Currently, daytime fans are getting to see one of the most beloved actress in the history of the soap genre, Linda Dano, on NBC’s Days of our Lives in the role of the villainess Vivian Alamain.
Dano is taking on the part originally made soap-famous by Louise Sorel, and last played by Robin Strasser. Now it’s Dano’s turn to bring her own style to the role as viewers have witnessed that Vivian has kidnapped Eli (Lamon Archey) and Lani’s (Sal Stowers) twins, thanks to Viv’s sidekick, Ivan (Ivan G’Vera), and the story and all the drama continues this week.
Photo: JPI
In a very special conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, Linda chats with Michael about the challenges she faced stepping into Vivian’s shoes, and working with the cast and crew at DAYS.
Linda also shares her sorrow over the heartbreaking cancellation, and then taping final episode of Another World, where she played her signature soap role of Felicia Gallant for 18 years. During her run, Dano won the Outstanding Lead Actress Daytime Emmy in 1993 for Felicia’s battle with alcoholism, which as she reveals she is still stopped on the street about to this day.
Photo:NATAS
Soap fans will recall that Dano is the only actress to crossover to all of the ABC daytime dramas when she returned to One Life to Live, (following her time on Another World), in the part of Gretel “Rae” Cummings, and we learned that Rae was the bio-mother of Skye Chandler, played by Robin Christopher.
Photo: NBC
Throughout her career, Dano also appeared on Guiding Light and As the World Turns, hosted the talk show, Attitudes and is known as one of the fashionable people in the business. Linda formerly helped dress many of your favorite soap stars, wrote a book on having just the right look, and is always on the cutting edge of the fashion world.
As you will see, the conversation was poignant, humorous, and candid, but what else would you expect from the one and only Linda Dano? You can watch the full chat below.
What have you thought of Linda’s portrayal of DAYS Vivian thus far? Was your favorite soap role of Linda’s … that of AW’s Felicia Gallant? What story that she shared in the conversation did you enjoy hearing about the most? Let us know via the comment section.
I miss Another World so bad. I remember and just saw when she fell through the Glass when her face was badly scared up.
I’m watching Another World as we speak on YouTube. But let’s write to get Another World back on please let everyone write NBC please
DENIS ADAM POMPA
3 years ago
Michael, thank you for this awesome interview with Dano, awesome to see her, I was huge fan of AW and miss the show a lot. Anyway you can bring us more interviews from AW for us. Bring us more for AW or a mini reunion.
Anna Stuart, Nancy Frangione, Victoria Wyndham, Stephan Schnetler, Tom Eplin, Alice Barrett, Matt Crane, Judi Evans and Sandra Robinson. Be awesome to see the faces that had us glued to AW for so many years. They are so missed. AW rocked no daytime drama like it anymore!
Absolutely—-AW was the best!! Linda Dano was awesome as Ms Gallant. Yet, no one can replace “Vivian”—– As great an actress as Dano is, I found her performance on Days a complete contrast to the Prima Donna, Vivian. Too sugary. Was it the babies who turned the feral, unbending tigress to mush?
AW was a great soap. No one can be Louise Sorel, so I’m sure it’s hard to take on the role. Linda’s doing a good job.
Ray
3 years ago
I loved hearing and reading about Linda. I have loved her since “AW.” The cast picture brings back a lot of great memories and made me wonder whatever happened to Anna Stuart. I loved her on “AW” and “AMC.”
I just saw her fall through the Glass. That was awesome
Rodd
3 years ago
I love Linda, so seeing her in anything is always a treat! And even though Louise is still imbedded in my mind as Vivian, I know that Linda will be wonderful in the role. It makes me happy just seeing her take on Viv and I hope it continues for some time to come.
How I miss ANOTHER WORLD! There hasn’t been another show to replace it in my heart and never will be. Linda and Victoria and Stephen and Anna and Matt…so, so many…too many to name them all…were just wonderful to watch every day!
Best Wishes in your current endeavor and all those to come, Miss Dano!
Love Linda Dano!!! She was a favorite for years on Another World. I was delighted to see her step in for Louise Sorel which isn’t a favorite. I had hoped she stay longer!
Diane Swanson
3 years ago
Awesome interview Linda. I am so excited that Linda is on Days of Our Lives I watched her all those years on another world in One Life to Live. I know Linda personally cuz I live in Connecticut and she lives in the town that I do and I say hats off to you Linda keep going girlfriend you look awesome. Any soap opera show should be honored to have her. Can’t wait to catch up with you in town.
lis
3 years ago
So great to see her. I wished they had cast her in another role other than Vivian because the prior actress is so identified with that role and long time fans of Louise don’t want to give anyone not even greats like Strasser or Dano a fair shake. I would have loved to see her cast as Ava’s mom or in scenes with Victor or Julie and Doug. That would have been something. Kudo’s to Days for finding these grand old soap greats and putting them in short term roles.
Dontrel Fegans
2 years ago
I freaking Hate NBC so bad
Rena
2 years ago
These comments are nice to see. I worked on Another World and Linda Dano was a class act. Still is, I’m sure.
Michelle Corl
2 years ago
Linda Dano is the best… she is a legend of daytime. I have to say she is probably the kindest person I have ever met. I watched her everyday on Another World and Attitudes. I have met her once when I was in the audience of Attitudes. She was the kindest person ever. If there was an opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with anyone, the person would be her.
Days of our Lives Favorite Judi Evans Shares Touching Remembrance of Son Austin on Mother’s Day
May 12, 2024
Mother’s Day can be an emotional rollercoaster for many of us, who have either lost a mom, or for mother’s who have lost a child.
Days of our Lives star, Judi Evans (Bonnie) wrote an extremely heartfelt post on her Instagram account. It was accompanied by a video of her late son, Austin, in the role of her on-screen little boy, Dante, when she played Another World’s Paulina.
Evans’ only child, Austin Luciano, died suddenly back in December of 2019 at the age of 23.
Photo: JPI
Evans expressed, “May is a difficult month for me. Mother’s Day and Austin’s birthday are usually about 2 weeks apart. This year, it was also the 60th anniversary of Another World – a show that would provide me with more than I could have ever imagined.”
“Not only was AW a job filled with people I loved and adored, but it led me to my husband, my child, and our family, Judi shared. “One of my greatest joys was having my Austin play my son, Dante Carlino; a treasured memory l have frozen in time forever, one that I wanted to share a piece of with all of you today,” stated Evans.
The Daytime Emmy-winning star concluded with,”There are no parameters on being a mother… of providing love, comfort, safety, and joy to those around you. Here’s to all the forever mothers ♥️”
Sending love to Judi and to all mothers who have lost a child on this day.
Share your thoughts for Judi via the comment section below.
‘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.
Deidre Hall to Guest Star on Season 3 of Comedy Series ‘Hacks’
May 1, 2024
Days of our Lives star Deidre Hall (Marlena) is set to play a version of herself on third season of Hacks. Look for Hall this month in an episode titled “The Deborah Vance Christmas Spectacular,” to air on May 23 on Max.
Not only will Hall appear in the episode, but so too, will Back to the Future and Taxi star, Christopher Lloyd.
According to EW.com, Deidre will play “a fictional version of herself, who just so happens to be the mom of Paul W. Downs’ Jimmy.”
Photo: JPI
Hacks co-creator and Downs’ wife, Lucia Aniello shared on Hall’s casting, “It made sense to us that Jimmy’s late father, a big-time manager, would have been married to an actress. When the idea for Deidre Hall came up, it just felt right.”
As for Lloyd, he will portray, reclusive writer Larry Arbuckle, who is to have had a rather famous grandfather. In the episode, Hall and Lloyd’s character intersect, which leads to onscreen sparks.
Photo: AP
“We had written some things that were flirty, but the chemistry was palpable,” says co-creator and series star, Downs shared. Hacks stars Jean Smart as comedy legend Deborah Vance.
Photo: Max
Season 3 of Hacks debuts on Thursday night May 2nd on Max 9 pm ET/6 pm PT.
So, will you be watching Deidre Hall guest starring on Hacks? Comment below.
