Kim Delaney

Love and lies in suburbia made a comeback a few years ago when Desperate Housewives climbed to the top of the ratings charts. Then the British hit Footballers' Wives became a big sensation, and the American version, Football Wives, is currently in production. So is there room on your weekly TV appointment schedule for another prime-time soap? Lifetime Television is betting there is with their new summer drama series Army Wives.

From the creators of Grey's Anatomy and Criminal Minds comes this ensemble drama about friendships and the dreams and challenges of a group of army wives and one army husband living on an active military base. The series was filmed on location in one of America's oldest and most beautiful coastal towns, Charleston, S.C.

Heading up the cast is Kim Delaney (as Claudia Holden), who played one of daytime's most beloved heroines, Jenny Gardner, on All My Children. Delaney went on to become a household name as Det. Diane Russell on NYPD Blue, a role that won her an Emmy. Her co-stars include Catherine Bell (as Denise Sherwood), who starred as Lt. Col. Sarah 'Mac' MacKenzie on another military drama, JAG. Rounding up the cast are Sally Pressman as Roxy LeBlanc, Brigid Brannagh as Pamela Moran and Serling K. Brownas Roland Burton.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Each character is struggling to keep some kind of secret. Claudia is the base's most admired wife, as she is married to a highly respected colonel, but when he is turned down for a promotion, she fears her own secrets will be exposed and ruin his career. Denise fears being alone with her physically abusive son after her husband goes off to war. Pamela is earning money as a surrogate and is afraid of being blackballed by the other wives if they discover the truth. Roxy is the spitfire from the wrong side of the tracks who is trying to adjust to her new life (and quickie marriage) without losing her identity. Lastly, Roland is a psychiatrist married to a female soldier who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Army Wives debuts June 3 at 10 p.m. on Lifetime Television and will run for 13 episodes.

He may have exited the CBS world, but Zach Roerig still has a life to live - on One Life to Live, that is. The actor recently departed As the World Turns as Casey, but will soon be known as Hunter on ABC's OLTL in a short-term gig. His character is somehow involved in the disappearance of Todd Manning (Trevor St. John). He debuts June 11.

Eric Martsolf, who plays Theresa Crane's object of desire on Passions, is releasing a five-song CD available for purchase through his MySpace site beginning June 5. Before starting on soaps, Martsolf was a stage actor, so it's no surprise he can carry a tune or two. The CD will later be available for download on iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody and others, but for now, log on to myspace.com/ericmartsolfmusic for the latest information.

Congratulations to Greg Vaughan (Lucky, General Hospital) and his wife, Touriya, on the birth of their son, Jathan James, who greeted the world on May 4.

ATTENTION: For those who planned to attend, Michael Park (Jack, ATWT) and Ricky Paull Goldin (Gus, Guiding Light) have cancelled their pre-Emmy June 2 concert. Log on towww.rickypaull

- Dana Black