Soap Opera Central

[josweetheart]

Because of my mom being a watcher of One Life To Live, I saw the show's final episode yesterday and to me, it couldn't have ended in a more unresolved and horrifying way. I hated seeing Todd go down for the murder of his brother when his brother is in the possession of the lady who shot Vicki! I wanted to leap into the TV screen and smack that woman when she threw her "script" into that man's face while she has him tied to a bed! Why would she take him of all people anyways and how was she even able to get him in the first place?

Holly

[Kim]

The Young and The Restless updates:


Branson Returns To Y&R!


Jeff Branson's Ronan Malloy is on his way back to Genoa City. The actor, who made his Y&R debut in June 2010, was last seen in February, when Ronan left town on a secret assignment. The show is not commenting on the duration of his stay, but his first air date is set for June 26.



Y&R's Daisy Unchained


Yvonne Zima (Daisy, Y&R) has been let go and wrapped her last scenes this week, reports Nelson Branco in Soap Opera Uncensored. Another actor has been let go, too, he writes. This comes hot on the heels of Eileen Davidson's (Ashley) news that she was axed, too, indicating a bloodbath is at play in Genoa City.

[Kim]

Comedienne Lands Y&R Guest Spot


Brett Butler -- the comedienne who starred in the mid-'90s sitcom GRACE UNDER FIRE -- will be making a guest appearance on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS next month. On Tuesday, June 12, and Thursday, June 14, Butler will play Beth, Paul's next-door neighbor. The actress also has a recurring role as a bartender on the upcoming Charlie Sheen sitcom ANGER MANAGEMENT, debuting Thursday, June 28, on FX.

[Kim]

Update: Davidson Confirms Y&R Firing!


Eileen Davidson (Ashley) has been let go from THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS! "Last week I lost my childcare. This week I lost my job!" she tweeted on Wednesday morning. "It all works out because I don't need a babysitter if I'm not working. #beingpositive"

The actress posted a follow-up on her Twitter page on Thursday, stating, "It's official. I've been let go from Y and R. Not really sure exactly why but in the big picture I guess it doesn't really matter!"

[Kim]

Scott Reeves Checks Out Of GH





Last night, Scott Reeves used Twitter to let GENERAL HOSPITAL fans know that he would soon no longer be playing the role of Steve. "I was let go from GH today," he tweeted, "and my last day should be in February sometime."

On-screen sister Rebecca Herbst (Liz) tweeted her support: "I was so lucky to play his 'sis' but even more blessed to have him in my life," she wrote. "I'm thinking about all the endless possibilities he has to look forward to. He has more musical talent in his little finger..."

[Kim]

Rylan Returns!





Fans were in an uproar when the new regime at THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS made some cast changes that included firing Marcy Rylan as Abby. But now we can happily report that the actress is back at the studio and Abby will soon be back in Genoa City... even if only on a recurring basis now.

"Yay!" Rylan tweeted today. "I am thrilled to be coming back to Y&R! I can't wait to see everyone!"

And we bet the fans can't wait to see her, too!

[Kim]

Y&R Casts Notorious Soap Baddie





A rep for THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS has confirmed that soap-hopper Mark Pinter will be landing in Genoa City on January 10 as congressman Marcus Wheeler. Pinter, best known as ANOTHER WORLD's Grant, has also played roles on AS THE WORLD TURNS (Brian), GUIDING LIGHT (Mark), ALL MY CHILDREN (Roger) and GENERAL HOSPITAL (Agent Rayner).

His Y&R role is supposed to be short term, just a couple of months, but you never know with these things... Of course, if Marcus is going to be facing off against Victor and Jack, he might not last long after all!

[Kim]

Y&R Matriarch Passes Away





Carolyn Conwell, the film and television actress who portrayed Mary Williams on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS, has died at the age of 82. Doug Davidson (Paul) expressed his feelings about his onscreen mother via Facebook. "She was the finest actor I have ever known and such a giving soul," he wrote. "Her progeny are fabulous people. A credit to a live well lived. I truly can't say enough about her. I love her and miss her presence. God bless her and her family."

[Kim]

Is General Hospital Alum Steve Burton Heading to The Young and the Restless?



Dec 26, 2012
by Michael Logan
www.tvguide.com/News/General-Hospital-Alum-Steve-Burton-Young-And-The-Restless-1058250.aspx


Well, that didn't take long! Reliable sources tell TV Guide Magazine that Emmy winner Steve Burton, former star of ABC's General Hospital, has signed up for a major role on CBS' The Young and the Restless. The gig, due to start soon, will have the insanely popular actor working once again for his ex-GH boss Jill Farren Phelps.

While the news, still unconfirmed by CBS, is certainly fantastic it's not exactly out of left field: Burton and Phelps are longtime friends and business associates (they're currently working together on a telenovela project) so it wasn't hard to imagine Burton someday popping up in Genoa City. C'mon, we all expected it! But so soon?

Burton only left GH three months ago, claiming he didn't want to live in L.A. anymore and relocated his wife and kids to Nashville for a better quality of life. Thus his willingness to work in L.A. again so quickly is a puzzler. Was there more to his decision to quit GH than he initially let on? Did Phelps, who is under orders to trim the Y&R budget, oust Stephen Nichols (Tucker) in order to afford Burton? And what kind of role is Burton going to play? Will it be a good guy for a change of pace, or will he remain on the dark side like his GH character, hit man Jason Morgan? Let's hope it's the latter. If anyone has the balls to take on The Mustache, it's our Stone Cold!

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Oh yes!! I so hope this is true. I've always loved Steve Burton as Jason and was upset to hear he was leaving the show. My #1 favorite soap is and always has been Y&R so I hope this is true!!

[Kim]

GH's Herbst: I'm Not Fired




In the wake of Scott Reeves's ouster as Steve on GH, his on-screen sister, Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), was the subject of online rumors hinting that she had been dismissed, too. The actress, who was notoriously released from her contract in 2011, then rehired amid fan outcry, denied the rumblings on Twitter, saying, "Thank you so much for all your concern and support, but I have not quit GH, nor have I been let go. " The actress also commented on Reeves's firing: "I'm trying to sleep, & yet, I have a heavy heart. My friend, @reevesforreal, who means so much to me, was let go ... I’m wide awake thinking about all the endless possibilities he has to look forward to. He has more musical talent in his little finger... I was so lucky 2 play his 'sis' but even more blessed 2 have him in my live. Luv you, @reevesforreal ..Now who's gonna bring me #Starbucks."
.

[Kim]

GH Star's Marriage Ends





GENERAL HOSPITAL fans will recall that back in September, 2012, Chad Duell (Michael) married Taylor Novack in his home state of Arizona. But sadly, according to the young actor, "It didn't work out," and their marriage was annulled late last year. Duell told Soaps In Depth exclusively that "It was just too soon. I think we weren't ready." But he also allows that "It is the best thing for both of us."

[Kim]

Great Scott! Shriner Returns To GH!



GENERAL HOSPITAL has had a return to its glory days of late with classic characters like Anna, Heather, Duke, Robert, Lucy and Laura returning to Port Charles, and now there's one more: Kin Shriner will be reprising the role of Scotty Baldwin!

Last seen slipping on the plane with Laura when she left town in 2008, Scotty's whereabouts have been a mystery. And while Luke will no doubt be pleased to see ex-wife Laura, when Scotty follows a few days later, his mood will likely change drastically!

According to TV Guide, Shriner reportedly starts taping on Tuesday, January 22, and is scheduled to first air on Tuesday, February 19.

[Kim]

Lindstrom Returns To GH!




With all the whackos in Port Charles, what GENERAL HOSPITAL really needs is a good shrink... and that's exactly what they're getting! On Wednesday, January 30, Jon Lindstrom returns to the canvas after a nine-year absence as Dr. Kevin Collins, who also happens to be Lucy's main squeeze.

"The last we knew, it was implied at Lila's memorial that Lucy had reconciled with Kevin, and that they were together," says headwriter, Ron Carlivati. "And we did see a picture of him on her desk at CoeCoe Cosmetics. So the big question is, where is he and why hasn't she mentioned him? Lucy gets herself into a pretty major jam during February sweeps and, when that happens, she receives a surprise visitor. That is Kevin. When he arrives, you'll find out why you haven't seen him yet, why she hasn't mentioned him and what is the status of their relationship."

At present, ABC is remaining hush hush about the length of Lindstrom's stay. However, look for all the details and an exclusive interview with him in an upcoming issue of ABC Soaps In Depth!

[Kim]

GH Star Joins Y&R!


All the speculation and rumors regarding Steve Burton (ex-Jason, GENERAL HOSPITAL) have turned out to be true — the popular daytime star will be joining the cast of THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS! Burton will be going from playing a hitman to an Army vet as he assumes the role of Dylan McAvoy, Avery's ex. Burton left GH to move his family to Nashville, TN, but was persuaded to rejoin the daytime industry. "There were a few reasons," Burton said on CBS daytime chat show THE TALK. "One of the reasons is Jill [Farren] Phelps."

The former GH executive producer is now running the show over at Y&R, and Burton was able to arrange a deal with the soap where he can still live in Tennessee with his family and commute back and forth to Y&R's Hollywood studio. "I'm just so grateful for the opportunity to have the best of both worlds for me and my family," he said.

Burton reports to work at Y&R tomorrow, and you can look for architect and war vet Dylan to arrive in Genoa City on Tuesday, January 29.

[Kim]

OLTL Stars to exit GH

From the actors regarding their characters:

Michael Easton: "I Cannot be at General Hospital After February 8th"


Fans hoping to deliver goodies to Michael Easton (John McBain) for his birthday received sad news, straight from the popular General Hospital star himself. Easton won't be there to accept any cake, cards or presents, because he will be legally prohibited from being at GH after Feb 8. Posted Easton on Facebook:




While this development should come as no surprise to faithful Daytime Confidential readers, I was hoping Disney-ABC (of whom Easton, Roger Howarth and Kristen Alderson are all under contract with) and Prospect Park—the company which holds the rights to One Life to Live and the characters of John McBain, Todd and Starr Manning—would come to some sort of mutually beneficial agreement. I've been told I shouldn't hold my breath, as negotiations between the two parties have turned "contentious".

"It's turning into a real pissing contest," says one insider. "Jeff [Kwatinetz] went way above Time Square Studios' head. Word came down to Vicki [Dummer] from Bob Iger's office for General Hospital to do what Jeff wants. What they don't realize is the actors flat out don't want to do the reboot."

Apparently Disney-ABC is so geeked about the potential loot they can haul in via licensing fees for Prospect Park's upcoming reboot of One Life to Live, they're prepared to roll over in the negotiations — even if it negatively impacts ratings juggernaut General Hospital. Easton and the character of John McBain are currently at the start of a frontburner murder mystery on the ABC Daytime drama.

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Roger Howarth and Kristen Alderson Set to Exit General Hospital by Feb. 8!


As expected, Roger Howarth (Todd) and Kristen Alderson (Starr) will be joining fellow One Life to Live transplant Michael Easton (McBain) in exiting General Hospital by the end of next week. Since GH tapes several weeks in advance, the trio will continue to be seen on air for the duration of the month of February and possibly into early March.

These departures are the result of the ongoing legal battle between Disney-ABC and OLTL licensee Prospect Park. Prospect Park plans to begin airing new episodes of OLTL and All My Children online this spring. The production company is said to want the three characters—which they licensed to Disney-ABC for use on GH until such time as they were able to put OLTL in production again— back.

Word is, Disney-ABC and Prospect Park have reached an impasse in attempting to work out a deal which would allow Howarth, Alderson and Easton to reprise their roles on OLTL, while eventually returning to GH.

"At this point, no one knows if the characters will ever be going back to GH," says a source.

As previously reported, actors Howarth, Alderson and Easton remain under contract with ABC and reside in Los Angeles. Prospect Park's reboot of OLTL will be taped in Connecticut.

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Kristen Alderson "Praying For Positive Answers" RE: General Hospital Exit


On the heels of Michael Easton's announcement that he will no longer be on General Hospital starting Feb. 8, co-star Kristen Alderson has given an update about her departure.

As Daytime Confidential previously reported, Alderson, along with Easton and Roger Howarth will leaving GH due to the dispute between Disney-ABC and Prospect Park regarding the One Life to Live characters. Alderson said on Twitter:




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From the producers regarding the characters/actors:

Prospect Park on OLTL/GH Drama: "We Continue to Be Willing to Equally Share The Characters With General Hospital"


Remember the bible story about two women who both claimed a baby for their own? King Solomon, in his infinite wisdom, decreed the child be cut in half. Before this barbaric fate could befall the baby, the true mother cried out that the other could have the kid. You see, the real parent would have rather lost her beloved child, than see it sliced down the middle. The question is, who is the real parent of One Life to Live's John McBain (Michael Easton), Todd (Roger Howarth) and Starr Manning (Kristen Alderson)?

Prospect Park has released the following statement regarding the three OLTL characters which crossed over to General Hospital following OLTL's cancellation by ABC:


Prospect Park released the following statement regarding its licensing agreement with "All My Children" and "One Life to Live." In 2011, when Prospect Park decided to put everything on the line to reboot these shows, they lent characters to "General Hospital" until shooting began for the new programs so that the characters could stay alive with the fans and also so that the actors could remain working. Everyone at ABC and on the production staff of "General Hospital" understood that this was a temporary arrangement until production started once again on "One Life to Live." Now the time has come to start production and Prospect Park needs to, once again, cast these characters including Llanview transplants Michael Easton (John) and Kristen Alderson (Starr). See statement below:

"Prospect Park understands that ‘General Hospital’ has featured Llanview transplants Michael Easton (John) and Kristen Alderson (Starr) among others while we arranged production of the new version of ‘One Life to Live.’ These characters, who we own under our agreement, are obviously essential to our production efforts, and a large reason we licensed the program. We also understand that legions of ‘General Hospital’ fans have grown to love these actors and characters in a short time. So even though we are paying ABC millions of dollars to license the shows, we have been, and continue to be willing to equally share the characters with ‘General Hospital’ and ABC. It's a win-win for the actors, the shows and fans, who love all of the shows and storylines. We hope to work out these agreements with ABC and the actors."

Earlier today, a GH spokesperson stated the following to Soap Opera Digest:

"GENERAL HOSPITAL is excited about Michael Easton, Kristen Alderson and Roger Howarth staying on the show and we are exploring ways to allow that to happen."

Digest went on to report that they were hearing ABC would cast Easton, Alderson and Howarth in new roles; while Prospect Park planned to recast the roles of McBain and the Mannings.