Michael Desmond/A&E Television Networks, LLC

Update 6:55 PM ET: A Lifetime representative tells Soap Opera Network that “Client List” averaged 1.2 million viewers in Adults 18-49 and 1.3 million viewers in Adults 25-54.

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Lifetime’s new primetime drama series “The Client List,” starring Jennifer Love Hewitt as Riley Parks – a single mother of two who happens to make a whole lot of money as a prostitute, debuted with 2.8 million viewers and a 0.9 rating in Adults 18-49, according to ratings figures released today by Nielsen Media Research.

“Client List,” which also stars Colin Egglesfield (ex-Josh Madden, “All My Children“) as Hewitt’s on-screen brother-in-law Evan Parks, is a TV series loosely based on the 2010 hit Lifetime original movie of the same name and inspired by a true story. The film debuted as cable’s second most watched original movie premiere with 3.9 million viewers and 2,099,000 Adults 25-54 viewers, 1,877,000 Adults 18-49 viewers, 1,355,000 Women 18-49 viewers and 1,501,000 Women 25-54 viewers.

In the film version, former “One Life to Live” star Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) portrayed Hewitt’s husband Rex Horton (Hewitt portrayed Samantha). In the TV series, her husband abandoned her and their kids.

“The Client List,” also starring Cybill Shepherd and Loretta Devine, airs Sundays at 10/9c on Lifetime after all-new episodes of “Army Wives.”

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Tonight at 10/9c on ABC will be a repeat airing of the networks new celebrity esque suspense drama “Scandal.”

Craig Sjodin/ABC

Show Description
Everyone has a secret… and Olivia Pope has dedicated her life to protecting and defending the public images of the nation’s elite and keeping those secrets under wraps. Revered and feared at the same time, Olivia, a former communications director to the President of the United States, left the White House to open her own prominent crisis management firm. She is hoping to start a new chapter in her life -both professionally and personally-but she can’t seem to completely cut ties with her past. Olivia’s former boss, President Fitzgerald Grant (Tony Goldwyn), and his chief of staff, Cyrus Beene (Jeff Perry), are never far, and it soon becomes clear that Olivia’s clients aren’t the only ones with secrets. Olivia’s accomplished staff includes Stephen Finch (Henry Ian Cusick), a womanizing lawyer who’s trying to settle down; Harrison Wright (Columbus Short), a slick litigator with his fair share of secrets; Huck (Guillermo Diaz), a hacker extraordinaire with a CIA past; and Abby Whelan (Darby Stanchfield), an investigator who has a love/hate relationship with Stephen. Although Olivia and her team specialize in fixing the lives of other people, they can’t quite seem to fix the problems closest at hand-their own.

In the premiere episode, young lawyer Quinn Perkins (Katie Lowes) is offered a job with Olivia Pope and Associates, and she is in awe. Olivia and her team of “gladiators in suits” will do whatever it takes to make their clients’ problems go away, and newbie Quinn is initiated into the group with trial by fire on day one — when a White House intern accuses the President of having an affair. Olivia is the only one the White House trusts to diffuse the problem, but as she gets deeper into the situation, Quinn soon realizes Olivia’s clients aren’t the only ones with secrets.

“Scandal” stars Kerry Washington (“Ray”) as Olivia Pope, Henry Ian Cusick (“Lost”) as Stephen Finch, Columbus Short (“Stomp the Yard”) as Harrison Wright, Guillermo Diaz (“Half-Baked”) as Huck, Darby Stanchfield as Abby Whelan, Katie Lowes as Quinn Perkins, Tony Goldwyn (“Ghost”) as President Fitzgerald Grant, and Jeff Perry (“Grey’s Anatomy“) as Cyrus Beene.

“Scandal” is written by Shonda Rhimes (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice”). Rhimes and Betsy Beers (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice”) are executive producers. Judy Smith is co-executive producer. Paul McGuigan (BBC’s “Sherlock”) is the director. “Scandal” is produced by ABC Studios.

“Scandal” replaces the previously scheduled repeat of ABC’s “Castle.” “Scandal” airs Thursdays at 10:00 PM ET/9:00 PM CT on the ABC Television Network after “Grey’s Anatomy.”

via press release

Brian Bowen Smith/FOX

“NEW GIRL,” “RAISING HOPE” AND “GLEE”

TO CONTINUE LAUGHS IN 2012-13 SEASON ON FOX

Spring Into Tuesdays Tomorrow with the Return of GLEE,

Followed By All-New Episodes of NEW GIRL and RAISING HOPE

FOX has ordered a second season of freshman breakout hit NEW GIRL, a third installment of the irreverent family comedy RAISING HOPE and a fourth season of the genre-defying musical sensation GLEE, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.

“Over the past season, NEW GIRL has become the hottest new appointment series for young adults; RAISING HOPE has established itself as one of the smartest and most unique offbeat comedies on television; and GLEE has continued its success as a genre-defying, global cultural phenomenon,” said Reilly. “All three of these comedies add a fresh and distinctive flavor to our Tuesday nights, and I’m really happy to bring them back to our air next season.”

All-new episodes of GLEE return to Tuesdays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), beginning tomorrow, April 10, with NEW GIRL remaining at 9:00-9:31 PM ET/PT, and RAISING HOPE returning to its regular time slot at 9:31-10:00 PM ET/PT.

Currently in its first season, NEW GIRL is the No. 1 new series among Adults 18-34 and the No. 2 new scripted series among Adults 18-49. The show stars Zooey Deschanel as a school teacher who moved in with three single guys, and their new friendships changed their lives in unexpected ways. The Golden Globe-nominated series also stars Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield, Lamorne Morris and Hannah Simone. In the all-new “Normal” episode airing tomorrow, Tuesday, April 10 (9:00-9:31 PM ET/PT), Jess (Deschanel) invites Russell (guest star Dermot Mulroney) to spend the weekend at the loft. Created by Liz Meriwether (“No Strings Attached”), NEW GIRL is produced by Chernin Entertainment in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Meriwether, Jake Kasdan, Peter Chernin, Katherine Pope, Dave Finkel and Brett Baer are executive producers.

In the two-part season finale of RAISING HOPE beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, April 10 (9:31-10:00 PM ET/PT), and concluding on Tuesday, April 17 (9:31-10:00 PM ET/PT), Nancy Grace guest-stars as the host of the newsmagazine series “Inside Probe,” which turns its focus on the Chance’s history, culminating in the family going on trial to fight for custody of baby Hope. Created by Emmy Award winner Greg Garcia, the series follows the Chance family as the unplanned addition to their family becomes a toddler. The show stars Lucas Neff, Emmy Award nominee Martha Plimpton, Garret Dillahunt, Shannon Woodward and Cloris Leachman. RAISING HOPE is produced by Amigos de Garcia Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television.

Now in its third season, GLEE continues to be a Top 10 comedy among Adults 18-49 and the No. 1 scripted series among Teens. The hit series returns this spring answering the dramatic cliffhangers of Quinn’s (Dianna Agron) car accident, Finn (Cory Monteith) and Rachel’s (Lea Michele) wedding and Sue’s (Jane Lynch) pregnancy, as graduation at McKinley High approaches. In the Spring Premiere “Big Brother” episode airing tomorrow, Tuesday, April 10 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), Blaine’s (Darren Criss) big-shot Hollywood actor brother Cooper (guest star Matt Bomer, “White Collar”) comes to visit. GLEE is produced by Ryan Murphy Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan and Dante Di Loreto serve as executive producers.

Become a fan of the shows on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NewGirlonFOX, www.facebook.com/RaisingHope and www.facebook.com/glee. Follow the series at www.twitter.com/NewGirlonFOX (#NewGirl), www.twitter.com/RaisingHopeFOX (#RaisingHope) and www.twitter.com/gleeonfox (#Glee).

Thomas Montalto/MontaltoPhotos.com

via press release

In an effort to raise funds for the production of Theatre 68′s summer season, the Theatre 68 Cent Crew Theatre Company will be hosting a fun filled night of Legendary Drag Queen Bingo at West Hollywood’s Landmark Burger Palace; the Fabulous Hamburger Mary’s!

A $20 donation will buy you 10 games of Bingo including the Grand Prize game! The lucky winners will receive prize packages filled with an assortment of prizes ranging from Dining and Entertainment Gift Certificates to Amazing Collectible Items! All the proceeds will go to support Theatre 68!

This is an opportunity to have a fun filled evening filled with drink, food, amazing celebrities, laughter, drag queens and of course Legendary Bingo! Come support LA Theatre and the 68 Cent Crew Theatre Company! Mark your calendars and we will see you there!

Call 323-654-3800 To Make Your Reservation! Wednesday, May 9th, 9:00 show.

In tonight’s episode of The CW’s “Gossip Girl,” entitled “It Girl, Interrupted” (episode #519), Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) is looking to remove herself from the spotlight as part of the popular entourage known as the Upper East Siders now that she’s been tasked as the newest behind-the-scenes *ish maker for the group (aka: Gossip Girl herself).

Read More >>

Peter Kramer/NBC

On the heels of “Days of our Lives” replacing the head writing team of Marlene McPherson and Darrell Ray Thomas, Jr. with a new head writing team consisting of Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell, TV Guide‘s Stephen Battaglio is reporting that part of the deal NBC signed in order to keep Matt Lauer with the network late last week could include a possible fifth hour of “The Today Show.”

TV Guide Reporting
“Lauer’s new agreement keeps him in the coanchor chair of the morning show for four years and includes a program development deal, which could give him an ownership stake in a syndicated show outside of ‘Today,’ TV Guide Magazine has learned. The contract could earn him in the neighborhood of $100 million, according to people familiar with the deal. One idea already being kicked around is spinning off Lauer’s regular segment ‘Today’s Professionals,’ in which he spars over hot-button issues with a panel that includes Star Jones, Donny Deutsch and Dr. Nancy Snyderman. The segment could also be developed into a fifth hour of ‘Today.’

NBC Universal

The ink on Lauer’s new NBC contract is barely even dry, so discussion of how it impacts “Days of our Lives” is too early to tell if even at all. Additionally, the network giving Lauer a stake in a syndicated program doesn’t necessarily mean the end of “DAYS” or any indication of the network looking to tinker with its barely there daytime schedule, which consists of the long-running daytime soap and hours three and four of “Today” (aka: The Today Show 2 and The Today Show 3). A syndicated program could logistically air on any affiliate willing to pay the most dollars to air it. This includes stations that currently air network programming from ABC, CBS, FOX or even The CW.

If, however, the network does decide to add a fifth hour of “Today” on its schedule, it would greatly impact the future of “DAYS” as NBC’s current contract with Sony Pictures Television and Corday Productions, producers of the soap, is set to expire in September 2013. A decision on renewing the show for additional years will not be made until at least March 2013, according to sources.

The latest Nielsen ratings data shows “DAYS” hit a new series low in Women 18-49 viewers and tied its series low in Women 18-49 rating, the key sales demographic advertising rates are set and sold by.

Monique Carboni

UPDATE 12:23 PM ET on 4/10/12: A “General Hospital” representative tells Soap Opera Network that Lozano will first air the week of May 7, 2012 as Téa Delgado from “One Life to Live.”

PREVIOUS: After weeks of speculation, Soap Opera Network can now report that actress Florencia Lozano will be reprising her role as Téa Delgado from “One Life to Live” on ABC’s “General Hospital” in the coming weeks. The news was broken by website We Love Soaps.

It was on Friday, March 23, 2012, when executive producer Frank Valentini revealed on Twitter that there was “Exciting #GH casting news coming… stay tuned!” Soon afterward, Soap Opera Digest reported that the news would be announced as soon as Monday, March 26, 2012. Since then there had not been a word uttered from Valentini or a show spokesperson in regards to the producers tweet. Although, on Friday, April 6, 2012, Valentini did post the following on Twitter:

As for the #GH casting news, thanks for waiting… I am so excited to announce the lovely @finolahughes is now on contract!

— Frank Valentini (@valentinifrank) April 6, 2012

The industry was abuzz after learning of Hughes’ status upgrade at “GH,” but there were those, including myself, who didn’t believe she was the casting news Valentini had been alluding to all along:

@ggmarie1234 That wasn’t the news. The news still hasn’t come out.

— Soaps In Depth ABC (@soapsindepthabc) April 6, 2012

Well the news is now out and Lozano begins filming this week at “GH,” according to WLS. A first airdate is uknown at this time.

Due to the holiday weekend, a show spokesman was unavailable for comment.

Confirmed Anderson Cooper 4 Monday. May b flying 2 NY n do live w my daughter r via satellite from LA. Will keep u posted..thx4 the tweets — Jack Wagner (@JackWagnerhpk) April 7, 2012

Check local listings for time and station.

Apple, Inc.

On Wednesday, March 28, the Disney/ABC Television Group and Nielsen Media Research announced they would begin measuring behavior in consumers using proprietary metering technology.

The two companies stated the measure would be a “new and significant initiative that will substantially improve understanding of how people use iPads for video consumption and other activities.” According to data released by Apple, Inc., makers of the popular iPad product, there have been more than 55 million iPads sold to date and another 3 million sold since March 16, 2012 (launch date of “the new iPad” aka: iPad 3).

The study was commissioned by the Disney/ABC Television Group’s ABC Research department, in which they asked Nielsen to create a proprietary, opt-in metered iPad panel that would “aggregate and measure video consumption, app usage and other activity over the course of a year.” Nielsen will seek approximately 200 individuals/households to download their new metering application on their iPad in order for the companies to measure the reach, duration, frequency and page views of their overall iPad apps and web browsing.

“We have been actively studying consumer tablet usage through our own data for two years, and believe Nielsen’s proprietary technology has the potential to deliver unprecedented additional details about consumer viewing patterns,” said Peter Seymour, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Research for Disney Media Networks. “This study will help us — and ultimately the entire industry — to better understand our consumers, the complete tablet environment and the role our content plays on this fast growing and popular device.”

“With our unique metering capabilities, this work with ABC represents a significant step forward in understanding how consumers are using and bringing the iPad into their day-to-day [lives],” said Cheryl Idell, Executive Vice President, Nielsen Media Research. “The insight gleaned from this study, using these metering capabilities, is an example of how we meet our commitment to deliver cross platform understanding to the industry and provide broader understanding of consumers.”

Preliminary results of the study was provided by Charles Kennedy, ABC’s Senior Vice President, Research, at the Advertising Research Foundations re:Think conference held at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City.

According to sources, as indicated by Seymour above, ABC has been actively following the usage of its viewers who watch their ABC programming on their iPad’s via the popular ABC Player application. Soap Opera Network has also learned that viewing of ABC programs on the iPad, and in particular  on ABC.com, will play more of a role in the networks decision making when it comes to the renewal chances of its programming. For instance, “Happy Endings,” a popular comedy series airing after “Modern Family” on Wednesday nights, recently ended its second season with low viewership levels in total audience and key sales demographics. Although not confirmed by ABC at this time, TVLine.com reported that “Endings” is likely to be renewed for a third season. This would solely be based on its performance in online viewership as the series plays relatively strong on Hulu.com, ABC.com and the ABC Player on the iPad.

IMDb

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) – Finola Hughes, who has portrayed Anna Devane on “All My Children,” “General Hospital” and its spin-off “General Hospital: Night Shift” over the course of nearly thirty years, has been bumped to contract status at “GH” according to executive producer Frank Valentini, who made the announcement via Twitter.

“I am so excited to announce the lovely @finolahughes is now on contract!” Valentini said. Hughes followed up the producers tweet shortly afterward when she said “@valentinifrank And I am so happy to be there xxxx.”

Hughes returned to the ABC daytime soap in early 2012 and has appeared in numerous television programs in between her appearances as Ms. Devane including roles on such series as NBC’s “Blossom,” FOX’ “Pacific Palisades,” The WB’s “Charmed,” and NBC daytime’s “Sunset Beach.” In addition to television, Hughes has provided voice talents to the films “Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World” and “Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur.”

In 1991, Hughes appeared in a faux Daytime Emmy reel for the fictionalized soap opera “All My Trials” as part of the film “Soapdish” starring Sally Field as Celeste Talbert – a spoof character of Susan Lucci‘s Erica Kane from “All My Children.” From 1999-2003, Hughes transplanted Anna Devane and her twin sister Alex Devane Marick to “All My Children” in one of ABC’s first attempts to provide cross-over character appeal to its daytime soaps.

In 1984, the legendary star received two Razzie Awards nominations for her role in “Staying Alive, the sequel to John Travolta‘s “Saturday Night Fever.” She won for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at “The 18th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards” for her role on “GH.”