Casting News!

First off, let me apologize for the scarcity of my posts this past week. I went on my first cruise last Friday through Monday, and have been spending the rest of the time playing "catch-up" at work.

Now, onto the exciting casting news!

I think someone at As the World Turns was reading our blog, because Cady McClain will be reprising her Emmy Award-winning role of Rosanna Cabot later this year. She made the announcement on her Web site: "I am returning to ATWT to play Rosanna Cabot, who will arise from her coma in Switzerland to what deeds we can only imagine. Who is she now?! What did she dream?! How is her hair?! I am very pleased to be returning, and I hope to have a lot of fun."

When I interviewed her last year (while she was on AMC), she spoke VERY fondly of her time on ATWT, and I had the feeling that she would jump at the chance to return if given the chance. Here's what Cady told me back in August 2006: “It was hard to be so mean (as Rosanna), but it was a great experience. I felt slightly stigmatized by the ‘Dixie’ character and stymied by what I was exploring. I wanted to prove I could play something entirely different and I did. I won a Daytime Emmy my third year playing Rosanna. That was very nice and extremely gratifying.”

I am very happy for Cady and wish her all the best in Oakdale. Maybe she'll give Craig Montgomery (newly re-cast Scott Bryce) a run for his money!

Also, as Days of Our Lives has been teasingly hinting to fans for months now, the DiMera's are back -- with a vengeance! Joseph Mascolo will be back starting June 6th to reprise his role of evil-doer Stefano DiMera. Although details of his contract have not been released, he is expected to appear at least through the summer.

Guiding Light Stars Shine on Stage

Congratulations to Laura Bell Bundy, my favorite Marah, for her Tony Award nomination: Best Performance for a Leading Actress in a Musical. She stars as Elle Woods, the role Reese Witherspoon once made famous, in "Legally Blonde: The Musical." Bundy is no stranger to 42nd Street. After leaving the role of Marah Lewis, which she played on "GL" from 1999-2001, she went on to star as Amber Von Tussell in the hit musical "Hairspray" and then was the original standby for Glinda in "Wicked." While I'd love to see her return to Springfield, or another on another soap, I'm really happy to see her using her musical talents and getting the recognition she deserves.







There's also another (current) "GL" actress who is living her dream on Broadway. Mandy Bruno, who plays Marina Cooper on the soap, has won the role of Eponine in the revival of the classical musical "Les Miserables." It can't be easy juggling a front-burner storyline on daytime with the demands of the stage, but it's an opportunity a theater lover like Mandy couldn't turn down. You can catch her in "Les Miz" from now through October.

For tickets to either or both of these musicals, call 1-800-Broadway, or log on to www.broadway.com

SPOILERS! Week of May 14th

AMC: Jack and Erica get an eyeful when they walk in on Sean and his conquest.
ATWT: Carly lurks in the shadows as Katie visits Jack and the kids at the Snyder farm.
B&B: Storm asks his sister Brooke to coax a confession out of Ridge.
Days: EJ follows Sami on her honeymoon to New Orleans and delivers an ultimatum.
GH: Jax is honest with Sonny about Craig's real identity.
GL: Jeffrey presents a court-ordered DNA test to Alan.
OLTL: Jessica is given bad news about her medical status.
Passions: Chad tells Noah about his affair with Vincent. Is Whitney the next to find out?
Y&R: Jack has no other choice but to sell Jabot to Katherine.

Calling all "Another World" Fans on May 10th!

SOAPnet recently announced they would not be showing anymore episodes of the cancelled classic daytime soap "Another World," and fans are angry. At the very least they were hoping it would air in an overnight slot so they could set their Tivos or VCRs to record it. Fans have created a petition and also written the network pleading for it to return. Now they are trying a Phone Blitz, and they need your help. It's scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, May 10th.

Go to http://soapnot.atspace.com/ to read more about what you can do to help get "AW" back on the air.

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

This week on The Young and the Restless:

• Victor and Michael, armed with damaging secrets, make Ji Min an offer he can’t refuse.
• With the life of her unborn baby in jeopardy, Victoria turns to J.T. for support.
• Phyllis faces blackmail charges as Nikki and Jack try to maneuver the situation to their own advantage.
• Lily secretly investigates Daniel’s computer file, catching him in a lie, and throwing their young marriage into turmoil.
• Amber secretly pulls a stunt to manipulate her way into a life of luxury in the Chancellor mansion.

Tomorrow on The Bold and the Beautiful:
In a heated moment, Nick confronts Stephanie demanding information.

This Week on Passions:
Tuesday, May 8
Ethan begs Theresa not to have Jared's baby.
Sheridan calls on Spike for help.
Miguel is beat up in prison.

Wednesday, May 9
Ethan and Theresa hide from the blackmailer.
Luis plots to get Fancy to come back to the prison.
Julian tells Fox the only way he can win Kay is if Miguel dies.

Thursday, May 10
The Half-Man/Half-Woman finds Little Ethan.
Fancy and Luis come close to making love!
Fox and Julian order Spike to kill Miguel.

Friday, May 11
Theresa learns the Half-Man/Half-Woman has spoken to Little Ethan.
Luis is beaten by other guards while trying to protect Fancy.
Chad decides to get rid of Vincent once and for all!

Next Week on Passions:
Monday, May 14
Spike smothers Miguel!
Whitney thinks she might be pregnant.
Chad meets Vincent at the motel to put an end to their relationship.

Tuesday, May 15
Luis calls for help when he sees Miguel being attacked.
Chad pulls a gun on Vincent.
Endora tries to help her new friend.

Wednesday, May 16
Paloma confronts Vincent about the gunshot she heard.
Ethan tries to fool the blackmailer.
Julian offers Kay a deal for Miguel's freedom.

Thursday, May 17
The Half-Man/Half-Woman discovers Ethan's deception.
Vincent threatens Chad when he discovers he's still been sleeping with Whitney.
Fox eavesdrops on Julian's proposition to Kay.

Friday, May 18
Ethan traps the Half-Man/Half-Woman in the Crane Mausoleum!
Chad confesses his secret to Noah.
Kay agrees to Julian's deal.

Next week on Days of Our Lives:
Bo believes that Steve is in Tinda Lau to kill him and Shawn.
Philip, Belle and Claire are headed straight into a typhoon!
EJ follows Sami and Lucas to New Orleans.
Maggie finds Willow's panties in Nick's room!
TIVO ALERT!
Thursday - Sami and Lucas find themselves in Maison Blanche!
Friday - Wounded Shawn makes a desperate attempt to reach his family.

Tomorrow on As the World Turns:
Maura West returns to Oakdale as Carly. What will this mean for Jack and Katie?

Info on Passions' Switch to DirecTV

Here are a few common questions about the Passions switch to DirecTV on September 17, 2007, and how that will affect your watching ability (from the people at Passions HQ):

Q) I want to make the switch to DIRECTV so I don't miss a single episode of "Passions." What do I do?

A) DIRECTV will make 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 (866-788-0003) or visiting the Web (www.directv.com/passions) that will give those without DIRECTV plenty of time to switch before the new season begins.

Q) I can't get DIRECTV. Will I still be able to watch "Passions" episodes online or on iTunes?

A) No, "Passions" will only be available exclusively on DIRECTV's Channel 101.

Q) Will the current message board still remain active?

A) Yes - www.nbc.com/passions will continue to be the center of the official "Passions" online community. Look for enhanced features and new content soon!

Q) Will my favorite characters still be on the show?

A) We hope to have all of our "Passions" cast and crew remain as the show moves to DIRECTV. We'll know for sure in the next several weeks. Please keep checking back here for updates!

SPOILERS! Week of May 7th

AMC: It's Ryan and Annie's big day. Can Greenlee sit back quietly while her truelove marries another woman?
ATWT: With Cleo's help, Carly is able to finally see her children.
B&B: Rick and Phoebe's vocals are a big hit at Insomnia. Keep an eye out for a new cast member with a familiar face - and hair.
Days: Lucas has a surprising reaction to Sami's confession.
GH: Jason struggles to keep his secret as Elizabeth's condition deteriorates.
GL: Cassie resorts to drastic measures to get even with Alan for his role in Tammy's death.
OLTL: Rex believes there is something more to the marriage of Tate and Paula.
Passions: Little Ethan encounters the half-man/half-woman, who has news for the boy about his father.
Y&R: Sharon is honest with Nick about where her heart really lies.

Eric Braeden Set to Star in The Man Who Came Back

PRESS RELEASE:

Film and Television Vet, "Y&R" Lead Eric Braeden Switches to a Stetson to Executive Produce and Star in the Wild West feature "THE MAN WHO CAME BACK"

Also starring: Billy Zane, Armand Assante, George Kennedy, Sean Young, Carol Alt, Jennifer O'Dell, James Patrick Stewart and Peter Jason.

Journeymen Director Glen Pitre penned the screenplay and will direct

Los Angeles, CA - April 20, 2007 - Film and Television Vet, Eric Braeden who has starred as quintessentially the most popular character in daytime history, Victor Newman on the #1 rated daytime drama series "The Young And The Restless" for more than 27 years, will be taking a hiatus from the long-running soap and switching to a stetson and will star and executive produce the indie feature "The Man Who Came Back," a western where he will star opposite Billy Zane and Armand Assante. Braeden starred as John Jacob Astor in the Academy Award-winning film "Titanic" directed by James Cameron, as well as "Colossus: The Forbin Project" directed by Joe Sargent and the 1960s cult classic series "The Rat Patrol," among countless others.

Also cast in the feature is veteran character actor George Kennedy, along with Sean Young, Carol Alt, Peter Jason, Jennifer O'Dell (who starred in the syndicated TV series "The Lost World") and James Patrick Stewart.

Veteran indie director Glen Pitre (who wrote and directed "Belizaire the Cajun") penned the screenplay for "The Man Who Came Back" and will direct the feature, which is a revenge picture set in the context of the bloodiest labor strike in American History in the 1870s. Steve Bowen, Chuck Walker, Sam Cable and John Castellanos are slated to produce.

Shooting commenced in late April and will continue throughout May in various locations in Texas.

SPOILERS for B&B, Passions and Days!

The Bold and the Beautiful: Don't miss tomorrow's episode when Lt. Baker gathers a cast of possible murderers (of Shane) and theorizes several scenarios before making a scandalous arrest!

Passions: Tomorrow, Jessica wakes up to another dead john, Valerie tells Eve and Julian that she has found their son. Next week, Miguel is beat up in prison, Fancy and Luis come close to making love, Whitney thinks she might be pregnant, and Chad decides to get rid of Vincent once and for all!

Days of Our Lives: Next week, Kate has a wedding surprise in store for Sami, EJ gives Steve a deadly assignment, Nick and Chelsea have a heart-to-heart, Stephanie's "bad girl" actions land her in the hospital!

Days Vet Guest-Stars on ATWT, and Other Casting News

Heather Lindell, best-known to many of us as that crazy Jan Spears from Days of Our Lives, will appear as Lynn on As the World Turns. Like Jan, Lynn appears to be a troublemaker, causing trouble for Brad and Katie on May 4, 7 and 8.

Remember, also, that today is Zach Roerig's last day in Oakdale, where he portrayed ATWT's Casey Hughes since January 2005.

Carey Cromelin returns as Wanda on Guiding Light to help welcome Josh Lewis home from prison on May 4.

Also on GL, Stephanie Gatschet returns to Springfield and continues her haunting of mom Cassie beginning May 4.