Days Of Our Lives
EXCLUSIVE: Daytime Emmys Social Issues On The Soaps Clip Package Extended Version!

Courtesy/ABC
At the beginning of this month, NATAS produced and held the 43rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony, which fans of daytime were able to view online in the days following.
During the ceremony, the Daytime Emmys spotlighted in an emotional clip package, on the tremendous achievement of the daytime soaps in taking on and reflecting the social issues of our time. Throughout the genre’s history they have been known to be at the forefront of telling these types of stories and using their characters as the vehicle to move, enlighten, and inform the audience.
On-Air On-Soaps Michael Fairman was the segment producer of this clip package, and now we are making available exclusively the extended version of the piece here, which includes more scenes and moments than in the shorter version that was played at the ceremony which was cut down for show timing.

Courtesy/NBC
From General Hospital’s HIV/AIDS storyline to shedding light on bipolar disorder, to The Bold and the Beautiful’s transgender storyline and the plight of the homeless, to Days of our Lives, same-sex marriage, coming out, and crib death stories, to The Young and the Restless tackling alcoholism, prostate cancer and more, these stories have touched all of us throughout the years. These spotlighted social issues are just a small window into some of the great work the soaps have done over the decades, and while we know there are many social issues from shows that are no longer with us, it should be noted that the package was only to include stories from the four daytime dramas left on the air.
Watch the extended version of the Daytime Emmys social issues on the soaps package after the jump. Then let us know what was the moment, or story highlighted, that touched you the most from it in the comment section below!
Why I loves soap!!
Thank you Michael. This is a good reminder of how just how valuable soaps can be – if they want to be! And thank you for including both Chandler Massey and Guy Wilson as Days of Our Lives’ Will Horton.
It is such a shame that soap turned to darkness. What a waste!
All of this shows me one thing Leslie Charleson should have won the Emmy for that storyline and oh my god how I miss Stuart Damon and Susan Flannery!
Soaps operas have the power to change the world! That is one of the reasons I have and always will love the medium of daytime drama.
The soaps are all so good I can’t decide which one is better , the story lines about all these situation and the way the writers show everyone that life is not always a bowll full of cherries and there are many people are going though life with some major things and your not alone.
I enjoyed this very much, but was surprised that abortions were not made a part of it, as this is also an ongoing social issue that is always being fought over in the media and the government. A woman’s right to choose is the most important thing in any woman’s life and this should have been covered as well. Also mental illness, not just bipolar, but split personalities, depression and the like, should have also been addressed in this video as this has also been played out in the soaps over the years. It’s a shame that AMC and OLTL were forgotten as they were such groundbreaking soaps in these issues.
I don’t know if anyone has done anything pro choice on the soaps. It seems to be a politically heated issue that will never go away, and I am amazed they are doing shows about people’s sexuality that bring out the differences from person to person.
My greatest praise to Maurice Bernard, who initially agreed to play a bipolar part, regardless of how it could effect him. Now Sonny has a son in the same position. (This has to be hard to play for both actors) The writers did not just touch on this, but are keeping this subject alive. Millions of people suffer this mental illness, and many of them do not succeed in life, not because they are not smart, but because the disease is one that tries to run your life for you. Then there is the fact that most mental illnesses are still carrying a stigma.
Very powerful. Daytime soaps do not receive the recognition they deserve for the top-notch portrayal of these important issues. If they were on in prime time, they would get this recognition. Shouldn’t make a difference.
Nice clip, particularly with Leslie Charleson as Monica!
Two other thoughts come to mind:
1. The prostate cancer storyline on Y&R was a joke, in that, as originally written, the delays or lack of treatment was supposed to lead to Michael’s death, which, of course, can happen with this cancer without treatment. The writers changed course. But a major plot point was Lauren not getting her physical needs met. This was an insult to anyone with this cancer, as the health of the patient should be the notable consideration.
2. Just as I have done for the past 2+ decades while watching GH, I fast-forwarded through the scenes involving Sonny. Social issues are indeed important, but the biggest social issue is how people treat each other — the Golden Rule, as it were — and given Sonny’s murderous, abusive, criminal history, he is no role model and thus the worst vehicle to teach others compassion on any social issue…
Breaking News
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

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).

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

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.

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

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.

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.”

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.”

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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