The OnLine Network

On Wednesday, April 10, rapper Riff Raff taped scenes alongside “One Life to Live‘s” Josh Kelly (Cutter Wentworth) for an upcoming appearance on the online version of the soap opera. According to The OnLine Network, Riff Raff will portray a character by the name of “Jamie Franko,” which sounds awfully similar in name to that of actor James Franco. Riff Raff has made claims that a character Franco portrays in the film “Spring Breakers” resembles that of himself, a claim which has denied by Franco. Riff Raff first airs on Tuesday, May 7.

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TV Guide‘s Michael Logan pulls off another exclusive! In an interview with Steve Burton, the actor reveals that he has in fact decided to leave ABC’s “General Hospital” after two decades at the drama series. First joining the cast in 1991, Burton had portrayed the role of Jason Quartermaine turned Morgan. He left the series in 2000, but returned in 2002, and has remained at the show ever since. He’s also appeared on the “GH” spinoff, “General Hospital: Night Shift,” during the SOAPnet original series’ first season.

According to Burton, it was his contract coming up and his desire to move his family to Tennessee that resulted in him making this important life changing decision. “I’ve been through 21 years of ups and downs with ‘GH’ — regime changes, cast and crew changes, budget cuts, shakeups of one kind or another, and it’s been nothing but a huge positive in my life and for my family. I have no complaints, no negative feelings at all. But it’s time to go. I’m going to take some time off and do nothing but relax, just enjoy life a little bit with my wife and kids,” said Burton to TV Guide.

The actor also revealed that his next career move will be working on a project with James Franco (ex-Franco) and Jill Farren Phelps (former executive producer of “GH,” now at the helm of “Y&R”). “Jill went off and did that telenovela ‘Hollywood Heights‘ [at Nickelodeon] and James did a day’s work there. Suddenly he decides he wants to make one of his own novelas through his production company and we’re like, ‘Huh?’ So the three of us collaborated on an idea and came up with a really good one. Jill will EP it, I’ll produce and star in it and so will James. We’ll be able to get a lot of great cameos and guest stars because of James’ connections. It’ll be a fun show to do.”

As for rumors of him possibly joining “Y&R,” Burton says, “Jill is one of my dearest friends. [Laughs] I’m never going to say never because , as soon as I do, I’ll be popping up over there! Here’s the thing: As cool as it was to know I had a nice, cushy place to go every day with ‘GH,’ I think it’s going to be just as cool to not have a nice, cushy place to go every day. I like not knowing what’s next for a change. I’m jumping off a cliff in a total leap of faith.”

Burton is expected to complete filming at “General Hospital” on Tuesday, September 25, but he has informed the show that, if necessary, he would be willing to stay on little longer to help wrap his characters storyline. Whatever the case may be, look for the actor to air through at least the end of October or sometime in November.

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.

JPI

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Although a “Days of our Lives” representative was unavailable for comment to Soap Opera Network, Soap Opera Digest is reporting what The Huffington Post originally reported, which is Lisa Rinna is returning to the NBC soap in the role of Billie Reed. The actress originated the role in 1992, nearly twenty years ago.

The Huffington Post
“‘Days Of Our Lives’ has a great new team behind it, and they are determined to make sure the show not only survives but thrives,” an insider tells me. “Part of the strategy is bringing out the big guns, which includes bringing back Lisa Rinna and Billie Reed.”

“Lisa is doing a James Franco,” the source says, referencing Franco’s recent guest role on “General Hospital.” “There is something full circle about bringing her back to the role that made her famous and now harnessing her celebrity to secure the future of the show.”

[more]

Per the Post, Rinna’s supposed scripts are being kept under wraps and anyone involved in her storyline are being told to keep quiet after learning they’ll be working with her. The site states she’ll begin shooting her episodes in December, which would place her first airdate as early as March per the current filming schedule the soap is under.

Rinna previously returned to “DAYS” in 2002 during the soaps failed attempt to recapture the novelty of her character. Although at no fault to the actress herself, the soap wrote her character as a cop at the Salem Police Department, which incensed fans – particularly fans of Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope (Kristian Alfonso) Brady.

Disney/ABC Television Group

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — For the second time this year, comedienne Chelsea Handler singles out the recently canceled ABC soap saying that “‘One Life to Live‘ is one of the soaps that is headed to an early grave and, unlike many of its characters, it won’t be able to come back as its separated at birth evil, retarded twin.” And while the joke was an obvious reference to the “Tale of Two Todd’s” storyline, it wasn’t the only current plot on the soap targeted by Handler on her E! show “Chelsea Lately.”

Handler also took a jab at the fan favorite stuffed porcupine Morris, whom she affectionately refers to as that “stuffed little buck-toothed nugget.” In a clip from the soap featuring Cutter (Josh Kelly) and Aubrey (Terri Conn) talking about the furry little guy, which he bought at a flea market from Roxy (Ilene Kristen), the comic jokes that due to budget cutbacks [Morris] had to replace the third actor that was supposed to be in the scene. She even manages to take a jab at actor James Franco, who has recurring guest role on “General Hospital,” at the end of clip.

In April of this Handler poked fun at “One Life’s” “cougar” storyline involving Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian) and Tuc Watkins (ex-David), claiming the show had “gone to far” with the story.

You can watch the Youtube clip of her latest jab at “One Life to Live” below:

Thanks to Soap Opera Network message board member Cheap21 for uploading the clip.

WME Entertainment

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “General Hospital’s” Amber Tamblyn (ex-Emily Quartermaine) has signed on to star along-side James Franco (Franco) in the upcoming film “127 Hours” by “Slumdog Millionaire” Academy Award winning director Danny Boyle.

The film is about Aron Ralston (Franco), a mountain climber who is forced to cut off his arm with a dull knife in order to save his life after being unable to free the lim from under a boulder. According to Deadline.com‘s Nikki Finke, Tamblyn will portray his girlfriend, whose relationship with Aron will be played out in flashbacks which helps him keep going.

Production on the film is scheduled to begin in March in the state of Utah. The film will be distributed by FOX Searchlight Pictures, a division of News Corporation. In addition to directing, Boyle also co-wrote the screenplay along-side “Slumdog” writing partner Simon Beaufoy.

Since leaving “General Hospital” in 2001, Tamblyn has had starring roles in such series as CBS’ “Joan of Arcadia” and ABC’s “The Unusuals.” She’s appeared in such films as “The Sisters of the Traveling Pants” and “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2,” with co-stars America Ferrera (“Ugly Betty“) and Blake Lively (“Gossip Girl“). She’s also starred in the horror films “The Ring” and “The Grudge 2,” which also starred Sarah Michelle Gellar (ex-Kendall Hart, “All My Children“).

James Franco is best known for playing the role of Harry Osborn in the “Spiderman” series of films. Before hitting it big he co-starred in the short-lived NBC comedy series “Freaks and Geeks.” Since then he has starred in a number of high profile films including “Pineapple Express” and Oscar nominated “Milk” with Sean Penn. He joined the cast of “General Hospital” in role of serial killer Franco in November 2009 for a big story arc that is nearing its completion. His character last appeared in early January, but will return in the next few weeks to close out the storyline.