Josh Griffith Not Out At Y&R?

1 SoapOperaDigest.com is reporting the following: "Don't believe those rumors and Internet postings that Josh Griffith has been fired as Y&R's executive producer. According to a rep for the show, 'He's still here and still the executive producer.'" Griffith was previously reported to have been fired from Y&R, and replaced by Gary Tomlin. Josh Griffith News Archive

More Soap Stars Joining The Nautica Malibu Triathlon

1 Wally Kurth and Heather Tom will be joining their fellow soap-stars-turned-athletes, Winsor Harmon, Alec Musser and Emily Warfield, September 14 for the Nautica Malibu Triathlon to benefit Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and its Pediatric Cancer Research Program. Los Angeles will again play host to some of the world’s finest athletes, celebrities and philanthropists when the 22nd Annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon, presented by Toyota, invades Zuma Beach on Saturday, Sept. 13, and Sunday, Sept. 14. Participants in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon will put their skills to the test on a course that includes a half- mile swim in the Pacific Ocean, an 18-mile bicycle ride along the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway and a four-mile run along the sands of Zuma Beach. In addition to pushing themselves physically, competitors will be racing for a worthy cause. This is the second year that proceeds from the Nautica Malibu Triathlon will benefit the world-renowned Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and its Pediatric Cancer Research Program. Previously, the event raised nearly $780,000 for Childrens Hospital and organizers are aiming to raise even more in 2008. “The inspiring stories that emerge from the Nautica Malibu Triathlon every year, both from the athletes and the recipients of the generosity of all participants, continues to drive our efforts and make every year better than the one before,” said Michael Epstein, president, Michael Epstein Sports Productions, Inc. (MESP). “We’re proud of the dedication of the corporate teams, the athletes, the celebrities, Nautica® and Toyota to raise money for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, an organization that embodies the spirit of the Nautica Malibu Triathlon.” “Over the course of its twenty-two year history, the Nautica Malibu Triathlon has grown into a first-class athletic event drawing competitors, celebrities and spectators from around the globe,” said Karen Murray, President of Nautica®. “But despite the athletic accomplishments, we’re most proud of the community that comes together every year and the commitment that each participant and spectator makes to supporting the life-saving work of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.” Dedicated to curing and preventing childhood cancers, the Pediatric Cancer Research Program at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles provides groundbreaking treatments and therapies for some of the most serious and life-threatening pediatric cancers to children everywhere. “Through our ongoing dedication to medical research and disease prevention, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and its Pediatric Cancer Research Program is making strides in the fight against this terrible illness,” said Stuart E. Siegel, M.D., director of the Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, and professor and vice chair, pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. “We are very, very grateful for the generosity of all involved with the Nautica Malibu Triathlon, and we look toward the future with hope and an unwillingness to give up in the face of adversity.”

ATWT's Vaughn in "Street Lights for Obama"

1 "Street Lights For Obama," a one-night-only benefit concert of Joe Drymala's new hip-hop/pop musical Street Lights, premiered on Sunday at The Zipper Factory. Ryan J. Davis produced and directed. All sales benefitted Obama For America. Davis currently serves on Obama's Pride NYC Leadership Committee. "Street Lights" follows inner city teens as they strive to create hope in their community and make their lives extraordinary. It is the second major collaboration for Davis & Drymala and they've released free tracks to the Original Concept Recording on streetlightsmusical.com. Lauretta Vaughn, who last appeared as Kit on AS THE WORLD TURNS and was once an INTURN contestant, was part of the ensemble cast. She previous appeared on the soaps DOCTORS and HOLBY CITY. 1 Lelund Derond Thompson, Lauretta Vaughn, Krystal Brown, Markita Prescott, Andrew Arrington, Kevin Curtis, Ebony Hood, Jason Michael Miller, Jasmine Torres, Dominique Elise Porter, Jhon Christopher, Laban Reeves Photo credit: Cassie Corrigan

INTURN Winner Nell Mooney Joins ATWT in October

1 INTURN winner Nell Mooney joins the cast of AS THE WORLD TURNS in the role of Spencer McKay. Spencer will host a variety show with Brad (Austin Peck) and will be keeping a secret from all those in Oakdale. Mooney will first appear in early October. Mooney won a 13-week contract on ATWT after being voted the winner of INTURN by fans. The final three INTURN contestants each appeared in an episode of ATWT in late May/Early June with Mooney playing, Livia Gordone, in scenes with Luke and Noah. Mooney edged out Justin Smith in fan voting.

New SOW/SOD Website Layout

1 Check out the new Soap Opera Digest and Soap Opera Weekly website.

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.