B&B News Archive - 2009

GH's Sarah Brown to B&B!
Hot on the heels of her departure from GENERAL HOSPITAL comes news that Sarah Brown (Claudia) will be making tracks to BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL. The actress confirmed the glad tidings via Twitter on Sept. 30, saying, "Big thanks to ABC Daytime for making it possible!" Brown will be debuting on Nov. 6 in the newly created role of good girl Sandy Sommers. She will reportedly last air as GH's Claudia on Nov. 5. Could the move from Port Charles to L.A. reunite her with former onscreen flame Rick Hearst (Whip, B&B; ex-Ric, GH)? Only time will tell!

Wedding News
BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL's Ronn Moss (Ridge) married actress, model and author Devin DeVasquez in Moorpark, California on Friday, September 25, 2009. Congratulations!

Soap Designer to Dress Up Vanna!
B&B's Emmy-winning Costume Designer Birgit Muller, has designed Vanna White's wardrobe that will air on WHEEL OF FORTUNE September 21-25. Here's a peek of the letter turner in the head-turning gowns that will be displayed during the game show's "Week in Las Vegas" from the Palazzo Hotel.

By A Hair
Were you as shocked as we were when Don Diamont (Bill, B&B) showed up at the tail end of yesterday's episode of Y&R as the late Brad, who appeared to his daughter Colleen while she was drowning? Did you also notice that the actor was sans the beard he's been sporting while playing Bill on B&B? Diamont enlightened us on how the whisker-free guest spot happened. "It was a big secret, of course," he explains. "B&B had just started a five-week hiatus, so I was able to shave off my beard, do the Y&R scene and then grow my beard back while on vacation. So many people are used to seeing me with facial hair now that when I showed up at Y&R that day all clean shaven, a few people didn't recognize me!"

Baby Blue
B&B newcomer Aaron D. Spears (Justin) and his wife Estela are the proud parents of a healthy baby boy, who was born on September 9. His name is Riaz Novum Nehez Lopez-Spears. The couple already has four daughters.

A BOLD Surprise
At the B&B fan club luncheon on August 29, Texas Battle, (Marcus) formally announced to the audience that new cast member Aaron D. Spears (Justin Barber) will be playing Marcus's father. "This is my daddy," Battle proudly declared and the fans were given a sneak peek of an upcoming scene where Donna is shocked to run into her old high school boyfriend.

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Casting
Aaron D. Spears has joined the cast of BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL in the contract role of Justin Barber. His first airdate is Monday, Sept. 14. Justin is the executive vice president of Spencer Publications and long-time friend and right-hand-man to the company's President, Bill Spencer, Jr. Might Spears be the long lost father of Donna's son Marcus?

Congratulations!
Drew Tyler Bell (Thomas, BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL) wed his fiancée Sarah Grunau in the private garden ceremony on August 2 in Los Angeles. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Bell!

Duffy Back On B&B
Patrick Duffy (ex-Bobby, DALLAS) returns to B&B on August 31 to reprise his role as Logan family patriarch Stephen. This time, Stephen comes back during an emotional time in his daughters' lives.

B&B Casting News
Look for Victor Alfieri (ex-Franco, DAYS) to return to B&B on July 16 as L.A.'s favorite sexy photographer, Giovanni.

Rick On Return
Rick Hearst talks to Digest about leaving the role of GH's Ric and returning as B&B's Whip on July 17. "When B&B called, it was for a contract role, so I had to decide if this was something I wanted to do that wouldn't leave GH in a lurch," he says. "If this had not worked out with B&B, I would've continued to be on recurring with GH, but still invest in other opportunities." For the full story, check out the new Digest.

Great Expectations
Happy news for real-life couple Kyle Lowder (Rick, B&B) and Arianne Zucker (Nicole, DAYS): The duo, who married in August, 2002, are expecting their first child in December. "Yay!" exclaims Zucker. "Her pregnancy will not be written into the storyline," confirms Executive Producer Ken Corday.

Fairchild Back On Soaps
Morgan Fairchild (ex-Sydney, THE CITY; ex-Jennifer SEARCH FOR TOMORROW) briefly returns to daytime to play Beverly Hills socialite, Dottie, who is friends with Stephanie (Susan Flannery) on BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL. In scenes that will air on August 10-14, Dottie will help instigate a fashion show competition between Forrester Creations and Jackie M.

Hearst Back To B&B
According to a report on TV Guide online, Rick Hearst, who was recently bumped to recurring status on GH, where he has been playing Sonny's little brother Ric Lansing since 2002, has been snapped up by B&B to reprise the role of Whipple "Whip" Jones. Hearst originated Whip in 2002 but was let go a few months later, then cast on GH. When we last saw Whip, he had just annulled his marriage to Brooke and relocated to Forrester Creations in Europe.

It's Official!
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has officially announced that the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be broadcast on the CW television network on Sunday, August 30 at 8 p.m. The show will take place in the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. "The Daytime Emmy Awards are one of the cornerstones of our business," said Frank Radice, president and chief marketing officer, NATAS. "There wouldn't be a television awards season without them. From the extravagant red carpet to the great entertainment, the viewer will experience the show through new approaches which will make this year's show more robust and relevant than ever before."

Major nominations will be announced on May 14, 2009 on NBC's TODAY show with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. The complete list will be available that evening at a nominating event at the Hearst Tower.

Daytime Emmys To Air On The CW
GoldDerby.com reports that The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences are about to announce that the Daytime Emmys will be broadcast on The CW network in late August, most likely on Aug. 31. The news ends months of speculation on the dismal fate of the awards show. Though The CW doesn't air any daytime soaps, it is the home of GOSSIP GIRL and various talk shows that are also in the Daytime Emmy world.

DVDs of performances from all the pre-nominated actors (Check out the pre-noms here) have been mailed out today to the voters. Nominees in the major categories will be announced on May 14 during the fourth hour of the TODAY show. The remaining nominees will be announced during a reception that evening at the Hearst Building in New York City.

BOLD Return
As first reported in Digest's 3/10 issue, Joanna Johnson will reprise the role of Karen Spencer (the late Caroline's twin sister) on BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL. The show now confirms that Johnson will return for two episodes on April 28 and 29. Though Karen's visit to L.A. will be brief, it's expected to usher in her before-never-mentioned brother Bill, to be played by Don Diamont (ex-Brad, Y&R), who begins appearing in May.

Diamont Joins B&B
TV Guide reports that the recently axed Don Diamont (ex-Brad, Y&R) has landed a gig at B&B as Bill Spencer Jr., the son of Bill Spencer (played by Jim Storm from 1987 to 2003). Also said to return to B&B is Joanna Johnson who played Caroline Spencer from 1987-1990 and twin Karen Spencer from 1992-93.

Daytime Emmy Update
"There will definitely be a broadcast and it will be a cool event!" confirms an insider. The nominations will be announced for the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy awards in late April. The broadcast is slated for early June. Check back with SoapOperaDigest.com for updated information.

B&B's Rocco Returns
B&B is bringing back Bryan Genesse to reprise the role of Rocco Carner, who was one of the original characters when the show debuted in 1987. Back then, Rocco dated an insecure Katie but was really in love with Donna. "Truly, this is a homecoming for me," Genesse says in a statement. "I know the writers will make it an exhilarating roller coaster ride that I hope lasts a long, long time." Genesse's first air date is March 12.

February Sweeps Moved To March
Those of you who love February because of all the big storylines will have to wait just a little bit longer. Because of the digital transfer in the television world — everyone will now need a cable box — Feb. sweeps will happen March 5 to April 1. Things are back to normal in May — sweeps run from April 23 to May 20.

B&B Star Going To Prime-Time
Ashley Jones (Bridget, B&B) has landed a juicy role on the HBO vampire series TRUE BLOOD. In its second season, Jones will play a waitress named Daphne for six episodes. "I know very little about her but I'm really excited about finding out," enthuses the actress. But don't worry, she's not leaving daytime. "I'll be doing both shows," smiles Jones. "That's got me really busy but I feel very blessed."

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