BREAKING NEWS: One of All My Children's most beloved actresses is coming back to Pine Valley. No, it's not Marcy Walker (ex-Liza) or Eva LaRue (ex-Maria), but fans will be equally excited to know that Daytime Emmy winner Eden Riegel is returning as Bianca Montgomery. The wildly popular actress has been lured back to the show by a contract she couldn't resist, one that will allow her to pursue her love of theater while filming the soap in New York, while also commuting from her home in Los Angeles. It is not known how long the contract is for, but it's definitely for a longer stay than her recent short visits this past year. Does this mean Bianca's partner, Maggie, is coming back, too? Fans will have to wait and see, but so far the actress who played Maggie, Elizabeth Hendrickson, isn't planning on coming back to daytime.
While AMC is celebrating Bianca's return, fans of Days of Our Lives are preparing themselves for some major changes, and they're not happy. In addition to the news that Matthew Ashford (Jack) and Melissa Reeves (Jennifer) are being written out after Reeves decided to move to Nashville, on-screen spouses Farah Fath (Mimi) and Jason Cook (Shawn) are saying goodbye to Salem, and Kyle Brandt (Philip) might not be far behind. The three actors are in the middle of a hot story line, and their departure would make Martha Madison (Belle) the sole remaining member of the romantic quad. Supposedly the producers are planning to recast the role of Shawn, but it is uncertain if they will do the same for Mimi and Philip.
The biggest Days casting shocker so far is the rumour that Austin Peck and Christie Clark have been fired. The two recently came back to the soap in 2005 after a long hiatus. Clark has played Carrie Brady off and on since 1986, and Peck took over the role of Austin Reed in 1995. During all their stays on the show, Peck and Clark have been front-burner, so this news comes as a huge surprise. The show recently announced a new head writer, Emmy winner Hogan Sheffer, so perhaps he didn't feel inspired by the Austin/Carrie/ Sami/Lucas saga and wants to bring some new characters into the mix. Fortunately, Alison Sweeney (Sami) and Bryan Datillo (Lucas) are staying put.
HONOURS: Congratulations to As the World Turns for being a finalist in the Sentinel for Health Awards programme for its 'Lucinda's Breast Cancer' story line. Elizabeth Hubbard plays the outspoken grande dame Lucinda Walsh. Finalists and winners will be recognised at the awards ceremony, held on September 27 at the Writers Guild of America in Los Angeles.
IT'S A BOY! There's something in the water over on the Passions set, and it's not just a mermaid. The stork made another delivery, and this time it was to proud parents Galen (Luis) and Jenna Gering, who welcomed their first child, Dillon Phoenix Gering, into the world on August 3, weighing 8lb 4oz. Actress Liza Huber, who plays Gwen, is expecting her first baby in December.
If you have comments or questions about soaps for Dana Block, you can email her at DaytimeDial@yahoo.com, or send them to Daytime Dial, 300 W. 57th Street, 15th floor, New York, NY, 10019.
