Lee Phillip Bell To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award
Lee Phillip Bell, who co-created YOUNG AND RESTLESS and BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL with her late husband William J. Bell, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

Mrs. Bell was the host of THE LEE PHILLIP SHOW in Chicago, from 1952-86, which included interviews with well-known politicians, film and television stars and athletes. She was considered a pioneer in the talk show genre for exploring many timely social issues before it was a common practice among her peers. Mrs. Bell has also served as producer and narrator on numerous award-winning specials and documentaries concerning foster children, rape, children and divorce, and babies born to women in prison.

Bill Bell also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from NATAS in 1992.

Drew Tyler Bell (Thomas, B&B) has been cast in a 20th Century Fox film called The Dark is Rising, which is based on a series of books by Susan Cooper. "I have a substantial role," enthuses an excited Bell, who recently departed for the three-month shoot in Romania.

OLTL's Jill Mitwell was honored at the 2006 Directors Guild of America Outstanding Directorial Achievement Awards. Mitwell won the Outstanding Directorial Achievement In Daytime Serials for the episode of John's color guard funeral. The awards were announced Feb. 4 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles. This is Mitwell's third win.

Bus A Move
Here's further proof of BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL's global popularity. According to a recent news account, many citizens of Bulgaria's northern city of Vratsa were outraged when their favorite soap opera was given a new time slot of 10:15 every morning. It seems a conflict arose because most of the locals, who work daily in nearby fields, must rely on a bus that departs at 9:30 a.m. for their transportation. Desperate not to miss a single episode of B&B, the affected citizens are planning to petition the municipality to change the bus schedule.

Kate Linder (Esther, Y&R) was recently appointed co-chair of the Daytime Awards Committee for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Linder is one of two Daytime Governors for the Academy as well.

We previously reported in Digest that Adrienne Frantz's (Amber, Y&R) CD Anomaly would go on sale soon but the actress announced on www.myspace.com that the release date has been rescheduled. "The worldwide release of the album will be pushed back to April 3, 2007," Frantz posted. "We feel this is the best decision so that I can properly promote the record and do a full tour without having to worry about filming commitments for TV... Those who already pre-ordered the CD will get an extra 'bonus' now, in addition to the signed photo when the CD is released."

Y&R fans will hear samplings from the CD when Frantz sings some of the material on the soap.

Just Pretend I'm Not Here
ABC soap fans should check out Just Pretend I'm Not Here from celebrity photographer Jim Warren. The photo collection features more than 40 black-and-white and color pictures of actors from ALL MY CHILDREN, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and GENERAL HOSPITAL. More.

Y&R Gets New Top Exec
Y&R’s Head Writer Lynn Marie Latham has been named as the show’s executive producer. Latham came on board in February 2006 as Head Writer after serving as Executive Consultant in the previous year. She will remain Head Writer and be responsible for overseeing all creative aspects of the show.

“Lynn has done a terrific job balancing stories that are both compelling and emotional," lauded Bill Bell, Jr., President of Bell Dramatic Serial Company. “She has embraced the history of the show and found new opportunities for storylines that have great passion.”

B&B Declared "World’s Most Watched Daily Drama Series"
BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL received the International TV Audience Award in the category of Telenovela/Soap Opera at the 46th Monte Carlo Television Festival Golden Nymph Awards Ceremony. The event was held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on July 1. The award was accepted by Executive Producer/Head Writer Bradley Bell, who was accompanied by Ashley Jones (Bridget) and Antonio Sabato Jr. (Dante).The awards are determined by the sum of ratings across five continents and 51 countries as measured by Médiamétrie and Eurodata TV Worldwide. The win signifies that B&B delivered higher ratings worldwide in 2005 than any other daily drama series. B&B is viewed in over 130 countries and territories worldwide, with an estimated daily audience of over 35 million viewers.

B&B Receives Two IMAGEN Awards
BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL has received nominations in two categories for the 21st Annual IMAGEN Awards. Mario Lopez (Christian) was nominated for Best Supporting Actor and the scenes in which Lorenzo Lamas (Hector) promoted pool and hot tub safety, after little Hope nearly drowned, got the nod for Best On-Air Advertising.