Days Of Our Lives
Rob Scott Wilson Gives Special Shout-Out To Exiting DAYS Star Kate Mansi!
Courtesy/NBC
In 2015, one of the more memorable performances has to be that of Rob Scott Wilson in the role of Ben Weston on Days of our Lives. As it turned out, hothead Ben turned out to be the Necktie Serial Killer in one of the most shocking and talked about storylines of last year in soaps.
Over many months, Rob shared many scenes just with Kate Mansi (Abigail Deveraux)! First, as her viable love interest and fiance’, and then as a killer unhinged.
On Thursday, Rob took to social media to send his gratitude, applause, and thanks to Mansi, who announced her decision to leave the 50-year-old soap opera after five years in the role of Abby.
Rob tweeted: “I think we made ppl feel feelings.. Grateful to have walked the walk down Crazy Town w/ ya @KateMansi #growth”
So, what did you think of Rob’s message? What did you think of the work of Kate and Rob throughout the last six months of airshows on DAYS? Comment below!
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
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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
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Both actors so much improved toward the end of their storyline!
I wish they would bring RSW back as Ben’s twin brother. He was amazing.
I have to say, when Rob Wilson came on the show, he was a handsome hunk who seemed to be given little more to do than be angry and be supportive. Those were his two big emotions, and he was never asked via story to do any more than that. But after making him the necktie killer, the guy got to start stretching those acting muscles – and surprise! – he actually had some skills! And the further into the story we got, the more we got to see. Turns out, there was a pretty damn good actor waiting to get out the whole time. Sorry he only got to show how good an actor he was as part of his exit story, but glad he got to go out on a high note (well, in terms portraying an imbalanced serial killer).
Ron, as Ben, broke the monotony that was DOOL. And, through Ben’s tortured soul, so was Abby reincarnated as one self-assured, in-your-face-actress. A 10++++ to both.
Rob, not Ron.
Both actors showed tremendous growth and I really feel an attachment to Kate Mansi as Abigail – I don’t think a re-cast would be the same for me. But, actors who are very young feel that the time is right to seek other avenues of the entertainment field by their agents, and probably don’t want to be “trapped” into a role for too long a period of time.
I can see that. I hate to see Mansi or Abigail go. I can also see – like you are saying- where young actors want to move on. With only 4 soaps on now & the constant up & down threat of the genre dying, i’m sure they want to expand their resume while they can. And while I fall in love with actors portraying their roles, I also see how some actors that chose to stay in the same role for too long (instead of going & coming back, etc) seem to lose some of their skill. I guess it is easy to get comfortable & not grow.
I thought the Ben and Abigail characters really shown with the necktie killer episodes. Rob really did great towards the end, as well as Kate. I wish they were allowed to have more meat to their part early on. Is this Days final year because so many are leaving? I couldn’t bear NOT having the show to watch every day. I have been watching since 1973!
“feel feelings”? I guess that’s why he’s an actor and not a writer.
Anyway, he did improve once he got decent story. Although, I think Ben should have been arrested shirtless.
Maybe the actress who currently plays Ciara could take over the role of Abbi since she has such “deep” acting skills. *insert sarcasm here* What we need is a tornado to come by and sweep those horrible kid actors away….DAYSNADO!!!!
Vivian is one of the worst casting decisions they’ve made in the last few years.
But, Rob Wilson is another. Lots of people say he wasn’t given good material. Lots of actors on Days had crappy material and they did their best like Kate Mansi did with Abigail being wishy-washy and a liar. Rob just doesn’t have the acting chops. He was a boring hothead and tried embarrassingly hard as the Necktie Killer to be scary bad. The things he did were scary (trying to burn people alive) but he isn’t a good enough actor. Take that final scene with Ben and Clyde. He tried to cry for the whole episode. It was embarrassing just watching him. If the tears aren’t coming, don’t scrunch up your face for an hour.
James Lastovic and Kyler Pettis (hope I spelt that correctly) are decent actors. I don’t have an opinion on the new Belle yet.
I understand, Kathy, what you are saying, but he did show some growth as an actor as the character became menacing, and some of his fight scenes, particularly the one which landed Chad in the hospital were very realistic.
So, no, he’s not quite ready for a William Shakespeare play perhaps but I think he did all right with the role.
However I agree 100% regarding these Teen roles, and their atrocious dramatics. The gal playing Ciarra just isn’t convincing to me.
Am I the only one though I wonder who finds the scenes between Marlena and John to be….I don’t know, draggy at times and not that compelling?
I enjoyed the chemistry between Paige and JJ much more than I am watching him with Gaby – He seemed really, genuinely in love with Paige and torn about the affair with her mom. Right now, they need to develop some very strong storylines and STOP with the (what seems like) a revolving door of characters.