It’s a big week for Outstanding Lead Actress Nominee Eileen Davidson as she heads into Sunday’s 41st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, since she is considered one of the favorites to win the gold for her performance on Days of our Lives as Kristen DiMera! And on top of that, Davidson just signed a new two -year deal to return to The Young and the Restless to play Ashley Abbott.
The beautiful and talented star visits Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family today chatting with hosts Christina Ferrare and Mark Steines all about her new contract, what happened when she was originally fired by Y&R, coming over to DAYS, and now returning to the CBS soap. As revealed in her pre-taped discussion with Christina and Mark, her new deal gives her time to visit DAYS too!
Eileen remarked, “I just signed a two-year deal with Y&R again. I left DAYS a year-ago to spend more time with our 11-year-old son, who’s transitioning into the sixth grade. I took some time off and I did a small story arc on DAYS, which I just wrapped up two weeks ago. It’s going to start airing at the end of July for three months where Kristen comes back into town. I know, it’s very complicated (laughs) and now I’m back on The Young and the Restless starting in September for two years … but it’s in my contract that I can do some days on DAYS!”
On feeling wanted again by the show that originally let her go, Davidson said it has to do with the changing of the guard who is now at the helm in Genoa City and the network: “It was really nice. It was very rewarding to know. There had been a changing of the guard there too in the interim, so they were like, ‘Oh, my god. We want you back!’ CBS Daytime was like, ‘Please, come back! ’ They were very nice about it.”
As for her time at DAYS for the year that won her a shot at an Emmy, Davidson commented, “I had the best year of my life … the best material …. a great time with wonderful people … and then I was awarded with an Emmy nomination!”
Watch Eileen’s segment on Home & Family below! Then, let us know, are you happy to hear she can still return to DAYS? What do you think about her new deal? What do you think will happen to Ashley when she returns to GC this time?
I’m glad that her new Y&R contract allows her to visit DAYS (when needed)!
That tells me that DAYS has left the door open for Kristen to return (after the 12 weeks).
Me too. I just love her portrayal of both Kristen and Ashley. As a fan of both DOOL and Y&R I am so pleased to know she is available for both roles. Congrats to Eileen and her fans!
Llanviewer717
9 years ago
Glad to hear that Eileen’s contract allows her to appear on Days from time to time. I haven’t see Christina Ferrare in years. She looks great.
Joyce
9 years ago
Eileen Davidson just signed a two year contract with Y&R with the option to also do some scenes on Days. That stinks. Billy Miller could not get a contract to do some other things while on Y&R and they turned him down and he left the show along with 1 1/2 million viewers. How exactly does that work FAVORETS I guess.
I don’t know what Billy was asking for, but it is a shame they couldn’t work out a contract. He is sorely missed on Y&R. Hopefully nuBilly can breathe new life into the character.
David Tom is doing a wonderful job–he is Billy Abbott. I can’t help but think that the powers that be are watching the latest tapes thinking,’We’ve made a terrible mistake.’ He has really stepped back into his shoes and has found his stride. Dumb mistake.
About Eileen–she astounds me with her ageless beauty and has managed to sustain it without visible signs of plastic surgery or botox injections. I can only hope the writers hand her some decent material. Last time I saw her on Y&R she was hitting on Stitch, who is young enough to be her son, and he politely rejected her overtures. She’s too good for that. I smelled JFP all over that scene as she loves to humiliate female characters played by actresses for whom she does not care. Just ask Genie Francess.
The difference is that YR & Days can work together to make that happen because they are both owned by Sony. Billy Miller was doing a lot more Primetime so YR wont have any control over shooting schedules, and Primetime shows are not going to work around his YR schedule either.
If he booked a role in advance thats great because a writing team can work around that. But for quicker turn around roles from audition to shooting, its not so easy to make that happen in a blink of an eye. For instance everytime they brought him back for Ringer, his YR storyline kept getting interrupted. It truly does effect shooting schedules. The only way this could truly work was for him to book shows on CBS where in house they can make it work like Victoria Rowell had when she shot YR and Diagnosis Murder at the same time. Same network, Same house, Same Goals. But for a different network, they could care less about his YR shooting schedule.
@T Thomas very good points made on your post and if everybody is truly a fan of Billy Miller be happy for him. If he really wants to do other things besides Daytime he needs to get out there and be free to do it.
You are absolutely correct, Travis. Miller’s situation cannot be compared at all to Davidson’s. First, Davidson proved herself to be a draw decades ago playing the same roles on DAYS & Y&R. She has established fan bases w/each show, & more importantly, the professional reputation & relationships to back that up. They know what to expect from her & that she will deliver because of her track record.
Miller OTOH wants to have his cake & eat it, too. If he wants to be available for bigger jobs, he should have done what many former soap actors do & leap! It could pay off in spades like it did for Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei, Nathan Fillion & Alec Baldwin. On GH, Bradford Anderson & Julie Berman decided it was their time to go last year. So, off they went, with the best wishes of the GH brass. A clean, honest break is best IMO for viewers & TPTB because it allows them to write better stories. For instance, as much as GH fans like Robin, the consensus has been that it has been lousy for her character to go bouncing in & out of PC like a yo-yo. Sometimes a producer really does need to do what is best for the character & the soap; not the actor. Kimberly McCullough may have wanted to give Robin closure. But, her directing priorities & the story twists need to justify Robin’s absence because of them have gutted the character horribly.
Jill Farren Phelps didn’t like Billy Miller. It’s well-know they didn’t get along. He was no FOJ. She had no intention of re-signing him to a new contract. He didn’t disrupt Y&R one bit last year. Now that the show’s ratings are in-trouble, she’s in a panic and thinks Eileen Davidson will help revive Y&R. She won’t. When a show runs off talent like Michelle Stafford, Michael Muhney, and Billy Miller, it’s going to have a negative impact on the audience. Phelps didn’t like those three actors at all. So a lot of viewers have left and the key female demos are way down. JFP is getting exactly what she deserves. Karma.
I wish you folks could get over Billy Miller. He’s gone, it’s done, deal with it. It ws partly fans inability to get over his leaving which has led to the swift and undeserved dismissal of David Tom who is owning the role of Billy Abbott.
I loved Billy Miller too, but I no longer miss him.
aria
9 years ago
she’s probably got the best gig in all of daytime. two soaps, the different fan base, two juicy characters. don’t watch either show, but still hey when someone got it going on you got to give them their prop.You go girl. congrats…
Eileen is incredible as Kristen Dimera on DAYS! I hope she takes home this year’s Lead Actress Emmy!
Ashleigh
9 years ago
I don’t get it. Why do they give her the freedom to go to a competing soap, but not Billy Miller to persue other side jobs? This stinks. I loathe JPF. I guess it’ll be nice to have Ashley back though.
Mark
9 years ago
I love her on any show! She could read the phonebook and id watch
Mo
9 years ago
Glad she can still come to Days, but it won’t be for a long periods if she’s got story on Y&R.
I would like to see Ashley with Stitch. After Victoria goes back to Billy and has his baby, Stitch will need someone.
Ashley also needs to straighten out Abby. Get her away from Tyler, with whom she has no chemistry. I tend to blame that on the actor who is pretty wooden. Pretty faces (and abs) are only good if they can act.
jonboy
9 years ago
Just glad to have a familiar face on this show being overtaken by newbies.
Me too. I read that Beth Maitland will be returning too. Maybe this show will become recognizable once again. Now if only the writing would improve…
Annie
9 years ago
I watch both shows and would have preferred Days for the long term deal because Kristen is just so much more interesting than Ashley, but hopefully the new regime at Y&R will realize the kind of meaty stuff she can do and use her, instead of having her wring her hands over Abby or Victor.
She probably chose to Yawn & Rest to gain the strength needed for her DAYS to come!
Joyce
9 years ago
The more I think about it you at Y&R waited until Billy Miller signed on with General Hospital before giving Eileen Davidson the kind of contracts that Billy asked for and didn’t get. That is REALLY UNFAIR and I hope others will think twice before signing with Y&R so they don’t get screwed like Billy.
jaybird369
9 years ago
Let me get this straight…in her new 2 year contract with Y&R, Eileen Davidson is allowed some OUTS (or whatever) to do some episodes (here and there or whenever) of DOOL?!?!? Yet…TPTB REFUSED to do the same for Billy Miller when he asked for some OUTS in his contract?!?!? In more ways than one, that TOTALLY BLOWS!!!!! Bottom Line Here: HYPOCRISY 101 AT LARGE!!!!! Dumb.
they originally refused to share Eileen with Days too but then Sony went over YR and fired her b/c they felt and rightly knew she could have a much larger impact at Days. It’s just nowhere near the same situation. The mere fact that Sony owns both shows and wants the best for each means that YR really has no choice but to allow her time at Days if they want her on contract.
In any case I wish she were at Days fulltime, but alas I understand why she doesn’t want to. It’s just sad with Stefano barely on, EJ leaving, there is no DImera family come November except nuChad who has yet to be seen. A thoroughly depressing thought. Kristen should be running that town, moving everyone like Stefano’s chess pieces.
Eileen’s DAYS are NOT just some episodes here and there! Watch her 3 month stint on DAYS! Kristen is not a supporting character! Her visits to DAYS are momentous!!!
PatF
9 years ago
People really can’t comment on her contract versus Miller’s because you don’t exactly know what each was looking for.
Thank you! Finally a voice of reason, lol. You’d think there were a bunch of soap fans sitting in on the contract negotiations for all these actors, the way some people are so certain about the terms and conditions each actor/actress wants. That’s why everyone involved uses lawyers, because it’s contract law!
Yes, I agree. Can we please read an article about Y&R’s actors without injecting Billy Miller into the subject? Really, I am so sick of the subject of Billy Miller and really, if you want to cry for justice as far as Y&R soap actors are concerned, cry for David Tom.
nicole
9 years ago
Agreed. What Miller is asking for is the ability to audition for pilots. Which means as a producer is harder to plan around if he lands something. What Eileen seems to want is a steady schedule she just wants more time to spend with her family. Plus if Days needs her they can plan that in far enough advance.
Unlike with what Miller wanted you cant write/ produce for amajor character with the fear that he will walk in and announce that he landed another role and will need 2 weeks off to film in the middle of a major story.
BALONEY. BM didn’t disrupt anything last year. This is just fantasy for people to justify the double-standard JFP applies to Steve Burton and Eileen Davidson and not Billy Miller. It’s well-known she didn’t like Billy Miller. He was no FOJ, so he got the boot. Now that Y&R is sinking, she’s desperate and ED is brought back. Big news is that ED isn’t going to save Y&R. Ashley is a crashing bore character. Her character on DAYS is dynamic. The one on Y&R, not at all.
Well known by who? Gossip, there is no proof that JFP did or did not like Miller. I have my theory and you have yours. Unless Miller or JFP said in an interview somewhere. It is all a theory.
And I tend to think that some fans assign more emotion to these things than either of the participants. I would bet that to JFP and to Miller it was/is just business.
Patrick
9 years ago
I”m envious for fans of Y&R
steaming livid
comeuppance
epic fail : I presume
LOL
Salem’ites : stand ready : prevail
Days will overthrow Y&R
Polly
9 years ago
All my DAYS watching friends and I are just counting the minutes until her return. It will be a welcome breath of fresh air!
Personally, I cannot watch another wrung-out breakup between Daniel and Jennifer (OMG—writers, really? Just poke me in the eyes with a sharp stick) or Eric/Nicole. I could yawn myself to death. Fine, Eric–go back to the priesthood, just go and do something! Even the Brady/Teresa scenes are painful, but at least Martsolf keeps it interesting. His wrung-out agonizing breakup scenes are all with Jon, anyway! LOL
Kristen, Kristen, please deliver us from the summer doldrums!
“…(OMG—writers, really? Just poke me in the eyes with a sharp stick) ”
gouge mine out till it’s over…. The crusade is over… endearing the dullest couple in Days history is spent… lost …. damned… tarnishing… sexless … coma
Daniel and Jenn need to be orbited right outa salem.
once again godlike Daniel is given the last take… and/or scene to ruin a fine impressive fan prop for Camila Banus… Gabi… as she exits in fine form. I applaud her reel… I’ll miss Gabi…. I was overcome by Rafe… he was the bomb… a man emotional over his sister…. when he was done talking to his mom… about the state of Gabs life…. the look of forlorn… emotion overcome… as he hung up and took a sip of his beer… was priceless… I knew Rafe had it in him… bravo!
any way: Rafe is telling Hope he’d like to be the one to tell godlike Daniel… about Gabi misdeed misfortune at having been caught… her keeping secret Melanie’s kidnapping by Alex… Rafe : “if you can find it in your heart to forgive me”
that was enough… fan uproar… damnation !
Daniel: “I can’t say anything right now, till I talk to my daughter”
balk! who cares ! Shawn Christian cannot I repeat… can not ACT ! he’s so stiff… lost within his own eyes darting to and fro lifeless…
“Father” Eric : Greg Vaughan is forgiven… he’s gorgeous easy on the eyes stimulate. at this point its no longer hurry up and wait
the church left ‘him” banished his priest hood…. it’s time for him to man up and step up to the plate…
Nicole for gods sake… was his 1st love.. and he hers. no respect for AZ’ Nicole’ performance… isn’t she riveting…. the pain she renders for the audience is pulling at the heart
it’s not fair to her… how the three amigos (Eric, Brady, Daniel)… her man friends at one time or the other have disrespected her… thank goodness Rafe is still her friend. they’ve made love… proclaimed to all of Salem… at least Eric is preaching to all of Salem… as Nicole took the fall and blame for hottie Dr. Chyka
I fear this isn’t going to resolve itself… at least with eric and nicole gettting together till after ED” Kristen has given us her story arc. I still think he’s worth the wait. but… if Eric can’t make a decision… it’s making them both look too lame and one note dumb and dumber… MOVE us with your hot pairing
I really have to point out… and I don’t mind doing it… if the story is lax lame and lulling the audience attention span… then I savor the actors … for their individucal performances…. I love Eric Martsolf and Jenn Lilly… take after take… they real their unique uninhibited real
I simply adore these characters… do they belong together… I think fan majority knows with you… it’s not going to take… it’s filler till the bombshell Kristen happens… just like its standstill for Eric and Nicole….
I think a lot is going to happen…. and circumvent Eileen Davidson return
I’m really hoping Kristen comes back with a baby…
I’m hoping Eve kicks ass with Jennifer Horton… and supports Theresa…
it’d be through the roof if Eve was to illicit some romance with Justin and Adrienne has to pull out all the stops to keep whats her
for the love of serial…. writing team… feature Kayla and Hope vying for the affections of hottie Aiden…. a Brady and Horton woman… eclipsing simmering with tantalize how beautiful these women are…. it’s a big story
please bring back Sheryl for commands attention Lucas!
are Rafe and Kate back ? I loved them the first time around… what a great piqued reminder how steamy they are… the jordan and ben mystery has to be the longest drawn out story in all of days history.
too cute for words… T and Abs… not nuBen… he’s not man enough ?
pressing for DOOL
Max
9 years ago
Eileen deserves to win the Emmy. There is no character on the soaps like Kristin Dimera. So twisted and so vulnerable at the same time. Most are just twisted or just evil but Kristin has so many levels and such dept. Great job Eileen!
Izabel
9 years ago
Yes! Love ashley’. Finally y&r makes a good decision. If I had it my way I would allow other fave actors from y&r return or pop up periodically to the show and juggle 2 roles at once.. It can be done apparently? *phyllis? *b miller? *Chloe?
Anyway, hope for the best of her return.
Also, where is kyle?? And what did they do with tracy?? LOL
Nick D.
9 years ago
This is the contract that Eileen has been wanting.
She doesn’t want to do Days full time for whatever reason – even though she clearly loves the role of Kristen. I think she used the fact that Days needs her so badly (even in a very limited capacity) as leverage to score the contract for Y&R (also a Sony soap), where she prefers to work as her main gig.
Although Eileen says that the contract “allows” her to shoot some eps. of Days here and there, I think it is far more likely that the contract requires her to shoot a certain # of Days episodes over the 2 years span.
This is the best outcome for Eileen (who clearly prefers Y&R) and Sony (who I’m sure loves her on Y&R but NEEDS her very badly to prop up Days). It is great to be so in-demand and there is no actress who deserves the popularity more than Eileen does – whatever that star quality is, she has it in spades. If Eileen doesn’t win the Daytime Emmy this year then there is truly something wrong with the process. Luckily, she is well liked by the people at Y&R and B&B as well as Days, so I’d say that she has a great shot at getting the votes necessary to win.
‘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.
