“Days of our Lives” is presenting a fan giveaway and Soap Opera Network is pleased to be asked to take part! Beginning Today, August 23 at 6:00 PM ET and running through 11:59 PM ET on Thursday, August 30, fans of the NBC Daytime drama series can enter to win an assortment of prizes including a “DAYS” tote bag, coffee mug, picture case, mirror compact, t-shirt and a “DAYS’ hat.

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Photo Credit: Robert Voets/CBS

“I want to stay,” said Christel Khalil in an interview with MSN TV. “I heard a rumor someone said I was deciding to leave, but it’s not really working that way. There’s something I want that they don’t want to give to me. It hurts. I thought I would be worth what I thought I was worth to them, but I guess I’m not.”

On Wednesday, August 22, it was announced that Khalil would be departing “The Young and the Restless” after portraying the role of Lily Winters Ashby off-and-on for the past decade. Her website confirmed her ouster when it said, “Rumors can be such an ugly thing so here is the answer floating about the internet. Christel Khalil is indeed leaving ‘The Young and the Restless.’ It is not her decision to leave. An agreement could not be reached during contract negotiations. I have confirmed this information with the source.” That source of course was Khalil herself, who added in her MSN interview, “it seems like negotiations are over.”

Khalil’s contract with “Y&R” is set to expire in September. Should the series and the actress part ways, the soap is prepared to recast the role immediately. On Tuesday, August 21, the soap put out a casting call for the role of “Sally Tate,” who is described as a woman in her mid-20s who is ”vivacious, energetic, ambitious. She’s a mom balancing work and family. She’s had her share of tough times, but always bounces back from even the most trying situations. Sexy, romantic, fun-loving, with a delightful sense of humor and an eternal twinkle in her eyes.” The role, now known to be that of Lily Winters Ashby, comes with a contract attached.

A CBS spokesperson has previously stated that the show “does not comment on contracts, rumors or storyline information.”

Photo Credit: Disney/ABC Television Group

“General Hospital” DVR Alerts for the Week of August 27, 2012.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: DVR ALERTS

Monday, August 27: Anna comes face to face with the mystery patient. Jerry makes his demands clear to the people of Port Charles. Joe Jr. promises to protect Tracy.  Can he be trusted?

Tuesday, August 28: Todd makes a confession to Carly about his feelings. Will Patrick’s suspicions about Ewen put Elizabeth in danger? Jax tries to reason with his brother. Starr and Michael try to stop Trey and Kristina from making a bad decision.

Wednesday, August 29: Will Elizabeth’s actions put her in further jeopardy? Carly comforts Jax. Sonny pulls a gun on Joe Jr. Michael asks Kristina an important question.

Thursday, August 30: Port Charles awakens to a dire situation. Todd pays Jerry a visit. Luke and Anna make love.

Friday, August 31: Will John be able to stop Jerry before it’s too late? Will Jason be able to save Elizabeth? Luke opens up to Anna.

Photo Credit: Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

The Huffington Post is reporting that Lisa Rinna is departing NBC’s “Days of our Lives” nearly nine months after returning to the set of the daytime drama series in the role of Billie Reed, which she originated back in 1992.

“She’s leaving so she can do all of the 500 other things she loves to do. [She's working on] her Belle Gray line for QVC, she’s writing another diet and fitness book, plus she’s developing a vitamin supplement line and lingerie line,” an anonymous friend of Rinna’s told the Post. “She’s also in talks to do a panel-type talk show.”

Rinna began filming again at “DAYS” in December, but didn’t hit the air until early March as the series currently films three months ahead of airdate. In announcing Rinna’s return last October, the Post said, “Lisa is doing a James Franco,” referencing Franco’s guest role on “General Hospital.” “There is something full circle about bringing her back to the role that made her famous and now harnessing her celebrity to secure the future of the show.” Unfortunately for Rinna, her return left her with not much to do as her character was given very little material to work with, especially as evidenced by the recent DAYSaster that took place before the Olympic break.

A “Days of our Lives” representative was unavilable for comment at press time.

via Press Release

‘DAYS OF OUR LIVES‘ EQUALS EIGHT-MONTH HIGHS AMONG WOMEN 18-49 AND 18-34

MATCHING ITS TOP RATINGS SINCE NOVEMBER, ‘DAYS’ TIES FOR #4 FOR THE WEEK IN WOMEN 18-49 AND TIES FOR #2 IN WOMEN 18-34

Photo Credit: Corday Productions, Inc.

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – August 23, 2012 – “Days of our Lives” has returned from its two-week Olympic break to match the show’s highest women 18-49 and women 18-34 ratings in more than eight months.

For the week of August 13-17, “Days of our Lives” averaged a 0.9 rating, 6 share among women 18-49 and a 0.6 rating among women 18-34, to tie for #4 among network daytime series in the women 18-49 demographic and tie for #2 in the week’s women 18-34 race. The only network daytime series to top “Days’” 0.6 rating in women 18-34 last week was NBC’s “Today Show II,” which averaged a 0.7 from 9-10 p.m. ET

For the August 13-17 week, “Days” equaled the show’s highest women 18-49 and women 18-34 ratings since the week of November 21-25, 2011 (1.1 in women 18-49, 0.8 in women 18-34).

Season to date, “Days of our Lives” is tied for #6 in the women 18-49 category and tied for #1 in the women 18-34 demo.

Ratings reflect “live plus same day” data from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of “live plus seven day” data except for the two most recent weeks, which are “live plus same day.”

Photo Credit: IMDb

Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Marshall Hilliard will appear for eight episodes as a new officer at the Port Charles Police Department. “I call him Officer Marshall,” the actor joked to Digest.

“I’ve shot eight episodes so far and I’m working with Michael Easton [John McBain],” Hilliard said. ”And let me tell you, they run a great production over there. Frank [Valentini, executive producer] is so artistic.”

Last seen in 2011 as Dylan on NBC’s “Days of our Lives,” Hilliard is probably best known as Hart Jessup #4 on CBS’ “Guiding Light” from 1995-1996. He was soon replaced by actor Frank Grillo, who held the role until 1999. Hilliard appeared in a 2010 episode of TNT’s “Hawthorne.” His first airdate on “GH” is scheduled for Thursday, August 30.

“I think it is a very good possibility! In fact, I think there is a good probability!” said newly appointed Senior Executive Director of “The 40th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards,” David Michaels, in an interview with Michael Fairman, when asked about the possibility of the awards ceremony possibly being telecast on television next year. ”Malachy Wienges [Chairman, National Association of Television Arts & Sceinces] is working very hard on that as we speak.  That is one of the things that is key … to always keep the Daytime Emmys on the air.  It is what a lot of people look forward to all yearlong, which is that telecast.  I never want to see it go off the air!”

In related news, per a report by Variety back in June, Wienges and NATAS are currently in discussion on ways to combine key elements of the Daytime Emmys, Sports Emmys and News & Documentary Emmys into a new, televised awards event that would “draw upon the added star power that the news and sports events provide.” The site states a new awards program wouldn’t come about for another three or four years. “Those shows are powerhoused with a lot of talent,” said Wienges on the talent appearing at the Sports and News & Documentary telecasts.

Photo Credit: NATAS/CBS

As for the possibility of getting the Daytime Emmy broadcast on the air, Wienges said, “We are wide open. We have two networks that are interested, alphabet networks, and we have three production companies interested, and Turner’s interested. … I’ve already engaged an attorney in Hollywood who’s done probably dozens of these for different venues.”

Considering it is an anniversary year for the Emmys, it would be a crying shame if no broadcast network, particularly ABC or CBS, decided to air the program. Let’s just hope that the next couple of months brings about hope for a brighter future for the telecast.

Despite only four soaps remaining on the air, ABC’s canceled “One Life to Live” is still eligible in all categories relating to Drama Series (Directing, Writing, Series, Hair, Makeup, etc.) due to it airing enough episodes in 2012 based on NATAS eligibility requirements.

Photo Credit: Twitter

Michael Damian just announced on Twitter that he’s returning to CBS’ “The Young and the Restless‘” next month for the soaps 10,000th episode, which is scheduled to air on Thursday, September 27. He also announced that viewers can expect to see lots more of his character, Danny Romalotti, even beyond epi 10,000.

“Yahoo! I’m back playing Danny on Y&R for the10,000 episode and lots more! Thank you so much for your amazing support! Rock On, Michael,” said Damian in his tweet.

Responding to an excited fan, Damian said that it is “because of all of you writing to ‘Y&R’ and tweeting to bring back Danny:-)” as the reason we can expect to see him back on the show a lot more. Damian has appeared on numerous occasions over the years since departing the role full-time in 1998.

The actor promises “some really great story coming up! you guys are going to really enjoy ”

Just a short time ago, the official CBS Daytime twitter account posted a picture of cast members from the networks “The Young and the Restless” as they gathered in celebration of the shows 10,000th episode, which is currently in production.

Photo Credit: CBS Daytime via Twitter

Despite Soap Opera Digest reporting on Tuesday that she was staying, TV Line is now reporting that Monday’s report by CBS Soaps In Depth was correct when it said actress Susan Flannery had informed producers and writers at “The Bold and the Beautiful” that she planned to leave the series at the end of her contract. To compensate, Flannery agreed to sign a short-term deal that would allow her to wrap up Stephanie Forrester’s 25-year storyline.

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