AMC Move Update
As reported, AMC is relocating from New York to Los Angeles in January. A high-placed show source says to expect the returns of multiple L.A.-based AMC alums, "three-to-four big names, maybe more." Hints one high-profile alum, "I always said I would have stayed on the show forever if it was in L.A."

Book It
Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS) has inked a deal with Simon Spotlight Entertainment (SSE) to pen a new book called The Mommy Diet, a guide to looking and feeling fantastic before and during pregnancy, and after giving birth. The actress, who hosts THE BIGGEST LOSER and has two children, Ben, 4, and Megan, six months, says, "Having two kids of my own, I am one of millions of women facing the challenge of balancing motherhood with a career, not to mention trying to find time for ourselves. That's why I'm excited for this book; to share the tricks I've learned and the advice that experts taught me along the way to give insight into how to care for yourself when every instinct is to first take care of others." The book is scheduled for publication in October 2010.

EXCLUSIVE: Strasser Talks
Soap Opera Weekly just got off the phone with Robin Strasser, who couldn't be more pleased that she inked another deal to continue as ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Dorian.

Here's what happened yesterday (Tuesday, Aug. 4)…

Robin Strasser: I will say for the record that I called Frank [Valentini, executive producer] at about 3:15 yesterday. I said, "Frank, Frank, I hope you're happy to hear this but I can't, I can't...I have to say 'yes'. Whatever ABC wants to pay me is okay, I just love what I do and I can't continue in this holding pattern. 'Yes, I'm in, I'm in. Send me a contract, I'll sign it.' He said, 'Okay. That's great. I'll call legal and we'll close this up.' And then I said, 'So what about the rumors?' He said, 'Well, it's a secret until 5 o'clock today.' " Now this was at 3:15. He said, "ALL MY CHILDREN will move to LA and ONE LIFE TO LIVE will move into their studio." I almost screamed into the telephone bursting an eardrum on the man. I'm trusting and wishing the best for ALL MY CHILDREN. They've got some great real estate they're moving to in LA. And there's a lot of great opportunities for renting and buying the personal residences. And then our show apparently is going to get at least 30-50 percent more studio space so that our big concept productions and efficiency can be ramped up. Frank has found better and better ways to make a great show but does it cost effectively because if we don't do it that way we'll be joining GUIDING LIGHT. I'm so proud to be part of that solution.

AMC's Big Move
ABC has confirmed that it is moving production of ALL MY CHILDREN to Los Angeles beginning in January; OLTL will inherit AMC's old studio space. "I am so grateful for the wonderful commitment from ABC to ALL MY CHILDREN," said the show's creator, Agnes Nixon, in a statement. States Brian Frons, ABC's Daytime Chief, "The move to Los Angeles enables both ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE to dramatically improve the series production models and achieve significant efficiencies while enhancing each show. We had to examine every option on the table to combat the current economic realities, and rising costs of production, and we are doing it in a way that makes each of our shows stronger." "Obviously, we are grateful to be able to keep going," one AMC actress tells Digest. "But how this will affect all of us in the cast and crew remains to be seen."

Daytime Confidential first reported the news earlier today, August 4.

OLTL Casting
Yes, ONE LIFE TO LIVE's Greg, Destiny and Shaun do have parents. And they have been cast. Tonye Patano (WEEDS) and Frankie Faison (THE WIRE; ex-Frankie, AMC) will play Phylicia and Richard Evans. Viewers can expect the reunion on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Burton's Back For More
While still unconfirmed by the show, sources say that Steve Burton (Jason) has indeed re-inked a new deal to stay with GENERAL HOSPITAL. As reported in the 8/11/09 issue of Digest, the actor told fans at his event held during the annual GH Fan Club weekend that he was optimistic about reaching an agreement. Talk is that Burton was looking into a schedule that would permit him to relocate his family out of Los Angeles to a home he purchased near Nashville, TN. No word yet on the length of the actor's new contract. Burton joined GH in 1992.

Michael Sabatino Back To Salem
On Monday, Digest jumped the gun by making an announcement on our site that Sabatino (ex-Lawrence) will return to DAYS. Now Sabatino's wife, Crystal Chappell (Olivia, GL; ex-Carly, DAYS), who is also set to reprise her DAYS role in August, has confirmed it via the following Twitter post: "Michael will indeed pop up on DOOL."

Cosgrove Not Joining OLTL
Despite all the buzz that Daniel Cosgrove (Bill, GL) will be ONE LIFE TO LIVE's next Joey Buchanan, it's not happening. A setsider says Cosgrove will not be joining the ABC soap.

GL Star Engaged
Marcy Rylan's (Lizzie, GL) longtime beau, Don Money, surprised the pregnant actress with a marriage proposal at her baby shower on July 25. Several of Rylan's GL castmates, including Gina Tognoni (Dinah), Jessica Leccia (Natalia), Kim Zimmer (Reva) and Ron Raines (Alan) were in attendance. The couple is expecting their first child together in October.

Another Alamain Back To DAYS!
It's official: Soap Opera Digest can confirm that Louise Sorel (Vivian) is returning to Salem in the fall. Look for her to hit town in late September. As previously reported, Crystal Chappell (Carly) is also coming back to the show.

Maddie About You
Deadbeat mom Audrey Coleman's going to have a lot of 'splainin' to do. A rep for AS THE WORLD TURNS confirms that Alexandra Chando will be returning to the show as Maddie. Chando last played Maddie in 2007. Actress Kelli Barrett briefly stepped into Maddie's shoes in December 2008, playing the role until the first week of January '09.

GL Will Not Find New Home
Brace yourselves, GL fans. It's official. TeleNext Media Inc. has released a statement confirming that the 72-year-old soap will not be picked up by another network, despite best efforts. "We promised our fans we would do everything we could to find a new home for the show. In the ensuing months, we have engaged in serious discussions with many networks, leaving no stone unturned in our effort to place the show elsewhere. Unfortunately, despite the urgent and dedicated efforts of many people, we have not been able to secure an outlet to carry the show moving forward. We are extremely disappointed with this outcome, but we are confident we have exhausted every possible option.”

Real Life Mom Plays Reel Mom on OLTL
In a charming casting twist, Lisa Evans will play her son Scott Evans' (Fish) soap mom on upcoming episodes of ONE LIFE TO LIVE. "She came to set a couple of weeks ago, and I wanted to show her around and she met Frank (Valentini, executive producer)," shares Evans. "My mother is very personable and I'd mentioned to Frank that she was a dancer growing up and we've done plays together. When I was a little kid I'd say, 'Mom, come do this play with me,' and she'd say, 'Ok.' It was easier for her, instead of just driving me to rehearsal, she could be in the show. She runs a children's theater, and Frank was like, 'Would she want to do it?' She didn't audition or anything. He put his trust in me, I guess." Playing his mother's son was a breeze. "It's incredible! I get to work with my mother. We have some really fun scenes coming up where it's just us two talking and it's really just us two talking. When I say, 'Mom' it's definitely not acting, it's absolutely real," smiles Evans.

J. Tucker Smith has been cast as Fish's father. Their names are, wait for it, Barbara and George Fish. They'll first air Sept 16.

Melissa Hayden Returns To GL
Another big homecoming for GL! Melissa Hayden is set to reprise her role as Matt's sister Bridget in August, according to CBS.com. She was last on-screen in 1997. No word yet on whether Peter, Bridget's son with Dylan will follow her to town.

Huge DAYS Casting News!
Soap Opera Digest has learned that Felisha Terrell has been let go and Lindsay Hartley (ex-Theresa, PASSIONS) has been hired to take over the role of Arianna. Hartley reports to work tomorrow. The move reunites Hartley with her former PASSIONS brother Galen Gering (Rafe, ex-Luis) and on-screen love interest Eric Martsolf (Brady; ex-Ethan). See upcoming issues of Digest and Weekly for more.

Y&R; Actress Rocks
According to the New York Post's Page Six, Billy Joel, who recently split from wife Katie Lee Joel, has moved on with former Y&R; star Alex Donnelley (ex-Diane). The actress has reportedly been spending time at the musician's Sag Harbor home this summer.

AMC's Minshew Pregnant!
Alicia Minshew (Kendall, AMC) is expecting her first child, a daughter, in November. "Richie [Herschenfeld, her husband] and I are so thrilled!" she tells Digest. "I can't wait to be a mom!" Her pregnancy is not expected to be written into her character's storyline.

Rocket Man
Eyal Podell (ex-Adrian, Y&R) may not be teaching art history at Genoa City University but his current project has him shooting for the future. Starting August 2, Podell will co-star in DEFYING GRAVITY, a series about eight astronauts on a six-year mission across the universe. "It's from the producers of GREY'S ANATOMY and DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and is sure to appeal to the soap viewer during prime time," teases Podell. Check out upcoming scenes here.

Frankie Negron On OLTL
Latin music star Frankie Negron will perform "Holding on to Love" from his first English language album "Independence Day" on the August 5 episode of ONE LIFE TO LIVE. He'll sing "Holding on to Love" in both English and Spanish for Todd and Téa.

Willkommen Christian And Olli!
Wildly popular German soap VERBOTENE LIEBE has launched a video blog for their landmark duo, Christian (Thore Schölermann) and Olli (Jo Weil). Don't worry, English-speaking fans aren't being left out: Just click on the link on the upper right hand side of the page for videos subtitled in English!

Strasser Sits Tight On OLTL Non-Negotiation
After revealing to hotline listeners yesterday that she planned to make an announcement regarding her future with OLTL this evening, Robin Strasser (Dorian) reports: "What I am able to say right now is I have been asked to make no announcement. If I were quitting, you would know it. I've been asked to take a time out to wait until [ABC Daytime honcho] Brian Frons gets back from his vacation in eight days."

Strasser, who has played Dorian on and off for 30 years, was given 30 days to accept or decline a paycut that is non-negotiable. Nevertheless, she hired lawyers to try to work things out with the show, stating, "I cannot agree that I am worth that much less than my other castmates, who are my peers, and cannot be a partner in devaluing myself." Stay tuned!

GL Head Writer To ATWT
GUIDING LIGHT co-head writer David Kreizman is heading to sister soap AS THE WORLD TURNS effective immediately. He'll team up with existing head writer Jean Passanante. "I am thrilled that Dave and Jean will make up the new head writing team," said ATWT executive producer Chris Goutman in a statement. "Both writers have an incredible respect for the show's rich history and I am confident this partnership will generate the exciting, character-based stories for which ATWT is known."

Great Scott! Melody Is Staying
TVGuideMagazine.com reports that Melody Thomas Scott will stay as Y&R’s Nikki, the role she has played since 1979. The actress was mum on contract details, but confirmed that the character would leave in August for a few weeks. (That exit was scripted just in case no deal was made between the actress and Sony.) Scott will take a brief vacation and then return.

Reunion On GL
Don't miss the huge, fun and funny Bauer barbecue that starts today on GUIDING LIGHT, which features most of the cast, plus the returns of Michelle, Danny and Mindy (Nancy St. Alban, Paul Anthony Stewart and Krista Tesreau). Yes, that means there's another Four Musketeers reunion. Happy Fourth of July!

ATWT Casting News!
Soap Opera Digest has learned that Stuart Damon (Alan, GH) is reportedly joining the cast of ATWT in a new role. He joins fellow GH/PC pals Jon Lindstrom (Craig), Julie Pinson (Janet), Lynn Herring (Audrey) and Marie Wilson (Meg). Since the show is so far ahead with their taping schedule, look for the actor to debut sometime around September.