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The 31st Slamdance Film Festival has announced its 2025 lineup as the festival makes the move from Park City to Los Angeles.

The festival will run from Feb. 20-26 with the opening night event kicking off at The Egyptian Theatre. The rest of the screenings will rotate between the Director’s Guild of America and West Hollywood Quixote buildings. Out of the 146 films selected for the festival, 21 are world premieres and 20 different countries are represented, including Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Greece, Jamaica, Japan, Norway and more.

Reportedly, 38% of Slamdance’s lineup are projects made by Bipoc creators while 55% were directed by women.

“At this pivotal moment for independent film, Slamdance’s new era in Los Angeles is the perfect home for a 2025 lineup that defies convention, champions bold new voices, and reflects the fearless, independent spirit at our core: by filmmakers, for everyone,” said Slamdance festival director Taylor Miller.

Read below...

Slamdance Film Festival has announced the line-up for its inaugural edition in Los Angeles running February 20-26, 2025.

The 31st annual festival’s roster comprises 146 films, 21 of which are world premiere features from more than 20 countries including the UK, Australia, Canada, China, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, and Uganda.

The selection was culled from nearly 10,000 submissions including 1,795 features. All films in the Narrative Features and Documentary Features competition are directorial debuts without US distribution, budgeted at $1m or less.

The festival takes place at Director’s Guild of America and Quixote - West Hollywood, and opening night is at The Egyptian Theatre.

As the Sundance Film Festival weighs the possibility of leaving Utah, its rebellious younger sibling has already packed its bags.

Slamdance, the unaffiliated festival that has run parallel to Sundance and celebrated outsider cinema in Park City since 1995, has officially relocated to Los Angeles. The organization announced its presence in town with the inaugural Indie Awards ceremony in December, and will break from its Sundance-adjacent schedule for its 30th edition, which will runs from February 20-26.

In addition to its lineup — which features 146 films, with all competition titles hailing from first-time directors at budgets of $1 million or less — Slamdance has announced more details about its plans to run a Los Angeles festival. Screenings will take place at the Director’s Guild of America and Quixote West Hollywood, with a special opening night event at the Egyptian Theater on February 20. Films will also be available to stream on the Slamdance Channel...

Ahead of its 30th anniversary, Slamdance is still making the same first impression.

Shaggy yet shiny, the indie film festival was forged in the shadow of Sundance after its founders were rejected from the prestigious Park City showcase during the mid-nineties. Now, the Slamdance Group aims to be ahead of the game — having already moved from Utah and made its West Coast debut at the Director’s Guild of America on December 9 with the first-ever Indie Awards.

“I don’t feel like it’s being dramatic or over-dramatizing it to say that independent film is at stake,” said Slamdance Festival Director Taylor Miller during her opening remarks. “There is so much going on that this is the best place to be and to have these awards. Los Angeles is where so much is changing week in and week out.”

Also known as The Indies, the event was designed to “not...

Photo Credit: Taylor Miller Get ready for a hilarious family reunion on CBS’s Poppa’s House! Marlon Wayans is set to guest star alongside his brother Damon Wayans and nephew Damon Wayans Jr. in an upcoming episode. Marlon will play Melvin, Poppa’s brother, who shows up with a new “business idea” that has Poppa warning everyone to watch their wallets! But Ivy (Essence Atkins) and Junior are hoping Melvin has turned over a new leaf. Will they regret giving him the benefit of the doubt? This comedic trio is sure to bring the laughs in an episode you won’t want to miss! Tune in to CBS in February 2025 to see the Wayans family magic in action.

The post Wayans Family Takes Over Poppa’s House’! appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.

Marlon Wayans will guest star on ‘Poppa’s House’ (Photo Credit: Taylor Miller)

CBS’s half-hour comedy Poppa’s House is bringing in another Wayans. The network confirmed Marlon Wayans will appear as a season one guest star when the series returns from its winter break in 2025.

Per CBS: “Marlon will play Poppa’s brother Melvin, a bit of a ne’er do well who comes to visit the family with a new business idea. Poppa is quick to warn everyone not to trust him, while Ivy (Essence Atkins) and Junior want to believe he’s changed.”

Poppa’s House stars Damon Wayans, Marlon’s brother, in the titular role. Marlon’s nephew Damon Wayans Jr. stars as Junior.

“Poppa’s House, starring Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr., features Wayans as legendary talk radio host and happily divorced ‘Poppa’ who has his point of view challenged at work when a new female co-host is hired,...

Indie festival Slamdance has identified the next next big screenwriters.

The annual fest, which recently unveiled its Indies Awards Show slated for December 2024, has announced the winners of its 2024 screenplay competition. Slamdance recognizes writers in feature film, horror/thriller, TV pilot, short film, and mentorship categories, with more than $18,000 in cash prizes, plus industry services, awarded. The prizes were awarded during a live ceremony at the Writer’s Guild of America, West. IndieWire first announced the results.

Past alums have included ”Day Shift” scribe Tyler Tice, “Tiana” series head writer Joyce Sherri, and “The Woodsman” co-writers Nicole Kassell and Steven Fechter. Sherri was also present at the 2024 ceremony as the guest of honor to welcome the new winners to the Slamdance family.

This year, the Grand Prize was bestowed to Jorge Lucas for his screenplay “Yokai,” which is a Japanese paranormal thriller based on his partner’s heritage. “Yokai” centers...

The 30th Slamdance Film Festival announced its annual Sparky Awards on Thursday evening, with Giuseppe Garau’s The Accident from Italy taking narrative feature grand jury honours and Matt Moyer, Amy Toensing’s Inheritance prevailing in the documentary feature category.

The Breakouts Feature Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Zoe Eisenberg’s Chaperone and the Episodes Grand Jury Prize went to Restorage by E’an Verdugo.

Audience award winners included Omar Kamara’s African Giants for best narrative feature and Hadley Austin’s Demon Mineral for documentary feature.

The Agbo Fellowship was awarded to Kiarash Dadgar, whose short film The Steak...

The 2024 Slamdance Film Festival has announced its winners with Giuseppe Garau’s The Accident landing the narrative Grand Jury prize, and Matt Moyer and Amy Toensing’s Inheritance landing the top doc prize.

African Giants from director Omar Kamara took the audience award for best narrative feature, with Demon Mineral from Hadley Austin taking the prize for doc feature.

In the Unstoppable section, which feature projects by filmmakers with disabilities, Good Bad Things from director Shane Stanger took the top prize.

“This year’s award-winning films leave an indelible mark on the world of independent cinema. Each one delves into groundbreaking storytelling and the spirit of human resilience, highlighting the extreme filmmaking talent on show at Slamdance ‘24,” said Slamdance director Taylor Miller. “We thank our programmers, sponsors, industry partners, and everyone at The Yarrow for creating an inclusive environment in which the filmmakers have been discovered by record-breaking audiences.”

See...

“Inheritance,” “The Accident” and “Good Bad Things” are among the award winners at the 30th annual Slamdance Film Festival. The winners were announced Thursday at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Park City – The Yarrow in Park City, Utah.

The three films feted the Feature Grand Jury Prizes, while the Audience Awards went to “African Giants,” “Demon Mineral,” “Good Bad Things” and “Night Drives.”

The festival also announced the recipient of their Agbo Fellowship from Slamdance alumni Joe and Anthony Russo. It went to Kiarash Dadgar, whose short film “The Steak” was programmed as a part of the Narrative Shorts competition and included a $25,000 prize with mentorship from the brothers.

“This year’s award-winning films leave an indelible mark on the world of independent cinema. Each one delves into groundbreaking storytelling and the spirit of human resilience, highlighting the extreme filmmaking talent on show at Slamdance ’24,” Taylor Miller, Slamdance director, said in a statement.

Returning for its 30th anniversary edition next year, Slamdance Film Festival has now unveiled its full film lineup for 2024. Kicking off with Oscar-winning filmmaker Carol Dysinger’s One Bullet, this year’s festival will showcase 32 features both in Park City and Salt Lake City from January 19-25 and online screenings will be available on the Slamdance Channel from January 22-28.

“Our 2024 Slamdance lineup is a testament to filmmakers who dare to push their stories to the very edge of filmmaking, making it deeply personal yet globally resonant,” said Festival Director Taylor Miller. “Their raw passion and risk-taking echo our commitment to exploring uncharted territories of cinematic expression. This year, we proudly host the most inclusive and accessible festival we’ve ever had, staying true to the core objectives I aimed to cultivate with our programmers when I took this job.”

The 2024 programming was selected from more than 9,000 submissions, 1,729 of which were features.

The 30th Slamdance Film Festival has announced its complete 2024 lineup, including 32 features, 75 shorts and five episodic titles. Slamdance will take place in-person at Yarrow Hotel in Park City and in Salt Lake City, Utah from Jan. 19-25, and online screenings will be offered on the Slamdance Channel from Jan. 22-28.

Oscar-winner Carol Dysinger’s documentary “One Bullet” will open the festival and Vanessa Hope’s “Invisible Nation” (pictured), which explores the political landscape of Taiwan, will close the festival on Jan. 25.

“Our 2024 Slamdance lineup is a testament to filmmakers who dare to push their stories to the very edge of filmmaking, making it deeply personal yet globally resonant,” said festival director Taylor Miller. “Their raw passion and risk-taking echo our commitment to exploring uncharted territories of cinematic expression. This year, we proudly host the most inclusive and accessible festival we’ve ever had, staying true to the core objectives I...

Festival runs January 19-25 in person, January 22-28 online.

Slamdance Film Festival has announced the roster for its upcoming 30th anniversary edition, which is bookended by Carol Dysinger’s previously announced post-Afghanistan War documentary One Bullet and Vanessa Hope’s IDFA closing night documentary Invisible Nation, a profile of Taiwanese first female president Tsai Ing-wen.

Running January 19-25 in person and January 22-28 online, this year’s event returns to Yarrow Hotel in Park City where the festival launched and will showcase 32 features, of which 17 are world premieres, as well as 75 shorts, and five episodics.

Festival organisers said this year...

Slamdance has announced the winners of its annual screenplay competition, with Mike Ackerman’s feature-length script “This End Up” winning the grand prize.

Slamdance announced the awards — recognizing writers across the categories of feature film, horror/thriller, TV pilot, short film and a special mentorship award — during a ceremony held at Los Angeles’s Westwood Landmark Theater on Wednesday night. In total, the organization gave out more than $18,000 in prizes and industry services.

Per the official synopsis of “This End Up,” Ackerman’s winning screenplay follows “a sheltered man who lives his life quite literally, and physically, upside-down. When he finally meets a woman who accepts him as he is, her closed-minded family plants doubt as to whether his condition will stand in the way of her dream of an adventurous lifestyle.”

Anna Lee Lawson, the film festival and screenplay competition manager, commented on Ackerman’s work, saying, “Mike’s...

Agbo, an entertainment company founded by directors Anthony and Joe Russo, is partnering with Slamdance to establish a showcase for aspiring filmmakers.

The summer showcase, held in downtown Los Angeles this August, will include programs dedicated to digital, interactive and gaming work, stand-up comedy, screenplay workshops and short films.

“Slamdance has been a wonderful partner and we are happy to be expanding our relationship to our Downtown LA campus. Our mission to offer our campus to help showcase emerging talent is a perfect opportunity,” said Angela Russo-Otstot, Chief Creative Office at Agbo.

Taylor Miller, director of Slamdance, a non-profit that focuses on emerging talent. “In pursuit of showcasing talent we believe will go on to shape the film and media industry, we are stronger together with alumni Anthony and Joe Russo and the Agbo production company.”

See below for more about the five programs in the Agbo and Slamdance summer showcase:

Shortwave (Aug.

Exclusive: Taylor Miller has been appointed as Festival Director for the Slamdance Film Festival, Deadline has learned.

Miller’s first festival as director will be its 30th anniversary edition taking place in January 2024. She joins Slamdance’s festival producer Michael Morin in preparation of the Park City showcase and will also lead the festival’s year-round programs, including the Screenplay Competition and exhibition events, reporting to President and Co-Founder Peter Baxter.

Miller has served Slamdance’s community as a festival programmer for over 13 years, coming to her new role following her 2020 co-founding of Slamdance’s Unstoppable, a filmmaking showcase created for and by filmmakers with visible and non-visible disabilities. She the following year produced the inaugural Slamdance Miami, which focused on emerging filmmakers from Latin America and Florida, in collaboration with Slamdance alumni and Miami’s arts leaders. During this time, Miller and Baxter created the “Slamdance Index,” an equitable...

1980: Edge of Night's Draper saw himself in the newspaper.

1980: General Hospital's Monica goaded Lesley into a slap.

1981: Guiding Light's Morgan and Kelly married at Laurel Falls.

1988: As the World Turns' Hank came out to Iva."The best prophet of the future is the past."

― Lord Byron

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1899: Actress and writer Bess Flynn was born. She was on the writing team of Irna Phillips' Painted Dreams, the first ever daytime soap opera in 1930. Both Flynn and Phillips played the role of Mother Moynihan. Flynn went on to wrote for three other soaps: We The Abbotts, Bachelor's Children and Martha Webster...

1965: As the World Turns spin-off Our Private World premiered.

1985: Days or our Lives' John rescued Marlena.

1992: Another World's Donna and John shared a kiss.

2004: The Young and the Restless' Kevin flatlined."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1948: On This is Nora Drake, Bob had disappeared from the hospital, and Nora knew that she was the cause of Bob's unhappiness. Peggy found him in the park, took him to his room and got him a prescription.

1948: On Claudia, Claudia (Patricia Ryan) and David...

1985: British soap opera EastEnders premiered."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1970: On Dark Shadows, Megan (Marie Wallace) reported to Nicholas about the burning of Paul Stoddard's grave. She threatened to kill Nicholas if he hurt Jeb, whom Nicholas accused her of loving. Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) found Megan and told her that Jeb punished his betrayal by turning him back into a vampire. In revenge, Barnabas bit Megan and got her under his control. Megan then told Barnabas that Schuyler Rumson -- Angelique's new husband -- was...

1967: Peyton Place's Allison famously cut her hair.

1980: AMC's Palmer toasted Nina on her 19th birthday.

1985: Santa Barbara's Kelly blew up a car.

2010: AMC's Greenlee revealed herself to be alive at her wedding."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1952: On Search for Tomorrow, Jim and Sam received photos of Keith kissing another woman. Louise told Joanne (Mary Stuart) that Irene (Bess Johnson) planned to destroy Joanne's reputation by leaking information of her affairs and shady business activities. Irene told Jim that she wanted...

1955: Love of Life's Van wanted to adopt Carol.

1986: Search for Tomorrow's Jo had a dream.

2000: All My Children's Bianca came out to Erica.

2008: Atwt's Lucinda didn't know Brian had a thing for her grandson."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1939: On Bachelor's Children, Sam and Ruth Ann kept an anxious vigil at the hospital as Sam's wife, Janet, delivered their first child. Complications ensued during the birth, and the ordeal stretched late into the night. Sam tried to rest in the deserted waiting...

Jorn Winther, a former soap opera executive producer and director, was killed November 9 in an automobile accident in front of Palm Desert High School outside Palm Springs. He was on a business trip and on his way back to his Sherman Oaks home, his wife of 31 years, Claire, told The Hollywood Reporter. He was 88.

In the 1960s, Winther directed for the ABC music showcase Shindig! and worked on variety shows hosted by Jonathan Winters, Sonny & Cher and Barbara McNair.

He later spent more than five years as an executive producer and director on ABC's One Life to Live, and five years in those roles during two stints at All My Children. He directed episodes of other soap operas including NBC's Another World and Santa Barbara, and the syndicated Rituals. He also served as senior executive producer for NBC's Generations and produced Canadian drama Family Passions.

His shows collected 37 Emmy...

1987: Santa Barbara.'s Cruz went to Summerfest with Eden.

1992: Gl's Alan-Michael switched out Eleni's birth control pills.

2009: One Life to Live's Nora slapped Tea in court.

2009: General Hospital's carnival began."The best prophet of the future is the past."

― Lord Byron

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1969: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) told Magda Rakosi (Grayson Hall) what would happen when he used the rods--his body would remain while his spirit traveled into the future. He told her to go to Collinwood and warn Quentin to leave.

1970: On Another World, Pat and John Randolphs's twins, Michael and Marianne Randolph, were born.

1980: Edge of Night's Draper saw himself in the newspaper.

1980: General Hospital's Monica goaded Lesley into a slap.

1981: Guiding Light's Morgan and Kelly married at Laurel Falls.

1988: As the World Turns' Hank came out to Iva."The best prophet of the future is the past."

― Lord Byron

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1899: Actress and writer Bess Flynn was born. She was on the writing team of Irna Phillips' Painted Dreams, the first ever daytime soap opera in 1930. Both Flynn and Phillips played the role of Mother Moynihan. Flynn went on to wrote for three other soaps: We The Abbotts, Bachelor's Children and Martha Webster...

1965: As the World Turns spin-off Our Private World premiered.

1985: Days or our Lives' John rescued Marlena.

1992: Another World's Donna and John shared a kiss.

2004: The Young and the Restless' Kevin flatlined."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."

― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1948: On This is Nora Drake, Bob had disappeared from the hospital, and Nora knew that she was the cause of Bob's unhappiness. Peggy found him in the park,...

1969: Days of our Lives' Julie thanked Alice for her support.

1981: Dallas' Cliff found a dead woman in the Southfork pool.

1992: Robert Flack performed on Guiding Light.

2002: As the World Turns' Jake McKinnon died."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."

― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1937: Jackie Ormes, the first African American female cartoonist, created her earliest cartoon. It was an action, romance and soap opera comic featuring a Black heroine named Torchy Brown.

1985: British soap opera EastEnders premiered."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."

― Machiavelli

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1970: On Dark Shadows, Megan (Marie Wallace) reported to Nicholas about the burning of Paul Stoddard's grave. She threatened to kill Nicholas if he hurt Jeb, whom Nicholas accused her of loving. Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) found Megan and told her that Jeb punished his betrayal by...

1955: Love of Life's Van wanted to adopt Carol.

1986: Search for Tomorrow's Jo had a dream.

2000: All My Children's Bianca came out to Erica.

2008: Atwt's Lucinda didn't know Brian wanted her grandson."History is a vast early warning system."

― Norman Cousins

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1939: On Bachelor's Children, Sam and Ruth Ann kept an anxious vigil at the hospital as Sam's wife, Janet, delivered their first child. Complications ensued during the birth, and the ordeal stretched late into the night. Sam tried to rest in the deserted waiting room and fitfully dozed as memories spanning the breadth of his relationship with Janet flickered through his semi-conscious mind.

All My Children has been off the air for several years, but that didn’t stop Erica Kane from holding court on Thursday’s Home & Family.

The long-running ABC soap’s central character — and a bunch more — were the focus of the Hallmark Channel morning show as part of Susan Lucci‘s week-long co-hosting stint. In addition to regular hosts Debbie Matenopoulos and Mark Steines, La Lucci was joined at the top of the show by former castmates Peter Bergman (who played Cliff), Kim Delaney (Jenny), Lawrence Lau (Greg), Eden Riegel (Bianca), Kathleen Noone (Ellen), Eva Larue (Maria), John Callahan...

Sneak Peek images of actress Olga Kurylenko, as former showgirl 'Vera Evans' in the dramatic TV series "Magic City", created by Mitch Glazer for the Starz network :

"...Miami Beach, 1959. As 'Ike Evans' (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) rings in the New Year at his luxurious 'Miramar Playa Hotel', Havana falls to Castro’s rebels. It’s a turbulent time in Miami, but it’s The place to be. The Kennedys, the mob and the CIA all hold court here. And Ike, he’s the star of his hotel. But everything comes at a price.

"To finance his dream, he sold his soul to mob boss 'Ben "The Butcher" Diamond' (Danny Huston). Ike’s wife 'Vera' (Kurylenko) , a former showgirl, and his three kids think he’s an honorable man, but his life is a façade.

"In fact, nothing at the Miramar Playa is what it seems. By day, it’s diving clowns and cha-cha lessons.

Sneak Peek new images of actress Olga Kurylenko, as former showgirl 'Vera Evans' in the upcoming dramatic TV series "Magic City", created by Mitch Glazer for the Starz network :

"...Miami Beach, 1959. As 'Ike Evans' (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) rings in the New Year at his luxurious 'Miramar Playa Hotel', Havana falls to Castro’s rebels. It’s a turbulent time in Miami, but it’s The place to be. The Kennedys, the mob and the CIA all hold court here. And Ike, he’s the star of his hotel. But everything comes at a price.

"To finance his dream, he sold his soul to mob boss 'Ben "The Butcher" Diamond' (Danny Huston). Ike’s wife 'Vera' (Kurylenko) , a former showgirl, and his three kids think he’s an honorable man, but his life is a façade.

"In fact, nothing at the Miramar Playa is what it seems. By day, it...

On this date in...

1987: On Ryan's Hope, John and Lizzie tried to get married, but Ben "kidnapped" the bride before she could walk down the aisle.

1997: Alan and Monica celebrated their anniversary on General Hospital. "I haven't tried to kill you in 15 years," joked Alan. "That's cause for celebration."

Celebrating a birthday today are:

Maureen Garrett (ex-Holly, Guiding Light; ex-ej, Ryan's Hope) - 63

Taylor Miller (ex-Nina, All My Children; ex-Sally, Another World) - 57

Craig Bierko (Andy, Leap Year; ex-Greg, The Young And The Restless) - 47

Christian Slater (ex-dj, Ryan's Hope) - 42

Daphnee Duplaix (ex-Rachel, One Life To Live; ex-Valerie, Passions) - 35

Brian Presley (ex-Jack, Port Charles) - 34

Josh Folan (ex-Josh, All My Children) - 30

Editor's Note: If you would like to submit a piece of soap opera history for this daily column, please email it to editor@welovesoaps.com.

AMC and Oltl cast members meet with AFTRA on Prospect Park move. AMC, Another World, Oltl cast members in Ottowa community theater. A plea for greater morality (and less homophobia) in South African soaps. Patrick Duffy never thought he'd do Dallas again. Oltl and Gh villains in off-Broadway comedy, "You've Got Hate Mail."

AFTRA is in the process of scheduling meetings with Oltl and AMC cast members to address their concerns and advise them of their rights under the union’s Network Code agreement

"AFTRA is in the process of scheduling meetings with cast members to address their concerns and advise them of their rights under the union’s Network Code agreement. No doubt plenty of AMC and Oltl actors will be eager to hear what AFTRA reps have to say at those meetings.

Since the Prospect Park deal was announced, observers have speculated that sizeable cost cuts will be...

AMC and Oltl cast members meet with AFTRA on Prospect Park move. AMC, Another World, Oltl cast members in Ottowa community theater. A plea for greater morality (and less homophobia) in South African soaps. Patrick Duffy never thought he'd do Dallas again. Oltl and Gh villains in off-Broadway comedy, "You've Got Hate Mail."

AFTRA is in the process of scheduling meetings with Oltl and AMC cast members to address their concerns and advise them of their rights under the union’s Network Code agreement."No doubt plenty of AMC and Oltl actors will be eager to hear what AFTRA reps have to say at those meetings.Since the Prospect Park deal was announced, observers have speculated that sizeable cost cuts will be needed in order to fit the show onto the Web—and that some of those cost cuts may come in the form of pay cuts for long-time cast members.

AMC and Oltl cast members meet with AFTRA on Prospect Park move. AMC, Another World, Oltl cast members in Ottowa community theater. A plea for greater morality (and less homophobia) in South African soaps. Patrick Duffy never thought he'd do Dallas again. Oltl and Gh villains in off-Broadway comedy, "You've Got Hate Mail."

AFTRA is in the process of scheduling meetings with Oltl and AMC cast members to address their concerns and advise them of their rights under the union’s Network Code agreement.

"AFTRA is in the process of scheduling meetings with cast members to address their concerns and advise them of their rights under the union’s Network Code agreement. No doubt plenty of AMC and Oltl actors will be eager to hear what AFTRA reps have to say at those meetings.

Since the Prospect Park deal was announced, observers have speculated that sizeable cost cuts will be...

Ben Mitchell's gay storyline on Eastenders shocks dad Phil

Ben Mitchell, played by Joshua Pascoe, will come out and shock his hardnut family months after kissing pal Duncan. Dad Phil, played by Steve McFadden, will be distraught at the news later this year. Ben will be Albert Square's third gay character after Syed Masood (Marc Elliot) and Christian Clarke (John Partridge).

Ironically, his romance will develop after Phil encourages him to toughen up by going boxing with Duncan. But the lads end up being more than just sparring partners when they share a kiss (filmed yesterday). When shopkeeper Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) sees them, Ben is worried his secret will come out.

New Hamptons TV Show Won't Actually Be Filmed in the Hamptons

"She has a fortune. She has a motive. She has a Plan." No, not Cheryl Mercuris. This is in one of the trailers for Revenge, a...

On Tuesday, April 20, .All My Children. will air a special memorial tribute to the character of Palmer Cortlandt, played by the late actor James Mitchell, who passed away in January, 2010. Mr. Mitchell joined the cast of .All My Children. in 1979, having created the role of Palmer Cortlandt, the wealthy patriarch of one of Pine Valley.s most popular families. His final appearance was on January 5th, 2010 for the show.s 40th anniversary episode. Fan favorites Taylor Miller (Nina) and Gillian Spencer ( Daisy) return to pay their respects. Mr. Mitchell died Friday, January 22, 2010 in Los Angeles of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, complicated by Pneumonia. Born and raised in Sacramento, California his career began as...

"All My Children" turns 40 next week, and several of its former stars are returning to the ABC soap to help celebrate.

Among the returnees for the show's 40th anniversary are Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, whose characters, Hayley and Mateo, return to Pine Valley when it's voted "The Most Congenial Town in America" and Hayley produces a segment on the town for her TV show, "The Wave."

Other returnees for the 40th anniversary, which will be celebrated in special episodes airing Monday, Jan. 4 and Tuesday, Jan. 5, include Eva Larue (now of "CSI: Miami"), Julia Barr, Leven Rambin (who recently began a guest arc on "Grey's Anatomy"), Taylor Miller, Laurence Lau, James Mitchell and Eden Riegel.

"All My Children" premiered on Jan. 4, 1970 and has been a staple of ABC's daytime lineup ever since. Jan. 4 also marks the start of production at the show's new home in Los Angeles, which will allow...

"All My Children" alums husband and wife Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos will return to the ABC daytime drama, in two episodes Jan. 4 and Jan. 5, which will mark "Children's" 40th anniversary.

"It is always great to come home," Ripa said.

Several other "Children" veterans, including La Rue, Julia Barr, Laurence Lau, Taylor Miller, James Mitchell, Leven Rambin and Eden Riegel will be part of the anniversary episodes.

Its story line will have Pine Valley elected "The Most Congenial Town in America," and Hayley (Ripa) and Mateo (Consuelos) will return to their hometown for Hayley to produce and host a documentary for her television show "The Wave," as she interviews her family members, friends and citizens who all call Pine Valley home.

Jan. 4 also marks the long-running soap's first day of production in Los Angeles after four decades in New York.

After a beloved three-decade long run as Brooke English on All My Children, Julia Barr left the show after an ugly contract dispute 2006.

So you can imagine the surprise of fans when they heard the following news: the actress will appear on the show's 40th anniversay episodes, which air on January 4 and 5.

Other former stars returning for the occasion will be: Kelly Ripa (Hayley), Mark Consuelos (Mateo), Eva Larue (Maria), Taylor Miller (Nina) and Laurence Lau (Greg). But all eyes will be on Barr.

She spoke to TV Guide Magazine about the comeback in a recent interview. A couple of excerpts follow...

On her original exit: It was not an appropriate way to go. After being on the show for so long the character needed some kind of closure and so did the fans. For whatever reason that didn’t happen. Now, hopefully, it will.

On her return: This is to the show’s credit.

There's reason to be hopeful about All My Children's move to Hollywood. Oh, yes, Thorsten Kaye has decided not to go -- bye, bye Zach -- but there's a list of stars lining up for the anniversary that's pretty spectacular.

In honor of All My Children's 40th Anniversary, Julia Barr is coming back as Brooke English. Also slated to appear are a bunch of other former AMC stars, including Eva Larue, Taylor Miller, Laurence Lau, Eden Riegel, Leven Rambin and the previously announced Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos.

Julia's return is a big get because she was such big part of the soap for so long. The two-time Emmy winner was on AMC from 1976 to her exit in 2006. This anniversary show will be a chance for fans to hear what Brooke -- Erica's rival for all those years -- has been up to.

Next in line is Eva Larue.

As previously announced, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos will help All My Children celebrate its 40th anniversary.

But those won't be the only alums making appearances on the special January 4 and 5 episodes of this soap opera. Here's a list of who else is expected to guest star:

Eva La Rue as Maria Santos; Eden Riegel as Bianca Montgomery Laurence Lau as Greg Nelson; Taylor Miller as Nina Cortlandt Warner;  Leven Rambin as Lily Montgomery; Julia Barr as Brooke English.

Which of these former stars are you most excited to see again?...