Connect with us

Breaking News

36

Freddie Smith Reveals That He and Chandler Massey Will Be Exiting DAYS

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Photo: JPI

In a shocking and special videotaped message and posting on Wednesday from DAYS Daytime Emmy-winner, Freddie Smith (Sonny); the actor shared that he, along with his longtime on-screen scene partner, Chandler Massey (Will), have been reportedly released from their contracts at Days of our Lives.

Freddie relates that the two are currently wrapping up their final episodes, as of now, with the long-running NBC daytime drama series, which was just officially renewed for another season by NBC.

According to Smith, what he posted with the video said:  “I know it’s a bit shocking, but it’s true. Will and Sonny’s last episode is projected to air September ”

Remember, DAYS tapes months ahead of air.  Smith says he will not divulge how Sonny and Will leave the canvas.  He also says that Massey will join him for a special podcast tomorrow to discuss the situation further.

Within the video, Smith shares his thoughts on being part of the power couple of WilSon that has meant so much to so many fans of the series and the LGBTQ community.  He adds on the upcoming departures: “It was not our choice.  We were looking forward to staying on and keeping the story going.”

In a tweet today, Chandler Massey added: “Wish it weren’t coming to an end, but I will be forever grateful to everyone who went on this journey with us.” While Smith shared: “I will miss Salem so much!! Thank you all for the incredible love and support throughout the years. I really feel we told a love story that will live on forever.”

Watch the video below where Freddie talks about his exit at DAYS and his thoughts on it.

Now let us know, what do you think about Freddie and Chandler exiting Days of our Lives? Share your sentiments in the comment section.

36 Comments

36 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Unbelievable – well this is the end of the only male gay couple on our soaps…………

Um… Lucas and Brad are still hanging on by a thread.

And yet, I don’t see them surviving the fallout, once Lucas realizes his “son” is actually his nephew’s son, and that Brad knew about it all along. Actually Lucas already knows this, but a head injury made him forget it. Once his memory returns, Brad is probably toast. Sad for Lucas, as there doesn’t seem to be any other options for him in Port Charles (the nurse, Felix?? was that his name?? seems to be long gone.)

I do agree that Brad (despite being on the show for 7 years) is not viable as a long term character. Felix isn’t the answer as the character is rather milquetoast.

Perhaps someone like Brando will surprise us and be on Lucas’ team.

Well, depending on who Brando works for, that could present some interesting conflicts. Logically, he’s either an undercover cop, federal agent, or working for this new criminal Cyrus.

Lucas is a Jerome by birth, and he has two sisters married into the Corinthos organization (not to mention Brad’s lineage to the Chinese mob of the old Asian Quarter storyline) so his life is already a mob balancing act as it is.

Will and Sonny haven’t had a good storyline since before Chandler came back. Seems to me that the writers have no idea how to write for this couple. I’m sorry to see them go.

The writers do know, but co-executive producer Albert Alarr strikes every “Wilson” storyline down. He has said some of their proposed storylines are too gay.

I think Albert Alarr wanted Sonny and Will gone long ago

Wow… this is a virtual replay of the way ReRon destroyed characters on GH. Write nothing but steaming piles of dragonshit storylines for them for months on end, and then force them out completely.

Will being a Horton & a Brady and Sonny being a Kiriakis, this couple represents a big part of carrying Days forward into the next generation. Add to that the fact that they were the first gay couple on the show, which was a pretty big deal at the time it happened.

Huge mistake to screw them over like this.

What are they doing to this show? All the favorites are being let go. This stinks. Fans will be dropping like flies. Hate these changes.

I would not be surprised if letting Freddie Smith and Chandler Massey, along with Galen Gering, go is in response to NBC orders to cut the costs of production

Who is the idiot who who fired them? I came back to Days when Chandler returned, I’ll leave again when he does.

This is sad. It was Will and his coming out story that made me a regular viewer of Days and while I’m surprised, I’m not surprised (hey, this show wrote Marlena and John off for a few years – ANYONE is clearly expendable on DAYS). Thing is, this is DAYS – they could easily be back in six months or a year. I think in some ways, Will and Sonny were cursed. Too ‘special’ to the show as their first gay couple to actually tear apart for long, and the only gay guys in town unless the show brings in a ‘third’ every so often to cause some potential – but not long lasting – problems for the duo. It’s ulitimately a limitation of imagination and willingness, but it has been an issue for them on the show. And although they could always be in other stories, Sonny was never a convincing suited up business man, and Will is a writer only when it’s convenient for the story. Romance and breakups and new partners are ultimately what keep a soap couple or character going over time and if the writers are going to treat them like delicate crystals that you don’t want to put too many cracks in – then there’s no where for them to go. I wish both of them success.

I have been a DOOL fan since 1965(yes,Iam old).Chandler and Freddie are two of my favorites,cannot believe they will not be on show.Let’s hope it’s only a short hiatus because,if they don’t come back eventually,DOOL will lose a long-time viewer.

OUTRAGEOUS! Two of the show’s best, and bravest, actors gone? Casey Moss leaving also? Wow, the dreamboat factor just hit a major iceberg. Two core family characters cut reminds me of Y&R’s current crisis…abandon the best in favor of the new. Not sure that’s what’s happening here, but whatever it is stinks. It also reeks of homophobia. On the plus side, maybe they can move to GH or Y&R.

Here Ye ; Here Ye

“…dreamboat factor just hit a major iceberg ”

“No shit” !!!!! NO!

Freddie Smith… if Casey Moss… AND ^^^^ as posted !!!! Galen Gering

well… that still leaves me : dag their dreamboat HUGE. Justin, Eric, Brady, Xander, Ben, Chad

NONETHELESS – my faves being.. JJ – Rafe’alicious – Sonny

so.. the “sting” is on

cache low… sacrifice

it’s a wonder to me how much it hits that these actors have personal lives.. and who knows how much their nest egg meets. LOVE THE SHOW… the upheaval to the respective cast, crew, hardened fan… oy

I am so disappointed in how this show has treated these characters under head writer Ron Carlivati. In the last 3 years, I have finally fallen out of love with Days of Our Lives. Now with my last 2 reasons to continue watching this series being removed, I will no longer be watching after the fall. Both actors and characters deserved so,so much better. I’ll check back in if and when these 2 characters return, or Ron Carlivati is replaced.

Hmmmm, writing out a number of fan favorites? Not very smart! DePaiva, the actor who plays JJ, possibly Galen Gering, Judi Evans and probably more to come. I miss the days when soap writers would give interviews and explain the upcoming plans for the shows. I gave insight into future plots and leave you wondering wtf!

And not leave you wondering wtf??

Quit crying please…you are not the first or last to be written off a soap … Just ask Bill and Mike Horton…

Lol. How true!!

I think they ‘WILL’ be back and there will be ‘SONNY’ DAYS once again!!!!

this IS a’ “bloodbath” @the expense of being renewed

HIT

argh! the heart stop ; empty OUT! fits of anger… why should Hope, Nicole, Jennifer, time and again be given reprieve
if the show wants new viewers.. they certainly don’t know ^^^^ WHY? the acting ; by Kassie DePaiva; Judi Evans, Freddie Smith, Chandler Massey are god send…. on so many levels of parlay AND whet the audience fervor, no?

having no lay of the land, AND waiting out this superlative mind field of ;

GOD … for acting, crew, and audience’ hold

9 years of “WilSon”

grand buffet; these two

my life on screen ? WHAT ? Fine’ally

Freddie Smith: “you” are one of my favorite male Lead
OKAY – so beyond your dazzle GOOD looks.. your acting consummate Camera loved you too

I don’t know… with Judi Evans let ; Wally Kurth enjoying his two show ; how long is John Anniston Victor .. well that’s forever in our heart

No Chandler
No Freddie, ; that’s a gaping “whole”

a quality super couple who could ACT period. which is why this is a downer

I will be curious… or rather numbed down .. come the REAL TURN around that Ron C and his ship WILL MOVE in September

Ron C. is seriously , going to have to , address this , blood let

whos coming ; whos going

like never before to curtail or stampede

fallout ; rally ; this is difficult to fan

it’s still 6 months to wait

Does anyone see the common thread here? The big name characters are being written off. It’s about money. The show had to pitch the idea of a much decreased budget and this is how they got the reprieve back when they were supposed to have been cancelled a few months ago. A part of me feels now that they should have wrapped up all the storylines and let the show die in a happy way. I don’t see how all these exits will keep DAYS going beyond that year extension they just got.

A complete SHOCK! This is NOT good.

I mean, the only reason I’ve ever bothered to watch this show is Will & Sonny. It’s bittersweet, because I know they have so much story to tell – and I’d love to see it play out on screen – but a certain executive producer has held them back for years now. I hope the show can rectify two mistakes as soon as possible here.

Would have been nice if this hadn’t been spoiled. I am sorry to see them go. I’ll miss them.

Being that the show continues to tape 7 months ahead of airing, not spoiling is near impossible. If they waited until the story aired in September, DAYS would be taping episodes for May 2021 then, with storylines likely planned out until contract renewal time. As these are popular characters, releasing the story at this time allows for fan outcry to bring them back in a timely manner.

Very sad.

This is such a shame! WilSon’s story became very ho-hum over the past year or more. They really weren’t given any meaty story to play since that Leo guy left town. And even that wasn’t very deep. If the word is true and that new-ish producer put the ax on any story pitches for them, then he’s the one who needs to go.

Of course, there are many others gone or going that I’m not pleased about. Practically all the time-jump stories leave me wanting it all to be a dream. Maybe this will be just another dream.

On the other hand, budget cuts stink. As soon as the sets started to shrink, I had that de ja vu feeling like when Guiding Light had massive budget cuts and started filming outdoors and in tiny real rooms. It spelled the end for them and I fear the same for DAYS. Hope not.

This show has a lot of dead weight…these two included. I like when they freshen up the show every so often. It’s not like they wont be back! They cut a bunch of contracts back in 2003 with that Stalker storyline. That was just a big money saving crunch. They cut about 10 vets for nearly a year….some of them only returned on a very recurring basis…they saved alot of money. I love DePaiva, but she played a poorly written, islanded character with little to no rooting value. It was time for her to leave. Ron’s writing is SO predictable…Justin and Kayla’s (wedding day) will come….and Steve and Adrienne will crash the wedding. Enjoy the comings and goings…..quit whining…..they’re fun. You know you’re not going to quit watching. I have. Since the time jump I have watched three episodes only. It is plot driven nonsense. It is back to that Jim Reilly level of production…where a middle school stage production is better written and put together. I would be embarrassed to put out this product. New writer time!

As I posted about Rafe/Galen. I think Days is making a BIG mistake. Letting you 3 go doesn’t sound like a good business decision considerering how popular you are with us fans. Going to miss all of you and hope you do get to come back.

Oh and I forgot about JJ/Casey. That’s 4 main characters leaving. Big big mistake on Days’ part. I’ve only been watching when Will, Sonny, and Rafe are on cause I hate the Hope/Gina & Stefano/Steve storeyline. Its just so far out there. But again best of luck!

What are the idiots in charge of Days doing? The head writer should be fired first..he can’t develop characters & creates stagnation. All he knows is tiresome triangles for angst, sci fi body swapping, etc. Keep those two & jettison the ridiculous Justin/Kayla pairing. They can go to GH & pick up their roles as Ned/Katherine. MEH chemistry there too but hey Wally has a full time Contract with GH. Then u can open up money to keep some talent such as Chandler.

Beyond the Gates

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16

Published

on

By

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 16, respectively.

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 is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.

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 and 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

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

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

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

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

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”

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

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.

Continue Reading

Beyond the Gates

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

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Breaking News

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

Published

on

By

Monday afternoon, Extra kicked-off the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations with the reveal of two major categories. First, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and second, Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host.

Previous Emmy winners all, the men who will be vying for daytime’s most coveted prize are: Eric Braeden (Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless, Steve Burton (Jason Morgan), General Hospital, Scott Clifton (Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful, Thorsten Kaye (Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Christian Jules Le Blanc (Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless.

Let’s take a look at the actors Emmy resumes: Eric Braeden has been nominated nine times for Lead Actor and won once in 1998. Steve Burton is a two-time Daytime Emmy winner, both in the Outstanding Supporting Actor category for GH as Jason Morgan and Y&R as Dylan McAvoy. Today’s nomination makes it his 10th overall, and his third time in the the Lead Actor category.

Photo: NATAS

Scott Clifton has won three times previously in 2011, 2013 and 2017 and has the distinction of being the only actor to win in Younger Actor, Supporting and Lead. This is his 8th nomination.

Thorsten Kaye is a two-time Lead Actor winner in 2023 and 2024. Christian LeBlanc has also won three times as Lead Actor in 2005, 2007 and 2009 and this is his first nod in over a decade.

Photo: NBCUniversal

TALK SHOW HOSTS

In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host, the nominees are: Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, and Ana Navarro, The View, Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall, Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show, and Sherri Shepherd, Sherri.

Both The Kelly Clarkson Show and Sherri have come to their conclusions as Sherri was canceled after 4 seasons and Kelly Clarkson decided to end her talk show after 7 seasons.

The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are set to be handed out in a ceremony on October 30 in Hollywood with more details forthcoming. The complete list of 2026 Daytime Emmy nominations will be revealed tomorrow on July 14 beginning at 12pm ET/9am PT via The Emmys.TV social channels and website.

So, what do you think of the race for Lead Actor in a Drama Series? Surprised by any of the nominees? Who are you rooting for? What do you think about the the talk show host category? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

General Hospital

Airdate: 5-14-2026

Popular

36
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x