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Stephen Nichols On His DAYS Exit: “I Know That There Are Still Years Of Steve And Kayla’s Story Left To Be Told. I Hope We Get To Tell That Story.”

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Days of our Lives favorite Stephen Nichols (Steve “Patch” Johnson) broke his silence on Thursday addressing his departure from the NBC daytime drama series in a touching post on his Instagram account.

Nichols expressed: “For me, Days of Our Lives is home and I want to be there … I love the people, I love Steven Earl Johnson and I love what Mary Beth and I have been able to create together. I was excited to see what this new team would bring for us and for all of Salem. I’ve been in this business long enough to understand the rotation of stories, and I get that we can’t always be at the forefront. And despite my disappointment in the lack of story this past year, I’ve always worked hard and we’ve always tried to find the moments in whatever we’ve been given. I think we did that. Whenever I see a scene or montage you guys post, I am so touched and I remember just how much story we told for so many years and how rich it was. I’m so grateful for that. And I know that there are still years of Steve and Kayla’s story left to be told. I hope we get to tell that story. Your unwavering support tells me you hope that too. Thank you and much love, Stephen”

According to the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands now, Nichols opted to leave the series when both sides could not agree on a new deal.  Look for Nichols to last air sometime in the fall.

So, what do you think about Stephen’s sentiments on his departure from DAYS?  Are you hoping the NBC daytime drama brings ‘Patch” back sooner than later? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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It is a huge mistake for Days to let Stephen leave and take Steve with him.

I am glad to see Patch go before they started having him write poetry and read it at the Brady Pub!! You can’t have all old characters and no new characters who are younger to keep the ratings for the show.. I am excited to see Matt come back…. time to see how that goes….

I agree with you Karen. Steve is great on Days, and he is great with Kayla and Tripp. I really hope Sony would loosen the purse strings and bring Stephen Nicols and Steve back soon!

Agree. Still hoping they can make a deal!!!!

It seems Steve is not one of Ron’s favorite characters. I agree there is still a lot of story for Patch and Kayla. I would like to see the Patch removed once and for all when his sight is restored. I hope Steve is around when Joey gets out of prison. Also, I would like to see Stephanie recast. She would be a great addition to the Abigail/Gabi/Eli/Lani/Chad storyline.

Agree!!!!

I think it was a terrible decision on behalf of the Days team, Steven Earl is an ICONIC part of Days history, and foundation to the show. Younger characters come on, get some confidence and move on to bigger things. So the show needs their history on the screen, it’s why many tune in. He is why I returned to Days in 2015. I’ve always been a Stayla fan, and this was supposed to be their time with their children and grandchildren. Their wedding was beautiful, Shelley Henning returned, I had hoped for a Stephanie recast. But I did not expect this. The chemistry between the two actors Stephen Nichols and Mary Beth Evans is palpable still and one would think would be soap gold. He wants to be there, the fans want him there. But a guarantee of 1 or less/ days per week does not keep viewers vested in the stories. He deserves to be respected for the incredibly talented actor he is and the show should be thanking their lucky stars that he wants to be there. I will not watch days, I have started to faze it out. A dead man rolled up in a rug, as a cartoon, a new character raping a mentally ill woman, a serial killer redemption there are lines that should not be crossed, it bothers me more perhaps because of the state of the country, and the needless killings. Days seems to glorify this violence, and violence towards women. Yes, I realize it is a soap, but it is also 2018. Give me my Stayla love and passion over any of this.

YES!!!

So totally agree Mel…I haven’t watched DOOL in a while for to me it’s like Y&R for DOOL hasn’t felt like DOOL in years and IMO it still doesn’t for I do not care for Ron’s writing…OK, DOOL background music is the worst of the 4 daytime dramas and it’s extremely annoying and when I did try to watch it I couldn’t concentrate on the storyline due to the background music…When Marty Davich composed the music for DOOL, those were the DAYS…I so miss the good ole DAYS…70’s, 80’s and part of the 90’s…I loved the super couples, Doug & Julie, Bo and Hope, Shane and Kimberly, Patch and Kayla, Justin and Adrienne…

Agree Mel!

It’s actually Sony that is responsible for this. They are doing the same with the Y&R actors.

It’s actually not Sony in this case. It’s Greg Meng and Ron Carlivati. It’s clear SN didn’t like what they offered, but he was still willing to talk and come to some agreement. He did not walk away from this … he wanted to be there, still wants to be there. I hear he actually came around to their crap deal, but too late, they backed out. The poor writers had already worked over a weekend to write him out, they weren’t coming back to write him back in. I mean seriously … they were able to write out an icon in a weekend? Speaks volumes about their integrity, care for the legacy Days or care for what the fans want at all. It was all an excuse to get rid of someone Ron wasn’t interested in writing for. It’s so sad to see what Days has come to. I mean I get that some fans like this hokey, campy stuff … but can’t they find some balance. Mix that over the top stuff with a little love and romance? Why does it have to be one or the other?

Stephen made it clear he wants to be there& was willing to talk.the show didn’t care enough to keep him, thats the whole truth. They stalled negotiations and never came back to talk. He didn’t ask for more. He asked not to have less. I support beloved actors not accepting less than they already have,when what they have is already lower than they’re worth. Shame on DAYS. There should ALWAYS be room for this icon/daytime legend on this show. They should have done their utmost to keep him. Not only are we losing him & his talent, we are losing the beloved supercouple of Steve & Kayla. This show has MAJOR issues balancing its cast, but throwing away the best of its cast is no way to deal with the issue. Days is showing complete disregard for the viewers and a hardworking, immensely talented actor who WANTS to be there and is WANTED by the audience.

Yes, shame on Days. Feel so bad for Stephen and Mary Beth.

Mr. Nichols wants to be there. Viewers want him there. We don’t want to lose Steve and Kayla. I have never seen 2 actors more suited for each other and 2 actors who put everything into their scenes. They never take their work for granted. It shows onscreen. I hope the powers that be see this. I will hope everday that someone at Days will sit down with Stephen and work out something so we don’t lose Steve. The Johnson family is important to Salem

Totally agree!

Most definitely!

Yes, I totally agree. Was totally shocked to hear Stephen was leaving. I realize that they have to sort of rotate their characters, but I do hope they can bring Steve and Kayla back together again, and bring His daughter back and Joey into the picture, along with Tripp.

This is the saddest news ever. I knew it was coming and I am heartbroken. I have been a loyal viewer of Days of our Lives since 1986. It was really Stephen Nichols who captured my attention. I believe I have seen all of his scenes on Days and have seen his 1985 clips on YouTube. I am very much hoping that this situation over his contract can still be resolved. I can’t imagine Days without him and I don’t want too. The actor is so dedicated to his craft. He is so kindhearted and immensely talented. I don’t understand how Days does not understand his value to the show. Stephen wants to be there and his fans want him there. I really hope Ken Corday and Greg Meng work this out with Stephen. I want Steve and Kayla on Days forever.

My sentiments exactly.

We need Steve in Salem. Days needs Stephen as he is always a ratings draw. But vStephen with Mary Beth is nothing short of Soap gold and I’d think it’d be any surviving Sosp’s dream to have not only an iconic couple but a very much loved super couple on its show. Fans love Steve and Kayla. Corday himself has said that fans always want more of them. And we do. The sooner Days brings Stephen back, the better for all.

Stephen’s statement was perfectly…Stephen. He’s not only an amazing actor, but an amazing person. He has portrayed this character for years, despite not always agreeing with the direction. He put his heart and soul into Patch and the results are undeniable.
Days currently is sensational and lackluster. There is no depth, no meaning, no build. An actor of his caliber can bring beauty to a sensational, lackluster SL. However, he, as well as we, see the possibilities for the future. Days can do better. It HAS done better. Soap Operas are not obsolete and they are not reality TV. They show people true love, patience, loyalty. That the good guy will usually win in the end. They give us someone to root for and fall in love we.
We HAVE fallen in love with Steve Johnson, and most certainly Stephen Nichols. We will fight for him, for this couple, and even for this show…but Days needs to meet us part way.
Let’s be done with hopping into beds, baby daddy drama, and SL’s that wrap in 1-2wks. Let’s remember what made Days great. Love. Family.
Please Days. #daysneedspatch #stayla #makesoapsgreatagain

Love and Family–yes!

I completely agree!.. well said!

Im almost done with GH once when Nelle’s story wraps up and Days is now the only serial i watch…i do not like the loss of Patch…hopefully he will return later!!!

I don’t watch GH without Genie. Can’t watch Days without Stephen. Sigh! What will Mary Beth do? She’s lost her acting partner.

Back burner once again…

This “Patch” guy-
why did he not have plastic surgery to repair his eye?
they work miracles

Perhaps he never took care of it so all could continue calling him “Patch” (that is stupid lol)

((I wish he would return to Y&R; Tucker
but that will not happen, ohh well))

Actually he did. He had a glass eye installed sometime late in his first run in the early 90s. It didn’t fit well with the character… so there was another “accident” and the patch was back.

The Stevie Wonder glasses really aren’t working for him either but the bigger problem right now is a hack writer who only favors newbies & the guys he wants to see with their shirts off.

Hello su000! Did you drop a “0” when we weren’t looking?…

My feeling is that the producers and the actors didn’t see eye to eye…

I also enjoyed Nichols on Y&R as Tucker. However, I much more enjoyed his work on GH as Stephan. You might not have seen his work there, but he was paired with Genie Francis as Laura: yet the writers would infuriatingly bring Laura and Stephan to the brink of happiness and then move in a different direction. GH also did the same thing with Stephan’s interaction with Katherine Bell, played by Mary Beth Evans.

Stephen Nichols has always been one of my favorite actors in daytime for I watched him on DOOL, GH and Y&R…Stephen in my opinion is the only one that can play Patch and I loved his story on DOOL with Kayla…I wish Stephen nothing but the best…

Sorry to see him go yet again. I’ve been watching Days since 1987 and have always loved Steve and Kayla. It seems obvious that the show for whatever reason doesn’t want or know how to write for Steve and Kayla at this stage of their lives and that’s unfortunate.

Have they thrown Mary Beth away also????

No, it seems she is still on the show. I hope for good and that they’ll bring back Stephen Nicols too!

Good! Me too! Thanks!

And why couldn’t they come up with a deal?

It’s Sony. Look what happened with Eileen Davidson at Y&R.

I am so heartbroken over the fact that Stephen is gone. I’m sad for many reasons. The first being that Stephen Nichols is one of the greatest talents that the soap genre has ever had. He and Mary Beth have a connection on screen that is unmatched. Their talent is endless, but their hearts and their generosity towards their fans is what is the most amazing.
As a younger viewer of the show, I personally look for characters and couples that I can aspire to….and Steve and Kayla definitely fit that ideal. I don’t want to see teenagers fighting over a contest. I don’t want to see a rape victim/mentally ill person being blamed for what she endured. I don’t want to see someone who was forced into human trafficking not even being thought of as a victim….and I don’t want to see her begging for a man to have sex with her. I want to see characters like Steve, Kayla and Hope who have gone through adversity, and have grown from it. Instead of the constant couple swapping and bed hopping, I’d like to see a more mature love. I want to believe that once we have found someone that we can be happy and passionate even when we are older. Steve and Kayla’s story has proved that to me. I hope and pray that Stephen will be back on Days soon. He wants to be there and the fans want him there.

Family and Friends need you and Your son Tripp and Your wife Kayla Need you Please come back Future soon

Heartbreaking–Steve and Kayla are the heart of Days. 🙁

I could care less about Ben, who they brought back for no reason. I want to see Steve, and where is Roman?!

They’re going down the same sad route as GH re Ben. How can you bring back a cold-blooded murderer? No fans for that route, I should think. At least, not this fan!

Yep. ReRon is going all Frodd 2.0 with Ben. Wouldn’t surprise me if he tries to involve Ben in the DiMera Industries vs Titan wars somehow, like that ridiculous relish storyline on GH.

As one of the older viewers of Days, by that I mean I’ve been watching days since it’s creations in 1965. Since the days of the family the Horton’s Tom and Alice and their children. I spent time with my 1st born child in my arms watching “Those Good Old Days”… where family meant everything. And then came the Brady’s action adventure fun, and the families joined together. I want to spent some down time like in the 80’s when I could watch some fun, adventure, love and romance in the afternoon. yes there were times when things did happen.. but not like today, Oh, NO, not like today!!! I’m so weary of all this violence, sex, killings, and meaningless vengeance towards others. If I wanted to see that I would just turn on the news. That’s exactly what Days Of Our Lives is becoming…I’m so sad… And speaking of sad… I’m so sad and heartbroken over the fact that Stephen Nicholas is gone due to stalled negotiations over his contract. According to what I read Mr. Nichols wants to return to Days, however, I don’t understand why Ken Corday and Greg Meng won’t sit down with Mr. Nichols and work out an agreement that is agreeable and beneficial on both sides. Stephen is an immensely and brilliantly talented actor. Besides his acting ability Stephen is a kindhearted and generous man who gives willingly of his time to help others in need i.e. in LA Soup Kitchen, helps young people who want to become actors, donates to the Missions, and many more. Tell who doesn’t want to have that kind of person as part of their acting cast. Got me? I’m still questioning ~ just who is making the decisions @nbcdays is it Ken Corday, Greg Meng, KentSony, Ron Carlivatiron and his writing team, just who??? Whoever it is has just made a big, I mean HUGE mistake!!!

Steven Earl Johnson is ICONIC and a part of Days history ~ and for a little history lesson… when Stephen Nichols was actually hired in 1985 to play SEJ he helped created his own Iconic Legend ~ imagine that and now that won’t even offer him a decent contract. Come on BOYS… it’s time to step by to the bar… it’s time to settle things with Stephen Nichols he wants to come Home to DAYS ~ his fans want him to come home to DAYS ~ the ratings show he’s a value to DAYS

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN TO BRING HOME TO DAYS WHERE HE BELONGS!!!

NO MORE STALLING!!

The blame is on Sony when it comes to the pay negotiations. They just did the same with Eileen Davidson at Y&R, and she just won the Lead Actress Emmy for the show a couple of months ago.

Like you, I’m a long-time viewer–and I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments. 🙂

So agree weesie on everything you said…it’s extremely SAD that DOOL is NO LONGER the same show that us long time viewers have loved for years…I NO LONGER watch DOOL and it’s been a while since I have… As we all know it’s only a matter of time until there won’t be any daytime dramas/soaps left…and we all know that TPTB really don’t care about what their fans/viewers want for we have asked the so called TOP BRASS over and over what we want for our shows and it goes in one ear and out the next…I really believe if they cared they would actually reach out to us and answer our concerns and questions but they don’t…

I’m heartbroken that Stephen is out at Days. He belongs with his Kayla and I’m not sure I’m going to watch anymore. I feel with the poisoning storyline and the blindness we haven’t seen much of him. Wondering if they were trying to get rid of him. When RC came on board I was excited about his writing and the stories but now not so much. They need to quit bringing in all these people that stay for a few episode and focus on the vets that are the backbone of this show.. I think the decision to let Stephen go will be their downfall. Stephen is an amazing actor and person and needs to be treated with so much more respect than they have shown him!

Maybe he will return to GH

You could tell the stories if you re-signed. Too bad they couldn’t agree to terms.

Another dumb move by Sony. We know their executives are not taking any pay cuts.

I like Stephen Nicols and want Steve back on the show soon! Steve and Kayla are an legendary couple and are still very interesting. I really hope Sony would loosen the purse strings and bring Stephen Nicols and Steve back soon!

NO!! Please!! ….this cannot be happening, again!! Days will not be the same without him. Patch and Kayla have always been the IT couple of Salem……I always look forward to their scenes and storylines….
…..now, I’ll be stuck with more Hope? Or the insipid story of Brady and Eve?

Soaps have always been escape television. Love, romance, adventure, taking us away from everyday routines and worries, to escape to a world of romance and drama. Now, it mimics the violence and turmoil of our every day reality and can’t compete with the chaos and violence we live with. It just mirrors it. OJ was responsible for the decline of soap viewing and Trump will put the final nail in it’s coffin.

So very sorry to see Steve go. I’ve been watching Days since 1965. Steve ( Patch ) Johnson has been a favorite of mine since day one. Do us fans a favor BRING HIM BACK !!!!

Just when it looks like Jack is coming back to Salem, now Steve is leaving?

The Johnson family is turning into Van Halen. They just can’t seem to get all the original members on stage at the same time.

I do like Steven but he really didnt have much of a story while I hate to see him go why use him what about twice a week?How about this one years ago I had written to him he sent me letter telling me to keep on smiling.How nice was that? Also sent me a nice picture of himself also sent me a nice picture to,Sorry this has happened.

Biggest mistake ever!!!

Frankly, his character gets a little tiresome to me. Why does he feel his storyline isn’t at the center of things? All we hear about is his Bionic Eye and what Kayla has done to obtain it (as inane as that is) – Sorry he and Days can’t reach “an agreement” (AKA give me more money) but maybe it’s best to move on. How many times can we see Kayla and Patch break up, make up, etc. ~

It was a very bad move to take Steve out of this show you will have lost many viewers . Steve and Kayla’s storyline will never end. I maybe heard the is maybe talk of hVing Steve one back that would be the best news for this network. PLEASE BRING BACK PATCH!!! STEPHEN NICHOLAS

Bring Steve back !!!!!! What would the show do if fans stopped watching in protest? I think some have stopped. Let us have someone on the show that loves his family. Show the good guy and not so much of the ugly.

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That is because the revival of Neighbours, which is now seen in the United States streaming on Amazon Freevee, is now eligible under the rules from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

Not only did Neighbours receive its first Daytime Emmy nomination for Drama Series, but also for one of its legendary stars, Guy Pearce, who returned for a stint in the revival as Mike Young. Pearce is nominated for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series.

Photo: Freemantle

Throughout its run, Neighbours has received several nominations and wins in Australian and the UK, with this being its first nomination in the U.S.

Neighbours Executive Producer Jason Herbison shared on this momentous moment for the series: ‘Neighbours has been on an incredible journey these past few years and a Daytime Emmy Award nomination is the icing on the cake! It’s a huge honour to be nominated alongside such iconic US daytime dramas. This news is an exciting moment for our hard working cast and crew and a wonderful recognition of the new chapter of the show on Amazon Freevee.”

Photo: Freemantle

For those who need a bit of a refresher on the revival of Neighbours. The series streams exclusively on Amazon Freevee in the UK and U.S. and on Prime Video in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.  New episodes air daily Monday-Thursday on Amazon. The new series launched on 18 September, 2023, and picks up two years after the finale left off. In Australia, Network 10 retains first-run rights in Australia for the new chapter of the series.

Photo: Freemantle/AmazonFreevee

The series is known as the longest running local drama of all time in Australia and has launched the careers of so many celebrities including: Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, the aforementioned Guy Pearce, and Liam and Chris Hemsworth, to name but a few.

Long running series star Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodbridge shared their many thanks on Neighbours Daytime Emmy nominations in a video message below.

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After a bidding war last week, it looks like Netflix cemented the development deal from Kim, and her producing partners American Horror Story co-star Emma Roberts (pictured below) and Pretty Little Liars creators Marlene King and Alexandra Milchan.

The concept of Calabasas is based on the book If You Lived Here You’d Be Famous By Now by Via Bleidner.  King set to write the adaptation and will serve as the series showrunner.

Photo: JPI

According to Deadline, Calabasas is said to be in the vein of primetime young teen and young adult soaps the O.C. and Beverly Hills 90210. The story follows “Via, a 16-year-old sheltered Midwestern Catholic school girl whose world is turned upside down when her family moves and she’s forced to transfer to the fast world of Calabasas High where nothing is as it appears and where everyone is trying to be someone else. It’s a place where dreams come true … but not without complications and sometimes unforeseen consequences.”

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Daytime fans remember fondly, Meg’s portrayal of Victor’s (Eric Braeden)first wife. Bennett joined the show in 1980, after her first soap stint for two years in the role of Liza Walton on Search for Tomorrow.

Impressed by her story notes, the late Bill Bell, then head writer of Y&R, had Meg doing double duty acting and writing on the show from 1983-1987. When he decided to write off the character of Julia, he also wanted Meg to stick around as a writer.  Not only did this begin a whole other daytime career for Bennett, but she was not done playing Julia either. Throughout the decades, Julia would still come back to Genoa City for a visit. Most recently, Y&R fans saw Julia in 2018, and again in 2020.

Photo: JPI

Bennett also appeared on Santa Barbara and was a writer on that show as well from 1991-1993. She played the role of Megan Richardson. It was next that Meg had her longest writing stint coming to ABC’s General Hospital. Meg wrote for GH from 1993-2011.

In 1995, Bennett won her first Daytime Emmy for writing and her personal life changed after falling in love with nine-time Daytime Emmy winner, former GH head writer, Bob Guza Jr. In addition, GH also utilized Bennett for her acting skill when she was cast as the villainess Allegra Montenegro.  Meg and Bog Guza were officially married in 2004 and purchased a home once owned by Boris Karloff and Gregory Peck.

Photo: JPI

Additionally, Meg wrote for The Bold and the Beautiful 1987-1989 and later served as a executive story consultant to Brad Bell from 2002-2004.  She also wrote for Sunset Beach, Generations and GH: Night Shift throughout her writing career. She went on to win five WGA Awards for GH and Santa Barbara.

Meg is survived by her husband of 19 years, Robert Guza Jr., two stepdaughters, four grandchildren, a brother and a sister.

Share your remembrances and condolences for Meg Bennett via the comment section below.

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