Sami Brady

Think you can go toe-to-toe with Sami Brady? Think you can outcry Belle Black? Some of these contestants do, because they've tried out for the new season of I Wanna Be a Soap Star. The SOAPnet cable channel held open casting calls in Miami, New York and Los Angeles last month looking for the next big daytime-drama sensation, all vying for a 13-week contract role on Days of Our Lives.

For the first time, America will have a voice in selecting the winner before the reality show's first-ever live season finale. Production for the fourth season begins in May, and the series will begin airing in August. Cameron Mathison (Ryan, All My Children) returns to his hosting duties.

"We have had an incredible partnership with Days since acquiring same-day episodes in 2004," says Deborah Blackwell, general manager of SOAPnet. "Our ability to cast a contract role on their show, that has over 40 years of history, speaks to our special relationship."

The 10-episode arc focuses on 10 aspiring actors who live, rehearse and act together, all striving for the same dream - to catch their big break on a daytime soap. The judges panel will include Days head writer Hogan Sheffer, talent manager Michael Bruno and former soap actress Debbi Morgan, as well as the viewers at home, who will have a hand in selecting the winner this year.

The previous seasons' winners have all gone on to do well in their limited contract roles, but sometimes you don't even need to win in order to be remembered. Bethann Bonner, a season three finalist, currently plays tough cop Talia on One Life to Live, so who knows what gem is waiting to shine in the next group of contestants.

Celebrity interviews

One thing soap fans love is a beautiful wedding. Marriages might not last long on soaps, but the drama leading up to it and the beautiful gowns and decorations on the big day make up for that. Now the WE.tv network is launching a new reality show that caters to the softer side of nuptials - the romance. No Bridezillas here, Get Married is a weekly series beginning April 15 that will be both informative and fun to watch. Hosted by Atlanta TV and radio personality Jenn Hobby, with reports by noted wedding expert Crys Stewart and correspondent Jessica Campbell, the magazine show will cover everything about weddings, including expert tips and honeymoon destinations and feature celebrity interviews.

"There are a host of reality shows out there that use marriage as a source of conflict to grab viewers, and those will come and go," says Stewart, editorial director of Get Married and former editor in chief of Wedding-Channel magazine. "Get Married will attract an audience by exploring the subject with an indepth look at all aspects of what is really one of the most important life events that a person can experience."

Adding to the show's appeal is a celebrity-wedding segment with stars sharing stories about their own celebrations. Among the personalities featured is former soap star (ex-Jim Grainger, The Young and the Restless) and Dancing With the Stars runner-up John O'Hurley. Others include Brian Lattrell of the Backstreet Boys, NASCAR champion Kurt Busch and singer Edwin McCain.

In conjunction with the show, viewers and brides-to-be can log on to www.getmarried.com, which also doubles as a personal wedding planner.

- Dana Block