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RATINGS: General Hospital Spikes With Solid Gain In Total Viewers!

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

The ratings are out for the week of December 4th through the 8th, and it was General Hospital who had a great week adding plus 209,000 viewers to the long-running ABC daytime drama series about to turn 55-years-old in April.

GH brought in its average total viewer tally to 2,900,000, as well as increased in total households, according to the recent Nielsen data.  These numbers represent the highest performing week in those categories under joint head writers, Shelly Altman and Chris Van Etten.

In story for the week, GH featured the fallout from Andre (Anthony Montgomery) revealing who is Jason (Steve Burton), and who is Drew (Billy Miller).  Later, Drew is taken into custody by the Navy for desertion, and by the end of the week, Kim (Tamara Braun) tells Drew that Oscar (Garren Stitt) is his son.  Needless to say, there was plenty of drama to go around in Port Charles that week.  In addition, GH was in the number one slot in total viewers in the key womens demo 18-49, and even though they lost viewers in the 18-34 demo, they still remained in the top spot for that category, as well.

The only other daytime drama to add overall viewers (+14,000) for the week was The Bold and the Beautiful as their storylines revolved around Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) sleeping with Bill (Don Diamont), and not revealing yet to hubby, Liam (Scott Clifton), and Thorne (Ingo Rademacher) causing conflict in his return for the Forrester family.

The Young and the Restless was down in the ratings period, but still atop of the heap in total viewers, and NBC’s Days of our Lives while losing viewers for the week, was ahead of last year versus this year in the ratings week report.  To view the entire ratings picture via SON click here

Numbers are based on Live+Same Day ratings

(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)

Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,476,000 (-9,000/-183,000)
2. B&B 3,603,000 (+14,000/-142,000)
3. GH 2,900,000 (+209,000/+248,000)
4. DAYS 2,318,000 (-80,000/+32,000)

So, what do you think of the recent ratings for your favorite show? Which show do you feel is delivering the best quality drama as the final ratings begin to come in for the last month of 2017? Comment below.

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Those ratings fell quite dramatically, right?

GH really has some amazing, seasoned actors on right now, and amazing writing as well. It’s no secret that Finola is my favorite actor, but what she and the wonderful Michael Easton are bringing to the screen is so much fun to watch. There’s so much potential… opposites attract, she wants to protect his involvement in the spy game, he can keep an eye on her PV… I just love it!

Sly, I agree there’s something there. Never liked Anna with Andre or the repulsive Valentin but Finn brings out her wonderfully dry humor and, for the first time, he seems sexy to me. I’m liking this so far.

Oh I agree! They’re so charming together! Loved their rapport from the start…that underlying attraction beneath the quips. I’ve said this before but I so much prefer this pairing than Finn and Hayden. I honestly thought they were boring. No doubt Hayden will be back with baby at some point just when Anna and Finn are really close.

And the way Finn so cleverly played the “Cat and Bathrobe” card was utterly hilarious! More mirthful mixing-it up with these two…please, please, PLEASE!!!!!

I agree that Finn and Anna could have made the perfect couple @Shay.
I was a tad disappointed with the silly interaction between them. I found the acting ( the script) too immaturish and too amateurish for these seasoned actors. I respect them both, not like this.

The banter did not endear them to me. However, they are back on track. I am still not sure if I like them together.

On another topic, I tried correcting a mistake I made in my response to you, Shay. But did not print. I meant to say Genova, not Venezia, having more of a French dialect.

Chris Van Etten is a complete gem. He is just so adorable on twitter asking fans for help with GH history. Since he came on board as head writer of GH the show has been exciting, faster paced and cant miss. When Jean Passanante was head writer the show was so boring and moved like a snail. Not to mention her stories had horrible climaxs. How do u think Jean P would have written 2 Jasons?

I agree that since Chris has been head writing, the show is moving briskly along while still managing to hit all the beats. I’m excited again to be watching every day!

They have really been moving the SL of the stolen ballots along so fast, with the Mayor Lomax , etc. at the PD, I thought I’d missed a show, or something. Not used to things, happening so quickly.

Totally agree, it’s pretty obvious from the moment CVE was given head writer duties GH has been on fire & clicking on all storylines. People may disagree claiming it’s become the 2 Jason’s show, but look at all rich story that is blossoming out it. The addition of the Kim character has only enhanced already interesting & heart wrenching plots. Kudos to all involved, GH in my opinion has become MUST c tv again !

So glad that he is also a fan of the show as well as a writer. Helps! 🙂

happy for gh, like i said, the ratings is something one can’t control its either going up or down, as a viewer you can’t obsess about where the ratings are. that shouldn’t determine your viewing habit. of course as a fan i want gh to rock in the ratings but i’m not going to obsess where the numbers go. its going to be what it is. keep rocking GH….

I’ve definitely been tuning in more often. Didn’t Franco & Elizabeth get engaged that week too? Yes!

CONGRATS, “GH” :))

Watching today’s episode home getting ready for sis to come and stay for two days! All Ivan say is Genie Francis looks radiant!!

How beautiful Genie looked–and so happy and content. Glad she is getting some justice for all she has given to GH. And so glad her mother showed up. Brings back so many memories–some definitely bittersweet.

Hey Nancy. If Laura is elected Port Charles Mayor, will she live in the same mansion Luke lived in when he was mayor?
I know you recall the day Luke was sipping champagne on the balcony of the mayor’s mansion and he spotted his presumed dead angel walking across the lawn. That was the best return-from-the-dead story ever! And one of the reasons it was so emotionally compelling and riveting was due to Tony Geary’s acting. He actually acted how someone really would react had they spotted their presumed dead spouse walking around looking all fine and dandy. His reaction sent chills down my spine because it was so guttural, so real. I know we all suffered Geary burn out with the embittered Fluke Swan Song, but for the longest time he really did give fans his all.

The actor playing Leslie’s boyfriend on GH and who married Laura and Kevin would be perfect as a recast Stephano Dimera on Days!!!

Correction: I meant he did not speak perfect Italian. I can’t be sure he is even Italian born. If he is, he is not literate in the language. Italian is not an easy language to learn.

I do agree with you, though. This man could physically be Stefano. He fits the bill.
I watch DAYS sporadically. I like the idea of a Stefano return.

Physically impressive actor!

Since you are the expert on this subject, I shall defer to you, my wise Francesca, but I must say that even if not faultlessly spoken, the Italian marital vows were utter music to my ears! They added such a touch of class and romance to Laura and Kevin’s ceremony…I loved them!!! They also proved that there is indeed a new writer in town, since before his arrival, we probably would have had that tacky Lucy Coe crash the wedding in order to offer up her services and once again make an event all about HER! Thank the Lord times have finally changed in Port Charles!

You are a charmer, dear Shay.
Italian has a million and one dialects. In the classroom we HAD to speak Italian proper, or else.
Fortunately, one will not hear any dialect spoken in modern-day Italy, with the exception of the ‘uneducated’ and/or the “old folk”.

I am Calabrese where one could travel ten minutes to the next hamlet and the dialect would be distinctly different. Therefore, one must be very familiar with the rigors of the regions and mostly have an ear for it. I could tell exactly what part of Italy someone is from just by their speech/dialect and word-pronunciation.

As melodic as the wedding officiator sounded, his bad grammar and mis-pronunciation of words pierced my eardrums, lol. However, how good looking was he? I absolved his stumbling throughout the ceremony.

Some men/ women never lose that sensual aura as they age . He is one of those men.

2 “thank you’s” from your post above

1. Monica diss on Kim was totally out of left field. whew! i’m already smitten and caught up in both characters… Kim and Oscar.. so adding.. BM’ Drew w / Monica just seems so right… and a lot of GOOD ACTING .

2. ???? LOL oy ! Anna and Finn…. WOAH… I don’t get it, either. after all the flirtation and banter… ?? what’s left ? two professionals bungling it up more ? if GH is not going to spend the time and monies to get her a real leading man… I’ve posted this before… Finola Hughes is propping Michael Easton… it’s so not fair to ask FH to do this… when it’s just not catching. I LOVE Anna… period

outside of this… I’m finally getting that bug eyed cray cray … MORE Steve Burton please

STAT: the 12 /21 ep where Drew w/ Sam .. tells Jason.. it’s time that Danny knew who his real father is. and Sam response… yes folks I do prop few and far between… her response was so genuine. and lastly… whenever Sam and Jason meet up on that pier… all this eye to eye

egg nog mistletoe WINE … catch it

I want to rip off Sam flashdance tops tho
Bobbi was wearing the same kinda top to Laura wedding… so i’ll have to let this go.

Tante Grazie, Francesca! I perfectly understand your contention about the use of Italian these days..As I’ve discussed with others here in terms of your native culture, I enjoy the mystery series from your homeland, and I’ve noticed that they’ve also adopted the “standardized” language you’ve mentioned—- although occasionally, there are some older folks, as you say, who speak with a particular regional dialect, mostly Sicilian! Another thing which has caught my eye was the very thing of which you point out….how so many of the more mature players on these shows never seem to lose their sex appeal! I’m a huge fan of Terrence Hill, aka “Don Matteo”…what a good looking man! I often have to remind myself he is well past 70! And quite a few of the women featured on these programs retain their great sense of style, elegance and beauty in an ageless manner, too! Perhaps it’s just the European way…..At any rate, it is always a great delight to discuss such matters with you….and I look forward to doing so much more in 2018! Felice Anno Nuovo!!!!

You are very observant@Shay. Sicilian, Reggio Calabrian ( I am from Cosenza, Calabria), Barese ( from Bari), and Veneziano ( from Venice) are the most complex dialects of all. Veneziano is especially incomprehensible. The close proximity of Venice to France affects the dialect. It is more French than Italian.

You watch those Italian programs? How nice! I like you even more now, lol.
You know, there are romance magazines, what I call “soaps in print”, in Italian. They have been in existence for decades and decades. I would read my mother’s every chance I had.

I see that you enjoy Italian culture. Listen to some songs of my generation, if you find the time.
Mina and Riccardo ( amore, amore), Nicola DiBari ( cuore zingaro), Fiordaliso (non voglio mica la Luna), Bobby Solo, Nada(ma che freddo fa’), and so many others.

There is no other language which can transform the simplest word into a poetic, love song. An ode.

Valentin is the closest personality to my idea of poetic lover on a soap these days.
One thing we must remember is what my mother always warned me about. Italian men say all the right words, have the right touch, the right look to mesmerize a young girl. They come out of the womb with a little black book in one hand and a Lothario handbook in the other.
She would then have a hearty laugh. I never did know if she were to be taken seriously.
As an adult, I did not believe all men were cut from the same cloth.

Italy has a rich culture, rife with laughter and gioia di vivere. La vita is definitely piu’ dolce in that beautiful, sun-drenched country. However, as much as I am proud of my culture, I am American. I love this young country and I would not want to live anywhere else. My background only enriches my life.

Buon Anno, Shay, altrettanto, salute e prosperita’.

The character of Stefano permanently died when Joe Mascolo passed away. Some roles can never be recast.

Agree. Does anyone know who he is? Elegantly, handsome man!

im not at all surprised. The show has been firing all cylinders lately. I feel like I’m watching a real deal soap opera right now. Mystery and Intrigue always has been one of the things Gh does best. The stakes are high, the story is good, characters we care about…

I HAVE TO AGREE…A REAL SOAP OPERA WITH GREAT ACTORS..

DAYS has had some really pertinent scenes this holiday season–Jennifer talking with Abe re forgiveness, JJ dealing with unbearable guilt. Good acting also.

Well said, Nancy. Jennifer outdid herself by speaking from a mother’s heart. I have begun watching again, and I am glad I did.

JJ’s scene, contemplating suicide, was so moving, I lost myself in its ‘realism’.

Loving GH again the last several months, after being totally bored with it for 2-3 years. I’m especially enjoying the Jason-Drew-Sam storyline and the resurgence of the Quartermaines. Loved Thanksgiving and Xmas at the Quartermaine mansion. The scenes of Sam/Oscar and Drew/Oscar (and Kim watching in the background) were great on the Xmas episode at the Quartermaines (Thursday’s episode this week). I’m especially enjoying seeing Monica Q again–time for her to be on contract!

I don’t know… GH writers thru me for a loop… quick to anger on my part

Monica : giving Kim the riot act..of “knowing” that Drew was in PORT Charles and coming after the Quartermaine monies !!!!! ????

WOAH – it was great acting… let me put out their – I LOVE Monica

was this done by the writers to test how beloved Kim and Oscar have become ?!?!

I DARESAY – watching Kim AND Oscar is like truly watching a SERIAL…. truly HOPING for a new family with Billy Miller’ Drew. NOW THIS.. is must see

it just goes to show when… you have a good cohesive unit… of on fire troopers…
this is what soap is about.

GOD OH GOD.. you can forget about the Corinthos’ clan that easy… when you have good actors to feature. Kim , Drew, and Oscar for the win

COURSE this is how easy it was to say the same thing: Valentin – Nina – and Charlotte

now we can add.. Justin – Olivia – and her baby

heck… GH has couples galore with family to feature.

GH WRITERS – FORGET about Carly and Sonny and Micheal… dead weight

Anna and Finn… STINK

this cutesy cutesy play on words and laugh out loud flirtation… is so LAME

Anna NEEDS a MAN

Finn is an empty shell.. relying on his boyish look…

I do agree @Patrick. I have always held Monica as one of my favourite characters, and I am very happy to see her more often. But, the snubbing is irritating. Accusing Kim the way she did, was out of character for her.

Finn and Anna are presently the most ridiculous pairing on General Hospital.
The scenes are too scripted, lacking spontaneity.
I like both actors, but this silliness is out of their league.

Ah, my dear Patrick….Don’t knock the concept of “boyish looks!” They can be oh, sooooo appealing!!!!

Oh Charday, you are so right! How adorable is Oscar with Drew, both walking on eggshells but trying not to show how happy they are. And, unlike buddinsky/homewrecker Carly, Sam’s handling of this difficult situation has been mature and admirable. Monica’s treatment of Drew is so touching (again, unlike Carly, Sonny, Diane) and it’s always great when she’s on.

GH could really use an earthquake or some other disaster to thin the cast–starting with Sonny and all the other Corinthos dregs. Also, time for Anna to go, along with Dante and Lulu. I’m bored with all of the police force, except for Nathan. I’d love to see Britt Westbourne and Nickolas Cassadine back on the show.

The writing, pacing and acting have all been compelling these past weeks. I haven’t said this in years but I really can’t miss an episode. Nice to see that the improvements have been reflected in the ratings.

Absolutely, NCboston1. You know how I know what you state is correct? I don’t use the fast forward feature anymore while watching GH.
Okay, I use it a little when Alexis makes those adolescent goo goo eyes at Julian, but other than that, my right index finger stays off of the fast forward button.
I also am really loving watching the grown-ups in the room (TJ and Molly) admonish the children (Stella, Julian, Alexis, Jordan) for bickering and to play nice. Adding to my gratitude list, love that we get to see the under belly of a character names Andre. I also love that Billy Miller is back, Baby! He is reminded me of why I liked him so much as Y&R’s Billy Abbott. He’s got that spark back in his eyes and seems more spirited.

So agree, Harry–re Alexis’ goo goo eyes at Julian.
How misplaced, unfortunate, and plain tone deaf is that story given this cultural revolution we are in the midst of re sexual misconduct, rape, harassment. Long over due–but welcomed. Thumbs down! 🙁

I hear what you are saying, Harry, and it’s true!!! GH is eminently more watchable these days! (Although I tend to cringe and skip scenes at the same things you do….seriously, having to endure Alexis acting all superior and disinterested—but secretly giddy—every single time she is within swooning distance of Julian is a complete and utter farce!….Good God, the woman is more molten beneath the surface than Mt. Vesuvius ever was….and combining her two greatest weaknesses in the world—alcohol and her ex….—-into one neat location certainly doesn’t bode well for this weak-willed woman! I mean, nothing positive shall come of it….Mark my words, an eruption is imminent!)

Hey, Harry,
I certainly do remember when Laura came back from the dead–and I heartily agree with all you said about that day. I watch it now and then on youtube and STILL get those chills. 🙂 It was chilling, thrilling, and oh so romantic–and the climax–what a climax on the stairs with Stavros. Tony was so very good–and I feel so sad when I think of the Fluke fiasco–too bad. But, yes, what a day, what a scene–best ever, incomparable!

Shay, the one thing I hate about you is you fail to pick a lane and state your opinion. Don’t hold back! Tell is how you really feel!
I was hoping Alexis would be interested in that handsome doctor but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! He’s too nice, too good and for Alexis, that means boring.
Forgive me for being vulgar but when Julian enters a room everyone looks at him as if he just farted. Everyone, that is, except Alexis who gives him these furtive, anxious lovelorn looks. I swear, Julian could wear a wife beater’s shit, play a song with his arm pits, and Alexis would hear Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.” But really, it’s “The Song Remains the Same” that he’s playing.

yeah, yeah, yeah…same old, same old. Carly’s “goo-goo eyes” for Sonny, Nina’s for Valentin, Diane’s for Max, Tracy’s for Luke, Liz for Franco…seems like none of these couples pass the mustard. Or is it just Alexis? Cause last time I viewed the show each one of these women had “goo-goo” eyes for men who did them wrong or did wrong to others.

You go, Alexis. Smart, witty, sassy, accomplished mother, attorney, friend great female character! Complex and very human.

You make my day, dear Harry.

Harry, I wanted Alexis to be interested in the doctor also. She and James Depaiva work well off each other in the limited scenes they’ve had. Could be fun! But, no, she has no time for him. Too bad!

Oh, my clever, clever Harry….As you well know, ambiguity thy name is most definitely not Shay! I always call it as I see it —–without reservation or hesitation—-but upon this occasion, you’ve outdone me big time….and quite creatively, at that! Despite the fact I’ve always subscribed to the notion that vulgarity is no substitute for wit—the latter of which you possess in spades!—your brilliant, spot-on description in this particular instance has proved the proverbial exception!!! Applause for that most colorfully-put verbal masterpiece ala Julian—along with the indelicately-expressed infragrant perspective held by most of Port Charles, not to mention many of us here!!! It truly is beyond dispute…and compare!!! What inspired imagery! Which leaves us with the perpetually-deluded Alexis, for whom the only appropriate adage that springs to mind is “There are none so blind as those who will not see!” She is indeed a woman obsessed….an utterly hopeless and hapless creature when it comes to this sorry excuse of a man’s hold over her entire physical being and psyche! And yet, she still has her dogged defenders! Go figure….

If you are not watching DOOL, you are missing too many great performances.

I never understood the excitement over weekly ratings that diddlypoo to do with us watching our soap LOL. I just don’t get..
but hey it’s fun to bash the writer when numbers are down lol..
* numbers down one week up the next, big deal lol

OK–
A ratings point itself represents 1% of all households in the united states.
So if we were to assume 115 million households, a 1.0 rating is 1.15 million homes tuning in.
Bottom line;
The numbers in the soap ratings soap, we are only 1.0 of what the Nielsen Households watch, that’s it folks..

And if you believe you watching a soap is counted, you are not personally counted.
You are 1.0 of what the Nielsen Households watch, the ratings are not what you watch..

So– the numbers you get excited over have nothing much to do with you, you are but an estimate of 0.1% .. and that is sad, indeed.

hmm why do so many believe their watching makes the numbers..
you are excited over what the Nielsen peoples watch to give your watching a 0.1 estimate..
Haaa crazy !!

fun tidbit;
Nielsen has around 5,000 households that agree to be a part of the representative sample for the national ratings estimates.
Nielsen’s statistics show that 99 million households have TVs ..
((yes Nielsen now counts other means of watching via mobile etc))

haa the ratings have become a game, yes?

The show was unwatchable for awhile, but has vastly improved in the past few months.

Unfortunately, so very disappointed in Y&R & B&B, my time too limited to waste watching these 2 snoozers anymore.

Rocky83, I so agree about Y&R for this is the last week I will be watching due to what Mal Young is doing to the show…B&B, I will still watch.

Congrats, GH. Keep up the good work.

By the way, I am really enjoying Billy Miller. It’s about time the writers gave him something “really” good to act out.

GH has been amazing on every level…EXCEPT…the infuriating explanation to Michael on the Christmas episod by Carly about AJ. Once again AJ was portrayed as the fall guy (no pun intended) whereby Carly admitted she made AJ think he was drinking again, Michael then says AJ pushed Carly down the stairs which caused her to lose the baby…AJ DID NOT PUSH CARLY DOWN THE STAIRS! I just watched the scene on YouTube…they were arguing, he grabbed her arm because she antagonized him and she pulled it away…falling backward.

With so many fans complaining how badly AJ was treated, what a horrible mistake it was to kill AJ off AGAIN after he had come back, after Michael FINALLY bonding with AJ and hearing his side of the story…the writers go back to the old AJ pushed Carly down the stairs????!!! And Michael, after getting to know AJ, angered and grief-stricken when Sonny killed him…goes back to just accepting Carly and company’s story about AJ and doesn’t say a word in his father’s defense?

Chris Van Etten you’re doing a great job…but you really need to WRITE this wrong, please…

I’m miss AJ Quartermaine–still hoping he’s alive and will return, but at present undergoing long-term therapy to recover from Sonny shooting him.

Say What !! Are you dissing Jean P, your favorite head writer?

GH is beginning to recover from the damage done to the show beginning in February 2012. It’s about damned time.

Now if they would just lose Frodd, once and for all……

You got it!

Days is the show to watch! Not a day can be missed.

“despite the adolescent fireworks”

LOL – @the Horton annual ornament partay.

Doug’ retort over Claire and Ciera Alice smashing their ornaments

ingénue hissy fit

well done and played out by BOTH of these gals. WOW it’s great to have a Ciera WHO CAN ACT.

it’s 5 months in to : THEE SHOW

and i’m rendered speechless and AWE that this is for Salem’ites

GH is clicking on most cylinders. However, two critiques: As others have mentioned, once again making Carly look justified in her treatment of both AJ and Tony is so annoying. Also, why is a central figure in the ballot storyline not being featured? This should be Kristina Wagner’s biggest storyline in ages, but Felicia is shipped out of town for Christmas. Why didn’t we get to see Maxie thanking Lulu for helping her mother? When they eventually show Felicia, she’ll probably say she doesn’t want to be mayor, clearing the way for Laura to run the city.

Indeed, that’s what she said!

Maybe, if enough time goes by, we could accept someone new.

DAYS of OUR Lives – ” here ye, here ye ”

Tyler Christopher and Louise Sorel

Tyler Christopher is Stefan O. DiMera !!!!

Vivian Alamaine SON… fathered by Stefano DiMera

read this is SOD

going on now… started 12/17/17

The DiMera Mystique just heightened

REIGN Supreme

That is exactly what I said, barely a week ago, Patrick. ….I stated I had heard it through the grapevine, Tyler would be playing Stefano’s and Vivian’s son.
However, I defer to you as to the mystery man…..I kept thinking it would be Stefano, but it is most likely Stefano O. come to claim what is his.
What an opportune time to unseat Chad…..Getting oh, sooo good!!

I don’t want him to unseat Chad… as he’s my fave

however.. i’m getting long in the tooth… ?? with Chad placing blame on Andre and/or even Kate. OK.. Chad…. moving along.. as Andre and Kate are aligned WITH… let’s get this empire forward

so.. by bringing in Stefan… WOWSAH

I don’t know what to expect.. other than Lady grand dame herself.. will usher in and dare.. defy and hold court…. that HER SON

REIGN

uphold her cache ? LOL LOVE TO LOVE Louise Sorel… LOVE TO LOVE

my heart leaps .. that Tyler Christopher is back on our telee

cheers my dear… 2018 will be…

salute to this WONDERFUL site

Believe you me….I don’t want Chad unseated either….love him. It will add delicious mayhem and turmoil, nonetheless. It is what Vivian does best!!
Days is running on all engines right now. Vivian and Stefano O. will definitely steal the show, making Salem’s citizens miserable, scrambling for shelter.
Finally something for this town upon which to chew ( other than Ciera telling on Rafe…loving it !!!!!– you know how I feel about Hope…ugh)…Salem had been dormant since Ben’s insanity. LOL….Yeah, I am salivating, Patrick, the poet !!

I have been watching GH for 39 years plus and I can honestly say that I am over the moon that Jason is back. It has never been the same since he left. I am so addicted to GH right now with him back. I cant wait for the reunion of him and Sam I know they will drag it out but all I can say is the writers better have us all on the edge of our seats and the we better all see that the writers do reunite Jasam because that’s why the ratings sky rocketed because of Stev’
s return so do not disappoint the fans!

I have not missed an episode since Steve came back!! Thank you GH for bringing our boy home where he belongs!! There is only one JM and that is Steve!! REunite JaSam!!

Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives wins WGA Award for Daytime Drama Series

Sunday night, April 14th in concurrent ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York City, the Writers Guild of America is handing out their 76th annual WGA Awards in the fields of motion picture, television, news media, and radio/audio.

In the Daytime Drama category, Peacock’s Days of our Lives was the winner, taking home its fourth WGA Award in this category in a row.

The DAYS winning writing team consisted of Head Writer Ron Carlivati Creative Consultant Ryan Quan and Writers Sonja Alar, Jazmen Darnell Brown, Joanna Cohen, Carolyn Culliton, Richard Culliton, Cheryl Davis, Kirk Doering, Christopher Dunn, Jamey Giddens, David Kreizman, Henry Newman, Dave Ryan, and Katherine D. Schock.

Photo: JPI

The team from Days of our Lives bested the only other team in the category from General Hospital, which consisted of former GH head writers: Dan O’Connor, Chris Van Etten Writers Ashley Cook, Emily Culliton, Suzanne Flynn, Charlotte Gibson, Lucky Gold, Kate Hall, Elizabeth Korte, Shannon Peace, Stacey Pulwer, Dave Rupel, Lisa Seidman, and Scott Sickles.

Courtesy/Peacock

As previously reported, a show spokesperson for Days of our Lives shared that the episodes submitted for the competition were #14663, #14678 & #14679, and mostly centered around the death, and the funeral of Victor Kiriakis played by the late John Aniston.

This week, DAYS head scribe, Ron Carlivati, confirmed that, and told Michael Fairman TV on the decision of the scripts the team submitted: “I like to have some humor, but it was also the funeral, and then there was Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) giving birth, and then Vivian’s (Louise Sorel) crashing the reading of the will.”

You can follow along with the live updated list of all the winners from tonight’s WGA ceremonies here.

Michael Fairman TV will have more on DAYS WGA Award win as it becomes available.

So, what do you think of Days of our Lives winning the WGA Award writing award for a Daytime Drama series for the fourth year in a row? Comment below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Matthew Ashford and Melissa Reeves Talk Return to DAYS for Doug’s Funeral, Susan Seaforth Hayes, and Their Enduring Friendship

Last week, Days of our Lives celebrated the taping of their 15,000th episode which is tentatively scheduled to air on December 3rd. The story will feature emotional and heart-tugging scenes of Doug Williams funeral and honor his portrayer, the beloved Bill Hayes, who passed away on January 12th at the age of 98.

While the actors, producers, and crew took a lunch time break to pose for some pictures and speak with the press, they knew they would have to get back to taping the funeral, which was going to make it a tough day, but also cathartic for all who loved Bill Hayes.

Several returns have thus far been announced including; Melissa Reeves reprising her signature role of Jennifer Horton (a part she first played in 1985), and Matthew Ashford as Jack Deveraux. Reeves had last appeared on the show back in 2021, and she was replaced by Emmy-winner Cady McClain in her absence when Jennifer was in storylines. In real-life, Melissa had moved full-time to Tennessee along with her husband, Scott Reeves (ex-DAYS, GH, Y&R). Now, and as previously reported, Reeves will first appear back on DAYS for the Thanksgiving episodes with the Hortons.

Photo: JPI

Michael Fairman TV caught up with Matt and Melissa during the 15,000th episode celebration to get their take on: being back for these special episodes, how it has been working with and watching Susan Seaforth Hayes portray Julie’s grief over losing Doug, and how they have supported each other through the years. Check out what they shared below.

Melissa, you are back on the set of Days of our Lives for this very emotional and special moment in the series history. How does it feel?

MELISSA: Oh, my goodness. I am honored. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but to be here for Bill. He was like my real-life dance partner. He taught me how to ballroom dance. And to be here for Susan, of course, who’s just been our sweet hero this whole week. We’re just following her lead. She’s just been this incredibly strong example for us in the midst of this trial and season of her life. She is like just lifting us all up with her. It’s been incredible.

I was at Bill Hayes memorial service which was truly incredible and I know at the time you were in Tennessee. It was moving and celebratory of his life, all at the same time.

MELISSA: That’s all I have heard. I have to watch it on You Tube. They said it was just a real celebration of his life and I love that.

Photo: JPI

This must be difficult for Susan Seaforth Hayes depicting the death of Doug, when she is still grieving the loss of her beloved husband. (Susan pictured above with the returning Stephen Schnetzer who plays her on-screen brother, Steve Olson).

MELISSA: I’m sure Susan has those moments at home by herself, but she’s so good at being a leader and leading all of us. We’re following her, you know, and she’s like, “This is how I want to feel today.” And we’re just going along with her, you know? It’s so sweet.

Photo: JPI

How is it to see Matt Ashford again live and in-person?

MELISSA: You know, Matt and I can go years without talking, or seeing each other, and then the minute we see each other we’re chatting away.

MATT: Melissa was out on set doing a scene yesterday on the phone talking to a stage manager; as she was telling some really tough news on the phone. I’m like crying in the background, literally, I’m off-stage crying.

MELISSA: And then we get like back into normal life, and we’re like, okay, “What’s happening? What’s happening with this … or what’s happening with that?”

I had read, Melissa, that you were in touch with Matt about if there night be a possibility for you to reprise your role as Jennifer for these special episodes?

MELISSA: Yes. Well, Matt was like, “Hey! Would you want to come back? “And I was like, “Matt, you know, I would always come back. ”

MATT:  Every time I come here to Days of our Lives, they ask, “Where’s Missy? How’s Missy?” Everybody backstage says, “I miss her.” All of the crew is asking about her and saying, “It would be nice to see Missy. Nothing wrong with you Matt, but …”  They said, “Where is she?” I said, “She wants to come!”

Photo: JPI

There are some beautiful photos of Missy and Bill and Susan thorough the years that I found. It just reminded me of just the deep and entrenched history we all have had with the show, personally and professionally.

MATT: Missy is roughly the age where Francis Reid (ex-Alice Horton) was when she started the show, which is just crazy.

Photo: JPI

I’ve always said Missy was going to be the next generation Alice. Do you feel that Jennifer is the heir apparent matriarch of the Horton family?

MELISSA: Yes. I mean, this has been greatest blessing of my life, and that would be great. I told Ken Corday (executive producer, Days of our Lives) when I was 17 that this show would be my life. Ken always told me, “This is your home,” and I’ve always felt like that.

How have gotten through the scenes watching Susan Seaforth Hayes as Julie go through the loss of Doug?

MATT: Susan is bringing her best performance life for her and Bill. I mean, she’s a showbiz baby. She always has been one hundred percent, and she’s doing it for him, and this is who they’ve always been. So, you’re seeing this amazing performance colored by her life. She has her private life as Susan, but she has enough plugged into Julie that she’s done amazing work. The director, producers and writers are giving her room to live in these moments and it’s quite wonderful.

Photo: JPI

Have you already broken down in tears during the taping?

MELISSA: Yesterday, but today’s taping of the actual funeral I think they want us to try and be just more celebratory.

MATT: I mean, it is a beautiful long life for Bill Hayes and his character of Doug Williams, and so it will be about that. Then, you get a bunch of us together in the church pews, and there’s going to be hijinks.

MELISSA: We all have been through the waves of grief. You have that awful cry and then all of a sudden you feel okay.  There are those family situations we are portraying where you’re like, “What do we do? What do we do now? You know, no one knows what to do. But, it’s so sweet. I’m looking forward to seeing how the scenes all turn out.

So, are you glad that Matt and Melissa are back for the 15K episode and Doug’s funeral? From what we can tell, it’s going to be quite an emotional journey for Days of our Lives fans, and especially the performance of Susan Seaforth Hayes, 

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Days Of Our Lives

Ron Carlivati Talks on Decision to Make Days of our Lives 15000th Episode About Doug’s Funeral, and Previews Chances for WGA Award

This week, Days of our Lives celebrated the taping of their 15,000th episode. In of it itself, that is an incredible accomplishment for the long-running soap opera currently streaming on Peacock.

However, this on set gathering was a bit different. Though the show is celebrating their achievement, they are also in the middle of taping scenes surrounding the death and the funeral of Doug Williams, played by the late Bill Hayes, who passed away on January 12th of this year at the age of 98.

As previously revealed many longtime favorites are back to honor Bill and the character of Doug including: Gloria Loring (Liz), Melissa Reeves (Jennifer), Matthew Ashford (Jack), Maree Cheatham (Marie), Victoria Konefal (Ciara) and Stephen Schnetzer (Steve) to name but a few.

Photo: JPI

Michael Fairman TV was in attendance and spoke with Days of our Lives head writer, Ron Carlivati to gain some insight into how the 15,000 episode was crafted and the decision to honor the character of Doug Williams and Bill Hayes as its epicenter. In addition, Ron weighed-in on this Sunday’s April 14th WGA (Writers Guild of America) Awards, where he and his writing team are facing off with General Hospital for the daytime drama prize. Here’s what Ron shared below.

Was this your idea to make the 15,000th episode centered around Doug’s funeral and passing?

RON: It was. When you’re looking at it, and laying out the calendar for the whole year and you see 15,000 is coming up, we’re like, “What are we going to do?” And then, we got the news that Bill had passed away and something kind of clicked. I was like, “We should honor Doug on that show.” So then, we started to kind of build around that … when does he pass away? How does he pass away? Who could come back? You know, it’s a lot.  I’m very pleased with the returns that we got as there’s so much that you could do. We wanted everybody we could get. So, we put together a wish list and Janet Drucker (co-executive producer, Days of our Lives) made it happen.

Photo: JPI

You have Melissa Reeves back as Jennifer, when the role was last played by Cady McClain. What has it meant to have Missy back for these shows?

RON: It was so nice to see Missy Reeves. I think Cady has done such a good job, but on the 15,000th episode to see Missy as Jennifer, it’s a big deal. So having her was great, and overall, the milestone was a big undertaking, because you want to live up to it. You want the 15,000th episode to be good. Now, it has a lot of real emotion that you’re playing. because for the cast and the crew they’re honoring Bill Hayes just as much as we’re honoring Doug Williams.

Photo: JPI

Was it hard for you and the team to write this episode?

RON: Yes. I’ll tell you why it was hard to write.  When I wrote, for example, Asa’s (Phillip Carey) death on One Life to Live or Victor’s (John Aniston) on DAYS, Asa is a different type of character. Like, you could have characters going, “Oh! I’m glad he is dead.” You could have different points of view, but with Doug, you’re not having that. Every person loves this man. No one had a bad relationship with him. So, you’re challenge as a writer is how do you make it that not everybody’s saying the same thing and doing the same thing. And so, we tried to find ways to make the episode about all the familial relationships and yet, how do you make it about Doug and yet broaden the scope.

Photo: JPI

I had spoken to Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie), a week after Bill’s memorial, for an interview. She said that she felt very fortunate that you did include her on discussions of how you would tackle Doug’s passing. How did that conversation go?

RON: First, I attended Bill’s funeral, which was incredible. I said to so many people it was an emotional service, but it was hard to be sad at this. The guy had an incredible life and it was an incredible celebration. And so, you’re sitting there watching this knowing that you now have to write something similar. And how do you write something that lives up to what you just witnessed? I wanted to talk to Susan to get her thoughts about, you know, how much do you want this to be about keeping Bill separate from Doug. How comfortable are you sharing your grief. She was incredible to talk to. It was a great chat.

You’re in the middle of taping these major scenes for the 15,000 episode to air in December. How do you think it’s going? Have you seen any of the scenes?

RON:  I haven’t seeing anything. I mean, we were still making changes to the script up till this morning!

Photo: JPI

The Writers Guild Awards are this Sunday, April 14th and once again this year there are two daytime drama nominees, General Hospital and Days of our Lives. How are you feeling about your chances this year?

RON: It is often just GH and us in the category. I’ve won three years in a row, so I’m kind of feeling like it’s their turn.

Photo: JPI

What episodes did you submit for contention? If I recall, they had to do with Victor’s memorial.

RON: The episodes we submitted were centered around Victor’s funeral. I think one has story with Vivian (Louise Sorel). We had some fun stuff, we had some emotional stuff at Victor’s death, and I am pretty sure that our submission was three episodes right around that time.

Did you make the decision to go with those episodes because there was a mix of humor and drama?

RON: I like to have some humor, but it was also the funeral, then there’s Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) giving birth, and then Vivian’s crashing the reading of the will. So, we had a lot of fun and it’s hard sometimes to pick three that tell a story, as opposed to submitting for the Daytime Emmys, where the writing team only submits two shows. So, we shall see how it goes on Sunday.

Courtesy/Peacock

So, are you looking forward to the emotional 15,000th episode of Days of our Lives? Do you think DAYS will take home the WGA writing award for daytime dramas for the 4th year in a row? Comment below.

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