Days Of Our Lives
What Soap Opera Christmas Episode Did You Enjoy the Most?
In case you missed any of the action on Friday’s episodes of your favorite soaps each delivered a Christmas episode in their own way. But which was the best? We want to know your thoughts. Here is the rundown with some of our personal favorite moments to jog your memory.

Courtesy/ABC
On One Life to Live, in what was their final Christmas episode on network television, fans were treated to an amazing episode complete with the reveal of what happened the night Gigi-er-Stacy died, and Rex finally being reunited with his beloved, Gigi! The performance of the day (and in that episode) had to be John-Paul Lavoisier’s Rex, who made us reach for the hankies with the revelation that he was standing in front of the woman he loved after months of grieving. Plus, in another emotional moment Tea and Dani received Christmas gifts from Victor Jr. from the grave. There were also many gems along the way; Viki and Clint reconciled, Little Sam waited for Santa, Jack got arrested, Shane finally getting justice for his mom, (in another moving performance by Austin Williams) and Natalie and John almost had “the talk”, and so much more!

Courtesy/ABC
On General Hospital it was the wedding day of Dante and Lulu, with Dante’s mom Olivia in tow! The sweet and intimate vows were off-set by the final moment where we learned Olivia secretly snuck in the entire Falconeri clan to the festivities! Again, got to give it to the men here … Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) proved again why he is such a sensitive and dynamic actor. Lisa LoCicero (Olivia) was delightful as Dante’s over-excited and emotional proud mom. However, you can’t also beat Scrubs! And in what looks to be Robin’s final Christmas with her loved ones, Kimberly McCullough (Robin) in the moment where Patrick hands Robin her present – a deed to some land to build their dream house on – broke our hearts with her stream of tears as Robin knows she may not be around to live there with her family.

Courtesy/CBS
On The Young and the Restless, it was Melody Thomas Scott’s standalone episode as a drunken Nikki, who is taking under the wing of a guardian angel to show her how much her family and friends love and need her, even though Nikki feels like her existence and life is worthless. With lots of vintage clips to tantalize the most avid of Y&R fans, as viewers took a walk down memory lane, one couldn’t help but realize the immense self-loathing that Nikki has had for herself all these years, as much as she has tried to rise above it. The most poignant moment happened at the end of the episode when it is revealed that the guardian angel is really Nikki’s deceased mother, who died at a very young age. It was at that point that Melody broke our hearts calling for her “mother” when the angel said she had to go now and within a millisecond was gone, leaving Nikki reeling.

Photo Credit: Adam Campbell
On Days of our Lives as Sami and Rafe prepared for their shotgun recommitment ceremony, Will was giving hell to his mom, and he came very close to revealing to her that he saw her with EJ having sex, and prior to that almost telling his grandmother, Marlena, that he is gay! These two near misses and the high-emotional stakes, showed us that Chandler Massey (Will) is an actor to keep your eye on throughout the storyline – good stuff! Also, Bo lavished gifts on Hope commemorating Christmas, her birthday and their wedding anniversary, while John was reunited with Marlena, and the Horton Clan gathered at Tom and Alice’s for a Christmas toast.

Courtesy/CBS
On The Bold and the Beautiful the Logan sisters ruined Christmas dinner, Hope and Thomas went to Farmer’s Market to hang out and do Christmas things, while Hope and Liam still look at each other with love in their eyes, (even if they don’t know it) and at the end of the episode Stephanie, played by Susan Flannery had a few poignant moments with Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) and some one-line zingers with her on-screen sparring partner earlier in the episode.
So now that we have gone around the horn, let us know which was your favorite Christmas episode from Friday’s airshows and what performance did you enjoy the most?
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
The final few moments of the Thursday, April 30 episode of Days of our Lives, will pave the way, to what just may be the end of Sophia Choi’s (Rachel Boyd) life, but not as you may think!
After an unhinged Sophia paid a visit to Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman), maced him in the eyes, knocked him out and then tied up to a chair, now conscious, she lets him know that she holds him responsible for all the trouble and trauma she has gone through from adopting her child, and her being sent to a mental institution.
So instead of the unregistered gun Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) gave her to finish off Johnny, Sophia sets up a plan to light candle, use nail polish remover and turn on the gas on the stove to ultimately create a mass explosion, which although Johnny pleaded to her not to that to all the innocent people inside his apartment building, she doesn’t seem to care.

Photo: JPI
FIERY FACE OFF
The plan was supposed to be, after she takes care of Johnny she will toss the gun in the Salem River, then focus on payback to Holly Jonas before leaving town to start a new life.
Now, Sophia makes her exit, leaving Johnny to be a few moments away from an explosion or gas inhalation, when Chanel (Raven Bowens) comes home after awaiting the results of her mammogram. She sees Johnny tied up, as he panics and tells her to put out the flame on the candle, things go awry, and a fire has begun and everything may go up in flames with Johnny and Chanel inside.

Photo: JPI
A BROKEN SOPHIA
Back in her room, Sophia breaks down after reading the social media comments about her, she planted, and then starts writing a suicide or farewell note which says. “I’m tired of begging for forgiveness for my mistakes. All I wanted was to move forward, to be loved and understood. But it’s clear that I was never going to get that. Holly Jonas said that I was dead to her. So, as her former BFF, I’m going to make her dream a reality.”

Photo: JPI
A DEADLY TRAP
Now, the fate of Johnny, Chanel and Sophia will be revealed on tomorrow’s May 1st cliffhanger, which may be the end of Sophia when she crosses paths with Kirsten at the bridge near the river. We do know Rachel Boyd is no longer appearing in the show credits section and is now off contract with the soap.
So, what did you think of the climatic final moments of DAYS? What did you think of the performance of Rachel Boyd as Sophia Choi? Let us know via the comment section.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.

Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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I actually enjoyed OLTL because hopefully Jack is finally accepting that Todd is his dad and Blair can see that Todd is the love of her life. B&b was hilarious because we see the Logan Girls trying cook a bird on Xmas wow if Stephanie was her snarky self she would say the Logans girls can’t cook but their experiences lie in the bedroom . I hope when Shane sees his mom that means Jack and his cocky self cannot go 2 Prison
OLTL had such an awesome episode! Not only just for Christmas but period! So much happened and you didn’t want to miss a minute because so much was going on! Rex and Gigi learned that she was not Stacy but was Gigi. Then Shayne got Vimal’s sister to give him the proof of Jack’s confession, then Jack getting arrested and then Vimal’s sister feeling bad for what she done (for the first time I felt for her character, she seemed torn about what she did). Vicki and Clint made up and celebrated with their daughters. Tea and Dani found their presents from Victor and are enjoying their Christmas. And then Blair, Todd and their children (and Victor’s son Sam) enjoyed a little bit of good time.
That episode truly blew me away. More proof of how stupid ABC is to get rid of it in a few weeks.
I can’t comment on the others, but I loved the General Hospital Christmas episode. From Dante and Lulu’s wedding, to Robin and Patrick spending time together, to the gifts the Quartermaines received from a mystery person. Just a great episode all around. The type of family oriented show that they don’t do enough of anymore.
OLTL hands down. How long have we waited for Rex and Gigi to be reunited? The others were good but this was exceptional and perfect for Chrismas and we havent even seen Shayne’s reaction.
One Life to Live is must see TV in my house! I am cherishing every single second it is on and especially any scene with Todd Manning and his family!
Y&R ….Nikki and her mother,I cried buckets when she opened the hankie and in it was her mother’s cross.
GH ….Dante and LuLu’s wedding and the scenes with Robin ,Patrick and Emma.
OLTL…. Tea and Dani,Todd as Santa and always little Sam(love that kid).
Jack’s arrest,Rex and Gigi.
GH because I loved Dante & Lulu’s wedding! It was so beautiful, and it made me smile more than the Rex/Gigi reunion on OLTL. I loved Rex & Gigi’s reunion, but Lante’s my fave current soap couple. Gotta give it to them! A wonderful Xmas gift from GH! Also, seeing the Quartermaines was wonderful. Made you realize how much they’ve lost, but the mystery “Santa” was magical. I love magic!
My favorite one was the Y&R Nikki stand-alone X-mas episode!
My fav Christmas episode was the Y&R standalone epi featuring Melody Thomas Scott. It was poignant and beautiful.
OLTL was beautifully done. Storylines wrapping & Miracles happening!
one life to live,it was so good to see clint and viki together ,at least they will be living happily ever after.and seeing gigi get her memory back ,todd spending time with his family,Landview was a happy place,and I was in tears.january 13 will be a very sad day for me .
Totally agree with you. I just watched it & tears were streaming down my face by the end of the show. Every scene was great. Gosh, what will be do without this wonderful place to visit every day? I am heartbroken over it.
I dont know ,And the closer we get to the end the more upset I get, one life to live is my favorite show ,daytime and prime time,if i had to chose one show that I could watch once a day it would be oltl.43 years ,thats a long time to have something then have it taken away.I think abc made a mistake,Who watches the chew? and who will watch the revolution ?I wont watch abc anymore except to support gh,we have to support all soaps,there are only a few left,thats so sad. daytime tv will be full of reality crap tv. I dont want to watch.And on january 13 when one life to live turns its lights off in landview that will be the ending of the best soap opera ever ,agnus nixons best.
I have watched ABC soaps since I was a kid with my mom and now I watch them with my kids. It’s so sad to see such a staple in my life go away. I have grown up with so many of the actors and actresses; they seem like family. The shows they are replacing our beloved soaps with will never generate the following that the soaps have. They will never capture the spans of generations like the soaps have. I miss AMC and I will really miss OLTL also. I put all my support behind GH and hope we can at least save one out of three.
No comparsion MTS and Y&R! I haven’t watched Y&R in 8 months because of the horribly written garbage of MAB and cronies but I wanted to see this because of the flashbacks. It was fabulous and MTS shined brightly in this episode…welcome home and hope I can come back home next year if writing change in the writing staff.
One life to live …the best
DAYS knows how to celebrate Christmas right. It was once again warm and festive, and had throwbacks to beloved characters. A Christmas doesn’t go by where they don’t make mention of those characters who came before them. I love their tradition of having a personalized Christmas ornament because it emphasizes one of DAYS’ most pertinent themes- sense of family and belonging. Though I am not a fan of Safe and didn’t care for the renewal, I was overall satisfied with the episode. LOVED “German” Santa lol.
YR’s was alright. YR OWED a tribute to MTS so if anyone was going to get a character-centered episode with lots of flashbacks, it had to be her. Though it was kind of a yawner until the end. I thought the ending with the reveal of who the spirit guide was was really excellent.
OLTL was pretty decent. I wish there had been more of an emphasis on Christmas and the holiday itself, but I understand them wanting to not waste precious airtime and move story along. I too was happy Jack finally accepted Todd, and that Viki and Clint made up.
GH….ZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz…..Gone are the days when I used to recognize this show. Who are these people? I didn’t even enjoy Patrick and Robin’s scenes because once again Robin is withholding from her husband.
And finally BB, didn’t catch it. I saw the preview for it with Donna and Brooke figuring out how to make the turkey and it looked pretty funny.
OLTL was my fave, with Y&R a very close second. Both really moving Christmas episodes, but OLTL more so, probably because it’s the last one (sigh).
Gigi & Rex of course THIS YEAR.
The Young and the Restless’ NIKKI-centric episode was the absolute best show I’ve seen them do in SO long. Watching it, and seeing Melody shine in scene after scene, coupled with the triumphant return of Jeanne Cooper (back just in time) made me realize just how much these two characters are part of the very fabric of what makes it such a wonderful show. I can’t imagine it without these two venerable performers. Melody’s portrayal of the long-suffering Nikki is always so palpable, so raw and so relateable. I can’t imagine there was one dry eye in America as they watched her. The end was so emotional, I had to watch it twice and I cried each time. WONDERFUL!!
Absolutely! When she realized the angel was her mother, I cried right along with her!
Tremendous work!
For a change I actually enjoyed GH more that OLTL. I loved the Lante wedding…it was just wonderful..Scrub scenes were bittersweet and touching….Q’s were funny and magical…Loved seeing Elizabeth possibly moving on…Where as OLTL could have waited for Jack to be arrested on the next show…Gigi and Rex and Vicki and “THIS Clint” have never been my favorites. JVD has never had chemistry with
ES…So I really didn’t care that they were reunited. I did like Victor giving presents from the grave though…and Sam and his Santa.
So for a change I actually preferred GH…
Y&R It showed you how this show could really be great again! MTS did some good work no one cries like the Nikki!
OLTL! I adored the Mannings this year!
I watched them all and enjoyed all. OLTL and GH were the best!
OLTL…..I have been waiting for Rex and Gigi to finally get back together. Also, the gifts for Tea and Dani from Victor made me cry. Todd pretending to be Santa for Sam was really sweet too. I cant believe there is only 13 episodes left! I am crushed.
Me too! What are we gonna do without this show? Such a big mistake to cancel it.
OLTL definitely the best.
I liked OLTL too.
Days of our lives for 23 and 26 was GREAT
love John is free :))
Definitely.
ONE LIFE TO LIVE……..period. No comparison. As 1/13 comes closer, my heart breaks that the end is near for daytime’s true gem.
Do you have to ask… OLTL hands down. Truly the best soap the whole year.
My favorite was GH because Dante and Lulu finally got married. It was a sweet and romantic moment. No explosions or shootings. Just epitomized two people deeply in love making a commitment. Just beautiful.
Hands down, definately Y &R. The BEST Christmas episode of all and I did watch them all. It reminded us of what Christmas is all about. And, they weren’t afraid to say “Merry Christmas”.
Y&R Nikki episode! MTS shined in that stand alone episode!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One LIfe To Live…of course. But I will say that Y&R was surprisingly good too. Liked the time featuring Niki. But OLTL had me in tears….was so happy. And there were so many things going on. Really enjoyed it
Wow I don’t know, there was so much talent to choose from, YAWN!!!.
OLTL & Days had good Christmas Eve/Christmas eps, but my favorite for 2011 was The Bold and the Beautiful!
Mr. Fairman,
That OLTL countdown clock is REALLY depressing. I wish you would take it off your site. We know the show is over on January 13th. No reminder is necessary.
Oh, my fave episode was The Mannings Christmas on OLTL.
GH was my favorite X-Mas episode! I loved Dante & Lulu’s wedding, but I loved, loved Scrubs scenes more! They were so sweet, touching yet sad at the same time. To think this is the last Scrubs X-Mas is well very sad! Just seeing them spend time together & with Emma was great! Scrubs rock! 🙂 🙂
gh because of scrubs and emma scenes and lante wedding
B&B I think. It was funny.
i thought all the soaps did a poor job this year for fhe holidays .it seemed very superficial and no warmth. young and the resless always does a great job leding to the last day but not this year n what is up with the one actor episodes on last day please no more .i heard it was happening this year again featuring nikki and i did not watch.
none.lack of warmth and young and restless very disappointing.lack of lauren and micheal time and would not watch nikki on last day.
I guess you didnt see one life to live ,it was a tear jerker and it was good.Its sad that it will be my last christmas in landview.
Loved the wedding of Rex and Gigi. fans waited a long time for that to happen. Now we need John and Natalie to tie the knot. We need to keep One life to live alive and keep it on the air. I’ve watched it since day one, traveled from Ca. to N.Y. to meet the stars outside the studio. It was the best time of my life. Sad to see it go.