Days Of Our Lives
Kate Mansi Hits It Out Of The Park As DAYS Abigail Turns The Tables On Ben!
Photo: Courtesy/IMDB
If you missed Friday’s episode of Days of our Lives, its a must-see for the star turn of Kate Mansi as Abigail. The actress who left the series at the end of December of 2015, is certainly going out with a bang as she shortly will wrap up her on-screen run. Mansi and the DAYS team should remember this episode come next year’s Daytime Emmys, as her performance contained so many layers, and so many emotional turns that should be in contention.
In story, it was the long-awaited showdown between Abby and serial killer on the loose and Abby’s ex , Ben Weston (Rob Scott Wilson)! Was this her mind playing tricks on her, or was this reality? Over the last several weeks, DAYS has been playing up Abigail loosing her grip and imagining Ben! This time however, it’s looking like the real deal. When she is confronted with being alone with the criminal, at first Abby concocts a story how Chad (Billy Flynn) has been abusing her and how miserable she is, and what a mistake she made to be with him. She tells Ben, she wants to be with him.
A very untrusting Ben tells Abby she is his everything, and he even tattooed letters of her name on his knuckles while in prison, so when he makes a fist her name is there! The creepy doesn’t stop there! Abby tells Ben, “she needs him” and that Chad is away for the next few hours. Ben heads upstairs to make love with her, and once in the bedroom Abigail continues what looks to be her seduction of killer Ben, only she reaches into the nighstand and grabs a pair of scissors and stabs in the arm. She then knocks him out with a blow to the head via a vase.
Courtesy/NBC
Perhaps, one of Mansi’s best moments was when her cell phone rang and Chad was on the other line, with blood on her hands and mutli-tasking tying up Ben’s feet and looking for ways to do it, she carries on a conversation with her husband to keep him away from the DiMera mansion so she can torture Ben.
Next, Abby grabs a drink and comes back with some accelerant in order to set fire to Ben in a turn the tables, turn about his fair play moment! Ready to make Ben suffer, she throws her drink in his face. He wakes up the horrific scene he now faces. In other fantastic note on Mansi’s performance she stands on the bed and jumps up and down and dances around as she throws the accelerant all over the bed and Ben!
Courtesy/NBC
Next Ben, tries one last attempt to throw Abby off her game by toying with her that he is all in her mind right now … he is not real! To ensure that he is, and that she is no fool, Abby punches his stab wound with her ring hand.
When he yelps, Abby says he sure seems real to her! Ben doesn’t think Abby will really light him on fire, but she goes for the matchbox and lights a match, just as Chad has come to the mansion with the door locked and the security guard knocked out!
Kudos to Rob Scott Wilson for making Ben so incredibly twisted and to the amazing performance by Kate Mansi! What did you think of the scenes? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Rob Scott Wilson, this is proof that you can GROW as an actor. He was skin deep in the beginning but as he worked through this role he became his own man. He soared in this role and it was one hell of a ride. I love his character of Ben Weston. He definitely deserves attention, kudos and award noms for this performance. Kate Mansi took this to all the heights that she should have in this turn of events. I have loved watching her blossom as a younger actress. She definitely held it tightly in her hands and crafted a great ride for her viewers. Billy Flynn as Chad is amazing as well. I feel for him because when the story ends with Abby and Ben, he will have very little to feed off of…This was a great story for all involved and I am lifting a glass of bubbly for a job well done. DAYS has no idea what they will lose with both Kate and Rob gone from the canvas. Great job actors. Thank you.
Both deserve emmy nods next year…
Oh, my, Jimmy! Never have I seen Kate give such a well-executed performance….and Robert….such excellent delivery.
I am still wondering if all this is playing out in Abby’s head. But, how do we explain the knocked-out guard outside? Did Abby do that too? It just does not seem feasible for Abby to have left baby Thomas alone in his carriage alone like that. Besides, Jimmy, babies cry….impossible to stay in that position for too long.
“…I have loved watching her blossom as a younger actress. ”
she stated herself… how… in her last year.. in Salem… she gave her ALL
boy did she ever ! prove me wrong
I am so thankful… that Kate Mansi, Billy Flynn, and Robert Scott Wilson… just flew
just put themselves out their…. REELED
these three underlings… newbies… upstarts… CATAPULTED
Kate Mansi and Billy Flynn were robbed of emmy
it was … speculated… should they have submitted in LEAD
darn tootin… as professionals with; they mined themselves WORTH
When DAYS was transitioning…. ie: for the renewal… who carried
who sparked; who magnified
Abs, Chad, and Ben
they have solidified themselves a place in heart of heart
they were , all three, glaringly overlooked by the emmy panel
the emmy panel…. i’m certain are VETS… need to VOTE and for the win… newbie
her work… in 2016… like in all of the latter half of 2015… has been duly noted..
Kate Mansi : you have forever left a lasting impression
congrats on your 5 years… hard work … it’s a big production that may not be fully realized
ovation
you know… she was a part of an MF interview… and she was so forthright… in her person… in her wherewithal command
she shared how… the three of them… in that studio… ie: Billy, Rob, and Kate
would rehearse.. and discuss openly their character motivation and how they related to each other and most importantly… just took their own work… for their character places beyond
you dream of this stuff.. DAYS of ole was elevated…
beyond treat
Ms. Abs
I don’t watch Days, Patrick but have caught a couple of episodes with Abby in it.
Is it just me? Or does Kate Mansi have a certain young Scarlett Johanasson essence about her?
@Harry
I cant explain… if you will… the phenomena… that occurs.. and lightening strikes… between writers and actors
Kate Mansi 4 years prior to her last year… meh?
EXCEPT… when she starred… with Patrick Muldoon… as Austin Reed
it was an all out fest of feast.. of comedic, cougar, and a burgeoning exploration
Kate Mansi roared in her debut
faltered for 3 years… and impaled with EJ and CHAD… more Chad. just took us all by storm.. and STARRED with scripts to boot
I don’t know… like I said… I liken this to.. for example… Billy Miller… knock me out… I love him
all triggers fired… as Billy Abbott
go figure as Jason Quartermaine… ??? w/Sam just further plummets
ie: Kate Mansi… mystique
smiling from ear to ear… grinning and besotted… this yearling… is worth
if she’s ringed in with Scarlett Johansson… that’s an accolade
HAVE you ever… seen… “The Other Boleyn Girl”
tour de force knock me out… this is my favorite movie by Ms. Scarlett
from “wiki”
The Other Boleyn Girl
Reviews were mixed; some said it was a brilliantly claustrophobic look at palace life in Tudor England, while others are troubled by the lack of historical accuracy. It has enjoyed phenomenal success and popularity since its publication.
LOL it ranks right up their with TREAT, camp, and ooh la la
The Queen reigns
Natalie Portman and Scarlet Johansson as sisters… woah
ps:… on the emmy nomination live show…
Laura Wright herself… said… she’s on the panel
I know.. that Doug Davidson… Paul Williams… Y&R
is also.. ON
just saying… you know…
I really respect what Laura Wright said… on air
that .. there was a time… when these behind the scenes production
TOOK THE TIME… to introduce… newbies
no more… as we are all well “versed” they NOW currently shoot… upwards of 2-3 shows a day
so… it’s CHEER accolade out loud.. when newbies FIRE on all cylinder…
kate Mansi, Billy Flynn… and Robert Scott Wilson… of DAYS
these newbies… by themselves WORKED as a trio to concoct and bring to the screen. their WORK resonated
for all the emmy panelists… new hires… need to be acknowledged
Beautifully said, Patrick.
Im waiting to see the bed and Ben burn. Finally Will, Paige, Serena, and Wendy have finally been avenged.
Will would *never* want to see a man burned alive!
Will had a good heart, and he was devastated when he thought Nick had been killed (by a bash to a head and then drowning), despite the fact Nick had made his life miserable. And then when Nick survived and caused him more grief, he tried to *stop* Sonny, when he thought Sonny was going to shoot Nick! You can’t have it more wrong if you think Will would want someone stabbed and burned alive – even someone who had killed people! Will was very upset when he thought Nick was dead – and he compassionately considered Nick to be someone who had had misfortune in his life. And when Nick was actually killed, he tried to take the blame on himself! Yes I know Will did some violent things as a child – and indeed an anguished Will actually shot someone as a kid, but he learned a huge lesson from that! He saw and felt the consequences of that, the damage on all sides, and he and his loved ones paid dearly for it. He grew up, matured, and learned his lesson. And he learned what it was to have a bullet in his gut! So the adult Will hated violence. And he was compassionate!
If Will was there, he’d be stopping Abby, and calling the police, so that official justice could deal with Ben – properly!
Karim – your comment is horrific.
And it is a symptom of what Days has become – Griffith and Higley have turned the show to darkness and hatred, and it is really quite disturbing that this is appealing to some people. The whole show has become socially immature and backward. That began with the Griffley having the whole town railroad Chad, and then had Will killed in an avalanche of anti-gay messaging, and everyone ignoring the actually obvious suspect – Ben! And this kind of repulsive nonsense has just gone on and on and on during Griffley’s regime.
Goodness is important. But this show now showcases hatred and irrationality, and clearly it inspires the same. (Of course bad things happen in soaps and other dramas, but this show has gone over the edge – and it has lost both its balance and its heart and any sensibility at all!).
Also, I don’t understand why there isn’t a “V” on the content label, on episodes like this! What is the point of the labeling system, if an episode like this doesn’t come with a “V”. It’s crazy and pointless! I suppose its just another example of production companies being free to do whatever they like – hate-messaging included!
As to the performances – I think both KM and RSW do well – but if the writing sucks the result is still going to suck. It is a mark of poor writing when many of the characters are mad and irrational (or brainwashed!), and the plot can only work if they are! And that is very much the case with Ben and Abby, and Higley and Griffith! 🙂
Will was a fighter though. He knew how to throw a punch – and he used to hit the bag at the gym back in the day – and he had a fighting spirit. He was a high school athlete. His uncle was a prize-fighter. He loved sport. (He was captain of the volley ball team back when he was tall!!) Griffley ignored that so that they could have him exterminated in double quick time.
What I am saying though, is that Will would never never never want to see a man stabbed and burnt alive!! Absolutely never! That is so completely opposite to Will. He would have stopped Abby. (I doubt Abby is going to burn Ben, but then I wouldn’t put anything past the real Will-Killers – Higley and Griffith!).
Also Will would be totally against the death penalty. He nearly lost his mom to the death penalty once – I’m sure he does not support it!
Will would understand being in an anguished place like Abby. He would stop her doing the crazy thing.
It is better if the real Will-Killers – Higley and Griffith – get their comeuppance. Never mind their fictional puppet! I’ll be glad to see the back of Higley! That’s what I want to see!
Yes, WAY over the top–and eerily and chillingly TOO close to the infamous case in Texas where the wife tied her husband to the bed, stabbed him repeatedly, dragged his body outside of the house and buried him. At the trial, the (woman) lawyer brought in a bed and re-enacted the horrible scene in the courtroom. TOO MUCH. Too bad the writers took Abby back to being a victim of her fear and emotions after having her be strong when she withstood the horrors Ben inflicted on her. Would love to have seen Abby remain rational and strong–maybe take a well-deserved “vacation” until they found a replacement. Days has gone down a dark, dark road with the murder of Stefano, Ava—and all that simply CRAZY stuff with John Black and the weird “father.” I could go on but I won’t for fear of being sick–like the show has, unfortunately become. Thumbs down!
Hi Stephen. Very well written posts, but I am not sure I understand the mixed messages youre sending out. You take issue with the fact that Will, a fictional character, was a kind soul, and would wish no harm or comeuppance on another character, even a violent murderer. But then you, a real human, go on record saying that two other REAL people, deserve some sort Of comeuppance for scripting the death of Will. Huh? I too am vocal about my displeasure with writing regimes, but I never wish personal harm or comeuppance to the writers! When you give more credit to a slain soap character for being kind than you are doing in real life, something seems wrong there. We all know that when soaps are written well, they can be great!!! But more often than not, the writing is subpar. But that is no reason to wish bad things to befall real people. I have sat through some brutally horrific deaths on soaps…but was never so angry that I publicly wished harm on the writers! Michael Fairman, the awesome owner of this site, provideus fans a forum, and just recently posted rules that should be followed when posting. Personal attacks are no longer appropriate. We all emotionally invest in these characters and stories because they make us think and feel. But at the end of the day, it is just fiction and does not directly impact our lives as real humans.
@ Dylan
I said “I’ll be glad to see the back of Higley! That’s what I want to see!”.
That’s UNAMBIGUOUS. If you check the phrase in a dictionary you will see that it has no connection with violence or harm or hurt whatsoever! It means here that I would like to see Higley gone, and in this case that means gone from Days – which is a perfectly acceptable opinion to express.
Dylan, you sound erudite, and I do not buy at all that you do not understand the very common and basic English phrase of “seeing the back of”. Your post implying that I am wishing violence on a person is extremely unwelcome, profoundly rude, and ugly. And it is slanderous towards me!
Also Dena Higley has fired many actors. Why should she have special protection? Of course I can say I wish her fired – it is a totally reasonable opinion. Her kind of job is only ever a temporary affair. And I think her latest era on the show is terrible – a disaster! They need good head writers desperately. She, imho, isn’t one. I’m not here to discuss that – it’s off topic – I’m here now just to counter the unacceptable slurs you have made against me.
You said I was sending “mixed messages”. This is false. I was unambiguous in my abhorrence of violence. Indeed it was the main thrust of my post, which is what makes your own post so scandalous! And I was very clear about what I wanted to see – Higley gone from Days (just like Griffith).
You admonish me, saying “personal attacks are no longer appropriate” whilst making a personal attack on me by making slurs about me, and slandering me. I think it is the kind of comment that people dislike to read here! People don’t come here to be slandered, or see other people slandered! Please listen to your own advice, and don’t make personal attacks against me, or others, again. This is not the first time you have made a personal attack on me, so your admonishment to me is rich to say the least. I did NOT make a “personal attack”. But you yourself did – against me!
Please do not address my comments again, unless you do so honestly and fairly. I am being polite simply to get this post past moderation.
This was a terrific episode. It was beautiful to watch Abby get revenge on crazy Ben. I loved her expression as she was calmly chatting with Chad on the phone while tying Ben to the bed. Ideally, I’d like to see her start the fire. Crazy Ben shouldn’t be killed. He is crazy after all. I don’t want Abby or Chad or the baby hurt. either. But, it would be great if that mausoleum they live in burned to the ground. That’s no place to bring up a child.
Looks like it’s off to the funny farm for both Abby and Ben. Let’s hope they aren’t sent to the same place. I certainly hope they will recast Abigail. I’d hate for the poor baby to be raised by Chad alone.
Major kudos to Kate Mansi and Rob Scott Wilson for excellent performances. I am truly sorry to see them leave the show.
You say “it was beautiful to watch Abby get revenge on crazy Ben”.
It was horrific!
I am sad to see the character to have gone this way. Abby is the Woman Who Lived! And four people lost their lives! But on Friday, it was all about her: Abby, Abby, Abby – and doing to Ben what Ben had done to her. But she lived! And four people died!
Their families have a right to proper official justice – and answers! Abby is acting to deprive them of that. She has no right. And she has no right to assume that the people who were murdered by Ben would want to see him burned alive. And they have more right to make the call as to what happens to Ben than her.
I hope she doesn’t go through with it, and that she settles with scaring Ben. But I am confident that Griffith will make it all as ugly as possible.
We’ll probably be seeing Abby scaring and scarring Ben, Stephen, but I do see your points.
I understand how some viewers could be burning mad about this. I’m not a doctor, but if I were to take a stab at it, I’d say Abby is suffering PTSD.
Have to agree with you!
To Stephen
You do give valid points. I’m not sure what what to think about the scenes involved. I’m just grateful that Chad arrived in time to stop Abby from killing Ben. However, there are a lot of DOOL fans who are more than celebrating. They think what Abby did to Ben as more than poetic justice. There is no doubt in my mind as to what happens next. Ben will be sent somewhere he cannot escape from again. Justin, the DA, will agree under the circumstances that Abby should be placed under psychiatric care in an institution where she can get the help so desperately needed.
Where can you go after that? Days, unfortunately, has taken a page from GH–taking all their characters one (or more!) steps too far.
Nancy…OH, I AGREE!!!!! That stuff with John (who I think is dreary, dull and boring, anyway) and his CREEPY-LOOKING father is just too ridiculous…and even more PAINFUL to watch!!!!! No Thank You. Next……….
Later.
I found excellence in the acting; sadly, I found no beauty in the dark, morose path Days has taken with Abby and many of the other characters. I agree with nancy. I find no entrtainment in the “pursuit” of mental illness, murder and evil.
As much as the acting is, by far, over the top ( not the teens), I do not understand the point? The introduction of these weirdos, the destruction of Will, the unforgivable ‘misuse’ of Kassie D and Melissa A, did not follow a cohesive or coherent thought for me.
As nancy said, Abby, and the baby could have gone away for an extended amount of time and then re-emerge with a recast.
I hope THE BURNING BED symbolism is all in Abby’s head….where the same idea could apply. She leaves for an institution and comes back brand new.
I agree 100%. Her performance was riveting. She played so many layers and conflicting emotions as the scenes progressed. This was daytime drama at its best. I hope she knows how effective and affecting she was. This was great acting – not just for soaps but for ANY genre.
I think it’s unfortunate that Rob Wilson was not nominated at this year’s Emmys. Hopefully with the recent scenes he will be next year.
And I am going to miss Kate Mansi as Abby.
I agree, he was fantastic in the latter half of last year and it would have been great both for Robert and the show to have that recognised with an Emmy nomination.
Those bedroom scenes sure are going to be hot-lol
Ben will wish he never had the hots for Abby, Jimmy!
Abby has an appetite for revenge, but I never liked wiener roasts!
I prefer mine with chili…
Paging Brittany Underwoos…
Underwood…
Absolutely NOT!!!! There are far better actresses out there!
I suppose we’ve all seen our share of characters knocking other characters out with vases on all the soaps, but this seemed more real because it wasn’t a vase. It was a lamp. Ben went limp from a lump by a lamp, LOL!
She used the lamp to ‘knock his lights out’-lol
LOL, Jimmy! Great comeback! Do you think Abby will pop popcorn on an open fire? lol
Kate Mansi set the screen on fire. Literally. Best exit story DAYS has given an actor in ages.
I’ve been a fan of both of the character of Abby and Kate a long time. I do hope they find a recast soon because I haven’t loved a couple like Abby and Chad is so long. That said, I’m going to miss Kate so much in role! I feel like she has just been fantastic over the last year and especially during this story & Friday’s episode. I’m very proud of her, and I hope she wins an Emmy next year!
Kate did an excellent job portraying her part and Rob too, but the scene was not my cup of tea. This kind of constant muder, meanness, revenge is not want I want to keep watching on Days. Very upsetting and distrurbing not the type of escape I want to watch regularly on a soap. I know this is following up /ending the story line of Ben’s viciousness, serial killing, etc., but I keep hoping Days will move in another direction now. Murder after murder. Enough is enough. Let’s move on to more evolved human relationships, drama.
Thank you for your comment, Rj. It cheers me up! I was upset to read that people are enjoying this nastiness, and it heartens me to see others who dislike it are speaking up!
O no, Stephen! Don’t feel that you are alone in thinking this way. You are speaking the truth.
At the risk of sounding repetitious; I do praise the acting, but abhor, just as yourself, the morbid, and basically, ineffective storylines.
I think we would all enjoy seeing a healthy romantic relationship and a dose of good drama, as Rj proposes.
And you guys are all right. I hate watching constant misery and despair and grief and violence and evil. I lost 6 family members in two years, including a cousin, an aunt, two brothers, and my mom. It is not entertaining in real life, and it is not entertainment on the screen. Give me scenes with Kate, Nicole, and Theresa tosaing back martinis and planning business strategy and I am on board! When Days is at its best, it blends romance, family, love, humour, and an outrageous outlandish story or two. But they are balanced!! I do hope Days returns to a more traditional production schedule so they can nip things in the bud that arent working, rather than being powerless to appease fans for 6 months. I thought the lead up to the 50th was great!!!! But I was expecting some sentiment, some heart, some flashbacks, some returning favourites who were popular before 1984, Like Bill Horton, Marie Horton, Jessica Fallon, Liz Chandler, Neil Curtis, etc etc. The show refused to slow down the plot velocity, and didnt reward long term fans at al, deapite what was promised. Rather than seeing Aiden strangling Hope, I would have loved ro have seen Doug, Julie, Marie, Marlena, Roman, etc etc reminiscing and strolling down memory lane. I really long for what soaps used to be, andcould still be. Morality plays where the good guys win in the end! I
@ RJ – How exactly was Abby supposed to have reacted to re-appearance in her home? A psychopath everyone thought was sitting in a prison cell. How exactly was Abby supposed to react when Ben took hold her claiming that he still loved her?
OMG…I was rivetted to Friday’s episode and replayed it immediately as it was all so good! Kudos to Mansi & Wilson as their performance will long be remembered in soap history! They both deserve Emmys for their roles for sure…just amazing and such growth over the arch of the story and their characters. Bravo!
Personally I am hoping this is all in her mind and we are watching Abby’s descent into madness otherwise to see another Horton act no different than a DiMera is painful. I do think most people can be pushed into doing horrible things but in general most decent people like the Horton’s don’t go around killing and torturing people no matter how deserved. If this is all in her mind, then Abby will exit by being checked into an institution for the mentally ill which fits with the history of show since her grandmother had a mental illness– it will give a place for the character to be until they find a recast–but as for the actress, yes she is doing a brilliant job whether this real or not and hopefully she will get an Emmy nod next year.
Thank you for your comment Mary. I found it painful to watch too. And I agree that it would be better if it was all in Abby’s mind, but I think that’s wishful thinking now. I believe that there is no limit to the horribleness that Griffith and Higley will create on this show – they demonstrated that amply six months ago!
Kate Mansi deserves both an Oscar and an Emmy. She has proven herself worthy of my praise.
“Michael Fairman”
this thread… is simply…. one of your best
it’s a chilling account of Abs …. “… as her performance contained so many layers ”
from the get go : could she be experiencing… a mind spiral that just goes
she’s protecting her son at all cost
she’s protecting her love for her husband
is she unaware of what she’s doing… it’s a fascinating glimpse of dark, raw emotion, tit for tat, and that overdrive she’s consumed and we’ll find Abs mind not with
is Abs combusting…. coming undone
you take in to account… her family history… can’t wait for the return of Jamie Lyn Bauer, Laura Horton…. talk about a class act … she’s what fascination is all about
this is a fully charged all your senses ON… finale for…. Kate Mansi
she’s upped her character and her person… Superlatives and Kate Mansi… Done!
As I watched Abby pour lighter fluid on Ben, I thought, the writers have ruined another character. Very disappointed in what I saw on screen. I hope she does not go through with it.
Also, pouring lighter fluid like Abby did, she no doubt got some on herself, which is not a good idea.
I think Rob did a great job. He has really improved since he first appeared in Salem. Of course, getting a story helped.
I thought Kate did a good job conveying that Abby did not enjoy kissing Ben and was only doing it to save herself. When Ben went upstairs, I don’t know why Abby didn’t grab Thomas and run, hide, call police. But she obviously already had her endgame in mind.
Maybe it will turn out to be….she did all THAT and Ben wasn’t actually there?
great job Abby now if only someone could put out Ben’s lights that would be even nicer.In his case lights on but nobody home.
On the edge of my seat. The best dramatic scene I can remember. Sure there is lots, but this was great. Hard to believe Ben used to be on price is right. Hope to see more acting from him. Loved Abbi! Feel bad for who replaces her. She just made it impossible.
Yesterday’s ep was gruesome. Kate did a good acting job.
I was surprised Chad waited so long in calling 911. And did JJ get a promotion when we weren’t looking? Now he’s giving orders. Say what?
I do think these eps were too gruesome and dark and not what I want to see on Days. I am very disappointed in the way Days is going. I think Ted and Betty Corday would be disappointed too.
I disagree. Ben callously strangled Serena, Paige and Will then tried to frame Chad for the murders. Ben then kidnapped a very pregnant Abby. He took Abby to motel in the middle of no where and forced her to give birth there. Oh, Ben also kidnapped a woman forced her act as midwife then killed her after. Then Ben took the baby away from Abby. Instead of staying in prison where he belongs Ben escaped to torment Abby once again. Sorry, Ben got exactly what he deserves. Those episodes were gruesome but not as gruesome the others where took lives.
Kate Mansi gave am Emmy winning performance. The actress chosen to replace Kate will have some very big shoes to fill.
While the scene may have been too graphic, violent, and gruesome for my taste, I understand that it may have followed a progression in the storyline, but the issue for me is the broader one that I wish Days would not choose to go down this path so consistently, especially showing such vivid images of Abby stabbing Ben with the scissors , etc. – I realize she needed to do that to incapacitate him, but if Days is trying to attract a younger audience is this what we want the youth to be watching? With that said, there may be an element of attraction to psychological thrillers, and Abby’s decent into mental illness, as this may be a subject worthy of soap opera material, but I hope that Days will take the high road, and be socially responsible and show less violence on all levels especially if they want a younger audience whose minds may be shaped and influenced by what they watch. I hope I am staying within Michael’s guidelines, and not repeating myself too much, but I do feel that this is a discussion that within the soap opera industry that is worth having. Do we want to see love or hate? I realize there may be a place for both as soap opera drama may try to reflect life, but it may depend how it is portrayed, how often, etc.? Well, for me I choose love, and would like to see more of that. Once there is a violent scene I tend not to watch for awhile because it is too disturbing and upsetting. I would not want my teenage nieces and nephew to watch this.
I will say I love the cast, in fact I watch because I get attached to the characters. I think Days has talented writers as I know it is hard work to write and pull together storylines (even if I do not like some of them), and I have a lot of respect for Ken Corday. I marvel how he has kept the show on the air for 50 years despite challenges. I would just ask that have storylines that are not as violent, mean, and ugly as they seem to have had a wave of recently. Focus on relationship and family drama/conflict in a more humane way, so I could watch the show with my teen nieces and nephew. You could bring in a whole new generation.
HI FOR THE LONGEST TIME I DIDN’T LIKE ABBY ESPECIALLY THE EJ& ABBY AFFAIR BUT WHEN THE RECAST CHAD THE CHEMISTRY THAT ABBY& CHAD HAVE DAYS STRUCK GOLD SHE THE LAST YEAR WOW WHAT A CHARACTER TURNAROUND THE STORY LINE BETWEEN HER & CHAD& BATTY BEN&I WILL MISS KATE MANSI AS ABBY FOR SURE HER & BILLY FLYNN AMAZING CHEMISTRY DIDN’T THINK NO ONE COULD TOP EJ&SAMI OR BO& HOPE & THESE 2 SURE HAVE& WHOEVER PLAYS ABBY NEXT TOUGH SHOES
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Favorites Making Returns: Alison Sweeney, Christie Clark, Chandler Massey and Bryan Dattilo
Great news for Days of Our Lives fans, now that Ryan Quan is co-head writer of the long-running soap opera. Coming in June of 2027 (since DAYS tapes ten or so months ahead), you can look forward to the returns of Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady), Christie Clark (Carrie Brady), Chandler Massey (Will Horton) and Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton).
The foursome is back on set and began last week to tape their upcoming story arc, according to TV Insider. As to what exactly is going on that brings sister Sami and Carrie’s history back up, as well as Will and Lucas’ is only being teased at this time, but suffice to say, it should be intriguing.
Alison Sweeney explained on being back on set, “It was a lot of dialogue and emotion, but with all the best actors to work opposite, we fell into it as if no time had passed. It was really wonderful.”
Photo: JPI
As to working with the longstanding rivalry of Sami and Carrie, Alison added on working with Clark, “So, it really does feel like we’re sisters. It’s so fun, and she’s such a good actor that she makes everything so natural that you can really disappear into those stories.”
JUST LIKE OLD TIMES
It also seems like the deep-history, which often had the sister fighting for the love of Austin Reed, but that might not figure into the equation this time, or will it?
Alison indicated what she thought of the scripts she was given. “I felt like when I read it, it was a page-turner. I was very excited. There’s a lot of history here, and a lot of things that haven’t been said. So, it’s really not like, ‘Oh, rehashing stuff.’ And now having played some of the scenes, I’m psyched.” Sweeney added, as for the men, working again with her on-screen son, Chandler Massey and Will’s on-screen father Bryan Dattilo, was also extra special.
The last time DAYS viewers saw Sami on the canvas was back in November of 2025, when she revealed she has gotten engaged to never-before-seen Dante Vitali. As for Clark, she last visited Salem for the episodes surrounding John Black’s memorial in June of 2025.
Chandler Massey’s Will Horton last made a visit to Salem in November of 2025 when he attended the gala for the Tom Horton Free Clinic as part of the soap opera’s 60th anniversary celebration. Bryan Dattilo was last seen in December of 2025. So, by the time we see all four again it will be close to two years since they were on new episodes of the series. Time to look forward to June of 2027.
So, excited by the news of Alison, Christie, Chandler and Lucas making a return to Days of Our Lives? What do you think the story will be involving, Sami, Carrie, Lucas and Will? Let us know via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Alum Al Calderon Talks On His Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes as Javi Hernandez (Exclusive)
Last Tuesday, Al Calderon scored the first Emmy nomination of his career for his role as Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives.
Calderon name was announced as one of the performers competing for gold in the Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series category at the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on October 30.
This week, Calderon chatted live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel for a one-on-one conversation where he discussed: his nominated scenes and time on the Peacock streaming soap opera, his decision to leave DAYS, his role of Nico Silva on Brilliant Minds and its sad cancellation, plus his passing the torch of Javi to Jacob Martinez, who took over the role on-screen on the June 30, 2026 episode of Days of Our Lives.
Photo: JPI
JAVI REVEALS TO LEO THAT HE HAD A DAUGHTER WHO DIED
Al revealed the scenes that comprise his now Emmy-nominated reel have at its epicenter the heartbreaking moments from the September 12, 2025 episode. In it, Javi shares for the first time to Leo (Greg Rikaart) that he had a daughter named Solana, with a woman he was seeing named Sylvia. One fateful day, Sylvia left their child in a car when she went to work and the little girl died. Javi had blamed himself for not being the parent to take his daughter to school that day since he was hungover the night before, therefore it opened up the opportunity for something to happen to the his child, and it did.
The multi-talented actor/singer explained his reel: “It was the scene where he is talking about his daughter to Leo. I also included the scene where Javi goes to talk to Melinda (Tina Huang) and to see if it would be a viable option to adopt, because I wanted to introduce the subtlety and nuance of why Javi kind of has this whole connection to Tesoro, in a way.”
It is true that Al can bring the tears and make us cry right along with him during his run as Javi. To that, Calderon added, “I’ve read the comments that I’m a little bit of a crybaby, so I didn’t want the entire reel to be of me crying, but I wanted it to show a little bit of an emotional range of the restraint that Javi was feeling so I included that scene
In addition Calderon shared, “I also included a really beautiful scene with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez, DAYS) where I’m looking at photos of Tesoro, and of course, Javi is crying. I just wanted to show the relationship between Javi and his family as well, and as I mentioned the reveal of the child that he lost.”
Photo: JPI
ALUMS AL CALDERON AND ALICE HALSEY REPRESENT DAYS OF OUR LIVES IN EMERGING TALENT CATEGORY
In a twist of fate, Calderon is also nominated in the Emerging Talent category with Alice Halsey who played Rachel Black. Halsey is currently starring in the reboot of Little House on the Prairie in the lead role of Laura Ingalls on Netflix.
As to his hope on Emmy night, Al expressed, “Of course, I want to win, but Alice Halsey is going to give me a run for the money. And if’s not me (who wins the award), it better be her!”
You can check out the full interview with Al below.
Now let us know, do you remember Al’s emotional scenes when he explained to Leo he had a daughter who died, which made it all the more heartbreaking to not end up with permanent custody of Tesoro? What do you think of Al’s chances to win the gold based on his Emmy scene selection? Do you miss him as Javi? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Emily O’Brien Talks On Her Y&R Past as Jana Hawkes and Working with Peter Porte on ‘Days of Our Lives’
On the latest edition of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart which dropped on Tuesday, July 21, Emily O’Brien is the featured guest. As soap fans know, Emily has worked with Rikaart both in her first soap role on The Young and the Restless as Jana Hawkes and now on Days of Our Lives in her current role of Gwen Rizczech.
While Emily continues on DAYS, she has very impressive list of credits in the other part of her career as a voice-over actress and one in motion-capture in some of the most popular video games in the world.
O’Brien was first seen on The Young and the Restless back in 2006. She recalled her landing the role which eventually paired her for her five year run with Greg Rikaart.
Photo: JPI
BEING CAST ON THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
“The role was just a few days and she wasn’t even supposed to be English,” Emily recalled. “The role was originally called Jade. Karen Rae, the casting director of The Young and the Restless at the time said to me “Oh, you’re from England. Try it with the dialect.” I put it on and she said, ‘I’m going to bring you back at like 3 for s callback.’ So then they changed the role to Jana and they said she’s going to be a Brit. I was only supposed to be on for like five episodes and it turned into 5 years.”
In explaining why she loved crazy Jana, Emily shared, “Jana was sort of like the misanthrope. She was just was the odd one out and I loved it. I felt so comfortable playing that because she was just eclectic and weird and she loved playing with Ouija boards and she rode a motorbike. There was just so much color to bring to her. It was just such a great match to play with Greg (Kevin), and Christian LeBlanc (Michael) and Tracey Bregman (Lauren).
Photo: JPI
GWEN, DIMITRI AND LEO ON DAYS OF OUR LIVES
On Days of Our Lives, the Leo, Gwen, Dimitri dynamic is quite unique and been through many schemes and entanglements. Often Emily finds herself in repartee with her ex-lover, Dimitri, who turned out to be gay and then had a thing for her bestie, Leo (Greg Rikaart)!
During the conversation, Greg and Emily sang, Peter Porte’s praised with O’Brien expressing, “Peter is just ready to play. He comes on set prepared. I’ve never seen him with his script. From blocking and rehearsals, he doesn’t have it. He’s prepared. He’s a physical actor and he always trying to come up with something. I think he let me slap him. He let me kiss him. He let me throw a cheeseburger in his lap. He’s ready for anything for anything.”
You can catch the full episode of ‘Soapy; featuring Emily O’Brien below where the actress also talks about replacing Jen Lilley as Theresa Donovan after being let go as Gwen; and being paired again with Greg Rikaart on the Peacock streaming soap opera this time as best friends and more.
So, were you a big Jana Hawkes and Kevin Fisher fan on Y&R? Did you like them as a couple? Do you like the dynamic between Emily and Peter Porte and Greg Rikaart on DAYS? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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