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Days Of Our Lives

OLTL's Hillary B. Smith talks Chappell, Gering & Alderson as W-C Auction continues!

By Michael Fairman

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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?”

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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.

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53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

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Daytime Emmy Presenters

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.

The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.

Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Genie Francis

Photo: NATAS

In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year,  A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.

The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).

The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”

Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.

So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

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Kyle Pryor

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!

Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.

He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Dominix

Photo: Peacock

Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2.  In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.

Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.

So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)

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Conner Floyd

Fasten your seat belts Days of our Lives fans, as the mystery of Dominic Marino continues to unravel on all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera. Last week, Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) learned that he may have a half-brother, who may be the biological child of his father, the late Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), giving him great pause, because he knows Stefano had kidnapped Marlena for four years back in the late 80s and early 90s.

Chad has already been hunting down clues with his current girlfriend Belle Black (Martha Madison) in Italy and Salem, which revealed a photo of a young boy with Stefano with the date 1992 on the back of it, hidden inside Stefano’s chess set. So, what’s next?

Conner Floyd chatted on the Michael Fairman Channel in a new virtual interview released on Sunday, October 18, where he spoke on what the new addition to the DiMera family could do to the already dangerous sibling rivalries, the state of Chad’s relationship with Belle and much more.

EJ and Chad

Photo: JPI

DIMERA RIVALRY

After finding out from EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) that Dominic Marino could be the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano and Marlena, Conner Floyd explained, “I think it blows Chad’s mind a little bit. I think there’s a lot of things working there with old Chad. Obviously, bringing in another DiMera could cause some noise and the whole situation with Marlena’s a little awkward as well because he’s dating Belle, so this could cause a little tiff there. I think his head’s spinning and he does not know what to expect, but I also think he kind of expects that from Stefano, for sure.”

As to how this will change and color Chad’s relationship with EJ, Floyd responded, “Chad knows EJ’s not happy about it and I think he’s going to be real upset if this gets in his way of doing what he wants to do with the DiMera legacy and all that. However, for Chad, I think he’s just going to keep a sharp eye, see what this guy’s about, see if he’s here to cause some trouble or here to be a friend and kinda play it by ear.”

Belle and Chad

Photo: JPI

BELLE OF MY HEART

With Chad and Belle already being sleuths, Floyd says, you can look for the duo to continue getting to the truth. “I think Chad and Belle are committed to this. They’re going full National Treasure, Nicolas Cage,” says Conner. “They’re going to follow the clues. They’re going to get some answers.”

Since beginning in the role of Chad in June of 2025 and debuting on-screen back in April of 2026, the former Y&R star (where he played Chance Chancellor), says it was Madison who helped him get comfortable in his new surroundings.

“Martha is phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to get tagged up with when I started here, just because she knows everybody,” shares Floyd. “She knows where to go, who to talk to. She’ll get the tea if you want, and so it was kind of cool. Martha took me under her wing, showed me the ropes. She’s a sweetheart.  I love working with her too. She’s a great actress.”

But, is Chad in love with Belle after such a tortured past with his beloved Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Floyd thinks so! “I think he’s into it. They’re such good friends and they have such a rich history. I think he’s in for the ride. You know, it’s one of those things you probably overlook at first and then they reconnected, and it feels easy and they’re going on these fun adventures.”

MAKING CHAD HIS OWN

Conner had the arduous task of being the successor to Billy Flynn in the role of Chad.. Flynn had played the part for 12 years before deciding to exit and head to Y&R. So, how did Conner approach learning the ins and out of Chad? Floyd shared, “I really dove into Chad when I first got this job. I liked that he kind of walks this tightrope of DiMera and not DiMera, you know. He want to so honor his family roots and really do something for the DiMera family, but he doesn’t want to fall into that trap that all the other DiMera have found themselves in. Chad is a DiMera at heart. He’s got those demons, but he’s just trying to keep them contained.”

Susan Seaforth Hayes

Photo: JPI

ICONIC

When Floyd got to DAYS, it was none other than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) who most surprised him in the most delightful way, given that he knew Hayes was a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the current longest-running cast member on the canvas.

“I love working with Susan Hayes! I love her. She’s a sweetheart. Susan is one of the nicest people there. I just thought she was cool and it’s Susan Hayes, you know?  We’ve had a lot of scenes together, which is nice,” explained Conner.

“We’ll go to her dressing room, we’ll run our scenes, and then we’ll spend about an hour just talking about life and she’ll tell me about a book she’s reading. She’s such a history buff, which blows my mind. She’ll start dropping all these historical facts on me. I learn something new by the time I walk out of her dressing room every time!”

Now below, check out the full conversation with Conner Floyd via the Michael Fairman Channel.

Weigh-in: Do you like Chad and Belle as couple? Do you think Chad will get to the bottom of the Dominic Marino mystery? If so, do you think Dominic is truly Stefano and Marlena’s son … and what about Rita (Maggie Carney) in all this? Let us know your theories in the comment section.

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