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Martha Madison Returning To Days of our Lives!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

The announcement that has been percolating all day long on social media was that Martha Madison had something very big that she was going to reveal during Thursday’s episode of her TradioV series with Lilly Melgar,  Soap Box!

And for those hoping that the news would be that Madison is returning to Days of our Lives for the show’s big 50th anniversary push, that has proved to be true! Martha IS returning to the NBC soap opera to reprise her role of Belle.  The news of a Belle return could not be more perfect in timing, since it has already been confirmed that Jason Cook is back as Shawn-Douglas, and the series has aged and recast Shawn and Belle’s daughter, Claire.

Look for Martha to make her first appearance back in Salem on the Wednesday, November 25th episode. and look for her debut later in August in the new online series Winterthorne!

So, what do you think of the news that Martha Madison is returning to DAYS as Belle? Excited to see her in scenes with Jason Cook and Black family and more?  Comment below!

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THANK EVERYTHING GOOD IN THIS WORLD!! I knew they would not bring Jason Cook back as Shawn to ignore Martha’s Belle. I’m so happy that she is not only coming back, but that she is coming back on contract. It seems like everyone at DAYS, NBC and Sony are committed to making sure the fiftieth anniversary is about making the show what it once was before the first two reboots (2011 and 2012). I’m excited to see the new regime’s take on the series, and I haven’t a single doubt that both Josh Griffith and Dina Higley are the right people for this job right now.

Who said it was contact?

Martha said it herself; she is back on contract on DAYS.

This article didn’t mention a contract… did that info come from somewhere else?

Yes, Martha herself confirmed she’s back on contract and has been filming the past two weeks.

http://tradiov.com/la/videos/6-24-15-soapbox-wally-kurth/

The link is to Martha’s show…Soapbox. She announces it at the beginning.

I wasn’t sure this was true either until I looked at the highlights from her podcast. She seems to have announced that as well.

She kind of resembles Maura West in that photo—imo…good to see her back for the shows 50th…like to see teen Claire get involved with slightly older Rory and make Hope a great grandma…lol

You’re right at that, I thought she was Maura West in the photo myself.

“i’ve” never been good with recasts… that being said… I think ATWT was the most successful of all the serials ( is it because ATWT was my all time fave… and i could overlook thee “attachment” ? )

LOL

I “loved” Kirsten Storms, ex-Belle

OK

I have been liking… very much… how Martha Madisen has aged…. she’s being lauded for her internet work… plus her talk show

welcome to DAYS’ Belle

I will not watch her, period. And it is safe to say she is second choice. If KS were available, classic Shelle would be back.

I think you’re wrong.

Kirsten Storms still seems like a teenager. Shawn and Belle are parents of a teenage daughter.

A case of differing opinions. Kirsten, as is MM, is an actress and thus would be able to take on the part quite well.

Great news. I hope they are back on contract, or at least recurring like some of the other vets.

Martha is on contract.

I posted a link above. It’s “Soapbox”, hosted by Martha. She talks about it within the first couple minutes.

Unfortunately, this will stop me from watching their scenes but not Jason with others. Was so looking forward to the 50th but the only Shelle for me is Jason Cook and Kirsten Storms. Sadly, Days and GH evidently could not work out a sharing arrangement. Many fans only know Shelle as JC and MM but for me, not so especially for the 50th. Such is life – I can find other things to watch and/or read or just live my life!!!

Do you like the idea of Belle’s daughter looking older than Belle? KS never grew up!

Wally Kurth was hustling back and forth from Days to GH for months but when Days recently put him on contract he tweeted he CANNOT do both. I guess his Days contract won’t allow it.

Interesting side note is that Eileen Davidson also was doing both Y&R and Days, but Y&R won’t let Tristan Rogers return for a few shows at GH as Robert to send Luke Spencer off into the sunset. Y&R has not had him onscreen except 1 time since February! THAT IS RIDICULOUS!!

I must ask though, what’s wrong w/Martha? Wasn’t she the last Belle and for many years? I didn’t see it then so I really don’t know.

Y&R and Days are connected to Sony so thats why its easy for ED to do both but there are only for soaps left….they should all find a way to unite and keep all four on the air!!!

Eileen can do both DAYS and Y&R because it’s in her contract that she’s allowed to do both; she signed her contract through Sony Pictures Television, which produces both Y&R for CBS and DAYS for NBC, that is why she is able to make guest-arcs as Kristen DiMera while performing full-time as Ashley Abbott.

The hard part is that Disney-ABC owns “General Hospital” and produces it themselves. They have full control of contractual status.

GIRL PLEASE.. what a goofy comment lol.. I’ll watch all scenes but the ones she’s in cuz its not KS.. If you’re watching at all.. And I assume you will be.. you can’t avoid her.. I hope she’s in the middle of a huge cliff hanger.. What will you do then.. Keep switching a Dixie cup from your right eye to the left trying to avoid seeing her?!

I do watch the show and was very much looking forward to the 50th Anniversary celebration. I don’t own any Dixie cups so if MM is in a huge cliffhanger, good for her but I won’t be watching. I split my time more towards GH than DOOL and will continue to do so.

The mere idea that one actress can do this for you and your enjoyment of the show is quite telling, Chantal. Martha is fantastic in the role of Belle, and I’m sure will be lovely in her return; they could’ve recast the role, but instead, they’re bringing back actors and actresses audiences know.

Scott, it is indeed good for those whose loyalties lie towards MM – I don’t happen to be one of them and as you know, in soaps (when there were so many on screen), it happened a lot that a recast was good for some and not others and thus that is what is “telling.” I did not mention not watching the show; just certain scenes. Yes, they are bringing back actors and actresses audiences know – I happen to know the part differently than last portrayed and thus my opinion.

My big question who is bankrolling all this? Days has been run on such a tight budget over last few years that their girdle was about to burst if they tightened anymore- and now lo and behold they got cash up the walzoo to afford all these big name returns, plus newbies like grown up Claire. I realize a lot of them with be short term at best, but it is good to see someone stopped being Scrooge and gave Days some cash to invest in some quality storytelling and actors that will breath life into them. As for this latest news, like others I would preferred to see KS return as Belle—but I still waiting WN to come back as Roman, so I guess I am sucker for a lost cause- LOL. Is there any prayer of seeing the characters Eugene and Calliope for the 50th?

I would love to see them come back too…

Were Jason Cook and Martha Madison on DOOL at the same time? I thought that Martha was on with Brandon Beemer as Shawn Douglas.

Yes and yes, Tom.

Jason Cook…………1999-2006
Kirsten Storms…….1999-2004
Martha Madison….2004-2008
Brandon Beemer…2006-2008

Actress Charity Rahmer played Belle Black for 16 episodes between KS and MM.
Some people say DAYS gave to charity when they hired Charity. LOL!

I could not conceive of Shawn Douglas returning to Salem and not Belle returning also, especially if her child is there. So this was expected. Glad it worked out. Will Belle be in Salem at the same time that Sami is there? That would be nice!

I’m in the minority that never really warmed up to Martha’s portrayal of Belle Black.

wish it was Kirsten Storms.

keep shelle on as long as possible!!!! one of my fave days couple!

Great news!! Love Martha Madison as Belle.. She made the role her own and I prefer her over Kristen Storms. Both are great, but Martha is my Belle.

Yeah, love Martha as Belle. Glad she’s back, but for how long?

It’s still odd that they are aging their daughter to 15yrs old, but I digress. They should’ve aged Ciara instead, especially with Theo being aged and Bo coming back. And Joey got aged as well. Weird.

No way, let Ciara age naturally. The girl that plays her is a spitfire.

I loved Martha as Belle and cannot wait to see the couple back on screen. Days is finally getting back to watchable after the Ejami exit. Now they just need to work on the stories! Quit with the couple swapping and give me couples that are committed to one another with external problems keeping them apart. A great Bo & Hope, Steve & Kayla, Jack & Jenn type story.

I’m not familiar with her work but ANYTHING would help this show, where Eric and Nicole are in constant danger like Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen – and constantly drawn to each other and then betrayed and there’s Daniel waiting in the wings, geez it’s been done to death.
So, although I have only been watching DOOL for a little over a year, I hope that some of these new and returned personalities help the show become more
interesting. To me, lately, it’s been a real snooze-fest.

I am sick and tired of the “Dr. Dan Hero” show. Been There. Done That. A million times.

This is great news! Martha Madison is great as Belle, and I much prefer Jason Cook over Brandon Beemer, so this should be great. I knew it was coming though, there was no way they could bring back Shawn-D and Claire and not have Belle there too.

The next few returns I would love to see are:
– Billy Warlock (Frankie), who I was sure would have been brought back when Eve returned;
– Matthew Ashford (Jack), who was killed off for some inexplicable reason, that nearly every fan hated. This needs to be fixed by whatever means necessary because it was a very bad choice;
– Rachel Melvin (Chelsea), who I think could have returned countless times (like when Billie was back), but am still waiting for, and;
– James Scott (E.J.), who we all know isn’t really dead after receiving that syringe of miracle juice Kristen injected him with.

It would also be great to see Crystal Chappell (Carly) and Louise Sorel (Vivian) again!

Will Shawn follow Belle back to Salem?

I love the fact that Jason and Martha are returning to Days, they made the perfect Shawn and Belle. I t was not the same with the repacements. Hope they stick around for a while.

I couldn’t be more excited to see Shawn, belle and Claire back on days. I hope they have an exciting storyline without being pulled apart for ratings. They are the next Bo and Hope!

Please…considering the actress playing claire is dead ringer for young forms, belle should have been left out of town if only choice was Martha Madison. Never liked her portroyal of belle then ., don’t like it now.

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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