Connect with us

Days Of Our Lives

34

What Did You Think of the Premiere of ‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’?

Courtesy/Peacock

Today was the debut of the well-publicized and highly-anticipated DAYS streamer limited-series: Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem which dropped on Peacock at 3:01am EST Monday morning.

If you have not seen the first episode, and intend on watching it,  do not read any further as it contains moments and story points – however, if you have seen the premiere read on!

At the beginning is an updated version of the traditional iconic series opening of DAYS, hourglass and all, but wait for it! It’s not the late MacDonald Carey’s voice who is welcoming us in to watch the drama unfold, but none other than Deidre Hall (Marlena) who gets the nod.  Deidre voices-over: “Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our Lives” cue the new logo for the limited series.  We also get an opening title sequence after the prologue of the episode complete with location shots and the cast members names!

Photo: JPI

In this throwback to the 90’s high adventure and escapades in soaps, we learn that in 1991 the Alamainian Peacock was stolen by Hope acting as Princess Gina. Shane Donovan has come to John and Marlena in Zurich needing their help, because the peacock featured six different and precious gemstones: a citrine, an amethyst, a ruby, emerald, sapphire, and an orange diamond.  Although the peacock was recovered, the stones were not and we are off to the races in this case of the missing jewels caper.  Shane wants John and Marlena to be an American couple who want the gemstones at an auction, but he tells them there is danger involved.  Jarlena are most them up for the task!

Photo: JPI

Meanwhile, Tony and Anna visit Carrie and Austin and can sense the trouble in their marriage.  Carrie is upset.  Apparently, Austin had too much to drink and brought up Rafe to Carrie.  Wanting to make amends, Austin wants to get his wife a sapphire necklace, which Anna goes a ga-ga for in the photo Austin shares. But not wanting Carrie to know what he is up to he asks Tony and Anna to go the auction to bid on it.

Photo: JPI

Lisa Rinna makes her return as Billie Reed, but dressed undercover as kind of a Princess Gina lookalike, long hair, tiara, and all. She gets busted by Ben and Ciara and tells them she is undercover watching the amethyst in the jewelry shop that Ciara was loving on to Ben. But as they talk about Ben being a serial killer and all, someone went in and bought the jewel spoiling Billie’s plan.

Photo: JPI

In Miami, turns out Paulina has the orange diamond, and in one of the funniest bits, goes and on how Michelle (Obama) in the White House gifted her the ring as Abe, Eli and Lani look on perplexed.  Later, when everyone tells her not to go out on the town with that ring on, she insists, but bad news.  While the foursome are dining, two henchmen with guns come a-calling!

Photo: JPI

Elsewhere in Phoenix, Chad comes to visit Will and nuSonny, now played by Zach Tinker (who delivered in his emotional scenes in his debut). Turns out WilSon seem to be having marital problems. .. again!  Sonny thinks Will is cheating on him.  Will says he is working on a top-secret assignment and has to go to the office.  Later, when Chad calls to see if Will is where he says he is at, he is not there.  Sonny springs into action and goes to Will’s computer and finds an email that he is meeting someone at a resort and spa.  Best buds, Chad and Sonny, hightail it to the resort and land outside Will’s suite.  When Sonny knocks on the door he is surprised to see Leo Stark … in a robe!  Something tells us each episode will end with a guest star popping up, but we shall see and the let the games begin!

So, what did you think of the premiere episode of Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem? What was your favorite part? What did you think of Zach Tinker in his debut as Sonny? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But, first vote in our ‘Beyond Salem” premiere poll and cast your vote below.

Leave a comment | 34 Comments

34 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Im not sure yet. But where the hell is our Sonny. Its a different Sonny. I’m not happy. And they are having problems…come on. I let u know later what I think..

The actor who played Sonny didn’t want to come back. He’s living in Florida and wants another type of career.

Freddie Smith (Sonny) moved to Florida and didn’t want to return. He and his wife are thinking of starting a family and both are getting into real estate. More lucrative; secure work, in his mind. So; we got a new Sonny. I thought he looked way too young at first but I actually think he’s doing a great job, and is adorable.

Liked it but not overblown by it; do think this is the wave of the future if soaps are to survive. Cable is becoming a dinosaur and streaming is the way to go. It’s honestly hard for me to support this show because of how badly the head writer is handling the main show right now. I’m a generational viewer that grew up watching with my mom and grandmother. When they stop watching I will, they unfortunately have no desire to watch on line.

Yeah, Ron was doing okay for awhile, but it’s getting stale again. General Hospital is far more enjoyable now!

Only complaint so far is Will & NuSonny immediately having some sort of marriage problems…. which would be even more ridiculous if that idiot Leo Stark is involved. There really wasn’t a reason to bring him back. Let’s hope his bug eyed mother doesn’t make an appearance.

Poor Chad… he thought he was getting a break from his own wreck of a marriage…. and now thrown right in the middle of his friends’ troubles.

They don’t have marriage problems…

Well, it seems like they do….

Even though it turns out Will was NOT cheating, the fact is that Sonny obviously has some trust issues. The irony of that is that he suspected Will of cheating with the dude that he (Sonny) was previously cheating with.

Yes, Will cheated before… but he was really not himself at the time (horrible recast) and he’s died & come back through Rolf-amnesia since then. Meanwhile Sonny not only cheated with Leo, but also while Will was in prison, Sonny was literally hooking up with the guy who actually committed the crime.

So if anybody had a legitimate reason to have trust issues here, it would be Will, more than Sonny. But he seems to have moved past it. Hope Sonny can do the same now. Maybe they need to come home to Salem? Probably better for them, better for their kid (who I’m guessing will be a SORASed teenager the next time we see her). Businesses can relocate or open “branch offices” , so it’s not like Sonny would have to give up his gig. And Will could literally write from anywhere.

I get what you’re saying but whether there was a past history of cheating or not…though to add further fuel to the fire there was, it’s understandable that Sonny jumped to that insecure place due to, as be explained, Will’s actions and secrecy and then finding out Will lied, wasn’t at work, but at a hotel… It sucks to have trust issues but I guess when both parties have stepped out before insecurities can arise. All in all, they seem as in love as ever.

I’d love them to come back to Salem…not sure if Chandler Massey would come back. He moved to Georgia, and I haven’t read if nuSonny is looking for a regular gig.

That shower scene with Leo was quite amusing, lol. NuSonny’s exasperation and expressions were great. I like him…

Iam loving it so far except for that Leo Stark which as Satan said there was no need for but don’t worry, mommy dearest is back at Y&R causing troubles there. While I do miss our old Sonny I do like this NuSonny who played Noah on Y&R and be sure to look for Peter Porte and Lisa Rinna’s dance.

I stupidly said that Zack Tinker played Noah on Y&R when it was actually Fen Baldwin he played. I’ll accept him in a minute if we have to lose our old Sonny. After seeing this series, I want to see them back in Salem and Will never looked so good, a beard and just all grown up. The friendship between the two guys and Chad was wonderful to see. I haven’t seen Chad so funny and animated in years. Greg Rikkart/Leo Stark did a good job as usual.

Oh Violet, three gorgeous guys in the same story? I’m gonna need to turn up the air conditioning!

I just love watching Leo he brought a lot of fun to the show at first on days i didn’t like him but he grew on me

I actually kind of liked it! I’m hoping they do more of these type of things in the future. Zach Tinker was great as Sonny. Can’t wait to see more.

Freddie Smith aka OG Sonny said he was not interested in returning.

I’m not big on TV- but- you have to pay to watch Peacock.
My cousin has Peacock and told me- it’s not worth a nickel lol
She dropped it..

Peacock TV is a free streaming service. The upgrades cost very little. You can sign up for free and watch Beyond Salem and a lot of other shows and movies for free at Peacocktv.com

It’s free. They have different tiers and Beyond Salem is on the free platform. Peacock in and of itself has some great shows and films…they have a much bigger selection of shows and films then when they initially started.

SuOOO,
It is free. I get it on my Smart TV as a free App. Please look into it further. This series is great, even the locales and colors are more vibrant.

I thought it was fun, and always enjoy a little comic relief in the middle of dramatic trauma, aka-Leo. I have noticed the regular DOOL has been sneaking some fun into the gloom of Salem, thank goodness. Hello, Paulina!

I have watched DOOL over 50+ years and have been through the peaks and valleys of the storylines and I’m enjoying this break although I think Beyond is a little busy with the multiple fast-moving storylines. I am fine with this new format, even though Beyond’s genre is more intrigue than drama.

I’m okay with Sonny’s replacement as it was Freddy’s choice, as it was Freddy’s choice.

It’s good to see some favorite characters although if the viewers haven’t watched the show for a long time, they may not be familiar with them and not be interested in them.

Con E,
I think that seeing as how this is only a five day series, they did a wonderful job, especially the locales, outdoor settings , especially Florida and the colors were amazing, like watching a movie.

I loved it!! New fresh take! Excited for the next episode! Yea do I like everything? No. But at least they are trying something new!!

It was only so-so ): I was not happy with Will and Sonny having problems again. Hoping that will be over and done with during the five days of the series. Love having Chandler back and I like Zack Tinker’s Sonny very much too.

The other stories felt lame to me. It’s more of the same poor writing that is happening on Days lately – the overall storyline arcs aren’t good right now, individual scenes are well written and the performers give their all but the show is not very good at the moment ):

Checked it out with the free Peacock and wouldn’t pay for it that’s for sure. The acting is laughable and too camp. Not sure where the other OG super couple Steve and Kayla were though. Sorry, not a fan of John and Marlena; their acting has declined over the years. Am happy Deidre got to do voice over though.

Personally, I think the show is beautiful; if nothing else it’s exquisite visually. The acting? Same actors from DAYS so there was nothing new or different there. NuSonny was actually quite good.

Rebecca 1,
Iam also loving it and if you watch Y&R you might have recognized NuSonny as old Noah Newman. Just read your other comment and am holding myself back from gushing too much. You are right on all counts. Billie’s Tango partner, Peter Porte is also from Y&R, played Paul’s son and as grown into one good looking man, ooh,la,la.

Hi Violet! Nice to hear from you. Believe it or not I don’t watch Y&R. Ironically, I always read it has the best ratings of the four remaining but for some reason that’s the one I haven’t watched. Peeked in a bit out of curiosity to see Steve Burton, then Jason Thompson…and just saws seconds of Justin Hartley before he was blown up, lol, but I can’t say I ever watched one episode…just a peek at these actors. So, hmm…I don’t know who Peter Porte is. Maybe one day I’ll succumb and start watching Y&R. Only decades of history to catch up on! 😉

The look on Ben’s face in the top photo says exactly how I feel about this Beyond Salem.

I like it! Gorgeous production; beautiful sets; location shots, compared to Days. I don’t even know if they actually traveled or if it’s the magic of the media. I’m assuming they didn’t travel due to expense and more importantly, covid. But it LOOKS like they’re on location and that’s what makes it work.

It’s fun escapism. I thought the tango scene was pure entertainment! I think they’re following the production value of The Bay… Wonder if they’re thinking of making this a daily show, or a weekly…testing the waters with this one week event. I’d watch at this point…

What are the chances a platform titled “Peacock TV” has access to a series that has a storyline involving this “Alamainian Peacock”… and is Vivian Alamain somehow connected to this storyline? The character and / or her family just HAS to be.

Wasn’t Zach Tinker on another soap opera once upon a time… wasn’t it “The Young and The Restless”?? Different to see Sonny Kiriakis portrayed by somebody other than who has played him for so long on the regular show (too) (Freddie Smith), but He (Zach Tinker) is definitely adorable and very good looking. So yes he has the look factor down. Haven’t seen this yet just read the spoilers anyways so will have to wait and see if there is chemistry between Zach Tinker and Chandler Massey.

Though the “Alamainian Peacock” itself was never mentioned before now, the fictional country of “Alamainia” is very much a part of Days history, from the early 1990s. And yes, the country was named after the Alamain family. The one piece of history they forgot to mention is that John Black was previously known as “Forrest Alamain” in one of the 666 different rewrites of his back story. He was raised as Vivian’s nephew, before he ended up working as Stefano’s brainwashed “pawn”.

Ashland Cripton,
Yes, Zank Tinker was on Y&R a few years ago. Played Fen Baldwin.

I loved Beyond Salem. It was really good. I thought they did a great job. Leo Stark is a scene stealer.

I enjoyed the heck out of Beyond Salem.

Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives Star, Greg Vaughan, Gives Health Update and Thanks Everyone for Their Support

Greg Vaughan (Eric, Days of our Lives, ex-Lucky, GH, and ex-Diego, Y&R) provided an update on his health on Sunday, March 17th. Vaughan had previously shared that he had become ill during a trip with his sons to Colorado, and had developed altitude sickness when he was having trouble breathing accompanied by terrible headaches and landed in the urgent care.

Now on St. Patrick’s Day, Greg took to his Instagram and shared how he is feeling now, and to thank everyone for their love and support.  As it turned out, Vaughan was diagnosed with high altitude pulmonary edema, commonly known as HAPE. However, he is on the mend slowly and surely.

In his new video post, the DAYS favorite started by expressing, “I just felt such an appreciation and gratitude for everything. . reaching out. Your prayers have been felt. It’s been a struggle, but I’m over the top. And, taking this moment just to say I didn’t realize the things that I was going through. My (original) post was simply just to educate, put some information out there and some things that I was feeling, just share that information and the struggle that I was going through, which I didn’t quite understand. And it wasn’t because I’m stubborn or just because I’m a father, a man, and didn’t want to go to a doctor. It is just something I thought was so minor that I could overcome it, just by taking care of myself.”

Photo: JPI

The Daytime Emmy winner then revealed his actual diagnosis, “So, basically my situation was high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). With some good friends, doctors that had reached out to me, it kind of gave me some understanding on the aftermath, which was very, very beneficial.”

“But I’ve been resting, taking care of myself even though I live in a hamster wheel,” said the dad of three teenaged boys. “I gotta get up and, you know, do my normal domesticated stuff, eventually. I’m tired of laying down in this bed, but, I am feeling much better.”

Photo: GVaughanIG

Talking on his confusion of trying to understand what could have been ailing him, Vaughan expressed, “I couldn’t quite figure it out, even though I was emphasizing and professing to my children going on our spring break getaway about hydration. I professed it. But, even though I was acting on it, it had a greater effect on me, and for which I did not even think, because my head was such in pain, and I was in a very bad state of mind – not being able to be out there with my kids on the mountain, enjoying their time, as well. I thought I was doing the right thing. Unfortunately, my lungs were full of fluids and my head was in severe pain and even migraine pills didn’t even help. So, I just want anybody that goes into the Colorado Mountains to know, it is no joke. It is this very serious thing which I guess is why they call it the Mile High City.”

Greg had a mountain of ‘thank you’s’ to give for the outreach he received from his original post, “For everybody internationally, wherever you are, I love you and I appreciate you and just the time and the thoughts that you’ve shared with me,” said Vaughan. “I didn’t realize that it would make such an impression on so many people around the world. I feel tremendously loved and I can’t say it enough. I’m good. And I appreciate you.”

Photo: GVaughanIG

The actor concluded his video with, “To all the family and friends that have reached out to me, man, it means the world. So take care of yourself, enjoy your spring break with your families. It’s Saint Patty’s Day, obviously. I wish I could be out there.” Vaughan added, “I feel loved and touched and I can’t emphasize that enough. I’ll take better care of myself, promise you will do the same.” Before he signed off, Greg shared, “Just know, that I’m alive and well and breathing, and I’m sore. So, be well, take care. I mean it. Thank you, tremendously.”

Glad to know that Greg has been on the mend, and shared his appreciation for everyone that reached out to him during this trying time? Comment below.

Continue Reading

Days Of Our Lives

‘Access Hollywood’ and ‘Couple to Throuple’ Host Scott Evans to Appear on Days of our Lives

Scott Evans, host of Access Hollywood and the Peacock reality series Couple to Throuple, will make a guest appearance this week on Days of our Lives.

Circle the Thursday, March 21st episode of DAYS for Evans’ arrival in Salem. During his tape date last fall (since DAYS tapes months well ahead of when episodes actually stream), Scott posed for a snap alongside Mary Beth Evans (Kayla), Jackée Harry (Paulina), James Reynolds (Abe) and Greg Rikaart (Leo).

Teasers for the 3/21 episode of DAYS share that Leo tries to come up with his next gossip column, and Paulina and Abe return home to a mini-celebration set up by Johnny and Steve. Will Evans pop up in one of those scenarios? Stay tuned.

Photo: JPI

For a long time, soap opera fans knew only of one Scott Evans. The one who played Oliver Fish on One Life to Live from 2008-2010.  But in show business, there are two Scott Evans’ that are widely-known.

Last Thursday, March 12th at the 35th annual GLAAD Media Awards, it found both Scott Evans and Scott Evans together in the green room and they taped this video ditty below, calling out how they both share the same name.

Photo: JPI

Last weekend, viewers saw OLTL’s Scott Evans on-stage at the Oscars when he performed in the musical number “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie led by Ryan Gosling.

As for Access Hollywood’s Scott Evans, he has been with the entertainment news program since 2015, appeared in the recent Ladies of the 80s: A Divas Christmas with Linda Gray, Donna Mills, Nicollette Sheridan, Loni Anderson and Morgan Fairchild, and currently has an overall talent and development deal with NBCUniversal.

So, looking forward to seeing Scott on DAYS? Check out ‘Evans meeting Evans’ below, and then share your thoughts in the comment section.

Continue Reading

Days Of Our Lives

Days of our Lives Star Greg Vaughan Shares Sudden Health Scare: “I Truly Feel Like I Work & Live in a Soap Opera!”

What started out as an adventure with his sons, quickly turned into a nightmare for Days of our Lives Daytime Emmy winner, Greg Vaughan (Eric Brady).

In a series of Instagram posts, Vaughan shared the sudden health crisis he found himself in.  The images show Greg with an oxygen tank to help him breathe.

The actor began to fill people, sharing, “I’ve said more than a few times, I truly feel like I work & live in a Soap Opera! 🤪 this trip was nothing short of another great Vaughan adventure!”

He went on to say that on a father and son Colorado spring break trip, he began to feel shortness of breath, feeling tired and with a headache and after two days of hoping he would feel better, Vaughan finally went to an Urgent Care to get checked out.

Photo: GVaughanIG

“I finally surrendered & went to urgent care and to my shock I learned that I was experiencing severe altitude sickness.” Vaughan admitted. “My Blood Oxygen was at 54% & my lungs were full of fluids! Blood oxygen, also known as oxygen saturation, represents the percentage of hemoglobin in your red blood cells that is carrying oxygen. Most people have an oxygen level of 95-100%….”

Providing more detail to his health scare, Greg shared, “Well, 4hrs later, a couple of bags of IV & oxygen tank strapped to my face, I was told that I needed to immediately get off the mountain! However I couldn’t, we still had another day to go & wanting the boys to enjoy their last day on the hill tops! I opted to go home with an oxygen tank, a good laugh for everyone, and I know will follow, but my boys looked after their old man & fortunately they had friends on this trip!”

Photo: JPI

The experience of altitude sickness in the Colorado Rockies gave Vaughan a bit of a new perspective, “In all seriousness, no matter your age, and all the times I’ve ⛷️ & 🏂 in my lifetime, Colorado Rockies is no joke! As they say, ‘ take a breathe and smell the roses!’ That is truly something we need to remember & appreciate! #recover”

Share your well-wishes to Greg as he continues to be on the mend via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Kim Coles as Whitley

Days of our Lives

Airdate: 7-24- 2023

Popular