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Steve Burton Talks On: ‘Beyond Salem’, His Co-Stars, Dismissal From ‘General Hospital’ Over Vaccine Mandate, and What’s Next

Photo: ABC

Two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and enduring fan favorite, Steve Burton, chats with Michael Fairman in a brand new interview on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where he chats on his recent role on the streaming series, Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem Chapter Two, which is continuing to stream on Peacock.

In ‘Beyond Salem’, Burton reprises his first ever DAYS and soap opera role of Harris Michaels. Burton made his daytime TV debut in the part back in 1988.  Throughout the five episode-streamer, Burton shares pivotal scenes and story with longtime DAYS icon, Kristian Alfonso (Hope).

Photo: JPI

Burton expressed on taping his initial scenes with Alfonso (which were Harris and Hope’s wedding day): “The greatest thing about her (Kristian) was she has amazing eyes as an actress – eyes I can really connect with and it was an highly-emotional day. She helped me stay anchored – just by looking in her eyes.  She’s probably going, “Why is this weirdo starring at me all the time?’ (Laughs). She was great, gracious and awesome, but she really did help me out and I told her that and I said, ‘You made my job so much easier today, thank you.'”

The actor also revealed that in story, the door was left open that Harris’ bad guy moves in the streaming series, could turn out to be more complicated than on the surface given the character’s interrogation room final scene.

Steve weighed-in on if he would welcome more ‘Beyond Salem’ or chance to jump to the DAYS mothership on NBC. He shared: “If there is another one, if there is an open door on DAYS at some point, and I don’t know this, I’m just saying, I think they wanted to make it like, ‘Hey, this guy is really not a bad guy, and he’s redeemable.”

Photo: ABC

In addition, Steve opens up about his decision to not adhere to the ABC/Disney Covid-19 vaccine mandate, which ultimately led to him being fired from his long-running soap opera, and pivotal role on General Hospital as Jason Morgan.

Steve played Jason from 1991 to 2012 and then again from 2017 until the late fall of 2021. When reflecting on if he stands by his decision to not adhere to the ABC/Disney Vaccine Mandate policy, which caused him to be let go, Burton expressed: “I do. There was really no doubt in mind, obviously. It was just something that I believed, and I just could not do it. Look, I always say, you’ve got to follow your gut in life. Anytime I’ve ever gone against my gut instinct or conscious, it’s usually not a good result, and that’s why regret is always a guideline, your conscious is your guideline, and I don’t think I could have really lived with myself if I went against it.”

The longtime daytime star also weighed-in on if he had been concerned that he would not work on another daytime show, given his stance on the vaccine mandate. Steve said, “No, things are changing daily with things all the time. I didn’t really worry about it.  I felt if things change at GH, sure, I could probably go back.  I was on The Young and the Restless, there could be a door open there. I never really thought about DAYS too much, but I do visualization every day and I thought about all four shows. I would go, ‘Hey, if there’s a job there, awesome, bring it.” I’m open to it.  It’s daytime … it’s my home … but t I didn’t think it would be this way (with Beyond Salem) – I had no idea it would work out this way.”

Photo: SBurtonIG

During the conversation, Burton shares his sentiments on his former GH co-stars including: Kelly Thiebaud (Britt), who just won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Laura Wright (Carly) and reiterates, how again, Maurice Benard (Sonny) was instrumental in his development as an actor and shares behind-the-scenes details from his younger days as Jason.

Steve, who has been in the news of late after filing for divorce from with his wife of over two decades, Sheree Gustin, reveals during the conversation how he has faced a challenging year personally and professionally, and the lessons he has learned to get him get through the hard times.

Currently, Burton continues to travel the country with his former GH co-star, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) as their comedy show, Stone Cold and the Jackal plays multiple venues and details during the interview, why their creative and business partnership works, plus previews his new Steve Burton fitness app and workout venture and more.

Check out the full interview with Steve below.

Then let us know, do you hope to see Steve land on Days of our Lives and continuing the story of Harris Michaels? Did you enjoy him with Kristian Alfonso on ‘Beyond Salem Chapter 2″? What did you think about the sentiments he shared for his former GH co-stars, Kelly Thiebaud, Laura Wright and Maurice Benard in this interview? Do you hope someday that Jason will return to GH in the form of Burton? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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Gerri MejiaMary AnnKatViolet LemmJamesj75 Recent comment authors
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Phil
Guest
Phil

I actually did enjoy him more on Beyond Salem and would accept him on the mother ship. I liked him and Hope but he is no Bo and now that Bo is alive, is it even worth having the conversation? Hope and Bo are way too iconic to keep apart.

Soaphound
Guest
Soaphound

What is the OBSESSION with this guy!? Enough already. I don’t care what show he alienated and is or isn’t on anymore. I’m not interested in his marriage, his take on YET ANOTHER new role, or anything else. When was the last time we had an article on Maura West or Mark Grossman or Kelly Thiebaud, other than Emmy coverage? I’m on Steve Burton overload!

Jamesj75
Guest
Jamesj75

Touche, Soaphound!

Moto62
Guest
Moto62

I’m in agreement. I’ve never understood the appeal of Steve Burton. I met him once at a GH meet & greet that I went to only because Wally Kurth was there. Steve Burton had the personality of a turtle and that’s an insult to the turtle.

Greg
Guest
Greg

How can he justify not being injected with the vaccine yet spending 40 odd hours being injected with ink which will remain in his body for life?

Steve
Guest
Steve

Whatever show he lands on will have to spend hours in makeup covering that tattoo or switch to long sleeve tshirts. If he ever returns to GH, that ink is definitely not a part of Jason Morgan’s persona.

Actors really need to think about tattoos. Vanessa Marcil had to wear long sleeves all the time. Roger Howarth often wore a band-aid on his ring finger to cover his inked wedding band.

Dominic Zamprogna and Tyler Christopher made theirs work for their characters.

Violet Lemm
Guest
Violet Lemm

Greg
Good point!

Scott (ATWT Fan)
Guest
Scott (ATWT Fan)

❝Steve played Jason from 1991 to 2012 and then again from 2017 until the late fall of 2021. When reflecting on if he stands by his decision to not adhere to the ABC/Disney Vaccine Mandate policy, which caused him to be let go, Burton expressed: “I do. There was really no doubt in mind, obviously. It was just something that I believed, and I just could not do it. Look, I always say, you’ve got to follow your gut in life. Anytime I’ve ever gone against my gut instinct or conscious, it’s usually not a good result, and that’s why… Read more »

Greg
Guest
Greg

I must have given the wrong email address. My comment was how can he justify not being injected with the vaccine yet spend 40 odd hours being injected with ink that will remain in his body for life?

Jamesj75
Guest
Jamesj75

Exactly, Greg!

JoJo Jensen
Guest
JoJo Jensen

Love him wherever he is. Want him back on General Hospital, though! He is missed!

Violet Lemm
Guest
Violet Lemm

JoJo Jensen
Please just tell us a few reasons, seriously.

Gerri Mejia
Guest
Gerri Mejia

I agree. I stopped watching after over 40 plus years. Steve was one of the best parts about the shoe and I miss his role as Jason.
I hope they bring him back, I would love to begin watching again. It was one of my favorite shows!

Bella
Guest
Bella

Can I just have Billy Miller back in daytime PLEASE! No drama no ego just please come back ! Side note nothing has changed with Burton I could care less about him just always such suckers you guys think he hung the moon well he doesn’t ! Ugh

Bella
Guest
Bella

To clarify it is none of my business about his health decisions ! I just got tired of him a long time ago

Soaphound
Guest
Soaphound

Amen, Bella. I miss brilliant, beautiful Billy every day.

Jamesj75
Guest
Jamesj75

While I fully appreciate and understand Mr. Fairman’s position/career as soap promoter extraordinaire, I see no reason to give any validity to this pariah, thus giving him a platform to self-aggrandize and justify his misguided, uninformed stance on COVID vaccination. I would also offer the same criticism to Ron Carlivati for casting Burton in Beyond Salem. Unfortunately, our country has far too many vaccine deniers, election deniers, science deniers, reality deniers. They shouldn’t be rewarded. And don’t get me started on Burton’s “one-trick pony” acting style…

Soaphound
Guest
Soaphound

Oh Jamesj75, as you know I love quoting classic movies; their dialogue still resonates in so many other places. So, here’s my take on why certain people in showbiz continually get so much unwarranted attention. From AMADEUS — “I speak for all mediocrities. I am their patron saint.” Maybe in one of Mr. Burton’s new roles, that can be scripted in.

Jamesj75
Guest
Jamesj75

Hysterical, Soaphound!

Kat
Guest
Kat

I want him back on GH!

Mary Ann
Guest
Mary Ann

I just want to see Steve Burton back on GH as Jason The show is not the same without him. Please come back Steve.

Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives Legend Bill Hayes Celebrates His 98th Birthday

Days of our Lives iconic Bill Hayes (Doug Williams) was given a very special birthday celebration on the set of the Peacock streaming soap opera.

Hayes, who has been with DAYS since 1970 turned 98-years-old.  Bill’s wife, Days of our Lives enduring star, Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie), took to the couple’s Instagram account and shared some photos from Bill’s big day and a video.

Susan expressed: “Thank you to our cast and crew for celebrating Billy’s 98th Birthday on set today. And the double chocolate cake was delicious! 🎂❤️”

Photo: BillSusanHayesIG

Those in attendance enjoyed Bill’s birthday cake as DAYS star Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera) and the series executive producer, Ken Corday, joined the festivities.

If you look at the video below closely, it’s already Christmastime at the Hortons! Since DAYS tapes so far in advance, it looks like Doug and Julie will be seen, as is tradition, in the upcoming 2023 holiday episodes.

Bill Hayes officially turned 98 earlier this week on June 5th.

Share your birthday wishes to the one and only Bill Hayes via the comment section,

 

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Days Of Our Lives

DAYS Alum Jensen Ackles on ‘The Winchesters’ Inability to Find New Home is a Case of ‘Unfortunate Timing’

Former Supernatural, Big Sky, and Days of our Lives star, Jensen Ackles (ex-Dean, ex-Beau, ex-Eric) took to social media on Saturday when the news broke that his series, The Winchesters, in which he executive produced, has run out of options to find a new home.

The show which aired for one season on the CW was a prequel to Supernatural.   In an update, The Winchesters producing studio, Warner Bros, attempted to find another network or streaming partner to move forward with the series after its cancellation.

Now comes word that all avenues have been exhausted.  All this, even though a #SavetheWinchesters campaign led by Ackles, himself, was attempted to bring some attention and heat on the show.

Photo: NBC

Jensen expressed his ‘thanks’ to the viewers and cited the current WGA writer’s strike as one of the main contributing factors to making the search for a new home for the series extremely daunting.

Ackles shared: “To all of you who watched, followed, and supported this story, THANK YOU. And to all those who brought this show to life…I couldn’t be more proud of what we all did together. But as they say…timing is everything. With a massive Network shift coupled with an industry strike…welp…that’s some unfortunate timing. Sleep well dear  @WinchestersOnCW…until we meet again. Somewhere down the road.”

Courtesy/CW

So, did you watch The Winchesters? Do you hope it can someday return? What did you think about the sentiments shared by Jensen Ackles? Comment below.

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All My Children

Pride Month Celebrating LGBTQ+ Soap Supercouples: Nuke, Kish, Otalia & WilSon … Which Stands the Test of Time?

June is Pride Month, the time when across the U.S and the world there are celebrations and commemorations to recognize all who identify as LGBTQ and their allies.

Daytime soap operas have had a rocky road when it comes to the representation of same-sex couples.  The soaps have been at one time leaders in portraying key social issues of our time, as well as treading lightly on other subjects, as to its concerns to ‘turn-off’ its core audiences.

When you look back at the groundbreaking first same-sex weddings, and the first gay kiss, the soaps have come far in some ways in their representations of gay characters, but there is always work to be done to serve and to shed light on the under-represented.

As we reflect back to the then and the now, which LGBTQ soap supercouple remains your favorite and had made a lasting impact? Let’s take a look at four duos who captivated many viewers.

Nuke  – Luke Snyder and Noah Mayer – As the World Turns

Van Hansis (Luke) and Jake Silbermann (Noah) were a key part of the evolution of, and representation of LGBTQ character on the soaps.  ‘Nuke’, as they were known as, became the first gay male soap couple to share an on-screen kiss back in 2007.  ATWT also became known as the first soap to depict a fully realized romantic male couple as an integral part of the show.  There was plenty of backlash along the way for the long-awaited kiss to happen, but when it did, the show moved forward to tell their love story.

Otalia – Olivia Spencer and Natalia Rivera Aitoro – Guiding Light

When Crystal Chappell (Olivia) and Jessica Leccia (Natalia) began to play the love story of Otalia, they had to show their affection by a kiss on the head, or holding hands.  It took quite some time for GL to move forward to have two women, two moms, no less, share a lip lock. The complicated love story featured Natalia being conflicted to face her true romantic feelings for Olivia, because of her value system and religions upbringing, and that made this all the more riveting and frustrating at the same time.  In the end, the rabid fan base for this duo was so great that Chappell wound up creating her own series, Venice, to honor and serve them, remaining one of the LGBTQ communities greatest allies.

Kish – Kyle Lewis and Oliver Fish – One Life to Live

In 2009, One Life to Live’s Kyle Lewis (Brett Claywell) was an out lab tech in Llanview, who back in college had a relationship with Officer Oliver Fish (Scott Evans).  It imploded when Oliver denied he was gay.  For years, Oliver remained in the closet, before finally coming out to himself and Kyle.

Kish had been a big success with the media and One Life’s gay audience. LGBTQ-advocacy groups honored the couple and the story.  However, Kish was cut short when the network felt that the data showed that the storyline was not resonating with the show’s core audience.

WilSon – Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis – Days of our Lives

Days of our Lives delivered daytime’s first-ever gay male wedding in 2014, between Will (then played by Guy Wilson) and Sonny (then played by Freddie Smith).

In an interview with EW, Days of our Lives executive producer, Ken Corday shared on the union, “Will and Sonny have been together for a while and it was the natural progression of their love story. We didn’t feel like there was anything we could or couldn’t do, we treated them like any other couple on the canvas and continued to grow their romance as such.”

In addition, the coming out story of Will Horton was critically praised and noteworthy for the performances of Chandler Massey, who won three Daytime Emmys for his work in the Outstanding Younger Actor category 2012, 2013 and 2014.  Freddie Smith also won in the same category in 2015.  Will has been played over the years by Chandler Massey and Guy Wilson, while Sonny has been portrayed by Freddie Smith and Zach Tinker.

There have been several other key LGBTQ couples throughout the course of daytime history including All My Children’s Bianca (Eden Riegel) and Reese (Tamara Braun). These two characters were involved in the first same-sex lesbian wedding on daytime. Problem was … Reese kissed Zach (Thorsten Kaye) before the wedding, making this infuriating for viewers at home.

Other notable LGBTQ couples through the years have included: Bianca and Maggie on All My Children, Mariah and Tessa of The Young and the Restless played bv Camryn Grimes and Cait Fairbanks, Maya and Rick on The Bold and the Beautiful, Lucas and Brad on General Hospital and others.

Which couple do you think has had the most lasting impact on the history of LGBTQ representation on daytime soap operas? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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