As previously reported, Ilene Kristen is returning to daytime television courtesy of ABC’s “General Hospital” – the actress debuts today. While ABC wouldn’t necessarily confirm which character Kristen would be playing – Delia Reid from “Ryan’s Hope” or even Roxy Balsom on “One Life to Live” – when pressed for comment by Soap Opera Network on Friday, “GH” head writer, Ron Carlivati, spilled the beans over the weekend via Twitter.
Author: Errol Lewis
Just one year ago it seemed likely that “Drop Dead Diva” would end its run after just four seasons with a huge game changing cliffhanger. In the weeks and months following the October 2012 season finale, Lifetime announced it had canceled “Diva” as it reportedly did not fit within their “brand” of programming. When all seemed lost Sony Pictures Television, producers of the series, was able to work out a deal with Lifetime that allowed the show to return for a fifth season. Today Lifetime and Sony announced that “Diva” will return for a sixth season in 2014.
Lisa Hackner has been named Executive Vice President, Daytime and Syndicated Programming, ABC Entertainment Group, it was announced today by Paul Lee, President, ABC Entertainment Group, with whom she will report. Hackner will be responsible for first-run development and production.
On Wednesday, October 23, Jacklyn Zeman tweeted, “@carlivatiron @valentinifrank Congrats on all you are doing, especially the past week. #GH rocks. I’m excited to be coming back. Good times!” With her simple tweet, fans across social media rejoiced as they learned that the actress would once again be reprising her role of Barbara Jean Spencer on ABC’s “General Hospital.”
If you happened to be tuning into today’s episode of ABC’s “General Hospital,” and stayed long enough for the end credits, you may have noticed a familiar face interacting with Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco) and Silas Clay (Michael Easton). “One Life to Live” and “Ryan’s Hope” fan favorite Ilene Kristen was seen serving coffee to the pair in what appears to be Kelly’s diner in the previews for the next episode of the drama series – airing Monday, October 28.
Canadian fans of Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman, “The Young and the Restless”) will have multiple opportunities to meet the actress this weekend and next as she is scheduled to appear at the Calgary Women’s Show in CALGARY, the West Coast Women’s Show at Tradex in Abbotsford in VANCOUVER and The National Women’s Show in TORONTO.
On Monday, October 28, CBS’ “The Talk” will celebrate co-host Sheryl Underwood’s 50th birthday with a special performance by Bobbie Brown, who will sing one of Underwood’s favorite songs – “My Prerogative.”
Beginning with yesterday’s episode of CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful,” reality stars from “Big Brother” and “Survivor” are appearing on the drama series alongside series regulars Kim Matula (Hope Logan) and Darin Brooks (Wyatt Fuller) in episodes showcasing the shows Bikini Bar set, and next week on the set of the Forrester Boutique.
Last night on Twitter, Michael Saucedo thanked his fans for all their well wishes on word that he’s set to reprise his role of Juan Santiago on ABC’s “General Hospital” (see full message below). When we first reported the news a few days ago, we stated that Juan would show up on screen in the coming months. Per Saucedo, fans can expect to see the character return “sooner than later.” According to sources, Juan may be arriving back in town just in time for November sweeps. What can viewers expect when Juan sees his adopted cousin Sabrina (Teresa Castillo) onscreen for the first time? One things for sure, you’ll just have to tune in to find out!
In case you haven’t planned out your primetime viewing schedule for this evening, you might want to check out “The Bold and the Beautiful’s” Darin Brooks on tonight’s all new episode of ABC’s “Super Fun Night” starring Rebel Wilson.
Soap Opera Network has learned that Michael Saucedo is set to return to ABC’s “General Hospital” in the coming months to reprise his role of Juan Santiago, the biological son of Lily Corinthos (Lilly Melgar) and Miguel Morez (Ricky Martin). While storyline details are being kept under wraps, fans can expect his return to provide lots of twists and turns that will send shockwaves all across Port Charles. Saucedo was last seen on “GH” in 2001, when his character left town to pursue a music career in South America. In 2012, it was revealed that Juan was the adopted cousin of Sabrina Santiago (Teresa Castillo).
On Wednesday, October 23, “General Hospital’s” Jason Thompson (Patrick Drake) will be giving ABC’s “The View” a male perspective on the day’s hot topics as the daytime star is scheduled to co-host the chatfest alongside Sherri Shepherd, Jenny McCarthy and Whoopi Goldberg. The Canadian born actor will also be chatting it up with the stars of ABC’s “The Middle” as the cast celebrates the show’s 100th episode airing that night.
On Thursday, November 28 from 7:00 PM ET/PT through 1:00 AM ET/PT, SOAPnet will present a six hour “General Hospital” Nurses Ball marathon comprising all six episodes dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the ABC Daytime drama series, which aired earlier this year on both ABC and SOAPnet. The episodes include the return of Ingo Rademacher as Jasper “Jax” Jacks, Vanessa Marcil as Brenda Barrett, Richard Simmons as a caricature of himself, Rick Springfield’s Noah Drake singing “Jessie’s Girl,” Magic Milo (Drew Cheetwood) and the gang, which includes “Dancing with the Stars'” Maksim Chmerkovskiy, doing a strip tease. Sabrina Santago (Teresa Castillo) and Patrick Drake (Jason Thompson) closed out the ball as they sang “You’re Not Alone” to Emma Scorpio-Drake (Brooklyn Rae Silzer) as Port Charles’ finest gathered around the stage.
According to Soap Opera Digest, NBC’s “Days of our Lives” is welcoming back veteran actor Drake Hogestyn (John Black) to its canvas after nearly a 7-month absence. Hogestyn last appeared on screen in mid-July based on scenes filmed in mid-March.
On Thursday, October 17, several LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) organizations and individuals celebrated Spirit Day, which asks people to take a stand against bullying and show support for LGBT youth by wearing the color purple. NBC’s “Days of our Lives” took a stand and showed its support as cast members donned purple shirts, jackets and even ties.
In the first 10 weeks of the first quarter, “The Young and the Restless” along with “Big Brother After Dark,” have delivered triple-digit gains in Total Viewers and Women 25-54, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings.
“I am extremely passionate about the pit bull breed, and involved in events and action to raise awareness – awareness that these wonderful animals can be loving pets and furry family members. In an effort to rehab the image of the pit bull breed, I volunteer with Angel City Pit Bulls – www.angelcitypits.org – and we have a big fundraising event this weekend,” says “The Young and the Restless'” Hartley Sawyer, who will be attending the “Strut Your Mutt” event on Sunday, September 15 at 9:00 AM in Woodley Park (Address: Woodley Park, located at 6350 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91436).
The 50th Anniversary season of ABC’s “General Hospital” is on pace of bringing the soap its largest overall audience in five years, the network noted today based on Nielsen Media Research Data. In addition, for the week of September 2, the daytime drama series hit 2-year highs in Women 18-49 (734,000/1.1 rating) and Women 25-54 (967,000/1.6 rating), 10-month high in Women 18-34 (274,000/0.8 rating) and 5-month high in Total Viewers (2.75 million) as “baby fever” continued to power much of the shows overall storyline. In fact, Thursday’s telecast (September 5), featuring the imminent birth of Britt’s baby, stood as the series’ most-watched telecast in nearly over 2 years in Women 18-49 (845,000) and Women 25-54 (1.06 million) and in 8 months in Women 18-34 (342,000) – since 8/15/11 and 1/18/13, respectively.
Margot Wain has been promoted from Director, Daytime Programs to Vice President, Daytime Programs, CBS Entertainment, it was announced today by Angelica McDaniel, Senior Vice President, Daytime, CBS Entertainment, to whom she reports.
On Saturday, September 14, “The Young and the Restless’” Max Ehrich (Fen Baldwin), Melissa Ordway (Abby Newman) and Hunter King (Summer Newman) will be on hand as part of the Los Angeles portion of the 5th annual “Get Your Licks on Route 66” adoption tour, which was founded by FIDO Friendly magazine publisher, Susan Sims. The trio will appear at the East Valley Animal shelter in Van Nuys from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM alongside Ashley Bell, the official “Licks” tour spokesperson, actress and animal lover.