Days of Our Lives News (Page 10)

In a follow-up to yesterday's rumor that a pair of popular stars have been let go from Days of Our Lives, we can now confirm:

Brandon Beemer (pictured) and Martha Madison have been fired from the show. Sources say their ousting was a decision made by executive producer Ken Corday; it was financially driven.

"Wow. I can't believe how fast word travels," Madison said in a statement on her official we site. "I have been bombarded with emails and [messages] asking if it's true [that] Brandon and I have been let go from the show. I'm sorry/sad to say that we have, in fact, been released from our contracts.

It was explained to us on Friday that this was a storyline dictated move by the writers, and that, at this time, we were free to move on to other work. We have both been incredibly grateful for the time that we've had here, and we will still be taping for the next few weeks."

Her Days of Our Lives co-star echoed the actress' sentiments:

"Sad to say that it's true," Beemer write on his website. "The show's decision was very unexpected, but it's always something that comes with the territory. I'll write more when I get more info."

Tamara Braun, who played Carly from 2001-2005 on General Hospital, has joined the cast of Days of Our Lives.

The actress will portray the charachter of Ava, a woman from Steve's past. She'll first air February 8.

"She sounds very layered and complicated and it seems like there's a lot to sink my teeth into," Braun told Soap Opera Digest of her new role.

What can you look forward to next week on Days of Our Lives? Take a look...

• Hope becomes a cop again.

• Marlena tells Belle that John (Drake Hogestyn) doesn't remember them.

• Sami (Alison Sweeney) heads underground with the twins.

• Shawn and Chloe band together to find Claire.

John Aniston is coming back to Salem in February.

The character of Victor Kiriakis will hopefully get involved in a grudge match with Stefano, but we're unsure how long he'll remain back on Days of Our Lives.

Aniston is also signed up to star in the romantic comedy The Gold & The Beautiful, co-starring Kate Linder from The Young and The Restless.

What can you expect to see next week on Days of Our Lives? Here are some hints...

• Sami is growing closer to EJ, but Hope warns her not to trust him

• Crystal and Rob kidnap Belle (Martha Madison, pictured) and Claire.

• Crawford Decker comes looking for Ford again.

• Stefano gets himself into a legal entanglement... and ends up in jail with Lucas (Brian Dattilo).

Singer Shirley Jones will join the cast of Days Of Our Lives in February.

The Oscar winner (for Elmer Gantry in 1950) will play the role of Colleen Brady, complete with an Irish accent.

The role marks Jones' first foray into daytime television, and while we have no Days of Our Lives spoilers right now regarding any story lines, the singer/actress did say:

"It's hard work! I didn't want to do it - but they gave me more money than ..."

We'll let you think of the four-letter word Jones used to end that sentence.

Julie Pinson will leave Days of our Lives in the next few weeks.

According to a source on set, the actress is being written out as part of the show's continued efforts to trim its budget. The move is controversial, however, because the decision to write out Billie was made by the show's interim writers, who are substituting for the show's regular writers while they strike.

In 2004, Pinson appeared for three months on The Young and the Restless before beginning her stint on Days of Our Lives.

A final airdate has not yet been announced for the actress, as a series spokesperson said:

"Julie is still at work. We do not comment on contracts."

Hearken back to 1984, Days of Our Lives fans.

You may not be aware of it, but you're intimately familiar with the Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie Louisiana, approximately 45 minutes outside of New Orleans.

It was here where Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope (Kristian Alfonso) first made love, beautifully setting up the relationship that led to one of television's all-time great weddings.

Refresh your memory of the moments leading up to this event at Oak Alley below:

Now, let's take a look at the plantation today. I ventured to this gorgeous locale with my girlfriend last week - and could practicaly see Bo and Hope frolicking on the front lawn as we posed in front of the picturesque oak trees...

Did this writer and his lovely ladyfriend sneak off into a bedroom and emulate the actions of those classic Days of Our Lives characters? Like a true gentleman in the mold of Bo Brady, A.C. Powers will never tell.

What can you look forward to next week on Days of Our Lives? Here are a few spoilers...

• Chelsea tells Nick everything. Yes, everything!

• Kate and Phil attempt to help a jailed Lucas (Bryan Dattilo, pictured).

• Marlena threatens Stefano.

• EJ finds out what it means to be on Stefano’s (Joseph Mascolo)bad side.

• Belle is suspicious of Phillip!

Alison Sweeney is more than just content that Ed Scott is now a writer on Days of Our Lives. Regarding Scott, the actress recently told Boston Now:

“It's fantastic.  We're so lucky.  He's such an amazing producer. He made such an impression on the set from the moment he got here with his enthusiasm and his work ethic and his strive for perfection, and that's what I admire so much because that's my mentality…

He wants it to be right, he wants it to be good, he wants it to be perfect.  He is someone you can look up to and someone you can work hard for.”

And Sweeney is used to working hard, especially since she has to juggle her successful television career with taking care of her family: husband David Sanov and two-year-old son Benjamin Edward.

“It's not easy,” she said of balancing family with work, which includes hosting NBC's The Biggest Loser.  “I couldn't do it if I didn't love all the jobs; I love being a Mom, I love my son, and my husband.  I am so lucky to have such a supporting, loving family, and they are with me as much as they can be.  We do stuff together and have quality family time as much as possible.”

Sweeney added: “[Days of our Lives] is a part of my life.  I've been doing it for almost half my life and everyone here is my family.  I care about the show so much and want it to succeed; I wan