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.

Photo Credit: Yolanda Perez/ABC

With anticipation high for the recently introduced TNT Original Series “Major Crimes,” The Huffington Post compiled a list of the 30 Best and Worst TV Spinoffs Ever. “Port Charles” was listed as one of televisions worst.

“Despite the fact that the ‘General Hospital‘ spinoff lasted more than six years, ‘Port Charles’ — which took ‘GH’ characters Lucy Coe, Kevin Collins, Scott Baldwin and Karen Wexler — broke all the TV soap rules, and not for the better. It dropped the open-ended writing style of other daytime dramas and spent way too much time in the hospital,” the Post cited as its reasoning for placing the daytime drama series on the list.

Premiering on Sunday, June 1, 1997 as a 2-hour primetime television event, “Port Charles” was the first spinoff of ABC Daytime’s “General Hospital.” As a daily soap opera, “PC” launched on Monday, June 2, 1997. It ended on Friday, October 3, 2003 after airing 1,633 episodes.

Shortly after its conclusion, ABC shifted Kelly Monaco (ex-Olivia “Livvie” Locke Morley) and Michael Easton (ex-Caleb Morley) to “General Hospital” and “One Life to Live,” respectively. Monaco currently portrays Sam McCall, while Easton left “OLTL” (upon that soaps cancellation) and transferred his character John McBain to “GH.”

To find out what other shows made the best or worst list, click here.

JPI

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Although a “Days of our Lives” representative was unavailable for comment to Soap Opera Network, Soap Opera Digest is reporting what The Huffington Post originally reported, which is Lisa Rinna is returning to the NBC soap in the role of Billie Reed. The actress originated the role in 1992, nearly twenty years ago.

The Huffington Post
“‘Days Of Our Lives’ has a great new team behind it, and they are determined to make sure the show not only survives but thrives,” an insider tells me. “Part of the strategy is bringing out the big guns, which includes bringing back Lisa Rinna and Billie Reed.”

“Lisa is doing a James Franco,” the source says, referencing Franco’s recent 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.”

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Per the Post, Rinna’s supposed scripts are being kept under wraps and anyone involved in her storyline are being told to keep quiet after learning they’ll be working with her. The site states she’ll begin shooting her episodes in December, which would place her first airdate as early as March per the current filming schedule the soap is under.

Rinna previously returned to “DAYS” in 2002 during the soaps failed attempt to recapture the novelty of her character. Although at no fault to the actress herself, the soap wrote her character as a cop at the Salem Police Department, which incensed fans – particularly fans of Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope (Kristian Alfonso) Brady.