Days Of Our Lives
Ron Carlivati Reveals When Days of our Lives Episodes From His Head Writing Regime Resume Streaming
Days of our Lives viewers have not been watching material from head writer Ron Carlivati and his writing team for many months. Well, things are about to change.
Circle this Friday, May 31st when the first new script from Carlivati and company will stream on the Peacock soap opera. If you recall, Carlivati had to step away from the writing gig at DAYS due to the writer’s strike, but because the soap tapes at least seven months ahead of air, it is only now that fans will see how the stories shift or finish out that were started by Carlivati.
According to Ron’s conversation with TV Insider, when Carlivati and his team resumed writing the show in late October of 2023, the stories were already written well into 2024. Carlivati explained, “For me, as of us talking right now, the (replacement writers’ material) is still airing, so that has been very tough. I’m just very anxious and eager for our stuff to start airing again.”
Photo: JPI
Ron explained before the writer’s strike, he and his scribes had written up through the 2023 Thanksgiving episodes. Speaking on how the replacement writers tried to handle stepping in for the regular team, Ron expressed, “I think what they tried to do was move things slowly in the hopes that the strike would end and respect where my storylines were so that I could play them off when we came back. Unfortunately, the strike dragged on, so I understand that the show needed to make story decisions.”
The award-winning writer made clear that, “from January to May (2024), those were not my stories. I had nothing to do with those.”
Having lived through a writer’s strike before (when he was at One Life to Live in 2008), Carlivati explained how he dealt with coming back and adjusting the stories including that the plan was to, “blow things up, jettison anything that I did not like, and get back to a show that I understand and can enjoy and tell. ”
Photo: JPI
Look for a Carlivati-style ‘wink-wink’ on Friday’s episode. As he puts it, “I did want to make it clear that this was the line of demarcation, that the writers were back and there was a change happening. We have a little nod or two to what was going on in the first day and I think it will be very obvious and clear to the savvy viewer. Luckily, story-wise, certain things were coming to a head already.”
Photo: JPI
Stay tuned for how Ron resolves a Sloan and Nicole showdown, how Eric will find out he is Jude’s true baby daddy, what happens when the new Gabi returns from Salem from out of the slammer, the Maggie/Konstantin wedding, payback time for Theresa and more.
In addition, and as previously reported, when Carlivati returned, he crafted the series 15,000th episode which is set to air in early December, and will also pay tribute to the late Bill Hayes with the passing of his on-screen beloved character, Doug Williams.
So, glad to know Ron and his team’s material will start to reveal itself this Friday and moving forward on DAYS? Comment below.
Never understood taping so far in advance. If a storyline is a bust they can’t do course corrections for almost a year. Maybe they should just take 5 months off and not tape that they can do what others do and tape 6-8 weeks.
Apparently, it has to do with cost-saving measures. But that doesn’t make sense to me either because if that were the case, all soaps would do it.
DAYS needs a complete overhaul, anyway. None of the current stories are interesting to me, many of the characters are insufferable (Konstantin, Theresa, Sloan), and many of the characters I really liked (Ben, Ciara, Shawn, Belle, Abigail, soon to be Nicole) are not on the canvas. Hopefully this change in pace will be a good thing for the show.
If you tape that far in advance, you can do a lot of the OTHER production stuff in batches, as opposed to producing and finalizing each episode, one after the other, in real time.
This is an imperfect analogy, but think of it like making a new lunch every day vs. making them in advance each month. Yes, it means sacrifices (you won’t have as many fresh/perishable things,you can’t change things up if you find you get sick of a specific meal, etc.) BUT it also means you can save by buying things in bulk at Costco rather than going to the store daily/weekly. It means you can spend a hard weekend getting 30 meals ready vs. having to make time each day to do it, etc. (This is especially important in production, where certain roles are paid by the day, whether they work all day or just part of one, and doing things in batches vs. daily can be the difference between having to hire full-time employees to do a job — which is very expensive – vs. hiring people to do the work as a project when you have enough work for them and letting them go off and do other work in the meantime, which is much cheaper.)
It’s not ideal for several reasons, but it is much, much cheaper. DAYS has a far, far lower budget than the other soaps (which is why they reuse sets more often and refresh them less often, and no longer shoot outside). That’s why you don’t see the same issues on other shows. DAYS had to cut and cut just to get renewed and found something that worked for them, striking the balance.
Believe me, every person on DAYS would love to go back to a conventional schedule for many reasons (though I suspect they do enjoy the longer dark periods and time away that I’ve heard comes with this schedule) but most are resigned this is what was needed to save the show. I respect that, as I really do want to see the show stick around.
yeah, but the other soaps have something resembling a budget and they’re not so desperate to save money. Days is. The other shows clearly feel that they’d rather save money somewhere else, given the choice. Days does not have that choice.
The problem with the 5-month off suggestion is that cast and crew have to get paid or released from their contracts (laid off).
DAYS had the easy solution to this in 2020 when all TV production shut down for 4 months. Instead of adjusting the pace of shooting then, they were able to get to a 7-month advance in short time.
GH, can be at a max is 8 weeks ahead (prior to summer and winter breaks) and occasionally airs some scenes 3 weeks after shooting.
Having several months of episodes in the can should have been used to their advantage during the strike, and they should have just used up those episodes and taken a few months off, rather than use scab writers at all. Days, of course, was able to keep new episodes on the air during the 2020 COVID shutdown, and in the end, only had to do about two weeks of reruns before resuming production, though the last few weeks before that had epsiodes that were “padded” heavily with flashbacks, even some scenes that aired more than once in the same episode.
On the other horn, we’re seeing baby swaps and DID stories in Salem right now. Those aren’t ReRon’s writing??
They aren’t. He knows what people are thinking, which is why, I think, he’s making very clear he had scripts written through Thanksgiving and outlines through Christmas, but everything from early January to today, plotwise, was the scab writers.
When he returned he had weeks of scripts that were already in progress in terms of shooting/production. At best, he could make a few tweaks. His and the true writing team’s stuff starts tomorrow.
It’s easy to credit a writer we love or blame a writer we don’t for stuff we like or don’t. But put simply — and legally: union contracts are no joke and people don’t work at all when they are on strike, not even “behind the scenes” — the stuff from January to today was scab plot and dialogue and Friday is when Ron’s plotting resumes (though even that will have to involve him transitioning out of the existing stories, and working with the cast/contracted actors already in place, as when a new writer takes over).
I’d expect pure Ron stories to start in six weeks or so, by then some contract cycles will be up and Zucker and Burton’s non-story dictated exits will be handled (allowing for the characters on the canvas to start shifting) and all the previous stories will be wrapped up (even if they have repercussions), giving him a clear runway.
I love Mr. Carlivati as a writer but to be honest I liked a lot of the replacement writers work. It was less camp, more generational, slower paced and more adult. I loved the EJ Nicole relationship and the Holly Nicole Brady Tate Theresa parenting vibes as well as the Holly Tate story. It was great to see teens on the soap again. Great to see less Kristen. I even like the Maggie Constantine story because we get to see mature actors in a real storyline other than worrying about their adult children and being clueless. So I hope he doesn’t come in and whack all of the replacement writers work just because he can and because he hates the scabs and because it will only alienate the fans.
Doug Marland once said as newly hired soap writer you should take your time before you make a lot of dramatic changes because what you think on first glance may not be working the fans may have different ideas. I know this is a different situation but i cannot lie some of their work was good. The times are grim and we all want a return to more realistic, intergenerational family drama.
I agree with you on a lot, but the show was too slow for me, too repetitive, and weeks went by where nothing of significance happened. The scabs also didn’t use or refer to history as much as they could have (a strength of Ron’s) and missed some big opportunities, such as making the burning and rebuilding of the Horton house a non-event.
Holly and Nicole has been interesting and I agree completely about the value of intergenerational storytelling. But I would like a little more plot and payoff. If Ron can strike a balance, I’d prefer him.
Can’t wait for Ron’s material to start airing again. For the most part, the last several months have been kind of rough to watch. I’m anxious to see Xander finally learn the truth about being Victor’s true son and heir, kick Alex to the curb and make Theresa pay for her conspiracy with Konstantin, including kidnapping his daughter. I also want Shane to find out how she betrayed his trust wnen she tampered with Victor’s will after he left it with her. Nothing against EOB, but this character, IMO, has been completely ruined. I find her unwatchable. It may be an unpopular opinion, but I’d rather see Gwen return. I found her much more interesting.
Rumor down here in Hell is that Xander’s mother will be coming to Salem for his wedding, and obviously she will know the truth about who his father was. I’m thinking she may not be aware that Victor intended to tell the truth about being Xander’s father in his final will & testament, but when she gets to town and finds out that Alex is passing himself off as the heir, things will “click” in her mind and she will realize her son’s being cheated.
They went to the trouble of burning the Horton House in order to buy a new couch? At least they pretended to rebuild the house and not move them into that three wall condo/bedroom set that everyone else lives in.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali
Next week on Monday, September 14 will mark the first appearance in Salem of Franco LoPresti in his new Days of our Lives role of Dante Vitali.
Heated Rivalry fans now LoPresti very well from his part as hockey player Cliff Marleau in the series first season. (No word yet if Cliff appears in season 2).
Now in a conversation with TV Insider, DAYS fans will learn that LoPresti is on the soap for a limited run. No timetable was given.
Photo: Corday Productions, Inc
When LoPresti does burst onto the scene come Monday, Dante makes quite the impact as Franco LoPresti explains. It seems that viewers will first see him in scenes in Monte Carlo at a poker table with none other than Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). However, Dante will come to Salem to talk to the Brady family about his supposed fiancée Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney).
Franco shared, “Dante was born and grew up in Italy and educated at this pretty top-tier English boarding school. He then went on to build his own dynasty in finance, all the while trying to distance himself from the Vitali name (as viewers know Tamara Braun played his cousin Ava Vitali).”
“But at the core of Dante, there’s definitely an old-school quality to him”, continued LoPresti. “He’s super passionate, he’s sincere and incredibly generous, but he’s also someone that you probably shouldn’t underestimate. Loyalty is something that means a lot to him. As Dante enters Salem, I think the audience will get to slowly peel back those layers and discover what’s really driving him. So, I’m excited for Days fans to go on that ride with Dante.”
Photo: Almay
As it turns out, LoPresti taped his episodes of DAYS starting back in November 2025 which happened to be weeks before Heated Rivalry became a smash hit.
Franco recalled, “It’s so funny because I thought my episodes would air in a month (on Days of our Lives). But I found out it was nine to 10 months and I was like, ‘I gotta wait that long?!’ So, I’ve been biting my nails, trying not to think about it, and I think it’s actually kind of helped because now it’s here and it’s all coming at me from all different angles. I’m nervous. I’m excited, and I just can’t wait to see it all come together. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had for sure.”
In his personal life, Franco just had his first child with wife, actress Emily Alatalo, just a weeks ago on August 23rd when they welcomed their daughter, Stella into the world.
So, looking forward to seeing Franco LoPresti’s debut come Monday? What do you think about the fact that it’s being reported as a limited run? Do you think Dante and Sami have a chance on-screen or off-screen to be a happy couple? What do you really think brings Dante to Salem sans Sami? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.
The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”
Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).
Photo: Days of our Lives
Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).
Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).
The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).
Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.
The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.
So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.
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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Give Fall 2026 Preview: Marlena and Stefano’s Chess Mystery, The Arrivals of Dante and Sydney, Romance Drama for Sarah and Others
As summer comes to a close with Labor Day weekend, the former Days of our Lives co-head writing duo of Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford have given their annual fall season preview in episodes taped some 10-11 months ago.
As previously reported this past July, Ryan Quan returned to Days of our Lives and is now co-head writing the show with Ford, while Cwikly is now a consultant. The new co-head writing teams stories will not be seen till late spring/early summer 2027.
So for now, the stories pick up from where we left off with Cwikly and Ford promising via TV Insider, “Fall in Salem is full of twists and turns and secrets and surprises. Dots connect in unexpected ways as seemingly unrelated threads converge.”
Photo: JPI
CHECKMATE?
In one of the top mystery’s, Marlena is still having troubling memories and she will have another one on the Monday, September 7 episode. Meanwhile, her daughter Belle (Martha Madison) has gotten very close to Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) and as pictured here, the two smooch while in Italy searching for answers to the chess set that Stefano DiMera gifted th the late John Black and Marlena (Deidre Hall) that has some significance.
The head scribes share, “The (chess board) mystery and its fallout are central to the fall stories. Chad and Belle follow the clues to a discovery that changes both of their families, and Salem, forever. Marlena worries that their investigation/the chess set may be a Pandora’s box that has been opened. And she is right…”
Newcomers are also the order of the day for Cwikly and Ford, this fall. We have already seen the debut as Brandon Butler as Mason Whitfield, and next week you can add as previously reported Sydney Malakeh on the Thursday September 1o episode as Sydney DiMera, followed by the the Monday, September 14 arrival of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali.
Photo: Corday Productions
Paula and Jeanne Marie expressed on the incoming Dante, “The arrival of a stranger who will set the whole town on its ear. The character has several strong ties to the current canvas and impacts many storylines.” What will Dante be up to? We know Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) had mentioned in 2025 she got engaged to the man, but that was off-screen.
LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH OR THE ONE YOU WANT?
In the romance department, the triangle between Brady/Sarah/Xander heats up with a very conflicted Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). The head writers reveal, “When Sarah faces attacks personally and professionally, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) work together to help and protect her. Sarah’s new love for Brady is challenged by her lingering love for Xander. Xander risks everything for Sarah.”
In addition look for, “Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip (John-Paul Lavoiser) to draw closer as he tries to save the family company and home.”
Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) will also be returning at some point this fall and she won’t be alone. Who might she bring with her? And from the looks of the Peacock promo for next week’s DAYS, someone is wearing Stefano’s ring around their finger, but who … and how does it all tie in this fall?
So, what do you think about some of the highlights coming up this fall on Days of our Lives per the series head writers? Does anything float your boat or pique your interest? If so, what? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out the action next week on DAYS in the promo entitled “Bag of Tricks” below.
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