Ricky Martin (ex-Miguel Morez, “General Hospital“) was a guest on the Thursday, August 16 edition of “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” and the singer/actor along with host Jimmy Fallon spoofed his stint on the ABC Daytime drama series.

In late July it was announced that Martin had signed a talent holding deal with Universal Television, which will look to develop a television series and specials with him in a leading role.

“Ricky is an iconic superstar who is as talented as he is popular,” said Bela Bajaria, Executive Vice President, Universal Television, in announcing the deal. “Whether he’s performing before sold-out concert crowds, or starring on Broadway, where he is currently playing to SRO in ‘Evita,’ Ricky connects with his audience in a very palpable way – and we are thrilled that he will be adding TV star to his incredible resume.”

Martin joined the cast of “GH” in 1994 as the character Miguel Morez, the father of Juan Santiago through his teenage relationship with Lily Rivera. He left the series in 1995, four years before becoming an international music sensation with the launch of his english speaking self-titled album. “Ricky Martin” has sold more than 22 million copies worldwide since its May 1999 release.

Photo Credit: Yolanda Perez/ABC

With anticipation high for the recently introduced TNT Original Series “Major Crimes,” The Huffington Post compiled a list of the 30 Best and Worst TV Spinoffs Ever. “Port Charles” was listed as one of televisions worst.

“Despite the fact that the ‘General Hospital‘ spinoff lasted more than six years, ‘Port Charles’ — which took ‘GH’ characters Lucy Coe, Kevin Collins, Scott Baldwin and Karen Wexler — broke all the TV soap rules, and not for the better. It dropped the open-ended writing style of other daytime dramas and spent way too much time in the hospital,” the Post cited as its reasoning for placing the daytime drama series on the list.

Premiering on Sunday, June 1, 1997 as a 2-hour primetime television event, “Port Charles” was the first spinoff of ABC Daytime’s “General Hospital.” As a daily soap opera, “PC” launched on Monday, June 2, 1997. It ended on Friday, October 3, 2003 after airing 1,633 episodes.

Shortly after its conclusion, ABC shifted Kelly Monaco (ex-Olivia “Livvie” Locke Morley) and Michael Easton (ex-Caleb Morley) to “General Hospital” and “One Life to Live,” respectively. Monaco currently portrays Sam McCall, while Easton left “OLTL” (upon that soaps cancellation) and transferred his character John McBain to “GH.”

To find out what other shows made the best or worst list, click here.

Photo Credit: Bell-Phillip Television Productions

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Ratings Report for the Week of August 6-10, 2012

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

NOTE: DAYS did not air due to the Olympics
Numbers are based on Live+Same Day ratings

(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)

Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,314,000 (+122,000/-273,000)
2. B&B 3,168,000 (+78,000/+222,000)
3. GH 2,316,000 (+52,000/-257,000)

Households
1. Y&R 3.2/9 (+.1/-.1)
2. B&B 2.3/7 (+.1/+.2)
3. GH 1.7/5 (same/-.2)

Women 18-49 Viewers
1. Y&R 799,000 (+1,000/-76,000)
2. B&B 618,000 (-7,000/+60,000)
3. GH 599,000 (+46,000/-154,000)

Women 18-49 Rating
1. Y&R 1.2/8 (same/-.1) <—– ties low (2nd straight week)
2. B&B 1.0/6 (same/+.2)
3. GH 0.9/5 (same/-.2)

Women 18-34 Rating
1. GH 0.6 (+.1/-.1)
2. Y&R 0.5 (-.1/-.1) <—– ties low
3. B&B 0.4 (same/same)

Men 18+ Viewers
1. Y&R 911,000 (+56,000/-86,000)
2. B&B 695,000 (+77,000/+102,000)
3. GH 436,000 (-24,000/-9,000)

Day-To-Day Ratings – HH/Total Viewers

B&B
Monday: 2.4/3,221,000
Tuesday: 2.3/3,174,000
Wednesday: 2.2/3,118,000
Thursday: 2.3/3,165,000
Friday: 2.4/3,163,000

GH
Monday: 1.7/2,206,000
Tuesday: 1.6/2,199,000
Wednesday: 1.8/2,355,000
Thursday: 1.8/2,458,000
Friday: 1.7/2,360,000

Y&R
Monday: 3.2/4,337,000
Tuesday: 3.1/4,297,000
Wednesday: 3.2/4,261,000
Thursday: 3.2/4,536,000
Friday: 3.1/4,140,000

For the SEASON September 19, 2011 through August 12, 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

Photo Credit: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

On Wednesday, August 15, Crystal Chappell (Danielle, “The Bold and the Beautiful“) published a new blog post on the “Venice: The Series” website. Her post was in regards to a tweet by former “Days of our Lives” co-star Melissa Reeves (Jennifer Horton) that caused controversy within the daytime community.

“Chick-fil-a today!!!! Loved every bite of it;)!! Land of the free and home of the brave. Love that we all appreciate free speech, right?” said Reeves in her tweet to her followers on Tuesday, August 1.

In response to Reeves, Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis, “General Hospital“) said on Twitter, “I’m all for 1st Am rights, but when you buy Chick Fil A, your $$ are going to fund hate groups that are actively attacking gay rights.”

Greg Rikaart (Kevin Fisher, “The Young and the Restless“) got personal via a posting on the Huffington Post. “I posted a tweet airing my disappointment in Melissa Reeves (another member of the daytime community) for aligning herself with this company [Chic-fil-A] that financially supports the furthering of hatred and bigotry. I did so because I have aligned myself with organizations like GLSEN (the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) and the HRC (Human Rights Campaign) and I have read too many stories of alienated LGBT kids taking their lives after relentless persecution,” Rikaart said. “Whether grown up bullies like Dan Cathy and Melissa Reeves realize it or not, they are directly or indirectly telling these vulnerable kids that there is something wrong with them, or they are somehow less than. Nothing could be further from the truth. I’m certain of it,” he continued.

Since the controversy began, Reeves has not publicly spoken on the issue. According to Chappell, however, the actress has told mutual fiends that the implication of her tweet was “not what she intended.” Chappell added, “She said she saw half a tweet about Cluck Filet and thought she was supporting Free Speech. Nothing more. I thought…OK. Um….twitter fuck up? I’ve stepped into twitter convoys without really knowing what was being talked about and made a mess for myself unintentionally. Realizing after I stepped into it that I don’t at all support the person’s words I stood up for. OK….it happens. And then I asked our gay and married friends…well, why not just say that to the folks in twitter land? Was someone telling her not to? Is it work related? Ostrich in the sand syndrome? If I don’t see it, it doesn’t exist kind of thing? Blonde moment? The more time went by the more frustrated I and my friends became. It started to hurt. We all know Missy has very strong religious beliefs but the person we know and love….is NOT a bigot.”

Chappell stated that she has personally reached out to Reeves regarding the issue, and that Reeves has “decided to not speak out and hope that the people who know her will trust that she didn’t intend to support an anti-gay corporation.” The creator of “Venice” and new series “The Grove: The Series” also says, “I firmly believe she should speak…not only for the fans but for her friends.”

Responding to Rikaart’s Huffington Post article, Chappell says, “I thought it was eloquent and spot on…with the exception of calling Melissa Reeves a bully.”

To read Chappell’s full blog post on the matter, click here.

Andrew Eccles/Disney-ABC

In an interview with John Nogawski, president, CBS Television Distribution, Broadcasting & Cable revealed that Disney/ABC Domestic Television is spending roughly $80 million just to get its Katie Couric hosted talker, aptly named “Katie,” off the ground in the next couple of weeks.

“I think [Disney/ABC] cut a bad deal,” said Nogawski. “They did get very large license fees, but the majority of those license fees are attributed to ABC’s owned-and-operated stations. ['Katie'] is going to have to do a very large number for them to make money.” By comparison, CTD is spending roughly $30 million to launch “The Jeff Probst Show” ($24 million on production, $6 million on promotion).

Read More >>

Photo Credit: Disney/ABC Television Group

As has traditionally been the case for the past couple of years, ABC has announced that it will be re-running a previously aired episode of “General Hospital” on Labor Day (Monday, September 3).

Soap Opera Network has learned that the network will re-air the Monday, July 23, 2012 episode of “GH,” which found Anna discovering Luke in a fiery garden shack, Lulu confronting Patrick over his drug problem, Todd challenging Blair over her feelings and Connie paying Johnny a visit.

Full Episode Description:
It appears Luke might expire in the fire he accidentally started when Anna arrives to the rescue.  Their reunion is cut short by Heather. Someone is shot. Earlier, Heather battles Olivia with LSD-filled syringe and injects her with the hallucinogenic.  Dante arrives. Connie pays Johnny a visit and admits she’s keeping Kate from being fully integrated. Unbeknownst to them, the camera Heather planted in the office for Todd is on.  Meanwhile, Michael and Starr grow closer and Starr feels ever more grateful to Johnny for giving her the chance to move on after losing her boyfriend and daughter. Lulu confronts Patrick about his continued drug use.  Patrick confesses that he’s afraid to give the pills up because he’ll have to deal with the reality that Robin is gone.  Todd is stung by learning of Blair’s engagement to Tomas and challenges her to say she doesn’t still love Todd.

“General Hospital” moves to a new time period beginning Monday, September 10 (2:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT/CT). The network promises to thrill audiences in the days leading up to the timeslot switch with lives hanging in the balance and shocking revelations hitting Port Charles. Who survives and who thrives? You’ll just have to tune in to find out!

Joey Skibel

Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, you’re likely already aware that Greg Vaughan (ex-Lucky Spencer, “General Hospital“) is joining “Days of our Lives” as a recast Eric Brady. What you didn’t know was his first airdate, or his characters new holy profession. Say what?

On Friday, August 10, via Entertainment Weekly, a representative of “DAYS” confirmed that Vaughan had been hired to portray the twin brother of Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney), who was last seen in Salem in July 2000 and was the first love interest of Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker), which was the basis of Sami’s long standing feud with Nicole. The role was previously portrayed by “Supernatural” star Jensen Ackles.

Read More >>

Photo Credit: Bob D’Amico/ABC

Monday, August 13 was the day to watch ABC’s “Good Morning America” as the morning show revealed the dance partners for the upcoming season of “Dancing with the Stars,” dubbed the “All Star” edition. With Kelly Monaco‘s (Sam McCall, “General Hospital”) former dance partner Alec Mazo (pictured left, with Monaco) currently appearing in “Dance Temptation,” with Edyta Sliwinska, and no longer appearing on the series (he last appeared during season nine), the actress has been assigned to Valentin Chmerkovskiy, who returns for his third season.

Monaco was the first winner of the infamous mirror ball trophy and helped launch the competition series into the hit it became in the summer of 2005. Joining her for the all star edition will be 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.” Fans can logon to ABC.com/DancingwiththeStars, presented by Diet Pepsi, 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 27during “Good Morning America.”

What follows is the list of other celebrities competing and their dancing partners:

• Kirstie Alley is re-teaming with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who returns for his 13th season.
• Pamela Anderson will be joined by Tristan MacManus, who returns for his third season.
• Helio Castroneves is dancing with Chelsie Hightower, who returns for a seventh season.
• Joey Fatone is getting Kym Johnson, who is entering season number 12.
• Shawn Johnson has luck on her side as she’s teamed with Derek Hough, who returns for his 10th season.
• Drew Lachey won season two, but instead of Cheryl Burke he’s getting Anna Trebunskaya, who returns for her 10th season as well.
• Gilles Marini took his “Dancing” fame to “Brothers & Sisters,” but Peta Murgatroyd isn’t related to him. She returns for her third season.
• Apolo Anton Ohno gets Karina Smirnoff, who has 12 seasons under her belt.
• Bristol Palin returns to the floor with help from her former partner Mark Ballas, who has enjoyed 11 season on the series.
• Melissa Rycroft gets Tony Dovolani, who, in the video below, reveals he’s excited about getting his name back from “poor Tony” to “Tony,” referring to the infamous Kate Gosselin debacle. He returns for his 14th season on the show!
• Emmitt Smith got Burke, who is also returning for a 14th season on the show.

For a look at the “GMA” announcement, watch the video below.

The new season of “Dancing with the Stars” premieres Monday, September 24 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on ABC.

Photo Credit: David Becker/Getty Images

UPDATE, TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 1:10 PM ET: A previous version of this articles title indicated that “Desires of the Heart” was an Indian film. Soap Opera Network has since been told that while the film will be made by an Indian producer/executive producer and co-director, and despite the film taking place partially in India itself, “Heart” is “not an Indian film.”

PREVIOUS, MONDAY, AUGUST 13 11:55 PM ET: According to The Hollywood Reporter, former “All My Children” starlet Alicia Minshew (ex-Kendall Hart) has landed a major role in the new film “Desires of the Heart,” which began production in Savannah, GA on Monday, August 13.

In the film, Minshew will portray the role of Madeline, a young artist who catches the attention of a psychiatrist visiting from India. While their romance blossoms, her new love is forced to return to India in order to marry the woman chosen as his bride by his parents.

Executive produced by Solila Parida and directed by James Kicklighter, with co-direction in India provided by Rajesh Rathi, “Heart” will move production to India after completing work in Georgia.

Val Lauren, who starred in the James Franco (“General Hospital“) directed 2011 film “Sal,” will portray the psychiatrist in the film. Lauren has previously appeared in episodes of “Felicity,” “CSI: New York,” and “Hawaii Five-0.”

No release date for the film has been announced.

Photo Credit: Southern Broadcasting, Inc.

Citing poor financial conditions, ABC affiliate WKDH, located in Houston, Mississippi and serving the Columbus, Tupelo, and West Point television markets, will cease operations at the end of this month.

“It is with extreme regret, remorse, and disappointment that we must make the following announcement. Due to financial conditions in recent years, effective at 11:59 p.m. on August 31, 2012, WKDH will terminate operations for the foreseeable future,” Southern Broadcasting, Inc., licensee of WKDH through its local marketing agreement (LMA) deal with NBC affiliate WTVA, said in a statement on the affiliates website. “It has been our pleasure to have served you and provided you with the highest quality of service and programming in the Columbus-Tupelo-West Point television market since we launched broadcast operations in 2001, and through the complex conversion to high definition television in 2007. We wish to thank you, our loyal viewers and all those individuals who helped in our efforts to serve the public interest, for your support over the years.”

WKDH, Channel 45, began operations in June 2001, nearly six years after station WVSB (now known as WLOV) transitioned into a FOX affiliate and left the area without an official ABC affiliate. During that time period cable providers sifted ABC signals from Memphis, Tennessee affiliate WPTY.

WKDH did not air any local programming as its primary service was in providing viewers with ABC’s content. Outside of ABC’s programming, the station aired the syndicated programs “Rachael Ray,” “The Nate Berkus Show,” “The Wendy Williams Show,” “Access Hollywood,” “The Insider” and “Entertainment Tonight.” WKDH also aired re-runs of “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “Frasier” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”

ABC has not announced how it plans to accommodate those affected viewers in the television market.