And Baby Makes Three

Congratulations are in order for Arianne Zucker (Nicole, Days of Our Lives) and her husband, Kyle Lowder (Rick, Bold & The Beautiful) are expecting their first child later this year. Her pregnancy will not be written into her Days of Our Lives storyline according to the shows executive producer, Ken Corday.

Days Of Our Lives Renewal and Shake Ups

The drama at Days of Our Loves seems to be happening behind the scenes as the struggling soap gets renewed by NBC for 18 months, a length that is considerably shorter than the previous 5 year renewals that NBC has given to the soap that created super couples Bo & Hope, Doug & Julie and popular vixen, Sammi Brady.

It has been reported that a condition of the deal is that the show strip their budget considerably with almost means shake ups in the cast. The first casualties of the new budget are the soaps resident veterans and super couple paring of John and Marlena. The actors who play them, Drake Hogestrn and Deidre Hall have been let go.

In commenting on the shocking but necessary firing of Hall and Hogestryn, executive producer Ken Corday tells Soap Opera Digest magazine, "It was a very tough decision to make. They have been wonderful for a long time. It's not about their work. They're obviously brilliant and have a very large fan base. But there is never an end when a couple leaves happily ever after. They're not dead. Characters have left and come back [before]".

Except other changes to the shows canvas which will be pared down a great deal as well as the shows production staff.

Days Of Our Lives, renewed through September 2010, airs weekdays on NBC.

Days Of Our Lives Renewed Through September 2010

The network currently shells out $1.7 million-$1.8 million a week in licensing fees for its longtime soap 'Days of Our Lives.

NBC has inked a deal with Sony Pictures TV to extend its run of daytime sudser "Days of Our Lives."
But in a sign of uncertain times for the daytime soap biz, the Peacock's pickup runs just 18 months. The previous renewal pact between Sony and Corday Prods. had a five-year term.

NBC's current deal for "Days of Our Lives" was set to expire in March, which means the new arrangement will keep the soap on the network only through September 2010. However, it's understood that another year will be triggered if certain perameters on the show are met. That would keep "Days" on the air through September 2011.

Shortened renewal comes as the economics of daytime TV -- particularly soap operas --continue to sour. NBC has gradually eliminated most of its daytime sudsers, most recently moving "Passions" to DirecTV (before eventually pulling the plug on that show altogether).

The reup also comes despite rumblings from NBC Universal topper Jeff Zucker a few years ago that "Days of Our Lives" might not be renewed at all. More recently, Zucker hasn't been as vocal about a "Days" cancellation, although the short renewal could signal that NBC's long-term daytime plans may not include sudsers.

It's unclear whether NBC also negotiated a reduced license fee for the show. The Peacock was most recently shelling out $1.7 million-$1.8 million a week for the show.

As part of the renewal it's understood that the show, led by exec producer Ken Corday, will be making some onscreen changes as well, including some cast shuffles.

Season-to-date "Days of Our Lives" is tied for third place in the daypart among women 18-49 and is tied as the No. 1 show in women 18-34.

SoapNet holds same-day repurposing rights for "Days," which is also available for download via Apple's iTunes.

The soap is celebrating its 43rd anniversary.

source: variety.com

Soap Opera Writer James E. Reilly Remembered

The recent passing of head writer James E. Reilly has stunned the industry. His longtime friend and agent Jonathan Russo, who confirmed Reilly's death to Soap Opera Weekly, "We spoke an hour or two hours a day for almost 15-20 years. We did the math, 27 years. He was a towering figure in the industry. He deserved my time and attention. He wanted it and we were friends. We liked to catch up," Russo shares. "He never ran out of thoughts or ideas. He never repeated himself unless it was intentional so he didn’t lose viewers. He never had other people submit story ideas ever. He sat down and laid out and presented stories and layouts for 2 shows. This is an amazing accomplishment," Russo adds.

Ken Corday (Executive Producer, DAYS): "The DAYS OF OUR LIVES family is deeply saddened by the recent passing of James E. Reilly. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Jim was not only an ingenious storyteller who changed the landscape of daytime drama, but he celebrated life with passion, humor, and an appreciation for the best it has to offer. He was an inspiration for us all...and will be greatly missed."

Lisa de Cazotte (executive producer GH:NIGHT SHIFT, former EP PASSIONS): "Jim Reilly was not only a legend in our industry, but he was a great friend and mentor. His creativity, sense of humor and genius will be sorely missed. There will never be another like him and I am deeply grateful for the years we spent working together on PASSIONS and for the joy he brought to my life."