Days Of Our Lives
Thank You, Alison Sweeney: For Two Decades Plus Of The Perils Of DAYS Sami Brady!
Photo: AlisonSweeneyFacebook
Today, Alison Sweeney takes her Sami Brady to Hollywood, and leaves the role she has played for almost 22 years as her final episode of Days of our Lives plays out on-air. Although, Alison wrapped her role back in May, Sami says her final farewells to the rest of her family and loved ones, as viewers will watch her final moments unfold on the October 30th episode of the long-running NBC series.
For Sweeney, a self-proclaimed DAYS fan, nabbing the role of Sami was like a dream come true for her! Over the years, as viewers watched Sami go through her various machinations for Austin (Patrick Muldoon/Austin Peck), Lucas (Bryan Dattilo), or whoever else was in the wake of Hurricane Sami, Alison always brought her A-game! For here was a young woman determined, invested, and always willing to learn! From her younger DAYS, to her more mature ones, the character of Sami grew up, but that fire and spunk was always inside her, and as storylines unfolded; in particular those with her last love interest EJ DiMera (James Scott), Alison always made it interesting to watch, doing some of her finest work in 2014!
On a personal note: having had the opportunity to know Alison, interview her, hang out with her on set, I can say that here was a true champion of the soap genre, who cared to make it the best it can be, and who truly appreciated and loved her fans. Her social media DAYS of Sami countdown’s, her beautiful posts on her facebook page, (this one posted today, a heartfelt love letter to her fans) as we all continued to watch the final months play out, and sharing photos with the cast, memories and moments, were a wonderful repository to those who have followed her journey along the way.
There is no one quite like Samantha Brady as Grandma Caroline (Peggy McKay) said on yesterday’s episode of DAYS, and there is no one quite like Alison Sweeney, either! So, whether you wanted to throw thing at your TV set at Sami’s latest plots, or grab a hankie when she showed humanity for her family and children, or laughed at some of her catfights with Nicole (Arianne Zucker) and Kate (Lauren Koslow), or wanted her to step up and be there for her son Will (Chandler Massey/Guy Wilson), the audience always had some reaction to the antics of Sami, and that was due in large part to Alison’s portrayal.
In closing, here’s a big “Thank You” to Alison, for bringing the drama and the memorable moments. Oh, what a ride it has been! As they say, “This not goodbye … just see you later.” O K, now we need to grab a hankie … or two!
XO’s from Michael and On-Air On-Soaps!
If you would like to share a positive comment on this post, and for Alison on her final episode of DAYS, please comment below! NOTE: No negative comments will be approved by the moderators for this post.
I liked Alison and Sami as soon as the actress starting airing way back when. Sami has been my favorite character by far and I’ve loved watching Alison. I wish EJ and Sami had had their happy ending.
I will miss Sami and Alison. Good luck to them both and thank you for the entertainment!
Love you Alison and will miss you .
I would like to say to Ali Sweeney that i find everything she has became to be the most important and miraculous transformation of any soap actor’s character i have ever seen in the last 25yrs. Sammy Brady was the Girl we all loved & hated so often off and on like a beautiful roller coaster ride we all would have never choose to get off. She maid us laugh ,she maid us furious, she maid us tremble inside of sadness and provoked great emotions in all of us. She bloomed into the greatest woman i have ever had the privilege to know. Ali You will always be forever in my family as a great member just like my other daughters Who truth be told got real life jealous of you as i spent lots of time watching you and ranting about your behavior and your growth how proud i was of you . They Knew you were playing a role but i felt like you were my daughter too and always will. I shall go on too follow you were ever you go and support you in all life’s journeys take you . see you in your next great adventure. And next yr for the anniversary for days im sure you will make an appearance . Love your seragate mom and friend always Elizabeth Harrison. Mom Harrison!!
Going to miss you Samantha Jean!!
Max: not to be a smart ass but it is Samatha Gene she was named after one of the best characters ever on that show Eugene/ played by the wonderful John de Lancie. I have not watched the show in a decade or more but he was wonderful on it. 🙂
Thank you Kay I wasn’t sure about the spelling.
Going to miss you Samantha Gene!!
I am going to miss Alison and Sami so much!! Salem won’t be the same without her!! I have been watching her since high school and always loved watching her devlish antics and search for love!! While her exit story isn’t my favorite, I wish her much success and hope she returns one day with her aged kids in tow. A better story would’ve been having EJ be alive and they go on the run from Stefano and into hiding. The Hollywood story is very cheesy. But I have stuck with Sami through Carrie/Austin, Lucas, Brandon, the Stan storyline, her feuds with Kate and Nicole, her battling Marlena, being Roman’s faithful daughter and being there for Will through his coming out. Bravo, Alison Sweeney and come home soon!!!!!
What a wonderful 22 year journey to be a part if with Alison and watching she and Sami grow. The past 20 months have been the most consistently sensational performances from Ali giving me what has been one of my favourite Days storylines. She will leave a massive hole in daytime tv but I cant wait to see what the Days team bring us to make a smooth transition to a Sami-free Salem.
Best of luck Alison and we can’t wait to see what you do next.
But more importantly, Thank you!
Allison – i have watched you since you first started on Days, and Sami and I were about the same age and we “grew up” together so to speak. I am going to miss you on Days!
AS is extremely beautiful; inside and out. AS is my favorite soap actress; I am going to miss her majestic presence and fantastic acting as SB on DOOL so much. Good Luck! AS in whatever you do. As MF rightly said; this is not goodbye to either AS or SB; just see you later!
I am hopeful Alison will return from time to time as Sami. That might be the best of both worlds for Alison and her fans 🙂 All the best to her.
PS Catch her hosting The Biggest Loser~!
Thanks! Mollie: I did not know AS was hosting The Biggest Loser. Now, I am definitely going to watch TBL.
Alison and Sami Brady are completely unforgettable. She has made a permanent mark on both Salem and the soap opera genre. I will never forget her and she will always be my favorite character. I have watched and lover her “generous, self less, reckless, I’ve loved it all” and I have cried like a blubbering baby today watching Sami for the last time in the 17 years I’ve been watching soaps.
But I’m so horribly depressed about how the show wrote her ending. I wanted a HEA for her and Ej so much I could hardly stand it. And even having to let that go, I wanted to see Sami go out in a blaze of glory. And even if I had to let that go and just watch her move away.. Maybe, but to watch her leave town to publicize every mistake she has made before her kids eyes? WTF? This is not Sami Brady, the woman who does everything and anything for her kids, even if what happens always turns into chaos. Such a terrible decision. Lazy, pathetic, horrible, joke of a SL and writing. Sami and Ali deserved more than this.
Shame on the Days writers, you had the chance to make your mark in her story, and a mark on the genre by writing an epic farewell, because the characters and actors of Sami/EJ and Ali/James could have pulled off anything, and you let it slip by. You wonder why ratings are struggling. Right here people.
Allison has been the star of “DOOL” for years. After Marlena and Hope, it has always been Sami that made the show a must-watch. She has become great actress through the years and will be missed. I hope to read soon that she will be coming back for a visit.
As we move forward, I hope the writers have a HUGE storyline to offset the loss of AS and Eileen Davidson. I have said it before, but the current group of actresses have not made a big impression, especially Eve and Paige. The time has come to bring back a few characters with great history to the show – Belle, Shawn-Douglas, Chloe and Phillip. Also, it is time to make Nicole strong again and stop the endless begging for everyone in Salem to be her friend.
Thank you, Allison for your engaging and dynamic portrayal of Sami Brady. We will miss you and Sami on Days. I hope that you will ‘stop in’ periodically, so we can see Sami again. I know you are very busy with many projects going on. I wish you all the very best, and look forward to seeing you in many different venues!
A fitting tribute Michael to a bright star, one of the best in the biz. Her loyalty to the show even as her star started to climb speaks volumes.
Her void will be noticeable. Even when she was a cast member, days when she wasn’t on just weren’t the same. It’s going to be a tough while before the show feels whole without Sami.
That ending though…..Days…come on! RC would have done a better job, and that’s saying something coming rom me! I was hoping the limo driver would have come to the door and in walks Wayne Northop (who was on set her last day saying farewell)! An o course, who’s waiting in the limo? EJ. More flashbacks were needed, as was more time to say goodbye (Marlena’s especially, but where was her’s with John?). This should have been a Sami-centered episode- as good as the other parts to the episode were (ie Kristen/Daniel, Brady/Theresa/John). I wanted there to be more surprises, more tributes, more memories. It didn’t pay enough homage to Sami or Alison as they both deserved. Love you Days, but where was the creativity, thoughtfulness, Samantha-Gene-Brady-dimera grand exit? Tisk, tisk!
it’s just SO nice
superlatives galore
for this person
1. Hurricane Sami
2. Alison always brought her “A” game
3. here was a true champion of the soap genre,
4. There is no one quite like Samantha Brady
Days of OUR Lives has stratasphere in the last 3 years…. and it’s not without Alison Sweeney
gosh! she carried DAYS for, what seems like years, on her very own shoulders. I’ll always share this
this is DAYS lights out (blackout)…. candle light acknowledge of Samantha Gene
Thank You Ms. Sweeney for bringing the audience a tour de force reckon
I have to say… of all the flashback moments… I thoroughly enjoyed Sami and Lucas
LOL… her first burgeoning real deliver
I teared up when she bade Lucas …. ” I’ll never have another friend like you”
TEARS
her scenes with grandma Caroline are a treasure
and her pillar of being…. Marlena
Thank you MF… for the nice tribute to
her absolute LOVE ‘ ing for Will… knew no bounds
just a dream story…. that furthered for SO much and many
“THANK YOU ” DAYS for helping me , with, celebrate , what is no longer that alternative lifestyle….
a gather of humane love for each
I appreciate the respect that Alison has paid to the show, the cast, and her fans. I can only imagine how bittersweet this move is for her and wish her the best. 🙂
(On a side note, can Sami please take nuWill to Hollywood, indefinitely)? HA!
Love you forever sami! I wish you had the Ejami ending I so badly wanted. I will miss you AS. Sami was like a friend, her antics were always there for me and I must admit, I cried and felt very sad. AS, you are an asset to whatever you do in life. Respect always.xxx
I have watched dool since I was 5 and I love Sami but I think they did not give her a good enough exit of the show it should’ve been better than what it was very disappointed in the situation
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.
The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
It’s Daytime Emmy nomination week, and as previously reported things kick-off on Monday, July 13 when Entertainment Tonight (7pm ET) will announce the nominees for Lead Actress category and Daytime Talk Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. In addition on Monday, Extra (7pm ET) will reveal the nominees for Lead Actor and Daytime Talk Host.
On Tuesday, The View (11am ET) starts things off with their announcement of Daytime Drama, Entertainment News program and Outstanding Daytime Personality-Daily. That is followed by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) full reveal of all the categories beginning at 12noon ET/9am PT on their website and their official social handles on X and Instagram.
Then, Tuesday night at 8pm ET/5pm PT join Michael Fairman as he hosts his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where he will chat with some of the just announced nominees as we celebrate the hard work of the men and women in front of the camera who will be going for gold.
WHEN ARE THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
This year, the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out on October 30 in ceremonies in Hollywood, California (Venue yet to be revealed). At that time, as like last year, both the major categories and creative arts will be presented. There is no word yet on a broadcast partner for the annual celebration of daytime programming, or if it will soley be streamed on NATAS’ watch.theemmys.tv and various apps and platforms.
WHO WILL BE APPEARING ON THE DAYTIME EMMY NOMINATIONS SPECIAL 2026?
Throughout Tuesday, keep an eye on Michael Fairman TV’s social media handles on X, Facebook and Instagram, for updates of who will be expected to appear on our live show.
If you have a question or comment for one of the nominees, or on the nominations, we can encourage you to join us in the live chat on Tuesday night.
So, who are you hoping lands a nomination from Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless? Let us know via the comment section. More Tuesday!
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
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