It was a time to celebrate, chat with press, and meet the fans, for the cast of the longest running scripted television show in NBC’s history. I can only be talking about Days of our Lives, which celebrated this week its 45th anniversary! And to kick of the festivities, NBC’s third annual fan event, A Day of DAYS was held again at City Walk at Universal Studios, in Universal City, California on November 6, 2010. For the second year in a row, the Samba Restaurant was place to be seen and hang out, as the On -Air On-Soaps crew chatted with all of the current cast that were in attendance in video interviews, and we came up with some fun web gems that we think you will get a kick out of for a long time to come.
To view the Video Gallery to the right on this page and watch 16 interviews with the DAYS cast, remember hit the NEXT GROUP button to the right of the + symbol on the thumbnail gallery and it will shuttle you to the next set of videos.
On-Air On-Soaps was once again in our same designated spot in the mezzanine over looking the entire press gathering, and we had a birds-eye view of the hustle and bustle of the day. The actors time was efficiently allotted in order for them to chat and do press with various media outlets from across the country, as well as their time being accounted for in autograph sessions held outside on City Walk. There are certainly no soap opera fans like DAYS fans. They are passionate, loyal, fierce, and speak their minds! So for these Salem loyalist’s who traveled from across the country, or just from the Southern California area, getting the opportunity to meet, get a picture and an autograph from the likes of an EJ, Sami, Bo, or Carly was enough to stir up a frenzy as witnessed by even casual A DAY of DAYS observers. As in year’s past, the actors were paired off in a rotation. So, half the stars took part in meeting the fans in the morning rotation, half rotated through the press, and then they switched off for the afternoon session. James Scott and Renee Jones, Peter Reckell and Crystal Chappell, Molly Burnett and Shawn Christian, Joe Mascolo and Lauren Koslow, Josh Taylor and James Reynolds, Camilla Banus and Casey Deidrick, Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes, Melissa Reeves and Ty Treadway, Eric Martsolf and Arianne Zuker, and Chandler Massey and Galen Gering, where the duos we dished with. Single chitchats were held with Alison Sweeney, Peggy McKay, Nadia Bjorlin, and Jay Johnson. And one trio that needs no introduction also made the rounds: Suzanne Rogers, Louise Sorel and John Aniston.
As many On-Air On-Soaps site followers know, we presented DAYS 45 Gold Medals to winners in 12 categories as picked by you, the fans, in a ten day voting feature on our website. DAYS 45 Gold Medal Winners: Crystal Chappell, Peter Reckell, Shawn Christian, James Scott, Chandler Massey, Arianne Zuker and John Aniston, were truly humbled, tickled pink, and shocked, when during our video interviews we handed out to them personally their winning medals. From acceptance speeches to genuine heartfelt thanks to the fans, it proved there is nothing like the actors who inhabit the characters you love to love and love to hate everyday. We won’t spoil these little gems for you, you will just have to view the Video Interview Gallery to the right to see the medal presentations!
As we completed our final interview of the day in a scurry and quickly with Galen Gering and Chandler Massey, it was time for the stellar… and might we add, the sexiest and perhaps the most stunning cast in daytime, to line-up and get ready for the grand finale of the afternoon… the red carpet walk to the City Walk stage. It was there that was to be the final destination for the cast, and the annual Q&A in front of the legions of excited fans. One fan asked to get a hug from the hot guys in the cast, or as many cast members as she could! Another fan wanted Crystal Chappell and Peter Reckell to kiss. Those were just a few of the intense and hilarious moments of the afternoon session. And, since it was DAYS 45th, it was legendary soap couple, Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes who were given the honors to lead the crowd with some help from the Salem kid set including, Terrell Ransom Jr. and Lauren Boles in a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Days of our Lives. Next, it was Susan’s turn to cut the first piece of anniversary cake and ring in the 45th season of DAYS. The afternoon concluded with a spine-tingling NBC November extended DAYS promo teaser of what is to come in upcoming episodes of the series, which had the audience in attendance; squealing and applauding, with the shocking jaw-droppers of what is to come.
As we called it a fait accompli as the day came to it’s conclusion, we reflected on the tremendous accomplishments from the DAYS cast, crew, and production, who were able to stave off cancellation just a few years ago, by taking drastic measures with budgets, story, cast casualties and production changes to ensure that DAYS soldiered on. On-Air On-Soaps prepared a very special photo gallery to the right of this page of the sights and memorable moments of the third annual A Day of DAYS. Letting the 31 images tell the story of the day, make sure to click on the NEXT GROUP icon located to the right of the + symbol on the photo gallery slideshow thumbnail groupings. That way you won’t miss an image! Or, you can watch the slideshow on automatic. All in all, it was a time to reflect, look forward, and most of all celebrate the unwavering popularity of the cast and the characters that inhabit Salem, with the people most responsible for its success… you, the devoted DAYS fans. Happy 45th Days of our Lives!