Days Of Our Lives
Alison Sweeney's Wrap-Party At DAYS Brings Back Familiar Faces & Deidre Hall Posts Emotional Message!
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
After over 20 years last week Alison Sweeney wrapped up her run as Samantha Gene Brady! For those who watched the NBC soap opera for those two decades, they have seen Alison grown before their eyes from a teenager to a woman who became the centerpiece more often than not of the series.
Alison will be seen on episodes into the fall, since DAYS tapes so far in advance, but when it was time for the on-set farewell party on Friday, she was in for a surprise when none other than Wayne Northrup (Ex-Roman), Christie Clark (Ex-Carrie) and Patrick Muldoon (Ex-Austin) where in attendance to wish her well and congratulate Ali on a job well-done!
The actress/author/host told Soap Opera Digest about the party on Friday: “That gathering and Ken Corday, executive producer. talking and seeing everyone there meant so much to me, in particular that people who came so far, like Wayne, and Christie flying all the way down form Northern California, and Patrick picking her up at the airport.” Sweeney also revealed, as one would expect that knowing this was the end of her run: “My last day was such an emotional day,” It was so difficult and sad, but also really wonderful and special. ”
Deidre Hall, who for years has played Alison’s mother, Marlena on DAYS for decades wrote on her own facebook page on Friday. “Dearest Ali. I don’t know how we will get through today, much less all the Days to follow. For years I have stood arms-length from you, finding our light, watching the greatest show of all. It has been your breathtaking journey to womanhood. I am unspeakably proud. My love and respect for you go beyond words. You are the daughter I never had. I always knew you would walk, I never dreamed you would fly. Clear skies, little one. Deidre”
So, this week Alison Sweeney is no longer taping at DAYS, hard to imagine! What do you think of Wayne, Christie and Patrick showing up for Ali’s swan song? And the words in Deidre’s post to honor Alison? How do you feel knowing that Alison has officially left the building to continue with her other projects and spend more time with her children? Share your thoughts below!
Days Of Our Lives
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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ to Honor James Reynolds’ 40th Anniversary as Abe Carver with Special Episode
As DAYS viewers witnessed on Friday’s episode, Abe has been shot in the park, after Carmine pulls out a gun, and Jake (Brandon Barash) tries to apprehend him. Jake rushes to Abe’s side and calls an ambulance and he is rushed to University Hospital. Once there, Abe eventually flatlines, while Lani (Sal Stowers), Paulina (Jackee Harry) and Eli (Lamon Archey) are besides themselves with worry.
This sets the stage for Monday’s episode where Abe will go into the light, as Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) works to save his light and while he hovers between life and death, DAYS fans are treated to the special 40th anniversary episode of James Reynolds as Salem’s Abe Carver. The Daytime Emmy-winning actor, (he won Lead Actor in 2018) began his Salem journey when he first aired back on October 29th, 1981.
Photo: JPI
While Abe revisits the past, he will meet up with his late wife and love of his life, Lexie, only according to Soap Opera Digest, Renee Jones was not available to be a part of the milestone episode. So, in a pivot another actress was brought in.
Reynolds told SOD on the Lexie appearance, “The young actress they brought in to be part of this was just wonderful“n giving the essence of (their) relationship and communicated beautifully, just beautifully, in her face and her eyes, as Renee did quite so often.” He added, “I was kind of transported, actually.”
Photo: JPI
In addition, James continues to be the the longest-running black actor in the same role in television history.
Check out the latest NBC promo featuring Abe’s life hanging in the balance below.
Now let us know, are you glad that DAYS is honoring James with this special 40th anniversary episode? What has been your favorite James Reynolds performance as Abe through the years? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Head Scribe, Ron Carlivati, Shares On Marlena’s Possession 2.0: “We Decided John Needs To Get On To This Sooner Than He Did In The Original, Because That’s What The Audience Would Expect”
As viewers of NBC’s Days of our Lives are watching the revisiting of the classic possession storyline revisited with its 2021 version 2.0, the stage is being set for plenty of devilish drama, now that good doc, Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) is once again in the grips of evil.
We have already seen her with yellow eyes, conjuring up some demonic plans, and of course, the devil trying to pull the wool over the eyes of Marlena’s husband, John Black (Drake Hogestyn).
Photo: NBC
Back in the 1994/95 version of this storyline, Father John emerged and exorcised the demon from Marlena, so he knows a thing or two about being possessed, and the horrors it caused to Marlena, and the town of Salem 25 years ago, and as we have seen John is very, very concerned about all this talk of Marlena being possessed by the devil from the script that Johnny (Carson Boatman) is set to make into a film on Sami’s life story.
Current Days of our Lives head writer, Ron Carlivati, spoke with Soap Opera Digest in their latest issue on newsstands now, about his plans and the creation of the 2021 possession storyline. Ron revealed that John is not going to be in the dark for long, sharing: “John has been through this, so the devil isn’t going to be able to pull the wool over his eyes the way he did the first time.”
Carlivati also added: “Even though all soap opera stories, I would argue, depend on some characters being a little bit dumb, in this case, we decided John needs to get on to this sooner than he did in the original because that’s what they audience would expect. Look for the story to move along at a pretty good clip. We are not rushing, anything by any means – we are having so much fun with the story, but it was important to us that John not look stupid here so he starts to suspect something is wrong with her pretty soon.”
So, are you glad that John will not be completely dumped? Will Father John return to save the day? Are you enjoying the story thus far? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Then, check out our recent interview with Ron all about the creation of DAYS limited-series, Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem still streaming on Peacock.
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I’m glad that the show threw Allison a fareweel party and that some of her former cast mates came to say goodbye to her.As for Allison leaving the show i can understand that after 20 years she needs a break to do other stuff and spend more time with her family.However it wouldn’t surprise if she returns one day even if it is just for short visits from time to time.So she could come back for holiday episodes or for the show’s 50th anniversary next year.So finally i wish her all the best in whatever she does next.
That was so nice that former castmates showed up. Deidre’s message is wonderful. It all just shows how highly people think of her.
I remember when Ali/Sami first showed up in Salem. I have enjoyed watching her all the Days of my Life. I’ll miss her, but the show will go on!
Deidre Hall is always such a class act. I absolutely adore her; I love when she is on-air and am so happy to see Marlena give John the boot! She’s incredibly beautiful and classy. Best of luch to Ali.
“the divorce is preceding” “there was no reason for you to come back” ———— woah, hold the horses one dang minute let me get my bearings this is coming from Marlena at John as she walks out scene end ??? WOW…. DAYS writing stirs up continually within that cast everything gells I just couldn’t be happier ————— I admire Deidre Hall immensely she sees the big picture and helps her lot…. she’s magnanimous in her being their… her part in the DAYS production is rock…. “like the daugher I never had” even I don’t know what will become of John… Read more »
DOOL has really shown a vast amount of improvement since the ’90’s. The writers are back to writing about the core families and the legacy characters. The storylines have balance. The cast is a good size. I love how the show is now being recognized at the Daytime Emmys. I also watch General Hospital, which has seen a decline with too many characters and storylines not getting enough plug. The show is all over the place. Back to DOOL, I would love to see the actress who plays Kate Roberts be nominated for an Emmy, as well as, Deidre Hall.… Read more »
Sami will be back one day…i guess Chandler Massey wasnt there!!!
I haven’t watched the show in over a year but as a big fan of Days for many, many years and watching Alison Sweeney since day one on the show, I think it’s a great send-off for her. How awesome that Wayne, Christie & Patrick all made a special visit too!
Nice message from Deidre as well.
AS can always come back. I wish WN would come back as Roman.
Wayne will always be Roman to me!!
agreed. Drake is John Black. Josh Taylor is CHRIS KOSTICHEK! Can’t believe he has “played” Roman this long. ridiculous.
Agreed. It was really a shame to see Josh as Roman Brady. Although not as bad as when DOOL fired Natasha Livingston as Taylor and replaced her with Tamara Braun. Loved her as Carly Corinthos, but her chemistry with James Scott was downright terrible.
I can remember her first episodes. Loved that naughty little character. Love Samir now and can’t imagine DOOL without her. All the best to Allison Sweeney. You’ll be missed.
I haven’t watched this show in years but boy was AS a find I can remember ML from TV Guide writing an article on her and how great she was he was right. To my knowledge she has never had a emmy nomination this is why I think the emmys are a big joke! I saw a picture of Wayne Northup on the set to visit her he looked wonderful. I am sure she will be missed. Best wishes AS!
I will miss Alison so much, she is a wonderful actress. Days should fire Josh Taylor and bring. back Wayne Northrop.
totally!!!!
good luck to her. I don’t watch days anymore but I did .Nice of her *family*,to show up. Wish her the best.
I knew Allison was leaving DAYS but I thought she was taping through December. It won’t be the same but I hope they don’t ever recast and leave it open for both her and James to return anytime.
Allison said she would be willing to come back to the show for weddings,funerals and big events like the 50th anniversary next year.However if the show decided to recast Sami Allison said it would break her heart but would understand that the show would have to do what’s best for them.Plus she said if the show did recast Sami she would wish the new actress luck.However i think before the show recasted Sami they would make every attempt to get Allison back first.
Thank you for the update. If TBL becomes canceled at some point, I am sure Days would welcome her back with open arms if Allison wanted to return.
I will miss Allison as Sammie I do not know how the show will ever be the same. She was such an important part of the show. I really was hoping she would change her mind and stay but I do wish her good luck in what ever she does.I know she wants to spend time with her family and also wants to do other things. I hope to see her back on dool some time in the future
The show never is and never has been the same. It is forever evolving, as it should. It can be just as good or better than ever with her exit. Many things come into play. Not being the same does not automatically mean it will be worse. The show will go on. I’ll be watching until the end of time.
Ive seen many comings and goings(the worse in 1980 during the shows mass firings) since the 1960s(with a few breaks over the years but i came back,) and ill probably continue to watch until the hour glass stops!!!
She will bes sorely miss but I am sure she will come back one way or the other..Good luck to her..I been watching for close to 3 years, and I always get giddy when she comes on screen..A soilid actress who delivers..Those who do not watch DAYS are missing out on a damn good soap..The best in the business for the last couple of years and I watch 3 of the 4..Started boycotting B&B for the last few weeks.
Days Deidre and Ali are just so classy! There is no better show than Days!!!!!
I can’t think of anyone who deserves a great sendoff party more than her. Like the character or hate her, I don’t think anyone could ever say that AS doesn’t put her ALL into each and every scene.
I’m really going to miss her and I’m only a newish viewer. I can’t imagine how long time fans must feel.
Thank you Allison for so many wonderful scenes. My Family and I have watched you from the beginning. You will be missed at our house.
could Christie and Patrick or Austin peck stay!!!!!!!!!! love carrie and Austin!!!
after a 10 year hiatus from Days, I returned for Christie, Patrick and Matthew only for them to be dumped …. continued to watch due to Dee, Drake, Ali, Eileen, Chandler, Kristian & Peter but gave up anyway …. just couldn’t stay interested in the Daniel, Jennifer, her icky son, Abigail, Chloe and Hope’s backburner status.
AS is the whole package– beauty, brains and talent. She is one of those soap actresses who has earned the right for her character to be retired if she is truly finished with Days. I suspect she will pop in now and then, can’t imagine they would kill off Sami. My favorite Sami moments were in her early days, kidnapping her baby sister, the love triangle between her, Carrie and Austin. Loved her with Lucas in those early days too– partners in crime those two were. But I think I respect her loyalty to the soap and to the character.… Read more »
I am going to miss AS so much. She is extremely beautiful and she is my favorite soap actress. Thank you! AS and Good Luck! DH’s tribute to AS was absolutely wonderful.
She is favorite actress and character, I will miss her character like crazy. Im glad they threw her farewell party. Alison is truly a great talent!
Hard to believe that both Ali and James are gone. They have been front and center for so long. With that said, I thank them for the entertainment, and wish them the best. Well, Days the ball is in your court to fill the void, and keep the drama going to draw us in. Look forward to see what you will do.
So completely devastated. In tears. Heart felt words from Deidre. So sad to see her go. EJAMI better have a happy ending!!!
We love you Ali. Good luck and God bless you in future endeavors. I am PRAYING that Wayne Northrop came to the farewell not only to say goodbye to Ali but to maybe talk to the powers-that-be to reprise his role as THE REAL ROMAN BRADY. I am not being cruel here at all, but Josh Taylor is NOT Roman and NEVER has been in my opinion. We need Wayne back to show the true acting ability and stage presence that he personified as Roman Augustus Brady all those years ago. If they want to keep Josh Taylor, that’s fine.… Read more »
I will miss Alison i’m sad to see her go she reminds me of a poem she walks in beauty for so many years and throughout her years so beautiful with a lot of bite as sami think you for sami
I ment to say at the end thank you for sami
I’ll miss seeing her because that “girl” can really act !!!! I have watched her from day one, she acts her ass off …..
I am sorry to see her go even though the character she plays is one gigantic pain in the neck (of course, that’s the way she’s written I know) – with the characters of EJ and Sami going bye-bye I wonder how the writers will work around their absense.
They are the focal point of the show it seems to me (I am a relatively new viewer)
so it should be
interesting to watch.
I’d love to see photos from the party. Anyone know where we can see some pics?
Go to Deidre Hall’s facebook fan page and you will see many photos of Alison’s last day.
Ms. Sweeney, Thank you for the wonderful yrs that you’ve shared with us, your fans, you. Ive watch you on the show since you came on, and I must say, you have grown into a beautiful young lady. Good luck in the next chapter of your life, whatever that will be, you will be awesome in it. Sami, don’t stay away from Salem to long like your Uncle Bo, or Aunt Kim………………. There have been many awesome storylines that defined you, but the one that sticks out is when Sami saw mom n John on the table at da party…… Read more »