Soap Opera Digest is reporting that several beloved DAYS actors from the past are returning for Alice Horton's farewell, and some of them will appear in a few episodes rather than just a one-day guest appearance. The list of actors includes: Jaime Lyn Bauer (Laura Horton), Christie Clark (Carrie Brady Reed), Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton), Maree Cheatham (Marie Horton), Roark Critchlow (Dr. Mike Horton), Patsy Pease (Kimberly Brady), Lisa Trusel (Melissa Horton), Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Brady Johnson), and Melissa Reeves (Jennifer Horton Devereaux).

As fans recall, Frances Reid passed away on February 3 at the age of 95. Soon afterwards, Digest reported that the show had plans to bring back a few stars to give Alice Horton the tribute she deserves.

In other casting news, TV Guide Magazine is reporting that Charles Shaughnessy is reprising his role as Shane Donovan for about ten episodes in May, but it could possibly turn into more. He beings taping on Monday, March 22. Shaughnessy portrayed the dashing ISA agent Shane Donovan from 1984 until 1992. He briefly returned to the role in 2002 when Hope was kidnapped by Larry Welch. The actor went on to star opposite Fran Drescher in the popular comedy The Nanny from 1993 until 1999. He was also the voice of Dennis the fish in Playhouse Disney's animated series Stanley, a role which earned him a 2002 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program.

More information about these wonderful returns will be posted as it becomes available. As previously reported, Arleen Sorkin is also returning to the show in May as the wacky Calliope Jones Bradford. Look for Alice's tribute to air in May.

Pictured: Bryan Dattilo (Lucas)

Mitchell Haaseth / Copyright 2007 NBC Universal

Many Happy Returns! originally appeared on About.com Days of Our Lives Fans on Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 at 16:10:52.

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Welcome back Nicole! I can't help but admit how much I've missed Nicole since her Emmy-worthy portrayer, Arianne Zucker, has been on maternity leave. Life in Salem just hasn't been the same without her. It was great to see the tougher side of Nicole in prison and to see her finally remember who took Sydney. Knowing the way Nicole schemes and blackmails to get what she wants, she'll manage to get out of prison, thanks to Anna. What are you hoping she does next once she's out? Take a moment to vote.

Pictured: Arianne Zucker as Nicole Walker DiMera

Trae Patton / Copyright 2009 NBC Universal

What Should Happen Next for Nicole? originally appeared on About.com Days of Our Lives Fans on Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 at 04:41:25.

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If you want a chance to meet some of the stars from Days of Our Lives, Samantha's Friends will be hosting a charity event called Breakfast Wth Samantha's Friends on Saturday, June 5 at Henry's Hat near Universal Studios. Henry's Hat is a restaurant and bar owned by A.J. Gilbert and wife Martha Madison (ex-Belle).

Actors scheduled to attend include the following: Molly Burnett (Melanie), Crystal Chappell (Carly), Shawn Christian (Daniel), Patrika Darbo (ex-Nancy), Casey Deidrick (Chad), Judi Evans (Adrienne), Galen Gering (Rafe), Mark Hapka (Nathan), Ashlee Holland (ex-Crystal), Renee Jones (Lexie), Lauren Koslow (Kate), Wally Kurth (Justin), Rachel Melvin (ex-Chelsea), Gabriela Rodriguez (Gabi), and Eric Winter (ex-Rex). There will also be a very special guest appearance by Deidre Hall (ex-Marlena).

All proceeds from the event will benefit Samantha's Friends. The mission of Samatha's Friends is to help young people who have a catastropic illness gain independence with the assistance of a service canine.

Tickets are limited to the first 90 people at $100.00 per ticket, which includes full breakfast with cocktail. Please email Samantha at sammyb1978@aol.com for tickets or for more details. Special room rates are available at the Sportsmen's Lodge Hotel under Unique Soap Boutique. Please call 1-800-821-8511 for details.

Samantha's Friends 2010 Charity Fundraiser will take place on Sunday, September 19, 2010 at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club. Actors scheduled to attend so far include Patrika Darbo (ex-Nancy), Martha Madison (ex-Belle), Kevin Spirtas (ex-Craig), and Walt Willey (Jackson, AMC).

Guests will enjoy a fabulous brunch, wonderful show, and entertainment during the day. A meet and greet and autographs will be on the balcony after the event.

General admission tickets are $75.00 and VIP tickets are $175.00, in which you sit with the star of your choice during the entire show. Call Samantha for tickets at (941) 448-8558 or email sammyb1978@aol.com.

Photo courtesy of NBC Universal

Samantha's Friends Charity Event Update originally appeared on About.com Days of Our Lives Fans on Saturday, March 13th, 2010 at 14:06:10.

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Nicole finally remembers Anna as the voice she heard when Sydney was kidnapped in Cleveland. Anna is on a plane headed to Costa Rica when Nicole summons her to the prison. Nicole confronts Anna over taking Sydney and tells her to ask Governor Ford (played by General Hospital alum Stuart Damon) for a pardon. Otherwise, Nicole will turn her in. How will Anna manage to get out of this one? More spoilers for next week include:

• Chad tells Gabi that he still has feelings for Mia.
• Daniel overhears Chloe lying about her therapy sessions.
• Melanie admits that her shooting was an accident.
• E.J. is alarmed when Theo tells him that he knows the secret about Sydney.

Coming Up:

• Anna blackmails Governor Ford.
• Bo issues Victor an ultimatum.

Pictured: Leann Hunley as Anna DiMera

Justin Lubin / Copyright 2010 NBC Universal

Updated March Spoilers: Nicole remembers Anna as the Kidnapper! originally appeared on About.com Days of Our Lives Fans on Friday, March 12th, 2010 at 21:27:49.

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Former beloved Days of Our Lives star Drake Hogestyn, who played the unforgetable John Black from 1986 until January 2009, has been cast in the new web series Reality Bytes as Jerry Parker. The series is being produced by General Hospital star Tristan Rogers, who also plays Trevor Rains. Hogestyn's son Ben has also been cast as Jacob Kaplan. Other actors joining the cast of Reality Bytes include One Life to Live actress Tonja Walker, Suzanne Neidland, and Jered Allan.

Reality Bytes revolves around the main character, Trevor Rains, who is a famous actor-turned-producer. He is brought back to the show that made him famous in order to save it from cancellation. Trevor quickly blackmails himself into a position of greater power within the network and pulls no punches to save the show.

To stay updated on the latest news regarding this new web series, visit the official Reality Bytes website, become a Facebook fan, or follow the series on Twitter. Congratulations to Drake Hogestyn in his new role!

Pictured: Drake Hogestyn as John Black

Jeff Katz / Copyright 2008 NBC Universal

Drake Hogestyn Cast on Reality Bytes originally appeared on About.com Days of Our Lives Fans on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 22:54:27.

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Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Arleen Sorkin is returning to the show for a brief run in May as Calliope. The actress reportedly emailed Leann Hunley (Anna) and said, "You have to work with me. My brain is Teflon." She reported to the set on Monday, March 8.

Longtime DAYS fans recall that Sorkin played the wacky fashion designer Calliope Jones Bradford from 1984 until 1990 and made brief returns in 1992 and in 2006. She first arrived in Salem and worked for Liz Curtis in her clothing business and designed a dress for Anna DiMera, whom she became best friends with. Calliope was known for her wild hats and extraordinary wardrobe. She fell in love with Eugene Bradford and married him on December 31, 1985. Eventually, Calliope left Salem after hosting a daytime TV talk show and turned her show over to Jennifer Horton Devereaux.

Sorkin was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 1988 and in 1989 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. She also won three Soap Opera Digest awards, two which recognized her outstanding comic performance. Many fans agree that Eugene and Calliope definitely brought much comic relief to the show. I am one fan who will definitely look forward to seeing her again.

Pictured: Arleen Sorkin (Calliope Jones Bradford)

Alberto R. Rodriguez / 2009 Getty Images

Arleen Sorkin Returns to DAYS originally appeared on About.com Days of Our Lives Fans on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 20:51:42.

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The baby-switching, backstabbing blackmailer many fans know and love as Nicole Walker DiMera is back this week. Chloe goes to visit her friend in prison to tell her Sydney's alive. Nicole has toughened up since her stay in prison and is not only desperate to get out of there, but she's also desperate to figure out who kidnapped Sydney. Will she ever be able to remember Anna? More spoilers for next week include:

• Brady proposes to Arianna.
• Melanie confronts Stephanie over keeping the letter from Nathan.
• Maggie tells Melanie her condition, myasthenia gravis, has returned.
• Daniel tells Victor that he's Melanie's father.

Coming Up:

• Max returns to town and bonds with Melanie.
• Daniel threatens Vivian.

Pictured: Arianne Zucker as Nicole Walker DiMera

Trae Patton / Copyright 2009 NBC Universal

Updated March Spoilers: Nicole is Back! originally appeared on About.com Days of Our Lives Fans on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 16:26:20.

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Soap Opera Digest is reporting that John Callahan is reprising his role on Days of Our Lives as Dr. Richard Baker. This time, however, he'll be crossing paths with another character. His first airdate is Thursday, April 22.

Fans recall that Nicole manipulated baby broker and gambling addict Dr. Baker into switching Mia and Sami's babies. From that point on, he blackmailed Nicole into handing over more money in exchange for keeping her miscarriage and baby switching ordeal a secret. The last time we saw Dr. Baker was on the August 31, 2009 episode, when Rafe found him dead in the Dominican Republic. However, many of us were wondering if the doc was still alive, since we saw his finger move at the end of the episode.

No word yet as to how long Dr. Baker will stick around this time or who exactly he'll cross paths with this time around. Tune in Thursday, April 22 to see what Dr. Baker is up to!

Pictured: John Callahan as Dr. Richard Baker

Mitchell Haaseth / Copyright 2009 NBC Universal

John Callahan Returns to DAYS as Dr. Baker originally appeared on About.com Days of Our Lives Fans on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 22:16:53.

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Days of Our Lives star Crystal Chappell (Carly) has been nominated for a 2010 Streamy Award in the category of Best Female Actor in a Drama Web Series. The lovely Daytime Emmy Award-winning actress and executive producer of Venice was nominated for her role on the Web series as Gina, who is a designer and a gay woman. Venice was inspired by Crystal's previous role as Olivia Spencer on Guiding Light and her storyline with Jessica Leccia (ex-Natalia, GL)