DAYS News Archive - 2009

Gering to VENICE
Galen Gering (Rafe, DAYS) is the latest actor to join the cast of Crystal Chappell's (Carly, DAYS) Web series, VENICE. "I'm playing her brother and it's cool because the two characters have a really tight relationship," he reveals to Soap Opera Digest. "She asked me to do it and it should be fun. We're going to shoot it next week." Gering met Chappell for the first time on the DAYS set. "The first day we worked together, she was giving me mouth-to-mouth. That was an icebreaker!"

DAYS Casting News
Erick Avari, who has extensive prime-time and movie credits, will appear as Omar in scenes with Crystal Chappell when she returns to the show as Carly. He first airs October 9.

Full Length Episodes of DAYS on NBC.com
DAYS OF OUR LIVES fans now have no excuse to miss their favorite soap. Starting Today, August 10, the past 10 episodes of DAYS can be viewed on NBC.com. Tomorrow at 3 a.m. ET (August 11) the previous day's episode (in this case August 10) will be available. Each episode will be posted for 16 days.

"DAYS OF OUR LIVES has had such a long, rich history with NBC and our fans. It's wonderful that this new platform will both offer our current fans a whole new way to watch episodes they may have missed and attract new, young viewers to the show," said executive producer Ken Corday in a statement.

DAYS Alum To MELROSE PLACE
Victor Webster (ex-Nicholas, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) has been cast in the recurring role of Caleb Brewer on the new MELROSE PLACE. AfterElton.com reports that Webster is Ella's (Katie Cassidy) boss and will appear in four of the first six episodes. According to executive producer Todd Slavkin, Caleb is a very masculine, type-A gay man, a rarity on television.

Book It
Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS) has inked a deal with Simon Spotlight Entertainment (SSE) to pen a new book called The Mommy Diet, a guide to looking and feeling fantastic before and during pregnancy, and after giving birth. The actress, who hosts THE BIGGEST LOSER and has two children, Ben, 4, and Megan, six months, says, "Having two kids of my own, I am one of millions of women facing the challenge of balancing motherhood with a career, not to mention trying to find time for ourselves. That's why I'm excited for this book; to share the tricks I've learned and the advice that experts taught me along the way to give insight into how to care for yourself when every instinct is to first take care of others." The book is scheduled for publication in October 2010.

Michael Sabatino Back To Salem
On Monday, Digest jumped the gun by making an announcement on our site that Sabatino (ex-Lawrence) will return to DAYS. Now Sabatino's wife, Crystal Chappell (Olivia, GL; ex-Carly, DAYS), who is also set to reprise her DAYS role in August, has confirmed it via the following Twitter post: "Michael will indeed pop up on DOOL."

Another Alamain Back To DAYS!
It's official: Soap Opera Digest can confirm that Louise Sorel (Vivian) is returning to Salem in the fall. Look for her to hit town in late September. As previously reported, Crystal Chappell (Carly) is also coming back to the show.

Huge DAYS Casting News!
Soap Opera Digest has learned that Felisha Terrell has been let go and Lindsay Hartley (ex-Theresa, PASSIONS) has been hired to take over the role of Arianna. Hartley reports to work tomorrow. The move reunites Hartley with her former PASSIONS brother Galen Gering (Rafe, ex-Luis) and on-screen love interest Eric Martsolf (Brady; ex-Ethan). See upcoming issues of Digest and Weekly for more. Attention DAYS Fans!
Mark your calendars: NBC has announced that the Second Annual "Day of DAYS" fan event will take place at CityWalk at Universal Studios Hollywood on Saturday, November 7 (the day before the show celebrates 44 years on the air). The whole cast is scheduled to attend, including: John Aniston (Victor), Kristian Alfonso (Hope), Nadia Bjorlin (Chloe), Molly Burnett (Melanie), Shawn Christian (Daniel), Bryan Dattilo (Lucas), Casey Deidrick (Chad), Galen Gering (Rafe), Mark Hapka (Nathan), Shelley Hennig (Stephanie), Jay Johnson (Philip), Renee Jones (Lexie), Lauren Koslow (Kate), Eric Martsolf (Brady), Joe Mascolo (Stefano), Peggy McCay (Caroline), Dylan Patton (Will), Peter Reckell (Bo), James Reynolds (Abe), Suzanne Rogers (Maggie), James Scott (EJ), Taylor Spreitler (Mia), Alison Sweeney (Sami), Josh Taylor (Roman), Felisha Terrell (Arianna) and Arianne Zucker (Nicole). The event will feature meet and greets, autograph signings a Q&A session, raffles and more. For more information on this complimentary event, log on to www.nbc.com/days.

More DAYS Casting
Look for David Leisure, last seen as Y&R's Roger, to join the cast of DAYS as the new district attorney. "He'll have a few cases on his plate," says Executive Producer Ken Corday.

DAYS Casting News
Catherine Wadkins, last seen as crazed widow Mary Bishop on GENERAL HOSPITAL back in 2004, is headed back to daytime as yet another — you guessed it — crazed widow. Wadkins is slated to appear on DAYS OF OUR LIVES on August 3 and 4, after her character's husband, Carlo, turns up dead. She'll share scenes with Jay Kenneth Johnson's Philip.

Great Expectations
Happy news for real-life couple Kyle Lowder (Rick, B&B) and Arianne Zucker (Nicole, DAYS): The duo, who married in August, 2002, are expecting their first child in December. "Yay!" exclaims Zucker. "Her pregnancy will not be written into the storyline," confirms Executive Producer Ken Corday.

DAYS Casting Scoop!
Soap Opera Digest has learned exclusively that daytime vet Wally Kurth (ex-Sam, ATWT; ex-Ned, GH) is set to reprise his popular role as Justin Kiriakis on DAYS. The actor was last seen in Salem in 1991. His first airdate is August 10.

Chappell Back On DAYS
TVGuideMagazine.com reports that Crystal Chappell is returning to DAYS OF OUR LIVES this fall. She'll bring back the character she created 19 years ago — Dr. Carly Manning Alamain (Katerina von Leuschner). Chappell played the role from June 1990 to October 1993. Chappell met Michael Sabatino on the NBC soap when he played villain Lawrence Alamain. The two married in Jan. 1997. They have two sons Jacob, 9, and Dylan 5 1/2.

However, insiders add that the job-hunting Chappell had put out some feelers to YOUNG AND RESTLESS as her former boss Paul Rauch is currently the head honcho at the No. 1 soap.

Chappell has played on GUIDING LIGHT since 1999 and is currently involved in the very popular Otalia storyline. Chappell will begin taping in September (when GL is finishing taping) and start airing in October. Chappell's other soap roles include Maggie on ONE LIFE TO LIVE from Oct. 1995 through September 1997 and a brief, but notable, appearance on SANTA BARBARA as Jane in 1990.

Chappell has won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2002. She's been nominated four additional times, which includes this year in the Outstanding Lead Actress category.

For full interview with Chappell, go to www.TVGuideMagazine.

DAYS Casting Scoop
Y&R alum Rachel Kimsey (ex-Mac) has been hired at DAYS as Meredith, who has a past connection to Galen Gering's Rafe. She will first air July 17. In other news, Nick Stabile (ex-Mark, BEACH) will make his Salem debut on June 25.

DAYS's Scott On Web Fraud
If you think you're chatting with James Scott (EJ, DAYS) through his official MySpace page (www.myspace.com/officialjamesscott), turns out you're not. "I want to alert people to the fact that this is a fraudulent entity," says the actor, who only recently discovered just how misrepresented he was online. "The whole reason this came about is because I did an event in Hartford [CT] and people contacted my MySpace page because they wanted to find out more about it. I looked at it and there is a MySpace page that is supposed to be my official MySpace page, though it is not. It has nothing to do with me. You might think, 'Well, it's fans who have made a MySpace page dedicated to me and they're pushing it by saying it's official.' Well, that would be true, but they've gone a step further in that they are doing two things that are very misleading, one of which is a blog, which is not mine and the second is, they are 'tweeting' as me. Alison Sweeney (Sami) found this out. Someone from my 'official' MySpace page was sending messages as if they were from me. It didn't really bother me, but the problem is there are a lot of people who don't know that there are people are pretending to be me." Scott says he isn't online at all. "I don't have an official Web site, a MySpace page or a Facebook page and I am not on Twitter. I'm a technophobe; I barely use my computer and I don't do social networking of any kind. And I can't imagine I'm the only person this has happened to."

DAYS Casting News
Look for soap vet Gordon Thomson (ex-AJ, BEACH; ex-Mason, SB; ex-Adam, DYNASTY et al) to make his DAYS debut on May 18 as Owen's (Wes Ramsey) dad, Walter Kent. "Gordon's a wonderful gentleman," raves Ramsey. As for their alter egos, he says, "It seems like they have an interesting relationship. I think Owen seeks his approval."

New Gig For Deidre Hall
Beginning today, Deidre Hall (ex-Marlena, DAYS) will be guest hosting on Air America Radio from 6-8 p.m. PST/9-11 p.m. EST. The show is heard on radio in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit and 14 other cities and worldwide on www.AirAmerica.com. During this week, Hall will have a variety of guests and topics including:

Monday: New York Times #1 Best Selling Author, Rory Freedman, (Skinny Bitch) will talk about the "Meatless Monday" campaign on Air America
Tuesday: Sex and Relationship Expert Alison Armstrong
Thursday: Vanna White, and Holistic Doctor Paul Campbell
Other confirmed guests include: Congressman Dennis Kucinich talking about the dangerous organic farming/genetically modified food bill moving through Congress, some of her Soap friends from DAYS OF OUR LIVES, and a 14-year-old boy who does telepathic readings.

To join Hall on the air, call 866-303-2270 or email questions and comment to CNETTER@AirAmerica.com

It's Official!
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has officially announced that the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be broadcast on the CW television network on Sunday, August 30 at 8 p.m. The show will take place in the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. "The Daytime Emmy Awards are one of the cornerstones of our business," said Frank Radice, president and chief marketing officer, NATAS. "There wouldn't be a television awards season without them. From the extravagant red carpet to the great entertainment, the viewer will experience the show through new approaches which will make this year's show more robust and relevant than ever before."

Major nominations will be announced on May 14, 2009 on NBC's TODAY show with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. The complete list will be available that evening at a nominating event at the Hearst Tower.

Daytime Emmys To Air On The CW
GoldDerby.com reports that The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences are about to announce that the Daytime Emmys will be broadcast on The CW network in late August, most likely on Aug. 31. The news ends months of speculation on the dismal fate of the awards show. Though The CW doesn't air any daytime soaps, it is the home of GOSSIP GIRL and various talk shows that are also in the Daytime Emmy world.

DVDs of performances from all the pre-nominated actors (Check out the pre-noms here) have been mailed out today to the voters. Nominees in the major categories will be announced on May 14 during the fourth hour of the TODAY show. The remaining nominees will be announced during a reception that evening at the Hearst Building in New York City.

On The Air
Real-life pals Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS) and former co-star Kyle Brandt (ex-Philip) have teamed up to share their thoughts on everything from quotable '80s movies to a certain Carrie Underwood song. "Kyle and I have produced another installment of our podcast," says Sweeney. "I don't know how we came up with the idea of doing them. Kyle always cracks me up, and I knew it would be so fun. My brother is our sound man/audience/referee. I love the feedback we get from the fans. They get into it, too." Check it out here.

DAYS Casting News!
Wes Ramsey (ex-Sam, GL) reports to work at DAYS tomorrow in a role the show is keeping under wraps. The actor first caught the eye of producers last year when he came in to read at the time they were casting for Brady (which went to Eric Martsolf) and Rafe (which went to Galen Gering).

Daytime Emmy Update
"There will definitely be a broadcast and it will be a cool event!" confirms an insider. The nominations will be announced for the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy awards in late April. The broadcast is slated for early June. Check back with SoapOperaDigest.com for updated information. And They're Out...
Try and catch DAYS today for the final airdate of Stephen Nichols (Steve) and Mary Beth Evans (Kayla). As Executive Producer Ken Corday told Digest exclusively, "They're not leaving Salem. They're not dying. They're just not going to be on the air, they're not going to be on camera. You might see one or both of them pop up on other episodes, but it's not going to be a significant exit." You can say that again.

Another DAYS Exit
Rachel Melvin (Chelsea), who joined the cast in 2005, has opted to leave the show when her contract expires this spring. "I called her and applauded her move," Executive Producer Ken Corday tells Digest exclusively. "I'm sad to lose her." For more about Melvin, and the exits of Thaao Penghlis (Tony) and Stephen Nichols (Steve) and Mary Beth Evans (Kayla), pick up the next issue of Digest.

Daytime Emmy Update
Though there's nothing to mark on your calendars yet, an well-placed insider involved with the Daytime Emmys says, "I'm assured there will be a telecast. Lots of work has been going on in the background by good people to make this happen. There will be a show."

Huge DAYS News!
Soap Opera Digest has learned exclusively that the super popular Mary Beth Evans (Kayla) and Stephen Nichols (Steve), who returned to the show in 2006, have been let go. "It's like they're getting rid of everyone over 40," sighs a setside source. Read more about it in an upcoming issue of Digest.

Former DAYS Star In New Roles
DAYS OF OUR LIVES alumnus Patrika Darbo (ex-Nancy) will be mingling with the likes of Johnny Depp and those notorious DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES. The actress has been cast — well her voice has — in the upcoming animated Paramount film, Rango, also starring the voices of Depp, Isla Fisher and Abigail Breslin. The film tells the story of a household pet (Depp), who goes on an adventure to discover his true self. Meanwhile, look for Darbo to guest on the Feb. 8 episode of the ABC hit DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, in scenes with Eva Longoria.

DAYS Star Welcomes A Baby Girl
Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS) and hubby Dave Sanov welcomed a daughter, Megan Hope Sanov, last night in Los Angeles. The baby arrived at 11:48 p.m. and weighed 6 lbs., 7 oz. She joins big brother, Ben, who will be 4 on February 25.

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