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…
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Favorites Making Returns: Alison Sweeney, Christie Clark, Chandler Massey and Bryan Dattilo
Great news for Days of Our Lives fans, now that Ryan Quan is co-head writer of the long-running soap opera. Coming in June of 2027 (since DAYS tapes ten or so months ahead), you can look forward to the returns of Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady), Christie Clark (Carrie Brady), Chandler Massey (Will Horton) and Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton).
The foursome is back on set and began last week to tape their upcoming story arc, according to TV Insider. As to what exactly is going on that brings sister Sami and Carrie’s history back up, as well as Will and Lucas’ is only being teased at this time, but suffice to say, it should be intriguing.
Alison Sweeney explained on being back on set, “It was a lot of dialogue and emotion, but with all the best actors to work opposite, we fell into it as if no time had passed. It was really wonderful.”
Photo: JPI
As to working with the longstanding rivalry of Sami and Carrie, Alison added on working with Clark, “So, it really does feel like we’re sisters. It’s so fun, and she’s such a good actor that she makes everything so natural that you can really disappear into those stories.”
JUST LIKE OLD TIMES
It also seems like the deep-history, which often had the sister fighting for the love of Austin Reed, but that might not figure into the equation this time, or will it?
Alison indicated what she thought of the scripts she was given. “I felt like when I read it, it was a page-turner. I was very excited. There’s a lot of history here, and a lot of things that haven’t been said. So, it’s really not like, ‘Oh, rehashing stuff.’ And now having played some of the scenes, I’m psyched.” Sweeney added, as for the men, working again with her on-screen son, Chandler Massey and Will’s on-screen father Bryan Dattilo, was also extra special.
The last time DAYS viewers saw Sami on the canvas was back in November of 2025, when she revealed she has gotten engaged to never-before-seen Dante Vitali. As for Clark, she last visited Salem for the episodes surrounding John Black’s memorial in June of 2025.
Chandler Massey’s Will Horton last made a visit to Salem in November of 2025 when he attended the gala for the Tom Horton Free Clinic as part of the soap opera’s 60th anniversary celebration. Bryan Dattilo was last seen in December of 2025. So, by the time we see all four again it will be close to two years since they were on new episodes of the series. Time to look forward to June of 2027.
So, excited by the news of Alison, Christie, Chandler and Lucas making a return to Days of Our Lives? What do you think the story will be involving, Sami, Carrie, Lucas and Will? Let us know via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Alum Al Calderon Talks On His Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes as Javi Hernandez (Exclusive)
Last Tuesday, Al Calderon scored the first Emmy nomination of his career for his role as Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives.
Calderon name was announced as one of the performers competing for gold in the Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series category at the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on October 30.
This week, Calderon chatted live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel for a one-on-one conversation where he discussed: his nominated scenes and time on the Peacock streaming soap opera, his decision to leave DAYS, his role of Nico Silva on Brilliant Minds and its sad cancellation, plus his passing the torch of Javi to Jacob Martinez, who took over the role on-screen on the June 30, 2026 episode of Days of Our Lives.
Photo: JPI
JAVI REVEALS TO LEO THAT HE HAD A DAUGHTER WHO DIED
Al revealed the scenes that comprise his now Emmy-nominated reel have at its epicenter the heartbreaking moments from the September 12, 2025 episode. In it, Javi shares for the first time to Leo (Greg Rikaart) that he had a daughter named Solana, with a woman he was seeing named Sylvia. One fateful day, Sylvia left their child in a car when she went to work and the little girl died. Javi had blamed himself for not being the parent to take his daughter to school that day since he was hungover the night before, therefore it opened up the opportunity for something to happen to the his child, and it did.
The multi-talented actor/singer explained his reel: “It was the scene where he is talking about his daughter to Leo. I also included the scene where Javi goes to talk to Melinda (Tina Huang) and to see if it would be a viable option to adopt, because I wanted to introduce the subtlety and nuance of why Javi kind of has this whole connection to Tesoro, in a way.”
It is true that Al can bring the tears and make us cry right along with him during his run as Javi. To that, Calderon added, “I’ve read the comments that I’m a little bit of a crybaby, so I didn’t want the entire reel to be of me crying, but I wanted it to show a little bit of an emotional range of the restraint that Javi was feeling so I included that scene
In addition Calderon shared, “I also included a really beautiful scene with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez, DAYS) where I’m looking at photos of Tesoro, and of course, Javi is crying. I just wanted to show the relationship between Javi and his family as well, and as I mentioned the reveal of the child that he lost.”
Photo: JPI
ALUMS AL CALDERON AND ALICE HALSEY REPRESENT DAYS OF OUR LIVES IN EMERGING TALENT CATEGORY
In a twist of fate, Calderon is also nominated in the Emerging Talent category with Alice Halsey who played Rachel Black. Halsey is currently starring in the reboot of Little House on the Prairie in the lead role of Laura Ingalls on Netflix.
As to his hope on Emmy night, Al expressed, “Of course, I want to win, but Alice Halsey is going to give me a run for the money. And if’s not me (who wins the award), it better be her!”
You can check out the full interview with Al below.
Now let us know, do you remember Al’s emotional scenes when he explained to Leo he had a daughter who died, which made it all the more heartbreaking to not end up with permanent custody of Tesoro? What do you think of Al’s chances to win the gold based on his Emmy scene selection? Do you miss him as Javi? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Emily O’Brien Talks On Her Y&R Past as Jana Hawkes and Working with Peter Porte on ‘Days of Our Lives’
On the latest edition of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart which dropped on Tuesday, July 21, Emily O’Brien is the featured guest. As soap fans know, Emily has worked with Rikaart both in her first soap role on The Young and the Restless as Jana Hawkes and now on Days of Our Lives in her current role of Gwen Rizczech.
While Emily continues on DAYS, she has very impressive list of credits in the other part of her career as a voice-over actress and one in motion-capture in some of the most popular video games in the world.
O’Brien was first seen on The Young and the Restless back in 2006. She recalled her landing the role which eventually paired her for her five year run with Greg Rikaart.
Photo: JPI
BEING CAST ON THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
“The role was just a few days and she wasn’t even supposed to be English,” Emily recalled. “The role was originally called Jade. Karen Rae, the casting director of The Young and the Restless at the time said to me “Oh, you’re from England. Try it with the dialect.” I put it on and she said, ‘I’m going to bring you back at like 3 for s callback.’ So then they changed the role to Jana and they said she’s going to be a Brit. I was only supposed to be on for like five episodes and it turned into 5 years.”
In explaining why she loved crazy Jana, Emily shared, “Jana was sort of like the misanthrope. She was just was the odd one out and I loved it. I felt so comfortable playing that because she was just eclectic and weird and she loved playing with Ouija boards and she rode a motorbike. There was just so much color to bring to her. It was just such a great match to play with Greg (Kevin), and Christian LeBlanc (Michael) and Tracey Bregman (Lauren).
Photo: JPI
GWEN, DIMITRI AND LEO ON DAYS OF OUR LIVES
On Days of Our Lives, the Leo, Gwen, Dimitri dynamic is quite unique and been through many schemes and entanglements. Often Emily finds herself in repartee with her ex-lover, Dimitri, who turned out to be gay and then had a thing for her bestie, Leo (Greg Rikaart)!
During the conversation, Greg and Emily sang, Peter Porte’s praised with O’Brien expressing, “Peter is just ready to play. He comes on set prepared. I’ve never seen him with his script. From blocking and rehearsals, he doesn’t have it. He’s prepared. He’s a physical actor and he always trying to come up with something. I think he let me slap him. He let me kiss him. He let me throw a cheeseburger in his lap. He’s ready for anything for anything.”
You can catch the full episode of ‘Soapy; featuring Emily O’Brien below where the actress also talks about replacing Jen Lilley as Theresa Donovan after being let go as Gwen; and being paired again with Greg Rikaart on the Peacock streaming soap opera this time as best friends and more.
So, were you a big Jana Hawkes and Kevin Fisher fan on Y&R? Did you like them as a couple? Do you like the dynamic between Emily and Peter Porte and Greg Rikaart on DAYS? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Katie is Suspicious of Dylan and Warns Will, Steffy Takes Off to Monaco
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Recaps1 week agoTHE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie is Disowned By The Logan Sisters
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General Hospital4 days agoGH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
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General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
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General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
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General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
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General Hospital3 days agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
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News5 days ago‘The Young and the Restless’ Names New Co-Head Writers: Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor
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News5 days agoY&R’s Billy Flynn and Gina Comparetto Reveal Birth of Their Third Child and It’s a Girl!
