Sheri Anderson, the three-time Emmy-winning soap opera writer is set to be the special guest on Thursday, June 11 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm ET for a livestream chat on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.

The veteran soap opera writer has previously been the co-head writer at Days of Our Lives along with an impressive list of writing credits and tenures at: General Hospital, Santa Barbara, Guiding Light, Another World and primetime’s Falcon Crest.

Throughout her decades long career, Sheri has been involved in every aspect of the writing process including long-term storyline, daily episode breakdowns, dialogue writing and editing and more. She is widely recognized as one of the creative forces behind the high romance era of soap opera super couples in the 1980s.

Photo: JPI

ARE SOAP MORE RELEVANT IN 2026?

With the daytime soaps being mentioned in the mainstream of late, including a recent New York Times essay, Ryan Gosling’s high praise of Days of Our Lives icon Deidre Hall (Marlena), Late night host, John Oliver asking to be cast on a soap after doing a bit on his show, it seems daytime drama may be culturally relevant again, or is it really?

During the chat not only will we get Sheri’s takes on all the series she wrote for, but also ask, “Why soaps? Why now?” Why are audiences rediscovering/missing emotionally-connected storytelling? What did our genre provide viewers emotionally? And what has current programming gained technically but lost emotionally?

Join us with your comments and questions for Sheri in the live chat, as we talk the pros and cons of today’s daytime soap opera and daytime television landscape and delve into Sheri’s soap writing history and the characters she created or had a penchant for and learn about her new endeavors and outside projects.

Photos: JPI

If you are unable to make it to the live chat, but have a question or comment for Sheri that you would like us to ask on the broadcast, please drop it in the comment section below and we just might pose it on-air.

For upcoming celebrity features, livestreams and special event coverage, make sure to subscribe to the Michael Fairman Channel.

So, did you enjoy Sheri’s writing for Days of Our Lives and the other soaps she’s credited for? What do you think of the current state of the soap opera? Healthier than its been in awhile? Costing along? Relevant or not socially relevant in mainstream culture in 2026? Weigh-in and share your thoughts via the comment section below.

Elia Cantu, who has played Jada Hunter, the daughter of Marcus Hunter, played by the late Richard Biggs from 1987-1992, has confirmed that she wrapped run her run on Peacock’s Days of Our Lives.

Cantu first arrived back in Salem in 2022 and a few months back was moved to recurring status with the long-running soap opera along with Galen Gering (Rafe Hernandez).

Now, Cantu took to her Instagram on Wednesday, June 10 to share the news of her departure and some heartfelt goodbyes.  As DAYS fans know, because the series tapes ten months ahead of dropping new episodes, Cantu will be seen well into 2027.

Photo: JPI

A BITTERSWEET GOODBYE

Along with the following heartfelt words, Elia also taped a “final bow” to punctuate her time on the beloved soap opera. She wrote, “As I say goodbye to Days of Our Lives, I’m excited and looking forward to the next chapter. Leaving DAYS is bittersweet, but I step away full of gratitude and joy for what’s ahead.”

Speaking on playing the daughter of legacy character, such as Marcus Hunter, Cantu added, “Its been an honor. She is bold, layered, and I’ll forever cherish bringing her to life. She remains a staple in Salem and I’ll carry everything she taught me as I go. Jada, you will always be my girl.”

As she concluded her message, Elia gave a major shoutout to everyone at Days of Our Lives and most importantly the fans. “To the cast and crew — Thank you for your hard work and long hours,” Cantu shared. “What a journey it has been. To the DAYS fans — Thank you. You are incredibly supportive, caring, and dedicated. I’m so grateful for each and every one of you. There’s more to come, and I hope you’ll come along with me for what’s next.”

Recently in story, DAYS had been building the on-again off-again romance between Jada and Shawn Brady (played by Brandon Beemer). No word yet how the series plans to write-off Jada, which we will not see revealed until next year.

You can check out Elia’s touching post below as she wraps her run at Days of Our Lives.

Now let us know, will you miss seeing Jada Hunter on you screens? Did you enjoy the performances of Elia Cantu? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

 

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A post shared by Elia Cantu (@eliacantu)

There looks to be a new entrant in the daytime talk arena after four shows in the genre announced their departures this year. Jonathan Scott, one of the stars of HGTV’s Property Brothers franchise, is now  developing a new syndicated daytime talk show with CBS Media Ventures.

The host, producer and construction contractor’s new daytime show has the working title of Better! With Jonathan Scott. According to Deadline, the pilot will be shot later this month and the project will be in consideration for CBS Media Venture’s syndication schedule for the fall 2027.

Better! With Jonathan Scott will feature interview segments with well-known guests and lifestyle experts. CBS Media Ventures is sharing that they hope the talker will “inspire audiences with fresh Ideas to live better, all while having fun doing it”.

CAN THIS DAYTIME TALK SHOW SUCCEED IN DWINDLING LANDSCAPE?

If the pilot goes gets a full series order, it will be the first syndicated daytime talk show to launch in four years. As previously reported, The Kelly Clarkson Show is ending due to Clarksons’ desire to end the show after 7 season. Sherri featuring Sherri Shepherd was canceled after its fourth season, and both The Steve Wilkos Show and Karamo are done after NBCUniversal made the decision to exit first-run syndication altogether.

Jonathan became popular along with his brother Drew who appear in the the Property Brothers franchise and Celebrity IOU. The two run Scott Brothers Global and Scott Brothers Entertainment, while also overseeing home brands including Scott Living and Drew & Jonathan Home.

If the series comes to daytime TV next year, they would join the same Paramount-owned syndicated division which produces and distributes series including The Drew Barrymore Show, Entertainment Tonight, Inside Edition, Hot Bench, Flip Side as well as the Judge Judy library.

So, it look like we may be going back to lifestyle daytime talk shows. Does that interest you? Remember when ABC was convinced “The Revolution” would do well when it replaced One Life to Live and only lasted six months? Let us know if you would tune-in to a Jonathan Scott daytime talk show via the comment section below.