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Leeann Cannon

One of classic Hollywood's lights has gone out for good. Elizabeth Taylor, who graced daytime as the original Helena Cassadine on GENERAL HOSPITAL in 1981 and also guest-starred on ALL MY CHILDREN in 1984, passed away early this morning in Los Angeles of heart failure. The actress had been ill for some time.

Elvis is in the building! GH has hired child actor Elvis Martinez to play Lucian, who may (or may not!) be Brenda's presumed dead son. He first airs the week of April 4. See the 4/5 issue of Digest for more.

Soap Opera Digest has learned that Emmy-nominated actress Emily O'Brien (Jana) has been let go. No word yet on a last airdate.

A growing number of media outlets are reporting that ABC is on the verge of axing ALL MY CHILDREN, the youngest soap (at 41 years old) in its venerable lineup. Though the network hasn't axed a soap since PORT CHARLES bit the dust in 2003, the well-documented financial troubles of the soap industry have forced ABC to make some drastic moves over the past few years, including transplanting AMC to cheaper L.A. digs.

CBS has confirmed that the Tiffany Network will indeed broadcast the 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards live on Sunday, June 19 at the Las Vegas Hilton. In a statement, David McKenzie, executive producer and ATI president said...

Tyler Christopher (Nikolas) was let go by GENERAL HOSPITAL on Friday, freeing him up to star in a prime-time series on ABC Family which will debut August 15, according to published reports. No final airdate has been announced, but he is expected to leave within the next few weeks.

Drake Hogestyn (ex-John, DAYS), who is appearing in Judgment at Nurenberg at the Santa Monica Playhouse in CA, is curiously sporting a black eye. Digest got the scoop from the actor, who was injured while working out at the gym: "I was doing what they call cantilever triceps push down reverse with 150 pounds from a high cable pull, on my knees," he explains.

We're hearing that Robert Guza, Jr. is on his way out as GENERAL HOSPITAL's head writer. ABC Daytime doesn't comment on rumors, but an insider tells us there's a good chance it's true. UPDATE: A GENERAL HOSPITAL spokesperson reports that Guza is not exiting the show.

Don't miss CASTLE this Monday, March 21, when Castle (Nathan Fillion; ex-Joey, OLTL) and Beckett (Stana Katic) have to solve a murder on the set of the fictional soap TEMPTATION LANE. The episode, cleverly titled "One Life to Lose," also features AMC stars Cameron Mathison and Rebecca Budig (Ryan and Greenlee) as well as former daytimer Corbin Bernsen (Y&R, RYAN'S HOPE).

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy Anniversary to OLTL's Erika Slezak (Viki), who celebrates 40 years in Llanview today, March 17! Digest and Weekly were there as the cast and crew gathered at the set this afternoon to honor the actress with a surprise party, highlight reel and video tribute featuring some of her OLTL cast members as well as CASTLE's Nathan Fillion (ex-Joey), the ladies of THE VIEW, OLTL creator Agnes Nixon and Anthony Geary (Luke, GH).

We recently reported that January LaVoy's (ex-Noelle, OLTL) fiancé, Mat Hotstetler, was in the running to be named Groom of the Year by brides.com. Well he's now advanced to the next round of the competition!

The show has just confirmed that Kevin G. Schmidt will reprise the role of Noah Newman, replacing Luke Kleintank, who had started only last September. Schmidt first airs April 14. On March 11, Schmidt had curiously wrote on Facebook, "Spent this morning in a familiar place my friends! Felt nice to be visiting. More details to come!"

SUNSET BEACH alum Eddie Cibrian (ex-Cole; ex-Jesse, CSI: MIAMI) has been hired to play the lead role in the NBC pilot PLAYBOY, replacing Jeff Hephner (Red, HELLCATS), according to TVLine.

According to tvguide.com, Sean Patrick Flanery (THE YOUNG INDIANA JONES CHRONICLES, THE DEAD ZONE and Powder) has been cast as Sam, a country veterinarian, who will become close to the beleaguered Sharon (Sharon Case). Flanery begins airing in mid-April.

Meeting your favorite ABC daytime actor is just a click away. CharityBuzz.com, an auction site, offers 20 chances to win things like going backstage, to an acting lesson with OLTL's Florencia Lozano (Téa) and Ted King (Tomas).

YOUNG AND RESTLESS has announced that Kin Shriner (ex-Scotty, GH) will temporarily replace Ted Shackelford in the role of Jeffrey Bardwell. No reason was given for the sudden casting except that Shackelford "is not available" for the episodes that will air in late April.

The soapy collegiate comedy GREEK deactivates from the ABC Family line-up tonight after a four season run. Will Casey (Spencer Grammer; ex-Lucy, AS THE WORLD TURNS) be able to move on from ZBZ? Can Cappie save the KT house from destruction? Will Evan and Rebecca reunite?

Kim Zimmer (Echo, OLTL; ex-Reva, GL) and Robert Newman (ex-Josh, GL) will reunite this spring in the musical murder mystery Curtains. The production of the Broadway hit debuts at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Houston from March 29 - April 10. It then moves to the Paper Mill Playhouse from April 27 – May 22

For the first time, the NAACP Image Awards will air the TV Daytime Drama categories live on-air during its annual award ceremony, held this Friday, March 4, from 8-10 p.m. on Fox.

Soap Opera Digest has learned that Bren Foster has been hired to play the new role of Quinn ("Fletcher" in the breakdowns). The actor, who was born in London and raised in Australia, adds another accent to the cast and will first air in scenes with Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe) in early May.