This piece of news doesn't have any real effect on us whatsoever but I thought I'd include it because this is reality for us soap fans now. The top-rated American soap, The Young and the Restless, is about to end its 30-plus-year run on Australian television. Y&R has been airing on Australia's Channel 9 since 1974, just a little over a year after the show's March 26th, 1973 debut in the U.S. But even in Australia, soaps are fighting a ratings slump - and Y&R is about to be replaced by a much cheaper alternative: a talk show. Aussie television insiders hint that comedian Libbi Gorr will assume Y&R's 2:00pm timeslot with a talk show entitled "The Catch-Up." The talk show is scheduled to hit the airwaves as early as mid-February. A spokesperson for Channel 9 declined to comment on the demise of Y&R, saying that the network was "looking at updating the schedule, which happens every year." Days of our Lives, which also airs in Australia on Channel 9, is not expected to be affected by Y&R's cancellation. Lucikly, Foxtel, an Australian cable-and-satellite television company, has picked up the rights and will begin airing Y&R April 2.

In other news, another daytime first is about to be undertaken by ABC. This time the show is General Hospital and the first is telling a soap in real time. If this brings to mind thoughts of Fox's 24, you're right. 24 takes place in a 24-hour period, but GH will appear in a 16-hour long period. OK, let's look at the entire storyline. On January 26 a massive explosion interrupts a charity fundraiser at the Metro Court Hotel. The explosive puts the lives of many prominent Port Charles residents in jeopardy. Immediately after the explosion levels portions of the hotel, the show "fades to black as the clock turns back 16 hours before the explosion and explains the events - which includes a massive hostage takeover - that led up to the disaster." Each subsequent episode will be told in "real time," with each new episode marking a new hour in the 16-hour ordeal. Happy February Sweeps!

Bold & the Beautiful Kyle Lowder assumes the role of Rick January 25.

Days of Our Lives Max Gail as Merle brings Belle and Shawn to a safe house January 26.

General Hospital Look for Anthony Geary (Luke) to return this week.

Guiding Light Murray Bartlett (Julian, All My Children) airs as Cyrus March 9. Paul Urcioli guests as Donaldson, who will help Cassie deal with Tammy's death.

Young & the Restless Steve Vinovich appears as Senator Bodi February 1.

OUT

All My Children She may not have been killed by the Satin Slayer, but Tanisha Lynn (right) is still getting the axe. Derek sent his daughter Danielle to Hawaii to hide out. "The character can always come back," suggests head writer Megan McTavish.

THIS WEEK

All My Children Zach remembers more about his past. JR reveals his true feelings for Babe. Kendall makes a dangerous move to lure the killer.

As the World Turns Meg considers the unthinkable. Emily has a provocative encounter with a stranger. Gwen blames Will for her failed music career.

Bold & the Beautiful Nick's vendetta shifts into high gear. Pam fantasizes about Eric. The Forresters prepare for Ridge and Brooke's engagement party.

Days of Our Lives Willow reveals to Hope that she's pregnant. Chelsea is determined to win her father's approval. Steve and Kayla argue.

General Hospital Carly turns the tables on Sonny. Sam vows to have a baby with Jason. Sam, Carly and Max hatch a dangerous plot.

Guiding Light Reva and Jonathan share an emotional day. Dinah comes to Remy's aid. Cassie goes after Alan.

One Life to Live Bo demands answers from Rex. Things get worse for John and Natalie. Blair resolves to live her life Todd-free.

Passions Fancy receives shocking news. Miguel is arrested. Noah wakes up in someone else's bed.

Young & the Restless Sheila gets the better of her captors. Dru is driven to the brink. Jill and Kay learn the truth of Philip's identity.

SPOTLIGHT ON...Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor, Young & the Restless)

Jeanne is the longest-running cast member on the show; in January 2004, Jeanne celebrated her 30th (!) year. At the 2004 Daytime Emmy Awards, Jeanne was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Highlights from her illustrious career include: in 1961, Jeanne received her first nomination for an episode of Ben Casey. In 1993, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1987, she appeared on L.A. Law, playing the mother to her real-life son, Corbin Bernsen. They recently "reunited" again on Young & the Restless , where Corbin was guesting as a priest. In 1984, Jeanne and (Y&R) made history for the first extreme makeover broadcast in daytime -- footage of her real-life facelift was televised on the soap.

Jeanne was born and raised in Taft, California. She attended the College of the Pacific and performed in the Civic Light Opera Company and Revue Theatre in Stockton before graduating from the famed Pasadena Playhouse School.

Her professional career began with the film The Redhead from Wyoming with Maureen O'Hara in 1953. She continued to work with some of the greats over the years: The Man from Alamo with Glenn Ford; The Boston Strangler with Tony Curtis, Henry Fonda and George Kennedy; Tony Rome with Frank Sinatra; The All-American Boy with Jon Voigt; Let No Man Write My Epitaph with Shelly Winters. Other film credits include There Was a Crooked Man, The Glory Guys and Kansas City Bomber. TV credits include Playhouse, The Twilight Zone, Perry Mason, The Untouchables, Maverick and Bracken's World. 

Her stage work includes starring roles in On The Town, The Miracle Worker, Plain and Fancy, Love Letters (at the Canon Theatre in Beverly Hills) and the touring production of Plaza Suite.

Most recently, Jeanne starred in the film Tomorrow Man and the telefilms Gentle Ben and Gentle Ben 2: Danger on the Mountain. She is also currently in pre-production on two films (Three Day Test and Over the Hedge, to be produced by son Corbin's film company).

Jeanne is the spokesperson for No2Debt, a company that helps people reclaim their lives by getting out from under the burden of debt.

Jeanne is the mother of three and grandmother of eight. Her birthday is October 25.

To subscribe to Soaps Update, 92342-subscribe@zinester.com; to unsubscribe, 92342-unsubscribe@zinester.com. To change your subscription preferences, log into your account at Zinester . You can always retrieve your password by clicking the "forgot your password?" link.

This ezine is being distributed by Zinester -- a mailing lists service and ezine hosting provider. You are receiving this newsletter because you are registered subscriber with Zinester.

Zinester.com is a project by AGAVA Software Company. 

Software development -- as it has to be.

Copyright 2007.