Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Head Writing Shake-Up: Dena Higley and Josh Griffith IN! Gary Tomlin and Chris Whitesell OUT!
Days of our Lives has finally made a writing change at the top after many of the storylines have just not caught fire with the DAYS audience.
According to a report today via Soap Opera Digest, series EP Ken Corday is welcoming back to the fold former DAYS head writer Dena Higley alongside, and with, former Y&R head scribe Josh Griffith to map out the lives of the residents of Salem.
This mean that Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell are out at the writing helm, and the change will become effective next week on Monday February 16th. Higley has been head writer at DAYS twice … in both 2003 and for a three year run in 2008-2011. As for Josh Griffith, he last served on daytime as head writer for The Young and the Restless ending his tenure there in 2013.
It was no secret that the long-running NBC series which will turn 50 in November needed to make some change in the direction they were headed, but today on social media, fans have been concerned if bringing back Higley is the answer. There are also those who hope that with the addition of Griffith, who has written some very dramatic stories during his soap career that has included One Life to Live, Santa Barbara, and As the World Turns, in the past that perhaps he might help the show in a positive manner.
So, what are your thoughts on the dismissal of Tomlin and Whitesell and the hiring of Higley and Griffith? Comment below!
Days Of Our Lives
Lisa Rinna Would Be Down to Reprise Her Role of Taylor McBride in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot
When Lisa Rinna departed her popular role of Billie Reed on Days of our Lives back in 1995, her next major role would be a jump to primetime and the soapy Melrose Place.
In 1996, Lisa was introduced as new character Taylor McBride and stayed with the Fox young adult sudser for three seasons. Now in 2024, with the recent reveal that a Melrose Place revival is the works with Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton all on board to reprise their signature roles, would Rinna board the project should it come to fruition?
Speaking with PEOPLE, Rinna expressed, “Well, gosh, I’ve heard about it. I haven’t been approached or anything, but I would love to see what Taylor McBride is up to 25 years later. Wouldn’t that be something?”
Photo: FOX
OG Melrose Place fans know that in story, Taylor moved to the Melrose Place apartment building with her husband Kyle played by Rob Estes. However, Taylor had her eye on Dr. Peter Burns played by former GH star Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco). But, by the time she had moved to the apartment complex, Peter had married tough as nails ad executive, Amanda Woodward, played by Heather Locklear.
Recalling her time on Melrose Place, Rinna added that it, “was one of my greatest and most fun acting experiences, playing Taylor and working with Heather and the whole crew.” Rinna also noted, “So if they need a Taylor McBride appearance, they know who to call. I’m around.”
Photo: JPI
The new Melrose Place is in development at CBS Studios. In the premise of the reboot, the Melrose Place residents reunite after the death of one of their friends, “but the pressure cooker of a reunion soon uncovers old traumas, rekindles old romances, reignites old resentments, and reveals new secrets… throwing our characters into chaotic drama that’s reminiscent of the past, but with a much more modern perspective.”
So, would you want to see Lisa Rinna reprise her Melrose Place role as Taylor McBride? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
Kristian Alfonso Returns to Days of our Lives for Tribute to The Late Bill Hayes
After a few weeks of Days of our Lives fans being upset that Kristian Alfonso (Hope Williams) was not on the first list of initial returns for Doug Williams’ funeral and episodes honoring his portrayer, the late Bill Hayes, comes word that the popular star is back and taping scenes.
Kristian reported to work on the Peacock streaming soap opera on Monday, April 22nd. She shared how important it is for her to be back for this particular return to the show that made her a household name.
“My return is very bittersweet,” Alfonso told TV Insider, “because it is the end of an era with Bill gone. So to return to Days is very sad. I am appreciative that they came to me to include me in their series of shows honoring Doug and I’m very happy to see everyone, but I’m entering the studio with a heavy heart.”
Photo: JPI
It was back in 1983 that Kristian first debuted as Doug’s daughter, and now 41 years later looking back at it, and her time with Bill Hayes is very emotional for her.
“I remember my first scenes with him/ He was very loving, very welcoming. That he was very talented and an incredible actor and an icon, that all goes without saying, but my personal relationship and my working relationship with Bill, it was home,” expressed Alfonso. “Doing the scenes with Bill, I felt like I was with my dad because there was so much warmth and reality.”
Photo: JPI
Alfonso did express some deep regret, in that she had wanted to work with Bill Hayes during her last appearance on the soap back in 2023, but according to the iconic actress, there was something in the works but it never materialized. “I’m sad that I did not get the opportunity to do the storyline that Ron (Carlivati, head writer) had planned/ It was great; we returned to Salem to reunite with our families and I would have had father/daughter scenes with Billy. What Ron had written was beautiful and emotional and it was a fantastic story. I was 100 percent for it and the fans would have loved it.”
Photo: JPI
As for if Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope will be back on-screen together anytime soon, Kristian would only say, “What I will say is don’t give up hope.” Doug’s passing and memorial episodes will stream later this year come late November into December.
So, are you happy to learn that Kristian Alfonso is back taping episodes surrounding Doug’s memorial episodes? Comment below.
Breaking News
Steve Kent Reportedly OUT as Sony Pictures Television VP in Charge of DAYS and Y&R
On Friday, reports surfaced that Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President of Programming at Sony Pictures Television, is no longer with the company and overseeing the Sony soap operas, Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless.
According to Soap Opera Digest, a set side source reported that Kent’s last day was last Friday, April 12th, which was one day after what would have been his final appearance in his Sony VP role at the Days of our Lives 15,000th episode on set celebration.
During that ceremony, Kent gave a brief speech giving kudos to DAYS for its incredible milestone. Days is a co-production of Sony Pictures Television and Corday Productions, while Y&R is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company in association with Sony Pictures Television.
Photo: JPI
Kent started his soap opera career as a producer for CBS’ defunct Capitol and then as the supervising producer of NBC’s Santa Barbara from1984 to 1993.
Photo: JPI
At Sony, before his role overseeing the soaps, Kent was Senior Executive Vice President of International Productions for Sony Pictures Television International department.
If reports are true, the question becomes who has taken over his position, and would oversee DAYS and Y&R from the Sony side? Share your thoughts on this developing story via the comment section below.
Lisa Rinna Would Be Down to Reprise Her Role of Taylor McBride in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot
Sean Kanan’s Stepdaughter, Juliet Vega, to Appear on The Bold and the Beautiful
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
Y&R’s Michelle Stafford Talks on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, Allison Lanier, and ‘Pacific Palisades’ with Finola Hughes
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers
‘Knots Landing’s’ Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark Reunite for Los Angeles Ballet Season 18 Gala
The Young and the Restless Preview: Ashley’s New Alter Emerges
Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
Y&R’s Michelle Stafford Talks on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, Allison Lanier, and ‘Pacific Palisades’ with Finola Hughes
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers
AEW Dynasty: Swerve Strickland Becomes AEW World Heavyweight Champion, Jack Perry Returns, Will Ospreay Retires Move After Scary Finish
GH’s Finola Hughes Chats on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, New Directions for Characters in Port Charles, and Anna’s Love Life
-
General HospitalApril 21, 2024‘Knots Landing’s’ Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark Reunite for Los Angeles Ballet Season 18 Gala
-
General HospitalApril 15, 2024General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
-
NewsApril 20, 2024The Young and the Restless Preview: Ashley’s New Alter Emerges
-
RecapsApril 14, 2024Y&R’s Eileen Davidson Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
-
Days Of Our LivesApril 19, 2024Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
-
Days Of Our LivesApril 14, 2024Days of our Lives wins WGA Award for Daytime Drama Series
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! Didn’t Day’s fire Higley at least twice because of her hack writing skills?
Her first was in 2003, then she was co-head writer from 2008-2011. She lasted a long time while each of, I believe three, her co-headwriters were let go, including Christopher Whitesell.
I’ve never begged for her dismissal like I have the newly fired writers.
Higley had been a headwriter for a 3 year stint… 2008-2011
whomever replaced her… thereafter, DAYS became good…. years 2012 and 2013 improved dramatically….
2014 most disappointing
whats going on now… is not that badly written
it’s the dour dullard actors that need to be replaced
Daniel, Jenn, Ben, Jordan, Clyde… sometimes I think it’s time for ABS to go as well… she could be replaced by Kelley Missal
They did , but Dena had way better ratings from her writing than Whitesell & Tomlin , she had some terrible stories but her stuff was not nearly this boring. Plus Josh Griffith will be her partner. So he might balanced her out.
I do know THIS…Under Dena Higley there was a lot of kidnapping and people having psychic visions and a WHOLE LOTTA BED HOPPING LOL…Sami was in a safe house with Rafe and Kate was in bed with Daniel…Marlena wanted a divorce and on and on…I think Josh Griffith could help reign her in but i somehow feel that Hogan Sheffer should have been added to this mix also…we can overlook that mile high we own a vegas airplane crap story…the rest of what he did was great..i even liked the let’s get to see Stephano’s back story..though it dragged on a while…BRING BACK HOGAN TOO…the three of them could raise the ratings in a short amount of time. IMO!!
He was great on y&r so I am expecting only good on Days. A 6yr old could write better than what’s on now.
Amen!!! It is about time!! lets get some faster moving stories and some of your previous audience back….
We have to wait at least five months to see the changes. By then the show could already be hot because it’s been way better the last few weeks than the previous few months.
Agree, the last couple weeks have been good. Sonny-Paul-Will story leading the pack.
Always concerned what change means for my favorites, John and Marlena…….Would have been happier with Sheri Anderson coming back….She knew how to write for them! Will have to wait and see how it plays out……..in 5 months when their stuff airs!
Would have loved Sheri Anderson back. She knew how to write, PERIOD!
But I doubt she would ever come back as Head Writer, I have a strange feeling that there is too much interference in the creativity process, from the powers up…
Not really happy about Dena Higley but Josh Griffith is a fairly decent writer.
So maybe, just maybe it will be OK.
I hope ABC and Ben Sherwood follow suit and make a change at GH after this Fluke debacle. GH has turned to complete schlock and it’s time for a change there as well.
Please TPTB! Let Fluke be over already!!
Nooooooo!
I agree.
If you’ve got the petition, I’ve got the pen bro!!
first order of business, backburn the jonases, and front and centre the bradys and hortons: eric, carrie , austin( pecK), shawn d and belle !!!
please and thank you!!!
Been there, done that with Carrie and Austin. Those two are a bore to watch.
austin peck and christie clark are both gorgeous and their last round was unfortunately cut short however the rafe , abby storyline had lots of potential
Days has had a Dr. Dan OVERLOAD. Back burner him and his love life! Forward, harch for the Horton’s and Brady’s. Agree.
LOL. love the Peck part. No doubt right?? Muldoon was a complete washout as Austin a few years ago. He looked like a drag queen with badly botched plastic surgery. He ceased being Austin once Peck took over.
Pat muldoon is austin and better actor , they wanted him act like austin peck’s austin.
Not sure how I feel about this, but the show definitely needed some shaking up. It has become beyond a snoozefest since EJ and Sami left. Rafe and Nicole are being wasted, and Serena is awful, not the actress, the character. Hope things turn around. GH’s 50th was beyond explosive, I hope DAYS follows suit!!
Dena Higley loves Nicole! Remember the baby switch storyline involving Nicole, EJ, Sami and Rafe? Nicole was at her best and that was written by Dena!
YES ! factoids like this are why I so appreciate so many of yous
i’m more than over with the three amigos : Daniel, Brady, and Eric…
I still say… they need to bring on a new Peter Blake… and wallah… Nicole rises from the ashes with the phoenix…. LOL again… much to Stefano chagrin… at least if Nicole is in love… in the lead… respected… she’ll rise to the occasion… and leading lady her act… where she belongs
let her wreak havoc on all of Salem…. a strong leading man…. i’d love Jason Brooks back…. just strengthen the DiMera Manse
Much of that questioning coming for a hoarde of people who “claim” they are not interested in the show, over how Higley wrote two characters who no longer exist on the show (for now).
Time for the Ejami crew to move on and stop blowing up social media regarding things they “no longer support”.
The best thing about EJ and Sami was when EJ was with Nicole…Dena Higley!
Days needs Mike Horton…id love it if Mike and Eve became a pair…can you imagine the look on Jens face if Mike came to the Horton home for dinner with Eve as his date…lol…its time Paige and J.J. move to a different storyline that doesnt mainly involve JJ bedding Eve…storyline is a bust imho!!!
I think it’s a good thing – or at least the lesser evil. Meng is still there as EP to keep things focused on the core families, but fresh ideas and plots were needed. Higley had some success with the ratings last go around and she knows the characters and history well enough. Don’t know much about Griffith but some fresh blood can only be a good thing.
TomSell did a lot of things right – the show has been mostly watchable under them, but they didn’t know how to move a plot along or to deliver payoffs at the rate viewers today expect. My main criticism of them, though is that their style is overly somber – it can be sort of a downer. Their stories are also overly simplistic and don’t really challenge the audience or surprise the audience for the most part.
We’ll see what’s in store with the new regime when they start airing I guess in July or so. I’ll tune in to sample it. Until then I’ll stick to GH because Days isn’t doing it for me right now.
Higley and Griffith? Oy.
I remember her time on One Life To Live and his stint on Y&R and neither one’s storytelling impressed me. The show would’ve been smart to promote Lorraine Broderick to headwriter — she did some brilliant work during her days on All My Children.
I would leave lorriane on the writing team.
Really! Higley! That was the best DAYS could find. Her time at OLTL was dismal.
I agree with that.
Pamela Long Hammer…PLEASE RE THINK THIS DAYS!!!
Pamela Long Hammer?
Um, no. Her stints on One Life To Live and Santa Barbara were awful.
just, oh no
some of the actors just need to go…. to beef up the cast… and cohesive knit… for gelling with, committing to… and rally around
Daniel
Jenn
Ben
Jordan
Clyde
UGH
with these 5 gone… it would shake the cast up to the core
Patrick,
They’ve made Daniel their leading man! He’s everywhere-Super Dan! Even when he’s wrong, over losing it at Jen cuz she told Eric what Nicole did before he could & after bedding his bestie’s ex, intercourse or not, it’s all good. Jen’s went from a full-on, hard-core meltdown to coming back & apologizing-now she wants to be his bestie & wants him to share all of his Nicole problems w/her! Oh, please writers!
Brady, who walked in on Dan & Kristen naked & nasty, was mad at him like 5 minutes, then just high-fived him & said he understood..it’s all good. JUST STOP! Now, beautiful, dynamic Nicole is begging Dan to love her as she continues to bounce all over Salem taking hits from everyone she encounters. She’s even commenced to begging family members of the men she begs to beg on her behalf. It’s a sad, sad thing!
I want Lucas front & center. How about Hope & Aiden?! Make Eric a decent human & he never needs to speak of the priesthood again. He doesn’t have what it takes.
How hard is it to write Marlena & John in a few episodes a week, together!? I’m not even a lifelong fan, but clearly the public wants it & it’s pretty fun.
#1-Bye Clyde, Bye Ben, Bye Tammie Sue, Bye Felicia! Worst reveal ever. #2 Worst reveal-Melanie’s casino caper. Thugs chasing her through the park & Dan & Nicole inviting them over for tea. STOP!!
Yes, the Beverly Hillbilies(Clyde, Ben, Tammy) need to go…and less focus on Super Doc Dan who i believe is the only dr. on staff at the hospital who specializes in every area of medicine…he performs surgeries, deliveries babies, ect…the only thing he cant cure is the headache he gives me everytime he is on screen…glad Kayla is involved with Sonnys case…biggest fear will be a Daniel and Kayla pairing…i mean who is left for Daniel to bed…maybe dumb Eric…dumb Eric and dumber Daniel deserve each other…lol…as for Melanie id rather listen to nails against a chalkboard than hear this ditzy dopey airhead…lol
and Melanie.
Her return has not been good for the show.Her ”acting” style is so weird and disconcerting that
I can’t wait to see any scene she is in end.
Word. A “bratty” Melanie wears thin very quickly.
My wish is Days brings back the Salem Strangler and ill settle for Melanie as his one and only victim…
oh, if Liam was still around…he could “take out” Melanie.
bringing back Melanie was a complete waste, the actress tries too hard and is not even funny. her scenes are uncomfortable to watch. Maybe, Clyde and his crew could go after Melanie next.
problem solved. exit stage right, Melanie.
I think Clyde is gone and Jordan is gone in March (thank God!). Ben should follow. I’m okay with Jen and Daniel–they just need to not pair the two up and write something interesting for them.
No Jen does not need to go. Jen needs a writing team who knows her character and will restore that character. This regime butchered the character and turnes her from spunky beloved heroine into an overwrought hand-wringing clingon, and that is NOT Jennifer. I have high hopes that Higley will return to us the Jennifer we know and have always loved.
“Bravo,” Aden! One of the most perceptive remarks that I’ve read in ages! With occasional exception, the program’s “talent” bench is deep. Hackneyed, repetitive and insultingly shallow character-and-storyline development is what truly ails “Days” now. If they genuinely want the show to survive, “Corday-and-Company” need to address this fatal flaw promptly and aggressively.
Rafe is pointless, and mostly always has been. He needs to go.
I agree, Rafe is pointless. I believe someone posted that Rafe is like part of the scenery. So true!
Days needs to write-out/kill-off, Rafe, Daniel, Ben and Melanie.
I agree with all but Jen…she is an iconic character…i want her brother Micheal to return and become romantically involved with Eve…id love to see Jens reaction to that pairing…make the 5th character to drop Melanie…she acts like such an airhead!!!
right on JimH
love the idea of a nuMIKE Horton … and… for Eve…. this will keep the animosity going with adult tension and humor…. between Jenn and Eve… with no more children involved! once and for all!
As long as Dena and Josh aren’t smoking meth, everything will be alright!
I guess the newly fired writers didn’t have a good plan for DAYS 50th and Dena and Josh showed an outline that blew the execs away!
My #1 request…FASTER PACED STORYLINES!!!
I second this request. Even TomSell’s stuff would have been much better if it hadn’t been told at the speed of molasses. Days team should be required to watch GH regularly for an ongoing lesson in quicker pacing.
Something had to be done for the show to survive. I love Kassive DePaiva, but the storyline with Junior, ain’t working. Daniel and Nicole = BLAH! I am also not buying Brady and Melanie. Maybe the the relationship started too quickly and it seems forced. The show needs a lead couple with routing value. I also don’t think the answer is to bring back past veterans and just have them decorate the set. Compelling stories that have a mix of drama, suspense and a little humor could be the fix that DAYS needs. Also, Deidte Hall can do more than give her grandson advice and chase after John. The woman was once and probably still is a fan favorite. Give her more to do.
I still say : DAYS : Sony : NBC
please bring back : the Donovan family
Shane, Kimberly, and Andrew : with Eve and Theresa to forefront the Brady family
could Andrew be paired with Abs or Paige ?
I love JimH idea of bringing back Stephen Schnetzer… he’d be a great mogul to offset and tango with : Stefano and Victor… also an intriguing pairing with either or Marlena or Kate
or Mary Beth Evans….. ??? could this new regime be a sign that at last, Kayla is featured….
Mary Beth Evans and Stephen Schnetzer for thee WIN
Paige is Andrew’s niece.
Paige is Andrew’s niece. So I on’t know why you would want them paired as a couple. I like your idea of bringing back the Donavans especially Andrew but if they are going to bring back Shane they need to recast Eve with Charlotte Ross or a new age appropriate actress. The actors currently playing Shane and Eve are just too close in age to believably play father and daughter.
Some things I would like to see: Bring back Peter Blake played by Jason Brooks or an equally handsome/talented new actor. As much as like Billy Flynn as Chad, it feels like he is trying to do his best EJ impression instead of naturally changing from hero to villain like Peter and Kristen did in the 90s. I would love to see the brother-sister dynamic between Peter and Kristen again after all these years and see him take Chad down a peg or two. Plus I think he is one of the few people who understands and unconditionally loves Kristen. I would love to see Peter terrorize Jen and her kids now that Jack is not alive to protect them. Also I think this show could use some diversity, which is why I was so glad the show brought on Paul and his family. My suggestion is to expand Abe and Maxine’s families. Bring on Maxine’s daughter as a new love interest for Lucas. Bring back Brandon (Nicole could really use him these days) as well as Abe’s nephews Jett and Ben (I still don’t know why they gave Robert Scott Wilson’s character the same name as him). Give Abe a niece who is JJ’s former friend with benefits from his british boarding school days. She could be a new rival for Paige and a much needed female friend for Bev. Also bring on Florencia Lozano as the woman Justin had an affair with. She’s more than talented enough to got toe to toe with Adrienne. Make her Justin’s ex-girlfriend from before he came to Salem. The daughter of on Old World Spanish Crime family that Victor and Stefano have a mixed history with. This could create the potential for new hispanic characters who are members of this family and add even more diversity to the show.
Give more storylines to the Vets. Being older should not mean that their only purpose should be to occasionally pop up to weigh in on/move along the younger characters storylines. They could be integral parts of younger characters storylines as well as having interesting storylines of their own. Make some reccuring characters permanent. Will’s editor Zoey could turn out to be Andrew Donavan’s on again off again girlfriend. It would be interesting to see her and Theresa go toe to toe. Derrick could become Bev’s new best friend and they could be a scheming duo similar to Anne and Theresa. Give backstories to characters like Anne, Rory, and T.
@Bryan
OMG : on Florencia Lozano as Justin mistress
tour de force !
is it certain that Paige father is Billy Warlock Frankie Brady?
the behind the scenes production team … need to move on… and upwards… Kristian Alfonso and Melissa Reeves… get over yourselves…. Jason Brooks is the sexiest, smoldering, talented, GREAT, actor…. and yes…. if only to see the brother/sister team of Peter and Kristen acting TOGETHER again… and yes, this twosome would OWN Salem….. beware… dang I love ideas that this would blow and spill over and out !
ps: it would make my world turn to see Peter Blake terrorizing Jenn
Robb Derringer as Peter Blake.
I think they did some great stuff, particularly Sami’s 2014 arc, Haiden and crafting the introduction of Paul, (and I guess giving Dannifer it’s final bullet?!) but I also think it’s probably for the best.
I think soaps in particular need change things up to keep them from becoming stale. Like someone else said, the past few months have been particularly slow – especially when you compare it with the rate things are moving on GH – but I just hope that they find the right balance between old and new characters, and the sometimes re-writing of personality traits.
I know it’s hard to keep fans happy with the use of their long term characters, as people only want what they’ve grown to love, (John with Marlena) but frankly, it can get pretty dull pretty quickly if the same old characters are getting front and centre story lines. I think as long as Dena Higley and Josh Griffiths can strike the right balance between old and new, young and mature, and keep the pacing right, the 50th year could be a real treat.
Good luck to them both – and to Gary and Chris too.
not surprised. DAYS has been horrible lately,and with the 50th coming up things needed to change. I question why their bringing back Higley,but I think it is a great decision to bring in Josh Griffith,who I thought did a great job at Y&R.
More focus on the Hortons, Bradys, and Victor and Maggie…get rid of Jordon, Ben, Daniel, Melanie, Clyde…less focus on the Dimeras until Kristen returns…bring back Bill, Laura, Shawn, Belle, and Mike…can you imagine Jens reaction if her bro Mike started dating Eve…shocking…Lucas and Adriene ok but lets have the drama of Sonny/Will/Paul come between them…Paul is a keeper…write out Serena stat and bring her back 3 months later as Sarah Horton and paired with Brady…hire Stephan Schnezter as Steve Olsen and put in triangle with Kate and Roman…have Paul turn out to be Abes son and bring his mother to Salem for the reveal!!!
Also bring back Brandon Walker…pair Nicole with Rafe…have Nicole learn she was adopted and her mother is really Lee Dumonde or Linda Anderson played by Robin Strasser…have Kayla also interested in either Mike or Abe!!!
Josh Griffith I can understand: he has done some excellent work in the past, and though he has no history with Days, he will, if past experience is an indicator (and if he’s given a chance, given all the interference), get to know the characters and come up with some good material.
Dena Higley? Wow. They must be desperate. And I cannot imagine what kind of a combination she’ll be with Griffith, as their approaches are about as antithetical as it gets.
Let’s hope this works.
Above I commented they should have added Hogan Sheffer…but what about Pamela Long Hammer…she kept Guiding Light more than watchable and at a fast clip…did they even approach her??
I love soaps but I feel like I keep doing the same dance over and over again. Every time there’s a HW change, I hold my breath and hope for good things and say that the new HW has to be better than the previous one. I watched the last time Higley was Days’ HW and it was a mixed bag, mostly bad and now she’s back. I’m not happy or unhappy at this news. I only know that instead of watching Days 5 days a week, I watch it once or twice at most and usually end up doing other things while it’s on. Judging by the ratings, I’m not alone. There are alot of characters who need to go and alot of stories that need to be scrapped, re-written or moved along. Whatever this new HW does, I hope it allows Days to stay on the air for a few more years, at least.
I am going to be cautiously optimistic. Maybe a combo deal like this will play to both of their strengths rather than weaknesses.
Areas to work on – I think the best story on right now is the Paul/Will/Sonny triangle (that isn’t an official triangle yet) although the motivations for getting that story where it is have been lacking (particularly in regards to Will). JJ needs to be moved out of Paige’s orbit, but this thing with Eve isn’t working. The idea seemed scandalous but it’s not compelling like the Ava/Morgan story was at GH (a hot story they squandered away). Eve really, just isn’t working period. Eric is a nice idea of a character but as handsome as Greg is, he brings no fire to the role. When he was a priest, the calm zen thing worked – but now, I just keep wondering if he is on some mood settling drugs. Nicole is a vivacious character wasted on Eric and Daniel and should be front and center – written right, she could be Day’s new female centerpiece. I still think Serena has potential but the writing is doing the character no favors right now and they are risking totally turning the audience against her. I am one of the few I suppose who actually loves Melanie – but Melanie is a quirky character who needs the right partner to work with – and they haven’t found it. Brady seems to only have two stories – off the wagon or sexing it up with someone, and the sexy part plays to his strengths but there isn’t anyone sufficiently compelling AND sexy on the show right now for him to be paired with. Rafe – sorry, he’s just set decoration and has been for some time. I like Abigail and her detour with EJ brought out a side of the character I really liked – until she started freaking out and blaming EJ for the whole mess. The new Chad is a real find and should be showcased. Poplar Bluff trio needs to go – the story is particularly damaging the character of Kate who is coming off needlessly cruel and clueless. And I won’t name names, but there needs to be a couple of well thought out recasts.
The last writing team’s three biggest issues – the ending of the Sami/EJ story was horrendous considering how much lead time they had; the lack of ANY story to pick up the slack once EJ/Sami/Kristen were off the show – the immediate THUD of all energy on the show coming to a stop was criminal, AGAIN considering how much lead time they had to prepare; and their inconsistent pace of stories – some drag on so long that by the time we start to get to the meat, we are bored to death while others speed up so quickly we are left wondering how in the world the characters even got to this point.
I guess we will all see by the end of the year what type of show we are getting.
Kate Mansi : Abs
is she a woman or still childlike…. ???? since the golden circle debacle… and the trysts with all failed pairings… she doesnt’ have any focus… she started out so strong… YES… with Patrick Muldoon’ Austin.. its was funny comedic and challenging
now that EJ is gone… and the original Chad is gone… Austin is gone… Ben is the most glaring dullest partner… DAYS please do not waste nuChad … Billy Flynn till Kate Mansi can get her acting chops in order…. I’m over watching her immature antics… and … all this sex … that’s not interesting… god… I thought… imagine DAYS trying to give Abs and Jordan leading roles…. LOL… to see these two head up a new hospital clinic… I can’t stand her most times… she needs a total makeover… unless they recast her and bring on Kelly Missal
I hope they don’t touch my Rafe’alicious… They should bring back Sheryl… for him and Lucas to duke it out… try him with Kayla… grappling here
Greg Vaughan was magic on GH… he’s got so much going on in his personal life… could that be affecting his work standard? gosh darned it… the sex scenes with Eileen Davidson’ Kristen ROCKED… for him to be stammering and still pulling the conscientious act…. to be or not to be … priest or STUD MUFFIN.. when on GH ACTED … I don’t get this go around… I still think he’s a keeper….. STOP thinking Eric… HAVE FUN…
Serena and Melanie… I think it’s too early to tell with Serena… they could put a stop to the leak… of what was a promising pairing… if the writers would get eric to stop his facial expressions of tentative apprehensive questioning his ethics… LIVE Eric …
Melanie… and her childlike giddy every one protects her…. BFD ! what a waste of time with deserves better… Eric Martsolf
if DAYS hires a new Andrew… go for it with Melanie
just keep Melanie and Abs away from Billy Flynn Chad
Oy
People are bitching and moaning, but Dena Higley isn’t a horrific head scribe, and obviously, she has a good relationship with Days of Our Lives or else Sony and NBC wouldn’t allow her to continually be re-hired. As for Josh, his tenures at The Young and the Restless were my favourite, especially following the mess left behind by Maria Arena, so I look forward to seeing what he can bring to the scene, alongside Ms. Higley. However, I don’t get why they didn’t just promote Lorraine Broderick from a breakdown writer to co-head scribe alongside Griffith, that would’ve been a brilliant idea. Broderick is known for bringing core families to the surface with brilliant storylines; her last few months on All My Children were some of the best the series had ever had.
beautiful thread about Lorraine Broderick…. especially about her best work on AMC… you and plenty other posts feel the same way
I don’t know… what with Dinley history of DAYS… perhaps she’ll be more trusting if she has quality coworkers in Josh and Lorraine
here’s hoping
I said above they needed to leave Lorraine on the writing team.
Dena Higley isn’t horrific? Oh my, Scott. We do have a different definition of that word. I think she’s one of the worst out there. I can’t imagine what they were thinking. (If you were going down this road, why not go all out? Oh, I guess Megan McTavish wasn’t available, and we know Pratt just got hired at Y&R. Higley isn’t far behind.)
Lorraine would certainly have been a better choice. While I would maintain that she’s never really head-written any show successfully other than All My Children (her periods as headwriter of As the World Turns and One Life to Live were pretty bad), even when she’s not clicking, she’s a better choice than Higley.
Pratt’s tenure at Y&R, so far, is quite entertaining. So, I’m holding out to see how it handles the series.
I don’t watch but never understood the logic of filming so far ahead. If something is not working you don’t have the opportunity to fix. A lot of viewers can be lost in 5 months.
Isn’t the real issue that Days has had years to figure out a way to resolve the film scheduling issue and never addressed it. Remember when EJ and ABBy were so hot on social media. Its clear Days never really saw it coming and they had filmed to far ahead to take advantage of all the buzz this story created and adjust their story lines. If GH had worked that way they’d have missed Luke and Laura. Days is currently trapped for months with dull characters that are not working out and fans have to wait six months to see new material. Half their fan base will be gone before the new writers come on. I’m very pessimistic about this show long term. Days just seems to settle for being mediocre and hope NBC doesn’t cancel it due to their daytime lineup problems. They keep waiting for the actor on the white horse to save it, ie Peter Reckell, Eileen Davidson when they should be focusing on the writing and making hard choices about what each acor brings to the table.
You must’ve been reading my mind, Elilzabeth.
I couldn’t agree more, jonboy.
I agree a change was necessary but I am nervous about Higley and excitd about Griffith. I agree with other posts about Higley, if she didn’t work out twice before why go there a third time. Hopefully the combination of the two will work, the show desperately needs something. I am loving the addition of Christopher Sean to the show and hope they don’t damage that story line.
We need a change because a lot of the stories of late have been boring, but don’t know that Higley is the answer. He should have hired someone new to the show.
Well…it has only really been in the past 3 months or so that things started going south. For the past couple of years under this regime, Days was mostly on fire. Is Lorraine Broderick still around? If so, I hope they keep her in any capacity. She elevates any writing team and any show. Personally, the most I ever ever ever enjoyed Days was the brief run of Paula Cwikly and Peter Brash circa 2002-2003 before they made the colossal mistake of bringing back James Reilly. Dena Higley is one of those polarizing writers. Her work on OLTL was not good…so not good in fact, that class act Erika Slezak spoke out publicly about it. Classic example of a writer not fitting a show. However, I enjoyed most of her work from her 08-11 reign on Days. The baby switch, Carly and Vivian returning, Nathan/Melanie/Philip/Stephanie….that was all her work and those were all well received stories. She set Maggie and Victor into motion,as well. She gets the show and the characters. Now Josh Griffith…I am of mixed feelings. His last stint at Y & R was the most mind numbingly boring, pointless, non-storied tenure possibly in soap history. Nothing happened, things went nowhere, and then Delia died, and then poof, he was gone. But I know he has done good work in the past, notably on Santa Barbara. I hope these two are a good match, because this is the big anniversary for Days…the big five oh!!!! We need writers who can create enthralling umbrella stories that honour the.past while moving forward. We need writers who will bring back beloved vets for the occasion and seamlessly weave them into current story. Gary Tomlin has such a history with the show, I think it might have been better to have him and Higley as a team, but I am not hiring. There are two professions in the world that can have 0% effectiveness or productivity, and yet individuals in these two fields can maintain employment…those being Weatherman, and Soap Opera Headwriter. I certainly wish Higley and Griffith all the best. Enough newbies!!! You have 50 years of history….draw on it!!!
Well, I don’t know what to say, have been watching DAYS for a little over a year.
It’s been better lately, but for a few months it was kind of dull and dragged out. This nonsense with JJ and Paige’s mom, c’mon.
The character of Ben, no offense to actor Rob Wilson, is dull. The storyline of Jordan and her brother running away from Clyde is played out and just not that compelling.
I also agree that Serena serves no real purpose in town – and as for Melanie being paired with Brady – please.
Well, if these new(ish) writers drop the ball and don’t come up with a GOOD storyline featuring John and Marlena, after watching DOOL for forty years, this fan is outta here!
it could be tough, ballsy, and showy to mess with a show so close to celebrating their 50th year on AIR….
this could be very telling, revealing, of the commitment NBC/SONY/DAYS is
I gotta hang in
I couldn’t agree more! Drake and Deidre are LONG overdue for their own story. Put the newbies and the overused actors on the bench.
Well Days has gotten off track really fast– never realize how much at the core of the show EJ and Sami were, until they were gone and once they were gone the show lost focus. They need get the core families back to the heart of show– there are lot of Horton’s and Brady’s out there–so there is no need to go invent a bunch of newbies to fill the gaps in this show. Not sure this new team will do this, but hopefully they will.
The show was bad even when EJ and Sami were on. I really don’t miss them. At one time before they (as far as I am concerned) totally destroyed EJ’s character, I would have been disappointed to hear that the actor was leaving,, but instead I didn’t care. I was one of those that was happy that Sami was leaving. It meant the end of the horrible pairing (imo) called Ejami. . The way they both were written was just unpleasant to watch. I use to fast forward every scene they were in. I stopped watching the show altogether before they left.. It was no point watching anymore since I ended up fast forwarding most of the episodes I attempted to watch.
I couldn’t have said it better myself, Dee!
Use Lorraine Broederick people! She is a fantastic writer and is already writing at DAYS! Would really be great of Ken Corday stepped away and they brought in a stronger EP because he is just dried out IMO!
OMG didnt Erika Slezak lament online that Dena writes stories she thinks are great but no one else likes or something to that effect? If a class act like Erika went out of her way to say that Dena must really be bad. I never watched OLTL much so I have no idea one way or another but I am very worried about Days which has been boring lately but I couldnt bear to see it cancelled. It has too much history and too much potential.
This is the program with daytime TV. Instead of bringing in fresh blood they rotate the same quacks even those that damage the shows as much such as DH did.
This show needs shaking up but these are not the writers to do it. They have half of a good cast Eve,JJ,Victor,Maggie,Eric,Nicole Theresa,,and Paul. Then they have some characters who just take up space Jen,Daniel,Jordan. They need a new EP, someone like Jen Peperman.
I have watched “DOOL” since 1982, when Roman, Marlena and Salen Strangler were the rage. I have seen some great story lines and characters. I have also seen a lot of things that did not work. It seems the show did not have a Plan B for when Sami and EJ left the show. Eve, Paige, Serena and Melanie are NOT the answer. Paige is the most unhappiest character that has ever been on the show. The storyline with Eve and JJ has no redeeming long-term fallout. How many people continue to sleep with someone they HATE? Are we supposed to be excited that Lucas and Adrienne are making goo-goo eyes at each other? Brady, Melanie, Daniel and Nicole are FRIENDS, not long-term love stories. It felt gross seeing Melanie and Brady in bed. These two were best friends with a brother/sister vibe years ago. Here are some suggestions: Cut your losses on characters who continue to take time away from Kate, Victor, Maggie, Sonny, Will, Paul. Give Nicole someone that loves HER, not another psycho love story. Stop pushing couples into bed when they have never had an official date (Nicole/Daniel, Melanie/Brady). Serena and Eric are being pushed down our throats before we care about her. Stop bringing in characters and dragging out their back story (Jordan, Aidan). Write a realistic storyline for Kate, like a breast cancer stortyline. Have another town murder storyline and get rid iof uninteresting characters. Bring back Carrie, Chloe, Phillip, Belle and Shawn-Douglas. Add some siblings for Sonny. Send Eve and Paige back to California. Give characters a few redeeming qualities instead of making characters cardboard villains (Eve, Theresa). Beef up Chad’s time with Abby and Melanie.
Amen, Ray. Every single storyline revolves around the bedroom, one way or another. There is no meat offered….all I see is smoke and no substance.
I do, however, anticipate where the dice will fall with the Sonny/Will/Paul triangle. That IS a story !!!
Adrienne and Lucas? When and how did that happen? I turn back and a budding romance is in the making? Wow, that took me off guard!
Serena should crawl back under her rock; Brady should grow up; and Melanie should do something with that nondescript hair….LOL.
I have already spoken my peace about Eric and Daniel. Perhaps they should both sit in the corner and compare halos…”which is shinier, mine or yours?”
Then, there’s Hope, the cop. Shouldn’t she be able to smell a rat a mile away? It’s her job to sniff out baddies. She is so enamored of Aiden, as a teen with her first love, that she’s blinded by this great love? I hope her suspicions wake her up. But, as it always happens, Aiden will show his true colors soon enough by getting his hatchet and shovel…LOL.
Then, I have to look at the yuckyness between Eve and JJ. Gimme a break, please! That is so gross…I get the taste of bile in my mouth. Why are TPTB degrading Kassie like this? For shame!
Now, here we have this wonderful actress in Jen Lilley….and, what do ‘they’ do to her? They wrestle her to the ground and waste her talents. I know where this is going. The doctor who implanted Kristen with Theresa’s fetus sent a patsy to woo Theresa. It is soooo stupid, however the story unfolds. The only good thing will be crazy Kristen making an appearance. This storyline could have gone down in a more dignified manner for Theresa. This character deserves to be redeemed. She is the best and the most interesting actress/character on this soap. C’mon, now, give this girl and us a break!
I agree.
I hope the new regime respects the powerhouse that is Kassie DePaiva and gives her front burner stories where she isn’t saddled with whiny teens. Such a talent that is wasted on the show right now.
I am just glad Tomlin and Whitesell will be going soon. I couldn’t watch their version of Days. It was awful. Terrible story telling, and I couldn’t take the destruction of characters I liked once upon a time. I will probably start watching the show again in 5/6 months time when the new writers stuff starts airing.
Nick was one of those characters that I felt was destroyed. He was a sweet guy that was very insecure. He got sent to jail for protecting Melanie and everything that happened to him since then was bad. The so called good people of Salem were so quick to judge and hate him and no matter what he did even when he was trying to get his life back on track was sabotaged by people like Sami and Kate. I loved the part when he came back after he was thrown in the river and I was looking forward to see him get his revenge with Percy at his side. That had so much potential for a really great story, but they nipped it in the bud bu having Nick killed off and Percy sent away. I really think they messed up with that one. Even with Blake Berris wanting to leave the story could have still been played out and then Nick and Percy could have left town. I really felt cheated on that one. Blake Berris was one of the best actors on the show and they really wasted his talent by not using him more.
Tomsell was so hit and miss. Take a look at what’s going on right now on screen. The Sonny plot would have been so much more interesting if they had Will sleeping with Paul a third time during the stabbing, turning him more into Sami. They could have also raised the stakes for Paul by having his family already in town and pressuring him to leave. The Aiden story is one step above boring; luckily the two actors make it bearable. But the Feb sweeps story is dull as dishwater. Aiden should have been Paige’s father and connected to Eve. Cliint, the new hunk, could be Aiden’s brother. There are so many connections they just don’t make and they island their stories in addition to dragging them out ala Irna Phillips from the 1950s. Jordan’s plot has been a huge misfire from the beginning and she’s still on the screen. Having Clyde be the follow up to the horribly EJ ending just put salt in the wound. The final EJ/Sami story was Tomsell’s biggest failure and I think that’s why they were let go. They were given a huge casting boost with heavy hitters from OLTL plus the return of Melanie (boo) and they blew it. I think Higly’s in there because Corday gets to choose one of two HW positions; Sony picked Griffith whom they considered returning to YR. Corday went with family; HIgly is family to him and with the show on the chopping block and filming so far in advance, they can’t afford to have two newbies as HW. Dena can think fast about history and legacy characters. Just imagine when they were hired or pitching their stories, that they had to read months of written bible plus watch months of shows already in the can and then craft future story based on that, story that won’t appear for at least six months. It’s an impossible task.
Your comment makes a lot of sense. Dena Higley does know the history of the show and Josh Griffith did some good work on Y&R. So this combo might actually work very well. I also agree with you that TomSell’s downfall was the awful EJ/Sami’s exit and absolutely no build-up afterwards and no clues about the 50th. The only good storylines are the Sonny, Will & Paul and now the Hope & Aiden, which is picking up. But what a misuse when it comes to Nicole! She should have been in a good frontburner storyline right after EJ & Sami’s exit. But apparently Dena loves Nicole and I know that Josh adores Eileen Davidson(Kristen), so it could be interesting.
Aiden’s dead wife should be the baby sister of Larry Welch!
An unfortunate consequence of taping 5-6 months ahead is that when they do a regime change like this, they’re basically admitting that what’s coming up isn’t worth watching, both because it got those writers fired and because a lot of it will be abandoned/ reversed when the new writers start airing. I think I’ll check back in with Days around August or September, hopefully there will be a big buildup to the 50th.
The sooner they get rid of the homosexual storyline, the better!
Well, glad Days is making a change, but if it is the right change will be determined. Storylines are not interesting now. Haven’t watched much in ages. If Dena wrote the baby switching s/l , that may have been one of the better s/l’s in the last few years, but it went downhill with the dragged out kidnapping and hit bottom with the Rafe doppledanger – got too mean, dark, ugly for my taste in a soap opera. So if she can write s/l’s with some twists and turns, romance, and keep the show upbeat and more positive, she may be OK, but if she reverts back to the dark, mean, and ugly, count me out – I can watch the news for that. Actually, I would not mind if they went more along the lines of Cedar Cove type storylines and characters with focus on relationships, quirky town, community events, that show is popular, but maybe soap operas have to have a bit more grit now. The issue is not to slide into the mean, dark, ugly – soaps are supposed to be for a nice take me away escape whether you watch them during the day or another time. Life is challenging enough you want to watch soaps, so you can relax, let the troubles of the day disappear for a short time, and dream a little- fantasy – that is when soaps were good – like the Bo and Hope romance. I know times have changed, so storylines have to change, but the essence of a soap opera is to escape, so writers have to keep that in mind. Who wants to escape into something dark, mean, ugly? Keep it upbeat and positive, Dena no matter what direction the storylines go.
Hope they can redeem kristen dimera bring back ava, nathan, brandon, cassie and rex
I think Ken Corday needs to retire and hand over creative control. Maybe Cythia Cidre would be good now that Dallas is cancelled, I loved Dallas, did a great job but had no network support
Hire some Empire writers and maybe this soap dish might have a chance. Lack of diversity=lack of interest in my home.
YAHOOOOOO! FINALLY! I am elated that Chris and Gary are out and UNLIKE so many here (BOOOOOO) I am willing to give Dena a chance. I firmly believe that Gary was DIRECTING her to write some of the stuff she did. Now that he is soon to be gone, she can tell the stories she wants to. Also, at least she didn’t put my John in a coma and have him leave town once a month for months like Chris and Gary did. Being a head writer is a thankless job, DAYS fans need to stop being so hard on her.
Just put John &Marlena in a front burner storyline and stop putting them on for two three minutes a week. These talented actors have been placed on the backburner for far too long. We want to see more of a reunion between them. Not just a little stroke of the hand hear & there. We need the romance back in this show.
They should also make a change at EP and hire Jennifer Pepperman. She did a great job with One Life to Live re-boot.
I’m very concern what I’ve been seeing on Internet regarding Days of Our lives might be Cancelled Pls tell me its ” NOT TRUE ” I’m a True #1 Loyal Fan for yrs a long time . I’m truly concern since few Main Major Actors & Actress hve left in the past and RATINGS hve Plummered alott . Why Can’t they bring back few old time Main Strong Characters in the Past for example Bo , Patch , Jack , Vivian , Celeste , Ivan , Dr. Rolf ,Peter Blake , Chloe , Phillip . Sean D , Belle , Mimi , Bonnie , Mike Horton , April Ramirez , Diana Colville , E.J . recast and Sami recast if they won’t comeback … or even Bring in Sonny Brothers Alexander , Joseph and Victor for a Storyline also Andrew Donovan Teresa Brother … 50 TH Anniversary is coming Nov 8th i believe The Stories now hve to Wrap up some of the Major Boring ones Please there not working OUT at all I know New WRITERS are Immediately are hired in now WHY did it get to this point of Not so great stories What Happen to the HORTONS < DIMERA , BRADY , CARVER Famliy values and what about Bring in The GRANT FAMILY Valerie especially that amazing Actress who played her make her the Matriarch of her Family a New Generation where it ties into Maxine and the Hortons Family with also David Banning … Would Love to see Ratings Sky Rocket Immediately if GH can do it so can DAYS Come on KEN CORDAY and NEW WRITERS This was TED & BETTY CORDAY LEGACY don't let them down as well as your Loyal Millions of FAN Base … That turn in 5 DAYS a WEEK PLS here OUR OUT CRY REGARDING LOW LOW LOW RATINGS AND VERY BAD STORYLINES THERE NOT WORKING PLS REVAMP THE SHOW ASAP We would like to see DAYS on pass the 50TH ANNIVERSARY …MAJOR CHANGES NEEDED IMMEDIATELY OUR HEARTS ARE VERY CONCERN to many Online & FB talk regarding Cancellations …. PLS Now is your chance to TURN the SHOW around and BRING RATINGS UP to a 2.3 or more God Bless you guys always huggggs … PLEASE HERE OUR CONCERNS ….
I’m happy to see Gary and Chris go! But even happier to see Dena return. Her baby switch story was one of the best written and crafted stories Days has ever had! Truly character driven and thoroughly entertaining. I just want Dena and Josh to save Days of our Lives….
I hope you pick up the unfinished storylines of Stephanos coin & do character 101-WHO the characters’ character is before the storylines assassinate them more. THANKS.
PLEASE…enough bed and shower scenes – please, no psychic junk. Fire up #Ericole #Danifer #Jarlena FIND RAFE a good storyline.Get their hair styled and dress them like real women n men. What happened to the class of the adults? Get Will out of those babyboy looking junk clothes. Stop torturing “Teresa”. Melanie back off Brady. Go away Serena.
Josh Griffiths don’t you DARE kill any of the children who are still on Days. It was a TRAVESTY you killed Delia off. STILL miss that great little actress. With that said, don’t do anymore baby switching DNA junk. ENOUGH OF THAT ALREADY!
Since November of 2012 the storylines got worse n worse. Can you bring back Carrie for Rafe? They were REALLY HOT together.