Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Head Writer Ron Carlivati Talks On: Ben Weston, Soap Amnesia, Doppelgängers, and the Time Jump
Days of our Lives viewers have been going through some changes over the past month since the launch of the innovative time jump from the creative mind of the series and Daytime Emmy-winning head writer, Ron Carlivati. As episode after episode unfolds, the audience has been finding out just where their favorite Salem residents have landed and with whom, in the one year flash-forward. There have been shocking deaths revealed, longtime couples facing different kinds of obstacles that could change their relationships forever, and some characters brought back on the canvas, in one form or the other, to shake things up.
On the series finale of the Inside Salem: Days of our Lives Podcast, Ron Carlivati was the very special guest and addressed many of the decisions that went into making the flash- forward happen starting with when Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) wakes up from her coma after her fall, thanks to Princess Gina (Kristian Alfonso), and how it impacts the canvas. You can listen to the can’t-miss interview here via iTunes or at NBC.com/Inside Salem.
Due to the length of our conversation with the talented head scribe, some of the questions and answers did not make it into the podcast finale due to time constraints. So, we have brought you the rest the interview here as Ron discusses: the popularity of #Cin, back-from-the-dead storylines, writing for the original series on the DOOL app and further creative decisions that went into crafting the one-year time jump. Check out what Ron had to say below.
Photo: JPI
You have been able to make #Cin, the hottest duo on daytime by taking a now reformed serial killer, Ben Weston (Rob Scott Wilson) and pairing him with the daughter of one of DAYS all-time supercouples, Bo and Hope in Ciara Brady (Victoria Konefal). Were you ever concerned as to how this story/romance would play to the audience at home, because in reality no parent would ever just stand by and let their child get involved with a man who strangled and killed women, previously?
Ron: To sort of try to glorify a guy who strangled women and make him into a romantic lead, we don’t do that lightly. Not unlike, Todd Manning (Roger Howarth) on One Life to Live who was a rapist, and who became sort of an anti-hero, but also a romantic lea. And in this day and age, it’s even a bigger decision to do something like that, I think. So, that said, it is a soap opera and there are certain things where we know we are pushing the envelope. We know in the real world that no mother would ever get past her daughter being with a guy who murdered, killed, and strangled three women or strangled and shot one, but the pairing worked so well.
Photo: JPI
In the time jump, you gave Ben an intriguing prison cell mate in Will Horton, given that Ben had “killed” him previously. Add to that you brought back Ben’s criminal father, Clyde back into the mix. There’s lots of prison orange these days on the screen.
Ron: When we knew we were sending Ben to prison, then obviously father and son have to cross path. It just added another element, so it wasn’t just going to be Ben and Will (Chandler Massey) talking to each other, and making a shawl together like Martha Stewart. (Laughs). Ben’s relationship with Clyde was interesting to me. As horrible as Clyde was and is – there does seem to be some sort of love that he has for Ben.
Photo: JPI
On the soaps, and as has been part of DAYS enduring legacy, characters are killed off, only to be brought back to life somewhere down the road. Many return with classic soap amnesia as a vehicle to drive story. Is there ever a time when as a writer, or as a soap fan, you think “enough is enough”, and characters should just stay dead? Many fans who watch daytime dramas get very invested in tragic death stories, where characters have these shocking or sudden, or long goodbyes, and the viewers goes through the grieving process; along with the other characters, for what then seems like a waste of an emotional investment when said character turns back up alive.
Ron: We were talking about bringing Jack (Matthew Ashford) back right around that same time we had the Will story. We couldn’t bring two people back from the dead at the same time, and that’s why Jack’s return kind of got put on the back-burner, so we could do the ‘Will is alive’ story arc. Look, the audience will go with you, especially if they want somebody back desperately. They will overlook how did it happen, and how could they be alive. They will accept almost any explanation, but I think you’re right, if you do it too much, you tend to water down the permanence of death … especially deaths that you saw on-camera.
Photo: JPI
Viewers know you love doppelgänger storylines. And, in the time jump you brought back none other than Hattie Adams (Deidre Hall). Why the decision to bring Hattie back at this time? I know Deidre loves playing her.
Ron: I think Deidre likes playing something different than Marlena, because she played Marlena for many, many years, and she knows her like the back of her hand. Hattie is an escape and something fun, and the chance to do and say outrageous things that Marlena would never do. So, we bring her back whenever we can to have fun with, and again, it seemed to work because she was in prison, and we set Eve in prison when we started the time jump off, and we’re like, “Who’s Eve (Kassie DePaiva) going to be talking to?” and we’re like, “Oh, well of course. It has to be Hattie.” (Laughs)
When do you first see the fruits of your labor? Do you see a feed from the set as the show is taping? Do you receive episodes where you see how what was written has come to life?
Ron: In prior shows, One Life to Live and on GH, I saw it when it aired. At One Life, I was in the studio, so I often saw production shooting scenes. Here, they send me the completed shows once it has been completely edited, the music has been put into it, and it’s all ready to roll, and they email me the link to 5 or 6 shows. So, I could in theory watch a couple of weeks ahead of the audience, but I tend to (unless I’m so, so curious about how a certain thing turned out) watch it when it’s on TV.
Photo: JPI
The “Lani (Sal Stowers) and Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) joining a convent” storyline is at a critical point in story. How did you come up with the decision to put Lani, and of all people, Kristen together and about to take their vows as nuns, and kind of becoming bff’s?
Ron: I mean, you can’t imagine sort of two more unlikely friends as Kristen and Lani. We grew to really love the relationship that developed between the two of them. I think we sat down and said about the time jump, “There have to be enough big changes that you do the double-take.” Like, Will is Ben’s cell mate, Adrienne is dead, and Justin and Kayla are together now. You had to have enough of those WTF moments to justify passing a year of time.
You have also been writing series for the DOOL app. What did you think of Chad and Abby in Paris with that being the initial one and how it all came to pass?
Ron: It was fun. I had no time. I was writing six episodes a week of DAYS, and I was asked “By the way, can you write two seasons of a web/app show for us?” (Laughs) Greg Meng (Co-executive producer, Days of our Lives) has really been the mastermind behind this app and developing this app into something. I love all of the stuff you guys came up with for all the behind the scenes content, but I know that Greg really wanted original series content on it, too. Chad (Billy Flynn) and Abigail (Kate Mansi) just seemed like the logical couple to do that with. You wanted somebody tied to Salem that wasn’t currently on the campus, but you know the audience cares about what their up to, and Chad and Abby just seemed perfect. The process was totally different because I’m used to writing six outlines a week that are 15 pages long, and all of the sudden, I’m like, “She comes in, this happens, and this happens.” . That’s like a whole episode of an app series right there. Corday Productions produced it while they were producing the regular show, and they made a special set into Chad and Abigail’s apartment, which I thought looked incredible.
Photo: JPI
Chad & Abby in Paris had a bit of a different look and feel then the regular airshows, which I think made it enticing.
Ron: I loved the look of it. I felt it was just a little bit different than Salem. We had the establishing shots of the Eiffel Tower and all of that stuff, and look, we had to keep it simple, but we added in Austin (Austin Peck). We had Tony (Thaao Penghlis) come in season 2. We had the new characters of Juliette (Rachele Schank) and Sylvie (Shawna Della-Ricca). So, it was fun, and it weirdly just timed out so perfectly because we did 8, took like a week off, did another 8, and that last episode was posted right when Jennifer fell.
Right, so it timed perfect to get Chad & Abby back on the airshows.
Ron: It timed out perfectly so that we could have Abigail get a call: “Something has happened to my mother. We have to go back to Salem.” So, you last saw Chad and Abby in Paris, and then the following week they were back in Salem.
Photo: JPI
Now, with the kind of massive move for DAYS with the time jump, you have to figure out: “Who are the casualties? Who am I going to lose?” Viewers learned in short order that: Adrienne (Judi Evans) isn’t alive, Haley (Thia Megia) isn’t alive, and Jordan (Chrishell Stause) isn’t alive. What went into the decision-making process to kill those characters? I’m assuming it was to further the story of others on the canvas.
Ron: Yes. Anytime we kill somebody, it breaks my heart every time, because these are like my babies. You fall in love with these characters, and you care about them a lot, and you care about the people who play them. So, it’s a big decision to say, “Let’s kill them.” It may be a great story, like, “I’m going to get this amazing story if I kill X,” but that’s a person and a job, and it’s not something we ever do lightly. That said, in a year of passage of time, you know that life and death is going to happen, and to us, it felt like to really signify the passage of time, there had to be at least one or two people who are no longer alive, and then show how that affects our story.
Photo: JPI
Did you ever think that instead of 1 year that you’d do a bigger jump? Like, “What if I did 5 years?” Because it’s interesting, I was reading some comments on social media from fans who are like, “What year is it? Is it just 1 year? Why didn’t they do 5?” (Laughs)
Ron: 5 seemed like a lot. I think people change physically a lot in 5 years. I wasn’t prepared to cast little children as teenagers… that would be a lot. (Laughs) I think you run the risk of it being almost too disorienting for the audience. Also, then it would be me having to figure out what happened over 5 years instead of just 1. (Laughs) So, 1 year just kind of seemed perfect, and it had to be an even year so that even though it’s a crazy coincidence that Jennifer woke up 1 year to the day she fell into the coma, you needed Thanksgiving to still be Thanksgiving, and Christmas to still fall on Christmas, and that kind of thing. So, it had to be an even year. I think it worked out great and I hope the audience continues to go on the journey with us, because there is a lot more to come!
So, have you been enjoying the DAYS time jump thus far? Which storyline has piqued your interest most? Let us know via the comment section below.
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No don’t like the change
Me either….
7 no I hate the time jump. Nothing makes any sense. Steve as Stephanie is ridiculous. I hated princess Gina the first time around. I’m about to give up on this show,and I’ve watched nearly since the beginning
There is nothing surprising about the time jump storylines at all, except that it’s got eight months to go and all of the actors are off contract, and the webisodes are for morons. The fans and new children are having none of it. The fans are the only ones who sorta kinda understand it, but for the few who like it there a multitudes who see the writing on the wall, and even Sami Brady can’t fix it.
Out of all the writers at this point in time
Ron Carlivati is king.
He is a Brave writer and he will push a limit.
He brings mystery and suspense.
I wish to hades he was the head writer for GH.
GH is drama Free –
it has become pathetically Bland it’s so stale it’s moldy.
RC will deliver the action..
LOL,
is it you Sue? you are usually so spot on that this post feels like its from Sue with a Re-Ron personality disorder.
Drama is stupid unless the audience connects emotionally to the story, most long time Days fans are mourning right now,
and you suggest Ron C ‘brings the action’?
????
by action, do you mean killing another legacy, I could agree with there….
viewer88
hi viewer ..
Do you watch GH, all so?
GH is stiflingly boring to say it’s pathetic would be a soft word..
At the least RC doesn’t `comma you lol
You might think his writing is UCK but you’re awake to notice. LOL ..
All I can really say, because I agree, GH is has lots of stupid too…
But there GH has it’s dramatic, emotional moments that keep me connected.
Oscars death, Sonnys Dad, Monica dealing with. Drews 1 & 2. there are more.
Days has become a farce, easy to laugh at sometimes, but it makes me feel nothing lately.
I did feel sad for Robin Stasser though, finally getting a job, so they could turn the character she was to play into a cartoon.
hi viewer..
every soap has something for someone.
They are all makebelieve, so its what’s fits your fantasy.
Some like lovey-dovey junk.
Others like hard-hitting drama (me..
A good gripping mystery is always #1.
Some like vets and family
Some like ‘campy ..
We need to find the best fit..
0oooh a great many would love to turn
the calendar back to the 80s-90s.
whichever we expect to have great writers’
but- good writers are an endangered species.
Seems we have to ‘take what we can get LOL
Now that Corday has another year with NBC, he should cancel ReRons contact,Bring back the stars, and get his show back, before the awsome soap killer does in DOOL. Gawd, how low do the ratings have to go these days??? (I know the ratings are in No way accurate!!!). It’s just like taking money making people stupid by making soaps…the re ron factor.
I love this storyline! The time jump has really intrigued me, but don’t like that Adrienne is dead!
I’m enjoying it. I don’t like all the changes, Adrienne and Brady’s baby dead, but it’s okay. Looking forward to what happens next.
RE-RON. The fake mask king. Ridiculous.
Not so much…kind of confusing when you suddenly jump into a story that happened off screen ect…This Is Days Of Dr.Who…Not Days Of Our Lives-miss when soaps were soaps and not scifi/fantasy ect!!
Love the time jump! Makes for more drama and the unexpected!
It has given me reason to finally stop watching the show. Too much violence, every character seems to carry and pull a gun, the stupidity of the storylines of chip implants into brains, Bringing Stepho back as Steve (the day I removed the record from my dvr), Two non-Catholics becoming nuns, It’s time to place this show to rest like OLTL and AMC – writers ruined those, now you have destroyed Days. And don’t a year from now pull a “dream” sequence that never happened!
In the picture of Billy Flynn and Kate Mansi, it appears as though Flynn is wearing a plant-like helmet. Oh, never mind…
I thought his hair was tinted green. Once I finally looked up from him sitting down. LOL.
Hi davlestev1! Thanks for your reply — and for the laugh!
Gentleman James!!! I noticed your name in the “recent comments” column, and since you have been so scarce as of late, thought I would check out this thread to see about what you were referring! That purely unintended “optical illusion” looks like a green-dyed “Mohawk” to me…LOL! At any rate, it’s so nice to see you here again…you’ve been missed! And right in the nick of time for me to wish a most Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours! Welcome back, my friend!
Shay, I cannot thank you enough for the warm greeting! It’s so nice to be welcomed and remembered… And you nailed it on the “green-dyed ‘Mohawk!'” I just had another thought: a live Chia pet! I also wish you a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year! Please take care, Friend.
Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!!!! Ding Ding Ding…We have a winner and it’s James! You called it to a “t”…that is EXACTLY what Flynn’s “festive hairdo” resembles! Now I will never be able to pass a ChiaPet store display without thinking of you! (If they still even make this perennial Christmas present that everybody wants…said no one ever!!! I’ll bet they do!) Regardless, it’s always a pleasure to touch base with you, my friend, and even nicer during this wonderful holiday season! As for being “welcomed and remembered,” that is a given where I’m concerned! You’re unforgettable, Gentleman James!” Take care, enjoy this beautiful time of the year and don’t be a stranger! Your unique perspective on the state of today’s remaining soaps vs. those of daytimes yore is always a treat to behold, and I shall be looking forward to reading your “reviews” in the long winter days to come…especially in reference to “It’s A Wonderful Sonny Life” on GH!!! (Yep, you can bet your Santa boots we’re due for yet another “Corinthos Christmas Extravaganza!” LOL…) Later!
Ha! Thanks a million, Shay! Thanks so much for your kind words. You are indeed a day-brightener, a role you’ve played plenty of times before! I think quite highly of you! Your insightful, articulate commentary is a reliable source of enjoyment at this site.
BTW, my soap viewing has actually spiked in recent weeks — I’m loving the time jump on DOOL! And your humorous allusion to GH Sonny, knowing my distaste for the character, is appreciated. I can’t see returning as a GH viewer, not as long as that character is front and center.
I will check in here more regularly, peruse the postings, and add to the discussion when I find such inspiration. In the meantime, best to you and your loved ones! I hope your holiday season is filled with joy. And as my fave Karen Carpenter sings in “Merry Christmas Darling,” Happy New Year too!
@James…I’m so glad you are enjoying DOOL again, although the “time jump” seems to be a controversial choice of plot device amongst regular viewers. (For example, CeeCee, aka, “Celia,” and her gran are not fans of it from what she had relayed to me…LOL!) However, any machination which brings back Stephen Nichols works for me, no matter how outre’!!! (Loved him both as “Patch” and “Stefan Cassadine!”) On the other hand, I do believe GH needs a similar jolt to escape its dreadful sense of ennui…personally, I would be in favor of a “Dallas move,” i.e., the notion that the past (oh, say five years…) has been a terrible nightmare and none of it happened except in the furtive dreams of a sleeping character would be absolutely ideal. (That could have worked awhile back if Sam would have awakened and found your not-so-dead favorite, Jason, in her shower…of course, that ship has now sailed. But there’s always the sadly-departed Duke with his beloved Anna, or best of all, a still-missed AJ with his mourning-mum, Monica! Both of these women deserve the happiness that such a miraculous move would bring.. ) Then again, I also loved the “snowglobe scenario” that St. Elsewhere used in its final episode…whereby one of the central doctor’s son had imagined the entire concept of the eponymous hospital in his mind whilst gazing upon said object…with all the children about in Port Charles these days, that slightly-abridged idea would work for a reset back in time, too! But I digress…unfortunately, GH is what it is…and that inevitably means Sonny being featured front and center with every possible means to humanize him being implemented from here to eternity! At any rate, it has been a pleasure to be in touch with you again, too, James! I hope your renewed interest in Days continues into 2020 and that you will remain a presence here at MFTV with your always concise and well-put thoughts…In terms of Karen Carpenter? What a voice! So utterly flawless and dreamy…she was definitely a one-of-a-kind vocalist who left us far too soon…but what a gift of those beautiful songs she left behind…including her indelible Christmas selections! “Merry Christmas, Darling,” indeed! Lastly, thank you, “Gentleman James” for your ever sweet, generous sentiments which are deeply appreciated!…It’s the privilege of “meeting” such lovely people like you that makes visiting MF’s website a uniquely satisfying experience…being able to dissect the good, bad and even ugly of our soaps with the like-minded (and sometimes, not so like-minded!) is simply the cherry on top! Later, my dear friend, and best wishes during this blessed season and beyond!
Hello Shay! So elated to read your praise of Karen Carpenter! My fandom has been a lifelong passion. I have been known to go on and on about her… Suffice it to say, her voice was amazing. I agree further with you about so much of what you wrote: Stephen Nichols’ roles, the dreary status of GH, Jason in shower, Duke, Anna, Monica, St. Elsewhere’s brilliant finale…
I also agree with your take on the “privilege of ‘meeting’ such lovely people” here. We are certainly blessed with that. I do thank you for your kind words for me. I wish you and your loved ones a Happy Holiday Season and the best in the new decade! Cheers!
Oh, James!…..These threads are quite frankly far too tempting for going off-topic on a wide range of wonderful tangents with equally wonderful people—- like you!…It is clearly one of my worst indulgences, so “curbing my enthusiasm” for engaging in this practice will definitely be at the top of my list of new year’s resolutions…something I believe Mr. Fairman will greatly appreciate…LOL! However….until then: I will simply say that I can easily understand your devotion for the late Karen Carpenter and her treasure trove of now classic songs…she was a one-of-a-kind performer and her untimely departure still registers decades later…no female vocalist has since even come close to replicating her stunning sound. I have watched a few programs featuring “her story,” and what was so painfully obvious was that her death wasn’t just a great tragedy for her fans, but her brother, as well. Whilst Karen was the indelible “voice” of the Carpenters, Richard was the musical genius behind the unique, trademark harmonies of this synergistic duo…without his beloved sister by his side, he has seemed a rather lost soul, even though he has dedicated his immense talent to numerous other praiseworthy projects during these subsequent years. Fortunately for us, he has also channeled his energies (and obviously still deeply-felt grief for Karen) toward lovingly protecting and preserving her/their impressive entertainment legacy which he has graciously shared with the public for our continued enjoyment…what an amazing gift! Now then…back to the soaps!!!! Let’s hope that at this same time next year we are still here at this website discussing and debating the merits—or lack thereof—of all four of the remaining shows! I truly do believe that both Days and GH are hanging by the proverbial thread, so to speak…hence any rejuvenation/restoration of these soaps to some semblance of their former glory days would be a most welcome development that’s virtually a necessity for their very survival…it looks like that is currently in the process of occurring in Salem…now if only that same sort of miracle could be witnessed in Port Charles!!!! Having said that, I won’t hold my breath for the latter, because I’ve always sensed that there’s an ingrained mindset at GH that really refuses to both honor its rich history and build the future around the show’s once-successful formula/characters…it now seems more about creating/maintaining a hybrid version of GH/OLTL with a dash of AMC thrown in for good measure and that is where it has horribly gone awry from my perspective…Although I watched all three soaps in their heydays, I am—first and foremost—a GH fan, and often feel slighted by too much attention being paid to new players whose sole purpose appears to be as a far-too-convenient vehicle for recycling actors from those other two now-defunct ABC soaps. Their constantly-added presence promote feelings of divergence and dissonance from the show’s more traditional themes and flavor, which leaves me wanting much more than is being delivered at present. Since this scenario has been repeated time and time again—no matter the… Read more »
Great to read your commentary, Shay! And, of course, I appreciate the kind words about the Carpenters, a life-long passion/enjoyment of mine. I totally agree with you on the status and your characterization of GH, once also a “passion/enjoyment of mine.” Thanks again for writing! Best to you, Friend!
Thank you for your gracious reply, “Gentleman James!” Hope you are having a wonderful holiday! “See” you in 2020!
I’m sorry, but no. There is no explanation that will justify Ben as a romantic lead, and it’s especially insulting that so many plans were tied to him being in prison. It’s not amazing in any way that Will is in the same cell as his attempted killer. Will would never be his cellmate, and for that matter Will likely wouldn’t have gone to prison for something that everyone has described as a genuine accident.
You can say Ben & Ciara work well together, but I completely disagree because they’re the reason I can no longer watch. Beyond that, too many popular couples were shaken up following the time jump. I no longer have an incentive to watch WilSon when they’re split up by some bs story. The time jump itself isn’t the problem, but the terrible stories and execution of those stories is. Please find someone to save this show from itself.
Thats exactly why soaps die. The producers think this is a soap, the audience will accept anything. Ben and Ciara have great chemistry. You want to focus on them but Ben is a serial killer. Then kill Ben and bring the actor back as a new character, or an unknown twin, or a doppelgange or a ghostr. But dont try to make me like a serial killer or a rapist or a murderer. It alienates the audience.
Hate it! Ruining the show!
I like the change with the exception of Princess Gina. That’s just ridiculous, and there is no way Cierra wouldn’t know. Otherwise, I’m intrigued with the rest.
I like it so far minus then killing Adrienne and Jordan. I’m fine with killing Hailey, she didn’t work for me.
I know it’s a soap opera and you feel you can take liberties for storyline shock value…… however I don’t think there is much knowledge of the Catholic faith.. I found the nun story insulting. When they were cursing in the chapel took off part of their habit and threw it at the alter I was done. I won’t watch that storyline. I was disappointed in that writing the story could have been fulition better.
I have enjoyed your show but will pick and choose what I watch from now on only certain storylines.
Breaking News
47th Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: GH Scores Most Nods, DAYS Follows
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced today the nominees for the 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, which will be presented in a two-hour special on Friday, June 26 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Awards will be presented in leading categories during the telecast, with recipients and other special guests appearing from home in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional categories will be announced simultaneously on Twitter (@DaytimeEmmys), and others will be presented in a separate ceremony in July.
The awards are presented to individuals and programs broadcast between 2:00 am and 6:00 pm, as well as certain categories of digital and syndicated programming of similar content and that originally premiered in calendar-year 2019.
Show to show, and leading all daytime programming: General Hospital received the most nominations overall with 23, followed by Days of our Lives with 22. The Young and the Restless was next with 21, followed by The Bold and the Beautiful with 13. They were followed by the digital drama series, EastSiders and Studio City who scored 8 nominations, along with The View, Ghostwriter and Sesame Street.
Now below are the nominees in all the daytime and digital drama categories and congratulation to all of the nominees. Here we go, and the nominees are ….
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
After Forever Amazon Prime Video
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Eastsiders Netflix
Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Photo: ABC
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Finola Hughes as Anna Devane General Hospital ABC
Katherine Kelly Lang as Brooke Logan The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Heather Tom as Katie Logan The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Maura West as Ava Jerome General Hospital ABC
Arianne Zucker as Nicole Walker Days of Our Lives NBC
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTRESS IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Rowin Amone as Ester Issa Rae Presents King Ester YouTube.com
Mary Beth Evans as Sara Garrett The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Jade Harlow as Lianna Ramos The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Cady Huffman as Lisa After Forever Amazon Prime Video
Shanti Lowry as Yolanda Rodriguez Bronx SIU UMC / Amazon Prime Video
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Steve Burton as Jason Morgan General Hospital ABC
Thorsten Kaye as Ridge Forrester The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Jon Lindstrom as Kevin Collins/Ryan Chamberlain General Hospital ABC
Thaao Penghlis as Tony DiMera Days of Our Lives NBC
Jason Thompson as Billy Abbott The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A LEAD ACTOR IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Kristos Andrews as Pete Garrett The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Alex Hurt as Adam The Rehearsal rehearsalseries.com
Brad James as Cameran Jr. A House Divided UMC / Amazon Prime Video
Sean Kanan as Sam Stevens Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Brian White as Jimmy Blue Bronx SIU UMC / Amazon Prime Video
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Tamara Braun as Dr Kim Nero General Hospital ABC
Rebecca Budig as Hayden Barnes General Hospital ABC
Susan Seaforth Hayes as Julie Williams Days of Our Lives NBC
Christel Khalil as Lily Winters The Young and the Restless CBS
Annika Noelle as Hope Logan The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Tina Benko as Helen The Rehearsal rehearsalseries.com
Veanne Cox as Lenora Indoor Boys vimeo.com
Patrika Darbo as Violet Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Carolyn Hennesy as Gloria Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Janet Hubert as Mignon Issa Rae Presents King Ester YouTube.com
Photo: IMDB
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Mark Grossman as Adam Newman The Young and the Restless CBS
Bryton James as Devon Hamilton The Young and the Restless CBS
Wally Kurth as Justin Kiriakis Days of Our Lives NBC
Chandler Massey as Will Horton Days of Our Lives NBC
James Patrick Stuart as Valentin Cassadine General Hospital ABC
Paul Telfer as Xander Kiriakis Days of Our Lives NBC
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Willam Belli as Douglas / Gomorrah Ray Eastsiders Netflix
Leith M. Burke as Derrick Eastsiders Netflix
Tristan Rogers as Doc Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Lenny Wolpe as Carl After Forever Amazon Prime Video
Gregory Zarian as Nate Venice the Series vimeo.com
Photo: ABC
OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERFORMER IN A DRAMA SERIES
Sasha Calle as Lola Rosales The Young and the Restless CBS
Olivia Rose Keegan as Claire Brady Days of Our Lives NBC
Katelyn MacMullen as Willow Tait General Hospital ABC
Eden McCoy as Josslyn Jacks General Hospital ABC
Thia Megia as Haley Chen Days of Our Lives NBC
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMER IN A DRAMA SERIES
Elissa Kapneck as Sasha The Young and the Restless CBS
Michael Knight as Martin Grey General Hospital ABC
Eva LaRue as Celeste Rosales The Young and the Restless CBS
Jeffrey Vincent Parise as Simon Black The Young and the Restless CBS
Chrishell Stause as Jordan Ridgeway Days of Our Lives NBC
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMER IN A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
Rene Heger as Zack Sullivan DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Mary Beth Peil as Helen After Forever Amazon Prime Video
Scott Turner Schofield as Max Studio City Amazon Prime Video
Lin Shaye as Diane Eastsiders Netflix
Graham Sibley as Zack DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
OUTSTANDING WRITING TEAM FOR A DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING WRITING TEAM FOR A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
After Forever Amazon Prime Video
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Eastsiders Netflix
Issa Rae Presents King Ester YouTube.com
Studio City Amazon Prime Video
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
Bronx SIU UMC / Amazon Prime Video
DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Issa Rae Presents King Ester YouTube.com
Studio City Amazon Prime Video
OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION AND COMPOSITION FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Days of Our Lives NBC
Pillow Talk YouTube.com
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING MAKEUP FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
The Bay The Series Amazon Prime Video
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Eastsiders Netflix
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING HAIRSTYLING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL TEAM FOR A DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING MULTIPLE CAMERA EDITING FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING LIVE AND DIRECT TO TAPE SOUND MIXING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING ARTDIRECTION/SETDECORATION/SCENIC DESIGN FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
After Forever Amazon Prime Video
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DIRECTION FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
DARK/WEB Amazon Prime Video
Days of Our Lives NBC
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING CASTING FOR A DRAMA OR DIGITAL DRAMA SERIES
The Bold and the Beautiful CBS
Days of Our Lives NBC
Eastsiders Netflix
General Hospital ABC
The Young and the Restless CBS
OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SONG
“The Bad Guys?” Brainwashed By Toons funnyordie.com
“Everything Changed” The Feels YouTube.com
“North Star” General Hospital ABC
“A Holiday Carol – The Holidays Are Here”
93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade NBC
“Hooray Hooray, We’re On Our Way”
93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade NBC
Photo: ABC
OUTSTANDING SPECIAL CLASS SPECIAL
93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day NBC
Hate Among Us Popstar TV
Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration HBO
This Old House: 40th Anniversary Special PBS
The Young and the Restless: Kristoff St. John Tribute CBS
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT –TOPICAL
Days of Our Lives “Flash Forward” NBC
Dr. Phil “Rodney Reed” SYNDICATED Jeopardy!
“Jeopardy! All Star Games” SYNDICATED
Nick Jr Paw Patrol Ready, Race, Rescue: Trailer Nickelodeon
Spirit Riding Free: Spirit of Christmas
“Launch” Netflix The Star Wars Show
“Stars Wars Animals: The Trench Run” YouTube.com
The full list of nominees in all categories is available at https://theemmys.tv/daytime
So, who are you thrilled to see nominated from your favorite daytime and digital dramas? Who do you think is MIA? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Breaking News
47th Annual Daytime Emmys To Be Broadcast On CBS; Nominations To Be Announced Tomorrow On ‘The Talk’
Breaking news on Wednesday, the Daytime Emmys are back on and in a major way returning to broadcast television and CBS on Friday night, June 26h beginning at 8 p,m, ET/PT in a two-hour special.
The announcement was made by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and this marks the 14th time CBS had aired the Daytime Emmys throughout its history.
Photo: NATAS
The June 26 telecast will be produced by the National Academy and Associated Television International (ATI), which previously produced the Daytime Emmys Awards on The CW in 2009 and CBS’ most recent broadcasts in 2010 and 2011.
In addition, nominations in major categories will be revealed for the first time tomorrow May 21st on the CBS Daytime afternoon series, The Talk as well as ETOnline.com’ there are 100 categories in all that comprise the Daytime Emmys this year. This year’s awards honor content from more than 2,700 submissions that originally premiered in calendar-year 2019, judged by a pool of 1,000 peer professionals from across the television industry
“The Daytime Emmys are coming home,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “For generations, daytime television has been a source of comfort and continuity that’s never been more important. We’re delighted to join with CBS in celebrating the programs and professionals who never cease to brighten our days.”
“As a leader in Daytime, we are thrilled to welcome back the Daytime Emmy Awards,” said Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events for CBS. “Daytime television has been keeping viewers engaged and entertained for many years, so it is with great pride that we look forward to celebrating the best of the genre here on CBS.”
“In these challenging times, daytime has been a primary influence in staying connected with its audience, entertaining them, and keeping them informed,” said 47th Annual Daytime Emmys® executive producer and director David McKenzie of Associated Television International. “We are honored to be a part of it. We are also excited for the challenge of introducing a new format that will celebrate the contributions of daytime television.”
Awards will be presented in leading categories during the telecast, with recipients and other special guests appearing from home in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional categories will be announced simultaneously on Twitter (@DaytimeEmmys), and others will be presented in a separate ceremony in July.
So, what do you think about the Daytime Emmys returning to primetime and CBS? Who do you think will score a nomination tomorrow? Comment below, but first check out The Talk’s Daytime Emmy announcement below.
Big announcement on @TheTalkCBS today: The 47th ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY® AWARDS will return to CBS Friday, June 26 at 8pm ET/PT. Join @TheTalkCBS and @ETNow tomorrow when they announce #DaytimeEmmyAward nominations. pic.twitter.com/sQ9gqbh2wC
— CBS (@CBS) May 20, 2020
All My Children
ABC and PEOPLE’s ‘The Story of Soaps’: What Was Your Review Of It?
Tuesday’s night airing of ABC and PEOPLE’s two-hour special The Story of Soaps featured many notable daytime and primetime soap stars, past and present, clips from backstage to classic memorable moments, and some participants who were providing commentary on the erosion of the daytime soaps in our culture. Still others, maintained and realized that everything today is serialized from the news we watch, to some of Netflix’s most binge-watchable series, and of course, the birth of reality-programming.
Throughout the airing of the special, The Story of Soaps was trending on Twitter and social media either at the #2, #3 or #4 spots for the entire duration of the broadcast presentation, and the cancelled and beloved All My Children was also at one point trending.
However, known soap writers, journalists, ardent fans, and actors of the genre, were all on Twitter last night live-tweeting their thoughts as the special went down, and there was definitely mixed reactions and reviews, when all was said and done.
What the special did not shy away from, but tackled, was Luke’s rape of Laura at the campus disco on General Hospital. and how that moment now, as Genie Francis (Laura), so eloquently put, would be considered as ‘date rape’ in our culture. The series even included a pivotal moment where Laura addresses Luke (Tony Geary) about the rape years later, after helping Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) through her rape ordeal.
John Stamos (Ex-Blackie Parrish, GH) got a bevy of “Right On’s!” for his comment that the soaps do not get the credit that they deserve and clearly came through as one of the soaps greatest supporters, as did former The Doctors and Knots Landing star, Alec Baldwin.
However, throughout the two-hours, Andy Cohen’s commentary was thread throughout; mostly citing soap’s demise and the creation of reality-programming and his “Real Housewives” franchise, that the special touted as the new soap operas. It continued on the narrative that people preferred to see real-life drama then made-up drama on a fictional soap. And while, that has been a trend in American culture for decades, the commentary came off as often out of place in a celebration of the soaps; and bringing in a lot of negativity to the special that soap fans were tired of hearing.
In a lighting rod moment, Cohen stated: “I know Susan Lucci doesn’t agree with me, but I think that the Housewives have replaced soap operas because truth is stranger than fiction. Soaps became kind of unnecessary because you could do it with real people, and they’re writing the drama themselves.”
The special did also address the cancellations of All My Children and One Life to Live, (which many were not sure they were going to do – given this special was airing on ABC), where One Life’s leading lady and six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (Ex-Viki) said what we all wanted to sa ywhen the ax fell on the towns of Llanview and Pine Valley, “People were horrified”.
Clearly, OJ Simpson and his murder trial and reality-programming were also given a chunk of time to show where the once mighty landscape of daytime soaps which once had 13 shows on the air, dwindled town to 4. But, it would have been nice to see more time spent on how in this day and age, the people in this current landscape of the genre work so hard to get episodes done at an unbelievable pace, and how in that climate the performers still deliver gut-wrenching performances.
Photo: ABC
Former Loving, OLTL and Breaking Bad star, Bryan Cranston, did point out how the once powerful soaps, just don’t have the dollars they used to, and need to, to help with production costs and their taping schedule.
Viewers were reminded of soaps’ socially relevant storylines including hankie-inducing moments from: Robin (Kimberly McCullough) and Stone’s (Michael Sutton) HIV/AIDS storyline on General Hospital, to Billy Douglas being a gay teen coming out on One Life to Live, played by a young Ryan Phillippe.
There also did not seem time spent on the contributions of William J. Bell; one of the most prominent writers of the soap genre of all-time.
For many commenting on social media last night, there seemed to be a feeling of some glaring omissions of participants who could speak on this genre, who have been in the trenches as soap producers, soap writers, pundits, actors, and more, who were not included in the special.
So, what was your review of The Story of Soaps? How would you grade it? Do you feel it accurately reflected the history of the genre? Were you happily surprised, or when it came to the end where you over it, or somewhere in between? Sound off in the comment section below. Below are some tweets from notables who have worked as an actor, a writer, and a journalist in the soaps.
What started as a love letter kinda dissolved into a lover kicking you out of bed.
Ummm ok well I guess I appreciate the effort. But that definitely took a turn.🤷🏻♀️😬🤪 #TheStoryofSoaps— Chrishell (@Chrishell7) May 20, 2020
OMG so I’m still watching/catching up on #TheStoryofSoaps. Why does it suddenly feel like a death knell for the genre?! Why can’t it be a celebration? We’re hanging tough with no new episodes IN THE MIDDLE OF A FREAKING PANDEMIC! Why not celebrate our resilience? I’m done!
— Michele Val Jean (@MicheleValJean) May 20, 2020
Here’s the thing: The reason we’re down to 4 soaps is because network execs messed with time slots, cut budgets and interfered with storytelling. ABC can’t admit that so they have to get @Andy to trash them. But #TheStoryofSoaps was still a fun watch. Long live #AMC, #OLTL & #GH! https://t.co/pqR0Gx3cnf
— Carolyn Hinsey (@CarolynHinsey) May 20, 2020
GH’s Steve Burton and Maurice Benard Deliver “The Power Performance of the Week”
‘Studio City’s’ Sean Kanan to Host Indie Series Awards Virtual Ceremony
‘The Masked Singer’ Runner-up, Ex- AMC’s Jesse McCartney, Recalls Working With David Canary
Justin Deas, Beth Ehlers & Company Set For Guiding Light Cooper Family Reunion
CW’s ‘Dynasty’ Cast Livestream Chat On Tap
TODAY: General Hospital Rebroadcasts Masterful 52nd Anniversary Episode
Y&R To Run “Villains Week” While B&B Is Set for “Celebrity Week”
47th Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: GH Scores Most Nods, DAYS Follows
All My Children Cast Reunites For #UnitedAtHome Series In Week-Long Event
Lori Loughlin and Husband Mossimo Giannulli To Plead Guilty To Charges In College Admissions Scandal
Andy Cohen On His ‘Story of Soaps’ Backlash: “I Went To The Interview As A Soap Fan Prepped To Talk Soaps & They Asked About Reality TV … Sue Me!”
ABC’s “The Story of Soaps” Two-Hour Special Shifts Time Slot to 9 p. m. EST/PST
GH’s Steve Burton and Maurice Benard Deliver “The Power Performance of the Week”
ABC and PEOPLE’s ‘The Story of Soaps’: What Was Your Review Of It?
47th Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: GH Scores Most Nods, DAYS Follows
Dominic Zamprogna Reveals He’s Ready to Come Home to General Hospital
OLTL Icon, Erika Slezak Talks On Her 42-Year Run As Viki, Her Llanview Co-Stars & Husbands, and Life Now
47th Annual Daytime Emmys To Be Broadcast On CBS; Nominations To Be Announced Tomorrow On ‘The Talk’
TODAY: General Hospital Rebroadcasts Masterful 52nd Anniversary Episode
All My Children Cast Reunites For #UnitedAtHome Series In Week-Long Event
Y&R Alum Max Ehrich Big Smooch with Demi Lovato in Arianna Grande & Justin Bieber’s New Music Video ‘Stuck With You’
Soap Vet Debbi Morgan’s Emotional Words On How COVID-19 Has Affected the Black Community
WATCH: ‘Venice the Series’ Gregory Zarian Talk Daytime Emmy Pre-Nom, Bullying & Staying Safe During COVID-19
Tony Geary Opens Up About His Iconic Role as GH’s Luke Spencer on Nancy Lee Grahn’s ‘Soaps In Quarantine’
Soap Stars & Jake Gyllenhaal In All-New Episode of Tonight Show’s ‘The Longest Days of our Lives’
WATCH: Nancy Lee Grahn’s Birthday Celebration Replay With Her Drive-By GH Friends & Co-Stars
Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong Continues To Lobby To Be On Y&R & We’d Be All For It
Brandon Barash On His DAYS Return: “The Reveal Is Going To Be Fun!” But, Who Will He Ultimately Be ?
FRIDAY ON Y&R: Paul and Christine’s Honeymoon Circa 1996
ABC and PEOPLE Announce ‘The Story of Soaps’ Two-Hour Prime-Time Television Event
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Breaking NewsMay 20, 2020Andy Cohen On His ‘Story of Soaps’ Backlash: “I Went To The Interview As A Soap Fan Prepped To Talk Soaps & They Asked About Reality TV … Sue Me!”
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Breaking NewsMay 16, 2020ABC’s “The Story of Soaps” Two-Hour Special Shifts Time Slot to 9 p. m. EST/PST
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General HospitalMay 24, 2020GH’s Steve Burton and Maurice Benard Deliver “The Power Performance of the Week”
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All My ChildrenMay 20, 2020ABC and PEOPLE’s ‘The Story of Soaps’: What Was Your Review Of It?
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Breaking NewsMay 21, 202047th Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: GH Scores Most Nods, DAYS Follows
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General HospitalMay 19, 2020Dominic Zamprogna Reveals He’s Ready to Come Home to General Hospital
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InterviewsMay 20, 2020OLTL Icon, Erika Slezak Talks On Her 42-Year Run As Viki, Her Llanview Co-Stars & Husbands, and Life Now
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Breaking NewsMay 20, 202047th Annual Daytime Emmys To Be Broadcast On CBS; Nominations To Be Announced Tomorrow On ‘The Talk’