Mark Hapka and Molly Burnett co-host ACME SATURDAY NIGHT

Following in the footsteps of Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe), Mark Hapka (Nathan) and Molly Burnett (Melanie) are slated to co-host the online TV show "ACME Saturday Night" September 18 at 7:00 p.m. PT on acmecomedy.com. They will appear in comedy sketches and spoof videos alongside the "ACME Saturday Night" cast.

Leann Hunley in the Lone Star State!

Check out this fantastic picture of Leann Hunley (Anna, DAYS) along with director/writer Jennifer Brown Thomas as shooting starts on independent film, BLISSFUL LIES.

Next month, look for an OUTTAKES interview with these two cowgirls as they talk more about the film!!!

Staci Greason makes return appearance

Breaking news from SOAP OPERA DIGEST

With DAYS OF OUR LIVES's Brady in crisis mode, he could certainly use a visit from his dearly departed mother. And he's going to get one. Staci Greason is returning as Isabella for a dream sequence scheduled to air on October 19. Greason played Isabella from 1989-'95, when the character died of pancreatic cancer. She previously made appearances through the years from 2000-'03.

Charles Shaughnessy in WSCH6 NBC interview

Wonderful video interview with Charles Shaughnessy by WSCH6.com (a local NBC affiliate) in Portland ME. Check it out!

Steve and Kayla in 2nd Sheri Anderson book

Even though Stephen Nichols is busy as "Tucker McCall" on Y&R and Mary Beth Evans will be living it up as "Sara Garrett" on THE BAY, Steve and Kayla's love still lives on in Sheri Anderson's second novel in the DAYS OF OUR LIVES paperback series. John and Marlena will be featured as well.

James Reynolds' TOP DOG/UNDERDOG opening night

Director James Reynolds' (Abe, DAYS) production of TOP DOG/UNDERDOG opened last night at the Fremont Centre Theatre. FYI, cast member Jed Reynolds is James' son. Here is a recent Backstage LA review of the show!

More about Leann Hunley's BLISSFUL LIES

Next month, Leann Hunley (Anna, DAYS) starts shooting an independent film with CJ Productions titled BLISSFUL LIES. Here is director/writer Jennifer Brown Thomas' description of the film:

This film is about the close ties and bonds between a group of 5 college-aged people who find the limits of their relationships are tested when secrets and lies begin to rise to the surface. A powerful lesson emerges out of one group member’s secret which is the idea of age being “just a number,” and we find in the film this is an important lesson in trying to understand the idea of a misunderstood relationship. My film will show this concept of age being “just a number” when we explore a relationship baring the motto of “forbidden fruit” between a prominent female figure in society and a younger man. The film also explores a typical double standard women are often faced with in society; the idea is it is acceptable for a man to do things women cannot. The main conflict of the film is found in multiple secrets between members which ultimately leave them all wondering if it is too much to move forward as the “family” they once were. Ultimately, I want the audience to feel a strong connection to each character and the secret they are desperately clinging to. I hope to help the audience relate to their being faced with decisions in life which warrant a very difficult response. Life can be messy and at times we should do what feels wrong, because in the end it may turn out to be the best decision we could have made.

Check DAYS OutTakes regularly for more about BLISSFUL LIES!

DAYS Boston Charity Q&A Recap

(pictured above -- Wally Kurth with OutTakes host Laurie Baker)

QUESTION: WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MISTAKE WHILE FILMING?

Wally Kurth said that the shooting schedule doesn't allow for mistakes.

Crystal Chappell admitted she was "prop challenged".

Louise Sorel had accidentally left the set before shooting was finished.

James Scott wouldn't admit to any of his own, but said that Ali Sweeney had a habit of running into set doors. One time she did it holding Baby Sydney!

Mark Hapka recounted doing a scene with Shelley Hennig wearing a skimpy lingeree outfit. He hadn't seemed to notice during rehearsal but while actually taping, his eyes went where they weren't supposed to...and he forgot his lines.

Casey Deidrick had unintentionally parked in Joe Mascolo's parking space. After working up the nerve to apologize to Mascolo, he found Mascolo in near tears over it. Wally said that he'd done the same thing once and "Joe was livid".

Molly Burnett always runs into stuff and then DAYS airs it.

QUESTION: ANY FAVORITE MOMENTS WITH FANS WHO REALLY THINK THAT THEY ARE THE CHARACTERS THEY PLAY?

Molly Burnett: "A fan said to me once that 'if you're not nicer to Max, they're going to kill you off of that show!'"

While Casey Deidrick was shopping for dog food about a month after his episodes started airing, a fan came up to him and said "You better start being nice to Mia!"

After a few people saw Mark Hapka outside, a man came to him and asked if he was Nathan? Mark said he wasn't. The man's girlfriend said "Ask him again! He's lying!" When the man came to him again, Mark had to explain that he was not Nathan but that he did play him on TV.

James Scott recalled when a fan saw him naked on a beach in Maui (yes, the famous story!) Also, when location shooting on AMC, a man on the street yelled out "You shot Ryan!" Not the thing to say in midttown Manhattan with a lot of people around.

Louise Sorel: "Nobody talks to me. They cross to the other side of the street. Someone, please talk to me!"

Crystal Chappell said fans would ask her why she killed her husband. She was also amazed when a photo of her from Bed, Bath and Beyond ended up in Soap Opera Digest.

Wally Kurth: A fan from his hometown (Billings, Montana) drove by his childhood home, introduced herself to his mother...and ended up having dinner and staying the night there!

QUESTION: IF YOU COULDN'T ACT, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO?

Crystal Chappell: "Win the lottery. I'd have to do something creative or I'd die! Maybe I'd be an accountant."

Wally Kurth opted to be a Forest Ranger

Louise Sorel would own an animal farm.

James Scott would work in another country.

Mark Hapka would focus on his music career.

Casey Deidrick would go back to his pre-acting interests: skateboarding and the Marine Corps.

Molly Burnett couldn't think of anything else. "I popped out acting!"

QUESTION: HOW MUCH DO THE ACTORS MAKE? (Hey, I didn't ask this!!)

Molly Burnett: Minimum wage!

James Scott said that if they were to reveal their salaries, we all would see in-fighting the likes of what you would see on the Jerry Springer show!

QUESTION: HOW MANY PUBLIC APPEARANCES DO YOU HAVE TO DO?

James Scott: "We don't have to do any...but I do about 3 or 4 a year regularly, including this one."

QUESTION: WHAT IS THE SHOOTING SCHEDULE LIKE?

Wally Kurth said that in the 80s it would be a long day with several blocking sessions, rehearsals and naps. Now everything goes by a lot faster with a block and tape, making for a shorter day.

QUESTION FOR MOLLY BURNETT: DOES SHE EVER WATCH SCENES OF BO/CARLY 1.0?

Molly said she did and enjoyed them.

QUESTION: WOULD ANY OF THEM CONSIDER DOING A MOVIE? (I didn't ask this either...)

Molly Burnett said absolutely. Casey Deidrick said sure, if not taping. Mark Hapka said he was making movies now. Crystal Chappell mentioned Venice. When Venice was brought up, Wally joked that he watched the series to "see Nadia make out with another woman".

QUESTION FOR WALLY KURTH: HOW ARE NED (GH) AND JUSTIN (DAYS) ALIKE?

Wally: They both wear suits and ties regularly, are super rich, bluebloods from aristocratic families that run the family business.

QUESTION: FAVORITE STORYLINE?

Louise Sorel said there were so many...but she remembered Vivian's scenes of having a lobotomy and being a bag lady.

James Scott: "Being thrown through a glass door by Stephen Nichols." I don't remember this at all!

Mark Hapka: "Playing drunk"

Casey Deidrick: "Anytime I get to be a smartass. Being a new Dimera is cool." At this answer, he worried he'd given out a spoiler although the news is pretty much out. James Scott cautioned Casey that when John Callahan (AMC) revealed a spoiler at a fan event, the AMC headwriter got mad and made his character paralyzed and impotent for two years. Mark Hapka joked that that was great because he got paid and didn't have to memorize dialogue.

Molly Burnett enjoyed playing "super evil" as well as the sparring scenes with Shelley Hennig.

Wally Kurth enjoyed the early Justin/Adrienne days. (Didn't we all?)

QUESTION: HOW FAR AHEAD ARE THE EPISODES TAPED IN ADVANCE?

Crystal Chappell: "Three months"

QUESTION FOR CRYSTAL CHAPPELL: THE BO/CARLY FANS ARE REALLY STRESSED OUT THAT BO AND CARLY ARE GOING TO BREAK UP. DOES WRITING LETTERS REALLY HELP?

Crystal answered that they were actually in a good place by having a storyline with two equally passionate fanbases. James Scott said Gary Tomlin was very interested in what fans were saying in letters and on message boards.

QUESTION FOR LOUISE SOREL: DOES SHE REALLY GET ALONG WITH JOHN ANISTON?

Louise said that John is a big teddy bear; that they can be so snarky in their scenes because they have such a good relationship as actors. He often causes her to crack up when they're taping.

QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU HOPE WILL HAPPEN FOR YOUR CHARACTER?

Wally Kurth wants a storyline for Justin.

Crystal Chappell wants Carly to leave the hospital every once in a while. She would have liked to see the Carly/Lawrence relationship further explored. Also, she would love to see Vivian turn out to be Carly's mother!

Louise Sorel hopes for a storyline pick-up for Vivian.

James Scott wants EJ to have a real job where we actually see him working.

Mark Hapka wants Nathan to stop being such a nice guy and to work with more of the other cast members.

Casey Deidrick also wants more of a storyline and to work with Molly more.

Molly Burnett: "Grandma Vivian!" She also would like to do more comedy like the strip poker scene of last year.

QUESTION: ANY CHANCE THAT THE STORYLINES AREN'T GOING TO KEEP MOVING SO FAST?

The general consensus of all the actors was that the storylines were going to move faster.

QUESTION FOR JAMES SCOTT: WHEN IS HE GOING TO GET MARRIED?

James and his fiancee are working on getting their house finished first; then they will work on the big wedding.

QUESTION FOR JAMES SCOTT: WHAT'S UP WITH THE HAIRCUT?

James couldn't say. Apparently, it is storyline-related. (From what I heard at the event, I think EJ's going to get shot in the head!) Louise Sorel joked that when she saw James' haircut, she declared "The military has arrived!"

QUESTION FOR MOLLY BURNETT AND CASEY DEIDRICK: ARE THEY GOING TO WORK MORE TOGETHER?

They want to have an adversarial relationship rather than romantic on the show. They mentioned their work together on EMPIRE. Wally talked about how working on GH with Rena Sofer (his ex-wife) is more uncomfortable because you're mixing the personal with the business of filming.

QUESTION FOR MOLLY BURNETT AND CASEY DEIDRICK: WILL THERE BE ANOTHER DANCE-OFF VIDEO?

They are considering it. The first dance-off video was inspired by a bet that Molly had with her brother.

DAYS OutTakes in Boston

(above) Molly Burnett's Twitter pic posted last night

Looking forward to seeing and meeting several of the DAYS cast members today at the Boston DAYS Charity event...including Louise Sorel, Wally Kurth, James Scott, Molly Burnett, Crystal Chappell, Mark Hapka and Casey Deidrick! Check the blog later on for a play-by-play.

Bye Bye Dr. Baker

Article from SOAP OPERA DIGEST:

Dr. Baker heads out of Salem this week for the second time in a year. "In this day and age, you always hope for bigger and better, but my understanding form talking to Gary Tomlin was that Baker is someone who comes and goes on the scene, and right now, he's in a go position, "shrugs the actor. "I don't know what the future holds: I wouldn't count Dr. Baker out."

Baker's Salem run ends with him on trial for the attacks on the men of Salem. Hope is brought in to testify. "As he started to have feelings for her, he saw that she was not some kooky broad who likes to make money by mugging," observes John Callahan. "When Baker goes to trial, he sees that Hope's going down; her career, possibly her psyche, is going to be damaged forever, and he just decides to stop the trial and take the fall and say, 'This is it,' and pleads guilty. So, in the end, he turns rather heroic, which is a nice twist on Baker, because he's always been so ethically testing the waters and sort of floating on the surface."

As for another comeback, he says, "It's completely up to them what they want to write, and if I am available if and when they do call, then we'll see which way it goes." In the meantime, the actor is auditioning and spending time with his daughter, Kaya, 8. "My role is playing dad, which is the best one," he smiles, adding, "And it pays a little better than scale."

His last airdate is August 26th.

Charles Shaughnessy interview with Theatermania

Great interview with Charles Shaughnessy (now appearing in Spamalot at Ogunquit Playhouse, ME) on Theatermania website.

Charlotte Ross filming STREET KINGS 2

Charlotte Ross (ex-Eve, DAYS) is filming her latest role right now in STREET KINGS 2- MOTOR CITY. She is playing the wife of Ray Liotta and it's being directed by Chris Fisher.

For an exclusive photo from the film set, check out this link from Charlotte's Official Website on Facebook.

Charles Shaughnessy opens in SPAMALOT

Charles Shaughnessy stars as "King Arthur" with Rachel York as "The Lady of the Lake" at Ogunquit Playhouse in Ogunquit Maine. For tickets, times and further information, go to the website at http://www.ogunquitplayhouse.org/

Taylor Spreitler in MELISSA AND JOEY

Taylor Spreitler (Ex-Mia, DAYS) is starring on Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence on their new show Melissa and Joey. She will be playing the role of Lennox, Mel’ niece. The show debuts ABC Family on Tuesday, August 17 with back-to-back original episodes, at 8:00PM & 8:30PM ET/PT. The half-hour series will air regularly on Tuesday nights at 8:00PM ET/PT.

Melissa & Joey, a half-hour multi-cam comedy with Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence executive producing and starring, finds Hart portraying Mel, the grown-up former wild child of a political family who is now a local politician herself. When her sister ends up in prison and brother-in-law flees after a scandal hits, Mel must take responsibility for her teenaged niece Lennox and pre-adolescent nephew Ryder. Spread too thin to manage by herself, help comes in the unlikely form of Joe (Lawrence) who, desperate for a job, moves in and becomes the family’s “manny.” David Kendall & Bob Young are executive producers and writers; Paula Hart also serves as executive producer.

Catherine Mary Stewart in CLASS airing on 8/14/2010

Catherine Mary Stewart (known to DAYS fans as the original Kayla Brady) will be starring in CLASS, an original movie which premieres tomorrow night, Saturday Aug 14th on the Hallmark Channel at 9:00 EST. Other ca-stars include Eric Roberts (Vance on Y&R at the moment), Jodi Lyn O'Keefe & Justin Bruening. Encore performances of Class - just in case you miss the premiere are Aug 15 (1:00 AM & 9:00 PM), Aug 20 (9:00 PM) & Aug. 21 (3:00 PM). All times are EST.

WE LOVE SOAPS article about Philece Sampler

First, the news is out about the new independent film, BLISSFUL LIES, starring Leann Hunley (Anna, DAYS)...and now there's a great article about what Philece Sampler (Anna Dimera's famous nemesis, Renee) is up to these days. Feels like 1982 all over again! I'd love to have Philece return back to DAYS...but not without Tony to obsess over and Anna to give her hell!

Check out the "Blast From the Past" article posted by WE LOVE SOAPS to see what Philece is up to nowadays.

Billy Warlock Update

Sounds now that the reports of Billy Warlock returning to DAYS are false. This Jack and Jennifer fan is happy to hear that.

Leann Hunley starring in BLISSFUL LIES

As per Leann Hunley's website, Leann (Anna, DAYS) posted that she has booked the lead in an independent film, Blissful Lies, which begins shooting in September. More details when they become available!

Billy Warlock returning as Frankie

What is up with all the bizarre casting news this week? Billy Warlock's stint as Ross on One Life to Live was apparently short term (I thought this was miscasting anyway), so maybe it doesn't matter so much that he is now reprising his role as Frankie Brady on Days of Our Lives.

However, as a long-suffering Jack and Jennifer fan, I have to go on a rampage now. This is not good news any way you look at it. Matthew Ashford has not been asked back and Billy Warlock has? Even if Matthew is asked back, as so many DAYS fans are hoping right now, is this just going to lead to another tired Frankie/Jennifer/Jack triangle, Part Three? I don't buy for a second that Frankie's returning for the sake of his sister, Carly. DAYS never seems to be able to keep Frankie and Jennifer out of each other's orbit even though that ship sailed a long time ago. Leave it to DAYS to deflate my excitement about Melissa Reeves' return in less than a week!

Real Days of Our Lives Housewives!!!

The group [NBC Local Media] also will get an assist from its network and syndication marketing arms. They are partnering to create a cross-promotion featuring the network’s soap opera, Days of Our Lives, and Real Housewives that will rebrand the reality show as a new sort of daytime soap.

“From a network, we see it as a benefit for us,” says Scot Chastain, NBC’s senior VP of affiliate marketing and development. “By pairing the two, we send more of a youth audience to Days, and we expose an older audience to Housewives. There’s a lot of cross-blending potential there.”

The promo will incorporate clips from both shows, highlighting how they are thematically similar. “It’s all about daytime, drama and divas,” says Donna Mills, senior VP of marketing, affiliate relations and communications for NBCU Domestic TV. The promo will air on all 10 of NBC’s owned stations, and on 27 other NBC affiliates.

Via Broadcasting & Cable website.

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My opinion: More of daytime selling its soul to survive. Just like the soaps catered to Viva Las Vegas during the Daytime Emmys, settling for a Las Vegas travelogue with an occasional award handed out to one of those minor daytime stars...now DAYS is going to become eaten up with reality TV show promos to accompany those annoying product placement ads that already is happening way too much on the show. Add that to all of Ali Sweeney's fame from The Biggest Loser; and it is even more Reality TV Land. Of course, I'm just one of those old fuddy duddies that actually liked television when it was scripted...so what do I know? And the stories I could tell you about the "Real Days of Our Lives Housewives" that I know would make for a much juicier plot!!!

James Reynolds directing TOPDOG/UNDERDOG

OutTakes guest James Reynolds is directing "Topdog/Underdog" at the Fremont Centre Theatre. Later on, the show will also occur at Cape May Stage, NJ.

Here is the info for the Fremont Centre Theatre show dates.

Topdog/Underdog previews 8 p.m., Friday, August 20, opens 8 p.m. Saturday, August 21 and performs 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday through September 18. Tickets are $25, $20 students and seniors, $35 Gala Opening night (all seats). Preview tickets are $12.50. Call 866-811-4111 or visit www.fremontcentretheatre.com.

Check out this interview with James at the LA Theater Examiner link.

Matt Ashford guesting on 90210

Via Matt's FB Page:

News from Matt: He just finished shooting one day of scenes as a guest on 90210. He plays a guy named Peter whose wife is the employer of one of the series' teen regulars. Matt's not sure when this episode airs. The show's season premiere is September 13th.

Wally Kurth's CLASS C premiering on TV

As per Wally Kurth's website:

"Class C", a documentary produced and narrated by Wally Kurth, premieres on the
Halogen Network, Saturday, August 7, at 9pm ET.

To find out if Halogen is available in your area visit: http://get.halogentv.com/

For more information about "Class C" visit the website at: http://www.classcmovie.com