As a general rule, I won't report on changes to soap stars because there are just too darn many of them and most aren't really known outside the fans of their show. Exceptions to this would be: a) The star IS well known (e.g., Susan Lucci) or b) I (or one of the readers) stumble across a very interesting or dramatic change that involves a good story and/or includes before and after pictures. For example, the report on Priscilla Garita from "Sunset Beach" in Updates.  Anyway, the reason I throw in the the disclaimer is because I'm gonna violate my rule again by reporting on star of "The Young and the Restless" and former star of "Days of Our Lives", EILEEN DAVIDSON.  As you can see from the before pictures, Eileen has maintained quite the impressive mane of blonde waves for many years now.  In fact, I'd go so far as to say that her long, golden locks were one of the things for which she was best known.  Well, thanks to alert reader Hal A., I have pictorial evidence that Eileen's cascading tresses (how many different ways can I say that?) are no more.  She has snipped them to a neck-length, shag with long layers in front, graduating to slightly shorter in back.

Before
 

After

FLEA'S CALL:  First, let me say that not only did Eileen have beautiful long hair, it looked terrific on her.  Straight or curly, bangs or swept back, it seemed to work for her no matter how she styled it.  So, when Hal informed me that Eileen had gone with an above the shoulders style, I greeted the news with more than a little trepidation.  At least in my opinion (and that's why you're reading this isn't it?), those fears were unfounded.  I think the new cut is remarkably flattering on her, though, given her square jaw, she couldn't go much shorter without going MUCH shorter, if you get my drift.  As I said before, I loved her hair long, but if she insists on going shorter, then she has selected almost the perfect style.

Ever notice how dull the review is when I actually like the new style? J

You've read about it in the papers, you've heard about it on TV, and now the pictorial confirmation is here: JENNY MCCARTHY is a brunette.  Yup, one of the women that you figure has been hitting the peroxide bottle since birth, has returned to what, she claims, is her natural color.  Looking at Jenny, it's pretty obvious that her natural color is significantly darker than her well-known blonde (and I'm ignoring all of you whose dirty minds immediately went to her Playboy pictures and are snickering to yourselves).  However, as you can see, her locks aren't the dark brown you may have initially pictured, but black.  Yup, Lucy Lui, jet black.  Supposedly done for a movie role, Jenny now says she may keep it for a while.  Why you ask?  Well, according to FashionDish (who also revealed that it was done by Christopher Pierce at Prive Salon in LA), she's apparently more in demand as a brunette.  Not only that, Jenny herself likes it and said in TVGuide Online,

"It's a nice change," she says. "I don't have to worry about my roots anymore. But there is one problem. I discovered that I have dandruff. You don't notice that when you're a blonde."

Before (on "The Tonight Show" in October)
 

After

And a quick thanks to Marc G. for the first "After" pic.

FLEA'S CALL:   After looking at the pictures for a while, the new color is starting to grow on me.  Sure, it's a major departure from the blonde and the color is much darker than I would have EVER expected to see on Jenny, but still, it's not bad.  Oddly, she reminds me of a movie or TV star from the '50s, but I just can't put my finger on who (unless just her general look is giving me that impression).  Anyway, the is the second big change for Jenny in the last few months; the other being that she got married.  Maybe this is part of her attempt to create a "New Jenny" image.  Of course, that will be shattered with the first goofy-ass face she makes...  

Snippets

ANGELINA JOLIE (who's very existence has to mean that, for the universe to remain in balance, there are at least 3 or 4 women out there with no lips at all), is wearing her naturally dark hair blonde these days.  How blonde it currently is, however, is up for debate, since at the recent premiere of her new movie with Winona Ryder, she seemed to be fading back to brunette.  Anyway, I don't think it really matters that much, since either hair color is flattering on her vSpeaking of blondes, both CAMERON DIAZ and CHARLIZE THERON have returned to the ranks of the towheads recently, and none too soon.  Cameron made a rather, shall we say, unfortunate brunette.  Now, she has not only regained her golden tresses, but continues to let them grow, to a very attractiveresult.  Charlize, on the other hand, didn't look unnatural in the hair color as much as the cut, with those micro bangs.  Fortunately, as you can see from the picture, she's let the bangs grow enough that she can sweep them to the side, which looks oh so much better

DANA DELANY has diverted from her rather standard bob to a more layered cut recently, though she kept the dark auburn color.  It's actually a bit shorter than the picture shows, now more in a version of the short shag or tucked style, taking advantage of her bit of natural wave and exceptional thickness.  Doesn't look bad, doesn't look great, just sorta there.  By the way, am I the only one that thinks Dana has looked the best the few times when she's let her her hair get below her shoulders (as the picture to the left shows)? vJEANNE TRIPPLEHORN continues to let her hair grow back out after going with a very ill-advised short cut for "Johnny Blue Eyes".  It's at least to a chin/neck length bob again.  In my humble (though usually correct) opinion, she needs to get it back to at least her shoulders before it will be really flattering again.

If you care, SHANNON DOUGHERTY has been letting her brunette locks grow for the past year or so, to the point where they fall about 6 inches or so below her shoulders.  It looks...uh, it looks....hmmmm.  Geez, how sad is it that I can't even give the backhanded compliment that it looks good for Shannon Dougherty? v "ER"'s MICHAEL MICHELLE, who portrays Dr. Finch, the pediatric resident, has said that you couldn't drag her into a hair salon.  This brings up two questions: 1) Why isn't her her hair to her feet (it must also layer itself naturally) and 2) Do the hair and makeup folks have to drug her to get her ready for the show?  Things that make you say, "Hmmmm..."

And finally, I have my truly weird item of the month from "Good Morning America" host, DIANE SAWYER.  In a recent interview, Diane said she hates her blonde hair.  Not only does she hate her blonde hair, but she's always wanted long, straight, black hair like Cher.  Yup, Cher.  I would also tell you that she wants Cher's body too, but that's outside the realm of this column and would give you a weird mental picture that you wouldn't be able to shake all day.  Aren't you glad I didn't tell you?

Eileen Davidson pictures courtesy Eileen Davidson's Home on the Web and Soap Opera Weekly, Jenny McCarthy pictures courtesy NBC, Reuters, and TVGuide Online, Cameron Diaz picture courtesy Reuters, Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron Pictures courtesy Entertainment Tonight, Dana Delany picture courtesy Hollywood.Com, Shannon Dougherty picture courtesy "The Rosie O'Donnell Show", Michael Michelle picture courtesy Maxim.

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