Time for da dish, baybees…

GH

Have you heard the latest? Supposedly, the way that the secret comes out that Dominic is Sonny’s child is that Sonny decides Dominic has to pay for being a cop rat, so he shoots him, point blank, in the chest. Dante lives (hey, the kid has a contract), but that is when Olivia rages to him that he just killed his own son.

This is true, die hard soapy stuff. I’m totally in.

Mind you, just rumors, but I do hope it plays out that way.

Another World star, Dahlia Salem, has been cast as a Claire Walsh, a federal prosecutor. That’s her up there. I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking she looks a whole lot more like Sonny’s type than that Lisa chick he’s rumored to be hooking up with soon. Of course, “federal prosecutor” likely implies that it’s Sonny who is being prosecuted, so if she’s another dark haired, dark eyed target for the magic penis, she’d better not like her job very much. Of course, judging from her age, she looks more like Lucky would be a good love interest for her. Oh wait. Emily. Right. My bad. Also, she’s about the same age as Lisa from what I can tell, so, pfft, whatever. There are actually rumors that Sonny ends up marrying Lisa in some kind of marriage of convenience thing.

How many more marriages of inconvenience can this guy have?

Babies, babies babies? After already trying to survive two pregnancies this year (Claudia and Carly), looks like GH is gearing up for two more. One is Olivia and Johnny, who will be welcoming a bundle of joy. Patrick finds out first and Olivia swears him to secrecy. Rebecca Herbst just announced her own real life pregnancy, so I believe we are looking at a sibling “who’s the daddy” story for Liz, Nik and Lucky. Just when I thought the ew factor had peaked out…

OLTL

Erika Slezak (Viki) will be away from the show for about a month as she takes some time off to have back surgery and recuperate. Viki will be written away briefly as being in London on family business.

Get ready for another “back in time” story. Jessica will have a health crisis of some kind and believe she is in the past, starting all over again as a student at Llanview High. Bree Williamson will not having to Peggy Sue Got Married this one. Actual younger actors are being cast in the roles of Jessica and Cris’ younger selves (I hope they make him look like Yolin Madera – the first Cris). The story will re-explore the beginning of the Cristian and Jessica romance for reasons I cannot even begin to fathom.

Taylor Gildersleeve (ex-Sydney on AMC) has been cast in the role of Leah who is yet another twisted stripper coming to Llanview from Vegas. God save me from stripper hell. I’m sorry, “exotic dancer.”

Melissa Fumero’s first day as Adriana Cramer will be February 12th. Gina Tognoni returns as Kelly on that same day. The final prodigal Cramer girl, Cassie (Laura Bonarrigo) will be back on February 15th.

AMC

Our friends over at Soap Opera Network were the ones who last week broke the news of AMC’s new co-head writing team, David Kreizman (GL, ATWT) and Donna Swajeski (GL, AW, B&B). They replace head writer Charles Pratt Jr., who is out as of November 2009. AMC has now officially announced the appointment. Great scoop, SON!

I talked to a soap insider about this writing team since I am completely clueless about who they are or what they do. I was told off the record:

“Swajeski has a good reputation as far as choosing character over plot. He, however, is known as one of the two people, producer Ellen Wheeler being the other, who killed off GL.

[Regarding Swajeski's work at ATWT] “There have been some grave missteps, but it has really been getting back on track. Oddly enough, considering it has been cancelled, it has recently been beating a 33 ABC soaps in the ratings. (It’s not just the writing, 90-95% of the ATWT actors are excellent).

[Regarding the hiring of the co-writers to AMC] “I am less than thrilled but it could have been worse, Frons could have re-hired McTavish.”

No more Bailey, thank God. Sofia Black-D’Elia has opted not to follow the show to LA. There is no word on whether or not the role will be recast, however, so my joy may be premature.

Although Jamie Luner is still on contract to play Liza, her recast has not played well with fans and I’m hearing that if this romance with Tad doesn’t catch fire soon, she’s outta there.

That’s all for this week, guys and dolls. I hope you have a splendiferous week!