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Days Of Our Lives

Chris Whitesell OUT as DAYS Co-Head Writer!

By Michael Fairman

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News out of Soap Opera Weekly this week has Days of our Lives co-head writer, Christopher Whitesell out at the NBC soap. Whitesell joined  DAYS in fall of 2008 when then newly appointed Co-Executive Producer Gary Tomlin brought him in to assist Head Writer Dena Higley.

Whitesell had previously held this post with stints at One Life to Live, Sunset Beach and General Hospital over the course of his daytime drama writing career.  It was not clarified from Soap Opera Weekly if Whitesell was fired from DAYS, or left of his own choosing, however SOW intimated the following, “As for where Whitesell is headed…? Don’t be surprised if he pops up somewhere else!”

DAYS fans have been an uproar lately over the bad storyline choices from the writing regime of Higley and Whitesell.  So will they bring in a new co-head writer? Or, will Higley fly solo? And, where could Whitesell be going? Ah, the revolving door of the soap scribes!

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I think they should have canned Dena Higley and kept Whitesell. She is terrible and I will keep saying that until she is fired. Her writing is just abysmal! I wouldn’t even want her writing obituaries.

I agree that woman is a hack. I can’t believe she’s lasted this long.

I don’t know who is responsible for what storylines, and don’t get me wrong-I love my Days. I’m so excited that Bo and Hope are back together where they belong and there are other intriguing storylines as well, but my very favorite is the SAFE love story, and the amount of abuse and torture in the Rafe1/Rafe2 storyline is killing me. I don’t mind having Galen on my screen x2 AT ALL 🙂 but these past two weeks have just made me downright sad and after a long work day, that is not what I tune in to see. Galen is doing an awesome job at both roles as well are the other actors in this arc, but the torture is just too much.

I think they fired the wrong person. Not that I’m not happy to see Whitesell gone (it’s a start, at least), but a powershift in Dena’s direction, and the possibility that she might be flying solo from here on in, isn’t something I want either. I can’t help but wonder if Whitesell was thrown under the bus to save Ken Corday a little face. I honestly can’t understand why Dena Higley has been getting away with so much, particularly over the past six months. Reading interviews in which Ken Corday continues to sing Ms. Higley’s praises in the midst of all these abysmal storylines, actors leaving, and constant criticism from viewers is just mind-boggling.

I was encouraged to see evidence that executives responsible for Days of Our Lives are taking action amidst another crisis that has occurred occur over and over. However, Whitesell’s exit will not resolve the growing problem afflicting my beloved show. The real root of the problem is in poor management, governance and planning in the show’s writing leadership and approach. Christopher Whitesell has been a long time creative partner with Co-Executive Producer, Gary Tomlin. So, it is surprising to see that he is the first to go. He is not the Head Writer. I sincerely hope that Whitesell is not used as a sacrificial lamb when more changes are warranted and critically needed.

Days of Our Lives cannot afford to be found re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic this time. The truth is writing team for the show is quite strong with seasoned and well respected writers like the Cuillitons and Michelle Poteet Lisanti, for example. However, the breakdown writers, dialogue writers and editors are not responsible for creating the arcs, storylines and overall story bible. Those units of work are the responsibility of the Head Writer. Today, the writing on the show is as poor as I have ever seen it in 38 years of watching. It is very dark, disjointed and even sophomoric right now. The show used to be celebrated for strong character development and well orchestrated story arcs. Today all of the basic components of good storytelling are missing. Higley’s trademark throughout her career and DOOL tenure has been to provide plot-event driven stories without utilizing deep character development. She has been narrowly pitching high level story ideas and events as detailed, comprehensive plans to Ken Corday and the executive teams. Sadly, the executives have trusted Higley with her approach even to the extent of having Ken Corday publically support and preview these poorly considered stories with the general public through interviews and publicity releases. Corday and the executive team must admit they have put their trust and confidence in the wrong writing leader for too long now. Fans, which have loyally supported the show through good times and bad times, are now angered with the lazy and short-sighted writing approach and resulting waste now appearing on air.

Now is the time for Ken Corday and the executive team to make a hard decision that they have avoided for a very long time. Corday and the executive team have made difficult decisions in the past to ensure the viability of the show for its viewers. I know they can do it again. It is time to have well planned, governed and executed character-driven stories with someone at the helm of the writing that is capable of doing the job. Dena Higley has proven over and over that she is not capable or equipped to perform, as needed.

These should be the best of times for Days of Our Lives. The show is celebrating a rich 45 year history with a signed 2+ year renewal of contract on network. Loyal and loving fans are eager to see the show overflowing with creative well-written stories and robustly defined characters. This is not the era of remote locations, elaborate sets and wardrobe. It is the time to get to work with the riches that the show possesses now, including a talented and hard working cast, a strong show runner and a financial model honed to support the show. It is critical to relieve Dena Higley of her duties or allow her to resign as soon as possible.

As far as I’m concerned Whitesell, Higley and Tomlin should all be axed. Whoever thought putting two Rafes on my screen in a frontburner storyline when one is barely tolerable needs to go, and whoever let that person run with the idea needs to ride shotgun.

Best comment!!!!! Maybe finally we can get my lovely EJAMI instead of this god-awful EJOLE and TWO RAFES.

Yeah, one Rafe is too much of a bad thing, whoever thought of two Rafes need to have their head examined.

hOPEFULLY WE CAN NOW SEE OUR EJAMI TOGETHER – AS NO COUPLE HAS CHEMISTRY AS MUCH AS THESE TWO.

the two Rafe’s is not the problem. The problem is the Rape, Torture, Lies, Manipulation. Ejole have amazing Chemistry together.To bad Ej just can’t grow up and act like a adult instead of a 2 year throwing a fit. Because his son loves Rafe. Its ok for Johnny to love Nicole but not love Rafe. Ej is doing nothing but Raping Sami all over again but this time he isn’t doing it physically he had to put someone else in to do that. He is manipulating Sami again with replacing her husband with Rafe 2. Galen is doing a great job at playing both parts but I hate that they are having him do this abuse storyliine. It sickens me. Dena needs to be let go. I don’t know what writer it is that has something against strong woman. Or that woman always need to be abused but it is sick.
No woman deserves to be mentally or physically abused Like Sami has been for Years. The person that has always been behind that type of abuse is Ej. Thats not love that is just plain sick obession. He even told Rafe that he completes Sami and Ej don’t want Sami to be complete. He wants her where she is vulnerably and easy to manipulate.
We need to see our real SAFE couple back on screen. Not the abuse and being mean to kids and torturing of Rafe
Please Put SAFE back together end this nightmare!!!!

“Please Put SAFE back together end this nightmare!!!!”

No, just end SAFE gagfest once and for all. These 2 are the most yawn-inducing, contrived and mismatched couple that has absolutely ZERO charisma and chemistry that I have ever seen on a soap opera.

As for rape-rape is FORCED sex. As far as I can tell NO ONE is forcing Sami to do anything. In fact, I think she rather enjoys it- the sex is probably better than with the Cro-Magnon (ie Original Rafe). That she can’t even tell that the imposter has a different penis, a different technique or may make even different sexual noices says it all, don’t ya think?!

It also proves that they don’t really have a “connection”-she’s in love with the IDEA of him, not the actual him….JMO. And Snore (aka “Safe”) is just sex: all we ever see is them in bed together, nothing more-oh except, perhaps EJ stirring the pot …but that just shows how flat they really are!

EJOLE totally flopped the first time – what makes them think its gonna work again. BRicole sizzle with chemistry and EJAMI combust. Alison Sweeney and James Scott work so well off each other

I just hope with these changes we will have better writing and the real Chloe Lane back.Sick and tired iof thed estruction of this very famous and loved characters to prop new ones like Melanie ,Daniel,…..

Whitesell Higley and Tomlih should all be axed.
BRD/Lucas and Sami and kids back as a Hortom Family today and for ever.

I am an EJAMI fan but I liked Lucas alot- he was soooooo funny and his chemistry with James Scott was much better than Galen’s and I actually enjoyed Days at that time. Lucas has great bantering with Sami that actually bought humor to the show and now its all dark and depressing. Who wants to see suicide! This is a SOAP so please make it one

i am so glad that finally SOMETHING will change.. The story lines lately are so.. DUMB… unrealistic.. sadly, though.. i dont think the damages that have been done in the last 2 years can be fixed..

I hope this means that wonderful actors like Wally Kurth & Judi Evans may actually get a storyline. Why bring them back if you’re not going to use them to their full potential? Bring back their kids…. I like it when they introduce characters that make sense. Geez, I really miss the old Days. 🙁

Firing Matthew Ashford was wrong and another thing he does not need to have storyline with Jennifer he had dark past and I am sick of Jack dying so princess Jennifer can have storyline with perv Daniel again no cares about it. Jack has his sister in town and Abby and others why does everything have to revolve around Jennifer she not only character on the show that he has tides too just because she is mother of his children doesn’t mean anything because if Jennifer can move on without Jack the same should go for Jack he need stop worship Jennifer she is no saint and she is not worthy of Horton either she caused most of Jack’s PTSD. I think it is time that you tell your loser Gary Tomlin to rehire Matthew Ashford back and he can still have his Dannifer send them off to sunset and let Matthew Ashford stay on the show let him have his storyline it is not fair that he was not given any time or anything just to pimp that loser daniel he has been there too long have not seen any improvement in his character at all. Jennifer I am sick of her innocent victim act she needs to go I hope they do not resign her contract either she is beyond pathetic. They need to bring Jack/Matthew Ashford back and maybe bring Cassie Brady or Eve Donovan for Jack Deveraux and Jennifer she can leave or stay with Daniel I do not care anymore she is major snoozefest.

The pot of gold is under your nose, it is James and Allison. What in the world is going on with the writers and producers. I know you know talent when you see it. These two have above average and out of this world acting skills. They bring acting to a whole new level when they are working together. Why wouldn’t anyone with half a brain want to embrace and celebrate this type of opportunity that comes along once in a life time. I am not even sure these actors know how in the zone they are with any type of emotion they are assigned to perform. I really want Days to run for many more years in the future. I have been a fan for more than 35 years. Mediocre acting teams produce mediocrity. Extraordinary acting teams make for a winning show.

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53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

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Daytime Emmy Presenters

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.

The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.

Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Genie Francis

Photo: NATAS

In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year,  A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.

The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).

The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”

Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.

So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

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Kyle Pryor

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!

Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.

He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Dominix

Photo: Peacock

Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2.  In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.

Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.

So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)

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Conner Floyd

Fasten your seat belts Days of our Lives fans, as the mystery of Dominic Marino continues to unravel on all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera. Last week, Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) learned that he may have a half-brother, who may be the biological child of his father, the late Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), giving him great pause, because he knows Stefano had kidnapped Marlena for four years back in the late 80s and early 90s.

Chad has already been hunting down clues with his current girlfriend Belle Black (Martha Madison) in Italy and Salem, which revealed a photo of a young boy with Stefano with the date 1992 on the back of it, hidden inside Stefano’s chess set. So, what’s next?

Conner Floyd chatted on the Michael Fairman Channel in a new virtual interview released on Sunday, October 18, where he spoke on what the new addition to the DiMera family could do to the already dangerous sibling rivalries, the state of Chad’s relationship with Belle and much more.

EJ and Chad

Photo: JPI

DIMERA RIVALRY

After finding out from EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) that Dominic Marino could be the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano and Marlena, Conner Floyd explained, “I think it blows Chad’s mind a little bit. I think there’s a lot of things working there with old Chad. Obviously, bringing in another DiMera could cause some noise and the whole situation with Marlena’s a little awkward as well because he’s dating Belle, so this could cause a little tiff there. I think his head’s spinning and he does not know what to expect, but I also think he kind of expects that from Stefano, for sure.”

As to how this will change and color Chad’s relationship with EJ, Floyd responded, “Chad knows EJ’s not happy about it and I think he’s going to be real upset if this gets in his way of doing what he wants to do with the DiMera legacy and all that. However, for Chad, I think he’s just going to keep a sharp eye, see what this guy’s about, see if he’s here to cause some trouble or here to be a friend and kinda play it by ear.”

Belle and Chad

Photo: JPI

BELLE OF MY HEART

With Chad and Belle already being sleuths, Floyd says, you can look for the duo to continue getting to the truth. “I think Chad and Belle are committed to this. They’re going full National Treasure, Nicolas Cage,” says Conner. “They’re going to follow the clues. They’re going to get some answers.”

Since beginning in the role of Chad in June of 2025 and debuting on-screen back in April of 2026, the former Y&R star (where he played Chance Chancellor), says it was Madison who helped him get comfortable in his new surroundings.

“Martha is phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to get tagged up with when I started here, just because she knows everybody,” shares Floyd. “She knows where to go, who to talk to. She’ll get the tea if you want, and so it was kind of cool. Martha took me under her wing, showed me the ropes. She’s a sweetheart.  I love working with her too. She’s a great actress.”

But, is Chad in love with Belle after such a tortured past with his beloved Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Floyd thinks so! “I think he’s into it. They’re such good friends and they have such a rich history. I think he’s in for the ride. You know, it’s one of those things you probably overlook at first and then they reconnected, and it feels easy and they’re going on these fun adventures.”

MAKING CHAD HIS OWN

Conner had the arduous task of being the successor to Billy Flynn in the role of Chad.. Flynn had played the part for 12 years before deciding to exit and head to Y&R. So, how did Conner approach learning the ins and out of Chad? Floyd shared, “I really dove into Chad when I first got this job. I liked that he kind of walks this tightrope of DiMera and not DiMera, you know. He want to so honor his family roots and really do something for the DiMera family, but he doesn’t want to fall into that trap that all the other DiMera have found themselves in. Chad is a DiMera at heart. He’s got those demons, but he’s just trying to keep them contained.”

Susan Seaforth Hayes

Photo: JPI

ICONIC

When Floyd got to DAYS, it was none other than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) who most surprised him in the most delightful way, given that he knew Hayes was a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the current longest-running cast member on the canvas.

“I love working with Susan Hayes! I love her. She’s a sweetheart. Susan is one of the nicest people there. I just thought she was cool and it’s Susan Hayes, you know?  We’ve had a lot of scenes together, which is nice,” explained Conner.

“We’ll go to her dressing room, we’ll run our scenes, and then we’ll spend about an hour just talking about life and she’ll tell me about a book she’s reading. She’s such a history buff, which blows my mind. She’ll start dropping all these historical facts on me. I learn something new by the time I walk out of her dressing room every time!”

Now below, check out the full conversation with Conner Floyd via the Michael Fairman Channel.

Weigh-in: Do you like Chad and Belle as couple? Do you think Chad will get to the bottom of the Dominic Marino mystery? If so, do you think Dominic is truly Stefano and Marlena’s son … and what about Rita (Maggie Carney) in all this? Let us know your theories in the comment section.

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