DAYS: Behind the Scenes, Articles/Photos

[AMCOLTLLover]

Boring? What?

1987 had the Greek wedding 

88 the serial stalker 
1989-90 with Shane’s amnesia and the Steve and Kayla storylines were amazing. Jack and Jennifer’s story carried the show for me during 90-92 tbh.

Only year I hated was 1992. But show declined already during 91.

 

[Khan]

The truth is, DAYS was largely on auto-pilot by 1989.  I know Jack and Jennifer had their legions of fans, but to me, it just seemed like the show going through the usual, supercouple motions.

[AMCOLTLLover]

I can see where you’re coming from with this. But what made it so special was the complete turnaround and redemption arc of Jack that made that storyline work 

[JAS0N47]

2024 HORTON ORNAMENT DEBUT: ADDIE II:

 

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2024 HORTON TREE EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DRW50]

That's lovely. Thank you.

[Paul Raven]

Who approved those curtains for the Horton House? They look like leftover tablecloths.

Alice would not approve!

[Paul Raven]

Jon-Michael Reed Dec 13 1980

NEW YORK - Fans of "Days of Our Lives" have become accustomed to many changes in the show during the past year. Now, there's a "new" Mary Anderson Marshall to contend with. Although several actresses have portrayed the role, Barbara Stanger gained strong audience favor as Mary during the past few years. She was an adequate performer who generally projected a "soft" quality.

The show's writers, however, plan to take Mary out of the homespun mold and into a more fiery conflict with her ex-beau Chris and his new lady love, Leslie. The actress chosen to in- terpret Mary as a more flamboyant creature is soap newcomer Susan Keller. So far, she's making the grade snappily. It didn't help Stanger's cause that Josh Taylor, who portrays Chris, made it no secret that he was "uncomfortable" working with Stanger. Their on-screen passion was never quite convincing and Taylor is considered a more valuable property to "Days'" than Stanger.

So, there wasn't a display of executive eager ness to renew Stanger's contract when it expired The potential Mary-Chris- Leslie triangle was recently put on hold, however, when Taylor took a leave of absence from the serial. He's filming the title role of ''Riker," a CBS nighttime series which debuts later in the TV season. If that show's a success, Taylor insists he'll work on both shows simultaneously, or "until I drop, which isn't likely, since it would be a first to star on daytime and nighttime at the same time." And a double income isn't a shabby enticement, either.

To my mind Stanger's Mary always came across as quite serious and harsh, not at all 'soft'.

Ryker was a flop.

 Keller was only on a few weeks in November. Mary returned in Jan 81  recast with Melinda Fee.

[asafi]

Mary Anderson had it all - family drama, business intrigue, multiple romances, and a tragic end. It's fascinating how she went from being accidentally shot by her own mother to marrying Alex who only wanted her company, and finally meeting her fate at the hands of the Salem Strangler.  

Mary Anderson is definitely from that 'lost decade' era of Days of Our Lives where there's very little surviving footage. It's a shame because her storylines sound pretty dramatic - especially that whole corporate takeover plot and the Salem Strangler murder. Would've been interesting to see how different actresses portrayed her character over the years too. 

[teplin]

I really liked her. And considering her recasts were total flops, I'd say she go the last laugh. 

[j swift]

His appeal eludes me.  I mean, he looks good in jeans, but Chris was never a very interesting character.  And Josh Taylor being catered to both in his choice of a leading lady (while he's taking a role elsewhere), and his later comeback is astounding.  I know the lore that he is a friend of the producer, but without audience support that will only get an actor so far.  Yet, this guy has had a solid career, despite questionable charisma.

Edited December 29, 2024 by j swift

[Contessa Donatella]

Didn't Deidre work on both primetime and daytime simultaneously? DAYS of course & either OUR HOUSE or WISEGUY?

[te.]

The Andersons in general seemed like such a huge part of DAYS for a decade and they're just... gone. They even had what seemed like the major company in Salem to work for. I guess there's been other families that have disappeared during the decades, but the Andersons just seemed almost too big to not even have a living descendant walking around in Salem. I guess the stillborn kid with Bob Snr would've given them a legacy in Salem, but it wasn't to be...

[AbcNbc247]

I wonder why no writer ever chose to let Mary have a baby. 

[asafi]

When can we expect to see John's memorial, and who will be returning for those episodes?

[janea4old]

The answer is likely in this spoiler post about eight returns
https://boards.soapoperanetwork.com/topic/67581-days-eight-returns-lined-up-for-2025/#comment-1961949