Report: Mascolo Set to Resurrect DAYS' Stefano

Despite an earlier statement to the contrary, Joseph Mascolo (ex-Stefano DiMera) appears destined to return to Days of our Lives later this year. With an official announcement from NBC still pending, it would seem that the supposedly-dead Phoenix has once again found a way to rise from the ashes.

A long-time member of the Days of our Lives family, Mascolo made news in 2001 when, after departing DAYS amid a contract dispute, the actor joined the cast of rival CBS soap, The Bold and the Beautiful. The actor immediately dismissed talk of Stefano being recast with an in-character "bah humbug."

"My contract is up in May and I tried to negotiate in good faith," Mascolo states. "Usually, one expects some give and take but the powers that be are adamant. They now feel that the character of Stefano should take a rest - as if Stefano ever rests."

In 2002, Days of our Lives' writing team put to rest talk that the character would soon be returning by killing Stefano. Of course, DAYS fans knew that the door would remain open for the character's resurrection since this was not the first time that Stefano had been "killed."

Earlier this year, soapcentral.com first reported that Mascolo would be leaving The Bold and the Beautiful at the end of his contract. Unlike his exit from DAYS, money was reportedly not an issue in the actor's decision to bolt. Mascolo had reportedly been unhappy with his character's story - or lack thereof - and decided that he would leave until the show could come up with a suitable storyline.

Days of our Lives fans first got an inkling that Stefano might be returning soon when a mysterious "gloved hand" started appearing around Salem earlier this year. Many fans immediately jumped to the conclusion that the mysterious hand belonged to Stefano - and they may have been right. However, as the storyline unfolded on-screen, some behind-the-scenes changes caused a rapid change in the identity of the mystery person. In May, Days of our Lives head writer James E. Reilly was ousted from the show amid a ratings slump. It is believed that Reilly might have had plans to reveal Stefano as the "gloved hand." However, Hogan Sheffer took over as head writer last month, Sheffer expressed an interest in wrapping up the storyline because it had, in his opinion, dragged on too long.

Mascolo previously appeared on Days of our Lives from 1982 to 1985. He returned briefly in 1988 before making a permanent return in 1993. Mascolo's most recent appearance was in 2001.

NBC declined to comment for this article

http://soapcentral.com/days/news/2006/1030-mascolo.php

I'm not sure how reliable Soapcentral is so I wasn't sure whether to label this a spoiler or rumor. Not much details in this article either. There's a lot of "it appears" or "it seems likely" language in this article. I'm still waiting for a clarification of the SOW headline in next week's edition that Stefano is returning....

And also no mention of how long he has signed up for. That has been the main bone of contention in the negotiations.

This is just pure speculation....... all the ducks are lined up for this to happen and that is all the article is saying.

There is nothing new in the "report."

Yes, before I start dancing, I am going to wait until it actually happens. The mags have quoted him as saying he will not return unless it was more permanant, at least a year.

As promising as the article may sound, I believe it is more speculation from posters on the site than anything.

Nothing new. The same sticking points apparently still remain. I would like to know what SOW is saying this week though. I just want this to be resolved because it has dragged forever.

Here's an update on what that SOW headline was all about courtesy of SONY DOOL board:

STEFANO RETURNS

The Phoenix will rise again in Salem, assures HS. But is Joseph Mascolo reprising the role?

"I wish I had a definitive answer for you," says the scribe. While there have been 'conversations' between the show and Mascolo, nothing had been worked out at press time. "Whether we can get that actor to play the part, we still don't know."

So the show has a plan. "In its first incarnation, Stefano will not be used very much, but his presence will be felt. It will be known," hints HS.

Does that mean the show would reacst? "No," hedges HS. "There's another way we'd do it."

Stefano's reappearance is a pivotal step in setting up the resurgence of the DiMera family. "Ultimately, we'll make EJ the new power to be reckoned with," confides HS.

http://boards.sonypictures.com/soaps/showthread.php?t=74274