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
Breaking News
Steve Kent Reportedly OUT as Sony Pictures Television VP in Charge of DAYS and Y&R
On Friday, reports surfaced that Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President of Programming at Sony Pictures Television, is no longer with the company and overseeing the Sony soap operas, Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless.
According to Soap Opera Digest, a set side source reported that Kent’s last day was last Friday, April 12th, which was one day after what would have been his final appearance in his Sony VP role at the Days of our Lives 15,000th episode on set celebration.
During that ceremony, Kent gave a brief speech giving kudos to DAYS for its incredible milestone. Days is a co-production of Sony Pictures Television and Corday Productions, while Y&R is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company in association with Sony Pictures Television.
Photo: JPI
Kent started his soap opera career as a producer for CBS’ defunct Capitol and then as the supervising producer of NBC’s Santa Barbara from1984 to 1993.
Photo: JPI
At Sony, before his role overseeing the soaps, Kent was Senior Executive Vice President of International Productions for Sony Pictures Television International department.
If reports are true, the question becomes who has taken over his position, and would oversee DAYS and Y&R from the Sony side? Share your thoughts on this developing story via the comment section below.
Breaking News
(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!
After exciting morning for your favorite daytime stars when they were revealed to be nominees for the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards comes tonight 10th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special.
Beginning at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT, several of the nominees will talk with Michael Fairman on their reactions to the news they have been nominated for a Daytime Emmy, share what scenes they submitted that landed in the top five or six in their respective performer acting categories and much more.
Scheduled to appear are: Days of our Lives nominees, Tamara Braun (Ava), Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Linsey Godfrey (Sarah), The Young and the Restless nominees: Allison Lanier (Summer), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Courtney Hope (Sally), Bryton James (Devon), The Bold and the Beautiful’s John McCook (Eric), General Hospital nominees, Finola Hughes (Anna) and Alley Mills (Heather), and The Bay’s Mike Manning (Caleb).
Photo: JPI
The 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ on Friday night, June 7th and emanating, once again this year from the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
Photo: JPI
For a full list of this year’s nominations click here.
Now, watch below as the stars chat it up as we celebrate their Daytime Emmy Nominations. If you have a potential question you might want posed to any of our guests, drop it in the comment section below and we just might ask it on air.
Breaking News
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) have officially announced on Friday, the full list of nominees for the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
While Thursday brought with it four reveals of the nominees in the Outstanding Daytime Drama, Talk Show Host, Lead Actor and Actress categories (as presented by various entertainment news programs), today’s nominations include all the other categories not previously announced.
The Daytime Emmy Awards telecast is set to be presented live on Friday night, June 7, at 8 PM EDT /delayed PT, on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+. This will mark the 18th time that CBS has broadcast the Daytime Emmys.
Photo: JPI
In addition, The Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy Awards will be presented on Saturday, June 8 at t9 PM ET/6 PM PT and streamed on The Emmys apps and at watch.TheEmmys.tv. The ceremonies will take place at the Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles.
Television icon, Dick Van Dyke has received his first-ever Daytime Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Guest Performer category for his touching portrayal of Timothy Robicheaux on Peacock’s Days of our Lives. The nomination makes Van Dyke the oldest Daytime Emmy nominee in history at 98-years-old. In addition, motion picture and TV star, Guy Pearce, is also nominated as Guest Performer for his longtime role as Mike Young in the reboot of Neighbours.
Speaking of Neighbours, the Australian soap opera also received its first ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Daytime Drama Series now that its a revival can be streamed on Amazon Freevee. In addition, The Young and the Restless iconic, Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) received his first Daytime Emmy nomination in more than 20 years in the Lead Actor in a Drama Series category.
Photo: AmazonFreevee
In the Daytime Drama series categories, CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless each scored 12 nominations more than any other show. Leading the acting nominations was B&B, who landed 7 performers in the various categories, a first in its 37-year history.
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President & CEO, NATAS expressed, “We are happy to once again honor the creative talent both in front of and behind the camera of America’s favorite Daytime programs. We look forward to celebrating the icons who enliven the days of audiences across the country.”
Photo: JPI
Brent Stanton, Head of Daytime, NATAS added, “Producing the Daytime Emmys is a labor of love for all of us at NATAS. The huge popularity of these shows continues to be must-see viewing for their fans.” NATAS also revealed that Lifetime Achievement Honorees, Hosts, Presenters, and Silver and Gold Circle honorees will be revealed at a later date.
The Daytime Emmy Awards recognize outstanding achievement in television programming honoring work in a variety of categories, including daytime dramas, talk shows, instructional programming, hosting, culinary, and legal/courtroom programs. In 2021, NATAS and the Television Academy jointly announced plans to realign the Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards to be organized by content genre, as opposed to program airtime.
The 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be produced once again by NATAS and Associated Television International (ATI). Adam Sharp and Lisa Armstrong are executive producers from NATAS, while David McKenzie executive produces from ATI.
Congratulations to all the men and women in front of the camera and behind the scenes for their recognition as we take a look at who will be going for gold come June. Here are the nominees below starting with the Daytime Drama Categories.
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
Neighbours
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS
Tamara Braun, Days of our Lives
Finola Hughes, General Hospital
Katherine Kelly Lang, The Bold and the Beautiful
Annika Noelle, The Bold and the Beautiful
Michelle Stafford, The Young and the Restless
Cynthia Watros, General Hospital
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR
Eric Braeden, The Young and the Restless
Scott Clifton, The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye, The Bold and the Beautiful
Eric Martsolf, Days of our Lives
John McCook, The Bold and the Beautiful
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS
Jennifer Gareis, The Bold and the Beautiful
Linsey Godfrey, Days of our Lives
Courtney Hope, The Young and the Restless
Allison Lanier, The Young and the Restless
Emily O’Brien, Days of our Lives
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR
Robert Gossett, General Hospital
Bryton James, The Young and the Restless
Wally Kurth, Days of our Lives
A Martinez, The Bay
Mike Manning, The Bay
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
Linden Ashby, The Young and the Restless
Ashley Jones, The Bold and the Beautiful
Alley Mills, General Hospital
Guy Pearce, Neighbours
Dick Van Dyke, Days of our Lives
OUTSTANDING WRITING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DIRECTION
General Hospital
The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The View
Photo: ABC
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL DIRECTION, CAMERAWORK, VIDEO
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade
The Kelly Clarkson Show
OUTSTANDING CASTING
African Queens: Njinga
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
Start Up
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING ART DIRECTION/SET DECORATION/SCENIC DESIGN
African Queens: Njinga
The Drew Barrymore Show
General Hospital
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The View
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN/STYLING
African Queens: Njinga
The Bold and the Beautiful
The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri
Photo: WarnerBros
OUTSTANDING HAIRSTYLING AND MAKEUP
African Queens: Njinga
The Drew Barrymore Show
Sherri
The View
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SONG
“Shine” General Hospital
“Unexpected Truth”Unexpected
“We’re Home” Reconnecting Roots
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME TALK SERIES
The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall
Turning The Tables with Robin Roberts
The View
Photo: ABC
OUTSTANDING ENTERTAINMENT NEWS SERIES
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
OUTSTANDING CULINARY SERIES
Be My Guest with Ina Garten
Family Dinner
Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays
Valerie’s Home Cooking
What Am I Eating? with Zooey Deschanel
OUTSTANDING LEGAL/COURTROOM PROGRAM
Hot Bench
Judy Justice
Justice For The People with Judge Milian
The People’s Court
We The People with Judge Lauren Lake
Photo: Disney/ABC
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
Mark Consuelos, Kelly Ripa, Live with Kelly and Mark
Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Natalie Morales, Jerry O’Connell, Sheryl Underwood, The Talk
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
OUTSTANDING CULINARY HOST
Lidia Bastianich, 25 Years with Lidia: A Culinary Jubilee
Valerie Bertinelli, Valerie’s Home Cooking
Eduardo Garcia, Big Sky Kitchen with Eduardo Garcia
Emeril Lagasse, Emeril Cooks
Sophia Roe, Counter Space
Buddy Valastro, Legends of the Fork
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME PERSONALITY – DAILY
Frank Caprio, Caught in Providence
Kevin Frazier, Nischelle Turner , Matt Cohen, Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Will Marfuggi, Rachel Smith, Entertainment Tonight
Deborah Norville, Steven Fabian, Lisa Guerrero, Ann Mercogliano, Jim Moret, Les Trent. Inside Edition
Robert Hernandez, Star Jones, Divorce Court
Judge Judy Sheindlin, Whitney Kumar, Kevin Rasco, Sarah Rose, Judy Justice
What do you think about the nominations for the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Who do you think deserved to get in that did? Who do you think got snubbed? Who are you happiest to see receive a nomination? Let us know via the comment section below.
Make sure to be with us live starting tonight Friday, April 19th at 8pm ET/5pm PT for the Michael Fairman Channel’s 10th anniversary edition of its Daytime Emmy Nomination Special 2024, featuring some of the just announced daytime drama nominees.
Steve Kent Reportedly OUT as Sony Pictures Television VP in Charge of DAYS and Y&R
(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods
Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
51st Daytime Emmys: Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa Receive Talk Show Host Nominations
General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
DAYS Alum Tanner Stine to Appear in ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ Starring Nicholas Chavez
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Set to Be Announced
51st Daytime Emmys: Outstanding Daytime Drama Series Nominations
(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods
General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
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