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DAYS’ Olivia Rose Keegan Delivers ‘The Power Performance of the Week’

Photo: JPI

Although she is exiting the show on-screen next week on Days of our Lives, Olivia Rose Keegan (Claire) got the opportunity to go out in a blaze of glory (those damn lighters!).

If you caught this past Tuesday’s installment of the NBC daytime drama series, Claire finally became entrapped and completely unhinged, after being set-up by Tripp (Lucas Adams) and Ciara (Victoria Konefal); where everyone learned she was the responsible party for the notorious cabin fire and was about to attempt to set her rival, Ciara, on fire in a cabin, yet again, after taking off with her.

In the process, Tripp was held with a knife to his throat by Claire, and eventually hit his head trying to get away from her knocking him unconscious.  The perfect opportunity for Claire to make her getaway with Ciara.

Once at the Cabin, Claire pours gas all around as Ciara begs her to stop, while she is chained to the bed.  Claire then flicks the lighter.  To the rescue come Ben (Rob Scott Wilson), Hope (Kristian Alfonso) and Marlena (Deidre Hall); who have tracked down where the young women are.  Ciara calls out to Ben, who breaks down the cabin door.

Just then, Claire holds out the lighter with the flame ready to start another fire.  Knowing she is caught, Claire starts to explain how she lost her mind in all of this.  Ben tries to talk her down and to please put the lighter away, as does Hope.  As a desperate mother, Hope begs Claire to let Ciara live, and tells Claire that she knows she really doesn’t want to do this.  Hope tells her that she knows that Claire loves them both.   As Ben rescues Ciara, Claire closes the lighter as Marlena holds her.  As the others get out of harm’s way, Marlena says she has got this … and now it’s Claire and Marlena alone and inside the cabin together.

Photo: JPI

But then, wanting to end her own life, Claire picks up the lighter and flicks it open.  She tells Marlena she can’t go back and says, “It’s better if she dies.”  Claire thinks she’s a monster and certifiable … and is as criminal as what Ben Weston has done in his past.  Reassuring her and talking her down, Marlena promises Claire that with help, she can turn her life around as Ben has done.

Claire breaks down as Marlena holds her.  Next, Marlena is able to get her out of the cabin, away from setting herself on fire, and on her way to the hospital for observation, until it can be figured out what’s next for the troubled young woman.  As they leave the scene, Claire sobs uncontrollably knowing she is a damaged soul, has lost her way, and realizing the harm she has done to other people.

In all of these scenes, Keegan brought the angst, the mental instability, and the realization of Claire’s horrific motivations to life, in a dramatic, and not over-the-top way, even in the most melodramatic of soapy circumstances.  For those reasons, Michael Fairman TV names Olivia’s work are Power Performance of the Week.

Photo: JPI

Knowing those scenes were part of her final days of shooting on DAYS, Keegan told Soap Opera Digest in an interview (in their latest issue on newsstands now), “Obviously, it was sad to shoot.  And it was emotionally demanding and bittersweet, because Victoria Konefal and I are best friends.”

So, what did you think of Olivia’s performance in the key scenes? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Very moved by her ,she had me sitting on the edge of my seat.I know all about mental illness’s.I got five of them.Depression should not be taken lightly. Oh yes even my best friend was impressed as well.I actually knew this was going to happen.Ever since I saw Claire with the lighter I knew something was not right about her.She is a very good actress.

Incredible story lines

First and foremost thanks to Michael Fairman for acknowledging Days and Keegan. We have watched this girl grow as an actre ss in the past three years and boy did she deliver this week!From jealousy to manic Keegan played all of the beats . Hats off to headwriter Ron C many people were angry at the reveal that Claire set the fires i say brilliant in this current era of social media and streaming it is hard to shock anymore Great job. i am sure come emmy time she will not be forgotten. The scenes of Marlena holding a crying clair were amazing. Another scene i look forward to is Clair with Eve. Kassie and Olivia are gold in scenes together and as much as everyone looks at Eve as a pariah her love for Claire as she remembers her lost daughter Paige has been writers gold Hats off to Olivia we hope to see you back in Salem soon and hats off to Days the best soap of the Fab 4

I thought she gave a powerhouse performance and will expect to see her nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2020. The problem I had with her character is that she always seemed to take one step forward and one step back. Every time she and Ciara would make up, the next day she was acting angry and snotty again. Her character never became one that you love to hate (i.e. Sami, EJ, Victor). Most of the time, you just hated her.

The one thing I always disliked reading were the negative comments about the actress, not the character. At the end of the day, she is an 18-year-old that has to pretend it doesn’t hurt to be cyber bullied for people who probably hate everything about life.

The best to Olivia and the future. Something tells me she will be back in Salem soon.

I agree with you Ray, Olivis is a terrific actress, Olivia has a great singing voice, the lady can sing and act. hopefully she comes back to Days in the future. very talented lady. the bullies always have negative comments, they need to shut up and have several seats.

Olivia is a wonderful actress, hopefully we see her again on Y&R as a recast for Summer Newman. Hunter King needs to go lol

Bravo to Olivia. I’ve always enjoyed her on the show. She did a great job playing the slowly unraveling Claire over the last several months. All of Claire’s final meltdown scenes, starting with her picking up the knife in the loft to her sobbing in the cabin, were terrific. Olivia is a very talented actress who portrayed all the levels of Claire with great skill. I am very sorry to see her leave the show.

Congratulations Olivia on a job extremely well done and the best of luck in your very bright future.

I sincerely hope the subject isn’t dropped after Claire is sent off to the psychiatric hospital. Eve MUST face the music for her part in this. The very idea of Eve as police chief is ridiculous. After she is removed from the job in disgrace, Mr. Amnesia mayor needs to be kicked to the curb too. Kassie DePaiva is great!!!!!!!

DAYS must bring ORK back as Claire! We need a young vixen with all her ties to so many characters, including being the granddaughter of two supercouples! ORK has always given it her all and clearly wanted to stay.

Olivia has been doing a really good job. They finally gave her something interesting to do and she delivered.

First; Olivia is so stunning! Her eyes, along with Brandon Beemer’s and Billy Flynn’s, look like jewels.

I must say that when I first watched her I wasn’t impressed with her acting but she just took off with her exit story. As I look back now at her portrayal of Claire’s immature, girly ways, manipulations, jealousies which all seemed so overdone to me at the time, they seem, in retrospect, perfect. Olivia really showed her acting chops by moving from that seeming innocence to almost diabolical, as she sashayed back and forth between the two personas.

Kudos to the actress! She made me feel for Claire as she crumbled and looked to her family for forgiveness. I DO wonder, however, if/when they bring the character back (with the same or different actress) if she will be cured ala Ben or if she’ll be one of the villains who just couldn’t be tamed.

Days Of Our Lives

Lisa Rinna Would Be Down to Reprise Her Role of Taylor McBride in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot

When Lisa Rinna departed her popular role of Billie Reed on Days of our Lives back in 1995, her next major role would be a jump to primetime and the soapy Melrose Place.

In 1996, Lisa was introduced as new character Taylor McBride and stayed with the Fox young adult sudser for three seasons. Now in 2024, with the recent reveal that a Melrose Place revival is the works with Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton all on board to reprise their signature roles, would Rinna board the project should it come to fruition?

Speaking with PEOPLE, Rinna expressed, “Well, gosh, I’ve heard about it. I haven’t been approached or anything, but I would love to see what Taylor McBride is up to 25 years later. Wouldn’t that be something?”

Photo: FOX

OG Melrose Place fans know that in story, Taylor moved to the Melrose Place apartment building with her husband Kyle played by Rob Estes. However, Taylor had her eye on Dr. Peter Burns played by former GH star Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco). But, by the time she had moved to the apartment complex, Peter had married tough as nails ad executive, Amanda Woodward, played by Heather Locklear.

Recalling her time on Melrose Place, Rinna added that it, “was one of my greatest and most fun acting experiences, playing Taylor and working with Heather and the whole crew.”  Rinna also noted, “So if they need a Taylor McBride appearance, they know who to call. I’m around.”

Photo: JPI

The new Melrose Place is in development at CBS Studios. In the premise of the reboot, the Melrose Place residents reunite after the death of one of their friends, “but the pressure cooker of a reunion soon uncovers old traumas, rekindles old romances, reignites old resentments, and reveals new secrets… throwing our characters into chaotic drama that’s reminiscent of the past, but with a much more modern perspective.”

So, would you want to see Lisa Rinna reprise her Melrose Place role as Taylor McBride? Comment below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Kristian Alfonso Returns to Days of our Lives for Tribute to The Late Bill Hayes

After a few weeks of Days of our Lives fans being upset that Kristian Alfonso (Hope Williams) was not on the first list of initial returns for Doug Williams’ funeral and episodes honoring his portrayer, the late Bill Hayes, comes word that the popular star is back and taping scenes.

Kristian reported to work on the Peacock streaming soap opera on Monday, April 22nd. She shared how important it is for her to be back for this particular return to the show that made her a household name.

“My return is very bittersweet,” Alfonso told TV Insider,  “because it is the end of an era with Bill gone. So to return to Days is very sad. I am appreciative that they came to me to include me in their series of shows honoring Doug and I’m very happy to see everyone, but I’m entering the studio with a heavy heart.”

Photo: JPI

It was back in 1983 that Kristian first debuted as Doug’s daughter, and now 41 years later looking back at it, and her time with Bill Hayes is very emotional for her.

“I remember my first scenes with him/ He was very loving, very welcoming. That he was very talented and an incredible actor and an icon, that all goes without saying, but my personal relationship and my working relationship with Bill, it was home,” expressed Alfonso. “Doing the scenes with Bill, I felt like I was with my dad because there was so much warmth and reality.”

Photo: JPI

Alfonso did express some deep regret, in that she had wanted to work with Bill Hayes during her last appearance on the soap back in 2023, but according to the iconic actress, there was something in the works but it never materialized.  “I’m sad that I did not get the opportunity to do the storyline that Ron (Carlivati, head writer) had planned/ It was great; we returned to Salem to reunite with our families and I would have had father/daughter scenes with Billy. What Ron had written was beautiful and emotional and it was a fantastic story. I was 100 percent for it and the fans would have loved it.”

Photo: JPI

As for if Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope will be back on-screen together anytime soon, Kristian would only say, “What I will say is don’t give up hope.” Doug’s passing and memorial episodes will stream later this year come late November into December.

So, are you happy to learn that Kristian Alfonso is back taping episodes surrounding Doug’s memorial episodes? Comment below.

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Breaking News

Steve Kent Reportedly OUT as Sony Pictures Television VP in Charge of DAYS and Y&R

On Friday, reports surfaced that Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President of Programming at Sony Pictures Television, is no longer with the company and overseeing the Sony soap operas, Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless.

According to Soap Opera Digest, a set side source reported that Kent’s last day was last Friday, April 12th, which was one day after what would have been his final appearance in his Sony VP role at the Days of our Lives 15,000th episode on set celebration.

During that ceremony, Kent gave a brief speech giving kudos to DAYS for its incredible milestone. Days is a co-production of Sony Pictures Television and Corday Productions, while Y&R is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company in association with Sony Pictures Television.

Photo: JPI

Kent started his soap opera career as a producer for CBS’ defunct Capitol and then as the supervising producer of NBC’s Santa Barbara from1984 to 1993.

Photo: JPI

At Sony, before his role overseeing the soaps, Kent was Senior Executive Vice President of International Productions for Sony Pictures Television International department.

If reports are true, the question becomes who has taken over his position, and would oversee DAYS and Y&R from the Sony side? Share your thoughts on this developing story via the comment section below.

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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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