WEEK OF AUGUST 13, 2007 EDITION

SAMI'S ALIVE!!!

SALEM LIVES fans were stunned on July 20 when Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) was killed off in an explosion set by the notorious Orpheus (George Dehoyo). Well, fans who were upset can come on back because the former schemer turned heroine is back and not going anywhere!!! "It was planned," says Ep/HW Tim Lowery. "Credit goes to my co-EP/HW Patrick L. Ewing for this. He came up with this months ago and we went with it. Ali has worked alot so she needed time off and she is doing The Biggest Loser so it worked out on both ends. We needed to do this to set up story and also to put Lucas in his onw story for once. Lucas has always been the side piece to Sami, who is the main course most of the time. With what we are doing now, we are working on Lucas as his own person and defining him. Sami will be involved but this is more about Lucas this time, something we feel must be done. Fans can rest easy knowing Ali is here to stay."

In regards to the press release about the character of Sami appearing as a ghost/vision, Lowery says it was part of the game. "I had been saying we were going through massive cast cuts and fans had already seen so many deaths and cuts," says Lowery."So, we chose to do this in the middle of the cuts because people would buy it and posting the news about her continuing on as a ghost/vision was designed to feed into the belief she was gone. We would never bring her back in that form. If she's dead, she's dead. We just wanted the fans to buy it but also threw out hints. The fact that a body was never found was a hint and the fact that we didn't even consider removing her from the cast list was another."

Nonetheless, Lowery promises more shocks ahead. "Everyone knows about the next wave of cuts so we have that and many more shocks on the way. Summer may be ending but we are going into Fall with a bang!!"

COMING AND GOING

GOING

Funeral Guests (Various Actors and Actresses): As previously reported, with the exception of Shayna Rose (Stephanie), all the funeral guests that returned to Salem to mourn Eric (Jensen Ackles) and Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) will end their runs on August 14. "We extended them a day so it's a bonus for the fans," says Lowery.

Patsy Pease and Charles Shaughnessy (Kimberly Brady and Shane Donovan): As previously reported, the popular supercouple is out. Their last airdate will be August 22.

Christie Clark (Carrie Brady-Reed): As reported two weeks ago, Clark is out. She will last air on August 28.

Rachel Melvin (Chelsea Brady): As previously reported, the young actress is out. She will last air on August 24.

Josh Taylor and Terri Garber (Cal and Katherine Winters): As previously reported, the onscreen duo is out. They will last air on August 29.

STAYING

Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady): The character of Sami was revealed to be alive on August 10 so fans can rest assured the actress is here to stay!

PREVIEWS AND PEEKS INTO WK OF 8/13/07

-Bo gets bad news about Chelsea.

-Hope and Kayla once again catch Steve showing great concern for Chelsea.

-Nicoles lashes out.

-Kate is shut out.

-Tony decides to help Anna with Carrie.

-The Horton's try to help get Doug and Julie back together.

-Mike and Carrie catch up.

-Victor is suspicious of Stefano.

-Lucas falls apart.

-Romance returns to Salem.

-Max shows the depth of his feelings for Abby.

-Passions ignite for Victor and Maggie.

-Jack tries to distance himself from Billie.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK: THURSDAY AUGUST 16 AND FRIDAY AUGUST 17

ROMANCE RETURNS TO SALEM AS BO/HOPE, ROMAN/MARLENA, STEVE/KAYLA, AND KIM/SHARE ALL COME TOGETHER. PLUS, DON'T MISS BIG MOMENTS FOR MAX/ABBY, JACK/BILLIE, AND VICTOR/MAGGIE!!!

NEXT WEEK: Chelsea's loved ones say goodbye. Steve books a flight. Hope is on to Steve. Carrie makes a big decision. Kim and Shane say goodbye. Stefano attacks Victor. A mysterious mother/son team make their debut. Cal learns that Katherine is keeping something from him.