WEST AND HOGESTYN CHECK INTO SALEM LIVES!!

Popular movie/TV actor Shane West and Ben Hogestyn, son of popular Days star Drake Hogestyn (Roman), are joining Salem Lives as Salem University students Seth Raymond and Paul Drake. West, who is currently playing Dr. Ray Barnett on NBC's veteran drama "ER," will step into the short-term role beginning on November 13. Same goes for Hogestyn, who had recently left GH for B&B only to find himself languishing in backburnerdom there as well. Hogestyn will debut with West on November 13. "We are thrilled to have both actors," says EP/HW Tim Lowery. "We hope they bring in some more interest since Shane crosses primetime lines and Ben has been on two other shows. I know Drake is very happy to have Ben so this is great all around. Both characters will be involved in a powerful story we have going on with Abby (Ashley Benson) and Chelsea (Rachel Melvin) and I think both these actors fit the roles perfectly. We also had a little fun with the character's names by having Ben's character have his father's name be his last name and Shane's character has a last name that is the same as his "ER" character's first name. It's just great all around."

In other news, Terri Garber's debut as Dr. Katherine Harcourt has been pushed back from Friday November 10 to Monday November 13. "We re-arranged some things so she got pushed back," reveals Lowery. "We want to give every story the time it deserves so this was for the best our plans. Fans will definitely see her and Cal (Josh Taylor) interact on Monday and beyond."