Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Exec Explains How They Fit John Oliver’s Guest Stint into Production When They Tape Almost a Year in Advance
If you caught today’s Tuesday, August 11 episode of Days of Our Lives streaming on Peacock, you caught the debut of John Oliver in his Salem role as the chief water inspector in town named Devlin St. John.
The ‘Last Week Tonight’ host has been on a jaunt through the soaps over the past few months, first on General Hospital, where he played the WSB head named Z, to now the man who has got the goods on EJ DiMera.
In his first of three appearances (the remaining two stream August 12 and 14), Devlin meets up with Paulina Price (Jackée Harry), Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes), Rita Lesley (who takes a liking to Mr. St. Jonn), played by Maggie Carney, and EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel). When Oliver arrives on the scene there is the wig, the quipping dialog, and a few soap stares and such along the way.
Courtesy/Peacock
Days of Our Lives is the only American soap opera in production to tape so far advance, often 10 to 11 months, that it makes it difficult to get out of any storyline that is not clicking with the fans, or if the writers want to change course.
In addition, casting announcement of exciting returns or new characters while initially exciting, finds the viewers having to wait a very long time to see them on their screens. On the flip side, without this production model the soap opera, which will turn 61 in November, wouldn’t remain and that would be a serious blow to the fans, to the soap genre and all that it employs.
DAYS OF OUR LIVES EP KEN CORDAY ON THE PROCESS OF ADDING JOHN OLIVER INTO PREVIOUSLY TAPED EPISODES
When John Oliver made his pronouncement on his late night talk show back in March that he desired to be on a soap opera. DAYS executive producer, Ken Corday was going to make it happen. He explained to Vulture, how they were able weave in Oliver’s request and take him up on it, while making it look seamless into episodes taped so long ago.
Both Corday and co-executive producer and showrunner, Noel Maxam, intially went back and looked at previously taped episodes and story outlines to search for a potential story thread where they could place the character to be played by Oliver.
Corday shared, “We didn’t want to wait until next year for these shows to air, so we lifted (already produced) show and put him in. We basically had to shoehorn him into our schedule because we were so far ahead.” The longtime EP also expressed its challenges stating it, “was somewhat complex. It was basically, ‘We have to do this; let’s get it done.’ And we did. He was too good to pass up.”
THE CREATION OF DEVLIN ST. JOHN
In terms of the scripting and creation of Oliver’s character of Devlin St. John, it was a two-team effort. Corday explained that Oliver’s overall storyline was scripted by DAYS writers, but John Oliver’s team punched up some of the dialog.
“John and his producer had a lot of input in making the words fit the way he talks,” the EP recalled. “He’s (Oliver) very machine-gun in how he speaks, so that took a little work. But in the end, we both got what we wanted.”
In terms of the look of his DAYS character of the Salem chief water inspector, Oliver brought the wig he wears in his scenes to the set, and the DAYS hair and make-up team refined it for the cameras.
You can check out more behind the scenes moments of Oliver’s appearance on Days of Our Lives in the newly released video package from Access Hollywood that dropped last night below.
So, what did you think of John Oliver’s debut as Devlin St. John on today’s Days of Our Lives? Ken Corday sharing how the soap opera was able to shoehorn in Oliver’s scenes in previous shot episodes from months ago? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
This is how far Days of Our Lives has fallen. Sad day.
Seems that’s something a MAGAt would say.
No, this is a few days of comic relief. If you want an example of how far Days has fallen, look to the pointless character of DumbMitri Von Leechner (or whatever his name is) who they keep bringing back for absolutely no valid reason.
Or the even worse example would be that idiotic “Body & Soul” subplot from a couple years back. I suspect that’s the one that got ReRon fired. Much like the horrible exit story he wrote for GH icon Luke Spencer got him fired from that show.
Or for that matter, any time that any talentless nothing from a “reality” show pops up on any of the remaining soaps. And sadly there’s been a lot of that.
At least John Oliver can act. He was great on Community, and his recent soap appearances, while deliberately campy and over the top to some extent, were at least well acted and entertaining.
He’s only on for a few episodes and didn’t sign a contract.
When will people stop living in the glory days of the 1970’s and 1980’s for soaps. Those days are so long gone and are not returning. Budget constraints, changing viewer demographics, and social media have permanently reshaped this genre. Please view John Oliver’s cameo in addition to being very funny and entertaining as an opportunity to introduce younger people to the medium rather than yet another excuse to trash the current writers/producers for not living up to the good old days. The people who watched during the good old days are now in their by 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Just like in politics people are realizing it’s time for the boomers to go, so are the soap people who can’t move on and accept this isn’t granny’s soaps any more.
I was wondering how they fit in his scenes. I’m glad they were able to make it happen.
Now we await Ryan Gosling!
Of course there’s a bit of a giant plothole here in this whole storyline that they made up to explain Oliver’s character…..
The water at the Horton cabin on Smith Island came from a self contained well on the premises. Which is usually the case in rural residential settings.
So the Salem municipal water department would have absolutely no jurisdiction over a private well which isn’t connected to their pipes.
Though at least the whole contrived story allowed John Oliver to make inside jokes about having a sewage treatment plant named after him. Which actually happened, as fans of “Last Week Tonight” are well aware.
It’s beyond absurd that DAYS tapes nearly a year in advance. I don’t understand how this production model makes things cheaper, considering that no other soap runs things this way and seem to have the budget for large casts, location shoots, and high production values. If anything, it seems counter-intuitive to tape shows this way because if viewers don’t like current stories, it takes much longer to change course or wrap things up, and may end up costing the show those eyeballs.
DAYS (not being on network TV) has a much smaller budget than the other 4 shows. They also have a couple of “middle men” layers that need to make a profit (Corday, Sony, Peacock). GH, for example, is owned, produced, distributed and aired on Disney owned companies – thus only one entity needs to make a profit.
GH block shoots (grouping sets and actors available on a certain day). They sometimes shoot scenes 8 weeks ahead, but occasionally can mix in scenes filmed a week before air.
Once DAYS went down this rabbit hole, it was nearly impossible to stop – and the gap keeps getting larger. Corday doesn’t seem to be concerned.
If a shorter tape to air span enables shows to change course for the better, then why is there so much crap on YawneR, BluB, Beneath the Gutter and Gangster Hell?!
Viewers want different things. Most of you people will complain no matter what!
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums and ‘Veronica & Julian’ Stars Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
Two Days of Our Lives favorites, Nadia Bjorlin (ex-Chloe Lane) and Kyler Pettis (ex-Theo Carver) are starring in the new indie feature Veronica & Julian and now on Monday, August 31 beginning at 3pm ET/12pm PT, they will visit You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel for a livestream chat to discuss their film roles and time in Salem and much more.
Kyler Pettis appeared on Days of Our Lives as the grown-up autistic son of Abe (James Reynolds) and Lexie Carver (Renee Jones and more recently Nikki Crawford) from 2015-2018. He won a Daytime Emmy for his work on DAYS in 2019 in the Outstanding Younger Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Nadia Bjorlin is best known for her role as Chloe Lane. Bjorlin appeared in multiple runs on the show from 1999-2023. In addition, she has been featured in Crystal Chappell’s Venice the Series since 2009 in the role of Lara.
Photo: VeronicaandJulian
VERONICA & JULIAN CONFRONTS MODERN ROMANCE
Now in 2026, the two are featured in the romantic drama of Veronica & Julian. In story, a confident and successful marketing executive (Bjorlin) winds up falling for a younger aspiring architect (Pettis).
From there, a journey of desire and self-discovery is set against the backdrop of present-day New York City. with obstacles along the way. Does it work? Does love conquer all, or do they go their separate ways? Veronica & Julian examines what happens when an unexpected romance forces the characters to confront the realities of age, timing, and love.
The cast also includes: Blake Jenner (ex-Glee), Erin Cummings, Chrystee Pharris (ex-Simone Russell, Passions and Queens of Drama), Robert Lee Leng, Mark Famiglietti and Jennafer Newberry. Look for Veronica & Julian to be released later in the fall.
The films director Otoja Abit shared this statement: “Veronica & Julian is about the right people who have a chance meeting at the wrong time. It’s a look at two people who don’t grow apart—they just grow up. This film is an authentic exploration of an imminent ending and how two people deeply in love got there. It aims to be quiet while telling a relatable story about modern-day relationships.”
QUESTIONS FOR THE DAYS ALUMS
If you have a question for Nadia and Kyler, make sure to join us in the live chat and we might just ask it during the live broadcast. If you can’t be with us live and can catch the repla, but have something you would like posed to our guests, you can drop it in the comment section here.
Now, check out the official Veronica & Julian trailer below.
So, intrigued by the story of Veronica & Julian? Do you miss seeing Nadia and Kyler on Days of Our Lives? Let us know in the comment section too.
Daytime Emmy winner and Gold Circle Honors Inductee, Suzanne Rogers will be on your screens this week on Days of Our Lives, when Maggie Kiriakis is back in action beginning with the Monday, August 31 episode. Previously, Maggie was written-off the canvas in April of this year when she left Salem to visit her daughter, Melissa.
Back in October of 2025, it was revealed that Rogers was battling stage II colorectal cancer. Then in November 2025, Suzanne told PEOPLE that she was now in remission.
Suzanne shared, “I’m feeling so much better. I mean, my summer was rough. I had cancer removed, radiation, that was tough. But I didn’t lose my hair. I guess I got it early. I was stage two, and it was a certain kind of chemo that they gave me, it was pills and the radiation, and it didn’t affect it so that was good.”
Photo: JPI
SUZANNE ROGERS JOURNEY BACK TO DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Now, official Days of Our Lives spoilers indicate that Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) will reach out to Maggie on the Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Due to Days of Our Lives’ advance taping schedule of 10-11 months in advance of streaming new episodes on Peacock, Suzanne’s reintroduction to the story will play out this fall.
In a interview with TV Insider last year, Rogers shared that as of July 31 2025, she had completed cancer treatment and was headed back to work to continue the story of Maggie Horton.
Rogers explained, “I start back to work next week, so we’ll see how that goes. Now, I’m feeling anxious like I do any time I get scripts because I want to do my very best and you don’t want to hold up anybody.”
As Days of Our Lives fans know, Rogers has been with the soap opera as of last week for 53 years having debuted back on August 20, 1973. Then in 1979, Suzanne became the first actress ever to win the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series at the Daytime Emmy Awards.
In 2024, Rogers was honored with induction into the Emmys’ Gold Circle by The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This award recognizes individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact on television for 50 years or more.
Before her recent health scare, Rogers has battled myasthenia gravis starting in 1984, which also has gone in remission.
So, happy to know Suzanne is back as Maggie this week on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives? Have you missed seeing this Salem staple for the past many months? Let us know via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Brandon Butler, Who Once Played Zack Brady, Returns to ‘Days of Our Lives’ in New Role
Days of Our Lives has revealed another addition to the cast of the Peacock streaming soap opera; only this time his face is familiar to fans of the soap opera. Brandon Butler is taking on the new role of Mason Whitfield, but he previously played Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope’s (Kristian Alfonso) deceased son, Zack Brady for a stint back in 2025!
In a post on Thursday, August 27 on the official DAYS Instagram account, they shared a video of Butler telling 5 interesting things about himself caption with, “Get to know Brandon Butler, who will be playing Mason Whitfield! Here are five fun facts about the newest addition to the Days of our Lives cast before his first episode on September 1.”
That means that viewers will see Butler’s debut as Mason next Tuesday! When Brandon named his fifth fun fact, he shared, “Last but definitely not least for me: Days of Our Lives was my late mother’s favorite show. So this one’s for you, Mom. Love you.”
Photos: Peacock
Previously on DAYS, Butler took over the role of Zack Brady from Scott Shilstone, who last played the adult version of Bo and Hope’s son back in 2022 during the Peacock limited series, Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem Chapter Two. Fast-forward to the June 2, 2025 episode on Days of Our Lives.
In story, as Bo Brady finally comes out of his coma after receiving the critical dose of Versavix, thanks to the late John Black (Drake Hogestyn), he is visited by his deceased son, Zack in heaven and he helps push his dad to return to the land of the living.
Brandon’s previous TV credits include roles on: 13 Reasons Why, Hysteria!, Trinkets, and Seal Team, to name but a few. He also appeared on General Hospital back in 2016 for one episode.
It should be noted that also heading to Salem on-screen in September is actress Sydney Malakeh who as previously reported is starting her run in a ‘mystery role.’ Malakeh’s first airdate is September 9. Does this mean that Butler’s Mason will cross paths with Malakeh’s Salem alter-ego? Stay tuned.
So, intrigued to see Brandon Butler back on DAYS in the new role of Mason Whitfield? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.
View this post on Instagram
‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums and ‘Veronica & Julian’ Stars Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
Has Jasper Jacks Been Recast on ‘General Hospital?’
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Whose Scream Is It Anyway?
Suzanne Rogers Returns to ‘Days of Our Lives’ in All-New Episodes
BEYOND THE GATES Preview: Hayley’s Poisonous Plot Goes Awry; Heather’s Obsession with Andre Reaches New Heights
‘General Hospital’ Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Action-Thriller ‘Supermax’
Dolly Parton Remembered: Y&R Alum Alyvia Alyn Lind Shares Heartfelt Tribute to the Legendary Singer and Songwriter
Suzanne Rogers Returns to ‘Days of Our Lives’ in All-New Episodes
Brytni Sarpy Joins the Cast of ‘Days of Our Lives’
RATINGS: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Loses Most Viewers Week-Over-Week; But All Soaps Up Year-Over-Year
‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums and ‘Veronica & Julian’ Stars Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
Has Jasper Jacks Been Recast on ‘General Hospital?’
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Whose Scream Is It Anyway?
BEYOND THE GATES Preview: Hayley’s Poisonous Plot Goes Awry; Heather’s Obsession with Andre Reaches New Heights
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Katie Gets an Eyeful When Darcy’s Mother Comes to Town
-
General Hospital4 days ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Action-Thriller ‘Supermax’
-
Breaking News6 days agoDolly Parton Remembered: Y&R Alum Alyvia Alyn Lind Shares Heartfelt Tribute to the Legendary Singer and Songwriter
-
Days Of Our Lives1 day agoSuzanne Rogers Returns to ‘Days of Our Lives’ in All-New Episodes
-
Days Of Our Lives1 week agoBrytni Sarpy Joins the Cast of ‘Days of Our Lives’
-
News1 day agoRATINGS: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Loses Most Viewers Week-Over-Week; But All Soaps Up Year-Over-Year
-
General Hospital1 week agoGENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Is This the End for Brennan?
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Shares He Was ‘Happy to Hear’ of The Triangle Storyline Developing Between Dante/Elizabeth/Ric
-
General Hospital2 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Sawandi Wilson Marks 2-Year Anniversary as Dr. Isaiah Gannon with Heartfelt ‘Thank You’ Video to ‘Best Fans in the Universe’
