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DAYS Wally Kurth Delivers ‘The Power Performance of the Week’

Photo: JPI

Mark our words! Next year, Days of our Lives Wally Kurth (Justin Kiriakis) will once again be nominated for a Daytime Emmy for this week’s emotional and deeply-touching work on key episodes of the NBC daytime drama series.

As viewers saw, this was to be the happy nuptials of Justin and Kayla (Mary Beth Evans), who found love again after losing the previous loves of their lives.  They were dear friends to begin with, who through a set of horrific circumstances, found comfort with one another which eventually turned to love.

Photo: JPi

Problem was; Justin overheard Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) and Hope (Kristian Alfonso) before the ceremony discussing Steve’s (Stephen Nichols) feelings for Kayla and that he wants her back; something Kayla is unaware of.  So what will he do?  The noble thing and tell her the truth, or keep it to himself and marry her anyway?

As the Intel of what he learned weighed heavier and heavier on Justin, in the most dramatic of moments (when he was to say his “I do’s”), Justin stopped the ceremony and bared all to Kayla: that Steve wants her back and how Steve saw him propose to her and that is why he backed off.  Armed with the knowledge and that her friends and family kept it from her, Kayla does not know what to do.  Justin helps made it easy and clear for her when he questions her … if they would be standing here getting married, if Steve had told her his true feelings before Justin proposed to her?

Justin goes on to say to Kayla that maybe she has been avoiding her true feelings for Steve, because she did not want to hurt him.  Then Justin tells Kayla that he visited his late wife Adrienne’s (Judi Evans) grave, and told her that if things were different, and if she was alive they would still be married, and Kayla would be their dear, dear friend.

Photo: JPI

With seeing the look on Kayla’s eyes, Justin knows she loves Steve.  Heartbroken, but caught in an untenable situation, Justin tells Kayla he is happy for her.  Kayla wraps her arms around Justin as they both cry.  Kayla says she never wanted to hurt him, and when Wally as Justin says, “I know, honey,” it was one of the most honest and ten-hankie moments of the entire scenario.   Justin kisses her, tells the guests there will be no wedding today, and exits the Kiriakis mansion.

The emotional drama continues in the aftermath as Justin is at Kayla’s apartment boxing up all of his belongings and tears up recalling their nights together listening to jazz and cooking dinner.  Sonny (Freddie Smith) finds his dad, and tells him he did the noble thing and that time will heal all wounds, but after Sonny leaves, Justin breaks down a bit further before exiting Kayla’s for good.

And if that was not enough, Justin goes back to Adrienne’s gravesite to update her on the wedding that did not happen.   He talks to her that he understands Kayla and Steve’s deep and enduring love, which was just like theirs was.  Next, Justin thinks he is seeing Adrienne, when none other than Bonnie Lockhart (Judi Evans) reveals she is back in Salem – talk about kicking a guy when he is down!

Photo: JPI

Throughout this entire saga, moment to moment, Kurth delivered raw, genuine, adult emotions, in a very complex adult story and relationship.   In fact, the cast and crew thought so, too!  When Wally as Justin told Kayla that he can’t marry her and the speech that followed and his exit from the mansion that followed, all those on set applauded for him.  His work was that moving.   Wally was ably assisted throughout by the outstanding work of Mary Beth Evans in these scenes.

2020, while a difficult year for everyone thus far, has been a particular great year for Kurth on Days; as over the last six months he has really had a chance to shine in this story.  So for all of these reasons and more, Michael Fairman TV gives the “Power Performance of the Week” kudos to Wally Kurth.

Did you love Wally’s performance this week on Days? Did you reach for the hankies? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

 

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Louie
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Louie

This is in Wallys acting wheelhouse; he’s good but range limited. So glad story that should have ended when Steve woke up is over. Tired of the crying at Adrienne’s grave over the woman he moved on with within 3 months. Let Adrienne Rest In Peace.

Mary E
Guest
Mary E

These were good episodes, so glad Steve and Kayla reunited. I like Wally but, he is a one dimensional actor and this area is where he is his strongest, but he isn’t consistent on a routine basis I think that’s why he has been a supporting actor for so long. Ned is a better role for him and hope GH will give him and Olivia this type of story arc.

Phil
Guest
Phil

I disagree! I prefer Justin over Ned any day!

Terri Davis
Guest
Terri Davis

I enjoy him on both soaps.

James R. Poissant
Guest
James R. Poissant

I always preferred him as Ned over Justin.

Phil
Guest
Phil

He was simply phenomenal as always. I think he is greatly under appreciated and I definitely prefer him as Justin on Days over Ned on GH!

Beth
Guest
Beth

Wally Kurth is a very talented actor. I believe he may be the only actor who plays different character roles on two high profile soap dramas over many years. His performance was spot on with sensitivity and humor. Currently, I prefer his role as Justin because raw emotion, real integrity and love was portrayed toward Kayla. Sadly, GH has marginalized Ned’s role for awhile. Yet, I would like to see the storyline flushed out between Brooklyn and Ned. Since most of the Quartmaine clan was killed off or left, the writers have placed his character on the shelf. Also, I… Read more »

Virginia
Guest
Virginia

Nothing against Wally, he truly seems like a nice guy, but his acting stands out on Days because the majority of the acting is cartoonish at times. For every episode like this one from him, you can point out 2-3 not so good ones.

Charday
Guest
Charday

Wally Kurth is an awesome actor. Hope he’s back on GH soon!!

Joanna A.
Guest
Joanna A.

So glad that painful arc is over! When you have to rewrite history and characters so out of the normal to work, add in teenage dribble for dialogue it probably shouldn’t be done. Actors saved it; though was so over the living out the relationship at the hospital..WK average actor that like any other actor is given the right material for their strengths they will succeed.

Terri Davis
Guest
Terri Davis

I watch Wally on both Days and General Hospital, he is awesome in both soaps.
Mary Beth, always outshines!
And yes I cried and cried!

Felicia
Guest
Felicia

All the vets shined in those episodes…RC, head writer, deserves huge kudos for giving Wally material in an area he excels. Steve and Kayla belong together so I’m glad Justin did the right thing. Of course, he knew writing was on wall when he heard Kayla laying into Jake about losing live of her life & no one could replace him.

Rodd
Guest
Rodd

He was absolutely brilliant!

Trish
Guest
Trish

The acting at times on this show is often so bad all you can do is laugh because you’re not sure if it is written that way or not. So, when you get decent scenes it’s easy to think someone is the next Emmy winner. The scenes with Jack on Monday shined light on a once again average actor.

Roy
Guest
Roy

Nice guy and dimples doesn’t make a person an automatic Emmy winner…watch his performance on a daily basis..

Breaking News

Days of our Lives Renewed for Two More Seasons on Peacock

Days of our Lives, which transitioned last fall from NBC to the streamer, Peacock has received a two-season renewal pick-up.  That will bring DAYS through its 60th anniversary season.

Already hitting several milestones within its run including; it’s 14,000th episode back in 2020, and being the longest-running series in NBC history to move to Peacock, the lives, romance, intrigue, and drama will continue for the residents of Salem for at least two more years.

According to Peacock PR, DAYS has consistently been a top 10 title since its exclusive move to the platform last year. 

Throughout its enduring run, the show has garnered 61 Emmy Awards, including 2022’s Outstanding Writing for a Daytime Drama, and 392 nominations, as well as multiple People’s Choice Awards, GLAAD Media Awards and Prism Awards. 

The beloved series is produced by Corday Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is the executive producer with co-executive producer Albert Alarr. Ron Carlivati serves as current head writer. 

Excited to know that Days of our Lives received a two-season pick up from Peacock? Comment below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Head Writer Ron Carlivati on Bo & Hope Return: “This Is Old School Days of our Lives, and It’s Something That The Audience Has Waited a Very, Very Long Time to See”

Next week, begins the continuation of the shocking story arc that started last summer on Peacock’s limited streaming series, Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem Chapter 2. 

In it, DAYS fans learned that Bo (Peter Reckell) has been kept in cryogenic cylinder for years, and was brought back to life by Stefano’s daughter, Megan Hathaway (Miranda Wilson).

Now, circle March 16th for Reckell’s first episode back as Bo and March 17th as Kristian Alfonso’s first episode back as Hope to the mothership and Days of our Lives.

Head writer, Ron Carlivati previewed the storyline in a new interview with Soap Opera Digest in their latest issue on newsstands now.

Carlivati shared: “We pick up Hope where we left her off.  She had gone though this whole experience with Harris Michaels (Steve Burton), finding out that he was in league with Megan Hathaway, and we ended her on ‘Beyond Salem’ like, ‘I have to bring Megan Hathaway to justice.  I have to find her and make her pay.”‘

While Hope is on mission, she will also have Harris Michaels back in the mix, and as the head scribe shares, “Hope is on a collision course with Bo, and she’s unaware of it.”

As to what lies ahead for viewers, Ron revealed: “This is old-school Days of our Lives, and it’s something that the audience has waited a very, very long time to see.  You won’t want to miss it.”

Check out Peacock’s promo for the return of Bo and Hope below which teases that while most people get over their high school sweethearts, this one never did, alluding to Megan’s past relationship with Bo, which is the impetus for her revenge plot.

Now let us know, are you looking forward to seeing how Bo and Hope’s enduring love story continues? Comment below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Steve Burton Watches Back An Early Scene as Harris Michaels From 1988 & Talks on His Return to DAYS

As previously reported, look for two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Steve Burton (ex-Jason, GH, ex-Dylan, Y&R) to reprise his role as Harris Michaels in an upcoming story arc on Days of our Lives beginning on March 20th.

While Burton started his soap opera career on DAYS back in 1988, he didn’t return to the part of Harris Michaels until last year’s limited series streaming on Peacock, Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem 2.

Now heading back to the mothership for the first time in almost three and half decades, Burton sat down with his former GH co-star and current DAYS castmate, Wally Kurth (Ned, GH and Justin, DAYS) in a conversation for the DAYS You Tube Channel.

During the chat, Wally showed Steve an early scene of his with none other than Charlotte Ross, who at the time played Eve Donovan.  Make sure to check out Steve’s reaction to his younger soap opera self.

Then, Burton shares the reason the believes Harris is coming back to Salem: “For redemption because of the bad things he did; he wants to make it right.”

Photo: Peacock

What fans recall from Beyond Salem 2, is that Harris was seemingly brainwashed by Megan Hathaway (Miranda Wilson), who was hoping he would pull the trigger on Hope (Kristian Alfonso) at their wedding.  Instead, it appeared that Hope and Harris developed feelings for each other, or did they?

Now, with the return of Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope along with Harris in the equation, is the story to bring down Megan Hathaway once and for all? Stay tuned.

Check out the Burton and Kurth conversation below.  Then let us know if you think Harris will help Hope and Bo bring down Megan via the comment section.

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DAYS Billy Flynn (Chad), Greg Rikaart (Le0) and Mary Beth Evans (Kayla) talk with Michael Fairman on the series move to Peacock and their latest storylines.. Leave A Comment
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