JPI

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — As Soap Opera Network first reported earlier today, NBC.com has revealed some of the actors taking part in various aspects of communication with fans of “Days of our Lives” so as to tide them over while NBC airs its coverage of the Olympic Games. The interactions begins Monday, July 30 and last through Friday, August 10 at 2:00 PM ET/11:00 AM PT.

Monday, July 30 - Lisa Rinna gives you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of a DAYSaster!

Tuesday, July 31- Arianne Zucker hints at the future of her character AND her baby on board!

Wednesday, August 1 - Shawn Christian shows up to the interview dirtied up in full disaster makeup!

Thursday, August 2 - Kate Mansi talks about the terrifying experience of being trapped in an elevator during the DAYSaster!

Friday, August 3 - Eric Martsolf talks about the shocking deaths that hit Salem!

“Days of our Lives” returns on Monday, August 13 at 1:00 PM ET when viewers find out who survived the DAYSaster that rocked Salem during today’s cliffhanger episode.

Keep checking Soap Opera Network to find out who else will be taking part.

All interactive content can be viewed on NBC.com’s “Days of our Lives” website beginning Monday.

CBS

Eric Braeden is best known to daytime fans of CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” as Victor Newman, and in celebration of the shows upcoming 10,000th episode (tentatively scheduled for Thursday, September 27), the actor appeared on today’s edition of “The Talk,” with guest co-host Shannen Doherty.

In the interview Braeden touched on the topic of how important the writing is key to the success of the show. Ironically, it was announced yesterday that the writing team at “Y&R” would receive a major overhaul as Maria Arena Bell was ousted as the soaps head writer and executive producer. Also out is co-head writer Scott Hamner. The fate of Hogan Sheffer, another co-head writer on the show, has yet to be determined. Jill Farren Phelps will step in as executive producer with Josh Griffith, Jr. in as head writer.

“Good writing is fundamental and often forgotten,” said the 71-year old actor. “Writers get the least amount of publicity, and actually deserve the most. The confluence of good writing and actors doesn’t happen very often. And then in the end it is something mysterious. Either something works or it doesn’t. You can’t put your finger on it,” he continued.

For the Braeden’s full “Talk” appearance watch the clip below:

The Paley Center for Media

As “The Young and the Restless” gears up for its 10,000th episode tentatively scheduled to air on Thursday, September 27 on CBS, The Paley Center for Media, LA will be hosting a live event on Thursday, August 23 beginning at 7:00 PM PT with much of the veteran cast members of the popular daytime drama series including Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott), Eric Braeden (Victor Abbott), Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor), Doug Davidson (Paul Williams), Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin), Joshua Morrow (Nicholas Newman), Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman), Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters), and Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Newman) scheduled to attend.

Prior to her recent ouster as executive producer and head writer, Maria Arena Bell was also scheduled to attend to event, but we’ve since confirmed via sources that will not be the case now. It is unclear at this time who will replace Bell as a senior member of the shows production, if anyone, for the Paley Center event.

As part of the celebration fans of the popular series can attend the Q&A session, which will be moderated by Brooks Barnes from The New York Times, if they are in the Los Angeles area and willing to cough up $15 for non-members or $10 for members of the Paley Center. If you’re unable to attend in person, @PaleyCenter via Twitter will be the place to tweet to and #PaleyLiveLA will be the hashtag used for discussions around the world. Tweets sent in will be seen on a widget added to the Paley Center page for “Y&R” on the day of the event.

To purchase tickets, click here.

Event Location
The Paley Center for Media
465 North Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Note: If you plan on attending and seating in the main theatre is unavailable, it will cost just $7 for closed circuit viewing (ie. not in the main theatre) at the Paley Center for Media.

Photo Credit: Keadrick D. Washington/PR Photos

In a posting on her facebook page yesterday, following the announcement by Sony Pictures Television and CBS that Jill Farren Phelps and Josh Griffith, Jr. would be stepping in to replace her, Maria Arena Bell stated that she was “mystified” as to why she was being let go as executive producer and head writer of “The Young and the Restless.”

“So it was announced today [July 26, 2012] I am leaving Y and R… the show I have loved so much for so long. It is the legacy of my father in law… my mother in law… and all the Bells. The show has been my heart and soul. I loved working with the most talented writers in TV who were also the most wonderful human beings I know. They became a second family and my best friends. I loved the cast and crew. I am extremely sad to go because there are more stories I could have told. So much more I wanted to do,” said Bell. “My ratings are strong… each week stronger than last year. The show is in a great place creatively. We are number one by the greatest margin in the show’s history and have been consistently while I’ve been there. Under no one else’s tenure as head writer exec producer have we won every demographic for so long. I am just shy of five years at the helm. It has been an amazing ride. So why am I leaving? I am mystified as are my cast and crew.”

Editor’s Note: “The Young and the Restless” has been down year-to-year in most rating categories as the current television season progressed more than it has been up, which is a direct contradiction to Bell’s statement above. Additionally, “Y&R” has hit or tied all of its series lows during Bell’s tenure including this season.

Bell’s statement continued with the following:

“There have been a lot of tears shed in the last few days… by me and by my loyal staff and by our iconic actors. I was not given a reason and in fact I have heard nothing from Sony or CBS. They sent me a message through my husband Bill who had the terrible job of conveying that they’d gone around him and were letting me go. I fought hard for my vision and to keep the show on track with the characters that matter to the audience. Maybe I fought too hard. But I am glad I did. I never compromised on what I believed in. I never dumbed down the storytelling. I walked in the door at Y and R in 1988… as a young writer getting her first job. Today I leave there knowing it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I love you Y and R. Your story was my life story too. And to Victor… Nikki… Jack… and Kay… I will miss you.”

Bell’s facebook message was first posted on the CBS Soaps in Depth website.

Rick Rowell/ABC

“General Hospital‘s” Kelly Monaco (Sam McCall) is returning to ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Monaco was the first winner of the infamous mirror ball trophy and helped launch the competition series into the hit it became. She joins fellow former “Dancing” stars as Kirstie Alley, Shawn Johnson, Drew Lachey, Apolo Anton Ohno, Emmitt Smith, Joey Fatone, Pamela Anderson, Helio Castroneves, Melissa Rycroft, Gilles Marini, and Bristol Palin.

Carson Kressley, Sabrina Bryan, and Kyle Massey are vying for the 13th and final position in the all-star edition of “Dancing with the Stars.” Fans are being asked to vote for one of the three as part of a show first being called “Viewers’ Choice: All Star.” Voting began today, July 27, at 1:30 PM ET/10:30 AM PT via ABC.com/DancingwiththeStars, presented by Diet Pepsi. Fans can logon and cast their votes now through Friday, August 24 at 3:00 PM ET/12:00 PM PT, with the winner announced live on Monday, August 27 during “Good Morning America.”

While the cast list has been revealed the network won’t say who their dancing partners will be until the Monday, August 13 airing “Good Morning America.”

The new season of “Dancing with the Stars” dubbed “Dancing with the Stars: All Stars” begins Monday, September 24 at 8:00 PM ET with the first live results show airing Tuesday, September 25 also beginning at 8:00 PM ET.

Getty Images

Actress Jen Lilley, who was given the ultimate acting challenge when she replaced Kirsten Storms in the role of Maxie Jones on ABC’s “General Hospital” in September 2011 now finds herself relinquishing the role back to Storms as the show prepares a time slot change in the coming weeks.

Last month Soap Opera Digest teased that Storms was “in talks to return the show,” and an emotional Lilley took to YouTube on Saturday, July 21, to confirm those reports (see video below).

Although a last airdate for Lilley has not been set nor has an ABC representative officially confirmed Lilley’s ouster and Storms’ return, sources tell Soap Opera Network that Storms is tentatively scheduled to return to the set beginning this week. A first airdate is expected for mid-to-late August, which is just in time for “General Hospital’s” move to 2:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT on ABC.

IMDb

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Former “General Hospital” and “General Hospital: Night Shift” star Graham Shiels (ex-Cody Paul) will appear on the Sunday, July 22 episode of TNT’s “Leverage.”

The actor will portray Craig Marko, who is a “bruising, yet emotionally bruised, minor league hockey player,” according to the actor. This will be the first time he gets to do more than than grunt work in Hollywood.

Episode Description
The “Leverage” crew helps a veteran hockey player who thinks team management is trying to get him injured on purpose but discover their real intentions are far more ominous.

“Leverage” airs Sundays at 8:00 PM ET/7:00 PM CT on TNT.

Children Uniting Nations Kicks Off National Conference With Brooke Anderson & Nikki Blonsky Sharing Tearful Bullying Stories

Congress Members: Bass, Sanchez, Schiff, Waters, Chu and Waxman were joined by Antonio Cue, Freddie Smith, Danielle Staub and Colby O’Donis To Raise Awareness for Children’s Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Children Uniting Nations

Los Angeles/Washington DC (7/20/2012) – Children Uniting Nations (CUN), one of the premier non-profit organizations working with at-risk and foster youth, kicked off its 7th Annual National Conference, “Keeping the Promise to Our Children,” in DC. Legislators, celebrities and industry experts came together to draw attention to three key pieces of legislation including Bullying, Keeping Sports Programs in Schools and Mentoring Foster Youth. Representative Nancy Pelosi co-chaired the conference along with Senator Mary Landrieu, and legislators in support included Congresswoman Karen Bass, Congressman Adam Schiff, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, Congresswoman Judy Chu , Congressman Ed Markey, Congressman Xavier Becerra, Congressman Henry Waxman, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

Brooke Anderson of CBS’s The Insider brought attendees to tears discussing how she was physically pushed to the ground by her peers for years in middle school and high school and how she overcame those challenges to get to where she is today. Nikki Blonsky, star of the motion picture Hairspray, discussed how she was physically and mentally bullied for her height and weight and described what it was like playing the role of someone who was “different” in Hairspray. An unlikely but moving speaker was Danielle Staub, from Real Housewives of New Jersey and Vh1, disclosed not only her experiences with bullying as a child and on the show, but also about how that show affected her own children who were bullied by their peers from her appearance on the show. Days of our Lives star Freddie Smith addressed bullying and the importance of keeping physical education programs in our schools. In addition to showing his support to all three initiatives, Colby O’Donis rocked the mic with his Grammy-winning songs and Nikki Blonsky sang her hit “Good Morning Baltimore” from the film.

This year’s Humanitarian Award winner, Antonio Cue, spoke about the need to provide physical education programs in the schools and how his soccer team, CHIVAS USA, is sponsoring schools in Los Angeles and soccer clinics to areas in need. CHIVAS USA and CUN with the organizations prospective leaders Antonio Cue and Daphna Ziman announced their joint partnership for a year-long commitment to create awareness for Physical Education in the schools and promote the importance Health and Wellness for our children.

Conference legislations included:

1. The “National State” of Physical Education in America’s Public Schools (FIT Kids Act H.R. 1057 and S. 576) Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act or FIT Kids Act – Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to require annual state and local educational agency report cards to include specified information on school health and physical education programs

2. Bullying in America (H.R. 1648): To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to address and take action to prevent bullying and harassment of students.

3. Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2011 (S. 420)
Children Uniting Nations Founder and National Conference Chairwoman Daphna Ziman remarked, “We are all wounded. Some of us are the wounded that wound others while others are the wounded that heal. We have all experienced bullying .”

“CHIVAS USA is proud to partner with Children Uniting Nations on creating awareness and programming that will enhance the lives of thousands of children and their families in Southern California” Antonio Cue, President and Co – Owner, CHIVAS USA.

The conference is hosted by Children Uniting Nations (CUN), a 501(C)(3) not for profit organization dedicated to the well-being of at-risk and foster youth, in collaboration with DLA Piper US LLP, Casey Family Programs, The Adoption Coalition and the California Endowment. The deans of social work and education from a number of America’s prominent research universities will attend and participate as panelists.

Notes: As a result of the work completed during their annual national conferences, Children Uniting Nations has seen significant legislative achievements in support of mentoring for at-risk children. An amendment to provide loan forgiveness to community college students who mentor at-risk youth in their communities was passed by the House as part of the College Opportunity and Affordability Act in 2008, and an amendment to support the mentoring of children in foster care was passed unanimously in the Senate as part of the recent Serve America Act (2009). CUN looks forward to building upon these successes in the coming legislative session. The National Conference is renowned for bringing top researchers, international experts, non-profit leaders, legislators and policy makers together to discuss the most urgent needs of our youth. They join advocates in the media, entertainment and business worlds to bring awareness to key legislative issues and begin nonpartisan dialog and discussion on new policy. The National Conference strives to inform federal legislators on compelling issues affecting our youth, synchronize efforts between legislators and community towards change and provide programs that offer solutions. Past celebrities supporters include: Terrance Howard, Russell Simmons, David Archuletta, Vivica Foxx, Quinton Aaron, Sean King and Gabriel Union.

Children Uniting Nations
CUN is a nonprofit, nonpartisan proactive organization created to bring attention to the plight of at-risk and foster youth. The goal is to reach as many children in out-of-home care by offering role-model support, guidance, a sense of community and promote the importance of an education. Inspired by the Day of the Child, CUN wanted mentoring to be more accessible to children living in foster care and therefore created a mentoring program to be administered in every city nationwide. Pioneered in Los Angeles, CUN’s central mentoring program known as the Mentoring Partnership for Los Angeles Youth (mPLAY) has become the model program for the rest of the country. Children Uniting Nations continues to support and make possible the efforts of mPLAY by providing advocacy, funding, producing large- scale recruitment events and serving as the fiscal agent to the partnership. mPLAY is dedicated to providing children in the foster care system with highly trained mentors that are compassionate, steadfast and have an unconditional desire to give of themselves in order to make a positive difference in the lives of our most vulnerable children. CUN was founded by philanthropist and activist, Daphna Ziman.

Antonio Cue: Antonio Cué Sánchez-Navarro is the Owner of Club Deportivo Chivas USA, Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles-based club, the only Mexican-owned team in major professional sports in the United States. A visionary business venture of bicultural, binational and bilingual proportions, Chivas USA brings one of Mexico’s most powerful brands – and one of most beloved soccer brands worldwide – to the U.S. sports landscape.
Chivas USA

The Los Angeles based Soccer Club, Chivas USA, is the only Mexican-owned team in major professional sports in the United States. Since its very beginnings seven years ago, Chivas USA was conceived not only as a business venture of bicultural and bilingual proportions, but also as a vehicle of philanthropy, which could provide opportunity and growth to underprivileged communities. Today, the non-profit Chivas USA Foundation gives back to the community more than ever, proudly running a number of initiatives that range from promoting the importance of reading amongst children, educating through sports in diverse school districts throughout Southern California, and raising awareness about the environment.

Chris Haston/NBC

“Trumpet” is the fictional story of Elizabeth Trumpet who’s looking become an actress on the london stage but finds herself dealing with situations that a sixteen year old girl of today couldn’t even imagine. Danger, intrique and tantalizing storytelling abound in the 422 page fictional story by authors and real-life married couple Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes, who are best known for their roles as Doug and Julie Williams on NBC’s “Days of our Lives.”

Beginning today through August 3, the duo will take part in a book signing tour throughout the country. “Trumpet” hit stores and online retailers on March 25, 2012.

Wednesday – July 18th – 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Barnes & Noble
The Grove at Farmers Market
189 Grove Drive Suite K-30
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Wednesday – July 25th – 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Horizon Books
243 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
231-946-7290

Tuesday – July 31st – 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Anderson’s Bookshop
123 W. Jefferson Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
630-355-2665

Thursday – August 2nd – 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Left Bank Books
399 N. Euclid Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-367-6731

Friday – August 3rd – 4:00pm to 6:00pm
The Firefly Grill
1810 Avenue of Mid-America
Effingham, IL 62401
217-342-2002

About the Book (via Amazon.com)
Brilliant and sassy Elizabeth Trumpet fantasizes starring on the London stage, but to become an actress in 1803 is tantamount to losing her virginity in the most debasing way.

After watching her mother die and her father lose his mind, the courageous sixteen-year-old must find a way to save her family. She scores her first acting job as a fencer—the deadly skill she learned from her brother training for the military. Blessed with talent and a rare singing voice, Lizzie pursues her career, learning from theatrical characters high and low.

When reckless actor Jonathan Faversham sets eyes on Miss Trumpet, he knows he’s found the partner of his life. But Faversham carries ruinous baggage from a dark past. Entangled in lust and ambition, Lizzie gives him her heart and they reach the heights together. Until Lizzie gets more applause than he…

From the magnificence of Regency palaces and the Theatre Royal Covent Garden to the sun-baked pyramids of Egypt and the arms of a real-life Samson, Lizzie is never far from trouble. As her brother rides to glory with Wellington in the Napoleonic Wars, great events threaten her survival. Danger lurks behind stage curtains, when a madman sets fire to take her life and she lifts a sword in revenge.

Will this once innocent girl, with her rise to stardom, be remembered for her art? Or for her shame?

IMDb

TVLine is reporting that ABC’s “General Hospital” has recast the role of Kristina Davis with daytime newcomer Lindsey Morgan. She replaces Lexi Ainsworth, who exited the soap in October as the character was sent to Yale University. According to a show representative, upon Kristina’s return to the canvas, the daytime drama plans to take the character into a different direction.

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