And to keep Reilly from straying. The scribe's new contract lays to rest months of rumors that he might go elsewhere to create prime-time shows (among the networks reportedly interested in Reilly was the kid-friendly WB). And his deal won't come as good news to Ken Corday, executive producer of NBC's other soap, Days of Our Lives, who had wanted the network to launch a Days spin-off Salem High and had been talking up the project in soap magazines hoping to rouse fan interest.

It's too soon to tell which -- if any -- of Passions's characters will be seen on Harmony High, but Reilly says the likelihood of cast crossovers is excellent. "I can see the two shows being very symbiotic," notes Reilly, who wants to use the spin-off "to develop a young fan base that will move on to Passions as it gets older. It's a good investment for the future."

As for the prime-time projects, "they won't be copies of Passions." says Reilly. "But they will have quirky twists and an element of soap." Adds Harbert: "Jim understands our need for new and different ideas. I don't expect he'll bring us things we've seen before."

Planning a spin-off is tricky because Passions faces a casting crisis: Most of its stars signed three-year deals when the soap started production in the spring of '99. and those contracts will all lapse before Harmony High is expected to hit the air. (If Reilly's pilot quickly gets a green light, the show could air by January, but it will probably debut mid to late 2002.)

In the July 28 issue of TV Guide magazine (on newsstands July 23), Contributing Editor Michael Logan speaks candidly with NBC Studios President Ted Harbert and James E. Reilly, creator of the hit daytime series Passions.

Harbert and Reilly reveal that Reilly will develop more programming for the "Peacock Network," including a prime-time series, a prime-time movie and a Saturday morning spin-off of Passions called Harmony High.

These developments lay to rest the rumors that Reilly might defect to other reportedly interested networks such as the WB.

"Jim is a one-of-a-kind creative force with an imagination that is the most amazing thing I've ever witnessed," Harbert tells TV Guide. "We're making this deal to get that imagination into other parts of the NBC schedule."

Reilly himself tells TV Guide that the chances of cast crossovers between Passions and Harmony High are excellent. "I can see the two shows being very symbiotic," notes Reilly, who wants to use the spin-off "to develop a young fan base that will move on to Passions as it gets older. It's a good investment for the future."

As for Reilly's prime-time projects, "they won't be copies of Passions," he says. "But they will have quirky twists and an element of soap." Harbert adds, "Jim understands our need for new and different ideas. I don't expect he'll bring us things we've seen before."

Passions fans can read about a few of the casting challenges that Reilly may have with Harmony High in the July 28 issue of TV Guide.