Breaking News
Matt Ashford Talks Jack’s Blockbuster Return; Rob Scott Wilson & Victoria Konefal Chat The Making Of #Cin On ‘Inside Salem: Days of our Lives Podcast’
The first week of 2019 sent shockwaves through Salem with the return of the believed-to-be-dead Jack Deveraux (Matt Ashford). In a New Year’s “Eve” surprise Eve Donovan (Kassie DePaiva) brings the amnesiac Jack back to town, and we are off and running on quite the storyline.
On the latest episode of Inside Salem: Days of our Lives Podcast, Matt Ashford talks with host Michael Fairman about: coming back-from-the-dead so many times, how long fans might expect amnesiac Jack to be running around town, plus what it has been like reuniting with Melissa Reeves (Jennifer) and playing opposite Kassie DePaiva’s Eve, and much more.
Later in the episode, Rob Scott Wilson (Ben) and Victoria Konefal (Ciara) chat it up about how they create the on-screen magic for their characters, Ben and Ciara’s love story. Then, the duo field some hot button questions from fans of the duo known as #Cin. Then, Rob and Victoria provide ‘play-by-play’ commentary as they watch back Ben and Ciara’s first kiss.

Photo: Jennifer Strauss/NBC
And in a hilarious twist, Michael takes on the role of Ben and gets pointers from Rob, as Michael delivers the exact dialog in the key scene opposite Victoria Konefal. Needless to say, Michael’s version of Ben is such an epic fail!
You can listen to the episode streaming now at NBC.com here, and on Monday the podcast will be available on iTunes and all major pod platforms for download.
After you check out the episode, let us know what was your favorite part in it, and if you are enjoying the return of Matt Ashford, and Rob and Victoria’s drama on DAYS as Ben and Ciara, via the comment section below
So, we all knew that when RC gave Abi did, it was the beginning of the end, and Abi’s miraculous recovery 10 years too early, and super miraculous strength to impersonate an alter…
Fast foward to New Years Eve,
RC is dumping again, just like he did on GH.
RC is slowly becoming as irrelevant as Oprah, and as soap destroying as… the creep who killed OLTL.
I stopped being an RC fan a long time ago (FLUKE) but he did not kill OLTL – Brian Frons did. Ron seemed to give the show a few more years, actually… until he couldn’t stop with the bizarre plots (Marty is Actually Crazy!) .. but I think the show was already a goner by that point. I think his first year on GH was amazing… but he goes for cheap thrills at the expense of long term characters and story… and that gives every show he’s on a ratings bump, but ultimately leaves him with no place to go but to go even ‘crazier’, which, for me, loses its appeal fairly quickly.
hi Calvin.
You are putting blame on RC for what FV did..
It was Not RC that created ‘Fluke’ it was Frank..
RC had Tony written out and Frank wanted to hold on and came up with Fluke and he brought the idea/story to Tony and Tony stayed on to play it out..
Again- RC had written Tony/Luke out FV came up with Fluke to keep Tony on longer.
I was never a One Life to Live fan, however, watching clips from the ’80s, ’90s and early ’00s, they were written miles better than how Ron wrote the serial in its final few years. Hell, even TOLN’s writers did better than him at writing the soap, though, it still didn’t entice me to want to watch out of desire. His first year at General Hospital was horrible; his only good year was 2013, aside from the melting face masks, which is one of the dumbest storylines to ever hit a soap opera.
Great podcast for Days as usual! Thank you for doing these each week. I click and listen to each new one on the NBC.com link for Days each Friday after watching the newest Days episode on there, the preview for the next week and your podcast!
I like to see Ben and Ciara have some romantic moments…maybe go to a Retro Disco Dance Hall…i could see them dancing to Burn Baby Burn-Disco Inferno!!!-seems the perfect song-lol…Jack back from the dead more times than Barnabas Collins-lol…you can tell Ron C. writes this show…seen preview with Leo and Xander with their shirts off…with those two becoming partners in crime will they be lovers too…Xander with his shirt off and with Leo will have to start calling him Tarzan if he is going to be swinging his vine both ways-lmao!!!!
I realize that I’m a bit spoiled, living somewhere where it’s always really warm (Hell) but is it really normal for mortals who live in some midwestern town in the greater Chicago area to be running around shirtless in January??
Several characters were not wearing winter clothes…but it must be global warming-lol
I just love the relationship between Ben and Ciara ,I just wish they would give Ben a break.Just because he has a mental illness doesn’t make him crazy.
I agree Carol ; give the guy a break. Out of all the dirt that Hope, Rafe , Abby, Kat, ect , have done , he needs a break.
I am sick of the way people are treating Ben.He is trying to straighten himself out,but a mental illness just doesnt disappear like that.
Abigail has a mental illness. Even Hope arguably had a small psychotic break when she emptied her clip into old Stefano, but that’s understandable, having just buried her husband, and sincerely believing that Stefano was to blame for Bo’s death. (He wasn’t, but he didn’t bother denying it)
Ben is a serial killer. There’s a bit of a difference. Though I realize that ReRon is trying to do the same thing with Ben that he did with Frodd on GH. This one is an even harder sell, because this is actually the same guy who you saw strangling people on screen, and not an idiotic recast designed to get around a legal dispute, as was the case with Frodd. Though I fully expect Ben to have a sudden brain tumor turn up any day now. Given his already documented abusive childhood, he might even have one of those CTE brain injuries like the football players & boxers get.
All serial killers end up in Hell, so believe me when I tell you that Ted Bundy, Jeff Dahmer, John Gacy and all the rest of them are still the same sickos down here that they were when they were up there on your side of the Earth’s crust. If Dahmer invites you over for dinner, I strongly suggest you decline the invitation!
I love Ben and Ciara together regardless of the necktie killer drama. Those two have a connection that shows.
Breaking News
‘Santa Barbara’ Favorites A Martinez and Marcy Walker, ‘Cruz and Eden’ Reunion Chat, On Demand Replay Available for Half Price (Exclusive)
The love was felt around the world during the Sunday, June 7 livestream conversation featuring enduring Santa Barbara Daytime Emmy winners, A Martinez and Marcy Walker who played Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell on the iconic NBC soap opera. The popular duo reunited for this special one-day only special event honoring their most memorable of daytime roles.
Santa Barbara was globally a hit, and nothing illustrated that more than having attendees from 20 countries and over four continents participate in and watch the live chat moderated by Melissa Braverman, the author of Santa Barbara: The Complete Story due out this fall.
While many were not able to purchase the initial livestream when the ticket costs were revealed to be $100, A Martinez previously clarified the event was to also raise money for Walker, who is currently facing a very serious health situation, now there is a way to catch the replay at half the price.

Courtesy: MBraverman
HOW YOU CAN STILL CATCH A AND MARCY’S LIVESTREAM
Michael Fairman TV can share exclusively that if you missed the chance to see and listen to what A and Marcy had to say, On demand access is available at the event link for a half price at $50 (guests can contribute up to $100 if they so chose). Like the livestream, 100% of On demand sales for the recording will be available for a limited time only, and also go toward Marcy’s medical expenses.
There was plenty of laughter, tears, and reminiscing through the the two and a half hour chat which included: some memorable footage and images from the love story of Cruz and Eden. At one point, Marcy reflected on the enduring impact and affection for Cruz and Eden. “You hope that whatever you do in this life, that you’ll make an impact of some kind,” expressed Walker. “It doesn’t have to necessarily be wrapped up in success or career or anything like that, but I think we all want desperately to feel like our time here blessed someone. To hear that somebody’s life was even a moment better because of what we did is a massive gift.

Photo: NBC
A AND MARCY’S DESIRE TO WORK TOGETHER AGAIN
In a moment that brought joy to those in attendance, A and Marcy both expressed a sincere hope and desire that one day they can work together again. Martinez explained, “There’s more avenues to pursue now than there have ever been. I would say just keep a good thought for it. I’ve been holding it for decades, and I fully intend to do whatever I can to make it happen. We’re engaged in trying to make it happen. And you know, we’ll see. I know we both want to do it.” Marcy simply nodded and responded “Amen.”
Melissa Braverman shared with Michael Fairman TV, her sentiments on hosting the Santa Barbara favorites. “Seeing A and Marcy together again, even virtually, was an absolute gift. It instantly reminded all of us why we fell so hard for Cruz and Eden in the first place. Their undeniable chemistry leaped off the screen and straight back into our hearts, proving that the magic they created all those years ago hasn’t faded one bit. Sharing in equal parts laughter and tears felt like catching up with old friends. It just meant the world to see them side-by-side again and to see how this incredible fandom showed up for Marcy during such an important time for her.”
So, if you attended the livestream chat with A Martinez and Marcy Walker, what did you enjoy hearing about the most? Now the tickets have dropped to watch the replay On Demand, would you want to check it out? Let us know via the comment section below.
Breaking News
‘Days of Our Lives’ Officially Confirms Ryan Quan Returning as Co-Head Writer Beginning in July

There is definitely a shake-up going down at the writing team at Peacock’s Days of Our Lives. Now, the long-running soap opera has confirmed, what has been previously reported, that current General Hospital breakdown writer, Ryan Quan is heading back to his old stomping grounds in Salem. This time as the series co-head writer.
The appointment of Quan comes with the official news that current co-head writer, Paula Cwikly, who was previously rumored to be departing the series, is not. She is staying with the soap opera and transitioning to a consultant role with the show. Now, Quan will join current co-head writer, Jeanne Marie Ford to steer the ship for the characters on the canvas.
On Wednesday, TV Insider, reported the official confirmation and that Quan will return to DAYS next month in July. In a statement to the outlet, executive producer, Ken Corday expressed, ‘We are lucky to have Ryan back in the fold. There are very few people who have such a deep knowledge and understanding of our show’s history. Stay tuned!”

Photo: JPI
THE FUTURE OF DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Since Days of our Lives unusual production schedule tapes ten-months ahead of air, the new creative team’s vision led by Quan and Jeanne Marie Ford are not expected to stream on Peacock until mid-2027.
Days of Our Lives is currently renewed through its 63rd season. The former NBC soap opera which transitioned to Peacock in September of 2022, celebrate its 60th anniversary in November of 2025.
The writing regime change comes after NBCUniversal Media Chairman Matt Strauss revealed that Peacock is expected to turn a profit for the first time in the current quarter, punctuating their investment with the enduring soap opera on its platform.
As for Quan, his knowledge of Salem is tremendous. Ryan joined Days of Our Lives as a writer’s assistant in 2007 after some time over at Passions. He then spent two decades and held every position on the writing team where he previously served as co-head writer from 2016-17 alongside Dena Higley.
Later, when Ron Carlivati took over as head writer for 7 years in 2017, Quan became his right-hand man and main story consultant for his deep knowledge of the history and the legacy of the show. After Carlivati exited the show in 2024, General Hospital hired Quan in 2025.
So, what do you think about DAYS making it official with Ryan Quan as the new co-head writer of the series alongside Jeanne Marie Ford. What do you think about the fact we won’t see the changes on-screen till 2027? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Breaking News
ABC Announces ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Texas Spin-Off Gets Straight-to-Series Order

In a surprise move, coming a week after ABC unveiled its 2026-2027 fall television schedule, Grey’s Anatomy is getting a new spinoff co-created by the original series’ creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes.
The new untitled medical drama will be written and executive produced by Rhimes and Grey’s Anatomy showrunner/executive producer Meg Marinis under the Shondaland and 20th Television umbrella. In addition, long-running ‘Grey’s’ star Ellen Pompeo will also serve as an EP of the spinoff.
The upcoming new series will debut midseason in 2027. This will be the first of Grey’s franchise not set in urban city or West Coast locale. According to Deadline, the new “edgy drama is about a team at a rural West Texas medical center — the last chance for care before miles of nowhere.”

Photo: ABC
In a statement, Marinis shared, “I am incredibly excited to expand the Grey’s Anatomy universe. This opportunity will bring new characters and stories to life that will embody the same heart, emotion and connection audiences have loved from Grey’s for more than two decades — all set in my home state of Texas. I am so grateful to Shonda Rhimes for creating this dynamic world and feel so fortunate that I get to be a part of it.”
A NEW GROUP OF DOCTORS IN RURAL TEXAS
The Texas spinoff will feature a a new group of doctors, but there will be some connection to the OG Grey’s Anatomy and possibly to Debbie Allen’s character of Catherine Fox. The amount of episodes in the series order has not yet been determined. Previous Grey’s Anatomy spinoffs were the defunct Station 19 and Private Practice.
Previously, Grey’s Anatomy was renewed for its upcoming 23rd season while the amount of episodes is unclear. The last two seasons the series produced 18 episodes.
It should also be noted, Grey’s Anatomy and the Texas spinoff would likely share a time period, which requires limited-run orders for both with Grey’s premiering in the fall, followed by the spinoff on the midseason programming block.
So, what do you think about a Texas spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy coming in 2027? Who would you like to see from daytime or primetime as some of the featured roles as new doctors? Put on your casting directors hat and let us know via the comment section below.
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