This Has Nothing to Do With Soap Operas

Here is a Youtube video of my Boston Terriers playing in the snow for the first time (Dec. 26, 2007).

Rebecca Staab Comes to YR

One of my favorite soap actresses will be coming back to daytime, at least temporarily. Rebecca Staab, former Jessie Matthews on Guiding Light, will play April Stevens, Heather's mother and Paul Williams' former wife on The Young and the Restless.

I always loved the pairing of Jessie and Simon Hall, back in the mid to late '80s. I'm not ashamed to admit that I had a girl-crush on her.

I also LOVED her as the bitchy boutique manager on Beverly Hills, 90210, whom Brenda and her mom, Cindy, taught a lesson to about stealing other salesperson's commissions. Classic!

As of now, it appears her role that her YR role is for January 11 and 14 only. Oh well, I'll take her any way I can get her!

Rumor Alert!

I'll believe this when I see it, but rumors are circulating on soap message boards that Maurice Benard is leaving "General Hospital," where he seemingly dominates the show as mob kingpin Sonny Corinthos. Word is he might turn up as Victor Newman's brother (!) on "The Young and the Restless."

Robert Parucha previously played Victor's brother, Matt.

Benard's airtime has decreased some in recent months, but I still can't picture him playing anyone but Sonny, and it's also questionable whether he would want to take on a supporting role (I'm assuming) when he can be the big fish at "GH." However, it also appears as if the character of Johnny (Brandon Barash) is being groomed as the next big thing in the Port Charles organized crime fraternity. Then again, I thought Ted King (ex-Alcazar) was hired for the same reason, but his airtime dwindled, and he finally left the show.

This is all just rumor and speculation for now, and we'll let you know if anything official is announced.

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

Sorry it has been so long for me to post. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. After this week, my posts will go bye-bye for two weeks, as I will be touring Southeast Asia. But I will return to posting with a vengence at the beginning of February -- just in time for Sweeps -- I promise!

Now, onto the spoilers, which is the real reason you decided to read this post:

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

This Week:

* Donna caves in to Stephanie’s offer.
* Taylor is led into temptation.
* Donna reveals a dark secret to Eric.
* Stephen Logan is a free man.
* Taylor catches Nick and Brooke in an intimate moment.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES

This Week:

* Shawn questions Chloe about Brady.
* Marlena goes ballistic in Roman's office.
* Hope overhears Crystal on the phone and confronts her.
* Stephanie opens up to Max and tells him about her rape.
* Billie tells Kate to back off if she wants to win Lucas back.
* EJ tells Sami how he stood up to Stefano and asks her to fight by his side.
Thursday - Kate and Philip try to persuade Lucas to plead not guilty.
Friday - Belle hits the roof when she finds Chloe with Shawn and Claire.

Next Week:

* Nick tells Chelsea to come clean or he'll walk away for good.
* Stefano calls EJ and tells him that he's forgiven.
* Philip enlists Chloe's help to distract Shawn.
* Max and Stephanie get a little too close and accidentally kiss.
* Hope questions EJ's motives for helping Sami.
* Marlena is determined to help her loved ones.
Thursday - Belle falls to pieces when she learns of Claire's kidnapping.
Friday - Lucas awakens in his cell to find a new cellmate - Stefano.

PASSIONS

This Week:
Tuesday, January 8
* Gwen tells Ethan that they are still married.
* Theresa departs on a mission to save her family.
* Esme and Julian talk about being together.

Wednesday, January 9
* Gwen plans a romantic night with Ethan.
* Esme and Ethan discuss their love lives.

Next Week:

Monday, January 14
* Theresa receives a cryptic warning.
* Luis intends to put Marty ahead of Fancy.
* Miguel announces he and Kay are getting married.

Tuesday, January 15
* Juanita demands her people track down Theresa.
* Alistair promises to help Pretty win Luis.
* Viki speaks!

Wednesday, January 16
* Theresa runs into Juanita.
* Pretty is determined to make Luis hers.
* Tabitha's kitchen magic backfires.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

This Week:

* Brad confesses his love to Sharon, but how will she respond?
* Gloria and Kevin hatch a plan to get back at Jeffrey, only to have the tables turned on them.
* Nikki accidentally confesses to Victor her doubts about his innocence, which could destroy their relationship forever.
* Cane and Lily kiss, but will this change anything between them?
* Concerned about Heather, April Stevens arrives back in Genoa City.

Lead Actor Leaves Oakdale

Grayson McCouch (Dusty) shocked fans by not renewing his contract with As the World Turns. We know the actor took a brief leave of absence last pilot season. (The gamble almost paid off -- he was cast in a series, but it was not picked up.)

Reportedly the soap asked him to take a paycut, but the actor balked and chose to leave instead.

Tune in the week of January 14th to learn Dusty's fate.

My suggestion to "ATWT?" See if you can lure Mark Collier back as Mike or Paul Leyden as Simon -- or both.