Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Alison Sweeney Talks Sami’s Return, Ron Carlivati, & Lumi!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Days of our Lives is bringing the drama under head writer Ron Carlivati. On the heels of the double wedding of Sonny (Freddie Smith) and Paul (Christopher Sean), and Chad (Billy Flynn) and Abigail (Marci Miller) airing Friday and next Monday, look for Alison Sweeney to make her return to Salem as the iconic Sami Brady on the upcoming October 13th episode for a two-month run.
As to what brings Sami back to the fold, well, that would have to do with the imminent return of Chandler Massey (Will Horton) and how that mystery and story reveals itself to the fans of the long-running NBC soap opera.
In an interview with TV Insider, Sweeney related how Sami gets caught up in the mystery of Will, and how she also stands by her outrage that the series killed off the character to begin with adding: “I still stand by my opinion. That was the only complaint about Days I’ve ever made out loud. It’s not my place and it’s not my way to do that sort of thing, but it had to be said.”
But as to her return to the action, Sweeney added: “It’s important that Sami blows back into town for this story—as important to all the Sami haters as it is to the Sami lovers. There’s so much history there that has to be honored. Hey, I know what it means to be a fan who’s insanely invested in a TV show.”
And as to if Sweeney had any input into her upcoming on-air storyline with head writer, Ron Carlivati, she revealed she did take the head scribe on a Sami “fast-track trip down memory lane”, and then gave kudos to Carlivati, stating: “He brings Sami back to the scene at full throttle. Hurricane Sami! You get a little hint of what she’s been up to while she’s been off the show but that’s not what’s important right now. For almost my entire run on Days, Sami’s overarching story was all about Will. She would lie for him, kill for him. Her fights over that kid were huge! She was always Mama Bear so when he died it was horrible. Even the guys on the crew were crying when we shot those scenes! It was a very big deal. I think the audience connected with Will in a much deeper way than they do with most soap kids because he pretty much grew up on camera. He wasn’t just trotted out at holidays and then aged 10 years overnight. There’s a real investment there.”
In a real treat for longtime Lumi fans, Alison says she will be sharing some screen time with Bryan Dattilo (Lucas), who has been tearing it up as drunk Lucas of late: “Ron really hit the nail on the head with the Lucas-Sami material. In fact, my scenes coming up with Bryan Dattilo are some of my most favorite I’ve ever done. The crew people were giving us the thumbs up, like ‘That’s our Lumi!”
“…That was the only complaint about Days I’ve ever made out loud. ”
Hello Ali – I thank you, so much… for giving back to your audience.
you are here, with us, to right a “wrong”
“…Her fights over that kid were huge! She was always Mama Bear so when he died it was horrible. Even the guys on the crew were crying when we shot those scenes! It was a very big deal. ”
there are waves of emotion going in to this. I do care not.. i’m going to be on the front lines… lined up to cheer .. and in the audience beaming
your mother and son relationship carried. that 4 generation mix is going to be in one place.
Marlena – Sami – Will – Arianna Grace. argh!
“Ron really hit the nail on the head with the Lucas-Sami material. ”
when the star align… when the writing and cast gell. magic surfaces. the imaginative and creative mind flies.
Alison Sweeney – Role: January 1993 – October 2014
you are the real deal. you carried DAYS . period. your passion care integrity and bond is with
this is a lifetime of exchange. you and the audience.
Days of OUR Lives
Spot on.
Cherry on the sundae: it’s Hurricane Sammi! Yes! Yes! Yes!!!!!.
Looking forward to seeing Sami back in town and reunited with Lucas and Will. I hope she tears that place apart when looking for him. Can they give her 5 mins alone with Ben? For putting her and us through all this past year and a half? The boy will never survive.
So glad Sami will return, if only for two months. Can’t wait to see Ali and Chandler back and Bryan continuing to serve us great scenes. Yay!
I didnt htink she was coming back full time but i will take any visits with the Days cast no matter how long the stay…like i said right after Will was ‘killed’-he isnt dead…off camera a faint pulse was felt…or a heart beat was detected and he was still breathing…but Will was in a coma…Sami was there and to protect him faked Will’s death to protect him from the killer…faked the funeral…and whisked him away for treatments…now the Sonny and Paul are set to wed its predictable time for Will to show up!!!
I thought maybe Sonnys brother who showed up at the end…unless its sami someone suggested???
I just wish she would stay longer and when is Ncole levin
I admit, I was biting my nails at that thought of Ron Carlivati writing at Days of Our Lives, but I do believe he is really doing great (likely under the guidance of Sheri and Ryan), aside from a few of the returns that’ve been announced. I am very excited to see his take on Sami Brady, and for Allison to make her two-month stint return!
That’s an interesting way of looking at it – I felt badly when Will died, and yet I am only a Five year watcher – I know fans were not thrilled with the recasting of Will, and I thought, gee couldn’t they have just had him leave the country to pursue his writing career and then resurface – I thought the violent end to him was unnecessary and didn’t serve any real purpose.
Very well put, Johnny. I agree. As you say, there was no need to destroy Will in such a macabre way.
You make it sound so simple because it could have been that simple.
Sometimes I question the writers’ sanity.
They literally threw Will away in a garbage bag — as a totally unnecessary insult to the character.
Just to make sure we didn’t overlook the intentional insult, they doubled it with an ending close-up of Will’s photo blowing off of his gravestone, away into oblivion.
As much as a Lumi fan as I am, they defined DAYS in threlate 90s, as long as there is a chance that EJ is alive, and he is, dont even tease long time fans with a Lumi reunion. LOL
I started watching DOOL again after many years when I heard Ron C. would be writing. He has really improved the show. The wedding scenes were great. Bonnie pushing herself into the aisle seat near Victor cracked me up. The best part is Ron is using the vets. The scene with Doug and Julie was so touching. Ron writes with heart and has added much needed humor to the show. Looking forward to Sami and Will’s return. GH used to be my soap to watch. They are in desperate need of new writers. They should never had let Ron go. All we get now is the Sonny show.
Ron grew up watching soaps, that helps and shows in his excellent, exciting writing.
Love Bonnie. We need humor on soaps and Bonnie brings that. From her white dress to yes, squeezing in next to Victor, she’s fab.
I too am loving more Doug and Julie and with Doug’s Place, it looks like they might be around more. I also hope to see more of Chloe.
Days is much better since Ron started writing for the show.
Hi Debra! I am replying to you here because you replied to me in the thread about ratings (and there was no reply button there)…
I am thrilled that you watched GH long ago and that you remember the love story of Peter and Diana Taylor! And, yes, I remember vividly the storyline of Phil Brewer’s murder and the twists and turns involving the five suspects! It was so damn exciting back then! I, too, watched Dark Shadows — such a great show! As well as OLTL!
I’m glad that you are still enjoying GH — they are lucky to have such a dedicated, long-term viewer in you! You make great points about the acting, particularly Maura West. Take care, Friend! 🙂
I’ve loved Sweeney for years and can hardly wait for her return. I could never figure out why she left. She always seemed to love working on a multiple of projects, simultaneously. I wish she was staying longer.
Sami is back! I know it’s not permanent but I’ll take what I can get. And Will, too.
Things are looking UP.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as 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.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.
Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.
Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
The final few moments of the Thursday, April 30 episode of Days of our Lives, will pave the way, to what just may be the end of Sophia Choi’s (Rachel Boyd) life, but not as you may think!
After an unhinged Sophia paid a visit to Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman), maced him in the eyes, knocked him out and then tied up to a chair, now conscious, she lets him know that she holds him responsible for all the trouble and trauma she has gone through from adopting her child, and her being sent to a mental institution.
So instead of the unregistered gun Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) gave her to finish off Johnny, Sophia sets up a plan to light candle, use nail polish remover and turn on the gas on the stove to ultimately create a mass explosion, which although Johnny pleaded to her not to that to all the innocent people inside his apartment building, she doesn’t seem to care.
Photo: JPI
FIERY FACE OFF
The plan was supposed to be, after she takes care of Johnny she will toss the gun in the Salem River, then focus on payback to Holly Jonas before leaving town to start a new life.
Now, Sophia makes her exit, leaving Johnny to be a few moments away from an explosion or gas inhalation, when Chanel (Raven Bowens) comes home after awaiting the results of her mammogram. She sees Johnny tied up, as he panics and tells her to put out the flame on the candle, things go awry, and a fire has begun and everything may go up in flames with Johnny and Chanel inside.
Photo: JPI
A BROKEN SOPHIA
Back in her room, Sophia breaks down after reading the social media comments about her, she planted, and then starts writing a suicide or farewell note which says. “I’m tired of begging for forgiveness for my mistakes. All I wanted was to move forward, to be loved and understood. But it’s clear that I was never going to get that. Holly Jonas said that I was dead to her. So, as her former BFF, I’m going to make her dream a reality.”
Photo: JPI
A DEADLY TRAP
Now, the fate of Johnny, Chanel and Sophia will be revealed on tomorrow’s May 1st cliffhanger, which may be the end of Sophia when she crosses paths with Kirsten at the bridge near the river. We do know Rachel Boyd is no longer appearing in the show credits section and is now off contract with the soap.
So, what did you think of the climatic final moments of DAYS? What did you think of the performance of Rachel Boyd as Sophia Choi? Let us know via the comment section.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.
Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
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