Bloom Speaks Out!		Bloom sets the record straight!
The Internet has been abuzz with rumors regarding the shocking recast of THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS’ Heather Stevens — with Eden Riegel (ex-Bianca, ALL MY CHILDREN) being tapped to take over — but the departing Vail Bloom wants to clear up any misconceptions that she may have been given the boot. “It was Vail Bloom’s choice to leave Y&R to pursue other opportunities,” her publicist tells Soaps In Depth. “As much as she loves Y&R and was honored to be on the No. 1 rated soap, and loved the opportunity to play the character of Heather, she felt it was time to pursue other projects.” In fact, the actress, who was dropped down to recurring last year on Y&R, has been juggling the sudser with several outside projects, including an episode of COLD CASE, and the movie The Somnambulist, which was filmed on location in New Orleans last year.

A New Abby!		Rylan has a new soap to call home!
THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS' casting department was busy this week! Hot on the heels of the news that Eden Riegel (ex-Bianca, ALL MY CHILDREN) was replacing Vail Bloom as Heather comes the news that the soap has recast Hayley Erin as Abby -- with GUIDING LIGHT's Marcy Rylan (Lizzie)! The actress confirms the news on her Twitter page, announcing "I am going to Y&R! Abby is being aged to her early 20s." We caught up with Rylan at a recent fan event and the actress couldn't contain her happiness. "I am so excited!" she gushed to Soaps In Depth. From GL's Spauldings to Y&R's Newmans: Rylan sure knows how to pick her blueblood families!

Major Recast Alert!		Riegel replaces Bloom as Y&R's resident D.A.
Update: A rep for THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS confirms that Eden Riegel begins taping later this month. Major scoop, kids! Soaps In Depth has learned that Eden Riegel (ex-Bianca, ALL MY CHILDREN) is joining the cast of THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS — replacing Vail Bloom as Heather! Daytime Confidential hinted at the news earlier this morning, and Riegel posted on her Twitter yesterday that she had "some really interesting, fun news coming your way! I know it's cruel to tease, but I'm too excited to keep it in." Bloom joined the cast of Y&R in 2007. A show rep reminds that Y&R does not comment on casting rumors.

Moore Drops By Oakdale!		Moore returns to her soap home.
Big-screen superstar Julianne Moore is returning to AS THE WORLD TURNS and the role of Frannie Hughes, if only for an episode, this spring. CBS is at last confirming the hottest rumor of the last few weeks — that Moore will make a special return to the soap that helped launch her career! The Oscar-nominated star played the dual roles of half sisters Frannie and Sabrina Hughes from 1985-’88 and won the Outstanding Ingenue Daytime Emmy in 1988, the year she exited the soap. While details regarding her stint are being closely guarded, sources share with Soaps In Depth that it's likely Frannie's arrival will coincide with Bob and Kim's anniversary. Stay tuned for more details as they become available!

For The Record…		Braeden is not leaving Y&R anytime soon!
It occurred to us after the fact that our cover line on the new Soaps In Depth issue featuring THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS star Eric Braeden (Victor) — "As Eric Braeden Celebrates His 30th Anniversary In Genoa City, He Reveals How He'd Like To Say "Good-Bye, Victor!" — might have made some of you think he was itching to leave the show. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Once you read the article, we're sure of course you realized it referred to a section of his interview in which the Emmy winner revealed the exit he thought would someday — someday! — be most appropriate for his beloved character. And that "someday" is a long ways off. Sorry if we scared you, and glad to clear it up.

Cassie Visits!		Sharon's little girl is never far away.
Camryn Grimes brings Cassie back to THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS on Monday, March 15, for a ghostly visit. Will Cassie's spirit offer some words of comfort to mom Sharon? Tune in and find out!

Come Out For Bierdz!		Bierdz visits the nation's capitol!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 6! Thom Bierdz (ex-Phillip, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS) will be hosting a fundraiser in support of Out For Work, an organization dedicated to the education, preparedness and empowerment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender talent in the workplace. The event — during which, Bierdz will be doing a live painting that will be auctioned off! — begins at 6 p.m. at Mova Lounge in Washington, D.C. Suggested donation is $25 at the door. For more information, visit www.outforwork.org. From 3-5 p.m. EST the following afternoon, Bierdz will be at Books A Million in Washington, D.C., to take questions about and read selections from his poignant autobiography, Forgiving Troy. For more information, visit www.thombierdz.com.

Weekend Getaway!		Spend a few days with Nuke!
It's that time of year again! The Southwest Florida Soapfest Charity Weekend will be held on Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16, when Marco Island hosts a plethora of daytime stars for two days of fun in the sun! So far, the actors scheduled to attend include AS THE WORLD TURNS' Alex Cole (Hunter), Van Hansis (Luke), Tom Pelphrey (Mick), Marnie Schulenberg (Alison), Jake Silbermann (Noah), GUIDING LIGHT's Jeff Branson (Shayne) and Kim Zimmer (Reva) and THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS' John Driscoll (Chance), along with host Walt Willey (Jackson, ALL MY CHILDREN), Thorsten Kaye (Zach, AMC) and ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Scott Evans (Fish) and Susan Haskell (Marty). The weekend's festivities include the "A Night Of Stars" dinner, celebrity bartending bash, and "Crusin' & Schmoozin'" boat ride, all to benefit local children with autism. To purchase tickets, visit www.soapfest.com or call (239) 394-0080.

GL Alum Heads To GH!		Cole is moving to Port Charles!
Look for GUIDING LIGHT's Bradley Cole (Jeffrey) to show up on GENERAL HOSPITAL in the near future! The actor tweeted that he'll be doing "a little stint" on GH as a "Wall Streeter. Shooting starts in a couple of weeks." A spokesperson for GH confirms that Cole will play Keifer's father, Carlton Bauer, and will first air in March. We know at least one GH star is thrilled by Cole's casting: good pal Laura Wright (Carly), whose Cassie was married to Cole's Richard during their days in Springfield. "Woo hoo Bradley Cole to GH!!" she tweeted. UPDATE: Look for Cole to make his GH debut on Wednesday, March 17!

Lago Puts On His Blue Suede Shoes!		Lago brings Elvis back to life!
If you happen to be in the Chicago area this spring, be sure to visit the Apollo Theater where THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS’ David Lago (ex-Raul) is giving the performance of his life as Elvis Presley in the musical Million Dollar Quartet. “The story is based on an evening that occurred in December 1956 when Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash all happened to be at Sun Records’ studio in Memphis, and producer Sam Phillips (the man who discovered them) recorded them doing a jam session,” Lago says of the show, now playing. “It’s really entertaining and also educational. You learn a lot about early rock ‘n’ roll and about what was going on in each of their lives at that time.” The Daytime Emmy winner worked hard to capture Elvis’ essence (he’s got the hips down!) and is not only singing, but also playing guitar on stage. For tickets to the show, which runs through May 30, visit www.milliondollarquartetlive.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Baby On The Way!		There's a lot of baby blue in Gareis' future!
THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL's Jennifer Gareis (Donna) is going to be a mom! The actress and her fiancé, Bobby Ghassemieh, are pleased to announce that that they are expecting their first child, a boy, in early summer 2010.  “It’s a very special time in our lives,” says Gareis. “Bobby and I would like to thank everyone for all of their support and warm wishes of congratulations.” A spokesperson for B&B says that there are no plans at this time to incorporate the pregnancy into Donna's storyline. Congratulations to the parents-to-be!

The Sun Rises For Springfield!		Join Leccia for another farewell to GL.
The latest stop on the "So Long Springfield" tour gathers up 12 former GUIDING LIGHT cast members for a day full of activities at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. Join Elizabeth Keifer (Blake), Bradley Cole (Jeffrey), Justin Deas (Buzz), Grant Aleksander (Phillip), Beth Chamberlin (Beth), Kim Zimmer (Reva), Marcy Rylan (Lizzie), Daniel Cosgrove (Bill), Robert Newman (Josh), Jerry verDorn (Clint, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; Ross), Jessica Leccia (Natalia) and Michael O'Leary (Rick) on Sunday, March 7, for a day-long farewell bash. Events include a Q&A session, a concert and variety show, and an intimate brunch. For ticket pricing and packages, or more information, call (866) 364-0330 or visit www.mohegansun.com.

Soap Star Takes The Stage		Mills shows off her comedic flair daily as Pam.
Alley Mills (Pam, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL) will star in Noel Coward’s comedy A Song At Twilight at the Odyssey Theatre, which is located at 2055 Sepulveda Blvd. in L.A. The show opens January 16 and runs through March 7. Tickets are $25 for weekday performances and $30 on weekends. For more information, visit www.odysseytheatre.com.

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.