JULY 11
Actor/director/producer/writer Melvin Van Peebles will appear on AMC on July 10, playing the part of Samuel's ( Mario Van Peebles) father, Melvin Woods. Melvin Van Peebles is, of course, the real-life father of AMC regular Mario Van Peebles.

JULY 11
There's sibling rivalry, and then there's the situation on ALL MY CHILDREN this week, when Annie rubs out her brother Richie. Yikes. "Annie just snaps," Melissa Claire Egan (Annie) tells Soap Opera Weekly. But does Annie own up to her crime? For more on what happens, pick up the July 15 issue of Weekly, on sale now.

JULY 3
Beth Ehlers (Taylor, AMC, ex-Harley, GL) had a rude awakening recently when she headed over to GL to pack up her dressing room. "They wouldn't allow me in the building. They had revoked my credentials," Ehlers tells Soap Opera Weekly. For more on Ehlers and the real reason she's not playing AMC's Liza, pick up the July 8 issue on sale now.

JUNE 20
But it's not because the ALL MY CHILDREN star doesn't want to. Canary (Adam/Stuart) has a more personal commitment. He's attending his daughter Katy's graduation from college. Congratulations to the Canary family.

MAY 30
Dixie's job is done this week — she gets Tad and Kate together. "He's shocked," admits Michael E. Knight (Tad). But how does it happen? Pick up the June 10 issue of Weekly to find out the scoop.

MAY 29
Leven Rambin (Lily/Ava, AMC) is saying her official goodbyes to her fans. Her last airdate is June 10. She's just issued the following statement:

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 May 19th. 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

MAY 27
Cameron Mathison (Ryan, ALL MY CHILDREN) will be co-hosting the 35th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards with his neighbor Sherri Shepherd of THE VIEW. (The two studios are next to each other.)

"I think they were contemplating having a fan zone again this year," explains Mathison of how he got the Emmys hosting gig. "Then the fan zone got eliminated, but they still wanted me to be part of it. Sherry and I always have fun together. She's a daytime fan, and a fan of DANCING WITH THE STARS. Every time I go on THE VIEW, I'm usually with Sherry. So I think it's going to be a good fit."

This is Mathison's first time hosting the Emmys, but he's got plenty of experience with the microphone. He's hosted SOAPnet's I WANNA BE A SOAP STAR for four seasons and he's been tapped to host TLC's new game show YOUR PLACE OR MINE. Oh and lest we forget, he came in fifth in the fifth season of DANCING WITH THE STARS.

The Daytime Emmys will be broadcast live from the Kodak Theatre on June 20 on ABC.

MAY 23
"I think it's probably very similar to when people discover they have a terminal illness," says Sydney Penny about learning Julia is being killed off on AMC. The actress also tells Soap Opera Digest that she wasn't entirely surprised to find out she was getting axed. Get the details of her grim meeting with AMC Executive Producer Julie Hanan Carruthers in the June 3 issue of Digest, which goes on sale Tuesday.

MAY 22
Though AMC had "no comment at this time," it appears that the rumors are true: James Harmon Brown and Barbara Esensten, who were named co-head writers in May 2007, will no longer be penning the goings-on of Pine Valley. Their replacement? Former GH co-chief scribe Charles Pratt, Jr., whose soap writing credits include MELROSE PLACE, SUNSET BEACH and SANTA BARBARA and who more recently has been serving as a producer on ABC prime-time offerings DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and UGLY BETTY.

MAY 21
No, not in Pine Valley. AMC's Cameron Mathison is unable to make a Lakewood BlueClaws game on June 8 due to a scheduling conflict with Style Network. In a story on OurSportsCentral.com, the actor is quoted as saying, "I really do apologize for what has happened with this appearance, as it is not typical of how I am. My hands are tied and it is extremely frustrating." The good-natured Mathison has reportedly sent the minor league New Jersey team a script autographed by the AMC cast, which will be raffled off to a lucky fan. Another hunky soap star, Jason Thompson (Patrick, GH), will pinch-hit for Mathison, throwing out the first pitch and taking part in a post-game photo and autograph session. For more on the story, read: http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3644031.

MAY 20
Is AMC's Leven Rambin (Lily/Ava) a John McCain supporter? Web site Gawker implies as much with a link to a blog posting from the starlet in which she praises the politician's appearance on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE as "hysterical" and "hip." But don't expect her to join the campaign trail yet; "that doesn't mean I'm voting for him," notes Rambin. Either way, she'll have to take that up with recent AMC guest star Warren Buffett, who just endorsed Barack Obama. Check out Gawker story here.

MAY 8
AMC's Cameron Mathison (Ryan) has shown off his hosting skills on SOAPnet's I WANNA BE A SOAP STAR. Now he's doing it again as the host of a new TLC game show: YOUR PLACE OR MINE? The show, which pits two families against each other to win new furniture for their homes, debuts on June 8.

APRIL 23
Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Ne-Yo will perform at Angie and Jesse's wedding on ALL MY CHILDREN, set to air May 21 and 22. Ne-Yo will witness yet another sad moment for the ill-fated duo: Angie's kidnapping from the reception.

APRIL 11
Thorsten Kaye (Zach, AMC) is moonlighting as a celebrity guest blogger on the NHL Web site, sharing his love of hockey and thoughts on the games. Yes, he is biased towards the Detroit Red Wings (as all AMC fans know from Zach's casual wear, and Spike's preferred outfits) but he also has a commanding knowledge of all the teams, and the game as a whole. Check out Kaye's insights at NHL.com. You can't miss his big mug. But wait — when does Zach have time to go to Madison Square Garden?!

APRIL 9
Laurence Lau, a Pine Valley superstar as Greg Nelson from 1981-1986, will return to AMC for several episodes starting May 20. Lau, who later starred on AW as Jamie and OLTL as Sam, rose to daytime fame as Greg with his hit pairing with Kim Delaney's Jenny. Greg will be back to reunite with old pals Angie and Jesse, as well as brother-in-law Tad.

APRIL 4
Cady McClain opens up to Soap Opera Digest about her return to AMC as Dixie's spirit. The controversial storyline, in which Dixie was killed off by poisoned pancakes, "desperately needed a happy ending, if only for a moment," says the actress in the April 15 issue, which hits stands on Tuesday. To read about the promise McCain made to her fans, check out the issue.

APRIL 3
YaYa DaCosta, the Ivy League-educated runner-up on Cycle 3 of AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, has landed the contract role of Cassandra Foster, adopted daughter of Angie (Debbi Morgan) and Jesse look-a-like Jacob (both Darnell Williams). Her first air date is set for April 25. Look for Cassandra to cross romantic paths with Sterling Sulieman's Dre.

MARCH 21
Hold onto your halos, ALL MY CHILDREN fans! ABC is confirming that Cady McClain will return to the role of Dixie Cooney Martin on May 2. "I feel pretty sure that the audience was a big factor in my return," McClain tells Weekly in an exclusive interview. "I have some good inside tips that things are going to be fresh and fun this time around, a return of some of the lighthearted and loving dynamics that made the past so memorable. Thanks to all the fans for speaking out and giving me encouragement. I know All My Children cares deeply about you, and you know I do too. I can't wait to get started!"

"Dixie returns to Pine Valley on a mission to 'align the stars' and save the people she loves," reports a show rep, who adds, "With her angelic hand, she will guide Tad into the loving embrace of their daughter, Kate."

For more on McClain's stunning comeback, see upcoming issues of Soap Opera Weekly and Soap Opera Digest!

MARCH 5
Ricky Paull Goldin, who is leaving GL after a seven-year run, won't be on the unemployment line for long: AMC has confirmed that he is headed to Pine Valley as the new Jake Martin! Jake, last played by J. Eddie Peck from 2000-03, will be back on-screen by April, says a show rep. For the Jake uninitiated: The character is Tad's brother, a doctor, and has a romantic past with Greenlee.

FEBRUARY 22
Talk about self-help health care! ALL MY CHILDREN's Richie kidnaps JR so he can grab some of his bone marrow this week. Ewwww. "He hires a doctor and sets up his own little clinic, " laughs Billy Miller (Richie). So how does that work out for Kendall's brother? Pick up the March 4 issue of Soap Opera Weekly to find out.

FEBRUARY 8
ALL MY CHILDREN's Angie see Jesse for the first time in two decades this week. Is it a happy hugs-and-kisses reunion? In a word, no. It "causes her to collapse," reveals Debbi Morgan (Angie). And then what? Pick up the Feb. 19 issue of Soap Opera Weekly to find out what the future holds for Angie and Jesse.

JANUARY 20
Daytime Emmy-winner Josh Duhamel, who starred as Leo on ALL MY CHILDREN before striking it rich in LAS VEGAS, is engaged. The actor popped the question to girlfriend Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas. Duhamel was formerly engaged to model Kristy Pierce.

JANUARY 11
Zach's ex-wife Hannah dies Monday, Jan. 14 and ALL MY CHILDREN's Thorsten Kaye (Zach) talks all about it in the Jan. 22 issue of Weekly. The actor is charmingly candid about Stacy Haiduk's (Hannah) departure and other happenings in Pine Valley. "The weirdest part about that is I was holding on to Hannah, she let go, and I looked up and Greenlee looked completely different. Obviously, Hannah's death took a bigger toll on her than it did on me," quips Kaye, alluding to the return of Rebecca Budig as Greenlee. Kaye also writes a limerick about Aidan. (Is there anything he can't do?) It's all in the current Weekly on stands now.

January 9
AMC has cast film actor and director Mario Van Peebles as Susan Lucci's (Erica) new love interest, Senatorial candidate Samuel Woods. He'll make his debut on January 29. Erica taps him to be a guest on NEW BEGINNINGS and, says a show rep, he "will soon become her worst nightmare that may turn into a romance."

January 7
"There are a couple of weird things happening," understates AMC's Cameron Mathison (Ryan) who survives a bullet to the head, but might not be the same old Ryan. To find out why Alicia Minshew (Kendall) calls his behavior "fishy," pick up the January 15 issue of Digest.

ALL MY CHILDREN 2007 News>>>