It sounds like TPTB are finally listening. Rumor has it that Coop (I like him, though), Rafe, Daisy, Grady

, and Ashley are being let go, to make room to bring back the older characters.
12/29: Alan proposes to Beth - but will she accept?
12/29: Beth is torn between Alan and Coop. Who will she choose?
12/29: After being named a hero, Mallet feels he must take Shane in.
12/29: Grady and Ashlee become closer but is it all an act?
12/29: Springfield honors Shayne for saving Doris from the fire.
12/30: Doris gives Bill some shocking news.
12/30: Alan vows to take over Springfield once again.
12/30: Natalia decides to take Olivia's advice.
1/2: Bill divulges the truth to Lizzie
1/2: Daisy gets caught in the act!
1/2: Natalia has a date for dinner.
1/2: Ashlee catches Grady red-handed.
Mel finds a hung over Bill.
Alan sends Emma a gift that angers Olivia.
Alan signs the gift card as both Emma's grandfather and father.
Bill reveals the truth to Lizzie.
After hearing that Alan has proposed, Lizzie and Lillian tell Alan not to pressure Beth for an answer.
Alan tells Beth that he'll wait patiently for her answer.
Alan is angered upon learning that Doris has dropped the kidnapping charges against Bill.
The fire has destroyed the evidence, so she had no choice but to drop the charges.
Bill receives shocking news from Doris that the charges have been dropped.
Alan is unhappy with Doris about the charges being dropped.
After this latest blow, Alan vows to Alex that he'll get everything back that he feels is his: Beth, his company, and control of Springfield.
Lizzie and Bill celebrate that Bill's kidnapping charges are gone.
Dinah drops a hint to Bill about her part in the fire.
Bill realizes that Dinah was the one who set the fire.
Bill confides to Dinah that he feels closer to her and should never have doubted her support.
Bill is shocked when runs into Lizzie at Towers.
Bill and Lizzie ring in the New Year with a kiss.
All this is short-lived, Bill is starting to re-think who kidnapped Lizzie - he still thinks he could have done it.
Frank catches Daisy red-handed stealing.
Coop decides to go to the Spaulding Mansion for Beth.
Coop tells Buzz that he can handle Alan.
Is Coop too confident about his ability to control the situation?
Coop reveals his feelings for Beth into his latest book.
Lillian tells Beth that Coop is not Philip.
Olivia tells Natalia and Emma that they need to dream big in 2009.
Frank surprises Natalia with a romantic dinner date.
Reva picks a godfather for her new son - Shayne.
Will Shayne accept Reva's idea?
After some convincing, Shayne agrees to be the baby's godfather.
Doris presents Shayne with a medal for his bravery.
Josh gives Reva a Christmas kiss on the cheek.
Dinah tells Shayne she wants to spend New Year's with him.
Shayne tells Dinah he'd rather be alone for the holiday.
Marina tells Shayne that he's turned into a jerk since he left Springfield.
Shayne tries to slam the door on Dinah but she refuses to let him.
Shayne pulls Dinah into a steamy kiss!
I like them together!
Natalia agrees to pull a double shift at Towers for New Year's - which disappoints Emma and Olivia.
Natalia changes her mind and returns to the farmhouse - which pleases Emma.
Emma wants to stay up til midnight - and wakes up Olivia to celebrate.
Natalia is thrilled the tree sale raises the necessary funds for Rafe's legal fund.
Olivia tells Emma and Natalia that they need to dream big next year.
For Christmas, Alan brings Emma an expensive gift.
Alan's card on the gift says "Love, Grandpa and Daddy" - which upsets Olivia.
Olivia doesn't want Emma to be confused about Philip.
Grady tells Ashlee if she finds herself in trouble to text him.
What is Grady up to?
Ashlee is pleased to get Grady's number.
Daisy and Grady open the Christmas presents from one another.