Days Of Our Lives
More DAYS Shake-Ups: Lisa de Cazotte OUT As Albert Alarr Tapped As New Co-EP!
Courtesy/NBC
Days of our Lives is making more behind-the-scenes changes leading into their big push to the episodes that will bring them into their 50th anniversary come November!
News Monday out of Soap Opera Digest has that soap veteran Lisa de Cazotte has been let-go as Days of our Lives co-executive producer! Lisa held that position since 2011. She will be replaced by longtime series director and producer, Albert Alarr!
Besides being with the NBC soap opera since 2003 on the DAYS directing team, Albert’s daytime drama credentials have included directing gigs on The Young and the Restless, Port Charles, and All My Children. In addition, fans of Crystal Chappell’s online web series, Venice the Series and Beacon Hill know that Alarr has been one of the main directors. Alarr will work closely with DAYS main co-executive producer Greg Meng in the months to come. In more backstage changes, Janet Spellman-Rider has been upped to series producer!
These changes on the production side have take shape after Josh Griffth and Dena Higley have come on board as the new DAYS head writing team.
So, what do you think of the producing changes at DAYS? Do you think it will have an impact on the series? Share your thoughts below!
Change is always needed for survival.
It will MOST ASSUREDLY change the trajectory of this show. NBC wants it lone Soap to post the gains that GH is enjoying over on ABC and I GUARANTEE you they won’t let up with the myriad of backstage changes until they do…and I don’t blame them because really ..this show was sleep inducing as far as i’m concerned.
If NBC wants to see the show posting GH-sized gains I’m not sure Higley and Griffith were the way to go…
Higley did boost the soap in 2008 through 2009. Her writing regime had higher ratings than this.
Based on Higley’s work on One Life To Live and Griffith’s Work on Y&R I don’t have much confidence in this team.
Very good. It sounds like Albert Alarr has what it takes to take our beloved DAYS into the remainder of it’s 50th year and beyond. I really hope great changes will come to DAYS. It’s so important for our show to succeed, for all our soaps to succeed and continue for many more ‘Days’ to come… of course, I mean, years! Wishing DAYS a great 50th and hope all these changes behind the scenes makes the show pick up and get back to where it once was. I’m rooting for DAYS and I fell like Sony and NBC feels the same, and this news feels very positive. Go Albert!
Long live Days of Our Lives.
I agree with you Jeremy. Now there are only four soaps with four different views on the genre and they will be hard pressed to replicate stories in the same fashion since they all come from a different production model. NBC was a daytime leader as well as ABC who stand behind one remaining soldier in a genre that reinvented prime time in the way stories are told…AND ALWAYS WILL…every prime time drama is a continuing serialized form bred of daytime that wiped out the closed end episodes of nighttime and forced characters to have a life…a family..a past and etc!!!…They aren’t all destined for the bin..and they will still hold down daytime because seriously…nothing brings in the millions like daytime viewers no matter HOW MANY Oprah’s and Walters you get…SOAPS rule ARE the rule…and if all but one network has them..then that one network will have 12,000,000+ daytime viewers…and they KNOW IT…He’s ethnic so I hope he brings a COOKIE onto that plate of CROISSAINT..TOUT SUITE!!!
Desperately needed changes. I can’t watch the show the way it is right now. They have some huge messes to clean up. They need to start by putting the vets we know and love front and center again.
I’m hopeful as many of the story arcs have fallen flat. Maybe they will consider the concept of NOT taping 6 months in advance. It doesn’t allow for changes when stories aren’t working. I understand the need to tape in advance, but 6 months is extreme.
I agree with Carolyn and frankly some of the storylines are NOT working – case in point: the whole Clyde and his “children” Ben and Jordan – it’s just a little too draggy (the whole show is a too drawn out, sorry, that’s just my opinion) and it hasn’t REALLY gone anywhere to speak of.
At least the hard-to-believe storyline of young JJ and a woman over 50 WENT somewhere now that Jen has gotten an eye-full and has something to hold over Eve, maybe tell her to leave town or else she’ll spill the beans to Paige – I really hope they stop taping Six months in advance and just for the heck of it I will say (off topic) good grief, get some NEW sets – everyone is either in that stupid park or at Brady’s Pub.
one note anger management “Ben” needs to hit the road… if DAYS production team think it’s SO sexy to see Ben and Abs ACT in bed…. and his seething temper reel…..
to watch Abs vacillate between child and womanhood… burgeoning Heroine… I’m just not seeing it… is it the writing ? most assuredly ?
I give props to Kate Mansi… but… with all the behind the scenes upheaval….
why not give Kelley Missal a shot as Abs
with her sexiness matched with JJ
dour plain Jenn has NO chance
I like your comment about the sets. While I think the Brady Pub is an anchor location, the “death” park is ridiculous. How many people have to die or be assaulted in the exact same location before people figure out it’s not a safe place to walk. lol
Days is in need of change in both front and behind the camera….ill stick with it up to the shows 50th to see if the changes are for the better?
Monkeys locked in a room with word processors would do a better job than the current writing we’re seeing now, so anything is an improvement.
No writer can fix a broken production schedule where arcs are written six months in advance. Because of this the show is always stuck with bad story lines and chemistry problems long after it clear it isn’t working ( can we say Jordan) while its audience dwindles due to boredom. The production problem should have been addressed years ago. As long as the solution to the ratings issues is to recreate the 80’s and bring back the star that left or to push the flavor of the month on the viewers with no real background (Serena) expect the show to continue to fail.
Let’s hope it works!
I think DAYS is fighting for survival. Their ratings are bad falling to new lows in the demos,and I welcome changes,because the show is truly awful right now. With a new writing team,and producer changes that may improve the show,and make it watchable again. I am rooting for the show to succeeded.
If it makes the show better, I’m for it.
Well at this point they got nothing left to lose. I have been watching Days for a long time and I cannot recall it ever being in this rough of shape. I truly hope they have hit rock bottom and it all uphill with the new regime. This show really deserves a great 50th year and truly hope this team will bring the history and great production values the show had, back in full force.
Im all happy for change. But SMART CHANGE. I just dont get the decisions that are made on this show. Why re-hire a writer that was fired TWICE for crappy SL’s and writing. Thats the biggest thing that frustrates me with this Genre. Instead of going to hire the best damn daytime writer out there, they rehire someone that was let go twice.
Thats like me going back to a Doctor that has gotten me Sick twice, instead of doing my homework and finding a better doctor. You have Lorraine Brodderick on your writing staff who penned some of the most Amazing things over at All My Children and was Agnes Nixon right hand, but instead you hire the woman that trashed OLTL, then trashed your show twice.
Why cant Daytime think like trailblazers. Go find that new writer to re-energize Daytime. OLTL during 91-95 was doing some of the most groundbreaking daytime drama because they went outside of the daytime fold to find a writer. AW during the 70’s hired a playwright and it was their most creative era, ATWT hired an outsider and had much success. Its time for Daytime to stop recycling people that have failed constantly.
I would have thought that with all the cancellations the past few years, Daytime would wake up and get creative, try to break the redundancy, and get back to creating fine television. I feel like daytime actually told SL arcs with a true beginning, middle, and end. Now I just feel like it just goes from one plot to another with no real conclusion. This is the same show that did the awesome Deidre Hall SID crib SL, the Salem Strangler, The Cruise of Deception, & Kayla’s rape SL. Now the show just floats from one Plot to another with nothing really being accomplished.
Im just frustrated with the entire Genre. All of Daytime needs to start hiring writers that are STORYTELLERS.
Well said.
you nailed it, Travis – in every way! I feel like DAYS is just too safe, they need those major storylines like you mentioned, I remember how big Cruise of Deceptive, Marlena possessed by the devil (ok, that way way way out there). Days is in jeopardy and I hate saying it, because I don’t want to read a year from now that the soap was cancelled. Since, AW ended in 1999 (?) NBC has had 16 years to get DAYS together. I want DAYS to survive for as long as possible. Your post was well said, man! Thank you.
I love DOOL and it is disappointing to see such an iconic show not bringing in the ratings it deserves (IMO). I have felt for a long time that the ratings issue is primarily due to the fact that it doesn’t have a designated time slot and doesn’t even air in several markets.
DOOL has a very talented & very attractive cast. I know the writing and pacing can be a little off at times, but it never ceases to entertain me and I rarely FF other than the commercials. It would be beneficial to not continue to PROP certain characters when the audience just isn’t feeling it. They do tend to do that far too often IMO.
Days is in trouble, They need to bring back Carrie, Austin, Recast Billie Reed with Noelle Beck. I hope Days stays on the air, because I really love the show, but right now the show really sucks.
NO!!!! Please, no more Austin, Carrie, and Billie. They suck and all of them are boring.
Those characters rocked the 90s and surely whole better than newbie characters.
Austin, Carrie, and Billie were brought back, then let go again because they did nothing for the ratings.
If DAYS wants to see gains like GH, hiring Higley back after two failed attempts was not a wise idea. Lorraine Broderick should have been promoted to Head writer. If not then maybe they should bring Nancy Curlee out of retirement or even Claire Labine. Also, bringing back some big time vets for the anniversary would be great…GH did a year long celebration they should do the same!
True , I would leave Broderick on the writing team , but she was head script writer for gary and chris.
FINALLY There hearing the CRYING OUT LOYAL FANS VOICES OUT HEAR Concerning DAYS Stories and especially some of the NEWBIE CAST that aren’t working out at all the RATINGS are way to down its very sad and alarming that KEN CORDAY Let it go this FAR NOW US the FANS that watch for YRS 5 Days a week and its gotten really bad PLS hear our voices BRING Back Bo Brady , Jack Deveraux , Steve Johnson , Belle Black , Shawn D Brady , Phillip Kiriakis , Tony DiMera , E.J . DiMera and Sami Brady and pls try to win Back Renee Jones aka Beloved Lexie Carver from the dead Resurrect her she was a True Legend well Loved Actress and was Great with Abe Carver Now theres a Big Ratings Hike Thats what i would like to see DAYS Ken Corday to INVEST in His PARENTS LEGACY Now s your Chance Ken Corday pls hear our Cries We wouldn’t like to see DAYS OF OUR LIVES Cancelled in the Near FUTURE … Regarding Stories that aren’t working out at all …. Hope Needs her Son Shawn D Back I don’t understand why you guys don’t bring that Character and Belle Back why and More Dimera s ,also you got 3 Males Joseph , Alex and Victor the Kiriakis Boys why can’t you bring them home for Adrienne and Sonny he needs his Brothers also Teresa can use her Brother right about now ANDREW where are you ? And the Beautiful and I mean Beautiful Chloe Lane Wesley aka Nadia Bjordin bring her back on full time Contract … Love the Lucas & Adrienne story , Sonny -Will – Paul what a great hott storyline and the New story that looks like is Coming that John is Paul Father on the look on Tori Norita s Face that will be EPIC … Pls Bring Jack Back for Beautiful Jennifer she really needs Jack Back ASAP especially regarding J.J. and Eve situation . PLs Hve STEFANO find out that Clyde Killed E.J. Dimera and the Consequences will be EPIC Get rid of Him Fast Let Stefano Win Back Kate back and also BRING in that Beautiful ICON LEGENDARY ACTRESS LOUISE SOREL aka Vivin Alamain and IVAN they were Comical I know the 50TH ANNIVERSARY is almost Upon Us …. Pls make these BIG HUGE CHANGES ASAP and you will see the DAYS RATINGS will be High enough to keep DAYS into the Next Generation Now if this was My Show I would Definately do Everything in My POWER TO Make My Parents Proud of me what that Left me to Continue for Yrs to come . I thanku for Hear Our OUT Cries on DAYS PLs Make these Changes its in your Hands God Bless you all Always your Loyal Fan s Here Especially Me Marc from Tampa Bay FL… we’ll be watching everyday at 1:00pm on NBC … THANKU
Higly has been around forever. Most of her previous soaps are now cancelled. Days needs fresh writing- not a rehashing of the same old same old. Give Deidre Hall a real storyline!
I love DOOL and want it to survive…the behind the scene changes are necessary, but I want a lot of stories to go away…The storyline with Serena, a new character that has no connection or history except with Eric years ago, obsessing over a ceramic elephant for weeks now is CRAZY. Lucas and Adrienne and not going to drive ratings…Kassie D as Eve is not working…I liked Melanie when she was on the show previously, but all she does is stammer over her words (annoying beyond measure)…The storyline with Aidan and Hope hav already grown dull…Here are a few suggestions. Make a list of the characters that make a HUGE impact…Give Kate a family, recast Billie and cast a sister for her…Make Nicole strong again and have her stop BEGGING Eric and Daniel to be her friend. Recast Brandon and Taylor to give her more family…Paul is a great addition to the cast, but the thought of him possibly being John’s son makes crazy…Freddie Wilson is a great actor and needs some siblings…I am not saying this because I still miss Chandler Massey, but nuWill is not working. I find myself wanting Paul and Sonny to be together…Cut the tie with Paige. She only has one expression and can only talk about her two-month ago breakup with JJ…How are we suppose to cheer for JJ and Paige when he has a long affair with her mother…Bring back some family members for Maggie and make her to true matriarch of the show…Marlena and John have been tortured for so long, their scenes seem forced…Give Jennifer a new man.
The first thing they should do is get Chandler Massey back. The second thing they should do is get Chandler Massey back. Third thing they should do is get an exciting young actor to play Kate and Victors son and put him in a rivalry with Chad. The fourth thing they should do is have Spencer Neville shirtless in every episode.
If not Chandler Massey a competent actor with a bit of spark should be cast as Will. It’s unbelievable that the powers that be cast such a flat actor to play Sami Brady’s son.
LoL regarding Spencer Neville. Well, it wouldn’t hurt –
Chandler Massey chose to leave, with a little help out the door from the producers. I can’t speak for others, but I know there are some viewers who are not in love with the replacement actor who was cast as the new Will. I would say he’s doing an adequate job in the role, but my problem with the show as a whole is that it is just too drawn out. The writers really REALLY need to pick up the pace. They also need to have some innovative writing in place –
The character of Ben, Jordan’s brother, is rather one dimensional – doesn’t he ever kid around or tell a joke – he displays one emotion – he’s always angry at Chad. After a while, it’s just not enthralling – and as For Eric, he’s about as exciting as unbuttered toast. Now, I wouldn’t mind LOOKING like either of these guys but it just goes to prove…..looks aren’t everything.
Long live Days of Our Lives!
I agree that change is definitely needed on DAYS, they need a GH-type story where a disaster hits and several characters are killed off, ones that aren’t needed and no one likes (at the top of the list, for me, is Clyde, followed by Paige, whom I can’t stand). But I don’t think bringing Dena Higley back, who was fired twice before because of her storylines, is the right choice. And Griffith’s latest visit to Genoa City wasn’t anything to brag about either, but that was probably because of his tyrant leader, Jill Phelps.
Change is definitely needed, and hopefully it will improve DAYS stories. I want to see more already-established characters come back, like Bo, whose departure was NOT handled well at all. It would also be great to see characters return, like Patch. I’m also looking forward to Kristen’s return, and hopefully one day soon, Sami and E.J. will be back too.
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
Y&R’s Eileen Davidson Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
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
General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
Y&R’s Hayley Erin Previews Her Role in Horror-Thriller ‘New Life’
‘The Golden Bachelor’s’ Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist to Divorce Three Months After TV Wedding
‘Tamron Hall Show’ Fire Forces ‘The View’ Hosts to Evacuate Studio
WrestleMania 40 Night Two: Cody Rhodes ‘Finishes the Story’ and Defeats Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship with Run-Ins by The Rock, John Cena & The Undertaker
-
General HospitalApril 12, 2024George Russo to Appear on General Hospital as Carmine Cerullo
-
Days Of Our LivesApril 13, 2024Ron Carlivati Talks on Decision to Make Days of our Lives 15000th Episode About Doug’s Funeral, and Previews Chances for WGA Award
-
General HospitalApril 15, 2024General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
-
RecapsApril 14, 2024Y&R’s Eileen Davidson Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
-
Days Of Our LivesApril 14, 2024Days of our Lives wins WGA Award for Daytime Drama Series
-
NewsApril 12, 2024Y&R’s Hayley Erin Previews Her Role in Horror-Thriller ‘New Life’