Ali Sweeney hosts Macy's 4th of July Fireworks

As per NBC Press Release:

NBC Celebrates the nation's birthday extravaganza with performances by music superstar Justin Bieber, Grammy Award winning musician Enrique Iglesias and multi-platinum singer LeAnn Rimeson at NBC's 11th consecutive live broadcast of "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular." Cast members from the "Twilight Saga: Eclipse" will also partake in the excitement onboard the Norwegian EPIC. Hosted by Nick Cannon, from NBC's "America's Got Talent" and Alison Sweeney, from NBC's "The Biggest Loser," the show will air in high definition on Sunday, July 4th 9-10 p.m. ET, 8-9 p.m. CT.

Roark Critchlow on PRETTY LITTLE LIARS

Roark Critchlow (Mike, DAYS) has a role in tonight's episode of Pretty Little Liars . He plays the father of Hannah (Ashley Benson, ex-Abby, DAYS). Check your local listings for when the show airs on the ABC Family channel.

Molly Burnett in GOOD NIGHT CHARLIE

If you actually don't plan on seeing Molly Burnett up for Best Younger Actress at the Daytime Emmys tonight, you could also watch her on Disney's Good Night Charlie airing tonight. Check your local listings for when scheduled.

Rating the Alice Horton Returns, Part 2

Kayla – Great to see Mary Beth Evans as always…but I admit I really missed seeing Steve by Kayla’s side. Seeing Kayla and Stephanie together was sweet…but Stephanie needs Daddy Johnson around to snap some sense back into her. All this just makes me glad that Mary Beth is going to “The Bay” where she’s going to be a main character and appreciated.

Melissa – I still like Lisa Trusel as a blonde better, although I can appreciate why the actress wouldn’t want to redo her look every time there’s a funeral. The Melissa/Nathan scene was just weird for me. Maybe if we had a clue of who his father was or what his childhood was like, there would be more of a connection between mother and son. As it was, it felt hollow. I had more of a kick out of seeing Melissa and Kayla reunite. What long-term viewer can forget when Melissa was in love with Jack and was accused of having poisoned Kayla? A reminder of better DAYS.

Lucas – The wounds are still fresh for me about Bryan Dattilo being dumped before. Great to see him around…but he was so wasted!

Carrie – This character was never one of my favorites, but I found her return to be the most well-written so far. There was solid acknowledgement of the present such as Carrie’s apology to Sami for Anna’s kidnapping of Sydney. There was acknowledgement of the past such as the poignant scene between Mike and Carrie at the hospital. The Carrie/Sami reunion was nice to see. If DAYS insists on making Sami a good girl, you could at least see her character assuming responsibility for her crimes against Carrie. Of course, I never really thought Austin was worth all that hoop-la in the first place…but that’s just me.

Mike – Another shout-out for the great Carrie/Mike scene at the hospital. I like the acceptance of the past, but there were still longing looks between the two of them…wondering how things could have been. Still, is Mike with Robin or isn’t he? And it would have been fun to hear him kvetch about what a brat Jeremy turned out to be.

Maggie/Jennifer – These two were the perfect characters to have to do the heartbreaking scene when Alice actually passed. Maggie and Jennifer are two characters so closely associated with the original Horton family…and Suzanne Rogers and Missy Reeves are phenomenal actresses who had the chops to pull it off. Kudos! With all the hoop-la going on with the returning cast members, sometimes it’s easy to forget what this is all really about. This scene made me remember with tears.

Sure to be more ratings to come for Part 3, including more Kim and Shane along with the actual Alice Horton funeral.

Stacy Haiduk coming to DAYS

No sooner do we hear that Stacy Haiduk has been let go from Y&R but then we hear that she is coming to DAYS, playing a prison warden(?!) Her episodes first air in September. Now I enjoy Stacy very much as an actress...but I'd rather not see her on DAYS. I still don't believe she should have been let go from Y&R in the first place. Her performance of "Patty Williams" was great until the writing got too crazy. DAYS can get the available talent, but the actors are wasted or miswritten once they hit the set (i.e., Crystal Chappell, Louise Sorel, Wally Kurth, Judi Evans). Also, DAYS doesn't need more new characters. In my opinion, I'd rather see the DAYS vets who have returned for the Alice Horton funeral stick around and make the show recognizable again.

Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes news clip

Here is a WDTV news clip showing Bill and Susan Hayes at the West Virginia Public Theatre, celebrating the opening of the new Morgantown Events Center last night (June 22nd).

Roark Critchlow Returns Tomorrow

Roark Crichlow (Mike Horton) returns today with airdates from June 23 thru June 25 for the Frances Reid reunion episodes. While Mike drives back to Salem to see Alice during his final days, he ruptures his spleen in a car crash.

To get to know more about Roark, check out his new Facebook page where you can see clips from his film and TV projects.

John de Lancie talks about DAYS

John de Lancie (Q, STAR TREK; Eugene, DAYS) at the 2010 Philadelphia Comic Con addresses a question asked about his experience working on DAYS, including a priceless story about his time with Arleen Sorkin (Calliope). Check it out. Go to YouTube to see the video the correct way (damn you, Blogger!)

Gloria Loring show going to Vegas

Press release from CPA America announces that Gloria Loring (ex-Liz, DAYS) will be heading to Las Vegas with her concert, "TV Tunez" which celebrates the great TV theme songs such as "The Facts of Life" and "Friends and Lovers" (Kim and Shane's love song from DAYS). More details will come when available. Congrats, Gloria!

StarCam DAYS Book Party Videos

Check out StarCam's YouTube page where you can see cast members from the Ken Corday Book Launch Party as well as different interviews with Wally Kurth, Brandon Beemer, Nadia Bjorlin and Shelley Hennig.

Congrats, Steve Blackwood!

Congrats to Steve Blackwood for winning "Favorite Performance in a Comedy - Male" at the Andes Awards held on Friday, June 18th for his role as Robert in "Boeing Boeing" held at the Meadow Brook Theatre. The play, directed by Travis W. Walter, also won an Andes Award for "Favorite Show". This was the first ever holding of these awards, voted in by the subscribers of Meadow Brook Theater in Detroit, Michigan. I'm sure Steve deserved this. Though I never got the pleasure of seeing this production, he always made me laugh when he played "Bart" on DAYS.

SOD article about Alice Memorial

June 29th issue of SOD, courtesy of Daytime Royalty

The week begins with Lucas’ return to Salem. He brings Allie to see her great-grandmother, who has taken a turn for the worse. Meanwhile, Alice’s trademark doughnuts are being baked in the kitchen, and Melissa & Jennifer work on a family scrapbook.

At the hospital, Lexie is stunned to see Mike Horton, who came into town to see Alice, but got in a car accident on the way home. Maggie then delivers the grim news to everyone that Alice has died.

A devastated Hope breaks down to Doug. “Hope is very upset at the thought that Bo and Hope aren’t together and that’s what Alice is going to remember, “ explains Kristian. “Family is everything to Gran and you don’t just walk away without a fight.” Doug assures his daughter that Alice always held out hope that the Bradys would reconcile.

The town gathers for a graveside memorial, where Alice’s nearest and dearest get a chance to remember her. “It’s not a typical church setup; they simulate an outside set,” reports Bryan Dattilo. “We’re not all at a podium giving our speeches about Alice Horton. I thought that’s what was going to be and it’s not. I think it is a great way they put it together. They gave me a nice, little speech. Kudos to the writers of DAYS for their brilliant honoring of Frances Reid. I was happy to be there.” Melissa Reeves adds, “It will be great for the fans because they weren’t at the memorial at NBC; they didn’t really get to see all the memories of her.” Kristian Alfonso praises, “The writers did a really beautiful job and captured what each character meant to Gran.”

After the funeral, Kim makes a startling discovery in the crowd – Shane. “It’s a classic moment,“ says Patsy Pease. “She has been asking about him, she wanted him to be there in the hospital when she had leukemia, she listened for his footsteps. She never stopped loving him, but the last thing she wants to tell him is how much she has needed him.”

As for one of Salem’s other favorite pairs, “Hope and Bo have a little bit of a tender moment at the gravesite and she asks if he’ll come back to the house, “ previews Kristian. “She says, ‘Gran would have wanted that.’ And he comes back without Carly – because there is no place for Carly right now. And then Hope overhears Bo talking to Abe and Roman about taking over the case, which, of course, ignites Hope’s fury. It drives that wedge between them again.”

And then the lights go out in the Horton home. “After coming back downstairs, Hope’s the only one left in the house, “ says Kristian. “Gary Tomlin said to me, ‘It’s probably the last time we’ll see the Horton house,’ so he had me walk thought the living room and take it all in, the moments that were shared there when Hope was just a little girl and all the advice and laughter. And then I walk out the door. It’s very sad to think that it would be the last time, but how could we ever be there without Frances?”

----------------------------

My comments: Sounds like a Shane/Kim reunion is definitely in the cards. Thrilled about that! I was hoping a Bo/Hope reunion would also happen, seeing as Alice was instrumental many times in helping them out in times of trouble. It would have been a nice element of rebuilding a relationship after loss...but, hey, I'm not the headwriter. Very sad to hear that this is going to be the end of the Horton house. One more piece of DAYS history destroyed.

Rating the Alice Horton Returns, Part 1

Jennifer. Always a fan of Melissa Reeves. It's nice to hear all the "Jack" references which really makes me miss Matthew Ashford as well. I liked that DAYS acknowledged the history of Jennifer with Bo, Hope and Carly. I did not like how Jennifer and Sami were suddenly BFFs when they have had a cantankerous relationship for years. More rewriting of history to make Sami look like a younger version of Good Girl Marlena.

Shane. I love Charles Shaughnessy. He's a breath of fresh air to the show, but I'm ready for him to get out of that jail. He needs to be reunited with Kimberly rather than be stuck with Rafe. There's only 10 episodes of him, after all.

Marie. Maree Cheatham is an actress that was before my time of watching DAYS; but I love what I'm seeing of her so far. I wish the spunky lady would stay on the show because we need more Hortons.

Bill and Laura. Interesting that the whole Kate/Bill/Laura triangle is being dusted off and put up out there again. Again, this reminds me that lately it's been this whole resurgence of 1990s DAYS on the show again. John Martin is not quite the late great Ed Mallory, but so far I like what I see. I confess I'm not much of a Jamie Lyn Bauer fan, but maybe this time I can adapt.

Matthew Ashford Tribute to Frances Reid

Since Matt Ashford was on tour with Mamma Mia, sadly his character of Jack Deveraux could not accompany Jennifer for Alice's passing. From most of the returning cast members, there have been published statements about their feelings regarding Alice. Now we get to read this wonderful tribute from Matt Ashford.

VIA MATTHEW ASHFORD'S PAGE ON FACEBOOK posted Tuesday, June 15, 2010:

Frances Reid, who played beloved matriarch Alice Horton for more than forty years on Days of Our Lives, passed away earlier this year at the age of 95. On a cold day in February, while preparing to enter the national tour of Mamma Mia, Matt sat down to write this tribute to his long-time co-worker and friend.

I could give a quote about Frances and talk about how awesome she was, and that would be true. But that would not include the flash in her eyes when I talked to her about her role of Ophelia on Broadway in the 1950's -- she didn't think anyone remembered that. Or her way of dealing with how she had to list all the children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren who couldn't be home for any particular Christmas (due to the fact that they weren't on the show.) At one point she would say, “Little Timmy, and Bill and little … whatever that little -------'s name was.” (You fill in the blank.)

Or when she got into a debate with one of the actresses on the set about what she thought Grandma Horton's drink of choice was. (No, it wasn’t milk with her doughnuts.) Frances stated: “I believe single malt scotch was the way to end the day and, if not that, a margarita would do just fine." Frances had nothing to gain from getting into a scrap about what her character would or would not do with an actor who wasn't even thought of when she first stepped on stage. But I saw that flash, that fire in her eye. I saw that she would always fight the good fight for not only Grandma Horton's right to do more than bake doughnuts and hand out advice that other characters and writers had no intention of ever following, but also for Frances' right to be an active partner in the creative process regardless of age, airtime, or importance to the current moment of the show.

In this age of 15 minutes (or seconds) of fame, Frances had days, weeks, months, and years of notoriety for good solid work. If people look back and call all these disappearing shows "family shows," it is only because of Frances and the few like her who made it possible for generations of families to sit down together and find commonality in human folly -- or "the Human Comedy," as Balzac called it. I know I was there at the golden era of Daytime television, and working with Frances Reid made it only more so.

- Matt Ashford

John Aniston at LA Greek Festival

Jim Gianopulos, President & CEO of Fox with John Aniston

As per HOLLYWOOD GREEK REPORTER:

"The 4th annual Los Angeles Greek Film festival came to an end this Sunday with its star studded Orpheus Awards Ceremony. The filmmakers whom most from oversees, had the chance to present their work to Greek and non-Greek film goers in the heart of the entertainment capital, Hollywood.

The event’s attendees included names such as Academy Award winners Alexander Payne and George Tsakiris, Alexis Georgoulis, Penelope Spheris, Costas Mandylor, Demetri Martin, Jim Gianopoulos, John Aniston.

Phaedon Papamichael was honored with the career achievement award presented to him by his good friend, Alexander Payne.

The audience choice for best feature film was awarded to Renos Haralambidis’s Four Black Suits

The best feature film Orpheus Award went to to the Movie Plato’s Academy, a film that tells the story of a Greek man who suddenly discovers that his family actually came from Albania.

The short film who won an Orpheus Award was Colossi of Love.

The lovely Patricia Kara elequently hosted the award ceremony."

Peter Reckell in VENICE

I'm out of town without internet access for two days; and then this news breaks!

As per WE LOVE SOAPS:

"DAYS OF OUR LIVES star Peter Reckell will join the cast of indie soap VENICE for Season 2.

He will also attend the VENICE fan gathering on July 10, 2010 at The Universal Sheraton in Universal City, CA."

While I understand Crystal Chappell's urge to hire on fellow co-workers that she can trust, I personally would rather see soap actors burned by the recession (i.e., Mary Beth Evans) get on these web series. With Crystal, Peter Reckell, Shawn Christian, Galen Gering and Nadia Bjorlin -- this cast is starting to get very heavy with present-day cast members from Days of Our Lives. Also, Otalia along with CarBo on the same show seems strange, although I know they're all different characters. At any rate, it will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Jillian Claire and Darin Brooks in new websoap

As per Daytime Confidential, Jillian Claire (ex-Abby) and Darin Brooks (ex-Max) to star in Miss Behave, yet another sprouting websoap. Jillian's gone quite a way from those days when she was Jack Deveraux' kid during the Salem Serial Killer days.

DCTS picks Spirtas musical for nomination

DC Theater Scene columnists Richard Seff and Joel Markowitz pick FINIAN'S RAINBOW with Kevin Spirtas (Craig, DAYS) as one of their nominated picks for "Best Revival of a Musical". See link.

Philece Sampler mention in cookbook

As per WE LOVE SOAPS article, Philece Sampler (ex-Renee, DAYS; ex-Donna, AW; anime voiceover artist) has contributed to Nelson Aspen's showbiz-themed cookbook. Several other soap alums such as Thom Racina (past DAYS headwriter) and Kassie de Paiva (Blair, OLTL) are also in the book.

Galen Gering the Surfer

If you're a Galen Gering fan, see him at Huntington Beach surfing away the weekend of June 19th at Project Save Our Surf.

My New Journey

December of 2008.

A major jolt reverberated through the soap world at the announcement of the news: DEIDRE HALL AND DRAKE HOGESTYN FIRED. All the veteran actors in the business were nervous. If these two longterm vets (John and Marlena) from Days of Our Lives weren't safe, then who was? The news story was on CNN. The website Daytime Confidential predicted the end of the soap opera after such a major cut. For DAYS fans, the news just got worse. Stephen Nichols and Mary Beth Evans, the beloved Steve and Kayla, were next on the chopping block, written off without even so much as a decent love scene or goodbye.

For me, personally, the next blow was the hardest. Thaao Penghlis, the Emmy-nominated actor who played Tony and Andre Dimera, was let go along with his co-star, Leann Hunley (Anna Dimera). Thaao was one of my first crushes at a very impressionable age -- a crush that stuck. The kind of crush that inspired fan fiction and homemade music videos. Admittedly, it hasn't been easy to be a fan of this actor as he has been asked back and fired repeatedly over the years. After this last recent firing, he wrote a phrase in his guestbook that stuck with me. "When one door closes, another one opens."

This has recently proven to be the case for Thaao as well as his fired veteran castmates. I believe Thaao is on the verge of a new chapter in his career, having just performed in sold-out houses of Class at Cape May Stage along with the development of a new television reality show about his travels. Deidre Hall constantly posts about her political functions and day-to-day activies, seeming to relish the time to herself that she had been deprived of for decades. Leann Hunley was asked back to Days of Our Lives, getting more screen time than she had than before (even if her storyline, in my opinion, was not all it could have been). Drake Hogestyn may possibly land his own talk show about health and weight loss. Mary Beth Evans pursued her dream of owning her own pie company and is now the lead in the upcoming webseries, The Bay, riding the wave of the future where soap opera is concerned. Stephen Nichols moved on to the number one rated network soap opera, The Young and the Restless, truly getting a good last laugh.

Recently, for reasons I will not disclose here, I was pushed forcefully through one door with it being slammed shut behind me -- with no warning, no attempt at understanding, no forgiveness...but plenty of fallacies, accusations and hostility. So here is my new door. I can only hope that it will lead to my own new journey.