Thursday, September 11, 2008

Ashley Abbott Is Back in Genoa City

Eileen Davidson (Ashley Abbott, YR and BB) is coming home to Genoa City, and this time it is not just for a visit — this time she is here to stay.

Eileen left YR about a year and half ago, due to no story line and budget cutbacks, and was quickly picked up by sister-soap BB, with much fanfare. However, after only a few months of front-burner story line, Ashley was quickly relegated to the background and eventually bumped down to recurring status.

Since the departure of YR head writer Lynn Latham, Eileen's old soap has jumped at the chance to get Ashley (and Eileen) back in Genoa City.

The Young and the Restless, which is now being penned by Maria Arena Bell and co-head writer Hogan Sheffer, already has a major story planned for Davidson's return, but they are tight-lipped about the details. However, news has leaked that Davidson's return will coincide with the show's on-location shoot in Paris, France. The top-secret plot also involves Eric Braeden (Victor Newman), Sharon Case (Sharon Newman), and Joshua Morrow (Nicholas Newman).

Eileen's first airdate is Sept. 26.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

NS Sneak Peak


Episode 209 (About A Dad) – Jagger panics when Stone has a seizure and is rushed into the ER. Patrick feels left out when Robin's attention is split between caring for Robert and offering support to Jagger. Claire and Leo feel guilty for sleeping together. And Kyle finds a new purpose when Saira invites him to head her study on the benefits of breast milk on General Hospital: Night Shift, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 (11:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m., ET/PT) on SOAPnet.

Dirty Sexy Money Sneak Peak


Readers of Daytime Dial are invited to be among the first to preview the brand new Darling Towers — Tripp Darling’s (Donald Sutherland, pictured) latest venture into luxury real estate. The towers will be appearing in Los Angeles and New York this fall, but ABC has created an interactive tour of the space at www.darlingtower.com.

The second season of Dirty Sexy Money begins Oct. 1 on ABC. Check your local listings.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Springfield Happenings


* Sept. 30, Pocket Books will release Guiding Light: Jonathan’s Story in paperback, featuring an all-new chapter.

* Tom Wiggin (pictured) plays hot-shot corporate mogul Decker beginning Monday, Sept. 15. I'm so excited about this! Wiggin played Kirk on As the World Turns during the Douglas Marland years. I was hoping he would turn up in Oakdale again, but hey, I'll watch him on any soap.

* Montel Williams returns as Remy's father, Clayton Bordeaux, on Thursday, Sept. 18.

* Ron Raines (Alan) will perform at the Chicago Humanities Festival on Monday, Nov. 3. For more information and to buy tickets, go to http://www.chfestival.org/_ or call the box at (312) 494-9509.

* Marcy Rylan (Lizzie) and Tom Pelphrey (ex-Jonathan) will perform a play reading (play TBD) and host a meet & greet to benefit The Apothecary Theatre Company on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. The event takes place at Helen Mills: 137-139 West 26th Street. $40 per person - payable in cash at the door (includes one free drink). For reservations: Call Shawn - (732) 491-3012 and leave a message with full name, phone number and the number of people attending. For more information on the Apothecary Theatre Company go to: http://www.apothecarytheatrecompany.org/

Interview: Ex-Party of Five Star Enjoys the "Privileged" Life

JoAnna Garcia, known to many television viewers as Cheyenne from “Reba” and Hallie from “Party of Five,” is entering the world of the Palm Beach social set on The CW’s new show called “Privileged.” JoAnna stars with Academy Award-nominated actress Anne Archer in the weekly drama, which premieres Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT.

JoAnna stars as Megan Smith, a recent Yale graduate who finds herself being hired as the tutor of Laurel Limoges’ (Anne Archer) twin 16-year-old granddaughters. As the show’s premiere gets closer, JoAnna can barely contain her excitement.

“I am so thrilled,” JoAnna tells me. “Up until now, it has felt like our little secret, but soon, it will be for everyone. I had worked with people from The CW for some time, and I happened to read this script by chance. After I read it, I was like, ‘I don’t care what you have to do to make this happen, just make it happen.’”

One thing that drew JoAnna to the show was the similarities between herself and Meg. “Everything about Meg hits home to me. It’s wonderful to play her. She sometimes puts her foot in her mouth, like me. She’s just a sweet, sexy girl who is just starting to come of age. Meg is a very strong female voice in a television world that is usually dominated by men. She stands for everything I’d want my daughter to stand for.”

For Meg -- who initially went to Yale for journalism but ends up becoming a tutor -- it could be seen as a step down to not be working in her field, but JoAnna doesn’t see it that way. “Initially there is shock. She says to Laurel: ‘I’m a writer. I’ve never taught anyone anything.’ But everything she has, she did all on her own. There is a drive and inner confidence you aren’t aware of. There is uneasiness at first, but ultimately she is trying to find herself through writing in her journal and just living life each day.”

Meg is able to find a common ground with the wealthy twins she is tutoring in that the three of them grew up motherless. JoAnna explains: “No matter how much money you have, you have to choose a path. It’s all part of the journey for her.”

Working with such a renowned actress as Anne Archer has been an amazing experience for JoAnna. Aside from being a true professional and such a pleasure to work with, JoAnna is most captivated by Anne’s girly side. “There is nothing about Anne that I don’t adore. She is amazing; and she is also such a girly girl. She’s so excited to be a part of such a young show. She told me, ‘I love to be around young people and see their world as it opens up before them.’ She’ll sit around with us and talk about tattoos and boys. Bottom line: She’s a really neat chick.”

Being the main character in a new show has been a little bit scary, but JoAnna is mostly excited about what lies ahead. “In the first few weeks I had some anxiety, in that there is a lot of responsibility on the Megan character. Her character helps the other characters to take shape. But now that we are all settled in, things are really coming together. Everyone is definitely bringing it, and it’s made it such a great team effort. I feel like there is so much we can do with this show under the guise of wealth and privilege. It’s a nice escape for the audience, but we also send a good message.”

(Photo: Patrick Ecclesine/Warner Bros. Television)

Days: Such a Tease!

NEXT WEEK

Bo and Hope confront Nicole with their knowledge of her marriage to Trent.

Abe (James Reynolds, pictured) removes his badge and storms out of the police station.

Marlena tells Sami that it is time to grow up.

Theo throws a temper tantrum in front of EJ.

Chloe wonders if Lucas still loves Sami.

Thursday – Kate begins to cough up blood.

Friday – Max threatens to kill Trent.

Y&R: Such a Tease!

* Victoria and Nick are overcome with emotion when they see Victor (Eric Braeden, pictured); however their joy is short-lived when Victor lashes out.

* Jack and Nick leave the possession of Restless Style up to a coin toss.

* Jack looks for allies in his quest to destroy Victor. Will Nikki be one of them?

* As Jill is swept up in a scandal, Cane makes a shocking decision to oust Jill from Jabot.

* Daniel makes a confession to Colleen.

GL: Such a Tease!

• Reva and Jeffrey make a life-changing decision.

• Daisy (Bonnie Dennison, pictured) learns the truth about Grady.

• Bill turns the tables on Lizzie.

• Dinah enlists a new partner in crime.

B&B: Such a Tease!

* Stephanie schemes to regain her position as matriarch of the Forrester family.

* Rick inadvertently brings Taylor and Brooke back into battle.

* Eric's health takes a turn for the worse again.

* Bridget (Ashley Jones, pictured) learns the shocking truth.

* Katie must come face to face with the woman she wronged.

ATWT: Such a Tease!

• Alison’s guilt mounts as her wedding day arrives.

• Henry (Trent Dawson, pictured) falls into James’ trap.

• Paul goes to extremes to get his hands on a fortune.

• Janet asks Jack for a big favor.