Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Drake Hogestyn Acts His Heart Out As John Keeps Vigil By Marlena’s Bedside; Belle Learns Shocking Intel
On a dramatic Friday cliffhanger episode of Days of our Lives, several bombshells were in store for the characters of Salem.
Marlena (Deidre Hall), who is now on a ventilator following surgery and in critical condition, has her family struggling to hold it together and trying to will her to return to them, and it is not a good day for the man she loves, John Black (Drake Hogestyn). He is dealing with the double-whammy of having the love of his life unable to breathe on her own, and the news that his son, Paul (Christopher Sean) crashed through a window saving Sami (Alison Sweeney) and trying to capture Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk). Paul was taken to surgery too, and John is just overcome with grief.
In several heartbreaking scenes, John is gut-punched sitting vigil at Marlena’s bedside. He tells the unconscious Marlena, that Paul was taken into surgery too, but he knows he is going to make it, and breaks down. John begs Marlena to come back to him and open her eyes. Eric (Greg Vaughan) comes in to lend support, but at first gets his head bitten off by John, who is beyond worried for his bride, and his son.

Photo Credit: NBC
Brady (Eric Martsolf) and Belle (Martha Madison) are in Paul’s hospital room talking about what a beautiful day this was supposed to be with the long-awaited marriage of John and Marlena, and how it all went south, and how their dad is going through so much anguish right now. As Brady exits, Belle stays in Paul’s room and goes through some insurance paperwork. She is for the shock of her life when she finds a DNR – ‘do not resuscitate’ order that Marlena must have filed as her wishes if something were to happen to her.
At the hospital, Will (Chandler Massey) is met by Lucas (Bryan Dattiilo) and Chloe (Nadia Bjorlin). When alone with his dad, Will reveals he has regained his memory and remembers loving his father. Lucas is overcome and says to him that he does not care if he is the new Will, or the old Will, he’s his Will. It was a touching moment nicely played by Bryan Dattilo and Chandler Massey. Later, when Will tells Lucas he remembers loving Sonny, he asks his dad for advice on how to handle things with Paul when he gets out of surgery. Having gone through something similar with Adrienne and Justin where he ended up the odd man out, Lucas tells Will it’s better that Paul knows.
Maggie (Suzanne Rogers) has also come to the hospital and tells Lucas that Bonnie Lockhart (Judi Evans) is back in town and at the Salem PD. He decides to go see her. Once face-to-face with the woman who derailed him back to his addiction to booze, Bonnie informs him that he is the father of her child!

Courtesy/NBC
Will is now at Paul’s hospital bedside. When he wakes up, Will thanks him for all his heroic actions and for saving his mom. He then breaks the news to Paul that he has regained his memory. You can see Paul is not necessarily happy about the news and knows it could be the end of the line for their relationship. Will admits he remembers loving Sonny. Paul asks what it means for them.
Finally, an emotional Belle sits by Marlena’s bedside in tears. Eric comes in and says that the specialists will do everything they can do keep their mom alive. Belle says they can’t do that and hands Eric that DNR document.
This episode featured a heartbreaking performance by Drake Hogesytn, who has given his all throughout the recent episodes, and showed why so many fans have loved the character of John Black for so many years, and his enduring love for Marlena. Kudos also to Martha Madison, Greg Vaughan, and the aforementioned Bryan Dattilo and Chandler Massey for their work in key scenes.
So, what did you think about the story bombshells on Friday’s episode? What did you think of the performances? What do you think will happen next? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Drake is doing a great job. I have been a fan since he started on DOOL in 1986.
Bonnie pregnant. Did the rabbit die laughing??? Her oldest son Patrick is well over 40 which would make Bonnie generously 60. Soaps are altogether too hung up on pregnancy and “Who’s the daddy” stories. When you know who the two potential fathers are…all you have to do is look at the child and see who it resembles. It doesnt take endless rounds of DNA tests. These stories just make the characters look stupid and they are not enteraining either. Maybe 45 years ago when it was a new type of storyline….but it has definitrly ceased being a viable plot device. And any Joe Blow csn just waltz in and have the know how to change the results? They are not written in pencil and you just erase one potential dad’s name and write the other one in. I can go along with the soaps on an awrul lot, but it would be nice to be surprised once in a while too!
I didn’t know Bonnie had a son, especially one that’s around 40. I only really got to see Bonnie when she was on last year. I just recently found out that she’s Mimi’s mother. I guess she always has been on the show?
Yes, blake. Bonnie’s not new.
Well, in real life the actress is 54. And yes, she could still get pregnant (the oldest woman who gave birth with no help is 59 I believe) although, of course, it’d be rather a miracle rather than the norm; most in that age use in vitro fertilization. What I liked about this was the humor attached to it. I’m not caught up so maybe it’s already been established that it’s not really hers but there were obviously jokes about whether that baby could really be hers due to the implausibility. Even the name, “Baby Bonnie” just cracks me up. And, since, unfortunately “Lucas” is leaving the show I guess this is the way he’s goin’ out.
Drake is doing a great job with the material, and I’m glad that Belle is involved with this storyline. I would say that it’s to see John and Marlena’s family actually being a family, but I can’t when this arc lacks proper build up, a Kristen who actually acts like Kristen, and Eileen Davidson. Also, I hate that Lucas has a child with his rapist and that this comes so soon after Abby believes she is pregnant with her rapist’s child. I don’t believe Ron has demonstrated that he can write sexual assault and its aftermath in a sensitive, complex, or fresh manner, so I really have less-than-zero interest in seeing what happens next.
It is messed up that this is the second rapist story Ron has done in a year. And sexist that the characters aren’t looking at it like Lucas was raped. Warped!
John is pitiful. You would think the entire show is about his pain. Nevermind that Marlena and Paul are in critical condition, as John stumbles around, muttering, crying, playing the poor John act. Get some balls, man! They don’t need a slobbering, snotty, John when they regain consciousness. He is over acting and it is to the point of being silly. Certainly unbelievable!!! I am not planning to watch it next week as I am so sick of his tantrums and throes of emotion. My God, man, get some balls. Even women aren’t that weepy!
You MUST be joking!? You actually think that a man with the woman he loves on a ventilator with a small chance of survival AND a son who is lying in the same hospital paralyzed s “muttering, crying, playing the poor John act?” How should a normal human being with the capacity to love amd feel fear, grief, shock behave?
His reactions are “silly?” Perhaps. To a robot structured for logic and not emotion. Your comment makes zero sense.
thats not his fault he has to play the part written by the writer or get fired its the way the ball rolls or lose the job thats silly
I have such an antipathy for “John”, I cannot find any kind of emotion within me–It is what it is…..he draws nothing from me….neither does “Marlena”.
I am aware of the fact my comment is not well-received, but the Marlena-damsel-in-distress is soooo passe’ ( decades of it), it bores and annoys me to no end.
Now, these writers are putting this character in “the-matron-in-distress” mode. It is the age-old ploy of making her relevant. That’s all it is!!
Just as the matronly Bonnie having a baby out of nowhere. When will this stop? It is so ridiculous, not only age-wise, but that the baby factor is still alive and well??????
I hope Lucas has the sense to get a DNA ( paternity) test. So much nonsense—-whimsical, really……only in an alternate world; which soaps are, of course. But, change it up, people!!.
Lucas getting a DNA test will be pointless. I see Bonnie getting Sheila to change the test results. Cause, ya know, anyone can get into hospital computers with no problem. Hell, Gabi found a way to change Abby’s results that were in an envelope within a short amount of time lol.
You’re right, blake, as usual. It is an age-old ‘method’ on soaps. No DNA test is ever full-proof.
Soaps are one of the, if not THE, last remaining genres where fifty percent or more doesn’t make sense. That’s half the fun of it. The whole Marlena/Hattie is hilarious to me. It’s just so silly but it’s fun. Some of the story lines (like Mike on GH) are heartbreakingly real…and then we have these crazy stories that are so out there…I’ll miss them when they’re gone. And I really feel they’re all going to be gone all too soon. With each new talk show or expanded Good Morning America/Good Aftenoon, blah, blah, with Kelly Clarkson and now Tamara Hall; I think they’re testing to see how much of an audience they draw. If it’s profitable our soaps are done.
Enjoy while we can…
The hardest storyline for me to accept right now is Abby gabby and chad. Getting
A little weary of this triangle whether it’s for revenge or love. Then a Ben Weston
“Cured”. We saw what happened when he was off his meds- I sure wouldn’t want
To be in bed with someone who forgot to take his meds the night before, lol
The only thing that would work for me is Ben trying to kill ciera and Tripp’s saving
The day. In my defense I come from a generation that believes in happy endings.
Gikda
Drake Hogestyn deserves the Best Leading Actor at next year’s Daytime Emmy Awards.
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.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series

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.
Beyond the Gates
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel

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!
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