Breaking News
Ron Carlivati Exits Days of our Lives Effective Immediately; New Co-Head Writers Named
There are changes afoot at Peacock’s Days of our Lives, as Ron Carlivati who served as the head writer of the soap opera for seven years is out. The move is effective immediately.
Carlivati will be replaced with the co-head writing team of Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford, as confirmed by Days of our Lives. However, because the show tapes so far ahead of when they stream, episodes written by the Carlivati regime will be seen by DAYS viewers through April of 2025.
Cwikly and Ford have longtime ties to the soap. Previously, Cwikly served as head writer and associate writer at Days of our Lives in the early 2000’s, while Ford has been serving as a current breakdown writer at DAYS. Both women have worked on writing teams for As the World Turns and One Life to Live, while Cwikly has also held positions with the Sunset Beach and The Young and the Restless writing teams.
Photo: JPI
In a statement on the head writing change, Days of our Lives executive producer, Ken Corday said, “We look forward to approaching our 60th Anniversary next year with Paula and Jeanne Marie at the helm and fresh, exciting stories that we know the fans will embrace. We wish Ron nothing but the best and thank him for his dedication and the respect he has shown to me, the cast, and the show’s legacy.”
Photo: JPI
Carlivati came to DAYS back in 2017, with his first episodes airing in July of that year. He previously served as the head writer for One Life to Live and was its final head scribe until it went off the air in 2012. Ron later moved to General Hospital, serving as its head writer from 2012 through 2015
Days of our Lives also offered this official statement on the change:“Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford will become the daytime drama’s new head writers beginning immediately. As part of the change, head writer Ron Carlivati will be departing the show after seven years. Episodes written by Carlivati will air through April 2025 due to the show’s unique tape to air schedule.”
So, what do you think about the head writing shake-up at Days of our Lives? Shocked at the change? What do you think about the series chosen replacements for Ron Carlivati? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
I know I may be in the minority, but I think this is a mistake. I will miss his work.
I agree I love the show
I’m super surprised Ron is out. I thought Days liked his writing.
The “Konstantin” story probably sunk him there just like the horrible Luke exit story did at GH. Even though ReRon blamed Konstantin on the scab writers during the strike.
Given Days’ ridiculous taping schedule, it’s hard to keep track of who wrote what in the last year or so.
For the love of God, please do not return to GH.
I second that! Although, GH seems to be experiencing their own problems.
I join you in that prayer! I watched GH since 1969 and I honestly think he was the worse writer in history! All the ridiculous doppelganger plots especially Obretch and “Fluke.” The cartoonish split personality story.
The destruction of classic beloved GH history like phasing out the Reading of the Christmas Story in favor of Krampus? Seriously! Turning Heather into a pointless slasher for no reason? Coed Locker rooms at GH? Steve Hardy and John Beridino would both turn over in their graves! Ugh! I hate Carlavati! For someone who grew up watching GH he sure didnt respect it! The good news is that even his buddy Frank Valentini had to fire him to hurt the show’s ratings so badly. I think he wore out his welcome at GH. But lets continue to pray Disney never lets him darken the doorway of a GH writing room EVER AGAIN!!! Can I get an Amen?!
I had no idea so many GH people watched Days and were so curiously invested in the failure of one writer. I get it, traditional values folks want to return to the Good of Days of Steve Hardy but Steve has been dead for over 30 years now and the vast majority of the GH audience today has never watched or remember him. Time has marched on.
I suspect much of the vitriol on this page to Carlivati is because he championed Gay storylines and diversity on Days. As for him tanking the ratings for GH did, he also tank the ratings for Guiding Light, Another World, Santa Barbara the View, and the Price is Right too? Soaps and daytime have had declining audiences since the OJ trial, and no one has found the magic bullet to reverse it. In fact, it is only with the advent of streaming and the success of Tyler Perry in nighttime cable that there has been renewed interest in the soap genre at all. No one can take away the success Carlivati had with keeping Days alive on NBC, despite it being the stepchild of the network with zero promotion and no budget and his guiding the show while it made the successful transition to streaming. I wish Ron Carlivati the best. He swung for the fences every day when he maybe he would have been better off hitting more singles and doubles, he dashed from one story to the next and frustrated us when we wanted a longer arc (except the wretched devil story) but at least in most cases he kept us entertained and, in some cases, overjoyed and deeply moved.
It’s not going to be happening. Trust.
I’m confused by this. Ron Carlivati seemed to have a reputation as a good head writer. All I know is that I want Arianne Zucker back as Nicole. It’s a big loss without her on the show.
That’s right! Hopefully all this can be turned around and Ari will come back.
Doubt it; she sued Ken Corday and Corday Productions.
Could it be he left to work on OLTL v3 ?
Both Micheal ans Roger appear to be free as do many others….
Not familiar with the names mentioned, but if Days needs a new head writer familiar with the show’s history and who can properly take the show into Year 60, then I nominate…..
Myself. Satan T. Devil as new head writer
Ken Corday, give me a call!
Please keep Ron away from General Hospital. I am not upset by this news. Between him writing tasteless gay storylines not representative of the gay community, and every other guy being shirtless ad nauseum, he seemed more like he was acting out fantasies of his. Itwas beyond obvious. Put that with Albert harassing the women and I am surprised DAYS has made it this long. I hope these next writers keep the show grounded in family and history and get back to more grounded soap opera. It would be hysterical if this began a new wave of former stars being more willing to return due to the removal of all this toxicity on set. Good riddance, Ron and Albert.
Quick question – are the ‘straight’ stories representative of the straight community? It’s a soap. Very little of any of it is representative of reality. Oh, and shirtless men have been a soap staple since at least the 80’s (my memory doesn’t go much further than that).
I know really
Give me a break! The 80s were a time of big budget action stories and exotic locations. But the stories were strong. No one is saying that soap stars need to walk around wearing birkas all day.
But soaps need a balance. Theyre supposed to be about Romance not peep shows just trying to titilate the audience because the ratings are low.
Guiding Light didnt last on the air for 70 yrs ( combining TV and Radio) because of shirtless men. It was strong characters and compelling stories that kept it on the air. When soaps first started on TV even married characters werent allowed to be shown in bed together lol.
As far as the gay characters go it does no good to force explicit sex scenes down the audience’s throat. That wont bring acceptance, tolerance or “equality.” That comes from well written stories that depict gay people as just that PEOPLE! PEOPLE WITH HOPES, DREAMS, FEARS AND VALUES LIKE ANYONE ELSE. The audience doesnt need a primer in the the mechanics of gay sex to embrace gay characters and empathize with them!
You are making a whole side argument here that had nothing to do with the original post. Big budget action stories, exotic locations, strong stories – not mentioned in the original post. I agree with your statement, but again – never argued against it. Soaps back in the day had all that – and lots of shirtless men. Both things are true.
And the sex scene thing – there used to be tons more sex scenes in soaps back in the 80’s than now. And there hasn’t been a gay sex scene on Days in a while because they have no gay couples (and what happened with Leo this past week was not a sex scene – it was a makeup session and tame one at that) – and even when they did, they certainly weren’t more explicit than anything seen between straight couples. In fact, the most ‘explicit’ sex scene in my recent memory was Eric walking into a shower and Nicole turning around with a forearm covering her breasts, revealing top and bottom boob, before they started making out. The closest thing to that is a Sonny and Will shower scene where they showed their feet coming together and them kissing. So … not sure what version of Days you are watching, but certainly not one we are seeing.
And again, the point I made earlier – straight or gay – if you are looking to soaps to be an accurate representation of life, you are looking in the wrong place. When soaps used to do socially relevant, more realistically grounded, good stories – even then, that story was surrounded by back from the dead characters, people with reconstructive surgery (with apparently all over body surgery as well since romantic partners could never tell the difference), poisonings and miraculous recoveries, lost cities, men wanting to freeze the world, aliens, rapists turned anti-heroes, people being held in cages for months for a variety of reasons, clones, long lost twins, women disguised as men and no one knowing the difference.
I don’t think a middle aged married gay man who had lived in NYC for decades is writing trite gay story lines because he is acting out his personal fantasies. If he was they would be much more interesting. Do you also call out the sexualization of female characters from a hetero male higher up point of view? I have liked and disliked Ron’s writing but these “fantasy” comments just don’t land for me.
Thank you
Sweetheart you need to go back and watch old clips of The Ford Brothers on One Life to Live. Even my younger gay friends said they were ridiculous.
I remember one episode where they stayed in the Sauna for 85% of the show wearing nothing but towels and they ended up ripping them off and having a towel fight in the steam!
If you think that wasnt straight ( pun intended) out of a middle aged gay man’s fantasies you have no idea about middle aged gay men lol. Rob turned both OLTL and GH into ridiculous peep shows and it was downright shameful the way he objectified his actor’s bodies! Give me a break!
Keep him away from General Hospital, because the show still hasn’t recovered from all the damage he did from 2012-2015.
OMG yes! His mark still lingers with weak one dimensional characters and stories that were weaker than water! He was a true hack with an over acting imagination!
Thank you for having the courage to say what you did. Frank and Ron turned GH into a classless peep show! Coed Lockerrooms? That tacky Nurse’s ball strip show and dont get me started on the beyond tasteless sex scenes that happened under Ron of ALL ORIENTATIONS!
Creative people today need to learn the lesson that you dont bring understanding and acceptance to “sexual minorites” by forcing explicit sex scenes in the audience’s face on national TV 5 days a week.
Ron needs to go back and watch the Billy Douglas Gay teen story or The Gay Teacher scandal on ALL My Children. These stories were about equality and acceptance not softcore porn!
As a GH viewer since 1969 I say good riddence to Ron ( still waiting on Frank to get a pink slip or resign one day) and his XXX rated cartoonish storylines!
Daytime serials started as stories of family. We need to get back to that! And no that doesnt have to exclude those who live “alternative lifestyles.” We just dont need to turn “Love In the Afternoon” to Grindr fodder. Lol. SMH
He has not written for General Hospital for years and yet you accuse him of promoting tasteless sex scenes. Where were you since you have watched GH since 1969 when GH had a teenage Laura Webber sleeping with a 40 plus year old pedophile before she killed him? Or when GH glorified the ultimate rape fantasy with Luke and Laura and made a rapist the cool hero of the show for decades. Remember the song Rise aka theme from Lauras rape being relentlessly played? Or how for years Laura explained her rape and the violence we all saw on the screen when it happened as i secretly wanted it? Nothing Carlivati has done can ever come close to the moral decay of that situation which taught a generation of young girls rape is romantic and a rapist can be a cool guy. So please spare us your lectures on soap family values and the proper way gays should be shown on television as not to offend your sensibilities when the soap you so dearly love currently has an unrepentant mob boss criminal as the star of the show.
I’m not happy. I loved his writing style. I’m not a fan of Cwikly’s style.
The question now is, where does Ron end up? I doubt he will be out of the writing game for long. Brad Bell will never relinquish control of B&B (even though the writing is atrocious and desperately in need of a major shake-up), so that leaves either a GH return (unlikely), or maybe Y&R? Josh Griffith has turned that show into a snooze-fest, though I don’t think Ron would be an improvement in terms of quality. As for DAYS, hopefully the new writers honour the show’s legacy for the upcoming 60th anniversary.
I doubt Ron would be welcomed at GH. Despite his long friendship with Frank Valentini he still had to fire Ron after he nearly dug GH’s grave. Disney wasnt having it. I think Ron should write cartoons lol.
I believe I saw his name on the new serial Beyond The Gates as a breakdown writer
Thank God. He’s horrible. Maybe Days can become more grounded in reality now.
Dear Mr. Carlivati,
Young and Restless needs you!!!!!!
In a major way! The sooner the better!!!
No, they don’t! Y&R has enuf problems now. His writing style is not suited for Y&R. I still cringe at what he did to OLTL! I can hear Eric Braeden now, after reading one of Ron’s scripts – What the hell is this piece of ____?!
Or This ain’t gonna happen, as long as I’m here, ya got it?.
HA! I forgot that one!
It’ll never happen. Trust me. CBS/Sony Television don’t want him.
Mr. Carlivati is a genuine talent, but I am not a fan of his storytelling. OLTL, GH, and DAYS under his tenure seem, for my taste, dismissed reality-based emotional storytelling for swing-for-fences plotlines that often relied on tropes of baby switches, dubious and forgotten parentages, and resurrections (too many!). I know daytime drama provides escape but it seems we are in a whirlpool of repetition and character assassinations and recycling. I hope this switch is not indicative of DAYS fading from the soapscape, though. The genre has taken such a beating in the last 25 years.
The biggest wrong he did was after he did right. He brought AJ back ( I was thrilled! Michael and AJ FINALLY getting their father/son relationship, Carly and Sonny FINALLY feeling Michael’s wrath as he stood by AJ, AJ FINALLY having his son) but then killed him off again because of petty bull behind the scenes. When I think of all the great Quartermaine stories that we could have had from then to present day, with Tracy back and Michael, close to AJ, together against Sonny, the dynamic between Drew and AJ, etc…. What a waste.
He’s been writing days for 7 years I must be in the minority but have enjoyed his run never a boring episode unlike yandr which at this point is a cure for insomnia Not sure how I feel about cwickly and for days going forward but will stay tuned Just how Ron turned the character of Xander from a stock villain into a leading man and sorry haters we all know a Leo and he’s played to perfection by Greg R interesting news because he’s one of the longest running writers the soap has had Gotta laugh at the gh crew don’t come back yes because the gh fans love watching Sonny and the mob and never want Sonny to pay for his crimes and never want general to be about a hospital anymore
Sometimes I feel Ron tries too hard to be clever but one cannot deny he loves the soap opera genre more than any other writer. I think this is a big big mistake.
Fire all the writing staff at Y and R and bring him on there. Today’s show was dreadful.
Seems like a lot of the shows lately have been dreadful. Poor Sharon falling apart at the seams and the bitch Phylliss just gloating over the whole thing with her snarky smile, I just want to rip off her face!
Please, PLEASE keep him away from #YR & #TheGates.
Keep him far away From GH please, Dool might save a lot money with their advance schedule set up they have but if I was a fan of the show(I’m not ) I would be frustrated. If I heard this news I would want to see the change ASAP, but to have to wait till April of next year OMG, good luck DOOL fan and again keep him far away from GH .
BUH BYE! Finally may be able to check back into this soap in April 2025.
Breaking News
2026 Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘Extra’ Partners with NATAS for Pre-Ceremony Red Carpet Stream; Week of Segments Leading to Ceremony and Post-Coverage
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) announced on Thursday that the syndicated entertainment news series, Extra will be its partner for exclusive coverage of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards being held on Friday, October 30 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
The 2026 Daytime Emmys as previously reported can be seen streamed via the The Emmys,YouTube channel, via watch.theemmys.tv, as well as on the official Emmys app, available for phones, tablets, and smart TVs.
Here’s a breakdown of the pre, during and post Daytime Emmys coverage via Extra below!
Beginning Monday, October 26, Extra will feature five nights of dedicated Daytime Emmys segments leading up to the ceremony, giving fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the award show.
In addition, Mona Kosar Abdi, Weekend Host & Senior Correspondent with Extra will host the pre-show red carpet stream on the @TheEmmys Youtube channel.
Extra host and Dancing with the Stars judge, Derek Hough will present during the ceremony, and correspondent Terri Seymour will also host coverage throughout the evening.
Extra’s weekend edition (A WEEK FOLLOWING the ceremony) will features notable red carpet moments, winner reactions, and exclusive footage from the night’s festivities.
The entertainment news program is also nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards going into the ceremony.
So, what do you think of Extra’s scheduled upcoming coverage of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards starting on Monday? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
Congratulations are in order for three-time Emmy winner, Tom Pelphrey (ex-GL and ATWT) and his fiancée Big Bang Theory star, Kaley Cuoco! The couple welcomed their second baby daughter together on October 12, and revealed they named the little bundle of joy, Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey.
Tom and Kaley shared the news via their Instagram accounts on Wednesday with some adorable baby pics. Cuoco captioned the photo“🎀Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey🎀. 💖10/12/26💖. There are no words to describe this feeling once again. What a blessing.
Cuoco added, “We are so grateful for the crazy wild up and down journey that brought us to our little Philo! Family officially complete 😭Time to bring Matilda’s baby home! 😂💕”
Photo: KCuoco IG
BABY MAKES FOUR
Next, Kaley shared her love for the father of her children, exclaiming, “Tom Pelphrey, life exploded the minute we met, and the gifts keep coming. I love you forever , girl daddy! 💘.”
Philomena now joins big sister, Matilda mwho was born in 2023, as part of the Pelphrey/Cuoco family! Tom and Kaley began dating in 2022 and became engaged in 2024.
Daytime fans first saw the talented actor on Guiding Light as Jonathan Randall, the son of Reva Shayne (Kim Zimmer). Tom won two Daytime Emmys for his memorable performances during his run from 2004-2009.
He later played Mick Dante on As the World Turns from 2009-2010, before heading to work in primetime and motion pictures. Last month, Pelphrey one the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in HBO’s Task.
TOM PELPHREY CELEBRATES EMMY WIN AND NEW DAUGHTER WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER
After winning his Emmy, the expectant dad told E! News, “We’re both so excited. Our daughter’s excited. We’ll see how it goes when it actually gets there.” Tom added, “The things that are new and the things that feel like not a big deal this time. But mom and baby are healthy, so God willing, that keeps up, and we’re thrilled,” added the actor.
Pelphrey took to his own Instagram and said on the birth of his second daughter, “Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey. Another miracle. Welcome to our family youngest queen! Kaley you showed up in every way as a partner and a mom even when you weren’t feeling your best- you’re a CHAMPION. The girls and I would be lost without you. Thank God for the gift of this family and these girls.”
Jumping in to the comment thread to congratulate Tom and Kaley were Beyond the Gates star Ashley Jones (Heather), Dave Annabelle, Martha Plimpton, Alyssa Milano and many more.
Share your congrats and well-wishes to Tom, Kaley, Matilda and their new addition to the family, little Philomena via the comment section below.
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2026 Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘Extra’ Partners with NATAS for Pre-Ceremony Red Carpet Stream; Week of Segments Leading to Ceremony and Post-Coverage
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