HS hasn't written one word of story, and he should be canned to bring back three actors? They are gone. For now. We may see CC and MA back before the end of the year. But I'm not about to sacrifice this show's one chance to return to respectability just because three actors got fired, rightfully or wrongly.

Can we please give this man a chance?

ICAM. I'm very interested to see what Hogan and Beth will do for DAYS.

And I can't believe people are THAT upset about Austin Peck!!!

Thank you. Days seems to have assembled a very strong writing team. If Beth is this good, mixed with HS, they should be on fire, and this is the first time in many years that I am actually excited about what's coming up.

Both of them know where their strengths are. For now they are getting rid of characters, not actors, whose stories need a rest. When they get back on more solid footing, which is happening right now, they just may bring back a few of them.

I just think people need to stop being so reactionary. Let's see theri vision first before we condemn them.

WOO, Roman!

I love your posts.

And IA... people need to give Sheffer a chance. He hasn't even started writing yet. He's spent 3 months or so learning character history, etc. And with Beth by his side, I'm sure they will be a very amazing team. If you haven't read the spoilers for the week of Aug. 28, then you should. They are fantastic! I am really excited for DAYS... and I haven't been in a long... long time.

Thanks so much.

I have, and just keep saying to myself, "Will they hurry up already and get to September?!" But, I do see where some of our fellow SONers are coming from. It would upset me if some of the big stars were written out as well, so I feel their pain. But, I survived Peter and Kristian leaving in 1987, I survived Stephen leaving in 1991, and then Mary Beth leaving two years later. That is the nature of the beast. You just can't keep everyone.

And, even though I personally think that AP couldn't act even if he had a gun pointed to his head, I see where his fans are coming from. I have seen him in interviews, and read some more, and he really does seem to be a truly wonderful, wonderful person, and I wish him so much happiness. But, if there is anyone to get pissed off at, don't get mad at HS or Beth. Get pissed off at the EP who brought them back, and the former HW who wrote this garbage story that they have been stuck in for the past 7 months. JER should take the brunt of the blame for these two and several others getting fired for now. When Billy came back, he said point blank that he didn't want to be brought back to break up a long-time couple, and what happened? And, if HS was canned, Beth wouldn't be too long for the show, and then who do we bring back? JER? Members of his own Alliance have even said his second turn stunk.

I'm back, as are many others. Days is sitting at number 3. If B&B and Y&R keep it up with some of their stories, Days could finally make a push for No.1. And not because half the cast has been killed off only to end up on some damn planet in the Alpha Quadrant.

And, I also wish one other thing. That Days stop hiring beautiful models, and go back to hiring actors and actresses to play these roles.

Just sit back and enjoy.

ICAM. I'm very interested to see what Hogan and Beth will do for DAYS.

And I can't believe people are THAT upset about Austin Peck!!!

My rage has more (most) to do with Clarke's being canned, Bree.

That said, Roman, I don't see what your point is in keeping Sheffer. AS you said, most agree that Milstein is a firecracker. Read between the lines: she's a great writer, she knows the show's history inside and out, and Sheffer costs gobs of money that the show could save by just keeping Milstein, the proven talent who's cheaper. Why NOT take that chance if it means you can have great stories and keep three (if two) fan favorites?

I am not willing to take a chance. Do you realize how close this show was to getting cancelled? And all this to keep two actors.

I'm not going to go back and forth on this. That is how I feel, and it's not changing, so if you want a three-time Emmy Award Winner gone to keep AP, MA and CC, that's you. We will disagree on this.

And, if HS didn't come on board, and Beth stayed as HW, and AP, CC & MA were STILL fired, what would you proposed then? Firing Beth Milstein?

I'm looking forward to Sheffer's stories a lot, but I hope Corday/DAYS would not be so stupid as to offer him some unreasonable salary when we all knew cuts were coming. He's a talented writer, and I really am looking forward to what he will write, but we need to make sure he's given the proper characters to write for! I don't think a miracle worker could ever make me enjoy sitting through some of the characters that may be left standing over others who, it looks like, may not be! But what's done is done. So bring on a f*cking Sheffer fall preview interview!!!!!

And, if HS didn't come on board, and Beth stayed as HW, and AP, CC & MA were STILL fired, what would you proposed then? Firing Beth Milstein?

To address this comment and KR's related to hoping Sheffer isn't given an "unreasonable" salary, this is what I think: we heard from [s.W.S.N.B.N.] on this. There's no way escaping the fact that writers make much, MUUUCH more than the actors. And she wanted the NON-head writer's salary, so just what does that say about what Sheffer is making by default, especially given his Emmy-winning credentials? So that means, already, we KNOW he's getting paid off big time by Corday. As for the other question, I doubt these actors would be fired if they just kept Milstein. Clearly, this is a salary related situation and Corday likely said something like "write 12 characters off somehow" but left the decision up to Hogan as to whom those characters should be. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited for the Hogan/Milstein era, but it will be bittersweet knowing how much Clarke was screwed over (and to a lesser extent, peck), and how Matt Ashford has figuratively just been anally screwed by this show HOW many times now, with all the firing, all the deaths that turned him into a cartoon character and now this next firing?! That's a hard pill to swallow, home slice!

For now they are getting rid of characters, not actors, whose stories need a rest.

Thank you Roman for finally saying something that I've been thinking for years. Fans need to start realizing that writers are not writing out ACTORS. It just so happens that the actor is playing a character that, at the time, is not necessary. Carrie and Austin are not necessary right now. It's nothing against either Clark or Peck. Austin and Carrie, point blank, are done for the most part.

THANK YOU, Both Drew and Roman. I've been thinking that for so long.

It's really the CHARACTERS the writer's axe, not the actors. And.. it just so happens that that ACTOR is playing the character to be axed.

I'm sure that's confusing for probably all of you, but read it again.

Well, obviously, it's the characters. Who is questioning that?

Excellent posts Drew and Roman

I think people need to give Days and Hogan a chance before saying these cuts have been a mistake. No one knows what is going to happen and once all the changes are over and Hogan and Beth have been at the helm for a bit, then we will be able to see what failed and if the show is in trouble. The characters need a rest and I can tell you I am about 85% sure at least Matt will be back my mid-2007. Christie will be back one day too but Peck...well who knows.

I will have to disagree with you JSF-Hogan no doubt is getting paid alot but he is needed. Beth and him will balance each other well. Beth has the characters down (I mean look what she has done to John and Mimi!!!) and Hogan will focus on the stories while Beth makes sure he stays true to the history and characters. It will work out great and all we are seeing right now is Beth moving things and ending stories JER drew up. None of this stuff is hers and she probably won't even write her own story as Hogan's stuff will be on soon so we don't even know if she can succeed as far as telling good stories with the cast. I am sure she could but Days can't take no chances even though she is amazing right now. I am not saying it is guranteed Hogan will succeed but he has emmys and he has more experience as a HW while Beth has been mostly a member of the writing team/co-HW/behind the scenes stuff. I know you are upset about Christie, Austin, and the other cuts but putting all this on Hogan is wrong when he hasn't done a thing yet.

Hopefully, once the ratings go up Matt and Christie will be back but, at this point, I think it is good that some of these characters get a rest and some of them must take a rest because I don't see any directions for them IMO (Jack yes but Carrie and Austin I just don't see where to go with them).

Now back to discussion of the wonderful episode Beth gave us

I think people need to stop telling others what to think. It's anyone's prerogative to be happy or not about Hogan coming on, based on any of these casting decisions. I say let people feel how they're going to feel and stop with the constant bickering about it.

I, too, think DAYS will be better for this in the long run, but that's my opinion, which I'm entitled in. Let's not go, 'you're entitled to my opinion' on everyone. Okay? That's my $0.02.

Finally caught up with the week's worth of eppys...

Hate to be the odd man out but I didn't enjoy Shawn and Phillip getting drunk. One of the most unfunny supposedly funny things I've seen on this show.

-Shawn has alcohol poisoning? GMAB!!

He's been a drinker before...

-How is Chelsea getting around town? She doesn't have a car and I doubt the hooch is taking public transportation.

-Why is JER still listed as writer, when this is supposed to be Beth's stuff?

-I'm traumatized by the HORRENDOUS hairdo's on this show. Sami's bangs and mod style is just atrocious... Mimi's looks so ugly she needs to be euthanized.

We don't need Sheffer. That's what I'm saying. Save $$, bring Caustin and Jack back and boom! Everyone's happy.

Not everybody. I found this incarnation of Carrie and Austin to be a dead bore. Now Jack, I'd keep in half a heartbeat!

Just realized I forgot to comment on Friday's ep. I thought it was really, really good. The Shawn/Phillip scenes were great and Phillips falling backwards laughing "I don't have a leg!" was just so real. Good stuff. Farah Fath still can't act.

Love seeing that Bo continues to use his new spine and brain. I didn't entirely love that he was regurgitating the "until you prove yourself" crap to Chelsea that Hope has been tossing at him, but the difference I guess is that it makes more sense for me with Bo and Chelsea. Chelsea has proven her untrustworthiness at every single turn. Where Bo has a twenty-plus year history of trust with Hope, although he made his share of boneheaded mistakes in the last few months. Anyway, it's great to have Bo "back."

RACHEL MELVIN IS AWESOME! I may hate Chelsea 70% of the time, but Rachel Melvin never ever strikes a wrong chord with me. Her reactions to Bo's rant were dead spot on. The watery eyes, quivering chin, exactly how a teenage girl would react. I think the upcoming teen crew has a lot of talent: Rachel, Ashley and Shayna have amazing potential and they're all very different and fairly well-fleshed-out characters. I'm excited.

Now give me more Steve & Kayla please because I feel a major pout coming on (they're not listed in any of the daily blurbs for next week)