A Couple of Observations

For regular readers of the blog, you know I post soap star birthdays every day. I have been doing this for more than a year now so the past few months I have been taking a look back at last year to make sure everyone is covered. I then double check IMBD and other sources to verify the age of the actors. What's interesting is that some people turned the same age this year as last. If it were one or two, it might be that I made a mistake last year, but it has been several. That's one way of not aging. Also, I bet no one is happier about the firing of Ed Scott from DAYS or Josh Griffith from Y&R than Carolyn Hinsey. For this weekend at least, attention was turned off her scandalous exit from Soap Opera Weekly and onto something new.

Corday Productions Speaks!

1 Burbank – August 19, 2008 - Corday Productions is pleased to announce that Gary Tomlin has joined DAYS OF OUR LIVES as Co-Executive Producer. "I have decided that it's in the best interest of the show's future to make this change in order to improve ‘Days’ both visually and emotionally,” said Ken Corday, Executive Producer. “We at ‘Days’ are grateful to Ed Scott for all of his contributions and amazing energy over the past year. Gary Tomlin brings a long successful history of being an actor's producer and a writer's producer to our cast and crew and I know the viewers will see the immediate results of this change for the better." “I’m very happy to be back at ‘Days’ where I began behind the scenes in the early 80’s,” said Gary Tomlin, new Co-Executive Producer. “It’s wonderful to be given the opportunity to work with Ken Corday.” Tomlin’s career on daytime serials began in 1973 when he was cast on NBC’s “Search for Tomorrow” as Bruce Carson. He joined the Corday family for the first time as Co-Head Writer for “Days” in 1980-1981 and has since served as Head Writer for “Another World” and “One Life to Live.” In 1997 Tomlin rose to Executive Producer of NBC’s “Sunset Beach” then on to “One Life to Live” in 2001 where the series received its first ever Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Series for the 2002 season. "Days of our Lives," which will celebrate its 11,000th episode in January 2009, first premiered as a half-hour drama in 1965 and expanded to an hour 10 years later. Today, it remains a consistent favorite among viewers of daytime television serials and continues to lead the competition among younger female viewers. "Days of our Lives" is produced by Corday Productions Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. Executive Producer, Ken Corday, is following in the tradition of his parents, Betty and Ted Corday, who co-created "Days of our Lives" and helmed the series for many years.

ALMA Award Winners - De Los Reyes, Ferrerra, Sanchez

1 UGLY BETTY and its star, America Ferrera, took top honors at the 2008 ALMA Awards, which recognize achievements by Hispanic artists. Kamar de los Reyes won as Outstanding Performer in a Daytime Drama Series (over Maurice Benard, Jessica Leccia, David Fumero, Galen Gering and Eva Tamargo). Shakira was recognized for her offstage efforts, receiving the Humanitarian Award for her work in early childhood education. A host of artists, including BeBe Winans, Wynonna Judd and Lucero, performed a tribute to Linda Ronstadt, who received the Trailblazer Award for her contributions to American music. The Black Eyed Peas, the Cheetah Girls, Sergio Mendes and Cheech and Chong also performed at the ceremony, hosted by Eva Longoria Parker (Gabrielle, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Sunday. Kate Linder from Y&R and Grant Show from SWINGTOWN were in attendance. Other acting-award winners included Charlie Sheen, Edward James Olmos, Roselyn Sanchez (ex-Pilar, AS THE WORLD TURNS) and Judy Reyes. Designer Narciso Rodriguez was honored for special achievement in fashion. The National Council of La Raza, the country's largest Hispanic advocacy organization, created the ALMA Awards in 1995 to honor Hispanic performers and promote positive images of Hispanics in entertainment. ALMA stands for American Latino Media Arts and also means "soul" in Spanish. The ceremony will be televised Sept. 12 on ABC. 1 1

TV Guide Canada's Nelson Ratings

1 The weekly TV Guide Canada Nelson Ratings are out. Nelson Branco reviews the week in soaps, names his top-rated actors, and provides next week’s viewing cheat-sheet. Also, find out who Branco chose as the best supporting actresses in daytime so far this year.