Wednesday Daytime Confidential reported that they are hearing from multiple sources that Dena Higley has taken a leave of absence from Days of our Lives citing personal reasons.
Higley along with Josh Griffith were named the co-head writing team that would restore DAYS to prominence during its critical upcoming 50th year anniversary season.
Their stories are said to kick-off on air next week on August 19th.
Apparently, there is no date set for an imminent return of Higley, and that Sony may shift a scribe from The Young and the Restless to assist Griffith with writing the Salem canvas.
What do you think of the news that reportedly Higley had left the building for the time being? Share your thoughts below!
I think all head writers are living on the constant edge of being let go..
It is a good thing to get a ”leave of absence” it is much better than being let go..
It gives a good writer time to get a second breath and new perspectives..
writing a soap is quite stressful, it is highly demanding..
All writers after a demanding run should get 2-3 months off every 2 years..
when they return they will be ready to go!
I agree Patrick but after some googling and conscious thought I think DH decided that to take away the autistic characteristic of Theo after aging him just didn’t sit well with the fact that she has an autistic child and understands the ups and downs from chilhood to adult. Theo is now written as a highly functioning autistic teen which more or less means that need never be mentioned again and it had to heartbreaking for her..on that note I am sad of that development and on another i’m sort of ok with her leave..Days has a mountain to climb..and writers who can only write for hill climbers don’t need to be there..get what i mean. I know you of all people do.
especially when their are only 4 left… and all the drama “behind the scenes” is happening on “my” (our) shows… General Hospital and Days of OUR Lives
ie: General Hospital
Michael Easton: geez louise! this actor did not deserve this… but It clearly came to mind that he was being let go to make way for Rebecca Buddig’ Hayden. who gets a 4 year contract?
here’s my feel down time… for all the glorious actors who have graced our screens… damned TPTB… I”m allowed to feel this!
Ron Carliovati: changing of the guard… new head writers ! oye! fan outcries… as I’ve always done in the past…. focus on the quality of actors who share screen time.. till better scripts come along…. collectively , I still say.. DAYS of OUR Lives has the best cast as a whole.
Michael Easton: I really thought he generated intrigue with Maura West… but, could easily see why Rebecca Buddig snowballed… I have never seen a character REEL so much energies… she makes me MAD… livid.. that she lords over Nikolas and Liz… I hope these two find a way to work with her. what a threesome this could be.
– DAYS of OUR Lives –
1. New Writing Team STARTS “showing” August 20, 2015
1a. Dena Higley takes time off for personal reasons…. I am selfish enough to state that I hope … with all the hoopla going around… with the resurgence of DAYS… that she gets back in good health and the team of Higley and Pratt… carry
2. Freddie Smith. Guy Wilson simply has to go… be killed off or recast … I hope that this couple remains on the canvas… or DAYS production gets a new character for Paul.
anyway… all the summer heat, vacation, baseball… have left, my soaps in shambles… i’ve managed to keep up with GH… but… DAYS is a mess… therein… i’m going to start anew August 20th… !!!!
I totally agree. I was sad to see him go at Y&R because he was never really given the chance to shine, thanks to JFP. Maybe he’ll get that chance on DAYS.
He wrote a full year of mind numbingly boring stories at Y and R. What he wrote had nothing to do with JFP. One of his Friday cliffhangers had Avery baking cupcakes!! Real enthralling drama there!! I hope everything is okay and Dena can return to work soon.
I thought the same thing. Wasn’t Lorraine Broderick head writer for Guiding Light during it’s hey day and also head writer All My Children.
davlestev1
8 years ago
Are you seriously kidding me? She should have never been brought back and i’m sure her way of telling story..along with her ideas for story..got her shown the door again before her material even hits the air..poor DAYS cast and fans…this is going to be a total bust for the 50th and it hasn’t even started yet.
You better preach. Not sure how a TWICE fired writer is gonna bring anything diff to the table. Thats why Ken Corday drives me crazy. The fired EP, a few years later becomes a HW. This is just bananas. I dont get Corday. He tosses people out trashes what they’ve done, then rehires them a few years later. Not sure why people keep going back.
As much as I love Matthew Ashford, I dont want to see him back cause they always end up doing wrong by him, and he clearly has no real support from Corday.
Rose
8 years ago
Best wishes to her, hopefully everything is okay.
Belle
8 years ago
Bring in Ron!
Eileen Hargis
8 years ago
Something is fishy here. Why is Ron C. Rumored to be coming in? Dana out while they try him on for size???
Rumors always fly when things like this happen. I’m not saying there’s nothing to them, but they might be founded on absolutely nothing, too. Carlivati was part of the writing team when Griffith was headwriter at OLTL; that alone is enough to start the rumor mill cranking.
nicholas
8 years ago
Maria Arena Bell would be perfect for Days as head writer , i would have added Kay Alden and Claire Labine too and of course i would keep Josh Griffith. Don’t know why but i feel Days needs to get back to its Bell roots . Don’t forget that the late William J Bell wrote many of Days ‘s stories in the 60’s and 70’s .
isabelle
8 years ago
the story is a mess anyway, they hardly are keeping ratings up, they are bringing old faces to make it up to the fans who are really pissed off with the whole story line nd the marvellous actors let go for no reasons, so good Riddance Days, i dont think the soap will be renewed , its already sinking
Alan
8 years ago
They should just hire Ron Carlivati as head writer.
I do hope Ron will end up somewhere, but his style is wrong for Days.
Actually, I think his best chance for working in soaps again may be that his replacements at GH will crash as badly as my instincts (and their past performance, or at least, Passanante’s past performance) tell me they will, and GH hires him back in a year or two. I think he’s wrong stylistically for Y&R and wrong for Days, and though I’ll bet he could write B&B very successfully, I don’t see Bradley Bell going anywhere.
Gmbenet
8 years ago
I wish Dena well and hope whatever personal issues she is dealing with are resolved quickly so that she can resume her duties on Days.
LUMILY
8 years ago
why do they keep bringing in new actors when they don’t use the ones they have a lot more with awesome stores? we don’t see Lucas John and afew other vets Days has had for years.Now we have to deal with writers coming and going 🙁
blake
8 years ago
I hope Dena is okay but I wouldn’t be upset if she’s no longer the head writer since the show wasn’t great when she was HW before.
Why not make Lorraine Broderick head writer? She was on GL and AMC and did great work on those.
Michael
8 years ago
For the love of God- get Ron C ASAP. Gh was dumber than dirt to lose him- but his style could be just what Sakem needs right now. His style is very similar to James E Reillly- campy but with appreciation for vet actors. I loved Ron on GH and One Life. I’m starting to think that Corday just doesn’t care about his show anymore.
‘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.
Wednesday
