Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Head Scribes Josh Griffith and Dena Higley's First New Episode Aired Today!
Courtesy/CBS
The changing of the guard is official on Days of our Lives for viewers today on Wednesday’s episode of the NBC soap opera. The airshow was the first script under the new co-head writing regime of Josh Griffith and Dena Higley who replaced Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell.
Since DAYS tapes six months in advance, the episode was written several months ago, but aired today. With the recent news that Higley has taken a leave of absence, the future is unknown at this time if Griffith will continue to be head writer of the show solo, or if as has been rumored, he would be adding another writer from the Y&R staff to work with him, while Higley is out for now.
Although fans of the series have yet to have the opportunity to all that awaits them as the big returns, the murder mystery, and changes and shake-ups to the Salem canvas play out, from interviews On-Air On-Soaps has done with talent, and from all we have heard on social media from cast members, they are thrilled at the writing, the stories, and that DAYS has become quite the “It” place to be and work.
As the credit rolled at the end of today’s episode, Griffith and Higley’s names were there. So, excited to finally see Josh and Dena’s stories begin to play out? Let us know in the comment section below!
Time will tell…so far i liked todays episode…but ill see what its like in the coming months before i’ll make final judgement…i am excited about the returns but not too happy about the aged children…i do understand the reason behind it so as long as the writing is good and interesting ill be spending more days watching DAYS now at night on POP!!!
I must say that I loved the fight scene between Aiden and Clyde. It’s a shame those two are leaving because I want to see more of that from them.
One of the show’s problems for sometime now has been giving poor story lines to phenomenal actors. James Read and Daniel Cosgrove are both so good. Aiden was a decent character IMO who had a fairly good story, but Clyde was a disaster from the get go. James deserved so much better.
So I understand why Clyde has to go, but I think cutting Aiden is a big mistake.
I watched yesterday ep last night…
I too was impressed with that fight scene…. wow… wasn’t it a long drawn out FIGHT. realistic
altho… it pained me to see Aiden beat up… and doesn’t help knowing he’s exiting…
@Eddie… it’s truly a BIG mistake letting Daniel Cosgrove go
James Read’ acting choices draw you in… despite the bad writing
???? who was that phone call Aiden received?
I know… i’m just venting… I don’t want Daniel Cosgrove to leave the show
I don’t get why DAYS production is messing with a frontburner character like KA’ Hope… when magic strikes… why ruin a good thing…
Rafe is SO good to look at… and as a couple… Rafe and Hope are beyond measure….
I just think with Aiden… she made it her own… and now she has to start all over again… and their’s no guarantee
Daniel Cosgrove is exquisite. Why, oh why, are you letting this actor go???? He was back-burnered so long & now that he is rolling he’s axed? I feel they will turn him dark after all of that talk between Julie/Hope & Hope/Aiden regarding trust in Wednesday & Thursday’s episodes. Not happy about that.
I liked JJ/Paige a bit better after she finally dropped that scowl Wednesday & helped JJ get out of that apartment. Why do I feel she will get offed by the Salem Slasher?
Rafe finally gets a sl??? Could Lucas be far behind?
Also bummed that Xander is on his way out. 2 good actors out. Waiting to hear music to my ears: Ben leaving-fingers & toes crossed.
I understand the younger crowd. DAYS had a very good teen scene back in THE DAY w/Jen, Eve, Frankie etc…they want to light it back up. All I can say is please don’t cute Rory! I like Cole as well but he’s also on a new Fall CBS sitcom w/Colin Hanks called Life In Pieces that may hit.
Like the longer, deeper scenes & relationship talk so far w/new writers. Here’s hoping GH’s new writers focus on the same!
@ Eddie – I agree James Read is very good but the story line he was given is just awful. The writers really let him down from the beginning.
it’s curious
that phone call that Aiden received…. could it have been from John?
I’m grasping… could Aiden ‘ murder be planned… as he’s so involved with Clyde and the drug ring… that his murder will be faked… he’ll go undercover… and Wallah … be reunited with Hope down the road? if not her…. dang it… Kayla… Eve… ! JUST KEEP HIM!
There is always the Doppelganger route. Works on the Young and the Restless. Beats bringing them back from the dead.
I enjoyed today’s episode. Yay, there was NO cat fight!
I’m very excited!!!!!
They didn’t waste any time. In one episode they spelled the end of Clyde and Aiden, and they put Rafe back on the police force where he belongs.
Don’t forget John maybe going back to the ISA.
Great episode. I’m really going to miss Aiden. Really wish they would keep him. Love the character and his portrayed.
You could certainly feel and see a positive difference in today’s episode. I am hoping Dena’s leave will be short lived and she and Josh can turn Day’s back into the power house it once was. So hoping to see power couples back front and center.
You know, it was noticeable. The show felt different, the conversations had more depth, there was an energy that was present that had been missing. You could feel someone taking the reins and pointing the show in a direction. What direction, not sure of yet. But it was a direction.
I just wish DAYS would do normal tape sessions like all the other soaps and tape like a month or six weeks in advance give everyone five months off then resume…..it would keep the soap relevant and “in the now” as far as storylines go…the fight scene was good today with Clyde and Aiden…..good to see Julie and Marlena reconnecting….get back to the family…that’s what this show was always about with Tom and Alice Horton…and the generations of their family…..and please update the sets and stop using the two door office as Roman’s office and Aiden’s office and Sonny’s office…..we are not stupid….lol….hopefully Ken Corday and Sony are listening to the viewers…the Glory DAYS are coming back!!!!!
I agree that the taping schedule should only be 4 to 6 wks out. It would make fixing problems so much more immediate.
With the current schedule it takes 6 months to know how fans will respond to a new story or new characters, which makes mistakes impossible to fix.
And the mistakes made a total mess of the Aiden and Clyde story lines. I hope they don’t do the same to Thaao Penghlis, Peter Reckell, Stephen Nichols and others.
From all the publicity regarding the change in writers, we can gather that a great deal of actors are being dropped which is not a good thing, at least not for the actors who portray these characters. I agree with the person above who commented about the six month ahead taping schedule…they should completely scrap all the stories that are not important to the show and just move it up. The change in children turning to teenagers in a few weeks is lazy storytelling. And quite frankly, who needs all that teenage crap? All it will consist of is horny teenagers poking each other and getting pregnant. How about we focus on the adult characters who already have stories going on. Days has some novel ideas and some good actors. I just wish they could focus on what is going on now instead of trying to be fashionable or hip.
Words can’t express how fabulous it was to see my favorite actor, Drake Hogestyn in scenes that were IN character combined with beautiful dialog that he delivered impeccably. I LOVE that John is rejoining the ISA again! Bring on Agent Black! WOO HOO! Dena and Josh are a breath of fresh air! I pray her leave is VERY short because she is needed back at DAYS to create scripts like the one we saw today!
Loved seeing Drake and Deidre today! And they actually had a long conversation!!! Happy Days are here again!
I am concerned about what’s going to happen to Paul and Will and any gay story lines. As it is we going to have to wait a week to see any scenes between Paul and Will.
And there’s still seems to be rumors and debate whether Will will be one of the murder victims.
It was nice to see Julie do more than talk about cruising.
Didn’t really like the fight scene. Too brutal. But am curious as to who Clyde really is.
I did think it was an improvement on the past though and look forward to seeing more.
I love it that Rafe is rejoining the police department. I never bought that he would be a bar manager. Why not be a private investigator? The fight scenes were intense. The show should have done more to keep Daniel Cosgrove. I think he is likable and could have been a great partner for Jennifer or Nicole. Like many of the other comments, I am ready to see some new sets. The one booth at the Brady Pub looked ridiculous. Would it not have been lesser expensive to use a single camera and have the characters walking around outside, similar to the way “Guiding Light” was shot during its last year.
I think there is great chemistry with Rafe and Hope. Rafe should be a leading man by now after being paired with Sami and Kate. I think the writers now realize that he should be elevated to one of the main stars of the show.
I hope the writers continue to write for Justin and Kate. The ship has sailed for Adrienne and Justin. I do not think they have the great chemistry that shared in the 1990s.
With the character of Joey coming back, I would also like to see Stephanie again. It would make sense and give Gabi and Abigail a friend.
The one change I hope I see with the new writers is that they either give Nicole a confidante or have the character stop talking to herself NONSTOP. It makes me character seem somewhat crazy. Wait, we are talking about Nicole. 🙂
Eve and Theresa need to be more multi-layered. It has become boring to see Eve stomping around Salem Town Square with no purpose except to ruin Jennifer. Does she work? Have any friends? I could maybe jump on board with Eve and Eric if the writers would show that she is human underneath all of the venom.
If the show is going to be written six months in advance, the costume department needs to dress the cast accordingly. Why are so many characters wearing jackets in August? Why did Aiden have on a hoodie sweatshirt this week?
Lastly, I think the best triangle is awaiting. Let Theresa give up on Brady and start being an obstacle with Chad and Abigail. I think this triangle could be GREAT. This would also be the time to start showing Thesesa has some redeeming qualities.
All women should give up on Brady…i like to see Thresa with Chad as the next Sami/E.J…..
I want to see Theresa punished for her crimes. Let her spend a couple of years behind bars and be done with it.
How any woman could want Brady is a mystery to me. Chad and Theresa would be awesome.
I knew something must of have changed when they actually had Hope and Julie talking about Bo and hearing about the ISA again. Looking forward to better things to come, hopefully the sets will be given a make over for the 50th as well. If you are putting all this money into the cast and writers, it would be silly not to update the sets. If they don’t it will a bit like getting a fabulous new outfit, but wearing old tennis sneakers with it.
I wish Josh Griffith was back at “Y & R” and Chuck “The Hack” Pratt ended up at “Days”, which I don’t watch.
Why are you wishing harm to DAYS and it’s fans? Josh is staying at DAYS and Chucky is staying at Y&R. You can watch DAYS and have your doppelganger watch Y&R!!
I haven’t seen it yet but I’m glad to hear that they didn’t waste any time making changes like Rafe back on the police force and John talking about ISA.
Please, please, please quit focusing so much on the gay storylines! A couple of days a week is enough! Can we have some other actors to focus on.
Whats this about daniel leaving and why and why let clyde go hes bad and intresting tried of steffano amd rafe and hope wow it would be expossive
John joining the ISA could lead to some grand adventures wow would be awesome maybe him and steve parters wow would be the good old days again and doug and julie could be like tom and alice we can dream right
John rejoining the Isa is a great indicator that these writers are interested in having the show move back into its classic paxtion/adventure style and Pace as well as having characters do what they do best. I felt passion bouncing off the screen and a sense of Pathos behind the words. The music added so much to the show. I forgot how much a good soap music score amplifies the emotions. Well done so far
What murder mystery are you all talking about
i could tell the difference immediately! Whole first week was exciting! Thanks! Looking forward to the big story.
I think that Nicole Walker should have some happiness in her life on DOOL. It would be great if she is expecting Daniel’s baby. She diserves some happiness after all she has lost.
Days Of Our Lives
Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
Who says you can’t go home again? In the case of Another World favorite, Stephen Schnetzer (ex-Cass Winthrop), he has proven that it is true, and you can go back to your soap roots and where it all started for you.
Last week on April 11th, Schnetzer, along with several other key returns were on set at Days of our Lives taping all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera, centering on the funeral of Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes), and as part of the iconic soap opera’s 15,000th episode.
Stephen is reprising his first daytime role as Steve Olson, the brother of Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes). The last time Schnetzer appeared on a DAYS set was during his one and only run on the show from 1978 to 1980. Clearly, viewers will be in for some very emotional scenes when Steve returns to Salem to be there for his sister, Julie in her time of need. In real-life, Susan has been going through her own grief, having just lost Bill back on January 12th at the age of 98.
Photo: NBC
Michael Fairman TV caught up with Stephen during the 15K episode celebration ceremony, and during a break from taping the gut-wrenching funeral scenes, to get his thoughts on being part of these highly-anticipated moments that will air later this year in December. Here’s what he shared with us below.
What has this been like for you to work with Susan Seaforth Hayes after all of these years?
STEPHEN: She’s a dream and she’s so bright. We ran lines yesterday and we ended up just visiting for about 45 minutes and just catching up and telling tales about each other’s career. She even dropped off the autobiography that she and Bill did. And being back here at DAYS, every time I turn a corner, there’s another familiar face. When I was on the show 40 more years ago, a bunch of the guys, played softball on a team together. This is really a trip down memory lane as I knew it would be.
Photo: JPI
Taping Doug’s funeral must be a hard day for Susan. Are you checking in with her to help hold her up through this?
STEPHEN: I am and I’m checking in with Amy Shaughnessy (Susan’s assistant), and she’s holding her up more than anybody. We’re there for each other.
There will obviously be some major hankie-inducing moments when Steve comes back to Salem to console his sister.
STEPHEN: Oh, wait till you see it in December. It’s going to be great.
Were you surprised you got this call to come back to the show decades later?
STEPHEN: It was out of the blue! I was completely surprised. They should have called me decades ago! That’s what surprised me. When Another World went down, I thought I’d land somewhere else and it never happened. That was more of a surprise.
Photo: JPI
Cass is such an identifiable character for you. As well, you and Linda Dano (ex-Felicia Gallant) are so synonymous together as best friends Cass and Felicia from Another World. When fans heard you were reprising your role as Steve Olson on DAYS, they are now hoping there will be more of you on the show to come.
STEPHEN: Steven Olson is a real “Cassian “character. I cut my teeth on Steve Olson and that’s how Cass was introduced. He was kind of a roguish charmer. And then when the character stuck for Another World, they rehabilitated me, and turned me into one of the shows heroes. And that’s what would’ve happened if I stayed as Steve Olson probably. So, Steve is the ‘pre-Cass’, Cass.
Photo: JPI
As the story goes, you originally decided to leave Days of our Lives?
STEPHEN: I was never on contract. I was doing a day and a half a week and I got a Broadway play directed by Franco Zeffirelli starring Joan Plowright and Frank Finlay. I was able to it as I didn’t have to break a contract or anything. I cut loose and went back to New York for that.
How well did you get to know Bill Hayes during your first time around on DAYS?
STEPHEN: My first episode was with Bill and Susan, as her long lost brother coming into Salem. They were so good to me. They were so kind. I had been doing eight years of classical repertory theater, never been in front of a camera. I tell everybody, it took me longer than any other actor I’ve ever seen to get comfortable in front of a camera. And they were very supportive at that time in my career. Coming back to honor Bill now in 2024, and to be see Susan, I am just so happy to be here.
Looking forward to seeing the scenes between Stephen and Susan Seaforth Hayes come December and Doug’s funeral and surrounding episodes? Do you hope that DAYS might bring the character of Steve Olson back for a longer stay? Comment below.
Breaking News
51st Daytime Emmys: Outstanding Daytime Drama Series Nominations
On Thursday, the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards revealed nominations in several key categories via four entertainment news programs: Access Hollywood, E! News, Extra and Access Hollywood.
Three of the four announcements were major categories in the field of Daytime Dramas.
The nominees in the Outstanding Daytime Drama Series category are: The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, Neighbours and The Young and the Restless.
Photo: JPI
General Hospital won this category last year, and has the most all-time wins for a series in this category. For the first time, the beloved Australian-based soap opera, Neighbours is now eligible for competition due to its reboot which streams on Amazon Freevee.
Photo: AmazonFreevee
The 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out in ceremonies in Los Angeles and broadcast live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ on Friday night, June 7th.
Previous categories announced tonight via the entertainment news outlet included: Lead Actor and Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
So, what do you think about this year’s nominee for the Outstanding Daytime Drama Series? Who do you think should win? Comment below.
Breaking News
51st Daytime Emmys: Tamara Braun, Finola Hughes, Katherine Kelly Lang, Annika Noelle, Michelle Stafford, Cynthia Watros Score Lead Actress Nominations
The nominations were revealed for the 51st annual Daytime Emmys. in the prestigious Lead Actress in a Drama Series category by Entertainment Tonight.
This comes ahead of tomorrow’s full list that is set to be unveiled at 12noon/9am PST on Friday.
In the running for this year’s Outstanding Lead Actress are Tamara Braun (Ava, Days of our Lives), Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke, The Bold and the Beautiful), Annika Noelle (Hope, The Bold and the Beautiful), Finola Hughes (Anna, General Hospital), Cynthia Watros (Nina, General Hospital) and Michelle Stafford (Phyllis, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: Getty
Previous winners in this category include GH’s Finola Hughes, Cynthia Watros and Y&R’s Michelle Stafford. Days of our Lives nominee had won in the Supporting Actress category twice in her career.
Earlier, the Lead Actor nominees were revealed and you can find them here.
Make sure to be with us Friday night, April 19th for the Michael Fairman Channel’s 10th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special beginning at 5 pm PT where we chat live with some of this year’s nominees.
So, what do you think about this year’s Lead Actress nominees? Comment below.
Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
51st Daytime Emmys: Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa Receive Talk Show Host Nominations
51st Daytime Emmys: Outstanding Daytime Drama Series Nominations
51st Daytime Emmys: Tamara Braun, Finola Hughes, Katherine Kelly Lang, Annika Noelle, Michelle Stafford, Cynthia Watros Score Lead Actress Nominations
51st Daytime Emmys: Eric Braeden, Scott Clifton, Thorsten Kaye, John McCook and Eric Martsolf Score Lead Actor Nominations
General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
Days of our Lives wins WGA Award for Daytime Drama Series
DAYS Alum Tanner Stine to Appear in ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ Starring Nicholas Chavez
Matthew Ashford and Melissa Reeves Talk Return to DAYS for Doug’s Funeral, Susan Seaforth Hayes, and Their Enduring Friendship
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Set to Be Announced
General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
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