Lifetime Movie 'Kept Woman' Premieres Tonight, Stars Courtney Ford, Shaun Benson, Andrew W. Walker and Rachel Wilson

Kept Woman premieres February 28 on Lifetime.

The World Premiere of Kept Woman airs Saturday, February 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime. The film stars Courtney Ford (Revenge, True Blood), Shaun Benson (Defiance, General Hospital), Andrew W. Walker (Against the Wall, Maybe It's Me) and Rachel Wilson (Republic of Doyle, The Kennedys).

Jessica (Courtney Ford)and her fiancé Evan (Andrew W. Walker) just moved from the city into their dream home on a quiet suburban street. Soon after, Jessica catches her seemingly friendly new neighbor, Simon (Benson), in a strange lie and can't let her suspicions rest. The danger escalates when Simon lures her inside his home and imprisons Jessica in his secret bunker, meticulously decorated in the idealized style of the 1950s. Here she meets Robin (Rachel Wilson), a woman who's been held captive by Simon for several years and brainwashed into living as his faithful companion - a fate that is now set for Jessica unless she can somehow find a way to escape from Simon’s time-warped prison. Inspired by true events.

Watch a sneak peek below:

'Days of our Lives' Preview: JJ & Eve Are Caught in the Act

Jennifer is shocked to find JJ in bed with Eve.

The fallout from JJ (Casey Moss) and Eve's (Kassie DePaiva) affair begins during the week of March 2-6, 2015 on Days of our Lives.

"You hate me so much, you would destroy your daughter's happiness to get back at me," an angry Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) tells Eve after walking in on her worst enemy in bed with her son.

Will Jennifer tell Paige (True O'Brien) about the affair?

Check out the new Days promo below for a sneak peek.

'General Hospital' Preview: Two Fathers Pushed to the Brink

Maurice Benard as Sonny, Tyler Christopher as Nikolas

The judge makes a ruling in Avery’s custody case during the week of March 2-6, 2015, on ABC soap opera General Hospital.

"Sonny is a criminal, that's why I'm going to win custody," Michael (Chad Duell) tells Morgan (Bryan Craig) and Kiki (Hayley Erin).

Meanwhile, Nikolas (Tyler Christopher) is worried Spencer (Nicolas Bechtel) won't survive following the fire at Wyndemere.

"What if she doesn't make it?" a distraught Nikolas asks Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn).

Check out the new GH promo below for a sneak peek:

'The Bold and the Beautiful' Spoilers: Quinn Threatens Brooke

"You stay away from Deacon," Quinn warns Brooke.

Quinn (Rena Sofer) warns drunk Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) to stay away from Deacon (Sean Kanan) during the week of March 2-6, 2015, on The Bold and the Beautiful. According to the latest B&B promo, the threat turns dangerous and "you won't believe how it all ends." Watch below for a sneak peek:

'The Young and the Restless' Spoilers: Nikki Arrested for Murder?

"Nikki has been booked for murder," Paul tells Victor after Nikki is arrested.

The week of March 2-6, 2015, on The Young and The Restless finds Kyle (Lachlan) as a suspect in Austin's death, and Kyle reveals to Abby (Melissa Ordway) that he knew about her improbable affair with Austin. Meanwhile, Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) gets behind the wheel after drinking and ends up in a deadly accident. Will she end up in jail? Check out a new Y&R promo below for a sneak peek.

CBS Summer 2015 Schedule

CBS has announced premiere dates for its lineup of original summer programing that includes the new drama Zoo, returning event series Under The Dome and Extant, and the summer reality hit Big Brother.

Zoo, a new drama based on the #1 bestselling novel by James Patterson, will premiere Tuesday, June 30 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT). In the series, a wave of violent animal attacks against humans begin taking place across the globe. As the assaults become more cunning, coordinated and ferocious, a young renegade biologist (James Wolk) is thrust into the race to unlock the pandemic’s mystery before there’s no place left for people to hide.

Big Brother debuts with a special two-night premiere on Wednesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 25, both at 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT. The Thursday edition, featuring the live eviction show hosted by Julie Chen, moves to its regular time period on July 2 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT). The Sunday broadcast premieres June 28 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT). Last summer, all three editions of Big Brother regularly won their time periods in key young demographics and ranked among the summer’s top 10 programs in both adults 18-49 and adults 18-34.

Colleen Zenk & Anne Howard Added to Cast of Upcoming Janet Iacobuzio & Nelson Aspen Series

Anne Howard, Colleen Zenk

Two new names can now be revealed from the cast of the upcoming web series from serial scribes Janet Iacobuzio and Nelson Aspen.

In addition to Marcia McCabe and Yvonne Goutman, daytime veterans Colleen Zenk (As the World Turns) and Anne Howard (Another World, Days of our Lives) are excited to join the cast of the show, which will debut this summer and promises lots of interactive opportunities and exclusive behind-the-scenes special features. Be sure to watch this space for all the breaking news of casting developments with more big names and much-missed favorites on board for the project.

"Janet and I worked with Anne on Another World back in those Halcyon days of the '80s, so it's a special treat to be reunited with her, professionally," Aspen says. "As for Colleen, anyone who watched her as Barbara Ryan on As the World Turns for all those wonderful years can't help but be a fan of her work, style and beauty. Having been pals the last couple years off screen, it's an extraordinary gift to now get to work with her on screen."

In a recent Serial Scoop poll, we asked fans which soap opera character played by Marcia McCabe did they remember most fondly. 93% chose Sunny Adamson from Search for Tomorrow.

'How to Get Away with Murder' Season Finale Preview

The season finale of HTGAWM airs tonight from 9-11 p.m. ET/PT.

Lila's murderer is revealed on the two-hour season finale of ABC's How to Get Away with Murder, airing from 9-11 p.m. ET/PT on Thursday, February 25.

In the first episode, titled "The Night Lila Died" we start to piece together via flashbacks what really happened the night of Lila’s murder. In present day, Annalise takes on a priest who is accused of murdering another priest. Meanwhile, Connor and Oliver take things to a new level in their relationship, and Wes and Rebecca continue to grow suspicious of each other. Tom Everett Scott guest stars.

In the second hour, "It’s All My Fault," Wes, Connor, Michaela and Laurel may have dug themselves in too deep a hole for Annalise to save them, and the shocking truth about Lila’s murder is finally revealed.

Watch a sneak peek below:

'General Hospital' Hits Over 1-Year High in Total Viewers

General Hospital surged to an over 1-year high in Total Viewers (3.186 million) and over 8-month highs in Women 18-49 (665,000/1.0 rating) and Women 25-54 (889,000/1.5 rating) – since the weeks of 1/6/14 and 6/9/14, accordingly – ranking as the week’s No. 2 drama in daytime in Women 18-49.

Monday’s show stood as the series’ most-watched telecast in over 1-year in Total Viewers (3.421 million), in close to 1-year in Women 18-49 (804,000/1.3 rating) and over 8-months in Women 25-54 (1.016 million/1.7 rating) – since 1/28/14, 3/25/14 and 6/9/14, respectively.

Meanwhile, The Chew registered a 3-month high in Total Viewers (3.042 million) and 10-week highs in Women 18-49 (497,000/0.8 rating) and Women 25-54 (656,000/1.1 rating) – since the weeks of 11/24/14 and 12/8/14, respectively.

Monday’s telecast – featuring surprise guest cook Tracee Ellis Ross of black-ish and Robin Roberts – qualified as the series’ No. 2 show on record in Total Viewers (3.689 million), its No. 5 telecast of all time in Women 18-49 (659,000/1.0 rating) and was the 2nd-most-watched airing in over 8-months in Women 25-54 (810,000/1.3 rating), behind only 2/2/15 and since 6/5/14.

'The Bold and the Beautiful' Delivers Largest Average Weekly Audience in 8 Years

The entire CBS Daytime lineup posted year-to-year growth in viewers, with several delivering their biggest audiences in more than a year, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings for the week of February 16-20, 2015.

Daytime Dramas

The Bold and the Beautiful averaged 4.18 million viewers, up +10% from a year ago, and its largest average weekly audience since the week ending February 16, 2007. It was also up +13% in women 25-54 (1.7/09 from 1.5/08) from a year ago.
The Young and the Restless averaged 5.58 million viewers, up +7% from last year, and its largest audience since the week ending January 31, 2014. Among women demographics, it was up +5% in women 25-54 (2.2/12 from 2.1/12), +15% in women 18-49 (1.5/09 from 1.3/09) and +17% in women 18-34 (0.7/05 from 0.6/05), all best since the week ending January 31, 2014 (final week for Billy Miller and Michael Muhney).

Game Shows

Let's Make a Deal 2 averaged 4.25 million viewers, its largest audience ever, and was up +13% in women 18-49 (0.9/06 from 0.8/06) from a year ago.
Let's Make a Deal 1 averaged 3.66 million viewers, up +14% from a year ago.
The Price is Right 1 averaged 5.71 million viewers, up +7% from last year.
The Price is Right 2 averaged 6.65 million viewers, a gain of +9% from the same week a year ago in both viewers and women 18-49 (1.2/08 from 1.1/07).

Talk Show

The Talk averaged 3.01 million viewers, up +7% from last year and its largest weekly audience since the week ending February 14, 2014.*

Kirsten Storms Joins All-Star 'Winterthorne' Cast

Kirsten Storms

General Hospital Emmy nominee Kirsten Storms is the latest actor to join the all-star cast of Michael Cauruso's highly anticipated drama Winterthorne. She will play Selene Winterthorne, the younger sister of lead character Miranda (Martha Madison), who returns after being absent for many years with an offer to change the candy company empire forever.

"Selene is stylish, sexy, wicked, and witty," says the Emmy-nominated Caruso. "She's been away from her family for a long time and now she's back to take what she feels is hers. It's going to be so much fun watching Kirsten and Martha on screen together, a devilish treat for the audience."

"I adore Kirsten both personally and professionally," adds adison, "And I've always wanted the chance to work on a project together with her. I have so much respect for her as an actress. I can hardly wait for her to join us on
Winterthorne."

Storms numerous TV credits include 7th Heaven, Clubhouse, Xenon: Girl of the 21st Century, Days of our Lives, and CSI: Miami, but is best known as Maxie Jones on the long-running daytime drama General Hospital, a role she has played for nearly 10 years.

Winterthorne begins three weeks of production in late March, both in and outside of the Los Angeles area. Storms joins previously announced cast members Martha Madison (Days of Our Lives), Michael Caruso (DeVanity), Linda Gray (Dallas), Kathleen Gati (General Hospital), Gordon Thomson (Dynasty, Santa Barbara) and Josh Thrower (90210, The Young and The Restless).

RELATED:
* 'General Hospital' Star Kathleen Gati Joins 'Winterthorne' Cast
* 'Dallas' Actress Linda Gray Will Guest Star on Michael Caruso's Upcoming Must-See Drama 'Winterthorne'

'Empire' Gay Character Jamal Comes Out In Song

Jussie Smollett as Jamal Lyons on Empire.

Empire's Jamal Lyons (Jussie Smollett) came out to the world on last night's episode while singing "You're So Beautiful", eliciting a wide variety of reactions from the public and his family. Watch Jamal’s coming out performance below:

'The Xperiment' Premieres March 2 on BET, Hosted by Brandon Broady

BET is launching The Xperiment on Monday, March 2 at 5 p.m. ET/PT.

Hosted by the incredible funnyman Brandon Broady and his mötley crüe of friends this game-changing and dope new show The Xperiment will showcase celebrity guests, parody fare, buzz-worthy viral clips, comedic sketches, man on the street segments, viewer participation, music and more LMAO moments -- pretty much anything that is sure to surface on your timeline! Go ahead get started in spamming all your friends’ social media accounts with #TheXperiment.

Watch a sneak peek below:

New 'Dancing with the Stars' Cast Includes Michael Sam, Suzanne Somers, Patti LaBelle, Rumer Willis

The 10th anniversary celebrity cast of Dancing with the Stars is strapping on their ballroom shoes and getting ready for their first dance on Monday, March 16 (8:00-10:01 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network. This 20th season’s lineup of celebrity dancers includes a television icon, a party rocker, a football star and a Shark, to name a few. The reigning Mirrorball champion, Witney Carson, will be partnered with a surprise celebrity to be announced at a later date, completing the cast of twelve celebrity dance couples.

This season of Dancing with the Stars will be filled with surprises as we celebrate the last 10 years. The show will bring back fan favorite theme nights including Disney and Latin night and also introduce new themes, including Spring Break Night. Viewers will also have more access to the show than ever before with #DWTSAllAccess offering viewers a behind the scenes look with six live stream videos from key positions in the ballroom. Additionally, viewers will have access to the DWTS rehearsal studio like never before, with live streaming videos available throughout the week on ABC.com.

As announced this morning on ABC’s Good Morning America, the celebrities with their professional partners heading to the ballroom this season (in alphabetical order) are:

Noah Galloway partnered with Sharna Burgess
Robert Herjavec partnered with Kym Johnson
Patti LaBelle partnered with Artem Chigvintsev
Nastia Liukin partnered with Derek Hough
Riker Lynch partnered with Allison Holker
Charlotte McKinney partnered with Keo Motsepe
Redfoo partnered with Emma Slater
Michael Sam partnered with Peta Murgatroyd
Willow Shields partnered with Mark Ballas
Suzanne Somers partnered with Tony Dovolani
Rumer Willis partnered with Valentin Chmerkovskiy

'Switched at Birth' Sneak Peek: Daphne's Date?

Switched at Birth airs tonight on ABC Family. Photo Credit: ABC Family/(Eric McCandless

Bay struggles to determine what is next for her art career in an all-new episode of Switched at Birth, airing Tuesday, February 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC Family.

Bay tries to figure out how she can pursue an art career. Regina invites Eric (guest star Terrell Tilford, The Young and the Restless) and his son to stay with her temporarily. Mingo (guest star Adam Hagenbuch, The Perks of Being a Wallflower) asks Daphne to hang out.

Meanwhile, Kathryn offers to help Travis with his English.

Watch a sneak peek below:

'Pretty Little Liars' Sneak Peek: Spencer Heads to London

Oliver Kieran-Jones plays Colin on Pretty Little Liars. Photo Credit: ABC Family//Eric McCandless

The girls’ actions create a devastating aftershock for one of the Liars in “Bloody Hell,” an all-new episode of of Pretty Little Liars, airing at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC Family.

Equipped with their new information about Mona, the Liars decide they need to speak to Alison. But once the truth is out there, Aria quickly learns that Mike’s involvement with Mona and this new revelation could have serious repercussions for her family. Determined to keep Mike safe and get Ali out of jail, the Liars intensify their search for information on “A.” Meanwhile, Spencer heads to London for an important college interview, and Alison looks to someone surprising for help with her murder trial.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

Mike C. Manning and Allie Gonino Host Benefit To Support Homeless Youth Programs of Los Angeles LGBT Center

Mike C.Manning and Allie Gonino

On Saturday February 7, Mike C. Manning (Cloud 9, Youthful Daze) and Allie Gonino (The Lying Game) hosted a charity benefit in support of the homeless youth programs of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. It was also an opportunity to meet the Young Professionals Council and learn more about how the YPC helps support youth programs at the Center.

With a full house on hand, more than a quarter of the people in attendance made a large donation to help homeless children, signed up for tours, and/or became monthly donors to the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

Among the 230 "Have a Heart for the Center" attendees were Kristen Alderson (General Hospital), Brittany Underwood (Youthful Daze), Lachlan Buchanan (The Young and the Restless), Kyle Schuneman, former Congressman and producer Mike Huffington, and Allie Gonino's band members from The Good Mad. The event also featured a musical performance by Eli Lieb.

If you would like to donate to the Los Angeles LGBT Center and help homeless youth, please visit lalgbtcenter.org/donate_main.

Check out more photos from the event by Photographer Dylan Robinson below:

Watch the 'Pretty' Season 4 Finale

Joan Van Ark and Stacy McQueen in the Pretty season finale.

The season finale of Pretty has arrived and it has every thing from the show's trademark humor to an unexpected cliffhanger that could change everything. Watch the comedy (and drama) unfold below, including the return of guest stars Denise Alexander (General Hospital) and Joan Van Ark (Knots Landing).

WWE Network Celebrates First Birthday With Free 24-Hour Marathon on WWE.com and the WWE App

In celebration of WWE Network’s first birthday, fans around the world can sample WWE Network with a 24-hour “Best Of” programming marathon streamed for free on WWE.com and through the WWE App with no WWE account or credit card required, immediately following tonight’s Monday Night Raw®. For the remainder of February, the full WWE Network experience is available for free for new subscribers.

The action-packed programming marathon will feature exclusive WWE Network programs, including groundbreaking NXT TakeOver events, original series such as Monday Night War and Legends House, WWE Network specials including The Stone Cold Podcast with Special Guests Vince McMahon and Triple H and Journey to WrestleMania 30: Daniel Bryan.

Television Academy Passes Primetime Emmy Awards Rules Changes

The Television Academy has passed a group of new Primetime Emmy Awards rules which reflect the increasingly varied and expanding television landscape.

Bruce Rosenblum, Television Academy Chairman said, "We are thrilled to announce that our Board of Governors and senior industry executives have taken meaningful time to address, in a forward thinking manner, many of our existing rules and procedures. Our over 17,000 voting members represents a dramatically changing television industry and we want to continue to make sure we honor their creativity in the most relevant and fair ways possible."As our growing membership creates and produces more content for ever-changing platforms, today's changes in the rules and procedures are vital. We're sure that in coming years we will continue to evolve our rules as our dynamic industry grows."

The changes include:

Expansion of Final Round Voting: In an effort to increase member participation in the voting process, and to take advantage of the Academy's extension of online voting to both rounds, all voters eligible to vote in a category's nominating round are now eligible to vote in that category's final round, so long as they meet two additional requirements: much like the former Blue Ribbon panel process, voters must watch the required submitted material online and attest to no specific conflicts of interest with the nominees

Lifetime Movie 'Babysitter's Black Book' Premieres Tonight, Stars Spencer Locke, Steffani Brass, Lauren York and Angeline Appel

Babysitter's Black Book premieres February 21 on Lifetime. Photo by Charles Christopher Copyright 2015

The World Premiere of Babysitter's Black Book airs Saturday, February 21 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime. The film stars Spencer Locke, Steffani Brass, Lauren York and Angeline Appel. The film was inspired by true stories.

When her parents' financial problems threaten Ashley's (Locke) dreams for college, the high school whiz kid takes matters into her own hands. She and her girlfriends turn their babysitting business into a wildly successful escort service for dads. But in this small suburban community, nothing stays secret for long.

Watch a sneak peek below:

'Pretty' Season 4 Finale Exclusive Sneak Peek

Steve Silverman, Stacy McQueen and Joan Van Ark. Photo courtesy of Pretty/Steve Silverman.

The hilarious fourth season of award-winning comedy Pretty continues the story of Annette Champagne (Stacy McQueen), now an adult decades past her childhood pageant days, running her own dance studio, and dealing with a daughter of her own, "Dance Moms" plus an arch rival from her past.

With the season finale set to air on Monday, Annette has been knocked out and is now wandering around in an alternate reality, her rival Lily (Adrienne Wilkinson) is determined to keep Annette’s dance team from performing, and a mysterious man named Andrew (Kyle David Pierce) has a secret to share that will change everything.

28th Annual Kids' Choice Awards Nominees

Who will vie for the coveted blimp in a year marked by a slew of first-time celebrity nods? Fans have voiced their favorites as Nickelodeon announces the nominations for the 28th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards. With four new categories added, this year’s new nominees include Iggy Azalea, Sam Smith, Angelina Jolie, 5 Seconds of Summer, Channing Tatum, Meryl Streep, Meghan Trainor, Chris Pratt, Fifth Harmony, Echosmith, Jessie J, Liam Hemsworth, Elle Fanning, Imagine Dragons, Kira Kosarin and Laura Marano. Kids also picked superstar nominees Beyoncé, Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, Ariana Grande, OneRepublic, Hugh Jackman, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, Ben Stiller, One Direction, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Garner, Maroon 5, Scarlett Johansson and more. Multi-talented singer/songwriter and actor Nick Jonas will host the celebration live on Saturday, March 28, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) from The “Fabulous” Forum in Inglewood, Calif.

Beginning Friday, Feb. 20, kids can cast their votes across 21 categories, including new additions Favorite Talent Competition Show, Favorite Family TV Show, Most Addicting Game and Favorite New Artist across all of Nickelodeon’s digital platforms including Nick.com and the Nick app on Android, iOS and Kindle. Users will be able to vote on Nickelodeon’s Twitter feed using #KCA. Furthermore, fans can join in on the slime-fest by going to Nick.com/kca15, the official destination for everything Kids’ Choice Awards, with hilarious videos, quizzes, photo galleries, weekly polls and get the latest KCA news on this year’s show and nominees.

'General Hospital' Star Kathleen Gati Joins 'Winterthorne' Cast

Kathleen Gati

General Hospital actress Kathleen Gati has joined the cast of the upcoming web series Winterthorne, it was announced Thursday on Soap Box with Lilly and Martha. Gati will portray Valentina Winterthorne, the power hungry sister of Joanna Winterthorne, played by longtime Dallas star Linda Gray. Joanna will stop at nothing to unearth the big family secret Miranda is hiding. The character is a strict follower of the old ways of the Winterthorne family which caused a major rift between her and her sister, Joanna.

"Kathleen Gati is a powerhouse actress who brings a richness and depth to every role she tackles,” says Emmy-nominated series creator Michael Caruso. “She is so much more than a traditional villain. She really embodies all the layers required for a role like this. She is really going to turn up the heat in this role. All of us are dying to work with her."

Who Killed Lucy Beale on 'EastEnders'? Oddsmakers Say Bobby Beale

Lucy Beale died in April 2014. Her killer will be revealed on EastEnders tonight.

The 10-month EastEnders storyline revolving around who killed Lucy Beale is nearing its conclusion and the killer will finally be revealed tonight.

Oddsmakers list Bobby Beale as the top the top suspect going into Thursday's episode. Paddy Power currently lists him at 11/4 odds, followed by Jane Beale at 5/1.

Below are the latest Paddy Power odds on Lucy's killer:
Bobby Beale 11/4
Phil Mitchell 50/1

'EastEnders' Premiered 30 Years Ago Today

Reg Cox met his demise in the first episode of EastEnders.

British soap opera EastEnders premiered on February 19, 1985, telling stories about the denizens of Albert Square in London's East End borough of Walford. Exactly 30 years and over 5,000 episodes later the show is still going strong.

An ensemble cast of 25 launched the BBC One show, and some of the characters they played - Ian Beale, Arthur Fowler, Den and Angie, Dot Cotton - went on to become national icons.

The first episode started with the murder of Reg Cox, who lived in the top flat of 23 Albert Square. Den Watts, Arthur Fowler, and Ali Osman discovered Reg unconscious in his flat. While the rest of "the Square" -- led by busybodies Ethel Skinner and Lou Beale -- was mired in gossip about Reg's condition and argued over comparative neighborliness, Pauline and Arthur Fowler -- middle-aged and on the dole with two teens to support -- fretted about telling family matriarch Lou that they had a third child on the way.

'Murder She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder Mystery' Set to Premiere May 2, Stars Alison Sweeney, Cameron Mathison & Barbara Niven

Alison Sweeney, Cameron Mathison, Barbara Niven

Production has started on Murder She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder Mystery, a Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Original World Premiere Saturday, May 2 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The mouthwatering new mystery stars actress and TV host Alison Sweeney (Days of our Lives), alongside Daytime Emmy nominated star Cameron Mathison (All My Children) and Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove darling Barbara Niven. The film centers on free spirit Hannah Swensen, an expert baker who becomes a culinary detective when her shop, the Cookie Jar, becomes the scene of a crime, just as she is caught in a romantic mystery of her own. “Murder She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder Mystery,” is based on the New York Times bestselling book Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Joseph Ausanio Shares His Story and What Inspired 'Troy's Big Break,' His Comedy Web Series Featuring a Deaf Cast & Crew

Troy's Big Break creator and star Joseph Ausanio. Photo by Tamme Stitt - © 2013

The countdown is on to the 6th Annual Indie Series Awards on April 1st and Serial Scoop has been featuring some of the nominated series and performers and will continue to do so over the next six weeks. There were other terrific independently produced web series in contention that also deserve special recognition, not only for their entertaining stories and remarkable talent in front of and behind the camera, but because of the originality they present and the impact they are having on the world. One such show is the comedy Troy's Big Break, which features a Deaf cast and crew, and tells the story of Troy Lawrence, an aspiring theatre director who faces obstacles in life while he searches for a star for his upcoming production. The series was created by Joseph Ausanio, who produced with series director Taylor Repetski. Ausanio also stars as Troy in the talented cast which includes Fallon Baue (Trixie), Frances Sorrentino (Flo), Meagan Zdep (Diane) and Samantha Shupe (Vivian).

Serial Scoop asked Ausanio to share his story with our readers and tell us how Troy's Big Break came to be. Read our exclusive interview with the multi-talented charming young artist below.

SERIAL SCOOP: Can you tell us about your background leading up to now. Have you always wanted to be a writer and/or producer?
JOSEPH AUSIANO: Yes, I was born in Kingston, NY. Over a week after I was born, I became ill with bacterial meningitis. I lost my hearing due to that, and my parents were devastated, but remained optimistic. They taught me sign language. My father used to pitch for the New York Yankees and now is a softball coach at Marist College and my mother works in Human Resources. When I was four years old, I had a cochlear implant surgery and was put in a mainstream school with an interpreter. I graduated with a BFA degree in Film/Theatre from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, NY, and currently, I’m back at RIT, working towards a Master’s in Deaf education. For as long as I can remember, back to my early childhood, I’ve always wanted to write, produce and perform in films and on stage.

'Days of our Lives' Star Freddie Smith Sentenced to Two Years of Community Control, Loses License, Avoids Jail Time

Freddie Smith

Days of our Lives star Freddie Smith (Sonny Kiriakis) was sentenced Wednesday to two years of community control in Ashtabula County Common Pleas court. He also had his driver's license suspended for one year.

Smith was leaving a wedding reception in October 2014 when he and his girlfriend Alyssa Tabit crashed on State Route 84. Police say Smith's blood alcohol level was .093. Tabit was seriously injured and continues to recover.

"She is doing absolutely fantastic. She has a couple more weeks of physical therapy and she will be back good as new," Smith told Action News reporter Scott Taylor outside the courtroom (see video below). "It was very selfish and I am very sorry for doing it."

'Better Call Saul' is the Number 1 Series Premiere in Cable History Among Adults 18-49 & 25-54 in Live + 3 Ratings

Better Call Saul's two-night premiere aired February 8, 9.

After debuting on February 8 as the biggest series premiere in cable history among adults 18-49 based on Nielsen live/same day ratings, Better Call Saul is now confirmed as the #1 series premiere in cable history among adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 in live+3 ratings, which include three days of time-shifted viewing.

The series’ two-night premiere on February 8 and 9 delivered a combined total of 15.6 million viewers, 9.7 million adults 18-49 and 9.1 million adults 25-54 (live+3). The viewership records were set by just the first half of the two-night premiere, the February 8 telecast, which delivered 9.8 million viewers, 6.1 million adults 18-49 and 5.7 million adults 25-54.

For the current television season, AMC is now home to 3 of the top 5 cable series (live+3) among adults 18-49 with The Walking Dead at #1, Better Call Saul at #2 and Talking Dead at #5. Including broadcast networks, AMC has two of the top 10 series this TV season among adults 18-49 with The Walking Dead at #1 and Better Call Saul at #9.

Poppy Montgomery Guest Stars In 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered From Paris, With Love' on June 14

Poppy Montgomery

Poppy Montgomery will guest star in a highly anticipated role in “Signed, Sealed, Delivered From Paris, With Love," a Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Original premiering Sunday, June 14 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Montgomery plays Holly, the estranged wife of lead postal detective Oliver (Eric Mabius), who suddenly returns from Paris the same day he and his Postables team, Shane (Kristin Booth), Rita (Crystal Lowe) and Norman (Geoff Gustafson), deliver divorce papers to a happy couple. Signed Sealed Delivered continues its exploration of the mystery of love as three unique stories converge in its newest two-hour movie from Martha Williamson.

“We are beyond thrilled to have tremendously talented Poppy Montgomery guest star in ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered From Paris, With Love’ and we look forward to having her bring Martha Williamson’s vision to life,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming and Publicity for Crown Media Family Networks.

'A Bone to Pick: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery' Premieres April 4 on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Stars Candace Cameron Bure and Marilu Henner

Candace Cameron Bure

Candace Cameron Bure (Full House, Dancing with the Stars) stars with five-time Golden Globe nominee Marilu Henner (Taxi) in the spine-tingling mystery A Bone to Pick: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery, a Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Original Movie World Premiere, Saturday, April 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

The film, is the first in the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries based on the books by #1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris. Bure and Henner lead an all-star cast that includes Lexa Doig (Continuum), Bruce Dawson (The Killing), Peter Benson (Heartbeat), Sonya Salomaa (Intruders), Dan Payne (The Cabin in the Woods), Miranda Frigon (A Cookie Cutter Christmas) and Stephen Huszar (Paradise Falls).

More Presenters Announced for 6th Annual Indie Series Awards

Patrika Darbo, Martha Madison

The Indie Series Network (ISN) announced additional presenters today for the upcoming 6th Annual Indie Series Awards (ISA6).

Presenters during the April 1st ceremony will include Ryan Bartley (L.A. Macabre), Sarah Brown (Beacon Hill), Richard Cutting (Milgram and the Fastwalkers, DeVanity), Patrika Darbo (The Bay), Mike Donis (Pete Winning and the Pirates), Megan Duffy (Dating Pains), Burt Grinstead (Burt Paxton), Richard Hatch (Pairings), Martha Madison (Winterthorne, The Bay), Susan Louise O'Connor (Wallflowers) and Alexandra Paul (Mentor).

They join previously announced presenters Anthony Anderson (Anacostia), Jillian Clare (Acting Dead), Ashli Dowling (We Are Angels), Andrea Evans (DeVanity), Lilly Melgar (The Bay), Mhairi Morrison (Feathers and Toast), Becky Kramer (Jewvangelist), Jen Lilley (Youthful Daze), Minae Noji (Love Midori), Alisha Spielmann (Producing Juliet), Jason Stuart (Mentor), Corsica Wilson (L.A. Macabre) and Colleen Zenk (Thurston).

Additional presenters will be revealed in the coming weeks.

The 6th Annual Indie Series Awards ceremony, hosted by Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Martsolf (Days of our Lives), will be held on Wednesday, April 1 at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood.

The Indie Series Awards celebrate the best in independently produced, scripted entertainment created for the Web. Click here for a complete list of nominees.

Netflix Will Premiere War Thriller 'Jadotville' in 2016, Film Stars Jamie Dornan And Guillaume Canet

Jamie Dornan

Netflix will premiere the new war thriller Jadotville, starring Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades of Grey) and Guillaume Canet (Tell No One), across all its territories in 2016. Netflix acquired Jadotville at the 2015 Berlin Film Festival. The film will go into production in April.

A gripping true story of incredible bravery against impossible odds, the film thrillingly depicts the 1961 siege of a 150-strong Irish UN battalion under Commander Patrick Quinlan(Dornan) by 3,000 Congolese troops led by French and Belgian mercenaries working for mining companies. Canet plays a French commander who sought to defeat Quinlan and his men.

Watch the Premiere of 'Misguided' Starring Paul Gosselin & Stephanie Gatschet

Paul Gosselin's new web series, Misguided, made its debut today, and features former Guiding Light and All My Children actress Stephanie Gatschet.

In the series, Paul left New York City after Guiding Light was canceled and moved to Los Angeles. Searching for inspiration, he found his way to the one person who understands his passion for the soap opera genre, Big Sue. Paul lucks out when his best friend, Stephanie, needs a roommate the moment he moves to town, but is slightly let down when he discovers this soap opera connection has really gone to the dogs.

Watch the premiere below:

New Nelson Aspen Highlight Reel Includes 'Another World' Reunion (and Theme Song)

Serial Scoop pal Nelson Aspen is getting his tux pressed for next weekend's Academy Awards in Los Angeles and just shared with us his latest showbiz highlights reel from the last few weeks of reporting. He thought we'd especially enjoy his Red Carpet reunion with Gabrielle Carteris (ex-Tracy, Another World) at the recent SAG-AFTRA Awards and he cleverly put in a special tribute to Bay City in the montage set to the 1996 theme music from the late, great soap.



Of course, Aspen is hard at work with former AW colleague Janet Iacobuzio on a new web series that will premiere this summer and feature many notable names from the world of daytime television.

Meantime, tickets go on sale today for his latest musical endeavor: his one man cabaret show which will premiere Sunday, May 17 at the world famous Sydney Opera House! He'll be crooning tunes and dishing dirt as only he can! If you're planning a trip Down Under or have friends there who'd like to check out the show, all the info can be found here (http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/nelson_aspen.aspx).

Aussies love their soaps! And the soaps love their Aussies...look how many have become daytime stars. Home and Away's Lachlan Buchanan is next in line, and will debut February 25 as the new Kyle Abbott on The Young and the Restless.

'The Bold and the Beautiful' Actress Linsey Godfrey Released From Hospital Nearly Two Weeks After Being Hit By a Car

Linsey Godfrey

The Bold and the Beautiful actress Linsey Godfrey (Caroline Spencer) was hit by a car on February 2 while walking down a street in Los Angeles. She has now been released from the hospital.

"Thank you again everyone for your concern," Godfrey tweeted on Saturday. "After two [long weeks] I finally got to go home tonight. Now I started my long journey to recovery... This is definitely one of the hardest things I've ever had to do but I can't tell you how truly loved and supported I feel. I'm beyond lucky."

RELATED:
* 'The Bold and the Beautiful' Spoilers: Game of Love Promo

UP Movie 'Dancer and the Dame' Premieres February 22, Stars Billy Gardell, James Denton, Eva LaRue

UP movie Dancer and the Dame premieres Sunday, February 22 at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The film stars Billy Gardell (Mike & Molly), James Denton (Desperate Housewives), Michael Badalucco (The Practice), Eva LaRue (CSI: Miami, All My Children), Louis Mustillo (Mike & Molly) and Quinton Aaron (The Blind Side).

Down-and-out Detective Dancer (Gardell), who struggling with a personal conflict, gives up on life and his job. But that all ends when he is paired up with a police dog who is also dealing with post-traumatic stress. The dog helps Dancer make a life-changing turn around. And in response, Dancer does the same for his partner, the Dame.

Sneak Peek: Men of 'The Young and the Restless' on 'Queen Latifah Show'

Justin Hartley, Daniel Goddard, Joshua Morrow, Queen Latifah, Peter Bergman and Bryton James

The Young and the Restless actors Justin Hartley, Daniel Goddard, Joshua Morrow, Peter Bergman and Bryton James are guest-starring on The Queen Latifah Show on Tuesday, February 17.

Watch a sneak peek of the appearances below:

WGA Awards Winners Include 'General Hospital,' 'The Good Wife' and 'True Detective'

The Writers Guild of America, West and The Writers Guild of America, East are holding simultaneous awards ceremonies Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles and the Edison Ballroom in New York.

Lisa Kudrow is hosting the Los Angeles ceremony, while Larry Wilmore hosts the New York event.

Below is a complete list of winners:

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Screenplay by Wes Anderson; Story by Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness; Fox Searchlight

COMEDY / VARIETY (INCLUDING TALK) – SERIES
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Writers: Kevin Avery, Tim Carvell, Dan Gurewitch, Geoff Haggerty, Jeff Maurer, John Oliver, Scott Sherman, Will Tracy, Jill Twiss, Juli Weiner; HBO

VIDEOGAME WRITING
The Last of Us: Left Behind, Written by Neil Druckmann; Sony Computer Entertainment

DRAMA SERIES
True Detective, Written by Nic Pizzolatto; HBO

RADIO NEWS SCRIPT – ANALYSIS, FEATURE, OR COMMENTARY
“Civil Rights at 50,” Written by Jane Tillman Irving; WCBS Radio

RADIO DOCUMENTARY
“Three Shots Rang Out: The JFK Assassination 50 Years Later,” Written by Darren Reynolds; ABC News Radio

RADIO NEWS SCRIPT – REGULARLY SCHEDULED, BULLETIN, OR BREAKING REPORT
“World News This Week,” Written by Andrew Evans; ABC News Radio

LONG FORM ADAPTED
Olive Kitteridge, Teleplay by Jane Anderson, Based on the novel by Elizabeth Strout; HBO

LONG FORM ORIGINAL
Deliverance Creek, Written by Melissa Carter; Lifetime

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY
The Internet’s Own Boy

DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT – OTHER THAN CURRENT EVENTS
“League of Denial: The NFL’s Concussion Crisis” (Frontline), Written by Michael Kirk & Mike Wiser; PBS

Syfy Airing All-Day Marathon for '12 Monkeys' and 'Helix' on February 16

Syfy celebrates President's Day with back-to-back marathons of the critically acclaimed series 12 Monkeys and Helix on Monday, February 16 (President's Day) from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. ET/PT.

Fans will have a chance to watch or re-watch both series, which are both posting record L3 vs. L+SD lifts for Syfy original scripted series.

PRESIDENT'S DAY PROGRAMMING

Monday, February 16, 2015 (All Times Eastern/Pacific)

9-10 a.m. Helix - "San Jose" Peter Farragut, Sarah Jordan and Dr. Kyle Sommer go to a mysterious island to investigate an unknown pathogen that killed everyone, except Leila, aboard the Mist of Avalon.

10-11 a.m. Helix - "Reunion" Jordan discovers Alan, Peter's brother, is a member of Brother Michael's cult, but despite Alan's warnings she and Peter refuse to leave the Abbey and continue to investigate how Soren became infected.

'Empire' Tops 'Scandal' and 'HTGAWM' in Social Comments/Tweets This Week

Per Nielsen's Social Guide, Wednesday's episode of Empire is the most social primetime TV show on broadcast or cable so far this week – generating more social comments/tweets during its broadcast (366,088) than both Scandal (281,475) and How to Get Away with Murder (94,000).

This week's Empire also posted the highest Live + Same Day rating (4.8) of any broadcast drama telecast (excluding premieres) in 4 years –since Grey's Anatomy on 3/31/11 (4.9/13).

Empire is this season’s only broadcast drama to average higher than a 5.0 rating in the Live + 3s (its current L3 average is a 5.7/17)

And according to measurement service Rentrak, in the month of January 2015, the first three episodes of Empire were the top 3 most-viewed titles overall on VOD.

Lifetime Movie 'Back to School Mom' Premieres Tonight, Stars Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine, Rick Fox, Garcelle Beauvais, Harry Lennix and Denzel Whitaker

Back to School Mom premieres Valentine's Day on Lifetime. Photo by Graham Bartholomew Copyright 2015

The World Premiere of Back to School Mom airs Saturday, February 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime. The film stars Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine, Rick Fox, Garcelle Beauvais, Harry Lennix and Denzel Whitaker.

Mary Thomas (Elise), a free-spirited musician, has spent the past two decades traveling the world, but at age 41 she decides to go back to college and finish her degree so that, for once, she can finally finish something she started. Back at her old university, she becomes close friends with her popular and charming "peer tutor"— only to learn that he is actually the son she gave up 20 years earlier.

Watch a sneak peek below:



Following the premiere of the film, Beyond the Headlines: The Novack Murders will air at 10 p.m. ET/PT, taking a deeper look at the Novack murders and including interviews with friends and family.

Back to School Mom was directed by Christopher Erskin, and written by Gerald Olson.

Tthe cast includes Sibongile Mlambo and Syed Mufeez Bukhari.

Hallmark Movie 'All of My Heart' Premieres Tonight, Stars Lacey Chabert, Brennan Elliott and Ed Asner

All of My Heart premieres Valentine's Day on Hallmark Channel. Photo Credit: Copyright 2014 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss

Hallmark Channel Original Movie All of My Heart premieres on Saturday, February 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The film stars Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls, Party of Five), Brennan Elliott (Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove) and seven-time Emmy and five-time Golden Globe winner Edward Asner (The Mary Tyler Moore Show). The cast includes Greyston Holt (Bitten), Daniel Cudmore (X-Men: Days of Future Past) and Heather Doerksen (The Cabin in the Woods).

Life suddenly changes course for attractive, thirtysomething caterer Jenny Fintley (Chabert) when she inherits a country home and learns she must share it with a career-obsessed Wall Street trader Brian Hudson (Elliott). At first, these opposites do not attract, but feelings begin to change when they find themselves having to work side-by-side to restore their newly acquired home.

Watch a sneak peak below:

'Days of our Lives' Sneak Peek: Is Hope in Love with a Killer? Will's Affair Exposed!

Hope learns the truth about Aiden.

A new Days of our Lives promo for the week of February 16-20 features Hope (Kristian Alfonso), Aiden (Daniel Cosgrove), Will (Guy Wilson) and Sonny (Freddie Smith), who all face big moments in their lives.

Is Hope in love with a killer? On Monday's episode, Hope fears for her life as she plays a game of cat and mouse with Aiden.

Meanwhile, Will's affair with Paul (Christopher Sean) may rock his marriage to Sonny.

Watch the video below for a sneak peek of what's ahead:

'The Bold and the Beautiful' Spoilers: Game of Love

Liam (Scott Clifton), Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood)

A new promo teases what's ahead on CBS daytime soap opera The Bold and The Beautiful during the week of February 16-20, 2015.

"In the game of love they'll do anything to win...everything."

Bill (Don Diamont) and Katie (Heather Tom) get married again, and Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) makes her move on Liam (Scott Clifton) before leaving Los Angeles again.

Watch a sneak peek in the video below:

'The Young and the Restless' FANtastic February Preview

Life in Genoa City is about to be turned upside down as shocking drama unfolds throughout the month of February. In the action-packed episodes beginning Friday, February 13, life for the Winters’ family spirals out of control when they take a trip to Chicago in the midst of a winter storm and their plane goes down. In addition, Neil Winters (Kristoff St. John) learns of his son Devon Hamilton's (Bryton James) affair with his wife Hilary Curtis (Mishael Morgan); Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) clashes with her husband Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) as she puts the bottle before her marriage and family; and bad boy Adam Newman (Justin Hartley) inches closer to winning back his wife Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan) under his new identity, Gabriel Bingham. And that’s just the beginning...

Watch a sneak peek below:

'Beauty and the Beast' Season 3 Premieres May 21, CW Renews for 2015-16

The third season of fan favorite drama Beauty and the Beast will begin its 13-episode run on Thursday, May 21 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW Network. In addition, The CW announced on Friday that Beauty and the Beast has also been renewed a fourth season, which will air later the 2015-2016 season.

As season three begins, Cat (Kristin Kreuk) and Vincent (Jay Ryan) are able to focus on their love, finally free from Muirfield, manhunts and beasts. However, that love will be tested as new and more dangerous threats await. When they learn that innocent victims are being used to test the boundaries of the impossible, Cat and Vincent will uncover a deeper conspiracy, one which Vincent can fight only by turning to the beast he carries within. But unleashing the beast will risk Vincent’s life – along with his and Cat's love – as they struggle to build a normal life together.

Beauty and the Beast is produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Take 5 Productions/Whizbang Films with executive producers Brad Kern, Bill Haber, Paul J. Witt & Tony Thomas, Ron Koslow, Frank Siracusa and John Weber, with Sherri Cooper & Jennifer Levin as consultants.

'General Hospital' Sneak Peek: Alexis Occupies Julian

"You're my daughter," Franco says to Kiki.

On the Monday, February 16 episode of ABC soap opera General Hospital, Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) admits her feelings for Julian (Willian deVry), who attempts to call Ned.

"You are not calling Ned," Alexis says, ending up nearly on top of Julian while reaching for the phone to stop him.

"Just five minutes," Julian replies.

"No, no, he would not appreciate it," insists Alexis.

"Okay, fine. If you won't let me call your ex, you're going to have to find another way to keep me occupied," Julian tells her.

"Okay," says Alexis, who climbs on top and plants a kiss on him. "How's that?"

Watch a sneak peek of their scene below:

'General Hospital' Sneak Peek: You're My Daughter

"You're my daughter," Franco says to Kiki.

During the week of February 16-20 on ABC soap opera General Hospital, Kiki (Kirsten Alderson) visits Franco (Roger Howarth), who is still recovering after injecting himself with LSD. Kiki is surprised when Franco responds and seems to know who she is.

"So you know who I am?" Kiki asks.

"Of course, Franco replies, "you're my daughter."

Will this be the final scene ever between Alderson, who will soon be leaving GH, and Howarth, who played her father for many years on One Life to Live?

Watch a sneak peek of their scene below:

Ryan Paevey, Naya Rivera, Michele Williams, Stacy London & Padma Lakshmi Guest Co-Host 'The View' Next Week

Ryan Paevey

Ryan Paevey, Naya Rivera, Michele Williams, Stacy London and Padma Lakshmi Whoopi will guest co-host ABC daytime talk show The View during the week of February 16-20, 2015. The View is hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie Perez and Nicolle Wallace.

Below are the scheduled guests for the week (subject to change):

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16 – Stacy London and Michelle Williams guest co-host; Terrence Howard (Empire); Louis Gossett Jr. (The Book of Negroes).

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 – Naya Rivera and Ryan Paevey (General Hospital); John Slattery and Amy Morton (Blue Bird); Ella Henderson performs her single “Ghost.”

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 – Padma Lakshmi guest co-hosts; David Frei with the winner of the Westminster Dog Show; Taraji P. Henson (Empire); singer-songwriter Estelle performs her single “Conqueror.”

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 – Padma Lakshmi guest co-hosts; Larry Wilmore (The Nightly Show); performance from Hall & Oates.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20 – Padma Lakshmi guest co-hosts; Shawn Bullard (Match Made in Heaven); Stacy London takes Whoopi and Nicolle behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week.

Harper Rose Barash to Play Georgie on 'General Hospital'

Harper Rose Barash and Kirsten Storms.

One-year-old Harper Rose Barash, the real-life daughter of General Hospital stars Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones) and Brandon Barash (Johnny), will make her debut on the soap today in the role of Storms's on-screen daughter, Georgie, who arrives in Port Charles with her father, Damian Spinelli (Bradford Anderson).