threatened a boycott of the Daytime Emmys following the scandal last year, but as NATAS announced the changes they were making to the various processes, including nominating and voting, everything got back on track.

Although fans will not be able to see the reels for themselves this year to make predictions as to who will take home the Emmy, they can all tune in on Sunday, May 5.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Nominees Reveal What's on Their Emmy Reels

Martha Madison (Belle) - Outstanding Supporting Actres

“I tried to build a reel that would tell the whole arc of the DNR story from Belle’s perspective. I chose scenes with Greg Vaughan (Eric), Drake [Hogestyn, John], Mary Beth [Evans, Kayla], and the bedside scene with Deidre [Hall, Marlena]. I felt it would be the best way to tell the story to voters who may not watch the show on a regular basis.”

Eric Martsolf (Brady) - Outstanding Supporting Actor

“I went with my goodbye to my son. Which a lot of fathers have experienced, and it never gets more heartfelt than that. But in my final submission, I included a scene next to Marlena in which Brady apologizes to her, not knowing whether she’s going to wake up or not, for being such a poor teenager and adolescent toward her. He feels he never gave her the credit she deserved. It was such a simple scene, and it was so quick, I almost had forgotten about it. A couple people had said to me, ‘I really enjoyed that scene because it’s all about regret and wanting to make up for lost time when you seemingly don’t have it.’ So I felt they were scenes that just related to the human experience. And that’s usually what I try to shot for. And what I think soaps in general should try to shoot for.”

Marci Miller (ex-Abigail) - Outstanding Lead Actress

“I submitted the scenes where Abby realizes for the first time that she killed Andre. So the scenes were with Billy [Flynn, ex-Chad]. And I submitted some Gabby scenes with Tyler Christopher (ex-Stefan), and then some scenes where the Gabby character and the Dr. Laura character are having conversations with each other inside of Abby’s head. And then a little tidbit at the end with Deidre Hall, when Abby transitions into Dr. Laura.”

Tyler Christopher (ex-Stefan) - Outstanding Lead Actor

“It was a little different this year. We were able to submit a lot more material, so you were able to kind of tell a little story. So that’s what I chose to try to do. I started with Chad and Stefan had a fight in the stairwell of the DiMera mansion where Stefan is really pushing his buttons and trying to bait him into a fight and it worked. I set it up with that. Then I did a couple of scenes in the abortion clinic where Marci was just fantastic. She really set me up in those scenes. And then I may have used something with Ben from when they were establishing their working relationship. And then I used a lot from Stefan torturing the real Gabi, Camila [Banus], where he had her tied up and he was torturing her. And then I ended it with a really quick monologue tribute to Stefano.”

Kassie DePaiva (Eve) - Outstanding Supporting Actress

“They were scenes with Eric Martsolf, where Brady and Eve go to get married and she calls it off because she finds out that she’s been duped by Brady. Brady and Eve set out to use the other person, but in the meantime, they fell in love. So she got her feelings hurt by Brady. It was the big non-wedding. And then I added two extra scenes with Robert Scott Wilson where she confronts Ben for the first time when he comes back to town.”

Greg Rikaart (Leo) - Outstanding Supporting Actor

“The first scenes that I submitted were the confrontation between Leo, Sonny, and Will. When Leo first got back and he explained how he’s survived and what his objectives were now that he was back. I like those scenes and when you have a clear objective it kind of helps tell the story. ANd in my experience, that can make a reel more compelling. Those scenes had some anger, so just to show something different, the second set of scenes were from the wedding and were more lighthearted and silly.”

Guy Wilson in NCIS: Los Angeles 5/19/19

GUEST CAST includes: David James Elliott (Navy Captain Harmon “Harm” Rabb, Jr.), Catherine Bell (Navy Lieutenant Colonel Sarah “Mac” Mackenzie), Guy Wilson (Navy Gunner’s Mate Michael Skinner).

Chrishell Hartley Mourns the Death of Her Father

The daytime star, who also appeared on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS as Bethany and ALL MY CHILDREN as Amanda, clearly inherited her love for entertaining from her father. “I grew up in an unconventional family and my dad was a drummer — the heartbeat of the music,” Hartley explained. “Today we lost the heartbeat of our family but I am happy knowing he took his music to heaven. It just got a lot more rock and roll up there. We love you so much.”

Soaps InDepth Podcast - 4/22/19 - Fixer Uppers

On this week’s episode of the Soaps In Depth podcast, Charlie and Richard take a look at several characters who could stand to be pushed in a new direction. Can GH’s Drew go from out-man-out to Big Man On Canvas? What will it take for Y&R’s Cane to get his life back on track? Should B&B’s Quinn take another trip to the dark side? And can anyone make DAYS’ JJ smile? Plus, preview of the week’s hottest stories and more!

Talk Show Appearance

AIRING Apr 22, 2019

Scott Reeves and Melissa Reeves

Arianne Zucker Dishes About DAYS Return

Soap Vet Patrika Darbo Talks New Film

To view the film, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuxP7L_LMWY

To learn more about the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge 2019, click here: disabilityfilmchallenge.com

INSTAGRAM/DARBO: www.instagram.com/p/Bv9KjsnBjCg/

Lisa Rinna reveals mom was was attacked by Trailside serial killer

“I was very lucky — I should not even be here,” Lois said on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” Tuesday.

According to Lisa, Lois’ attacker was serial killer David Carpenter, who was known as Trailside Killer and actually worked with Lois. The reality star revealed in a confessional interview that Carpenter picked up Lois at a bus stop and took her down a deserted road, where he assaulted her.

“I thought that was it — that I was going ‘Bye bye,'” the 90-year-old reflected. “He’s straddling me, and he had a hammer in one hand, a knife in the other.”

Lisa said her mother was almost raped and killed, but a military police officer saved her life.

In 1960, Carpenter was arrested for attempted murder, but after being released seven years later, according to The San Francisco Gate, he killed multiple people and was dubbed the Trailside Killer. Lois was one of two victims who survived.

Carpenter is reportedly still on death row at San Quentin state prison in California.

“I had such great sadness and empathy for my mom, knowing that not only did this happen to her, but that she basically just stuffed those feelings for how many years?” Lisa said. “She never dealt with it. She never even talked about it.”

After the “RHOBH” episode aired, Lisa shared an Instagram post dedicated to Lois, saying, “I am so proud of my Mom and I know Dad is watching from heaven and is so proud of you Mama! I love you!”

Daytime Emmys Sets Mario Lopez & Sheryl Underwood As Hosts

“I am thrilled to have one of the most entertaining combinations in daytime television hosting our grand gala at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium,” said David Michaels, SVP Daytime at NATAS. “With their combined wit and charm, plus America’s favorite arbiter, Judge Judy, receiving this year’s lifetime achievement award as well as the best of Daytime nominated in all genres and a stellar list of presenters yet to be announced, it promises to be a memorable night for the daytime community.”

In addition to the hosts, Carolyn Hennessy will return as host of the Daytime Emmys’ livestream from the red carpet and backstage post-show interviews with the winners May 5.

The Daytime Emmy noms were announced March 20, with Days of Our Lives leading all programs with 27 noms. CBS leads all networks with 61 nominations. Amazon Prime Video tied Netflix for second this year with 49 noms apiece, followed by NBC (38), ABC (35) and PBS (31).

Inside Salem Podcast - 4/15/19 - Chrishell Hartley, Wally Kurth, Judi Evans and Freddie Smith

Chrishell Hartley tells us everything she knows about Jordan Ridgeway's surprise baby and feelings toward Rafe. Then, Wally Kurth, Judi Evans and Freddie Smith join Michael Fairman in the studio to discuss the Kiriakis family dynamic and talk about their favorite cast members in a game of "Dish, Dirt or Delight."

Actor Justin Hartley lands the role of homeowner in Encino

Private and gated, the 6,762 square feet of open floor plan is crowned by high ceilings and exposed wood beams. A glass wall reveals the temperature-controlled wine room. The kitchen features both prep and eat-at islands as well as a glass-sided breakfast nook.

A high-tech media room, a dining room, a butler’s panty, six bedrooms and eight bathrooms are among the other living spaces.

The resort-like backyard contains a contemporary fire-pit area, a pool house, a swimming pool and a sports court.

Hartley, 42, has television credits that include the daytime soap opera "Passions," the adventure-drama "Smallville" and the thriller series "Revenge." He was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for his work on "The Young and the Restless." He also is branching out to TV production with his newly launched ChangeUp Productions.

Stause, 37, plays herself on the Netflix realty reality show “Selling Sunset.” Her television credits include “Days of Our Lives” and “The Young and the Restless.”

Ray Akbari and Cyrus Ahmadi of Standard Realty were the listing agents. Stause, who also goes by the name Chrishell Hartley, and Jason Oppenheim of the Oppenheim Group handled the buying side.

Marci Miller Reveals Why She Left DAYS OF OUR LIVES and What She's Doing Now

While it was certainly hard work, Miller rose to the occasion with mesmerizing performances that she can always be proud of. “The dissociative-identity disorder storyline was the thing that I’ll never forget,” she reflected. “I don’t know if I’ll ever have an opportunity to do that again.” Exhilarating as the experience was, Miller kept the promise she’d made to herself to leave at the end of her two-year contract so that she could go and take on other characters. “DAYS had become my life… It’s what I woke up every single day to do,” she recalled. “So it was hard to step away, but I knew that it was right.”

Fortunately, Miller was rewarded with a role on a new futuristic TV series (working title NOVA VIDA), which she spent four months shooting. In it, she’s the wife of a guy who “wakes up on [an operating] table in the middle of the ocean and wonders, ‘Where am I? What’s going on?’” Miller explained. “So it’s about their journey back to each other.” Last month, Miller wrapped production on F.E.A.R., a sci-fi/action film in which she plays a woman desperate to save her family when a pathogen is unleashed on their mountain town. “It was a very physical shoot. I got to some stunts, learn a lot about guns and run around!” she shared. “I was a total badass lady, so I was super stoked to get to do it.”

Having finally decompressed from the rigors of her DAYS storyline, Miller is excited about now being able to create something equally intriguing herself. “I’m doing a lot of writing, which is something I’ve not had the opportunity to sit down and do,” she confided. “And I’m going to New York with a group of friends to try to workshop a film that we’d like to get made.”

‘Into The Dark’: Barbara Crampton, Shawn Ashmore Among 6 Cast In Hulu’s “Culture Shock” Installment

The Into the Dark series includes 12 feature-length episodes, released each month over one year and inspired by a holiday, featuring Blumhouse’s signature genre/thriller spin on the story. The Culture Shock installment will premiere July 4.

Written by Efren Hernandez, James Benson and Guerrero, from a story by Hernandez and Benson, Culture Shock is a thriller that follows a young Mexican woman in pursuit of the American Dream, who crosses illegally into the United States, only to find herself in an American nightmare.

Blumhouse Television has upcoming The Loudest Voice, starring Russell Crowe, which will premiere on June 30 on Showtime. On the feature film side, Blumhouse Productions will release the thriller MA starring Octavia Spencer in late-May, and they recently announced that Elisabeth Moss has been cast in their upcoming Universal film, The Invisible Man.

Guerrero is repped by Carlos Bobadilla of Valor Entertainment and Verve. Higareda is repped by ICM. Cabral is repped by Paradigm, Atlas Artists and Morris Yorn. Ashmore is repped by Gersh, Paul Nicholls and JTWAMM. Crampton is repped by Michael Eisenstadt at AEFH and Josh Silver at Silver J Mgmt. Bratton is repped by Michael Eisenstadt at AEFH Talent. de Lara is repped by Vision Entertainment.

Talk Show Appearance

Tuesday, April 16: Ashley Benson

New Holiday Film For DAYS Faves And Alums

Kate Mansi Reveals Why She Returned to DAYS for Abigail's Exit

On screen, and institutionalized Abigail had started impersonating her alter, Gabby, in order to get a smitten Stefan to whisk her away. Though the character’s multiple personalities had been integrated before Mansi stepped back into her shoes, the character had been through enough to be different. “Coming back was both super surreal and very familiar,” Mansi reflected. “I think that once you do that work on a character [regarding her mental illness] for so long, it’s like a part of yourself.” However, sharing scenes with Stefan’s portrayer, Tyler Christopher, (who’d joined the soap during Mansi’s absence) was a brand-new experience. “Tyler was great!” she recalled. “He brought a lot of his heart to the role.”

Still, it was Chad who sought to reclaim Abby’s heart, and while she grappled with the idea of ever being able to trust him again after he’d had her separated from her newborn, Charlotte, it was the child’s subsequent kidnapping that became a turning point. They saw each other through it! “It’s like the proof was in the pudding,” Mansi observed. “They renewed their commitment to each other and their family, and had the opportunity to experience who the other person was now instead of just repeating the same narrative.”

After exchanging new marriage vows, Chad and Abigail rode off into the sunset in search of a fresh start. Ironically, Mansi had her bags packed as well. “I shot the wedding scenes, left the studio and went to a friend’s wedding,” she confides. With just a couple days to restock her suitcase, Mansi next “left for Kentucky to shoot [the movie Mommy Group Murders], which just premiered on Lifetime.”

Recently, the actress wrapped production on Miss Staken, a movie with brothers Joey, Matthew and Andrew Lawrence in which she plays a security guard at a marketing firm who winds up passing herself off as someone else when her idea for a campaign gains notice. “It was really fun to work with all three of them on a romantic comedy, which is [something] I’ve always wanted to do,” she says excitedly. “Now I’m working on developing a project with my writing partner, and you know, it’s pilot season... I feel like that was the best possible timing for me to have gone back to the show.”

Mary Beth Evans Hosts New Show On DOOL App

Jen Lilley, Chris McNally, Dan Jeannotte, Nathan Parsons & More Cast In Hallmark Channel’s ‘Countdown To Summer’ Movie Event

Announced at TCA in February, the channel will premiere A Paris Romance, starring Jen Lilley (Days Of Our Lives) and Dan Jeannotte (The Bold Type, Reign) on Saturday, May 4; Feels Like Home (working title) starring Jonna Walsh (The Fosters, Baby Daddy) and Nathan Parsons (Roswell, New Mexico, The Originals) on Saturday, May 11; Sailing Into Love (fka Four Summer Weddings), starring Leah Renee (Grimm, Satisfaction) and Chris McNally (When Calls The Heart, Altered Carbon) on May 18; and Love in the Sun, starring Emeraude Toubia (Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments), Tom Maden (Scream: The TV Series, Famous In Love) and Shawn Christian (Days Of Our Lives, Famous In Love) on May 25.

“We strive to provide our fans with a viewing experience that immerses them in the sights, sounds and feelings of the seasons that is only available on our network,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming and Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks. “Viewers have enthusiastically embraced our seasonal event strategy so we’re thrilled to expand on these offerings with the addition of ‘Countdown to Summer’ to the schedule.”

Complete details of the four movies follow below.

A Paris Romance
Premieres: Saturday, May 4 at 8 PM
Stars: Jen Lilley, Dan Jeannotte

Logline: Isabella is the ambitious new owner of her family’s Oregon winery whose dream of becoming world-renowned takes a big step forward when she enters a prestigious wine competition in Paris. Upon arrival, Isabella meets her biggest competitor, Jacques, from one of the world’s foremost winemaking families. Impressed by Isabella and her expertise in wine, a budding romance develops between them. However, as the results as the competition are announced, Isabella believes Jacques badmouthed her wine. Hurt, she returns home. When Jacques discovers what upset her, he seeks to win her back, even if it means leaving behind his beloved winery.

Feels Like Home (wt)
Premieres: Saturday, May 11 at 8 PM
Stars: Jonna Walsh, Nathan Parsons

Logline: Host of a New England web series, Abby is set to launch her own line of home products. All she needs is a few more authentically northeastern webisodes and the deal is done. But Abby’s roots are actually in Texas, and now she must return to her dad’s ranch to help him. Surprised to find her former boyfriend Ryan is the ranch manager, Abby is soon swept up in their old chemistry. Torn between her Texas roots and her New England aspirations, Abby must decide where she belongs – with work in the northeast, or deep in the heart of Texas.

Sailing Into Love (fka Four Summer Weddings)
Premieres: Saturday, May 18 at 8 PM
Stars: Leah Renee, Chris McNally

Logline: Biology teacher Claire is busy juggling her duties as bridesmaid to three friends, as well as teaching a summer enrichment class at her most favorite place in the world, Blue Island. Claire learns that the sailboat used to ferry to her students has been sold to a former Navy man, Captain Tom, with the stipulation that he continues to sail the class to the island. Claire’s life gets complicated when she learns her former boyfriend Jason works for the developer intent on building a resort on Blue Island.

Love in the Sun
Premieres: Saturday, May 25 at 8 PM
Stars: Emeraude Toubia, Tom Maden, Shawn Christian

Logline: When successful dating app creator Alana hesitantly gets engaged, she returns to her hometown in Florida to deliver the news to her dad. Upon returning home, she crosses paths with her former flame, Kai, and finds herself falling in love with the fun and adventurous lifestyle tied to her community. As Alana and Kai work together to help her dad restore his declining property, Alana finds herself conflicted as to whether or not her current way of living makes her happier than the home and community that she always knew and loved.

Why James Reynolds rules ‘Days of Our Lives’ and daytime TV

But not James Reynolds.

Since 1981 the Kansas-born actor has played Abe Carver, once a cop and now the mayor of Salem, on the long-running NBC soap “Days Of Our Lives,” with short breaks for other projects. That’s almost as long as Susan Lucci played Erica Kane on “All My Children.” What’s really noteworthy about Reynolds’ tenure, though, is that he holds the record for an African American actor playing the same character on television.

“I didn’t realize that daytime TV would be my mark in life. Here I am all these years later.” says Reynolds, 72. “There’s a great deal I like about it. We can do many aspects of acting. One day you’re in heavy drama, the next day you’re playing light comedy, then you’re doing action and hiding the bad guys. You can do it all within the bounds of one character that I’ve been able to craft in real time. It’s an extraordinary opportunity.”

When Reynolds joined the show, black actors were scarce on daytime. There was Al Freeman Jr. on “One Life to Live” and Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams on “AMC.” Abe was written as a black character but Reynolds, who had just come off the cancelled 1979 CBS primetime series “Press Express,” says the producers were more concerned with his brain than his race.

“ ‘Can you memorize lines quickly?’ That was the only question they asked me,” Reynolds says. And he could. “I had a pile of scripts delivered to my home.”

Soaps were in their heyday in the ’80s and ’90s, with large ensemble casts on contract, an opportunity to make extra cash from personal appearances on weekends and a production schedule that allowed actors three preparations — blocking scenes, camera blocking and a full dress rehearsal — before the afternoon taping. One 42-minute episode was taped per day (as opposed to the eight to 10 days allotted for a prime-time drama). “We shot the occasional Saturday. The first 15 years or so we shot a couple of times on Sunday,” Reynolds says.

The producers usually had two weeks of episodes in the can; now they have six months. Changing times and plunging ratings saw many award-winning soaps such as “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” put out to pasture — in 2011 — and Reynolds says that, today, “Days” runs at a more accelerated and budget-conscious pace (Reynolds took a pay cut). “Yesterday, we shot almost two complete shows. It’s shorter work days. There are demands on producers, actors and writers. The interesting thing is: It can be done,” he says. “If I asked the old me, ‘Can you carry it off? Can you shoot eight and a half shows a week?’ In the old days, I was getting home at 10 p.m. or two in the morning. Now we rarely go to 6 p.m. We get the show done and you can’t tell the difference in the level of production or level of performance.”

“Days of Our Lives,” which debuted in 1965, is one of four soaps still on the air. (The others are “The Young and the Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful” — both on CBS — and “General Hospital,” on ABC.) Reynolds credits head writer Ron Carlivati with keeping the show relevant, especially for developing a story tailor-made for Reynolds. Last year, Abe’s son, Theo (Kyler Pettis), was out and wearing a hoodie and was shot by a young white cop who was also dating Abe’s daughter. “In Abe’s grief he became very angry with the shooter and his family,” Reynolds says. “We took an issue that’s always in the news, and explored anger and grief and racism.”

Theo survived his injuries and Reynolds won a Daytime Emmy for Lead Actor — his first — but the actor, who has been married to Lissa Layng Reynolds since 1986, is proudest of the distinction he has earned among his fellow African American actors for his longevity in the medium.

“It makes me feel good,” he says. “It makes me understand that there are a lot of actors who deserve that opportunity as well. Our show is definitely responding a great deal more to diversity than when I began. We are now reflecting America and I am proud of that.”

Talk Show Appearance

Apr 08, 2019 - Eric Winter ("The Rookie")

Talk Show Appearance

Monday, April 8 – actress Lindsay Price (“Splitting Up Together”);

Dishing with Digest - 4/5/19 - Chrishell Hartley

Chrishell Hartley talks about her new hit Netflix show, SELLING SUNSET, coming back to DAYS as Jordan, married life with Justin Hartley, the celebrity that made her starstruck and more with Digest’s Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. We also discuss the latest casting shakeups at Y&R.

George R.R. Martin's Soapy New Adventure

Inside Salem - 4/1/19 - Olivia Rose Keegan, Melissa Reeves and Casey Moss

Olivia Rose Keegan joins host Michael Fairman to chat about her Emmy nomination, justifying Claire Brady's history of violence and her musical inspirations. Then, Melissa Reeves welcomes Casey Moss into her dressing room to discuss memorizing lines and the overwhelming nature of soap opera production.

Cassandra Creech on NCIS 4/16/19

GUEST CAST includes: Garrett M. Brown (Retired Marine General James Wallace), Doug Savant (Marine Brigadier General Daniel Kent), Cassandra Creech (Amy Tano).

Greg Rikaart Wraps DAYS Run

Sony Fights Lawsuit Alleging It Plotted to Destroy 'Days of Our Lives'

"While the domestic ratings for Days of our Lives have remained largely constant, Sony’s distribution receipts have decreased by over 50%," stated the complaint. "This dramatic decline is directly attributable to a decision at the highest levels of Sony management to eliminate any competition to its own wholly-owned Series The Young and the Restless, also distributed by Sony.... In the annals of Hollywood television, it is difficult to identify a distributor more guilty of blatant conflict of interest, deceit, perfidy, and abuse of market power."

Hardly subtle, but about on par with any murder plot in the soap world.

This week, Sony slapped back with word that the patient deserves her fate.

"Daytime soap operas face a difficult and evolving television market environment," wrote Sony's lawyers in a demurrer aimed at dismissing several of Corday's causes of action. "There were once 18 different first-run network series; now, there are 4. And since 2011, plaintiff Corday’s series, Days of Our Lives has finished last in the Nielsen ratings. Given the changes and challenges of the domestic and international markets, as well as DOOL’s ratings, it is not surprising that DOOL’s profitability has declined in recent years."

Corday alleges that Sony is starving the series of enough money to continue producing a high-quality series. The plaintiff further alleges that Sony isn't charging NBC enough in licensing fees, radically underselling Days of Our Lives in foreign markets, and preventing Corday from ameliorating a lethal situation.

With claims including breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and breach of contract, Corday's attorney Pierce O'Donnell writes, "This sinister plot is working: while Sony claims that Corday has incurred $12 million in unrecouped production deficits, Sony reports no revenues from supplemental markets, and Sony's foreign revenue stream for the Series — once garnering tens of millions of dollars per year — is in a death spiral."

The conspiracy story is "pure fiction," responds Sony's legal team led by Gibson Dunn attorney Scott Edelman, also impugning the murder motive by noting that Days of Our Lives and The Young and The Restless have coexisted for 46 years.

Sony denies having any fiduciary duties toward the producer arising out of a profit-sharing agreement that gave its predecessor exclusive rights to distribute the series. The defendant points to the seminal case on the topic — a dispute over Who Framed Roger Rabbit — for the proposition that there isn't any unstated obligation to maximize profits from an enterprise. To overcome this, Corday may have to show the kind of joint enterprise that recently allowed Bill Nye the Science Guy to advance on a fiduciary duty claim brought against Disney.

Corday's fraud claims are also attacked by Sony for not specifically identifying false statements. For example, the representation that the series was $12 million in deficit is portrayed as literally true. And for an allegation that Sony failed to disclose an internal policy to not exploit the series, Sony faults the plaintiff for not specifying who concealed what.

Sony asserts that Corday is dressing up contract claims as fraud, but also attacks the claims on this end.

According to Corday, Sony must put effort into marketing and distributing Days of Our Lives, must negotiate in good faith new terms for the series now that its format has changed, and split costs for budget overages. Sony responds that the contract says nothing about "effort" obligations, that renegotiations only kick in for a different show other than Days of Our Lives and that Corday's position on overages is directly contrary to the plain terms of the agreement.

Finally, because of what's above, Sony says there's no grounds for Corday terminating the Days of Our Lives agreement.

Jen Lilley Opens up About Being Pregnant With a Baby Girl

The expectant parents have already considered names, and seem to have settled on Julie. They even did a photo shoot where he held pink balloons while she held her growing baby bump to share the blessed news with their family. “I love everything about it,” Lilley declared. “We’re definitely going to frame it in baby Julie’s nursery.”

Lilley, who also filled in for Kirsten Storms as GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Maxie, reprised her DAYS role of Theresa Donovan in the spring of 2018 and in October of that year, released “King of Hearts,” the first single from her upcoming album. Not to mention her frequent appearances in romantic Hallmark movies such as Mingle All the Way and Harvest Love. But her career is going to take a back seat now that she’s welcoming a third child into their loving family that already includes their two-year-old foster son they are currently in the process of adopting, and his biological half-brother who is just 11 months old.

“I absolutely love being a mom of boys, but there’s a couple of reasons we wanted a girl,” Lilley told People Magazine. “One [being], we don’t have one. More importantly, the reason we wanted the girl is now my sons won’t have a bio-son to compare themselves to and I think that’s really, really important.”

Soaps InDepth Podcast - 3/25/19 - What Will Happen Next?

This week on the Soaps In Depth Podcast, Charlie and Richard make a few fearless predictions about what will happen on the soaps in the weeks and months ahead. Plus, they discuss whether the all-important Sweeps ratings periods aren’t nearly as important as they once were.

Denise DuBarry Hay Dies: Coachella Valley Film Advocate Was 63

DuBarry Hay began her career as an actress, apppearing in the TV series Black Sheep Squadron and CHiPs, as well as the film “Being There.”

But the business world was calling, and in 1990 she co-founded Thane International, a global direct response company, with husband, Bill Hay. The company was formed after Denise produced an infomercial in 1987 for a video, “Play the Piano Overnight.” The video became the basis for an “Overnight Music” series for Thane.

After selling Thane International, the Hays started Kaswit, Inc., an incubator for home and health products, including the book “Don Sullivan’s Secrets to Training the Perfect Dog” and training accessories.

In 1998, she was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and in 2000 Response Magazine included her in its list of the “21 People Leading Us Into the 21st Century.”

DuBarry became one of the leading philanthropists in the Coachella Valley, helping the Olive Crest nonprofit for abused and at-risk children. She was also a founder and president of the Palm Springs Women in Film and Television, working to separate the Coachella Valley as a film market for producers.

But she also kept her acting roots. She executive produced and acted in a film screened at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Walk to Vegas, produced by Kim Waltrip.

Survivors include her husband, Bill, and son, Adam; her parents, Pete DuBarry and Betty DuBarry Stein; and children Samantha Lockwood of Honolulu, Kyle Hay of Orange County, and Whitney Hay, a USC student; and three sisters, Audrey Walter, Diana DuBarry and Suzanne DuBarry, and two grandchildren.

A private celebration of life will be held in April, according to her husband.

Morning Show Appearance

Mo 3/25: Corbin Bleu, guest co-host Lisa Rinna

Tu 3/26: guest co-host Lisa Rinna

Brandon Barash On DAYS Debut: “They made it very easy.”

New Project For DAYS’s Tionne Watkins

Dishing with Digest - 3/22/19 - Donnell Turner

Donnell Turner (Curtis) traces his path from background actor to GH heartthrob with Digest’s Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. Plus, we remember late DAYS star Jed Allan and discuss Brandon Barash’s debut as DAYS’s Stefan.

TLC’s Chilli and T-Boz working on a Broadway show

In an interview with Cheddar to promote an upcoming concert tour with Nelly and Flo Rida, Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas revealed that she and Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins are working on bringing their story to the stage.

“We’re also working on the TLC musical and TLC on Broadway,” she said. “We’re going to create new music for those projects as well.”

As TLC is already the subject of a TV movie, Chilli assured fans that this won’t just be a retread of stories they’ve already heard.

“We didn’t tell everything,” she said. “We have so many stories to tell. We didn’t tell it all in our biopic we did with VH1. A lot of good stuff. It’s gonna be very emotional but a good ride.”

She added, “I’m very excited that. I almost can’t believe it. I’m like, ‘What!’”

Originally a trio, TLC has been a duo since the death of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in 2002.

In 2017, TLC released their self-titled fifth album. It was supposed to be their final album, but afterward, they announced they would continue to perform and make music together.

Tyler Christopher Addresses DAYS Exit

Jen Lilley Pregnant with Baby Girl After Fostering to Adopt Two Sons - Why She's 'Relieved'

“I’m so relieved,” the Hallmark Channel star, 34, tells PEOPLE, revealing her pregnancy news exclusively. “I absolutely love being a mom of boys, but there’s a couple of reasons we wanted a girl — one [being], we don’t have one.”

She adds, “More importantly, the reason we wanted the girl is now my sons won’t have a bio-son to compare themselves to and I think that’s really, really important.”

Lilley and her husband, Jason Waynethis link opens in a new tab, are already parents to two sons via foster care: a 2-year-old, whom they took in when he was just 4 months old, and his biological half-brother, who is now 11 months old. The couple is currently undergoing the adoption process with their older son, awaiting the final court date for confirmation.

“All the legal paperwork is in … but we’re still waiting for his adoption day, which is going to be absolutely ridiculously exciting,” she enthuses to PEOPLE.

For Lilley, foster care was something of a no-brainer. Growing up, her parents were “unofficial foster parents” with their line of work — her father as a judge, and her mother as a director of a women and children’s charity — making their home a “safe house” of sorts, for those who needed it.

Aside from that experience, she found that foster care, particularly in her home of Los Angeles, was in a crisis — accounting for nearly 10 percent of the children in foster carethis link opens in a new tab across the country, according to Lilley. It was something the actress couldn’t turn a blind eye to, and she and her husband wanted to be part of the solution.

“Every child deserves love, safety and a strong family,” the Days of Our Lives star explains. “Whether that means staying in my home temporarily and returning to a biological family who’s gotten back on their feet, or adoption.”

And while her “heart and passion” is with foster care and adoption, Lilley — who’s currently 21 weeks along in her pregnancy — is looking forward to expanding her family with a biological child too.

“I always knew I wanted to be pregnant and have a child once because I think it is so amazing what a woman’s body can do,” she tells PEOPLE. “It’s scary and beautiful, and also the most natural thing on Earth.”

This pregnancy is even more special, because Lilley and her husband experienced a miscarriage last year, at 12 weeks along. The excited couple have even already begun thinking of names for their baby girl.

“Right now, we are considering Julie,” the “Winter Love Story” actress reveals. “Which means ‘childlike and beautiful like a flower’ … so we’re thinking of Julie Evangeline.”

The couple are expecting to welcome their daughter via natural birth sometime in August.

Inside Salem - 3/18/19 - Kassie DePaiva, Eric Martsolf, Victoria Konefal

Kassie DePaiva joins host Michael Fairman to talk about Eve's role in the immigration storyline and her enduring relationship with DAYS head writer Ron Carlivati. Plus, we go behind the scenes with Eric Martsolf, and Victoria Konefal talks about becoming Ciara Brady.

Jason Brooks on Hawaii Five-0 4/5/19

GUEST CAST: Makenna James (Bonnie Pearsen), John Clarence Stewart (Hilo), Jason Brooks (Owen Pearsen).

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 3/18/19 - Ask Us Anything!

Talk Show Appearance

We 3/20: Lisa Rinna

Chrishell Hartley Stars in SELLING SUNSET

In addition to her acting career which has also included roles as Amanda on ABC sudser ALL MY CHILDREN and Bethany on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS, Hartley also works as a realtor associate for The Oppenheim Group. And now everyone can watch her take on her new career in SELLING SUNSET. Jason and Brett Oppenhim are twin brothers who run a high-end real estate agency that sells incredibly luxurious homes to wealthy buyers in Los Angeles. And when they hire Hartley to join their staff, the other women don’t react very well to the newcomer, and that's putting it mildly. Take a look at this trailer for a taste of the drama to come!

Although Netflix hasn’t revealed exactly how many episodes there will be in the series, you’ll be able to binge all of them beginning on Friday, March 22, when SELLING SUNSET premieres. And hopefully Hartley will manage to find her place among the cutthroat agents she’s working with! (Although given that she’s still an agent for The Oppenheim Group, we’re guessing they eventually come to an understanding? Hopefully?)

Jed Allan Dies: Soap Star On ‘Days Of Our Lives’ And ‘Santa Barbara’ Was 84

Allan began his career on the CBS soaps Love of Life and The Secret Storm, then joined Days of Our Lives in 1971. He played the role of Don Craig for 14 years, then segued in 1986 to patriarch C.C. Capwell on Santa Barbara.

When that show ended in 1993, he joined Beverly Hills 90210 as Rush Sanders, the father of Ian Ziering’s Steve.

Ziering posted a tribute to his TV father via Instagram: “So sad to hear we’ve lost another 90210 castmate. I had the pleasure of working with Jed Allan from 94 to 99. He played Rush Sanders, Steve’s father. Such a great guy to work with, he will be missed. #ripjedallan”

But the lure of soaps was still strong and in 2004, he temporarily took over the role of General Hospital‘s Edward Quartermaine.

Aside from soaps, Allan played Forest Ranger Scott Turner on Lassie for three years, the main human companion for the collie. He also appeared as the host of Celebrity Bowling in the 1970s, and hosted a game show pilot, Temptation, in 1981. He was also in numerous TV movies.

Born Jed Allan Brown, he was married to Toby Brown until her death in 2001. The couple had three sons, Mitch, Dean, and Rick.

No memorial plans have been announced.

Dishing with Digest - 3/8/19 - Bryan R. Dattilo

Bryan R. Dattilo looks back on 25 years as DAYS's Lucas, his comings and goings from the show, his recent fitness kick and more with Digest's Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. Plus, we talk about the late Luke Perry, who got his start on soaps.

DAYS’s Josh Taylor Remembers Luke Perry

Bryan Craig Thinks Billy Flynn Would Be a "Great" Morgan Recast on GENERAL HOSPITAL

After vacating the role of Morgan, Craig returned for a cameo appearance in one episode back in January of 2018, but the actor has been keeping extremely busy since leaving daytime with roles in the CW military drama VALOR, the film Ride, and his upcoming primetime sudser GRAND HOTEL. Morgan’s body was never actually found, but if GH wanted to bring him back, they’d naturally have to recast the role. And Craig got mixed up in the fun Twitter exchange to offer his endorsement to Flynn! “You’d be a great Morgan,” he replied. “Thanks for the kind words, brother.”

Flynn was flattered, but now realized that the three of them had stirred up a hornets nest with excited fans jumping all over the idea. “Thanks Bryan,” he responded. “Not sure how one could follow what you did, though. This, on the other hand, is gonna escalate quickly now. Ha ha ha! Congrats on everything, man.”

For his part, Craig knew exactly what he’d started. “Yeah, prepare for the copy and paste of this conversation in articles!” he teased. But how could we resist? It’s a great casting suggestion, and one we hope GH keeps in mind should they ever want to bring Morgan back from the dead!

‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Lorenzo Caccialanza To Recur As DeLuca’s Dad In ABC Series

In tonight’s episode, written by Andy Reaser and directed by Chandra Wilson, nothing went as planned when Jackson threw a party to celebrate Catherine’s surgery and those who worked to save her. Meanwhile, Helen paid Alex and Jo a surprise visit. Jennifer Grey, Jason George, Lindsay Wagner, Debbie Allen, Greg Germann, Peyton Kennedy and Jaicy Elliot guest starred.

Grey’s Anatomy stars Ellen Pompeo, Justin Chambers, Wilson, James Pickens Jr, Kevin McKidd, Jesse Williams, Caterina Scorsone, Camilla Luddington, Kelly McCreary, Kim Raver and Giacomo Gianniotti. It was created and is executive produced by Shonda Rhimes. Betsy Beers, Mark Gordon, Krista Vernoff, Allen, Zoanne Clack, Fred Einesman, Reaser and Meg Marinis are executive producers.

Robin Strasser Joins the Cast of DAYS OF OUR LIVES!

Strasser is best known for playing Dorian Lord on OLTL and following the cancelation of the soap, has been a vocal supporter of the four remaining daytime dramas still on the air, hence the hashtag “#supportthe4.” And when fans began petitioning again for the return of OLTL and ALL MY CHILDREN to the ABC Daytime lineup, she was right there with them. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful?” she tweeted. “Would I be available to play Dorian again? Dang yes! I’ve never gotten over the loss of my TV family and friends — I miss them as much as you have.”

Of course Strasser is going to be busy working on DAYS right now, although there has been no information released yet as to what character she might be playing, when she’ll first air, or how long her stint is planned to be.

Strasser has enjoyed a long career in daytime, beginning with a role on THE SECRET STORM, followed by SUMERSET, ANOTHER WORLD, and AMC. She first appeared on OLTL beginning in 1979, and was one of the most popular Llanview residents right up until the end of the series. Back in May of 2018, the actress shared with Soaps In Depth her new life in real estate, and how she’d love to return to daytime for another turn. “I only want to do recurring,” she expressed at the time. “I’m 72 years old and cantankerous as a horndog in a beehive. I could not possibly [work more]. But to come in for a hotsy-totsy three months and goodbye? Or to come in twice a month? Enjoyable!”

Morgan Woodward, star of 'Dallas' and 'Star Trek,' dead at 93

The versatile character actor played oil man Marvin “Punk” Anderson on TV show "Dallas" in 55 episodes from 1980-1987, but also had two appearances on the original "Star Trek" series, was Elder Morgan in the film "Logan’s Run," and was a regular on the long-running "Gunsmoke" TV series. The veteran actor played hard-bitten or menacing types.

Woodward grew up in Arlington, Texas, one of five brothers. He obtained a pilot’s license and served in World War II in the Army Air Corps and in the Korean War in the Military Air Transport Command.

His acting career began at Arlington State College, where he majored in music and drama, but later returned to school and obtained a degree in corporate finance from the University of Texas in 1948.

After several years of work in music, he moved to Hollywood in 1955, hoping to break into musicals. He appeared in such films as Walt Disney’s "The Great Locomotive Chase" (1956) and "Westward Ho, the Wagons!"

He then starred opposite Hugh O’Brian in "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp," playing Earp deputy Shotgun Gibbs for four seasons. That role stamped him in westerns, and he went on to appearances in "Gunsmoke" and "Wagon Train."

Woodward’s biggest film role was in "Cool Hand Luke," where he played an overseer known as “the man with no eyes” thanks to his reflective sunglasses.

He went on to become the first human to mind-meld with Mr. Spock on "Star Trek."

Woodward was awarded the Golden Boot Award from the Hollywood Motion Picture and Television Fund in August 1988, and was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

No information on survivors or a memorial service was immediately available.

Sheri Anderson Announces DAYS Exit

Inside Salem - 2/18/19 - Drake Hogestyn, Eric Martsolf and Linsey Godfrey

Drake Hogestyn joins us from the set of DAYS to discuss "Roman" and Diana being together again, retaining John's history after all these years, his first audition, whether John believes he's Leo's father and much more. Then, Eric Martsolf gives us a behind-the-scenes tour of the DAYS set, with a special appearance by Linsey Godfrey. Plus, two can't-miss clips!

Soaps In Depth Podcast - 2/18/19 - A Reunion For Julian & Alexis?

This week on the Soaps in Depth podcast, Richard and Charlie ponder whether General Hospital’s Julian and Alexis can — or even should — find their way back to one another. Also on tap this week: How Days Of Our Lives has kept John and Marlena front-and-center, why Bold & Beautiful should let Hope go over the edge and a celebration of Melody Thomas Scott’s four decades as The Young & The Restless’ Nikki.

‘Days Of Our Lives’ Producer Swats “Audacious” Sony TV With $20M Lawsuit

In a breach of contract and fraud complaint filed this morning, Corday Productions accuse Sony as well as its Columbia Pictures and Screen Gems divisions of deliberating hanging the 1965 premiering DOOL out to dry distribution-wise in international markets to the advantage of their 100% owned The Young and the Restless.

Represented by Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger’s Pierce O’Donnell, Dan Stone and Joshua Geller, the Corday action also alleges that Sony “treachery” has led to the majority of DOOL’s back seasons left “completely unexploited for over five years” in an attempt to starve off the soap and pump up the CBS broadcasted Y&R.

“While the domestic ratings for Days of Our Lives have remained largely constant, Sony’s distribution receipts have decreased by over 50%,” the 33-page complaint asserts as it seeks of damages of over $20 million and significantly taking back control of the show. “This dramatic decline is directly attributable to a decision at the highest levels of Sony management to eliminate any competition to its own wholly-owned Series The Young and The Restless also distributed by Sony,” the suit from the company founded by DOOL creators Ted Corday and Betty Corday states.

“In the annals of Hollywood television, it is difficult to identify a distributor more guilty of blatant conflict of interest, deceit, perfidy, and abuse of market power,” the swashbucklingly phrased filing declares of what it also calls the “audacious” behavior of Sony TV. “The only effective remedies are massive compensatory and punitive damages and immediate termination Sony’s exclusive, perpetual distribution agreement.”

“Among its myriad illegal acts, the worst financially for Corday is Sony’s failure to market the Series in foreign markets in good faith and compliance with laws prohibiting anticompetitive conduct,” the paperwork proclaims, noting that DOOL isn’t now licensed in “key foreign territories, including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Canada, France, Zambia, and South Africa.”

The filing slathers it up more by claiming that Sony is tightening its hold of late by “imposing solely on Corday the burden of absorbing the multi-million dollar annual operating deficits due to an inadequate NBC license fee and mandating an inefficient, costly production schedule.”

“My client will not sit idly by while Sony Pictures Television seeks to destroy its legendary Days of Our Lives,” O’Donnell told Deadline today after the complaint was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

“Our complaint exposes Sony’s concerted campaign to abandon selling the 54-year-old celebrated television series in foreign markets while it promotes its own daytime drama The Young and The Restless,” the attorney adds. “We can’t wait to present this damning evidence to a Los Angeles jury. Everyone loves a good David versus Goliath story.”

Sony TV did not respond to request for comment from Deadline.

Decades deep into its run, Days of Our Lives does deliver, and, in fact, has seen a recent bit of bounce out of old Salem. Running from September 2017 to September 2018, the series’ 53rd season ) bopped up 4% increase in total viewers to 2.55 million an episode in live + 7 ratings results over the year before.

DOOL has won 57 Emmy Awards over the years, including most recently 2015 and 2018’s Outstanding Daytime Drama. Staying with the numbers, the more than 13,5000 episode on-going series has had 323 nominations, as well as numerous People’s Choice Awards, GLAAD Media Awards and Prism Awards.

DAYS’s Greg Rikaart Books MODERN FAMILY

Talk Show Appearance

Th 2/21: Lisa Rinna

Dishing with Digest - 2/8/19 - Lauren Koslow plus the life and legacy of the late Kristoff St. John

Lauren Koslow traces her soap roots, from Y&R to B&B to her current role as DAYS's Kate, and discusses that blue streak in her hair and more with Digest's Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. Plus, we look back at the life and legacy of the late Kristoff St. John (ex-Neil, Y&R).

Talk Show Appearance

Friday, Feb. 15

Actress Alison Sweeney

Deidre Hall Opens up About Her Mothers Vision Loss to Bring Awareness to AMD

“My mother was an avid reader,” Hall continued. “She loved, loved, loved to read. She loved to knit. And she loved to play bridge. And we remedied part of that by getting her books on tape so she could still enjoy her novels. She couldn’t see the cards, so we got her oversized playing cards. Just things like that that helped her get through it.”

AMD is one of the leading causes of vision loss in people over 50 years old and the leading cause in people over 65. 10% of patients with AMD develop the more serious form of the disease, known as Wet AMD, which is what Hall’s mother suffered from. And a person’s risk of developing AMD is three to four times higher if they have a family member with AMD. “My entire family has been concerned about our vision,” Hall declared. “And we are fierce about getting regular doctor’s care and having regular checkups and just staying on top of it. But we’ve all been just fine, thanks!”

Hall urged fans to visit LookToYourFuture.com for even more details about Wet AMD and other vision issues. “The website has all the information you want to have on there,” she explained. “And I find it to be quite a comfort that people should know where it is.”

It’s important to keep an eye on your sight as early diagnosis can be key to avoiding serious complications and blindness from conditions like AMD. “So if you’ve got blurriness in the center of your eye, if you see wavy lines, if you have blind spots, if colors look somehow a little bit washed out, those are not normal signs of aging,” she insisted. “That isn’t ‘She needs glasses,’ that is ‘she needs a doctor’s help immediately.’

“If you have any symptoms, get in immediately because we do have treatments now that we never had before,” Hall concluded. “So there’s really no excuse. In my mother’s day, not so much. But now there’s so much more available and eyesight is such a precious thing. You don’t want to mess it up.”

Kate Mansi and Billy Flynn Leaving DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Flynn took over for Casey Deidrick as Chad DiMera in 2014, and earned a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 2017 for his powerful performances as Chad contemplated taking his own life. Although he assured fans back in May of 2018 that he was not leaving DAYS, it looks like the end has finally arrived.

Mansi’s run, however, was only ever meant to be short-term, as she reprised the role to help finish out the character’s story when Marci Miller left in 2018. Mansi played Abigail from 2011-2016, at which point Miller took over the part for a couple years.

Since Flynn and Mansi are both leaving in the same episode, perhaps the characters will be taking off together to live happily ever after with their daughter, Charlotte and son, Thomas? After all the drama these two have endured lately at the hands of Stefan DiMera and Gabi Hernandez, they certainly deserve a little happiness!

Inside Salem - 2/4/19 - Judith Chapman, Suzanne Rogers and John Aniston

Judith Chapman talks with host Michael Fairman about her return to DAYS as Diana Cooper, what happened when she told Greg Rikaart that they would be working together again after The Young and the Restless and what she loves about soap opera fans. Then, Suzanne Rogers tells us the story of her dressing room and talks with John Aniston about their on-screen chemistry, memorizing lines and using cue cards.

Catching up With GENERAL HOSPITAL's Scott Reeves

With new music already produced, the group readily embraced the idea of hitting the road again. Besides, Reeves added, “I love nothing better than to get on stage and perform our stuff live.” Their acoustic tour, called Population 2, will take them to the UK in April. For US dates and locations, pay a visit to www. bluecountymusic.com.

In between gigs, Reeves is busy with his family coffee business, Revival Roasting Company, which has several new offerings, some of which are named to honor his grandfather, Rex. “He instilled the passion in me when I was 5 years old,” the entrepreneur explained. “We pride ourselves on grade-one, single-origin coffees that are really unique.”

Having wrapped his stint on CMT’s NASHVILLE when the series concluded, Reeves will return to the screen in a new, country music-themed project this year: DOLLY PARTON’s HEARTSTRINGS, a Netflix anthology series in which each episode is named for one of the icon’s much-loved hits. In “Jolene,” “I’m a sly silver fox going through a mid-life crisis,” Reeves previewed of the flick. “He starts seeing [a singer whose name is] Jolene, who is played by Julianne Hough, unbeknownst to his super sweet wife, Willa, whose best friend is played by my dear friend, Kimberly Williams-Paisley.”

The actor also has some good news to share with soap fans. With wife Melissa Reeves living part-time in Los Angeles while playing DAYS OF OUR LIVES’ Jennifer, he’s open to reprising his role on GH. “It would be interesting to see how prison affected Steve,” he proposes. And since his old on-screen flame is now happily married, “I would love nothing more than to go stir things up in Olivia’s perfect, stable life.”

Nadia Bjorlin Confirms She Is Leaving DAYS OF OUR LIVES

The role of Chloe Lane was Bjorlin’s first major acting role when she joined the soap back in April of 1999. She left in June of 2003 to focus on her singing career but returned by the end of the year. In September of 2005, she departed again to star in the UPN primetime series SEX, LOVE, & SECRETS. She also made guest appearances on shows like JAKE IN PROGRESS and OUT OF PRACTICE as well as in the films If I had Known I Was a Genius and Redline. Bjorlin returned to DAYS again in November of 2007 but once again departed in September of 2011. She made a brief return in 2013, and then again in 2015 for a couple episodes to celebrate the soap’s 50th anniversary. After another visit in January of 2016, Bjorlin returned to DAYS full-time in June of 2016.

With Lucas’ recent departure, Chloe was left without a love interest, but there were more than a couple eligible bachelors in Salem she could have pursued — or that could have pursued her! Unfortunately, that now doesn’t seem likely as Chloe will also be on her way out of town. Might she go off to join Lucas in Europe? At this time there are no details regarding her exit storyline or exactly when Bjorlin will last air on the soap. As more information is released, we’ll be sure to let you know. Also, seeing as how the actress has come and gone from DAYS multiple times over the years, hopefully she'll bring Chloe back again in the future!

Kirsten Storms Celebrates Her Zenon Anniversary!

Released on Jan. 23, 1999, Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century centers around Storms as Zenon Kar, a 13-year-old girl used to living on a space station with her family who is punished by being sent to live with her aunt on Earth where she has trouble fitting in with the Earth-bound kids. After she finally starts to make friends, Zenon then finds herself trying to save everyone on the space station from a villain trying to destroy it, but runs into trouble because she’s just a kid and no one believes her story!

Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century was such a huge hit for the Disney Channel that Storms reprised the role in two sequels, Zenon: The Zequel and Zenon: Z3, where her outer space adventures continued. The cast also included Raven-Symoné as Zenon’s best friend, Nebula Wade.

Storms did more work for Disney, playing Emily in the TV movie Johnny Tsunami and voicing Bonnie Rockwaller in the animated series KIM POSSIBLE, but moved her career into a more adult arena when she joined the cast of DAYS as Belle. After a brief stint in primetime with the ill-fated Aaron Spelling series CLUBHOUSE, Storms returned to daytime to take over the role of Maxie on GH starting in 2005 and continues to play the fan-favorite character to this day. (But to some fans, she’ll always be Zenon!)

GLAAD Media Awards Drop Soap Operas

Stars React To Their Daytime Emmy Pre-Noms

Daytime Emmys Unveil Peer-Judged Drama Pre-Nominations

The Soaps In Depth Podcast #1: The Inaugural Episode

Inside Salem - 1/21/19 - Melissa Reeves Reflects, Paul Telfer and Greg Rikaart

Melissa Reeves sits down to talk all things Jack and shares her thoughts on becoming the Horton matriarch. Then, Paul Telfer and Greg Rikaart give us the inside scoop on Xander and Leo, detail their families' reactions to DAYS, and play "What's My Line?"

Dishing with Digest - 1/18/19 - Galen Gering

DAYS’s Galen Gering (Rafe) looks back on 10 years at DAYS, his PASSIONS roots and more with Digest’s Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. Plus, we talk about the appeal of troublemakers on the soap canvas.

Judith Chapman Returns To Days

Lindsay Hartley Previews Her New Movie, 'My Mother's Split Personalities'

In the film, Hartley plays Gail Price, a woman who suffers from dissociative identity disorder and is under the control of her new boyfriend, Warren, who hopes to get his hands on the money Gail inherited from her late husband. When Gail’s daughter, Julie, returns home, she is shocked to learn of her mother’s condition, and struggles to save her from Warren and get her the help she needs. “This criminal boyfriend knows about Gail’s mental issues and that’s their angle to get the inheritance,” Hartley previews. “They’ve been casing her and stuff. And when Gail is threatened, that’s when the alpha personality comes out to protect the other ones.

“The first one, the little girl, comes out when Julie leaves,” the actress explains. “And then Madeline, the sexy, fun, romantic chick comes out when she meets Warren. And then the third one comes out when Gail is in danger. That’s Sadie, the dominant personality. The one that is literally the most dangerous. She will kill to protect the other personalities.”

Soap fans are used to multiple personality storylines, and Hartley is thrilled she’s finally getting to tackle that particular acting challenge. “I was super pumped when [executive producer] Pierre David asked me to join in on this projet because it’s really cool to be able to throw so many people into a role, right? I hope you get sucked into Gail’s trouble, because she’s really messed up. She’s a really screwed up character.”

Inside Salem - 1/7/19 - Matt Ashford, Rob Scott Wilson and Victoria Konefal

After dying on the show multiple times, Jack Deveraux is back! Matt Ashford talks to Michael Fairman about his experience returning to Days of our Lives. Then, Rob Scott Wilson and Victoria Konefal join to discuss why Ben Weston and Ciara Brady's romance is so convincing.

NBC RENEWS MULTI-EMMY AWARD-WINNING SERIES ‘DAYS OF OUR LIVES’ FOR 55TH SEASON

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Jan. 8, 2019 — “Days of our Lives,” the longest running series on NBC and an icon of daytime television, has been renewed for a record 55th season.

“Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.”

Those words, which have drawn millions of eager viewers to their television sets for six decades, will remain a high point of the broadcast day with the renewal announcement of the multi-Emmy Award-winning series.

“With writing that manages to weave together Salem’s iconic characters with current realities, Ken Corday and his team have ushered the show’s legacy into a new era that resonates with both longtime and new viewers,” said Bruce Evans, Executive Vice President, Current Programming, NBC Entertainment. “The actors and crew have such a tremendous respect for ‘Days’ and what it means to fans. We believe that level of commitment shows through and touches our audience year after year.”

“It’s a great day in Salem! The sands in the hourglass will continue to flow for yet another year,” said executive producer Ken Corday. “We’re grateful to NBC and Sony for their continued support of the show and, of course, to our dedicated and passionate fans, we owe it all to you. Thank you for taking us through our 55th season. We can’t wait for you to see what we have in store.”

Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President, Programming, Sony Pictures Television, added: “Ken Corday and his cast and crew continue to build on the strong legacy of dynamic storytelling and intriguing characters in ‘Days of our Lives.’ We are proud that audiences both in the U.S. and around the world will get to enjoy this award-winning series for another year.”

The show’s 53rd season (September 2017-September 2018) saw a 4% increase in total viewers (2.55 million vs. 2.45 million in live + 7 per Nielsen Media Research) vs. the previous season. In addition, “Days” added a number of new characters and a few surprise returns that have kept fans and critics tuned in.

“Days of our Lives,” which aired its 13,500th episode in 2018, remains a television institution. The show first premiered as a half-hour drama in 1965 and expanded to an hour 10 years later.

The show has garnered 57 Emmy Awards, including most recently 2015 and 2018’s Outstanding Daytime Drama, and 323 nominations, as well as multiple People's Choice Awards, GLAAD Media Awards and Prism Awards.

Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, “Days of our Lives” airs nationally on NBC in the United States and in more than 25 countries internationally. The core families are the Bradys, Hortons and DiMeras, and the multi-layered storylines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

“Days of our Lives” is produced by Corday Productions, Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producers Greg Meng and Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati is the head writer.

Please visit the official show site at: www.nbc.com/days-of-our-lives

Facebook: www.facebook.com/daysofourlives

Twitter: @nbcdays

Instagram: nbcdays

Hashtag: #DAYS

Alison Sweeney Announces Hallmark Premiere Date

William Morgan Sheppard, Star Trek and Doctor Who Actor, Dead at 86

The actor's son, Supernatural star Mark Sheppard, confirmed the news of his father's passing on Instagram Sunday evening by writing, "We went to spend some time with my father today. Though he couldn't speak, we held hands, he laughed and was so happy to see us. We left and came home. A good day. He was rushed to hospital and passed at 6:30pm, my mother by his side. I am so grateful that he didn't have to suffer any longer. Thank you for all your kind thoughts, love and prayers."

Sheppard was known for his many appearances across the Star Trek franchise, including guest-starring on episodes of Star Trek: Voyager ("Bliss") and Star Trek: The Next Generation ("The Schizoid Man") and appearing in the filmsStar Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and the 2009 reboot Star Trek. Additionally, he was well-known for his work as Blank Reg in the short-lived, cult classic ABC sci-fi Max Headroom and starred in two episodes of Babylon 5.

The actor also starred as Old Canton Delaware alongside son Mark Sheppard in a 2011 episode of Doctor Who ("The Impossible Astronaut") and enjoyed a litany of guest roles in popular shows like Charmed, Alias, Gilmore Girls, Criminal Minds, NCIS, Mad Men, Dexter, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. On the film side, he was perhaps best known for his roles in The Prestige and Transformers, but his earliest films included Strongroom, Tell Me Lies and The Elephant Man. His last film was 2016's Last Man's Club.

In addition to his screen work in films and television, Sheppard was also an accomplished voice actor, lending his vocals to series like Hellsing, Legend of the Seeker, and The AOF Channel.

Sheppard first got his start in the theater, graduating from Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and training with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Of his decision to pursue acting, Sheppard explained (via WhatCulture), "I wanted to be a stand-up comedian, I did some gigs... I had a good job selling building equipment, but was itching for something - I was not so funny, but I had good timing." He went on to make a splash on Broadway with his 1966 appearance in Marat/Sade.

Prior to studying acting, Sheppard served in the Merchant Navy and credited that experience with informing his screen and stage-work by saying, "My experience in the Merchant Navy gave me an edge at RADA and in business. I was 25 and those at RADA were younger, kids really- nice kids, but immature. I had been damaged and was always able to get up off the floor, often due to the kindness of others. I have been lucky."

Farah Fath Welcomes a Beautiful Baby Boy

At the end of June, Fath was delighted to reveal that her first child was going to be a boy, but by the following month, among the photos of her growing baby bump, the expectant mom was also confessing how difficult this pregnancy had been for her. But Spencer is just gorgeous and well worth all the suffering she went through. All the best to the happy family, and we can’t wait for the proud parents to share even more beautiful photos of their baby boy as he grows up!

Wes Ramsey Expresses His Deep Love for Laura Wright

Ramsey is referring to Wright having lost her beloved mother back in October, followed by the death of her father at the end of December. But throughout any hardships, the actress has remained grateful for the good things in her life, and it’s an attitude he is hoping to emulate himself. “Her unplanned, unprepared stoicism in spite of such loss is revering to my heart and inspiring to my spirit,” Ramsey declared. “She’s a tour de force — paving the road in spite of the path or its forced directions. I know this because I, too, am on that path. Her path. I am here to vouch that the road is smooth and placed with both intention and foundation, no matter the obstacle.

“So as I close out this year — one of the best of my life,” Ramsey concluded, “I’ve never thought less about my worried self and been more honored by this magical angel as her laughter (my distraction) keeps my dreams not just afloat, but out in front. I’m proud of you. I admire you. I thank you for letting me walk with you.”