LAST 'DAYS' FOR MATT ASHFORD

As if NBC didn't have enough daytime problems (What's the difference between NBC daytime and the Titanic? The Titanic had entertainment), the network has created a new trouble spot by firing Days of Our Lives' Matthew Ashford, one of daytime's most popular leading men. DOOL, the No. 8 soap, can hardly afford his loss. In his six years as Jack Deveraux, a rapist-turned-white-knight (funny how you never see that description outside the soaps), Ashford was the rare soap actor who could jump from heavy drama to light comedy. DOOL is also letting go of Crystal Chappell and Michael Sabatino (real-life lovers who play Carly and Lawrence). ''The fans are feeling a lot of venom over these decisions,'' says Ashford. ''It even surprised me. I think I'm a guy who can deliver.'' But he won't be going down with this ship.