News
TODAY: Dark Shadows 50th Anniversary Celebrated On Decades Network!

Courtesy/Decades
It was 50 years ago that the first gothic soap opera came to be, when the iconic Dark Shadows debuted on ABC on June 27th, 1966. In the network line-up it followed General Hospital and The Nurses.
The series aired from 1966-1971, and Dark Shadows became a phenom with vampire Barnabas Collins, a role made famous by Jonathan Frid, as the show’s most beloved and recognizable character. Dark Shadows took its viewers audiences to the mysterious town of Collinsport, Maine, and all of its characters. Dark Shadows also feautured in its cast: David Selby, Grayson Hall, Kathryn Leigh Scott and so many others over its short, but historic run.
Today, Decades Network will be featuring Dark Shadows episodes, including the debut of vampire Barnabas Collins. Decades remembers the premiere of this cult favorite with the 12 episodes that marked the beginning of the Barnabas storyline, one that propelled the daytime series to new heights. The episodes will be presented in groups of three at 9 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. ET and 3 a.m. ET.
In addition to the selected Dark Shadows episodes, the Decades original one-hour daily series Through the Decades will present an exclusive interview with Steven August Papa, the proclaimed #1 lifetime fan of Dark Shadows, who shares his childhood love for the show and why he is still hooked many years later. They also speak with Walter Podrazik, Television Curator at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago, about the show’s place in TV history. The episode will feature interviews with cast members Jonathan Frid (Barnabas Collins), Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans) and Lara Parker (Angelique Bouchard Collins).
Decades.com will also present the 1968 Dick Cavett interview with Jonathan Frid. Once thought lost, this rare audio recording is taken from an interview on The Dick Cavett Show not seen on television since it originally aired. The interview covers a variety of topics including the actor’s thoughts on researching and playing the vampire Barnabas Collins, a memorable and chaotic press tour he took for publicity, fan mail influencing the show, and his rapport with actress and co-star Grayson Hall who played Dr. Julia Hoffman.
So, were you a fan of Dark Shadows? Share your thoughts on Decades Network remembering their 50th anniversary in the comment section below!
I’ve been watching DS on Decades this morning. I’d love to see more.
I wish I had known about this tribute, I would of stayed home today. Loved everything Dark Shadows, watched it every day after school.
im its no1 fan.-lol..i even had figures made of the cast…still own books, records,board games and ring ect…..ive watched the episodes every time they air…its my top favorite serial and tv series of all time!!!…and im watching on decades!!!
i wish Edge Of NIght saved their episodes as it is my second favorite series….
0ohh my gorsh!
the music gave the creepy feeling..
When Barnabas walked to the door the drum went- boom booom booom booom..
the short celebration left me wanting a lot more!
can’t wait for Decades 3 day binge of Dark Shadows, again.
I wish a network would run DS again, 2 episodes a day for 2-1/2 years!
I LOVED Dark Shadows and have many fond memories of watching with my sisters when they came home from school or summer break. I’d watch if I could.
Thanks for the memories Dark Shadows!
I did check out Decades.com Thanks for the info Mr. Fairman! Love it!
I love you Dark Shadows !!
I wish they would bring this show back… it would totally do well today! Loved the 90s remake!
I’m catching the 8pm (ct) tonight.
When the new network ‘Decades’ aired, it’s very 1st ”bing”premiere weekend it aired Dark Shadows.. It ran the episodes for 3 days, nonstop..
It was fun.. too sad I didn’t record it..
There will be another 3 day binge of Dark Shadows’ looking forward to it, again.
Tonight is 12 episodes to celebrate it’s 50th !
btw; Decades rocks!
This 3 day/weekend binge was the original Superman from the 50’s B&W to color..
It was fun seeing those Superman episodes!!
I am dating myself, but this was my soap! It was right up there with The Edge of Night.
My two personal faves. Add OLTL and its my perfect trio!
This was an awesome show, they don’t make them like this anymore! Growing in San Jose, Ca I remember as a kid watching this show and I remember Kate Jackson in 1970 she was awesome then and of course was the smartest Angel on Charlie’s Angels.
David Shelby was awesome as well.
There is 3 day convention/festival going on as I write in NY.
Dark Shadows will never die!
Every year since it went off air there has been the yearly Dark Shadows convention, every year to date.
The stars would be there and etc..
There are Dark Shadows Cruises since 2009–
(((((Activities will include special DARK SHADOWS screenings and DS Costume Party with the stars, Q&A sessions, autographs, a special DARK SHADOWS Origins in Martinique Presentation, performances by the stars, a bus tour of Martinique and much more!
Rates are per person based on double occupancy and includes all meals, all shipboard entertainment, all port charges and DARK SHADOWS registration fee. Fans who join now with a refundable deposit by March 31, 2014 will attend a private Cast Party on the ship!)))
Dark Shadows has Facebook and Twitter, and a very active fan club.
There are still DS costume parties and books and memorabilia being sold and collected.
I find that so amazing that Dark shadows lives on that I had to Mention it.
……….. And it has been 50 years!!!
I’m sorry I missed Dark Shadows. Why did it go off air?
Since it went off the air the second time, I think you mean. It was originally on ABC, and a decade later NBC (in its ITC Serif Gothic typeface days) rebroadcast it. I was living in NYC at the time and still remember the commercials for The Milford Plaza and Rollin’ Roaster.
Dark Shadows also aired on the SyFy channel ..
who played Quintin Collins?
David Selby, Maureen.
Tivoed the whole series on Decades and will binge watch this weekend! It was my first soap that I’d run straight home after school to see. Lots of great memories watching the Decade Channel shows and so happy to catch the DS 50th Anniversary marathon.
Sadly, DECADES has no immediate plans to add Dark Shadows to its daily lineup. But you never know. Because once Barnabas has risen, he won’t go back in his coffin without a fight.
“Dark Shadows” has taken to Twitter and Facebook suggesting that fans email DECADES “saying how much you love the show and want to see all the episodes.” It’s an excellent idea, considering that DS has a loyal (and vocal) fanbase.
The DECADES email address is
—— [email protected]
Or you can send a letter via snail mail (always more impactful) to:
Weigel Broadcasting
26 N. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60661
Thanks su!
I have been attending Dark Shadows events since 1983. I was at the one in Tarrytown this past weekend. It was so much fun to revisit a part of my life that has brought me so much pleasure for so many years.
When I texted my sister to let her know DS was on Decades (which I don’t get with ATT UVerse) she told me I could watch on HULU for anyone who is interested.
My wife & I attended the 50th Anniversary Dark Shadows Festival in Tarrytown , NY last weekend. Twelve former DS cast members were there & signed autographs & had photos taken with fans. It was our third festival & we enjoy it more each time:-)
Eugene and Jay..
wow! how awesome you both were at the 50th Anniversary Dark Shadows Festival in Tarrytown , NY … what a great time you had!!!
Would like to see Dark Shadows brought on Decades. Loved the recent marathons. I would like now to see the Quentin Collins day. So many fans would watch the show. Loved this show as a kid and would so enjoy seeing the show again.
General Hospital
Who Should Justin Bruening Play on ‘General Hospital’? Wife Alexa Havins is Down for His Return to Soaps

Will General Hospital be able to reunite on-screen real live loves and former All My Children co-stars Justin Bruening and Alexa Havins, by casting Justin in a role on the ABC daytime drama series?
The subject came back up when Alexa, who attended the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday, October 30 to root GH on to its sixth Outstanding Drama Series win in a row, spoke with Swoon.
Havins shared, “There’s always talk about him: ‘Is he going to come (on the show)?’ That would be amazing since we started (on a soap). Why not? He would definitely come in and play,”

Photo: ABC
IS IT TIME TO REUNITE JUSTIN AND ALEXA ON-SCREEN IN PORT CHARLES?
However, when taking to the red carpet, it was obvious Justin was not with his wife, and she clarified while she attended daytime’s biggest night, the former Jamie Martin of Pine Valley dropped her off at the Emmys, and went home to take of their four children. Alexa smiled, “Right now, he’s watching all my children. That’s my pun!”
Bruening and Havins married back in 2005. Recently, and as reported, Justin came to visit his wife at the set of General Hospital and posted some photos from it via his Instagram. One caption read directed towards Alexa, “You’re cute…..What are you doing the rest of your life? I’m thinking……… 4 kids? House in the burbs? 1,001 pets?”
General Hospital is also the current soap home of Bruening’s former TV father, Michael E. Knight (Martin Grey) who played Tad Martin on the beloved All My Children. So, if Justin nabs a role, he could be reunited with both his wife and Pine Valley father!
So, put your casting director hats on! If Justin Bruening were to come to General Hospital? Should be play an original role created for him? Should he be a recast for a character currently off the canvas? And, should he brought on as a love interest for Lulu Spencer or someone else? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Raven Bowens Breaks Silence About Being Fired From ‘Days of our Lives’ and Her Future Plans

Days of our Lives actress Raven Bowens has opened about publicly about what happened when she learned back at the very beginning of 2026 that she was being let-go by the soap opera after playing Chanel Dupree for five years.
Bowens took to her TikTok and explained in a video what went down and how that helped inspire her next move in life. “On January 2nd, before I could even start on any of my New Year’s resolutions, I got fired,” shared Bowens after receiving a call from DAYS early that morning.
“For the backstory, I spent five years working on Days of Our Lives. I played Chanel Dupree. I love my character. I love the show. I love everyone that I worked with. I had just signed a new contract that was for nine months, but every three months, your contract can not be renewed or picked up.”

Photo: JPI
THE DREADED CALL
Chanel recalled the moment she found out. “It’s like, eight o’clock in the morning, and I am completely blindsided” Next, Bowens recalled saying to her sister in that moment, “‘Why would my producer be calling me on January 2nd? We don’t go back to work for a week. Something is going on. I think I’m getting fired.” Then, Chanel revealed, “I answered that call, and that is what that call was.”
As to the reason for her pink-slip, Raven shared, “I was told that they didn’t have a storyline for me at the moment and so they will be writing my character off at the end of my current storyline.”
Trying to buckle up after hearing she was being fired, Raven recalled, “While that isn’t fun, that is the business of show business, especially on soap operas. So it is what it is. That’s the contract I signed. I had to accept it. But it was a really hard reality.” She realized, “Having spent five years in Salem, I got comfortable. That was like my second home.”
RAVEN BOWENS EXITS DAYS ALONG WITH THREE OTHER ACTORS
As Days of our Lives fans know, Bowens along with her on-screen love Carson Boatman (Johnny), Leo Howard (Tate) and Ashley Puzemis (Holly) were also let go at the same time. Since DAYS tapes nearly 10-11 months in advance, Raven and Carson’s final airdates should be right around the corner, although nothing has been released.
After explaining the life-changing job news, Raven explained what she is up to next: “My next chapter is not my acting career ending because I’m an actress. I will always be an actress. I have sacrificed so much for this life and for this career and I love it. I will never give it up and I will never quit. However, losing the job made me realize the importance other streams of income.”
THE NEXT CHAPTER POST-DAYS
From there, Bowens encouraged fans to follow her journey on TikTok to become a millionaire by the end of 2027 with money and wealth management. In fact, she launched a new TikTok series, Millionaire Pending where she plans to document the financial journey she is with advice from a financial adviser, wealth coach and her father.
Bowens explained, “When that job ended, I was kind of shocked. I had felt a certain sense of security, even working in a non-secure profession, and I didn’t really prepare. This series is me trying to put myself in a position so that nothing like this ever happens again.”
So what do you think about Raven coming forward with how her dismissal from Days of our Lives went down? Will you miss Chanel and Johnny when they eventually exit Salem? Will you be interested to check out Raven’s wealth management series on TikTok to see if you can pick up any pointers for financial security and success? Let us know via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Favorite Alison Sweeney Launches New Podcast ‘Between Takes’

Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady, Days of our Lives) is jumping head first into the celebrity podcast rage with the launch of hers entitled, Between Takes with Alison Sweeney.
In between her busy schedule of Hallmark Channel movies, features, TV appearances and returns to Days of our Lives, Sweeney will now feature special guests each episode as previewed in her Instagram video clip announcing the new podcast series.
Accompanying her video, Sweeney expressed, “Trying something new! Check out my new podcast. Just fun casual chats with my friends. Links are in my bio.”

Photo: Hallmark
The first episode features former DAYS star and Hallmark Channel mainstay, Victor Webster (ex-Nicholas Alamain). It was back from 1999-2000 that Victor first appeared on the then NBC soap opera.
As previously reported, Sweeney will be reprising her role of Sami on Days of our Lives, next summer in June when she returns along with several fan favorites for a story arc.
During Alison’s premiere of “Between Takes,” Webster shares stories of his time on DAYS, being a proud dog dad, and globetrotter, plus working on action scenes and for Victor, taking over from The Rock in the the Scorpion King franchise appearing in Scorpion King 3: Battle For Redemption. Alison and Victor also chat about their time on sets.
You can listen to Between Takes with Alison Sweeney on all major podcast streaming platforms; including Apple Podcasts here.
So, will you be checking out Alison’s podcast as it continues to grow? Intrigued who from Days of our Lives and the soaps might chat it up with her in future episodes? Let us know in the comment section.
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