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Will OLTL Decide to Rejigger Their Network Television Finale?

By Michael Fairman

Published

15 years ago

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Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

Now that the official decision was handed down by Prospect Park that One Life to Live will not be migrating online in January or at all through the media and entertainment company, what does that mean for the finale of the 43-year-old soap?

One Life’s head writer, Ron Carlivati and his writing team have certainly been put on a non-stop bad rollercoaster ride.  First, ABC canceled the soap forcing them to map out and write stories to wrap up the show by this January.  Then, comes the news that Prospect Park intends on bringing the show to its new Online Network.  And so, they ask that the series to create a cliffhanger and not tie up certain loose-ends to bring viewers to its new platform.

Now according to Variety, OLTL may go back and revise the ending based on the finality of the situation!  “Producers for OLTL, which is scheduled to end its run in January 2012, may be left with some creative rejiggering to do now that its second life online isn’t happening.  Sources indicated that the series was to end on a cliffhanger in order to whet appetites for its continuation online; now those narrative strands will likely be wrapped up on ABC instead.”

On-Air On-Soaps certainly hopes they would have the opportunity to do so, either by re-editing some scenes, hoping perhaps they filmed some contingency endings just in case this fallout did happen, or quickly get back in to their ABC studios, next week, before the December 9th date given to the actors by ABC to clean out their dressing rooms (which may not even be feasible).  This of course all depends if the One Life powers-that-be are unsatisfied with how they currently have wrapped-up the show, knowing One Life will not live on at this juncture.

Whatever the case, Prospect Park’s plans, that felt apart, have now left longtime viewers with an unsatisfactory ending for All My Children and many hope will not be the case for One Life to Live, due to the scrapped online venture.  However, all reports, and what we can tell you, is that in the weeks to come One Life is going to deliver to you amazing stories right till the end.

 

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This is very sad news indeed… but have lots of faith in Ron and the cast to give its loyal viewers the ending we need…

but after that, sorry ABC, I will not invest my time in your programming… You have had my interest in V, another bad ending, Dirty Sexy Money, and Detriot 1-8-7, all of which ended with out closure. Plus, I have no interest in any reality programming.

Also, hope all the New Yorkers boycott you too, after unemploying so many people there.

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So now EVERY soap SHOULD go..
Until it effects other’s, its always hunky dory.

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they will , only a matter of time..

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Late November of 2007 the light went out a GREAT show on CTV Programing.
***** INSTANT STAR*****.
The show was to have its 5th Season and like evil some wicked exes, VIACOME cancelled a desent ending for fans.
Now this Park online thing, come on….you gave people hope.

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I’m sad they killed off Matthew yesterday, why? And he didn’t even mention Destiny at all, who’s carrying his child! hopefully he can come back somehow and reconnect with Destiny, Bo, Nora and also with Shane, the cousin he regrets he didn’t stand up for earlier! And hopefully the woman Farrah is playing right now is really Gigi and Clint has Stacy’s heart- wanna see Rex, Gigi and Shane together in the end, with a big Rex and Gigi wedding the fans want! Clint could reconnect with Kim, esp. because he has her best friend’s heart. Charlie and Vicki could get back together. And of course Nat and John get back together. Also please let Victor Jr. still be alive somehow to be with Tea and their new child and Danielle and spar some more with his brother Todd!

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I too was very disappointed Matthew didn’t mention Destiny and the baby in his narration, but understood that the whole episode was all about the Buchanans. It just isn’t fair that all these months of waiting for Matthew to come back that this had to happen. What a waste of story line and talent!

One hopes that the writers had a “plan B” in case PP fell through, but we won’t know unless we keep watching! 🙂

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Matthew doesn’t know she’s pregnant. She told him when he was still in a coma. But I agree he should have said something about never getting old or being a father.

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yeah i was so outraged when they did that but i saw yesterday and matthew came back and they did have destiny and her family and i was very happy with that big time…i am so outraged right now that one live to life is gone and the hopes of PP of taking it online and now they are not i mean i dont think that it is right for them to just take these soaps off the air they need to put them all soaps on dvds and series and seasons them up in sections and the sweeps as well and/or just put them on another network that is just made for soaps and continue on with them life what is wrong with all that they are putting crapy shows on to replace soaps…i am not watching these are they crazy…! abc is done…! their ratings are going to plummet because of what they did to the these actors and to u and the family that they just destroyed with no regard if these actors can get jobs considering that they have families and the economy sucks…great job abc…executives bravo…proud of urselves hu?

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That’s good news. No one wants another ending a la All My Children.

As for All My Children, ABC can eventually air a reunion show to give fans the genuine ending they deserved.

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I hope they would ask Robin Strasser back if they are going to tape some more. The finale needs Dorian!

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I hope they don’t change anything with the ending because I hope that it still gets picked up. I mean this show is #3 in the ratings with almost 3 million viewers. Some CW primetime shows don’t even get that.

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With this new information, I’m hoping & praying that ABC’s IIC can resolve & wrap-up OLTL properly & give us long-time viewers satisfying endings! 🙂

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Once OLTL is off the air, ABC will lose me as a viewer. I do hope that the fans will not be cheated and that the show will have a satisfying ending for those of us who are still watching.

Thank you to everyone at OLTL! You will be missed.

And this fan prays her favorite couple get the happy ending they deserve. Thank you Roger Howarth and Kassie dePaiva. Your talent and chemistry are the reason Todd and Blair have such a huge following.

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Loved the last paragraph! I want them to get their HEA so bad.

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I do hope that my favorite couple Todd and Blair get the happy ending they deserve. After 18 years of tortured love if ANY COUPLE on TV deserve happiness its these two. I agree if it was not for the Hugh talent and chemistry of Roger Howarth and Kassie Depavia we would not have been held captivated all these years. They and we the legions of Todd and Blair fans deserve a happy ending for them.

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The finale is not satisfying without Robin Strasser. It is a slap in the face to end the show without her.

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The way OLTL’s editors slice and chop, I wouldn’t trust them to make it worse than it already will be.

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TREVOR ST JOHN HAS TO BE THERE ,

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I agree with you Meg. Trevor gave this show so many years before they kicked him out. He should be the real Todd, but if not then Victor should be there with Tea and Dani till the end. I miss Trevor so much that I stopped looking long before he exited the show, because of the treatment that he received from TBTB, and no support from his castmates.

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After January 13, 2012, ABC has lost me as a viewer.

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You guys dont really believe matthew is really dead, do you?

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Why even re-write the ending for ABC? Why even give this network the satisfaction of giving them any more of your blood, sweat and tears? Of course, I’m speaking of the writers and the actors…I want this show to have a cliffhanger because I will never give up on OLTL being picked up by SOMEBODY! I know there has to be another network who recognizes the value and quality of this show and that fans will migrate to where ever they go. SO LET’S NOT GIVE UP! Let’s fight the good fight to keep this show going, and most of all, BOYCOTT ABC! They’re the ones who did all this damage, so we fans have to send them a message that we will not watch their network.

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Totally agreed! I still believe this gem of a show will be picked up by someone. It is too good to end now. It is firing on all cylinders. I hope some cable network is listening.

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I am so heartbroken over the loss of OLTL that I don’t think re-editing the ending even matters. That there has been no interest by any network for a show of this quality and viewer loyalty is astounding and says volumes about the current state of network television. Maximizing revenue is all that matters.

Networks are happy to broadcast pig slop like The Chew because there are enough viewers who will watch. The Chew recently had as many viewers as AMC. Maybe if the The Chew had failed with less than a million viewers there would have been a chance for OLTL, but Frons’s gamble paid off. Now, ABC executives know they made the right decision, and they can’t wait for The Revolution to replace OLTL.

Until a sufficient number of viewers develop the discipline and taste to reject cheap, reality programming other networks have no incentive to offer more expensive, quality entertainment like OLTL.

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I seen that both soap will not return on line too bad if only u can save one one life to live it is my favor will you say it will happen and then u changed it. sell it why disappoint viewer try it.

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If you are going to boycott anyone, boycott Disney (who owns ABC) & ABC, not just ABC. Also, fill out your soap coupons at https://www.sudz.tv/ and mail them in. They are important now more than ever. We need to show soap fans have the numbers and that there is a demand for soaps.

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I THINK MATT IS HAVING A NEAR DEATH AND THAT IS HOW THEY ARE BRINGING DEAD PPL IN. AS LONG AS THEY BRING VICTOR BACK ALIVE AND SEND TODD TO BE MITCHS CELLMATE IN STATESVILLE I;D BE KINDA HAPPY

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I just don’t get it. One Life is actually well written and well acted. In fact, the writing is SO good, it really is a throwback to the classic days of great soaps. Ron C (headwriter) has developed plot after plot that keeps me taping and watching each episode. I had no intention on watching One Life on a regular basis; however, when I heard that is was being cancelled, I was curious enough to view a few episodes. I’m a life long Days fan, and had no intention of adding another soap to my viewing schedule. I was surprised to see how ell proudced this show is. It’s really, really good- and I cannot believe that the idiots that run ABC don’t see this. I hope Brain Fronz loses his job. I hate that one idiot can ruin, and ulitmately end an entire genre that has been successful for over 70 years.

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Nice of you to take the time and be open-minded enough to notice. It’s a shame a few million other people couldn’t be more like you. I don’t get it either. A primetime show offers a couple of dozen episodes–one per week, repeated in the summers–while soaps offer a new episode everyday all year round. Primetime pays some actors one million dollars per episode for multiple retakes to shoot a half-hour show. OLTL produces five shows every week without retakes.

The quality and talent associated with soaps is significantly underrated and unappreciated. Articles about the demise of OLTL in The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal are inevitably followed by condescending comments about soaps in general by people who obviously never watched them. I think the consistent entertainment value of OLTL is remarkable compared to any show. But for people like Brian Frons in network television, maximizing revenue trumps quality entertainment.

I think OLTL should be produced by PBS, assuming enough public contributions could support it. Public television is what the public wants to see but networks refuse to produce.

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I wish all soap fans- past and present would unite and stage a major protest against ABC. It doesn’t matter if you watched soaps years ago, or still watch them today. Network executives have no sense of creativity, and no ability to judge talent. I’t’s all about saving money. You’re right, David- One Life has INCREDIBLE talent. Soaps in general have traditionally been underrated- by the people that never watch them! People who love the genre have known for years that it takes a certain type of talent and ability to produce, direct, and act in a new sixty minute drama five days a week.
Anyway- I wish that everyone who cares about quality programming would stage a major demonstration at the ABC studios in New York- in protest of the cancellation One Life to Live, All My Children, Guiding Light, etc; in protest of Brian Fronz and his systematic obliviation of an entire genre (just wait- GH is next, I’m certain ); in protest of the end of soaps as we know them; and last but not least, in protest of useless, cheaply produced, unimaginitive, uncreative programming like the Chew (barf) and the Revolution (double barf).
We could call it Occupy Daytime or Occupy Llandview! It may not accomplish anything at the end of the day, but it’s important that network executives- like that assohole Brain Frons- understand that they will never, ever recoup their daytime ratings by replacing a beloved genre with cooking show. Pretty soon daytime programming will be as relevant as AM radio. And we can all thank Brian Frons and his “innovative” ideas for that.
Seriously, soap fans need to unite before they derail what is left of a very talented industry.
Btw- it’s cool to see another guy soap fan.

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I really wish the guys at PP had chosen to focus on OLTL only. The logistics involved are obviously insane but had they chosen to focus on the one show it may have worked out. I agree OLTL is a throwback to the days when I was a kid and would watch GL and ATWT after school. Its a shame to see this great show shot down in its prime.

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I guarantee you Rob that PP had NEVER seriously considered taking on One Life to Live. They had no money, no contracts, and NO advertisement in place. The New York Times had a feature article about the head of PP about a month ago, revealing that had been involved in questionable business tactics in the past, and had been trying to revive his career ammonst alleged personal and business conflicts. I am certain that all of the “smoke and mirrors” that soap fans have been subjected to has been a complete ruse to distract them from expressing their anger regarding the idiotic Frons and ABC’s poor “buisnesss” descions.
Btw- it’s great to see another male soap fan. Who knew? I’d say it’s almost a “revolution”- but I really hate that name nowadays. (The only recourse One Life and All My Children fans have is to BOYCOT The Chew and The Revolution. I also suggest a huge fan rally in protest of ABC and the impending cancellation of One Life. Shame on Frons!)

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My grandfather and father brought OLTL and GH into our home when I was small. Grandfather was retired and dad was biding time after the family business closed. They’d do construction projects during early morning and through the day and come home in the midafternoon. On went the TV. Those shows were part of my growing up and I love the genre. A lot of men do. Shame the powers that be do not realize the joy they are taking from everyone.

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OLTL did film some alternate endings. for OLTL’s end. Not an extensive amount – it’s not going to be perfectly closed – but they definitely have a version with more finishes/less cliffhangers that they will use.

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greg andrew thanks

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NBC has the lowest ratings of the three major networks – why didn’t they pick up the canceled soaps ?

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NBC and CBS will never pick up any of the ABC soaps. Don’t forget that both had good soaps, and cancelled them. It’s a sad reality of the television industry today. No one will pick up a cancelled soap, not a network and not a cable channel. NBC will cancel Days in the next five years, and both Y&R and BB will most likely not last the decade. No one will introduce a new soap or revive an old one. We have to accept reality. As soap fans we are dead.

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I just wish The CAST & CREW the very best in their Careers & THE HAPPIEST OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON lol !

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News

Susan Flannery and Ian Buchanan Visit the Set of ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’; Daytime Emmy Winners Reflect on Show Then and Now

Published

3 days ago

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October 21, 2026

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Susan Flannery and Ian Buchanan

The one and only Susan Flannery (ex-Stephanie Forrester) dropped in to see her former co-stars on The Bold and the Beautiful at their Sunset Las Palmas Studio in Hollywood, along with her good friend and another B&B co-star Ian Buchanan (ex-James Warwick) on Tuesday October 20.

It was the first time in a very long time that The four-time Daytime Emmy winning actress was reunited with Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy), executive producer and head writer, Brad Bell, Jennifer Gareis and even her TV sister, Alley Mills (Pam, B&B now Heather, GH) showed up for the day too!

Flannery played the Forrester matriarch from 1987 until 2012. It was then that after playing the part of Stephanie for 25 years that Susan made the decision to retire from acting and in one of the most heartbreaking sendoffs, passes away from lung cancer in Brooke’s arms in November of 2012. During her B&B tenure, Flannery won 3 of her 4 Daytime Emmys, the other being for her first soap role as Laura Horton on Days of our Lives back in 1975.

Susan and Kelly

Photo: Bell-Phillip TV

As for Ian Buchanan, he played Dr. Warwick, psychiatrist, from 1993 to 1999.  He returned for other runs in 2014 and 2017.  Buchanan took home his Daytime Emmy in 1997 for his work as James. Soap fans also remember, Ian as mobster Duke Lavery on General Hospital, and Dr. Greg Madden on All My Children,

Both Susan and Ian shared their thoughts on coming back to The Bold and the Beautiful, for Susan 14 years later since he exited and for Ian close to 9 years since his last appearance below.

Susan said, “It’s definitely like coming home in a way, even though it’s not the same studio. It’s really lovely to see old faces and old faces with new faces. It takes you back mentally. You start remembering what it was like back then, even things like how much your feet would ache at the end of the day from wearing six-inch heels. It was just lovely to be back and see everybody.”

Susan Flannery and cast

Photo: Bell-Phillip TV

Ian expressed, “It’s a mind trip, you know. When I was sitting looking at the big Forrester set, it was like stepping back in time, almost. It takes you back mentally, and you start remembering what it was like when you were here before.”

“It’s lovely to see all these people again, even if you don’t know everybody,” explained soap vet Buchanan. “There’s something really special about coming back and seeing the show and the people who have been part of it for so long.”

So, happy to see Susan and Ian with some of their former castmates? Do you think Stephanie and Brooke is one of the greatest frenemy stories in daytime history? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Beyond the Gates

Tabitha Brown and Kandi Burruss Guest Star on ‘Beyond the Gates’ for Dani’s ‘Welcome to Your Life’ TV Special; What Could Go Wrong?

Published

3 days ago

on

October 21, 2026

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Kandi Burress, Tabitha Brown, Karla Mosley

As previously announced, Beyond the Gates is bringing chef, author and actress Tabitha Brown and Grammy Award-winning songwriter, singer and actress Kandi Burruss to Fairmont Crest in a special episode of the CBS daytime drama airing Thursday, October 22.

In the episode, Dani’s (Karla Mosley) best friend Pamela Curtis (Cady McClain), arranges a “Welcome to Your Life” television special for her. As it turns out, Brown will play the show’s host, Tia Allen, while Burruss takes on the role of Dani’s first modeling agent, Kalista Kilroy, who turns the celebration of her life into a bad trip down memory lane.

Dani’s parents Anita and Vernon (Tamara Tunie, Clifton Davis), sister Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix), and daughters Chelsea (RhonniRose Mantilla) and Naomi (Arielle Prepetit) all join the show to celebrate and support her but also witness how things so south. Also appearing in the episode are Molly Figueroa as Tatum Stewart and fan-favorite Anita Williams (Tunie) impersonator Jackie Tyree!

Beyond the Gates

PhotoL JPI

THE 411 ON TIA AND KALISTA

Speaking with TV Insider, about their soapy experience in Fairmont Crest, Tabitha Brown previewed about her host with the most, “Tia is very professional, but she’s a girl’s girl. She is a protector of women and wants to tell their stories in a beautiful way, but she also wants to make sure they’re seen in a very good light.”

However, Burruss previews that Kalista arrives with a score to settle. “She’s spicy,” shared the recording artist. “I always love playing somebody that has come to start trouble. It’s always fun to play a villain of sorts, but Kalista feels like she’s been done wrong and she’s hurt by what she feels has been done to her. So Kalista is stirring up trouble, but she feels justified putting Dani on blast. Kalista is ready for some payback.”

Beyond the Gates is produced by CBS Studios, as part of the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, in partnership with P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble. Created by head writer Michele Val Jean, executive producers include Val Jean, Sheila Ducksworth, Julie Carruthers, Tracey Thomson, Leon W. Russell, Derrick Johnson, Anna Saalfeld and Lela Coffey.

Beyond the Gates is broadcast weekdays on CBS (2:00-3:00 PM, ET/1:00-2:00 PM, PT) and is available to stream on Paramount+**.

So, looking forward to this special episode of Beyond the Gates when Dani is put on a blast during a blast from her past and Welcome to Your Life TV special? Share your thoughts via the comment section.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

Published

4 days ago

on

October 20, 2026

By

Kyle Pryor

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!

Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.

He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Dominix

Photo: Peacock

Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2.  In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.

Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.

So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.

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