ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 23, 1996 TAG: 9605230024
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Tune in Tomorrow
SOURCE: NANCY REICHARDT
Maura West, who has gained a lot of attention from ``As the World Turns'' fans for her role of Carly Tenney, has decided to leave the show. Her last air date is slated for May 29, and at press time it had not been decided whether the role will be recast. West and her husband, Jonathan, are awaiting the birth of their first child.
In a statement to the press, executive producer John Valente said, ``Maura has asked to be released from her contract in order to pursue her role as a full-time mother. It's hard to say no to the call of motherhood. On that basis, we have agreed to release her.
``Her character and her talent have had a tremendous impact on the show,'' continued Valente, ``and we will miss her ... We had always planned for her to take a maternity leave, and we'll take that time to assess what we want to do with the character in the future.''
Over at ``Guiding Light,'' daytime newcomer George Pilgrim, who created the role of J Chamberlain this past January, has decided to move on. After making the decision to leave the soap, the actor, who was not signed to a contract, attacked the media and ``Guiding Light'' in the press, and stated that working on the soap was a step backward in his career. Maybe he will go on to bigger and better things - but fans of the soap would do well not to bet money that fellow viewers will remember Pilgrim's name months from now.
Another newcomer, Ethan Erickson, has taken over the role of J and will begin airing on June 25.
Also departing ``Guiding Light'' is Amelia Marshall, who plays Gilly Grant. Story line is the reason cited for Marshall's exit (Gilly will undoubtedly find out that Griffin Williams, played by Geoffrey C. Ewing, whom she has become close to and has taken a romantic interest in, is really her father).
Short takes
Greg Wrangler, who was previously announced as a temporary replacement in the role of Pierce Riley on ``All My Children,'' will continue in the role permanently. Wrangler took over after the surprise exit of James Fitzpatrick. (Fitzpatrick was off without fanfare after he made a personal appearance at Planet Hollywood in Atlantic City, where he acted as a celebrity bartender during a party to celebrate the eatery's first anniversary. There has been much speculation since then about the reason behind his sudden exit.)
Wrangler was seen on ``The Young and the Restless'' as Steve Connelly (1993-96), and has been seen on ``The Bold and the Beautiful'' and ``Guiding Light.'' He has guest-starred on the prime-time series ``Baywatch Nights,'' ``Cybill,'' and ``Silk Stalkings.''
Carrie Genzel is playing the role of Toni Kinder, wife of the dastardly Dr. Jonathan Kinder (Michael Sabatino). Jonathan has been keeping Toni drugged and locked up in an attic room for many months, while he has accused his former lover Liza Colby (Marcy Walker) of killing Toni.
Genzel has made brief appearances on ``Days of Our Lives'' and ``The Bold and the Beautiful.''
Send your questions about soap operas to Nancy M. Reichardt, ``Tune in Tomorrow,'' in care of The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. Questions cannot be answered personally, but those of general interest will be answered in future columns. |United Feature Syndicate
LENGTH: Medium: 65 linesby CNB