Casualty Count: Egglesfield Dropped From Contract, First Victim of Regime Change

A preview of Soap Opera Digest reveals Colin Egglesfield (Dr. Josh Madden) has been dropped from contract. He must be the leading man that Nelson Branco reported had been let go late last week.

While I am relieved it is not a veteran, Egglesfield is a talented actor who made one of the most disastrous storylines, the Un-abortion, bearable. He had so much natural chemistry with Alexa Havins (ex-Babe Carey), and continues to light the stage on fire opposite on-screen sister Alicia Mishew (Kendall Slater).

This is a surprising move on new Headwriter Charles Pratt's part, as his new bible supposedly revolves heavily around Erica Kane. You would think that would include some family drama with her only son Josh.

Let's hope that when Pratt suggests he is recurring, we'll actually see Josh from time to time. Lately the term "recurring" seems to mean, "we're not giving him a proper send off, so we'll tell the audiance there may be a slim chance to see him again."

Exhibit A: John James (ex-Dr. Jeff Martin)
Exhibit B: Tonya Pinkins (ex-Livia Cudahy)
Exhibit C: Alec Musser (ex-Del Henry)
Must I go on?

Beth? Harley? Hayley? Taylor?

After weeks of speculation, including an announcement that Liza Colby was coming back to town, Beth Ehler's new role on All My Children has been revealed. She will be playing the new role of army brat Taylor McBride, an homage to one of current Headwriter Charles Pratt's Melrose Place characters.

Other than the questionable name, it is clear that Ehler's Taylor will be playing in the same circles as Jake Martin, played by Ehler's former onscreen love interest Ricky Paull Goldin.

For an interview with Ehlers about her new role, go HERE.

In other casting news, this week's Soap Opera Digest reveals little Pete Cortlandt will be less of a spoiled brat and more of a nerd ala Spinelli on General Hospital. In my opinion, bad move. What a way to ignore the character's very complex and already interesting history.

The Prodigal Son Returns

Soap Opera Digest broke the news that Petey Cortlandt will be back in Pine Valley starting July 11. Newcomer Daniel Kennedy takes over the role of the youngest Cortlandt heir from Broadway star Mitchel David Federan who last appeared in the role in 2003.

Longtime viewers will remember that little Colby Chandler (then Kathryn Newton) has a crush on Petey (now Pete). How great would a star cross romance be between Peter and Colby based on the historic feud between their families. Remember, Adam Chandler, Colby's father, and Palmer Cortlandt's, Pete's father, feud began way in the backwoods of Pigeon Hallow, after Palmer abandoned Adam's pregnant sister, Lottie Chandler, eventually driving her to suicide.

Or maybe All My Children can have its own homosexual teen story ala As the World Turns' Luke and Noah. Petey could confide his true feelings in a heartbroken Colby. All the while, worry about if his parents could truly love him for who he is. Palmer and Opal may have supported Kevin Sheffield and offer him a place to stay when he came out of the closet, but was it all for show?

Wow, that was a mouthful. Stay tuned for a new Quick Guide biography later this week for Peter.

In other casting news, Melvin Van Peebles will take on his real life role as father to Mario Van Peebles (Samuel Woods) in a cameo this July.

UPDATE: TVGuida.ca is reporting Kennedy is recurring with the show.

Casting News: Officer Down! Parnell Exits 17 Year Role

According to SON, Charles Parnell has left the role of Derek Frye. The role will not be recast. Parnell took over the role of Derek in 2005 from William Christian who originated the role in 1991. The role will not be recast and no air date for an onscreen exit will be arranged.

Christian played the contract role of Derek until 1991, but continued in a recurring basis. The Frye family continued to grow throughout the 1990's, but saw its numbers diminish in 2007. Tanisha Lynne (ex-Danielle Frye) was the last Frye family member on contract. Hopefully, the writers will reunite estranged father and daughter offscreen to account for this longtime resident's absence.

The writers have been referring to Derek offscreen since the Hubbards came back to Pine Valley. It was somewhat ironic that Derek was not called to The Season's East Casino to respond to the shooting at the Hubbard Wedding.

This begs the question that in light of the growing diversity on canvas with the reintroduction of the Hubbard family, can Pine Valley only accommodate one African American family at a time? Derek shares a lot of history with many of the characters on canvas, including a short lived engagement with Dr. Angie Hubbard (Debbi Morgan).

The SON report also confirms the exit of Billy Miller (Richie Novak), Leven Rambin (Lily Montgomery) and the conclusion to Cady McClain's run as Dixie Cooney's spirit.

Casting News: Denise Vasi joins as Contract Role Randi

The battered woman your saw Frankie Hubbard treat on May 29th is model Denise Vasi as Randi, a wayward prostitute with a heart of gold. It looks like the writers are going for a Chuck/Donna angle for our young doctor in his latest pursuit for love.

Anything to keep Frankie away from Colby Chandler is good for me.

Source: The Pine Valley Bulletin

Casting News: Leven Rambin (Lily Benton Montgomery) OUT!

To no one's surprise, Leven Rambin will be exiting her role as Lily Benton Montgomery this summer. She joined the show as the autistic daughter of Jackson Montgomery in 2004, before taking on the dual-role of her look-a-like sister Ava Benton in 2007.

Rambin had made it clear in past interviews that she did not expect to renew her contract after the original three year cycle completed. She has been busy outside of daytime, modeling and making guest appearances on Primetime shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Lipstick Jungle.

Rambin issued a goodbye statement to SOD Online:

First of all, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your unwavering support of me and my characters over the past 4 years. As you know, I started ALL MY CHILDREN when I was extremely young, so I essentially grew up there; memories of my teenage years will consist mostly of days (and nights) spent at ALL MY CHILDREN. It has been such an amazing forum for me to grow as a person and an actress. I was so fortunate to be in such an environment for the past 4 years. But, alas, much like my peers who are graduating high school around this time, it's time to move on. Four long but amazing years of my life have been spent with ALL MY CHILDREN, and I will always look back on my experience there fondly. I feel it is time for me as an actress to expand and have new opportunities, and I thank ALL MY CHILDREN for respecting my decision. My last filming date was May19th. I am looking forward to that day with optimism but a sense of sadness as well. I have come to an understanding that soap fans are unlike any other; dedicated, passionate, and loving. I am honored to have you all rooting for me.

All my love,
Leven

More on this matter at a later time.

Ehlers leaves Springfield for the Valley

Beth Ehlers, best known for her role as Guiding Light's Harley Davidson Cooper (1987-93, 1997, 1997-2008), has joined the show in an undetermined role. She departed GL after contract negotiations fell through last month. Ehlers was first confirmed by Soap Opera Weekly as taking over the role of Liza Colby, but it looks like plans have changed.

Rumors continue to indicate Ehlers will take on the role of Hayley Santos, a role originated by Kelly Ripa in 1990. Though some critics believe Ripa would never return as Hayley, Ripa has stated otherwise on Live with Regis and Kelly.

It saddens me when Ripa has voiced her willingness to come back to the role she played for 12 years, and the producers have yet to call her. If the character is really necessary as a long term gig, and really Hayley is not at this point, I am sure they could work something out with Ripa to accommodate her schedule.

Hayley coming on would also most likely mean the end to another Santos supercouple as I do not see Mark Consuelos running back to reprise the role of Mateo Santos. Haven't the powers that be ruined enough of the Santos family supercouples by killing off Noah Keefer and Edmund Grey?

On the other hand, Marcy Walker-Smith has made it clear she has no plans on going back to acting , just read the personal handwritten note I received from her secretary at her new job with an autographed postcard. Liza has so much history that can be played up, and leaves potential for Ehlers to be paired with her one time co-star and love interest Ricky Paull Goldin (now AMC's Dr. Jake Martin, ex-GL's Gus Aitoro).

Much of Liza's former liaisons have made their way back to Pine Valley. There is so much interesting stories to be told here best o how Liza skipped town in 2004. Why ruin the happily ever after with Mateo and Hayley, when you can surely have magic with Ehlers as Liza with Goldin's Jake?

Either way, Ehlers is a welcomed addition to All My Children. She is a proven and talented actress that will prosper is any role she takes on... as long as it is not my Tinkerbell.

Casting News: Billy Miller Out!

Daytime Confidential is reporting Billy Miller (Richie Novak) has been let go from All My Children. The character will meet his maker very soon. No lat airdate has been announced.

Miller became a quick fan favorite as the mysterious Comeback bartender Wes. His turn to the dark side with the revelation that he was Annie's sociopath brother Richie did not seem to make his popularity wane.

More on this matter as information becomes available.

Breaking News: Sydney Penny Let Go

Rumblings on SoapZone have Soap Opera Digest reporting that Sydney Penny (Julia Keefer, 1993-1996, 1997, 2002 and again from 2005-present) has been let go from All My Children. Could she be the person SOD has not making it through May Sweeps?

According to SON, Jeff Branson (ex-Jonathan Lavery) and Leven Rambin (ex- Lily Montgomery/Ava Benton) have also made their last appearances. The onscreen lovers were let go outside of the regular contract cycle, suggesting something went down behind the scenes. Both stars joined in 2004, at one of All My Children's peaks of success.

Check back for more news on these major cast shakeups.

Another Return?

Soap Opera Digest is reporting rumblings that Brian Gaskill (ex-Bobby Warner, r.) is heading back to All My Children. Gaskill was the first "adult" Bobby, playing the legacy character from 1995-97. Gaskill is currently recurring as Dylan Lewis on Guiding Light.

A lot of storyline potential was wasted when Bobby (then Christian Campbell) returned to Pine Valley in 2004. Other than an unholy alliance with a jealous Kendall Hart, and the breakup of his marriage with high school sweetheart Anita Santos, Bobby spent months off the canvas (to facilitate Campbell's other commitments).

All the while fans were clamoring for a reunion with his estranged son Sam Grey, or more family drama at Corltandt Manor and Wildwind. Bobby was not the little boy so many long time fans watched grow up onscreen. He was a familiar name tagged on to a new face. Even longtime adopted/step-grandmother Opal Cortlandt did not even recognize Erica Kane's new boytoy, Roberto (Megan McTavish at her worst).

Bobby still has some links to the current canvas worth exploring. He left Pine Valley after extorting money from his late brother-in-law Edmund Grey. He witnessed former employer Zach Slater in some clandestine meeting. Frankly, Palmer always needs more family in town and there is no one better than his spoiled rotten grandson.

In a way, the prodigal son returns.

Welcome Home Dixie

This week Soap Opera Digest has exclusive photos from Dixie Cooney's (Cady McClain) return to Pine Valley as Adam Chandler's (David Canary, pictured r. with McClain) ghostly vision. The man who once made her think she was going insane, gets a taste of his own medicine for keeping one of the Valley's biggest secrets.

Let's hope they make it clear Dixie is Adam's vision and not a ghost, like they did with Maria Grey in 1998 when Eva LaRue returned for a handful of episodes after Dimitri Marick (then Michael Nader) saved Edmund Grey (John Callahan) from the aqueduct. ABC may be trying to write their wrongs, but to this long time fan they are just digging a deeper hole.

McClain's first airdate is May 2.

Who Says You Can Never Go Home

Three major returns come to Pine Valley: one classic hero, a ghost, and an old friend with a new face.

Topping off the list of returnees is Laurence Lau as Greg Nelson, a role he played from 1984-86. Lau’s Greg brought national attention to All My Children for his star-crossed romance with Jenny Gardner (Kim Delaney) from 1982-84. After Jenny’s untimely death, Greg fell into the backburner. His last Pine Valley romance was with Robin McCall (Hunter Tylo, then Deborah Morehart), who was actually in love with brother-in-law, Tad Martin (Michael E. Knight). Greg left for Hong Kong, and kept his distance, especially from his overbearing mother Enid Nelson (Natalie Ross).

Lau’s return coincides with best friends and former business partners Jesse (Darnell Williams) and Angie Hubbard’s (Debbi Morgan) third wedding. His return is slated to be short-term starting May 20.

Also expect appearances by Cady McClain return as a ghostly vision of the late Dixie Cooney (pictured left with Knight as Tad). Dixie was killed for a second and what looks to be final time in 2007. McClain played the role from 1986-96, 1998-2002, and again in 2005-07.

Bad writing and a lackluster storyline botched her long anticipated return in 2005. Longtime Tad and Dixie fans were robbed of a true reunion of the one time super-couple with their long lost child, Kate Martin. Kate now resides in Pine Valley as Kathy Mershon Keefer, Julia Keefer’s (Sydney Penny) adopted daughter.

Hopefully they will make it clear McClain’s visits are only a vision so that the door could be left open for her long-term return. Then again, viewers saw Jesse in heaven on multiple occasions, and we see where he is now.

McClain’s first airdate in May 2.

Daytime veteran Ricky Paull Goldin takes over the role of Dr. Jake Martin this week. The Martin heir was last seen in 2003 (portrayed by J. Eddie Peck) when he came home to announce his engagement to fellow Doctor Without Borders colleague Dr. Carolyn Finn.

Somewhere along the way, Jake has found himself being held prisoner in war torn Darfur. This is not the first time Jake found himself in hot water. In 2000, Jake was presumed missing in action in Chechnya while volunteering for DWOB.

Huge Un-Casting News
Rumblings have Rebecca Budig returning to All My Children in the role of Greenlee duPres, a role she originated in 1999 after a stint on the Guiding Light as Michelle Bauer. Budig left the role in 2005. Greenlee was recast in 2007 with Sabine Singh.

Budig received two Daytime Emmy Nominations in the Supporting Actress category for her role as Greenlee . Her departure was the conclusion of a front-burner storyline in November 2005, when Greenlee learned best friend Kendall Hart (Alicia Minshew) was not being her surrogate, but rather carrying her own child with Greenlee's then husband, Ryan Lavery (Cameron Mathison).


My View: Christmas has come early again. Singh never captivated me in the role of Greenlee. She failed to have the vulnerability and insecurities that made Greenlee such a complex character under Budig. Let's face it, Sabine is not a great actress. Everyone can play a "bitch." Budig played played a bitch with a soul.

But even Budig's starpower may not be enough to save this sinking ship. The writers have to get their storylines in order. They must remember what made Greenlee so great. Rekindle her relationship with frenemy Kendall. Budig and Minshew were All My Children's hottest couple (see picture).

DO NOT revisit a Greenlee/Ryan pairing. Though they made for great friends, romantic chemistry was non-existent between Mathison and Budig. That is not to say I have high hopes for the continued Greenlee/Aidan pairing.

Maybe with a fresh face, Greenlee can get a fresh start.


Update: SON is confirming Budig's return. It's ironic that neither SOD or TVGuide have mentioned anything about the recent returns.
Update: PVB is confirming Budig's return too. Looks like this is a sure thing people.

Welcome Home Debbi & Darnell
SON is reporting that Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams are slated to return to All My Children in early 2008, in spite of the writers strike that still looms over the television industry.

Morgan will reprise her role of Dr. Angie Hubbard-Foster, last scene on defunct ABC soap opera The City in 1997. It is still unclear if Williams will reprise his signature role of bad-boy turned cop Jesse Hubbard, or look-a-like Jacob Foster (the role he played opposite Morgan in the City from 1995-97).

Morgan and Williams are cited as soap opera's first African American super couple. Their storyline in the mid-eighties coincided with the phenomena that was Jenny & Greg Nelson (Kim Delaney and Laurence Lau respectively).

Williams left All My Children during the 1988 writer's strike, with Jesse being killed in the line of duty. Williams has made on and off again appearances as a ghostly apparition throughout the late nineties and early 2000's. It would be hard to explain a sudden revival of Jesse in light of these developments. Williams has also been an off screen presence, taking on the role of acting coach at All My Children.

Morgan left All My Children in 1990, and was recast with Saundra Quarterman. She later moved Angie to Corinth in Loving (1993-95), and later its spin-off The City.

My View: It's great that Debbi and Darnell are coming back to All My Children, but I have to wonder what storyline the writers have in store. For the most part, they do not have much connection left to the current canvas.

It will also be hard to reintroduce both actors because of their stints on Loving and The City. A lot went on when Angie and Jacob were around in Corinth and New York City. For one, Angie got married two more times, once to Jacob and another time to a man named Charles Harrison. Jacob and Angie even adopted a child together, Cassandra Foster.

Writers will also have to account for Angie and Jesse's son, Dr. Frank Hubbard (seen in the photo portrayed by Z Wright in 1988), last seen in Pine Valley in 2002 played by Jason Olive. Olive's departure was the result of the transition between head writers Richard Culliton and Gordon Raysfield's. His departure was never explained on camera.

It is great to see some veterans back. Let' s hope the current writers don't sink another super couple.

Catch up on your history by reading biographies for Dr. Angie Hubbard-Foster and Jesse Hubbard .