Lowder and Clear: Kyle to B&B

We haven't heard much from Kyle Lowder since the six-packed actor left his role as DAYS' Brady Black last year, but now he's been announced a surprise contract recast as B&B's Rick Forrester.

Considering Rick's previous two portrayers (Jacob Young and Justin Torkildsen) are both Emmy winners, Lowder will have some decent-sized shoes to fill.

Lowder first airs on Jan. 25. B&B can often not be counted on to treat its hunks as hunks, so we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed.

Shawn Christian back to ATWT?

Rumors are circling that one of soaphunks.net's 10 Sexiest Soap Hunks of All Time might be about to replace another one of that Top 10.

WeloveATWT.com is reporting that while Mark Collier will be leaving ATWT in January, his character, Mike Kasnoff, will not. According to a show rep, ATWT is already in the process of recasting the role. Apparently, the writing team of ATWT is interested in a Mike/Katie/Brad triangle. (As reported earlier, former DAYS hunk Austin Peck joins the show in January as (a much younger) Brad.) In what will be good news to longtime ATWT hunk fans, ATWT has apparently contacted Shawn Christian about returning to the role of Mike that he originated in 1994. No word at this time if the actor has accepted or rejected their offer.

Christian was voted No. 10 on the all-time sexiest list in early 2006 at soaphunks.net.

Adrian Bellani has lost his mind

In the December 19th issue of Soap Opera Weekly, the celeb roundup question was "What's the look you hope you never have to wear again?"

Here's the response of Passions' perfection (and 7-time Soaphunks.net Award nominee) Adrian Bellani:

"I hated the skintight white jeans with no shirt look that I had to rock for the entire carnival."

The man has clearly lost his mind....either that or he needs glasses! The screencaps of Bellani in those white jeans were among the highlights of my year! ;)

He's right about one thing, though. That is one look that he did rock.

AMC Hunks: Ho Ho Ho!

Talk about your stocking stuffer! SOAPNet.com has just unveiled a jolly wallpaper to help heat up your desktops this holiday season. Featured in Santa hats, low-rise jeans, and little else, resident AMC hunks Alec Musser, Colin Egglesfield, Justin Bruening, and Brent Weber all look ready to meet you under the mistletoe. Is this AMC's idea of last minute posturing to win Hunkiest Soap at the ongoing Soaphunks.net Awards?

Check out the wallpaper, available in three dimensions, at soapnet.com.

Jay Kenneth Johnson returning to DAYS

In a refreshing reversal from numerous recent blog entries reporting the departure of hunks from their soaps, here's some good news of a soap hunk actually returning to daytime.

Jay Kenneth Johnson, who is the best-known actor to have portrayed Phillip Kiriakis (once he had been SORASed), will return to his Salem stomping grounds. His first airdate is January 12, 2007.

The role was recently vacated by recast Kyle Brandt.

The Polls are Open!

December is here, and so it's finally time to vote for the 8th Annual Soaphunks.net Awards. You can vote ONCE per valid e-mail address. Polls are open through December 22. Winners will be announced in live chat on December 27 at 10 pm ET.

Just visit soaphunks.net/vote, and please review the "evidence" (video clips and pictures that are linked with each category on the ballot).

Happy voting!