“The Bold and the Beautiful’s” Heather Tom (Katie Logan) is joining fellow daytime actresses Alison Sweeney (ex-Sami Brady, “Days of our Lives”), Kimberly McCullough (Robin Scorpio, “General Hospital”) and even former colleague Susan Flannery (ex-Stephanie Forrester) from in front of the camera to behind-the-scenes: The soap star directed the Tuesday, January 5 episode of the CBS daytime drama series!

“I’m directing my first full show for @boldandbeautifulcbs today- wish me luck!” wrote Tom on her Instagram page on Tuesday, November 17, which included a shot of that day’s script cover page that showed her name as director.

In an interview with CBS Soaps In Depth, on newsstands now, the actress notes how grateful she was the show had previously given her some experience with the camera by allowing her to direct occasional scenes featuring some of her co-stars before taking the helm of a full-length episode. “It was really fun, and I’m glad that the show gave me an opportunity to direct those earlier segments so that I wasn’t just thrown into the deep end,” she said to the magazine. “That said, it was also stressful! Most of the time you’re sitting there going, ‘Agghh,’and the clock is ticking away so fast. While [the producers] want the show to look really good, they also want you to get out [on time]. It’s a race against the clock.”

Featured in Tom’s debut as director were Ashleigh Brewer (Ivy Forrester), Darin Brooks (Wyatt Spencer), John McCook (Eric Forrester), Rena Sofer (Quinn Fuller), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy Forrester) and Scott Clifton (Liam Spencer), who said the day of filming, “So psyched I’m in this episode. Congrats, @BBheathertom!”

No matter how the episode turns out for the fans watching at home or online, Tom is proud of her accomplishment. “I vetted the show and I’m happy with it. I feel good about it for my first time at bat, and hopefully there will be more opportunities down the line,” she shared.

Tom’s episode airs Tuesday, January 5.

“Murder She Baked: A Peach Cobbler Mystery,” starring Alison Sweeney (ex-Sami Brady, “Days of our Lives”) and Cameron Mathison (ex-Ryan Lavery, “All My Children”), premieres Sunday, January 10 at 9p on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

In the latest installment of the Murder She Baked franchise, Hannah Swensen (Sweeney) is enjoying her mouthwatering monopoly on the bakery business with The Cookie Jar in Lake Eden, Minnesota, when a rival store opens. As fate would have it, one of the owners is found shot to death in the store.

Hannah is determined to prove that she wasn’t the only one who had an ax to grind with the Quinn sisters. Somebody else wasn’t fooled by the Georgia Peaches and their sweet-as-pie act. And now it’s up to Hannah to track down whoever had the right ingredients to whip up a murder.

Once again, Mathison plays  Mike Kingston, a local cop who has a playful yet somewhat adversarial relationship with Hannah. Former daytime star Barbara Niven (ex- Liz Coleman Reynolds, “One Life to Live”) portrays Hannah’s mom Delores Swensen, while Roark Critchlow (ex-Mike Horton, “Days of our Lives”) plays Douglas, man involved with Delores.

Despite claims by “Days of our Lives” executive producer Ken Corday that any character killed after September 2015 would remain dead, rumors are running rampant that the soap has secretly been in negotiations with three-time Daytime Emmy Award Winner Chandler Massey to reprise his role as Will Horton, who was murdered in October by the necktie killer (Ben Weston, played by Robert Scott Wilson) during Guy Wilson‘s turn in the popular role. Adding fuel to the fire are recent comments by Massey’s former publicist, Jeffrey Ballard.

After congratulating the soap and co-executive producer Greg Meng on the successful renewal of the daytime soap opera, Ballard said in a posting on his Facebook page, “I’ve been getting quite a few calls about this — so for the record — I can neither confirm nor deny that my former client and good friend, three-time Daytime Emmy Award winning actor Chandler Massey will be returning to his role of Will Horton on Days of our Lives later this year. I guess you will all have to keep watching!! ”

The last sentence of his statement is what has people worked up.

On the Facebook page for Ballard’s PR firm, in reference to another publication’s posting on Ballard’s comments above, the post wrote: “Apparently the flames have been fanned — or where there’s smoke there’s fire?”

Continuing to comment on the matter, Ballard said, “More of the same about ‘Days of our Lives’ and Chandler Massey — gotta go with the ‘they only talk about you if you’re important’ thing —” in response to yet another publication’s reporting on Massey’s possible return to daytime and “Days of our Lives.”

Talk of Massey’s possible return is being fueled even further by a recent posting on social media of a picture of someone supposedly looking like Freddie Smith in the background, seemingly confirming rumors that the actor was also on his way back to Salem as Sonny Kiriakis.

Massey departed “DAYS” in 2013, weeks after winning his second Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal as Will Horton, the son of Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) and Lucas Roberts (Bryan Dattilo).

After winning the Emmy, Massey told reporters he planned to depart the soap when his contract expired in December of that same year but producers got the jump on him by informing him they planned to recast early. Guy Wilson took over the role in January 2014. In June 2014, Massey won again for his work on “DAYS,” but controversy ensued when producers used clips of Wilson as Will instead of Massey.

“Days of our Lives” does not comment on rumors or speculation.

Ron Carlivati is officially ready to hit a home-run for NBC's "Days of our Lives." Will you be watching?

The post A New Era Begins on ‘Days of our Lives’ appeared first on Soap Opera Network.

"Days of our Lives" star Alison Sweeney was given a 3-year extension on a restraining order she filed earlier this month against Jon Christopher LuVisi.

The post Alison Sweeney Granted 3-Year Protection from Online Stalker appeared first on Soap Opera Network.

As previously reported, former soapers Alison Sweeney (ex-Sami Brady) and Cameron Mathison (ex-Ryan Lavery) have teamed up for the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries original movie, “Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery,” which premieres Saturday, May 2 at 9:00 PM, ET/8:00 PM, CT on the network. Before the movie premieres, Soap Opera Network has your first look photos at the duo on screen!

Based on the bestselling series of books by Joanne Fluke, the movie follows the story of Hannah Swensen (Sweeney), owner of the Cookie Jar shop where patrons frequently gossip about the latest happenings in town. But when a mysterious murder takes place, Hannah gets herself involved in trying to help solve the crime as she puts on her culinary detective hat, while in the process she finds an unexpected romantic mystery of her own. Enter Detective Mike Kingston (Mathison), who is irritated by Hannah as she uses her outlook on life – “It’s not the person that picks the cookie, it’s the cookie that picks the person” – to help solve crimes.

READ ALSO: Cameron Mathison Named ‘ET’ Weekend Co-Anchor and Correspondent

The movie also features “One Life to Live” alum, and current star of Hallmark Channel’s “Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove,” Barbara Niven.

Check listings for channel number.

The post FIRST LOOK: Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison in ‘Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery’ appeared first on Soap Opera Network.

As it gears up to broadcast its first major awards telecast with the “42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards” on Sunday, April 26, Pop has released the Daytime Emmy Nominee Reels for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Competing this year for the coveted trophy are Peggy McCay as Caroline Brady and Alison Sweeney as Sami Brady, respectively, on “Days of our Lives,” Maura West as Ava Jerome and Laura Wright as Carly Jacks, respectively, on “General Hospital,” and Gina Tognoni as Phyllis Summers on “The Young and the Restless.”

With her third overall nomination since joining “DAYS” in 1983, Peggy McCay is hoping to make her second nomination in the Lead Actress category a winning one. Meanwhile, former co-star Alison Sweeney bagged her first nomination ever after nearly 22-years on the soap. She left “DAYS” in 2014. A previous winner in Supporting Actress for her role on “Guiding Light,” Gina Tognoni received her first ever nomination in Lead Actress after joining “Y&R” in August 2014. Maura West and Laura Wright are previous winners in the category; West for her role on “As The World Turns” and Wright for her role on “GH.”

READ ALSO: DAYTIME EMMY REELS: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Nominees (2015)

Below are the official reels each actor submitted that brought them this far in the competition:

Peggy McCay – Daytime Emmy Nominee Reel

Alison Sweeney – Daytime Emmy Nominee Reel

Gina Tognoni – Daytime Emmy Nominee Reel

Maura West – Daytime Emmy Nominee Reel

Laura Wright – Daytime Emmy Nominee Reel

To find out who wins, tune into Pop on Sunday, April 26 at 8:00 PM, ET/5:00 PM, PT. Check local listings for channel number.

The post DAYTIME EMMY REELS: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Nominees (2015) appeared first on Soap Opera Network.

Hallmark Channel announced today that production has begun in Vancouver, Canada on “Radio Hype,” an original movie set to air sometime later this year on the cable network and stars Alison Sweeney (“Days of our Lives,” “The Biggest Loser”) and Jonathan Scarfe (“Raising the Bar,” “Hell on Wheels”).

The TV movie follows the story of a radio host (Sweeney) who moves to Chicago to be with her boyfriend and to take on a new hosting job, which ultimately leads to the quick demise of her picture perfect relationship. When she shares her troubles with a fellow colleague (Scarfe) she does so not realizing he is a competing shock job. When the two are later forced to work  on an assignment together, they soon find out they have more in common than their radio personalities reveal.

“Radio Hype” is an Entertainment One Television Production.  Marina Cordoni, John Ritchie, Kelley Reynolds, and Alison Sweeney are the Executive Producers. Jonathan Schwartz and Robert Lee are Producers.

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Picture It: Alison Sweeney, Betty White, Donna Mills, Pat Sajak, Bobby Flay, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Steve Harvey all in one room for the “Daytime Emmys.” But who’s Hosting?

As supposed investigators put all the pieces for “The 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards” together on a bulletin board in anticipation of the upcoming telecast, the one question left to answer was “who could possibly be hosting the ‘Daytime Emmy Awards’ with all these celebs?” Enter Tyra Banks (“The FAB Life,” “The Tyra Banks Show,” “America’s Next Top Model”). In a newly released promo for broadcast, Pop hilariously reveals that social media (or in actuality a news release) already answered the question.

“The 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards” airs live on Sunday, April 26 at 8:00 PM, ET/5:00 PM, PT on Pop. Check listings for channel number.

The post Tyra Banks to Host ‘Daytime Emmys’ (Promos) appeared first on Soap Opera Network.

Although she’ll soon be gracing our screens once again as Sami Brady on “Days of our Lives” in the coming weeks, actress Alison Sweeney will no longer appear in primetime as host of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” it was announced today by the show’s producers. Sweeney had hosted the program for 13 consecutive cycles, taking over from Caroline Rhea in 2007.

“After an incredible run together, Alison Sweeney will not be returning as host of ‘The Biggest Loser’ next season,” read a statement released to Access Hollywood.

No reason was given, but production on the 17th Season of the reality series is still set to begin next month. A new host has yet to be named.

READ MORE: FIRST LOOK: Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison in ‘Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery’

Sweeney will next star alongside Jonathan Scarfe in the Hallmark Channel original movie, “Love on the Air,” premiering Saturday, September 26 at 9/8c.

The post Alison Sweeney and ‘The Biggest Loser’ Parting Ways appeared first on Soap Opera Network.

“The Bold and the Beautiful’s” Heather Tom (Katie Logan) is joining fellow daytime actresses Alison Sweeney (ex-Sami Brady, “Days of our Lives”), Kimberly McCullough (Robin Scorpio, “General Hospital”) and even former colleague Susan Flannery (ex-Stephanie Forrester) from in front of the camera to behind-the-scenes: The soap star directed the Tuesday, January 5 episode of the CBS daytime drama series!

“I’m directing my first full show for @boldandbeautifulcbs today- wish me luck!” wrote Tom on her Instagram page on Tuesday, November 17, which included a shot of that day’s script cover page that showed her name as director.

In an interview with CBS Soaps In Depth, on newsstands now, the actress notes how grateful she was the show had previously given her some experience with the camera by allowing her to direct occasional scenes featuring some of her co-stars before taking the helm of a full-length episode. “It was really fun, and I’m glad that the show gave me an opportunity to direct those earlier segments so that I wasn’t just thrown into the deep end,” she said to the magazine. “That said, it was also stressful! Most of the time you’re sitting there going, ‘Agghh,’and the clock is ticking away so fast. While [the producers] want the show to look really good, they also want you to get out [on time]. It’s a race against the clock.”

Featured in Tom’s debut as director were Ashleigh Brewer (Ivy Forrester), Darin Brooks (Wyatt Spencer), John McCook (Eric Forrester), Rena Sofer (Quinn Fuller), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy Forrester) and Scott Clifton (Liam Spencer), who said the day of filming, “So psyched I’m in this episode. Congrats, @BBheathertom!”

No matter how the episode turns out for the fans watching at home or online, Tom is proud of her accomplishment. “I vetted the show and I’m happy with it. I feel good about it for my first time at bat, and hopefully there will be more opportunities down the line,” she shared.

Tom’s episode airs Tuesday, January 5.

The post Heather Tom Directs Episode of ‘B&B’ Airing Next Week appeared first on Soap Opera Network.

“Murder She Baked: A Peach Cobbler Mystery,” starring Alison Sweeney (ex-Sami Brady, “Days of our Lives”) and Cameron Mathison (ex-Ryan Lavery, “All My Children”), premieres Sunday, January 10 at 9p on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

In the latest installment of the Murder She Baked franchise, Hannah Swensen (Sweeney) is enjoying her mouthwatering monopoly on the bakery business with The Cookie Jar in Lake Eden, Minnesota, when a rival store opens. As fate would have it, one of the owners is found shot to death in the store.

Hannah is determined to prove that she wasn’t the only one who had an ax to grind with the Quinn sisters. Somebody else wasn’t fooled by the Georgia Peaches and their sweet-as-pie act. And now it’s up to Hannah to track down whoever had the right ingredients to whip up a murder.

Once again, Mathison plays  Mike Kingston, a local cop who has a playful yet somewhat adversarial relationship with Hannah. Former daytime star Barbara Niven (ex- Liz Coleman Reynolds, “One Life to Live”) portrays Hannah’s mom Delores Swensen, while Roark Critchlow (ex-Mike Horton, “Days of our Lives”) plays Douglas, man involved with Delores.

The post Alison Sweeney, Cameron Mathison Star in ‘Murder She Baked: A Peach Cobbler’ Mystery on January 10 appeared first on Soap Opera Network.

Despite claims by “Days of our Lives” executive producer Ken Corday that any character killed after September 2015 would remain dead, rumors are running rampant that the soap has secretly been in negotiations with three-time Daytime Emmy Award Winner Chandler Massey to reprise his role as Will Horton, who was murdered in October by the necktie killer (Ben Weston, played by Robert Scott Wilson) during Guy Wilson‘s turn in the popular role. Adding fuel to the fire are recent comments by Massey’s former publicist, Jeffrey Ballard.

After congratulating the soap and co-executive producer Greg Meng on the successful renewal of the daytime soap opera, Ballard said in a posting on his Facebook page, “I’ve been getting quite a few calls about this — so for the record — I can neither confirm nor deny that my former client and good friend, three-time Daytime Emmy Award winning actor Chandler Massey will be returning to his role of Will Horton on Days of our Lives later this year. I guess you will all have to keep watching!! ”

The last sentence of his statement is what has people worked up.

On the Facebook page for Ballard’s PR firm, in reference to another publication’s posting on Ballard’s comments above, the post wrote: “Apparently the flames have been fanned — or where there’s smoke there’s fire?”

Continuing to comment on the matter, Ballard said, “More of the same about ‘Days of our Lives’ and Chandler Massey — gotta go with the ‘they only talk about you if you’re important’ thing —” in response to yet another publication’s reporting on Massey’s possible return to daytime and “Days of our Lives.”

Talk of Massey’s possible return is being fueled even further by a recent posting on social media of a picture of someone supposedly looking like Freddie Smith in the background, seemingly confirming rumors that the actor was also on his way back to Salem as Sonny Kiriakis.

Massey departed “DAYS” in 2013, weeks after winning his second Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal as Will Horton, the son of Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) and Lucas Roberts (Bryan Dattilo).

After winning the Emmy, Massey told reporters he planned to depart the soap when his contract expired in December of that same year but producers got the jump on him by informing him they planned to recast early. Guy Wilson took over the role in January 2014. In June 2014, Massey won again for his work on “DAYS,” but controversy ensued when producers used clips of Wilson as Will instead of Massey.

“Days of our Lives” does not comment on rumors or speculation.

The post Chandler Massey Headed Back to ‘Days of our Lives’? appeared first on Soap Opera Network.

Today, July 19, marks the beginning of a new era on NBC’s “Days of our Lives.”

Spearheaded by Daytime Emmy Award winning writer Ron Carlivati (“General Hospital,” “One Life to Live”), the people of Salem, USA are in for some new tales to be spun, new relationships to be developed and frequent appearances by veteran talent now that a new Sheriff’s in the writer’s room.

“Ron has what it takes to bring ‘DAYS’ back to its glory,” wrote former head writer Sheri Anderson, who has returned to the soap under Carlivati’s regime as a creative consultant. “Stay tuned & let all your friends know that ‘DAYS,’ once again, is THE show to watch!”

Carlivati began writing for the soap earlier this year with his first submitted script available to producers at the beginning of February, with filming commencing two weeks later.

Now six months later, in an interview with Soap Opera Digest, on newsstands now, Carlivati made it clear that he plans to concentrate on what’s working, and that means more of your favorite characters.

“Having grown up on soaps, I often gravitated to the characters that had been on for a long time, so what’s great about ‘DAYS’ is, there’s a deep bench of characters like that with Steve and Kayla and Hope and John and Marlena and the DiMeras and Stefano, who sadly has passed away, but you still have Andre and his family, and you have Victor Kiriakis [John Aniston],” said Carlivati.

The writer also revealed that vastly under utilized actor Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Roberts) will once again be a heavily featured player in the weeks and months ahead. “Lucas is getting a big story and I am looking forward to it,” stated Carlivati, who added, “You have an embarrassment of riches.”

Just like he did in the month leading to today‘s inaugural episode, Carlivati released a golden nugget to fans on Twitter last week, revealing a snippet of a scene involving Lucas, Adrienne (Judi Evans) and Justin (Wally Kurth):

One week from today… #days #dool #youneverforgetyourfirstlove pic.twitter.com/20h2DJly8T

— Ron Carlivati (@carlivatiron) July 12, 2017

As for what’s going to happen with the upcoming returns of Alison Sweeney, Eileen Davidson and Chandler Massey to the canvas, and much more, you’ll just have to pick up your own copy of Digest to find out!

“Days of our Lives” airs Weekdays on NBC.

The post A New Era Begins on ‘Days of our Lives’ appeared first on Soap Opera Network.

On Wednesday, July 26, a judge granted “Days of our Lives” star Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady) with a 3-year extension on a temporary restraining order she filed earlier this month against Jon Christopher LuVisi, who allegedly has been taunting the former host of “The Biggest Loser” with claims he had inappropriate images of her that he planned to send to her husband while also making other assorted threats against the actress.

According to TMZ, which first reported the news, Sweeney first filed, and was granted, a restraining order against LuVisi who she claimed had harassed her on social media over the course of several years via at least 15 different accounts. A judge ordered LuVisi to stay at least 1,000 ft away from Sweeney, her home, car, work and kids’ school.

Sparking the restraining order are claims that over the past 9 months LuVisi had tried to extort thousands from Sweeney with word that he had unsettling images of her private parts that he would send to her husband unless she paid up.

It’s alleged that LuVisi believed he had been having an affair with Sweeney, who blocked him on many occasions, which would only result in his creating another account to continue reaching out to her.

“Bitch you better answer me” and “You can’t hide from me you sorry ass bitch” are just some of the messages LuVisi is alleged to have sent Sweeney via social media in addition to plans for extortion.

According to TMZ, “Sweeney says she contacted the California Highway Patrol in June and they contacted LuVisi’s wife. She [the wife] claims he was the victim of a catfish scam and carried on an online affair with someone he believed was Sweeney.”

LuVisi was a no show in court Wednesday.

The post Alison Sweeney Granted 3-Year Protection from Online Stalker appeared first on Soap Opera Network.

As previously reported, former soapers Alison Sweeney (ex-Sami Brady) and Cameron Mathison (ex-Ryan Lavery) have teamed up for the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries original movie, “Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery,” which premieres Saturday, May 2 at 9:00 PM, ET/8:00 PM, CT on the network. Before the movie premieres, Soap Opera Network has your first look photos at the duo on screen!

Based on the bestselling series of books by Joanne Fluke, the movie follows the story of Hannah Swensen (Sweeney), owner of the Cookie Jar shop where patrons frequently gossip about the latest happenings in town. But when a mysterious murder takes place, Hannah gets herself involved in trying to help solve the crime as she puts on her culinary detective hat, while in the process she finds an unexpected romantic mystery of her own. Enter Detective Mike Kingston (Mathison), who is irritated by Hannah as she uses her outlook on life – “It’s not the person that picks the cookie, it’s the cookie that picks the person” – to help solve crimes.

READ ALSO: Cameron Mathison Named ‘ET’ Weekend Co-Anchor and Correspondent

The movie also features “One Life to Live” alum, and current star of Hallmark Channel’s “Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove,” Barbara Niven.

Check listings for channel number.

The post FIRST LOOK: Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison in ‘Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery’ appeared first on Soap Opera Network.

As it gears up to broadcast its first major awards telecast with the “42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards” on Sunday, April 26, Pop has released the Daytime Emmy Nominee Reels for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Competing this year for the coveted trophy are Peggy McCay as Caroline Brady and Alison Sweeney as Sami Brady, respectively, on “Days of our Lives,” Maura West as Ava Jerome and Laura Wright as Carly Jacks, respectively, on “General Hospital,” and Gina Tognoni as Phyllis Summers on “The Young and the Restless.”

With her third overall nomination since joining “DAYS” in 1983, Peggy McCay is hoping to make her second nomination in the Lead Actress category a winning one. Meanwhile, former co-star Alison Sweeney bagged her first nomination ever after nearly 22-years on the soap. She left “DAYS” in 2014. A previous winner in Supporting Actress for her role on “Guiding Light,” Gina Tognoni received her first ever nomination in Lead Actress after joining “Y&R” in August 2014. Maura West and Laura Wright are previous winners in the category; West for her role on “As The World Turns” and Wright for her role on “GH.”

READ ALSO: DAYTIME EMMY REELS: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Nominees (2015)

Below are the official reels each actor submitted that brought them this far in the competition:

Peggy McCay – Daytime Emmy Nominee Reel

Alison Sweeney – Daytime Emmy Nominee Reel

Gina Tognoni – Daytime Emmy Nominee Reel

Maura West – Daytime Emmy Nominee Reel

Laura Wright – Daytime Emmy Nominee Reel

To find out who wins, tune into Pop on Sunday, April 26 at 8:00 PM, ET/5:00 PM, PT. Check local listings for channel number.

The post DAYTIME EMMY REELS: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Nominees (2015) appeared first on Soap Opera Network.