Days of Our Lives on NBC

Days of Our Lives' much-beloved romantic duo and longtime stars Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn have been cut from NBC's only soap as it deals with budget cuts, the show announced in a statement Wednesday.

The shocking layoffs of the highly-paid veteran soap actors who play Dr. Marlena Evans and John Black come after the show's producers cut spending earlier this month to keep Days on the air for at least another 18 months.

The good news, if any, for fans ... read more 122 Comments

Sorry soap fans, you can't blame Days of Our Lives' short-term contract renewal on the evil Stefano DiMera!

NBC has inked a deal with Sony Pictures TV to extend its run of the long-running daytime favorite Days for just 18 months, Variety reports.

The soap, which is celebrating its 43rd year on the air, had previously signed a renewal pact between Sony and Corday Prods. for a five-year term.

However, it's understood that another year could be tagged on to the 18-month contract if certain parameters on the show are met. That would keep Days on the air through September of 2011.

This is most likely a sign of uncertain times for the daytime scripted dramas, especially at NBC. The network has axed most of its soaps, including... read more 78 Comments

Read more about Reilly's passing and his daytime legacy, after the jump. read more 19 Comments