Days Of Our Lives
OLTL's Hillary B. Smith talks Chappell, Gering & Alderson as W-C Auction continues!
It’s the start of a new week, and time again for the next item up for bid from One Life to Live’s Hillary B. Smith’s special online auction to benefit The Willee-Coppee Fund, and also the next installment of On-Air On-Soaps exclusive interview with Hillary! Why should you bid? Not only because you can win a piece of Hillary’s acting career, but also The Willee-Coppee Fund serves to discreetly assist pet owners who may be struggling with overwhelming veterinary bills. In this economy, it’s important to be able to help man’s best friend with routine or medically necessary services. Read below the official description of this week’s (pictured here) item from Hillary’s days as Margo on As the World Turns!
Never let it be said that Hillary doesn’t know a great wardrobe item when she sees it. Back in her previous life as Margo on “As The World Turns” she was smart enough to buy this beautiful coat from the wardrobe department when her character was finished with it, and it’s still as useful and stylish today as it was twenty-ish years ago. It’s a double-breasted below-the-knee military style coat from Mondi, made in Germany. (And you’ll notice the name “Margo” in felt-tip pen on the label.) It’s a black medium-weight blend of 55% polyester and 45% new wool, fully lined in a black/tiny white dots 100% acetate. The collar is shawl-style and 2″ wide. There are six gold-tone crested buttons in front and three on each sleeve, with two slash pockets at the hip and one breast pocket, still partially sewn shut. It’s unbelted and hangs straight in the back with a 17.5″ slit at the hem. It’s marked a German size 38, which roughly corresponds to a size 10 U.S. But please read the measurements carefully so that you won’t be disappointed by the fit when it arrives. All measurements are taken with the coat lying flat and fully buttoned.
Now in this week’s fourth installment of our interview with Hillary B. Smith, she tells us about working with three of her favorite performers in the soap biz- DAYS and Venice stars, Crystal Chappell and Galen Gering, and Eddie Alderson (Matthew, OLTL)!
Hillary on working with Crystal Chappell: “When Crystal came on One Life to Live they made her a nun! And Crystal is the sexiest woman on television, and then they turned her into a juggler! We just sat down and had a good cry over that one. (Laughs) We could not believe that. I had no idea the depths of her ability until Venice. And working with Crystal, she is not just smart, but bright. She gets it, and she thinks outside the box and she thinks in holistic terms. Crystal is very passionate about the fans as I am, and very passionate about the soap medium as I am. There are not many people left, except probably some of the actors, who understand the medium and the importance of that connection with the fans. What she did with creating Venice was truly a love letter to the fans, and brilliant because she understood through all the letters that she received that there was a market out there that hadn’t been touched. And, there were a group of people out there who needed to be addressed, and we are not done with that. I told Crystal, we have a whole other thing that we are going to do. Nobody I know could conceive this, and then bring in Kim Turrisi, who is a beautiful writer, and then put this all together so that it is an homage, and so that it brought these actors together in a forum in which we all felt so comfortable that we could do anything. It was outstanding. I think season two is going to be exciting.”
Hillary on working with Galen Gering: “I don’t know what he is doing on DAYS, but I have such a crush on him because of Venice. When you are in a room with him and you start working with him, you get his subtlety and his humor. Galen is funny, and he is sexy, and good-looking and relaxed, and there is vulnerability about him that most men do not show.”
Hillary on working with her One Life on-screen son, Eddie Alderson: “First of all, Eddie Alderson was a tiny little boy who ran around the studio because his sister, Kristen (Starr) was there working, and when we were having trouble with our Matthew, we went, “What about him?” Our executive producer at the time Gary Tomlin went, “What?” And we went, “Yeah. We all know him and we all love him.” And Gary went, “OK.” Eddie suddenly grew up in this role and is getting more comfortable, and more and more inventive. I have to tell you, his ability goes deep when he can get out of is own way. But, it’s hard to get out of your own way when you are growing so fast. I really take my hat off to him, because he has changed his whole life for this job. He is my son, and Bob Woods (Bo) feels the same way. I am so proud of him and the work he did this past year was just beautiful. The scene on Christmas Eve when he walked again…when I watched it back I sobbed and sobbed. We don’t have a lot of happy moments on One Life to Live. Was that not breathtaking?”
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
Next week, expected surprises and schemes on Days of our Lives. In official spoilers for episodes streaming on Peacock from October 5-9, it looks like Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) has hunted down a very much alive Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd), while Marlena (Deidre Hall) admits a deeply concerning confession to her daughter Belle (Martha Madison), and more.
As previously reported, Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, General Hospital) is stepping in for one day for Tyler Joseph Andrews in the role of Theo Carver and will share scenes with Gabi (Cherie Jimenez), where Theo finally agrees to go along with Gabi’s plan, after she offered him a job.
Meanwhile, Gabi may have her hands full with Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) whose big win in Monte Carlo may have sparked his gambling addiction … all over again, but Philip reveals her has a plan.
Photo: Corday Productions
Sydney (Sydney Malekeh) is in for a shock when Dante (Franco LoPresti) arrives in Salem. Why is he in Salem? Is he part of the unraveling of the Dominic Marino mystery, since we know he seemed like he was talking to the man in Monte Carlo?
Will Marlena ever figure out what Rita (Maggie Carney) is hiding about the mystery of Dominic, and if Marlena is truly his birth mother or did something more suspicious go on and how deeply involved is Rita in this whole story?
EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) finally demands answers of his own from Rita after overhearing on today’s Cliffhanger Friday her conversation with Marlena. Will Rita cop to anything?
Then as noted, while everyone thinks Sophia took her own life, after Kristen “murdered” her, Kristen is infuriated to find she is somehow alive working as waitress in a diner in Kentucky. Will Kristen try to kill Sophia yet again?
Take a look at some of the additional spoilers for next week’s action on DAYS below.
Monday, October 5
Joy worries about her future.
Alex surprises Stephanie.
Chanel supports Johnny through a difficult decision.
Tuesday, October 6
Rachel gives Brady cause for concern.
Roman surprises Kate.
Wednesday, October 7
Leo’s good day takes an unexpected turn.
Brady is forced to make a difficult call.
Thursday, October 8
Paulina refuses to give up on Lani.
Chanel asks Johnny for a promise.
Friday, October 9
Stephanie and Alex steal a private moment.
Steve gets troubling news from Johnny.
So, what do you think will happen when Kristen finds that the woman she thought she murdered and framed (making it looking like a suicide) is alive and well and working in a diner far away from Salem? Was Rita more involved with Stefano DiMera than we even know? Who is the birth mother of Dominic? Is it really Marlena or did someone else carrying her child? And what of Dante? Why is he back in Salem? To get at Philip, or something else? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Four cast members are officially on contract at Days of our Lives, according to the soap opera’s closing credits on Peacock and longtime Days expert and historian Jason 47.
Lauren Koslow (Kate), Sydney Malakeh (Sydney), Sal Stowers (Lani) and Jacob Martinez (Javi) are the names that appear in the closing credits in the contracted cast members section. Days of our Lives fans also note that the series tapes ten months in advance of streaming episodes.
As Days of our Lives fans know, Lauren Koslow has played Kate Roberts since 1996, and recently filled-in for Jess Walton in the role of Jill Abbott on The Young and the Restless when Walton was unable to travel from Oregon to Los Angeles during the specific tape dates. But now, Koslow has been re-upped to contract status as of the September 8 episode.
Photo: JPI
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED
Sydney Malakeh is the newest member of the contract players when she debuted on contract status on the September 10th episode. Days fans first met Sami (Alison Sweeney) and EJ’s (Dan Feuerriegel) daughter in scenes in Monte Carlo around a gambling table.
As for Sal Stowers, the actress had been on contract from 2015-2022, then on recurring status with the soap, and would make appearances and limited runs since 2023. Soap fans first saw Sal as Cassandra Foster on Prospect Park’s revival of All My Children in 2013. Sal’s first new contracted episode was noted to be September 16.
Jacob Martinez, debuted on June 30 of this year as the successor to Al Calderon in the role of Javi Hernandez, and has now been bumped up to series regular as of the September 10 episode.
Photo: JPI
CREDITS
According to the referenced posting from Days of our Lives expert and historian Jason 47, he shared, “It took me four weeks to realize, but the same week that Sydney Malakeh (Sydney) debuted (9/7-9/11), “Days” also put Lauren Koslow (Kate), Jacob Richard Martinez (Javi) and Sal Stowers (Lani) on contract.”
Jason47 added, “This confirms the “errors” of Lani being listed in the credits the week of 9/7 but not appearing, and Kate and Javi appearing in the credits the week of 9/14 but not appearing. It also now makes sense why Javi and Sydney are being listed before Rafe and Philip in the credits.”
He also shared, “For the record, Lauren Koslow’s first date back on contract was 9/8, Jacob Richard Martinez was upped to contract on 9/10, Sydney Malakeh debuted on contract 9/10 and Sal Stowers’ first date back on contract was 9/16. The records will be fixed on the website in the coming days.”
So, glad to hear Lauren, Sydney, Sal and Jacob appear to be on contract with Days of our Lives (as of these episode airings)? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Britt Stewart Visibly Upset After Shocking Elimination with Taylor Hanson
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The Christmas eve espisode was really really touching it brought tears to my eyes. I was so happy Matthew could walk again. The look on Nora & Bo’s faces was priceless.