Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: “To John”
John Black’s wake on the Thursday, June 12th episode of Days of our Lives punctuated an emotional series of episodes that began with the three-part funeral for the iconic hero, and concluded with a walk down memory filled with perfect touches from the writers for longtime fans of the 59-year-old soap opera.
If anything this episode does, it reminds us of the hole that will be left in the viewers and cast members hearts for the character played with so much gusto by the late Drake Hogestyn. Sadly, Drake lost his battle with pancreatic cancer back in late September of 2024, and with his blessing DAYS was able to craft a story befitting John, by saving the life of another iconic hero, Bo Brady (Peter Reckell).
At the wake at the Brady Pub, it was the core group of: Marlena (Deidre Hall), Steve (Stephen Nichols), Kayla (Mary Beth Evans), Shane (Charles Shaughnessy), Roman (Josh and Bo, that featured many toasts and remembrances for the man they all loved and revered. Steve toasts, “To John Black. Without a doubt, the finest man I ever knew.” Feeling grateful for everyone gathered together for John, Marlena offers up her own toast saying, “To all of us.”
Courtesy/Peacock
In flashbacks, that while sometimes short in length, they provided impact including: Bo recalling first meeting John in Miami, Steve thinking back to the Pawn showing up in Salem in bandages, and Kayla harkening back to how Marlena was helping John as a therapist figure out who he was when the two began to fall madly in love.
Next, the group recalls: finding out that John had plastic surgery, Marlena’s suspicion that she actually thought John was Stefano, and the white water rafting scenes featuring John and Marlena in an escape in West Virginia were shown. Then, Shane recalls helping give birth to his son, Andrew, who now is going to marry John’s son, Paul.
Courtesy/ABC
When the history of John Black turns to when John thought for years he was Roman Brady, the real Roman excuses himself from the table. Clearly uncomfortable by the discussion, Marlena goes to him and apologizes for those painful memories. Roman said he is just sad that he missed out on so much of that time of his life because of the machinations of Stefano DiMera.
Each of John’s friends and Marlena goes around the table taking a shot after naming one of John’s mortal enemies:. Roman says Stefano DiMera, Marlena goes with Orpheus, which Kayla agrees with. Next, there is a flashback of John and Marlena reuniting after tracking down Orpheus in Stockholm. In the present, Shane says they’re all family, and that blood or not, they will always have each other’s backs.
Eventually, Marlena notes all the times that John saved her including: Marlena’s original possession by the devil and John as a priest trying to exorcise her. Everyone recalls Bo and Hope sailing around the world, and Bo shares they may just do it again, which raises concerns from his sister, Kayla, because Bo just woke up out of a coma! Later, Bo asks Steve if he is really serious considering retiring from PI work, because he thinks he and Hope would be interested in joining forces with him. Steve said he will considerate it and get back to Bo.
Courtesy/Peacock
Now it’s time for the wake to end, and people to say their farewells to Marlena. Shane is the first to leave. In an emotional moment, Bo hugs Marlena and says he will never forget what John did for him. Steve and Kayla hug Marlena assuring her they will be there for her and for anything she needs.
Fittingly, that leaves just Roman and Marlena. Roman apologizes for earlier in the wake, but with tears streaming down her face, Marlena admits that not a day goes by that she doesn’t blame herself from breaking his heart. Roman says he has healed from it, has moved on with Kate and is happy that he and John were able to become good friends.
Courtesy/Peacock
Roman says he will drive Marlena home, but she says she needs some time alone. When she exits the Brady Pub. She stops outside of it, and flashes back to the greatest and most heart-tugging moment in the storied past of John and Marlena; when Marlena comes out of the fog in the famous pier scene, after “Roman” (John), believed she had died and is reunited with her. That scene featured one of Drake Hogestyn’s best performances in his DAYS career. In the present, after her memory, Marlena looks up to the sky as tears stream down her face.
Courtesy/Peacock
Meanwhile at Julie’s (Susan Seaforth Hayes), throughout the episode, Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) and Hope (Kristian Alfonso) reminisce (complete with flashbacks) to the iconic moments from the past between super couples, Jack (Matthew Ashford) and Jennifer and Bo and Hope and their everlasting love for each other. Jack arrives after visiting Abigail’s grave, but leaves the women to catch-up and heads to bed.
Later, in another heart-tugging moment, Hope tells Julie that she still can’t believe Bo’s going to walk through that door again. It’s like they’re starting all over again. Hope thanks Julie for loving her dad, Doug, for all those years. “Darling girl, says Julie, “To be my relative twice over, I’ve always known you were my gift from God.”
Courtesy/Peacock
What did you think of John’s wake and the final episode devoted to the memory of Drake Hogestyn? Did you reach for the hankies? Let us know in the comment section. In case you missed it, check out the Michael Fairman Channel’s tribute to Drake below.
I felt my heart breaking for all of the cast. They have been through this saying good bye when Drake actually past on. How sad to have to go through it again. Sending love to all of them. They are amazing people and I see and feel the actual bound they have with each other in real life.
Actually, Barbara, from what I understand these episodes were taped while Drake was in the final stage of his battle with the cancer.
In fact, I read he actually passed the weekend after these funeral episodes were taped in September of 2024.
If I’m wrong, someone please correct me…
That’s what I’ve seen in articles as well. Means the episodes were likely written in July of 2024.
sammy is a hypocrite he always treated him bad even though he raised her and eric and carry like his ow for the fist years of his life
More casting news from Days of Our Lives, and for now, the soap opera seems to be breaking their new additions to Salem via their Instagram account. Now comes word and picture on August 24, that General Hospital and The Young and the Restless alum Brytni Sarpy has joined DAYS!
The Peacock soap opera’s Instagram account, showed a photo of Sarpy standing in front of her dressing room in the hallways of Days of Our Lives’ studios. The caption read, “Someone new is checking into Salem… Welcome Brytni Sarpy to the Days of our Lives family! Stay tuned.”
The casting of Sarpy comes on the heels of the announcement of Sydney Malakeh coming to the show in September, and earlier this year General Hospital favorite, Sofia Mattsson (ex-Sasha Gilmore, GH) joining the show in a mystery role when she began taping back around the end of March of this year. Now Sarpy is the “mystery role” category too!
In addition, the Days of Our Lives social team dropped a video ditty of the cast spoofing Love Island, where Sarpy appears as the new “bombshell” of the villa. Other cast members such as Rob Scott Wilson (Alex), Abigail Klein (Abigail), Casey Moss (JJ), Sal Stowers (Lani), Paul Telfer (Xander) and Linsey Godfrey (Sarah) pop-up in it too, among others.
Photo: JPI
SOAP HOPPING
Soap fans first met Sarpy when she played Valerie Spencer, the niece of Luke (Anthony Geary) and Bobbie Spencer (Jackie Zeman) on General Hospital back in 2015. She made her final appearance on the series back in 2019 to join the cast of The Young and the Restless in the role of Elena Dawson.
Elena was introduced as a love interest for Devon Winters (Bryton James). She later cheated on him with his cousin Nate Hastings (Sean Dominic). Elena began to be back-burned by 2023 with Sarpy’s last on-screen appearance in Genoa City in November of 2024.
Due to Days of Our Lives nearly year in advance tape schedule, viewers will have to wait till sometime in the early summer of 2027 to see Brytni’s arrival in Salem.
So, happy to see Brytni Sarpy has landed another soap role? Now that she is at DAYS, who you think she might be playing and paired with? Put on your casting director hats and let us know via the comment section.
View this post on Instagram
Days Of Our Lives
Sydney Malakeh Joins the Cast of ‘Days of Our Lives’ in Mystery Role: Who Do You Think She’s Playing?
There’s a new gal coming to Salem, or is she new and a recast? That’s what inquiring minds from Days of Our Lives fans have been trying to figure out since the Peacock soap opera dropped an Instagram video heralding actress‘ Sydney Malakeh‘s arrival in Salem.
The soap did confirm that viewers will first see Malakeh on the September 9 episode. In the video, Malakeh is seen going set to set from her dressing room and in to the halls of Days of Our Lives studios.
What we do know id that Sydney has been acting professionally for 6 years and had appeared on Grey’s Anatomy, Apple TV’s Shrinking and the HBO Max’s The Sex Lives of College Girls.
Plenty of Malakeh’s DAYS castmates jumped into the comment thread with positive emojis symbols or written excitement including: Paul Telfer (Xander), Linsey Godfrey (Sarah), Sal Stowers (Lani), Conner Floyd (Chad), Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Christie Clark (Carrie) and more now that fans will finally see her on-air. Since Days of Our Lives tapes 10-11 months in advance, Sydney would have started taping the show sometime back in 2025.
DAYS fans think perhaps because the actress’ name is Sydney that she might be playing the grown-up daughter of Sami and EJ. That character hasn’t bee on the canvas since 2021.
So, who do you think Sydney Malakeh might be playing on Days of Our Lives? Drop your casting director thoughts via the comment section below.
View this post on Instagram
Days Of Our Lives
Peacock Hikes Subscription Rates for Fourth Time in Four Years; ‘Days of Our Lives’ Fans Sound Off
While recently the streaming service Peacock reported turning a profit for its first time since its infancy, now comes word that the company is raising their prices for all customers, and in some cases it stared today on August 18.
The news of the subscription rate increases marks the fourth time the NBCUniversal streaming platform has done so in four years. So, on August 18, Peacock is increasing the prices for new or returning subscribers and customers, while current subscribers will see the rate increase on or after September 17 depending on their billing cycle when they initially signed up.
Here is the new pricing to follow along: Peacock Premium (which includes ads) will be $12.99/month, up two dollars from $10.99; Peacock Premium Plus will be $19.99/month, up three dollars increase from $16.99; and the Peacock Select tier (which includes current and past seasons of NBC and Bravo shows but excludes movies, live sports and Peacock originals) will increase a dollar from $7.99 to $8.99/month.
Photo: JPI
SUBSCRIBERS CONTINUE TO PAY MORE ACROSS THE STREAMER LANDSCAPE
It was back in June that the streamer reported that aid subscribers were up to 48 million adding a 2 million net gain during Q2 in of 2026. The subscription price hikes are rampant now in the entertainment streaming industry where over the last two years for example, Netflix, HBO Max, Apple TV, Paramount+ have all raised their fees to consumers.
Peacock’s tier-levels feature not only Days of Our Lives, but reality hits such as The Traitors and Love Island USA, Bravo series, and a vault of Saturday Night Live, Law & Order, The Real Housewives franchise, and Below Deck episodes as well. Pecock Premium and Premium Plus subscribers have access to sports and live events, as well.
DAYS OF OUR LIVES SUBSCRIBERS HAD A FEW CHOICE WORDS FOR PEACOCK
As Days of Our Lives fans know, the soap opera moved from NBC to the streamer back in September of 2022 after 57 years on broadcast television. When the news hit X on the price increase, DAYS fans had a lot to say about it. Here are just a few of the comments below:
“I can’t believe Peacock and can’t come to a deal with Cordya to air old episodes of #Days. That alone would bring a ton of subscribers,” to If Peacock actually cared about #Days of Our Lives, gave the show the budget it needs for better sets, cameras, background actors and enough time to tell proper stories, I wouldn’t mind paying more. If the money actually showed on screen, the higher price would be worth it,” to “I will continue to pay for a Peacock subscription as long as #Days is on it, but did we know there was another price increase coming?” and more.
So, what do you think of the new price hike increase to watch Days of Our Lives and your other favorite shows and events on Peacock? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Who is Hudson in Cahoots With After Revealing Phone Call?
Y&R’s Victoria and Kyle’s Love Affair to Kick-Off; Amelia Heinle Says EP Sally McDonald Shared Why; ‘You’ve Got Chemistry’ with Michael Mealor
Dolly Parton Remembered: Y&R Alum Alyvia Alyn Lind Shares Heartfelt Tribute to the Legendary Singer and Songwriter
‘General Hospital’s’ Josh Swickard Recalls Emotional Moment After His Final Scenes with Michael Easton, and Favorite ‘Chase’ Storyline
Brytni Sarpy Joins the Cast of ‘Days of Our Lives’
‘Veronica & Julian’ Feature Starring ‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Releases Key Art and More (Exclusive)
‘General Hospital’ Alum Bryan Craig Cast in ‘The Weapon’
John Oliver Recaps His ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘General Hospital’ Soap Opera Experience on ‘Last Week Tonight’
Hayden Panettiere, ‘Guiding Light’ and ‘Nashville’ Alum, Dead at 36
GH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)
Dolly Parton Remembered: Y&R Alum Alyvia Alyn Lind Shares Heartfelt Tribute to the Legendary Singer and Songwriter
‘General Hospital’s’ Josh Swickard Recalls Emotional Moment After His Final Scenes with Michael Easton, and Favorite ‘Chase’ Storyline
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Is This the End for Brennan?
‘Guiding Light’s’ Grant Aleksander Shares Heartfelt Remembrance of TV Daughter, Hayden Panettiere On What Would Have Been Her 37th Birthday
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Admits That He Didn’t Expect the Role of Michael Corinthos to be Recast, and Would Consider Working on Another Soap (Exclusive)
-
Days Of Our Lives1 week ago‘Veronica & Julian’ Feature Starring ‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Releases Key Art and More (Exclusive)
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Bryan Craig Cast in ‘The Weapon’
-
Breaking News1 week agoJohn Oliver Recaps His ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘General Hospital’ Soap Opera Experience on ‘Last Week Tonight’
-
Breaking News1 week agoHayden Panettiere, ‘Guiding Light’ and ‘Nashville’ Alum, Dead at 36
-
General Hospital5 days agoGH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)
-
Breaking News22 hours agoDolly Parton Remembered: Y&R Alum Alyvia Alyn Lind Shares Heartfelt Tribute to the Legendary Singer and Songwriter
-
News1 week agoB&B’s Don Diamont Recalls His Soap Start on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and Confrontation with Exec Prod Al Rabin (Exclusive ‘Soapy’ Preview)
-
General Hospital7 days ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Jonathan Jackson Shares Emotional Tribute to His ‘Nashville’ Leading Lady Hayden Panettiere
