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DAYS Delicious Doppelgängers, Chabby Drama, Hernandez Bro Conflict: Ron Carlivati’s First Three Episodes Raise The Bar To Engaging and Entertaining!

Courtesy/NBC

Right from the start of this past Wednesday’s episode of Days of our Lives through to cliffhanger Friday, when viewers tuned-in to see the debut of heralded head writer Ron Carlivati’s work on the NBC sudser, longtime fans could not help but notice the vast improvement in dialogue, story pacing, nods to the shows history, and humor and dramatic conflicts that are signatures of the Daytime Emmy-winning scribes work. In addition, the editing of the episodes seemed quicker and more intense, and when the scenes went to commercial break, it felt it was at just at the right spots to leave the audience clamoring for more.

Courtesy/NBC

So, how did Ron make us keep glued to our screens to see how the action played out?  Well, let’s start with the return of the doppelgangers orchestrated by Morgan Fairchild as Angelica Deveraux in her plan to snare Justin Kiriakis (Wally Kurth) all for herself.  However, she has brought in some bubbling cons to assist her … chief among them, Hattie Adams (Deidre Hall) who is trying her best to learn “shrink” jargon to parade around town as Marlena, such as when quizzed how she would handle a patient’s anxiety dosing.  Hattie spouts “I’d zap the dula with a gargantuan dose of diazepam.”  In another moment Hattie mixes up “bipolar disorder” by calling it “bisexual disorder”.

Courtesy/NBC

Marlena (Deidre Hall), who finally gets to see her man return to Salem John (Drake Hogestyn) is then not so happy to learn he is running off with his son Paul (Christopher Sean) to try to find the real killer of Deimos Kiriaskis, since Sonny (Freddie Smith) is in jail.  They are off to talk to another convict, Xander!  It was also good to see Paul Telfer back on our screens and in some snappy repartee’ especially when he snarls at Paul that Sonny would not be, “Man enough to kill Deimos.”

Meanwhile, Hattie is roped into Angelica’s plan, because she wants Roman all to herself and Angelica pivots that if she sticks with her they both will get what they want.  You can see the stage is set for some major miscues and interpretations once Hattie infiltrates Marlena’s life. At the end of Friday’s episode, Angelica enlists Hattie to do one more thing …  to go back to Statesville prison and get none other than Adrienne’s doppelganger, Bonnie Lockhart (Judi Evans) be part of the master plan.   And as viewers saw, conflict is arising between a jealous Lucas (Bryan Dattilo) vying for the attention of Adrienne against Justin.  Looks like, trouble is ahead for all involved.

Courtesy/NBC

Carlivati also re-set the story of Chad (Billy Flynn) and Abigail (Marci Miller) as star-crossed lovers, now that Dario (Jordi Vilasuso) has turned into one bad dude.  Abigail learns about his embezzling of the money from Countess Wilhelmina, and wants to tell the police and Chad.  Dario blackmails her with a photo of Chad kneeling over the body of Deimos, which looks like he could be the actual killer.  He turns the tables on Abby.  Later, she finds out from Kate (Lauren Koslow) that Dario lied to her about his immigration papers and status and trapped her into marriage.

Courtesy/NBC

At TBD, Chad confronts Dario, but he still doesn’t know the full extent of what evidence Dario has against him and is hiding from him.  He tells Dario in their heated exchange, that he is going to get “all of it” back that is his; meaning the money and Abigail.

Dario is glib, and with Dario being in trouble with the law, it put some conflict into the relationship of Hope (Kristian Alfonso) and Rafe (Galen Gering), when Rafe admitted to his lady love that he knew of Dario’s plan to marry Abigail, and what he was up to which was to keep him from being deported. Hope is not happy that Rafe lied to her, but later Rafe arrests his brother, just after Dario talks to his contact Myron and tells him to speed up their plan.

You can watch the promo for next week’s DAYS after the jump, which indicates some major drama is about to go down for Chabby.

So, what did you think of the first three episode of Days of our Lives under head writer, Ron Carlivati? Are you encouraged for what is to come since the show tapes six months ahead and his new stories will also begin to reveal themselves? Comment below.

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He’s back! Praise the soap gods, he’s back. Most entertaining soap all week! (And I am a lapsed Days viewer.) I started with the episode before Ron’s return, which was slow and the pacing was terrible. In one episode, everything changed. I was riveted.

Next not so big surprise I expect is Raines being the one masterminding Dario. Hoping it leads to Police Commisioner, Hope Brady!
Ron knows how to write soaps.

I so agree, Karen…..I am really anticipating a complete alteration of stories and characters. About time….do what you do best, Ron!!

I like Raines as Commissioner.

Ron Carlivati takes no prisoners which is what I love about him. I haven’t watched DAYS steadily since Abby was left crazy after killer Ben. It got so boring with the horrible teen set and the snooze fest stories. I started watching again when Ron took over the writing reigns. Now I am not a fan of doppelganger stories but I do love the humor of Ron’s writing. It makes the story enjoyable through laughing. Deidre Hall is good when she gets to be someone other than Marlena. She has some comic timing I think. Hattie cracks me up. Then we have Judi Evans…..diamond! I will watch for awhile and see where it goes. Eileen Davidson and Alison Sweeney are on their way. I want to see this. I love them both. I do have to say that Morgan Fairchild is not worthy of that role she is in. She used to be a great villain but she has lost something. And she is obviously struggling with the aging process as well. I have never seen her this increased in size. But her acting has lost some of it’s campy flair too. Sad because in her prime she was a GREAT VILLAIN!!! I will give DAYS a fair shake. I am hoping the injection of good writing will help it out some.

The first three days of NewDays were strong. I can’t wait for the first full week!

It wasnt shown here in tx because of the changes in the white house and one day it wasnt on because of O.J I had just watch it on fox news so I didnt what to see it again guit interution are shows

I started watching again with Ron’s first episode. The difference is obvious. The pace is faster. The dialog is energetic. There is humor. Ron is definitely breathing much needed life into Days.

Llanview fan here too. Yeah totally agree!

I think Ron is great and would not be surprised if Days moves above GH in ratings. I think it would be well-deserved.

I keep thinking Deimos’ murderer was someone not even at the party, but hopefully they don’t make Zander the culprit because it would be a waste of Paul Telfer who should be a leading man.

I agree ; I love Zander!

I watched the episode before his first one, too. Amazing difference. I haven’t watched Days in decades but I loved it. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I am so hoping that DAYS is making a place for Paul Telfer to stay

I like him and Xander too.

I started watching on Monday to try and figure out characters and story. Bit boring and slow, then Wed hit and it was like a new show. Love Ron’s writing and the only reason I am watching. It was much faster paced and the dialogue was MUCH improved. I bet the actors were happy when this switch occurred 6 months ago.

Go Ronnie C! Yes. Love you and excited for more.

He already has the boys in tight tank tops! Go Ron!

hi Robert..
you’re going to have many ”twists & turns” RC will keep you on your toes!
RC is the Master of twist & turns and Surprises! WOW! moments..
and- you will have laughs!! he has great humor.. (sugar to ease the vinegar)

Lol true. I think he’ll have Ava’s son on for a long time. Maybe we can get him to bring back that bellhop boy that got with Paul.

Don’t know any back story on anything Days but so far like Chad, Abigalle, Justin, and the computer hacker kid, reminds me a bit or Rex Balsom from OLTL.

I think the best scene was at the end of Friday’s episode when Hattie went to see Bonnie at the jail. Those two were cracking me up! I can’t wait to see what they do, I hope they are around for a long time.

Ron C. has brought the energy and fun back to Days! james O’Reilly has to be loving this from heaven.

was at Target yesterday… and I was reading some story on Judi Evans… and her “delight” on playing two roles.

She also shared… she had NEVER , WORKED, with Deidre Hall. AND THAT they were having the best time doing so.

isn’t that something… you know… I don’t mind in this case that it’s “doppleanger” or whatever… we’ve seen these two before… so it’s not like it’s that far out their.

just saying…WE GET – more – Judi Evans.. and MORE POWER and creativity for Deidre.

I posted… I’d love it if Hattie and Eileen Davidson Susan connect.

argh! I really do hope @DAYS is a bigger distraction than GH.

That’s great, you can tell Judi Evans and Deidre Hall are having a great time playing Bonnie and Hattie.

Hard to believe Judi and Deidre never got to work together after all of these DECADES!

If they interacted with Eileen’s Susan, that would be so awesome that the world might explode! lol

Judi either forgot she worked with Deidre or meant she hasn’t worked with her on a larger scale…They’ve had a few scenes together, including the argument between Marlena and Adrienne in the hospital a few years ago when Marlena confronted Adrienne about Adrienne’s remark that Will wasn’t good enough for Sonny, especially because of Sami.

@4.

you are correct.

perhaps she meant that the two of them, are being scripted @working together, to drive story, for the first time.

that was some NICE NICE work by Judi Evans. only looking out for Sonny.

WOW… I’ve got me some DAYS back. oy! I plan on keeping up this time around. it’s tough to balance two shows. this is worth it.

Salute

So much fun!

I pretty much stopped watching on a regular basis right around the time that Ben Was revealed to be the neck tie killer. It got stale and boring after that but If Ron can do what he did in the last few years of OLTL and breath some new life into it, I will be back Daily!

I do not understand why people love Ron C so much. He’s a terrible head writer. And they need to recast Anjelica with Judith Chapman.

So far I have really not enjoyed the past 3 episodes of Days. the new writing is sub par and yes terrible

Awful! Banal, trite, and more of the same. How can anyone really find Bonnie and Hattie entertaining? They are written as utter gutter trash with only a doiuble digit IQ between them. No way could either of them be believable for one second as Marlena and Adrienne. Let’s just talk motivation here for a few seconds regarding Anjelica. She was always a little manipulative, but she was never an outright delusional psychopathic stupid lunatic!! She was a mature wealthy woman who faced reality and lived accordingly. She would now charitably be 70 years old. She comes to town after 26 years and is so full of lust for 50 year old Justin (whom she hasn’t seen in a quarter century) that she has just gone completely batshit crazy?? Everyone in town KNOWS Hattie and Bonnie…so the second Adrienne and Marlena start acting weird, everyone should notice or else the whole town is going to look like complete imbeciles!! There is nothing to invest in emotionally as it is just roll your eyes stupidity ! Has Anjelica or Hattie thought what could happen if Hattie inadvertently caused the death of any of Marlena’s patients? The legal ramifications would be astounding! That’s why I say…the Anjelica of yore was not just a typical Ron C psychopath with no reasoning. She was more like a Dorian Lord on OLTL whom Ron wrote very successully for! It is SO demeaning to women when soaps write stories all about a desperate woman trying to “get” a man when any functioning human being would realize it was futile. There is no entertainment value in watching deluded female senior citiZens sit around plotting how to “get” ROman and Justin. It’s like Ron ripped the pages “How Not to Tell a Soap Opera Story” and “How Not to Write Soap Dialogue” from Jim Reilly’s handbook and is just going full tilt with it. If I wanted to watch a cartoon, I would!! I cannot believe that in a last ditch and last gasp effort to save Days….this is what comes of it! Yes… because doppelgänger stories receive SUCH positive reception from fans!! (NOT)! Maybe 40 years ago, when it was a relatively new and mildly shocking gimmick, okay. This is just lame, unimaginative, repetitive, absurd nonsense! Ken Corday has To have stopped caring andisnust waiting for the official cancellation announcement.

I totally agree. Ron’s writing is very bipolar. The highs are highs and the lows are very low.

I absolutely loved his OLTL, but I came into it new (and didn’t really know the show’s history). That being said i loved most of his story lines like
-Clint going bad
-Tale of 2 Todd’s
-Initial story line in Paris, TX,
-Almost everything David Vickers related,
-The Jessica/Natalie wedding confrontation that led to the return of Tess
-The Ford Bros’ dad murder mystery
-How Ron kept all of the guys shirtless and in tight briefs

That being said, his lows were terrible.
-Tina locking Natalie in the basement for an entire summer
-Return of Marty (good), but only to do nothing with her
-Return of miscast Joey
-Every time the Ford bros were on my screen wearing clothes

As for Days, I thought it was OK as it was faster paced, but all of dopplegangers was ridiculous. I’ll give it a few more weeks, but I’m not holding my breath.

That’s the reason we have the word ,opinion; you have yours and I have mind. I love Ron’s writing!

Judith is on Y&R.

I absolutely loved the first 3 episodes of Ron’s! DAYS is about to become THE soap to watch! I was very impressed with the pace… DAYS hasn’t been fast paced since James Reilly wrote for the show. I find the doppelgänger story to be very amusing…. I agree that Morgan Fairchild is not a great choice for the role. If Jane Elliot cannot come back, how about Marj Dusay? Keep up the good work Ron! Love Abby!

The Hattie and Bonnie storyline is funny, Phil. I wish the negative posters had doppelgangers to take over their lives and keep them from posting here, LOL!

Some might say the same about those who love trashy stories. When you lash out at others you deserve the same treatment

I have mixed feelings with this storyline since doppelgangers stories have been done to death- but i will let it play out to see if i like it or not…show needs some comedy relief…would make a nice twist if Marlena learned Hattie was really twin Samantha who faked her death and Bonnie was really Adrienne’s unknown twin who was taken from her mother at birth!!!

Jim…there is no doubt that that is where they are going with Bonnie and Adrienne. Jo Johnson was a downtrodden abused wife. She could have easily given away one of her twinndaughtersmeaning Bonnie. Not that I want to prolong Bonnie in Salem…but that’s will be her get out of jail free card. Kristen…Hattie…Bonnie../that’s too much female psychotics, combined with a Batshit Anjelica.

One day was not shown due to OJ parole hearing.

Glad Dario is leaving.

Bonnie is jailed for a murder Mimi committed. What?

Shows were good. We’ll see if it holds up.

Was NOT delicious. it was AWFUL. HAD TO DELETE AND DEPROGRAM DVR. THIS WAS FOOLISH BAD CARTOON AMATEUR HOUR. HOPE THIS IS NOT GOING TO CONTINUE. IF SO RON MAY BE WORSE THAN DENA EVER WAS.

Stop watching ; everyone won’t be pleased ! That’s life!

I tried watching DOOL since Ron has returned and I didn’t even make it through the first 30 mins…I am no longer interested in DOOL. I won’t be watching and was a fan from the 70’s through the 80’s…it’s not what it use to be…

I like soaps and love cartoons (well the old ones I grew up with, I mean). But I don’t like my soaps to be cartoons. Has Bonnie been in jail for the ten years she’s been out ofthe show? Surley not? Why is she so nasty on Maggie, when Mickey passed away years ago? And Hattie was kinda nice last time she was in the show, she was a Godsend to Hope, one would think she could have found easier ways to meet Mr Roman and even get stuck into Andre. This whole storyline dosn’t make a lot of sence.

I totally forget how Bonnie exited. I don’t understand either why she is so hung up on the late Mickey.

The doppelgänger story line pushed me over the edge ~~ how stupid does RC believe viewers actually are?

NOT loving it, but maybe it’ll get better.

Well, of course the “look-a-like” characters are a bit ridiculous but at least they tried to inject a little humor here and there, it’s better than recent months with Nicole crying and crying and crying during that insufferable baby storyline- enough is enough of all that. This show has been so awful the last five or six months (including the ghastly ‘teen storylines’) that almost anything would be an improvement.

He has to finish up the Dena stories somehow, not his fault he came into a mess ! I myself am enjoying Bonnie, always liked her better than Adrienne !

DROOL – is FINE. just hotted me out. finished Friday, 7/21 ep. even with losing the first 21 minutes to Sean Spicer quitting.

dag! the menfolk sizzle.

from Rafe to Dario to Xander to Eric to Brady to Chad. plus the fun of Andre.

DAG.. the standout… well he knocks you out when you first see him any way.. Xander.

bowled me over… when he went to visit Jenny Bear. it was like telling her : “look at all me toying with you ” SEXY every thing.

zing zing zing me every where… the hotted out best is in Salem.

ps: these guys act and there was stimulating story to go with

I forgot looking at the dashing father and son . John and Paul.

DROOL

Greg Vaughan’ Eric Brady – SEXY every thing.

that scene with Jenny Bear… had so much sizzle sensual and stimuli.

WOAH

if any of you still have that scene. LOOK AGAIN. “Greg Vaughan”

Monday – 7/24 ep. scorching searing sexy as all get out.

Eric pays Jenny Bear a visit. LOOK AGAIN

I also noticed the greatly reduced use of Aqua Net on the performers.

Hysterical, because I when I watched today’s show, I thought the opposite, haha!

LOL, I meant the men.

I watched a little of today’s show (Weds. 8/2) while home at lunch. I haven’t watched in months (maybe longer). It sounds as though Ron’s cartoonish theatrics have begun; although, his writing has got to be better than the drivel we have been served for the past year+. I have to comment on Morgan Fairchild-wow. Ms. Fairchild was so beautiful in the early 80’s. I remember watching her in a made for television movie when I was younger, and I thought how stunning she was; then, she looked great while she appeared on Friends. I wish she allowed herself to age gracefully.

Ron c version of days is the worst!!!
He turned a fan into one ready to cancel. The dual roles are awful. Propping obvious hiring but demoting favs ! Not happy at all

Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives Star, Greg Vaughan, Gives Health Update and Thanks Everyone for Their Support

Greg Vaughan (Eric, Days of our Lives, ex-Lucky, GH, and ex-Diego, Y&R) provided an update on his health on Sunday, March 17th. Vaughan had previously shared that he had become ill during a trip with his sons to Colorado, and had developed altitude sickness when he was having trouble breathing accompanied by terrible headaches and landed in the urgent care.

Now on St. Patrick’s Day, Greg took to his Instagram and shared how he is feeling now, and to thank everyone for their love and support.  As it turned out, Vaughan was diagnosed with high altitude pulmonary edema, commonly known as HAPE. However, he is on the mend slowly and surely.

In his new video post, the DAYS favorite started by expressing, “I just felt such an appreciation and gratitude for everything. . reaching out. Your prayers have been felt. It’s been a struggle, but I’m over the top. And, taking this moment just to say I didn’t realize the things that I was going through. My (original) post was simply just to educate, put some information out there and some things that I was feeling, just share that information and the struggle that I was going through, which I didn’t quite understand. And it wasn’t because I’m stubborn or just because I’m a father, a man, and didn’t want to go to a doctor. It is just something I thought was so minor that I could overcome it, just by taking care of myself.”

Photo: JPI

The Daytime Emmy winner then revealed his actual diagnosis, “So, basically my situation was high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). With some good friends, doctors that had reached out to me, it kind of gave me some understanding on the aftermath, which was very, very beneficial.”

“But I’ve been resting, taking care of myself even though I live in a hamster wheel,” said the dad of three teenaged boys. “I gotta get up and, you know, do my normal domesticated stuff, eventually. I’m tired of laying down in this bed, but, I am feeling much better.”

Photo: GVaughanIG

Talking on his confusion of trying to understand what could have been ailing him, Vaughan expressed, “I couldn’t quite figure it out, even though I was emphasizing and professing to my children going on our spring break getaway about hydration. I professed it. But, even though I was acting on it, it had a greater effect on me, and for which I did not even think, because my head was such in pain, and I was in a very bad state of mind – not being able to be out there with my kids on the mountain, enjoying their time, as well. I thought I was doing the right thing. Unfortunately, my lungs were full of fluids and my head was in severe pain and even migraine pills didn’t even help. So, I just want anybody that goes into the Colorado Mountains to know, it is no joke. It is this very serious thing which I guess is why they call it the Mile High City.”

Greg had a mountain of ‘thank you’s’ to give for the outreach he received from his original post, “For everybody internationally, wherever you are, I love you and I appreciate you and just the time and the thoughts that you’ve shared with me,” said Vaughan. “I didn’t realize that it would make such an impression on so many people around the world. I feel tremendously loved and I can’t say it enough. I’m good. And I appreciate you.”

Photo: GVaughanIG

The actor concluded his video with, “To all the family and friends that have reached out to me, man, it means the world. So take care of yourself, enjoy your spring break with your families. It’s Saint Patty’s Day, obviously. I wish I could be out there.” Vaughan added, “I feel loved and touched and I can’t emphasize that enough. I’ll take better care of myself, promise you will do the same.” Before he signed off, Greg shared, “Just know, that I’m alive and well and breathing, and I’m sore. So, be well, take care. I mean it. Thank you, tremendously.”

Glad to know that Greg has been on the mend, and shared his appreciation for everyone that reached out to him during this trying time? Comment below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Access Hollywood’ and ‘Couple to Throuple’ Host Scott Evans to Appear on Days of our Lives

Scott Evans, host of Access Hollywood and the Peacock reality series Couple to Throuple, will make a guest appearance this week on Days of our Lives.

Circle the Thursday, March 21st episode of DAYS for Evans’ arrival in Salem. During his tape date last fall (since DAYS tapes months well ahead of when episodes actually stream), Scott posed for a snap alongside Mary Beth Evans (Kayla), Jackée Harry (Paulina), James Reynolds (Abe) and Greg Rikaart (Leo).

Teasers for the 3/21 episode of DAYS share that Leo tries to come up with his next gossip column, and Paulina and Abe return home to a mini-celebration set up by Johnny and Steve. Will Evans pop up in one of those scenarios? Stay tuned.

Photo: JPI

For a long time, soap opera fans knew only of one Scott Evans. The one who played Oliver Fish on One Life to Live from 2008-2010.  But in show business, there are two Scott Evans’ that are widely-known.

Last Thursday, March 12th at the 35th annual GLAAD Media Awards, it found both Scott Evans and Scott Evans together in the green room and they taped this video ditty below, calling out how they both share the same name.

Photo: JPI

Last weekend, viewers saw OLTL’s Scott Evans on-stage at the Oscars when he performed in the musical number “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie led by Ryan Gosling.

As for Access Hollywood’s Scott Evans, he has been with the entertainment news program since 2015, appeared in the recent Ladies of the 80s: A Divas Christmas with Linda Gray, Donna Mills, Nicollette Sheridan, Loni Anderson and Morgan Fairchild, and currently has an overall talent and development deal with NBCUniversal.

So, looking forward to seeing Scott on DAYS? Check out ‘Evans meeting Evans’ below, and then share your thoughts in the comment section.

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Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives Star Greg Vaughan Shares Sudden Health Scare: “I Truly Feel Like I Work & Live in a Soap Opera!”

What started out as an adventure with his sons, quickly turned into a nightmare for Days of our Lives Daytime Emmy winner, Greg Vaughan (Eric Brady).

In a series of Instagram posts, Vaughan shared the sudden health crisis he found himself in.  The images show Greg with an oxygen tank to help him breathe.

The actor began to fill people, sharing, “I’ve said more than a few times, I truly feel like I work & live in a Soap Opera! 🤪 this trip was nothing short of another great Vaughan adventure!”

He went on to say that on a father and son Colorado spring break trip, he began to feel shortness of breath, feeling tired and with a headache and after two days of hoping he would feel better, Vaughan finally went to an Urgent Care to get checked out.

Photo: GVaughanIG

“I finally surrendered & went to urgent care and to my shock I learned that I was experiencing severe altitude sickness.” Vaughan admitted. “My Blood Oxygen was at 54% & my lungs were full of fluids! Blood oxygen, also known as oxygen saturation, represents the percentage of hemoglobin in your red blood cells that is carrying oxygen. Most people have an oxygen level of 95-100%….”

Providing more detail to his health scare, Greg shared, “Well, 4hrs later, a couple of bags of IV & oxygen tank strapped to my face, I was told that I needed to immediately get off the mountain! However I couldn’t, we still had another day to go & wanting the boys to enjoy their last day on the hill tops! I opted to go home with an oxygen tank, a good laugh for everyone, and I know will follow, but my boys looked after their old man & fortunately they had friends on this trip!”

Photo: JPI

The experience of altitude sickness in the Colorado Rockies gave Vaughan a bit of a new perspective, “In all seriousness, no matter your age, and all the times I’ve ⛷️ & 🏂 in my lifetime, Colorado Rockies is no joke! As they say, ‘ take a breathe and smell the roses!’ That is truly something we need to remember & appreciate! #recover”

Share your well-wishes to Greg as he continues to be on the mend via the comment section below.

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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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