Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Ron Carlivati Shares What's Great About Penning A Soap: "One Day You’re Writing Action/Adventure, One Day You’re Writing A Romance …"

Photo Credit: S Bergman/ABC
It’s almost here DAYS fans! We are just about 20 days and counting till new Days of our Lives head writer, Ron Carlivati’s material begins to air when it kicks-off on the July 19th episode of the NBC sudser.
The Daytime Emmy-winning scribe shared his thoughts on his career, and living in his New York City home away from home, the Hamptons where he frequents during a feature for Dan’s Papers
When asked about his new gig at DAYS, Carlivati expressed: “I started (working at Days of Our Lives) in January, which is crazy because nothing I’ve written has been on the air yet. They film six months ahead. My first episode airs in four weeks. It’s very strange, I’ve written five months of material, stories with a beginning, middle and end, and they haven’t even started (airing).”
The head scribe notes his take on soap opera storytelling noting what is paramount and notable in daytime dramas to make it all work: “What’s great about this genre is one day you’re writing action/adventure, one day you’re writing a romance, a comedy …”
Carlivati also discusses his career path from a lawyer to working up the ranks to head writer at One Life to Live, his dream job: “I told everyone I talked to that I wanted to be a soap writer and that my dream show was One Life to Live. Then, I went out for a friend’s birthday and a guy overheard a friend and I talking and he said, ‘Oh, my friend works for a soap opera, One Life to Live, as a writers’ assistant.’” Next thing you know, Ron got a job as an assistant and the rest is OLTL history, and it eventually landed him at GH for four years as head writer, too.
So, what do you think Carlivati has in store for the characters of DAYS? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Hope he keeps the Kayla and Steve alive and sweet!
Me too
I wish Ron could have talked Days out of the six (6) months in advance shows; however, I love Ron’s previous work , therefore, I’m looking forward to his work on Days. Isn’t Ron the one responsible for Sonny ‘s imprisonment for shooting A.J. and Michael’s common sense for breaking ties with Sonny? I loved that because Sonny needed consequences. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
You are not wrong. However, Sonny’s penance was short-lived and a big let-down; while Michael is a traitorous wimp.
Ron needs to revisit and “adjust” that indignity by righting a wrong. The same applies to Ava for killing Connie.
There’s no justice on soaps, LOL.
Above reply should have been written in the past tense. Excuse the oversight.
No, you’re right–that was Ron, and I appreciated it too, because for once, someone was calling Sonny on his behavior–which never, ever happens as you know.
Thanks, Michael. It gets confusing sometimes with all these writers playing musical chairs. LOL.
I cannot wait for Ron’s stories to air. He kept us on the edge of our seats at One Life to Live. I am especially looking forward to see what he has in store for Eve (Kassie DePaiva).
“… am especially looking forward to see what he has in store for Eve (Kassie DePaiva). ”
Goddesses’ in this genre.
Kassie DePaiva
Eileen Davidson
which will take awhile.. as they do have 5-6 months in the can… so it seems like November and / or December for both these ladies
as I’ve posted… I just want them to become fast friends… and take over.
I will begin to watch DAYS again when Eileen Davidson returns and does her arc. I absolutely love her on DAYS (and Y&R).
RC; ” I’ve written has been on the air yet. They film six months ahead. My first episode airs in four weeks. It’s very strange, I’ve written five months of material, stories with a beginning, middle and end, and they haven’t even started (airing).”
Look at this!
”stories with a beginning, middle and end, and they haven’t even started (airing).”
He wrote- ”beginning, middle and end” contained in a 6 month run..
AWESOME!! Now that is a plan ..
no time to get bogged down in a boring 1-2 years of the same ol boring story..
DYAM! I miss that man !!!
I want RC back with GH !!!
Ronald David “Ron” Carlivati (born November 25, 1968) 49yrs old
when with GH – 43.. younger yet with OLTL..
He is indeed the youngest writer..
and—
Sunday, February 19, 2017 (started writing for Days-
Ron Carlivati Wants ‘Days of our Lives’ Fans to Laugh, Cry and Yearn for Couples
Posted by Roger Newcomb
It may not be the latest “Plan to Save Days of our Lives” but in the current issue of Soap Opera Digest, executive producer Ken Corday previews what to expect under new head writer Ron Carlivati.
“He will bring to the show things that the show hasn’t had for quite a while,” says Corday. “What he said to me is that he wants the show to make you laugh again and he wants the show to make you cry again and he wants the show to make you yearn for certain couples again as opposed to, ‘Why are they doing this? Why are they doing that?’ So he will resolidify shortly after his tenure starts. We will see couples that I’m a big fan of and that I think viewers are big fans of, as well.”
Opinion
Carlivati was able to deliver wonderful humor as head writer for both One Life to Live and General Hospital, so we can expect the same on Days. It will honestly be a nice change from the current state of the show.
I don’t watch Days and I don’t care for Ron’s particular style of writing.
I am only here for the cheese & crackers and to read SUO’s comments.
su0000, I was just about to say, a story with a beginning, middle, and end! Who wouldah thunk, huh?
su0000, I should have added, I wasn’t a fan of Ron’s writing on General Hospital; however, given the state of DAYS, things can only go up. The show is a train wreck right now! The teen scene is running (and ruining) the show, and those “actors” need to be shown the door! #cleanhouse
One of my favorite things that Ron did at GH was to finally stop making Sonny and Jason the ‘heroes’ of the show, and made their stories share equal air time with others. Jason was no longer the one to always be the savior – John McBain actually beat Jason to some saving. Sonny was no longer the grand master, untouchable center of the show as Todd Manning actually came in and didn’t give a damn who Sonny Corinthos was. There was more than the mob and mob related stories for a change (yeah it was dopplegangers and masks and people who thought they were vampires, but that was so welcome after years of a mob-centric show).
Yep Mike you have that right I respect him for one thing he did not kiss the ring of MB the biggest cue card reader in the industry . Myiggest wish is to be named EP over at GH and bring a big broom and sweep out the mess ! Sigh!!
Agreed, Mike; although, I could have done without the masks and vampires, lol.
K/Kay, laughing over, “did not kiss the ring..” haha!
This is clearly a desperate, last ditch attempt to save Days from going under. This man is highly overrated as a writer, IMO. He nearly destroyed GH with his usual ridiculous, campy nonsense and was fired from that show not even two years ago! Even worse, he has a gigantic ego and cannot take even the slightest constructive criticism, lashing out at fans on social media. That’s disgraceful. These shows have to stop recycling the same old, same old hacks once and for all. How about a young, humble, up-and coming person who actually has fresh ideas on how to bring this genre into the 21st century already?
If I were a Days loyalist, I’d be very worried that my soap’s fate is hanging in the balance with this arrogant man given the keys to the car. Looking at the ratings, Days has to be thisclose to cancellation. And it’s utterly ridiculous that the show STILL films six months ahead.
Yes, Nick, I agee–“highly overrated.” I don’t like his “campy nonsense” either! Yes, “how about a young, humble, up-and-coming person with fresh ideas”? What a “fresh” and “refreshing” idea!
But Days isn’t like the other soaps. Days is silly and campy and that’s what its viewers enjoy. If they wanted what is classified as a “normal” soap they would watch one of the other three.
For whatever reason Days fans like the low budget, cheap looking, poor lighting campy, and to say that they’re wrong isn’t for others to say.
If they like it then more power to ’em.
Thanks for your comment, Nick. After reading previous comments, I was wondering if Ron C. is so great, why didn’t General Hospital keep him?
I am a long time Days viewer. (Started watching in 1966-1967.) However I am not at all excited about having Ron C as the new head writer. I think they should have kept Dena H. I know the show suffered when Hope shot Stefano, but Dena wrote that show out of a deep hole. It took time to come out of the mess that Josh G. had made. I think she was judged too soon. The recent storylines have been interesting and increasingly more so. I am sorry to see Dena’s writing come to an end. I would like to have seen what she would have done AFTER writing Days out of that deep pit.
I hope at some point in the future Dena will have an opportunity to return to Salem. I read she has no plans to do so, but I am hoping over time and if the opportunity arises, she will have a change of heart.
Nick, I agree with you, I was not a fan of Ron’s writing. I thought his writing was very campy and immature; however, DAYS is basically in the toilet right now. It’s unwatchable, IMO. I am one of the very few who is not social media, so I can’t speak for his comments/reactions.
Sadly, while I like him, I feel that in order to get the soaps back on track – we need NEW BLOOD! (Pun intended #vampirestoryline) When I’m watching the shows and know more about how a character would react or speak and could craft a storyline way better than what I’ve seen on the television in front of me, something is indeed wrong with the picture. Across the board, the usual “Who Dun It’s?” are as flat as warm ginger ale. When’s the last time we had a good murder mystery on any of the surviving soaps and one that had a BIG payoff? Character reveals (Nell on GH) make no sense whatsoever as if the storyline changed mid way through.
“Flat as warm gingerale”–an apt description indeed.
The Nelle “reveal” was just so stupid. It made absolutely no sense for anyone (Jax) to think to contact Nelle’s father for a black market kidney. Also, there was a rewrite in the middle of the story. The story was flat and stupid from the beginning and the writers lost their focus and didn’t know how to gain control of the story.
My hope is that we will have our core characters stay true to who they have been for years. I can tune into DAYS and don’t even recognize some of my favorites anymore. It has been ridiculous the last several years. I would like to see John and Marlena become THE core couple as once was Tom and Alice Horton. Have stories of their own but with others coming to them for help and advice. And I would love to see characters have more than a one minute conversation. I’m having some great faith in Ron. Hoping he can bring back some magic to DAYS.
And don’t touch Kayla and Steve! Hands off!!
He’s so cute
Ron Carlivati is the best in the business right now along with maria arena bell , Scott Hamner ( son of the late earl hamner ) . These are the only ones who can write decent stories with some creativity and imagination . Charles Pratt jr is burned out at least for now . Very disappointed in his writing of Young and restless , after the years he spent writing the soap santa barbara during its golden years and how great the writing was i was stunned to see he wasn’t able to elevate young and restless to that quality and standard . What’s for sure is that a good soap needs all these ingredients : love , romance , action , adventure , tragedy , triumph , excitement , all kinds of accidents and perilous situations , a good murder mystery every now and then , occasional serial killer , a villain or psycho every now and then , humor , some socially relevant stories from time to time . But a soap doesn’t need the same boring triangles , marriages that end after 6 months , characters constantly coming back from the dead ( sick of the magic drug , he / she was in fact in a coma , magic doctor who performed a resurrection miracle ) , the show must not be boring , can’t have characters constantly talking over drinks or coffee .
Sorry, but no, especially to Maria Arena being one of the best. She was, and still is, one of the worst in the business. And, in truth, Ron is far from the best in the business. He has his good, but he also has a lot of bad.
i love the type of writing that maria bell and ron carlivati deliver where there is action and excitement . i am not a fan of sally sussman , dena higley , altman and pssanante type of writing that is very slow , boring with characters sitting down in bars and restaurants drinking coffee in full introspection . I was a fan of the daytime soap Santa Barbara , the Dobsons with other writers wrote amazing stuff , one life to live in the 1980’s was great too and so was Guiding light through the decades . This is the type of writing , type of style in storytelling that i like . I am not saying that maria or ron are prefect but in an industry where so many great writers have passed : william j bell , douglas marland , agnes nixon , claire labine , james e reilly to name these few or have left the industry such as the dobsons ( a shame in my opinion ) or have lost their writing skills such as charles pratt jr or josh griffith i do see only maria bell and ron carlivati capable of making daytime soaps exciting , fun to watch with interesting stories .
Nicholas, you must be the person who enjoys plot-driven stories instead of character-driven ones, which is exactly what Maria Arena and Ron Carlivati tell. A constant re-telling of past and retconning to fit their own liking, and then ignoring their own retconning. And to compare them both to the legends that came before them is insulting to those who have passed, and I am sure that they are turning in their retrospective graves. And if you were a fan of those that came before our time, then you’d be enjoying Sally Sussman’s work on The Young and the Restless, as she is someone who trained and worked under William J. Bell, and her ways of telling story are very classic soap opera, but in a modern take. Yes, she could put a bit more POW! in her writing, but she’s doing a fantastic job as making it character-driven for the first time in 10+ years.
i didn’t compare them to the legends , these legends were legends and i sure do respect them . We obviously don’t see things the same way , that ‘s o.k with me . While i respected and admired the effort that was the late soap ” Generations ” that sally sussman created and wrote i did not find it all that great and exciting and it was cancelled after 2 years . The soaps that i liked and was a fan of were santa barbara ( my favourite ) , guiding light , one life to live , another world , all my children , bold and the beautiful ( first decade ) . that ‘s my taste in soaps . I will not include as the world turns because i never watched it : doesn’t mean obvously that it was a bad soap . Yep i am from the santa barbara , guiding light , one life to live soap school . That’s the future scott if we want this medium to survive .
Happy to see that Days of our lives greatly improved this week . You can tune back in , the soap is worth watching again . You need to watch all of this weeks episodes . Deimos was punished , won’t tell you how but Days is finally back in business . I managed to watch all these episodes without turning it off , it was that great .
DAYS really did improve, nicholas! There was plenty to love, but what stood out to me was when the party guests were feeling the effects of the “Halo” Deimos spiked their drinks with.
Ron’s work will defintely put a smile on my face.Kish and Brucas were awesome.Can ‘t wait to see Sami,Will,Kristen.Days is a disaster hopefully all the couples can have a good love story.
Looking forward to seeing Ron’s stories air. Maybe I’ll start watching DOOL again on a regular basis instead of just once in a while.
Ron C., will do just fine. He will bring humor, drama, romance and action to DAYS, which it so desperately needs. To be perfectly honest the show is too stiff in acting, writing and directing and Ron is the guy to give the show life. Hopefully, Ted the reboot Corday and NBC will give him time to do it. The show has good acting talent that needs to be challenged.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
The final few moments of the Thursday, April 30 episode of Days of our Lives, will pave the way, to what just may be the end of Sophia Choi’s (Rachel Boyd) life, but not as you may think!
After an unhinged Sophia paid a visit to Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman), maced him in the eyes, knocked him out and then tied up to a chair, now conscious, she lets him know that she holds him responsible for all the trouble and trauma she has gone through from adopting her child, and her being sent to a mental institution.
So instead of the unregistered gun Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) gave her to finish off Johnny, Sophia sets up a plan to light candle, use nail polish remover and turn on the gas on the stove to ultimately create a mass explosion, which although Johnny pleaded to her not to that to all the innocent people inside his apartment building, she doesn’t seem to care.

Photo: JPI
FIERY FACE OFF
The plan was supposed to be, after she takes care of Johnny she will toss the gun in the Salem River, then focus on payback to Holly Jonas before leaving town to start a new life.
Now, Sophia makes her exit, leaving Johnny to be a few moments away from an explosion or gas inhalation, when Chanel (Raven Bowens) comes home after awaiting the results of her mammogram. She sees Johnny tied up, as he panics and tells her to put out the flame on the candle, things go awry, and a fire has begun and everything may go up in flames with Johnny and Chanel inside.

Photo: JPI
A BROKEN SOPHIA
Back in her room, Sophia breaks down after reading the social media comments about her, she planted, and then starts writing a suicide or farewell note which says. “I’m tired of begging for forgiveness for my mistakes. All I wanted was to move forward, to be loved and understood. But it’s clear that I was never going to get that. Holly Jonas said that I was dead to her. So, as her former BFF, I’m going to make her dream a reality.”

Photo: JPI
A DEADLY TRAP
Now, the fate of Johnny, Chanel and Sophia will be revealed on tomorrow’s May 1st cliffhanger, which may be the end of Sophia when she crosses paths with Kirsten at the bridge near the river. We do know Rachel Boyd is no longer appearing in the show credits section and is now off contract with the soap.
So, what did you think of the climatic final moments of DAYS? What did you think of the performance of Rachel Boyd as Sophia Choi? Let us know via the comment section.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.

Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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