Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Head Writer Ron Carlivati Reveals Why No Explosive Cliffhangers Before Olympic Break
Several Days of our Lives fans have taken to social media over the past few days, being disgruntled with the fact that when DAYS went off the air this past Thursday for its two-week break for the 2022 Winter Olympics, it was without major bombshell cliffhangers as it had in the past for previous summer and winter Olympic breaks when the event airs on NBC.
DAYS head writer, Ron Carlivati took to Twitter on Saturday to explain why, sharing: “We did not know until well after these episodes were written and taped that we would be preempted for the Winter Olympics.”
Carlivati’s tweet was in response to fan Tonja C”s tweet: “They do know. That’s why these huge cliffhangers use to happen all the time. #Days has always taped months in advance and was able to deliver huge cliffhangers. It just seemed to change with the change in writers.”
The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beiijing, China had gone through many question several months ago and leading up to the games including: whether the games would happen at all due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which countries would participate, and the fact that Winter Olympics preemption announcement did not happen till after the DAYS episodes had been taped.
So, are you looking forward to DAYS’ return following the Olympic break? Glad Ron Carlivati spoke up to explain why the last episode of DAYS before the break was not a game-changer? Comment below.
Not buying it ReRon….
NBC always has the Olympics, and they always preempt all the regular programming, both daytime and primetime.
This just happened last summer, for Hell’s sake. I have my senior Devil moments, but it’s not easy to forget something like a two week preemption.
First of all, the Devil doesn’t do Twitter. So if you’re having a feud with somebody on that idiotic time wasting platform, it ain’t me.
Second, there’s no point in defending ReRon’s half-assed excuses, without some facts to back them up. So perhaps you can document the last time that Days aired episodes during an Olympic year, without attempting to throw personal attacks against somebody who can cast you into the Lake of Fire without a second thought.
Satan -I asked my grandmother who has been watching Days religiously for years about the show being preempted by Olympics. Grandmother thinks that NBC did not preempt Days for the Olympics between 1988 and 2002. But to be sure Grandmother would have to read through her daily diaries for those years. .
Satan -given the awful writing and inane plot lines, the absence of an explosive cliff hanger is a positive relief. The only cliff hanger I would want to see is RC’s term as head writer end and the new head writer announced after the Olympics.
4ever DAYS -FYI Satan is allowed to post what he/she/they believe to be true.
I don’t agree with “Satan” for various reasons, including that Mr. Carlivati has no real reason to lie about this, and his lie would easily be spotted by his Sony and NBC bosses, getting him in trouble. Also, today for example, on the East Coast, Olympics coverage on NBC doesn’t start until after Days’ normal 1 p.m. timeslot, showing there may not have been an original plan to pre-empt it every day. (My local affiliate is plugging Days’ spot with a talk show.)
That being said, the personal attack on “Satan” by “4ever DAYS” is appalling and disgraceful. What’s the point of moderating these posts if that kind of abuse is tolerated? And if you get that worked up over an opinion about a soap opera, it’s time to take a deep breath and a step back and consider what’s actually important in life.
4ever DAYS, I am confused… Were your comments meant as humor? Also, it seems that some people think you were addressing your comments to our beloved Satan. Calling this particular Satan a “POS” and “Bitch” is an unfortunate, inappropriate choice. I had assumed that your comment was being directed at Carlivati. I may not think much of him as a head writer at the moment; he may deserve criticism but certainly not curse words and name calling.
Perhaps you might considering clarifying. It may make you (and others here) feel so much better. I have been known to apologize when I misspoke or misinterpreted someone else’s comments. Thanks for reading. And have a good day,
I, for one, choose to take Carlivati at his word because this plausible excuse is such a refreshing change of pace from his typical writing style… 🙂
I may be the only one who thinks so but I think Ron Carlivati is a horrible headwriter and has made Days incredibly difficult to watch with all his outlandish stupid storylines. Let’s see: camp, sci-fi, horror, and throwing characters I love under the bus (particularly Lucas at the altar of E.J.) do not make for riveting soap. I know others just love that idiotic possession storyline but this is not what I love about soaps. I preferred the reality based stories of all of our beloved cancelled New York based soaps. The overall arcs on Days are terrible and the show is only saved by an energetic cast that gives their all to inferior material.
You are not the only one who thinks so, richard. I share your opinion. I miss reality-based stories in Salem too. Always preferred the writing styles of Nixon, the senior Bell, and Marland. Today’s writers worked with these masters. Why do we not have compelling stop like we once did?
Does it really matter?
Complete b**s if you ask me, not to mention his writing is nothing to write home about. It’s time we got someone in there who can actually write and direct this soap. Is Sheri Anderson available to come back again? Or can we promote Lorraine Broderick?
Doesn’t make sense since it’s still February sweeps. You want something BIG to happen even if you don’t know if the Olympics is going to happen or not.
Atleast Ron Carlivatti has an excuse!
Whats Josh Griffiths excuse for never having a cliffhanger at any end of episode ever?
There was a time y n r would have several cliffhangers per episode multiple days of the week and always gaureenteed a juicy exciting one on fridays eppy! You couldnt wait for mondays! Josh the snooze Griffith cant even pretend to script a single cliffhanger since he startd his latest tenure. And no, Devon looking bored and Abby looking lost or Billy plotting some silliness or Victor mumbling a threat dont count. Its almost laughable how bad he is, even worse cbs stills employs Josh Griffith.
Atleast Ron writes plenty of cliffhangers always usually.
Hahaha!! I hate to admit it but you really did hit the nail on the head. Y&R is just not the show it used to be. I only watch because Lauren is still around and even then, we haven’t seen her in an exciting story in a long time.
Every soap he gets his hands on turns into total camp! One Life to Live, General Hospital and now DAYS.
Ron Carlivati needs to break up Eli and Lani I believe it’s time for Ron to reveal Elis romantic past with Steffy Johnson Steve and Kaylas daughter and it’s revealed that Eli has another set of twins a boy and a girl with Steffy the result of a passionate night with Steffy from when he was with the FBI I don’t like the character of Lani Eli can do way more better than her.
well, sure. Carlivati’s is to rewrite history that happened off screen and everyone hates it, so, why not? #facepalm
Well this is a soap you never know
Right on! Lani is too nice. Let’s send her back to the convent where she should have been made Saint for befriending Ktisten.
I don’t see why Days couldnt have been shown on Peacock during this time. You can stream free. If you want to watch the Olympics on Peacock you have to join and pay a fee People are not really tuning into watching the Olympics as much this time around. Rates are way down. NBC HAS REALLY SCREW UP
This is the first time that NBC has ever pre-empted “Days of Our Lives” for the Winter Olympics. None of NBC’s afternoon coverage is live as it is in the middle of the night in Beijing. NBC did not decide until November to pre-empt “Days Of Our Lives” for these Winter Olympics. The episodes that aired last week were taped in September. The producers did not receive enough warning. NBC pre-empted “Days of Our Lives” for the Summer Olympics in 2012, 2016, and 2021, which is what everyone is remembering. The producers were given plenty of notice for those three instances.
The failure to have the cliff hangers is probably due to the production schedule where episodes are shot months in advance and to reshoot or edit them is just not cost efficient. The decision not to put the episodes on Peacock or the NBC application though is lame. Anything that drives people to the internet is good for the show and good for Peacock. It means younger people are watching the show and those are the people who are most likely to be interested in streaming.
Not buying this flimsy excuse either. The last 6 months have been promos about the Winter Olympics. Now I don’t watch Days but don’t think NBC going to suddenly say you’re going to be preempt. But with what’s going on from the site of storylines going on canvas it seems a bit of a mess. What was that big teddy thing that women was fighting? Still devil made me do it is still on canvas and a mask doppelganger story. What I’ve read from comments it seems a lot Days fans are not happy campers of their current stories. I couldn’t watch that kind entertainment.
It’s abysmal. The dream sequence so you’re referring to with Ava fighting a Life size teddy bear was unbearable to watch. Pun intended. That’s what the fast forward button is for thank God for it.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
Next week, expected surprises and schemes on Days of our Lives. In official spoilers for episodes streaming on Peacock from October 5-9, it looks like Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) has hunted down a very much alive Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd), while Marlena (Deidre Hall) admits a deeply concerning confession to her daughter Belle (Martha Madison), and more.
As previously reported, Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, General Hospital) is stepping in for one day for Tyler Joseph Andrews in the role of Theo Carver and will share scenes with Gabi (Cherie Jimenez), where Theo finally agrees to go along with Gabi’s plan, after she offered him a job.
Meanwhile, Gabi may have her hands full with Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) whose big win in Monte Carlo may have sparked his gambling addiction … all over again, but Philip reveals her has a plan.
Photo: Corday Productions
Sydney (Sydney Malekeh) is in for a shock when Dante (Franco LoPresti) arrives in Salem. Why is he in Salem? Is he part of the unraveling of the Dominic Marino mystery, since we know he seemed like he was talking to the man in Monte Carlo?
Will Marlena ever figure out what Rita (Maggie Carney) is hiding about the mystery of Dominic, and if Marlena is truly his birth mother or did something more suspicious go on and how deeply involved is Rita in this whole story?
EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) finally demands answers of his own from Rita after overhearing on today’s Cliffhanger Friday her conversation with Marlena. Will Rita cop to anything?
Then as noted, while everyone thinks Sophia took her own life, after Kristen “murdered” her, Kristen is infuriated to find she is somehow alive working as waitress in a diner in Kentucky. Will Kristen try to kill Sophia yet again?
Take a look at some of the additional spoilers for next week’s action on DAYS below.
Monday, October 5
Joy worries about her future.
Alex surprises Stephanie.
Chanel supports Johnny through a difficult decision.
Tuesday, October 6
Rachel gives Brady cause for concern.
Roman surprises Kate.
Wednesday, October 7
Leo’s good day takes an unexpected turn.
Brady is forced to make a difficult call.
Thursday, October 8
Paulina refuses to give up on Lani.
Chanel asks Johnny for a promise.
Friday, October 9
Stephanie and Alex steal a private moment.
Steve gets troubling news from Johnny.
So, what do you think will happen when Kristen finds that the woman she thought she murdered and framed (making it looking like a suicide) is alive and well and working in a diner far away from Salem? Was Rita more involved with Stefano DiMera than we even know? Who is the birth mother of Dominic? Is it really Marlena or did someone else carrying her child? And what of Dante? Why is he back in Salem? To get at Philip, or something else? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Four cast members are officially on contract at Days of our Lives, according to the soap opera’s closing credits on Peacock and longtime Days expert and historian Jason 47.
Lauren Koslow (Kate), Sydney Malakeh (Sydney), Sal Stowers (Lani) and Jacob Martinez (Javi) are the names that appear in the closing credits in the contracted cast members section. Days of our Lives fans also note that the series tapes ten months in advance of streaming episodes.
As Days of our Lives fans know, Lauren Koslow has played Kate Roberts since 1996, and recently filled-in for Jess Walton in the role of Jill Abbott on The Young and the Restless when Walton was unable to travel from Oregon to Los Angeles during the specific tape dates. But now, Koslow has been re-upped to contract status as of the September 8 episode.
Photo: JPI
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED
Sydney Malakeh is the newest member of the contract players when she debuted on contract status on the September 10th episode. Days fans first met Sami (Alison Sweeney) and EJ’s (Dan Feuerriegel) daughter in scenes in Monte Carlo around a gambling table.
As for Sal Stowers, the actress had been on contract from 2015-2022, then on recurring status with the soap, and would make appearances and limited runs since 2023. Soap fans first saw Sal as Cassandra Foster on Prospect Park’s revival of All My Children in 2013. Sal’s first new contracted episode was noted to be September 16.
Jacob Martinez, debuted on June 30 of this year as the successor to Al Calderon in the role of Javi Hernandez, and has now been bumped up to series regular as of the September 10 episode.
Photo: JPI
CREDITS
According to the referenced posting from Days of our Lives expert and historian Jason 47, he shared, “It took me four weeks to realize, but the same week that Sydney Malakeh (Sydney) debuted (9/7-9/11), “Days” also put Lauren Koslow (Kate), Jacob Richard Martinez (Javi) and Sal Stowers (Lani) on contract.”
Jason47 added, “This confirms the “errors” of Lani being listed in the credits the week of 9/7 but not appearing, and Kate and Javi appearing in the credits the week of 9/14 but not appearing. It also now makes sense why Javi and Sydney are being listed before Rafe and Philip in the credits.”
He also shared, “For the record, Lauren Koslow’s first date back on contract was 9/8, Jacob Richard Martinez was upped to contract on 9/10, Sydney Malakeh debuted on contract 9/10 and Sal Stowers’ first date back on contract was 9/16. The records will be fixed on the website in the coming days.”
So, glad to hear Lauren, Sydney, Sal and Jacob appear to be on contract with Days of our Lives (as of these episode airings)? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
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Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown
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