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.
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 ongoing objections of diehard GHers who prefer the familiarity of fondly-loved faces from the show’s past—it does seem like attaining a decent balance of utilizing the old guard vs. pushing a new direction is an absolute impossibility. There is a constant tug of war between the two competing “visions,” with only a passing nod given to our old favorites—save for “Sonny and Co,” of course!—in order to temporarily placate longtime viewers, with the inevitable return to front-burner status of the newbies always on the horizon. As long as this predictable routine remains, I cannot see GH escaping your aptly-put “dreary status,” and that is too sad indeed! Still, the eternal optimist in me says never say never….perhaps the person who will achieve the seemingly undoable feat of successfully combining the comfort of the old with the freshness of the new is right around the corner holding the magic formula…I certainly hope so! Until then…well, I’m honestly too busy in “real life” to be distracted by daily Port Charles happenings at this particular moment…but I’m open to entertaining the thought that such a desired change could take place when we least expect it. Must go now, my friend…much to do! Happy Holidays!!!…”See” you in 2020!!!!!
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.
Beyond the Gates
Daytime Drama Casting Directors Talk Four of the Most Challenging and Important Recasts of Their Careers
Daytime soap opera casting directors: Greg Salmon (The Young and the Restless) Marnie Saitta (Days of Our Lives), Christy Dooley (The Bold and the Beautiful) and Kim Coleman (Beyond the Gates) discussed the process of casting for a daytime drama series from contract players to under-fives along and their expectations for auditioning, plus behind the scenes casting tales at their recent panel from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.
The entertainment industry event helps actors receive inside intel from leading casting professionals and took place just over a week ago at the Meryl Streep Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles.
Moderated by noted journalist Jim Halterman, one of the more intriguing moments of the panel discussion occurred when the subject turned to the challenges of a recast on a soap opera and replacing a popular actor with another in a very key role. Each of the four casting directors were able to put a spotlight on such an occurrence and all were leading men on their respective soaps.
Photo: SAGAFRAFoundation
For Marnie Saitta at Days of Our Lives, she was tasked with finding the new EJ DiMera. James Scott had become amazingly popular in the role from 2006-2014. Then, enter Dan Feuerriegel, who had the right stuff for DAYS to finally pull the trigger and cast the new EJ. The character returned on-screen in 2021 after 7 years.
RECASTING EJ DIMERA
“I do know now how to best approach a recast, like I’m casting a new character,” explains Marnie. “I feel like the actor just has to come in and make it their own. You can’t even try, looks-wise, to be quite honest. Obviously, EJ DiMera is kind of a focal point (of DAYS) and Dan was such a champ. I swear to God, I think I brought him in maybe six times. I would bring him in for other characters, but I kept thinking he’s really good for EJ and it didn’t go. Then, I brought him for something else, same thing. I knew that the role of EJ was going to be really difficult to find, and it finally clicked. He took EJ in a different direction. He has a totally different vibe, but equally as effective.”
RECASTING ADAM NEWMAN
For Greg Salmon, he discussed the pivotal role of Y&R’s Adam Newman, who was previously by Tracker star, Justin Hartley and what he looked for to be able to find the right actor to be the next black sheep of the Newman clan.
“We had Justin Hartley playing the role of Adam Newman before he went to This Is Us, and now Mark Grossman has been playing him,” explained Salmon. “So that was a really tough role to recast. Before Justin, there were two other people (Chris Engen and Michael Muhney) who played the part. Adam Newman is central to the show. This is Victor Newman’s (Eric Braeden) son. So, it’s an incredibly important character to the show. But now, Mark Grossman’s been playing the role for several years now. He’s completely made the role his own.”
Photo: JPI
Salmon added the key attributes that Mark Grossman or someone like him brings into an audition for the role of that is being recast, “I really think it just comes down to the person’s energy and what they’re bringing to the character,” explained Greg. “You can’t think, ‘Well, I know Justin Hartley looks like this. And the guy before him looked like that,’ because then you’ll just get trapped. You’re not trying to find another Justin Harley. You’re trying to find another Adam Newman. I just remember Mark came in and I think he read with Eric Braeden, and he read with a few other people of the Newman family, and his energy was just off the charts. You know, this is how Adam should feel. Eventually, I think the audience really accepted him.”
RECASTING RIDGE FORRESTER
In a little-known casting story, The Bold and the Beautiful’s Christy Dooley shared how Mark Grossman almost became one of the Forresters! “He tested for us (at The Bold and the Beautiful). Mark came in and read for the role of Thomas Forrester and he was my choice for the role,” says Dooley. “The role wound up going to Matthew Atkinson, but then he came down to read for The Young and the Restless.”
Dooley was also tasked with one of the biggest soap recasts in history when Ronn Moss exited The Bold and the Beautiful in his signature role of Ridge Forrester which Moss played from 1987-2012. Eventually, Thorsten Kaye took over the role at the end of 2013.
Photo: JPI
“When Ronn Moss left the show, Brad Bell (executive producer and head writer, B&B) said, ‘I can’t recast him right now, he’s just too familiar.’ So he waited. The character was always talked about because he is one of the Forresters. Brad finally said, ‘We need to bring him back. We got to find somebody.’ Then to get Thorsten Kaye, who’s so different than Ronn, and he made it completely his own. He’s just amazing at it, so I think time helped (between bringing on a new Ridge.)”
RECASTING DR. TED RICHARDSON
For Beyond the Gates, Kim Coleman, she has a soap opera that is now building a new legacy only in its second season. However, in season one, Maurice Johnson became the first recast in series history when he was replaced as Dr. Ted Richardson with Keith D. Robinson and at a critical point in the storyline.
Coleman explained, “I think it was a transition and everyone was in agreement that it was the right thing to do. And then fortunately, we brought in an actor that the audience knew. They knew his face. He was great. Keith made it his own and there was not a lot of controversy and it wasn’t complicated. Keith D. Robinson is on the show now and everyone loves him. So, it was a very smooth transition.”
You can check out the full conversation with daytime casting directors, Greg Salmon, Marnie Saitta, Christy Dooley and Kim Coleman below.
Now let us know which of the four recasts noted do you think was the most successful? Were you surprised to learn Mark Grossman was a favorite of casting director Christy Dooley for Thomas Forrester before landing his role as Adan Newman? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Summer is here and that means soap fans can look forward to some steamy romps, some new romances and some shocking love match turns. So, who might hit the sheets with who? Who might just start a new love affair? Who might turn back to their exes?
We are highlighting five potential pairings that have us wondering what will play out in June as Swoon gave their upcoming monthly rundown on love in the afternoon. Take a look at what’s being teased and then you can let us know how you feel about it!
On The Bold and the Beautiful, now that Will (Crew Morrow) and Electra (Laneya Grace) “seemingly” are back together, R.J. Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) and Dylan (Sydney Bullock) will hit the dance floor and then the bedroom. Will they actually fall for each other, or eventually plot to split up Will and Electra?
Photo: JPI
In addition, will Remy (Christian Weissmann) get his man back, now that things are looking up for Deke (Harrison Cone) if he works with Hope (Annika Noelle) at Logan? Remy had convinced himself through his support of Deke all will be forgiven? But let’s not forget what he’s capable of … blackmailing cousin Dylan and making deep fakes of Electra and plastering them all over social media.
EXES AND NEW FLAMES
Days of Our Lives summer sizzle extended preview first previewed a surprise lip-lock when it showed Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) sharing a moment with Belle Black (Martha Madison). The thing of it is, it’s caught on a “Kiss-Cam.” Previously, Belle was in a relationship with Chad’s brother, EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel), so where is this heading? To the bedroom? Stay tuned.
General Hospital continues to have two execs, Willow Cain (Katelyn MacMullen) and Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard), dancing around each other. The heroic cop seems determined to help out Willow since he believes she was wrongly accused of shooting her husband, Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison).
Viewers know she did that and even worse! With Chase’s wife, Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton) threatening Willow to get her claws away from her husband, and Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) trying to shove Willow and Chase together to make her look like a cheating wife to get the leverage against her, we wouldn’t be surprised if something happens between them, but what?
On The Young and the Restless, after his live-saving bone marrow transplant following his aplastic anemia diagnosis, Malcolm Winters (Shemar Moore) returns to Genoa City and reconnects with Dr. Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox).
It was through Dr. Simmons diligence, Cane Ashby’s (Billy Flynn) marrow, and learning that he has son in Holden Novak (Nathan Owens) that makes Malcolm have a lot to be thankful for, and he just might rekindle his romance with Stephanie with whom he dated back in the mid 90s.
So, of those listed above, what potential pairing has you most intrigued? Which are you not happy about? Do you think all of these characters will enter into a romance or an affair … or it’s all just a big red herring from their respective soaps? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Summer Sizzle Super-Sized Teaser: DiMera Legacy On the Line, a Health Crisis, Plenty of Romance and Backstabbers
As things get hot, so does Days of Our Lives as the summer months are here and that means temperatures go up on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
Now the long-running drama has released its summer sizzle promo video, where there are a lot of quick little nuggets that tease DAYS fans of what is to come.
First, much of the action centers around the machinations of EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) as he is heard saying about the family legacy, “Father built an empire, and I must carry his vision forward.” Meanwhile the extended trailer shares, “When legacies are built on lies, even love leaves a scar Not every wound heals, not every bond survives. In Salem, even the innocent have something to hide.”
Photo: Peacock
EJ IS EVERYWHERE
Philip Kiriakis (JP Lavoisier) warns his friends and families about people losing everything thanks to EJ, which in turn has him in a major showdown with Gabi (Cherie Jimenez), and let’s just say, he is not too pleased with her.
EJ is heard saying, “Everything I do, every decision, every sacrifice. I did for this family.” That includes: bringing back his sister from the dead and Lexie (Nikki Crawford) looks very unhappy about something. In another moment, EJ is about to throttle his sister, Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) when he yells, “You tried to murder my son.” Does he finally know what Kristen’s plot was with Sophia?
EJ even appears to be firing Dr. Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) from her job at University Hospital. Sarah is also seen making out with Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) making everyone wonder if she is finally over Xander Kiriakis (Paul Telfer) ? Thing is, he is truly not over her.
Then, there appears to be a public health crisis with pills that are laced going around Salem. Chanel (Raven Bowens) is trying her best to hang on as she is about to bring a baby into the world while battling breast cancer. Scared, she asks the doctors, “I need to know about the effects on my baby.”
MACHINATIONS AND THE TRUTH OF THE PAST
Another bad boy is back in Salem when Dimitri Von Leuschner (Peter Porte) seems back to his evil ways. Meanwhile, Stephanie (Abigail Klein) fires a gun, but at who? The truth about Cat’s (AnnaLynne McCord) past may finally come to light and be the downfall of her relationship with Chad (Conner Floyd) and maybe EJ too.
Back in July 2025, Peacock confirmed that Days of Our Lives will return for its 62nd and 63rd seasons. The series celebrated its 60th anniversary in November of 2025, and continues to shoot ten-months in advance of dropping new episodes.
Take a look at the summer sizzle Days of Our Lives extended promo below.
Then, let us know what is most intriguing to you? Does much of it excite you … or not so much? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Spencer Pratt, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Guest Star and Reality Show Notable, Holds Second Place and Poised for L.A. Mayor Runoff
Peabo Bryson, Grammy Award-Winning Singer of Memorable ‘One Life to Live’ Theme Song, Passes Away at 75
Daytime Drama Casting Directors Talk Four of the Most Challenging and Important Recasts of Their Careers
‘General Hospital’ SORAS’s Scout Cain and Casts Kayden Brenna Tokarski in the Role of Drew and Sam’s Daughter
‘Beyond the Gates’ and ‘The Young and the Restless’ Crossover Event Preview: A Tornado, Scandal and Dangerous Liaisons
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: The Search for Rocco and Britt is On; Willow Wants to Stop Drugging Drew
‘General Hospital’ Exec Prod Frank Valentini on Kate Mansi’s Departure as Kristina, ‘The Door Is Always Open’
‘General Hospital’ Cast Maxwell Caulfield as Apollo, the Suspicious Gallery Owner in Guest Appearance
‘General Hospital’s’ Finn Carr Talks: Working with Andrew Hawkes, How Britt is like a ‘Cool Aunt,’ Brother Elliot Carr’s Debut
‘The Bold and the Unscripted’ New Reality Competition Series Gives Actors a Shot at Role on the CBS Soap
Peabo Bryson, Grammy Award-Winning Singer of Memorable ‘One Life to Live’ Theme Song, Passes Away at 75
Daytime Drama Casting Directors Talk Four of the Most Challenging and Important Recasts of Their Careers
‘Beyond the Gates’ and ‘The Young and the Restless’ Crossover Event Preview: A Tornado, Scandal and Dangerous Liaisons
Steve Burton and Finola Hughes Back Taping Episodes at ‘General Hospital’
‘General Hospital’ Casts Dean Geyer in the Role of ‘Tristan Roberts’
-
General Hospital1 week agoGENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: The Search for Rocco and Britt is On; Willow Wants to Stop Drugging Drew
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Exec Prod Frank Valentini on Kate Mansi’s Departure as Kristina, ‘The Door Is Always Open’
-
General Hospital6 days ago‘General Hospital’ Cast Maxwell Caulfield as Apollo, the Suspicious Gallery Owner in Guest Appearance
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Finn Carr Talks: Working with Andrew Hawkes, How Britt is like a ‘Cool Aunt,’ Brother Elliot Carr’s Debut
-
News6 days ago‘The Bold and the Unscripted’ New Reality Competition Series Gives Actors a Shot at Role on the CBS Soap
-
Days Of Our Lives1 week agoREPORT: Ryan Quan Back to ‘Days of Our Lives’ as Co-Head Writer
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ James Patrick Stuart Featured in Cast of New Indie Thriller ‘Boot Lake’
-
General Hospital5 days ago‘General Hospital’ Alum William Lipton Featured in ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4,’ the Next Installment from Video Game Franchise