Days Of Our Lives

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Cady McClain Ends Her Great Run as Jennifer; But Not Before A ‘Wink-Wink’ Nudge-Nudge’ to AMC’s Dixie ‘Poison Pancake’ Debacle

February 18, 2021

Courtesy/NBC

Wednesday’s episode featured another solid performance by two-time Daytime Emmy-winner, Cady McClain as Jennifer Horton Devereux as it was the day of her mother, Laura’s (Jaime Lyn Bauer) funeral.

Last week, longtime viewers were saddened that the character of Dr. Laura Horton was killed-off. The question remains did she fall accidentally and hit her head in a struggle with Gwen (Emily O’Brien), or did Gwen intentionally kill Laura?

Yesterday was also the final episode of McClain in the role of Jennifer – as far as we know for now. In story, following Laura’s funeral, Jennifer was heading to Boston to be with her brother Mike, to settle their mother’s estate and go through her belongings, etc.

Cady had taken over the role of Jennifer from Melissa Reeves, who chose to stay in Nashville during the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of her departure, head writer, Ron Carlivati and the writing team, delivered a little wink-wink nudge-nudge to soap viewers and those of McClain’s time as Dixie Cooney Martin on All My Children.

In one of the most controversial soap death scenes of all-time, and one that was not kind to McClain, Dixie was killed-off the ABC daytime drama series after eating poison peanut butter pancakes. Fast-forward to 2021, and in an attempt to make DAYS Jennifer feel better, Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) whips up some banana pancakes with extra peanut butter! When Jennifer declines them, Julie says she thought she liked them, to which Jennifer replied, “I used to. But I had a bad experience with them once. Now I can’t even look at them.” Julie questions, “Bad experience?” Then Jennifer says, “I’d rather not talk about it.”

In our books, McClain got the last laugh here getting to do a nod to the audience, who has followed her soap career for decades including the the 2007 killing of Dixie … by pancakes.

Previously, Cady shared in a 2020 interview with EW.com about the subject: “It was a dig at me by one of the writers that very much wanted to put me in my place. I had stepped out of line and they wanted to put me back in line, and I was going to eat those pancakes and I was going to learn my lesson, and I certainly did.”

So, what did you think of the mention of the ‘pancakes”? Will you miss Cady as Jennifer? Comment below.

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Guest

Ric

Loved the nod to that horrible death. Will miss her. Hopefully she will be back. If not as Jenn then another character.

Guest

Steve

Ah yes, the poisoned pancakes and Erica’s un-abortion — probably the two storylines that most contributed to the AMC decline in ratings and eventual cancellation.

Guest

Debra

I think she did a very nice job as Jennifer!

Guest

Ellen Edvardsen

Will miss her, but hoping to see her in Pine Valley!

Guest

mike

Hope they bring her back

Guest

Jeremy

I want Cady McClain to return to DAYS, she renewed Jennifer Horton and is so committed and a talented actress. She had great chemistry with Jack, Abigail, JJ and everyone else really. I really do hope Jennifer Rose returns in a few months with Cady McClain reclaiming the role which she made Jennifer come to life in a beautiful way…an intriguing portrayal. DAYS bring back Cady! She’s a gem!!!

Guest

Scott (ATWT Fan)

The wink-wink to the pancakes were brilliant. As much as Ron Carlivati can bother me as a writer, it is those kind of nods that just make me smile. As for her tenure as Jennifer Horton, it was brilliant! Cady McClain took on the role, made it her own and ROCKED it!!! I only wish she would be sticking around, and hope her return is imminent! Daytime continues to ignore her and it is high-time she earns her damn due!

Guest

4ever DAYS

I want Cady to return as Jennifer, not a new character, and Jennifer didn’t eat the pancakes…

Guest

Sharo

She did a nice job as a full in but as a long time day fan , nothing can beat Millisa Reeves and Jack together .

Guest

Satan

ReRon wastes too much time on little “inside jokes” like that, especially if it’s one of his OLTL pets coming on to Days (or previously on to GH) Truth is, AMC never aired in Hell, and it usually aired directly opposite Days in most markets when it was on the air, so odds are the majority of Days viewers had no idea what the joke was about. I gave it about 6.66 seconds worth of thought as in “when the HELL did Jennifer get sick from eating pancakes??” and then forgot all about it. At least if Julie had made… Read more »

Guest

Brad Taylor

Donuts have been used a great many times in Salem thru the years…. Alice Horton herself made a tainted batch to bust bust people out of jail, then when the residents of Salem were being sent to the island (after everyone thinking they were killed off by the Salem slasher I believe it was) Alice Horton was even killed by her own donuts…. but yes I agree any DOOL fans would have known at least 1 reference to donuts and been able to catch it.

Guest

Norene

I never watched AMC so the reference was wastedon me. A comment about donuts would have made more sense. Also Cieras predicament is dragging on too long.

Guest

Catgranny3

She was fabulous. Hope she comes back. Terrific actresd

Guest

Adam

Glad she is gone. I hope Melissa Reeves comes back soon.

Guest

Mary

I don’t think Melissa Reeves will be asked to come back. Not after what she did. In case you have forgotten, Melissa liked several anti-BLM posts from right wing Candace Owens on Instagram. Her co-stars on DOOL were, and probably still are, angry with Melissa. I would bet that one of the reasons Melissa was let go is because co-stars refused to work with her. Unless, others on DOOL agree to work with Melissa again she will not be asked back.

Guest

Steve

While I find Melissa’s social media activity to be abhorrent, it should be pointed out that she was not let go from DAYS. When filming resumed in September, she elected not to return due to travel considerations driving Covid. She and Scott do not live in Southern California.

I’m not sure if she is technically still under contract, but the decision not to return was hers.

Guest

Scott (ATWT Fan)

That is the story we’ve been told, however, we ALL know there could definitely be more to the story, and I do believe there is more. As for Melissa Reeves’ status, I don’t think she is considered a cast member at this point; when Cady McClain assumed the role of Jennifer, she was credited as a regular cast member (not recurring) and Reeves’ name was not mentioned.

Guest

Mary

Scott-Melissa liking the anti-BLM comments posted by Cameron Owens is online. As for the reaction, just look at all the people who have lost jobs for doing the same thing.

Guest

Scott (ATWT Fan)

Mary, I am well-aware of the abhorrent behaviour displayed by Melissa Reeves’ social media online, and have since her anti-LGBTQ+ views have been recognized by her peers. However, this is a tricky case. Reeves did not directly make the comments; had she, that could and would be grounds for immediate termination. As such, it does raise the question: was she actually not asked back, due to being dropped with the rest of the cast, and the publicly-told story is that they are using the pandemic as a coverup. Then, hire Cady McClain as a “temporary” replacement, see the reception and… Read more »

Guest

Steve

If (and that’s a broad assumption) the decision was on Corday’s end, all they would have to do is wait for an option period in Reeve’s contract. The production company has the right to end a contract without reason at set points (newbies every 3 months, select vets every 6 months). No official “firing” or termination is involved.

Guest

Lynn

If Melissa doesn’t agree with blm that’s her right! SHE decided to take a leave of absence to protect her family from covid. I’m sure she can come back if she wants to! That lady did ok as Jennifer, but Melissa Reeves IS Jennifer and she has been from the beginning! I, for one, could care less about blm and what her opinion about it happens to be!

Guest

Mary

Lynn-unfortunately for Melissa, co-stars do care about BLM. All you have to do is read the tweets from Melissa’s co-stars in response to her liking anti-BLM comments. Ken Corday and NBC also care about the fallout from Melissa liking anti-BLM comments. And some of those people in that NBC head office are not white. In my opinion, Ken Corday was being kind in allowing Jennifer to tell the world that she is freely taking a leave of absence to be with family. High profile People across the United States have lost jobs for doing what Melissa did. Considering the circumstances… Read more »

Guest

Shirley Duncan

That’s just ridicules, this cancel culture must STOP, everyone is entitled to their thoughts and opinions, pisses me off!

Guest

Mary

Shirley- this cancel culture, as you call it, will not stop any time soon. BLM is and will continue to be a powerful political force in the United States. Melissa Reeves has still NOT publicly apologized for her insensitivity in liking Candace Owens anti-BLM comment. How do you think James Reynolds, Jackee Harry, Sal Stowers and others on DOOL are still reacting to what Melissa has done. Melissa just caused her career to implode big time.

Guest

Violet Lemm

Adam
Don’t hold your breath. Melissa probably cut her own throat by voicing an opinion which is as good as anyone else’s , but these days you you only say what the others want to hear. They are not interested nor do they care about anyone else’s opinions and feelings but their own.

Guest

Jeff

Loved it! Sorry to see Cady depart DOOL. She brought depth and heart to the character of Jennifer. The wink was a nice nod to us longtime fans and gave us some satisfaction after all these years.

Guest

Moto62

Ive always watched Days of Our Lives not
All My Children. I was left thinking when did Jennifer have a pancake encounter? Carlivati is the worst writer in the history of Days. I wonder to myself why I still watch this show and all I can come up with is my longevity
watching since 1973. I vowed a long time ago to watch until the end. It’s difficult.
I want to say how much I appreciate this forum where viewers share their real feelings about the show. I’m glad I found you.

Guest

Lynda Schock

No I did not like her as Jennifer

Guest

Pat Keadle

I’ve enjoyed seeing Cady as Jennifer.Is there an unspoken reason she is leaving?

Guest

Celia

The best play-on-words ever–“I used to. But I had a bad experience with them once.”—-how refreshing!! Love it!!
I love Cady, always have—amazing actress—nonetheless, I can’t say I will miss as Jen because she had not grown on me as said character yet. Not enough time for Cady to make Jen her own.
You will shine at whatever you do, Cady.
Aside–Roman turned blond?– I actually like it. Color looks ok on him.

Guest

Annmarie Haggerty

I neither liked nor disliked her-it’s just that Melissa Reeves will always be Jennifer, as far as I am concerned.

Guest

Violet Lemm

I could not believe the scenes from above photo. Jennifer is grieving her mother and the insensitive Julie is trying to stuff banana pancakes down her throat.( Why are they always feeding this woman pancakes?) Does Julie ever quit? I know she means well, but sometimes she’s like a bulldozer.

Days Of Our Lives

Louise Sorel Back Taping Episodes at Days of our Lives

March 20, 2023

During a guest appearance with Harvey Brownstone on his celebrity You Tube interview show, Louise Sorel revealed that she is back in-studio taping all-new episodes of Days of our Lives as Vivian Alamain.

This will mark the first on-screen appearance by Sorel in over three years. However, we heard Sorel’s voice when Vivian made a call to Stefan (Brandon Barash) back in January of this year.

The last few times Vivian was on-screen in Salem, she was played by two different Daytime Emmy-winning actresses. First, One Life to Live icon, Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian) played the part and then exited the canvas back in the fall of 2019. Next, Linda Dano (ex-Felicia, AW and ex-Rae OLTL), took on the role in early 2021 for a brief stint.

In this newly released interview, Sorel dished with Brownstone on the rigors of taping a soap opera, and how on her first day back she felt “God-awful.” Louise qualified that with how she found herself apologizing left and right to the cast and crew because it had been awhile since she had so much dialog to recite and to get back into the swing of things.

The longtime DAYS favorite also speaks to the pace in which everyone works at DAYS to get the episodes completed each day in front of the camera. Since Days of our Lives tapes so far in advance, it will be months till Sorel is seen on the Peacock streaming series.

Check out Sorel’s interview below, where she also shares some behind the scenes intel on her time on Santa Barbara as Augusta Lockridge.

Excited to see Louise back as Vivian Alamain? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Breaking News

Days of our Lives Renewed for Two More Seasons on Peacock

March 15, 2023

Days of our Lives, which transitioned last fall from NBC to the streamer, Peacock has received a two-season renewal pick-up. That will bring DAYS through its 60th anniversary season.

Already hitting several milestones within its run including; it’s 14,000th episode back in 2020, and being the longest-running series in NBC history to move to Peacock, the lives, romance, intrigue, and drama will continue for the residents of Salem for at least two more years.

According to Peacock PR, DAYS has consistently been a top 10 title since its exclusive move to the platform last year.

Throughout its enduring run, the show has garnered 61 Emmy Awards, including 2022’s Outstanding Writing for a Daytime Drama, and 392 nominations, as well as multiple People’s Choice Awards, GLAAD Media Awards and Prism Awards.

The beloved series is produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producer Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati serves as current head writer.

Excited to know that Days of our Lives received a two-season pick up from Peacock? Comment below.

Days Of Our Lives

Head Writer Ron Carlivati on Bo & Hope Return: “This Is Old School Days of our Lives, and It’s Something That The Audience Has Waited a Very, Very Long Time to See”

March 11, 2023

Next week, begins the continuation of the shocking story arc that started last summer on Peacock’s limited streaming series, Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem Chapter 2.

In it, DAYS fans learned that Bo (Peter Reckell) has been kept in cryogenic cylinder for years, and was brought back to life by Stefano’s daughter, Megan Hathaway (Miranda Wilson).

Now, circle March 16th for Reckell’s first episode back as Bo and March 17th as Kristian Alfonso’s first episode back as Hope to the mothership and Days of our Lives.

Head writer, Ron Carlivati previewed the storyline in a new interview with Soap Opera Digest in their latest issue on newsstands now.

Carlivati shared: “We pick up Hope where we left her off. She had gone though this whole experience with Harris Michaels (Steve Burton), finding out that he was in league with Megan Hathaway, and we ended her on ‘Beyond Salem’ like, ‘I have to bring Megan Hathaway to justice. I have to find her and make her pay.”‘

While Hope is on mission, she will also have Harris Michaels back in the mix, and as the head scribe shares, “Hope is on a collision course with Bo, and she’s unaware of it.”

As to what lies ahead for viewers, Ron revealed: “This is old-school Days of our Lives, and it’s something that the audience has waited a very, very long time to see. You won’t want to miss it.”

Check out Peacock’s promo for the return of Bo and Hope below which teases that while most people get over their high school sweethearts, this one never did, alluding to Megan’s past relationship with Bo, which is the impetus for her revenge plot.

Now let us know, are you looking forward to seeing how Bo and Hope’s enduring love story continues? Comment below.