Soapy tidbits

“Guiding Light” fans, you only have a few more days to enter to win a lunch with “GL” stars Mandy Bruno (Marina) and John Driscoll (Coop). From now through Dec. 14th, log on to http://www.charitybuzz.com/ to enter the contest, which benefits New York Cares, which brings volunteer support to over 850 diverse nonprofit agencies, public schools and other deserving organizations throughout NYC’s five boroughs. Visit http://www.nycares.org/ for more information on this wonderful organization.

“Passions” may not be known for winning Emmys, but collectively it probably has the best-looking cast in daytime. Adrian Bellani, who plays Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald, has been named one of the year’s 25 Hottest Latin Bachelors in the world by Cingular Wireless and “People en Espanol” magazine. You can now also download his pretty mug to your cell phone by texting from your Cingular Wireless device to 45313 and typing in the letters (ADRI). You will then receive the information needed to download his image to your phone.

If you’ve ever admired Hope’s jewelry on “Days of Our Lives,” you’re just a keystroke away from adding it to your collection. Kristian Alfonso, who plays Hope Brady on the soap has launched a jewelry line she calls Hope Faith Miracles. Prices range from $24 to $95 and include beautiful earrings, necklaces, bracelets and even stationery designed and worn by Alfonso. Visit http://www.hopefaithmiracles.com/ and start shopping!

If you’ve been enjoying Gwen’s bluesy vocals on “As the World Turns,” you can download the song at iTunes. Jennifer Landon recorded the song “Slide,” which was written by Nini Camps and published by Cherry River Music/Lovepie Music. Simply log on to http://www.itunes.com/ and search for “Slide” by Jennifer Landon and you’ll be tapping your foot in no time.
--Dana

Days Star Fired!?!

Fan favorite Renee Jones ("Lexie Carver" of Days of Our Lives) has been let go. The dismissal is particularly surprising as it comes as Lexie's family - the DiMeras - is getting increased air time on the NBC soap. "Renee is still taping here at Days," a show spokesperson stated. "Unfortunately, I do not have any further information at this time."

This is a huge surprise, storyline-wise, but not budget-wise. It's no secret that the show has been struggling with money concerns, and characters have been dropping left and right. I had hoped that the firings had reached a plateau, and that we wouldn't have to bid adieu to anymore of our favorites.

Hopefully Renee's firing will be the last for a while. Pretty soon, there will be no one left!

A final airdate for Renee has yet to be announced.

Leyden and Collier leaving Oakdale

Pilot season usually begins in January, and we often lose some of our best soap stars around this time so they can try their luck in primetime. Last year Mark Collier (Mike, ATWT) and Grayson McCouch (Dusty, ATWT) both left their soaps temporarily to audition for several pilots (TV shows that aim for a spot on the fall schedule) but came back to their soap roles when they didn't have any luck. This year, Collier is leaving "ATWT" permanently, when his contract is up in December, to give pilot season another try. Paul Leyden (Simon) is also leaving -- he just signed a 6-month contract, and it's up in December. Leyden actually landed a primetime gig a couple years back on the Heather Locklear airport drama "LAX" but, alas, it was canceled.

So now that the soap's two biggest hunks are leaving at the end of the year, where does that leave Katie (Terri Colombino)? With Austin Peck, most likely. Peck has won of the role of Brad Snyder and will debut early next year. This is just speculation, but I'm thinking he'll be a love interest for Katie (poor Henry, no blondes seem to appreciate him), and thus fufill the show's hunk deficit in the process.

I wish Collier and Leyden luck in L.A., but if Hollywood doesn't come calling, let's hope they return to Oakdale. Katie is at her most entertaining when she's conflicted about love.

SPOILERS! Week of Dec. 4, 2006

You know the drill, so here goes:

AMC: The cause of Simone's death is determined.
ATWT: Paul and Meg's wedding day arrives, but will Emily allow the marriage to occur?
B&B: Stephanie confronts her mother.
Days: Willow interrupts a decisive moment between Belle and Shawn.
GH: Lucky and Elizabeth find themselves under the mistletoe.
GL: Gus gets bad news from the fertility clinic.
OLTL: Todd sets out on a mysterious mission.
Passions: Miguel and Kay continue to have misunderstandings.
Y&R: Katherine and Jill decide to end the mother/daughter question once and for all.