WEEK OF 2/5/06 EDITION

INSIDER SPOTLIGHT: SALEM LIVES' ALISON SWEENEY AND CHRISTIE CLARK (SAMI AND CARRIE BRADY) OPEN UP ABOUT WHY THEY WERE SAD AND ARE NOW HAPPIER THEN THEY'VE EVER BEEN, HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THE RETURN OF PATRICK MULDOON (AUSTIN), AND ON WHAT IT IN STORE FOR THEIR CHARACTERS.

Interviewer: Hello girls. Thanks for taking time to chat.

Alison Sweeney: Oh, no problem.

Christie Clark: Yeah. We weren't doing anything.

I: Let's start with you Ali. Tell us how it feels that Sami has now grown up and matured.

AS: THANK YOU JESUS!!! (laughing) When Tim (Lowery, EP/HW) told me that maturing and redeeming Sami was one of his main focuses, I was so happy. Sami has been in the same rut for years. The fans can only take so much of the same stuff over and over. I can only play so much of the same stuff over and over. I needed a change and so did the fans. I just love how they did it. It happened slowly with Sami making little strides like being brave and being a hero during the island story, slowly letting down the walls when it came to John, telling everyone that Carrie had called, and things like that. The big change was slowly built up and we finally saw it in December when Sami finally realized how much John loves her. The reveal of him as her father was crucial and the floodgates opened when she saw him trying to save Eric. Then, of course, her saving her father was the major turning point. I loved every minute of it.

CC: The writers did a great job with it. The fans will love the fact that we have some great Carrie/Sami scenes coming. They have covered every aspect of sami's redemption but the Carrie angle so that is coming.

I: Sounds good. Ali, how do you like the Alan story? Does it meet your expectations and what you always thought it would be like when Alan did return?

AS: Oh, yes. That first confrontation at the Halloween Ball was amazing. Paul (Kersey, Alan played it great. It's been great. I like the way they set it up with him convincing Carrie he has changed. She would so buy that kind of sob story. I am so happy that it's really picking up now. There is some powerful stuff coming.

CC: Yeah. Carrie is a sucker. Just look at what happened with Highstyle (laughs). I agree with Ali, though. The story was set up well. Carrie is so trusting and she would totally buy any act that Alan puts on. We don't know if it's an act yet or what is going on. That is what I like. No one knows if Alan has changed or if he is faking for some reason. No one can call Carrie stupid yet (laughs).

I:We have talked to several of your castmates who have been overjoyed since the new regime took over in May of last year. They have praised the stories and writing yet, I hear you two weren't happy. What gives?

AS: Well, everyone was and still is happy about the writing and the new regime we have in charge of the show. It's not that some of us were unhappy but we had to say goodbye to some people like Judi (Evans, ex-Bonnie), Kyle (Brandt, ex-Philip), Missy (Reeves, ex-Jennifer). For me, it was especially hard when the decision was made to recast Will. Saying goodbye to Chris Gerse was hard but Jeremy Sumpter has been great. We also lost Austin Peck (ex-Austin), which was hard because I've worked with him for so long. It's great having Patrick (Muldoon, Austin) back. Brings back old memories and he brings something special to the role.

CC: Yeah. It was difficult, moreso for Ali because alot of those who were leaving were people she had worked with while I was off the show. I feel what she is saying about Austin Peck though. We all had worked together for so long. I hated that he had to leave but the show made the decision and they felt it was right. It happens. Having Patrick back as Austin is great. Like Ali said, he brings something different to the role. It feels like old times between him and I. We know each other well from when he was first on the show. It was easy getting back into the groove with him when he returned. The only think I hate is I haven't worked with him much and never really got to work with Austin Peck much before he left too.

AS: Yeah. That is another thing that was hard to deal with the past few months. I know I was sad about it and so was Bryan, Austin, and Patrick. We missed having Christie around. Even when she was taping, she was always in a scene with Alan or just by herself. We haven't had scenes together in ages and that is why taping what happens this week and beyond was great. Finally we were all reunited onscreen and off. It felt good to work together again.

CC: You can say that again. I think the closest I had to scenes with Ali, Bryan, and the others was in early Fall when they were all searching for Carrie and she was watching nearby. Everything else has been with Alan and Shane (Charles Shaughnessy). We have such a big cast so I understand. The story was very slow-moving and I knew from what I was told that nothing would really happen until Carrie had the baby. On the positive side, I had alot of time off between appearances to rest up for what is to come. I am excited.

I: Any hints of what is to come:

AS:Sweeps is huge, especially for our story. The whole Sami/Lucas/Carrie/Austin mess is resolved and there is some great LUMI stuff coming. Sami and Lucas will work to be together and will face a huge crisis in the weeks ahead. The Alan story will heat up and how Will plays into it is big. I am also happy, like Christie said, about the upcoming Carrie and Sami scenes. It's one of the last angles to play in Sami's redemption and the scenes are well done.

CC: Yeah. They really are. The fans will love them. Carrie has a big week coming up as she is in labor and there is a big twist coming involving the baby that sets up some good drama down the road. Carrie and Austin fans have some great stuff to look forward to. The story is really moving and I am excited. It's great to be back in action!!

I: Thank you both for sitting down with us. You gave us some great scoops.

AS: Your welcome.

CC: Anytime. We just hope the fans enjoy what is to come.

COMINGS AND GOINGS

Renee Jones (Lexie Carver): Jones returns from hiatus as the character finally makes her first appearance sicne December this week.

Joseph Mascolo (Stefano Dimera): Mascolo reappears for the first time in over a month this week.

John Aniston (Victor Kiriakis): Aniston returns after a brief two week hiatus this week.

Lorenzo Caccialanza (Nico): The actor reappears as Victor's henchman this week.

Amelia Marshall (Dr. Barbara Harris): The soap vet will play the role of Bo's psychiatrist. She will first appear next week. The role is recurring.

PREVIEWS AND PEEKS INTO WEEK OF 2/5/07

-Will learns the truth.

-Shane confesses and faces the Brady's wrath.

-Chelsea gives in to Cassie as Abby wonders what is wrong with her.

-Max's words sting Cassie.

-It's a race against time to reach Carrie as she prepares to give birth.

-The mystery of the MCF deepens.

-Julie catches Maggie in the act.

-JJ and Angel tell Billie about James and Marlena.

-Julie learns Victor is alive and prepares to take action to help Maggie.

-Jack and Billlie warn JJ and Angel.

-Victor and Stefano are fixated on the MCF.

-Philip wields his power as Kiriakis heir.

-Stefano decides to return to Salem, with Lexie in toll

-Carrie's secret comes out

-Billie and Jack investigate James.

-Eric and Nicole hit the road.

-Carrie tells another lie.

-Cassie and Abby have a tense faceoff.

-A stunning twist occurs in the aftermath of Carrie giving birth.

Next Week: Eric and Nicole vow to take action to make their dream come true. Valentine's Day brings some couples together and sees others torn apart. Abby and Max reach a turning point. Cassie vows revenge. Carrie and Sami put the past behind them. Carrie and Austin reunite. Bo remembers everything. Will bears witness to Alan's wrath.