Days Of Our Lives
Lucas Kerr Joins Days of our Lives!
Courtesy/IMDB
Lucas Kerr has joined the cast of Days of our Lives as Clint, the new love interest for Theresa played by Jen Lilley and he will debut on the Friday, January 16th episode of the NBC sudser.
An actor and model, Kerr has appeared on The Bold and the Beautiful, and the film Red Dawn and episodic roles on Sex and the City and Single Ladies and more! Lucas will also be seen in an upcoming episode of CSI: Cyber!
The original casting call for Clint had described the character as a “gorgeous male, edgy and rugged.”
Be on the lookout for the fact that Clint and Melanie have some sort of past and she ain’t too happy to see him!
So, what do you think of the casting of Lucas? Excited to see him on DAYS?
The June 22 episode of Days of Our Lives reminded us all of why Deidre Hall is iconic in the role of Dr. Marlena Evans. Here we are 50 years later, and Marlena is still the heroine of the long-running soap opera, and Deidre remains one of the most most recognizable names in the history of soaps.
To pay tribute, and to look back at the life and times of Marlena, the story starts with Marlena flipping through a photo album of her with John (the late Drake Hogestyn) over the years. As she misses him dearly, she gets a knock on the door and its none other than John’s son, Paul Narita (Christopher Sean).
With Andrew (Colton Little) in Salem working on a case, he sits down with Marlena, who says she can’t believe its been fifty years since she first arrived in Salem! Cue: Deidre’s first scenes on DAYS when she finds Mickey Horton (the late John Clarke) playing chess against himself inside the mental institution she worked.
Courtesy/Peacock
THE FLASHBACKS OF MARLENA’S LIFE
From there, viewers definitely got the cliff notes version of the history of Marlena and entrenched within them, some of the biggest moments in Deidre’s enduring run.
Paul thinks he is looking at 70s, and early 80s Marlena while going through her scrapbook, but he is actually looking at her twin, Samantha (Andrea Hall). Cue: when Marlena confronted Samantha about impersonating her, and then later getting a call on her radio show from the Salem Strangler (Jack Coleman as Jake Kostichek) who killed Samantha thinking it was Marlena.
In the present, Belle (Martha Madison) has arrived at this time to meet up with Paul, unaware of this trip down memory lane. She wants to go over the findings in the chess board mystery Stefano willed to Marlena and John, in private with him, since Marlena previously said she wanted nothing to do with it.
Back to the history lesson, Marlena speaks highly of Don Craig and even though their marriage didn’t work out, she could find a path forward with the new love her life, Roman Brady. (Wayne Northrop however is never shown, possibly to keep the story focused on John as Roman for confusion sakes?)
Paul sees a photo of a young Carrie (Christie Clark) in the album and Marlena says she was such a godsend after losing her baby. In fact, Marlena says caring for Carrie prepared her for her having and raising her own twins, Eric and Sami. Cue: The twin visiting Marlena in the hospital.
JOHN AND MARLENA’S LOVE CONQUERED ALL
Then, in a way to get through and incorporate the wild storylines only Marlena could have been in, she tells Belle and Paul, she has been through so much in her life, how lucky she was to find John, and some of the most unbelievable experiences no one could imagine. Cue: Marlena possessed by the devil and levitating from the bed. Next, John confronting Marlena being the Salem Stalker, where she admits she killed Alice Horton, pretends she needs help, then pulls a gun on her beloved John!
The comment is made by Paul and Marlena, that she literally has been to hell and back and she could not have survived were it not for her beloved John. Cue the big emotional highpoint clips; The Pier Scene! Marlena steps out of the fog when John sees her from a distance. After believing she was dead for four years, here she was before him in one of the greatest reunions in a soap opera love story in history. What followed were other times of the life of times of Jarlena.
Courtesy/Peacock
MARLENA’S ‘GIFT’ FROM STEFANO HAS A NEW CLUE
When Marlena makes a brief exit to the other room, Belle fills in Paul on the chess set Stefano left her mother and the photo of the Lire. Paul said he will investigate. Marlena comes back into the room and overhears, and says to promise her if things get dangerous he will back off, she does not want anyone hurt by Stefano’s games.
As the episode comes to a conclusion, it’s just Belle and Marlena going through the photo album giggling about 70s hairstyles and all the memories. Belle speaks on the impact Marlena has had in everyone’s lives, and that she is both the heart of their family and the heart of Salem.
An end card comes up acknowledging Deidre Hall’s 50th anniversary as Marlena, and we fade to black.
So, what did you think of Marlena’s walk down memory lane? Were you happy to see the flashback clips utilized throughout? Were you touched by the scenes and the performance of Deidre Hall? Let us know what you thought of Deidre’s 50th anniversary episode 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.
Days Of Our Lives
Al Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
It’s been a bittersweet time for Al Calderon. The talented actor/singer/songwriter has watched from his vantage point to roles he loved so much come to their conclusion for different reasons.
In a heartfelt message posted to his Instagram story on Saturday, Calderon took a moment to share how grateful he was for the opportunity to play Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives, and nurse Nico Silva this year on NBC’s second season of Brilliant Minds. Currently, Brilliant Minds has two more episodes that will air on June 24 and the series finale on July 1.
Calderon expressed, “As I sit here reflecting on this lovely Saturday afternoon over the last two years of my life, I have two major chapters closing that have been part of my life every day for the last two years. We have Brilliant Minds. Our last episodes are wrapping up, and then my last scenes aired yesterday as me as Javi on Days of Our Lives.
Photo: JPI
“I’m just unbelievably grateful for the chance and the opportunity to be a part of something so much larger than me,” continued Al. “I (will) love Days of Our Lives forever, my family. Thank you for supporting me and supporting my decision to take the leap of faith and believe in myself and, and tell other stories. You know, it’s never goodbye. It’s always ‘see you later’ to me and just leaving with love and leading with love.”
Al concluded with a special mention to some very important people, the fans: “Thank you to the fans and the support from everyone, the lovely messages. So this next chapter, hopefully it’s not a dragon, hopefully it’s a gold coin.”
Photo: NBC
Calderon’s journey on-screen on Days of Our Lives began in October of 2024 and concluded this month. In one of his last appearances Javi was asking a favor from Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) before bumping into his ex, Leo (Greg Rikaart). In story, Javi has a new romance with Gus (Michael Ocampo), while fighting his feelings for Leo. The role of Javi will be played starting on June 30 by Jacob Martinez who takes over the role.
NBC decided to cancel the Brilliant Minds, after it split up the airing of its second season which began in the fall of September of 2025 and the back-half started airing after a long break this past May. Calderon joined the medical drama staring Zachary Quinto for the new season, which sadly was its last.
So, will you miss Al on Days of Our Lives and Brilliant Minds as his time on-screen has come to an end? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Looks Back at 50 Years in Salem
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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
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
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
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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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Well, so far so good!
I aint excited until i see the actor(and obvious model…is there any just actor…lol)on screen and what is written for him…as for Melanie im not too excited by her return so far…Brady obviously will still be hooked on dope-but its Melanie Jonas…lol…she acts like an immature 12 year old…Ceara acts more mature…hope Days isnt planning to kill off Anne and Jordan is her murderer…i have a feeling itll happen and Theresa is framed for the crime???
Days needs to bring back a few blasts from the past…stay with its rich history in celebration with the shows 50th…why couldnt he be someone like Jeremy Horton and still be tied to Melanie…just a thought!!!
Yeah. I wrote about my disappointment in this transformed Melanie. And, Brady is a lost cause….time for him to come down his high horse, face his demons and stop blaming everyone else.
I am not liking Serena either. I suppose I had higher expectations for Melissa than she deserves. She’s a baddie? Hmmm, Nicole is going to discover that Ms Prim and Proper Serena is not so immaculate. Let’s not forget sweet Eric….his wax halo will soon melt when he succumbs to his baser carnal desires.
I had high expectations for Melissa too and i like that Days hired Asians to play Paul and his mother but the writing disapoints…i was watching 5 days a week now its twice…hoping things improve later in the year, especially for the shows 50th!!!
A new love interest for Teresa. Great timing..considering Kristen is returning to Salem with #Trady’s baby…
I didn’t know that, Carrie! I thought Eileen D. Was well-ensconced at Y&R in her reprisal of Ashley. But, of course, Kristen would return….I’m glad….there’s much needed sprucing in Salem. Kristen will come in like a whirlwind, as usual, bringing havoc and spice to this otherwise oh-hum town with its people deep into their constant doldrums.
I am only happy when I see Sonny, Nicole, Theresa and Victor. Everyone else can take a walk into the sunset.
What a great description of Kristen! She is a whirlwind powered by Eileen Davidson.
I’m really looking forward to her return to Salem.
DAYS strikes again with yet ANOTHER new character. This is SO tiresome. Ben, Clyde, Jordan, Paige, the list goes on of characters who are unnecessary to the fabric of Salem. Legacy characters need to return, like Shawn and Belle, Austin and Carrie, etc. Nicole should be a leading lady, especially now that Sami is gone. I care nothing for this Serena character, and Bo can be recast. RKK anyone??? In addition, Paul and that gay bellhop are hogging way too much airtime!!!!
oh please Nicole will never be leading lady material, she is good as supporting otherwise zzzzzzzzzzz Serena is not a bad character but she is once again a newbie (should have been someone like Sarah Horton..although the Horton are so awful right now..). The problem : too much newbies indeed but above all dull characters and dull stories on this soap. I can use this soap to take a nap now.
I literally LOL at your post, Claire!!!! I like the actress playing Serena, just not the character, she def should’ve been cast as a Horton!! Uggh!!! Bring back Carrie Brady, or hell where are Cassie and Rex??? Recast them!!!! Kate and Roman are still on the show!!!
With all due respect, Claire, in my opinion Nicole is the best there is, right now at Days…..followed closely by Theresa. The expressions on Nicole’s face tell a thousand stories. I study these characters’s faces….I learn much; specifically how talented they are. It’s in their eyes.
Melissa Archer is not doing a good job. Now, please understand that I am speaking comparatively. She took a big leap from how well she represented her craft during her OLTL days. ( no pun intended). Her acting has left me with much to be desired. To say that Nicole is putting the viewer to sleep is not how would label her. She is one of the sexiest women on soaps, to date.
I can’t put my finger on it, but Melissa scares me in the Serena role….her eyes are glacial and she is not convincing when confronting Nicole. This battle of the wills between them is so stupid and recycled…..different people; same story. Who’s fault is that?
If Nicole were given the right role, the right script, per se, she could definitely be leading lady material. She’s a better actress than Alison Sweeney was, who btw, was exalted into that position, not only by her longevity on the show, but also by the fans.
Melissa Archer , as I have already stated, is the biggest disappointment ever……and, Serena is more than a bore…..she’s a snore-fest.
To each its own. I have never been a Nicole fan. For years she was just a shallow, smug and slutty goldigger..fun as supporting but certainly not appealing and riveting enough to be a lead. As for her portrayer Arianne Zucker, she is beautiful (but not my cup of tea..too manly features from certain angles for my test..but it is subjective, i admit) and these least years i agree she demonstrated great acting but i never find her better than Ali Sweeney..moreover Ali Sweeney always had far more charisma to me. I never felt great empathy for the Nicole’s character like some did, i know. I don’t know she never moved me in her emotional scenes whereas i totally felt Sami’s despair for example when she was put on death row or when Ej died in her arms..i don’t know maybe it is a question of different sensibility. You understand some character more than some other, i guess, it is subjective once again.
As for Serena, first she is too new so i can’t judge really, since they did not write some layers for her..the writing is almost always bad on this soap..at least this last years. But already the story is weak and she is another newbie..it is overkill and not a good way to make the audience attach to her, at least in the beginning when we don’t know her. As for the acting, i don’t find her sensational but compare to some other newbies, she has a spark, some energy..and well great looks (like all soap actors to be honest..lol). The crazy eyes i could do without..indeed it is kind of creepy (although less creepy than the big brown bugged eyes the actress playing Abby has..) but maybe she can’t help herself..who knows..
So for now i am more wait and see with this character..although the ott praising when she came on the canvas from all the ‘good people’ of Salem..was a turn-off..when these writers will get that over praising is not appealing (case in point annoying characters like Daniel, Jennifer, Abby and Rafe for several years..ugh..make me loathe them). It doesn’t make the audience like the characters because the writing tell us to like them..we like who we want !
Also it seems some really hate this Serena character because she is coming between Nicole and Eric..a couple they are rooting for (although i did not like Nicole and Eric the first version..to me Eric could do so much better, this last version was alright and they had a good/root worthy built-up although sometimes boring). And really i could totally understand, actually i get it, i also had favorite onscreen couple and i was pretty mad when writers decided to throw an interloper/a third party at them. But at least, they should admit they don’t like the character because she is with Eric and they want Eric with Nicole and not her. lol.
He couldve at least been a Jeremy Horton recast!!!!
We’re on the same page…i too said Jeremy just above your post
I like Nicole and Serena, but it’s obvious Days wanted to add some OOMPH to the show, and Melissa Archer brings it.
Why not now let’s hope this guy is a legit love interest for Theresa !
He could come as someone hired by Kristen to control Theresa but then he fell for her..really fell for her and lot’s of soaps twists and turns ensue. One more little thing : they can stop the Theresa/Brady interactions..Theresa deserves better than to be pathetic concerning Brady..Brady can be with Melanie or whoever (although Mel would be so much better with Chad..). Theresa can move on from the Brady fiasco and start a new and interesting, somewhat twisted realtionship with Clint…not hard, writers !
“…Theresa deserves better than to be pathetic concerning Brady ”
the longwinded interactions are demeaning.
I would tell Brady to go and take a hike… and be cutesy smoochie with Melanie… who is a less interesting character than Theresa, any day of the week
Now, Claire…..I absolutely agree with everything you wrote….fantastic post. You said it better than I ever could. Uplift Theresa and down with ugh, Wah, Wah , Brady…..cry me a river.
Another holier-than-thou character is the patron Saint of Salem, Eric. He sits by God’s right hand ….he is so celestial up there in the clouds, that he could forgive his less-than-holy mother and sister but not Nicole?
All I can say is that something nasty is brewing with Serena…..and, yup, he will jump headlong into her trap, as only he could, but, this time, he will realize that Nicole, really and truly loved him, not Serena. He will have a ….”I shoulda had a V8″ moment.
I doubt Serena is going to turn out to be some evil sort. Maybe a little bad girl, but hardly evil. I also think it’s obvious Eric still loves Nicole, so Serena is angst leading into her next story whatever that will be.
I like the describe “… edgy and rugged”
When one sees Rafe run a nightclub for Victor, one knows Days is reaching the end of their creative barrel for ideas– so throwing one more cute guy in the mix won’t hurt, but it ain’t going to help if the writing doesn’t improve pronto
Days has gone downhill lately…i used to watch everyday but not anymore…Ben and Jordan both need to leave…i like James Reed but i dont like Clyde with Kate…id give him a second chance if they pair him with Eve…i think Clyde and Eve(i like Kassie but she doesnt feel like Eve to me but i think id like her better if she and Clyde were paired…i think they would make a great villainy pair)…Serena shouldve been Sarah Horton and this newbie shouldve been Jeremy Horton…Days should be writing for these third generation of Hortons and the shows rich history.. the main reason some fans tune out is because these shows stray from their rich history and bringing in too many newbies not connected to the shows core families often make it look like an unfamiliar show to its fans just like Another World had done years ago…AW was about the Mathews family when i first watched it but when it went off the air it was like a completely different show without any of the Mathews there…i hope Days have great plans for the shows 50th…after that im not sure ill watch unless things get turn around…i really dont want to quit watching being there are only 4 left but its hard to support a show that doesnt seem to care about the fans or the show itself anymore…thats what it feels like to me!!!
I can’t say I’d blame you if you stop watching altogether, jimh. What we are being fed right now is for the birds. I really don’t like seeds. I like to feel the texture of food in my mouth. Lately, Days’ fare has been insipid. The jury is still out, ….I am so hoping something blasting will happen to WOW me ….to be watch-worthy.
Does every character have to have a link to Melanie? I mean we have her with that bore Serena and her gambling issue and god knows what else? Can we just bring in someone without a tie to someone else…it’s a tired plot device…and Melanie is so boring any way who cares about her past..how about Kristen comes back and kills off the entire Jonas clan and takes Serena and Eric along on the death train. They bring the show down to sleep inducing bore.
LOL
“…how about Kristen comes back and kills off the entire Jonas clan ”
I wouldn’t miss them at all….. as long as it doesn’t include Maggie
she’s spared
Maggie is not better and finally she is not a HORTON for pete’s sake.
Yep she was with Mickey but guess what for years now she is not with Mickey but Victor (by the way Mickey would turn and turn in his grave..Victor tried to kill sarah you know the daughter Maggie adopted with Mickey..sigh..).
She is a Kiriakis, Mickey has been with other folks like Laura and even Mimi Lockart’s mother (don’t remember her name)..and while Laura is still an Horton because of Bill she is not because she was with Mickey once upon a time.
Moreover these dear Horton are so holier than thou and hypocritical, judgemental these days that i don’t think it is a pride to claim oneself a ‘HORTON’. The only legit thing about them is the name Horton because it was the firts family to be featured on this soap. That is all. But all the original Horton players are gone, a long time ago.
Maggie and Victor are spared but only because they are in Greece on a spur of the moment romantic getaway, but when Maggie finds out Melanie has been eliminated by Kristen, she starts drinking and begins an affair with Ben, while on a break from Abigail. Now that story I would follow.
Happy for Theresa and if he looks good on screen and can act, happy for me!
Ditto!
I’ll have two of him, please.
I honestly consider DAYS to be the shallowest, glossiest soap, with their constant unrelenting underscoring of every scene with the same tired background music, and a very surface attention to what drives these characters. I’ve never found the writing to go very deep, or many of the characters to have a stable throughline. Most of them contort and regress to fit the latest plot. It leads to a lot of ill-developed characters who don’t have unique voices.
The most complexly (is that a word?) new character I’ve seen has been Theresa, but I credit Jen Lilley with most of that depth because she’s expressed more with her portrayals of softening and then lashing out than the writing ever did. But fully shaping the characters’ choices usually falls flat, like Eve sleeping with JJ multiple times (I think they’ve more than gone over JJ’s reasoning and self-destructive qualities, but Eve? Is she feeling like she’s past her prime? Subconsciously competing with her daughter? Trying to get under Jennifer’s skin? Just can’t control herself because JJ’s that much of a stud in bed? I have NO idea why and I don’t think I missed an episode), or Will so freely jumping into bed with Paul and going back for seconds without acknowledgement of his cheating on Sonny (though I don’t blame him, as I’d have sex with Paul in a heartbeat, any day, any way and that poor horny bellhop shouldn’t be turned away either!).
From what I know of Melanie (saw her last run for a bit, and now this) they did a lot of random, different things with her also, and the saving grace is that she is a competent, watchable, and magnetic actress. I’m more mesmerized to watch her facial contortions and changes to her tone of voice throughout scenes, than am I really paying attention to what she’s saying, but you can only coast on a talented actress for so long before the writing is obviously not keeping up with her.
Meanwhile, my saving grace for DAYS are the true vets, or what’s left of them, meaning Maggie, Marlena, Kate, Victor, and Hope. I thoroughly enjoy Julie as well, and wished she was used more. The actress does stellar comedic and dramatic work, and I was equally entertained by watching her stoned on pot doughnuts and mourning Nick Fallon’s murder. They don’t give Doug half the chance or the screen time as Julie, but he delivered recently on his scenes with Hope about her moving on with Aidan. But Maggie, Marlena, Kate, Victor and Hope are the cornerstones of this show, because their characters were developed back when good writing was still a “thing”. I deliberately don’t include Stefano or John in this list because they have been SO sidelined by TPTB over the years that I can’t even get a read on John, and Stefano wins the Emmy for longest lingering involvement in a soap via phone conversation scenes. Does Mascolo have it in his contract that he doesn’t need to step on set and act a scene with any contract cast member anymore? Only leggy ethnic models that are 40 years younger than him? Sweet deal, if you can get it, I guess. I’d want that contract too, but with 20-something shirtless cabana boys instead of Stefano’s European mail-order brides.
On the other side of Salem, you have the Smith Island of Lost Toys, starring Adrienne, Kayla, Abe, Lucas, Jen, and Roman, all halves of former supercouples with no actual storyline or relevance to the canvas, but hanging around for nostalgia’s sake and tokenism, and occasionally talking to others about when their lives used to be great. And then there’s Abigail, Ben, Clyde, Jordan, Chad, Rafe, Nicole, Daniel, Eric, Serena, Eve all just swirling around with little discernable direction. There aren’t stories anymore, just… happenings.
The more I go on, the more I feel this show is a disjointed mess being loosely held together by a handful of talented actors and a network contract through their 50th anniversary. Hopefully they can right this ship before their 50th anniversary is the last they will be allowed to celebrate. GH came through their 50th MUCH stronger than DAYS will, at this rate.
Great post. You said it for me, davidevansmith. I love Jen Lilley….she is kept in ‘solitary’ most of the time. Why? Please, give her a meaty storyline where she can showcase her stuff.
Yes, ‘complexly’ is the adverb of ‘complex’. ‘Complexing’ would have worked as well. Later.
Regarding the music there maybe a restriction due to budget considerations. NBC has been putting the squeeze financially on Days for decades. Plus the royalty fees on music are astronomical! I enjoyed Doug singing “The Look of Love” to Julie years ago when they were the hottest couple on Daytime. I asked them about Doug singing again and Bill Hayes replied they can’t do it on the show anymore because the royalty fees Days would have to pay are too high.
Ken Corday may be using music produced “in-house”, I don’t know. He is a trained and educated musician himself. But regardless, I am pretty sure the issue are raising with the music is there largely due to the budget.
As someone who just started watching Days when All My Children went off the air. I would love to see the old characters and show some history of the family trees.
I agree. I am a long time fan and I would like to see more history too. They do work it in from time to time but it is being done through dialogue and it is easy for new viewers to miss it.
I wonder whether Lucas will be a permanent addition to the show or if his character will soon be written off. The other thing I want to know is whether or not he is related to the late actress, Deborah Kerr.
Love to see him. Only time I get to see my relative. Looking forward to seeing him