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.

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).

"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.

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."

Muhney Races To Beat Cancer		Muhney fights for a good cause.
Michael Muhney (Adam, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS) is host and honorary chairperson of the 12th annual L.A. Cancer Challenge, which will be held on Sunday, October 25, on the Veterans Administration Grounds in West Los Angeles. The event will benefit The Hirshberg Foundation For Pancreatic Cancer Research. While viewers know that Adam’s life was touched by the disease (his mother, Hope, died from it), the actor has also been affected by pancreatic cancer. “It’s almost like a death sentence,” he says. “My Uncle Mike was one of the [many] that lost his life in the first 12 months of being diagnosed.” To support the actor, who plans on running in the yearly race, check out: http://www.michaelmuhney.com/pancreatic_cancer_research.htm>.

Cruise With The Stars!		Get on board with Hansis!
Good news for fans who loved the Rock The Soap cruise and those who were sad they missed out. Rock The Soap 2 is scheduled for Friday, April 9, to Monday, April 12, 2010! For more information, log onto www.rockthesoap.com.