A new Day for Muldoon!

After 15 years away from DAYS, the hunky Patrick Muldoon is set to return as Austin Reed, the role he originated back in 1992. Muldoon joins a number of DAYS vets returning to the canvas, as part of the restructuring plans of executive producer Ken Corday. This fall, the sudser will experience a casting facelift, in an effort to return it to more character-based stories. The return of a heartthrob like Muldoon could certainly entice former viewers to return.

After leaving Salem, Muldoon went on to steal hearts on television in the primetime soap Melrose Place and in feature films, including Starship Troopers. Muldoon's daytime departure paved the way for the introduction of Austin Peck, who took over as Austin, a role he played for just over 10 years. Peck now resides in Llanview in the recurring role of OLTL's Rick Powers. While Muldoon's Austin was a furry-chested hottie, Peck's Austin did away with his chest hair, giving fans a smooth, muscle-bound Adonis.

We'll be keeping our eye out for Austin Reed's current chesty choice when the character returns in the fall. Muldoon will reappear in Salem, along with his former co-star, Christie Clark, this September.

BIG NEWS: OLTL & AMC saved!

Hallelujah! ABC has confirmed today the rumors that Agnes Nixon's recently cancelled sudsers OLTL and AMC will indeed live on via the Internet. ABC has sold licensing rights to both shows to the Prospect Park media group and production company.

More details will be forthcoming regarding how the long-running soaps will change--and stay the same--when they make their transition to online format.

Until then, check out Daytime Confidential's coverage of this breaking story.

Way to go fans! You made this happen!