Saturday has brought with it some major twists and developments into the alleged assault on Empire star, Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon) through multiple reports.  Two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the on-going investigation told CNN that Chicago Police believe actor Jussie Smollet paid two men to orchestrate an assault on him.

The men in question, who are brothers, Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, were originally arrested on Wednesday, but released without charges Friday after Chicago police cited: “Due to new evidence as a result of today’s interrogations, the individuals questioned by police in the Empire case have now been released without charging and detectives have additional investigative work to complete.”  Reports also say that the two men are fully cooperating with law enforcement.

Of note is: that the brothers are of Nigerian descent and teach online body building classes. The Chicago Tribune reports that Smollett follows the brothers’ workout page on Instagram.   One brother reportedly appeared in an episode of Empire, but was not credited it for it.

Smollett’s attack happened in the early hours of January 29th on the streets of Chicago, when Smollett told authorities that two men were “yelling out racial and homophobic slurs.”  He also noted that one of the attackers put a rope around his neck and poured an unknown chemical substance on him.

The sources told CNN there are records that show the two brothers purchased the rope found around Smollett’s neck at an Ace Hardware store in Chicago.

“The new direction of the investigation is now based on the premise that Mr. Smollett was an active participant in the incident,” a law enforcement source close to the situation told Deadline.

In a statement from Chicago PD late Saturday: “We can confirm that the information received from the individuals questioned by police earlier in the Empire case has in fact shifted the trajectory of the investigation. We’ve reached out to the ‘Empire’ cast member’s attorney to request a follow-up interview.”

So, what do you believe at this juncture?  Do you think Smollett would stage a hate crime on himself? Could the police just not have found the true culprits? Share your theories on this developing story.

The complex life of John Black (Drake Hogestyn) just got even more complicated on NBC’s Days of our Lives; thanks to the arrival of his ex-flame Diana Colville (Judith Chapman) and the bombshell that bad boy Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart), who has been causing so much trouble for Will (Chandler Massey) and Sonny (Freddie Smith), is actually his biological son!  Boy, John certainly has had some kids he never knew about pop up (remember, Paul Narita is John’s son, too).  But, is this all a tale spun by Diana, or the truth regarding Leo?

Longtime DAYS vet, Drake Hogestyn sits down with host, Michael Fairman on an all-new installment of NBC’s Inside Salem: Days of our Lives Podcast.  During the conversation, Drake talks about his surprise learning from the script that Diana Cooper was indeed his ex, Diana Colville.

The beloved actor reveals that at one point he thought Genie Francis (Laura, GH) might be coming back to reprise the role, but now that it’s Judith Chapman he is having a great time acting opposite her.  In addition, being a true historian of DAYS, Drake takes the listeners on some fun facts that they may not have remembered. Later, Hogestyn reveals why he and Deidre Hall (Marlena) have found such success as DAYS’ enduring John and Marlena.

Michael commends Drake on his Daytime Emmy Pre-Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his emotional turn following Marlena being shot at the Jarlena nuptials, and the family saying their goodbyes believing she was going to die, especially she the good doc had a DNR request on her legal forms filed with the hospital.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

In the backstage segment of the podcast, Eric Martsolf (Brady) takes Fairman on what a typical production day is like for him and others in Salem: visiting the wardrobe department, stopping to talk to the stage manager, and chatting it up with co-stars along the way including: Lauren Koslow (Kate) and Linsey Godfrey (Sarah).

The new episode of Inside Salem: Days of our Lives Podcast is currently streaming on NBC.com here, and will be available for download via iTunes on Monday.

So, do you think John will do next now that Diana is working her way back into his life, and Leo is his son?  Will he tell Marlena what is going on?  What did you think of the sentiments shared by Drake in the interview? Comment below.

Big news Y&R fans, longtime veteran and fan favorite, Doug Davidson is back filming scenes at CBS Daytime’s top-rated soap as Paul Williams.

The news broke when Eric Braeden tweeted a picture of himself with Davidson that simply stated: “He’s Back”

A spokesperson for Y&R did confirm that Davidson (who had been taken off contract by the series a year ago back in January, which caused quite the social media stir) was back on set filming on Friday.  That episode in which Davidson is in will air on March 25th.

Davidson tweeted: “Okay! So, the cat is out of the bag. NONE of any of this would happen without all of your undying loyalty, support and kindness. All of you are the reason “Paul” is back on the canvas. THANK YOU SO MUCH. @EBraeden has been incredible the entire time. A huge thanks to him as well!”

Doug is a Daytime Emmy winner, who started on the daytime drama series back in 1978.  Y&R did receive pushback under Mal Young’s (Ex-EP and head writer) regime for its misuse of long-standing vets.

Braeden also tweeted with the photo: “I want to thank @stevekentsony from SONY, JOSH GRIFFITH and TONY MORINA, for turning the ship around!!! Steve made an executive decision a few months ago and we want to thank him for it!”

So, excited to hear that Davidson is back taping at Y&R? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.