Days Of Our Lives
TV Insider Names Best In Soaps 2016: B&B Top Drama Series, DAYS Flynn and Reeves, GH's Budig & Y&R's Burton Take Acting Honors!

Courtesy/CBS
It’s that time of year again when all of the soap pundits and entertainment sites roll out their 2016 “Best Of” lists (On-Air On-Soaps will reveal our annual “Best and Worst Of 2016” lists closer to New Years Eve).
First up though is TV Insider’s Michael Logan, who has made his picks and his feature was posted online on Tuesday. In it, CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful was named “Best Soap of 2016″ citing,”It continues to be daytime’s kickiest treat, luring us with corporate scandal and high-stakes emotions … and delivering the kind of jaw-dropping, tune-in-tomorrow moments that leave fans downright giddy. ”
For the Best Actor and Actress of 2016, two stars of NBC’s Days of our Lives got the nod. The recognition for Best Actor went to Billy Flynn for his performances as Chad DiMera,”who was at war with his own toxic legacy and barely keeping it together as he mourned the sudden death of his wife and battled for custody of their child.”

Courtesy/NBC
For Lead Actress that went to enduring star, Melissa Reeves. Logan noted: “Many in soaps have played addiction stories, delicacy, nuance and bone-deep sadness than Reeves, whose sweetheart character, Jennifer Horton, descended into a living hell of painkillers and depression. ”
For Best Supporting Actor, it was departing Y&R star, Steve Burton who was named for his “year-end work as Dylan McAvoy, the hapless victim of a baby switch, was so subtly crafted and achingly poignant it can be summed up in just one word: perfection”.

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
For Best Supporting Actress that was given to General Hospital’s Rebecca Budig (Hayden) who “went from Port Charles pariah to romantic heroine in a fizzy, sexy transformation that’s simply intoxicating. Even Tracy Q (Jane Elliot), the town curmudgeon who pretty much hates everything and everybody, loves Hayden. ”
And for Best Guest Star that went to Star Trek’s Nichelle Nichols, wno was acknowledged for her turn as Neil Winters dying alcholic mother on The Young and the Restless.
So, what did you think of TV Insider’s picks? Do you think B&B was the Best Soap of the Year? Happy to hear about Billy Flynn, Melissa Reeves, Steve Burton and Rebecca Budig being recognized for their work? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Favorites Making Returns: Alison Sweeney, Christie Clark, Chandler Massey and Bryan Dattilo

Great news for Days of Our Lives fans, now that Ryan Quan is co-head writer of the long-running soap opera. Coming in June of 2027 (since DAYS tapes ten or so months ahead), you can look forward to the returns of Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady), Christie Clark (Carrie Brady), Chandler Massey (Will Horton) and Bryan Dattilo (Lucas Horton).
The foursome is back on set and began last week to tape their upcoming story arc, according to TV Insider. As to what exactly is going on that brings sister Sami and Carrie’s history back up, as well as Will and Lucas’ is only being teased at this time, but suffice to say, it should be intriguing.
Alison Sweeney explained on being back on set, “It was a lot of dialogue and emotion, but with all the best actors to work opposite, we fell into it as if no time had passed. It was really wonderful.”

Photo: JPI
As to working with the longstanding rivalry of Sami and Carrie, Alison added on working with Clark, “So, it really does feel like we’re sisters. It’s so fun, and she’s such a good actor that she makes everything so natural that you can really disappear into those stories.”
JUST LIKE OLD TIMES
It also seems like the deep-history, which often had the sister fighting for the love of Austin Reed, but that might not figure into the equation this time, or will it?
Alison indicated what she thought of the scripts she was given. “I felt like when I read it, it was a page-turner. I was very excited. There’s a lot of history here, and a lot of things that haven’t been said. So, it’s really not like, ‘Oh, rehashing stuff.’ And now having played some of the scenes, I’m psyched.” Sweeney added, as for the men, working again with her on-screen son, Chandler Massey and Will’s on-screen father Bryan Dattilo, was also extra special.
The last time DAYS viewers saw Sami on the canvas was back in November of 2025, when she revealed she has gotten engaged to never-before-seen Dante Vitali. As for Clark, she last visited Salem for the episodes surrounding John Black’s memorial in June of 2025.
Chandler Massey’s Will Horton last made a visit to Salem in November of 2025 when he attended the gala for the Tom Horton Free Clinic as part of the soap opera’s 60th anniversary celebration. Bryan Dattilo was last seen in December of 2025. So, by the time we see all four again it will be close to two years since they were on new episodes of the series. Time to look forward to June of 2027.
So, excited by the news of Alison, Christie, Chandler and Lucas making a return to Days of Our Lives? What do you think the story will be involving, Sami, Carrie, Lucas and Will? Let us know via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Alum Al Calderon Talks On His Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes as Javi Hernandez (Exclusive)

Last Tuesday, Al Calderon scored the first Emmy nomination of his career for his role as Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives.
Calderon name was announced as one of the performers competing for gold in the Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series category at the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on October 30.
This week, Calderon chatted live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel for a one-on-one conversation where he discussed: his nominated scenes and time on the Peacock streaming soap opera, his decision to leave DAYS, his role of Nico Silva on Brilliant Minds and its sad cancellation, plus his passing the torch of Javi to Jacob Martinez, who took over the role on-screen on the June 30, 2026 episode of Days of Our Lives.

Photo: JPI
JAVI REVEALS TO LEO THAT HE HAD A DAUGHTER WHO DIED
Al revealed the scenes that comprise his now Emmy-nominated reel have at its epicenter the heartbreaking moments from the September 12, 2025 episode. In it, Javi shares for the first time to Leo (Greg Rikaart) that he had a daughter named Solana, with a woman he was seeing named Sylvia. One fateful day, Sylvia left their child in a car when she went to work and the little girl died. Javi had blamed himself for not being the parent to take his daughter to school that day since he was hungover the night before, therefore it opened up the opportunity for something to happen to the his child, and it did.
The multi-talented actor/singer explained his reel: “It was the scene where he is talking about his daughter to Leo. I also included the scene where Javi goes to talk to Melinda (Tina Huang) and to see if it would be a viable option to adopt, because I wanted to introduce the subtlety and nuance of why Javi kind of has this whole connection to Tesoro, in a way.”
It is true that Al can bring the tears and make us cry right along with him during his run as Javi. To that, Calderon added, “I’ve read the comments that I’m a little bit of a crybaby, so I didn’t want the entire reel to be of me crying, but I wanted it to show a little bit of an emotional range of the restraint that Javi was feeling so I included that scene
In addition Calderon shared, “I also included a really beautiful scene with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez, DAYS) where I’m looking at photos of Tesoro, and of course, Javi is crying. I just wanted to show the relationship between Javi and his family as well, and as I mentioned the reveal of the child that he lost.”

Photo: JPI
ALUMS AL CALDERON AND ALICE HALSEY REPRESENT DAYS OF OUR LIVES IN EMERGING TALENT CATEGORY
In a twist of fate, Calderon is also nominated in the Emerging Talent category with Alice Halsey who played Rachel Black. Halsey is currently starring in the reboot of Little House on the Prairie in the lead role of Laura Ingalls on Netflix.
As to his hope on Emmy night, Al expressed, “Of course, I want to win, but Alice Halsey is going to give me a run for the money. And if’s not me (who wins the award), it better be her!”
You can check out the full interview with Al below.
Now let us know, do you remember Al’s emotional scenes when he explained to Leo he had a daughter who died, which made it all the more heartbreaking to not end up with permanent custody of Tesoro? What do you think of Al’s chances to win the gold based on his Emmy scene selection? Do you miss him as Javi? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Days Of Our Lives
Emily O’Brien Talks On Her Y&R Past as Jana Hawkes and Working with Peter Porte on ‘Days of Our Lives’

On the latest edition of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart which dropped on Tuesday, July 21, Emily O’Brien is the featured guest. As soap fans know, Emily has worked with Rikaart both in her first soap role on The Young and the Restless as Jana Hawkes and now on Days of Our Lives in her current role of Gwen Rizczech.
While Emily continues on DAYS, she has very impressive list of credits in the other part of her career as a voice-over actress and one in motion-capture in some of the most popular video games in the world.
O’Brien was first seen on The Young and the Restless back in 2006. She recalled her landing the role which eventually paired her for her five year run with Greg Rikaart.

Photo: JPI
BEING CAST ON THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
“The role was just a few days and she wasn’t even supposed to be English,” Emily recalled. “The role was originally called Jade. Karen Rae, the casting director of The Young and the Restless at the time said to me “Oh, you’re from England. Try it with the dialect.” I put it on and she said, ‘I’m going to bring you back at like 3 for s callback.’ So then they changed the role to Jana and they said she’s going to be a Brit. I was only supposed to be on for like five episodes and it turned into 5 years.”
In explaining why she loved crazy Jana, Emily shared, “Jana was sort of like the misanthrope. She was just was the odd one out and I loved it. I felt so comfortable playing that because she was just eclectic and weird and she loved playing with Ouija boards and she rode a motorbike. There was just so much color to bring to her. It was just such a great match to play with Greg (Kevin), and Christian LeBlanc (Michael) and Tracey Bregman (Lauren).

Photo: JPI
GWEN, DIMITRI AND LEO ON DAYS OF OUR LIVES
On Days of Our Lives, the Leo, Gwen, Dimitri dynamic is quite unique and been through many schemes and entanglements. Often Emily finds herself in repartee with her ex-lover, Dimitri, who turned out to be gay and then had a thing for her bestie, Leo (Greg Rikaart)!
During the conversation, Greg and Emily sang, Peter Porte’s praised with O’Brien expressing, “Peter is just ready to play. He comes on set prepared. I’ve never seen him with his script. From blocking and rehearsals, he doesn’t have it. He’s prepared. He’s a physical actor and he always trying to come up with something. I think he let me slap him. He let me kiss him. He let me throw a cheeseburger in his lap. He’s ready for anything for anything.”
You can catch the full episode of ‘Soapy; featuring Emily O’Brien below where the actress also talks about replacing Jen Lilley as Theresa Donovan after being let go as Gwen; and being paired again with Greg Rikaart on the Peacock streaming soap opera this time as best friends and more.
So, were you a big Jana Hawkes and Kevin Fisher fan on Y&R? Did you like them as a couple? Do you like the dynamic between Emily and Peter Porte and Greg Rikaart on DAYS? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
-

Recaps1 week agoTHE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie is Disowned By The Logan Sisters
-

General Hospital4 days agoGH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
-

General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
-

General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
-

General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
-

General Hospital3 days agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
-

News5 days ago‘The Young and the Restless’ Names New Co-Head Writers: Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor
-

News5 days agoY&R’s Billy Flynn and Gina Comparetto Reveal Birth of Their Third Child and It’s a Girl!















everyone is entitle to their opinion no ones opinion is more right or wrong then anyone else, i don’t watch DOOL or YR so i can’t speak to their actors performance and storylines, although i am familiar w/ Steve Burton from GH, and even though i donlt really like the jason character he always delivered, evethought some fans mock his “stone cold” performance i always appreicated his subtle low key performance. As for BB as best soap, again i would know, i do know i love My GH and that it keeps me tuning in everyday. So viva GH!…..
Love Rebecca Budig recognized for her role as Hayden!! Hayden is a complicated gal with many layers and Rebecca brought her to life.She’s an awesome actress who can play off anyone and just clicks with whomever she shares a scene. She’s always been so gracious and supportive of her co-stars so it’s nice to see her recognized for her talent!! Love Her and GH is lucky to have her!!!
Happy for her! But darn it Michael Easton deserved an honor too! He has been killing it as Dr Hamilton Finn! When is he going to be recognized!
I agree Lois. The Finn/Hayden story is what’s keeping me enthralled; with Kiki and Dillon close behind. And, Michael never misses a beat….he is duperlative….and, sexy!!
Finally, we are beginning to see the ‘developmrnt’ of a cure, thanks to Roxie. Funny, that, since Jimh and I were jokingly going back and forth as to the reason of a pet lizard. I humorously said the lizard’s venom was the cure…….farfetched at the time…..but, close. Is it the shedded skin?
I think Michael Easton, Billy Flynn are tops in my book….and Rob Wilson (DOOL) as supporting actor.
Superlative.
PS. I just wonder how ‘best’ and ‘supporting’ are chosen. I would not like to think politics would be involved, albeit it would not surprise me.
Finn is ten times better than Silas but Michael has limited range.
I agree. I am so happy to see budig recognized and am bummed that easton isnt getting more credit as it totally deserves it. Finchel right now for me is the brightest spot on the canvas and they are the best new characters to be added to the show probably since jerry jax(I dont count the oltl 3 as they already existed) though valentin and curtis are a close 2nd and 3rd.
Billy Flynn all the way….I knew it from his first appearance on stage that this actor had it going!!!!!! Soooo happy for him and myself. LOL. I predicted his nomination.
However, I am really surprised and mostly disappointed Rob Wilson wasn’t nominated….
Melissa Reeves?? Really?? I don’t know…but, who am I to judge. Congrats, anyway.
Very happy for Rebecca Budig….forever a fan.
Steve Burton did not impress me for the longest time….but, I came to appreciate his talent at the end of his run as Dylan.
Congrats to all.
B&B best, SERIOUSLY ?!!! If u like cheesy I guess. GH as uusual MOST entertaining of them all, PEROID !
I don’t even watch B&B, rocky…..so, I think your post was meant for someone else? LOL.
Considering how bad Days, GH and Y&R was for most 2016– B&B wins pretty much by default– LOL
This list made me feel great. I love that Melissa Reeves is finally getting the attention she deserves. Billy Flynn has taken the main leading man role on DOOL , a role that has been missing since James Scott left the show. I am thrilled B&B won for best show. Steve Burton could read the phone book pages and make it sound great.
Ugh to Rebecca Budig’s character. Sorry no like.
ABSOLUTELY…. no way… not possible
“…Rebecca Budig (Hayden) who “went from Port Charles pariah to romantic heroine in a fizzy, sexy transformation that’s simply intoxicating. ”
she’s down for the count
Absolutely…yes way…very possible.
Budig is great as Hayden…Accept it.
I honestly dont get why the liz fans hate her so much. pet this and pet that. same could be said about bringing on nathan or nina or ava or julian. – shes no more of a pet than they are. I think they like that a sister made liz relevant again but they hate that hayden made liz more intersting not the other way around. if they had made hayden a distant q through celia or some relation to skye she would have been every bit as interesting. Liz however needed family to bounce off of and not one person they have brought on has worked. suddenly I not only am curious to see what will happen with liz and hayden, I want to see which sister jeff sarah and steve will bond best with at the end of the day.
I don’t watch Days so can’t really comment on this soap or it’s actors. Except to note that from reading MF it certainly has it’s loyal fans, most of whom seem to feel it’s had better “days.”
Of the remaining three I am most loyal to GH, but it had a very dark year. Surprised Nancy/Alexis didn’t receive Best Actress 2016. What a year she has had, and it’s not over yet. Happy for Rebecca since once she got “settled” into Port Charles I really like Hayden.
Y&R seemed to take a long, drawn out time to tell the baby Christian/Sully/Sharon, as well as the Victor in and out of jail stories.
So as Mary SF says, B&B “wins by default” for me, too. And that’s saying a lot about the perpetual love triangle show except that I enjoyed the Quinn/Liam story. It’s probably the only time I was curious about the Liam character who is boring for me, not the girl catching magnet that Steffy, Hope, etc seem to be drawn to. And I love Rena/Quinn. But I have felt the same towards her since her GH days. And even her appearance on NCIS as a lawyer.
Looking forward to the New Year with more upbeat, clever stories. Just so glad they are still with us.
Hey, I’m down for Genie Francis win–she has seamlessly transformed Laura BUT in the best way possible, still keeping her essence but with a dignity and grace–and I’m seeing that impish, ageless humor of Laura’s creepng in (saw it today as she went for her interview for the hospital board member AND as she “went” for Kevin in their declarations of love–and that kiss, that kiss. She looked FABUlOUS today! My vote goes to Genie–and kudos to Jon for his getting on board in the most enthusiastic way. Now if TPTB would only give them more screen time. One can dream, right?
Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction: i.e., Burton winning an award for acting…
Hi, James,
I certainly follow your sentiment. But, I do tend to agree with Timmm.
Before Y&R, I had no clue who Steve Burton was….nor, was I familiar with his acting skills.
I must confess that I was not impressed. His robotic, expressionless acting, completely, turned me off.
However, these last performances, pertaining to his anguish of losing “Sully”/Christian , really hit my emotional spot. I saw the human side of Dylan/Steve?
Happy Holidays, my friend.
Hi Celia! Thanks for your reply! Very fair assessment. I am basing my opinion largely on his work on GH, which seems similar to his early work on Y&R. So perhaps he showed some growth as an actor in the latter role. Admittedly, I haven’t been a regular Y&R viewer in recent months.
Happy Holidays to you as well, Friend!
Other than the wonderful sparkplug Rebecca Budig…who’s turned Hayden Cassadine into a favorite of mine since waking up from the coma….everything else on Logan’s list is so messed up.
GH was the only halfway good soap on the air in 2016…should’ve been named best drama without question…will be proven at the Emmy awards this spring. B&B does not do anything but recycle everything to death… this was the worst example yet in 2016…isn’t about time to admit they are creatively bankrupt…how long does being a nutty wacky farce continue to get a pass with the soap pundits…and when it comes to overall acting ensemble GH leaves B&B in the dust any day of the week
Melissa Reeves for lead actress over Laura Wright, Nancy Lee Grahn and Finola Hughes? Utterly Ridiculous!!!!!
Loving them or hating them really shouldn’t matter…but Eric Braeden and Maurice Benard are the only choices for lead actor for 2016…with Justin Hartley as a sleeper pick for being one of the few saving graces of Y&R in the past year.
Supporting actor…Steve Burton?….No freaking way! Richard Burgi had many amazing performances for the entire year…should be a lock to win the Emmy award if he’s chooses to enter the race.
Rebecca Budig for Supporting actress is right on the money…she still pops off the screen and sizzles like a flame like she has always done…cue the incoming predictable complaining and conspiracy theories from the vocal minority.
this is all a moot point.. save for the incredible presence of Billy Flynn’ Chad DiMera @Days of OUR Lives.
BECAUSE – I would like to thank the Soap Gods… that
@GH – Maurice Benard and Laura Wright characterless do not merit. big YES
Sonny and Carly are wasting GH. SO are Jason and Sam and Hayden and Finn
Hayden is not convincing as she thinks she is… even if… she has some bloodline… DO NOT EXPECT to see Hayden and Liz bonding… this may be the prop of all prop… damned the audience ! Frank Valentini is propping Hadyen with the uber talent Tracy… and the relative newbie character Finn… IN HOPES of Hayden catching on…. the double dose of what? koolaid drugs etc….
Finn and Hayden have no spark… they will forever have an asterick by their character. lame and uninteresting
I agree with most of Mr. Logan’s pics. I watch all four shows and love GH and love Rebecca from GL and AMC also. Steve Burton , another favorite, but much preferred him on GH. I adore B&B, but was surprised there were no picks from it. Also, big fan of DOOL and Billy Flynn. Sorry, but there were quite a few other lead actresses that I felt were more deserving, i.e Jane Elliot, Jen Lilley, Rena Soffer to name a few.
I watch B&B, Y&R, and Days and I agree that B&B is the best soap.
Don’t know about Nichelle for best guest star. She did a good job, but it was very short. I guess that is definition of guest.
Burton CAN be a good actor if he is given proper material. Dylan was and always will be a bust!
Rebecca is great as Hayden. “Fans” love to ride her ass but to me that says she is doing a good job and can really act!
Ms. Nichols was fabulous as Neil’s mother!
Best soap, probably was B&B.
Don’t like B&B as best pick. They just have the same story line over and over, Ridge and Brooke the two brothers fighting over the same woman. CONSTANLY!! Young and the Restless has new and interesting story lines all the time. You care about their characters.
those actor wins are a bit strange. Chad from Days I could see, but the others???
Right? I’m with you, blake…..well, except for Rebecca B…..LOL.
I can’t speak for the other soaps, since I only watch GH. No disrespect to Rebecca Budig, but on a show with names like Laura Wright, Maura West, Finola Hughes, Nancy Lee Grahn, Jane Elliot, and so on, Budig isn’t exactly the first name I would think of if I wanted to recognize a great actress on GH this year.
Hayden is one of the characters on the show that just happens to do absolutely nothing for me. I don’t like the way they shoe horned her into a prominent role as Elizabeth’s sister to give her a connection in Port Charles.
Interesting.
TV Insider and I must be watching completely different versions of Y&R and GH…
Bold and the Beautiful as best soap? Really? Does the person chosing actually watch it? Whenever I do they are always talking about the same thing. There’s no real character development, just ever developing musical chairs in the love triangle department. IMO, for years now, its been the worst soap ever. But I wholeheartidly agree about Billy Flynn and Mellissa Reeves, absolutely compelling, love their work so much. Also Steve Burton, although we are about 5 or 6 months behind in Aus, I can imagine whats about to happen for his character Dylan, after the baby reveal. Don’t get GH in Aus, so can’t comment on the last nom.
Best Soap: Should Win/Will Win – GH (Includes 2016 WGA Nomination)
Best Actor: Should Win Benard (GH), Will Win Flynn (DOOL) or Justin Hartley, (Y&R)
Best Actress: Should Win Nancy Lee Grahn (GH); Will Win: Laura Wright (GH)
Supporting Actress: Should Win Rebecca Budig (GH); Will Win Melissa Reeves (DOOL)
Supporting Actor: Should/Will Win Dominic Zamprogna (GH)
Younger Actor: Should Win/Will Win Again Bryan Craig (GH)
Younger Actress: Should Win/Will Win Marci Miller (DOOL)
I can’t agree with B & B, because they haven’t written a new storyline in years. Between that and the flashbacks, the writers have little to do. Even the dialogue is the same, as though they dusted off an old script, plugged in Steffy for Hope and called it good. The one highlight on this show is Rena Sofer, who is an acting goddess. She is worth watching the repeats for.
GH has crazy plots sometimes, but over all has the best couples, intrigue and drama.
Y & R is boring me to tears. I am trying to stay with it and give these new writers a chance, but so far, it’s not entertaining. The couples have no conflict. Really the only drama right now is Jack/Billy.
Days…I try but most days I ff through quite a bit of it. The storylines just seem stale, old-school. And don’t get me started on the sets and wardrobe. The one storyline I like is Nicole and am looking forward to her becoming a mom!!