Antonio Sabato, Jr. checks in to General Hospital - Night Shift
SOAPnet has landed a big star to anchor the second season of General Hospital: Night Shift. As TV mentioned previously, Antonio Sabato, Jr., who was rumored to be returning as Jagger Cates, has signed on the dotted line. When Night Shift returns to SOAPnet on Tuesday, July 22, the character of Jagger, played by Antonio Sabato, Jr. will be front and center.
Jagger Cates has not been involved in General Hospital since 1995, so presumably he’s older and wiser. But since Antonio is still playing the role, he’s going to definitely be as gorgeous as ever. Interestingly, if Antonio is booked, what’s the likelihood that Steve Burton will be there as Jason?.
Jagger’s storyline includes Stone Cates, but that’s not the same Stone as before. Jagger’s younger brother, Stone, died of AIDS. This Stone is Jagger’s five year old son whom he’s named for his little brother. When Robin Scorpio meets Jagger again, and learns about Stone, it will be highly emotional
Stone was the love of her life — before Patrick Drake, who’s her current love and the father of her unborn child. Stone also is the man who passed on his HIV to Robin. She’s currently pregnant and handling the medical issues inherent with trying to have a baby when you’re HIV positive.
Antonio started on General Hospital before graduating to Melrose Place. His last soap gig was on The Bold and the Beautiful as Dante Damiano. As for non-acting, he’s currently appearing on NBC’s Celebrity Circus.
Kate Walsh’s Red Tie Affair
Kate Walsh’s Red Tie Affair
A few weeks ago, Kate Walsh apologized to fans for dropping out of a star-studded musical benefit concert featuring the casts of Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice.
But there would be no apologizing for the 40-year-old actress this time around, as Kate fulfilled her red carpet obligations at a Saturday night benefit.
The Private Practice star got herself all dressed up and headed over to the Santa Monica Red Cross 2008 Red Tie Affair, looking gorgeous in a long velvet evening gown.
In preparation for her evening out, Walsh was spotted out the day before getting pampered at Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts on Melrose Place and then the Juan Juan Salon in Beverly Hills.
Oh, the life of a Hollywood starlet!
Sightings: Beckinsale, Lohan and Katy Perry
CROWN JEWEL: Kate Beckinsale and hubby Len Wieseman, shopping in the ritzy Knightsbridge area of London while she’s in town to be named Film Actress of the Year at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards.
BREAKFAST CLUB: Julia Roberts, enjoying some toast while son Henry had Cheerios at Norma’s in New York City’s Parker Meridien hotel.
WEST SHOP STORY: Kanye West, doing some shopping at the Grove mall in L.A.
ITALIAN JOB: Chace Crawford, having a plate of rigatoni Bolognese with some pino grigio at Fred Segal’s Mauro Cafe in West Hollywood after Sex and the City director Michael Patrick King was just in having a Caprese salad.
BIG SPENDER: Lindsay Lohan, spending about $2,885 on two bags and a wallet at Mulberry on L.A.’s über-trendy Melrose Place.
SWEET TOOTH: Kevin James, munching on doughnut holes for dessert at Stack Restaurant & Bar at the Mirage in Las Vegas.
MEN’S ROOM: Gerard Butler, having lunch at Newsroom Cafe in L.A., just a few tables away from Bryan Greenberg.
SPICE SALE: Victoria Beckham, buying dresses at YSL and then Dolce and Gabbana on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
COMING UP
BOY’S TOWN: Katy Perry celebrates the release of her debut album, One of the Boys, during a party tomorrow night at Dune in Southhampton, New York.
New (old) headwriters for All My Children & Y&R
The headwriter carousel is spinning in the world of soaps and two shows have tapped new scribes for their shows. Only they’re not new, really, only new to these shows. See, in soaps, everything old is new again when it comes to headwriters. The names are usually the same, just the soaps are different.
First, All My Children has brought in the super-experienced Charles Pratt, Jr. to take over the script duties. He being June 23, but with the lead time for soaps, his stories won’t begin unfolding for about six weeks. Still, ABC daytime prez Brian Frons, was singing Chuck’s praises in the announcement, saying, “Charles Pratt, Jr. is a master storyteller. His talents in writing today’s biggest primetime hits in conjunction with his vast experience with daytime dramas will undoubtedly elevate All My Children stories in new and exciting directions.”
Pratt does have extensive experience, including Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, Melrose Place, Santa Barbara, and back in 2002, General Hospital. The guy can spin a yarn and joining All My Children he’ll have lots of great characters to explore. He’s also coming in just as two major stars have been added to the All My Children cast, Guiding Light transplants Beth Ehlers and Ricky Paull Goldin.
Over at The Young and the Restless, current headwriter Maria Arena Bell is getting a four-time Emmy winner to share the load, Hogan Sheffer. Sheffer is one of the most successful writers in daytime, having scored with As the World Turns and most recently Days of Our Lives. He left Days in April on the heels of the Writers Guild strike amid controversy over his status during the work stoppage. His addition to Y&R, the number one daytime soap in the ratings, will be a plus. Fans are looking for less business oriented storylines and more character driven plots, Sheffer’s specialty.