Days Of Our Lives
The Ken Corday Interview – Days of our Lives
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
In the biggest Daytime Emmy shocker at the 40th annual ceremonies and telecast just a few weeks ago, Days of our Lives was announced as the winner of the Outstanding Drama Series for the first time in 38 years! And no one was more surprised than DAYS head honcho and executive producer, Ken Corday. The longest running scripted series in NBC television history has not picked up the gold statuette since 1975, ending years and years of frustration of putting their best foot forward in the category with countless episodes of good work and compelling submissions to the blue-ribbon panel. In one of the biggest celebrations in Daytime Emmy history, the entire cast of the NBC soap cheered, cried, and was jubilant as they took to the stage to support the show with this honor.
So what is life like in Salem a few weeks after the historic win? On-Air On-Soaps chatted with Ken Corday to get his thoughts on this monumental victory for the show. But in addition, we delve into the hot topics that fans want to know including: the upcoming departures of Chandler Massey (Will) and Casey Deidrick (Chad), and the incoming arrivals of Jen Lilley (Theresa) and Chrishell Stause (Jordan), and how that will affect the show. We also discuss the unbelievable performances by Eileen Davidson (Kristen), and the ratings rise over the last few months due to DAYS invigorated interwoven storytelling involving many of the show most watchable characters.
Later, Ken give us a look at the inner-workings at DAYS from how the decision is made when casting a new actor on the show, and how he works with the writers and producers to shape the series. And yes, what about EJami? Ken speaks to how James Scott (EJ) and Alison Sweeney (Sami) are a key ongoing ingredient to the show’s success. And, we get a glimpse of what is to come this summer in Salem. We think you will find Ken in this interview to be candid, heartfelt, and extraordinarily proud of all that Days of our Lives has accomplished over the last few months. So here now is what Mr. Corday had to say about it all!
MICHAEL:
What happened when you heard Erika Slezak (Viki, OLTL) announce “Days of our Lives” as the winner for Outstanding Drama Series at the Daytime Emmys? What was your initial reaction from being seated in the Beverly Hilton ballroom till you made it up on stage? Do you even remember? (Laughs)
KEN:
Courtesy/HLN
I was totally thrown! I had not prepared a speech. We hadn’t won any awards except for the fact that Chandler Massey won for Younger Actor. We got to the tech awards and got two out of eleven awards. So all these nominations later, I was completely shocked. Everyone at the table was shocked. I think it took about a second or two to just sink in, and then we jumped up and went crazy on stage. They talk about “out of body experiences.” I know I walked up there and my mouth moved. I have no idea what came out, because I had not rehearsed … let alone written a speech. I think I said the right things.
MICHAEL:
I heard you and the cast of DAYS continued to celebrate big-time afterwards!
KEN:
Oh, yes! A very funny story was Galen Gering (Rafe, DAYS) was at the bar and had ordered five drinks and had picked them all up in his thumbs, and then he heard our name called. He just dropped the drinks and ran up on stage with us!
MICHAEL:
Why do you think these two episodes did the trick and finally won you Emmy gold after 38 years?
KEN:
I did not judge this category, so it’s hard for me to say what our competition was. I know these shows were very diverse. One was extremely emotional, which was about Nicole losing her baby, and Arianne Zucker (Nicole, DAYS) submitted that for her Supporting Actress nomination. The other one was us blowing up the Horton Town Square, and the ‘DAYSaster’, as we called it. So they were diremetrically opposed to show we could do big lavish “Boom! Boom!” and we could do it at the same time with a very small, emotional show with a smaller cast.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/HLN
So what has it been like for everyone now a few weeks later after the DAYS surprise victory? Is there still a buzz at the set, in the offices, at NBC, at Corday Productions?
KEN:
We are all still in shock! I stopped having flashbacks finally about a week ago. You see Erika Slezak opening the envelope going, “Oh, the envelope is stuck!” And another moment of waiting, and then she says, “And the winner of the 2013 Outstanding Drama Series is …,” and then you hear your name (Laughs). It’s truly a time warp. I said to Brad Bell (B&B EP and head writer) and Jill Farren Phelps (Y&R EP), “Now I know how you guys feel!”
MICHAEL:
What do you think your mom and dad would say (DAYS creators Ted and Betty Corday) if they were still here with us on your Emmy victory?
KEN:
I think they would be very proud, and proud of everybody. Everyone works so hard at Days of our Lives, Michael. You know that. We have gone along so long without this award and it was becoming humorous. We were becoming the Susan Lucci of the shows! I think that gets under people’s radar, because the show is not a personality like Susan is. That was the best thing that ever happened to the Daytime Emmys! Her losing, and losing and losing, and then finally winning. I remember being in New York City for it that night … even the New York City cops were giddy about her winning!
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/NBC
DAYS has been amazing to watch during the last few months of the air shows. I believe it is the best DAYS has been in years! I know, you have tried so hard with different combinations of writers and producers in the past, but I have to tell you, the stories and the performances are great right now!
KEN:
Thank you for that. That is a very sweet compliment. The ratings are up and continually up over the last two months, and NBC, our network, is happy about that. More than our network being happy, I am thrilled with what I am reading. I am reading shows that will be airing in October and in early November. So we are creeping up on Christmas in our tapings, and here we are in June. So there are a certain amount of risks when you get so far ahead. But, we are centering the show on the characters that people want to watch with a few new characters here and there, and the iconic ones that people still want to watch mixed in to introduce the news ones. That is very important when bringing a new character in. But our head writers, Chris Whitesell and Gary Tomlin, really deserve the kudos here. It’s been their vision since they came in over a year ago. It took a while to turn the boat a few degrees. But I agree. I am very excited about what I see on air, and very excited about what is coming up!
MICHAEL:
Eileen Davidson has been absolutely on fire as Kristen DiMera in her return to Days of our Lives! I think she is actually better this time around, and that is hard to fathom when she played five different characters the last time she was at DAYS. But Eileen has shown she can play the best evil bitch, and yet you understand her need for sick revenge on the town of Salem, and in particular on Marlena! Amazing!
KEN:
Courtesy/NBC
Eileen is the consummate actor, and she is able to play so many levels. As a villainess, it’s so easy to play one or two of those “mean” levels, but she is just that kind of an actor. Eileen is very professional, and well prepped, and knows the genre. I think she is doing wonderful this time around as Kristen, as she did when playing Kristen/Susan/God knows who else! (Laughs).
MICHAEL:
Having Kristen bed and drug Eric the priest was a brilliant move, too! We are in such a different world now than when you and I were in the soap game years ago. It is all still about the characters you want to see, and great emotional stories, and romance, and all of that, but things have to change with the times. I think you have really changed with the times, especially having Will’s story, and the gay storyline, and the controversy with Kristen having sex, or “raping”, a priest! And this is the kind of world we are in now, where I think soaps have to find a way to excite new and younger viewers to the fold. That is hard to do with all the competition on television with so many channels vying for people’s attention. Would you agree with that?
KEN:
Really well said, Michael. I totally agree. The network would totally agree with you. I hark back to Thanksgiving week, which was the first time we openly depicted that Will and Sonny had sex, and in the same two days Gabi went in to have an abortion, and in the same two days Eric returned to town as beloved Sami’s brother, as a priest! I had lunch with NBC Entertainment Chairman, Mr. Robert Greenblatt, right before that week. I said, “You know Bob, it’s coming. We are taking some big risks here.” He said, “Bring it … the more the better. I think that’s what’s bringing some new viewers, and will attract the viewers who may have watched DAYS at one time, but will bring them back to their screens now that you are taking risks.” Virgil says: “Fortune sides with him who dares.” And if you don’t risk, and not do that, it’s going to sit there for awhile and not do much. And we have plenty more risks coming!
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/HLN
I know Chandler Massey is leaving in December at the end of his contract. Can you talk about what a huge contribution he has made to Days of our Lives as Will Horton?
KEN:
Chandler is a natural, first of all. He plays that character so well as a conflicted man having to go through all the things he went through with his family. And to his credit, he has had a wonderful, wonderful co-star in Freddie Smith, who plays Sonny. It was a perfect storm – a great story idea, a great actor who was able to do it. Chandler deserves all the kudos he has gotten, and it was a well-deserved Emmy this second time around. I wish he would stay. I keep telling him to change his mind, don’t go away. But there comes a time in every young actor’s life when they are pretty much at the top of their game, or getting there, and they to have to take time for themselves to figure out what’s next. I take my hat off to him. The door will always be open here to Chandler. We are not going to recast Will, but I wish him well in the big pond.
MICHAEL:
You have had an amazing run with the casting of young actors on your show. I know Casey Deidrick recently announced publicly he has finished taping, and is departing the show as Chad DiMera, too. You have had a good knack with your team of bringing on some amazing young talent over the years that have clicked with the audience over time. Do you have any idea why that is?
KEN:
Courtesy/NBC
Yes. I lay that at four women’s feet. Trudy Soss, was our original casting director when the show was much more straight and narrow, sort to speak. And then we had the wonderful Doris Sabbagh. We have really had two great casting directors over the last twenty years, Fran Bascom who we just lost, who passed away, and Marnie Saitta who had just continued to find great young talent for us. They work night and day. They go to acting workshops. They go to theatre in L.A, and are always looking for the next breakout star. We producers and writers, and networks, can sit down and pick and choose, and go, “We like this one,” or “We don’t like this one,” in a talent test, but all casting directors do the hard work.
MICHAEL:
Jen Lilley debuts her highly anticipated role tomorrow on the Wednesday, July 3rd episode of DAYS, and fans are also looking forward to Chrishell Stause’s arrival in Salem coming up soon, too. What can you say about the decision to cast these gals and what to look forward to?
KEN:
In talking about Jen Lilley, her reputation preceded her, and she was a catch. She plays a very different role on our show than she was on General Hospital. Oh, she is going to be nasty as she can be. And it’s just wonderful! Jen is so gorgeous, and she has that energy … that “it” factor that compels you to watch her even though you know she is just a snarky little gossip. That is just good acting and good casting coming together. I am very excited about what they are doing with her. We have not seen the character of “Jordan” on air yet, played by Chrishell Stause. She comes on to the show late summer. Again, that is a very slow build with her character. You won’t see her working three or four times a week, at first. She is another character who could be who knows what? And, you will see the spark with one of our established characters, and then away we go! It doesn’t hurt to find bonafide stars from other soaps, by the way!
MICHAEL:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
How involved now are with you the writers, and the entire production these days? Do you literally go over every single thing with a fine tooth comb … starting with the casting of an actor in a role … to the daily grind of writing the episodes?
KEN:
This is how it works: For casting a part Greg Meng and Lisa de Cozette, our producers, will do table readings, first. Then, they will bring us six or seven finalists, and then it becomes a decision for me, and for Bruce Evans (Sr. VP. Current Series, NBC Entertainment) and for our head writers, Gary and Chris, as well as Greg and Lisa and Rebecca McGill (Director of Drama Programming, NBC) who have equal say. And let’s say all of us love one person and the rest of us can’t stand that person, we won’t cast that person. We all have equal hands in it. Michael, you and I know the show is only as good the story and its casting. I am very proud to say, I read every show outline before it goes to script. We have Monday meetings where we go through seven shows, and that is every Monday before they go to script. Those meetings have been heaven, because there are very few notes given by the network, or myself, or the producers. So they are on their game, Mr. Whitesell and Mr. Tomlin.
MICHAEL:
That’s great to hear, because you know this show better than anybody. You know the history, you know the Hortons, you know what it was founded on, and what its roots are. I know Suzanne Rogers (Maggie) is celebrating her 40th Anniversary with the show next week, and Kristian Alfonso (Hope) just celebrated her 30th year with the show. And these are women who have really been with you for a long, long time. What can you say about them? And, do you think story can be generated in the future for these iconic characters that propel a bigger story arc within the show?
KEN:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Funny, you should bring that up! That was our last table conversation before we broke for our short hiatus. We have iconic characters like Maggie and Hope, and others that are working a little bit more, and we feel a need to have the iconic characters who aren’t working as much be a little more involved. Not to say Bo is going to come back to town, and I don’t know when, but Hope is an iconic character and needs her own meaty story. As far as Maggie and Victor, there will be more stories for them, too. But, being the traditionalist on the show, and being the one producing it for over 30 years, I have to be careful. I constantly have to keep myself in check with the other producers and writers, that I am just not resting on my laurels and saying, “Well, I just want to see John and Marlena, Bo and Hope, and Jennifer and Daniel all the time.” When you do that, there is nothing that is refreshing for the audience. They need to see new things happen, and that is the advantage of having really good producers and writers around who are honest sounding boards. They will tell me, “That may have worked ten years ago, Ken. But we really want to try this.” I would say, Michael, that 90% of the time their instincts are correct, and I back-off and I go, “OK. Let’s go for it!”
MICHAEL:
Let’s talk about James Scott and Alison Sweeney. Everyone wanted this couple, EJami, together on-screen romantically. Fans were so sick of them not being together, and now they are together …and yet, there are always these twists and turns that can continually pull them apart. What can you say about how important James and Alison are to the success of DAYS?
KEN:
Courtesy/NBC
Without denigrating any of the other actors or putting them on a pedestal, James and Alison are extremely important amongst our top characters. They are gold. You can give Alison and James the phone book and they will make it work. But of course, they cannot be happily after ever. EJ cannot go around being a nice guy, because there are just not nice villains. You can look forward to EJ going back to his old ways … he has to. The mantle has to be passed from Stefano to EJ, and when that happens Sami will have her trust broken, and this is continual, like Al Pacino and Diane Keaton in The Godfather. James and Alison are vastly important to this show. It is difficult having Alison doing Biggest Loser, and our show at the same time. It is a lot to do, but we and NBC make the sacrifices and cut the corners, so she doesn’t ever seem to be missing from our show.
MICHAEL:
Coming up for the summer, is there anything you would like to tease that fans should look forward to … even though I know you tape so many months ahead?
KEN:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
You can certainly look forward to two new characters who are related to characters on the screen. With Jen Lilley and Casey Moss (JJ) coming in, they are setting a new footprint for the new young people on the show, because we are losing a few people with Chandler and Casey. So you can’t just have a vacancy there. Now we are five generations of characters deep on our show. It’s quite a challenge for the writers to keep all the balls in the air, and to keep everyone important.
MICHAEL:
In closing, in the scheme of things it has got to be great to have a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series again after almost four decades! Guess it shows that the blue-ribbon panel voters did not forget about you, or overlook you, and your submission reels this year meant something!
KEN:
When I hit the podium at the Emmys, my first words were “Pinch me,” and then I was going to go on and on, and start singing! (Laughs) Our win was well deserved this year, and I am not going to talk about past years where we were disgruntled. I am happy that people are happy for us, and the viewers are happy about it and have a sense of reward, like we do.
586
Loved the interview, Michael. I agree that Alison Sweeney & James Scott are gold and very important to Days success. But I don’t want them to break up. I want them to be bad together & rule Salem together!
I agree. I started watching again because of EJ and Sami. Their chemistry is off the charts and they are what I tune in to see. The entire show has gotten so much better this past year and a half. I really hope Corday did not mean he was breaking up EJami but rather that he knows they will have lots of angst to keep them interesting.
i also agre. i am so glad that sami and ej or together again. i hope that tjis time it will be forever! there is always fun drama when these two get together.
I also agree with Ken. Great responses. I am so happy with days right now that it has become a part of me. don’t miss one episode. but I agree with you, I love CM so much but if he has to go, there would not be a recast. That guy is amazing, It would be so emotional on his last scene.
I have watched Days for years, but stopped when the s/l got too crazy..(demons etc), with too many illogical twists. Started looking in again on SoapNet,and now watch it daily. Good stories, good acting, and realistic plots. Something that GH lost and the reason I don’t watch that anymore. Now it’s Days again. Glad it was honoured for it.
As usual another great interview Michael! I congratulate Ken, the cast & the crew on a much deserved Emmy win. I was never a big Days fan but was pulled in by the shows guts in telling the Will/Sonny story. I never ever thought Days would be the show that would tell such an honest and true love story like Will/Sonny. From the casting to the writing…it all just gelled and low and behold, I got pulled into the other stories as well! Days has always been categorized as somewhat of a conservative soap even with its wacky storylines. I… Read more »
I hope they will not let go Freddy just because Chandler leave, it would be stupid and most of all UNFAIR. When Chandler leave (by the way it is a mistake imo to not recast Will, he was before he can after Chandler’s portrayal good as it is/was) They can write stories for Sonny, simple as that, he is from a core Dool family : the Kiriakis, son of a popular couple Adrienne and Justin, the actor is good therefore lot’s of potential for fresh and new stories for him and the show !
I agree. It is ridiculous to see people saying they should have Will and Sonny leave Salem together when Freddie has two years left on his contract. Why would you wish unemployment on him just so Wilson can have a happy ending? Acting jobs are hard to come by. They should continue the gay s/l around Sonny (Freddie deserves this) with a new love interest.
100% agree… that Freddie Smith be given his due.
all of this wouldn’t be what it is…
Sonny played 50% of all the success DAYS is.
Unfortunately for some of us, EJ and Sami are on our screens WAY too much!
I agree. EJ and Sami are mainly what I wwatch. I hope Corday is wrong and they will not break up
I dont think they will break up..they will have issues,,per Ali S..but I want that.Otherwise they get backburned,
Ejami is why I watch too! Often if I know they aren’t on I don’t watch at all.
Uh, Michael – you LIE !! Not everyone wanted Ejami – in fact many of us stopped watching because of them.
And many watch because of them ! Like any couple some love them some don’t.
Absolutely! With every couple there are shippers and haters. Personally, Ejami is why I watch. Without them I would be back to GH. Love my Ejami!
right – but point is not EVERYONE wanted them. I can barely stomach their scenes together, and if you ask me, it’s more like you give Ari Zucker the phone book and she makes it work – not so the case with James and Ali, who especially need an off-screen break imo. I realize Ejami have many fans and that’s great – but point is, no, not everyone wanted them. Surprised to hear Will might not be recast. I do wonder how he is being exited off the show – does the truth of his shooting EJ come out? I… Read more »
Soooooo true. He has not seen the ratings when they are on ??? Scrapping barrel bottom? I’m not watching.
Not again the ‘ratings arguments’ it is tiring, innacurate and silly.
When they were apart ratings were not better they could even be worse, STORIES good stories make ratings NOT PAIRINGS ! End of story.
Umm,ratings and demos are UP.ALOT
The stories are good because they include ejami 🙂
@Sally: Uhm.. didn’t just KC say they were UP in the interview? And have been for a couple of months now? I’m sure HE’s more knowledgeable than you are in that respect. Just like another poster pointed out, this ratings argument is tiring and quite frankly: assinine. It’s nonsense used for your own personal agenda. A couple doesn’t make or break a show. There are a number of factors that leads to a ratings increase or decline. The most important and deciding element is the STORY. The quality of a soap is reflected in the ratings. Not such trivial things… Read more »
No, one couple doesn’t make or break a show nor are they solely responsible for ratings. But then why do so many EJ/Sami fans INSIST that EJ/Sami are the reason for higher ratings? Isn’t that using the ratings for their “own personal agenda”? *shrugs* And as you say, if “you don’t care for EJ/Sami, that’s fine”…most of the animosity I see directed towards other fans (and not towards the show/writers/execs) is coming from the EJ/Sami fans who can’t stand someone having a differing opinion. I have no problem with EJ/Sami fans and they can like that fanship all they want.… Read more »
@ rockfordfosgate: I agree, BOTH sides use the ratings “argument” (if you can even call it that. I personally think it’s a load of drivel *eyeroll*). As for animosity, the EJamis are most definitely NOT the only ones guilty of that, trust me. On more than one occasion have I encountered sheer viciousness to my person- so much that I stopped taking part in online discussions, it even ruined my enjoyment of Days. Because of those experiences, I have hardened and perhaps become more aggressive. Now, I admit that I was quite blunt in my reply to Sally, but her… Read more »
Oh, and P.S. Rockfordfosgate, perhaps you should keep on eye on what the anti-Ejamis tweet to Ali Sweeney. If you think EJamis are nasty, you aint seen nothing yet 😉
P.P.S. Rockfordfosgate: Unfortunately there is no edit button on this blog – therefore my replies might seem ( a little) clunky and all over the place. Also, English isn’t my mothertongue and as a result I have trouble finding the right words to express myself properly . There were just a couple of things more I wanted to elaborate on or retract: 1. Please disregard I my earlier comment of you holding me responsible for other individuals statements. That was very silly of me. 2. You claimed that you have nothing against EJ/Sami fans and yet your post to me… Read more »
LD, I did use some of your comments as a jumping off point. Let me state this clearly:there are attacks by members of ALL fanships. I NEVER claimed otherwise. I used your one-sided comment about those who don’t like EJ/Sami as a starting point to say the converse is true as well. I spoke only of EJ/Sami fans in my comment on this thread to directly counter your comment and stay on topic of this particular thread, but viciousness and lack of respect has happened from any fanbase. I NEVER accused you of that, nor was that my intention.I f… Read more »
@Rockfordfosgate: “As for the “boycott” issue, you need only look at the comments here to see EJ/Sami fans say they don’t watch unless EJ/Smi are on or they are the ONLY reason they watch Days. Again, just pointing out those things cross fan bases and aren’t all evil thing non-EJ/Sami fans do. LD,I think YOUR bias is showing, “hon”.” – I think you need to re-read my comment. I NEVER claimed EJ/Sami didn’t do those things. I was merely pointing out that OTHER fanbases do it as well. I pointed those things out BECAUSE in your FIRST reply to me… Read more »
LOL Rock! Silly rabbit, you know you are up to your tricks. I’ll give you the perfect word for what you’re currently doing and that’s Baiting. You ‘re baiting EJami fans! You want to disvalue their comments, and of course you use the pride and true claim that “anti-EJami’s” are being attacked. This is not a discussion board really, it’s just a comment section and you are going out of your way to respond to pretty much every positive EJami comment because you don’t like seeing them in the comment section. You’re on a mission! By the way, do you… Read more »
LD, this is the very first comment that YOU made that I responded to: “If you don’t care for EJ and Sami, that’s fine but don’t assume that everyone feels the same you do.” I pointed out the inverse was true as well. I was NOT ranting/raving or showing any bias against EJ/Sami fans. I was simply showing the opposite side of what you said. I suppose I could claim that YOUR FIRST comment that I quoted above is you showing bias/ranting/raving or whatnot, but I DON’T do that. I think you need to re-read my reply and quit putting… Read more »
LMAO. You always want to have the last word don’t you? LOL. “LD this is the very first comment that YOU made that I responded to: “If you don’t care for EJ and Sami, that’s fine but don’t assume that everyone feels the same you do.” I pointed out the inverse was true as well. I was NOT ranting/raving or showing any bias against EJ/Sami fans. I was simply showing the opposite side of what you said. I suppose I could claim that YOUR FIRST comment that I quoted above is you showing bias/ranting/raving or whatnot, but I DON’T do… Read more »
@Rock, and yes I get that you believe your just trying to have “discussions” with fans, especially EJami fans but lets keep it real. That’s not why you’re here. I’ll honestly admit I’m just here to spread my EJami love all over this comment section. Ok… Not all over! Just when I have time and want to annoy people 😉 You’re here to spread your anti-EJami stance, which is fine. But don’t throw out the “I’m being attacked” card. I would think that’s beneath you after our previous encounters here. Remember the soap community is a small one online and… Read more »
I’m not claiming an “attacked” card. I am pointing out the times that the discussion has veered into supposition and accusation about my personal and emotional state. I try to keep the discussion strictly to the show, the characters, and the generic comments about the fanbase wars without calling someone “distraught” or commenting directly about the people I’m replying to. I will point out bias in others who claim that I’m being biased. But no where have I backed down or cowered in a corner whining about harassment or being attacked; I’ve pointed it out and the hypocrisy of it… Read more »
Okay, so it’s inappropriate to suggest that someone not watch if they don’t like what they’re watching, but it’s totally fine to call couple fans “petty”. Good to know…
Fans aren’t petty; fanbase wars are petty. Reading comprehension is slso “good to know”.
You said, “I’m not some petty fanbaser…” I took that to mean that you think couple fans are petty. Thanks for clarifying.
Best Corday interview to date, IMO. He dropped teasers and gave lots of praise where it was due, but did NOT tell everything that would be happening in Salem for next six months. BUT 1) I do believe Will should be recast if CM isn’t available at some point in near future, 2) Sami Gene is NO white hat, and 3) EJ shouldn’t be wasted as the next Don Corleone. Darker sure, but be careful to not drown him in black paint.
Totally agree and moreover Stefano worked for decades as one-note villain who came and left again and again, he was legit as the BIG villain (Dr No style) only because after his schemes he went away for years ! Only to come back from the death once in a while..a character on the canvas can’t be written like that. James Scott and the Ej would be wasted and above all James Scott the actor would give up and find another job. Corday and his writers are stupid with this manicheen, one-note way of thinking..i thought he wanted to write fresh… Read more »
Agreed. Stefano could be so evil because he was an on-the-fringes character who came and went, and that’s not the route to go with James Scott’s Salem alter ego. On the other hand, EJ shouldn’t be Salem’s hero, just Sami’s. 😉
Aww, I love that. EJ should only be Sami & his children’s hero. 🙂 I think the best comparison for EJami would be Rhett & Scarlett from GWTW. He’s no gentleman, & she is no lady. But they’re naughty together & love each other, faults and all.
And Rhett left Scarlett at the end. *shrugs*
…but tomorrow is another day.
Leslie, LOL! Good comeback, however…
The sequels were never good as the original GWTW. Also, Margaret Mitchell never intended for Rhett and Scarlett to be together in the end. She even said suggested that Rhett may have went on and found someone “less difficult” than Scarlett.
but tomorrow is another day again…
But Rhett left Scarlett because she waited too long to realize that Rhett was her true love. She had wasted so many years chasing & pining after the nice guy Ashley who was all wrong for her. In this case, Sami has already had her epiphany (Jan 31, 2013) after 6 1/2 years and told EJ it would be the biggest mistake of her life if she lost him and EJ accepted that and now they are together. So that part of the comparison is different. Sami didn’t wait too late to tell EJ she loves him & can’t live… Read more »
EXACTLY Michelle.Scarlett yearned after something that wasnt even real.Rhett waited and waited.Thank Goodness,Sami FINALLY woke up….great post
No mention of Drake or Deidre, I don’t understand the praise that this show is receiving right now. They seemed to have been sacrificed on the alter of Eileen and Allison!
Please he spoke also about Chandler/Will and Freddy/Sonny and Nicole/Arianne and Hope and Maggie ect..
Why would he? What opening was there for Ken to mention them? Plus, it’s not like DH&DH are what’s driving all the press and conversation about the show right now. Nothing against the actors or characters, who I like very much, but why take offense to them not being mentioned when currently, there’s really no reason too. He also didn’t mention Lauren Koslow or Ari Zuker or John Aniston etc either but that doesn’t mean he respects them or thanks them any less for their work. I think as a fan of DH2, you might be a little too sensitive… Read more »
Amazing storyline? I’d call it a dumb plot rather than ‘amazing’. John sacrificed his relationship with both Marlena and Brady to attempt to sleep with Kristen as that was the ONLY way to bring her down? That’s not what a viewer would come to expect from super-ISA agent John “That’s a Fact” Black. And the bit they threw out there at the end that John supposedly still has feelings for her even though we never saw ANY clue of that before that moment it was mentioned? Poor writing. By the way, this is coming from a non-John/Marlena fan, so no… Read more »
I agree the John character was somewhat trashed for a plot point and the story gave far more layers and pov for Kristen and the Brady/Kristen relationship..Days writing is not perfect just that proves it but it is still better than these last years.
Again, you too are going by your emotional connection to the characters and couple (which, like I said I can understand and relate to) rather than without detachment or bias. As someone who doesn’t with these characters, I can say I saw emotional and sexual tension from ED and DrHo. On more than one occasion, especially during their hotel scenes but others as well like in the square or that private area with the bench or on Smith Island, I would bet my house that the actors BOTH played their scenes as still having deep dark feelings for one another.… Read more »
Jules, I’m not a John/Marlena fan and I can view it objectively. It was a crap storyline that wasn’t told well at all. There was no balance to it and apart from John telling Victor about his plan, we saw no real insight into John’s thought process or emotions. Judging John and Kristen’s scenes together as having sexual tension is problematic because there is a level at which they were both pretending and playing each other, so any “sexual tension” could have been John acting that way to further his plan to take her down. We saw nothing that revealed… Read more »
He did not even give the suggestion that #Jarlena fanbase has been asking for the writers to be honesty in the storyline about #Jarlena history instead of telling all the lies that writers have written ever since ED came back as Kristen. The lastest beginning that John still has feelings for Kristen! Come on Corday and writers, we have scenes that prove this is not true and the talents of both Drake and Deidre were trashed to bring Kristen character back on board, you can tell this from Drakes tweets about the scenes during this time period, as well as… Read more »
^Exhibit A, re: my two previous posts. I don’t see it as problematic at all. That’s what I meant by layers- it made it all the more juicy! He was despising her, but playing like he still had feelings for her, meanwhile still fighting his repressed feelings he’s had all these years, and vise versa with her. Like I said, I’d STILL bet both actors played it that way, not a single doubt in my mind. In fact I’d even go as far as to say that to play it at all, you HAVE to weave their romantic history into… Read more »
Just because I point out some negative aspects doesn’t mean I’m not “enjoying the show” or that I’m “distraught”. The need you have to make assumptions about me personally suggests more about you than me. I can keep my assumptions about you personally out of this debate entirely. From my experience in speech/debate, the one who resorts to personal assumptions and attacks usually has the weaker argument or can’t support their stance on the substance of the topic alone. I do feel it’s a waste of Eileen Davidson’s talent. What I feel has nothing to do with what she or… Read more »
Thank you for responding rockfordfosgate. All of your insights were on target. It’s nice to know there are others out there who refuse to drink the Kool Aid flavored: “Everything Is Perfect”
Thank you, brothasoap!
If Days was perfect this section wouldn’t have over 400 comments. I mean it’s pretty obvious even people who are enjoying the show don’t think it’s the bestest thing ever. What it is though is better than the crap we’ve been served the past couple of years, though I can admit I found specs of gold in some of that crap. Now I’m finding more gold than crap, which is an improvement 🙂
Does Corday know these characters at all? This sounds terrible.
Yes, EJAMI are GOLD!
Pyrite, more like it.
to each its own rockfordfostage !
I agree. Ej/Sami together are more like pyrite or fools gold…..stomach turning, at any rate.
Fool’s gold. I do not Ejami at all.
And i love them. Totally.
others do..Lots of others
I adore Ejami.
I don’t like them at all either. They are one toxic pair.
EJami is priceless Gold, Platnium, and Diamonds. James and Ali have chemistry up the hoo hah. Love them!! Anne, I think you meant to say thar EJami is an intoxicating pair, and I so agree 😉
I will pile on and say that I’m delighted that Days is finally exploring an Ejami relationship. I get that not everyone can be happy about it. We don’t all have the same tastes, and that’s why Baskin Robbins has 31 flavors.
Great comment Leslie! Personally, I love Ejami and even those that hate them should admit they have a huge and very active fan base! I agree not everyone loves them but there are sure a ton of us that do! As long as Ejami is on my screen I will be watching!
EJ and Sami are the reason I returned after the horrible Higley years. I believe they’re diamonds mounted on platinum.
I also don’t believe it’s just EJami fans who have noted that ratings spiked when EJami were on, it was NBC and it was during Higley’s EJami hate fest.
Is DAYS perfect? No soap is or ever will be but I can say that IMHO, it’s better than it has been in YEARS.
Thanks for the Interview. I wish You had asked Important questions. Like… Where is John Black? And will he return with a fitting story and reunite with Marlena.. Also where does he get his info That Jen and Daniel are popular and Fans want to see them? We HATE HATE HATE them….
Anyway tho.. Thanks for the interview.
Yes please bring back JOhn Black. The definition of chemistry on Days is “John & Marlena” no one does it better. Please correct what you have done to Drake’s character of John Black, with an exciting adventurous storyline between him and Marlena “reunite John and Marlena” Then you will see ratings even higher….
Yes I agree. They need something fresh and now and HOT with John and Marlena and reunite them! And it has to be good for Marlena to forgive John for his bad ways…i know Marlena isn’t young but she is a great actress and they can write a great storyline for her…I know Bo isn’t coming back, but they need a good meaty storyline for Hope as well…i guess we’ll see!!!!
Seriously! And how is Daniel a legacy character in any way? He is useless. Bring Jack back and get rid of egg baby. He already ruined Maggie.
Good interview. Proud of Days. Thrilled to see Jen Lilley join the show. So happy to see Days recognizes the contribution of EJ and Sami as a couple to the show’s success. Alion and James are magic on screen.
Ali and James have absolutely no chemistry together, you want to see chemistry give us Drake and Deidre…they have had chemistry since day one in 1986 and they still have it….Ejami has nothin baby
Ewww…when I think of Marlena and John, I think of their face swallowing kisses and that nasty scene involving strawberries. So gross and so NOT HOT.
EJAMI = HOT
WILSON = HOT
PHLOE = HOT
Justin & Adrienne = HOT
Drake & Deidre are what chemistry is all about. You just don’t break-up such an iconic super-couple and erase all their history together. They belong together and “That’s a Fact”.
euh Lois you enjoy John and Marlena and think they have great chemistry, fine.
No need to criticize Ej and Sami for that, i don’t see the point and the association. People can like BOTH couples and the 4 characters.
John and Marlena are pretty popular and loved by many but it doesn’t mean Ej and Sami are not..this comparison is silly.
Totally agree.
Drake and Dee had their time.I loved Jarlena too,,but the time has come for them to take lesser roles.They are still important,but in different ways.EJAMI are on FIRE!!JS and AS have amazing mindblowing chemistry.I love ALL 4..but EJAMI are who I want to see in a lovestory
John and Marlena = ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. It isn’t helped much that both portrayers are glorified line readers. Especially Drake Hogestyn. My god he’s abysmal. (Real) acting is so MUCH more than memorizing your lines and making out with your co-star. In his time off hopefully he takes some acting classes as it’s sorely needed. Maybe watch some Christian Bale or Daniel Day Lewis, take a page from their book. Then again, the ‘acting’ on this soap has never been above mediocre.
The couple that got me hooked on Days was Roman (Wayne Northrop) and Marlena. Wayne and Dee had great chemistry and enjoyed working with each other. I won’t disagree that Jarlena was written poorly, but John was never my cup of tea.
Admittedly I was torn.I LOVED Original Rolena!!Oh my..and then came Drake.I honestly loved both.That was a great Triangle!So it was hard for me.Josh Taylor is not nor will he ever be Roman to me.
No. There are just as many viewers if not more who cannot stand EJ/sami. And yes Arianne Zucker is a very talented actress who helped Days win 2 Emmys, this year and last year.
You don’t know that..and and ‘EJ/JS fan’ i don’t think so…more a Nicole fan, you are so transparent…pathetic.
What’s pathetic is insulting someone simply because you don’t agree with them. And really, it is a fact that many fans don’t like EJ/Sami. There are boards with high memberships that are for other fanships of Sami’s. Some like EJ/Sami, and some don’t. It’s pathetic to start trying to tout one fanship as superior to another.
nope rockforsgate YOUR post is pathetic and the same can be said about someone who claim to be a fan of JS and his character Ej when all he/she did is trashed Ali Sweeney/Sami and praise Arianne Zucker/Nicole like she could walk on water..lmao and so so transparent ah and..pathetic !
elsa, I see nothing pathetic about “EJ/JS fan” a person doesn’t HAVE to be a fan of EJ/Sami in order to like EJ or James Scott. EJ has had other pairings, just as Sami has and all fans have a right to be a fan of whatever pairing they so choose. It is pathetic to criticize another fan not liking the same pairing you so obviously do.
nope because he/her always praise Nicole and trash Sami (and the respectives actresses, like actors are their characters..whatever..) but don’t praise Ej/JS..therefore it tells me everything i already said : a transparent Nicole fan/stan. not a Ej/JS fan in the least.
Of course! Ari won Days an Emmy all my her lonesome. Too bad she wasn’t able to win herself one. Seriously, Ari is a fantasic actress, probably one of the best if not the best on Days. But that doesn’t mean anything in this day and age on soaps. Character popularity is what counts and EJ and Sami, along with James and Ali are among the most popular, if not the most popular. Also when I was watching the Emmy’s I saw EJ and Sami heavily featured in the episode clip they used for Days. So no, Ari all my… Read more »
Karen, I agree that Ari Zucker is a fantastic actress, and will agree that she is part of an ENSEMBLE cast that was featured in a one of the clips that was submitted and the show won. Did the show win based solely on her clip? I doubt it. And yes, I do think Matthew Ashford’s storyline that year and his portrayal of that were stellar and helped the show tremendously. But it’s not about ONE person being the savior of the show. See we can agree, Karen. 😉 I do get puzzled by the ones that won’t watch if… Read more »
I would like to see both Ali Sweeney and James Scott done with days, I can’t stand Ejami who are just another couple about cheap sex and corruption anyway.
Ditto.
Not happening and so not true
Elsa you dont have to be AS fan to like JS. Thats what many are saying.
Kay, exactly. And you can be a James Scott fan and not lavish adoring praise about him in every single comment you make. Being a James Scott fan doesn’t pigeon-hole your comments only praising him and ONLY ONE of his pairings.
I couldn’t agree more! Ej/Sami need to be backburned and let some of the other characters have some airtime.
Yay for Hot Sex and Corruption. All the things I’m loving about EJami right now. I’m glad to see that even old fart Kenny Boy have to admit Ali and James are Gold. By the way, continue with your agenda comments guys. Hi Rock!
Days submitted the Daysaster for the emmy win.The writers win the year before was Jacks PTSD I LOVE EJAMI and Im not the only one
They also submitted the episode after Nicole lost her baby boy.
Ari submitted that.Days submitted the daysaster
yes Nicole was in one clip. And if I remember correctly Sami was hanging from the catwalk in the other clip. Drama sells… that’s it.
Actually Lisa, shows submit 2 episodes for Outstanding Drama. The two episodes the submitted, as Ken Corday says in the interview above, were the DAYSaster AND Nicole`s lie coming out/her suicide attempt. I`m not getting in the middle of any poster drama, just saying that DAYS submitted both eps as Mel said.
I couldn’t agree with you more Ej/JS fan and it’s sad to see you lectured just because you don’t love Ejami. I respect different point of views. But it’s sad that some others do not and want to lecture that someone is wrong because they just have a different opinion.
What it comes down to is R E S P E C T. In anonymous Internet conversations, it is often sorely lacking.
I’m sorry! Trying to find respect and good will on the Internet is like trying to find a four leaf clover. It seldom happens! Though I have to say, I have to laugh at those asking for respecting while failing to give it LOL. Also, what I’m seeing here is commenters getting upset when someone replies with a different opinion. This whole EJami vs Anti- EJami has been going on for years with the same results All the Time, and yet I see people complaining. If you don’t want to deal with the mess of what will 100% turn into… Read more »
Yep, Yep!, Karen! I totally agree!
Who is this masked commenter? I want to thank her.
Ugh i don’t want Ej to become the new Stefano Ken Corday ! Why can’t he be a GREY character, i don’t know someone like Victor Newman not a cartoonish one-note villain like Stefano Dimera..bummer really..sigh.
Make Chad (he will be recast) more darker, write some corporate business schemes and battles between the Dimera siblings, let Sami accept some dark side of Ej (like she is any better, no need to have a ‘trust broken’) and let Ej being between bad and good : grey like i said. Stefano number 2 is not interesting.
Agreed, but black and white is easier to write. Soap opera is a genre that is well suited to nuanced character development. Sometimes I don’t think the scribes give the viewers enough credit. Yes, we can empathize with a well-written anti-hero.
In the same way that Ken Corday would like Chandler to reconsider and stay, I would like to appeal to Mr. Corday and ask him to reconsider the recasting of Will. Losing will be a major blow. I certainly do not want to lose Freddie Smith because of it; nor do I want him to lose this specific couple. If there was no gay couple on the show a large number of viewers (myself included) will be gone. The show is hip and relevant and fresh largely due to Will and Sonny.
I totally agree. Will should be recast. It’s not fair to the WilSon fans. That couple is very important & just because Chandler decided to leave, why do the fans have to suffer?
I’ve seen some fans say a new Will would just seem like a new love interest for Sonny. That it wouldn’t be the same. I tend to agree.
This is a tough one. Chandler has put his stamp on Will and made him is own. If the character is recast, I think it needs to be given a rest. A bit of distance will allow the new actor to be more easily identified with Will.
Sorry to disagree, but there is absolutely no chemistry between Sweeney and Scott.
And agree (not so sorry..ha) to disagree your statement is just YOUR opinion.
Wow. I think that James & Alison have a great chemistry.
They are bone dry. So true!!!
Hot and steamy!!EJAMI has trended on twitter 3 times this year!!I think alot feel differently
Lisa I could #EJami and denounce the pairing every tweet I made about with that same hashtag and that still counts toward trending. Trending isn’t always a positive thing, so I wouldn’t rely to heavily on that to show how popular the pairing is.
Right..good and bad buzz is good for EJAMI..tbtb want pairings we talk about..I have it on good authority that tptb are THRILLED EJAMI has trended more than once…sorry.
Trending does show people are tweeting, talking about a certain topic. It does show there is “buzz” and TPTB do like the buzz. They love when #Days, #EJami, #Rate, #WilSon or any other Days related topic trend.
I have never thought they had chemistry… now they are just disgusting.
And if they only care about “buzz” and not focus on the content of that “buzz”, then they aren’t doing their jobs correctly. Focusing on trending without factoring in the actual content of those tweets is a short-sighted way of managing their publicity and business decisions.
Ej and Sami have one of the best chemistry i ever seen on daytime.
Nah,it just shows that lots of people are talking bout them and thats what tptb want.Good or bad
JS and AS have tons of chemistry. They enjoy working together, and it shows.
Rock, you know damn well majority of the context when EJami trends is postive feedback. I mean, you guys had a discussion about it at SS and some weren’t happy. It takes a click of a button to see what’s being said, so I’m postive Days knows context of said tweets. I mean, the agenda driven bracade made it a point to not #EJami because it was giving them buzz. But as soon as EJami trended, they decided they would now add #EJami because it’s a trended tag so that TPTB will see them. Buzz is still buzz, good or… Read more »
Karen, no I don’t know that because I don’t tweet and could care less about trending. I do know the functionality of trending and hashtagging and know that you can hashtag something and comment negatively on it. I can say “Just sat in drive-thru for 30 min and no food still #tacobell”. See, that’s a negative comment and hashtag the name of the restaurant. That’s what I mean about looking at the content of the tweets with the hashtags. I do know that trends and followers can be bought and have seen examples of that in non-Days related people/topics, but… Read more »
IMO JS/AS have amazing chemistry! I’ve been a soap view for over 25 years and never have I ever seen such chemistry or even close! I think they have the best chemistry on daytime!
I agree and I have been a viewer since I have a memory.My babysitter watched in the 70s.And I came to watch via BOPE.I think JS and AS have some of the best chemistry ever.
Different strokes, but I’ve seen many DAYS fans who don’t like EJami because of the writing but can see their chemistry.
That speaks VOLUMES.
Don’t be sorry to disagree! I’m not sorry to disagree with you and say that Ali and James have some of the best chemistry I’ve seen from Daytime soap actors. Both on and off the screen.
JS and AS have, in imho, amazing and off the charts chemistry. They sizzle! Their (on-screen)passion and compatibility makes EJami not only believeable,but also enjoyable and loveable.
Thank you Micheal. I’m very happy for the cast of DOOL for the well-deserved Best Drama Emmy. But I will say I am extremely happy that NBC and Bruce Evans have taken such a keen interest in DOOL. It has made all the difference in the quality of the stories told on the show.
I totally agree that James and Alison are gold and together as EJami I think they are sensational. Long live EJami.
Agreed! Long live DOOL!
James and Alison are Days GOLDMINE!!! why in the world are you going to tinker with the show when it is finally showing rating increase!!!!! Keep both EJ & Sami scheming together and in love!!! Drama from Stefano, Kristen, Marlena and Kate can bring on the angst. NEED more family time for both Wilson and EJAMI.
I totally agree. James and Ali have great chemistry which shows in their performance.
Ken C./Writers should change Days to Ejami Days Hour,because No other characters count,then All of Ejami Fans will be Happy and be on Cloud Nine… Bring On The Vets Hour……..
Days is on fiya right now. I look forward to it every night and EJ and Sami are my ultimate. I will follow their twists and turns forever. At the end of the day, they will always be my “root for” couple.
can’t stand Dan and Jen together. Send her off again..
While I certainly agree with you, I have to say I am LOVE-LOVE-LOVING the angst JJ is providing. Not only is the actor doing a really good job, but the story makes sense and is playing out really well. I’m glad JJ isn’t another goody two shoes and that he’s a bit mischievous and rebellious. I’ve loved what could have been a cliched and boringly played out story and somehow made it super fun and entertaining to watch. I’ve even told myself as I was watching that I was loving Missy Reeves again! Her playing a mom is the best… Read more »
See, I’m finding it boring and cliched because it’s just yet another “let’s have someone scheme to break up Dan/Jenn”. First Nicole, then Chloe (and Anne), now JJ. If it was more about JJ and his character development and angst and less about Dan/Jenn’s relationship woes, I’d be more interested and it would be more original.
I think it’s equally about JJ’s character as it is about Jen/Dan! You can’t argue we’re not seeing his perspective and how their relationship is affecting him. We’re seeing equal cause and affect, action and reaction. I don’t know how you can argue otherwise. JJ’s voice is being heard loud and clear by the audience, and that’s precisely why it’s more interesting.
I agree we’re seeing his side to some degree, but the other characters are not and if we don’t see that crucial interaction with the other characters, JJ won’t be more than a one-dimensional character. The writers are making it more about how it’s affecting Dan/Jennifer than about giving JJ real development or making us care about him long-term. He’s just the latest monkey-wrench for Dan/Jenn. Why is it more about Jenn/Dan? Because everyone else is so concerned with their relationship and not with helping JJ or even focusing more than one or two sentences his way. Maggie doesn’t offer… Read more »
Totally agree, i quite enjoy JJ for the little schemer, trouble maker he is. His pov is totally shown imo. He is a little bitch who uses and manipulate and guilt trip ect..but we also see a bit where he comes from and some vulnerability.
The other characters are not seeing JJ’s bad side? Well…..yeah! That’s kind of the point, no? That’s part of what’s making this so fun! They’re either oblivious, or want to see the best in him, and that’s just giving JJ room to play in his playground while the other characters are so busy in their own world. It also plays into why he’s acting out in the first place: lack of attention, feeling unheard and all that. To your point of saying the writers are making it “more” about Dan and Jen, well I just don’t see it. And as… Read more »
Actually Jules i would prefer for JJ to stay a little schemer who for a long time get some great resentment towards his mother and her new man (who is not his father) like Sami Brady was for a long time with her mother Marlena and John Black. Although imo Sami had even more reasons to be a little bitch than JJ (Marlena cheated, the husband/father was still alive, she left her family to create a new one..far worse) Still i get JJ pov . It would be great to have a Horton who will always be some kind of… Read more »
Oh juju I’m certainly with you, I just think the likelihood is that they will inevitably reform JJ. As long as they can keep his mischievous ways interesting and believable I hope things don’t change. I’d love it if they made him his father’s son and kept him that way. But I’m thinking his Horton genes will win out in the end.
Dannifer is pretty sad. I’m not sure why Days seems so invested in this couple.
I dvr the show and constantly find myself hitting fast forward whenever Jennifer & Daniel are on. In part I think Corday & company WANT there to be this grand love story because Jennifer is a legacy character. But, in my opinion…it just doesn’t work.
Frankly, I think in part it is because to some degree I feel that Melissa Reeves is phoning it in. I just do not feel she is 100% invested in the show at this point. I have an opinion on why but won’t get into that here.
Dannifer are the ONE thing I am disliking
Thanks for the interview, Michael. Looking forward to Sami, E.J. and EJami. So glad they are finally a couple!
As a long time fan, I do not worship at the alter of EJ and Sami…. I am realistically unable to get past EJ’s multiple rapes of Sami, once by himself and all the Rafe2 times. I can’t just forget. I also am deeply sickened by the comments about how Kristen’s storyline of RAPING a Catholic Priest is a decent good story. The total destruction of long time characters to support/prop EJ and Sami causes this long time viewer to fast forward through more and more of the show. But then as I’m not on the NBC/Days twitter feed I… Read more »
Your opinion count like just ONE opinion : yours !
Accept others doesn’t share it, not hard to get KS. Eyeroll.
Wow.
Sarah, you should probably make sure what you’re posting makes sense before you hit the “submit” button. Especially if you’re trying to belittle someone who has done nothing to you. Not everyone has the same opinion, the world would be boring if we did. However, there’s nothing wrong with anyone sharing their opinions. Perhaps you’d like for someone to “eyeroll” at you for speaking your mind.
There is no destruction of long time characters or prop for Ej and Sami : they are maybe the most called out for their shit characters on dool. It seems we don’t watch the same show.
Agree with you. That EJ is vial!!! So sad how he has ruined it all for 7 yrs & no punishment … Arrest or trail!!
Well said KS! I agree completely .
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion I don’t understand why some fans of Elvis and Samantha feel the need to tell those of us who don’t why our opinion is wrong.
I’m happy for their fans -it’s always nice to get the couple you want together….but there’s no need to bash those of us who don’t agree.
There is no bashing or telling your opinion is wrong just state the truth : that it is ONLY an opinion, that you can dislike a couple, pairing doesn’t mean it is gospel truth, that is all. Other people disagree with your opinion and just tell it.
elsa, I see a lot of judgment and needless animosity in Sarah’s reply to KS, especially the “not hard to get KS. Eyeroll.” part. KS talked about the interview itself and her feelings about Corday’s responses in the interview and didn’t aim anything towards the EJ/Sami fans, yet Sarah responded with a rather snarky response. Yes, everyone is entitled to like whoever they like, but pointing that out with the added snark and eyeroll at the end just ramps up the animosity between the fanships, which is pointless. We all love the same show, shouldn’t that be enough to unite… Read more »
EJ didnt rape Sami it was a sex deal.Sami AGREED to it.Rafe 2 was Stefano.NOT EJ.EJ didnt stop it,but he didnt start it.Kinda like Lucas knew about Kate setting up Sami for murder and he did nothing too.Kristen is bad..thats a villian.We all know Eric wont stay a priest anyway.Other pairings were given YEARS.Its been proven alot of viewers want to see the EJAMI story written.Im all for it
Yeah, but let’s just conveniently forget the scene where EJ and Rafe 2 joked about the “fringe benefits” of Rafe 2’s job (having sex with Sami). EJ knew what was happening and it doesn’t matter if Rafe 2 was originally Stefano’s plan. EJ didn’t stop it, reveled in the most deplorable aspects of it, joked about it, and loved every minute of it. And there is such a thing as rape by coercion, of being under duress and it not being real consent. Being held at gunpoint, taken hostage, having a loved one’s life threatened all constitutes duress and coercion.… Read more »
Yawn..I didnt see that(only read bout it)..see I had tuned out during that era.Safe drove me away..Sami wasnt herself and EJ was a cartoon villian.Not to mention my beloved Chloe was a hooker.I dont care about all that.I never said it wasnt rape by Kristen did I??Umm no,I didnt.Not sure where u are going with this.Rape by coercion..umm yea.Sami agreed to have sex with EJ,there was NO gun involved and I dont recall a rapist asks you to make a deal.It was smarmyt,but imo not rape.If its painful,do what I did in 2010.Turn it off.Its real simple.You might even find… Read more »
Uh, EJ’s rape of Sami was long before Rafe come on-screen, so I don’t what you’re referring to. Unless you mean the Rafe clone? You mentioned how it was Stefano’s idea, so you at least have some knowledge of those events. Yes, rape by coercion is a criminal offense in many states, so it is real. “Sleep with me or get fired”, “Sleep with me or I’ll hurt your kid” are real threats that constitute rape by coercion. There was a gun in those scenes when he took her hostage and when they came into the cabin. The gun didn’t… Read more »
And As I clearly stated many,many times.I dont view it as rape,and I never did.He had the gun,but he didnt rape her while holding it.In fact he gave her a choice.She chose.It was one of the biggest writing errors Days has ever made.It is irrelevant to me now.Sami forgave him the transgression,and they moved on.I did too.I know minor details,about Ralph two and thats enough thanks.Days bled viewers that year.BLED them.I dont care one whit about u.You seem distraught over a soap opera.I was givng you the facts about ME.I said when it became so bad in 2010.I left.I didnt… Read more »
Oh yes, the magic “disappearing and reappearing” gun. It is CLEAR he had a gun when he took her hostage and AGAIN when they entered the cabin to help Lucas. Just because the gun isn’t pressed to her head the entire time doesn’t mitigate the fact he DID have a gun and he used it to threaten her. Minor details are important, but if you want to gloss over relevant facts, that’s on you. Again with the “distraught” comment and judgmental attitude. For someone who doesn’t “care one whit about” me, you sure do insert a lot of assumptions about… Read more »
Yeah I don’t understand how a woman hooking up with her rapist and a woman raping a priest at “with the times”. Is the end of the world coming soon?
WHo knows…possibly.I never posted it was with the times,if you quote me,get it correct.And I dont feel EJ raped anyone,,so for me its not an issue.
Lisa, I believe Kay is quoting Michael Fairman from the interview where he said “but things have to change with the times. I think you have really changed with the times” in regards to the Kristen/Eric storyline.
Well said Lisa. It is a soap opera where almost ALL the characters did awful things to others, Ej or Kristen are not the only ones..rolleye.
Penny, where is the comparison to others in this thread? I don’t see a comparison being made so whether or not most of the characters have done awful things to each other is irrelevant.
Destruction of EJami? The writers are trying to repair the destructive writing under Higley and the continual propping of Rafe and Sami.
At least now we’re watching SAMI and not a watered down version of Carrie, whom was the love of Rafe’s life.
Oh look, the tried, true, and tired Rape debate. Nothing new here! I seriously just have to laugh at characters propping EJ and Sami. Where is my Cher GIF when I need it. As if!!! LOL 🙂 Please continue of you Agenda Drive posts, and of course not surprising seeing you in the mix Rock 😉 just spreading my EJami love, and on that note. EJami is so damn hot together. These two rapists are perfect for each other. Love them and looking forward to their next lovemaking scene because you know they’re going to be freakin HOT, as only… Read more »
Glad you’re enjoying Karen. I’ll just bide my time and wait for stories to change. They always do. Until then, enjoy!
I understand his comment that the writers made about things working ten years ago but not today..however to completely deny a 30 year story arc like the one Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn created, does the show a great disservice. We fans may understand them being back burner characters, we have survived that in the past, however to degrade the history and demolish the art is wrong. They are the Alice and Tom Horton of the past 30 years…very dissappointing. Thank you for the interview though, we know where we stand.
Yes he said it right Ejami are Gold! Thank you for the wonderful interview ! Not everyone will agree so I’m just going to enjoy what I can out of it! BTW SAMI IS NO SAINT ! Ill root ejami as couple together and separate 🙂
Love EJ and Sami but don’t write Ej as the new Stefano : It would be a BAD move and a freaking waste. Be smart for once.
Ken basically slapped an either generation across the face, when he lied and said he want to be there for 5 generations. When he hung sent Bope out to pasture by not writing a storyline for them and then hung Jarlena fans out to dry by breaking up their supercouple is such a horrible way through outright lies about their past history, and letting TomSell write John Black in such as fashion that he is unrecognizable he made a huge fan base very angry. At this point unless the work to correct all of these lies and bring back the… Read more »
You bring in new characters who we have no attachements to & ruin our greatest characters like John Black. This is all against the nature of John’s charcter and it is so deplorable what has been done to this super-couple. Not only is a huge fan base very angry, but you have lost respect of this huge loyal fan base. You keep talking about giving what the fans want to see, but a huge fan base wants the hero John Black back with his sweatheart & soulmate Marlena.
Well the rest of us dont want it cancelled..and they are renewed till Sept 2014 regardless.If its so bad,stop watching.I had to do that in 2010.As for Kristen,,nah..she is bad.Thats not changing.
Lisa, again I find an agreement with you. I don’t want the show cancelled. I continue to watch knowing that storylines will eventually shift in another direction. They always do at some point or another.
Day’s had been pure crap for months,what these idiot writers did to John and Marlena is nautious making.
I agree totally its like John and Marlena’s history has been wipped clean like it never existed I may be 38 years old but my friends daughters and their friends are all 17-18 and 20 something years old and all love the JOhn and Marlena history. So they do appeal to the younger generation. They should start by bringing back the real hero John Black and have respect for alltheir loyal fans who supported them throught the years
Unfortunately, TPTB are slaves to demographics. While diapers might be a different story, I’m guessing cat lovers of all ages by litter.
As for Jarlena, there’s a place for them in Salem but their interactions need to be dignified. 60-year old people share hot messy kisses, but not in the middle of the Horton Town Square. Just saying.
Thanks.Love Jen Lilley.Am anxious to see her.I will miss Casey and Chandler terribly.EJ is GREY he isnt a cartoon villian.His Samantha is grey.Days works best when EJAMI are grey together.EJ loves his Samantha and their family.He is in NO way like Stefano.Hope Days doesnt make the mistake of making EJ a cartoon villian again.EJ is like TONY,he has a heart.Unlike Stefano.We like our grey EJAMI.PERIOD..
I agree…maybe recast Chad as the new evil one (and keep Kristen on because she is bad…but so GOOD being bad). More DiMera/Kiriakis feuds as well. but don’t make EJ and Sami bad! I like them better as good/grey!
Thanks for the interview! So happy for Days win, so well deserved! Glad to see KC is aware of what fans knew all along, that JS and AS are gold! As a fan reading that comment made me unbelievably happy and excited for what’s to come. I think its expected that Ejami will have angst, any soap super couple does. All I want is for them to continue to work through any problems together and above all stay together! Ejami is truly why I watch Days. They have a passion that is unrivaled in daytime which is evident by their… Read more »
With all these people leaving, its time to bring Bo back.
Bring back Bo and John Black to vital characters to this show!!!
But Peter doesnt want to come back.I would LOVE Bo back
He does not want to come back to no storyline and the present writers, but I am sure he would come back to Hope with great writers, writing for days again and an interesting storyline.
maybe maybe not..maybe he wants to spend time with his family and then try something new..it is his choice although if he come back i expect he will want more stories, more challenging and maybe more screen time.
Trust me when I say I wish Peter would come back,,,rumors are he may end up on GH as Sam’s dad..I miss my Bo
Peter Reckell is still a hottie, and I miss me some Bo.
Congratulations to Days on their Emmy win and I certainly agree that James Scott & Alison Sweeney are a goldmine of talent, chemistry & connection. EJ and Sami are partners and equals in every way and I can’t believe they are going to force EJ into a little box marked “villain” and have him (and EJami) take a giant leap backward. Days has one of the most dynamic & compelling couples I’ve ever seen and they need to keep moving them forward, deepening the trust, building this relationship not tearing it down.
If they are partners and equal, why did he not tell her about the formula he stole from Nick? Why isn’t he including her in his plans to take over the empire from Stefano? Nope, not partners and equal in every way.
Hopefully they will be the new John & Marlena of today?!?! maybe??…
OMG how can you even compare them to John and Marlena…what planet are you from? Have you watch ever watched John and Marlena from the beginnning. It’s always been about love and trust. I see none of these things with Sami and EJ they were both untrustworthy and bad the moment they came to Salem. SMDH John and Marlena get real!
Lois, unless Kyra means how John and Marlena are now broken up and all but history at this point? Perhaps?
totally agree Ree.
Yes they are..thats why I love them.they are equals…and have the same nindset!!Plus imo they are HOTT..I waited a longtime for Sami to finally wake up
This comparison between Kay and Michael Corleone and Ej and Sami is silly. First Kay was a naive, nice gal Sami is as devious as Ej ! Secondly the Sami now is an ‘heroine’ and can’t accept Ej’s way of life has already been written ad nauseam it is even one of her major motivations to keep him away from one of their children (at this time Grace who was actually Sydney) which set in motion the biggest feud they had which last all these recent years and only really stopped this last year. We don’t want that anymore, we… Read more »
While I’m not an EJ/Sami fan, I agree the comparison is horrible. And I love the explanation of your opinion on it because while I don’t agree about wanting EJ/Sami to accept each other, I can understand what you want for your couple.
thanks
I agree…and everyone knows that Michael loved his first wife best.EJ said in Jan its ALWAYS been Sami and viewers who have watched since he came to town know this is true.That scratches off the comparsion alone.
Which is further proof that Kenny is an idiot.
Eh,,not worth me getting upset over.NBC is running the show.
Thanks Michael…great interview!
Why does this make me nervous? I love EJ and Sami! BUT I don’t think i can watch them hurt each other again. It’s been a long road…too long. This is finally the EJami I’ve dreamed they could be. I really feel like making EJ too dark is the wrong move. Please tell me Ken didn’t mean it that way. 🙁
I also love Will and Sonny! They are so damn cute! ‘m sad that Chandler and Casey are leaving, but wish them luck.
Hey if you look at Ej history he is a very dark character. As much as I hate Ejami they are both bad to the bone characters and trying to every redeem either of them, will NEVER work for me. I know I am in a very small minority here. but I just don;t want them frontburner and give so much credit with by Corday, when he writes of great history for JnJ Bo and Hope John and Malrena as though they are somehow now throw away character! This is very disloyal to a HUGE fanbase that has been loyal… Read more »
I agree completely!
Why always blaming Ej and Sami and their pairing because you are frustrated about your favorite couples not being written like you want..It is possible to live these couples AND Ej/Sami. I agree some of these couples could be more showcased and i understand the frustration to see them backburned when you enjoy them and want to see them on your screen. But why trashing another couple who has nothing to do with that..blame the writers who could write for your favorite couple not the FICTIONAL couple you think has the screentime your favorites should have. It is the writers’… Read more »
If Ej/Sami are on the show they have something to do with it!
Juju I am not trashing this couple because I want my couple to be front and center, I am just saying I really Hate Ejami and everything that they are and have been about.Rape is never a good place for a relationship to start. I would not put up with GH for glorify it with Luke and Laura(another couple I hate in spite of there popularity) and I will not put up with Days for glorify EJami relationship either or Days/KC for endorsing the rape of a priest as the way Days wants to go! Days has totally lost the… Read more »
It is the decision to tout EJ/Sami as the “Golden Couple” and promote them heavily and not write storylines for many other pairings that does bother many non-EJ/Sami fans. It is the decisions behind the scenes that non EJ/Sami fans are upset with. Beyond Will/Sonny, Dan/Jennifer, and EJ/Sami what other parings are being consistently written for? John and Marlena are all but extinct, especially since Drake Hogestyn hasn’t been filming and isn’t even listed on the credits anymore. Bo’s MIA and Hope isn’t given anything other than a few lines here and there. Justin and Adrienne are only on to… Read more »
Ted and Betty wrote Bill and Laura Horton as a couple and he did rape her ! It was maybe the most successful and long story with the paternity of Mike (result of the rape) of Days the two first decades of the show.
EJ and Sami are BOTH dark characters..I would wager Sami has done more bad things than EJ..Remember her getting John hooked on drugs??Umm yea.thats only a TINY sample.EJAMI arent the reason u dont have your couple.Im really tired of Jarlenas blaming EJAMI for their woes.Jarlena had their time for close to 30 years.And I enjoyed it.Its time for others to shine now.WIth Jarlena supporting.Betty Corday was edgey.She introduced the first interacial pairing and the first lesbian.I would like to think SHE would be moving forward to 2013.And not staying stuck in the past.The show is a business.And it has to… Read more »
While Days has an ensemble cast, all the actor’s contracts are not equal. There are those who are recurring, so it’s not expected that their characters will be seen regularly. By his own choice, John Aniston is recurring. The contract players have episode guarantees, and those not all the same. Since I’m not an agent, I have no idea how the contracts are put together. From time to time, I have seen fans suggesting that Sami be back burnered. Since Ali Sweeney is on primetime TV, talk shows, and covers of magazines, it ain’t gonna happen. In the cover story… Read more »
Yeah, and contracts change. Bryan Dattlio was bumped from contract to recurring. Some are recurring by choice, yes. Some don’t have that choice. The problem is some of the ones on recurring status are the ones that it makes the least sense having them recurring if you look at family connections. Those characters could be used more to make the show more cohesive, to ties storylines together, and even if they don’t have separate storylines for themselves, they could still be a part of someone else’s storyline as a supporting role.
You mention Rafe’s inactivity but then you complain about characters with family connection not getting air time. Rafe isn’t connected to any main family on the Days character in a significant enough way that EJ and Sami’s airtime should be debated when it comes to him. EJ and Sami are from families that have been a big part of the canvas. Like Lisa said, EJami isn’t the reason why some characters don’t have air time. If the writers want to write for characters they write for them. Isn’t that why Rafe and his out of the blue family members were… Read more »
I didn’t complain about Rafe’s inactivity. I just pointed out to someone who wanted Rafe out of EJ/Sami’s orbit that Rafe is in a coma and pretty much out of their orbit at this point. Just an interesting tidbit…the Brady family was once introduced to the show the same way the Hernandez family was, one at a time over a period of time. Eventually there family became an “established” family. Not saying that’s how the Hernandez family will turn out, just pointing out that complaining about lack of family ties could have been used against the Brady clan back in… Read more »
Rock, I’m well aware how the Brady’s came about but thanks for the heads up. Unlike the H crew though, the Brady’s were gradually brought to the scene and not pimped and propped like Rafe and his family. The fact they even attempted to bring him to the canvas in a similar fashion that Roman was speaks volumes. GG is a weak actor so he wasn’t able to sell me on his character, but he is nice eye candy so he has some purpose I guess. Also, you and I know exactly what the commenter meant about Rafe being out… Read more »
Oh Rock, I notice you didn’t deny that EJami will bring the downfall of Days. Score one for me 😉
No EJ/Sami won’t bring the downfall of Days ALONE. If the downfall happens, it will be multiple factors, not just ONE couple. I honestly don’t think EJ/Sami are that powerful in either a positive or negative way. I think behind the scenes issues, studio/network gridlock, and writing issues would be the likely culprits of any downfall of the show. If you want a point in this “game”, take it. Or we can say we agreed on something and be happy for that agreement. Either one works. 😉
Great interview Michael and Ken…. love all the characters on DOOL. I think they should bring back the other set of twins (Cassie & Rex) plus more of Abraham’s family with past present and future ties to DOOL. Including a biracial couple like Abe and Kayla. I have plenty of ideas if needed, contact me
Can we get some news as to weather John & Marlena will EVER be together again?????
I couldn’t agree more that JS & AS are definitely gold and I am a huge EJAMI fan. I, like so many other fans, have waited for years to see this couple finally together and have enjoyed every scene they’ve had together since. I really hope TPTB can figure out a way to allow them to stay together without changing either one of their characters too much. I’d also like to say that after what we’ve seen so far this year I won’t be surprised if DAYS wins an Emmy again next year ESPECIALLY with the performances by Blake Berris… Read more »
Just need to say KEN WHEN ARE YOU & OTHERS going to see that ejami (as you call them) are bringing the ratings to a new level. THE SEWARE. they are not gold. There fan base is so tiny. You had Sami & Lucas on for a week when little Ari was born & ratings went thru roof. My idea. Get jarlena, bope, lumi (who long time fans connect with) & put them up against evil. We long time viewers want that. History works not re-writing to suit your desire!! Been enjoying GH & YR so much lately be/c new… Read more »
I disagree : i don’t want to see bad versus good stories, it is so outdated, cheesy and simplistic. I am not interested by that.
Characters can pay in other ways than jail time and Ej had pay karmic payback more than once.
The problem with EJ’s “karmic payback” is that it has never been anything in comparison to other characters’ “karmic paybacks”. Nicole gets lambasted still for her mistakes and even called out by Maxine of all people, while EJ gets praised by Caroline Brady?! EJ gets shot in the head and while he’s still in the hospital it’s revealed he’s already lying to Sami and plotting his revenge, yet Kate had to work in Hudson’s Diner for months and months to rebuild after one of her plans failed? EJ has never been down and out and had to scrape his way… Read more »
I respectfully and totally disagree : Ej to me has paid far far more than characters like Nicole or Kate , Stefano don’t get me start, to me it is really not the three best examples to give to make your point against Ej lack of payback to say the least. I don’t count all the times someone tried to kill Ej and all the times people tried to keep him from his children ect.. Kate’s little work as a waitress for few months is peanuts compare to that, Stefano never paid for anything he was always safe and great… Read more »
Nope. EJ has never had “downtime” where he was down and out. When he was shot, he was immediately scheming and conniving against Sami. My point about Kate,Stefano, Nicole, even throw Sami in there….there have been many times those characters have had to scrape their way back to the top or have taken “time-outs” or been on the defensive rather than the offensive. EJ never has. I’d say Sami’s time being kept from her kids has been greater than EJ’s time without his kids, hands down. And I totally disagree about Nicole. How many times has she been lambasted for… Read more »
Disagree again : Ej has had more ‘downtime’ than any Kate, Stefano or Nicole could have although for Nicole she got her payback karma with her miscarriages i guess. When he was shot he was immediately scheming and conniving maybe but he was still shot in the head : a big fat punishment, something your other examples did not suffer once. When Brady beat him up almost to death..did he scheme ? Nope he even tried to stop the feud that Brady’s attempted murder started. When Nicole, Rafe and Daniel schemed and did everything to keep him from a potential… Read more »
Like I said, the Caroline stuff has been inconsistent but there are specific scenes that show her favoring Sami’s choice of EJ or giving her advice based on her affair with Victor and loving two men at the same time. That conversation did favor EJ. Again, Nicole gets more of the verbal smackdown from the rest of the Salemites than EJ does. Sure people talk smack about him to Sami, to remind her she’s an idiot, but do they talk smack to EJ? Not even close the extent they do Nicole. Just because Daniel was empathetic towards Nicole doesn’t mean… Read more »
Yep definition of downtime is not the same for me than for you, it is pretty clear. You did not read well what i wrote: Ej did not always strick back with revenge and has been on the defensive with for example his framing for the Stefano’s murder story. Caroline never did support Ej or his relationship with Sami, she did express her disapprobation while praising Rafe or just tolerated it like i said. The Victor comparison was her way to explain to Sami that she kind of understood deep down her dilemma not full-on favoring at all. How would… Read more »
Juju, we see the same show. We just have different opinions on it. Saying we aren’t watching the same show is implying one of us is watching incorrectly. I sure don’t think this is some sort of test, do you? If there’s a quiz at the end of the next episode, I sure hope its multiple choice. When in doubt, guess C. 😉
Juju, your points were clear and I understood them. At least we are watching the same show 😉 I won’t even bother to comment on Sally’s post because its obviously Agena Driven and if it was up to them Lucas would be on 5 days a week and in every scene, and Lumi would be in love and have their 20th child 😉
I’m guessing with fanbases size does count. Being a card carrying Ejami, I would like to think that TPTB are able to sort through data to determine what brings in the most viewers. With that said, Days is probably happier with the fans that go with the flow. I’m talking about the viewers that are not refusing to watch because of a particular pairing. Those people have got to make life easier for them.
Gold… Think you must be colour blind? Copper turning green with over use is the EJ Sami pairing. Driving away your loyals.
And it leave that horrible stain on your skin that you just can’t scrub off. I love that comparison Jenni!
Well they are also bringing in NEW viewers too..so are WILSON
That would be called patina, and it’s highly valued in classic works of art and fine furniture.
Actually there are differing opinions on the true value of patina in art. If it’s flawed or chipped, the recommendation is to take all the patina off in a restoration process. (I’d say EJ/Sami are definitely flawed, and even EJ/Sami fans should agree given the numerous writing regimes different takes on EJ/Sami has created HUGE flaws in the coupling). Still doesn’t hide the fact patina is actually corrosion of the materials to due to age and too much exposure. And yes, the Statue of Liberty is an example of patina, but I will laugh at any comparison of it to… Read more »
patina is beautiful
Sam, whatever superficial beauty patina has does not hide the fact that patina is really corrosion.
patina is really beautiful..mouahaha
Obviously the reason WILL won;t be recast is so that Chandler can come back if his career flops “in the big pond” I think this is fair, considering Chandler basically resuurected DOOL form the dead. My prediction is that Chandler will be coming back periodically. The question is, what will be done with Arianna Grace, whether Sonny will be given a new love interest. He will not be given the boot, obviously, because fans would be devastated by losing BOTH boys and would turn their back on the show. I certainly would.
I like Will and Chandler’s portray of the character but ONE actor and character doesn’t ressurect a daytime soap which happen to be an ensemble show. Stories and good interactions, characterisations do.
resurrected sorry.
Yes, I misspoke but only slightly. Chandler *and Freddie* together resurrected the show as pureyors of the writers’ brilliant gay storyline… Like the mirror, the Emmys do not lie. Thirty-dd barren years and suddenly Best Soap Emmy just when Wilson drama reached a fever pitch and Chandler won an Emmy? The “DOOL Renaissance” we enjoy now began with WilSon and the enormous public response led the writers to begin taking risks (as per statement in interview) with other storylines as well, a ricochet effecr from the success of WilSon. DOOL stories, characterizations, interactions simply were not energetic enough to be… Read more »
I love Will and Wilson but daytime emmys means nothing..you should see some of their ‘winners’ lmaoooooooo
EVERYBODY did NOT want Sami & EJ together, and still don’t. To put a woman together with the man (and his family) who did so much evil to her and her family is outrageous. And drugging and raping a priest is not “with it”. It is disgusting, as is Sami & EJ together. If you, Mr. Fairman & Mr. Corday, were not so biased and took your blinders off, you would note all those who have stopped watching, or fast forward thru those scenes. That said, I think Eileen Davidson has been outstanding in her portrayal of the vengeful Kristen.… Read more »
Hi Barb: Thank you for your opinions and comments. I want to say here to you and to those about the “Everybody” use of word on the EJami question, that in the past, whether I change it to “Majority”, “many”, “some”, the same response comes in of fans who are disgruntled with the duo.. It’s too bad that the use of the word “everybody” in one question, is what readers are focusing on instead of all the other statement from Ken in the article which I think are very interesting about all the other actors and characters and DAYS fantastic… Read more »
Mr. Fairman…Thank you for the reply. Perhaps you could use a phrase something like “Fans of Sami & EJ” instead of “Everybody”. It would definitely clarify about whom you are talking and just who might have wanted them together. And, while the phrase “golden couple” gets thrown around, as someone else noted elsewhere, it is more “fool’s gold”, or perhaps tarnished brass, not real gold. (my opinion) Yes, I read all Mr. Corday had to say, I have also read his book. I don’t think he said anything new about Casey D. or Chandler Massey, that has not already been… Read more »
Michael, All of the comments that Ken stated in the interview, offended so many people that it is hard to find anything positive in the interview. “Having Kristen bed and drug Eric the priest was a brilliant move, too!” is a direct quote from you, many people find this disgusting to a whole new level, not “the controversy with Kristen having sex, or “raping”, a priest! ” That you claim it to be This kind of story telling is way over the top and to dark for even this day in age. Some people loved the days of old which… Read more »
well said Michael.
‘Many’ not ‘everybody’ Barb like for many other popular couples.
Hmmm…seems like someone didn’t read past the first two sentences of Barb’s comment. She didn’t focus only on the word “everybody” and she addressed several of the comments Ken Corday made. Yet the reply to her comment only focused on the discuss of that word “everybody” and ignored everything else she said. I smell hypocrisy.
Thanks Michael!!Loved the interview and I am in the key demo that wants and loves EJAMI..Congrats to Days on their EMMY!
Rock, if you don’t like his comment and think he’s a hypocrite, leave his site! I enjoy debating with you… Actually not really debating, more baiting, but come on now and get off your high horse. “Everyone” or “Majority” or “Many” negative comments here are in reaction to the fact he used “Everybody” in reference to people wanting EJami. Barb (By the way Barb, long time no see. You haven’t been trolling Facebook like usual) started out her statement in big capital letters focusing on his everybody comment and he chose to address that part of her comment. It’s his… Read more »
Commenting on Barb’s supposed focus on the ‘everybody’ and ignoring the fact she did praise the show and some of the actors for the Emmy win and pointed out POSITIVES as well is completely hypocritical. He could have saved his response for someone who “hit and run” with one or two sentences about not being included in the “everybody” and it wouldn’t have been hypocritical as those type of comments ARE solely focused on the ‘everybody’ comment. He chose to put his response on Barb’s comment, thus singling her out and criticizing her for not looking at the entirety of… Read more »
I agree Barb. Thanks for saying this.
Congrats to DOOL for winning best outstanding daytime drama as it is quite a feat in upending The Young and the Restless. I agree that producing current events in current story lines will keep pushing- the -envelope and will bring forward new viewers.
I would like to see Bo return, waiting for Chrishell Stause to appear, love the performances by Eileen Davidson and Nicole but am sadden to see Chandler Massey go (these are just some of my thoughts). MF- keep reports coming.
I agree I like JJ. Yes, the only time Dannifer is interesting is when someone is trying to break them up. However, so far they have used Jack,Nicole and her baby, Chloe and now JJ to throw under the bus to prop Dannifer up because there is no chemistry on screen between the two actors. We are told by them they are in love, so perfect but this viewer isnt buying it. They have also ruined Maggies character by having her become a meddling egg mom. Personally I find the fact the two are first non blood cousins reasons enough… Read more »
I would like to see them work something out with Chandler like they did with Alison, where he could work on days and go to school too. That would be a win win for all Days, Chandler, and incuduing us the viewers.
The situation is different, school can be almost a full time job Ali other tv work is on tv and the same network therefore it is easier to manage her schedules. Moreover i am not sure Chandler all in all wants to stay on Days unlike Alison who always said she wants to stay and makes an effort to do it. Me think Chandler wants also to try other type of projects, medium, experiences and maybe success (acting is a hard business maybe one day he will come back but i am not sure).
I don’t think Chandler wants to stay. Most young actors want to put in their time on a soap then move on to (hopefully) bigger and better careers. Like Shelley Henning, Molly Burnett and Casey Deidrick, for example. Also, their agents want them to move on too.
yep
Great interview Michael. Thanks for asking the right questions. So glad that KC recognises the importance of James and Allison and EJAMI to the show. Looking forward to EJAMI angst and them coming out of it a stronger couple.
“Let’s talk about James Scott and Alison Sweeney. Everyone wanted this couple, EJami, together on-screen romantically.” …..uh no Mr. Fairman not EVERYONE wanted this couple.
And there is no romance on the show anymore – just sex.
They are ‘more than sex’ they have had many many struggles other than ‘sex’, actually they did not have sex except once or two in 7 freaking years ! That being said no NOT everybody wanted/want them together like it is the case for ANY, every couples. Many wanted/want them.
marion my comment on no romance – just sex was directed at all of the couples on the show – not just Samantha and Elvis.
Sonny and Will show more romantic gestures than any other couple on the show – it’s my honest opinion.
And I will say – I’m happy for the fans of Elvis and Samantha – you got your couple together finally – that’s great!
I think Mel meant no romance, just sex in a general sense. There is no real romantic build-up to the relationships that are supposed to be “love stories”. With the exception of Will/Sonny, the relationships all seem to be “let’s jump into bed and sort the rest out later”. There is no romantic set-ups, no candlelight (we haven’t seen that since Rafe/Sami actually), and it’s all groping and quick sex.
Not everything is about EJ/Sami.
Ej and Sami just had a candelight diner last week…
I was referring to the bedroom scenes specifically in regards to the candlelight. Gone is the romanticism and elaborate set-ups both in setting and in the “foreplay” before the sex scenes.
Sorry rock, but you’re wrong about Rafe and Sami being the last to get romantic set ups with candle light and romantic love making. Dan and Jenn got it, and EJami has gotten candle light settings 3 times already this year, as well as a romantic love making scene with rose petals, slow love making, and Days usually corny music they use to dignify that a duo is true love and meant to be. They even had a sweet and romantic exchange before he carried her up the stair bridal style for their love making 🙂 But I understand you… Read more »
I will say I saw many EJ/Sami fans unhappy with the poor lighting of the first time EJ and Sami had sex. Although I think the complaint was based on not seeing enough of James Scott’s body. Lol! And yes fighting leading straight to sex is oh so romantic…sarcasm. I do watch, I tend to be behind anywhere from 2 to 4 episodes., catching up on long weekends such as this one.
They had one moment of candlelight dinner and fighting that led to passionate sex. I’m referencing an actual love scene that you claim doesn’t happen of them saying romantic things to each other and carrying her upstairs bridal style where they Made Love with montage , corny love music, and rose petals. Like I said, you’re nitpicking. Also poor lighting has nothing to do with context of a scene unless someone makes a point to be shown turning off a light for whatever reason. I personally loved the cinamitography of those love scenes to each his own. Fans of other… Read more »
Actually, I think the build up to Sami and EJ finally hitting the sheets was relatively lengthy. Hey, they’re not married yet.
Trying to compare Sami and EJ to Sami and Rafe is extremely difficult, because the difference in the creative teams’ visions tend to muck things up. For that reason, it’s a waste of time debating whether Ejami have been under each other’s skin from day one or whether Safe feel in love in the safehouse. Viewers will have arguments for both scenarios, but what’s the point? Tomorrow it might be different.
I’m not a fan of Ej and Sami and stopped watching because of them.
I also stopped watching when they paired a rapist (and a thief, murderer, rapist by proxy to name just a few of his crimes) with his victim and because of the minimal acting abilities of this couple who has been front and center for WAY too long. Now I hear that a priest has been raped and is considered some kind of cutting edge story. Glad I stopped watching previously so I didn’t have to see this sacrilege. This whole interview was just nauseating in its bias and its focus on the worst aspects of this pitiful excuse for a… Read more »
There has been far more outrageous pairings and storylines all over the years on every soaps including Days. You don’t want to watch anymore, your choice, your prerogative but a rapist with his ‘victim’ (it was not rape to me in this case but i will not engage in this tiring debate it is my pov and opinion) is not new to soaps storytelling and the Kristen story is not more outrageous than other stories written on this show, on other soaps or even for the Kristen character (she put Brady at the hospital, tried to ruin his relationship with… Read more »
Ratings and Demos are up..and not just because of EJAMI other things too.Wilson,Bristen,Kristen,Ericole,Bricole.I dont get posting about things you dont watch anymore,but whateves
Ken Corday promised that we would get EJami LSB, but all we get is an overdose of Dannifer and JJ. Why doesn’t EJami have more airtime.? EJami is supposed to be in a love story, I don’t want to see them constantly fighting and keeping secrets from one another. This seems like the same old EJami merry-go-round. I would also like Rafe to be permanently removed out of their orbit. Sami should be way over him and EJ should n’t be seeing him as a threat to his family.
Yep the Ej keep secrets and Sami is crushed and leave/dump him when she discover is GETTING SERIOUSLY OLD. We want schemes and adventures for them.
ITA
Rafe’s in a coma and Sami’s done nothing but hug and kiss all over EJ. How much farther removed does Rafe have to be?
But I do agree that EJ/Sami aren’t being given a real storyline. I don’t like them or feel they are a “love story”, but I have felt they way the were paired after Gabi’s wedding disaster and subsequent lack of independent storyline would be upsetting to a lot of EJ/Sami fans. This is what Corday considers “lock, stock, and barrel”? That’s just plain sad.
A love story? Falling in love with your rapist and abuser is hardly potential for a love story. EJ views Rafe as a threat because he knows that he was Sami’s second choice, because things with Rafe went sour over Gabi and Will. That’s never going to change. EJ is insecure, and rightfully so.
I love EJ, and I love Sami. I just despise them together, given their history. I feel it’s disrespectful to so many women who are victims of abuse.
I love Ej and i love Sami and i love them together, everybody has different taste. No big deal.
The rapist defense has gotten old. It is a new era and The showed has moved from it.
It’s not defense if it’s the truth. And it is the truth. So now we’re saying this is something all women should just move on from, act like it never happened? If this was your mother, sister, daughter who had been raped, then made to believe her daughter was kidnapped and then dead with her bloody clothes sent to her, had her husband replaced with a sick clone- only to find out a couple years later they were engaged to marry the same person who did these terrible things without showing remorse for any of it- is this what you’d… Read more »
He did show remorse for months and she got her revenge by shooting him !
I believe we had 3 rounds of E.J. and Nicole. He wasn’t abusive towards her? And don’t get me started on the travesty that was LUMI. Or SAFE.
And how many times were Sami and Austin engaged? Sami raped him. How many viewers worried then about what DAYS was portraying?
There was no remorse. All he wanted in the end of the Sydnapping was to beat Rafe out as being Sami’s “hero” by bringing Sydney back and making Sami think Rafe was incompetent. Sami shot him because the threatened to kidnap both children. That’s not remorse. Oh, and that same night, he also choked Nicole. Getting physically violent with someone is NOT showing remorse for your own actions; that’s just trying to pass the blame for his actions and taking his anger out onto Nicole.
He did show remorse multiple times, he even stopped his revenge scheme because he was FULL of remorse and did not want to leave Sami anymore (his first intenetion was to left her). Sami shot as a revenge motivation, Kate told her something she was not sure at all Ej was suicidal and drunk it is not at this time he would kidnap his children. Ej showed guilt and remorse ALL summer about what he did to Sami and did everything he could to make up for it except telling the truth of course (he was too afraid to lose… Read more »
Sami was a rapist and baby kidnapper before EJ was even born on the show. Her eyes lit up like a kid at a candy store when she found out that there was a drug that could “break down his honor” [Austin’s]. If she wants to forgive EJ for being the male version of herself, I think it’s totally understandable. Soapland is crazy and the characters of EJ and Sami are especially so. Both have gone off the deep end at times, yet also have a big heart. EJ has jumped in front of a bullet for Sami without hesitation.… Read more »
“James and Alison are vastly important to this show.” I agree with Ken on this! I adore both of their characters in their own right, but I’ll definitely be rooting for my daytime dream team, EJ and Samantha, to overcome whatever bumps come their way.
Will miss Chandler when he goes. At least we’ll still see him on our screens for a good while. Looking forward to meeting the new characters. Congrats to Days for a well deserved Emmy win!
First off so happy that DOOL received Emmy wins this year and the demos have improved, I’m sad to hear few actors not staying on though. I wish the show all the best. The first reason I ever watched this soap is because I felt inspired by the characters of Sami and EJ these two just bring so much onscreen and I love seeing that the show is finally writing them romantically, there is so much story line potential that is yet to be told here. I don’t buy villains being not nice though maybe several decades ago, but as… Read more »
I haven’t watched the show in months and it’s due to the Sami/Ej pairing, so no not all fans wanted Ejami.
Well apparently others feel differently.Days has reached 3rd place in KEY demos.And ratings are up 14% over this time last year.
Well if ratings are up it has nothing to do with junior/Sami…There engagement brought in a whopping 1.7 and the last rating period was heavy with junior/Sami on Thursday and Friday and those days were 1.8 and 1.7 “SOME” viewers could give a rip what junior/Sami do!
Ken Corday did say they are happy ratings are UP, not down as some people like to claim. And I think the NBC execs & Corday Productions would know what the ratings are better than anyone.
Ratings went up in May sweeps, the baby storyline and there was lots of drama. Please don’t attribute a rise in ratings to Ej /Sami because when they first hooked up ratings were falling
Umm,get ur facts straight.The day of the EJAMI engagement we had the Boston Bombings.Days didnt even air on the West coast that day.Regardless ratings are up and not down as some said would happen the minute EJAMI became a pairing.Is the surge due to EJAMI??No,,but they are part of it.If you hate EJAMI as much as you claim,you sure spend alot of time giving us buzz!!Thank you!
3rd out of 4 hey that ain’t bad Liz, but they are way behind B&B and Y&R but of course that would not matter to you. Rating up 14% compared to last year, we will see how long that last!
My name is Lisa..and its up and the show is better.Thats all that matters to me.I LOVE days and I want ALL the soaps to do well.
The ratings did not surge the second EJami got together, they plateaued and fluctuated, typically seeing higher total viewers on days they weren’t featured together.
good storytelling make ratings and well set-up climax not simple pairings of characters.
I totally agree with that Liv. The ratings go up with good storytelling.
Well actually if you go back and look the one constant during ratings spikes was the lack of Rafe on our screen….just sayin.
Lol, Molly! Well I know that I always enjoy the show a lot more when Rafe is out of town or in a coma.
I’m actually disappointed in this interview. Michael, you chose to make such a sweeping statement that ‘everyone wanted Ejami’….as a journalist, and someone that has been around for a long time, you of all people know that is completely not true. You should have said something like, “some fans truly wanted to see Ejami in a romantic story. That would have been more appropriate. I know of many that don’t want Ejami, have never wanted Ejami and will never want Ejami. Some have even stopped watching the show because of the pairing and how the show has chosen to so… Read more »
Lucas stan alert ! ha.
And? So what? i love the character of Lucas… I loveEricole, i love Brady. Why does that matter? you have a problem with that? It’s on you.
great interview–and right on –everybody wants ejami–only reason most people watch
Respectfully Vickie, you are so wrong, many people have different reason for watching than ejami, I have never liked Sami or Ej and I have faithfully watched all of Sami HYSTERIA since 1993. All be it that was not the reason I was watching because I have not like Ali Sweeney or the character of Sami Brady since her arrival In 1991 when she was basically a sweet little girl with “Roman” I loved the character of Sami Brady then. My point everyone loves Ejami is an out an out lie there are many Ejami haters out there. Ejami together… Read more »
Many people watch a show faithfully for many years because it is an ENSEMBLE cast, or at least that’s what soap operas should be. I know many people who have watched their “stories” (as my grandmother calls them) for many years, through many cast changes because the love the SHOW, not just ONE actor/actress or ONE pairing. I personally have watched Days for over 20 years, long before EJ/Sami. I started watching just before Alison Sweeney started on the show, actually.
Vickie,
No not “everybody” wants EJami.
Just say I want EJami and many people I know want EJami it’s the reason the people I know watch.
That way no one will feel the need to correct you.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Becomes Possessed … Again!
On Tuesday’s episode of Days of our Lives, the devil had his way with his favorite person, Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)! In story, leave it to Marlena to save Doug (Bill Hayes) by giving herself up to Satan!
As Doug revealed himself to be Satan while in a therapy session with Marlena in her office, a shook Marlena tries to comprehend what is happening! When the devil says if Marlena won’t accept him in, she will punish Doug, he does just that.
Photo: JPI
Poor Doug is left writhing in pain and on the floor, crying out for help! When we come back to the scene Marlena is not exactly right near his body, but sort of overlooking what is happening. Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) rushes into Marlena’s office to find Doug as Marlena stares blankly. Eventually, she calls for help.
After Doug is put in a hospital room and is monitored, Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) and Tripp (Lucas Adams) can’t find anything wrong with him. Meanwhile, Julie finds Marlena at the nurses station and asks what happened with Doug during their therapy session. Marlena flashes back to what led to Doug writing on the floor, and clearly something is way off with Marlena, because she has now become possessed.
Later, Julie sits by Doug’s hospital bed as he opens his eyes, as he tells his beloved wife, “He left me and went in to her.” A confused Julie is left to ponder what on earth Doug could be talking about.
When Marlena comes home to John (Drake Hogestyn) – who is already concerned with Johnny (Carson Boatman) being set on making a movie of Sami’s life story which includes points on Marlena’s original possession – she tells him Doug collapsed in her office. When the two hug, Marlena slowly opens her eyes revealing that they are glowing yellow. Yup! We are off to the races. Marlena is now once again possessed.
So, what did you think about the scenes between Deidre Hall and Bill Hayes? Are you enjoying the revisiting of the infamous ‘possession’ storyline thus far? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
Days Of Our Lives
Ron Carlivati Talks on the Creation, Scenes & Cast of ‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’
Last week viewers saw all five episodes of the limited-series Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem drop on Peacock. It was the first foray for the long-running NBC daytime drama series onto a streaming platform with an original self-contained story, in a move that is forward-thinking, and another avenue for soaps to be seen on and to keep the genre remaining relevant in the pop culture of today.
The head writer of Days of our Lives’ Ron Carlivati was also in charge of the overall story and direction and development of the creative of the limited-series, and following the initial streaming of all five episodes talked with Michael Fairman for in-depth look at the scenes, the moments and the casting of “Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem”, exclusively on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
Photo: JPI
During the conversation, Carlivati explained the impetus for bringing back Lisa Rinna to her signature role as Billie Reed, how the writing team created the parody of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills infamous “Amsterdam'” scene which featured Rinna and Eileen Davidson (Kristen/Sister Mary Moira) who also returned for the DAYS limited-series, and why they felt it was important to bring Davidson back to the roles she originated for the streamer.
Photo: JPI
In addition, Ron shares details of what went into the decision to recast the role of Sonny Kiriakis for the series with Zach Tinker, after Freddie Smith did not return for it, the casting of Peter Porte in his dual role as ISA agent Kyle Graham and bad guy Dimitri Von Leuschner, how the hilarious drag show scenes came to fruition, and how the decision was made to have Deidre Hall do the voiceover in the opening title sequence, plus his thoughts on the performances of the stellar cast.
Photo” JPI
Watch the chat with Ron below, and in case you missed it, our chat with cast members: Eileen Davidson, Peter Porte, Charles Shaughnessy, Zach Tinker and Rob Scott Wilson … and if you haven’t check out “Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem” its continuing to stream on Peacock.
So, what was your favorite part of Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem? Let us know in the comment section below.
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Becomes Possessed … Again!
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Comes Home as Jason and Carly Begin Their Wedding Night
Beloved Soap Stars Left Out of 2021 Primetime Emmy Broadcast In-Memoriam Tribute
TONIGHT: 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards on CBS
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Nina He Knows Exactly Who He Is; Jason & Carly’s Wedding Comes to an Explosive Conclusion
Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
Soap Vet Exec Prod and Director, Chris Goutman, Virtual Interview On Tap
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Remembers Carly Just as She Is Marrying Jason
Ron Carlivati Talks on the Creation, Scenes & Cast of ‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’
REPORT: Clayton Echard Cast as the Next ‘Bachelor’ for its Upcoming 26th Season
Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
Briana Nicole Henry on Her Decision to Exit GH: “I Decided It Was Time to Move On”
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Remembers Carly Just as She Is Marrying Jason
Days of our Lives Revisits ‘The Possession Storyline’ This Fall
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Nina He Knows Exactly Who He Is; Jason & Carly’s Wedding Comes to an Explosive Conclusion
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Comes Home as Jason and Carly Begin Their Wedding Night
Janice Lynde Making a Return to The Young and the Restless
‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’ Stars Talk the ‘Making of’ the Limited-Series & the Moments They Loved
Ron Carlivati Talks on the Creation, Scenes & Cast of ‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’
Beloved Soap Stars Left Out of 2021 Primetime Emmy Broadcast In-Memoriam Tribute
Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
Days of our Lives Revisits ‘The Possession Storyline’ This Fall
‘The Talk’ Unveils Its Season 12 Premiere Promo with its New Host Line-Up
WATCH: Kimberly McCullough Reunite and Visit with Maurice Benard on ‘State of Mind’
B&B’s EP and Head Writer, Brad Bell, On Bringing Back Sheila Carter
‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’ Drops Trailer; Announces Charles Shaughnessy and Jackie Cox Cast Additions
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Sheila’s Going To Make Sure She Has Jack & Finn Right Where She Wants Them
Carrie Ann Inaba Officially Departs ‘The Talk’
THIS SATURDAY: Jen Lilley, Ryan Paevey and Linda Dano in Hallmark’s ‘A Little Daytime Drama’
WATCH: GH’s Maurice Benard Duet with his Son Joshua On ‘Elvis’ Classic
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Days Of Our LivesSeptember 18, 2021Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
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General HospitalSeptember 14, 2021Briana Nicole Henry on Her Decision to Exit GH: “I Decided It Was Time to Move On”
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General HospitalSeptember 17, 2021GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Remembers Carly Just as She Is Marrying Jason
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Days Of Our LivesSeptember 13, 2021Days of our Lives Revisits ‘The Possession Storyline’ This Fall
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General HospitalSeptember 18, 2021GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Nina He Knows Exactly Who He Is; Jason & Carly’s Wedding Comes to an Explosive Conclusion
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General HospitalSeptember 21, 2021GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Comes Home as Jason and Carly Begin Their Wedding Night
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NewsSeptember 15, 2021Janice Lynde Making a Return to The Young and the Restless
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Days Of Our LivesSeptember 14, 2021‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’ Stars Talk the ‘Making of’ the Limited-Series & the Moments They Loved