Days of Our Lives
News (Page 5)

Unsurprisingly, Kristian Alfonso, who's played heroine Hope Brady since 1983 on Days of Our Lives, says she and fellow castmates were shocked that long-time co-stars Drake Hogestyn and Deidre Hall were let go last week. 

"Everyone was aghast when we heard about Dee and Drake," the actress said. "Drake came up to me the other day and said, 'It's been so great working with you.' I said, 'Don't you dare say goodbye to me.' I felt tears starting to well."

At least Days of Our Lives will stay on the air until 2010.

"We are picked up for 18 months," said Alfonso. "I've heard there are going to be more financial cuts, and not just our show."

Indeed, NBC has said it will cut $500 million in operating expenses over the next year.

"It's happening everywhere. I'm thankful every day I walk through those doors. The economy is a disaster right now."

Phew.

That's the sound being made by fans of Days of Our Lives today. How come?

Sources close to Jay Kenneth Johnson confirm that the actor will remain on the show.

Earlier reports had indicated that he cleaned out his dressing room and would be part of budget cuts at the series.

Just three new episodes of Days of Our Lives next week, due to Thanksgiving. Here's what you can expect to see...

• Chelsea and Maggie visit Nick in jail.

• EJ (James Scott, pictured) and Stefano head to Argentina.

• Kate leaves the hospital.

• Nicole suffers through a medical emergency.

Shocking news, Days of Our Lives fans:

Long-time stars Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn are the first casualties of the show's huge budget cuts

"The couple will be happily reunited after a long period of angst and separation and will be off-screen after January for an unknown period of time. It was a very tough decision to make," Executive Producer Ken Corday told Soap Opera Digest.

As mayor, Abe has big plans next week on Days of Our Lives. Here's a look ahead...

• Abe looks to clean up the town.

• Stefano has a family dinner with EJ and Nicole.

• Lucas (Bryan Dattilo, pictured) tells his mother he intends to get a whole lot closer to Chloe.

While Days of Our Lives signed a new contract to remain on the air through at least September 2010, the good news for the show didn't last long.

In a stunning development, contract negotiations between Jay Kenneth Johnson and the series have broken down; Soap Opera Digest reports that the actor cleared out his dressing room yesterday. At issue?

Money, of course.

 "Everyone is being asked to take a paycut," said an insider, while sources say the show is looking for a potential recast and actors are being brought into the studio today to read.

Phew.

Amid speculation that dwindling ratings would cause Days of Our Lives to get canceled, the show has received a reprise: it recently signed a new 18-month deal with Sony Pictures TV.

The current deal was set to expire in March 2009, as fans panicked that the series would go the way of Passions. Now, however, those fears can be put on hold until at least September 2010.

Look out, bad guys, John is on the hunt next week on Days of Our Lives...

• John is back in vigilante mode.

• Nick (Blake Berris, pictured) wants out of Salem.

• Brady returns!

• Lucas and Philip beg their mother to end chemotherapy.

Welcome to Days of Our Lives, Sandra Robinson. The actress will join the NBC series in the role of Dr. Charlotte Taylor on December 1.

Robinson is a veteran of the soap opera world. She actually filled in as Brooke Logan on The Bold and the Beautiful and as Felicia Jones on General Hospital when the original actresses were unavailable.

Television fans may recognize the actress from recent guest-starring stints on Two and a Half Men and Criminal Minds.

Halloween awaits... and the specter of the recently murdered members of the community look large on Days of Our Lives. Here are a trio of spoilers related to the next few episodes:

• Max and Melanie fear a haunting.

• Trent's will is revealed.

• A pair of siblings receive disturbing news.