Today, Monday July 11th is the premiere of the Peacock streaming series, Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem Chapter Two” featuring Peter Reckell, Kristian Alfonso, Steve Burton, Eileen Davidson, Christopher Sean, Deidre Hall, Drake Hogestyn, Rob Scott Wilson, Victoria Konefal, Mary Beth Evans, Stephen Nichols and many, many more.
Michael Fairman chatted recently with Days of our Lives and Beyond Salem head writer, Ron Carlivati about crafting the limited series that drops one episode per day through July 15th, plus what’s to come this summer on the mothership of the long-running NBC soap opera. Carlivati and the DAYS writing team are also coming off their Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Writing Team for a Drama Series.
During the interview on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel when Carlivati teased whats coming up later this summer on DAYS, he revealed: “Another major character is going to be killed, like, in the fairly near future.” This comes on the heels of viewers seeing the character of Abigail Deveraux DiMera murdered on the series.
He notes that this character will wind up ‘dead-dead’, adding: “They will be killed and it leads to big story, not a murder mystery.”
When asked, the head writer clarified it was he who made the decision to have the character leave the Salem canvas, thus it was storyline-dictated, and not about another actors desire to exit the show to work on other projects; such was the case of the recent on-screen departures of: Lamon Archey (Eli), Sal Stowers (Lani), Marci Miller (Abigail), and Victoria Konefal (Ciara).
Carlivati, added one more clue: “It’s not Marlena, I’ll just say that.”
So, who do you think will be next to die on DAYS? Share your theories via the comment section below, and make sure to check out the full conversation with Ron below.
I really enjoyed this interview. Every time Carlivati said, “Beyond Salem,” I was hearing “Beyonce!” Saw the first episode today — was impressed.
But I could do without Steve Burton. And the wonderful, generous things Carlivati said about Burton ring hollow, given the choices he made in his last months starring at GH (endangering the lives of other cast members by his refusal to vaccinate himself), leading to his dismissal.
Violet, you know Greg Rikaart and Emily O’Brien (Leo and Gwen) were my favorite couple years ago on Y&R, Kevin and Jana. I bet they’re happy to be on the same show again. I always picture them swapping great memories of better days on soaps.
Soaphound
Hey, remember the Chipmonk Roberies? I think that was with Chloe though. Don’t know about you but I can’t stand Chloe or Chelsea these days, oh and Victoria, Nicki, Sally,Phyllis, Diane and new Summer is inching in as is helicopter Sharon with Noah. So far she’s pretty much left the newlyweds alone. Sorry, I was so long winded.
Look! I have a friendly, rational person with whom to respond! Good one, Soaphound! We have to be careful because some people here have no sense of humor… But I also question the writing. Back-to-back murders is overkill — pardon the pun! The exit door is swinging fast and furious at the moment. I hope the viewers don’t also leave in droves. Take care, Friend!
Not to mention the way ReRon treated Steve/Jason after the regime took over GH in February 2012. Jason was immediately thrown under the bus, his child snatched by one of the OLTL pets & another one coming between him and Sam. And by the time that ridiculous story was finally resolved, Sam & Jason literally had one day together with their baby before Jason was literally tossed overboard with a bullet in his back.
Since you went there: His body, his choice. Isn’t that what they say, or does that only apply if it fits the narrative? You should leave the politics to political message boards, and let the rest of us enjoy our entertainment.
Karen, while I appreciate your reply — different point of view though it might be — Burton’s actions, including his firing to which I alluded, were major news, including at this website, reported by Michael Fairman. So the “politics” aspect of this story were there long before I commented on it. Please, by all means, feel free to enjoy your entertainment.
But you responded with your opinion which may not be facts or the truth. Sounds like you have an ax to grind. You don’t like Steve Burton and it has nothing to do with his acting. All political. How sad.
I will reply to myself on this one! It’s always nice to see replies from Soaphound and Satan, among so many others in other threads.
We all know what happened with Steve Burton’s firing from GH. Unfortunately, there are still vaccine deniers among us; those who ignore science; those who made the pandemic (and economy) worse by refusing the vaccine; those who support an ex-president who, among so many other crimes and mistakes, made the pandemic worse by his ineptitude, inaction, lies, and delays, who, while refusing to concede an election he lost, instigated an insurrection to overthrow our government in order to remain in power — and yet, he has his minions.
And Steve Burton has his fans, many of whom agree with his stance on not being vaccinated. As someone recently pointed out to me, that is his choice. But I submit it was a selfish one, one that ignored his work colleagues and his fellow man. Whether or not I like a particular actor really doesn’t matter. But human decency, truth, and keeping our democracy alive DO matter. And those things are way more important than any one person, any soap opera, and they are worth fighting for.
You need to turn off your TV and do some real research, my friend. You’re just spouting regurgitated CNN lies. Ignore the science?? What science? The science that renamed the common cold and then whipped the public into a fear-mongered state of paranoia and hysteria? Or the science that says you will need “vaccines” for the rest of your life to be “safe”? Or …. the science of knowing exactly what is in the vaccine? Oh yeah … no one will tell us what is in it, so there’s not much science there.
How about the science that has turned formerly normal people into mask-wearing, hostile, vicious, oxygen deprived lunatics? Now there’s some science that can be proven!!
I am confused. If all his cast mates were vaccinated, and he was healthy, how would he exactly be endangering their lives? LMAO.
You need to rethink what you just typed and stop spreading misinformation.
Rose Martin
1 year ago
Kate
richard w griffin
1 year ago
Knowing how much he hates Lucas and keeps throwing him under the bus I would think it might be Lucas – but who knows?
Ron is a terrible headwriter and I don’t care about his Emmy win – selecting a few episodes for Emmy consideration is not the same as writing great overall storyline arcs and respecting the history of the show.
Emmy’s have become a bad joke. There are so few soaps left they pretty much rotate the awards and are given by whomever is being promoted by a network.
Ron is beginning to dismantle DAYS the same way he did GH. He has decimated the Horton family, notably by killing Laura and Abigail. His stories are disgusting and inappropriate. And he laughs and brags about them. New writer time!
Kristen being “dead dead” would make me happy so I think we can rule that one out! (;
I love Emily O’Brien but there is no real reason for her to continue to be on the show. Another possibility: Leo. I just don’t want it to be Ron’s punching bag Lucas, who I love even if Ron doesn’t.
He said killed. I can’t imagine Victor Kiriakis leaving the show as a murder victim with the current actor. Days just doesn’t operate that way with its long time cast members.
Mary Ramsey
Let’s do one better, how about a twofer? Have Clyde kill Chloe’s pain in the butt mother and than if Rafe can be found, he might get Clyde or that other slimeball friend of his & son, still in jail, escape who’ll probably show up in town looking for the baby.
carol green
I don’t mind if she rots in jail as long as we never have to see her. I keep waiting for J.J to pay her a visit before he leaves Salem again.
ReRon’s not going to kill Jan. She’s the new “Heather Webber”. He’s going to drag her out once or twice a year to do the same stupid psycho things for a few weeks to fill the holes between other storylines. Then she’ll disappear again…. the coma gag only worked the first three times, so now she has to “die” in some odd way (like drowning), but of course without any body found, so we know she’s eventually coming back… and doesn’t even have to be a Rolf zombie.
‘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.
Peacock Raising Subscription Prices $2 Dollars a Month This Summer; Includes Days of our Lives
April 30, 2024
As the Paris Summer Olympics are a few months away, the Peacock streaming service has revealed its plan for a two dollar summer price hike on its subscription plans, beginning in July for its content which will include Days of our Lives.
According to Deadline, in July, look for the monthly price for Peacock Premium to increase to $7.99. Premium Plus, which offers limited advertising, download capability and live local programming, will now be $13.99, while Annual plans will go up to $79.99 for Premium and $139.99 for Premium Plus.
This price hike will effect new customers starting on July 18th, while existing subscribers will notice the price change on their next billing date on or before August 17th.
Photo: JPI
This marks the second price change in two years for the streaming service, the previous one being in 2023, which was the first since the service launched back in 2020. The Summer Olympics in Paris which will be on NBC and Peacock run from July 26 to August 11.
The bright spot for Days of our Lives fans, is that unlike if the show was still on network television and NBC, the show would be preempted for two weeks, but with it being on Peacock it will continue with all-new episodes without interruption.
Photo: Peacock
At the recent Days of our Lives 15K episode celebration, Michael Sluchan the EVP, Current Scripted Programming & Limited Series for NBC/Peacock shared that the soap opera is doing extremely well for the streaming service, and they were very happy with its performance.
If you want to join Peacock now, there is still some time to get in on the current rates to watch DAYS and all of the programming and series it offers.
So, what do you think about the Peacock streaming service next price hike? Comment below.
