Playing dirty can get you caught…

Friday, February 14, 2008 8:57 PM | By Venus Stone

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(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Victor’s namesake comes to Genoa City and Jeffrey gets the upper hand yet again…

THIS WEEK ON “THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS“

Jana decides to play cupid for her friends. Heather could lose her job when she makes a costly mistake in the Ji Min murder case. JT begins his first day on the job as head of security for Newman Enterprises. Nick shares news of the building he bought for the new business with Sharon, Jack and Phyllis. Kay gives Amber the job of helping her write her memoirs. Brad hands his soul to the devil. Victor puts the kabosh on the Beauty of Nature account. Victor talks Victor Jr. into coming back to Genoa City with him.

SMILE YOU’RE ON HIDDEN CAMERA…

As Kevin and Gloria continue to plot and scheme against Jeffrey, both are unaware their deeds are being video-taped. Michael comes with news about Jeffrey’s mystery woman who lives in Korea. Jack and Sharon come to the Abbott mansion and are floored to see that Gloria and Jeffrey are nowhere to be found. Michael smells a rat when Kevin comes to him voicing his suspicions of Jeffrey poisoining Gloria. Meanwhile, Jeffrey gets the upper hand on Gloria and Kevin when he watches the footage of their plotting to set him up.

Pictured: Greg Rikaart courtesy CBS

Payback Time…

Thursday, February 14, 2008 8:31 PM | By Venus Stone

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(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Alan, Beth, and Marina feel scorned and the only solution is sweet revenge…

THIS WEEK ON “GUIDING LIGHT“

Josh learns that he is suspended from being a pastor and in anger opts to toss his collar. Alan tells Cassie she will pay dearly for her role in the paternity switch. Will plays on Cassie’s weakness by saying he has ‘conversations’ with Tammy. Rick tries to justify keeping the paternity a secret from Beth; Beth in turn tells Rick that if he wants a life with the baby, he needs to let Cassie take the rap for the DNA switch. Natalia gives Olivia what she wants; Gus. Bill gets a vital piece of information on Jon and begins to investigate. Lillian tells Doris to keep her hands off of Buzz. Ava leaks that Bill is working for Alan. Jeffrey tries talking Beth out of pressing charges against Cassie, unfortunately Beth holds her ground.

MARINA SEES RED…

Marina continues to listen in on Cyrus and Harley’s telephone conversation and is furious to learn that they are sneaking around with one another. When Cyrus returns, Marina encourages him to get out of the house for a bit. Once alone, her anger flares as she begins smashing a picture of Cyrus. Dinah walks in and immediately realizes that Marina’s anger is aimed at Harley. Dinah offers to help Marina with Cyrus if she’ll help her get Mallet back. Marina covers when Cyrus asks about the broken picture. Harley becomes flustered when she sees Cyrus and Marina together

Pictured: Beth Chamberlin courtesy Robert Milazzo PGP

Finally! Confirmation

Thursday, February 14, 2008 1:30 AM | By Errol Lewis

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(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — After weeks of speculation, Soap Opera Network can now confirm that actress Arianne Zuker is returning to NBC’s “Days of our Lives” in the role of Nicole Walker.

Zuker, who left “DAYS” in 2006,” was rumored to be returning to the soap after message boards began discussing what further changes the show would be making after it was announced that Martha Madison (Belle) and Brandon Beemer (Shawn D.) were being released from their contracts. Her return in March now gives a clearer picture as to what viewers can expect in Salem’s future.

Zuker can next be seen in the film “The Last Resort,” a film about a Bachelorette party gone awry. The film, set for release later this year, co-stars America Olivo (ex-Marianna, ‘GH’).

Pictured: Arianne Zuker courtesy Levine Management

By Errol Lewis

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(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “General Hospital” bumps actress to contract status.

Claire Coffeee, who portrays Nurse Nadine Crowell, has been put under contract with the ABC Daytime drama series effective immediately. Coffee began playing Nurse Crowell in 2007.

Prior to joining “GH,” the actress got her big break courtesy of NBC’s “The West Wing,” where she played Cassie Tatum for several episodes in 2003. She has also appeared in the Jerry Bruckheimer produced “Cold Case,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” and “CSI: Miami.”

Coffee can next be seen this summer in the Sandra Bullock romantic-comedy, “All About Steve,” where she’ll play a reporter.

Branson makes it official!

Wednesday, February 13, 2007 11:15 AM | By Angela Rosa

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(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Ryan Lavery loses his last remaining sibling…

Ending months of rumors and speculation, an “All My Children” spokesperson has finally confirmed that Jeff Branson has been let go from the soap. Branson will officially disappear from the “AMC” canvas this spring. The Emmy nominated actor has not taped a single episode of the soap this year and has not appeared on a single episode of “AMC” this year. For fans of the actor and character, the good news is that unlike Ryan’s (Cameron Mathison) other sibling, Erin (Connie Fletcher), Jonathan will leave town with his pulse still beating.

Jeff Branson began playing Jonathan Lavery on June 15, 2004. As Jonathan, the actor played everything from an abusive boyfriend to a serial killer to a mentally challenged victim of a brain tumor. During a 2005 hiatus from “AMC,” Branson filmed a movie titled “The Big Bad Swim.”

Branson becomes the fourth contracted actor to part ways with “AMC” since December 2007. Stacy Haiduk, who played Hannah Nichols, Brent Weber, who played Sean Montgomery, and Alec Musser, who is still said to be playing Del Henry in a recurring capacity – though sources close to the actor don’t expect Musser to make any more appareances on the daytime drama – preceded Branson in finding the door out of Pine Valley.

In other casting news, Cornelius Smith Jr. is now on contract with “AMC.” Smith plays Frankie Hubbard, son of Jesse and Angela Hubbard (Darnell Williams and Debbie Morgan). And expect to see James Mitchell, who plays Palmer Cortlandt, make another one of his very rare “AMC” appearances at the end of this month.

Pictured: Jeff Branson courtesy ABC

By Errol Lewis

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(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “Ric, meet Randy…Randy, this is Ric!”

Next week on “General Hospital,” Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) comes face-to-face with lady love Marianna’s (Yeniffer Behrens) past mistake and his name is Randy.

While specific storyline details are unavailable at this time, it is understood that Randy is revealed to be an abusive lover trying to control his better half and those around her. Violence ensues and lives hang in the balance.

The role of Randy will be played by Jim Palmer. His first airdate is set for Tuesday, February 19.

By Errol Lewis

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(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — MacKenzie Mauzy is returning to CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful” later this month.

Mauzy, who has portrayed the role of Phoebe Forrester, daughter to Ridge (Ron Moss) and Taylor Forrester (Hunter Tylo), since 2006, is returning to the drama series beginning Thursday, February 28 as the character returns to Los Angeles, CA with a new perspective in life. Phoebe was last seen in December during the Forrester Holiday Celebration.

Specific storyline details were unavailable at press time.

Who Knows What Can Happen?

Wednesday, February 13, 2008 12:30 AM | By Errol Lewis

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(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Casting News for the Week of February 18.

On the February 18 episode of “The Bold and the Beautiful,” Tim Haldeman and Karnel Matthews guest-star. Haldeman, whose credits include guest roles on such primetime series as “Pacific Palisades,” “Passions,” and “Skin” will play the “Newspaper Editor.” Matthews plays the “Layout Artist.”

Eric David portrays the “Pilot” and Carly Jane Steel portrays the “Flight Attendant” on February 19.

Mykel Shannon Jenkins and Dan Martin return as Detective Charlie Baker and Lt. Bradley ‘Brad’ Baker, respectively, on February 22 at the request of Stephanie Forrester (Susan Flannery).

Pictured: Mykel Shannon Jenkins courtesy John Paschal/JPI