"The Suds Report!"

[KLN]

Major 'AMC' casting exodus — Eden Riegel and Jeffrey Carlson leaving! 'OLTL' veteran bolts! 'Y&R' hires Billy Warlock! 'Corrie Street' star suspended over story spoiler! Ugly Cleo joins 'ATWT'!

All My Children (A-Channel/ABC) — The gay and transgendered are out!

Although the transsexual storyline was a big dud, we're still shocked over this bit of news: Emmy winner Eden Riegel (Bianca) and Jeffrey Carlson (Zoe/Zarf) will exit the soap in late April. More disturbing is the fact that our favourite lesbian and our least favourite transsexual leave Pine Valley together. Let's hope it's not as a romantic couple — or Bianca fans will freak. AMC insists that neither actor was fired; their short-term contracts ended.

As the World Turns (CH/CBS) — Ugly Cleo!

Look for Emmy winner Jennifer Landon (Gwen) to tackle another role, this time as Cleo, on April 6 when Jade hires the Ugly Betty-esque character to impersonate her nemesis. Also, Matthew Cavenaugh last aired as Adam on March 29.

The Bold and the Beautiful (CTV/CBS) — A major character will die as we wait for Constantine's arrival!

Speculation is running rampant on the B&B set these days — which major character is set to die? Not even the actor has been told at press time, say sources. Our three guesses? Bridget, Donna or Thorne. As we reported last Thursday, American Idol Season 4 superstar Constantine Maroulis will join the soap as himself this summer in an innovative fictional/reality storyline, along with other AI favourites! Look for more details next week!

Coronation Street (CBC) – Bruce Jones suspended!

Let this be a lesson to anyone who enjoys spoiling major plot twists! Bruce Jones (Les) was suspended when he allegedly insulted fans during a "drunken trip" to a restaurant and revealed the outcome of a major murder trial (don't worry, we won't spoil this one; it's juicy). Street is taking this incident very seriously and is investigating the matter, while Jones denies the allegations and the context of the comments.

Days of our Lives (Global/NBC) — EJ learns the truth!

Don't miss the action this week when Philip and Kate arrive on the island in hot pursuit of Belle and Shawn. Also coming up: Abby asks Nick to sleep over; Willow confesses; EJ warns Kayla; and Sami is finally exposed as EJ forces her to break-up with Lucas and wed in Las Vegas!

General Hospital (CTV/ABC) — Robin kisses Nikolas; Carly and Jax reunite!

Port Charles will never be the same! Emily catches Robin kissing Nikolas, Mr. Craig flirts with Alexis, Scott threatens Lulu, Maxie freaks on the anniversary of Jesse's death, Sam is haunted by the past — and on Thursday, Carly and Jax reunite, much to Sonny's chagrin!

Guiding Light (CH/CBS) — Alan's shooter revealed!

Looks like GL may earn most-improved soap honours this year if it keeps shocking and entertaining the pants off us in such unexpected and lovely ways. On Wednesday, we finally learn who pulled the trigger and shot dastardly Alan Spaulding. The show has impressively turned the once-contrived Reva-Josh-Cassie love triangle into must-see drama: the sisters battle each other organically since the object of their objections, Josh, took the blame for the attempted murder to protect Cassie. Wouldn't it be delicious if Cassie turned out to be the shooter? We bet it's Lizzie though — or Jonathan!

One Life to Live (A-Channel/ABC) – Phil Carey out!

Veteran TV and film star Phil Carey has left the OLTL building after 28 years of playing the ornery but lovable "old goat" Asa Buchanan. While ABC offered the actor a recurring deal with the same pay, Carey refused to work without a contract and bolted off the set. No word on how the soap will address Carey's shocking departure. Congrats to Trevor St. John (Todd), who not only re-signed with the series, but also welcomed his first child, son Aiden Lee, on March 21 with wife Sara. Look for soap vet Randy Mantooth (ex-Alex, The City) to join OLTL as Tate's dad in May. Insiders say Mantooth may be paired romantically with Erika Slezak's Viki — which is music to our ears.

Passions (Global/NBC) – Court TV!

Nancy Grace spoofs are all the rage, but it was Passions that began the madness long before Saturday Night Live became obsessed with the CNN satire. One of our fave comedic soap actresses ever, Tonja Walker-Davidson (ex- Alex, OLTL), returns as Grace Nancier on April 11 to drive the Lopez-Fitzgerald studs insane.

The Young and the Restless (Global/CBS) — Drucilla "dies!" Plus: is Joshua Morrow leaving?

This week marks the last time we'll see 11-time NAACP winner Victoria Rowell as Dru — her on-screen persona falls off a cliff after fighting with Phyllis to protect Sharon. Pick up this week's Soaps in Depth to read about how the diva really feels about not earning an Emmy pre-nomination and why she's really leaving the soap — it's a must-read. Meanwhile, the soap has hired Emmy winner Billy Warlock (ex-Frankie, Days) as Jack campaign manager Ben Hollander, who debuts on May 7.

MASTER CLASS: THE BEST OF THE BEST

Kim Zimmer, Guiding Light

In the pantheon of great divas, Kim Zimmer may just reign supreme. It's been no secret that Zimmer has been criminally wasted for the past decade in atrociously written storylines as Reva Shayne Lewis, forcing the four-time Emmy winner to turn crap into gold — which sometimes has been a losing battle despite her earnest efforts.

However, something interesting has happened over at GL ever since the soap celebrated its 70th anniversary: practically overnight, the show returned to its former glory with riveting drama, inspired performances and organic character development.

Reva has benefited the most as Zimmer has been handed some of the best material of her career, and in true diva form, she's milking it for all it's worth. Welcome back to the big leagues — we've missed you, Reva! And yes, Zimmer — you were right to put yourself back in the Emmy race. We see a few more Emmys in your future — and perhaps, in a few years, you will hold the record for the most wins. Let's just hope GL stays the course this time around.

RANT OF THE WEEK: B&B's Brooke lover merry-go-round!

Jeez — is B&B's Brooke Logan a Gemini? Although we're thrilled that Brooke has finally kicked Ridge to the curb, it's come at a major sacrifice — the integrity of her character. In a nutshell, when Brooke unfairly dumped Nick last year to remarry Ridge, she unforgivably and hypocritically committed the same romantic crime she's accused Ridge of when he broke up with her for Taylor, which was the genesis of Brooke's healthy relationship with Nick, and also kick-started her growth as a person. Now, she wants Nick back after realizing that — newsflash! — Ridge isn't her destiny. Unfortunately, we're afraid, it may be just too late — at least for us, if not for Nick, who has now fallen in love with Taylor, Brooke's nemesis. Yes, we're eager to see how B&B writes itself out of this quandary, because at the end of the day we're still Nick and Brooke fans. Let's hope Nick doesn't let Brooke off the hook easily, because when she dumped him, she didn't just break Nick's heart, she broke ours as well.

TOP 5 SHOWS TO WATCH

1. The Bold and the Beautiful

2. Guiding Light

3. Coronation Street

4. General Hospital

5. The Young and the Restless

TOP 5 ACTRESSES TO WATCH

1. Victoria Rowell (Dru, Y&R)

2. Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke, B&B)

3. Alison Sweeney (Sami, Days)

4. Susan Flannery (Stephanie, B&B)

5. Kim Zimmer (Reva, GL)

TOP 5 ACTORS TO WATCH

1. Kyle Lowder (Rick, B&B)

2. Robert Newman (Josh, GL)

3. Jack Wagner (Nick, B&B)

4. James Scott (EJ, Days)

5. Daniel Goodard (Cane, Y&R)

TOP 5 SUPERCOUPLES TO WATCH

1. Rick and Ashley, B&B

2. Carly and Jax, GH

3. Sami and EJ, Days

4. John and Natalie, OLTL

5. Lily and Daniel, Y&R

[DrewH]

Say what? Constantine and other former Idol contestants are showing up on B&B?! Get out of here! Why?

Are you freaking kidding me? EJ and Sami get married!?!?! This will be the best news I've heard in months.

Be still my beating heart. Sami and EJ are still considered a supercouple! :D

[Josh]

Drew there is a news article...you should go read it!!!

[Mason]

I have a pretty hard time believing B&B is the top soap to watch right now. Of course, if they brought Sheila back, that might be another story...

[Ponz]

No they don't, Drew. This is the ultimatum that Elvis gives Sami this week.

[KMan101]

WTH?

Sami and EJ get married.

What in the hell is wrong with Sami?

This is getting to be ridiculous on so many levels. Sami would never let someone like EJ bully her around. She'd kick his ass in a heartbeat.

So if they get married, why on earth are we having a huge Lucas/Sami wedding? I guess that crashes and burns too.

[KMan101]

Oh wait ... does that mean Sami is exposed, as in, the lies come out?

[KMan101]

I can also see B&B offing Bridget or Thorne.

Which would suck.

But considering Brad Bell ... not surprising. He has no idea how to write anyone but Brooke, Ridge, Nick, Stephanie and Taylor. And even they are written crappy. Only one who ever shines is Stephanie.

[Ponz]

She doesn't actually marry him, Kman. Elvis discovers that she forged the amnio test results and gives her 24 hours to break up with Lucas and run away with him. This makes her desperate enough to go along with Celeste's plan, which spoilers say is revealed next week.

[dragonflies]

UGH this column is so CBS skewed it's pathetic

Sami & EJ a Super Couple to watch, sorry but they are so NOT Luke and Laura.

[dragonflies]

double post

[KMan101]

Ohhh ... got it! Thanks Ponz

[NYC123]

So sad the Eden is leaving!

[sheilaforever]

I love this column - it's how US TV Guide was before a certain self-obsessed blogger took over.

IMO; it is the best news site online from any publication.

Do they play favorites? Sure. But they admit it - in contrast to all those pseudo-objective mags like SOD. Of course I like them because they are very pro B&B - granted. Yet, they name it when there a stinker stories for all soaps. I also like that they include Corrie - although I've seen probably two episodes of it my whole life. Might there be little talk about ABC or NBC soaps because most of them aren't in a stellar state? The focus in The Suds Report often changes (admittedly wih B&B always a very integral part) - during Sweeps they were heavily talking about GH now it is GL and some OLTL...

Overall "The Suds Report" is pretty much balanced out and their news is actually news you can rely on. Great site!

[WTGH]

Someone from SOD was on The Daily Buzz today and said the shooter's name started with an "A".

WHO IS IT?!?!