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DAYS Head Writer Josh Griffith On How OLTL, Winterthorne & A Magazine Cover Led To Casting John-Paul Lavoisier As Phillip Kiriakis!

Courtesy/IMDB

Courtesy/IMDB

The latest issue of Soap Opera Digest (on newsstands now) features an in-depth interview with DAYS co-head writer Josh Griffith, who recounts how he along with co-head writing partner Dena Higley helped create, shape, and mold the vision that fans of the NBC soap opera will be seeing for the 50th anniversary storylines and beyond.

One of the questions posed to Griffith was on how the casting of former One Life to Live star John-Paul Lavoisier (Ex-Rex Balsom) came to pass as the new Phillip Kiriakis.

It just so happens that JP’s role in Winterthorne, which bowed this week, was part of the impetus for the inspired casting, plus his time on Llanview and an SOD cover! Josh revealed the events that led to the casting.

JOSH GRIFFITH:  “Well, the casting was because he’s fantastic and we knew that he was fantastic, because we both worked with him, but not at the same time.  We had been saying, “We’ve got to bring Phillip back,” and I was looking at your magazine and it had a little picture of him on the cover of it that said he was doing Winterthorne.  I saw the picture of him and went, “There it is.  Right there.”  I took the magazine into the meeting and said, “Guys, here’s Phillip!”

What do you think about the interesting events that led JP to DAYS?  How do you think Phillip will return to the canvas?  Who will be his love interest?  You can also watch our latest video interview with Lavoisier here. Comment below!

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I love it! It sounds so old Hollywood -ish. I think he is going to be an amazing Phillip, but one thing…he needs to leave Rex Balsom behind. If he brings any part of Rex into the new character, he’ll ruin it. Phillip was nothing like Rex, and hopeful JPL has done his research on the guy. As for Phillip’s new love interest? They’ve got to bring Stephanie back. I only wish Shelly were available.

Yes, I hope they recast Stephanie. With Steve and Kayla and Joey all in town, it’s time for Stephanie to come back too.

I’m just very pleased that John Paul is on DAYS and as a Phillip recast.
I think he will do a fabulous job in the role. I can’t wait!

Looking forward to some great scenes with Lauren (Kate) and John (Victor). Perhaps, the return of Philip will give Kate some sort of solid story. It feels like to me that Kate is in no man’s land. I want a big storyline for Kate….enter Philip? I hope so.

…hope so…I adore Kate!

did they drop the ball… on Kate and Justin?

I haven’t seen “scenes” between these two in a long while

there was definite sparks?

meh? as much as I like Clyde… perhaps they are waiting to wrap his character up in all the murder mystery mayhem?

Still think its a bad casting choice. Don’t know why they couldn’t just bring back JKJ.

They would have had to force JKJ to come back. He wants to be left alone. He lives like a caveman now. He gained a bunch of weight and has a beard like ZZ TOP!

I think that is wonderful for him. I hope that it all works out for everyone involved.
I just wish that another Daytime drama would find something for Matthew Atkinson to play. He has a lot to offer. All he needs is a meaty role. Something that he can sink his acting chops into, spread his acting wings. Something that Chuck Pratt Jr. And Jill Farren Phelps cheated him out of!!!

Being a new Days viewer, I have don’t know anything about Phillip Kiriakis. I am very excited to see John-Paul Lavoisier again. He did a great job with the twists and turns and growth of Rex on One Life to Live. It will be great to see him in this new role.

of ALL the changes plus

this is the one… I have issue

pelt me… when he was on OLTL… I just didn’t see him as a strong masculine character

will his comedic light attitude swift?

I don’t know

I’m holding reservation… belonging with the Kiriakis’ Manse is huge

He should have been Dillon Q and brought on in 2012 he had the perfect look and style for that role.

On Gh!

I would like to know whether or not Jay Kenneth Johnson was even considered for reprising the role of Philip. I so enjoyed Jay as Philip. If he was not available, I understand. It just seems strange that no mention was made of the possibility of Jay reprising then role of Philip.

I would, firstly, like to get to now John-Paul’s version of Phillip before giving an opinion as to whom is a good fit for him. Why entangle him? I can’t even think of anyone that would do this actor Justice, right now on DOOL. Perhaps, if brand new, older Belle, returned? Oh, wait…are they related? No incest, PLEASE!!! LOL.
He, himself, should get acquainted with his peers,, also, before TPTB make him jump into the fire, LOL. He needs to feel his peers and get comfortable and, I would think, so does the viewer.
I did not like Jay, as Phillip…..he was devious. I just hope John-Paul is not turned into a Kiriakis evil-doer. I am such a fan of his……it would be a shame to steer this great actor in the wrong direction, as was Melissa Archer. And, please do not turn him into another holier-than-thou, sanctimonious Brooding-Brady, who thinks his ‘high morals’ are no match for Theresa’s……NOT!!

Know…correction, not ‘now’.

PS.
I was mulling over this and I thought of Theresa. I still think JP should just ‘hang out’, getting to know his cast members before Phillip ventures into a relationship. But, I am as sure as the sun rising again, that TPTB will indulge the character with some kind of love affair or whatever we may label it. If that is to be the case, I would love to see him get involved with Theresa. What a maelstrom of events that would create. It would set so many ‘wars’ in motion…… drive Victor absolutely crazy…and Brady? Perhaps the idea of Theresa and Phillip together would shake his ego-centric self into admitting to himself that he wants….actually, fiercely desires Theresa, ergo his disdain toward her. He is actually mad at himself for craving her so much….yes? Sounds good to me.
And, what about goody-two-shoes Saint Maggie? Ugh!!!!! she came in and crowned herself Queen of La Maison Kiriakis . The competition, especially being Theresa, would catapult her into stop-wearing- leggings-and-blazers in 100-degree weather.

I think this was a great choice to cast JPL as Philip—I think what I see coming is the Philip who was played by Kyle Brandt some years ago and that was exciting for me when he played the character so knowing JPL’s work from OLTL, I know he will bring a new dynamic to the role while keeping the character’s streak alive. As for his love interest, I can’t help wondering if Eve will get involved with him but that is only a wild guess on my part.

Theresa will obviously make a play for him…i see Brady showing his jealous side and he and Philip coming to blows over her…isnt it time Brady took anger management classes…lol

Now if Melissa Archer had only been cast as Sarah Horton…never mind…lol

Ah, Jimmy. I wish they had done that. I remember with clarity you saying that as soon as we learned Melissa was joining the DOOL family. Too bad ‘they’ did not listen to you. LOL

Good luck, “Days” viewers. Lavoisier was fantastic during his first couple of years on “One Life” but a complete mess during the last four years of the show, sucking all of the oxygen out of the air and turning even the most dramatic stories into his opportunity to display his Jim Carey impersonations.

this is what “bothers” me….

the Kiriakis’ Manse : doesn’t need schtick, jokes, impersonations… etc….

they blend so well together… and it’s their inside joke that we are witness to

Victor, Maggie, Justin, Adrienne, Brady… add in Theresa and the butler

see? how well they cut each other? with nary a jokester

I’m not sure… about JPL

John Anniston’ Victor quick wit; Justin manner; and how well Maggie and Adrienne play off of their men

now if Brady and Theresa could just relax and get sexy!

LOL

I LOVE the Kiriakis’

I love John Aniston, Patrick. You are so right….he cracks me up as no other. Even when he’s mean, he’s funny….I love the way he brings down anyone he doesn’t like, with his sarcastic and smearing words. He certainly is an anomaly.

Hearing that both Dena and Josh knew they had to get Phillip back, as a way to re-build the history of the soap, it excites me in knowing that they’re serious about the soap. And casting JPL was incredible; I look forward to seeing his take on the character, and the direction they’ll be taking him!

Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives Star, Greg Vaughan, Gives Health Update and Thanks Everyone for Their Support

Greg Vaughan (Eric, Days of our Lives, ex-Lucky, GH, and ex-Diego, Y&R) provided an update on his health on Sunday, March 17th. Vaughan had previously shared that he had become ill during a trip with his sons to Colorado, and had developed altitude sickness when he was having trouble breathing accompanied by terrible headaches and landed in the urgent care.

Now on St. Patrick’s Day, Greg took to his Instagram and shared how he is feeling now, and to thank everyone for their love and support.  As it turned out, Vaughan was diagnosed with high altitude pulmonary edema, commonly known as HAPE. However, he is on the mend slowly and surely.

In his new video post, the DAYS favorite started by expressing, “I just felt such an appreciation and gratitude for everything. . reaching out. Your prayers have been felt. It’s been a struggle, but I’m over the top. And, taking this moment just to say I didn’t realize the things that I was going through. My (original) post was simply just to educate, put some information out there and some things that I was feeling, just share that information and the struggle that I was going through, which I didn’t quite understand. And it wasn’t because I’m stubborn or just because I’m a father, a man, and didn’t want to go to a doctor. It is just something I thought was so minor that I could overcome it, just by taking care of myself.”

Photo: JPI

The Daytime Emmy winner then revealed his actual diagnosis, “So, basically my situation was high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). With some good friends, doctors that had reached out to me, it kind of gave me some understanding on the aftermath, which was very, very beneficial.”

“But I’ve been resting, taking care of myself even though I live in a hamster wheel,” said the dad of three teenaged boys. “I gotta get up and, you know, do my normal domesticated stuff, eventually. I’m tired of laying down in this bed, but, I am feeling much better.”

Photo: GVaughanIG

Talking on his confusion of trying to understand what could have been ailing him, Vaughan expressed, “I couldn’t quite figure it out, even though I was emphasizing and professing to my children going on our spring break getaway about hydration. I professed it. But, even though I was acting on it, it had a greater effect on me, and for which I did not even think, because my head was such in pain, and I was in a very bad state of mind – not being able to be out there with my kids on the mountain, enjoying their time, as well. I thought I was doing the right thing. Unfortunately, my lungs were full of fluids and my head was in severe pain and even migraine pills didn’t even help. So, I just want anybody that goes into the Colorado Mountains to know, it is no joke. It is this very serious thing which I guess is why they call it the Mile High City.”

Greg had a mountain of ‘thank you’s’ to give for the outreach he received from his original post, “For everybody internationally, wherever you are, I love you and I appreciate you and just the time and the thoughts that you’ve shared with me,” said Vaughan. “I didn’t realize that it would make such an impression on so many people around the world. I feel tremendously loved and I can’t say it enough. I’m good. And I appreciate you.”

Photo: GVaughanIG

The actor concluded his video with, “To all the family and friends that have reached out to me, man, it means the world. So take care of yourself, enjoy your spring break with your families. It’s Saint Patty’s Day, obviously. I wish I could be out there.” Vaughan added, “I feel loved and touched and I can’t emphasize that enough. I’ll take better care of myself, promise you will do the same.” Before he signed off, Greg shared, “Just know, that I’m alive and well and breathing, and I’m sore. So, be well, take care. I mean it. Thank you, tremendously.”

Glad to know that Greg has been on the mend, and shared his appreciation for everyone that reached out to him during this trying time? Comment below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Access Hollywood’ and ‘Couple to Throuple’ Host Scott Evans to Appear on Days of our Lives

Scott Evans, host of Access Hollywood and the Peacock reality series Couple to Throuple, will make a guest appearance this week on Days of our Lives.

Circle the Thursday, March 21st episode of DAYS for Evans’ arrival in Salem. During his tape date last fall (since DAYS tapes months well ahead of when episodes actually stream), Scott posed for a snap alongside Mary Beth Evans (Kayla), Jackée Harry (Paulina), James Reynolds (Abe) and Greg Rikaart (Leo).

Teasers for the 3/21 episode of DAYS share that Leo tries to come up with his next gossip column, and Paulina and Abe return home to a mini-celebration set up by Johnny and Steve. Will Evans pop up in one of those scenarios? Stay tuned.

Photo: JPI

For a long time, soap opera fans knew only of one Scott Evans. The one who played Oliver Fish on One Life to Live from 2008-2010.  But in show business, there are two Scott Evans’ that are widely-known.

Last Thursday, March 12th at the 35th annual GLAAD Media Awards, it found both Scott Evans and Scott Evans together in the green room and they taped this video ditty below, calling out how they both share the same name.

Photo: JPI

Last weekend, viewers saw OLTL’s Scott Evans on-stage at the Oscars when he performed in the musical number “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie led by Ryan Gosling.

As for Access Hollywood’s Scott Evans, he has been with the entertainment news program since 2015, appeared in the recent Ladies of the 80s: A Divas Christmas with Linda Gray, Donna Mills, Nicollette Sheridan, Loni Anderson and Morgan Fairchild, and currently has an overall talent and development deal with NBCUniversal.

So, looking forward to seeing Scott on DAYS? Check out ‘Evans meeting Evans’ below, and then share your thoughts in the comment section.

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Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives Star Greg Vaughan Shares Sudden Health Scare: “I Truly Feel Like I Work & Live in a Soap Opera!”

What started out as an adventure with his sons, quickly turned into a nightmare for Days of our Lives Daytime Emmy winner, Greg Vaughan (Eric Brady).

In a series of Instagram posts, Vaughan shared the sudden health crisis he found himself in.  The images show Greg with an oxygen tank to help him breathe.

The actor began to fill people, sharing, “I’ve said more than a few times, I truly feel like I work & live in a Soap Opera! 🤪 this trip was nothing short of another great Vaughan adventure!”

He went on to say that on a father and son Colorado spring break trip, he began to feel shortness of breath, feeling tired and with a headache and after two days of hoping he would feel better, Vaughan finally went to an Urgent Care to get checked out.

Photo: GVaughanIG

“I finally surrendered & went to urgent care and to my shock I learned that I was experiencing severe altitude sickness.” Vaughan admitted. “My Blood Oxygen was at 54% & my lungs were full of fluids! Blood oxygen, also known as oxygen saturation, represents the percentage of hemoglobin in your red blood cells that is carrying oxygen. Most people have an oxygen level of 95-100%….”

Providing more detail to his health scare, Greg shared, “Well, 4hrs later, a couple of bags of IV & oxygen tank strapped to my face, I was told that I needed to immediately get off the mountain! However I couldn’t, we still had another day to go & wanting the boys to enjoy their last day on the hill tops! I opted to go home with an oxygen tank, a good laugh for everyone, and I know will follow, but my boys looked after their old man & fortunately they had friends on this trip!”

Photo: JPI

The experience of altitude sickness in the Colorado Rockies gave Vaughan a bit of a new perspective, “In all seriousness, no matter your age, and all the times I’ve ⛷️ & 🏂 in my lifetime, Colorado Rockies is no joke! As they say, ‘ take a breathe and smell the roses!’ That is truly something we need to remember & appreciate! #recover”

Share your well-wishes to Greg as he continues to be on the mend via the comment section below.

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