Donna Svennevik/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “General Hospital” DVR Alerts for the Week of July 30, 2012.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: DVR ALERTS

• Monday: Will Todd rat out Johnny? Will Sam be able to break into Todd’s safe? Joe Jr. has major plans for Trey.

• Tuesday: How much will Carly learn about the secrets Todd and Johnny are keeping? Jason offers to help Sam. Alexis offers a daring challenge to Shawn.

• Wednesday: Liz catches Ewen receiving a mysterious call. Lulu and Dante have a difficult conversation about their marriage. Sonny wants answers from Joe Jr.

• Thursday: Can Sonny and Alexis help Jason and Sam reconcile? Is Elizabeth in danger? Trey tries to get closer to Kristina.

• Friday: John McBain makes a horrifying discovery. Will Starr continue to support Johnny? Sam confronts Todd.

CBS

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — On Thursday, August 2, “The Young and the Restless” star Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor) will be appearing at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota to sign copies of her new book “Not Young, Still Restless: A Memoir.”

The signing begins at  6:30 PM CDT. The Mall of America is located at 60 E. Broadway, Bloomington, Minnesota 55425.

About the Book (via Press Release)

With honesty, humor, heart and her famous fearlessness, Jeanne Cooper chronlicles her career as an actor who grew up with the exciting new phenomenon called television, along with her personal dramas, battles, and achievements. In every chapter, Jeanne reveals her philosophies on life (her faith in the power of laughter and her commitment to “paying it forward,” among them), her passion for her work, and her profound gratitude to her family, her friends, and her fans.

Jeanne Cooper has been working in show business for the past seven decades of her eighty-three years. She is beloved by soap opera fans for her long-running role as the wealthy, tough-as-nails but (generally) good-hearted Katherine Chancellor on CBS’ The Young and the Restless, and has been with the show since its debut year, 1973.

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:

ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Ratings Report for the Week of July 16-20, 2012

NOTE: Please do not copy and paste the entire ratings.  Thank you.

Numbers are based on Live+Same Day ratings

(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)

Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,389,000 (-13,000/-420,000)
2. B&B 3,140,000 (+75,000/+114,000)
3. GH 2,445,000 (+127,000/-177,000)
4. DAYS 2,378,000 (+148,000/+37,000)

Households
1. Y&R 3.2/10 (same/-.2)
2. B&B 2.3/7 (same/+.2)
3. GH 1.8/5 (+.1/-.1)
4. DAYS 1.7/5 (same/same)

Women 18-49 Viewers
1. Y&R 852,000 (+5,000/-149,000)
2. B&B 630,000 (+4,000/-36,000)
3. GH 547,000 (-10,000/-186,000)
4. DAYS 453,000 (+30,000/-173,000)

Women 18-49 Rating
1. Y&R 1.3/9 (same/-.2)
2. B&B 1.0/6 (same/same)
3. GH 0.9/5 (same/-.2)
4. DAYS 0.7/5 (same/-.2) <—— ties low (5th straight week)

Women 18-34 Rating
1. Y&R 0.7 (+.1/same)
2. GH 0.5 (+.1/-.1)
3. DAYS 0.4 (same/-.2)
3. B&B 0.4 (same/-.1)

Men 18+ Viewers
1. Y&R 948,000 (+17,000/-108,000)
2. B&B 663,000 (+51,000/+58,000)
3. DAYS 518,000 (+36,000/+46,000)
4. GH 496,000 (+71,000/+29,000)

Day-To-Day Ratings – HH/Total Viewers

B&B
Monday: 2.4/3,311,000
Tuesday: 2.1/2,744,000
Wednesday: 2.3/3,275,000
Thursday: 2.3/3,207,000
Friday: 2.3/3,227,000

DAYS
Monday: 1.8/2,519,000
Tuesday: 1.7/2,296,000
Wednesday: 1.8/2,404,000
Thursday: 1.8/2,361,000
Friday: 1.6/2,256,000

GH
Monday: 1.9/2,496,000
Tuesday: 1.8/2,399,000
Wednesday: 1.7/2,309,000
Thursday: 1.8/2,538,000
Friday: 1.8/2,483,000

Y&R
Monday: 3.3/4,643,000
Tuesday: 3.0/4,132,000
Wednesday: 3.3/4,604,000
Thursday: 3.3/4,468,000
Friday: 3.0/4,099,000

For the SEASON September 19, 2011 through July 15, 2012

Households
1. Y&R 3.5
2. B&B 2.4
3. DAYS 2.0
4. GH 1.9

Women 18-49 Rating
1. Y&R 1.5
2. B&B 1.1
2. GH 1.1
4. DAYS 1.0

Ratings Archive

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.

NBC

Fans of NBC’s “Days of our Lives” may begin missing their favorites from Salem for the next two weeks due to the networks extensive coverage of the Olympic Games, but the network plans to keep them tuned in using the internet.

Beginning Monday, July 30 and lasting through Friday, August 10, fans can head on over to NBC.com to chat live with some of the shows biggest stars (list pending) starting at 2:00 PM ET/11:00 AM PT on NBC.com.

Related: NBC.com Reveals Some of the DAYS Cast Taking Part in Chats Next Week!

Sony Pictures Television

“The Young and The Restless” is making major changes at the top.  Executive Producer/Head Writer Maria Arena Bell is leaving the show and is being replaced by Jill Farren Phelps, who will be the new Executive Producer, and Josh Griffith, who will be the new Head Writer.

Co-Head Writer Scott Hamner is also leaving the show. The status of Hogan Sheffer, the show’s other Co-Head Writer, is currently unknown.

via Press Release

LOS ANGELES, July 26, 2012 – Jill Farren Phelps has been named Executive Producer of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, daytime’s number one drama, and Josh Griffith joins the series as Head Writer, it was announced today by Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President, U.S. Programming at Sony Pictures Television.

“We are excited to have such a talented daytime veteran leading our team at ‘Y&R.’  Jill has a stellar record of success in the daytime genre,” said Kent. “We are also happy to welcome Josh back to THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and are looking forward to his creative input and ideas.”

“On behalf of everyone at ‘Y&R,’ we extend our sincere thanks to Emmy® Award-winning Maria Bell for her contributions to the show over the last five years. We wish her the best of luck and continued success,” he added.

Phelps has been the executive producer of five daytime dramas and two prime time cable dramas: “Santa Barbara,” “Guiding Light,” “Another World,” “One Life to Live,” “General Hospital,” the first season of ”General Hospital: Night Shift” and “Hollywood Heights.”  As an executive producer, Phelps has been nominated for 14 Daytime Emmy Awards and has won seven times (1988–1990, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2012).

Griffith’s writing career includes “As the World Turns,” “One Life to Live,” “Santa Barbara,” “Sunset Beach,” “General Hospital,” ”The Young and the Restless” and “Hollywood Heights.” He has received four Emmy Awards and four Writer’s Guild Awards.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS has been the number one rated daytime drama for more than 23 years and is in its 39th season.  The show is broadcast weekdays (12:30-1:30 PM; 11:00 AM-12:00 Noon, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company, in association with Sony Pictures Television.