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News, Cast Updates and Scoop(News section last updated December 7, 2024)Thom Christopher Dies: Actor Best Known For Villainous Role On ‘One Life to Live’ Was 84(12/7/24) Thom Christopher, the actor best known for playing mobster Carlo Hessler on ABC’s One Life to Live, died Thursday in New York after a lengthy illness. He was 84.His death was confirmed by his former OLTL co-star Anthony Crivello on Facebook, who posted pictures of their time together on the soap. Crivello played his son. “It was a wonderful time, difficult hours and long days, but joyful each minute,” wrote Crivello. Born on October 5, 1940, in Queens, Christopher got his start in the soaps in the 50s by playing Noel Douglas on The Edge of Night. He went on to become a journeyman actor in TV with roles in Buck Rogers, Cannon, Kojak, The Eddie Capra Mysteries, T.J. Hooker, Hunter, Murder, She Wrote and Simon & Simon. In 1990, he signed on to ABC’s OLTL as the mobster Carlo Hessler. The character was killed off two years later, but the work didn’t end for Christopher; he then began playing Mortimer Bern, Carlo’s twin, on and off between 1996 and 2008. Christopher’s memorable time on the sudser earned him a Daytime Emmy. Christopher went on to play Dante Partou on Loving from 1993-94. He also had an arc as Col. Dax on Guiding Light at the start of the aughts. He was preceded in death by his wife Judith Leverone, who died in 2019. “May Thom fly on wings of angels to be beside his beloved Judith, and may they enjoy each other’s company once again, beside the pearly gates of heaven,” Crivello wrote on Facebook. ‘Both Eyes Open’: First Trailer & Release Date Revealed For Thriller Starring Gail Bean & Taye Diggs(12/3/24) (Video) Psychological thriller Both Eyes Open, starring Gail Bean (Snowfall) and Taye Diggs (The Best Man), will get a stateside limited theatrical run via RodFather Productions from January 17th, 2025.Above is the first trailer for the movie, whose cast also includes Joy Brunson (This Is Us), Christie Leverette (You’ll Never Leave Me), Tristan Mack Wilds (The Wire), Michael Oloyede (This is Paradise), and Carla Fisher (The Boss). Writer-director Ariel Julia Hairston‘s (The Comeback) indie movie, which shot in Atlanta earlier this year, centers on Ally (Bean), a woman who emerges from an abusive relationship hoping for a fresh start. Haunted by persistent hallucinations of her abuser, she begins to receive mysterious messages that suggest her tormenter may still be lurking in the distance. As the cryptic messages escalate and the ground beneath her starts to crumble, Ally discovers that the answers she seeks may lie closer to home than she could have ever imagined. Pic was produced by RodFather Productions in association with Oasis Ave Films. Exec producers are Roderick McClure, Joshua Ferrell, Hairston, and Bean. Best known for starring on FX’s Snowfall, the indie’s lead Bean has also been seen on series like P-Valley and Love in the Time of Corona, as well as films like The Belko Experiment. She can currently be seen in Malcolm Washington’s August Wilson adaptation The Piano Lesson for Netflix and has the third season of Prime Video’s Harlem, among other projects. Diggs is known for stage and screen roles, including leading parts in series such as Private Practice and Murder In The First. He has a leading role in Berlanti and CW’s drama All American. Paul Wesley To Star In Ukrainian War Thriller Series ‘Unspoken’(11/26/24) Unspoken, the Ukrainian war thriller series that won the top prize at the Series Mania event in 2023, has found its lead.Paul Wesley, who stars in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, which is heading into its third season, and is best known for starring in The Vampire Diaries, will star in the six-part limited series. Created by Polish writer Filip Syczy?ski, who wrote with Ukraine’s Zhanna Ozirna, the series comes from Polish production company Match & Spark alongside LA-based 5X Media, which has just boarded the project as a co-producer and marks the latter’s first European-based scripted series. Set against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the series follows the journey of Paul (Wesley), an ex-soldier turned taxi driver in Poland. After receiving a desperate call from his wife in Kyiv on the day of the invasion, he races against time, crossing borders to guide his family to safety amid chaos and unimaginable terror. Over the phone, he leads them through a landscape of fear and violence, intensifying the sense of urgency as they grapple with survival in the face of insurmountable odds. Inspired by true events occurring on the day of the Russian invasion, the series will follow Paul’s quest across war-torn terrain but through his own inner battles of redemption and resilience. David Straiton, who has directed episodes of Magnum P.I., The Good Doctor and MacGyver, will direct the series, which is a four-nation co-production between Poland, Ukraine, Germany and the U.S. Straiton has made a number of volunteer trips to Ukraine to assist the International Legion. It will be shot primarily in English with some Ukrainian and Polish. Production is set to begin in Eastern Europe in the winter of 2025-26. It will be exec produced by Anna Rozalska and Tarik Hachoud for Match & Spark, Alon Shtruzman and Limor Gott Ronen for 5X Media, Dmytro Sukhanov for Toy Cinema, Natalia Libet for 2Brave Productions and Saar Yogev for Electric Sheep. Wesley said, “In a world stricken by war, I’m passionate about bringing the human side of this conflict to life through the lens of one man and his family. I hope viewers connect with Paul’s struggle and take away something meaningful about life, values and resilience from his journey and a renewed understanding of the human spirit under pressure.” Match & Spark’s Anna Rozalska added, “Our producing partners welcome Paul Wesley on board this passion project. We’re thrilled to have 5X bring its impressive creative and sales skills to Unspoken and help deliver this great series to the world. With David Straiton lending both his directing vision and his experience on the ground in Ukraine, we have every element in place to bring this gripping and meaningful series to life.” 5X Partner Limor Gott Ronen said, “5X Media is thrilled to join such an incredible group of talent to tell this incredibly timely story- Unspoken captures a universal family story in a world of conflict, daring to take audiences deep into the personal toll of modern warfare – and stand as the first series of its kind to confront these themes within the context of the Ukrainian conflict.” Talk Show Appearance(11/9/24) The Talk - CBSWednesday, Nov. 13 Judge Taye Diggs and host Emmanuel Acho discuss their reality competition show “Second Chance Stage” Morning Show Appearance(10/18/24) Good Morning America - ABCAIRING Oct 22, 2024 Actress and author Bethany Joy Lenz
Talk Show Appearance(10/18/24) The Kelly Clarkson Show - syndicatedAIRING Oct 24, 2024 Bethany Joy Lenz “WATSON,” THE NEW MEDICAL MYSTERY DRAMA STARRING MORRIS CHESTNUT, TO PREMIERE FOLLOWING THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, SUNDAY, JAN. 26, ON CBS(10/16/24) CBS announced today that WATSON, the new medical mystery series starring Morris Chestnut, will premiere after the AFC Championship Game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET; 9:00-10:00 PM, CT; 8:00-9:00 PM, MT; 7:00-8:00 PM, PT)** on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+*. **(Start time is approximate after post-game coverage.)WATSON will begin airing in its regular time period beginning Sunday, Feb. 16 (10:00-11:00pm ET/PT). WATSON takes place six months after the death of the titular character’s friend and partner Sherlock Holmes at the hands of Moriarty. The show stars Morris Chestnut as Dr. John Watson, who resumes his medical career as the head of a clinic dedicated to treating rare disorders. Watson’s old life isn’t done with him, though – Moriarty and Watson are set to write their own chapter of a story that has fascinated audiences for more than a century. Watson is a medical show with a strong investigative spine, featuring a modern version of one of history’s greatest detectives as he turns his attention from solving crimes to solving medical mysteries. WATSON also stars Eve Harlow, Peter Mark Kendall, Ritchie Coster, Inga Schlingmann and Rochelle Aytes. WATSON is produced by CBS Studios. Craig Sweeny wrote the premiere episode and serves as showrunner and executive producer. Additional executive producers include Morris Chestnut; Sallie Patrick; Larry Teng; Shäron Moalem MD, PhD; Aaron Kaplan for Kapital Entertainment; and Brian Morewitz. Larry Teng also directed the first two episodes. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution. *Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the episode airs. ‘The Diplomat’: Alison Janney Is Keri Russell’s Latest Adversary & Rufus Sewell Is Alive In Season 2 Trailer(10/8/24) (Video) Netflix released the full trailer for Season 2 of The Diplomat early in October ahead of the second installment’s debut on the streamer on Halloween.U.S. Ambassador Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) has a new adversary in Season 2 of The Diplomat — but at least her husband is still around to continue helping her navigate the thorny landscape of global politics. The Diplomat premiered on Netflix in April 2023 and spent multiple weeks at No. 1 on the streamer’s most-watched series list. It was quickly renewed for Season 2. In April, as part of the White House Correspondents’ Association weekend that leads into the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Deadline gathered Cahn, Russell and Sewell for an Electionline panel event hosted by the Irish ambassador to the U.S. Geraldine Byrne Nason. Guests included Samantha Power, Anthony Fauci, Minnesota governor and now Democratic VP candidate Tim Walz and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). A teaser for the upcoming installment, released in September, finally revealed to audiences that Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell) is alive after an explosion in the heart of London at the end of Season 1 put his life in danger. He might be a little banged up, but he’s standing tall next to his wife as she heads into a gala, met by the icy eyes of Vice President Grace Penn, played by Alison Janney, who is billed as a guest star this season. According to Netflix, Season 2 will see Kate dig deeper into the attack in London and the previous attack of a British aircraft carrier off the coast of Iran, which she now knows came from inside the British government rather than from a foreign adversary. In her quest, she faces a fraught marriage, a complex dynamic with British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison (David Gyasi), and a threatening visit from Janney’s VP character. The Diplomat returns on October 31. From creator, showrunner, and executive producer Debora Cahn, The Diplomat also stars Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, and Ato Essandoh. It is executive produced by Janice Williams, Alex Graves, and Keri Russell. Brittany Snow, Natalie Morales, David Lyons & Tim Guinee Board Netflix Limited Series ‘The Beast In Me’(10/3/24) Brittany Snow (Pitch Perfect), Natalie Morales (No Hard Feelings), David Lyons (Truth Be Told) and Tim Guinee (Horizon: An American Saga) have been cast in the Netflix limited series The Beast In Me. They join the previously announced Claire Danes, who stars and executive produces, and Matthew Rhys.In The Beast In Me, since the tragic death of her young son, acclaimed author Aggie Wiggs (Danes) has receded from public life, unable to write, a ghost of her former self. But she finds an unlikely subject for a new book when the house next door is bought by Nile Jarvis (Rhys), a famed and formidable real estate mogul who was once the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance. At once horrified and fascinated by this man, Aggie finds herself compulsively hunting for the truth – chasing his demons while fleeing her own – in a game of cat and mouse that might turn deadly. In the mystery thriller project, created, written and executive-produced by Gabe Rotter, Snow plays “Nina”, Nile’s spouse; Morales plays “Shelley,” Aggie’s ex-wife; Lyons plays FBI agent Brian Abbot; and Guinee plays Wrecking Ball, an intimidating presence in Nile’s life. In addition to Rotter and Danes, the limited series is also executive produced by showrunner Howard Gordon (Homeland, 24, The X-Files) via his Teakwood Lane Productions, director Antonio Campos, writer Daniel Pearle (American Crime Story) alongside Conan O’Brien, Jeff Ross and David Kissinger for Conaco; Jodie Foster and Caroline Baron. 20th Television is the studio. Snow is represented by Gersh and Principal Entertainment LA; Morales is repped by CAA and Bleeker Street Entertainment; Lyons is repped by Gersh, Anonymous Content and United Management; Guinee is repped by Innovative Artists Agency,Principal Entertainment and Barking Dog Entertainment. Soap Star Michael Sabatino Diagnosed With Parkinson’s(10/3/24) (soapsindepth.com) Daytime star Michael Sabatino has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. His wife, Crystal Chappell recently shared the news on Twitter/X. “Michael as Parkinson’s,” she posted. “He’s just fine, folks. We feel blessed and ready for tomorrow. Meanwhile, to quote him, he makes a ‘fine’ martini with that right hand…”Sabatino’s big break came in 1982 when he played Chip Roberts on the primetime sudser Knots Landing. From 1990-93 he played another villain, Lawrence Alamain on Days of Our Lives. The actor then moved over to CBS to play Anthony Armando on The Bold & The Beautiful from 1993-95, returning for another visit in December 2006. From 1995-96 he could be seen playing another villain, Dr. Jonathan Kinder on All My Children. After playing Phillip Vargas on Sunset Beach, Sabatino had a brief run as J.T. Cornell on Passions in 2006, played Vince Russo on Guiding Light in 2008, and reprised the role of Lawrence on DAYS in 2009 where the character was killed off. Still, he made additional appearances in 2010 and 2011 as a ghost. Most recently, he has appeared alongside his wife as Alan Anders in the web soap Venice: The Series. Parkinson’s disease is a nervous system disorder that progresses over time causing muscle tremors, stiffness, trouble with balance, and slurred speech. There is no cure, but as symptoms worsen, there are medications that can help improve them and brain surgery is also an option to improve quality of life. Fans naturally shared love and good wishes for both of them after Chappell’s announcement, and she was grateful for the support. “Thanks for all the good energy,” she posted the following day. “Always appreciated!” Then, the day after that, Chappell showed how well they’re doing by sharing a selfie of her and her hubby in the car wearing headbands and eyepatches to celebrate their grandson Zeke’s pirate-themed third birthday party. “A good time was had by arrrr,” she joked. Please join us in sending love to both Sabatino and Chappell as well as their entire family. ‘One Tree Hill’ Revival: James Lafferty and Bethany Joy Lenz Speak Out on Whether Nathan and Haley Will Return(9/23/24) (variety.com) Nathan and Haley have entered the chat.James Lafferty and Bethany Joy Lenz opened up about the upcoming “One Tree Hill” sequel series, currently in the works at Netflix. Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton, who portrayed Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyer in the Warner Bros. TV series, are set to star and will executive produce alongside costar Daneel Ackles. “One Tree Hill,” which aired from 2003 to 2012, also starred Lafferty, Lenz and Chad Michael Murray as Nathan Scott, Haley James Scott and Lucas Scott, respectively, in the main cast. Murray will reportedly not be part of the new show. Following the news, which came out in August, many fans took to social media to express worry about a lack of other cast members — many hoping that Lafferty and Lenz would return as Nathan and Haley, especially since they were the one couple who were part of the show for all nine seasons. “I am absolutely open to being a part of a revisiting to Tree Hill. But as far as this particular one, I don’t know. It’s so early,” Joy Lenz tells Variety. “I don’t know if it’s in pilot, I don’t know if it’s in series. I don’t know where it’s at.” As for Lafferty, he’s focused on the show he created with costar Stephen Colletti, “Everyone Is Doing Great,” the first season of which is available on Amazon Prime Video. “Personally, I’m blown away by the fans that make a conversation like this even possible. Professionally, I’m completely focused on finding ‘Everyone is Doing Great’ Season 2 the right home,” he tells Variety. “Until then, consider me grateful for this moment and cheering everyone on!” That said, Lenz finds it so “sweet” to see fans hoping to see Naley together again. But does she think the show works without the original group? “I don’t know,” she replies. “What I get out of people wanting to see Nathan and Haley is that the show meant so much to people. The characters meant so much to people. They feel so connected to their experience of us, it’s almost like we were friends they grew up with. They’re championing their friends and I just love that. It’s worth its weight in gold.” Lafferty adds, “I don’t know how to speculate on what would or wouldn’t work in this context. What really comes to mind is that it’s been a defining aspect of my life to have contributed to the portrayal. I will always embrace having had that experience, and it will always be an honor to know that people care.” For her part, Lenz is promoting her upcoming book, “Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show While in an Actual Cult,” available Oct. 22. The memoir details her “secret double life in a cult,” which began as a safe haven she’d found in a Bible study. Hayden Panettiere Speaks Out Amid Health Concerns Following Viral Interview(9/23/24) Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in Heroes and the Scream movie franchise, is taking time to address fan concerns over a recent interview she conducted with People.The actress took to Instagram where she posted a lengthy response to the public and fans following the controversial interview, which saw Panetierre deliver answers with slurred speech while discussing heavy topics ranging from her brother Jansen Panettiere‘s sudden death to her relationship with her daughter. Following the release of footage for the interview, fans were quick to air concerns about Panettiere who has been open about her struggles with sobriety in the past, even speaking to People about it in 2022. Now, Panettiere is defending her interview, revealing the reason for her slurred speech, and calling out fans online who made judgments about her state in the video. “I would like to take a moment to address the controversy surrounding an interview I recently completed with PEOPLE Magazine. It’s unfathomable that I’m even in this position, but I feel forced to address it in a space where I won’t be criticized for how fast or slow I speak,” Panettiere began the statement. “I hadn’t slept for two days prior to the shoot due to one of my dogs who was recovering from an emergency surgical procedure. It was an 8-hour shoot followed by an on-camera interview that was supposed to last for 1 hour. The interview started well, and for the record, its beginning is not included in the version PEOPLE Magazine posted.” “I was exhausted,” she further explained. “My rep stopped the interview early as it became obvious that I was fading — especially as the subject matter became heavier. We asked the interviewer if we could re-do it another day or do a follow-up interview on Zoom. She assured us that it wasn’t necessary, and that she felt it was an emotional and heartfelt interview. We were also told they would edit it and that it would be a beautiful piece.” “The magazine does not grant approval for images or video interviews before they run,” Panettiere clarified. “We see the interview when it goes live.” “Grief looks different on everyone. Whether or not I am on medication is none of anyone’s business and is between me and my doctor,” she continued. “I am doing interviews to promote my new film because I am proud of it. The real issue here is the toxicity of social media, and a news cycle that is driven by click bait. Mental health is so important, and I hope those reading this now understand that what you say hiding behind a computer screen can have a detrimental impact on someone.” She went on to conclude her statement, “For those of you who have come to my defense amidst this chaos I am so grateful. Like I’ve said before, I am a work in progress. We all are.” As mentioned by Panettiere, she was promoting her new film Amber Alert which debuts Friday, September 27th. Karla Mosley Opens up About Being Cast on Beyond the Gates(9/22/24) (soapsindepth.com) As the new CBS daytime soap Beyond the Gates gears up to begin production for its debut in early 2025, the first casting announcement has been made, naming the first three actresses to play members of the wealthy and powerful Dupree family. “And so it begins,” declared Karla Mosley on Instagram as the news broke.Mosley is remembered by CBS daytime fans for her roles of Guiding Light’s Christina and The Bold & The Beautiful’s Maya and will now be playing Dani Dupree, a former model turned “momager” who gave up her career for love. “It’s been a minute, but it’s time to get back to it,” Mosley enthused. “My gratitude could not be any deeper to the soap opera icon (and my dear friend), [Beyond the Gates showrunner and headwriter] Michele Val Jean for your vision, courage, and joy in creating this groundbreaking project. The first new soap in over 20 years, y’all!” Also announced were One Life to Live alum Daphne Duplaix (Rachel) as Dani’s sister, Nicole, and As the World Turns’ Tamara Tunie (Jessica) as their mother, Anita Dupree. Naturally, Mosley is thrilled to be in such talented company. “To Tamara and Daphnee, my heart is just exploding,” the actress shared. “What a gift to be cast opposite both of you. “To my CBS TV family, I am so proud to be back,” she continued. “To [casting agent] Kim Taylor Coleman, thank you, thank you, thank you. And to Creative Talent Company and Buchwald Talent, thank you for seeing me for so long. Let’s go!!!” Mosley concluded her post by expressing her gratitude to her husband for his loving support. “Extra shout out to my partner in all things, John, for saying yes to this adventure. Big vision. Big changes. Big rewards. We are blessed.” Morning Show Appearance(9/21/24) Today - NBCTuesday, September 24 (10-11 a.m.) Hayden Panettiere on Amber Alert. FIRST CAST MEMBERS AND NEW TITLE ANNOUNCED FOR THE NEW CBS DAYTIME DRAMA “BEYOND THE GATES”(9/19/24) NEW YORK – Sept. 19, 2024 – CBS announces first cast members for BEYOND THE GATES with Tamara Tunie, Daphnee Duplaix and Karla Mosley starring as prominent members of the Dupree family. Formerly known as “The Gates,” this series from the CBS Studios / NAACP Venture is the first Black one-hour daytime drama to air on television. BEYOND THE GATES begins production later this fall in Atlanta and will premiere on CBS in early 2025.Tamara Tunie stars as Anita Dupree, matriarch of the family. A famous singer back in the day, Anita worked hard for her success, and raised two daughters with her now-retired senator husband. But underneath her glamorous and refined exterior is a fierceness she gained from her humble beginnings in Chicago. Tamara Tunie is a seasoned daytime star appearing on “As the World Turns” for many years. Also, she originated the role of medical examiner Dr. Melinda Warner with a now landmark 23 seasons on the legendary series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” In addition, she has held recurring roles on shows including BLUE BLOODS, THE GOOD WIFE and ELEMENTARY for the Network. Daphnee Duplaix stars as Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson, daughter of Anita, and Dani’s sister, Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson is a high-achieving and competitive philanthropist and psychiatrist, and exudes warmth, empathy and compassion. Nicole’s success in life extends to her marriage to her surgeon husband. She has the perfect life … from the outside. Daphnee Duplaix boasts an illustrious acting career that has spanned over two decades, most notably earning her an NAACP Award nomination for her outstanding portrayal of Rachel Gannon on “One Life to Live.” Karla Mosley stars as Dani Dupree, Anita’s other daughter, and a former model turned momager who gave up her career for love. Dani was the Dupree family wild child. Free-spirited, headstrong and uninhibited, she dropped out of school to pursue a high-flying modeling career and she has always marched to the beat of her own drum. Karla Mosley starred as Maya Avant Forrester on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, for which she was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Additional credits include “Guiding Light,” “Gossip Girl,” “Hart of Dixie,” “Deadly Cheer Mom” and “Burn After Reading.” BEYOND THE GATES is set in a leafy Maryland suburb just outside of Washington D.C., and in one the most affluent African American counties in the United States. Here you’ll find a posh gated community with winding tree-lined streets and luxurious mansions to call home. At the center of this community are the Duprees, a powerful and prestigious multi-generational family that is the very definition of Black royalty. But behind these pristine walls and lush, manicured gardens are juicy secrets and scandals waiting to be uncovered. And those that live outside these gates are watching closely. These are the places where our characters live, love, work and play. Those who have “made it” and those who haven’t are all trying to navigate life … and some with more grace than others. BEYOND THE GATES is developed and produced by the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, led by Sheila Ducksworth, in partnership with P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble. This marks the first-ever one-hour Black daytime soap and the first daytime drama to premiere since “Passions” in 1999. Michele Val Jean is the creator, executive producer and showrunner alongside executive producers Sheila Ducksworth, Robert Guza Jr., Julie Carruthers, Leon Russell, Derrick Johnson, Kimberly Doebereiner and Anna Saalfeld. Hayden Panettiere Talks About Her Brother Jansen's Death for First Time(9/18/24) (Video) Hayden Panettiere is speaking out for the first time about her brother Jansen’s death last year, saying she felt like it was her job to protect her only sibling ... and losing him was like losing half her soul.The actress also shared her body reacted so strongly to Jansen’s death from an undiagnosed heart condition at 28, she gained a bunch of weight within days ... due to stress and cortisol surges coursing through her body. Hayden told PEOPLE her changing appearance hit her self-esteem hard, making her feel insecure about leaving the house. She felt trapped in a "destructive hamster wheel" of needing to keep moving while battling those feelings. She eventually got her confidence back with the help of her personal trainer, Marnie Alton ... who helped her shed stress and insecurities, and now she’s on track to feeling like herself again. As for her brother's death, she's still grappling with the loss and says it's a heartbreak she'll always carry. No matter how much time goes by, she knows she’ll never fully get over it ... but she’s keeping busy and focusing on her new thriller, "Amber Alert," hitting theaters on Sept. 27. Netflix’s ‘The Waterfront’ Casts 6 Including Melissa Benoist, Rafael L. Silva, Gerardo Celasco & Jake Weary(9/18/24) Jake Weary (Oh, Canada), Melissa Benoist (Supergirl), Rafael L. Silva (9-1-1: Lone Star), Humberly González (Ginny & Georgia), Danielle Campbell (Tell Me a Story) and Brady Hepner (The Holdovers) have joined the cast of Netflix‘s The Waterfront, written and executive produced by Kevin Williamson.Gerardo Celasco (The Devil in Ohio) and Michael Gaston (Daredevil: Born Again) have been set in recurring roles. Zach Roerig (Vampire Diaries) will appear as a guest star. They join the previously announced cast Holt McCallany who will play Harlan Buckley and Maria Bello, who will play Mae Buckley. Inspired by true events, the 8-episode series dives into the flawed Buckley family as their attempts to retain control of their crumbling North Carolina fishing empire drive them to increasingly dangerous means to keep themselves afloat. Weary will play Cane Buckley, Harlan Buckley’s only son who has a complicated relationship with his father but never stops trying to do the right thing by his dad and can’t seem to say no to him. Married to Peyton and the father of a young daughter, Cane likes the money his family business affords him, a Band-Aid for the life he got instead of the life he wanted. Benoist will play Bree Buckley, the intelligent and hot-tempered Buckley who formerly oversaw the fishery’s finances and, like her father, has allowed alcohol to ruin her bright future. After losing custody of her son, Bree struggles to maintain a relationship with him while maintaining her sobriety. Silva will play Shawn Wilson, a newly employed bartender for the Buckleys, Shawn is intrigued by the family and carries a secret that could upend the family forever. González will play Jenna Tate, a journalist who leaves the city to return to Beaufort to tend to her ailing father. Returning to her hometown, she is confronted with past relationships, including her high school sweetheart, Cane Buckley, who still holds a flame for her. Campbell will play Peyton Buckley. A proper Southern woman, Peyton is built to sparkle. The wife of Cane Buckley and mother of an 8-year-old, she loves Cane and understands his complex relationship with his dad. Hepner will play Diller Hopkins, Bree’s son who now lives with her ex-husband. Diller is a resentful teenager, a product of having an alcoholic mother. Although Bree is looking to mend their relationship, Diller treats her with hostility and turns to his grandfather Harlan, whom he idolizes. Celasco will play DEA Agent Marcus Sanchez; Gaston as Sherrif Clyde Porter; and Roerig will play Troy. Williamson and Ben Fast executive produce for Outerbanks Entertainment. Marcos Siega (You, Dexter: New Blood) will direct the first two episodes and serve as executive producer for the pilot. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, where Williamson is under an overall deal, is the studio. ‘James Earl Jones: Life And Legacy’ Tribute Special Set At BET(9/11/24) The late James Earl Jones will be honored with a tribute special from BET News and Entertainment Tonight. BET News & ET Present James Earl Jones: Life and Legacy will premiere Thursday, September 12 at 8 PM ET/PT on BET and BET+.The tribute special will feature archival footage and never-before-seen interviews with the EGOT-winning actor at various stages of his legendary career. ET was on the set of many of his most significant projects and captured moments of his extraordinary journey. The special will also highlight some of his most memorable performances, including his powerful voice work as Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King. Highlighting his profound impact on both Broadway and Hollywood, the special will reflect on some of the defining moments of his life and include new interviews with colleagues and friends who have been part of his remarkable career. BET News & ET Present James Earl Jones: Life and Legacy will encore on Sunday, September 15 at noon ET/PT on BET. ‘General Hospital’ star shares unusual second job he takes on when he’s not acting(9/11/24) (Video) “General Hospital” actor Rick Hearst is sharing a glimpse into his second job when he’s not working in Hollywood.The 59-year-old actor, known for his character Ric Lansing in the popular soap opera, took to social media to reveal his double life. “I’ve been on break from ‘GH’ for a couple [of] weeks now,” he explained in an Instagram post. “About to head back in a couple of days. Going to get on a plane. I’m in Jersey, currently, New Jersey where I live. I just kind of wanted to show folks what New Jersey looks like.” The actor continued to explain how visitors may misinterpret New Jersey for mostly being industrial but shared that there is more to the Garden State than what travelers see outside of Newark International Airport. “General Hospital” actor Rick Hearst is sharing a glimpse into his second job when he’s not working in Hollywood. The 59-year-old actor, known for his character Ric Lansing in the popular soap opera, took to social media to reveal his double life. “I’ve been on break from ‘GH’ for a couple [of] weeks now,” he explained in an Instagram post. “About to head back in a couple of days. Going to get on a plane. I’m in Jersey, currently, New Jersey where I live. I just kind of wanted to show folks what New Jersey looks like.” The actor continued to explain how visitors may misinterpret New Jersey for mostly being industrial but shared that there is more to the Garden State than what travelers see outside of Newark International Airport. He added, “There [are] different parts of New Jersey… The part that I live in, South Central New Jersey, which is a beautiful place. I also happen to be a real estate agent here. I love helping people find homes here, sell their homes here. It’s really a great lifestyle out here.” The soap opera actor went on to give fans a preview of his backyard and explained how he grew up on the East Coast. “There’s a lot of green… that’s more green than I want to have, it’s a lot to mow,” Hearst shared. “And yes, I do mow my own lawn. I know, nuts.” While he showed his lush and “spacious” green backyard, Hearst said, “All those trees back there are going to be turning colors by the time I get back from Los Angeles.” In Hearst’s video, he panned the camera to his mother’s vegetable garden and displayed his luxurious in-ground pool to his fans. He accompanied his video with the caption, “A little view of the ‘garden state’ from my back yard.” “We’re very happy here. It’s very peaceful, it’s very tranquil,” Hearst remarked. “I love being here.” Hearst then reminded his fans of his real estate business and said, “So if you happen to be looking to come to New Jersey, give me a shout. I can find you a place. Or if you are in New Jersey and would like to get an estimate on your home, see what the options are available to you, and would love to be able to work with you as well.” He returned to “General Hospital” this year after being on hiatus for eight years. He’s won two Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on the show. His other television credits include roles on “Days of Our Lives,” “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “The Young and the Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.”. James Earl Jones Dies: Revered ‘Field Of Dreams’ Star, Darth Vader Voice & Broadway Regular Was 93(9/9/24) James Earl Jones, the revered actor who voiced Star Wars villain Darth Vader, starred in Field of Dreams and many other films and Broadway shows and is an EGOT winner, died this morning at his home in Dutchess County, NY. He was 93.His reps at Independent Artist Group confirmed the news to Deadline. Widely regarded as among the world’s great stage and screen actors Jones is one of the few entertainers to have won the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony), though his Academy Award was Honorary. Jones has received two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Daytime Emmy, a spoken-word Grammy Award in 1977 and three Tony Awards. The actor amassed nearly 200 screen credits during his brilliant 60-year career, starting some early-’60s TV guest roles and Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 classic Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964). He probably is best known for his voice role as the dastardly Darth Vader in George Lucas’ original Star Wars trilogy: Star Wars (1977) The Empire Strikes Back, 1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983). He also reprised the villainous role in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019) and TV’s Obi-Wan Kenobi and Star Wars: Rebels. Movie fans will remember such chilling, immortal Vader quotes as “When I left you, I was but the learner — now I am the master,” “I find your lack of faith disturbing” and, of course, “No, I am your father.” Also among Jones’ best-loved roles is Terence Mann, the reclusive 1960s author who reluctantly teams with Kevin Costner’s Ray Kinsella to unlock the latter’s visions of baseball lore in Field of Dreams (1989). Based on the 1982 novel Shoeless Joe, the film from writer-director Phil Alden Robinson tugged — no, yanked — at heartstrings with its sweet nostalgia, high-concept plot, father-son dynamics and general excellence. It earned three Oscar nominations including Best Picture; it lost to Driving Miss Daisy — a film whose Broadway adaptation starred Jones as Hoke Colburn, the character played by Morgan Freeman on the big screen. Jones also voiced The Lion King‘s Mufasa in both the 1994 animated pic and 2019 hybrid remake. Among his dozens of other films are The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976), A Piece of the Action (1977), Conan the Barbarian (1982), Soul Man (1986), Coming to America (1988), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Patriot Games (1992), Sneakers (1992), The Sandlot (1993), Clear and Present Danger (1994), Judge Dredd (1995), Gang Related (1997) and Coming 2 America (2021). He also lent his sonorous voice to the famous “This is CNN” promo campaign for the cable news network and recurring as the narrator on Third Rock from the Sun. He also appeared on The Simpsons three times. Among his scores of TV are guest roles on such classics series as The Big Bang Theory, House, Two and a Half Men, Homicide: Life on the Street, Frasier, Touched by an Angel, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Picket Fences, Law & Order, Sesame Street, Highway to Heaven, NYPD Blue; daytime soaps Guiding Light and As the World Turns; and miniseries Roots: The Next Generation and Jesus of Nazareth. He was nominated for a Lead Actor Oscar for his role in The Great White Hope (1971) and was given an honorary Oscar at the 2012 ceremony. An eight-time Emmy nominee, his two wins both came in 1991: Lead Actor in a Drama series for Gabriel’s Fire and Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special for Heat Wave. Born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, MS, Jones was a 2002 Kennedy Center Honoree and received Lifetime Achievement Awards from SAG-AFTRA in 2009 and by the National Board of Review in 1995. A commanding presence on the Broadway stage, Jones earned four competitive Tony Award nominations for Best Actor in a Play, winning twice for his performances as Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope in 1969 and as Troy Maxson in August Wilson’s Fences in 1987. He received a Special Tony Award at 2017 ceremony. The Great White Hope, in which he played a lightly fictionalized version of heavyweight champion Jack Johnson, was Jones’ breakthrough role. He also starred in the 1970 film adaptation, his first leading role on the big screen. He appeared in nearly two dozen Broadway shows, from his first starring role in Sunrise at Campobello (1958) and most recently in The Gin Game (2017). Along the way, he starred in productions of such stage classics as The Iceman Cometh (1974), Othello (1982), On Golden Pond (2005), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2008) and You Can’t Take It with You (2014). In September 2022, the Shubert Organization rechristened its 110-year-old Cort Theatre as The James Earl Jones Theatre, with a dedication ceremony attended by Samuel L. Jackson, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Norm Lewis and New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Jones did not attend the dedication ceremony but had been given a private tour of the facility — where he’d made his Broadway debut in 1958 — the week prior. “For me standing in this very building 64 years ago at the start of my Broadway career, it would have been inconceivable that my name would be on the building today,” Jones said in a statement at the time. “Let my journey from then to now be an inspiration for all aspiring actors.” Information on survivors and memorial plans were not available. Peter Hermann returns to Blue Bloods 10/18/24(9/9/24) “Life Sentence” – The Reagans’ professional lives converge when an allegation of jury tampering against Erin intertwines with Danny and Baez’s homicide case and Eddie’s bond to a child murder witness; Frank clashes with his friend and confidant Archbishop Kearns over the death penalty; and when Jamie’s car is stolen, he joins forces with his nephew, Joe Hill, to recover it. Stacy Keach, Peter Hermann and Will Hochman guest star on the 14th season, part two premiere of BLUE BLOODS, Friday, Oct. 18 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. WRITTEN BY: Siobhan Byrne O’Connor DIRECTED BY: Jackeline TejadaTelevision Academy and ABC Announce Presenters Slated for 76th Emmy Awards(9/9/24) The Television Academy and ABC today announced the stars slated to appear on the 76th Emmy® Awards, hosted by Eugene Levy and Dan Levy.The 76th Emmy Awards, produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment, will broadcast live on ABC SUNDAY, SEPT. 15 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT/5:00-8:00 p.m. PDT), from the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles and will be available for streaming on Hulu Sept. 16-22. The diverse lineup of talent represents critically acclaimed television series, Emmy-nominated programs across many viewing platforms and genres, and Emmy nominees — all tapped to celebrate television excellence on the esteemed awards show. Talent includes the following:Christine Baranski — Nominee, Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series In addition, there will be special appearances from Olympic gold medalist swimmer Caeleb Dressel and Olympic bronze medal-winning rugby player Ilona Maher. For more information, please visit Emmys.com. ‘The Diplomat’: Alison Janney Is Keri Russell’s Latest Adversary & Rufus Sewell Is Alive In Season 2 Teaser (9/5/24) (Video) (Pic1, Pic2, Pic3, Pic4, Pic5, Pic6) U.S. Ambassador Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) has a new adversary in Season 2 of The Diplomat — but at least her husband is still around to continue helping her navigate the thorny landscape of global politics.A teaser for the upcoming installment, which debuts in October, finally reveals to audiences that Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell) is alive after an explosion in the heart of London at the end of Season 1 put his life in danger. He might be a little banged up, but he’s standing tall next to his wife as she heads into a gala, met by the icy eyes of Vice President Grace Penn, played by Alison Janney, who is billed as a guest star this season. According to Netflix, Season 2 will see Kate dig deeper into the attack in London and the previous attack of a British aircraft carrier off the coast of Iran, which she now knows came from inside the British government rather than from a foreign adversary. In her quest, she faces a fraught marriage, a complex dynamic with British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison (David Gyasi), and a threatening visit from Janney’s VP character. Alongside the trailer, Netflix also released some photos from Season 2, which are above. The Diplomat returns on October 31. From creator, showrunner, and executive producer Debora Cahn, The Diplomat also stars Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, and Ato Essandoh. It is executive produced by Janice Williams, Alex Graves, and Keri Russell. ‘The Real Full Monty’ Premiere Date: Anthony Anderson, Taye Diggs, James Van Der Beek & More to Strip for Charity(9/5/24) Fox is adapting the 1997 film The Full Monty with a celebrity twist for a very good cause this fall.The Real Full Monty is an all-new two-hour special in which a daring group of male celebrities will volunteer to bare all to raise awareness for prostate, testicular and colorectal cancer testing and research. It will premiere on Monday, December 9. Anthony Anderson has gathered a cast of male celebrities—joining himself in participating are Taye Diggs, Chris Jones, Tyler Posey, Bruno Tonioli, and James Van Der Beek to encourage men to get checked and strip the stigma around prostate, testicular and colorectal cancer. During the two-hour special, Anderson will lead Diggs, Jones, Posey, Tonioli and Van Der Beek as they train and rehearse for the most revealing performance of their careers, culminating with a big strip-tease dance (choreographed by Emmy Award-winner Mandy Moore), where they will bare all in front of a live audience. Leading up to the final disrobing, the men will push their limits of comfortability, modesty, and brotherhood with a series of rehearsals and experiences, both private and public, designed to build confidence and remove them far from their comfort zone and strengthen their bond as a group. Along the way, each of the celebrities will share their personal stories of how cancer has impacted their lives. This special is based on the international unscripted format first broadcast on the U.K.’s ITV in 2017. FOX’s The Real Full Monty is produced by Spun Gold TV (a 53 Degrees Global company) and FOX Alternative Entertainment. The special is executive produced by Anderson, Dan Norris, and Ashley Edens, who also serves as showrunner. Executive producers from Spun Gold include Nick Bullen and Daniela Neumann. The Real Full Monty, Special Premiere, Monday, December 9, Fox. Eve Hewson & Murray Bartlett To Lead Hulu Comedy Pilot ‘Downforce’(9/4/24) Eve Hewson (The Perfect Couple, Bad Sisters) and Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus, The Last of Us) are set to lead the ABC Signature comedy pilot Downforce for Hulu.Downforce follows Victoria (Hewson), the estranged daughter of a storied racing team’s owner, Sir Trevor (Bartlett), who is thrust back into the family business, leaving the pair to find common ground or risk destroying the team’s legacy. Sir Trevor is described as the team’s “larger-than-life founder and owner.” Victoria is “a shrewd and ruthless investment banker who finds her way back into the front office. She knows business, he knows racing, and together they have to figure out the business of racing after years apart.” Alec Berg will direct the pilot and executive produce alongside Adam Countee, both of who have overall deals at ABC Signature. EPs also include Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey for Temple Hill, Daniel Ricciardo, Amy Solomon and Lionsgate. Hewson is starring as the lead of Susanne Bier’s Netflix limited series The Perfect Couple opposite Nicole Kidman and Dakota Fanning. She can also soon be seen in the 2nd season of Apple TV+’s dark comedy series Bad Sisters from creator Sharon Horgan. Last year, Hewson starred in John Carney’s musical comedy Flora and Son which was acquired by Apple. Previous credits include Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies, Steven Soderbergh’s The Knick, Nicole Holofcener’s Enough Said and Paolo Sorrentino’s This Must Be The Place. Hewson is repped by WME, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Sloane Offer Weber Dern. Murray recently wrapped production on the film At The Sea starring as Amy Adams’ husband. The film was directed by Kornél Mundrouczó and produced by Aaron Ryder and Stuart Manashil. Upcoming film releases include the leading role of ‘Stan’ in the A24 film Opus, and the Searchlight Pictures O’Dessa. He was recently seen in the independent feature Ponyboi. On TV, he stars opposite Nicole Kidman in Hulu’s 2nd season of Nine Perfect Strangers and previously starred in HBO’s The White Lotus. He was nominated for a 2023 Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, playing ‘Frank’, in HBO’s The Last of Us. Simultaneously, he was nominated for Supporting Actor as ‘Nick De Noia’ in Hulu’s series Welcome To Chippendales. Hayden Panettiere Joins ‘A Breed Apart’ As Survival Movie Based On Cult Wes Craven Film Rounds Out Cast(8/30/24) Hayden Panettiere will star in A Breed Apart. Known for playing Claire Bennet in Heroes, Kirby Reed in slasher franchise Scream and Juliette Barnes in Nashville, Panettiere will take an as yet unspecified role in the film, which uses Wes Craven’s cult 2006 picture The Breed as a jump-off point.In addition to Panettiere signing on, Deadline can also reveal the film has rounded out its ensemble cast. Joey Bragg, Troy Gentile, Riele Downs and Page Kennedy will all appear. They join the previously announced Virginia Gardner and Grace Caroline Currey, who were seen together in vertigo-inducing Grindstone/Lionsgate release Fall. Billed as a reimagining of Wes Craven-produced and Nicholas Mastandrea-directed The Breed, the upcoming movie is more accurately a sequel of sorts and is set after events of the first film. The new picture originally bore the same name, but the title has now been tweaked. The plot of A Breed Apart sees a pack of dogs escape during the making of a fictional The Breed 2 movie during filming on a remote island. Years later, a group of YouTubers are drawn to the island to try and find the canines in a project they hope goes viral and which is the brainchild of influencer Vince Venture, who is played by Bragg. The reality is that they face a fight for survival and each of the influencers must use their unique skills to stay alive. Brothers Griff and Nathan Furst are directing and producing the movie under their Curmudgeon Films banner. Daro Film Distribution is co-producing and financing. The film is set for a 2025 release. Next up for the two-time Golden Globe nominee Panettiere is Lionsgate thriller Amber Alert, which she toplines. She is repped by Mainstay Entertainment, Independent Artists Group, and Hansen, Jacbobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox. ‘One Tree Hill’ Sequel Series Led By Sophia Bush & Hilarie Burton In Works At Netflix(8/30/24) The long-rumored One Tree Hill sequel series is closer to becoming a reality at Netflix.Original stars Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton are set to executive produce and reprise their roles of Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyer, respectively, in the sequel series from writer/executive producer Becky Hartman Edwards and Warner Bros. TV, which is currently in development at the streamer, sources reveal to Deadline. Jensen Ackles and Danneel Ackles also executive produce through their Chaos Machine banner with the latter in talks to return as Rachel Scott. Emily Moss Wilson is a producer. Created by Mark Schwahn, One Tree Hill premiered in 2003 and ran for 9 seasons on The WB network and its successor the CW. The sequel is said to take place 20 years later following best friends Brooke and Peyton who are now parents to teens and facing challenges not unfamiliar to what they tackled in the original series like love, insecurities and grief, we understand. The coming-of-age drama also starred Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty, Bethany Joy Lenz, Austin Nichols, Antwon Tanner and Paul Johansson, among others. Deadline hears there have been informal conversations with other members of the ensemble cast. Bush and Burton are the only ones set thus far, with formal approaches to others expected if/when the series is greenlighted. Murray, who played Lucas Scott across 6 seasons and returned as a guest star in Season 9, has no plans to return for the follow-up, we understand. Deadline has been tracking the project for a while, and it went public this morning in Production Weekly as it has been going through deal-making and development. Reps for Netflix and WBTV declined to comment on this story. Netflix previously revived another signature WBTV series that ran on the WB and CW, Gilmore Girls, where Murray was a breakout before landing a lead on One Tree Hill. Set in a fictional North Carolina town, One Tree Hill begins as a story about two half-brothers, Lucas (Murray) and Nathan (Lafferty), with a strained relationship forced to navigate high school together whose social circles eventually intersect. As the show progressed, the story opened to follow all of the friendships, romance, heartbreak and familial tensions in Tree Hill, through the lens of the teens. Brooke Davis, Peyton Sawyer and Haley James Scott (Lenz) often anchored the storyline. One Tree Hill creator Schwahn, who served as executive producer and showrunner on the original series, has no involvement in the sequel. In 2017, a number of OTH female cast and crew members, including Bush and Burton, spoke out, accusing him of sexual harassment. The follow-up, headlined by the duo, represents the women of OTH reclaiming the show. Peyton and Brooke are childhood best friends who, throughout the series, become more like sisters. Their relationship is put through the wringer as they overcome a myriad of obstacles, most notably their love triangle with Lucas. When the series begins, Lucas joins their social circle and brings along his best friend, Haley, who has a whirlwind romance with Nathan and marries him in high school. The two also have a son, Jamie (Jackson Brundage), who was born their senior year. In the end, Peyton marries Lucas and Brooke falls in love with Julian (Austin Nichols), with whom she has twins, Davis and Jude, characters who will return in the new series as teens according to the show’s synopsis. Danneel Ackles also recurred for several seasons as Rachel Gatina, initially as an antagonist to Brooke but they later developed a friendship cementing Rachel as part of the group. Burton and Bush also host a One Tree Hill rewatch podcast with co-star Galeotti, titled Drama Queens which continues to air and is currently in its seventh season. They also welcome guest stars to the podcast, including Jana Kramer, who joined for their most recent episode. Burton most recently stepped back from working on the podcast with Robert Buckley taking over.) Soap star Judi Evans Dishes on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and Opens Up About Managing Grief After Losing Her Son and More(8/15/24) (womansworld.com) With the casting almost complete for the Days of Our Lives soap within a soap Body & Soul, veteran soap opera star Judi Evans’ character, Bonnie, is taking the lead as “Kassandra” in a campy, meta storyline that’s offering viewers a peek behind the scenes of making soap operas.The Daytime Emmy-winner, who also got into the drama on Guiding Light, Another World, and As The World Turns spoke to WW/FFW about her 42-year run in daytime, creating romance with Wally Kurth, and getting goofy with pals like Deidre Hall. Evans also opened up about how her husband, her friends, and Bonnie Lockhart’s wacky adventures have kept her going in the wake of losing her son in 2019. Four decades of soap opera stardom When Judi Evans landed the role as Guiding Light’s Beth Raines back in 1983, it put her on the map and earned her a 1984 Daytime Emmy at just 19. After three years of hustling and studying acting, that first role was a game changer… sort of. “Getting that job was a dream, but I can’t tell you how many people said, ‘You’ll never make it. This is not for you. You should do something else,’” she recounts. “Since I was 22, I’ve heard nothing but, ‘There are not a lot of roles for a woman your age,’ so it’s always been an uphill climb. I just keep scraping along.” Evans’ determination took her to Days of Our Lives, where she assumed the role of Adrienne Johnson-Kiriakis in 1996 and after many epic adventures, also created the role of Bonnie. Along the way, there was a sidestep to Another World, where she played Paulina Cory from 1991 to 1999, as well as a stint as As the World Turns’ Maeve Stone — and four decades later, Evans is still making us laugh and cry as Salem’s beloved Bonnie. “I have so many wonderful memories,” Evans marvels. “I’ve played such dramatic, angst-ridden characters. Bonnie is a great diversion from that, even though she does have that emotional side. She’s been through a lot, she’s struggled, she’s made bad decisions, she’s had to pay for them. Hopefully, she’s learned from them, but she’s still a little bit wacky. It’s so fun.” How circus life prepared Judi Evans for soap operas Evans has been actually performing since her childhood on the road with The Evans Family Circus — and it turns out her days of clowning around with her family were the perfect preparation for soap operas. “In a traveling circus, you’re entertaining people in a new city every day — whether it’s death-defying emotions or wacky, wild comedy,” she explains. “Much like a soap, you’re basically doing an entire play or movie every day, and even though you’re doing similar stuff, you have to make it very different to make it interesting for yourself and for the audience.” Growing up in the circus also prepared Evans to think on her feet. “In the circus, you’ve got animals pooping on you and you’re falling all over each other,” she laughs. “You’re always ready for an accident. And you know what? I’ve actually had animals pooping on me on soaps, too! See, it’s pretty much the same.” Romancing Wally Kurth and other soap opera favorites While Evans has played two very different characters in Salem, both Adrienne and Bonnie ended up with the same handsome local, Justin Kiriakis. That means the actress has spent much of her career creating romance and drama with Wally Kurth, who also does double duty as General Hospital’s Ned Quartermaine. “I adore that man,” Evan shares. “We’re always in each other’s lives, even when we’re not working together, because we’re very good friends. It’s been wonderful to watch a great young man turn into a great gentleman, a great friend and a great partner. We’ve had a lot of adventures . . . but not nearly enough!” Evans admits she’s gotten lucky with her leading men – including Michael Luciano, who she married in 1993. “I also worked a lot with Brian Dattilo, Vincent Irizarry, Tom Eplin . . .” she lists. “It’s like I hit the lottery with friends that I’ve worked with, so I feel pretty fortunate.” Judi Evans talks Bonnie, Hattie, and soap icon Deidre Hall For the record, that lottery doesn’t just include soap hunks! In addition to making girlfriends as she soap-hopped around, Evans has come of age with a powerhouse cast of Salem women — including icon Deidre Hall, who plays both Marlena and her doppelganger Hattie. When Evans learned Bonnie would join Hattie in the show’s soap within a soap, Body & Soul, she immediately called Hall to celebrate their onscreen reunion. “We got so excited and tickled,” she shares. “Normally we’re moving so fast we barely say hi on set, but this gives us time to sit together and run lines. And yes, we ARE really running lines, but we also just get to have fun and be mischievous! Deidre’s such a wonderful friend, so working together is like eating ice cream with a topping on a topping.” Coping with grief Having recently turned 60, Evans is doing her best to enjoy life, but she’s not exactly celebrating. While she’s recovered from a serious accident and a COVID battle that almost cost her her legs, she doesn’t expect she’ll ever get over losing her son, Austin, who died in 2019 at just 23 years old. “I miss him every single minute, every single day,” Evans shares. “It’s always there, but it doesn’t stop me from helping other people enjoy life, or from enjoying it with them. My husband and my animals, they give me some purpose and certainly joy. And I’m lucky to have great friends who pull my focus. I would go to the ends of the earth for them, and they’ve gone to the ends of the earth for me.” Like many Days of Our Lives fans, Evans also finds solace in escaping into her stories. “I’m always grateful for work, but even more so now, because it gives me a distraction,” she says. “I get to be someone else for a little while, which is a great relief. When I’m in an emotional storyline, it lessens my therapy bills. I love it when I get to cry every day! But also, it’s great to get to do comedy.” What to expect from ‘Body & Soul’ Evans has also found joy in the Body & Soul reboot — which, in classic Days of Our Lives camp, has Salem locals taking on unexpected roles in their favorite soap opera and featured Bonnie stumbling and then nailing her audition for Kassandra. “This has been quite a challenge, because it’s a character playing a character,” Evans says. “But I’ve got some scenes coming up with Rob Wilson Scott, who plays Alex, and we had a blast! We were tickled . . . and I hope the audience will be, too.” With Bonnie, Hattie and Leo involved, the Body & Soul story promises to be a wild ride, but Evans tells INSERT MAGAZINE it’s also a chance for Days of Our Lives to share some insider laughs with fans. “In a way, we’re showing a bit of the behind-the-scenes of making a soap, but we’re also poking fun at our business,” the daytime vet explains. “Sometimes, soap storylines are hard to relate to, so we laugh a lot. It’s a way to let that go, so we can fully commit to what we’re doing. “Now, we’re letting the audience in on our joke, so I hope you like it . . . and if you hate it, I hope you’re still entertained, because that’s what we’re here for!” Evans says with a smile. Her positivity against all odds and her joy in her work is truly infectious, and we can’t wait to see what she does next on Body & Soul. Kaley Cuoco engaged to N.J. actor Tom Pelphrey. ‘What a wild, beautiful journey.’(8/14/24) For actors Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey, the last two years have been packed with joy and celebration.They made their relationship official in 2022. In 2023, they welcomed a daughter. And this week, they’re engaged. Cuoco and Pelphrey, who grew up in Howell, shared their happy news Wednesday on Instagram with a series of photos showing the couple with their 1-year-old daughter, Matilda. “Amazing weekend,” Cuoco, 38, captioned a photo of the smiling couple showing off her ring. “Not another road real or imagined I would rather be on,” Pelphrey, 42, captioned another photo taken with Cuoco and Matilda. “Everybody’s got their little slice of heaven,” Cuoco said, sharing a photo of the two actors embracing Matilda. Cuoco played Penny in “The Big Bang Theory” and Cassie Bowden in the Max series “The Flight Attendant.” Pelphrey, an alum of Howell High School and Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts, played Ben Davis in Netflix’s “Ozark,” Perry Abbott in Amazon’s “Outer Range” and Don Crowder in Max’s “Love & Death.” Both actors have received Emmy nomination for their work. Earlier in his career, in 2006 and 2008, Pelphrey won two Daytime Emmys for outstanding younger actor for his performances as Jonathan Randall in soap opera “Guiding Light.” Cuoco and Pelphrey announced they were expecting a baby girl in 2022, months after sharing news that they were a couple. They had a big baby shower, complete with a drone light show, in January 2023, and welcomed Matilda in March. “What a wild, beautiful journey life can be,” Cuoco captioned another ring photo. “Grateful for every road that led me straight to you @tommypelphrey.” Hulu Picks Up Nathan Lane-Matt Bomer Comedy Series ‘Mid-Century Modern’ From ‘Will & Grace’ Creators & Ryan Murphy(8/13/24) In a very quick turnaround, Hulu has given a series order to Mid-Century Modern, its multi-camera comedy pilot from Will & Grace creators David Kohan & Max Mutchnick and Ryan Murphy that stars Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Nathan Lee Graham and Linda Lavin.The pickup comes less than two months after the pilot, written by Kohan and Mutchnick, was officially greenlighted and just four weeks after it was taped in front of a live audience with multi-cam icon James Burrows directing. The very quick decision-making — especially by Disney standards — is not that surprising. In addition to an A-list creative team in front and behind the camera, the pilot has been enjoying a very strong word- of-mouth internally that kicked into high gear after the table read. The series follows three best friends (Lane, Bomer, Graham) — gay gentlemen of a certain age – who, after an unexpected death, decide to spend their golden years living together in Palm Springs where the wealthiest one, Bunny Schneiderman (Lane), lives with his mother, Sybil (Lavin). As a chosen family, they prove that no matter how hard things get, there’s always someone around to remind you it would be better if you got your neck done. Bomer’s former Mormon Jerry Frank is “pure of heart. He is also hard of body and soft of head.” Graham’s Arthur is a dignified, elegant, fashion industry veteran. Lane and Bomer executive produce the series alongside Mutchnick, Kohan, Burrows and Murphy. 20th Television where Ryan Murphy Productions is based, is the studio. This is a relatively rare multi-camera streaming comedy series. Hulu previously tried the genre with How I Met Your Father. It also marks the second half-hour series after The New Normal for prolific, Emmy-winning producer Murphy and a return to the genre for Emmy-winning Will & Grace creators, executive producers and showrunners Kohan & Mutchnick who most recently revisited their hit comedy with a revival for NBC. Frequent collaborator Burrows was executive producer/director on both incarnations. Dorian TV Award Winners(8/12/24) Winners at the 2024 Dorian TV Awards, which was revealed today by GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics.BEST TV PERFORMANCE—DRAMA BEST TV PERFORMANCE—COMEDY Rebecca Budig Joins The Bold and the Beautiful as an Iconic Character: 'I Love Her Strength'(8/6/24) (people.com) (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood 37, Rebecca Budig 51, Hunter Tylo 62, Krista Allen 53)When Rebecca Budig’s first episode of The Bold and the Beautiful airs on August 6, the soap star hopes viewers will embrace her performance of a character that has long been a part of the show’s DNA. The four-time Daytime Emmy Award-nominated actress, 51, will play Dr. Taylor Hayes, a role dreamed up by one of the show’s creators William J. Bell and previously played over the years by Hunter Tylo, Sherilyn Wolter and Krista Allen. But for Budig — who has previously starred on General Hospital, All My Children and Guiding Light — playing Dr. Hayes, a compassionate psychiatrist, is a first. And while she may not have have the medical training, the actress says she has a lot of respect for therapy as a practice. “I love therapy — I’ve gone to years of therapy — which is a little different from psychiatry, obviously,” she tells PEOPLE, adding, “I’ve been around enough mental health care professionals … just to get a sense of what they’re like.” "Before this job came up, I thought about going back to school and studying psychology, because it actually fascinates me,” she continues. “It’s ironic that I got this part, given that that’s what I was going to try and do in the fall, anyway.” Settling back into the fast-paced day-to-day rhythm of soap operas was an adjustment, she admits, given her last project, the TV movie Fit for Christmas in 2022, moved at a slower pace. “It was very slow, and you did the scene a hundred times, so you're like, ‘Oh, this is great,’” she mused. “I like to know my lines very well so that I just don't have to think about them very much. It's just getting that muscle back up and working again. ... I don't even want to watch the first couple shows, let's put it that way. ... I'm my worst critic.” (Photo) Budig has spent much of her time shooting her initial scenes with Katherine Kelly Lang, who plays her character's longtime rival Brooke, and Thorsten Kaye, who portrays Taylor's off-again, on-again romantic interest Ridge. Filming with both actors was an easygoing experience, partly because Budig and Kaye had previously worked together on All My Children. “I've always loved Thorsten,” she explains. “He's always been very kind to me … I've been to his house for Thanksgiving once, so I love Thorsten and his family. … He does something different every time. He doesn't say the same thing every time, so he keeps you on your toes — and that's all you can ask for, really.” (Photo) Budig is excited to see how loyal, longtime viewers of The Bold and the Beautiful respond to her portrayal of Taylor. “I just hope they're open to that idea and interpretation of it and that they just believe the relationships between Taylor and Ridge and Taylor and Brooke,” she says, adding, “I always thought that All My Children might've been the best job I ever had in terms of the people all really getting along, but I truly get the vibe here that it's that one in a million group of people that is just collaborative, kind, supportive and just very welcoming. So I'm excited. Really excited.” The Bold and the Beautiful airs weekdays at 1:30 p.m. ET on CBS and is available for streaming on Paramount+. Yellowstone Star Bids Farewell to Series in Heartfelt Instagram Post(8/4/24) (Photos) Yellowstone‘s Wendy Moniz is saying goodbye to the ranch — for now.Moniz, who filmed her final scene as Governor Lynelle Perry in the Paramount Network smash on Aug. 1, paid tribute to the soon-to-conclude series in an Instagram caption on Sunday. “Series wrap for me on Yellowstone and been having alllll the feels; sentimental, proud, grateful to name a few,” she wrote. “What a beautiful experience I’ve had here; just incredibly fortunate to have worked with so many talented, dedicated, and kind people since 2017. “There’s been a lot to reflect on,” she added, “because this place, with the exceptional people who make it live and breathe, has often felt like a home away from home for me over these last 7 years.” The series will conclude with Season 5B, which kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 10. The franchise will live on, however, via a number of spinoffs, including, as TVLine learned just last week, The Madison, which is set to star Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell and Patrick J. Adams. The contemporary offshoot is rumored to follow wealthy matriarch Stacy Clyburn and her family as they leave New York City and head to Montana in the wake of her husband and brother-in-law’s tragic deaths in a plane crash. Meanwhile last fall, Paramount Network ordered to series the Yellowstone sequel series 2024, which is expected to feature franchise vets Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser and Luke Grimes reprising their respective roles of Beth Dutton, Rip Wheeler and Kayce Dutton. It seems safe to assume that Moniz could also turn up in 2024, provided, of course, her character makes it out of the OG series alive. ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ Boosts Season 2 Cast For 2025 Return(7/27/24) (Video) Expect four new characters to join the action in the season 2 return of The Walking Dead: Dead City in 2025.Executive Producer Eli Jorné revealed the cast additions at the AMC show’s Hall H panel Friday. They are Keir Gilchrist (Atypical, It Follows), who will play Benjamin Pierce; Dascha Polanco (Orange Is the New Black, Poker Face), in the role of Major Lucia Narvaez; Jake Weary (Oh, Canada, How to Blow Up a Pipeline) as Christos; and Pooya Mohseni (Law & Order: SVU, See You Then) as Roksana. The Walking Dead: Dead City follows Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) as they travel into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan, long ago cut off from the mainland. The crumbling city is filled with the dead and denizens who have made New York City their own world full of anarchy, danger, beauty, and terror. In season two, in the growing war for control of Manhattan, Maggie and Negan find themselves trapped on opposite sides. As their paths intertwine, they come to see that the way out for both is more complicated and harrowing than they ever imagined. At Friday’s Comic-Con panel, Morgan promised the return of his character’s signature leather jacket and his beloved Lucille. He also addressed his relationship with that damn bat and treated Comic-Con goers to his epic whistle. Rick Hearst Returning To ‘General Hospital’ To Reprise Ric Lansing Role(7/25/24) A familiar face will be returning to Port Charles. After an eight-year absence, Rick Hearst is returning to ABC’s General Hospital to reprise his role of Ric Lansing.Hearst’s character, Sonny’s brother, was first introduced on the show in 2002. He exited in 2009, then returned for a second run from 2014-2016. His first episodes will begin airing the week of August 19. Ric is also the father of Alexis Davis’ (Nancy Lee Grahn) daughter Molly (Kristen Vaganos). Hearst told TVInsider, GH casting director Mark Teschner reached out to him and asked him if he’d like to return. “My first question was, “Really? What’s the story, what’s happening?”, adding, “Then he told me and I kind of look at it as, ‘Daddy’s home and here to take care of his daughter and anything that entails.’” Hearst has recently been catching up on the storyline. “I’ve been trying to catch up and see what’s happening and I see that there’s a situation where Kristina is being a surrogate for Molly,” he says. “And while I don’t know what that turns into, I have a feeling there’s going to be some friction by virtue of the fact that one daughter is parented by Alexis and Sonny, and the other daughter is parented by Alexis and Ric. That alone is enough to create a mad amount of drama of who’s going to side with who. And it’s going to be entertaining.” Since his last appearance on General Hospital, three-time Daytime Emmy winner Hearst has recurred on VH1’s Daytime Divas and guest-starred on The Vampire Diaries, Dynasty and most recently Ambitions. Taye Diggs & Meagan Good To Lead & EP Lifetime’s ‘Terry McMillan Presents: Forever’(7/22/24) Taye Diggs (All American, The Best Man) and Meagan Good (Divorce in the Black, Harlem) are set to star and executive produce Lifetime‘s newly acquired movie Terry McMillan Presents: Forever premiering Saturday, August 24 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT. Charles Murray (Outer Range, Luke Cage) directs and EPs.From writer Bart Baker, Terry McMillan Presents: Forever follows Johnnie (Diggs) returns home after a tour of military service, he’s unexpectedly met with divorce papers. With his life at a crossroads, the last thing he expected was to fall for the local policewoman Carlie (Good), who pulled him over for speeding. Determined to win her heart, his first hurdle is winning over her three daughters. To be the man Carlie needs him to be, Johnnie must let go of old fears and regrets to find love and learn the true meaning of family. The Ninth House produces the movie in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment. Taye Diggs, Meagan Good and Terry McMillan executive produce alongside director Charles Murray and Richard Foster and Chet Fenster for GroupM Motion Entertainment. Emmy-winning producer Shelby Stone, Autumn Federici and Jake Helgren serve as producers for The Ninth House. Terry McMillan Presents: Forever marks the second film under the previously announced umbrella, including Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted By Love starring and executive produced by Garcelle Beauvais, premiering a week prior on August 17. Diggs is repped by Global Artist Agency and A Management Co. Good is repped by Atlas Artists, Gersh Agency and Yorn, Levine, Barnes and Krintzman. Emmy Nominations 2024(7/17/24) The 2024 Emmys ceremony is September 15 live on ABC.Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series Abbott Elementary • ABC • Delicious Non-Sequitur Productions and Fifth Chance in association with Warner Bros. Television and 20th Television The Bear • FX • FX Productions Only Murders In The Building • Hulu • 20th Television Loot • Apple TV+ • Universal Television in association with Apple Hacks • HBO | Max • Universal Television in association with Paulilu, First Thought Productions, Fremulon Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment Palm Royale • Apple TV+ • Apple Studios Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie Fellow Travelers • Showtime • SHOWTIME Presents a Fremantle and Showtime Studios Production Baby Reindeer • Netflix • A Netflix Series / A Clerkenwell Films Production Fargo • FX • FX Presents an MGM/FXP Production Feud: Capote vs. The Swans • FX • FX Productions, 20th Television Ripley • Netflix • Showtime and Endemol Shine North America in association with Entertainment 360 and Filmrights for Netflix Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series The Gilded Age • HBO | Max • HBO in association with Universal Television and Neamo Film and Television The Morning Show • Apple TV+ • Media Res in association with Apple The Crown • Netflix • Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television for Netflix The Morning Show • Apple TV+ • Media Res in association with Apple The Crown • Netflix • Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television for Netflix The Morning Show • Apple TV+ • Media Res in association with Apple The Morning Show • Apple TV+ • Media Res in association with Apple Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series Mr. & Mrs. Smith • Infidelity • Prime Video • Amazon MGM Studios, Big Indie Pictures The Crown • Sleep, Dearie Sleep • Netflix • Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television for Netflix The Morning Show • Update Your Priors • Apple TV+ • Media Res in association with Apple Mr. & Mrs. Smith • Couples Therapy (Naked & Afraid) • Prime Video • Amazon MGM Studios, Big Indie Pictures Mr. & Mrs. Smith • Double Date • Prime Video • Amazon MGM Studios, Big Indie Pictures ‘As the World Turns’ Star Elizabeth Hubbard’s Connecticut Home Has Hit the Market for $1.45 Million(7/13/24) (Photo) Elizabeth Hubbard spent 26 years on the hit soap opera “As the World Turns,” and spent 20 of those years at her home in Roxbury, Connecticut, which has now hit the market for the first time in decades asking $1.45 million.Built in 1969, the Emmy award-winning actress purchased the home in 1990 and lived there until her death in April 2023 at the age of 89. After she passed, the home was left to her son, Jeremy Bennett, who has decided to sell it. Bennett is fond of house as he spent a lot of time with his mother there, but now feels it’s time to sell, said listing agent Jill Sloane of Brown Harris Stevens. Bennett was not available for comment. Sitting on 2.1 acres, the 4,572 square-foot home includes four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a sauna, a large deck, an infinity pool, a large recreational room with access to the pool and a detached two-car garage. The home was listed on Monday. Hubbard was a big gardener. The landscape of the property includes Hubbard’s beloved gardens which were featured in Litchfield County garden tours, according to Sloane. The property also includes a studio designed by Haver and Skolnick Architects in 2005 that works as a multifunctional space to host, practice yoga or pilates or turn into a craft or art space. The studio was previously a detached two-car garage, which they transformed, adding a new two-car garage onto the property in 2005. Hubbard carried out a number of other renovations. She added the sauna, the entire lower level, added a custom fireplace and more, according to Sloane. All of those renovations are still intact. “The living room has a fireplace that was custom made by Elizabeth MacDonald, a local Connecticut artist,” Sloane said. “When you walk in it’s like an art piece.” In the gourmet kitchen, the floor tiles were imported from Spain. “They are definitely a little different, very funky and cool,” said Sloane. Adding a lot of character to the home, custom bookshelves line the living room walls and the staircase leading to the lower level. The primary bathroom includes green and white tiled floors, a soaking tub and multiple windows overlooking the greenery outdoors. The home is located in central Roxbury and within walking distance to the center of town, including the bank, post office, market, library, hiking trails and tennis courts, according to Brown Harris Stevens. Born in New York City, Hubbard starred on the hit Soap Opera “As the World Turns,” in 1984 until the show’s last episode on September 17, 2010. Hubbard is also known for her work on the NBC show “The Doctors,” movies such as “I Never Sang for My Father,” and appeared in multiple Broadway shows.> FX Sets Premiere Date For Ryan Murphy’s ‘American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez’ & More(7/10/24) FX has slotted Tuesday, September 17 for the premiere of Ryan Murphy‘s American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez, the first installment in Murphy’s American Story franchise.The 10-episode limited series is based on the podcast Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc. from The Boston Globe and Wondery. It charts the rise and fall of NFL superstar Aaron Hernandez, played by Josh Rivera, and explores the disparate strands of his identity, his family, his career, his suicide and their legacy in sports and American culture. The series also stars Jaylen Barron (Shayanna Jenkins), Lindsay Mendez (Tanya Singleton), Ean Castellanos (DJ Hernandez), Tammy Blanchard (Terri Hernandez), Tony Yazbeck (Urban Meyer), Patrick Schwarzenegger (Tim Tebow), Thomas Sadoski (Brian Murphy), Jake Cannavale (“Chris”) and Norbert Leo Butz (Bill Belichick). American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez is executive produced by Murphy, Stuart Zicherman, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson and Carl Franklin. Hernan Lopez and Marshall Lewy of Wondery also serve as executive producers alongside Linda Pizzuti Henry and Ira Napoliello of The Boston Globe. The series is produced by 20th Television. FX has set Monday, September 2 for the premiere of Brian Jordan Alvarez’s new comedy series English Teacher. Starring and executive produced by Alvarez, English Teacher follows a high school teacher in Austin who’s trying to balance the competing demands of the students and their parents in a world where the r-ules seem to change every day. Jonathan Krisel (Baskets, Portlandia) also executive produces. The series will debut at 10 p.m. ET/PT September 2 with the first two episodes. All episodes will stream next day on Hulu. The series also will launch soon on Disney+ internationally. Premiere date TBA. FX has set an August premiere date for its latest documentary film The New York Times Present: Lie To Fly. It focuses on last year’s terrifying Alaska Airlines flight when a man, who turned out to be a professional pilot, was accused of trying to crash the plane mid-flight. It will air Friday, August 23 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. FX’s new docuseries Social Studies premieres Friday, September 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX with the first two episodes of the five-episode series. From Emmy-winning filmmaker/photographer Lauren Greenfield, Social Studies is described as a character-driven documentary series that delves into the lives of the first generation raised on social media. All episodes of Social Studies will stream next day on Hulu and will be available on Disney+ internationally in select territories at a later date. Jill Kargman, David Krumholtz, Justin Bartha & Christine Taylor To Topline Comedy ‘Miracle On 74th Street’(7/10/24) Jill Kargman (Odd Mom Out), Justin Bartha (The Hangover), David Krumholtz (Oppenheimer) and Christine Taylor (Search Party) have been set to topline Miracle on 74th Street, an indie comedy from director Rachel Israel (The Floaters), which has wrapped production.Others in the cast include Laura Bell Bundy, Eugene Cordero, Jessica Capshaw, Clara Wong, Jason Biggs, Jenny Mollen, Sol Miranda, Olli Haaskivi, Nathan Lee Graham, and Dan Hedaya. Then, there’s Drew Barrymore and Gwyneth Paltrow, who will appear in cameos. Written by Kargman, Carol Hartsell, and Sean Crespo, Miracle on 74th Street follows renowned influencer Dzanielle as she navigates fake friends among the black card-swiping, Ozempic-sharting, workout-addicted Upper East Siders. In her comedic quest for a million followers, she finds her first real new friend and her true self. Producers on the film include Tiny Office Productions’ SJ Allocco-St. Germain and Arielle Haller-Silverstone, Akward Productions’ Mandy Ward, and Steven Ast. Jill and Harry Kargman of Iocane Productions served as executive producers alongside Lizzie Tisch, Daryl Roth, and Regina K. Scully. Lily Korman, Becky Korman, and Shai Korman co-exec produced, with CAA Media Finance aboard to rep the film’s North American rights. Best known for creating and starring in Bravo’s sitcom Odd Mom Out, which ran for three seasons, Kargman has also appeared in A Bad Moms Christmas and other titles. Known for roles in The Hangover and National Treasure franchises, Bartha has recently been seen on series like Godfather of Harlem and The Accidental Wolf, as well as indies like Dear Zoe and Nuked. Most recently seen in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and the indie comedy Lousy Carter, Krumholtz is part of the cast of the adult animated series Sausage Party: Foodtopia, which premieres on Prime Video on July 11. Coming off of series like High Desert and Search Party, Taylor is also known for her work in films like Dodgeball, Zoolander and The Wedding Singer, among many other titles. Israel previously made her feature directorial debut with the rom-com Keep the Change, based on her same-name short, which won multiple prizes, including the Jury Award for Best U.S. Narrative Feature, in its world premiere at Tribeca. Next up for release is her comedy The Floaters, starring Jackie Tohn, Sarah Podemski, and Aya Cash. Kargman and Iocane Productions are represented by CAA; Bartha by Gersh, Mgmt Entertainment, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Krumholtz by Paradigm, Brookside Artist Management, and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern; Taylor by UTA and Strand Entertainment; Bundy by Haven Entertainment and Innovative Artists; Cordero by Global Artists Agency, Artists First, and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis; Capshaw by CAA and Anonymous Content; Wong by Lasher Group and Nicolosi and Co.; Biggs by CAA and Entertainment 360; Mollen by CAA; Miranda by Gotham Talent Agency; Haaskivi by Innovative Artists and Lasher Group; Graham by CGF Talent; Hedaya by Gersh; Barrymore by CAA; Paltrow by CAA and Lighthouse Media and Management; Israel by Verve; Hartsell by Argyle Media; and Crespo by Finer Entertainment Company. Brittany O’Grady & E.J. Bonilla Lead Genre Pic ‘In Our Blood’ With Duncan Jones & Morgan Freeman Among Backers; Watch First Footage(7/3/24) (Video) Brittany O’Grady (The White Lotus) and E. J. Bonilla (The Exorcist: Believer) are leading under-the-radar thriller-horror In Our Blood, which will launch at the Fantasia Film Festival at the end of the month.Heralding from doc filmmaker and Oscar short nominee Pedro Kos, who recently signed with CAA, the project is the first fully financed by Duncan Jones and Stuart Fenegan’s Liberty Films, under their initiative to support debut features. Moon filmmaker Jones is among executive producers with actor Morgan Freeman and producing partner Lori McCreary. In In Our Blood, filmmaker Emily Wyland (O’Grady) teams up with cinematographer Danny (Bonilla) to shoot an intimate documentary about reuniting with Emily’s estranged mother after a decade apart. When her mother suddenly goes missing, possibly succumbing to the addictions that first tore her family apart, Emily and Danny must piece together increasingly sinister clues to find her before it’s too late. Above is first footage. Also starring are Alanna Ubach (Euphoria), Krisha Fairchild (Channel Zero, Krisha), Steven Klein, Bianca Comparato (3%), and Leo Marks. Producers are Aaron Kogan, Steven Klein, Gary Lucchesi, Michael McKay, and Stuart Fenegan. Clay Tweel is an exec producer. CAA Media Finance is representing the film’s North American distribution rights. Screenplay comes from Mallory Westfall, known for her work in the genre space, including the series Fear the Walking Dead and Chucky. Script is based on a story by Aaron Kogan, Steven Klein, Clay Tweel, and Mallory Westfall. Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary said of the project: “We’re thrilled to help bring the chilling vision of the In Our Blood film team to life. Putting his documentary chops to good use, director, Pedro Kos has elevated the found-footage genre, creating something fresh and uniquely terrifying. It will be exciting to see how audiences react to the many surprises and twists in the storytelling.” Director Pedro Kos, known for docs Rebel Hearts and Lead Me Home, added: “It’s exciting for me to apply to a genre feature the storytelling skills I’ve honed over years making documentaries. In Our Blood has all the scary and thrilling elements of a psychological mystery, while tackling real issues of addiction, stigma, and a world that preys on our most vulnerable.” ‘Outer Range’ Canceled By Amazon After 2 Seasons(7/3/24) Prime Video has opted not to renew sci-fi/neo-western drama Outer Range, starring Josh Brolin, for a third season. The news comes almost two months after the seven-episode second season of the series from showrunner Charles Murray was released May 16.It follows solid early US ratings data, with the release of the new season propelling Outer Range to #3 on the Nielsen Streaming Originals chart for the week of May 20 with 476M hours viewed and #8 for the week of May 27 with 314M. Outer Range followed rancher Royal Abbott (Brolin) who is fighting for his land and family after discovering an unfathomable phenomenon at the edge of Wyoming’s wilderness — a dark void. The mystery surrounding the void on the west pasture of the ranch deepens in Season 2, as Royal and his wife Cecelia (Lili Taylor) struggle to keep their family together in the aftermath of their granddaughter’s disappearance. In addition to Brolin and Taylor, Imogen Poots, Tamara Podemski, Lewis Pullman, Tom Pelphrey, Noah Reid, Shaun Sipos, Isabel Arraiza, Olive Abercrombie and Will Patton also starred. Christian James, Megan West, Daniel Abeles, Kimberly Guerrero and Monette Moio recurred in Season 2. Outer Range was executive produced by Charles Murray, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Ernest McNealey, Brolin, Tony Krantz, Heather Rae and Jon Paré. Brolin made his directorial debut in the Season 2’s penultimate episode. Kevin Bacon & Glenn Howerton Join Netflix Limited Series ‘Sirens’(7/2/24) Kevin Bacon (City on a Hill) and Glenn Howerton (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) have boarded Netflix’s dark comedy limited series Sirens, headlined by Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy and Milly Alcock.Created by Molly Smith Metzler (Maid) based on her play Elemeno Pea and executive produced by LuckyChap, Sirens revolves around three women, Devon, Simone and Michaela. Devon (Fahy) thinks her sister Simone (Alcock) has a really creepy relationship with her new boss, the enigmatic socialite Michaela Kell (Moore). Michaela’s cult-ish life of luxury is like a drug to Simone, and Devon has decided it’s time for an intervention. Told over the course of one explosive weekend at The Kells’ lavish beach estate, Sirens is described as an incisive, sexy, and darkly funny exploration of women, power, and class. Bacon will play Michaela’s husband Peter Kell who comes from an old money family and is the highest-status person in every room he enters. He’s an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the occasional joint. Howerton plays Ethan Corbin II, a dear friend of the Kells and lifelong bachelor who lives next door. He’s a regular at the yacht club and he’s rapidly burning through his trust fund. Writer/showrunner Metzler executive produces for Quiet Coyote under her deal with Netflix. Dani Gorin, Tom Ackerley, and Margot Robbie executive produce for LuckyChap. Nicole Kassell is executive producer and director. Howerton continues to star on FX’s It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, which is headed into its 17th season. He was recently seen in the indie film Blackberry, earning a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Independent Spirit Awards and the Gotham Awards. Howerton is repped by WME, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Bacon is in two high-profile summer movies that are released this week, MaXXXine and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F having most recently starred in the Netflix hit Leave The World Behind. He also headlines the upcoming Prime Video series The Bondsman. Bacon is repped by WME, MGMT Entertainment and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole. Renauld White Dies: ‘The Guiding Light’ Soap Star And Pioneering Black Model Was 80(6/30/24) Renauld White, who helped forge greater diversity on designer runways and later spent two years on soap opera “The Guiding Light,” died June 26 at age 80.White was under hospice care at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan at the time of his death, according to his friend Jeffrey Banks, the fashion designer, as told to WWD. The cause of death was not given. In November 1979, White became the second Black model to appear on the cover of GQ. White worked with such top designers as Bill Blass, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan, among many others. White’s funeral will be held on July 12 at 11 a.m. at the Whigham Funeral Home in his hometown of Newark, N.J. Hollywood Walk Of Fame Announces 2025 Honorees: Jane Fonda, Alan Cumming, Prince & More(6/24/24) The Hollywood Walk of Fame is looking ahead as it prepares to honor the star-studded Class of 2025.On Monday, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced next year’s selections to receive a star on Hollywood Boulevard’s storied walk, including the likes of Jane Fonda, David Beckham, Fran Drescher, Alan Cumming and the late Prince. In addition to Fonda, the 2025 motion picture honorees include John Carpenter, Jessica Chastain, Bill Duke, Robert Englund, Emilio Estevez, Colin Farrell, Nia Long, Lisa LIu, Glynn Turman and Toni Vaz. The television honorees include Drescher, Lauren Graham, Bill Nye, Molly Shannon, Sherri Shepherd, Courtney B. Vance, Chris Wallace and South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, to be honored in a double ceremony. Other recording artists to receive an honor include Fantasia, Depeche Mode, Los Bukis, The B-52s, Green Day, The Isley Brothers, Busta Rhymes, George Strait, Keith Urban and WAR. Cumming and Misty Copeland have been selected as theater honorees, with Beckham and Orel Hershiser honored for sports and Adam Carolla receiving a radio honor. Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President Steven Nissen announced the honorees in a live press conference on Monday with Walk of Famers Niecy Nash, Joe Mantegna and Jimmy Jam. “Each honoree truly embodies the essence of excellence in their respective fields,” said Chairman Peter Roth. Although the honorees have been chosen to receive a star, it is not guaranteed they will receive the honor. Each honoree will have two years to schedule their ceremony before their selection expires. The Chamber’s Walk of Fame Selection Panel selected the new honorees, who were then ratified by its Board of Directors. Morning Show Appearance(6/21/24) GMA3: What You Need to Know - ABCAIRING Jun 26, 2024 actor Taye Diggs Morning Show Appearance(6/21/24) Good Morning America - ABCAIRING Jun 26, 2024 actor Taye Diggs Hulu Orders Comedy Pilot From Max Mutchnick, David Kohan & Ryan Murphy Starring Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer And Linda Lavin(6/18/24) In one of the more promising pieces of development to come along in a while, Hulu has ordered Mid-Century Modern, a comedy pilot from Will & Grace duo Max Mutchnick and David Kohan and uber-producer Ryan Murphy.Nathan Lane and Matt Bomer are set to star and executive produce the series that will also star Linda Lavin. Mutchnick and Kohan will write the pilot while James Burrows will direct. Executive producers include Mutchnick, Kohan, Burrows, Lane, Bomer and Murphy. 20th Television is the studio. The series follows three best friends — gay gentlemen of a certain age – who, after an unexpected death, decide to spend their golden years living together in Palm Springs where the wealthiest one lives with his mother and a naked Gen Z housekeeper. As a chosen family, they prove that no matter how hard things get, there’s always someone around to remind you it would be better if you got your neck done. Lane will play Bunny Schneiderman while Bomer will be Jerry Frank. Lavin will take over as Bunny’s mother, Sybil Schneiderman. A successful businessman with one foot in retirement, Bunny is forever in search of love, but he first has to be convinced he’s worthy of it. Like her son, Sybil’s strengths are her weaknesses: wise, caring, and iconoclastic – which sometimes means she’s critical, smothering and amoral. Jerry left the Mormon Church and his marriage in his early 20s after his wife informed him and the rest of the congregation that he was a homosexual. Now a latter-day saint in the literal sense of the term, Jerry is pure of heart. He is also hard of body and soft of head. Lane is repped by CAA and Anonymous Content. Bomer is repped by CAA, Anonymous Content, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Gellman, Meigs & Fox. Lavin is repped by Innovative and Sendoff & Baruch. Burrows is represented by WME, Bob Broder, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox.e Black Reel TV Awards Unveils 2024 Nominees(6/13/24) Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy SeriesQuinta Brunson | Abbott Elementary – ABC Michelle Buteau | Survival of the Thickest – Netflix Ayo Edebiri | The Bear – FX on HULU Renee Elise Goldsberry | Girls5Eva – Netflix Jharrel Jerome | I’m a Virgo – Amazon Prime Video Diarra Kilpatrick | Diarra from Detroit – BET+ Anthony Mackie | Twisted Metal – Peacock Maya Rudolph | Loot – Apple TV+ Jaz Sinclair | Gen V – Amazon Prime Video Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams | The Ms. Pat Show – BET+ Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy Series Outstanding Guest Performance in a Drama Series Gail Bean, Taye Diggs, Tristan Mack Wilds & More Set For Psychological Thriller ‘Both Eyes Open’(6/12/24) Gail Bean (Snowfall) will topline Both Eyes Open, an indie psychological thriller from writer-director Ariel Julia Hairston (The Comeback), which has wrapped production in Atlanta.Additional cast for the pic from RodFather Productions includes Taye Diggs (The Best Man), Joy Brunson (This Is Us), Christie Leverette (You’ll Never Leave Me), Tristan Mack Wilds (The Wire), Michael Oloyede (This is Paradise), and Carla Fisher (The Boss). Both Eyes Open centers on Ally (Bean), a woman who emerges from an abusive relationship hoping for a fresh start. Haunted by persistent hallucinations of her abuser, she begins to receive mysterious messages that suggest her tormenter may still be lurking in the distance. As the cryptic messages escalate and the ground beneath her starts to crumble, Ally discovers that the answers she seeks may lie closer to home than she could have ever imagined. Pic’s exec producers are Roderick McClure, Joshua Ferrell, Hairston, and Bean. Said producers McClure and Ferrell in a statement to Deadline, “When we started RodFather Productions, we knew we wanted to be game changers in the film industry. We treat each and every cast and crew member as though they were a member of our family. As filmmakers, we are deeply committed to discovering and showcasing the brilliance of exceptionally talented individuals—especially those who may not have been afforded the opportunities they deserve. BOTH EYES OPEN is the first of many more films to come, and we look forward to continuing to empower and entertain.” Best known for starring on FX’s Snowfall, the indie’s lead Bean has also been seen on series like P-Valley and Love in the Time of Corona, as well as films like The Belko Experiment. Up next, she’ll be seen in Malcolm Washington’s August Wilson adaptation The Piano Lesson for Netflix and the third season of Prime Video’s Harlem, among other projects. Hairston’s credits as a director include the romantic comedy The Comeback, starring Diggs and Apryl Jones, and the boxing drama Boxed In. Bean is represented by Innovative Artists, manager Doreen Wilcox Little, and The Hay Group; Diggs by Global Artists Agency and manager Abe Hoch; Brunson by Alexander White Agency and Luber Roklin Entertainment; Wilds by UTA, manager Justin Adams, and Hansen, Jacobsen, Teller; Leverette by Privilege Talent and The Carson Kolker Organization; Oloyede by CESD, Reena Patton at John Carrabino Management, and Johnson, Shapiro, Slewett & Kole; and Fisher by The People Store. Bethany Joy Lenz Explains How Her New Hallmark Movie Reminded Her Of ‘One Tree Hill’ Role(6/8/24) (Trailer) Even in the most romantic city on Earth, Bethany Joy Lenz‘s mind is still back in the fictional town of Tree Hill, North Carolina.The Savoring Paris star explained how her new Hallmark Movie took her “outside of my comfort zone” and back to her breakout role on the aughts teen drama One Tree Hill. “When I got to read the script, I was really intrigued by playing a character who kind of reminded me of who Haley was from One Tree Hill, like all those years ago,” Lenz told TV Insider. She starred as high school tutor Haley James on One Tree Hill for the entirety of the teen soap’s nine-season run on The WB and CW from 2003 to 2012. Lenz explained that Haley “evolved into a character who was much more confident and bold over the years.” “I just thought I haven’t done that since I was so young, in my early 20s,” she added. “I usually get called to play more tough girl kind of roles, so I was excited by the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone of feeling like a natural leader and allow myself to sort of emotionally sit on the sidelines.” In Savoring Paris, Lenz plays disillusioned Ella, who embarks on a soul-searching journey to Paris, where romance ensues with Serge (Stanley Weber) and Gaston (Ben Wiggins). She explained the character is “not used to taking up a lot of her own space. She is always making space for everyone else.” Lenz’s latest role comes as she prepares to release her memoir Dinner for Vampires, which details her decade-long experience in a cult and her journey to escape. The book is available on October 22. The actress also co-hosts the Drama Queens podcast with her One Tree Hill co-stars Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton-Morgan, recapping the hit series more than a decade after the series finale. Savoring Paris premieres June 8 at 8/7c on Hallmark Channel as part of the Passport to Love event. Murray Bartlett To Co-Star Opposite Amy Adams In ‘At The Sea’(6/6/24) Emmy-winner Murray Bartlett is set to join Amy Adams in At the Sea, a new drama from Kornel Mundruczó and Kata Wéber — the director and writer of such acclaimed films as Pieces of a Woman and White God — as well as Hammerstone Studios, Ryder Picture Company and AR Content.Set to enter production in Boston in June, the film follows the life of Laura (Adams) after a long rehabilitation, as she returns to her family at their beach holiday home where she has to readjust to the complicated life she left behind. Now she is forced to face the following next chapter of her life without the career that gave her fame, fortune and, most importantly, identity. Bartlett will play Adams’ husband. Pic will be produced by Alexander Rodnyansky of AR Content, Stuart Manashil, Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett for Ryder Picture Company, Hammerstone Studios’ Alex Lebovici and Jon Oakes, and Viktória Petrányi and Mundruczó. Exec producers are Paul J. Diaz, Maria Breese of 3:33 Creative, Lee Broda of LB Entertainment, Jeff Rice of Jeff Rice Films, and Michael Kupisk. Zsofi Oblath and Rachel Rubin will co-produce. AR Content, Paul J. Diaz, and Hammerstone Studios will finance the film, with WME Independent to rep domestic rights, Capstone Pictures handling international, and Sacker Law to oversee production legal. Best known for his Emmy-winning performance in the first season of White Lotus, Bartlett iscoming off filming the 2nd season of Nine Perfect Strangers which he will wrap shortly in Thailand. Starring opposite Nicole Kidman for Hulu. He is also coming off two Emmy-nominations for his performance in Hulu’s Chippendales and HBO’s The Last of Us. He is repped by WME, Anonymous and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher. ‘White Collar’ Reboot Is A Go, Says Creator Jeff Eastin(6/6/24) Great things goes to those who wait, it seems — especially for fans of White Collar.Series creator Jeff Eastin confirmed Thursday in Los Angeles that an updated version of the police procedural is finally in development. “We’re gonna reboot. I’m writing the script,” Eastin said, as quoted by Variety. He appeared at the trade’s TV festival with stars Matt Bomer, Tim DeKay and Tiffany Thiessen — all of whom are expected to return. “It’s a fantastic script and it answers all the questions that one would have if you watch the show,” added DeKay, who continued, “and it would introduce the show to those who haven’t seen it as well. Both edges of the sword are honed.” The reboot also is expected to honor the late Willie Garson, who played Mozzie in the original series. Garson died in 2021. “With such sensitivity and such heart,” said Thiessen about the built-in tribute. “I told Jeff after I finished it, I literally was so excited, but at the same time had tears in my eyes — for good reason. You captured the suspense, the thrill, the characters and the love in that reboot.” No word yet, however, on where the new version will end up, though it has long been rumored that Hulu would become the home since the series is owned by 20th TV. White Collar was produced for the NBCU-owned USA from 2009-2014 by Fox TV Studios, which is now a Disney entity. Bomer and Eastin began talking about a White Collar revival in 2020 during a charity cast reunion on the Stars In the House YouTube channel. “There is nothing I would want than to be on a set with this group of people again,” said Bomer, who organized the reunion. “There are real conversations happening. There seems to be a lot of excitement about it.” In a 2023 interview, Bomer addressed the challenges of moving ahead without Garson. “Obviously, that’s the first thing that came to my mind, but I felt that what Jeff Eastin presented to Tim and I honors what he contributed to the show and honors him as a person,” the actor said. “There’s no way I would ever be involved with it again if it didn’t do so. So I think it’s a way for him to, in some ways, still be a part of the show.”æ×»^—‰.B”éš.ÿ0Ôõ¸ß.Öe¾)û0ØŸ›ë23A]&ž.=ê2í.ö+›ê2A}%ð/a]f Daytime Emmy Presenters(6/4/24) CBS and The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced today the star-studded list of presenters for THE 51ST ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY® AWARDS, airing live on Friday, June 7 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+*.Hosted by ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT’s Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner, the lineup of presenters from daytime’s biggest names includes: Kristos Andrews (“The Bay”), Lidia Bastianich (“25 Years with Lidia: A Culinary Jubilee”), Lauralee Bell (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS), Eric Braeden (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS), Steve Burton (“General Hospital”), Derrick Camana (“Wizard of Paws”), Kelly Clarkson (“The Kelly Clarkson Show”), Stefan Dennis (“Neighbours”), Zooey Deschanel (“What Am I Eating with Zooey Deschanel”), Scott Evans (“Access Hollywood”), Jackée Harry (“Days of Our Lives”), Amelia Heinle (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS), Annie Jones (“Neighbours”), Star Jones (“Divorce Court”), Christel Khalil (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL), Eric Martsolf (“Days of Our Lives”), Kiara Liz Ortega (“The Bay”), Danielle Pinnock (GHOSTS), Melvin Robert (“Extra”), Lawrence Saint-Victor (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL), Jonathan Scott (“Backed by the Bros”), Laura Wright (“General Hospital”), and Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant (“Wild Kingdom”). In addition, THE TALK hosts Amanda Kloots and Jerry O’Connell will make a special appearance. As previously announced, Daytime Emmy® Award nominated and multi-award-winning actress Melody Thomas Scott and Daytime Emmy-winning producer Edward J. Scott will receive Lifetime Achievement honors for their contributions to the world of Daytime television. THE 51ST ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS is produced by NATAS and Associated Television International (ATI), which produced Daytime Emmy Awards ceremonies on The CW in 2009 and on CBS in 2010, 2011, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Adam Sharp and Lisa Armstrong are executive producers from NATAS, while David McKenzie is executive producer from ATI. *Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the episode airs. Talk Show Appearance(5/31/24) LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS - NBCTuesday, June 4: Guests include Kevin Bacon (MaXXXine) Elizabeth MacRae Dies: ‘General Hospital’ & ‘Gomer Pyle: USMC’ Actor Was 88(5/28/24) Elizabeth MacRae, known for her recurring roles in General Hospital and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., has died. She was 88.MacRae died on May 27 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she grew up. After graduating, MacRae pursued a career in acting and auditioned for Otto Preminger’s production of Saint Joan in 1956. Although she didn’t land a role, she continued to pursue acting. She moved to New York City where she studied with Uta Hagen at the Herbert Berghof Studio and gained experience in off-Broadway productions. MacRae landed her first television role playing a witness in the courtroom series The Verdict Is Yours. Over a career that spanned 25 years, MacRae would be featured in television shows like Route 66, Surfside 6, Rendezvous, The Fugitive, Judd for the Defense, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, I Dream of Jeannie, The Andy Griffith Show, and many more. One of her most prominent roles was in Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., where she played Gomer’s girlfriend Lou-Ann Poovie. MacRae also appeared in soaps like General Hospital, where she played Meg Baldwin starting in August 1969. She remained on the ABC daytime soap until 1973, when the character was killed off. Other soaps MacRae starred in were Another World, Days of Our Lives, Guiding Light, and Search for Tomorrow. MacRae’s film credits include Live in a Goldfish Bowl, Everything’s Ducky, The Incredible Mr. Limpet, and Frances Ford Coppola’s The Conversation. She continued to work in television and featured in shows like Kojak, Barnaby Jones, and Rhoda. MacRae’s last film credit was in 1989, where she played a reporter on Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives! Following her acting career, MacRae and her husband, Charles Day Halsey Jr., moved to North Carolina and, years later, returned home to Fayetteville. She is survived by five stepchildren, Terry Halsey, Peter Halsey, Hugh Halsey, Cate Halsey, and Alex Halsey Topper. Darryl Hickman Dies: Actor In ‘The Grapes Of Wrath’ And ‘Leave Her To Heaven’ Was 92(5/24/24) Darryl Hickman, a child actor in Leave Her to Heaven and The Grapes of Wrath, died at 92 on Wednesday, May 22, his family said. No cause was given.Hickman appeared in more than 40 films, having been a contract player at Paramount and MGM. He portrayed the youngest member of the Joad family, Winfield, in John Ford’s 1940 adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath, as well as a role as the younger version of Van Heflin’s character in the 1946 noir, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers. In 1945’s Leave Her to Heaven, Hickman played Danny, younger brother to Cornel Wilde’s Richard. Danny was disabled by polio and when he comes to live with Richard and his wife, Ellen (Gene Tierney), he drowns by Ellen’s hand in the middle of a lake due to jealousy of Richard’s affection for the boy. In 1951, he briefly retired from acting to enter a monastery, but returned to Hollywood a little over a month later. Hickman was born July 28, 1931, in Hollywood, California, and signed to a contract at Paramount after being discovered by a dance school director. His first film was 1937’s The Prisoner of Zenda as Ronald Colman’s son. Among his many films was The Star Maker, Untamed, Men of Boys Town, Mob Town, Joe Smith, American, The Human Comedy, Rhapsody in Blue, Two Years Before the Mast, Boys’ Ranch, Alias Nick Beal, and The Set-Up. When he grew to adulthood, his opportunities diminished. He played a supporting role as Al in 1956’s Tea and Sympathy, and appeared on television on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, The Untouchables, Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, Climax!, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, General Electric Theater, among others. His younger brother, Dwayne Hickman, was the star of CBS comedy The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis from 1959 to 1963. Hickman appeared in three episodes of the first season alongside his younger brother, portraying Dobie’s older brother, Davey. From there, he moved to Broadway, taking over for Robert Morse as J. Pierrepont Finch in the original production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He later became a screenwriter and television executive. He served as the head of CBS daytime programming for nearly five years. After a lengthy hiatus from movies, he returned to film to play a West Coast television executive in 1976’s Network. Daytime Emmy Hosts Will Once Again Be ‘Entertainment Tonight’ Anchors Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner(5/23/24) “Entertainment Tonight” anchors Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner are back to once again host the Daytime Emmys, as the 51st edition of the kudocast airs live on Friday, June 7, at 8 p.m. ET (tape delayed on the west coast) from the Westin Bonaventure hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The event airs on CBS and Paramount+, marking the 18th time the Daytime Emmys has been broadcast on the Eye network.The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and CBS were set to announce the news, which Variety has exclusively learned, on Thursday morning. Frazier and Turner previously hosted the Daytime Emmys in 2022 and 2023. The duo is also nominated this year in the outstanding daytime personality – daily category, while “Entertainment Tonight” is nominated in outstanding entertainment news series. Frazier has been co-host of “ET” since September 2014; before that, he was co-host and managing editor of “The Insider” and a correspondent and weekend host of “ET.” Turner has been co-host of “ET” since 2021, first joining the show as a correspondent in 2014. She preciously served as a contributor for CNN. Also on Thursday, NATAS revealed that Rachel Schwartz has been named head of daytime and children’s & family at the org. The landmark promotion makes Schwartz the first woman to ever lead the Daytime Emmys. NATAS has additionally announced its 2024 Gold and Silver Circle Honorees, recognizing “admired individuals who have made enduring contributions to daytime television. Inductees are exceptional professionals who have performed distinguished service within the television industry, setting standards for achievement, mentoring, leadership and professional accolades for 50 or 25 years, respectively. They represent the best and brightest in the industry.” 2024 Gold Circle Inductees: Jerome Dobson (writer, “Guiding Light,” “As the World Turns,” “General Hospital,” “Santa Barbara”) A Martínez (actor, “The Bay,” “Santa Barbara”) Suzanne Rogers (actress, “Days of Our Lives”) 2024 Silver Circle Inductees: Patricia Denney (former hair and makeup department head, “The Young and The Restless”) Kathleen Finch (chairman and CEO, US networks, Warner Bros. Discovery) Linda Grand (set master props, “The Bold & The Beautiful”) Janet Spellman-Drucker (co-executive producer, “Days of Our Lives”) Mark Teschner (casting director, “General Hospital”) Rolonda Watts (talk show host, actress and voiceover talent, “Sherri,” “Curious George,” “Divorce Court”) The 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards is produced by NATAS and Associated Television International. Adam Sharp and Lisa Armstrong are executive producers from NATAS, while David McKenzie is executive producer from ATI. ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ Trailer: Eddie Murphy Is Back In Action As Axel Foley In Mark Molloy Action Comedy(5/23/24) (Video) Netflix has dropped a new trailer for Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, the fourth installment in the franchise and first in 30 years. Watch it above.With Eddie Murphy reprising his iconic role as a wise-cracking, butt-kicking detective in Los Angeles, the film also sees Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Paul Reiser, and Bronson Pinchot returning as well. New additions to the franchise include Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Taylour Paige, and Kevin Bacon. Directed by Mark Molloy, with a script penned by Will Beall, Tom Gormican and Kevin Etten, Detective Axel Foley (Murphy) is back on the beat in Beverly Hills. After his daughter’s life is threatened, she (Paige) and Foley team up with a new partner (Gordon-Levitt) and old pals Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and John Taggart (Ashton) to turn up the heat and uncover a conspiracy. Producers include Jerry Bruckheimer, Eddie Murphy, Chad Oman, with Melissa Reid as co-producer. Ray Angelic, Charisse Hewitt-Webster, Melissa Reid, Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, serve as executive producers. The franchise moved from Paramount to Netflix in the winter of 2019 and follows the adventures of Detroit cop Foley, who first appeared in the 1984 smash hit that followed him to Beverly Hills to solve the murder of a friend. The film became one of the year’s biggest hits and solidified Murphy’s movie-star status. It was followed by two sequels, in 1987 and 1994. The first film grossed $234 million, making it the highest-grossing domestic release of 1984, and received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is slated for release on July 3. Ian Ziering Biker Brawl LAPD Arrests Two Suspects(5/22/24) Cops have arrested two suspects allegedly involved in the biker brawl that left actor Ian Ziering seriously rattled … police have confirmed.The LAPD shared the update Tuesday evening, saying the officers arrested Jacob Esteban Hernandez, a 20-year-old male resident of Rosemead, and Angie Teresa Guizar, a 40-year-old female resident of Los Angeles. Hernandez was booked for felony vandalism, and Guizar was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. Authorities credited videos taken of the incident as key pieces of evidence in their investigation … noting the footage helped officers identify the suspects. The case is heading to the District Attorney’s Office next … which will decide whether or not to file charges. This update comes almost 5 months after Ziering said he and his daughter, Mia, were caught up in a terrifying confrontation with a group of mini-bikers on Hollywood Boulevard. The "Beverly Hills, 90210" star claimed his car was approached by some mini-bikers on NYE, prompting Ziering to exit his vehicle -- to see if any damage had been done. Unfortunately, he says the situation quickly escalated into a violent encounter. Though Ziering and his daughter walked away from the brawl unscathed, he was left shaken by the ordeal -- imploring law enforcement to do something about it. He added, at the time … “As a citizen and a parent, I find it unacceptable that groups can freely engage in this kind of behavior, causing fear and chaos, while the response from authorities seems insufficient." Ziering demanded action be taken after the incident … so, we’re sure he’s feeling good about this new development. Guiding Light star Kim Zimmer reveals she's undergoing treatment for breast cancer: 'Get your mammograms'(5/17/24) Guiding Light actress Kim Zimmer, whose character Reva Shayne was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, is facing a real-life diagnosis of the disease."I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Nov. 6," she revealed on the special Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer - We All Have a Story, that streamed live Thursday. Zimmer explained that she had undergone a mastectomy and expected to have her last chemotherapy infusion on May 21. Visibly emotional, Zimmer said that her family and friends have been supportive and that she "would have fallen apart," if not for them. Since 1981, Zimmer has been married to actor A.C. Weary, and they share three adult children, including actor Jake Weary. She said her children call her every day. She reminded people that they should do themselves a favor and go to the doctor for screenings. "I'm here to say early detection, early detection, early detection, early detection," she said. "Get your mammograms, get them soon." Zimmer, 69, has also worked on One Life to Live and Santa Barbara. In the '80s and '90s, she guest-starred on Seinfeld, Designing Women, and MacGyver. When she was asked about the biggest challenge of portraying her character during the breast cancer storyline, Zimmer said that it was that the character chose not to share her diagnosis with loved ones. She couldn't relate. "I can't imagine getting a diagnosis like that and not wanting the person that you love most in the world to be there standing next to you," she said. "The fans reacted to that too... It made for great drama." Guiding Light went off the air in 2009, after 57 seasons on TV. Duke Nicholson, William H. Macy, Tiffany Haddish, Stephen Dorff, Jake Weary & Julia Fox Set For Action-Thriller ‘The Deputy’ From ‘Narcos’ Co-Creator(5/16/24) Duke Nicholson (Us), William H. Macy (Fargo), Tiffany Haddish (Girls Trip), Stephen Dorff (Blade), Jake Weary (Oh, Canada) and Julia Fox (Uncut Gems) are set to star in action-Thriller The Deputy, which Highland Film Group is launching for the Cannes market.The film is directed by Matt Sukkar in his feature directorial debut and written by Narcos co-creator and co-writer Carlo Bernard based on the eponymous novel by Victor Gischler. The official synopsis reads: “Part-time Deputy Toby Sawyer (Duke Nicholson) is jolted awake by Chief Krueger (William H. Macy) and assigned to guard a dead body until the coroner arrives. When the corpse mysteriously vanishes, Toby launches a frantic search and unwittingly discovers decades of wrongdoing…and several cops who have turned a blind eye, including Deputy Billy Banks (Stephen Dorff) who pressures Toby to ignore his findings. Only Deputy Amanda Jackson (Tiffany Haddish) appears trustworthy. Desperate to keep his job, Toby must unravel the town’s deep web of corruption before he and his career end up as dead as the missing cadaver.” Pic is being produced by David Lipper and Robert A. Daly Jr under their Latigo Films banner (Freud’s Last Session), Mark Canton (300), and Dorothy Canton (Arthur The King) of Canton Entertainment, and Ryan Winterstern of Applewood Studios (Land of Bad). They are joining Hicham Benkirane, who sourced and developed the project, and is producing via his HBK F.C. banner (Interstate), alongside Brendan Thomas (The Cat and The Moon) and Sukkar. The film is executive-produced by Victor Gischler, Carlo Bernard, Tiffany Haddish, William H. Macy, Daisy Burnham and Highland Film Group. Highland Film Group is co-financing and handling worldwide rights. Production is set to start in September in “the American South”. “We are excited to be working with seasoned filmmakers with such impressive credentials as Mark Canton and Carlo Bernard. We are confident that The Deputy will deliver all the action and thrills Victor Gischler infused in his novel. And it’s wonderful to be supporting Duke Nicholson as he launches his career – we believe he has a big future!”, said Highland Film Group CEO Arianne Fraser. Nicholson is repped by Management Production Entertainment and Deborah Klein at Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Macy is repped by IAG and Atlas Artists; Haddish is repped by UTA and Brillstein; Dorff is repped by Atlas Artists; Weary is repped by Gersh; Fox is repped by WME and Framework; Sukkar is repped by Luber Roklin, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, et al. Frank Grillo Joins James Gunn For Season 2 Of ‘Peacemaker’(5/10/24) Frank Grillo has been cast in Season 2 of James Gunn‘s popular DC series Peacemaker. Gunn announced the news Friday on Instagram, revealing Grillo will reprise the role of Rick Flag Sr. the character he voices in Gunn’s upcoming animated series Creature Commandos.The Suicide Squad spinoff series starring John Cena, follows the escapades of Peacemaker, a role that Cena originated on Gunn’s 2021 film. Peacemaker is a vainglorious man who believes in peace at any cost, no matter how many people he has to kill to get it. The show’s cast includes Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, Chukwudi Iwuji, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick. Gunn teased last month that Season 2 had begun production and shared a photo from the set. He also noted that for Peacemaker Season 2, he would “be directing some of the episodes” like in Saturday’s shoot, “But there are three other great directors joining me for the season.” Gunn wrote all eight episodes of Season 1 of Peacemaker and directed five, including the first. Gunn, Safran and Matt Miller serve as EPs on the series, with Cena as co-EP and Stacy Littlejohn as consulting producer. Based on characters from DC, Peacemaker is produced by Gunn’s Troll Court Entertainment and The Safran Company in association with Warner Bros Television. Taye Diggs Set To Return To ‘All American’ For Season 6 Guest Appearance(5/9/24) Taye Diggs is making a return to All American for one upcoming episode.The actor, whose character died in Season 5, is set to appear in the May 20 episode of The CW series, which will usher in the 100th episode on May 27. While canonically its been more than a year since the All American universe lost Billy Baker, Diggs only exited the series last season. His character died in Season 5, Episode 11, titled “Time.” Since then, the characters have been grieving Billy’s death in various ways, and Season 6 has largely focused so far on the ways everyone is trying to move forward without him. Details around how, exactly, Diggs will appear in the episode are being kept under wraps, and a logline for the episode has not been released quite yet. Season 6 of All American was recently expanded from 13 episodes to 15, which was intended to allow the writers to better flesh out the story and build toward a satisfying conclusion for this season. So far, there’s been no news on whether the series is renewed for Season 7. The series stars Daniel Ezra, Michael Evans Behling, Samantha Logan, Greta Onieogou, Bre-Z, Chelsea Tavares, Cody Christian, Monét Mazur, and Karimah Westbrook. All American hails from Warner Bros. Television and CBS Studios in association with Berlanti Productions, with executive producers Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Greg Berlanti, Jameal Turner, Sarah Schechter, Mike Herro and David Strauss. Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer - We All Have a Story(5/2/24) (Watch Here) Join hosts Michael Fairman of The Michael Fairman Channel and Alan Locher of The Locher Room as the stars of daytime unite for “Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer.”Tune-in live on Thursday, May 16th from 8 p.m-11 p.m ET / 5 p.m - 8 p.m. PT. as favorites from As the World Turns, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, Guiding Light, One Life to Live, The Young and the Restless and more, come together for this worthy cause. Hear inspiring stories of courage, resilience, and hope as guests share their personal connections to cancer, or the impact they have made portraying characters battling the disease. Watch moving tributes to beloved daytime favorites we lost: Andrea Evans, Jackie Zeman, Kamar de Los Reyes, Jerry verDorn, Elizabeth Hubbard and more. In addition, look for special musical performances and segments during this one-night only virtual event. The show will stream simultaneously across Michael and Alan's YouTube channels, as well as the Stand Up To Cancer website. Featuring: Eddie and Kristen Alderson, Brandon Barash, Carson Boatman, Eric Braeden, Jeremy Bennett (Elizabeth Hubbard's son), Elia Cantu, Sharon Case, Eileen Davidson, Kassie DePaiva, Don Diamont, Michael Easton, Linsey Godfrey, Lacey Gorden (Jackie Zeman's daughter), Leo Howard, Lesli Kay, Liz Keifer, Wally Kurth, Cassidy Macleod (Jackie Zeman's daughter), Cameron Mathison, Eric Martsolf, Eden McCoy, Stephen G. Rodriguez and Kylie Rodriguez (Andrea Evan's husband and daughter), Kin Shriner, Erika Slezak, Tina Sloan, Michelle Stafford, Trevor St. John, Beth verDorn (Jerry's wife), Colleen Zenk and Kim Zimmer. We all have a story, help us write a brighter future! (DONATE HERE) Sydney Lemmon & Romy Reiner To Topline Dark Fashion World Satire ‘The Philosophy Of Dress’(4/25/24) Sydney Lemmon (Tár) and Romy Reiner (You People) have been tapped to star in The Philosophy of Dress, a dark satire from Cyrus Duff, who directs from his script written with Jacob Potash.Shooting this month in New York City, pic’s ensemble also includes Eric Roberts (Inherent Vice), Marcia DeBonis (Sometimes I Think About Dying), Jake Weary (Animal Kingdom), Lou Liberatore (Burn This), Jonathan Higginbotham (Slave Play), Clara McGregor (Bleeding Love), Vera Bulder (About That Life), model Jake Lively, fashion icon Amy Fine Collins and NYU Tisch freshman Gabriella O’Reilly. The Philosophy of Dress is an examination of female friendship and viral ambition set in NYC’s cutthroat downtown fashion scene. Part American Psycho and part Devil Wears Prada, the film follows two young designers as they test the limits of obsession, creation, and betrayal. Jz Tinneny will produce, with Lemmon and Potash exec producing. Previously seen in Todd Field’s Oscar-nominated drama Tár, as well as films like Firestarter and Velvet Buzzsaw, Lemmon has additionally appeared on such series as Succession, Fear the Walking Dead and Hulu/Marvel’s Helstrom. Past credits for Reiner include Kenya Barris’s starry Netflix rom-com You People and HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm. Lemmon is repped by Paradigm, Sugar23, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman; Reiner by Hyperion Talent Agency and Luber Roklin Entertainment; Roberts by Sovereign Talent Group; DeBonis by Innovative Artists; Weary by Gersh; Liberatore by Talent House; Higginbotham by Gersh and Anonymous Content; McGregor by Paradigm, Elevate Artist Management in Paris, Range Media Partners, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes; and Bulder by Luber Roklin Entertainment and Yorn, Levine, Barnes. Calista Flockhart “Felt On Trial” When Ally McBeal Was Slammed For “Weight And Anti-Feminist Short Skirts”(4/21/24) Calista Flockhart has reflected on her time in the title role of hit legal drama Ally McBeal, saying she “felt on trial” herself in the media.Flockhart played the part of McBeal in the series that ran for five seasons between 1997 and 2002, and increasingly focused on the romantic lives of the lead characters. Despite, or because of, its popularity with viewers, the show became a litmus paper for commentary in the media, with Time magazine suggesting that it signified the “death of feminism” with the female cast members’ short skirts and slim figures. Flockhart told The Times of London that what had started out as “creating something really special” then “went to s**t” with all the scrutiny of her character’s appearance and obsession with her biological clock, symbolised by the vision of a dancing baby. She recalled: “My short skirts, allegedly the death of feminism and, of course, people were talking about my weight… I felt like I was on trial for something. It was bizarre.” She said of that time: “I never knew if my heart was going to break into a million pieces or if I was going to die laughing. It was that absurd… To me, the show was about one woman, who happened to be vulnerable and weird. I didn’t think she was representative of all women.” Flockhart appeared later in family drama Brothers and Sisters but has mostly stayed away from the screen since. Now she returns as Lee Radziwill in Ryan Murphy’s Feud: Capote vs The Swans on Disney+. Tom Hollander plays Capote with Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Chloë Sevigny and Demi Moore as Flockhart’s fellow Swans, whom Capote gossiped with and then betrayed by revealing their secrets in a magazine article in 1975. ‘Halloweentown’ co-stars Kimberly J. Brown and Daniel Kountz marry in romantic wedding: ‘Most beautiful day of our dreams’(4/21/24) “Halloweentown” stars Kimberly J. Brown and Daniel Kountz are married!The former Disney stars tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at the Spanish Hills Club in Camarillo, Calif., on Friday. “‘This Will Be…An Everlasting Love…’ Mr. & Mrs. Kountz ????????????? Est. 4.19.24,” the pair wrote on Instagram Saturday alongside a photo from their nuptials. “We had the most beautiful day of our dreams because of all of the incredible people below-we will be forever grateful for all their hard work!” they added. “A huge thank you to our family & friends who celebrated with us and surrounded us with so much love.” According to People, Brown, 39, and Kountz, 45, wed in front of less than 100 people outside of a private club. The pair exchanged vows as their close friend Ashley Crenshaw officiated the ceremony under a wooden arbor decorated with pink roses and white flowers. “We both love nature, so we definitely wanted to have the ceremony outside amongst the trees, and it overlooked a valley and all of that beautifulness before we went inside and we partied it up,” Kountz told the outlet. Celebrity guests included Judith Hoag, who played Brown’s mom in “Halloweentown,” Amy Davidson, Ashley Jones, Ali Fedotowsky and Missi Pyle. Brown wore a Stella York dress from Lili Bridals, while Kountz and his groomsmen looked dapper in SuitShop suits, ties and shoes. The couple first met on the set of “Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge,” which was released in 2001. Brown played the teen witch Marnie Piper in the series, while Kountz portrayed the villain, Kal. After filming wrapped, the pair kept in touch and reconnected in person at a bar in 2016. Two years later, they confirmed they were dating. In June 2022, the “Halloweentown High” actress and the real estate broker announced their engagement. Morning Show Appearance(4/19/24) Today - NBCMonday, April 22 (7-9 a.m.) Kevin Bacon Returns to Payson High School 40 Years After He Shot Footloose There. Morning Show Appearance(4/19/24) Today - NBCThursday, April 25 (10-11 a.m.) Vivica A. Fox on Not Another Church Movie. Andrew Keegan To Star In Soapy PR Drama Series From Horror Actress Devanny Pinn(4/10/24) Andrew Keegan (10 Things I Hate About You, O, Living Among Us) is to star in an indie drama series from horror actress Devanny Pinn.He will play an entertainment titan in The BLVD, which is being worked up as a six-part series set in LA’s hottest boutique public relations agency during awards season. Keegan’s character will be Jake Flynn, head of a rival PR firm that is poised to depose longstanding celebrity publicist Persephone Reed (Kinmont). Also starring in the indie production are Chelsea Gilson (Hawaii 5-0, Black Mass), Jordi Vilasuso (The Young and the Restless, Guiding Light), Vincent Irizarry (Bold and the Beautiful, All My Children), Nichole Tom (The Nanny, Beethoven), Adam Huss (Power, General Hospital), Candace Kita and Eric Himel. The show is currently in production in LA, with Pinn (Camp Lake Pleasant) producing through her Jaguar Motion Pictures imprint from a script from Brandon Slagle and Eric Pereira. Sonia Blangiardo (Days of Our Lives) and Brian Beacock are serving as consulting producers with Michelle Romano (Escape From Ensenada) co-producing. Miranda Mariposa (The Black Mass), David Zagorski, Kimberly Cole, Robin Cote, Heather Cusick and Eleanore Sunchild are executive producing. Keegan is rep’d by Deanda Management and Pinn is rep’d by Sheila Legette Entertainment. Billy Dee Williams On Actors Wearing Blackface: “If You’re An Actor, You Should Do Anything You Want To Do”(4/8/24) Billy Dee Williams is defending actors who want to wear blackface in their performances.The Star Wars actor appeared on Bill Maher’s podcast and recalled Lauren Olivier’s performance in 1965’s Othello, where the actor wore blackface. “When he did ‘Othello,’ I fell out laughing,” Williams said of Olivier on the Club Random podcast. “He stuck his ass out and walked around with his ass, you know, because Black people are supposed to have big asses.” He continued, “I thought it was hysterical. I loved it. I love that kind of stuff.” Maher mentioned that actors could not wear Blackface today, to which Williams said, “Why not? You should do it. If you’re an actor, you should do anything you want to do.” The podcast’s host noted that Williams “lived in a period where you couldn’t play the parts you should’ve played.” “The point is that you don’t go through life feeling like, ‘I’m a victim,'” Williams added. “I refuse to go through life saying to the world, ‘I’m pissed off.’ I’m not gonna be pissed off 24 hours a day.” Williams famously portrayed the role of Landon Calrissian in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in 1980. The actor reprised his role in 1983’s Return of the Jedi and again in 2019’s Rise of Skywalker. In an interview with The Guardian earlier this year, Williams said he didn’t “think in terms of Black” about the characters he portrays in media. “I never think of myself in terms of the only Black character. Everybody else might think of it that way. In my reasoning in my own head, I’m just a character,” he said. “A character has certain qualities that make a character a winning character in a movie or a character that is not able to translate very well. I’ve been able to translate very well across the board.” Watch Williams’ full interview in the video here. ‘Tulsa King’: Frank Grillo Joins Season 2 Of Paramount+ Series From MTVE Studios(4/4/24) The General is getting a formidable new opponent. Frank Grillo has joined the Season 2 cast of Taylor Sheridan’s Paramount+ original series Tulsa King, as a new series regular. The new season of the series starring and executive produced by Sylvester Stallone, which is slated to debut this fall, has begun filming in Oklahoma and Atlanta.Tulsa King follows New York mafia capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi (Stallone), just after he is released from prison after 25 years and is unceremoniously exiled by his boss to set up shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Realizing that his mob family may not have his best interests in mind, Dwight slowly builds a crew from a group of unlikely characters to help him establish a new criminal empire in a place that to him might as well be another planet. Grillo will play Bill Bevilaqua, a Kansas City mobster with interests in Tulsa. In addition to Stallone, Grillo joins an ensemble cast that includes Andrea Savage, Martin Starr, Max Casella, Domenick Lombardozzi, Vincent Piazza, Jay Will, Annabella Sciorra, Tatiana Zappardino, with Garrett Hedlund and Dana Delany. Sheridan is the creator/executive producer. The series also is executive produced by Craig Zisk, who serves as producing director for Season 2, Terence Winter, Stallone, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin, Braden Aftergood and Keith Cox. Tulsa King is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios. Season 1 of Tulsa King will make its broadcast debut on sibling CBS this summer prior to the launch of Season 2 on Paramount+ this fall. Grillo is best known for his roles in Captain America and Purge franchises, Kingdom, Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard and Lamborghini. He will next appear as Rick Flag Sr. in the newly rebooted DC universe of interconnected projects overseen by director James Gunn, set for release later this year/onward. Grillo is repped by CAA, Entertainment 360 and Paul Hastings. Jennifer Leak Dies: ‘Yours, Mine And Ours’ Actress And Soap Star For ‘The Guiding Light’, ‘The Young And The Restless’ And ‘Another World’ Was 76(3/28/24) Jennifer Leak, the first wife of Tim Matheson who met when they played step-siblings in the 1968 film Yours, Mine and Ours, has died at 76. She died March 18 at her home in Jupiter, Florida,Leak was dealing with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disease, in her final years. Matheson posted a tribute on Facebook to her. “It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of Jennifer Leak’s passing. She wasn’t just my screen sister in ‘Yours, Mine and Ours,’ but also my beloved first wife. Jennifer was a remarkable woman, strong, lovely, and incredibly talented. My deepest condolences go out to her husband of 47 years, James D’Auria, and their multitude of friends.” Yours, Mine and Ours featured Matheson as Mike, the son of Henry Fonda’s Frank Beardsley, while Leak portrayed Colleen, the daughter of Lucille Ball’s Helen North. The movie was about a blended family of 18 children. Leak was born in Cardiff, Wales, in 1947, and started her screen career with the Mike Nichols-directed pilot for Wojeck in the mid-1960s. She later was cast in Nichols’ The Graduate, but had to drop out because of immigration complications. Leak’s was also a soap operas regular. She played Gwen Sherman on The Young and the Restless, Olive Springer Gordon Randolph on Another World, and Blanche Bouvier on Guiding Light. Leak had largely retired from screen acting by the mid-1980s, working as a sales agent for a real estate company. She was married to Matheson from 1968 to 1971, and wed D’Auria in 1977. She is survived by her husband and brother. ‘Harlem’ Sets Recurring Cast For Season 3(3/27/24) Harlem is coming back for Season 3 and fans will see four new faces when the show returns. Kofi Siriboe (Queen Sugar), Logan Browning (Dear White People), Robin Givens (Batwoman) and Gail Bean (Snowfall) have been set in recurring roles.Siriboe will portray Seth, an MLB player whose confident, charmin, and sweet mannerisms land him a spot in one of the ladies’ hearts. Browning will portray Portia, an edgy and beautiful woman from Ian’s (Tyler Lepley) childhood, whose return to Harlem causes a stir. Givens will portray Jacqueline, Eva’s no-nonsense mother. Bean will portray Given’s daughter Eva, a driven, yet playful, venture capitalist who has started working with Tye (Jerrie Johnson). From writer Tracy Oliver, Harlem is a comedy following four best girlfriends in Harlem NYC, the mecca of Black culture in America, starring Meagan Good as “Camille,” Grace Byers as “Quinn,” Shoniqua Shandai as “Angie,” Jerrie Johnson as “Tye,” and Tyler Lepley as “Ian”. In season two, after blowing up her career and disrupting her love life, Camille had to figure out how to put the pieces back together. Tye tried to figure out how to make meaningful connections while navigating a nasty divorce. Quinn sought out balance as she rode the emotional roller coaster of life, and Angie looked for luck at every turn as she tried to find her place in the world. Together, the women continued to level up into the next phase of their careers, relationships, and big city dreams. Season 3 directors are: Stacey Muhammad (The Best Man The Final Chapters, Bel Air), who also serves as a co-executive producer this season; Shea Vanderpoort (First Wives Club, Saturdays); and Tasha Smith (BMF, P-Valley). Harlem is produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Paper Kite Productions. In addition to Oliver, Paper Kite’s Amy Poehler (Russian Doll) and Kim Lessing (Moxie) also serve as executive producers, alongside 3 Arts’ Dave Becky (True Story), Britt Matt (First Wives Club) and 13-time Grammy Award-winner Pharrell Williams (Hidden Figures) and Mimi Valdés (Roxanne Roxanne) from i am OTHER. ‘Footloose’ Star Kevin Bacon Will Revisit The School Featured In The Film(3/22/24) Kevin Bacon is going back to the school where Footloose was filmed.The iconic movie, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of its release this year, was filmed in Payson, Utah. For those few unfamiliar with it, Bacon plays Ren McCormack, a teenager from Chicago who moves to a small town. There he attempts to overturn a ban on dancing imposed by a local minister (John Lithgow). Payson’s students have been lobbying Bacon to attend this year’s prom, which will be the last there as the school will be relocating at the end of the academic year. The effort has paid off, and Bacon will visit during the day of the prom, although he won’t be cutting the rug that night at the actual event. Bacon announced his plans by calling in from Atlanta while students filled the school gym. The gym erupted in cheers. “I have been so impressed with everything that’s been going on there with this crazy idea to get me to come back,” he said, reminiscing on how the movie and the school had been important to his life. Bacon also gave his thanks for the student support of his SixDegrees.org charity, not to mention the efforts to get him to appear. “I’ve been amazed at the work that all of you have been putting into this, with the musical and the flash mobs and the re-creations,” he said. “It hasn’t gone unnoticed by me, not to mention the fact that you tied in SixDegrees.org, our foundation, and are trying to figure out ways to give back to your community. It’s really inspirational, so thank you. Thank you. And I’m gonna come. I gotta come,” he said. “Let’s dance! We’re gonna do it! This is awesome!” student Rubie Raff told him after he made the announcement. “We’re gonna party really hard, Kevin,” Kaleb Dymock added. “Thank you guys. Let’s dance,” Bacon said. In a segment that aired right before Bacon’s announcement, the school’s student council advisor Jenny Staheli said she’s proud of all the work the students have put in. “To watch them just take ownership of that and run with it has been … it succeeded beyond my wildest dreams, honestly,” she said. Bacon, who celebrated the end of last year’s actors strike by re-creating a famous dance scene from “Footloose,” has embraced the enduring popularity of the film. “I think that it was a great gift to be part of that movie,” he told TODAY’s Willie Geist in 2022. “I certainly took it very seriously when I was doing it and I love that people will still come up and say that they just showed it to their kids.” Kaley Cuoco Announces Her Dog's Death ... You're My Boy, Blue!!!(3/20/24) Kaley Cuoco is mourning a loss in her family ... as she announced the death of her beloved dog, Blue.The actress shared the sad news Wednesday, saying she was in tears over the loss. As Kaley explained, Blue's loss was even more upsetting because he was the third dog she's had to put down in the last year. Remember, Kaley announced the passing of King last month -- less than a year after her rescue pup Dump Truck died last May. While Kaley's clearly heartbroken over Blue, she says she's also particularly sad for her partner, Tom Pelphrey ... who's the dog's original owner. According to Kaley, it took some time for Blue and her to grow comfortable with one another -- naturally, he favored Tom over her. However, "After some time Blue finally realized we were a family and we were all sticking together. Something changed. He was amazing. Protective of me and the rest of our pup crew, always on guard. I felt so safe home alone with him and when anyone came to the door I would put Blue on the leash and have him sit right next to me." Kaley went on to add that Blue was incredibly patient and gentle with their young daughter Matilda, who was born last year. It's no secret Kaley is an animal lover, having rescued several dogs over the years, and she also owns a few horses. But, Blue was clearly a family favorite, with Kaley and Tom wearing the pup on Christmas sweaters one year. Good boy, Blue. Very good boy. Melina Kanakaredes Signs With CESD(3/20/24) Melina Kanakaredes, perhaps best known for her role as Stella Bonasera in CSI: NY, has signed with CESD for representation.Kanakaredes starred as Detective Stella Bonasera on all six seasons of CSI: NY, which aired on CBS from 2004-2010. Most recently she can be seen as Nancy Dunlop on Showtime’s Billions. Previously, she starred in NBC’s Providence and also appeared on The Resident, The Practice, Leaving L.A. and NYPD Blue. She also had an arc on the ABC series, Notorious, opposite Piper Perabo and Daniel Sunjata as well as a recurring on the Netflix animated series Blood of Zeus. In the feature space, Kanakaredes can be seen in the thriller drama, Snitch, alongside Dwayne Johnson and Susan Sarandon, Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, and more. Kanakaredes continues to be managed by Alissa Vradenburg at Untitled Entertainment. Malachy McCourt Dies: ‘Ryan’s Hope’ Actor, Brother Of ‘Angela’s Ashes’ Author Frank McCourt Was 92(3/11/24) Malachy McCourt, the Irish-American actor, raconteur and author best known to TV audiences for his long-running role as Kevin the bartender on ABC’s soap Ryan’s Hope, died today in Manhattan after battling a heart condition and cancer. He was 92.His death was announced by his wife Diana McCourt to The New York Times. The brother of Pulitzer Prize-winning Angela’s Ashes memoirist Frank McCourt, Malachy McCourt left an indelible mark on New York City’s Irish American community. As the owner of the quintessential 1950s Irish pub Malachy’s on Third Avenue in Manhattan – McCourt would often call it the city’s first singles bar, since he welcomed unaccompanied women to the establishment – the Brooklyn native became one of the city’s great story-tellers, regaling patrons from longshoremen to the actor Richard Harris with blarney, rugby talk and biographical anecdotes. His way with words would hold him in good stead through a wide-ranging career path that included acting, writing, talk-show hosting and politics. Born Malachy Gerard McCourt in Brooklyn on September 20, 1931, McCourt and his siblings were uprooted by parents Malachy and Angela McCourt to Limerick, Ireland. When his alcoholic father, a former member of the IRA, deserted the family after two years, leaving mother Angela to raise four of their surviving seven children in poverty, a harrowing tale detailed in Frank McCourt’s 1996 memoir Angela’s Ashes. (Frank McCourt died in 2009) Malachy McCourt, who returned to New York at age 20, would later write his own memoirs including A Monk Swimming (1998), an account of his life in Limerick that picks up where Angela’s Ashes leaves off, and in 2000, Singing My Him Song, which recounts his later (sober) life as a husband and father. Other writing includes a history of the Irish ballad “Danny Boy.” An occasional guest on Jack Paar’s Tonight Show and sometime host of New York radio programs, McCourt also acted on stage (he co-wrote and co-starred in A Couple of Blaguards with brother Frank); movies The Molly Maguires (1970), The Brink’s Job (1978), Brewster’s Millions (1985), Starman (1987), and The Devil’s Own (1997), among others; and such TV series as Oz, Tales of the Unexpected and Remember WENN. McCourt appeared on numerous New York-based soaps, including One Life To Live, Search For Tomorrow and Another World, but will best be remember for his annual Christmas appearances on All My Children as the possibly angelic Father Clarence and, most especially, in the recurring role of bartender Kevin MacGuinness throughout the entire 14-year run of Ryan’s Hope. Bringing a outsized touch of Irish authenticity to the Washington Heights-set soap, McCourt’s Kevin was best friend to bar owner Johnny Ryan (Bernie Barrow) and truth-telling thorn-in-side to the trouble-making family in-law Delia (Ilene Kristen). In all, McCourt appeared in 217 episodes of the 1975-1989 series. Offscreen, McCourt waged a high-profile, if ultimately losing, political battle in 2006 when he ran for governor of New York as a Green Party candidate. An outspoken opponent of the war in Iraq, McCourt was an early and vociferous proponent of allowing gay and lesbian groups to march in New York’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In addition to wife Diana, McCourt is survived by daughter Siobhan McCourt; sons Malachy Jr., Conor and Cormac; stepdaughter Nina Galin; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandson. e Matt Bomer Joins Keanu Reeves, Jonah Hill And Cameron Diaz In Apple’s ‘Outcome’(3/7/24) Matt Bomer is set to co-star opposite Keanu Reeves, Jonah Hill and Cameron Diaz in the dark comedy Outcome for Apple Studios. Hill will also direct.Co-written by Hill and Ezra Woods, Outcome follows Reef (Reeves), a damaged Hollywood star who must dive into the dark depths of his past to confront his demons and make amends after he is extorted with a mysterious video clip. An Apple Studios production, the film will be produced by Matt Dines, Ali Goodwin and Hill under their Strong Baby banner. The film marks the latest collaboration for Hill and Apple Original Films; they are also developing a Grateful Dead biopic with Martin Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions, to be directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. Hill is starring and producing in that under Strong Baby with Dines and Goodwin. Bomer is coming off quite a celebrated fall that included starring in and executive producing Showtime’s adaptation of Thomas Mallon’s novel Fellow Travelers alongside Jonathan Bailey. The limited series chronicled the clandestine romance of two very different men who meet in McCarthy-era Washington. For his role of Hawkins ‘Hawk’ Fuller, Bomer received Golden Globe, Critics Choice and SAG Awards nominations. He also earned high marks for his role opposite Bradley Cooper in Netflix’s Oscar-nominated Maestro. He is repped by CAA, Anonymous Content and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox. ‘One Tree Hill’ Star Bethany Joy Lenz Confirms Title Of Upcoming Memoir About Her Decade In A Cult(2/29/24) An Instagram announcement by Bethany Joy Lenz today revealed that her upcoming memoir will be titled Dinner for Vampires. The book details her decade in a cult while working on the hit TV show One Tree Hill.“Being a writer has been a great, private joy in my life since I was about 12,” she wrote on Instagram. “This isn’t the first book I thought I’d write, publicly, but as difficult as this subject matter could be to untangle, I’m grateful I get to share my story, my way. It’s a story of forgiveness and a roadmap to how manipulation works, with a heartache and humor along the way. We all make mistakes and I hope Dinner for Vampires reminds you that, no matter what weird roads you’ve gone down, you’re not alone.” The book is planned for an Oct. 22 release via Simon & Schuster. ‘American Sports Story’ Casts Tammy Blanchard As Aaron Hernandez’s Mother(2/27/24) Emmy Award-winner Tammy Blanchard has been cast in FX’s American Sports Story, the new FX anthology limited series from creator Stu Zicherman, in a series regular role, sources tell Deadline.American Sports Story, a new extension of Ryan Murphy’s “American Story” franchise, focuses on a prominent event involving a sports figure and re-examines it through the prism of today’s world, telling that story from multiple perspectives. The first installment charts the rise and fall of NFL superstar Aaron Hernandez, played by Josh Andrés Rivera, and explores the connections of the disparate strands of his identity, his family, his career, his suicide and his legacy in sports and American culture. Season 1 is based on the podcast Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc. and hails from the Boston Globe and Wondery. Blanchard will portray the mother of the disgraced football star and convicted murderer, Terri Hernandez, we hear. 20th Television and FX declined to comment for this story. Additional cast includes Jaylen Barron, Jake Cannavale, Catfish Jean, Tony Yazbeck, Lindsay Mendez and Patrick Schwarzenegger. In addition to Zicherman and Murphy, executive producers also include Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Alexis Martin Woodall and Brad Falchuk; Hernan Lopez and Marshall Lewy of Wondery; and Linda Pizutti Henry and Ira Napoliello for the Boston Globe. Blanchard most recently portrayed Audrey in the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors. She won a Primetime Emmy Award for her portrayal of a young Judy Garland in Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows, and was Golden Globe and AFI nominated for this performance. She received a 2011 Tony Award nomination for her performance as Hedy La Rue in the Broadway revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying opposite Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette. Blanchard was also nominated for a Tony for her Broadway debut in Gypsy opposite Bernadette Peters, for which she received a Theater World Award. She also starred opposite Denzel Washington in the revival of The Iceman Cometh. Film credits include A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Into the Woods, Blue Jasmine, Moneyball, The Good Shepherd and Cadillac Records, among others. TV credits include Dare Me (USA), Hoke (FX), The Big C (HBO) and The Good Wife, among others. She is repped by Paradigm Talent Agency. Brittany Snow’s SXSW Prize Winner ‘Parachute’ Lands At Vertical(2/27/24) Vertical has acquired North American rights to Parachute, the romantic drama marking the directorial debut of actress Brittany Snow (X), which won multiple awards in its debut at SXSW 2023, recognizing Snow and star Courtney Eaton (Yellowjackets). The film from Yale Productions, also starring Thomas Mann (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl), is set to open in select theaters on April 5.Written by Snow and Becca Gleason (Summer ’03), Parachute boasts a starry cast that also includes Gina Rodriguez (Not Dead Yet), Dave Bautista (Dune: Part Two), Joel McHale (Community), Francesca Reale (Yes, God, Yes), and Scott Mescudi aka Kid Cudi (Silent Night). The film tells the story of Riley (Eaton), a fun and energetic young woman who struggles with an eating disorder and body image issues, and Ethan (Mann), a once-promising musician approaching the end of his 20s, watching as the two meet and just “click.” To Ethan, all of Riley’s flaws are beautiful, and he wants to help her see herself the way he does. Riley adores Ethan and is inspired by his talent and selflessness. Their relationship is a balancing act between their love for each other and their combustible personal issues. But they truly feel like soulmates and the world makes sense only when they take it on together. In a statement to Deadline, Snow shared that she’s “very grateful audiences will see Parachute thanks to the wonderful team at Vertical. Their understanding and passion for this film show how much they believe in complex, character driven stories and narratives which hopefully start a needed conversation. We are so excited to be their partners in this and value how they bring stories to life.” Calling Parachute “a heartfelt and compassionate story about young love and healing,” Vertical SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi added that “Courtney and Thomas have natural chemistry and give emotional performances that will be especially resonant for those who fall into the world of Parachute. We look forward to presenting the film to audiences this Spring.” Along with Snow, the film is produced by Jordan Yale Levine, Jordan Beckerman, and Lizzie Shapiro. Exec producers include Clay Pecorin, Russ Posternak, Russell Geyser, Kyle Stroud, Tristin Alexandria, Matthew Helderman, Luke Taylor, Tyler Gould, Nicholas Donnermeyer, Jason Kringstein, Scott Levenson, Michael J. Rothstein, Roz Rothstein, Jeremy Rothstein, Jeffrey Tussi, Patrick Heaphy, David Nazar, Brian S. Unger, Scott Fink, Joseph Lanius, Randall J. Bacon, and Gus Deardoff. Co-executive producers include Monica Rothstein, Jeff Rothstein, and Julia Ebner. Bernie Stern co-produced. Jennifer Westfeldt, Kathryn Gallagher, Ekaterina Baker, Jeremy Kucharek, Celeste Oliva, Rico Paris, Kelley Jakle, Owen Thiele, and Chrissie Fit round out the cast. Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey and Piantedosi negotiated the deal on behalf of the company, with Great Escape President Nicholas Donnermeyer and Yale Productions’ attorney Ben Walter negotiating on behalf of the production. Talk Show Appearance(2/9/24) CBS News Sunday MorningAIRING Feb 25, 2024 actor Billy Dee Williams Hayden Panettiere Leads Thriller ‘Amber Alert’ For Lionsgate & ‘Pig’ Outfit Hungry Bull Productions; Tyler James Williams Co-Stars(2/22/24) Lionsgate has acquired world rights to under-the-radar thriller Amber Alert, which will star Golden Globe nominee Hayden Panettiere (Scream VI). Golden Globe winner Tyler James Williams (Abbott Elementary) co-stars.In Amber Alert, which is in post-production, an ordinary ride share becomes a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. The story will follow Jaq (Hayden Panettiere) who is eager to get to her first day at a new job, and her driver, Shane (Tyler James Williams), who is just trying to earn a little extra at his side hustle. An alert of a child abduction on their phones will change all that when they discover they are behind a car that matches the description of the kidnapper’s. Unable to let a possible child trafficker escape, they begin a pursuit that will put their own lives at risk. Kerry Bellessa directs the film which is written by Kerry Bellessa and Joshua Oram. Producers are Joseph Restaino and Tony Stopperan through their Hungry Bull Productions banner, Summer and Kerry Bellessa through Bluefields Entertainment, and Leal Naim. The film is co-financed by Hungry Bull Productions and Three Point Capital. Panettiere and Williams will also executive-produce the film. Lionsgate will release domestically. Hungry Bull Productions, based in Florida, is best known for Michael Sarnoski’s directorial debut Pig, starring Nicolas Cage and Alex Wolff, which was picked up by Neon. Credits also include Passing (Netflix), directed by Rebecca Hall and starring Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, Alexander Skarsgard, and André Holland, and Lionsgate movies The Lady of the Manor, with Melanie Lynskey, Judy Greer, Justin Long, and Ryan Phillippe, and thriller Fear of Rain, starring Katherine Heigl, Harry Connick. Amber Alert marks Panettiere’s second screen project — after Scream VI — since her Golden Globe-nominated turn as singer Juliette Barnes in ABC’s hit series Nashville, produced by Lionsgate Television. The actress is also known for series and films including Heroes, Custody and Remember The Titans. Williams is best known for his roles in Abbott Elementary, The United States vs. Billie Holiday and Dear White People. Panettiere is repped by Mainstay Entertainment, Independent Artists Group, and Hansen, Jacobson. Williams is represented by The Gersh Agency and Hansen, Jacobson.. Robin Givens Directs 'So Help Me Todd' 3/14/24(2/22/24) Dean Winters Guest Stars as Grizzled Veteran Private Investigator Dick FranksAward-Winning Actress Robin Givens Directed This Episode “Dial Margaret for Murder” – While in the hospital recovering from an emergency appendectomy, Todd is convinced he overheard a plot to murder someone. When Margaret realizes her difficult but very important clients are interested in Todd’s theories, she jumps into the role of private investigator and brings them along for the ride. Also, Todd gets to meet his personal guru, Dick Franks (Dean Winters), a grizzled veteran private investigator who shares the hospital room with him, on the CBS Original drama SO HELP ME TODD, Thursday, March 14 (9:01-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. Award-winning actress Robin Givens directed this episode. ‘The Hunting Wives’: Brittany Snow Joins Malin Åkerman In Starz Drama Series(2/14/24) Brittany Snow has been tapped as the co-lead opposite Malin Åkerman in Starz‘s upcoming thriller drama series The Hunting Wives, produced by Lionsgate Television and 3 Arts Entertainment.Written by Rebecca Cutter based on the novel by May Cobb, The Hunting Wives tells the story of Sophie O’Neil (Snow) and her family’s move from the East Coast to deep East Texas, where she succumbs to socialite Margo Bank’s (Åkerman) irresistible charms – and finds her life consumed by obsession, seduction and murder. Cutter, who will serve as showrunner, executive produces with Cobb and 3 Arts’ Erwin Stoff. Production on the eight-episode series starts this spring in Charlotte, NC. Snow can currently be seen in the 2024 Oscar-nominated live-action short film Red White & Blue. Her directorial feature debut film Parachute premiered at SXSW 2023, earning two awards including the Thunderbird Rising Special Award. It is set for a 2024 release. Snow, who will also be seen in the upcoming film The Good Half, which debuted at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival, is repped by Gersh and Principal Entertainment LA. For Older News Visit The Daytime Soap Operas News Archives: Here!
Recaps: The Last WeeksAugust 31, 2009Buzz was excited about his date with Lillian and greeted her with a big kiss, telling Josh that they haven't had a chance to, ahem, be together since he got back into town. Meanwhile, James distracted Daisy from showing up to her shift at Company on time. She told James about her new relationship with Cyrus and pointed out how it's shaken up her family. He agreed to chill with her at the restaurant for the day.Olivia was out for a jog and saw Matt, who was snacking on some Pringles. He was bummed about Vanessa's wedding plans. Liv tried to comfort him. Then she got a call from Natalia, who was still upset over Rafe enlisting in the army. She invited Liv along for a shopping spree later that day. Liv was hesitant, but agreed to go. Meanwhile, Vanessa and Billy decided to visit their family and friends to tell them the news about their engagement. Later, Josh also tried to console Matt. They made plans to go to the bar later and lament Matt's loss. At Cross Creek, Reva put away more photos of Jeffrey. "Your brother is right," she told Colin. "We do have to get back out in the world because that's what your daddy would want." She grabbed Colin and got in her car but couldn't bring herself to leave. Meanwhile, Josh saw Olivia, who admitted she wants to be Nat's friend but she's still in love with her and it's tough. Josh was sympathetic and pointed out that he feels the same about Reva. "Sometimes the line get blurry," he nodded. Liv told him about her plans to go shopping with Nat. "Now I have an image of you and Natalia in a dressing room together," he smiled. Billy and Vanessa showed up at Company to share their happy news and pick up cake to bring to their friends/family when they tell them about the wedding plans. Later, Buzz tried to rush Daisy and James, who were helping him bake cakes for Vanessa and Billy's wedding. They teased Buzz about dating Lillian. "What are your intentions with my grandmother?" James grinned. Natalia arrived and was pleased to inform Buzz that she's going shopping with a "friend." Bill and Lizzie decided to take a day off from working on the house. Lizzie suggested they visit Reva and explained that she's worried about La Shayne. Later, Reva was surprised to see them arrive Cross Creek. She assured them that she's feeling better and appreciates them stopping by to check in on her. After they departed, Lizzie noted, "Something's not right." At Lewis, Billy and Vanessa shared their good news with Josh, who feigned surprise. Later, Bill and Lizzie told Josh they're worried about Reva. Meanwhile, Billy and Vanessa came to Cross Creek to tell Reva about their engagement. She reluctantly invited them inside to share some cake. Reva was stunned but thrilled for the couple. They invited her to the nups and were happy that she agreed to come. Later, Reva tried to work herself up to leave the house with Colin. "It's now or never!" she said and got into her car. She saw Josh at the market and told him that she's making progress. Josh declined to join her and the rest of the Lewis clan for a celebratory toast to Billy and Vanessa. At the Quickmart, Lillian ran into Olivia and pointed out that everyone should be happy. Later, Liv went home and panicked about spending the day with Nat and stressed about what to wear to go shopping. So, she called Matt and invited him out. She told Nat she has to cancel their shopping date and admitted that it's too difficult for her to just hang out with Nat as a friend. Later, Liv met Matt at Towers for dinner. They were happy to cheer each other up. Nat interrupted and demanded that she have a chat with Liv, who said she needs to move on and begged Nat to give her that chance. Nat, however, refused to give up and said she'll fight until she wins Liv back — even if it takes a long time. "I'm a patient woman!" she said and left. Meanwhile, Matt retreated to Lewis, where he told Josh what happened. Josh confirmed Matt's suspicion that there's something going on between the two women. Matt was floored. "And I've been trying to flirt with those two for months!" he chuckled. Lillian and Buzz flirted at Company and they decided to go out on a date. Lill was surprised when she saw he'd set up a nice table for the two of them and suggested dancing afterward. Bill joked to Lizzie that they need to have their first fight as newlyweds, adding that he wants makeup sex. Daisy and James showed up with a cake just as Billy and Vanessa arrived to tell Lizzie and Bill about their wedding plans. Bill offered to plan his parents' wedding; Lizzie told him it was a bad idea and pointed out how they messed up their own big day. Reva showed up. September 1, 2009Lizzie, Bill and Josh came up with a silly tradition for Billy and Vanessa's wedding involving pots and pans and ruining their wedding night. Lizzie put a kibosh on the idea and reminded them that Vanessa wouldn't think it's funny. Later, Lizzie told Beth about the wedding and hinted that it would be cool if her parents could reunite as well.At the mansion, Alan told Alexandra about how much he enjoys spending time with James. She teased him about playing Frisbee. Alan explained that James understands him more than anyone else in the family. Meanwhile, at Company, Phillip informed Ed and Lillian that he's finally ready to tell his family the truth about his condition. Later, Phil asked Alex about James's whereabouts and brought up the lack of time he has. Then he asked Alex to play a game of pinochle. Reva assured Billy she's doing fine. He asked her to be a bridesmaid at the wedding. She feared he was just doing it to cheer her up, but he assured Reva that she's an important part of their life and they want her there. Later, Billy invited Alan to his wedding but Alan wasn't interested in attending. "Oh, you old sourpuss!" Billy grinned. At the Beacon, Vanessa summoned Lizzie and Reva to discuss what they should wear at the wedding. They opened a bottle of bubbly and joked about getting tulle dresses with big floppy hats and dying some pumps. Vanessa wasn't amused and said she doesn't need any more surprises, adding that she is marrying Billy, after all. Meanwhile, the men gathered to play horseshoes. Bill joked that his dad needs some booze and strippers for his bachelor party. Billy was happy just hanging out with the guys in the backyard. Lillian told Alan that Phil is planning to gather the family later to tell everyone he's dying and begged Alan to be supportive. Phil lost his cool at Beth after she told him that he needs to back off from pressuring James to spend time with him and reminded him that he left his family and that it's not all about him. "Yes, Beth it is," he said and stormed off. Later, Lillian had a heart-to-heart with James, who said the only thing his father ever taught him was how to disappear. Meanwhile, Phil tangled with Alan when the elder Spaulding accused Phil of not making an effort to spend time with him. "If I'm not mistaken, you told me to go off and die!" Phil yelled, amazed that Alan didn't realize all the efforts he'd made to mend their fractured relationship. Billy and Vanessa had dinner with their wedding party at Towers. Lizzie and Josh both gave a toast and then Reva said seeing Billy and Vanessa happy makes her happy and she's glad to be a part of their big day. Billy told Vanessa that he blew it with her the first few times but he's glad that she's giving him yet another chance and can't wait to grow old with her in Springfield. Reva was overwhelmed and excused herself; Josh followed. Later, Reva told Josh he's right and she needs to pull herself together. After she hung up, she looked at a photo of Jeffrey. Phil tried one last time to get James to hang out with him, suggesting sports or video games. James refused and walked out. "Not okay!" Phil angrily said and ran after him, then collapsed on the lawn. Meanwhile, Ed told Lill that the bone marrow transplant is far too risky for both Phil and the donor so he can't suggest it to Phillip an option. September 2, 2009After he collapsed on the mansion lawn, Phillip called Lillian for help. She came to his rescue and they went to Cedars. Phil told Ed and Lillian that he wants to tell Beth the truth first before the rest of the family arrives so she can help comfort the kids.Daisy ran into Beth at the Quick mart. She pointed out that the teen has been spending a lot of time with James lately and he approves. Daisy left to meet James. They flirted and made out. At Company, Josh told Buzz that things are looking good for the Lewis clan. Frank was bitter about the stability of the Coopers. Josh surmised it's just the storm before the calm for them. Later, Frank and Rick bonded over their online dating adventures. Frank told Rick he probably hasn't had any luck because he lied about his age. Frank admitted he's just looking for fun to distract him from all the craziness with his family. Phil met up with Beth in the park. She was concerned about James. Phil told her to be quiet and calmly informed her that he's sick and only has a few weeks to live. She was understandably floored and began to sob. Phil held her, told her that he loves her and explained that he didn't want her to be sad. Mallet arrived at the agency and received his assignment in Germany. Meanwhile, Shayne told Marina that there's an opening at family court today and they can get joint custody of Henry. They decided it's best to tell their families the truth about Henry's paternity before heading to court. Later, Josh approached and they broke the news. He was shocked and thrilled. They went to Cross Creek and told Reva as well. She was excited and wondered what it all means. Shayne assured them that Marina is still Henry's mom, no matter what. Later, Marina summoned the Coopers to the courthouse and told them as well. They were floored. Shayne explained that Dinah learned the truth while in Bosnia. He promised to be a good dad to Henry and not take him from Marina. Frank checked to make sure Marina was holding up okay. She was emotional and pointed out how lucky Henry is to have such a loving family, and two daddies. Later, Frank called Mallet and apologized for his behavior before he left town, adding that Marina just told everyone the truth and he understands why he left town now. Lillian broke down in tears as she revealed to Buzz that Phil is dying. He consoled her and promised that she's not alone in dealing with this. Back at Cedars, Rick, Alan and Alex arrived at Phil's behest. They were confused. Ed ushered them all into a room. Lizzie and Bill frantically showed up, as did James. When everyone was there, Phil shared the heartbreaking news. James was upset that Phil didn't tell them before and stormed out. Alex tearfully tried to comfort Alan who quickly excused himself from the room. Beth tried to persuade Phil to stay at the hospital, but he said he'd rather just be with his family. Meanwhile, James angrily went into Ed's office and trashed it. He saw Phil's file, opened it up and was shocked by what he saw. He confronted Ed about why he's keeping his secret cure from Phillip. Jonathan and Jeffrey met up. Jon gave an update, adding that there's still no sign of Edmund and that Reva is "whack." When Jon asked Jeffrey about why he hasn't found Eddie, Jeffrey cracked, "Well, there was a CSI marathon and I got hooked." Then they found a letter from Eddie threatening to kill all the children of Springfield if Jeffrey doesn't continue to play dead and stay away from Reva. Later, Jonathan called Jeffrey to hurry up the Eddie situation. Jeffrey was in his car and saw that Edmund was following him. They began a high-speed chase. Meanwhile, at Cross Creek, Josh held Colin. They marveled about Henry being their grandson, then went to the courthouse to watch Shayne and Marina get joint custody of Henry. Everyone cheered when the judged announced it's a done deal. September 3, 2009James was outraged and confronted Ed about why he's keeping Phil's cure a secret. He rushed in and announced what he found to the rest of the Spaulding clan. They were understandably confused. Ed explained the procedure would be experimental and include a massive blood transfusion, bone marrow transplant and would jeopardize the lives of the patient and the donor. Phil added that the chance of survival is less than 50 percent, which is why he didn't bring it up. Lizzie suggested they test the entire family to find a donor match. James demanded that Ed test him; Phil refused to allow it and said it's too dangerous. James told Rick he wants to help his father, regardless of how dangerous it may be. So, Rick let James have his blood taken on the sly.Natalia asked Olivia to accompany her to her first sonogram. Liv declined, saying it would be too weird. Meanwhile, Cyrus was frantic to finish Coop's book after he found out the bank was trying to foreclose on Company. Ashlee and Blake said there is one more chapter to write to meet the publisher's deadline. They worked together to complete the project in time. Natalia showed up and was surprised to see the depressed Cooper clan lounging around lamenting the impending loss of their family business. She asked Frank to come to her appointment; he agreed. Frank had a mini meltdown about the state of his family's affairs in front of an uninterested Olivia. Later, at Cedars, Alan ran into Nat and told her about Phil, adding that she should know because Rafe is a Spaulding. She broke the news to Alan that Rafe enlisted in the Army. "What a brave young man he is!" Alan proudly said. Lillian reminded Alan about his cardio test. Alan wanted to skip out on it. Meanwhile, Phil met with Olivia in the park and told her that he's dying. She was overwhelmed and began to cry. Emma ran up to greet her father and they took a walk. Liv tearfully watched as Phil told his little daughter the news. After, Emma wanted to bake cookies at Nat's place to help make her daddy feel better. Olivia took Emma to Natalia's but didn't come in herself. At the Beacon, Doris arrived to see Blake, Ash and Cyrus frantically writing the final chapter. She was surprised and said that Ash should think about writing a book about her someday. "I can't, Mom, I don't know anything about you," Ash responded. With two minutes to spare, they finished the book. Cyrus hacked into the publisher's computer to submit it on time. Blake called to have the book advance delivered today so they could give it to Buzz and save Company. It was a success. Ed looked over Phil's records for a possible match and was stunned to see there's a match in the family. Meanwhile, Rick told James he is a match. Phil interrupted them, blasted Rick for testing James without his permission and refused again to let James risk his life to save him. James left while Rick and Phil fought. Rick pointed out to Phil that James needed to prove to Phil that he's brave and wants to be a good son but Phil ruined it before he had the chance. Phil realized he was in the wrong (and acting just like Alan). Daisy was happy to share her good news with James, who had to tell her that his wasn't so joyous. Blake, Ash and Cyrus happily informed the Coopers that they finished the manuscript; they created a corporation in the family's name and the money would arrive shortly. Buzz was floored. "Coop and Jenna saved the day!" Marina laughed. On the other side of town, Doris lamented to Olivia about not telling her daughter the truth about her sexuality and said she thinks now's the time to take the risk. Back at Cedars, Ed informed Alan that he's a match and pointed out that it's amazing, especially considering he's not Phil's biological father. Alan was stunned. September 8, 2009As Reva got Colin ready for Henry's first birthday party, Josh arrived with a gift for Henry: a wooden rocking horse. Turns out Reva purchased the same thing. They were soon arguing about who would return their gift but reached a compromise.Shayne was amused by Marina's zeal for the party and assured her that it wasn't weird to be having a party for his bio kid at Marina and Mallet's house. Marina went to retrieve something from the drawer and spotted a painful reminder of her husband's absence: Mallet's badge. Meanwhile, Mallet was receiving his new assignment outside Austria. Mallet phoned the house to check on Marina and say happy birthday to Henry. Marina passed the phone to Henry before he was even done talking. Josh arrived and asked Shayne what he should give as a second gift. Taking note of the baseball-themed decorations, Shayne suggested a mitt, since it's never too soon to start. Shayne looked at Henry with his grandpa and confessed to feeling complete for the first time in a long time. After revealing himself as a potential donor match, Alan insisted to Phillip that he wants to save his son's life, but Phillip argued that it's not about what Alan wants. Meanwhile, Lillian expressed her concern for James to Daisy and indirectly asked her to check on her ex-boyfriend. Phil popped into Bill and Lizzie's and urged his daughter to go to the party. Lillian caught up with Alan in the park, and commended him for offering to be Phillip's marrow donor. Daisy delivered sandwiches to Bill and Lizzie, and ran into Phillip outside as he was staining a board. "I'm sorry you're dying," Daisy offered, revealing that James is upset, no matter how he appears. Buzz explained to Cyrus that as a Cooper, he must attend the kiddie birthday party. As Josh and Reva were loading the car with gifts, some of the helium balloons for the party escaped. Alan caught sight of them on his walkabout. Bill and Lizzie noticed how strange he was acting and asked if he needed help but he insisted he has to keep walking. Alan headed to the cemetery and poured his heart out to Phillip's grave, unaware that Phil was leaning against the other side of it. He lamented their strained father/son relationship and admitted to feeling that once Phil became a stronger person, Alan was threatened that Phil would somehow take power away from his father. He begged Phillip's grave to let him take the risk and be the father and the man that he always wanted to be. Phillip suddenly revealed himself and assured Alan that he has nothing to prove. After Alan practically begged, Phillip agreed to let Alan undergo the risky procedure and Alan gratefully hugged his son. Frank arrived early to the bash and complimented Shayne on stepping up and being a dad to Henry, despite the difficult circumstances, noting his own situation with Natalia's baby and Olivia. On her way into the party, Lillian revealed to Josh and Reva the news about Alan's condition. They all somberly walked up to the house, where a clown was entertaining the partygoers. Marina admitted that she didn't know things could be this good, and Shayne said he wishes for nothing more in life. After the party, Lillian tearfully confessed to Buzz that she wishes Phillip would live. In Germany, Mallet stumbled upon a fair-haired beauty laboring over a steaming car and was pleasantly surprised to come face-to-face with Dinah. He explained that he's on an agency assignment and is no longer with Marina. Mallet credited Dinah's actions with putting everyone where they're supposed to be, like baby Henry. When Mallet announced that he includes himself in that category, Dinah smiled. Mallet helped Dinah with her radiator and asked where she was headed. Her path was undefined, she explained. After he said good-bye and walked away, Mallet suddenly turned around and called out her name. September 9, 2009Natalia was excited to start picking out baby names with Frank and Olivia, who wanted to move slowly. Olivia told Nat that she loves her and that showing up to the sonogram was her way of saying she wants back in the game. "You are so far ahead of me, I'm going to have to just catch up," she explained as she felt the baby kick. Nat told her that she's happy their baby girl will have a family and joked that Liv better not back out again after she's born. Meanwhile, at Company, Frank looked at the sonogram picture. Blake told him he'll be a fantastic father and will do right by the baby. He was worried. Reva arrived and they talked about spoiling their children and grandchildren. Blake told Reva she's looking well. Reva said she's slowly getting over Jeffrey's death.Josh was confused when a little girl entered his office at Lewis. Then Jonathan arrived, saying that the child is his granddaughter. Josh was stunned. Later, Jon asked Josh if he thinks it's safe for him and Sarah to live in Springfield now. Josh said Alan has relaxed a bit and that everyone in town will make sure Sarah is safe. Later, Reva was at home in Cross Creek and trying to act normal. Josh arrived and surprised her with Jon and Sarah. She was thrilled to be reunited with her granddaughter. The Spauldings rushed to Cedars where Rick informed them that they found a donor for Phillip and he's being prepped for surgery. Alexandra told them that Alan volunteered to save his son. Meanwhile, Phil told Alan he can still back out if he wants and thanked him; Alan promised that it's what he wants to do and told Phil that he loves him. Before they were wheeled into surgery, the rest of the family came in to say good-bye. Lizzie called Alan a hero. James entered and Alan admitted to him that he's scared he'll die. James urged him to be strong. Next, Alex came by and shared a sweet moment with her brother. Phil summoned Bill and asked him to take care of his family if he and Alan don't survive the surgery. Later, Phillip told Beth that he loves her and apologized for all the mistakes he's made through the years. "If I get through this, I hope we can find our way back to each other," he added. Beth was overwhelmed. After, Beth told Lillian she's angry at her for not telling her before that Phil was sick. Lill apologized and said that lying to Beth is the hardest thing she's ever done but she had to abide by Phil's wishes. James admitted to Lizzie that he's miffed that Phil wouldn't let him be the donor, instead. An armed Jeffrey tailed Edmund near a warehouse. He took aim and shot his gun but missed. Eddie taunted him. "I'm not stalking you, I'm hunting you and I plan to kill you," Jeffrey said. Edmund asked about Reva and wondered if Jeffrey had told her about their arrangement. Edmund said he's manipulating everyone in Springfield as they speak. Later, Jon covered when Jeffrey called, claiming it's Aubry (from Jonathan's Story!). Jeffrey explained that he's close to Eddie; Jon urged him to hurry up. Olivia ran into Alex at the Quickmart and was stunned to hear about the surgery. Later, Josh informed Liv that he's a new grandpa and explained that Shayne is Henry's biological pop. They began talking about Nat. Josh urged Liv to get back together with her. Later, Frank also helped Nat with the baby names. Liv arrived and was excited to help. Nat was thrilled when Liv agreed to move back into the farmhouse. Frank felt like a third wheel. Then he informed the women that the Chief of Police just quit and he's going to go for the job. Back at Cross Creek, Josh, Jon and Reva bonded with Colin, Henry and Sarah. Jon was stunned to learn that Henry is Shayne's. Jon said he's happy to be back in town. Meanwhile, the Spaulding clan anxiously awaited news about the operation. September 10, 2009Josh and Reva bonded with Sarah, Colin and Henry at Cross Creek. They shared a few sweet moments with their grandchildren and were thrilled about Jon's decision to stay in town. Reva was excited and called Lizzie but was shocked to hear about the procedure. Jon agreed to wait until afterward to tell Lizzie he's back in town.... James was stressed out about Alan and Phillip's surgery; Daisy comforted him. James admitted he's still angry at Phil for not letting him donate instead.... Doris was upset that Ashlee hasn't talked to her since she learned the truth. Olivia told her to give her time.Daisy was thrown for a loop when she saw Rafe and Ashlee bonding over the fact that their mothers are lesbians. Ash explained that she just found out about Doris and is a little upset that she didn't reveal it sooner. Ash agreed she should go talk to her mom and clear things up. Olivia and Nat told Emma that they're moving back in with Nat. The girl was thrilled. Then Liv told her that she and Nat are going to be together because they love each other. "She's already like my mommy!" Emma said and wondered if the baby will be her little sister. The women were happy that Emma took the news so well. Later, Rafe and Frank offered to help Liv move. Ash went to go see Doris, who was getting emotional looking at Ash's childhood photos. Ash said she's angry that Doris didn't tell her the truth sooner but isn't upset at her for being gay. They agreed to start getting to know each other better. They then went over to help Daisy and the rest of the crew move Liv into the farmhouse. Nat was elated for so much assistance and offered to cook everyone dinner. They all decided on a family softball game first. Josh arrived and was recruited for the game as well. "You made us a family," Liv told Nat. At the Quickmart, Olivia was surprised to see Jon. He explained he's staying in town; Liv said she's moving in with her girlfriend. Later, Jon asked Reva to come with him to see Lizzie. When they pulled up to the house, Lizzie was shocked when she saw Jon and Sarah. Jon introduced Lizzie to her daughter (again) and they were happily reunited. She went off to show Sarah the barn while Jon told Bill that he's hoping they can all come up with a plan to share Sarah. They shook hands. "That's what we'll do, then!" Bill smiled. Buzz helped Billy write his wedding vows. They marveled at how Alan stepped up to do the right thing for Phillip. Meanwhile, Rick informed the Spaulding clan that the surgery went well but they're still closely monitoring Phil and Alan's recoveries. Alex came to check on Alan. "Surprise! I'm still alive!" he laughed. Alex was relieved. Alan thanked her for looking out for him. Meanwhile, Lizzie went to see Phil. She tearfully told him that she knew he would make it through. Then Beth entered. Phil said he was afraid he'd never get to look in her eyes again. James brought his iPhone to Alan and showed him some important apps, like how to check the stock market rates. Alan said he needs to get well so they can play Frisbee again. Lillian came to tell Buzz and Billy about Alan and Phil's recovery. "We're all just so lucky!" she said. Billy agreed. Later, Phil and Alan were wheeled into the same room. Phil thanked his father. James went to tell Daisy that her family is fine and everyone is recovering well. September 14, 2009It's the day of Billy and Vanessa's wedding. At Cross Creek, Reva told Jonathan that he needs to come to attend the nups. He was hesitant to make his presence known but Reva encouraged him to get settled so Sarah can have a home and told him to face his fears. So, Jon called Mel and asked her for a favor.At Company, James told Daisy he'd like to take her to the wedding. Meanwhile, Blake chatted on online with her dating site pal (Frank) who was inspired to ask her to attend the wedding with him. She declined, explaining that she already has plans. Frank was bummed. Phillip, Natalia, Olivia and Beth got dressed and gathered at the mansion to depart for the ceremony. Nat was understanding when Rafe said he won't be going to the nups with her and Liv as a family. Beth was surprised when James said he has a date for the wedding; Phil added, "So do I!" and grabbed Beth's hand. At Cedars, Ed advised Alan to take it easy. Alexandra was relieved. Alan said saving Phil's life was the biggest gift he could give and added that Phil also helped save him. Later, Jon showed up to check in on Alan just as Nat and Liv arrived. He watched, unnoticed, as Alan happily greeted Emma, who thanked him for saving her daddy's life. Liv was stunned when Alan didn't react to hearing that she and Nat are together and told Emma she has two great mommies. "Emma seems to be happy and that's all that really matters," he said. After they left, Alan told Alex that he's not going to run away from happiness anymore and realizes that it can all be taken away. James went to the Coopers to pick up Daisy, much to Frank's chagrin. Meanwhile, Bridget and Nola arrived and happily greeted everyone. They lovingly looked at Company. Bridget explained Peter is at orientation at Springfield University. Meanwhile, at the Beacon, Mindy showed up for the wedding and greeted Vanessa. Lizzie presented a surprised Vanessa with a garter for her big day and joked that they were going to force her to wear it. At the lake, the Lewis men (including Dylan!) went fishing together to catch their breakfast, per wedding day tradition. Reva showed up and teased them about smelling like fish. The Lewis men pulled up to the country club in an old truck and greeted Vanessa who also arrived with her bridal party in a limo. Billy and Vanessa kissed. Billy and Mindy shared a sweet moment. Ashlee was stunned to be introduced to Doris's girlfriend. Ash pointed out that her mom seems happy. Lizzie fretted to Bill that she worries Jon will take Sarah away from her again. He promised not to let that happen. Remy and Christina joked about getting divorced just so they can get hitched again. Nola greeted Vanessa and they shared a laugh about wearing the same dress. She gave Vanessa a stone from one of Quint's digs. Dylan and Bridget hugged, saying it was great to see each other. Buzz approached Lillian, told her that she's beautiful and got down on one knee and proposed. Everyone else watched from above. Lillian was delighted and said yes. Billy and Vanessa suggested they have a double wedding. "Two for the price of one, let's do it!" Buzz laughed. Josh told Reva that Nat and Liv are together. Reva was stunned. "Since Olivia couldn't have you, she went for the net best thing!" she told him. Back at Cedars, Jon confronted Alan and threatened him, saying he still doesn't trust him. Spaulding explained that things have changed since Jon left town and that he's a different man now. "I hope so," Jon said and left. Lillian excused herself and visited Maureen Bauer's grave. She apologized to her departed friend and admitted she's been too afraid to visit. "I made a mistake and you paid with your life for it." Lill said her guilt has kept her from moving forward with her life and now she wants to start over with Buzz. Later, the ceremonies began. Bill walked Vanessa down the aisle and lamented Dinah's absence. Lillian was also ushered down to Buzz. "You have made me the happiest man in the whole wide world today," Billy whispered to Vanessa. Father Ray started the ceremony and the couples said their touching vows. They exchanged rings and pronounced husbands and wives. September 15, 2009After the double wedding, the guests moved inside for the reception. Lizzie was stunned when Jonathan showed up with Sarah in tow. He told her that he wants to stay in town and has asked Mel to draw up joint custody papers. Lizzie was thrilled and took Sarah off to the dance floor. Later, Jon asked Lizzie if he should introduce Sarah to the rest of the Spaulding clan. They approached Phil, Beth, Alan and Alexandra and his plan. "Don't make me regret it," he said. Then Phil got emotional as he met his granddaughter. Everyone was stunned when Alan apologized to Sarah and promised her that she'll always be safe now.Little Maureen went to check on her dad, Matt who was sort of bummed about the day. Nola and Bridget approached and tried to cheer him up, too. They all decided to share a family dance. Josh congratulated Billy and marveled at how he married the love of his life. Josh revealed that he's thinking about leaving town for a while because it's his job to fix things and make people happy so there's really nothing left for him to do in Springfield anymore. He said good-bye to his brother. "I'll miss you," Billy smiled. Meanwhile, Vanessa greeted her old pals Cecilia and Justin (a special guest appearance by Y&R's Jeanne Cooper and Christian J. LeBlanc) and thanked them for coming to the wedding. Beth found Phillip, who noted how happy and lucky he is. They shared a sweet moment and declared their love for each other. Meanwhile, Rafe told Alan he's shipping out for the Army later today. Spaulding said he's proud of his grandson and they hugged. Then Billy addressed the crowd, told everyone how Alan stepped up to save Phillip's life and called him a hero. They toasted to Alan. Josh was surprised to see Olivia and Natalia approach holding hands. He pointed out how great it is to see them happy together. He then thanked Liv for being his friend and said that he's skipping town soon. After, Josh went to find Shayne who was happily checking up on Henry. Shayne said he's still not ready to be a baseball coach (the gig Josh tried to set him up with) and added that he's having fun getting to know Henry. Josh then said he's going to get the Lewis office back and running in Venezuela and he needs to do it, "For me," he added. Shayne found Marina and they laughed over the fact that both of them had called Henry's babysitter for an update. Shayne admitted he's very happy right now and they decided to leave to check on their son. Cyrus found Mel on the balcony. They chatted about what she did for Lizzie and Sarah and then Cyrus pulled her into a passionate kiss. Daisy and James decided to split. They shared a picnic away from the group. James acknowledged that Alan is a pretty great guy and the star of the day. On the dock, Phil saw Alan and they bonded over Lizzie's happiness. Then Phil thanked Alan for giving him a second chance. "I only did what any parent who loves their child would do," Alan said and urged Phil not to overanalyze. They linked arms and walked away together, smiling. Phil approached Beth on the beach. He struggled to tell her something and assured her that he'll be great if she lets him be with her for the rest of their lives. He apologized for making her life complicated in the past but said he wants things to be different now. "I'm in love with you. Marry me and I'll spend the rest of my life making you happy." Beth was overwhelmed and said yes. They kissed. Phil was excited to share the news with the family but said he wants to find Alan first. Back at the party, Josh danced with Reva who assured him yet again that she's going to be okay. He told her that he's moving to Venezuela; she was surprised but supportive. "If that's what you need, go for it," she said and fought tears. Later, Josh and Frank said their humorous best man speeches. Frank got emotional as he brought up Coop. Alan greeted Buzz and they congratulated each other for their amazing feats. Alan thanked his pal for his support and said he truly values their friendship and what they've gone through through the years. "You being happy for me right now means more than you'll ever know," he added. "Hey, you did it!" Buzz smiled and went back inside to dance; Alan decided to sit alone for a while. Phil found his dad sitting on a bench alone and started talking to him from behind. Phil gave a touching monologue about happiness and just wanting to live his life and spend it with Beth. "It took you saving me to learn that. I'll never be able to repay you," he added and wondered why Alan was so quiet. He touched Alan who was eerily still and realized that his father is dead. He grabbed Alan's face and broke down in tears. September 16, 2009Phillip called Rick, who rushed over and confirmed that Alan's heart had stopped beating, likely from a heart attack. Then, Phil was tasked with informing the rest of the Spaulding family that Alan is dead. Alexandra was stunned but surprisingly maintained her composure. She started to make calls to far-flung family members and the media, but couldn't bring herself to do it. She fought tears as she looked at photos of Alan on the mantel. Later, she summoned Hilda and Bruno and told them to call the Spaulding PR department and try to stay calm."I just want you both to know that, in his own way, my brother loved you both," she added. Beth broke down, especially when she realized she would have to inform Peyton that her daddy is gone. She dutifully went to tell her. Meanwhile, Phil went to find Lizzie and told her.At Company, the Coopers (along with Blake, Natalia and Olivia) were in the middle of throwing Rafe a farewell party over pizza. Someone called and asked for Liv, who told everyone that Alan died. They were stunned and Rafe worried about leaving town before the funeral; Buzz encouraged him to go anyway. Blake consoled Frank, who suddenly realized life is short. Rafe continued to say his good-byes and shared a sweet moment with Emma. They bonded over their grandfather's death. Buzz told Rafe he's proud of him and Alan would be, too. At Cross Creek, Jonathan answered the phone and Bill told him to come pick up Sarah and broke the news about Alan. Jon informed Reva, who was floored by the news."It's just too much," she said "I can't lose any more." She removed the photographs of Jeffrey around the house. Jon came to get Sarah and asked Bill about Lizzie, who was still in shock. She and Jon shared a hug and Lizzie asked him to watch Sarah while they step out. Later, Beth got emotional as she explained to Phil how complicated her relationship with Alan was and that she really can't imagine a world without him. A tearful James approached Phillip and gave him a big hug. Josh, Reva and Billy decided to rally around Bill and Lizzie during their time of need. Meanwhile, at the mansion, the Spauldings gathered to discuss Alan's arrangements. Alex explained that she talked to her brother before the operation and he said he wanted to be cremated and didn't want a big funeral. Rick came to inform them that it was indeed a heart attack and gave his condolences to the family, then departed. Rafe said good-bye to everyone at the bus station. He told Daisy he'll always love her. Natalia was overcome with emotion; Liv consoled her. Rafe asked Liv to take care of his mom for him. He saluted farewell and hopped on the bus to basic training. After, Daisy did her best to be there for James, who didn't feel like talking about what had happened. A tearful Lillian greeted Buzz and Company and they said they're so glad to have each other in their lives. Alex went to view Alan's body at Cedars and finally broke down. Meanwhile, in the garden at the mansion, Phil got emotional. "You did it. You saved me, Dad. You saved all of us," he said. September 17, 2009Bill brought Alan's ashes to Phillip, and together they examined the remains. "Gotta make the most of every single day," Phillip mused. He went to the mansion and collected Alexandra for the trip to the lake. There, Buzz, Lillian, Beth, James, Bill and Lizzie joined Phillip and Alex for Alan's beach funeral. Lizzie thought her grandfather would glad everyone is together. Buzz was pressed into service as speaker. He noted that he can still feel Alan's presence. "I can't imagine Springfield without you," he said. "None of us can." He acknowledged that Alan was a constant adversary, but the struggles helped everyone find a piece of themselves. Phillip passed the box around, and everyone (except Bill) took a handful of Alan's remains, then silently scattered it on the beach. Philip kissed his father goodbye, and Alex (with ashes smeared on her jacket) whispered, "Goodbye, my brother." Afterward, James approached Phillip, and they shared some time tossing a Frisbee and laughing. Then Beth checked on Phillip, who noted he is sad, but at peace. Alan was brave and "saved all of us," he sighed, and they embraced. Bill and Lizzie were attending to Alex at the Spaulding mansion when a visitor arrived: Fletcher! He had heard about Alan's death. Alex rushed into his arms, sobbing.Daisy got a call saying she can have a spot in Berkley College's fall class, but she asked to mull it over. Buzz encouraged her to go, using the money from Coop's book, but she wanted to talk to James first. James also urged her to go, promising to visit her. Remy got word via his insurance company that he's not married to Christina — because he didn't file a marriage license. When he told her, she insisted they remarry right away — because she's pregnant. Meanwhile, Cyrus brought Mel cookies for her birthday. And then kissed her. And then they made love. Danny, Michelle, Robert and Hope arrived at Rick's in a truck, and announced they are moving back. Rick went to Company for food, where he found Frank online, asking his friend to coffee. His online pal, Blake, suggested meeting in the park. When Rick returned home, Ed was gone. He went to visit Holly, and told her he's going on an open-ended work tour. With her. "Life is very short," he reminded her. "How long do I have to pack?" she laughed. Reva asked Jonathan to live at Cross Creek with her, but he declined. At Lewis, Josh told Billy that Alan's death made him realize life is short, and he wants Billy to help him kidnap Reva so he can marry her. "She's my life," Josh insisted. Billy balked, so Josh drove off alone. He found Reva having a picnic with Jon, Shayne, Marina, Sarah and Henry. Reva told Josh she's trying to pull her life back together. Jonathan secretly took a phone call from Jeffrey, who reported he's tracked down Edmund. Jeffrey took up a position on a rooftop, and drew a bead on Edmund on the next roof over. But Jeff was jumped by a thug. Jeffrey dropped his gun and they fought, until Jeff choked him out. Edmund laughed and taunted Jeffrey, who insisted he would kill Edmund and then go home. Josh returned to Lewis and told Billy that Reva isn't ready yet. "I still have to find some sort of life for myself," Josh mused. Meanwhile, Reva took a call from her sister Cassie, and told Jon she found a place for him and Sarah to live: the house Cassie had bought for Jon and Tammy, which has been sitting empty. Jon got weepy that Cassie wants him to live there. He asked Tammy if it's okay, then told Reva, "I'm movin' in!" They embraced, and cried. Josh visited Shayne, Marina and Henry to say his goodbyes. Josh embraced his son and said he's proud. Josh returned to Lewis and told Billy he's bound for Tulsa. September 18, 2009Guiding Light: The final episodeAt Company, the Coopers helped Natalia pick out a baby name. Olivia reminded Frank they have to meet with the nursery designer. Frank said he can't stay long because he has a hot date later. Marina and Buzz teased him. Daisy announced that a spot opened up at Berkeley and she's taking it, so she'll be leaving for California in a couple hours. Meanwhile, Ashlee was floored when Doris said she pulled a few strings to get her into the writing program at Berkeley so she and Daisy can go to school together. Christina freaked out about not being married and told Remy she needs to be hitched before they have their baby. Remy assured her it will be okay. They went to see Mel, who was celebrating her birthday by hitting the sheets with Cyrus. They all rushed to the municipal building and Doris quickly wed Remy and Christina before leaving to say good-bye to Ash and Daisy. At the Spauldings, Lizzie was apprehensive about Alexandra going off to travel around the world with Fletcher. Bill assured her that Fletch is a stand up guy. Alex was especially happy to have Fletch back in her life. Phil greeted him. Fletcher gave his condolences about Alan. Bill carried Alex's bags to Fletcher's car and they both mentioned missing Ben. Alex said her good-byes and assured them she'll be back for the wedding. Meanwhile, Reva told Jonathan she loves being surrounded by her grandkids. Josh called and told her to meet him at Cross Creek. At the park, Liv and Nat shared a tender moment, saying how happy they are. Olivia said she feels bad for Frank being a third wheel. She suggested they do something important to show him how important he is to the them and the baby. Nat agreed and they walked off to find Frank and tell him about their plan. Mindy announced to Billy that she's moving back home. Josh told Reva he's moving to Tulsa now to help open a new wing of the HB hospital because he wants to be with her and knows she's not ready. She was emotional. He admitted that he wanted to kidnap her and marry her, then he declared his love. Reva tearfully and said she's still not ready. So, Josh told her that he'll be at the light house waiting for her in a year and hopes that she'll be ready to be with him then. They shared a bittersweet good-bye and Josh drove away. Billy arrived and asked Reva what she'll do in a year. "I don't know," she said. Outside Company, everyone gathered to see Daisy and Ashlee drive off to California. They gave their hugs and said farewell. James told Daisy he loves her and they kissed. After, both Blake and Frank rushed off in their separate ways, telling Buzz they have dates. At the mansion, Phillip told Beth that things feel weird now without Alan. She gave him a journal and encouraged him to start writing again. They kissed and then Rick called to tell them to come to the park. Meanwhile, Frank and Blake were surprised to see each other on the bridge at the park and quickly (finally!) realized they've been chatting online and are a dating match. They walked hand in hand through the park and saw Liv and Nat, who revealed that they're naming the baby Francesca after Frank. Buzz took the Cooper clan to spy on Frank on his date and they were all stunned to see him with Blake. Phil and Beth arrived and were surprised to learn that Mindy is moving back to Springfield. Jon showed up with Sarah; Lizzie told Bill she wants to have babies with him. Marina told Shayne she signed him up for an assistant baseball coach position. Remy and Christina happily informed Mel and Cyrus that they're having a baby. One year later in Springfield.... Everyone was happy and gathered for Shayne's baseball game. Jon showed up with Sarah, and Billy offered him a job; he accepted. Bill and Lizzie arrived. She's pregnant! Remy and Christina came by with their new baby in tow. Blake, holding baby Francesca, kissed Frank. Nat and Olivia went to the bus station to pick up Rafe. Meanwhile, in Europe, Dinah and Mallet watched a wedding. He picked her up and carried her out of the church. James went to visit Ashlee and Daisy. Phil, Beth, Danny and Michelle gave a champagne toast to Rick and Mindy, who were gearing up for their own wedding day. Josh showed at the light house. Reva and little Colin arrived. Reva told Josh that he was right and she needed time to find herself again, which she did. Josh said he found himself, too, and he still wants to be with the woman he's loved his entire life. "I want you, Reva." Reva declared her love and said she's in. They kissed. Josh said they're going on an adventure together and leave Springfield. They grabbed Reva's things and hopped in HB's truck together. "You ready?" Josh asked. "Always," Reva smiled and they drove away. 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