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Richard Roundtree Dies: ‘Shaft’ Star Was 81(10/24/23) Richard Roundtree, who broke ground with his signature role in the Shaft movie franchise, passed away this afternoon, Oct. 24, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer with his family at his bedside. He was 81.Roundtree’s career spanned five decades and included everything from his most popular blaxploitation role to a very early appearance on As the World Turns in 1956 to being a Season 2 main cast member on Ava DuVernay’s OWN series Cherish the Day last year. He is best known for playing detective John Shaft in the 1971 action thriller and its sequels, Shaft’s Big Score! (1972) and Shaft in Africa (1973) as well as the short-lived 1973 Shaft TV series. For his performance in the original film, Roundtree was nominated for a New Star of the Year Golden Globe and hailed as the first Black action hero. More importantly, the films made Shaft a cultural hero, a symbol of Black power onscreen, at the box office and beyond. Even the Academy took notice, as Isaac Hayes’ propulsive “Theme from Shaft” won the Oscar that year for Best Song – Original for the Picture. Roundtree and his signature role had a profound effect on filmmakers both Black and white. Decades later, the actor reprised his role in the 2000 John Singleton movie Shaft starring Samuel L. Jackson and the 2019 Tim Story-directed sequel. Quentin Tarantino’s entire filmography is steeped in his love for blaxploitation. Kerry Washington‘s character Brunhilde von Shaft in Django Unchained not only shares a name with Roundtree’s hero but was written by Tarantino as an ancestor of John Shaft. In 2000, Shaft was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. It was cited for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Shortly thereafter, Shaft was named one of the best films ever made by the New York Times. Roundtree’s many film credits also include the 1981 Inchon, in which he appeared opposite Laurence Olivier and Ben Gazzara, the 1984 City Heat opposite Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds as well as Se7en, George of the Jungle, Body of Influence, Amityville: A New Generation and What Men Want. He was last seen last year in the Paul Weitz comedy Moving On. On television, Roundtree played slave Sam Bennett in the acclaimed 1977 miniseries Roots. He had major roles on such series as Generations, 413 Hope St., Alias, Diary of a Single Mom, Buddies, Desperate Housewives, Soul Food, Being Mary Jane, and Family Reunion. Roundtree’s death was confirmed to Deadline by his agency, Artists & Representatives, and his longtime manager, Patrick McMinn. “Artists & Representatives Agency mourns the loss of our friend and client Richard Roundtree,” the agency said in a statement. “His trailblazing career changed the face of entertainment around the globe and his enduring legacy will be felt for generations to come. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”d Holiday Movies with Soap Stars on Hallmark, Lifetime, Netflix and Others(10/13/23) HEART FOR THE HOLIDAYS - BET+Release Date: Thursday, Nov. 2 Cast: Erica Peeples, Kyle Lowder, Starletta DuPois, Chuck Inglish, Lanelle Cooper, Leila Weisberg and Asia Harmony Premise: Hardworking businesswoman Rachel travels to the small town of Cheverly for a life-saving heart transplant. Fate connects her with a heart donor, Ms. Sims, who tragically dies in a car accident. In Cheverly, Rachel crosses paths with Amy, who also received an organ from the same donor. As Rachel attempts to leave the town, an inexplicable force keeps her bound to Cheverly, and she discovers a deep affection for the community. Amid her journey, Rachel unexpectedly falls in love with Scott, Amy’s brother. SWORN JUSTICE: TAKEN BEFORE CHRISTMAS - BET+ SO FLY CHRISTMAS - BET+ CHRISTMAS RESCUE - BET+ ‘TWAS THE TEXT BEFORE CHRISTMAS - Great American Family A CHRISTMAS BLESSING - Great American Family A PARIS CHRISTMAS WALTZ - Great American Family A ROYAL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY - Great American Family CHECKIN’ IT TWICE - Hallmark Channel WHERE ARE YOU, CHRISTMAS? - Hallmark Channel UNDER THE CHRISTMAS SKY - Hallmark Channel MYSTIC CHRISTMAS - Hallmark Channel JOYEUX NOEL - Hallmark Channel THE SANTA SUMMIT - Hallmark Channel A MERRY SCOTTISH CHRISTMAS - Hallmark Channel HAUL OUT THE HOLLY: LIT UP - Hallmark Channel A BLITMORE CHRISTMAS - Hallmark Channel CHRISTMAS WITH A KISS - Hallmark Channel CHRISTMAS ON CHERRY LANE - Hallmark Channel MYSTERY ON MISTLETOE LANE - Hallmark Movies & Mysteries A WORLD RECORD CHRISTMAS - Hallmark Movies & Mysteries HEAVEN DOWN HERE A CHRISTMAS FREQUENCY - Hulu LADIES OF THE ’80S: A DIVAS CHRISTMAS - Lifetime BEST. CHRISTMAS. EVER! - Netfilx HOW TO FALL IN LOVE BY CHRISTMAS - Roku YULETIDE THE KNOT - Uptv Morning Show Appearance(9/29/23) GMA3: What You Need to Know - ABCAIRING Oct 2, 2023 director Vivica A. Fox ("First Lady of BMF") Tyler Perry Sets Meagan Good, Debbi Morgan & Five Others To Star In Prime Video Pic ‘Divorce In The Black’(6/29/23) Just a day after announcing Black, White, & Blue as his first film under a four-picture deal with Amazon inked back in November, Tyler Perry has named Divorce in the Black as his second. Starring in the pic, which Perry will direct and produce from his script, are Meagan Good (Harlem), Cory Hardrict (All American: Homecoming), Joseph Lee Anderson (Young Rock), Taylor Polidore (Snowfall), Shannon Wallace (City on a Hill), Richard Lawson (For Colored Girls) and Debbi Morgan (Power Book II: Ghost).The film follows Ava, a young bank professional who is devastated when her husband Dallas abandons a marriage she is determined to fight for. But then fate intervenes, revealing Dallas’ wicked deeds that have trashed their marriage, and once upon a time sabotaged Ava’s destiny to be loved by her true soulmate. Deadline understands that Hardrict will be playing Dallas, though no further character details have been disclosed. In addition to Perry via Tyler Perry Studios, producers include Tyler Perry Studios’ Angi Bones and Will Areu, as well as Dianne Ashford. Most recently reprising her DC role of Super Hero Darla in Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Good is also known for turns in films like Day Shift, Think Like a Man and its sequel, Don Jon and Stomp the Yard, among others. The actress toplines Prime Video’s comedy series Harlem and has also been seen on shows like Prodigal Son, Star and Californication, to name just a few. Currently starring as Coach Marcus Turner on The CW’s All American: Homecoming, which has been renewed for a third season, Hardrict also has on his resume shows like The Chi, S.W.A.T. and The Oath. He appears in the Sundance 2023 films To Live and Die and Live and Young. Wild. Free. and also boasts big-screen credits like City of Lies, All Eyes on Me, American Sniper and Warm Bodies. Anderson played Rocky, the father of a young Dwayne Johnson, on NBC’s Young Rock, appearing prior to that on MacGruber and other series, as well as in films like Harriet. Polidore has also been seen on All American: Homecoming, as well as on series like Snowfall, Black Lightning and Wicked City. Most recently appearing on shows like Blue Bloods and City on a Hill, Wallace has also been part of American Soul and other series. Among his other upcoming projects is the indie drama Shelter Me with Nick Nolte and Jacqueline Bisset. Appearing in films like For Colored Girls, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Wag the Dog, Lawson counts amongst his recent TV credits shows like The Ms. Pat Show and Grey’s Anatomy. Seen on shows like Power, Power Book II: Ghost and The Defenders, Morgan’s film credits include Coach Carter, Love & Basketball and Eve’s Bayou. In addition to Black, White, & Blue, which tells the story of a woman who loses her husband at the hands of a police officer, Perry has coming up the Netflix films Six Triple Eight and Mea Culpa, having released such recent efforts as A Jazzman’s Blues, Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming and A Fall from Grace to that platform. Good is repped by Gersh, Atlas Artists and Yorn, Levine, Barnes; Hardict by Buchwald and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Anderson by Gersh and Silver Mass Entertainment; Polidore by AEFH and Elevate Entertainment; Wallace by Stewart Talent and Artist International Group; Lawson by AMT Artists, Alta Global Media and attorney Larry Turner; Morgan by PH Entertainment Group; and Perry by WME and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole. Brian Stokes Mitchell guests on East New York 5/7/23(4/24/23) Brian Stokes Mitchell Returns as Medical Examiner Corley“A Humbling Blues” – The team faces unexpected challenges while investigating the murder of a homeless man. Also, Haywood and Dryden hit a speedbump in their relationship, and Quinlan struggles with a decision at Ruskin Gardens, on EAST NEW YORK, Sunday, May 7 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*. 'Y&R' Star Kristoff St. John's Daughter Arrested, Allegedly Naked in Supermarket(4/12/23) The daughter of late soap star Kristoff St. John and professional boxer Mia St. John got arrested in Idaho after allegedly stripping down in a supermarket ... and cops say she later tried to escape from jail.According to the arrest affidavit, obtained by TMZ, cops in Boise were called to a WinCo around 8 PM Monday night for a report of indecent exposure, with a store employee telling police Paris St. John was naked in the store, praying and meditating. When cops arrived, they say Kristoff's daughter was naked in the store's front office. The woman who called police ultimately convinced Paris to put her clothes back on. Police say Paris was arrested for indecent exposure and transported to Ada County Jail ... where cops claim she stood up and ran out of the jail's sally port when the door opened for an entering officer. Cops say they told Paris to stop, but she ignored them and continued fleeing ... with police running after her, grabbing her and bringing her to the ground. Paris was booked on three misdemeanor charges ... indecent exposure, escape, and resisting or obstructing officers. We're told Paris is currently getting mental health treatment. The St. John family has been through a ton of trauma ... Paris' dad died 3 years ago from heart disease triggered by alcohol abuse ... and in November 2014, her brother Julian died by suicide. Paris' mom, former professional boxer Mia St. John, has been open about the family's mental health struggles ... Mia says Kristoff suffered from bipolar disorder and alcoholism, while Julian suffered from schizophrenia. BET+ Greenlights Biopic ‘The First Lady Of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story’(3/10/23) BET+ has greenlit the biopic The First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story inspired by the true life of Detroit native Tonesa Welch, which was first chronicled in American Gangster: Trap Queens, also from the streamer.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. GH’s Lindstrom's Book Optioned(12/8/22) Jon Lindstrom’s (Kevin/Ryan, GH) book, Hollywood Hustle, will be published in 2024, the actor announced on Twitter. “This is the news I woke to. A huge THANK YOU to @lizaroyceagency & @JessVerdi & everyone at @crookedlanebks for inviting me on this amazing journey! More info when we have it.” The book, a crime thriller, follows the story of a film star who looks to a Hollywood stuntman and a new New Orleans-bred PI to rescue his daughter, who was kidnapped by a gang of misfits.NBC LAUNCHES NEW GAME SHOW ‘THE WHEEL’ WITH A TWO-WEEK TAKEOVER DURING THE HOLIDAYS, BEGINNING MONDAY, DEC. 19(11/21/22) NBC rounds out the year with a two-week takeover of the UK’s smash hit game show “The Wheel,” hosted by renowned British comedian Michael McIntyre. The all-new U.S. version showcases a colossal spinning wheel of celebrity guests who help everyday contestants win life-changing money.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” Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 10 p.m. – “Boats, Soaps & Wrestling Ropes” Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 10 p.m. – “Déjà Vu & Eyes of Blue” Thursday, Dec. 22 at 10 p.m. – “Divas & Derbies” Friday, Dec. 23 at 10 p.m. – “Fish N’ Chips & Gold Medal Flips” Monday, Dec. 26 at 8 p.m. – “Big Cats & Bigger Brains” Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 8 p.m. – “Wigs Galore, Dogs & More” Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. – “Sky Hooks & the Almighty Book” Thursday, Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. – “A Spin, a Twin & a Win” Friday, Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. – “The Skater & the Dater” “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. June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg & Malcolm McDowell Set For Josh Margolin Comedy ‘Thelma’(11/21/22) 93-year-old Oscar nominee June Squibb (Nebraska) has found her first, long overdue leading role in Thelma, an upcoming “action” comedy written and directed by Josh Margolin, which has wrapped production. The actress is joined in the ensemble by Fred Hechinger (The White Lotus), Richard Roundtree (Shaft), Parker Posey (The Staircase), Clark Gregg (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange).Margolin’s first feature, based on a real-life experience involving his grandmother, is (half-jokingly) billed as Nebraska meets Mission: Impossible. It centers on 90-year-old grandmother Thelma Post (Squibb), who gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson and sets out on a uniquely treacherous quest to reclaim what was taken from her. Zoë Worth, a longtime collaborator of Margolin’s, and producing partner Chris Kaye started developing Thelma after reading an early draft in their writer’s group, Rock & Roll Universe. The film will be their first produced together. Invention Studios’ Nicholas Weinstock and Benjamin Simpson are producing alongside Worth and Kaye, as well as Viviana Vezzani and Karl Spoerri of Zurich Avenue, which is fully financing the film. Zurich Avenue’s Tobias Gutzwiller is exec producing along with Squibb and Hechinger, with Kat Barnette (The Listener) co-producing. CAA Media Finance arranged the film’s financing and is repping its distribution rights. A portion of Thelma‘s budget went directly to the Motion Picture & Television Fund — the more than a century old charitable organization currently facing bankruptcy — following the shooting of key scenes at its Los Angeles-area residential living campus. Squibb landed her first Oscar nomination in 2014 for her supporting turn in Alexander Payne’s Nebraska. She’s more recently appeared in films including A24’s The Humans, Apple TV+’s Palmer and Neon/Hulu’s Palm Springs, as well as series like Life & Beth. Hechinger is best known for his work on series like Pam & Tommy and The White Lotus, having also appeared in Netflix’s Fear Street film trilogy and additional big-screen titles including The Woman in the Window and News of the World. He’ll next be seen starring opposite Nicolas Cage in the Western Butcher’s Crossing and in Scott Cooper’s The Pale Blue Eye for Netflix. Roundtree famously played the title character in Gordon Parks’ Shaft and has most recently appeared on series like Cherish the Day and Family Reunion. Other notable film credits include Speed Racer and Brick. Posey is a Golden Globe nominee who has recently been seen on series including Tales of the Walking Dead, The Staircase, Lost in Space and High Fidelity. Notable recent film credits include Kogonada’s Columbus and Christopher Guest’s Mascots. Among the actress’s other upcoming projects is Hereditary and Midsommar helmer Ari Aster’s anticipated film Disappointment Blvd. for A24. Gregg is best known for his long-running Marvel role as Agent Phil Coulson, most recently played on series like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and in films like Captain Marvel. Other recent credits include Aaron Sorkin’s Being the Ricardos and TNT’s Snowpiercer. The actor will next be seen on the Netflix series Florida Man created by Donald Todd. Perhaps best known for starring in Stanley Kubrick’s 1971 classic A Clockwork Orange, McDowell recently starred alongside Mark Wahlberg in the Sony drama Father Stu. Other recent credits for the screen icon include Gossip Girl, Bombshell and Mozart in the Jungle. Margolin previously co-wrote, edited and acted in the horror-comedy Deep Murder, which premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival. Previously, he created and starred in the digital series My Boyfriend is a Robot for Freeform alongside his partner Chloe Searcy, and New Partner alongside Quinn Beswick, which won Best Comedy at the 2015 New York Television Festival. Margolin is repped by Authentic Talent and Literary Management, Verve and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman; Invention Studios by CAA and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman; Worth by UTA, Mosaic, and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols; Squibb by BRS/Gage; Hechinger by A3 Artists Agency, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Roundtree by Artists & Representatives and Patrick McMinn Management; Gregg by Gersh, Anonymous Content and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Posey by CAA; and McDowell by Chris Roe Management. Dorothy Lyman guests on Blue Bloods 11/4/22(10/27/22) “Homefront” – Frank launches an investigation after the Reagan family is harassed when protests against a controversial NYPD unit escalate. Also, Danny and Baez form an unlikely partnership with an informant in order to prevent a murder; Eddie lands in hot water after she defies a direct order; and conflict arises between Erin and the Dream Team when the D.A.’s office strikes a deal with Baker’s assailant, on BLUE BLOODS, Friday, Nov. 4 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.GUEST CAST: Derek Gaines (Bugs), Robert Stanton (Connor Kelly), Dorothy Lyman (Elizabeth). DOGNAPPED: HOUND FOR THE HOLIDAYS (Ion) 11/27/22(10/20/22) DOGNAPPED: HOUND FOR THE HOLIDAYS (Ion)Airing Sunday, Nov. 27 at 8 pm When an egotistical social media influencer’s dog is kidnapped, her long-suffering assistant Emily (Sara Ball) teams with charming local vet Jonathan (Noah Fearnley) to find the puppy before Christmas. As the two investigate suspects, including a rival influencer and a crazed fan, they form a romantic bond along the way… until she suspects her charming vet isn’t all he seems to be. Vivica A. Fox appears as the chairwoman of the board of the design company where Emily works. HOLIDAY HIDEAWAY (BET+) 11/24/22(10/20/22) HOLIDAY HIDEAWAY (BET+)Streaming Thursday, Nov. 24 Carly is the queen of holiday celebrations, but her mistletoe misstep sends her running to a holiday hideaway that teaches her the importance of family, forgiveness and fighting for love; Camille Winbush, Vivica A Fox, Leonard Earl Howze and Rodney Van Johnson star. Richard Roat Dies: Actor In ‘Seinfeld’, ‘Friends’, ‘Dallas’ & Dozens Of Other Shows Was 89(8/31/22) Richard Roat, a character actor with 130-plus credits spanning nearly a half-century who appeared in many of TV’s biggest shows including Seinfeld, Friends, Cheers, Murphy Brown, Dallas, Hawaii Five-O and Happy Days, has died. He 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. Taurean Blacque Dies: Emmy-Nominated ‘Hill Street Blues’ Actor Was 82(7/21/22) Taurean Blacque (Generations), the Emmy-nominated actor best known for his role as the perennially behatted Detective Neal Washington on NBC’s influential 1980s hit police series Hill Street Blues, died today in Atlanta following a brief illness. He was 82.A native of Newark, New Jersey, Blacque was born Herbert Middleton Jr. and began his show business career at New York’s famed and influential Negro Ensemble Company, and soon landed guest roles on such TV series as Sanford and Son, What’s Happening, Good Times, The Bob Newhart Show and Taxi, to name a few. In 1981 he joined the cast of NBC’s new Hill Street Blues, earning an Emmy nomination the following year for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series. He remained with the popular police procedural series during its entire run, through 1987. Although the series, created by Steven Bochco-Michael Kozoll, was not a big hit — ranking only 27th among primetime series in its first season and never breaking the Top 20 in a three-network universe — the show would go on to become a major success. Tts influence was undeniable as critics swooned and the series racked eight Emmys and 98 nominations during its run. Blacque’s character, Detective Neal Washington, was a respected, streetwise, no-nonsense veteran cop known from his ever-present toothpick and cap. He was partnered with boozy Detective J.D. LaRue (Kiel Martin), who had a unique take on police work that sometimes straddled the lines of police policy – or crossed over them. LaRue’s antics, including his myriad investment schemes, often tested Washington’s patience, but he remained loyal to a fault to his faulty partner. Blacque was one of the 10 Hill Street Blues regulars who remained on the series for all seven seasons. After the series ended, Blacque, In addition to maintaining a presence on the stage- he was active in the Atlanta Black Theater Company and North Carolina’s Black Theater Festival – was an original cast member (opposite Viveca Fox) of the groundbreaking 1989-91 TV soap opera Generations, the first daytime serial to focus on an African American family as part of its main story line. In 1996, he was cast as Detective Wheeler on The WB’s short-lived primetime soap Savannah. In addition to raising his two biological sons, Blacque adopted 11 children. He was named spokesman for the County of Los Angeles Adoption Services, and in 1989 was asked by President George H.W. Bush to become national spokesperson for adoption. One of Blacque’s sons pre-deceased him. He is survived by 12 children, 18 grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Information concerning funeral services was not immediately available. Kevin Daniels, Mickey Rourke, Vivica A. Fox, Lamorne Morris & More To Star In Comedy ‘Not Another Church Movie’(7/19/22) Kevin Daniels (The Big Leap), Academy Award-nominee Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler), and Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day) has signed on to star in the spoof-comedy Not Another Church Movie from Monty the Dog Productions. Others set for the film include Kyla Pratt (Call Me Kat), Lamorne Morris (New Girl), Tisha Campbell (House Party) and Jasmine Guy (Harlem).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. Talk Show Appearance(7/8/22) The Talk - CBSMonday, July 11 Actress Vivica A. Fox Morning Show Appearance(7/1/22) Today - NBCFriday, July 8 (10-11 a.m.) Vivica A. Fox on Keeping Up With The Joneses Morning Show Appearance(7/1/22) Good Morning America - ABCTuesday, July 5— Actress Vivica A. Fox (“Keeping Up with the Joneses”) Mitchell Ryan Dies: Veteran Actor For ‘Dark Shadows’ And Many Other Film/TV Roles Was 88(3/5/22) Mitchell Ryan, a veteran film and television actor who captivated daytime television fans in his role as Burke Devlin on the groundbreaking daytime soap Dark Shadows, has died. He was 88 years old and no cause of death was given.His former costar Kathryn Leigh Scott shared the news on Facebook. “My sweet, beloved friend Mitch died early this morning,” Scott wrote. “He was a great gift in my life. I cherish my warm memories of his beautiful soul. I’m heartbroken.” Ryan and Scott played love interests Burke Devlin and Maggie Evans on Dark Shadows. That was before the vampire Barnabas Collins (played by Jonathan Frid) made a victim of Maggie. Ryan left the series in 1967 and was replaced by Anthony George in the role. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Ryan made his acting debut in the play Thunder Road at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia. From there, he moved to Broadway, appearing in the plays Wait Until Dark, Medea, and The Price. Ryan accumulated more than 135 credits over the course of his career appearing in such television series as Golden Girls, St. Elsewhere, Who’s the Boss?, Matlock, and Murder, She Wrote, among many others. He also played mobster Frank Smith on General Hospital. His film roles included appearances in Judge Dredd, Halloween, Liar Liar, Magnum Force, and Lethal Weapon. No information was immediately available on survivors or memorial plans. Dishing with Digest - 3/4/22 - George Del Hoyo(3/4/22) (Listen/download) George Del Hoyo talks about playing Orpheus and his resurrection, his prolific voiceover career and more with Digest’s Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. We also discuss the art of recasting characters.Ralph Ahn, New Girl's Tran, Dead at 95 — Read Jake Johnson's Tribute(3/1/22) Ralph Ahn, a character actor best known for his recurring role as Tran on Fox’s New Girl, has died at the age of 95, our sister site Variety reports. A cause of death has not been disclosed.“RIP,” series star Jake Johnson wrote on Instagram. “So much fun to work with. He gave so much with literally no lines. “I loved when he was on set,” Johnson continued. “I was always expecting to somehow work with him again. Condolences to his family [and] friends.” (Zooey Deschanel also acknowledged Ahn’s passing, commenting “Noooooo” alongside a crying face emoji.) Ahn first appeared in the Season 2 episode “Menzies,” when Johnson’s Nick Miller befriended Tran at the park. After Nick bared his soul to Tran, the elderly man guided Nick to a nearby spa where the two of them convened in a hot tub and Tran proceeded to cradle Nick like a baby. Rewatch the classic scene here: Video. Ahn would go on to appear in six more episodes of New Girl, including the 2018 series finale. He spoke all of two lines during the run of the show, first when he referred to Nick as a “huge baby” in the above-mentioned hot tub scene, and again in the finale when he popped up in the back seat of “Fancy Man” Russell’s car and told him to “drive.” During Season 4, Nick briefly dated Tran’s granddaughter Kai, who was played by The Morning Show‘s Greta Lee. In addition to New Girl, Ahn’s credits included episodes of All-American Girl, The Division, ER, Gilmore Girls, The Golden Girls, The King of Queens, The Shield, Suddenly Susan and Walker, Texas Ranger. Vivica A. Fox, Theo Rossi & Thomas Jane Wrap Prison Break Movie ‘Bosco’(2/2/22) Fluke Studios has wrapped production on a prison break thriller, Bosco, which is based on a true story.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. Morning Show Appearance(1/29/22) Today – NBCWednesday, February 2 (10-11 a.m.) Guest: Vivica A. Fox on The Wrong High School Sweetheart. Debbi Morgan guests on the season finale on Our Kind of People 1/25/22(1/7/22) As the Illumination Ball nears, Angela and Leah team up to discover the truth about what happened between Teddy and Eve in 1984. Angela must make a choice between Tyrique and Nate in “Kiss It Up To God,” the season finale episode of OUR KIND OF PEOPLE airing Tuesday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (OKP-112) (TV-14 D, L, S, V)Cast: Yaya DaCosta as Angela Vaughn; Morris Chestnut as Raymond Dupont; Joe Morton as Teddy Franklin; Nadine Ellis as Leah Franklin-Dupont; Lance Gross as Tyrique Chapman; Alana Bright as Nikki Vaughn; Rhyon Nicole Brown as Lauren Dupont; Kyle Bary as Quincy Dupont Guest Cast: Debbi Morgan as Aunt Piggy; L. Scott Caldwell as Olivia Dupont; McKinley Freeman as Nate; Nicole Chanel Williams as Taylor Debbi Morgan guests on Our Kind of People 1/18/22(1/3/22) Teddy gives Angela an ultimatum. Raymond regains his confidence and makes an offer to Leah. Aunt Piggy is shocked when a face from the past reappears. A death shocks the Franklin/Dupont families in the all-new “It Is Not Light We Need, but Fire” episode of OUR KIND OF PEOPLE airing Tuesday, Jan. 18 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (OKP-111) (TV-14 D,L,S)Cast: Yaya DaCosta as Angela Vaughn; Morris Chestnut as Raymond Dupont; Joe Morton as Teddy Franklin; Nadine Ellis as Leah Franklin-Dupont; Lance Gross as Tyrique Chapman; Alana Bright as Nikki Vaughn; Rhyon Nicole Brown as Lauren Dupont; Kyle Bary as Quincy Dupont Guest Cast: Debbi Morgan as Aunt Piggy; L. Scott Caldwell as Olivia Dupont; McKinley Freeman as Nate; Nicole Chanel Williams as Taylor Debbi Morgan guests on Our Kind Of People 1/11/22(12/24/21) Bid Week at the Gracities finds Angela as close as ever to getting everything she wants. Meanwhile, Teddy confronts Leah, as she questions her mother about what happened the night Eve was arrested and Raymond is desperate to get Jack’s Darmon shares away from Teddy and cover for Olivia with the police. Then, Piggy comes clean to Tyrique about his father in the “Just Desserts” winter premiere episode of OUR KIND OF PEOPLE airing Tuesday, Jan. 11 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (OKP-110) (TV-14 L)Cast: Yaya DaCosta as Angela Vaughn; Morris Chestnut as Raymond Dupont; Joe Morton as Teddy Franklin; Nadine Ellis as Leah Franklin-Dupont; Lance Gross as Tyrique Chapman; Alana Bright as Nikki Vaughn; Rhyon Nicole Brown as Lauren Dupont; Kyle Bary as Quincy Dupont Guest Cast: Debbi Morgan as Aunt Piggy; L. Scott Caldwell as Olivia Dupont; McKinley Freeman as Nate; Nicole Chanel Williams as Taylor. Debbi Morgan guests on Our Kind Of People 12/7/21(12/1/21) Leah and Teddy deliver devastating news to Angela. Meanwhile, Piggy confesses some of the secrets from her past to Angela and a confrontation leads to Raymond’s life changing. Then, Angela takes steps to secure her and Eve’s Crown’s future in the all-new “Twice as Hard, Twice as Good” fall finale episode of OUR KIND OF PEOPLE airing Tuesday, Dec. 7 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (OKP-109) (TV-14 D, L, S, V)Cast: Yaya DaCosta as Angela Vaughn; Morris Chestnut as Raymond Dupont; Joe Morton as Teddy Franklin; Nadine Ellis as Leah Franklin-Dupont; Lance Gross as Tyrique Chapman; Alana Bright as Nikki Vaughn; Rhyon Nicole Brown as Lauren Dupont; Kyle Bary as Quincy Dupont Guest Cast: Debbi Morgan as Aunt Piggy; L. Scott Caldwell as Olivia Dupont; McKinley Freeman as Nate; Nicole Chanel Williams as Taylor. Debbi Morgan guests on Our Kind Of People 11/30/21(11/17/21) Angela holds a “sistervention” for Leah, whose marriage to Raymond is still on the rocks. Meanwhile, Teddy’s birthday celebration includes trying to one-up Alex and keep Raymond at bay, and Nikki and Nate attempt to bond. Then, Tyrique’s jealousy grows as Angela gets closer to Nate in the all-new “Sistervention…” episode of OUR KIND OF PEOPLE airing Tuesday, Nov. 30 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (OKP-108) (TV-14 D, L, S, V)Cast: Yaya DaCosta as Angela Vaughn; Morris Chestnut as Raymond Dupont; Joe Morton as Teddy Franklin; Nadine Ellis as Leah Franklin-Dupont; Lance Gross as Tyrique Chapman; Alana Bright as Nikki Vaughn; Rhyon Nicole Brown as Lauren Dupont; Kyle Bary as Quincy Dupont Guest Cast: Debbi Morgan as Aunt Piggy; L. Scott Caldwell as Olivia Dupont; Melissa De Sousa as Alex Rivera; McKinley Freeman as Nate; Nicole Chanel Williams as Taylor Debbi Morgan guests on Our Kind Of People 11/16/21(10/29/21) The family gathers around Teddy after his latest health crisis, as Angela and Leah bond over their newfound common enemy Alex, who makes a move to win back Raymond. Meanwhile, Tyrique looks to Aunt Piggy for answers about his father in the all-new “Fathers, Daughters, Sisters” episode of OUR KIND OF PEOPLE airing Tuesday, Nov. 16 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (OKP-107) (TV-14 D, L, S, V)Cast: Yaya DaCosta as Angela Vaughn; Morris Chestnut as Raymond Dupont; Joe Morton as Teddy Franklin; Nadine Ellis as Leah Franklin-Dupont; Lance Gross as Tyrique Chapman; Alana Bright as Nikki Vaughn; Rhyon Nicole Brown as Lauren Dupont; Kyle Bary as Quincy Dupont Guest Cast: Debbi Morgan as Aunt Piggy; L. Scott Caldwell as Olivia Dupont; Melissa De Sousa as Alex Rivera; McKinley Freeman as Nate; Nicole Chanel Williams as Taylor Dishing with Digest - 10/29/21 - James Reynolds(10/29/21) (Listen/download) James Reynolds talks about his four decades as DAYS’s Abe, his road to Salem, his detour to GENERATIONS and more with Digest’s Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. We also preview November’s hottest stories.Celebrity Wheel of Fortune: Vivica A. Fox, Michelle Trachtenberg and Jason Mraz (11/14)(10/25/21) “Vivica A. Fox, Michelle Trachtenberg and Jason Mraz” – Hosted by pop-culture legends Pat Sajak and Vanna White, “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” takes a star-studded spin on America’s Game®. Season two continues with an all-new episode SUNDAY, NOV. 14 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” welcomes celebrity contestants to spin the world’s most famous Wheel and solve puzzles for a chance to win $1 million. All of the money won by the celebrity contestants will go to a charity of their choice.This episode’s celebrity contestants include Vivica A. Fox (playing for Alexandria House & Best Buddies International), Michelle Trachtenberg (playing for Good+Foundation) and Jason Mraz (playing for True Colors United). More 2021 Christmas Movies with former Soap Stars(10/21/21) A CHRISTMAS WITNESSPREMISE: A no-nonsense federal marshal (Arielle Kebbel) is tasked with protecting a low-level, charming mobster (Colin Egglesfield) until he testifies against his mafia boss two days after Christmas. PREMIERE DATE: Sunday, Nov. 28 at 8/7c (ION) A KISS BEFORE CHRISTMAS AN UNEXPECTED CHRISTMAS A VERY MERRY BRIDESMAID OUR CHRISTMAS JOURNEY THE CHRISTMAS THIEF A NEW LEASE ON CHRISTMAS PEOPLE PRESENTS: BLENDING CHRISTMAS JOY FOR CHRISTMAS Debbi Morgan guests on Our Kind Of people 11/9/21(10/20/21) Teddy tries to connect with Angela and Nikki. Meanwhile, Olivia confronts Alex, who, in turn, drops a bombshell on Leah about her former marriage to Raymond. Then, Tyrique discovers a shocking secret about his own father’s past in the all-new “For Colored Boys…” episode of OUR KIND OF PEOPLE airing Tuesday, Nov. 9 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (OKP-106) (TV-14 D, L, S, V)Cast: Yaya DaCosta as Angela Vaughn; Morris Chestnut as Raymond Dupont; Joe Morton as Teddy Franklin; Nadine Ellis as Leah Franklin-Dupont; Lance Gross as Tyrique Chapman; Alana Bright as Nikki Vaughn; Rhyon Nicole Brown as Lauren Dupont; Kyle Bary as Quincy Dupont Guest Cast: Debbi Morgan as Aunt Piggy; L. Scott Caldwell as Olivia Dupont; Melissa De Sousa as Alex Rivera; McKinley Freeman as Nate; Nicole Chanel Williams as Taylor Debbi Morgan guests on Our Kind of People 10/19/21(10/2/21) Angela asks Tyrique for a favor and meets with Teddy, who takes the first steps into welcoming her into the family. Angela also tries to get Nikki accepted into the Oak Bluffs Cotillion, Raymond confides in Olivia and the Nikki-Taylor-Lauren triangle heats up. Then, Leah is shocked by Lauren’s behavior and Teddy’s condition worsens in the all-new “The Miseducation of the Negro” episode of OUR KIND OF PEOPLE airing Tuesday, Oct. 19 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (OKP-105) (TV-14 D, L, S, V)Cast: Yaya DaCosta as Angela Vaughn; Morris Chestnut as Raymond Dupont; Joe Morton as Teddy Franklin; Nadine Ellis as Leah Franklin-Dupont; Lance Gross as Tyrique Chapman; Alana Bright as Nikki Vaughn; Rhyon Nicole Brown as Lauren Dupont; Kyle Bary as Quincy Dupont Guest Cast: Debbi Morgan as Aunt Piggy; L. Scott Caldwell as Olivia Dupont; Nicole Chanel Williams as Taylor GENERATIONS Reunion 9/29/21(9/21/21) (Watch here) Please join us for a very special look at back at the groundbreaking daytime drama Generations live in The Locher Room on Wednesday, September 29th at 3 p.m. EST / 12 p.m. PST. Joining us for this reunion are creator and Executive Producer Sally Sussman along with cast members Jonelle Allen (Doreen Jackson), George DelHoyo (Rob Donnelly), Rick Fitts (Martin Jackson), Kelly Rutherford (Sam Whitmore), Robert Torti (Lt. Kyle Masters), and Nancy Sorel (Monique McCallum).Generations premiered on NBC from March 27, 1989, to January 25, 1991. The show was groundbreaking as television's first fully integrated daytime soap featuring from its inception an African-American family as one of the lead families. It focused on the relationship between two Chicago families: the Whitmores and the Marshalls. Yaya DaCosta debuts & Debbi Morgan guests in 'Our Kind of People' 9/21/21(9/8/21) Inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s provocative, critically acclaimed book, “Our Kind of People: Inside America's Black Upper Class,” OUR KIND OF PEOPLE takes place in the aspirational world of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, a historical stronghold where the rich and powerful Black elite have come to play for over 50 years. From writer and executive producer Karin Gist (“Star,” “Grey’s Anatomy”) and executive producer Lee Daniels (“Empire,” “The United States Vs. Billie Holiday”), OUR KIND OF PEOPLE follows a strong-willed, single mom as she sets out to reclaim her family’s name and make an impact with her revolutionary haircare line that highlights the innate, natural beauty of Black women. But she soon discovers a dark secret about her own mother’s past that will turn her world upside-down and shake up this community forever. Single mother Angela Vaughn arrives in the Martha’s Vineyard enclave with her teenage daughter and aunt and immediately is thrown into a world of wealth and glamour, as well as the crosshairs of the powerful Franklin and Dupont families in the all-new “Reparations” series premiere episode of OUR KIND OF PEOPLE, airing Tuesday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (OKP-101) (TV-14 D, L, S)Cast: Yaya DaCosta as Angela Vaughn; Morris Chestnut as Raymond Dupont; Joe Morton as Teddy Franklin; Nadine Ellis as Leah Franklin-Dupont; Lance Gross as Tyrique Chapman; Alana Bright as Nikki Vaughn; Rhyon Nicole Brown as Lauren Dupont; Kyle Bary as Quincy Dupont Guest Cast: Debbi Morgan as Patricia “Aunt Piggy” Williams; L. Scott Caldwell as Olivia Dupont; Nicole Chanel Williams as Taylor Woods; Raven Goodwin as Josephine Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Season 2: Buffy, Glee, Grey's, 90210 Stars Among 39 Contestants — View Complete List(8/26/21) We’ll dispense with the obligatory wheel puns and just cut to the chase: More than three dozen stars are circling Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Season 2. Read on to see which A, B, C and D-Listers ABC rounded up!Notable TV vets on the roster include Seinfeld‘s Jason Alexander, black-ish‘s Anthony Anderson, Orange Is the New Black‘s Laverne Cox, Grey’s Anatomy‘s James Pickens Jr., Beverly Hills, 90210‘s Tori Spelling, Desperate Housewives‘ Marcia Cross, Glee‘s Amber Riley and Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s Michelle Trachtenberg. Hosted once again by Wheel icons Pat Sajak and Vanna White, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune returns Sunday, Sept. 26 at 8 pm. Scroll down to check out the complete Season 2 lineup… Jason Alexander Celebrity Family Feud: Vivica A. Fox vs. Bill Bellamy and MLB Alums vs. MLB Wives (8/22)(8/20/21) “Vivica A. Fox vs. Bill Bellamy and MLB Alums vs. MLB Wives” – Actress Vivica A. Fox faces off against actor Bill Bellamy as they battle it out for their chosen charities. In the next game, Major League Baseball alums encounter their toughest competition when they go head-to-head against their wives to see who comes out on top, airing SUNDAY, AUG. 22 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. Episodes can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu.The celebrity teams who will try to guess what the “survey said” are the following: Team “Fox”; playing for Best Buddies VERSUS Team “Bellamy”; playing for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Team “MLB Alums”; playing for Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association VERSUS Team “MLB Wives”; playing for Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association 'Cherish The Day’: Richard Roundtree & Terri J. Vaughn Join Season 2 Of OWN Anthology Drama Series(8/5/21) Richard Roundtree (Family Reunion) and Terri J. Vaughn (The Steve Harvey Show) have been tapped for recurring roles opposite Henry Simmons and Joy Bryant in season 2 of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network’s and Ava DuVernay’s anthology drama series Cherish the Day. Additionally, Angel Kristi Williams (Really Love), Sheldon Candis (Baltimore Boys) and Merawi Gerima (Residue) will direct episodes this season.Cherish the Day, from DuVernay, ARRAY Filmworks and Warner Bros. Television, is an anthology series that chronicles the relationship of one couple, with each episode spanning a single day. In season two, the rekindling of a romance is told — the love story of Ellis Moran (Simmons) and Sunday St. James (Bryant), who fell in love in high school but find themselves reunited in beautiful New Orleans. Ellis is a former basketball player who is now a single father of two, and Sunday is a vegetarian celebrity chef on the cusp of fame. Each episode of the season-long narrative unfolds in a single day to reveal significant moments in a relationship that compel us to hold true to the ones we love, from the extraordinary to the everyday. Roundtree will play Mandeville “MV” St. James a proud, loving, wry-humored former judge and widowed father of Sunday (Bryant). Vaughn will recur as Anastasia, Ellis’ (Simmons) soon-to-be ex-wife and the mother of their children. The first season of Cherish the Day, which debuted in February 2020, starred Xosha Roquemore, Alano Miller, and Cicely Tyson. On average during its seven-week run, the series ranked #1 in its time period across all of cable with Black women, households, and total viewers. The DuVernay-led series achieved full gender parity with a production crew of more than 50% women, including 18 female department heads, an initiative DuVernay is continuing in season two. Created and produced by DuVernay, Cherish the Day is produced for OWN by ARRAY Filmworks and Harpo Films in association with Warner Bros. Television. DuVernay, Paul Garnes, NAACP Image Award winner Raynelle Swilling, Teri Schaffer, and Oprah Winfrey serve as executive producers. Swilling and Schaffer are co-showrunners of season two. Roundtree, known for his role of John Shaft in the iconic Shaft movie franchise, can currently be seen in the Netflix series Family Reunion. His other previous TV credits include Fox sitcom Roc and Being Mary Jane. Multi-hyphenate director, producer and actor Vaughn is known for her portrayal of Lovita Alizé Jenkins in the long-running series The Steve Harvey Show. She most recently directed an episode of BET’s Tales and recurred in season four of Issa Rae’s HBO comedy Insecure. Additional television acting credits include First Wives Club, Mann and Wife, Greenleaf, Meet the Browns, All of Us and Soul Food. She is repped by Innovative Artists, Kronicle Media and Nancy C. Prager at Prager Law. Williams’ feature directorial debut Really Love was selected to play in narrative competition at SXSW and won the Special Jury Recognition for Acting for co-stars Kofi Siriboe and Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing. Most recently, Williams directed an episode of Colin in Black & White, the upcoming Netflix limited series from DuVernay and Colin Kaepernick. Candis’ feature directorial debut LUV was an official selection in the 2012 Sundance Film Festival Dramatic Competition. Candis directed the feature length documentary Baltimore Boys for the ESPN Films banner. Candis has also directed Who Will Survive America for the AMC/Sundance Now Doc Club original series Take 5: Justice in America. Most recently, Sheldon directed an episode of Colin in Black & White, the upcoming Netflix limited series from DuVernay and Colin Kaepernick. Gerima’s first feature Residue world premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival, and was honored with the festival’s Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature and the Acting Award for star Obinna Nwachukwu. The film was also awarded Special Mention at the 77th Venice International Film Festival’s Giornate degli Autori and won the John Cassavetes Award at the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards. DuVernay’s ARRAY also acquired the film under their ARRAY Releasing banner. Gerima is the son of celebrated Ethiopian filmmaker Haile Gerima, a legendary figure in the L.A. Rebellion film movement. Debbi Morgan guests on FANTASY ISLAND 8/24/21(8/5/21) Flamboyant, eccentric Eileen wants to spend time with her estranged daughter and her family, but they refuse to see her. Meanwhile, disillusioned physics professor Charles wants to know if there is something more out there in the all-new “Quantum Entanglement” episode of FANTASY ISLAND airing Tuesday, Aug. 24 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (FAN-104) (TV-14 L, S)Cast: Roselyn Sanchez as Elena Roarke; Kiara Barnes as Ruby Akuda Guest Cast: Debbi Morgan as Eileen; Cliff Chamberlain as Charles; Mieko Hillman as Theodora; Rodrigo Rojas as David; Katira Maria as Satnam; Kamori Clark-McGoey as Young Theo; John Gabriel Rodriquez as Javier ‘Fantasy Island’ Adds guest stars Eric Winter, Debbi Morgan & Leslie Jordan(7/27/21) The guest register on Fantasy Island is heating up and the place hasn’t even opened to the public yet!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. John Gabriel, Actor on ‘Ryan’s Hope,’ Dies at 90(6/13/21) John Gabriel, the actor and singer who portrayed the controlling Dr. Seneca Beaulac for the first 10 years of the ABC soap opera Ryan’s Hope, has died. He was 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. Lois De Banzie Dies: Tony-Nominated ‘Morning’s At Seven’ Actress Was 90(5/25/21) Lois de Banzie (ex-Dorothy, Ryan’s Hope/ex-Sarah, Generations), the Scottish-born actress whose Broadway performance in 1980’s Morning’s At Seven scored a Tony Award nomination, died April 3 in Greenbrae, California. She was 90.Her death was announced by her family yesterday. A cause was not specified. By the time of her Tony nomination, de Banzie, born in Glasgow, Scotland, had already established herself on Broadway with her performance as Mrs. Prynne in 1978’s Da starring Barnard Hughes. Her performance as Myrtle Brown in Paul Osborn’s Morning’s at Seven, opposite Maureen O’Sullivan, Teresa Wright, Nancy Marchand and Elizabeth Wilson, brought both the Tony nomination and a Drama Desk Award. She returned to Broadway in 1985’s short-lived The Octette Bridge Club. On screen, de Bansie appeared as Eleanor Roosevelt in Annie (1982) and as the mother of a seminarian in 1984’s Mass Appeal starring Jack Lemmon. Other film credits include Tootsie (1982), Sudden Impact (1983), Arachnophobia (1990), Sister Act (1992), Addams Family Values (1993), Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994), Dunston Checks In (1996) and such TV series as Ryan’s Hope, The Streets of San Francisco, Remington Steele, Cheers, Amazing Stories, Family Ties and Generations. Complete information on survivors was not immediately available. The Young and the Restless to Remember Late Kristoff St. John in Upcoming Episode: First Look Photo(5/18/21) (people.com) (Frisr Look Photo) Kristoff St. John's TV family is remembering the late actor in a special way.On Friday, May 28, The Young and the Restless will celebrate St. John and his beloved character, Neil Winters, with an emotional episode — and PEOPLE has the first look. In the episode, Neil's children — Lily (Christel Khalil), Devon (Bryton James) and Moses (Jacob Aaron Gaines) — plan a walking tour in Genoa City featuring sights and sounds from Neil's past. The episode will also feature flashbacks from St. John's nearly three-decade run on Y&R. Neil's friends participating in the walking tour include Victor (Eric Braeden) and Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott), Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow), Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson), and Neil's nephew, Dr. Nate Hastings (Sean Dominic). Kristoff, a two-time Emmy Award winner, died at age 52 on Feb. 3, 2019. The Los Angeles County coroner's office listed his cause of death as "hypertrophic heart disease … and effects of ethanol." His death was officially ruled an accident. In March 2019, he was laid to rest next to the grave of his son Julian St. John, who died by suicide in 2014. Friends and family gathered at the Calvary Community Church in Westlake, California, where he was buried, to celebrate his life. In May that same year, former costar Shemar Moore referenced St. John while presenting the award for best drama series at the Daytime Emmys, which Y&R won. "This year, we had to say goodbye to a good man, a great man, a special individual, Mr. Kristoff St. John," said Moore, 51. "In my opinion he is the most iconic, popular, thorough, professional, talented, big-hearted, generous African-American actor in soap opera history. … Kristoff, we miss you, rest in peace, keep dancing, and we will never, ever forget you, my brother." "[Kristoff would] want me to shut my mouth, get the party crackin'," Moore joked before announcing the winner. In a December 2019 interview with PEOPLE, Kristoff's ex-wife and five-time world boxing champion Mia St. John opened up about how her ex-husband's sudden death and the loss of their son to suicide led to her passion for spreading awareness about mental health. "I've been in this fight for reform of our mental health system for so long," Mia, 53, said at the time. "Kristoff and I lost our son in a mental health facility that was found guilty of neglect. Then when I uncovered a lot of the facilities in L.A. County, I discovered that this was going on everywhere because there have been many deaths. My son wasn't the only one. So I've been on that vision." Just two weeks before the Young and the Restless star's death, he publicly mourned the loss of his son on Twitter. On Jan. 21, St. John retweeted someone's post about losing a child that read, "Grieving the loss of a child is a process. It begins on the day your child passes, and ends the day the parent joins them." "Never a truer word was spoke," St. John tweeted. "Thanks for posting this." If you or someone you know need mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Talk Show Appearance(3/12/21) THE REAL, syndicatedTu 3/16: Vivica A. Fox Talk Show Appearance(2/5/21) GMA3: What You Need to Know – ABCThursday, Feb. 11— actress Susan Lucci (“ABC Daytime: Back on Broadway”); actress and executive producer Vivica A. Fox (“The Wrong” movie franchise) Talk Show Appearance(2/5/21) THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW, syndicatedWe 2/10: Vivica A. Fox Video Chat: John & Sandy Gabriel(1/8/21) (Video) Real-life husband and wife duo John and Sandy Gabriel joined The Locher Room on Friday, January 8, 2021. The duo shared memories from their time playing Seneca Beaulac on Ryan's Hope and Edna Thornton on All My Children.Talk Show Appearance(12/4/20) TAMRON HALL, syndicatedMo 12/7: Vivica A. Fox, Jackée Harry ION Television Announces Vivica A. Fox Holiday Movie Marathon, ‘Christmas Together’ Premiere Date(12/1/20) Vivica A. Fox fans can get their fix during this holiday season with ION Televisions newly announced movie marathon, “A Very Vivica Christmas.” On Tuesday ION shared that it will feature an all-day slate of the actress’ recent ION holiday flicks leading to the premiere of her latest holiday feature Christmas Together.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 OWN Sets Three Holiday Movies Starring Vivica A. Fox, Jackée Harry, Lamman Rucker, Meagan Holder, Idara Victor, Tonea Stewart(11/10/20) OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has expanded its holiday season programming with three new original Christmas movies set to air over three consecutive Tuesdays in December.A Christmas For Mary, starring Vivica A. Fox and Jackée Harry, will premiere on December 8; followed by Cooking Up Christmas, starring Greenleaf’s Lamman Rucker and Meagan Holder on December 15; and First Christmas, starring Idara Victor and Tonea Stewart, will premiere on December 22. The movies join the previously announced Our OWN Christmas gospel music special hosted by Meagan Good and DeVon Franklin which airs on Tuesday, December 1 at 9 PM ET/PT. OWN last year made its first foray into original holiday movies, which do well viewership-wise, especially among women who are OWN’s core demographic. “Following the overwhelming success of our inaugural holiday movie slate last year, we’re excited to announce all-new movies with heartwarming storylines the whole family can enjoy,” said Tina Perry, president, OWN. “We hope that viewers will continue to make watching our movies together a part of their ongoing holiday traditions.” Here are details about OWN’s holiday movies: A Christmas For Mary premieres Tuesday, December 8 at 9 p.m. ET/PT Vivica A. Fox stars with Jackée Harry and Morgan Dixon (Being Mary Jane) in a holiday tale of rediscovery and renewal when up-and-coming journalist Lena Jones (Dixon) is tasked with delivering a story by Christmas that will wow her boss, magazine editor Vivian Vaye (Fox), who is dangling a promotion to head writer over Lena’s head. Intrigued by a portrait of a mysterious woman painted by her late grandfather, Lena journeys to the small town of Pineville, where with her mother, Deborah’s (Harry) blessing and support, Lena uncovers a long-ago forgotten tale of young love that not only uncovers cherished memories of the past, but also inspires Lena to follow her heart and find her own true love … and her perfect Christmas story. A Christmas For Mary is produced for OWN by Hybrid and executive produced by Vivica A. Fox in association with Harpo Films. Cooking Up Christmas premieres Tuesday, December 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT Meagan Holder (Pitch) stars in this family-centric holiday story as Chloe, an Atlanta-based chef at a fine dining restaurant who gets fired just weeks before Christmas and reluctantly takes a job with pro baseball player Donovan Jackson (Rucker), who is a single dad of three needing a live-in-chef to get him through the holidays with the kids. Chloe only takes the job in order to save up enough capital to live out her dream of opening her own restaurant, but soon finds herself caught up in the ups and downs of the Jacksons encounter during her residency. Throughout the holiday season in the Jackson household the importance of family and Chloe’s good Southern cooking are two constants that remain. As Christmas comes to an end, Chloe discovers that her lifelong dream might finally come true… and that her heart has a mind of its own. Cooking Up Christmas also stars Jen Harper and Laparee Young from OWN’s Greenleaf and Lindsey Amani Blackwell from OWN’s David Makes Man. Cooking Up Christmas is produced for OWN by MarVista in association with Harpo Films. Executive produced by Roger M. Bobb, Lamman Rucker, Megan Ellstrom, Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer and Fernando Szew. First Christmas premieres Tuesday, December 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT Given up for adoption and placed in foster care at a young age, writer Halle Downing (Victor, Alita: Battle Angel) receives the blessing of a lifetime when she is invited to spend Christmas in New Orleans with the biological family she never knew she had – The Moores. Halle’s grandmother “Memaw” (Stewart, A Time to Kill) welcomes the young woman with open arms, completely overwhelming Halle with emotion at the significance of finally finding her family. Extremely excited to meet her twin siblings Tiffany (Samantha Smith, Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins) and Glenn (Mason Beauchamp, NCIS: New Orleans) along with younger brother Drew (Peyton Jackson, Nobody’s Fool) for the first time, Halle soon faces the hard reality that finding her place in this close-knit family is going to take longer than she thought, something that becomes particularly evident when she witnesses Tiffany’s apprehension about introducing her new girlfriend Paris (Amanda Tavarez, Queen Sugar) to the family for the first time. However, as Christmas approaches, Halle begins to gain perspective on the Moore family dynamic and ultimately comes to embrace and celebrate her first family holiday with a special gift that tells her she is right where she is supposed to be. First Christmas is produced for OWN by MarVista in association with Harpo Films. Executive produced by Tia Mowry, Tiegen Kosiak, Todd Y. Murata, Larry Grimaldi, Hannah Pillemer and Fernando Szew. Vivica A. Fox & Taryn Manning Among Cast To Join Boxing Story ‘Bobcat Moretti’(9/25/20) Vivica A.Fox (Kill Bill) , Taryn Manning (Orange Is The New Black), Matt McCoy (Jack Ryan) and Oscar-nominee Sally Kirkland (Anna) have joined the cast of psychological drama Bobcat Moretti.The Different Duck Films pic tells of an obese MS patient (Tim Realbuto) who takes up his late father’s sport of boxing to overcome personal tragedy and find inner peace. Different Duck Films founder Rob Margolies (She Wants Me) will direct, and produce alongside Lindsay Mushett (Immortal), Kristen Vaganos (I Am Lisa), and Nick Young (All You Can Eat). Realbuto (Yes) penned the script with Margolies. Filming is set to begin this fall in LA and the production will span one year in order to give Realbuto time to lose the 100 pounds needed to portray the role. Fox and Manning will also executive-produce alongside Sheila Legette (Choices). Louis Mustillo (Mike & Molly) and Sheria Irving (Twenties) are also among cast. Vivica A. Fox Tests Negative For COVID-19 & “Feeling Great” After Positive Result Kept Her Off E!’s Emmy Red Carpet(9/22/20) Vivica A. Fox was set to co-host this past Sunday’s multi-platform E! Live From the Red-Carpet pre-show coverage alongside Giuliana Rancic. Both pulled out of the virtual event after testing positive for COVID-19. (The cases were were not related as the Fox and Rancic were in different states at the time.)A subsequent independent test taken by Fox on Sunday came back negative, rendering the results inconclusive and raising the possibility of a false positive first test. “On Friday I took a self-administered COVID-19 test following strict safety guidelines prior to the big event,” Fox said in a statement to Deadline. “As many of you are aware, those results came back positive. Two days ago I took another COVID-19 test, this one administered by a medical professional, and I am thrilled to announce that my results came back negative! I am feeling great and I want to thank everyone for their show of love and support.” According to sources, the self-administered test was provided by E!. The followup test, which Fox did on her own, was administered by UltimateDX Laboratories on Sunday morning, ahead of E!’s red carpet telecast that afternoon. The result came back on Monday. Fox will continue to get tested using tests administered by a medical professional. Accuracy of testing has been an issue in the fight against COVID-19 worldwide and also has complicated Hollywood’s return to production. At least two programs, CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful and ABC’s For Life, had to pause filming after inconclusive/conflicting test results, a number of which turned to be false positives. By revealing her followup negative test Fox, who has no coronavirus symptoms, is looking to stress the importance of acquiring accurate results. E!’s Live From the Red Carpet: The 2020 Emmy Awards was hosted last minute by Brad Goreski and Nina Parker. Veteran E! host Rancic, husband, Bill Rancic, and 8-year old son, Duke, all tested positive for COVID-19 and continue to quarantine at home. Bounce & Court TV 2020-21 Slates: Series With D.L. Hughley & Vivica A. Fox, Minneapolis Police Trials, Renewals, Premiere Dates & More(8/11/20) Bounce has greenlighted a pair of scripted series — one produced by Cedric the Entertainer and fronted by D.J. Hughley and another starring Vivica A. Fox — and Court TV unveiled a new show with Ashleigh Banfield as the sibling networks unveiled their 2020-21 slates at CTAM today.Along with the Hughley-led dramedy Johnson and Fox’s sitcom Secrets of the Salon, Bounce has renewed Saints & Sinners for Season 5; set premiere dates for In the Cut and Family Time; and announced the true-crime docuseries Dying to Be Famous: The Ryan Singleton Mystery and three original movies. Along with the series renewal, Bounce has set a stand-alone Saints & Sinners movie — a first for the drama. Read details about those and the network’s other shows below. Meanwhile, Court TV announced Judgment With Ashleigh Banfield, a weekly hourlong series that brings the original Court TV host back to the network. Premiering at 8 p.m. ET Sunday, September 13, it takes viewers on a deep dive into the most provocative and talked about trials and cases of all-time. Initial cases featured include those involving Casey Anthony, Jodie Arias, O.J. Simpson, Conrad Murray and others. Court TV also revealed the upcoming trials it will offer, including those of the Minneapolis police officers in the George Floyd case (Minnesota v. Chauvin et al.), the men charged in Ahmaud Arbery’s killing (Georgia v. Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael, William Bryan), R. Kelly’s sex abuse case, The Jinx subject Robert Durst’s murder trial and the “Doomsday Cult Mom” case (Idaho v. Lori Vallow & Idaho v. Chad Daybell). Here are details of the Bounce programs announced today: New Scripted Series Johnson Secrets of the Salon Killing Michael Jackson Dying To Be Famous: The Ryan Singleton Mystery Original Movies A Chance in the World Will You Merry Me? Faith Heist Returning Series Saints & Sinners Season 5 (premieres spring 2021) and stand-alone movie (premieres first quarter 2021) Bounce will also produce a first-ever Saints & Sinners movie, with the two-hour stand-alone event airing in the first quarter of 2021. Set against the backdrop of a large southern church, Saints & Sinners centers around the pursuit of power, intertwined with greed, deception, corruption, compromising sexual affairs and murder. The series stars Calloway, Clifton Powell, Tray Chaney, Keith Robinson, J.D. Williams, Donna Biscoe, Jasmine Burke, Dawn Halfkenny and Karon Joseph Riley. In The Cut Family Time Download the Emmys App to Watch Past, Present, and Future Shows!(7/16/20) The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences was planning to create a special app to allow fans to live-stream the award ceremonies on their computers, mobile devices, and smart TVs, but then this year’s main Daytime Emmy Awards was actually broadcast on television for the first time in years. However, NATAS has now announced the release of The Emmys app in time to watch the upcoming ceremonies this summer!“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 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. John Mahon Dies: ‘The Exorcist’, ‘L.A. Confidential’ Actor Was 82(5/20/20) John Mahon ex-Captain Parker, Generations), an actor, director and writer who played a police chief in 1997’s L.A. Confidential and, as a language lab director in one of the creepiest moments of The Exorcist revealed that recorded demon gibberish was in fact backwards English, died of natural causes at his Los Angeles home on May 3. He was 82.The death was announced by his son Joseph Mahon. Having appeared in a short-lived 1971 Off Broadway production of playwright/actor Jason Miller’s Nobody Hears A Broken Drum, Mahon landed a small but pivotal role in his friend Miller’s breakthrough film The Exorcist. In the movie, Miller’s Father Karas, who has tape-recorded the possessed girl speaking what sounds like random nonsense syllables, is stunned when Mahon’s lab director recognized the sounds as backwards English. Later, in the late 1970s, Mahon directed actor Broderick Crawford That Championship Season. He also directed a production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest with former Bonanza star Pernell Roberts. Mahon was most familiar, though, for his character roles in films including Armageddon, L.A. Confidential (he played a police chief), Zodiac (a police captain), and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (NATO Colonel). His many TV credits include Star Trek: Enterprise, The X-Files, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Frasier, Angel and Knotts Landing, among many others. On Broadway, Mahon played various characters in a 1979 production of King Richard III starring Al Pacino. He also starred opposite Tammy Grimes in a touring production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. In a 2014 memoir A Life of Make Believe: From Paralysis to Hollywood, Mahon recounted a childhood bout of poliomyelitis, or infantile paralysis, which left him paralyzed for nine months. He never recovered full use of his left arm, and would become a trusted mentor to fellow actors with disabilities. In addition to his son Joseph, Mahon is survived by daughter Katharine. Tara Reid & Vivica A. Fox Team For Thriller ‘Masha’s Mushroom’(5/4/20) American Pie and Sharknado star Tara Reid is teaming with Empire and Kill Bill actress Vivica A. Fox to produce and star in Masha’s Mushroom, a suspense thriller from director White Cross (Mummy Dearest).Produced by Cranial Sacral Productions, the project was set to go into production before the pandemic and is now waiting for the green light to resume once the U.S. lockdown lifts It will star Reid as a workaholic mother who tries to throw the perfect party for her daughter, but all the guests are unknowingly drugged and must figure out what is real and what is a hallucination in order to survive. Beverly D’Angelo (American History X) rounds out the cast. Reid and Fox previously appeared together in Sharknado 2: The Second One and 2018’s The Last Sharknado: It’s About Time. “I’m so excited about producing and making this film. It’s truly gonna be amazing visually and the characters are incredible. I also can’t wait to work with my director and business partner White Cross,” said Reid. “It’s also exciting that I’m making another franchise. It’s really great to be on both sides as a producer and actress.” Video: As the World Turns / All My Children Chat 4/24/20(4/24/20) (Video) Watch this chat featuring Cady McClain (Dixie - All My Children and Rosanna - As the World Turns) along with her two men Michael E. Knight (Tad) and her husband, Jon Lindstrom (Craig)As the World Turns / All My Children / GH Chat 4/24/20(4/22/20) (Watch Here) Scheduled for 24 Apr 2020 11am ET - Don't miss Cady McClain (Dixie - All My Children and Rosanna - As the World Turns) along with her two men Michael E. Knight (Tad) and her husband, Jon Lindstrom (Craig)Debbi Morgan Returns for POWER BOOK II: GHOST(3/26/20) Daytime fans who miss seeing Debbi Morgan can look forward to watching the Emmy-winning actress in her new series, POWER BOOK II: GHOST, premiering on Starz this summer. Soap viewers remember Morgan fondly from her multiple roles like ALL MY CHILDREN‘s Angie, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS‘ Harmony, and GENERAL HOSPITAL and PORT CHARLES’ Ellen, among others.This new sequel to the Starz series, POWER, will continue the dramatic stories of some of its most well-known characters, and Morgan will be reprising her role of Estelle, who she played on a recurring basis in the original series. GHOST will pick up the narrative immediately following the POWER finale as it follows Tariq navigating his new life, trying to rid himself of his father’s legacy while struggling to save his family. Check out this tease that Starz released to promote the new series: Video. Although perhaps best known for her work in daytime, Morgan has an equally-impressive career in film and primetime with roles on shows like WHAT’S HAPPENING!!, BOSTON PUBLIC, CHARMED, and FOR THE PEOPLE as well as movies like Eve’s Bayou, The Hurricane, and Coach Carter. Now you can look forward to seeing the talented actress again in POWER BOOK II: GHOST, and we’ll be sure to let you know just as soon as an official air date for the premiere is announced. Ex-Wife Of Y&R’s Kristoff St. John Writes Tell-All(12/8/19) In an interview with PeopleOpens in a new Window., Mia St. John, the former wife of the late Kristoff St. John (Neil, Y&R), revealed that she has written a memoir, Fighting For My Life, that will include details about the actor’s private life preceding his death last February 3. Mia St. John, a world boxing champion, also shared how their son Julian’s suicide in 2014 caused her ex-spouse to experience his own struggles with grief and mental health. “A lot of people don’t know what was happening at the end of his life,” she explained. “Not just with the depression and the guilt over his son, but all the circumstances surrounding his life and the last days of his life. So much has been swept under the rug… Everybody knew what was going on in his circle, but I feel like there was such a big attempt to cover everything up, which was not really to his benefit.” The book is scheduled for release in 2020.‘The Bay’s Kristos Andrews, Vivica A. Fox & Michael Copon Set For ‘yA’ Spinoff In The Works By Lany Entertainment(12/6/19) yA (working title), a spinoff of Amazon’s multiple Emmy-winning digital daytime drama series The Bay, which is in development from original series creator Gregori J. Martin, former General Hospital showrunner Wendy Riche and producer LANY Entertainment, is rounding out its cast.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. Talk Show Appearance(10/25/19) LIVE WITH KELLY AND RYAN, syndicatedWe 11/6: Vivica A. Fox ‘Empire’: Vivica A. Fox Upped To Series Regular For Final Season(8/9/19) There was a lot of news coming out at TCA regarding the sixth and final season of Fox’s musical drama Empire, including possible spinoffs and that Jussie Smollett would not be returning for the last hurrah. But one character that will be returning is Cookie’s older sister Candace played by Vivica A. Fox.It was a given that Candace would return for the sixth season, considering she has appeared in every since she was introduced in season two, but Fox will now be appearing as a series regular instead of recurring. During TCA, Fox told Deadline that she knew from the get-go she wanted to work with Lee Daniels as well as Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard, who she had known for years and was more than happy to play Cookie’s (Henson) older sister. Fox said that each year she has been on the show has grown and grown and that last season Candace went through a lot during her time in the Empire universe, but her huge storyline focused on mental health and abuse. We thought her character was being abused by her husband, but it was actually her son that was abusing her due to mental health issues. “One thing I love about Empire is that they tackle taboo subjects that other shows won’t,” said Fox. “Now that I have been made a series regular, I want to find out more about my son and what’s going on — I don’t know yet so don’t ask!” Fox said that she will head to Chicago at the end of August to shoot the final season. The sixth season of Empire is slated to debut on September 24. ‘Face The Truth’ Canceled After One Season(4/14/19) CBS Television Distribution’s Vivica A. Fox-hosted daytime talk show Face the Truth will not return for a second season, Deadline has learned, while The Doctors and DailymailTV have both renewed for a 12th and third season, respectively.Led by Fox and a panel that included attorney and advocate Areva Martin, psychologist Dr. Judy Ho, actress, life coach and mom Rosie Mercado, and Judge Mary Chrzanowski, aka “Scary Mary,” Face the Truth, from Jay McGraw’s Stage 29 Productions, was described as having a unique take on talk by providing meaningful conflict with constructive resolution. Each episode featured real people presenting their problems big and small to the panel in search of solutions. Face The Truth was produced by Stage 29 Productions and distributed by CBS Television Distribution. Jay McGraw, Carla Pennington, Patricia Ciano and Dr. Phil McGraw executive produced. Hosted by ER physician and best-selling author Dr. Travis Stork along with co-hosts plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Ordon, OB/GYN Dr. Nita Landry and dermatologist Dr. Sonia Batra, The Doctors delves into real life stories and celebrity exclusives and provides sought after answers, interventions and care. The Doctors has received six Emmy nominations for outstanding talk show/informative, winning in 2010. Taped in front of a live studio audience in Hollywood, The Doctors is produced by Stage 29 Productions and distributed by CBS Television Distribution. Jay McGraw, Carla Pennington, Patricia Ciano and Dr. Phil McGraw are executive producers. In its first season, DailyMailTV, which hails from the team behind Dr. Phil, had the highest-rated national debut of any syndicated newsmagazine since 2007, according to DailyMail.com and Jay McGraw’s Stage 29 Productions. The series features top stories from DailyMail.com, ranging from exclusives to breaking news, showbiz, crime, health and science and technology, five days a week. DailyMailTV is executive produced by Carla Pennington, Jay McGraw, Martin Clarke,Dr. Phil McGraw and Jeffrey Wilson. Eric Beesemyer serves as co-executive producer. Jordana Brewster, Vivica A. Fox, Anna Akana Join Brittany Snow In ‘Bailey and Darla’(3/15/19) Jordana Brewster (Fast & Furious franchise, Fox’s Lethal Weapon), Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day, Fox’s Empire), and Anna Akana (Youth & Consequences, Netflix’s upcoming Let It Snow film) are set for supporting roles in the indie film Bailey and Darla, which stars Brittany Snow and Sam Richardson. First-time feature helmer Nico Raineau directed the pic from a screenplay he wrote with Lauren Schacher.The plot centers on Darla (Snow), a cynical reporter whose sex addiction is getting in the way of her sex column, and her evolving relationship with Bailey, a well-meaning sweetheart who’s been dumped by his fiancé Elizabeth (Akana) and learns he has testicular cancer (again). Together they embark on an impromptu cross country road trip, recreating Darla’s myriad trysts from state to state. She’s looking for a story and he’s looking for a last hurrah; what they find is something neither expected. Brewster plays Tanya, Darla’s no-nonsense boss, while Fox is Cindy, Bailey’s loving but somewhat overbearing mother. Snow is producing the pic with Yale Productions’ Jordan Yale Levine and Jordan Beckerman, and Highland Myst’s Jon Keeyes. Executive producers are Michael J. Rothstein, Matthew Heldermann, Luke Taylor, Shaun Sanghani, Sabine Stener, Martin Sprock, Ryan Johnson, James Sears Bryant, and Gigi Lacks, while Michael Palkovicz, Jackie Palkovicz, Alan Leibowitz, Jesse Murphy, and Kamar Kalpakciyan serve as co-exec producers. Film Mode Entertainment is in charge of sales. Kristoff St. John’s Ex-Wife on Their Heartbreaking Final Call(3/12/19) (extratv.com) (Video) “Extra” spoke with Mia, who opened up about Kristoff’s death and how she is doing today.Mia admitted, “I have okay days, I have really bad days, I’m just waiting to get to the part where I’m having good days. It’s difficult 'cause it’s still early.” She added, “I’m so used to having Kristoff as my rock… he was always just there for me.” Mia also reflected on the last call she had with him before he took his life, revealing, “Even though we talked every day, this call was a very different call. He kept saying he wanted to die, but he said in a different way this time that really struck me. He tells me to hang on one second, that Julian’s at the door, and I just started screaming 'No!'” Kristoff and Mia’s son Julian died by suicide at age 24 on Nov. 23, 2014, following a lifelong battle with mental illness. She said about Kristoff, “He was so tortured since our son passed, he felt so much guilt… he felt like he failed his son.” Days before Kristoff's death, he was being treated for suicidal thoughts. She said that he was released from treatment too soon. “They were supposed to keep him on a 5150, which is a 14-day hold, and they didn’t, he was let go on the fourth day. I think it all boils down to education – staff needs to be educated, and there needs to be oversight and accountability.” Mia vowed to advocate for mental illness and an increase in education about it. “I am determined to keep talking about mental illness, the importance of mental health, and how we have to change things, we need reform, and I am not going to stop.” Mia is dealing with her own issues, and said the outpouring of support from fans is keeping her going. She shared, “I ended up in the hospital after Kristoff passed on a 5150… with the outpouring of support, I felt like I can do this, and I need to do this.” Getting emotional, Mia explained she has to do it for Kristoff and her late son. “I just have to, I know they are on the other side rooting for me and counting on me to do this.” Following Kristoff’s death, Mia lost her sobriety after 30 years. She said, “I’m getting there… I am working on it. All I can do is one day at a time.” Kristoff St. John's Memorial Service Announced(2/27/19) If you would like to pay your respects to THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS star Kristoff St. John, there will be a memorial service held in California for the late actor. His ex-wife, Mia St. John, shared the information on her Instagram that a service and reception will be held on Monday, March 4, at Calvary Community Church at 5495 Via Rocas in Westlake Village, CA. The service is scheduled to run from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. “Join us and celebrate the beautiful life of Kristoff St. John,” she wrote.The daytime community was rocked when St. John was found dead on Feb. 3, and his Y&R castmates have shared their special memories of their late friend. While the soap aired a short tribute video at the end of the Feb. 6 episode, they are planning a special storyline in April to celebrate both the actor and his character of Neil Winters. Mia has also been vocal about sharing St. John’s final words to her before he passed away. “Spread his message far and wide,” she posted. “I know he meant it for all of us. He said, ‘Understand, you’ve got to live in the present. Observe all the good things in your life and others around you. Julian would not want you to live your life with bitterness and upset. It eats away at you and drains your life slowly, but surely. You must rise to the occasion and accept the beauty around you. You had 30 years, get 30 more. I believe in you.’ “As for the 30 years, he was referring to my sobriety,” she continued. “After our son passed, we both lost our sobriety. I held on for almost three years, then blew 30 years one year ago. But as I ‘trudge this road of happy destiny’ I know the universe has a plan and I will be clean and sober once again. #onedayatatime” Our thoughts and prayers go out to St. John’s friends and family during this difficult time. Dishing with Digest - 2/8/19 - Lauren Koslow plus the life and legacy of the late Kristoff St. John(2/8/19) (Listen / download) DAYS's Lauren Koslow (Kate) Shares The Highlights Of Her Soap Career.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). Jason Priestley & Annalise Basso Among Stars Of Lifetime Movies Based On V.C. Andrews’ Casteel Family Books(2/8/19) Lifetime announced last year it was developing five films based on Andrews’ last known book series, about the twisted relationships of the Casteel Family. The first, Heaven, was filmed last year, and you can watch the first-look trailer above. The remaining four are Dark Angel, Fallen Hearts, Gates of Paradise and Web of Dreams. The movie event series follows Heaven Casteel and her siblings after their father devises a scheme that threatens to destroy their dreams and separate the family forever.As previously announced, Heaven, stars Annalise Basso (Captain Fantastic), Julie Benz (Dexter), Chris William Martin (The Vampire Diaries), and Chris McNally (Altered Carbon). Basso and Martin will return for the second and third installments, Dark Angel and Fallen Hearts, joined by Jason Priestley (Private Eyes, Beverly Hills, 90210) and Kelly Rutherford (Gossip Girl, Melrose Place). Priestley is also set to direct Fallen Hearts. Priestley returns and stars in Gates of Paradise alongside Daphne Zuniga (Witness Unprotected, Melrose Place). Additionally, Lizzie Boys (Winter’s Dream) and Keenan Tracey have also been cast to star in Gates of Paradise and Web of Dreams. Jennifer Laporte (Freaky Friday), Max Lloyd-Jones (War for the Planet of the Apes) and Cindy Busby (The Big Year) also star in Web of Dreams. Heaven, Dark Angel and Fallen Hearts casts also include James Rittinger, Matthew Nelson-Mahood, Jessica Clement, Samantha Coughlan. Additional Heaven cast members include Christian Convery and Madeline Hirvonen. Gates of Paradise also stars Johannah Newmarch (older Heaven), Jason Cermak, Michael Karl Richards, Pauline Egan, and Ben Sullivan. And the Web of Dreams cast also includes Liam Hughes, Tom Donadt, and David Lewis. Heaven introduces the infamous Casteel family, the least regarded of all the families living in the poverty-stricken foothills of the mountains of West Virginia. Yet the eldest daughter, Heaven Leigh Casteel (Basso), was still the smartest girl in the backwoods and determined to redeem her family name. However, her dreams become deferred the day her stepmother flees and her selfish father Luke (Martin) sells her and her four siblings to different families. Heaven is sent to live in the home of Luke’s deranged ex-lover, Kitty (Benz), who torments Heaven as Kitty’s husband, Cal (McNally) lures Heaven into a forbidden relationship while she fights to reunite her siblings. Dark Angel picks up directly after Heaven (Basso) finds a new life in her estranged grandmother and grandfather, Jillian (Rutherford) and Tony Tatterton’s (Priestley) exquisite Boston mansion, Farthinggale Manor. But even in the world of the wealthy, there are strange forebodings, secrets best forgotten. As Heaven reaches out for love, she is slowly ensnared in a sinister web of cruel deceits. Based on the third book, Fallen Hearts follows Heaven (Basso), now happily married and ready to settle back in her hometown. But after a trip to Farthinggale Manor, Heaven is persuaded to stay. Lured by her grandfather Tony Tatterton (Priestley) to live amidst the wealthy and privileged Heaven seems to have it all until the ghosts of her past rise up once more, threatening her precious new life. Gates of Paradise quickly turns tragic when Heaven’s daughter Annie (Boys) finds herself orphaned and crippled. Whisked off to Farthinggale Manor by Tony Tatterton (Priestley), Annie pines for her lost family, especially for her half-brother Luke (Tracey). Without the warm glow of Luke’s love, she is lost in the shadows of despair and forced into submission by Nurse Broadfield (Zuniga). When Annie discovers a cottage hidden in Farthinggale’s woods, the mystery of her past deepens. Even as she yearns to see Luke again, her hopes and dreams are darkened by the sinister Casteel spell. Based on the fifth and final novel of the Casteel series the prequel, Web of Dreams finally unlocks the mysteries of the family. Heaven’s mother Leigh (LaPorte) had to escape from Farthinggale Manor and the secrets she harbored. Falling into the arms of Luke Casteel Sr. (Donadt), his devotion promised her hope as only Luke knew her deepest of secrets. Bravely she bore the suspicions of the hill folk, as she tried to grasp the happiness that long eluded her. With a baby girl, Heaven, on the way, she hoped for a chance at happy ever after. Heaven is produced by Front Street Pictures for Lifetime. Executive producers are Harvey Kahn, Dan Angel, Jane Startz, Tom Mazza, Juliet Smith, and Marnie Termuende. Scarlett Lacey wrote the script for Heaven, directed by Paul Shapiro. Dark Angel, Fallen Hearts, Gates of Paradise and Web of Dreams are all produced by Neshama Entertainment and Really Real Films for Lifetime. Jane Startz, Dan Angel, Ric Nish, Cynde Harmon, and Arnie Zipursky serve as executive producers. Dark Angel and Fallen Hearts are also written by Scarlett Lacey. Paul Shapiro directs Dark Angel while Jason Priestley directs Fallen Hearts. Gail Harvey directs Gates of Paradise from a screenplay by Gregory Small and Richard Blaney. Web of Dreams is written by AC Cochran and Mike Rohl is set to direct. As Neil Winters, Kristoff St. John Was a Cornerstone in a Corner Office(2/8/19) (nytimes.com) Quick — name a transformative black television character.James Evans. Cliff Huxtable. Olivia Pope. Cookie Lyon. Annalise Keating. Neil Winters. You only paused if you did not grow up, as I did, watching “The Young and the Restless.” Kristoff St. John, who died this week at 52, originated the role of Neil Winters on “Y & R” — as it is commonly referred to by its fans — in 1991 and played it up until his death. With 28 years in the show’s fictional Genoa City, St. John was the second-longest-serving black soap opera actor, behind James Reynolds of “Days of Our Lives.” Black men like Neil have been hard to come by on television. He was a young, up-and-coming executive at Newman Enterprises, fresh out of Stanford. He was self-assured without being arrogant, and down-to-earth without being a caricature or a clown. He was ambitious, he loved his friends, and he got along well with all of those veteran, high-flying executive types. His obvious romantic interest was Olivia — doctor, sorority sister, beautiful. His longtime love, though, turned out to be Drucilla (Victoria Rowell), Olivia’s outspoken sister, who was also lovely but decidedly rougher around the edges. Drucilla was Cookie Lyon, minus the prison stint, before there was a Cookie Lyon. I was groomed to care — our mother raised my brother and me while CBS soap operas played in the background. I knew about the Spauldings and the Bauers on “Guiding Light” long before I knew most of my classmates’ names at school. I was more fond of “As the World Turns” and “Guiding Light” — CBS programs sponsored by Proctor & Gamble — but my mother and my brother were all for “Y & R.” It was more glamorous; it had fancier sets and better lighting. When we got a VCR, “Y & R” had to be taped everyday, so they could watch it in the evenings. This practice occasionally annoyed me, until Neil, Olivia and Drucilla arrived. Then I got interested. Black folks! And black folks tackling issues of assimilation and acceptance. Could Neil take Dru around his work colleagues, who were not ready for her bluntness? Would it just be easier to woo Olivia and be done with it? Neil and Dru became not quite a supercouple (see Angie and Jesse of “All My Children” if you want that), but a memorable couple. They dealt with the outlandish stuff that all soap couples endure — infidelity, secret-keeping, family tensions. But they were real with each other. They teased each other, they fought, they made up, they confided in each other, saying things about the people on their jobs that they would never say in public. They talked about each other’s family members. And they could cut their eyes at each other in a way that eliminated the need for pages and pages of script. They were hilarious, without trying to be hilarious. They were black. And working hard. And mostly stayed out of trouble. And they mostly loved each other. In the 1990s and 2000s, this was rare. “Y & R” eventually created a whole complicated family life around Neil, while continuing to further his career. He went on to work at Jabot and at Chancellor Enterprises, the show’s other major corporations, and became chief executive at Newman for a time. After Drucilla disappeared in 2007 (I know!), Neil mourned profusely. Then he got on with life. He dated, he married, he divorced, he supported his daughter and his son. Whatever storm the Winters’ extended family found itself in, there was Neil, helping to hold it together. St. John was still a young man on a veteran show. He could have had many more years as Neil, wrangling with a younger generation led by his children, Lily and Devon. Through it all, Neil was not a thug, not a troubled child, not somebody the white people needed to save. He did not need “help.” He was an equal. He wasn’t anyone’s charity project. All he needed was a chance, and Genoa City gave him that. I stopped watching regularly long ago, but at least once a year, I’ll be home on a holiday with my brother and my mother, and one of us will turn on “Y & R.” We will marvel at how this one, or that one, is still on the show. We feel like we know them. We do, in a way. We’ve known them for over 30 years. I’m sorry that Neil will no longer be a part of that homecoming. Kristoff St. John, a Fixture of Daytime TV, Is Dead at 52(2/8/19) (nytimes.com) Kristoff St. John, who won two Daytime Emmy Awards during his long tenure on the CBS soap opera “The Young and the Restless,” was found dead early Sunday morning at his home in Los Angeles. He was 52.Sarah Ardalani, a public information officer at the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office, confirmed the death. She said that an autopsy had been conducted but that the cause of death had not been determined. Mr. St. John spoke openly about his depression after his 24-year-old son, Julian, committed suicide in 2014. Mark Geragos, Mr. St. John’s lawyer and friend, said in a telephone interview on Monday that Mr. St. John had told him recently that his grief and depression had worsened. Mr. St. John began playing Neil Winters, a cosmetics executive who struggled with infidelity, alcoholism and many other plot twists, on “The Young and the Restless” in 1991. He most recently appeared as the character in January, completing nearly 1,700 episodes of the show. He told The Toronto Star in 1994 that he saw Winters as “energetic and striving for the top spot,” someone who “doesn’t really see himself as a ladies’ man but rather quite sensual” and “very secure.” Mr. St. John won 10 N.A.A.C.P. Image Awards for playing Winters, one of the longest-running African-American characters on a soap opera. Kristoff St. John was born on July 15, 1966, in New York City and grew up in Bridgeport, Conn., and Los Angeles. His father, Christopher, was a producer, director and actor; his mother, Maria, was an entertainer. Both of them inspired him to enter show business. “My dad is a producer-director,” Mr. St. John told the Canadian newspaper The Edmonton Journal in 2000. “Had he been a fireman, I’d probably be putting out fires.” Mr. St. John began acting as a child. His television career started with an appearance on the sitcom “That’s My Mama” in 1975. He played a young Alex Haley in “Roots: The Next Generations” (1979) and had a recurring part on the television version of “The Bad News Bears,” on which his father also appeared. He was also seen on “Family Matters,” “Martin,” “A Different World,” “Diagnosis Murder” and other shows. Mr. St. John’s two marriages, to the boxer Mia St. John and Allana Nadal, ended in divorce. Last year he became engaged to Kseniya Mikhaleva, a Russian model. Mr. St. John had two daughters, Paris, from his first marriage, and Lola, from his second. Complete information on survivors was not immediately available. His son, Julian, an artist who suffered from schizophrenia, depression and drug addiction, committed suicide by asphyxiating himself with a plastic bag at a mental health care facility in Long Beach, Calif., in 2014. Mr. St. John and his first wife, Mia, accused the staff of negligence, filing a lawsuit against the facility and airing their grievances in an interview on “Entertainment Tonight.” “My son died because there are millions of people suffering from the mental disabilities of schizophrenia, bipolar and being depressed,” Mr. St. John said. “And so at the end of the day his life will not be in vain. His life will be vindicated, and I will campaign until the day that I die to bring justice to my son.” The lawsuit was settled in 2017. Y&R's Christel Khalil and Bryton James Open up About Losing Kristoff St. John(2/6/19) News of Kristoff St. John’s death rocked the daytime community to its core, especially among the cast of THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS where he had portrayed Neil Winters for decades. While Devon was Neil’s adopted son and Lily was technically Neil’s niece, he loved them both like his own children. And portrayers Bryton James and Christel Khalil loved St. John like their own father.“As one of the lucky people to have experienced Kristoff’s spirit, love, and talent first-hand,” James expressed on Instagram, “I can only say thank you forever for loving me, guiding me, protecting me, and for teaching me every day how to choose to find the levity in life no matter what. I will never stop making you proud. I love you. My man…” Like many, Khalil struggled to put her feelings into words but finally shared a heartfelt post to let everyone know what her castmate and dear friend meant to her. “I’ve been thinking for a while what to say,” she confessed. “How to express my love and gratitude for Kristoff in my life. I don’t know if I can ever fully express how my heart feels. I’m so heartbroken. I’m mad, sad, confused… but I understand. I’m thankful you’re not in pain anymore, such a deep pain that no one could understand. No parent should have to bury their child. I’m sorry you had to. I’m sorry you’ve been hurting so much. “You were one of a kind,” Khalil continued. “I’ll never forget you were the first person who took me under your wing when I joined Y&R. You were the one who when I had my screen test, you helped me, made me feel connected and comfortable. I know part of the reason why I even got a role that changed my life forever is because of you. Your goofiness, openness, and genuine love and care you showed for other people was never overlooked. You treated me like your real daughter over the past 17 years. Between our deep conversations about religion to your goofy dad jokes, you’ve always had a special place in my heart. A place where a father should have been… I’m grateful I got to know you and share some of my most important moments of life with you. You will never be forgotten. I love you. I love you…” Our thoughts are with everyone who knew and loved St. John during this terribly difficult time. GH's Vinessa Antoine Shared a Special Memory of the Late Kristoff St. John(2/6/19) As the daytime community reacted to the death of THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS star Kristoff St. John (Neil) on social media, GENERAL HOSPITAL alum Vinessa Antoine (ex-Jordan) shared the story of a very special encounter with the late actor she will always hold dear to her heart. “I met Kristoff the day before my audition test for GH,” she recalled on Instagram. “We were at a juice bar in Calabasas. When I saw him, I knew immediately who he was. You see, I had kind of grown up with this man in my living room so I felt as if I had already known him. But I didn’t. I had no idea that he was this kind and incredibly generous man.”The actress is now starring in the Canadian primetime drama DIGGSTOWN, but back in 2014, she was still on the verge of becoming a soap star with her role on GH. “So there I was,” Antoine related. “Standing behind him in line when I finally said, ‘My mom loves you on Y&R.’ (I meant to say I love you on Y&R.) He smiled and said to tell my mom thanks for watching.” Standing there looking at the juice menu, Antoine wondered if she should tell her fellow actor that she was auditioning for GH the following day. “Sweaty armpits and heart racing, I told him,” she confided. “He replied, ‘That’s amazing!’ And without skipping a beat, he asked, ‘Do you have the scenes with you?’ I said , ‘Yes, but they’re in the car.’ He told me to go grab them and he would work with me if I wanted to! Um… yeah!” Grateful that this daytime vet would be willing to share his wealth of knowledge with her, Antoine ran to her car and returned with the pages. “He did not know me at all but he took the time to sit with me over lunch and break down my audition scenes with me,” she revealed. “I have no doubt that the notes he gave and the suggestions he told me helped me land the role of Jordan. For the next four years, we would speak periodically, give each other that knowing smile, and hug at events. He was always so warm, honest, and just so damn supportive. Even with all that he had to face. “Thank you, Kristoff, for everything you were and what you gave to this planet,” Antoine concluded. “You are a kind spirit who is with your son, now. I’ll miss you.” Kristoff St. John was ‘sad’ and lonely hours before death, fiancee claims(2/6/19) The Young & The Restless actor Kristoff St. John was sad and lonely hours before he was shockingly found dead in his home, his fiancee exclusively told RadarOnline.com.Russian-born model Kseniya Mikhaleva, who became engaged to the actor in August 2018, told Radar she last spoke to St. John on Saturday, Feb. 2, one day prior to his death. “He was (a) little bit sad because I’m in Russia,” the brunette beauty said, adding he wanted “to be with me always.” Mikhaleva said she believed the couple’s long-distance relationship contributed to his sadness. She is currently working toward a business degree in Moscow. “He missed me,” she told Radar. “We were at a distance.” As Radar reported, St. John, 52, was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Sunday afternoon. Cops confirmed to Radar that he possibly died of an alcohol overdose. Mikhaleva confirmed that she was in Russia at the time of the incident. She said she will be travelling back to Los Angeles soon. The couple last saw each other in December 2018 to celebrate the New Year. St. John travelled to Moscow to be with Mikhaleva, where the two posted loving photos together. “Happy New Year everyone. My love @ksumik,” the soap star wrote on Jan. 2. Mikhaleva said the couple was in the process of waiting for documents that would allow them to get married soon. “There was a little bit (of time) left and we could be together,” she said. The heartbroken fiancee added that she is “so sad.” LAPD confirmed to Radar that St. John’s death is currently being reviewed by the Los Angeles Coroner’s office. Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists Premiering in March — Watch Trailer(2/6/19) (Video) Freeform is finally done keeping one of its biggest secrets: The long-awaited Pretty Little Liars spinoff, The Perfectionists, will be premiere Wednesday, March 20, the network announced today at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena.In addition to Sasha Pieterse and Janel Parrish — both of whom will reprise their PLL roles of Alison DiLaurentis and Mona Vanderwaal, respectively — the spinoff also stars Sofia Carson (Famous in Love), Sydney Park (The Walking Dead), newcomer Eli Brown, Kelly Rutherford (Gossip Girl), British actor Graeme Thomas King and Hayley Erin (General Hospital). Based on The Perfectionists, a book series by PLL author Sara Shepard, the spinoff relocates Ali and Mona to the mysterious city of Beacon Heights, Ore., where they soon find themselves navigating a deadly mystery in which practically everyone they meet is a potential suspect. In other words, it’s business as usual for the Rosewood-raised sleuths. Along with a premiere date, Freeform has also released the series’ first full-length trailer, giving us a first look at the new generation of liars in action — including one that won’t live to see the mystery unfold. Kristoff St. John’s Final Airdate Revealed(2/5/19) Kristoff St. John’s final airdate as Y&R’s Neil Winters will air on Wednesday, February 6. A special tribute to the late actor, who joined the soap in 1991, will air on Friday, February 8. St. John passed away over the weekend, and tributes have been posted online from colleagues and friends.Shemar Moore Remembers Kristoff St. John(2/5/19) Shemar Moore, who played Neil’s brother, Malcolm on Y&R (1994-2002; 2004-2005 and 2014), posted an emotional video on Instagram regarding Kristoff St. John’s death on February 3. “I lost my brother yesterday,” said Moore, who now stars on the CBS prime-time series S.W.A.T. “I’ve never had a brother but you were my brother. You showed me the way; you were my mentor, you were my inspiration. You showed me what true talent was, you showed me what humility was… I love you, I hate this. I love you, but I’m gonna celebrate all your good.” For the rest of Moore’s personal tribute, click here.Daytime Tragedy: Soap Community Reacts To Kristoff St. John’s Death(2/4/19) Daytime Tragedy: Soap Community Reacts To Kristoff St. John’s DeathThe soap community is responding on social media with shock and love to the tragic death of Kristoff St. John (Neil, Y&R) at age 52. CBS Television Network and Sony Pictures Television released the following joint statement: “The news of Kristoff St. John’s passing is heartbreaking. He was a very talented actor and an even better person. For those of us who were fortunate enough to work with him on ‘The Young and the Restless’ for the last 27 years, he was a beloved friend whose smile and infectious laugh made every day on set a joy and made audiences love him. On behalf of the Y&R cast and crew, CBS and Sony Pictures Television, we offer our heartfelt sympathy to his family and loved ones, especially his two daughters, Paris and Lola.” Eric Braeden tweeted (Victor, Y&R), “My good friend and colleague, MY BROTHA, KRISTOFF ST.JOHN , passed away!! No words right now!!” Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki, Y&R) addressed fans on Twitter with, “Thank you all for your condolences for my dear friend Kristoff. We all loved him so much. Brokenhearted.” Doug Davidson (Paul, Y&R) imparted, “In my life journey I have come across only a few people that radiate pure love, Kristoff was one of those people. He was so selfless when it came to caring for others. He was smart, so insightful, and supportive of everything positive. His smile would light up a room and his presence was always welcome. I will miss him. I know in my heart he has found peace and we all have another angel watching over us. God bless his soul. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Camryn Grimes (Mariah, Y&R) posted, “Our hearts are broken because his was the biggest.” Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS) reacted with, “This is such tragic news. Kristoff was a class act, always so kind & a fabulously talented actor. My heart goes out to his family, friends & fans mourning his sudden loss. Rest In Peace.” Tyler Christopher (Stefan, DAYS) offered, “@kristoffstjohn1 thank you for your friendship when I was having a difficult time some years ago. You didn’t even know me yet you dropped whatever you were doing to meet with me and share your spirit in hopes that it may lift mine. A rare commodity. Rest my friend.” Hunter King (Summer, Y&R) wrote, “My heart is so heavy today. Kristoff you were always so sweet and so kind to everyone. You had the best smile and the warmest hugs. Going to miss seeing you at work. Truly so saddend by this tragedy.” Melissa Ordway (Abby, Y&R) tweeted, “There are no words. Kristoff, I will miss your big hugs, bright smile and contagious laugh… you always made me laugh. It was a true honor to know you. We are heartbroken.” Melissa Claire Egan (ex-Chelsea) acknowledged, “So heartbreaking. Kristoff was such a loving, kind, welcoming, funny, wonderful soul. Can’t believe this news. Rest In Peace, beautiful man.” Chrishell Hartley (Jordan, DAYS) lamented, “Woke up to the terrible news of @kristoffstjohn1. Always so kind, and so welcoming, ready with a hug. Sending so much love to everyone feeling his loss and I pray he is at peace with his son.” Obba Babatundé (Julius, B&B) added, “The lights have diminished and the sound around me has been muted with the exception of the sound of hearts breaking due to the loss of a great human being. May his soul rest and his spirit sour. R.I.P Kristoff.” Adrienne Frantz (ex-Amber) posted, “So unbelievably heartbroken by the passing of my dear friend Kristoff St.John. I loved him so much! He was such a wonderful man! @kristoffstjohn I hope you are dancing with the angels and Your son today! The world just lost a beautiful soul! #kristoffstjohn #yr #loveyou.” B&B’s Ingo Rademacher (Thorne) shared, “Mate. You were just telling me how happy you were when we spoke in the CBS parking lot.?? So shocked to hear this. RIP my old friend. You will be missed. My condolences to his family and all of his fans. ?? you are with your boy now.” Cait Fairbanks (Tessa, Y&R) said, “A sweet soul. after a few scenes with you and @brytonejames that day you caught me taking a photo behind a plastic filter that I had found on the ground and instead of laughing at me you said “wow that’s so cool! can you show me?” sharing time with you was a true blessing. I’m so sorry.” Galen Gering (Rafe, DAYS) wrote, “I always enjoyed our talks- he was such a kind soul and a cool cat. And as a father I often wondered how he endured the pain of losing his son. I hope they are joined together again in peace. @kristoffstjohn1.” Young and the Restless Star Kristoff St. John Dead at 52(2/4/19) The Young and the Restless family has lost a beloved member.Kristoff St. John, the actor who originated the role of Neil Winters on the long-running soap opera nearly three decades ago, has died. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to E! News that police were called for a possible alcohol overdose and found St. John dead in his home in Calif. around 2 p.m. on Sunday. Authorities have not disclosed any further details and the cause of his death is unconfirmed at this time. St. John was 52 years old. "Few men had the unique strength, courage & sensitivity that @kristoffstjohn1 lived every single minute of every day. He impacted everyone he met and millions who he inspired and in turn admired him," attorney Mark Geragos said in a statement on Twitter. "On behalf of @MiaStJohnBoxer & @TheStJohnFamily thank you for all of your love." A New York native, he got his start on television with brief appearances on shows like Happy Days and Wonder Woman. By the late 1980s, St. John landed a recurring role on Charlie & Co. before The Young and the Restless in 1991, on which he starred until his death. St. John won two Daytime Emmy Awards for his performance on the show and was nominated an additional nine times. In 2017, he reportedly underwent psychiatric treatment after an alleged "scare" regarding his mental health, according to Entertainment Weekly. St. John was married and divorced twice, first to Mia St. John, with whom he welcomed son Julian and daughter Paris. Julian died of an apparent suicide in 2014 at the age of 24. The actor was later married to Allana Nadal, with whom he had daughter Lola. Hs is survived by two of his children and his fiancé Kseniya Mikhaleva, who he proposed to in August. "How did it happen ??? How ??? Why did you leave so early ???? and left me alone ..... I can't believe," she wrote on Instagram on Monday. "You were everything to me .... you were a loving father, a loving man,.....how love??we should doing a lot of things in future......" Our thoughts are with the star's loved ones at this time. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Talk Show Appearance(1/5/19) THE REAL, syndicatedMo 1/7: Vivica A. Fox Talk Show Appearance(9/29/18) Rachael Ray - syndicatedOct 02, 2018: Vivica A. Fox Vivica A. Fox says #MeToo shouldn't be used 'as an excuse to take down people'(9/25/18) Vivica A. Fox has blasted those who have used the #metoo movement “as an excuse to take down people”.Since the movement began, stars such as Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey have been accused of sexual abuse or misconduct, with women using the hashtag to spread their stories. And while she has praised those who have been brave enough to come forward with their experiences, Independence Day star Vivica told Fox News that there are also false rumours being started. “I’m happy about the #MeToo movement for the simple fact that it brought exposure to those who were abusing their power,” she said. “However, I’m not happy with those who are using the #MeToo movement to be an excuse to take down people… It takes two to tango.” Vivica first started in the film and movie industry in the late ’80s and has since starred in movies such as Kill Bill: Vol 1 and TV shows like Empire. And while many other actresses found starting a career in Hollywood the point at which when they were taken advantage of, Vivica managed to avoid such situations.“I’ve been fortunate that it hasn’t happened in my career,” she said. “I can’t say I haven’t been hit on. I just tried to make better choices. But I respect those that speak out and I’m all about women’s empowerment, and not being taken advantage of. “And it doesn’t happen just in show business. It happens in a lot of different genres. You’ve got to do the work. If someone is trying to offer you an opportunity through the casting couch, don’t do it!” More Casting News For THE BAY Season 4(9/18/18) Vivica A. Fox (Candace, EMPIRE) has joined the cast of THE BAY for season 4 as Dr. Angela Foster, a tough as nails psychiatrist at Bay University Hospital. “Vivica and I have crossed paths on several projects, but I’ve yet to have the opportunity to work with her on a director-to-actor capacity,” noted Creator/Director/ Executive Producer Gregori J. Martin in a release. “She’s such a talented actress and I’m very much looking forward to having her on this season. I’ve been a fan of her work for years.” Additionally, Sean Patrick Flanery (ex-Sam, Y&R) has been tapped to portray Sara’s (Mary Beth Evans) younger brother Ty.The Young and the Restless Star Kristoff St. John Is Engaged to Russian Model Kseniya Mikhaleva(9/3/18) Third time’s the charm!The Young and the Restless star Kristoff St. John announced on Sunday that he is engaged to model Kseniya Mikhaleva. “She said yes,” the actor, 52, wrote on social media alongside a series of images showing off the dazzling square-cut diamond ring he proposed to the Russian beauty with. In another photo, his bride-to-be wore the ring on her finger as the pair lovingly intertwined their hands. He also went on to share some sweet photos of the couple embracing each other while kissing each other on the lips. “My beautiful woman,” he wrote alongside the loved-up snaps. Sharing her own photograph of her stunning sparkler, Mikhaleva revealed that the soap star popped the question on Friday. “Special day 31.08.2018,” she wrote alongside the images. The actor, who plays Neil Winters on the long-running soap, first went Instagram official with the pair’s relationship in February. “You never know what life will bring you,” he wrote alongside a collage of photographs showing the pair hanging out together in Paris, as well as one close-up image of her eye. “Kseniya. Follow her @ksumik,” he continued, adding the hashtags, “life,” “Paris” and “freshstart2018.” Earlier this summer, the couple also enjoyed a romantic vacation together to the Dominican Republic and frequently posted images of themselves cozying up together. In fact, in one image, the actor even carried Mikhalev in his arms for a passionate kiss on the sand. St. John has previously been married twice before. He was first married to wife Mia St. John, with whom he had two children: daughter Paris and son Julian, who died by suicide in 2014 at the age of 24. He also shares daughter Lola, 15, with ex-wife Allana Nadal. Celebrity Family Feud: Team Vanilla Ice vs. Kim Fields and Team Ice-T & Coco vs. Vivica A. Fox (8/26)(8/6/18) “Team Vanilla Ice vs. Kim Fields and Team Ice-T & Coco vs. Vivica A. Fox” – The celebrity teams competing to win cash for their charities feature Vanilla Ice (“The Vanilla Ice Project”) and actress/director Kim Fields. In a separate game, rapper Ice-T & his wife, Coco, compete against actress Vivica A. Fox (“Empire”) along with their families, on an all-new episode, SUNDAY, AUG. 26 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand.Steve Harvey, the highly popular stand-up comedian, actor, author and Emmy® Award-winning game show host, will pit celebrities and their families against each other in a contest to name the most popular responses to a survey-type question posed to 100 people. The celebrity teams who will try to guess what the “survey said” are the following: Team Vanilla Ice – “The Vanilla Ice Project”; playing for Little Smiles, Inc. VERSUS Kim Fields – actress and director; playing for Back on My Feet Team Ice-T & Coco – playing for Long Island Bulldog Rescue VERSUS Vivica A. Fox – actress known for “Empire”; playing for Best Buddies International Vivica A. Fox Drama ‘Kinky’ Sets Date With Patriot Releasing(7/5/18) Vivica A. Fox-starrer Kinky has been acquired by Patriot Releasing, part of the company’s plan to distribute 10 films a year that target African American women. Written and directed by Chocolate City helmer Jean Claude Lamarre, the film from Patriot Pictures will hit 300 screens October 12 and expand to 700 the following week.The plot follows Dr. Joyce Richardson, a beautiful African American surgeon who begins a sexual journey with a billionaire investor. After a few months of dating, the couple begins exploring their most kinky sexual fantasies, leading them into a world of BDSM and hardcore sexual exploration. Dawn Richard (Danity Kane), Robert Ri’Chard (Coach Carter), Eurika Pratts (Black Magic) and Gary Dourdan (CSI) co-star. Producers are Patriot CEO/chairman Michael Mendelsohn, Jessie LeVostre and Pratts. Patriot recently acquired a Black female-lead comedy spec, Wedding Guest List, with an aim to start production next year. Also, the company just wrapped on the RZA-directed heist thriller Cut Throat City with Wesley Snipes and Terrence Howard, as well as Chocolate City 3. Kinky’s deal was negotiated between PMendelsohn, LaMarre and Nulite Media. Kristoff St. John Shared a Special Message on His Daughter's 15th Birthday(4/17/18) (Photo) Judging from the photos he shared, Kristoff St. John had a fantastic time celebrating his daughter Lola’s 15th birthday. But the actor, who plays Neil Winters on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS, had a special message for the boys in her life on that special day!“I just wanted to let you know: have eyes in the back of my head, HD surveillance cameras, Google Earth imagery, professional high sensitivity recording equipment, infrared and night vision goggles, multiple drones, a lie detector test machine, a UN sanctioned resolution to hunt you down,” he began. Over the course of his epic Instagram post, St. John joked that he has everything from poison darts to throwing stars, and promised that his oxygen tank, fireproof suit, parachute, and NASA equipment will let him find his daughter’s potential suitors wherever they might try to hide. “And finally, my nano iPod,” he concluded, “with the classic song ‘Nowhere to Run’ by Martha and the Vandellas on repeat. Best Wishes, Lola’s Dad.” St. John’s Y&R co-stars past and present had their own reactions to the protective father’s epic warning in the comments of his post. Eileen Davidson (Ashley) thought it was hilarious and declared: “Lola is gorgeous! Special bond since we had our baby showers together!” Scott Reeves (ex-Ryan) agreed, declaring simply: “Right on, brutha!” And Sabryn Genet (ex-Tricia) joked: “Well, she’s never gonna date now!” The actor has a now-adult daughter, Paris, with first wife Mia St. John, so he’s already been through this once. He and second wife Allana Nadal welcomed Lola on April 15, 2003. And while he’ll naturally be protective of his “baby” girl, we’re sure he’s only joking with this amazing Instagram warning to Lola’s beaus… well, pretty sure, anyway! Face the Truth(3/28/18) Face the Truth, a conflict-resolution talk show hosted by Vivica A. Fox (Empire) will air on 10 CBS-owned stations later this year, according to THR.com.First Look! Kristoff St. John Back At Y&R(3/15/18) (Photo) Kristoff St. John (Neil), who has been on leave from Y&R since October, is back on the set, and Daniel Goddard (Cane) shared a pic with the actor and Bryton James (Devon). “He’s back! Please welcome the one and only Kristoff St. John back to the Young & the Restless! #yr #TheDenzelOfDaytime – at CBS Television City Studios,” posted the actor.Pretty Little Liars Spinoff Pilot Adds Kelly Rutherford, Hayley Erin(3/9/18) Freeform’s search for its Perfectionists has finally come to an end.The network on Friday announced the full cast of the upcoming Pretty Little Liars spinoff, which already included Sasha Pieterse and Janel Parrish — reprising the roles of Alison and Mona, respectively — as well as Descendants’ Sofia Carson, who will be playing a new character named Ava. Here’s a full rundown of all the new players coming to The Perfectionists: * Sydney Park (The Walking Dead) will play Caitlin, “the perfect daughter of two perfect mothers” who would one day like to follow in her Senator mother’s footsteps with a career in politics. In addition to being “smart and driven,” Caitlin also “thrives under pressure,” which I imagine she’ll face plenty of on this show. * Newcomer Eli Brown will play Dylan, a talented cellist who’s “deeply committed to his two passions, his music and his boyfriend Andrew.” As a result of feeling judged in his small hometown, he now “feels the need to be the best in all of his endeavors.” * Kelly Rutherford (Gossip Girl) will play Claire Hotchkiss, who — along with her husband — founded Hotchkiss Industries and Beacon Heights University. She believes “perfection is attainable and is the person who pulls the strings behind the scenes to get what she wants.” * Lastly, General Hospital‘s Hayley Erin will play a “mysterious, unnamed role.” Kristoff St. John is returning to work at The Young and the Restless(3/8/18) (ew.com) The Young and the Restless is about to welcome back a very important member of the family.Kristoff St. John, who plays Neil Winters on TV’s most watched daytime drama, will return to work next week after a four-month-plus hiatus, EW has learned exclusively. In October, the actor took a leave of absence to undergo psychiatric treatment after a reported scare regarding his mental health. The 51-year-old actor had been open about his battles with depression after the loss of his son, Julian, who died by suicide nearly three years ago. St. John was last seen on the sudser on Nov. 29. His absence was addressed by having Neil head to New York to help care for Moses, his son with Sofia, after Sofia’s car accident. In the meantime, characters on Y&R have mentioned Neil while he was away. When St. John’s new episodes begin airing in April, his character will discover how quickly things have changed in Genoa City while he was gone. Recently, St. John posted pics of himself on Instagram that appeared to hint at his much-anticipated return to CBS. St. John originated the role of Neil in 1991. The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS. Kristoff St. John Teases His Return to THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS!(3/6/18) (Photo) It looks as though Kristoff St. John is returning to THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS as Neil Winters! The actor recently shared a montage of photos of his haircut and beard trim with the caption: “The comeback kid. I’m ready.” He also included hashtags for Y&R including one for the soap’s upcoming 45th anniversary. And St. John is looking better than ever!St. John took some time off from the show back in October of 2017 to cope with some issues he was having regarding the tragic suicide of his son, Julian, back in 2014. But he later returned to social media to reassure his worried fans that he was doing much better, sharing inspirational quotes and photographs. And in February, he even shared some snaps of himself and a gorgeous model at the Eiffel Tower in Paris! Neil hasn’t been seen on-screen since November of 2017, so fans have been eager to see the character front and center in Genoa City again. One thing’s for sure — Devon could certainly use his father’s counsel as he deals with a determined Hilary’s intent to have a baby with him! And it would certainly be interesting to see if Neil would get mixed up in the latest battle in the Newman/Jabot war or if he would keep himself — and Hamilton/Winters — out of the mess! Unfortunately, St. John didn’t indicate when he would be returning to Y&R, but hopefully, it will be in time for the soap’s 45th anniversary celebration which kicks off the week of March 26. There are already a host of returns scheduled for those episodes, so it would be fantastic if Neil could be one of them! Kristoff St. John Shares Pics of the New Woman in His Life(2/21/18) (Photo) It looks as though 2018 is getting off to a terrific start for THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS actor Kristoff St. John (Neil)! He shared a montage of photos of himself with a beautiful woman at the Eiffel Tower in Paris on his Instagram page. “You never know what life will bring you,” he wrote, also urging his fans to follow Kseniya’s own Instagram. He included the hashtags “life,” “paris,” and “freshstart2018.”(Photo) Fans wished St. John all the best in the comments, declaring that they make a beautiful couple. And when one asked if he was through at Y&R, he quickly replied: “Never!” Which is good news for fans of the soap who are eagerly awaiting Neil’s return. But they’re also happy that he’s enjoying himself in France. St. John also shared a selfie from his trip that he captioned: “Pushing forward.” Back in October 2017, St. John went through a difficult time as he continued to deal with the death of his son, Julian, who took his own life in 2014. But he was back on social media just over a month later thanking his fans for their love and support. And after spending Christmas with his family, it looks like St. John is taking some well-deserved time for himself with a Paris vacation. We wish him all the best, and await his inevitable return to Y&R! Lin Bolen Dies: First Female VP Of Programming At A Network Was 76(1/28/18) Lin Bolen, the first female VP of programming at a TV network and an influential force in daytime television fare, has died. She passed away on January 19 at the age of 76 in a hospital in the San Fernando Valley, according to friend and former game-show host Jim MacKrell.Bolen worked for NBC in the 1970s and was responsible for commissioning the long-running game show Wheel of Fortune. She also is credited with bringing long-form narrative to soap operas, expanding them to hour-long formats. It was long rumored that the ruthless Faye Dunaway character of Diana Christiansen in the 1976 satrical film Network was based on Bolen, something Bolen denied. She was appointed VP of daytime programming at NBC in 1972, rising to become the VP of programming in Sept. 1975. NBC thrived under her leadership, becoming the No. 1 network in ratings. Some of her moves were controversial. Bolen ended the 11-year run for Jeopardy!, citing its older demographics and stodgy host Art Fleming, and also killed the 15-year-old game show Concentration. Instead, she pivoted to a new concept from creator/producer Merv Griffin, a casino-like game called Wheel of Fortune that debuted in 1976. It became a huge hit. Merv Griffin remembered Bolen in his Simon & Schuster memoir, Merv: Making The Good Life Last. He described her as a “hard-driving” and “difficult” woman, with whom he had many “bitter fights.” Still, he noted, “I developed a gruding respect for her talent and determination. She wanted to put her own stamp on NBC’s daytime lineup, and if that meant throwing out a few babies along with the bathwater, then so be it.” Bolen left NBC in 1976 to form her own, self-named producion company focused on creating and developing game shows, movies of the week, and theatrical films for networks and studios. Among its show was Stumpers!, hosted by Allen Ludden (which lasted 13 weeks before cancellation), and W.E.B., a show that looked seriously at the men who ran network television. It, too, was canceled after 13 weeks, done in by its slot against the ABC hit Charlie’s Angels. She fared better in television movies. The Christmas Coal Mine Miracle, starring Kurt Russell and Melissa Gilbert, was the highest-rated movie of the year for NBC. Survivors include a son, Jason Wendkos. No details on memorial services have been made public. Jon Lindstrom on S.W.A.T. 1/11/18(12/21/17) “Seizure” – As the SWAT team goes inside a prison riot to rescue civilian hostages, Hondo suspects the inmates have an ulterior motive behind the uprising. Also, when Deacon’s wife, Annie (Bre Blair), stops by headquarters to celebrate Deacon’s 10th anniversary with the SWAT division, her visit takes an unexpected turn, on S.W.A.T., Thursday, Jan. 11 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.GUEST CAST includes: Bre Blair (Annie Kay), Aaron Braxton (Katrell), Jon Lindstrom (Ashe). Jess Walton Plays Patrick Duffy's Wife in 'Christmas With a View!'(12/12/17) Fans of THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS have been looking forward to Jess Walton reprising her role as Jill on Monday, Dec. 18, but now they can also see the Emmy-winning actress in the new movie, Christmas With a View! “Big news,” Walton shared on her Facebook page. “I’m heading to Canada to film a small role in a movie! The film is called Christmas With a View and it will be on Netflix.”However, with Jill’s long-awaited return to Y&R coming up, fans shouldn’t worry that this movie will impact her schedule too much as she’s only filming for a few days. “I’ll be shooting for three days,” Walton reported, “and will play the wife of Patrick Duffy, who used to be on DALLAS. Vivica A. Fox is in the movie, too! I’m thrilled to be part of this and spend some time near Toronto where I grew up.” Soap fans will recall that Vivica A. Fox played Stephanie Simmons on Y&R from 1994-95, and that in addition to his primetime soap appearances on both the original DALLAS and its more recent series, Duffy played Stephen Logan on THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL from 2006-11! Fox shared an animated Boomerang on her Instagram kicking around some of the snow in Toronto dressed in a fabulous Ralph Lauren jumpsuit! Details on Christmas With a View are still scarce as it’s still in production, but it’s directed by Justin Dyck for Dare2 Productions. The only question is, can they get this movie completed for Christmas 2017, or are they just really early filming for next Christmas? Either way, as soon as we have more information on when the movie will be available to watch on Netflix, we’ll be sure to let you know, so stay tuned! Latest Update From Y&R’s Kristoff St. John(11/17/17) Kristoff St. John (Neil, Y&R) took to social media to update fans and friends on his condition. The two-time Emmy-winning actor was reported to be undergoing psychiatric treatment stemming from the loss of his son, Julian, in November of 2014. St. John posted on Facebook, “Thank you to all my friends on FB, social media and beyond. I’m in awe of the outpouring of love. I have read your amazing comments and have seen wonderful pictures and inspirational quotes and words that you have given me. You have helped me more than you will ever know. I have made great strides in the last 3 weeks. I am healthy and thriving. I have reclaimed my strength. I am moving forward. I have no other choice. Following God’s plan. This was some serious family love that you showed me. I will never, ever go back in time to repeat such dark behavior. I love my family and friends way too much. Thank you always for supporting me and standing by the St. John family. ‘Fall seven times, rise eight. Life begins now!’ Love, peace and light. Kristoff”Dynasty Enlists Kelly Rutherford for Mini Gossip Girl Reunion(11/15/17) A former Upper East Sider is packing for a trip to Atlanta — and she’s bringing plenty of baggage.Kelly Rutherford, who previously worked with executive producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage on The CW’s Gossip Girl, will appear in an upcoming episode of the network’s Dynasty reboot, TVLine has learned. Rutherford will play Melissa Daniels, whose seemingly perfect marriage to a powerful senator is revealed to be nothing more than a face-saving sham. In private, she’s actually a “spiraling lush” whose life story serves as a cautionary tale to Cristal about the dangers of marrying men in high places. And this is more than just a Gossip Girl reunion; Rutherford also previously appeared opposite Dynasty‘s Grant Show on the original Melrose Place. New episodes of Dynasty air Wednesdays at 9/8c. Y&R’s St. John Reaches Out To Fans(11/10/17) YOUNG AND RESTLESS’s Kristoff St. John (Neil) posted a heartfelt message to fans on Instagram. The two-time Emmy-winning actor has been reported to be undergoing psychiatric treatment stemming from the loss of his son, Julian, in November of 2014. St. John wrote, “To all of mi IG peeps. Thanks for throwing out a life preserver… Words cannot express the gratitude that I feel to have so much love that you bathe me in…anoint me with…cloak me with. I am humbled. Life is precious. I look forward to continuing this journey together with all of you…us. Because at the end of the day, at the magic hour, we are warmed with an all knowing presence of light and love. My heart beats to the music of our creation. You are an integral piece of my personal spiritual puzzle, as I hope I am to yours. I love you…forever. #gratitude #friends #life #journey #love #yr #cbs” St. John’s post was accompanied by the quotation: “Getting knocked down is a given. Getting up and moving forward is a choice.” — Zig ZiglarKristoff St. John's Ex-Wife Mia Sets Record Straight on His Alleged Suicide Threat(10/24/17) (etonline.com) Young and The Restless star Kristoff St. John's ex-wife, Mia St. John, says recent reports of the 51-year-old actor allegedly threatening to shoot himself are "inaccurate."On Sunday, multiple reports stated that Kristoff was hospitalized and placed under psychiatric evaluation after allegedly threatening to kill himself with a gun. In an exclusive statement to ET on Monday, Mia called out "fabricated information" in regard to Kristoff, but also acknowledged that his heart is "broken" due to their son Julian's suicide almost three years ago. "I want the world to know the truth about what is happening with Kristoff, because currently there is inaccurate, and fabricated information being reported by certain online outlets," Mia tells ET. "No parent should ever have to bury their child, and for those who do, it is a nightmare that haunts you forever. The death of our beloved son Julian, has taken a toll on both of us. He is an actor and while he may appear whole on the outside, his heart is broken. As a society we need to start taking mental health seriously and realize that no one is immune." "Last week, an incident occurred, that pushed him to the breaking point, but was not accurately reported," she continues. "I hope that at this moment we can all wrap our arms around Kristoff and help him in this time of need. Help him heal and move forward. This is not a 'gossip' story, or an interesting headline, this is a man trying to deal with a tragedy, that has torn apart his soul. Right now what he needs is your thoughts and prayers." ET spoke to both Kristoff and Mia in August, when they candidly talked about still dealing with the pain of Julian's death. Julian was found dead at age 24 in his room at a mental health care facility in Long Beach, California, after suffering from schizophrenia for years. His death was reported as suicide. Shortly after, Kristoff and Mia filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the La Casa Psychiatric Health Facility, alleging that nurses and staff members regularly skipped mandatory check-ins and observations of Julian, who was supposed to be on suicide watch and checked on every 15 minutes. The St. Johns alleged that on the day that their son died, surveillance footage showed nobody had checked on him for over an hour before they found him with a bag over his head in the bathroom. They claimed nurses and staff doctored documents to cover up the neglect. The facility denied all allegations at the time. The lawsuit was settled out of court July and all funds were used to set up a foundation in Julian's name to raise mental health awareness. "I'm still angry," Kristoff told ET when asked what it was like watching the footage that captured Julian's final moments in the facility. "I watched it the first time, I'll never watch it again. It's not something I want to see." Kristoff and Mia said their son's death has already caused change in how mental health facilities are run. "Well, we know that they have already taken out the plastic bags and a lot of mental health facilities have taken over that policy since my son's death," Mia said. "I will fight for the rest of my life until something is done. Because there are other kids that are left in these facilities that have no voice and no one to speak out for them." 'Y&R' Star Kristoff St. John Allegedly Threatened to Shoot Himself(10/22/17) (tmz.com) Update: 11:56 AM PT -- A rep for Mia St. John tells TMZ, Mia -- Kristoff's ex-wife -- is NOT the one who called police or got the photos of him holding a gun to his head.------------------ 'Young and The Restless' star Kristoff St. John was hospitalized and placed under psychiatric evaluation after allegedly threatening to kill himself with a gun. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Kristoff's ex-wife, Mia, called cops Thursday evening and told them Kristoff had been sending her photos showing the soap star holding a gun to his head. When cops arrived, they confiscated 2 guns and placed Kristoff under a 72-hour hold for mental evaluation. Sources close to Kristoff tell us the 2-year anniversary of his son Julian's suicide is fast approaching -- November 23 -- and that had him very, very upset. Kristoff's ex set up the "El Saber es Poder" ("Knowledge is Power") Foundation to battle mental illness following Julian's death. Jon Lindstrom on NCIS: Los Angeles 10/29(10/9/17) “Mountebank” – Sam goes undercover as a day trader after a prominent investment banker with ties to a Russian oligarch is murdered. Also, one of Callen’s aliases is the victim of credit card theft, and Mosley is concerned it signals something bigger, on NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Sunday, Oct. 29 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.GUEST CAST includes: Tembi Locke (Leigha Winters), Costas Mandylor (Abram Sokolov), Jon Lindstrom (Phillip Nelson). Battle of the Network Stars: Troublemakers vs. TV Lifeguards (9/7)(8/21/17) “Troublemakers vs. TV Lifeguards” – The revival of “Battle of the Network Stars,” based on the ‘70s and ‘80s television pop-culture classic, will continue with the season finale on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 (9:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. The original series from ABC Sports began in 1976 and continued for 13 years. The new “Battle of the Network Stars” is be a nostalgic throwback to the original series where TV celebrities blended athleticism with hilarious antics.Here are the teams for this new episode (* = returning to “Battle of the Network Stars”): Troublemakers (Vivica A. Fox, Paul Johansson, John Barrowman, Julie Benz, Catherine Bach) vs. TV Lifeguards (David Chokachi, Brande Roderick, *Parker Stevenson, Nicole Eggert, Gena Lee Nolin) Jessie T. Usher Tapped As Son Of Shaft; Samuel L. Jackson, Richard Roundtree Reprise(8/18/17) New Line and director Tim Story have chosen Jessie T. Usher to play the progeny of detective John Shaft in Son of Shaft, which is gearing up to begin production later this fall. Samuel L. Jackson is negotiating a deal to return to reprise the role he played in the John Singleton-directed reboot of the Gordon Parks-directed 1971 action classic. Also returning, per sources, will be Richard Roundtree, who starred in the original film and returned in the 2000 film, in which Jackson’s character played his nephew. The script for the new film is by Kenya Barris.The studio and filmmakers searched for months to find the right young actor for the splashy role, before deciding the right guy is Usher. Usher’s biggest role to date came in Independence Day: Resurgence. He returns as the lead of the Starz series Survivor’s Remorse, with the fourth season beginning August 20. He will play the son of the detective, who, after long being estranged from his father, finds himself teamed up with him. The young man is an FBI agent, a cyber expert, and the partnership with dad is an uneasy collision of old school meets new school. CAA and MGMT Entertainment rep Usher. The new Shaft film is produced by Davis Entertainment’s John Davis and Barris, the black-ish creator. Story is repped by UTA and Barris by CAA and Principato-Young. Jackson is ICM Partners and Anonymous Content and Stone Manners Salsners Agency and Patrick McMinn Management. Vivica A. Fox Sued by Ex-Strip Club Partner for Poaching Dancers, Ruining Biz(6/5/17) Vivica A. Fox's former business partner says she ruined his "Black Magic" male stripper revue by bad mouthing him and stealing his dancers ... according to his lawsuit.Jean-Claude LaMarre says his partnership with Vivica went south when she went on "The Breakfast Club" and said the "Black Magic" guys don't strip for gay men. The LGBTQ community blasted her, and LaMarre says Vivica got pissed at him when he distanced himself from her ... during a "TMZ Live" appearance. According to docs, Vivica started plotting to start her own male revue -- recruiting 4 "Black Magic" dancers -- and bad mouthing LaMarre to sway them to join her team. In the suit, LaMarre says Vivica actively tried to torpedo promotions for his show by calling it a "fake," and telling her fans to avoid "Black Magic" like the plague. We've reached out to Vivica's reps, no word back yet. If this one goes to trial ... we smell a hung jury. Soap Stars Set For Christmas Film(5/23/17) THE BAY’s five-time Daytime Emmy-winner Kristos Andrews (Peter) and Brittany Underwood (Riley; ex-Langston, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) will headline the holiday film, A SECOND CHANCE, a modern spin on A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Underwood will play Chance Love, a spoiled pop star, and Andrews her loyal assistant, Brian. The new flick also features recent Daytime Emmy-winner Jim O’Heir (ex-Matt, B&B), Vivica A. Fox (ex-Stephanie, Y&R) and Tara Reid (ex-Ashley, DAYS), as well as Mark McGrath and Jonathan Lipnicki, and is filming now.Kelly Rutherford won’t be giving ex $1.5M settlement(2/21/17) “Gossip Girl’’ actress Kelly Rutherford lost custody of her kids to her German ex-hubby, but at least it looks like he won’t be getting his hands on the $1.5 million he says she owes him.According to California bankruptcy court documents filed last week, Rutherford, 48, will likely get to walk away from the bulk of her debts, including to her ex, Daniel Giersch — who gained full custody of their kids, Hermes and Helena, in 2015 after a protracted custody battle. Rutherford had wracked up so many legal bills during the warring ex-couple’s disputes that a court-appointed trustee last week ruled that she can only afford to give Giersch $163,000 of the $1.57 million he claimed he was due. Rutherford, who played the wily Lily van der Woodsen on the now-defunct TV show, filed for bankruptcy protection in 2013, claiming she had just $24,000 to her name and was swimming in $2 million of debt. She also claimed earnings of less than $1,300 a month — and that was mostly from residuals from “Gossip Girl,” which ended in 2012. The trustee’s report shows that Rutherford will likely be able to walk away from the $1.1 million she owed the family law firm that litigated her custody battle. The trustee, Jason Rund, also suggests that Rutherford will likely be saved from paying some $200,000 in back taxes, as well as $36,245 in American Express charges. A hearing to approve the trustee’s final report will be held at 2 p.m. March 15 in Los Angeles. Single Mom A Go Go: Episode 10 - KRISTOFF ST JOHN(11/1/16) (Listen) My most personal Single Mom a Go Go thus far. I talk to Kristoff St. John about his documentary "A Man Called God". We speak about our brush with thievery in our early years. How much we loved working with each other on "The Young and the Restless". How we love a free fall as actors! His floors, his biceps, bologna, tuna and how we love living life... He bravely and openly speaks about the death of his beautiful son Julian and #julian4justiceAnthony Addabbo, ‘Guiding Light’ Alum, Dies at 56(10/20/16) Anthony Addabbo, a soap opera veteran whose credits included “The Bold and the Beautiful” and “Guiding Light,” died Tuesday, according to his colleague Winsor Harmon. Addabbo was 56.“Today we lost a damn good man a father and great actor .. We shared many glasses of Vino Rosso together brother,” Harmon, who co-starred on “The Bold and the Beautiful” with Addabbo, wrote on Facebook. “I’ll never forget how excited you were to land B&B. By the way you still owe me that lobster dinner. I’ll collect next time I see ya.” Addabbo played Jim Lemay on “Guiding Light” from 1999 to 2000, and Tony “Rush” Carrera on “The Bold and the Beautiful” from 1997 to 1998. His other credits included “Silk Stalkings,” “All My Children,” “Generations,” “Dallas” and “Diagnosis Murder.” More recently, Addabbo appeared on the Showtime drama “Homeland.” According to Addabbo’s bio on IMDb, the actor was born in Coral Gables, Florida, on Sept. 14, 1960. He initially planned to become a tree surgeon, then he took up modeling in New York when he was 21, and landing his first onscreen role in the 1987 Western “The Gunfighters.” In his Facebook tribute to his colleague, Harmon added, “We will will miss you my dear friend. RIP. I know you’re walking the streets of Gold bringing joy to the Angels as you did here on earth. God Bless you man. Love and miss you brother.” Winsor Dewey Harmon III: Today we lost a damn good man a father and and great actor. Here's to you TA. We shared many glasses of Vino Rosso together brother. I'll never forget how excited you were to land B&B. By the way you still owe me that lobster dinner. I'll collect next time I see ya. We will will miss you my dear friend. RIP. I know you're walking the streets of Gold bringing joy to the Angels as you did here on earth. God Bless you man. Love and miss you brother. Vivica A. Fox inks book deal(10/20/16) Vivica A. Fox is following in the footsteps of her “Empire” co-star Taraji P. Henson by inking a book deal, we can exclusively reveal.The actress was seen at Mr. Chow toasting with Henson’s lit agent Albert Lee of Kuhn Projects. An insider told us the St. Martin’s Press book will be “part memoir, part inspirational. The intention is to tell a story to inspire women. What she’s learned from her career, relationships.” That could include dish on her past relationship with 50 Cent, our source said. Kelly Rutherford Joins Jane the Virgin(10/7/16) The devil wears Prada, but what will Kelly Rutherford wear?The former Gossip Girl actress is joining Jane the Virgin as a high-profile publisher who hires Jane (Gina Rodriguez) as her second assistant on the CW dramedy, PEOPLE can reveal exclusively. Rutherford will first appear in the sixth episode of the show’s upcoming third season and even though she’s currently listed as a guest star, the actress potentially could be come a recurring character. The 47-year-old most recently guest-starred on ABC’s Quantico as the secretly alive mother of Shelby (Johanna Braddy). Season 3 of Jane will also see the title character finally enter non-virgin territory. “[Jane] does lose her virginity this year,” show creator Jennie Snyder Urman told Entertainment Weekly in September. “It’s in the first half of the season, and it’s quite a big episode for us.” Season 2 of the CW dramedy ended with Jane finally marrying Michael (Brett Dier). But with Michael shot in the final moments of the finale, will Rafael (Justin Baldoni) swoop in to comfort a grieving Jane? Or will a new man be introduced in a flash-forward? There’s just no telling who Jane loses her virginity to. “There’s obviously a lot of tension and question marks over that,” Urman told the magazine. Regardless of whom Jane sleeps with, Rodriguez says it will have a major impact on her character. “How is [losing her virginity] going to play into her life, her psychology, how she views herself and how she views her intimacy?” Rodriguez said. “There’s an evolution.” Season 3 of Jane the Virgin premieres Oct. 17 on the CW. Kristoff St. John Holds Emotional Protest at the Hospital Where His Son Died(10/2/16) (Photos) As part of his ongoing quest for justice in his son Julian’s untimely death, Kristoff St. John (Neil, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS) led a protest on Sept. 29 outside of the La Casa Mental Health Rehabilitation Center.St. John and his family are suing the center for not giving Julian the level of care he required which ultimately led to the young man taking his own life in 2014. The trial is scheduled to begin in November, but before then, the actor took to the streets with supporters to draw attention to the need for better mental health care systems. “Today’s protest was life-affirming,” St. John shared on Instagram. “As I stood outside of La Casa Hospital, I was flooded with a myriad of emotions. It reaffirmed my purpose. My mission is clear. Never bending, never wavering. I am a soldier of righteousness, with my sword in my sheath, ready to do battle. Julian my boy, I will avenge your death. Lead the way.” Our thoughts are with St. John and his family during this difficult time. Jon Lindstrom Reads Dark Matter by Blake Crouch(9/30/16) (Get the audiobook here) Dark Matter by Blake Crouch, read by Jon Lindstrom.Narrated by Jon Lindstrom (Kevin, GH) Excellent characterization and well-crafted tension do much to redeem the outlandish plot of this SF thriller from Crouch (the Wayward Pines trilogy). Jason Dessen, a quantum physicist, once had a brilliant research career ahead of him. But after a girlfriend’s unexpected pregnancy and the birth of a son, this future was derailed. Now Jason is a professor at a small Chicago college, content with his warm and loving family life until he’s abducted into a world in which his quantum many-worlds theory has become a fully realized technology for inter-dimensional transfer. In this world, Jason didn’t marry his girlfriend and never had a son. Jason is determined to get back to his family and his own world, but nefarious powers in the alternate reality conspire to stop him from revealing the criminal lengths they have gone to create the world-hopping technology. Crouch makes little attempt to justify the underlying science fiction MacGuffin, but a rousing and heartfelt ending will leave readers cheering. Agent: David Hale Smith, Inkwell Management. Kelly Rutherford in a good place after custody nightmare(9/17/16) Kelly Rutherford — whose ex-husband, Daniel Giersch, gained full custody of their kids, Hermes and Helena, last year after a protracted custody battle — was upbeat at the New Yorkers for Children Annual Fall Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Thursday.“My kids are great; they are doing really well,” she told us of her son and daughter, who are living in Monaco and France. “I see them all the time. I was there eight weeks this summer .?.?. It was amazing.” Other guests at the event, which raised more than $1.3 million for foster children, included Frédéric Fekkai and wife Shirin von Wulffen, Alina Cho, Sara and Nathaniel Zilkha, Gillian and Sylvester Miniter, Jamie Tisch and John Demsey. Also at the bash were Stephen and Christine Schwarzman, Dree Hemingway, Indré Rockefeller, Nick Loeb, Kevin Liles and R&B artist Trey Songz. Walgreens Chief Diversity Officer Steve Pemberton, a former foster kid himself, said to the young honorees, “I know the voids that are left in you .?.?. but with love and care and support, those voids can shrink.” Musician Cobi performed. Y&R Headwriter Switch Made Official: Sally Sussman Returns to CBS Soap(9/15/16) On the heels of celebrating its 11,000th broadcast, CBS’ The Young and the Restless has completed a headwriter change, tapping soap vet Sally Sussman to succeed Chuck Pratt, Jr.In her first Y&R stint, Sussman served as story consultant and associate headwriter, helping the daytime drama’s writing staff collect three Emmy noms. During her more recent visit to Genoa City, she won both an Emmy and her second Writers’ Guild of America Award, serving as story consultant and co-headwriter. Sussman’s credits also include creating NBC’s Generations, serving as headwriter at Days of Our Lives (winning the show’s first ever WGA Award) and headwriting MTV’s Spyder Games. “Sally was part of the team that first brought Y&R to its long-standing position as America’s No. 1 daytime drama and brings with her years of experience writing serialized storylines,” Sony Pictures Television EVP Steve Kent said in a statement. “Her long-standing familiarity with the citizens of Genoa City and her great storytelling make her a perfect choice to take the reins at Y&R.” “We are thrilled to have Sally return to The Young and The Restless, both as an award-winning writer and someone who is passionate about honoring the legacy of the series with character driven story,” added Angelica McDaniel, EVP of Daytime Programs for CBS Entertainment. “The powerhouse partnership of Sally and Mal Young, our talented new executive producer, sets an even brighter course for daytime’s No. 1 drama.” Exited Y&R headwriter Pratt was recently named showrunner of Fox’s Lee Daniels-helmed Star, where he replaced producer-writer Charles Murray. Y&R Names New Head Writer(9/15/16) With Charles Pratt, Jr. tapped to be show runner and executive producer of the upcoming FOX series, STAR, Y&R has brought back Sally Sussman as the show’s new head writer. “Sally was part of the team that first brought Y&R to its long-standing position as America’s #1 daytime drama and brings with her years of experience writing serialized storylines,” said senior executive vice president of programming for Sony Pictures Television Steve Kent. “Her long-standing familiarity with the citizens of Genoa City and her great storytelling make her a perfect choice to take the reins at Y&R.” Angelica McDaniel, Executive Vice President, Daytime Programs and Syndicated Program Development, CBS Entertainment and CBS Television Distribution, “We are thrilled to have Sally return to THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS, both as an award-winning writer, and someone who is passionate about honoring the legacy of the series with character driven story. The powerhouse partnership of Sally and Mal Young, our talented new Executive Producer, sets an even brighter course for daytime’s #1 drama.” Sussman has been on the writing staff of the soap on and off; during her 2006 stint, she won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Writing. She has also toiled at DAYS, GH, ANOTHER WORLD and KNOTS LANDING. And She created the short lived soap Generations.Vivica A. Fox Gets ‘Kinky’ For Patriot Pictures And ‘Chocolate City’ FilmmakerFresh off of Fox’s Independence Day: Resurgence, Vivica A. Fox has just signed on to star in the indie feature Kinky from Chocolate City writer/director Jean Claude LaMarre. The project is described as “a racy, African-American sex drama, which is being positioned as counter programming to 50 Shades Darker.” The film is currently in pre-production and will roll in Los Angeles on Sept. 15.The story, however, is set in the affluent community of Buckhead, Atlanta and follows Dr. Joyce Richardson (Fox), a talented, yet introverted surgeon at Sinai Hospital, who is struggling with the fact that she is still single despite all her professional successes. Her strict Christian upbringing is a constant source of internal conflict, and limits the kind of men she dates. However, upon a chance encounter with handsome Investor Darrin Wethington, she immediately begins a whirlwind romance with the wealthy businessman and entrepreneur. It isn’t long before she begins to explore her own sexual fantasies, and convinces Darrin to join her in S&M sex. This leads them into further exploration into that world. Kinky is being financed by Patriot Pictures with LaMarre’s Nulite Entertainment serving as co-producers on the project. Producers include Michael Mendelsohn, Jessie LeVostre and Eurika Pratts. Fox is repped by agent Sheila Lagette at Media Artist Group. Jon Lindstrom Was Paid Pennies for an Acting Job(Pic) Jon Lindstrom (Kevin, GENERAL HOSPITAL) is a talented actor who has appeared in daytime, primetime and the silver screen. But he suffers from the same problem as all performers — skimpy residual checks!“Not the smallest I’ve seen,” Lindstrom wrote on Instagram, “but it’s the smallest I’ve gotten. Beats that one for $6.66 back in the day.” While that check may look like a complete waste of time, paper, ink, and postage, it does allow Lindstrom to put his two cents in on any subject! Jon Lindstrom Stars in New Horror Film, 'Val-En-Tina'!Jon Lindstrom (Kevin, GENERAL HOSPITAL) is starring in a terrifying new short horror film called Val-En-Tina!The actor, who CBS fans remember as Craig on AS THE WORLD TURNS, co-stars with Marisol Sacramento in this chilling story of a controversial politician whose racist views get him in hot water with not only his Mexican-American mistress but a supernatural entity! Val-En-Tina is written by Jaquita Ta’le and Carlton Byrd and directed by Araeia Robinson. “One of my favorite projects/characters ever,” Lindstrom tweeted. “Enjoy!” You can watch Val-En-Tina right here… if you think your nerves can handle it! Quantico's Kelly Rutherford: Shelby's Mom Faked Death 'To Protect Her'If you thought Lily van der Woodsen was a mother with issues, just wait until you meet Laura Wyatt.The two fictional characters bear an extreme likeness — because they’re both played by Melrose Place alum Kelly Rutherford — but while the Gossip Girl matriarch’s heart was usually in the right place, the Quantico mama’s motives aren’t as clear. Rutherford debuts on the ABC drama this Sunday (10/9c) as the until-recently-presumed-dead mother of Johanna Braddy’s Shelby. We caught up with Rutherford in advance of her first episode to ask the big question: What kind of parents allow their daughter to think they’ve been dead for more than a decade? TVLINE | You worked with Quantico showrunner Joshua Safran on Gossip Girl — was it as simple as him asking you to come work with him again? I’m obviously a big fan of Josh’s, you know, from Gossip Girl and all the other things that he’s done since then. I was really excited that he called. And my friend, Marcia Cross, is already playing a mom on the show, so it was already great to be playing the other mom. So Josh called, and we spoke about the character a bit, and I just loved it… I love the show. I think it’s just amazing and suspenseful, and the writing and the acting is stellar. TVLINE | What did Josh tell you about Laura when you first chatted about the character? He said there was a lot of mystery around this character, and yet a lot of compassion. This was a woman who had to make some very difficult choices in life, and who obviously loves her daughter very much. TVLINE | Is she still with Shelby’s father, Glenn, when we meet them? They’re still getting along and all of that? Yes, as far as I know. I don’t know if that’s a cover or notI don’t know quite yet, because we just filmed one episode and I’m getting ready to film the second one. I’m not an actor that asks a million questions, who has to know the future or too much of the character, because I find it interesting to allow it to evolve like life, you know? Sometimes it’s better not to know. TVLINE | Obviously, the big question Shelby has going into this is: How could anyone leave their child thinking they were dead for all this time? There’s there’s got to be an enormous amount of that, but the point in them doing it was to protect her. They felt that the only way to protect her was to do what they did, in a way, and for her to somewhat have a normal life. It was probably a very difficult choice to make for them. They’ve been keeping up with her, through other people, in terms of being aware of how she’s doing. I can imagine it would not be the easiest choice in the world to make. Quantico Scoop: Kelly Rutherford to Play Shelby's Mom in Multi-Episode ArcIf that photo of Shelby’s parents in Sunday’s Quantico brought to mind headbands, the Upper East Side and precocious, privileged teenagers, here’s why: The picture featured Gossip Girl‘s Kelly Rutherford, who has been cast as Agent Wyatt’s presumed-dead (until recently) mother, TVLine has learned.Rutherford will kick off her multiple-episode arc as Laura in next week’s Quantico; Laura’s husband Glenn, played by Almost Perfect‘s Kevin Kilner, will make his debut then, too. As those who watched this week’s installment are aware, Shelby learned that her parents — whom she’d believed to have died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks — actually are alive and have been hiding from her for 15 years. According to the official character description, Laura and Glenn’s arrival “complicates Caleb’s relationship with both Shelby and his own mother.” We’re going to use one of Iris’ favorite words here: Intriguing, no? Rutherford, of course, played Lily van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl, on which Quantico boss Joshua Safran was showrunner. Her recent TV credits include Bones, Reckless, The Mysteries of Laura and Being Mary Jane. ‘Lawman’ star Peter Brown dies at 80Peter Brown (Charles Sanders, OLTL/Greg Peters, Days/Roger Forbes, Loving/Doctor, Generations/Robert, Y&R/Blake, B&B), who played Deputy Johnny McKay on 1960s TV Western “Lawman,” died March 21 in Phoenix, Arizona. He was 80.Brown played McKay on ABC’s “Lawman” during the entire 1958-62 run of the series, which starred John Russell as Marshal Dan Troop. Brown was also a regular on NBC Western “Laredo,” playing Chad Cooper during the series’ 1965-67 run. This story of the Texas Ranger starred Neville Brand as Reese Bennett. Brown also guested on a number of other TV Westerns, including “Maverick,” “Cheyenne” and “The Virginian.” On the big screen during the period he appeared in Disney’s Hayley Mills musical “Summer Magic” (1963), surfing movie “Ride the Wild Surf” (1964) and Ann-Margret vehicle “Kitten With a Whip” (1964). During the 1970s while continuing his TV career, Brown played the villain in the 1974 blaxploitation classic “Foxy Brown,” starred with William Smith in “Piranha” (1972) and starred in the horror-thriller “Act of Vengeance” (1974). He appeared in 1982 prison picture “The Concrete Jungle,” starring Jill St. John, and Fred Williamson’s “The Messenger” (1986). Brown did quite a bit of work on daytime soaps, recurring during the 1970s on “Days of Our Lives” as Dr. Greg Peters, on “The Young and the Restless” from 1989-1991 as Robert Laurence and on “The Bold and the Beautiful” in 1991-1992 as Blake Hayes. He was a steady presence on television as a guest actor on series including “The Bob Newhart Show,” “Wonder Woman,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “Dallas,” “Knight Rider,” “Baywatch” and “Wings.” Brown made his last screen appearance in 2005 in the feature Western “Hell to Pay.” Born Pierre Lind de Lappe in New York City, the actor and his family moved West when he was young. While in the Army, he got into acting when he organized a theater group on base in Alaska to occupy his spare time. After his discharge he studied acting at UCLA. Brown is survived by fifth wife Kerstin, whom he met in 2008. Other survivors include his children Joshua, Matt and Christi and three grandchildren. SOAP ALUM DEAD AT 80Peter Brown (ex-Greg, DAYS/ex-Blake, B&B/Roger, Loving/Doctor, Generations/Robert/Y&R), 80, passed away on March 21 from undisclosed causes. "My dear friend, actor Peter Brown died today with his loving wife Kerstin by his side," family friend Alison Reynolds announced on Twitter. In addition to his wife, the New York-born actor is survived by two sons, Matthew and Joshua.Kelly Rutherford Steps Out with Boyfriend After Returning to N.Y.C. Following Custody Loss(Pic) Kelly Rutherford was back in New York City on Saturday after spending the holidays in Europe, likely with her children Hermes, 9, and Helena, 6.The Gossip Girl star – who just lost custody of her kids – was photographed walking with boyfriend Tony Brand. It appears she has been back in the city for several days, according to her Instagram account. Rutherford was smiling and wore head-to-toe black and gray for the outing. She hasn't been seen publicly in N.Y.C. since a Monaco judge banned her from bringing Helena and Hermes to the United States in December. The custody battle between the star and her ex-husband Daniel Giersch has continued for several years. The latest settlement states that she may only visit the kids in Monaco and France (where Giersch lives). She was granted visitation during the second half of their winter break from school at the end of 2015. Rutherford also now receives a monthly 3,000-euro stipend to visit Europe and the children. "Children need both parents," Rutherford told Elle Romania of the court decision. "You do not want to make them suffer. I hope that this story be an example to others ... Now, I want them to be happy, to know that they are loved. No matter how long it takes this, I want them to know the truth." She added that she will use her story to raise political awareness of custody cases like hers. "Perhaps activists will increase because of this situation," she says. "I hope that something good will come of it." Kelly Rutherford Breaks Silence After Losing Custody Battle: 'I Hope That Something Good Will Come of It'(Cover) Kelly Rutherford isn't letting the latest loss in her six-year international custody battle keep her down.The actress graces the new cover of Elle Romania, reflecting on her early start as a model, big break on Gossip Girl and where her career is headed next – along with her widely publicized fight to bring her two kids back to the United States from Monaco, where they've been living with their father, German businessman Daniel Giersch, since 2012. "Children need both parents," she tells the magazine. "You do not want to make them suffer. I hope that this story be an example to others. ... Now, I want them to be happy, to know that they are loved. No matter how long it takes this, I want them to know the truth." This winter, a Monaco judge ruled that Rutherford, 46, can no longer bring son Hermes, 8, and daughter Helena, 6, to the United States for visits. The decision stems from the star's refusal to send the youngsters home from New York after their summer vacation because both California and N.Y.C. courts declined jurisdiction over her case. "If I put them on a plane, I realized I may never see them again," she told PEOPLE exclusively at the time. In the Elle article, Rutherford recalls her own parents' divorce and how she realized if her mother was happy, "everything was okay in the world." "I know that if I find my peace, they will benefit," she says of Hermes and Helena. " talk about love because I hope that is what will make them stronger. When all this is over, I hope that they will look back and have the impression that it was not as bad as it was, actually. I do not want them to feel everything. There are good people and generous and funny." Moving forward, Rutherford says she hopes to use her story to raise political awareness of cases like hers and continue to work with her advocacy organization, the Children's Justice Campaign. "Perhaps activists will increase because of this situation," she says. "I hope that something good will come of it." She also shared her Elle cover on Instagram, captioning the glamorous shot, "So excited to be on the cover of @elleromania this month! And to work with such an amazing, fun, creative team! " Kelly Rutherford Reflects on Year After Custody Battle Blow: 'I've Learned a Lot'Kelly Rutherford seems to be at peace with her tumultuous year heading into 2016.The Gossip Girl star was dealt a devastating defeat in her six-year, international custody battle this winter when a Monaco judge ruled she can no longer bring son Hermes, 8, and daughter Helena, 6, back to the United States for visits. But Rutherford, 47, posted an optimistic New Year's Eve message to Instagram on Thursday morning, sharing a quote by Good in Bed author Jennifer Weiner. ""I've learned a lot this year … I learned that things don't always turn out the way you planned, or the way you think they should," the passage reads. "And I've learned that there are things that go wrong that don't always get fixed or get put back together the way they were before. I've learned that some broken things stay broken, and I've learned that you can get through bad times and keep looking for better ones, as long as you have people who love you." The actress's fight to bring her children back to the country they were born in took a dramatic turn in August, when she refused to fly the youngsters to Monaco, where they've lived since 2012 with their father Daniel Giersch, after their summer vacation in New York. "Right when they knew they were going to go back, they got really panicky. My daughter was crying, my son started saying, 'Mommy, I'm afraid,' " Rutherford told PEOPLE exclusively. "If I put them on a plane, I realized I may never see them again." Giersch, a German businessman, denounced the move as kidnapping, and a N.Y.C. judge sent Hermes and Helena back to him. "Kelly's failure to deliver the children ... likely bought them a one-way ticket to Monaco," Michael Stutman, head of the family family group at Mishcon de Reya New York not involved with the case, told PEOPLE. Kelly Rutherford's Crushing Defeat as She's Banned from Bringing Kids to U.S.: 'She Only Has Herself to Blame,' Says LawyerKelly Rutherford has lost custody of her two children and will no longer be able to bring them to the United States, PEOPLE confirms.A Monaco judge has granted full custody of Hermes, 9, and Helena, 6, to Rutherford's ex-husband Daniel Giersch, according to leaked documents obtained by the Daily Mail. Moving forward the children – who have lived with their father in Monaco and France since 2012 – will remain with Giersch and, while the parents must make decisions concerning their kids' lives jointly, Rutherford is "only permitted to 'exercise her visiting and accommodation rights exclusively in France and Monaco.' " New York-based lawyer Chemtob Moss & Forman, who is not involved with Rutherford's case, tells PEOPLE that, after Rutherford's appeals in both California and New York state were denied, "What the Monaco court is doing is saying, 'We have jurisdiction, and we want to keep it.' " As a result, Giersch maintains the court-appointed right of sole custody over the children that was most recently upheld by a New York judge after Rutherford refused put Helena and Hermes on a plane to Europe at the end of their summer vacation, telling PEOPLE exclusively at the time that they "got really panicky" and cried about leaving. In August, German businessman Giersch, 47, denounced the controversial decision as kidnapping and, Moss says Tuesday's finding is a direct result of Rutherford's unexpected move. "[Rutherford's] visitation rights can only be used in France and Monaco, and the reason for that is because, this summer when she had visitation in America, she refused to return the kids, and courts really don't like self-help," says Moss. "Kelly Rutherford has only herself to blame," she adds. "She is the reason why she lost custody of these kids." Michael Stutman, Head of Family Group at Mishcon de Reya New York, who also has not worked with Rutherford or Giersch, agrees with Moss's assessment: "The actions of Ms. Rutherford leading up to this ruling make the decision to award custody to Mr. Giersch the furthest thing from a surprise," he says. Adds Stutman, "Ms. Rutherford essentially had her head handed to her because she tried to take the law into her own hands." Just another step in a six-year custody battle, the Monaco court's decision awarded this week Rutherford a monthly sum from Giersch, but it limits her possible visitation period with the children to half of their Christmas, spring and summer vacations while giving her visitation rights during all of France and Monaco's All Saints' Day (a short autumn break). An attorney for Rutherford declined to comment when reached by PEOPLE, but Rutherford, 41, told PEOPLE in August: "My children ask me all the time if I am still fighting for them. ... I always tell them the day will never come when I say no." Rutherford has been sharing pictures of her children on Instagram in the months since September's decision and fighting as if regaining her custody is still in sight – but Moss fundamentally disagrees with that motivation. "Has she lost custody?" she notes. "I mean, it's hard to lose what you don't have. But if anyone thought she had physical custody of these kids, she's lost it. ... And she lost custody from the original California ruling, not from this. She never had custody. She hasn't had custody in years." And Stutman has a few final words as Rutherford and her legal team as they face another crushing defeat: "Any responsible lawyer would advise her to end this crusade for custody." Kelly Rutherford: Kids Must Stay in Monaco ... Judge Rules for Ex-HusbandKelly Rutherford's kids will not return to their native U.S.A -- a judge reportedly granted full custody to Kelly's ex-husband Daniel Giersch, who now lives in Monaco.The ruling in a Monaco court is a devastating loss for the "Gossip Girl" star, who's been battling Giersch for years over 9-year-old Hermes and 6-year-old Helena. According to the Daily Mail ... the judge said the exes must make joint decisions regarding the children's schooling, education, and housing. However, Kelly will only be allowed to visit in Monaco or France. Amid custody fight, Kelly Rutherford works to help other familiesKelly Rutherford‘s ongoing six-year custody battle for her two young children has inspired the “Gossip Girl” actress to help other fractured families faced with struggles in the American family court system.Earlier this year, Rutherford lost a last-ditch effort in federal court to keep daughter Helena, 6, and son Hermés, 9, with her in New York, and she is now awaiting a final ruling from a Monaco judge, which should come within the next several weeks. In the meantime, Rutherford has partnered with fine jewelry designer Meira T on a kids’ collection, with 15% of sales benefitting the actress’ charity, the Children’s Justice Campaign. At an event Monday celebrating the collaboration, Rutherford told Page Six her kids are “very aware of what’s going on.” “They’ll say things like, ‘Mommy are you still fighting for us?’ And I’ll say, ‘Of course I’m still fighting for you.’” Although Rutherford shares custody with her ex-husband, European businessman Daniel Giersch, the children have resided in France and Monaco since Giersch’s US visa was revoked in 2012. “They just want to be with their mommy,” she added. The actress – who recently spent two-and-a-half weeks visiting her youngsters in Europe — avoids talking to them about the ongoing drama and stressed the importance of “not saying negative things about the other parent … as challenging as those days may be.” Christie Brinkley Supports Kelly Rutherford Amid Custody Battle, Calls Out 'Broken' Family Court SystemAfter getting the attention of A-listers like Kim Kardashian West with her international custody battle, Kelly Rutherford has the support of another major celebrity: supermodel Christie Brinkley.Brinkley, who endured her own bitter fight for custody of her children with architect Peter Cook, posted a goofy photo of the stars posing by a pool Thursday. "I'm using this fun picture to catch your attention to a serious issue that every good parent needs to be aware of," wrote Brinkley, 61. "The problem with our broken family / divorce court system and how the person with the slickest lawyer can wreak havoc on our children, their lives, and their future." Brinkley went on to say that Rutherford's six-year legal drama "appears to be trademark actions by an extreme narcissist and his high paid lawyers. This is both a cautionary tale on International law and custody issues, and a call to action." Rutherford, 46, will fly to Monaco soon for an Oct. 26 hearing. She has been trying to bring son Hermes, 8, and daughter Helena, 6, back to the United States, where they were born, since 2012, when a California judge sent them to live with their father, German businessman Daniel Giersch, in Monaco and France temporarily – even though the exes have joint custody. Man's Best Friend? Kelly Rutherford and Jill Zarin Fight Killer Dogs in Night of the Wild Trailer(Trailer) Kelly Rutherford and Jill Zarin are ready to go wild.The stars are testing out their horror chops in the trailer for Night of the Wild, which sees adorable dogs become crazy killers after a meteor hits a small town ... because why not? The SyFy film comes from Asylum, the producers behind Sharknado, so they know a thing or two about campy animal attack movies. Rutehrford plays a loving mother, who warns her young daughter to be careful around an adorable cage of puppies. After all, they have "sharp little teeth." Things go from bad to worse, as she and her family attempt to find each other while fighting the killer dogs. In the trailer, Zarin's character brings her pooch to a cafe, and her beloved pet uncharacteristically bites a friend. Zarin responds with typical Real Housewives combativeness when her dog is accused of the biting: "What do you mean, she bit you?" The Vampire Diaries star Tristin Mays is at the center of the action, with her character taking a knife and stabbing one of the killer hounds to death in the trailer. Night of the Wild premieres Saturday, October 3 at 9 p.m. ET on SyFy. Children in a Fortress: Inside Details on Kelly Rutherford's Kids' Lives in MonacoThree years have passed since a judge ordered Kelly Rutherford's children to move to Monaco with their father, German businessman Daniel Giersch, but Hermes, 8, and Helena, 6, are still adjusting to life outside the United States."They're beautiful children," a former teacher at their exclusive school tells PEOPLE. "They look like Gap kids, but they blend in here, too. They're both reserved." When it comes to their education, no expense is spared: "It's a very exclusive," adds a 41-year-old mother whose children attended the same school. "Kids come from all over the world and it follows a British curriculum. Some kids speak as many as five languages so school can be challenging for them. It's good academically but very elite.” As far as their home life goes, the family makes privacy a priority by living behind a fortress-like wall made up of fencing and high shrubbery in a big, modern compound with a swimming pool. "Uniformed city police patrol the area on bicycles," adds a source. "Every home is similar. Hard to see, hidden behind walls, grand fences, trees and shrubs." While a court order states that the children must live with their father full time in Monaco, Rutherford – who has been vocal through her contentious, six-year custody battle with Giersch – refuses to give up hope that one day she will be permanently reunited with her children. "This whole time, what I've had to do is take an overall situation that's so bizarre and try to keep my kids healthy. I have to keep knowing if I'm okay, they're going to be okay. I don't want them to be fearful," she tells PEOPLE. "My children ask me all the time if I am still fighting for them. ... I always tell them the day will never come when I say no." Kristoff St. John Suing Mental Health Facility Over Son's Suicide(people.com) The Young and the Restless actor Kristoff St. John has filed a lawsuit against the mental health center that was treating his son Julian St. John, who died in the facility Nov. 23, for negligence and wrongful death.Court papers obtained by PEOPLE allege that nurses discovered Julian, 24, face down on the floor of his bathroom with a plastic bag over his head less than three weeks after he attempted to kill himself in the "same place in the same fashion." The suit also states that nurses and staff member "regularly skipped mandatory check-ins and regularly falsified documents in order to cover up their neglect." Julian was admitted to La Casa Mental Health Rehabilitation Center in Long Beach, California, on Sept. 10, 2014, and was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Las Casa responded to the suit in a statement. "The California Department of Health Care Services reviewed the case and on May 5, 2015 found that La Casa was in compliance with all applicable licensing laws and regulations," the center said. "Similarly, the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health concluded that Mr. St. John’s treatment and care at La Casa was reasonable and in line with clinical procedures, given his mental condition." Kristoff St. John -- My Son Didn't Have to Die ... Hospital Could Have Prevented Suicide(TMZ) Kristoff St. John is suing the hospital where his son committed suicide -- blasting the mental facility for giving him access to the plastic bag he used to kill himself.The "Young and the Restless" star's 24-year-old son Julian St. John killed himself in November while getting treatment at La Casa Mental Health Hospital in Long Beach. He was found dead in a bathroom with a plastic bag over his head. The reason for Kristoff's wrongful death lawsuit -- he says his son did the same thing less than 3 weeks before his death ... attempting to asphyxiate himself with a trash bag from his room. In the wrongful death suit, Kristoff says after that failed attempt ... the hospital never removed the trash bags from his room. In his lawsuit, Kristoff says there's evidence the nurses were falsifying records. He says staffers were supposed to check on Julian every 15 minutes because he was a high suicide risk -- but records show they were logging welfare checks before they even happened. For instance, Julian was pronounced dead at 1:44 PM, but nurses had already logged 6 welfare checks between 2 PM and 3:15 PM. Kristoff feels the facility was negligent in its supervision of his son -- and if the staff had "acted with even the slighted regard for Julian's safety, he would still be alive today." We've reached out to the hospital. No word back yet. Kristoff St. John Talks Lawsuit Against Mental Facility Over Son's Death(etonline.com) Young and the Restless star Kristoff St. John and his ex-wife Mia tragically lost their son Julian last November, and are now claiming in a lawsuit filed on Tuesday that the mental health facility he was staying in at the time of his death was "widespread and pervasive" in their negligence. Julian, an artist, had been suffering from schizophrenia for years. His death was reported as a suicide.Kristoff and Mia talked exclusively to ET's Kevin Frazier on Tuesday, about their son’s death and the suit. Kristoff broke down in tears when he recalled getting a call from Mia that Julian had passed away. "That call was the worst call I had ever gotten in my life," he said. "It's every parent's nightmare. When I heard her screaming he had died, I knew." The lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges that nurses and staff members at La Casa Psychiatric Health Facility in Long Beach, Calif. regularly skipped mandatory check-ins and observations of Julian, and that employees falsified documents in order to cover up the claimed neglect -- including allegedly fraudulently writing numerous reports on the day he died to make it appear they had been checking in on him more than they actually were. "There was a point in Julian's history, in the last three years, where he got worse and worse and so Mia and I were desperate to locate a facility to put him in," Kristoff told ET. "He attempted suicide two and a half weeks prior to when he actually completed it," Mia said, "and he was supposed to be on suicide watch." But on the day he died, the St. Johns allege that surveillance footage shows that nobody had checked on Julian for almost an hour before they found him with a bag over his head in a bathroom, though they were supposed to check on him every 15 minutes. "There was really no emergency there," Kristoff said about the staff's alleged reaction to finding Julian unconscious. "We see on surveillance people walking around very slowly." "How do you not call 911 immediately?" Kristoff also asked passionately. According to the lawsuit, the facility stated that staff had called 911 at 12:51 p.m. after discovering Julian unconscious at 12:50 p.m. -- however, the lawsuit also claims that the Long Beach Emergency Responders' Incident Report states they did not receive a call from La Casa until 1:17 p.m., 26 minutes later than the time listed in the document. "Had Defendents acted with even the slightest regard for Julian's safety, he would still be alive today," the lawsuit states. ET has reached out to La Casa Psychiatric Health Facility, but has received no comment at this time. "This lawsuit is to shed light on the inefficiency and the incompetency that happens in mental hospitals nationwide," Kristoff told ET. "We have a bad health care system. ... People should never die in the hospital for lack of care." The soap star vowed to continue to fight "to bring justice" for his late son. "My son died because there are millions of people suffering from the mental disabilities of schizophrenia, bipolar, and being depressed," he said. "And so at the end of the day his life will not be in vain. His life will be vindicated, and I will campaign until the day that I die to bring justice to my son." Soap opera star sues Long Beach mental hospital following son's death(presstelegram.com) LOS ANGELES >> Six months after actor Kristoff St. John’s son took his own life in a bathroom at a Long Beach mental health hospital, “The Young and The Restless” star and his ex-wife filed a wrongful death/negligence lawsuit Tuesday against the parent company of the facility where their son died.Julian St. John, 24, was found dead with a bag over his head in a bathroom at La Casa Mental Health Rehabilitation Center on Nov. 23, less than three weeks after he attempted to kill himself in the same way, according to the lawsuit filed against Alameda-based Telecare Corp. “The facility was aware of Julian’s history of suicidal ideation, but only placed him under one-on-one observation for approximately two weeks following his most recent suicide attempt,” the suit states. Kristoff St. John, 48, and his 47-year-old former spouse, boxer Mia St. John, are seeking unspecified damages. A Telecare representative did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. The suit alleges nurses and staff members regularly skipped mandatory checks and observations of Julian St. John, and that facility employees regularly falsified documents to cover up their alleged neglect of the patient. “Moreover, defendants’ employees made no attempt to prevent Julian from obtaining plastic bags after he tried to take his own life with one,” the suit says. Julian St. John would still be alive if the employees followed the proper procedures, according to the lawsuit, which says he battled mental illness his entire life and had signs of autism at a young age. He tried to kill himself by running into oncoming traffic last September, the suit says. Vivica A. Fox reprises role for 'Independence Day' sequelVivica A. Fox has joined the cast of the much-anticipated Independence Day sequel.Roland Emmerich, who directed the original sci-fi blockbuster in 1996, confirmed the news on Twitter on Monday, posting a photo of himself with Fox. The actress also shared the news with her followers, writing, “I am so excited n blessed 2 be part of this journey w u again! U opened the doors 2 my career!” Fox is expected to reprise her role as Jasmine Dubrow in the sequel, and she’ll join fellow returning actors Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman, while The Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth and Jessie Usher have been added to the cast. Will Smith, who starred in the original, is not expected to appear in the sequel. Independence Day 2 is scheduled to hit cinemas in June, 2016. Y&R’S KRISTOFF ST. JOHN REFLECTS ON SON’S PASSINGKristoff St. John (Neil, Y&R) posted the following message on Facebook about son, Julian, who died on November 23: "On December 5th, 2014, the 25th birthday of my son Julian's life, I laid to rest his physical remains as the day turned to dusk. Through the rain soaked clouds the sun suddenly soared through, shining freeing rays of orange, reddish sunlight…bathing and purifying all who had gathered to witness his ascent to heaven. I saw his spirit rising skyward, finding a million stars, creating an unprecedented supernova. My son, my brother, my best friend. A liquid pool reflection of my soul, and his. The greatest young man I have had the honor to know, and father. I love you…till the end of time.” See here for more.Y&R’S KRISTOFF ST. JOHN RESPONDS TO SON’S PASSINGKristoff St. John (Neil, Y&R) issued the following statement to ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT regarding the death of his son, Julian:“It is with deep sorrow and overwhelming heartbreak that I regretfully share the news that my beautiful, talented, 24 year old son, Julian ‘Jewels’ St. John, passed away on November 23. He suffered from schizophrenia for many years and tragically lost his life just a few days before Thanksgiving, and two weeks before his 25th birthday. His legacy will live on in our hearts and for those that continue to suffer from this insidious disease. My ex-wife Mia, Julian’s sisters Paris and Lola and I, are all devastated beyond words and belief. We mourn the loss of our son, brother, artist poet, and a giant of a young man. A beautiful life gone much too soon. Julian will forever be remembered as he now takes flight with Angels.” Julian will be laid to rest on his birthday, December 5. 'Y&R' Kristoff St. John's son died; Mia St. John says he was set free from pain(sqor.com) (Photo) On November 23rd Kristoff St John and I lost our beautiful son, Julian St John. Our son was the light of our lives, an artist with a beautiful mind and spirit. He fought long and hard against an illness for which there is no cure. Unfortunately the pain became too great for him and I dare not say he lost the battle--he simply chose to set himself free. My fight for mental health will continue. They may not find a cure in my lifetime, but we can try and prevent the loss of another beautiful soul. Funeral services will be December 5th, his birthday, in Westlake, California. Following services will be a reception and art exhibit from his final collection. http://theartofjulian.com/Kristoff St. John Of 'The Young And The Restless' Finds Birth Mom In SC(www.digtriad.com) Kristoff St. John has been a staple on The Young and the Restless for the past 22 years.Since 1990, Kristoff has played a major role in daytime's number one drama. Embracing the role of Neil, Kristoff says he hopes he's setting a good example for others. "Man I get people coming up to me saying you 're that guy in the suit. I feel like Superman sometimes. You're that guy in the suit. Yeah brother I am and you can be in a suit too. It makes me feel good that I've been this positive role model for as long as I have been. I'm not playing a drug dealer. I'm not playing a pimp. It's not one of those stereotypical roles. This guy is articulate", smiles Kristoff. Like many in Hollywood, Kristoff is extremely private about his time off the set. This twice married, twice divorced father of three laughs off his failures in life. There is one wrong he is trying to make right. After more than 20 years of not seeing or not knowing where his birth mother was, Kristoff recently found her in South Carolina. "It's a long story, but the short of it is when I was four my parents divorced and I didn't see my mom again until I was in my early 20's. Then I lost touch with her for the next 20 years. I'm so happy to have a relationship with her again and thinking about coming to the beautiful state of South Carolina to visit her later this year", said Kristoff. In true soap opera fashion, the reunion of Kristoff and his mom took an unexpected turn. His mom has cancer. Kristoff says, "We're rallying around her. I didn't expect for her to be in the shape she's in but hopefully with the help of doctors...we'll be able to get her through this period." Kristoff plans to visit his mother before the holidays. Can Sally Sussman Find Happiness with Her Own Soap Opera? Only Time—and Generations—will Tell(1989, People) Sally Sussman, 32, has been soap-struck for as long as she can remember. Among the fondest memories of her Toronto youth is having caught the very first episode of The Young and the Restless back in 1973. As a Syracuse University sophomore, Sussman was so hooked on Another World that she didn't report to anthropology class all semester. "If VCRs had been around then," she says, "I would have been a much better student."Excuses, excuses. Working one summer as a gofer at a Toronto TV station, Sussman was fairly young and restless herself. As a junior, she transferred to the University of Southern California to major in radio and television. Two years later she began to work her way up from production company secretary to scriptwriter, collecting two Emmy nominations during a five-year stint as a head writer on—dream come true—The Young and the Restless, CBS's top soap. Sussman was beginning to feel "a little burned out" in 1987 when NBC offered to let her develop her own show. "It was a gamble," she says, "but worth taking." Her magnum soapus, Generations, debuted two weeks ago opposite The Young and the Restless. Featuring Pat (Dynasty) Crowley and Lynn (Sanford and Son) Hamilton, the show follows two Chicago families—one crusty, rich and white, the other newly upper-middle-class and black. But, says executive producer Sussman, any friction within the families will be based on personal interactions, "not on race. I'm writing a show about people, and the fact that some are black is secondary." Sussman, whose parents are in commercial real estate, has long been fascinated with "how families change over time, how people are a product of the time and place they're born into." Though she has written for Knots Landing, Sussman says she prefers daytime because "everything doesn't wrap up with a neat little ribbon every week. The networks know soaps are habit-forming and that it takes time to build an audience. It's comforting to know you're not under ratings pressure right away." If there is a soap plot in her own life, it is that success leaves her little time for anything else. Single and "still looking," Sussman owns a two-bedroom condo in Santa Monica and enjoys at least the idea of jogging, skiing, reading and traveling to faraway places. For now, though, her most significant other is her word processor. "I've been living with all these characters in Generations for over a year," she explains. "When I'm writing, I'm not me, I'm them. I wish I could control reality the way I can control fantasy. But I figure I'll get the show on the air, and then I'll work on the rest of my life."
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