Kerry Butler departs OLTL Jan 3rd....

Nice writeup on tvguide.com though from the head writer..

In other One Life news, the very talented Kerry Butler — who plays Nash's dysfunctional ex, Claudia Reston — is leaving Llanview.

"I liked Kerry very much," head writer Dena Higley tells TVGuide.com. "She was fabulous as an addict. But we have a big cast to write for, and we can't have too many new faces calling the shots.

"Claudia's function in the story had come to its conclusion," Higley adds. "She was very useful for illustrating Nash's reprobate past, and then when we felt like her usefulness had come to an end, it was time to say goodbye.

"We send her off in a lovely way. Claudia gradually comes to the realization that Nash will never love her. Also, in a very Robin Williams-like way, she realizes she's fallen off the wagon and she decides to take pre-emptive measures before it gets too bad and she hits rock bottom. So Claudia checks herself back into rehab."

An OLTL spokesperson confirms that Butler's last airdate is Jan. 3, 2007.

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Aww. To bad. (Even though I have NO idea what this show is.)

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Updated On: 11/17/06 at 10:41 PM

Somehow I don't see Butler getting Ariel.

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Listen to her "Somewhere That's Green" and then picture her singing "Part of You're World".

Audrey is supposed to have a New York accent. That was Butler's decision on how to play the role. DO you have any idea about LITTLE SHOP?

Butler didn't sound Brooklyn in HAIRSPRAY.

I'm sure she wouldn't sound Brooklyn in LITTLE MERMAID. Even though I don't see her getting the part.

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"now that i look at her pictures, she doesn't look "Ariel"...we'll have to wait and see though... "

That's another thing. She dosen't look Ariel to me.

I just didn't like her performance in Little Shop. But I love her.

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Another Broadway singer freed from soap.

Praise the Lord.

I always thought SOMEWHERE THAT"S GREEN
and PART OF YOUR WORLD
were the same song,
You can sing them at the same time and see if you agree.

WOW! Better than I thought! But I still can't see her as Ariel.

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Ten years ago she would have been cast as Ariel,
They are probably gonna go much younger and an unknown
(like they did with Poppins)
So the Show is about the show and not the actress.

I really liked her singing POYW! I thought she was really good. But I do agree, they may go for someone younger. Not that I wouldn't love to see Kerry in the role though!

Upcoming Bat Boy Movie with Deven May? He's doing Jersey Boys on tour for at least a year.

LMAO Shows how little YOU know! I was talking about the Bat Boy movie! So there. lol

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I really LOVE Kerry on the Little Mermaid Workshop Recording! Something about her singing makes me...happy. I listen to her rendition of "Beyond My Wildest Dreams" and I can't help but smile because I can hear the happiness and excitement in her voice. And some of her speaking lines in other characters' songs are delivered to my liking, so I think she would be brilliant casting (of course I also really want Buddy Hackett, but seeing as how that isn't possible...)

Updated On: 11/18/06 at 11:05 AM