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Helen Wagner, 'As the World Turns' Legend, Dies at 91

Allison Waldman — 2010-05-02T22:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Daytime, Video, Celebrities, Obituaries, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

One of the legendary actors of daytime television, 'As the World Turns' star Helen Wagner, passed away Saturday, May 1, 2010. She was 91 years old and still an active member of the CBS soap opera.

In fact, Helen Wagner was daytime marvel. She was on 'As the World Turns' when it premiered on April 2, 1956, and continued in the role of Nancy Hughes ever since. She's in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest run by an actor in a television show.

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Soap Round-Up: 'One Life's' Todd Nearly Dies ... and More

Allison Waldman — 2010-05-01T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Daytime, Reality-Free, Episode Recaps, Features, Recaps

Welcome to the Soap Round-Up, a weekly recap from all the soap action this past week. To make the column even more timely, check it out every Friday evening! Remember, we'll recap each and every soap, from 'All My Children' to 'The Young and the Restless,' so if you don't want to know what aired already, consider this a SPOILER ALERT. Oh, one last thing, please comment and join the conversation. We love hearing from you!

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'The View' Scores Tyson, Sidibe

Laura Prudom — 2010-04-29T14:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Daytime, Features

ABC's 'The View' looks set to land a knockout 1-2 punch in the first week of May with two impressive guests: Mike Tyson and Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe.

According to The Wrap, Tyson will make his 'View' debut on Fri., May 7, marking his first on-air interview with Barbara Walters since the awkward 1988 joint interview Tyson shared with then-wife Robin Givens on '20/20,' during which Givens described life with the boxer as "pure hell."

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ABC Gives 'One Life to Live' A Vote of Confidence

Allison Waldman — 2010-04-29T09:08:00+00:00

Filed under: Other Reality Shows, Industry, Programming, OpEd, Daytime, Cancellations, Ratings, Features, TV Schedules, TV News

It's been a tumultuous few months for ABC's daytime drama 'One Life to Live.' Recently, we reported that Tuc Watkins is returning, and they are bringing in a former scribe to be the associate headwriter, and the gay couple -- Kyle and Oliver -- were dumped. All that hubbub had us speculating about the future of 'One Life to Live' in an era when longtime soaps like 'Guiding Light' have been canceled and another legendary daytimer, 'As the World Turns' is ending it's run in September.

Well, fans are concerned, too, especially after the story emerged last week about ABC Daytime developing a talk show for Tori Spelling. TV Guide went to the Jori Petersen, the head ABC Daytime PR, to ask if the Spelling show might threaten the future of 'One Life.'

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Sean Young Joins 'The Young and the Restless'

Allison Waldman — 2010-04-26T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, Daytime, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

File this under another daytime TV shocker: According to PEOPLE, actress Sean Young ('Blade Runner') will make her daytime debut on the longrunning CBS soap 'The Young and the Restless.' She'll play Meggie, a "sultry barmaid" who becomes involved with Victor Newman, played by her 'Man Who Came Back' co-star, Eric Braeden. Young's role is set to tape in May.

Young is one of two A-listers taping next month: As we previously reported, 'Baywatch' alum David Hasselhoff will make a brief cameo return as Dr. William "Snapper" Foster, Jr., though his role will not overlap with Young's.

"Getting the chance to work with my dear friend Eric Braeden, one of the true gentlemen in entertainment, was certainly a deciding factor for me as well as wanting to get back to work after taking a few years off to raise my kids," Young said, according to PEOPLE.

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Tuc Watkins Returns to 'One Life to Live'

Allison Waldman — 2010-04-24T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Daytime, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

On April 4, we reported that 'One Life to Live' was making a change in the writing department by bringing in Jean Passanante as associate head writer to numero uno scribe Ron Carlivati. That was one step in trying to right the foundering ship that was 'One Life to Live,' and here's another: Actor Tuc Watkins is returning to 'One Life to Live' as David Vickers. Hooray!

This is a great move, especially because unlike Watkins' previous reappearances in the last year or so, this will be a long-term visit. He is going on contract and will be there for at least a few months. That means they can write a good story for David, and that's what they need to do!

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Soap Round-Up: Jack Suspects Emily on 'Young & Restless' ... and More

Allison Waldman — 2010-04-23T19:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Daytime, Reality-Free, Episode Recaps, Features, Recaps

Tom Cruise Returns to 'Oprah' in May

Rich Keller — 2010-04-23T16:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Programming, Daytime, Celebrities, Talk Show, Reality-Free, Features, TV Schedules, TV News

What do you do when you're Oprah Winfrey, you're ending your mega-successful show in about a year and you want your audience to surge during the May sweeps? First, you get Tom Cruise to return to your program. Then, you fill in around that.

That's exactly what Oprah is doing on her show. On the May 14 installment Cruise, along with Cameron Diaz, will show up to promote their upcoming action-comedy 'Knight and Day.' Don't look for too much couch-jumping by Mr. Cruise, though, as he has a movie to promote.

Surrounding Cruise's appearance are a bevy of personalities, both in and out of Hollywood, that will stop by to chat with Miss O. This includes Simon Cowell, Dolly Parton, former First Lady Laura Bush, Julia Roberts and, for all of you screaming teenage girls out there, Justin Bieber. The full schedule can be found after the jump.

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David Hasselhoff Returning to 'The Young and the Restless'

Allison Waldman — 2010-04-20T11:45:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, Daytime, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

It looks like soap opera fans are about to get another blast from the past.

On the heels of Juliane Moore's cameo as Frannie Hughes on 'As the World Turns' and news that Charles Shaughnessy will be reprising his character, Shane Donovan, on 'Days of Our Lives,' EW.com is reporting that 'Knight Rider' himself, David Hasselhoff, is returning to 'The Young and the Restless' to play Dr. Snapper Foster.

From 1975-1982, David Hasselhoff was the epitome of a soap leading man on 'The Young and the Restless.' Gorgeous, hunky and hot, he wooed the ladies and was brave and committed to saving lives as a Genoa City medical man. More importantly, the character of Snapper was an integral part of the Foster family. The Fosters were the folks from the wrong side of the tracks, hard-working and self-reliant.

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Kate Collins Returns to 'All My Children'

Allison Waldman — 2010-04-19T14:04:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, Daytime, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

There's some big news coming to us from the world of soap. One of the best actresses in the business, Kate Collins, is returning to 'All My Children' as Janet Dillon. You remember Janet, right? Or perhaps you recall her more popular name, Janet from Another Planet. That the nickname the character earned for her bizarre behavior and outrageous antics. She did once throw her sister Natalie down a well, leave her there to die and then threaten to shoot Hayley in the face.

Recently, the character has been played by Robin Mattson -- who is also a wonderful actress -- but Collins return is special because she's the originator of the role. She was last on 'All My Children' in 2007. Collins will be back on the show effective April 30, but the character has already been making her presence known.

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Soap Round-Up - 'Days'' Sami and Rafe Fight Over EJ ... and More

Allison Waldman — 2010-04-17T10:02:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, Daytime, Reality-Free, Episode Recaps, Features, Recaps

Hello, soap fans. Welcome back to our newest feature -- the TV Squad Soap Round-Up. Each week, come visit us for a quick recap of what happened the previous week on all the daytime dramas. Remember, though, we're talking about every soap, from 'All My Children' to 'The Young and the Restless,' so if you don't want to know what you missed, consider this your SPOILER ALERT. For this week, we've divided the shows by network, starting with NBC's 'Days of Our Lives.'

'Days of Our Lives'
Sami was convinced that EJ was being sincere about his new attitude, even though both Brady and Rafe warned her not to trust him. Unbeknownst to Sami, EJ was in cahoots with Stefano again. Stefano realized that EJ was still in love with Sami, and forced EJ to do his bidding or else he was going to tell Sami the truth about EJ's part in Sydney's kidnapping. Meanwhile, Nicole advised Chloe to fight for Daniel before Carly made a move on him. Hope and Carly were fighting again, and Adrienne saved Justin when he was attacked outside the bar. Melanie confided to Daniel that she was in love with two men at once.

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'The Young and the Restless' Takes A Bizarro Turn

Allison Waldman — 2010-04-13T13:01:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, Daytime, Reality-Free, Features

Last Friday on 'The Young and the Restless,' the big reveal -- other than Adam being dead and everyone at the Genoa City Athletic Club was a suspect -- was that the person who had abducted Lauren and locked her in a cage was... Lauren!

What? Okay, it wasn't really Lauren. It was somebody who looked just like Lauren. But who the hell was she? We were left to wonder in our TV Squad weekly recap.

The first guess was that somehow, some way, the Lauren look-alike was Sheila Carter. Even though Sheila, Lauren's arch enemy, is dead... or she's supposed to be dead... could it be that she's not dead? Well, no, no, no. That's not it. 'Y&R' wouldn't stoop to that plot device. At least not this time.

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Soap Round-Up - 'GH's' Kiefer Gets Run Over ... and More

Allison Waldman — 2010-04-10T11:15:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, Daytime, Reality-Free, Episode Recaps, Features, Recaps

Greeting, soap fans. Welcome to the newest feature here at TV Squad, Soap Round-Up. Every Saturday, please join us as we recap what happened the previous week on all the daytime dramas. That means instead of shlepping to message boards and sites all over the Internet, you can find all the pertinent info right here. By the way, for any of you who are waiting for the weekend to watch the shows on SoapNet or off the DVR, beware of spoilers! We're doing our recaps with the idea that you want to know what happened and don't need to be surprised! Okay? Okay!

So, before we make the jump and get into every soap, from 'All My Children' to 'The Young and the Restless,' remember the SPOILER ALERT. Oh, one last thing, please comment and join the conversation. We love hearing from you!

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Soap Comebacks: Shaughnessy on 'Days of Our Lives,' Nouri on 'All My Children'

Allison Waldman — 2010-04-09T15:02:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, Daytime, Video, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

Can you name two tall, dark and handsome television stars who will soon be delving into daytime? No, it's not a trick question, it's news. Yesterday, 'All My Children' will be welcoming Michael Nouri to the ABC soap as a new romantic adversary for Erica Kane. As for the other man, it's none other than Charles Shaughnessy, who will be returning to 'Days of Our Lives' to reprise the role he originated in 1984.

You may recall Shaughnessy from his recent stint on 'Mad Men' -- as St. John Powell, director of the British ad agency that acquired Sterling Cooper -- as well as his best-known role, as Mr. Sheffield on 'The Nanny.' But he was wonderful on 'Days' in the '80s and early '90s.

Shane Donovan was the quintessential James Bond of daytime (aside from Tristan Rogers on 'General Hospital'). He was a secret agent with the ISA (International Security Agency), and brought a lot of class and elegance to the show. The fact that he's coming back now is a real plus for the NBC soap, and a shout out to longtime fans who remember Shane.

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'The Young and the Restless' Brings Andrea Evans Back to Soaps

Allison Waldman — 2010-04-08T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, Daytime, Celebrities, Casting, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

Andrea Evans has grown up on daytime television, but for most of us she'll forever be the vexing, adorable Tina Lord on 'One Life to Live.' Despite the shake up at 'One Life to Live,' Andrea's not returning to daytime on that ABC show, but she is coming back to the genre. Watch for Andrea Evans on 'The Young and the Restless.' That's right, she's returning to a show in which she starred from 1983-84, marking a return after 26 years.

According to TV Guide, Evans' visit to 'The Young and the Restless' is a one-day only affair, and that date is May 12, but wouldn't it be great if it could be more than that? There is a connection there. She's going to be playing Tawny Moore, Amber's mom. It's a role that she actually played on 'The Bold and the Beautiful,' 'The Young and the Restless'' sister show. Frankly, Amber could use her mom around. Amber needs supporting characters, even an mother with whom she squabbles.

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Shake Up at 'One Life to Live'

Allison Waldman — 2010-04-04T10:01:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, Daytime, Emmys, Reality-Free, Features

A sure sign that things aren't going well on a soap opera is when they make writing changes. For months, 'One Life to Live' has been spinning out of control. Headwriter Ron Carlivati, who has been excellent in the past, just let the show run off the rails. And the results have been seen in the declining ratings and reason to be concerned about 'OLTL.'

To help get Carlivati out of the woods and back on track, Jean Passanante will join 'One Life to Live' as associate headwriter. (Like Miss America, in the event that Carlivati cannot fulfill his role as headwriter, Passanante will resume his activities...)

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Mimi Bobeck Takes Over 'The Price is Right' For April Fool's Day

Joel Keller — 2010-04-01T17:31:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, Daytime, Game Show, Episode Reviews, Reality-Free, Features, Recaps

It's tough to pull off an April Fool's Day prank and not look like a complete tool. Believe me, we've tried it more than once here at TV Squad. Either the joke is so subtle no one gets it, or it's so obvious and over the top that people start to think we've had our senses of humor surgically removed.

I wanted to give that caveat before I talk about what Drew Carey and the folks at 'The Price is Right' did to celebrate April Fool's Day today. If you didn't see it, Kathy Kinney made her second appearance on the show as her old 'Drew Carey Show' character Mimi Bobeck. This time, Mimi has been given the reins of the show by the folks at CBS, and she not only has made a few changes, but she's watching her arch-nemesis Drew's every move.

The gag worked in places. But the problem with carrying a gag like this through an hour-long game show is that you actually have to play the games in a straightforward manner. And that's where things broke down. Video of Drew's and Mimi's intro is after the jump.

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Julianne Moore Returns to 'As the World Turns' on Monday

Allison Waldman — 2010-04-01T11:05:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, Daytime, Video, Celebrities, Awards, Emmys, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

When it was announced last month that movie star Julianne Moore was returning to 'As the World Turns' for a guest appearance, it sounded like a prank. And the fact that today is April 1 -- April Fool's Day -- maybe you think this is a gag. It's not. Julianne Moore, four-time Oscar-nominated actress -- is really going back to her roots.

On Monday, April 5, Julianne Moore will be on 'As the World Turns' as Frannie Hughes, the character she played from 1985-87 on the CBS soap. She also played Frannie's look-alike British twin Sabrina. She was so good on 'ATWT' that she won the Daytime Emmy in 1988 for Outstanding Ingenue in a Drama Series. And she was! So often in the soap genre, actors are given the opportunity to play a twin -- evil or not -- and they either rise to the occasion... or crash and burn.

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Judge Calls Dr. Phil a "Charlatan"

Bob Sassone — 2010-03-24T16:05:00+00:00

Filed under: Daytime, Celebrities, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

"Charlatan" is a word that should be used more. I think it has been replaced nowadays by words like "sleazebag" and "crook" and maybe "con artist." But a judge in San Diego used it yesterday to describe America's favorite syndicated exploiter of people, Dr. Phil McGraw.

The judge not only called Dr. Phil a charlatan, she also said that he was a "terrible, terrible man" and chastised the "doctor" for not giving a couple enough help and counseling after they appeared on his show. The couple was (or maybe still are?) chronic shoplifters. The judge sentenced the husband to 27 months in jail and his wife to 12 months in jail. The couple would go into stores (with their kids!), steal stuff, and sell most of it on the web. They made $100,000 a year doing that. Who says you can't make money online?

On behalf of America, I'd like to thank this judge for saying out loud what a lot of us have thought about Dr. Phil for quite some time.

'General Hospital' Recasts Sonny's Son Again

Allison Waldman — 2010-03-24T11:04:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, Daytime, Casting, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

Less than a year ago, 'General Hospital' made a big move by aging the character of Michael Corinthos, III. Young Dylan Cash, who had played the role for six years, literally growing up before our eyes, was deemed too young for the mature story the writers had in mind for Sonny's son. It was a rough transition for fans, but since Michael was in a vegetative state and bed-ridden for months and months, when he finally awoke and the actor playing Michael was Drew Garrett, we accepted him.

However, in a surprisingly move, 'General Hospital' has replaced Drew Garrett with Chad Duell. No reason given, just a general statement wishing Garrett well in his future endeavors. The pink slip came as a shock to Garrett who claims he was blindsided by the dismissal. And just a month ago he was on the pre-Emmy nomination list for award consideration.

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