Soap News: DAYS hits #2, Y&R’s Malcolm Recast and more

Arianne Zuker (Nicole, DAYS), James Franco (Franco, GH), Rebecca Budig (Greenlee, AMC), Darius McCrary (Malcolm, Y&R), Kimberly Matula (Hope, B&B) and Chad Brannon (Zander, GH)

— Days of our Lives has become the most-improved soap of the past few years and now they have the ratings to show for it! DAYS’ 2.3 household rating (about 946,000 American viewers) knocked B&B (840,000) out of second place during the week of Nov. 16-20 as the baby switch storyline finally came to a climax. The last time DAYS hit #2 was back in the summer of 2004 when the Salem Stalker storyline came to a close.

— Despite the insane promotion, General Hospital actually lost viewers the day that James Franco made his debut. In last week’s rating, the highest rated episode was actually the one show where Franco didn’t appear. The episode which saw Robin, Molly and Kristina playing matchmaker between Mac and Alexis was the week of Nov. 34-27’s highest rated episode…oh so what do you know, looks like despite Franco, GH viewers still hate the mob! For this week and last week’s American daytime ratings, check out Soap Opera Network.

— Julia Barr will be returning to All My Children as Brooke for the show’s 40^th anniversary episodes which will air on January 4th & 5th. She’ll be joining Kelly Ripa (Hayley), Mark Consuelos (Mateo), Taylor Miller (Nina), Laurence Lau (Greg), Eva LaRue (Maria), Eden Riegel (Bianca) and Leven Rambin (Lily). Brooke English simply vanished back in 2006 after Barr refused going on recurring status once her contract had expired.

— Rebecca Budig returns to AMC as the very-much alive Greenlee on December 23rd.

— As rumored a few months ago, The Young and the Restless has recast the role of Malcolm Winters, last played by Shemar Moore. Family Matters star Darius McCrary (Eddie Winslow!) will step into the role on December 28th (in Canada; 29th in US). The actor will reunite with his former Family Matters co-star Bryton James (Devon) who played little Richie.  

— Ewa Da Cruz returns to As The World Turns as Vienna on December 11th.

— According to Soap Opera Digest, ATWT may recast the role of Liberty once Meredith Hagner departs. Also rumored to be leaving is Marnie Schulenburg (Alison).

— B&B is aging Hope Logan with newcomer Kimberly Matula. The 17 year-old Hope will debut on January 11, 2010. Hope is Brooke’s daughter with Deacon Sharpe (who is now on Y&R). This totally screws up the timeline…not only on B&B but Y&R as well since Deacon’s son “with” Amber is a few years older than Hope making Amber and Rick about 36-39 years old! Deacon’s son better remain off-screen for sanity purposes.  

— Chad Brannon is back on General Hospital for one episode on December 22nd. It’s rumored that a not-so-dead Zander will help usher Natalia Livingston‘s Rebecca off the canvas…I hope this proves that Rebecca is actually Emily.

— Scott Reeves (ex-Ryan, Y&R) makes his first GH appearance on December 9th. As previously reported, Reeves will play Steven Lars Webber (Elizabeth’s half-brother).