What a patient, loyal group of readers I am blessed to have.

I have to start out again apologizing for the delayed column again this week. Regular readers are aware of the problems I’ve had the past month. Computer issues have been the icing on the cake and I presently have no web access at all. I am actually writing this by hand and faxing it to my very patient editor Nina, who will type it up to what you now see. I will do what I must to get the latest news and gossip out to my readers.

I hope to be purchasing a new computer very soon and be back into a regular routine shortly. I appreciate your patience and I promise things WILL get back to normal, hopefully sooner rather then later.

The lack of web access has kept me out of touch with several sources, so some shows will have more news then others. Ilene Kristen’s interview as well as my exclusive interview with Bobbie Eakes of “All My Children” will post by next week. (It’s a lot of writing by hand, but I am determined!!)

Of course the big news this week is the impending departure of Grant Aleksander (Phillip) from “Guiding Light”. The story has grown quite convoluted and many claim the actor was fired.

I have been hearing about how unhappy Aleksander has been for months. (Heck, the man was even the subject of a Blind Item!) During Emmy week in New York, word of Aleksander’s unhappiness grew louder, with many claiming an Emmy win. Aleksander was up for Best Actor and this would keep him content. But alias he lost to Tony Geary (Luke GH) and was not the happy party animal at the CBS post party.

Many thought the combination of EP Ellen Wheeler and new head writer Dave Kriezman, would finally get Aleksander pumped up about his long running role. It’s become common knowledge that Aleksander had many rows with former EP John Conboy and pretty much detested former head writer Ellen Weston stories. The actor has been reported as not liking the dark turn his character has taken recently and has some problems with co-stars. (One actress refuses to work with Aleksander!)

Rumor has it the straw that finally broke the camel’s back was a shocking twist in Phillip’s story planned for late fall that the actor was completely against and he thought to be totally out of character.

What isn’t clear is whether the actor was actually fired or used an out in his contract to get out of the role. Stories are spinning with both versions and I should have more news next week.

As a side note to this story, sources tell me TPTB will recast Phillip and have their eye on Billy Warlock as a potential replacement. Add that to the rumor that Warlock is also the leading contender to be the next Michael Spaulding, and what confusion we have!

I’ve got calls into several of my “GL” sources and will have more news in the next column.

Another story getting a tad convoluted is the saga of Mary Beth Evans.

Evans was jumping ship from her recurring role on “As The World Turns” to a new recurring role on “One Life To Live”. The actress backed out of the OLTL deal and many are reporting the actress has signed a contract with ATWT, to continue playing Siera.

Of course, nobody “official” will actually confirm the contract Evan’s supposed to have. An NBC spy continues to tell me “Days of Our Lives” wants Evans back and now…….. You can all color me confused!!??!!??!!

For the time being Evans remains at “ATWT”. Rumor has it a major plot is in the works for her in Oakdale and I’m putting THIS story to bed!!!!!

The role of Paige Miller at “OLTL” (yep, that’s right the one Evans was slated for) has been filled. Daytime vet Kimberlin Brown (ex-BB, YR & Port Charles) will create the new role. Initially, Paige will interact with Asa, take a shine to Bo and cross paths with ghosts from her past. Stay Tuned!

 

 

Now on to the latest NEWS and GOSSIP…………………..

 

Folks, they are NOT killing off Liza. (And I think it will be a cold day in you know where before Marcy Walker returns! And yes, I will keep repeating that until ABC realizes their stupidity!)…. I hear there may be a twist in the the daddy saga of Babe’s child….The show is really getting behind a Maggie/Jonathan pairing. Gee, what happened to that promise by ABC that if Eden Riegel (Bianca) stayed on, the Bianca/Maggie relationship would blossom? Me thinks the viewers have been had AGAIN!!....The show is looking to drop another popular performer, recast someone they are not happy with and bring back someone you would NEVER think would return. (And it’s NOT Leo or Anna). There are clues in this very column.

I told you weeks ago, now it's confirmed. Michael Lowry will be Les, Julia's ex...... Real Andrews(Walker) has been let go (at his request, I hear) and McKenzie Satterwarte (Nikki) has also been let go. Despite word to the contrary, Nikki will be recast..... Nikki may not be the only recast coming up in Oakdale....An Andy return could be in the works. Runor has it the show may be killing off John Dixon.....Jack sings!! (And Michael Park gets to show off his Broadway training)...... Barbara sets her plan in motion and several innocent parties get in her way

Alexis Thorpe is not being replaced but Cassie may be oneof the two characters who don't make it back to Salem.....Matt Cederano brings Brandon back for a few shows mid-October. No plans for a long stint. ……Justin Melvey (ex-Colin) is back filming on the set. Are they flashbacks or he is connected to the island? ……..I hear we may not see as much of Matt Ashford’s Jack this fall as we were originally led to believe……Despite buzz disputing it, Joe Mascolo will film five shows as Stephanio DiMeara to air in November…….Big casting news is in the works!!....Chloe dies!!!!