A wind of change is sweeping through the NBC set of Days of Our Lives. With renewed hope and a sudden momentum change, Days of Our Lives is about to embark on a brand new journey – this September. The changes have been coming thick and fast with the firing of Gary Tomlin and Dena Higley. Having been overlooked at this years Emmy Awards, DAYS is on fast track to return the show to its rightful position – atop of the daytime ratings and a full steam ahead approach into the 2012 Emmys.
Marlene McPherson and Darrell Ray Thomas, formerly from the show Passions, will now head the DAYS writing team. Ken Corday is adamant to get the show back on track, after DAYS’ loss of thousands of viewers and languishing at the bottom of the daytime ratings. With soaps All My Children and One Life To Live given their marching orders and officially handed cancellation slips, Ken Corday can now not afford to play russian roulette with the daytime soap genre he’s family so proudly displayed in the 60’s. His show’s future and family legacy now hang in the balance. It’s almost Corday’s last ditch effort to resurrect the show that has become a household name for many generations.
“It’s time to make a more positive, romantic, and intriguing show driven by the power of heroic love. I’m very excited about the new adventure we are about to take which is based on the show that my parents created 45 years ago” said Ken Corday at news of his shows resurrection. “I am confident these changes will bring back excitement and anticipation to our family of fans as they tune in each day to see what happens. You won’t want to miss a single episode of the new ‘DAYS’ ahead!” he said. The Days Of Our Lives press release stated, “Days of our Lives initiated a strong direction of change by appointing a new head writing team consisting of Marlene McPherson and Darrell Ray Thomas. The successful writing duo plan to change the direction of the show as they tell contemporary stories based on the solid foundation of the ‘DAYS’ history of family, romance, and intrigue.”Marlene McPherson communicated with fans via Twitter, tweeting this on June 26, “Wrapping up old storylines air 8/19. So exciting. But the best is yet to come – our new stories! 9/26 -with a special episode on 9/23” …and then this on June 30, “Everyone is asking what is coming. Tune in 9/26 to see. Hint: romance, relationships, family, intrigue, and the Salem we all know and love.”
After much let down and false hope, I once again anticipate the show to rise like lazarus. Unfortunately for DAYS, many fans have turned off, adamant not to return until the writing improves, storylines change or fan favourites come back. Fans have already warmed to the announcements of several big name cast returns such as Deidre Hall (Marlena), Drake Hogestyn (John) and Matthew Ashford (Jack). Mark Hapka (Nathan), Bryan Datillo (Lucas), Christie Clark (Carrie) and Patrick Muldoon (Austin) are all names that are rumoured to be joining the show once again. On the downside, a clean up has ensued, with daytime heavyweight Crystal Chappell (Carly), Louise Sorel (Vivian) and Nadia Bjorlin (Chole) all told their services are no longer required.
The cornerstone of the show rests heavily on the names Horton, Brady and Kiriakis… it is with these names the show can bounce back and produce the quality drama we all know and love. The Horton family have been the centrepiece of the show for generations, how fitting to put this family back on the map and reintroduce them all in a more contemporary format – a complete ode to the character of Alice Horton (played by the late Frances Reid). Wally Kurth (Justin) and Judi Evans (Adrienne) have only not long ago returned to Salem – a great Kiriakis story would only bring John Aniston (Victor) and his family front and centre, add Suzanne Rogers (Maggie) and you have a remarkable dynamic combination. The Brady’s are an underrated family, how we long for the entire Brady clan to be back – yes that includes Patsy Pease (Kimberly) and Charles Shaughnessy (Shane). Mary Beth Evans (Kayla) and Stephen Nichols (Patch) would be the icing on the cake.
The images posted here were with purpose. Hopefully an inspiration to the new team of writers, a true reflection of ‘when DAYS was good’. I’m sure you would agree.
