Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Chandler Massey & Alison Sweeney Chat on Will Coming Out to Lucas & Sami!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Today is a red-letter day for fans who have been following Will Horton’s coming out storyline played by Daytime Emmy nominee, Chandler Massey (Will). After months of not knowing when the other shoe would drop, Will finally blurts out that he is gay to his parents, Lucas and Sami in key scenes on today’s episode of Days of our Lives!
On-Air On-Soaps caught up with Chandler and his on-screen mom, Alison Sweeney (Sami) at last week’s An Evening with Days of our Lives Paley Center for Media event honoring the success of the soap in telling this coming of age story, and its record fifteen Daytime Emmy nominations. Here is what the duo had to say about the upcoming interactions, playing these key scenes, and more! Then, read below NBC executive Bruce Evans comments to the crowd in attendance on the future of Will’s story!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Chandler on this week in Will’s life when he drops the bombshell on his parents: “Yes, that finally plays out! The thing I like about this week’s scenes is there is some nice Will and Lucas stuff. Because of Sami’s reaction, Lucas kind of has to step up and be in the one to tell Will that they still love him, even though Sami has walked out. I think that is great because Will and Lucas really have not had a lot of moments since Lucas came back to Salem. And the scenes that they have had, there was not a real sense of a father/son bond. I think that is appropriate and it was intentional on Bryan Dattilo (Lucas) and my part. You know, Lucas has been gone for years in Hong Kong, during the years that Will has changed the most. So it’s not that just that it is awkward or uncomfortable. It’s just that there is a distance that they have to bridge. They can’t exactly pick up where they left off, because Lucas has also changed and so has Will. There will be some big Sami and Will scenes too. There are a couple of them coming out and they are pretty amazing!”
Alison on the episode where Sami learns the truth about her son being gay. “I am so excited for everyone to see the show. Sami does not have a great reaction which is something you may have seen so far. But I think, at the same time, it’s a classic or perfect way Sami would react. Bottom line is she is like, “What did I do?” And then, I had this great woman say to me at the Outfest Days of our Lives Coming Out Celebration panel that mother’s do feel this way. I thought that was a great. She put her blessing on it and that is the thing that I think the writer’s did. They acknowledged that everyone came at it from a different perspective. I feel that as actors, our job at the heart of it is to portray someone’s real feelings and their emotional heart.
Chandler on if he is concerned that the new DAYS writing regime headed up by Gary Tomlin, Chris Whitesell and Lorraine Broderick, will make a wrong turn in Will’s story: “Gary Tomlin was the executive producer at DAYS when I first came on the show. I cannot express how much I loved Marlene and Darrell’s writing and how they told Will’s coming out story. But also, I first found out that Will is going to come out when I was approached by Gary. He was the first one to tell me the plan. I know that the new writing team will tell a story that is just as touching, hopefully.”
Alison on being part of this important storyline, and working at DAYS now with the new head writing team, after all the trials and tribulations Sami has encountered, endured, or brought upon herself over the years. “I never thought I would be in this position with the show. When I first started on DAYS, I thought I was going to be playing the kid where you are trotted out during the summer. I really had no idea how this was going to unfold and I am super excited. I know that right now I am super excited to read the next script. ”
Chandler on the fact that actor, Brent Daugherty has shot some scenes that involve Will’s storyline: “ Yes. More gay characters which is good! We are keeping it alive! (Laughs) That is always nice to have a new character come in and do a couple of episodes. Maybe Will might have a date? Or, maybe Sonny might have one? We shall see.”
Bruce Evans, the executive at NBC who oversees Days of our Lives addressed concerns from those in attendance at the Paley Center, as to the future of Will’s coming out story, “Let me assure we are not backing down from telling this story. We wouldn’t have gone there if we didn’t think it had real value, and boy, has Chandler Massey just batted it out of the park. Certainly, we care about fan reaction and things that are written. But we also have to stay the course. Fans have various favorites, and they want you to pull to them. If we tried to satisfy everyone, we wouldn’t have a show.”
So soapers, after our preview, make sure to watch the scenes where Will coming out to his parents on DAYS! What do you think of Bruce Evans comments assuring that Will’s story will continue? Let us know your thoughts!
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Just finished watching it. I really liked the way both Chandler and Ali played the scenes. It seemed very genuine and exactly the way it would go down in many families. I know we’re going to see Sami run out tomorrow – running is what she does when she’s uncertain about things, and I do think it’s perfectly understandable for Sami. I also think it’s understandable that she would question if her parenting somehow ‘contributed’ to Will’s gayness, no matter how illogical that idea is. I am looking forward to seeing this story work it’s way out. So far it’s… Read more »
well well well i hope these scenes will be great but i am really disapointed about Sami being the one freaked out but the outing of her son..it is so predictable and at the same time not so much in character except for the ‘blame myself, self-centered, guillty’ card..but it is so so so predictable..Lucas being the one with a problem would have been so much interesting, it could have developped his character who otherwise is an afterthough tied to Sami’s shoes..It could have explored Will and Lucas relationship and would have suited well with Lucas rooted insecurity and years… Read more »
It’s great to see that the new writers and Gary will continue to write for Will. And they are right, Massey knocks it out of the ballpark, I can’t wait to see the Will and Sami scenes!
After the horrendous ending of Luke and Reid, and the lame ending of Luke and Noah on ATWT (even though the show has gone off the air nearly 20 months ago); I am afraid to invest in the Will SL on DOOL or any other gay couple SL on soaps or shows. So far every soap or show that I have faithfully watched has ended in disaster for the gay characters/couples. The EPs, writers, and TPTB somehow manage to screw up SLs involving gay characters/couples time after time in TV history. If the intent is to ultimately shatter these SLs,… Read more »
Chandler Massey is one of the best younger actors on daytime. I see a bright future for this young man.
Fingers are crossed that the new regime doesn’t mess with, or drop the storyline, since it’s the best storyline on DOOL these days.
Finally! I have been waiting for this part of the story arc to play out! Massey is pretty amazing! (Sammi’s upcoming reaction, while not commendable, is definitely realistic- I can hardly wait to watch it play out during the week.)
Glad this storyline will keep going. Chandler is such a great actor. He is really doing well for this storyline. When everything else on Days is kinda bleh, this is what keeps bringing in the viewers, including me.
i pray that the new writing team will continue to embrass this storyline and continue to let chandler massey hit it out of the park. as done yesterday, the words used by the best loved characters carry lots of weight with middle america and how they will treat their kids who need to come out to them. do this thing right, please. don’t drop the ball, or for god’s sake, don’t put it back in the closet
Breaking News
NATAS Reveals Categories to be Presented at 49th Annual Daytime Emmys and Creative Arts & Lifestyle Ceremonies
On Monday, The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced which categories will be presented at the 49th Annual Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle and the 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Award ceremonies. Both award shows will be held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California.
The Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy ceremony will stream live at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT on Saturday, June 18 at watch.TheEmmys.tv and via The Emmys apps for iOS, tvOS, Android, FireTV, and Roku. while The Daytime Emmy Awards telecast will be presented live at 9 PM EDT (replay at 9 PM PDT) on Friday, June 24, on the CBS Television Network and streamed on Paramount+.
Check out the alignment of categories for each show and ceremony below.
The 49th Annual Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy Awards
Saturday, June 18, 2022
Categories to be awarded:
Outstanding Culinary Series
Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program
Outstanding Lifestyle Program
Outstanding Travel, Adventure and Nature Program
Outstanding Instructional and How-To Program
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Outstanding Daytime Special
Outstanding Short Form Daytime Program
Outstanding Interactive Media for a Daytime Program
Outstanding Daytime Promotional Announcement
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Outstanding Culinary Host
Outstanding Daytime Program Host
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Non-Fiction Program
Outstanding Directing Team for a Single Camera Daytime Non-Fiction Program
Outstanding Directing Team for a Multiple Camera Daytime Non-Fiction Program
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition
Outstanding Original Song
Outstanding Lighting Direction
Outstanding Technical Team, Camera Work, Video
Outstanding Cinematography
Outstanding Single Camera Editing
Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing
Outstanding Live Sound Mixing and Sound Editing
Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing
Outstanding Main Title and Graphic Design
Outstanding Casting
Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design
Outstanding Costume Design/Styling
Outstanding Hairstyling
Outstanding Makeup
Outstanding Special Effects Costumes, Makeup and Hairstyling
Lifetime Achievement Award: This Old House
Photos: ABC, CBS, NBC, JPI
The 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Friday, June 24, 2022
Categories to be awarded:
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Outstanding Game Show
Outstanding Informative Talk Show
Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor
Outstanding Younger Performer in a Daytime Drama Series
Outstanding Game Show Host
Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host
Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Lifetime Achievement Award: John Aniston
So, what do you think about how NATAS has chosen to give out this year’s gold statuettes? Looking forward to the ceremonies? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Ciara Saves Baby Bo with Assist from Heavenly Bo; Tripp Shifts Into Satan & Crashes Through Window
May Sweeps are in full bloom, and on Monday’s episode of Days of our Lives, the supernatural was front and center, and what Salemites hope will now and forever, put Satan behind them once and for all.
In story, Ciara (Victoria Konefal) is one tough mama. She and Ben (Rob Scott Wilson) track down AllDevil (Lindsay Arnold) and her dastardly partner in crime, Charlie Dale (another guest return of Emmy-winner Mike Manning), as the devil starts the Ceremony of Transference to make their baby a mini-Satan. However, AllDevil has a plan to keep Cin at bay. She uses a protective pentagram wall, and electrocutes Ben from penetrating it. Then, when Ciara has to save her baby, a white light comes upon her, and she is able to push through the barrier, push out Satan, and regain her baby boy in her arms.
Photo: JPI
Tripp (Lucas Adams) arrives on the scene and clunks Charlie over the head with a baseball bat before he tries to kill Ben. When Ben comes to and meets his young son, “Bo”, Ciara tells Tripp that AllDevil is headed to St. Luke’s where he and Johnny (Carson Boatman), who was also at the scene, head off to find her.
At University Hospital, Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) is going to get Baby “Bo” checked out as Ben and Ciara spend time with their little one in the hospital room. All of a sudden, a white light appears and Ciara’s dad, Bo Brady (the return of Peter Reckell) comes through the light. Both Ben and Ciara see the iconic Bo, and Ciara tells her dad to meet his grandson, and thanks him for saving the day at the cemetery.
Photo: JPI
Inside the church, while upstairs, AllDevil flashes back to when Satan was inhabiting Marlena (Deidre Hall) and set fire to the place of worship 25 years ago, and fans get the actual clip of the classic moment in DAYS history. Just then, Tripp and Johnny find Satan upstairs ready to torch the place. Johnny gets a good ole’ toss across the room, leaving Tripp to fend off the devil.
Courtesy/NBC
But helps is on the way as Father Eric (Greg Vaughan), John and Marlena (Deidre Hall) are there to save the day; as they begin an exorcism, of sorts. In defiance, we see AllDevil begin to crack Allie’s neck as everyone looks on in horror. Tripp admitting his love for Allie, tells the devil to come into him and let Allie go. The shift happens as Tripp is now the devil, and in order to fight off hurting Allie or anyone, selflessly jumps out the church window and looks in dire straits.
So, what did you think of this climatic episode of Days of our Lives, with more to come with the return of Bo Brady this week? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
Jensen Ackles Becomes Series Regular on ABC’s ‘Big Sky’
Guiding Light’s Lee Lawson Dead At 81
Tanner Novlan Talks Surprise Return to The Bold and the Beautiful
NATAS Reveals Categories to be Presented at 49th Annual Daytime Emmys and Creative Arts & Lifestyle Ceremonies
General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn Chats On Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Performance and Its Significance
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: What’s Up With Elizabeth?
Y&R’s Eileen Davidson and Beth Maitland Honored with 40-Year Milestone Celebration (PHOTOS)
GH Alum Sydney Mikayla Talks On Her Daytime Emmy Nomination, Decision To Exit & Her Former Co-Stars
As the World Turns Alum Marnie Schulenburg Passes Away at 37
THIS IS US: Goodbyes and Connections; Rebecca Passes Away in Penultimate Episode
GH Alum Sydney Mikayla Talks On Her Daytime Emmy Nomination, Decision To Exit & Her Former Co-Stars
DAYS OF OUR LIVES PREVIEW: Peter Reckell Returns as Bo Helps Ciara and Steve in Their Time of Need
GH’s Michael E. Knight Chats On: Taking on the Role of Martin Grey, Friendship with James Patrick Stuart, and All My Children’s Tad
General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn Chats On Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Performance and Its Significance
As the World Turns Alum Marnie Schulenburg Passes Away at 37
The Bold and the Beautiful Scores Biggest Audience in Over Two Years
The Young and the Restless Daytime Emmy Nominees Talk Reactions, Reels, and Their Co-Stars
Fox Announces Primetime Soap ‘Monarch’ On Fall Schedule
GENERAL HOSPITAL: What’s Up With Elizabeth?
Y&R’s Eileen Davidson and Beth Maitland Honored with 40-Year Milestone Celebration (PHOTOS)
Guiding Light’s Lee Lawson Dead At 81
Tanner Novlan Talks Surprise Return to The Bold and the Beautiful
The Young and the Restless Daytime Emmy Nominees Talk Reactions, Reels, and Their Co-Stars
GH’s Michael E. Knight Chats On: Taking on the Role of Martin Grey, Friendship with James Patrick Stuart, and All My Children’s Tad
DAYS OF OUR LIVES PREVIEW: Peter Reckell Returns as Bo Helps Ciara and Steve in Their Time of Need
FRIDAY: Y&R Alum Michael Graziadei Featured in Netflix’s New Series ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’
General Hospital Tapes 15,000th Episode; Featuring Genie Francis with Almost Every Single Cast Member Appearing in It
TONIGHT: General Hospital’s Michael E. Knight Live! – 8 PM ET/5 PM PST
DAYS Daytime Emmy Nominees: Arianne Zucker, James Reynolds, Stacy Haiduk & Lindsay Arnold Chat On Their Reels, Reactions, and Co-Stars
THURSDAY: General Hospital and All My Children Favorite, Michael E. Knight Livestream Interview
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General HospitalMay 19, 2022GH Alum Sydney Mikayla Talks On Her Daytime Emmy Nomination, Decision To Exit & Her Former Co-Stars
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Days Of Our LivesMay 14, 2022DAYS OF OUR LIVES PREVIEW: Peter Reckell Returns as Bo Helps Ciara and Steve in Their Time of Need
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General HospitalMay 15, 2022GH’s Michael E. Knight Chats On: Taking on the Role of Martin Grey, Friendship with James Patrick Stuart, and All My Children’s Tad
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General HospitalMay 22, 2022General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn Chats On Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Performance and Its Significance
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As The World TurnsMay 18, 2022As the World Turns Alum Marnie Schulenburg Passes Away at 37
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NewsMay 17, 2022The Bold and the Beautiful Scores Biggest Audience in Over Two Years
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InterviewsMay 15, 2022The Young and the Restless Daytime Emmy Nominees Talk Reactions, Reels, and Their Co-Stars
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Breaking NewsMay 16, 2022Fox Announces Primetime Soap ‘Monarch’ On Fall Schedule