Out on the Town - April 2, 2008

1 Recently departed AS THE WORLD TURNS actress Lauretta Vaughn is everywhere lately. Wednesday she attended the 13th Annual Gen Art Film Festival opening night Afterparty at The Park in New York City. Meanwhile, former A WORLD APART star Susan Sarandon attended The Cinema Society and IWC After Party of "My Blueberry Nights" at the Soho Grand Penthouse also in New York City.

Julie Pinson Update

In addition to a first airdate of May 8th, I can now confirm Julie Pinson's new character on AS THE WORLD TURNS, Janet Ciccone, is the ex-girlfriend of Brad Snyder. This should be interesting as I always thought Pinson and Peck had chemistry in scenes together on DAYS OF OUR LIVES, even though she was playing his sister. It was sort of the like the chemistry between Jon Hensley and Marie Wilson who play brother and sister on ATWT.

AMC's Mathison Rings Closing Bell

1 ALL MY CHILDREN star Cameron Mathison rang the NASDAQ Closing Bell in Times Square, New York City yesterday along with Melania Trump.

Out on the Town - April 1, 2008

1 Former SUNSET BEACH and ONE LIFE TO LIVE star Sherri Saum attended "The Visitor" New York Premiere after party at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Actor Griffin Dunne was also in attendance.

Flashback: TV Listings for April 2, 1956

ON TELEVISION (New York City listings) Channel 2..WCBS-TV Channel 4..WRCA-TV Channel 5..WABD Channel 7..WABC-TV Channel 9..WOR-TV Channel 11..WPIX Channel 13..WATV Monday, April 2, 1956 1:30-2-As The World Turns: with Don McLaughlin, Helen Wagner, others; dramatic series about a lawyer (Premiere) - (2). 1:30-3-Film: Afternoon Show: "Four Faces West," with Joel McCrea, Frances Dee, Charles Bickford; Western - (7). 3-4-Matinee Theater: "Singer in the Valley," Betty Lynn plays a compassionate school tacher; in cooperation with the Lutheran Television Associates (Color) - (4). 3-5-Film: Afternoon Festival: "Turn the Key Softly," with Yvonne Mitchell, Terence Morgan, others; the first day of freedom for three women released from prison - (7). 4:30-5-The Edge of Night: John Larkin, Bob Dixon in a series abuot the adventures of a detective lieutenant (Premiere) - (2). And later that evening on the same channel ATWT and EON premiered... 9-9:30-I Love Lucy: with Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz; Lucy suspected as a thief - (2).

SoapNet Picks up MVP

Back in November, I reported that Canadian network CBC was going to start airing a new prime time soap, MVP, in January. Look for the show to now air on SoapNet in US after CBC pulled the plug on its steamy hockey drama. According to today's Globe and Mail, SoapNet has signed a deal to purchase the first season of the show, set to air June 19. "We are thrilled it has found a perfect U.S. home with SOAPnet," MVP creator Mary Young Leckie said. "What this means is we've got a new launch - as an original series - in the States. ABC is taking the cast around to do a number of promotions, as well as the talk-show circuit," Leckie, co-founder of Screen Door Inc., added yesterday. "If it's successful for ABC, it could leave the door open to a second season." Last month, CBC cancelled three series including the 10-episode MVP (which cost about $1.5-million an hour to make). Three weeks ago - soon after learning of MVP's demise - Leckie took the high road, saying, "I think CBC did its best with the show, but I did think they'd stick with us a little longer. This is a tough business and I can't slam anyone. We move on." Yesterday, Brian Frons, president, daytime, of Disney-ABC's Television Group, said they jumped at MVP, which he added is perfectly suited to SOAPnet's audience. "I just think this is a prime-time serial with great production values, a terrific cast and we're delighted to be the premier network in the United States," Frons said. "The series is a perfect fit for SOAPnet's programming mandate to supply high-quality television to the American audience. We're looking forward to developing a successful relationship with Screen Door." Leckie said SOAPnet's thumbs-up for MVP "gives a whole new dimension to the project." Interestingly, a source close to CBC says the broadcaster has held onto MVP's second-season licensing rights. "Presumably, CBC will be keeping a very careful eye on the performance of MVP in the U.S. market," he said. "It if does well, CBC could jump back in for season two." CBC plans to rerun MVP in June, the same time it will launch on SOAPnet. Meanwhile, it has been rumoured that another major Canadian broadcaster has been talking to MVP's creators about partnering for season two. Young Leckie refused to comment on that twist yesterday, which would hinge on the CBC releasing MVP for subsequent sale. MVP, which employed roughly 175 people in Canada, follows the on- and off-the-ice drama surrounding the Canadian Mustangs hockey team and the women in their lives. It will air on SOAPnet Thursdays at 11 p.m. The cast includes Lucas Bryant, Dillon Casey, Matthew Bennett, Peter Miller, Kristin Booth, Anastasia Phillips, Deborah Odell, Natalie Krill and Olivia Waldriff.

WGA East Files Arbitration Over Soap Replacement Writers

The Writers Guild of America, East, has filed separate arbitration cases against ABC and Corday Productions for allegedly violating the guild’s strike termination agreement by retaining writers hired during the writers strike earlier this year. The WGAE alleges that Corday Productions, which produces DAYS OF OUR LIVES and ABC, which produces ALL MY CHILDREN, hired replacement writers during the 100-day WGA strike and has not terminated these employees. Instead, the replacement writers are preventing striking guild writers from returning to their positions, the WGAE said. “The strike termination agreement does not allow the retention of replacement writers in lieu of allowing striking writers to return to their jobs. ABC and Corday Productions are clearly violating this agreement,” said Ira Cure, senior counsel for the Writers Guild of America, East. “They have left us no other option but to file arbitrations to ensure our members will be afforded their rights outlined under this agreement.” The companies have 10 days to respond to the cases. The Writers Guild of America went on strike Nov. 5 over issues including residual payments for online distribution of content. A lack of writers forced numerous shows out of production and cost the Los Angeles economy an estimated $2.1 billion. The strike was resolved in mid-February. Representatives of Corday were not available for immediate comment. NBC, which airs DAYS OF OUR LIVES, had no comment. "We are in full compliance with our contract and the allegation is untrue," ABC said. A network source familiar with the situation said the WGAE was grandstanding because it subverted direct discussion in favor of announcing arbitration straight to the press. Source: TV Week

More on SoapNet's RELATIVE MADNESS

Most families have their own bit of madness. And now, SoapNet wants to tap into that phenomenon, relatively speaking. The network will bow six one-hour specials, counting down the top 25 most over-the-top TV and celebrity family moments. In time and homage to Mother’s Day, SoapNet will bow the first entry, "Mama Drama," Thursday May 8 at 11 p.m. May 8. On display celebrity moms, Dina Lohan and Britney Spears, I LOVE NEW YORK’s New York, ALL MY CHILDREN’s Erica Kane and Sami Brady of DAYS OF OUR LIVES. The series of specials concludes the week of Father’s Day, with Father Knows Less. “We live in a ‘Soap Nation’ and these series recognize this by combining the soapy themes found everywhere today – in daytime, primetime, reality and celebrity-life,” said Brian Frons, president, Daytime at Disney ABC Television Group in a statement. “SoapNet continues to broaden its reach by investing in original programming; this franchise is another step in our ongoing effort to expand SoapNet’s audience while aligning pop culture and celebrity antics with the ‘soapy’ drama it is.” As mentioned, each show will count down the 25 most over-the-top TV and celebrity family moments, blending commentary from a variety of talent and comedians, including Joy Behar (The View), Cameron Mathison (ALL MY CHILDREN), Andrea Bowen (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES), designer Paige Hemmis, Willie Garson, actress Tatyana Ali and mother and daughter reality stars Lisa and Britney Gastineau. In between the crazed mamas and papas specials, SoapNet will zero in on “It’s a Sibling Thing,” “Brawl in the Family,” “Crazy…In Love” and “Twisted Family Trees.”

COASTAL DREAMS' Kam Heskin on CSI: NEW YORK

You can catch COASTAL DREAMS star Kam Heskin on CSI: NEW YORK on Wednesday night. "This episode was literally blood, sweat and tears, meaning I was sweating, then got hurt, then cried about it. Shot this 4 days after arriving back from Bulgaria and then went back on to PASSIONS before it wrapped, so its been a crazy spring." If you haven't caught Kam as April on COASTAL DREAMS, catch up on NBC.com. She previously played the role of Caitlin Deschanel Richards on SUNSET BEACH until the show went off the air in December 1999.