GossipCop.com confirms that Rinna will make the return to DOOL beginning in March 2012.

Rinna was on Days of our Lives from 1992 to 1995, when she left to star on “Melrose Place.”

She has returned over the years, but hopes to stick around longer.

In a statement, Rinna said, “I am so thrilled to be back and excited to be acting again. I have done reality shows, talk shows and I thought, what a great way to come back and play a character that I love to play so much. Feels very full circle — like a new old chapter.”

Raise your hand if you watched Regis Philbin’s last show? Raise your hand if you cried.

Maybe I did. Shut up.

After 28 years on the morning show, Regis Philbin finally packed it up and retired… love or hate his daytime show, it’s the end of an era.

And now it’s just Kelly Ripa at the helm… somebody better get her a permanent co-host soon, because I don’t think she can carry the whole show!

Regis Philbin farewell speech video:

Kelly Ripa’s goodbye to Regis Philbin (video):

Other DOOL alum returning include Patrick Muldoon (Austin Reed) and Christie Clark (Carrie Brady)… but will fans see the return of Drake Hogestyn (John Black)?

Executive Producer Ken Corday has hired two new head writers, so maybe Days of Our Lives will get good again!

Oprah said of her half sister, Patricia, “I thought nothing could surprise me anymore, but let me tell you, I was wrong.”

Oprah discovered she had a half sister before Thanksgiving 2010, noting the new development “literally shook me to my core.”

Patricia was given up for adoption by Oprah’s mother and eventually discovered her link to Oprah. What do you think about Oprah revealing she has a half sister on her show?

Watch Oprah’s reunion with her sister, Patricia (video) below and more of the amazing story at Oprah.com.

During Tuesday’s “Live with Regis and Kelly,” Philbin announced he will retire from the show at the end of summer, though no specific date has been set.

Regis Philbin said: “This will be my last year on the show. It’s been a long time, it’s been 28 years since I’ve been here. And it was the biggest thrill of my life. There is a time that everything must come to an end for certain people on camera, especially certain old people.”

As for his Golden Globes hosting gig, Ricky Gervais says that one of his comedic targets could be Charlie Sheen, but notes he only goes “for the weak and the feeble.”

Gervais says, “I’m not going to have a go at Russell Crowe or Mickey Rourke… Mickey Rooney maybe. Betty White, I’m not scared of her.”

Later on, Snooki gets scared by her own poof… well, the Jersey Shore costume poof that Ellen wore for Halloween, anyway!

Watch Ellen read excerpts from Snooki’s book (honestly, anyone can write a book these days!):

Plus, Santa visits Live with Regis and Kelly and joins in the Katharine McPhee sing-a-along.

Long story short, Kelly Ripa is on crutches for a stress fracture in her right hip, which will heal by itself. She does, however, have to take a break from exercise!

Kelly Ripa’s crutches for the stress fracture are a must until she heals. More specifically, Ripa has a stress fracture on the fermoral neck in her right hip.

Ripa explained, “It looks much worse than it is.”

Looks like the Early Show firing Harry Smith, Rodriguez and Price is a way to clean house and boost the ratings.

A new team will take over on the Early Show – Harry Smith, Maggie Rodriguez, and Dave Price will leave the program January 3.

Look for the Early Show to now feature Erica Hill and Chris Wragge, who currently cover Saturday’s edition of the Early Show, as well as Jeff Glor, who anchors Saturday’s CBS Evening News. Marysol Castro, formerly of Good Morning America’s weekend edition, will be reporting the weather.

Watch Dave Price’s sad goodbye on Early Show (video).

Learn what’s next for Harry Smith after the Early Show.