Thomas A. Montalto/MontaltoPhotos.com

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Cady McClain returned to “All My Children” during the Tuesday,  May 17 broadcast of the soap despite filming her first scenes just seven days prior (May 10). So why did the show rapidly insert her scenes into already taped episodes of the soap? “AMC” was canceled of course! During fan club weekend last month, McClain spoke with Soap Opera Network about her return, what the cancellation news meant for cast and crew, the reunion of Tad Martin (Michael E. Knight) and Dixie Cooney (McClain) and even how she got to wear sweats to work while filming scenes of Dixie laying in bed.

In January 2007, Dixie “died” from “peanut butter and banana pancakes,” according to McClain, but in soap opera reality Dixie is in fact alive and was being held by Dr. David Hayward (Vincent Irizarry). “It’s all a big mystery,” the actress explains about her return. “Why is David keeping her there, how did he keep her alive? Who’s going to rescue her? How does she get out?”

As for those long time Tad and Dixie fans, who have waited for the two to finally happily reunite, especially with the show coming to a close on ABC, what does McClain think about Tad’s new wife Cara (Lindsay Hartley)? The actress shared that there is “room for a lot of conflict, a lot of torn heart strings for all the characters involved. No one’s a bad [or] mean person, but their in love you know, Dixie’s in love with Tad, Tad’s in love with Dixie, Tad’s in love with Cara, Cara’s in love with Tad. It’s like a new discovery for them.”

For this and more, check out our exclusive interview with Cady McClain below.

Yolanda Perez/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) – Jacob Young is returning to the soap that started his daytime career back in 1997. This fall the Daytime Emmy Award winner will reprise the role of Eric Forrester (John McCook) and Brooke Logan’s (Katherine Kelly Lang) son, Rick Forrester, on the CBS daytime drama “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

Four months after it was announced that “All My Children” would be ending its run on ABC in September and just a month after learning that Prospect Park, a 2-year-old production company, had picked up the show as part of its yet-to-be-named infotainment network set for a January launch, Young (JR Chandler on “AMC”) has become the second actor to bolt the daytime drama series. The first being Debbi Morgan (Angie Hubbard), who is heading to “The Young and the Restless” later this fall.

In an interview with TV Guide Magazine‘s Michael Logan, Young reveals that he will be returning on screen to “B&B” beginning Monday, September 26, which will also mark the first time in 41-years that “All My Children” was not on the regularly scheduled ABC Daytime lineup. “The Chew” replaces “AMC” on this date.

“When I started talking to ‘B&B’ I didn’t think it would happen so fast. But I guess it’s good that way. I was looking forward to wrapping up ‘AMC’ and having a bit of a hiatus, maybe a month or two to travel with my family,” said Young. “As it turns out, I’ll probably have my ‘AMC’ and ‘B&B’ schedules overlapping and be shooting both shows at the same time. I’m like, ‘You guys figure it out and point me in the right direction.’”

Although he hopes the deal with Prospect Park and “AMC” can come together even without him and Morgan, like many of his co-stars Young is concerned about the hiatus between the soap ending on ABC and taking off on the internet. Young thinks a January 16 debut is an optimistic time table for when “AMC” could end up back on the air considering the facts of the situation so far. His advice to his co-stars in the meantime is “to get out there in the business and see what’s crackin’. Anybody with common sense would do that.”

With Prospect Park yet to confirm details of when “AMC” will pick up production due to union issues, the company has been unable to reach out to actors to try and iron out contracts, leaving an actor exodus a strong possibility before the online version of the soap even debuts. Interestingly enough, news of Young heading back to “B&B” comes on the heals of that soap returning from a three week production hiatus.

In an interview with Soap Opera Network during the “All My Children” Fan Club Weekend, Young shared his hopes for fans who would continue with the show online and where he sees his character as the show comes to a close on ABC.

For more from Young’s TV Guide interview where he discusses both “AMC” and “B&B, click here.

About Jacob Young

Young put the character of Rick Forrester on the map on “B&B” from 1997 to 1999. The role was last played by Kyle Lowder (ex-Brady, “Days of Our Lives) in 2011. Young moved on to ABC’s “General Hospital” as Lucky Spencer, the son of Luke and Laura Spencer (Anthony Geary and Genie Francis), from 2000 to 2003. Keeping a track record of playing the son of some of daytime’s most important characters, in 2003, Young landed the role of Adam Chandler (David Canary) and Dixie Cooney’s (Cady McClain) son JR Chandler on “AMC.” That role had previously been played to much acclaim by Jesse McCartney.

Thomas Montalto/MontaltoPhotos.com

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) – On Thursday, July 28, while visiting the “Days of our Lives” set, my crew and I had walked in noticing a tray of cupcakes sitting at the security desk. Turns out it was brought in by Molly Burnett, who was celebrating her third year portraying the role of Melanie Layton on the daytime soap. After completing some scenes that are set to air in October, Burnett and Casey Deidrick (Chad DiMera) headed outside to Salem Place, one of the sets no longer used by the soap, and spent more than 11 minutes talking with us about their characters, what they do in their personal life outside of work, and some of their favorite TV shows and movies . Also, for those fans clamoring for some Chill (Chad/Will), Deidrick shared he’s not opposed to a possible pairing.

For the full interview, view the clip below.

Thomas A. Montalto/MontaltoPhotos.com

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Just before “Krystal’s Country BBQ” event took place on Saturday, July 30 during the “All My Children” Fan Club Weekend, Bobbie Eakes (Krystal Carey) took the time to speak to Soap Opera Network on when she learned her show was being canceled, how she broke the news it was being resurrected on Twitter and her delight at having Alexa Havins back as on-screen daughter Babe Chandler, despite the character supposedly succumbing to death back in 2008 care of a Tornado that hit Pine Valley.

“I got out of the shower. I was getting ready to go to work, and I have quite a drive from where I live, and all of a sudden I looked at my phone and I was getting message after message and tweet. You know all these things…text messages, phone calls and I said to my husband, ‘I bet we’ve been canceled,” said Eakes about the day she learned ABC decided to pull the plug on “AMC” after months of rumors. “I don’t have that many friends calling me all the time, so I knew something was up,” she laughed. “Sure enough, I got a call from the studio and they said ’you know there is a mandatory meeting,’ so I figured that’s what it was.”

For more from Eakes and whether she’d be open to moving with the show with Prospect Park now in control of things, watch our exclusive interview below.

myFOXla.com

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — On Friday, July 29, talk show host Nate Berkus (“The Nate Berkus Show“) was captured by “Good Day LA” cameras and reporter Gina Silva while he was on the set of “Days of our Lives” filming scenes for an upcoming appearance on the NBC soap. While production was halted for the live interview, viewers got their first glimpse at Sarah Brown with newly cut hair before she even debuts as Madison James on Tuesday, October 4.

While character details for Berkus haven’t been revealed due to how far in advance the series films, Soap Opera Network can report that Berkus will first air in mid-October and his character plays a role in helping Brown’s character Madison with some styling matters shortly after her character hits Salem. Berkus and Brown also happen to be friends in real-life.

Also appearing in the “Good Day” clip with Berkus and Brown were Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black) and Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts). If you blink, you may miss Peggy McCay (Caroline Brady), who appears behind the Brady Pub bar talking with production staff.

Corday Productions/Sony Pictures Television

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — NBC’s “Days of our Lives” has released what fans have been clamoring for since the May announcement of new head writers and June’s reveal of behind the scenes changes: your first look at the “New DAYS” that begins on Monday, September 26 with the debut of Marlene McPherson and Darrell Ray Thomas‘ material and Greg Meng and Noel Maxam producing.

See Also:

• EXCLUSIVE! ‘DAYS’ Co-EP Greg Meng On Why You Shouldn’t Wait Until September 26 To Tune Back In
• EXCLUSIVE! Matthew Ashford Talks ‘The Bay’ and His Return to ‘Days of our Lives’
• Darrell Ray Thomas And Marlene McPherson: Fixing Salem, Returning Fan Favorites And What Fans Can Expect

Thomas A. Montalto/MontaltoPhotos.com

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) – Greg Meng along with Noel Maxam were named Co-Executive Producers of NBC’s “Days of our Lives” on Tuesday, June 14, when the series released the first set of changes hitting the soap after the hiring of new head writers Marlene McPherson and Darrell Ray Thomas. While the writing duo shared with Soap Opera Network what fans could expect from the soap when their material hits the airwaves starting Monday, September 26, Meng took the time to tell viewers why they should continue tuning in before that day comes.

“There are surprises even coming up very soon on the show, so don’t wait until September 26, which is the big revitalized relaunch of the show, but there are surprises between now and then,” said Meng, who also discussed those “mini-plots” you’ve been seeing on your screens since Monday, August 1 (Please Note: This interview took place on Thursday, July 28) and what exactly caused the show to make such drastic changes just a few short months ago both on and off screen.

For more from our interview with Greg Meng, tune into the clip below.

Thomas A. Montalto/MontaltoPhotos.com

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) – Matthew Ashford returns to NBC’s “Days of our Lives” this September when his character, Jack Deveraux, finds himself back in Salem facing many changes and new challenges. Soap Opera Network spoke with Ashford at the “DAYS” studio about his return to the soap, his work on the web based series “The Bay” and the most pirated movie of 2008!

With details of Ashford’s return still being kept under wraps as the drama gears up for a relaunch on Monday, September 26 with new head writers Marlene McPherson and Darrell Ray Thomas, Ashford wasn’t able to share much about Jacks’s return to Salem, but he did say that Jack “has been through some loss.” The actor also noted what’s to come for onscreen partner Melissa Reeves and her character Jennifer, who along with Ashford portray the popular couple Jack and Jennifer on the soap. “Jennifer has had some significant changes in her life. She’s had to make adjustments in her feelings and now Jack has to deal with that.” he said. Referring to Jack and Jennifer’s daughter Abigail (Kate Mansi), Ashford shared that “Abigail has grown and become quite the young lady.”

For more on what Ashford had to say about his return and how much daytime has changed since we last saw him check out our exclusive interview below.

Thomas A. Montalto/Montalto Photos

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — It was Thursday, May 19 when word broke that Dena Higley was out as head writer of “Days of our Lives” and former “Passions” Associate Head Writers, Darrell Ray Thomas and Marlene McPherson were in. Since the announcement, a lot has been speculated, talked about and dissected by anxious fans waiting to get some ounce of news on what they can expect to see when “Days of our Lives” relaunches itself this September. On Thursday, July 28, Soap Opera Network visited the Burbank set that houses “DAYS” in studios 2 and 4 and talked with the shows new head writers outside of the now defunct Salem Place set about what fans can expect when their material debuts on Monday, September 26. The duo also give us a scoop on what the Friday, September 23 show that precedes their official debut is all about.

Side Note: Please pardon the wind, it wasn’t something we could control. Also, yes we are aware that Marlene’s name was misspelled in the intro part of the video. We’re working on trying to correct this ASAP. Thanks for understanding!

Thomas A. Montalto/Montalto Photos

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — On “All My Children” for less than two years, Brittany Allen (ex-Marissa Tasker) managed to win her first Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series after receiving her first nomination earlier this year. The actress spoke with Soap Opera Network: Backstage at the Daytime Emmy Awards about her time on “AMC,” being forced to move to Los Angeles when the show moved production from New York and where her future lies.

“I’ve been working my whole life in this industry and I put a lot of work and love into the show and it just…it feels really, really nice to be recognized for it,” said Allen on her Emmy win. As for what she’s been up to since leaving “AMC” in late 2010, Allen stated “I found myself living in LA, where I had always dreamed of living and completely available and prepared to audition for a variety of shows and movies. It’s had its ups and its down and its definitely been a transition, but for the most part it was a blessing when it came into my life and it was a blessing to have the opportunity to move onto something new as well.”