Soap News...

The latest happenings in the land of the Soap Opera!

The writing is on the wall! It has been there for years. Cheap reality, talk and game shows are what's in. Big budget soaps or other scripted series are out. Industry sources are reporting that one of the 6 remains daytime dramas is having the budget slashed in half!

Despite the networks have thrown their soaps a bone, will the industry suffer yet another cancellation in 2011? Millions of fans are still heartbroken over the loss of 'Guiding Light' (2009) and 'As the World Turns' (2010).

In Soap Casting...

'All My Children'

• A rep for All My Children just confirmed that Melissa Claire Egan is leaving All My Children! Egan announced via social media (Facebook) that she's decided to exit the scene-stealing role of Annie Lavery Chandler after four years on the soap.

'Days of Our Lives'

• According to SOD Shelley Henning and Jay Kenneth Johnson have opted to exit the sudser.

'General Hospital'

In a shocker, Rebecca Herbst is OUT! Statement from ABC: "Storyline dictates the exit of Elizabeth Webber this spring. The next few months promise to be 'not-to-miss" story for the character. We at ABC and GH wish Rebecca Herbst nothing but the best in her future endeavors," continues ABC statement.  Again, ABC IS confirming that Rebecca Herbst (Liz) will exit GH this spring in a "storyline-dictated" move.

'One Life to Live'

• According to Soap Opera Digest, 'One Life To Live' star Brittany Underwood is set to leave the show. Underwood's exit is being called, "storyline dictated" and is slated for spring.
• SOD is reporting that Austin Peck (ex-Brad, ATWT; ex-Austin, Days) has been cast in a new role.

The Latest Ratings...

Total Viewers
1. Y&R 5,107,000 (-179,000/-213,000)
2. B&B 3,211,000 (-67,000/-375,000)
3. GH 2,738,000 (-359,000/+7,000)
4. DAYS 2,663,000 (-172,000/-619,000)
5. AMC 2,467,000 (-170,000/-511,000)
6. OLTL 2,371,000 (-474,000/-179,000)

Household Numbers
1. Y&R 3.6/12 (same/-.2)
2. B&B 2.2/7 (-.1/-.4)
3. DAYS 2.0/6 (same/-.3)
3. GH 2.0/6 (-.2/same)
5. AMC 1.9/6 (same/-.3)
6. OLTL 1.8/6 (-.2/-.1)

Women 18-49 Viewers
1. Y&R 1,074,000 (-124,000/-163,000)
2. GH 821,000 (-98,000/-73,000)
3. DAYS 799,000 (+68,000/-131,000)
4. B&B 663,000 (-39,000/-141,000)
5. OLTL 573,000 (-129,000/-122,000)
6. AMC 536,000 (-51,000/-208,000)

Women 18-49 Rating
1. Y&R 1.6/10 (-.2/-.3)
2. DAYS 1.2/7 (+.1/-.2)
2. GH 1.2/7 (-.2/-.2)
5. B&B 1.0/6 (-.1/-.2)
5. OLTL 0.9/5 (-.2/-.2) <- ties low rating
6. AMC 0.8/5 (-.1/-.3) <- ties low rating

Girls 12-17 Viewers
1. GH 54,000 (-14,000/-10,000)
2. Y&R 33,000 (-42,000/-9,000)
3. B&B 19,000 (-41,000/-5,000)
4. OLTL 18,000 (-42,000/-13,000)
5. DAYS 15,000 (-13,000/-33,000)
6. AMC 9,000 (-33,000/-8,000)

Women 18-34 Rating
1. Y&R 0.9/6 (same/-.3)
2. DAYS 0.8/5 (+.2/-.3)
3. GH 0.7/4 (same/-.4)
4. B&B 0.5/3 (same/-.4)
5. AMC 0.4/3 (same/-.5) <- ties low rating (2nd straight week)
5. OLTL 0.4/3 (-.1/-.4) <- new low

Men 18+ Viewers
1. Y&R 1,295,000 (+46,000/-60,000)
2. B&B 759,000 (+1,000/-77,000)
3. DAYS 580,000 (-88,000/-123,000)
4. GH 533,000 (-96,000/-23,000)
5. AMC 507,000 (+17,000/-116,000)
6. OLTL 445,000 (-122,000/-66,000)