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Days Of Our Lives

Crystal Chappell on Venice castmates, Jordan Clarke & Nadia Bjorlin!

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

In part two of  TV Guide Canada’s Nelson Branco’s interview with Crystal Chappell, (as a wrap-up to the successful season two of Venice) the actress, producer, and writer discusses the pivotal scenes between Gina and The Colonel and Lara and Ani, and the amazing performances by Jordan Clarke and Nadia Bjorlin in the hit web series.  Here are a few excerpts!

Chappell on Gina’s emotional letter to Ani and writing for Clarke and Bjorlin: “The letter was the first thing I wrote. I read it to Kim [Turrisi, Chappell’s writing partner] last February; we had gone to a hotel so we could do some work. When I read it to her, she said, “Wow; OK!” So from there, we had to see where Gina would end up; where she gets to at the end of the season. I love the relationship between The Colonel and Gina. It was funny because when I decided The Colonel was going to have a stroke, I knew Jordan Clarke had just had a stroke, so then I had to call him and say, “So, Jordan, here’s the story — you’re having a stroke!” He started laughing. He said, “Girl, I know what to do. I know what it’s about.” He was totally cool about it. He said, “I even have a cane — I’ll bring it with me!” That needed to happen.  I like writing for people I love and admire. You can give Jordan anything. Even with just a look on his face — especially when Gina finished the letter … that was one of my favorite moments. When we landed on Jordan’s face, you saw what was going on. I love writing for people I know, especially after I get to know them better and finding out what their strengths are. Also, with Nadia, for instance, Susan Flannery and I were there and watched her go to that dark, dark place. I was so proud of Nadia. That was another favorite moment of mine of the season: when Lara breaks down.

Chappell on Bjorlin’s performance in episode eleven when Lara pushes Ani into the wall in a drunken stupor: “Once I saw the finished episode, I told her, “I think you’re going to be really, really happy.” I’m happy for her. I love it, I love it. You know what she told me the other day? This is kind of cool: Nadia went to an audition and the director was saying nice things about Venice … and that’s how Nadia got the film audition and how they knew her — based on her performance on Venice.”

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So happy that finally more people are recognizing NB’s amazing talent.I hope she will get more opportunities to shine.She so desirves it

If by more people, you mean Nelson Branco, that is nothing new. Nadia could read a phonebook and he would be salivating over how amazing she is. He has a handful of favorites that he obsesses over. He lost any and all credibility as a soap “journalist” a long time ago.

No I mean by many, people who watch the show and start to focus on her acting instead of her look and are blown away by her performances….Yeah..he is “obsessed “with her.Tha’s the rpoblem with you people.Wheneverr someone praises NB,that someone is “obsessed” with her.Just about every single NB’s fan was called all kind of names on Venice/Days boards,banned,…. by haters like you.I am one of the many others.And obsessed is just one of these names…we’re used to it…It’s so pathetic.

Imane, read my post again. It is not about you or Nadia’s fans. It is about Nelson and his lack of objectivity. I am not a hater just because I don’t agree with your or Nelson’s OPINIONS that Nadia is a good actress. Calm down.

Becasue he praises Nadia he lacks of objectivity?I geuss if he had said that she sucks as an actress you woudl have agreed with his opinon and applauded him….Just the same,whenever someone praise NB,that someone is obsessed,blablablabla….

Have you read any of Nelson’s work other than what he has written about Nadia? He is a hack. He has a list of favorites that he fixates on and Nadia is one of them. So is Crystal Chappell who I happen to think is a great actress but I don’t value a word he says about her either because he has his head so far up her butt. He wants to be friends with the actors he writes about. He is not interested in being objective. Stop putting words in my mouth and projecting your own issues on me. I didn’t call you or any other Nadia fans obsessed. I could easily tell you how I feel about you but I have kept this to my opinions on Nadia’s acting and Nelson’s bias. I am sure Nadia is a lovely person in real life. I don’t hate her but I do hate her acting. Just because you love her acting doesn’t make you right and me wrong. We are both entitled to our opinions and I would appreciate it if you would stop assuming things and putting words in my mouth.

All I see is that everytime someone praises NB’s acting or NB, that someone is called obsessed and worse.An not only here but on every Venice/Days board.So noThing new here.No wonder NB’s fans aren’t as vocals as they would like to be.Given the treatment they get….wether tHey’re called names,or banned or whatever…They’re not allowed to be vocals and passionate about her..but CC/Carly,AS/Sami,JS/EJ….fans can be as passioante and as vocals as they want no problem…Chloe can be bashed,called all kind of names,mocked,….no one is banned,But when I or anyone else defend her,,,,we’re called all kind of names or banned…NB’s acting can be bashed or mocked,no problem…but when I or anyone else defend her, we get the same crapy treatment…that’s not new…try to find one positive thread about NB or Chloe on these board…very hard…yet God knows she has a HUGE fanbase…but they’re not allowed to be vocals….What us ee is a huge jealousy towards NB and it’s been taken on Chloe/Lara or her acting even though she’s doing an amazing job.She could as well win Emmys or any other award,people like you will always find somthing ti absh ehr or her acting.Yiou are free to not like her acting but stop calling anyone who praises her or her acting “obsessed’ and worse.

Days Of Our Lives

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Lexie Emerges and Shocks Abe as the DiMera Family Gathers for The Reading of Stefano’s Will

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Next week on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives, finally it looks like Lexie Carver is fully resurrected when the character now played by Nikki Crawford stumbles into a DiMera family gathering, which is supposed to be for the reading of Stefano DiMera’s will.

In the Peacock video teaser, as EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) and company toast the Phoenix, the secret tunnel door swings open, and out stumbles out Lexie! Meanwhile, Dr, Rolf (Richard Wharton) realizes Lexie is gone and no longer in her bed. When Abe (James Reynolds) sees his beloved Lexie, he is absolutely stunned. But the question is, when Lexie speaks, is she the Lexie of old, or will her memory and brain be all scrambled eggs?

As longtime DAYS viewers know, the part of Lexie was portrayed for years by Renee Jones, who retired from acting after her run which lasted from 1993-2012. At the time of her departure, Lexie was killed-off with an inoperable brain tumor.

Courtesy/Peacock

Elsewhere, Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) is up to no good and now makes a play for Xander (Paul Telfer). but then tells him, “What I want now, is for you to kill him!” Who does she want killed? EJ? Johnny (Carson Boatman)? Or someone else?

Take a look at the official Days of Our Lives spoilers for the week of May 11-15 below.

Monday, May 11

Lexie crashes the reading of Stefano’s will.

Tony makes Gabi an unexpected offer.

Kristen sees Sophia.

EJ questions Cat.

Chad defends Leo.

Tuesday, May 12

Belle asks Marlena for advice.

Holly lashes out at Tate.

Brady and Sarah comfort each other.

Philip comes through for Gabi.

Ari opens up to Liam.

Wednesday, May 13

Steve pays Alex a visit.

EJ pulls a fast one on Gwen.

Marlena offers Paulina support.

Thursday, May 14

Johnny and Chanel lean on each other.

Jada moves Shawn into her place and opens the door for renewed romance.

Gabi presses Ari about her relationship with Liam.

Amy confronts Holly.

Friday, May 15

EJ wants to explore his past with Cat.

Kristen and Chad discuss life and death.

Javi opens up to Rafe.

Gwen plays hardball with Xander.

Check out the latest DAYS promo entitled, “Heartbreak Hotel” below.

Then, let us know, does this Lexie come back from the dead intrigue you, even though Nikki Crawford is taking on the role and not Renee Jones? Do you think she will be anywhere near the same personality she had before she “died’? Who does Kristen want killed now? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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Breaking News

DAYS Lauren Koslow Temporarily Fills-In for Jess Walton as ‘The Young and the Restless’ Jill Abbott

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In a ironic twist, Lauren Koslow, who currently plays Kate Roberts on Days of Our Lives is returning to The Young and the Restless to play Jill Abbott while temporarily filling in for Jess Walton. Koslow will appear for five episodes beginning on Thursday, June 25.

Koslow first appeared on The Young and the Restless back in 1984 in what was her first soap opera role when she was cast as Lindsey Wells. Now, she returns decades later subbing for Walton, who due to a scheduling conflict, was was unable to travel to Los Angeles when the storyline called for Jill. The Emmy-winning Walton has played the Jill since 1987 and went on recurring status with the show in 2012. Jess also left Los Angeles to reside in Oregon in 2011.

Making this all the richer was the original Jill played by Brenda Dickson, often shared scenes with Koslow’s Y&R character. Lauren played Lindsey Wells until 1986, before moving over to The Bold and the Beautiful as Margo Lynley. Koslow was B&B’s Margo from 1987–1992, and again in 2002. Then, in 1996, she was cast on Days of Our Lives as Kate Roberts, replacing Deborah Adair, and she has been in Salem ever since. But there’s still another another twist to this casting history. Y&R viewers recall Deborah Adair also played Jill, after Brenda Dickson left in 1980, and following a brief stint by Bond Gideon, before heading to DAYS to originate the role of Kate.

Photo: CBS

THE DAYS AND Y&R CONNECTION

As soap fans know, Days of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless are both part of Sony. Y&R is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company in association with Sony Pictures Television, while DAYS is owned by Corday Productions and distributed by Sony.

So, having Koslow visit The Young and the Restless to fill in for Jess Walton has nothing to do with her continued role of Kate on DAYS. In fact, a rep for the show shared that her upcoming appearance on Y&R, “does not affect her status with the show in any way.” Recently, Stacy Haiduk reprised her role of Patty Williams on Y&R, even though she is still being seen as Kristen DiMera on DAYS.

In a joint statement offered up to TV Insider, executive producer, Sally McDonald and head writer, Josh Griffith expressed, “We’re extremely grateful to Lauren Koslow for returning to her Y&R roots and temporarily stepping into the role of Jill. We want to extend our sincere thanks to Ken Corday (executive producer) and Noel Maxam (co-executive producer) at Days of Our Lives and Peacock. Their support embodies the collaborative spirit of the daytime television community.”

McDonald and Griffith clarified that Jess Walton is forever their Jill and shared, “Jess Walton is an enduring cornerstone of Y&R. We look forward to welcoming her back to Genoa City as her schedule permits and celebrating her extraordinary 40th anniversary as the iconic Jill Abbott.”

So, what do you think of Days of Our Lives Lauren Koslow stepping in for Jess Walton as Jill Abbott? Excited to see what she does in the role while filling in for the Jess? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of Our Lives’ Alum Al Calderon Shares Parting Thoughts on ‘Brilliant Minds’ Following its Cancellation

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Last week, NBC pulled the plug on the medical drama, Brilliant Minds, as the last 6 episodes of its second and final season will begin to air later this month. The series which saw its ratings plummet was taken off the schedule in February, with reports of it being on the bubble until finally the decision was handed down.

Al Calderon, who departed Days of our Lives in the role of Javi Hernandez in 2025 to join the primetime series as Nurse Nico Silva, was a part of the stellar cast that also featured One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) and series star, Zachary Quinto.

On Brilliant Minds, Quinto plays neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.

Photo: NBC

In a real-life twist, Days of our Lives announced Calderon’s successor, Jacob Martinez as the new Javi debuting this June on April 30. Come May 1, NBC canceled Brilliant Minds. Now, on Wednesday, May 6, Al Calderon took a moment to reflect on his experience at Bronx General Hospital, the backdrop of Brilliant Minds, via a post on his Instagram.

“Thank you Brilliant Minds” Calderon began. “What a life changing experience. Met forever friends. Learned from the absolute best. Was reminded that my voice mattered. Learned that it’s okay to believe in yourself. Felt like I was part of something. While our beautiful show has gone onto glory we’ve got 6 more incredible episodes to share with you starting May 27th.”

Al also added, “NBC and Warner Brothers TV, thank you for allowing me to be silly and quippy, Demane Davis, Michael Grassi, David Rapaport, Zachary Quinto, thank you for all of your encouragement and support.”

As his heartfelt post came to a close, Calderon explained why the experience on Brilliant Minds was life-changing: “I’ve been at this a long time and this show gave me hope for the future of my career. I owe it to these incredible individuals. Our crew. Our writers. Our editors. The whole shebang. I love you all endlessly.”

Taking to the comment threads were several of Al’s Brilliant Minds and DAYS former co-stars, and even his successor, Jacob Martinez jumped in and shared, “YOU are brilliant 💕”

What did you think of Al’s heartfelt message about his time on Brilliant Minds? Will you miss seeing him on DAYS and on the primetime series? Looking forward to seeing what he will do next? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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