June 19, 2008
Okay, so Robin Riker, who is playing the new Beth Logan on B&B, doesn't in any stretch of the imagination look old enough to be Brooke's mother but I have to admit that I already like this new incarnation. Maybe my insta-approval is because I was first hoping that B&B would move heaven and earth (read: pay lots and lots of money) to get former DALLAS star Victoria Principal to play Beth. For those who just emerged from under a rock or maybe were born after the '80s, Victoria and Patrick Duffy (B&B's Stephen) made up supercouple Pam and Bobby Ewing on DALLAS. It would've been so rad to see the actors reunited again on the small screen, albeit in different roles. So back to liking Robin — am I the only one who's noticed that her look sorta, kinda has that Victoria Principal vibe going on?

May 22, 2008
Finola Hughes's (Anna, GH) last-minute decision to not play the role of Sabrina's mom Zara on Y&R has the soap frantically searching for a replacement. Here, I present five, very viable candidates.

Emma Samms: This GH alum (ex-Holly) would be Brit-a-licious!
Lesley-Anne Down: Yes, she's playing Jackie on B&B but her character is currently M.I.A. A short visit to Genoa City shouldn't cause any trouble plus both shows have that synergy thing going on.
Mary Kay Adams: Thanks to her hoity-toity performance as GL's India, this actress has got that European, jet-set vibe.
Linda Dano: We always love seeing this soap vet (ex-Rae, AMC, GH, OLTL) anywhere in anything on daytime!
Stephanie Beacham: As we know from her run as the vixeny Sable on THE COLBYS and DYNASTY, Beechum would be purr-fect.

May 15, 2008
I was buying a shirt I didn't need in Macy's over the weekend and I noticed that the 20-something sale clerk assisting me was wearing a name tag that read Daisy. Since that's a moniker you don't see or hear everyday, I asked her how her parents came up with such a unique name. "It was after some soap character," she smiled but alas, she didn't know which one. And guess what? For the life of me, the only one I could think of was Harley's teen daughter on GL, which wouldn't apply. As you can imagine, that starting bugging me so much that I couldn't think of anything else (not the frame of mind you want to be in when you're shopping). Now, before you start deluging me with the obvious character, I finally texted my boss Stephanie Sloane in New York (she's used to me pestering her on Saturdays) with my dilemma and thankfully she put me out of my misery minutes later with the answer: Palmer's ex wife (and Nina's mom) Daisy on AMC.

May 8, 2008
Matt Borlenghi (ex-Ziggy, B&B; ex-Brian, AMC) recently invited me to the screening of his new horror/thriller flick, Jack Rio, which he not only co-wrote but starred as the title character. The cast also included Sean Kanan (ex-Deacon, B&B et al), Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe, DAYS), Monti Sharp (ex-Justus, GH et at) and Tristan Rogers (ex-Robert, GH). The story is about an actor named Tommy Jamison who has risen to fame for his role in a smash prime-time series called JACK RIO. Unfortunately, Tommy goes a little loony when fans and friends constantly refer to him as his TV alter ego, Jack. Soon people are being murdered and it looks like Tommy could be the killer. I won't give away the shocking ending (and it's a great twist) but I gave even more credence to this scary scenario when I chatted with Matt about his film. Wouldn't you know, as we were saying our goodbyes, I actually said, "Talk to you later, Brian." Yes, that's right. I called him by his first soap character's name! Unfortunately, I wasn't swift enough to pretend it was an intentional joke but Matt laughed it off. At least, he seemed to....

May 1, 2008
While weekending in Palm Springs recently, I was invited to join Judith Chapman (Gloria, Y&R) for lunch at her lovely restaurant, The Vineyard Tuscan Grill (265 S. Palm Canyon Dr). I arrived at 3 p.m., between the lunch and dinner crowds, and Judith sat us on the front patio so we could take advantage of the wafting desert breezes. Once we were settled in, she explained that we were going to have a relaxing meal and she wasn't kidding. For the next four hours, we laughed and conversed, as Judith ordered plates of "this and that." I lost track of how many courses came out but I do remember arugula and prosciutto salad, an appetizer plate of grilled shrimp and asparagus, ricotta-stuffed ravioli, fresh spinach sautéed in garlic, roasted chicken, rosemary potatoes, margherita pizza baked to crispy perfection and a dessert sampler of chocolate soufflé, tiramisu and pistachio ice cream. Everything was beyond yummy and I can guarantee that you won't be disappointed should you ever drop by for a meal. And don't be surprised if you see Judith bustling around the place.

April 23, 2008
I'm a huge sniveling coward when it comes to flying but I'm not alone: Tracey E. Bregman (Lauren, Y&R) shares my phobia. In fact, whenever one of us is about to board a flight, we will text the other of our impending nerve-wracking ride (I mean, who else could possibly understand?). Such was the case last week when I was getting ready (read: shaking profusely) for an hour-long plane trip from Burbank to Sacramento. I sent a frantic text to Tracey which she quickly responded to with a message of support and humor. Sure I was still white-knuckled all the way to Northern California, but it helped a great deal knowing someone else out there knew my pain. And she even texted me later to make sure I got to my destination safely. She's the wind beneath my wobbly wings...

I had to chuckle when I watched the episode of Y&R where Lily turned down Cane's proposal. She explained that she didn't want to jump the marriage gun like she did with her first husband Daniel, to which Cane protested, "I'm not Daniel." Since Cane's portrayer is named Daniel Goddard, I bet he got a snicker out of that line, too. So I called Daniel about this and he shared that his TV mom Jess Walton (Jill) often slips during rehearsals and calls him Daniel. "Then I have to tell her, 'I'm Cane,' " he laughs.

April 15, 2008
With the next Soap Cruise scheduled to set sail on January 26, 2009, that reminded me of the fun I had as Digest's shipboard correspondent with last year's star-studded trip. As everyone who's taken a cruise knows, you don't board the ship with your luggage. It's taken from you then mysteriously appears hours later at your cabin. Oh and you don't see your room right away either. Once you come aboard you must entertain yourself for hours before you're allowed to see your accommodations. Fortunately for me, I was escorted along with the soap stars (which means VIP treatment) and we were not only allowed to bring along our bags but we also got to report directly to our cabins. But first, our handler (and event coordinator) Michael Gold informed the group that in order to preserve their privacy, no phone calls would be placed to their cabins unless the caller could give a special password. The actors were then told to all agree upon a code word and Don Diamont (Brad, Y&R) suggested Bruins because that was the name of his son's school basketball team. While Christian LeBlanc (Michael, Y&R) was busy yakking to his fellow cruisers (read: not listening), everyone unanimously voted with Don and upon finding out a moment later, Christian immediately objected. "I don't like sports," he pointed out as everyone was already disbursing. Julie Pinson (ex-Billie, DAYS) took no mercy and laughed, "That's what you get for not paying attention!" If this had been a soap, there would have been a close-up on Christian's disappointed face, with lower lip curled down for added effect.

April 11, 2008
That Kate Linder sure knows how to put out a spread. Daytime's favorite domestic (she has played Katherine Chancellor's maid Esther for over 25 years on Y&R) was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame (just a very short jaunt from the equally well-known Chinese Theater, home to the footprints of showbiz legends). After the ceremony to unveil her star, Kate then invited 500 guests (me included!) for a sit-down luncheon across the street at the Roosevelt Hotel (former playground of such luminaries as Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe). There were beautifully appointed tables (with gorgeous centerpieces) and at each place setting, there was a gift to take home — a paperweight that was a replica of Kate's newly christened star. We then gorged on wedge salads, grilled salmon, mashed potatoes and roasted veggies, followed by a scoop of yummy ice cream with two freshly made sugar-and-cinnamon donuts. While we dined, a nearby harpist serenaded us with show tunes as well as Y&R's theme song. Kate was downright teary eyed as she thanked everyone for coming, and I can personally attest that a good time was had by all!

March 24, 2008
Oopsie. If B&B and Y&R are going to have those crossovers, they better do a better balancing act. On the day Y&R was getting ready for the Restless Style launch party, Jack received a phone call from Ashley that she and Felicia had just arrived at the Genoa City airport (Jack even offered to come pick them up). Then when B&B later aired (which it does in all markets across the country), Ashley was still in L.A., sharing a scene with Ridge. Sure, there was a mention of Jack's party but all that great synergy came to a screeching halt!

March 20, 2008
I'm digging GL's location shoots (although the sound quality stinks), which has me wondering why B&B, which takes place in L.A. and features such known-around-the-world locales as Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Malibu doesn't venture outside more often. It would add so much color and depth to see Jackie traipsing down Rodeo Blvd (to her boutique which is supposedly located on this famous street), Thorne actually surfing off the beach he lives on and Donna stocking up for the weekend at Frederick's Of Hollywood. Plus L.A.'s balmy temps would certainly make for a relatively easy shooting schedule (look what GL has been doing even during inclement weather). C'mon, B&B, you only have to go out your back door — literally.