ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — With the father of her unborn baby still in a coma, a very much pregnant Destiny Evans (Shenell Edmonds) continues to inch closer toward her due date. However, the teenage mother-to-be will soon be going through labor pains as “One Life to Live” is already looking to cast her little bundle of joy.

On Wednesday, CP Talent posted on Facebook that the casting agency was “looking for very lite skin AA [African-American] newborn babies for ‘OLTL.’ email name, dob, ht wt, size and photo to Colette, NO older then 3 months tops! The smaller the better.”

No word on when Destiny will give birth on screen, although it is thought that Matthew Buchanan (Eddie Alderson) will awaken from his coma in time to learn he’s going to be a father.

Disney/ABC Television Group

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Buenos Dias Llanview! January LaVoy is reprising her role as Noelle Ortiz Stubbs,  diner waitress turned close friend of Victoria Lord (Erika Slezak), according to Soap Opera Digest.

LaVoy originated the role of Noelle as part of “One Life’s” Paris, Texas storyline, in 2007 and was last seen on the show in December of 2009.

There are also rumors that her former onscreen husband John Rue (Moe Stubbs) will be returning as well before the show wraps up production on its television run next month.

The actress has reportedly already returned to the set, however, a first airdate has not been announced.

Donna Svennevik/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “One Life to Live” may be only weeks away from ending production on its ABC Daytime run, but that isn’t stopping the show from introducing a new character. Beginning early next month, Teresa Patel joins the cast in the recurring role of Vimal’s (Nick Choksi) younger sister Neela.

On Thursday, November 3, the model and former beauty pageant contestant will debut as the younger Patel sibling, who has ran away to the U.S. from her native India in order to escape an arranged marriage, hoping to seek refuge with her brother Vimal and sister-in-law Rama (Shenaz Treasury).

However, her time with her family is cut short when she goes missing, thanks to a certain troubled Llanview teen. While Neela becomes smitten with her new friend, who tells her about his personal vendetta against another Llanview resident, Rama and Vimal frantically search for the missing girl.

But will Neela’s new crush result in Rama and Vimal being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Tune in to find out!

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — As part of the growing changes at ABC Daytime, the Disney/ABC Television Group has announced Mirian Arias as its new Vice President, Daytime Communications. Arias replaces Jori Petersen, who headed up the division for a number of years in the role of Vice President, Publicity, ABC Daytime and SOAPnet. Although Petersen has left ABC Daytime and SOAPnet, she remains part of the Disney/ABC Television Group as the acting head of the ABC Family Communications team.

RESPECTED COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE MIRIAN ARIAS NAMED

VICE PRESIDENT, DAYTIME COMMUNICATIONS, DISNEY/ABC TELEVISION GROUP

Wednesday, October 26, 2011, Burbank, CA . . . Respected Communications executive Mirian Arias has been named as the new vice president, Daytime Communications, Disney/ABC Television Group (DATG), it was announced today by Kevin Brockman, executive vice president, Global Communications, DAT G, to whom she will report.

Virginia Sherwood/NBCUniversal

Working closely with Brian Frons, president, Daytime, DATG, Ms. Arias will be responsible for all communication efforts for DATG Daytime, SOAPnet and ABC Media Productions, including corporate, consumer, marketing and affiliate-related publicity.  She will also oversee all talent relation efforts for the division.

In making the announcement, Mr. Brockman said “Mirian’s extensive background in consumer communications combined with her more recent experience heading up digital communications for Syfy and iVillage make her the perfect candidate for this role.  As important, Mirian is also regarded as a consummate strategist and an honorable and inclusive leader, all traits that will serve us well as we evolve our Daytime programming and corresponding communications initiatives.”

Mr. Frons added, “Mirian is a strategic public relations executive with the proven ability to innovate, build partnerships and lead a team.   She has extensive experience liaising across business units to make the most of synergy opportunities, and I’m glad to have her leading our communications efforts.”

“I am thrilled to join such an amazing team of creative and strategic communication leaders,” said Ms. Arias.  “ABC has a long-standing history of creating many of the most celebrated, acclaimed and award-winning programs in daytime, and I look forward to being a part of the next evolution of the brand.”

Ms. Arias joins DATG from NBCUniversal, where she worked since 2009.  Most recently, she served as vice president, Communications, iVillage, overseeing both external and internal communications for the essential digital women’s brand.  During her tenure, she more than doubled iVillage’s press penetration across broadcast, print, radio, digital and social media outreach.  She began her career at NBCU as director, Communications, Syfy, where she was responsible for publicity efforts for the networks highest rated original series, Warehouse 13, along with other successful programming like Stargate Universe and Scare Tactics.  In this role she also spearheaded publicity efforts for Syfy Digital, including tier digital sites Sci Fi Wire, Dvice and Fidget.

Prior to her stint at NBCU, Ms. Arias served as director of communications at Nickelodeon Networks where she was responsible for daily publicity on many of their hit programs including iCarly, True Jackson, VP, The Naked Brothers Band and Degrassi: The Next Generation.  She also spent five years at Oxygen Media, where she was responsible for the communication campaigns for shows including Oprah After The Show, Conversations from the Edge With Carrie Fisher and The Janice Dickinson Project.  She also served as international unit publicist for all Oxygen made-for-television movies including Romancing the Bride, Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber and Nadine in Date Land.

She began her career in communications at BWR Public Relations, where she handled publicity efforts for an array of film and television actors as well as corporate clients such as the Nantucket Film Festival, NIKE Entertainment and Source Enterprises.  Educated at Boston University, with a degree in Mass Communications and Public Relations, Ms. Arias is a member of WICT, EPPS, NAMIC and PRSA, and currently serves as a citizen teacher for Citizen Schools, a non-profit NYC inner-city school initiative.

Photo: David O’Keefe Studios

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “All My Children” ended its television run on Friday, September 23, 2011, but pop-culture artist David O’Keefe has captured the essence of what made the soap opera special to millions of viewers for more than 41-years courtesy of his new painting “A Tribute to ‘All My Children’ – Pine Valley,” which took two months from concept to fruition.

“‘All My Children’ has been a part of my family’s life for so many years, I feel a real connection to all these people. I want to capture those precious memories by creating this tribute piece to honor the impact the show has had on our culture,” said O’Keefe of the painting.

“This is a very historical and personal piece for David,” said Wayne Curtiss, Managing Director of O’Keefe Studios. “We look forward to viewer feedback on the painting.”

“David is one of the best kept secrets in the art world,” said Craig A. Fleming CEO/President of Tired Walls Inc., based in Orlando Florida. “His transformative style not only brings new life to the images he paints but also reminds you of the pure genius in his work.”

Ranging in price from $30 (plus $15 shipping) to $599 ($38 for shipping), “A Tribute to ‘All My Children’ – Pine Valley” details 41 elements for each of the soaps 41-years on television. Of course highlighted in the center of the painting is series star Susan Lucci, who portrayed icon Erica Kane for all 41-years of the ABC soap opera. Soap Opera Network has your exclusive breakdown of who’s in it and what each point means.

David O’Keefe Studios

41 ELEMENTS FOR 41 YEARS
1 Erica Kane
2 Agnes Nixon – the show’s creator
3 Adam Chandler
4 Stuart Chandler
5 Marian Colby Chandler
6 Billy Clyde Tuggle
7 Mateo Santos
8 Hayley Chandler Santos
9 Bianca Montgomery
10 Naomi the maid (cameo by Rosie O’Donnell)
11 JR Chandler (reaching for the bottle)
12 Susan Lucci’s illusive Daytime Emmy
13 Myrtle Fargate
14 Phoebe Tyler Wallingford
15 Mona Kane
16 gun (murders and shootings)
17 rope – symbolizing kidnapping
18 knife (stabbings)
19 AMC Photo Album
20 Kendall Hart
21 Brooke English
22 Liza Colby
23 Dr. Joe Martin
24 Ruth Martin
25 punch bowl and flask
26 wedding cake
27 Opal Gardner Cortlandt
28 Angie Baxter Hubbard
29 Greenlee Smythe
30 Jessie Hubbard
31 Palmer Cortland
32 poison pancakes that did Dixie in
33 Dixie Cooney Cortlandt Martin
34 1:00pm – Make sure the VCR is set
35 Ryan Lavery
36 Tad Martin
37Jack Montgomery
38 Dr. David Hayward
39 Cherubs- a staple of O’Keefe’s paintings (inspired by Peter Paul Rubens)
40 “Janice” -O’Keefe has been hiding his wife’s name in his works for 27 years. She also happens to be a longtime fan of AMC.
41 Queen’s Throne – for Susan Lucci as Queen of the daytime soaps

Facts: Bianca Montgomery as portrayed in element #9 is Eden Riegel‘s version of the character. More element facts to come.

To purchase your very own copy of the painting, head on over to O’Keefe’s website. If you have any questions or concerns about your order, you can call (813) 254-5056 Monday through Friday.

David O’Keffe Retrospect and Inspiration
David O’Keefe discusses his Tribute to Pine Valley and what it means to him.

A Tribute to Pine Valley: A Step by Step Detailing
David O’Keefe’s creation, A Tribute to Pine Valley. This video not only takes you through David’s inspiration, but also lets see the behind the scenes looks at the creation of this masterpiece. A must see for any fan of All My Children.

About David O’Keefe and David O’Keefe Studios
David O’Keefe was raised on Hollywood, sports and rock and roll music. David has an acute awareness for the images and personalities that have colored the lives of his generation. He just sees things differently – more intensely, edgier, somewhat more perspicuous than the average spectator. The pop culture icons that we idolize, glamorize and glorify, O’Keefe visualizes for us in all their humanness as well as their stardom.

His sardonic caricatures and humorous illustrations have appeared on the covers of Sports Illustrated, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Mad Magazine, The Village Voice and within the pages of TIME. His advertising clients include Coca-Cola, Waffle House, Fuji and SunCom Communications.

O’Keefe has won numerous awards from such organizations as The Society of Illustrators (NY and LA), American Illustration, Communication Arts, National Headliner Awards, Dimensional Illustrators and the Society of News Design.

Recent image releases include tribute to: Godfather I & II, Caddyshack, Animal House, Seinfeld, I Love Lucy and the Beatles.

Disney/ABC Television Group

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — As previously reported, ABC soap opera “General Hospital” will lose its coveted 3:00 PM ET/2:00 PM CT/PT timeslot beginning in September 2012 when the network hands the hour back to its local affiliates. The move will leave ABC’s daytime lineup with just three hours left to program with “The View” already secured in the 11:00 AM ET/10:00 AM CT/PT slot. New talk shows “The Chew” and “The Revolution” will go head-to-head with “General Hospital” when it comes to the almighty dollar (ie. which show brings in enough income relative to cost) in a battle for the remaining two hours (1:00 PM ET/12:00 PM CT/PT; 2:00 PM ET/1:00 PM CT/PT). In place of “GH” beginning in September 2012 will be the new Disney/ABC Domestic Television syndicated series “Katie,” hosted by journalist Katie Couric, which was just cleared in over 60% of the country just six weeks after the sales period began.

Janice Marinelli, President, Disney/ABC Domestic Television announced via press release that “Katie” has been sold to a number of station broadcast groups including Allbritton Communications, Belo Corporation, Cox Media Group, Gannett Broadcasting, Hearst Television, LIN Broadcasting, McGraw-Hill, Scripps Howard Broadcasting and Young Broadcasting. The talk show was most recently picked up by ABC affiliates WFAA Dallas, WCVB Boston, WSB Atlanta, WJLA Washington DC, WXYZ Detroit, KNXV Phoenix, and WFTS Tampa along with NBC affiliate KING Seattle, among others.

“To have garnered such exceptional clearances in this short period of time is attributable to the enduring strength of the Katie Couric brand and her wide-ranging appeal as one of the brightest, most talented and most dynamic personalities in the business,” commented Marinelli. “We are enormously pleased to partner with such a stellar group of stations across the country.”

Upon announcing the shows development back in June, Disney/ABC Domestic Television also announced that ABC’s Owned & Operated Stations Group encompassing New York’s WABC, Los Angeles’ KABC, Chicago’s WLS, Philadelphia’s WPVI, San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose”s KGO, Houston’s KTRK, Durham/Raleigh/Fayetteville’s WTVD and Fresno’s KFSN would immediately begin carrying the show at launch.

Disney/ABC Television Group

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Yesterday afternoon, Soap Opera Digest reported that “General Hospital” has named breakdown writer Shelly Altman as its Co-Head Writer working alongside Head Writer Garin Wolf. Per the magazine’s website Altman’s new role is effective immediately.

In July, Soap Opera Network first reported on Altman’s move to “General Hospital” after 11 years at ABC’s “One Life to Live.” At the time Altman was joined by Tracey Thomson on the breakdown team replacing Meg Bennett and David Goldschmid, who were both fired following the termination of Bennett’s husband Robert Guza, Jr., who Wolf replaced back in May.

Before joining “One Life to Live” in 1999 as an Associate Head Writer, Altman worked at NBC’s “Another World” from 1995-1999 in the same position. She received five Daytime Emmy Award nominations in the category of Outstanding Writing Team. Her last four nominations being at “OLTL” (2002, 2006, 2008 and 2009) and her first at “AW” (1996). Altman won the award in 2008 while at “OLTL” under the writing team headed up by Ron Carlivati and Dena Higley.

In July 2010, Altman wrote a blog for The Writers Guild of America East which can be viewed here.

As Soap Opera Network went to press, a “GH” representative was unavailable for comment.

Sean Smith/JPI

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — On Thursday, October 20, it was announced that longtime “General Hospital” writer Michele Val Jean would be joining the Emmy Award winning writing team of CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful.” Also on that day Val Jean was given the opportunity of visiting the set of the soap while they were filming so she could get a better feel of the characters and the actors.

“I am pleased to announce that Michele Val Jean will be joining our writing team,” said Executive Producer and Head Writer, Bradley P. Bell shortly after showing Val Jean around the set amidst introductions to cast and crew. “With her vast wealth of knowledge, experience, and creativity, Michele is sure to be a significant addition to ‘The Bold and the Beautiful.’”

For the past 18 years Val Jean held numerous positions as a writer at “GH” including a brief stint as Co-Head Writer in early 2001 (January 2001 – April 2001) along side “GH” Script Editor Elizabeth Korte. Val Jean was also an Associate Head Writer and Occasional Scipt Writer on the soap from 1996-2000. Val Jean joined the “General Hospital” writing team as a Script Writer in 1993 and departs in 2011 in the same position.

One of the rarest of qualities found in a daytime writer today is a presence that connects fans of daytime serials to the creative minds behind what appears on screen. Unlike many of her peers, Val Jean has been a key fixture in social networking services including Facebook and Twitter. Just a short time ago for instance Val Jean wrote on her Twitter page and said, “Home stretch. One more script and I turn the page on an 18+ year chapter in my life and begin another. #lookingforwardtothefuture.” Laura Wright, who portrays the popular Carly Jacks on “GH” responded to Val Jean’s tweet shortly afterward by saying, “@MicheleValJean so excited for u and super sad not to say ur words anymore! Enjoy ur next chapter!!!”

In addition to her work on “GH,” Val Jean is credited as a writer on both “GH” spinoffs (SOAPnet’s “General Hospital: Night Shift” and ABC’s “Port Charles), ” NBC’s “Generations” and “Santa Barbara.”

At this time it remains unclear as to when “B&B” scripts written by Val Jean will first appear on screen. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Network as this story develops.

Thomas A. Montalto/MontaltoPhotos.com

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — As Soap Opera Network first reported yesterday evening, Lisa De Cazotte has been hired to fill the shoes of the departing Noel Maxam as Co-Executive Producer of NBC’s “Days of our Lives.” In a statement issued earlier today to the press, Co-EP Greg Meng confirmed that De Cazotte will be joining him as Co-Executive Producer and that, “[Executive Producer] Ken Corday is excited to have Lisa join the ‘Days of our Lives’ family.”

The change from Maxam to De Cazotte is effective immediately.

De Cazotte was the Executive Producer of “Passions” for the show’s entire run (July 5, 1999 – August 7, 2008). This reunites her with former “Passions” writers and current  “DAYS” Co-Head Writers Darrell Ray Thomas, Jr. and Marlene McPherson.

De Cazotte began her soap opera career as an intern for “One Life To Live” in the early 1980′s and worked her way up to Coordinating Producer before leaving in 1991 to join “Santa Barabara” as a Producer. When “Santa Barbara” ended in 1993, she joined “All My Children” where she was a Coordinating Producer and later Supervising Producer. In 1996, De Cazotte left “AMC” to help start NBC’s new soap opera “Sunset Beach” where she worked as a Producer and Supervising Producer. In 1998, De Cazotte was chosen to be the Executive Producer of another new NBC soap, “Passions.” After “Passions” ended, De Cazotte was name the Executive Producer for the second season of SOAPnet’s “General Hospistal: Night Shift” (July 22, 2008 – October 21, 2008). In 2009, she returned to “All My Children” as a Producer and worked there for a year.

Maxam joined “DAYS” as a Producer/Director in August 2007. In late 2008, Maxam was promoted to Supervising Producer. Beginning his daytime career with “The Young and the Restless” in 1997 as an Associate Director, Maxam directed a number of episodes at the drama series starting in 1999 until his departure in August 2007 to join “DAYS.” He was named Co-Executive Producer along with Meng in June 2011 in what producers called a “reboot” of the series.

Disney/ABC Television Group

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — With the cancellations of “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” back in April it was unclear at the time as to where their replacement shows “The Chew” and “The Revolution” would film their daily episodes. Now with “Chew” filming in New York and soon “The Revolution” set to begin filming in New York as well, Soap Opera Network has learned that ABC Daytime is shifting much of its operations to New York City including talent management and media relations.

Along with the behind the scenes shift to New York, look for Katie Couric‘s new syndicated talk show to be filmed there as well. As previously reported, Couric’s new show will replace “General Hospital” in the 3:00 PM ET/2:00 PM CT/PT timeslot as ABC is set to hand over the hour back to its affiliates beginning in September 2012 in hopes that their affiliates will choose to pick up what the company deems to be a more profit sharing program.

With just three hours left available to program effective September 2012, “General Hospital,” which will be the last remaining regularly scheduled daytime soap still airing on ABC and the last daytime series (scripted or otherwise) produced by ABC filming in Los Angeles, will be fighting for its survival in the coming months as it goes head-to-head with “The Chew” and “The Revolution” when it comes to the almighty dollar (ie. which show brings in enough income relative to cost). Upon announcing the timeslot shift for “GH” back in June, Jori Petersen, Vice President, Publicity, ABC Daytime/SOAPnet stated via a company press release that “The announcement does not mean the inevitable cancellation of ‘General Hospital.’ 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 we 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.”

New York’s last remaining regularly scheduled daytime soap opera, “One Life to Live,” is set to film its final episode on the afternoon of Friday, November 18 and air its series finale in January 2012. “All My Children,” “As The World Turns,” “Guiding Light,” “Another World,” “The City” and “Loving” were the last regularly scheduled daytime soaps to film in New York City. In the case of “AMC,” the soap moved to Los Angeles in January 2010 in a cost saving move after nearly 40 years on television. The soap was later canceled along with “One Life to Live” in April 2011, four months after celebrating its 41st anniversary.