AMC and OLTL Live on Via Prospect Park

(PRESS RELEASE)

ABC LICENSES ITS ICONIC SOAPS “ALL MY CHILDREN” AND “ONE LIFE TO LIVE

TO PROSPECT PARK

EXCLUSIVE MULTIYEAR, MULTIPLATFORM DEAL ALLOW THE SOAPS’ STORIES TO CONTINUE BEYOND THEIR FINAL AIRDATES ON ABC

BURBANK, CA – July 7, 2011 – ABC has licensed its iconic soaps, “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” to Prospect Park, it was announced today by Brian Frons, President, Daytime, Disney/ABC Television Group & Janice Marinelli, President, Disney/ABC Domestic Television and Rich Frank & Jeff Kwatinetz of Prospect Park.  The exclusive multi-year, multi-platform deal enables the soaps’ stories to continue beyond their finale dates on ABC.  ABC will broadcast its final episode of “All My Children” on Friday, September 23^rd and will air the final episode of “One Life to Live” in January, 2012.

The licensing agreement, brokered by Disney/ABC Domestic Television Group, enables Prospect Park to continue production of “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” beyond their life on ABC. Prospect Park will produce and deliver the two long-running programs to consumers via online formats and additional emerging platforms including internet enabled television sets. Under the terms of the arrangement, the programs will continue to be delivered with the same quality and in the same format and length.  Additional details of the new productions and tune-in will be forthcoming from Prospect Park. 

“We are privileged to continue the legacy of two of the greatest programs to air on daytime television, and are committed to delivering the storylines, characters and quality that audiences have come to love for over 40 years. ‘All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ are television icons, and we are looking forward to providing anytime, anywhere viewing to their loyal community of millions,” said Frank and Kwatinetz. “Technology changes the way the public can and will view television shows.  Now that there are so many devices available in addition to television sets, viewers are taking advantage of watching shows wherever they are and on any number of devices.  The driving force in making the switch and attracting new audiences is to have outstanding programs that people want to watch. We believe that by continuing to produce the shows in their current hour format and with the same quality, viewers will follow the show to our new, online network.”

“‘All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ are iconic pieces of television history that captivated millions of fans since their beginning over 40 years ago,” said Frons. “Each of the shows have made an indelible mark on our culture’s history and informed our consciousness in their own way.  We are so glad Prospect Park has assumed the mantel for these shows and that they will continue for the fans.” 

Marinelli continued, “From the time the shift in the daytime strategy was announced, our hope was to find a new home for these treasured shows.   We are thrilled to license them to Prospect Park so the stories of life in Pine Valley and Llanview can continue to be told for the passionate and loyal fans that enjoy watching each day.”

“I’m just so happy that ABC found a home where the legacies of ‘All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ can continue.  I’m excited for their future with Prospect Park,” added Agnes Nixon, creator of both “All My Children” and “One Life to Live.”  “It takes a lot of living to make a soap opera a serial, and the wonderful teams on both shows have done just that. Together, we are a big family that keeps going, and I’m looking forward to working alongside these wonderful people as we ensure that the shows will continue with all the love and excitement we’ve always had.  I also am so happy for our loyal fans, whom we love so much, and who have been so supportive over the last 40 plus years.”

ABC Cancels AMC and OLTL

ABC announced that daytime mainstays All My Children and One Life to Live will go off the air in September and January, respectively. General Hospital will be the network's only remaining daytime drama.

The network also announced the shows' replacements, which will be The Chew and The Revolution, which are a show about food and a show about dieting.

(Read it all here.)

Chat With Your Fave GH Stars

As the multi-award-winning General Hospital celebrates the February wedding of super couple Sonny and Brenda, a week-long event on ABC.com entitled “Watch With the General Hospital cast” will begin Monday, February 21st where fans and viewers will have the unique opportunity to chat and ask questions with their favorite actors from the daytime drama while the show airs. In addition, talent will give exclusive “behind the scenes” commentary of that day’s episodes.

For an hour each day during the network broadcast, the following talent will participate (subject to change):

February 21st at 3PM ET — Watch with Laura Wright (Carly Jacks)
February 22nd at 3PM ET — Watch with Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo (Brenda Barrett)
February 23rd at 3PM ET — Watch with Steve Burton (Jason Morgan)
February 24th at 2PM PT — Watch with Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos)
February 25th at 2PM PT — Watch with Kimberly McCullough (Dr. Robin Scorpio)

Users can log on to www.abc.com/ghchat on conversation day to participate.

Soap Stars Storm the Castle Set

Corbin Bernsen (“The Young and the Restless,” “Psyche”), Rebecca Budig (“All My Children”), Cameron Mathison (“All My Children”) and Jane Seymour (“Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman”) will guest star on “Castle” for a soap opera-themed storyline to air in March (date TBA). “Castle” airs Mondays (10:001-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

In the episode, entitled “One Life to Lose” (series star Nathan Fillion was on the daytime series “One Life to Live” as Joey Buchanan from 1994-1997 and on two episodes in 2007), a murder has been committed on the set of “Temptation Lane,” one of New York’s longest running soap operas. Sarah Cutler, the head writer on the soap, has been killed with a fire axe. Castle and Beckett quickly discover that the behind the scenes drama at “Temptation Lane” is just as scandalous as the fictitious storylines, and just about everyone would kill to get ahead. Ultimately, Castle’s unique skill set as a writer leads to a discovery about the killer and the secret he or she would do anything to protect.

Character teasers: Lance Buchanan (Bernsen), a rugged, self-assured, veteran actor on “Temptation Lane,” has a romantic history with Castle’s mother, Martha Rodgers; Mandy Bronson (Budig) is the young and gorgeous diva lead actress on the soap opera who is very aware of her sexuality and uses it to her advantage any chance she gets; Vince Bowers (Mathison) is the devastated husband of the victim, and as a director on “Temptation Lane” is very involved in the backstage drama; and Gloria Chambers (Seymour), the grieving mother of the murder victim, is revealed in a shocking twist to have a deep, dark secret that she’s desperate to keep.

ABC Daytime and TV Land Crossover Event

(PRESS RELEASE)

ABC Daytime and TV Land have joined forces to create an unprecedented network event where characters from “All My Children” and “Hot in Cleveland” cross over to continue a storyline established on last season’s “Hot in Cleveland.” The story revolves around Wendie Malick’s character, Victoria Chase, and her industry-nemesis, Susan Lucci. The two-part “Hot in Cleveland” episodes will air on TV Land on February 16 and 23 at 10:00 p.m., ET/PT, and the “All My Children” episode will air on ABC at 1:00 p.m., ET/12:00 p.m., PT on February 24.

“All My Children’s” Emmy Award® winners Susan Lucci, Michael E. Knight and Darnell Williams will appear as themselves on “Hot in Cleveland,” and Golden Globe® winner Wendie Malick, as her “Hot in Cleveland” character Victoria Chase, will appear on “All My Children” as Gertie, a housekeeper who ends up moonlighting as a bartender at Confusion after Erica Kane fires her.

“We are thrilled Victoria Chase will join the cast of ‘All My Children’ – there are very few actresses who could pull off a dual role performance as BOTH a maid and bartender. We hope she is up to the challenge,” teased Julie Carruthers, executive producer, “All My Children.” Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney/ABC Television Group, joked: “There is only room for one Erica Kane in Pine Valley, and Victoria Chase will unfortunately find that out the hard way.” Frons went on to say, “This is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of both shows with similar demos, and we expect each other’s viewers to follow from one show to the next.”

“We’re so happy that Victoria Chase will finally get to show ‘All My Children’ fans why she is a soap superstar,” responds Larry W. Jones, president, TV Land. “We’re so excited to partner with ‘All My Children’ to bring to life this classic TV form when television worlds collide.”

Helen Wagner ATWT' Matriarch, Dies at 91

(from CBS news)

Actress Helen Wagner, who played mild-mannered Nancy Hughes on the CBS soap opera "As the World Turns" for more than a half-century and spoke its first words, has died at age 91.

She died Saturday, said the show's New York-based production company, TeleNext Media Inc., which didn't say where she died or what was the cause of her death.

Wagner opened "As the World Turns" when it premiered on April 2, 1956, with the words: "Good morning, dear." She held the Guinness World Record for playing the same role on television for the longest amount of time, 54 years, TeleNext Media said.

"All of us at 'As the World Turns' are deeply saddened by Helen's passing," executive producer Christopher Goutman said in a statement. "She is loved by generations of fans, and while we will miss her greatly Helen will always remain the heart and soul of 'As the World Turns."'

While Wagner, who was born in Lubbock, Texas, was seen less often in later decades, no other network television performer came close to her run playing a single character.

She was still part of the cast, though with a small presence, in December 2009, when CBS announced that "As the World Turns" was being canceled and its last episode would air in September 2010.

Her final appearance aired April 5, in an episode in which Julianne Moore, a series regular in the 1980s whose two half-sister characters played Wagner's granddaughters, returned for a guest walk-on. The episode was taped in March.

Colleen Zenk Pinter Arrested on Suspicion of DUI

Colleen Zenk Pinter, who plays Barbara Ryan on As the World Turns, was arrested last week on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Colleen, 57, was pulled over by police in Wilton, Connecticut, for erratic driving and crossing into the oncoming lane of traffic around 1:00am on Thursday, April 1. Police administered field sobriety tests, which she failed. She was taken into custody and charged with DUI and improper lane usage.

The Norwalk Hour reports that Pinter had a blood alcohol count of .119, which is over the limit of .08. The actress is scheduled to appear in court on April 15. She could face a $1,000 fine and up to three months in jail.

Julianne Moore Returns to Oakdale

UPDATE: Julianne's return will air Monday, April 5. THAT'S TODAY!! TUNE IN!

(from CBS Soaps In Depth)

Big-screen superstar Julianne Moore is returning to As the World Turns and the role of Frannie Hughes — if only for an episode — this spring. CBS is at last confirming the hottest rumor of the last few weeks — that Moore will make a special return to the soap that helped launch her career! The Oscar-nominated star played the dual roles of half sisters Frannie and Sabrina Hughes from 1985-’88 and won the Outstanding Ingenue Daytime Emmy in 1988, the year she exited the soap. While details regarding her stint are being closely guarded, sources share with Soaps In Depth that it's likely Frannie's arrival will coincide with Bob and Kim's anniversary. Stay tuned for more details as they become available!

Days Renewed for 2010-11 Season

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - March 19, 2010 - NBC has picked up hit daytime drama Days of Our Lives for its 45th season, keeping the long-running show on the network through the 2010-11 television season, it was announced today by Marc Graboff, Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

"Days of Our Lives continues to be a favorite of the daytime audience and we are thrilled to keep it going through its 45th season," said Graboff. "Days has shown year-to-year increases in key female demographics and remains both relevant and fresh creatively."

Bruce Evans, Senior Vice President, Drama Programming, NBC Entertainment, added, "The producers, cast and crew have worked tirelessly to make Days the ratings success it is today. Today's renewal is a true testament to all of their hard work. We could not be more delighted for them and for the multiple generations of fiercely loyal Days of Our Lives fans."

The acclaimed daytime drama will celebrate its 45th anniversary on Monday, November 8.

Days Wedding to Remember!

If you are on Facebook, you can RSVP to the Days of Our Lives Wedding Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=278980617915. You can also invite your friends to RSVP.

By adding yourself to the Facebook event you can receive private messages about the Philip and Melanie Wedding event, view posted clips, dish with other fans, and receive a reminder when the wedding is to take place.

So, come join the fun — RSVP today!

Days' Longtime Matriarch, Frances Reid, Dies at 95

(from The Examiner)

Longtime member of the Days of our Lives family, Frances Reid, who has played the role of Alice Horton since 1965, passed away yesterday. She was 95.

UPDATE Statement from Ken Corday: "This is a very sad day, indeed; not only for me personally, but for the Days of Our Lives family and the entire Hollywood community. From day one until she taped her last scene, Frances epitomized the past, present and future of the show. Frances was truly one of a kind. Her class cannot be matched and her shoes cannot be filled … We will miss her all the rest of our days.”

Frances was born on December 9, 1914 in Wichita Falls, Kansas. She grew up in Berkley, California. Her first acting job was a small role in the movie Man-Proof in 1938. She performed in several Broadway plays before landing the title role in the CBS version of the radio soap opera Portia Faces Life in 1944. She portrayed Alice Horton since the debut of Days of our Lives on November 8, 1965. Though her last airdate was in December of 2007, the role of Alice was never recast.

Frances was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Supporting Actress in 1979 and for Lead Actress in 1987. She was awarded a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. The year before that, she was inducted into the Television Academy’s archives. She also won the Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Actress in a Mature Role four times.

“Greg Meng called me this morning to tell me of the loss of our darling Frances Reid,” said longtime co-star Deidre Hall on Twitter. “She was loved, revered, and will be remembered.”

“(Frances) was a great lady whom I feel honored to have known… the heart and soul of Days of our Lives,” said Nadia Bjorlin, who plays Chloe, on Twitter.

Indeed, Frances Reid will always be known as the matriarch of Days. Her kind, powerful performance as Alice Horton will never be forgotten and she will live on in the heart of Days fans everywhere.

James Mitchell, 89, of AMC Passes Away

(from the Associated Press)

James Mitchell, who for nearly three decades played gruff patriarch Palmer Cortland on the ABC soap opera "All My Children," has died, his longtime partner said Sunday night.

Mitchell died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, partner Albert Wolsky said. Mitchell had suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for years, complicated by a recent bout of pneumonia.

Mitchell appeared in more than 300 episodes of the popular soap from 1979 until a 40th anniversary episode this month. He was a regular on the show until 2008.

Mitchell enjoyed playing the icy, wealthy Palmer, who wielded power over his children and the show's fictional town of Pine Valley.

"He loved playing mean," Wolsky said. "A soap gives an actor a chance to develop something because it goes on for so long."

Born in Sacramento in 1920 and trained as a dancer, Mitchell had leading roles in the Broadway musicals "Brigadoon" and "Paint Your Wagon," and danced on stage with the American Ballet Theater.

His film credits include 1953's "The Band Wagon" with Fred Astaire, 1954's "Deep in My Heart" and 1955's "Oklahoma."

Mitchell also taught movement for actors at Yale University and Drake University, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate.

Funeral plans were pending.

B&B Star Hunter Tylo Weds

Hunter Tylo wed Gersson Archila in a private ceremony attended by family and friends, the actress announced today. “Gersson and I were married on November 29,” said Tylo. “God has blessed me in the most special of ways. God has redeemed my life and future. My season of sadness has ended. We are a very happy family. I welcome your blessings and well wishes!”

Hunter stars on The Bold and the Beautiful, as Dr. Taylor Hayes, a psychiatrist whose life has been intertwined with the lives and loves of the Forrester and Marone families. She debuted on the series in 1990 and remained as a series regular through 2002. Hunter returned to B&B in 2004 for a two-episode arc, and then returned once again as a series regular beginning in May 2005.

CBS Cancels ATWT

(From the Associated Press)

NEW YORK – CBS is canceling the soap opera As the World Turns after more than a half-century on the air.

CBS says the final episode will air next September, in its 54th year. Daytime dramas have been in a long-term ratings decline, and CBS ended the daytime soap Guiding Light earlier this year.

Through the years, actors Marisa Tomei, Meg Ryan, Parker Posey and James Earl Jones have appeared on the show.

The cancellation will leave CBS with only two daytime dramas: The Young and the Restless and The Bold and Beautiful.

Eric Braeden Says Goodbye to Genoa City

It has been whispered about for weeks, and now it is official: Eric Braeden who has starred as Victor Newman on the #1 rated soap The Young and the Restless, a role he originated in February 1980, has departed the soap after being asked to take a huge salary cut in the middle of his contract.

While it is not unusual in these economic times to ask to take a salary cut when renegotiating one's contract (see Jess Walton and Melody Thomas Scott), it's quite unheard of to be asked to take a pay cut on an already determined salary, and in the middle of one's contract.

I'll be talking with Eric later this week about it, and will bring you the full story ASAP!

Meet and Greet With Tyler Christopher

WHAT:
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for fans to meet one of daytime soap's hottest stars, Tyler Christopher, who plays Nikolas on General Hospital.

Tyler will be in Las Vegas, Nevada, as part of Soap Opera Digest magazine's "Shop Like a Soap Star" national tour. The star will be signing autographs and posing for pictures with his fans.

WHEN:
Saturday, October 10th from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Wal-Mart Supercenter #2593
2310 East Serene Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89123

COST:
Free.

Finals Days of the Light

Guiding Light's last airdate is Sept. 18th, so make sure you tune in during these final days to see some old friends. Beginning Sept. 14th, the following former castmembers will make an appearance: Lisa Brown (“Nola”), Carey Cromelin (“Wanda”), Morgan Englund (“Dylan”), Melissa Hayden (“Bridget”), Maureen Garrett (“Holly”), Jay Hammer (“Fletcher”), David Andrew Macdonald (“Edmund”), Peter Simon (“Ed”), Nancy St. Alban (“Michelle”), Paul Anthony Stewart (“Danny”) and Krista Tesreau(“Mindy”). Okay, I'm getting teary-eyed now ...

Also, the CBS news magazine 60 Minutes will do a tribute to the 72-year-old soap this coming Sunday, Sept. 13th.

Days: Now Streaming Online

PRESS RELEASE

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — August 10, 2009 — Fans of the popular NBC daytime drama, "Days of our Lives," will never again have to worry about missing an episode as NBC.com announced today that it will begin streaming full episodes of the long-running Emmy Award-winning program daily at www.nbc.com/Days_of_our_Lives.

The announcement was made by Vivi Zigler, President, NBC Universal Digital Entertainment. "NBC.com is pleased to add 'Days of our Lives' to the great line-up of shows available for streaming. 'Days' has such great fans — now they can watch every episode again on line!," said Zigler.

"'Days of our Lives' has had such a long, rich history with NBC and our fans. It's wonderful that this new platform will both offer our current fans a whole new way to watch episodes they may have missed and attract new, young viewers to the show," said Ken Corday, executive producer of "Days of our Lives."

Fans will be able to view the past 10 episodes immediately. And, beginning Tuesday, August 11 (3:00 a.m. ET), the previous day's episode will be available. All episodes will be available for a duration of sixteen days.

While visiting the "Days of our Lives" site, fans can also read the "Days Insider Blog" for the latest news and interviews, watch daily sneak preview clips, interact with entertaining features like Ask the Hunk and the Quick Guide to Salem, play games, and engage with the lively community of dedicated fans.

Some AMC Stars Might Not Make the Move to L.A.

In an interview on Regis and Kelly this morning, Susan Lucci stated that is not sure if she'll make the move to Los Angeles when AMC moves there this fall. "I love All My Children ... but I don't know what I'm going to do." She added that she will think on this decision on the vacation she is about to take.

Another actor on the fence about the move is Thorsten Kaye. He told the New York Daily News: "I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I'm not the kind of dad who wants to be 3,000 miles away from my kids." Thorsten's wife, Susan Haskell, currently works on One Life to Live which will continue to be produced in New York.

No Hope for a GL Reprieve

Here is the official statement from Telenex Media Inc. about the demise of Guiding Light and its possible return on another network:

"We promised our fans we would do everything we could to find a new home for the show. In the ensuing months, we have engaged in serious discussions with many networks, leaving no stone unturned in our effort to place the show elsewhere. Unfortunately, despite the urgent and dedicated efforts of many people, we have not been able to secure an outlet to carry the show moving forward. We are extremely disappointed with this outcome, but we are confident we have exhausted every possible option.”