Days Of Our Lives
SOAP BOX with Martha Madison & Michael Caruso and Special Guest Michael Fairman Dish Latest Soap Writing Regime Changes & Tony's Geary's Exit!
Photo Credit: MF Soaps Inc.
On Thursday’s episode of Soap Box on TradioV, host Days of our Lives and Winterthorne star Martha Madison welcomed guest co-host, Winterthorne creator Michael Caruso, and special guest On-Air On-Soaps Michael Fairman to chat on all the latest happenings in the world of daytime soaps.
During the broadcast, the trio discussed the major writing regime change at General Hospital which saw head writer Ron Carlivati being let-go, and being replaced by Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante as the daytime drama’s new co-head scribes. Plus, the trio touch on how head writer Chuck Pratt Jr. is giving Y&R some of their best overall total viewer ratings in recent years, and they tease DAYS 50th anniversary story from new head writers Dena Higley and Josh Griffith set to kick-off on-air later this month.
In addition, in one of the most controversial episodes in recent months, Tony Geary’s (Luke Spencer) final General Hospital airshow was bantered about, and how some fans expected one thing and felt disappointed, while Tony and the series delivered another.
Watch Soap Box with Madison, Caruso and Fairman after the jump. Then let us know what you think about the writing regime changes, Geary’s exit, and more topics that were discussed on this episode!
Great discussion! I feel the same way about Tony’s interview. I know Michael Logan was really proud of the interview but it was so negative and disrespectful to so many people. It ruined his exit story IMO
I’m just happy that the writers didn’t kill off Luke like Tony Geary wanted them to.
I loved the interview!!
Michael, you are the King, indeed!
I feel your heart in your reporting and love for all the soaps!
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ BIG HUG }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
It was an eyeopener ..
I luv RC and am fearful of the change..
I honestly am not a fan of Jean and Shelly, they are lackluster writers which is obvious from Y&R 2014 ..
Ron just needed a rest and a co-writer to help out with the heavy load ..
(I feel Ron had a hard time with Tony, Tony’s wants and needs, with the writing of Tony’s exit story = stress)
Thanks, Michael!
0oohh and- you gotsa great body! 😉
I’m dying of suspense…and I love it! I love how Martha doesn’t spoil thingsl!! I hope Martha has Thaao Penghlis as a guest on Soapbox because he also knows how to leave people salivating for more info pertaining to DAYS!
Winterthorne is almost here…August 27th!
Yes!!! I also hope Martha has Thaao Penghlis as a guest.
Great interview, Michael. I thought it was very interesting how the Logan interview had such a different tone than any of the other exit interviews. Gee…Wonder why?
I do think that it is wrong to say that “everyone” knows about Tony & Genie’s relationship offscreen. Unless you are big fan and track down BTS info, you’re just a fan of L&L.
The problem with Tony’s exit is that the network once again made the decision to make it about what Tony wanted and not about what the fans wanted.
If anyone would have said, you know what Tony, we’ll let you walk off into the mist and your final scenes can be with Maurice. But you have to have a final scene with Genie it doesn’t have to be sappy, it can just be “thanks for the memories” , and I’m sorry but we’re going to throw in some flashbacks and a montage. Because we have 30 years of show and it was all part of Luke’s journey. And it’s not only about you, it’s about the fans who have been there right along with you.
I, too, listened to the interview–and still find it hard to believe that Tony Geary wielded that much power–that the network would bow to his wishes rather than to the fans who give the network the coveted ratings. Guess they just short-changed the viewers once again–or were simply “asleep at the wheel.”
I agree with you; TG should have paid homage to his fans as his fans paid homage to him all the years he was invested in the character of Lucas Lorenzo Spencer that we came to love. (Don’t know the other “Fluke,” or evil character the embittered actor became. Still so hard to believe that TG had, was given, or simply took that much power. Can’t imagine how very hard it must have been on the other (professional) actors working along side him. Talk about stress!
Not everybody is a Luke and Laura fan..
The ones who were not watching during the Luke and Laura era, could care less .
So, not all the fans were upset..
A great number didn’t care lol
It is what it is .. look at the good and put the bad behind ..
(its done and over 🙂 A new day tomorrow..
MC – If the Powers that be had told Tony they were throw in some flashbacks and a montage he would not have cooperated. Tony might have had Luke say goodbye to friends and family on the phone. He had an incredible amount of power on that show.
So hard to believe that TPTB gave away so much power–to the detriment of the show and to low ratings which are endangering the show’s very existence, isn’t it?
Mc, you are right on about how the network should of handle TG exit, it’s hard to swallow the crap they gave us as an ending. Let’s hope they’ve learned from this, although I doubt it.
Not one of you know for a fact how much writing power Tony had or how much input he had with his exit..
Of course they listen and agree or disagree with him and of course they give leeway after all Tony gave half his life to GH and is a GH legend..
Tony’s exit story has given him his 8th emmy..
I do believe for the black n with 52nd, he will receive his 9th emmy..
hopefully people will someday will also see the good of his exit 🙂
there were many great moments..
Tony and JJ were phenomenal as were bobby and Luke, there were many great heartfelt moments, we felt them and cried…
I have spoken at great length about this subject and no one needs to hear me blabber on anymore.
However, I do have to completely concur with Nancy. Ultimately the producer and head writer hold the power over the actor–or they should. Even if Tony said he did not want a goodbye scene with Laura which paid fidelity to their history while achieving some kind of soapy closure, they should have listened to the fans and given us what we wanted. I did not want Luke and Laura to run off into the sunset together but I did want a graceful bow of farewell.
I enjoyed the “behind the scenes” insights about soaps as Michael discussed with Martha and her guest host. I also appreciate Michael’s comments about being careful about making comments on social media and sites such as this one, taking into consideration the feelings of the actors. That is definitely something to keep in mind.
Having said that, I would also like to offer a little food for thought from the perspective of someone “beyond the fourth wall”. I agree that actors are human and have feelings. They are people who do their jobs and feed their families, etc. as others do in other professions and walks of life. I also am aware that the actors are rarely the ones who write and produce tv shows, including soaps. So the point is well taken that we should be careful when making comments on social media regarding actors. I agree.
However, the writers and producers of tv shows (and network execs) are the ones responsible for putting out the CONTENT of shows. They often do so without regard for the people behind the fourth wall. Before the coming of social media, it was difficult to near impossible for viewers to send timely feedback to the powers the be behind tv shows. Social media has changed all of that.
A year or two ago, one of my followers on Twitter criticized me for making comments that he did not like regarding a plot on my favorite soap opera. (I was not criticizing the acting, just the plot.) I told him my comments were a mild version of what went on in beauty salons I went to as a child. The ladies in the salon had a field day voicing their negative reactions to soap plots. By comparison, their criticism would make mine seem VERY mild. My point is, that the criticism of tv shows that is being expressed now days via social media has always been. Television execs just did not have access to it. So it seems shocking and new….But “there is nothing new under the sun”.
People do not always enjoy what television executives want to put on the air. After being subjected to objectionable material for so long, viewers are taking advantage of the “new voice” that they have through social media. This may be a rude awakening for some in the entertainment industry, especially if they are used to receiving “adoration” from fans. It must be quite sobering and even quite painful to learn that viewers do not think what they do is “all that”. Nevertheless, welcome to the reality that has always existed beyond the fourth wall!
Thank goodness, Tony is no longer with GH.. His exit was boring and Ff throughhis scenes. Good Riddance!!!
Tony will come back for a few weeks now that the hated Ron Carlivati has been fired.
when that happes, im tuning out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ron was not ”hated”
I luved Ron, Michael liked Ron, my friends etc..
Tony does not hate Ron..
Why you saying people hate Ron.. he has more fans than not.
hate is very strong word, a destructive dark emotion..
Suoo, I think Kelly was being tongue in cheek.
Loved it also that the actress from Days said she thought TG could have put aside his differences with Genie and should have given the fans what they wanted. She knows the power of fans! Good for her!
What were TG’s differences with Genie? I thought the two of them got along and were friends.
I don’t know–but the speculation on the radio show was that TG did not want a parting scene with Genie nor did he want any “retrospective” scenes to be shown when he left as they often do with other actors’ leaving. I guess that’s why Lulu handed a letter to Genie addressed “Angel” on the day TG left. That must have really hurt Genie. Still, in her video “goodbye” she thanked TG and said, “I love you.” That’s class–and it seemed heartfelt.
And remember the interview where Genie said (when they asked her to return for a “last adventure” before Geary’s departure, she asked, “Are you sure Tony wants me there?” That indicates some sort of “bad blood” between the two. And TG said in a later interview (as did Genie when also asked) that there are bound to be disagreements (he likened it to other pairings like Fred Estaire and Gingers) when a couple works together for 37 years. But, to Genie’s credit, she came on and did her work as a professional, as she has always done, though TG would hardly look at her, touch her, or even give her anything to work off dramatically in their scenes together. It was certainly a marked diffference and coldness as opposed to the way they communicated in earlier years–and evoked so much chemistry. Don’t know what happened–but TG has been very vocal in excluding her from any conversations he has had about his work. Instead, he talks about Jane Elliot being “his great acting partner.” (SAY WHAT??!!) There is also a somewhat conciliatory later interview where TG said of Genie: “Those blue eyes! That porcelain skin! She gave me love. She made me feel like I was someone worthy. I gave her danger. Those were the gifts we gave to each other.” What to make of it, I don’t know. Tony Geary has been all over the place in these so called “exit” interviews (Michael Fairman commented on the contradictions). And one day after saying he was gone for good, TG gave the interview where he said he might come back for “six-week” stints if the story was good enough or had a twist. Geary comes off as angry, petulant, and unprofessional in a lot of his comments–and, as I said, downright hurtful remarks directed at Genie specifically. Maybe he does need a lot of rest and a lot of introspection.
I found it very interesting indeed that Michael Fairman was also disappointed in TG’s last day. And I could sense the personal hurt that Michael felt especially since he had been a supporter and champion of TG all these years.
hi Nancy..
Just because one didn’t like Tony’s last day doesn’t mean all the great accomplishments of Tony is put aside..
Tony is a legend, and him having a not so good last day, eh that’s just show business LOL ..
It is said by a great many that the 52nd black & white episode is indeed iconic.. and noted by reporters as one of the greatest episodes of all time…
It was not all perfect but a good deal of the last 3 weeks were notably phenomenal and awesome 🙂 ..
And, suOOO, I say NOT! to the idea that the 52nd anniversary epi being “one of the greatest episodes of all time.” That, in my opinion–and I’m entitled to it because I have been watching since the inception and development of the character of Lucas Lorenzo Spencer–was the one episode that did the most damage to the show. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: that episode totally violated the character of Luke Spencer and made him and the whole Spencer family VICTOMS. I’ll say again: no one wants to watch a VICTIM–and, I should think, no one wants to play a VICTIM. There’s no percentage in it for either the actor nor the viewer. One does not want to BE a victim nor does one want to identify vicariously with a victim. For many years this viewer watched a person (LUKE) rise above his past and his insecurities and become a victor over them, all the while gaining love and insight into himself–all this with humor and grace and the most fun a character ever had. Then the 52nd anniv. show–and all that went down the tube (literally) in one fell swoop.
Tony may be a legend to some; to this viewer he is a very tarnished one.
And the word is VICTIM (sorry for the typo) always and forever, thanks to TG and RC and TPTB. And did you notice, suOOO, as many commentators have also noted, that the steam just went out of TG and out of the character of Luke Spencer after that so-called “greatest” epi? He never recovered and the joie de vivre went out of the character and that’s what I always loved about TG’s depiction of Lucas Lorenzo Spencer (the name ever reflects that!) Too bad, Tony; such a miscalculation on your part. So you went out, in the words of the poet, not with a “bang” but with a “whimper.” That is not the Luke Spencer I loved!
PS Say what??!! I just viewed the letter on line that Lulu gave to Laura from Luke. Looking closely (and I did) it looks like “Angel” is spelled “Angle.” Take a look for yourself–it’s posted on Genie Francis’ twitter account by GH fan or some such.
Is this someone’s sick joke–or just an honest mistake????
You decide!
Yes, other than L&L’s wedding, black and white #52 was Luke’s finest work EVER!
I agree, Nancy. What could have been, what should have been and would might have been is very vexing. What a missed opportunity.
I wonder what that letter said?
Dear Angel:
Have you met Nina, Franco, Madeline, Ava, Denise and Morgan? Cause, they’re just AWESOME!
Nancy got back picked up your book very good and just so you will know my brother in law sits on one of the boards of ABC they are toast unless numbers come way up!
I am not try to be vengeful but the number crunchers are out! Take care
Thanks so much, k/kay! Glad you liked it!
Thanks also for sharing the info about your brother-in-law sitting on an ABC board. I am afraid that GH WILL be cancelled. And it’s so frustrating because as I’ve said often, it didn’t have to be that way. TPTB could have remained true to the Luke character and the Luke and Laura story and the numbers would have soared. We longtime fans have held on so very long with so many hopes only to have them dashed.
I found this interview with Michael very enlightening. Since I only read MF for my soap news realized concerns and questions about GH, Tony/ Laura, Tony, RC firing/or not to fire, new/not so new writers, how ABC daytime has missed the fan mark in big ways over the years, were shared by a lot of others outside this column’s universe.
Was already looking forward to Winterthorne, but I’ve never watched Days. I really liked Martha Madison and have always liked Cassie. So will have to do a bit of catch-up and tune in.
But my main focus is in preserving the integrity of what is GH as the lives and generations in Port Charles move on in this fairly volatile transition period. So much as changed on the tv and viewing landscape, it’s just hard to envision afternoons without GH. Bad enough without OLTL and AMC.
And like most of us have commented…just continue to have good storytelling. It never ages, even when we are in space looking back at Earth.
And…hope maybe ABC, CBS and NBC will invest in soap-writing apprenticeships so we can always have new writers with a firm knowledge of the legacies they are writing for learning the craft of this type of storytelling. Or in baseball terms a…farm team and bullpen system.
Also appreciated Michaels remarks about some opinions. Yes everyone has a right to express their opinions, but sometimes they can get a little nasty and personal towards each other, a character, or actor. Mostly on MF we’re all better than that, with an occasional bad hair day comment. But sometimes when someone rationalizes their remark by saying “it’s about the character, not the actor,” how do you think the actor who is trying to do a professional job with a script given to them feels? And apparently this kind of stuff can show up on other social media like twitter.
There’s enough of it in politics…keep it out of our soaps.
hi Rose-
Some people are just everyday nasty and unpleasant..
They usually are the ones who flood the internet with their own unhappiness by raggin on whatever’s with negative hate stuff, it makes them feel better to complain and rant. (perhaps their therapy lol) LOL 🙂
A negative comment is different than a hate everything venting rant 😉
and- it the fans with their bad attitudes dropping their hate for GH on social media that will assuredly help a soap get canceled.. /fact ..
No Suoo, negative attention is still attention and will not get our soaps canceled. What helps soaps get canceled aside from the Network suits trying to number crunch is collective viewer apathy which causes them to tune out and which causes ratings to plummet.
Really interesting show. I enjoyed all the insights and “food for thought” all three provided. I was happy to hear people I respect and with inside the industry knowledge reiterate that Ron (and Frank) saved GH from cancellation. So many comments on this board have tried to discredit them, so it was nice to have people in the know publicly acknowledge Ron’s (and Frank’s) contribution to GH.
I was never a big fan of TG, was happy for him when he won Emmys only because it was a boast for GH, but he never blew me away with his acting ~ most of the time. I will say that the 52 Anniversary episode acting was an exception. That’s just me. Different strokes for different folks. What TG controlled and what others controlled, we may never know. His last day was a let down. Some of the previous days’ good-byes were touching, not all. IMHO, GH won’t suffer without him. I got used to his yearly months-long vacations from the screen and will think of this as just an extended time away.
Martha, Michael F. and Michael C. were spot on on so many of their assessments; I loved it. Thanks for sharing!
ExcelIent interview with you guys. Good Job. I love GH and started watching when AMC and OLTL were cancelled, as I followed John, Starr and Todd. It will be heartbreaking if GH is cancelled too. The negative comments are dismaying and this interview may help the naysayer viewers realize the harsh criticism impacts GH’s future. Very unhappy Ron C is gone. Here’s hoping the new writer’s succeed.
Really great interview. Thanks, Michael.
I think ABC wants an excuse to cancel GH. t he ratings are down. Why are they down , because TIIC keep trying to destroy it. Too many cooks spoil the broth. They seem to be getting their wish . I will NOT watch the mob take over again. The interview we know Michael F tried, like Tony didn’t to be politically correct. Say the right things. MM knows where her bread is buttered. Fans make the show. Now I wouldn’t cross the street to give TG a glass of water if he was dieing of thirst. He made himself look like an ass. If fans had come back it was because they were L&L fans first. Dark evil Luke who cares. They even went so far as to have JJ and Luke talk and have Luke say he was happiest when he was raising Lucky with Laura ,sorry didn’t buy it. LAURA wasn’t even in the room. This ending was just as bad as the fluke BS . Tony wanted to destroy L&L he did . would I like to ever see him return ,NO Is it his fault yes. He browbeat tiic into giving them his way, and it blew up in his face Was anyone happy ? off into the mist? Only Tony. Now TIIC are making Laura evil keeping secrets. ? M Logan telling the truth was not anything but the truth. Tony may thing he is Guilguld SP but its all in his deluded mind. He was a soap actor ,now hes not. Its not looked down on by the fans to do soaps .We go to movies watch prime time and support them. .he hurt Genie it was written all over her face .WTH does he think he is ? He is willing to maybe return, don’t bother I know I wouldn’t watch if he did.
I enjoyed this interview. Thanks Michael. You were humble, respectful, grateful, honest, insightful and fair.
I liked when the commentators said on the show if Tony wanted it all his way then he should have rented a theater, paid out the money, written the script, paid the actors, directed it etc. I Gould this video clip from 1982 in December when Tony did do that. It was a musical revue and he traveled to several parts of the country to perform. I’m posting a link to the clip with interview. https://youtu.be/f7EcgiLRDI8
Well, after having watched the entire interview, I come away with one overriding thought: I have much more respect and admiration for Michael Fairman. I appreciated his honesty and frankness, mainly with regard to Tony Geary’s comments and attitudes, which many of us as fans found to be deplorable.
Secondly, although I enjoyed the interviewers, the first part of their banter included much profanity. I’m not a fan of profanity. It diminishes a person…
The June 22 episode of Days of Our Lives reminded us all of why Deidre Hall is iconic in the role of Dr. Marlena Evans. Here we are 50 years later, and Marlena is still the heroine of the long-running soap opera, and Deidre remains one of the most most recognizable names in the history of soaps.
To pay tribute, and to look back at the life and times of Marlena, the story starts with Marlena flipping through a photo album of her with John (the late Drake Hogestyn) over the years. As she misses him dearly, she gets a knock on the door and its none other than John’s son, Paul Narita (Christopher Sean).
With Andrew (Colton Little) in Salem working on a case, he sits down with Marlena, who says she can’t believe its been fifty years since she first arrived in Salem! Cue: Deidre’s first scenes on DAYS when she finds Mickey Horton (the late John Clarke) playing chess against himself inside the mental institution she worked.
Courtesy/Peacock
THE FLASHBACKS OF MARLENA’S LIFE
From there, viewers definitely got the cliff notes version of the history of Marlena and entrenched within them, some of the biggest moments in Deidre’s enduring run.
Paul thinks he is looking at 70s, and early 80s Marlena while going through her scrapbook, but he is actually looking at her twin, Samantha (Andrea Hall). Cue: when Marlena confronted Samantha about impersonating her, and then later getting a call on her radio show from the Salem Strangler (Jack Coleman as Jake Kostichek) who killed Samantha thinking it was Marlena.
In the present, Belle (Martha Madison) has arrived at this time to meet up with Paul, unaware of this trip down memory lane. She wants to go over the findings in the chess board mystery Stefano willed to Marlena and John, in private with him, since Marlena previously said she wanted nothing to do with it.
Back to the history lesson, Marlena speaks highly of Don Craig and even though their marriage didn’t work out, she could find a path forward with the new love her life, Roman Brady. (Wayne Northrop however is never shown, possibly to keep the story focused on John as Roman for confusion sakes?)
Paul sees a photo of a young Carrie (Christie Clark) in the album and Marlena says she was such a godsend after losing her baby. In fact, Marlena says caring for Carrie prepared her for her having and raising her own twins, Eric and Sami. Cue: The twin visiting Marlena in the hospital.
JOHN AND MARLENA’S LOVE CONQUERED ALL
Then, in a way to get through and incorporate the wild storylines only Marlena could have been in, she tells Belle and Paul, she has been through so much in her life, how lucky she was to find John, and some of the most unbelievable experiences no one could imagine. Cue: Marlena possessed by the devil and levitating from the bed. Next, John confronting Marlena being the Salem Stalker, where she admits she killed Alice Horton, pretends she needs help, then pulls a gun on her beloved John!
The comment is made by Paul and Marlena, that she literally has been to hell and back and she could not have survived were it not for her beloved John. Cue the big emotional highpoint clips; The Pier Scene! Marlena steps out of the fog when John sees her from a distance. After believing she was dead for four years, here she was before him in one of the greatest reunions in a soap opera love story in history. What followed were other times of the life of times of Jarlena.
Courtesy/Peacock
MARLENA’S ‘GIFT’ FROM STEFANO HAS A NEW CLUE
When Marlena makes a brief exit to the other room, Belle fills in Paul on the chess set Stefano left her mother and the photo of the Lire. Paul said he will investigate. Marlena comes back into the room and overhears, and says to promise her if things get dangerous he will back off, she does not want anyone hurt by Stefano’s games.
As the episode comes to a conclusion, it’s just Belle and Marlena going through the photo album giggling about 70s hairstyles and all the memories. Belle speaks on the impact Marlena has had in everyone’s lives, and that she is both the heart of their family and the heart of Salem.
An end card comes up acknowledging Deidre Hall’s 50th anniversary as Marlena, and we fade to black.
So, what did you think of Marlena’s walk down memory lane? Were you happy to see the flashback clips utilized throughout? Were you touched by the scenes and the performance of Deidre Hall? Let us know what you thought of Deidre’s 50th anniversary episode via the comment section below.
If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.
It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.
In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.
Photo: NBC
There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.
DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.
Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.
Photo: JPI
THE LOVES OF MARLENA
Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.
TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME
While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!
The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!
Photo:JPI
The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.
The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.
The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.
In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)
Photo: NBC
Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.
It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.
THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA
In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)
In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.
Photo: JPI
One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.
Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.
Days Of Our Lives
Al Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
It’s been a bittersweet time for Al Calderon. The talented actor/singer/songwriter has watched from his vantage point to roles he loved so much come to their conclusion for different reasons.
In a heartfelt message posted to his Instagram story on Saturday, Calderon took a moment to share how grateful he was for the opportunity to play Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives, and nurse Nico Silva this year on NBC’s second season of Brilliant Minds. Currently, Brilliant Minds has two more episodes that will air on June 24 and the series finale on July 1.
Calderon expressed, “As I sit here reflecting on this lovely Saturday afternoon over the last two years of my life, I have two major chapters closing that have been part of my life every day for the last two years. We have Brilliant Minds. Our last episodes are wrapping up, and then my last scenes aired yesterday as me as Javi on Days of Our Lives.
Photo: JPI
“I’m just unbelievably grateful for the chance and the opportunity to be a part of something so much larger than me,” continued Al. “I (will) love Days of Our Lives forever, my family. Thank you for supporting me and supporting my decision to take the leap of faith and believe in myself and, and tell other stories. You know, it’s never goodbye. It’s always ‘see you later’ to me and just leaving with love and leading with love.”
Al concluded with a special mention to some very important people, the fans: “Thank you to the fans and the support from everyone, the lovely messages. So this next chapter, hopefully it’s not a dragon, hopefully it’s a gold coin.”
Photo: NBC
Calderon’s journey on-screen on Days of Our Lives began in October of 2024 and concluded this month. In one of his last appearances Javi was asking a favor from Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) before bumping into his ex, Leo (Greg Rikaart). In story, Javi has a new romance with Gus (Michael Ocampo), while fighting his feelings for Leo. The role of Javi will be played starting on June 30 by Jacob Martinez who takes over the role.
NBC decided to cancel the Brilliant Minds, after it split up the airing of its second season which began in the fall of September of 2025 and the back-half started airing after a long break this past May. Calderon joined the medical drama staring Zachary Quinto for the new season, which sadly was its last.
So, will you miss Al on Days of Our Lives and Brilliant Minds as his time on-screen has come to an end? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
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