The new season of morning talk shows begins this week, and one of them, Live with Kelly and Mark, is starting things off with a new show open starring the hosts and married couple, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, formerly of All My Children fame.

Make sure to circle Tuesday September 5th, when Kelly and Mark begin their first official season together as co-hosts of the long-running show now in its 36th season.  As many know, Consuelos joined the show back in April of this year, after Ryan Seacrest made the decision to depart the series and move back to Los Angeles full-time, since the talker is shot in New York City.

In the concept of the new opening, the husband and wife duo are seen brushing their teeth in their apartment, then going through a couple of outfit changes/looks, before they settle on what they wearing as they are driven to their New York City studio where ‘Live’ emanates from, and arrive in its corridors.

Photo: Disney/ABC

In addition, this season will have a new trivia game segment called Stump Mark.  In it, Mark will try his darnedest to keep the coveted Live mug away from trivia callers trying to stump him with their two statements — one true, one false.

Scheduled guests for the week: Derek Hough, Jake Gyllenhaal, Melissa Etheridge, Josh Gad, Shinedown, Phillip Phillips, Nikki and Brie Bella and more.

Take a look at the opening title sequence for Live with Kelly and Mark below, and then let us know what you thought of it in the comment section, and let us know if you are looking forward to the new season of the talk show.

The Broadway community is mourning the passing of one of their most beloved members, who also appeared on several daytime soap operas throughout her career.  Pamela Blair, the original Val in A Chorus Line, died at her home in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday following a lengthy illness. Blair was 73-years-old.

Throughout her career, the singer/dancer/actress continued to showcase her exceptional talents in shows such as: Promises, Promises, Wild and Wonderful, Sugar and Seesaw. She also gained major kudos from the musical theatre community for her portrayal of Amber in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. 

Pamela also had notable roles on soap operas taped in New York City. First, Blair played Elizabeth Shank Ryan on Ryan’s Hope in 1980. She followed that with her most-known daytime role as Loving’s Rita Mae Bristow, a part she played from 1983-1985.

Photo: ABC

Later in 1985, 1986 and in 1992, Blair made brief appearances in two roles on All My Children, Maida Andrews and Mrs. Goodman.  It was the role of Maida Andrews that landed Blair a Daytime Emmy nomination in the newly named Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series back in 1987, only losing that year to John Wesley Shipp for his role of Martin Ellis on Santa Barbara.  Blair’s last soap role was in 1994 as Another World’s Bonnie Broderick.

Throughout her enduring career, she appeared in numerous television and motion pictures including: Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, Law & Order and the motion pictures version of Annie.

Let us know if you ever had the opportunity to see Blair as Val in ‘A Chorus Line’, or if you remember her daytime roles on Ryan’s Hope, Loving, All My Children or Another World via the comment section.

He was at the epicenter of the hottest storyline on the early days of All My Children as Phil Brent, and now comes word that actor Nick Benedict has passed away at 77 years old.

According to the Jake’s Steakhouse Facebook Page, where Benedict’s wife, Ginger works as a bartender in Tehachapi, California. it stated, “Nick Benedict’s birthday was July 14. He went to be with the Lord this day. Please pray for Ginger.”

Benedict’s passing comes following the set-up of a GoFundMe page, which detailed that Nick had emergency spinal cord surgery on July 2.  However on July 4, he was admitted to hospice, paralyzed from the neck down.  Apparently, ten days later in Arizona where Nick and Ginger lived, and surrounded by his loved ones, Nick passed away.

Photo: ABC

All My Children fans remember fondly, Nick taking over the leading role of Phil Brent from Richard Hatch in 1973.  Phil was involved in a romantic triangle with Tara (Karen Lyn Gorney) and Erica (Susan Lucci).  Phil was the second in a long line of husbands for Pine Valley’s Erica.  Throughout his career, Benedict played Phil three times during the ABC soaps run (1973-1975, 1975-1977 & 1988).  He also received a Daytime Emmy for his performances back in

In 1980-1981, Nick came on to The Young and the Restless as Michael Scott, the nemesis of Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), for the love of Victor’s wife, Julia (Meg Bennett).  Y&R fans recall, Victor locking Michael up in a cage in a basement with a bunch of rats.

Photo: ABC

Benedict also played the abusive Curtis Reed on Days of our Lives.  In 1993 he debuted as the treacherous father of Billie Reed (Lisa Rinna), Curtis Reed (Patrick Muldoon) and the ex-husband of Kate Roberts.  Curtis was killed by Stefano DiMera (Joe Mascolo), but Benedict returned as his ghost several times over through 2001.

Throughout his acting career, Nick appeared on Santa Barbara, Tribes, Knots Landing, The Dukes of Hazzard among other TV series and films.

Nick is survived by his wife, Ginger Benedict and his loved ones.

Share your remembrances and condolences for Nick Benedict via the comment section below.