Charles Pratt, Jr. Named ACM Headwriter and Consulting Producer

Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group announced today that Emmy(r) Award-winning writer Charles Pratt, Jr. will serve as headwriter and consulting producer for ABC's Emmy(r) Award-winning Daytime Drama, "All My Children." Mr. Pratt will begin on June 23, 2008. "Charles Pratt, Jr. is a master storyteller. His talents in writing today's biggest primetime hits in conjunction with his vast experience with daytime dramas will undoubtedly elevate 'All My Children' stories in new and exciting directions," says Mr. Frons. "I am incredibly excited to welcome Chuck as headwriter of 'All My Children.' I look forward to his contemporary storytelling sensibility, his warmth and sense of humor enriching the entire canvas of Pine Valley," says executive producer Julie Hanan Carruthers. Mr. Pratt. served as co-headwriter of ABC's "General Hospital" from 2002-2006. His additional TV credits include ABC's megahit series "Desperate Housewives" and "Ugly Betty," in addition to "Melrose Place," "Titans," "Manchester Prep," "Sunset Beach," "Pacific Palisades," "Models, Inc.," "Life Goes On," "Gabriel's Fire" and "Santa Barbara." Film credits include "The Initiation" and "A Cry for Angels." Currently Mr. Pratt has two primetime pilots in the works.

Cyndi Lauper to Perform on ATWT

1 Grammy Award winner Cyndi Lauper will appear as herself on AS THE WORLD TURNS on July 3rd. She'll be singing "Into The Nightlife" off her new album (released yesterday, the day she taped her ATWT appearance) and her classic hit "True Colors." Lauper has an ATWT connection as she performed in "The Laramie Project" benefit in December 2006 in New York along with Van Hansis. Click here for more on Cyndi's new album, "Bring Ya To The Brink."

Mathison, Shepherd to host Two Hour Daytime Emmy Awards

1 Cameron Mathison (ALL MY CHILDREN and DANCING WITH THE STARS) and Sherri Shepherd (THE VIEW) have been tapped to host "The 35th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards," live from Hollywood's Kodak Theater, FRIDAY, JUNE 20 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET -- tape-delayed to the West Coast) on ABC. The announcement was made today by Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group and executive producers Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss. Frons also announced that the first episode of SOAPnet's new original scripted series, "MVP," which follows the on and off-the-ice drama surrounding the Mustangs hockey team and the women in their lives, will air on ABC at 10:00 p.m., immediately following the Daytime Emmys. "Cameron and Sherri both have such an inviting way about them. Viewers will feel like they're in the Kodak and part of the excitement and enthusiasm surrounding this year's broadcast," said Frons. "They bring the perfect vibe to the celebratory atmosphere of this show." In commenting about "MVP," Frons said: "the Daytime Emmys are the perfect springboard into SOAPnet's new original series. We have a unique opportunity to leverage the strength of the division and showcase a great new dramatic series to a broad audience that loves serialized drama." "We are excited to have two of the biggest supporters of daytime programming as our hosts," said Mr. Kirshner and Mr. Weiss. "The audience - both in the Kodak and at home - is in for a very entertaining evening, courtesy of Cameron and Sherri." Mathison currently portrays Ryan Lavery on ABC's ALL MY CHILDREN, a role he created. He is also the host of SOAPnet's reality show I WANNA BE A SOAP STAR, and was featured as a celebrity dancer on the fifth season of ABC's hit competition series, DANCING WITH THE STARS. Shepherd is a co-host of ABC's THE VIEW. In addition to stand-up shows and roles in several sitcoms, she had a regular supporting role in the ABC primetime comedy series LESS THAN PERFECT. If you miss the June 19 premiere of SOAPnet's new original series "MVP," you can catch it on the ABC Television Network at 10:00 p.m., ET/PT on June 20, immediately following the two-hour Emmys broadcast. All-new episodes will premiere Thursdays at 11:00 p.m., on SOAPnet. The pilot episode, entitled "Game On," opens with a shocking tragedy with one of the team's star players and the aftermath that sends shock waves throughout the organization and his family. The series is produced by Screen Door Inc., with Mary Young Leckie and Heather Haldane serving as executive producers.

InTurn Season 3 Episode 13: The Final Four

The remaining four fight for a spot in the final three as the last callback of InTurn unfolds. Who will move on to the next round where America decides the winner of InTurn?

Mathison, Shepherd to host Daytime Emmy Awards

1 Cameron Mathison has a new partner: Sherri Shepherd. The soap star and former DANCING WITH THE STARS contestant will host the 35th annual Daytime Emmy Awards with "The View" gabber and actress-comedian live from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on June 20. Neither Mathison nor Shepherd has ever hosted the Daytime Emmys, nor has either won one. Mathison plays playboy Ryan Lavery on ABC's ALL MY CHILDREN and hosts SOAPnet's competitive reality series I WANNA BE A SOAP STAR. He was nominated for outstanding supporting actor in 2002 and 2004. During the fifth season of ABC's DANCING WITH THE STARS, Mathison came in fifth place with his professional partner, Edyta Sliwinska. Shepherd has been a co-host on ABC's THE VIEW since 2007. The born-again Christian shocked audiences last year when she told "View" moderator Whoopi Goldberg she wasn't sure whether or not the world was flat. She later acknowledged it wasn't. Shepherd, Goldberg and their "View" co-hosts Barbara Walters, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Joy Behar are among the nominee for best talk show host at this year's ceremony. They've lost the category 10 times. While "The View" itself has been honored, Ellen DeGeneres' show has dominated the best talk show category in recent years. A new category — best informative talk show — will be presented this year. The Daytime Emmys will air on ABC on June 20th.

Gay Kiss on tonight's GREEK

1 Calvin (Paul James) gets his first kiss on tonight's episode on GREEK on ABC Family when he locks lips with Michael (Max Greenfield).

Ali Sweeney attends Indy 500 Snake Pit Ball

Alison Sweeney of DAYS OF OUR LIVES attended the 92nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Snake Pit Ball on Saturday at the Indiana Rooftop Ballroom in Indianapolis. 1

Linda Dano Home Collection Returns to QVC

Emmy Award-winning actress, talk-show host, designer and author Linda Dano is scheduled to return to QVC on Friday, June 6 from 9-10 AM (ET) to unveil the latest additions to the Linda Dano Home Collection. With a commitment to leaving no home void of great design ideas, Dano will showcase a variety of home accessories that she says will meet the challenges of today’s complicated housing market. "From coast to coast, people are preparing their homes. Some are 'staging' their homes to help sell in a competitive buyers’ market while others are redecorating their existing spaces. Many people have just moved into a new home and are on a tight budget. We have inventive solutions that meet all of these challenges to help design on a budget with practical elegance," says Dano. Dano’s new pieces were designed to transform any home with modern, traditional or eclectic furniture into warm and functional spaces. As the author of Living Great (GP Putnams Sons) and a frequent contributor to The View, Dano has used her training and talents to create new spaces for private clients and celebrity friends. Now, with the new pieces that Dano is debuting for her line created especially for QVC, she is helping others as well. Linda Dano blogs regularly on Home Design @ http://community.qvc.com/blog/Linda-Dano/3000000055 Linda Dano’s designs have been featured on QVC since 1993, with The Linda Dano Home Collection launching in 2007.

Out on the Town - May 24, 2008

1 CEO / Founder of Niche Media Jason Binn, ALL MY CHILDREN star Susan Lucci, Beth Ostrosky and CEO of The Borgata Hotel Larry Mullin attended the Annual Hamptons Magazine Memorial Day Celebration with cover star Kim Cattrall in Southampton, New York.

Alison Sweeney at the Indy 500

Alison Sweeney of DAYS OF OUR LIVES attended the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 1

Manhattanites After Party

I had a wonderful time at the second night of screening for my film, Manhattanites. Here's a shot from the after part at Mixx Lounge with my dear friend Anne Sayre (ex-Mitzi, ATWT). I'll post a full recap with pictures later today.

InTurn Season 3 Episode 12: The Sixth Callback

A surprise announcement from ATWT Executive Producer Chris Goutman sends chills through the InTurns as they learn one person will be sent home immediately. Later, Kelley Menighan Hensley (Emily) gives out some much needed career advice.

Out on the Town - May 21, 2008

1 Cameron Mathison, Kelly Ripa and Neil Patrick Harris filmed outside of the LIVE WITH REGIS AND KELLY show earlier today in New York City.

Manhattanites Industry Screening

Last night was the first industry screening for my film, Manhattanites. I'll write more about this on Friday. We are screening again on Thursday night in Tribeca. 1 From left: Gregori J. Martin, Derrell Whitt, Lyle Kamenir, Roger Newcomb

Out on the Town - May 18, 2008

Soap stars paint a perfect picture with special needs children For much of the weekend, visiting daytime television soap stars and locals spent their time with a cocktail glass in hand. On Saturday morning the celebrities traded those in for paintbrushes. The actors, in Marco over the weekend for the Southwest Florida Soapfest, arrived Saturday morning at the Marco Island Center for the Arts to pitch in with a program called Art for Autism. The event paired the soap stars with children and young adults, many of whom have autism or other special needs. Ewa da Cruz, who plays Vienna Hyatt on AS THE WORLD TURNS, said she was touched by the experience. Da Cruz painted a picture of a beach with Fida Itayem, a 22-year-old woman with special needs. The performer said she often draws with charcoal and pencils, so she's a bit of an artist herself. A+ SERIES: County's Hollywood connections From early silent movies filmed in black and white to the latest in computer-animated storytelling, Madison County has left its footprint on American cinema. Soap stars from the county include ALL MY CHILDREN's David Canary and former ATWT and GL star James Rebhorn. Former OLTL writer Sweet's new play Men. Women. Can't live with them, can't live without them. Those familiar lines should be enough to interest some people in Jeffrey Sweet's "With and Without," which opens Thursday and closes the main-stage season at the Bickford Theatre in Morris Township. Sweet spent several years writing for ONE LIFE TO LIVE. B&B's Heather Tom campaigns for Clinton in Kentucky Voters in Kentucky are preparing for Tuesday's primary election. Former President Bill Clinton will be rallying for his wife on Monday in the Bluegrass state. Meanwhile, on Sunday, a famous face gears men and women to get out to the polls. Heather Tom from THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL rallied for Hillary Clinton. Tom made several stops in Kentucky, including at the Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Ashland. Nelson Branco's weekly "Suds Report" Ehlers and RPG reunite on ‘AMC’! ‘GH’ courts Marcil! Nuke kiss again! Joe Mascolo, Tony Geary, Michael “Graz” and Jane Elliot leave!

InTurn Season 3 Episode 11: The Star Audition

TV Guide Canada's weekly "Nelson Ratings" Nelson Branco review ;ast week's soap reviews, this week's viewing cheatsheet, and his top-rated actors! Martin and Williams on "Buzzworthy Radio" tonight at 10pm ET Director Gregori J. Martin (SCRIPTS & SCRUPLES) and Co-Director Darnell Williams (ALL MY CHILDREN) will be stopping by "Buzzworthy Radio" tonight to talk about Manhattanites, my first full-length feature film which is screening on Tuesday and Thursday night. ONE LIFE TO LIVE: 40 and Fabulous "It seems today’s OLTL writers have moved away from the outlandish story lines of the past (Mitch, back as a ghost to tell Viki that she had twins daughters from two different fathers without knowing it?) to more down-to-earth scenarios to which average daytime viewers can relate. Quite simply, when you identify with a shows characters you are more likely to stay with them day after day." PHOTOS: Soapfest 2008 Soap fans meet their favorite celebs. Frank Dicopoulos wins Humanitarian award Frank Dicopoulos was presented with the Humanitarian Artistic Achievement Award at The Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund 17th Anniversary Gala. Dicopoulos volunteers time and support to many organizations and charities. BLOG: Tom Casiello Sharing the Cynicism: "I've been very vocal over the last seven months about the mistakes TPTB make on a daily basis with these shows, and God knows I've accepted responsibility for my share of clunkers at Days in 2007. But at what point does it shift over to us on the other side of the TV screen? At one point should we stop assuming the worst about everything and just remember what it felt like to get sucked into a moment and ride it out?" When all else fails, there’s always mindless sex... : "You'll notice I tend to stay away from saying too much about GH or ATWT, only because I have a lot of close friends who work at both, and I don't want to create any bad blood. (You know I love you guys!!!) But Sonny and Carly's limo 'f^king' (Laura Wright's words, not mine) reminded me of all the other times we've seen people jump into the sack with no other motivation than tragedy: Kendall and Aiden on AMC, Cameron and Josie on AW, John and Kate on Days, and dozens more I'm too lazy to name right now - they've all done it. Life is bad, someone's dead (or near dead), tears are shed, and the next thing you know, two people are between the sheets (or in the back of a limo), swapping spit and other bodily fluids while betraying everything - their families, the memories of their lost loved ones, whatever."

For Y&R, No Hughes Ain't Good News

VIDEO: GUIDING LIGHT: A Day in the Life Earlier this month WTVH traveled to New York City to go behind the scenes of Guiding Light where we got the scoop on a day in the life of star Kim Zimmer. Per this story, new actors on soaps earn between $72,000 and $135,000 a year while actors who have been around five to ten years earn between $150,000 and $400,000. Dog howls Y&R theme song on Letterman Parker the dog has been singing to THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS theme for years, but Monday night, the Waterloo, Ont., pet got his biggest reception yet. The Old English sheepdog howled his way into the hearts of viewers as part of the Stupid Pet Tricks segment on LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN. Here's a clip of Parker singing at home: AUDIO: Interview with OLTL's John Brotherton "The Llanview Lowdown" interviewed ONE LIFE TO LIVE star John Brotherton on Monday's show. 1 McTavish: Room For 'All My Children' When it came time for longtime soap opera writer Megan McTavish to remodel the kitchen of her historic Colebrook home, she kept in mind the needs of her five family members — Gus, Sophie, Faith, Mac and Poppy. The family needed room to spread out. Floors that couldn't be easily damaged. And, oh yes, space to store dog food, bowls and leashes. "These dogs are my passion, my kids, my family," McTavish said of her five Bernese mountain dogs. "They live in my house, they live with me, and this whole kitchen redesign has made that much easier. I got the kitchen of my dreams." INTERVIEW: AMC's Billy Miller "I really do not know what is going happen between them," reveals Miller when I asked if Ritchie is going to seek revenge on his sis once again. "I think Ritchie, for the lack of a better word, has laid off the sister revenge for the moment.  He has bigger fish to fry." Finola Hughes to Y&R Hughes will play Sabrina's mother, Zara. "Expect Fireworks," Hughes says. "Zara is quite the troublemaker and has a very complicated relationship with Sabrina. She deserted her daughter for years, leaving her in boarding schools while she flitted off to live her own life. Now she's back and thrilled that Sabrina is marrying a billionaire." OLTL's Kristen Alderson & Brandon Buddy on THE VIEW

The New 90210

In the May 26 issue of TV Guide — on sale this week — Michael Logan ran an interview with Finola Hughes, aka Anna Devane on ABC's GENERAL HOSPITAL, about her upcoming guest stint on CBS' THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. But just after that issue went to press, execs at ABC and GH had a collective cow over Hughes's temporary defection and pressured the actress to drop out of the Y&R role. ABC has now issued the following statement: "GENERAL HOSPITAL always planned a big summer storyline revolving around the characters of Anna Devane and Robin Scorpio as the mother-daughter relationship continues to grow in the face of Robin becoming a mother for the first time. Upon learning Finola Hughes had booked a role in a short story arc on a competing daytime drama, GENERAL HOSPITAL requested that she honor her commitment to our show, and she graciously obliged." Y&R had set Hughes for a four-episode appearance as Zara, the flirty, opportunistic mother of Sabrina (played by Raya Meddine). The character is due to arrive in Genoa City June 19, just in time for Sabrina's wedding to mega-mogul Victor Newman (Eric Braeden). Word is, the powers at the CBS-Sony soap are furious that their big casting coup was squelched and that Hughes caved in to ABC. A Y&R rep insists the deal with Hughes was signed and sealed — otherwise she wouldn't have been allowed to get on the phone with me to discuss the role (the "exclusive" was set up by a show publicist). Hughes herself told me that there was no scheduling conflict with the two soaps, and that she is not currently under contract to GH (as a free agent, she also hosts Style's How Do I Look?). Y&R exec producer Josh Griffith is refusing to discuss the situation, choosing instead to send out this statement: "We think Finola is an exceptional actress. We're sorry things didn't work out, and we'd love to work with her in the future." Y&R has yet to replace Hughes, who was due to begin taping May 28. Here's what the actress told me about the character: "Expect fireworks. Zara is quite the troublemaker and has a very complicated relationship with Sabrina. She deserted her daughter for years, leaving her in boarding schools while she flitted off to live her own life. Now she's back and thrilled that Sabrina is marrying a billionaire."

SoapFest Photo Gallery

1 Former THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS star Victoria Rowell and fiance artist Radcliffe Bailey attended the Victoria Rowell Steps Out for High Tea at Noon held at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

ATWT's Jake Silbermann on Soaps as Learning Experience

Stars from the New York soaps were in Florida this weekend for the annual Southwest Florida SoapFest. Here are some photos from the various events. 1 Daytime Emmy nominated actor Van Hansis from AS THE WORLD TURNS paints with 7-year old Morgan Broxson as Morgan's sister, McKenna, 3, looks on. 1 Summer Rogers posing for a photo with Ewa da Cruz of AS THE WORLD TURNS. 1 Walt Willey from ALL MY CHILDREN played Master of Ceremony for the "Night of Stars" event. 1 GUIDING LIGHT star Caitlin Van Zandt signs autographs for Judy Denes and Ellen Duran of Homestead, Fla.