Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives Revisits ‘The Possession Storyline’ This Fall

On the heels of the streamer limited-series, Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem, the NBC daytime drama series has announced that they are set to revisit the all-time classic “Possession Storyline” from 1994.
In that, Marlena (Deidre Hall) became possessed by the devil and it became one of the most remembered stories of all-time on the soaps.
Now, DAYS is turning a return to the storyline with this promo teaser, “Something wicked is coming to Salem this Fall!”
The series is promising that “fans can look forward to twists and turns you’d never suspect as well as familiar faces returning to save the day (or not)…. this time around, the devil knows no bounds and no one in Salem is safe!”
You can check out the promo below. More details will follow on this exciting storyline!
So, what do you think of DAYS harkening back to the possession storyline? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Damn! I enjoyed OG possessed Marlena.I it’s as good as 1994 Possession Storyline.
Wanted to watch it back then, but couldn’t. YAY!!!
HELLo Salem! It’s good to be back!!
Funny, with any other storyline revisit you’d be calling him “Re-Ron” and claiming he’s had no original ideas, lol. Heaven help us.
Well yeah, but this is about ME. So that’s different!
Not really looking forward to this if it’s going to be a repeat. Are they running out of ideas with that talented cast? Yee-gads! I’ll wait, watch and see once we’re into it. Always try to believe for the best in our soaps.
They really need to go back to these gothic storylines it’s what made days so much fun
A one off Halloween special. It won’t be an extended storyline.
That was the kind of story you don’t revisit. I know Ron C. has been chomping at the bit to revisit this story. I swear he has been possessed by Jim Reilly. Their writing is so similar it is eerie! Both of their writing is shallow, plot driven, predictable, repetitive, and ludicrous at times.
I watched the original. It was ok. A lot of overacting, a lot of campy writing, a lot of cheesy special effects. It wasn’t a first for daytime. Both Loving and Dark Shadows had featured demonic storytelling.
It was different and divisive, you either loved it or hated it. Sometimes stories that big and iconic need to be left in the past, because sequels rarely are as good as the first. Also, the subject matter is very unpleasant. These are dark times right now, with many of our world leaders taking pages right out of Satan’s handbook. Could we have a less dire story?
If it is going to be a mini story arc, starting on Halloween and going through November sweeps, that would be all right. But the show cannot afford to take 6 plus months and tell a full possession story again’
I’ll take Rons writing at Days where regardless of the consistency there are exciting arcs that are umbrella, complex and impactful going forward.Over at Y n R nothing happens for weeks, no romance , no plots just characters chatting over , over and over again. If anything even slightly eventful happens it s wrapped up off screen in one eppy. Josh Griffith and his toilet seat writing .
I agree. I wish that Ron could go to Yr for a year and straighten the show out. Bring back Paul Williams and others to make it more interesting.
Yeah I stopped watching y&R over a year ago. It got so boring and the Abby surrogate story line is beyond stupid and ridiculous
Carlivati has not had an original thought in years. Terrible writer.
I totally agree, well spoken
I agree and dark shadows was a different thing. Completely!!
Hopefully like the April fool idea – one day only halloween… otherwise DON’T.
Time for a break from this show… like Carson on GH, I’m tired of Jarlena on Days.
I’m 100% game for this if it’s a one-off Halloween special like the April Fools episode. In fact, I think soaps need to do one-off episodes more often because they usually turn out great. But if this is a long-term storyline, it’s going to get old FAST. It was even ludicrous at the time, and I really don’t think daytime TV is the place for possession stories anymore.
Ok……………. Ron can’t come up with an original idea.
Oy veh…
OMG,
I’d rather see Ben and his never fail necktie come back. I wonder if they’ll show John trying to kiss her with his slobbery open mouth. That should bring her down to earth real quick! ⁰
I was never a fan of the JER era and definitely over the writer pets of Brady/Black family and Ben/Ciara. While all the other characters get crappy writing—the Bonnie and Duke the Bear stuff is Ridiculous. If you can’t attempt quality for all stories and characters it’s not worth tuning into. Thanks to Ron, I’m starting to watch CBS soaps which bring good drama and angst.
That story is worthy only of Days Cancellation. Soap media promotes garbage for the producers but is rarely HONEST. Terrible story and if that is why they brought Johnny back send him away far away never to be seen again. Deidre Hall I am so ashamed that you do such insulting nonsense. Surely you have enough money by now.
Shaming Deidre Hall is shaming all who loved the previous possession and are already loving the repossession! She has enough money for a comfortable lifestyle, but she also enjoys the work and the possession is her personal all time favorite storyline. It’s not insulting, it’s entertaining, you’re the one insulting.
Yuck! I didn’t like the first time around and of course it’s stunt plot driven dibble. I like my soaps to be character driven stories. Did anyone watch last weeks episode on Thursday the 9th on YR with Jack/Phyllis, Nick/Sharon, Victor/Adam best character driven episode I’ve seen in years. All coming from the characters past, heart pulling when you’re a fan know each couple’s history…Wonderful!
Lord, can Harrison Lord become a regular character? Can he be raised from the dead? The actor playing Harrison, in a 1-day stint, has acting chops as well as appeal that is off the charts! And while you’re at it, bring back Calista Lockhart, too! Another great character actress who chews the scenery par excellence! Forget the Possession storyline!
An “all-time classic” is not how I would describe that plot. There have been some lousy storylines on soaps over the decades but I can think of only two that were so dreadful that I permanently quit watching a series and never went back…..
The “Marlena is possessed” garbage on Days and the “cloning of Reva” on Guiding Light. Both were such bad ideas that I questioned the qualifications and judgment of the writers who came up with them and (inanely) thought they would work. Who in their right mind would think revisiting this junk is a smart move? Obviously, I am one soap viewer who won’t be turning in!!!
Barbara from Atlanta,
Iam not looking forward to this crap again. I wonder about the actors feelings. Are they truly having fun doing this or are as disgusted as some of us. I know a lot of fans are enjoying and looking forward to another round of craziness. Something else that bothers me is Doug having to portray the devil.I just hope he likes it more than I will.
Don’t worry…. I won’t be occupying Doug for much longer.
After all, you can’t really raise a lot of Hell in the body of a 96 year old man. I’ll be changing residences before too long!
Keep your original residents in hell! There is enough negativity going on!
I guess we know now what Doug’s problem is. I lost my TV reception yesterday when he made contact with Paulina’s butt, but saw it today and realized he will be used to re-possess Marlena. Now I think this SL will be funnier than I thought.
I’ve kind of changed my mind some, since I wrote this comment. You know what they say about curiosity killing the cat.
So…. how about that entrance, huh?
Didn’t think I’d show up in Salem like that, did ya??
. Praying that you get back where you’ve been for the last 27 years!
Does anyone have any info about Chive Tea like Kayla ordered at the pub? I know what Chives are but never heard of them being used to make tea.
Chai tea, not chive!
Though “chai” is actually an Indian word for “tea”, so calling it “chai tea” is sort of redundant. It’s a drink made from black tea with milk & spices added. The drink has some decent anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory propeties, so that might be why Kayla (as a doctor) is a fan of the beverage.
Oh wow! Bravo for the info!
I hated it then and now even more better way to have storyline than anything to do with Satan
It was ridiculous before and it’s ridiculous now. What on earth are they thinking? There are so many other ways to go. All I can say is, “YIKES”.
My sentiments exactly.I prefer story lines that are at least slightly believable.
So brain chips that turn somebody into a different person or a serum that can bring back somebody who has been dead for years… or long lost children showing up DECADES later… that’s all believable.
But little old me coming up from Hell for a visit, that’s where you draw the line??
Maybe Marlena can explain some of this,i.e your first paragraph, but the second part, for most people it’s more than a silly prank ,that they are afraid not to believe.
I’m totally disgusted. What is this… some cheap Halloween trick? Is the show that desperate they need to go back to this? It seems stupid
And immature writing. If I wanted to watch a horror story, I’d rent a horror movie. This is ridiculous. I’m ashamed if this horrible decision. What next, Mary Poppjns or the wizard of Salem/OZ? I will watch another show during this time until the DOOL writers get some Real material. Or fire the kids And bring in some mature writers. This is bull crap.
With COVID and death lying in every corner, this is the last thing people need to see. A possession? Really? Folks need GOD more than ever right now. How sick are these writers? Or Maybe they’re the ones possessed? I think that’s the answer. It’s starting to make sense. Yes, I’ll visit another show. Anything will be worth watching than this crazy crappy storyline. It’s sick!!!
The most ridiculous story line ever…….Marlena being possessed! Please STOP! I am so disappointed……..beyond belief! I will never watch again! How stupid do you think people are????!!!
Disgusting and totally inappropriate. We may stop watching.
I think its awful. I didn’t watch these parts 25 years ago and I skip some of it again nnow.its enough evil is here on earth destroying our world. No need to bring in more even on TV. This is a soap opera not a horror movie.
What a waste of time. I didn’t like the story line in the 1990’s and I dislike even more the second time around. Is it too much to ask for fresh story lines?
We just finished a year of lockdown. No need to see a storyline like this one. Might resume watching after it wraps up. (Re: Marlena and being possessed). Just not interested and in poor taste.
Absolutely ridiculous. The stupidest storyline back then and here we go again to another half year of stupidity. When will writers finally come up with their own storylines??? Why must they keep repeating old ones.
How lazy can you be to do one job. You have one job to do . Write for a soap opera and you can’t even do that because you have to steal someone else’s work . Hate it .
I think this possession stuff is disgusting and I was almost going to stop watching it but I didn’t but now that they’re going to possess Ciara’s baby? I am 66 years old and I have been watching Days since I was 14 but I am now done.
It’s true! Ciara is going to have a BeelzeBaby!
We’re going to name him Damien Horton Weston. Be sure to count the letters in each of those names. He will have a great destiny in front of him
Ben can have a black “tie” event to welcome him into the world! And the number of letters; that’s some spooky numerology goin’ on there….
I don’t like this storyline at all. I pvr the show and fast forward past it.
I hate this storyline. With so much evil in this world today. Who needs to watch it on tv. I love Days. I have watched it my whole life with my mother but this is too much for me to digest on a full or empty stomach. Come on writers you can do better than this. Revisit this is more like a bad nightmare relived!!!
I think it absolutely ridiculus to have Marlena be the devil again. Been there done that. Why? I hate it ande am thinking about not watching Days anymore if all they can come up with are old story lines. I a very disappointed in the writers.
It would be divine to actually be let in what Mar-Devil’s internal plan actually is. Several weeks have passed on DOOL and I still do not know what Mar-Devil came back to actually finish from decades ago.
it is stupid of them bringing the story line about the devil and all back. Bringing back the dead which is nonsense. Give me a good story line.
People return from the dead in Salem all the time!
At least the three guys I called up from Hell will be going back soon. Isn’t that an improvement over all the Rolf zombies still walking around like nothing ever happened to them?
When is it going to end . Enough all ready . Do the writers have nothing better to write or are they just being so dam lazy
I turned in just to see if it was finally over. Meanwhile, General Hospital has been interesting.
Parts of General Hospital have been interesting. Not so much for Hell’s future outhouse cleaners, Whiny Heiny & Joey Nobrains.
Days Of Our Lives
INTERVIEW: Jackie Cox Talks On Latest Return to DAYS, An Offer for Dimitri, and Life as a Performer In and Out of Drag

On the Monday, December 4th episode of Peacock’s Days of our Lives, Jackie Cox is back and hell hath no fury like a drag queen scorned! With revenge the order of the day on Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart), Darius Rose (Cox out of drag) arrives in Salem with a plan.
As Dimitri (Peter Porte) is about to turn himself into the authorities to save Leo’s skin, Darius gives Von Leuschner a talking to; letting him know that Leo deserves to rot away in prison, and so, to help Dimitri out of town, Darius has a tempting, and yet outlandish way to do just that!
Cox first appeared on Days of our Lives during the limited-series Beyond Salem in 2021 and then on to the mothership in 2022. The drag artist and Rupaul Drag Race alum took time out from his busy touring schedule of his holiday show, Jackie and Jan’s Jingle Jam (coming to a town near you), to speak with Michael Fairman TV all about his recent return to the long-running soap opera, playing ‘soapy’ versions of Jackie/Darius, and if there’s more story to come.
In addition, Jackie talks on the often misperceptions of the art of drag and drag performers, working with his DAYS co-stars since first appearing on the series including: Rikaart, Porte, Billy Flynn (Chad AKA Belinda Chinashop), and much more. Check out our chat with the incomparable Jackie below.

Photo: JPI
You get asked back to DAYS, once again. Were you shocked that you got the call to return?
JACKIE: You know, what’s so funny is ever since my appearance on Beyond Salem a couple years ago, the fans kind of picked up on this little connection with me and Leo. Which then, Ron Carlivati (head writer, Days of our Lives) kind of expanded into my storyline last year where I came and broke up Leo’s wedding with Dr. Craig Wesley (Kevin Spirtas). What’s amazing is the DAYS fans now think they have seen me in places in the story that I’m not. Like, I was one of the prime suspects for the murder of Abigail DiMera, or I’m somehow helping Leo with other things. (Laughs) The fans have amazing imaginations of their own. I think Ron and the team picked up on that a little bit and have kind of found different ways to work me back into the storyline, which is so cool. I’m there, even when I’m not. That’s so fun for me.

Photo: JPI
As viewers saw on Monday’s episode, you are not in scenes with Greg Rikaart but Peter Porte. Was that a surprise for you coming back to tape a new episode?
JACKIE: When they called me to come back, I thought I’d be working with Greg again as I have been very much a part of his storyline. However, it was really fun working with Peter, because we didn’t get to work together much on Beyond Salem, even though we were both there. It was fun to kind of like build a connection to Dimitri, because I think that’s such an interesting character.
Were you ever a fan of Days of our Lives before you were even on it?
JACKIE: I would pop in and out when I was a kid when I was homesick. My mom would let me watch a little bit. So, I remember the Stefano of it all, and Hope, and all of those storylines are still in my ether somewhere from when I was young. Coming into it now, and to see where the storylines have expanded into even more is great. The world is bigger now than maybe it was in the nineties. So, the fact that you have a drag queen dealing with an immigration problem, and getting back at her ex, I think is so wild to me. I couldn’t imagine that kind of a storyline happening back then, but it’s so cool to see now.
DAYS, at times, had shown a lot of forward-thinking to its audience that I don’t think you’d necessarily see on the other current soaps. The way they’ve had you, and other gay, or sexually-fluid characters or romances, or introduced drag into the storylines – all these things they had implemented along the way to make the soap, in its current form, a little more progressive leaning. They are also not on network TV anymore, but on a streaming platform, which gives this most likely an assist, as well.
JACKIE: What I love about it is, sometimes people just don’t think that we exist. You know what I mean? Maybe drag queens are something they just heard about and they don’t know what we are. I think what’s great is this character is me in my real life. I am Jackie Cox. I am a drag performer who goes around the country to different places and performs and stuff. So, for that to also be my character, it’s not like, “Why is she a drag queen?” It’s like, “Well, that’s just who she is.” I just happen to be there and I know that the daytime audience is so diverse. I love that they get to just see a little bit of my real life brought into Salem in this way. You can’t deny the fact I am Darius Rose and Jackie Cox.

Photo: JPI
It looks like Darius had a plan to ‘help’ Dimitri?
JACKIE: I don’t know if I’m as much helping Dimitri as if I have ulterior motives. I’m pretty frustrated with Leo. He is this charmer and he always gets what he wants. But I think at this point, I’ve had it with him and his schemes. He didn’t get that emerald. He didn’t give me the money from the Beyond Salem. He left me for Dr. Craig Wesley and I’m tired of it. I want to get back at him. Now that I find out he has this hot new little boyfriend, I know just how to do it because Dimitri better watch out, because he has not yet dealt with Jackie Cox yet. I have quite the persuasive offer you’ll see during the episode, and in the performances. I do think you see Dimitri really consider me and consider what I have to offer, which is to steal him a way, and help him escape to Canada with me.
We see you as Darius and Jackie in the episode, but there is a reason for that.
JACKIE: Yes! What’s fun for the audience is, I think, is there’s this tease during the episode, which is, “How are we going to get Dimitri out of here?” So, we take a page from the old drag book of tricks, which is walk right out the front door and let them look right at you, because drag is an amazing disguise. I think that Dimitri should have, could have chosen to be a fabulous drag queen and leave with me, and we could run across the Canadian border together and done cabarets in Montreal! (Laughs).

Photo: JPI
So, this is what Jackie/Darius wants to pull off in the episode?
JACKIE: Oh yeah, and also me, in my real life, (Laughs) I wouldn’t mind doing a cabaret in Montreal. That sounds like a good life to me. I think coming to Dimitri with this offer, which is: “Come with me across the border. Let’s get away from Leo. You haven’t been hurt by him the way I have, but I know you will be.” I think for the Darius side of me, you get to see a little bit of the softer side, in a sense. I really am hurt by Leo and the things that he’s done to me, and had been keeping me from – getting a green card in this fantasy version of my life. I really want to get back at him. What I love about Peter as an actor is, as we were working through this scene, we were able to find all these other levels. I kind of build this little connection through our episode of maybe I’m offering him something that he hasn’t even thought of before, a different kind of life where he’s not this Almanian crook, but maybe he can be a free gay man, maybe drag queen in Canada with me. That’s what’s on the table and the audience sees that. Unfortunately, he doesn’t choose me at the end, but that’s not going to stop me from putting on a fabulous look and walking outta there, anyway.
So then as he leaves, is Darius hurt by all of this?
JACKIE: I’m a little hurt. I don’t think my revenge cup is full at the end of this episode. There’s still a burning little desire for me to get back at Leo by the end of this and maybe a desire for me to just get back into Salem and see if I can find Dimitri again. Let me tell you honey, looking at Peter Porte is not very hard and maybe there’s more men in Salem for me … yet. (Laughs)

Photo: JPI
Ya never know! What was your takeaway from previously working with Greg Rikaart? Had you known Greg before taping Beyond Salem?
JACKIE: No. Greg and I met right then, and it was so much fun. Right away in those first couple of moments, we decided we needed to up this whole backstory, like just the two of us, and then it ended up on the show: that we were from New York, and we were in cahoots together, and then apparently we got married. and all this kind of subtext we worked in. For Greg and my character on DAYS, it was not about us being hot and heavy with each other. It was more about seeing each other as partners in crime very much from the beginning. So, that’s where the hurt for me comes in. I thought Leo was my main ride or die, but clearly he is not.

Photo: JPI
Ron Carlivati has a penchant for writing these types of campy stories. Did you speak with him at any point, and talk about the fact that you would like to do more appearances on DAYS?
JACKIE. Ron did just come to my Christmas show in New York a couple weeks ago. We had a little chat. I can’t say much, but I didn’t die at the end of this. So, there’s always room to come back! There’s always room for more Jackie.

Photo: JingleJam
Do you find there’s lot of misconceptions about drag queens and people that perform in drag? Do you think there’s an underlying misunderstanding of it within our culture?
JACKIE: There are a lot of misconceptions. A great example of it for me was last year when I came to Craig and Leo’s wedding. Once I got out of drag, Craig, wasn’t sure how to address me. I just was very clear with the pronouns I prefer out of drag. That was just something that was a matter-of-fact conversation that could happen between any two people. I think sometimes, everyone is scared of what they don’t know or they don’t understand, or are afraid of having a conversation that they think is going to be really horrible. I think the average person, no matter who you are, no matter what side of the political spectrum you are, no matter what gender or sexual orientation you are, everyone just wants to get along in general and have a decent experience walking around the world. I think if you see people like me and my character who’s a drag queen, who’s younger than for example, Dr. Craig Wesley’s character, having just a quick little conversation and then we move on … it’s not a big ‘falling on the sword’ moment. There’s nothing horrible happening. Drag can be a performance. It doesn’t actually matter who you are. Drag is just an expression, and if you love it, great. And if you don’t, you don’t have to come to my show. It’s okay.

Photo: JPI
What did you think about Belinda Chinashop (Billy Flynn), Sonny Delight (Zach Tinker) and Amanda Bottom (Chandler Massey) in the drag show scenes in Beyond Salem? Did you give the guys any pointers, or were you just stunned at how good they were?
JACKIE: We had just shot my drag stuff with them before, and they were like, “We’re doing this later this week.” I was like, “You guys will be fine. Don’t you worry.” They had amazing makeup artists come in and help them, which was great. I think that’s the biggest part. Billy Flynn told me, it was so fun for him to get to do it. I love that. Next time I come to Salem, I think there needs to be a reason for me to get Belinda Chinashop back out of the trunk.

Photo: JPI
You went to college at UCLA in their theatre department, didn’t you?
JACKIE: Sure did. I went to UCLA with Blake Berris (Everett). Blake and I were in the same theater program together and he booked DAYS I think right after college or while we were in college. It was amazing. He started so young. Now, we’re on this show together! How funny! We were like, “Oh my, God. This is amazing.” Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see Blake when I was there this time this time. Hopefully, the timing works out next time. I don’t think Ron Carlivati even knows that we went to school together.
Were you determined once you left UCLA to become a successful performer? What trajectory were you on at that point?
JACKIE: I went to UCLA and I really focused in on theater because I love theater so much. I didn’t actually really do much film or TV, even though it’s the school of theater, film and television. I loved the theatre. Then, after school I moved to New York because that’s where theater is. I got to New York and I realized that the theater industry was not for me, at least at that time. This was 15 years ago or so. It wasn’t quite as progressive, even in the theater industry, as it is today. I mean, to be on Broadway, you kind of had to be this big strapping hunk back then. I didn’t really find a place for me there. I did find it in New York with drag, and that really unlocked something in me. I kind of started building this career as Jackie Cox. I’ve been doing drag now for 13 years. So, for me to come back around to what I maybe kind of started doing in the first place is very interesting. We will see what happens.

Photo: JPI
Now, would you want to take on more roles as yourself, as Darius?
JACKIE: That’s the thing. These days, writers are actually writing material that really connects to who I am. I really want to play more characters, bringing myself to the role is something that’s important to me. So, whether it’s drag, whether it’s a character, whether it’s incorporating some of my Middle Eastern heritage in there, those are all things that I want to bring to life, whether it’s in or out of drag. It’s all on the table. It’s definitely something where I still want it to have that authenticity, to have that reason where it’s me, the actor, not just someone who hasn’t lived it.
So, if you end up with an expanded role of Days of our Lives, would you take it?
JACKIE: Are you kidding? In a heartbeat! My only question to myself and to the writers out there is, am I still going to be me … or is it revealed that I’m not actually Jackie Cox, and that I’m just some delusional fan who thinks I am? (Laughs)

Photo: JPI
In closing, how is Jackie when she walks out the door after this episode?
JACKIE: Jackie walks out the door with a renewed sense of purpose, a burning desire to eventually get back at Leo, and maybe a new friend in Salem. Those are the things that I walk out that door with, for sure.
So, did you enjoy seeing Jackie Cox back on Days of our Lives? Should the soap opera continue to weave Jackie/Darius back into the storylines with Dimitri and Leo and company? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives Peter Porte Stars in ‘Yuletide the Knot’ Holiday Movie on UPtv

Sunday, December 3rd, Peter Porte (Dimitri, Days of our Lives) stars in a holiday rom-com on UPtv, entitled Yuletide the Knot. Not only is Porte the romantic male lead, but he is also one of the producers of the movie.
Yuletide the Knot premieres tonight at 7 pm ET. Porte stars opposite Mary Antonini who take on the role of Rachel. Also appearing are Kelly Jakle, Kelsey Scott and Melissa Peterman.
In story, Rachel, a small-town wedding planner (Antonini), is tasked with planning a Christmas ceremony for an influencer couple. But her big plans hit a major snag when she is partnered with the bride’s manager, Logan (Porte), who is actually her first love and high school sweetheart. Will Logan and Rachel soon be kissing again under the mistletoe?

Photo: UPtv
Taking to his Instagram to share some background on the movie, Porte revealed: “I got the script in 2019 and was excited to come on board as an actor as well as producer. After months of planning, we were headed to Colorado with truckloads of Christmas decor and a start date of March 13… 2020. Three years, countless pivots, pulled favors, and a pandemic later, my tenacious and wildly talented cast and crew made and sold a movie and I couldn’t be more proud. Let’s all get in the holiday spirit together!”
To locate UPtv stations in your area click here, or you can stream the holiday movie on UP Faith & Family here.
Watch the preview for Yuletide the Knot below.
Now let us know, will you be checking out this holiday rom-com featuring Peter Porte? Let us know via the comment section.
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Dallas
Lifetime’s ‘Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas’ Brings Epic Food Fight and “Slapfest Coup de Grâce”

Get ready for the feuding soap opera divas, when five actresses known for their signature primetime and daytime roles are brought together in Lifetime’s new holiday film, Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas.
Saturday night, December 2nd on Lifetime (8pm ET/7PM CT) marks the highly-anticipated holiday movie premiere featuring: Donna Mills (ex-Knots Landing), Nicolette Sheridan (ex-Knots Landing), Morgan Fairchild (ex-Falcon Crest et al), Linda Gray (ex-Dallas) and Loni Anderson (ex-WKRP in Cincinnati).
Here’s what we do know! In story, five alums from the long-running soap, The Great Lakes reunite for a live Christmas finale. Uh-oh! Now take a look at the backstory of the colorful cast of characters (pay special attention to the clever twists on the actresses names!)

Photo: Lifetime
LAUREN EWING (Linda Gray) “Everyone thinks I’m so damn good all the time,” confesses the junk food-loving Lauren of her second act as a lifestyle guru. “I don’t know how Gwenyth Paltrow does it!”
DANA CUNNINGHAM (Donna Mills) Now a sitcom mom, she’s yet to make amends to ex-bestie Juliette after abruptly leaving the soap back in the day. Not that she hasn’t tried: “When I thought the world was going to end in Y2K,” Dana says, “I reached out to her, and she never called me back.”
LILY MARLOWE (Loni Anderson) After replacing Dana on ‘Great Lakes’, Lily never again found a role to win her acclaim. “What do I have to show for (my career)? An arc on For the People – Shonda Rhimes’ only flop!”
JULIETTE MATHESON (Nicollette Sheridan) “She left me for L.A.,” the party girl turned fashion mogul recalls of Dana’s betrayal. Will their feud derail the entire event?
MARGEAUX ROBERTS (Morgan Fairchild) “Fasten your face-lifts, ladies, it’s gonna be a bumpy weekend!” The sassy grande dame of ‘Great Lakes’ sees the Juliette-Dana beef as the perfect escape from her own domestic drama.

Photo: Lifetime
Now, making this all the more hysterical is the director of The Great Lakes reunion special, which makes the five women live under the same roof, is its former child star Alex, who has gotten his ex-girlfriend, Nell to direct the finale. Meanwhile, in the subplot. the ‘Ladies of the ’80s’ come up with a plan to get Alex and Nell back together.
As with any good soap opera, there is a major food fight. Linda Gray shared with USA Today ,”The food fight was one take. And it was fabulous.” And of course, their is a bitch-fest slap-fest. Morgan Fairchild revealed, “Oh honey, we all got ours in. Mine was a simple, ‘How dare you?’ with a slap. But I was hoping for a punch.”

Photo: Lauren Dukoff/Lifetime
The movie’s EP, Larry Thompson, who is a Hollywood manager and has Donna Mills as a client, said that the entire scene peaks with the”slapfest coup de grâce.” What is that exactly? That is when Donna Mills pushes Nicollette Sheridan into a pool in a nod to Dynasty’s Lily bond battle between Dynasty’s Alexis (Joan Collins) and Krystle (Linda Evans).
In case you missed it previously, check out the trailer for Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas below, also starring Patrika Darbo, Alec Mapa, Mills real-life daughter, Chloe Mills, and Christopher Atkins with theme song by Tiffany.
Now let us know, will you be tuning in to the movie for a premise that should delight many a longtime soap fan? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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