Serial Scoop

General Hospital Knows How to Grab Attention By Carolyn LeVine Topol Every soap opera goes through periods where some stories explode on the screen and others fizzle out long before reaching their climax. During recent weeks, on General Hospital , this theory has been taken to extremes. Two prominent stories on the GH landscape have elicited polar opposite reactions — one kept me on the edge of my seat and the other nearly replicated the impact of a tranquilizer. This past week was the perfect example of all this soap does best… as well as some of their choices that make me want to reach for the remote and hit fast-forward. Having enjoyed GH for nearly 45 years, I’ve been thrilled to watch many of their dynamic storylines. General Hospital’s characteristic engagement of many citizens of Port Charles weaving together in story arcs and then culminating with a nail-biting climax of all at once brings out all the best in this soap. I still remember the Ice Princess storylin

The Live + Same Day daytime ratings are in for February 15-19, 2016. The Bold and the Beautiful (+57,000) was the only daytime soap opera to increase its total audience over the previous week. All soaps were down versus the same week last year. Below is a breakdown of the daytime soap opera Nielsen ratings by category: Total Viewers (versus previous week/versus same week last year) 1. The Young and the Restless 4,988,000 (-21,000/-593,000) 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 3,795,000 (+57,000/-388,000) 3. General Hospital 2,942,000 (-82,000/-244,000) 4. Days of our Lives 2,434,000 (-77,000/-157,000) Women 18-49 Viewers 1. The Young and the Restless 700,000 (-23,000/-234,000) 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 568,000 (-4,000/-97,000) 3. General Hospital 522,000 (+2,000/-143,000) 4. Days of our Lives 459,000 (-16,000/-6,000) Women 18-34 Viewers 1. The Young and the Restless 208,000 (-15,000/-34,000) 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 182,000 (-16,000/-3,000) 3. General Hospital 1

Check out the day-to-day spoilers to find out what's happening on NBC soap opera Days of our Lives during the week of March 7. Monday, March 7, 2016 Abigail demands to know what Chad and JJ are keeping from her. Tuesday, March 8, 2016 Desperate to find Marlena, John questions Deimos. Wednesday, March 9, 2016 Shawn and Belle clash over her purchase of the club. Thursday, March 10, 2016 Ciara has an intense confrontation with Chase. Friday, March 11, 2016 The threat of Ben looms as Abigail and Chad’s wedding begins.

The new Best Original Song category features music from Hart of America , Life of Matt , New Mayor of New York , Or So the Story Goes , Redheads Anonymous and The Under 5ers . The 7th Annual Indie Series Awards ceremony is only 38 days away. As the countdown to ISA7 continues, Serial Scoop is shining a spotlight on the nominees in each category. Today we look at a brand new category this year, Best Original Song, which had many, many wonderful submissions. Check out the final six nominees below.

Devon Martinez Actress Devon Martinez, daughter of current Days of our Lives star A Martinez (Eduardo), has been cast as Shawn Taylor on The Young and the Restless . According to Michael Logan from TV Insider , Martinez debuts in the role on March 1, and will be interacting with Nick (Joshua Morrow) and Sage (Kelly Sullivan). Shawn is a young pregnant woman looking for the perfect parents to adopt her child. When the casting call for Shawn first went out, she was described as being pretty, yet extremely practical. I hope she uses good judgement if she is considering letting Nick and Sage adopt her child! You can read Michael Logan's full interview with Martinez here .

Kimberly Elise/photo credit VH1 On next week's new Hit The Floor , airing Monday, February 29 at 10/9c, Sloane (Kimberly Elise) and Pete (Dean Cain) get questioned by the police about Olivia's (Charlotte Ross) death and their history with the victim. Watch an exclusive sneak peek below:

Michael O'Leary Longtime Guiding Light actor Michael O'Leary (Dr. Rick Bauer) will be reuniting with a a few beloved former co-stars in his new one act play, "Breathing Under Dirt," next month. "Breathing Under Dirt" will premiere at the Manhattan Repertory Theater in mid-March. The One Act festival production will feature O'Leary, along with Beth Chamberlin (Beth Raines) and Tina Sloan (Lillian Raines) in lead roles. Sloan and Chamberlin play mother and daughter once again in the period piece, set in the 1950s, with a relationship full of resentment. The play will be directed by another veteran Guiding Light star, Grant Aleksander (Phillip Spaulding). "Breathing Under Dirt" is about reaching forgiveness and reconciliation while we still have life. A heart can be healed when we accept the limitations of ourselves and others Location: Manhattan Repertory Theater 303 West 42nd Street New York, NY 10036 Performance Schedule: Ma

Lifetime movie Suicide Note premieres Saturday, February 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The film stars Kirby Bliss Blanton, Brant Daugherty, Lexi Giovagnoli, and Stephen Colletti. Ambitious psych major Molly White (Blanton) is on top of the world as she preps for her grad program entry exams. After celebrating with boyfriend Brady (Daugherty) Molly finds her roommate Emma crying after an incident she had with her boyfriend Adam (Colletti). The next morning, Molly is shocked to learn that Emma jumped from the roof late that night, leaving a suicide note behind. Refusing to believe that Emma would do such a thing, Molly starts having haunting dreams over Emma’s death. Driven to uncover the truth about what happened to Emma, Molly begins to search for answers positioning herself in harm’s way Watch a sneak peek below:

Romance Needs to Return to 'Days of our Lives'- For All! By Carolyn LeVine Topol Marlena (Deidre Hall)  presides over Will (Guy Wilson) and Sonny's (Freddie Smith) Wedding on Days of our Lives It was just shy of two years ago when one of the loveliest romances, in recent Days of our Lives history, culminated in a beautiful wedding at the Kiriakis mansion. I’m sure I’m not alone in fondly remembering the wedding of Sonny Kiriakis and William Horton (played by Freddie Smith and Guy Wilson). Not only was their wedding a pivotal moment in daytime TV, but it contributed to Days being recognized by the GLAAD Media Awards. As a Days viewer for nearly four decades, I still remember Marlena (played by Deidre Hall) ending the wedding ceremony with, “May the love you share be the bond that brings you strength, and comfort, and joy all of the days of your lives.” Incorporating those particular words, I expected Will and Sonny to become one of the enduring love stories i

Adam Senn as Zero  On next week's new Hit The Floor , airing Monday, February 29 at 10/9c, Zero (Adam Senn) hosts an unforgettable party, and Kyle (Katherine Bailess) films her movie, with a nasty guest star. Meanwhile, Tensions between Ahsha (Taylour Paige), Derek (McKinley Freeman), and German (Jonathan McDaniel) reach a breaking point. Jelena (Logan Browning) faces her worst nightmare and Sloane (Kimberley Elise) begs Pete (Dean Cain) for a shocking favor. Watch a sneak peek below: Hit The Floor

Greg Vaughan Greg Vaughan (Eric, Days of our Lives), Bianca Lawson (ex-Eva, Witches of East End), Henry G. Sanders (ex-Walter, The Young and the Restless) have joined the cast of the new original drama series "Queen Sugar," from award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay (Selma) for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and produced by Warner Horizon Television. The series, which will begin production in Louisiana and Los Angeles this month, chronicles the lives and loves of the estranged Bordelon siblings - Nova (Rutina Wesley, True Blood), Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Unforgettable) and Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe, Awkward) - who come together after a family tragedy to run an ailing sugarcane farm in the Deep South. Lawson portrays Darla, the ex-girlfriend of Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe) and mother of their son, 6-year-old Blue, who she has been prevented from seeing as she battles drug addiction. Vaughan portrays Calvin, a cop and longtime lover of Nova (Rutina Wesley), who shares a dee

Julie Berman: Getty Images Actress Julie Berman, who played Lulu Spencer on General Hospital from (2005-2013) has become a series regular on Hulu's Casual , Variety reports. Berman recurred as Leia in Season 1 of the comedy series.

The Young and the Restless Got the Brass Ring with Jason Thompson By Carolyn LeVine Topol Jason Thompson Having watched Jason Thompson in the role of Dr. Patrick Drake on ABC’s General Hospital for several years, it was satisfying to see Patrick, Robin, and Emma (played by Kimberly McCullough and Brooklyn Rae Silzer) ride off to a happily-ever-after together to complete their story arc. Although the departure was bittersweet, knowing these three would no longer be in Port Charles, the farewell was tempered with good news for all the Jason Thompson fans. I, for one, was thrilled to learn he was about to take a giant step into a front-burner storyline on CBS’s The Young and the Restless . Bravo to The Young and the Restless team for having the foresight to cast Jason Thompson as Billy Abbott. From the moment he appeared as hospitalized, comatose Billy, JT owned the character. In a series of scenes where Billy observes each member of his family preparing to mourn his immin

In the world of daytime soap operas, the drama isn't always in front of the camera. And sometimes it's so juicy the names can't be revealed. Below is a recent item that insiders are talking about, when they think no one is listening. * Which star whitewashed his/her coworkers departure when he/she really wanted to end the storyline?

Check out the day-to-day spoilers to find out what's happening on NBC soap opera Days of our Lives during the week of February 29. Monday, February 29, 2016 JJ and Gabi take their relationship to the next level. Tuesday, March 1, 2016 Steve lies to Roman in order to protect a loved one. Thursday, March 3, 2016 Brady asks Fynn to check into Summer’s DNA Friday, March 4, 2016 Philip presses Belle for more of a commitment regarding their relationship.

Roark Critchlow Roark Critchlow is known to Days of Our Lives fans as Dr. Mike Horton, a role he played from 1994-1999. On DAYS, Roark’s character had a legendary romance with Carrie Brady played by Christie Clark. Critchlow’s latest project is the Lifetime Movie, Pregnant at 17 , which premieres Saturday, February 20 at 8pm ET/PT. After witnessing a brutal crime, things are finally starting to look up for seventeen-year-old Chelsea (Zoe De Grand Maison). Madly in love with Jeff (Critchlow), an older and accomplished married man, who promises her the world, Chelsea’s life takes a turn when she discovers she is pregnant with his baby. Serial Scoop recently spoke with Roark Critchlow who previewed tonight's Pregnant at 17 premiere. Read our interview below. SERIAL SCOOP : Dr. Mike Horton is still missed after all of these years. Would you ever come back if the opportunity presented itself? When Jeff’s wife (Josie Bissett) discovers his affair and meets Chelsea, she deci

Kim Matula Variety is reporting that Kim Matula (Ex-Hope B&B ) is joining the cast of lifetime's upcoming second season of UnREAL . Matula will play one of the ladies vying for the heart of Darius Hill (BJ Britt), the new suitor of UnREAL’s fictional dating show, Everlasting .

Check out the weekly spoilers below to find out what's happening on ABC soap opera General Hospital during the week of February 22 2016. * Morgan (Bryan Craig) intentionally puts himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. * Olivia (Lisa LoCicer) gets scared. * Nina's (Michelle Stafford) persistence elicits a reaction from Franco (Roger Howarth). * Pandemonium breaks out in Port Charles * A shocking discovery freaks out Carly (Laura Wright). * Lulu (Emme Rylan) finds herself in peril. * Several people tackle a bad situation. * Carly must deliver unfortunate news. * Two people are brought together by a near-death experience. * Morgan reaches the bottom. * Ava (Maura West) worries about a worst-case scenario. * Hayden (Rebecca Budig) decides to make a confession. * Carly's patience comes to an end. * Someone is watching Anna (Finola Hughes). * Maxie (Kirsten Storms) is flummoxed by Nathan's (Ryan Paevey) words.

Check out the weekly spoilers below to find out what's happening on CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless during the week of February 22 2016. * Marissa (Sofia Pernas) tells Dylan (Steve Burton) that she's the one who hit Billy (Jason Thompson). * Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) is outraged when she learns Victor (Eric Braeden) turned Noah (Robert Adamson) in. * Kevin (Greg Rikaart) and Mariah (Camryn Grimes) wonder about Natalie's (Mara McCaffray) loyalty. * Victor pulls a gun on Luca (Miles Gaston Villanueva) and orders him out of town. * Nikki tries to contact Elise Moxley. * Hilary (Mishael Morgan) needles Ashley (Eileen Davidson). * Nikki hears Jack (Peter Bergman) telling Neil (Kristoff St. John) about Victor replacing him with a lookalike. * Phyllis (Gina Tognoni) and Billy bond. * Chelsea opens up to Dylan. * Sage (Kelly Sullivan) asks Adam (Justin Hartley) for help. * Dylan asks Sharon (Sharon Case) about Nick (Joshua Morrow). * Luca and Su

Family Problems was voted favorite web series of the week. The results are in from the Indie Series Network and Serial Scoop "Web Series of the Week" (#WSOTW) poll for February 6-12, 2016. Family Problems was voted favorite web series for the week. The season finale of A job, A wife, A life came in second, followed by new episodes of The Benefits of Gusbandry , Shades of Bad and Out With Dad . The acting favorites were A job, A wife, A life's Brett Golov and Family Problems' Wendy Hartman, and the favorite couple/duo was Blake & Amy from A job, A wife, A life . Check out the complete results from this week's below: RANK SHOW LAST WEEK TOP 3 1 Family Problems 1 41 2 A job, A wife, A life - 1 3 The Benefits of Gusbandry - 1 4 Shades of Bad 5 5 5 Out With Dad - 14 6 Jezebel - 0 7 Bro-Dum 13 0 8 Let's Pretend - 0 9 Becoming Mrs. Ellison 11 0 10 Nightlife - 0 11 Mind Diaries - 0 12 Kuntergrau - 0 13 Northood - 0 14 How I Seize

The Live + Same Day daytime ratings are in for February 8-12, 2015. It was a great week for The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful who were both up in total viewers and in the women 18-49 demo. Below is a breakdown of the daytime soap opera Nielsen ratings by category: Total Viewers (versus previous week/versus same week last year) 1. Y&R 5,009,000 (+142,000/+118,000) 2. B&B 3,738,000 (+95,000/+22,000) 3. GH 3,024,000 (+39,000/-10,000) 4. DAYS 2,511,000 (-56,000/+213,000)

Photo by Dana Patrick  Actress Paige Searcy has joined the cast of Days of Our Lives as Jade. Jade is slated to become involved with Joey Johnson (James Lastovic). A DAYS rep has confirmed the casting. The role is recurring. She will first air later this month.

(Clockwise from top left) Melissa Archer, Laura Campbell, Claire Downs, Crista Flanagan, Jill Knox and Amber Nash The 7th Annual Indie Series Awards ceremony is only 48 days away. As the countdown to ISA7 continues, Serial Scoop is shining a spotlight on the nominees in each category. Today we look at Best Lead Actress — Comedy. It will be impossible not to laugh when you watch the hilarious nominated performances below.

Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Co-Head Writer Josh Griffith has left Days of our Lives , and is being replaced by Staff Writer Ryan Quan. Josh Griffith joined DAYS in 2015 as part of a co-head writing team with Dena Higley. Higley remains in her current position.

Vivian Jovanni Today on Days of our Lives , Ciara Brady (Vivian Jovanni) was raped by Chase Jennings (Jonathon McClendon). Now, Jovanni is speaking out about the shocking plot twist.

Chase and Ciara  On Wednesday's episode of Days of our Lives , Chase Jennings (Jonathon McClendon) raped Ciara Brady (Vivian Jovanni) in a shocking plot twist that came out of left field.

Anna continues continues plotting against Paul Today on the February 17 episode of General Hospital , Anna (Finola Hughes) continues plotting against Paul (Richard Burgi), but he begins to catch on to her machinations. Meanwhile, Sonny (Maurice Benard) brings the truth to Morgan (Bryan Craig), while Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) worries about Lulu's (Emme Rylan) plans.

Today on the February 17 episode of The Young and the Restless , Nick (Joshua Morrow) tells Sharon (Sharon Case) he will owe her forever for solving the mystery about Dr. Anderson. Meanwhile, Hilary (Mishael Morgan) pulls the spotlight away from Neil (Kristoff St. John), while nightmares about Christian haunt Sage (Kelly Sullivan). You can watch a sneak peek below

Is Katie out of control?  Today on the February 17 episode of The Bold and Beautiful , Bill (Don Diamont) finds Katie (Heather Tom) in a compromising position, as her drinking hits a new low. Meanwhile, Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) tells Bridget (Ashley Jones) she will never interfere with Katie's family. However, she remains concerned about Katie's growing insecurities. You can watch a sneak peek below:

Chad suspects Andre may have killed Stefano Today on the February 17 episode of Days of our Lives , Chad (Billy Flynn) suspects Andre may have killed Stefano, while Claire (Olivia Rose Keegan) learns a shocking secret about Belle (Martha Madison) Meanwhile, Ava (Tamara Braun) returns to Salem just as Steve (Stephen Nichols) struggles to keep the truth from Kayla (Mary Beth Evans).

Angell Conwell Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Angell Conwell is reprising her role of Leslie Michaelson on The Young and the Restless . Conwell is slated to return for the March 14 episode of YR. It appears as though someone in town is going to need a fantastic lawyer, and this individual turns to Leslie. Who could it be? Stay Tuned!

Asha (Taylour Paige) and Derek (McKinley Freeman)  Photo Credit VH1 On next week's new Hit The Floor , airing Monday, February 22 at 10/9c, Ahsha (Taylour Paige), Derek (McKinley Freeman), German (Jonathan McDaniel), Zero (Adam Senn), Jude (Brent Antonello) and Pete (Dean Cain) face the fallout from their actions. Meanwhile, Sloane (Kimberley Elise) is forced to revisit her past and Jelena (Logan Browning) and Terrence (Robert Christopher Riley) are blindsided by an unwelcome discovery, putting their plan to buy the team in jeopardy. Watch a couple of sneak peeks below:

Ron Carlivati General Hospital won in the Daytime Drama category at the 68th annual Writers Guild Awards on Saturday night. The ABC soap opera won for the second year in a row, this year beating one other nominee, The Bold and the Beautiful . GH was nominated for the episode celebrating the soap's 52nd anniversary that aired on April 1, 2015. Current cast members took on past roles to recreate scenes from the show's very first episode that aired on that day in 1963. Ron Carlivati accepted the award on behalf of his writing team, and had very interesting comments to make about former General Hospital actor Tony Geary. You can watch the video below.

Jordi Vilasuso It's hard to believe, but it was on August 28 when Serial Scoop broke the news that Jordi Vilasuso was joining the cast of Days of our Lives . Vilasuso is now talking about his role of Dario Hernandez, the character previously played by Francisco San Martin. The actor tells Soap Opera Digest the role came about last summer when he was thinking about returning to daytime. According to Vilasuso, "Ken [Corday, executive producer] reached out and said they were [expanding]the Hernandez family." Vilasuso then met with Corday, Co-Executive Producer Albert Alarr and Co-Head Writer Josh Griffith. He responded to the intelligence of the character and says, "Dario is also very passionate and outspoken. He has a short fuse. I was so ready and wanting to play this guy." Vilasuso first worked with Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Marie Wilson (Summer), and Brady will encounter Dario working as a bartender in California. The actor is slated to first

Photo Credit: ABC/Rick Rowell Today on the February 16 episode of General Hospital , Anna (Finola Hughes) gets pulled into Dillon's (Robert Palmer Watkins) world. Meanwhile, Morgan's (Bryan Craig) mania leads to an impulsive decision, and there is a dynamic shift in one of Sonny's (Maurice Benard) relationships. You can watch the February 15 episode of General Hospital here .

Today on the February 16 episode of Days of our Lives , JJ (Casey Moss) is upset when he learns of Abigail's (Kate Mansi) plans, and Jennifer's (Melissa Reeves) addiction affects her work. Meanwhile, Hope (Kristian Alfonso) and Rafe (Galen Gering) carry out a plan to neutralize Andre (Thaao Penghlis), while Andre takes advantage of Chase's (Jonathon McClendon) distress. You can watch the February 15 episode of Days of our Lives here .

Today on the February 16 episode of The Young and the Restless , Adam (Justin Hartley) offers Luca (Miles Gaston Villanueva) a challenge, and Ashley (Eileen Davidson) encounters a setback. Meanwhile, Phyllis (Gina Tognoni) fights to keep her secret from Jack (Peter Bergman). Watch a sneak peek below.

Today on the February 16 episode of The Bold and The Beautiful , Thomas (Pierson Fode) shows Caroline (Linsey Godfrey) a kinder side of himself, and Katie (Heather Tom) insists Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) agree to her terms. Meanwhile, Ashley Jones returns as Bridget and offers Brooke a shoulder to cry on. Watch a sneak peek below.

Popular actor Jason Thompson visited 'The Talk' today to discuss his new role of Billy Abbott on The Young and the Restless Thompson discusses how welcoming the cast has been over at The Young and the Restless , and how great it feels to be part of the family over at CBS. You can watch the short video clip below.

The Bold and the Beautiful have become experts at producing fabulous montages. I couldn't include every montage I have enjoyed over the years- that would take days- But below are some of my favorites. Keep them coming B&B!

Brady learns new information about Summer on Days of our Lives Check out the spoilers for the February 15, 2016 episode of Days of our Lives below; it looks like it will be a good one. Monday, February 15 * Brady (Eric Martsolf) gets answers from Fynn (Alexander Bruszt) about Summer (Marie Wilson) * Eduardo (A Martinez) witnesses Deimos (Vincent Irizarry) moving in on Kate (Lauren Koslow). * John (Drake Hogestyn) gives Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) surprising information about Deimos. * Belle (Martha Madison) comes to a decision about Philip. RELATED : 'Days of our Lives' Spoilers for the week of February 22 'Days of our Lives' Officially Renewed! 'Days of our Lives' Spoilers for the week of February 15 Why We Should Celebrate The Renewal of 'Days of our Lives' Daniel Cosgrove Returning To 'Days of our Lives' Is Freddie Smith Returning to 'Days of our Lives'? February Sweeps Spoilers For 'Days of Our Lives

Today on the February 15 episode of General Hospital , Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) discovers that Hayden (Rebecca Budig) is now Mrs. Nikolas Cassadine. How will Elizabeth react to this unsettling news? At this same time, Nikolas (Tyler Christopher) is taking steps to uncover Hayden's secret past.

Check out the day-to-day spoilers to find out what's happening on NBC soap opera Days of our Lives during the week of February 22. Monday, February 22, 2016 Ava goads Kayla into physically attacking her. Hope is concerned when she catches Ciara acting out with Theo. Tuesday, February 23, 2016 Andre helps Chase disappear.

The Indie Series Network - Serial Scoop "Web Series of the Week" (#WSOTW) poll is back from hiatus! It's now time to catch up on latest episodes and vote for your favorite shows in this week's poll. You can also cast a vote for your favorite actor, actress and web series couple/duo. Voting ends Wednesday, February 17 at 4 p.m. ET (one vote per person per day). Web series that aired one or more new episodes from February 6-12, 2016 are eligible. If a web series aired this week and is not on the list, cast your vote as "Other" and write in the name of the show. Watch this week's indie series below: - Becoming Mrs. Ellison Episode 6 "From YouTube to Television" - The Benefits of Gusbandry Episode 4 "Gateway Gays" - Bro-Dum Episode 5 "The Pillars Of Skank - A bro's guide to picking up the ladies" - Family Problems Episode 69 "Family" - How I Seize It Episode 206 "Masturbation" - Jeze

Do you miss the love and romance that Days of our Lives used to be known for? DAYS was THE show that viewers expected would set a scene to a beautiful love song, and I miss those days. In honor of Valentine's Day, I present some of my favorite montages that have aired on Days of our Lives Clips include scenes with Justin and Adrienne, Roman and Diana, Shane and Kim, Steve and Kayla, John and Marlena, Jack and Jennifer, Sami and Lucas, Mike and Robin, and Bo and Hope. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. You can watch the scenes below.