The Young and the Restless

Normally when a hot button topic hits the social networks most soap stars don’t reveal their personal beliefs or feelings unless they are Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis, “General Hospital”), who generally voices her opinion on anything from politics (real and behind the scenes) to television programs. On Tuesday, August 1, when “Days of our Lives” star Melissa Reeves (Jennifer Horton) tweeted “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?” to her more than 31,000 followers, she didn’t just stir up outrage amongst her fans and fans of the NBC drama series, she also sparked the attention of some of her daytime brethren.

According to Entertainment Weekly’s Tanner Stransky, CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful” is about to lose 25 year veteran Ronn Moss (Ridge Forrester) after a contract dispute between the actor and the soap opera over salary hit a snag. A rep for Bell-Phillip Television, which produces “B&B,” confirmed Moss’ exit to Weekly.

Ratings Report for the Week of July 30 – August 3, 2012

Best known for his portrayal of Lucky Spencer on ABC’s “General Hospital,” actor Greg Vaughan has joined the cast of NBC’s “Days of our Lives” in the contract role of Eric Brady. Vaughan tweeted a picture of his first day arriving at the shows Burbank Studio lot on Wednesday, August 8, where he said to his followers, “Here’s to to new beginnings’s!!”

On Thursday, July 26, Sony Pictures Television announced Josh Griffith as the new head writer of “The Young and the Restless.” He replaced Maria Arena Bell, who also served as the soaps executive producer (she’s been replaced by Jill Farren Phelps in that position). In the days following the announcement of his appointment at “Y&R,” Griffith became a little more active on his Twitter account (@joshgriffith13).

“The Young and the Restless” Preview for the week of August 6-10, 2012.

Ratings Report for the Week of July 23-27, 2012

Soap Opera Network has learned that actor Graham Shiels, who most recently appeared in an episode of TNT’s “Leverage,” has booked a recurring role on CBS’ “The Young and the Restless.”

“General Hospital” makes a few changes to the writing staff.

On Thursday, August 2, “The Young and the Restless” star Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor) will be appearing at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota to sign copies of her new book “Not Young, Still Restless: A Memoir.”