New FAMILY Member
It's just been announced that former FAMILY MATTERS star Darius McCrary has joined THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS in the highly coveted role of Malcolm Winters. He takes over for Shemar Moore who now stars on the primetime show, CRIMINAL MINDS. McCrary played oldest son Eddie Winslow on the ABC sitcom from 1989-1998 and starred opposite Bryton James (Devon). He will first air in December.

Clarke Suffers Stroke!

Soaps In Depth has learned that Jordan Clarke (Billy) recently suffered a stroke. According the the actor's web site: www.jordanclarke.com, the actor suffered a mild stroke while in transit from Los Angeles to New York. Clarke had been filming scenes for Crystal Chappell's (Olivia) web series,VENICE. The actor's prognosis is good, and he is expected to fully recover. You can send well wishes to his fan club: OJCFC PO Box 73 Bloomingdale, GA 31302.

Meet Hearst, See Art!		Hearst will host the charity event.
THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s Rick Hearst (Whip) and several castmates will appear at a benefit for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ arts therapy program on Sunday, November 8. The event will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Nic’s Restaurant And Martini Lounge, 453 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA. Cost is $75 per person; tickets are available at the door. The evening, which benefits the hospital’s Healing Arts Reaching Kids program, features special martinis by Pinky Vodka, a cocktail party, live action, raffle, music, hors d’oeuvers and original art.

Reeves Joins GENERAL HOSPITAL!		Reeves will still write and record country music while on GH.
First Elizabeth gets the return of her true love’s first portrayer, now she gets her brother back, too! Scott Reeves (ex-Ryan, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS) will be GENERAL HOSPITAL’s new Steven Lars Webber, a GH rep confirms. (The character hasn’t been seen since Shaun Benson left in 2005.) Reeves will show up in December as the hospital’s new chief of staff and will have storyline with Liz, Lucky and Nikolas. The part is recurring. In real life, Reeves is married to DAYS OF OUR LIVES’ Melissa Reeves (ex-Jennifer).

Rylan's Baby Boy Arrives!		Rylan, like her Springfield alter ego, is a new mama!
Congratulations to GUIDING LIGHT’s Marcy Rylan (Lizzie), who recently welcomed 8-pound, 12-ounce son Jackson Robert Money. Rylan is engaged to actor Don Money. Best wishes for the entire family!

Brown To B&B!		Brown has no down time between gigs!
Sarah Brown’s last day playing GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Claudia is Thursday, November 5 — and her first day playing THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s Sandy Sommers is Friday, November 6! A GH rep confirms published reports that Brown is switching soaps and that ABC allowed the actress an early exit from her contract, which was set to end on Thursday, January 14. She signed a two-year agreement with B&B; production of the two soaps will overlap for a week only. “I’m thrilled with the way they’re doing it,” Brown tells the Associated Press of her GH exit. “It pays off for the audience and in a good way for all of us.” Sandy reportedly will be involved in Nick, Bridget and Whip’s B&B storylines. Brown's no stranger to CBS, having played AS THE WORLD TURNS' Julia from 2004-05.

Andrews Answers The Call		Andrews is originally from Canada.
Réal Andrews returns to television! He solved mysteries as forensic pathologist Dr. Walker Daniels on AS THE WORLD TURNS. Now, he’ll be butting heads with someone who does the same thing — LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT’s Detective Stabler — when he guest stars on the popular NBC drama. In the episode, titled “Turmoil” Andrews plays Sgt. Jordan, a U.S. Army recruiter who tries to recruit Stabler’s son! Tune in Wednesday, November 11, at 9 p.m. EST.

"Restless" Move		Atlanta viewers will have to catch up with Jack and the rest of Genoa City's residents later in the day.
The CBS affiliate in Atlanta, channel 46, WGCL-TV, has moved THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS from its 12:30 p.m. timeslot to 3 p.m., the time period previously occupied by axed sudser GUIDING LIGHT. Though some fans feared the move was a harbinger for the show — after all, GL’s time move in many markets was the beginning of its end — the station’s senior vice president/general manager, Kirk Black, tells Soaps In Depth that the decision was made to strengthen the channel’s entire lineup. "We wanted to move Y&R to 3 pm so it would be a lead-in to our [local] news at 4 pm. It gives us a competitive advantage." The station has done lots of promotion to make viewers aware of the change, and, if fans don’t accept it, the decision could be re-visited. "It’ll be scrutinized just as much as everything else we do is," says Black, who’s conscious of soap viewers and appointment TV even in the age of TiVo and DVRs. "We do that with every program we put on the air."

Y&R's Best Kept Secret!		Diamont originated the role of Brad Carlton in 1985.
In this day of Facebook, Twitter and instant blogging, it’s not easy to keep a secret in the soap world. Yet THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS managed it! Don Diamont recently reprised his role as the dearly departed Brad when his character appeared underwater to embrace Colleen in her watery grave. How’d the show keep the fan favorite’s return so hush-hush? It helped that Diamont is currently working across the hall as Bill Spencer on Y&R’s sister soap, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL. “[B&B’s executive producer] Brad Bell was terrific about loaning Don to us,” credits co-headwriter Scott Hamner. “He understood what we were trying to accomplish and offered B&B’s full support.” Look for more on Y&R’s exciting surprise in an upcoming issue!

Bell Snags Oscar Winner!		Bell is working with a TV legend.
In the good news/bad news category: Lauralee Bell (ex-Christine, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS) is continuing to find success with her Web-based series, FAMILY DINNER — which unfortunately means the blue-eyed beauty won’t be returning to Y&R anytime soon! “The insanity continues,” the actress laughs, noting that the entertainment industry Web site funnyordie.com once again chose to spotlight the series, which she produces with husband Scott Martin. “I’m thrilled with the placement — it’s on their front page!” Bell is equally thrilled with the addition of Academy Award winner Cloris Leachman to the cast, which includes Y&R alum Aaron Lustig (ex-Dr. Tim) and MTV’s Dan Cortese. Legendary comedienne Phyllis Diller portrayed Liz O’Connell, the mother-in-law of Bell’s character, Sandra, for the first two webisodes, but decided to step aside. “Phyllis Diller is 92. She was wonderful, and we were so lucky to have had her,” Bell enthuses. “But I thought, well, it’s time we brought on my character’s mother! We were so happy when Cloris Leachman agreed to do it.” DINNER’s fourth episode launches Monday, October 12, on www.familydinner.com.

How Would You Have Ended GUIDING LIGHT?		After 72 years on the air, the light faded.
Today, the longest-running drama in television history, GUIDING LIGHT, ends its run with an episode no soap-fan should miss. But of course, we wouldn’t be soap fans if we didn’t settle in for a discussion of how we would have ended things. Well, now is your chance to share with the world your vision for Springfield’s finale. Write to us at GLending@soapsindepth.com and tell us how you would have wrapped things up! Include a self-pic, and we’ll run that as well!

Spears Welcomes Son		It's diaper duty time for Spears.
THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s Aaron D. Spears (Justin) and wife Estella welcomed their fifth child on September 9. The baby boy, Riaz Novum Nehez Lopez-Spears, joins four sisters. “When I went shopping and saw all the boy clothes, I thought, ‘You know, I think I like this!’” the actor tells In Depth. “I could teach him how to play football and basketball, so that’ll be good.”

Peck Out!		Are Brad's days numbered?
There's word that AS THE WORLD TURNS has let Austin Peck (Brad) go! While a show rep wouldn't comment on the actor's current status, he tells Soaps In Depth that he 's enjoyed playing the role. "It's been really rewarding." As for when Brad will exit the canvas, Peck is keeping mum. "I don't think anything is solidified."

New WORLD For Pelphrey		Pelphrey will move from Springfield to Oakdale.
After wrapping up a month-long stint on sister soap GUIDING LIGHT, two-time Emmy winner, Tom Pelphrey (Jonathan) is set to join the cast of AS THE WORLD TURNS. Although there are few details out there about the role, we do know at least that his character's name will be Mick.

Stafford Expecting Baby!		Stafford is having a daughter.
THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS' Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) is expecting more than Christmas presents in December. The single actress has announced that she will be welcoming her first child in three months, with the help of a surrogate mother. "After a three-year journey through hell, I'm elated, ecstatic and feel ultimately lucky," the Emmy winner told People magazine about her journey to motherhood, which included artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization and considering adoption. "I never wavered in my desire to become a mother. But I did waiver on aspects of the process. It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."