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DAYS Wally Kurth On The Exit Of Freddie Smith and Chandler Massey: “These Two Wonderful Actors & Terrific Young Men, Consistently Gave Their Best”
If anyone is familiar with the scene-work done by Days of our Lives’ Daytime Emmy winners, Chandler Massey (Will) and Freddie Smith(Sonny), it’s Wally Kurth (Justin).
For DAYS fans, and as we discussed in our recent interview with Wally, they have watched this soap vet give the performances of his daytime career alongside of Massey and Smith in the storyline that found Adrienne (Judi Evans) killed in a car crash, and Will sent to prison for it.
Photo: JPI
With the news last week of the departure of Chandler and Freddie from DAYS (from the actors themselves), fan outcry has begun with a petition to keep Will and Sonny on the show, and now a very public support from Kurth, who thanked these two talented actors for all they have meant to Days of our Lives over the years.
In a post on social media, Wally tweeted over the weekend: These two wonderful actors and terrific young men, consistently gave their best and it made @nbcdays the best it’s ever been. I will truly miss working with them. And I look forward to their return. @ChandlerMassey @freddiemsmith”
What do you think of the sentiments Wally shared on Freddie and Chandler? Do you think WilSon will be back on the canvas, eventually, after they exit on-air in the fall? Comment below.
They are awesome actors and gave their very best to DOL. it’s real shame how they found out they were letting go by reading their scrips not by the ones in charge. Very disrespectful to not only them but others leaving too. And they won awards for their acting on DOL. A lot of us fans have been watching for many years and are disappointed in how things are now. I feel the time jump was just an excuse to let great actors go. I’m sure it is budget issues but at least be up front about it
Really need better storylines to keep us watching
That’s just my opinion
KEEP THYEM & KEEP THE FANS HAPPY & REALLY LISTEN TO US !!!!!!!!!!!! KEEP RAFE TOO !!!!!!!!!== GREAT ACTORS !! WAKE UP, WRITERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is not the writers fault here. They are more than likely following orders from NBC daytime. NBC wants the budget cut which means actors on Days are going to be written out. So goodbye Rafe, Sonny, Will, Jennifer, Jack, A.J, Abby and hopefully that psychopath Gabi.
Who the heck is going to be left that we want to watch? I have watched since the very beginning and watched many changes. Unfortunately I feel the writers are trending toward another generation which is fine but remember we still enjoy the older actors too.
Yes I agree. Rafe definitely needs to stay too. Have the writers ever tried to bring Bo back. I realize he died but how many times have they brought back someone who has passed???
There is just one problem. Peter Reckell may not want to come back to DOOL
I totally agree!
I agree that Freddie Smith and Chandler Massey should have both been told before the script came out that they were both being let go. And it is because of financial issues.I think the first warning of that is when Thaao Penglish and Leann Hunley were told they would not be coming back.
I don’t know if they will return. But i truly hope they do
keep the good actors that’s why the fans watch!! You have already lost fans with the stupid time jump
How can the powers that be on the show think this is a good move?
This is what happens when the network tells the producers to cut operating costs.
I don’t get why we are losing three awsome actors? Whats wrong with Ron and Mr.C.
Please bring back rafe sonny and will. Soon
I was fully expecting both actors to be re-signed,and the characters to remain on the show until its end (which may happen sooner rather than later anyways). I was surprised and disappointed to learn they were cut from the cast. To many fans these particular 2 characters are not and will never be disposable dead weight on the canvas. They are special fixtures in the history of the show. Every actor and every character on a soap opera has their fans, but some rise above that basic reality. There are some characters who are just an integral part of the identity of the whole. These 2 qualify. Yes, many have come and gone and come back over the years, but when it comes to firing an actor and ending a character, some should never be. This includes Will and Sonny. It was a mistake for an executive in charge to think this cast change was a small matter. And the least NBC Days of Our Lives could have done to trim the budget, but keep integral cast members, was to place these 2 on recurring staus.
Sad how they found out, where is the sense of humanity anymore? As for Wally, he is a nice guy and ok actor, but to be honest they should ship Justin out of town and keep one of these two. He has a contract on GH full time and other than a forced pairing to create angst with Steve/Kayla (which is all the writer knows by the way) his character really isn’t needed. I’ve watched the show off and on for 30+ years with mom and he has never really been a character that has helped drive ratings. He isn’t going to now either. There are a few other veterans (with show 5+ years or more) that can be let go to keep one or two of these young men and prevent Camila from leaving. Could also, bring back either Stephanie or Joey.
Wally actually has a contract with DAYS that allows him to recur on GH. He’s been used frequently on GH during the DAYS shooting hiatus.
It’s totally a shame when actors are left out of a show. Time to rethink what soaps would be like without dedicated viewers.
The best be bringing them back or they will be losing some viewers. I have loved will since he was born on the show. I have loved Sonny since him and Will became a couple. They are great actors.
Sadly, I don’t think Sonny and Will are going to be brought back. My grandmother says that this a repeat of the mass firing of actors in 1980.
I’m sure it’s crossed Wally’s mind that with his wife & son gone, he’s likely to be the next one on ReRon’s chopping block. Fortunately for him, he’s already working at GH if that happens.
While I have plenty of issues with Ron’s writing, it’s Corday and the producing team that dictate contracts – not the writer.
Kudos to Wally for making the modern soap opera production model work for him.
I have one question.WHY. Love these guys for a long time. Please bring them back.fans enjoyed them. Your going to lose fans from this I think.
If they DO NOT RETURN, DAYS will lose many a viewer
I agree. I have been watching since Jan. 1968 when I quit work to have my first child. If Rafe, Will, Sonny go, I go!!! Get rid of HOPE……..get rid of Stef/Steve. I wish they would give me a year to run the show!!!! Give Julie and Doug a vacation!!!!!! Get rid of Kristin!!!!!!! Keep Ben and Ciara!!!!!
I thought the jump was a good move but now I am disappointed with loss of. So many people. When sonny and will are gone so am I
I agree with you Cyndi. Time jump was an appealing and intriguing idea. But I do not like to see my favorites written off the show. DAYS is looking a little too much like GH lately. And GH was looking a lot like OLTL. Where are the Bill Bells and Agnes Nixons of this generation? Good storytelling is not a lost art.
It’s ridiculous how new Producers come and change things up not for the good of the show but for their own egos and bottom lines. I mean how dumb is it to say to yourself, “ I need to rock the boat. I know! I’ll fire two of my award winning socially aware actors. “ as my Daddy used to say, If it ain’t broke, Don’t fix it!!!
My post should have said DOOL. Autocorrect ##
I truly hope the powers that be at Days realise what a huge mistake this has been to let Freddie and Chandler go. Not only do this pair have a huge fan base. But they shared such an important story of a same sex couple and I feel helped so many people through following their journey. They both are amazing actors and I feel they have so much more to give. I sincerely hope Days listens to its fans. I have been watching this show my entire life and ridden all the waves. But getting rid of these two iconic characters is crazy.
They take off the good ones and leave the worst one why not just leave things alone and let them still have a role its not fair you are losing a lot of followers for the cuts that have been made
Keep them! I’ve been watching Days for more than 40 years. I’m devastated.
These two are amazing actors and I think Days of Our Lives is making a huge mistake by taking them off of the show.
Hope so they are both good actors and should not leave
I love Wally’s work on both shows, but I kind of wish Justin would forget about Kayla. As Steve/Stefano said on today’s show, she is whiney, and I’m sick of hearing her go on and on. Oh, and please someone, chop off her ugly bangs!
Sally is awful with Evans Kayla no chemistry at all but also an insult to the entire history of the characters! Ron succeeded in destroying days and making Kayla quite the hypocrite
They are great on the show along with Rafe. So sad the decision was made to not renew the contracts of these 3 wonderful likeable chatacters.
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.
Previews
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Kelly Sullivan Debuts as Dylan’s Mom; Suspicion is Raised About Carter and Steffy
This week on all new episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful, GH and Y&R alum Kelly Sullivan (ex-Kate/Connie, GH, Sage. YR) will debut in her new role as Darcy Dylan.
Darcy is Dylan’s (Sydney Bullock) mother and will first show-up Thursday, August 27 episode.
In the latest B&B video teaser for the action the week of August 24-28, Will (Crew Morrow) and Dylan are enjoying each other’s growing connection, but Katie (Heather Tom) yells at her son, Will that she believes Dylan is bad news after catching then a bit scantily clad.
Meanwhile, Dylan turns to her mother Darcy for support, while Daphne (Murielle Hilaire) compares her marriage to Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnnes Wood) and Finn’s (Tanner Novlan). Finn, however, is convinced nothing can come between him and Steffy.
Take a look at the official B&B spoilers for the action this week below.
Monday, August 24
Will and Dylan share a special night alone.
Carter And Steffy are caught alone together.
Tuesday, August 25
Ridge is presented with a new fashion line.
Katie becomes even more suspicious of Dylan.
Wednesday, August 26
Dylan finds herself defending her actions.
Sheila adjusts to her new life without Deacon.
R.J. tries to make a name for himself.
Thursday, August 27
Deacon gives some fatherly advice to Hope.
Dylan is forced to face her past.
Friday, August 28
Carter and Steffy’s secret comes to a head.
So, excited to see Kelly Sullivan return to daytime TV as B&B’s Darcy Dylan? Will Carter and Steffy face the music for their actions? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
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Days Of Our Lives
Peacock Hikes Subscription Rates for Fourth Time in Four Years; ‘Days of Our Lives’ Fans Sound Off
While recently the streaming service Peacock reported turning a profit for its first time since its infancy, now comes word that the company is raising their prices for all customers, and in some cases it stared today on August 18.
The news of the subscription rate increases marks the fourth time the NBCUniversal streaming platform has done so in four years. So, on August 18, Peacock is increasing the prices for new or returning subscribers and customers, while current subscribers will see the rate increase on or after September 17 depending on their billing cycle when they initially signed up.
Here is the new pricing to follow along: Peacock Premium (which includes ads) will be $12.99/month, up two dollars from $10.99; Peacock Premium Plus will be $19.99/month, up three dollars increase from $16.99; and the Peacock Select tier (which includes current and past seasons of NBC and Bravo shows but excludes movies, live sports and Peacock originals) will increase a dollar from $7.99 to $8.99/month.
Photo: JPI
SUBSCRIBERS CONTINUE TO PAY MORE ACROSS THE STREAMER LANDSCAPE
It was back in June that the streamer reported that aid subscribers were up to 48 million adding a 2 million net gain during Q2 in of 2026. The subscription price hikes are rampant now in the entertainment streaming industry where over the last two years for example, Netflix, HBO Max, Apple TV, Paramount+ have all raised their fees to consumers.
Peacock’s tier-levels feature not only Days of Our Lives, but reality hits such as The Traitors and Love Island USA, Bravo series, and a vault of Saturday Night Live, Law & Order, The Real Housewives franchise, and Below Deck episodes as well. Pecock Premium and Premium Plus subscribers have access to sports and live events, as well.
DAYS OF OUR LIVES SUBSCRIBERS HAD A FEW CHOICE WORDS FOR PEACOCK
As Days of Our Lives fans know, the soap opera moved from NBC to the streamer back in September of 2022 after 57 years on broadcast television. When the news hit X on the price increase, DAYS fans had a lot to say about it. Here are just a few of the comments below:
“I can’t believe Peacock and can’t come to a deal with Cordya to air old episodes of #Days. That alone would bring a ton of subscribers,” to If Peacock actually cared about #Days of Our Lives, gave the show the budget it needs for better sets, cameras, background actors and enough time to tell proper stories, I wouldn’t mind paying more. If the money actually showed on screen, the higher price would be worth it,” to “I will continue to pay for a Peacock subscription as long as #Days is on it, but did we know there was another price increase coming?” and more.
So, what do you think of the new price hike increase to watch Days of Our Lives and your other favorite shows and events on Peacock? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Monet is Jordan’s Younger Sister
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Lands Role in TV Pilot ‘Ghosts Are Real’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Drew Spots Willow and Chase in a Close Moment; What’s Monet’s MO?
BEYOND THE GATES: Hayley Pulls a Gun on Dani, Sneering, “Gotta Love a Full Circle Moment, Don’t You?”
Kelly Monaco Honors Her Late ‘General Hospital’ Co-Star Billy Miller, Sharing Letter He Wrote After Taping His Final Episode as Drew Cain
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Bests ‘General Hospital’ in Key Demos and Gains More Viewers Week-Over-Week
Chris McKenna Speaks Out On His Final Day as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jack Brennan with Words of Wisdom to ‘Finish Strong’
‘General Hospital’s’ James Patrick Stuart Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
‘Days of our Lives’ Preview: Will Dominic Marino Turn Out to Be Marlena’s Son With Stefano DiMera?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Monet is Jordan’s Younger Sister
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Drew Spots Willow and Chase in a Close Moment; What’s Monet’s MO?
BEYOND THE GATES: Hayley Pulls a Gun on Dani, Sneering, “Gotta Love a Full Circle Moment, Don’t You?”
Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
DANCING WITH THE STARS Viral Hits Night: Who Was the Fiercest Couple of Them All?
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