Days Of Our Lives

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

7 months ago

December 8, 2025

Michael

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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Rodd

7 months ago

Loved it!

Beyond the Gates

TONIGHT: Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 Live: Nominated Guest Line-Up

Published

3 days ago

July 14, 2026

Michael

Now that this year’s 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Nominations have been announced, several of the acting nominees will share their reactions and more to learning they are going for gold when the ceremony rolls around on October 30.

However, tonight on Tuesday July 14 beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT, Michael Fairman once again host his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations special live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.

Scheduled to appear thus far are: Beyond the Gates stars, Lead Actress nominee: Karla Mosley (Dani), Supporting Actress nominee: Trisha Mann-Grant (Leslie), and Supporting Actor nominees: Mike Manning (Smitty) and Timon Kyle Durrett (Bill).

From The Young and the Restless: Lead Actress nominee Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Lead Actor nominee Christian LeBlanc (Michael), Supporting Actress nominee Camryn Grimes (Mariah) and Supporting Actor nominee Sean Dominic (Nate).

In addition look for General Hospital’s Supporting Actress nominee Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn), from Days of Our Lives, Outstanding Guest Performer nominee, Christopher Sean (Paul) and from The Bold and the Beautiful Lead Actor nominee Scott Clifton (Liam) and Supporting Actor nominee Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter) plus more featured guests.

So, what did you think of this year’s Emmy nominations for Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless?

Be with us in the live chat with your questions and comments on this year’s nominations and for our special guests.

For upcoming celebrity features, livestreams, special event coverage and more, make sure to “subscribe” to the Michael Fairman Channel.

So, looking forward to tonight’s special show with the nominees? Let us know via the comment section below and if you can’t be with us live, if you have any questions you want posed to our special guests and we just might ask during the broadcast.

Beyond the Gates

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 15

Published

3 days ago

July 14, 2026

Michael

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 15, respectively.

General Hospital was next with 13 overall nominations, followed by Days of our Lives with 8 and The Bold and the Beautiful with 7 nods. The full reveal on Tuesday, follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.

The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony are set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California. The ceremony is currently planned to stream via watch.theemmys.tv and its associated apps. For the second year in a row, both the main Emmys and the Creative Arts will be presented together in one night.

Photo: CBS

In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”

“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”

The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.

Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories. Congratulations to all!

Photo: JPI

Outstanding Daytime Drama Series

Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series

Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates

Photo: ABC

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series

Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series

Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series

Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful

Photo: ABC

Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series

Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates

Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series

Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series

Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital

Photo: CBS

Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series

Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program

Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Daytime Talk Series

3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View

Photo: ABC

Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host

Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri

Outstanding Entertainment News Series

Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra

Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)

Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court

Photo: WBTV

Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program

Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre

Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime

Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program

Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”

Photo: CBS

Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program

Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273

Outstanding Costume Design / Styling for a Daytime Program

The Jennifer Hudson Show, Episode 4140
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Young and the Restless Episode 13149
The Young and the Restless Episode 13273

Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for a Live Daytime Program

The Bold and the Beautiful, Episode 9658
The Jennifer Hudson Show Episode 4039
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5007
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13260

Outstanding Lighting Direction for a Daytime Program

Beyond the Gates Episode 104
General Hospital Episode 15624
The Jennifer Hudson Show Episode 4010
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 6169
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”

Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design for a Daytime Program

The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Live with Kelly and Mark Episode 250414
The View Episode 6280
The Young and the Restless Episode 13145
The Young and the Restless Episode 13244

So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.

Beyond the Gates

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series

Published

4 days ago

July 13, 2026

Michael

Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.

ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.

Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.

Photo: NATAS

THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …

The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.

This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.

Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.

Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.

Photo: ABC

DAYTIME TALK SERIES

In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.

“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”

The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.

So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.