Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives Wins WGA Award!
Courtesy/NBC
NBC’s Days of our Lives continued its resurgence with another major victory in award shows! Tonight in ceremonies held in simultaneous in Los Angeles at the JW Marriott L.A. LIVE and in New York City at the Edison Ballroom, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) is handing out their annual awards honoring outstanding writing in film, television, new media, videogames, news, radio, promotional, and graphic animation categories.
In the Daytime Drama category, Days of our Lives was victorious over General Hospital and The Young and the Restless. Current co-head writer, Chris Whitesell accepted the award on behalf of the entire DAYS writing team, where he also cited the contributions of executive producer Ken Corday, and co-executive producer Greg Meng.
During the DAYS writing team trip to the podium a clip of one of the major Marlena (Deidre Hall) and Kristen’s (Eileen Davidson) showdown scene was shown to the audience in attendance!
The winning DAYS writing team included: Lorraine Broderick, David Cherrill, Carolyn Culliton, Richard Culliton, Rick Draughon, Christopher Dunn, Janet Iacobuzio, David A. Levinson, Ryan Quan, Dave Ryan, Melissa Salmons and Christopher J. Whitesell.
What do you think about DAYS win for writing by the WGA? Let us know!
Days Of Our Lives
‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali
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.
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.
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
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.”
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.
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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Congratulations, DOOL!
I think DOOL is the most consistently entertaining of the remaining shows, and the one with the most soap integrity.
Great news and well-deserved praise!
I agree. Congrats to Days
And Ron Carlivati tweeted his sour grapes, calling the head writer a scab.
Note to Carlivati, think about why the WGA would rather give the award to a non union writer than you. Maybe the storylines on DOOL are creative, well written, pay attention to detail and are not constantly recycled who’s the daddy stories and love triangles.
Maybe those writers respect the history of the show and the fans and don’t constantly rewrite history, characters and inundate the canvas with brand new, uninteresting, underdeveloped newbies. Maybe the DOOL writers put the show first and don’t make their egos and their favored actors/pets the priority.
Maybe these writers know how to write with heart and soul and don’t make a mockery of the genre by turning it into a cartoon.
Just maybe…
Plus Gary Tomlin who is the hW is no longer eligible for WGA awards because he went Fi-Core in 2008 during the strike. He can never be nominated and win this award iduring the remainder of his career. He wasnt even recoginized on the nominee sheet.
RC is pissed Gh didnt win & that Gary HW OLTL during the 2008 strike.
Ron is a good writer, and I like GH! That being said, I am disappointed in his tweet! During a time when ALL who are involved in daytime must stick together he needed to either stay quiet or congratulate them on their win! GH is good for that edge of seat shock factor… It is light fluff! I’ve said it before and I will say it again, DAYS has more sophisticated and deep storylines which are character driven! I think the writing team at DAYS is far superior to any, and I credit that to Lorraine Broderick, who if Ken Corday were smart enough he would promote to Headwriter status! Again, great job DAYS… Bring home the Emmy too please!
Kudos GH50. I loved GH for more than thirty years but ultimately decided to give it up in early January because I found myself feeling disgusted at the juvenile and preposterous storylines coming one after the next.
Carlivati mocks the viewers who complain about the campiness and tells them good riddance when they express they’re chagrin…
I note that GH is the only soap NOT touting their ratings over the last couple of weeks… as longtime fans are drifting away.
Amen GH50. You took the words right out of my mouth.
Days is the best right now…can never wait for the next episode!!!
The way i see it DOOL its going to be # 1 pretty soon !! Over Y&R . Sad ,sad M
Easily the best written soap of the remaining four…DAYS deserved this win!
Congratulations to DAYS and writing team. Hoping some of the great EJ and Sami arc was a part of the episode or episode submitted for #WGA. 2013 was one of the best years from # DAYS in decades. Kudos to the entire writing team. So proud. 40+ years watching.
True. 2013 was an great year for Dool. The Bristen story was outstanding, and the Ejami reunion was wonderful! Add the Nick/Wilson story, and it just was all around entertaining.
Too bad they decided to through away all that consistency with the recent Ejami-sabbotage…so much plot-point writing after some very good character driven story-telling of last year.
Oh well. Hopefully, tptb will see how much better they did in 2013 than they have this year so far, and change course!
so glad you won
ive been watching you over 20
years
love the show, second family
Why is GH HW saying this on twitter:
Ron Carlivati þ@carlivatiron 59s
Someone please explain to me how a show with a scab head writer wins the #WGA award. #Hypocrisy
Who is the scab H-writer? Is this from 7 years ago?
Wow, talk about sour grapes. I don’t watch GH but I heard its awful. Days won because it deserves to win. It’s the best of the bunch.
Ron Carlivati is referring to Gary Tomlin who continued to write, ironically enough, for OLTL during the writers’ strike in 2007-2008. Perhaps Mr. Carlivati, who was OLTL’s head writer, has personal animus toward Mr. Tomlin.
But as one can see, Mr. Tomlin’s name is not on the nominee list. It is extremely bad form for Mr. Carlivati to disparage a colleague in the now too small world of American soap operas. The industry should support and celebrate each other. More importantly, DAYS deserved the win. Mr. Carlivati should have acted more gracefully and congratulated the DAYS writing team instead of being petty and whining like a sore loser on social media.
I don’t know what Ron’s problem is. The scripts he submitted were of lesser quality than DAYS’ submissions. Is that too hard for him to understand? The WGA didn’t award the honour to someone who crossed picket lines. They awarded it to the TEAM who wrote the best episode in a daytime drama for 2013.
Deal with it Ron. Your precious 50th anniversary episode, or Nurses Ball episode (whichever!) were no match for the climax to one of the hottest stories on any soap last year.
Ron Carlivati is referring to DAYS’s current co-head writer Gary Tomlin who broke ranks with the writers on strike back in 2007-2008 and served as head writer for OLTL while Carlivati was picketing. Carlivati, as many know, was OLTL’s head writer. Guess Carlivati is bitter and harboring a grudge against Tomlin even though Tomlin isn’t a listed nominee and an official winner. Sad that Carlivati can’t support his fellow writers in the industry.
So glad they won, much deserve . Go days
Just another reason for non DAYS viewers to tune in!
Day after day, Days of our Lives delivers daring daytime drama!!!
Reward yourselves with better DAYS!!!!!
Congratulations DAYS!!!
Writers Guild Award : Best Writing… “Days of OUR Lives”
Repeat! Repeat! I tell ya!
Best Serial: 2 years in a row! Emmy Winner! DOOL is ON!
cast acting + award writing = Best Soap
Days is currently the best soap…hope it keeps up…now if they could write something for Kayla, Abe, Roman, Justin and Adrienne, it could be even greater!!!
Hell! Yes!
I think it should be noted, this only the second ever WGA win for DAYS, and one of the ONLY writing awards DAYS has ever received! And it couldn’t have come for a more worthy year of entertainment!
So proud of my little soap! I’m kvelling for all its success!
Congrats to Days! Well deserved and the writing is heads and tails above the other shows.
Congratulations! Well deserved. Days is currently the best daytime drama on the air.
I’m also a fan of GH & YR. Someone needs to take RC’s twitter away until he gets some class. He’s such an ass.
Sounds like they one of the episodes they choose to summit was the episode Nick confess to Gabi he was Rape/Marlena vs. Kristian Showdown. Wonder what the other two was?
Michael, can you explain to me why not one, but two of my comments were not published? The first one was simply praising DAYS on their award- that’s it. All good things. The second was in reply to someone asking about RC’s comment. Why the censorship? What did I say in either that would constitute not showing what I’ve written?
I would appreciate a reply because I’m a little stumped here.
If I’m allowed to, I’ll say it again, I am so proud of DAYS for receiving the honour of best writing. Even though it’s based on one or two scripts, for DAYS, it is worthy of their entire year’s work of shows for 2013 because their year was nothing but go-go-go and so, so enjoyable. Congratulations to them!
all this weekend…..
perhaps the same thing happened to me….
where I thought I posted something… and it did… and later wasn’t?
the humber of posts per headline… were not matching number of posts per ????
anyway? love DOOL fans
Nevermind Michael. My apologies, I did not realize this was an issue for many. I thought it was me.
Thanks for letting me know Patrick. I wouldn’t have known about this if you didn’t comment.
I love GH and its so entertaining but Ron C’s over the top writing can get very “cartoonish” like it did in OLTL, while DOOL writing the past year has been superb and with some integrity and a ode to old school story telling..Congrats and happy to see this show getting recognition that It did not get for so many years!!!
Days of OUR Lives !!! WINS “Writers Guild Award’
Is this not indicative…. telling… with a win for writing…. and a cast that does not let up
that…. DOOL, deserves to repeat – Best Serial… 2 years in a row
yes
congrats days happy days are here again if you catch my drift I would love to see nick back with gabi again I wish to see sami die from skydiving accident I do not want a recast of sami at all
DAYS will be the #1 rated soap by the time it turns 50! DAYS is already #1 in entertainment!!!
DOOL deserved to win. It is now where GH used to be. DOOL has the family history, the creative writing, the respect to characters and their histories on the show. It knows how to connect the dots so that stories make sense.
It has ALL the things that GH no longer has.
Congrats to DOOL ..you’re proving that you’ve got what soap viewers want to see.
I’d feature your post… any time… any where
clear, simple, and to the point!
we all know… to produce a big production… day in and day out… has to be something
and…. LOL… it’s our show
I love who’s helming… who’s writing… whos casting… whos crewing….
I love that the actors do not let up… and bring their “A” game
its must see… character driven… with history….
intricately weaving… storytelling… throughout the whole cast
from top to bottom…. young and older… mix in
Congratulations
DOOL FANS – salute
keep pressing
I am extremely, extremely happy that my favorite soap, DOOL, won the WGA Award. The stories on DOOL are simply amazing. RC is so rude in calling a writer of the WGA Award winning team a S word.
congrats dool the only best soap opera ever for me to watch thank you for winning from me too all of you
sami dies on her wedding day marge gets out of jail on that same day and goes back to jail for killing sami marge goes back to jail for sami’s murder for the rest of her life while ej and abby gets married on that same day instead