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(INTERVIEW) DAYS Arianne Zucker & Greg Vaughan Talk Baby Switch, Ericole, and the Passing of Tyler Christopher

By Michael Fairman

Published

3 years ago

on

Photo: AZucker.com/NBC

On Days of our Lives, viewers have been in the middle of one of soap operas enduring tropes, a baby switch.  Watching a mother being duped when her baby is alive and being raised by her nemesis is always a lightning rod for fan response that often has many fed up with the entire situation in how cruel it is to the mother. Given that soaps viewership, in large part is female, it can make for emotional story with huge payoff or, leave fans screaming, “enough is enough!”

Ironically, this time the switch was pulled on Nicole Walker DiMera, who pulled off her own baby switch in a despicable and deceitful move against Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) years ago. Now, it’s come back around and the situation is reversed. Nicole’s baby was taken by Sloan (with a major assist from Melinda Trask) and Sloan is passing it off as her and Eric’s adoptive baby, also knowing full well that Eric is the biological father of Nicole’s baby.

So, how does the long-time Salem star-crossed duo, played by Arianne Zucker (Nicole) and Greg Vaughan (Eric), feel about the baby switch storyline and more? The popular stars appeared together for a video interview on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel to share their thoughts and insights into the story, and what’s next.  In addition, Greg pays tribute to his former GH and DAYS co-star, Tyler Christopher (ex-Nikolas, ex-Stefan, respectively) who recently passed away at the end of October.

Photo: JPI

In what seems like definite ‘karma’ for Nicole, Arianne shared how she feels about the 2023 baby switch. “I’m a little biased towards the ‘one and only’ baby story storyline I have been in because it’s the classic one. It played really well,”  Zucker said. “It was almost two years long, and it involved so many characters and it was really great. I thought that was such a really wonderful storyline. So, I was very interested to see where this was going to go. Plus, now with my character, it’s the opposite, right?  So you can call it ‘karma’ or whatever, for the character.  It is hard to write these stories different than the next. As it’s been unfolding, I’m like, ‘OK. I didn’t see the car accident coming, etc.'”

Zucker shared this is a different space and time for her character and how she deals with this devastating situation. Ari expressed, “Nicole has changed a lot since the last baby switch storyline. Nicole getting pregnant at this time is even, pretty amazing. And the fact that she’s carried the baby. There’s so many processes in my head that I’ve gone through, that I know a lot of women that struggle with in real life. I really try to take care of other women’s viewership with what are they watching and how are they feeling about it. When you’re losing a baby, I’m connecting to other women. And with that being said, it’s hard, because having a baby is such a miracle, and it is such a wonderful thing in life.”

Photo: JPI

For Greg, he did not see where the story was heading when he first came back to the show in 2022, “When I re-joined the canvas and the team here at DAYS, Eric was trying to see if he could salvage the relationship with Nicole, but knowing that she had moved on with Rafe (Galen Gering). Then, Eric became some kind of ‘American Gigolo”, if you will, and he started bouncing around from bed to bed, and I was like quite confused.” He added, “The kid story just came out of the blue and I had no idea what they were setting up, obviously. I didn’t see the whole Eric and Nicole and the Quadrangle coming that they eventually created. They were a determined to make Eric a father.”

On this week’s episode of DAYS, Nicole took baby Jude when Sloan (Jessica Serfaty) left the baby stroller alone in Horton Town Square, but after convincing from EJ, she gave the baby back, but not without massive pause.

Photo: JPI

Zucker explains Nicole’s mindset: “She totally knows that it’s her Jude. I think Nicole is just like, ‘I, for once and for all, I got to make sure this baby is mine. This is my kid.’  This is what she believes. She says to herself, ‘This is my child. And this woman (Sloan) just runs off and leaves the baby all alone in Horton Town Square. Who does that?”‘

During the interview, Greg also opened up about the death of his dear friend, Tyler Christopher.  Vaughan had recently shared on his Instagram touching photos with Tyler’s children following a memorial gathering in Ohio, where Tyler was laid to rest next to his mother.

Photo: JPI

Vaughan expressed: “It’s been a very difficult journey, as many know. My relationship with Tyler started 25 years ago, when I was on Charmed. Tyler has made a rock and foundation from being on General Hospital and leaving to venture out and do other things. And then our paths just continued to be tied together as we were reunited at General Hospital and then back at Days of our Lives. The friendship that we created was special. We were a brotherhood amongst many other special people in his life and his family. His kids are beautiful. They’re special. Their mother is an incredible woman who’s been on a journey that nobody can see, or that is going on behind closed doors. It was a terrible, terrible tragedy to lose somebody as special, and so young, as Tyler was. You can’t even expand on with words how gifted he was, his commitment to the craft, and what he did on a day-to-day basis. Tyler brought so many people together and in all spaces; from work to his personal life. He was also so close and guarded, so you felt very special to be in his inner circle.”

Tyler’s struggle with addiction became very public, but also was very private. Greg shared his emotions on learning the news of Christopher’s death: “I was very angry and I was sad. I was tremendously sad. I felt like there was a lot of effort that we were personally engaged with, and that others contributed with, and that we failed him. But, it is a disease and it takes a lot of strength and courage and continuous effort. I went back and I watched so many of his acting scenes on YouTube, or what posts were being said, whether it was positive, whether it was negative, that was heartfelt. It was a tough one for all of us in so many different ways.”

Photo: JPI

As to where does Eric and Nicole’s story, and the baby switch story go from here? Arianne teased, “Just hang tight. You will always need a tissue when these two characters are involved in any kind of story. For Nicole, this girl’s gotta keep this train rolling to try and get people to believe about this child.” Greg added,”There’s still a lot to be shared in the next few weeks, and that’s what we’re kind of coming to, if you will, a conclusion. It has been an hell of a journey. It’s been a good story and there are a lot of tearjerker moments. I think a lot of people will be excited to embrace what the journey will be and we’ll find out what’s going to happen and where it’s going.”

Watch the full interview with Arianne and Greg below.

Then let us know, what have you thought about this 2023 baby switch storyline on DAYS? Do you want Eric and Nicole back together with baby Jude in tow? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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These two are the reason I started watching Days.
Their chemistry is off the charts.

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I like Nicole and EJ as a couple. They have a lot of chemistry and accept each other the way they are. Eric is too judgmental with Nicole. Coparent the baby but don’t become a couple again.

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I am I’m total agreement! Those two belong together.

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I really loved this interview. Hoping that Nicole and Eric can eventually find their way back to each other. I also very much appreciated Greg’s beautiful words of tribute to the memory of Tyler Christopher, who so many of us greatly admired and will always miss.

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I like EJ and Nicole.

Reply

I like EJ and Nicole, but I love Eric and Nicole. Eric and Nicole have had a long, bumpy ride. They are soul mates. Isn’t it ironic that the baby she does not miscarry is the one fathered by Eric! To me, that rings destiny!

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali

Published

1 day ago

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September 11, 2026

By

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.

Dante Vitali

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.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals ‘Class of Season 62’

Published

4 days ago

on

September 9, 2026

By

Days of our Lives

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

Published

1 week ago

on

September 5, 2026

By

Chad and Belle

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.”

Deidre Hall

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.

Philip, Belle and Sydney

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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