Chuck Pratt Out at AMC!
Charles Pratt, Jr., whose controversial reign as head writer of ALL MY CHILDREN began in June 2008, has been released from the position. ABC confirms the ouster, but had no further comment. Stay tuned for more details of who will usher the citizens of Pine Valley through their cross-country move in January!

The Ratings Are In!
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the Nielsen ratings information came in too late to make it into our Dec. 8 issue. Click here to check out how your favorite shows did the week of Nov. 9-13!

Winters Family Matters!
EW.Com broke the news that that YOUNG AND RESTLESS's search for a new Malcolm has ended. Prime time veteran Darius McCrary, best known for his portrayal of Eddie on the sitcom FAMILY MATTERS from 1989-98, has signed a multi-year deal. The casting move reunites McCrary with former FAMILY MATTERS co-star Bryton James (Devon), who played his cousin Richie. The role of Malcolm was originated by Shemar Moore, who now stars as Derek Morgan on CRIMINAL MINDS. McCrary will debut on Dec. 29.

The Weatherman Says!
WCBS-TV weathercaster Lonnie Quinn revisits his soap star past when he pops up on today's (Nov. 17) AS THE WORLD TURNS as himself, after Jack hits New York City hot on the trail of Simon Frasier. Quinn played the first Will Cortlandt on ALL MY CHILDREN from 1988-89 and also played Rich on SANTA BARBARA from 1992-93. Of course, Quinn's isn't the only familiar face Jack encounters in the Big Apple: Welcome back, Molly (Lesli Kay)!

Riegel on AMC Return
"It was just lovely of them to ask," says Eden Riegel, who'll be reprising her role as Bianca Montgomery on AMC's anniversary episode on January 5. "I was really bummed out when it didn't work out for me to come back for a long-term contract," she notes. "We were in talks about it until a few weeks ago. But I was extremely touched that they asked me to take part in the big 40th [anniversary] celebration." The actress, one of a bevy of beloved alums who'll be making brief comebacks to help AMC celebrate this milestone, is now based in California and will shoot her return there.

Daniel Cosgrove joins ATWT
Soap Opera Digest has learned that Daniel Cosgrove (ex-Bill, GL) is heading to Oakdale and is set to air in early 2010. The actor — whose character name hasn't been released — joins former GL co-star Tom Pelphrey (ex-Jonathan) who debuted this week on ATWT in the role of Mick Dante. Be sure to check back at soapoperadigest.com for more late-breaking updates regarding Cosgrove's new role.

He's Baaack!
Fan fave Chad Brannon, who played the troubled drug dealer turned mob errand boy Zander Smith from 2000 to 2004, will be back for one episode in mid-to-late December as part of the Rebecca storyline. During his tenure, Zander fell in love with Emily (then-Amber Tamblyn) when he kidnapped her. They later married (with Natalia Livingston in the role) and divorced. Zander also fathered Cameron with Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst). "It will be a nice wink to the audience," shares a setside source.

AMC Rolls Out The Welcome Back Mat
As first reported by Soapnet.com, AMC has landed six beloved faces from Pine Valley's past to join Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa (ex-Mateo and Hayley) when AMC celebrates its 40th anniversary on January 4 and 5: Eva La Rue will reprise the role of Maria Santos; Eden Riegel will be back as Bianca Montgomery; Laurence Lau will return as Greg Nelson; Taylor Miller will slip back into Nina Cortlandt Warner's skin; and Leven Rambin will play Lily Montgomery once again (though hopefully not her identical half sis, Ava) — but we bet the news that will most please AMC fans is that Julia Barr (Brooke), the 30-year vet who left in 2006 after she was asked to go recurring, has agreed to come back as Brooke English.

New View For AMC's Thorsten Kaye
This Friday, November 13, AMC star Thorsten Kaye (Zach) will serve as a guest co-host on ABC's THE VIEW on a special episode celebrating the birthday of one of the show's permanent hosts, Whoopi Goldberg, who is a close pal of Kaye's. Set your DVRs to catch Kaye's trademark wit live and uncensored!

Sweeney Gives Back
After celebrating DAYS's 44th anniversary yesterday on set, Alison Sweeney (Sami) headed to New York City's Union Square to host the Crest Glide Tight Spaces Challenge to benefit Feeding America. Sweeney cheered on members of the crowd who showed their prowess at sliding and gliding through a specially-designed obstacle course. "For every person who participated they gave $1 to Feeding America, which is awesome, especially at the holidays," says the actress. "Times are tight and it's difficult for charities to get the money they need and Feeding America needs money all year round; they also need help and volunteers."

For more information, go to www.feedingamerica.org. If you're in Los Angeles on November 21, Sweeney will be hosting a similar event in the center court of Hollywood & Highland. "Along with this event, we're also putting together a Twitter campaign, so follow me on Twitter (@Ali_Sweeney) and I will have instructions as we go through the holidays on how people can donate to Feeding America." Additionally, Crest Glide is encouraging others to tweet about tight spaces on Twitter. For every person who tweets with the hashtag #GlideTightSpaces through December 31, 2009, Crest Glide will donate $1 to Feeding America. Crest Glide will make a guaranteed donation of $20,000 to help ensure families across America will have food on the table this holiday season.

GL's Clarke Recovering
Jordan Clarke (ex-Billy, GUIDING LIGHT) recently suffered a stroke and is recovering. "Jordan Clarke was in L.A. working on VENICE, the Web series," explained the president of his official fan club in a statement. "He had a mild stroke between L.A. and N.Y. His prognosis is good and he's expected to fully recover. Fans are welcome to send cards and well wishes to his fan club. The address is OJCFC, P.O. Box 73, Bloomingdale, GA 31302. Or they can post a message on his message board, at www.jordanclarke.com." Get well soon, Jordan!

Mary Beth Evans Update
Since leaving DAYS earlier this year, Mary Beth Evans (ex-Kayla) has kept busy. "I'm great, though I do miss my soap life," she says. "I have been doing some episodic, which has been fun. I just shot a NIP/TUCK and MONK." She's also been blogging for Hybrid Mom magazine and has expanded her pie company (www.marybethsapplepie.com) and is now offering mini apple and pumpkin pies on the Williams-Sonoma Web site and catalogue. "It's been a fun experience," she enthuses. "As daunting as it was, it became a very sweet situation." Look for the full catch up with Evans in a future Soap Opera Digest.

Lucci Named Grand Marshal
Susan Lucci (Erica, AMC) can now add "Grand Marshal" to her list of titles when she does the honors at The Hollywood Christmas Parade/Live Positively Sponsored by Coca-Cola. "I am thrilled and honored to serve as the Grand Marshal of the 2009 Hollywood Christmas Parade," Lucci said in a statement. "I am so happy that this year's parade will be telecast for the first time ever as a two-hour primetime television event, spreading holiday cheer and happiness to Americans across the country. The Hollywood Christmas Parade is for children and families, both of whom are very important to me in my personal life. Soon ALL MY CHILDREN will be relocating from New York to Los Angeles in January 2010 where the show will be filmed in the years ahead. I'm looking forward to working in Los Angeles and enjoying the beautiful sunny weather in the Southland."

The parade takes place on Nov. 29 in Hollywood and will be taped for broadcast on Dec. 10 and Dec. 24 on MyNetworkTV. Check local listings.

You Had To Be There
The Pittsburgh stop in the So Long, Springfield tour was a big hit with GL fans, but the stars were pretty dazzled, too, according to Kim Zimmer (ex-Reva). "You don't know what to expect until you hear the screaming and the yelling and the excitement and the energy," she exclaims. "If you could have bottled it, you could have powered the state of New Jersey! I mean, it was just unbelievable … these people were so excited and so positive and so giving to us. You want to just wrap them all up in your arms and take care of them." The day included an afternoon and an evening session. "In the afternoon it was all Q&A and that was a gas, because you get some of the funniest questions from people, really nice comments about what you've meant to them over the years. There were a lot of laughs there. And the evening event was so memorable and touching for me. There were a lot of tears amongst the actors." This weekend the tour heads for Atlanta, then on to Las Vegas on December 5. Get details at www.celebrityeventsgroup.com.

FIRST LOOK: James Franco on GH!
Here’s a sneak peek at James Franco on GENERAL HOSPITAL. Looks like his character has a connection to the mysterious graffiti. Tune in November 20 for the film star’s daytime debut!

AMC's Minshew Gives Birth!
AMC's Alicia Minshew's (Kendall) first child was due around Thanksgiving, but the baby apparently preferred an arrival timed closer to Halloween: The actress and hubby Richie Herschenfeld welcomed daughter Willow Lenora Herschenfeld — the baby's middle name honors Minshew's mother, Lenore — at 6:42 a.m. on November 4. The new addition weighed in at 5 lbs., 2 oz.

DAYS Tribute
Tune into DAYS on November 4 for a special tribute to Lanna Saunders (ex-Marie). Louise Sorel's Vivian will be wearing a kimono robe that belonged to Lanna. The robe was given to Louise by Lana's husband, Lawrence Pressman, after Lanna passed away in March 2007 following a long battle with MS.

ATWT Casting News
Former supermodel Paulina Porizkova will appear on ATWT in a multi-episode arc as a woman named Clarissa who shares a past with Simon (Paul Leyden). She will first air January 5.

For more on Porizkova, visit her IMDB page here.

Scott Online
Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki, Y&R) is the latest daytimer about to moonlight in her very own Internet series. The actress is set to star in THE REPUBLIC, a story about the trials and tribulations of the Alden family as the country collapses around them. Scott portrays Martha Alden, a working mother who evolves into an activist fighting against new laws imposed on her family. Marc Singer, best known for his role as Mike Donovan in the 1980s television series V, portrays Scott's husband. Scott and Singer are slated to begin filming the project this month.

All About Eva
Eva La Rue has been approached about returning to ALL MY CHILDREN for the 40th anniversary episodes. She played the role of Dr. Maria Santos Grey from 1993 to 1997 and again from 2002 to 2005. According to her rep, the actress would love to make a return engagement to her Pine Valley, if AMC can work scheduling out with her primetime show CSI: MIAMI.

Victor-ious
Now that the dust has settled and he's signed a new contract with Y&R, Eric Braeden tells Digest he and Sony had "a meeting of the minds," and all is forgiven. "We have straightened things out and understood each other's positions and came to an understanding that I think is mutually satisfactory," reports the actor, who was bowled over by the incredible fan response to the news that he was leaving. "I have to say the audience's reaction surprised me and deeply touched me," he says. " I'm more inclined to be a cynic about these things and I honestly did not realize what kind of reaction this would evoke. When you work in a studio you become sort of isolated and you don't really have a sense of how you affect the viewing audience. The profound reaction has so affected me in a very touching and very positive way that I was reminded of what we do this for in the first place."

B&B Casting News
Some familiar faces will be popping up on B&B: Sitcom faves Barry Livingston and Erin Moran (he played Ernie on MY THREE SONS; she was Joanie on HAPPY DAYS) will show up as married couple Mike and Kelly from the Logan family’s old neighborhood on November 12 and 13.

(For a pic of Livingston, visit his IMDB page here.)

GH Casting News
GH has confirmed the departure of Natalia Livingston (Rebecca). "We were thrilled that we were able to get Natalia back for a second run, after her Emmy winning turn as Emily Quartermaine," noted a show spokesperson in a statement. "The character of Rebecca Shaw will soon depart the canvas and Natalia has decided to pursue other projects. A beloved member of the GH family, the entire cast and crew wish her well in all her future endeavors."

In other news, GH has cast Marsha Thomason as the mystery woman who will be playing opposite film star James Franco when he arrives in Port
 Charles next month. Thomason is widely recognized from her stint as Naomi on LOST and her 2003-05 run alongside Vanessa Marcil (ex-Brenda) on LAS VEGAS. Thomason also appeared in Marcil's INTIMATE PORTRAIT on Lifetime.


Facebook Fake-out!
Now that he's set to return to Y&R, Eric Braeden wants to thank fans for the outpouring of support during his contract stand-off with the show. But Braeden won't be doing it on Facebook, where someone is impersonating him. "I'm not on Facebook," reports the star. "But I do want to say I am deeply, deeply touched by the public's reaction. It has been humbling."

Eric Braeden To Stay
Just a week ago, Eric Braeden (Victor) announced that he had walked away from contract negotiations with Y&R. Now come word that the actor — who was set to last air November 2 — will stick around on the show he's called home for nearly three decades. "Eric has agreed to return to Y&R," confirms his rep.

AMC Alum to GREY'S ANATOMY
Leven Rambin (ex-Lily/Ava, ALL MY CHILDREN) has landed a recurring role on the hit ABC drama GREY'S ANATOMY and will begin airing later this year.

Scott Reeves to GH
TVGuide.com reports that fan fave Scott Reeves (ex-Ryan, Y&R) will be joining the cast of GH as the new Steven Lars Webber. The character, last played by Shaun Benson in 2005, is set to arrive in December as the hospital's new chief of staff. Since leaving Y&R in 2001, Reeves achieved country music stardom with his band Blue County. He and wife Melissa Reeves (ex-Jennifer, DAYS) currently reside in Nashville, TN.

Soap Stars on THE NEWLYWED GAME
Move over, Bob Eubanks. This time, Carnie Wilson is hosting THE NEWLYWED GAME, the popular game show of the past that's been repackaged on GSN (Game Show Network), and two upcoming shows will feature daytime actors as competitors.

On Oct. 22 (tonight), Greg Vaughan (Lucky, GH) and wife Dutch actress-model Touriya Haoud will compete with Alec Mazo and Edyta Sliwinska (DANCING WITH THE STARS) and Brande Roderick (CELEBRITY APPRENTICE) and Glenn Cadrez (Former NFL Lineman). The show airs at 6:00 p.m., ET, with an encore airing 9:00 p.m., ET on GSN.

On Nov. 3, Thad Luckinbill and Amelia Heinle (J.T. and Victoria, Y&R) will see how well they know each other as they compete against Lauri Waring and George Peterson (THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY) and Janet Evans (Olympic Gold Medalist) and husband, Billy Wilson. Episode also airs at 6:00 p.m. ET, with an encore airing 9:00 p.m., ET on GSN.

Ronn Moss (Ridge, B&B) is slated to appear in January with new bride Devin Devasquez. All winnings will go to charity.