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As Dick Van Dyke Turns 100, ‘Days of our Lives’ Susan Seaforth Hayes Shares the Behind the Scenes Story of Their Song and Dance (Exclusive)

By Michael Fairman

Published

11 months ago

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Photo: JPI

This week, Dick Van Dyke turns 100-years old on December 13. In honor of the incredible milestone and his lifetime, the documentary, Dick Van Dyke 100th Celebration plays in theaters nationwide during his birthday weekend from December 13-14.

Days of our Lives fans know that back in the summer of 2024, the legendary TV icon took home the gold at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards, in the Outstanding Guest Performer in a Daytime Drama Series category for his performance as John Black’s (the late Drake Hogestyn) father, Timothy Robicheaux.

During Van Dyke’s run on DAYS in 2023, two other legends, Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Doug and Julie Williams) shared scenes with him, and a particular song and dance. In a recent interview now on the Michael Fairman Channel, Seaforth Hayes, who was reflecting on the soap opera’s 60th anniversary last month in November, picked working with Van Dyke as the person she was most excited to work with came onto the show.

Photo: JPI

However, as Susan detailed, with the amount of time, she, and her late husband Bill Hayes, and Dick Van Dyke, had to work out the musical number to “Tea for Two,” it wasn’t all smooth sailing. But, the true pro’s that Susan, Bill and Dick were, they somehow pulled it off!

“Dick Van Dyke was a huge event (for our show). He was a fan of Drake Hogestyn”, recalled Susan. “They had worked out together in the gym in Malibu and were friends. Dick was always saying how much he wanted to work on soap. Billy and I were told, ‘You’re going to get to do scenes with Dick Van Dyke, and you’re going to get to dance.’ They thought the two men should be dancing. Billy was confined to a wheelchair pretty much at that point, so the dance would be rather special. We were told that it was impossible to rehearse in advance. So, when we asked if Mr. Van Dyke could come to our house, they said said, ‘no’ we’re not insured for that.”‘

THE REHEARSAL

Figuring how to rehearse without Van Dyke, Susan and Bill improvised, “So, the song that we performed had to be public domain, so they chose Tea for Two,” continued Susan. “They told us they weren’t hiring a choreographer, so Bill and I hired our own choreographer. Dick could not come and rehearse with us, so we rehearsed in the living room. So, I worked with my assistant and Bill, and we staged the material. We get to the day we are taping it, and we go, ‘Where’s the pianist?’ They inform us there is no pianist, but they have a guitarist.”

When it was time to tape the song and dance, Susan explained what went down behind the scenes, “So we’re up that day. Dick comes in with his beautiful wife, Arlene Silver. Dick had four scenes with me prior to the number. He had been given a script, which was inaccurate for the day that we were actually shooting it. He was doing a wonderful performance, but struggling with the lines. I took the initiative to say, ‘Mr. Van Dyke, we are so thrilled that you are doing the show. It is an honor. You’re doing great. But please understand, there are days that are more difficult than other days. This may be one of them. Do not take it personally.’ This is me talking to Dick Van Dyke!”

Next, Susan recalled, “So the the guitarist looks at the antiquity of the cast and begins to play, Tea for two and two for Tea. Billy is saying that’s the wrong tempo. So, I said, okay, ‘Bill is going to set the tempo. Is that okay with everybody?’ No responses. So, we do the number. I am not a dancer, certainly not a tap dancer, certainly not on the level to be even in the same county with Dick Van Dyke!”

“He’s selling it. He’s doing some sort of steps that had nothing to do with what we had planned to rehearse. I’m doing some sort of movement off to one side, and then it ends”, recalls Hayes. We did one pickup, so it was basically one take. It was a milestone for the show. It was obviously an unforgettable day for me and Billy. And the funny thing was, it looked pretty good (in the end)!”

Looking back on her own iconic television career, the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner shared there are some people on her bucket list to work with, but all in all, she loves the cast she is a part of right now on the Peacock streaming soap opera. “I’d like to work with Tom Hanks. I’d like to meet Martin Scorsese. There’s a lot I’d like to do, but mostly I like doing the show that I do, and that we have the cast that we have, and I think we’re pretty good. But it was fantastic to work with Dick Van Dyke.”

So, did you love when Dick Van Dyke visited Days of our Lives? Did you enjoy the singing and dancing number with Bill and Susan and Dick that they clearly pulled off given all the constrains they had? What do you think about Dick Van Dyke turning 100? Share your thoughts and congrats via the comment section. and in case you missed it, check out our chat with Susan below, followed by the trailer for Van Dyke’s 100th birthday retrospective in theatres this coming weekend.

 

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Days Of Our Lives

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Xander Fights for His Life, Halloween in Salem, Lani Returns to the Salem PD

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1 hour ago

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October 25, 2026

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Xander and Sarah

This week on all-new episodes of Days of our Lives streaming October 26-30 on Peacock; after Xander (Paul Telfer) has been shot by George (Michael Rose), and retaliates by firing a bullet his way, Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) is on the scene!

In a key moment, Dr. Horton does everything she can to stabilize Xander in order to rush him to the hospital, which finds the two former loves rekindling many of the feels that brought them together in the first place.

The official Days of our Lives promo for the week also teases how Mason (Brandon Butler) and Holly (Ashley Puzemis) get a very unexpected caller which is Sophia (Rachel Boyd)!

Photo: Corday Productions

Meanwhile, Steve (Stephen Nichols) is heard saying, “Never give EJ DiMera the benefit of the doubt. You might learn to regret it!” Next, we see Cat (AnnaLynne McCord) appear to be hanging onto Steve’s every word.

Meanwhile, Lani (Sal Stowers) celebrates her return to the Salem PD, while many Salem residents get ready for Halloween.

Chad (Conner Floyd) and his son Thomas (Cole Gersmeyer) are ready for Fright Night, as is Kirsten (Stacy Haiduk)! But as things go in Salem, masks, hidden identities, and more make for mystery and mayhem! The conclusion of the promo shows an upset EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) throwing a book at the portrait of his father, Stefano DiMera.  What has him so unglued?

Photo: Corday Productions

SPOILERS

Here’s a look at additional Days of our Lives spoilers for this week.

Monday, October 26

Brady gets devastating news.
Leo and Javi share an emotional moment.

Tuesday, October 27

Marlena hesitates to reach out to Dominic.
Kristen makes a confession to Lani.

Wednesday, October 28

Johnny faces down his father – and his future.
Stephanie gets surprising news from Alex.

Thursday, October 29

Johnny and Chanel receive wonderful news.
Brady and Sarah have a heart-to-heart conversation.

Friday, October 30

Sarah and Xander share an emotional reunion.
Julie breaks up with Foster.
Kristen ties up some loose ends.
Chad refuses to be intimidated by EJ.

Now below, check out this week’s DAYS promo entitled, “Spooky Salem.”

Then weigh-in: are you rooting for Sarah and Xander to get back together? What is EJ so upset about? Is it about his half-brother, Dominic Marino? What skullduggery might go down on Halloween night in Salem? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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Breaking News

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

Published

4 days ago

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October 22, 2026

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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

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

Published

6 days ago

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October 20, 2026

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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 fiancé ‘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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