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
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.
Loved the nod to that horrible death. Will miss her. Hopefully she will be back. If not as Jenn then another character.
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.
I think she did a very nice job as Jennifer!
Will miss her, but hoping to see her in Pine Valley!
Hope they bring her back
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!!!
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!
I want Cady to return as Jennifer, not a new character, and Jennifer didn’t eat the pancakes…
She did a nice job as a full in but as a long time day fan , nothing can beat Millisa Reeves and Jack together .
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 donuts, there could have been an actual relevant joke made, given the incident with JJ’s cannabis donuts which inadvertently ended up being served at Jennifer’s book club meeting a few years back.
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.
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.
She was fabulous. Hope she comes back. Terrific actresd
Glad she is gone. I hope Melissa Reeves comes back soon.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 then either bring her back in, or go down other avenues.
Currently, California, Colorado, Louisiana, New York and North Dakota ban employers from firing or retaliating against employees for any off-duty lawful activity, including speech. So, by that regard, Reeves’ abhorrent and disgusting behaviour on social media might just protect her, as well as her peers, from being fired.
We honestly won’t know unless TPTB either announce Reeves’ return, McClain’s return, another recast or the permanent exit of the character for the foreseeable future. That being said, I don’t believe the set of Days of Our Lives will be a warm place for her, based on the reaction of her co-stars, especially Lamon Archey (Eli) and Linsey Godfrey (Sarah), among others.
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.
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!
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 surrounding the creation of BLM, Melissa liking anti-BLM comments was and is extremely insensitive and hurtful for many people.
As for Cady, she was very good as Jennifer. Don’t miss Jennifer at all.
That’s just ridicules, this cancel culture must STOP, everyone is entitled to their thoughts and opinions, pisses me off!
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.
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.
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.
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.
No I did not like her as Jennifer
I’ve enjoyed seeing Cady as Jennifer.Is there an unspoken reason she is leaving?
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.
I neither liked nor disliked her-it’s just that Melissa Reeves will always be Jennifer, as far as I am concerned.
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
‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali
Next week on Monday, September 14 will mark the first appearance in Salem of Franco LoPresti in his new Days of our Lives role of Dante Vitali.
Heated Rivalry fans now LoPresti very well from his part as hockey player Cliff Marleau in the series first season. (No word yet if Cliff appears in season 2).
Now in a conversation with TV Insider, DAYS fans will learn that LoPresti is on the soap for a limited run. No timetable was given.
Photo: Corday Productions, Inc
When LoPresti does burst onto the scene come Monday, Dante makes quite the impact as Franco LoPresti explains. It seems that viewers will first see him in scenes in Monte Carlo at a poker table with none other than Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). However, Dante will come to Salem to talk to the Brady family about his supposed fiancée Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney).
Franco shared, “Dante was born and grew up in Italy and educated at this pretty top-tier English boarding school. He then went on to build his own dynasty in finance, all the while trying to distance himself from the Vitali name (as viewers know Tamara Braun played his cousin Ava Vitali).”
“But at the core of Dante, there’s definitely an old-school quality to him”, continued LoPresti. “He’s super passionate, he’s sincere and incredibly generous, but he’s also someone that you probably shouldn’t underestimate. Loyalty is something that means a lot to him. As Dante enters Salem, I think the audience will get to slowly peel back those layers and discover what’s really driving him. So, I’m excited for Days fans to go on that ride with Dante.”
Photo: Almay
As it turns out, LoPresti taped his episodes of DAYS starting back in November 2025 which happened to be weeks before Heated Rivalry became a smash hit.
Franco recalled, “It’s so funny because I thought my episodes would air in a month (on Days of our Lives). But I found out it was nine to 10 months and I was like, ‘I gotta wait that long?!’ So, I’ve been biting my nails, trying not to think about it, and I think it’s actually kind of helped because now it’s here and it’s all coming at me from all different angles. I’m nervous. I’m excited, and I just can’t wait to see it all come together. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had for sure.”
In his personal life, Franco just had his first child with wife, actress Emily Alatalo, just a weeks ago on August 23rd when they welcomed their daughter, Stella into the world.
So, looking forward to seeing Franco LoPresti’s debut come Monday? What do you think about the fact that it’s being reported as a limited run? Do you think Dante and Sami have a chance on-screen or off-screen to be a happy couple? What do you really think brings Dante to Salem sans Sami? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.
The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”
Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).
Photo: Days of our Lives
Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).
Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).
The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).
Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.
The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.
So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.
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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Give Fall 2026 Preview: Marlena and Stefano’s Chess Mystery, The Arrivals of Dante and Sydney, Romance Drama for Sarah and Others
As summer comes to a close with Labor Day weekend, the former Days of our Lives co-head writing duo of Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford have given their annual fall season preview in episodes taped some 10-11 months ago.
As previously reported this past July, Ryan Quan returned to Days of our Lives and is now co-head writing the show with Ford, while Cwikly is now a consultant. The new co-head writing teams stories will not be seen till late spring/early summer 2027.
So for now, the stories pick up from where we left off with Cwikly and Ford promising via TV Insider, “Fall in Salem is full of twists and turns and secrets and surprises. Dots connect in unexpected ways as seemingly unrelated threads converge.”
Photo: JPI
CHECKMATE?
In one of the top mystery’s, Marlena is still having troubling memories and she will have another one on the Monday, September 7 episode. Meanwhile, her daughter Belle (Martha Madison) has gotten very close to Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) and as pictured here, the two smooch while in Italy searching for answers to the chess set that Stefano DiMera gifted th the late John Black and Marlena (Deidre Hall) that has some significance.
The head scribes share, “The (chess board) mystery and its fallout are central to the fall stories. Chad and Belle follow the clues to a discovery that changes both of their families, and Salem, forever. Marlena worries that their investigation/the chess set may be a Pandora’s box that has been opened. And she is right…”
Newcomers are also the order of the day for Cwikly and Ford, this fall. We have already seen the debut as Brandon Butler as Mason Whitfield, and next week you can add as previously reported Sydney Malakeh on the Thursday September 1o episode as Sydney DiMera, followed by the the Monday, September 14 arrival of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali.
Photo: Corday Productions
Paula and Jeanne Marie expressed on the incoming Dante, “The arrival of a stranger who will set the whole town on its ear. The character has several strong ties to the current canvas and impacts many storylines.” What will Dante be up to? We know Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) had mentioned in 2025 she got engaged to the man, but that was off-screen.
LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH OR THE ONE YOU WANT?
In the romance department, the triangle between Brady/Sarah/Xander heats up with a very conflicted Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). The head writers reveal, “When Sarah faces attacks personally and professionally, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) work together to help and protect her. Sarah’s new love for Brady is challenged by her lingering love for Xander. Xander risks everything for Sarah.”
In addition look for, “Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip (John-Paul Lavoiser) to draw closer as he tries to save the family company and home.”
Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) will also be returning at some point this fall and she won’t be alone. Who might she bring with her? And from the looks of the Peacock promo for next week’s DAYS, someone is wearing Stefano’s ring around their finger, but who … and how does it all tie in this fall?
So, what do you think about some of the highlights coming up this fall on Days of our Lives per the series head writers? Does anything float your boat or pique your interest? If so, what? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out the action next week on DAYS in the promo entitled “Bag of Tricks” below.
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