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.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.
The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
It’s Daytime Emmy nomination week, and as previously reported things kick-off on Monday, July 13 when Entertainment Tonight (7pm ET) will announce the nominees for Lead Actress category and Daytime Talk Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. In addition on Monday, Extra (7pm ET) will reveal the nominees for Lead Actor and Daytime Talk Host.
On Tuesday, The View (11am ET) starts things off with their announcement of Daytime Drama, Entertainment News program and Outstanding Daytime Personality-Daily. That is followed by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) full reveal of all the categories beginning at 12noon ET/9am PT on their website and their official social handles on X and Instagram.
Then, Tuesday night at 8pm ET/5pm PT join Michael Fairman as he hosts his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where he will chat with some of the just announced nominees as we celebrate the hard work of the men and women in front of the camera who will be going for gold.
WHEN ARE THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
This year, the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out on October 30 in ceremonies in Hollywood, California (Venue yet to be revealed). At that time, as like last year, both the major categories and creative arts will be presented. There is no word yet on a broadcast partner for the annual celebration of daytime programming, or if it will soley be streamed on NATAS’ watch.theemmys.tv and various apps and platforms.
WHO WILL BE APPEARING ON THE DAYTIME EMMY NOMINATIONS SPECIAL 2026?
Throughout Tuesday, keep an eye on Michael Fairman TV’s social media handles on X, Facebook and Instagram, for updates of who will be expected to appear on our live show.
If you have a question or comment for one of the nominees, or on the nominations, we can encourage you to join us in the live chat on Tuesday night.
So, who are you hoping lands a nomination from Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless? Let us know via the comment section. More Tuesday!
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
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53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
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GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
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