Days Of Our Lives
More DAYS Shake-Ups: Lisa de Cazotte OUT As Albert Alarr Tapped As New Co-EP!
Courtesy/NBC
Days of our Lives is making more behind-the-scenes changes leading into their big push to the episodes that will bring them into their 50th anniversary come November!
News Monday out of Soap Opera Digest has that soap veteran Lisa de Cazotte has been let-go as Days of our Lives co-executive producer! Lisa held that position since 2011. She will be replaced by longtime series director and producer, Albert Alarr!
Besides being with the NBC soap opera since 2003 on the DAYS directing team, Albert’s daytime drama credentials have included directing gigs on The Young and the Restless, Port Charles, and All My Children. In addition, fans of Crystal Chappell’s online web series, Venice the Series and Beacon Hill know that Alarr has been one of the main directors. Alarr will work closely with DAYS main co-executive producer Greg Meng in the months to come. In more backstage changes, Janet Spellman-Rider has been upped to series producer!
These changes on the production side have take shape after Josh Griffth and Dena Higley have come on board as the new DAYS head writing team.
So, what do you think of the producing changes at DAYS? Do you think it will have an impact on the series? Share your thoughts below!
Change is always needed for survival.
It will MOST ASSUREDLY change the trajectory of this show. NBC wants it lone Soap to post the gains that GH is enjoying over on ABC and I GUARANTEE you they won’t let up with the myriad of backstage changes until they do…and I don’t blame them because really ..this show was sleep inducing as far as i’m concerned.
If NBC wants to see the show posting GH-sized gains I’m not sure Higley and Griffith were the way to go…
Higley did boost the soap in 2008 through 2009. Her writing regime had higher ratings than this.
Based on Higley’s work on One Life To Live and Griffith’s Work on Y&R I don’t have much confidence in this team.
Very good. It sounds like Albert Alarr has what it takes to take our beloved DAYS into the remainder of it’s 50th year and beyond. I really hope great changes will come to DAYS. It’s so important for our show to succeed, for all our soaps to succeed and continue for many more ‘Days’ to come… of course, I mean, years! Wishing DAYS a great 50th and hope all these changes behind the scenes makes the show pick up and get back to where it once was. I’m rooting for DAYS and I fell like Sony and NBC feels the same, and this news feels very positive. Go Albert!
Long live Days of Our Lives.
I agree with you Jeremy. Now there are only four soaps with four different views on the genre and they will be hard pressed to replicate stories in the same fashion since they all come from a different production model. NBC was a daytime leader as well as ABC who stand behind one remaining soldier in a genre that reinvented prime time in the way stories are told…AND ALWAYS WILL…every prime time drama is a continuing serialized form bred of daytime that wiped out the closed end episodes of nighttime and forced characters to have a life…a family..a past and etc!!!…They aren’t all destined for the bin..and they will still hold down daytime because seriously…nothing brings in the millions like daytime viewers no matter HOW MANY Oprah’s and Walters you get…SOAPS rule ARE the rule…and if all but one network has them..then that one network will have 12,000,000+ daytime viewers…and they KNOW IT…He’s ethnic so I hope he brings a COOKIE onto that plate of CROISSAINT..TOUT SUITE!!!
Desperately needed changes. I can’t watch the show the way it is right now. They have some huge messes to clean up. They need to start by putting the vets we know and love front and center again.
I’m hopeful as many of the story arcs have fallen flat. Maybe they will consider the concept of NOT taping 6 months in advance. It doesn’t allow for changes when stories aren’t working. I understand the need to tape in advance, but 6 months is extreme.
I agree with Carolyn and frankly some of the storylines are NOT working – case in point: the whole Clyde and his “children” Ben and Jordan – it’s just a little too draggy (the whole show is a too drawn out, sorry, that’s just my opinion) and it hasn’t REALLY gone anywhere to speak of.
At least the hard-to-believe storyline of young JJ and a woman over 50 WENT somewhere now that Jen has gotten an eye-full and has something to hold over Eve, maybe tell her to leave town or else she’ll spill the beans to Paige – I really hope they stop taping Six months in advance and just for the heck of it I will say (off topic) good grief, get some NEW sets – everyone is either in that stupid park or at Brady’s Pub.
one note anger management “Ben” needs to hit the road… if DAYS production team think it’s SO sexy to see Ben and Abs ACT in bed…. and his seething temper reel…..
to watch Abs vacillate between child and womanhood… burgeoning Heroine… I’m just not seeing it… is it the writing ? most assuredly ?
I give props to Kate Mansi… but… with all the behind the scenes upheaval….
why not give Kelley Missal a shot as Abs
with her sexiness matched with JJ
dour plain Jenn has NO chance
I like your comment about the sets. While I think the Brady Pub is an anchor location, the “death” park is ridiculous. How many people have to die or be assaulted in the exact same location before people figure out it’s not a safe place to walk. lol
Days is in need of change in both front and behind the camera….ill stick with it up to the shows 50th to see if the changes are for the better?
Monkeys locked in a room with word processors would do a better job than the current writing we’re seeing now, so anything is an improvement.
No writer can fix a broken production schedule where arcs are written six months in advance. Because of this the show is always stuck with bad story lines and chemistry problems long after it clear it isn’t working ( can we say Jordan) while its audience dwindles due to boredom. The production problem should have been addressed years ago. As long as the solution to the ratings issues is to recreate the 80’s and bring back the star that left or to push the flavor of the month on the viewers with no real background (Serena) expect the show to continue to fail.
Let’s hope it works!
I think DAYS is fighting for survival. Their ratings are bad falling to new lows in the demos,and I welcome changes,because the show is truly awful right now. With a new writing team,and producer changes that may improve the show,and make it watchable again. I am rooting for the show to succeeded.
If it makes the show better, I’m for it.
Well at this point they got nothing left to lose. I have been watching Days for a long time and I cannot recall it ever being in this rough of shape. I truly hope they have hit rock bottom and it all uphill with the new regime. This show really deserves a great 50th year and truly hope this team will bring the history and great production values the show had, back in full force.
Im all happy for change. But SMART CHANGE. I just dont get the decisions that are made on this show. Why re-hire a writer that was fired TWICE for crappy SL’s and writing. Thats the biggest thing that frustrates me with this Genre. Instead of going to hire the best damn daytime writer out there, they rehire someone that was let go twice.
Thats like me going back to a Doctor that has gotten me Sick twice, instead of doing my homework and finding a better doctor. You have Lorraine Brodderick on your writing staff who penned some of the most Amazing things over at All My Children and was Agnes Nixon right hand, but instead you hire the woman that trashed OLTL, then trashed your show twice.
Why cant Daytime think like trailblazers. Go find that new writer to re-energize Daytime. OLTL during 91-95 was doing some of the most groundbreaking daytime drama because they went outside of the daytime fold to find a writer. AW during the 70’s hired a playwright and it was their most creative era, ATWT hired an outsider and had much success. Its time for Daytime to stop recycling people that have failed constantly.
I would have thought that with all the cancellations the past few years, Daytime would wake up and get creative, try to break the redundancy, and get back to creating fine television. I feel like daytime actually told SL arcs with a true beginning, middle, and end. Now I just feel like it just goes from one plot to another with no real conclusion. This is the same show that did the awesome Deidre Hall SID crib SL, the Salem Strangler, The Cruise of Deception, & Kayla’s rape SL. Now the show just floats from one Plot to another with nothing really being accomplished.
Im just frustrated with the entire Genre. All of Daytime needs to start hiring writers that are STORYTELLERS.
Well said.
you nailed it, Travis – in every way! I feel like DAYS is just too safe, they need those major storylines like you mentioned, I remember how big Cruise of Deceptive, Marlena possessed by the devil (ok, that way way way out there). Days is in jeopardy and I hate saying it, because I don’t want to read a year from now that the soap was cancelled. Since, AW ended in 1999 (?) NBC has had 16 years to get DAYS together. I want DAYS to survive for as long as possible. Your post was well said, man! Thank you.
I love DOOL and it is disappointing to see such an iconic show not bringing in the ratings it deserves (IMO). I have felt for a long time that the ratings issue is primarily due to the fact that it doesn’t have a designated time slot and doesn’t even air in several markets.
DOOL has a very talented & very attractive cast. I know the writing and pacing can be a little off at times, but it never ceases to entertain me and I rarely FF other than the commercials. It would be beneficial to not continue to PROP certain characters when the audience just isn’t feeling it. They do tend to do that far too often IMO.
Days is in trouble, They need to bring back Carrie, Austin, Recast Billie Reed with Noelle Beck. I hope Days stays on the air, because I really love the show, but right now the show really sucks.
NO!!!! Please, no more Austin, Carrie, and Billie. They suck and all of them are boring.
Those characters rocked the 90s and surely whole better than newbie characters.
Austin, Carrie, and Billie were brought back, then let go again because they did nothing for the ratings.
If DAYS wants to see gains like GH, hiring Higley back after two failed attempts was not a wise idea. Lorraine Broderick should have been promoted to Head writer. If not then maybe they should bring Nancy Curlee out of retirement or even Claire Labine. Also, bringing back some big time vets for the anniversary would be great…GH did a year long celebration they should do the same!
True , I would leave Broderick on the writing team , but she was head script writer for gary and chris.
FINALLY There hearing the CRYING OUT LOYAL FANS VOICES OUT HEAR Concerning DAYS Stories and especially some of the NEWBIE CAST that aren’t working out at all the RATINGS are way to down its very sad and alarming that KEN CORDAY Let it go this FAR NOW US the FANS that watch for YRS 5 Days a week and its gotten really bad PLS hear our voices BRING Back Bo Brady , Jack Deveraux , Steve Johnson , Belle Black , Shawn D Brady , Phillip Kiriakis , Tony DiMera , E.J . DiMera and Sami Brady and pls try to win Back Renee Jones aka Beloved Lexie Carver from the dead Resurrect her she was a True Legend well Loved Actress and was Great with Abe Carver Now theres a Big Ratings Hike Thats what i would like to see DAYS Ken Corday to INVEST in His PARENTS LEGACY Now s your Chance Ken Corday pls hear our Cries We wouldn’t like to see DAYS OF OUR LIVES Cancelled in the Near FUTURE … Regarding Stories that aren’t working out at all …. Hope Needs her Son Shawn D Back I don’t understand why you guys don’t bring that Character and Belle Back why and More Dimera s ,also you got 3 Males Joseph , Alex and Victor the Kiriakis Boys why can’t you bring them home for Adrienne and Sonny he needs his Brothers also Teresa can use her Brother right about now ANDREW where are you ? And the Beautiful and I mean Beautiful Chloe Lane Wesley aka Nadia Bjordin bring her back on full time Contract … Love the Lucas & Adrienne story , Sonny -Will – Paul what a great hott storyline and the New story that looks like is Coming that John is Paul Father on the look on Tori Norita s Face that will be EPIC … Pls Bring Jack Back for Beautiful Jennifer she really needs Jack Back ASAP especially regarding J.J. and Eve situation . PLs Hve STEFANO find out that Clyde Killed E.J. Dimera and the Consequences will be EPIC Get rid of Him Fast Let Stefano Win Back Kate back and also BRING in that Beautiful ICON LEGENDARY ACTRESS LOUISE SOREL aka Vivin Alamain and IVAN they were Comical I know the 50TH ANNIVERSARY is almost Upon Us …. Pls make these BIG HUGE CHANGES ASAP and you will see the DAYS RATINGS will be High enough to keep DAYS into the Next Generation Now if this was My Show I would Definately do Everything in My POWER TO Make My Parents Proud of me what that Left me to Continue for Yrs to come . I thanku for Hear Our OUT Cries on DAYS PLs Make these Changes its in your Hands God Bless you all Always your Loyal Fan s Here Especially Me Marc from Tampa Bay FL… we’ll be watching everyday at 1:00pm on NBC … THANKU
Higly has been around forever. Most of her previous soaps are now cancelled. Days needs fresh writing- not a rehashing of the same old same old. Give Deidre Hall a real storyline!
I love DOOL and want it to survive…the behind the scene changes are necessary, but I want a lot of stories to go away…The storyline with Serena, a new character that has no connection or history except with Eric years ago, obsessing over a ceramic elephant for weeks now is CRAZY. Lucas and Adrienne and not going to drive ratings…Kassie D as Eve is not working…I liked Melanie when she was on the show previously, but all she does is stammer over her words (annoying beyond measure)…The storyline with Aidan and Hope hav already grown dull…Here are a few suggestions. Make a list of the characters that make a HUGE impact…Give Kate a family, recast Billie and cast a sister for her…Make Nicole strong again and have her stop BEGGING Eric and Daniel to be her friend. Recast Brandon and Taylor to give her more family…Paul is a great addition to the cast, but the thought of him possibly being John’s son makes crazy…Freddie Wilson is a great actor and needs some siblings…I am not saying this because I still miss Chandler Massey, but nuWill is not working. I find myself wanting Paul and Sonny to be together…Cut the tie with Paige. She only has one expression and can only talk about her two-month ago breakup with JJ…How are we suppose to cheer for JJ and Paige when he has a long affair with her mother…Bring back some family members for Maggie and make her to true matriarch of the show…Marlena and John have been tortured for so long, their scenes seem forced…Give Jennifer a new man.
The first thing they should do is get Chandler Massey back. The second thing they should do is get Chandler Massey back. Third thing they should do is get an exciting young actor to play Kate and Victors son and put him in a rivalry with Chad. The fourth thing they should do is have Spencer Neville shirtless in every episode.
If not Chandler Massey a competent actor with a bit of spark should be cast as Will. It’s unbelievable that the powers that be cast such a flat actor to play Sami Brady’s son.
LoL regarding Spencer Neville. Well, it wouldn’t hurt –
Chandler Massey chose to leave, with a little help out the door from the producers. I can’t speak for others, but I know there are some viewers who are not in love with the replacement actor who was cast as the new Will. I would say he’s doing an adequate job in the role, but my problem with the show as a whole is that it is just too drawn out. The writers really REALLY need to pick up the pace. They also need to have some innovative writing in place –
The character of Ben, Jordan’s brother, is rather one dimensional – doesn’t he ever kid around or tell a joke – he displays one emotion – he’s always angry at Chad. After a while, it’s just not enthralling – and as For Eric, he’s about as exciting as unbuttered toast. Now, I wouldn’t mind LOOKING like either of these guys but it just goes to prove…..looks aren’t everything.
Long live Days of Our Lives!
I agree that change is definitely needed on DAYS, they need a GH-type story where a disaster hits and several characters are killed off, ones that aren’t needed and no one likes (at the top of the list, for me, is Clyde, followed by Paige, whom I can’t stand). But I don’t think bringing Dena Higley back, who was fired twice before because of her storylines, is the right choice. And Griffith’s latest visit to Genoa City wasn’t anything to brag about either, but that was probably because of his tyrant leader, Jill Phelps.
Change is definitely needed, and hopefully it will improve DAYS stories. I want to see more already-established characters come back, like Bo, whose departure was NOT handled well at all. It would also be great to see characters return, like Patch. I’m also looking forward to Kristen’s return, and hopefully one day soon, Sami and E.J. will be back too.
Days Of Our Lives
Lisa Rinna Would Be Down to Reprise Her Role of Taylor McBride in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot
When Lisa Rinna departed her popular role of Billie Reed on Days of our Lives back in 1995, her next major role would be a jump to primetime and the soapy Melrose Place.
In 1996, Lisa was introduced as new character Taylor McBride and stayed with the Fox young adult sudser for three seasons. Now in 2024, with the recent reveal that a Melrose Place revival is the works with Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton all on board to reprise their signature roles, would Rinna board the project should it come to fruition?
Speaking with PEOPLE, Rinna expressed, “Well, gosh, I’ve heard about it. I haven’t been approached or anything, but I would love to see what Taylor McBride is up to 25 years later. Wouldn’t that be something?”
Photo: FOX
OG Melrose Place fans know that in story, Taylor moved to the Melrose Place apartment building with her husband Kyle played by Rob Estes. However, Taylor had her eye on Dr. Peter Burns played by former GH star Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco). But, by the time she had moved to the apartment complex, Peter had married tough as nails ad executive, Amanda Woodward, played by Heather Locklear.
Recalling her time on Melrose Place, Rinna added that it, “was one of my greatest and most fun acting experiences, playing Taylor and working with Heather and the whole crew.” Rinna also noted, “So if they need a Taylor McBride appearance, they know who to call. I’m around.”
Photo: JPI
The new Melrose Place is in development at CBS Studios. In the premise of the reboot, the Melrose Place residents reunite after the death of one of their friends, “but the pressure cooker of a reunion soon uncovers old traumas, rekindles old romances, reignites old resentments, and reveals new secrets… throwing our characters into chaotic drama that’s reminiscent of the past, but with a much more modern perspective.”
So, would you want to see Lisa Rinna reprise her Melrose Place role as Taylor McBride? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
Kristian Alfonso Returns to Days of our Lives for Tribute to The Late Bill Hayes
After a few weeks of Days of our Lives fans being upset that Kristian Alfonso (Hope Williams) was not on the first list of initial returns for Doug Williams’ funeral and episodes honoring his portrayer, the late Bill Hayes, comes word that the popular star is back and taping scenes.
Kristian reported to work on the Peacock streaming soap opera on Monday, April 22nd. She shared how important it is for her to be back for this particular return to the show that made her a household name.
“My return is very bittersweet,” Alfonso told TV Insider, “because it is the end of an era with Bill gone. So to return to Days is very sad. I am appreciative that they came to me to include me in their series of shows honoring Doug and I’m very happy to see everyone, but I’m entering the studio with a heavy heart.”
Photo: JPI
It was back in 1983 that Kristian first debuted as Doug’s daughter, and now 41 years later looking back at it, and her time with Bill Hayes is very emotional for her.
“I remember my first scenes with him/ He was very loving, very welcoming. That he was very talented and an incredible actor and an icon, that all goes without saying, but my personal relationship and my working relationship with Bill, it was home,” expressed Alfonso. “Doing the scenes with Bill, I felt like I was with my dad because there was so much warmth and reality.”
Photo: JPI
Alfonso did express some deep regret, in that she had wanted to work with Bill Hayes during her last appearance on the soap back in 2023, but according to the iconic actress, there was something in the works but it never materialized. “I’m sad that I did not get the opportunity to do the storyline that Ron (Carlivati, head writer) had planned/ It was great; we returned to Salem to reunite with our families and I would have had father/daughter scenes with Billy. What Ron had written was beautiful and emotional and it was a fantastic story. I was 100 percent for it and the fans would have loved it.”
Photo: JPI
As for if Bo (Peter Reckell) and Hope will be back on-screen together anytime soon, Kristian would only say, “What I will say is don’t give up hope.” Doug’s passing and memorial episodes will stream later this year come late November into December.
So, are you happy to learn that Kristian Alfonso is back taping episodes surrounding Doug’s memorial episodes? Comment below.
Breaking News
Steve Kent Reportedly OUT as Sony Pictures Television VP in Charge of DAYS and Y&R
On Friday, reports surfaced that Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President of Programming at Sony Pictures Television, is no longer with the company and overseeing the Sony soap operas, Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless.
According to Soap Opera Digest, a set side source reported that Kent’s last day was last Friday, April 12th, which was one day after what would have been his final appearance in his Sony VP role at the Days of our Lives 15,000th episode on set celebration.
During that ceremony, Kent gave a brief speech giving kudos to DAYS for its incredible milestone. Days is a co-production of Sony Pictures Television and Corday Productions, while Y&R is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company in association with Sony Pictures Television.
Photo: JPI
Kent started his soap opera career as a producer for CBS’ defunct Capitol and then as the supervising producer of NBC’s Santa Barbara from1984 to 1993.
Photo: JPI
At Sony, before his role overseeing the soaps, Kent was Senior Executive Vice President of International Productions for Sony Pictures Television International department.
If reports are true, the question becomes who has taken over his position, and would oversee DAYS and Y&R from the Sony side? Share your thoughts on this developing story via the comment section below.
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