News

Gold Derby's top news stories for June 20, 2025.

Owen Wilson joins Meet the Parents 4

Wilson is the latest cast member from the original 2000 comedy to sign onto the fourth installment. He joins Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Teri Polo and new addition Ariana Grande, reprising his role as Kevin Rawley, the ex of Polo's Pam and potential romantic rival to Greg Focker.

Frank Castle sees a Brand New Day

Jon Bernthal's Punisher will be making his MCU feature debut in the upcoming fourth Spider-Man movie with Tom Holland under the mask. The film, which Shang-Chi's Destin Daniel Cretton is directing, will hit theaters on July 31, 2026.

Outer Banks Season 5 now in production

Filming on the fifth and final season of the Netflix teen treasure hunt drama has officially begun in Charleston, S.C. Series regulars Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Drew Starkey, Carlacia Grant, Austin North,...

Publicists for Max’s hit medical drama “The Pitt” took the top prize, Campaign of the Year, at the 3rd annual Tpec Awards, honoring publicity campaigns across television and streaming. The ceremony was held Wednesday night.

“The Pitt” publicity team also landed the prize for New Drama Series, making the show the night’s top winner with 2 awards.

Meanwhile Chris Ender, executive VP and head of communications for CBS, won the Ben Halpern Lifetime Achievement Award. Variety executive editor Michael Schneider won the Press Impact Award Recipient, presented for the first time in 2025.

The ceremony’s Rising Star awards were presented to MGM+ publicist Lauren Dundee, Amazon MGM Studios publicist Charlotte McManus and Disney branded television and Freeform senior publicist Leah Palacios. The award honors early career publicists.

Read on for the full list of competitive winners at the 2025 Tpec awards.

Campaign of the Year – The Pitt

Returning Drama Series...

Tpec (Television Publicity Executive Committee) has announced the recipients of the annual 2025 Tpec Awards, honoring publicity campaigns across television.

The Tpec Awards were held in Los Angeles, where the ceremony recognized individual achievement, including this year’s Ben Halpern Lifetime Achievement Award to Chris Ender, the executive VP and head of communications at CBS, and the inaugural Press Impact Award to Michael Schneider, Variety‘s executive editor, television.

The Tpec Awards spotlights programming campaigns and publicity from every genre and platform. Campaigns were entered by publicity teams around the world from broadcast networks, cable channels, streamers, and studios, including ABC, CBS Studios, Comedy Central, Crunchyroll, Disney Channel, Disney Jr., Disney+, Fox, FX, Hallmark, Hulu, Lifetime, Max, MTV, National Geographic, NBC, Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, Prime Video and Showtime.

“With more submissions than past years, every campaign entered reflected an incredible range of creativity, innovation, and strategy from across all platforms,” said Tpec chair Wendy Zocks,...

CBS is promoting Lance Frank to lead all communications for CBS News, Stations & Media Ventures.

Frank, a 13-year CBS News veteran, will oversee all internal and external communications for CBS News, CBS Stations, syndication, talent, programming, first-run syndication and division strategy, reporting to Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures; and also Chris Ender, CBS executive VP of communications.

Frank has served as a key adviser to CBS News executives like McMahon, and has also worked closely with talent across the division at shows like 60 Minutes and the CBS Evening News.

“I’ve personally known Lance for a long time. He is a gifted communicator, a great strategist and a trusted advisor,” McMahon wrote in a note to staff Thursday. “Just as important, he understands the power of collaboration. In a short period, he’s already energized, encouraged and empowered the cross-division team to work together.

Lance Frank has been named to oversee internal and external communications for the news, stations and syndication unit of Paramount Global’s CBS

“In this new role, Lance will oversee all internal and external communications for CBS News, CBS Stations, syndication, talent, programming, first-run syndication and division strategy,” said Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of the division, in a memo to employees Thursday.

Frank will report to both McMahon and Chris Ender, executive vice president of communications for CBS

Frank was promoted to executive vice president of communications for the unit in January, given oversight of strategic communications for McMahon’s executive team, syndication, primetime newsmagazines, talent relations and events. He will now have sole oversight of all external/internal communications and program publicity across national news, local stations and CBS’ first-run syndication business.

Frank joined CBS News in 2011. He was the first person hired as a CBS News associate,...

Longtime communications executive Mike Nelson is leaving his post as SVP Communications for CBS News, Stations and Media Ventures.

Nelson, beloved among trade journalists, has held his current title since January. He joined CBS L.A. in 2002 after spending seven years at NBC, where he served as its chief ratings guru.

“Every comms leader should have the gift of a Mike Nelson on their team,” said Chris Ender, EVP, Head of Communications for CBS. “He led his area with distinction and accomplishment while serving as a valued communications guide as Wendy (McMahon) ushered in important change for our local television stations. At the same time, Mike relished in serving as a utility player across all parts of CBS, sharing his considerable media and writing skills wherever they were needed. The only thing we ever questioned about Mike was who he loved more … CBS or his home-state Green Bay Packers.”

After...

Mike Nelson, a longtime communications executive for CBS Television Stations, is leaving the network after 22 years.

“I will be leaving CBS at the end of this month. I believe this is the perfect time for me to spread my wings and pursue my next adventure,” Nelson wrote in announcing his departure. “While my leaving stirs up emotions as I reflect upon how fantastic this experience has been, I’m comforted by how supportive [CBS executives] Wendy McMahon, Lance Frank and Chris Ender have been and knowing that we’re parting company on the absolute best of terms.”

“Every comms leader should have the gift of a Mike Nelson on their team,” said Ender, CBS’ executive VP and head of communications. “He led his area with distinction and accomplishment while serving as a valued communications guide as [division head] Wendy McMahon ushered in important change for our local television stations. At the same time, Mike...

Christa Robinson, who has overseen communications for CBS News for the past nine years, is departing the network later this month.

Robinson, who serves as executive vice president of CBS News and Stations, wrote in a memo to staffers today, “I’ve been fortunate to work alongside four CBS News presidents and know first-hand the positive impact that the dedicated people throughout this organization make every day. As we transition to a new executive team amidst other business changes, I welcome this opportunity to determine the next step in my career.”

Chris Ender, executive VP of communications for CBS, wrote, “During her time here, Christa has elevated CBS News’ biggest moments and deftly navigated the division through its biggest challenges. Her strategies and guidance have benefitted countless programs, on-air talent and senior executives, as well as breaking news events, political conventions and election nights.”

Christa Robinson

Robinson previously led communications...

Christa Robinson and Lance Frank will take on expanded roles for CBS’ division built around CBS News, local stations and syndicated programming, all put under the aegis of executive Wendy McMahon in August of last year.

Frank, who has been with CBS News since 2011, has been elevated to executive vice president, communications for CBS News & Stations and CBS Media Ventures, a new position. Frank will oversee projects tied to McMahon’s central team, including talent relations and events across the division. He will continue to oversee publicity for “60 Minutes,” and add “48 Hours” to his portfolio. Frank will report to Chris Ender, executive vice president of communications for CBS, along with McMahon.

Robinson, an industry veteran who has led communications for CNN Worldwide and Tribune Media, will continue as executive vice president, leading CBS News and Stations with an expanded role in the stations business. She will have oversight for national...

CBS talent relations executive Ian Metrose is leaving at the end of March, the company has confirmed.

“Ian decided to leave CBS at the end of his contract this month,” said a company statement. “We thank him for his 20 years leading network and studio events and wish him much success in his next role.”

Metrose exits as a SVP, Talent Relations & Special Events, CBS Communications, reporting to Chris Ender, EVP Communications, CBS Corp.

He had been implicated in attempts to interfere with an open investigation into allegations of sexual assault against former CBS CEO Moonves by a LAPD captain as outlined in a report released by New York Attorney General Letitia James in November.

Metrose joined CBS in December 2003 as Director of Talent Relations & Special Events. Prior to CBS, he was Director of Special Events & Promotions at Fox Searchlight.

Ian Metrose, the CBS executive who was embroiled in a scandal involving former CEO Les Moonves and the Los Angeles Police Department, has departed the company after 20 years, EVP of Communications Chris Ender confirmed to TheWrap.

TheWrap reported in November 2022 that Metrose was the only executive who remained employed by the network after his involvement was revealed in a report by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The SVP of Talent and Special Events left last week when his contract expired, TheWrap understands.

“Ian decided to leave CBS at the end of his contract this month,” CBS said in a statement. “We thank him for his 20 years leading network and studio events and wish him much success in his next role.”

James’ report found that in 2017, the veteran executive alerted top-ranking CBS officials about allegations against Moonves that went as far back as the 1980s. He obtained confidential police reports...

Paramount Television Studios has promoted Dominic Pagone to head of communications. He will report to Chris Ender, executive vice president of communications at CBS, and Nicole Clemens, president of Ptvs and Paramount+ original scripted series, who made the announcement Monday.

Previously, Pagone served as senior vice president of entertainment public relations and awards at Showtime Networks and Ptvs, overseeing the Los Angeles- and Boston-based PR teams at Showtime, as well as the Showtime Awards team and the Paramount Television Studios PR team.

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The PR executive joined Showtime in April 2018, originally as SVP of entertainment PR, guiding the team during the launches of such series as “Yellowjackets” and “Kidding,” limited series “Escape at Dannemora” and “The Good Lord Bird,” nonfiction series “Couples Therapy,” “We Need To Talk About Cosby” and doc feature “Attica,” which received Showtime’s first ever Oscar nomination.

Dominic Pagone has been named Head of Communications for Paramount Television Studios.

Pagone previously served as Senior VP of Entertainment PR and Awards for Showtime. He oversaw the Los Angeles- and Boston-based PR teams at Showtime, as well as the Showtime Awards team and the Paramount Television Studios PR team.

He joined Showtime in April 2018 after spending 18 years at FX. He was hired in 2002 as a Publicist, working his way up to VP of Media Relations, leading or co-leading on shows like The Shield, Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me, Justified, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Riches, Man Seeking Woman and Sons of Anarchy. He became Senior Vice President of Communications in 2015, running the department budget and overseeing trade communications, talent relations & events, public affairs and photo publicity for FX, Fxx, Fxm and FX Productions.

Pagone’s new role comes in the wake of last week’s announcement by Paramount Global that...

Paramount Television Studios (Ptvs) has named Dominic Pagone its new head of communications. The news came via a memo sent to staff on Monday by Nicole Clemens, president of Paramount TV Studios. In his new role, Pagone will report to Clemens as well as Chris Ender, CBS’ executive vice president of communications.

Pagone enters the position after most recently serving as senior vice president of entertainment PR and awards for Showtime Networks and Paramount Television Studios. He first joined Showtime in 2018, overseeing the network’s entertainment PR, before adding awards to his purview in 2021 and adding Paramount TV Studios in 2022. Throughout his time at the company, he oversaw the launches of shows including “Yellowjackets,” “Kidding,” “Escape at Dannemora,” “The Good Lord Bird,” “Couples Therapy,” “We Need To Talk About Cosby” and “Attica.”

Pagone worked at FX for 18 years before joining Showtime in 2018. He started his career there as a publicist...

Showtime publicity executive Dominic Pagone is moving to a different post at Paramount Global.

Pagone will move from the premium cable outlet to Paramount Television Studios, where he will lead PR efforts at senior vp communications. He’ll report to studio head Nicole Clemens and Chris Ender, executive vp communications at CBS.

Pagone head up will lead communciations efforts at the studio — a post formerly held by Erin Calhoun, who last week took on cross-platform PR responsibilities for Showtime and Paramount+ as the two brands prepare to merge, as well as ad-supported streamer Pluto TV.

“He loves television and knows how to generate meaningful recognition for our premium shows. Dom is also the ultimate collaborator with executives, talent, producers and everyone in the creative process,” Clemens wrote in an email to Paramount TV Studios staff on Monday (read it in full below).

Pagone joined Showtime in 2018 as senior vp of entertainment PR,...

Scott Grogin is stepping down as executive vice president of communications for CBS Entertainment, Variety has confirmed.

Grogin originally joined CBS in 2016, working with CBS Television Distribution. He started working with CBS Entertainment in 2018. He was perhaps best known in the industry for being responsible for CBS’ daily ratings information, including his “Notes for Nerds” newsletter.

“Scott has elevated our ratings coverage over the past five years, providing the media with new looks and angles that showcase the full breadth of the CBS audience in a multiplatform world,” said Chris Ender, CBS’ executive vice president of communications, to whom Grogin reported. “He possesses true superhero-like PR powers, such as laser-fast writing skills, the ability to break down complex business issues and communicate them clearly, and the agility to deliver press information for inquiring journalists Monday through Sunday – from locations such as doctors’ offices, bar mitzvahs and the 18th hole at Moorpark Country Club.

CBS’ executive vice president of communications, Scott Grogin, is departing the network, TheWrap has confirmed. The veteran publicity exec first joined the network in 2016.

Six years ago, Grogin joined CBS as EVP for the syndication division. Two years later, he shifted to CBS Entertainment, where he oversaw research and ratings, executive communications and legal and labor communications.

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Per Deadline, which first reported the news, Grogin said he’d like to remain in the industry “hopefully in a consultancy capacity that provides me an opportunity to use my experience and writing skills, while also allowing me some time to hone my golf game. My putting needs work.”

Chris Ender, EVP of CBS communications, said in a statement, “Scott has elevated our ratings coverage over the past five years, providing the media with new looks and angles...

Click here to read the full article.

Another veteran CBS executive is departing the network.

Scott Grogin, executive vp communications at the broadcaster, is set to leave CBS after six years there. His departure will follow that of CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl, who is exiting after 26 years at the network, the past five as head of the entertainment division.

Grogin joined CBS in 2016 from Fox, first working for the syndication arm of the network before moving to CBS Entertainment in 2018. He led PR around ratings and research, labor and legal issues and executive announcements. Following his departure from CBS, Grogin plans to move into consulting work.

“Scott has elevated our ratings coverage over the past five years, providing the media with new looks and angles that showcase the full breadth of the CBS audience in a multi-platform world,” CBS communications chief Chris Ender said in a statement. “He possesses true superhero-like PR powers,...

Exclusive: Executive Vice President Scott Grogin is leaving CBS.

The longtime publicity executive first joined CBS in 2016 as an Executive Vice President for the syndication division. In January of 2018, he moved to CBS Entertainment where he was responsible for research and ratings, executive communications, and legal and labor communications.

Grogin tells Deadline that he’d like to keep his hand in the media arena, “hopefully in a consultancy capacity that provides me an opportunity to use my experience and writing skills, while also allowing me some time to hone my golf game. My putting needs work.”

“I’ve enjoyed working with the team at CBS and especially want to acknowledge Chris Ender and Kelly Kahl,” continues Grogin. “They are awesome colleagues whose encyclopedic knowledge of broadcast television and college football made it fun to come to work every day. I also want to wish Amy Reisenbach the very best of luck.

Kristen Hall is returning to CBS Studios as EVP of communications. She succeeds in the top studio PR job Lauri Metrose who left in June after two decades. Hall, who is coming from Amazon Studios, was considered the lead contender for the job as she has a long history at CBS Studios, including a stint as Metrose’s #2.

In her new role, which reports to Chris Ender, EVP of communications for CBS, and works closely with David Stapf, president of CBS Studios, and his creative and business teams, Hall will oversee all publicity and communications strategies for the studio. She will lead the CBS Studios communications team that supports a portfolio of more than 60 series in production across broadcast, cable and streaming, the bulk of them for the studio’s lead buyers CBS and Paramount+.

Hall returns to CBS Studios after four years at Amazon Studios/Prime Video, where she...

Kristen Hall has been named executive vice president of communications for CBS Studios, Chris Ender, EVP of communications for CBS, and David Stapf, president of CBS Studios, announced Thursday.

In the new role, which reports to Ender and works closely with Stapf and his creative and business teams, the veteran streaming and studio executive will oversee all publicity and communications strategies for the studio. She will lead a communications team that supports a portfolio of more than 60 series in production across broadcast, cable and streaming, including for the CBS Television network and Paramount+, as well as third party platforms.

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Hall makes her return to CBS Studios after four years at Amazon Studios/Prime Video, where she served as director of original series publicity and co-led series communications on dozens of scripted and unscripted series and specials,...

Kristen Hall is exiting Amazon and returning to CBS Studios in the role of executive vice president of communications.

Hall had previously been at CBS Studios for 14 years before departing to join Amazon in 2018. She returns in the role previously held by Lauri Metrose, who left CBS Studios in June 2022. In her new role, Hall will report to Chris Ender, executive vice president of communications for CBS. She will also work closely with David Stapf, president of CBS Studios. She will lead all publicity and communications strategies for the studio.

“Having Kristen return ‘home’ to head our communications operation is a four-year dream come true,” said Stapf. “The experience she gained during those years only enhances her superior skills in leading our world-class publicity team. Kristen’s rare combination of creativity, passion and smarts makes her beloved by the press and creative community. Everyone, from producers, executives and talent was...

Lauri Metrose is exiting her post as EVP, Communications at CBS Studios for a new opportunity outside of the entertainment industry. Metrose, who will leave at the end of June, has spent virtually her entire career to date at CBS, going from a rising star junior publicist to one of the most accomplished and respected TV communications executives in town. Search for her replacement is expected to begin this week.

“This is a bittersweet decision, and my heart is filled with gratitude for every person I’ve had the pleasure to work with at the Studio—especially my team—as well as all the amazingly creative partners and producers I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with,” Metrose wrote in her note to staff today, noting that she felt it was “time for a change,”

The memo (you can read it in full below) included “a special thanks to my friends and mentors,...

CBS veteran Chris Ender has been tapped as the top communications exec at CBS Entertainment Group.

He will replace Dana McClintock, who left CBS on June 30 following the appointment of George Cheeks as CEO. Cheeks made the announcement via a memo (shared below), and Ender will report directly to him, while remaining based on the west coast.

Ender’s career at the Eye began in 1996, and he has worked his way up from the position of vice president of media relations.

Here’s Cheeks’ memo:

CBS Colleagues – I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Chris Ender as head of communications for the CBS Entertainment Group. Chris takes the baton from Dana McClintock who left the Company yesterday having announced his departure earlier this year. Reporting to me, Chris will be responsible for all public relations, media relations and corporate communications functions across our CBS divisions.

Chris’ leadership and...

Longtime CBS PR executive Chris Ender has been named to the top communications post within CBS Entertainment Group.

Ender fills the role left by Dana McClintock, who formally left CBS this week. McClintock announced his departure back in March, which coincided with the beginning of George Cheeks’ tenure leading CBS. As often happens in a merger situation, the outgoing CEO’s — Joe Ianniello, an interim one, in this case — communications lead follows him or her out the door.

Ender will now report directly to Cheeks.

Also Read: Full Rebrand of CBS All Access Will Not Come Until 2021

“Chris’ leadership and strategic counsel have been invaluable to me during my first few months at CBS and I quickly came to trust his judgment,” said Cheeks in a memo to staff. “His keen sense of how to manage complex issues and powerfully promote our great content are only surpassed by his integrity and decency.

As they say, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy – in the best way.

Nearly 25 years after joining CBS as a media relations executive, Chris Ender today was named communications chief for the CBS Entertainment Group.

“Reporting to me, Chris will be responsible for all public relations, media relations and corporate communications functions across our CBS divisions,” CEO George Cheeks said in a memo to staff Wednesday. “Chris’ leadership and strategic counsel have been invaluable to me during my first few months at CBS and I quickly came to trust his judgment,” the ex-vice chairman of NBCUniversal Content Studios added.

Set to be based out of CBS’ Studio City HQ “with regular appearances in New York when business travel permits in the future,” Ender’s elevation comes one day after his predecessor Dana McClintock officially exited the ViacomCBS company. A 27-year vet of CBS, McClintock announced his departure back in early March,...

Chris Ender has been promoted at CBS Entertainment.

The 24-year network veteran was tapped to head communications for the CBS Entertainment Group, reporting to recently installed CBS CEO George Cheeks, who made the announcement Wednesday in a memo to staff. (Read it in full, below.)

Ender, who will continue to be based in Studio City, Calif., takes over the role previously held by Dana McClintock, whose last day with the company was June 30. McClintock announced in March that he would depart the network mid-year after completing work on the ViacomCBS re-merger.

Ender, a well-regarded publicist, was instrumental in helping Cheeks ...

In today’s roundup, VH1 drops a trailer for “RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular” and sets a return date for “Love & Hip Hop: New York.”

First Looks

The official trailer has dropped for the YouTube Originals comedy series, “Wayne.” All 10 episodes of the series will be available on YouTube Premium on Jan. 16. “Wayne” tells the story of a 16-year-old who sets out to take back the 1978 Pontiac Trans Am that was stolen from his father before he died. The series will star Mark McKenna (“Sing Street”) and Ciara Bravo (“Big Time Rush”), and feature Joshua J. Williams (“Mudbound”) in a recurring role.

VH1 has released the trailer for Season 9 of “Love & Hip Hop: New York,” which will premiere Monday, Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt. Cast members include Remy Ma, Papoose, Safaree Samuels, Juelz Santana, Kimbella, and more. The reality show, which helped raise Cardi B’s profile before her rap career took off,...

CBS has promoted Kelli Raftery to executive VP of communications, as the network continues to shuffle its executive ranks following longtime comms chief Gil Schwartz’s retirement.

Raftery will work with Dana McClintock and fellow communications executive VP Chris Ender. McClintock succeeded Schwartz as CBS’ chief communications officer this month.

“Kelli has excelled in every arena, from entertainment to news to sports, and more recently corporate,” said McClintock. “CBS is fortunate to have an executive with such deep experience to take on this larger role. I look forward to all she’ll do as we continue to communicate the outstanding opportunities in front of our Company.”

Also Read: CBS Communications Chief Gil Schwartz to Retire

A CBS veteran, Raftery has most recently been serving as senior VP, communications, helping to manage media relations for the CBS Corporate Communications Department, covering a wide range of company initiatives and activities in sales,...

CBS has promoted network veteran Kelli Raftery to Executive Vice President, Communications, CBS Corporation, from her Svp role. As Evp, Raftery will work with Dana McClintock, Chief Communications Officer, to whom she’ll report, and Chris Ender, Executive Vice President, CBS Corporation, guiding the Company’s overall media relations and communications strategy.

Based in New York, Raftery will continue to work closely with all CBS Corporation businesses, to help steer the messaging of the Company for its many external and internal constituencies.

“Kelli has excelled in every arena, from entertainment to news to sports, and more recently corporate,” said McClintock. “CBS is fortunate to have an executive with such deep experience to take on this larger role. I look forward to all she’ll do as we continue to communicate the outstanding opportunities in front of our Company.”

In her most recent role as Svp Communications, Raftery helped to manage...

Dana McClintock is set to succeed Gil Schwartz as CBS’ chief communications officer beginning Nov. 1, which is when Schwartz retires.

In his new role, McClintock will have oversight of the communications group that incorporates public relations, media relations and corporate and internal communications functions for all CBS divisions. The New York-based McClintock was already an executive vice president in the company’s PR department.

“Handing the reins from Gil to Dana will be a natural transition,” CBS acting CEO Joe Ianniello said on Wednesday. “I have been relying on Dana’s expertise for many years now, and I am extremely pleased to have him as a senior member of my management team. I am confident that he and the very strong bench we have in CBS Communications will continue to operate at the top of their field.”

Also Read: CBS Names Hr Vet Laurie Rosenfield Chief People Officer

“The role...

Barbara Abseck has been promoted to the newly created position of executive director, East Coast manager at CBS Communications. She will report to CBS Entertainment vp communications Phil Gonzales, who made the announcement with CBS Television senior vp communications Chris Ender.

Abseck will head CBS Communications' New York entertainment unit, spearheading the network's media relations with the New York and East Coast media and serving as the press liaison for the marketing group's advertising and promotion campaigns supporting primetime entertainment programming.

Since joining CBS, Abseck has handled publicity for many of the network's biggest event programming, including multi-tiered campaigns for the miniseries "Jesus", "Joan of Arc" and "Pope John Paul II", among others.

She joined CBS in 1993, most recently serving as executive director, East Coast publicity.

The daytime soap operas might be losing their bubbles in the weeks ahead as networks resort to episodes not penned by WGA writers.

The guild, which has been on strike since early November, has picketed for several days in front of ABC headquarters in New York, primarily to protest its airing of All My Children episodes written by non-WGA members. ABC is the only network to produce all of its soap operas, while Days of Our Lives on NBC is produced by Corday Prods. and all of the CBS soaps are produced outside the network, including two by Procter & Gamble and one by Sony.

The networks and soap production companies have gone radio silent about how many scripts they still have from WGA writing staffs, and the writers themselves say it varies from soap to soap.

"Our daytime shows have remained in production and have continued to produce original episodes" is all Chris Ender, senior vp communications at CBS, would say. An ABC statement simply read: "The shows are staffed, and we have people in place to continue producing original programming."

Regarding the number of remaining WGA-written soap scripts, Courtney Simon, who writes for As the World Turns, which is produced by P&G for CBS, said: "There is a huge variation from show to show. Some do not want to get too far ahead with their story lines." But Simon said she's heard that scripts written by her team will run out this week.

It remains to be seen what impact this will have on viewership.

Simon does not believe that the writers behind the new scripts will be able to maintain the integrity and focus of the story lines. "It will be painful for us to see what happens to our story lines and know that when we return, we will have to clean up what these makeshift teams do," she said.