SOAP SCOOP | Daytime TV news

Ellen Wheeler at the helm: Emmy Award-winning actress, director and producer Ellen Wheeler is the new executive director at "Guiding Light." Wheeler carried several demanding roles as an actress, playing twins Marley and Victoria Hudson on "Another World," and AIDS patient Cindy Chandler on "All My Children," for which she won critical acclaim. Wheeler has also worked as a director on "As the World Turns" and has worked on the production staff of "GL." She is expected to return the show to basics and move away from the supernatural.
More 'GL' news: Two veteran "Guiding Light" actors, Jerry verDorn (Russ) and Kim Zimmer (Reva), will be sticking around. Both have extended their contracts. Also expect to see Elizabeth Keifer return to "GL" as Blake sometime this month.
Off to England: Olga Sosnovska is winding up her year as Lena on "All My Children" and intends to move to London to join the cast of the popular BBC series "MI-5." Her final appearance has not yet been announced, but admirers of the actress will be able to watch her new series on A & amp;E. Tonya Pinkins of "AMC" has agreed to contract terms for her role as Livia.
Pet project: Animal lovers can buy a chance to go backstage at "As the World Turns" or "Guiding Light," or even get a phone call from Grant Aleksander (Phillip on "GL"), while contributing to the care of tigers and animal education programs. For more information, visit the Fund for Animals' online auction between April 16 and 26 at www.fundauctions.org.
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