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Venice Fan Gathering: Inside Special Report…from the Emcee!

By Michael Fairman

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One should never underestimate the power of a gay global phenomenon!  Yes, Venice the Series, that would be you!  On Saturday July 10th, as Crystal Chappell and company were putting the finishing touches on their season two shooting schedule, (there was one more tape day on Sunday that was being directed by B&B’s Susan Flannery) some of the hardest working actors on daytime, who not only have major roles on their respective daytime gigs but also were giving their emotional all for their roles on the upcoming new season of Venice, showed up en masse for the first annual Venice Fan Gathering at the Universal Sheraton Hotel in Universal City, California.

Yours truly was the emcee of the day’s event, and let me tell you, it was not an easy task trying to keep these passionate and fantastic fans tame!  Over 200 plus female fans from all over the world were brought together by Crystal Chappell and her producing and writing partner, Kim Turrisi’s, vision of a web soap series which at its core is a same-sex love story or stories!  So, before we could open the doors to the fans, I was in the Green Room going over some notes with Leslie Penny and Kim DiTomasso, the organizers of the Fan Gathering.  Of course, I stuck my two cents in on a few things from my years of attending these soap opera fan event spectacles.  As I was prepping and tweaking an intro speech and working on the who’s who’s of the cast for the intros, in walked Gina Tognoni, Hillary B. Smith and Jessica Leccia, who in 2010 (who would have thunk) would all be residents of Llanview!  Jessica then showed me a new picture of her adorable baby, Ivy, who was with her on her trip to L.A.   Next, entered the fabulous Tina Sloan, who reminded me to tell the audience about her new book Changing Shoes, which will be on sale on September 16th, but you can pre-order it now on amazon.com.  So now I have told you on this blog, too. The sexy and talented, Nadia Bjorlin entered next along with her DAYS co-star Shawn Christian, whose role in Venice looks to be quite interesting.  More on that in a moment.  Two Venice stalwarts, Michelle N. Carter and Harrison White, were in attendance as well.  I loved catching up with them, since I had not had the opportunity to see them since our original videotaped advocate.com on-set Venice feature almost a year ago.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

While Crystal and Kimmy were checking on things before the start of the event, Peter Reckell joined the cast in the Green Room. This was to be his first Venice experience, being one of the newbie’s this season.  Looking at the entire group, some of whom I have known for decades, I think it’s Peter that I have known the longest.  He and I discussed that gay soap viewers make up a very large percentage of the soap viewing audience, and how for years, I analyzed, it is the LGBT community who has stood by all of the soaps and all of the romances when they barely, if at all, had seen their story told on daytime.  It is a shame for sure that as we are at the midpoint of 2010, only one soap opera, As the World Turns, is addressing anything about same-sex romance at this time, and it’s going away in September.  Peter asked me if I was nervous.  “No”, I said.  “I am not nervous.  I like hosting things.”  But then I thought, “What if I can’t control the ladies who want to lunge at Crystal or something, or throw their panties at her or Nadia?”  But then I remembered I was not the security guard for the event.  Whew!

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

It was my time to go out and greet the crowd, and for lack of a better word, be the warm-up act.   But in all honesty, it was an honor and a joy to emcee the day, and to make a short speech on how important and vital the global web audience is to the Venice venture, and how Crystal Chappell has truly become a pioneer, and broken ground with a show that was needed for an under-represented segment of the population, and has delivered a great modern day approach, and look and feel, to a class “A” web series.   Now, yes, I can confirm that Team Venice is charging a $9.99 subscription rate for the entire season two, but it is necessary, trust me, for all the costs, and streaming, and quality to bring even longer episodes to the web.

It was time for the main attraction.  So one by one I introduced the actors starting with Anita Crisinel; this very savvy actress landed a part in season two by sending in videotapes to Crystal and Kimmy of her performances, and of why she should appear on Venice. Anita, who hails from New Zealand, and has a very sexy accent, currently resides in London, England.  She was in L.A. for the week of shooting, and is playing the new role of Jess.  Anita told me later how sad it is to be leaving the next morning back to England, and that she hopes she might be included into season three.  But nonetheless, it was an experience she will never forget. When Anita came to the dais/panel in front of the crowd, I did not even notice she was there. I was still announcing her, while looking for her throughout the ballroom.  Whoops!  We all had a good laugh.   Next, another new addition to the cast,  J C Jewel, who you will see on the your computer screens soon in season two as Christy joined us on the panel.   It was then my pleasure to introduce Michelle N. Carter, who is back for more as Gina’s sassy assistant, Michele, with one, “L”!

If it’s one thing Crystal and Kimmy did in season two it was to increase the male “hotness” factor by bringing in some more eye candy!  Making his first Venice appearance was Wes Ramsey, who is now playing the role of Van, Guya’s son. Following Wes, we brought on Harrison White, who tells me that his character of Jamie will become more of a friend to Gina in season two. Tina Sloan entered next to thunderous applause, and then came the introduction of Days of our Lives, Dr. Daniel, Shawn Christian.  So, what I have learned is that Shawn will play Brandon, Guya’s boyfriend.  How ‘bout them apples, Hillary B. Smith?   In the Green Room, Hillary was ecstatic about it, as she explained, “I am his girl toy!”  Shawn’s DAYS co-star, the tremendously popular Peter Reckell was announced to the crowd next, as the role of Richard, a friend from Gina’s past.

We all missed Lesli Kay, who once again is back as Londoner, Tracy, but unfortunately she was unable to make the event due to previous commitments, as well as Jordan Clarke who returns as the Colonel.  Next, it was so much fun to introduce Hillary B. Smith, whose performance as Guya is one of those scene-stealing roles!  Wouldn’t you say?  The fans showed how much they loved her, too!  By the way, remember Dude, the special needs dog that is appearing in season two?  He was there too! Oh, my God.  How cute is he!  In his little wheelchair, he is a remarkable example of man’s best friend.  And, I got to meet Lindsay, Hillary’s best friend who together started the Willee-Coppee Fund which we have talked about previously here on my website. The BFF’s continue to work on this non-profit endeavor to help assist pet owners in need.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Next, Gina Tognoni came out to the crowd, and those who loved her in season one as Sami, will see even more of her in season two.  Gina’s co-star, the uber-popular Galen Gering was finally in the house and made a grand entrance to the adoring crowd.  Galen has really made the role of Owen one of the most popular on Venice, being the supportive brother of Gina, and main squeeze for Sami.  So who was left?  It came down to the three ladies of Venice who will heat things up in season two.  First out, Nadia Bjorlin; whose part of Lara is even bigger than last season.  The gals in the crowd went crazy, I mean, wouldn’t you?   Next, I introduced to thunderous applause, Jessica Leccia as Gina’s main squeeze, Ani.  But before I brought out La Chappell, I had to bring out her real-life main squeeze, hubby, Michael Sabatino, who returns to Venice in the new season as boot lovin’, Alan.  And, last but certainly not least, the star of the series, Crystal Chappell was brought out through the crowd to a standing ovation getting a piggy-back ride from one of her Venice buddies, Dottie Jones, all the way up to the dais.   Crystal addressed the crowd and thanked them for all their support, and how much their being in attendance was just another amazing part of this journey.

What is any soap fan event without a Q&A?  So, I hopped into the crowd and made my way around the tables as the ladies made relevant, emotional, and fun commentary on how much Venice has meant to them, seeing the cast in person, and asking questions of the panel.  I have to say, it was great to meet so many of the fan base, who have commented on MF On-Air On-Soaps, and have been so supportive of Crystal and Kimmy in their online venture.  From having Crystal sign a pair of panties (I knew this would happen) to asking Jessica Leccia how she felt on playing a role that meant so much to the LGBT community, to fawning all over Peter Reckell, and being so excited by his addition to the cast, to giving Michael Sabatino the biggest, and perhaps most thunderous round of applause of the day, for supporting his wife Crystal on this endeavor, and being so open to letting her be such a key force in the gay community.  It was a great and well-deserved moment.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

After running around in circles (a special thank you for that ladies, as I did not need to go to the gym and do cardio that day) I introduced the musical side of Venice the Series, when Jenn Foster took to the ballroom with a set of songs beloved from the series and her CD. Yes, including a rousing edition of the theme song from Venice.  When meeting Jenn for the first time, I was struck not only by her singing voice that cuts straight to your heart, but her beautiful spirit.  Later in the Green Room, we discussed if she can hook me up with Keith Urban, since she lives in Nashville.  Oh yeah, there is that small matter of Nicole Kidman in the way.  Too bad.

After Jenn performed, we finally got to the main event, and what everyone traveled so far to do, to meet and greet, sign autographs, and take pictures with the Venice cast.  Now this presented me with the most challenging part of the day trying to keep order, which included keeping these gals from jumping back in the line once they made it through it one time previously.  Naughty! Naughty!   During the nearly three hour autograph session, I sat next to Gina Tognoni most of the time on the dais.  So, we got to catch up with each other in between her fan requests.  It was also during that time I met so many gracious fans, who shared with me how much it meant to them that we all work get LGBT stories out there in the media, and how this series has impacted their lives.  I was personally struck by one woman’s openness to share with me her coming out story, and in the process how she lost the respect of her two older children, who won’t speak to her, because she finally had the courage to live life the way she needed to, and to be true to herself.  She has since found her true-life partner, and created a new family.  I was also struck by some of the absolute creative ways that the Venice fans have come up with, to promote, and be involved with the fan community.  Take a look at this image of one fan’s creation of Veniceopoly!

All of a sudden, and I am not sure at one point, the ballroom became more of sexy dance hall with Michael Jackson tunes creating an instant fervor throughout the crowd.  I have to say Crystal Chappell and Hillary Smith… you’ve got rhythm ladies!  I also have to say there is not a better MJ tune than Billie Jean!

So as the Venice fest became one big rowdy and celebratory party, I had to play the bad cop, and let everyone know that it was last call at the bar, and we only had fifteen more minutes of time in the ballroom, and that would have to be the end of the first Venice Fan Gathering. Yup, I had the job of being the ultimate Party Poop, when I actually felt more like at that point I was channeling Debbie Downer from SNL!

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

In the end, as the cast and I went back into the Green Room, we were all exhausted from a long and exciting, and very energetic day.  For Crystal, Shawn and Nadia, theirs was not over, as they then hopped on the Venice Podcast straight from the hallways of the Universal Sheraton!  Leslie Penny and Kim DiTomasso escorted me to the entrance way of the hotel, we hugged, said our goodbyes, told a few inside jokes, and I thanked them and Team Venice for letting me be a small part in a very memorable day.

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Thanks so much for this glimpse into the Venice fan event. I was eating my heart out ever since it was announced (since I knew I wouldn’t be able to attend) to the point there was just a sliver of it left on Sunday! lol.
And I’m a little more disappointed now that I find out you were the emcee.
I lurk on your site, but I really enjoy the coverage you’ve given to Venice and really enjoyed your Otalia coverage in the past.
Many thanks for all you do.

Michael, it was a pleasure meeting you at the event. I’m sorry we didn’t get more time to chat; we were just getting to the good parts! To refresh your memory, I had asked you about online soap awards and we, of course, could not speak of that travesty called the Daytime Emmys.

Thank you for posting this wonderful blog. It is funny and yet so supportive of this project and of Crystal. She truly deserved the Vanguard Award in the Soap Opera Spirit Awards, as she is blazing new trails and creating a niche in the vast Internet for talented actors to truly showcase their talents and to remember their joy of acting (thank you Hillary B. Smith, for highlighting that in your behind-the-scenes interview on Venice DVD).

I had a wonderful time at the event and cannot wait for season 2 of Venice. I have no issues paying for the privilege of watching these actors do their thing!

A BIG Thank You to Team Venice. Their spirit in everything they do is filled with Love. I unfortunatly wasn’t one of the lucky ones that attended, but I was kept uptodate with the goings on via Twitter. Congrats on surviving Michael. Let the drama begin in Season 2. Here’s to next year’s event ‘cheers’.

Jessica Leccia was in the podcast too! Why no mention of her?

Michael, it was so great to meet you after reading your blogs! Loved talking with you and Gina T in the autograph line about “nice Canadians” and thank you for letting me ramble on to the cast about Otalia and my own baby Olivia. Hope you’re Emcee at the next event for sure! much love!

Michael,
It was such a pleasure meeting you Sat at the event. Everyone seemed to have a rousing good time and you were a big part of that. Thanks for all the support for Crystal and Venice. I’m glad I found your website. I love it!

Mark this event, the day, the subsequent and final day of shooting, and the entire week preceeding this event as point zero. Everyone knows that I’m biased toward Nadia Bjorlin. But with all the buzz surrounding her season two part as Lara in “Venice: The Series”, it just feels like this role will be a game-changer for the lovely Ms. Bjorlin. Mark my words. Her life will never be the same again.

Adding to that, I also feel that the second season of Venice will also change the course of the series for the better. It seems that the pre-production team really did make changes that would make a better show. Now let’s hope post-production will follow their lead and use what worked in S1, and lose what didn’t. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t a little disappointed with S1. But that was tempered by the fact that it was their first shot. There was definitely a learning curve involved. I have faith that S2 will show how much they grown as a production, and far they have come. I’m excited for the entire cast and team. I’m thrilled for everyone involved, including the fans.

Thank you Michael for all you did on Saturday, and everyday to support Venice. I adore you! xoxo

I think the show has a little rethinking to do about so much touchy sex and show’s to much sex and I think kids,under 20 need to know how to be responsible Even that I like your show I feel it give the kids, a that’s o.k. Just because Star and Cole made the kid’s should get some reality check,s on how much desease is out there, and the percentage of men or boy’s that take responsible actions is pratically none. Please install some realistic value’s for our missed guided children. thank you for listening too my view’s I do watch your show , yet i still think there could be some changes to make it better:

OMG! Thanks for all your information, I’ma big fan of Crystal and now you! I love your work. I’m from Costa Rica and here we talk little about it!

I have a small fan club dedicated to Crystal called: CC TEAM COSTA RICA is made with much love for her! This is the address of the website I made for the TEAM

https://ccteamcostarica.webs.com/

I hope you have a nice day!

Greetings! from Costa Rica

CC TEAM COSTA RICA
Georgina

Dear Michael will add your website to my website in the section that says links! I love your work!

thanks!

CC TEAM COSTA RICA

Thanks for providing such detail as to the days events. I knew you would do a terrific job. Hope I get the chance to meet you…and your biceps one day :-))

thanks Michael for all those nice things you said about Venice and all of us on it. It was so nice to see you and I send love as does Changing Shoes. Hope you will make the play. You did get invite right. If not email me and let me know. LOVE, tina

I had a really great time at the event, It was a pleasure meeting all the talented actors/actresses. The stars were very warm towards the fans. It is an experience I will never ever forget. The best part of the event for me was the fact that I got the chance to see my favorite actress in the whole world 2wice in one year, Hillary B. Smith (Guya, Venice/Nora OLTL).

Thank you for sharing your time at the Venice fan event!

Your inside report makes me wish I had gone to this. Michael, how about convincing VTeam to have another fan event on the East Coast, for those of us living here?

I ENJOY ANYTHING THAT CONCERNS VENICE,CRYSTAL AND JESSICA AND ENTIRE CAST. CANNOT WAIT FOR S2. I AM REALLY INTO JESSICA, LIKE CRYSTAL SAID ,ITS TRICKY !!!

Days Of Our Lives

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Looks Back at 50 Years in Salem

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The June 22 episode of Days of Our Lives reminded us all of why Deidre Hall is iconic in the role of Dr. Marlena Evans. Here we are 50 years later, and Marlena is still the heroine of the long-running soap opera, and Deidre remains one of the most most recognizable names in the history of soaps.

To pay tribute, and to look back at the life and times of Marlena, the story starts with Marlena flipping through a photo album of her with John (the late Drake Hogestyn) over the years. As she misses him dearly, she gets a knock on the door and its none other than John’s son, Paul Narita (Christopher Sean).

With Andrew (Colton Little) in Salem working on a case, he sits down with Marlena, who says she can’t believe its been fifty years since she first arrived in Salem! Cue: Deidre’s first scenes on DAYS when she finds Mickey Horton (the late John Clarke) playing chess against himself inside the mental institution she worked.

Courtesy/Peacock

THE FLASHBACKS OF MARLENA’S LIFE

From there, viewers definitely got the cliff notes version of the history of Marlena and entrenched within them, some of the biggest moments in Deidre’s enduring run.

Paul thinks he is looking at 70s, and early 80s Marlena while going through her scrapbook, but he is actually looking at her twin, Samantha (Andrea Hall)Cue: when Marlena confronted Samantha about impersonating her, and then later getting a call on her radio show from the Salem Strangler (Jack Coleman as Jake Kostichek) who killed Samantha thinking it was Marlena.

In the present, Belle (Martha Madison) has arrived at this time to meet up with Paul, unaware of this trip down memory lane. She wants to go over the findings in the chess board mystery Stefano willed to Marlena and John, in private with him, since Marlena previously said she wanted nothing to do with it.

Back to the history lesson, Marlena speaks highly of Don Craig and even though their marriage didn’t work out, she could find a path forward with the new love her life, Roman Brady. (Wayne Northrop however is never shown, possibly to keep the story focused on John as Roman for confusion sakes?)

Paul sees a photo of a young Carrie (Christie Clark) in the album and Marlena says she was such a godsend after losing her baby. In fact, Marlena says caring for Carrie prepared her for her having and raising her own twins, Eric and Sami. Cue: The twin visiting Marlena in the hospital.

JOHN AND MARLENA’S LOVE CONQUERED ALL

Then, in a way to get through and incorporate the wild storylines only Marlena could have been in, she tells Belle and Paul, she has been through so much in her life, how lucky she was to find John, and some of the most unbelievable experiences no one could imagine. Cue: Marlena possessed by the devil and levitating from the bed. Next, John confronting Marlena being the Salem Stalker, where she admits she killed Alice Horton, pretends she needs help, then pulls a gun on her beloved John!

The comment is made by Paul and Marlena, that she literally has been to hell and back and she could not have survived were it not for her beloved John. Cue the big emotional highpoint clips; The Pier Scene! Marlena steps out of the fog when John sees her from a distance. After believing she was dead for four years, here she was before him in one of the greatest reunions in a soap opera love story in history. What followed were other times of the life of times of Jarlena.

Courtesy/Peacock

MARLENA’S ‘GIFT’ FROM STEFANO HAS A NEW CLUE

When Marlena makes a brief exit to the other room, Belle fills in Paul on the chess set Stefano left her mother and the photo of the Lire. Paul said he will investigate. Marlena comes back into the room and overhears, and says to promise her if things get dangerous he will back off, she does not want anyone hurt by Stefano’s games.

As the episode comes to a conclusion, it’s just Belle and Marlena going through the photo album giggling about 70s hairstyles and all the memories. Belle speaks on the impact Marlena has had in everyone’s lives, and that she is both the heart of their family and the heart of Salem.

An end card comes up acknowledging Deidre Hall’s 50th anniversary as Marlena, and we fade to black.

So, what did you think of Marlena’s walk down memory lane? Were you happy to see the flashback clips utilized throughout? Were you touched by the scenes and the performance of Deidre Hall? Let us know what you thought of Deidre’s 50th anniversary episode via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans

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If you have ever tuned-in to the soap opera genre over the last 50 years, and witnessed some of the greatest romances, drama, classic and outlandish storylines of all-time, you would have seen Deidre Hall smack dab in the middle of it as longtime Salem heroine, Dr. Marlena Evans.

It was 50 years on this date, June 21, 1976 that Hall first appeared on DAYS on NBC which was its home for 57 years before it moved to its current streaming platform on Peacock in September of 2022.

In Hall’s first episode she was introduced as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton (John Clarke) at Bayview Sanitarium after he suffered a complete mental breakdown. Mickey learned that his brother Bill Horton (Edward Mallory) was the biological son of Mike Horton (Wesley Eure) with his wife Laura (Susan Flannery) and that he had been lied to for years and years. From that moment on, the rest is television and soap opera history. Days of Our Lives put Hall front and center.

Photo: NBC

There were so many heartbreaking and shocking story twists involving the beloved Marlena. One of the first was the historic crib death of baby DJ (Don Jr.) in 1980, Marlena’s infant son with Don Craig (Jed Allan). The story had never been told on daytime television and Hall’s performances received accolades from TV critics to fans when Deidre received thousands of letters from grieving mothers who had gone through the same thing in their own lives.

DAYS also brought Deidre’s twin sister, Andrea Hall Lovell to the show as her on-screen sister Samantha, who had a grudge and even locked Marlena up in a sanitarium and took her place! Fast-forward and in 1982, DAYS launched the Salem Strangler story where everyone believed Marlena was his next victim, only it turned out to be Samatha. Jake Kositchek (played by Jack Coleman) was revealed to be the actual serial killer.

Later, Deidre would assume the role of Marlena’s look-alike, Hattie Adams in 2004, once played by her sister, Andrea. Over the years, Hattie has come back to Salem and caused trouble giving Hall a chance to play a different type of character, then the always upstanding Marlena.

Photo: JPI

THE LOVES OF MARLENA

Deidre Hall struck gold with all her leading men: from the late Jed Allan, to Wayne Northrop as Roman Brady, and of course, her enduring love story with the late John Black played by the iconic Drake Hogestyn. In fact, Marlena’s 1986 wedding to John (who was believed to be Roman at the time) remains a favorite of fans to this day.

TOP MARLENA STORYLINES OF ALL-TIME

While the list is long, here are several that were some of the memorable during Deidre’s five decades in Salem!

The Possession (1994- 1995)
Considered one of the most ambiguous, outlandish and unforgettable story arcs in soap opera history, then Days of Our Lives head writer, James Reilly went there! Marlena was possessed by the devil! That included; the demonic eyes, hissing at father John (Black) the priest, morphing into creatures, and the classic levitating in her bed! It became a cultural phenomenon and cemented Deidre Hall’s status as a daytime television legend. Just ask Ryan Gosling!

Photo:JPI

The Affair with John Black (1993)
John and Marlena’s forbidden love could not be denied and they had passionate affair, while she was still married to the real Roman. Problem was her daughter, Sami (Alison Sweeney) caught her mother having sex with John on a desk that changed Sami forever.

The Salem Stalker Mystery (2003-2004)
In a shocker, Marlena was revealed to be a serial killer who bumped off several Salem favorites residents who were all alive on the island of Melaswen (spelled “New Salem” backward). Turns out, she was manipulated and gaslighted by Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) to do the “killings” and had no memory of her actions.

The Pier Scene (1991)
This remains Michael Fairman TV’s all-time favorite Deidre Hall moment, which featured some of the best acting in the storied careers of both Hall and Drake Hogestyn.

In the story, a presumed-dead Marlena returns after four years. One foggy night on the pier, John is alone, and Marlena steps out of the fog to reveal herself, and is reunited with the love of her life. You can watch it any year, any decade, and in any moment, and it will have you reaching for the hankies again and again. (best music score fo a soap scene of all-time too!)

Photo: NBC

Kristen’s Secret Room Reveal (1997)
Marlena was caught in Kristen Blake’s (Eileen Davidson) elaborate web of lies, when she was held hostage in a secret wine cellar/room until John managed to track her down, leading to an iconic on-screen reunion. The classic catfight between Hall and Eileen Davidson was one for the ages.

It should be noted that Maison Blanche, Queen of the Night, Possession, Aremid and Lady in a Cage were all a part of classic DAYS storyline and all featured Hall at the epicenter of it from 1993-1996.

THE RECENT YEARS OF MARLENA

In recent years, DAYS brought back the possession 2.0 storyline under then head writer Ron Carlivati in 2021 where the devil leapt back in Marlena after taking advantage of a frail Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes)

In 2025, viewers watched the end of the love story of John and Marlena, as John succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion saving a vial of medication needed to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life. Marlena has been a widow on-screen since June of 2025 as Hall as portrayed the good doctor struggling with her grief and to move on with her life since his death.

Photo: JPI

One story that never goes away is Stefano DiMera’s (the late Joe Mascolo) obsession with Marlena, his “Queen of the Night.” Even in death, Stefano is toying with her from the great beyond with the mysterious chess set and the missing “pawn,” that he had gifted John and Marlena in his will. The mystery is currently unfolding on all-new episodes of Days of Our Lives.

Tune-in to Days of our Lives on the Monday, June 22 episode as Marlena looks back at her 50 years in Salem.

Share your congratulations to Deidre Hall for this incredible 50-year milestone as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives in the comment section. Then let us know, what is your all-time favorite storyline or moment in the life of Marlena over the past 5 decades? And, just for kicks, and to celebrate this amazing milestone, here is Marlena levitating below circa Christmas Eve 1994.

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Days Of Our Lives

Al Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’

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It’s been a bittersweet time for Al Calderon. The talented actor/singer/songwriter has watched from his vantage point to roles he loved so much come to their conclusion for different reasons.

In a heartfelt message posted to his Instagram story on Saturday, Calderon took a moment to share how grateful he was for the opportunity to play Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives, and nurse Nico Silva this year on NBC’s second season of Brilliant Minds. Currently, Brilliant Minds has two more episodes that will air on June 24 and the series finale on July 1.

Calderon expressed, “As I sit here reflecting on this lovely Saturday afternoon over the last two years of my life, I have two major chapters closing that have been part of my life every day for the last two years. We have Brilliant Minds. Our last episodes are wrapping up, and then my last scenes aired yesterday as me as Javi on Days of Our Lives.

Photo: JPI

“I’m just unbelievably grateful for the chance and the opportunity to be a part of something so much larger than me,” continued Al. “I (will) love Days of Our Lives forever, my family. Thank you for supporting me and supporting my decision to take the leap of faith and believe in myself and, and tell other stories. You know, it’s never goodbye. It’s always ‘see you later’ to me and just leaving with love and leading with love.”

Al concluded with a special mention to some very important people, the fans: “Thank you to the fans and the support from everyone, the lovely messages. So this next chapter, hopefully it’s not a dragon, hopefully it’s a gold coin.”

Photo: NBC

Calderon’s journey on-screen on Days of Our Lives began in October of 2024 and concluded this month. In one of his last appearances Javi was asking a favor from Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) before bumping into his ex, Leo (Greg Rikaart). In story, Javi has a new romance with Gus (Michael Ocampo), while fighting his feelings for Leo. The role of Javi will be played starting on June 30 by Jacob Martinez who takes over the role.

NBC decided to cancel the Brilliant Minds, after it split up the airing of its second season which began in the fall of September of 2025 and the back-half started airing after a long break this past May. Calderon joined the medical drama staring Zachary Quinto for the new season, which sadly was its last.

So, will you miss Al on Days of Our Lives and Brilliant Minds as his time on-screen has come to an end? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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