If you thought Corday's Days interview was vague, you have seen nothing yet. Lisa Hesser addressed some burning questions too, much like the other EP's, only see didn't have an answer for anything. Here is a summary:

-Galen will not be taking a paternity break from the show. The studio is close by and the show has a hiatus the first week of September so he won't be taking a break.

-Hank will remain out of town and won't be recasted or brought back at this time.

-MacKenzie Westmore will be back taping August 21 but no first airdate yet.

-There are no plans at this time to bring on Julian and Ivy's other daughter. (cast Kam damnit )

-There has been no decision on whether to recast Gwen during her maternity leave at the end of the year. (if they do I suggest Natalie Zea again)

-Rachel is still in Harmony but there are no other details said about her despire it being reported she is out.

-There are no plans at this time to see Grace.

There is also a article on Pilar getting shot and it not looking good and then a major spoiler for August 21 which says Theresa learns from a cop that Pilar is dead. I have not liked Pilar of late but I don't want her dead. I think it is a misunderstanding, one of those classic Passions mistakes where everyone is told someone is dead and then they learn they are really alive and it was a misunderstanding.

The de Cazzote interview gave us nothing but Mac's return and addressing Galen's status so that was a waste of time. Sounds like budget cuts are making things tight for the show as far as returns but I think Grace needs to come back at this point. I will say de Cazzote (I prefer to call her Hesser but whatever) sounds a bit bitter and is acting like she was forced to do this. Maybe she is stressed about how tough it was for Passions to get renewed and the ratings? Either way, the interview stunk.

I think it would be a great story to kill Pilar! Lemus rocks! But she's not used so whatev.

I'd love Grace back.

Huber was on best week ever this past weekend, and she is definitely showing!

I want Grace back!!!!!

Ooo... Natalie Zea! That would be great to see her again, but with no Ryan McPartlin and Hank forget it. (I miss rooting for Gwank )

No plans to bring back Grace? Well then they are just plain stupid. That's a dumb move on their part, and the return of Grace & Charity is one of the things that can help jumpstart the show again.

And Pilar getting shot? I'd rather KMart get shot and both die.

I think Dana's lack of return may have more to do with budget cuts. Who knows, she might be 'expensive' to 'get,' so to speak. After all, she's a primetime soap vet and she had a recurring role on Jag. Who knows her 'worth'?

I think Dana's lack of return may have more to do with budget cuts. Who knows, she might be 'expensive' to 'get,' so to speak. After all, she's a primetime soap vet and she had a recurring role on Jag. Who knows her 'worth'?

Well then don't bring Mac back, keep Kam, and use Mac's money for Dana.

Just kidding about that. They could just put Dana on recurring. That is what they did initially but then they cut her all together. Dana may be angry with the way the show just cut her and that may drive up the cost but she did come back briefly in 2004 as a sprit Faith so not sure about that. If the show wanted her back, she would come. Passions did just make cuts and cut the crew alot so I am sure they have money lying around. They could just make Brandi Charity and bring Dana and everything would be fine.

Better yet get rid of KMART and Chad and you would have money for Dana right there .

Well then don't bring Mac back, keep Kam, and use Mac's money for Dana.

Just kidding about that. They could just put Dana on recurring. That is what they did initially but then they cut her all together. Dana may be angry with the way the show just cut her and that may drive up the cost but she did come back briefly in 2004 as a sprit Faith so not sure about that. If the show wanted her back, she would come. Passions did just make cuts and cut the crew alot so I am sure they have money lying around. They could just make Brandi Charity and bring Dana and everything would be fine.

Better yet get rid of KMART and Chad and you would have money for Dana right there .

I would gladly cut KMart, Spike, Chris, Jessica, Valerie just to bring back Dana. Hey, kill off Jessica and Grace would have to come home

I just read an interview with Brandi at NBC.com, and I was surprised to read that she was actually considered for Charity when the show first started? Hmm... I'm 80% sure she'll end up playing Charity one way or another

But how? How in GOD'S NAME can Brandi play Charity AND Siren? I'm for it, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't make SENSE!!!

I just read an interview with Brandi at NBC.com, and I was surprised to read that she was actually considered for Charity when the show first started? Hmm... I'm 80% sure she'll end up playing Charity one way or another

We could've had this beautiful goddess playing Charity for 5 years.....instead we got Molly Stanton (though I do like Molly )??!!

Well, I agree with the casting directors' first decision. Molly had such a traditional look, if that makes sense. She was skinny and was like Sissy Spacek in "Carrie." You could see her as really good or REALLY evil. Brandi, on the other hand, pretty much could be a HOT, HOT, no, [!@#$%^&*] hot PORN STAR. She is just...*drools* And it's hard to imagine her with powers of 'goodness.' If you look in her eyes, she has an almost other-worldly appearance that works for the mermaid but, at some point, really makes you think you're staring in the face of evil. Unless that's just her makeup. Either way, if they make her Charity, I won't be mad and will love it because I love Brandi, but I'm just saying why she wouldn't have worked as the original Charity. Given the choice, I'd prefer Molly. But now that we know Brandi and LOVE HER!!!, I'll accept her as Nu Char.

I loved Molly Stanton. Brandi is not good, IMO.

I would so tune in to see Natalie Zea play Gwen again. I was such a fan of hers, and it was the only time I could invest in Gwen. Liza plays her so harsh, cold and layerless.

Liza plays her so harsh, cold and layerless.

That's pretty much how Gwen has been written lately.....I thought Liza did a good job and really had sympathy for Gwen, back when Gwen and Ethan lost their little girl Sara .....

Of the 29 cast members on contract, over half of them are newbies who start out on the bottom of the totem pole. I just don't get the reasoning that a lower budget means they can't rehire old faves.

Senior cast members: 7 years

Lindsay Hartley, Tracey Ross, Ben Masters, Juliet Mills, Kim Johnston Ulrich, James Hyde, Galen Gering, Mac Westmore, Eva Tamargo Lemus, Brook Kerr, and Rodney Van Johnson

1-5 Years:

Eric Martsolf, Liza Huber, Heidi Mueller, Charles Divins, Danica Stewart, Leigh Taylor-Young, Richard Steinmetz, Silvana Arias, Emily Harper, Dylan Fergus, Cathy Jeneen Doe, Adrian Bellani, Adrian Wilson, Mark Cameron Wystrach, Christopher Maleki, Daphnee Duplaix Samuel, Brandi Burkhardt, James Stevensen

Take a look at a soap actors salary...Courtesy of Soap Opera Digest

New Kid On The Block (1-5 years):

Salary Range: $900-1,300 per episode

Guarantee: 1-3 days per week guarantee

Typical Salary: $114,000* Based on 2 days per week

Tried and True: (5-10 years):

Salary Range: $1,200-$2,500 per episode

Guarantee: 1-3 days (performers who've been around this long typically have a guarantee at the higher end of the scale)

Typical Salary: $192,400* Based on 2 days per week

Veterans (10 years and up)

Salary Range: $1,500-$4,000 per episode (only a handful make more than $4,000 per episode)

Guarantee: 1-3 days

Typical Salary: $286,000* Based on 2 days per week

12 of Passions 29 contract actors fall into the "tried and true" category and the other 17 are in the "New Kid On The Block" category. As of 2005, Passions weekly budget is about 765,000 per week (3.06 million per month.

I used the monthly episode counts for every actor and it totaled right at 600,000 bucks just for actors salaries during the month of July. That leaves 2.46 million for writers, sets, crew etc. I just don't see how actors salaries play such a big role in budget cuts when they don't make that much to start with? lol

Linsday Hartley, who is considered "Tried and True" has made more money this year than most Veterans on other soaps. She only has a 1-3 day a week guarantee but has racked up 127 episodes to date equaling $318,000 and there's still 5 months to go. Hartley will break the half a million mark by years end

Of the 29 cast members on contract, over half of them are newbies who start out on the bottom of the totem pole. I just don't get the reasoning that a lower budget means they can't rehire old faves.

Senior cast members: 7 years

Lindsay Hartley, Tracey Ross, Ben Masters, Juliet Mills, Kim Johnston Ulrich, James Hyde, Galen Gering, Mac Westmore, Eva Tamargo Lemus, Brook Kerr, and Rodney Van Johnson

1-5 Years:

Eric Martsolf, Liza Huber, Heidi Mueller, Charles Divins, Danica Stewart, Leigh Taylor-Young, Richard Steinmetz, Silvana Arias, Emily Harper, Dylan Fergus, Cathy Jeneen Doe, Adrian Bellani, Adrian Wilson, Mark Cameron Wystrach, Christopher Maleki, Daphnee Duplaix Samuel, Brandi Burkhardt, James Stevensen

Take a look at a soap actors salary...Courtesy of Soap Opera Digest

New Kid On The Block (1-5 years):

Salary Range: $900-1,300 per episode

Guarantee: 1-3 days per week guarantee

Typical Salary: $114,000* Based on 2 days per week

Tried and True: (5-10 years):

Salary Range: $1,200-$2,500 per episode

Guarantee: 1-3 days (performers who've been around this long typically have a guarantee at the higher end of the scale)

Typical Salary: $192,400* Based on 2 days per week

Veterans (10 years and up)

Salary Range: $1,500-$4,000 per episode (only a handful make more than $4,000 per episode)

Guarantee: 1-3 days

Typical Salary: $286,000* Based on 2 days per week

12 of Passions 29 contract actors fall into the "tried and true" category and the other 17 are in the "New Kid On The Block" category. As of 2005, Passions weekly budget is about 765,000 per week (3.06 million per month.

I used the monthly episode counts for every actor and it totaled right at 600,000 bucks just for actors salaries during the month of July. That leaves 2.46 million for writers, sets, crew etc. I just don't see how actors salaries play such a big role in budget cuts when they don't make that much to start with? lol

Linsday Hartley, who is considered "Tried and True" has made more money this year than most Veterans on other soaps. She only has a 1-3 day a week guarantee but has racked up 127 episodes to date equaling $318,000 and there's still 5 months to go. Hartley will break the half a million mark by years end

Hell, Hartley deserves it!! So proud of her.

Nice post...but here's what I don't get. If you're saying the salaries add up to $600,000, and the show is only afforded 756,000 per week, remember what [!@#$%^&*] said, writers get gobs in soaps. So figure in JER's apparently massive salary (good Lord, to think how much money he made writing two soaps...it's crazy...and a recluse like him, where would the money even GO?! ). Anyway, where was I going with this? Oh yeah...there are probably other expenses to take into consideration. Bah. I'm just trying to take a break from work. [!@#$%^&*]@ [!@#$%^&*]! [!@#$%^&*]!!! aaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!!

Okay. Now I'm going bonkers.

Back to work.

If you're saying the salaries add up to $600,000, and the show is only afforded 756,000 per week, remember what [!@#$%^&*] said, writers get gobs in soaps. So figure in JER's apparently massive salary (good Lord, to think how much money he made writing two soaps...it's crazy...and a recluse like him, where would the money even GO?! ).

No No dear, 600,000 per MONTH! The weekly combined salary is $150,000 out of the 765,000 weekly budget.

That means that 19.6% of the weekly budget is paid out to the actors.

I used the monthly episode counts for every actor and it totaled right at 600,000 bucks just for actors salaries during the month of July. That leaves 2.46 million for writers, sets, crew etc.