WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 EDITION

SALEM LIVES: WHAT'S NEW IN FALL 2007??!!! FIND OUT HERE!!

As avid Salem Lives readers already know, the blog had it's Fall premiere this past Tuesday. This means it's time for an all new season, one that will be filled with the great drama you have come to expect but will also feature some new features and surprises.

The first surprise? A new layout. Readers were shocked on Tuesday to see that the text of the episodes had now been centered and the settings for scenes was now separate from the text and highlighted in color. The response was very positive and we will continue to tinker with the layout until we have one we feel is completely satisfying. We felt this was needed to rid the episodes of clutter and to make them easier to read. We are striving to keep episodes as short as possible but that is often times difficult. Our hope is that this new layout will help. If anyone has any further ideas/suggestions on the episode layouts, please PM me or Roman or comment in the blog.

Now, that is something we already have going on. What is upcoming? Well, we will be introducing a new feature to the SL INSIDER. It is called the Writer's Corner. Each week Roman and I will take turns answering questions from readers. We will give readers until the Friday of each week to PM us questions or to post a question by way of a comment here in the blog. These questions can be about anything pertaining to the blog. Should be not get any questions, we will just use the space to address things brought up during the week in normal comments or that we feel must be addressed. We felt this was a much better feature then the actor interview pieces we were doing, which are now gone from the Insider. We may do them occasionally, just like we still might do some features on controversial stories, but they will not be a weekly feature here in the Insider. The Insider will still feature casting news, previews, and now the Writer's Corner as of next week. PLEASE DO REMEMBER TO POST IN HERE SOME QUESTIONS OR TO SEND US QUESTIONS IN A PM. THIS FEATURE WILL BEGIN NEXT WEEK SO YOU HAVE UNTIL FRIDAY TO LET US KNOW YOUR QUESTIONS!!!

Another feature is one that we have tried in the past and failed to get off the ground. It is the Salem Lives Chats. We are going to try this again only, this time, we are going to announce chats further in advance. These chats will be a good way of asking questions, getting caught up on Salem Lives, and a great forum to talk about Salem Lives and even Days. These chats will be once a month on AIM. Simply PM Roman or me your AIM screenname and we will invite you at the scheduled time. THE FIRST CHAT WILL BE WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007 AT 9PM EST. IF ANYONE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS DATE AND TIME, PM US AND LET US KNOW. YOU CAN ALWAYS SHOW UP LATE BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO LET ROMAN OR ME KNOW AND THEN WE CAN INVITE YOU.

We will be doing many more interactive features. Nothing on the scale of VENDETTA will be occurring but we will ask readers for more input in the future, whether it be through polls or to vote on locations for big events and so on. Also, we hope to see more commenting this year. It really does help us and don't be afraid to be critical. Let us know what you think as we hear you and we will respond in some way. It's important that we know how well things are going.

In addition to all this, we will be upgrading the look of some things like the cast list and banners. Plus, we may start adding some special features to episode but more on that soon. There will be a big event next month that we feel is very unique and creative. We won't spoil it but, trust us, it's something that will surely have you on the edge of your seat!!

ALL THIS AND MORE IS COMING ON SALEM LIVES THIS FALL AND BEYOND!! DON'T MISS A DAY!!

CASTING NEWS

IN

Hector Elizondo (Byron): The former Chicago Hope star has been portraying the Maison Blanche caretaker who interacts with Steve (Stephen Nichols), Hope (Kristian Alfonso), and Tony (Thaoo Penghlis) since Aug. 29.


STATUS CHANGES


Tanya Boyd (Celeste Perrault): Boyd has been upgraded to contract status. "She has alot coming up," says EP/HW Tim Lowery.

Billy Warlock (Frankie Brady): Warlock, who has been recurring since last August, is now on contract. "Like Charles Shaughnessy (Shane) and Patsy Pease (Kim), we just kept finding things for him to do," says EP/HW Tim Lowery. "He is working a ridiculous amount and, unlike Charles and Patsy, we know he isn't leaving so we may as well upgrade him. He is a fantastic actor."

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (Lincoln Bane): He may have only made one appearance so far but this former wrestler is going nowhere. "He is here for the long haul," says EP/HW Tim Lowery. "We will start fleshing him out a bit."


PREVIEWS AND PEEKS INTO WK OF 9/10/07

-Victor and Greta share an emotional moment.
-Maggie begs Victor to back off.
-A shocking discovery is made at Maison Blanche.
-Fate forces Maggie to make a career decision.
-Max gets a business preposition.
-Abby has her first therapy session.
-Roman and Victor plot against Stefano.
-Joelle tries to play the "fear" card with Lucas.
-Jack hears about Greta.
-Jean and Alyson head for Salem.
-Tony, Hope, and Steve are held at gunpoint.
-Marlena seeks out Stefano.
-Caroline meets Jean and Alyson.
-Stefano gives Cassie the cold shoulder.
-A Salem family is attacked!!

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14: A SALEM FAMILY IS ATTACKED!!

NEXT WEEK: Nicole gets a shock. Jean tries to push Alyson to the limit. Miranda reveals her connection to Kate. Doug decides to leave Salem. Marlena wants to make a deal. Jack and Billie come home. Abby is reunited with Jack. Forrest adjusts his plans. Tony, Hope, and Steve face further resistance.