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Deidre Hall, Ryan Paevey, Donna Mills, Galen Gering, Cameron Mathison, Corbin Bleu To Appear In Revival Of "Battle Of The Network Stars"

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/ABC

Names very familiar to soap fans will be part of the ABC network’s reboot of the ’70s and ’80s television pop-culture classic, Battle of The Network Stars when it debuts this summer for 10 weeks beginning on June 29 at 9pmest.

Battle of the Network Stars will be a nostalgic throwback to the original series, where TV celebrities blended athleticism along with hilarious antics while featuring an array of fan favorites from numerous TV series. The original series from ABC Sports began in 1976 and continued for 13 years. The 10-episode summer event will pit teams of current and classic TV stars from multiple eras and different genres against one another in a variety of athletic games. Viewers can look forward to seeing a fresh take at some of the classic show’s sporting events like Tug of War, Archery, Kayak Relay, Obstacle Course and Dunk Tank – all from the site of the original series, the beautiful campus of Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

For this new version, fielding of the teams will be based on the TV characters people love from over the years to the current day – cops vs. TV sitcoms, White House vs. lawyers, TV moms & dads vs. TV kids, etc. In this way, viewers will get to see everyone’s favorites from over the years, even if they spanned different networks at the time.

From the world of daytime and primetime soaps look for: DAYS Deidre Hall (Marlena) and Galen Gering (Rafe). GH’s Ryan Paevey (Nathan), ex-OLTL reboot Corbin Bleu (Ex-Jeffrey), ex-Dallas reboot star, Josh Henderson  (John Ross) and Dallas original series star, Charlene Tilton (Lucy) and ex-Knots Landing’s Donna Mills (Abby). In addition former B&B cast member, Lorenzo Lamas, Y&R’s recurring Corbin Bersen, Ex-AMC and ET’s Cameron Mathison (Ex-Ryan, AMC), former Generations and Y&R star, Vivica A, Fox as well as Shari Belafonte (Lomax, GH) will all be competing for their respective teams.

There are the 20 teams (100 stars), blue and red, competing against each other in separate episodes with athletic contests of physical grace and stamina.  Here are the teams pitted against each other

· TV Sitcoms (Bronson Pinchot, Tom Arnold, Dave Collier, AJ Machala, Tracey Gold) vs. TV Kids (Joey Lawrence, Corbin Bleu, Nolan Gould, Lisa Whence, Kim Fields) – Airs June 29

· Primetime Soaps (Ian Kiering, Josh Henderson, Gabrielle Carters, Donna Mills, Mishap Barton) vs. ABC Stars (Olivia dab, Shari Belafonte, Michael Fishman, Jason Hervey, Anson Williams)

· Variety (Joanna Krup, Nick Lachey, Vanessa Lachey, Gilles Marini, Jack Osbourne) vs. TV Sex Symbols (Keegan Allen, Traci Bingham, Rosa Blasi, Brant Daugherty, Galen Gering)

· Cops (Erik Estrada, Larry Wilcox, Kelly Hu, Jodi Lyn O’Keefe, Lorenzo Lamas) vs. TV Sitcoms (Todd Bridges, Leigh-Allyn Baker, Dave Foley, Willie Garson, Jenna von Oy)

· White House (Cornelius Smith Jr., Marlee Matlin, Joshua Malina, LaMonica Garrett, Mary McCormack) vs. Lawyers (Elisabeth Rohm, Corbin Bernsen, Matt McGorry, Romi Dias, Catherine Bell)

· TV Moms & Dads (Chad Lowe, Greg Evigan, Ted McGinley, Lesley Fera, Jackee Harry) vs. TV Kids (Jimmie Walker, Mackenzie Phillips, Jonathan Lipnicki, Krista Marie Yu, Jeremy Miller)

· Famous TV Families (Danny Bonaduce, Barry Williams, Beverley Mitchell, Willie Aames, Charlene Tilton) vs. Doctors (Thomas Calabro, Taye Diggs, Rachelle Lefevre, Deidre Hall, Benjamin Hollingsworth)

· Troublemakers (Vivica A. Fox, Paul Johansson, John Barrowman, Julie Benz, Catherine Bach) vs. TV Lifeguards (David Chokachi, Brande Roderick, Parker Stevenson, Nicole Eggert, Gena Lee Nolin)

· ABC Stars (Ted Lange, Troy Gentile, Jill Whelan, Denise Richards, Joely Fisher) vs. Variety (Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, Adrienne Houghton, Cameron Mathison, Kelly Osbourne)

· Cops (Marisol Nichols, Roma Maffia, Adrian Zmed, Fred Dryer, Ryan Paevey) vs. Sci-Fi Fantasy Lou Ferrigno, Vinnie Jones, Charisma Carpenter, Kevin Sorbo, Jill Wagner)

The hosts for Battle of the Network Stars are Mike Greenberg and Joe Tessitore of ESPN; Cassidy Hubbarth and Cari Champion of ESPN will be the sideline reporters; plus Super Bowl 50 winner DeMarcus Ware and MMA fighter/Olympian Ronda Rousey will be the team captains.

Just when the specific episodes air dates are for the competition-based episodes is yet to be revealed by ABC except for its premiere.

So, what do you think of some of the soap opera favorites who will appear in Battle of the Network Stars? Will you be checking it out this summer? Let us know in the comment section below

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I love it!

If it weren’t true It’s be saying ”you gotta be kidding” LOL
I am so thankful for cable and the internet. and good books.
I can’t even understand why people would want to watch junk tv as that, sigh..
It seems it will be worse than Dancing With The Stars LOL ohh lawdy!

((that’s my opinion of it LOL))

Suooo, I’m with you. The “limited” appeal this show had 40 years ago (mostly looking at Gregory Harrison’s abs) has long since past, along with my youth. Rent a terrific British series like LAST TANGO IN HALIFAX, SCOTT AND BAILEY, or SUSPECTS instead.

Hi, Soaphound,
Thank you…..
We seem to have similar interests. I love to read……actually, I will read anything. I’m lucky because between both my grandmothers and my parents, who have extensive “reads” of every genre and, of course the classics, in their possession.
My maternal grandparents, also, have an immense collection of movies.

I’m on the fourth chapter of “Le Chalice D’argent”/”The Silver Chalice”. I love anything to do with History/ Ancient or otherwise….with a twist of romance….fiction and non-fiction.
I have a suggestion: have your book club meetings in your house, by taking turns. We ( the members and I) went through something similar, so we just hold ‘court’, LOL, in our homes.

I know, su. I have no interest whatsoever. Waste of time….only because I cannot find any nostalgia in something that has no consequence, and, the fact that it was before my time, There will be no nostalgia….no entertainment, personally; except to watch RP’s fluidity of sinews play in concert with every sexy move.
But, for the sake of argument, I am sure this “pop-culture classic” has an interested audience. It depends on one’s point of view, I guess.

” Dancing With The Stars” was great when I was in College—now, it’s a freak show for me.
I did enjoy “American Idol”….I was still in High School at its infancy. I followed it right through the end.
I do not watch Reality TV, except for “The Voice”, and Carol Burnett, LOL. She cracks me up, especially with Tim Conway.
I appreciate your reference to “a good book”. Thank you!!!! Books never go out of style.
Sadly, kids do not read, unless a parent (or teacher) gives them a good push and shove.
Everything is right there at their fingertips ( internet). The result? Laziness.

I have a question, “Dancing with the Stars…” where are the “stars?” I haven’t watched in years; however, I still hear who is performing on the show and I don’t know anyone! The show does not contract “stars” to dance on the show. They are all no-talent “D” list people or one hit wonders no one has heard of..

@dmr.
HaHa, dmr. You said it !! I don’t know who the “stars” are….as yourself, I haven’t watched in years. Not interested in these ‘stars’.
I think I did catch an episode with Priscilla Presley where her face was all distorted due to motor-oil injections, to “erase age”? I remember reading that some third world butcher-doctor had really done a number on her face.
Just broke out into a belly laugh thinking about it!!!! Triple LOL.

Dear Celia, I always love your insights! I’m also an avid reader, though I fear we’re a dwindling breed. Just today, our Book Club meeting place evicted us because he doesn’t “make enough money from us”. And get this–he’s the only bookstore in town. Imagine a bookstore not being able to accommodate a one-hour a month Book Club? Gives you shivers. I also adore Carol Burnett and wish they would rerun the entire series, as I find the DVD collections hard to follow (mixed seasons on one disc, etc.) It’s gonna be a long summer. Thank Heaven for Acorn and those wonderful British series like SUSPECTS and SCOTT AND BAILEY.

Interesting. May watch.

Fond memories of the original, will tune in!

Me, too.

must have to “appreciate” the show once again

along with the bevy of beauty

speedo (s)

@su0000, are you old enough to watch the original. It was actually a lot of fun (and featured a number of daytime stars, even then).

Y-A-Y!!!!! I will DEFINITELY be tuning in……….

Good tv. Thanks ABC. Keep it coming!

I am so excited to watch this show! I loved the original as a kid. My first thought when I heard about the reboot was, I hope Chad Lowe is in it. I was thrilled to see his name in the article. So happy to see my soap hunks and stars from my childhood. Thanks ABC!

Breaking News

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

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Daytime Emmy Presenters

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.

The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.

Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Genie Francis

Photo: NATAS

In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year,  A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.

The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).

The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”

Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.

So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.

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‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

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Kyle Pryor

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancĂ© ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!

Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.

He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Dominix

Photo: Peacock

Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2.  In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.

Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.

So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)

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Conner Floyd

Fasten your seat belts Days of our Lives fans, as the mystery of Dominic Marino continues to unravel on all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera. Last week, Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) learned that he may have a half-brother, who may be the biological child of his father, the late Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), giving him great pause, because he knows Stefano had kidnapped Marlena for four years back in the late 80s and early 90s.

Chad has already been hunting down clues with his current girlfriend Belle Black (Martha Madison) in Italy and Salem, which revealed a photo of a young boy with Stefano with the date 1992 on the back of it, hidden inside Stefano’s chess set. So, what’s next?

Conner Floyd chatted on the Michael Fairman Channel in a new virtual interview released on Sunday, October 18, where he spoke on what the new addition to the DiMera family could do to the already dangerous sibling rivalries, the state of Chad’s relationship with Belle and much more.

EJ and Chad

Photo: JPI

DIMERA RIVALRY

After finding out from EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) that Dominic Marino could be the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano and Marlena, Conner Floyd explained, “I think it blows Chad’s mind a little bit. I think there’s a lot of things working there with old Chad. Obviously, bringing in another DiMera could cause some noise and the whole situation with Marlena’s a little awkward as well because he’s dating Belle, so this could cause a little tiff there. I think his head’s spinning and he does not know what to expect, but I also think he kind of expects that from Stefano, for sure.”

As to how this will change and color Chad’s relationship with EJ, Floyd responded, “Chad knows EJ’s not happy about it and I think he’s going to be real upset if this gets in his way of doing what he wants to do with the DiMera legacy and all that. However, for Chad, I think he’s just going to keep a sharp eye, see what this guy’s about, see if he’s here to cause some trouble or here to be a friend and kinda play it by ear.”

Belle and Chad

Photo: JPI

BELLE OF MY HEART

With Chad and Belle already being sleuths, Floyd says, you can look for the duo to continue getting to the truth. “I think Chad and Belle are committed to this. They’re going full National Treasure, Nicolas Cage,” says Conner. “They’re going to follow the clues. They’re going to get some answers.”

Since beginning in the role of Chad in June of 2025 and debuting on-screen back in April of 2026, the former Y&R star (where he played Chance Chancellor), says it was Madison who helped him get comfortable in his new surroundings.

“Martha is phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to get tagged up with when I started here, just because she knows everybody,” shares Floyd. “She knows where to go, who to talk to. She’ll get the tea if you want, and so it was kind of cool. Martha took me under her wing, showed me the ropes. She’s a sweetheart.  I love working with her too. She’s a great actress.”

But, is Chad in love with Belle after such a tortured past with his beloved Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Floyd thinks so! “I think he’s into it. They’re such good friends and they have such a rich history. I think he’s in for the ride. You know, it’s one of those things you probably overlook at first and then they reconnected, and it feels easy and they’re going on these fun adventures.”

MAKING CHAD HIS OWN

Conner had the arduous task of being the successor to Billy Flynn in the role of Chad.. Flynn had played the part for 12 years before deciding to exit and head to Y&R. So, how did Conner approach learning the ins and out of Chad? Floyd shared, “I really dove into Chad when I first got this job. I liked that he kind of walks this tightrope of DiMera and not DiMera, you know. He want to so honor his family roots and really do something for the DiMera family, but he doesn’t want to fall into that trap that all the other DiMera have found themselves in. Chad is a DiMera at heart. He’s got those demons, but he’s just trying to keep them contained.”

Susan Seaforth Hayes

Photo: JPI

ICONIC

When Floyd got to DAYS, it was none other than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) who most surprised him in the most delightful way, given that he knew Hayes was a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the current longest-running cast member on the canvas.

“I love working with Susan Hayes! I love her. She’s a sweetheart. Susan is one of the nicest people there. I just thought she was cool and it’s Susan Hayes, you know?  We’ve had a lot of scenes together, which is nice,” explained Conner.

“We’ll go to her dressing room, we’ll run our scenes, and then we’ll spend about an hour just talking about life and she’ll tell me about a book she’s reading. She’s such a history buff, which blows my mind. She’ll start dropping all these historical facts on me. I learn something new by the time I walk out of her dressing room every time!”

Now below, check out the full conversation with Conner Floyd via the Michael Fairman Channel.

Weigh-in: Do you like Chad and Belle as couple? Do you think Chad will get to the bottom of the Dominic Marino mystery? If so, do you think Dominic is truly Stefano and Marlena’s son … and what about Rita (Maggie Carney) in all this? Let us know your theories in the comment section.

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