As the rumors circulated they were today proven true. Victoria Konefal (Ciara) has left Days of our Lives as a full-time cast member with the long-running NBC soap opera.
In a statement to Deadline, Konefal shared: “I cherish every moment I have spent working on Days of Our Lives. It is an honor and a privilege to work in an environment filled with so much talent and passion in every direction. The experience and knowledge I’ve accumulated over the past three years is irreplaceable, and I’m forever grateful for it. I would love the opportunity to continue working with my castmates in the future, but at this time I will not be returning as a full-time cast member. To the cast and crew, it was an absolute pleasure working with you. To the loving and unwaveringly supportive fans, thank you. Thank you for joining me on my journey of finding Ciara Brady. It was a beautiful one. Cheers to some of the best days of my life.”
However with that statement, it does appear Konefal has left the door open for her to return as Ciara in a guest-star type of appearance or in a arc of a storyline- time will tell just how that pans out.
Konefal joined the show as the new Ciara Brady back in 2017, and became popular as part of the tortured duo known as “Cin’ along with Rob Scott Wilson (Ben) who’s on-screen nuptials aired this week on the show.
Since Days taped so far ahead of air before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown and has episodes through Mid-October in the can, it would appear Konefal would make her on-screen exit during that time, since she will not be returning to the series, when it begins production again, which is projected to start on September 1st.
Konefal joins the list of departures since the beginning of this year which now include: Casey Moss, Chandler Massey, Freddie Smith, Galen Gering, Greg Vaughan and Kristian Alfonso.
So, sad to see Victotia exit as Ciara? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Days must have really had some huge budget cuts along with its renewal to explain why do many actors chose to leave.
soapfan
3 years ago
So when DAYS laid off the whole cast before they were renewed and then said no, no we didn’t lay off the whole cast, I guess they were playing word games. They just didn’t bring everyone back (or actors said “to hell with this instability”). I think the exits that will hurt the most are Greg Vaughan and Victoria Konefal. They are good actors and their characters have lots of story possibility. It’s too bad.
Satan
3 years ago
ReRon tried to kill General Hospital, but failed. Looks like he might get away with killing Days.
Seriously, who the HELL will still be there when the new episodes start airing? So far, the only person verified to NOT be leaving is the racist homophobic bigot whom nobody else will want to work with……
Well…. if you’re an actor, and the writers are writing a steaming pile of dragonshit… or in some cases, aren’t writing for you at all, that certainly doesn’t encourage you to stick around, does it?
All I’m saying is that there’s a predictable pattern here when ReRon takes over a show.
1) Storylines are reduced to repetitive & ridiculous plot points, which are usually rigged to favor newbies over longtime cast members.
2) Ratings turn to shit (which is really an achievement when you’re literally the only TV with original episodes on the air for several MONTHS)
3) Fan favorite actors start dropping like flies.
This is how it happened at GH (minus the pandemic leaving it as the only show on the air, of course). I’m guessing this is how it happened at OLTL too, given the end result. Though I never watched that show, so I can’t say that with 666% certainty.
Satan, while I don’t disagree with your analysis of the outcome, I think you are attributing too much power to Mr. Carlivati. What’s happening at Days is just part of the lifespan of soaps. As ratings decline, the network interferes with the writing more and more, desperate for stunts or anything to draw attention. At the same time, the budget gets cut so casts get trimmed and longtime actors with big paychecks are asked to take salry reductions so some leave. To fill the air time, there’s more reliance on new actors are are paid less. Fans get short shrift. This is what happened at “As the World Turns” and “Guiding Light” in their final years, and Mr. Carlivati wasn’t associated with either. Sadly, the outcome is always the same — a vicious circle of declining quality that leads to cancellation. I would hate to see that happen to Days, which is the most consistently entertaining soap left.
DOOL, …the writing was on the wall when RC took over ‘the writing’.
It is interesting that all of the actors that publicly pacified the public after their contracts were cancelled, are gone come October.
The problem with our soaps, is that the viewing public don’t want to watch ‘stupid shit’ and the corporate agenda is to ‘stupidify’ the public.
If you think DOOL is the most exciting soap, you are under the RC spell. Ripe for killing. It’s scary to think and know, that RC hasn’t yet even contemplated what a failure as a human he is, but how can we judge him, when even Oprah hasn’t gotten there yet?
So agree with that poster. As long as they keep that intolerant, America-hating, racist bigot Linsay Godfrey, there is no hope for DOOL. The only thing saving this show is the grace and talent of Melissa Reeves.
What has Linsay Godfrey done that makes you think she hates America. The only way Melissa Reeves should ever be allowed to remain on Days is if she publicly apologizes for her insensitive statements.
So, it has obviously been decided that Horton/Brady/Dimera/Kiriakis story lines will be permanently altered. Just look at all the actors who have been essentially fired.
Tammy K
3 years ago
This is a nightmare! Kristian chose to tell us why she left, & we respect her decision, but I don’t think everyone else was fired. As for Victoria, & Greg,..they stated it is their choice, as well. #NotHappy What’s going on over there? Coronavirus already destroyed so many lives, but some lost jobs,that they can’t return to. #PilotSeason maybe has everyone exploring options?
It’s not really pilot season, if nobody’s filming pilots. TV production is just now starting to exist again in California, and the soaps were probably first out of the gate because they’re supposed to be on the air year round. I don’t know if the networks have started producing their fall seasons yet, and their premiere dates are already set, some of which aren’t even bothering to start new seasons until January 2021.
So I doubt any of these actors are going to have much luck finding new pilots right away, if that’s their motivation for leaving Salem. I suspect it’s more of an “internal” problem, be it ReRon, Corday, Sony, or whomever.
BTW, did they say who was taking Greg Meng’s Executive Producer job? If so I missed that announcement. If it’s Frank Valentini (Hell forbid) then you can expect Days to be canceled by 2021.
(on the other horn, that would be great news for GH if they got rid of him)
Momo
3 years ago
I’m so sad. I’m really going to miss her. She is fabulous, beautiful, and great with Robert.
Patrick
3 years ago
where’s – MY – Ciera “Alice”
the 2nd coming of Erica Kane LIVE
God these daughters of Hope… ACT their arse off… so adorable, so vixen, so out and about… fret not… just angst some
Lauren Bole
Victoria Konefal
be well… I LOVE you
yeah, it’s cheesy… they could be mine. i’ve given up on rethinking … why us FAN are a heart beat away from close to
this requires a heart wrench… to stop some ache
sonniorsolita
3 years ago
People seem quick to blame the show or the headwriter for these departures, but a good number of these actors have said they are leaving of their own choice. And for those who have been cut or are leaving because their pay has been reduced — that would fall on the producer, not the writer.
It seems that the “people” you are talking about are either actors or audience … creatives.
The writer, can’t get beyond ‘comic strip’
RC would be happier living in an ashram with Oprah, if they don’t kill each other…
ben will be found alive, by will, and they will become lovers, because…
anyone can do stupid shit like dat.
clb
3 years ago
The writing is on the wall. Cast reductions and budget cuts will bring this soap down. And only 1.9M viewers should lead to no more renewals for DOOL. I never really watched but remember how the same issues led to extinguishing my favorite Guiding Light. Another long-time soap may end. Sad for the Cordays.
Rodd
3 years ago
Dear God! Who will be left? I can think of others I’d rather see go then this bunch.
It’s sad, but I wish the exiting stars much happiness in their futures and wish the show much health as it will need it to continue forward.
Carolyn
3 years ago
so very sad. How are they going to keep Days on th air with so many people leaving.
Boop
3 years ago
I hope that it’s one of the plots from years ago when all of the characters were killed – only to return to life.
Karen
3 years ago
I can honestly say but I have been watching Days of Our Lives ever since I was in diapers. I have seen cast come and go. It breaks my heart to see so many of them leave they’re so talented. I wish them all good luck in their endeavors. As sand in The Hourglass so are the days of our lives.
the other lis
3 years ago
So many people leaving. The budget is so severely limited it feels like Guiding Light right before it was cancelled. The handwriting is on the wall even though I think the writing is in a good place. Time marches on though. Unless they find a suitor who can bring in more resources I don’t think the show will be on much longer.
The only way I do believe this soap could survive past its September 2021 renewal is if Ken Corday sold the soap (LOL!) to someone like NBCUnversal, and they put an actual budget into this soap.
It would be more likely in that case that he sold it to Sony Pictures, who are already a part owner. Of course Sony also owns both of the CBS soaps, so if that were the case, they would probably want to move Days to that network, to keep their paperwork easier.
This would really suck, because CBS doesn’t have any free streaming options anymore. As opposed to NBC’s new Peacock service which is actually doing really well in streaming Days so far (most days, I’m only subjected to one ad during the show, some days none at all. Can’t really improve on that. )
Roberta
3 years ago
Keep Ciara and hope their
Violet Lemm
3 years ago
They are getting rid of so many people, they might as well start a whole new show and I think that’s exactly what they plan on doing!
Jimh
3 years ago
Same thing happened in 1980 when many actors were let go or quit during a Days transition period!!!…it actually backfired!!!!
Linda
3 years ago
Really Days why not get rid of the whole cast! Ciara and Ben are really good together you could have taken this story line into so may different directions. I have been a fan of the show for 20 so years . Not a happy camper right now
carol1952
3 years ago
Oh no I really like her.What a shame what Days is doing to these people.I hope she does come back soon.
Lennyfaye67
3 years ago
I am 53 years old and my Daddy got watching days as a young girl. I am so disappointed in the show and how they keep being the DEAD back to life. Enough is enough.. And Ben and Cieria really need a really marriage like Bo and Hope. But y’all are to busy bring the DEAD back.. Come on guys this is 2020..
Show us some real stuff. Not bead people returning all the time.
Donna. Olynyk
3 years ago
So sorry to see so many leaving days…I will miss all of you.
Hope to see all of you on another soap
Good luck
Nick
3 years ago
I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE LET HER STAY BECAUSE SHE DOES THE CHARACTOR SO WELL CIARA AND BEN MAKE A GREAT COUPLE TOGETHER ON DAYS OF OUR LIVES! WITH OUT CIARA BEN WHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LIVE WHATOUT HIS CIARA. VICTORIA KONEFAL COME BACK SOON I WILL MISS YOU NOT BEING ON NBCDAYS!
It is not THEIR decision; she CHOSE to leave on her own decision, or did you not read the article to find this out?
Nick Hernandez
3 years ago
VICTORIA KONEFAL HAS A GREAT GIFT PLAYING THE ROLE OF CIARA I WANT TO SAY THAT SHE THE ONLY WHO PLAYED BUEATIFULY ONE IN A BILLION IS THAT ONE MADE THE RIGHT THEY HIRED HER FOR ALMOST THREE I WISH THAT SHOULD LASTED INTO INTERNITY
Debi
3 years ago
I miss Ciara. Victoria please come back – I need to see Ciara and Ben continue thei live story and have a baby.
‘Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit For Stand Up To Cancer’ Live Virtual Event Announced; Featuring Soap Opera Notables and Moving Tributes
May 2, 2024
Stand Up to Cancer in collaboration with Alan Locher and Michael Fairman, will come together for a a three-hour livestream benefit, Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer … We All Have a Story.
Several stars from from daytime drama television past and present are scheduled to participate for an evening of stories of emotional on- and off-screen experiences with cancer, and moving tributes to beloved daytime favorites who lost their battle plus musical performances.
Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer … We All Have a Story, streams live on Thursday, May 16, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET/5 to 8 pm PT simultaneously on StandUpToCancer.org and YouTube channels The Locher Room and Michael Fairman Channel.
Photos: CBS and JPI
Tune-in for cancer survivorship stories with General Hospital’s Cameron Mathison and The Young and the Restless’ Colleen Zenk, who will reflect on the impact of publicly sharing their diagnoses; 2024 Daytime Emmy nominee Eric Braeden, who shares his cancer journey as well his memories of beloved The Young and the Restless co-star Meg Bennett, who passed from cancer April 11; and more.
Moving tributes to soap stars who’ve lost their cancer battles, including: Daytime icon Jackie Zeman, who played nurse Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital for 45 years, shared by daughters Cassidy MacLeod and Lacey Gorden, a tribute to Elizabeth Hubbard who played the iconic Lucinda Walsh on As the World Turns and Dr. Althea Davis on The Doctors, as shared by her on-screen daughter Martha Byrne and real-life son Jeremy Bennett, two-time Emmy Award-winner Jerry verDorn (Guiding LightOne Life to Live), shared by widow Beth verDorn and his on-screen wife on Guiding Light, friend and co-star Liz Keife, the iconic Andrea Evans, who played Tina Lord Roberts on One Life to Live, shared by her husband Stephen G. Rodriguez and daughter Kylie Rodriguez and Kamar de los Reyes shared by his One Life to Live co-stars Michael Easton(General Hospital)Trevor St. John (The Young and the Restless).
Photo: MEastonFacebook
Poignant reflections from actors who have portrayed breast cancer survivors, including Sharon Case and Eileen Davidson from The Young and the Restless; Erika Slezak from One Life to Live; Tina Sloan and Kim Zimmer from Guiding Light and more.
Additional talent slated to participate in the virtual benefit include (*subject to change): Eddie and Kristen Alderson (One Life to Live); Elia Cantu (Days of Our Lives); The Day Players, Featuring Days of OurLives castmates Carson Boatman, Brandon Barash, Wally Kurth (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee), Eric Martsolf (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee); Kassie DePaiva (One Life to Live); Don Diamont (The Bold and the Beautiful); Linsey Godfrey (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, Days of Our Lives); Leo Howard (Days of Our Lives); LesliKay (The Bold and the Beautiful); Eden McCoy (General Hospital); Kin Shriner (GeneralHospital); Michelle Stafford (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, The Young and the Restless).
Courtesy/LaceyGorden
“Daytime television invites viewers into the private lives of characters, often bringing important issues like cancer screenings into living rooms and around water coolers. Soaps debuted the first cancer storyline in 1962 – years before the topic was discussed in the mainstream, and it left an indelible impact: a whole generation of women who scheduled a potentially life-saving Pap smear for the first time,” said Daytime Stands Up host Alan Locher. “For so many viewers, this brought the issue front and center,” added co-host Michael Fairman. “Today, it’s become almost impossible to avoid; but there is hope with cancer research, thanks to organizations like Stand Up To Cancer.”
SU2C Co-Founder Sue Schwartz, SU2C President and CEO Julian Adams, Ph.D., and SU2C Health Equity Committee Member Elizabeth Jaffee, M.D., will also participate to speak to the importance of early detection, exciting scientific breakthroughs, and the ongoing work yet to be done to make screenings and treatment equitable for all.
“This year, an estimated 2 million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer, presenting an opportunity for the public to stand with us and rise to the occasion,” said Adams. “We’re thankful to Alan Locher, Michael Fairman and our friends from the daytime television community, who will raise critical funding to honor those we’ve lost – and to propel new scientific breakthroughs for current and future patients. Everyone has a story, and we’re grateful to all of you for sharing yours.”
For over 15 years, SU2C has leveraged its relationship with the entertainment community – which includes more than 1,100 celebrity ambassadors – to generate public donations, increase awareness and fund cutting-edge cancer research. SU2C research has contributed to the development of more than 10 scientific breakthroughs that have significantly impacted the field and provided new treatment options for breast, colorectal, lung, melanoma, pancreatic, pediatric and prostate cancers.
Photo: SUTC
In support of the event, SU2C will also be launching a 10-day eBay silent auction, from May 16 through 26, for fans to bid on items, including a meet-and-greet experience with the cast of NBC’s Days of Our Lives; an autographed script from the cast of Young and Restless and signed merchandise from the Bold and Beautiful cast; a 1:1 video call with General Hospital’s Cynthia Watros, Maura West and Laura Wright, and with daytime legends Robert Newman, Vincent Irizarry, Colleen Zenk, and more. Full details will be shared the evening of May 16, on Stand Up To Cancer’s website.
Are you looking forward to this very special one-night only virtual event to help benefit cancer research and shed light on the stories, performances and lives of the people we love and have loved in daytime TV? Comment below.
Haley Pullos Receives 90-Day Jail Sentence Following DUI Charge And Wrong-Way Car Crash
April 29, 2024
Former General Hospital actress, Haley Pullos (ex-Molly Lansing-Davis) is going to be doing time in jail, exactly one-year after her arrest from a hit and run wrong-way car collision.
The crash resulted in bodily harm and damages to the other driver, and now Pullos who pleaded “no contest” to the charges and will serve 90 days in jail. She was taken in custody on Monday, April 29th, after the ruling.
According to Haley’s attorney, Mark Daniel Melnick, the 25-year-old actress struck a plea deal and after her three months in jail will be sentenced on July 29th. As part of that sentencing, she must serve five years probation, 200 hours of community service and pay $8,260 in restitution to Courteney Wilder, the other driver in the crash and her driver’s license is revoked for a year.
Courtesy/ABC
According to TMZ, the plea deal for Pullos has the “no contest” to one DUI, while the judge dropped the felony DUI causing bodily injury and misdemeanor hit and run charges.
Melnick said in a statement to PEOPLE, “Haley is very grateful to the court for a minimum sentence and for recognizing her remorse and the strides she has made in her sobriety.”
Pullos had played the daughter of Alexis Davis (played by Nancy Lee Grahn) on the ABC soap opera since 2009, but after her car crash and DUI she was replaced by three different actresses until the show finally settled on the current Molly, Kristen Vaganos.
Photo: Pasadena PD
Back in April 29 of 2023, and at the scene of the crash, the police found edibles and mini-bottles of tequila in Pullos’ vehicle and that she was intoxicated. As it turned out, this was to be the second hit and run in the evening for Pullos who had an earlier collision with another car.
The courts decision follows a year-long legal battle with Haley’s pleas changing throughout it, ranging from “not guilty” to “no contest”. She sought treatment for her drinking at a rehab following the crash.
Nancy Lee Grahn, who portrayed Pullos’ on-screen mom took to X on Monday night, April 29th and shared on the sentence and the specific jail, Haley will be serving time: “As Haley’s TV mom I can tell some truths about her as I’ve loved her since she was little girl. She made a HUGE mistake, knows it, owns it & has spent the last yr doing EVERYTHING imaginable to take responsibility 4 it. It’s not that I oppose jail. It’s that I oppose this jail.” The jail in question by Grahn is the L.A. county jail.
So, what do you think about Haley Pullos serving a 90-days jail sentence, and the other rulings that will be part of her sentencing? Comment below.
Marla Adams, The Young and the Restless’ Dina Mergeron, Dies at 85
April 26, 2024
Marla Adams, best known for portraying matriarch, Dina Abbott Mergeron on CBS’ The Young and the Restless for 37 years, died on April 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. The news came from Y&R’s Director of Media and Talent, Matt Kane.
Throughout her veteran soap opera career, Marla appeared had appeared on Secret Storm (in her other longest running soap role as Bell Clemens from 1988-1974), The Bold and the Beautiful (ex-Beth Logan), Days of our Lives (ex-Dr. Claire McIntyre), Generations (ex- Helen Mullin), General Hospital (ex-Mildred Deal) and Capitol (ex-Myrna Clegg).
However, it was her role as Y&R’s upper crust Dina, who abandoned her children and her marriage to John Abbott (the late Jerry Douglas) that was her most memorable role. Throughout the years, Dina would have several romantic reunions with John, but in 2017, the character returned to Genoa City to reunite with her estranged family. Dina was the on-screen mother to Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson), Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman).
Photo: JPI
As for Adams, she joined Y&R in 1982, but left the soap three years later her contract expired. She returned to Genoa City for stints in 1991, 1996 and 2008 before being asked by then Y&R head writer-producer Sally Sussman to return in 2017, which would begin the top-rated daytime drama telling the story of Alzheimer’s disease. Through Dina, the show shed light on a person going through the perils of the illness, and how the family copes and tries to come to terms with its fate.
In fact, Marla took home the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series in 2021 for her work in the storyline, She had previously been nominated in 2018.
Photo:JPI
Speaking with Michael Fairman TV, Marla shared on her final scenes on Y&R when Dina passed away and was reunited with John Abbott, “It was heart-wrenching for me. In the story, Dina died when she went outside and to the front door of the Abbott home. They did not tell me before-hand, and that’s why it was so wonderful. I hope they came in for a closeup of that because I had no makeup on, it was beautiful, and then, Dina said, “Oh, John.” I’ve done everything from movies, to daytime, to nighttime, to Broadway, but that was the iconic moment for me, to do this gig with wonderful, wonderful actors and friends, and to do this particular storyline.
Born in Ocean City, New Jersey, on August 28, 1938, Adams’ love for the stage was ignited after winning the Miss Ocean City and Miss Cape May pageants and finishing as a runner-up in the Miss New Jersey pageant. She also fondly remembered being the Miss Diamond Jubilee Queen during the 1954 celebration of the 75th anniversary of Ocean City’s founding. A student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Adams appeared on Broadway in the 1958 production of The Visit at the Morosco Theatre with Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne and starred as June in the 1961 feature film, Splendor in the Grass
Over the span of her decades long career, Adams starred in more than 40 productions including television’s: The Golden Girls, Hart to Hart, The Love Boat, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Harry O, Adam-12, Starsky and Hutch, Marcus Welby, M.D., Barnaby Jones, and the feature film, Beneath the Leaves.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Y&R’s current head writer and executive producer, Josh Griffith expressed, “On behalf of the entire company of The Young and the Restless, we send our deepest sympathies to Marla’s family. We’re so grateful and in awe of Marla’s incredible performance as Dina Mergeron as both Marla and Dina made an unforgettable mark on Y&R.
Marla is survived by her daughter, Pam Oates, son, Gunnar Garat, grandchildren, Gefjon and Stone, and her great-grandson, Remi.
Photo: JPI
Michael Fairman TV sends our condolences to Adam’s family, friends and co-stars. Now below, share your remembrances of Marla Adams, and watch a few of our interview with Marla from the set of Y&R during the show’s 45th anniversary celebration and on the red carpet at the Daytime Emmys below.
