Beth Wallace (Kelli McCarty) 'Passions'.
PASSIONS
BREAKING NEWS: Fans of Passions can breathe a sigh of relief now that the supernatural soap has been renewed for another year. James E. Reilly, the imaginative creator of the wacky drama, will also remain as head writer for another season. Kevin Reilly, president of NBC Entertainment, offered the following praise: "Passions continues to attract a loyal fan base as well as a youthful audience that appreciates its wildly inventive story lines. We are glad to continue our creative relationship with the show as a reflection of our commitment to daytime programming."
While last in the overall Nielsen ratings, Passions has what advertisers want a young audience. It ranks second among women ages 18-34 and first among girls 12-17. Debuting in 1999, it is the newest daytime drama on the air and has won a GLAAD Media Award and an AFTRA American Scene Award along with four Emmys.
Until recently, newer fans were able to catch old reruns of Passions on the Sci-Fi cable channel, but, unfortunately, the show was pulled on May 25. Disheartened viewers have started an online petition at www.petitiononline.com/ psc7777/petition.html to bring the show back to Sci-Fi, but you can still catch first-run episodes weekdays on NBC.
DAYS OF OUR LIVES
What remains uncertain is whether NBC will renew its other soap, Days of Our Lives, and if it does, will James E. Reilly continue to pull double duty as head writer of Days as well? Having been around for more than 40 years, Days will likely live on. As soon as there is an official announcement, you can read about it here.
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Singer-songwriter Jewel strummed her guitar at the coffeehouse on The Young and the Restless.
COMINGS & GOINGS: On June 29, season two American Idol finalist and country singer Josh Gracin will make his acting debut on Y&R, playing a cowboy who runs into a stranded Nick (Joshua Morrow) and Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) at a honky-tonk bar. ... On As the World Turns, Jessica Griffin (Tamara Tunie) hasn't had much family around since daughter Bonnie left Oakdale, but that's about to change when nephew Dallas Griffin (played by Duane McLaughlin) joins the show on June 26. New to daytime, McLaughlin was featured in the film Far From Heaven and guest-starred on the NBC drama Third Watch. ... Now that crazy Beth Wallace (Kelli McCarty) is back on Passions, it was only a matter of time before mama joined her. Kathleen Noone, who once departed the show by surfing a wave out of town on a tsunami, made her return on June 20. Also in tow is Marianne Muellerleile as the ax-wielding Norma Bates. Fans of Muellerleile can see her in the film Thank You for Smoking or at the Hollywood Bowl on July 28, 29 and 30 as Frau Schmidt in The Sound of Music.
