WEEK OF 5/13/07 EDITION

VENDETTA WEEK 8 COMMENT SCORES

***REMINDER: Trivia is posted on Mondays now and due on Thursdays (which is also when clues will be sent to the 3 top scorers for the week). We are still looking for more players as we head for the end of the game so if you are interested in playing or if any current game players know someone who may be interested please let me know in a PM. Thanks.

Here are the comment scores for Week 8 (5/6/07-5/12/07):

1.) daysfan- 20 pts (8 comments)

2.) Tishy- 18 pts (4 comments)

3.) psychofan, Rick, Ryan Chandler, DH23- 0 pts (0 comments)

Therefore, here are the current standings (including the above comment scores) through 5/12/07:

1.) Tishy (135 pts)

2.) daysfan (94 pts)

3.) DH23 (48 pts)

4.) psychofan (41 pts)

5.) Ryan Chandler (32 pts)

6.) Rick (0 pts)

INSIDER SPOTLIGHT: SL EP/HW TIM LOWERY AND SL NEWCOMER PETER BERGMAN (FOREST) SIT DOWN TO CHAT ABOUT HIS SWITCH FROM GENOA CITY TO SALEM AND WHAT TO EXPECT FROM FOREST ALAMAIN.

Interviewer (I): Hello there, Tim and Peter. Thanks for chatting with us.

Tim Lowery (TL): Hello. No problem

Peter Bergman (PB): Hello. Good to be here.

I: Ok...the first question I and I am sure many others have is how this casting coup came about. I mean, Peter was on Y&R and has been for years. Tim, how did you manage to snatch him up and where did the idea come from?

TL: Well, all credit goes to my co-EP/HW Patrick L. Ewing (Roman) on this. It was his brainchild. He brought the idea of bringing Forest on to my attention months ago. It was one of the first ideas that I beleive he pitched to me and I loved it. When he told me he wanted Peter Bergman for the role, I loved it. I thought it was flawless casting as Peter has an Alamain aura to him and would look good opposite Michael Sabatino (ex-Lawrence). However, I knew Peter was taken and I think the understanding was we really wanted him for this role. We knew the role wouldn't come into play until mid-2007 anyway so we could wait. Alot happened on Y&R in the Fall. The Abbott family practically got phased out and I heard rumblings that Peter was unhappy with the show and the direction his character was taken. I ran into Peter at an event and we got to talking and things took off from there. We came up with a deal where his exit from Y&R would come after he first started with us so no one would know about his coming on until it happened. He will be exiting Y&R soon and it works out because he doesn't work much right off the bat anyway so we were able to work around it and he will be done with Y&R by the time we need him to be featured more.

PB: That is bascially how it happened. Tim and Patrick talked things over with me after my intial talk with Tim at that event he spoke of and I loved the story possibilities and the character. It seems like a good challenge and I am not in love with the direction Y&R has given me of late so it was a pretty easy choice. I can't wait to start getting into the thick of things. I like that it starts slowly. Not only does it allow me to finish Y&R but it also gives me a chance to adapt and get used to things here. I can get a good feel for the character and I think that is a benefit for all involved.

I: Tim, you wanted this to be a surprise and you already explained the measures taken to make that happen. Was there a reason for that or...just explain why you felt that was the right way to do this.

TL: Well, my co-EP/HW had to remind me constantly to keep my mouth shut (laughs). It was hard because I like to preview everything to get people to stick with us. These past few months I have taken extra measures personally to make sure previews and promos are as vague as possible and don't give away too much. I am still a work in progress (laughs). We plan on continuing to surprise with casting decisions from now on. It works better unless it's some kind of circumstance we feel requires it to be announced. With Forest, we wanted an impact like we had for Tony (Thaoo Penghlis) and Anna's (LeAnn Hunley) return. Those returns were secret too and I had hinted at a big surprise, much like I did with Forest, and it worked. The reaction was great and that is what convinced me my partner was right and that this was the way to go.

I: Now, what can we expect from Forest?

TL: Well, intrigue. Does he have an agenda? Is he good or bad? There will be lots of questions and Peter is playing him brilliantly. We have him imprisoned with Abby (Ashley Benson) and Chelsea (Rachel Melvin) and I am glad because there is that past Jennifer/Lawrence dynamic and now we are seeing Jennifer's daughter and Lawrence's brother together. I wanted to bring that into the early scenes and explore it as we go too. The other big question is why is Forest a prisoner in Ernesto (Charles Cioffi) and the MCF's plan? It's definitely going to be fun for the fans to examine everything and figure out Forest. I think what we have coming is wonderful and I feel Forrest is the most intriguing character we have had in years. I think he is probably the best new character under us but, of course, we haven't created new characters really except for James McCluer (Roscoe Born). We just brought alot of old characters back though.

PB: I feel the character is like a book. You start off on page 1 and each time you learn something or get a hint or whatever, you turn the page. You will learn about him slowly and you will begin to see what kind of person he is ever so slowly as we go along. We are playing alot of dynamics...creepy, mysterious, etc. We want the fans to lean one way and then we take them another way. It's fun to play and, while we are starting slow, I know what is coming and the fans will be very into it. I am sure of it.

I: Ok...just a few more. How will Forest's return affect Roman (Drake Hogestyn)? Also, will Lawrence be returning and do you have any other sccops for us?

TL: Ok...Forest will definitely affect Roman because he, at one point, thought he was Forest during the time period where he didn't really know who he was. We will definitely seen some things between those two. As for Lawrence, I think we will but not right off the bat. We will acknowledge him and Carly (Crystal Chappell) right off the bat, much like we did when we explored Steve's (Stephen Nichols) past last Fall. We have so much going on that I can't say we will fit those two in right now but down the road is pretty much a definite possibility. I know I want to do it but at all has to fit and it has to be the right time. Now, I just got done saying I am trying to be better about shooting my mouth off about spoilers, especially in the next few months with so much in the way of big reveals and events coming up, so don't get me in trouble (laughs). No more scoops (laughs).

PB: I know I would love to have Micheal Sabatino back as Lawrence. It would be great work with my onscreen brother and if Crystal came on as Carly, I would be in heaven. Crystal and I have talked alot in the past since we were both on CBS and so on and it would be fun. As for Forest interacting with Roman, I personally can't wait. Drake is a riot and the dynamic there, based on the past, should be interesting. I know what is coming and I can promise it's great. Sorry I can't tell (laughs).

I: That's ok. Anyway, I know you two are busy so thanks for your time.

TL: No problem. See you soon.

PB: It was fun. Hope to talk to you again soon.

COMINGS AND GOINGS

COMING

The Flamingos (Themselves): The Flamingos perform their hit love ballad "I Only Have Eyes For You," Carrie and Austin's special song, on the May 16 episode.

Peter Bergman (Forest Alamain): The shocking casting coup was revealed on May 1 to be Bergman switching from Genoa City to Salem. The role of Forest is contract.

PREVIEWS AND PEEKS INTO WEEK OF 5/14/07

-Will Carrie and Austin wed?

-The plan to trap the MCF is put into action.

-Forest and Abby bond.

-Celeste's visions trouble her.

-Tony makes a confession to Anna.

-Alice reminisces about some of Salem's best weddings and love stories.

-The MCF is cornered.

-Billie risks it all.

-Kate's connection to the MCF gets her caught in a life threatening situation.

-Billie makes a stunning discovery.

-Some secrets and lies are closing in on unraveling in Salem!!

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK: MONDAY MAY 14: A SPECIAL WEDDING EPISODE DEVOTED TO AUSTIN AND CARRIE. WILL THEY REALLY WED AND WILL THIS TIME BE FOREVER? PLUS, ALICE REMINISCES ABOUT SOME OF SALEM'S GREATEST WEDDINGS AND LOVE STORIES. IT'S AN EMOTIONAL EPISODE THAT CAN'T BE MISSED!!

Next Week: Kate demands the truth. Many long held secrets in Salem begin to be unraveled. Jack and Billie confide their true feelings in Frankie and Greta. Chelsea worries about Abby and Forest's strengthening bond.