Rebecca Budig to Host The NephCure Foundation’s Fundraiser

PRESS RELEASE:

Rebecca Budig, two-time Emmy nominee, Soap Opera Digest Award winner and star of All My Children, will host The NephCure Foundation’s Countdown to a Cure 2008 event on Thursday, October 30, at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows, NY. The NephCure Foundation has set a goal of collecting $600,000 in donations at this year’s dinner.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Senator from New York , will serve as Chair of the Honorary Committee for the second consecutive year. The evening, consisting of dinner, silent and live auctions, reception and awards presentations, will honor four real-life heroes who have showed continued dedication to The NephCure Foundation and its mission.

All proceeds from the event will go directly to fund research into two debilitating kidney conditions, Nephrotic Syndrome and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS are kidney function afflictions that impact men, women and children of all ages around the world, affecting mobility, requiring heavy medication and often dialysis or transplant as a last resort.

“Giving back to the community is something that has always been very important to me,” said Rebecca. “It’s organizations like NephCure that make a difference in the world today, and I am more than happy to lend them my full support.”

“We are thrilled to have Rebecca as the host for Countdown to a Cure 2008, and would like to thank her for her dedication to our mission,” said Henry Brehm, Executive Director of The NephCure Foundation. “We are confident that her strong presence in the public eye will draw attention to these two devastating kidney conditions.”

Tickets to “Countdown to a Cure” can be obtained at www.countdowntoacure.org or by calling 631-205-4306.

Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS are conditions that affect the tiny filtering units (glomeruli) in the kidney. The result is that protein needed by the body is discarded into the urine. Over time, these conditions can result in renal failure and the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant. The primary cause for most forms of Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS are not known and there is no cure.

Based in Berwyn, PA, 20 miles west of Philadelphia, The NephCure Foundation is the only organization solely committed to seeking a cause and cure for primary Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS. Comprised of patients, their families and friends, researchers, physicians and other healthcare professionals, Nephcure aims to help science unlock the biological mechanisms that cause these serious conditions and ultimately find a way to cure and prevent them. Further information can be obtained at www.nephcure.org.

Interview: Anne Archer on Running an Empire

Although she is known to most of her fans as a movie star, Anne Archer is no stranger to television. She has co-starred on quite a number of prime-time shows, including “Falcon Crest,” “Boston Public” and “The L Word,” to name only a few. Now you can catch her on the small screen in The CW’s latest offering, “Privileged” (Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT).

Anne stars as Laurel Limoges, the head of a cosmetics empire who hires a 23-year-old spitfire named Megan Smith (JoAnna Garcia) to tutor her twin 16-year-old granddaughters. How was The CW able to lure the Academy Award-nominated actress to prime time to star as the cosmetics mogul?

“I read the pilot and just fell in love with the character,” Anne tells me. “The show is so well-written, and Laurel is such a great character. She’s smart as a whip, she’s successful, and there is a sense of glamour to her.”

Laurel’s daughter died, so she is raising her two granddaughters -- however, she realizes she needs help, so she decides to hire a live-in tutor to help them get into college. “It is beyond Laurel to know how to relate to these young girls at this time; she knows she needs help. Laurel is brilliant and articulate, but she is also warm and understanding,” Anne explains. “She knows there is a lot of tragedy in life, but she doesn’t like to look at that.”

It is fun, and challenging, for Anne to play a character who has such a different personality from her own. “Laurel can be abrupt and not in tune to the effect she has on people. She is used to being catered to, without realizing that she can be a bit self-centered. I am not like that. That’s what makes her an interesting and fun character to play.

“But I understand her lifestyle, and I love the glamour and fashion part of it,” Anne admits.

When Megan enters Laurel’s and the girls’ life, things around the mansion begin to change. “Megan is disarming in that she has a realness about her. That realness is refreshing. She’s quirky, and I like quirky. She doesn’t censor what she says, and I can read her.”

So, what sets this show apart from the plethora of other shows about 20-somethings trying to find their way in the world today? “This is a show that has humor. You can watch the show and have a good time. The characters are likable, even in their own dysfunctional way. It’s not a mean show, and it’s not an exploitative show. It attracts young audiences, but it also appeals to adults.”

All of this good will about the show also translates into how Anne feels about her co-stars. “Without question, these are the nicest people I’ve ever worked with. They are all very professional, and we really like each other. We have a great time -- it’s already like a family. JoAnna has a wonderful ability to keep everyone up when the day has gotten long.”

Anne hopes viewers feel the same attachment to the show that she feels, and by the look of the first few shows, she has reason to be proud of her involvement in this project. “I hope viewers come away with the feeling that they care about what happens to the characters so much that they have to see what happens next week.”

Hopefully for Anne, JoAnna and the rest of the crew, viewers will keep coming back week after week.

© 2008 North America Syndicate Inc.
All rights reserved.

Photo: Anne Archer
Photo credit: Patrick Ecclesine/Warner Bros. Television

Super Soap Weekend 2008 Attendees

The list of attendees for the 2008 Super Soap Weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios has been announced, which is scheduled to take place Nov. 15-16. They are:

All My Children
Rebecca Budig (Greenlee Smythe)
Bobbie Eakes (Krystal Martin)
Melissa Claire Egan (Annie Lavery)
Ricky Paull Goldin (Jake Martin)
Thorsten Kaye (Zach Slater)
Cameron Mathison (Ryan Lavery)
Alicia Minshew (Kendall Hart Slater)
Eden Riegel (Bianca Montgomery)
Aiden Turner (Aidan Devane)
Darnell Williams (Jesse Hubbard)

One Life to Live
Kristen Alderson (Starr Manning)
Brandon Buddy (Cole Thornhart)
Kassie DePaiva (Blair Cramer)
Michael Easton (John McBain)
Farah Fath (Gigi Morasco)
Susan Haskell (Marty Saybrooke)
John-Paul Lavoisier (Rex Balsom)
Erika Slezak (Viki Davidson)
Jason Tam (Markko Rivera)
Brittany Underwood (Langston Wilde)
Bree Williamson (Jessica/Tess Buchanan)

General Hospital
Bradford Anderson (Damian Spinelli)
Brandon Barash (Johnny Zacchara)
Julie Marie Berman (Lulu Spencer)
Tyler Christopher (Nikolas Cassadine)
Jason Cook (Matt Hunter)
Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth Webber)
Kelly Monaco (Samantha McCall)
Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones)
Jason Thompson (Patrick Drake)
Laura Wright (Carly Jax)

You will notice the absence of Super Soap Weekend's Perennial Star — Susan Lucci. Word has it she can't commit until she sees how this whole Dancing With the Stars thing pans out. Last year, Cameron Mathison came, and he was still dancing, but he got voted off that week. Perhaps she wants to make sure she gets in enough practice to not let that happen to her. It will be a shame if she ends up missing the very last Super Soap Weekend, as she has been to every single one since the annual event started 15 years ago. We'll keep you posted as the story develops.

It is also nice to see some new names on the list. I look forward to seeing how they cope with this crazy weekend!

Shayne Lewis Comes Back to Springfield

Jeff Branson, formerly Jonathan Lavery on All My Children, joins the cast of Guiding Light as “Shayne Lewis” on December 1, 2008.

This isn't Jeff's first time on GL. Back in 2003, he played a younger version of Alan Spaulding in flashback episodes.

Super Soap Weekend Takes Its Final Bow

You'd better make your plans now to head down to Orlando on Nov. 15 and 16. Brian Frons, president of Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group, has confirmed that after this year, Super Soap Weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios will be no more.

In a news release issued yesterday, Frons said that ABC wants to send its soap stars on a national promotional tour next year, rather than sponsor a single weekend at Disney World. "Our fans have told us they want us in their neighborhoods," he stated. "We thank Walt Disney World for being a wonderful host and partner, and look forward to our plans to send Super Soap off with a bang."

I will be there again this year, and will be reporting back with all the inside scoop I had last year. It is sad that this big soap-opera event, which just so happens to take place in my backyard, will be ending. Hopefully more fans will get the chance to see their favorite soap stars with this new national tour.

Days: Such a Tease!

NEXT WEEK:

* Melanie begins to recall what happened the night of Trent’s murder.

* Abe decides to run for Mayor.

* Chelsea tells Daniel to move on.

* Salem PD surprises Max with a search warrant for his room.

* Theo goes missing.

Thursday – Max finds Trent’s wallet in Stephanie’s purse.

Friday – Sami learns that Nicole is pregnant with EJ’s (James Scott, pictured) child.

Nicole Forester to Leave GL

Nicole Forester has decided not to renew her contract with Guiding Light. She has played Cassie Winslow since 2005, taking over for the very popular Laura Wright. Nicole was able to gain the love of GL viewers and make the role her own, eventually leading to her first ever Emmy nomination earlier this year.

Nicole is leaving on a happy note, however: The actress is getting married in October and is expecting a baby in February. Nicole released this statement: "I am so happy and excited about embarking on these two most wonderful adventures, and I'm so grateful to have some extra time now to embrace them fully."

She has already wrapped shooting, and her last air date will be in November. No word yet on whether the role will be recast, but we will let you know as the situation develops.

GL: Such a Tease!

• Dinah and Grady share a passionate moment.

• Cassie and Cyrus team up to help Josh (Robert Newman, pictured).

• Alan launches his comeback.

• Rafe receives his sentence.

ATWT: Such a Tease!

• Carly comes to Jack’s (Michael Park, pictured) rescue.

• Paul, Dusty and James come face-to-face for a showdown.

• Alison is given devastating news.

• Katie and Brad prepare for the worst.

GH: Such a Tease!

Chaos breaks out at Kate (Megan Ward, pictured) and Sonny’s wedding.
Olivia promises to keep Kate’s secret.
Someone’s making trouble for Lulu.

Anthony reveals his sinister plan to Ric.
Robin pops the question to Patrick.
Lulu takes a turn for the worse.

Olivia holds Kate’s fate in her hands.
Jax tells Carly how he really feels.
Nikolas and Nadine take things to the next level.

Sonny vows to get revenge on his enemies.
Johnny tells Anthony what he’s been waiting to hear.
Olivia seeks answers from Carly.

Sonny tells Jason he wants to take back the business.
Olivia’s major secret is revealed.
Patrick gives Robin an answer to her marriage proposal.

OLTL: Such a Tease!

Tragedy ensues when Brody looses touch with reality.
Clint's (Jerry ver Dorn, pictured) plan is threatened when Cole grows suspicious of him.
Michael and Marcie wish things were different between them.

Gigi tells Shane that Brody isn’t his father.
Dorian will do whatever it takes to get what she wants.
Tess takes delight in torturing Natalie.

One wrong answer could spell the end for Rex.
Rex’s friends and family rally around him.
Tess wants Natalie to suffer the same way she did.

Rex faces a no-win situation.
Todd confronts Tess about what she’s done to Natalie.
John wonders if Marty could be Todd’s mystery woman.

Adriana forbids Gigi from seeing Rex.
Marty gets closer to the truth when she starts digging into her past.
Dorian lets Ray know that she’s on to him.

AMC: Such a Tease!

Adam throws Annie to the wolves.
Greenlee gives Ryan a shoulder to lean on.
Jake wants to know what’s going on with Taylor.

Greenlee blames Kendall for pushing her towards Ryan.
Opal senses that trouble is on the horizon.
Jesse warns Aidan to stay out of his personal life.

Aidan learns Greenlee lied to him about being with Ryan.
Adam and Erica prove to be worthy opponents.
Frankie asks Randi to move in with him.

Pete tells Adam what Erica is really up to.
Annie unleashes her anger in Kendall’s direction.
Greenlee doesn’t think she and Ryan can be friends after all.

Babe (Amanda Baker, pictured) and JR begin to question Annie’s sanity.
Opal has a dire warning for Erica and Krystal.
Ryan and Greenlee can’t get their minds off one another.

Y&R: Such a Tease!

• Jack attempts to get his siblings involved in a scheme to take back the family company but will they stand behind him?

• Lily makes a life changing career decision and her friendship with Colleen is put to the test.

• Chloe (Elizabeth Hendrickson, pictured) and Esther finally have a heart to heart.

• Nikki is distraught over Victor causing her children such emotional stress.

• After Jack and Adam make headway in their quest to destroy Victor, Adam has second thoughts.

B&B: Such a Tease!

* Sparks fly between former lovers.

* Donna is suspicious when seeing Stephanie and Owen (Brandon Beemer, pictured) together.

* Katie becomes insecure after receiving a warning from Ridge.

* Eric makes a decision about his marriage.

* Tragedy and devastation strike.