Breaking News
Greg Rikaart Wraps His Run As DAYS Leo Stark Expressing: “Playing This Role Has Been A Gift.”
He took the Salem canvas by storm, earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for his role as dastardly Leo Stark and now following Tuesday’s airshow of NBC’s Days of our Lives, finished his run. Greg Rikaart played Leo for all his worth and then some, a gay villain something truly not seen on daytime, previously.
With great zippy dialog and zingers from DAYS head writer Ron Carlivati and his writing team, Rikaart lit up the screen every time Leo trounced in to cause trouble in the lives of Sonny (Freddie Smith) and Will (Chandler Massey), and anyone else in his path in his quest for money and power (and flirting with a plethora of “straight” male characters in Salem).
However for Leo, every scheme ended up backfiring on him, complete with learning his evil mother, Diana (Judith Chapman) lied to him about John Black (Drake Hogestyn) being his bio-dad.
In a tweet on Tuesday, Rikaart said a public goodbye to the role by stating: “That’s a wrap on Leo. Thanks for all the love. Playing this role has been a gift. An absurdly fun and delicious gift.”
In story, after finally having no choice but to sign Sonny’s annulment papers of their bogus marriage, Leo gives the ‘Evil Eye’, a curse, and stares down and puts in on Will. Later, Will develops a terrible headache and is not feeling well, setting the stage for the next leg of Sonny and Will’s attempts to finally be together once and for all, problem free. But this is a soap after all, right?
So, sad to see Rikaart’s Leo exit the canvas? Do you hope they write the character back in somewhere down the line? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Leo was so much fun to watch. Greg is a fabulous actor. I truly wish him well and hope against hope that Kevin comes back to Genoa City sooner rather than later.
He was fantastic in this role, especially the scenes shared with Judith Chapman “Dianna”. I hope they both return to Y&R.
Wouldn’t thst be fantastiv,Toscanti?!…Two of the best actors!!
Greg is so authentically versatile. We have seen him act the infuriating maniacal menace transforming into this really good guy ( Kevin, Y&R).
Both brought drama, comedy and hope to DOOL—-
My interest has been piqued regardless of their exiting the show….
Is Rafe Jordan’s baby’s father ( if there really is a child)?
And, is Melissa Haley’s mother? Not her sister?
Y&R is rebuilding and Greg is a block that it could use!
I am so sorry to see him go. I love Greg. He’s terrific in that role. I loved seeing him leap across the table to strangle his mother. That was priceless. They should keep Leo around. After seeing the horrible person his mother has become, Leo could slowly reform. I’m really shocked to hear this. I expected him to stay and Diana to go off to prison. Maybe they aren’t finished with her yet since she has a connection to the rotten snake Ted. Whatever happens, I wish Greg much success in his future.
Yes, what is going on with Diana and Ted? I thought her connection to him would mean she would get off. I was not expecting them to leave now. I want them on forever!!! Kinda disappointed they made John not Leo’s dad.
I have to say this kinda sucks because it was fun watching a gay villain on a soap. I think Greg was hilarious when his character would go after the straight men in Salem.
HOWEVER…I wouldn’t mind seeing him back on Y&R and Genoa City. His other character, Kevin Fisher, was alot of fun to watch too. Maybe there’s a certain soap god listening to me?…
And Leo with Gabi! Priceless. So many good scenes.
Am sorry for Mr. Rikaart to leave DAYS but could it mean a return to Y&R? Look, if a return of Adam is in the works as many here speculate, then the whole reason for Chole’s underground life is unnecessary. Like the course correction that seems to be playing out currently — JT is alive! Brain tumor caused his evil actions? Do over? — Adam’s return would nullify all that stupid story about Kevin and Chloe.
Also, DAYS does gay right. Y&R could take a lesson here.
I liked Leo Stark and the pairing of Mr. Rikaart with Judith Chapman on DAYS. Kevin and Gloria were favorites of mine on Y&R even when written poorly. You need some troublemakers with sense of humor. you need some actors who are watchable and engaging!
I would like to see Leo stay in Salem and on a road to redemption. I will miss seeing Greg Rikaart on the canvas.
I didn’t know yesterday was his last show. I’m super sad to see Greg and Leo go. He brought humor and fun to the show. And an awesome wardrobe and fun dialogue. “I”m half Black.” Calling his mother Meryl Streep. LOL
He was a bright spot on the canvas. You could tell he was having fun.
He did a great job, sorry to see funny Leo go, he was an interesting character
I can almost tolerate Leo if they give him something else to do besides come between Sonny & Will. But for Hell’s sake his bug eyed lunatic mother has to GO!
Good! Now Kevin can come back to Genoa City!
Maybe he’ll return to Young and the Restless ; however, I hope not because I’ve never liked him on that show.
They keep rotating characters on this show so when some leave it doesnt mean the end…also rumored to return is Bo Brady!!!!
Greg had a good run, making us laugh as well as hate him. I hear good old mom will be sticking around for a while. Can’t believe we will have to see this crazy curse thing continue with Will. So disappointed that he would be so susseptable, if that’s the right word, to something like that. Anyway, hope Greg finds his way back to GC, minus Chloe. Bad enough seeing her in PC. Thought she was leaving soon.
He was a breath of fresh air. I do hope they bring him back. With all the build-up, I thought he and Judith (Diana) would be in Salem a lot longer. They sizzled as son and mother.
Oh no not another one.I liked Leo he was so funny and those loud suits he would wear are something else.I thought this actor would be on the show for awhile.Everyone keeps leaving Days.Why?I really enjoyed watching him even though he could be a pain in the a-s.He made me smile something I so needed.Hope he will come back soon.
Breaking News
(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!
After exciting morning for your favorite daytime stars when they were revealed to be nominees for the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards comes tonight 10th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special.
Beginning at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT, several of the nominees will talk with Michael Fairman on their reactions to the news they have been nominated for a Daytime Emmy, share what scenes they submitted that landed in the top five or six in their respective performer acting categories and much more.
Scheduled to appear are: Days of our Lives nominees, Tamara Braun (Ava), Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Linsey Godfrey (Sarah), The Young and the Restless nominees: Allison Lanier (Summer), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Courtney Hope (Sally), Bryton James (Devon), The Bold and the Beautiful’s John McCook (Eric), General Hospital nominees, Finola Hughes (Anna) and Alley Mills (Heather), and The Bay’s Mike Manning (Caleb).
The 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ on Friday night, June 7th and emanating, once again this year from the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
For a full list of this year’s nominations click here.
Now, watch below as the stars chat it up as we celebrate their Daytime Emmy Nominations. If you have a potential question you might want posed to any of our guests, drop it in the comment section below and we just might ask it on air.
Breaking News
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) have officially announced on Friday, the full list of nominees for the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
While Thursday brought with it four reveals of the nominees in the Outstanding Daytime Drama, Talk Show Host, Lead Actor and Actress categories (as presented by various entertainment news programs), today’s nominations include all the other categories not previously announced.
The Daytime Emmy Awards telecast is set to be presented live on Friday night, June 7, at 8 PM EDT /delayed PT, on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+. This will mark the 18th time that CBS has broadcast the Daytime Emmys.
In addition, The Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy Awards will be presented on Saturday, June 8 at t9 PM ET/6 PM PT and streamed on The Emmys apps and at watch.TheEmmys.tv. The ceremonies will take place at the Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles.
Television icon, Dick Van Dyke has received his first-ever Daytime Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Guest Performer category for his touching portrayal of Timothy Robicheaux on Peacock’s Days of our Lives. The nomination makes Van Dyke the oldest Daytime Emmy nominee in history at 98-years-old. In addition, motion picture and TV star, Guy Pearce, is also nominated as Guest Performer for his longtime role as Mike Young in the reboot of Neighbours.
Speaking of Neighbours, the Australian soap opera also received its first ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Daytime Drama Series now that its a revival can be streamed on Amazon Freevee. In addition, The Young and the Restless iconic, Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) received his first Daytime Emmy nomination in more than 20 years in the Lead Actor in a Drama Series category.
In the Daytime Drama series categories, CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless each scored 12 nominations more than any other show. Leading the acting nominations was B&B, who landed 7 performers in the various categories, a first in its 37-year history.
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President & CEO, NATAS expressed, “We are happy to once again honor the creative talent both in front of and behind the camera of America’s favorite Daytime programs. We look forward to celebrating the icons who enliven the days of audiences across the country.”
Brent Stanton, Head of Daytime, NATAS added, “Producing the Daytime Emmys is a labor of love for all of us at NATAS. The huge popularity of these shows continues to be must-see viewing for their fans.” NATAS also revealed that Lifetime Achievement Honorees, Hosts, Presenters, and Silver and Gold Circle honorees will be revealed at a later date.
The Daytime Emmy Awards recognize outstanding achievement in television programming honoring work in a variety of categories, including daytime dramas, talk shows, instructional programming, hosting, culinary, and legal/courtroom programs. In 2021, NATAS and the Television Academy jointly announced plans to realign the Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards to be organized by content genre, as opposed to program airtime.
The 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be produced once again by NATAS and Associated Television International (ATI). Adam Sharp and Lisa Armstrong are executive producers from NATAS, while David McKenzie executive produces from ATI.
Congratulations to all the men and women in front of the camera and behind the scenes for their recognition as we take a look at who will be going for gold come June. Here are the nominees below starting with the Daytime Drama Categories.
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
Neighbours
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS
Tamara Braun, Days of our Lives
Finola Hughes, General Hospital
Katherine Kelly Lang, The Bold and the Beautiful
Annika Noelle, The Bold and the Beautiful
Michelle Stafford, The Young and the Restless
Cynthia Watros, General Hospital
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR
Eric Braeden, The Young and the Restless
Scott Clifton, The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye, The Bold and the Beautiful
Eric Martsolf, Days of our Lives
John McCook, The Bold and the Beautiful
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS
Jennifer Gareis, The Bold and the Beautiful
Linsey Godfrey, Days of our Lives
Courtney Hope, The Young and the Restless
Allison Lanier, The Young and the Restless
Emily O’Brien, Days of our Lives
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR
Robert Gossett, General Hospital
Bryton James, The Young and the Restless
Wally Kurth, Days of our Lives
A Martinez, The Bay
Mike Manning, The Bay
OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
Linden Ashby, The Young and the Restless
Ashley Jones, The Bold and the Beautiful
Alley Mills, General Hospital
Guy Pearce, Neighbours
Dick Van Dyke, Days of our Lives
OUTSTANDING WRITING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DIRECTION
General Hospital
The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The View
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL DIRECTION, CAMERAWORK, VIDEO
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade
The Kelly Clarkson Show
OUTSTANDING CASTING
African Queens: Njinga
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
Start Up
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING ART DIRECTION/SET DECORATION/SCENIC DESIGN
African Queens: Njinga
The Drew Barrymore Show
General Hospital
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The View
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN/STYLING
African Queens: Njinga
The Bold and the Beautiful
The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri
OUTSTANDING HAIRSTYLING AND MAKEUP
African Queens: Njinga
The Drew Barrymore Show
Sherri
The View
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SONG
“Shine” General Hospital
“Unexpected Truth”Unexpected
“We’re Home” Reconnecting Roots
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME TALK SERIES
The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall
Turning The Tables with Robin Roberts
The View
OUTSTANDING ENTERTAINMENT NEWS SERIES
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
OUTSTANDING CULINARY SERIES
Be My Guest with Ina Garten
Family Dinner
Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays
Valerie’s Home Cooking
What Am I Eating? with Zooey Deschanel
OUTSTANDING LEGAL/COURTROOM PROGRAM
Hot Bench
Judy Justice
Justice For The People with Judge Milian
The People’s Court
We The People with Judge Lauren Lake
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
Mark Consuelos, Kelly Ripa, Live with Kelly and Mark
Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Natalie Morales, Jerry O’Connell, Sheryl Underwood, The Talk
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
OUTSTANDING CULINARY HOST
Lidia Bastianich, 25 Years with Lidia: A Culinary Jubilee
Valerie Bertinelli, Valerie’s Home Cooking
Eduardo Garcia, Big Sky Kitchen with Eduardo Garcia
Emeril Lagasse, Emeril Cooks
Sophia Roe, Counter Space
Buddy Valastro, Legends of the Fork
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME PERSONALITY – DAILY
Frank Caprio, Caught in Providence
Kevin Frazier, Nischelle Turner , Matt Cohen, Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Will Marfuggi, Rachel Smith, Entertainment Tonight
Deborah Norville, Steven Fabian, Lisa Guerrero, Ann Mercogliano, Jim Moret, Les Trent. Inside Edition
Robert Hernandez, Star Jones, Divorce Court
Judge Judy Sheindlin, Whitney Kumar, Kevin Rasco, Sarah Rose, Judy Justice
What do you think about the nominations for the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Who do you think deserved to get in that did? Who do you think got snubbed? Who are you happiest to see receive a nomination? Let us know via the comment section below.
Make sure to be with us live starting tonight Friday, April 19th at 8pm ET/5pm PT for the Michael Fairman Channel’s 10th anniversary edition of its Daytime Emmy Nomination Special 2024, featuring some of the just announced daytime drama nominees.
Breaking News
51st Daytime Emmys: Outstanding Daytime Drama Series Nominations
On Thursday, the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards revealed nominations in several key categories via four entertainment news programs: Access Hollywood, E! News, Extra and Access Hollywood.
Three of the four announcements were major categories in the field of Daytime Dramas.
The nominees in the Outstanding Daytime Drama Series category are: The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, Neighbours and The Young and the Restless.
General Hospital won this category last year, and has the most all-time wins for a series in this category. For the first time, the beloved Australian-based soap opera, Neighbours is now eligible for competition due to its reboot which streams on Amazon Freevee.
The 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out in ceremonies in Los Angeles and broadcast live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ on Friday night, June 7th.
Previous categories announced tonight via the entertainment news outlet included: Lead Actor and Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
So, what do you think about this year’s nominee for the Outstanding Daytime Drama Series? Who do you think should win? Comment below.
-
General HospitalApril 12, 2024
George Russo to Appear on General Hospital as Carmine Cerullo
-
General HospitalApril 15, 2024
General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
-
Days Of Our LivesApril 13, 2024
Ron Carlivati Talks on Decision to Make Days of our Lives 15000th Episode About Doug’s Funeral, and Previews Chances for WGA Award
-
RecapsApril 14, 2024
Y&R’s Eileen Davidson Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
-
Days Of Our LivesApril 14, 2024
Days of our Lives wins WGA Award for Daytime Drama Series
-
NewsApril 12, 2024
Y&R’s Hayley Erin Previews Her Role in Horror-Thriller ‘New Life’