Days Of Our Lives
Alison Sweeney on how DAYS is fighting to stay alive in dwindling soap genre!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
The star of Days of our Lives and The Biggest Loser, Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady) spoke to Zap2it.com on her recent tour to promote the Hill Science Diet for Pets called Million Pound Pledge. When asked about the recent cancellations of All My Children and One Life to Live, Sweeney commented, “It hits close to home. It’s really sad. I know, like many soap opera actors do, when you meet fans, that soaps have been a part of their family for generations. They’ve watched it with their mom or their grandma and it’s close to their heart… It’s hard to say goodbye.”
However, the very wise Sweeney, also knows that soaps and daytime are stuck in an economics game with the networks, and that it is tough to keep a long-running soap still viable and on the air. Sweeney elaborated about how DAYS is trying to make it work during these difficult times. “They have to find a way to make money. And at Days of our Lives, we’re working really hard to fight to be a financially good decision for those people who make those decisions and hopefully we tell good enough stories that the fans want to keep watching. At DAYS it’s clearly a different place to work than it was 18 years ago when I first started.We don’t have a lot of rehearsal time and we have to keep going. And the writers have to work harder and be able to write very simple scenes that are easier to shoot, inexpensive, without any fancy special effects, but still tell really compelling stories. Ultimately, most of the responsibility falls on the writers to tell really good stories and the actors to have to turn it around and bring it to life with a lot of constraints.”
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Favorites Making Returns: Alison Sweeney, Christie Clark, Chandler Massey and Bryan Dattilo
Great news for Days of Our Lives fans, now that Ryan Quan is co-head writer of the long-running soap opera. Coming in June of 2027 (since DAYS tapes ten or so months ahead), you can look forward to the returns of Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady), Christie Clark (Carrie Brady), Chandler Massey (Will Horton) and Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton).
The foursome is back on set and began last week to tape their upcoming story arc, according to TV Insider. As to what exactly is going on that brings sister Sami and Carrie’s history back up, as well as Will and Lucas’ is only being teased at this time, but suffice to say, it should be intriguing.
Alison Sweeney explained on being back on set, “It was a lot of dialogue and emotion, but with all the best actors to work opposite, we fell into it as if no time had passed. It was really wonderful.”
Photo: JPI
As to working with the longstanding rivalry of Sami and Carrie, Alison added on working with Clark, “So, it really does feel like we’re sisters. It’s so fun, and she’s such a good actor that she makes everything so natural that you can really disappear into those stories.”
JUST LIKE OLD TIMES
It also seems like the deep-history, which often had the sister fighting for the love of Austin Reed, but that might not figure into the equation this time, or will it?
Alison indicated what she thought of the scripts she was given. “I felt like when I read it, it was a page-turner. I was very excited. There’s a lot of history here, and a lot of things that haven’t been said. So, it’s really not like, ‘Oh, rehashing stuff.’ And now having played some of the scenes, I’m psyched.” Sweeney added, as for the men, working again with her on-screen son, Chandler Massey and Will’s on-screen father Bryan Dattilo, was also extra special.
The last time DAYS viewers saw Sami on the canvas was back in November of 2025, when she revealed she has gotten engaged to never-before-seen Dante Vitali. As for Clark, she last visited Salem for the episodes surrounding John Black’s memorial in June of 2025.
Chandler Massey’s Will Horton last made a visit to Salem in November of 2025 when he attended the gala for the Tom Horton Free Clinic as part of the soap opera’s 60th anniversary celebration. Bryan Dattilo was last seen in December of 2025. So, by the time we see all four again it will be close to two years since they were on new episodes of the series. Time to look forward to June of 2027.
So, excited by the news of Alison, Christie, Chandler and Lucas making a return to Days of Our Lives? What do you think the story will be involving, Sami, Carrie, Lucas and Will? Let us know via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Alum Al Calderon Talks On His Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes as Javi Hernandez (Exclusive)
Last Tuesday, Al Calderon scored the first Emmy nomination of his career for his role as Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives.
Calderon name was announced as one of the performers competing for gold in the Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series category at the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on October 30.
This week, Calderon chatted live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel for a one-on-one conversation where he discussed: his nominated scenes and time on the Peacock streaming soap opera, his decision to leave DAYS, his role of Nico Silva on Brilliant Minds and its sad cancellation, plus his passing the torch of Javi to Jacob Martinez, who took over the role on-screen on the June 30, 2026 episode of Days of Our Lives.
Photo: JPI
JAVI REVEALS TO LEO THAT HE HAD A DAUGHTER WHO DIED
Al revealed the scenes that comprise his now Emmy-nominated reel have at its epicenter the heartbreaking moments from the September 12, 2025 episode. In it, Javi shares for the first time to Leo (Greg Rikaart) that he had a daughter named Solana, with a woman he was seeing named Sylvia. One fateful day, Sylvia left their child in a car when she went to work and the little girl died. Javi had blamed himself for not being the parent to take his daughter to school that day since he was hungover the night before, therefore it opened up the opportunity for something to happen to the his child, and it did.
The multi-talented actor/singer explained his reel: “It was the scene where he is talking about his daughter to Leo. I also included the scene where Javi goes to talk to Melinda (Tina Huang) and to see if it would be a viable option to adopt, because I wanted to introduce the subtlety and nuance of why Javi kind of has this whole connection to Tesoro, in a way.”
It is true that Al can bring the tears and make us cry right along with him during his run as Javi. To that, Calderon added, “I’ve read the comments that I’m a little bit of a crybaby, so I didn’t want the entire reel to be of me crying, but I wanted it to show a little bit of an emotional range of the restraint that Javi was feeling so I included that scene
In addition Calderon shared, “I also included a really beautiful scene with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez, DAYS) where I’m looking at photos of Tesoro, and of course, Javi is crying. I just wanted to show the relationship between Javi and his family as well, and as I mentioned the reveal of the child that he lost.”
Photo: JPI
ALUMS AL CALDERON AND ALICE HALSEY REPRESENT DAYS OF OUR LIVES IN EMERGING TALENT CATEGORY
In a twist of fate, Calderon is also nominated in the Emerging Talent category with Alice Halsey who played Rachel Black. Halsey is currently starring in the reboot of Little House on the Prairie in the lead role of Laura Ingalls on Netflix.
As to his hope on Emmy night, Al expressed, “Of course, I want to win, but Alice Halsey is going to give me a run for the money. And if’s not me (who wins the award), it better be her!”
You can check out the full interview with Al below.
Now let us know, do you remember Al’s emotional scenes when he explained to Leo he had a daughter who died, which made it all the more heartbreaking to not end up with permanent custody of Tesoro? What do you think of Al’s chances to win the gold based on his Emmy scene selection? Do you miss him as Javi? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Emily O’Brien Talks On Her Y&R Past as Jana Hawkes and Working with Peter Porte on ‘Days of Our Lives’
On the latest edition of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart which dropped on Tuesday, July 21, Emily O’Brien is the featured guest. As soap fans know, Emily has worked with Rikaart both in her first soap role on The Young and the Restless as Jana Hawkes and now on Days of Our Lives in her current role of Gwen Rizczech.
While Emily continues on DAYS, she has very impressive list of credits in the other part of her career as a voice-over actress and one in motion-capture in some of the most popular video games in the world.
O’Brien was first seen on The Young and the Restless back in 2006. She recalled her landing the role which eventually paired her for her five year run with Greg Rikaart.
Photo: JPI
BEING CAST ON THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
“The role was just a few days and she wasn’t even supposed to be English,” Emily recalled. “The role was originally called Jade. Karen Rae, the casting director of The Young and the Restless at the time said to me “Oh, you’re from England. Try it with the dialect.” I put it on and she said, ‘I’m going to bring you back at like 3 for s callback.’ So then they changed the role to Jana and they said she’s going to be a Brit. I was only supposed to be on for like five episodes and it turned into 5 years.”
In explaining why she loved crazy Jana, Emily shared, “Jana was sort of like the misanthrope. She was just was the odd one out and I loved it. I felt so comfortable playing that because she was just eclectic and weird and she loved playing with Ouija boards and she rode a motorbike. There was just so much color to bring to her. It was just such a great match to play with Greg (Kevin), and Christian LeBlanc (Michael) and Tracey Bregman (Lauren).
Photo: JPI
GWEN, DIMITRI AND LEO ON DAYS OF OUR LIVES
On Days of Our Lives, the Leo, Gwen, Dimitri dynamic is quite unique and been through many schemes and entanglements. Often Emily finds herself in repartee with her ex-lover, Dimitri, who turned out to be gay and then had a thing for her bestie, Leo (Greg Rikaart)!
During the conversation, Greg and Emily sang, Peter Porte’s praised with O’Brien expressing, “Peter is just ready to play. He comes on set prepared. I’ve never seen him with his script. From blocking and rehearsals, he doesn’t have it. He’s prepared. He’s a physical actor and he always trying to come up with something. I think he let me slap him. He let me kiss him. He let me throw a cheeseburger in his lap. He’s ready for anything for anything.”
You can catch the full episode of ‘Soapy; featuring Emily O’Brien below where the actress also talks about replacing Jen Lilley as Theresa Donovan after being let go as Gwen; and being paired again with Greg Rikaart on the Peacock streaming soap opera this time as best friends and more.
So, were you a big Jana Hawkes and Kevin Fisher fan on Y&R? Did you like them as a couple? Do you like the dynamic between Emily and Peter Porte and Greg Rikaart on DAYS? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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I can say one thing that can help Days. Get rid of Higley.
Wow, this explains alot why Dool is coming last for the 7th week in a row!! The problem is that the stories are not bringing in the viewership because they have no flow, they are all plot storied based instead of writing for the characters. They have all the wrong pairings, that simply do not bring compelling dynamics on our screens enough to draw in high viewership. The current storylines are beyond terrible, the dual Rafe storyline has proven to be a total waste of money, airtime and the ratings are proof that viewers are not tunning in to watch this and it is basically taking over about 50% of the show’s airtime. Along with that we have one of dool’s most favourite character the compelling Ej DiMera acting like a total love fool with no brains and the way they have simply erased all that we have endured through his journey as Ej in Salem “saying he has never been heart broken” is a slap in the face to all his fans who have cried over his numerous heartaches for 4 years. This kind of lack of integrity and history in the show frustrates fans and viewers to a point where they simply just stop watching as they do not recognize their favourite characters anymore. All the stories are all flops for Feb sweeps and now May sweeps is not looking good so far. I will admit that I am an Ejami fan, and believe that if this show is truly trying to make money in very rough economic climat for soaps in general then why are they wasting money on new castings?? Frankly there is nothing wrong with most of their actors, that is the only good thing left going for this show is the talented cast. However, the problem is that they are not being written to allow them to deliver in a way that makes them shine at their best. Like Ali and James they have a very natural and electrical chemistry that has not been forced or contrived, thus allowing this show to capitalize on their chemistry as the powerful grey couple Ejami, because for the last 5 years this couple have never been given a real chance and they have never been written for as a proper couple. However, Ejami sells itself. It doesn’t need pimping and primping in magazines, and forcing synthetic props to make us believe they should be a couple like “Safe”. Ejami can have the most simplest and natural scenes full of simple dialogue no special effects etc and Jamison bring it to every scene they are on together. They make “tomatos and tamatos” the hottest and funniest conversation!! Ali is right, but so far they are not making the right decisions in fact they are going against what the viewers want over and over. How about they start listening to their viewers for once, and allow us to sell their show for them.
IMO Days has been dead sence 2006,maybe if they would bring Bryan Dattilo/Lucas Horton and the charecter John Black back,things would be good again???
It’d be nice if Days didn’t keep alienating it’s fans. Like the Lucas and Sami fans for instance. Breaking up a super couple like Lucas and Sami and then Jack and Jenn didn’t help. This soap is dying because of the many new faces that none of us have grown up with. We feel like why is there even a need to care? Characters like Melanie and Dario for instance? I’m supposed to care about them why?
I’m invested in characters like Lucas Horton<as played by Bryan Dattilo. I was invested in Jack<as played by Matt Ashford. If Days had gone ahead and made Johnny Lucas's, boy would that have made for some big time drama. I like Rafe okay, but he's not and never will be Lucas nor can he ever be John Black. I could also care less about Ej Dimera, whom I can not stand because he destroyed Lucas and Sami when he raped Sami on 12/26.
Sami was my favorite with Lucas. They destroyed her with Ej and Safe is just not my cup of tea. We need John and Marlena, Belle and Shawn and Austin and Carrie back. Possibly turning Will gay just isn't helping. That is not what I watch soaps for. Please stop killing the show and the soap boards as well. Also reuniting Brady and Chloe would be nice. Taking Parker from Chloe, not cool. Sending Philip off with Parker, even less cool.
This show is not even recognizable any more. Please do something about it, like maybe hire better writers and another producer. These are just my humble thoughts, I am entitled to them.
I agree with you. I love Ali Sweeney but the writers at DAYS have not told a good story for over 3 years now. My favourte is EJAMI and I will not tune in to watch the paint-drying, boring old SAFE. The dual RAFE story was so awful that DAYS fired one of their writers for it.
Im surprised DAYS is still on the air with their writing- they will be gone soon. I dont see them lasting particularly if they keep bringing in characters that are not part of theri history. Galen Gering came and has been bagging most of the airtime, no disrespect to him but his character is awful. If the GA wanted SAFE- why are their ratings down the drain. EJOLE was just a waste of time and now they expect us to believe that EJ stopped loving Sami and fell in love with Taylor at first sight.
I love Bryan Dattilo and he was let go- his chemistry with EJ was much better than Rafe and EJ. He was funny and I would love to see him back on the show.
If DAYS brought back Matt Ashford, Deidre, Drake and Thaao- their ratings would be better.
May Sweeps look terrible and how about giving EJAMI a chance. They have gold with EJAMI but as always GG is pets with Gary Tomlin, who has had a hand in ruining this show.
Avelina – I think they whole entire Hernandez family need to take a hike right out of Salem. None of them actually do anything for this show but drag it down, take over too much airtime, Sami has been totally ruined, and Rafe1/2 is a total flop just like Safe is the most uninspiring, old fashioned boring couple..it’s like watching paint dry, or the kettle boiling it really is that “snooze worthy”. Bring back Tanna, Jarlena and Nathan Mate was just the cutest couple..Reminded me of Rachel and Finn from Glee.
Agree with you. Yeah, look what they did to Ej’s character MY GOD . Why did they started the whole beautiful story about “vendeta between the brady’s and dimera’s or Santo and Colleen if Ej & Sami were not going to be together. It’s all about Galen Gering now . They are trying so hard to make Sami & Rafe super couple. Sorry!!!! Why don’t give Rafe s/l without Sami or Ej in it coz he ruined Sami’s character for me. Ej & Nicole great together too love them.
I think another point too is that the stories should be original, and not recycled stories. I truly believe that soaps in general are doing so bad in this day and age because they have not modernized their stories enough to match with what viewers enjoy nowadays. I hope that they do write a compelling and fresh gay story, if it is with Will and Chad then I give it my full support. Because, it would allow this show to venture into something completely different and Chill already have amazing chemistry. It would bring a new dimension to this show that I believe would bring it out of the dark ages and into the modern society we all live in today, where different sexual relationships are part of the norm. Look at Glee’s Kurt, he has brought in so much viewership because of such a compelling and sensitive issue that alot of people go through and can relate to. This is what Dool needs to start doing writing stories that their audience can relate and connect to. Unfortunately all the stories now on the show are so unrealstic, replayed over and over, and they are unbelievable, grotesque, unemotional, hypocritcal, no integrity. Another really popular trend is “Grey”, like in True blood’s Eric Northman, Dexter, Edward from twilight etc. These are all characters that are not necessarily pure good nor are they pure evil. However viewers love them because they bring more complexities to their over all dynamics and I believe that State, Ejami and Magic are good examples of Grey couples that this show really needs to start writing proper stories for them all so that it will bring wonderful compelling dyanmics, original stories that do not need to cost this show money as they have already the chemistry, history, and family which just makes them all “good soap material with a wonderful modern twist”.
Hey Sweetsherry- I agree completely with your previous comment. Its all about Galen Gering now and its destroyed the show completely. Him and Sami are so boring, I actually feel like gagging at times. The way Ken Corday is trying to shove them down our throat is sickening.
I dont see the point of bringing Dario to the show- just a complete waste of time when we could have our vets like Jack, John, Marlena back.
Ive given up on this show and now Y&R is my favourite. If EJAMI are not given a chance, DAYS has lost my viewership!
sami and Lucas was and still is my old time favorite, I want them back and their kids need them,
and please dont make Will gay,,,,
and no this show is not even recognizable,Maggie would never act this way,
LUMILY forever Joanne
I have lost most of my interest in Days since they teased the Ejami fan base with Ejami. They are the hottest, most dynamic couple on Days or any daytime soap. They have an explosive chemistry together and the sparks fly whenever they are in the same room together. It just seems it comes so naturally and their eys lock together and speak in volumes. TPTB are not the most brightest of writers for not capitalizing on what Ejami have. I believe that is the reason there aren’t too many scenes between AS & JS…their chemistry is there and TIIC are so wrapped up in trying to make safe work that they are willing to destroy their show. Give Ejami a chance. With the ratings as they are since Sami and Ej aren’t together…dump the bore and give Ejami they chance they should have had five years ago. Ejamis are tired of the crumbs…we want the whole loaf or nothing!
AMEN!!!!
Lucas and Sami 🙂
Jenn and Jack
John and Marlena
Tony and Anna
Bo and Hope
EJ and Nicole LOVE THEM together
their chemistry comes so naturally,so put them back together and the rattings will come up up up,,,,,
Bryan Dattilo/Lucas Horton and Sami forever and always
Michael : I love that you are making a comparison with British soaps and here in the states. I managed to find this clip and it truly is a good example why Corrie is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary!!
Ok, Well reading about Michael Fairmans blogg this week about how US soaps are dropping like flies and the brits soaps are raking it in!! Well, Corronation Street is the “daddy” of Soap Dramas coming up to it’s 50th Anniversary only 5 years older than DOOL!! However, Corrie is as POPULAR when it first aired half a centry ago as it is today!! Here is a clip of why Corrie is doing so well!! Maybe this show could get a few tips from the Daddy of Soaps..and start a new soap revelation in the US!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e54gzq5Xr0Y
This had me laughing till I cried, the dialogue was the best, Blanche is the oldest lady who unfortunatley passed away last year, well she certainly had “Spunk!!” Barlows represents what family drama is all about!! This clip had no special effects, no over the top primping and pimping, it was simple but full of what a daytime drama should be!! This is an example of how this show can create awesome drama scenes without having to get out the big bucks!!
I can so imagine Ej and Sami going to therapy just like this with Stefano and Kate stirring up shit, and the Will being gay, Kate poisoning Chloe, Sami shooting Ej, Ej stealing Sydney etc!! It would be brilliant if only this show would see what we do!! Ejami, DiMeras are soapy goodness.
I so wish this show could start injecting the much needed humour back into the show, this family reminds me of DiMERAs meaning Ej, Sami, Stefano, Kate, and their kids!! Please don’t forgive up on the potential of EJAMI as the new DiMERAs!! I get all excited just thinking about it!! LOL
I have been watching Days for years and the storylines are still excellent. I love the drama that is before each character and I am glad that some old characters are gone and that they consistantly bring in new characters to spice up the storylines. That is why they are still on. I would love it, if it went on at primetime or would be on soap net so they could get better ratings as alot of viewers work during the day and have to watch it by recording it.