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: 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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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Conner Floyd on Chad’s Quest For Abigail’s Resurrection; But Who Should Be Cast as NuAbby?
Former Y&R favorite, Conner Floyd made his debut as the recast Chad DiMera on Days of our Lives last week on the April 21 episode of the Peacock streaming soap opera
Floyd replaced Billy Flynn in the role who is firmly cemented in his old stomping grounds of Genoa City and The Young and the Restless as Chad DiMera. For the last year or two of Chad’s story, he believed his wife, Abigail Devereaux DiMera could be alive, he even thought Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) was Abigail until the story turned.
Now with Floyd taking over the role and Lexie coming back to life after years of being dead, and Chad noting how Dr. Rolf (Richard Wharton) and his brother, EJ (Dan Feuerriegel), could resurrect somehow they all love, he thinks, how about Abigail? The part of Abigail was played by Kate Mansi and then Marci Miller.

Photo: JPI
Speaking with Stephanie Sloane for her new Daytime Dish Newsletter on the matter, Conner shared, “Any kind of idea that she could possibly be coming back, as farfetched as that may seem, he’s stuck on it. The idea gets in his head, and he’s locked in on it.”
CHAD WRESTLES WITH THE FATE OF ABIGAIL
Floyd added that Chad, “He’s asking Theo (Joseph Tyler Andrews) about it. He’s asking EJ about it. It’s one of those things where he loves her so much that the peace in his mind that he’s made with this kind of comes unbroken. So the fact that that she might be able to come back, he’s so bent on it, he thinks it’s going to happen and he kind of spirals away.”
A NEW ABIGAIL ON THE HORIZON?

Photo: ABC
That begs the question, with Days of Our Lives taping ten months in advance, which is already taking them into the beginning of 2027, is it possible that the soap has already recast Abigail and its being kept top secret?
Recently, it was revealed that former General Hospital favorite, Sofia Mattsson (ex-Sasha) has joined Days of our Lives. Back on March 30 it was reported that Mattsson is now taping all-new episodes that will be seen in 2027, but her role was being hush-hush! Could she the new Abby?
If not, the question is, since it seems that Kate Mansi is not coming back as she is firmly entrenched in her role as Kristina Corinthos-Davis on General Hospital and other outside projects, and Marci Miller has also been away from soaps for awhile working on other TV and film roles and indie motion pictures, who should play nuAbby?
Now below, let us know, who do you think would make the perfect leading lady opposite Conner Floyd as a recast Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Be our armchair quarterback casting director and drop your pick in the comment section.
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