On an all-new episode of the Inside Salem: Days of our Lives Podcast,  Arianne Zucker talks about her exciting return to the show, and once again being in front and center story following Nicole seeing the love of her life, Eric (Greg Vaughan) had attempted to move on in the love life department with Sarah (Linsey Godfrey), and then the shocking devastation at the death of her daughter, Holly.

Photo: NBC

On the podcast with host Michael Fairman, Ari weighs-in on her most recently aired scenes, and talks about some of Nicole’s past wild storylines including; the infamous flesh eating bacteria storyline and when Nicole attempted to raise Sami’s (Alison Sweeney) baby as her own until the truth finally, finally came to light!

Then, Fairman takes you to the red carpet at the just completed 46th annual Daytime Emmys where he chats with some of the most notable residents of Salem including actors: Galen Gering (Rafe), Rob Scott Wilson (Ben), Lauren Koslow (Kate), Victoria Konefal (Ciara), Martha Madison (Belle), Mary Beth Evans (Kayla) and more.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Make sure to check out the podcast one of two ways: 1) Go directly to iTunes here, or you can hear it on NBC.com/Inside Salem.

Let us know what you think of Nicole’s return and Days’ night at the Daytime Emmys via the comment section below.

Photo: NBC

On the all-new episode of NBC’s Inside Salem: Days of our Lives Podcast, it’s our Daytime Emmy Pre-Party as podcast host, Michael Fairman chats it up with last year’s winner for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Greg Vaughan (Eric), and later sits down with four of this years DAYS nominees: Kassie DePaiva (Eve), Eric Martsolf (Brady), Victoria Konefal (Ciara) and Linsey Godfrey (Sarah).  As viewers know, the soap received 27 nominations this year, the most of any show in the competition, and the most nominations ever for Days of our Lives!

During Greg’s segment, he discusses the exciting return of Arianne Zucker (Nicole), and what it means with Nicole back in Eric’s life.  In addition, working with Linsey Godfrey and creating a new love life for his character.  DAYS fans  have always seen Eric very tormented in his storylines and Greg weighs-in on if he likes playing those beats in his story arcs.  Vaughan also offers his advice for this year’s nominees at the upcoming 46th annual Daytime Emmys on how to prepare as your waiting for your name to be called when they rip open the envelope on-stage.   Later, Michael and Greg banter about two can’t-miss clios for the past two weeks of stories on Days.

At the podcast’s pre-Daytime Emmy party, Kassie, Eric, Victoria and Linsey dish about how they found out they were nominated, and discuss why they chose some of the scenes that they submitted which we dive into during their segment, plus how to try to create the perfect Emmy reel for the competition.   Eric is a former Emmy winner, and Kassie and Linsey have been nominated previously, but this is the first time for fan favorite, Victoria Konefal, but will they have acceptance speeches prepped if they win the gold?  The foursome reveals how they plan to get through and attend daytime’s biggest night of the year.

Make sure to listen to the episode available now on iTunes here or NBC.com/Inside Salem here.

Now, let us know, what was your favorite part of this podcast? Are you rooting for Eric and Nicole to get back together?  And, who from DAYS are you most hoping will win an Emmy on Sunday night?  Share your thoughts via the comment section.

If you missed this past Thursday night’s special broadcast of Soap Nation Live! you can now listen to the replay right here at the bottom of this post.  In an emotional (close to 90 minute show), host Michael Fairman and his guest co-host, Y&R’s Daniel Goddard (Cane) welcomed castmates past and present of the late Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters), as the podcast remembered and celebrated this beloved two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor.

In a tragedy, St. John passed away back in February at 52-years-old.  Throughout the past week and leading into Monday’s special episode of The Young and the Restless (where the cast will celebrate his life) Soap Nation Live! offered up its own tribute which featured straight from the heart thoughts on the loss from his closest co-stars and longtime friends.

Joining Michael and Daniel were: Eric Braeden (Victor), Eileen Davidson (Ashley), Joshua Morrow (Nick), Christel Khalil (Lily), Bryton James (Devon). Mishael Morgan (Ex-Hilary) and Victoria Rowell (Ex-Drucilla).  As well, throughout the show, Michael and Daniel fielded calls from listeners who also shared their grief and sadness over the loss of one of the most popular long-running stars on the show.  St. John appeared on Y&R for more than 28 years before his death.

Throughout this special broadcast, clips were played featuring St. John as his character of Neil Winters with several of our guests,  For this replay, we have added in more clips that were not initially heard on the live-stream.  Before they started the show, Michael and Daniel lit a candle in the studio in honor of their dear friend   Below are just a few excerpts of what the cast shared about St. John during their segments on Soap Nation Live!.

Photo: MFTV Inc

Daniel Goddard shared on the taping of Neil’s memorial service: “When we finally were on the set taping the eulogies, it was closure that everybody needed>  We had Kristoff’s service, and there has been some other things done for him, but I think the people that were so close to him, from the family perspective of the crew, the camera guys and grips that have known him, and seen his kids grow up … they saw him go through the tragic loss of his son, Julian, Yhey finally felt they were a part of this sending off.  Our EP, Tony Morina came out and said to everybody. ‘I know its going to be a hard day for everyone, but if you want to go straight to tape, we will go straight to tape.”  And no one had rehearsal and everything was done in one take.   Every single person … Bryton, Christel, myself, Eric, Peter, Shemar, there was not one rehearsal, second tape, or pick-ups.  It was pretty special.”

Eric Braeden expressed on taping scenes surrounding Neil’s death  “It’s emotional impact is ten times as high.  I think we all had difficulties doing these scenes and keeping it together.”  In speaking to why Kristoff was so great as an actor, Braeden shared, “He was real, that is why I respected him as an actor and I respected him as a human being.  He was one of the 2 or 3 people around there that I trusted.   It was a hard blow.”   When discussing St. John’s loss of his son Julian, Breaden felt; “I somehow had the feeling that he covered a lot of that pain. I cannot even imagine that pain as a father.”

Eileen Davidson said about her work with St. John:  “We had such a gift   We had a natural chemistry that came effortlessly.  I have been crying so much since he passed. I trusted him.  I felt safe with him and that he had my back.  He was a great dude, and I really loved him,  It’s one of my saddest regrets that we didn’t get to explore the Neil/Ashley relationship more.   He was always open, and was a loving human being.  He went through a lot of hard stuff in his life even growing up.  This man saw some stuff.  He always rose above it, and always cared about what was happening in your life.  He was such a great guy.”

Joshua Morrow in sadness expressed: “At the end of the day wherever he is, I hope and pray he knows that everyone on our show loved him. He just meant everything to us.  I don’t know if I ever rooted for someone so hard in my life.  The strength and courage this man showed on a daily basis to get past what he has experienced and gone through in his life, and always, I mean always, had a smiling face, and you just wanted to hug him.  He was just a warrior and I would so anything to have him back.”

Mishael Morgan, who is nominated for a Daytime Emmy, revealed that she knows what St, John would say to her on Emmy night: “I think he would be rooting me on and I think he would say it’s well-deserved.  I think you get to know someone on a very intimate level, when you’re working with them, especially in this genre.  I just felt like Kristoff, from the very beginning, got me and believed in me, and he helped me believe in myself a little bit.  So when I finally stepped into Hilary and stepped into my own on the show,  I always found him rooting me on and I think that’s still happening.”

Photo :MFTV Inc

Bryton James shared his thoughts on that his character of Devon is the one that finds Neil dead and has to tell the family: “I was honored.  We all had to go through it. Yeah sure, I knew Kristoff for 15 years, but many of the people at our show knew him longer. There is some real history.  I was not going through anything alone.  I was beyond honored to be the one in the storyline to break the news to the family and kick-off the show’s portrayal of losing Neil.”

Christel Khalil discussed how it was taping Neil’s memorial service and the eulogies performed by the cast including herself:  “Obviously, I was happy we are doing something like this.  It was a tough week for sure.  I was so proud of everybody. They brought it and were amazing.  It was a beautiful tribute to him. I do feel like it helped give us all closure in a way, and I loved what everyone did, and I think Kristoff would be proud”

Victoria Rowell, who closed the show and talked about what is was like being part of the iconic couple with St. John of Drucilla and Neil, and working with Kristoff:. “We developed a very deep bond and it transpired beyond the set.  You basically become each other confidante when you work that closely, and in good times and not so good times, and through challenges that paralleled a married couple, We took it to other opportunities in the world who wanted to see us together. It was a blessing for me to work to Kristoff.   We were each others champions!  We really were.”

Now below listen to Soap Nation Live’s Tribute to Kristoff St. John in its entirety below.  Then, share your thoughts on his passing in the comment section below, and let us know what stood out to you during our special broadcast.  For archived episode of Soap Nation Live! visit the official show page here.

Listen to “Soap Nation Live: A Tribute To Kristoff St. John” on Spreaker.