The Biggest “Winner’s” Alison Sweeney (Sami) will co-host Jerry Lewis’ 43rd Labor Day Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. NBC Entertainment co-chairman Ben Silverman rocks, ‘yo! This week, Sami kisses EJ before a purple gas almost kills them. I’m not even touching that one; it’s way too easy.

Higley-gate update: Executive producer Ken Corday is “fighting to keep Dena [Higley] as head writer” of the embattled soap, report backstage sources, “but Sony is all about Ed Scott bringing in either one of two former Y&R colleagues of his [Jack Smith or Josh Griffith, who want to get back to writing].” So in other words: it’s war between Scott and Corday. Go get him, Ed! That silver spoon has had its day and needs to be retired like John McCain. Also, an industry insider reveals NBC and Sony will have to intervene soon because “Days’ [sliding] ratings are scaring several higher-ups.” Come on, people — why is it so hard to get this show back on track? Splitting the atom looks easier at this point! Regardless of Higley’s new WGA case, I think the suspected scabber is due for a timeout. Bring in Smith or Griffith, and LET THEM WRITE THE SHOW! Thank Goddard these executives are not in charge of something important like curing cancer or world peace because we’d all be dead. I could fix this soap in my sleep… and I’d do it for free.

The Olympics will not pre-empt all of Salem’s action. Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing, but NBC announced that various film-noir short “films” will be shown during the Olympics to keep Days fans tuned into the on-screen drama instead of the off-screen shenanigans. Expect most of the Days canvas to star in these vignettes, which were created as a counterprogramming strategy to keep viewers from jumping to other networks. The only question I have is: Who wrote these special episodes?

Salem’s rolling out the welcome Matt for Matthew Borlenghi (ex-Brian, AMC). Days PR beauty Daniela Mancinelli confirms Borlenghi debuts as the mayor of Salem on Sept. 18. Kelly Ripa’s former on-screen boy toy will interact with Abe and Chris/Roman.

This week, John finds Marlena paralyzed or something before Stefano does us all a favour by throwing away the disc containing John’s memories! Hurray! FYI: I wrote that eppy. Thank me later.
According to Michael Fairman’s On Air On Soaps online website, venerable costume designer Richard Bloore has left the building after well, forever. Former Sunset Beach stylists Chic Gennarelli and Jayne Marie Kehoe replaced Bloore. But sources hint that Bloore could join the Days writing team one day.