SUNSET BEACH NEWS/RUMORS
Last Updated: December 14, 1999
Editor: Jennifer Ofiana
News Reporter: Samantha Victor
News Reporter: Alex Conrad

NO FINAL PRE-EMPTIONS!

Sunset Beach fans concerned that the final episode of their beloved soap will be pre-empted need not worry. An NBC spokesperson assures Digest that the planned NBC News millennial updates will air between each hour of regular programming and will not affect Beach's finale. Anxiety grew in the wake of NBC News promos heralding comprehensive millennium coverage on Friday, December 31. National and international correspondents will be checking in from posts around the globe with live hourly updates. -Soap Digest Online

DAX GRIFFIN RETURNS

Dax Griffin (ex-Tim) talks about his return for the final episode: "It's not really connected to my storyline that I had going out [when Tim was murdered]. It kind of relates to the beginning of the show. It's a good twist. I think the viewers will be very happy."

VOTE FOR SUNSET

About.com is hosting a Poll on what your favorite NBC soap is. Sunset Beach is losing sadly! All of you need to go and show your final support of Sunset! Click here to vote!

CONGRATS SUNSET!

Sunset Beach has won the Daytime Drama Award, at The 15th annual Shrine awards, for outstanding portrayals of family planning, sexuality, and reproductive health.

SUNSET CRUISE

For all of you that were/are interested in the Sunset Beach cruise, the cruise is planned for April 14-17 2000 (4 day 3 night cruise). It leaves out of Los Angeles California and goes to Ensenada Mexico. All meals, entertainment as well as planned activites with the fans and hopefully actors (we have contacted all the actors and are waiting to see if any can join us) are included. The prices begin at $394 per person(with 2 people per cabin) airfare is separate. To make reservations or for other information please call CruiseOne @ 1-800-941-2469 or e-mail Colleen Robinson @ CRobin9199@aol.com or crobinson@cruiseone.com. Thank you for your interest we are hoping this will be a great success!

SOAP OPERA DIGEST RESPONDS TO BACKLASH

Soap Opera Digest has responded to the huge backlash surrounding the Soap Opera Awards ignoring Sunset Beach and Another World. Their response is:

I'm sorry you are so upset that your show was not included on the Soap Opera Digest ballot. I agree that Another World and Sunset Beach had fantastic actors, and we have no intention of ignoring them. But we wanted to honor these shows on our telecast for all the years they were on the air, not just their final year. We plan to run tributes to AW and SB on our telecast that will honor the shows more fully than a brief nominee clip ever could. - SOD Editor

I am still extremely displeased with Soap Opera Digest, so I responsed to them with the following:

Thanks for the response. My problem with this reply is the fact that you have completely taken away the fans last opportunity to show support and love of our show and actors. While running tributes to both shows is a great idea, did it have to also take away the opportunity to acknowledge and honor the actors and actresses who were outstanding for the year? You've clearly underestimated the importance of the fans voice in the Soap Opera Awards, and that's very sad being this is our last opportunity!

I am saddened and unhappy with your magazine thinking a tribute to the soaps is worth more than fans chance to speak! Why not give them both?

I attend the Soap Opera Awards every year, and I do not plan to attend or even vote this year. The reason is because I feel Soap Opera Digest has turned their back on the very people they claim to stand for!

Sunset Beach, Another World, and the fans, deserve more!

If you are still unhappy with current ballot for the 2000 Soap Opera Awards, it's time to make some noise! Soap Opera Digest has heard us. If enough people make noise, we might get the opportunity to change things (for once!)

All of you need to write to Soap Opera Digest magazine at: SODeditor@aol.com and tell them you will not support them on this!

THE END ANNOUNCED!

I am sad to announce that our official, final tape day will be Friday, November 19, 1999. We are ALL very sad that the show will not continue and everyone here thanks each of you for your support and praise, especially as of late!

I know you all have questions and requests - please hang on for the moment. At the end of this week I hope to have a quote for you from Gary Tomlin and a date for our first wrap-Press Day. At such day you will be able to directly ask Gary and our head-writer(s) questions as well as get quotes/statements from the cast. Information regarding end-of-production and ending storylines is not available yet. We are confident that we will meet everyone's requests and deadlines. The cast continues to be as cooperative as ever!

Thank you again and again,
Andrea McKinnon
Laura Marks