News
Katie Couric's Talk Show On The Verge Of Cancellation!
Courtesy/ABC
Persistent reports that Katie Couric’s talk show, Katie is about to be cancelled are stronger than ever, and now comes a new article on how badly the show is performing from The Hollywood Reporter!
Couric’s soft ratings, huge budget, and rumored “disdain” for her female demographic and a very low Q Score, where only 10% of women actually few Katie favorably, could be part of the cause of her almost imminent demise! The decision on whether there will be third season of Katie will come this later this month, but renewal now seems like a long shot!
THR reports, “In fall 2012, Disney/ABC TV rolled out the red carpet for Couric, 56, giving her plum time slots on the best stations, fat license fees and loads of promotion. The initial annual budget was $50 million, according to a show source — including $20 million for Couric over two years. (That budget has been brought down to $35 million. Similar talk shows cost about $20 million a year.) But station owners now complain the daily strip hasn’t lived up to the hype, and several insiders tell THR that internal discord has become nearly unbearable.”
Couric’s show strategy is not paying off to keep or bring in an audience either” “Despite pleas from staff, ‘she always wanted to lead with experts,’ adds the ex-employee.”Her producers said: ‘Katie, if you want to do this social issue, brings in people who have lived it. Get the kids to tell their mother’s story and empathize and relate. Then in segment six we’ll have the experts.’ What happens? ‘Segment one we’re having the sociologist from Harvard.’ ”Couric’s strategy also has led to difficulty in booking some guests.”
A Couric source says she is adamant about doing a show she is proud of, and she is prepared to move on if the ratings don’t back up her mission.
So, ready for Katie to go off the airwaves? Does she not resonate with women at home watching her hour talker? Was this once again another misstep in programming? Weigh-in!
I can appreciate Katie Couric’s approach to a daytime show with substance but the syndicated market, long polluted with the base excesses of the Springers, Lakes, and Poviches… and those court programs!?!?!… will not support it. no one really seems to talk anymore. Even daytime offerings I like — DR. OZ and THE DOCTORS — do their sharing with sound bites and bullet points. Couric’s idea for her show may be better served on a cable news channel. No wide audience there however.
She may have lost her broad appeal when TODAY became full of itself and its talent (the era of ‘look at us, aren’t we clever and fun?) and she failed to win support at CBS.
Katie did give props to the soaps and I applaud her for that. TV needs to focus on daytime and determine what that daypart needs to be about. If not dramas, then what? Time for a new model, but sorry, Brian Frons, yours is not the one to use.
Maybe ABC could then syndicate PP’s AMC & OLTL from 3-4 Daily
Love that idea John Ya got my vote!
Definitely….as long as PP produces and writes it.
yeah!
That is a great idea. I would love to see AMC and OLTL back on ABC. It’s really sad we had to lose two great shows and now Katie is probably going to be canceled.
Would be disappointing. I do enjoy her show when the guests draw me in. When she has a worth while guest, I do tune in, and it’s a great talk show. She needs to re-tool the show if she wants to keep it.
Made me day hate ABC
ABC/Daytime, your chickens are coming home to roost. Reminds me of Whoopie Goldberg’s line at the end of “The Color Purple” (to Danny Glover), “Until you do right by me, everything you touch will fail!” ….SO, ABC/Daytime, are you going to admit your collosal mistake and do right by the soaps you gutted for shallow fast food programming thinking you were going to make a buck good and cheap?!
Amen.
DITTO THAT AMEN!!
Jen, your “boyfriend” (the soaps) has dumped you. He’s gone. He’s moved on. He’s found someone else. He doesn’t want you anymore. It’s time for you to get on with your life. It’s been YEARS. They brought OLTL and AMC back online; watch them there if you want.
You people clinging hopelessly and endlessly to TV programs…think about it, they are just TV PROGRAMS..are the real people with problems, not ABC.
Oh, Katie, get offline and start working on improving your failing TV show that’s going down the tubes with every flush….ooops, I mean episode.!
Great response Jen!
Jen, I agree until ABC bring back OLTL AMC
In the interest of full disclosure, I was never interested in the show to begin with and so my feelings about it are probably a bit tainted. That said, I have seen the show a couple of times as it comes on right after GH and sometimes I have gotten busy and forgotten to change the channel or turn off the tv. My initial impression was that there is a real disconnect between Katie C and her guests which makes the show uncomfortable to watch. To me Ms. Couric comes off as disingenuous, elitist, and fake. It would not surprise me to hear that the show is failing or that she in essence does not care and has no problem moving on-it’s kind of obvious that for Katie, it’s all about Katie…
Could not have described this better. She seems like she has no clue about empathy, no relatability, nothing. She comes across as so phony, even though I can’t stand her it’s so uncomfortable to watch.
Loved your comments. I’ve never understood the draw of Katie Couric, even back on the Today show. I didn’t dislike her; just was apathetic and didn’t understand why people thought she was so wonderful.
Well said
If ABC really wants to finally get some decent ratings, in my opinion, work something out with Prospect Park and air both AMC and OLTL in 30 minutes format in that hour..I am sure the ratings will be SO much better than anything else they can show at that hour.
should have kelp oltl
Too many talk shows. How much can they friggin talk about?
No one is talking about anything meaningful–just promoting products, going for lowest kind of titillation, hyphing celebrity gossip, going for cheap quick emotional response.
What she may be cancelled? I’m shocked said no-one!
Send her back where cam from . Return OLTL. BC how do you like it now?
Will ABC ever realize that “One Life To Live” would capture the daytime audience again ?
The times have changed..
A huge number of people watch their TV online during the evening or whenever, to bring daytime viewers to ABC no matter what they show..
because most can not sit in front of a TV during the afternoon, most all work…
Not many women and men are even home during the daytime to watch tv..
And that makes a big difference 🙂
I agree with you 100%… I too was a time shifter and never “sat down” at 1 pm to watch live….
so I guess shows that once were what “daytime” was, is what I am referring to.
just still wonder if OLTL will be given one more shot… here’s hoping.
I get she wants to do it her way, but you need to tell the story first, then bring in the experts. Get me interested in watching. Starting with a sociologist will have me change the channel. That’s if I were home to watch, but I’m not. Guess she should have stayed at Toay, but I guess she’s made a lot of money along the way. I remember when she used to be on local new channel.
SO………..just a thought but with the Prospect Park reboots in seemingly eternal limbo, could ABC possibly take them back and put the soaps in syndication. I mean, if they can pay 80 million for Katie, could they not do something similar for soaps and see what happened?
Too much same old daytime talk…gosh, wish these stations that aired katie had to air the AMC and OLTL repeats just to see whether or not if they couldve attracted more viewers than kc talk show…i want less talk and more action in daytime but i know that’ll never happen! Rather they at least air more game shows instead of talk shows!!!
haha i love seeing abc fail
Glad it’s going, ABC deserve to lose money on these half baked replacements; surely they must regret cancelling the soaps by now.
Bring back the soaps!
Ditto.
I did not watch a minute of her talk show. The audience is sick of talk shows! Bring back OLTL as the soap audience is still there. Talk shows were revolutionary in the 1980s. Now, there is so much info available all day on tv as well as on the internet. There is no need to rehash the same topics and recycle the same actors who are hawking their movies on talk shows.
Is it just me who thinks daytime has been dummied way down? Lie detection, paternity and pop culture talk shows. Phil Donahue, Merv, Dinah and Mike D. entertained and informed with less access to info via web. Guess key demo no longer needs empowerment.
Comes as no surprise to me. There are too many meaningless, boring talking heads on TV already. We are saturated with “information” at every turn. People want to be entertained. We had 40 plus years of outstandingly excellent entertainment with AMC and OLTL. Neither should have never been cancelled.
Hope their entire daytime lineup is cancelled.
Why? Do you want everyone out of work, even the GH actors and crew?
Glad this show is going. ABC needs to bring back OLTL and AMC. I have never watched her show, after GH I make sure I turn her off. ABC deserves what they are getting they didn’t care about the fans who have been following the soaps for decades. KARMA.
I think ABC believed it could plug Katie Couric into an ‘Oprah type formula’ and it would work. Katie is no Oprah. Oprah is one of a kind, she had all the qualities and experiences to truly relate to her guests and her audience. People felt Oprah was one of them.
Katie is detached and seems to place herself above everyone. She talks down to people, she’s very condescending. Even her formula to ‘bring in the experts first’ shows how little faith she has in the intelligence of her audience. She has to educate them first so they’ll understand these complicated ‘whatever’ issues.
That being said, taking One Life To Live and All My Children off the air angered millions, the soap fans were never going to accept Katie no matter what. ABC never realized how loyal the soap fans are, they had generational audiences that would be there watching their stories forever. No other television format enjoys that kind of loyalty.
ABC will never find a show that will have the viewership, loyalty and as high of ratings as the soaps did in the daytime slots.
ABC will never ever bring back OLTL and AMC, never..
ABC can support 3 soaps, that is crazy and illogical..
ABC is making millions off AMC and OLTL and will continue to do so, so why would they even consider bring back 2 soaps that would break their daytime bank..
GH will be ABC’s only soap.. stop dreaming, it will never ever happen ..
Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person!!!! Karma IS a bitch!!
I don’t watch KATIE ONLY BECAUSE ITS ON A B C AND.If KATIE was on any other channel I would watch but since ABC TOok my soaps away I only watch General Hosp. then turn the channel.
Then you are in the wrong market. Katie is on CBS here.
And can I tell you how free I feel now that I removed GH from my DVR??? It was becoming a chore to watch. My mom also dropped GH this week.
ABC basically deserves every failure they face.
I LOVE Katie WATCH ALL THE TIME PLEASE KEEP HER ON!!!
I’ve watched Katie’s new show several times when a guest drew me in (about once per month). I have to say that Katie generally annoys me as a tv host. She has a bad habit of talking over her guests and also drawing out her questions/commentary to guests for wayyyyy too long. But even more annoying is when there’s a male guest that she clearly has the hots for–her flirtatious mannerisms toward these men makes me cringe. In summary, good riddance.
finally good news. get rid of katie, i can’t stand that woman. she is so boring.
poor katie couric. her talk show puts me to sleep. lol.
First off, let’s remember a few things: “Katie” and Katie Couric did NOT cause “AMC” or “OLTL” to get cancelled; those shows were going off the air anyway, thanks to Brian Frons. And they were replaced by “The Revolution” and “The Chew” and then that awful “GMA in the Afternoon.” So don’t hold Ms. Couric responsible for the demise of two ABC soaps.
Also, not only did the “Katie” show feature a very respectful hour-long tribute to “GH”‘s 50th Anniversary last April, Katie Couric also hosted a Saturday-night primetime episode of “20/20” that went behind the scenes at “GH.” She seems to genuinely like “General Hospital” and was either a fan at one time or may still watch.
All that being said, her show is NOT GOOD. And this idea that she is trying to have a better quality daytime talker is nonsense! Every time I’ve had it on, her guests were people like Donald Trump, 50 Cent, and Charlie Sheen. I have yet to see an episode of “Katie” that somehow was imparting some great knowledge on everyone.
And sometimes I’ve seen the show where she like puts herself in someone else’s “shoes”; it was never collecting trash or cleaning bedpans; she goes to work in an advertising agency; she appears on “GH” as a reporter disguised as a nurse.
Katie is NOT empathetic because she is a millionaire many times over. There is this myth that somehow Oprah was empathetic in spite of her billions; that may have been true when she first started out, but by the late 90’s, Oprah was no more relatable to working class, struggling people than Howard Stern was once he started raking in the hundreds of millions.
I’m sure Katie Couric’s show will be cancelled, but alas someone somewhere will hire her again-maybe Jeff Zucker will bring her to CNN? And I’m just as sure “We Are Men” will be cancelled by CBS but Jerry O’Connell will get ANOTHER TV series next season or the one after that.
Hello Jake –
Thank you for your thoughtful response. It is tempting to blame Ms. Couric for ABC’s error, but they have nothing to do with one another.
Lookin forward-
Pat
I agree with Jake .I am the only one in my circle of friends and family who tries to watch that show, but as Jake said, she lacks empathy and it is all about her. Cancel the show already
Karma.
oh yes.
We told you so.
Katie’s show bored me to tears!……not to mention her chronic
giggling that feels like fingernails on a chalkboard. Talk shows
have run out of creativity—-even Dr. Phil has resorted to cheap,
tabloid sensationalism and digging into viewer’s pockets to buy
his books—-don’t forget his SON who publishes them…….Oh,
Bother, as Winnie-the-Pooh says……I predicted less than a year
ago that Katie wouldn’t stay on the air very long.
I have only seen the show a few times, and for a little while, so I maybe do not have the right to judge, and I feel bad to say this because I like Katie Couric, but for some reason she and the show just do not draw me in. I would like substance on the show, and glad she is pushing that, but the few times I have seen it I have not actually seen that much substance – maybe I missed the shows of substance. Katie and the show just fall flat, and the style and format is a bit boring. To have an individual talk show you have to have a big, strong ( but of course, nice, kind,, compassionate personality which Katie does)that embraces the audience-like the Phil Donahue’s, Oprah’s, etc.). Katie did her best work on the Today show when she could interact and playoff other people like Matt, Al, etc. Just a thought – maybe she could bring on a ‘ side kick’ – like Howard Stern has Robin, Johnny Carson had Ed McMahon, or share the show with someone or others- the interaction may liven the show up a bit and bring out the best in Katie. She could still do more serious interviews, but this may make her more comfortable and open. I know there was talk of Katie and Matt having a talk show which may have worked, and maybe still could, but the concern would be that they both may have more similar styles now, and with all that has gone on with Matt who seems a bit burnt out and tired at times now- the show will still be flat. With all this said, sometimes there is a time (not because of age), to take the knowledge and experience you have, and step from the front lines, step behind the camera, work in the background, and make it all happen in a different way. Maybe it is time for Katie (and Matt) to do this – be producers, directors of important news shows, and come on screen periodically.
How about ABC bring in a new web soap, like beacon Hill? PP’s lawsuit against ABC has made it impossible to resurrect OLTL & AMC. Try something new. Many AMC/OLTL actors are already signed on to star in Beacon Hill.
Bring back OLTL and AMC – they got MUCH better ratings especially in the key demos than all these crappy talk and cooking shows.
ABC could have the same top ratings with OLTL and AMC that they are having with General Hospital again after this show has turned things around with good writing and story-telling, building on its long and successful history.
General Hospital draws almost DOUBLE the ratings in the women 18-49 key demo (last season average) that the OLTL and AMC replacement shows are having.
The same is true for CBS and the ATWT replacement show “The Talk”.
Networks must get rid of that cheap crap and make some smart investments in soaps again if they ever want to have the much superior ratings again that we’re seeing from the remaining soaps!!
Personally I really enjoy the Katie Show. I’m sorry to see that it may be cancelled. I don’t tend to watch most of the other stuff on TV as I think most of it is junk. I learn new things from her show and I am entertained. Her show is a bright point in my day. I am a female and like her!
I stopped watching her many years ago, her on air demeanor is partisan and condescending. Recently, while having a manicure at a nail salon in Olympia, Wa. her show came on. Within 10 minutes, a customer asked if the channel could be switched to another station. The salon immediately complied and everyone was happy. If she is being considered for Barbara Walter’s replacement, that show will see a decline in market share . My liberal friends and family can’t stand to watch her. How many shows can she tank? Just look at her ratings over the last decade. Even her friend, Jeff Zucker wouldn’t hire her for his ailing network. RIP Yahoo who is trying to hire her for something!
I can’t believe that you would cancel Katie Couric’s nice, clean, and entertaining show.
Heaven forbid, that it doesn’t have cuss words and sex in it. She is trying to spread good
around the world. She is so good with her guests and the audience. You know that you have
control over violence, sex, and bad language. I realize people have control over their
televisions . I choose to find a channel that is worthwhile watching. In case you didn’t know,
you have responsibility also for our children and what they see. I know ratings are a big thing,and money, money, money. A long time ago, I could watch T.V. when I was a kid, and
my parents didn’t have to worry too much about what I could watch. Now-a-days, it is a whole
new ball game. I am very disappointed in you all for cancelling the Katie Couric show.
Sincerely,
Katie Boehner
I am very disappointed to hear about the possible cancelation of the Katie Show.
Her show brought on excellent guests. Katie was engaged with her audience wanted to bring the guests an excellent show. Her show has class!! What a breath of fresh air, class and excellent guests!! It is a shame her show may be leaving the air!!
i like katie but she pushes her liberal side and i can;t stand that…thats ruining alot of shows
I think Katie has some great guests and some good topics but her excess giggling drives me up a wall. She laughs at every single joke like it was the funnest thing she has ever heard – makes it very difficult to take her seriously. Take it down a notch little lady!
News
Christel Khalil Reveals She Almost Quit Acting After ‘That’s So Raven’ Audition, But Then Came ‘The Young and the Restless’
The Young and the Restless fan favorite, Christel Khalil (Lily Winters) is the special guest on this week’s edition of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart which dropped today on Tuesday, June 23rd.
During the interview with Rebecca and Greg, Khalil who had played Lily Winters on-screen since August of 2002, nearly 24 years with the CBS soap, shared how early on her teenage acting career, she was ready to call it quits in show business, after a heartbreaking audition for the lead of a new Disney Channel sitcom, which later turned out to be the hit seres, That’s So Raven, starring Raven-Symoné which ran for four seasons from 2003-2007.
Christel recalled what happened. “I was 14 and I had always auditioned for all these Disney projects. So I auditioned for That’s So Raven, it was between me and Raven-Symoné and it was called at the time Absolutely Psychic,” explained Khalil. “The character was this girl who had psychic ability, but then when Raven got the role, they named the title of the show after her.”
Photo: CBS
HOW A BROTHERLY TALK CHANGED THE COURSE OF CHRISTEL’S CAREER
Reliving the disappointment to Greg and Rebecca, Christel explained, “I lost that part and I was just so devastated, because for the network call there were 20 people in the room watching me, and I just have always had such performance anxiety. I just completely bombed the audition and it was terrible. So, I was just devastated. I was actually going to quit acting and then I got the final call for The Young and The Restless and I wasn’t going to go.”
It was Khalil’s brother, who actually got her to reconsider, and if he hadn’t, we would not have our Lily Winters in Genoa City! Christel recounted, “I was like, ‘You know what? I’m done. I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m just going to hang out with my friends.’ I was just devastated. My brother, who is seven years older than me, and he had quit acting at the same age that I was at that time. He said to me, ‘I promise you, I actually really regret quitting. Just go on this audition and if you don’t get it, you can quit.'”
Christel’s screen-test for the role of Lily was actually with the late, great, Kristoff St. John who would play her father Neil (Later it was revealed to Lily, that Neil’s brother, Malcolm Winters was her bio-dad).
Photo: CBS
ACTING WAS EASY WITH THE LATE KRISTOFF ST. JOHN
“So, I went (to test for Lily) and I remember the screen-test was with Kristoff St. John. It was just so easy to act with him because he’s just so there. I remember just being on set, and that was my first time there for a screen-test where you were actually on set. I had never experienced that before. It was my first time being with an actor and having makeup done, which just helps you really be able to do your best work.”
Recalling the screen-test with the St. John, Khalil, “It was where I had to be emotional ( in the scene) and I always had issues being emotional at auditions. But I was there with him, it just came, and it happened. It was natural and I felt so good and it was amazing. It stands out in my mind a lot.”
You can check out the full Soapy conversation with Christel Khalil where she also discusses juggling motherhood, marital life, and the demands of soap operas.
Fan can listen to weekly episodes of Soapy on Audacy or wherever podcasts are available, and can watch full video episodes weekly on the CBS =Brand YouTube Channel. Whether a lifelong fan or discovering the genre for the first time, SOAPY offers a fresh, fun behind-the-scenes look at the stories – and storytellers – that define daytime drama.
Now let us know, over the years what had been your favorite Lily Winters story on Y&R as played by Christel Khalil? What did you think of of Christell’s recollection where she was up for the lead of “That’s So Raven” as a teenager, before it was even titled that? Let us know via the comment section.
This summer beginning on July 21, Netflix streams the return of WWE: Unreal for its third season. The behind the scenes docudrama series gives fans a glimpse of life in WWE and inside the writers room, as injuries, last-minute pivots, and career-defining decisions reshape WWE’s biggest event of the year, WrestleMania 42.
WWE Unreal is taking fans deeper than ever inside World Wrestling Entertainment’s creative process, The hit docuseries will once again pull back the curtain on some of the biggest moments, boldest decisions, and unforgettable storytelling with some of the WWE’s greatest legends who’ve shaped the industry and new stars who are emerging as prominent parts of the future.
In the new season of ‘Unreal’ which consists of 5 episodes at 50 minutes each: John Cena says goodbye, a fan favorite returns, and the next generation of Superstars rise to the occasion.
Photo: WWE
The cast and WWE superstars featured include: the aforementioned Cena, plus Cody Rhodes, Liv Morgan, CM Punk, AJ Lee, Trick Williams, Lash Legend, Stephanie Vaquer, Oba Femi, Bron Breakker, Chelsea Green, Matt Cardona, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
As previously reported AJ Lee revealed on General Hospital star Maurice Benard’s (Sonny Corinthos) mental health series, State of Mind, that she was part of the cast of WWE: Unreal.
WWE: Unreal production credits include: Directors/Showrunners: Chris Weaver and Erik Powers Executive Producers: Peyton Manning, Jamie Horowitz, Ross Ketover, Keith Cossrow, Ken Rodgers, Jessica Boddy, Lee Fitting, Ben Houser, Marc Pomarico Sr. Producers: Harley Glantz, Brian Decker, Michael Flynn Producers: John Galiani, Dan Gati, Jeremy Lundblad Production Companies: Omaha Productions, NFL Films, Skydance Sports, WWE.
So, what do you think of the loglines for the new season of WWE: Unreal? Who are you most excited to see featured in the behind the scenes drama from the list of WWE superstars and the twists and turns leading into this past April’s WrestleMania 42? Let us know via the comment section below.
If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.
It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.
In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.
Photo: NBC
There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.
DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.
Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.
Photo: JPI
THE LOVES OF MARLENA
Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.
TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME
While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!
The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!
Photo:JPI
The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.
The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.
The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.
In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)
Photo: NBC
Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.
It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.
THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA
In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)
In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.
Photo: JPI
One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.
Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.
Christel Khalil Reveals She Almost Quit Acting After ‘That’s So Raven’ Audition, But Then Came ‘The Young and the Restless’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Looks Back at 50 Years in Salem
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
‘General Hospital’s’ Controversial Luke and Laura Rape Episode: Writer Sheri Anderson Reveals Behind the Scenes Decisions and Admits ‘I Was Wrong’ to Defend It (Exclusive)
‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Weighs-In on Dante and Elizabeth Pairing and Sharing Scenes with Rebecca Herbst (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
Christel Khalil Reveals She Almost Quit Acting After ‘That’s So Raven’ Audition, But Then Came ‘The Young and the Restless’
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
Y&R Preview: Matt Clark Asks Phyllis on a Date, Would You Be Down for the Pairing? Roger Howarth & Michelle Previously in GH’s Franco/Nina Romance
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General Hospital2 days agoMaurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
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General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Controversial Luke and Laura Rape Episode: Writer Sheri Anderson Reveals Behind the Scenes Decisions and Admits ‘I Was Wrong’ to Defend It (Exclusive)
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Days Of Our Lives1 week ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
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General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Weighs-In on Dante and Elizabeth Pairing and Sharing Scenes with Rebecca Herbst (Exclusive)
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General Hospital1 week agoGENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
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Days Of Our Lives2 days agoAl Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
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Beyond the Gates5 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Karla Mosley Weighs-in on Dani Dupree’s Love Life Endgame: Are You Team Bill or Team Andre?
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General Hospital1 week agoGENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Michael Puts Willow On Notice After Tracy Is Arrested
