When I announced on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SheliaGoss) that I was sad about the end of the CBS soap opera As the World Turns, some mentioned, “it’s not real.” LOL, I know, but I was still sad to see it end. I hate to see a good book or book series come to an end (but that’s a conversation for another day).

As a person who loves “story” the daytime drama had it all: drama, romance, suspense, etc. Yes, sometimes, the storylines would be way out there but the writers did their best to make the “not so realistic” storylines belieavable. My writer’s mind would churn and try to figure out how I would write the scenes, etc. Truth be told, it’s been a secret dream of mine to write for a soap opera.  

I haven’t watched every episode of As the World Turns because of school, work, life, etc; however I did keep up with what was going on with the people of Oakdale. My favorite couples: Kim & Bob, Lily & Holden(although in the final episode, they weren’t married and viewers were left wondering if they would actually get back together), Carly & Jack (who in the final episodes got married for the umpteenth time but this time they got it right), and last but not least, Barbara & Henry (Barbara is old enough to be Henry’s mama but these two were a match made in soap opera heaven).

There were some faces missing from the final episodes but that’s to be expected, since they’ve been missing for quite some time now. For a more detailed overview of As the World Turns, check out Donald’s Memories of the show:

Excerpt from Donald’s blog: In 2002, I began watching As The World Turns kinda on the regular when I read about African-American characters showing up and showing out in Oakdale. I was gagging when Jessica shared cultural space with Ben, her biracial daughter Bonnie McKechnie (Napiera Danielle Groves), lawyer T. Marshall Travers (Lamman Rucker), Ben’s brother Isaac Jenkins (Paul Taylor), and Marshall’s father Oliver (Richard Roundtree). That was a first to have five or six African-Americans on contract at the same time on As The World Turns in its history.

To read the rest of Donald’s entry, CLICK HERE.

Do you watch or keep up with any soap operas?

As the World Turns and Guiding Light were ones I used to keep up with but they now are off the air. The only two left that I like now are The Young and the Restless and the Bold and the Beautiful.

 Listen to one of Shelia Goss’ favorite interviews of the summer by going to Film Reviews 2 Go: http://www.filmreviews2go.com/2010/07/31/joan-benedict-steiger-interview/

James Reynolds is best known as Abe Carver from the popular soap opera Days of Our Lives.  Reynolds talks about being an actor and a cause dear to his heart with national best-selling author Shelia M. Goss.

How hard was it to break into daytime television?
It is very difficult being a working actor whether it is daytime tv, nightime, film, or theater. The competition is talented and the roles are few. Whenever someone asks me how can they can get a role on daytime tv I tell them that they must become an actor because they love the craft not just one potential area of employment. I have been lucky enough to have starred in four network series: 2 nightime and 2 daytime.

What are the pros and cons to working on daytime television?
The pros far outwiegh the cons. At some point I get to play comedy, drama, action, dance, sing, and of course love scenes with beautiful women. How could I even think of the cons.

Do you find it harder to act or direct? Do you plan on directing or producing any films?
Acting and directing have their on peculiar set of challenges. I love doing both. I do plan on producing film. I am actively involved in the early stages of that.

Did being a Marine prepare you to be disciplined as an actor?
Being a Marine helped me in every aspect of my life. Discipline, yes, absolutely. But there are so many other positive areas of life that my Marine experience helps me with.

I recently found out you are the chairman of the Department of Veterans Affairs 2009 Salute to Hospitalized Veterans.

One of the strongest measures of a society is how they take care of those who have dedicated their youth to protecting that society. There have been those shameful moments in our nation’s history when we turned our back on our veterans. We took their gift of sacrifice and returned little. I truly believe the country will never repeat those mistakes. The greatest message we can give to our young men and women in service is that they will be not be forgotten. They will not be forgotten at 18 and not forgotten at 80.

Be sure to watch James Reynolds on Days of Our Lives and support our Veterans.

Interview by Shelia M. Goss – national best-selling author of Double Platinum, My Invisible Husband, Roses are thorns, Paige’s Web and His Invisible Wife. For additional info, visit www.sheliagoss.com

The Chicago Sun Times is reporting that trouble is again brewing at “The View,” this time between conservative Elisabeth Hasselbeck and her liberal co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar.

       Hasselbeck is said to be “really upset” with her colleagues following heated discussions about the upcoming presidential election.  To read more…

If you know me personally, then you know I started back watching The View when Whoopi Goldberg  & Sherri Shepherd became the hosts (after taking a hiatus  when Star Jones left). Anyhoo, I read the article about Ms. Hasselbeck this morning and thought that if it is true, then she really needs to get a grip on herself and stop whining.

Elisabeth says whatever she wants to say and gets in a hissy fit when someone like Whoopi or Joy disagrees with what she says.  I have yet to see her admit when she’s wrong (and nobody is 100 percent correct on everything).

Talking about politics is sensitive because we all have our personal views and it should be expected that it will be a hot topic.  Hot topics is the best part of the show and probably one of the main reasons why I watch it. 

Whoopi & Joy bring another view to “The View” so if Elisabeth can’t stand the heat–she needs to get from around the table.