CASTING NEWS: Esta Returns!!

OMG are you serious!?  Should we rename the town from Pine Valley to Zombie Valley?   SOAPS IN DEPTH is reporting that Esta TerBlanche is headed back to AMC as the supposedly dearly departed Gillian Andrassi Lavery.  You remember Gillian... the love of Ryan's life who was shot by an assassin aiming for Anna Devane, and then who's heart was donated to Laura English?   Ahh but here's the twist... David performed that surgery.   So that could mean she is alive after all.  I'm quite interested to see how this all unfolds.  I did love Ryan and Gillian!

Happy Birthday Esta TerBlanche!

Happy Birthday wishes to Esta TerBlanche!!   AMC's Gillian Andrassy Lavery Martin Lavery (lol is that right?) celebrates her 38th birthday today.  In case you missed it, here's an Esta update I posted back in November!

An Esta Update!

Well, there's a blast from the past!  I was kind of surprised and excited to see an interview and update on the elusive Esta TerBlanche (ex-Gillian) think this weeks Soap Opera Digest.  She is one of those actresses that people always seem to ask about and who I can never find any information about.  So what's Esta been up to?  Well according to the article, after leaving AMC she gave up acting for awhile and went through some bad times as she divorced her then husband Andre.  Currently she is back on the acting scene, having just filmed a pilot in South Africa.  She's also opened her own spa, siting her interest in the medical field and healing as the motivation.  But acting is where her heart (pun intended!  ha) lies and would love an AMC comeback.   Hey, if Mike Roy can come back from being cremated, Gillian can come back from being shot to death and having her heart donated to Laura!   Esta says that she's amazed by how many fans still remember Ryan and Gillian and want her to come back.  And she ends the update by reminiscing about how much of a klutz she was on the set and not at all the graceful princess she portrayed!  

Happy Birthday Esta TerBlanche!!!!

Happy birthday wishes to AMC's dearly departed Gillian Andrassi Lavery, Esta TerBlanche. She celebrates her 37th birthday today!!

The Many Faces of Scott Chandler

This April Adam Mayfield takes over the role of legacy character Scott Parker Chandler. Scott's life has had as many twists and turns as he has recasts. Here is a look back into the life of one of Pine Valley's most troubled tikes:

The late Phillip Amelio (l.) was the first Scotty. His onscreen mother, Ellen Wheeler (r.), would go on to become Executive Producer of Guiding Light.

Phillip Amelio (1987-89): Little Scotty Parker's life was turned upside down when after the death of his father, Fred Parker, from complications from AIDS. Fred was a intravenous drug user. News of his death stirred Pine Valley because one of Fred's friends and fellow addicts was Mark Dalton, Erica Kane's brother. Scotty faced an uncertain future when his mother, Cindy Parker, was diagnosed with the virus as well.
While at the children's center at Pine Valley Hospital, Scotty befriended volunteer Stuart Chandler. Stuart and Cindy fell in love despite criticisms from the community and Stuart's family. When the couple married, Scotty had a new father in Stuart and he formally took on the Chandler name. Their happiness would be short lived as Cindy too would succumb to complications from AIDS.

Shane McDermott (r.) went on to become a successful real estate agent. Brian Gaskill (l.) last starred as Guiding Light's Dylan Lewis.

Shane McDermott (1995-96): A teenage Scott faced growing pains in his early days of high school. Always being seen as the "good guy," Scott had a hard time getting girls. He fostered an unrequited crush on best friend Anita Santos, while she only had eyes for his childhood friend Bobby Warner.
Scott got a part time job at WRCW, where he realized his passion for the entertainment industry.

The cabin scenes lead to some funny off screen moments for Daniel Cosgrove and company. Cosgrove currently stars as Guiding Light's Bill Lewis, Dylan's little brother.

Daniel Cosgrove (1996-98): Scott's first relationship was with runaway Laura Kirk. Scott tutored Laura to help her catch up with the rest of her class. But Laura was haunted by demons of her own past and could not commit to a relationship.
Liza Colby, Scott's uncle Adam's latest wife and his boss at WRCW, became especially protective of Scott. Liza could see that the gold diggers were circling now that Scott was about to come into his trust fund. The two main culprits were down-and-out-princess Gillian Andrassy and unlucky-in-love Kelsey Jefferson. Liza sent Kelsey packing for Buffalo, and arranged for Gillian to fall in love with con-man Ryan Lavery.
When Lee Hawkins came to Pine Valley claiming vengeance on the Chandler for the supposed death of his wife in Pigeon Hallow, Scott was sent away to California to attend film school.

Even Forbes March (r.) had no idea that Rebecca Budig would go on to achieve super couple status with storyline spoiler Leo duPres.

Forbes March (1999-2000): Scott did a lot of growing up in California. Namely, he lost his virginity to Pine Valley debutant Greenlee Smythe. Scott wanted to pursue a relationship with the virginal Becca Tyree, but Greenlee smeared his good name by showing her a tape of them having sex.
Scott tried to sabotage Becca's blooming romance with Leo duPres by setting up a website called "VirginVictor.com" where people could place bets on when Becca was going to loose her virginity. He put the site in Leo's name. Greenlee and Leo partnered to keep Becca and Scott apart, eventually falling in love themselves.
Scott was admitted to NYU's film school, and decided it was time to start his life anew, away from the lies and schemes of his hometown.

March went on to star as One Life to Live's Nash until 2008. He made it known after being written out that he was open to a return to All My Children.

If this is life in Pine Valley, is Scott sure he's ready to come home?
For a full look in Scott's life, check out his QUICK GUIDE entry.