All Things About
On the Friday, February 5 episode of NBC’s “Days of our Lives,” Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) will finally see the face of the woman he’s been seeing in his dreams in the form of actress Marie Wilson, who is returning to the daytime drama series in the newly created role of Summer.
Hot on the heels of news that NBC’s “Days of our Lives” has put out a casting call for the contract role of Finn, a new doctor set to work alongside Dr. Daniel Jonas (Shawn Christian) when he hits Salem later this year, comes word that the daytime drama series has made a shift in ranks behind the scenes. Lisa de Cazotte is out as co-executive producer, a role she took on in October 2011, with veteran “DAYS” director/producer Albert Alarr set to replace her.
The Casting Society of America (CSA) hosted the 30th Annual Artios Awards last night in ceremonies taking place simultaneously in New York and Los Angeles. “General Hospital’s” Mark Teschner took home the casting award for Daytime Drama Series. He beat out “Days of our Lives” casting director Marnie Saitta, and associate Bob Lambert, and “The Young and the Restless” casting director Judy Blye Wilson, and associate Greg Salmon.
Soap Opera Network can finally report that former “As The World Turns” and “Port Charles” actress Marie Wilson has joined the cast of NBC’s “Days of our Lives” in the recurring role of Bree. The actress will share scenes with former “ATWT” co-star Daniel Cosgrove (ex-Chris Hughes), who now appears as Aiden Jennings on “DAYS,” and Kristian Alfonso (Hope Brady). Bree is an old acquaintance of Hope’s who turns out to be someone from Aiden’s dark past.
With photography by Brad Everett Young, several of daytime’s hottest young stars including “General Hospital’s” Kristen Alderson (Kiki), Chad Duell (Michael), Ryan Carnes (Lucas), Marc Anthony Samuel (Felix) and Ian Buchanan (Duke), “Days of our Lives'” Brendan Coughlin (T), Allison Paige (Bev), Guy Wilson (Will), Jen Lilley (Theresa), Billy Flynn (Chad), Casey Moss (JJ) and Kevin Riggin (Rory), and “The Young and the Restless'” Camryn Grimes (Mariah), along with stars from “Baby Daddy” (Derek Theleer), “Teen Wolf” (Stephen Lunsford) and “Power Rangers,” have taken part in the Dream Loud campaign that hopes to bring music and the arts programs back into schools. “Port Charles” alum Brian Gaskill is also featured in the campaign, among countless others.
After nearly 14 years on the air, SOAPnet ended its broadcast run at the stroke of midnight with the final 2013 episode of ABC’s “General Hospital” (originally aired on Monday, December 30) taking it out in style.
From re-runs of soap classics “Dallas,” “Dynasty,” “Another World,” “Port Charles,” and “Falcon Crest,” to the launches of original series “SoapCenter,” “Soap Talk” and “General Hospital: Night Shift,” SOAPnet was defined as the “new way to watch soaps” for much of its near 14-year run. With just 2 days left before SOAPnet is no more, we thought it would be a great opportunity to look back at the inaugural year of a network that gave diehard soap fans their own platform to shout with glee through the death of a network that outlived its purpose.
Multiple Emmy-nominee Thorsten Kaye won the hearts of soap opera audiences with his strong portrayal of “All My Children’s” Zach Slater, “One Life to Live’s” Patrick Thornhart and “Port Charles’” Ian Thornhart, but can the actor strike gold again as Ronn Moss’ replacement in the role of “The Bold and the Beautiful’s” Ridge Forrester? It won’t be the first time an actor has walked into the shoes of a major character whose previous portrayer is very much loved in the role, but then again, these aren’t just any old shoes to fill! Soap Opera Network caught up with Ridge’s onscreen dad, John McCook (Eric Forrester), who’s not only been working with Kaye as Ridge since day one, but who’s also quite familiar with the father/son dynamic the two characters have established over the years. Read on to get his take on the bold recasting choice, how he views Kaye’s approach to the role and what’s in store for Eric and Ridge in the weeks ahead!
With an estimated value of $5,500, a lucky individual and their partner could win a dinner date with “General Hospital’s” William deVry (Julian Jerome) and former “Port Charles” and “The Young and the Restless” actress, Rebecca Staab. Now through Thursday, December 12, the married couple is auctioning off a meal that includes Sea Save founder, Georgienne Bradley, which will take place at the elegant Geoffrey’s Malibu, “a unique place, rich in its own history, it embodies the natural beauty from which it sprang, while offering an invitation to everyone who cares to celebrate life.” The highest bidder will be provided with insight into the entertainment industry, according the description on the CharityBuzz website as listed by the two soapers.
On Friday, November 8, Soap Opera Network reported that SOAPnet, now the old way to watch soaps, would cease operation on December 31, 2013 at 11:59:59 ET. In a piece by the Los Angeles Times, Ben Pyne, president of global distribution for Disney Media Networks, said, “SOAPnet had a great run.” He added, “It served an audience of super-soap fans. And when given the opportunity, all of our affiliates kept the channel up and running.” The affiliates Pyne refers are the cable and satellite operators including DirecTV and Cablevision, et al that have kept the cable network on their channel listings whether a new deal with Disney and the carriers was signed or not.
