This week on Days of our Lives saw the first African-American couple to be married on-screen in the 54-year history of Days of our Lives.  Now while Lani (Sal Stowers) and Eli (Lamon Archey) tried before in a previous ceremony, this one did the job … they are now officially husband and wife!

The ceremony was attended by Lani’s dad, Abe Reynolds (James Reynolds), her mother Tamara Price (Marily McCoo), Billy Davis Jr.  as a former FBI mentor to Eli, Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) – it was her restaurant after all and she is Eli’s grandmother.  Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) presided over the ceremony.

There were some unwelcome guests at the ceremony as well; leading the bride to question, are we doomed?  Why does this keep happening to us everytime we tried to get hitch!

However, fate was on Lani and Eli’s side this day, as even Gabi (Camila Banus) with her antics, and a shocking arrival from Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel), couldn’t rain on this day.  Vivian even tried to shoot the bride, but thanks to Rafe (Galen Gering) saving the day and armed with news that her son Stefan (Brandon Barash) could be alive; he informs Viv firmly that she would be killing someone for the wrong reason, even though Vivian is in disbelief that her son is alive.  Next, she is whisked out of the ceremony.

Lani still feeling rattled by all the wedding interruptus gets a sign she should marry the man she loves; when her mother, who needed to go lie down earlier, as she was feeling faint, was able to show back up just in time to restart the wedding.

During the ceremony, Eli mentions the loss of little David Abraham and the struggles they went through, but how in the end it brought then closer together.  After the rings are exchanged and they are pronounced man and wife, the newlyweds “jump the broom” a wonderful tradition and a symbol of African-American heritage, where the sweeping of the broom signifies sweeping away all the bad energy.  After they sweep the broom, Elani jumps over it.

In a behind-the-scenes of the wedding segment released this week on the DOOL app, Sal Stowers and Lamon Archey talk about the inclusion of the ‘jump the broom’ moment in the episode, and how they suggested the idea to DAYS Co-EP Albert Alaar, and how  it was written into the episode.

So, what did you think of Lani and Eli’s wedding? Did you enjoy it? Let us know via the comment section below, but first check out this wedding photo gallery of the big day!

Eli and Lani make one beautiful married couple!

Eli's mom, Valerie Grant gives her son hugs and kisses.

Eli, Valerie, and guest star Billy Davis Jr. (playing a former mentor to Eli) shows up as Val's date and they strike a pose.

Tossing the bouquet to her groom is Lani Price, now Grant!

Picture perfect!

Tamara Price (guest star Marilyn McCoo) came back to Salem to watch her daughter be married again; this time for real!

Eli and Lani can be as fun-loving as they are serious peace keepers in Salem.

A proud moment for Abe, walking his daughter down the aisle at Julie's Place.

"Jump the Broom" - the beautiful tradition put into the ceremony at the request of Lamon and Sal themselves.

It's honeymoon time for the newlyweds! With baby on the way ... can they share some blissful downtime?

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Friday night was a good night for daytime!  With its first foray back on to network television since 2011, the Daytime Emmy kudofest, while for the first time held this year virtually, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, scored very well in its timeslot.

The CBS broadcast averaged 3.1 million total viewers and a 0.3 demo rating.  That is way up from the last time viewers saw the award show on TV when it was on cable network POP TV back in 2015 with just over 900,000 viewers for its initial broadcast.

According to TV Insider report: The first hour of the Emmys garnered 3.3 million viewers to top the hour by edging out a rerun on ABC”s Shark Tank, and then slipped to second place for the second hour with 2.8 million viewers.

These were strong numbers for Friday night, and hopefully CBS and the other major networks will now continue this, and serve up the Daytime Emmy Awards moving forward.

Courtesy/CBS

The ladies of CBS’s The Talk hosted the event; each virtually from their homes, in an event filled with at-home acceptance speeches and presenters, and clip packages. The show was produced by NATAS and Associated Television International

So, what do you think of the ratings performance of this year’s Daytime Emmys?  Comment below.

The 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards were presented tonight on CBS in the first virtual Emmys ceremony and broadcast.

It was CBS’ The Young and the Restless that won big on the night taking home 8 trophies; including Outstanding Drama Series, and one for Lead Actor for Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott), who finally won an Emmy on his sixth acting nomination, but first for Y&R.

In an historic moment, The Bold and the Beautiful’s Heather Tom (Katie) tied Erika Slezak (Ex-Viki, OLTL) by winning a record-tying sixth Daytime Emmy for her role as Katie Logan Spencer in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category.

Tamara Braun (Ex-Kim, General Hospital) won her second Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series award having won years earlier for her work Ava Vitali on Days of our Lives.   Bryton James (Devon, Y&R) won for the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, his second Emmy but first in more than 13 years.  He previously won for Younger Actor in a Drama Series.

General Hospital and The Bold and the Beautiful were the next shows that won the most Emmys for the night with 4

In a statement, NATAS, President and CEO, Adam Sharp shares: “Tonight, we did not let the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 keep up from honoring some of the most talented contributors to our Daytime Television community.  We celebrated not only the best programming and performances of the last year, but reflected on the legacy of Daytime’s biggest moments and icons.”

The broadcast was produced by NATAS and Associated Television International.

Below are the winners in the daytime drama and digital drama categories revealed tonight:

Outstanding Drama Series

The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Digital Drama Series

The Bay

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Jason Thompson, The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Heather Tom, The Bold and the Beautiful

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Tamara Braun, General Hospital

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Bryton James, The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series

Olivia Rose Keegan, Days of our Lives

Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series

Eva LaRue, The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Writing Team in a Drama Series

The Bold and the Beautiful

Outstanding Directing Team in  a Drama Series

General Hospital

Outstanding Technical Team for a Drama Series

General Hospital

Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing for a Drama or Digital Drama Series

General Hospital

Outstanding Lighting Direction for a Drama or Digital Drama Series

The Bold and the Beautiful and Dark Web (Tie)

Outstanding Casting for a Drama or Digital Drama Series

EastSiders

Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Drama or Digital Drama Series

Days of our Lives

Outstanding Live and Direct to Tape Sound Mixing for a Drama Series

The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design for a Drama or Digital Drama Series

The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Costume Design for a Drama or Digital Drama Series

The Bold and the Beautiful

Outstanding Hairstyling for a Drama Series

The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Makeup for a Drama Series

The Young and the Restless

So, what do you think about this year’s winners? Were you thrilled or was your favorite snubbed? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

Michael Fairman TV will be updating this post throughout the evening,