Recently in As the World Turns

In addition to releasing classic episodes of AS THE WORLD TURNS and GUIDING LIGHT on DVD, Soap Classics has also been streaming single classic episodes on their Web site. It's just one, and usually linked to the most recent DVD set that they're releasing.

But to celebrate Mother's Day, Soap Classics is streaming a true ATWT classic: The game-changing episode where Lucinda learns the shocking identity of Lily's birth mother. (Spoiler alert — it's Iva!)

You can click this link to watch the episode, but don't put it off too long, because they only stream one classic episode at a time, and there's no telling how long this one will be up before it's replaced by a new one!

Good news for fans of Jesse Soffer (Will, AS THE WORLD TURNS)! His recent pilot project has been picked up and he will be returning to television this fall in the new FOX show MOB DOCTOR! The network announced today that it has ordered to series the medical drama about a young surgeon (played by MY BOYS and HARRY'S LAW star Jordana Spiro) trying to juggle her career with her debt to the South Chicago mob.

It hasn't even been two full years since AS THE WORLD TURNS signed off with its final episode, so the wounds might still be fresh for viewers. But if you would like to relive the end of an era, Soap Classics' latest DVD set is for you!

Farewell To Oakdale contains the final 10 episodes of ATWT, where the writers wrapped up 54 years and 13,858 episodes of romance, adventure, drama and comedy. The 2-disc set is $19.95, but for $24.95, you can get the DVD along with a replica of an annotated shooting script from the final week of the series. The script is from the September 14, 2010 episode, where Jack and Carly are gearing up for their wedding as special guests arrive to help them celebrate. This special bonus collectible is also available separately for $7.95, but is only available for a limited time. So if you want to own a piece of soap history, don't delay!

More information on Farewell To Oakdale and the rest of Soap Classics' line of soap DVD sets can be found by following this link.

If you haven't yet seen Michael Park (Jack, AS THE WORLD TURNS) in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, you better hurry up, because it looks like he's already lining up his next gig! "Looks like "Tuck Everlasting" (new musical) is happening next spring!" he announced on Twitter. "Asked to play Pa Tuck."

Tuck Everlasting The Musical is based on the 1975 fantasy children's novel by Natalie Babbitt about a young girl who befriends a rather unique family that never ages because they drink from a magical spring in the woods. Park played the Tuck family patriarch, Angus, in the developmental workshop back in December, and could now be part of the cast when it debuts in Boston in 2013 in preparation for Broadway in NYC!

Paul's daughter is coming back to Genoa City! THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS has cast AS THE WORLD TURNS fan favorite Jennifer Landon (Gwen) in the role most recently played by Eden Riegel. During her 2005-'08 tenure at ATWT, Landon -- the daughter of the late TV icon Michael Landon -- won three back-to-back Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Younger Actress category. She returned to the soap in 2010 as ATWT was coming to an end.

Heather left town last year with her career and reputation in tatters after Restless Style posted photos -- taken by her own brother, Ricky -- of her drunken hook-up with Adam. According to TV Guide, which first broke the news, Landon reports to the Y&R set tomorrow and will make her debut on Thursday, June 7.

AS THE WORLD TURNS fan favorite Grayson McCouch (Dusty) is the latest daytimer to join the cast of the upcoming Nickelodeon daily drama HOLLYWOOD HEIGHTS! McCouch will play Dr. Don Masters in the teen-orientated series, which is being helmed by former GENERAL HOSPITAL executive producer Jill Farren Phelps and stars Brittany Underwood (Langston, ONE LIFE TO LIVE), James Franco (Franco, GH) and Cody Longo (ex-Nicholas, DAYS OF OUR LIVES). Filming is currently underway for the series, based on a Spanish telenovela, which is set to debut in June as part of the cable network's Nick At Nite block.

Cast members from THE BAY will be mixing and mingling with fans at the series' Season 2 mixer on Wednesday, April 25! The event will kick off at 8 p.m. PT at Busby's East on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles.

Ignacio Serricchio (ex-Diego, GENERAL HOSPITAL) will host the evening, and perform his stand-up comedy routine. Other stars from THE BAY scheduled to appear are Sandra Dee Robinson (Amanda, ANOTHER WORLD), Nicolas Coster (Eduardo, AS THE WORLD TURNS), Matthew Ashford (Jack, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Tom, GH; Stephen Haver, ONE LIFE TO LIVE), Jade Harlow (Jessica, PASSIONS), Taylor Stanley (Remy, AW), Mary Beth Evans (Katherine, GH; Sierra, ATWT; Kayla, DAYS), Michael Swan (Adam, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL; Duncan, ATWT) and Lilly Melgar (ex-Lily, GH).

The night will also include a sneak peek of Chapter 8 of THE BAY, and exclusive items will be up for raffle and auction. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit www.thebaytheseries.com.

Listen up, AS THE WORLD TURNS fans! If you miss seeing the charming Michael Park (Jack) light up your screen every weekday, then you won't want to miss THE GOOD WIFE on CBS this Sunday night! In "The Penalty Box," Alicia represents a judge who is in danger of being disbarred on misconduct charges stemming from his days as a prosecutor. Park guest stars as Lloyd, Judge Cuesta's former co-counsel on the case in question. Tune in to THE GOOD WIFE at 9 p.m. ET on CBS this Sunday, April 22!

If you've been waiting since the end of AS THE WORLD TURNS for another glimpse of Billy Magnussen (Casey), you're in luck! The actor has been working steadily! Now in theatrical release is Damsels In Distress, a comedy in which he plays a date with an unusual quirk. (His ATWT co-star Meredith Hagner [Liberty] also appears in the film.)

But the funny business is over when he guest stars in the Friday, May 4, episode of CBS' BLUE BLOODS titled "Collateral Damage." "I play a finance guy who got caught up in a fight club kind of thing," Magnussen reveals. In addition to keeping pace with series star Donnie Wahlberg, Magnussen had another challenge. "My character had alcohol and pill issues -- it was a stretch, you know?"

Then on Wednesday, May 9, tune in to CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION to catch the actor's debut as a scandalous cop. The episode, titled "Homecoming," is about the death of an off-road race truck driver who was killed by a bomb in mid-race. "I'm doing the finale, and then I'll be going into next [season] with a couple of episodes," Magnussen previews.

For more on what's ahead for the former soap star, including news about his music career, check out his Keeping Track interview in an upcoming issue of Soaps in Depth. For more on Damsels In Distress, visit http://www.sonyclassics.com/damselsindistress.

Marie Wilson (Meg, AS THE WORLD TURNS; Karen, PORT CHARLES) is currently filming a guest appearance on the CBS procedural CRIMINAL MINDS! A spokesperson for the show tells Soaps In Depth that Wilson will appear in episode 23, which is the first installment in the two-part season finale. The actress will play Lynne Nolan, the manager of a bank that is being held up, who helps the hostages and tries to keep everyone calm -- and alive! -- during the crisis.

The two-hour episode will air on Wednesday, May 16.

Just how funny is Brian Gaskill (Dylan, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Oscar, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL; BJ, AS THE WORLD TURNS; Bobby, ALL MY CHILDREN; Rafe, PORT CHARLES)? Find out on Saturday, April 14, when he joins the improvisers at the ACME Comedy Theatre in Hollywood as the special guest star for the "(Unscripted) Hollywood Dream Role" improv show!

In the weekly on-line TV show, celebrity guests and the troupe of comedians create an improvised movie on the stage, based on the guest star's choice of the role they'd most love to play. Except that there is no set, no script, and the actors have to make it up as they go along! Show time is 10 p.m. PT. Tickets to be in the studio audience at the ACME Comedy Theatre are available here. Or you can watch it all happen via a live video stream at www.acmecomedy.com!

SoapClassics has just released another in their line of DVD collections, this time compiling key moments in the epic love story of AS THE WORLD TURNS' Lily and Holden.

The set begins with the 1985 episode that saw hunky new stableboy Holden jumping out of the hayloft to encounter spoiled little rich girl Lily for the very first time. The ten episodes chronicle the ups and downs in their relationship including Holden nearly marrying Emily, Luke's birth, and the arrival of Lily's twin Rose, culminating in the 2006 episode where the pair renew their vows before family and friends.

For full details on each of the 10 episodes included in the 2 DVD set and for ordering information, click here. (And to watch a vintage Lily and Holden episode from the '80s, click here!)

Indie soap THE BAY just keeps scooping up daytime vets left and right, don't they? The latest actor to join the web series is Michael Swan, known to CBS Daytime fans as Duncan on AS THE WORLD TURNS and Adam on THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL.

Swan will make a guest appearance in at least a couple episodes of the new season of THE BAY as Buck Stanton, the hotel manager of Bay City Inn. He'll first report to the set on Tuesday, April 3, and should begin airing in early May.

Fiona Hutchison (Jenna, GUIDING LIGHT; Celia, AS THE WORLD TURNS; Gabrielle, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) is the latest soap veteran to join the popular Web soap THE BAY! When Season 2 picks up next month, Hutchison will be playing a mysterious character linked to many Bay City residents. "The mystery woman lights up your screens the first week of May and will be caught in a web [of] deceit," creator Gregori Martin tells Soaps In Depth. "Along with John Reilly, Scott Bailey, and Brian Gaskill, we happily welcome Fiona Hutchison to our stellar cast in these upcoming installments."

Current and past episodes of THE BAY can be viewed at www.thebaytheseries.com.

Soap vet Brian Gaskill (Dylan, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Oscar, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL; BJ, AS THE WORLD TURNS; Bobby, ALL MY CHILDREN; Rafe, PORT CHARLES) has landed a rather villainous role on THE BAY's upcoming summer special THE BAY: DARKSIDE OF THE BAY. Gaskill will be playing the mysterious bad boy Chase in the spinoff from the Web soap, which will center around what happens when they younger residents of Bay City venture into the wrong side of town. As Chase, Gaskill will cross paths with PASSIONS alum Jade Harlow (Jessica), who plays Lianna on the series.

Currently in production, DARKSIDE will debut this summer. Current and past episodes of THE BAY can be viewed at www.thebaytheseries.com.

Fans of AS THE WORLD TURNS remember Kristina Sisco as Oakdale ingenue Abigail, but now going by her married name, Romero, the Emmy-nominated actress has dabbled in directing and recently completed her first novel!

"It does sound like I've been all over the map," she admits with a chuckle. "But for me, it's all the same, because I've always wanted to tell stories. When I went out to California after ATWT, I enrolled in USC and got my masters in writing. So it's always been a passion of mine."

Calling Extra is the story of 13-year-old immigrant Elsie Lutz who finds herself wrapped up in the infamous newsboy strike of 1899 after her father is arrested and she's left to fend for herself on the streets of Manhattan. "There were kids who lived in New York City who worked for a living and in such impoverished conditions," she explains. "They were doing all they could just to make pennies to get through the day."

The tenements of a turn-of-the-century Big Apple may seem a far cry from Oakdale, but Romero says she'd been working on her debut novel for years and was actually inspired by her love for the Disney movie (now-turned-Broadway-musical) Newsies!

"I always wanted to know more about the actual event of the newsboy strike," she says. "So for my undergrad, I did a little research and wrote a short story. At USC, my professor taught a historical fiction writing class, and I started to flesh it out and got a lot of positive response. So I spent the next few years doing more research and fleshing it out even more."

Romero laughs and adds: "I know way more about 1899 than one person probably needs to know!"

For more, make the jump!

AS THE WORLD TURNS hunk Jon Hensley (Holden) has landed a new daytime gig! According to TV Guide, the Daytime Emmy nominee will be visiting THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL this May for a two-episode arc! Hensley will play a doctor in the Hope/Liam/Steffy triangle who comes to the rescue when one of the characters has a life-threatening accident while in Aspen.

The soap will be returning to Colorado next week to shoot scenes during Aspen Fashion Week, which will begin airing on Friday, April 20. Hensley's character does not yet have a name, but his scenes are expected to air on Tuesday, May 1, and Wednesday, May 2.

What's in the mind of an artist? Actor/director/poet Brian Gaskill (Dylan, GUIDING LIGHT; BJ, AS THE WORLD TURNS; Oscar, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL) wants you to know! The bard has recorded Make It Real, a downloadable collection of 21 of his personal works. "I recorded it a few weeks ago, and I'm very excited about it," Gaskill offers of his eclectic collection. "Its a very real and raw look into my life and life in general... It's about me, but when you are being real as an artist, hopefully you are holding up a mirror and [reflecting] the reader too."

Gaskill has been putting his thoughts -- both dark and light -- on paper for years. Why make his poems public now? "I very much enjoy reading [my work] aloud in coffeehouses, etc.," Gaskill explains. "In fact, the first poem in the collection, "M Street," is named after a place I read at once a month [in Sherman Oaks, CA]."

To preview and download Make It Real for yourself, visit http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/briangaskill. To catch Gaskill performing live as part of M Street Coffee & Gallery's The Spoken Poem open mic night, turn out on Thursday, March 15, (and the third Thursday of every month) at 6:30 p.m. You can find more information on that here.

Wally Kurth (Sam, AS THE WORLD TURNS; now Justin, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) is going home to Montana -- and he's not going alone! For this trip, he's taking his band, Kurth & Taylor, along for Winterfest, a concert benefiting Zoo Montana and Botanical Park. The show, which also features music by actor/singer Dennis Quaid, takes place on Saturday, March 24, at The Red Door Lounge. For tickets and additional information, call (406) 259-6459 or visit www.thebabcocktheater.com.

Here's some good news for those missing Oakdale: Starting tomorrow, February 28, SoapClassics will be streaming episodes of AS THE WORLD TURNS! Although the episodes are primarily meant for fans in the Netherlands and South Africa -- where the show recently went off the air -- but fans around the world can watch via the company's International streaming site. Episodes available for viewing are from 2005 (where the Netherlands left off) and 2007 (where South Africa left off). "Different countries are in different points in the story," says president Mark Yates. "Although ATWT has concluded in the US, it still has three years to go in South Africa. One of the great things about streaming the show on the Internet is that people can watch the show whenever it's convenient. We'll be releasing five new episodes every Monday, and fans will be able to watch the episodes anytime, at their own pace, all week."

SoapClassics, which holds the distribution rights to more than 12,000 episodes of ATWT, GUIDING LIGHT, THE EDGE OF NIGHT, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW, ANOTHER WORLD and TEXAS, plans to offer a larger selection for streaming in the future, as well as additional boxed sets of DVDs. To check out the streaming of ATWT episodes, head over to www.worldturns.ni!

Associated Television International (ATI), the production company which has put on the Daytime Emmy Awards broadcast since 2009, will not be helming the show this year. In a statement released on Twitter, president Jim Romanovich announced that the company has opted to step away from producing daytime's biggest night.

"Regretfully, we have today officially passed on doing The Daytime Emmys for television this year. As fans of the soaps in particular, as well as being daytime producers ourselves, we have immensely enjoyed being a part of your celebration these past three years. In 2009, there was not going to be a Daytime Emmys for television, as you know. It was over. we felt it was important for it to continue on television for as long as possible to give actors, producers, writers and so forth the night of recognition they so deserve. It wasn't always easy. In fact, it was quite challenging on many levels. Although it was never a money making project for us, it was prestigious, first and foremost, plus we wanted to do something important for the daytime community. I would like to think in some small way we have contributed in the interest of the daytime soap formula being created beyond television as we're now seeing through various online ventures, such as what Prospect Park had tried to do, and series currently thriving on the web."

For the full statement, including what the production company had planned to do with this year's ceremony, click here. Keep checking back as this story develops.

UPDATE: Bruce Rosenblum, Chairman of The National Academy Of Television Arts And Sciences posted a statement responding to the current situation on the Academy's Web site that should give fans some hope. "The Daytime Emmy Awards is a powerful brand," he writes. "We at the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences are continuing to explore all broadcast possibilities including network, cable and digital media in order to produce a prestigious show that will satisfy the daytime community, fans and the worldwide viewing audiences."

Having spent the bulk of his career as a soap star -- most recently on AS THE WORLD TURNS as Craig -- Jon Lindstrom has had his share of smokin' hot female love interests. However, in his new romantic comedy, What Happens Next -- releasing on Netflix and DVD on Tuesday, February 7 -- Lindstrom is getting an adorable leading man! "I'm very, very proud of this movie," he offers of the picture that explores a gay relationship. "I think it's a little comic gem and given the political atmosphere out there, I think it was brave to make it."

In this film festival favorite, Lindstrom plays Paul Grecco, a recently retired, straight billionaire and socialite who finds himself at loose ends until his worried sister (HOT IN CLEVELAND's Wendie Malick) gives him a puppy. "While walking the dog in the park, he meets a young man [Andy, a gay advertising wiz], and they start to develop a friendship," Lindstrom previews. "Paul finds out things about himself that he'd never really considered."

As the new friends explore the distinction between contentment and happiness, they also face complications presented by their ill-informed family members, including Andy's sister, Roz, -- played by ALL MY CHILDREN's Natalia Cigliuti (Anita) -- and their well-meaning advisors. "Megan Hilty (SMASH) has a hilarious scene as Wendie's manicurist," Lindstrom previews.

Want to get a jump-start on the laughs? Visit www.jonlindstrom.com to view the trailer, or www.Amazon.com or www.Netflix.com to purchase the film. For more on Lindstrom's post-soap career, check out his feature interview in an upcoming issue of Soaps In Depth.

AS THE WORLD TURNS viewers who recall Katie's wild adventures know that Terri Conn is very skilled at comedy, but now the rest of the world will find out the same when the actress guest-stars on tonight's episode of 30 ROCK on NBC airing at 9:00 PM EST!

"I'm really excited," she declares. "It's like, my favorite show. There's a lot of good shows [that shoot] in New York."

Which is why Conn has decided to maintain her home base on the East Coast instead of moving to Hollywood. "I'm sticking it out in New York," she says. "It's better to be in the room for auditions, but my agents are really fantastic, so I get to go on tape. And I'm available to fly out at a minute's notice. So I'll hopefully get the best of both worlds!"

AS THE WORLD TURNS' Colleen Zenk (Barbara) has joined the cast of Marrying George Clooney: Confessions From A Midlife Crisis, a new Off-Broadway play adapted from the book of the same name by Amy Ferris.

"I am thrilled!" she declares. "For the next 12 weeks, I'm going to be fantasizing about 'Marrying George Clooney'... on stage, of course! Maybe he'll even show up!"

The production will run from Wednesday, February 29, through Saturday, March 24, at the CAP21 Theater in New York City. Tickets are only $18, and can be purchased by following this link over to the CAP21 Web site!

Former soap stars Roselyn Sanchez (Pilar, AS THE WORLD TURNS) and Eric Winter (ex-Rex, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) are first-time parents! Sanchez gave birth to a 6 lb., 14 oz., baby girl in Los Angeles yesterday, January 4. The couple, who have been married since 2008, named her Sebella Rose.

"Welcome to the world beautiful Sebella Rose Winter!" the actress posted on her Facebook page. "Mami and Daddy adore you! This joy is overwhelming. Thanks for all of the well wishes!"

Congratulations to the new family!

Heads up Tom Pelphrey fans! If you've been longing to see the actor who once broke your heart as GUIDING LIGHT's Jonathan and AS THE WORLD TURNS' Mick back in action, now's your chance. CBS' hit police drama BLUE BLOODS is about to get a whole lot soapier next month!

In an upcoming episode titled "The Uniform," Pelphrey guest stars as Mike, the nephew of a diner owner who is being suspected of a crime. While show reps wanted to keep the rest of the details under wraps, they do reveal that the episode is "centered around" Pelphrey's character. Also featured is ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Matt Walton (ex-Elijah), who plays the publicity manager for the mayor's electoral campaign and takes a meeting with the police commissioner, played by series star Tom Selleck.

Tune in to CBS on Friday, January 13, at 10 p.m. EST.

Veteran film and television actor Dan Frazer -- known to AS THE WORLD TURNS fans as Nancy's second husband Dan "Mac" McClosky -- died of cardiac arrest on December 16 at his Manhattan home. Frazer was 90.

Prior to being cast on ATWT as Oakdale's police chief, Frazer played another police officer, Captain Frank McNeil on the hit 1970s series KOJAK. He also appeared in the films Cleopatra Jones, Take The Money And Run, Gideon's Trumpet and Deconstructing Harry, as well as in numerous TV shows, including BARNEY MILLER, THE WALTONS, LAW & ORDER and THIRD WATCH. Frazer's most recent project was in the 2010 drama The Pack, featuring his ATWT co-star Scott Bryce (Craig).

Frazer joined the cast of ATWT in 1986 and played the beloved Mac for a decade until the character died from a heart attack in 1996, including a poignant storyline where he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

AS THE WORLD TURNS fan favorite Jake Silbermann (Noah) has a lot invested in the new Off-Broadway play Derby Day, which opens this week at the Clurman Theatre. His new theater company, The Camisade Theatre, is presenting the dark comedy as their first production! "We're flying by the seat of our pants," Silbermann tells Soaps In Depth. "I'm producing this as well as acting in it, and forming a theater company in the process. It's been a little difficult."

Set in a luxury box at the Oaklawn Racetrack in Hot Springs, Ark., Derby Day tells the story of the Ballard brothers, and how a day of drinking at the racetrack and revealing family secrets might just tear them apart forever. "They are "celebrating" the death of their abusive father, whose presence is looming throughout the entire show," explains Silbermann, who plays ex-con Johnny. "He's had such an impact on these three mens' lives, and we see this cycle of violence and how it goes from generation to generation."

The dark comedy does have a bright spot, however. "These three guys are just trying to do well with their lives. They hate themselves, they love each other, they hate each other. They've got a lot of history that they're not really equipped to deal with," he continues. "There are moments in the play that have me cracking up. A drama really becomes a dark comedy when it has a certain amount of laughs, and we cover that. It's a really funny, but sad, play."

While Silbermann knows what to do on the stage, the behind-the-scenes work was a new animal for the actor. "Malcolm Madera is another actor in the play who is co-producing this as well. We were naïve enough to think it would be an easy thing," he says with a chuckle. "We worked on a play together last year and became good friends. He knows the writer, Samuel Brett Williams, and we approached him to commission something for us. We were describing what we wanted, and he said, 'I actually have something written that seems right up your alley.' As soon as I finished reading it, I said 'We are going to do this play.'" The three men went on to found the Camisade Theatre Company.

Derby Day begins previews on Wednesday, November 30, and officially opens on Friday, December 1. The show will run through Saturday, December 17. For the full performance schedule or to purchase tickets, visit www.Telecharge.com. For more information on the play and Camisade Theatre Company, visit www.CamisadeTheatre.com.

This coming spring, the final days of The Wizard Of Oz star Judy Garland will be played out night after night on a New York stage, and Tom Pelphrey (Jonathan, GUIDING LIGHT; Mick, AS THE WORLD TURNS) will be a part of it! The Emmy-winning actor has joined the American cast of London's West End hit, End Of The Rainbow, which will make its Broadway debut in April. Pelphrey will play Mickey Deans, Garland's much-younger fifth husband.

Set in London in December 1968, Rainbow stars Tracie Bennett as Garland, who is about to make yet another comeback with a 5-week run at a West End theater. While Garland hopes that the shows will help her hold on to her star power, she struggles with strained personal relationships and a drug addiction that will ultimately lead to a fatal overdose six months later. Bennett received an Olivier Award nomination -- London's version of the Tony Awards -- for her run in the musical drama earlier this year.

While Pelphrey has been a part of many New York City plays in the past, this will mark his Broadway debut. End Of The Rainbow will have a pre-Broadway run at The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis from January 28 through March 11, and previews will begin at the Belasco Theater in Manhattan on March 19. For more information, visit EndoftheRainbowBroadway.com.

AS THE WORLD TURNS alum Scott Holroyd (Paul) is a proud pop! The actor and his wife, ONE TREE HILL star Allison Munn, have welcomed a baby boy into the world, Nathan Powell Holroyd, who shares the same middle name as his dad. "Welcome to the world, Baby Nate!" Holroyd's wife tweeted yesterday, November 15. Munn recurs on the series as school teacher Lauren, and Holroyd has appeared on The CW show as David, the former brother-in-law of Hayley, played by GUIDING LIGHT's Bethany Joy Galeotti (Michelle). The couple have been married since 2007. ONE TREE HILL just wrapped its final season in Wilmington, N.C.

Martha Byrne (Lily/Rose, AS THE WORLD TURNS) makes her debut in the third season premiere of Web soap ANACOSTIA, and her fans might be a little surprised by her new role!

"I play the head madam of a brothel," she chuckles. "I'm in charge of the girls. And I think the opening five minutes of the show are probably one of the most fun experiences I've ever had as an actor."

Byrne credits the show's creator Anthony Anderson for creating the role of Alexis Jordan and giving her such juicy material to play. "I think some of the Lily fans might be taken aback by it," she allows, "but I'm an actor, and I have to do things that are challenging or edgy."

The daytime vet will appear in a half-dozen episodes throughout the course of ANACOSTIA's third season, but taped all of her scenes over the course of a weekend. "I hadn't worked that hard in a really long time," Byrne confesses. "The heavy drama stuff is really draining. It's been a long time since I've had those kind of scenes that take a lot out of you physically and emotionally. I missed that."

You can learn more about ANACOSTIA over at the show's official Web site (and catch up on the first two seasons!), and watch Byrne's debut in the series' third season premiere at the show's Vimeo page. But be warned, there is some adult content! "They can definitely get away with a lot edgier material on ANACOSTIA than I'd ever seen on television," Byrne marvels. "You can swear and you can say things that I was surprised you can say!"

Oakdale's favorite attorney, Tamara Tunie (Jessica, AS THE WORLD TURNS), has found herself in the middle of a real-life nightmare. New York accountant Joseph Cilibrasi, who acted as the star's business manager for over a decade, admitted on November 10 that he'd stolen over $1 million from Tunie, the Kansas City Symphony's music director and other clients.

According to the Associated Press, Cilibrasi used the stolen money on lavish vacations, as well as to finance his own entertainment investments, including backing Broadway shows such as Legally Blonde: The Musical, Spring Awakening, and films including See You In September, which Tunie directed. Cilibrasi admitted in court that he secretly opened a credit card in Tunie's name, obtained his own card on the account by falsely listing himself as her husband, and wrote checks to himself from her accounts without her permission. "I stole over $1.4 million from Ms. Tunie Generet by converting funds from her [business accounts] to my personal use," he stated, using Tunie's married name. (Her husband is jazz singer Gregory Generet.)

Cilibrasi is due for sentencing on January 4, and is facing from 2 1/2 to 7 1/2 years in prison.

Tunie -- who continues to appear as medical examiner Melinda Warner on NBC's LAW & ORDER: SVU and returns to soaps on Friday, November 18, with a gig on DAYS OF OUR LIVES -- has yet to publicly comment on the situation.

As a proud parent of a 10-year-old daughter, AS THE WORLD TURNS' Marie Wilson (Meg) isn't afraid to roll up her sleeves and do her part for education. This Sunday, November 13, she's inviting the local community to come out to the 8th Annual Calabasas Classic and join her team to raise money for the Las Virgines Unified School District. The event starts at 8 a.m. at City Hall. "There is a 1 mile family run, a 5k, and a 10k," she reveals. "The bigger the turnout the better -- 100 percent the donations go to the schools."

For more information, on the event, visit www.calabasasclassic.com. To make a donation to Wilson's team's cause, click here.

Can't make it out that day to see Wilson? Check her out on THE BAY (www.thebaytheseries.com), where she plays opposite Kimberlin Brown (ex-Sheila, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS/THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL) as catatonic patient Claire Andrews.

The holidays are coming early for Dylan Bruce (Chris, AS THE WORLD TURNS; Brian, THE BAY) this year! The actor stars in Love's Christmas Journey, a Hallmark Channel Original Movie premiering tomorrow night, Saturday, November 5, at 8 p.m. EST.

The four-hour -- set your DVRs accordingly! -- film also stars daytime vets Greg Vaughn (ex-Lucky, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Diego, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS), Natalie Hall (Colby, ALL MY CHILDREN) and Charles Shaughnessy (ex-Shane, DAYS OF OUR LIVES), along with Academy Award nominees JoBeth Williams (Brandy, GUIDING LIGHT; Carrie, SOMERSET), Sean Astin and Ernest Borgnine. "It's a Western that takes place in the late 1800's," explains Bruce, who plays Deputy Michael Strode in the film, the latest installment in Hallmark's series of films based on the Janette Oke book series Love Comes Softly. "Greg's character goes missing. Natalie plays his sister. She comes to town and a romance blossoms between our characters."

Bruce was quite impressed with Hall's ability to juggle filming Journey as well as taping the final weeks of AMC on ABC last summer. "She was doing double-duty. I don't know how she did it," he marvels. "She's a sweetheart."

Aside from Love's Christmas Journey, Bruce is hard at work filming Season 2 of THE BAY (www.thebaytheseries.com), where he plays Brian. Will his marriage to Zoey go off without a hitch? "Brian's stubborn," Bruce maintains. "He's going to make it happen."

While Bruce has gone on to work regularly in Hollywood post-ATWT, he fondly recalls his time as the offspring of iconic characters Bob and Kim, who were played by fan favorites Don Hastings and Kathryn Hays. "I miss them both a lot," he shares." Don is great and so hysterically funny. You don't think he'd be that way because he played the patriarch but he is. Kathryn is a sweetheart. I'd get all time the time from her [Kim's signature line], 'Listen, kiddo!' I think she added them herself if they weren't always in the script. She'd put them in anyway!"

The hit Web series THE BAY returns with new episodes starting today, Thursday, October 27! "This season will center more on the Garrett family," executive producer/creator Gregori Martin previews. As regular viewers of THE BAY know, Mary Beth Evans (Kayla, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Sierra, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Katherine, GENERAL HOSPITAL) plays matriarch Sara Garrett, mother of Brian (Dylan Bruce, Chris, ATWT), Marly (Martha Madison, ex-Liz, GH; ex-Belle, DAYS), and Peter (Kristos Andrews). "This season is a little edgier and there's more glamour," reveals Martin. "The stories move a lot faster and our focus is on central characters."

There may be a wedding if Brian and Zoey (played by Taylor Stanley; Remy, ANOTHER WORLD) take the plunge. "Season 1 was about their engagement and now we're going to see whether or not the marriage will happen," Martin teases.

"Brian doesn't want to lose his fiancée," says Bruce, noting that his character's encounter with Isabella may come back to haunt him. "He didn't really do anything wrong. He was drugged, but he's still worried about losing Zoey."

New cast members this season include GH alums Jackie Zeman (ex-Bobbie) and Paul Satterfield (ex-Paul; ex-Spencer, ONE LIFE TO LIVE). Look for Zeman to play Sophia, the wife of Mayor Jack Madison (Nicolas Coster, Eduardo, ATWT; Robert, AW; Lionel, SANTA BARBARA), while Satterfield is replacing Joe Lando (ex-Jake, OLTL; Macauley, GUIDING LIGHT) as Lee. "Joe did two days with us," Martin shares. "We'll probably end up re-shooting his scenes for [our] TV [version], but they'll be on the Web."

"Sophia is a southern belle," Zeman shares. "I don't know exactly where we're going with her, but she's vivacious and fun. She loves life and her husband. Gregori's told me some people are not glad she's married to the mayor so maybe she's an opportunist? We'll see."

As for Lee, Satterfield notes that his alter ego and Sara have "been married three times. The third time was supposed to be the charm. Lee and Sara have a tumultuous relationship. Even though they're with different people they still have a strong connection. He's madly in love with her and always will be."

Zeman feels that Web soaps like THE BAY are the future of the genre. "People still love their soaps and their characters," she says.

Check out Season 2 of THE BAY beginning today at 3:15 p.m. EST at www.thebaytheseries.com. For a preview of the show's new opening sequence, click here.

Season Two of the popular Web series THE BAY is about to debut, but before it does, you can attend a fan event with all of the on-line sudser's stars! The event will be held at The Varsity in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 5, from 9 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $40 for THE BAY Fan Club members, and $65 for the general public, and will only be sold in advance. Finger food will be served, and a free beer and wine bar will be open until 10 p.m., with a cash bar for the rest of the bash. There will also be a raffle and silent auction. For tickets, visit www.thebaytheseries.com.

Look for AS THE WORLD TURNS fan favorite Van Hansis (Luke) to guest star in the Wednesday October 26, episode of PSYCH. In "This Episode Sucks," Hansis will play the brother of the original Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Kristy Swanson, a mysterious and beautiful woman whom the detectives are convinced is responsible for the murder of a blood-drained body. 1980s teen heartthrob Corey Feldman also appears in the episode.

Tune in to PSYCH on USA at 10 p.m. EST.

Colleen Zenk (Barbara, AS THE WORLD TURNS) is bringing her cabaret show back to the stage! The star will be making her New York City debut at Feinsteins supper club inside the Loews Regency Hotel on Sunday, October 30. "I'm so excited," she tells Soaps In Depth, adding that fans who saw her perform a few months ago can expect a new show this time around. "We've put a lot of material in since the Spring show, and we threw a lot of stuff out that worked then, but won't work for now. I'm really excited about the stuff we've put in because it is hoppin' and in-your-face fun. The kind of stuff that I'm doing is not the kind of material that you would expect... someone like me at my age to do, perhaps!" she says with a chuckle. "It's really, really fun. I'm just belting my little lungs out."

Zenk will be performing at Feinsteins again on Sunday, November 6. For tickets, visit www.feinsteinsattheregency.com.

If you are a fan of the 90s grunge band Nirvana and Forbes March (Mason, AS THE WORLD TURNS; Nash, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; Scott, ALL MY CHILDREN) you might want to check out the Barefoot Theatre Company's new play, Verse Chorus Verse. March will star in the show -- which making its New York premiere after debuting in Chicago a few months ago -- at the Cherry Lane Studio Theatre from Wednesday, October 26, through Saturday, November 12.

Based on the Nirvana song by the same name, Verse Chorus Verse is set 20 years after the suicide of the Seattle band's lead singer, Kurt Cobain, and follows Polly, the haunted subject of the song, as she seeks out the rock star who wants to prove that Cobain's 1994 death was actually a murder. Coincidentally, this year is the 20th Anniversary of Nirvana's smash second album, Nevermind, which propelled the alternative rock band into mainstream popularity.

For tickets, visit www.barefoottheatrecompany.org.

Spencer Grammer (ex-Lucy, AS THE WORLD TURNS) is a mom! The actress -- who went on to star in ABC Family's hit dramedy GREEK after leaving Oakdale Memorial -- and husband James Hasketh welcomed their first child, son Emmett Emmanuel, on Monday, October 10. According to People.com, the bouncing baby boy weighed in at 7 lbs., 7 oz.

Congratulations to the new family!