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DAYS Ken Corday Celebrates 13,000 Episodes & Reveals Leann Hunley's Return, Confirms Sidelined Drake Hogestyn & Talks Storylines To Watch For!

Courtesy/NBC

Courtesy/NBC

Tuesday was a momentous occasion for NBC’s Days of our Lives and its longtime executive producer Ken Corday.  The series is celebrating this week the taping of its 13,000th episode.

During an on-set celebration today attended by many cast members and creatives, Glamour.com spoke with the EP and got his thoughts on a myriad of subjects related to the soap now in its 51st year and this latest milestone.

When asked about several fan favorites returning later this year on-screen including: Charles Shaughnessy and Patsy Pease as Shane and Kimberly, and Leann Hunley as Anna, Corday responded:  “They don’t start airing until after Christmas. We are really way, way ahead, and we’re going to try and get closer to air time, but we do eight shows a week, so… I’m thrilled, but especially those two did not miss a beat walking on the stage. It was like they never left. Charlie had been gone longer than Patsy because she has made a few appearances at weddings, funerals, bar mitzvahs, etc. Charlie’s transition was seamless. It’s a good story. It’s interwoven with Hope’s story, and it’s great. There are more surprise returns from the past to come. Leann Hunley (Anna) will be back in Salem (as well). “

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

When asked about the status of Drake Hogestyn, who has been reportedly sidelined by an injury from a fall during a freak accident back in May, and has not been shooting new episodes, Corday confirmed it stating: “We wish Drake the best and hope to see him back on set soon.”

When teasing what upcoming storylines Corday is most excited for fans to see, the EP related:  “There are two: the one with Chad and Abigail and JJ and Gabi. They are very vibrant and good actors, the young future of the show. I’m very excited about the story Nicole will have coming up with Chloe and Deimos and with Brady and another huge return from the past. Again, a big surprise, and a great part of Nicole’s past and life experience in Salem. It’s a baby story, and those seem to work well for us.”

So, what do you think about the news of a DAYS return by Leann Hunley?  What do you think about the upcoming storylines teased? The status of Drake Hogestyn? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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Oh, My Gosh darned IT

Leann Hunley the beautiful is back

so smart as a whip… her screen presence is tantamount to definition of S – e – x – y

dang it …

as I’ve posted before… wouldn’t it be great to see Anna DiMera and Eve Donovan as besties… better yet… as Anna sister !!!!!

I love Anna & am thrilled she’s coming back! Now if we could just get Tony to “come alive” again, that would be perfect. Happy to see Shane, too, but I hope PP tones down her overacting. I’d really prefer her not to return.

Tont is due to come back to life because just like his father Stefano, he also has the Phoenix’ capabilities to rise from the dead.

The secrecy surrounding Drake’s accident and recovery status is scaring me! I hope he’s alright. I’ve heard conflicting reports of his accident and all his costars are tight lipped, which tells me he is/was possibly in critical condition.

I hope he is ok too…meanwhile, the return of Anna ect has renewed my interest in the show…so im sticking with it for now!!!

Yeah that was a strange response from Ken. I didn’t know the other actors are tight lipped. I hope Drake is doing great.

I hope Drake is okay. I think that other cast members are respecting his privacy by saying nothing.

It only takes a couple words from one person, mary, without compromising/disrespecting his privacy…”He’s OK” is all that’s needed.

It sounds promising. I hope #Days is looking for some writing talent in Nashville and not just acting talent. Great folks here that were working on Nashville. Some awesome are nor being retained by new regime.

Folks are loyal to #Days in Nashville. A lot is happening in the city..and not just production of CMT ‘ s Nashville prime time show.

I am sure that folks will turn out for a 13,000 episode celebration. It is the perfect time to come. Zsouthern Living Publishing is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Nashville in September. They are based in Birmingham, AL. Built new A-1 facilities there
… but Nashville is the happening spot for South and several industries these days.

Like the idea of playing up Nicole, Brady, Chloe, Deimos in some fashion.Ari Zucker is incredibly talented and has been wasted for several years now.

It will be interesting to see who mystery return will be… I have an idea if Days wants to truly get on track. Have always thought Nicole was destined to have her own child on show. As Days wants …it will be a guessing game.

Hope everyone is good to Viacom. CMT is committed to pm ore serialized scripted drama. Some wonderful daytime, prime time and music artists and writers call Nashville home. Hope Days exwxutivws, casting and Ken Corday meet with diverse group while in TN.

I

Sooooo excited!! Love Leann. She is such a great actress!!!

I really hope they can turn this show around, it’s worrying seeing the ratings constantly tumbling.

I really hope that the rumors of Will’s return are true, we need him.

Bring Kassie back Full Time please!!!

I love Kassie DePaiva and would love to see her full time; but, as excellent as she is, she can’t carry the entire show by herself. I don’t find any of the current story lines interesting. I was very excited about the return of Daniel Cosgrove; but, they have paired Aiden with that cartoon character villain and I find it boring. The missing Abigail should be interesting but the writing dropped the ball. I pray they aren’t going to try to make an item of Chad and that pitiful young woman playing Ciara. Billy Flynn is very good; but he can’t do it alone. Vincent Irizarry is terrific; but, from where I sit, the Deimos story fizzled. I just don’t see a clear direction for Days.

What a Twinkie-munch interview. I wish someone actually had the guts to publicly call out Ken Corday over how exactly he has allowed this show to become such a totally unwatchable trainwreck. Memo to Ken: Take a good look at the recent numbers, which translate to cancellation if things don’t turn around in a hurry.

He has proven time and time again just how out of touch he is with what fans/viewers want to see, and he lies over and over again. It’s very sad to see how far this show has fallen in such a short time. It used to be such a great show.

“love” the blast

exactly ! YES YES and – more – YES !

Ken Corday is a travesty… his production value has made shambles of all the LOVE that is Betty and Ted Corday

I certainly DO NOT want a cancellation any time soon

LISTEN Ken Corday

REAL

EXACTLY Pat. Not only that what a cavalier way to talk about Patsy Pease. .bar mitzvahs and weddings..dope. .people like baby stories. .uhhh nor really Teddy..people would like you to come out of the SIXTIES. .he’s going to tank his parents show into cancelation. .someone needs to wise up and release him on the strength of that interview alone. .you CANNOT keep recycling the same stories with the same characters. This is no REBOOT..none of them ever really were. .you have pre raped yourselves into oblivion and by Christmas your casting sinus WON’T help.

Pretaped and casting stunts

A return by Kassie DePaiva would be great but I think it would take a return by Chandler Massey to make the ratings move.

Sadly none of this makes me want to watch Days again. Ken constantly drops the ball, he’s a mess.

Love to see Leann again.

Days Of Our Lives

Lisa Rinna Would Be Down to Reprise Her Role of Taylor McBride in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot

When Lisa Rinna departed her popular role of Billie Reed on Days of our Lives back in 1995, her next major role would be a jump to primetime and the soapy Melrose Place.

In 1996, Lisa was introduced as new character Taylor McBride and stayed with the Fox young adult sudser for three seasons. Now in 2024, with the recent reveal that a Melrose Place revival is the works with Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton all on board to reprise their signature roles, would Rinna board the project should it come to fruition?

Speaking with PEOPLE, Rinna expressed, “Well, gosh, I’ve heard about it. I haven’t been approached or anything, but I would love to see what Taylor McBride is up to 25 years later. Wouldn’t that be something?”

Photo: FOX

OG Melrose Place fans know that in story, Taylor moved to the Melrose Place apartment building with her husband Kyle played by Rob Estes. However, Taylor had her eye on Dr. Peter Burns played by former GH star Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco). But, by the time she had moved to the apartment complex, Peter had married tough as nails ad executive, Amanda Woodward, played by Heather Locklear.

Recalling her time on Melrose Place, Rinna added that it, “was one of my greatest and most fun acting experiences, playing Taylor and working with Heather and the whole crew.”  Rinna also noted, “So if they need a Taylor McBride appearance, they know who to call. I’m around.”

Photo: JPI

The new Melrose Place is in development at CBS Studios. In the premise of the reboot, the Melrose Place residents reunite after the death of one of their friends, “but the pressure cooker of a reunion soon uncovers old traumas, rekindles old romances, reignites old resentments, and reveals new secrets… throwing our characters into chaotic drama that’s reminiscent of the past, but with a much more modern perspective.”

So, would you want to see Lisa Rinna reprise her Melrose Place role as Taylor McBride? Comment below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Kristian Alfonso Returns to Days of our Lives for Tribute to The Late Bill Hayes

After a few weeks of Days of our Lives fans being upset that Kristian Alfonso (Hope Williams) was not on the first list of initial returns for Doug Williams’ funeral and episodes honoring his portrayer, the late Bill Hayes, comes word that the popular star is back and taping scenes.

Kristian reported to work on the Peacock streaming soap opera on Monday, April 22nd. She shared how important it is for her to be back for this particular return to the show that made her a household name.

“My return is very bittersweet,” Alfonso told TV Insider,  “because it is the end of an era with Bill gone. So to return to Days is very sad. I am appreciative that they came to me to include me in their series of shows honoring Doug and I’m very happy to see everyone, but I’m entering the studio with a heavy heart.”

Photo: JPI

It was back in 1983 that Kristian first debuted as Doug’s daughter, and now 41 years later looking back at it, and her time with Bill Hayes is very emotional for her.

“I remember my first scenes with him/ He was very loving, very welcoming. That he was very talented and an incredible actor and an icon, that all goes without saying, but my personal relationship and my working relationship with Bill, it was home,” expressed Alfonso. “Doing the scenes with Bill, I felt like I was with my dad because there was so much warmth and reality.”

Photo: JPI

Alfonso did express some deep regret, in that she had wanted to work with Bill Hayes during her last appearance on the soap back in 2023, but according to the iconic actress, there was something in the works but it never materialized.  “I’m sad that I did not get the opportunity to do the storyline that Ron (Carlivati, head writer) had planned/ It was great; we returned to Salem to reunite with our families and I would have had father/daughter scenes with Billy. What Ron had written was beautiful and emotional and it was a fantastic story. I was 100 percent for it and the fans would have loved it.”

Photo: JPI

As for if Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope will be back on-screen together anytime soon, Kristian would only say, “What I will say is don’t give up hope.” Doug’s passing and memorial episodes will stream later this year come late November into December.

So, are you happy to learn that Kristian Alfonso is back taping episodes surrounding Doug’s memorial episodes? Comment below.

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Breaking News

Steve Kent Reportedly OUT as Sony Pictures Television VP in Charge of DAYS and Y&R

On Friday, reports surfaced that Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President of Programming at Sony Pictures Television, is no longer with the company and overseeing the Sony soap operas, Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless.

According to Soap Opera Digest, a set side source reported that Kent’s last day was last Friday, April 12th, which was one day after what would have been his final appearance in his Sony VP role at the Days of our Lives 15,000th episode on set celebration.

During that ceremony, Kent gave a brief speech giving kudos to DAYS for its incredible milestone. Days is a co-production of Sony Pictures Television and Corday Productions, while Y&R is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company in association with Sony Pictures Television.

Photo: JPI

Kent started his soap opera career as a producer for CBS’ defunct Capitol and then as the supervising producer of NBC’s Santa Barbara from1984 to 1993.

Photo: JPI

At Sony, before his role overseeing the soaps, Kent was Senior Executive Vice President of International Productions for Sony Pictures Television International department.

If reports are true, the question becomes who has taken over his position, and would oversee DAYS and Y&R from the Sony side? Share your thoughts on this developing story 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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