Photo: JConboyFacebookPage

Reports surfaced on Friday that legendary soap opera executive producer, John Conboy had passed away.

Judith Chapman (Gloria, Y&R) posted the news of Conboy’s death on her facebook page along with these sentiments: “It is with a heavy heart and a grateful smile that I called him my friend,, “BIG” JOHN CONBOY, the ORIGINAL Producer on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, left us today The Big Guy, with the BIG LAUGH, Man about Town, and One HELLUVA PRODUCER… Whether you loved him, or not ..YOU have to agree He was ONE OF A KIND! God Bless you, John. Give Jeanne a Hug from all of us.”

CBS Daytime also tweeted: “We join Judith and the CBS Daytime community in mourning the loss of John Conboy. John was a longtime Executive Producer on #YR, created Capitol and later was EP of Guiding Light. He will remain in our hearts forever.”

Conboy was the original executive producer of The Young and the Restless and remained with the show from its inception in 1973 through to 1982.  Prior to that, he served as the EP on CBS’ Love is a Many Splendored Thing from 1970-1973.  After Y&R, John next launched CBS’ new soap Capitol and stayed as the EP up through its cancellation in 1987.

John made a comeback in 1991 with the one and only Santa Barbara, where he served as the top executive of the series for a time, with the last soap he helmed being Guiding Light from 2002-2004.

Throughout his daytime career, Conboy picked up four Daytime Emmys – three for the soaps, and one for an afternoon special. (more…)

Some longtime soap opera notables are featured in a new 22 episode faith-based soap entitle, Hilton Head Island.

The series debuts this Friday, November 10th with the first eight installments, and is from the Christian entertainment company, PureFlix.com.

The soap opera is available by subscription, but the service offers a one-month free trial.  In story, Hilton Head Island, revolves around the lives of the fictional Trisk family, who own the a television network.

Hilton Head Island features: Antonio Sabato Jr. (ex-Jagger, General Hospital), Donna Mills (ex-Abby, Knots Landing), Michael Swan (ex-Duncan, As the World Turns), and Crystal Hunt (ex-Lizzie, GL). PureFlix.com specializes in “family-oriented” content and shows. The plan is for Hilton Head Island to be rolled out in two subsequent seven-episode blocks in the coming weeks.

Watch the first official trailer for the soap after the jump.  Then let us know your thoughts in the comment section below! (more…)

Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking play, Boys in the Band, a limited engagement of the theatrical production is scheduled next year from April 30–August 12, 2018 a the Booth Theatre on Broadway.

The cast will feature none other than former One Life to Live star, Tuc Watkins (Ex-David) and former Guiding Light star, Matt Bomer (Ex-Ben) along with Andrew Rannells, Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, and more.  The play will be directed this time out by two-time Tony winner, Joe Mantello.

The Boys in the Band centers around a group of gay men who gather in a New York City apartment for a friend’s birthday party. As the evening continues, the cracks beneath their friendships begin to show, exposing the self-inflicted heartache that threatens their solidarity. (more…)