On the opposite end of the scale, we have the beautiful Hope, now being rapidly reduced to rubble. Instead of staring into Bo's dreamy eyes, she's too wrapped up in the state of Shawn and Belle's marriage and, while worrying is not out of character for Hope, I never thought I'd see the day that she would become nothing more than a busybody buttinsky. If Belle is cheating on Shawn, of course call her on it. But having this character do nothing more than tell everyone and her sister in law about Belle's cheating ways except the one person who should be told is bananas. Okay, I admit if my kid was married to a woman that was cheating on him, I'd be taking her out to the woodshed. I also realize that there is the slim possibility that Shawn may not believe a word Hope says, so here's to the classic caught in the act scenario!

Lucas and Sami are arguing at the moment. Arguing about how Lucas wants to go be with Will and how it's Sami's fault that things are not as they should be. Gee, I wonder why. It IS Sami's fault. She should not have made it her sole responsibility to end the you-know-what that begins with a "V" between her family and the Dimera's. I don't really care if Sami is denying her feelings for EJ or whatever the hell she's doing. I want these three separated and sent to different corners of the globe. Sami calls EJ on his fake paralysis and tips his chair over - good for her. It's complete insanity that she's even in the same room with the creep, let alone married to him. Out the door she goes and now she's wondering why a formerly whiny Lucas is now a Lucas who has been pushed to his limit. Every last one of you can now reap what you have sown. EJ asks Sami to be his wife "in every way," and in exchange he will keep quiet about Lucas shooting him. What do I have to say to that? Brace yourself, it ain't pretty: EJ, please take your emotional blackmail and shove it up your ass. SIDEWAYS. And here's what I demand to know: No one is even bothering to find out who shot John, what became of Tek and all the other crimes committed in this town, but as soon as EJ is shot, the world must stop turning and solving his case becomes priority number one. Insanity, I say! Am I the only one who not only doesn't care who shot EJ but I'm really sorry that they didn't kill him? Oh look, he is actually praying to God for Sami to come back to him. "I promise, I will be a changed man." How much is that bridge in Brooklyn again?

I know this is not really much of a column but Mr. Clock says I'm running out of time. But I'm dying to know what it is that Chloe has to tell Belle about Phillip and I'm also curious as to where exactly Brady is, what happened to the marriage and why is Chloe wanted by the Italian police? Chloe - turned treacherous? Sounds interesting. "I'm not interested," Belle tells Chloe, but I am! "Phillip is living like a monk because of you," Chloe says. B.O.O. H.O.O. That sounds like Phillip's problem, not Belle's, although her inability to stay away from him is not helping. Phillip and Chloe could be smoking up the screen as we speak, but I'm kind of warming up to the idea of Shawn and Chloe. Hmm.... Shawn needs a real woman, not a spoiled brat who can't make up her mind, yes?

A reminder that next week will be the end of the year Best and Worst of 2007 column for Days and I can tell you that coming up with a best story was quite the task. On the other hand, the candidates for the worst story were lining up out the door.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!!