Days Of Our Lives
DAYS ratings tank! B&B ratings spike!
The ratings are in for the soaps from the week of March 14th- March 18th, and it looks like fans who are very disgruntled with the storylines in Salem including the doppelganger Rafe story, as well as other lack of interesting stories are tuning out to Days of our Lives! The NBC sudser fell to last place among the six soap opera with where it drooped a -172,000 viewers! DAYS particularly bottomed out with the 18-34 female demographic where it hit a new all-time low with a 0.4!
On the flip side, The Bold and the Beautiful which remained in second below the number one show, Y&R gained a +134,000 viewers. One Life to Live and All My Children also saw modest gains, and OLTL is now in the fourth spot all by itself! So some marginally good news for the ABC soaps.
Check out the full ratings sheet after the jump from our pals at Soap Opera Network!Ratings Report for the Week of March 14-18, 2011
(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)
Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,734,000 (-91,000/-369,000)
2. B&B 2,948,000 (+137,000/-240,000)
3. GH 2,593,000 (-94,000/+61,000)
4. OLTL 2,427,000 (+72,000/+113,000)
5. AMC 2,376,000 (+58,000/-105,000)
6. DAYS 2,316,00 (-172,000/-522,000)
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.
View this post on Instagram
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.
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Vivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
‘Beyond the Gates’ vs. ‘The Young and the Restless’ in a Soap Opera Showdown on ‘Flip Side’ Season 3 Premiere
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Heather Tom Talks Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and What’s Behind Katie’s Deep-Seated Issues with Dylan (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Did Brook Lynn Deserve Chase Walking Out on Her?
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
-
News7 days agoVivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
-
News1 day agoJess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
-
General Hospital6 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Braedyn Bruner Reveals Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and How Emma is Getting Her ‘Edge’ Back
-
General Hospital5 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Bluesy Burke Marks 1 Year as Charlotte Cassadine: ‘It’s The Best Gift I’ve Ever Received’
-
News4 days ago‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Drops First Look 40th Anniversary Opening Title Sequence
So disappointed in DAYS stories. Luckily for me I got a chance to talk to Greg Meng at a book signing in Atlanta last week. I have never seen a show just implode by itself. It’s some of the worst writing I have ever seen. The one bright spot – Chloe’s story is going to be ruined with the exit of Jay Kenneth Johnson. I do not like the double rafe storyline nor do I even make any sense out of it. What’s it suppose to be accomplishing besides making viewers jump out of windows. There’s been not one Ej and Sami scene since late January yet – perhaps trying to convince some folks that Rafe/Sami have chemistry (when clearly they don’t – watching paint dry is more fun than Gering/Sweeney scenes) – instead they force him into a quickie marriage with his mortal enemy – I could have dealt with that if they had remained sorta enemies but were together for the kids. But no they had to have them sleep together and Nicole fall in love with him so he can cheat with her sister…not ONE day after getting married. I won’t even dignify the Insta love EJ and Taylor are having. He isn’t allowed to mention Sami at all – it’s like he’s forgotten she existed The dialogue is horrid and elementary.
And nothing else really works. I would have loved a true triangle with Bo/Carly/Hope –
Why tune in? There’s nothing of interest or heart to watch.
Tina~
Your comment hit the nail on the head. I agree with everything you said. I am a die hard EJAMI and if Im not getting them, then Im not gonna watch. EJOLE stinks and SAFE are soooooooooooooooo boring. One Rafe was hard to stomach but TWO is just killing me. EJAMI have never been given the chance and now we have Taylor where Ken Corday is trying to convince us that they are so in love. Did EJ forget that Sami existed? Im loving General Hospital at the moment and AMC has also perked my interest as well. No matter what I dont think I can watch anymore- GOODBYE and GOOD LUCK to days. No EJAMI = RATINGS DROP
OMG this 2 Rafes makes me sick. I think they should pairing him with someone else or FAIRD him NOT working! SAFE Boring & Ej completely forget about Sami his first love. When Ej says to Taylor ” I never felt like this before” What! Who wrote Ej’s dialogue just stupid! waste of talent . I love my Ej no matter what
Put Crystal Chappell back on the air…throw in some Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso, and you’ll have a storyline that might actually get people to watch.
Fake Rafe isn’t going to cut it….
Although I really do love all the actors and characters on Days, I can see why they show is in last place right now. The writing is terrible and if it doesn’t improve really quick, the show will be canceled. They need to finally get rid of Dena Higley and hire someone who cares about the characters. Sheri Anderson would be perfect to bring back in. She IMO is really the only one at this point that could save this show.
Dena Higley and Tomlin need to leave IMO
I say EJ and Nicole is the best act Days has right now,
sick of the two Rafes
would love to have Lucas Horton and Sami and her 4 kids as a Horton Family.
Bo and Hope is wonderful.
Love Maggie and Vic
like Kate and Stefano
so happy Jenn is back,but not with Dr.Dan 🙁
Hopefully there are some fixes in the mix because I hate to see Days suffer these type of ratings.
I think the forced rush of Ej and Taylor turned people off. This couple have zero appeal and lack any spark. They could have built on Nicole and Ej because they already have a foundation & chemistry. I think there was a lot of excitement when this couple first came back together, but now the story seems to be spiraling down wasting the potential of these favorite characters. Fans want to watch passion that they believe in.
The doppelganger story had potential, but has turned into a disappointment….not because Galen isn’t doing a great job in the dual role, but because it focuses too much on the sexual abuse of Sami. I think we have watched her tortured enough. Meanwhile we are also subjected to real Rafe being tortured. It is too much. This is a popular couple…a very romantic couple and we have lost their connection.
Crystal seems very excited about her upcoming story so that gives me hope that good things are around the corner. She is an amazing actress and deserves the chance to shine & pull in viewers.
I’d love to see Days stay true to the heart of their characters and develop stories that show their layers. I feel as though they rush them all around and I’m left in a daze at their actions. I should be able to recognize these people. The writing has to make sense.
Days has the talent to engage us….now just give us good story.
EJOLE failed the first time- why it would work again is beyond me. They havent tried EJAMI and they should and then the ratings would definitely improve. EJAMI has a MASSIVE fan base that is totally turned off watching at the moment. LUMI’s left with Bryan Dattilo, who I was a fan of actually and there are hardly any EJOLE’s. Even Danloe are gone. Now Jennifer is being hooked up with Daniel and Jack is long gone?
Ejole done well with Tamara playing a hellion Taylor could spice up this story and get fans excited again. Hopefully this story is going to take on a whole new direction once this actress takes over the role.
Peter also mentioned on twitter some good material for Bo starting in June. Fans would respond favorably to an engaging story with him. We just need the writers to focus time on developing the emotion of the character & be true to the character.
Strong stories all around are what will bring up ratings.
I am not surprised, the show has been horrible lately.
This is true. Awfully convenient that they got rid of a Horton/Nathan and added a Hernandez/Dario. I guess Days of our Lives will now revolve around Rafe and his family. The legacy families (Hortons and Bradys,Dimeras, kiriakis family) will be phased out for the Hernandez. Adding a new family with no history. Long time Days viewers aren’t going to watch. The writers are hell bent on selling “SAFE” as their couple of choice, regardless of the fans who are dissatisfied with this couple. I really don’t understand their way of thinking, Don’t even get me started on this 2 Rafes stupid s/l OMG. I am so sick of them, I wish Sami could get some sort of break. She’s being written so badly, it’s pathetic. And Rafe is such a one dimensional character that I can’t even begin to describe. I’m not a Lucas fan but miss him good actor.
I agree 100% with your post. Sami has become so pathetic its not funny! Rafe is soooooooooooo boring and Im not buying this EJAYLOR so called love. EJ loves Sami. If DAYS brought back their core characters like John, Marlena, Tony ( I love Thaao), Carey, Austin, Jack, Lucas to name a few- their ratings would go up for sure. The Hernandez clan need to leave.
Avelina, I agree with you and I would start watching again! EJ adores SAMI, but this poor excsue of the character SAMI is beyond pathetic, there are no words to describe how lame SAMI is and how utterly ridiculous SAFE is.
Don’t they remember EJAMI of 2006-2007? EJ was so in love and so obsessed with SAMI, there is no other woman for EJ! It will ONLY be Samantha for him. Granted we need old Sami back, because this “version” of SAMI is unwatchable! and don’t get me started on RAFE, just pass me a bucket.
I just want say ! I hate all s/ls but one thing is for sure. I LOVE to see Ej’s sexy love scene it doesn’t matter with whom or who. James is HOT My God!
YES….JAMES IS HOT AND IS THE ONLY REASON TO WATCH! I just can’t stomach vomit-inducing safe, and so I refuse to watch while those two clowns are around! TEAM EJ all the way!!!!
GO TEAMEJ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Ken are you proud that SAFE has killed the show??? I jumped ship when that horrible storyline of Sami shooting EJ in the HEAD aired!! How that work out for you KEN?? This show has been CRAP ever since Ken Corday paired SAFE together. All I can say is EJ deserves better, Sami needs to put in jail, I truly HATE her and RAFE so much that I can’t even watch previews of them! I literally have to turn off the TV, they make me want to puke! What a shame, SAFE has ruined my show, and I have not watched and will not watch while those two are together! Utter CRAP! Thank GOD I have all the 2006-2007 EJAMI/SANTEEN shows on tape, I love to rewatch and relive those wonderful moments! PLEASE FIRE HIGLEY AND CORDAY….BRING BACK someone who can actually write …..WE WANT HOGAN !!!!!
Yes, Bring back Hogan Sheffer! Ej dialogue aways interesting & the way James Scott delivers them is amazing, even with this bad writing.
This post is one of the reasons why I would never become a part of a fanbase. Wow, you know it is just a soap opera, right? LOL!
Thanks for reminding as!!! we can write whatever we want about soaps or actors and that’s my opinion wherether you like or not! ” Leave a comment” SO I DID! This isn’t about you dammit! I’m so passionate about soaps refreshing break from reality.
Fanbases and the word “reality” do not go hand and hand.
Days need to improve a lot, the stories are pretty bad. B&B is rocking out, great stories.
I agree with all. The Roborafe story line has been so horrible – just not watchable. I have not watched much since it has been on. This is not against GG – think he is a nice guy – just story line is hard to watch and take. Seems ratings have tanked since Roborafe has been on.
Taylor/EJ have not worked. No chemistry, no spark. Time was not taken to build or develop the relationship just instantly they were thrown together in love, but the problem is that you do not see or feel the love. I love EJ, but he needs to be paired with someone different. Nicole and EJ have more chemistry than Taylor/EJ so it is not believeable. I know they are making changes, but they have to move all along faster. We are just hanging on by a shoestring.
The writing is just awful. I do not mind the actors/characters, but the story lines are often just not watchable. Please write something that people can relate to with warmth and emotion. Great that they are going to have a gay story line.