In a posting on his Facebook page, hours after his final scenes as Sonny Kiriakis on NBC’s “Days of our Lives” aired, actor Freddie Smith reflected on the roller coster ride he had playing the role and what it meant not just for him, but to the fans as well.

Actress Nadine Nicole is returning to CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” as Gwen beginning Wednesday, September 9, it was announced Saturday, August 15 during the “Y&R” Fan Event Dinner.

If it’s even possible to imagine, after several years performing on soaps, on screen and on the stage, actress Ilene Kristen (“General Hospital,” “One Life to Live,” “Ryan’s Hope”) has only just recently released her debut album.

This week on CBS’ “The Young and the Restless,” Cane (Daniel Goddard) confronts Lily (Christel Khalil) about her affair, the walls are closing in on Harding (Chris L. McKenna), and will Neil (Kristoff St. John) finally get his revenge against Hilary (Mishael Morgan) and Devon (Bryton James)?

With new head writers on the horizon it was inevitable that “Days of our Lives” would also be getting a new teen scene, especially with what executive producer Ken Corday says to TV Insider‘s Michael Logan of something his late mother, Betty, used to share with him: “‘You have to water the roots of the [Days of our Lives] tree with a new generation every 10 years or so’ and that’s what we’ve done,” notes Corday to Logan. “These are the children of the children of the children of the children, and they are vital to our future.”

On Wednesday, August 12, former “American Idol” contestant and “The Bold and the Beautiful” alum Constantine Maroulis (ex-Constantine Parros) was arrested for allegedly kicking the mother of his child in the groin, reports TMZ. “The mother of Constantine’s 4-year-old daughter called 911 from their home in Wyckoff, New Jersey claiming he threw her to the ground and kicked her in the groin,” the website cites a law enforcement source as saying.

Is Dena Higley‘s reign as co-head writer of “Days of our Lives” over before it even hits the air? According to a report by Daytime Confidential last week, Higley asked for, and was granted, a leave of absence from the show citing personal reasons.

Before taking on the Kardashians in the Hamptons later this week, “All My Children’s” Susan Lucci (ex-Erica Kane) was in Anaheim, California on Friday, August 14 to receive her Disney Legends Award, which was presented by Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. The awards ceremony was part of the annual D23 Expo where more than 65,000 fans of the Disney brand gathered together to celebrate the entertainment they receive from all facets of the company.

While no specific airdate has been set, “Days of our Lives” stars Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans) and James Reynolds (Abe Carver) will be joining host Pat Sajak and Vanna White on an upcoming episode of “Wheel of Fortune” later this fall, it was announced Friday on the official Twitter page for the game show. Their appearance is just one of several expected to coincide with the 50th anniversary celebration of the daytime soap opera.

Congratulations are in order for “The Young and the Restless'” Mishael Morgan (Hilary Curtis), who welcomed her son, Niam, into the world with husband, Navid. This is their first child together. “Cats out da bag #yrfanevent Introducing Niam!!! Thx 4 all your & support during this time in my life!” wrote the actress on Twitter during last night’s bi-annual biennial Fan Club Dinner for the daytime soap opera.