Days Of Our Lives
THE SHAWN CHRISTIAN INTERVIEW – DAYS OF OUR LIVES
By Michael Fairman
Listen to the audio:
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TV SOAP:
You and I were on the phone together for this interview when the earthquake hit, and we are now doing this interview post-quake. So here was the scenario…you and I are on the phone and my whole place was shaking. I did not know where to go. Once we hung up, I checked the news and they said to go out to the street. So, I went to the street and I said to myself, “Should I stand here where the poles are?” What did you do?
SHAWN:
Nothing. I got out of my house. When I listened to the news later they said get under a doorway and then said, “No, no, no” that’s not a good idea anymore, but getting under a desk is a good idea. Then they said, “Go outside”… then, “not to go outside, because there were trees and poles that could fall on you.” I was like, “Well, what the heck, man!”
TV SOAP:
So, what do you think Daniel is really doing right now? Is he playing the field, or is there someone he really likes?
SHAWN:
I think initially Daniel is a guy who lives in the moment, but I think where his romantic intentions lay, are with Chelsea, and then with Kate, this is one of those experiences where Daniel just discovered that he was the cause of Chelsea’s infertility. He immediately hit the bar and got drunk, and Kate came into his life.
TV SOAP:
It’s amazing how Kate is always there when men are down in the dumps.
SHAWN:
Isn’t that great? It’s true. I don’t know all of Kate’s history, but Lauren Koslow (Kate) works very hard at keeping the integrity of her character. She finds herself with these two characters that find themselves in a compromising circumstance with unintended consequences, really. At that moment, I was not involved with Chelsea. We had put our own spin on it. It wasn’t: “I am just drunk and fell into bed with you” and that whole thing. It felt like two people who needed each other at a low point in their life. And that’s our excuse for that. (He laughs).
TV SOAP:
But, what about the blossoming friendship of Docs, Lexie and Daniel?
SHAWN:
Now with Lexie, every time Daniel had a serious issue she always gets the brunt of his rage. I said to Renee Jones (Lexie) that, “It’s funny that every time I am about to lay my heart on the line and tell someone how I really feel, it seems to be you!”
TV SOAP:
That’s interesting, isn’t it? I wonder where that’s going to go.
SHAWN:
It’s interesting to me, because it’s a dynamic that has not been fully explored, and who knows? I mean truly, who knows? It could be one of those moments where your best friend could be one of those people that are there for Daniel, and then something more happens because of it.
TV SOAP:
Do you think Daniel is a little too old for Chelsea?
SHAWN:
No, I don’t. I think what you have got with the Chelsea character is someone who is so young and spirited that she is willing to put aside all of Daniel’s issues and live in the moment… which is how Daniel lives his life. There is the surfer and the surgeon. Qualities about this character are someone who loves excitement and wants to put himself out there and live on the edge. When he also finds someone who likes that, like Chelsea, who doesn’t like to dwell or live in the drama she is in, because she has this youthful energy about him. It feels like a perfect combination
TV SOAP:
Does Chelsea know Daniel slept with Kate?
SHAWN:
What’s coming up is that she does find out, and we are just filming that now. Again, what are the consequences of all this? And that’s why I end up once again talking to Lexie. I don’t have any family ties here in Salem, so whom do you turn to? Lexie is a colleague, and since we have worked together in life or death situations, Daniel can count on her trust.
TV SOAP:
Well, Lexie seems to sleep with a lot of the guys, too.
SHAWN:
I know. I heard.
TV SOAP:
She’s another tramp. (He laughs)
SHAWN:
I know. It’s so funny. I don’t want to be another guy on her list. It’s so funny!
TV SOAP:
She does not have a great track record. But, do you think with Daniel being a doctor, it is about the adrenaline rush?
SHAWN:
Yes. For me, Daniel gets a big rush… a big wave. This is how I was introduced, and that adrenaline for putting yourself in life or death situations, is very consistent with someone who finds an extraordinary rush by putting himself, or someone else’s life in his hands. I think for me, that is what Daniel finds exciting.
TV SOAP:
Do you surf in real life? I keep remembering pictures with you on a surfboard, or something.
SHAWN:
I surf occasionally. I did a show called, “Summerland”. Perhaps that is what you are thinking of.
TV SOAP:
I loved you in “Summerland”!
SHAWN:
You’re going to make me cry. Hold on a minute. It was so much fun! We would go to work on the beach three days a week. (He laughs)
TV SOAP:
When “DAYS” put the casting call out for this role, weren’t they going for a “Grey’s Anatomy” type like a “Dr. McDreamy, or “Dr. McSteamy”?
SHAWN:
They had talked about it, but look; Patrick Dempsey is an extraordinary actor, as well as a person, and I am no “McDreamy”. But, I think that it was part of what they were looking for. But, I can’t be that, so I have to find my own expression.
TV SOAP:
You are always cast as the ‘good looking guy’ because of your looks. How do you handle compliments based on your looks?
SHAWN:
I can take them graciously, for sure. Look, I have heard worse. (He laughs) I will take what I can get. It’s humbling. “But you know what? Everybody has extraordinary qualities and enormous flaws, and I am one of those people who has both. (He laughs)
TV SOAP:
What is your best quality?
SHAWN:
I think a lust for life, which also can be a bad quality. You know what I mean, right? I want to have this experience (acting on “DAYS”), which is why I love doing what I do. I get to take myself and put myself in these unusual circumstances, which I wouldn’t get to have happen in my real life. For instance, when I get these roles often as guest stars on shows, I will be villains or evil characters, or downright cruel. Someone had seen me on “The Ghost Whisperer” and said, “You were just evil, and you were torturing Jennifer Love Hewitt!” I went, “Yeah, I know. It was fun wasn’t it?” So sometimes you get privy to some of those roles, and you get to throw your looks right out the door.
TV SOAP:
Which is good, in a way?
SHAWN:
It’s great! I put forth that much more effort and work to make sure I am not going to be the pretty boy who walks in and they go, “He is just this one dimensional cardboard cut out who is pretty, and let’s just do that.” It is something you earn. All actors have to do that. You have to understand that everyone wants to put you in a box. I work really hard to try and stay out of that box.
TV SOAP:
When you make the list for the top 25 ‘soap hunks’, is that all right with you?
SHAWN:
Hell, yeah! I will take a compliment. Look man, I will take what I can get, and any of those compliments I give to my Mom, because she is the beautiful one.
TV SOAP:
You have also been on “ATWT” and “OLTL”. Do you have a favorite soap role?
SHAWN:
They do start to blur into one, but I would have to say it’s usually the one that I am doing. I get invested in it and excited about it. It’s when I can blend comedy and drama, and play someone who does not take himself seriously, like an anti-hero, where things can change on a dime, but also with a sense of humor. Those are the most exciting characters.
TV SOAP:
Have you stayed in touch with some of your former soap cast mates?
SHAWN:
Yeah, during the Daytime Emmys… I had drinks with Maura West (Carly, “ATWT”).
TV SOAP:
She is a great actress!
SHAWN:
She is fantastic! I love her and miss her. She is so gifted, and she figured it out. She knows what she wants and she is doing it. She is a great mother, and she has a great family and a great life outside of New York and the soap world. Certainly, she has an extraordinary reputation and talent in the soap world.
TV SOAP:
Can you say a few words about working with Lauren Koslow (Kate)?
SHAWN:
She has this humble sexuality and sensuality that I don’t know if she is aware of. She has a great sense of humor about it all, and about life, and is almost a little quirky.
TV SOAP:
…Rachel Melvin (Chelsea)?
SHAWN:
She is absolutely quirky and refreshing, bold and honest, and I respect and appreciate that, especially being in LA.
TV SOAP:
…And Renee Jones (Lexie)?
SHAWN:
She seems to be very much in touch with whom she is. She is willing to work hard when we have scenes together. She is available to put in the work, and I find her giving and honest.
TV SOAP:
So, with everything that has transpired that hit the news in the past week about “DAYS” head writer Dena Higley leaving the show… what is going on over there? Is anyone writing the show? Are you concerned?
SHAWN:
There are pow-wows going on, and I don’t know what’s really going on with the head writer, whether she is in or out. I really don’t. But you do hear whisperings throughout the hallways. A part of me tries to stay out of that and do what I was brought on to do… and that is act.
TV SOAP:
If you could have a storyline for Daniel that you created, what would it be?
SHAWN:
Maybe there is something dark and interesting about addiction. Someone who had a passion or an addiction to adrenaline can manifest himself into anything. That would be interesting and consistent with who he is.
TV SOAP:
Have you been to Australia?
SHAWN:
I haven’t, and if there is any way to get me there… let’s go! Yes, Michael. Figure it out and I am there.
TV SOAP:
In closing, what can we say to the fans to look forward to from Daniel? So you could be somebody’s somebody, because we never know in soaps.
SHAWN:
And if he is sleeping with everyone, it could just be off the charts crazy! (He laughs)
TV SOAP:
Are sex scenes tough to do on daytime?
SHAWN:
They can be. They are technical. They are not as sensual as they come off on air, but for me, I keep trying to push the envelope. But it’s daytime, and it has its limitations, but it certainly can be awesome. It beats shooting a murder scene in a movie at 3AM in downtown LA. You know what I mean? (He laughs)
TV SOAP:
Absolutely!
Breaking News
Steve Kent Reportedly OUT as Sony Pictures Television VP in Charge of DAYS and Y&R
On Friday, reports surfaced that Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President of Programming at Sony Pictures Television, is no longer with the company and overseeing the Sony soap operas, Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless.
According to Soap Opera Digest, a set side source reported that Kent’s last day was last Friday, April 12th, which was one day after what would have been his final appearance in his Sony VP role at the Days of our Lives 15,000th episode on set celebration.
During that ceremony, Kent gave a brief speech giving kudos to DAYS for its incredible milestone. Days is a co-production of Sony Pictures Television and Corday Productions, while Y&R is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company in association with Sony Pictures Television.
Photo: JPI
Kent started his soap opera career as a producer for CBS’ defunct Capitol and then as the supervising producer of NBC’s Santa Barbara from1984 to 1993.
Photo: JPI
At Sony, before his role overseeing the soaps, Kent was Senior Executive Vice President of International Productions for Sony Pictures Television International department.
If reports are true, the question becomes who has taken over his position, and would oversee DAYS and Y&R from the Sony side? Share your thoughts on this developing story via the comment section below.
Breaking News
(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!
After exciting morning for your favorite daytime stars when they were revealed to be nominees for the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards comes tonight 10th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special.
Beginning at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT, several of the nominees will talk with Michael Fairman on their reactions to the news they have been nominated for a Daytime Emmy, share what scenes they submitted that landed in the top five or six in their respective performer acting categories and much more.
Scheduled to appear are: Days of our Lives nominees, Tamara Braun (Ava), Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Linsey Godfrey (Sarah), The Young and the Restless nominees: Allison Lanier (Summer), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Courtney Hope (Sally), Bryton James (Devon), The Bold and the Beautiful’s John McCook (Eric), General Hospital nominees, Finola Hughes (Anna) and Alley Mills (Heather), and The Bay’s Mike Manning (Caleb).
Photo: JPI
The 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ on Friday night, June 7th and emanating, once again this year from the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
Photo: JPI
For a full list of this year’s nominations click here.
Now, watch below as the stars chat it up as we celebrate their Daytime Emmy Nominations. If you have a potential question you might want posed to any of our guests, drop it in the comment section below and we just might ask it on air.
Breaking News
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) have officially announced on Friday, the full list of nominees for the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
While Thursday brought with it four reveals of the nominees in the Outstanding Daytime Drama, Talk Show Host, Lead Actor and Actress categories (as presented by various entertainment news programs), today’s nominations include all the other categories not previously announced.
The Daytime Emmy Awards telecast is set to be presented live on Friday night, June 7, at 8 PM EDT /delayed PT, on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+. This will mark the 18th time that CBS has broadcast the Daytime Emmys.
Photo: JPI
In addition, The Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy Awards will be presented on Saturday, June 8 at t9 PM ET/6 PM PT and streamed on The Emmys apps and at watch.TheEmmys.tv. The ceremonies will take place at the Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles.
Television icon, Dick Van Dyke has received his first-ever Daytime Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Guest Performer category for his touching portrayal of Timothy Robicheaux on Peacock’s Days of our Lives. The nomination makes Van Dyke the oldest Daytime Emmy nominee in history at 98-years-old. In addition, motion picture and TV star, Guy Pearce, is also nominated as Guest Performer for his longtime role as Mike Young in the reboot of Neighbours.
Speaking of Neighbours, the Australian soap opera also received its first ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Daytime Drama Series now that its a revival can be streamed on Amazon Freevee. In addition, The Young and the Restless iconic, Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) received his first Daytime Emmy nomination in more than 20 years in the Lead Actor in a Drama Series category.
Photo: AmazonFreevee
In the Daytime Drama series categories, CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless each scored 12 nominations more than any other show. Leading the acting nominations was B&B, who landed 7 performers in the various categories, a first in its 37-year history.
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President & CEO, NATAS expressed, “We are happy to once again honor the creative talent both in front of and behind the camera of America’s favorite Daytime programs. We look forward to celebrating the icons who enliven the days of audiences across the country.”
Photo: JPI
Brent Stanton, Head of Daytime, NATAS added, “Producing the Daytime Emmys is a labor of love for all of us at NATAS. The huge popularity of these shows continues to be must-see viewing for their fans.” NATAS also revealed that Lifetime Achievement Honorees, Hosts, Presenters, and Silver and Gold Circle honorees will be revealed at a later date.
The Daytime Emmy Awards recognize outstanding achievement in television programming honoring work in a variety of categories, including daytime dramas, talk shows, instructional programming, hosting, culinary, and legal/courtroom programs. In 2021, NATAS and the Television Academy jointly announced plans to realign the Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards to be organized by content genre, as opposed to program airtime.
The 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be produced once again by NATAS and Associated Television International (ATI). Adam Sharp and Lisa Armstrong are executive producers from NATAS, while David McKenzie executive produces from ATI.
Congratulations to all the men and women in front of the camera and behind the scenes for their recognition as we take a look at who will be going for gold come June. Here are the nominees below starting with the Daytime Drama Categories.
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
Neighbours
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS
Tamara Braun, Days of our Lives
Finola Hughes, General Hospital
Katherine Kelly Lang, The Bold and the Beautiful
Annika Noelle, The Bold and the Beautiful
Michelle Stafford, The Young and the Restless
Cynthia Watros, General Hospital
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR
Eric Braeden, The Young and the Restless
Scott Clifton, The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye, The Bold and the Beautiful
Eric Martsolf, Days of our Lives
John McCook, The Bold and the Beautiful
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS
Jennifer Gareis, The Bold and the Beautiful
Linsey Godfrey, Days of our Lives
Courtney Hope, The Young and the Restless
Allison Lanier, The Young and the Restless
Emily O’Brien, Days of our Lives
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR
Robert Gossett, General Hospital
Bryton James, The Young and the Restless
Wally Kurth, Days of our Lives
A Martinez, The Bay
Mike Manning, The Bay
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
Linden Ashby, The Young and the Restless
Ashley Jones, The Bold and the Beautiful
Alley Mills, General Hospital
Guy Pearce, Neighbours
Dick Van Dyke, Days of our Lives
OUTSTANDING WRITING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Photo: JPI
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DIRECTION
General Hospital
The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The View
Photo: ABC
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL DIRECTION, CAMERAWORK, VIDEO
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade
The Kelly Clarkson Show
OUTSTANDING CASTING
African Queens: Njinga
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
Start Up
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING ART DIRECTION/SET DECORATION/SCENIC DESIGN
African Queens: Njinga
The Drew Barrymore Show
General Hospital
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The View
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN/STYLING
African Queens: Njinga
The Bold and the Beautiful
The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri
Photo: WarnerBros
OUTSTANDING HAIRSTYLING AND MAKEUP
African Queens: Njinga
The Drew Barrymore Show
Sherri
The View
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SONG
“Shine” General Hospital
“Unexpected Truth”Unexpected
“We’re Home” Reconnecting Roots
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME TALK SERIES
The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall
Turning The Tables with Robin Roberts
The View
Photo: ABC
OUTSTANDING ENTERTAINMENT NEWS SERIES
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
OUTSTANDING CULINARY SERIES
Be My Guest with Ina Garten
Family Dinner
Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays
Valerie’s Home Cooking
What Am I Eating? with Zooey Deschanel
OUTSTANDING LEGAL/COURTROOM PROGRAM
Hot Bench
Judy Justice
Justice For The People with Judge Milian
The People’s Court
We The People with Judge Lauren Lake
Photo: Disney/ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES HOST
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Mark Consuelos, Kelly Ripa, Live with Kelly and Mark
Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Natalie Morales, Jerry O’Connell, Sheryl Underwood, The Talk
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
OUTSTANDING CULINARY HOST
Lidia Bastianich, 25 Years with Lidia: A Culinary Jubilee
Valerie Bertinelli, Valerie’s Home Cooking
Eduardo Garcia, Big Sky Kitchen with Eduardo Garcia
Emeril Lagasse, Emeril Cooks
Sophia Roe, Counter Space
Buddy Valastro, Legends of the Fork
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME PERSONALITY – DAILY
Frank Caprio, Caught in Providence
Kevin Frazier, Nischelle Turner , Matt Cohen, Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Will Marfuggi, Rachel Smith, Entertainment Tonight
Deborah Norville, Steven Fabian, Lisa Guerrero, Ann Mercogliano, Jim Moret, Les Trent. Inside Edition
Robert Hernandez, Star Jones, Divorce Court
Judge Judy Sheindlin, Whitney Kumar, Kevin Rasco, Sarah Rose, Judy Justice
What do you think about the nominations for the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Who do you think deserved to get in that did? Who do you think got snubbed? Who are you happiest to see receive a nomination? Let us know via the comment section below.
Make sure to be with us live starting tonight Friday, April 19th at 8pm ET/5pm PT for the Michael Fairman Channel’s 10th anniversary edition of its Daytime Emmy Nomination Special 2024, featuring some of the just announced daytime drama nominees.
Steve Kent Reportedly OUT as Sony Pictures Television VP in Charge of DAYS and Y&R
(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods
Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
51st Daytime Emmys: Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa Receive Talk Show Host Nominations
General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
DAYS Alum Tanner Stine to Appear in ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’ Starring Nicholas Chavez
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Set to Be Announced
B&B’s Sean Kanan, Heather Tom and Lawrence Saint-Victor All Had Creative Hand in Sheila’s ‘Ten Toe’ Reveal
(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods
General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
Y&R’s Hayley Erin Previews Her Role in Horror-Thriller ‘New Life’
‘The Golden Bachelor’s’ Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist to Divorce Three Months After TV Wedding
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