Tune in to Tuc This Sunday

If you're fortunate enough to get the Independent Film Channel (IFC) as part of your cable or satellite package, check out this Sunday's (Aug. 26th) episode of the hilarious comedy "The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman." None other than the fabulous Tuc Watkins (on-again/off-again David on "One Life to Live") is guest starring on the episode titled "Jackie Meets Her Match" at 11:30 p.m.

Even better news is that Watkins has been cast on "Desperate Housewives" this fall as one-half of a gay couple that sets up residence on Wisteria Lane. He joins another former "OLTL" star, Nathan Fillion (ex-Joe), and former "Y&R" teen Lyndsy Fonseca (ex-Colleen) on the hit show.

It's nice to see Tuc's talents being appreciated. Go Tuc!

I'll Take a Side Order of Mike

As much as I loved Mark Collier as Mike on As the World Turns (come back, Mike!), I have fond memories of the first Mike while I was in college, Shawn Christian. Christian has remained steadily employed since leaving ATWT, including a part on the short-lived beachy drama Summerland. While it was rumored that ATWT wanted him back when Collier left, so far I haven't seen his handsome mug in Oakdale.

However, you can get your fix by watching the Aug. 26th episode of the Lifetime television series Side Order of Life at 9 p.m. In this episode, Jenny (Marisa Coughlan) looks up her first high-school love (Christian) while researching a story for the magazine.

SPOILERS for B&B, Days, Passions and Y&R!

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

Tomorrow:
* Ridge unknowingly is manipulated by Stephanie.
* Chemistry sizzles between Felicia and Constantine.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Next Week:

* While trying to arrest EJ, Roman is injected with a sedative.

* Stephanie and Max share a near-kiss.

* Lucas must save EJ's life.
* Benjy is kidnapped.

Thursday - Steve proposes a plan to Bo to trap Andre.

Friday - Shawn considers a new career path.

PASSIONS

Next Week:

Monday, August 27
* Alistair begins to choke Theresa.
* Fancy tells Luis she must end their relationship.
* Endora conjures up a circus.

Tuesday, August 28
* Alistair has ordered Spike to kill Vincent.
* Esme and Fox spend time together with her niece, Viki.
* Luis takes Fancy to a romantic hotel.

Wednesday, August 29
* Unconscious Ethan is rushed to the hospital.
* Sheridan and Vincent try to escape from Spike.
* Kay tries to make her wedding perfect by using magic.
* Don't miss Adrian Zmed as The Floating Head!

Thursday, August 30
* Alistair plans to use Pretty to get back at Fancy.
* Theresa keeps vigil at Ethan's bedside.
* Vincent begs his Aunt Sheridan to save him.

Friday, August 31
* Ethan starts to regain consciousness.
* Eve vows revenge on Sheridan.
* Pretty learns what Alistair has planned for Fancy.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

This Week:

* Phyllis and Nick finally start to connect, but will their reunion be short lived when Phyllis faces jail time?
* An unlikely ally comes to Phyllis’s aid at her sentencing hearing. Will kind words sway the judge’s decision?
* Ji Min finally confesses the truth about his illegal activities to a furious Jill.
* Adrian learns the truth about Brad’s past from an unexpected source. Now he must decide what to do with the information.
* Jana’s surgery is weeks away and as her situation deteriorates, Kevin rushes to save her life.

The Floating Head Is Back!

Yay! Things are going downright crazy on Passions in preparation for their switch to DirecTV. Among the craziness is the return of Adrian Zmed as "The Floating Head." His appearance will air next Wednesday, Aug. 29. I am giving ya'all a week's notice, because you need to tune it. Even if nothing exciting happens (doubtful), it's friggin' Adrian Zmed, and he is a Floating Head! You can't beat that with a stick.

Unless, of course, he sings a rousing rendition of "We're Gonna Bowl Tonight," then I will literally pee my pants.

ATWT: THE KISS

This past Friday on As the World Turns, it was the kiss heard 'round the world. After weeks of sexual tension and awkwardness around each other, Luke (Van Hansis) and Noah (Jake Silbermann) finally kissed. For me, it was much anticipated and long overdue. For it to be 2007, and soap operas have finally aired a passionate male/male kiss is a bit bittersweet. I am happy it finally happened, but disappointed that it took so long. But, better late than never.

What is even more disappointing to me is all of the negative and disparaging remarks I am reading about it on message boards. Some are just downright mean, and I won't reprint the remarks here.

And some are downright hypocritical, like: "I don't mind people being gay, I just don't want to watch it" and "I have watched for 30 years and do not tune in to see man-on-man kissing. If characters are going to be gay, that is fine. I just don't want to see it."

People need to realize that gays and lesbians make up a portion our population and should be represented. Just as African-Americans, Asians and other minorities have fought for airtime and representation, I think it's high time that the same consideration is given to the homosexual communitiy.

Just like the kiss that got cut from Melrose Place with resident token gay male, Matt Fielding (Doug Savant), some viewers want their gay characters to remain in closet. If not in the closet, at least, let's not talk about it or have to see it. Well, that is unrealistic and demoralizing.

Some people need to wake up and join the new millenia, for crikey's sake! They're here, they're queer, get used to it!

A video of the kiss is posted below:

Talk to Your Favorite "Passions" Cast Members Live

Soap Opera Stars Face Their Fans Live and Uncensored on National Television When Passions LIVE! Debuts August 23 on The 101

For the First-Time Fans Get “Air Time” With Their Favorite Passions Cast Members As They Prepare to Move from NBC to DIRECTV

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., August 13, 2007 - DIRECTV, the nation’s leading satellite television provider, is letting fans get up close and personal with their favorite Passions cast members this summer with Passions LIVE!, four weekly, 30-minute live call-in shows featuring the cast from the hit soap-opera. The specials will air on DIRECTV’s original entertainment channel, The 101, starting August 23 at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST with new shows every Thursday leading up to Passions debut on DIRECTV September 17. Fans can participate in each show by calling 1-800-860-8537 during the live broadcast. Passions fans that don’t have DIRECTV still have still plenty of time to get connected by calling (888-999-0433) or going to www.directv.com/passions.

“With Passions moving exclusively to DIRECTV, we’re in a unique position to put our own mark on the show by catering directly to the fans and giving them more opportunities to interact with their favorite cast members,” said Patty Ishimoto, General Manager of DIRECTV’s The 101. “Passions LIVE! will bring fans into the action with a direct link to their favorite stars to keep them up-to-date with all the happenings in Harmony.”

Passions LIVE! will not only provide fans an opportunity to call-in and talk live with their favorite cast members, they will also learn about the history of the show and get to know the real people behind the characters. Each show will provide an inside look into what the future holds for the town of Harmony and all its inhabitants, as they make the transition from NBC to DIRECTV’s The 101 on September 17.

Passions LIVE! will be hosted by Eric Martsolf (Ethan Winthrop) and two different cast members each week that will discuss their roles and answer questions from a live call-in audience. Fans can also submit questions for the show via email viewermail@passionsondirectv.com to be answered on-air. Shows will include a “Passions 101” tutorial recapping the highs and lows from each of the previous nine seasons, character and plot highlights, bloopers and a behind-the-scenes trivia on the cast and crew of Passions.

Juliet Mills (Tabitha) and Heidi Mueller (Kay) will kick off Passions LIVE! with Martsolf on August 23 with a special focusing on the witches of Harmony and the mystical undertones of the New England town. The following week, Emily Harper (Fancy) and Erin Cardillo (Esme) will lead the August 30 show along with Martsolf, as the ladies discuss their on-screen friendship and the various cat fights that take place within the daytime drama. September 6 will feature the sexy men of Harmony as James Hyde (Sam) and Dylan Fergus (Noah) join Martsolf to discuss the rigorous task of being a daytime hunk and having to go shirtless on set. Eva Tamargo (Pilar) and Galen Gering (Luis) will lead the final call-in show on September 13 as they tease the new season and the fate of Theresa and Ethan.

Each episode of Passions LIVE! will be broadcast on DIRECTV’s The 101, as well as streamed live on Passions’ website http://www.nbc.com/passionsassions. DIRECTV is making it easy for Passions viewers to keep track of the happenings in “Harmony” by providing fans free installation, a DVR or HD receiver upgrade, and a portable DVD player by calling a special phone number (888-999-0433) or visiting the Web (www.directv.com/passions). Passions fans can also visit www.nbc.com/passions for more information about the show.