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Dancing with the Stars Season 18 Cast Revealed: The Price Is Right's Drew Carey, EX-GH Night Shift's Billy Dee Williams and Olympians Charlie White & Meryl Davis Among Competitors!

Courtesy/ABCGMA

Courtesy/ABCGMA

This morning on ABC’s Good Morning America, the official announcement was made of the season 18 cast of Dancing with the  Stars!  The newest ballroom dance competition begins when the couples hit the floor on March 17th (8PMEST two-hour premiere) on ABC!

In a first for DWTS, the competition this season will feature a new game changing twist called “The Switch Up.” America will be given the power to vote and change celebrities and professional dance pairings.  This new rule will affect all couples as they will be required to switch partners at a point in the season.   Never before have dance partnerships been split up during the course of competition.

This change. along with Erin Andrews becoming Tom Bergeron’s new co-host displacing Brooke Burke-Charvet, are just a few of the changed the series is making in an attempt to bolster the ratings! Now on to the competitors …

Courtesy/ABCGMA

A couple of faces familiar to daytime audiences are in the show this season, chief among them The Price is Right’s host, Drew Carey,  and former GH: Night Shift star Billy Dee Williams (Ex-Touissant)!  Drew will be paired with Cheryl Burke, while Billy Dee will dance with Emma Slater!

Other competitors include: newly crowned Olympic Ice Dancing Gold Medalists, Charlie White and Meryl Davis, but they wil,l of course, split up for DWTS!  Charlie will dance with Sharna Burgess, while Meryl will dance with none other than bad boy Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who is returning to the ballroom floor this season!

The Real Housewife of Atlanta’s and Glee star, Nene Leakes will dance with Tony Dovolani, former Pro Hockey Star, Sean Avery gets to hit the floor with Karina Smirnoff, inspirational speaker and author, Candace Cameron Bure will strut her stuff with Mark Ballas, James Maslow of “Big Time Rush” will partner with Peta Murgatroyd, author and actress, Danica McKellar will dance with Val Chmerkovskiy, world record holder and champion swimmer, Diana Nyad will dance with first time pro dancer in the competition, Henry Byalikov, Special Olympics athlete Amy Purdy will dance with Derek Hough, and teen star from Australia, Cody Simpson will perform with Witney Carson!

So what do you think of the line-up? Who do you think by the initial pairings looks like the frontrunners? Looks like a lot of athletes are part of the competition this year, so  let us know your thoughts!

 

 

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Nene Leakes…? She acts(but cant)» as if shes Gods gift to the entertainment world…my least favorite! Billy Dee…like to see him on GH as a relative of Felix and Epihany’s date for the nurses ball!

Yeah, NeNe’s hardly a “star.” I bet she quits the show, in a flamboyant manner, like she did Celebrity Apprentice.

WHAT does this have to do with daytime dramas?

Billy Dee Williams is as much of an ex soap star as is Hillary Clinton.

Billy has appeared on daytime soap Guilding Light and i thought Another World but im not sure about the latter…he also appeared on primetime soap as Dynasty and GHs Nightshift…so i consider him a former soap actor! This site is about daytime and primetime soaps so i feel its ok to mention him here!!!

Absolutely, and Fairman writes that Williams formerly starred on General Hospital.
He also tells his readers that Drew Carey is from a day time game show. Fairman writes about daytime entertainment which includes soaps, game shows and talk shows….oh my!

Um…isnt it called Dancing With the STARS?????

It is ironic that thanks to this show, most of the professional dancers are now bigger stars than the “stars” they are paired with.

Maybe thats what they mean when they say ‘Dancing With The Stars’…the ‘STARS’ are the professional dancers…lol

Why aren’t there any flag-flying banners for Brooke? Ouch!

I’ve wondered what is that show’s definition of a “star”.
The ONLY person on that list that can truly be called a “STAR”
is Billy Dee Williams.

.
Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol Palin was on as a star ! of what?

Cher’s son- Chaz Bono, was on as a star! of what?

and the list goes on of non-stars ..

Drew isn’t a star? He used to have his own long-running sitcom and has been on many things. I’d call a couple others stars, and the two gold medalists were figure skating stars of the Olympics. Must admit I haven’t even heard of a bunch of those folks! LOL

Yep, the rest are all pretty snooze worthy.
I loved Billy Dee Williams in Lady Sings the Blues.

Everything runs its course and dancing with the stars should be layed to rest along with american idol. Both shows are done.

You can add The Bachelor/Bachelorette and Survivor to that list. In MY humble opinion, all these freaking “Reality” shows should be kicked in the ass & right out the door! They have dumbed down America with their ridiculous “reality” that’s as scripted as a regular TV show.

actually Idol is still great- so its just a matter of opinion

At least with Idol there is something at stake…young people can have a chance to break into showbiz. There is nothing at stake and nothing to be gained from Dancing. A mirrorball trophy. Woo-hoo! Lol.

@Mama, that’s a bit unfair. To say Billy Dee Williams isn’t a bonafide soap “star” is fair, but Michael Fairman only said he would be “familiar to daytime viewers,” and didn’t call him as such. He certainly has more daytime credentials than Hillary Clinton, lol, given that I’m sure she didn’t appear on ANOTHER WORLD and GUIDING LIGHT, as Billy Dee has. But, most importantly, he was a contract player on a spin-off of GENERAL HOSPITAL (GH:NIGHT SHIFT) which aired on a channel devoted entirely to soap operas. And given that his ex (Epiphany) is still on GH, and that his character shares a last name with Felix and Taylor, I wouldn’t count him out of the game, yet. So not a bonafide soap “star”? Fair enough, but no one here on MFSoaps is claiming he is. But he certainly has legit daytime/soap connections and way more than Hillary Clinton 🙂

IA. I am voting for him, Nene- just to spite the other RHOA cast, and Candace Cameron Bure. I loved DJ and I respect/admire her faith. I hope she wins in the end.

Toussaint!!! Was hoping Ronn would give Epiphany some love again! Aww…I hope Billy Dee wins, but won’t watch our support ABC/D for anything but GH!

Huh? Billy Dee is an established super star actor why is he branding General Hospital when they wrote him as a janitor GMAB…

He is an American actor, artist, singer, and writer known for his work as a leading man in 1970s African-American cinema, in movies including Mahogany and Lady Sings the Blues, and for playing the character of Lando Calrissian in the movies Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi and The Lego Movie. In about 50 movies and extensive TV work…not to mention an international super star artist..

General Hospital? Please.

I agree, but Fairman writes about soaps so he was trying to establish the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon thing.

Billy Dee Williams starred on both THE GUIDING LIGHT, AS THE WORLD TURNS in the 1960s, and the GH spinoff on SOAPNET. I’m sorry, but Pee Pee Leakes and the rest of those silly ‘HOUSEWIVES’ do not qualify as stars. They are nobodys.

Great list.

Who really cares about Billy Dee Williams, nene Leakes I love, she is so funny. Drew Carey is cool too.

Nene Leakes personifies what is wrong with American culture today–she is a mediocre loud mouth who is stupid enough to think she is actually talented.

LOL…..when you’re right, you’re right, Harry!!!! Nene is repulsive, as are most of the “ladies” in those “Housewives” series. Haven’t watched this dancing trainwreck of a show since Kelly Monaco’s repeat stint, but think that the casting of the ice stars could be interesting. They were spectacular at the Olympics, and both are appealing individuals…Charlie is a real cutie and Meryl has the most unique look, so I was thrilled for their victory. Glad to see them able to build on their well-deserved win with further opportunities!

I think Nene will bring lots of personality and vigor to the show. Some soap fans do not think reality show people should be called stars but there are more hours and viewers for reality TV than soaps. I like the cast, especially the Olympic ice dancers. This show is more fun than American Idol In my opinion and some seasons really click with chemistry.

Candace will win! I love her, her faith, and she is just “awesome sauce!”

I recognize three names due to the Drew Carey Show/Price is Right, Lady Sings the Blues, and Wonder Years, and these three fall way below the threshold of “C List Celebrity”. The rest? Who the hell cares? They are definitely NOT “celebrity”.

Will this crap ever END?

Here goes…for the new and upcoming season of DWTS, I want either Drew Carey, Danica McKellar or Billy Dee Williams to win. As for the rest of them…No Thank You. Next……….

General Hospital

Is FBI Agent John “Jagger” Cates on the Level? GH’s Finola Hughes, Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson Weigh-in

When John “Jagger” Cates resurfaced on General Hospital in recent months in the form of Adam J. Harrington taking over the role originally played Antonio Sabato Jr,. know one knew quite sure just what side of the law is Cates really on? And, is he back in Port Charles to settle old scores with Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Jason (Steve Burton)?

What viewers have learned is that when Jason was taken captive two and half years ago, back in November of 2021, he was taken to Quantico, where Agent Cates had multiple RICO violations on Jason and was going to send him to prison for years, unless he worked for Cates and his team, in which Jason has been an informant working on the inside on the Pikeman arms deal case, or so it appears.

Now on the latest episode of Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson’s Daily Drama podcast, Finola Hughes (Anna) stopped by to chat with her GH co-stars and all three weighed-in on just what they think maybe going on with John Cates.

Photo: ABC

Bradford Anderson, brought up that maybe Agent Cates isn’t working on the level. Hughes responded, “I don’t know, I’m not sure.” Burton added, “Yeah, we’re not sure. There’s some unknowns coming,, so we’ll figure that out. But, it’s been a fun story to play for sure. I really like it. A lot of layers to it. I’s been excellent stuff to be back with for sure.”

Finola added, “I think we’re gonna be going through finding out who certain people are that are coming on canvas, like John Cates and Brennan and where do they all fit in?”

Courtesy/ABC

Steve added, “You’ve got Pikeman and what their real motives are. “Jagger” obviously. And then . Pikeman is not facing on screen. Is that true or no?  The question of is Pikeman a person also got brought by Anderson, to which his co-stars added, it’s a company.

Courtesy/ABC

Explaining more about Brennan and what he was up to, was answered by Hughes, That’s a sort of throwback, perhaps back in the day at WSB. He just came on the canvas briefly. Nobody knows if he’s goo (or bad).  I (Anna) got him put in prison, so he’s off, and out of the way right now.”

You can check out the latest edition of the Daily Drama podcast below.

Now let us know, who do you think John “Jagger” Cates is working for? FBI, Pikeman, himself, or some other unknown entity or enemy? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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