Jeff Neira/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — If you’re local ABC affiliate broke into “One Life to Live” and/or “General Hospital” today, you might have missed all or part of today’s episodes due to a 5.9 magnitude Earthquake that hit the east coast just before 2:00 PM. Thankfully, SOAPnet and ABC.com are here to save the day for those markets affected by the quake.

According to an ABC representative, if either show was interrupted by your local station due to Earthquake coverage it will be up to the local station to make up for it by airing the shows in a later hour or in the “overnights.” Otherwise, the episodes will be available in their entirety on SOAPnet and ABC.com‘s Full Episode Player as scheduled.

Disney/ABC Television Group

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — As reported back in June, the Disney/ABC Television Group has hired Katie Couric to host a new daily syndicated talk show that is expected to air on virtually all ABC affiliated stations, including the eight owned and operated stations that have already signed off on the deal. The show currently titled “Katie” will debut in September 2012 during the 3:00 PM ET/2:00 PM PT time slot currently occupied by ABC’s “General Hospital,” which will be forced to relocate to an as yet to be determined timeslot on the network.

According to TVNewser, Disney/ABC has begun sending marketing materials to station owners and advertisers in hopes of driving up support of the new show, which includes the first promotional poster for the talk show (seen at right).

“I think Katie is a unique brand in television,” said Jeff Zucker, “Katie” Executive Producer and former NBC Universal chief executive shortly after the announcement of the talker was announced in June. “The mere fact that you can just say Katie and know who we are talking about is evidence of that.”

Remembering the statements made to calm down “GH” fans, who are worried the 48-year-old soap will be the next canceled by ABC, the Disney/ABC publicity team stated back in the June the following:

“As you’ll note, we went out of our way to state that we continue to support the show,” Disney-ABC Television spokesman Kevin Brockman told CNN. “We have a long time between now and fall of 2012, so fans should be encouraged to continue watching and supporting.”

Brockman’s statement was echoed by Jori Petersen, Vice President, Publicity, ABC Daytime “The announcement does not mean the inevitable cancellation of ‘General Hospital,’” said Petersen. “Rather it means that in September 2012, we will program our daytime block with our three strongest shows. We’ll have options for the daytime daypart just like with do each year with prime-time. We believe in all of our shows and the ones that our viewers want will be the ones that continue. There are many options that could happen … only time will tell. We are simply giving ourselves options for the future, which is a smart way to do business. The best way to ensure a favorite show stays on the air is to watch it.”

According to TVNewser, “Social media and interactivity will play a big role in the show, which is still in the early stages of development. Disney-ABC is currently building out a few websites for the program, including www.TalkToKatie.com, which is expected to serve as a hub at which viewers and Couric can interact.”

Disney/ABC Television Group

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Is there something special happening on this coming Thursday’s episode (August 25) of “One Life to Live?” We’re wondering because whatever was supposed to happen got changed and now everything about the episode is being kept tight lipped by the network. Other than it being Robin Strasser‘s second to last day as Dorian Lord and a big storyline about to kick off with some interesting (that’s saying it lightly) twists, we just can’t imagine what could actually be happening in the episode that would make it such a big secret.

What we can tell you is the episode kicks off a string of daily cliffhangers and the Tale isn’t over and is only just beginning!

Are you as curious as we are? Maybe we should all just tune into the episode and find out!? What do you think will happen?

© John Paschal/jpistudios.com

You’ve known her as Lulu Spencer on ABC’s “General Hospital” since October 2005, but you may not have known that Julie Marie Berman is also a big pet lover. The two time Emmy Award winning actress has joined together with husband Michael Grady and business partner William Busch in launching Better Buddies, Inc., which was designed to help pet owners find the best quality products with an eco-conscious mind. The company’s mission is to help with the adoption of pets by pet lovers.

In addition to her duties as co-founder and Director of Design for Better Buddies, Berman is an ambassador for the Best Friends Animal Society, which is a major non-profit animal rescue and adoption agency. Better Buddies donates 10% of its profits from each purchase to the Best Friends Animal Society, which directly supports the Guardian Angel program for the highest-needs pets and getting closer to where there’s a world with “No more homeless pets.”

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ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “All My Children” Episode Recap – Monday, August 22, 2011.

IT HAPPENED TODAY…

Kendall is quiet after Zach’s declaration that he is standing by David. Ryan, Greenlee and later Griffin are dumbfounded by Zach’s allegiance to David. Kendall defends Zach’s position on the matter. Greenlee tries to get through to Kendall. Griffin questions David about his new biggest fan, Zach. Zach tells David he wants to partners with him on Project Orpheus

Dixie tells Tad she feels much better and is working on building a relationship with Kathy. Cara initially pulls away from a kiss with David. David and Cara make love. Cara tells David she has no regrets about what transpired between them. Griffin interrupts the pair  as Cara’s preparing to leave. David announces to Griffin that he’s offered Cara his former research position in the Orpheus Project.  Cara apologizes to Tad for disappearing and he’s relieved to hear she is staying in PV. His relief is short-lived as Cara reveals she is going to work with David on the Orpheus project.

Liza is sickened by JR’s actions and tells him to find a new lawyer. Colby convinces Liza to give JR another chance. Marissa tells Tad that JR tried to bribe the judge for the custody hearing. Tad and Dixie show up at the mansion and want to know if JR’s been drinking. Tad assures JR that his son loves him. JR asks Dixie to help him get rid of all the alcohol in the house. We later see JR is clearly manipulating his loved ones in order to get what he wants.

On the Next All My Children…

• Krystal admits David teased that Babe might be alive.
• Greenlee doesn’t want to see Kendall’s marriage destroyed by David.
• David says Zach must earn his trust.

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “One Life to Live” Episode Recap – Monday, August 22, 2011.

Albert L. Ortega/WireImage

IT HAPPENED TODAY…

Jack catches Todd with Dorian’s safe open, and he slips the gun into his pocket. Todd takes the gun and leaves, ready to shoot Victor.

Téa tells her husband that he’s still the man she loves. They go upstairs to make love. Someone breaks into the house with the gun.

Starr and Dani talk over the huge events in the Manning household and get into a fight about Todd vs Victor. They eventually make up.

To Rex’s surprise the stripper at the Spotted Pony is Kim, going by the name of Gigi. Rex explains about Gigi’s death, etc., and that he’s seen Gigi and consulted a psychic who led him here. She tells Rex she can’t help him. He leaves – but first sees another vision of Gigi, who tells him not to give up on her. Kim then goes to a hospital room and tells an unseen person in the bed that Rex was in town.

Ford and Jessica pull out of the kiss and Ford tries to apologize. Jessica suggests that since it’s so hard for him to deal with missing Tess, they shouldn’t see each other. He reluctantly agrees.

On the Next One Life to Live…

• Aubrey gives Joey back his ring.
• Clint seeks to honor Asa’s memory.
• David and Dorian face a dilemma.

ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “General Hospital” Episode Recap – Monday, August 22, 2011.

IT HAPPENED TODAY…

Before Lucky can visit Siobhan, Anthony visits her in her hospital bed. Siobhan leaves a message.

Skye harbors Jax safely and in secret. Carly faces off with Sonny for being a murderer.

Jackal, P.I., pauses over the bakery name “Luzetta’s.” What is the gumshoe onto?

On the Next General Hospital…

• Will Lucky find a message from Siobhan?
• Sonny takes vigil in his greatest regrets at the GH chapel.
• Maxie takes Jackal, P.I., to Georgie’s grave in hopes that will jog his true identity.

© J. Graylock/jpistudios.com

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Julia Barr will bring Brooke English back to Pine Valley on Friday, September 16, which means, if the soap can take a break from exploring Dr. David Hayward’s (Vincent Irizarry) God complex in-depth, Barr will air in six episodes at the most before “All My Children” airs its series finale on ABC on Friday, September 23.

Barr initially reported she was due to tape nine episodes. Her return was most likely impacted by the 41-year old soap being picked up for continuation on the internet – and potentially cable – by production company Prospect Park. ABC Daytime Chief Brian Frons recently reported that the move meant that the last few weeks of “AMC” script had to be manipulated to apply a more ongoing and less of a finale tone.

Barr joined the cast of “AMC” in 1976 as the troubled niece of delightful socialite Phoebe Wallingford (Ruth Warrick). For thirty years, fans were spellbound as Barr took us on a journey through Brooke’s many personal and professional trials and tribulations. Barr’s most memorable work as Brooke included her numerous verbal sparring matches with Erica, her romance with Adam, and the heart-breaking death of Brooke’s baby daughter Laura. In 2006, Barr was told she could only remain on cast if she agreed to a downgrade to recurring status. She decided to exit. In 2010, Barr returned as the love of Adam Chandler’s life to usher David Canary off the canvas in top form.

As previously reported, Sarah Michelle Gellar (ex-Kendall) pops up with Eva La Rue (Maria) on Wednesday, September 21 and is scheduled to tape those scenes this week, according to sources. Gellar will appear as a new character; La Rue appeared in two episodes of “AMC” in July and was scheduled to appear in three more episodes before the ABC finale.

Agnes Nixon will appear on “AMC” beginning with the Wednesday, August 31 episode and continuing through Thursday, September 1. Carol Burnett (Verla) will air on Tuesday, September 6 and Wednesday, September 7. Leven Rambin (Lily), Alexa Havins (Babe), Justin Bruening (Jamie) and, of course, Canary’s return airdates have not been released at this time.

IMDb

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — On Thursday, July 21, ABC Soaps in Depth reported that Kelly Sullivan had been hired as a recast Kate Howard after more than a year since we last saw the character (last played by Megan Ward). Now Soap Opera Network has learned when you can catch your first glimpse of the actress.

In In Depth‘s posting they indicated that Kate “will be looking a bit different after all that time recently spent in Paris and Milan,” but that’s only half the story! Just wait until Kate comes face-to-face with Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard), her high school boyfriend and supposedly the loves of each other’s lives, or she was until Sonny remembered Brenda Barrett (Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo) at this point last year.

In addition to “GH,” Sullivan has appeared in episodes of “As The World Turns” and “One Life to Live” along with a guest-stint in “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” She’ll appear in the film “333” co-starring with “The Young and the Restless‘” Camryn Grimes (ex-Cassie Newman) which is set for release in 2012.

Sullivan’s first airdate is scheduled for Monday, September 12.

IMDb

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) – Rebeka Montoya, best known for her role as Gina in the online series “Heroes: Going Postal” alongside former “GH” and “Port Charles” actor Kiko Ellsworth, is joining the cast of “General Hospital” in the recurring role of Delores Padilla.

In addition to appearing in such shows as UPN‘s “Eve” and NBC’s “Las Vegas,” Montoya appeared in the 2009 NBC mini-series “The Storm” along with “GH” actress Erin Chambers (Siobhan McKenna), James Van Der Beek (“Dawson’s Creek,” “Apartment 23″), Treat Williams (“Everwood”), Marisol Nichols (“GCB: Good Christian Bitches“) and Luke Perry (“Beverly Hills, 90210″).

Montoya’s first episode is set to air on Tuesday, September 27. She began filming on Thursday, August 18.

Update 8/22/11 – 4:44 PM
Montoya’s character will be working heavily with PCPD’s finest in solving the crimes of Port Charles.