2013

Fans of “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” have learned to adapt to the dramatic twists and turns hitting their favorite returning “anytime” soaps, only they’ve been adapting more to the behind the scenes “drama” than they have been with what’s happening on screen. First it was the episode reduction (two episodes per week for each show instead of the previously scheduled four), then word FX Canada had dropped both shows from its lineup as a result of the episode reduction, and most recently word that head writers for both shows were released from their contracts and replaced with their script writers. Now, according to TheWrap, the latest drama is based on an apparent labor dispute between Prospect Park and I.A.T.S.E. (International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees)/Local 52, the union representing stage workers for “AMC.”

Fran Bascom, who had been nominated nine times for her work as a casting director at NBC’s “Days of our Lives” by the Casting Society of America, has died. After reportedly feeling under the weather late Sunday, June 2, Bascom was taken to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, CA, where she died. A cause of death is not known at this time.

Ratings Report for the Week of May 20-24, 2013

via Press Release ALL CBS DAYTIME SHOWS FINISH THE SEASON WITH YEAR-TO-YEAR GROWTH IN VIEWERS…

“Days of our Lives” has equaled its biggest women 18-49 audience in 18 months and set an 11-week high in total viewers, according to “live plus same day” viewing figures for the week of May 20-24 from Nielsen Media Research.

Heartthrob Trevor Donovan (ex-Jeremy Horton, “Days of our Lives”) is a man of many talents: He skis, snowboards, sings, plays the guitar and has a bachelor’s degree in graphic arts. But of his many abilities, acting takes the cake — and it’s something he’s been on a roll doing since he left “DAYS” six years ago. The California native has starred in projects like “90210,” “Savages,” and “The Client List,” and now he’ll add ABC Family’s “Melissa & Joey” to his resume.

Leven Rambin has done a slew of television shows since departing from the role of Lily Montgomery on “All My Children,” including stints on “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scoundrels,” “CSI: Miami” and “One Tree Hill.” But the actress is quickly transitioning her career into film, first with a small but pivotal role in last summer’s “The Hunger Games,” and now, according to Deadline Hollywood, in two new films: “Seven Minutes” and “Walter.”

As if things weren’t crazy enough on “Baby Daddy,” an ABC Family sitcom about a guy who becomes a surprise dad when his ex-girlfriend leaves a baby on his doorstep, Matt Dallas (“Kyle XY”) is dropping in for an episode to up the ante!

As surprising as it was to hear that “The Young and the Restless’” Daniel Goddard (Cane Ashby) absolutely loves everything about weddings (which you can read more about here), it was equally surprising when his onscreen partner, Christel Khalil (Lily Winters) admitted that, in opposition to Goddard’s romantic view on the soap staple events, she really can’t stand them! And that’s just one of the things the candid actress revealed when Soap Opera Network recently caught up with her for a revealing chat.

Ever wonder how a soap star can walk into the studio smiling, laughing and high on life one moment yet film a seriously emotional and gut-wrenching scene the next? Soap Opera Network caught up with the “The Young and the Restless” star Angel Conwell (Leslie Michaelson), who spilled her secrets for tackling those super juicy scenes that make us grip the edge of our sofas or bawl so much, we’re practically drowning.