WEEK OF JULY 22, 2007 EDITION

SALEM LIVES CAST SHAKEUP CONTINUES!!! SWEENEY OUT?!

Has SL's Sweeney run out of LIVES?

Last week, the Insider provided a summary of the casting bloodbath that has hit SALEM LIVES in recent weeks. Setsiders reported last week that more cuts were on their way and it looks like they were not kidding. In addition to the exits of Jensen Ackles (Eric), Paul Kersey (Alan), Patrick Muldoon (Austin), Charles Cioffi (Ernesto), and Roscoe Born (James), comes word that as many as 6 more cast members could be out by the end of September. On top of that, fans were stunned after yesterday's episode where one of the popular characters on Salem Lives, Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) was killed off in an explosion set by the diabolical Orpheus (George Delhoyo). Now, we go to EP/HW TIm Lowery for more on these cuts and the answer to the big question of the weekend...Is Sami Brady really dead?

Interviewer (I): Ok...let's get right into it. It's been a stunning couple of weeks and we will talk more about the stories at a later date but, in regards to the casting, the big question is based off of what happened in yesterday's episode. Is Sami Brady really dead? Could you really get rid of Ali Sweeney?

Tim Lowery (TL): Getting rid of characters can be difficult, especially one of Sami's caliber. She is a fantastic character and very dynamic. It's also difficult to lose one of our best actresses but sometimes a story just jumps off the page and me and Patrick (L. Ewing, co-EP/HW) feel that opportunity is too good to pass up. We know there will be an uproar but we want that. It builds investment in the story and Sami's death spawns story for all of her loved ones and also adds to the character of Orpheus and his aura. We were concerned about overkill, especially with the decision we already made to kill off Eric. Losing both of Marlena (Deidre Hall) and Roman's (Drake Hogestyn) children is a major risk but we just feel this is the way to go. We just hope the fans stick with us. We didn't take this decision lightly and this has been in the works for months. We feel it will provide a great reward and that the story will be riveting. We aren't afraid to take risks. We have proven that. It's all about the characters and story with us. We don't just do things to shock. It has to be right by the characters and history. If that is the case and it provides good drama, we go with it.

I: So, she is dead?

TL: Well, Ali is also doing "The Biggest Loser" so we knew we would have to write her out a bit so she would've been on and off even if she were still around. Whatever the case, Sami is gone. She won't be removed from the cast list yet as Sami will appear to loved ones in visions and dreams so she will still be around in spirit for awhile but she is gone. No joke. This isn't like last summer when we went back and remade Captive Island. The deaths we have had over the last month or so are real. Yes, we never did find Alan's body so that is a loose string that could come into play down the line but there won't be widespread resurrections.

I: I was just about to ask if this was heading down the route of another Captive Island-like plot, given there have been so many deaths and exits?

TL: I can see why one would think that after last summer but we won't do that ever again. I was the only writer at that time and I felt I needed to remake that story. I felt strongly that it needed to be done to get things to where the canvas could be mine to work with and I think that is how it came out. Another thing is the next wave of exits upcoming won't be deaths or big shocks. They will be more generic. They will certainly be emotional but we aren't going the route of a serial killer or anything like that.

I: More cuts are to come. What can you tell us about that?

TL: Well, what is to come is more like trimming the fat. Some of those exiting next will be people who we just feel like we won't be using much for awhile and would like to bring back. There will probably be some announcements next week on those. After that next wave, there will be some more exits down the road which will be much bigger but we are far away from that. We just feel the need to trim the cast. We have worked with a big cast for over a year and it's hard to have a well-balanced show with that many around. Plus, little things fall through the cracks. I still feel the need to apologize to my co-EP/HW for the way James' grief was handled. I dropped the ball big time on that. It's also important to note that we always planned to write out Eric, Ernesto, Alan, and James. They were always meant to be short-term and Eric stayed on far longer then we thought. Jensen just couldn't do it anymore and we were pleased to have kept him around for as long as we did.

I: So, Eric would've stayed on had Jensen not had a problem?

TL: I don't know. We may have just had him leave town. My idea to kill him came from the fact that he told me he couldn't do it anymore and then I just opted to kill him and my co-EP/HW agreed so we went with it. I was actually thinking of killing him during his brain tumor story in December but I wanted the holidays to be happy for the most part and stayed clear of it.

I: What about Jack (Matthew Ashford) and Billie (Julie Pinson)? Where are they...or are they dead?

TL: My lips are sealed (laughs). All I will say is Julie's contract is up next month so draw whatever conclusion you like...

I: Are you saying SHE is gone?

TL: Not saying anything. The fans just need to wait and see (laughs).

I: Other then these cast cuts, can you give us some teasers of what is coming?

TL: Well, not really. We are trying to cut back. All I will say is Sami's death leads to tremendous story for Lucas (Bryan Dattilo) and Will (Jeremy Sumpter), as well as the rest of Sami's loved ones. Roman is going down a path no one would expect and Marlena's attempts to put her life back together will be made more difficult by the news of Sami's death. We also have some funerals coming up, obviously, and perhaps some guests associated with those. Those will be announced next week.

I: Sounds good. We will speak more in-depth about stories and such as the weeks go on. Thanks for joining us.

TL: My pleasure. Have a good one!

COMINGS AND GOINGS

STAYING

Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady): Despite the death of Sweeney's character, Sweeney will remain with the show indefinitely as Sami will appear in visions and dreams to her loved ones.

PREVIEWS AND PEEKS INTO WK OF 7/23/07

-Word of Sami's death spreads through Salem.

-Anna can't bring herself to comfort Carrie.

-Roman pushes a devastated Marlena away as his guilt eats away at him.

-Will tries to help Lucas.

-Victor saves Maggie and Julie.

-Doug is missing.

-Steve puzzles Hope and Chelsea.

-Shane gets huge news.

-Max seeks Chelsea out for advice on Forrest and Abby.

-Forrest impresses Abby yet again.

-CaL's behavior worries Katherine.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK-MONDAY JULY 23

WORD OF SAMI'S DEATH SPREADS THROUGH SALEM. MEANWHILE, ROMAN PREPARES TO TELL MARLENA ABOUT THEIR DAUGHTER.

NEXT WEEK: Carrie and Anna have it out. Alice comforts a devastated Julie. Tony gives Lexie some advice. Greta tells Victor the whole story about him and her mother. Philip considers leaving Salem. Chelsea and her loved ones get bad news. Steve realizes he must take action.