Days Of Our Lives
James Scott Comments: “I Will Never. Never. Never. Never. Never, Go Back to Hollywood Let Alone DOOL”
Those hoping that finally James Scott would return to his signature daytime soap role of EJ DiMera on Days of our Lives, now that Alison Sweeney is on her way back to the show this fall for a longer run as Sami, can count those hopes now dashed and for good.
In a post on his Instagram account for his meditation and contemplations Sunday morning Zoom series and website, Scott posed with Deepak Chopra. When a fans posted a comment in the IG account how they miss him on DAYS and to come back with Sami, James replied, “Hi – thanks for joining me here. Please know that I will never. Never. Never. Never. Never. Go back to Hollywood let alone DOOL. There is notbing interesting there for me. J”
Fan favorite James Scott, who has been MIA from the acting profession for awhile now is running The Whisper Within – and as detailed by the website, Scott explains how he left acting to be more involved with meditation and helping others find inner-peace – “In 2014, after a successful career in the entertainment industry, I found myself with everything and nothing. I had money, celebrity, and status and the grief to match it. I had worked tirelessly for the better part of two decades to attain wealth and validation, yet no external thing could touch the emptiness I felt and the worthlessness I experienced. I knew that something unknown wished to be known—something I could feel only through its apparent absence. In my despair and depression, I faced a simple choice: to change my lived experience or to end it. One felt impossible; the other easy I had already spent so much time reading self-help books, attending workshops and retreats, drinking concoctions with shamans, exploring tantra and abstaining from sex all together, dancing and singing, and many more practices, which had done little or nothing to abate the loneliness.
Desperate and in despair, still seeking, still suffering, I found my way to an Indian meditation center. I went for a week and stayed for a year. It was there in my own reflection that I found the teacher I had been seeking silently waiting to be known. At first, there was rage and anger, but eventually the intensity of the fire burned low and sadness took its place. I cried and cried until I cried myself empty and something new arose: beneath it all, I discovered a newfound peace. Like a fragrance arising from deep within, I heard the sound of the silence that can never be spoken: the eternal wisdom of the whisper within. To live from this place is my practice and my path. To inspire others to do the same is my purpose.”
So, what do you think about James’ comments and path that he has now gone down for his life? Do you think its time for DAYS to finally re-cast EJ? Comment below.
He’s hot. And you know the old saying – they all come crawling back to Hollywood. In the above story, you might want to replace the word mediation with meditation. BIG difference…
Good for him for sticking to his guns. It is clear he has zero interest, and I hope that people allow him to live out his life in the ways for which he wants to. I am happy he seems to be happy with himself currently, and that is what matters at the end of the day.
Definitely time to re-cast! Not sure who, but just makes more sense.
Considering the failure rate of recasts under the ReRon regime at Days, it’s probably best to leave the character off the canvas.
The last thing we need is a male equivalent of NOT-Diana Colville or NOT-Eve Donovan.
It was really a dumb idea to have Elvis be one of Rolf’s zombies without a plan to bring James back, which he clearly has no interest in. They thought it would give them a convenient excuse to keep Sami out of town, “caring for her husband”, but now she’s coming back to Salem more often, so it’s probably best just to pull the plug on the unseen character again, and say Elvis has left the building, permanently.
Worth remembering the head writer in NY has almost nothing to do with casting. And while characters from long ago are free to have their personalities and priorities shifted around, EJ is too recent, with too many current connections, to be very different a character. Personally, I don’t think he’s needed. Let Sami get the bad news that he’s never going to get better than he already has and go through a great letting go story, then find love again. With Lucas or someone new. Enough time has passed.
Eve Donovan’s recast with Kassie DePaiva did not originate under Ron Carlivati; Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell were head writers during that time. Stop trying to blame Carlivati for something he did not originate in writing.
On the topic of EJ DiMera the character- The show should have allowed EJ to remain missing, or confirmed he in fact had died. It would leave the door open down the road for him to reunite with Sami (not necessarily on-screen), perhaps at the closing of the show. Then Sami would be free until then to be with Lucas again, or even Rafe. They made a mistake resurrecting EJ too soon. Now, they should consider killing him off for good. Let EJ go with whatever is left of his dignity (unfortunately, not much after his ill-fated resurrection).
If he’s happy that’s great but I will always miss him on days he was wonderful.
Just four little words from me. No one is indispensible.
I’m delighted that he is doing what fulfills his soul and am delighted that he is happy and contented and willing to help others fill the emptiness within their own souls! I miss him as an imaginary character I enjoyed but I real like & admire and respect this man!
A bit rude. Recast since he doesn’t want to come back. Loved him as EJ, but these comments leave a bad taste in my mouth.
I’m gonna get hammered for this but here goes…………….
His responses seem a little “nutty” to me. The majority of people work like dogs to support a family and have some financial well-being. I’m too busy trying to balance the demands of a job, family and simply life to spend a lot of time speculating about “loneliness”, the meaning of life, etc. Yes, everyone should be happy with their life. (I generally am and certainly am not miserable). However, every day isn’t a picnic. But the rigors of a particular day are just part of the package.
This guy had a lucrative acting career — one that 90% of actors who are struggling just to pay a power bill would kill to have. I roll my eyes when I read comments from a celebrity spouting the type of stuff he says in this interview. He had a good, solid, financially good career going. Yet, he walks away from it to practice yoga, meditate and other things to overcome “loneliness”? Fine, but that ain’t gonna pay the mortgage or help your retirement account.
I may be too much of a realist. I would never abandoned my career for some ill-defined, spiritual quest. He seems like a “flake” to me.
His story is sort of reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac’s founding guitarist, Peter Green, who walked away from that band just as they were starting to get famous. He gave away all his money and went off in search of spiritual fulfillment. Of course, this being in the early 1970s, there were also some psychedelic substances involved, but some of those have been used in spiritual ceremonies by various indigenous peoples for centuries.
Not sure if James has had any “chemical” help in his spiritual journey, but if the man’s happy and didn’t abandon a family or leave anybody in debt, then more power to him, I guess. Hey, I’m the Devil! I’m the last one to discourage anybody from walking their own path!
“I” thought for sure, he left because of how bad, at that time.. the writing gets !!!! that would gnaw at me… even if, it paid the bills. I don’t know, if assessing from his BIO @wiki. you’d think he never tried Hollywood. he did a pilot in 2016.. and nada zilch, dropped off the earth. AND at that time he was neither married or a parent. so i can believe that he did have issues, demons, challenges, ( age 25 when he started AMC… and was 35 when he left @DAYS.. and left America). to up and leave EVERY THING. well… i’m just glad that he had a nest egg… and “sought” energies , that , after 6 years… he’s still being
perhaps his response, was a once and for all… fans persistence – he is an incredible actor… I so wish he would have won… best lead actor… nominated in year 2011, 2012. shoot
James Scott’ you dance
Barbara : I do like your last sentence’ first para:
“…However, every day isn’t a picnic. But the rigors of a particular day are just part of the package. ”
oh, i can only add, that our lives , are this amenable. to let things go… unfortunately, we have our lot to pick up and carry and let go when it’s time
do i pick love – easily
right – ? –
still dancing amongst you
That is fine for you, Barbara. But not everyone needs to live a life filled with materialistic possessions, and in the eye of an acting career. Clearly, he was lonely from it (as many are) and sought an out to find his own path, and that is what should ultimately matter. If he’s happy and content, why should that make him or his quest “ill-defined?” Quite judgmental of you, if I am being honest. Those in glass houses should not throw stones.
Barbara,et all
Not much to say about this. I understand everyone’s reasoning and agree with just about everything said, but in the end some people are never satisfied. even if they were hung with a new rope, go figure.
I’m with you, Barbara; no hammering here at all. It always makes me a little weary when people who have had wealth and success talk about leaving it all behind to seek “fulfillment” or some such. It’s not that I’m not happy for him, if he’s happy, but most of us—as you so accurately pointed out—don’t have the luxury of doing that. To me, it comes off as a kind of “more-evolved-than-though” preaching or maybe some kind of bragging, even, and as Julia Sugarbaker would say, “And that’s not nice.” I won’t begrudge him his spiritual fulfillment, since that’s certainly a legitimate life goal, but it would be less off-putting if he could speak of it in a way that (1) didn’t seem to be looking down his nose at the rest of us (who don’t have the luxury of doing what he’s done) and (2) showed some level of gratitude for the career that (apparently) has made it possible (financially) for him to pursue his higher goals. There’s more than a hint of smugness in what he’s saying–because of the way he says it–that does not come off as at all attractive. He might consider working on that part of himself, too. If he wants to “inspire others to do the same,” he may need to work on his script a bit.
I think it’s a bit unfair to pass judgement on someone’s journey. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Who knows what this man is going through. Sure, he looks great and has a ton of money but that doesn’t mean that he should be fulfilled by those things. Everyone’s walk in life is different. We don’t all view life through the same lens and that doesn’t make some of us “flakes,” that’s just what makes us individuals. All unique, with individual wants and desires. His journey is not mine and it’s not yours, it’s his.
OMG I’m glad someone else said it!!!! I feel
the same way! Recast with another British accented cute actor and it will work! Everyone loves the Chad that we have now. ♀️
Recast Hope too with Eric Brady’s real life wife!
Apparently when James Scott says “let alone Days of Our Lives”, that tells me that he did not have a very good relationship when he left the show with either the cast, the crew, or the writers. So that may be why he’s being very emphatic in saying that he’s not going back there anymore. And considering the bit of a shitshow that Days of Our Lives is in lately, it’s probably best they just let the character of EJ die off.
Given the way that Ken Corday treated KA, the rude and unprofessional way that they notified the actors who were affectionately called WilSon that they had been fired left a horrible taste in my mouth. I’m wondering now if NBC is going to give Days another year.
Perhaps, the show was smart enough to move on from the political crap that happened with Missy Reeves and permanently decided to do a complete recast with Cady McClain.
I am pretty sure that he hated the way EJ’s character was being written. From what I have read, James Scott absolutely DESPISED EJ’s affair with Abigail. Like he hated it. I dont think he liked that after EJ raped Sami, he was still considered a fan favorite.
I didn’t like EJ’s affair with Abigail either.
I didn’t like the affair either, and if you remember she wasn’t totally innocent in the whole thing.
Wow, good luck.
He was my favorite but happy for him
Days Of Our Lives
Sydney Malekeh Joins the Cast of ‘Days of Our Lives’ in Mystery Role: Who Do You Think She’s Playing?

There’s a new gal coming to Salem, or is she new and a recast? That’s what inquiring minds from Days of Our Lives fans have been trying to figure out since the Peacock soap opera dropped an Instagram video heralding actress‘ Sydney Malekeh’s arrival in Salem.
The soap did confirm that viewers will first see Malekeh on the September 9 episode. In the video, Malekeh is seen going set to set from her dressing room and in to the halls of Days of Our Lives studios.
What we do know id that Sydney has been acting professionally for 6 years and had appeared on Grey’s Anatomy, Apple TV’s Shrinking and the HBO Max’s The Sex Lives of College Girls.
Plenty of Malekeh’s DAYS castmates jumped into the comment thread with positive emojis symbols or written excitement including: Paul Telfer (Xander), Linsey Godfrey (Sarah), Sal Stowers (Lani), Conner Floyd (Chad), Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Christie Clark (Carrie) and more now that fans will finally see her on-air. Since Days of Our Lives tapes 10-11 months in advance, Sydney would have started taping the show sometime back in 2025.
DAYS fans think perhaps because the actress’ name is Sydney that she might be playing the grown-up daughter of Sami and EJ. That character hasn’t bee on the canvas since 2021.
So, who do you think Sydney Malekeh might be playing on Days of Our Lives? Drop your casting director thoughts via the comment section below.
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Days Of Our Lives
Peacock Hikes Subscription Rates for Fourth Time in Four Years; ‘Days of Our Lives’ Fans Sound Off

While recently the streaming service Peacock reported turning a profit for its first time since its infancy, now comes word that the company is raising their prices for all customers, and in some cases it stared today on August 18.
The news of the subscription rate increases marks the fourth time the NBCUniversal streaming platform has done so in four years. So, on August 18, Peacock is increasing the prices for new or returning subscribers and customers, while current subscribers will see the rate increase on or after September 17 depending on their billing cycle when they initially signed up.
Here is the new pricing to follow along: Peacock Premium (which includes ads) will be $12.99/month, up two dollars from $10.99; Peacock Premium Plus will be $19.99/month, up three dollars increase from $16.99; and the Peacock Select tier (which includes current and past seasons of NBC and Bravo shows but excludes movies, live sports and Peacock originals) will increase a dollar from $7.99 to $8.99/month.

Photo: JPI
SUBSCRIBERS CONTINUE TO PAY MORE ACROSS THE STREAMER LANDSCAPE
It was back in June that the streamer reported that aid subscribers were up to 48 million adding a 2 million net gain during Q2 in of 2026. The subscription price hikes are rampant now in the entertainment streaming industry where over the last two years for example, Netflix, HBO Max, Apple TV, Paramount+ have all raised their fees to consumers.
Peacock’s tier-levels feature not only Days of Our Lives, but reality hits such as The Traitors and Love Island USA, Bravo series, and a vault of Saturday Night Live, Law & Order, The Real Housewives franchise, and Below Deck episodes as well. Pecock Premium and Premium Plus subscribers have access to sports and live events, as well.
DAYS OF OUR LIVES SUBSCRIBERS HAD A FEW CHOICE WORDS FOR PEACOCK
As Days of Our Lives fans know, the soap opera moved from NBC to the streamer back in September of 2022 after 57 years on broadcast television. When the news hit X on the price increase, DAYS fans had a lot to say about it. Here are just a few of the comments below:
“I can’t believe Peacock and can’t come to a deal with Cordya to air old episodes of #Days. That alone would bring a ton of subscribers,” to If Peacock actually cared about #Days of Our Lives, gave the show the budget it needs for better sets, cameras, background actors and enough time to tell proper stories, I wouldn’t mind paying more. If the money actually showed on screen, the higher price would be worth it,” to “I will continue to pay for a Peacock subscription as long as #Days is on it, but did we know there was another price increase coming?” and more.
So, what do you think of the new price hike increase to watch Days of Our Lives and your other favorite shows and events on Peacock? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Veronica & Julian’ Feature Starring ‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Releases Key Art and More (Exclusive)

In the upcoming indie feature Veronica & Julian from director Otoja Abit, two former Days of Our Lives stars, Nadia Bjorlin (ex-Chloe Lane) and Kyler Pettis (ex-Theo Carver), headline the drama feature in this story of a May-December romance that faces challenges along the way.
Veronica & Julian centers on a confident and successful marketing executive (Bjorlin) who winds up falling for a younger aspiring architect (Pettis). From there, a journey of desire and self-discovery is set against the backdrop of present-day New York City.
The cast also includes: Blake Jenner (ex-Glee), Erin Cummings, Chrystee Pharris (ex-Simone Russell, Passions and Queens of Drama), Robert Lee Leng, Mark Famiglietti and Jennafer Newberry.

Photo:
LIVE CHAT WITH NADIA AND KYLER PLANNED
Now, Michael Fairman TV can share exclusively: the key poster art below, and that current plans that call for Veronica & Julian to be released and made available late this holiday season.
In addition, Nadia and Kyler will join us for a very special livestream conversation on the Michael Fairman Channel (Monday, Aug 24 – 3PM ET/Noon PT) to chat about their roles in the film, their time on Days of Our Lives, life post-soap opera, and much more. Fans can join the live chat and pose their questions to the actors as well.

Courtesy/Bright Leicht Content LLC
THE THEMES BEHIND VERONICA & JULIAN
Director Otoja Abit shared this statement on the feature film, “Veronica & Julian is about the right people who have a chance meeting at the wrong time. It’s a look at two people who don’t grow apart—they just grow up. This film is an authentic exploration of an imminent ending and how two people deeply in love got there. It aims to be quiet while telling a relatable story about modern-day relationships.”
Abit continued, “As a society, mainstream romantic films are often delivered through fantastical aspirations. I created this film believing that viewers who have experienced a breakup can relate to Veronica and Julian, depending on their perspective. They’re a couple navigating some of the most familiar obstacles in love: miscommunication, timing and pride.”
He concluded, “It’s a story about endings told through the small moments we often don’t recognize until they’re gone. With the support of the Panavision New Filmmaker Program, I approached the story with a deeper sense of visual control while maintaining the naturalism that defines each character.”

Photo: Bright Leicht Content LLC
NADIA AND KYLER GOT THEIR FIRST BIG BREAK IN SOAPS
As Days of Our Lives fans know, Bjorlin is best known for her long-running role as Chloe Lane. Nadia played the part from 1999-2023 with various runs in Salem. She is also known for her role as Lara in the Venice the Series since 2009. Nadia’s other TV and film credits include: A Murder Between Friends, NCIS, Two Broke Girls and more.
Pettis played Theo Carver on Days of Our Lives from 2015-2018 and earned himself a Daytime Emmy for his work in the now defunct Outstanding Younger Actor in a Daytime Drama Series back in 2019. His other TV credits include roles on: The Rookie, All American: Homecoming and Ray Donovan.
Veronica and Julian is written, produced and directed by Abit and produced through his Willful Productions alongside Kory Apton and Ian Phillips. Executive producers include: Nick Leicht, Gregory Sinche, Shelly Sinche, Torsten Sippel, Tim Freydberg, Ryan Schulke and Matthew Conlin.
So, intrigued to see Nadia and Kyler as a romantic couple in the film Veronica & Julian? Miss them on Days of Our Lives? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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