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Days of our Lives Exclusive: New Writer Dishes the DiMera Dynasty

Rhiannon

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Rhiannon Newbie

Rhiannon

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Last week, this TVGuide.com soap pundit had the great pleasure of lunching with Hogan Sheffer, the new head writer of NBC's Days of our Lives.

We spent two fascinating hours at Art's Delicatessen in Studio City, Calif., where we dished the current state of Salem and how he'll fix it. It's a big job, but if anyone can do it, Sheffer - who scored four Emmys while penning As the World Turns - is the guy.

During our chat, I found Sheffer to be candid, funny, down to earth and whipsmart. (I swear I'm not just saying that 'cause he promised he would order my new soap-opera book online - although a first-time author appreciates all the support he can get!) FYI, I got way too much great soap dish to blow it all in one blog posting. So I'll serve you my deli scoopage in delicious, digestible portions.

Let's start with Sheffer's take on the DiMera clan, that dynasty of deviants who've been stirring up terror in Salem since the '80s. "When I first got this job," Sheffer says, "everybody told me, 'You need to bring back the DiMeras.' This is the perfect time for that. I want to reward longtime Days fans by tapping the show's history of romance and old-school villains."

Need I say it? OK, I suppose I must... SPOILER ALERT!

Will Stefano DiMera return to Salem?

I outright told Sheffer that Days just shouldn't do any more DiMera stories sans Stefano DiMera, the cagey "Phoenix" himself. Daytime vet Joseph Mascolo recently left The Bold and the Beautiful and I've heard word he's returning to Days to reprise his signature Stefano role. True?

"Our problem, at the moment," Sheffer says, "is I don't know if [Mascolo] is willing to come back for a short span. We have to think about what to do about that. The first thing we'll do is make sure there's another generation of the DiMera family on the canvas. We need to start passing down those attributes that have been so successful to the next generation. The [younger] generation on this show is sitting around doing nothing."

Who is EJ Wells?

British actor James Scott (ex-Ethan, All My Children) has charmed Days fans as Sami Brady's mysterious friend, EJ Wells. It will be revealed this fall that EJ is a member of the DiMera clan and he's also the Gloved One who's been skulking around Salem.

"He's not going anywhere," Sheffer says. "To me, he is the next generation of the DiMera family. I think it will be a huge surprise as to who he is, how he's connected and what he's been doing. I won't tell you exactly who he is. Kudos to [former Days head writer] Jim Reilly for bringing on this character and for setting up what I think will be a great mystery. That's all his stuff, not mine. The way it's going to play out is mine."

Wasn't Jan Spears supposed to be the Gloved One at one point?

"Yeah, Jan Spears," Sheffer acknowledges. "One of the other versions of that story had Tek as the gloved hand. But there are only two people involved in that gloved hand business, EJ and Patrick. John and Bo will figure out their connection."

EJ Wells is not Benjy!

I recently offered up a wacky theory that EJ is Elvis, the son of Stefano and Susan Banks. (Read that theory here.) Several TVGuide.com readers countered by speculating that EJ is Stefano's long-lost Native American son, Benjy Hawk.

"You can say this," Sheffer winks. "Benjy is a DiMera and Benjy will be back. EJ Wells is not Benjy, though. We will see Benjy for the first time around the end of October. Benjy will be pivotal in what's happening in the months to come."

EJ is Getting a Wicked New Lover!

As Days fans know, Kate Roberts used to be Stefano's mistress. Let's keep it in the family, shall we?

"Kate and EJ are gonna start f---ing," Sheffer teases. "EJ is everybody's type. And why wouldn't he want her? She's a sexy woman! This also gives Kate her chops back. No more Roman and Victor - none of that. When Lauren Koslow (Kate) walks into a room, she just bowls me over. She's sexy, she's a great actress and she will be very, very busy."

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Toups Mentor

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Woah!!! EJ is not Benjy, but Benjy is coming back??!! Sheffer is rebuilding the Dimera Dynasty! I love it! This is something that B&C planned with Rex/Cassie but of course Higley had to rewrite that.

And thanks to Sheffer for confirming that EJ was JER's character - we can put that to rest now.

EJ/Kate? I can live with that. No more JATE. WOOHOO! ;)

Sheffer is DA MAN!

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PhoenixRising05 Newbie

PhoenixRising05

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So Stefano for a short time? I guess that is ok but I thought for sure long term. I do like the idea of the next Dimera Dynasty better so maybe it is best for a short Stefano run. Most of Stefano's runs were short anyway.

So EJ is not Benji but Benji is returning. That is AWESOME!!! I don't know if I could take EJ as Elvis but we will see.

EJ/Kate? Are you serious? YES!!! AWESOME!!!

I love me some Hogan Sheffer!!! ALL THIS RULES!!! :D

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PhoenixRising05 Newbie

PhoenixRising05

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I doubt it will Rick.

I like the idea but I also think Stefano should pop in and out like the 90's. He doesn't have to keep dying but I don't want to just see him and then poof. It almost sounds like he returns and dies again and leaves the empire to the young ones. Now that is ok but that is a waste to bring back Joe Mascolo for that. Maybe Stefano returns and then goes into a coma or something?

It does sound good although I am sad it seems Stefano may be just a short term gig. I can't wait to hear the news about the other families!! :)

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KBT Newbie

KBT

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I cant wait for Kate and EJ to get it on! Sheffer used [!@#$%^&*] in his interview, awesome.

All this stuff sounds great, I just hope Joe gets his way and signs a year or 2 contract instead of a short term story. I do want to see Stefano anyway I can though.

This Benjy, glove stuff sounds exciting. October is sure to rock!

Plus Sami will be mad as hell Kate is boinking her good friend EJ. :lol:

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JER Soaps Fan Newbie

JER Soaps Fan

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Kirk, I thought the same thing! I love how Hogan used the "f" word in there. Made Kate and EJ even hotter! And thank GOD a writer realizes that James Scott should be naked in bed (or wherever EJ and Kate hard screw) actually DOING something hot, for all the fans. Love this writer's vision. And poor EJ was long overdue for some good nude scenes. (And not the G-rated crappy kinds with Sami; hopefully EJate will bring some great porn to "Days" :))

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KevC1980 Newbie

KevC1980

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I just love Sheffer...His interviews are so entertaining to read...He drops so many little tidbits, but still doesn't reveal too much..

EJ and Kate---hotness...love that...seriously that will create fireworks...

EJ--is not benji, good to know...

Benji is returning....the steve and kayla fans should be very happy about this...October is surely going to rock...

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