Soap Opera News Room at Soaps.com

Days of Our Lives - Christopher Whitesell Named Co-Head Writer on Days of our Lives!

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

As previously reported on Soaps.com, Gary Tomlin has replaced Ed Scott as Days of Our Lives' co-executive producer. We can now let you know that Tomlin has made one of his first official decisions by hiring Christopher Whitesell as co-head writer. An Emmy award winner, Whitesell has extensive experience working on soaps as he most recently wrote for As the World Turns from 2005-2006, as well as Days from 2000-2001. In addition, he also helped pen One Life to Live, “Another World”, General Hospital, Guiding Light and “Sunset Beach”, where he previously worked with Tomlin. Not only does Whitesell have experience in daytime, but he also wrote an episode of the primetime 1980’s series “St. Elsewhere” and a couple of ABC aftershcool specials. Soaps.com welcomes Whitesell back to Days and congratulates him on his new position!

General Hospital - What's up with GH's Robert Scorpio?

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Plenty! Not only has Robert (literally) dropped into Port Charles on SOAPnet's GH: Night Shift, it turns out that he has a brain tumor and colon cancer. Tristan Rogers, Robert's portrayer, credits the dramatic storyline as his reason for returning to soaps. As it turns out, he has family ties to colon cancer and he feels strongly that it is nothing to be embarrassed about. In order to portray the disease as realistically as possible, he was ready to shave his head, but certain character continuity obstacles made it too difficult. (Robert has just had brain surgery to remove the tumor and there would have to have been a scar on his scalp.) Instead, he settled for a really closely shaven head. Robert is using this time to get reacquainted with his pregnant daughter Robin, and soon, will reunite with Anna as well. (Read about her crossover storyline here. Will there be sparks between Robin's baby grandma and grandpa? The bigger question for GH fans is, "Will we get to see them together on daytime?" I went straight to the source to find out for sure. (Well, kind of for sure.) "Right now, the plan is for Anna and Robert to be on Night Shift only. But there's always a chance you'll see them both on the mothership some time this fall..." Mitchell.C.Messinger, Director of Media Relations for ABC Daytime, told me. In any case, it's good to hear that Robert's in the vicinity, albeit he's tackling villains inside his own body at this point instead of taking on the world. Intrigued? Read more about what's happening on Night Shift here. Or just bide your time and hope to see some Scorpio action on GH! Julie Clark Robinson General Hospital Writer Soaps.com

General Hospital - General Hospital's Fashionista Questions Answered!

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Soaps.com receives many emails inquiring about the fashions of the citizens of Port Charles. We go straight to the source and ask Mary Ianelli, the head of wardrobe for General Hospital. Here's what you wanted to know this time around: Q: I would like to know what clothes designers GH uses for Robin Scorpio. A: Kimberly wears many different designers which includes but not limited to Theory, Gap, Nanette Lapore, Renn, BCBG, Ella Moss, Miss Sixty, Sigal A, and Paige Denim. Q: I've been trying to locate the burgundy short-sleeved cardigan Maxie wore the week of August 4. Can you tell me the designer? A: Maxie's short-sleeve burgundy cardigan is from Juicy Couture. Q: On 08/21/08, Maxie wore a eggplant purple blouse with no sleeves and ruffles in the front. Where did it come from? It was awesome! A: The eggplant purple blouse is from Forever 21 label. We changed it slightly by removing the tie and one of the ruffles at the sleeves. Q: Maxie carried a cute green purse on July 25, where can I get it? A: Bebe! So there you have it fashionistas! When you have fashion questions for Soaps.com, go to http://www.soaps.com/generalhospital/contact/and let us know. Please include as much information as you can recall, such as a description of the item, the date it aired, etc. We will get back to you as soon as we hear back from our contacts at ABC. Happy shopping! Julie Clark Robinson Soaps.com Writer

Guiding Light - Guiding Light's Jessica Leccia in The Slippery Slope

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Although she certainly has the role of Springfield's most saintly mother nailed down perfectly, Jessica Leccia (Natalia Rivera Aitoro) has led a far more eclectic acting career than one might guess. Outside of her stint on GL, she's appeared on the short lived sitcom Love Monkey as a detective, played a groupie in the comedy feature On the One and portrayed Mary Magdalene on Rescue Me. This month, viewers will get the chance to see her in a project which takes her to a very different world than Springfield. Back in 2006, the actress starred in the raunchy comedy Slippery Slope in which she played a porn actress named Stacy. The feature tells the story of a young feminist filmmaker who, in desperation for some quick cash to finance her documentary "Feminism for Dummies", secretly takes a job directing porn. This leads to an obvious conflict of values but, in the process, her slumbering sexuality is awakened, much to the bewilderment of her extremely politically-correct husband. In addition to Leccia, the film also stars Kelly Hutchinson, Jim True-Frost and Laila Robins. The film originally debuted at the Montreal International Film Festival in 2006 and won the Best Film Award at the Broad Film Festival, however, it didn't get a distribution deal until recently. Now, Lifesize Entertainment has made the film available on DVD for the general public this month. It can currently be purchased online. For more information, please visit the film's official website.

Days of Our Lives - Days of our Lives' Joseph Mascolo in Mother Goose Parade!

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Joseph Mascolo (Stefano) is giving Alison Sweeney (Sami) a run for her money for the "hardest working actor" title on Days of Our Lives. Not long after we reported that Mascolo will be hosting a murder mystery cruise, comes word that he will also be featured in the 62nd Annual Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon, CA on November 23. The biggest parade in San Diego County, this event is the official kick off to the holiday season, with this year's theme being “Heroes of Might and Magic.” In addition to the parade, Joseph will also attend a reception the night before at the W Hotel in San Diego. Proceeds from the Reception with the Stars will go to the Ronald McDonald House, Young Ambassadors Program and the non-profit organization, Lions, Tiger and Bears. The parade will feature over 100 colorful entries from throughout the U.S., including, motorized floats, marching bands, drill units, equestrians, clowns, special characters, performing artists, celebrity impersonators, giant helium balloons and special guests, including Santa Claus. Soaps.com can't think of a better way to start the holiday season!

One Life To Live - One Life to Live's Ty Treadway Returns!

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Okay, everyone, don't get too excited! We all know that One Life to Live's Colin MacIver died back in May of 2001 after being pushed down the stairs. So how can Ty Treadway be coming back to Llanview? Maybe as Troy MacIver, Colin's twin brother who's been locked up in Statesville prison for trying to kill Nora in a dual suicide attempt, or maybe as Colin himself? You guessed it, as Colin himself! On October 1 and 2, 2008, we'll see Colin appear as a game show host in a dream sequence through the mind of Rex Balsom (John-Paul Lavoisier) titled "So You Think You Can Be Shane Morasco's Father!" While we can't tell you why Rex will be knocked out and so deep into his mind, for fear of ruining the storyline for those who want a huge surprise, you will find the backdrop for the dream to be very familiar! It was filmed on the set of the ABC game show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire!" Since leaving the show as Colin in 2001, Ty co-hosted SOAPnet's Soap Talk until the show's cancellation in 2006 and appeared on the primetime hits Jag, Cold Case and Rodney. Soaps.com is very excited to see Ty on the show again! We can't wait to see who takes part in this game show dream and we want to send a big welcome back to the host himself!

All My Children - AMC's Bobbie Eakes Catches Up With Soaps.com

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to catch up with All My Children's Bobbie Eakes (Krystal) to talk about her part in the Daytime Divas show. You can read about that here. As we chatted, talk turned to Bobbie's character, Krystal, and upcoming storyline details. This week, things really heat up at home for Krystal and Bobbie fills us in on a few details - like just how hard it is to act out grown-up storylines with children in the mix! Kristi: "Without giving us the exact details, because I know you can't, are there any teasers you can share about Krystal?" Bobbie: "There are some challenges with Kathy/Kate but it goes beyond what most step-mothers have to face. Little Kathy has some biiiig issues with Krystal; I'm really enjoying it."I'm so pleased with Alexa's work. She is six years old and she has to do a whole lot of grown up story and she's going a fabulous." Kristi: "How difficult is it to work with the babies/little kids on the show? There was little A, first, then Jenny came along and now Kathy…" Bobbie: "It's a challenge! You can't expect them to be able to do what the adults to. It's a tricky genre but with the kids it's slow-moving, you have to have patience! Especially with the babies, they're crying and it's stressful! I hate that, but the kids are so adorable! There is nothing cuter that a little baby!" Kristi: "A lot of fans have asked about "that dress" - you know the one! - from Jesse and Angie's wedding. What can you tell us about it?"

As the World Turns - ATWT's Jennifer Ferrin Movie News!

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to Jennifer Ferrin, ex-Jennifer Donovan, who is shooting a new movie in Wisconsin! Soaps.com has learned that Jennifer, along with the cast and crew of the film "Nonames", has converged on Wisconsin to complete the shooting of the movie. "Nonames" was written by Kathy Lindboe (you may have seen her first film, "Strangers", in 2004). The film follows a group of Wisconsin friends as they become a family. The film is being shot on location in the Wisconsin Rapids area; so far hundreds of local residents have come around hoping to catch a glimpse of the cast and crew in action. So far there is no release date for the independent film, which also stars James Badge Dale (ex-Chase, 24, and ex-Samson, The Black Donnellys) and Barry Corbinand. Most recently, Jennifer has been starring in the New York production of "The 39 Steps", which was nominated for six Tony Awards and won two! The play now has an open run at the Cort Theatre. Good luck, Jennifer!

General Hospital - Fromer GH Actor to Star in ABC Midseason Drama.

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

The actress who originated little Emily Quartermaine on General Hospital, Amber Tamblyn, has officially grown up. ABC just announced five midseason pickup series and Amber is all set to star in one of them. It's called "The Unusuals" and Ms. Tamblyn plays an NYPD detective named Casy Schraeger who unexpectedly ends up working in homicide. She feels like an outcast among a clique of people with odd senses of humor and one big secret. The pilot filmed in New York City's Chinatown and other locations in June. In addition to our GH alum, the cast includes Jeremy Renner ("House MD"), Terry Kinney ("Oz"), Kai Lennox ("Grey's Anatomy"), Harold Perrineau ("Lost"), Adam Goldberg ("Entourage"), Monique Gabriela Cumen (The Dark Knight) and Joshua Close (The Day The Earth Stood Still). The drama's director is Emmy award-winning Stephen Hopkins (for the 2004 mini-series "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers"). Hopkins has also been recognized for his directorial work on "24". Since leaving GH in 2001, Amber's has been a presence in feature films ("Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and its sequel that came out this summer) and in her own primetime vehicle, "Joan of Arcadia", for which she earned a Golden Globe nomination. Soaps.com is proud of all soap alumni who go on to find new roles for themselves. Congratulations!

Days of Our Lives - Former Days Star Eric Winter in New Primetime Series

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

His show “Moonlight” may have been cancelled, but that isn’t stopping Eric Winter (ex-Rex, Days) from appearing in this fall’s TV lineup. Starring in “Single with Parents”, Winter stars as Charlie on the ABC comedy. Centering around a woman in her mid-30’s who must deal with her way too attached divorced parents, while trying to navigate her love life, “Single with Parents” boasts an all star cast. Aside from the sexy former “alien” from Days, the show stars, Beau Bridges (“Stargate SG-1”, “My Name is Earl”, Annie Potts (“Designing Women”, “Any Day Now”) and Alyssa Milano (“Who’s the Boss”, “Charmed”). In addition to the stellar cast, “Single with Parents” also features a strong production team as it is written and produced by Kristin Newman from hit TV shows, “That 70’s Show” and “How I Met Your Mother” and directed by Michael Engler, who has helmed episodes of “30 Rock”, “Sex in the City” and “Six Feet Under”. While we of course miss Eric in Salem, Soaps.com is happy to see him achieve success in primetime and wish him well on his new series.