Today's Soap Star Birthdays

Francesco Quinn (ex-Tomas, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 46 Dax Griffin (ex-Tim, SUNSET BEACH; ex-Shane, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 36

Evening News

1 MyFox Los Angeles: Hundreds of volunteers, including celebrities and political leaders, turned out on Good Friday to serve food, wash feet and give away new shoes to the needy at the downtown Los Angeles Mission as part of an annual Easter-time event. Actress Kate Linder of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS dished up mixed vegetables next to the mayor until he departed to wash feet. Linder, who has volunteered at the Los Angeles Mission for several years, said it was her "duty to give back" to the community. "This is a sense of community and a celebration for everyone," she said. ABC: Nielsen Ratings for the week of March 10-14, 2008. THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS maintains the number one ranking in both total viewers and Women 18-49. Ok! Magazine: Soapland's best loved babes are set for a sizzling competition to find the sexiest lady in television. And their clash will not be settled until the last of viewers’ votes are counted at the star-studded British Soap Awards ceremony in May. Until then, beauties from Britain’s top soaps are vying to pick up the title of Sexiest Female. The early favourites include HOLLYOAKS stunners Jennifer Metcalfe, 23, and Roxanne Mckee, 25. Serial Drama: Battle for the Title of Week's Most Awesome Dialogue. Yes, on GH. I Can't Believe it Either. Entertainment Weekly: Spring preview for DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES. Asbury Park Press: Rick Springfield: From GENERAL HOSPITAL to a No. 1 hit. Variety: TV writer Raymond Goldstone, who wrote for series including DAYS OF OUR LIVES, GENERAL HOSPITAL, KNOTS LANDING and FALCON CREST, died of a heart attack March 13 in Van Nuys, Calif. He was 88. A memorial service for will be held on Friday, April 25, at 7:00 at the WGA Theater, at 135 S. Doheny Dr., Beverly Hills. To R.S.V.P., call 818-786-3235, or email maryelleng5@aol.com. PR-Inside: Recording artist / actor /director Michael Damian has made an unexpected return to Daytime Television's # 1 hit, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. On March 26, Michael will perform his new single "Getting So Much Better" on the Y&R 35th Anniversary Show which also marks the 1000th week at #1 for the CBS-TV Daytime Drama. The entire cast will be in attendance for this historical occasion. Michael, portraying his original character Danny, will be performing in concert with his band. Actress Archives: Michelle Trachtenberg will appear in several episodes on the hit CW series GOSSIP GIRL. The 22-year-old actress will be playing a delightfully bitchy part, a departure from her usual sweet small-screen persona. Fans will likely be relieved to see her on the show, and not Mischa Barton, as previously rumored. Coincidentally, the two actresses have played the same television role. Both portrayed the character Lily Montgomery on the daytime drama ALL MY CHILDREN at different times in the 1990s. The Orgegonian: It's all "Greek" to former AS THE WORLD TURNS actress Spencer Grammer these days. The daughter of FRASIER star Kelsey Grammer begins the last half of her own series' first season as ABC Family's college drama resumes Monday. Her character, Casey, is in her sorority's prime position this time -- or so it seems, anyway. Now the president of Zeta Beta Zeta, she finds being in the top spot also puts her in the hot seat. She must deal with the aftermath of a newspaper expose about her school's Greek system, and she also has to contend with an overly peppy new sorority member (Senta Moses). Kung Fu Cinema: DVD Review: No Retreat, No Surrender. Future GUIDING LIGHT, GENERAL HOSPITAL and ROCKLAND COUNTY actor Kurt McKinney plays Jason Stillwell, a karate student who is a Bruce Lee fanatic. He likes to emulate Lee in the dojo, making a fool of himself. When his father, who is also his karate teacher, is forced against his will to fight a crime syndicate, he is annihilated by Soviet powerhouse Ivan, played by Van Damme. Van Damme is impressive in his first action film role as a villain, showcasing his impressive kicking skills against shotokan karate champion Timothy Baker, who plays Jason’s father. Parade Magazine: In Step With...Ryan Philllippe. Standard Freeholder,: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS just may score another season. Executive producer Jason Katims said he's "incredibly optimistic" about a third season for the drama, which has been in limbo since the writers strike ended. Hollywood Reporter: Alicia Keys is starring in a new microseries called FRESH TAKES for Dove's new Go Fresh product line that will air during MTV's THE HILLS over a five-week period beginning March 24. The three-minute episodes were co-produced by MTV and Dove's media agency MindShare Entertainment and are aimed at giving women a fresh take on life in their twenties. All five episodes will also be available via the web at DoveGoFresh.com and on mobile phones, along with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of Keys and the entire cast. The microseries will also be available on DoveFreshTakes.com.

News Brief

Standard Freeholder: It's been 45 years since GENERAL HOSPITAL began dispensing heavy doses of drama to TV viewers. Since 1963, ABC's longest-running daytime series has documented the trials and tribulations of Port Charles' citizens, carving an unprecedented television niche with intrigue and illness long before ER, HOUSE and GREY'S ANATOMY graduated from medical school. "You don't get to 45 years just because you're lucky," executive producer Jill Farren Phelps told The Associated Press as the cast and crew celebrated GH's April 1 birthday with punch and cake on the show's hospital set at ABC's Prospect Studios. Gold Derby: Split reax to GLAAD's controversial award. Brooklyn Daily Eagle: Young Brooklyn Actor Mick Hazen gains accolades in AS THE WORLD TURNS. Timmins Daily Press: Plot line teasers for the week of March 24th.

Jay Leno Asks Ryan Phillippe to Give Camera His 'Gayest Look'

Ryan Phillippe appeared on THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO on Wednesday night doing promotion for the film Stop-Loss and the first topic Leno brought up was Phillippe's first acting role as a gay teen on ONE LIFE TO LIVE. No matter that the role was a serious one in which a gay son came out to his father. Leno had to squeeze as much of a joke out of the fact that his first acting role was a gay part, even asking Phillippe to look into the camera and give his "gayest look." To Phillippe's credit, he seemed annoyed with the line of questioning.

Out on the Town - March 18, 2008

1 ALL MY CHILDREN actress Leven Rambin attended the 2008 New York Auto Show - Mercedes-Benz House of BlueTEC. Former ANOTHER WORLD and SEARCH FOR TOMORROW star Joe Morton attended the 2008 Sci Fi Channel UpFront at The Morgan Library and Museum in New York City.

Interesting Comments from Gold Derby's Tom O'Neil

1 Tom O'Neil on whether AS THE WORLD TURNS deserved a GLAAD Award for the Luke and Noah storyline: The show began its blatant discrimination near year's end, not letting them kiss during the notorious mistletoe scene. This issue began during the 2007 award eligibility period, remember. ATWT even forbade the actors to kiss at the GLAAD Awards, by the way! I will write up our report on the details of that later, after I speak today with GLAAD prez Neil G. Gold Derby will publish a full report later today, adding the input of more sources who I've been speaking to over the past 24 hours.

New Lily on As The World Turns?

Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Martha Byrne's replacement has been hired and it is a "name" actress who didn't even have to screen test. They are not giving out her name yet because Martha had not taped her last scenes yet when the magazine went to print. Noelle Beck and Susan Haskell are the names that have most frequently been rumored.

POZ Event: Third Annual AIDS Walk New York Fund-Raiser

1 The staff of Smart + Strong, publishers of POZ, Tu Salud & Real Health invite you to the Third Annual AIDS Walk New York Fund-Raiser Wednesday May 14, 2008 from 5:45 to 9:00PM Prohibition. 503 Columbus Avenue. New York City. Rich and Ian of Prohibition have once again generously set aside valuable time to support this important effort. There will be a $25.00 donation at the door and a two drink minimum. Table reservations are gladly accepted for those who are dining. RSVP: 212.938.2045 (papag@pozevent.com) Helping the cause: Ilene Kristen (Roxy, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) Thorsten Kaye (Zach, ALL MY CHILDREN) Mark Dobies (ex-Noah, GUIDING LIGHT) Matt Walton (ex-Terry, ALL MY CHILDREN) Click here for more details.

Evening News

TV Guide: Martha Byrne wasn't planning to say much publicly about her shocking decision to quit AS THE WORLD TURNS. But then the show's executive producer, Chris Goutman, issued a statement saying: "We made Martha an incredibly generous offer in hopes that she would remain a valuable member of the ATWT cast. Unfortunately, Martha has decided to leave despite our best efforts to keep her." And that was something Byrne couldn't ignore. " I've spent 21 years of my life at ATWT and have loved every minute of it, and that's what's so hard about this. On my last day on the set I cried like a baby. Ellen Dolan [Margo] brought in the bagpipe guys from the NYPD to play when my last scene was done. The cast, the crew, everybody was so incredible. That show was my life! I met my husband [retired NYC police officer Michael McMahon] and had my three children while doing ATWT. I had my very first kiss in my life on that show, with Brian Bloom [the original Dusty]. I had my first crush ever on Jon Hensley [Holden], and I probably now still have a crush on him!" 1 ABC: "The 35th Annual Daytime Emmy(r) Awards" will be produced by White Cherry Entertainment for the ABC Television Network LIVE, FRIDAY, JUNE 20 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET; West Coast tape delayed), from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre, it was announced jointly by Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group and Peter Price, president, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. In making the announcement, Mr. Frons said: "After hiring them initially in 2003 and delivering a memorable show in 2006, we are thrilled White Cherry Entertainment will be back to produce this year's broadcast ceremony. I am confident Ricky Kirshner, Glenn Weiss and their highly creative production team will craft a show that is not only entertaining and fun, but a must-watch one that will captivate the audience." Emmy Award-winning executive producers and White Cherry principals Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss continued: "We are happy to again partner with the creative people at ABC and NATAS to produce a broadcast that celebrates the remarkable achievements in daytime television." Mr. Kirshner and Mr. Weiss have also produced the pre and half-time shows for Super Bowls XL and XLI, as well as the Tony Awards, for which they have won many primetime Emmy Awards. As previously announced, TV legend and talk show host Regis Philbin ("Live with Regis & Kelly") will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during the broadcast ceremony. Past recipients include Barbara Walters, James Lipton, Caroll Spinney and Merv Griffin. In addition, the nominations for "The 35th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards" will be announced live on ABC's "The View" Wednesday, April 30 (11:00 a.m. to noon, ET). More news on the show, presenters, performers and other guest stars will be announced at a later date. Broadway World: EVENT: On March 20, join the production team and cast of Life After Tomorrow (including AS THE WORLD TURNS star Martha Byrne) for a discussion, performance and signing at 5:30pm at the Barnes and Noble at Lincoln Triangle (located at 1972 Broadway). AfterElton: Liveblogging AS THE WORLD TURNS: We have ways of making you talk, Mayer. New York Times Blogs: Among the recipients of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Media Awards on Monday night, one stood out: AS THE WORLD TURNS, which won the award for outstanding daily drama, has been criticized by viewers for what they perceived as a deliberate attempt to treat gay characters differently. FOX News: Billionaire investor Warren Buffett is coming to the aid of Susan Lucci's ALL MY CHILDREN character Erica Kane. Soapdom: THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL is 21 years young (or will be on Sunday). The Spoiler: "Despite growing up in Texas, Eva Longoria managed to avoid the slow road to obesity, and found fame playing Gabrielle in DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (she’s the youngish one whose always finds an excuse to trot around in just her underwear).In 2006, she shot straight to the top of the international WAG league when she married Tony Parker, point guard for her favourite basketball team the San Antonio Spurs. Should you ever meet the 33-year-old actress, here’s some facts to slip into conversation to show her your level of obsession: she has a Bachelor of Science degree, she was previously married to a star of crappy soap GENERAL HOSPITAL, she has handled firearms since her youth and IMDB tells us that one of her cousins works in a Post office in New Jersey (presumably the other cousins don’t have jobs)." Soaptown USA: Interview with PASSIONS actress Emily Harper.