Days Of Our Lives
THE DAILY BEAST: How The Daytime Soap Came Back From The Dead!
Courtesy/CBS
In another great piece from the mainstream media on the current state of the once ailing daytime drama genre, The Daily Beast’s Tim Teeman looks at the soap opera resurgence that has emerged since the cancellations of four major network soap operas over the last five years.
Senior Vice President, CBS Daytime’s Angelica McDaniel was interviewed for the piece where she offered up: “Soaps are thriving. You can see that in primetime too, with the success of shows like Scandal, Revenge and the return of Dallas.”
Stephanie Sloane, Editorial Director of Soap Opera Digest, related that a significant factor is that viewers left bereft after the cancellation of a favorite show have migrated en masse to one of the four survivors. To help fans grieving One Life To Live in particular, ABC has thoughtfully exported many of the core cast to General Hospital. “The predictions of the death of the daytime soap were greatly exaggerated,” Sloane says. “People still want to see storytelling in daytime. The cancellation of the other shows might have made people think that no show was safe, so they have passionately turned out—and daytime soap opera fans are the most passionate fans of any TV genre—to support these shows, to keep them on air. Soaps are the only place where you can see this dramatic kind of storytelling on air every day, all year round.”
As for what the future holds, McDaniel weighed-in by saying, “You can’t take anything for granted, or you get stuck. I just implore fans and viewers to support these shows. The truth is, the longer they support them, the longer they’ll stay on the air.” Stephanie Sloane commented, “As long as the writers and producers keep it fresh, the future of daytime soaps is secure. The thing is, people like to be told stories, and daytime is one of the few places where they can hear them every day.”
So, what do you think about the state of the soaps? Do you think we are now on the path for longer survival? Or, is each soap only as good as its last storyline, where as we have seen in the past anything is possible, even the most beloved soaps could be wiped off the map? Comment below!
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
Next week, expected surprises and schemes on Days of our Lives. In official spoilers for episodes streaming on Peacock from October 5-9, it looks like Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) has hunted down a very much alive Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd), while Marlena (Deidre Hall) admits a deeply concerning confession to her daughter Belle (Martha Madison), and more.
As previously reported, Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, General Hospital) is stepping in for one day for Tyler Joseph Andrews in the role of Theo Carver and will share scenes with Gabi (Cherie Jimenez), where Theo finally agrees to go along with Gabi’s plan, after she offered him a job.
Meanwhile, Gabi may have her hands full with Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) whose big win in Monte Carlo may have sparked his gambling addiction … all over again, but Philip reveals her has a plan.
Photo: Corday Productions
Sydney (Sydney Malekeh) is in for a shock when Dante (Franco LoPresti) arrives in Salem. Why is he in Salem? Is he part of the unraveling of the Dominic Marino mystery, since we know he seemed like he was talking to the man in Monte Carlo?
Will Marlena ever figure out what Rita (Maggie Carney) is hiding about the mystery of Dominic, and if Marlena is truly his birth mother or did something more suspicious go on and how deeply involved is Rita in this whole story?
EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) finally demands answers of his own from Rita after overhearing on today’s Cliffhanger Friday her conversation with Marlena. Will Rita cop to anything?
Then as noted, while everyone thinks Sophia took her own life, after Kristen “murdered” her, Kristen is infuriated to find she is somehow alive working as waitress in a diner in Kentucky. Will Kristen try to kill Sophia yet again?
Take a look at some of the additional spoilers for next week’s action on DAYS below.
Monday, October 5
Joy worries about her future.
Alex surprises Stephanie.
Chanel supports Johnny through a difficult decision.
Tuesday, October 6
Rachel gives Brady cause for concern.
Roman surprises Kate.
Wednesday, October 7
Leo’s good day takes an unexpected turn.
Brady is forced to make a difficult call.
Thursday, October 8
Paulina refuses to give up on Lani.
Chanel asks Johnny for a promise.
Friday, October 9
Stephanie and Alex steal a private moment.
Steve gets troubling news from Johnny.
So, what do you think will happen when Kristen finds that the woman she thought she murdered and framed (making it looking like a suicide) is alive and well and working in a diner far away from Salem? Was Rita more involved with Stefano DiMera than we even know? Who is the birth mother of Dominic? Is it really Marlena or did someone else carrying her child? And what of Dante? Why is he back in Salem? To get at Philip, or something else? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Four cast members are officially on contract at Days of our Lives, according to the soap opera’s closing credits on Peacock and longtime Days expert and historian Jason 47.
Lauren Koslow (Kate), Sydney Malakeh (Sydney), Sal Stowers (Lani) and Jacob Martinez (Javi) are the names that appear in the closing credits in the contracted cast members section. Days of our Lives fans also note that the series tapes ten months in advance of streaming episodes.
As Days of our Lives fans know, Lauren Koslow has played Kate Roberts since 1996, and recently filled-in for Jess Walton in the role of Jill Abbott on The Young and the Restless when Walton was unable to travel from Oregon to Los Angeles during the specific tape dates. But now, Koslow has been re-upped to contract status as of the September 8 episode.
Photo: JPI
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED
Sydney Malakeh is the newest member of the contract players when she debuted on contract status on the September 10th episode. Days fans first met Sami (Alison Sweeney) and EJ’s (Dan Feuerriegel) daughter in scenes in Monte Carlo around a gambling table.
As for Sal Stowers, the actress had been on contract from 2015-2022, then on recurring status with the soap, and would make appearances and limited runs since 2023. Soap fans first saw Sal as Cassandra Foster on Prospect Park’s revival of All My Children in 2013. Sal’s first new contracted episode was noted to be September 16.
Jacob Martinez, debuted on June 30 of this year as the successor to Al Calderon in the role of Javi Hernandez, and has now been bumped up to series regular as of the September 10 episode.
Photo: JPI
CREDITS
According to the referenced posting from Days of our Lives expert and historian Jason 47, he shared, “It took me four weeks to realize, but the same week that Sydney Malakeh (Sydney) debuted (9/7-9/11), “Days” also put Lauren Koslow (Kate), Jacob Richard Martinez (Javi) and Sal Stowers (Lani) on contract.”
Jason47 added, “This confirms the “errors” of Lani being listed in the credits the week of 9/7 but not appearing, and Kate and Javi appearing in the credits the week of 9/14 but not appearing. It also now makes sense why Javi and Sydney are being listed before Rafe and Philip in the credits.”
He also shared, “For the record, Lauren Koslow’s first date back on contract was 9/8, Jacob Richard Martinez was upped to contract on 9/10, Sydney Malakeh debuted on contract 9/10 and Sal Stowers’ first date back on contract was 9/16. The records will be fixed on the website in the coming days.”
So, glad to hear Lauren, Sydney, Sal and Jacob appear to be on contract with Days of our Lives (as of these episode airings)? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Britt Stewart Visibly Upset After Shocking Elimination with Taylor Hanson
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Days Of Our Lives3 days agoREPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
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Beyond the Gates3 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
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General Hospital1 week agoAlley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
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News1 week agoJudith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
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Beyond the Gates7 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
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News5 days agoY&R Alum Thad Luckinbill Cast in New Thriller ‘Copperhead’
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News1 week agoMatthew Atkinson Reveals New Project ‘Into the Wilderness’
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Beyond the Gates22 hours agoTUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
Unless i see a new soap i wouldnt call it much of a resurgence…there are only 4 soaps and if you are looking for daytime drama’s there isnt much to pick and choose, and if you do pick one or two and the story isnt good you might leave again and this time for good…if the remaining 4 are going to survive they better get a good production team and even better writers because if you dont the networks will cancel and there wont be anymore!!! So folks, its also up to you if you dont watch for any reason and your show gets cancelled you also have yourself to blame too…
Except for Y&R I love and watch b&b days and gh and love them all very much and look forward to them each day
Y&R was the Best ever. Then they got new writers and begin getting rid of the Best actors. Now the story lines are terrible and the actors that have been brought Omar the worst. Nick,Sharon,Summer,Fen,Faith ,Kelly. I’m sorry but now that Adam & Billy are done,so am I . I’ve watched this show for over twenty years but I can’t stand it any more. So it back to GH for me
Glad ratings for soaps are bouncing back. I wish it had happened before AMC got canceled, but, I guess, better late than never?
I agree mike, better late than never. gh and days is on fire now. i really think amc and oltl are gone for good now. I hate to say that, but it is true. but we still have our 4 soaps to watch still. i am very happy, all the soaps got renewed, thats great news, for everyone. Long live the soaps.
I watch 3 of the 4. I DVR and binge watch evenings and weekends. Loving the soaps.
Soaps will never die, there will always be one..
soaps are like a huge book..
Nobody puts down the book until they read the finial page..
( and soaps are a never ending story )
Yes, if you mean by soaps the serialized method of storytelling– that has been around a long time and will never go away. If you mean soaps as in daytime dramas– serialized dramas produced specifically for daytime television using certain production values– those will probably go away once network television goes the way of the dodo bird– extinction– replaced by the web as being the only means of entertainment distribution.
Cancel Y&R after today or better yet FIRE Jill Farren Phelps and bring back all she has taken from our once amazing show.
Of course she ( the CBS VP) would implore fans to keep supporting the show– she knows there is a planned exodus from Y&R starting tomorrow and she is afraid she might lose her nice high paying job if this show tanks on her watch.
Remaining daytime viewers have embraced the four remaining shows but the soap demographics remain a concern for the networks. Ad rates are based on viewer demographics plus ratings. Any slippage in numbers and the axe will fall. I hope the shows last a while.
I always watched Y&R but today was my final day. They got rid of the two greatest actors Adam & Billy not to mention the best story lines. Why would anyone want to watch it now Really does anyone want to see Jill & her famous music box or Chloe try to steal Chelsea’s baby,or Nikki & Victor break up yet again or maybe Nikki with her visits to her past life? In a word BORING! They even made poor Sharon a nut case & then there’s Neil & his girlfriend getting married on Valentines day BORING! The interesting story about Fen played out too long and got BORING! And we can’t forget Summer is going to follow (THE PATH) but because of the letting go of MM nobody is going to give a damn what happens to her. So I’m with quite a number of others. Early Spring cleaning and General Hospital & Bold & the Beautiful
I think this article is about the resurgence of the soaps. I am sure consolidation and perhaps the end of Soapnet have driven viewers to the four remaining shows’ primary broadcasts. Perhaps increased quality has a lot to do with it as well. When you’re facing elimination, to stay in the game, you have to increase the level of your performance. I’m certainly glad the remaining shows in the genre are experiencing resurgences.
On another note, and I am sorry to get irritated, but I may start tuning BACK into Y&R now. I’m tired of a vocal minority who doesn’t know what actually IS going on behind the scenes at Y&R making decisions based on zero reliable information. Also, I’m tired of hearing how EVERYONE is going to tune out after January. I’m someone, and I count, and I don’t agree. Also, Y&R is bigger than any one actor.
MM was fired. People NEED to get over it. There probably was a good reason for the termination. Also, this legacy character was ruined before the current leadership took over the show. I personally need a break from Adam Newman.
Billy Miller CHOSE to leave. Some longtime viewers like me may perhaps agree that the original portrayer is better than a recast. David Tom won an Emmy, and he is talented, and I’m thrilled by his return.
Y&R has issues. I agree that JFP is the WRONG person to lead this show. I don’t think corporate America should continue to reward proven track records of failure by executives. However, GH was on life support, pun somewhat intended, just 2 years ago, and look what good hiring decisions did for that show. Also, Y&R’s ratings have skyrocketed. I like numbers. I’m a facts guy, not an emotionally driven feelings guy, and Y&R AGAIN broke 5 million viewers last week, almost approaching 5.4 million average viewers. That’s an amazing statistic, and credit should be given when credit is due.
Thank God, a voice of clarity and reason. Wonderful post. Thank you for expressing this so clearly and logically — without melodrama, hyperbole or trying to speak for “everyone.” It will give those of us who agree with you something to cling to!
Well as a viewer of GH who thinks that RC is by far the worst writer to hack up that show in the last 30 plus years, I am thinking that I am going to switch over to Y&R because at least it isn’t an unanimated cartoon. Plus I adore Tristan Rogers.
I thought GH was a goner after the 50th, but they’ve been extended into 2015 and the foreseeable future. The rumor that ABC realizes they screwed up with AMC and OLTL looks less like a rumor and gains more traction. The OLTL team was brought in to wrap up GH “in a respectful manner” according to ABC at the time, now they’ll be on another 2 years.. funny how great writing turns things around.
If PP would give up their claims on those shows, we could put ABC to the test and see if they actually do something with them. Not to sound like an overly optimistic soap fan, BUT ABC wants those leasing rights back, PP wasn’t the only production company that wanted to do something with those shows. Perhaps too much time will have passed before ABC does get their hands on rights, but I guess we can hope for a 2nd resurrection.. altho, I’m over it already and have moved on.
I do watch Dallas, and unfortunately Scandal happens to be on ABC.. I watch that and Grey’s. Other than that, I wont watch anything on ABC. Can’t say enuff how HAPPY I am to see their entire Daytime lineup fall apart, while GH gains it’s highest ratings in years!
Well I haven’t moved on – still watching OLTL on HUluplus – need my Viki ……
ABC could ‘test the waters’ by airing highlights from OLTL and AMC over the summer – (after Katie is put out of her misery) and watch the ratings zoom…..
This would save them money and whet the appetite of the viewers for more.
We want our soaps back! (Where’s Roxie when you really need her).