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News Flash
News on this page are taken from Soap City and TV Guide Online.
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For BOLD & BEAUTIFUL news, stayed tuned to my website for the soap!
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Sad PASSIONS
PASSIONS star Josh Ryan Evans (Timmy) passed away on Monday, August 5th, 2002, from a heart condition. He was 20 years old.
For more information and to find out where you can post your condolences to the family, click here!
WE MISS YOU ALREADY, JOSH!!!
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Chat With A Soap Star!
ALL MY CHILDREN's Susan Lucci (Erica) participated in a chat tonight on the Home Shopping Network website. When leavin the chat room, she said she'll be back for another chat TONIGHT, August 23rd, 2002, at 11-12 PM, eastern time, and then TOMORROW MORNING, August 24th, 2002, from 7-8 AM - and then again in October.
To enter the chat room, you'll have to register for free.
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More A Martinez (Roy, GENERAL HOSPITAL) than you could ever imagine! On Aug. 25, Lifetime Television, home of Martinez's new series For the People, presents "A+ Sunday," featuring a day full of films and programs featuring the heartthrob. The event kicks off at 12 pm/ET with Martinez's 1989 comedy, She-Devil, and ends with a new episode of For the People at 10 pm/ET.
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ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Roger Howarth (Todd) is back!!!
Although some say he never left, Erika Slezak (Viki) confirmed at the Seventh Annual Salute to Breast Cancer Survivors that Roger is indeed coming back home, which delights her, as she loves working with him.
It seems like Roger is back for the long-term!
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Daytime Diva's Daughter Is Back In The Soap Scene!
Natalie Zea has decided to leave PASSIONS and her role as Gwen this coming fall to pursue other projects.
Liza Huber, who originated the role when the soap first premiered on July 1999, is returning to PASSIONS as Gwen!! Welcome Back!!!
Liza is the real-life daughter of ALL MY CHILDREN star Susan Lucci (Erica). Expect to see Liza on PSN starting October 3, 2002.
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2 Soap Stars Up The CREEK
ONE LIFE TO LIVE exiting star Roger Howarth (Todd) is joining the primetime drama Dawson's Creek as Joey's (Katie Holmes) literary professor.
Former DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Jensen Ackles plays a peer counselor with a secret.
Their first air date is Wednesday, October 2, 2002, on the show's 2-hour season premiere.
(Information about Jensen taken from Zip2It)
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Kristian Alfonso (Hope, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) gave birth to her second son, Jack, on July 18th, 2002!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
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Tamara Clatterbuck (Barb, DAYS; ex-Alice, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) is expecting her first child, a son, who is due on November 15th, 2002!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Tamara is getting ready for her baby's arrival. :I just got the crib. I'm overwhelmed by how much there is to get together when you have a baby," , she told TV Guide Online. As for her support system, she said, I'm going to have a combination of Days, GH and Y&R actresses at my own little baby soap shower!"
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Get up close and personal with ONE LIFE TO LIVE stars -- and get a glimpse of what it's like to be a TV star, too. On Saturday, August 10, Michael Storm (Larry), Ilene Kristen (Roxie), Ty Treadway (Troy) and Kamar de los Reyes (Antonio) are joining forces to participate in "Daytime Encounter" -- an all-day workshop in the New York area for fans who want to experience "a day in the life of a soap actor." The sessions will take place at a real TV studio, and the fantasy camp activities include working with an acting and dialogue coach, blocking and rehearsing scenes, having your hair and make-up done by a professional, and -- the ultimate fan rush -- taping your scenes in front of a camera. For more information, check out www.daytimeencounter.com .
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Kelly Ripa says she's interested in staying with ALL MY CHILDREN as Hayley Santos when her contract expires in December, albeit in a limited capacity.
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Brian Scott Frons has been named president of ABC Daytime, succeeding recently promoted Angela Shapiro. In his newest role, Frons will be in charge of all aspects of daytime programming, which includes overseeing lives, loves and litigation in the fictional towns of Port Charles, Pine Valley and Llanview. A former daytime programming executive at CBS and NBC, Frons also holds 20 years of experience in the fields of production and syndication. Frons officially assumes his new title on Aug. 26.
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Supermodel-turned-soap star Charles Divins has been cast as Chad Harris on PASSIONS, assuming the role from Donn Swaby. Divins, who has appeared in GQ magazine and Tommy Hilfiger ads, took a moment from his breakneck schedule and spoke with TV Guide Online from his home base in Dallas, Tex. "I'm celebrating with my family and taking a deep breath before it all comes down on me," shares Divins, who will relocate to Los Angeles.
A keen casting director at another soap opera actually gave Divins the break he needed to snag the role. "They sent my tape to Passions, I tested and luckily it all worked out," he explains. Finding out he got the job was the hard part. Divins was shooting a magazine spread on the other side of the globe when the news came through. "In Australia, when it's day here, it's night there. My agent was calling to tell me the news and in each message, she got more excited. She thought I was ignoring her calls. I woke up to them, and I was really thrilled."
New to the daytime screen, as a performer and a viewer, Divins tuned in to Passions once he landed the role. "I saw the witches and wrestling, and it just looked like a good time. It's a quirky take on soaps," he comments. To inhabit Chad — whom Divins describes as a bad boy who's likeable — the newcomer plans to bring some of his own persona to the screen. "My free spirit and strong will, I'll take what I can from myself, and hopefully it will work for the character as well." That may also include Divins's secret arsenal of funny faces. "I don't know how talented that it is, but if they call for it, I'll put it up," he says with a chuckle.
Look for Divins to premiere on September 12th, 2002!
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Brittany isn't the only teen-in-love who will have to deal with her parents in THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS' Genoa City. Television actress Yolanda Delgado and film and TV star Del Zamora join The Young and the Restless as Adela and Vicente Guittierez, Raul's parents. Delgado has guest appeared on The West Wing and Colombo. Zamora starred in the feature films RoboCop and Repo Man, and has appeared on several TV series. The performers debut on Aug. 23 and Aug. 26, respectively.
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Starting August 5th, 2002, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL's Bobbie Eakes (ex-Macy) will be hosting CRL (Country Request Line) on GAC (Great American Country) network, where viewers can call in and request to watch a certain video clip! For more on this, visit my website for Bobbie!
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ABC Daytime has announced that Vanessa Marcil is RETURNING to GENERAL HOSPITAL as Brenda Barrett, a character she originally played from 1992-1998. Although GH is being tightlipped about the circumstances of Brenda's return (not to mention Marcil's first airdate), it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what's going on: With Carly breaking up with Sonny, and Jax about to break up with Skye (as soon as he learns about her betrayal with Edward), it leaves both men available to mix it up with Brenda. As longtime viewers know, Brenda has been romantically involved with Sonny and Jax. In 1993 Brenda met and became attracted to Sonny, whom she helped after he was shot while breaking Frank Smith out of jail. Although Sonny admitted to Brenda that she was his truelove, circumstances dictated that he marry Lily, who became pregnant with his child. Knowing what a child would mean to Sonny, a heartbroken Brenda set him free -- and married Jax on the rebound. After Lily and her unborn baby died in an explosion, and Jax and Brenda's marriage failed, Sonny and Brenda eventually found their way back to each other. But on the day of their wedding, Sonny stood her up, reasoning that his role as an underworld kingpin would be detrimental to Brenda's health (i.e., she could be killed by rival forces). Brenda later reunited with Jax, but a happy ending was not to be: While driving in a car with her mentally unbalanced mother, Brenda presumably died in a car accident in 1998. In August 2000, Stefan lured Jax out of Port Charles by arranging for Jax to see a woman who looked a heck of a lot like Brenda (Marcil herself, who made a cameo appearance). When Jax returned a year later, he announced to his friends that he came to the conclusion that Brenda was truly gone. Now, of course, he'll have reason to think otherwise.
After Marcil left GH, she played Gina Kincaid on Beverly Hills, 90210 till 2000. (Subsequent credits include the films Nice Guys Sleep Alone and This Space Between Us.) Offscreen, Marcil has become a mother to a son named Cassius; the child's father is Marcil's former 90210 co-star Brian Austin Green.
Marcil's latest stint on GH is rumored to be short-term; however, there's speculation that the family-friendly environment that a daytime soap has to offer might entice single-parent Marcil to stick around a little longer.
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THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS' Victoria Rowell is BACK to her soap as Drucilla!!! Victoria is here to stay, as she signed a three-year contract, and her first airdate is August 15th, 2002. Welcome Back!!!
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Drucilla isn't returning to Genoa City without a few growing pains. Christel Khalil assumes the role of Lily, Dru's now teenaged daughter. Khalil, who appeared in the feature film Matilda, debuts on Aug. 15. Filmmaker Ben Watkins (ex-Jamal, OLTL) also joins the cast as Wesley, a psychologist who shares a past with Dru and her daughter. Watkins recently took home top honors in the 2002 HBO Short Film Award for his feature, Quest to Ref. Look for Watkins to premiere on Aug. 23.
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AMC Diva's Daughter Joins GL!
Just like her pal, Tammy, Guiding Light's Lizzie Spaulding will experience a growth spurt this summer when preteen actress Mackenzie Mauzy is replaced by slightly older teen Allison Hirschlag. Allison, whose past credits include working as a student director at the Dwight-Englewood Theatre, has soap opera acting in her blood. Her mother is two time Daytime Emmy Award winner Julia Barr, who began playing Brooke on All My Children in 1976. Julia's real life pregnancy with Allison was written into the show when Brooke was pregnant with her daughter, Laura. So you could say Allison was acting on daytime before she was even born!
Allison spent last summer, following her junior year in high school, studying drama and English literature at Oxford University. As part of her summer program, Allison starred as Olivia in a student production of Twelfth Night. Mom Julia confides that Allison is also a "wonderful writer," so show biz may have another Carrie Fisher or Emma Thompson on its hands.
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Soap Opera Update is closing down due to lack of subscribers. Its last issue is due September 10th, 2002. If you subscribe to the magazine, and still will be after that date, you will receive Soaps In Depth issues instead of SOUs.
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Coming & Goings
Dynasty diva Joan Collins joins GUIDING LIGHT as Alexandra Spaulding for a six-month stint beginning in September... Alex's brother, Alan Spaulding (Ron Raines), may not be happy that his sis is back, but he's still sticking around. Raines has re-signed with the show for three more years... Beginning Aug. 15, John H. Martin and Mitzi Kapture join Y&R as Frederick and Anita Hodges, Brittany's parents... Y&R's David Tom (Billy) will exit the show on Aug. 15... Although unconfirmed by the show, A Martinez (Roy), who debuts on Lifetime's new series For the People on July 21 at 10pm/ET, is set to exit GENERAL HOSPITAL when his contract ends this fall. The actor revealed his plans at last week's Cable TCA Press Tour.
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ALL MY CHILDREN star Kelly Ripa (Hayley) is LEAVING the soap!!! It was announced on CNN on July 3rd, 2002. I don't have any details yet, so be sure to stay tuned! Also, come back soon for a petition for Kelly.
A Special THANKS for Tory for this info! Visit Tory's website, dedicated to AMC's Erica, by clicking here!
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Visit my website for Bobbie Eakes (ex-Macy, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) later this month for news!
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It's official! Lisa Rinna is reprising the role she originated in the early 90s as DAYS OF OUR LIVES' Billie!! She will start airing in the begining of this month (July 2002). Welcome Back!!!
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On Saturday, July 20 the 3rd Annual Passions Fan Club Event will be held at the Globe Theater located at Universal Studios Hollywood from 8AM-Noon. Your ticket to the fan event will give you admittance to the theme park for the entire day! New confirmations for the Official Fan Club Breakfast are: Jade Harlow (Jessica), Michael Bergin (Nick Bozman) and Adrian Zmed (the Floating Head!). Already confirmed to attend the breakfast are: Andrea Evans (Rebecca), Bruce Michael Hall (Reese) Tracey Ross (Eve), Donn Swaby (Chad) Eva Tamargo Lemus (Pilar), Ben Masters (Julian), Juliet Mills (Tabitha), Dana Sparks (Grace), James Hyde (Sam), Ryan McPartlin (Hank), Lindsay Korman (Theresa), Justin Carroll (David), Christopher Douglas (Brian), Josh Ryan Evans (Timmy), Galen Gering (Luis), Jack Krizmanich (John), Amelia Marshall (Liz), Jesse Metcalfe (Miguel), Kim Johnston Ulrich (Ivy), McKenzie Westmore (Sheridan), Deanna Wright (Kay) and Natalie Zea (Gwen), Bruce French (Father Lonigan), Marianne Muellerleile (Norma)... and our newest cast members, Eric Martsolf (Ethan) and Kathleen Noone (Mrs. Wallace)! For ticket information call (818) 655-5315. Please note that Rodney Van Johnson WILL NOT be at the Official Fan Club Breakfast as previously announced.
On Sunday, July 21, join Donn Swaby (Chad) as he hosts The First Annual Donn Swaby Fan Club Luncheon. Where: The Garden at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, Calif. Time: Noon-3PM. Stay tuned for more details in our next newsletter or check out our website for updates! PLEASE NOTE NEW URL FOR BUYING TICKETS http://www.donnswaby.com/lunch.htm.
This event is NOT canceled as Internet rumors have indicated. Donn would like his fans to know that some of his Passions cast mates will be in attendance (confirmed to date are Tracey Ross (Eve), Justin Carroll (David) McKenzie Westmore (Sheridan) and Chrystee Pharris (Simone).
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Shemar Moore's (Malcolm, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) pilot for the WB, Birds of Prey, has been picked up by the network. Loosely based on the DC Comic, in the series opener Batman has been driven into exile and New Gotham is torn apart when the Joker lets loose, kills Catwoman and confines Batgirl to a wheelchair. A new triumvirate of female crimefighters -- the Birds of Prey -- come to the fore to battle evil. Shemar Moore will be playing Gotham City Police Department Detective Jacob "Jake" Reese. It will air on Wednesdays at 9PM, following Dawson's Creek.
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Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) will be back on PASSIONS as Hecuba sometime in August. No airdate is available yet.
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Join General Hospital's Chad Brannon (Zander) for his own fan club event during the Annual General Hospital Fan Club Weekend! Scheduled for Monday, August 26th from 1-4PM at The Sportman's Lodge Hotel, Studio City, Calif., in the Waterfall Room. Special Guests include Amber Rose Tamblyn (ex-Emily), Tamara Braun (Carly), Jaime Ray Newman (Kristina) and Billy Warlock (A.J.). Please note that there may be possible changes in the guest list depending upon the show's shooting schedule that day. The tickets are $55.00 and can be requested by sending two self-addressed stamped envelopes to: Chad Brannon GHFC Weekend Event, Wingspan Productions, c/o Dot Net, Inc. P.O. Box 307, Valley Springs, California, 95252. or online.
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AS THE WORLD TURNS seeks new talent on campus. Launching the "Catch Us if You Can" bus tour in September, the show will select students from across the country to appear in scenes taped at several universities, which will appear on the soap.
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Former Models Inc. star, Teresa Hill, joins GUIDING LIGHT this summer as the newest bad girl.