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Soap Opera Digest Is Ending Its Weekly Print Edition

(10/27/23) The weekly print edition of Soap Opera Digest — the newsstand chronicler of daytime drama — is ending after nearly five decades.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

John J. York on Entertainment Tonight

(10/1/23) ‘General Hospital’s John J. York Gives Update on His Battle With 2 Rare Forms of Cancer: Video.

General Hospital’s John J. York Gives Tearful, Hopeful Update on His Cancer Journey

(9/22/23) (Video) General Hospital star John J. York offered a positive update Friday regarding his recently announced cancer diagnosis.

Earlier in September, York shared on social media that he’d been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome and smoldering multiple myeloma, which are blood and bone marrow disorders. “Over the past many months, I’ve had three bone marrow biopsies, many chemo treatments — I have another one coming up in a couple of weeks — and I’m closing in on a blood stem cell transplant,” he said at the time.

In a Good Morning America interview Friday, York announced some positive news. “I believe they’ve found a match, a perfect match” for the transplant, he said. “So we’re going to start testing, and doing all that kind of stuff, coming up here in about a week.” He added that the procedure would then happen — “fingers crossed” — in November.

York said he’s been working with BeTheMatch.org, through which he found a donor after his family members were not perfect matches. He nearly started crying when asked what he would say to the donor slated to help him.

“Thank you for saving my life, for letting me spend more time with my wife and my daughter and son-in-law, my grandchildren,” York said, tearing up. “For seeing this beautiful blue sky and all the beautiful trees around me. That’s what I would say.”

York’s health issues have caused him to take a temporary break from playing Mac Scorpio on General Hospital, a role he’s inhabited since 1991.

Morning Show Appearance

(9/22/23) Good Morning America - ABC

Sept 22

John J. York (Mac, General Hospital)

'General Hospital' Star John J. York Approaches Cancer Diagnosis with Positive Attitude

(9/20/23) (people.com) General Hospital star John J. York isn’t letting a cancer diagnosis get him down by any means.

The soap opera veteran, 64, who has played Mac Scorpio on the ABC daytime drama for 22 years, announced last week that he had been diagnosed with two forms of cancer — myelodysplastic syndromes, or MDS, and multiple smoldering myeloma — two blood and bone marrow disorders. But because he has battled ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease since he was 17, his feeling is, “It's just another thing that I gotta now take care of.”

“I went through life with colonoscopies, medicines, the whole thing, and always had to be under doctor's care,” he tells PEOPLE, adding with great positivity, “and living life. Everything's good.”

York had periodic checkups on those pre-existing conditions, and each time his doctor told him he had a spot that just doesn't want to heal. As a result, he was put on mild chemo in a pill form. However, in October 2022, the hematologist — a doctor specializing in blood conditions — suggested a bone marrow biopsy. Then, on Dec. 9, 2022, York recalls with clarity, the doctor walked into his office with a big stack of papers, dropping them on his desk and saying, “Is your wife available for a conference call?”

“I thought, ‘Well, that can’t be good,” York laughs.

They got York’s wife of 37 years, Vicki, on the phone. “She was a mess,” York remembers. “[The doctor] was explaining all these different things and cells and all different levels and words that had, you know, 25 letters in them. And I didn't understand. And Vicki finally came out and said, ‘Does John have cancer?’ And he said, ‘Yes.’ And I'm sitting there, I'm really just like a fly on the wall, listening to him talk to Vicki because she was the one asking all the questions.” At the end of his doctor’s conversation with Vicki, York’s one question was simple: “Why do I feel so good?”

“I feel great,” York says. “I mean, I walk three miles a day and I'm in great shape. And my diet is great and my appetite is great. [The doctor] said that was because we got it early.”

Although chemo treatment was set to begin through UCLA and the doctor that made the diagnosis, York and Vicki were in the process of moving to Tennessee, where their daughter Skyler lives with her family. He didn’t want to tell Skyler of the diagnosis over the phone and instead wanted to wait until the move was complete. But after a couple of sleepless nights, York asked Vicki to call their daughter with the news. Skyler’s husband suggested that rather than York flying back and forth from Tennessee to LA for treatments, he do everything at the nearby Vanderbilt and its “amazing university and cancer center.”

The IV chemo treatment was a piece of cake for York. “You check in and you sit and you wait. It's like waiting for a table at a restaurant almost. You know what I mean?” he laughs. “It's like about a 15-20 minute infusion for seven days in a row, and then 28 days after the first day of that infusion cycle. I had one in March, April, May, June, July, August, and now I'm gonna have another one coming up in September.”

York adds, “It is what it's, you know what I mean? And then everybody's gotta get their treatment. And then you go home, go about your life and you play with the kids. And here we are.”

York has been moved up on the donor priority list and thinks they’re close to finding him a bone marrow donor. “I'm excited about that,” he says. "Many of my family members tested. I believe that the age range is like 18 to 40 to join the registry at bethematch.org/matchformac.”

As far as General Hospital goes, he’s been flying back and forth from Tennessee to LA for filming, since his doctor hasn't put any travel restrictions on him. When the transplant starts, the doctor told him he has to “stay in semi-isolation” at home. Luckily, he lives within 30 minutes of the hospital in case there is a problem, like if his temperature spikes, which is “a very serious situation.”

“My whole philosophy is one day at a time; whatever they need me to do,” York tells PEOPLE. “Well, if I'm staying in a hospital, I'll stay in a hospital. If I can go home, I'll go home, where we have a place where I can be by myself, you know, away from the kids.”

"It goes without saying that Vicki is taking on the caretaker role. She's that now, and she's been that way forever,” York laughs. She has been his pillar of strength and “the guiding force.”

“The immediate reaction was fear, probably,” York says of Vicki’s state of mind upon first hearing her husband had “the c-word.”

“Yeah, she's scared, but believe it or not, I really kinda wasn't because I feel great. Personally, I feel like it's in God's hands. God's will be done. It's gonna work out okay, one way or another. I'm either gonna survive or I'm not. And life goes on and things are gonna be okay for everybody... Let's just go one day at a time.”t.

General Hospital Star John J. York Reveals the Heartbreaking Reason for His Hiatus

(9/13/23) (Match for Mac) General Hospital veteran John J. York announced earlier this month that he’d be taking a hiatus from the ABC daytime soap — and now we know why.

York revealed that he’s dealing with some serious health issues in a video he shared on social media on Wednesday: “I was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS, and [smoldering multiple] myeloma, two blood and bone marrow disorders. Over the past many months, I’ve had three bone marrow biopsies, many chemo treatments — I have another one coming up in a couple of weeks — and I’m closing in on a blood stem cell transplant.”

York asked fans to consider seeing if they could possibly be a match to be a donor and also thanked them “for all the support over the years,” adding: “This isn’t goodbye. This is just ‘So long!'” He did note that he’ll “have to take a break for at least three, maybe four months” from GH, but he vowed: “I’ll be back.”

York plays Mac Scorpio on General Hospital, a role he’s played since 1991. He also reprised the role on Port Charles and All My Children. His other TV credits include Castle and Veronica Mars.

Press PLAY below to watch York’s message to fans: Video.

Soap Faves Win Indie Series Awards

(4/14/23) The 13th Annual Indie Series Awards were handed out on Wednesday, April 12. STUDIO CITY, created by and starring Sean Kanan (Deacon, B&B), won five awards, including Best Drama Series, while Kanan took home took home the Lead Actor in a Drama Series award. Carolyn Hennesy (Diane, GH) was named Outstanding Lead Actress, while Tristan Rogers (Robert, GH) walked away with the statue for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Lilly Melgar (ex-Lily, GH) won for Guest Performer.

Sonya Eddy Dies: ‘General Hospital’ Actress Was 55

(12/20/22) Sonya Eddy, best known for her long run as head nurse Epiphany Johnson on ABC’s General Hospital among dozens of other credits, has died.

Octavia Spencer announced Eddy’s passing on Instagram. Spencer said Johnson died Monday, but did not reveal details about her cause of death. She was 55.

“My friend @sonyaeddy passed away last night. The world lost another creative angel. Her legions of @generalhospitalabc fans will miss her ????? My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones, friends, and fans!,” Spencer captioned her post next to a photo of Eddy.

Eddy joined General Hospital in 2006 as a recurring actor in the role of Epiphany Johnson, the stern head nurse and mother of the late Stan Johnson, who worked for Sonny Corinthos and Jason Morgan in their mob organization. She appeared in a total of 543 episodes, most recently in the November 25, 2020 episode. She also appeared as a regular cast member on spinoff, General Hospital: Night Shift from 2007-2008.

Eddy began her acting career on the stage, making her debut in Zora Is My Name in 1990. Other stage credits including The Comedy of Errors, The Witch in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods and Bloody Mary in South Pacific.

Prior to her stint on General Hospital, Eddy appeared in guest or recurring roles on dozens of TV series including CBS’ drama series Joan of Arcadia, Married … with Children, The Drew Carey Show, Murphy Brown, Martin, Saved By The Bell: The New Class, Seinfeld, Home Improvement, Glee, Mike & Molly, 2 Broke Girls, The Middle, Mom, Castle, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, among many more. Her more recent credits include Apple’s The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, PEN15, A Black Lady Sketch Show and a key recurring role on Fresh Off The Boat.

Her film work includes the role of Wanda in Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday, Hanna in The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, as well as Year of the Dog, Lost In Plainview and Bad News Bears, among others.

Sonya Eddy, Beloved General Hospital Vet, Dead at 55

(12/20/22) Beloved General Hospital co-star Sonya Eddy, who played Epiphany on the venerable ABC soap for the past 16 years, died Monday. She was 55.

Eddy’s actress-pal Octavia Spencer confirmed the news Tuesday on Instagram, writing, “My friend Sonya Eddy passed away last night. The world lost another creative angel. Her legions of General Hospital fans will miss her.”

According to TMZ, Eddy developed an “uncontainable” infection following a routine surgery on Dec. 9. She was readmitted to the hospital several days later and eventually was placed on life support. She died Monday night.

Eddy — who was a licensed vocational nurse in real-life — made her debut as GH‘s no-nonsense, big-hearted nurse in 2006. The character crossed over to the short-lived SoapNet spinoff GH: Night Shift in 2007.

“I am heartbroken about the loss of the incredible Sonya Eddy,” GH exec producer Frank Valentini lamented on Twitter. “I truly loved her not only as an actress, but as a friend. The lights in the hub of the nurse’s station will now be a little dimmer, but her spirit and light will live on in both the show and our set.

“On behalf of the entire GH cast and crew, we send our deepest sympathy to her family, friends, and fans,” he added. “She will be very missed.”

Additional TV credits for Eddy included recurring roles on truTV’s Those Who Can’t and ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat, as well as guest stints on PEN15, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Glee, Mike & Molly, 2 Broke Girls, The Middle, Mom and Castle.

Alicia Coppola & Richard Gant guest on NCIS: Los Angeles 10/23/22

(10/3/22) “The Body Stitchers” – The NCIS team join forces with the FBI when a group of grisly murderers known as “The Body Stitchers” returns after evading capture by NCIS years ago. Also, Sam’s dad makes a new friend in Arkady, on the CBS Original series NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Sunday, Oct. 23 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.

GUEST CAST includes: Alicia Coppola (FBI Senior Special Agent Lisa Rand), JD Cullum (FBI Forensic Psychologist Mark Collins), Richard Gant (Raymond Hanna).

Nazanin Boniadi Calls For Action After Death Of Mahsa Amini In Iran – Guest Column

(10/1/22) The death of Mahsa Amini earlier this month after being detained by Iran’s morality police for allegedly not wearing her hijab according to official dictates has sparked outrage and protests within the Islamic Republic and around the world, with Global Day of Action for Iran set for Saturday with rallies around the globe (more information below). Currently seen as one of the stars of Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Iran-born actress and Amnesty International UK ambassador Nazanin Boniadi reflects on Amini’s tragic death and the potentially pivotal time for her homeland.

Two months ago, in San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H, I dedicated my The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power character Bronwyn to the brave women of my homeland Iran, who have been at the forefront of the fight for freedom for more than four decades. Little did I know in that moment how significant those words would be today.

By now, most of you have heard of the name Mahsa “Zhina” Amini, the 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman who was arrested on September 13 by Iran’s “morality police” for violating the country’s draconian dress code for women, and who entered a coma and died just three days later while in custody. Mahsa’s family — who have said she had no pre-existing health conditions — were denied access to her medical records. When her father visited the coroner’s office, her body was fully covered and he could only see a glimpse of her leg, which was bruised. Other women who were arrested with Mahsa have provided witness testimony that she pleaded with the police to show mercy as they beat her inside the patrol van.

And one only need watch the countless videos from Iran of peaceful protesters being beaten, to understand the brutality the security forces are capable of. The regime is rounding up the likes of singer Shervin Hajipour, star soccer player Hossein Mahini and others for speaking out. More than 70 protesters have reportedly been killed since protests started on September 16, including women and children, and hundreds more injured by security forces. Iranian authorities have reported at least 1,200 arrests during the protests including prominent activists and journalists.

The image of Mahsa in a coma in a hospital bed went viral online and across social media. And the hashtag #MahsaAmini was shared globally more than 150 million times — almost double the population of Iran. It is of little surprise that the Iranian authorities have felt so threatened by this movement that they have once again disrupted the internet in Iran to stop people from organizing and to be able to crack down on protests with impunity.

What we have witnessed in the two weeks since Mahsa’s untimely death, is nothing short of the first female-led revolution of our time. Iranian women caused a paradigm shift as they took to the streets to burn their compulsory hijabs and cut off their hair in protest, while men joined them en force. As have several high profile Iranian athletes, actors and filmmakers. Celebrated Iranian actress Katayoun Riahi courageously gave an interview from Iran without her mandatory headscarf, in solidarity with Mahsa. She said that “people are no longer afraid of prison because Iran has become a prison itself.”

As women in the U.S. are experiencing the reversal of hard won gains in bodily autonomy, Mahsa’s fate reminds us to stay vigilant and never take our freedoms for granted. She forced the world to reckon with our complacency in protecting the rights of women, but as protesters started chanting “Woman! Life! Freedom!” — the antithesis of the anti-woman, pro-martyrdom regime that crushes their liberties — slogans started to include “death to the dictator,” and it became increasingly obvious that their demands were not only about compulsory clothing regulations, but for an end to the entire theocratic system. And as men have joined in this chant, women have included them in the struggle by rhythmically chanting back “Man! Motherland! Liberty!” — a unity that is striking fear in the heart of a system built on the oppression and segregation of women. It is an undeniable fact that any government that is anti-woman is anti-human.

Since the inception of the Islamic Republic in 1979, women in Iran have not only been fighting against compulsory hijab but also for their right to choose what they can study and what jobs they can hold. Women are forbidden from becoming judges and from holding the highest political positions in the country. There are no laws that protect women from domestic or gender-based violence.

The bitter reality is that the Islamic Republic has become an apartheid state for women, who are segregated from men in the workplace, in classrooms, and at beaches; are banned from attending sports arenas, riding bicycles, and singing solo in public; and have to sit at the back of the bus.

To negate these as “cultural differences” dismisses the countless Iranian women who are risking everything for their basic rights. It is offensive, and more importantly it is a dangerously false narrative designed to protect the existing systems of patriarchal misogyny within such counties. Cultural norms do not need to be enforced by threat of death.

It’s hard to believe that this is the same country in which women won the right to vote eight years before women in Switzerland and that once boasted a lauded national ballet company.

Perhaps it is precisely the understanding of the fragility of our freedoms that has galvanized the world around Mahsa and the plight of women in Iran. Not since the anti-apartheid movement of South Africa have we seen this level of global attention to the fight to end any kind of segregation anywhere.

But how do we — the creative community — turn our outrage into meaningful action and prevent the Iranian authorities from crushing yet another uprising? One way is to use our profile and platforms to spotlight the injustice, like we did in this video released today featuring Oscar winners Olivia Colman and Ariana DeBose, Succession‘s Brian Cox, Kate Beckinsale, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The Handmaid’s Tale’s Bradley Whitford and more.

There is a lesson to be learned from Alfre Woodard, Danny Glover, Blair Underwood and several other longtime anti-apartheid activists in the creative community, who in 1989 founded Artists for a Free South Africa and were pivotal in helping turn the tide of apartheid. They successfully used their platforms to attract media attention, mobilize people to support the struggle, and created transnational networks. And that’s exactly what we need for Iran right now. Here’s how you can help:

1. Since there are no domestic avenues for justice in Iran, Amnesty International has launched a global action calling on people across the world to sign a petition targeting UN member states, asking them to urgently set up an independent UN mechanism to investigate and ensure accountability for the most serious crimes under international law committed in Iran. We are also calling on people to target their home government’s ministry of foreign affairs to support the establishment of this investigative mechanism.

2. We need the world to send a strong message to the Iranian authorities that their crimes will not remain uninvestigated and unpunished. Please continue to amplify the voices of the Iranian people on social media by following and sharing information from credible activists and organizations. Please use the correct hashtags in these posts: #MahsaAmini and #IranProtests. The Islamic Republic cyber army has been busy trying to disrupt the momentum by introducing the wrong spellings for these hashtags.

3. Show up to protests and network with Iranian activists for strategic actions, like making informative videos.

4. Donate to credible, Iran-focused human rights organizations — such as Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA), Abdorrahman Boroumand Center and Amnesty International Iran — that document and report rights abuses. And apps like Toosheh that help Iranians circumvent censorship and gain internet freedom.

As creatives, we rely heavily on the freedom of expression in our work, so we must do everything we can to protect it wherever it is violated. Artists have a unique ability to reach the masses and impact substantive change, which is perhaps why the silencing of artists has become a hallmark of oppressive states like the Islamic Republic. We owe it to our counterparts in Iran to stand with them as they fight for their most basic rights.

So, now I’m asking you — our greater artistic community — to join us in our fight to end gender apartheid in Iran. In the words of Bronwyn, who asked the Southlanders in Episode 5 of The Rings of Power as a call to action: “Who among you will stand with me? Who among you will stand and fight?”

More information on the Global Day of Action for Iran can be found here.

Richard Gant guests on NCIS: Los Angeles 10/9/22

(8/29/22) “Game of Drones” – The NCIS team searches for a suspect and their motive following the bombing of a large facility where military combat drones are assembled. Also, Callen and Kilbride get troubling news about a body found in Syria, on the 14th season premiere of the CBS Original series NCIS: LOS ANGELES, Sunday, Oct. 9 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.

GUEST CAST includes: Kavi Ramachandran Ladnier (NCIS Reserve Agent Shyla Dahr), Natalia Del Riego (Rosa Reyes), Richard Gant (Raymond Hanna).

‘Gonzo Girl’: Ray Nicholson, Elizabeth Lail, Leila George & Rick Springfield Join Patricia Arquette’s First Feature

(8/17/22) Ray Nicholson (Licorice Pizza), Elizabeth Lail (Mack & Rita), Leila George (Animal Kingdom) and Grammy winner Rick Springfield (Ricki and the Flash) have signed on for roles in Oscar and Emmy winner Patricia Arquette’s feature directorial debut, Gonzo Girl, based on the novel of the same name by Cheryl Della Pietra. The actors join an ensemble led by Camila Morrone, which also includes Willem Dafoe and Arquette, as we told you first.

The film currently in production in Utah is set in 1992 and follows aspiring writer Alley Russo (Morrone), who has an exciting new job as the assistant to legendary “gonzo journalist” Walker Reade (Dafoe), living in his compound/party house in Aspen. Under orders to help the famously chaotic Walker settle down to work on his long-promised latest blur of fact and fiction, Alley soon learns the truth: a lifetime of chronic substance abuse has chipped away at Walker’s writing ability, until all he can produce from his drug-drenched brain are pages of word salad. Obliged to help a manic, sodden blowhard get through one relatively uncreative day after another, Alley begins to transform Walker’s rants and raves into publishable prose by running it through the filter of her own mind and her own typewriter, an act of moral support/plagiarism/treachery that keeps Walker’s career alive — for a few more months.

Nicholson will play major movie star and former teen heartthrob Larry Lukes, who is a regular guest at Walker’s compound because he has optioned the writer’s most famous book, with Lail as Walker’s current girlfriend Devaney Peltier, who appears to enjoy the absolute chaos that goes with his lifestyle. While George will portray will play the beautiful and famous actress September McAvoy, shooting a movie with Larry, who appears to be his latest romantic conquest, details as to Springfield’s role are being kept under wraps.

Frank Hall Green (The Outside Story) is producing through Catch & Release Films, alongside Tom Heller (Foxcatcher, Mud) through Rh Negative Entertainment, Cameron O’Reilly (The Truffle Hunters) through Bayard Productions, and Arquette.

Nicholson recently appeared in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza and has also been seen in films like Promising Young Woman, as well as the series Panic and Mayans M.C. He’ll next appear alongside Zoey Deutch in Amazon’s romantic comedy Something From Tiffany’s, and in Neil LaBute’s thriller Out of the Blue with Diane Kruger, Chase Sui Wonders and Hank Azaria.

Lail can currently be seen starring opposite Diane Keaton in Katie Aselton’s comedy Mack & Rita for Gravitas Premiere, which was released in theaters on August 12th. She’s otherwise best known for her work on such series as You, Ordinary Joe, Gossip Girl and Once Upon a Time.

George is best known for her role as Janine “Smurf” Cody on TNT’s Animal Kingdom, also previously appearing in Vincent D’Onofrio’s Western The Kid and Universal’s adaptation of Mortal Engines.

Springfield is a musician and actor whose past film credits include Ricki and the Flash and Battlestar Galactica. Notable TV credits include The Goldbergs, American Horror Story, Supernatural, True Detective and Californication.

Nicholson is repped by UTA, Sugar 23 and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern; Lail by CAA, Authentic Talent and Literary Management and Schreck Rose Dapello; George by Silver Lining Entertainment, the UK’s United Agents and Australia’s United Management; and Springfield by WME and Schreck Rose Dapello.

Azita Ghanizada guests on United States of Al 5/19/22

(4/28/22) “Chaos / Aashob” – Riley comes clean to Freddy about his relationship with Vanessa, and Cindy grows increasingly possessive of Al, on the second season finale of the CBS Original series UNITED STATES OF AL, Thursday, May 19 (8:31-9:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.

GUEST CAST includes: Jayma Mays (Cindy), Azita Ghanizada (Ariana).

Azita Ghanizada guests on United States of Al 4/21/22

(3/31/22) “Guilt / Gunah” – Riley begins to feel guilty about his affair with Vanessa after a heart-to-heart with her boyfriend, Freddy (Brian Thomas Smith). Also, Al’s family wants to arrange a marriage for him at home because they don’t approve of him dating multiple women, on the CBS Original series UNITED STATES OF AL, Thursday, April 21 (8:31-9:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.

GUEST CAST includes: Azita Ghanizada (Ariana), Brian Thomas Smith (Freddy), Jayma Mays (Cindy).

Kings of Chaos, Rick Springfield To Headline Carb Day Concert

(3/24/22) Rock’s ultimate supergroup Kings of Chaos and legendary Grammy Award winner Rick Springfield will co-headline the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert on Friday, May 27 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, performing some of the biggest hits for generations.

Legendary funk and R&B band Morris Day and the Time will open the concert, followed by Springfield and Kings of Chaos. The show starts at 3:30 p.m. on the Miller Lite Stage inside Turn 3 of the IMS oval, a new location this year.

Tickets are on sale now at IMS.com, by calling 800-822-INDY (4639) or 317-492-6700, or by visiting the IMS Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building.

General admission tickets start at just $30. A limited number of concert pit tickets that include general admission are available for $50. A very limited supply of exclusive VIP platform tickets also is available for $250, including concert pit access, snacks, two complimentary drinks and dedicated bars. Ticket prices will increase as the concert draws closer, so fans are encouraged to buy now.

All general admission, concert pit and VIP Deck concert tickets include admission to the concert and to on-track activities that day at IMS, which include the final practice for the 106th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and the INDYCAR Pit Stop Challenge.

“It will be fantastic to see fans enjoying live music on Miller Lite Carb Day for the first time since 2019,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “As everyone comes back home again to IMS this May, Kings of Chaos, Rick Springfield, and Morris Day and the Time will shift Race Weekend into top gear by performing hit after hit at one of the biggest parties of the year in the Midwest.”

Kings of Chaos, formed by Grammy-winning and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver), features a killer lineup of rock and roll royalty performing the biggest hit songs from the bands that made them global superstars. The band is comprised of Sorum, Sebastian Bach (Skid Row), Jack Blades (Night Ranger, Damn Yankees), John Waite (Bad English, The Babys, solo), Lita Ford (The Runaways, solo), Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses), Warren DeMartini (Ratt) and Sean McNabb (Great White, Dokken).

The band’s setlist includes such hits as “Sister Christian,” “(You Can Still) Rock in America” and “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” (Night Ranger), “Youth Gone Wild” and “I Remember You” (Skid Row), “Change,” “Missing You,” “Midnight Rendezvous” and “Head First” (Waite/The Babys), “Kiss Me Deadly,” “Gotta Let Go” and “Cherry Bomb” (Ford/The Runaways), “Paradise City” and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (Guns N’ Roses), and “Round and Round” and “Lay It Down” (Ratt).

Over the past four decades, Australian-born Springfield has worn many hats as an entertainer and performer. He’s the creator of some of the finest power-pop of the ’80s, a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician who has sold 25 million albums and scored 17 U.S. Top 40 hits, including “Jessie’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “An Affair of the Heart,” “I've Done Everything for You,” “Love Somebody” and “Human Touch.”

In 2019, Springfield released his 17th studio album, “Orchestrating My Life,” a career-defining revisitation of a lifetime of hits. The album is a collection all the hits the public loves rerecorded with an electrifying mix of rock and accompanied by a full orchestra. It also includes a new song, Irreplaceable, a song dedicated to Springfield’s mother, who passed away in 2017.

With his dynamic dancing and smooth yet gutsy, vocals, Morris Day played an essential role in the development of the Twin City dance/club sound of the 1980s. A founding member of Prince's band, the Time, in 1981, he remained with the group until 1984 when he launched his solo career. Returning for the first time in 1988, he performed and recorded with the Time from 1990 until 1991 and since 1995.

Day's involvement with Prince traces back to 1980 when his composition "Partyup," originally recorded when he was a member of the Enterprise, was covered on Prince's “Dirty Mind” album. Releasing his debut solo album, “Color of Success,” in 1985, Day reached his apex with his second solo album, “Daydreaming,” two years later. Produced by ex-Time members Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam, the album included the chart-topping R&B tune "Fishnet." Day has appeared in such films as Prince's autobio-pic, “Purple Rain,” in 1984, and “New Attitude” in 1990.

The 106th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 29, 2022. Tickets are on sale now at IMS.com or by calling or visiting the IMS Ticket Office.

Azita Ghanizada guests on United States Of Al 4/14/21

(3/24/22) “Divorce / Talaq” – Riley and Vanessa decide to officially file for divorce, but the process stirs up old feelings. Also, Al dates both Cindy (Jayma Mays) and Ariana (Azita Ghanizada) in the hopes of figuring out which woman is the better fit for him, on the CBS Original series UNITED STATES OF AL, Thursday, April 14 (8:31-9:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.

Azita Ghanizada guests on United States of Al 3/31/22

(3/10/22) “Virgin / Bakr” – Heartbroken over Ariana, Al begins dating Cindy (Jayma Mays), who Riley feels is too wild for him, on the CBS Original series UNITED STATES OF AL, Thursday, March 31 (8:31-9:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.

GUEST CAST: Azita Ghanizada (Ariana), Deniz Akdeniz (Dirk), Jayma Mays (Cindy), Amanda Payton (Holly).

Kathleen Noone Interview 2/24/22

(2/16/24) (Watch Here) Emmy Award-winning actress Kathleen Noone joins The Locher Room live on Thursday, February 24th at 3 p.m. EST / 12 p.m. PST to look back at her incredible career on stage and screen. Kathleen made her television debut on As the World Turns as Margaret Porter in 1975. In 1977, Kathleen moved over to Pine Valley playing Ellen Shepherd Dalton for the next 11 1/2 years on All My Children. She earned a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1987.

Shortly after her arrival in Hollywood, she landed a number of guest starring roles on such shows as Quantum Leap, Hunter and Empty Nest before accepting the leading role of Claudia Whittaker on the prime-time soap Knots Landing. After Knots, she moved to recurring roles on LA Law and Party of Five. Soon after she started to tackle comedic roles, in the role of Maris’ kooky aunt on Frasier and guest-starring roles on such sitcoms as Love and War, Ned and Stacy, Murphy Brown and Ellen.

In 1996 Aaron Spelling requested that she play ‘Bette’ on Sunset Beach earning her third Emmy nomination. In addition, she played the role of Edna Wallace on NBC's Passions earning her fourth Emmy nomination. Some of her other film and guest starring television appearances include Don't Mess with the Zohan, About Fifty, United States of Tara and a recurring role on Dexter. She co-starred on stage with Linda Gray in Bette Davis Speaks.

Kathleen earned a master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology and in 2001 she started Kathleen Noone’s Emotional Fitness. She wanted to use the combination of her extensive education, life experience and over 40 years in the entertainment industry to be of service to those already in the business and most importantly to those just coming into it. In addition, she conducts Emotional Fitness seminars for colleges and universities on Creating and Sustaining A Successful Career in Theatre and the Entertainment Industry.

Azita Ghanizada guests on United States Of Al 1/27/22

(1/19/22) Hunt / Shikar” – Riley, upset that Freddy taught Hazel how to ride a bike while he was deployed, attempts to teach her something new to make up for it. Also, Ariana invites Al to a fundraiser involving spin bikes, where he becomes competitive with Ariana’s handsome cycling instructor, and Art introduces Lois to his favorite secret pastime, on the CBS Original series UNITED STATES OF AL, Thursday, Jan. 27 (8:31-9:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*.

GUEST CAST: Rachel Bay Jones (Lois), Brian Thomas Smith (Freddy), Azita Ghanizada (Ariana), Deniz Akdeniz (Dirk)

Rick Springfield on I CAN SEE YOUR VOICE 12/18/21

(11/30/21) Hosted by Ken Jeong, permanent panelists Cheryl Hines and Adrienne Bailon-Houghton and an additional rotating panel of celebrity detectives must help one contestant tell the difference between good and bad singers, without ever hearing them sing a note. With $100,000 on the line and the celebrity panel by their side, contestants will attempt to weed out the bad “Secret Voices” from the good, based on a series of clues, interrogation and lip synch challenges. In the end, the singer whom each contestant picks will reveal if they are good or bad in a duet performance with a musical superstar, Rick Springfield, resulting in an amazing musical collaboration or a totally hilarious train wreck in the “Episode 8: Rick Springfield, Taye Diggs, DeRay Davis, Cheryl Hines, Adrienne Houghton” episode of I CAN SEE YOUR VOICE airing Saturday, Dec. 18 (11:00 PM-Midnight ET/PT) on FOX. (VOI-106) (TV-PG D, L)

Host: Ken Jeong
Panelists: Cheryl Hines & Adrienne Houghton
Guest Panelist: Taye Diggs & DeRay Davis
Musical Superstar: Rick Springfield.

Richard Gant guests on Magnum P.I. 11/19/21

(11/6/21) “A New Lease On Death” – When Rick is asked to assist with a federal investigation of his childhood friend Robbie (Devon Sawa), Magnum launches his own investigation to see what the Feds really have on him Also, Kumu goes undercover in a retirement community when Higgins is hired to investigate the disappearance of a resident’s life savings, on the CBS Original series MAGNUM P.I., Friday, Nov. 19 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

GUEST CAST includes: Chantal Thuy (Det. Lia Kaleo), Devon Sawa (Robbie Nelson), Yancey Arias (Agent Ray Sloane), Richard Gant (Joesph).

The Wonder Years Adds Richard Gant as Gramps, All American's Spence Moore II as Dean's Vietnam Vet Brother

(11/2/21) Two new relatives will be visiting the Williams family in ABC’s The Wonder Years reboot.

TVLine can exclusively reveal that Richard Gant (General Hospital / GHNS) has been tapped to play Grandaddy Clisby, Bill’s father and Dean’s grandfather, who is described as a man stuck in his ways and determined to maintain his independence.

Meanwhile, All American’s Spence Moore II has been added as Dean’s nurturing older brother Bruce, the eldest Williams child and a star athlete who was drafted in the Vietnam War.

Grandaddy Clisby will make his debut in this Wednesday’s episode (8:30/7:30c), titled “Independence Day,” as Kim’s campaign for a car coincides with the need to take his keys away. “Bill proposes a solution that is only pleasing to him: Kim can drive, so long as she takes her grandfather and Dean around town,” according to the official synopsis. “Later on at the mall, Dean is worried about seeming uncool when Clisby ends up chaperoning him and his friends, but Clisby has a few crowd-pleasing tricks up his sleeve.” Bruce will arrive in the Dec. 1 episode, “Home for Christmas,” which finds the war vet trying to assimilate back into regular life. Per the official description, “Dean can’t wait to spend Christmas with his older brother, Bruce, when he returns home from Vietnam. But adjusting to life back in Montgomery comes with unexpected challenges for Bruce, and the rest of the Williams family rely on their favorite holiday traditions to bring cheer.”

The Wonder Years, which is a reimagining of the beloved comedy starring Fred Savage, follows Dean’s humorous recollections — as narrated by Don Cheadle — of growing up in a Black middle-class family in Montgomery, Alabama in the late ‘60s. Debuting in September, the reboot earned a full-season order from ABC last month.

Azita Ghanizada guests on United States of Al 11/4/21

(10/25/21) “Date / Didar” – After Al and Ariana begin dating, they quickly realize they have different ideas about courtship. Also, when Hazel is punished and can’t go to the drag race with Art, he takes Vanessa instead, on the CBS Original series UNITED STATES OF AL, Thursday, Nov. 4 (8:31-9:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

GUEST CAST: Azita Ghanizada (Ariana), Wali Habib (Zubair).

‘Women Is Losers’ Trailer: A Young Woman Deals With Love And Life In The 1960s

(10/13/21) (Video) The trailer for Lissette Feliciano’s debut feature film Women Is Losers, has dropped.

In September, deadline reported HBO MAX acquired the film, which it will stream exclusively on October 18. The film is about young Latinx single mother Celina Guerrera in 1960’s San Francisco and her journey to rise against sexism, discrimination, and poverty to chase the American dream.

Women Is Losers stars Lorenzo Izzo (Hacks), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), Chrissie Fit (Pitch Perfect 2 & 3) Bryan Craig. Steven Bauer, Liza Weil, Cranston Johnson, Alessandra Torresani, Alejandra Miranda, Shalim Ortiz, and Lincoln Bonilla also star. Lissette Feliciano wrote and produced the film with David Ortiz.

Women Is Losers had its world premiere at SXSW this year, in addition to winning at the Oxford, Cleveland, and Columbus film festivals and official selections at Mill Valley and Urbanworld Film Festivals.

Look above to check out the new trailer.

Dishing with Digest - 10/8/21- Finola Hughes

(10/8/21) (Listen/download) Finola Hughes discusses appearing in the original production of Cats, starring in Stayin’ Alive with John Travolta, her GH run as Anna and so much more with Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. We also discuss the latest storylines and casting news.

‘United States Of Al’: Azita Ghanizada Upped To Recurring

(10/4/21) Azita Ghanizada will return for season 2 of United States of Al and has been upped to recurring.

Ghanizada will continue to portray Ariana, a first-generation Afghan-American who shares Al’s (Adhir Kalyan) passion for their homeland, but their divergent worldviews often put them at odds. She is also described as Al’s “fiercely independent” love interest.

The series is about the friendship between Riley, a Marine combat veteran struggling to readjust to civilian life in Ohio, and Al, the Interpreter who served with his unit in Afghanistan and has just arrived to start a new life in America.

Its second season, which began production in August, had shot one and a half episodes when the U.S. announced its withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Executive Producer Maria Ferrari explained during Warner Bros.’ TCA panel last month that the experience shifted the storyline to include a dive into the Afghanistan crisis and its subsequent fallout.

Ghanizada, who was born in Kabul, entered the United States as a baby with her parents; all of whom sought political asylum. She actively speaks out in support of Afghan causes, women’s rights, and shares resources for organizations and individuals via social media.

She is the founder of MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition, an organization that fights for the advancement and visibility of Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian writers, creatives, and performers on-screen in film, television, and streaming platforms.

Ghanizada most recently recurred in Freeform’s Good Trouble and HBO’s Ballers on the small screen; and in the films, Complete Unknown, The Friend, and We Broke Up.

She is repped by Buchwald and Atlas Artists.

Talk Show Appearance

(7/15/21) LIVE WITH KELLY AND RYAN, syndicated

Tu 7/20: Finola Hughes

Video: Jill Farren Phelps Interview

(6/23/21) (Video) Emmy Award-winning Executive Producer Jill Farren Phelps joined The Locher Room on Wednesday, June 23. Jill has worked as an EP on six daytime dramas (Another World, General Hospital, Guiding Light, One Life to Live, Santa Barbara and The Young and the Restless). Phelps has been nominated for fifteen Daytime Emmy Awards and has won a total of 11 Emmys for her work on those soaps. Daytime fans are passionate about Phelps' work (the good and the bad) over the years and they discuss it all.

Live Chat with John J. York

(5/18/21) (Watch Here) John J. York (Mac, GH) will join The Locher Room for a chat May 26 at 3 p.m. ET.

Dishing with Digest -5/14/21 - Kimberly McCullough

(5/14/21) (Listen/download) Kimberly McCullough looks back on her run as GH’s Robin, her return for the special Sean episode, her success as a director and more with Digest’s Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. We also talk about the two-year pickup for DAYS and preview the upcoming GH tribute to John Reilly.

Azita Ghanizada guests on United States Of Al 5/20/21

(5/3/21) “Roht/Sweet Bread” – Al meets Ariana (Azita Ghanizada), an Afghan woman he wants to date, but is dismayed to learn she has a negative opinion of Afghan interpreters who worked for the U.S., on UNITED STATES OF AL, Thursday, May 20 (8:31-9:01 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Chrissie Fit To Recur On Amazon’s ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’

(3/22/21) Chrissie Fit will recur in Amazon’s I Know What You Did Last Summer series.

A modern take on the 1997 horror film, the project comes from Sony Pictures Television and Amazon Studios Original Film. Written by Sara Goodman (Preacher) based on the 1973 novel by Lois Duncan, the I Know What You Did Last Summer series has the same premise as the movie adaptation – in a town full of secrets, a group of teenagers are stalked by a mysterious killer a year after a fatal accident on their graduation night.

Details about Fit’s character have yet to be revealed.

The previously announced cast includes Madison Iseman, Brianne Tju, Ezekiel Goodman, Ashley Moore, Sebastian Amoruso, Fiona Rene, Cassie Beck, Brooke Bloom, Bill Heck and Sonya Balmores.

I Know What You Did Last Summer is produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television. Goodman will write and executive produce along with executive producers Shay Hatten, Original Film’s Neal Moritz and Pavun Shetty and Atomic Monster’s James Wan, Rob Hackett and Michael Clear. Craig Macneill will serve as director and executive producer for the first episode.

Fit appeared in the Pitch Perfect and Teen Beach Movie franchises. She also acted opposite Jessica Rothe and Harry Shum Jr. in All My Life. Her additional credits include Lissette Feliciano’s SXSW film Women Is Losers and Comedy Central’s Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens.

She is represented by A3 Artists Agency and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman.

Sonya Eddy Mourns the Death of Her Dear Friend

(2/24/21) (soapsindepth.com) Please join us in sending love to GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Sonya Eddy (Epiphany), who is mourning the death of her dear friend, Valsin Merricks. “Grief,” she wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post. “What a short word to describe an emotion that is so encompassing. As long as we are breathing, there will be tones of grief that we will experience. Sometimes it’s lingering, and other times it’s quick and sudden, taking breath away.

“One of my dearest friends has moved through the veil,” Eddy continued. “For me, it was unexpected. The last time I spoke with him, I didn’t even consider that it was the last time. For this man was full of life, light, and love. Yet, I still made sure to tell him that I loved him. That he was gonna beat this. Unfortunately, I was incorrect. COVID-19 took my friend’s life. It was decidedly quick. That’s the thing with this virus. It happens so fast, in a moment, it steals you away.”

In her grief, Eddy also looked back on the many wonderful years she was able to have with her friend. “Valsin, I have only gratitude in my heart that I had the blessing of you in my life for 10 years,” she said. “That I got to share some of the ‘Best days of my life!’ with you is a gift that I will forever cherish. I will always miss you: your laugh, smile, even the way you sometimes irritated the living daylights out of me. No matter what the situation, I’m always so thankful that we always, always left each other with ‘I love ya…’

“My heart is broken, my spirit is troubled,” the actress admitted. “But through your ever-present enthusiasm, I’ll find my way back to ‘normal.’ So now, enjoy your well-earned rest, Boo Bear. Know that all your works will be remembered and celebrated. All of us who loved you are lucky. You taught us how to ‘Enjoy the best day of our lives!’ That blessing phrase will stay in our spirits as long as we walk. Thank you for your continuous joy and unbridled enthusiasm.

“People, please take care of each other,” Eddy concluded. “Always say ‘I love you,’ even when you find it difficult in the moment. My condolences to the Merricks family and friends. For in a twinkling of an eye…”

Our thoughts are with Eddy and all of Merricks’ loved ones during this difficult time.

Talk Show Appearance

(1/23/21) GMA3: What You Need to Know - ABC

Thursday, Jan. 28

musician and author Rick Springfield (“World on Fire”)

‘General Hospital’ to Pay On-Air Tribute to John Reilly

(1/12/21) (variety.com) “General Hospital” plans to celebrate beloved cast member John Reilly and his iconic character Sean Donely with an episode dedicated to him this spring, Variety has learned exclusively.

Executive producer Frank Valentini tells Variety that Reilly “was a huge part of the ‘GH’ history and will be honored in an upcoming episode that the writers are working on now.”

Due to COVID-19, the ABC daytime drama has adjusted its schedule slightly, but both the writers’ room and production are still working weeks ahead and are currently prepping content for the end of the first quarter and start of the second quarter of 2021.

Reilly started on “General Hospital” in June 1984, playing Sean Donely consecutively for more than a decade, through February 1995, and then making sporadic appearances as the character in 2008 (for the finale of spinoff “General Hospital: Night Shift”) and in 2013.

The character was first introduced when Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary) needed help while he was on the run from murder charges, but Sean was a force with which to be reckoned: in the 1970s he was the head of the World Security Bureau (WSB), which added an adventure element into the medical soap.

Robert (Tristan Rogers), who worked for Sean, sent Luke to Sean for help. At the time, there was a mystery about Aztec treasure under way, which Sean was looking for, and things got so hairy he ended up kidnapping a few people close to Robert. Eventually, the two made up and Sean became the godfather of Robert’s daughter Robin (Kimberly McCullough).This, along with his romance with Dr. Monica Quartermaine (Leslie Charleson), cemented his place as an important player in Port Charles. He later became the police commissioner, which deepened his ties.

Sean also had a relationships with characters including Dr. Greta Ingstrom (Kristina Wayborn), Jessica Holmes (Starr Andreeff) and, of course, Tiffany Hill Donely (Sharon Wyatt), with whom his character had a daughter named Anna (Courtney Halverson).

The WSB has been a big part of the “General Hospital” storyline of late, through characters including Robert and Anna Devane (Finola Hughes).

When Reilly passed away on Jan. 9, the team behind “General Hospital” paid tribute to him on social media, tweeting, “The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of John Reilly’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones. Rest in peace.”

Daytime Star John Reilly Dead at 84

(1/10/21) (soapsindepth.com) Veteran actor John Reilly, best known as Sean Donely on GENERAL HOSPITAL, has died at the age of 84. “John Henry Matthew Reilly, AKA Jack,” wrote his daughter, Caitlin on Instagram. “The brightest light in the world has gone out. Imagine the best person in the world. Now imagine that person being your dad.

“I’m so grateful he was mine,” she continued. “I’m so grateful I got to love him. I’m so grateful I made it in time to hold him and say goodbye. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do, but I know he’ll be with me. I love you forever, Daddy.”

In the comments, GH star Finola Hughes (Anna) mourned the loss of her former co-star and friend. “Oh, Caitlin, I am so sorry,” she wrote. “He was indeed the best. The kindest person, most generous and loving actor. Most supportive man in every way. Please send my love to Liz and to your family.”

Chicago native Reilly began his acting career back in the mid-‘60s with guest roles on DEATH VALLEY DAYS, APPLE’S WAY, AND GUNSMOKE. He made his daytime debut in 1974 as a recast of Dan Stewart on CBS sudser AS THE WORLD TURNS. After numerous television roles in the ‘70s, Reilly landed a recurring role on the primetime soap DALLAS in 1983. And the following year, he was cast as WSB agent Sean Donely on GH, a role he played until 1995.

He returned to daytime as Del on NBC’s SUNSET BEACH in the late ‘90s and in 2005 took over the role of Alistair Crane on PASSIONS. Reilly reprised the role of Sean Donley on GH’s primetime spinoff NIGHT SHIFT in 2008 and then again in 2013 for GH’s 50th anniversary.

Our thoughts are with Reilly’s friends and loved ones during this difficult time.

John Reilly, General Hospital and Passions Vet, Dead at 84

(1/10/21) Veteran actor John Reilly, whose daytime-TV credits alone included General Hospital, Passions and Sunset Beach, died on Saturday evening, TVLine has learned. He was 84.

One of Reilly’s daughters, actress and TikTok personality Caitlin Reilly, shared the news via Instagram saying, “John Henry Matthew Reilly AKA Jack. The brightest light in the world has gone out.” A cause of death has not yet been shared.

“Imagine the best person in the world. Now imagine that person being your dad,” Caitlin wrote. “I’m so grateful he was mine. I’m so grateful I got to love him. I’m so grateful I made it in time to hold him and say goodbye. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do, but I know he’ll be with me. I love you forever Daddy.”

The Chicago-born actor’s early career began with arcs on As the World Turns (as Dr. Dan Stewart), How the West Was Won, Quincy M.E. and Dallas (as Roy Ralston).

In February 1984, he made his GH debut as Sean Donely, Robert Scorpio’s former WSB (World Security Bureau) boss, who proved to be a bit of a foil during Frisco and Felicia’s Aztec Treasure hunt (watch his debut below). Following a redemption arc, superspy Sean was romantically paired with actress Tiffany Hill (played by Sharon Wyatt).

“He was a big brother to me. The kindest man you ever could find,” feellow GH vet Finola Hughes, who plays Anna and Alex Devane, tells TVLine. “I cannot express how sorry I am to hear of his passing.”

Following Reilly’s 11-year GH run, he voiced Hawkeye/Clint Barton on the animated Iron Man series, played Kelly Taylor’s pop on Beverly Hills, 90210, and then had multi-year runs on both Sunset Beach (as Del Douglas) and Passions (replacing the late David Bailey as Alistair Crane).

Reilly’s acting credits also include the short-lived spinoff General Hospital: Night Shift (where he reprised the role of Sean) and the web soap The Bay. And yes, he is the reason Talladega Nights‘ John C. Reilly uses a middle initial professionally.

Reilly is survived by his wife Liz and a total of three daughters.

Antonio Sabáto Sr. Dies: Actor In ‘Grand Prix’ And ‘Escape From The Bronx’ Was 77

(1/9/21) Antonio Sabáto Sr., who had roles in an electic slate of films over a five-decades acting career, has died from Covid-19 complications at age 77, according to his son and fellow actor Antonio Sabato Jr.

His son said that the elder Sabáto was hospitalized in California on Jan. 4. “My papa/dad is in intensive care with covid in California,” he wrote. “Lord keep him surrounded by angels and pure God’s love and strength within.”

The elder Sabáto started his acting career in 1966 in the Italian film Lo scandalo. Later that year, he starred in Grand Prix, an American film with an international cast of actors. The film won win three Academy awards.

Sabáto starred in everything from the spaghetti western One Dollar Too Many to science fiction projects like War of the Robots. When he finally move to the US in the 1980s, his films included 1997’s High Voltage. His final credit came in a seven-episode stretch of the television series The Bold and the Beautiful in 2006.

In addition to his son, Sabáto is survived by a daughter, Simonne.

Jess Walton and Jason Thompson One-On-One Interview

(12/9/20) And for our final one-on-one 12k interview we have this Y&R mother-son duo! Watch as Jess Walton and Jason Thompson get to know even more about each other: Video.

Video: Daytime Cares: A Live Event

(12/6/20) (Video) Daytime Cares: A Live Event for the Restaurant Community is showcasing the Restaurant Strong Fund, which supports restaurant industry employees who have been impacted by COVID 19 closures. The live event will be live-streamed here in The Locher Room and on Facebook on Saturday night, December 5th at 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. StreamYard.com is sponsoring the event.

Hosted by Daytime Emmy Award Nominee Arianne Zucker (Days of Our Lives) and daytime actor Shawn Christian (formerly Dr. Daniel Jonas on Days of Our Lives) The event will feature daytime TV talent from NBC, CBS and ABC, as well as Broadway stars, a Celebrity Chef and Grammy-award winning artists Lisa Loeb and Gloria Gaynor. Ari & Shawn will be joined by The Locher Room host Alan Locher.

The following daytime talent is scheduled to appear:

Lamon Archey (Eli DOOL), Peter Bergman (Jack, Y&R), Galen Gering (Rafe, DOOL), Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, GH), Martha Madison (Belle, DOOL), Sofia Mattson (Sasha, GH), Michael Mealor (Kyle, Y&R), Marci Miller (Abigail, DOOL), Wes Ramsey (Peter, GH), Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter, B&B), Crishell Stause (ex-Jordan DOOL), Sal Stowers (Lani, DOOL), Jason Thompson (Billy, Y&R), Cynthia Watros (Nina, GH) and Laura Wright (Carly, GH)

Daytime Cares is a TV community spotlighting non-profit organizations offering Covid19 support and resources.

https://www.daytimecares.com/

https://www.restaurantstrong.org/.

Video: Beverlee McKinsey Tribute Chat 11/16/20

(11/16/20) (Video) Watch The Locher Room for a very special tribute to one of the greatest actresses to ever grace our daytime television screens, Beverlee McKinsey. Joining the chat were Beverlee's son, Scott McKinsey along with her co-stars Grant Aleksander (Phillip Spaulding), Jay Hammer (Fletcher Reade) and Vincent Irizarry (Brandon Lujack Luvonaczek).

Dishing with Digest - 10/23/20 - Antonio Sabato, Jr.

(10/23/20) (Listen/download) On the new Dishing With Digest, Antonio Sabato, Jr. looks back on his GH and B&B runs, how his Calvin Klein ad shot him to superstardom, what he’s doing now and more with Digest’s Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. We also discuss the latest soap storylines.

Kelly Marie Tran, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels To Reprise ‘Star Wars’ Roles For Lego Holiday Special

(10/15/20) Star Wars franchise alums Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) will be reprising their iconic roles in the LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special set to air November 17 on Disney+. Also set for the special are Star Wars: The Clone Wars vets Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker), Tom Kane (Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn), James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), and Dee Bradley Baker (clone troopers).

Taking inspiration from the 1978 TV movie directed by Steve Binder, the LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special reunites Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewie, Rose and the droids for a joyous feast on Life Day. Rey sets off on a new adventure with BB-8 to gain a deeper knowledge of the Force. At a mysterious Jedi Temple, she is hurled into a cross-timeline adventure through beloved moments in Star Wars cinematic history, coming into contact with Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Yoda, Obi-Wan and other iconic heroes and villains from all nine Skywalker saga films. But will she make it back in time for the Life Day feast and learn the true meaning of holiday spirit?

The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special is produced by Atomic Cartoons, the LEGO Group, and Lucasfilm. It is directed by Ken Cunningham and written by David Shayne, who is also co-executive producer. James Waugh, Josh Rimes, Jason Cosler, Jacqui Lopez, Jill Wilfert and Keith Malone are executive producers.

COHEED AND CAMBRIA Teams Up With RICK SPRINGFIELD For 'Jessie's Girl 2' Single

(8/21/20) (Video) Modern rock storytellers COHEED AND CAMBRIA have teamed up with Grammy Award-winning singer Rick Springfield in the sequel to one of the most iconic stories in rock 'n' roll history with "Jessie's Girl 2". The track, which finds the two extending the narrative of "Jessie's Girl" with some unexpected twists, is available now on all streaming platforms and is joined by an official music video (directed by Craig Bernard and Cully Bunker). Featuring both Springfield and the band, the video comically explores the unexpected and diabolical nature of Jessie's girl, proving that things are not always as they seem.

COHEED AND CAMBRIA vocalist/guitarist Claudio Sanchez wonders, "Has anyone ever written a sequel to another artist's song?" He continues: "I don't think so. As a fan of movies, it just seemed like a really interesting idea." The song's concept evolves around the premise that "he got the girl" and asks, "where are they now?" Let's just say it's not a fairytale ending, as Sanchez surmises: "It's kind of like a National Lampoon's movie meets 'So I Married An Axe Murderer'."

The genesis of "Jessie's Girl 2" dates back to COHEED AND CAMBRIA studio sessions from 2019, when the band began riffing on an idea as Sanchez extemporaneously sang the hook from Springfield's 1981 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 smash. A germ of an idea was planted as Sanchez pondered, "What if a band created a sequel for a song that wasn't originally theirs?" After fleshing out new lyrics and tinkering with the concept (even considering a future album of likeminded material called "Sequels"), the band revisited the idea during their time spent at home quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Sanchez pitched the idea to Springfield on Instagram Live. As the song started coming together, they sent it off to Springfield and upon hearing it, the legendary singer agreed to pick up where he left off almost 40 years ago, and feature on the song. "Jessie's Girl 2" looks at what could have been by flipping the timeless anthem of unrequited love on its head, further broadening the legacy of this songbook essential which earned Springfield the 1982 Grammy Award in the category of "Best Rock Male Vocal Performance."

To celebrate "Jessie's Girl 2 (Featuring Rick Springfield)", COHEED AND CAMBRIA has launched a special webstore pre-order for a seven-inch vinyl release of the single which will arrive on September 4. The webstore exclusive vinyl includes a Side B "Jessie's Girl 2 (Directors Cut)" version of the song and is available for pre-order alongside limited-edition "Jessie's Girl 2" merch items including: a t-shirt, trucker hat, button-set, and poster. Pre-orders are available now at www.coheedandcambria.com.

COHEED AND CAMBRIA has a handful of tour dates scheduled for 2021, including a gig with BLINK-182 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 2, Riot Fest in Chicago, Illinois on September 16, and their very own S.S. Neverender cruise setting sail from Miami, Florida on October 26.

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
Sunday, July 26, at 8 p.m. ET: The 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards – Children’s, Lifestyle, and Animation
Tuesday, August 11, at 8 p.m. ET: The 41st Annual Sports Emmy Awards
September 2020: The 41st Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards

The app is completely free and all you have to do is sign up. Watch The Emmys is available on the web, as well as for iOS, Android, Amazon FireTV, and Roku.

Jaime's Happy Hour: Jason Thompson

(6/25/20) (Video) Y&R's Jason Thompson chats with Broke star Jaime Camil on the final edition of Jaime's Happy Hour to share thoughts on adjusting to life during the pandemic, having kids, and what it's like to be on a daytime drama. Watch the season finale of Broke on Thursday, June 25 at 9:30/8:30c and tune in to The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS.

Video: Daytime Cares Live Event

(5/10/20) (Video) Daytime television actors past and present came together on Saturday, May 9th for Daytime Cares: A Live Event, a live variety show honoring and uplifting fans during the COVID-19 crisis. Hosted by Daytime Emmy Award winner Laura Wright and The Locher Room host Alan Locher - and presented in partnership with Daytime Cares, a Daytime TV Community spearheaded by Arianne Zucker and Shawn Christian spotlighting non-profit organizations offering COVID-19 support and resources – the show was live-streamed on The Locher Room YouTube Channel and on Facebook. StreamYard.com is sponsoring the event.

How music is helping Rick Springfield’s mental health while in quarantine

(5/9/20) (Video) Rick Springfield is using his time in quarantine to do some good.

On Friday, the Australian-born pop star released the bouncy charity single “The Wall Will Fall” — which features an all-star music video cast including Andy Cohen, Ellen DeGeneres, Paul Stanley, Sammy Hagar and Richard Marx. The tune, which benefits the nonprofit Feeding America, is already No. 1 on the iTunes Rock Chart.

And it all started with a good-natured case of plagiarism.

The “Jessie’s Girl” singer, 70, told Page Six that he ended up teaming with Vance DeGeneres (Ellen’s brother) on the tune after seeing Vance’s comic videos on how to teach guitar in 60 seconds, in which Vance he keeps getting interrupted.

“So I stole it and started doing videos on how to play ‘Jessie’s Girl’ in 60 seconds where I kept getting interrupted too.

“He saw it and called me up and said, ‘You stole my idea! Let’s do something together. Let’s write a song together,'” Springfield said. “So it started off as a fun thing, kind of joke and ended up being a really good song so it’s been an interesting journey.”

Interestingly, the “General Hospital” alum says quarantining has actually been good for his mental health. Springfield has been very open about his decades-long battle with depression a failed suicide attempt at age 16, writing about his struggles in his 2010 autobiography, “Late, Late at Night.”

“The lockdown hasn’t increased my depression,” revealed Springfield, who is quarantining in Malibu, Calif., with his family. ”It’s actually alleviated it to a degree because I’ve been so busy in the studio doing stuff and feeling like I’m doing a little part somewhere to lift somebody’s spirits and so that’s helped my mood.”

The father of two said that it’s a life-long condition.

“I’d rather have something else,” he said. “At least [with] a coke habit you can go to rehab and quit. There is no rehab for depression.”

Tristan Rogers Looks Back at His Legacy on GH

(5/3/20) (soapsindepth.com) The end of this year will mark Tristan Rogers’ 40th anniversary playing GENERAL HOSPITAL‘s Robert Scorpio. “But I don’t think of it that way, because I have come and gone several times,” admitted the actor — who has returned for stints of various lengths since Scorpio was “killed off” for the first time in 1992. (Rogers also brought Robert to SOAPnet’s GH spin-off, GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT.) “In terms of sheer work, John J. York (Mac) has been there longer than I have. Pretty much all the characters that I introduced on the show in the ’80s have been!”

That said, Rogers understands Robert’s significance to the soap’s history. “What stands out and what people point to where Scorpio’s concerned is that he was there during the most significant period of the show,” he said. “From ’83 to ’92, he was the police commissioner — and the commissioner was in charge. And that’s what people pick up on. It’s not a case of longevity.”

Kimberly McCullough Opens up About Returning to GENERAL HOSPITAL

(4/9/20) (soapsindepth.com) After seemingly announcing her retirement via social media, GENERAL HOSPITAL alumna Kimberly McCullough sets the record straight with Soaps In Depth about what she meant — and whether she’d bring Robin back to Port Charles. In an Instagram post looking back at her accomplishments late last year, McCullough included “retired from acting” as one of them. However, she told In Depth, “I did not mean it to be an announcement.”

The Daytime Emmy winner, who’s played Robin since they were both 7 years old, explains that her statement was about embracing her success as a director. “For a long time, I was wondering, ‘Is directing going to be a career? Is it going to work? I’m going to keep going for it… but I just don’t know.”

Now that she has 25 episodes of TV under her director’s belt, McCullough is seeing her future more clearly. “I’m just starting to feel like it’s working,” she said. “And it’s also becoming harder and harder to do guest appearances on GH because my schedule is getting so crazy — and I have a kid,” son Otis, who celebrates his second birthday in June.

McCullough went on to share that GH executive producer Frank Valentini invited her back late last year, but the timing just wasn’t right. “I’d been working for six straight months,” she explained. “I had been on location in New Mexico, Montreal, and New York. I was like, ‘I haven’t been home for more than like, three days straight. I’ve gotta be home.'”

That said, McCullough isn’t counting out a return to GH. “No, I don’t think it’s the last [you’ll see] of me,” she said. “But you know, I also don’t look like an actor anymore. I’ve gained weight and I’m fine with that. For me to maintain that level of [fitness], it’s like being an athlete. You have to maintain it. It takes money, time, effort, and focus — and I’m focused on other things. I’m focused on my brain. I’m focused on being a mother, and on growing in other ways. And honestly, I just don’t have the time to do that right now.”

In the meantime, McCullough’s next directorial effort to watch for is the ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO episode “I’ll Stand By You” — which will be the fifth installment of the second season of the CW drama starring fellow GH alum Nathan Dean Parsons (ex-Ethan). Last month, McCullough returned to HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE MUSICAL: THE SERIES, currently streaming on Disney+. Having directed two episodes of the first season, she was thrilled to get behind the camera for Season 2 and shared lots of on-set pics via Instagram.

Antonio Sabato Jr. says his support for Trump cost him his career

(3/4/20) Antonio Sabato Jr.’s support for U.S. President Donald Trump cost him his career in Hollywood.

The former General Hospital soap star claimed he said goodbye to his acting career the moment he voiced his support for Trump when he ran for the Presidency in 2016 during an new interview with Variety.

“It’s been terrible,” the 48-year-old, who now works in construction in Florida, said. “It’s mind-blowing. It’s a disgrace. It’s tough, because if you’re in that environment in Hollywood and you have something to say that they don’t like, they’re going to let you know.”

The star added he was, “talking to a distribution company about producing a film that was set to go, and they told me to my face, ‘We will never distribute a movie with you in it because of your affiliation with the president.’

“The reality is the power that makes movies happen in Hollywood–casting directors, producers, executive producers, directors–they’re all liberal. They hate anyone or anything who supports this president.”

When The Bold and the Beautiful star tried to get back with his former representatives, they apparently told him: “‘No, we’re not going to represent you.’

“Not a reason. Just no, plain and simple. They wouldn’t touch me because it would be too tough to get me a job,” he explained.

However, the actor has had some success, and is set to return to screens in the upcoming Christian movie One Nation Under God, alongside Isaak Presley, Kevin Sorbo, Herschel Walker, and Casper Van Dien, when it hits theatres over the summer.

Lord of the Rings: Amazon Series Adds Counterpart's Nazanin Boniadi, Others

(1/14/20) Amazon Prime kicked off its Television Critics Association press tour day by unveiling a slew of cast members for its upcoming Lord of the Rings series.

New additions to the eight-episode production include Owain Arthur (Casualty) and Nazanin Boniadi (Counterpart), who join Robert Aramayo (Game of Thrones‘ Young Ned), Tom Budge (The Wrong Girl), Morfydd Clark (His Dark Materials), Ismael Cruz Córdova (Berlin Station, Ray Donovan) and Markella Kavenagh (Picnic at Hanging Rock).

Other announced cast include Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones‘ Benjen Stark), Megan Richards (Wanderlust), Dylan Smith (I Am the Night, Into the Badlands), Charlie Vickers (Medici), Daniel Weyman (Silent Witness), Sophia Nomvete, Tyroe Muhafidin and Ema Horvath.

No character details were shared, ha.

With J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay serving as showrunners, the small-screen adaptation will “explore new storylines preceding J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring.” Production will begin in February.

“After undertaking an extensive global search, we are delighted finally to reveal the first group of brilliant performers who will take part in Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings series,” Said McKay and Payne said in a statement. “These exceptionally talented women and men are more than just our actors: they are the newest members of an ever-expanding creative family that is now working tirelessly to bring Middle-earth to life anew for fans and audiences worldwide.”

Lisa de Cazotte Dies: Emmy-Winning Daytime Producer Was Age 58

(12/9/19) Lisa de Cazotte, an Emmy Award-winning daytime television producer died Saturday, December 7, after a long illness, Deadline has learned. She was 58.

Born Lisa Smith in Westchester, New York in 1961, she graduated from Fordham University and began her television career as an intern on ABC’s One Life to Live. She quickly moved up the ranks to associate, then coordinating producer.

Later positions included working as a producer then supervising producer on NBC’s Santa Barbara and ABC’s All My Children before she was named supervising producer of Aaron Spelling’s Sunset Beach.

In 1999, de Cazotte partnered with writer James E. Reilly and was named EP of NBC Studio’s Passions. She served as EP for the run of the show until 2008; then went on to executive produce General Hospital: Night Shift, a primetime spinoff of GH that ran on cable, before returning to All My Children. In 2012, de Cazotte was named co-executive producer of Days of Our Lives where she won two Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding drama series. In 2017, she became supervising producer of The Young and the Restless, where she won her third Emmy. She was still producing the Sony/CBS show at the time of her death.

In 2002, de Cazotte married French filmmaker and Oscar winner Antoine de Cazotte. They divided their time between Los Angeles, New York and Paris.

Lisa de Cazotte is survived by her husband Antoine, her brothers Michael Patrick Smith, Robert Terence Smith, and Brian Charles Smith, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Billy Dee Williams says he's gender fluid, sees himself as 'feminine as well as masculine'

(12/2/19) Actor Billy Dee Williams has come out as gender fluid.

In an interview with Esquire magazine, the 82-year-old star, who first appeared in the Star Wars franchise in 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back, explained that he uses both male and female pronouns when referring to himself.

“I never tried to be anything except myself,” he said. “I think of myself as a relatively colourful character who doesn’t take himself or herself too seriously… And you see I say ‘himself’ and ‘herself,’ because I also see myself as feminine as well as masculine.”

The actor added: “I’m a very soft person. I’m not afraid to show that side of myself.”

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, starring Billy as Lando Calrissian, hits theatres December 19.

GH's John J. York Reveals How He Fell in Love With Winnie and Belle

(11/24/19) (abc.soapsindepth.com) (Photo) “They’re the cutest things in the whole world,” GENERAL HOSPITAL's John J. York (Mac) said of his four-legged family members, Winnie and Belle. “And they’re the best doorbells! Whenever anybody’s coming up to the door, they bark.”

And for the record, Winnie and Belle are always right. “If they’re barking, something’s going on,” York said. “A few weeks ago, they started barking, and it was right around the time my wife gets home. I looked out the front window and her car wasn’t in the driveway, but they were barking and animated, looking and wagging their tails. Literally, within 15 seconds, my wife’s car pulled into the driveway. They knew she was a couple of blocks away. It was crazy. “I just love them to death,” he added, “and I didn’t even want them!”

It’s not that York’s not a dog guy. “We’ve had four or five dogs over the years, and it’s just the hardest thing when you lose a pet,” he sighed. “And who’s the one who usually has to take them to the vet and goes through that whole process? It’s me! I’m also the one who handles the dog food: I go to the store, buy the dog food, bring it home, take it out of the package, the dogs eat it and take it out to the yard, and then I go out to the yard to pick up that food that’s been processed and take it to the garbage. It’s me from beginning to end! So after the last one passed away, I just didn’t want to do it again.”

York’s wife, Vicki, however, had other ideas. “This was about two years ago. She was out of town, but she kept looking at dogs at this rescue place,” he recounted. “She saw a couple of puppies and called me and told me I had to go look at them.

“We were only going to get one… but they brought out two,” he continued. “They were literally as big as the palm of my hand, and they told us they were sisters. I was like, ‘They have to be together.’ They were tiny puppies, and I ended up getting both of them.” Now “they do everything together and they’re crazy and fantastic. They’re just the best dogs ever!”

‘All My Life’: Michael Masini, Chrissie Fit & Greg Vrotsos Join Universal Drama

(11/5/19) Universal’s forthcoming romantic drama All My Life has added Michael Masini (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, the forthcoming Birds of Prey), Chrissie Fit (Pitch Perfect franchise, People You May Know) and Greg Vrotsos (Orange is the New Black, Showtime’s Twin Peaks). The trio join previously announced stars Jessica Rothe and Harry Shum Jr.

All My Life will be directed by Marc Meyers (My Friend Dahmer) and is based on Todd Rosenberg’s 2017 Black List script details the true story of Solomon Chau and Jennifer Carter, a young couple planning their wedding in the face of devastating news. Rothe is set to play a character inspired by Carter, while Shum will portray a character based on Chau.

Todd Garner and Sean Robins will produce via their Broken Road Productions banner. Universal Pictures SVP Production Sara Scott and Director of Development Lexi Barta are set to oversee the project on behalf of the studio.

Masini is repped by APA, Robyn Holt, Entertainment Lab and BRS/Gage; Fit is repped by Abrams Artists Agency, Haven Entertainment and Gang, Tyre; and Vrotsos is repped by Buchwald and Artists First Inc.

Dishing with Digest - 8/23/19 - John J. York

(8/23/18) John J. York (Mac) Reflects On GH Run (Listen / download).

John J. York looks back on 28 years of playing GH’s Mac with Digest’s Stephanie Sloane and Mara Levinsky. We also talk about he latest cast changes and how viewers respond to character resurgences.

Kimberly McCullough Shares Two New Directing Projects!

(8/11/19) (abc.soapsindepth.com) She may not play Robin much anymore on GENERAL HOSPITAL, but Kimberly McCullough's career is still in high gear as the actress-turned-director continues to line up one big project after another! She just shared the terrific news that she would be directing another episode of THE BOLD TYPE for Freeform. McCullough previously helmed "Final Push," the ninth episode of the third season that aired back in June of 2019. She shared an Instagram photo of her script from the table read, but there's no indication of which episode of season four she will be directing or when it would air.

THE BOLD TYPE is a dramedy airing on Freeform that centers around the staff of Scarlet Magazine, and is based on the life of Joanna Coles, former editor in chief of Cosmopolitan. It stars Katie Stevens, Aisha Dee, and Meghann Fahy, and the cast also includes daytime alum Sam Page (Trey, ALL MY CHILDREN). McCullough also shared a photo of some props from the episode she was directing, but we can't include it on a family website!

In addition, McCullough revealed the "secret project" that she had been teasing back when she announced she was directing an episode of IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA. She was scouting locations at Salt Lake High School East in Utah, and that's because she's working on an episode of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE MUSICAL: THE SERIES, which is scheduled to premiere on Nov. 12 on Disney Plus. "Love these smiling faces," she said of a cast photo. "And you will, too."

We'll be sure to let you know when air dates are announced for McCullough's episodes of both THE BOLD TYPE and HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE MUSICAL: THE SERIES, so stay tuned!

Good Trouble: Azita Ghanizada Set to Shake Things Up in Season 2B

(8/1/19) Here comes Good Trouble.

Alphas alum Azita Ghanizada (Saira, General Hospital: Night Shift) is confirmed to make her debut on Freeform’s The Fosters spinoff on Tuesday, Aug. 6 — its summer finale — and then recur during the back half of Season 2.

TVLine has exclusively learned that Ghanizada will be playing Kendra Zahir, a new employee at Speckulate, where Mariana works, who arrives to “shake up the company culture.”

In addition to her run as Alphas‘ Rachel (who had the ability to heighten one of her senses at the expense of others), Ghanizada’s previous TV credits include 9-1-1, Elementary, I Love Dick and Major Crimes. She will also appear during Season 5 of HBO’s Ballers (premiering Sunday, Aug. 25).

Kimberly McCullough Directing IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA

(7/18/19) Even as GENERAL HOSPITAL fans miss seeing Robin Scorpio Drake, her portrayer, Kimberly McCullough, continues to develop her career behind the camera, this time directing an episode of the FXX comedy series IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA! "What goes around comes around," she shared on Instagram as she posed with the cast. She also posed with John Tanzer, the director of photography, who she clearly admires. "And this guy," she declared. "Tanzer, you're the freakin' best!"

Although McCullough hasn't announced when her episode of SUNNY would be airing, she did snap a backstage pic of the clapperboard that indicates she's directing the third episode of the 14th season. And that new season is scheduled to premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 25, so her episode should air on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Naturally, we'll keep you up to date as more details become available.

Fans of the GH alum can find her name on numerous primetime TV episodes, including shows like THE BOLD TYPE, THE COOL KIDS, ONE DAY AT A TIME, THE CONNERS, and FULLER HOUSE. McCullough also shared a couple more photos of Salt Lake High School East in Utah where she appears to be scouting out a location for yet another project. She's using her "#setlife" hashtag and this time including "#secretproject." So we'll also update you on whatever that might be whenever the actress-turned-director sees fit to reveal it!

Cameron Boyce Remembered Fondly by Michelle Obama and More as Disney Star's Family Confirms Cause of Death

(7/11/19) Former First Lady Michelle Obama is adding her voice to the chorus of people honoring Disney Channel star Cameron Boyce, who died on July 6 at the age of 20.

“I was lucky enough to share a few moments with Cameron Boyce — on set, at the White House, and on a service project — enough time to recognize that not only did he have incredible talent, but also an incredible heart,” Obama posted to Instagram on Tuesday, accompanied by Sending out a lot of love and hugs to his family, friends, and his many, many fans.”

Additional tributes to the late Disney star continue to roll in from his co-stars, including Descendants‘ Dove Cameron, who posted an emotional series of video responses to her Instagram account on Tuesday.

According to a statement from Boyce’s family, the actor’s “tragic passing was due to a seizure as a result of an ongoing medical condition, and that condition was epilepsy.”

“We are still trying to navigate our way through this extremely heart-wrenching time, and continue to ask for privacy so that the family and all who knew and loved him can grieve his loss and make arrangements for his funeral — which in and of itself, is agonizing,” the statement continued.

An autopsy was performed Monday, but according to a press release from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, “a cause of death was deferred pending further investigation.”

Boyce appeared as Luke Ross in all four seasons of the Disney Channel sitcom Jessie, later starring in the network’s popular movie-musical franchise Descendants, whose final installment airs next month.

Disney Channel's Cameron Boyce, Star of Descendants and Jessie, Dead at 20

(7/8/19) Disney Channel staple Cameron Boyce (Stone, General Hospital Night Shift), whose credits included playing Cruella de Vil’s son in the Descendants movies, has died. He was 20.

Boyce also starred on Disney Channel’s Jessie from 2011 to 2015. He made appearances on a number of other Disney series, including Liv and Maddie, BUNK’D and Austin & Ally.

“It is with a profoundly heavy heart that we report that this morning we lost Cameron,” a spokesperson for the Boyce family told ABC News. “He passed away in his sleep due to a seizure which was a result of an ongoing medical condition for which he was being treated. The world is now undoubtedly without one of its brightest lights, but his spirit will live on through the kindness and compassion of all who knew and loved him. We are utterly heartbroken and ask for privacy during this immensely difficult time as we grieve the loss of our precious son and brother.”

Disney Channel also released a statement early Sunday, saying, “From a young age, Cameron Boyce dreamed of sharing his extraordinary artistic talents with the world. He was an incredibly talented performer, a remarkably caring and thoughtful person and, above all else, he was a loving and dedicated son, brother, grandson and friend. We offer our deepest condolences to his family, castmates and colleagues and join his many millions of fans in grieving his untimely passing. He will be dearly missed.”

Boyce was next set to appear in HBO’s upcoming Mrs. Fletcher, starring Kathryn Hahn.

Rick Springfield Moves D.R. Festival to Mexico ... As Death Count Grows

(7/2/19) Rick Springfield is not taking any chances -- he's calling off his music festival in the Dominican Republic as the number of American tourists getting sick and dying in the country continues to grow.

The "Jessie's Girl" singer just made the announcement, saying ... "In an abundance of caution and for the peace of mind and well-being of my fans, band and crew, the ‘Rick Springfield & Friends’ event in Punta Cana is being rescheduled to take place at Hard Rock Hotel Cancun in 2020."

Rick says the new dates will be determined asap, but attempts to reschedule in 2019 were unsuccessful.

The musician has held these "Rick Springfield & Friends" fests for close to a decade, which started as concert cruises before moving them to land and resorts. This was going to be the first in the D.R.

Along with Springfield, the festival lineup was set to include Patty Smyth, host Mark Goodman, actor Doug Davidson and musical guest Guns & Mullets.

Springfield adds that the decision to postpone was not easy, but the "safety and well-being of our amazing fans, band and crew will always be the most important consideration in any situation."

As we've reported ... at least 10 Americans have died while either visiting Dominican Rep. resorts or shortly after returning to the U.S. -- many from heart attacks, and some from respiratory complications.

Jason Thompson Reveals How His Son Changed His Life

(5/26/19) (cbs.soapsindepth.com) It was a very special day on May 23 when THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS' Jason Thompson's (Billy) celebrated the third birthday of his son, Bowie. To commemorate the milestone,Thompson posted a beautiful photo of his happy, chubby-cheeked baby boy on Instagram. Accompanying the photo was a heartfelt note where he ruminated on parenting, the joys of fatherhood, and how much his children have changed his life in innumerable and wonderful ways.

"This boy. Three years today. Paloma and I were talking last night about the last three years.The challenges that have surprised us, and the realities of what parenting actually is," marveled the Y&R star. "The amount of times we disappointed ourselves with how we handled something, and the moments later that you realize how you could have been better, more patience, more understanding. And yet, you are aware that they look to you to anchor them, to not let them drift into a space without boundaries, looking up at you, to tell them it’s going to be okay, to be in control when they aren’t."

The challenges of being a parent have been worth it to Thompson, who rose to fame as GENERAL HOSPITAL's Patrick. "To push back on that not so little voice inside your head that wants to tell them 'they should know better.' It’s confusing... for adults, let alone young hearts and minds," he continued. "And the joy. The love is unmeasurable. He brings so much joy to people. He’s sweet. He’s emotional. He loves to laugh. He likes to share with sister... when he wants to share. When he doesn’t, he lets everyone know. He is so clearly his own person. And it’s the most beautiful thing to watch. There will be no bigger honor of my life, there is nothing in the world I wouldn’t do for him. Our worlds forever changed three years ago. Thank you universe, thank you stars, for our Bowie Banjo."

Talk Show Appearance

(5/17/10) The Talk – CBS

Wednesday, May 22

Singer Rick Springfield discusses his new album Orchestrating My Life and performs live

Billy Dee Williams on Star Wars return: ‘Lando never left me!’

(4/14/19) (Video) Look who’s back in the fastest hunk o’ junk in the galaxy!

The first trailer for “Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker” premiered Friday — and it included a shot of Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian piloting the Millenium Falcon.

Asked at a fan event Friday how he prepped to reprise the role made famous in “The Empire Strikes Back,” Williams, 82, said, “Lando never left me!”

Audiobooks Narrated By Soap Stars

(3/29/19) The Secret Garden by Finola Hughes (Narrator) Frances Hodgson Burnett (Author) (Order here)

People are naturally inclined to hand out the "instant classic" award to the books they like, but there are only a precious few books that can hold on to such a title for over a hundred years, (this was published in book form in 1911), and still stay fresh, engaging and appealing. This book is the source and template for so many children's lit conventions that it is hard to imagine a library without multiple copies.

You can sample the book as a Kindle freebie or in some other downloadable form, since it's out of copyright and readily available. Then, and better yet, after you read it and discover its pleasures, look for a nice edition to give to each young reader you know. There are easy to read books that are shallow, and there are harder to read books with considerable depth, but this one manages to be accessible to a fairly young reader and yet still loaded with fine writing, style, character, mystery, romance, adventure and inspiration. An excellent choice.

And while you're at it, take a look at Burnett's "Little Lord Fauntleroy". He's gotten a bad rap, (probably as a result of those Fauntleroy suits and haircuts that were the rage in the twenties), but he's actually smart , level headed, and shrewdly decent in unexpected ways. So go and get your Burnett on.

Get your copy here.

Alla Korot on MacGyver 4/12/19

(3/22/19) “Friends + Enemies + Border” – MacGyver and Desi help a group of Syrian refugees who are being pursued by human traffickers. Also, in Los Angeles, Bozer is trapped in Oversight’s car which is rigged to explode, on MACGYVER, Friday, April 12 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

GUEST CAST: Alla Korot (Dr. Arza Terzic), Andre Reed (Prosecutor), Faruk Amireh (Adnan).

Kimberly McCullough Shares Her Skin Care Secret

(3/20/19) During her years as GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Robin Scorpio Drake, Kimberly McCullough amassed quite a group of fans who have followed her career as it moved behind the camera and she’s directed episodes of PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, THE CONNORS, FULLER HOUSE, ONE DAY AT A TIME, and more. But she’s never used her celebrity to endorse a product on social media… at least not until now! McCullough shared a makeup-free selfie and revealed her skin care secret to everyone. “Hey y’all,” she wrote. “I’ve never done this before but I’ve gotten so many compliments on my skin after using this product that I’d thought I share with you. (No, this isn’t a paid advertisement.) This is me with absolutely no makeup on. 41, baby! The product is by Image Skin Care, its called “Vital C” and it smells like springtime."VITAL C Hydrating Antioxidant ACE Serum is infused with vitamins A, C, E, and a blend of plant antioxidants that are supposed to help reduce visible signs of aging. And judging by McCullough’s selfie above, it’s really working great for her! Image Skin Care products are available in stores nationwide, and also on their website, where you can learn more about and purchase the VITAL C serum for yourself.

McCullough is looking good, and hopefully we’ll get to see Robin again this spring for the annual GH Nurses Ball? Fingers crossed!

GENERAL HOSPITAL's Emma and Robin Reunite!

(1/3/19) (abc.soapsindepth.com) (Photo) Although neither of them are regular cast members anymore, Kimberly McCullough (Robin) and Brooklyn Rae Silzer (Emma) both return to GENERAL HOSPITAL for occasional visits… but not always together! However, the on-screen mother and daughter were reunited on New Year’s Day when Silzer attended a gathering at McCullough’s home! “The best of the New Years,” McCullough tweeted, adding on Instagram: “My heart is so big this year.” Silzer responded to the tweet with: “Best day ever! Love you tons!” followed by a bunch of heart emojis.

McCullough first joined the cast of GH back in 1985, and viewers watched the little girl grow up on screen into a teenager and finally a woman with a little girl of her own. Silzer made her initial appearance as Robin’s daughter, Emma, back in 2011, and just like her on-screen mom, grew up on television episode after episode. Although both left the soap — along with Jason Thompson’s Patrick — when the family moved to California in January of 2016, the actresses have both continued to return for visits every so often. The last time McCullough and Silzer were both on GH at the same time was in May of 2018 when they were in town for the annual Nurses Ball.

Although McCullough didn’t reveal any details of the event that brought her and Silzer back together for the day, she did share another photo that showed Silzer playing Loteria with some other kids. Loteria is a game of chance similar to bingo, and you can see the game cards on the table where they’re marking off the matches in the hopes of winning.

It’s wonderful to know that McCullough and Silzer have remained close in real-life, and we can’t wait to see them together on GH again someday. Hey, that Nurses Ball is coming up again in the spring!

Travel Guide to Port Charles By Lucy Coe

(12/26/18) (Book Cover) (Promo Video) (Get your copy here!) Fans of GENERAL HOSPITAL who watch the soap religiously every day may think they know Port Charles inside and out, but a new book may have some surprises in store for them! The Travel Guide to Port Charles promises to tell you “when to go, where to live, who to love, and who to never, ever cross in America’s most dramatic city!”

Written by librarian-turned-real estate agent Lucy Coe — with additional material by some of the town’s other notable residents — the book chronicles the history of Port Charles and offers suggestions of places to go and the people you might see there with some gossipy tidbits along the way. There are sections devoted to the town’s heroes, tips on where to dine, a suggested scavenger hunt, reviews of the many Port Charles Balls, and quizzes so the reader can determine where they would fit in if they lived in this hustling, bustling town.

The Travel Guide to Port Charles (actually written by GH scribe Chris Van Etten) is available at bookstores now, and while the paperback lists for $15.99, you can get it for just $10.99 from Amazon.com. It may be too late to give as a gift for the holidays, but now’s the best time to get a little something for yourself, right?

Amazon Promo Copy:

Lucy Coe, the once mousy librarian who turned into a villainous liar, schemer, vixen and unlikely heroine takes us on a tour of Port Charles where, she says, you're as likely to encounter a den of not-so-secret agents as you are a gold-hearted, gun-toting "coffee importer." But Lucy isn't your only guide. Other storied characters from the show step in to take a leg of the tour.

In these pages, you'll find the lowdown on the history of their fair (if not always just) city, where to settle, what to eat, how to have fun, whom to befriend and whom to avoid. Please don't be put off by some of the more evocative tidbits you'll find within.

There are walking tours. Even though Lucy says the best way to see any city is in the back of a chauffeured limousine ? or better yet, by helicopter, but some have budgets. For economy-conscious travelers Lucy offers a slew of tours that'll cost you nothing but the indignity of being seen in sturdy footwear.

Stop along the way provides gossip, history and sordid details. There is section devoted to the town's heroes, tips on "Where to Gorge," "Where to Worship," a suggested scavenger hunt, reviews of the many Port Charles Balls, and, of course, quizzes the reader can take to determine where they would fit if they were lucky enough to be a Port Charles resident. (Get your copy here!)

Jay Roach’s Untitled Roger Ailes Movie: Nazanin Boniadi To Play Former Fox News Reporter Rudi Bakhtiar

(11/21/18) Hotel Mumbai actress Nazanin Boniadi has boarded Jay Roach’s untitled Roger Ailes movie in the role of former Fox News reporter Rudi Bakhtiar. The film is currently in production.

After FNC host Gretchen Carlson came forward with sexual allegations against late Fox News chief Ailes in July 2016, Bakhtiar spoke to the New York Times and New York magazine sharing how she was sexually propositioned for a a full-time Washington D.C. correspondent position by FNC colleague Brian Wilson who was being upped to the network’s DC bureau chief. She also detailed incidents of being harassed by Ailes whereby he asked to see her legs during an interview, and through others at the network, insisted she wear short skirts on Fox & Friends. In 2007, Ailes fired her saying the network didn’t like Bakhtiar’s reporting. During her tenure at FNC, Bakhtair was key in covering news inside Iran (She is related to late Iranian prime minister Shapour Bakhtiar). In mediation, Bakhtair won $670K plus legal fees. Soon after Carlson came forward, Bakhtiar risked breaking her non-disparagement agreement with FNC. “I just feel like I shut up because I didn’t want to hurt my career,” she told the Times. “It’s awful what happened to me, and to other people, with a nod from management.” The whole experience made it hard for Bakhtiar to land another news gig; she is currently a producer for Reuters in Washington D.C. Below is Carlson’s tweet applauding Bakhtair back in July 2016.

Roach’s movie, which stars Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Charlize Theron and John Lithgow as Ailes, is being co-financed and produced by Bron Studios. Lionsgate is selling international and closing a deal to co-finance and distribute domestic on the movie.

Boniadi stars on Starz’s Counterpart and co-starred as CIA analyst Fara Sherazi on Showtime’s Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning Homeland for which she shared a 2015 SAG Award nomination in the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series category. The Iranian-born actress stars opposite Armie Hammer and Dev Patel in Bleecker Street’s upcoming Hotel Mumbai which made its world premiere at TIFF. Other film credits include Passengers, Iron Man, and Paul Haggis’ The Next Three Days. Boniadi is repped by ICM Partners, Jordan Lee Talent, & Stone, Genow, Smelkinson, Binder & Christopher.

Antonio Sabato Jr. Running Low On Campaign Funds in Bid For Congress

(10/29/18) Antonio Sabato Jr. ?is limping to the finish line as the midterm elections approach ... because we've learned the former soap star's congressional campaign is dealing with tons of financial issues.

We dug through Federal Election Commission filings and discovered, since the start of last year, Antonio's campaign in California raised only $312,906.34 ... and Antonio has burned through most of the cash with less than two weeks until Election Day, because he's only got about $40k in his coffers.

Making matters worse for Antonio, we've discovered his campaign has over $44k in debts and loans ... meaning, the Republican candidate is taking this red thing way too seriously.

The bad news for Antonio keeps coming ... he and his election committee are being sued by a political consulting firm, which claims Antonio owes them over $34k. We're told Antonio personally signed the contract with the firm.

Antonio's funding is lagging far behind Democratic opponent Julia Brownley ... during the same period, she's raised more than $2.4 million and spent around $1.3 million.

We'll spare you the math headaches ... Antonio's opponent raised over $2 million more and outspent him by over $1 million.

It's tough to win elections when you're that far behind in terms of funding.

Rick Springfield on The Goldbergs 10/10/18

(9/25/18) “RAD!” – Erica thinks all of her singing dreams are going to come true when she lands a job at the new karoke bar in town. But when she’s tasked with bringing in more customers, will Erica regret turning to Beverly for help? Meanwhile, Murray tries to teach Barry and Lainey how to be financially responsible adults, on “The Goldbergs,” WEDNESDAY, OCT. 10 (8:00–8:30 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network, streaming and on demand.

“The Goldbergs” stars Wendi McLendon-Covey (“Bridesmaids”) as Beverly Goldberg, Patton Oswalt (“Ratatouille”) as adult Adam Goldberg, Sean Giambrone as Adam Goldberg, Troy Gentile (“Good Luck Chuck”) as Barry Goldberg, Hayley Orrantia (“The X Factor”) as Erica Goldberg, Sam Lerner as Geoff Schwartz, with George Segal (“Just Shoot Me”) as Pops Solomon and Jeff Garlin (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) as Murray Goldberg.

Guest starring is AJ Michalka as Lainey, Mindy Stirling as Linda Schwartz, Jennifer Irwin as Virginia Kremp, Stephanie Courtney as Essie Karp, Tim Meadows as Glascott and Rick Springfield as Gary.

Rick Springfield on The Goldbergs

(8/24/18) Singer/actor Rick Springfield (Supernatural, General Hospital) will guest-star in a Season 6 episode of The Goldbergs as the owner of a karaoke bar and Erica’s new boss, EW.com reports.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Star Kimberly McCullough Directed Her Episode of FULLER HOUSE!

(8/21/18) (abc.soapsindepth.com) (Photo) Although some daytime viewers miss seeing Kimberly McCullough as Robin Scorptio Drake on GENERAL HOSPITAL, the actress has transitioned into quite a talented director who is often too busy working behind the camera to step in front of it! And now she’s just helmed an episode of FULLER HOUSE for Netflix! “About to shoot FULLER HOUSE on this stage,” she shared on Instagram, adding the hashtag for “no big deal.”

And after wrapping the taping, McCullough posed for a picture with the cast on set and declared: “Sometimes it all comes together.” And they all look super-happy about the job they did, although we'll have to wait a bit to see the results for ourselves!

In addition to using her “#ladydirector” hashtag, McCullough also gave a shoutout to one of the other women on her team. “This is Kelly,” she wrote. “Associate director on FULLER HOUSE. There’s nothing more empowering than women supporting women. #allonthesameteam Love this gal.”

McCullough got her big break in showbiz playing Robin on GH back in 1985, and has continued to play the character on and off over the years. But recently, McCullough has turned to directing, helming episodes of TV series like K.C. UNDERCOVER, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS, ONE DAY AT A TIME, and ALL ABOUT THE WASHINGTONS.

Unfortunately, the fourth season of FULLER HOUSE does not yet have a premiere date as they are still producing the episodes, but as soon as the information is released, we’ll be sure to let you know. And because it’s on Netflix, the entire season’s worth of episodes will be released on the same day, so you can get right to McCullough’s!

Timothy D. Stickney & Azita Ghanizada on Elementary

(8/9/18) “The Worms Crawl In, the Worms Crawl Out” – Holmes and Watson investigate multiple motives for murder when a zoologist is killed because of his numerous love affairs or his trailblazing research. Also, Holmes finds himself the victim of identity theft after his medical records are stolen, on ELEMENTARY, Monday, August 20 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Series star Jon Michael Hill makes his directorial debut for television with this episode.

GUEST CAST includes: Victor Williams (John Hoyt), Azita Ghanizada (Sepi Chamanara), Timothy D. Stickney (Zeke)

Video: Gina Tognoni and Jason Thompson Facebook Live

(8/3/18) Gina Tognoni and Jason Thompson Facebook Live: Video.

FB Q&A: Steve Burton & Kelly Monaco

(7/30/18) Facebook Q&A: Steve Burton & Kelly Monaco: Video.

Billy Dee Williams Set To Return To ‘Star Wars’ As Lando Calrissian – Report

(7/10/18) It looks like the smooth space-age swag of Lando Calrissian is returning to help the Rebellion (or maybe the First Order?) in Star Wars: Episode IX. Billy Dee Williams, who originated the role in Empire Strikes Back, is set to don the cape as Lando in the forthcoming installment of the Disney/Lucasfilm franchise.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Williams will be returning to Star Wars as Lando who was recently portrayed by Donald Glover in the Star Wars standalone prequel Solo. With many actors from the original Star Wars franchise reprising their role in the new movies, there have been rumors and speculations on fan sites about Williams’ return. No details have been given about how Lando will be involved in the ninth installment of the intergalactic saga.

Williams is the latest actor to join the J.J. Abrams-directed Episode IX. Last week, Keri Russell, a frequent Abrams collaborator also joined the cast in an undisclosed role. They will join Star Wars regulars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver. The movie is set to open Dec. 20, 2019.

Dishing with Digest Episode 13

(6/23/18) (Listen / download) Y&R star Jason Thompson (Billy) chat about his time in Genoa City, the popular “Philly” romance, who he keeps in touch with from GH and more. Plus, we talk about Dominic Zamprogna’s exit as GH’s Dante, and whether or not soap roles should be recast.

Antonio Sabato Jr. is Officially Divorced, He Gets House and Car

(6/18/18) Antonio Sabato Jr. is officially a single man, just in time to hit the Congressional campaign trail.

According to the docs, the former soap star and his ex, Cheryl Marie, reached an agreement on their divorce back on December 31, 2017. Happy new year, indeed. However, it took several months for the judge to sign off.

The exes have joint legal and physical custody of their 7-year-old son, Antonio III. As for property, he gets the house and a 2015 Fiat. They both agreed to return the Maserati they were leasing.

Antonio has to pay child and spousal support, though it's light for a Hollywood divorce. He'll fork over $533 a month for his kid. Cheryl gets $350 monthly in alimony, but only until April 2019. They were only married for 5 years.

He also has to pay her $10k for attorney fees, and agree not to take any drugs without a valid prescription. As we reported, Cheryl claimed Antonio abused prescription drugs, and was worried about their son's safety. Sabato admitted issues with sleeping pills, but told us he's an outspoken advocate on fighting addiction.

He'll be the Republican candidate for California's 26th District, come November.

Antonio Sabato Jr. Advances In Primaries

(6/7/18) Soap vet Antonio Sabato Jr. (ex-Jagger, GH et al) has advanced as the California Republican nominee for a congressional seat representing Ventura County. Sabato Jr., who was on the ballot in U.S. House District 26, will now compete with Democrat Julia Brownley.

Rick Springfield to Receive Award for Sharing His Struggle With Depression and Suicide

(4/13/18) He was one of the biggest pop superstars of the ‘80s and beloved for his role as Noah Drake on GENERAL HOSPITAL, but behind the scenes, it was a different story, and Rick Springfield was suffering from depression. After first opening up about his battle with suicide and depression in his memoir, Late, Late at Night, the performer is now being honored by Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services with their 2018 Beatrice Stern Media Award.

“It’s not something I sought,” Springfield told The Oakland Press about the honor. “But this type of award draws attention to serious issues like depression. When I’m down, it inspires me to read about other people who have dealt with it and survived. So if I can provide that for someone else, I’m glad to talk about it.”

In 1972, Springfield’s debut single “Speak to the Sky” was climbing the Australian pop charts, but the performer had been suffering from depression since his teens, including a suicide attempt in 1966. “I began to feel uncomfortable in my own skin and would stay away from school,” he confessed. “It got worse — so bad I tried to hang myself. Obviously, I didn’t succeed but have battled this dark side all my life.”

Even after scoring one of the biggest hits of 1981 with “Jessie’s Girl” and becoming a soap star as Dr. Noah Drake on GH, all the fame in the world couldn’t completely erase the shadow of depression that continued to haunt him. “I thought success would make me better, but it didn’t change anything inside me,” Springfield revealed. “There are times when I have no idea why I’m down and wake up dark — it’s just something in me.”

Springfield continues to release music — his latest CD, The Snake King, was released earlier in 2018 — and hopes his songs and lyrics will continue to inspire those who are struggling the same as he does. “I don’t want to be the depression poster boy,” he said, “but if people can see I’m managing my life and have had success despite living with this in my system, it offers them hope. My advice is to talk to people who understand it. I look forward to doing a lot more and pushing my own envelope.”

For more on your favorite GH stars — past and present — keep reading the ABC edition of Soaps In Depth magazine.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Soap producer Jill Farren Phelps lists her scenic spot on Mulholland Drive

(3/3/18) (sun-sentinel.com) Decorated television producer Jill Farren Phelps, whose work on the daytime soaps “General Hospital” and “The Young and the Restless” has won her scores of Emmys, has put her home on Mulholland Drive on the market for $2.5 million.

The ranch-style house, built in 1962 and full of colorful details, is secluded on more than half an acre above the Hollywood Hills and adjacent to protected land.

The 2,606-square-foot house features vibrant hues and wallpaper, crown molding and hardwood floors. A brick-surround fireplace anchors the living and dining rooms, which center on panoramic views through a row of French doors.

The brickwork continues in the family room, which has a wall filled with built-ins and doors opening to the patio. A skylight-topped breakfast nook sits off the updated kitchen. Four bedrooms and three bathrooms complete the floor plan.

Outside, a blue-tiled swimming pool and spa take in the city lights and mountains. Lush landscaping and lawn complete the grounds.

Emmanuel Xuereb and Salvator Xuereb of 360 Realty are the listing agents.

Farren Phelps, 67, got her start in television in 1974 as a production assistant on the show “Guiding Light” and won the first of 11 Daytime Emmys in the early ’80s as the music director for “General Hospital." Her other credits include such soap operas as “Santa Barbara,” “Another World” and “One Life to Live.”

Ava DuVernay, Billy Dee Williams, Jordan Peele, & ‘Insecure’ Among ABFF Honors Award Recipients

(2/28/18) The American Black Film Festival Honors were handed out at the Beverly Hilton Sunday night. Honorees included director Ava DuVernay (Industry Visionary Award), legendary actor Billy Dee Williams (Hollywood Legacy Award), comedian and Girl’s Trip breakout Tiffany Haddish (Rising Star Award), Power star Omari Hardwick (Distinguished ABFF Alumni Award).

“I can tell you that my journey hasn’t always been smooth but ultimately a positive one,” said an emotional Willians while accepting his award. “If on that journey I have helped pave just a little bit of a way for Black talent… that will have more opportunities today than yesterday, then I can say that has been the greatest role of my lifetime.”

DuVernay, who got her start at ABFF, thanked founder Jeff Friday “for putting in good work for Black filmmakers in the independent space.” The director who is gearing up for the wide release of her Disney epic adventure film, Wrinkle In Time also gave props to Williams for his work in the sci-fi space with films like Return of the Jedi and Alien Intruder. “He broke boundaries that no one ever thought could be broken so I thank you”

Hosted by Cedric The Entertainer, the event also reunited the cast of Fox’s 90s sitcom Martin to accept the Classic Television Award. Titular star Martin Lawrence was accompanied by co-stars Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell, Carl Payne II, and showrunner Bentley Kyle Evans, all of whom remained mum on a possible reboot. “I know yall want to know about the #reboot but for us, the most important thing is the #reconnection,” said Arnold.

Other winners included ABC’s Black-ish and HBO’s Insecure in a tie for the award for comedy Television Show of the Year, while Queen Sugar (OWN) picked up the drama Television Show of the Year award for the second year in a row.

The marquee Movie of the Year trophy went to Jordan Peele’s blockbuster hit Get Out, which Peele was on hand to accept, joined by cast members Lil Rel Howery, Betty Gabriel, and Marcus Henderson.

“People ask me if I was surprised at the timing [of the film]. Referring to the fact that we are living in a country of heightened racism. This is the exact same country we have always been living in,” said Peele. “All these sentiments, hatred, and bigotry has been there, though sometimes it’s just a little bit under the surface. I feel honored to be a part of this renaissance.”

Talk Show Appearance

(2/3/18) The View - ABC

Feb 08, 2018

congressional candidate Antonio Sabàto Jr.

Talk Show Appearance

(2/2/18) HARRY, syndicated

We 2/7: Rick Springfield

Talk Show Appearance

(2/2/18) STEVE, syndicated

Th 2/8: Rick Springfield

Talk Show Appearance

(1/28/18) JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE, ABC

Th 2/1: Rick Springfield

Watch GH Stars Matt Cohen and Finola Hughes' Hilarious Appearance on THE ELLEN SHOW!

(1/23/18) (Video) Hilarity ensued when GENERAL HOSPITAL stars Matt Cohen (Griffin) and Finola Hughes (Anna) made a special appearance on THE ELLEN SHOW on Jan 23! Inspired by the president, host Ellen DeGeneres decided to get a pre-birthday checkup and make the results public. But her physician of choice was Dr. Griffin Monroe, and things got very silly!

Cohen wasn’t exactly in character, however, as “Griffin” explained that his qualifications included the lab coat provided by wardrobe and a “heart listener” given to him by the prop department. He also started by complimenting Ellen on being in great shape for 90 before realizing he was holding her file upside down! He then tested her comic reflexes by setting her up to deliver the punchline to a cheesy joke, and tested her eyesight by asking her to count his abs! The audience reaction when Cohen ripped off his fake dress shirt is hilarious! Of course, at that moment, Hughes comes storming out onto the stage to confront “Griffin” about this woman he’s been seeing behind her back and a ridiculous slap fight breaks out!

Of course, for GH fans, it’s a little bit odd to see “Anna” confronting “Griffin” about cheating on her, given that on the actual soap, Anna is more like a mother figure to the doc. And while it’s an easy joke to do the overdramatic confrontation and slap-happy fight to parody soaps, it’s unfortunate that after Hughes and Cohen took their bows and left the stage, DeGeneres only gave identified the actors as an afterthought and didn’t even give their full names!

Pop Finds Its ‘The Demons Of Dorian Gunn’ Cast – TCA

(1/15/18) The Demons of Dorian Gunn, Pop’s supernatural comedy pilot executive produced by Krysten Ritter and JAX Media, will star Jeffery Self, Chrissie Fit, H. Jon Benjamin, Lateefah Holder and Kyle Harris.

The casting was announced as Pop’s TCA panel gets underway today.

Written by Evan Greenspoon and Brandon Scott Jones, The Demons of Dorian Gunn follows disgraced New York socialite Dorian Gunn who discovers he’s descended from a long line of demon hunters and is forced to abandon his life of leisure to protect humanity from monsters as they emerge from the gates of hell.

Pilot production for the series kicks off this month in New York City.

Here are the cast and characters, with Pop descriptions:

Jeffrey Self (Search Party), stars as the series’ antihero Dorian Gunn. After the mysterious death of his parents, Dorian’s gluttonous life as a celebutante has been in a downward spiral plagued with booze-filled antics that threaten his status with the family business. Although he desperately just wants to be a B-list celebrity, Dorian soon realizes his privileged life is going to become a bit more complicated by the fact he’s a Guardian destined to protect the world from demons.

Chrissie Fit (Pitch Perfect 2 & 3)stars as Leonie Crofton-Sears, Dorian’s mortal frenemy. Best friends since childhood, Leonie is the charming, trendy and charismatic older sister Dorian wished he always had. She seems lovely until you remember those are also the traits of a sociopath. Leonie soon realizes she too comes from a magical linage – the cruel catch, she’s Dorian’s evil counterpart destined to bring demons through the Gate that Dorian is meant to defend.

H. Jon Benjamin (Archer),plays Wormwood, a demon tasked with maintaining the balance of good and evil by overseeing the Guardians sworn to protect the living from demonic forces. Albeit begrudgingly, Wormwood serves as a guide to help Dorian and the other Guardians fulfill their destinies, proving good and evil are not always black and white.

Lateefah Holder (Transparent) stars as the straight shooter Amy Bugda, Dorian’s court-appointed addiction sponsor who quickly becomes his indispensable right-hand woman. Her moral compass rarely points in the wrong direction, so demon hunter or no, Dorian’s sobriety will not go unchecked. Her inability to stray from a righteous path can be frustrating at times, but her kind heart makes her a breath of fresh air.

Kyle Harris (Stitchers) stars as Trip Chapman, the embodiment of white privilege. A filthy-rich, power-hungry 20-something-year-old, he was recently appointed acting executive director of the Greenwich Club by his ailing father. With this title, Trip is now guarding the one gate Dorian, Leonie and their wealthy cohorts desperately want to enter.

The Demons of Dorian Gunn is written by Evan Greenspoon and Brandon Scott Jones and executive produced by Tony Hernandez and Lilly Burns of JAX Media, Kara Welker of Generate, and actress Krysten Ritter through her production company Silent Machine. John Skidmore serves as producer. Mike Poisson and Peggy Cheng from Silent Machine serve as co-executive producers.

Talk Show Appearance

(1/14/18) Harry – Syndicated

January 17

Rick Springfield Performs

Rick Springfield Reveals He Is Still Struggling with Depression and Recently Considered Suicide

(1/10/18) (people.com) Rick Springfield revealed he considered suicide as recently as last year.

The “Jessie’s Girl” singer, 68, opened up about his lifelong battle with depression in a new interview on SiriusXM’s Feedback, airing Thursday, and shared that he struggled with thoughts of suicide.

“Last year I was close to it, really close to it,” Springfield told host Lori Majewski about nearly ending his life.

“‘Suicide Manifesto’ is stuff I think about. I’ve been close to it,” he said about his forthcoming song from his new album, The Snake King. “When Robin Williams and Chester [Bennington and Chris Cornell] and those guys … I didn’t go, ‘Oh that’s terrible.’ I went, ‘I get it.’ I get being that lost and dark.”

Adding, “You’re in so much pain that you just want it to end. I have been there and I know what it’s like and I understand. It’s just part of your makeup.”

This isn’t the first time Springfield has discussed his suicide attempts. In his 2011 autobiography, Late, Late at Night, he opened up about the depression, which he calls The Darkness or “Mr. D,” he first suffered when he was 17, when he tried to commit suicide.

Luckily, the rope he used for a noose snapped.

“I tried. I don’t know how I survived it, but I survived the hanging,” Springfield told Majewski recalling the incident that happened nearly five decades ago.

“When I had kids I said, ‘Okay that takes suicide off the table, that’s not an option anymore, I don’t care how bad I feel.’ But now my kids are grown. It’s really weird … it would devastate them,” he said. “I don’t know how I could ever come to terms with that. But it rides on my shoulder every day.”

Springfield says he is taking steps to stay well.

“I’ve taken Prozac and all that kind of stuff and I meditate. Mediation is the only thing that takes me out of it. If I truly meditate and focus and get to that place, I’m not depressed. No matter what’s going on. But it’s pretty hard,” he shared.

“I’m alive and well. Anyone says, ‘How you doing?’ I never go, ‘Great.’ Because it’s bulls—. I go, ‘I’m okay — I’m there.’ Sometimes I’ll go, ‘F—ing horrible, I’ve had a terrible day.’” Springfield said of talking to other people about his emotions.

“We’ve all had the social front and it just makes me feel like such a liar when I go home and I look in the mirror and I go, ‘Really, you said that to somebody? That everything’s great and you’re feeling awesome? That’s bulls—,’ ” he continued.

Adding, “I’m at the point now in my life where I want to do what’s truthful.”

The complete interview with Rick Springfield will air on Thursday, Jan. 11, on SiriusXM’s Volume channel 106, at 9:30 AM ET.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Y&R Star, Soap Alums In New Film

(1/4/18) LANY Entertainment recently released a new film by THE BAY creator Gregori J. Martin. The Intruders, written and directed by Martin, follows a man named Michael Foster as he invites a number of strange characters into his home following the death of his mother. His actions lead to the destruction of his marriage and everything he loves. The project stars Steven Bauer (Avi, RAY DONOVAN), Lisa Wilcox and daytime faves Bryton James (Devon, Y&R), Alla Korot (ex-Jenna, AW et al) and Brody Hutzler (ex-Patrick, DAYS et al). The film is available to view via Amazon Prime here.

Kimberly McCullough Reveals How She Was Almost Fired from GENERAL HOSPITAL!

(1/4/18) (abc.soapsindepth.com) On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Robin has been through everything from an explosion to kidnappings — yes, kidnappings plural — and lived to tell the tale. So it makes sense that portrayer Kimberly McCullough calls her “my hero” and aspires to emulate her strength. “I don’t think I’m as tough as Robin,” the Daytime Emmy winner confided to Soaps In Depth, “but I am a tough cookie!”

Recent exposure of sexual harassment in the entertainment industry has rung bells for McCullough, especially with regard to growing up — along with Robin — on camera. “I remember a lot of what I got was ‘I can’t wait until you’re 18’ from other actors,” she confides. “I was incredibly nai¨ve... I didn’t know that what they were saying was, ‘I can’t wait until you’re legal so that I can have sex with you.’”

The actress thanks her mother for providing guidance and protection, but also recalls taking a stand for some things herself. “I was almost fired from GH because I refused to wear certain clothing and be sexual in my scenes,” she confessed. “It was a whole thing when I was 15 years old, and they hired someone who was 24 to be my boyfriend. They wanted me to do a make-out scene with him, and I refused.”

Today, McCullough is happy to still be welcome in Port Charles — even on a visiting basis — while also exploring her career as a director. She cites her recent experience of having son Otis accompany her to Utah (where she helmed two episodes of the upcoming YouTube Red series YOUTH & CONSEQUENCES) as being a true gem. “The showrunner called and said, ‘You do whatever you need to do — you breastfeed, you pump, we will make the time for you. I want you to feel very supported by me and the crew,’” Mc- Cullough relates. “That was incredibly generous of him, and it was the right thing to do. Because of that, I was able to do my best work yet as a director.”

McCullough was also behind the camera for the 10th episode of the upcoming second season of Netflix’s ONE DAY AT A TIME. “Multi-cam is shot the exact same way as a soap, so it’s in my blood,” she relates, adding that the difference is in correctly timing the jokes. “Rita Moreno, the show’s star, told me that I was a graceful director — I’ll take that compliment with me for the rest of my career." When not working, McCullough is enjoying motherhood. “It’s equal parts wonderful and exhausting,” she shares. “You have to be creative and you have to trust yourself and just keep going!”

Kimberly McCullough and Her Family Have Been Safely Evacuated From the Wildfires in Southern California

(12/7/17) (abc.soapsindepth.com) A series of wildfires driven by the Santa Ana winds are raging throughout Southern California, destroying hundreds of structures and forcing thousands to flee their homes. And one of those people who had to evacuate was GENERAL HOSPITAL star Kimberly McCullough (Robin), who used Twitter to assure her fans and friends that she was okay, and so was her baby boy, Otis. “Thank you for your thoughts,” she posted. “Me and my family left in the middle of the night. Good thing we did, because the 33 is now closed.”

Fires are burning in Bel-Air, Ventura County, Sylmar, Santa Clarita, and San Bernadino. And there are some absolutely terrifying videos being shared on social media of cars driving slowly down the freeways as the surroundings are engulfed in flames. It looks like the end of the world.

“It’s really scary and our area is being evacuated,” McCullough reported. “Please keep us and our neighbors in your prayers. We are safe at our friends’ house. I’m thankful Jack and Otis are outta that area. Feeling the heat from the hip while driving on the 33 was terrifying. Saw several trailers with horses leaving the area, thinking of all the beautiful animals in the area and our magical little town in flames.”

McCullough and her partner made the move out of Los Angeles to a beautiful home in Ojai Valley in 2016 just weeks before learning that she was pregnant with their son. “I’ve been drawn to this place for the last 15 years,” she admitted in a blog post at the end of 2016, “but it wasn’t until now that I was ready to make my move and call it home. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

Here’s hoping that when the authorities are able to extinguish the fires raging through Southern California, McCullough and her family have a home to come back to. Our thoughts are with her and everyone else affected by these deadly fires during this difficult time.

Tiffany Haddish, Billy Dee Williams & ‘Power’s Omari Hardwick Named 2018 ABFF Honors Recipients

(12/1/17) Coming off of a banner year, comedian and Girl’s Trip breakout Tiffany Haddish has been tapped to receive the Rising Star Award at the 2018 American Black Film Festival Honors ceremony. In addition, Billy Dee Williams, known for the iconic role of Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars franchise, will be bestowed with the Hollywood Legacy Award and Power star Omari Hardwick will recieve the Distinguished ABFF Alumni Award at the February 25 gala, which will take place at the Beverly Hilton hotel.

Hosted by actor and comedian Cedric The Entertainer, the show celebrates individuals of African descent who have made distinguished contributions to American culture through their work, and salutes the year’s best movies and television shows. The group joins previoulsy announced filmmaker Ava DuVernay, who will be honored with the Industry Visionary Award. The event is executive produced by ABFF Ventures founder Jeff Friday and Suzanne de Passe for de Passe Entertainment.

Videos: Burton & Anderson on ABC 7 Chicago

(11/15/17) Burton & Anderson on ABC 7 Chicago - Videos: Part 1, Part 2.

Kimberly McCullough Refused to Do an On-Screen Kiss With an Adult When She Was Just 14

(11/15/17) Actress Kimberly McCullough recalled a turning point in her young career when she refused to do a “long kiss” in an episode of GENERAL HOSPITAL because she was only 14 at the time and the other actor was 22. Inspired by the recent story of the Duffer brothers surprising young actress Sadie Sink with an on-screen kiss in an episode of STRANGER THINGS, McCullough penned a passionate blog post detailing her own experience.

“When I was 14, I had only kissed one boy in real life,” the actress recalled. “So when I read in the GH script that I was to have a ‘long kiss’ with an older boy when he dropped me at home after a date, I became sick to my stomach in anticipation. I showed up to set that day to find out the guy I was supposed to make out with was 22 years old. I was 14! The boy I had kissed in real life was my same age and despite growing up on a soap opera and working with adults my whole childhood, kissing a 22-year-old man felt dangerous and wrong.”

McCullough also related that during rehearsals, the guest actor — who she doesn’t name — joked around with another male actor about having condoms for the date and making other vulgar remarks. “Never mind how disrespectful and inappropriate this conversation was,” she declared, “it wasn’t in the script! This guest actor felt entitled to make crude remarks in rehearsal with no fear of being fired. I, on the other hand, knew that if I made a stink about it, I’d be the one who would be fired. I’m the one who had the contract with GH. I was the minor in the situation. This was my story. And I was afraid of the potential consequences of speaking up.”

However, during the next break, she went to the fifth floor to speak to the producer at the time, Gloria Monty, who unfortunately told the young star that she had to do the kiss because it was in the script and she should be grateful to work opposite such a talented actor. “The actor did go on to do big movies, so she was right about that,” McCullough admitted. “Gloria mentioned that Genie Francis (Laura) began doing love scenes when she was only a year older than I, and this scenario was very tame in comparison. I found out later that Genie’s character was date raped and she later fell in love with her rapist, so yeah… I would have to agree with Gloria. Very tame compared to that. Either way, I didn’t want to do it.”

McCullough recalled being unable to eat at lunch because her stomach was all tied up in knots, but that her mother had told her not to do the kiss if she didn’t want to, even if it meant being fired from the soap. “When it came time to do the scene, I refused to kiss him,” she revealed. “With the director and the crew watching me, I stood my ground. He kissed me on the cheek instead of the ‘long kiss’ at the end of the scene. Yes, it was a small victory on my part, but I’m sure people called me ‘difficult’ as a result. These are the labels that are often put on young women. If we stand up for ourselves we are called ‘difficult’ or ‘little divas.’ So it’s no surprise to me that to this day, young actresses are still caught up in this same type of dilemma.”

But with more and more women moving into positions of power in show business — McCullough is now a director herself — and speaking up about sexual harassment, hopefully these situations will not be as frequent as they once were. “The tide is rising and this isn’t right,” she declared. “Its behavior is part of a culture that must die.”

Kimberly McCullough Back To GH

(11/10/17) Kimberly McCullough is headed back to Port Charles for another Robin reprisal, and this time around, she will share her first scenes in five years with Steve Burton. “I watch the show, so I was very excited,” McCullough tells Soap Opera Digest of getting the call to enter the Jason/Patient 6 fray. “And also curious to see how the writers were going to explain all of this!” The actress last appeared in May.

PureFlix.com Debuts New Faith-Based Original Series 'Hilton Head Island'

(11/9/17) Pure Flix.com, the leader in faith and family streaming video, is debuting this Friday "Hilton Head Island", a 22-episode "hope opera" which chronicles the lives of a family in the high-powered world of network television.

The original, half-hour drama -- created in the tradition of "All My Children", "General Hospital" and "Falcon Crest"-- is available exclusively on PureFlix.com and represents the company's seventh original series since mid-2015.

Unlike most modern-day daytime dramas or soap operas, "Hilton Head Island" avoids language, sex and violence surprises. Instead, it focuses on the power of prayer and faith as the fictional Trisk family deals with a crisis that threatens to destroy their personal and professional lives.

The show's stars include Donna Mills ("General Hospital", "Knots Landing"), Antonio Sabato Jr. ("General Hospital", "The Bold and the Beautiful"), Crystal Hunt ("One Life to Live", "Guiding Light"), Michael Swan ("The Bold and the Beautiful", "As The World Turns") and others.

"We have very high hopes for 'Hilton Head Island' as it represents the next step for us in terms of our original series lineup," said Greg Gudorf, CEO of PureFlix.com. "This 'hope opera' is designed to show that there's a place for strong values and wholesomeness even when dealing with modern-day issues and drama."

"Hilton Head Island" is set in the iconic resort city in South Carolina and follows the Trisk family, which owns the fictional ISLE Television Network. When the family patriarch Daniel Trisk--played by Swan--falls seriously ill, his family begins battling over control of the media empire, while employing the power of prayer and faith to avoid ruining the family's legacy.

The show will be released in three-episode blocks. The first seven episodes will be available November 10, followed by two other episode blocks in subsequent weeks.

About PureFlix.com: PureFlix.com (or Pure Flix Digital) is a subsidiary of Pure Flix Entertainment, LLC, the worldwide leader in faith-based entertainment and a Christian movie studio based in Scottsdale, Ariz. that produces, distributes and acquires Christ-based movies. The company's vision is to positively influence the global culture for Christ through media. Whether it's on your television, laptop, phone, or tablet, PureFlix.com is your trusted destination for the highest quality family-friendly, wholesome entertainment that's now available anytime, anywhere. For more information, please visit PureFlix.com.

Bergman & Thompson On Facebook Live

(11/3/17) @YandR_CBS : Peter Bergman and @MyJasonThompson are going live on the #YR Facebook November 3. Tune in at 2:45p ET/11:45a PT! facebook.com/pg/TheYoungandtheRestless

New Episodes Of THE BAY Out Now

(11/2/17) The #Bayhem continues as episodes 7 and 8 of the Emmy-winning digital drama series, THE BAY, are now available to stream on Amazon. In this week’s episodes, “SEX, LIES, & TEQUILA” and “NO REGRETS”, Lex and Sara ponder an uncertain future while stargazing; Adam taunts Arthur with his vindictive plans; Pete and Vivian are caught off guard when they open the door to an unexpected guest Adam; Sara also deals with unwanted guests in her parlor and her bed; Adam eavesdrops on his hosts as Pete and Vivian give way to their undeniable passion; Colton cunningly impresses Tamara while Daniel gives in to both temptation and regret; a walk down memory lane leads Zoey to a shocking discovery and so much more. These episodes, as well as the first six of the season, can be viewed on Amazon Prime and Amazon Video here.

Bradford Anderson Made a Movie out of His Daughter's Story and It's the Cutest Thing We've Ever Seen

(10/20/17) (Video) Fathers will do anything for their daughters, and GENERAL HOSPITAL fan favorite Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) has proven that he is one of the best dads ever by helping bring his little girl’s story to life! “My daughter Juna has started writing little stories and is having a blast doing it,” he posted to Instagram. “I thought it might be fun to make movies of them.”

Anderson posted the first of what we hope are many with the premiere of The Butterfly on his Facebook page. Written and narrated by six-year-old Juna, the tale follows a beautiful purple butterfly (played by her dad) who suffers an injured wing and must go to the hospital to get better. And if you think that sounds cute, just wait until you see it in action!

At the end of the video, Anderson promises “more fun stuff coming” so hopefully that means he’ll get his wife, Keira, or their three-year-old daughter, Finola, involved in upcoming productions from Anderson Family Films (or whatever they’re going to call themselves). Because that would be even more adorable.

Jason Thompson Welcomes Daughter

(9/22/17) Jason Thompson (Billy, Y&R) and wife Paloma have welcomed their new baby girl. “Rome Coco Thompson. September 20, 2017 Welcome to earth,” the proud pop posted on Instagram. Rome joins big brother Bowie, who turned 1 in May. Check out her sweet first pic here.

Alla Korot on Her GENERAL HOSPITAL Appearance: "I Did Not Replace Rebecca"

(9/20/17) (abc.soapsindepth.com) Soap alum Alla Korot has returned to daytime with a new role as Nurse Darya on the Sept. 19 episode of GENERAL HOSPITAL! When the casting was first announced back in August, it was around the same time that fans were still upset over news of Rebecca Budig's departure as Hayden and Korot had to defend herself online against someone suggesting that Budig was fired so they could hire her. "I made an 'appearance,'" Korot tweeted. "I did not replace Rebecca."

The soap's executive producer Frank Valentini posed for a photo with her that the GH Instagram shared with the caption: “So great working with Alla Korot today! Stay tuned for more on her upcoming appearance.”

Korot got her big break in 1990 when she played Jenna Norris on ANOTHER WORLD. After leaving the NBC sudser a few years later, she made some primetime appearances before playing Dr. Allie Doyle Martin on ALL MY CHILDREN from 1997-98. Her most recent soap role was as Janet Bernard in a couple episodes of DAYS OF OUR LIVES in 2016.

Port Charles is nothing new to Korot, who actually visited the burg back in 2007 when she played Stacy Sloan on the GH spinoff, GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT! Stacy was the HIV-positive expectant mother who was injured when the ambulance exploded in the first episode of the series. She was treated by Robin Scorpio, and the two women shared an immediate bond over their shared HIV statuses. Sadly, Stacy died shortly after giving birth to her daughter.

Viewers might recognize Korot from her various primetime appearances in series like CASTLE, BONES, NCIS, and THE MENTALIST. Her most recent role was as Dasha Karpushin in a few episodes of the sixth season of GRIMM. The actress turned entrepreneur when she co-created a skin care line called L’uvalla with her husband.

GH Star Kimberly McCullough Reveals How Her Baby Boy Changed Her Life

(9/14/17) (abc.soapsindepth.com) Back on June 7, Kimberly McCullough (Robin, GENERAL HOSPITAL) welcomed her baby boy Otis into the world. And in a recent blog post on her website, the actress shared some of her experience with childbirth, including the fear, pain, and beauty.

“Childbirth isn’t for the faint of heart,” McCullough declared. “After 34 hours of labor, I ended up having to have a C-section anyway. Birth plan, smirth plan. Shout out to the nurses who kept me calm and distracted me with stories of their lives. And God love my doctor who held my hand as they wheeled me into surgery and lovingly said, ‘Today is just like any other day.’”

She wasn’t crazy about the music playing in the operating room and asked for something else, eventually settling on an R&B station. “My man came in and sat by my side when ‘Ride Wit Ya’ blasted over the speakers,” she revealed. “I was shaking from the anesthesia when I shouted, ‘Hey! Must be the money!’

“Doc said, ‘Dad, stand up!’” McCullough continued. “And I was so jealous that he could see our little guy before I could. In retrospect, my guts were on a plate, so it’s probably better I was rapping at that moment. A few seconds later, a blue-gloved hand thrust my son into the air over the partition and I lost my breath. Like a Lifetime movie on pause, hot, warm blood flooded my body and I began to cry. He cried. I cried. And then he was on the table a few feet away from me. My man yelled back to me, ‘He’s perfect!’”

After a little while longer, the new mom finally got to hold her precious newborn in her arms. “Wow, he was a force to be reckoned with,” McCullough recalled. “All I could think was, ‘You’re so cute. I didn’t think you’d be so cute.’ He looked at me like, ‘I got you, Mom. We got this.’ A powerful little booger. Right then and there, we agreed his name would be Otis.”

McCullough also revealed that the name Otis means wealthy, and clearly this baby is rich with love and affection. She’s shared some photos on her Instagram, but has been careful to keep her child out of the spotlight for the most part.

McCullough confessed that the ride home from the hospital was as terrifying as other parents had warned her it would be, and breast feeding took some getting used to. “I may have had a few rolling panic attacks,” she admitted, “wondering how the hell I was going to keep this little human alive with my body. I’ve never felt so vulnerable in my life. On the one hand, I had this huge, new responsibility in my life. On the other, I wasn’t sure I could walk up the stairs to our bedroom.”

While she allows that it’s been difficult for her to accept her limitations and asking for help, she couldn’t imagine it being any other way. “I love my son so much,” she declared. “He breaks me apart and fills me up every day. Being a mother is a spiritual challenge as well as a physical one. I am not in control, yet I want to protect him and teach him with all that I am. I am humbled by his patience with me and in awe of his purity. I’ve had to learn to ask for help and to receive it with grace. It’s not pretty sometimes but I’m working on it.”

Kimberly McCullough Celebrates Her Anniversary at GENERAL HOSPITAL!

(9/7/17) (abc.soapsindepth.com) It’s amazing how time flies when you’re having fun. Can you believe that it has been 32 years since Kimberly McCullough first appeared as Robin Scorpio on GENERAL HOSPITAL? The actress/dancer/director made her debut as the daughter of super-spies Robert Scorpio and Anna Devane in 1985 and became an immediate success. “32 years?” she marveled on Twitter. “Whoa, nelly. Thank you for your support through it all!”

Even at a young age, McCullough delivered powerful performances that just got better as she got older. In 1986, she won the Young Artist Award for Outstanding Young Actress in a Regular Daytime Serial and took home the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in both 1989 and 1996. And while many children on soap operas are rapidly aged into adults, it’s a testament to McCullough’s talent that GH has let fans watch her grow up in real time.

Although McCullough still returns to Port Charles for the occasional visit, she’s been very busy with her new career as a director, helping episodes of PRETTY LITTLE LIARS and ONE DAY AT A TIME. She’s also enjoying her other job as a new mom, welcoming her baby boy Otis into the world in June of this year.

Please join us in congratulating McCullough on her anniversary, and best wishes for continued success in life!

Alla Korot To GH

(8/15/17) Alla Korot, best known to soap fans as ANOTHER WORLD’s Jenna, and who recently appeared on DAYS as Janet, as well as in the prime-time series, GRIMM, has landed a gig on GH. Korot is familiar with the lot on which the soap films: She played GH: NIGHT SHIFT’s Stacy Sloan in 2007.

Jason Thompson Mourns the Death of His Dog, Vedder

(7/7/17) (Photo) Please join us in sending love and healing thoughts to Jason Thompson (Billy, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS; ex-Patrick, GENERAL HOSPITAL), who has sadly announced the death of his family pet, his Great Dane, Vedder.

“Sleep sweetly my boy,” Thompson posted on Instagram of the beloved pet that joined his family in April of 2007. “It’s hard to say he was mine. Although for almost 10 1/2 yeras I did what I needed to do to take care of him, truthfully it was Vedder that took care of me.

“He was the greatest of Danes,” the actor continued, “the sweetest ever. Right now my heart is broken, the heaviest chest I’ve ever felt. The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do was say goodbye to my Vedder.”

While he will miss his boy, Thompson relishes the memories that they made together over the past decade. “Every morning, he recalled, “except some of the hard ones recently, he would walk down the halls, nails clicking on the hardwood, push open the door and come and lay his head down on my side of the bed. Just to say good morning.”

Two years ago, Thompson and his wife, Paloma, learned that Vedder had cancer, but then discovered the joyous news that they were expecting their first child! “With that joy,” he confided, “my first thought was, ‘I hope he can meet Vedder.’ Ah, did he. Vedder was his dragon to climb. Ever patient and always loving.”

For evidence of how well Bowie and Vedder got along, just check out this recent video Thompson shared of his young son riding the Great Dane! (Video)

“To everyone that has ever commented or posted loving words about him, thank you,” Thompson concluded. “It always meant the world to me. He may have been mine, in a way, but he was ours. All of ours. He breathed joy into the world. Nothing less. Thank you, my boy. I will always love you, my Vedder.”

GH’s McCullough Welcomes Baby Boy

(6/9/17) Kimberly McCullough (Robin, GH) gave birth to her first child, a son. The actress shared the news on Twitter, “Baby Otis was born today June 7th. To quote Mary J “I never knew there was a love like this before,” along with the photo here.

Antonio Sabato Jr. Getting Divorced, Estranged Wife Alleges Drug Abuse

(5/16/17) Antonio Sabàto, Jr.'s calling it quits with his wife and the divorce is getting nasty ... with her making allegations of drug abuse as he launches a run for Congress.

The former soap star filed docs on December 27 to split from Cheryl Marie after a 5-year marriage. They have a 6-year-old son together and in docs, obtained by TMZ, she says she's concerned about the kid's safety due to Antonio's drug addiction.

Cheryl claims Antonio has struggled with prescription drugs ... specifically benzodiazepines -- a class of drugs that includes muscle relaxers, anti-anxiety meds and sleep disorder meds.

In her divorce docs, she says Antonio's admitted using crystal meth before they got together in 2009. She does, however, concede the birth of his daughter from another relationship motivated him to get sober.

Antonio tells TMZ ... he admits going to rehab for issues with sleeping pills. He's not trying to hide it, and says he's an outspoken advocate on addiction issues. However, he added, "Whatever else she says is just a bunch of lies."

A staunch Trump supporter ... Antonio filed docs last week to run for Congress and his platform will reportedly include dealing with the opioid crisis and drug addiction.

As for custody of their son -- he wants joint, but she's pushing for sole physical and joint legal.

Baby Girl on the Way for The Young and the Restless' Jason Thompson

(5/13/17) (people.com) A baby girl is joining Jason Thompson‘s family!

The Young and the Restless star is going to be a second-time dad, his rep confirms to PEOPLE exclusively.

He and wife Paloma Jonas are gearing up to welcome a daughter this September. She will join big brother Bowie Banjo, who will celebrate his first birthday on May 23.

“The last year with our son Bowie has been the best of our lives,” says Thompson, 40. “I love being a dad, and we’re really looking forward to bringing a girl into our little family.”

“No doubt Paloma is excited,” adds the actor of his wife, 32. “Between me, Bowie and our dog, she’s anticipating a sweeter smell in our home!”

Aside from his newer turn on The Young and the Restless — he joined the cast as Billy Abbott in early 2016 — Thompson is best known for his longtime role as Dr. Patrick Drake on General Hospital, which he played for over a decade beginning in 2005.

Fashion designer Jonas runs a successful lingerie line, Valentine NYC. She tied the knot with the Canadian actor in April 2015 in San Pancho, Mexico, during a beach ceremony.

The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS at 12:30 p.m. EST / 11:30 a.m. CST.

Soap Opera Star And GOP Convention Speaker Antonio Sabato Jr. Will Run For Congress

(5/9/17) (uproxx.com) Now that he’s supposedly been “blacklisted by Hollywood for supporting Trump,” soap opera star Antonio Sabato Jr. is doing what seems to make the most sense for an actor unable to find work in 2017 — run for office. Today, the former Calvin Klein model and Melrose Place actor made the announcement that he would be running as a republican against incumbent democrat Rep. Julia Brownley, who represents most of Ventura county in southern California.

No, this isn’t just some way to garner attention, it’s real. Sabato Jr. even filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission. It seems like he caught the political bug when he spoke at the Republican National Convention last year.

Charles Moran, Sabato Jr.’s top fundraiser, is already out and about, preparing for what will likely be a confusing and entertaining campaign. He told CNN: “Brownley is a very junior member in the minority party. Contrast that against Antonio Sabato Jr., you have somebody who is a member of the majority party who has good relations with the Trump administration.”

Moran echoed his belief that Sabato will probably be able to win this seat to the LA Times:

“Being a Republican and with proximity to the White House and Republican leadership, he’s going to be able to get more done — being in the majority, with his notoriety, for the residents of the 26th [Congressional] District.”

How else do we know he’ll be a good fit for office? He can point sternly in front of a big screen and look intense. Something Trump probably values greatly in an ally.

Jason Thompson's Son Bowie Loves Bath Time

(3/18/17) (Video, Photo) Jason Thompson (Billy, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS) has the most beautiful baby boy, and thankfully for fans, the actor loves sharing pics of 10-month-old Bowie on his Instagram so everyone can enjoy his cuteness!

Recently, Thompson shared a series of adorable photos of little Bowie really enjoying his bath time getting clean and also having an absolute blast playing in the water!

And while you can imagine the kind of giggles and laughter going on in those photos, you don't really have to, because Thompson also shared a video of Bowie demonstrating “How’s a baby lion say good morning…”

He is absolutely precious, and we almost can’t take the cuteness!

Sonya Eddy on Fresh Off The Boat

(2/10/17) “The Gloves Are Off” – Jessica accidentally befriends Marvin’s ex-wife, Sarah (Heather Locklear), and tries to help her and Honey settle their longstanding rift. Meanwhile, Louis and the boys are on a mission to determine Grandma’s true age in hopes of surprising her with a new, free motorized wheelchair, on an all-new episode of ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat,” airing on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 (9:00–9:30 p.m. EST).

Inspired by a true story, “Fresh Off the Boat” stars Randall Park as Louis, Constance Wu as Jessica, Hudson Yang as Eddie, Forrest Wheeler as Emery, Ian Chen as Evan, Lucille Soong as Grandma Huang, Chelsey Crisp as Honey and Ray Wise as Marvin.

Guest starring are Heather Locklear (“Melrose Place”) as Sarah, Martin Garcia as Gary, Luna Blaise as Nicole, Alice Lo as Susan and Sonya Eddy as Deb.

“The Gloves Are Off” was written by Sheng Wang and directed by Fred Savage.

Kimberly McCullough Is Pregnant!

(12/22/16) Congratulations are in order for Kimberly McCullough (who will reprise the role of Robin on GH next week). The actress, who suffered a late-term miscarriage in 2015, is expecting again! She shared the news on her website, kimberlymccullough.com. “Two weeks before we [she, her partner and dog Jack] moved [into their new home], I found out I was pregnant again. And although I no longer have the luxury of being naive, I can’t help but think that the timing is just perfect.” Our best wishes go out to McCullough and her beau (and Jack, of course).

Rick Springfield's Mother Has Died

(12/22/16) Our thoughts are with actor, musician, and daytime alum Rick Springfield (ex-Noah, GENERAL HOSPITAL) who has sadly reported the death of his mother, Eileen Louise Springthorpe.

“My mum in Australia has passed away while facing the blue spruce that Dad planted in the yard,” Springfield shared on Twitter.

Springfield’s father, Norman, passed away three decades ago, as he noted in a Twitter post from April 24. “35 years ago my dad left us for the great unknown,” he wrote. “It can still hurt and also empower me.”

Last year, Springfield shared a photo of his mom and wrote, “My 95 year old mum. Good genetics and a deep, caring spirit.”

Springfield’s friend, Doug Davidson (Paul, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS) expressed his condolences. “A hole in our hearts,” he tweeted. “God bless her soul. She was an incredible human being. She was the greatest! From the greatest generation.”

In lieu of flowers, the actor has requested that fans instead donate to the Linda Blair Worldheart Foundation, a non-profit organization based in California that works to fight animal cruelty and find loving homes for rescued animals.

Jason Thompson's Family Trip to Japan Was Interrupted by an Earthquake!

(11/23/16) (Pic) Jason Thompson (Billy, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS) celebrated his birthday this past weekend, and jetted off with his wife Paloma and their nearly six-month-old son, Bowie, on a trip to Japan! Luckily, after the earthquake in the Fukushima Prefecture on Nov. 21, the actor reported that he and his family are fine.

“Love the wake up call in Japan!” he tweeted. “7.3 earthquake. 40 floors up. Nothing like starting the day with a good dose of rock’n’roll… and a ton of sway.”

Former GENERAL HOSPITAL castmate and friend Kimberly McCullough (ex-Robin) expressed surprise that he was in the Land of the Rising Sun, and Thompson responded, “Yup. First family Japan trip. Bowie’s first real earthquake shake. Apparently, the Japanese are very used to it. Not a worry. So sweet.”

The actor also shared a photo of Bowie taking in the foggy-but-still-spectacular view from their room to show the tot isn't the least bit bothered.

We’re glad that Thompson and his family are safe, and we hope they enjoy the rest of their trip to Japan! We’re looking forward to seeing even more photos of Bowie enjoying his first overseas adventure!

John J York Shares Beautiful Moment From Daughter Schyler's Wedding

(11/9/16) (Pic1, Pic2) John J. York (Mac, GENERAL HOSPITAL) shared an absolutely lovely photo of him walking his daughter Schyler down the aisle at her wedding!

“Pics are in!” the actor tweeted. “One proud dad!”

When Schyler tied the knot with husband Michael Smith on Aug. 6, York shared a picture of the newlyweds, but this is the first time he's shared one of father and daughter.

All the best to the happy couple — Schyler was a gorgeous bride! And we can’t get over how utterly overjoyed York is in that photo as he looks into her beaming face! Beautiful!

Ingo Rademacher Reunites With Former Castmate Rick Springfield

(11/1/16) (Pic) It was a mini GENERAL HOSPITAL reunion at a grocery store in Malibu, CA, when Ingo Rademacher (Jax) encountered former Port Charles neighbor Rick Springfield (ex-Noah)!

“Always great to run into an old GH-er,” Rademacher posted.

Rademacher was recently taping episodes of GH to air soon, and Springfield is currently on tour promoting his new album and can be seen as Lucifer on this season of SUPERNATURAL.

Kimberly McCullough Responds to Internet Comments About Her Weight!

(10/30/16) It seems like every time Kimberly McCullough (Robin) returns to GENERAL HOSPITAL, the internet is filled with comments from fans remarking on her weight, but this time the actress decided to respond!

“FYI, I’m not offended by convos about my weight,” McCullough tweeted. “So I’m a little chubby. In my 20’s I was ‘too thin.’ It is what it is, people…”

Her co-stars were quick to jump to their friend’s defense against the internet haters on Twitter. “You’re beautiful,” declared Maurice Benard (Sonny), “you’re a talented actress and director, and you were great on GH, by the way.”

Vanessa Marcil (ex-Brenda) understood McCullough’s feelings perfectly. “You are perfect as per usual, my beautiful little sis,” she tweeted. “We will always be too something to people who aren’t brave enough to be ‘in the arena.’”

“Ummmm, I’ve seen your jeans on the ‘WRAP’ rack and they’re tiny,” Nicolas Bechtel (Spencer) reported, “so people… please!”

And Haley Pullos (Molly) reminded everyone, “All bodies are good bodies.”

McCullough has a great attitude about the entire situation, and continues to blow audiences away with her brilliant performances in front of and behind the camera.

Jason Thompson's Baby Boy is so Excited it's Friday

(10/30/16) (Video) Jason Thompson (Billy, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS) just shared the most adorable video of his five-month-old baby boy, Bowie!

Bowie seems super interested in the camera, even if Thompson is trying to make it appear like his son is just really excited that it’s finally Friday!

Bowie is just the cutest little thing, and we can’t get enough of him!

Kimberly McCullough Is Part of Cady McClain's Exciting new Project!

(10/27/16) As a woman and also a director, it’s only natural that Kimberly McCullough (Robin, GENERAL HOSPITAL) would become a part of the upcoming documentary series from ALL MY CHILDREN’s Cady McClain (Dixie), Seeing is Believing: Women Direct.

“I so enjoyed my interview with director Kimberly McCullough,” McClain tweeted, “and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.”

“When Cady interviewed me, we didn’t know each other, even though we knew of each other,” McCullough told Soaps In Depth. “There was just an instant connection.”

As a producer on the project, McCullough is very excited to see it all coming together as McClain interviews different female filmmakers. “She’s approached as ‘Let’s talk about who we are as directors, how we got here, what we did to learn our craft, how we’ve kept it up,’” she said of McClain's perspective, “‘as opposed to talking about the problems of not getting hired.’”

The distribution plan for Seeing is Believing: Women Direct also appealed tremendously to McCullough. “It’s almost like an online class you can plug into any time you want,” she marveled. “It’s not some upper crust documentary that will only show at festivals. Everyone can watch it!”

McClain’s project is currently over 90% funded on Indiegogo, so we’re looking forward to seeing all of the talented filmmakers that she’s interviewed and hearing what they have to say!

‘Counterpart’: Michael Nyqvist, Nazanin Boniadi, 2 Others Join Starz Spy Series

(10/26/16) Michael Nyqvist, Nazanin Boniadi, Nicholas Pinnock and Sara Serraiocco have been cast as series regulars in Counterpart, Starz’s upcoming spy thriller. Oscar winner J.K. Simmons, Olivia Williams and Harry Lloyd star in the series, described as an espionage thriller with a metaphysical twist.

Counterpart is the story of Howard Silk (Simmons), a lowly cog in a bureaucratic agency who discovers that the agency he works for is really guarding a crossing into a parallel dimension. Through Howard and his counterpart on the other side, the show will navigate themes of identity, what-ifs and lost love. Starz ordered two 10-episode seasons in 2015.

Nyqvist will play Chekhov, the hardened Director of Operations at Howard’s agency and a strange mix of philosopher and spy. Boniadi will play Clare, an enigmatic young woman of curious origin, who becomes a major linchpin as the season develops. Pinnock will play Ian Shaw, an aggressive operative and watchdog whose job is to ensure an uneasy peace between both dimensions. Serraiocco will play Baldwin, a mysterious assassin whose life takes on a new purpose when she is exposed to the other side.

Swedish actor Nyqvist’s flm credits include The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, John Wick, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol and Disconnect. Next seen in the feature Frank & Lola, he is repped by Authentic Talent & Literary Management, ICM Partners and Sweden’s Agentfirman.

Boniadi co-starred on Homeland for two seasons as CIA analyst Fara Sherazi. Other recent credits include Ben-Hur, Scandal and How I Met Your Mother. Repped by ICM Partners, Jordan Lee Talent and Stone Genow, she is shooting Hotel Mumbai with Dev Patel and Armie Hammer.

Pinnock appeared in History’s miniseries Barbarians Rising and recently starred in ITV 1’s crime drama Marcella. Other film and television credits include Captain America: The First Avenger and A.D. The Bible Continues. He is repped by Silver Lining Entertainment.

Serraiocco starred in the Italian features Salvo and La Ragazza del Mondo (Worldly Girl), directed by Marco Danieli. She is repped by UK-based Olivia Bell Management and Italian agency Officine Artistiche.

Created and written by Justin Marks, Counterpart is from MRC, Anonymous Content and Gilbert Films. Executive producers are Morten Tyldum — who will direct the first episode — Marks, Amy Berg, Gary Gilbert, Jordan Horowitz, Keith Redmon and Bard Dorros. Simmons also serves as a producer.

Kimberly McCullough Checks In For A GH Visit

(10/21/16) Kimberly McCullough, whose Robin last visited GH in May for the Nurses’ Ball, will notch another Port Charles appearance starting on October 27. She describes her trip back to the studio as “so fun! I had some really intense scenes and it felt nice to call on some of those memories and history of Robin’s character.” The actress says that the comeback was born out of her ongoing conversations with Executive Producer Frank Valentini about gaps in her schedule (she works now primarily as a director) that allow her to fit in some taping days at GH. For more on McCullough’s homecoming, check out the new issue of Soap Opera Digest, on sale tomorrow.

Kimberly McCullough Opens Up About Her Return to GENERAL HOSPITAL!

(10/21/16) Kimberly McCullough (Robin) talked to Soaps In Depth about her latest return to GENERAL HOSPITAL slated to air on Thursday, Oct. 27!

The actress is said to be sticking around for the first week of November sweeps, and while she couldn’t divulge any of the top-secret storyline surrounding her return, McCullough did admit that “it’s always great” to go back.

“It feels like a nice little visit,” she confides. “I get excited, like I’m going on vacation sort of — a working vacation!”

Now that she’s turned director, helming episodes of PRETTY LITTLE LIARS as well as her own project, HEY DAY, McCullough reveals she makes a point of hanging out behind the scenes as well. “I always try to pop into the booth with the director, assistant director, lighting coordinator and producers,” she reports. “That’s where I got the bug to be a director, so I usually grab one of the free chairs and sit for a while.”

For more from McCullough about her GH return and all her other exciting projects, check out her interview in the new ABC issue of Soaps In Depth, on sale now!

GENERAL HOSPITAL's Kimberly McCullough Shares a First Look at Her Exciting New Project — See the Clips!

(9/27/16) (Videos: Nervous, Pow) Kimberly McCullough (ex-Robin, GENERAL HOSPITAL) has already shared a pitch video for her series HEY DAY, a fictionalized account of her own experience in daytime that follows a young woman named Angel thrust into the madcap world of soaps during the height of their popularity in the ‘80s. Later, she shared some behind the scenes photos from the shoot, and now has finally shared some clips!

In the first clip, star Chrssie Fit as a nervous Angel, gets a rather direct pep talk from the soap’s executive producer, played by Finola Hughes (Anna, GH).

The following day, McCullough let slip another delicious snippet of HEY DAY where Hughes’ character lights up a cigarette as she bluntly reveals to Angel how another actor on the show met his untimely (and scandalous!) demise.

These clips are amazing and far too brief a taste of what promises to be a fantastic story! Hopefully McCullough will be able to show off the finished product soon!

Kimberly McCullough Shares HEY DAY Clip

(9/23/16) GH alum Kimberly McCullough (ex-Robin) revealed the first clip from her soap-themed pilot, HEY DAY, featuring Finola Hughes (Anna). Check it out here.

Stamos’s Soapy Project Causes Uproar

(9/16/16) When the news broke that John Stamos (ex-Blackie, GH) was developing a cable drama set behind the scenes of a soap in the 1980s, some fans reacted with outrage — because the concept bears a strong resemblance to the project Kimberly McCullough (ex-Robin, GH) has been working on. Titled HEY DAY and also drawing its dramatic inspiration from backstage life at a soap at the peak of its ratings success and cultural influence (i.e., the 1980s), McCullough wrote and directed the pilot she shot last year, which features Finola Hughes (Anna, GH) and Bree Williamson (Claudette, GH). “This is [McCullough’s] concept for her #HeyDay since 2014… NOT his!” fumed one fan on Twitter in response to Digest’s story on Stamos plans. McCullough’s former leading man, Jason Thompson (ex-Patrick, GH; Billy, Y&R) came to McCullough’s defense on Twitter, writing, “Oh you mean [McCullough’s] #HeyDay? Little to familiar if you ask me.”

Kimberly McCullough Meets Jason Thompson's Son, Bowie

(9/12/16) (Photo) Jason Thompson (Billy, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS) has been reuniting with all his old GENERAL HOSPITAL love interests lately! First he caught up with Teresa Castillo (Sabrina) and her beautiful daughter Victoria, and now Kimberly McCullough (ex-Robin) was able to see his bundle of joy!

“Finally got to meet this nugget of goodness today,” McCullough tweeted with a photo of her holding Thompson’s three-month-old son, Bowie.

We’re sure McCullough enjoyed catching up with her old friend, Thompson, but when you’ve got a beautiful baby like that to hold for the very first time, how could you think of anything else?

Supernatural Promo

(9/9/16) Rick Springfield vs. Crowley, Bloody Dean and More: Video.

Kimberly McCullough Opens Up About Brush With Cult

(8/26/16) In her latest blog, GH alum Kimberly McCullough (ex-Robin) opens up about her experience as “the prime target of a Christian cult” when she was a student at NYU. When they attempted to stop her from visiting her family for a holiday break, she writes, “I felt manipulated and sad, that I was being used so this organization could say that ‘Robin from General Hospital’ went to their church.” To read the full story, click here.

Rick Springfield Talks 'Supernatural' Gig, Making a Blues Album & 35 Years of 'Working Class Dog'

(billboard.com) Rick Springfield is about to give the devil his (or her) due -- both in music and on TV.

The rocker and actor has signed on to play Lucifer in the next season of the CW's Supernatural, and he's looking forward to "playing against type."

"I play this rock guy who gets possessed by Lucifer, because Lucifer has just escaped from wherever they put him last season," Springfield -- whose recent small-screen gigs include some eccentric characters on Californication and True Detective -- tells Billboard. "He's always looking for a human host to do this bad stuff to the world, and I happen to be that human host. It's really fun, well-written. And the effects are insane; the other day I spent two hours in the makeup chair getting ready for this one scene. It's really incredible stuff."

Springfield has no qualms about being part of another successful TV series. "I'd heard of the show, but I never realized how big it was," he says. "I mean, it's been on for 12 years, and it's worldwide. It's got a giant fanbase. Where have I been?"

The Lucifer role, meanwhile, goes hand-in-hand with what Springfield has planned next: a blues album to follow up his latest studio set, Rocket Science, which came out earlier this year. "I love slide guitar, and most people don't know it because I don't really play it onstage," Springfield says. "I play [Hambone Willie Newbern's] 'Rollin' and Tumblin'' in my solo show, and I always get guys saying, 'You should do a blues album.' And I was thinking about writing something as opposed to just doing copies of blues songs that everybody's done. I'm all for expanding people's views, y'know?"

Along with all that, Springfield is also celebrating the 35th anniversary of his breakthrough Working Class Dog album, a Grammy Award winner (for the single "Jessie's Girl") that gave him his first top 10 and platinum album in the U.S. Springfield himself professes to not be particularly sentimental, but he doesn't in any way discount that album's impact and importance on his career.

"It's a great record -- but, I mean, I've listened to a lot of great records that didn't break careers, so it's a gift too. I have great affection for it," Springfield says. "It was a blast to record. We'd go into the studio when Tom Petty was done and we'd record from 3 in the morning until 7, when the next band came in, and make sh-- up on the fly. I didn't think anything would happen with it, so it was a big surprise all around. The first one that becomes a hit is always, 'Oh my God, how did that happen?!'"

And, Springfield adds, "My dog is on the cover, which doesn't hurt either."

SUNDANCE HEYDAY PITCH

SUNDANCE HEYDAY PITCH by Kimberly McCullough: Video.

Jason Thompson Shares Beautiful Video of Son Bowie

Jason Thompson Shares Beautiful Video of Son Bowie: Video.

Antonio Sabato Jr. says he was blacklisted by Hollywood directors after supporting Donald Trump

(foxnews.com) Actor Antonio Sabato Jr. claims he has been blacklisted by Hollywood directors thanks to his speech at the Republican National Convention in July.

The soap opera star spoke with Variety about the backlash he received after voicing his support for Donald Trump at the RNC.

"It’s been interesting," he told Variety. "I’ve had fantastic directors who have said officially to my agents and managers they will never hire me again. They will never even see me for projects. That’s unfair. It’s just like Communism."

Sabato said he just wanted to voice his opinion.

"I was never a politician. I care about my country. I put God first. For the last seven-and-a-half years, I’ve seen this country led by a leader that’s made mistakes. I spoke my mind about it. But because I’m in the industry, you can’t talk about that," he said.

And it's not just those in Hollywood that are angry with Sabato's remarks; the actor said he was also slammed on social media for his political views.

"On Twitter, there’s been name calling, and celebrities attacking me. That’s fine. I see it, but I don’t read it. I block them and delete them and move on."

Despite all of the backlash, the actor has no plans to leave Hollywood behind.

"I have my hands in all kinds of businesses. I’m never going to leave Hollywood. I’m going to go after it one way or another," he said. "I’m just speaking the truth — people don’t know how this business works."

Supernatural: Rick Springfield to Play Lucifer's Rock Star Vessel in Season 12

The devil you say! Rick Springfield has been tapped to raise hell in multiple episodes of Supernatural’s Season 12, as Lucifer’s latest vessel.

After taking possession of Castiel’s body in Season 11, the fallen angel is “going to try out a few different vessels” next season, executive producer Robert Singer said during the show’s San Diego Comic-Con panel Sunday. “You need a really strong vessel like Sam, like Castiel… “

Like the erstwhile Dr. Noah Drake. “The first vessel that [Lucifer] feels comfortable with,” Singer went on, “is a rock star who’s a little bit on the down side who’s trying to come back.”

As an added bonus, if the vessel isn’t a snug fit, maybe Lucifer can sing “I’ve Done Everything for You” to his host — in his host’s hit-making voice.

Supernatural’s Season 12 premieres Thursday, Oct. 13, at 9/8c, leading out of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.

Fully Clothed Antonio Sabato Jr. Draws Raucous Cheers With RNC Speech

(Video) Antonio Sabato Jr., best known for his sensational black-and-white Calvin Klein underwear campaign in the 1990s, found the first fully convincing speaking role of his career at Monday’s opening night of the Republican National Convention.

Plainly calling himself “not your typical convention speaker,” the General Hospital and Melrose Place star — who more recently has appeared on Dancing With the Stars and the VH1 dating series My Antonio — declared that “my belief in this country and my faith in Jesus Christ have compelled me to speak now.”

“Our rights have been trampled and our security threatened,” said Sabato, who described his decision to move to the United States from Rome in 1985, and become a naturalized citizen in 1996. “Others who want to come to the U.S. to live and work should follow the same rules!”

Sabato’s speech, which contended that America is “weaker by almost every measure,” was short on specifics, but heavy on passion. “Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton promote division. Don’t be fooled: Donald Trump is for unity. Donald Trump believes in one America with liberty and justice for all.”

Sabato ended his talk by saying that it’s the duty of government to “secure borders and protect citizens,” adding that “none of this is hateful, it’s the right thing to do!”

Antonio Sabato, Jr. Reveals Why He's Speaking at the RNC – and Why He Supports Donald Trump

Actor and former Calvin Klein model Antonio Sabato, Jr. is passionate about improving life in America and around the world.

Since the 44-year-old has been talking about social, economic and financial issues with Donald Trump for the past year, he was pleased when Trump's campaign asked him to speak during the Republican National Convention, which opens Monday in Cleveland.

"It is refreshing to have a candidate like Trump who is so honest about his feelings because he speaks for many of us when he says we are in a bad place," Sabato, Jr. tells PEOPLE.

"I have never been a Republican or Democrat," he continued. "I am an American."

Sabato, Jr. will take the stage on Tuesday night for a special speech.

"I am planning to speak for a few minutes," he says. "I will discuss my frustration and fear of how things are now, and how we need the kind of change Trump can bring."

Born in Rome, Italy, the entertainer – who moved to the U.S in 1985 – says he is angry about terrorism and violence in general. Thursday's attack in Nice, France, a coastal city he says he loved as a young boy, greatly upset him.

"I used to hang out in Nice in the summer, and now all of Europe has changed," says Sabato, Jr. who lives in Los Angeles and is active on social media. "We need a straight-to-the-point person like Trump to give us a fresh start."

Sabato, Jr. is working with members of the Trump campaign to polish his speech. He will be flown to Cleveland by the campaign and stay for a couple of days to meet other politicians.

"I am not being paid to speak, I am passionate about improving the world," he tells PEOPLE.

"I look forward to meeting people like Ted Cruz and Rudy Giuliani. They are smart men who have a hard job. I thought show business was bad but politics is worse."

Soap Alums To Speak At Republican National Convention

The Republican National Convention kicks off Monday in Cleveland and there will be some familiar soap faces in the crowd. Daytime alums Kimberlin Brown (ex-Sheila, Y&R/B&B) and Antonio Sabáto, Jr. (ex-Jagger, GH) are on the list of speakers that was released today.

SOAP VET ALLA KOROT JOINS DAYS

In the latest issue of Digest, Alla Korot (ex-Jenna, ANOTHER WORLD et al) previews her new DAYS role as Janet Bernard. “Janet is on a mission to find out what happened to her brother,” says Korot of Clarke, Summer’s cohort who she accidentally killed in May. “She’s strong and she knows what she wants. She can see through a lie quickly and and is somebody who doesn’t mess around.” For more, pick up the new issue of Digest!

Kimberly McCullough Directing Another Episode of PRETTY LITTLE LIARS

(Photo) Fans were delighted to see Kimberly McCullough back as Robin for the GENERAL HOSPITAL Nurses Ball, but the actress admitted that she couldn’t watch the episode live because she was hard at work!

“I missed the GH Nurses Ball ‘cause it’s my first day of prep on PRETTY LITTLE LIARS!” she confessed on Twitter.

McCullough made her directorial debut with the episode of PLL that aired January 26, and her latest one is scheduled to air on Tuesday, August 9.

JASON THOMPSON WELCOMES SON

Jason Thompson (Billy, Y&R) and wife, Paloma, have welcomed their first child, a son. "Welcome to Earth Bowie. The sweetest smells and the most beautiful sounds. And a mother that is other worldly. @paloma,” he tweeted. Congratulations to the new family! See a pic of the adorable baby, click here.

Kimberly McCullough Shares Adorable Backstage Photo From the Nurses Ball!

(Pic1, Pic2) Kimberly McCullough (Robin, GENERAL HOSPITAL) gave fans a behind-the-scenes peek at the Anna/Emma/Robin reunion at this year’s Nurses Ball!

The actress shared a backstage photo of herself, Finola Hughes (Anna) and Brooklyn Rae Silzer (Emma), explaining the beautiful flowers in the girl’s hands by revealing, “We celebrated Brooklyn’s birthday!”

Silzer’s turned 10 was back in April, but they would have been filming these episodes at that time, so her on-screen mom and grandma were able to make her birthday even more special!

And like an actual proud mommy, McCullough couldn't resist sharing an extra photo she snapped of her adorable castmate during filming, posing on the set. "One more of this cutie," she wrote.

For more behind-the-scenes scoop on the GH Nurses Ball, don’t miss the ABC issue of Soaps In Depth magazine on sale now, and the following issue on sale Monday, June 6!

Kimberly McCullough Shares Childhood Photo With Debbie Allen!

(Pic) Kimberly McCullough (Robin, GENERAL HOSPITAL) has the most amazing childhood photos!

The actress, who is also a dancer, shared a photo of herself and Debbie Allen on the set of the hit musical series, FAME! “Found this pic of us when you hired me on FAME,” she wrote to the actress/choreographer/director. “Now I’m a director!”

Clearly Allen knew talent when she sees it, even at such a young age!

Antonio Sabato Jr.: ‘Donald Trump Will Be Our Next President’

Antonio Sabato Jr.: ‘Donald Trump Will Be Our Next President’: Video.

John J. York Stars in New Movie, 'The Last Heist'

(Trailer) It’s been a while since Mac worked for the Port Charles Police Department on GENERAL HOSPITAL, but portrayer John J. York is back in action in the upcoming thriller The Last Heist, hitting theaters, VOD and iTunes on Friday, June 17!

The film stars Henry Rollins as a man who is visiting his safety deposit box when the bank is taken over by armed robbers. But the situation turns even deadlier when it is revealed that Rollins’ character is a killer who starts taking people out one by one! York plays Sinclair, who from the trailer, seems to be in charge of the assault team trying to bring the dangerous criminals to justice.

“Great time making this movie!” York tweeted. “Can’t wait to see it!”

The film also features Mykel Shannon Jenkins, who played Detective Charlie Baker on THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL — although his character in this film is on the other side of the law!

John J. York Shares Adorable Baby Picture

(Photo) Apparently, GENERAL HOSPITAL star John J. York (Mac) was going through some old photo albums over the weekend, and decided to share an old baby picture of himself with fans on Twitter!

“As I look at this photo,” he wrote, “doesn’t my head look a lot bigger than my body? What’s up with that?”

We think he was an adorable little tyke, and is a handsome man today!

KIMBERLY MCCULLOUGH DISHES GH RETURN

Kimberly McCullough (Robin) is headed back to GH in time for this year's Nurses' Ball, which kicks off on May 24. "I honestly can't even remember the last one that I went to," she marvels. "The Nurses' Ball [became a big deal] because of Stone," Robin's first love, who lost his life to AIDS in 1995, "so it's nice that I actually get to show up." She was pleased to get the invitation from Executive Producer Frank Valentini. "In December, when she shot the happy ending of Robin going off into the sunset with Patrick and Emma, he was like, 'Oh, we're definitely going to have you back.' and I was like, 'Really? How?' He said, 'Oh, we'll figure out a way.' A few weeks ago, I texted Frank just to check in, and I shared the news with him that I am directing another episode of PRETTY LITTLE LIARS.' He was congratulatory, and then said, 'So, are you available?' I said, 'Yeah, I'm available until the end of May, when I shoot PLL,' and then the next day, I got an email with the dates [he wanted me to shoot GH]. I was like, 'Oh, cool!' I didn't know he was serious! I'm really excited and I know it's going to be really fun."

CONFIRMED! KIMBERLY MCCULLOUGH RSVPS FOR THE NURSES' BALL

A rep for GH confirms that Kimberly McCullough will reprise the role of Robin Scorpio-Drake to be part of this year's Nurses' Ball festivities, which kick off on May 24. The actress last aired in January, when Robin relocated to California with on-again hubby Patrick and daughter Emma.

Antonio Sabato Jr. Is Joining the Chippendales!

It's not Antonio Sabato Jr.'s first time at the washboard rodeo, and we can only hope it won't be his last!

The actor, model and Dancing with the Stars alum – who has appeared in several of PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive and Most Beautiful People issues – is about to put on the Chippendales' signature cuffs and collar as the newest celebrity guest host for the Las Vegas revue.

"I am looking forward to joining the Chippendales in Las Vegas as their celebrity guest host," Sabato Jr. says in a statement released exclusively to PEOPLE. "It is a legendary show, an iconic brand and a fun experience for all. I am excited to be a part of the energetic atmosphere!"

Sabato Jr., 44, will appear for five weeks only (May 5–June 5) at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, following in the footsteps of previous guest hosts including Ian Ziering and Tyson Beckford.

For additional information, visit Chippendales.com.

Billy Dee Williams reunites with Colt 45

Billy Dee Williams reunites with Colt 45, filling that ‘Most Interesting’ beer commercial void: Video.

SOAP STARS ON HALLMARK’S HOME & FAMILY THIS WEEK

Tune-in alert! Jason Thompson (Billy, Y&R) will appear on Hallmark’s HOME & FAMILY on Wednesday, March 16 to discuss his new role on the CBS soap. Kristina Wagner (Felicia, GH) will be featured on Friday, March 18 to promote her Hallmark Original Series WHEN CALLS THE HEART, which also stars ex-husband, Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco, GH et al).

John J. York and Réal Andrews Join Katherine Kelly Lang in a New Movie

(Pic1, Pic2) Some very familiar faces are teaming up for a new indie film!

GENERAL HOSPITAL’s John J. York (Mac) shared a photo on Twitter with “old friend," Réal Andrews (ex-Taggert, GH), and “new friend,” Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL), on the set of Dear Diary, I Died.

While plot details aren’t yet available, Lang revealed her character name by tweeting that she is “enjoying this adventure as Michelle Wilson.”

Andrews shared his own selfie with York from the set, excited to be acting with his former GH co-star again. He also tweeted, “It’s great to be working with such a great cast.”

As more information about Dear Diary, I Died emerges, we’ll be sure to let you know.

‘Dirty Dancing’ ABC Remake Adds Billy Dee Williams As Tito

Dirty Dancing has found its bandleader. Star Wars‘ Billy Dee Williams has been cast as Tito in Dirty Dancing, ABC’s three-hour remake of the hit Patrick Swayze-Jennifer Grey movie. The role was played by Charles ‘Honi’ Coles in the original film.

Like the 1987 feature, ABC’s Dirty Dancing movie centers on Baby (Abigail Breslin), an innocent young woman in the early 1960s who vacations with her affluent parents and siblings in the Catskills and falls for Johnny (Cole Prattes), the resort’s charismatic, skilled dance instructor and leader of the working-class entertainment staff. Williams’ Tito is the charismatic, lively, longtime bandleader for the early resort. Tito oversees and advises the resort’s musicians and entertainers, and must acquiesce to the changing times. Sarah Hyland, Nicole Scherzinger and Debra Messing also star.

Williams is best known as Lando Calrissian in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back and Episode VI – The Return of the Jedi . He also starred in Brian’s Song and Batman. Williams most recently was featured in The Man In 3B, and his voice has been heard in The Lego Movie, Star Wars Rebels, Robot Chicken and Lego Star Wars: Droid Tales. He’s repped by Kramer Management and TalentWorks.

Dirty Dancing is produced by Lionsgate Television in association with Allison Shearmur Productions.

Richard Gant In ABC’s ‘The Fluffy Shop’

Richard Gant (Men Of A Certain Age) has been cast opposite Gabriel Iglesias in ABC comedy pilot The Fluffy Shop. The project was inspired by Iglesias’ life experience including the challenges of managing a home life during the few days he spends off the road each week. Gant will play Lance, a gruff guy with a military bearing who built the Fluffy Shop and maintains it. He functions as a father figure to Gabe (Iglesias) and the other employees at the shop. Gant is repped by Pakula/King & Associates and Greenlight Management.

GH ALUMS TEAM UP FOR CONCERT

GH alums Rick Springfield (ex-Noah/Eli, GH) and Tristan Rogers (Colin, Y&R; ex-Robert, GH) are teaming up for a concert to benefit The American Cancer Society (ACS) Desert Spirit on Thursday, March 3, at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, CA. “Rick is a longtime friend,” says Rogers. “It’s a Rick Springfield ‘stripped down' concert, rather than unplugged. It’s a terrific change of pace from his usual concerts. Rick is a hell of a guitar player, and he’s a great storyteller, too. For instance, when ‘Jesse’s Girl’ came out, I distinctly remember that everybody immediately jumped to a conclusion that it was about a cast member, which played very well for the media [laughs]. I’ll be there doing a Meet And Greet at the event, as well, and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s one of the few times you can talk to the fans on a one-on-one basis. Events like this are very special to both of us, this one in particular. The reason is that it benefits ACS, which is very close to our hearts.” For ticket information, go to www.rickspringfield.com/concerts or https://www.hotwatercasino.com/rickspringfield

Rick Springfield adds country chops to 'Rocket Science'

Rick Springfield, "Rocket Science" (Frontiers Records)

Rick Springfield sprinkles the sounds of country music across his 18th album, with banjos, steel guitars and mandolins underpinning electric guitars and his energetic vocals on "Rocket Science."

Even at age 66, Springfield has been working hard, building up his resume like a Boy Scout trying to earn an elusive merit badge.

A stint on the second season of HBO's "True Detective," a role opposite Meryl Streep on "Ricki and the Flash," a novel and a well-received autobiography have still left him time to release a new album every couple of years.

The Australian native also performs some 100 concerts a year and it's that propelling drive which stands out on "Rocket Science," the thumping opener "Light this Party Up" and over-driven banjo showcase "Miss Mayhem."

More subdued though hardly laid-back are mostly acoustic "Found" and "Let Me In," lifted by its chorus. "Crowded Solitude" and "That One" are among those tracks reflecting the countrified sound.

"Rocket Science" is familiar from the start, maybe a bit too familiar, with songs containing elements from across the pop landscape, flavored with those bits of country twang. It sounds great but it's definitely not rocket science.

JASON THOMPSON TO BE A DAD: "I'M VERY EXCITED!"

Congratulations are in order for Jason Thompson (Billy, Y&R) and wife Paloma Jonas, who are set to become first-time parents in May. "It’s just another crazy change in the world of my world changing," the actor, who recently made the leap from GH to Y&R, tells Digest. "I'm very excited about it."

GH STAR REVEALS MISCARRIAGE

In a blog entry on her website, Kimberly McCullough (Robin, GH) revealed that she miscarried a daughter in 2015. "I'm still processing, still healing," she wrote, "but anyone who has been through it knows, losing a baby at 22 weeks is tragic." For her full story, click here.

ALLA KOROT JOINS DAYS

Soap vet Alla Korot (ex-Jenna, AW) revealed on Twitter that she's been tapped for a new role at DAYS. "Heading over to @DaysofourLives shooting 1st episode on Jan4:)) look out for Janet Bernard," she posted.

JASON THOMPSON WRAPS AT GH

On November 20 — his birthday — Jason Thompson wrapped his run as GH's Patrick. 'It was a long, emotional, exhausting, thrilling and at times overwhelming day, and I am so grateful for every one of those moments," he posted on Instagram. "Change can be exciting and scary all at once. Shake it up ... see what comes out."

Pablo Schreiber, Rick Springfield & Sosie Bacon Topline Rocker Tale ‘Traces’

Pablo Schreiber, Rick Springfield and Sosie Bacon are starring in Traces, the indie drama that marks the directorial debut of Matthew Currie Holmes. American Gun‘s Ted Kroeber is producing with Roger Goff (Dallas Buyers Club) and Kevin Lamb and shooting is now underway in L.A.

The plot centers on ’90s one-hit wonder Damien (Schreiber) who finds himself out of a job when the record store he works at, owned by Carl (Springfield), suddenly closes. During a chance meeting at a showcase with up-and-coming music artist Sierra (Bacon), Damien is given a rare second chance when he is asked to produce and record her debut album. They form a bond as he rediscovers his passion for music and she opens herself up to the “messiness” of her art.

Schreiber was Emmy-nominated this year for Orange Is The New Black, Springfield co-starred with Meryl Streep in this year’s Ricki And The Flash, and Bacon is the daughter of Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick whose recent credits include MTV’s Scream.

Schreiber is repped by ICM Partners and Circle of Confusion, Springfield by ICM Partners, and Bacon by The Kohner Agency and Impression Entertainment.

Buy Patrick And Emma's Song!

How sweet was the song that Patrick and Emma sang at the Nurses Ball on yesterday's episode of GENERAL HOSPITAL? "Nothing I Can't Do" was written by the actor who plays Dr. Drake himself, Jason Thompson, and the duet performed with his TV daughter, Brooklyn Silzer, is now available on iTunes: Nothing I Can't Do - Single - Brooklyn Silzer & Jason Thompson.

SABATO SHOW RENEWED

FIX IT & FINISH IT, the home improvement show hosted by Antonio Sabato, Jr. (ex-Jagger, GH et al), had been renewed for seasons 2 and 3, Bellum Entertainment and Raycom Media announced today. The series will have an order of 150 episodes per season. In an interview with Digest to promote the September 2014 premiere, the actor explained, “I am not just coming in and hosting. I actually get involved in the demolition, building, painting, electrical, concrete work, etc. My designers are local and I am learning a lot from them about stuff that I want to do to my own house. It is really a learning experience and I am passionate about it. I really can’t wait to keep going. I love it."

McCullough's New Gig!

GENERAL HOSPITAL's Kimberly McCullough (ex-Robin) continues to develop her career behind the camera. The Disney ABC Creative Talent Development Facebook page posted that the actress will be directing an upcoming episode of the Disney Channel comedy series KC UNDERCOVER. We'll let you know when the episode is slated to air!

New Project For GH Stars!

GENERAL HOSPITAL's Tyler Christopher (Nikolas) and Kimberly McCullough (Robin) would like to invite you to a special Hollywood reading of the script of a new television pilot, featuring a plethora of familiar Port Charles faces!

Written by McCullough and produced by Christopher, Hey Day is a satirical look at the debaucherous on- and off-screen world of the daytime drama DOCTORS OF ROMANCE. And not only was the premise inspired by GH, but the actors roped in some current and former castmates to participate in the reading, including Lexi Ainsworth (ex-Kristina), Finola Hughes (Anna), Linda Elena Tovar (Rosalie), Ian Buchanan (Duke) and Ronnie Marmo (ex-Ronnie). ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Bree Williamson (Jessica) is also joining in on the fun as are special guests Nicolas Bechtel (Spencer, GH) and Brooklyn Rae Silzer (Emma, GH).

The reading is being held on Thursday, October 30, at 7:30 p.m. at Theater 68 in the NoHo Arts Center in North Hollywood, CA, and it will include a 30-minute Q&A after the reading with the cast. There are only a limited number of tickets available to the public, and you can purchase them and get more information about the event by clicking here!

RICK SPRINGFIELD DOCUMENTARY AVAILABLE NOW

An Affair of the Heart, an award-winning documentary examining the life of pop rock icon Rick Springfield (ex-Noah/Eli, GH), is now available on iTunes and other leading digital platforms including Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, Xbox and Playstation. "An Affair of the Heart has been a labor of love from day one," said Melanie Lentz-Janney, executive producer. For more information on the film, visit www.rickspringfielddoc.com or follow the @YellowRickRoad on Facebook and Twitter. To purchase the film on iTunes, visit here.

Ellsworth Has Something To Sing About!

Next month, Kiko Ellsworth (ex-Stan, GENERAL HOSPITAL, Jamal, PORT CHARLES) is releasing The Great Awakening, his very first music CD, on iTunes. We knew that Ellsworth is an actor and self-defense instructor, but we didn't know that he could sing. As it turns out, neither did he! Stranger yet, he discovered it while doing yoga! "In that class, you really work on breathing, meditation, and chanting... with all those things happening, my voice changed and started coming correctly from my diaphragm instead of my throat," he explains. "We chanted some songs, and it was such an amazing, healing experience."

Having previously learned to rap for his role in the movie I Am, Ellsworth felt compelled to write and record something inspirational. "I'm rapping, singing, chanting... it's all mixed together in a very hip, edgy, but also spiritual way," he previews. What the performer wants fans to know is that he's using the CD to raise funds for Safe Passage and Operation Skid Row, charities that raise awareness for domestic violence and homelessness, respectively. For more about the music project, (which will be launched via a hot party on Saturday, January 26) or to donate to the cause, check out Ellsworth's intriguing video.

The Sock Song

Check out Kimberly McCullough’s very naughty appearance in Nikki Lynn Katt’s “The Sock Song” music video here.

General Hospital: Night Shift DVD

General Hospital: Night Shift - Complete First Season Buy now on DVD.