2013

In celebration of its “Home for the Holidays” campaign, ABC announced today plans to incorporate United States Veterans in upcoming episodes of its daytime and primetime programming, including “Modern Family,” “Last Man Standing” and “General Hospital.” Comedy “The Neighbors” will offer a veteran the opportunity to shadow one of their directors as they put an episode together. Meanwhile, “The View” and “The Chew” will support the vets with various themed episodes throughout the holiday season.

With word that Tristan Rogers would be departing ABC’s “General Hospital” and returning to CBS’ “The Young and the Restless,” it was only a matter of time before fans heard from the actor himself on the abrupt change in status from one soap to the next. Said Rogers on Twitter of his “GH” experience, “I’d like to thank Frank [Valentini, executive producer] and Ron [Carlivati, head writer] for great storyline that kept Scorpio true to himself.” On his “Y&R” return Rogers said, “I’m stoked on Colin’s return to #YR in 2014 and delighted to once again be a part of the CBS Daytime family.”

Friday, November 15 was a busy day for CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” and its cast members. On that day it was announced that Amelia Heinle (Victoria Newman) had signed a new deal with the daytime drama series and Sean Carrigan (Stitch Rayburn) had been upped to contract status. The news wasn’t so great for fans of Billy Miller (Billy Abbott), who is currently in a stalemate with producers of the soap opera. Miller, whose contract is set to expire next month, has yet to sign a new deal and it’s being reported that recent casting calls for caucasian males are smoke screens for the show to instead cast a replacement for the actor.

Ratings Report for the Week of November 4-8, 2013

To benefit Habitat for Humanity, fans of “As The World Turns” icon, Eileen Fulton (ex-Lisa Grimaldi) will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear from the actress as she discusses her career, personal endeavors and much, much more. The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 24 at 7:00 PM at the Metropolitan Room, located at 34 West 22nd Street, New York, NY. There is a $25 cover to benefit Habitat for Humanity. Additionally, there is a 2 drink minimum. For reservations call (212) 206-0440.

On her official Facebook page, “All My Children” star Jill Larson (Opal Cortlandt) broke her social media silence after it became apparent earlier this week that Prospect Park was not moving forward with a new season of either “All My Children” or “One Life to Live,” at least “at this time,” according to the actress.

With sudden word that Tristan Rogers would soon be departing ABC’s “General Hospital,” one could only imagine what may have been the catalyst behind the actor’s decision. Looks like a move [back] to “The Young and the Restless” may have persuaded the actor to say goodbye once more to Port Charles’ Robert Scorpio and hello again to Genoa City’s Colin Atkinson, Cane Ashby’s (Daniel Goddard) father. A spokesperson for the CBS drama series confirms to Soap Opera Network that the actor is returning to the soap in early 2014.

As we previously reported, “Days of our Lives’” Freddie Smith (Sonny Kiriakis) revealed to Soap Opera Network that Guy Wilson will replace Chandler Massey onscreen in the role of Will Horton beginning in January 2014. And now, we have the details of the transition, including Smith’s thoughts on the controversial super-quick recast and how Wilson is fitting into the role.

The return of Tristan Rogers (Robert Scorpio) to “General Hospital” is short lived, it seems. According to head writer Ron Carlivati, the actor will be leaving the canvas in February. “I had no idea @tristanrogers was leaving. I found out last night. I now have 1 day to write him out of a big Feb Sweeps storyline,” Carlivati tweeted earlier today. He added, “Meanwhile, you will see a lot of Robert between now and February! And please respect @tristanrogers and his decision. Thanks.”

When the news broke that Charles Shaughnessy and Patsy Pease were headed back to “Days of our Lives” as Shane and Kimberly, daytime fans went wild. The two halves of the show’s former supercouple haven’t been in Salem at the same time since Alice’s funeral over three years ago, so their brief return — placed right in the midst of November Sweeps — has been viewed as an early holiday present by many. But as both actors tell Soap Opera Network, their quick drop into Salem won’t exactly be merry and bright, considering a suicide attempt by their onscreen daughter, Theresa (Jen Lilley), is what brings them back to town! Read on for the full storyline scoop as well as Pease and Shaughnessy’s thoughts about returning to the soap that helped make them household names!