Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Tongues started wagging when “Days of our Lives” star Greg Vaughan (Eric Brady) tweeted that Jen Lilley (ex-Maxie Jones, “General Hospital”) was the newest castmember to join the iconic show, and while the actor’s tweet was quickly pulled, the rumor spread like wildfire anyway. And it turns out, the news is true!

Read More >>

Thomas A. Montalto/Montalto Photos

The peer votes have been cast, and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has announced the Drama Performer Pre-Nominations for the 40^th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards! Five categories have been announced, including Lead Actress and Lead Actor, Supporting Actress and Supporting Actor, as well as Younger Actress and Younger Actor. Without further adieu, here are the pre-nominees:

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series

• Sharon Case as Sharon on “The Young and the Restless”
• Jeanne Cooper as Katherine on “Y&R”
• Susan Flannery as Stephanie on “The Bold and the Beautiful”
• Finola Hughes as Anna Devane on “General Hospital”
• Peggy McCay as Caroline on “Days of our Lives”
• Kelly Monaco as Sam on “GH”
• Melody Thomas Scott as Nikki on “Y&R”
• Michelle Stafford as Phyllis on “Y&R”
• Kelly Sullivan as Kate on “GH”
• Heather Tom as Katie on “B&B”
• Laura Wright as Carly on “GH”

Read More >>

Joey Skibel

Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, you’re likely already aware that Greg Vaughan (ex-Lucky Spencer, “General Hospital“) is joining “Days of our Lives” as a recast Eric Brady. What you didn’t know was his first airdate, or his characters new holy profession. Say what?

On Friday, August 10, via Entertainment Weekly, a representative of “DAYS” confirmed that Vaughan had been hired to portray the twin brother of Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney), who was last seen in Salem in July 2000 and was the first love interest of Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker), which was the basis of Sami’s long standing feud with Nicole. The role was previously portrayed by “Supernatural” star Jensen Ackles.

Read More >>

Photo Credit: ABC

Best known for his portrayal of Lucky Spencer on ABC’s “General Hospital,” actor Greg Vaughan has joined the cast of NBC’s “Days of our Lives” in the contract role of Eric Brady. Vaughan tweeted a picture of his first day arriving at the shows Burbank Studio lot on Wednesday, August 8, where he said to his followers, “Here’s to to new beginnings’s!!”

For those new to “Days of our Lives,” or if you have forgotten, Eric Brady is the twin brother of Samantha “Sami” Brady (Alison Sweeney). He was last seen in town in July 2000 and was the first love interest of Nicole Walker (Arianne Zucker), which was the basis of Sami’s long standing feud with Nicole. The role was previously portrayed by “Supernatural” star Jensen Ackles.

Ironically, despite Vaughan signing on to play Sweeney’s on-screen twin brother, the two actors began filming the Hallmark Channel original movie “Two In” in late June. The film finds Sweeney portraying a single mother working at a 911 call center who answers an emergency call from a firefighter (Vaughan) in desperate need of help after he broke his leg while fighting a fire. As the two find themselves drawn together due to circumstances beyond their control, they begin to wonder where their mutual attraction will take them. The film is set to have its world premiere on the Hallmark Channel sometime in 2013.

Based on the current filming schedule for “Days of our Lives,” fans of the series can expect to see Vaughan on-screen as early as November.

In addition to his stint on “GH,” Vaughan also appeared as Diego Guttierez on “The Young and the Restless” and most recently appeared in ABC’s primetime soap “GCB.”

Craig Sjodin/ABC

On Monday afternoon, TV Guide Magazine revealed news that “General Hospital” actor Jonathan Jackson has decided to exit the role of Lucky Spencer on the ABC daytime drama. Sources indicate to the magazine that Jackson was denied a lighter schedule following two years of non-stop drama for his beleaguered character and that ultimately played into his decision to get out of Port Charles. Jackson was also apparently disappointed that his character never got the opportunity to properly reunite with his former love interest Elizabeth Webber played by Rebecca Herbst. The four-time Daytime Emmy Award winner will last tape on November 17.

Jackson debuted on “GH” as the first-born child of daytime’s most famous couple, Luke and Laura played by Anthony Geary and Genie Francis, on October 29, 1993 at the tender age of eleven. In 1999, while still filming “GH,” Jackson landed a starring role opposite Michelle Pfeiffer in the film “Deep End of the Ocean.” Jackson excited his role on the popular ABC daytime drama later that year. Other notable film endeavors for the talented actor included starring roles on “Tuck Everlasting” and “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.” Jackson returned to “GH” in October 2009, controversially replacing Greg Vaughan who played the role from 2003 to 2009. When not acting, the 29-year old actor performs with the band Enation. Their music has been featured on the television series “One Tree Hill.”

Jackson’s last scenes on “GH” will likely air before the close of 2011. TV Guide reports that the actor has already taped his last scenes with his on-screen father. Jackson may see this move as not postponing the inevitable. ABC affiliates are currently lining up new programming to take over the 48-year old soap operas long-standing 3 o’clock time slot across the country for the 2012-2013 season.