Days Of Our Lives
RATINGS: DAYS On The Rise, Y&R Delivers Strong Week!
The ratings are out for the week of October 26-30th, and all four network daytime dramas showed gains in total viewers. But it was The Young and the Restless, who was averaging almost 5 million viewers for their week of story that was a hot viewing ticket.
The number one soap actually hit over 5 million plus viewers for Tuesday’s episode. In story, the strong week began with Adam (Justin Hartley) being the victim of a hit and run after his trial. The week ended with the beginning of “Danger in Disguise” storyline as November Sweeps began. Y&R gained +130,000 total viewers with it’s average audience tally at 4,927,00o. The CBS soap also showed gains in all key women demographics.
Elsewhere, Days of our Lives is going into their golden anniversary on a very positive note! The show has now stayed on top of General Hospital in third place for the past few ratings period. According to NBC for this ratings period, the folks in Salem delivered its most-watched week in 19 months. It is the best weekly performance for the series since the week of March 3-7, 2014, where it averaged 2.717 million.
Courtesy/NBC
For this ratings reportL: DAYS adds +77, 0oo total viewers for the week. DAYS was also up in all the female demos, and in particular added the most viewers of all soaps in the 25-54 womens category. With Chad (Billy Flynn) coming out of his coma, and the Aiden/Hope/Bo story picking up steam, the show also had a continued strong week of compelling story.
CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful also had a solid week adding +51, 0oo in the total viewer category and being up in all demos. In particular BOLD scored well in the 18-34 demographic adding the most viewers in that category of the soaps.
ABC’s General Hospital also added +44,000 for the ratings week, but continued to remain in the fourth slot overall. It also was the only drama series of the four to lose viewers for the week in women: 18-49, 18-34, and 25-64. Check out the entire ratings picture via SON here.
Numbers are based on Live+Same Day ratings
(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)
Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,927,000 (+130,000/+218,000)
2. B&B 3,634,000 (+51,000/+2,000)
3. DAYS 2,658,000 (+77,000/+193,000)
4. GH 2,623,000 (+44,000/-150,000)
So which soap has grabbed you during the beginning of the November Sweeps stories? Which soap is performing above or below your expectations? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
GH and Liason fan for life.
GH, fan forever!!!!
Great news for all soap fans. Congrats to all the shows for stepping up their games. I know the heyday of soaps are long gone and budget constraints are a factor. But, good storytelling and great performances are imperative in keeping the genre alive.
My list:
1. Days
2. Y&R
3. GH
4. B&B
Loving my soaps!
GH is in 4th place!
Y@R all the way. But Days..the storying is great!!
Y & R best
You bet your sexy thigh-high boots, Bonnie. Love my Y&R.
(Aside): methinks Patty and Ian are partnering up. Everyone will assume they are dead. Oh, but they’ll show up again, when the time is ripe for the pickings.
You read my mind, I was just thinking for this day and age it was good that ALL four soaps numbers were up regardless who is one and who lands at four.
@joanmceach.
Lol. Timmm and I are way ahead of you. We have already surmised about Nick’s boarding school ‘escapades’ and the injury to that girl, who is now a shrink with a vendetta and agenda.
The only conclusion one can make is that she will pass Christian as Sharon’s, who is experiencing a psychological pregnancy, aided by whatever pills Sharon is taking.
I absolutely detest this dumb, overused ploy.
i watched this past Friday ep’ of Y&R
cliffHANGer’ ME
the two standouts !
and it has all the more to do with their acting… aside from sizzling good look
1. Justin Hartley
2. Eileen Davidson
that was pretty much the only two actors that fronted
OK… I am in love with Stitch… if he’s dying… then it’s another nail in my tune in
for a friday ep and cliffhanger…. ???
why did they spend so much time with Lilly?
wow! further proof… her character dulls faster than… well close to … Summer!
are Victor and Jack… being propped… as figurehead… with no real lines… to cement their belong?
I’m sorry… but… this has to be a job for them… from here on out
there was no vitality… no sexual charge… no presence of noteworthy
I can only say… thank god… Devon was no where to be seen… what’s the point?
it was nice to see Sage… ex-Connie from GH
to see her going the route of kidnapped child… was good… enough for return? in all probability…. SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS… for lack of … bore snore and seriously lacks… Nick… DANG IT
couldn’t Nick have mustered up more than dead?
CP / JFP feature
not in my life time
Devon sucks. Him and Lilly would put an insomniac to sleep! Nick phoned it in. Same with Billy, they lose their kids and cannot muster up a tear! Sorry Patrick, looks like Stitch’s future has been sewn!
Well here is my theory. The kidnapping of Christian has to do with a backlash at Nic for previous transgressions i.e. girl he injured at a party early on. Who has set up Sharon for the transfer. More baby switching. NB This is old.
@Timmm.
That is so funny. I am an insomniac, Timmm…..I could use Devon and Lily, some nights, albeit
I would rather see them on my screen than squared-head Luca. Did you notice that, Timmm? Luca’s head has four right-angles. HaHa.
And, Patrick? Stitch’s head is a complete circle…complete with the circumference of a cantaloupe. I am such a bad, bad girl. Lol.
All of you have great points.
I will add that the new sets and music have really helped IMO, especially at Days. You don’t really notice those things until you lose them. Now that they are back it is a huge improvement. Actually all 4 shows have recently improved in this area.
I agree, MB. Day’s music is killing it. And, today, I actually commented about GH’s music at the end of the episode. It really drove a point of haunting despair….with Sam looking so lost, sadly sitting on that bed, as she absentmindedly removed her earrings. Very touching.
Definitely Y&R…….the excitement CP has brought to the screen has turned a good show into a great show. I could care less about the negative nancys out there who toss his and JFP’s name around as if they know them intimately. The reality is in the numbers not what happened to former soaps. CP is delivering exactly what he promised….pretty much a Friday episode every day. I laugh at statements in groups and on discussion boards about……….where is Jill……why didn’t Traci come to the hospital….where are the diapers when mom drops children off at the Halloween party. One hour per day Y&R sends me to make believe and then I snap back to reality and do my real life. Methinks some viewers are unable to separate the two.
I totally agree. If I want reality, I’ll watch a documentary, or the Big Brother. The CP and JFP era is fast paced and action packed. We haven’t talked daily about Y&R during lunchtime in years. And now it’s a daily occurrence. And last week’s “towering inferno” episodes were phenomenal.
Some people will eat up the garbage served up by Pratt & Phelps. No surprise.
Or you could get up and leave and go to another restaurant!
You do or you wouldn’t have watched it.
Yeah, heather. Right? What bothers me the most is the disrespect TPTB show us by distorting truths and assuming we forget certain facts. Case in point: what happened to Marissa’s Mexican/Cuban/Peruvian/Hispanic, whatever-accent? I am quite sure she had an accent while on the high seas. I guess it went down with the ship.
Nonetheless, I will always love Y&R….that will never falter.
Jill is semi-retired. Tracy should come back to Y&R permanently. Give her the head of the house role since John is long gone. I like Tracy.
Oh Timmm I so agree with you. She’s the common sense one of the family. Always nice to everyone. They never finished the story on what happened to her & Steve. I love when her & Abby have their day at the spa or she tries to reason with Jack. I never understood why they never brought Lauren’s kids back either (Scotty or Fen) there would be a story to tell. How Scotty feels about his younger brother having Mom & Dad around all his life & Scotty being sent off. Sure most of it was protection from Shelia but Lauren never brought him back after Shelia died. WOW what a story that would make & we’d get to see more of Michael & Lauren’s acting.
Sheila, I would like to know what all these critics do for a living? And in doing so, I would hope that their bosses and co-workers would be as critical as they are!
I know!!!! I think for some it is just easier to continually criticize than to reach for the flicker and change the channel. You have to be watching to criticize so that says a lot to me.
C’mon, Timmm. Lol. Do you accept everything you watch, or hear, as gospel? Even these soaps should offer a facsimile of reality. I hope that’s not a barb directed at me? Lol. I love my Y&R. But, tell me truly, Timmm. Can you resist speaking your mind about Devon, Morgan etc? Some questions need to be asked, and some comments need to be made. We all make them. Later, Timmm.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Now, Sheila. Why would I change the channel, when I specifically turn it on Y&R? You call it criticizing, I call it analyzing. But, perhaps you are more intelligent and more sofisticated than I.
I do not like the same fare every few months or so. I would like to see something tangible, something with which I can identify. Tired of constant despair and destruction….Tired of baby switching, killing or kidnapping. I would like some originality, Sheila. If that makes me a negative nancy, sobeit. However, when I see a well executed scene; or when I am in a place where I can come face to face with my emotions, I will say so. If you can only tolerate the positives on these boards, then you should be the one not to read them, Sheila. You cannot tell me to change the channel. We are all so righteous and sanctimonious, are we not?
I wish DAYS and GH could share the number 1 spot—those shows really are on fire with me right now. I get a lot of very strong story telling from both those shows.
You bet, James R.
Such a build up for November sweeps for Y & R and such a tremendous let down. Unbelievable writing and scenes the entire week. Chucky Pratt and Jill Firing Phelps needs to go and fast. Still no word on if Y & R extended JHP’s contract. Have you heard anything? I am an administrator for a Y & R group and a member of a few more. They ALL are talking about the horrible writing and how could anyone stay alive in all that smoke. Everyone I talk to feels let down for sweeps and I would be surprised if the ratings for this week were good because of the build up but next week is really going to be a snooze fest for this soap. This WAS the best soap in television but Pratt and Phelps have managed to run it into the ground. And now it looks like another baby switch story line is coming around. Good grief, how about something original for a change????
The show has been on 40 plus years, GH and Days for 50 and B&B heading for what 30?— give me a story line you think would be original and I bet you some soap has done it at some time-
There are only so many stories to be told, so the trick for any show daytime or prime time is to find a creative way to tell the same story. Basically every love story is the same but no one complains a soap isn’t being original if a couple falls in love because the soap had other couples who had fallen in love before them.
So yes they had a baby switch stories before but lets see how this one plays out differently than the other baby switch stories on any soap or show before passing judgement on it— ,
Hi, Mary;
I don’t know, Mary. Should we consider this baby-switching? With whom was Christian switched? I think it’s more like stealing/kidnapping. I hope you’re right….maybe this will pan out differently. But how? It always ends up the same way. Christian, whose name will obviously change, will grow up for a few years until he is aged; Faith will be aged, as well, and then, by some miracle or other, Sage discovers it’s her son. As long as this baby is not harmed, I am open to whatever, but nothing will shock me, at this point. You are more charitable than I, Mary. Lol.
I am still wondering who the nutso psychiatrist used as the deceased baby. I mentioned earlier that the nurse must be in on it. But, how could they be so sure Sage or Nick would not want to see their baby? Will they have a closed little casket? So morbid. See, Mary? It’s stuff like that which frustrates me.m
I was so very much hoping this was not going to happen. Ah, well!
Who do you suggest run Y&R? They are number one. There are a lot of far fetched scenarios on soaps every day! Y&R has been ten times better since Mr. Pratt arrived. Your entitled to your opinion but others like yourself complain but I dont know what you expect? I thought the fire was done well. Again, its my opinion. I hear “Snooze Fest” and “Run it into the Ground” all the time and I just dont see the proof?
There is no proof Tim because it is number #1. The ratings continue to skyrocket and the story is great. The acting is fantastic but there will always be negative comments from mean spirited people with nothing else to do or say. I never understood why some people find it so much fun putting others down weather it’s the actors, writing or directing. It is so much easier to be nice but they will waste their time and energy on here putting everything down but you can be sure they will be the same ones on here day after day commenting because they watched it. Maybe every story has been done before but not with the same actors, scenery, writers or directors. I say congrat. to the writers, directors, scenery producers, clothing & hair. Costumes for Halloween we’re fantastic. The ratings are up because of great team work.
Obviously the stats speak for themselves. The group I am in is about 80% positive and 20% negative as to the writing. The naysayers are pretty negative about anything and were negative pre CP and JFP. My solution is change the channel, walk away, have a nap but stop with the negativity. Why anyone would permit themselves to constantly complain when they are free to watch something else is beyond me. Why would CBS/Sony fire the best team in years with ratings the way they are.
It is possible for a show to be entertaining as well as realistic and moving. I defy anyone who watched Days last month and saw Paige and Will’s deaths not to be moved by the stunning writing and a0cting. Days hasn’t h been able to keep up the writing but its still pretty good. Its possible for a soap to be well written and entertaining. Y&R is certainly entertaining and CP and JFP deserve kudos for the high ratings but call me crazy I wish CP would tone down the pace of one or two of his stories and let the plots slowly develop. Maria Bell produced a lot of crap but when she was spot on like turning sweet nice Adam Newman into a bad seed, the Chloe – Billy wedding, the death of Tracy’s daughter, Patty’s delusion with Mrs. Kitty- the show was magical.
IMO, three out of four soaps have stepped up their games for Sweeps. B&B is the one which has not. Two pregnancy stories–yawn. I’m loving DOOL right now. GH has finally brought the Jake story to a turning point. Y&R had action and drama with the fire. B&B is alot of repetitive talk, very little action, and several characters featured on the front burner who are not as popular with fans as B&B think, like Thomas, Maya and Rick. But I’m interested in GH and DOOL most of all right now and I’m glad to see that those shows have delivered when it counts.
No matter the show or the performers, it all comes down to the writing for me and none of the four are doing anything to draw me in. GH is awful with its “All Sonny, All The Time” approach; DOOL is just blah with its tired Salem Strangler retread; Y&R is Charles Pratt so enough said; and B&B just always feels superficial and rushed to me (although I do enjoy the Maya story).
None of them are telling epic love stories or having storylines interconnect and send ripples across the canvas which used to be the genre’s trademark.
I’ve been watching old episodes of OLTL and Santa Barbara (the Dobsons episodes) on YouTube to remind me how good soaps used to be.
Yes Alan, writing is #1 BUT you need good actors. Its not easy to just read good lines if you cannot show emotions. Watch the scenes with Laura Wright and Billy Miller as his identity played out. They were phenomenal! There is a good example of acting what is on the page and coming across the TV like a scene from a big hit movie!
I’m not saying the actors aren’t talented, I’m saying the material isn’t interesting to me. I would be much more invested if Jason were to remember his life as Jason Quartermaine and lose all memory of his life as Sonny’s bestie. Jason having no memory of his past with Liz or Sam (or Sonny) would level the romantic playing field and possibly create a story that wasn’t tied to Sonny and the mob (yeah, I know — I can dream).
Thank you, Alan. But, we are supposed to be deaf, dumb and blind, according to some. We are not allowed to voice an opinion. Some people on this board have crowned themselves as experts and the voices of all that’s beautiful in soapland. Just as Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France. Spoke so much but had nothing to say. God forbid you or I give an opinion. Y&R is my favorite soap….I will sing both its positives and negatives, and no one will tell me not to watch, or take a nap, or whatever. How rude!!
I said just about the same thing….what happened to romance? What happened to happiness? What happened to just having fun? What is wrong with lamenting what I am offered lately? The actors are phenomenal….they act on cue. But, is there anything to celebrate on these soaps? That is being positive. Some people should get their facts straight. I could care less about ratings. I do not watch my shows for their ratings. Holy mark of Zorro!!!!
while gh will regain many fans who were frustrated with rc’s destructive storytelling by altering our beloved gh into a slow moving, walking dead, boring plotlines
that also made characters act in dark, unbecoming & uncharacteristic shells, we will lose fans who were never gh fans to begin with but wagon jumpers with hopes that gh would turn into oltl. i for one say good riddance to those fans because if oltl was all that it would have never been cancelled.
GH needs to find a graceful way to get rid of Franco, Nina and Kiki. They also need to ease up on the mob criminals. They used to be characters who were shady but fit into society. Now they’re just one dimensional villains and it gets old. And, what is with the rotating DA’s position, with each new DA even more evil than the last. Those are the kinds of plot nonsense that lose viewers who have just given up on the quality of the storytelling. Sad to me honestly.
Days is my favorite but im happy they are all still doing well…
I’m loving Days and liking -Young.
I agree with MBmomof3. My listing is the same.
I’m loving my Soaps; however, I’m still waiting for Adam to be cleared.
Perhaps the primetime viewing of the 3 soaps helps their ratings?
B&B, Y&R, Days are shown during the evening/primetime on POP.
The three soaps being a Sony product get a spot on CBS/POP.
I doubt GH will ever get a nighttime viewing.
Y&R and Days have been very dramatic, intriguing, stories.
Y&R has been at its’ best since J&S were fired, Pratt is doing very well.
GH has been as expected, a snore and needs new writers. lol
Long Live The 4 Soaps!!!!
su0000, the new writers at GH are okay for now. Give them a chance. NOW, they did write one of the worst stories EVER on Y&R about a music box that went NOWHERE BUT Lulu’s scenes with Dante and Carly and Jason’s scenes at her car accident were really good.
Congrats CBS and DAYS especially Y&R and DAYS!!!! These two soaps are bringing in their A-game! 🙂
Congrat. to all the soaps but especially my favorite Y & R. This is because of great writing, directing and acting especially by Melissa C.Egan and Justin Hartly.
B & B is a total snooze fest. Hate the so called “storylines “. Give us back Brooke, comedy like Stephanie & Sally back. Pam and goffie boyfriend don’t make it. Nothing can redeem this soap,
Nooooooo please no more Brooke sticking her nose in everything that is none of her business and from what I understand Stephanie is retired and Sally passed away. I say more of Ridge & Caroline less of Rick/Myia story.
I agree Char! Brooke is so beautiful and such a talented actress. Please give her a good story line!
Also, Again we have Ridge who has used so many women, yet the double standard allows him to move on with a younger women without the same baggage he created with so many other women!
Also, I’m so sick of Maya! I fast forward whenever I see her! Her fake voice is so annoying!
Finally, What happened to crazy Quinn and Deacon? Bill? At least they made things interesting.
Hip, hip, Nikki….you can say that again!! Creme de la creme.
My list:
1) Days (have been watching it for over 20 years).
2) GH (have been watching it off and on since Lucky met Elizabeth.
Loving the storylines (despite the odd use of SORAS on Days this past week – it’s a bit awkward, but it’s done, so we just have to go with it).
Endless excitement for DAYS!!!!!
Happy 50th anniversary, DAYS!!!!!
#Days50
Well if you are a soap fan and you can’t find anything to enjoy on any show during sweeps then you might as well stop watching altogether because a show is as good as it can get during sweeps.
I had nothing against using a fire as a backdrop for drama on Y&R, but it would have been a whole lot better if the dialogue was less lame and they had fill in some of the potholes in the plot to make it less silly. So overall, I’m giving this story a B minus.
Over on Days I loved Theresa’s and Brady’s little moment at the celebration and later at the house. I liked the old will Bo make it to wedding to stop it throwback to a previous story. I am okay with the SORASing of Salem’s children and other stories, so far sweeps for Days is an A
B&B, well Ivy just wears on my nerves, it seems like Brad is turning her into the new Hope, and not much else is happening for a sweeps, so I’m giving it a C
And GH– the Jason reveal is finally here and it has been worth the wait– looking forward to Ava trying to seduce Sonny from Carly, or at least I think that’s her plan in order to stay in Avery’s life. Drunk Kiki is interesting at times, dull at others. But overall because of the Jason reveal I’m giving GH sweeps an A plus
Week three of Days being in 3rd place. Congrats Days and happy 50th anniversary!
I have been watching soaps for so many years, my favorite soap is young and the restless,bold and the beautiful
I hope Adam is given a second chance to start over as a brand new man. I certainly hope they figure out that Sharon doctor is a crook. Noah please don’t kill him also paul sister. She’s tryed to help warn Dylan.
I love watching young and the restless. I would love to see Chelsea and Adam back as husband and wife. Devon and hiliary too. Don’t know about Nick. I don’t think he ready for another baby. Want to see Victor and Nikki spend more time together
The Newman Tower fire ratings have yet to arrive but it should be through the roof! There were 1001 head scratching moments about this or that BUT for 2015 where soaps dont spend a lot of money on effects, this was pretty darn good! The interior disaster with the cave ins were good, the exterior shots were decent and I give A pluses to the characters Adam, Ian and Sage for their acting.
Same with the Jason reveal ratings. This is not the numbers for that story. They will be good. I think they will knock Days into fourth place. Laura Wright and Billy Miller were fantastic! I cannot wait to see how Sam handles this news about Jason being alive.
Timm writes, “THe Newman Tower fire ratings have yet to arrive but they should be through the roof!”
I love the word play.
I agree about the acting–even Kelly Sullivan was actually really good but Josh Morrow was awful. He acted like his carnival goldfish just died.
Ian Ward was devilishly good as he erupted from the flames and ruin and said,”Please allow me to introduce myself.”
Of course we all hear The Rolling Stones following through with,”I’m a man of wealth and taste” ricocheting in our minds.
He’s a fabulous villain and I am glad he’s not dead.
Harry. Kelly Sullivan was so good on GH! I was so upset when they killed her off! I thought she could have been a good recast of Phyllis. Well, that didnt happen. I am not a fan of the character of Sage but I waited for Kelly to find a way to make her interesting. Well, with Christian temporarily “Deceased” she is running acting circles around Morrow. I loved it when she flipped out at Nick because of the memorial service and when he walked out of the room she called his name. [She is a future roommate of Sharon’s]
Harry, welcome to the “Psycho WARD!” I love that you love Ian! So many fans get down on him. Ray Wise is amazing! The way he announced himself with the fire behind him and the costume that he wore was priceless! Down the road, I want him and Patty to resurface outside of Genoa City, fall in love and show this courtship, THEN return to Genoa City and raise some more HELL!
You guys– I am right with you on these key points! What a great moment to introduce Satan than with a Stones tune! Those lyrics are priceless.
As for Sage– yes, the writers are quickly getting her to go bonkers and become roommates with Sharon. Fairview, or whatever, will be a nice nuthouse. But who in hell is this doctor? What’s her motive? Is she the one who Nick jilted years ago and got injured at his high school pool party?
Either way, Sage’s acting was so great. As a parent, I could feel her anguish, that one moment of leaving a child and then losing the child forever… what guilt and what pain– she played it so very realistically.
“…all four network daytime dramas showed gains ”
applause
“…total viewers ”
I laud my stuff
word of mouth these 4 featured
I soapbox one more than the other
DAYS wins; hands down
being in Salem; captures
hearts feel real
I hadn’t looked forward to another Y and R disaster storyline, but other than a few
things that didnt make much sense, I thought it was pretty good and kept
me on the edge of my seat.
Congrats to all the soaps!
RIGHT ON DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!
As a once-in-a-while critic, it would be greatly remiss not to praise the raging inferno story line. It truly captured something that has been amiss for a very long time. The visuals were wonderful, the music moving, and some outstanding acting. The writing tended to bring together everyone. I think viewers needed that.
Great praise is sent to: Abbey, Ashley, Ion (spell?), Patty, Sage, Stitch, and Victor. I know their roles superseded other scripts, but what wonderful acting.
Adam is another thing. He has become a hero; forget the deviousness of the old Adam. Writers had better play carefully with this person. Wish this Billy could stick around to make peace with Adam. And, please find out who hit the little girl.
Viewers like and deserve a little gentleness and forgiveness. The Valentine’s Day disaster was that — a disaster — this was a success!
I really wish DOOL (and GH at the time) had done a 1 hour primetime special on the 50th Anniversary of their iconic show(s). I think it would have generated a lot of interest to bring back lapsed viewers and maybe even new viewers. I don’t think that’s too much to expect for such a milestone. It would have served the interests of both the networks and their shows and been a real treat for the fans.
Please don’t tell me that Y & R is repeating the baby stealing story with Sage and Nick’s Christian being stolen for Sharon by her crazy doctor? NOT AGAIN!
Why can’t Sharon be happy and have a normal life again? She was so mistreated by Nick, Adam, Victor, and even Jack in the past.
She is beautiful and such a talented actress I wish she had a better storyline. Ditto for Brooke on B & B!
I just said the same thing.
on Y and R I think the baby Christian is not dead he was stolen and will be given to sharon and dylan as their own.
Wow! I only know Young and the Restless. The sweeps inferno series was so much improved from the Valentine Day’ disaster. It was just more enjoyable to watch; some great acting.
After Valentine’s Day the programs were so discouraging. I searched to see if anyone wrote about soaps. I felt so stupid. Well here you all are. Soaps take a place in our lives; but for such different reasons.
I record. My reason is to watch before turning off the light. It is intriguing to think about what might be the continuation of a presented possible plot. When the writers draw scripts that could include aliens arriving from outer space my interest sinks. No logic in that, no fun anymore.
Now I just wish the writers would establish who hit the little girl, get rid of the Neil/Hillary story — please, and move on.
So glad to see Vintage Victor again!
Enough of the parent, lover, child triangles !!!! Find new storylines…please !!!!!!
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.
Christel Khalil Reveals She Almost Quit Acting After ‘That’s So Raven’ Audition, But Then Came ‘The Young and the Restless’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Looks Back at 50 Years in Salem
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
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
‘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
Christel Khalil Reveals She Almost Quit Acting After ‘That’s So Raven’ Audition, But Then Came ‘The Young and the Restless’
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
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
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
-
General Hospital3 days agoMaurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘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 Lives1 week ago‘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 Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Weighs-In on Dante and Elizabeth Pairing and Sharing Scenes with Rebecca Herbst (Exclusive)
-
General Hospital1 week agoGENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
-
Days Of Our Lives3 days agoAl Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
-
Beyond the Gates6 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Karla Mosley Weighs-in on Dani Dupree’s Love Life Endgame: Are You Team Bill or Team Andre?
-
General Hospital6 days ago‘General Hospital’ Head Writers Spill Some Summer Tea and Preview What’s Next for Jason, Anna, Cassius and Carly
